Darius Rucker Finds New Talent on CBS Hit Show “Undercover Boss”

Undercover Boss has gone country y’all! The popular CBS television show will feature country superstar Darius Rucker as he goes undercover to in search of new musical talent.

Taking place in  Austin, TX, Rucker runs an open mic night, works as a roadie, and takes to the infamous Sixth Street seeking out talented street performers.

“The Undercover Boss experience was amazing. To have to spend three hours in a chair getting makeup on every morning and go out and be somebody else was so much fun,” Darius says about his time on the show. “The people I got to meet and become friends with and got to hang out with are now friends of mine, and I got to help them take a little step further in their careers, that was awesome. No one really recognized me. One guy at the beginning when we do the first thing, he didn’t recognize me, but he recognized that maybe I had a disguise on, so we had to change it up a little bit. But it was a fun.”

Tune-In to Undercover Boss featuring Darius Rucker on May 12 at 8pm ET on CBS.

Devin Dawson Set To Make Country Radio, TV and Grand Ole Opry Debut

Warner Music Nashville/Atlantic Records artist Devin Dawson is set to make his national TV debut May 4 on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Dawson will perform his current single “All On Me,” which impacts radio just days before on May 1. The singer/songwriter will round out the momentous week making his Grand Ole Opry debut on May 5.

Dawson is already receiving industry recognition, with a current nomination as the Association of Independent Music Publisher’s Rising Independent Artist-Writer of the Year and CMT noting he’s “setting out to forge his own path in country music.”

Having already amassed over six million total streams in the weeks since his music was digitally released, Dawson’s “All On Me” reached #3 on Spotify’s US Viral Chart and #5 on their Global Viral Chart. He was recently featured as a Rolling Stone: 10 Artists You Need To Know and is a current CMT: 17 for 2017 Artists to Watch, a 2017 VEVO dscvr artist and part of iHeartCountry’s Digital Artist Integration Program. Wrapping the Maren Morris Hero Tour earlier this month, Dawson will also join Tim McGraw and Faith Hill later this summer to play select dates on their Soul2Soul Tour.

Dawson is not your typical country artist. His approach to music is not different on purpose, it’s different with purpose. Twenty-eight years old and from Orangevale, California, Dawson grew up just outside the gates of Folsom Prison. He heard the sirens at night, and drew inspiration from Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Marvin Gaye and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Pulling from these influences, Dawson began to write in a style that is definitively country, with lyrics that pull you in from the first verse and keep you hooked until the very last chord. Arriving in Nashville in 2012, he put his unique skills to use authoring songs for other artists.

When it came time to put together his own debut album due out later this year, he teamed with equally daring producer Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town, Brothers Osborne). Having co-written every track, the result is a mix of organic roots and high-voltage country, full of romance and delivered with a distinctive saw-toothed vocal.

Dawson is already establishing a reputation in Nashville: a dark horse set to emerge as one of the most exciting modern storytellers the format has ever seen.

Lauren Alaina Provides Exclusive Music Education Experience With Portland’s Youth Music Project at Oregon’s First Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® recently opened up its latest restaurant/store in Tualatin, OR. The new store serves as its first location in Oregon and has quickly become a new favorite eating and shopping experience for Oregon natives and nearby neighbors from WA, CA and ID. 

With the new store opening, Cracker Barrel teamed up with Portland’s Youth Music Project for a special in-store music education experience days ahead of the public opening on April 17th. Joining this momentous occasion was Mercury Nashville recording artist, Lauren Alaina. With over a dozen children in attendance from Portland’s Youth Music Project, Alaina treated the young music lovers to a special set showcasing her music, as well as an intimate songwriting session where an exclusive song for Cracker Barrel was created.

It was a big day for Cracker Barrel, Portland’s Youth Music Project and Lauren Alaina, who not only got to spend quality time with the young generation who is already passionate for music, but also landed her very first No. 1 single with “Road Less Traveled” within hours after the event.

In an exclusive interview with the singer/songwriter, Lauren talks about her support for the Youth Music Project organization, her journey with hit single “Road Less Traveled,” one of her favorite items to order off the Cracker Barrel menu, and more. Check out our interview with Lauren Alaina here, or watch below. 

Lauren will make her return back to Oregon this summer to perform at the Oregon Jamboree. In addition, members of Portland’s Youth Music Project will join her on the main stage to perform.

The new Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® is open now and located at 7415 SW Nyberg Street in Tualatin, OR.  For more information on Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®, and their online store, please visit www.crackerbarrel.com.

Brennin Continues To Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence with Impactful Music Video for “Rip Off The Rearview”

Country newcomer Brennin released his impactful single, “Rip Off The Rearview” featuring Vince Gill, earlier this year. The new track raises awareness about domestic violence, and the rising star has taken it a step further with the release of an impactful music video for the single.

Filmed in Austin, TX and directed by Britt West, the video features a modern-day couple and depicts how quickly a situation can turn and escalate. Taking the vivid lyrics from the single, an excellent job was done by the entire team as they brought a delicate subject to light.

“Rip Off The Rearview” can be found on iTunes here. 50% of all iTunes download will benefit the YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee to support victims of domestic violence.

Domestic Violence is a constant issue and one that many struggle with all alone.  If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.

CONTEST: Enter To Win Tickets For James Otto Concert at Duke’s Bar & Grill

***CONTEST CLOSED***

Congratulations to Cory, Teresa, Natalie, Amber, Kimberly & Cecilia!

James Otto is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Pacific Northwest just in time to celebrate Cinco De Mayo! Heading to area famed Duke’s Bar & Grill in Portland, OR, Otto will showcase his hit singles that we all know and love, as well as some new music!

Tickets are available now at ticketwest.com.

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with James Otto by entering to WIN a pair of Tickets to see him at Duke’s Bar & Grill on May 5, 2017. To enter to win, simply LIKE Country Music Rocks and James Otto on Facebook, and fill out the entry form below. Must be 21+ to enter/attend. Winner will be randomly selected and emailed after contest closes. No travel and/or accommodation provided. One entry per person. Good Luck!