CMR Exclusive: Getting To Know… Kaylee Rutland

Country newcomer Kaylee Rutland recently released her latest single, “Pick Me Up.” The upbeat new track has been received significant airplay on Radio Disney Country and is consistently gaining momentum on Spotify as well as.  In addition, the singer/songwriter teamed up with award winning director Kirsten Barlow and released a captivating music video for “Pick Me Up.”

In an exclusive interview with the rising star, Kaylee Rutland shared details with us about her new single, influences & role models, favorite places to shop and much more! Rutland has an exciting year ahead with her new music, as well as a huge milestone coming up in May (continue reading to find out her exciting news)!

CountryMusicRocks (CMR): You have released your new single “Pick Me Up.” For folks that are not familiar with the song yet, tell us a little about it.
Kaylee Rutland: “Pick Me Up” is about breaking through the everyday routine and enjoying the day that the week ends. It’s fun and upbeat and almost a weekend anthem! It serves as a reminder that whatever your week might have been, it’s never a bad day to plan a good time!

CMR: You also released the music video for the new single and worked with the famed director Kristen Barlow. Tell us about that experience.
Kaylee Rutland: It was an amazing experience! Kristen was full of energy and she really helped bring that out in all of us while the cameras were rolling. I remember her yelling goofy things to keep the excitement up and the smiles coming. This was such a blessing because we were filming in mid-December and it was cold! After 8+ hours outside in under 30 degree temperatures, her extra spunk was inspiring and certainly much appreciated!

CMR: What was one of your favorite parts filming the Pick Me Up Video?
Kaylee Rutland: The location and the people! We filmed at the iconic Tinsley Farm in Lebanon, TN. It’s a car farm with hundreds of vintage vehicles and a quant, little gas station (which is the scene where I’m putting oil in the car). Along with the setting, I met some incredible people and had a supportive team that came with too! Oh and a little secret, the guy in the blue flannel shirt is actually my brother! Needless to say, we had fun on set together.

CMR: Women in country have taken a strong role once again in the genre. Who are some of your female influences and role models in the industry?
Kaylee Rutland: Reba McEntire is a huge role model for me. She’s accomplished so much, has a big heart, is so funny and genuinely cares about the people who’ve helped her get where she is today.
Carrie Underwood fascinates me with her amazing vocals, and I love that she has stayed true to herself and her values.

CMR: You always look so great and trendy. Where are some of your favorite places to shop?
Kaylee Rutland: Thank you for the compliment! I like Nordstrom and Free People. For shoes, I love Freebird. But honestly, I have some pretty great fashion-forward friends in my life that help pick out some of my clothes for me!

CMR: As fans continue to get to know you, what is one thing you would like to convey to fans about you and your music?
Kaylee Rutland: I’m beyond grateful for all my fans and their support in me! I hope to be an artist that you can turn to for an uplifting message.

CMR: With 2017 well underway, what are some things you have going on that you are really looking forward to this year?
Kaylee Rutland: Graduating college! I’m in the home stretch of my education and am set to graduate the end of this year. My degree will be in Music Business from Belmont University. As far as my career goes, I’m really using this time to do a lot of writing. I’ve been working with some amazing individuals at Momentum and we have some exciting things on the horizon too, which I hope to be able to announce in the coming months.

CMR: Country Music is a genre that significantly stands out on its own. What is one thing about country music that really resonates with you?
Kaylee Rutland: I have loved country music my whole life. It stands on its own through its sense of storytelling. Not only is there a story in the lyrics of every song, but the genre as a whole is made up of artists who are very supportive of one another. It feels like one big family, full of collaboration.

“Pick Me Up” is available now and will make for a great addition to your playlist. Grab your copy on iTunes here.

Stay connected with Kayle Rutland by visiting her Official Website, and follow  her Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Rascal Flatts Reveal Track Listing for Forthcoming Album BACK TO US

ACM Awards Vocal Group of the Year nominee RASCAL FLATTS revealed the official track list for their highly-anticipated tenth studio album BACK TO US (Big Machine Records) today. The collection is reminiscent of the trio’s distinct sound that catapulted their status as international superstars, while maintaining an edge that has kept them at the forefront of the genre. Rascal Flatts will release a 10-track standard album to all retailers while a 13-track deluxe album is available for pre-order now exclusively on Amazon.

With 12 of 13 tracks produced by the group – with bassist Jay DeMarcus taking the reigns – the album explores the powerful emotions of relationships with songwriting credits from the trio throughout, adding a personal depth to the release.

The album is stacked with multiple standout moments, including the vocally-driven collaboration with Lauren Alaina “Are You Happy Now,” songwriting prowess of friends Dan + Shay alongside Cary Barlowe and Jesse Frasure for the optimistically upbeat “Hopin’ You Were Lookin’” and Chris Stapleton, joined by Luke Laird, for the effervescent “Vandalized.” “Hands Talk” also welcomes red-hot producer busbee, who co-wrote and produced the track for the deluxe album.

Rascal Flatts will perform the album’s lead single, “Yours If You Want It” at the 52nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards airing live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday (4/2) on CBS at 8:00P ET. The infectious song is turning heads as “one of the fastest moving singles on Country radio charts” (Entertainment Weekly) while Rolling Stone proclaims it “showcases the band’s vocal harmonies and knack for sing-along hooks.”

BACK TO US TRACK LIST
“Yours If You Want It” | Written by Andrew Dorff, Jonathan Singleton
“Back To Us” | Written by Cary Barlowe, David Hodges, Josh Thompson
“I Know You Won’t” | Written by Steve McEwan, Wendell Lee Mobley, Neil Thrasher
“Hopin’ You Were Lookin’” | Written by Cary Barlowe, Jesse Frasure, Shay Mooney, Dan Smyers
“Dance” | Written by Joe Don Rooney, Blair Daly, Troy Verges
“Are You Happy Now” with Lauren Alaina | Written by Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney, Sean McConnell
“Love What You’ve Done With The Place” | Written by Benjy Davis, Shay Mooney
“Kiss You While I Can” | Written by Jay DeMarcus, Steven Lee Olsen, Greg Wells
“Vandalized” | Written by Luke Laird, Chris Stapleton
“Our Night To Shine” | Written by Gary LeVox, Chris DeStefano, Travis Hill

Deluxe Edition Tracks – Exclusive to Amazon
“Hands Talk” | Written by Gary LeVox, busbee, Jon Nite
“Thieves” | Written by Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox, Scooter Carusoe, Chris DeStefano
“Roller Rink” | Written by Nick Brophy, Jeffrey East, Jennifer Hanson

Presenters and Additional Performers Announced for the 52nd ACM Awards

The Academy of Country Music® announced today additional performers, presenters and an unprecedented number of duos and special collaborations for the 52ND ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®. The special will be broadcast LIVE from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 2 (live 8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

The featured collaborations will include 14-time ACM Award® winner and 14- time ACM Awards® host Reba McEntire and contemporary Christian artist Lauren Daigle performing “Back to God,” superstar duo Tim McGraw and Faith Hill performing the world television premiere of their new single “Speak To a Girl,” Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris teaming up for “Craving You,” Cole Swindell and Dierks Bentley rocking out “Flatliner,” and Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban performing their hit single “The Fighter,” plus Florida Georgia Line with the Backstreet Boys performing a must-see medley.

Brett Eldredge and Old Dominion will join the lineup for previously announced solo performances by Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Rascal Flatts, and Chris Stapleton.

Presenters taking the stage this year include Lauren Alaina, Bobby Bones, Kane Brown, Savannah Chrisley, Todd Chrisley, Kacey Musgraves, Nancy O’Dell, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Elliott Sadler, Miss America Savvy Shields, and Bubba Wallace.

The ACM Awards, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, will broadcast LIVE from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 2 (live 8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Cole Swindell Releases “Flatliner” Music Video Featuring Dierks Bentley

Cole Swindell has released the music video for his latest single, “Flatliner.” The new track serves as the singer/songwriter’s 7th released single, and follows six consecutive No. 1 singles. In addition, “Flatliner” features special guest and good friend Dierks Bentley.

Swindell is currently out on the road on Dierks Bentley’s What The Hell Tour. Live footage of Swindell and Bentley was captured perfectly from award winning director Michael Monaco during their performance of the hot new track in Sioux Falls, SD.

“After kicking off the album with ‘You Should Be Here’ and how special that song was to me for so many reasons, I knew it would be hard top that feeling” Cole Swindell shares with the Tennessean. “Now, I find myself in a place every night having the opportunity to get up on stage with Dierks Bentley- one of my favorite artists and an artist I have looked up to as a mentor since before I moved to Nashville. Not only do I have this opportunity opening for his ‘What The Hell World Tour’ but he brings me out during his set to perform “Flatliner”- one of my songs. It’s unbelievable. Dierks is so gracious.”

“I have said since the day this song was released that I wrote ‘Flatliner’ about four years ago with him in mind to record it”  Swindell continues. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think he would record it with me for my own album one day. And here we are. This is such a fun, highly energized and, honestly, surreal moment each and every night of the tour for me that there was no question in my mind of how I wanted to capture this video.”

“Flatliner” is available now on Cole Swindell’s third studio album, You Should Be Here. Grab your copy at a retail store near you, or on a digital music outlet such as iTunes here.

Tucker Beathard Tapped For Multiple Festivals Throughout Summer 2017

Country music singer/songwriter Tucker Beathard will perform at this year’s Bonnaroo Music + Arts Festival in Manchester, TN on Sunday, June 11. It was announced today on the heels of last week’s news that he also landed a coveted slot as the only country artist at Lollapalooza 2017 in Chicago, IL on Sunday, Aug. 6.

Beathard’s stacked summer schedule also reads as a bucket list of country music festivals, as he is set to kick it off playing one of the pinnacles of the season at California’s Stagecoach Festival on Sat., April 29, followed by genre staples as he goes from coast to coast making stops at Tree Town Music Festival, Country USA, Oregon Jamboree, Country Thunder, Boots And Hearts and many more.

With over 200 shows last year, Beathard’s “live performance speaks louder than anything else” (Rolling Stone) featuring impromptu and high energy moments and an unbreakable connection with fans through his insightful lyrics. The multi-instrumentalist cites influences ranging from Joe Walsh’s guitar licks to Jon Bonham’s drumming to the songwriting of Hank Williams Jr, and it’s clear that this fluidity across genres has seeped into his own sound. Beathard continues to turn heads with his homegrown sound as Billboard recognizes “The Beathard blood has deep roots in country music” showcased when he “recently dropped the rousing confessional ‘Momma and Jesus,’ where the singer’s innate vocals and country twang permeate through the rock-infused arrangement.”

Beathard recently marked over 40 million streams worldwide, as he continues “generally blowing folks’ minds with his catalog of heartbreak-heavy tunes” (Vice.) Following a breakout 2016, that saw him further his “meteoric rise,” (MSN) fans can catch Beathard at Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival tonight (3/28) in Nashville, TN as part of an esteemed round with tour mate Luke Combs, friend and frequent collaborator Jonathan Singleton and Josh Thompson at Hard Rock Cafe. Beathard will then head to Vegas this weekend as part of “Bash At The Beach” benefitting ACM’s Party For A Cause on 4/1 and will head back out on Brantley Gilbert’s The Devil Don’t Sleep Tour on 4/6 in Saginaw, MI. For more information and a full list of dates: visit www.tuckerbeathard.com.