COJO Music / Warner Music Nashville recording artist Cody Johnson makes it look like there Ain’t Nothin’ to It as he officially surpasses a staggering one billion career streams. This accomplishment comes just one year after the release of his first major-label album, which debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and their all-genre Digital Albums chart.
Johnson also announced the release of his own signature COJO Cologne, on sale now. Undeniably incomparable to other brands, the distinct and unique fragrance was unveiled last year at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Resistol Booth. Fans can purchase the scent at https://cojocologne.com/.
The CMA New Artist of the Year nominee will be featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s first exhibition of 2020, American Currents: State of the Music, opening on Friday, March 6, 2020. Running through February 7, 2021, Johnson will be included in the Unbroken Circle exhibit alongside country music legends such as Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton and newcomers such as Tenille Townes. The Unbroken Circle will illustrate the connection between country music’s past, present and future by sharing stories of today’s artists and those who have influenced them.
BBR Music Group officially announces Johnny McGuire as a solo act on its Wheelhouse Records imprint. The Kansas City native will make his solo radio debut with “I Can’t Even” going for adds on March 9, which happens to be McGuire’s birthday. This signing marks McGuire’s return to Wheelhouse Records, where he was signed as one half of the fast-rising Country duo, Walker McGuire.
As part of the twosome for six years, Johnny racked up nearly 100 million digital streams, earned fans across the country doing hundreds of shows and honed his guitar skills, paving the way for this next chapter of his musical journey. Stepping out as a solo artist for the first time, McGuire released his EP Neon Nights in fall 2019 while out on a string of shows with two-time 2020 GRAMMY® award-winning Billy Ray Cyrus.
“When Walker McGuire went their separate ways, my heart broke for the end of their dream. Johnny didn’t know what the future held, but he had put in so much work and was such a class act, we wanted to give him a chance to do something solo,” said Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group. “We all knew he was talented, but he surprised us all with how different and compelling his debut EP was. The entire team couldn’t be more proud of his music and where he’s headed.”
“I Can’t Even” was written by Michael Hardy, Mark Holman, James McNair and produced by MULTI-PLATINUM, award-winning, Mickey Jack Cones. The heartbreak track that plays off of the popular saying “I can’t even…,” providing a list of examples that the protagonist can no longer manage tackling, due to a broken heart. The anguish of the lyrics are highlighted by McGuire’s gravelly vocals to leave listeners relating to his pain.
“’I Can’t Even’ seemed like a natural choice for my solo debut. It’s one that embodies the musical style and lyrics that have influenced my musical journey like Tom Petty’s ‘Don’t Come Around Here No More’ or a bit of Bon Jovi aligning with contemporary Country,” said McGuire. “It also tackles the universally shared feeling of heartbreak—that gut-wrenching moment we’ve all experienced when you don’t think you’ll be able to go on. We can all look back and remember that feeling. Thankfully, we also remember that when one door closes, another one opens.”
32 Bridge Entertainment/EMI Records Nashville’s, Jon Langston, unveiled his new song, “Drinks.” Listen HERE. Penned by Langston, Jared Mullins, and Matt Alderman, the ballad captures the feelings of heartbreak and longing following the end of a relationship.
The song has been a staple in Jon’s live show over the past year and one he is excited to share with fans. “I’ve been wanting this song to be out for a long time,” states Jon. “We’ve been playing it live this past year and the fans are ready for it too! I’m really excited for the world to hear this one.”
Additionally, Jon released the lyric video for, “Drinks,” today and fans can check out his personally curated playlist. “Drinks” is the latest from the Georgia native following the release of his EP, Now You Know, this past October. The lead single from the project also titled, “Now You Know,” is currently sitting at 36 and climbing the charts at country radio. Jon’s catalog has since accumulated over 500 million career streams.
Jon just wrapped a performance at Luke Bryan’s sold-out Crash My Playa in Mexico and is currently on the road performing numerous headlining shows across the country. He also joins Morgan Wallen on upcoming dates for his Whiskey Glasses Roadshow Tour. A full list of Jon’s tour dates can be seen below.
Jon Langston Tour Dates: February 13 | Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford February14 | Tuscaloosa, AL – Druid City Music Hall February 15 | Rome, GA – Brewhouse Music & Grill February 20 | Rockford, IL – District Bar & Grill February 21 | Springfield, IL – Boondocks February 22 | Columbia, MO – The Blue Note February 28 | Shelby Carter Township, MI – Coyote Joe’s February 29 | Flint, MI – The Machine Shop March 6 | Memphis, TN – The Bluff March 7 | Poplar Bluff, MO – Black River Coliseum March 13 | Martin, TN – Slide & Ride Saloon March 19 | Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore* March 20 | Raleigh, NC – The Ritz* March 21 | North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues* March 22 | North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues* March 26 | Milledgeville, GA – Ned Kelly’s March 27 | Tifton, GA – Terminal South March 29 | Kissimmee, FL – Country Thunder Florida April 9 | Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore* April 10 | Boston, MA – House of Blues* April 11 | Boston, MA – House of Blues* April 16 | Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle* April 17 | Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle* April 18 | Savannah, GA – Grayson Stadium April 19 | Fort Lauderdale, FL – Tortuga Music Festival April 23 | San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic* April 24 | San Bernardino, CA – Brandin’ Iron Nightclub April 29 | Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House* April 30 | Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex* May 1 | Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium* May 2 | Grand Junction, CO – Warehouse 2565 June 14 | Hunter, NY – Hunter Mountain June 19 | North Lawrence, OH – Clay’s Park Resort July 10 | Fort Laramie, OH – Country Concert August 6 | Oro-Medonte, ON – Boots and Hearts Music Festival *Whiskey Glasses Roadshow Tour
Kenny Chesney has built a career on offering hope, passion and the straight-cut joy of being alive. “American Kids” celebrated the exuberance of being young, truly original and coloring outside the lines. “Get Along” not only captured the reality of how much sweeter life is by coming together to create a community, but inspired a PSA which amassed close to three billion viewings for PassItOn.org. And now there’s “Here and Now,” two minutes and 51 seconds of pulsating attitude adjustment. With a thrumming guitar and a cymbal marking the beat, the song catalogues a series of life-defining places, set to a kick drum, before swooping down on a rollercoaster chorus that revels in the moment. To plug into the power of “Here and Now,” find it everywhere Feb. 21. In classic Chesney fashion, the songwriter/superstar from East Tennessee weighs how we live against what we want: “Lotta people dreaming ‘bout one day, someday / Waiting just around the bend / I used to be one / Wondering when they’d come, but now I’m living in…” before tumbling into the song’s chorus.
“This song kind of blew my mind,” concedes the only country artist on Pollstar’s Top 10 Touring Artists of the Last 25 Years. “The chorus is everything I feel about my time on stage with No Shoes Nation…the rush of it absolutely being the best place, best moment in the entire world. There’s no rush like it. “But what really got me was the way the song puts everybody on notice. It says everything about how we all put off living our lives because there’s so much other stuff to do. Only thing is, that’s exactly how you miss everything that matters! It’s not the big stuff that gets you laughing or breaks the bad momentum, it’s what’s right here if you’ll bother to dial in and really feel it.” Ironically, the song emerged from Chesney’s own desire to reconnect with his writer friends. Not to machine songs for a project, but to tell stories, laugh about old times, drink some beers, soak up some sun and remember the way songwriters used to converge for the sake of the moment. The spark of the moment fired up Craig Wiseman, David Garcia and CMA Vocal Event co-winner David Lee Murphy one evening after returning to their house in Malibu. POOF! Magic. “When I heard it, it was everything we’d been talking about,” Chesney says with a laugh. “The melody, the rhythm felt like what the song was made of. That line, ‘Everybody’s waiting, but they’re waiting on what? Better get to living, because all we’ve got is…here & now…’ That is the whole deal in two lines. Your life is now, get after it.” For anyone who’s ready for spring training, warm weather or Chesney’s Chillaxification 2020Tour to hit the road, here’s the song to get you there. But more importantly, on a cold morning, it’ll get your engine running, your heart in alignment and your day on with a brisk surge of electric guitars, a rush of high hat, kick drums and the chorus’ reminder, “You and me, ain’t it good to be alive / Ain’t no better place, ain’t no better time / Than here and now.”
NBA officially released their 2020 Celebrity Game line up, naming Kane Brown to the team. In addition to Brown, each team features a star-studded array of participants across the music, film, television and sport industries. The event will emanate from the Wintrust Arena – home of the WNBA Chicago Sky – in Chicago, Ill.
ESPN will exclusively televise the 2020 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Presented by Ruffles on Friday, February 14, at 7 p.m. ET.
4X AMA winner Kane Brown will play only a few days after returning from the European kick-off of his first international headlining Worldwide Beautiful Tour. Brown, who is the only artist to have two songs in the Top 5 of the most-streamed country songs of all time, recently celebrated the 5X platinum certification of these same two No. 1 hits, “What Ifs” and “Heaven.” The 26-year-old entertainer is one of only five artist with multiple 5X Platinum RIAA country single certifications.
PopularESPN commentators Stephen A. Smith and Chicago native Michael Wilbon are the celebrity coaches for this year’s game. Wilson’s team will be designated as the “home team”, while Stephen A’s team will serve as the “away team.” Actor Jesse Williams (“Grey’s Anatomy”) will serve as Wilbon’s assistant coach, while television host and chef Guy Fieri (Food Network) will serve as assistant coach to Stephen A.
Three-time Grammy® Award winners and Chicago natives Chance The Rapper and Common have been named team captains for this year’s Celebrity Game. Fellow hip-hop artist and 2018 Celebrity Game MVP Quavo will also participate. Cassidy Hubbarth will be reporting live couchside from the ESPN stage in the Ruffles Celebrity Game Lounge, a new area on the court featuring celebrities and influencers who will enjoy the game while relaxing on couches and playing pop-a-shot, cornhole and other games.
