Miranda Lambert Brings the Heat on Opening Weekend of “Keeper of the Flame Tour”

“The reigning queen of country music demonstrated why she wears the crown,” Amanda S. Amand of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch raved of Miranda Lambert’s Keeper of the Flame Tour opening set on Friday, May 13 at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Maryland Heights, Mo. with openers Kip Moore and Brothers Osborne. Perhaps that’s why a storm rolled in just an hour into Lambert’s set, mother nature’s way of offsetting the heat radiating from the seven-time Female Vocalist of the Year’s first tour stop of the season.

“I am so ready!” Lambert shared with the packed house amidst her exhilarating 20-song set that included a few unexpected twists like covers of “Covered Wagon” (Danny O’Keefe), “Slow Ride” (Foghat) and “Willin’” (Little Feat), which received a rousing response from the crowd. Lambert also surprised fans with an jazz style cover of Ella Fitzgerald’s “Your Red Wagon” to lead into her fiery hit single, “Little Red Wagon.”

Supporting act, Kip Moore “… showcased the harder edged sound he is know for” with “His raspy voice perfect for the crossover sound his trying to achieve,” according to Sean Derrick for Examiner.com. ACM-nominated duo, Brothers Osborne also shared the stage to bring the crowd their hit single “Stay a Little Longer,” and others in the brothers’ easily recognizable style. “Singer T.J. Osborne’s full-throated baritone gets brilliant backing from John Osborne’s guitar,” praised the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “and both shine on the rollicking number they closed with, ‘It Ain’t My Fault.’”

“The crowd’s energy was just incredible. I told them I could feel the rain making its way to the stage, but they didn’t leave,” Lambert said after the rain and chilly temperatures began whipping those seated in the lawn section outside the shed around 10:20 pm—just an hour into her set. With arsenal still remaining, if they were staying, so was she. “We were all soaked by the end of the night, but those nights are what I live for.” No one minded as they all clamored closer together celebrating a night of great music that ended just minutes before 11 p.m.

For a full list of Miranda Lambert’s tour dates, visit www.mirandalambert.com/tour.

Hank Williams Jr. to Appear on NBC’s Today Show May 18

Hank Williams Jr. will light up morning television when he appears on NBC’s “Today” show with his daughter Holly Williams to talk about their ‘family tradition’ in the music business this Wednesday, May 18th. Hank Jr., who recently released his 37th studio album It’s About Time, joins his daughter Holly for a sit-down interview and impromptu acoustic performance for Jenna’s “Family Business” series.

Hank Jr. invited the “Today” show to Nashville where he opened up about his new album It’s About Time and the dynamics of his children, including his daughter Holly, pursuing their dreams in the music industry.

The rowdy icon recently announced he’ll play CMA Music Festival this June and co-headline a special limited Summer tour with Chris Stapleton when the two music renegades visit 8 cities with dates lined up in Houston, Austin, West Palm Beach, Detroit (Clarkston), Cleveland, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. The country icon’s 2016 shows have all been SOLD OUT and he continues to add additional dates (see tour schedule below).

Hank’s latest single, “The Party’s On” is now on country radio.

It’s About Time (Nash Icon Records) achieved the highest peak position of Hank Jr.’s career with a No. 2 position on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart when it was released Jan. 15.

Fans can keep up with Hank Jr. by visiting hankjr.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

HANK WILLIAMS JR. ON TOUR:
*denotes stops with Chris Stapleton
June 10 – CMA Fest – Nashville, Tenn.
June 17 – The Corn Crib – Normal, Ill.
June 18 – Black Diamond Harley Davidson – Marion, Ill.
July 14 – Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel – Prior Lake, Minn.
July 16 – Harrah’s Hotel & Casino – Council Bluffs, Iowa
July 17 – Madison Co. Fairgrounds – Madison, Neb.
Aug 05 – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre – Tampa, Fla.*
Aug 06 – Coral Sky Amphitheatre – West Palm Beach, Fla.*
Aug 12 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Houston, Texas* (SOLD OUT)
Aug 13 – Austin360 Amphitheater – Austin, Texas* (SOLD OUT)
Aug 16 – Rockingham Co. Fair – Harrisonburg, Va.
Aug 19 – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio*
Aug 20 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Clarkston, Mich.* (SOLD OUT)
Aug 26 – Klipsch Music Center – Noblesville, Ind.*
Aug 27 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, Ohio* (SOLD OUT)
Sep 03 – Legend Valley – Thornville, Ohio
Sep 24 – Laughlin Events Center – Laughlin, Nev.

CMR Exclusive: Haley & Michaels Share Top 5 Memorable Moments Throughout First Year of Marriage

Country duo Haley & Michaels recently celebrated their one year wedding anniversary. Shannon Haley and Ryan Michaels tied the knot on May 9, 2015, and since then their year has been filled with several amazing moments, both professionally and personally.

Haley & Michaels shared exclusively with us their Top 5 Memorable Moments throughout their first year of marriage. They’ve certainly had an exciting first year and they no doubt have many more memorable moments!

#1 Singing our wedding song on The Today Show. This was such a dream come true for us, and it was of course extra surreal because our debut on national television was with a song we wrote to each other as our vows, “Giving It All (To You)”. We were trying not to freak out when we saw Hoda singing along. It was incredible!

#2 Our debut at The Grand Ole Opry. Standing in the circle on the The Grand Ole Opry stage, with both of our families in the audience, was one of the most unforgettable moments of our lives. We are also huge fans of the Opry band, so having the honor off their accompaniment gave us goosebumps.

#3 Adopting our two new kittens! This was very spontaneous. Meaning we were going for a drive one day and we came back with two baby kittens. We adopted them off of a tour bus, so we knew it was meant to be! They are sisters and we spoil them rotten, and have not slept through the night since they came home!

#4 Recording our new EP. We have spent a huge part of this past year writing songs and making new music. That moment when we got our mixes back from our producers was one of the best professional and personal highlights for us! We are very proud to be working with our producer’s Reid Shippen and Zach Abend and we can’t wait to share this new music!

#5 “Doors Off Helicopter Ride” on our Honeymoon. We still can’t believe we did it, and we would probably never be brave enough to do it again (the whole no doors thing was a little intense). But it was so amazing and one of our favorite moments. We flew over mountains and waterfalls in Kauai and it was one of the scariest, yet most beautiful and spiritual experiences ever. We’ll always remember that as one of our first big “adventures” as a married couple.

Stay connected with both Shannon & Michael as they continue to make more memories. Check out Haley & Michaels’ Official Website, Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

Dierks Bentley Remains at No.1 on the Charts with “Somewhere On A Beach”

Dierks Bentley is spending a second week at the top of the Country Aircheck Mediabase and Billboard country charts with his latest single, “Somewhere on a Beach.” The song is the first release from his forthcoming album, Black, which is set to arrive May 27th.

He kicked off his Somewhere on a Beach Tour over the weekend and played for over 40,000 fans. “This weekend was the pinnacle of everything we’ve been working on for basically the entire past year,” said Bentley. “We’ve been hunkered down in the studio all winter finishing the record and moved straight into the rehearsal space to build the tour. It all came together this weekend to some of the loudest crowds I’ve ever heard…they definitely set the bar high, but I have a feeling it’s only going to get rowdier from here!”

Leading into BLACK’s release, Bentley “started the season off right” (The Times) launching the summer concert season with his biggest hits and new music from the forthcoming album, which continues to catch the attention of critics.

“It’s different –€“ far better, even –€“ than anything Bentley has done. That’s saying something, considering ‘Riser” was up for country album of the year at this year’s Grammy Awards.” – Cleveland Plain Dealer

“An eighth studio album that takes a deep, dark dive into relationships, from the initial glow to the messy, shadowy parts.” – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Bentley, who nicely straddles the line between new and classic country, goes deep on ‘Black,’ exploring adult themes with a deft touch and artful hand. He has a rich, warm tenor voice with a dusty drawl, and applied here, it has suitable gravitas for the situation.” – Asbury Park Press

Bentley continues to give fans an exclusive first listen as the BLACK Listening Bus, powered by BEATS BY DR. DRE, will stay stationed at the next four upcoming dates in advance BLACK’s release. All BLACK Card Members have immediate access to the interactive bus as the 2016 SOMEWHERE ON A BEACH TOUR stops this week in Cleveland, OH (5/20), Chicago, IL (5/21) and Detroit, MI (5/22).

For more information on the new album, upcoming appearances and tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

Cassadee Pope Reveals SUMMER EP Details Live on Facebook

Just after high noon Cassadee Pope revealed what her “summer” will look like. Fans joined the powerhouse vocalist for a Facebook Live today to chat about her recent #1 “Think of You” with Chris Young, plans to continue touring with her duet collaborator and more details about her SUMMER EP (Big Machine Label Group) release on June 3, including a clever debut of the cover art.

Strolling through the Demonbreun Hill neighborhood in Nashville, Cassadee coyly searched for the perfect lunch spot as images of the forthcoming EP were casually displayed in the background before the final close-up at Harp & Fiddle.

“I’ve always had a colorful imagination, and I think this new collection of songs helps show my stories in a more vibrant way,” shared Cassadee. “I hope fans not only hear more of who I am, but see the confidence and reflection I’ve experienced since FRAME BY FRAME. I’m more aware and grounded so I hope the overall message from this EP is to be yourself and encouraged in life’s journey. Moments feel different as time passes so find beauty in knowing that wherever you are will be different … and so will you.”

The title is fitting for the West Palm Beach, FL native with a hot vocal range. Cassadee penned three of the four songs, including the title track that marks her next single and officially impacts Country radio on June 6.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Summer | Written by Cassadee Pope, Kelly Archer, Emily Shackelton
2. Piano | Written by Cassadee Pope, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
3. Kisses At Airports | Written by Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Chase McGill
4. Alien | Written by Cassadee Pope, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite

Corey Crowder produced the EP and co-wrote Cassadee’s first-ever #1, a duet with Chris Young. The pair will continue collaborating on his I’M COMIN’ OVER TOUR presented by AEG Live for an extended run of shows this fall. Visit cassadeepope.com for tour dates and more. Share your stories using #SummerEP.