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Zac Brown’s 5th Annual Southern Ground Music & Food Festival was a hit once again this year in Charleston, SC. Last weekend, the festival brought in music, food and memories throughout the two day event.
The stellar lineup showcased a variety of artists, including country favorites such as Cam, Old Dominion, Drake White, Kacey Musgraves, A Thousand Horses, Hunter Hayes, and of course Zac Brown Band! Check out some photos from the event courtesy of Southern Reel.
2016 has been a whirlwind so far for Big Machine Label Group, The Cadillac Three. The trio has been coast to coast and everywhere in between, as well as across the pond playing several shows in the UK.
Band members Jaren Johnston, Kelby Ray and Neil Mason have played on many stages throughout their career, but they still have some left on their bucket list! With confidence, Jaren told us, “We’re gonna headline the Ryman… We haven’t booked it yet, but that’s our next show in Nashville.”
Neil concurs, “Just hometown, obviously the history of the Ryman. That will be our next big one.” All three band members are from Nashville, so to be able to play at the historic venue such as The Ryman would be a huge accolade for the trio.
In addition to The Ryman, Jaren also indicated that they would like to play at Madison Square Garden in NYC. They were supposed to play there last year with Eric Church, but unfortunately it did not work out. But the venue is still high up there on their bucket list. Check out our full, exclusive interview here.
The momentum continues for the band with a string of tour dates all throughout the summer. To see if they’re coming to a city near you, click here.
The Cadillac Three has recently released brand new single, “Drunk Like You,” and it is available for download on iTunes HERE.
Keep up with Jaren, Kelby and Neil by visiting their Official Website, Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Josh Kelley will release his highly-anticipated new album, New Lane Road, on Sugar Hill Records this Friday, April 22. Coming after a nearly five-year hiatus from the “Georgia Clay” singer, New Lane Road is an extremely personal project, reflecting on his marriage, family and home he and actress wife Katherine Heigl built for themselves and their two children in rural Utah.
“I think this is definitely the most honest album I’ve ever done,” Kelley says of the project. “I’m finally at a place that I have compiled enough experiences in traveling to actually have some real substance to write about. It’s all about the land that we live on now. My family and I live out in Utah out in the middle of nowhere. Conceptually, the whole album is rooted in that place.”
Kelley devoted himself wholeheartedly to the creative process for three years while making the album, which he produced, engineered, co-wrote and played most of the instruments himself. Listeners can experience New Lane Road early on NPR’s First Listen.
“Throughout its dozen tracks, Kelley dwells on how accumulating life experience and forging significant attachments can transform slight insights into something more. He trots out thoroughly familiar fixations — feeling your mortality (‘One Foot In the Grave’), seizing the day (‘Life’s Too Short’), being saved from a solitary existence by a steadfast lover (‘The Rock Who Found A Rollin’ Stone’) — with warmth that lends them each new impact,” praises NPR’s Jewly Hight. “Kelley performs ‘The Best Of Me,’ a slow-burning, steel-guitar-laced ode to being emboldened by a life partner, with a dignity made subtler and more affecting by its softness around the edges.”
Kelley has released the video for lead single “It’s Your Move.” The clip co-stars Heigl, who also makes her directorial debut with the very personal video.
“Hiegl isn’t the only family member deeply connected to Kelley’s latest creative endeavor: his daughters can be heard on a few tracks, and his father John is featured on the title track, speaking words of wisdom and advice to his son.”
The full album is now available for preorder HERE.
New Lane Road Track Listing:
Kelley will join his younger brother, Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum this spring on The Driver Tour.
Josh Kelley Tour Dates
April 21 | New York, N.Y. | Rockwood Music Hall
April 23 | Anaheim, Calif. | House of Blues*
April 24 | San Jose, Calif. | Club Rodeo*
April 26 | LA, Calif. | Troubadour*
May 1 | Houston, Texas | House of Blues*
May 3 | Nashville, Tenn. | 3rd And Lindsley*
May 4 | Nashville, Tenn. | 3rd And Lindsley*
May 6 | Athens, Ga. | Georgia Theater*
*Denotes The Driver tour dates
For more information, visit www.joshkelley.com or follow on Twitter @JoshBKelley and facebook.com/JoshBKelley.
CMT has named emerging artist, Courtney Cole, as the new spokesperson for its CMT Empowering Education campaign. The national campaign, now in its fourth year, encourages CMT viewers to pursue a postsecondary education no matter their age or circumstance.
Cole is not a new face to the campaign, having kicked off the very first event for CMT at Hazard Community and Technical College in Hazard, Ky. The country star returns to headline 10 events this year at partner community colleges across the country, helping raise awareness about the resources available for potential students interested in earning degrees and certificates.
“I’m excited to partner with CMT on their Empowering Education initiative,” said Cole, a recent graduate of Belmont University. “Music and education are a powerful combination. Having the opportunity to meet students and hear their stories is something I’m looking forward to!”
“We are thrilled to have Courtney join us as our CMT Empowering Education spokesperson because she’s seen first-hand the power of these events in small communities. Courtney provides a great example of how education can enhance your career options and we know with her help–we’ll continue to grow the impact of CMT Empowering Education.”
Cole’s first stop for CMT Empowering Education is scheduled at Northeast State Community College in Blountville, Tenn. on April 22. In collaboration with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), her tour will cover 10 of the 25 partner colleges in 2016 across the United States. Additional events to include the following schools (dates/times to be announced):
COLLEGE-CITY- STATE
Northeast State Community College – Blountville, TN
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College – Moorefield, WV
Bridge Valley Community and Technical College – Montgomery, WV
Missouri Community College Association – Jefferson City, MO
University of Arkansas-Fort Smithin partnership with Rich Mountain Community College – Ft. Smith, AR
Jackson College – Jackson, MI
Zane State College – Zanesville, OH
Northwest State Community College – Archbold, OH
Gulf Coast State College – Panama City, FL
Spartanburg Community College – Spartanburg, SC
Country newcomer Levi Hummon has been making a great impression on the country music scene with the release of his debut self-titled EP. Signed with The Valory Music Co., Hummon delivers five quality songs for fans to enjoy, and the album serves as a solid introduction to the new singer/songwriter.
Hummon provided us with some insight on his new release. When it came to selecting songs for his EP, Levi shared with us that he made his decision based on the fans. “I choose these songs for the EP based on what fans were reacting to, and what was resonating, what people were singing along to… These were the 5 songs that really stuck out.”
The rising star is gearing up to release his debut single to country radio, and as indicated in our review, each of the five songs on this album can easily make for a great fit on country radio. That being said, Levi really can’t go wrong with any song he chooses to release. At this time, Levi and his team are leaning towards, “Life’s for Livin’,” the first track off the EP and one of his favorites to perform live. “It’s one of those songs that shows my vocal range in terms of I flip up on the verses and then kind of rap it out on the choruses.”
Levi co-wrote four of the five songs on his debut EP. Having guidance from his award-winning songwriter father, Marcus Hummon, Levi has honed his craft over the past few years. “At first, about once a week on every Thursday, he would allow me to write with him and one co-writer. He said I had to bring him half the song, and we’ll write with you, I just want it to be part of you. I started writing and working up for these days to write with him and one big co-writer, and making it the biggest moment of my life. Eventually it just became my catalogue and became who I was as an artist.”
“Eventually I started reaching out to other writers in the community and generating my own circles of writing with people that became kind of my kind of creative team as an artist. My dad obviously has a giant impact on me, but at the same time it became like a stepping stone with the tools I needed that allowed me to be my own individual.”
Levi Hummon makes for perfect fit in today’s country music. The genre is consistently evolving and growing, but it still stands out on its own. “I think it’s so amazing in this genre that you can be everything from a Sam Hunt to a Chris Stapleton, and still exist in the same genre. When you think about it really, those artist aren’t very much alike, but there is something that connects them. It comes from a world which is singer/songwriter based. I think country music is made to be honest, and be cool and be unique. There may be hook that’s similar, or a melody that’s similar, but it all exists in an unique spectrum.”
Hummon is currently out on the road with Ram Trucks showcasing his new music, including “Guts and Glory,” which was inspired by the brand. In a new 2016 Ram 1500 pickup, Levi will visit San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Austin Detroit, Atlanta and New York. Follow along on social media using #GutsGloryRam.
Levi’s debut self-titled EP is available online now. Grab your copy on iTunes HERE.
Stay connected with Levi Hummon and visit his Official Website, Like him on Facebook and Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
