Keith Urban’s New Album RIPCORD To Feature Special Guests

The May 6th release of Keith Urban’s RIPCORD already features a virtual who’s who of writers and co-producers, but now two Grammy Award-winning artists, Carrie Underwood and Pitbull, have officially been confirmed as featured guests.

“Sun Don’t Let Me Down,” co-produced by Nile Rodgers, busbee and Urban, “was basically finished,” said Urban. “But there was this musical breakdown about half-way into the song that we were going to leave, and then I heard this Pitbull song. I’ve always loved his vocal style and swagger, and in that moment I could hear his voice in the breakdown of the song. So I called Nile (Rodgers) and asked him if he could send the song to Pitbull. Thankfully he felt it, spat out a verse, and it was the most incredible feeling hearing him on the track for the first time. It suited the spirit of the song.”

“The Fighter,” was written and co-produced by busbee and Urban. “Carrie and I toured together a few years ago and every night we’d do a song together,” said Urban. “I’ve always loved singing with her. We had written this song, “The Fighter,” that needed a female voice and Carrie’s voice immediately came to mind. I can’t wait for people to hear it – and hope that we get to do it live.”

RIPCORD pre-orders are currently available at iTunes and Amazon.

RIPCORD Track Listing
Gone Tomorrow (Here Today)
John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16
Wasted Time
Habit Of You
Sun Don’t Let Me Down (featuring Pitbull)
Getting’ In The Way
Blue Ain’t Your Color
The Fighter (featuring Carrie Underwood)
Break On Me
Boy Gets A Truck
Your Body
That Could Still Be Us
Worry ‘Bout Nothin’

Urban launches his “ripCORD World Tour 2016” with Brett Eldredge and special guest Maren Morris on June 2nd in Kansas City and thus far will play more than 50 shows in amphitheaters and arenas through the U.S.

For more official Keith Urban news and ticket information go to keithurban.net.

Blake Shelton Releases Powerful New Single “Savior’s Shadow”

Country music superstar Blake Shelton is releasing new single “Savior’s Shadow” this week, sharing one of his most deeply personal songs while giving fans another peek at his forthcoming new Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville album If I’m Honest due May 20.

“Savior’s Shadow” hit Shelton in a flash of unexpected inspiration and he quickly enlisted veteran Nashville songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall to help him flesh out the idea. The song, available now at iTunes and on streaming services, is as close to “The Voice” star’s heart as any he’s shared with fans before.

“At a very dark time in my life last year I dreamed the first verse of this song,” Shelton said. “I woke up and immediately wrote it down. Now, looking back, I know it was God’s way of telling me that he’s here and things are gonna be OK.”

The spare, simple song is carried along on a solemn pedal steel line and builds to strings as Shelton shares the emotions he felt during a difficult time in his life. The response to the song has been strong and positive, and gives another look at the much-anticipated If I’m Honest, an album Shelton believes is special.

Fans reacted immediately to news of the release, sending first single “Came Here to Forget” into the Top 20 upon debut. The video for the song debuted in conjunction with the season premiere of Discovery’s “Deadliest Catch.”

For the latest news and information, be sure to follow Shelton on Twitter @blakeshelton and stay tuned to BlakeShelton.com.

CONTEST: Enter To Win a T-Shirt/Hat Bundle from Luke Bryan’s HFE Collection

***CONTEST CLOSED***

Congratulations Mark, Shari, Edwin & Kate!

Luke Bryan has expanded his 32 Bridge clothing line and has released a brand new collection inspired by new single, “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin Every Day.” The new line, named HFE, is available now exclusively at Cabela’s.

To celebrate the release of Luke Bryan’s new HFE Collection clothing line, we have your chance to win a couple of pieces!!! To enter to win a HFE hat & t-shirt, simply “Like” Country Music Rocks, Cabela’s and Luke Bryan on Facebook, and fill out the entry form below. Winner will notified after contest closes April 29. One entry per person. Good Luck!

Country Music Rocks

Cabela’s

Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan’s HFE Collection is available now exclusively at Cabela’s. Please visit a retail store near you, or shop online at cabelas.com.

Jason Aldean Partners with Outlaw Energy Drink

This year’s ACM “Entertainer of the Year” Jason Aldean has formed an exclusive partnership with Outlaw Energy Drink. The multi-PLATINUM singer will introduce fans to the bold new energy drink’s “Live Your Code” attitude through exclusive backstage experiences on tour and interactive online opportunities. First available in southern California and Nevada, now expanding to northern California, Oregon, Washington and other points throughout the west in 2016. Outlaw Energy Drink comes in five flavors: Original, Passion, Fruit Punch, Fresh Zero and Tropical Zero.

“Outlaw is a great partner because it’s right in line with everything me and my fans are about,” said Aldean. “I know my fans can relate to having a good time whether it’s at a show, at a game or just hanging out with friends and Outlaw tastes great while keeping you going.”

“Outlaw Energy is for folks who live the life on their own terms – their own code. Our code is about giving them real energy to live their life to the fullest with a great taste and at a fair price,” shares Outlaw Energy CEO Doug Weekes. “We were lucky to meet a great artist like Jason who immediately understood who we are and who were are trying to reach. He has lived his entire life and career by his own code and is a great role model for what we’re about.”

Between blistering guitar riffs and blustery choruses, the coveted ACM Triple Crown winner taps into the universal connection he shares with fans every night on the road with his new single “Lights Come On.” Now available to Country radio and at all digital retailers, the track serves as the lead single from his upcoming seventh studio album due out this summer.

For more information about Jason Aldean visit www.jasonaldean.com.

Tyler Rich Wins TouchTunes Breakout Band Contest

TouchTunes, the largest in-venue interactive music and entertainment platform, announced country singer-songwriter Tyler Rich as the winner of its annual Breakout Band contest. The second installment of the TouchTunes Breakout Band contest gave nearly 300 unsigned artists the opportunity to win a live audition with an A&R executive at Warner Bros. Records, $3,000 and a national music promotion on TouchTunes’ jukeboxes in 65,000 bars, restaurants and other social hotspots across North America.

Breakout Band is a modern revival of the classic live music competition, using TouchTunes’ national network of digital jukeboxes and popular social jukebox mobile app to facilitate a friendly competition among up-and-coming artists. After making it as one of the top 10 finalists, Warner Bros. artists and music industry executives served as judges to help select Breakout Band winner Tyler Rich for his song “California Grown.”

“There was a lot of incredible talent this year and we’re thrilled for Tyler Rich,” said Vicki Saunders, SVP, Marketing and Programming for TouchTunes. “Breakout Band was designed to help unsigned artists leverage TouchTunes’ unprecedented reach to promote their music and connect them with leaders in the music industry. The success of this competition is something we’re extremely proud of.”

Rich is a country singer-songwriter from a small Northern California farming community called Yuba City, and is currently based in Nashville, Tenn. He found his love for country music after his cousin took him to see George Strait at the age of 8. From George, to Garth, to Brooks & Dunn, Tyler immersed himself into the music. Three months before his 14th birthday, his Grandparents surprised him with a guitar for Christmas, and he never stopped playing.

Over the past several months, Rich has performed alongside some of the industry’s top artists including Sam Hunt, Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay, Jon Pardi, Canaan Smith and Maddie & Tae, and spent four months on the road opening the 2015-16 “Hell of a Night” tour with Dustin Lynch and Chris Lane.

“I’m seriously elated. To be selected as the winner of the TouchTunes Breakout Band contest truly blows me away,” said Rich. “I want to thank TouchTunes and all of the fans so much for believing in me and giving me a shot at this! I can’t wait to see what else 2016 has in store!”

Rich will soon head to Warner Music Nashville’s offices, home to Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Brett Eldredge, Dan + Shay, and Hunter Hayes, for his audition. Rich’s Acoustic EP, “Valerie,” was released Aug. 11, 2015. It charted number five on iTunes’ Country Album charts, spending three days in the top 10, and number 39 on Top 40 all genres album charts. Fans of Rich will have the opportunity to play “Valerie” at their favorite TouchTunes venues through the newly updated mobile app, available at the end of April.

To view the official contest details, finalists and winner, visit touchtunesbreakoutband.com.

Keep up with Tyler Rich by visiting his Official Website, Like him on Facebook, and Follow him on Twitter & Instagram.