Kenny Chesney Working On New Music For No Shoes Nation

Kenny Chesney never stops looking for, listening to and working on songs. Starting his career as a songwriter at legendary Acuff Rose Publishing, he understands the power of great songs to connect people to their own lives. It’s why he holds the record for Billboard’s Most Career Country #1s, and it’s why “Get Along” from the deeply personal Songs for the Saints spent two weeks at the top of the charts and garnered over  2.5 billion views anchoring a PassItOn.org PSA.
 
With his 2019 year’s tour focusing on the markets often missed in the stadium-sized treks that have made him the only country artist on Pollstar’s Top Touring Acts of the Last 25 Years, the East Tennessee songwriter/superstar spent a lot of time quietly making music, working on songs and recording as the spirit moved him. A seriously creative time, Chesney wanted to dig deeper into the realm of No Shoes Nation, seeking ballads that expanded the horizon and tempo that does what only Kenny can.
 
“One of the hardest things about being this far into a career isn’t keeping up with what other people are doing,” says the quiet superstar, “but telling your own truth in a way that’s not repeating yourself, that’s not just doing what you know works. I know there are certain things I respond to: songs that rock you hard, lyrics that twist without being too clever, ballads that open up your soul and make you think.
 
“It sounds easy, until you try to actually do it. But the best part about songwriting and getting in the studio is that music always surprises you – if you stay open, keep listening and let it show you where it wants to go. I think we’re dialing in a pretty cool record, that’s not just me, but every single person who’s a member of No Shoes Nation.

“There really is no better compass than No Shoes Nation,” continues the man who sold 1.3 million tickets last year alone. “They have more heart, more passion, more love of life – and if I can be true to them, then I feel like we got it.”
 
Recorded over the last 18 months in Nashville, Key West, Malibu and on the road, Chesney’s creativity went off the clock and into the world of inspiration. “Rather than just churn out a record, because it was time, I wanted to give myself the opportunity to just get inside the music. I’m always looking and listening, and this time getting to record in the moment over the course of many, many months was incredible.”
 
No word on when, album title, or how many tracks, but as he gears up for rehearsals for Chillaxification 2020, Kenny Chesney seems to be getting ready to finish his first full-on album for Warner Music Nashville.

With the road wide open, tickets flying and a new year ahead, “I’m ready to get the next wave of my life on in full. I can’t wait for people to hear some of these songs – and see them everywhere across the No Shoes Nation.”

Hot Country Knights Release Debut Single and Music Video for “Pick Her Up” Featuring Travis Tritt

Some said this moment would never happen. But in spite of 30 wasted years and countless bad decisions, the ’90s influenced band Hot Country Knights has finally come riding in with the release of their debut single “Pick Her Up” feat. Travis Tritt. Produced and written by Dierks Bentley along with co-writers Jim Beavers and Brett Beavers, the classic barnstormer features rollicking guitar solos and a freewheeling guest appearance from a ‘90s icon as it embodies the bounding rhythms and bright, organic euphoria of live Country music. The track is available today at all digital retailers and will impact Country radio on Feb 3.

“The sound behind ‘Pick Her Up’ is Hot Country Knights 101…it’s so hot that I have advised the radio promotion department at UMG to wear oven mitts when delivering it to Country radio,” said lead singer Doug Douglason. “Travis is an old buddy of ours…we go way back and everybody knows when you need a hit…you call Tritt. We appreciate his support and all our friends in the biz that are coming together right now to help us finally get our shot.”

After sharing their plan to take Country music back to its 90’s glory days, the Hot Country Knights are releasing the first official music video for the debut single, “Pick Her Up” feat. Travis Tritt.

Directed by Wes Edwards, the Knights transform an average joe to win over his love interest, played by one of the decade’s most iconic heartthrobs Tiffani Thiessen.

Produced and written by multi-Platinum entertainer Dierks Bentley along with co-writers Jim Beavers and Brett Beavers, “Pick Her Up” is a classic barnstormer that features rollicking guitar solos with lead singer Doug Douglason and Tritt trading vocals.
 
“Travis Tritt is our longtime spirit animal and we have spent many a long night in the back of the van dreaming of working with or maybe even FOR Tiffani,” explained band leader Doug Douglason. “When UMG finally came around and signed us…they were two of our demands for the music video.”

Famous for never giving up on the dream of the ‘90s, the Hot Country Knights are comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery. With tongue firmly in cheek, The Hot Country Knights revive a comedic element which has long been integral to the Country genre, but has rarely been seen since the days of Grand Ole Opry stars like String Bean Akeman, Minnie Pearl and others. As dedicated road warriors, they’ve basically lived out of a van their entire existence. For more information on The Hot Country Knights visit www.hotcountryknights.com.

Chase Rice Surprises Fans With The Release of THE ALBUM PART 1

Multi-Platinum entertainer Chase Rice surprised fans with the release of eagerly-awaited new music, dropping The Album Part I today, Friday, Jan. 24, with Part II to follow in 2020. Listen HERE.

As evidenced by its emphatic title, the project reflects what Rice considers to be his most defining release to date.

“I chose to call this The Album because it’s the first thing I would encourage someone to listen to if they want to know who I am as an artist,” explains Rice. “My career has been such a rollercoaster journey, but it’s all led to this moment and these songs. So much of what I’ve learned, so much of what I’ve fought through – it’s all reflected in this music.”

Having teased new music since topping the charts for back-to-back weeks with the No. 5 most-played Country song of 2019 and digital streaming monster (330M+), “Eyes On You,” Rice was eager to release new music now after seeing the fan response at his concerts both in the U.S. and internationally.

“‘Eyes On You’ and ‘Lonely If You Are’ were both huge for us at our live shows before they were even on the radio,” notes Rice. “We’ve recently started mixing in newer songs at our shows – sometimes within a day or two of writing them – and we can feel how passionately the fans respond. It’s clear that they’re eager for more new music, so we wanted to kick off the new year with this surprise!”

The new seven-song digital project includes current single “Lonely If You Are” alongside six never-before-heard tracks:

  1. American Nights (Kevin Griffin, Martin Johnson; produced by Martin Johnson)
  2. Lonely If You Are (Chase Rice, Lindsay Rimes, Hunter Phelps; produced by Chris DeStefano and Chase Rice)
  3. Everywhere (Chase Rice, Zachary Kale, James McNair; produced by Zachary Kale)
  4. Best Night Ever (Chase Rice, Chris DeStefano, Matt Jenkins; produced by Chris DeStefano)
  5. Messy (Seth Ennis, Kylie Sackley; produced by Chris DeStefano)
  6. In The Car (Chase Rice, Jesse Rice, Hunter Phelps, Mark Holman; produced by Chris DeStefano)
  7. Forever To Go (Jordan Minton, Casey Brown, Geoffrey Warburton; produced by Casey Brown)

Fans can also watch a special performance of “Lonely If You Are” this Monday, Jan. 27, as Rice joins “The Bachelor” airing at 8/7c on ABC.

He is currently on the road in Europe for his The Pint of Anything Tour before joining Brantley Gilbert’s Fire’t Up Tour for select dates starting April 16 in Greenville, S.C.

For more information and all upcoming tour dates, visit www.chaserice.com. Follow on Twitter and Facebook @ChaseRiceMusic and on Instagram @ChaseRice.

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani Showcase Their Love In “Nobody But You” Music Video

 Country music superstar Blake Shelton and pop / rock icon Gwen Stefani are content to share simple moments in the brand new music video for their duet “Nobody But You” (watch HERE). Directed by Sophie Muller, the award-winning talent behind Shelton’s “God’s Country” video, “Nobody But You” shows the couple from two different worlds coming together to create one blended and loving life.

Shot in Oklahoma and Los Angeles, two of the places they call home, the video has already been described as “[mirroring] the song’s message of devotion and wanting to share every moment with the person they love” (Rolling Stone). It also features another special woman in Shelton’s life: his dog Betty.

Written by Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Tommy Lee James, the “epic love song” (Entertainment Tonight) is currently impacting country radio. It became the most-added song this week with 86 stations after shooting to the top of the iTunes songs chart upon release and into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Shelton and Stefani will take the stage together for the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, January 26 at 8:00pm/7:00c on CBS. “Nobody But You” is one of four new tracks from Shelton’s Fully Loaded: God’s Country album, which hit No. 1 on both the Top Country Albums and Country Album Sales charts and went Top 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200.

Shelton is currently nominated for Best Country Solo Performance for his 2x Platinum smash “God’s Country,” and he’ll join Gayle King in advance of this weekend’s ceremony for The Gayle King Grammy Special airing on January 23 at 10:00pm/9:00c on CBS. The global hit won Single of the Year honors at the CMA Awards in November. He is also gearing up for season 18 of The Voice while prepping for more than a month on the road: his “Friends and Heroes 2020” tour begins Thursday, February 13 in Portland, OR. Special guest Lauren Alaina will join him on the 16-date run in addition to appearances by The Bellamy Brothers, John Anderson and Trace Adkins. The tour will hit major cities throughout the Midwest and West Coast, including a stop at The Forum in Los Angeles .

Lineup Revealed For 2020 Faster Horses Festival

Reigning ACM “Festival Of The Year” Faster Horses Festival revealed the highly-anticipated lineup for the festival’s eighth year today, sharing that superstars Jason Aldean, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett would lead the race to this year’s “Party Of The Summer.” Set to return to Brooklyn, MI on July 17-19, it was also announced that Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Kelsea Ballerini, Russell Dickerson, Gone West ft. Colbie Caillat, Riley Green, HARDY, Chris Lane, Tracy Lawrence, David Lee Murphy, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Mitchell Tenpenny and DeeJay Silver will perform as part of the festival’s main stage lineup.  

Passes for the three-day, two-stage camping experience festival will go on sale February 7 at 10am ET at www.fasterhorsesfestival.com. 
 
“As Faster Horses has continued to grow, we continue to look for more ways to provide an enhanced experience, this year is no exception,” shared President of Country Touring at Live Nation, Brian O’Connell. “Obviously, with the announcement of these stellar artists that will join us for the Party of the Summer, we are also introducing several new camping options, and a completely reimagined VIP experience for those that are looking for a more upscale getaway this summer.  We continually put our resources back in to the festival, from talent to amenities, to meet the growing needs of Faster Horses veterans, and new fans as well.”
 
Continuing to hold its status as a “country music festival tradition” (Rolling Stone), fans can expect Faster Horses to embrace it’s unique community culture with multiple fringe activities available to fans throughout the weekend and with more details to be shared in the coming months. Spotlighted as “not just another music festival” by Billboard attendees return each year to enjoy the festival’s first-class lineup and hand-picked vendors. Named ACM “Festival Of The Year” Faster Horses Festival has also become an artist-favorite with many enjoying the good-natured backstage vibes. 
 
This year, even more fans can enhance their experience with the addition of three new RV campground options. The festival’s fan-favorite Tack Room VIP area is also expanding with a two-story deck with lounge, reserved stadium seating and option to reserve a “Mustang Suite” offering brand new views of the stage, a private bar and food buffet, souvenir gift bags and more.

For more information on Faster Horses, visit www.fasterhorsesfestival.com, Twitter @faster_horses, Instagram @fasterhorsesfestival and join the conversation on Twitter, #FasterHorses.