Sam Hunt Returns With Brand New Single “Kinfolks”

Multi-Platinum-selling, award-winning hitmaker Sam Hunt introduces fans to his brand-new song, “Kinfolks,” written by Hunt with longtime collaborators Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers and Josh Osborne. The world premiere of “Kinfolks,” including its release on all digital and streaming platforms, takes place today, Thursday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. CT with the song officially impacting country radio on October 14th.

Listen to “Kinfolks” here: https://strm.to/KinfolksFp

“When I think of ‘kinfolks,’ when I think of that phrase,” says Hunt, “I think of my family, but also I think of my people back home – beyond family. It’s my buddies who’ve been a part of my story from the beginning. I’ve made a lot of new friends and met a lot of new people who are important to me since I’ve moved away, but that core group is still my core group. It’s like that old saying, ‘you can’t make old friends.’” Hunt leans on that sentiment, exemplifying the importance of bringing a new relationship into the mix and comfortability of home.

Hunt has been dropping hints for “Kinfolks” all week with images and lyrics on his socials teeing up the highly-anticipated new release. Currently in the studio finishing up the project expected in the new year, Hunt gave a taste of new music to a packed Bud Light House Party event in Calgary last month, performing the reflective “Sinning With You” with an ecstatic crowd.

Fans have eagerly awaited new music from the record-breaking star since last year’s “Downtown’s Dead,” the follow-up to Hunt’s 6x Platinum “Body Like A Back Road,” and his GRAMMY-nominated, Triple-Platinum-selling debut album, Montevallo. 

Performers and Presenters Announced For The 2019 CMT Artists of the Year

CMT revealed its star-studded lineup of performers and presenters for the “2019 CMT Artists of the Year” special, airing LIVE from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, October 16 at 8pm ET/PT on CMT. The growing list includes some of the biggest stars from music, television and entertainment including Bobby Bones, Chrissy Metz, Johnny Galecki, Lady Antebellum, Lauren Akins, Lonnie Chavis, Maddie & Tae, Sam Hunt, Vince Gill and more.

The 90-minute special will feature LIVE performances from “2019 CMT Artists of the Year” honorees Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett and “Breakout Artist of the Year” awardee, Ashley McBryde. “This Is Us” actress Chrissy Metz will debut a special performance in honor of first-time “CMT Artists of the Year” honoree, Luke Combs.

Two-time “CMT Artists of the Year” recipient Lady Antebellum will take the stage, as will country powerhouse Sam Hunt, to recognize previously announced “Artist of a Lifetime” recipient Reba McEntire, to celebrate her legendary success. Her award will be bestowed by fellow country music icon Vince Gill, who joins a growing list of presenters, including multi-media personality Bobby Bones, Johnny Galecki (“The Big Bang Theory”), philanthropist and wife of honoree Thomas Rhett, Lauren Akins, Lonnie Chavis (“This Is Us”), country duo Maddie & Tae and more for the 10th annual celebration. 

“CMT Artists of the Year” is executive produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin; the Executives in Charge of Production are Jackie Barba and Heather D. Graffagnino. 

For updates, visit CMTAOTY.CMT.com, follow @CMT on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and use #CMTAOTY to join the conversation. 

Jason Aldean Delivers Unique Perspective In “We Back” Music Video

ACM “Dick Clark Artist of the Decade” recipient Jason Aldean gives fans a new perspective of his hard-charging 2019 RIDE ALL NIGHT TOUR, with the release of the new music video behind his fiery new single “We Back.” Just weeks after its release, the lead track from his forthcoming studio album 9 (Macon Music/Broken Bow Records) to be released Nov. 22, has already cracked the Top 25 at Country radio as his “his latest guitar-fueled arena-ready anthem” (Charlotte Observer) showcases what Aldean does best.

The “We Back” music video comes on the heels of new music from Aldean’s 16-track project now available for pre-order, with “Got What I Got” becoming available at all digital retailers tomorrow.

“We’ve put out music videos in the past from our tours, but Silva put a really cool spin on this one,” said Aldean. “Fans are going to feel like they are on stage with us, which is something I’ve never really seen pulled off like this before.”

Directed by longtime collaborator Shaun Silva, the music video for “We Back” gives a front row seat to Aldean’s tour, encapsulating the energy as if viewers were there in real-time. To achieve some of the mind bending camera moves featured throughout the video, Silva used eight 360 degree cameras with custom fabricated mounts attached to Aldean’s microphone, the band’s instruments and a beer can that was thrown to Aldean at the end of the performance.

CMT To Premiere Gameshow Series “CMT’s Nashville Squares”

CMT announced that its new gameshow series, “CMT’s Nashville Squares,” will kick off with a two-episode premiere on Friday, November 1st at 8p/7c. Hosted by comedian Bob Saget, the all-new series puts a country music twist on the classic game show “Hollywood Squares,” following in the footsteps of hit series “VH1’s Hip Hop Squares,” by staying true to the beloved tic-tac-toe format and infusing it with some of the most influential and charismatic personalities in country music, pop culture, entertainment, sports, fashion, comedy and more.

Celebrity contestants and squares include Bill Engvall, Caroline Rhea, Carson Cressley, Chris Sullivan, Deana Carter, Devin Dawson, Fortune Feimster, Gary Busey, Jana Kramer & Mike Caussin, Jimmie Allen, Kenya Moore, Kyle Busch, Mark Ballas & BC Jean, Marie Osmond, Melissa Peterman, Mickey Guyton, Mitchell Tenpenny, Sara Evans, Tanya Tucker, and Ty Pennington.

“CMT Nashville Squares” will feature exciting musical moments, fun and unpredictable competition, dance choreography from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: All Stars, and much more.

Additional celebrity guests this season include:

  • Adam Richman
  • Catherine Bach
  • Cheslie Kryst
  • Curtis Rempel & Brad Rempel
  • Dusty Slay
  • Hayley Orrantia
  • High Valley
  • Jon Reep
  • Josef Newgarden
  • Keifer Thompson & Shawna Thompson
  • Leah Turner
  • Lindsay Czarniak
  • Loni Love
  • Presley Tucker
  • Sara Tiana
  • Tom Wopat
  •  WWE professional wrestler, Mickie James

Matt Stell Tops Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart With “Prayed For You”

Singer/songwriter Matt Stell achieves his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart with his debut single, “Prayed for You” (Wide Open/RECORDS/Good Company/Arista Nashville), marking the only debut single from an artist to hit the summit on Country Airplay in 2019.

Stell breaks the longest dry spell between debut No. 1s since 2014; Jimmie Allen’s “Best Shot” went No. 1 on Nov. 24, 2018.

Penned by Stell, Ash Bowers (also Stell’s manager) and Allison Veltz, “Prayed For You” leaps from No. 8 to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, its highest position to date. The song has amassed 99 Million streams and was certified Gold by the RIAA last month.

“It’s hard to believe that ‘Prayed for You’ is Billboard’s No. 1 country song in the U.S. this week,” exclaimed Matt Stell upon hearing the news. “I won’t be able to ever thank my fellow writers, Ash Bowers and Allison Veltz, and my RECORDS/Arista Nashville/Wide Open/GCE team enough.”