Lauren Akins To Release Memoir “Live In Love: Growing Together Through Life’s Changes”

Lauren Akins is sharing more of her story in her first-ever book titled, LIVE IN LOVE: Growing Together Through Life’s Changes (Ballantine, an imprint of Random House), written with bestselling collaborator Mark Dagostino, available May 5, 2020.

Announced exclusively via People.com and available for pre-order now, Live in Love is a revealing and inspiring memoir by Lauren Akins – wife of Thomas Rhett, a regular contributor to Country Living Magazine, humanitarian, and mother of two (with a third on the way), offering inspiring guidance for anyone looking to keep romance alive, balance children and marriage, express true faith and live a life of purpose. Fans can tune-in to Akins today at 11:00A CT on People Now to learn more about her upcoming memoir.

“I never would have guessed I’d be telling my story in a book about my life,” said Akins. “I hope by sharing parts of myself and my journey that I’m able to help someone feel less alone, inspired and find the love that we share as humans in these pages.”

Lauren Akins never wanted to be in the spotlight, but as multi-PLATINUM country music star Thomas Rhett made his relationship with Lauren the subject of many of his hit songs, she was tossed into the role of one of America’s sweethearts. Revered by fans for her down-to-earth ease and charm, her commitment to humanitarian work, and the pure love she exudes for her family, Lauren has never shared her side of their story—full as it’s been, with deep love, painful loss, tremendous joy, and a struggle to stay grounded in faith along the way—until now.

In Live in Love, Lauren shares details about her childhood friendship with Thomas Rhett, explaining how they reconnected as young adults. She offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of being married to her best friend, who just happens to be a music star, and the struggle to find her own footing in the frenzy of her husband’s fame. And in heart-wrenching detail, she opens up about her life-changing experiences doing mission work in Haiti, and then in Uganda, where she met the precious baby who would become their first daughter a year later. From sharing the romance of their hand-written wedding vows, to letting readers in on obstacles they faced as they adjusted to the reality of becoming first-time parents, Live in Love takes an intimate look at one couple’s life—and opens a window into all of our journeys on the path to self-discovery.

A deeply personal memoir filled with never-before-seen photos, Live in Love offers inspiring guidance for anyone looking to keep romance alive, balance children and marriage, express true faith, and live a life of purpose.

North American publishing rights for the book were acquired by Ballantine Publisher Kara Welsh at Ballantine with Whitney Frick editing from CAA. Live In Love will be published as a Ballantine Hardcover on May 5, 2020. Ballantine is an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House.

For more information, visit www.LaurenAkins.com.

2019 CMT Artists of the Year Have Been Revealed

CMT revealed it will honor superstar acts Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett as the top country artists of 2019 to be celebrated at this year’s 10th Annual “CMT Artists of the Year” special, broadcasting LIVE from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, October 16 at 8pm ET/PT.

The 90-minute special will highlight the five “Artists of the Year” who have collectively ruled the last 12 months in country music, leading across all CMT’s platforms, scoring chart-topping albums and singles while simultaneously selling out arenas across the country. The event will feature surprise musical pairings and guests as in past years, and will also feature a live-streamed remote performance by Carrie Underwood from her “Cry Pretty Tour 360” tour stop in Cleveland, Ohio. Additional performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.

“These five, stand-out honorees have dominated country music this year and we look forward to paying tribute to each of them at the 10th year anniversary CMT Artists of the Year event,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy & Talent, CMT. “From first-time honorees Dan + Shay, Kane Brown and Luke Combs to two-time honoree Thomas Rhett and now five-time honoree Carrie Underwood, this incredible collection of talent coming together at what marks a pivotal time in each of their careers promises to be a night of incredible performances and reflection.”

This year marks a significant milestone for the “CMT Artists of the Year” special as it celebrates the decade-long anniversary of the live music franchise. Through the years, the show has become a highly anticipated celebration of both country music’s breakthrough talent, as well as seasoned musicians who’ve become icons in the country music industry.

While the awards special has always been exciting to watch with its unexpected performances and heartfelt moments from musicians, it has also been an advocate for supporting important causes. In years past, the show has raised both awareness and contributions for those impacted by such natural disasters as Hurricane Harvey and the tragic events at Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas. Last year, the “2018 CMT Artists of the Year” special was dedicated to the women of country music and demonstrated CMT’s commitment to female artists.

Previous “CMT Artists of the Year” performances and surprise acts have included Adele and Darius Rucker performing Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” Adam Lambert and Leona Lewis paying tribute to Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” and Maroon 5 covering Taylor Swift’s “Mine.” The show has featured appearances by Ellen DeGeneres, Matthew McConaughey, Selena Gomez, Billy Bob Thornton, Roger Clemens, Morgan Freeman, the cast of Nashville and more. Performers and presenters for “2019 CMT Artists of the Year” to be announced.

For more updates go to CMTAOTY.CMT.com.

Craig Morgan Returns To Broken Bow Records, Launches New Single To Country Radio

Country music entertainer, TV host and Army veteran Craig Morgan is reuniting with BBR Music Group’s flagship label Broken Bow Records, his record label home for more than six years, on his first new music since 2016, the faith-filled tribute to his son Jerry — “The Father, My Son, And The Holy Ghost.” The emotional track, which has nearly 1.5 million views and counting, made national news last week, hitting No. 1 on iTunes All Genres Top Songs chart in addition to the Top Country Songs chart.

Longtime friend and fellow Opry member, Blake Shelton, kickstarted the ascent, launching an unprecedented twitter campaign in support of the song he says he would “gladly give up (his) spot on country radio for.” The viral push, led by Blake, gained support from several other artists and celebrities including Blanco Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Combs, Carson Daly, Ellen DeGeneres, Charles Esten, Larry The Cable Guy, Angie Harmon, Gwen Stefani, Cole Swindell, The Today Show and more. The song has being sent to country radio.

Craig was signed to BBR Music Group from 2002 to 2008 where he delivered signature songs including “Almost Home,” “International Harvester,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Tough” and the 4-week Billboard Hot Country Songs chart topper, “That’s What I Love About Sunday.”

“Craig Morgan and BBR made history together with ‘Almost Home’, notching the first Top 10 for both,” says Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group. “He is once again making his mark in music with the heartfelt song ‘The Father, My Son, and The Holy Ghost’ inspired by his late son Jerry. Our hearts are overflowing with joy that he has chosen to work with us once again as we welcome him home to the BBR/BMG family.”

“I am truly humbled by the response to the song so far and to my friend Blake Shelton for what he has done to honor Jerry,” says Craig. “It’s incredible to reunite with the team at Broken Bow to share this song with radio and my hope is, it will be a help to those who need it most.”

Listen to “The Father, My Son, And The Holy Ghost” HERE plus Billboard’s “First Country” selections and Rolling Stone Country’s “10 Best Country Songs To Hear Now.”

Runaway June Becomes Highest Charting Female Trio In Sixteen Years As “Buy My Own Drinks” Hits Top 5

Runaway June’s “Buy My Own Drinks” has extended its run marking the first time a female trio has broken into the top five on the Mediabase Country chart since the Dixie Chicks in 2003. This is a thrilling triumph for the band as this is also their first top five hit as songwriters.

This milestone is part of Country music history being the highest charting female trio since the Dixie Chicks’ “Travelin’ Soldier” SIXTEEN years ago. Along with earning this coveted accolade, the trio announces their upcoming performance on ABC’S Good Morning America on October 3rd. 

Not only are the members of Runaway June tremendous performers and musicians, but they are clearly prosperous songwriters. This song is the first top five song for each of the members as writers in which they wrote alongside Hillary Lindsey and Josh Kear. As songwriters, the members of the band wrote or cowrote a majority of the tracks on their critically acclaimed album Blue Roses. 

“There’s a very contemporary spirit of independence and grown-ass agency that courses through these songs.” – Rolling Stone

“This song is a rallying cry for fiercely independent women to celebrate their own damn self-sufficiency.” – CMT

Since Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne formed four years ago, Runaway June has become an ACM and CMT nominated band, been named CMT’s “Next Women of Country,” scored major tours and opening slots with some of the biggest names and icons in music (including Garth Brooks and Carrie Underwood), performed on national TV including the CMA Awards, ACM Awards, CMT Awards and TODAY, and soon to be GMA. The trio has received high praise and raves from dozens of critical outlets, all while constantly digging deeper to fill out a sound that connects them to the tradition of Country music and its devoted fans.

Runaway June’s long-awaited debut album, Blue Roses was recently released on June 28, 2019 via Wheelhouse Records. Produced by Dann Huff. They are also on the road through the fall, supporting seven-time Grammy winner and Pollstar’s three-time top female country touring artist Carrie Underwood on the Cry Pretty Tour 360. Sponsored by CALIA, the tour kicked off on May 1 in Greensboro, NC, and will play 55 arenas across the U.S. and Canada promoted by AEG Presents. Tickets for the concerts can be purchased here.

Blanco Brown To Release Debut Album “Honeysuckle & Lightning Bugs” on October 11

Blanco Brown, the mastermind behind the viral sensation “The Git Up” announces his debut full-length album, Honeysuckle & Lightning Bugs, will be released October 11 and is available for pre-order digitally via BBR Music Group. Inspired by his youth growing up in Atlanta during the school year and rural Georgia during the summers, the album title is a tribute to his split-location upbringing that taught him the value of diversity and uniting people, things and sounds, which ultimately lead to the creation of TrailerTrap, a new genre that fuses hip hop beats with 808’s and traditional Country music.

Honeysuckle & Lightning Bugs is a nod to the bittersweet memories because no matter where he was, in the city projects or the sticks of Butler, the smell of honeysuckle and the mystifying glow of fireflies filled the air, making him feel at home.

Honeysuckle & Lightning Bugs is a full-fledged collection of music that delves deep into this fusion of sound. The music draws upon the rawness and storytelling abilities of his two biggest musical influences, Johnny Cash and Outkast, to seamlessly blend genres, providing the world with the first TrailerTrap album. Ranging from the nostalgic ballad “Ghett Ol Memories,” to the empowering and uplifting “Georgia Power,” Honeysuckle & Lightning Bugs takes listeners on an odyssey filled with life lessons, emotional passages and anecdotes from Brown’s life. Having wrote/co-wrote and produced every track, in addition to playing many of the instruments, the album is uniquely Blanco Brown.

 “This album represents everything I stand for and all of the different entities of my life—for a long time, I was anxious about releasing my own music, I often wondered what the outcome would be and if people would accept my sound, culture, music and the TrailerTrap lifestyle but I’m finally ready to be my own narrator,” said Blanco Brown. “I credit my friends, fans and family for rooting me on, giving me the confidence I lacked and propelling me to this moment.”

The world got its first taste of Blanco’s work as an artist with the global smash, “The Git Up,” which is Top 20 on the Top 40 radio chart and remains the top-selling digital Country song in the United States this week (via Nielsen Music) for its 11th  week and has claimed the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart, for nine weeks. The viral track Rolling Stone said is “one exciting glimpse at a possible future path for country, soul and the considerable space where the two overlap,” was shared on April 26 via SoundCloud, along with a social video of Blanco performing the dance which has since spawned nearly 3 billion viral views and millions of user-generated videos using #TheGitUpChallenge.

“I can’t identify why I love (or don’t love) a song. I just know what it feels like and how it hits me personally. This album has all of the elements of sound that I love and relate to,” added Brown. “I went into the creation process and just allowed music to be what music is— it’s un-boxable and I hope people find something in this album that hits them.”

A true creative visionary, Blanco can draw/paint/design (he created the single art, EP cover and album cover) and has a unique gift of seeing colors when creating music and identifies the emotion of his songs through colors. The album will come with a color chart of emotions that correlates to each song. Fans who pre-order Honeysuckle & Lightning Bugs now will instantly receive five tracks: “CountryTime,” “Georgia Power,” “Ghett Ol Memories,” “Tn Whiskey,” and “The Git Up.”

TRACK LISTING:

  1. “Temporary Insanity” — (Bennie Amey III)
  2. “HeadNod” — (Bennie Amey III, Sam DiCesare, Abraham Abushmais, Ken Fambro)
  3. “Funky Tonk” — (Bennie Amey III, Bennie Amey Jr., Quintin Amey, James Brabham)
  4. “CountryTime” — (Bennie Amey III, Sam DiCesare, Abraham Abushmais)
  5. “Georgia Power” — (Bennie Amey III, Isaiah Brown, John Whitfield, Dominic Crawford)
  6. “Gemini (Damn Right)” — (Bennie Amey III, Quintin Amey)
  7. “Ghett Ol Memories” — (Bennie Amey III, Corey Marquez Stephens, Liby Vongmanee)
  8. “Don’t Love Her” — (Bennie Amey III, Sam Dicesare)
  9. “Tn Whiskey” — (Bennie Amey III)
  10.  “The Git Up” — (Bennie Amey III)

For more information, please visit his website and follow along on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.