Jim Casey talks with Lucas Hoge about growing up in tiny Hubbell, Nebraska, hunting and trapping in the Nebraska countryside, playing on the football team and in the marching band, leading three different bands—country, Southern rock and worship—while he was in high school, playing music for U.S. troops in places like Afghanistan with the Wrangler National…
Jim Casey talks with Jordan Walker and Johnny McGuire of duo Walker McGuire about meeting in Nashville, writing their first bad song together, seeing the country while on tour, how “nasally tenor” is a compliment, watching their debut single, “Til Tomorrow,” climb the charts and more. Show Participants Walker McGuire Jordan Walker Johnny McGuire Jim…
Jim Casey talks with Ryan Hurd about his first-time Kentucky Derby experience with girlfriend Maren Morris, how he started songwriting after getting a sociology degree at Belmont University in Nashville, his first big break when Jake Owen recorded his song “Surefire Feeling,” being grateful for getting songs that he wrote recorded by other well-known artists like…
Jim Casey talks with Chris Janson about getting recharged by spending some time on the beach with his family, giving people a break from the real world for three minutes with his feel-good songs, his love of the “mixology” culture despite no longer drinking alcohol, his new single, “Fix a Drink,” working on his next album,…
Jim Casey talks with Maggie Rose about her early affinity for singing as a child, the high bar for being a musical artist in Nashville, sharing a van with trio Post Monroe while on CMT’s Next Women of Country Tour, appreciating her peer Lauren Alaina’s voice and perseverance, her new EP, Dreams > Dollars, and she…
Jim Casey talks with Kelleigh Bannen about her Irish name, her podcast series, This Nashville Life, what it means to be a member of CMT’s Next Women of Country class, her new single, “Church Clothes,” working on new music and more. Show Participants Kelleigh Bannen Jim Casey, NCD director of editorial Show Notes & Links Kelleigh Bannen’s website Listen…
Jim Casey talks with Kelsea Ballerini about how busy she has been lately, the magic of her single, “Peter Pan,” the 2-year anniversary of the release of her debut album, The First Time, being the first solo female artist in the history of the world who’s first three songs all reached No. 1, her upcoming sophomore…
Jim Casey talks with Kristian Bush about his transition from being a member of a duo—first with Billy Pilgrim and then Sugarland—to being a solo artist, receiving validation for his first solo album, Southern Gravity, from fans and critics, his new song, “Sing Along,” upcoming new album, producing Lindsay Ell’s new EP, Worth the Wait,…
Jim Casey talks with Cole Swindell about his string of consecutive No. 1 singles, being a fan of Dierks Bentley from his first album, writing “Flatliner” specifically for Dierks with Jaron Boyer and Matt Bronleewe, touring with Dierks and Jon Pardi, gives us a little spoken word “Flatliner” performance and more. Show Participants Cole Swindell Jim Casey,…
Jim Casey talks with The Railers about how they met, their experience playing in pubs, finding their sound, opening for Sara Evans, their new single, “11:59 (Central Standard Time)” and more. Show Participants The Railers Cassandra Lawson Jonathan Lawson Jordan Lawson Jim Casey, NCD managing editor Show Notes & Links The Railers’ website Watch: The Railers…
Chase McDaniel believes that listening to music in real-time can have a significant impact on listeners, rather than letting an algorithm choose what they hear. The new country artist recalls three life-changing moments he’s had while hearing songs on country radio, and McDaniel hopes his first radio single, “Burned Down Heaven,” has a similar effect…
Lainey Wilson will make her feature film debut in the Universal adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, Reminders of Him. The Grammy-winning country superstar will join a star-studded cast that includes Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, and Lauren Graham, with the film set to be directed by Vanessa Caswill. This won’t be Wilson’s first…
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kacey Musgraves clarified her previous comments on her marijuana use, revealing that she still smokes, though not to the extent she did when she was younger. “I never said I don’t ever partake,” says the 36-year-old singer. “I just don’t wake up and hit a gravity bong…
Reba McEntire has been one of the top female country stars since the ’80s, but she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of her dedicated fans. In the new Variety cover feature on McEntire as part of their Power Of Women Nashville issue, the 70-year-old country music icon says she owes everything to…
In a new interview with Variety for their Power of Women Nashville issue, Sheryl Crow reflected on the evolving landscape of women in music, while celebrating the rise of young and talented female musicians. “The caliber of writing is just so good with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Phoebe Bridgers, and these women are not…