Louisiana native Kix Brooks supported the preservation of a 93-year-old theatre in his home state with a two-day benefit on Sept. 28 and 29 in Franklin Parish that raised $140,000. Kix hosted a two-day Kickin’ It With Kix fundraiser to help preserve the Princess Theatre in Winnsboro, La., which was originally established in 1925 to…
After moving to Nashville from Perryville, Mo.—a town of less than 9,000—14 years ago, Chris Janson has been through the proverbial Music City wringer. For more than a decade, Chris labored away onstage at Lower Broadway clubs and in Music Row writers’ rooms, co-penning songs such as Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah” and Justin Moore’s “Off…
Maren Morris notched another Top 10 single this week as “Rich” reached No. 10 on the Mediabase chart. The tune is the third single from Maren’s major-label debut album, Hero, to crack the Top 10, following “My Church” and “I Could Use a Love Song.” Maren co-wrote every track on Hero, and as she recently…
Louisiana native Kix Brooks is supporting the preservation of a 93-year-old theatre in his home state with a two-day benefit on Sept. 28 and 29 in Franklin Parish. Kix will host a two-day Kickin’ It With Kix fundraiser to help preserve the Princess Theatre in Winnsboro, La., which was originally established in 1925 to showcase…
Aspiring country stars have the opportunity to kick-start their careers via the 4th annual NASH Next competition. NASH Next 2018 officially launched on June 18, bringing together aspiring stars, a major record label (Big Machine Label Group) and the power of country radio (Cumulus Media). The winner of the four-month competition will receive a record…
The Country Music Association has announced the launch of the inaugural CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship, a year-long program designed to provide emerging artists with unique professional and educational opportunities in the country music industry. The CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship is named after country music legend Kix Brooks, the former chairman of the CMA Board and…
When Cole Swindell’s “Flatliner” reached No. 1 in August 2017, it marked his seventh consecutive single to reach No. 1 on a Billboard or Mediabase chart after “Middle of a Memory,” “Chillin’ It,” “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight,” “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey,” “Let Me See Ya Girl” and “You Should Be Here.” That mix of No.…
Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay are shooting their way up the charts with their new single, “Tequila,” which is currently No. 14 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after 16 weeks. The reflective ballad, which was co-penned by Dan, Jordan Reynolds and Nicolle Galyon, is the duo’s first offering from their unannounced…
From pickups to makeup, country stars pitch a plethora of products as television commercial spokespersons. But how many have danced with the Devil to pitch the perilous powers of fast food? Well, we’re glad you asked, because we found more than a few who have sold their deep-fried souls for a song and dance, including…
When Blake Shelton was bestowed People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” title, he knew a bad mood was looming. As far as Blake is concerned, photo shoots are the worst part of his “job.” But as the Oklahoma crooner told Kix Brooks on American Country Countdown, he can be talked into it, unlike the King of Country,…
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…