13 February 2020

Chris Stapleton has revealed that new music isn’t a million miles away and that he has been working with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell. Stapleton’s last record came out in December 2017 and a third  – or fourth, depending on whether you view ‘From A Room’ as two separate albums or a double album – record has been much anticipated by his fanbase. The country world now has some firm details on how that is coming along now, as just before Keith Urban’s All for the Hall Benefit Show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on February 10, Stapleton gave an update on his current situation. Speaking to Rolling Stone about working with Campbell, Stapleton – who has been recording in the fabled RCA Studio A in Nashville with as producer Dave Cobb – heaped praise on the musician and said that while he didn’t want to raise expectation levels, he does think there’s a good chance new music will be on the horizon. “He’s probably my favourite guitar player of all time,” Stapleton said. “To sit around with him and write some songs has been cool. We did some last year, too. I don’t want to make any promises, but there is probably some new music on the way.” In 2019, Chris Stapleton headlined C2C 2019 in the UK and will go down as one of the most talented – and indeed, best – country music artists of his generation, with five Grammy Awards, 10 CMA Awards and seven ACM Awards to back that statement up.

Lainey Wilson will achieve one of her childhood dreams on February 14 as she will make her Grade Ole Opry debut on the date.  The rising  star made huge waves within the country scene even before she signed with Broken Bow Records, but her progress has now accelerated since signing with the label – partially due to her recent EP release, ‘Redneck Hollywood‘. Speaking about the opportunity, Wilson explained that it had been her dream since she was nine to perform on the hallowed stage and that she cannot wait to follow in the footsteps of so many of her heroes. “Most little girls dream about their wedding day, walking down the aisle in a beautiful wedding dress,” Wilson said. “Well, this is the day I’ve been dreaming about my whole life—to be standing in the Grand Ole Opry circle in a pair of bell bottoms, doing what I love. “Stepping into that circle is about like stepping into Country music heaven. You hear about how it’s the best feeling in the world…how it’s better than you imagined it…but you don’t really understand until you get there and experience it for yourself. “So many of my influences have stood in that circle. I’m humbled and excited to feel their spirit when I step in for the first time.” Things are very much looking up for Lainey Wilson, who has support tours with Hot Country Knights and Reba McEntire to look forward to later on this year.