2023

Nashville-based rising artist Canaan Cox is the definition of a triple threat: singer/songwriter, actor, and dancer. His music is a fusion of contemporary country, pop, and a touch of rhythm and blues — which is showcased on his five-track EP, End Up In A Song, out today. Diligently honing in on his craft since moving to Nashville in 2016, Canaan has built a loyal fan base, and is set to go overseas for his U.K “Coming Home” Tour in June. On Wednesday, the title and focus track of the project, “End Up In A Song,” was unveiled exclusively by Taste of Country. Encapsulating the DIY artist’s project as a whole, the lyrically clever and catchy tune radiates summer energy. Watch the “End Up In A Song” official lyric video below. Inspired by a time in his life of emotional unavailability which turned dating into more of an inspiration for songwriting vs. a search for love, Canaan shares: “It’s a song within a song that I started writing years ago when I was going through a heartbreak and found myself repeatedly with pen and paper creating from the memories. As I continued to date, I quickly realized I wasn’t ready to let anyone else in yet, but felt each encounter was just fuel for my songwriting.” Canaan has not only co-written his songs, but has also created, directed and produced all of his music videos. Utilizing a powerful confidence and ferocious work ethic, Canaan embodies the term “self-made” in its most accurate and authentic definition. Previously released EP singles include “Twice” and “Hate Me More,” which gained immediate support from official Spotify playlists such as “Next From Nashville” and “New Music Friday Country,” along with Amazon’s “Breakthrough Country.” During a chance encounter in 2021, Canaan met radio and television personality Bobby Bones, who admired his hustle and invited Canaan to appear on his show which reached over 9.2 million listeners. His January 2022 single, “As You Leave,” received critical acclaim with playlisting on several Spotify official playlists including “New Boots,” “Wild Country,” “Breakout Country,” “Next From Nashville,” Apple’s “New in Country,” and was also highlighted in Amazon’s “Breakthrough Country” playlist. Following the massive support he received on the Bobby Bones Show, “As You Leave” was spotlighted on the “Country Top 30.” This momentum led Canaan to a phenomenal year of streaming, seeing incredible 10x growth in 2022.

With a filthy guitar riff, a rebellious loner’s story, and Kezia Gill’s powerful vocals, her new single is sure to set the airwaves on fire. ‘Smokey’ is out on June 2nd and it’s a huge slice of Americana rock! Over a weekend in March, the country music festival ‘Country 2 Country’ took place in Glasgow, London and Dublin. Among the international lineup, which included Lady A and Zac Brown Band, were some outstanding homegrown artists. It was impossible not to notice Kezia Gill, the flame-haired, tattooed powerhouse that proudly represented British artists and blazed a path through the heart of the festival with her electric energy on stage and huge soulful voice. With a back catalog that bends genre lines, she has loyal fans who enjoy Country, Blues, Americana, and Rock music. Nobody can predict what she will do next which keeps her fans on their toes and hungry for more from this incredible entertainer. The buzz around Kezia has been felt both sides of the pond. Her performances at the festival attracted the attention of industry heavyweights CMA in Nashville, who featured her in their International Artist Spotlight.   Her new song, ‘Smokey’, shows another side to Kezia’s songwriting. Rather than writing from experience, she created a character and crafted his story. It would be right at home on the soundtrack for Peaky Blinders or TV commercial for whiskey! “My producer Ben Haynes sent me a filthy guitar riff he had composed, and the lyrics immediately came to me.  In a break from my usual personal style of writing, I wanted to tell a story; A raw americana rock song telling the story of the loner that “stuck it to the man”. The guitar riff is the essence of the song and makes “Smokey” one of my grittiest tracks to date. I like to think we all have a ‘Smokey’ in us deep down and I absolutely loved bringing this rebel to life.”  ” – KEZIA GILL

The 50th anniversary of CMA Fest keeps getting better! Adding to the star-studded lineup, CMA Fest announces the return of the Hard Rock Stage at Hard Rock Cafe and reveals additional performers for the free outdoor daytime stages. Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Hard Rock Stage will feature live performances Thursday, June 8 through Sunday, June 11 from 10:15 AM – 4:40 PM daily.   Additionally, reigning CMA New Artist and Female Vocalist of the Year Lainey Wilson will open the fan-favorite Chevy Riverfront Stage Thursday, June 8 at 10:15 AM, kicking off four-days of live music on the Cumberland River. Prior to Wilson’s performance, the award-winning Tennessee State University (TSU) Marching Band will march across the John Siegenthaler Pedestrian Bridge before taking the Chevy Riverfront Stage to perform songs from their Grammy-winning album The Urban Hymnal.   Featuring some of Country’s hottest up-and-coming acts, the Hard Rock Stage includes performances by Roman Alexander, Skyelor Anderson, Graham Barham, BoomTown Saints, Aidan Canfield, “Country Proud” with artists Brooke Eden, Shelly Fairchild, Chris Housman, Angie K and Adam Mac, Logan Crosby, Shelby Darrall, Tyler Dial, Melanie Dyer, Everette, Fancy Hagood, Jordan Fletcher, Lanie Gardner, Harper Grace, Alex Hall, Jordan Harvey, Reid Haughton, Zandi Holup, Jake Hoot, Britnee Kellogg, Matt Koziol, Alex Lambert, Miko Marks, Walker Montgomery, Emily Ann Roberts, Reyna Roberts, Jordan Rowe, Matt Roy, CJ Solar, Southerland, Sean Stemaly, Texas Hill, The Dryes, Troubadour Blue and War Hippies.   Added to the Dr Pepper Amp Stage at Ascend Park are artists Ty Herndon, Puddin (K. Michelle), RaeLynn and Michelle Wright. Hitting the Chevy Vibes Stage at Walk of Fame Park as new additions are Noah Hicks, King Calaway, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Blessing Offor, Christian Paul and Jake Worthington. Additional performers on the Maui Jim Reverb Stage at Bridgestone Plaza include Roan Ash, Greylan James, Andrew Jannakos, Trea Landon, Bryce Leatherwood, John Morgan and Brit Taylor.   All CMA Fest stage lineups are available in the Official CMA Fest App and on CMAfest.com. All artist lineups are subject to change. Additional lineups will be announced in the coming weeks. Artists performing at CMA Fest donate their time so a portion of proceeds can directly benefit high-quality music education initiatives across the United States through the CMA Foundation.   A limited number of Four-Night Stadium Passes are currently on sale. Single night tickets for the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium are also available to purchase, starting at just $113.80 per night at CMAfest.com/tickets.   Don’t miss a beat by staying connected with CMA on CMAfest.com, the Official CMA Connect App, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and sign up for CMA Country Connection emails to receive the latest news as soon as it’s announced.   Brand-new official CMA Fest merchandise, including an online-only exclusive Fan Fair throwback hat, are available for pre-order at Shop.CMAfest.com and through the Official CMA Connect App. Many more items will be added on May 17. The last day to purchase online and receive in time for Fest is May 24. Fans will also be able to purchase merchandise at multiple locations across the CMA Fest footprint in June.

Critically-acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Jerry Leger is to release a new EP The Time Flew By on April 28, ahead of his much-anticipated return to the UK for shows in May. Tour dates are as follows:   May 8 – Kingsmead House Concert, High Wycombe May 9 – Green Note, London May 10 – Running Horse, Nottingham May 11 – Old Cinema Launderette, Durham May 12 – St. Mary’s Creative Space, Chester May 13 – The Glynne Arms, Hawarden May 14 – House Concert, Sheffield May 16 – Spirit Store (backroom), Dundalk May 17 – The Court House, Bangor May 18 – The Doublet, Glasgow May 20 – TAIGH Festival – Glen Dye Estate Strachan, Aberdeenshire May 21 – Leith Depot, Edinburgh   The Time Flew By EP features an outtake from each album Leger has made on Latent Recordings, including last year’s Nothing Pressing. Pre-save: https://eek.lnk.to/JLTTFB   Says Leger: “These are top shelf songs; they weren’t left off the albums because of their quality. Deciding which tracks make up an album can be very difficult and tricky. You have to take into account flow and cohesion. Sometimes the best songs are the ones that don’t make the final cut.” This new EP follows the release of the Latent Uncovers EP on March 24.  

Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Kip Moore’s fifth studio album Damn Love is out now, available to listen here.  Co-produced by Moore, along with Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three), the 13 tracks hold on to passion, with the persistent anthem “Heart on Fire”, while “Another Night In Knoxville” captures the magnetic draw of the stage as a sweeping ’70s-rock ballad that soundtracks a long-cherished memory.  Meanwhile, the refreshing “Kinda Bar” conjures magic from a roadside tavern, and a comforting sense of clarity arrives with the gentle instant classics, “Some Things” and “One Heartbeat” (featuring Ashley McBryde). Moore is also sharing the music video for “Sometimes She Stays” as the third instalment in a series of recently released clips, “Damn Love” and “Kinda Bar”. Directed by PJ Brown, the last piece of the story depicts Moore and his love interest revisiting moments in their relationship, set against the backdrop of New York City. Fans can watch the “Sometimes She Stays” video here. “Jaren Johnston and I kicked off this album after writing “Peace & Love”, which helped to create a theme for the rest of the record,” says Moore. “‘Damn Love’ comes from a combination of progression within myself and my career, and being emotionally raw, and the honesty that came along with some self-realisation. This record shares all the highs and lows throughout my life, and I hope those who listen can feel that.” The genre-blending songsmith has a history of entrancing audiences and growing a truly global following, receiving worldwide praise and kicking off his DAMN LOVE WORLD TOUR with multiple sold-out headlining shows in Australia and South Africa. Moore will continue his DAMN LOVE WORLD TOUR with headlining shows in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK (seven headline dates in May), along with a slot at Bonnaroo (Tennessee) this summer. Inviting special guest The Cadillac Three along for his US autumn tour, this headlining run will launch in Michigan on Aug. 24th. For a full list of tour dates, visit kipmoore.net.

Multi-Platinum selling superstar Cole Swindell releases his deluxe album, Stereotype Broken TODAY as well as the highly anticipated focus track and live show favorite, “Sad Ass Country Song.” The tongue-in-cheek heartbreak song follows his most recent digital track release “Broken” and his current rising single “Drinkaby.” Written by Swindell, Josh Miller, Matt Dragstrem and his long-time friend/ guitar player/bandmate Joel Hutsell, “Sad Ass Country Song” has quickly become a fan favorite on the road. Stereotype Broken and “Sad Ass Country Song” are available at all digital retailers.“I have always been a fan of sad country songs, and that’s kind of how this song came to be,” said Swindell. “We were sitting around talking about wanting to write a sad ass country song and I said, ‘Why don’t we just call it ‘Sad Ass Country Song.’“Being able to finish this project with a song written with one of my best friends and bandmate since day one – Joel Hutsell is extra special. Josh Miller and Matt Dragstrem are two of the best in town and I’m so proud to have them on it too. Thanks to Zach Crowell for making sure the production was perfect. This song is high on my list of favorites from Stereotype Broken.”Swindell releases this deluxe album on the heels of winning Country Song of the Year for “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” at the recent iHeart Music Awards and earning a pair of nominations at last month’s CMT Music Awards. Just last week he received FIVE nominations for the upcoming 58th Academy of Country Music Awards for “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” as well as “She Had Me At Carolina [Remix],” which both appear on Stereotype Broken.Swindell is scheduled to perform on the 58th ACM Awards, hosted by country music icons Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks. The ACM Awards will stream live for a global audience across 240+ territories exclusively on Prime Video on Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. CDT/4 p.m. PDT from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The full rebroadcast will stream the next day for free on Amazon Freevee.Swindell is nominated for the following five ACM Awards:: Single of the Year “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” Song of the Year (Artist, Songwriter) “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” Visual Media of the Year “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” Music Event of the Year “She Had Me At Heads Carolina [Remix]” – with Jo Dee Messina (her first nomination in 22 years)  The Georgia native’s current single, “Drinkaby,” was released to radio in January and is sitting inside the Top 30 on the country singles charts. “Drinkaby,” written by Jon Pardi, Jordan Schmidt, HARDY and Hunter Phelps, follows three Platinum-certified, multi-week No. 1 singles from his fourth album Stereotype: “Never Say Never” featuring Lainey Wilson, “Single Saturday Night” and, most recently, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” which remained in the Top 5 for 23 consecutive weeks.The chart-topping country superstar will join Thomas Rhett starting next week on the Home Team Tour in 2023 and will headline his own Twelve Tour beginning in October.For complete information and upcoming tour dates, sign up for the Down Home Crew at www.ColeSwindell.com.For more information and tour dates, please visit www.coleswindell.com and follow @coleswindell on Twitter, @coleswindell on Instagram and on Facebook.

The Grand Ole Opry opened its newest tour exhibition “Famous Friends,” featuring some of the most iconic celebrities, cultural figures and artists from a variety of musical genres who have visited and performed on the iconic Opry Stage. Installed at the Acuff House, the collection displays a variety of costumes, photos and personal items from celebrities including Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Harlem Globetrotters, Andy Griffith, Leslie Jordan, Steve Martin, Sissy Spacek, Jack White, multiple U.S. Presidents and more.   “The Grand Ole Opry has been a staple of the country music scene for almost a century, and over the years, we’ve had the honor of welcoming some truly special guests to our stage,” said Dan Rogers, VP and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry. “From legendary musicians to renowned actors and even U.S. presidents, the Opry has played host to a diverse range of talents and personalities, each leaving their own unique mark on our history. We’re excited to provide a new opportunity for our guests to experience these unique Opry stories.”  Some of the exhibit’s unique items include:   Copy of Tony Bennett’s 2006 song chart for “Cold, Cold Heart,” signed by Tim McGraw Ray Charles’ stage wear tuxedo worn in the 1990s   Leslie Jordan’s outfit worn during his Opry debut in 2021   One of Steve Martin’s earliest known banjos   Actress and singer Chrissy Metz’s Opry debut dress she wore in 2020 Former President Richard Nixon’s Yo-Yo used on stage during the opening night of the Grand Ole Opry House in 1974   Sissy Spacek’s script for “Coal Miner’s Daughter”   Jack White’s 1968 Fender Stratocaster and custom suit by Manuel Cuevas worn to the 2014 GRAMMY Awards  Admission to the “Famous Friends” exhibit is included with the purchase of an Opry House Daytime Backstage Tour ticket. Other Opry tour options available for purchase include: Women of Country Tour Celebrate the trailblazing women – Dolly, Carrie, Reba, Trisha, Lauren, Jeannie, etc. — who continue to give country music its sparkle. Get an exclusive look at where country’s leading ladies get ready backstage. And stand where they’ve stood to perform the songs that have ripped our hearts apart then put them back together again. Post-Show Backstage Tour After you watch the show, see what it’s like behind the scenes! Get an exclusive look at what happens on the other side of the curtain of the show that made country music famous. Country Duos Make it a double and take advantage of the special Country Duos Ticket! Get a guided backstage tour of the legendary Grand Ole Opry and experience music’s Mother Church with a tour of Ryman Auditorium. For more information on all Opry tours, visit opry.com/tours.

Multi-Platinum selling Country music artist, Parker McCollum, made his Stagecoach debut this weekend, thrilling thousands of fans during a show-stopping performance of some of his biggest hits including the Double-Platinum “Pretty Heart,” Platinum “To Be Loved By You” and his current radio single and Gold certified, “Handle On You,” off his upcoming album, Never Enough (via MCA Nashville) out on May 12th. Also playing at this year’s Stagecoach Music Festival was global superstar, Diplo, who recently released his latest collab album, Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant. Parker teamed up with the famed DJ/Producer for their track, “Lonely Long,” which is featured on the project. Today, McCollum is announcing two newly added tour stops* for his West Coast fans: October 13, 2023 Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre San Diego, CA October 14, 2023 YouTube Theater Los Angeles, CA *Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com. For a full list of upcoming tour dates and tickets, please visit parkermccollum.com/tour