Exclusives

The broadcasting times for CMA Country Christmas have been revealed, as the showcase yearly event has found a way to go ahead. Recorded back in September as part of a forward thinking measure to counteract COVID 19, CMA Country Christmas will be hosted by Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins, with no studio audience in attendance. This is the 11th time that the event has gone ahead and as usual, there are a number of high profile artists that will be performing classic Christmas songs. Some of these include the likes of Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Lady A, Little Big Town, host Thomas Rhett and many more. The CMA Country Christmas International Broadcast Dates are: Australia: Airing on Nine at 3:00 PM AEDT on December 12 and at 10:00 AM AEDT on December 25. Germany, Switzerland, Austria: Airing on RTLplus on December 23 at 10:10 PM CET. Gibraltar: Airing on GBC at 9:00 PM CET on December 24 and at 5:00 PM CET on December 25. Latin America: Airing on DirecTV at 1:00 GMT South / 3:00 GMT North on December 24. Norway: Airing on NRK2 at 9:45 PM CET on December 19 and on NRK1 at 11:15 PM CET on December 25. U.K.: Television airing on BBC Four at 11:00 PM GMT on December 18 and radio airing on BBC Radio 2 at 8:00 PM GMT on December 24. Sweden: Airing on SVT1 at 10:45pm CET on December 25. The artists performing and the songs they are performing are: Kelsea Ballerini – Santa Baby Gabby Barrett – The First Noel Dan + Shay – Christmas Isn’t Christmas Florida Georgia Line – Lit This Year Lady A – Wonderful Christmastime and Little Saint Nick Little Big Town – Christmas Time Is Here Tim McGraw – It Wasn’t His Child Thomas Rhett – Christmas In The Countryʼ Darius Rucker and Lindsey Stirling – What Child Is This?

Nashville based artist Sykamore has released a new track in the way of a cover of What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? , which you can listen to here. Sykamore, otherwise known as Jordan Ostrom, is continuing to grow her profile in the country world and has been included in CMT’s Next Women of Country. Speaking about the song, the artist said the track has been close to her heart for many years when it comes to festive songs, while she also hailed the song’s construction and the space she was allowed to be creative with it. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?  has been a long-time favourite song of mine as far as holiday songs go,” Sykamore said. “And we were lucky in that it really hasn’t been done a million times and covered a billion different ways. “So as far as keeping it fresh and bringing our vision to life, we had a lot of room to interpret it and not have to worry about stepping on other people’s toes. And the melody and the lyric are just so smart and so cute, and it was a no-brainer to cut it this year.” Earlier in 2020, the artist released a five-track EP in the shape of ‘California King’, which was her first release in three years.

Matt Owens has released another new single from his recent album ‘Scorched Earth’ in the shape of I Will Be There. You can watch the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]dX70GLbP3Bk[/wpdevart_youtube] Owens released the album earlier this year to much acclaim and I Will Be There is the latest instalment from it, following in the footsteps of Cargo for the Road and MacCurtain Street. Speaking about the single, Owens explained that the song very much captures the essence of 2020, while explaining how strange it was to record the video – which also features flashbacks to better times – in lockdown. “I Will Be There encapsulates the solitude of 2020, touching upon the brutal reality of the times we’re living through,” Owens described. “Recorded in lockdown at The Forum in Bath, the depiction is all too real. The stage is desolate with no band conspicuously behind their instruments, the seats bereft of audience members; but still the song and the singer endure. “The flashbacks are taken from prior Bath shows and live collaborations with a slew of local artists (Jonny Morgan, Alex Lipinski, Levi Davis) reminding us of more care-free times. Although we can’t exist at the moment how we’d like, the hope is that happier memories can hold us together as we ride out these days.” Matt Owens was formerly in the high profile group Noah and the Whale, before embarking on a solo Americana adventure upon the group’s end.

Tim Prottey-Jones has released a music video for his debut single as a solo artist in Bite The Bullet, which will feature on his upcoming EP. You can watch the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]15-WjAYCcA0[/wpdevart_youtube] Prottey-Jones will be well known to UK country music fans, as he was the fourth member of The Wandering Hearts prior to his departure in 2019, which has led him to this next project. The EP will be coming out in the early stages of 2021 and while details are scant right now, there will be a ‘feel good’ track on the EP that is titled Good Life. The project will also be released via Autonomy/Believe. Tim Prottey-Jones has also spent a lot of time as a songwriter since his departure from The Wandering Hearts, working with the likes of The Shires, Remember Monday, Twinnie, Jake Morrell and Fiona Bevan, while also working alongside some of Nashville’s best during his career in the shape of Jeff Cohen, Jamie Floyd and Steve McMorran. His time with The Wandering Hearts also saw him grace stages such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, while he also performed at BST Hyde Park on the same days as Robert Plant, Tom Petty, Mumford & Sons and Stevie Nicks.

Foreign Affairs will be premiering their new single One of These Days on BBC Radio 2’s The Country Show with Bob Harris tonight (December 3). ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris has long been an advocate of the duo, who have gone from strength to strength ever since they burst onto the scene and their latest single comes hot on the heels of their previous release, The Hope Comes Again. Speaking about the song, the pair – made up of brothers Adam and Lawrence Purnell – said that it has been kicking around for a fair while and initially had a very different purpose, but has since evolved and grown into this track. “The instrumental for the song has been in the locker for a long time,” Adam said. “Initially it was written for the purpose of a musical interlude at live shows but the more we played with it we felt there was a vocal to be explored and I think the lyrical content compliments and lifts the track really well. ” “I never have to search for emotion when singing One of These Days, it’s right there from the off,” Lawrence added. “I get lost in it, it feels like a soundtrack. ” The single marks the third release from Foreign Affairs in 2020, with the duo making the very most of the worldwide publishing deal they signed with Peer Music in 2019.

Jess and the Bandits have become the latest country act to get involved with the festive spirit, with the group releasing the ‘My Country Christmas’ album. You can listen to the record below. ‘My Country Christmas’ is the first full length record from the group, which consists of Texas born frontwoman Jessica Clemmons and her assembled band featuring four Brits, for three years, although they did release the ‘Riding Shotgun’ EP earlier this year. The album itself was recorded in Texas during the lockdown period – adding perhaps extra impetus to White Christmas in Houston – and features a plethora of classic Christmas tracks, including Happy Xmas (War Is Over) and I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Speaking about the record, Clemmons said that given her faith, she is naturally drawn more to Christmas anyway, but aside from that, December is always one of the best times of the year for her as she feels that everyone subconsciously gets wrapped up in the Christmas mood, thus making them happier as a result. “I absolutely love Christmas,” Clemmons said. “I am a Christian so this record has a special meaning to me. But, it feels like a time of year where you can’t help but be happy. People seem friendlier. Generally the best of who we are comes out during the Christmas season.” Jess and the Bandits continue to be a leading country music group, especially on this side of the Atlantic Ocean and have regularly featured on BBC Radio 2 playlists over the years.

Chase Rice has surprised his fans by releasing new track Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen‘ featuring Florida Georgia Line. You can listen to the song here. Rice has been abandoning the traditional release schedule in an attempt to be more active musically, releasing his most recent album in two different parts and singles as and when he pleases. Speaking about the track, Rice opened up on the meaning of the track, while FGL said it has been a dream of theirs to hit the radio with their close friend. “We actually wrote this song before the pandemic, which is crazy because it’s almost like God was intervening in the song just to say, ‘Hey y’all, get ready. You’re gonna have a lot of time to sit around a fire, drink some beer and hang out with me,’” Rice said. “It’s a special song in that way because it really is a celebration of what 2020 became for us and a lot of other people – slowing down to enjoy these moments with our loved ones and having deeper, more meaningful conversations with each other.” “We are so excited to be on this jam with our boy Chase,” Florida Georgia Line added. “We’ve dreamed of being on the radio together ever since we were roommates 10 years ago. “This song is the perfect one for us, as we often find ourselves drinking beer and talking God when we get together. We hope this brings lots of good times and great conversations. Cheers to making music with friends!” Prior to lockdown, Chase Rice toured the UK and included a date at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.

Darius Rucker has joined forces with Lindsey Stirling to release What Child Is This, which comes ahead of their performance for CMA Country Christmas. You can listen to the song here. The Hootie & the Blowfish frontman will be performing the song with Sterling on ABC tonight (November 30) for the CMA Country Christmas, which is still going ahead. Speaking about the track, Rucker said that it was an honour to be asked to perform by the CMA while he is excited at the chance to do the song with Sterling, while Sterling is also relishing the occasion. “I was so honoured when the CMA asked me to perform What Child Is This,” Rucker said. “To be getting to do it with an amazing musician like Lindsey is just awesome.” “I was so excited to be a part of ‘CMA Country Christmas’ again this year,” adds Stirling. “Every year, they give me an amazing chance to sparkle in their spectacular show. This year was extra special since I got to collaborate with the amazing Darius Rucker. Hope everyone loves it as much as we do!” Darius Rucker was set to headline C2C 2020 prior to the pandemic and is still set to headline the event next year, should it take place. Lindsey Stirling is now on her fifth album and her skills as a musician have drawn admiration from all over Nashville and across the world.

Canadian star VISSIA has shared a video for her most recent release About Moving On, which was directed by Cassandra Paige. You can watch the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]xkaYv1SBDjQ[/wpdevart_youtube] Speaking about the track, VISSIA explained how the song started out and the emotional depth behind the track, which is very much about the pain of dealing with heartbreak when put into a fight or flight situation. “About Moving On started out with this visual I had playing in my mind in slow motion,” she explained. “You’re at your favourite bar or pub minding your own business over a pint with friends and the person who completely shattered your heart walks in. “You can hardly breathe, hardly move and the racing in your chest wants to escape from your mouth, but gets stuck in your throat. You desperately wish you were made of sugar so you could wander out into the rain and melt away. Most of the time you’re really okay, but you’re just not where you thought you were at yet. “It’s nobody’s fault that grieving isn’t linear. It just is what it is. An emotional soup of salt and bittersweet that you’ll have to swallow spoonful by spoonful and maybe never really get to the bottom of it. Why would you ever expect a big love to die a small death?”

Miranda Lambert is very much leading the way for country music for the 2021 Grammy Awards, with the Texas born star being nominated for three awards. You can discover all of the nominees from all genres here. Lambert has been nominated for all three country categories at the Grammys, with her song Bluebird being up for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song, while her album ‘Wildcard’ is up for Best Country Album. Elsewhere, Ingrid Andress, Brandy Clark, Old Dominion and Little Big Town were all nominated for two each, while Maren Morris will be hoping to build on her CMA Award success as The Bones has been nominated for Best Country Song. Interestingly, all of the nominees for Best Country Album are all female based (Little Big Town consist of two men and two women). The awards will take place in Los Angeles on January 31 and this particular rendition of the Grammys will be the 63rd to date. The Grammy Award 2021 nominees are: Best Country Solo Performance Stick That In Your Country Song – Eric Church Who You Thought I Was – Brandy Clark When My Amy Prays – Vince Gill Black Like Me – Mickey Guyton Bluebird – Miranda Lambert Best Country Song Bluebird – Miranda Lambert The Bones – Maren Morris Crowded Table – The Highwomen More Hearts Than Mine – Ingrid Andress Some People Do – Old Dominion Best Country Album ‘Lady Like’ – Ingrid Andress ‘Your Life is a Record’ – Brandy Clark ‘Wildcard’ – Miranda Lambert ‘Nightfall’ – Little Big Town ‘Never Will’ – Ashley McBryde Best Country Duo/Group Performance All Night – Brothers Osborne 10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay ft. Justin Bieber Ocean – Lady A Sugar Coat – Little Big Town Some People Do – Old Dominion