This past weekend country superstar Brad Paisley performed with his full tour set up for his first in-person live music concert since mid March. He headlined the first ever Live Nation U.S. drive-in concert series, Live From the Drive In, and sold-out all three stops, St. Louis, Nashville and Indianapolis. The 90 minute concert was filled with career hits such as “Mud on the Tires,” “American Saturday Night,” “Then,” I’m Still A Guy,” “Ticks,” as well as his current single and fan favorite, “No I In Beer.”

From the stage Paisley said, “It’s not lost on us how big a blessing it is to play music in these times. Thank you so much for giving us this memory tonight. I hope we’ve given you a memory too. You were amazing!”

On Paisley’s socials he posted a recap video with this message, “This was our weekend. The back row of cars was over a quarter mile away, but somehow I’ve never felt closer to an audience. Everyone went the extra mile to make this work, and somehow, safely, we played live music again. Thank you St Louis, Nashville, and Indy. These are the moments we will never forget. View HERE.

The Nashville performance from Nissan Stadium parking lot was live streamed on Paisley’s Facebook page and has garnered over 640,000 views, so far and can be watched HERE.  While the Facebook live was free for fans to watch, they had the option to donate to The Store, a nonprofit free-referral based Nashville grocery store co-founded by Brad and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. During the livestream fans donated over $25,000.

Live Nation reimagined the live music experience during a time of social distancing by allowing fans to enjoy concerts in a one-of-a-kind drive-in setting from their own private tailgating zones next to their cars. Concert-goers went all out to make the experience their own with vintage cars, yard games, chairs and plenty of food and drinks. The main focus for the weekend was social distancing, and Live Nation worked closely with local officials and health experts to carefully plan all aspects, from the layout to sanitation and everything in between to ensure everyone’s safety. Speakers blasted the live music across the parking lots and huge video walls were scattered so guests could have a visual on the performers.

Sony Music Nashville/Villa 40 recording artist Tyler Booth’s autobiographical new track “In God and Trucks We Trust” is out now. Written by Booth, Randy Montana, and long-time collaborator Phil O’Donnell, the song illustrates the hard-working, faith-filled spirit Booth relates to from growing up in a small town in Southeastern, Kentucky. Listen here.  

“When we wrote ‘In God and Trucks We Trust,’ I’d just gotten back from being on the road with Dwight Yoakam,” said Booth. “While on the road, I recall looking out the window of the sprinter van and seeing a dusty tractor out in the middle of a field somewhere in Iowa and thinking, ‘Man, they have to bust their butts for a living here too.’ To me it’s a story about how hard work, sacrifice, and the love of one another and God makes us stronger. It’s about the simple things in life that we do every day that make us a community. It’s about me, who I am, and why I am the way I am.”

“In God and Trucks We Trust” follows Booth’s debut tracks “Long Comes A Girl,” “Where The Livin’ Is,” and “Half A Mind To Go Crazy,” all of which highlight his smooth baritone vocals. 

Villa 40/Sony Music Nashville artist Drew Green released “Right Where I Be” today. He wrote the track, built on a propulsive beat with a soaring hook, alongside celebrated producer Mark Trussell and Zach Dyer. 

“I’ve had that title for a while,” Drew says of “Right Where I Be.” “I always knew there was something there. It’s about living in the moment, and not taking anything for granted. Once we got the idea out and I sang the chorus, it came together almost immediately.”

“Right Where I Be” follows Drew’s introductory single, “Little More Be Alright,” which arrived on June 26 and has already amassed over a million on-demand streams. Since its release, it has been critically praised by outlets including American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, Music Row, and NY Country Swag, who commented: “Green takes you through a life where a little more money, a little more time off, a little more family, and finally, a little more time with his father would be alright.” 

Sony Music Nashville recording artist Ross Ellis, known for penning hits for country music superstars such as Tim McGraw’s “Neon Church,” released the heartfelt new song “Love Blind” today. Listen HERE . The track, which was inspired by his romance with long-time girlfriend, Brittany, follows recent additions to his catalog including breakthrough song and No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway, “Buy and Buy,” as well as recent fan-favorite and his first release with Sony Music Nashville, “Home To Me.” 
 
“This song is a prayer from my heart,” acknowledges Ellis. “A prayer that I can be the man the woman I love sees when she looks at me. I want to be the best version of myself for her and for me. That’s what ‘Love Blind’ is all about.”
 
Produced by Aaron Eshuis and written by Ellis alongside Zach Kale and “Buy and Buy” collaborator Allison Veltz Cruz, the heartfelt new track, part prayer and part reflection, finds the Monterey, Louisiana native crooning:
 
Tell all your angels / To work overtime / Stay on both shoulders / And keep me in line / You walked on water / And turned it to wine / So Lord make me better / And keep her love blind
 
The new track follows a series of formidable songs from Ellis, who was named an “Artist to Watch” by The Boot, including “Home for the Weekend” in 2017 and the hauntingly powerful “Ghosts” in 2018, which Rolling Stone named a “top song of the week.”
 
For more information, visit rossellismusic.com or follow on social media @RossEllisMusic.

Multi-Platinum country superstar Kane Brown released “Be Like That” together with Grammy-nominated artists Swae Lee and Khalid today. The Pop-forward summer anthem, which all three artists had a hand in writing, follows Brown’s unifying ballad “Worldwide Beautiful,” which he released last month and debuted on nationwide television with a performance at the 2020 BET Awards on June 28. Listen to “Be Like That” here.

“It’s about all the different feelings you can have in a relationship,” Brown says of “Be Like That. “And trying not to overthink it. When it gets tough, you want to be on your own, but then you miss the person a second later. I think it’s something everyone goes through.”

“Be Like That” reunites past collaborators Brown and Khalid, who teamed up for a remix of Khalid’s single, “Saturday Nights,” in January 2019. From there, Brown went on to work with a series of stars across multiple genres, including famed DJ Marshmello, with whom he co-wrote and released “One Right Thing,” which reached the Top 15 at Mediabase’s Pop Radio Airplay chart. His ballad with John Legend, “Last Time I Say Sorry,” followed in March 2020 and peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart. The following month, Brown dropped “Cool Again,” which closed out April as the most-added single to country radio and is currently at No. 14 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. 

Swae Lee released “Reality Check” last month, his first new music since his feature on Chloe x Halle’s hit “Catch Up” from their Top R&B Albums No. 2 long-player, Ungodly Hour. Earlier this year, Khalid unveiled a pair of critically acclaimed new singles, “Know Your Worth” (w/ Disclosure) and “Eleven” feat. Summer Walker along with stunning visuals to accompany both tracks.

Riser House/Columbia Nashville, chart-topping artist Mitchell Tenpenny released “Broken Up” today. The song, written by Mitchell, Devin Dawson, Kyle Fishman and Ernest Keith Smith and produced by Jordan M. Schmidt, will impact country radio as Mitchell’s newest single on July 27. 

“We wrote it about a year ago at Kyle Fishman’s studio downtown,” Mitchell says of “Broken Up.” “I loved the idea of taking responsibility for a breakup, because most end badly with both sides blaming each other.

Mitchell debuted the song on the “CMA Summer Stay-Cay” online streaming special earlier this week. Watch it HERE.

Since the beginning of the at-home era, Mitchell has kept an active schedule, writing new songs to release and perform during his weekly #TenpennyTuesdays LIVE Q&A sessions on Instagram and Facebook. “Broken Up” follows his heartfelt cover of Lewis Capaldi’s No. 1 hit, “Someone You Loved,” and his latest original song, “HERE.”  During one of Mitchell’s weekly livestreams, a member of his fan club, the Night Owls, presented him with an RIAA Gold certification plaque for “Alcohol You Later.” In April and May, he took part in the “There’s Comfort in Giving” program with  Cracker Barrel Old Country Store ®, Sony Music Nashville, and other artists to help donate meals to healthcare professionals in the HCA Healthcare system and partnered with his record label again in a livestream series #SingForStJude to support St. Jude’s mission of families never receiving a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food while a child is being treated. Shortly before the pandemic, just after Nashville was struck by a devastating tornado in early March, Mitchell and many of his artist friends performed a live concert at Whiskey Row to help impacted families and raised $74,000 for Hands On Nashville.

Go to www.mitchell10penny.com for more details.

Acclaimed 2-time CMA Vocal Group of the Year and 2-time ACM Group of the Year, Old Dominion release “Everything to Lose” and “Dancing Forever” today! The two tracks follow 3 previously unreleased tracks that the band unveiled in May, originally recorded for past projects. The tracks are available to stream everywhere. Click HERE to listen.

Old Dominion appeared live this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Summer Concert Series, performing their current single “Some People Do” HERE. They are also set to perform tonight on “iHeart Country 4th of July BBQ” airing on The CW. Additionally, the band will appear on “Good Morning America” again tomorrow, July 4, for an additional performance. 

Old Dominion, who most recently were notably the most nominated for the 2020 ACM Awards with 8, released the moving music video for their latest single “Some People Do .” The video was inspired by Jason Schneidman, celebrity men’s groomer, who also works with Old Dominion. Schneidman was previously homeless and, after overcoming drug addiction, turned his life around. In his spare time, he helps out the homeless of LA, providing haircuts as a means to connect with those who may be battling addiction issues, and funds scholarships to rehab centers. Back in early February 2020, the band joined him on the ground in Los Angeles to help out. The visuals, directed by Mason Allen, show the effect that if we all do a little, we can help out a lot. The song, with over 41 million streams, is the latest single off Old Dominion’s self-titled third studio album, which was released in the fall of 2019. 

Old Dominion’s previous single, “One Man Band” went to No. 1 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. With over 391 million streams, “One Man Band” marked the band’s 8th consecutive No. 1 and biggest song to date. The band recently received Platinum and Gold certifications for 5 of their other hit songs: “Written in the Sand” (2x Platinum), “Break Up With Him” (2x Platinum), “Hotel Key” (Platinum), “Make It Sweet” (Gold) and “Nowhere Fast” (Gold). 

Today, the genre-defying, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Niko Moon released an Amazon Original cover of “It’s a Great Day to be Alive,” available to stream and purchase only on Amazon Music. Moon is the latest in a long line of country musicians who have recorded the classic track, which was originally written by country singer/songwriter Darrell Scott and performed by Jon Randall before it was made famous by Travis Tritt. Moon’s rendition stands out from the others through his genre-fusing mix of country and hip-hop/R&B, while still remaining faithful to the song’s roots. 

Listen to “It’s a Great Day to be Alive” only on Amazon Music:

https://amzn.to/NikoMoon

“I grew up 15 minutes from Travis Tritt. Driving down the same roads as him, blasting ‘It’s a Great Day to be Alive’ as loud as my little S10 speakers could handle,” says Moon. “This is a chance for me to honor one of my favorite country artists while doing my best to put my own twist on one of the greatest country songs of all time!”

The Amazon Original cover follows Moon’s critically-acclaimed debut GOOD TIME EP which was praised by outlets including American Songwriter, Billboard, and The Boot . Along with his successful solo career, which has taken him on the road opening for acts like Ryan Hurd and Eli Young Band, Niko has co-written five No. 1 hits for Zac Brown Band, including the Chris Cornell-assisted “Heavy Is The Head,” which topped multiple rock charts. He was named a 2020 Artist To Watch by Amazon Music and CMT. Moon is currently self-producing his debut full-length project alongside longtime collaborator and friend Joshua Murty.

Earlier this year, Moon was chosen as Amazon Music’s Weekly One, a program designed to give developing artists an opportunity to reach broader audiences and become more discoverable to customers at the very start of their careers through additional programming opportunities and marketing. He also performed at Amazon Music’s annual Country Heat showcase at CRS in February.

Amazon Music listeners can find the track on the Country Heat playlist, the ultimate global playlist for today’s country music fan. Customers can also simply ask, “Alexa, play the Amazon Original by Niko Moon” in the Amazon app for iOS and Android and on Alexa-enabled devices. In addition to Niko Moon, Amazon Music listeners can access hundreds of Amazon Originals featuring both emerging and established artists across numerous genres, available to stream and purchase only on Amazon Music.

Multi-platinum entertainer Chris Young is officially releasing his brand-new track, “If That Ain’t God,” today! The full song and lyric video are available everywhere now at https://CY.lnk.to/ITAG. Chris exclusively spoke with People.com about the song, along with a video interview for People Now.

After teasing a 56-second clip to social media recently, the song received an overwhelming response from fans. His first new music in over a year, “If That Ain’t God” is written by Young, Matt Roy, Mitchell Oglesby, and Greylan James and co-produced by Young and Chris DeStefano. He talks about what drew him to “If That Ain’t God” during a recent episode of his podcast, “The Quad with Chris Young .” The song’s uplifting and inspiring message feels especially poignant in today’s times:

If that ain’tGod, if that ain’t Him
If that ain’t the man upstairs somewhere looking down on us again
Don’t it make you wanna pray, don’t it make you wanna live
Oh, if that ain’tGod, if that ain’t God, I don’t know what is

That short glimpse of the new song was so powerful, that it resonated immediately, and received an outpouring of praise from critics:
CMT — “Young has outdone himself. Or I should say he’s done it again: taken listeners to a place that you can only get to with a poetic country lyric.”

Sounds Like Nashville – “[Young is] letting the tune itself do the talking, full of gratitude and big-picture confidence in uncertain times….Pairing his full-bodied baritone with a heavenly blast of modern sonics, he paints the picture of a supreme being who’s always watching.”

Taste Of Country – “…fair warning, it’s a tearjerker.”

Country Now – “…the song’s message immediately resonated with fans, who went on to beg the country hitmaker to release the full song.”
“If That Ain’t God” follows his most recent releases, including his latest single, “Drowning,” which had over 1.2 million streams in its first week of release and was named to Rolling Stone’s Best Country and Americana Songs of 2019, as well as “ Raised On Country” and “Town Ain’t Big Enough,” featuring Lauren Alaina. 

Chris Young has over 2 Billion career streams and 12 Million singles sold, 17 R.I.A.A. Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum certifications, and over 400,000 tickets sold for his 2019 arena and amphitheater headline tour. 

For more information, visit  chrisyoungcountry.com. 

Rising Arista Nashville singer/songwriter Robert Counts has debuted his new release “What Do I Know” today. Listen here.

Co-written with HARDY and Jake Mitchell, “What Do I Know” is a modern-day, Southern blue-collar anthem, that Counts describes as inspired by “things you’re taught about growing up – hunting, fishing, living off the land – things that your dad tells you and his granddad told him.”

The blazing new track follows Counts’ “soulful-and-sophisticated” (Sounds Like Nashville) self-titled debut EP, which ranges from “heartfelt” (CMT) standout “Backseat Driver,” to the sweet anticipation of “Someone In My Someday,” the take-you-as-you-are “Dress Up,” the hopefulness of “Better People,” and the smoldering soul in a cover of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.”

Counts grew up in Franklin, Tenn. and started playing guitar and singing at his church, where he led worship throughout his teens, but it wasn’t until after he graduated from Lee University with a degree in Biochemistry that he committed to a career in music. After winning a songwriter’s round at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant in Downtown Franklin, he earned a cash price and his first publishing deal. Today, the artist continues to prolifically craft new tunes, pulling fresh inspiration from his life experiences in the tradition of true country music storytelling.