Music News

He's letting the fans decide!

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They sound great together!

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The year 2018 was a pretty great one for country and Americana music.

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"It kind of marries the two, the issues and the music," Linsey says.

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The song was inspired by something Clint Eastwood said.

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Will album two be a marriage album? Kinda, the singer says.

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"They're just so good at what they do. I was like a sponge every night."

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I can’t believe Season 1 of Women Want to Hear Women is winding down.

Since launching in June, we have completed 23 amazing episodes featuring some of the genre’s biggest names, rising stars and up-and-comers. Before we close Season 1 next week with a sit-down interview with Cam—I’m so excited—I thought it would be fun to reflect on some of this season’s episodes, so I brought in my partner in crime, Jim Casey, editor in chief of Nash Country Daily, who helped me launch the podcast six months ago.

I can’t even begin to thank all of my guests and the people behind the scenes who have made this podcast become a reality. But I will try. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

If you’ve missed an episode or you’re a new listener, check out the links below to every episode from Season 1, from Kacey Musgraves and Carrie Underwood to Maren Morris and Danielle Bradbery . . . and everyone in between.

Be sure to tune in next week for Cam before we launch Season 2 in January, with a new lineup of guests you won’t believe.

Podcast Participants:

• Elaina Smith, host of Women Want to Hear Women
• Jim Casey, editor in chief of Nash Country Daily

Need a refresher what #WomenWantToHearWomen is all about?

Past episodes: 

1. Kacey Musgraves
2. Dolly Parton
3. Carly Pearce
4. Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square
5. Tegan Marie
6. Clare Dunn
7. Stephanie Quayle 
8. Sarah Darling
9. Rachel Reinert
10. Carrie Underwood
11. Abby Anderson
12. Runaway June
13. Kalie Shorr
14. Rachel Wammack
15. Jessie Chris
16. Tenille Townes
17. Delta Rae
18. Logan Brill
19. Maren Morris
20. RaeLynn
21. Heather Morgan
22. Leah Turner
23. Danielle Bradbery

Who needs a dating coach when you've got Kip Moore?!

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"I don’t know that I’ve soaked it all in yet."

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"Yes, I did have a crush when I was getting started in the business, or even before when I was in college," she says.

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"They're making no apologies for anything ..."

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After 2017's 'Red Blooded' didn't get picked up, the country icon has something new in the works.

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Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line revealed they will release their fourth studio album, Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, on Feb. 15.

“We’re excited. In February, we’re releasing our fourth album,” said Tyler to Entertainment Tonight. “I think Feb. 15 is the official date, so we’re really excited. We’ve been working on that album for over a year now, so BK and I are definitely ready.”

“You can say a lot of things,” added Brian, “you can call somebody a lot of different names and have a lot of different opinions, but at the end of the day, when it comes to me and Tyler, you can’t say we ain’t country.”

The duo also revealed they are planning a headlining tour that will kick off in May.

In October, FGL scored their 16th No. 1 single as “Simple” reached the top of the charts. The duo has released three No. 1 albums: 2012’s Here’s to the Good Times, 2014’s Anything Goes and 2016’s Dig Your Own Roots.

Brian and Tyler recently earned their first Grammy nomination for “Meant to Be” in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category.

photo by Jason Simanek

Florida Georgia Line also plan to name their 2019 tour the Can't Say I Ain't Country Tour.

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"To have my album considered among those people is just stunning to me."

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Jewel Kilcher, better known to the music-loving world as singer/songwriter “Jewel,” has been named one of 13 recipients of the 2019 Horatio Alger Award.

Bestowed annually to accomplished corporate, civic and cultural leaders from across North America, the award recognizes an individual’s ongoing commitment to higher education and generosity toward philanthropic endeavors. Past winners of the award include Reba McEntire (2018), Johnny Cash (1977), Waylon Jennings (1988) and more.

Jewel overcame homelessness, abuse and severe poverty to become an award-winning performer. Her 1995 debut album, Pieces of You, is one of the best-selling debut albums of all time and kicked off a versatile music career that has spanned seven studio albums, including Perfectly Clear, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in 2008.

“This award holds a special place in my heart,” said Jewel. “To be recognized for overcoming adversity—experiences I have given voice to through song and written story—is truly humbling. Early in life and my career, I learned to be my own champion because no one else was going to be. I understand that is the same story for many Horatio Alger Scholars, but I want them to know that they are no longer alone. I promise to be the support these students need as they navigate life’s challenges and come to know the power of their own resilience.”

The Horatio Alger Association will honor the following 13 individuals during the 72nd Horatio Alger Award induction ceremonies in Washington, D.C., on April 4–6.

• David P. Abney, chairman and CEO, United Parcel Service
• James W. Ayers, executive chairman of the board, FirstBank
• Colonel Vance L. Cryer, director of operations and experimentation, IOMAXIS
• Amy Dickinson, syndicated advice columnist, “Ask Amy”
• John J. Haley, chief executive officer, Willis Towers Watson
• Jay S. Hennick, global chairman and CEO, Colliers International; founder and chairman, FirstService Corporation
• Michael Ingram, founder, chairman and chief executive officer, El Dorado Holdings, Inc.
• Jewel Kilcher, award winning singer-songwriter, actress and New York Times best-selling author
• Ronald J. Kruszewski, chairman and CEO, Stifel Financial Corp.
• Daniel Lubetzky, founder and CEO, KIND Healthy Snacks
• John C. Maxwell, author, speaker and founder, The John Maxwell Co. and The John Maxwell Team
• Chandrika K. Tandon, business leader, Grammy-nominated musician and humanitarian
• William C. Weldon, retired chairman and CEO, Johnson & Johnson

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

It's coming in early 2019!

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Hallmark Channel holiday movies have been tearjerkers for years, but in 2018, they tapped into country music to create one of their new Christmas movies.

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After spending two week’s at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart (Nov. 24 and Dec. 1), Jimmie Allen’s “Best Shot” was bested by Kane Brown’s “Lose It” last week (Dec. 8).

This week, “Best Shot” is back on top, making Jimmie the first artist in 10 years to have a single return to No. 1 after relinquishing its crown. The last artist to accomplish the feat was Jimmy Wayne in 2008 with “Do You Believe in Me Now.”

Written by Jimmie, Josh London and JP Williams, “Best Shot” is the first single from Jimmie’s debut album, Mercury Lane.

“In writing this song, we just wanted to be honest with ourselves and write something that others can empathize with,” says Jimmie.

Jimmie joined Darius Rucker as the only African-American country artists to hit No. 1 with their debut singles. Darius, who became a household name in the early 1990s as the frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish, accomplished the feat in 2008 with “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” which remained No. 1 for two weeks.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com