Nashville News: Thursday, 9/1
The nominations for the CMA Awards are in, and Eric Church, Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton top the list with five
nominations each.
Eric is nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for Mr. Misunderstood, Single of the Year for
“Record Year,” Song of the Year for “Record Year” and Music Video of the Year for “Record Year.” It's the second straight
year he's gotten five nods.
Maren is a first-time nominee, receiving nominations for Female Vocalist, Album of the Year forHero, Single of the Year for
“My Church,”Song of the Yearfor “My Church” and New Artist of the Year.
Chris is getting his first run at Entertainer of the Year. He also picked up nods for Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year
for “Nobody to Blame,” Music Video of the Year for “Fire Away” and Musical Event of the Year with life and stage partner
Morgane Stapleton(her first nomination) for “You Are My Sunshine.”
But it is also worth noting whose names are missing from this year’s ballot! First up, Blake Shelton. His latest album,
If I'm Honest, has sold a half-million copies, making him the year's top-selling artist so far. Sam Hunt had three nominations last year, none this year.
Four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney, who grabbed six nominations last year, went unrecognized this year.
Also missing is Jason Aldean, who's had a steady stream of hits -- as well as a successful tour -- in the qualifying period. Jason hasn't won a CMA award since 2011, when "Don’t You Wanna Stay," his duet with Kelly Clarkson, was named Musical Event of the Year. The CMAs are November 2nd.
Nashville News: Wednesday, 8/31
Big week for Dolly Parton as she celebrates a #1 debut on the Country album sales chart with her release
“Pure & Simple.” The album also landed her at #6 on the all genre chart. Dolly is currently on the road on her
Pure & Simple Tour!
Sam Hunt made history this week after "Make You Miss Me" reached the top of both the Billboard and Mediabase
country airplay charts.
"Make You Miss Me" is Sam’s fourth number-one radio hit off his Grammy-nominated debut album, Montevallo. According to Billboard, he's the first solo male, and only the fourth artist overall,
to top the Country Airplay chart four times with singles from a debut album since the chart's launch in 1990.
Sam just wrapped up the Spread the Love tour with Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert over the weekend.
Nashville News: Tuesday, 8/30
During tonight’s ACM Honors, Miranda Lambert will receive the inaugural Merle Haggard Spirit Award.
According to the Academy of Country Music, the new award recognizes "uncompromising artists in the spirit of
Merle Haggard, while acknowledging a man who has figured prominently in ACM history."
Hosted by Lady Antebellum, the ACM Honors will air on September 9th on CBS. It will be the first time the ceremony
has ever been televised.
Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban and Cam are set to reveal the nominees for the 50th annual CMA Awards tomorrow morning.
The three will appear live onGood Morning America from Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House, which served as the home to
the CMA Awards from 1974 to 2004, making it the longest running backdrop for the show.
Nominees in select categories will be announced on Good Morning America. The remaining categories will be revealed
live on Good Morning America.com on Yahoo, as well as via Good Morning America's Facebook page through Facebook Live.
The full list of nominees will be available immediately following the announcement at CMAAwards50.com.
Nashville News: Monday, 8/29
Sam Hunt is celebrating his fourth career number-one after “Make You Miss Me” reached the top of the Mediabase charts this week. His other #1 hits include,
“Leave the Night On,” , “Take Your Time,” and “House Party.”
Dierks Bentley's musical path might have been different had a friend not introduced him to country music.
He cut his musical teeth onVan Halen as a teen, but soon got turned on toHank Williams Junior. Dierks tells
Esquire, "A friend sat me down and played me a song by Hank Junior called 'Man to Man,' and it just really changed my
whole life. It was one of those few moments where I just knew without a doubt what I wanted to do."
Two years later, Dierks moved to Nashville. He was also recently named Country’s Most Relatable Star by Esquire Magazine.