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Underwood, Combs, Church, Bryan, & Rhett to Open ACM Awards Show

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Exclusively announced with Billboard earlier today, the 55th Annual ACM Awards unveiled what will be an epic start to the special show. 2020 Entertainer of the Year nominees Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett, and Luke Bryan, will come together to perform a medley of their greatest hits.

Additionally, the awards show announced the winners of a few early awards. Thomas Rhett takes home the award for Video of the Year with his smash hit, “Remember You Young”. While Miranda Lambert earned the award for Music Event of the Year for her collaboration on “Fooled Around and Fell In Love” along with female powerhouses Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack, and Elle King. Hit songwriter, Hillary Lindsey received the award for Songwriter of the Year.

Previously, the awards show also confirmed the winners of the New Female and New Male Artists of the Year. Tenille Townes and Riley Green earned the accolades, and will each perform during the special show.

The rescheduled 55th annual awards show will air this Wednesday, September 16th on CBS at 8PM ET.  Hosted by superstar Keith Urban, this time performances will take place at multiple iconic venues across Nashville, including the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Bluebird Cafe. This is the first time that the show will be held in Nashville in the award shows history. For a full list of performers, click here.

Although it is sure to be different, we feel that this might be the most incredible ACM Awards yet. The 2020 ACM Awards, “A Night of Heart and Hits” will be exactly what the country music community needs during these times. Make sure to gear up for the big night and set your DVR’s for 8PM ET on September 16th and follow along on Twitter as we live-tweet the show, @NYCountrySwag.

Fans can also join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about the upcoming performance announcements in the coming weeks.

To keep up with the Academy of Country Music, follow along here on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

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The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, and Hillary Lindsey Take Home Early ACM Awards

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Ahead of the 55th Annual ACM Awards set to take place this Wednesday, September 16th, three early winners were revealed.

Thomas Rhett takes home the award for Video of the Year with his smash hit, “Remember You Young”. While Miranda Lambert earned the award for Music Event of the Year for her collaboration on “Fooled Around and Fell In Love” along with female powerhouses Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack, and Elle King. Hit songwriter, Hillary Lindsey received the award for Songwriter of the Year.

Announced earlier today (Sept. 14), The awards show also unveiled a surprise performance opening the show; each of the Entertainer of the Year nominees Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett, and Luke Bryan, will come together to perform a medley of their greatest hits.

Additionally, the awards show recently announced the winners of the New Female and New Male Artists of the Year. Tenille Townes and Riley Green earned the accolades, and will each perform during the special show.

The rescheduled 55th annual awards show will air this Wednesday, September 16th on CBS at 8PM ET.  Hosted by superstar Keith Urban, this time performances will take place at multiple iconic venues across Nashville, including the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Bluebird Cafe. This is the first time that the show will be held in Nashville in the award shows history. For a full list of performers, click here.

Although it is sure to be different, we feel that this might be the most incredible ACM Awards yet. The 2020 ACM Awards, “A Night of Heart and Hits” will be exactly what the country music community needs during these times. Make sure to gear up for the big night and set your DVR’s for 8PM ET on September 16th and follow along on Twitter as we live-tweet the show, @NYCountrySwag.

Fans can also join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about the upcoming performance announcements in the coming weeks.

To keep up with the Academy of Country Music, follow along here on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Country Songwriters That You Need To Know

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One of the best things about country music is how many of our favorite artists are also songwriters. Even if they don’t record their own hits (a great example is Little Big Town smash, “Better Man” which was actually penned by Taylor Swift) it’s normal to see songwriter credit given to the same names we hear on the radio, see on tour, and follow on streaming platforms.

But there’s actually a *not so secret* network of songwriting royalty that fly under the radar, despite their ability to churn out hit after hit for the biggest performers of our generation. Here are some songwriters that you need to know:

 

Shane McAnally – Perhaps one of the most well known Nashville writers (and certainly most active on social media thanks to his adorable kids) is country king, Shane McAnally. With an artist roster including Lee Ann Womack, Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Brothers Osborne, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, Midland, and Kacey Musgraves, there isn’t a single top country chart he isn’t all over.

Caitlyn Smith – This vocal powerhouse has recently started to release her own music, but you’re much more likely to know her for a slew of number one songs including, “Let it Hurt” recorded by Rascal Flatts, the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton duet, “You Can’t Make Old Friends”, and even pop hit, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” co-written by Meghan Trainor and performed featuring John Legend.

Lori McKenna – Solely responsible for writing Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind”, Grammy award winner, Lori McKenna is one of my most sought after songwriters who doesn’t even live in Nashville. McKenna resides with her family in Massachusets but travels to Nashville often to write some of the biggest songs in the genre. Along with Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose, she wrote Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush”. She has also just released her 11th studio album, The Tree.

Ashley Gorley –  With more than 100 country cuts to date (yup, you read that right) there may be no one as established in the songwriting world than Ashley Gorley. When you’ve written for the greats (George Strait, Darius Rucker, Bon Jovi, and Tim McGraw to name a few) and newer talent (Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi, and Chase Bryant) it’s hard to imagine there is anyone in town that won’t take a meeting.

Heather Morgan – Co-founder of all-female seasonal writers’ round “Girls of Nashville” (with previously mentioned Caitlyn Smith) is this Texas gal. You can find Morgan on not one, not two, but seven Brett Eldredge hits, and who knows how many more in the works.

Kelley Lovelace – This Tennessee native known mostly for writing almost every Brad Paisley single, can also be found on track listings for the likes of Joe Nichols, Jason Aldean, Terri Clark, and Carrie Underwood.

Natalie Hemby – Great songwriters aren’t reserved for country and Natalie Hemby is a perfect example of lending talents to other genres. Famous for Miranda Lambert songs including, “Automatic” and, “White Liar”, her claim to fame this past year was writing “Always Remember Us This Way” alongside the one and only Lady Gaga for the Golden Globe-nominated film, “A Star is Born”.

Luke Laird – Few songwriters can snag the coveted “Triple Play Award” given by the Country Music Association to those with three or more number one hits in one year, but Luke Laird has done it SIX times! With over 20 #1 Billboard singles, including multiple hits for Eric Church, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, he has also written and produced songs for Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Darius Rucker, and many more.

Nicolle Galyon – Dan and Shay’s smash, “Tequila” was easily the biggest song of 2018, and it was actually written by an incredibly talented woman. With credits like Kenny Chesney’s, “All the Pretty Girls”, Lee Brice’s  “Boy”, and Raelynn’s “Lonely Call”, and pop hits including Camilla Cabello’s, “Consequences”, it’s only a matter of time before she becomes the household name.

Josh Kear – Not to be confused with Josh Kerr (who you probably also love for co-writing some Kelsea Ballerini favs…) this veteran is no stranger to the top of the charts. From Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton to Lady Antebellum and Dierks Bentley, there are few people as successful in the country writing circuit.

Hillary Lindsey – An absolute powerhouse for female stars for the last two decades, this Grammy winner has written for Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, and Taylor Swift, just to name a few. Who run the world? (Country) Girls.

Country Music Songwriters Collaborate on “A Star Is Born”

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A Star is Born

Photo Via 2018 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURES INC.

“A Star is Born” has already broken box offices records since its release on Friday, October 5th. A memorable collaboration of a country-rock superstar Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) alongside an up and coming pop sensation Ally (Lady Gaga) have taken audience members from all over the country on an emotional, musical ride.

Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut included inspiration from Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson’s son. Many would wonder, how did this come about? Well, Nelson caught Cooper’s eye back in 2016 playing with his band “Promise of the Real” at a classic rock festival alongside Neil Young. Nelson impressed Cooper so much so that he was asked to be the music producer for the film. Nelson’s country rock influence and years of band experience molded the Hollywood actor into his character, the infamous megastar, Jackson Maine.

It was not long before the working relationship of Lukas Nelson, Bradley Cooper, and Lady Gaga took off. Their chemistry while recording the album and movie was second to none. In an interview with Billboard, Nelson speaks to their dynamic relationship by saying “Its a great collaboration and a beautiful friendship that we have, it seems more like an extended family with those guys.”

Nelson worked with Cooper and co-wrote and produced many of the songs on the soundtrack of “A Star is Born.” One particular track that he takes pride in producing is “Shallow.”  Both the voices of Cooper and Gaga are glorified to create an incredible performance during the movie. It is no surprise that Cooper has already scored his first Billboard Hot 100 hit with this song, as it seems to be the unofficial theme song of the movie.  Other country music songwriters that have songwriting credits on the soundtrack include Hillary Lindsey (“Girl Crush”), Lori McKenna (“Humble and Kind”), and Natalie Hemby (“Automatic”).

“A Star is Born” is truly a blockbuster in the making, with rave reviews and a lot of award nominee buzz. From the studio album to the big screen, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga don’t miss a beat. The powerful lyrics perfectly depict a heartfelt story about addiction, love, and attaining success as a performer in the public eye. Nelson was quoted by Billboard explaining how it all came together, “The way that I approach my songwriting, I think there’s a lot of me in “A Star is Born.” These are songs that I’ve written about my own life, and in a way, they can be applied to any situation.” Be on the lookout for Lukas Nelson and The Promise of Real playing throughout the movie in theatres now!

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: