Luke Combs has always had a healthy respect and love for the artists that were big in the 80’s and 90’s – from his killer cover of Tracy Chapman‘s “Fast Car” to bringing country legend Vince Gill on stage at CMA Fest to sing with him. And now, another country act of that time is getting some love from Luke.

Posting to Instagram this week, the band Shenandoah. who put up a pic of Luke and lead singer Marty Raybon, with the caption “Good times in the studio today with @lukecombs. We have some exciting things in the works. Stay tuned!”

New music? New version of a Shenandoah classic? No clue yet, but do as the band says and “stay tuned!”

Source: WhiskeyRiff

Would Luke Bryan and his family ever sign on for a reality show? Depends on who you ask. LeClaire Bryan – the singer’s mom – and wife Caroline Bryan were part of a special taping of the “Got It From My Momma” podcast during CMA Fest last week – and the subject of reality shows came up. Would the family be interested? Mom spoke up first. “Somewhere down the line, we probably would,” LeClaire said “‘Cause we get along so good, and we just love being together. Why not do something fun?” Caroline, however, was more hesitant.

“Well, I don’t know. We’re just so super – when Luke’s not on the road or doing his stuff, we’re super private,” she explains. “Everybody tells us, ‘Man, y’all suck at Instagram,’ because we don’t constantly do those selfies … that’s kind of family time. So I don’t know,” Caroline continued. “If we ever did something like that, it would be a big step that we’re not totally comfortable with.”

The two women were quick to add that “nothing is in the works” – and for now, fans will have to be satisfied with peeking in on the Bryan family on social media. See the entire discussion below.

Source: TasteOfCountry

Luke Combs hinted back at the ACM Awards that he had some pop leanings – duetting with Ed Sheeran live on “Life Goes On.”

So it was only mildly surprising that the country superstar dropped his own rendition of the 1988 Tracy Chapman pop hit, “Fast Car.” What’s more surprising is, not only is it the fastest-rising song of his country career – it’s also hit #4 on the pop charts.

The interesting thing about this? Luke’s version has outperformed Tracy’s original, at least in chart performance. Tracy’s version peaked at #6 on the pop charts; Luke’s cover version has now reached #4.

Source: WhiskeyRiff

Willie Nelson has been accorded just about every honor a legendary musician can receive – GRAMMYs, ACM’s, CMA’s – but this is a new one.

Scientist JoVonn Hill and his team have been researching the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas – near where Willie Nelson was born and raised. The scientists have discovered seven previously undiscovered species of flightless grasshopper – and have named one of those species after the country icon.

“Melanoplus nelsoni and Melanoplus walkeri immortalize the enduring contributions of these legendary musicians and their connection to Texas,” said Dr. Hill, having named the two species of grasshopper after Willie and late country legend Jerry Jeff Walker. Though Hill works out of Mississippi State University, he says, “After these last few summers [of field studies], just like Mr. Nelson, we, too, have a little Texas in our souls.”

Source: FoxNews