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Midland To Share Their Origin Story In New Doc

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Midland is ready to share their origin story. The band will be the subject of a new documentary, “Midland: The Sonic Ranch,” which was shot as they were first coming together as a band, directed by band member Cameron Duddy and Brian Loschiavo.

The doc, which will debut March 19th on CMT, will give fans a look at how the band formed, with footage shot back in 2014. It also shows how their film director, Duddy, eventually joined the band.

“Showing up there in the first place with a camera in hand, and not an instrument in my hand was a demonstration of the fact that I just thought I was going to be filming my buddies getting together for posterity, and using that footage down the road in some sort of documentary form.” Cameron tells “Variety.” “And before the end of the trip — a couple of days in, in fact — you’ll see there’s a slagging of good footage halfway through that first week that we were there, because I kind of stopped filming,” noting, “I just, through the process of osmosis, got pulled into the project on a musical side.”

Midland will also release a soundtrack to “The Sonic Ranch” on March 19th, featuring a dozen original tracks recorded back in 2014. Only one was re-recorded on a future Midland album. Check out the movie’s trailer and the track list below:

Fourteen Gears (Adobe House Version)
2. Cowgirl Blues (Mark Wystrach Vocal)
3. Worn Out Boots
4. Champagne For The Pain
5. Will This Life Be As Grand
6. Fool’s Luck
7. Whiskey
8. She’s A Cowgirl
9. Runnin’ Wild
10. Texas Is The Last Stop
11. Cowgirl Blues (Jess Carson Vocal)
12. This Town

Source: Variety

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1967, Merle Haggard’s “The Fugitive” rose to #1 on the Billboard chart for the first time.
  • Today in 1975, Mac Davis won Favorite Male Musical Performer and Olivia Newton-John won the female honor in the first People’s Choice Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Other winners included: Barbra Streisand, John Wayne, The Osmonds, and Mary Tyler Moore.
  • Today in 1978, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson’s “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” sat at Billboard’s #1 spot for four weeks.
  • Today in 1980, Sissy Spacek played the lead role of Loretta Lynn’s life in “Coal Miner’s Daughter” which premiered in Nashville on March 4th.
  • Today in 1983, George Jones married Nancy Sepulveda at his sister’s home, Helen Scroggins, in Woodville, Texas. They ate their wedding-night dinner at a Burger King near Jasper, Texas.
  • Today in 1994, “Reba McEntire’s Greatest Hits” became her fifth double-platinum album.
  • Today in 2003, Toby Keith received eight nods to lead the competition when the Academy of Country Music announced its nominees in Los Angeles at Tiffany’s.
  • Today in 2006, Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton’s “When I Get Where I’m Going” reached Billboard’s #1 spot.
  • Today in 2008, Alan Jackson’s “Good Time” album was released.
  • Today in 2010, Rascal Flatts played a guest role on CBS-TV’s “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
  • Today in 2016, Joey Martin Feek, of the duo Joey+Rory, died after a lengthy battle with cancer in Alexandria, Indiana. Named Top New Duo by the Academy of Country Music in 2010, they will earn a Grammy in 2017 with “Hymns That Are Important To Us,” released just weeks before her passing.
  • Today in 2018, the Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry revealed she’d filed for divorce from J.P. Arencibia, her baseball player husband of four years.
  • Today in 2019, Eddie Montgomery, LoCash, RaeLynn and Chris Janson helped raise more than $120-thousand for at-risk youth during the 12th annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends concert at the Franklin Theatre in middle Tennessee. Also appearing: Steve Dorff, Travis Denning and Steve Cropper.

Dolly Parton Gets COVID Vax, Changes “Jolene” To Convince Others

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Dolly Parton revealed last month that she hadn’t gotten her COVID vaccine yet – even though she is eligible because of her age. Of course, there’s also that $1-million donation to Nashville’s Vanderbilt hospital to help develop the Moderna vaccine. Well, that’s all changed.

Dolly has posted a video of her getting the jab on Instagram, which she captioned “Dolly gets a dose of her own medicine.” Dolly shares in the clip that she’s very happy to be getting her Moderna shot, and then reworked her classic “Jolene” to urge everyone to get their vaccine when they are eligible.

Check out Dolly’s video on Instagram

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1963, Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas gave what proved to be their final show. It was a benefit for the widow of Kansas City deejay “Cactus Jack” Call. The three country stars were killed in a plane crash two days later.
  • Today in 1980, the “What Goes Around” album by Waylon Jennings was certified Gold.
  • Today in 1984, Exile’s “Woke Up In Love” earned them its first #1 country hit.
  • Today in 1986, Dwight Yoakam’s “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.” album was released.
  • Today in 1990, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson performed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at the Astrodome.
  • Today in 1994, “First Time For Everything” album by Little Texas was certified Gold.
  • Today in 1995, Tracy Lawrence hit number one on the charts with “As Any Fool Can See.”
  • Today in 2000, Tracy Lawrence received his second double-platinum album for “Time Marches On,” while John Michael Montgomery’s “What I Do The Best” album was certified Platinum.
  • Today in 2000, Montgomery Gentry made their Grand Ole Opry debut.
  • Today in 2001, Toby Keith’s “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This” hit the top spot on the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 2002, with more than 68,000 attendees, George Strait played the final Houston Livestock & Rodeo Show Concert held at Houston’s Astrodome. He dedicated “Love Without End, Amen” to George and Barbara Bush, who were in the crowd. It was the last concert to be staged at the venue. The Astrodome was torn down to make way for a new venue.
  • Today in 2002, Brooks and Dunn performed with ZZ Top at the Grand Ole Opry House. The show filmed for “CMT Crossroads.” The list included “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “La Grange,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” and “Hard Working Man.”
  • Today in 2002, Songwriter Harlan Howard died. He penned more than four-thousand songs, including “I Fall To Pieces” and “Heartaches by the Number.” Howard was 72.
  • Today in 2004, Rascal Flatts was presented with double Platinum certifications for their album “Melt” and DVD “Rascal Flatts Live” during a performance at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville.
  • Today in 2005, CMT debuted Dierks Bentley’s “Lot Of Leavin’ Left To Do.”
  • Today in 2006, Dwight Yoakam hosted the Lil’ Ole Oscar Hayride at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles a few days before the Academy Awards ceremony.
  • Today in 2009, Merle Haggard received the Career Achievement Award at the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Nashville. The event took place in conjunction with the 2009 Country Radio Seminar.
  • Today in 2010, Darryl Worley was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center in his hometown of Savannah, Tennessee.
  • Today in 2012, Luke Bryan made his RodeoHouston debut.
  • Today in 2013, Ronnie Dunn and the late Roger Miller were among the inductees into the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association Hall of Fame, along with The Crickets’ Sonny Curtis. Jack Ingram, Larry Gatlin, and Toby Keith — who was made an Honorary Texan at the event — were among those who took part in the ceremony in Austin, Texas.
  • Today in 2013, Trace Adkins raised over $670,000 for the American Red Cross as the winning project manager of the first episode on Donald Trump’s “The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice.”
  • Today in 2014, Mickey Guyton released her debut EP, “Unbreakable.”

Kenny Rogers’ Number Ones Coming To Vinyl For The First Time

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Kenny Rogers’ classic hits are coming to vinyl. The double album, “Kenny Rogers’ 21 Number Ones,” will be released on vinyl April 30th, marking the first time the set has ever been released in that format.

The album features many of the late singer’s biggest hits including “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Through The Years,” “Lucille” and more, as well as chart topping duets, “Islands in the Stream,” with Dolly Parton, “We’ve Got Tonight,” with Sheena Easton, and “Make No Mistake, She’s Mine,” with Ronnie Milsap.

 

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1985, Gary Morris hit #1 on the charts for the first time with “Baby Bye Bye” from his album, “Faded Blue.”
  • Today in 1987, the “Trio” album featuring Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris was released.
  • Today in 1988, at the 30th annual GRAMMY Awards, K.T. Oslin won the GRAMMY for Best Country Female Vocal Performance for “80’s Ladies.” Randy Travis won Best Country Male Vocal Performance for his album “Always and Forever,” and got Best Country Song “Forever and Ever, Amen.” The “Trio” album, featuring Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, won the trophy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group. Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Rogers, and Asleep at the Wheel were also winners.
  • Today in 1992, Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson each received five nominations for the 27th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
  • Today in 1993, the “Super Hits” album by David Allan Coe was released.
  • Today in 1993, Billy Ray Cyrus, Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, and Mary Chapin Carpenter topped the list of nominees for the 28th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
  • Today in 1996, Martina McBride hit #1 with “Wild Angels.”
  • Today in 1999, Garth Brooks got up to bat during a spring training game for the San Diego Padres. He struck out. While his performance on the field didn’t score him a place on the regular season roster; Garth was offered a non-roster spot but declined it. The following season, he signed with the New York Mets. This time, his team embraced the entertainment value of having a country star on the diamond. This spring-training stint was also a poor performance for Brooks, however, resulting in a zero-for-seventeen batting record.
  • Today in 1999, George Strait’s album, “Always Never The Same,” was released.
  • Today in 1999, VH1 premiered “Behind The Music: Shania Twain.”
  • Today in 2000, Travis Tritt marked his 10th anniversary as a recording artist.
  • Today in 2002, the video for Brad Paisley’s “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2004, Brad Warren and his wife, Michelle, welcomed their new son, Jude Fox Warren, who weighed in at seven-pounds, six-ounces. With his brother Brett, Brad makes up the Warren Brothers. Nominated for an ACM award on their own in 2001, they’ve gone on to write any number of hits including Jason Aldean’s “Lights Come On,” Jerrod Niemann’s “Drink To That All Night,” Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” and Tim McGraw & Taylor Swift’s “Highway Don’t Care,” and Blake Shelton’s “Every Time I Hear That Song.”
  • Today in 2004, Clint Black’s album “Spend My Time” arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2004, Alabama received the Country Radio Broadcasters Career Achievement Award as part of the CRB’s annual Country Music DJ Hall of Fame Ceremonies. Jeff Bates and Lonestar each offered their own tributes to the legendary supergroup during the event.
  • Today in 2006, Carrie Underwood returned to “American Idol” to perform her single, “Jesus, Take The Wheel.”
  • Today in 2007, Joe Nichols performed “I’ll Wait for You” and the country gospel song “On the Wings of a Dove” at the funeral for Anna Nicole Smith.
  • Today in 2008, Toby Keith appeared on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” performing for the “Home Edition” team and the family of a U.S. soldier whose new home enabled them to devote themselves to preserving Virginia history.
  • Today in 2008, Jason Michael Carroll performed at the Nationwide Series race in Las Vegas.
  • Today in 2009, Tracy Byrd was recognized in his home state of Texas with a resolution honoring his charitable work.
  • Today in 2009, Keith Urban’s “Sweet Thing” hit number one on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and Mediabase/Country Aircheck. It was his third number one in six months, following “Start a Band,” his collaboration with Brad Paisley that went to number one a couple months earlier, and “You Look Good In My Shirt,” which topped the chart in September 2008.
  • Today in 2010, Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks received the Distinguished Service Award from the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, and he was inducted into the organization’s Public Schools Hall of Fame.
  • Today in 2010, new releases included Blake Shelton’s six-pak “Hillbilly Bone,” Easton Corbin’s self-titled debut album, Danny Gokey’s debut CD, “My Best Days,” Shooter Jennings’ “Black Ribbons,” and Luke Bryan’s EP “Spring Break 2…Hangover Edition.”
  • Today in 2010, an episode of “CMT Crossroads” featured Kenny Chesney and Steve Miller performing “Living in Fast Forward,” “I Go Back,” and “Rock N’ Me.”
  • Today in 2011, Eric Church and The Band Perry formally received their Academy of Country Music awards. They were the “Top New” winners, with Eric taking Top New Solo Vocalist and The Band Perry earning the Top New Vocal Duo or Group title. Luke Bryan presented the trophies to them at an event in Nashville.
  • Today in 2011, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill received the 2011 CRB Artist Humanitarian Award in recognition of their efforts to help Nashville following the May 2010 flood, and The Judds were presented with the Country Radio Broadcasters’ Career Achievement Award.
  • Today in 2011, Clay Walker hosted his second annual Chords of Hope: The Clay Walker MS Benefit Concert at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. Money raised went to the MS research program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
  • Today in 2012, Dustin Lynch made his first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, singing “Cowboys and Angels,” and “She Cranks My Tractor.” He was introduced by John Conlee.

Maren Morris & Chris Stapleton Lead This Year’s ACM Nominees

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Nominees for the 56th Annual ACM Awards were announced Friday, with Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton leading this year’s back.

Both artists earned six nominations, with Miranda Lambert close behind with five, bringing her overall total to 68 lifetime nominations, the most of any female artist in ACM history. In addition, Miranda earned her 15th Female Artist of the Year nod. (She’s won nine times)

When it comes to diversity and inclusion, this year’s ACM made progress in some areas, and didn’t in others.

For example, the Entertainer of the Year category is made up of males – Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett and Stapleton.

But, in the Single of the Year category, every song features a female artist, including Miranda, Gabby Barrett, Carly Pearce (with Lee Brice), Ingrid Andress and Maren.

Also, there a record four Black artists nominated this year – Jimmie Allen, Kane Brown, Mickey Guyton and John Legend, for his duet with Carrie Underwood.

As for the snubs: Carrie didn’t receive a Female Artist of the Year nomination for the first time since 2005, and while she tied with Rhett for Entertainer of the Year last year, she didn’t receive a nod this year. Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw both had new albums this year and neither received a nod. Blake Shelton also only received one nod, for “Nobody But You,” his collaboration with Gwen Stefani. Click here to see artist reactions to this year’s nominations.

The 52nd Annual ACM Awards will air April 18th on CBS, and will take place live from three of Nashville’s most historic venues, the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Café.

Check out the complete list of nominees below:

Entertainer of the Year

Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

Female Artist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce

Male Artist of the Year

Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Eric Church
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae

Group of the Year

Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
The Cadillac Three
The Highwomen

New Female Artist of the Year

Ingrid Andress
Tenille Arts
Gabby Barrett
Mickey Guyton
Caylee Hammack

New Male Artist of the Year

Jimmie Allen
Travis Denning
HARDY
Cody Johnson
Parker McCollum

Album of the Year

Born Here Live Here Die Here – Luke Bryan
Mixtape Vol. 1 – Kane Brown
Never Will – Ashley McBryde
Skeletons – Brothers Osborne
Starting Over – Chris Stapleton

Single of the Year

“Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
“I Hope” – Gabby Barrett
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce & Lee Brice
“More Hearts Than Mine”– Ingrid Andress
“The Bones” – Maren Morris

Song of the Year

“Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
“One Night Standards” – Ashley McBryde
“Some People Do” – Old Dominion
“Starting Over” – Chris Stapleton
“The Bones” – Maren Morris

Video of the Year

“Better Than We Found It” – Maren Morris
“Bluebird”– Miranda Lambert
“Gone” – Dierks Bentley
“Hallelujah” – Carrie Underwood and John Legend
“Worldwide Beautiful” – Kane Brown

Songwriter of the Year

Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy
Hillary Lindsey
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne

Music Event of the Year

“Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
“Does To Me” – Luke Combs feat. Eric Church
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce & Lee Brice
“Nobody But You” – Blake Shelton ft. Gwen Stefani
“One Beer” – HARDY ft. Lauren Alaina & Devin Dawson
“One Too Many” – Keith Urban, P!nk

Source: ACM

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1949, Hank Williams recorded several songs: “Mind Your Own Business,” “Honky Tonk Blues,” “You’re Gonna Change (Or I’m Gonna Leave)” and “Lost Highway.”
  • Today in 1957, The Everly Brothers recorded “I Wonder If I Care As Much” and “Bye Bye Love.”
  • Today in 1968, Johnny Cash and June Carter were married.
  • Today in 1980, Waylon Jennings hit the top of the Billboard country chart with “I Ain’t Living Long Like This.”
  • Today in 1983, Alabama’s album, “The Closer You Get,” was released.
  • Today in 1986, Dwight Yoakam debuted on the country charts with the single, “Honky Tonk Man.”
  • Today in 1990, Mark Chesnutt signed a record deal with MCA records.
  • Today in 1991, the video, “The Real Patsy Cline,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1992, Garth Brooks was #1 on the charts with the single, “What She’s Doing Now.”
  • Today in 1993, Doug Stone’s 1990 self-titled debut album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1994, the “Come On, Come On” album by Mary Chapin Carpenter was certified double platinum.
  • Today in 1994, at the GRAMMYs, “Passionate Kisses” won two awards: Best Country Song for Lucinda Williams (the songwriter) and Best Country Vocal Performance, Female for Mary Chapin Carpenter.
  • Today in 1996, the Alison Krauss + Union Station album, “Baby Now That I’ve Found You,” was certified double platinum.
  • Today in 2005, Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett’s “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” was certified gold.
  • Today in 2007, Jake Owens’ video, “Startin’ With Me,” premiered on CMT.
  • Today in 2010, Carrie Underwood made a guest appearance on “How I Met Your Mother.”
  • Today in 2013, Parmalee made their first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 2014, Cole Swindell hit #1 on the Billboard country singles chart for the first time with his debut single, “Chillin’ It.”

Blake Shelton Remembers Being Shocked Gwen Stefani Drove A Minivan

Posted on by Bob Ballard

“The Voice” is kicking off it’s 20th season, and 10th year on the air Monday, and Blake Shelton is still surprised it’s lasted this long. “To be honest, I didn’t think the show was gonna last,” he tells “People,” “In fact one of the first conversations I ever had with Adam (Levine) was, ‘Man, how stupid is this?'”

Of course in addition to the show’s success, it is responsible for Blake meeting his now fiancée Gwen Stefani, but it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. He says they met when she performed on the show, and then she was eventually announced as coach, with Blake noting, “It was very much an industry-type meeting, and I told people, ‘I met Gwen Stefani. That’s crazy.'”

Gwen was also still married to Gavin Rossdale at the time, and had just had a baby, so she and Blake really weren’t even friends back then. In fact, the thing that stood out most to Blake had to do with her wheels.

“The thing I remember saying about her when people would ask was, ‘Oh my God, that girl is unbelievable. She drives a minivan to work!,’” he says. “I thought rock stars drove Rolls-Royces, and Gwen was driving a black minivan.”

Source: People

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1987, George Strait’s “Strait From The Heart” turned into a gold album and he received a platinum award for his “Greatest Hits.”
  • Today in 1997, LeAnn Rimes won two trophies, Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Blue” at the 39th annual GRAMMY Awards.
  • Today in 2001, Toby Keith received a platinum certification for his album, “How Do You Like Me Now?!”
  • Today in 2001, Martina McBride earned her first triple-platinum album award for “Evolution.”
  • Today in 2002, Sony released the soundtrack to “We Were Soldiers,” featuring a collaboration between Johnny Cash and Dave Matthews, plus a duet from Jamie O’Neal and Michael McDonald.
  • Today in 2004, Pat Green netted his first gold album, for “Wave On Wave.”
  • Today in 2006, Willie Nelson rode in the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.
  • Today in 2007, Little Bit Town’s Jimi Westbrook broke his little toe jumping on the couch at his home in Nashville.
  • Today in 2011, Luke Bryan checked in at top of the “Billboard” country singles list with “Someone Else Calling You Baby.”
  • Today in 2017, Lady Antebellum performed “You Look Good” during the pre-game events for NASCAR’s Daytona 500 at the Daytona Motor Speedway. Kurt Busch won the race.

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