On this day in 2016, Dierks Bentley’s “Somewhere on a Beach” sat at the top of the Billboard Country Airplay charts. The song was the lead single from his eighth studio album, Black, and was Bentley his fourteenth number-one hit on that chart.
The single was Certified Platinum by the RIAA and by Music Canada.
Dierks Bentley co-wrote one of the songs on the soundtrack for the new faith-based film The Shack, and he’s honored to have his song be a part of this film. Bentley’s track is titled “Days of Dark,” and he says he wrote it with some of his fellow Nashville songwriters after thinking about the plot of the film and book of the same name. Dierks says, “The idea of the song is that these days of dark need to be overcome. It has kind of a dark title but at the end it’s kind of an emotionally uplifting song.”
· A video of Bentley discussing the song can be seen here.
The first round of performers at the upcoming 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards has been announced and includes current ACM nominees Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, and Maren Morris. Additionally, the Backstreet Boys will make their debut appearance on the ACM stage, teaming up with FGL for a one-of-a-kind performance. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
· Hosted by Bryan and Bentley, the 2017 ACM Awards will be broadcast live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2 at 8:00 PM ET on CBS.
In light of the Best Picture snafu at the Academy Awards on Sunday (2/26), Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan have a plan to create a diversion if their ACM Awards hosting isn’t going well. Dierks tells The Tennessean, “We have a plan. Luke’s going to have a wardrobe malfunction. At least that way everyone talks about that and not the show.” Luke then quips, “It’s sad nobody is talking about what happened at the Oscars. That’s our approach, Dierks — train wreck the show.”
· Luke and Dierks will return to host the 52nd ACM Awards when it’s broadcast live from Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2 at 8PM ET on CBS.
Some of country’s biggest stars will assemble in Nashville this spring for a special concert honoring the life and songs of the legendary Merle Haggard. Dubbed “Sing Me Back Home: The Music Of Merle Haggard,” the all-star concert will take place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on April 6 in honor of what would have been Merle’s 80th birthday and the one-year anniversary of his passing. The night will include performances by artists such as Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Dierks Bentley, Hank Williams Jr., John Mellencamp, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many more.
· Tickets go on sale this Friday (3/3) at 11 AM local time at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster locations and the Bridgestone Arena box office.
· A portion of the proceeds will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation.
· More details about the concert can be found here.
Keith Urban earned a pack-leading seven nominations at the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday (2/16), including his seventh nod for the coveted Entertainer of the Year award. Following close on Keith’s heels is Maren Morris and Miranda Lambert with six nominations apiece, and Florida Georgia Line and Tim McGraw, who each have five. Hosted for a second consecutive year by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2 at 8:00 PM ET CBS.
The 52nd Annual Academy of Country Music nominees:
Entertainer of the Year
· Jason Aldean
· Luke Bryan
· Florida Georgia Line
· Carrie Underwood
· Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the year
· Jason Aldean
· Dierks Bentley
· Thomas Rhett
· Chris Stapleton
· Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the year
· Kelsea Ballerini
· Miranda Lambert
· Maren Morris
· Kacey Musgraves
· Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the year
· Big & Rich
· Brothers Osborne
· Dan + Shay
· Florida Georgia Line
· Maddie & Tae
Vocal Group OF THE YEAR
· Eli Young Band
· Lady Antebellum
· Little Big Town
· Old Dominion
· Rascal Flatts
NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE
· Kane Brown
· Chris Janson
· Chris Lane
· Jon Pardi
· Brett Young
NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE
· Lauren Alaina
· Cam
· Brandy Clark
· Maren Morris
* four nominees only
NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE
· A Thousand Horses
· Brothers Osborne
· Dan + Shay
· LOCASH
· Maddie & Tae
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
· Black– Dierks Bentley
Producers: Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
· Dig Your Roots– Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Big Machine Label Group
· HERO– Maren Morris
Producers: busbee, Brad Hill, Maren Morris
Record Label: Columbia Nashville
· Ripcord– Keith Urban
Producers: Jeff Bhasker, busbee, Nathan Chapman, Nitzan Kaikov, Dann Huff, Tyler Johnson, Johnny Price, Nile Rodgers, Keith Urban, Greg Wells
Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Records Nashville
· The Weight of These Wings– Miranda Lambert
Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf
Record Labels: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records
Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
· Blue Ain’t Your Color– Keith Urban
Producers: Dann Huff, Keith Urban
Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Records Nashville
· H.O.L.Y.– Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Big Machine Label Group
· Humble And Kind– Tim McGraw
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
Record Labels: McGraw Music, Big Machine Records
· My Church– Maren Morris
Producers: busbee, Maren Morris
Record Label: Columbia Nashville
· Vice– Miranda Lambert
Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf
Record Labels: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
· Blue Ain’t Your Color– Keith Urban
Songwriters: Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen
Publishers: WB Music Corp (ASCAP), Music Of The Corn (ASCAP), HillarodyRathbone Music (ASCAP), BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP), House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Spirit Catalog Holdings (S.a.r.l.), Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP)
· Die A Happy Man– Thomas Rhett
Songwriters: Thomas Rhett, Sean Douglas, Joe Spargur
Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music Inc (BMI), Cricket On The Line (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI), Eastman Pond Publishing (BMI), Music of Big Deal (BMI), Nice Life (BMI), Frederic And Reid Music (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs (BMI), Brodsky Spensive Publishing (BMI)
· Humble And Kind– Tim McGraw
Songwriter: Lori McKenna
Publishers: Songs of Universal Inc (BMI), Hoodie Songs (BMI)
· Kill A Word– Eric Church Featuring Rhiannon Giddens
Songwriters: Eric Church, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde
Publishers: Emileon Songs (BMI), Little Louder Songs (BMI), Longer And Louder Music (BMI), Mammaw’s Fried Okra Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI)
· Tennessee Whiskey– Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Dean Dillon, Linda Hargrove
Publishers: Universal-Songs Of PolyGram International (BMI), EMI Algee (BMI)
· Vice– Miranda Lambert
Songwriters: Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Smack Hits (GMR), Kobalt Music Group,
Ltd. (GMR), Anderson Fork In The Road Music (ASCAP), Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. (ASCAP), Smackville Music (ASCAP)
Video of the YearPRESENTED BY XFINITY [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
· Fire Away– Chris Stapleton
Director: Tim Mattia
Producer: Jennifer Rothlein
· Forever Country– Artists of Then, Now & Forever
Director: Joseph Kahn
Producers: Nathan de la Rionda, Jil Hardin, Charleen Manca, Joanna Carter, Chandra LaPlume, Sarah Trahern,
Damon Whiteside
· Humble And Kind– Tim McGraw
Director: Wes Edwards
Producer: Jennifer Rothlein
· Peter Pan– Kelsea Ballerini
Director: Kristin Barlowe
Producer: Michelle Abnet
· Vice– Miranda Lambert
Director: Trey Fanjoy
Producer: Ashley Bergeron Ford
songwriter of the year*(Off Camera Award)
· Ashley Gorley
· Luke Laird
· Hillary Lindsey
· Shane McAnally
· Lori McKenna
Vocal Event of the Year[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
· Different For Girls– Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King
Producers: Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
· Forever Country– Artists of Then, Now & Forever
Producer: Shane McAnally
Record Label: MCA Nashville
· May We All– Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Big Machine Label Group
· Setting The World On Fire– Kenny Chesney Featuring P!nk
Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville
· Think Of You– Chris Young Featuring Cassadee Pope
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Labels: RCA Nashville, RCA Records
The 52ND Academy Of Country Music Awards,hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, will be broadcast LIVE from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2 at 8PM ET on CBS.
Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will return to co-host the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards for the second straight year. The duo’s reprised roles were revealed during an ACM Awards promo that aired during the 59th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night (2/12). The 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards will broadcast live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2, airing at 8:00 PM, ET on CBS.
· On Thursday (2/16), Lady Antebellum will appear on CBS This Morning to reveal the ACM nominees live during the show’s 8:00 AM hour.
Some of country music’s biggest stars have come together for a new album paying tribute to the legendary Don Williams. The album, dubbed Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams, will feature artists such as Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Lady Antebellum and Chris Stapleton, performing some of William’s most iconic tunes. The 11-track album will be released on May 26, in honor of Williams’ 78th birthday the following day.
Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams Track Listing:
1. “Tulsa Time” – Pistol Annies
2. “I Believe in You” – Brandy Clark
3. “We’ve Got a Good Fire Goin'” – Lady Antebellum
4. “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend” – Dierks Bentley
5. “Amanda” – Chris Stapleton feat. Morgane Stapleton
6. “Till The Rivers All Run Dry” – Alison Krauss
7. “Love Is On A Roll” – John Prine feat. Roger Cook
8. “If I Needed You” – Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires
9. “Maggie’s Dream” – Trisha Yearwood
10. “Lord I Hope This Day is Good” – Keb’ Mo’
11. “Good Ole Boys Like Me” – Garth Brooks
All- Genre Best New Artist:
Kelsea Ballerini
The Chainsmokers
Chance The Rapper
Maren Morris
Anderson .Paak
Best Country Solo Performance
Love Can Go To Hell
Brandy Clark
Vice
Miranda Lambert
My Church
Maren Morris
Church Bells
Carrie Underwood
Blue Ain’t Your Color
Keith Urban
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Different For Girls
Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King
21 Summer
Brothers Osborne
Setting The World On Fire
Kenny Chesney & P!nk
Jolene
Pentatonix Featuring Dolly Parton
Think Of You
Chris Young With Cassadee Pope
Best Country Song
Blue Ain’t Your Color
Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey & Steven Lee Olsen, songwriters (Keith Urban)
Die A Happy Man
Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett & Joe Spargur, songwriters (Thomas Rhett)
Humble And Kind
Lori McKenna, songwriter (Tim McGraw)
My Church
busbee & Maren Morris, songwriters (Maren Morris)
Vice
Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally & Josh Osborne, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
Best Country Album
Big Day In A Small Town
Brandy Clark
Full Circle
Loretta Lynn
Hero
Maren Morris
A Sailor’s Guide To Earth
Sturgill Simpson
Ripcord
Keith Urban
The 59th Annual Grammy Awards will broadcast live on CBS on February 12, 2017.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have written and recorded an original song for McGraw’s upcoming motion picture, The Shack. The couple’s new duet is titled “Keep Your Eyes on Me” and can be heard in the film’s first trailer, which premiered last week. The song is featured on the film’s official soundtrack, which also includes new songs from Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley and Brett Eldredge.
The new film is based on the William P. Young novel of same name and also stars Octavia Spencer, Sam Worthington and Graham Greene. The film will be released in theaters on March 3, 2017.
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