Chase Rice Performs "Hey God It's Me Again" on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" This Wednesday, Nov. 27

Country music powerhouse Chase Rice is set to deliver standout track “Hey God It’s Me Again” from his critically acclaimed independent album Go Down Singin’ on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” this Wednesday, Nov. 27. Airing just before Thanksgiving, the song’s reflective tone and heartfelt lyrics provide a poignant backdrop to the season of gratitude.
 
“Hey God It’s Me Again” has quickly resonated as a fan-favorite song on Go Down Singin’, an album heralded by critics as a bold and authentic statement of Rice’s artistic evolution. With deeply personal lyrics and stripped-back production, the song encapsulates Rice’s raw, introspective approach to storytelling. As Billboard declares, “his new music leans toward rootsier, raw-rock driven sounds, trading party anthems for introspective lyrical themes,” while “his voice conveys a crackling warmth of self-reflection and an easy-going comfortableness with his new sound.”
 
Rice’s performance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” is a fitting celebration of a year that has seen the artist redefine himself creatively, shifting away from commercial trends to embrace a sound that is undeniably his own. “This song is about gratitude and connection,” shares Rice. “It’s a conversation with God that I think a lot of people can relate to, especially this time of year.”
 
Critics have lauded Go Down Singin’ overall as a career-defining project, with the independent release marking a bold pivot in Rice’s career. Rolling Stone highlights the album as “an excellent collection of poignant, often anthemic country,” noting that it finds Rice “trying to do what creative people are supposed to: grow and change.” With songs like “Hey God It’s Me Again,” he showcases growth as a songwriter, weaving personal experiences into music that connects on a universal level. Holler called it “a defiant, autobiographical battle-cry...pervaded by warmth, acceptance, and self-awareness,” while Cowboys & Indians proclaims that “maturity and clarity are the reality on Chase Rice's new album…what is sure to be one of 2024’s most well-received country albums of the year.”
 
Rice further showcased this new direction with surprise follow-up project Fireside Sessions, which featuring all 25 songs from both Go Down Singin’ and prior album I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell as live, single-take versions with cowriters including Lori McKenna, Jackson Dean, Hunter Phelps, Randy Montana and more as featured artists.
 
For more information, visit ChaseRice.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter/X and TikTok @ChaseRiceMusic and on Instagram @ChaseRice.

About Chase Rice
With more than 2.6 million albums sold and over 2.8 billion total streams, plus a legion of passionate fans at his high-energy concerts across the globe, Chase Rice has established himself as a powerful force in Nashville and beyond. With independent album Go Down Singin’ available everywhere now as the follow-up to the critically acclaimed I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell, and both brought together on brand new offering Fireside Sessions, Rice’s sound continues to evolve to reflect the realities of his life; from emotional reckoning to an admiration of the American West. The new music serves as a follow up to his three-part project, The Album, which featured his latest Platinum-certified No. 1 hit, “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” and the Platinum-certified Top 10 hit “Lonely If You Are.”
 
This is the same gravelly-voiced Chase Rice fans first fell in love with years ago – but better, freer; unbeholden and uninhibited. The new music builds upon the success of his sophomore album, Lambs & Lions, which featured the 3x Platinum, two-week chart topper “Eyes On You” – Rice’s first No. 1 as an artist and the most-streamed song of his career. Lambs & Lions followed Platinum-certified Ignite the Night, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and No. 3 on the all-genre chart, producing a pair of Top 5 hits; Platinum-certified “Gonna Wanna Tonight” and Double Platinum “Ready Set Roll.” In addition to guesting on sold-out stadium shows with Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks, Rice served as direct support on Dierks Bentley’s 2024 Gravel & Gold Tour and consistently sells out venues on his own headlining tours across the U.S. and beyond.

Brantley Gilbert and Ashley Cooke to Perform "Over When We're Sober" on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" Tomorrow, 10/25

With his seventh studio album Tattoos hailed as “a collection of carefully crafted songs reflecting different chapters of his life” by Forbes, Brantley Gilbert is set to perform his chart-climbing duet with Ashley Cooke on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” tomorrow, Oct. 25. Listen to Tattoos, available now via The Valory Music Co., HERE.
 
Co-written by Gilbert with Justin Wilson, Jelly Roll and Brock Berryhill, “Over When We're Sober” mixes can’t-stop romantic intoxication with a top shelf vocal blend, capturing the raw magnetism of a romantic buzz. Listen to the song HERE.
 
Tattoos features 10 songs all co-written and co-produced by the Georgia native with a trusted cast of long-time collaborators, lauded by Men’s Journal as “a one-of-a-kind for the Country genre,” while GRAMMY.com shares Gilbert “inks another portrait of small-town country life.”
 
The album mirrors Gilbert’s ink in both striking design and depth of meaning. Through flowing curves and jagged lines, shadow and light look back on a life of blue-collar pride and full-throttle rebellion – along with addictive love, abiding faith and blessings beyond what any of us deserve, as All Country News shares “Brantley Gilbert remains a force of nature in the country rock scene, marked by a raw honesty that fans have come to revere.”
 
In conjunction with the release of Tattoos, Gilbert brought together 118,000 people in downtown Nashville for Brantley Gilbert’s World’s Largest Album Release Party and recently wrapped his headlining Off The Rails Tour last Saturday in Macon, Georgia, with a portion of the proceeds from the final six shows going to Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

About Brantley Gilbert
As one of the godfathers of country’s modern rock-and-rap edge, multi-Platinum The Valory Music Co. trailblazer Brantley Gilbert knows life has a way of leaving a mark. With his seventh studio album, Tattoos, available now, the Georgia native chooses to embrace it – inspired by the idea that his tattoos tell a story, just like his songs. And just like his songs, he’ll never hide the truth they reveal. An era-defining artist forever bonded to his fans, Gilbert’s been mining the timeless values of hard-working dedication, high-octane thrills and humble faith since his 2009 debut, A Modern Day Prodigal Son, creating a chart-topping grit-and-grace fusion which helped set the stage for today’s genre-blending format. With his dedicated BG Nation behind him, the fiery performer-songwriter has racked up more than 8.3 BILLION career streams, boasting back-to-back Platinum albums and seven No. 1 hits including the RIAA 7x Platinum “Bottoms Up;” 2x Platinum “Country Must Be Country Wide;” 2x Platinum “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do;” 2x Platinum “One Hell of An Amen;” and the Platinum-certified “What Happens In A Small Town” with Lindsay Ell. His world-class pen helped create a watershed hit with Jason Aldean’s 4x Platinum country-rap game changer, “Dirt Road Anthem.” And possessing a can’t-fake-it quality of fierce independence, the ACM, CMA and AMA award winner has toured alongside everyone from Willie Nelson and Toby Keith to Kenny Chesney, Nickelback and more. Tattoos further cements his legacy – 10 cowritten, co-produced tracks with an electrifying mix of in-your-face aggression and roughneck reflection, as Gilbert’s diesel-powered smoke-and-soul vocal delivers another full-spectrum soundtrack to modern country life. Tracks like full-throttle “Off the Rails” and intoxicating chart-climbing single “Over When We’re Sober” with Ashley Cooke lead a set packed with guest appearances from Gary LeVox, Justin Moore, Struggle Jennings and Demun Jones. For more information, visit BrantleyGilbert.com or follow on Instagram, TikTok and X @BrantleyGilbert and Facebook.com/BrantleyGilbertMusic.
 
About Ashley Cooke
With Big Loud / Back Blocks Music country artist Ashley Cooke, it’s best to know what you’re getting into – because this emerging star is the definition of more than meets the eye. A graceful exterior matched by a casual-cool nature. Skillfully crafted lyrics and a knack for unforgettable performance. Effortless vocal beauty and a bold sense of internal grit, freely mixing it up with the boys while she rallies the girls. And most important, a passion for capturing the magic between heartbeats, each moment as unique as she is. Still early in her journey, being herself has already served Cooke well. It’s led to chart-climbing hits like “your place” and “Never Til Now” with Brett Young, national TV appearances on ABC’s The Bachelorette, tours with Cole Swindell, Jordan Davis and more. Hailing from Parkland, Fla., Cooke embraces the energy of pop and depth of country. Vivid and emotionally pure, her sun-kissed blend of two-lane pop is often inspired by true tales of love, loss, and living, matching raw relatability and deeply addictive hooks. Fully capturing the essence of a daring twenty-something growing up, chasing her dreams and taking risks, her striking debut album shot in the dark has garnered Cooke praise from Billboard who named her the July 2023 Rookie of the Month. Cooke went on to win her first CMT Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year at the 2024 CMT Awards before being nominated for ACM New Female Artist of the Year, adding to previous recognition as one of MusicRow’s 2023 Discovery Artist of the Year and Next Big Thing as well as iHeartCountry’s On The Verge artist. Meanwhile, her award-winning single “your place” continues to take her career to new heights as she notches her first career No.1 song at Country radio and takes her headlining your place Tour to cities nationwide.

Miranda Lambert Brings 'Postcards from Texas' to "The Kelly Clarkson Show," "Tamron Hall" & More

With her latest studio offering, Postcards from Texas, garnering critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, NPR, Associated Press, Variety, Billboard, NME, Texas Monthly, Cowboys & Indians and more, three-time GRAMMY winner Miranda Lambert continues the celebration with a full slate of television appearances this week.
 
“With this record, I really wanted to craft musical snapshots of influences and memories I’ve experienced throughout my life, especially from back home,” shares Lambert ahead of the broadcasts. “To see the new music resonate and be embraced the way it has means the world to me.”
 
She first joins fellow Texas native Kelly Clarkson for a special “Songs & Stories” episode of NBC’s “The Kelly Clarkson Show” today, Sept. 24, appearing on the rooftop of the iconic 30 Rock building in New York City. In addition to joining forces for a Kellyoke duet of Postcards from Texas ballad “No Man’s Land,” Lambert and Clarkson share a heartfelt conversation interspersed with stripped back performances of some of Lambert’s biggest hits as well as a surprise cover. Check local listings HERE.
 
Later tonight, Sept. 24, Lambert will appear on ABC’s “Nightline” for a conversation about the new album and the lasting impact of her multi-decade career. Lambert also returns to ABC’s “Tamron Hall” tomorrow, Sept. 25, for a full episode takeover, performing the tongue-in-cheek Postcards from Texas fan favorite “Alimony,” showcasing her Idyllwind clothing and boot line and spotlighting the work of her MuttNation Foundation. Check local listings HERE.
 
The week-long celebration will culminate at the “People’s Choice Country Awards” airing live on NBC and Peacock this Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8/7c, with Lambert performing and earning the Country Icon Award honor for her groundbreaking career and continued contributions to the genre.

About Miranda Lambert
Critically acclaimed groundbreaker/songwriter/superstar Miranda Lambert has defined her multi-faceted career as an artist, entertainer, entrepreneur, advocate and businesswoman with an unflinching quest for excellence, honesty and conviction. With her ninth solo studio album, Postcards from Texas, available everywhere now via Republic Records, the most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history, including their top honor for Entertainer of the Year, has also won three GRAMMYs and 14 Country Music Association Awards. A TIME100 honoree and perennial best-of-the-year list maker at the New York Times, TIME, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Stereogum, People and more, NPR has called her “the most riveting country star of her generation.”
 
A multi-dimensional superstar, she’s earned seven No. 1 solo albums, 10 No. 1 hit radio singles, more than 80 prestigious awards and countless RIAA certifications; conquered Las Vegas with her twice-extended Velvet Rodeo residency; blurred genres with Leon Bridges, the B-52s, Loretta Lynn, Enrique Iglesias, Sheryl Crow and Elle King; and delivered her LGBTQ+ inclusive anthem “Y’All Means All” for Netflix’s “Queer Eye.” She’s taken those standards to become a New York Times bestselling author and the first female restaurateur on Lower Broadway with her Tex-Mex cantina Casa Rosa, while also expanding her creative reach with her Wanda June Home collection exclusive to Walmart and her Idyllwind clothing and boot line at Boot Barn. Her passion for rescue animals inspired the creation of her MuttNation Foundation, which has raised nearly $10 million since inception to promote adoption, support shelters across the country, advance spay & neuter and assist with the transport of animals during times of natural disaster.
 
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Kelly Clarkson: Kenny Chesney Lands 2nd #1, 54,638 at Soldier Field

When Kenny Chesney gets on a roll, it seems like nothing slows down the songwriter/superstar from East Tennessee. Having already extended his record on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart with “Take Her Home,” his 33rd No. 1, Mediabase bookends the achievement with a No. 1 on their chart as well.
 
“The thing about songs that are pieces of people’s lives,” Chesney says, “is almost everyone can see themselves in there. To me, I’m singing the reality people are living, and trying to show them how sweet life can be if you really look. I love that this song has connected so deeply.”
 
The man the Wall Street Journal deemed “The King of the Road” and the LA Times hailed as “The People’s Superstar” has been connecting on an even deeper level on the road. Having smashed his previous sales and attendance records at almost every stadium this summer, Chesney’s show at Chicago’s Soldier Field saw almost 2,000 more people fill their historic stadium than his prior best, a fact not lost on the life-affirming powerhouse.
 
“It’s been the most amazing summer,” Chesney allows. “No Shoes Nation has always been this passionate, insane country without borders with people who come together, raise our pirate flag and enjoy life in ways that inspire me. I didn’t know you could have some of the responses we’ve had on this tour, and just when you think it can’t get any louder or more heartfelt, Chicago happens.”
 
Not only was Chicago bringing their best singing voices, the Windy City became the site of another first. Poncho, Chesney’s golden doodle, made him onstage debut, and as the doggy daddy noted, “He might like the stage almost as much as I do!”
 
Having sold out Lincoln Financial Field in March, adding tickets and selling those out, too, along with Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium and three straight nights at Foxborough, Mass.’s Gillette Stadium, Chesney has seen his already strong stadium numbers grow in unthinkable ways. Beyond a three day-advance-warning to come early at Northern Ohio’s Blossom Music Center, the hunger for his music continues growing 15 years after becoming the only country artist on Billboard’s Top 10 Touring Artists of the Last 25 Years.
 
To see that joy and freewheeling fun up close, tune into “The Kelly Clarkson Show” today to watch the small-town kids talk work ethic, high-intensity live shows, trying to kick back, college math, an honorary doctorate and the many flavors of Blue Chair Bay® Rum. Talk only, no music, the lead guest appearance brings out the best in both performers.
 
“Kelly Clarkson is big fun,” Chesney says. “Two long segments with her whip by, and all you’ve done is laugh! Rather than asking the usual questions, she wants to know where the songs come from and why, and maybe a little college level math.”
 
Presented by Blue Chair Bay® Rum, the Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour runs throughout the summer.

WATCH HUNTERGIRL’S GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT SHINE ON NBC’s THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW

19 Recordings/Wheelhouse Records/BMG vocal powerhouse HunterGirl delivered a raw, emotional and star-making performance of her debut radio single “Ain’t About You” on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show yesterday.

Spotlighting her Grand Ole Opry debut earlier this month, the teary-eyed but fiercely beautiful performance invoked an impassioned, lively standing ovation from the packed-out Opry house - a bucket list wish she’s been dreaming of her whole life. For a glimpse into her emotional debut, watch her “My Opry Debut” episode Below.

Just named to CMT’s esteemed Next Women of Country, the “Artist to Watch” (Country Now, Wide Open Country) and American Idol runner-up is “...transcending from talented aspiring artist, to make her first steps toward the big leagues” (Billboard), proving she’s a “major, major new talent” (MusicRow). 

Up next, the talented songstress will join Luke Bryan on his 2024 “Mind Of A Country Boy" Tour this summer, make her return to Nashville’s CMA Fest on June 7 as well as debut at Tortuga Music Festival on April 5 and Faster Horses Festival on July 21.

HunterGirl making her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, March 2, 2024
Photo credit: (c) Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo

About HunterGirl:

America’s sweetheart, vocal powerhouse, and esteemed songwriter HunterGirl has been performing since she was three years old and writing songs since she was nine. In her teens, she honed her craft by performing at venues across the United States and working with veteran non-profits such as Operation Song, Freedom Sings and A Soldier’s Child, using music therapy to help numerous vets transform their stories into songs. After high school, she moved to Nashville and immediately started playing gigs at Lower Broadway’s most famous venues including Tootsie’s, Rippy’s, Jason Aldean’s Bar, The Listening Room, and HonkyTonk Central, winning songwriting contests such as “Nash Next” and the prestigious “Nashville Songwriter Association International” in her spare time. Recently, she competed and placed second on the star-making competition series American Idol, where she delivered standout performances and won the hearts of millions across the country including Idol judge and Country superstar Luke Bryan who proclaimed her the “new age Miranda Lambert” and his “favorite female Country voice.” After topping the iTunes All Genre and Country charts with her wistful “Red Bird,” HunterGirl has been a guest on Good Morning America and Live with Kelly & Ryan as well as shared the stage with Country superstars Old Dominion, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Alan Jackson, Lainey Wilson, Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans and more. Now, with the release of “Ain’t About You” that’s currently climbing the country radio charts, HunterGirl - who was just named to CMT’s esteemed Next Women of Country, made her Grand Ole Opry debut that earned her a lively standing ovation and will hit the road on Luke Bryan’s “Mind Of A Country Boy" Tour this summer - becomes the first female country artist in over 30 years to write her debut radio single by herself. Praised by People for her “incredible voice” and CMT for her “soaring vocals and superstar potential,” “Ain’t About You” “rises above toxic comparison and insecurity” (Taste of Country) “with universal relevance” (Billboard). Chronicling “her current moment of transcending from talented aspiring artist to make her first steps toward the big leagues” (Billboard), HunterGirl - “a major, major new talent” (MusicRow) - is poised to become Country’s next big female artist.

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Windy City Singer/Songwriter Katie Kadan Brings 'Christmas in Chicago' to 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'

Windy City singer/songwriter Katie Kadan joined “The Kelly Clarkson Show” yesterday to perform her original holiday track, “Christmas in Chicago.” The appearance reunited Kadan, who rose to fame as a finalist on Season 17 of the hit TV show “The Voice,” with Clarkson for the first time since she charmed both the judges and audiences around the world. Watch Kadan’s performance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” below and listen to “Christmas in Chicago” HERE.

With her unforgettable and powerful performances on “The Voice,” Kadan left an indelible mark on music enthusiasts worldwide. Hailing from the vibrant city of Chicago, she continues to carry the spirit of her hometown with her throughout her musical journey.

The original holiday track was written by Kadan along with Johnny Reid who also serves as producer on the track which was recorded at Soultrain Sound Studios in Nashville. Although Kadan now calls Music City home, this latest offering is a heartfelt homage to the holiday season in her hometown infused with her soulful, emotive voice and unique style, she transports listeners to a Christmas in the Windy City.

Currently trekking across Canada, Kadan is wrapping a run as support on Reid’s A Johnny Reid Christmas Tour this weekend with two sold out nights in Moncton, New Brunswick Dec. 15 and 16.   

Kadan not only wowed audiences of “The Voice” but received high praise from her seasons’ judges as well who celebrated her unique style and the sheer emotion she brought to her performances.

During her time on the show country superstar Blake Shelton opined, “No way somebody this good hasn't already made it in the music industry.”

While GRAMMY, TONY and Oscar winner John Legend praised, “You deserve awards. You deserve more than ‘The Voice.’ You deserve Grammys.” 

The dynamic and powerhouse vocalist, has continued to receive widespread acclaim for her musical talent including landing on tribute album Music on the Bones recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London. The holiday track is another taste of new music from Kadan with a debut EP planned for release early next year.  

For more information about Katie Kadan and to stay updated on the latest new visit katiekadan.com or connect with her on Instagram @KatieKadanOfficial and @KatieKadan on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. 

About Katie Kadan
Katie Kadan has quite literally been singing her whole life. From the moment she could talk, she could sing; and not long after that, Katie was not only singing melody lines, but three and four-part harmonies. With some of her first performances being in church, alongside her mother and sisters, it wasn’t long before Katie was captivating hearts, and taking her audiences on a magical, musical journey with her. Classically trained in piano and voice, Katie quickly realized that it was her simultaneous and unmatched love for both people and music that would lead her to where she is today professionally and musically. Drawing her compositions from her life experiences, and oftentimes love, Katie is sure to dazzle, delight and charm you with her soulful style, dripping with its unique jazzy flare, and her sometimes broken and forever longing heart. Katie was a Nationwide fan favorite on season 17 of NBC’s “The Voice,” securing her finale position in the top 3. Once hailed “The Best Kept Secret in Chicago,” Katie Kadan and her abundantly fabulous myriad of talents, are a secret no more.

Photo Credit: Vin Reid

TUNE IN ALERT: Craig Morgan and Jelly Roll perform “Almost Home” on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” – November 10

Country music hit-maker, author and patriot Craig Morgan will be joined by multi-genre hitmaker and CMA Award nominee Jelly Roll to perform their collaboration, “Almost Home,” from Morgan’s recently released Enlisted EP, on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” Tune-in this Friday, November 10, during a special Veterans Day show for their dynamic and emotional performance. Check local listings for showtimes HERE.

In late July of this year, Morgan answered the call from the Army Reserve on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and re-enlisted. Morgan previously served with the Army’s 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions and was making a commitment to attain 20 years of service.

Just as the Army has called on Morgan, the Tennessee native has recruited some of his talented friends to contribute to his latest project, available now. Appropriately titled Enlisted (Broken Bow Records), the six-track release offers new takes on four of his biggest hits along with two new tracks and includes appearances by an all-star group of performers including Trace Adkins, Luke Combs, Gary LeVox, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, and Lainey Wilson. 

Listen now at craigmorgan.lnk.to/Enlisted

Morgan just wrapped his headlining “God, Family, Country Tour 2023,” in partnership with Operation Finally Home. The tour and his recent record follow last fall’s release of his personal memoir — God, Family, Country, which he wrote with Jim DeFelice, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of American Sniper. The book chronicles Morgan’s road to success, from his humble childhood in Tennessee to his years as an elite military operative to his country music stardom. Country music fans and thrill seekers alike will love this intimate look at his remarkable life. Learn more HERE.

Morgan previously served seventeen years in the Army and Army Reserve with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions as an E-6 Staff Sergeant and Fire Support Specialist and including Airborne, Air Assault Jumpmaster and Rappel Master among his certifications. He is now returning to serve his country in a new way – as a soldier in the Army Reserve. The newly sworn in Staff Sergeant and Warrant Officer candidate will continue touring and releasing new music in his civilian career while simultaneously serving our country in the Army Reserve.

Photo credit: (c) Grand Ole Opry, Photos by Chris Hollo

ABOUT CRAIG MORGAN: 

A multi-faceted entertainer, Craig Morgan has made a name for himself as a country music icon, TV personality, author, celebrated outdoorsman and patriotic Army veteran. One of country music's best-loved artists, Morgan has amassed over 1.5 billion career streams and charted over 25 songs on Billboard, thrilling massive crowds with signature hits including “Bonfire,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “International Harvester,” “This Ole Boy,” “Soldier,” “That's What I Love About Sunday” and his faith-filled tribute to his son Jerry, “The Father, My Son and The Holy Ghost.” Craig just released his newest project, Enlisted, a six-song collection of reimagined hits and brand-new songs featuring collaborations with Trace Adkins, Luke Combs, Gary LeVox, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, and Lainey Wilson.

Craig received one of country music's highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Prior to becoming a country music star and TV sensation, Morgan served seventeen years serving our country in the Army and Army Reserve and in 2023 enlisted in the Army Reserve, continuing his military career. Morgan remains an avid supporter of America's military personnel and has made more than sixteen overseas trips to perform for our troops. He is a member of the U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame and recipient of the USO Merit Award. In 2018, he was awarded the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, one of the highest awards the Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian, in recognition of his significant dedication to our military men and women around the world. He remains committed to supporting active duty and veteran members of our military through work with Operation Finally Home, the USO and more. 

He's reprised his popular headlining run — “God, Family, Country Tour 2023,” in partnership with Operation Finally Home — playing thirteen theater and auditorium dates through the end of this month. God, Family, Country, Craig’s gripping new memoir, released last fall in partnership with Blackstone Publishing. He details all aspects from his inspiring life, revealing never-before-heard stories including how he worked alongside the CIA as a soldier in Panama, fought sex traffickers as an undercover agent in Thailand, forged his own path to country music stardom, and lives his life by the deepest values: God, family, country. 

ABOUT JELLY ROLL:
Nashville native singer/songwriter Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) recently debuted Top 3 on the Billboard 200 All Genre Chart and #2 on the Top Country Album charts with his debut Country Album, Whitsitt Chapel (released June 2nd, 2023) - earning the biggest Country debut album in Billboard Consumption Chart history. Following his sweep at the 2023 CMT (Country Music Television) Music Awards where he earned 3 awards to become the most awarded artist of the night, the Billboard Country Power List Cover star and “country’s ‘most authentic’ new artist” (The New Yorker) recently received Billboard’s 2023 Breakthrough Award. “One of Nashville’s fastest rising stars” (The New York Times), Jelly was an 8X nominee and 4X winner at the People’s Choice Country Awards and is the most nominated male at the 2023 CMA Awards, with 5 total nominations. His current hit single “Save Me” — a confessional, vulnerable expression of self-doubt— set the stage for his new season of life and took him to new heights, has more than 155 million views on YouTube and Platinum certification from the RIAA.  Jelly debuted the song along with Lainey Wilson at the 2023 ACM Awards on the heels of his 28-week reign at No. 1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. “Save Me” is the follow-up single to his multi-week #1 hits on Country and Rock radio, “Need A Favor” and “Son of A Sinner.” 

Having just wrapped his sold-out 44-city 2023 Backroad Baptism Arena Tour and celebrated multi-format success with "Need a Favor" inside the Top 10 on Hot AC and Top 25 on Top 40, Jelly Roll continues to resonate with fans on a global scale and earn numerous industry milestones - from playing his sold-out hometown show for 18,000 fans at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to sold-out dates at the Ryman Auditorium and the release of his critically acclaimed Hulu documentary produced by ABC News, “Save Me.” Featured by Nightline, GMA, GMA3, The New York Times, The Tennessean, Billboard, Variety, American Songwriter, CMT and more, his self-built, unconventional industry rise and unique fan connection has garnered praise from numerous outlets, with Variety noting, “for everyone who’s facing the same struggles, Jelly Roll is their Springsteen,” and American Songwriter echoing, “with a string of accolades and an extremely dedicated following, Jelly Roll has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.”

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Darius Rucker Surprised as CMA Humanitarian of the Year on "The Kelly Clarkson Show"

Three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Darius Rucker was honored with the 2023 CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award during his appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” yesterday, Oct. 23, where he spoke about his late mother Carolyn Rucker and explained how the namesake of his new album, Carolyn’s Boy, directly inspired his passion for giving back. Watch HERE.
 
“When I was a kid, she instilled in us that you help people – not people that are less fortunate; you help people that need help,” Rucker shared with Clarkson of one of his mom’s greatest lessons, also noting, “We grew up in a really poor neighborhood with not much and, you know, there was no reason for me to believe that I was gonna be here and make it. But she always instilled in me ‘believe in yourself, you can do whatever you want.’”
 
As Forbes proclaims, “Carolyn’s boy has done okay. She’d be proud of him for the music, and so much more,” with American Songwriter adding, “Rucker boasts one of the most appealing singing voices in music… But it’s not just his pipes that are appealing. It’s his warm, sunny personality, too.”
 
Rucker also joined the latest ABC News “Prime Playlist” episode to discuss the album and his mother’s influence (watch HERE), in addition to taking “PBS NewsHour” to his hometown of Charleston, S.C. where he shared more about the album and showcased his personally curated Riverfront Revival Music Festival (watch HERE).
 
The CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism and advocacy. The individual honored has evidenced commitment to worthwhile causes that are important to the Country Music Association and the Country Music community. Rucker is a four-time CMA Awards nominee, taking home the CMA New Artist of the Year honor in 2009. 
 
He pledged his support to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital after an inspiring firsthand visit 15 years ago and, as a result, created the “Darius and Friends” charity auction, golf tournament and concert in 2010. Taking place each year in the days leading into CMA Fest, friends performing with Rucker in past years have included Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Ashley McBryde, A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Brad Paisley and Kenny Rogers among others. The event has now surpassed the $3.6 million mark, raising funds to benefit the research hospital leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
 
Rucker also co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. – an effort directly inspired by his mom’s career as a MUSC nurse – and has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation while also serving as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.  
 
For more information, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

About Darius Rucker
Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their Double Diamond-certified (21x Platinum) debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA Platinum-certified Learn to Live and True Believers, plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and in 2014 he won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) version of “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time. He topped the charts at Country radio once again with “Beers And Sunshine” in 2021 and his brand new album Carolyn’s Boy, featuring his latest single, “Fires Don’t Start Themselves,” is available everywhere now.
 
About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. Music industry professionals and companies across the U.S. and around the globe are members of CMA. The organization serves as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advances the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a three-hour network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas." All of CMA’s television properties air on ABC. For more information about CMA and the Association’s awards and initiatives, visit CMAworld.com.

Photo Credit: Weiss Eubanks