Category: Music

Megan Moroney is adding a new title to her résumé: fragrance creator.

Fresh off celebrating her latest No. 1 hit, “Beautiful Things,” the country star has announced the release of Calliope, her debut fragrance.

Named after Calliope from Greek mythology, the eldest of the nine muses and the goddess of epic poetry, song and eloquence, the fragrance pays tribute to a figure whose name means “beautiful-voiced.” As the chief of the muses, Calliope was known for inspiring poets to preserve the triumphs, heartbreaks and enduring truths of the human experience through storytelling.

The fragrance is described as a “radiant floral musk” that blends peach blossom, jasmine, pink peony and warm mineral musk “for a luminous, addictive finish.”

“More than a fragrance, Calliope reminds us that often the most beautiful things come from broken pieces. An everyday wear with a lasting impression,” the website reads.

Calliope is available now for pre-order in the U.S., U.K. and EU. The 3.4-ounce bottle is priced at $55. Pre-orders are expected to ship by July 31 for U.S. customers and August 15 for customers in the U.K. and EU.

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In a statement on the official fragrance website, Moroney revealed she has spent more than a year bringing the project to life and compared the creative process to writing songs.

“I’ve spent the last year and a half hand crafting the concept, scent and design of Calliope. Songwriting has been my way of making sense of life’s highs and lows. Every song I write comes from a real moment, a feeling, or a memory, and my hope has always been that by sharing those pieces of myself, someone else feels a little less alone. I truly believe that the experiences we carry, both the beautiful and the heartbreaking, become part of who we are. I think fragrance has the power to do the very same,” she explained. “Perfume is so much more than something you wear. A scent can instantly take you back to a moment you thought you’d forgotten, capture a feeling you never want to let go of, or become forever tied to a season of your life. It becomes part of first loves and fresh starts, celebrations and heartbreaks, and all of the little everyday moments that somehow stay with us forever. That’s exactly what I wanted Calliope to be.”

Moroney also shared the inspiration behind the fragrance’s pink heart-shaped bottle, which features the handwritten lyric “you shine” from her song “Beautiful Things.”

“Beyond the fragrance, the bottle is inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi, the centuries-old practice of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver, embracing its cracks rather than hiding them. It’s a reminder that our imperfections and experiences become part of what makes us unique. Blending luminous florals with addictive warmth, Calliope feels both captivating and comforting. I wanted it to have an unforgettable first impression while leaving behind something softer that lingers, like a favorite memory you find yourself coming back to again and again. Calliope is more than my first fragrance. It’s a reflection of everything I believe about the moments that shape us. Meet Calliope.”

According to WWD, Calliope is launching direct-to-consumer first before reportedly arriving at retail stores later this summer.

The post Megan Moroney Launches First-Ever Fragrance Calliope: How To Order appeared first on Country Now.

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After spending the past few years writing songs inspired by colorful characters she has encountered throughout her life, Ashley McBryde decided it was time to turn the focus onto herself when it came to writing her fifth studio album, Wild, which officially dropped on May 8. The songstress recently sat down with Kelly Clarkson on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where she admitted there were definitely some nerves that came with releasing her latest project.

McBryde referenced past songs like “Brenda Put Your Bra On” from her concept album, Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville, and “Livin’ Next to Leroy” from her debut album, Girl Goin’ Nowhere. Both songs tell stories centered around other people’s lives. For Wild, however, she said there were no characters to draw from because every song captured her own experiences.

“The more songs we chose, the more they revealed themselves. It was stuff from my life…We all have the need to be seen, but it’s also really scary to tell the story. Theres nothing to hide behind,” she admitted to Clarkson.

She says the process to narrowing down the track list began with iPhone work tapes in her garage and slowly but surely, the winning songs made themselves known.

“We listen to a work tape, we chart it ourselves, we work it through. And then the next day we come in and say, ‘What from yesterday do you want to play again?’ Now that gets to stay in the pile. So it’s celebrity death match. The songs have to duke it out.”

As Clarkson pointed out, this entire collection of 11 songs signifies a big change in Ashley McBryde’s life, her sobriety journey that has been ongoing since June 2022.

“This is kind of the moment all of this leads up to, ‘and then she went to rehab.’ And it’s not a sobriety record,” the Arkansas native clarified. “It’s not full of sober songs and it’s not like a big soapbox thing, but it is part of the story.”

She went on to explain that her mission is not to preach about sobriety to the world, but instead it’s to simply tell her story to anyone who wants to listen.

“It’s not a big shiny badge I carry. It’s more like kind of a wet wool blanket that’s on me all the time. And if you’d like to know why I’m carrying it, I will tell you, but I don’t have to tell you. It’s just part of the story.”

The record isn’t the only creative project that was inspired by this personal chapter. At the end of August, McBryde will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the grand opening of her Redemption Bar. Located on the fifth floor of Eric Church’s Chief’s at 200 Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, the space features a zero-proof cocktail menu with the option to make the drinks alcoholic.

“Now especially, you can go to a bar and get non-alcoholic options. And it hasn’t always been that way. When I stopped drinking before it was cool…I would go to places and be like, ‘Hi, can I have something with no alcohol with it?’ And that’s like 90% of my personality up to that point is drinking. And to ask for a non-alcoholic drink and you always get the, ‘you mean like juice?’ And you’re like, ‘Yeah, don’t judge me’…You know who you shouldn’t give attitude to? It’s a woman who can’t drink anymore,” McBryde stated confidently.

This unique concept was developed as a way to have a place where everyone feels welcome, whether they choose to drink alcohol or not.

“No one’s going to think you’re weird if you do drink. No one’s going to think you’re weird ff you don’t drink. The menu automatically, if you order a Martini McBryde…it comes without alcohol already. If you’d like for it to have alcohol in it, the bartenders are happy to do that for you too, but nobody’s going to give you crap about it either way.”

On June 14, Ashley McBryde celebrated four years of being sober. She commemorated the milestone with a powerful post on social media, featuring a statement that celebrated 1,461 days of fighting for herself, alongside a video of her boxing.

“For me, staying sober includes boxing, lifting and other ways of celebrating this body that carries me across the stage I live for. It includes being picky and intentional about who I spend energy on and with. And so much more. For you it may be totally different. Maybe you work a program, maybe you paint , maybe you do something totally ‘out-there’ to some people. Your path is yours,” she shared. “No one else needs to understand it. Whatever keeps you, YOU. You need you. Struggle forward. Do it scared.”

McBryde is bringing her new album on the road with tour dates planned throughout the summer and fall.

The post Ashley McBryde Admits Releasing Her Most Personal Album Yet Was ‘Really Scary’ appeared first on Country Now.

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Thomas Rhett has officially earned his place among many of Nashville’s musical legends on the Music City Walk of Fame.

On Wednesday, July 8, the country star made his way downtown Nashville with his family by his side to celebrate earning the 113th star on the coveted path located just outside of the Country Music Hall of Fame. The ceremony was open to the public and welcomed a slew of fans who stepped out to support Rhett in the milestone moment.

Fellow hitmaker Jordan Davis was on hand to speak on Rhett’s behalf during the ceremony. Davis expressed that he was “honored” to represent Rhett, as he highlighted not only his success as an artist, but the impact he has had on those around him. Davis praised Rhett for remaining grounded throughout his career and emphasized that his legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments in music.

Davis opened his speech by going back to the first time they met in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the Bayou Country Superfest in 2016, and revealing the impact that Rhett made on him that day.

“I left that day knowing that Thomas was going to be doing this for a very, very long time. And it’s not surprising at all that we’re here celebrating a star on what has already been an amazing career for Thomas. And it is, it’s a privilege to get to say some words about somebody who has meant so much to me and so many people here today, not just as an artist, but as a husband, as a father, as a friend and just a person of character.”

He went on to say that Rhett has never changed in all the years that he’s known him. He will never forget the time Rhett walked off stage after a sold-out show and made his way into the green room to sit with Davis, an opening act at the time, and answer questions for two hours straight, a testament to Rhett’s ability to give so much to others.

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“He didn’t have to do that. He could have easily played that show, walked on his bus, took off for the next city, but that’s not who Thomas Rhett is. Instead, he sat in that green room with me, talked to me for two hours and I left that room with a lot more than advice on being the music business. I left that room with a blueprint of who I wanted to be as an artist and as a person…I’ve told him many times that he’ll probably never know the impact of the words and the conversations we had that night, what they meant to me. But ever since that night, I have approached music differently and it’s all because of Thomas,” Davis explained.

The Louisiana native added that the thing he admires most about Rhett is the fact that his success is measured not in the amount of fame he has, but rather what life looks like for him at home, surrounded by his family.

After stepping away from the mic, Jordan Davis welcomed his fellow singer/songwriter to the podium to say a few words himself. Before sharing his gratitude for the recognition from the country music community, Rhett made sure to thank God and give individual shoutout to all his loved ones who were present, including his parents, his wife, Lauren, each of their five children, his longtime manager and the rest of his team.

The already emotional moment was heightened in the remainder of Thomas Rhett’s speech when he shared what he would say to his 19-year-old self if he could be watching this moment unfold today.

“If 19 year old TR was sitting on this stage today, the first thing I’d say to him is relax. You’re about to spend the next 17 years worrying about things that you were never in control of in the first place. You’re going to worry about whether people like you, whether they’re going to like the songs, whether the radio is going to play them, whether you’re going to sell any tickets, whether you’re going to make the right decisions. Most of those things were never yours to control anyway,” he shared.

Rhett went on to share what a few lessons he wishes he had learned earlier in this career, “Number one, nobody actually knows what they’re doing. Right now, you’re walking around music row convinced that everybody has a little secret. You think the artists know, you think the songwriters know, you think the producers know, you think the label knows. They just don’t. One day you’re going to realize something that’s incredibly freeing that nobody has it all figured out.”

He then thought back to a reminder Miranda Lambert once shared with him: “There is no such thing as a country music emergency.” The decade that followed would teach Rhett that Lambert was 100% right when she said those words to him.

The next pieces of advice he would offer his younger self would be to have more than one definition of success, to not miss out on life while he’s building a career, and finally, to simply enjoy the journey.

The hitmaker concluded his message by sending a heartfelt thank you to all the fans who have supported him along the way.

“Thank you for singing these songs louder than I ever could. Thank you for letting my music become a small part of your life. This star may have my name on it, but it belongs to a heck of a lot of people. Thank y’all so much,” he added.

Thomas Rhett, his wife Lauren and all five of their children, including their baby boy, Brave Elijah, made their way over to the star and posed with their dad, as his very own star was unveiled.

Throughout the past decade of his career, Rhett has racked up 25 No. 1 songs, 16 billion streams, and numerous awards, including eight ACM Awards (with 2020 Entertainer of the Year), two CMA Awards, and five Grammy nominations. He has also won honors from the CMT Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and iHeartRadio Music Awards. It’s safe to say that between all his accolades and incredible contributions to the country music scene, Thomas Rhett has earned this recognition.

The induction ceremony took place just one day before the “Die a Happy Man” singer kickstarts his The Soundtrack of Life Tour at Nashville’s GEODIS Park on July 9 with Niall Horan. This show will also mark his first of two stadium concerts alongside Horan, with the second taking place at Hersheypark Stadium on July 18. Horan was also present at today’s ceremony, following their performance at the Grand Ole Opry on July 7 during the former member of One Direction’s debut in the historic circle.

Rhett is then set to return to the U.K. in a few weeks to deliver three back-to-back nights at Wembley Stadium with Luke Combs.

The post Thomas Rhett Celebrates Career Milestone With Emotional Music City Walk Of Fame Induction appeared first on Country Now.

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Rising country artist Colton Dawson is turning heads with his heartfelt cover of Alan Jackson‘s timeless hit, “Remember When.”

Posted on June 22, just days before Jackson’s final concert in Nashville, Dawson shared his take on one of the most beloved songs in the country icon’s catalog.

Accompanied by a mandolin player, the young singer strummed his acoustic guitar while delivering the nostalgic ballad, which reflects on a lifetime of love, from getting married and raising children to watching them grow up and eventually leave home.

Alongside the video, Dawson joked, “Who has more aura than Alan Jackson? Nobody. Anyone going to the last concert please send me videos. I spent all my money on this mandolin player.”

The performance quickly resonated with viewers, earning praise from fans and fellow artists alike.

“Young man, you have a beautiful voice!!!!! Prayers for a wonderful career and future,” one person wrote, while another added, “You have an amazing voice! Great job!”

Country music legend Randy Travis also showed his support, commenting, “So great!!”

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The cover has since surpassed one million views across Dawson’s social media platforms, introducing the rising artist to an even wider audience.

The viral moment comes just as Dawson gears up to release his third single, “Piece Of Heaven,” arriving Friday, July 10.

On “Piece Of Heaven,” Colton Dawson showcases another side of his artistry with a heartfelt song about a love that once felt like forever but has since fallen apart. Filled with longing and regret, the track finds him reflecting on happier days while wishing he could get back to the version of heaven he once knew.

Rooted in the traditional sounds of ’90s country, “Piece Of Heaven” highlights Dawson’s rich vocals, timeless storytelling and emotional depth, qualities that continue to set the rising singer-songwriter apart from many of today’s newcomers.

The new release follows Dawson’s previously released singles, “Might Be In It” and “It’s Gonna Rain.” 

Colton Dawson’s honest storytelling and captivating live performances have quickly helped him stand out, earning him two standing ovations during his opening set for Clay Walker at a sold-out Ryman Auditorium. That momentum ultimately led to his first major label deal with Warner Records Nashville.

The post Colton Dawson Honors Alan Jackson With Viral ‘Remember When’ Cover appeared first on Country Now.

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