She just opened up about her pregnancy struggles. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Category: Music
Keith Urban will release his 13th studio album Flow State on June 12. The project features a mix of classic yacht rock covers alongside one original track, “We Go Back” featuring Michael McDonald.
Produced by Urban and Dann Huff and recorded at his Nashville studio, the album features collaborations with Little Big Town and John Mayer. The project highlights songs like “Baby Come Back” and “Just the Two of Us,” alongside the original track and a rendition of “Summer Breeze,” both available now.
Urban said the album came together organically while breaking in his brand-new studio, which used to be called the Tracking Room.
“It really started from me buying a studio in town…It’s been around a long time and I acquired that studio in ‘24. Spent about nine months getting it TLC back up and running. By the time it was ready to record in, I was hitting the road. And so, it was one of those frustrating things where, you know, I wasn’t going to get to record there very much. And so, I was trying to find something that would just be simple and fun to do to just record,” he explained in an interview with SiriusXM’s The Highway. “I called Dann Huff and I go, ‘How about we just do one or two yacht rock songs just just to break the studio in for a bit of fun.’ And that was it. There was no big preconceived idea. And we recorded two songs and the session band came in and we all looked at each other and we went, ‘These sound really good.’”
They began with just a few songs and before he knew it, a full album had come together.
In another statement, he shared that the project’s laid-back sound is meant to serve as both an escape and a reminder of what really matters in life.
“The origins of this kind of music was, in certain ways, a reaction and an antidote to the stresses of the times. Its sole mission (and soul mission) is unchanged…to bring us together and remind us that life is happening NOW- the eternal now- and we have far more in common than not. I hope wherever you hear this album you can feel the exhale, comfort and optimism these songs were originally written by and for.”
Urban is set to perform at several festivals and events throughout 2026, including ACM New Wave: Country’s Beach Bash in Las Vegas on May 16 and CMA Fest in Nashville on June 5.
Flow State Track Listing:
1. Steal Away
2. Baby Come Back
3. Magnet and Steel (ft. Little Big Town)
4. Just the Two of Us
5. On and On
6. We Go Back (ft. Michael McDonald)
7. Help Is On It’s Way
8. How Much I Feel
9. Summer Breeze
10. I Just Wanna Stop
11. Guitar Man (ft. John Mayer)
The post Keith Urban Announces Yacht Rock Album, ‘Flow State’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Megan Moroney is opening up about the mental side of fame and why she’s learned to stay out of her DMs and comment section.
During a recent appearance on Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast, now streaming on Netflix, Moroney sat down with the show’s host Bobby Bones to discuss how she navigates social media, especially as she gears up for another busy stretch on the road.
When asked about her DMs, the country star admitted, “I don’t go there too often. It’s a scary, dark place.”
Avoiding the messages has become a big part of getting ready for her upcoming Cloud 9 Tour because she has learned that her mental health is just as important as all the rehearsals and the physical preparations. In order to stay away from any negativity that may come her way, the Georgia native has set some boundaries with herself.
“It’s been really relevant lately to me. I’m obviously in tour prep, you know, like doing all the things physically. And I had this epiphany the other day where it’s like, I am disciplined about my physical prep, my mental prep has to be just as important,” she explained. “And so stuff like reading the comments, like I actually have to not do it. Like you just can’t. And if I do see something, like I have to tell my brain that can’t affect you today. You can’t dwell on it and let it fester.”
She added that therapy has helped her avoid carrying that negativity and better manage the moments when she does come across hateful messages online.
“It’s more so been like a, that can’t affect me today so I’m gonna move on…but in my head too it’s like 99% of the time, for me, it’s gonna be bad so I’m just like I don’t need to know. Screw y’all.”
At the end of the day, Moroney acknowledges that she is still human and as much as she tries to not let things like that bother her, she still has days where she finds herself agreeing with the hurtful words. So the best solution for her is to stay disciplined and “not look.”
That same discipline has come across in the physical ways she is preparing for tour. With her massive 2026 headline trek kicking off May 26, the “Medicine” singer says she really hits the ground running with her diet and exercise routines around May 1.
For Moroney, getting into tour shape involves doing all her rehearsals in a weighted vest to mimic the showstopping outfits she wears on stage, which can sometimes weigh 10 to 15 lbs.
“When I’ve done the performance I’m like oh like I am not in shape for this…Singing with a weighted vest on a treadmill, doing that.”
On top of that, she has started doing red light therapy, saunas and cold plunges daily, cuts out alcohol and focuses maintaining a healthy diet. All of this hard work is leading up to what she expects to be “the biggest” and “best” run of her career yet.
“I’ve never taken touring as serious, like as far as like the prep for it as I’m doing right now… I want it to be the best show…so just really locking in,” she admits.
The Cloud 9 Tour launches next month and runs through October 2026 with 43 dates in major arenas across North America, Europe, and the UK.
Additionally, she has received nine nominations going into the 61st ACM Awards, including Entertainer of the Year. Fans can tune into the show on Sunday, May 17 when it streams live exclusively on Prime Video for a global audience across more than 240 countries and territories at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
More of Megan Moroney’s conversation with Bobby Bones can be found in the latest episode of Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast, now streaming on Netflix.
The post Megan Moroney Opens Up About Protecting Her Mental Health, Avoiding ‘Scary’ DMs and Comments Ahead of Cloud 9 Tour appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Ther are major changes coming to the show. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Ther are major changes coming to the show. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Kellie Pickler is returning to the stage in a big way with an appearance on American Idol on Monday, May 4, as part of a special episode celebrating the Class of 2006 reunion.
Danielle Fishel revealed the news on the official American Idol podcast, sharing that Pickler will be joined by fellow Idol alums Taylor Hicks, Paris Bennett, Bucky Covington, and Elliott Yamin. The group is set to return to the show to duet with this season’s Top 5 contestants: Chris Tungseth, Hannah Harper, Braden Rumfelt, Keyla Richardson, and Jordan McCullough.
The upcoming May 4 episode will also feature original judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, appearing as guest judge and guest mentor, respectively.
Jason Merritt / Staff
In addition to the Class of 2006 reunion, the episode will include performances with Dancing with the Stars pros, bringing ballroom flair to the celebration, while America votes live to determine the Top 3.
Pickler has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, only stepping back on stage in April 2024 for a performance honoring the late Patsy Cline. The appearance marked her first performance since the passing of her husband, songwriter Kyle Jacobs, who died at the couple’s home on February 17, 2023.
Pickler auditioned for American Idol when she was just 19 years old, impressing the judges with a performance of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” and Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing.” She advanced far in the competition and finished in sixth place. She previously returned to American Idol in 2016, where she served as both a mentor and performer during the show’s final season on Fox.
Following her stint on Idol, Pickler rose to fame with her 2006 debut album, Small Town Girl, which was certified Gold by the RIAA and produced three Top 20 hits: “Red High Heels,” “I Wonder,” and “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind.” She also scored a major success with her Platinum-certified single, “Best Days of Your Life.”
In May 2013, Pickler and her partner Derek Hough took home the mirrorball trophy, winning Season 16 of Dancing With the Stars. She was later inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
From 2017 to 2019, Pickler served as co-host of Pickler & Ben, a nationally syndicated talk show that earned five Emmy nominations.She has also built a career in acting, appearing in several films and TV shows, including Christmas at Graceland, The Mistletoe Secret, 90210, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Wedding at Graceland, and more.
The post Kellie Pickler Heads Back to ‘American Idol’ Stage for First Time in Years appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
‘So I had to leave and I was on this call crying, like, ‘If Nana lives, she’s going to hate this video!” Musgraves remembers. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
‘So I had to leave and I was on this call crying, like, ‘If Nana lives, she’s going to hate this video!” Musgraves remembers. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Shaboozey has announced his fourth studio album, The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales, due out July 31, along with his Outlaws Never Die Tour, which will take place this fall.
The concept album tells a western-inspired story centered on Cherie Lee, a woman seeking revenge after her father’s murder while enduring the trials and tribulations of a complicated love story. The project’s lead single, “Born To Die,” serves as the first preview of what fans can expect from this next set of music.
The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales will follow 2024’s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going album, which as the country star explains, was a collection of songs that acted as a “journal entry,” allowing fans across the world to get to know who he is as a person. He is now building off the momentum and preparing to share even more stories that showcases his artistry and mission as a storyteller.
“That album changed my life,” he admits. “I never expected people to connect with the album and enjoy it the way they did. But now I want to show the world who I am as an artist and storyteller.”
Shaboozey goes on to explain that his upcoming release has been “several years in the making” as he made plenty of revisions along the way before he could feel content with the final product. The result of his tedious efforts is a western style album that chronicles a story of revenge told through every song, with its main character, Cherie Lee, at the center of it all. Additionally, the track list will feature several star-studded collaborations that continue to push the boundaries of country music.
“It explores so many themes, as many timeless westerns have: revenge, redemption, and romance, through the eyes of a protagonist looking to challenge everything she once thought true about her world. I poured all of myself into this and I hope people become as immersed in the world and the journey as I have.”
He adds, “This album was a promise to myself and something, no matter what, I had to keep. It pushed my songwriting and storytelling to new heights, and I couldn’t be more proud to say it’s done and almost yours.”
In support of the album, Shaboozey will launch his Outlaws Never Die Tour in September. The tour will run through October with stops across North America, including Nashville, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The tour will also include a stop in Nashville on Sept. 18 at Ascend Amphitheater.
Select dates will feature special guests including Brittney Spencer, Noeline Hofmann, Kashus Culpepper, Carter Faith and Angel White.
Tickets for the Outlaws Never Die Tour go on sale May 1 at 10 a.m. local time and can be purchased HERE.
A full list of tour dates can be found on Shaboozey’s official website.
The post Shaboozey Announces Concept Album, ‘The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales,’ and Fall ‘Outlaws Never Die’ Tour appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Ole Red, the Blake Shelton-inspired bar, restaurant and live music venue, is getting its seventh location. The establishment already has a presence in Nashville, Las Vegas, Orlando, Gatlinburg, and in Shelton’s hometown of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and now, it is getting a new home in downtown Indianapolis.
According to an announcement from Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) and Boxcar Development, the massive 37,000-square-foot, multi-level space will sit just steps from multiple entertainment venues including the Ritz-Carlton Indianapolis and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, making it the perfect addition to the city’s growing sports and entertainment scene.
On the morning of Wednesday, April 29, Shelton and Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties, the Simon family, local leaders and Blake Shelton gathered at a press conference to speak more on the evolving parentship.
“Indianapolis is a market we have admired for some time, and we are thrilled to have a likeminded partner who shares our vision and is helping lead the continued evolution of the downtown entertainment district,” said Reed. “We look forward to expanding the Ole Red brand and creating a best-in-class entertainment and hospitality destination for the Indianapolis community.”
The new location will once again offer its signature dining and live music experience with two performance stages, a main restaurant and bar area, and a covered rooftop bar overlooking downtown. Its expansion to the Indianapolis area marks another step in growing the Ole Red brand by bringing a taste of the Southern charm to the country fans of the Midwest.
Inspired by Shelton’s 2001 hit by the same name, Ole Red is projected to open its doors in Indianapolis in late 2027 at 231-235 S. Meridian Street. Guests in the Midwest and beyond will get to experience the made-from-scratch food and drink menu, also inspired by the counter superstar, along with a concert-quality live music atmosphere.
During the press conference, Shelton revealed how Indianapolis has been a big part about his musical journey, from the early days of being completely unknown to delivering his first public performance of his debut single, “Austin” at a “country music expo” and later, returning for his first television special concert.
“It’s just been some of the bigger moments of not just my career, but my life have been here. So I always feel at home when I’m here,” he shared.
The country music hitmaker continued to reflect on the growing Ole Red brand in a new statement that reads, “Man, the energy in this place is just unreal. Every time I come through, I catch myself thinking up reasons to hang around a little longer. You put a city together that loves sports and country music this much, well, that’s about as good as it gets for me. Here we come Indy!”
Additionally, the project ties into a larger mission to expand the city’s downtown entertainment district. Opry Entertainment Group has revealed that it will also join the Fieldhouse Media Network as a marketing partner of both the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever.
“Partnerships and investments around Gainbridge Fieldhouse, just like this one, are exciting steps as we create one of the most bold and ambitious sports-anchored entertainment districts in the country,” said Simon. “We are proud to partner with Opry Entertainment Group and Ryman Hospitality Properties to bring this world-class brand to downtown.”
Ole Red won’t be the only thing drawing visitors into the downtown area. Boxcar Development has also revealed plans for the Ritz-Carlton Indianapolis and Live Nation event venue at the corner of Pennsylvania and Georgia Streets. Other current projects include the Indiana Fever Performance Center, the Signia Hotel by Hilton, and the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, and more.
Construction is slated to start later this year on Ole Red Indy, with a focus on preserving and restoring the building’s historic exterior.
The post Blake Shelton Announces Seventh Ole Red Location Coming To Indianapolis in 2027 appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now