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Luke Bryan pulled out all the stops in Nashville for his Luke Bryan & Friends show on Thursday night, welcoming a lineup of special guests that rivaled a country music awards show. From Carrie Underwood to Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, Kane Brown, Dierks Bentley and Chris Stapleton, the special guests kept coming as Bryan spent three hours rocking the sold-out Bridgestone Arena alongside some of his best friends and delivering plenty of his biggest hits.

The show served as both a celebration of Bryan’s new album, SIGNS, and a chance to make up for the last time he played Music City. During his previous Bridgestone Arena appearance, Bryan was battling an illness that affected his voice, so he was determined to make his return one to remember. And he more than delivered.

“Last time i was here in Nashville I had some crazy Harpeth River…Duck River, Cumberland River mutation of COVID and the flu and I sounded like a**hole. I think people compared it to Blake Shelton, so I heard,” he joked. “But tonight I feel like a million damn dollars which there’s a downside to that, ‘cause you know that means after the show, we’re all gonna hit broadway and we’re gonna feel like Blake Shelton in the morning!” 

“I’m so honored about what’s going on tonight…We wanted to make a big ole fun party in Nashville tonight.”

It was a “Big ole fun party” indeed, and his vocals sounded pretty great, too.

Carrie Underwood Kicks Off The Guest-Filled Night

Bryan kicked off the night on a high note with “My Kinda Night,” followed by “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” and “This Is How We Roll.” Within no time, the night’s first guest, Carrie Underwood, was welcomed to the stage.

The pair joined together for a performance of the ’90s country classic “Meet in the Middle” by Diamond Rio before later rocking out to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

The excitement kicked into full gear when a video of Lionel Richie flashed on the screen, prompting Underwood and Bryan to reveal a big secret: They are all returning, along with Ryan Seacrest, for the next season of American Idol in 2027.

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Darius Rucker Brings “Wagon Wheel” To Nashville

The guests came in like a revolving door, with Darius Rucker taking the stage next for a massive sing-along of “Wagon Wheel” and another iconic ’90s country moment with a cover of Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon.”

Bryan praised Rucker as one of the best guys he knows and even jokingly slow danced with him during their Brooks & Dunn cover.

Jason Aldean Joins His Fellow Georgia Boy

It wouldn’t be a Luke Bryan & Friends show without his best friend and fellow Georgia native, Jason Aldean.

Bryan had fans laughing when he told them he had to “Venmo” him “a lot” to get him to agree to joining him at the show. All jokes aside, the pair of longtime friends joined together for Shenandoah’s “Sunday in the South” and their 2012 collaboration “The Only Way I Know,” sans Eric Church.

Going completely off script, they also threw in a performance of Aldean’s “She’s Country,” sending the sold-out arena into a frenzy.

Kane Brown Brings The Energy

Perhaps the most unexpected guest of the evening was Kane Brown, who Bryan admitted he hadn’t had a chance to cut up with too much until this moment.

With a huge smile on his face, Brown entered the stage, sending the energy through the roof as they joined together for his chart-topping, high-energy hit “Miles On It.”

Dierks Bentley Gets “Drunk on a Plane”

The guests didn’t stop there, because fans were soon getting “Drunk on a Plane” with Dierks Bentley.

Luke Bryan Celebrates SIGNS

In celebration of his brand-new album, Bryan performed several new tracks, including “Country And She Knows It,” “I Liked Loving You” and the title track, “Signs.”

The performances gave fans in the sold-out arena an taste of the new album while still leaving plenty of room for the hits that have defined Bryan’s career.

Chris Stapleton Brings The Night Home

The final guest of the evening was the incomparable Chris Stapleton, who added his soulful vocals to “Drink a Beer,” a song he co-wrote that Bryan took to No. 1 in early 2014.

Bryan appeared to be in shock over Stapleton’s presence and couldn’t help but smile in awe as he left the stage.

Luke Bryan Turns Bridgestone Into One Giant Party

The final hour was a huge party, bringing Bryan’s radio hits front and center with “Knockin’ Boots,” “One Margarita,” “Rain Is A Good Thing” and his recently Diamond-certified “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”

Ahead of the show, Bryan was presented with Diamond plaques recognizing the RIAA certifications for “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).” He was joined for the presentation by fellow Diamond recipients and special guests Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood.

The night truly encompassed what Nashville is all about: music, friendship and the fact that country music is like one big family. It sure felt that way on Thursday night.

Only Luke Bryan could pull off a show this fun, bringing together this many country stars for one unforgettable night in Music City. With Thursday’s sold-out show, Bryan has now sold out Bridgestone Arena seven consecutive times, once again proving that nearly two decades into his career, his superstar status remains.

The post Luke Bryan’s Sold-Out ‘Friends’ Show Brings Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton And More To Nashville appeared first on Country Now.

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Corey Kent’s new album, Heartland Rock and Roll is a reflection of where he came from, the life he’s built and the experiences that shaped him along the way. The Oklahoma native admits this project feels different than any of his past records, noting it features some of his most autobiographical songs yet that give fans a true look behind the curtain at the man he is today.

“I’ve never felt more confident in a batch of songs, and this will be the largest record I’ve ever made. And really, it’s autobiographical in a way that I’ve never really approached a record before. I think the last couple of records, there were definitely songs that let you see a bit into my mind and what I thought was important or mantras I live by, but this record is just a little bit more detailed in the ins and outs of my actual life,” Kent explained to Country Now.

The 16-track collection, produced by Austin Goodloe, Jon Randall and Chris Farren, begins with “Motorbike,” a coming-of-age song about his desire to leave his hometown of Bixby, Oklahoma, in search of something new beyond the small town. Things eventually come full circle with the final track, “Bixby,” a song directly inspired by his hometown and the realization of missing the simplicity and the slower pace of life of back there. Listeners will hear Kent reflect on the new perspective he gains, as he now sees the beauty of where he hails from and how he was raised.

Between those two songs are real stories of love, loss, heartbreak, growing up and the rollercoaster of experiences that come with finding your way through life.

Sonically, Kent describes the album as a “melting pot” of the music that has influenced him throughout his life. There are touches of nostalgia through ’70s rock and roll and R&B, along with influences from Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, and the early records of Kings of Leon. Between these influences and the Red Dirt scene he was raised on, Kent felt that the title, Heartland Rock and Roll, served as the perfect way to sum it all up.

“I’m pulling from all of it to create this record…it was really fun, honestly. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had making a record. And I finally got to take my time on it and I didn’t rush the process and I was just like, ‘It will be done when it’s done.’ And it’s finally done and it’s time to put it out into the world. 

One of the most personal moments on Heartland Rock and Roll came from an ordinary day at Kent’s ranch in Texas. “Everyday Life,” a deeply personal song about Kent’s life beyond the stage, offers a glimpse into his world as a husband and father and captures the everyday moments that mean the most to him.

“That song is 100% for me. Historically, the more adventurous, more rock and roll free-spirited songs have been the ones that, or even some heartbreak songs have been the ones that have really become big hits for us. But ‘Everyday Life’ is just such a snapshot of my real day-to-day that, it was for me…that song could still be a big hit for us, but it wasn’t recorded with that intent. It was recorded with the intention of being a snapshot and being a moment in my life that I could look back on and listen to and remember, and just to be grateful for all the chaos.”

The best part is that listeners will hear his kids’ voices at the very beginning, sharing their names and even what they got for Christmas last year. Kent and his producer, Austin Goodloe, captured that raw moment while on the ranch that day. It wasn’t planned, nor was it ever supposed to make the final cut. However, after hearing how much his children’s young voices added to the sentiment of the song, he knew they had to stay.

“We ended up taking it out just to clean up the song when we took it into the studio to really cut it. And I just remember going, ‘Dude, we got to put their voices back in. It’s lost so much character and it’s just special.’ So it was a happy accident that ended up being perfect.”

In addition to “Everyday Life,” fans also got an early taste of the full-length project through the fan-favorite, “Empty Words,” as well as “Wannabe,” “Cigarette Burns,” and the only two collaborations on the project, “Rather Be” feat. Jason Aldean and his current single, “Rocky Mountain Low” feat. Koe Wetzel.

Kent was selective about who he wanted to feature on the album. Because of how personal the record is, he wanted the collaborations to come from genuine friendships. That led to him working with two artists who he has organically developed strong connections with.

For “Rocky Mountain Low,” Kent says he immediately thought of Wetzel after writing the song. The two Texas-based artists had developed a friendship over the years after meeting in Cabo and bonding over some cigars. While writing this track, Kent had the realization that the second verse sounded like it was written specifically for Wetzel.

Rather than wait for schedules, labels and managers to coordinate everything, the two decided to make it happen themselves. Now, the song has reached the top 10 in 17 weeks and continues to climb its way up the the country charts.

“We cut the song and got the videos and turned it in. And we were like, ‘Hey, we put our own money up for this, and if you guys like it, then pay us back. And if not, we’re still putting it out.’ And thankfully everybody was on board and thought it was going to be a big song, and it was.”

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Kent credits Aldean with giving him his first opportunity to join a major national tour when he was still playing dive bars across Texas and Oklahoma. It didn’t take long for the two families to become close. The two had wanted to record a song together for years, but waited until the time was right. That moment finally came with “Rather Be.”

“I texted it to him and he’s like, ‘I love this song. I think we found the one,” he recalled. “Because I was already done with my part, I was sitting behind the board. Me and Austin Goodloe were producing Jason Aldean’s vocals, which was such a crazy surreal experience for me…And it just hit me. I looked at Austin and I was like, ‘How in the hell did we get right here. Producing Jason Aldean’s vocal? This is crazy.’ It was a fun experience, and he crushed that song, and it’s been a really fun one to play live, and it’s just fun to have songs with real genuine friends.”

While Kent hopes the album helps fans understand him on a deeper level, he also wants them to find pieces of their own lives in the songs. Now that the entire record is out into the world, he hopes to fulfill his mission of giving the world a project that can be impactful on everyone, no matter what stage of life they’re in.

“I hope it’s a record that people want to put on when they’re sitting around a campfire and go back and think about the past,” Kent admitted. “And I hope it’s a live in the moment, you’re out on the lake and they’re fun songs that you want to crank up and listen to while you’re out having a good day with your friends. So it’s really casting a wide net, but I think sonically is what I’m most excited about of just carving out and really naming, identifying my sound in country music.”

After spending years building toward this moment, there’s no question as to why Kent believes Heartland Rock and Roll represents something different for him as an artist. These songs will forever be a part of his legacy, as they capture a defining chapter of his life and the sound he hopes listeners will remember him for.

“It definitely feels like a destined record. And when I talk about why it feels different, it’s got this possibility of, especially before the songs came out, it just had this feeling of this might be the record that people remember. When they think of my name in country music, they might reference this record. And I’ve never had that feeling about a record before. I’ve had songs where I was like, ‘yeah, people are going to remember this song and my name because of it,’ but this record feels like a completely different animal.”

Now Kent is ready to bring the album to life with the Heartland Rock and Roll Tour. The tour will feature new venues, including Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, along with a completely redesigned stage and visual production. Kent said the goal is to create a live show that matches the energy and feel of the album.

“It’s going to be a fun, fun tour, and the energy surrounding this record has been amazing. The band can feel it, the crew can feel it, and it’s making everybody just creative, and everybody’s given 110% of themselves to create the best possible show and try to match the intensity of this record and match how awesome this record is with making sure that the live show leaves no stone unturned and is just exhilarating from the start,” Kent explained.

The tour will officially launch on January 22, 2027 at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, Texas.

The post Corey Kent on Why ‘Heartland Rock and Roll’ Feels Like a Defining Moment in His Career [Exclusive] appeared first on Country Now.

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Slater Nalley is tackling the kind of lingering questions that come with heartbreak on his new song, “What Do You See?”

With a voice mature beyond his 19 years, the Georgia native shares a poignent perspective as he explores the uncertainty of wondering what someone from your past thinks of you after the relationship has come to an end.

He runs through all the different ways she might see him and wonders if she’s feeling regret or missing him or if she has finally moved on. At the same time, he ponders whether certain memories, songs and moments still bring him to mind. The vulnerable reflection hones in on the relatable feeling of an unresolved heartbreak as he asks, “Tell me, what do you see when you think of me?”

The tune was co-written by Nalley with Dave Cohen and Geoff Warburton and offers another glimpse into Nalley’s evolving sound. With each new track, he continues to establish himself as an artist to watch following his Top 5 finish on American Idol and the release of his debut EP, Hey Georgia.

Now, as Nashville resident with a Grand Ole Opry debut also under his belt, Nalley is focused on showing listeners there’s much more to his story than his time on television. He has even more new music ahead and is touring with Blake Whiten on his “Something to Say Tour” through the fall of 2026.

Keep reading to learn more about Nalley’s latest release, “What Do You See?”, his journey so far, and what he hopes to accomplish next.

Talk about the inspiration behind your newest release, “What Do You See?”

I wrote this song, ‘What Do You See?’ with Dave Cohen and Geoff Warburton. And I’ve been lucky enough to have been writing with them for a little bit now. And I feel like every time we write, we beat ourselves on the last one. So we’ll keep a good thing going and not fix what isn’t broken. So it’s been pretty fun to get to write with such incredible people. It really is just a song about wondering what somebody’s thinking about you. Oftentimes you get into a situation and you know somebody for a long time and then you don’t. And it’s like, I wonder what they think about me now. And that’s kind of the premise of the song is when you’re wondering about what somebody’s doing, sometimes it’s kind of beyond you. You can’t really keep wondering about it.

Going from hearing the bare bones of a song to finally bringing it into the studio, what is it like when you hear the finished version for the first time?

Yeah, I mean, a lot of work goes into these songs that not a lot of people know. Before I was in this industry, I sure didn’t. I just was like, “Oh, that’s a good song. I bet they wrote it like that.” And so we did write it very similar, but working with Dave Cohen, who’s a phenomenal producer and Anderson East, who’s been doing all my records so far, who’s also a phenomenal producer, I’ve been lucky enough to have the best of both worlds and their ideas are just so spontaneous and so unique, both of them in their craft. And being able to have them both have a hand in that song, we got a badass guitar solo out of it and a really cool melody that I feel like has not ever really been something in my head. And I feel like this one gets stuck in my head, so I hope it gets stuck in other people’s heads.

What has the reaction been like from crowds when you play this song live?

We’ve been playing it at some festivals and things like that, but really going to be hitting it on this Blake [Whiten] tour when we go out. That’s one of our priorities because it’s a fun song. We’re just really excited about being able to play it. The live show for me is so important. It’s something that it cannot be broken because you only get one impression on somebody and that impression can leave them either liking you or not liking you. And every impression you get is a chance. So it’s really just satisfying when we get the band together and we’re rehearsing and we put that out there and we play it live and it sounds good. So I’m excited for everybody to hear it. 

How would you say “What Do you See?” fits into this chapter of music that you’re in and the sound that you’re trying to establish? 

I feel like my writing and storytelling and voice is often compared to older genres and artists, which is honestly, that’s my goal. I am an old soul and I really love being able to write songs and do this for a living. So beginning to pull from my favorites and then also bringing a newer sound of this one specifically, it just felt right because I feel like the topic is a little newer and I don’t know, it felt more like an upbeat, newer sounding song and we put that together and it still got that really old school vibe with the background vocals and guitars, the way that they’ve been produced and everything. So props to them to the producers for putting this one together. And of course I had a part in that, but they’re really great. 

How has it been seeing fans live with your debut EP, Hey Georgia, now that its been out in the world for a bit?

It’s pretty tough to put an eye on everything because they’re all my babies, all my songs, but some of the babies are ready to grow up. So it’s just one of those things. And I think this one follows my EP pretty nicely. The EP had a good mix of Southern rock and blues and old school stuff and then a couple new school stuff. So I feel like this one kind of shows the versatility that I’m trying to bring to the table. 

With this being your first collection, was there anything about the process that surprised you while building it out?

Yeah, I mean, absolutely. Like I said, before all this, I just thought you write the song and that’s the one that you put out. I guess you don’t really think about all the production side of things. And it’s been really honestly enlightening just to learn from Anderson and Dave and learn so much about the processes and what goes down, the different vocals, the different guitars, the different instruments that they have to re-cut, and re-record and things like that, that they all mix all together for one song and that can take months. So I’m glad we got this one relatively quick and got it out. 

You also recently made your Grand Ole Opry debut. Talk about that experience.

Yeah, I really loved that experience more than anything I’ve done so far, honestly. It felt like that’s where I want to be for the rest of my life is on stages like that, and that’s earned. So being able to have that experience, and I think I took advantage of it in the best way possible, and I’m so grateful that they wanted to have me, and I hope they’ll have me back. But that was really crazy to stand on that stage where so many of my heroes have stood before and be able to play songs that I wrote, not anybody else’s. 

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While there, you also performed your unreleased song “The Highway.” What made you decide to share that particular song with the crowd that night?

“The Highway” is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written, probably my favorite song, and it just means so much to me. I was going through a time when I wrote it, and I feel like the emotions that are in that song are very obvious when I’m playing it live. And I just felt like that song was the one I wanted to put on stage and be vulnerable and show the Opry who Slater Nalley was. And it also shows off my voice a little bit, which I love songs that I can actually sing real loud to because I like singing loud. So that song, I’m able to unleash my emotions. And even if I’m not feeling the theme of the song, why I wrote it, I might be feeling something else that day that helped me put it into that song. 

What has your first year of living in Nashville been like?

At first it was tough, but this town is amazing. Obviously, it’s cutthroat. Obviously, everybody here is very competitive, but at the end of the day, we want to see each other win, I feel like. At least the people I surround myself with, they do, because if you’re surrounding yourself with people who don’t want you to win, then that’s just stopping you from winning. So I try not to have too many things in my way that do that because this is my dream and what I want to do with my life. And so when I moved here, obviously it was a big step. I hadn’t really met anybody, and I was lucky enough to meet Elizabeth Nichols and the Castellos, and they all really introduced me into town. And now I get to be buddies with Zach Top and his crew and people that I never in a million years would’ve thought I’d be on the same level of hanging out with. And they’re just ordinary people like you and me. And so it’s really fun to be able to have the artist connection. And we’re all going through the same thing, seeing the same things with social media and everything, and we all have to do it at the end of the day. So it’s fun when we can go somewhere and have a good time and not worry about it all. 

When you look back at where your journey started, what does it feel like to realize you’re now living the dream you once had for yourself?

It’s definitely a crazy thing in my mind, especially considering I’ve never really, my family, I’ve been so lucky to have support from them, but as a kid in school and stuff, I was really the only one that believed I could do this. And so to see my own dream come true because of my own work and God, of course, but doing everything I know to do to be successful and chase this thing, because for me, there’s no other option, and I hope there never is. So it was just one of those things where it was very important to me that we get these songs out and show the world who I am and not just an [American] Idol kid, but somebody who has a real love for this. And yeah, I want that to always be present. 

What is next on your bucket list?

I think in this next year, I’d like people to know who I am. I’d like them to know not that I did Idol and finished in a good spot, but I want them to know exactly what I mean when I bring music out, and I want them to know who I am every time I come to the stage and what I bring and what I’ll always bring as long as I’m allowed. And I hope people like it. I guess that’s all I can hope for.

The post Slater Nalley Reflects on New Song, ‘What Do You See?’ and Finding His Place in Country Music [Exclusive] appeared first on Country Now.

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