2021 ACM Award Nominees Announced

 Posted by at 7:01 pm on February 26, 2021
Feb 262021
 

Entertainer of the Year

  • Luke Bryan
  • Eric Church
  • Luke Combs
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Chris Stapleton

Female Artist of the Year

  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Ashley McBryde
  • Maren Morris
  • Carly Pearce

Male Artist of the Year

  • Dierks Bentley
  • Luke Combs
  • Eric Church
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Chris Stapleton

Duo of the Year

  • Brooks & Dunn
  • Brothers Osborne
  • Dan + Shay
  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Maddie & Tae

Group of the Year

  • Lady A
  • Little Big Town
  • Old Dominion
  • The Cadillac Three
  • The Highwomen

New Female Artist of the Year

  • Ingrid Andress
  • Tenille Arts
  • Gabby Barrett
  • Mickey Guyton
  • Caylee Hammack

New Male Artist of the Year

  • Jimmie Allen
  • Travis Denning
  • Hardy
  • Cody Johnson
  • Parker McCollum

Album of the Year

  • Born Here Live Here Die Here – Luke Bryan
  • Mixtape Vol. 1 – Kane Brown
  • Never Will – Ashley McBryde
  • Skeletons – Brothers Osborne
  • Starting Over – Chris Stapleton

Single of the Year

  • “Bluebird” by Miranda Lambert
  • “I Hope” by Gabby Barrett
  • “I Hope You’re Happy Now” by Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
  • “More Hearts Than Mine” by Ingrid Andress
  • “The Bones” by Maren Morris

Song of the Year

  • “Bluebird” – Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby
  • “One Night Standards” – Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally
  • “Some People Do” – Jesse Frasure, Matt Ramsey, Thomas Rhett, Shane McAnally
  • “Starting Over” – Chris Stapleton, Mike Henderson
  • “The Bones” – Jimmy Robbins, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz

Video of the Year

  • “Better Than We Found It” – Maren Morris
  • “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
  • “Gone” – Dierks Bentley
  • “Hallelujah” – Carrie Underwood and John Legend
  • “Worldwide Beautiful” – Kane Brown

Songwriter of the Year

  • Ashley Gorley
  • Michael Hardy
  • Hillary Lindsey
  • Shane McAnally
  • Josh Osborne

Music Event of the Year

  • “Be A Light” by Thomas Rhett f/Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
  • “Does To Me” by Luke Combs f/Eric Church
  • “I Hope You’re Happy Now” by Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
  • “Nobody But You” by Blake Shelton f/Gwen Stefani
  • “One Beer” by Hardy f/Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson
  • “One Too Many” by Keith Urban f/P!nk

Bass Player of the Year

  • Jarrod Travis Cure
  • Mark Hill
  • Tony Lucido
  • Steve Mackey
  • Glenn Worf

Drummer of the Year

  • Fred Eltringham
  • Evan Hutchings
  • Derek Mixon
  • Jerry Roe
  • Aaron Sterling

Guitar Player of the Year

  • J.T. Corenflos
  • Kris Donegan
  • Jedd Hughes
  • Ilya Toshinskiy
  • Derek Wells

Piano/Keys Player of the Year

  • Dave Cohen
  • David Dorn
  • Charlie Judge
  • Mike Rojas
  • Benmont Tench

Specialty Instrument Player of the Year

  • Alicia Enstrom
  • Jim Hoke
  • Danny Rader
  • Mickey Raphael
  • Ilya Toshinskiy
  • Kristin Wilkinson

Steel Guitar Player of the Year

  • Spencer Cullum
  • Dan Dugmore
  • Mike Johnson
  • Russ Pahl
  • Justin Schipper

Audio Engineer of the Year

  • Jeff Balding
  • Jason Hall
  • Gena Johnson
  • Vance Powell
  • F. Reid Shippen

Producer of the Year

  • Buddy Cannon
  • Dave Cobb
  • Dann Huff
  • Jay Joyce
  • Joey Moi

Today’s New Music – February 26th, 2021

 Posted by at 6:53 pm on February 26, 2021
Feb 262021
 

New Music

Today’s New Albums

  • Chris Roberts – Red Feather
  • Dale Watson – The Memphians
  • Hailey Whitters – Living the Dream (Deluxe)
  • Ian Munsick – Coyote Cry
  • Pat Barrett – Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
  • Ray Stevens – Great Country Ballads
  • Track45 – Big Dreams
  • Willie Nelson – That’s Life

Today’s New Singles

  • Back When – Melissa Carper w/ Sierra Ferrell
  • Bad Things – Willie Lock
  • Big Storm – Adam Warner
  • Bitter – Bailey James
  • Bluebonnet Love – Keller Cox
  • Comes Out Small Town – Garrett Biggs
  • Country at All – Scooter Brown Band
  • Cross Country – Breland
  • How Far – Laine Lonero
  • If You Had a Heart – Jillian Cardarelli
  • If You Were Here – Timmy Brown
  • Into the Bar – Garrett Jacobs
  • Is Yet – Gracie Carol
  • Never Break Heart – Eric Church
  • Places to Run – Dusty Black
  • Selfish Love – Ricky Duran
  • Somebody New – Chris Moreno
  • Something Like That – Alannah McCready
  • Story of Our Lives – Charles Parker
  • The Past is the Past – Brandy Clark w/ Lindsey Buckingham
  • Thin Blue Line – Matt Westin
  • This Time Around – Charlotte Leigh
  • Top Shelf Liquor – Taylor Dee
  • You Got Away With It – Brett Young
  • You Remind Me – Jonah Prill
  • Young and Reckless – Remy Garrison

 

Interview with Seth Samuelson Cocquit of Harvest Sons

 Posted by at 6:32 pm on February 26, 2021
Feb 262021
 

Photo by Jeff Noble

  • Artist Name: Seth Samuelson Cocquit (of Harvest Sons)
  • Hometown: Peoria, Illinois

What project(s) are you currently working on?

Harvest Sons is the main project I’ve been working on with some Central Illinois friends since 2016.

I’m debuting my solo project with “Old Timer,” which is a song I recorded in Tennessee with my brother-in-law, Clint May, who is a producer/guitarist with Cole Swindell. He was able to bring in Hubert Payne on drums (Little Big Town), Adam Cunningham on bass (Cole Swindell), and Josh Shultz on keys (Cole Swindell). It brought a song to life that I wrote at my kitchen table three years prior.

 What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

Music is the one thing I can’t kick. It brings me a lot of joy, helps me work out feelings, and helps me say what’s on my mind. I guess I could write a book, but music is just more interesting.

My mom signed me up for violin when I was 10, and that thing got me all the way through college. As a teenager, music was my outlet. I never would have picked up the guitar and started writing songs if it wasn’t for a high school break-up, or the garage band we gave the college try. Then I joined a Midwest dive-bar bluegrass band where we’d post up every Friday and Saturday night in some corner, havin’ a great time. Then came Harvest Sons so I could get some more of what I was writing at the time down on record. And here I am now just trying to tell a little bit of my family’s story. I think music has always chosen me. It feels so natural and close to the soul that I couldn’t imagine pursuing anything else.

If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?

Gosh… probably pursuing some other pipe-dream. Maybe plumbing? Luckily, I teach music. Either way, it is something I’m involved with on a daily basis.

What is your favorite downtime activity?

I love turning up some music and cooking. Lately, it’s been figuring out how to make bread to the sounds of The Dirty Knobs, Randy Crowell, Jack Harlow, CSNY, and Steely Dan!

Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

Kristen Wiig

Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

Chicago Cubs

What is the last movie that you watched?

“The Wrong Missy.” Freaking hilarious.

What is the last album you listened to?

Sturgill Simpson’s Cuttin’ Grass 2!

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Deja Vu – CSNY

What is the greatest country song of all time?

“On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson (just because my 3-year-old requests it every morning on the way to work).

What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?

Louisville, KY is a fun town. I also enjoy Minneapolis/St. Paul!

What is your favorite meal?

Breakfast, always.

Who is your dream duet partner?

Gillian Welch

Who would you like to go on tour with?

Avett Brothers would be a dream come true

What is your ultimate career goal(s)? 

I love the friendships formed through music. Meeting new people and forming those bonds are what it’s all about for me. My songs are just how I tell my story, my perspectives, lessons I’ve learned, where I’m coming from, what’s on my mind, and how happy I am to be here living on this planet right now. Whether that is a house concert, festival, or dive bar show in the dead of winter, all of it is part of the career goal. The main goal right now, of course, is keeping music alive with COVID. I can’t wait to perform for someone other than my Australian shepherd, Bonnie.

Interview with Gary Pratt

 Posted by at 3:28 pm on February 25, 2021
Feb 252021
 

  • Artist Name:  Gary Pratt
  • Hometown:  Slickville, PA

What project(s) are you currently working on?

Concentrating on Marketing the release of my new single, “A SONG YOU CAN DRINK A BEER TO” and album “SOMETHING WORTH REMEMBERING.”  …(Trying to work on an hour radio program featuring New Country Music from Nashville and local artists from the Pittsburgh Area -but it’s all tentative)

What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

I have loved music since I was a toddler.  Dancing before I could talk and singing ever since I could talk.  It was my to go place.  It is in my blood.  I guess you could say I’m “Country To The Bone.”  When I was a kid, I use to produce shows with all my cousins and friends. Parents would make dinners and we would have Dinner Shows.  Throughout my life it has been my therapy of sorts.  A place to be creative.  I have always known music was a part of me.   When I was a child, my cousin, Floyd had a band and I said “When I grow up”  I was going to be in a band too.

If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living? 

Went to College for Marketing and Business.   I now have two jobs.  One, of course, is music.  I also own my own business.  It is a fresh floral, chocolate and home accent shop.  I have always wanted to own my own business and I never thought it would be this, however, it suits me.  I sort of fell into it.   It’s another way to be creative. My music studio is located in the same building.

What is your favorite downtime activity?  

Even though I am very busy, I have a few.  Family and Friends are very important to me.  Spending quality time with them.  Going to Florida to the beach.  Walking when the weather is nice.  Before the Pandemic, I loved going to the Gym – a place to not only workout but it was my quite time to meditate and think.  Above all having is God in my life.  Praying daily.

Who is your biggest celebrity crush? 

Boy that’s a big question.  I have a few.  I think Dolly Parton.  What an icon.  She is always re-inventing herself.  She has a way of making people feel comfortable.  I also love Pam Tillis – met her and opened for her- had pizza with her and Lorrie Morgan what amazing individuals.  However, now-a-days, I am loving Ashley McBride, Chris Young  and Luke Combs

Who is your favorite sports team(s)? 

Pittsburgh Steelers

What is the last movie that you watched? 

I would say Hallmark Christmas Movie- Not really into movies much.

What is the last album you listened to? 

Lauren Alaina

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Luke Combs- This One’s For You Too (Deluxe Edition) I like how the flow of the album goes – His voice is awesome and style is Country..and I love how he can do different songs from up-tempo drinking country to a tender ballad

What is the greatest country song of all time? 

The Dance

What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road? 

Pompano Beach, FL

What is your favorite meal? 

Broiled or Grilled Seafood Meals

Who is your dream duet partner?

Carly Pearce

Who would you like to go on tour with? 

Blake Shelton- I need to pitch him a song for Gwen and Him

What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

Continue growing as an artist and have a hit country song  as an artist or a writer

Interview with Pamela Hopkins

 Posted by at 5:07 pm on February 24, 2021
Feb 242021
 

  • Artist Name:  Pamela Hopkins
  • Hometown:  Little Rock, AR

What project(s) are you currently working on?

I just released “Little Things,” a co-written duet, with Matt Dame and Trafton Harvey, recorded by myself and Matt Dame.  My next release will be “Givin’ a Damn (Don’t Go With My Outfit)” and we plan to release it near the end of April. After that I have 4-5 more songs to release in the next year.  Once I have all 10 of my singles released, we will press a CD and release the songs as a full album. I write weekly with some different Nashville writers…so I’m working on more songs to record next year and will continue to write and create.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

I just had a burning in my soul to get back into music.  I couldn’t shake the feeling that this is what I needed to be doing.  So I started playing my instruments again and singing again.  I have always loved to sing and perform, even as a little girl.  I gave it all up for a while to pursue other careers and raise a family.  About 8.5 years ago, I made the decision to begin the musical journey again and this time, I’m not stopping.

If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?

I have already been in a few careers.  I was a police officer for 13 years and decided to go back to graduate school and become a teacher.  I taught middle school English for 3 years and 4th grade for 2 years (all subjects).  I am currently a sales rep for Balfour during the day—helping my husband with our territory.  We sell class rings, cap & gowns, announcements, and senior attire, etc… and I’ve been working for Balfour (first as a yearbook rep, now a graduate sales rep) since 2014. I am also a dueling piano player for Willy D’s in Little Rock, AR …so I perform there weekly. My band plays festivals and other venues as the gigs become available…Covid has stopped a lot of that kind of public playing.

What is your favorite downtime activity?

I don’t normally get a lot of downtime.  There is always something that needs to be done.  But, if I can take a day and do nothing, it’s usually when we have scheduled a vacation and my favorite thing to do on a vacation is park my rear-end in the sand on a Caribbean beach somewhere.  I love to travel.

Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

Channing Tatum

Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

Collegiate would be the Arkansas Razorbacks

Professional would be the Seattle Mariners.  I love going to live baseball games

What is the last movie that you watched?

I Care A Lot on Netflix (pretty good movie)

What is the last album you listened to?

Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits (on Vinyl)

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“Purple Rain” Prince and the Revolution

What is the greatest country song of all time?

Garth Brooks “The Dance”

What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?

Rota, Spain

What is your favorite meal?

Sushi

Who is your dream duet partner?

I just picked Matt Dame to write and record “Little Things” with and he is a pretty great duet partner.  But if we are talking about well-known, famous singers, I’d have to say Vince Gill or Chris Stapleton

Who would you like to go on tour with?

Ashley McBryde, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert or Carrie Underwood

What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

My ultimate goal is to travel the world singing my songs for people who feel moved by my music. I want to keep writing and putting out new songs as long as I can.

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