Interview with Ellie Marie

 Posted by at 10:09 pm on July 7, 2025
Jul 072025
 

  • Artist Name: Ellie Marie
  • Hometown: Bristol, UK

What project(s) are you currently working on? 

I’m currently working towards releasing my second EP, and writing a third! I have so many songs written that at the moment, I’m trying to go back to old ones to rewrite and improve them anyway I can.

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

My mum always loved music and on the way to school, she’d always play her favourite songs in the car and we’d sing along together, so I think that was a big part of my early love for music. I was really inspired to start writing songs when I listened to The Beatles for the first time, and then when I started listening to Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, and eventually Taylor Swift, I knew that I wanted to perform like them and do what they do! I remember watching videos of Taylor Swift concerts on YouTube and thinking about how cool it was and how I could do the same thing one day.

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

I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to ancient history, so I like to think I’d be doing something to do with that. Maybe teaching, or even archeology.

What is your favorite downtime activity?

Aside from writing songs, I love to read and write short stories too. I also love watching movies! Especially classic ones from the 80s/90s like Top Gun and The Mummy.

Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

It honestly changes all the time, but I think if you asked any one of my friends they would say it’s Miles Teller. I love Miles’ movies so much and think he’s a brilliant actor!

Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

I’m a big Bristol City supporter, even though we haven’t been playing the best recently. I also support the Eagles – so I was really happy when they won the superbowl last year!

What is the last movie that you watched?

It was The Mummy! That movie never gets old for me!

What is the last album you listened to?

It was Morgan Wallen’s new album ‘I’m the Problem’ I’m pretty sure. I listen to it a lot when I’m driving because it has so many songs – 37! How crazy is that!

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

That’s a really tough question but I think right now I’d go with Drake Milligan’s album ‘Dallas/Fortworth’, just because the songs are so catchy and easy to listen to. Either that or ‘Abbey Road’ by The Beatles, which is a pretty valid answer I think.

What is the greatest country song of all time?

It’s so hard to pick one and I’m sure my answer will probably change, but right now I would say ‘Nobody in His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her’ by Keith Whitley. I love the lyrics in that one.

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

100% Nashville! I went there for the first time in June and it was amazing! I can’t wait to go again!

What is your favorite meal?

Anything that has pasta in it!

Who is your dream duet partner?

Definitely Shania Twain, because I grew up listening to her and it was her stuff that made me start listening to country music.

Who would you like to go on tour with?

I’m gonna say Morgan Wallen, just because I keep seeing videos of him walking out on stage and I’d love to do something like that. Looks like a lot of fun!

What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

Definitely to release my own album, that would be so cool! And to go on tour and meet loads of country music fans along the way!

This Date in Country Music History – July 7th

 Posted by at 6:34 am on July 7, 2025
Jul 072025
 
Montgomery Gentry

Montgomery Gentry

This Date in Country Music History

  • 2018 – Dan + Shay’s self-titled album topped the country albums chart
  • 2007 – Montgomery Gentry scored a #1 hit with “Lucky Man” on 7/7/07
  • 1987 – Hank Williams Jr. released his album Born To Boogie
  • 1973 – Kris Kristofferson scored a #1 hit with “Why Me”
  • 1956 – Johnny Cash made his Grand Ole Opry debut

HCM Content

HCM Weekly Country Music News – July 4th, 2025

 Posted by at 12:39 pm on July 4, 2025
Jul 042025
 

 

This Week’s Country Music News and Videos

This Date in Country Music History

  • 2013 – Dierks Bentley opened a bar in Scottsdale, AZ called Whiskey Row
  • 2002 – A “Welcome to New Franklin, hometown of country star Sara Evans” sign is dedicated to the singer in Missori
  • 1992 – Wynonna Judd scored a #1 hit with “I Saw the Light”
  • 1981 – Barbara Mandrell topped the charts with “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool”
  • 1973 – Willie Nelson hosts his first annual 4th of July Picnic
  • 1965 – B.J. Thomas signed his first recording contract with Pacemakers Records
  • 1776 – The Declaration of Independence was signed, signaling the birth of America, home of country music!

Today’s Birthdays

Today’s New Albums

Today’s New Singles

  • Sippin’ on Top of the World – Russell Dickerson

Today’s Photo Flashback

This Week’s Notable Events

Also check out…

Interview with Chandler Dozier

 Posted by at 9:26 pm on June 30, 2025
Jun 302025
 

  • Artist Name: Chandler Dozier
  • Hometown: Troy, North Carolina

What project(s) are you currently working on?

I have just recently put out two singles, “It’s Not Me It’s You” and “Dancing With A Memory.” I am about to put out my third one on July 11th called “Let Me Be.” These will be followed with the full six-song EP titled “Bakersfield East” in August.

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

My parents brought me to Nashville when I was in high school and took me to the Country Music Hall of Fame. I had been playing guitar for a few years but did not take it seriously until I saw all of the history there. I fell in love with traditional country music then and have loved it ever since.

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

Before deciding to pursue music, I had always planned on going to college then joining the Army as an officer. I would like to try out for something like the Green Berets and make a career out of it.

What is your favorite downtime activity?

My favorite downtime activity is either watching documentaries or reading about history. Especially ancient Mediterranean cultures like Greece, Rome and Egypt.

Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

I want to say my girlfriend because I don’t want to make her mad but I would say Ana De Armas. My girlfriend is also Latina so this checks out.

Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

My favorite sports team is Clemson. My grandfather went to school there and I grew up going to a lot of football games.

What is the last movie that you watched?

The last movie I watched was a movie called “Zulu.” It is an old movie about the British conflict with the Zulu tribe in South Africa in the 1800s.

What is the last album you listened to?

The last album I listened to is “A Friend In California” by Merle Haggard. This is one of my favorite later Merle Haggard albums.

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

It would definitely be “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.” by Dwight Yoakam. This was his very first album and I think it sums up his raw take on traditional country music.

What is the greatest country song of all time?

I am split between “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams, which is the usual answer, and “Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard. I think both are perfect examples of how country should be.

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

I have not done much touring yet but hope to soon. I have done lots of gigs in Nashville and Honky Tonk Tuesday at Eastside Bowl has been my favorite.

What is your favorite meal?

Growing up, my brother and I would hunt deer. My mom would fry venison tenderloin and okra. This is one of my favorites.

Who is your dream duet partner?

I would love to do something with Dwight Yoakam. He is my biggest influence and this would be a dream.

Who would you like to go on tour with?

The obvious answer is Dwight Yoakam but I also love Brad Paisley. His tours look like so much fun and would help me connect with a younger audience.

What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

My ultimate goal is to be successful enough to live comfortably and do the things I want to do in life. Two huge goals would be to play the Grand Ole Opry and also at the Ryman Auditorium. These places are the pinnacle for country music.

How can fans connect with you on Social Media?

They can find me on any social media by just looking up Chandler Dozier. I also have a website and music on streaming services.