Jim Casey talks with Aaron Watson about working hard, persevering despite being ignored by industry bigwigs, aspiring to be the King of Texas, writing a special song for his daughter, and his new album, Vaquero, which drops on February 24. Show Participants Aaron Watson Jim Casey, NCD managing editor Show Links & Notes Aaron Watson’s website…… MORE
For 24-year-old singer/songwriter Mo Pitney, there is no metric that determines his success. But by all discernible benchmarks, Mo has had a very successful 12 months. In addition to getting married to his sweetheart, Emily, in March 2016, Mo dropped his Top 10 debut album, Behind This Guitar, in October and welcomed a baby daughter,…… MORE
Country’s coolest new trio, Midland—made up of Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy and Jess Carson—released their brand new video for their current single, “Drinkin Problem.” The video—shot in Lockhart, Texas, and directed by bass player Cameron Duddy, whose past directorial credits include music videos for Bruno Mars (“24k Magic”) and Jennifer Lopez (“Ain’t Your Mama”)—finds the…… MORE
![Blake Shelton Is All Over the Map in New Promo for “The Voice” [Watch]](https://www.americancountrycountdown.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1305/2017/02/Blake-Shelton-1-125x125.jpg)
Season 12 of The Voice premieres on Monday, Feb. 27, with coaches Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys and Adam Levine. To gear up for the premiere, The Voice recently released a promo featuring five-time winning coach Blake, who is fond of demonstrating his worldly knowledge with fun facts regarding where contestants hail from, for…… MORE
![Brett Eldredge Releases New Single, “Somethin’ I’m Good At” [Listen]](https://www.americancountrycountdown.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1305/2017/02/Brett-Eldredge-1-125x125.jpg)
If there is something that Brett Eldredge is good at, it’s making hit songs. The “Wanna Be That Song” singer has proven that by releasing seven consecutive songs that have hit the top of the charts, including “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” his duet with pop artist Meghan Trainor —featured on his 2016 Christmas album, Glow.…… MORE
At the Ryman Auditorium on February 23, Luke Bryan spoke publicly for the first time about the death of his infant niece, Sadie Brett Boyer, who succumbed to a congenital heart defect on February 21. During Universal Music Group’s luncheon at the Ryman—which is part of Country Radio Seminar—Luke addressed the crowd, saying: “I’ll tell…… MORE
Just when you thought Connie Britton, a.k.a. Rayna James, was in for the long haul on CMT’s hit drama, Nashville, the Hollywood actress is saying goodbye to the recently renewed drama, after four and a half seasons. When CMT picked up the hour-long drama for a fifth season—after ABC cancelled the show at the end…… MORE
In a month’s time, the Country Music Association will elect one new member/act to the Country Music Hall of Fame in each of its three categories: Modern Era, Veteran Era and Songwriter/Musician/Non-Performer (this category rotates, and this year a songwriter will be elected). For this article, I’m focusing on the Modern Era candidates, who are…… MORE
Forget about a lengthy engagement. Sam Hunt isn’t going to let fiancée Hannah Lee Fowler slip through his fingers again. Sam and Hannah Lee got engaged over the Christmas holiday, and it sounds like they’ve already scheduled a wedding date in the near future. During the annual Universal Music Group luncheon—which is part of Country…… MORE
February 24 is finally here, which means the release of Little Big Town’s new album, The Breaker, as well as the date they kick off their residency at the Ryman Auditorium—and the quartet didn’t waste a moment’s celebration as they stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to get the late-night party started last…… MORE