Congratulations to Brett Young and his wife, Taylor, who are expecting their second child this summer. The couple are already parents to 15-month-old daughter Presley Elizabeth.

Brett told People.com, "We really wanted them to be close enough in age so they could have a lot of things in common and be best friends. Tay had her sister close in age growing up, so we both felt strongly we wanted Presley to have the same . . . We feel very blessed!"

He added that Taylor has struggled with morning sickness this time around, unlike with the first pregnancy. He said, "Everyone is healthy and that's all that matters. Hopefully, being through the first trimester, she will start to get more comfortable."

They celebrated Presley's first birthday in October.

 

 

 

 

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Darius Rucker picked up the tab for everyone eating at an IHOP in Charleston, SC at the same time he was on Sunday (Jan. 24th) morning. A local TV affiliate in Charleston reports that Darius also left a "very generous" tip for servers.

Darius was hardly recognized because he was wearing a mask when he wasn't eating, but the restaurant's general manager, Stephen Vitale said, "We know him because he does come in quite often and we consider him a regular."

The total bill and tip details have not been disclosed.

Gabby Barrett and her husband, Cade Foehner, welcomed their first child, daughter Baylah May, on Jan. 18th. Gabby shared the news via Instagram last night (Monday, Jan. 25th) with a picture of their daughter swaddled and sucking on a pacifier, although her face wasn't in full view of the camera. She captioned it, "Gotten to spend a very sweet week with our newest addition.. meet our girl."

Gabby and Cade met as contestants on American Idol during season 16 and got married in 2019.

 

 

 

 

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Garth Brooks has been catching some flak for shaking hands with and hugging former presidents and first ladies while maskless during last week's inauguration ceremony, but his rep told NBC's Today show that he had tested negative for COVID several times prior to the event, including right before hitting Capitol Hill.

Garth was there to sing an a cappella rendition of "Amazing Grace" after Joe Biden was sworn in as president.

Garth also apparently borrowed fellow performer Lady Gaga's glam squad to help him get camera-ready for the gig. He reached out to her on social media and thanked her for sharing her crew tweeting, “You were fabulous today and every day. A national treasure. Please tell Frederick and Miss Sarah thank you for me! They saved a cowboy today.” He's referring to Gaga's hairstylist Frederic Asprias and her makeup artist Sarah Tanno.

. @ladygaga
You were fabulous today and everyday
A national treasure
Please tell Frederick and Miss Sarah thank you for me!
They saved a cowboy today
Oh, and tell Miss Sarah to hug her momma for me! love, g

— Garth Brooks (@garthbrooks) January 21, 2021

Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard have signed on to participate in tonight's (Wednesday, Jan. 20th) primetime TV special, Celebrating America, airing across all major networks after the day's inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. They will perform their new single, "Undivided," during the event, which also features appearances by Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, and Bruce Springsteen, among others.

Tyler and Tim tell us that the invitation to perform came very recently.

“Yeah, we got a call just a few days ago and got invited to play the song at the inauguration, and I think Tim and I both were extremely excited and humbled.  What a crazy cool opportunity – as simple as just to get to play music again, which is exciting in itself, but then to get to spread and share this message of hope and love and unity to the world.  What better platform to get to do that on, so we’re both extremely excited. (Tim) Very excited, and also, the background of what we’re gonna be shooting is gonna be Nashville.  So, to showcase our city and all that it’s gone through in the last year is a big deal for us.”

People.com reports that Black Pumas will also perform while Luis Fonsi and Ozuna will appear as part of a special edition of DJ Cassidy's Pass the Mic.

Celebrating America will air on ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and NBC as well as online via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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Garth Brooks is on board to help America ring in the new presidency.

The Country Music Hall of Famer announced in a press conference on Monday that he would be performing at President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration this coming Wednesday, January 20th.
"This is not a political statement — this is a statement of unity," Brooks said. "This is kind of how I get to serve this country."

"I've played for every president there is, since Carter, with the exception of Reagan." He added, "And it's one of the things that, if my family is around, no matter who the president-elect is, it's an honor to be asked."

Lady Gaga will sing the National Anthem at the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol and Jennifer Lopez is also performing.

Celebrating America, the tv special will be in the evening hosted by Tom Hanks and featuring performances by Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Ant Clemons, and more. 

The #InaugurationDay ceremony lineup is here! ????

Invocation - Fr. Leo O’Donovan
Pledge of Allegiance - Andrea Hall
National Anthem - @ladygaga
Poetry Reading - Amanda Gorman
Musical Performance - @JLo
Benediction - Rev. Dr. Silvester Beaman pic.twitter.com/IkTAwH3wgu

— Biden Inaugural Committee (@BidenInaugural) January 14, 2021

Blake Shelton has released "Minimum Wage" as his new single. He first performed the show on NBC's New Year's Eve special where the song was met with some controversy. With lyrics like, “Girl, lookin’ at you lookin’ at me that way / Can make a man feel rich on minimum wage,” some called the song “tone deaf” as it comes during a time of high unemployment and financial struggle for so many during the current pandemic.

But Blake doesn't agree with that assessment. He told CMT.com, "These days, there are people out there who don’t want to know the truth. They just want to hear what they want to hear, and they want to pick a fight. No matter what your intention is, no matter what the truth is, they want it to be something that they can be upset about so that they can get on social media and try to grab a headline. With ‘Minimum Wage,’ at first I thought, ‘Wow, I guess I just I’ve missed something here.’ And the more I read into this, I realized this was really not real. Whatever this backlash is is just four or five people that probably don’t know anything about country music.”

Blake added that if people continue to be so adversarial when it comes to country music then he'll leave it behind. He said, “I have to say, if we have to start thinking like this, then I guess that’ll be where I have to bow out. Because that’s one of the longest-standing traditions in country music is lyrics about love. And if you’ve got love, then that’s all that matters. There won’t be much left to play or write about on country radio if this is something that we have to think twice about. So I’m going to put out the records that resonate with me and my life and not look back. As country artists and as an industry, we have to stay focused here and know that what’s right is right. And I believe this song is a great message and I’m proud of it.”

“Minimum Wage” follows back-to-back love songs with his fiance and fellow The Voice coach, Gwen Stefani. “Nobody But You” and most recently “Happy Anywhere” both reached No. 1 on the country airplay charts, giving them consecutive No. 1 singles together and bringing Blake his 28th career chart-topper.

Season 2 is off and running of "Straight Up Steve Austin" on USA Network. Luke Combs was a guest last week and what a wild ride it was!

It started off with Combs picking up Steve Austin on his tour bus in Nashville where the conversation began. 

One of the things discussed was Luke Combs drinking ritual before he hits the stage. We all know Luke Combs usually has that red solo cup with him.  

"No, I'm a before, during and after guy for sure," said Combs when Austin asked him if he drinks before before the show.

Luke also talked about how the "stage" drink is different and how he can't do beer because it makes him burp apparently. 

For the stage Combs pours a heavy Jack then diet no ice. He then shared, " a little known secret of the trade. Ice cools your vocal chords down and that gives you a higher chance of damaging your voice."

The full episode is worth a look if you missed it.  Catch it on Youtube.

Kip Moore will celebrate his new album at the Ryman Auditorium next month, while others can watch at home. The Feb. 12 show will also benefit ACM Lifting Lives.

Tickets for Wild World Deluxe: Live at the Ryman go on sale on Jan. 19 through the Ryman's website. A limited number of in-person tickets will be available, but most fans will watch via live stream.

The deluxe version of Moore's critically acclaimed Wild World album from 2020 will feature four new songs, including "How High," which Moore released on Friday (Jan. 15) also "Don't Go Changing," "Midnight Slow Dance" and "Man's Gotta Do."

Cheers to Luke Dick, Bobby Terry, & Westin Davis for writing "How High" with me. Cheers to @LifeinRewind1 for creating this video and character. It’s been a joy to watch you do your unique thing through the years. Hope you guys enjoy the tune! Full video: https://t.co/CCdLDJWa7p pic.twitter.com/3L1KG794Cm

— Kip Moore (@KipMooreMusic) January 15, 2021

Thomas Rhett and his cousin, pecan magnate Jeff Worn , are behind a new ultra-premium tequila brand called, Dos Primos. Spanish for "Two Cousins"

Dos Primos is a blanco tequila made from hand-harvested 100% blue agave sourced from estates in Los Altos and the valley area of Jalisco, Mexico . The finished product is crystal-clear with earthy herbal notes on the front palate, followed by smooth floral and citrus hints.

"Our decision to create a new tequila brand grew out of just loving being with family," said Thomas Rhett . "Jeff and I wanted to create a tequila that was expertly crafted and could be enjoyed year-round – regardless of the season or activity – with the people we care about most. Dos Primos is all about who we are and what's important to us." 

Get your limes and lemons ready! Dos Primos is rolling out now for the new year.  Visit DosPrimosTequila.com for details!

Jake Owen will be starring in the upcoming movie, Our Friend, and he shared a first look at his acting skills on his social media on Friday (Jan. 8th). He wrote in part, "I’ve never been in a 'movie' before so I won’t lie . . . sitting down in front of Dakota Johnson, Jason Segel, and Casey Affleck and acting like I knew what I was doing, was a bit of a challenge. I’ve always loved a good challenge . . ."

Our Friend is based on the true story of journalist Matthew Teague and his wife Nicole, whose good family friend, Dane, moves in to help Matthew take care of the couple's family after Nicole is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Jake plays Aaron, a friend of the Teagues' and Dane's from college.

The move was shot in 2019 in Fairhope, AL where the Teagues lived during Nicole's cancer battle. It's due in theaters and on streaming services on Jan. 22nd.

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There's a good vibe on this new FGL song!

In a new interview Florida Georgia Line ahead of their new album Life Rolls On dropping next month, they talked about this new song.

Tyler Hubbard says “With ‘New Truck’ we were like, ‘Man, this feels good. I just want to ride around in my truck, listen to this, and have a song to jam to.’” Tyler adds, “When any of our buddies get a new truck now, we can send it to them and say, ‘Yo, bump this in the truck!’”

FGL’s Brian Kelley agrees, “It feels really different and fresh. It’s got a fun innocence about it too.”
Florida Georgia Line’s Life Rolls On is out February and includes “New Truck”, along with their current Top 20 single “Long Live” and their latest number-one (the 17th of their career) “I Love My Country.”

American Idol is set to return to ABC on Valentine’s Day and the network is giving fans a sneak peek!

In a just released trailer, Luke Bryan is moved during an audition over a contestant’s voice. This marks a first for the country superstar, who admits, “nothing is more exciting than just a raw talent.”

Bryan is holding back tears as an unnamed contestant belts out  Aretha Franklin’s 1967 classic, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” 

“This is the first time that just someone singing made me cry,” the “Down To One” singer confesses. 

It’s the Idols for me ?????! New @AmericanIdol coming at y'all on February 14th! pic.twitter.com/IYkmVGQ5mB

— Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) January 5, 2021

Blake Shelton got some backlash over his new song "Minimum Wage", that he debuted on New Year’s Eve during NBC’s year-end special.

Some called the song “tone deaf,” while others noted the financial difficulties facing many Americans during the pandemic.

The country singer and “The Voice” coach said his new song is inspired by his love for fiancée Gwen Stefani.

Blake tweeted on what seems to be a response to the haters.
"When your fans, @RonnieDunn and @sammyhagar have your back it’s gonna be a good year. Bring it on 2021."

Can we just stop being offended by every little thing in 2021?!

The news just hit that Florida Georgia Line is taking a break to pursue solo projects. The boys claim they're not breaking up, just giving each other space to creatively do new things.

It didn't take long to find out that one of those projects for Hubbard is teaming up with Tim McGraw.

Tim McGraw shared a behind the scenes black and white photo of the two on Instagram. 

He wrote, "Can’t wait to show you what @tylerhubbard and I have been workin on #undivided"
Not the first time these two have been in the studio together. McGraw worked with Hubbard and his partner Brian Kelly on “May We All.”

Tyler Rich is opening up about the horrific experience of coming across a dead man's body while out on a run in a wooded area.

On Friday Tyler took to twitter to share the shocking story.  Rich said he was 2.5 miles into his run at Chicopee State Park in Massachusetts when he "ran across a dam" and was "looking for a way to cut up the hill back to the path."

"I then saw what I thought was a young homeless man sleeping. He was on his stomach and had a bag tied around his foot and was faced down. ... After running around him, I felt bad for him, he was sleeping facedown and just looked like he was in a bad place," Rich wrote.

He then realized the man wasn't breathing. Tyler says cops came and they found a gun in the guy's hand, under his body, concluding "it potentially could have been a suicide."

Tyler went on to call the next 24 hours afterward "rough."

"Not the way I planned on closing out 2020. This will be an image & moment I’ll never forget. I need to shoutout first responders & our military that look death in the eye every day, and are able to continue to live their everyday lives," he tweeted.

The country star went on to reveal that he's since spoken to the mother of the victim and was torn over the similarities he had with him.

"I don't think anyone in the area could have found him that understood him quite like me. II really feel this was meant to be. I wish I got to meet him, have a beer with him, and talk about what was hurting him so much. I'm broken over this and I didn't even know him," 
Rich wrote."Hug your loved ones as tight as you can today."

Blake Shelton is catching some heat after debuting his new song “Minimum Wage” on NBC's New Year's Eve televised event.

Folks on Twitter called the new tune “tone deaf,” especially amid the pandemic which has left millions unemployed and without work. Not to mention, Blake is a multimillionaire.

Shelton's song is apparently about his love for his fiancée, Gwen Stefani, and includes a line in the chorus that goes: 

 “Girl, your love can make a man feel rich on minimum wage.”

"Does anyone else find Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage” song to be incredibly tone deaf to our country’s current state?"

"Not sure if Blake realizes that minimum wage is $7.25 people can’t pay rent on that let alone take care of a family. Let him try and see if it still makes him feel like a millionaire."

"A mega millionaire romanticizing minimum wage is peak 2020."