The Country Music Association has announced the launch of the inaugural CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship, a year-long program designed to provide emerging artists with unique professional and educational opportunities in the country music industry. The CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship is named after country music legend Kix Brooks, the former chairman of the CMA Board and…
When Cole Swindell’s “Flatliner” reached No. 1 in August 2017, it marked his seventh consecutive single to reach No. 1 on a Billboard or Mediabase chart after “Middle of a Memory,” “Chillin’ It,” “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight,” “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey,” “Let Me See Ya Girl” and “You Should Be Here.” That mix of No.…
Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay are shooting their way up the charts with their new single, “Tequila,” which is currently No. 14 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after 16 weeks. The reflective ballad, which was co-penned by Dan, Jordan Reynolds and Nicolle Galyon, is the duo’s first offering from their unannounced…
From pickups to makeup, country stars pitch a plethora of products as television commercial spokespersons. But how many have danced with the Devil to pitch the perilous powers of fast food? Well, we’re glad you asked, because we found more than a few who have sold their deep-fried souls for a song and dance, including…
When Blake Shelton was bestowed People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” title, he knew a bad mood was looming. As far as Blake is concerned, photo shoots are the worst part of his “job.” But as the Oklahoma crooner told Kix Brooks on American Country Countdown, he can be talked into it, unlike the King of Country,…
How’s this for irony: Barbara Brooks, the wife of Kix Brooks, received a Facebook message from a scammer posing as her husband. Here’s what the message said (broken English, bad punctuation and all): “Hello, Thanks for the love and support you have shown me over the years. Thank you and God bless . . .…
With his eighth annual Darius & Friends Benefit Concert on Monday night (June 5) at the Ryman Auditorium, Darius Rucker surpassed $1 million raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The sold-out concert and auction, in conjunction with the golf tournament today (June 6), raised more than $400,000, breaking all previous records and bringing the…
Memorial Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to all of the veterans who died serving our great nation. As we relax with family and friends today (May 29), let’s be sure to remember those who lost their lives protecting our freedom and thank those who serve or have served in our Armed Forces. Many…
Kix Brooks is celebrating his 62nd birthday today (May 12). To help celebrate the birth of one-half of the greatest country music duo of all time, Brooks & Dunn, we’ve created a Kix-centric playlist for everyone to enjoy. 1. “Brand New Man” – Brooks & Dunn, 1991 Written by Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn and Don…
“The winner of the 2017 Nash Next Challenge is . . . Todd O’Neill.” Those were the words Todd heard in October 2016 after he beat out hundreds of competitors in a four-month-long competition to become the last man standing in the Nash Next Challenge, which was created by Cumulus Media and sponsored by Country…
