Cat Country 98.7

CMT have announced their list nine new female acts named to its Next Women of Country 2019 class; Ingrid Andress, Lauren Duski, Emily Hackett, Stephanie Quayle, Tenille Townes, Leah Turner, Anna Vaus, Rachel Wammack and Lainey Wilson have all been selected for the program that’s supportive of up-and-coming female artists in the genre.

Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild announced the newest group of artists on November 13th, during an annual showcase at City Winery in Nashville. The 2019 class is a diverse mix of artists, some whom are signed to record deals, while others are working independently. Duski competed on Season 12 of The Voice and is now an independent artist, while Townes spent the summer of 2018 opening for Miranda Lambert and LBT on their collaborative Bandwagon Tour. Her new single “Somebody’s Daughter” has been making waves on the charts, and the same can be said for Wammack’s debut single, “Damage.”

“Everyone says, ‘Let the best songs win,’ and we truly believe that, male or female, let the best songs win, but we do need that equal playing field,” Next Women of Country founder Leslie Fram said during the event. “We need that to enact fairness on the charts, playlists and not to have to hear there’s only one slot for a female.”

CMT’s Next Women of Country began back in 2013. In the years since, powerhouse acts including Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, Cam, Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde and more have been part of it. The yearly program culminates with the CMT Next Women of Country Tour, and Cassadee Pope will serve as the headliner for 2019, with Clare Dunn and Hannah Ellis joining her on the tour.

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Her parents were such 70s music fans they actually named her after James Taylor their favorite artist.

Taylor needed 3 tries to get her driver’s license, and considers herself a very good driver.

Although Taylor is a prolific songwriter, she’s an accomplished musician as well, playing four instruments; the ukulele, the guitar, piano and banjo.

One of her 1st jobs as a teenager was working as an intern at the CMA Music Festival one year, as a 14 old. We don’t think she’s hurting for money these days, as her estimated net worth is north of $320 million.

Finally, she’s earned 8 ACM’s, 19 AMA’s, over 20 Billboard Awards, 4 Billboard Touring Awards, over 30 BNI Awards, 12 Country Music Association Awards, and 6 CMT’s, her 10 Grammy Awards may be the most impressive. In fact, she’s a record holder for becoming the youngest artist ever to win a Grammy Award for ‘Album of The Year.’

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Carrie Underwood received her star a few weeks ago, while Roy Acuff was honored in 1960. Alabama, Eddy Arnold, Gene Autry, Clint Black and Garth all have their stars. Brooks and Dunn received their Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in 2008, Glen Campbell in 1960, Johnny Cash in 1976, Patsy Cline in 1999, and John Denver in 2014 are all in the select group.

There are a few surprises; Dolly has two Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars, Gene Autry has 5 stars, one in each nominating category. Stars must agree to pay $40,000 to get a star, and the star must agree to receive the star (only 2 have declined the offer, names not released) and 4 stars have been stolen (Gregory Peck, Jimmy Stewart, Kirk Douglas, and one of Gene Autry’s stars)

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Carrie Underwood will be honored in a very special way Thursday September 20th, receiving her very own Hollywood Walk of Fame star on Hollywood Boulevard. Carrie’s membership into Hollywood royalty will be the 2,646th star, rubbing elbows so toe speak with Humphrey Bogart, Rock Hudson, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Dolly and more.

Carrie rose to fame and fortune by winning the 4th season on ‘American Idol’ and hitting the charts with “Cry Pretty” ‘The Champion” “Blown Away” and “Before He Cheats.” Throughout her career Carrie has earned seven Grammys, 14 ACMs and six CMAs. Carrie’s latest LP ‘Cry Pretty’ her 6th dropped a few days ago. Her star will be in a great spot, at 1750 North Vine Street, right in front of the recognizable Capitol Records Building. Brad Paisley will be the guest speaker for the ceremony, and Idol judge Simon Cowell will also be in attendance.

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Dierks Bentley is a complicated man, a performer who is steeped in country music with the love of Bluegrass. His 2010 LP ‘Up on the Ridge’ was a Bluegrass moment in his career, and we’re told he’s going to add to that part of his life by headlining in a concert that is designed to honor Ralph and Carter Stanley, considered by many to be Bluegrass royalty.

The special concert will take place on Wednesday, October 24th at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s ‘CMA Theater’ in Nashville, with special guests Sierra Hull with Justin Moses, the Gibson Brothers, and Dan Auerbach. Did you know that Ralph Stanley is the man who sang the original ‘Constant Sorrow’ tune, made famous in the George Clooney ‘Oh Brother, Where Art Thou’ movie? Ralph died in 2016 at the age of 89, while Carter died at the age of 41 in 1966. Carter was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor, while younger brother Ralph was inducted into both the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor and the Grand Ole Opry.

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The 2018 American Music Awards Nominees were announced, and evidently, it’s a YouTube world. Music stars Bebe Rexha, Kane Brown, Ella Mai, Normani and revealed the 2018 American Music Awards nominations Wednesday morning, live from YouTube Space L.A.

The nominations are now being evaluated by a litany of new criteria; radio airplay, streaming, social activity and touring, fan interactions, including album and digital song sales. This is the 1st time the YouTube Music platform will be a presenting partner for the American Music Awards, scheduled to be broadcasted live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, October 9th, at 8pm. Here are the relevant nominees…

Favorite Male Artist – Country 
Luke Bryan
Thomas Rhett
Kane Brown

Favorite Female Artist – Country 
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
Kelsea Ballerini

Favorite Duo or Group – Country 
Lanco
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line

Favorite Album – Country 
Luke Combs, This One’s for You
Kane Brown, Kane Brown
Thomas Rhett, Life Changes

Favorite Song – Country 
Kane Brown, “Heaven”
Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line, “Meant to Be”
Dan + Shay, “Tequila”

(and just so you can be plugged in to what your kids are listening to)

Tour of the Year 
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
U2
Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Bruno Mars

Favorite Soundtrack 
The Greatest Showman
Black Panther
The Fate of the Furious

Favorite Social Artist
Demi Lovato
Shawn Mendes
BTS
Cardi B
Ariana Grande