Every week, we round up all the latest news from the world of country music, including the latest releases, in one place. This week there have been new releases from Kacey Musgraves, news from Chris Lane and more.
1. Charley Pride has passed away at 86 following complications with COVID-19
Pride’s family released a statement. ‘It is with great sadness that we confirm that Charley Pride passed away this morning, Saturday, December 12, 2020, in Dallas, Texas of complications from Covid-19 at age 86. He was admitted to the hospital in late November with Covid-19 type symptoms and despite the incredible efforts, skill and care of his medical team over the past several weeks, he was unable to overcome the virus.’
2. Chris Lane and wife Lauren have announced that they are expecting their first child
Chris Lane and wife Lauren have announced that they are expecting their first child, due in Summer 2021.
3. Taylor Swift drops surprise 9th studio album Evermore
After teasing her fans again that ‘not a lot going on at the moment,’ Swift released her 9th studio album – evermore – on Friday, the sister record to folklore. Crammed with some shrewd collaborations with Bon Iver and Haim, this record sees Swift getting into her stride with her new, melodramatically folk record made for 2020.
4. Lee Brice’s Track ‘One Of Them Girls’ is certified Platinum
Lee Brice‘s track “One Of Them Girls” has now been certified platinum, marking Brice’s twelfth RIAA certification of 2020. The single was released in April and rose to the top of the US country airplay charts in late September, spending three weeks at #1 on the Billboard chart, and two weeks at #1 on the Mediabase chart. This certification comes fresh off the heels of Brice’s CMA Award win for Musical Event of the Year for his single with Carly Pearce, “I Hope You’re Happy Now.”
5. Cassadee Pope duets with Sam Palladio on ‘California Dreamin’
Premiered on CMT, Cassadee Pope has released the latest in a series of performance videos from her 2020 acoustic album Rise And Shine; a stripped-back version of ‘California Dreaming‘ with Sam Palladio.
Release Radar
Josh Kerr and Jake Scott, ‘If You Wanted It Too‘ – A quieter, quirkier duet from Josh Kerr with Jake Scott veering into indie pop territory – this is a grower.
Halle Kearns, Finally – EP – A new artist that needs to be on your radar for 2021, stunning vocal and girl power sass throughout, we’re obsessed.
Taylor Swift – evermore – If you haven’t heard this one yet, you’ve been living under a rock. Swift released her 9th studio album on Friday and it’s rammed with country sensibilities couched in folk production – just listen to ‘No Body, No Crime.’
