Grammy-nominated recording artist Will Hoge joined GRAMMY U and industry veteran Ken Tucker for a special event, “GRAMMY U: Off the Record with Will Hoge” on Tuesday night (4/15) at Belmont University in Nashville. The singer-songwriter gave an acoustic performance of his hit songs “Strong,” “Still Got You on My Mind” and the No. 1 Platinum-selling smash “Even If It Breaks Your Heart, ” recorded by the Eli Young Band. Hoge participated in a special Q&A moderated by Tucker, and he spoke to students about the creative process behind each song and how to develop a following as an artist.
 
“It is easier now than ever to get out there and establish a relationship with fans through music. I just try to produce great work and let the fans be a part of it,” said Hoge.
 
GRAMMY U helps to prepare college students for their careers in the music industry through networking, educational programs and performance opportunities,www.grammy.org. 
 
For more information about Will Hoge, visit www.willhoge.com.

Rising star Carissa Leigh has announced the title of her debut EP and revealed the stunning cover art today, April 16th. 

The Blackbird EP, appropriately named from recording at the historic studios (Taylor Swift, Keith Urban), boasts four tracks produced by Grammy Award winner Tone Def (Green Day, Santana). The release date for the EP is set for April 28th.

The Blackbird EP includes Carissa's single "Bad Boy" as well as other powerhouse tracks such as, "Man Enough", "Can't Come Back From That" and "Not The Same Girl". Carissa co-wrote all of the songs on the EP with outstanding writers such as Brian White (Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts) and Clay Mills (Darius Rucker).

For more information on Carissa, visit her official website

Zac Brown Band kicks off 'The Great American Road Trip Tour' in May and adds a new, eighth member Matt Mangano on bass.  The tour announcement comes on the heels of ZBB selling out a two-night stand at Fenway Park without any support acts! This is a feat only accomplished by four other bands (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band, The Police and The Rolling Stones).  

Often praised for their "unparalleled musicianship" (VH1), which earns the band standing ovations at every awards show they play, ZBB's latest musical expansion will see long-time ZBB bassist and vocalist John Driskell Hopkins playing different instruments. Already known to "electrify with ear-grabbing vocals" (Billboard), Hopkins will continue to sing and play bass, but take on guitar, baritone guitar, ukulele, upright bass, and banjo in the band. 

ZBB fans will recognize new member Matt Mangano from on-stage guest performances over the years and from his studio work on The Grohl Sessions Vol. 1 and Uncaged. Mangano was even a featured guest player on the band's first live CD/DVD release Pass the Jar… in 2010. Before playing with Zac Brown Band, Mangano toured as a guitarist with John Mayer and performed with singer/songwriters Darrell Scott and Dave Barnes.

Of the new line-up, Zac Brown said: "We're always growing as musicians and challenging ourselves to bring new things to our fans. Hop is an amazing talent and I can't wait for people to see what we've got coming for the live show."

The band's latest project The Grohl Sessions Vol. 1 was produced by Dave Grohl and released on Zac's Southern Ground Artists label. To date, the Zac Brown Band have earned three GRAMMY Awards, sold over 6 million albums and produced a historic series of eleven #1 hit singles.
 
Zac Brown Band - 'The Great American Road Trip Tour’:

5/24 - Lincoln, NE - Pinnacle Bank Arena - on sale now
5/29 - Tampa, FL - MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater - on sale now*
5/30 - Tampa, FL - MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater - on sale now*
5/31 - West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre - on sale now*
6/01 - West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre - on sale now*
6/05 - Orange Beach, AL - The Amphitheater at the Wharf - on sale now
6/06 - Pelham, AL - Oak Mountain Amphitheatre - on sale now
6/07 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood - on sale now
6/12 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion - on sale now
6/13 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center - on sale now
6/14 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center - on sale 4/18
6/19 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center - on sale now
6/20 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center - on sale now
6/21 - Forest Hills, NY - Forest Hills Stadium – SOLD OUT
6/22 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live - on sale now
6/27 - Boston, MA - Fenway Park - SOLD OUT 
6/28 - Boston, MA - Fenway Park - SOLD OUT
7/03 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest - Marcus Amphitheater - on sale now
7/10 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center - on sale 4/18
7/12 - Burgettstown, PA - First Niagara Pavilion - on sale 4/18
7/13 - Noblesville, IN - Klipsch Music Center - on sale now
7/16 - Paso Robles, CA - Midstate Fair - on sale now
7/20 - Lake Tahoe, NV - Harvey's Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena – SOLD OUT
8/02 – Camrose, Alberta, Canada – Big Valley Jamboree – on sale now
8/04 - Sturgis, SD - Buffalo Chip - on sale now
8/09 - Detroit Lakes, MN - WE Fest – on sale now
8/15 - Endicott, NY – Dick’s Sporting Goods Open – SOLD OUT

* With Kacey Musgraves

Check out the rest of ZBB's tour dates here.

"Bad Boy" singer Carissa Leigh is letting fans reveal the cover art for her debut EP! Fans can tweet via TwitMusic to unlock the cover!
Fans can RT her tweet or click HERE to reveal the art!

After scoring his first #1 smash with the top-selling “Helluva Life,” Frankie Ballard is hitting country radio with his new single, “Sunshine & Whiskey.” The upbeat song is impacting just in time for summer.
 
Co-written by hit songwriters Luke Laird and The Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston, the song captures the fun, flirty innocence of summer love and serves as the title track for his current album.
 
“Man, it has been a crazy cold winter this year and I feel like we are all ready for a little sunshine & whiskey to warm us up," shares Ballard. "From the first time I heard this song, I knew I had to record it and I can't wait to share it with everyone!"
 
Ballard worked with producer Marshall Altman (Mark Broussard) on SUNSHINE & WHISKEY, which debuted in the Top 5 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. The Warner Bros. Records project showcases his skilled musicianship as he laid down the guitar parts on all 11 songs.
 
The Michigan native is currently touring all over the country playing headline shows and will join Jake Owen’s DAYS OF GOLD Tour for select dates through the summer. His dynamic set has caught the eye of many publications, including Country Weekly, who described the singer as “a true guitar hero,” and added that Ballard “exhibits an elegant supple style of playing rarely seen in these days of hard-rock country.”
 
For upcoming tour dates and more information, visit www.frankieballard.com.
 
Ballard’s SUNSHINE & WHISKEY is now available on iTunes.


You can read our review of the single here.

Singer, songwriter, and killer guitar player Lindsay Ell will make her Grand Ole Opry debut TODAY April 15th. If you cannot be there, definitely tune in online! You don't want to miss her (and the show)!

7:007:30
Terri Clark
Riders In The Sky

7:30 8:00
Lindsay Ell
Sam Palladio


8:00 8:15
INTERMISSION

8:15 8:45
Bill Anderson
Jana Kramer

8:45 9:15
Hunter Hayes

In celebration of their current single "Close Your Eyes", Parmalee invites fans to take their turn in the #CloseYourEyes Kissing Booth!

Using UrTurn, Parmalee created the coolest virtual kissing booth for fans! Lead singer, Matt Thomas, posted his photo to kick things off! Fans can listen to the hit song as they create their own photo. 

The best part? Parmalee will be picking a few of their favorites to win an Ultimate Date Night Prize Pack! 

Take UrTurn in the #CloseYourEyes Kissing Booth HERE. 


Purchase "Close Your Eyes" on iTunes
Follow Parmalee on Twitter
Find them on Facebook, Instagram and VEVO
Stream the single here

Stoney Creek Records artist Randy Houser rocketed to the top of the charts this week with his current smash hit “Goodnight Kiss.” Following the Platinum #1 singles “How Country Feels” and “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight,” “Goodnight Kiss” marks Houser’s third consecutive No. 1 off his 2013 debut album for the label, How Country Feels. It also marks his first No. 1 as a songwriter, Houser having penned “Goodnight Kiss” with Rob Hatch and Jason Sellers.
 
Known amongst fans and industry insiders alike for his powerhouse vocals and versatile songwriting abilities, Houser’s previous successes include the 2009 No. 2 hit “Boots On” (written by Houser and Brandon Kinney) and debut power ballad “Anything Goes.” He has had a hand in writing numerous hits for other artists, including Trace Adkins’ 2006 smash “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” which also peaked just shy of the top at No. 2. While “How Country Feels” and “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” each gave Houser the well-earned No. 1 spot as an artist, “Goodnight Kiss” is an especially sweet victory for the seasoned songsmith.  
 
“I have been so blessed this past year to have such incredible success on country radio and have three number-one’s in a row,” said Houser. “But it’s especially cool to see ‘Goodnight Kiss’ up there this week and to have that recognition now as a songwriter, too.”
 
Houser is currently performing headlining dates across the country and will open for country superstar Brad Paisley this summer. For more information and current tour dates, please visit www.RandyHouser.com 

The National Parks Conservation Association’s (www.npca.org) mission is to protect and enhance America’s National Park System for present and future generations. NPCA, established in 1919, is an independent, nonpartisan voice working to address major threats facing the National Park System. Stephen Mather, the first director of the Park Service, was one of their founders and felt strongly that the national parks would need an independent voice—outside the political system—to ensure these places remained unimpaired for future generations. Now, nearly one hundred years later, NPCA has more than 800,000 members and supporters. 

Award winning singer songwriter Doreen Taylor wrote a song specifically for the NPCA entitled "Colors of the USA." She premiered the song at the Salute to The Parks Gala in Washington DC on April 9th. Over a year in the making, the song showcases Doreen's vocals and songwriting ability. 

"I am a huge supporter of the preservation of America, our history and of our National Parks so I am so excited to be writing and performing such a moving and inspirational tribute to support the work of NPCA as Americans prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our national parks." - Doreen Taylor

“Doreen’s incredible voice and her beautiful song have the power to connect people to America’s most glorious places, our national parks. We are grateful for her support to help protect our national parks for the future.” - Clark Bunting, President and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association.


Visit the official website here
The song is available for download at digital retailers. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to NPCA to help advance their mission to protect the national parks. 

Eric Church has always been about the live show. There aren't too many artists out there who bring the energy and electricity to the stage that he and his band do. His new tour doesn't start until the fall, but Eric told Taste of Country a little bit of what fans can expect from the tour, including the ability for fans to vote on certain songs in the setlist in each city. This is one tour we definitely plan on catching once....or twice.