CHARLES ESTEN MARKS ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF "LOVE AIN’T PRETTY" WITH DELUXE EDITION AND RELEASE OF DUET WITH SARA EVANS

DROPS DOUBLE VINYL PLUS DIGITAL SONG RELEASE

FEATURING SARA EVANS

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CELEBRATES TONIGHT (1/24) AT

CHIEF’S ON BROADWAY IN NASHVILLE

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RETURNS TO THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW

MONDAY (1/27)

Multi-talented entertainer Charles Esten today marks the one-year anniversary of his highly acclaimed independent debut album with the double vinyl release of “Love Ain’t Pretty” Deluxe Edition. Now shipping worldwide, fans can purchase here.

Co-writing all 14 songs with acoustic guitar credits on the landmark version of the Marshall Altman-produced full-length project, Esten adds nine new bonus tracks to this special edition delivery. Featuring star-studded collaborations with Keb' Mo' and Sara Evans, with the latter also available today as a digital song release. Listen here - https://ffm.to/inabarsomewhere_duet

“‘In A Bar Somewhere’ is an ethereal and dreamlike reverie describing that moment in time, when everything about a past love affair seemed to be perfect. Although I originally recorded it solo, it always struck me that both sides of that romance might miss and mourn that magical moment, no matter how bad the whole thing ended up going,” shares Esten. “Sara Evans and I have been friends for about 10 years now, going all the way back to the time she was on NASHVILLE. By that time, I already counted myself as a fan of Sara’s. Now, cut to all these years later when she recently asked me to be on her podcast, and I in turn, was smart enough to beg her to jump on this song with me. God bless her – she was kind enough to say, ‘Yes.’ The result is a check off my bucket list, and a duet for the “Love Ain’t Pretty” Deluxe Edition that makes me very happy.”

The 23-track Deluxe Edition further includes never-before-heard demos and worktapes from the creation of “Love Ain’t Pretty”, as well as a live performance recorded from the sold-out NASHVILLE Reunion Tour (with Esten, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, and Sam Palladio). With supplies selling fast, Esten is also offering a 250-count limited edition batch here. Pressed in a beautiful “velvet chair” red-colored vinyl (to match the album cover art), this exclusive collectible will be autographed, hand-numbered, and bundled with a poster and guitar pick.

Charles Esten’s “Love Ain’t Pretty” Deluxe Edition Track List:

Side 1

1.) “Love Ain’t Pretty”
(Charles Esten, Marshall Altman, Jimmy Yeary)

2.) “A Little Right Now” 

(Charles Esten, Jacob Lyda, Brian Maher)

 
3.) “One Good Move”
(Charles Esten, Sam Backoff, Zarni deVette, Elise Hayes)

 
4.) “In A Bar Somewhere”
(Charles Esten, Jason Gantt, Neil Medley)

 
5.) “I Ain’t”
(Charles Esten, Brad Crisler, James LeBlanc)

6.) “Another Song About You”
(Charles Esten, Colin Elmore)

Side 2

1.) “When Love Ain’t Love”
(Charles Esten, Jeffrey East)

2.) “Candlelight”
(Charles Esten, Big Kenny, Eric Paslay)

3.) “Back In My Life Again”
(Charles Esten, Marcus Hummon, Bryan Todd)

4.) “Willing To Try”
(Charles Esten, Gary Burr)

5.) “Make You Happy” 

(Charles Esten, Gary Burr, Jon D’Agostino)

6.) “Maybe I’m Alright”
(Charles Esten, Leslie Satcher)

Side 3

1.) “Down The Road (feat. Eric Paslay)”
(Charles Esten, Eric Paslay, Dylan Altman)

2.) “Somewhere In The Sunshine”
(Charles Esten, Jon Nite)

3.) “In A Bar Somewhere (feat. Sara Evans)”
(Charles Esten, Jason Gantt, Neil Medley)

4.) “Maybe I’m Alright (feat. Keb' Mo')”
(Charles Esten, Leslie Satcher)

5.) “Down The Road – Live In London (feat. Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, and Sam Palladio)”
(Charles Esten, Eric Paslay, Dylan Altman)

Side 4

1.) “One Good Move (Demo)”
(Charles Esten, Sam Backoff, Zarni deVette, Elise Hayes)

2.) “Back In My Life Again (Demo)”
(Charles Esten, Marcus Hummon, Bryan Todd)

3.) “Candlelight (Worktape)”
(Charles Esten, Kenny Alphin, Eric Paslay)

4.) “I Ain’t (Worktape)”
(Charles Esten, Brad Crisler, James LeBlanc)

5.) “When Love Ain’t Love (Worktape)”
(Charles Esten, Jeffrey East)

6.) “Make You Happy (Worktape)”
(Charles Esten, Gary Burr, Jon D’Agostino)

All Songs Produced by Marshall Altman

Celebrating the one-year launch tonight (1/24) in Nashville, TN, Esten will follow last year’s wildly popular “LOVE AIN’T PRETTY TOUR” – packing venues across the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, and Germany – by taking the stage at Chief’s on Broadway. Promising a setlist full of “Love Ain’t Pretty” favorites and surprise guests, tickets for the anniversary party can be found here.

Then, on Monday (1/27), he’ll return to the #1 nationally syndicated one-hour talker The Kelly Clarkson Show one year after last appearing. In addition to speaking about “Love Ain’t Pretty” Deluxe Edition, the National Honorary Spokesperson for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will meet with teen cancer survivor and aspiring singer Elana Koenig. First introduced to Clarkson’s “Rad Human” on set in January 2024, he was moved to invite Koenig to perform at his 11th Annual Light the Late Night benefit concert in Nashville this past fall. Now reuniting with Clarkson after the event, Esten and Koenig will share footage from their memorable experience together. Fans can check local listings for timing to watch. The Kelly Clarkson Show airs on over 200 stations in 100% of the country.
Esten’s “Team Addie” campaign is accepting donations through January 31 here.

NASHVILLE'S MUSIC INDUSTRY GATHERED TO HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LEGENDARY SONGWRITER WILL JENNINGS

L-R: Vince Gill, Lilly Winwood, Kerry Marx, Mark Beckett, Amy Grant, Wendy Moten, Emmylou Harris, Larry Paxton, Rodney Crowell and Katherine Marx.

The music community gathered yesterday afternoon at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ford Theater for a Celebration of Life for one of their own, Will Jennings, who passed away on September 6, 2024 in his home in Tyler, TX at the age of 80.

Jennings was one of the most revered songwriters of his generation, penning an extraordinary number of timelessly beloved songs for an eclectic range of musical icons like Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, Roy Orbison, B.B. King, Celine Dion and Tim McGraw to name a few.

The Celebration of Life was a poignant and joyful reflection of Jennings' monumental contributions to music, featuring highlights of his career with personal testimonies from fellow songwriters, artists, and friends who spoke about his kindness, creativity, and impact on the music industry. Performances of some of Jennings' most beloved songs followed, with artists who had worked alongside him offering renditions of his classics that spanned decades. Special guest appearances and performances included Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Emmylou Harris, Wendy Moten and Lilly Winwood (daughter of Steve Winwood).

A particularly touching moment during the event was a video from Steve Winwood, honoring his friend Will Jennings as he spoke about a particular piece of music that Jennings would always play for him. Winwood recalled a particular time, about 10 years ago, when he then sang this melody to Jennings. Winwood said he will always remember that moment and he will always remember Will.

Jennings was widely recognized for his extraordinary songwriting ability and his impact on the world of music, crafting songs that have resonated with generations of listeners from country to pop. Born in Kilgore Texas, and relocated to Tyler, Texas as a child, Jennings primarily loved the iconic blues songs influenced by B.B. King. He recognized that he couldn’t make a living writing three-chord songs about the Blues, so he studied poetry and earned degrees that landed him a job as an Associate Professor of English and French literature at the University of Wisconsin. Jennings’ love of music overwhelmed his Desire to teach, and he eventually decided to move to Nashville to write songs. That move caught the attention of music publisher Lance Freed, who signed Jennings to a publishing deal in 1974. In 2023, Lance Freed, All Clear Music and Fuji Music Group acquired 100% interest in the publishing rights and writer’s share to Jennings’ entire catalog of music.

“On behalf of everyone at Sheltered Music, we have gathered among some of the industry’s top talent to recognize and celebrate Will's incredible life and legacy,” said Darrell Franklin, SVP at Sheltered Music Publishing. “Will wasn’t just a master of words, but he wrote songs for the common man. He understood that language and spoke to their hearts. His work will undoubtedly continue to inspire songwriters and music lovers for generations to come."

It was Jennings’ work with Clapton on the timeless classic “Tears in Heaven” that catapulted him to global recognition. The song, written in the wake of Clapton’s tragic loss of his son, not only became an international hit but also won multiple Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year. Jennings' biggest hit remains the 1997's Titanic theme "My Heart Will Go On." The song, written by Jennings and composer James Horner and sung by Celine Dion, earned numerous Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globes, becoming the most-played radio hit in history according to the Songwriter Hall of Fame.

He’s been called the greatest American lyricist of the late 20th century with numerous recognizable hits including “Up Where We Belong,” "Can’t We Go On Together,” "I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” "People Alone,” “Back in the High Life Again,” “My Father’s Eyes,” “Free Fallin,” “While You See a Chance,” “Please Remember Me,” “Where Are You Christmas,” "Somewhere in the Night,” and “Street Life.” Jennings also co-wrote "Higher Love" with Steve Winwood, which landed on Billboard’s Hot 100 as a #1 song.

Jennings received numerous Golden Globe Awards and two songs, “My Heart Will Go On” and “Up Where We Belong,” both received Academy Awards along with an additional four songs that were nominated for Song of the Year by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. His resume also includes awards of recognition including inductions into both the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York and The Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame in Austin, Texas.

In addition to his songwriting achievements, Jennings’ impact extended beyond the music itself. His advocacy for songwriters’ rights and his involvement in mentoring younger generations of musicians left an indelible mark on the industry. His passing marked the end of an era, but his timeless songs will remain a testament to his extraordinary talent. Will Jennings legacy lives on through his music, his influence, and the memories shared by those who were fortunate enough to know him and work alongside him.

Will Jennings is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Carole Thurman and by two sisters, Joyce and Gloria.

Amy Grant performs "Oh How The Years Go By."

L-R: Wendy Moten, Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill perform "Please Remember Me."

L-R: Wendy Moten, Lilly Winwood and Emmylou Harris perform "Higher Love."

Lance Freed speaks about Will Jennings.

L-R: Wendy Moten, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Lance Freed, Russ Titleman, Emmylou Harris, Lilly Winwood and Rodney Crowell at Will Jennings Celebration of Life.

All photos courtesy of Amiee Stubbs Photography

#COUNTRYGIVESBACK - 15TH ANNUAL “DARIUS & FRIENDS” BENEFIT CONCERT RETURNS TO NASHVILLE’S RYMAN AUDITORIUM MONDAY, JUNE 3

Tickets On Sale This Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. CT via AXS.com

Rucker’s New Duet With Jennifer Nettles, “Never Been Over,” Available Everywhere Ahead of May 28 “Life’s Too Short” Memoir Release

Multi-time Diamond-certified superstar Darius Rucker returns to the historic Ryman Auditorium on Monday, June 3 for his 15th annual “Darius & Friends” concert benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. The event, which unofficially kicks off the week of CMA Fest in downtown Nashville and has raised more than $3.6 million to date, will feature a surprise all-star roster of friends as has become tradition at the annual celebration.

Rucker, who was honored as the 2023 CMA Humanitarian of the Year for always prioritizing philanthropic work throughout his career, made a commitment to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital nearly two decades ago after taking an inspiring tour of the hospital. Through this meaningful experience, Rucker learned how St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Reflecting on his 2008 visit to the hospital to the Tennessean, Rucker noted, “You see these kids who are sick, and they’re so happy to be there, because their caregivers are so loving and giving to them. And then you find out that nobody ever gets a bill. That blew me away. I was just like, ‘We’ll figure out some way to help you guys as much as I can.’”

Now, a decade and a half later, that effort has become an annual tradition. Friends performing with Rucker in past years have included Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Jelly Roll, Charles Kelley of Lady A, Ashley McBryde, A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Megan Moroney, Brad Paisley, Kenny Rogers and Tommy Thayer of KISS, among many others.

Tickets to the 15th annual “Darius & Friends” benefit concert start at $69 with VIP package options up to $249, available via AXS.com. Pre-sale access begins tomorrow, April 30 at 10 a.m. CT, with tickets on sale to the general public this Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. CT. The event is made possible with support from generous sponsors AMD, CDW and The Law Office of Jennifer McCoy.

The announcement of this year’s “Darius & Friends” event adds to an exciting season for the three-time GRAMMY winner, who on Friday released a reimagined duet version of his Carolyn’s Boy album standout “Never Been Over” featuring Jennifer Nettles and on May 28 will release his first book, a memoir titled “Life’s Too Short” that explores the story of his life through the lens of the music that defined it. Rucker also returns to the road with his Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates in May for the Summer Camp with Trucks Tour. Tickets are on sale now HERE.

For more information, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

SCOTTY McCREERY RELEASES NEW HEARTBREAK TRACK “LONELY” ... FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM "RISE AND FALL" ARRIVES MAY 10

McCreery Returns to ABC’s “American Idol” This Sunday, April 28 at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT Performing “Cab in a Solo”

McCreery Gives Special Performance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” this Wednesday, May 1 (Check Local Listings for Time)

McCreery Returns to the Grand Ole Opry on May 11 - First 400 Ticketholders who Purchase "Rise and Fall " onsite at Opry Store Will Gain Entrance to an Exclusive Album Release Celebration and Acoustic Performance Post-Show

Listen to “Lonely” HERE

Scotty McCreery may be a happily married father, but that is not stopping him from tapping into a bit of sorrow for his latest release out today, “Lonely,” from his upcoming album Rise and Fall. This will be the final song released from Rise and Fall before the album comes out on May 10. 

“I love a good heartbreak, honky-tonk country song, and ‘Lonely’ is definitely that,” said McCreery. “Brent, Derek, Frank, Bobby, Jeremy, Monty and I had such a good time writing this song on my back porch in the mountains of North Carolina. This song is so much fun to perform live and have the audience sing along with us. I’ve had a lot of requests from fans who’ve heard this song on the road to put it out on streaming. Here you go!”

Written by McCreery with Brent Anderson, Derek George, Frank Rogers, Bobby Hamrick, Jeremy Bussey and Monty Criswell, “Lonely” is a dark-and-dusky two-stepper drenched in heartbreak. Set in a late-night local hole-in-the-wall and narrated by a guy looking to forget why he came in the bar to begin with, friends join him in his effort to drown out the pain turning the barroom into a sing along.

Friends on the jukebox and friends wall to wall

Dimes on the dance floor and cheap alcohol

Round after round, we're all having a ball

I guess lonely ain't lonely after all

No lonely ain't lonely after all

The newest member of the legendary Grand Ole Opry will also return to the stage where he won hearts across the nation over 13 years ago. McCreery is set to perform his chart-topping hit “Cab in a Solo” on “American Idol” this Sunday, April 28. Catch his guest performance live coast-to-coast on ABC at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT and stream on Hulu.

McCreery is also set to return to “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on Wednesday, May 1 with a special performance from the Grand Ole Opry stage. Check local listings for time.

McCreery will return to the Grand Ole Opry stage on May 11, just one day after he releases his new album Rise and Fall. The first 400 ticketholders who also purchase the album onsite in the Opry Shop that evening will gain access to an exclusive album release celebration and acoustic performance with Scotty directly following the show in the Opry House’s Studio A. For Opry tickets and information, visit Opry.com.

Rise and Fall will feature 13 tracks that find him exploring not only heartbreak but rowdy nights, nostalgia, faith, newfound joy, fatherhood and enduring love, resulting in a project full of insightful storytelling. The album was produced by McCreery’s longtime production team of Frank Rogers, Derek Wells and Aaron Eshuis.

McCreery co-wrote 12 of the 13 songs on the album, which will be released digitally as well as on CD and vinyl. In addition, Amazon will release a limited edition, forest green vinyl version of the album.Pre-order/pre-save Rise and Fall HERE or pre-order autographed vinyl and CDs of Rise and Fall HERE.

“I know every artist says it, but this is truly my favorite album I’ve made so far,” shares McCreery. “I wanted to create an album that reflected the music I grew up on and wasn’t chasing trends. So, I brought several of my songwriting buddies to the mountains of North Carolina to sit down and write a full-on country album that told a story, start to finish, and spoke to my soul. We’ve been performing most of the album live on the road and the response from the audiences has been overwhelming. I can’t wait for everyone to hear Rise and Fall when it comes out May 10th.”

The North Carolina native knows all too well there’s a rhythm to life and a cycle of ups and downs. And right now, he’s on the upswing.

Now 30 years old and a seasoned country music veteran selling out concerts across the globe with five consecutive No. 1 hits under his belt, McCreery is also a dedicated husband and father, welcoming a son named Avery in 2022, whose impact on the singer is highlighted in several songs on the album. Recently, he even celebrated the milestone of all milestones for a guy who grew up on Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Ronnie Milsap; he was invited by his musical hero Garth Brooks to become the newest member of the iconic Grand Ole Opry. McCreery was just welcomed into the Opry family on April 20 by two more of his heroes, Josh Turner and Randy Travis.

But folks like McCreery know it means more when you’ve seen the other side. For him, each highlight has come in contrast to a challenge – things like the loss of his first record deal and the year of naysaying uncertainty that followed before he built himself up again, brick by brick. As a result, Rise and Fall comes from an artist who knows to appreciate the ride – no matter where it leads.

“I feel like we’re on the rise now, but I’ve fallen pretty low as well,” McCreery admits. “I learned from every little part of that, and it helped me to know who I was as a person – let alone an artist. The rises and the falls helped craft these songs. They made this album what it is.”

“Lonely” is the sixth song released from the album, following lead single “Cab in a Solo” and tracks “Red Letter Blueprint,” “Slow Dance,” “Can’t Pass the Bar” and “Love Like This.” A full listing of the album’s songs follows.

Rise and Fall Track Listing:

(Songwriters in parentheses)

1.) Little More Gone - (Scotty McCreery, Brent Anderson, Derek George, Frank Rogers, Bobby Hamrick, Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell)

2.) Cab in a Solo - (Scotty McCreery, Brent Anderson, Frank Rogers)
Lonely (Scotty McCreery, Brent Anderson, Derek George, Frank Rogers, Bobby Hamrick, Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell)

3.) Can’t Pass the Bar - (Scotty McCreery, Brent Anderson, Cale Dodds, Frank Rogers)

4.) Hey Rose - (Jay Brunswick, Jeremy Bussey, Bobby Hamrick)

5.) Fall of Summer - (Scotty McCreery, Brent Anderson, Derek George, Frank Rogers, Monty Criswell)

6.) Love Like This - (Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers, Aaron Eshuis)

7.) Slow Dance - (Scotty McCreery, Brent Anderson, Derek George, Monty Criswell)

8.) No Country for Old Men - (Scotty McCreery, Brent Anderson, Derek George, Frank Rogers, Monty Criswell)

9.) And Countin’ - (Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers, Bobby Hamrick, Jeremy Bussey)

10.) Stuck Behind a Tractor - (Scotty McCreery, Chase McGill, Rhett Akins)

11.) Red Letter Blueprint - (Scotty McCreery, Derek George, Brent Anderson, Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell)

12.) Porch - (Scotty McCreery, Greylan James, Heather Morgan)

Tickets for upcoming tour dates are on sale now at ScottyMcCreery.com.

DARIUS RUCKER AND JENNIFER NETTLES UNITE ON REIMAGINED VERSION OF RUCKER’S "CAROLYN’S BOY" ALBUM STANDOUT : “NEVER BEEN OVER”

 

Already an emotional cornerstone of recent album Carolyn’s Boy from three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Darius Rucker, standout song “Never Been Over” now arrives as a duet with the captivating vocals of GRAMMY Award-winning entertainment powerhouse Jennifer Nettles adding a new dimension to the emotional ballad.

Penned by Rucker alongside Lee Thomas Miller and Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne, the original release of “Never Been Over” was celebrated by Billboard as a flipped perspective to Rucker’s chart-topping “It Won’t Be Like This For Long,” with the reflective song “looking back on a couple’s love nearly two decades later, chronicling years of emotional zeniths and low points, a duration spent raising kids and building a life together one day at a time”

We’ve been good and bad, hot and cold

And fightin’ mad, solid gold

Been sunny days, straight-line winds

Been drivin’ slow and guilty as sin

Been back roads lost and blue lights found

Dead of quiet, rockstar loud

Been up and down like we’re built on springs

We’ve been a lot of things

But we’ve never been

Splittin’ up friends, splittin’ up records

Puttin’ up walls, burnin’ down letters

Grass is greener ‘cause there’s something better

Waitin’ down the line

We’ve never been a headlights weaving, taillights fadin’

So long, move on, goodbye waitin’

Never been one last long look across your shoulder

We’ve been a lot of things, but we’ve never been over

“Writing that was very cathartic,” Rucker shared with Garden & Gun of the song. “It was almost like therapy for me. It’s so honest and one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written.”

“Now, to have Jennifer add her incredible voice to such an emotional song, you feel even more of what this couple is facing; unravelling the life they’ve built together,” reflects Rucker. “I’m so grateful she agreed to sing on it with me.”

“I’ve wanted to collaborate with Darius for such a long time! And when I heard the song, I loved its story,” adds Nettles. “But in addition to its theme of lifelong love, it feels so perfect for Darius and I to sing it together. Both of our careers have grown and changed so dramatically since we each started out. And, as the hook sings, ‘We’ve been a lot of things, but we’ve never been over.’ This song is a beautiful example and extension of that constant evolution.”


Currently on the road in Europe for a run of solo shows ahead of this summer’s Hootie & the Blowfish Summer Camp with Trucks Tour, Rucker is also preparing to share his first book with fans, a memoir titled “Life’s Too Short.” Set for release May 28, the memoir sees Rucker share the story of his life through the music that has defined it, offering readers an intimate glimpse into his journey from music enthusiast to music icon. Pre-order HERE.

For more information, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.