Kelsea Ballerini has revealed that her third solo album will be titled ‘kelsea’ and that it will be released on March 20. The album will be available to pre-order and pre-save on January 24 via her website. The album will be Ballerini’s first since she released ‘Unapologetically’ in 2017 and will feature 2019 single homecoming queen?, though little else is known. Speaking to Maverick for our November/December 2019 issue though, Ballerini told us that the album is definitely her most honest and open, while that she also has some collaborations on it and has also experimented a bit more with her sound. “It’s definitely the most open, but it’s not a sad record,” Ballerina said. “I was just playing the record for somebody actually and for some reason, I think because homecoming queen? is my whole world right now, I was like, ‘is this record too sad or too slow?’ and as I was playing it, I realised that there was a lot of bops. “But I think that it’s probably a little bit more of everything. I have a song with horns in it, a song with strings in it, I have two collaborations on it and I’ve never done any of that stuff before. So I think it’s probably got a lot more colour to anything I’ve done before.” So far, Kelsea Ballerini only has three live dates pencilled in for 2020 – all of which are in the US – though it is expected that will change as and when she releases ‘kelsea’. In November, Ballerini was nominated for CMA Female Vocalist of the Year for the fifth time in her career, but missed out on this occasion to Kacey Musgraves. She was also inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2019, becoming one of its youngest ever inductees at the age of 25.

Country Music Television (CMT) will be making sure female artists get equal airtime for music videos on their channel, effective immediately. This means that when it comes to showing music videos on their channel, there will be a direct 50/50 split between male and female artists in order to ensure equality. Previously on CMT, the balance was 60/40 male. The issue of female representation in country music in America reared its head fairly recently, when Kelsea Ballerini, Cassadee Pope and Kacey Musgraves highlighted a country radio station in America that said that it is decided there that there cannot be two female country artists back to back being played. A few days later, CMT took to their social media accounts to share the news, which they stated would take place with immediate effect rather than impose the equal measures at a later date. “Effective immediately all music video hours on CMT and CMT Music channels will have complete parity between male and female artists,” they tweeted out. “That means 50/50.” The news has been welcomed by many corners of the country music spectrum, with many hoping that it will pave the way for other radio stations and music video channels to follow suit. The issue of female representation in country music is far from a secret, with the gender imbalance being especially notable on country radio. A SongData study that emerged in April 2019 stated that the total amount of airplay that female artists and male-female ensembles combined is just 13-15%.

The ACM Awards will be two categories lighter for 2020 as they are dropping both the New Vocal Duo and New Vocal Group awards. It’ll be the first time in five years that the categories won’t be included in the showpiece event, which is partially due to the fact that artists are struggling to meet the eligibility requirements. The requirements are that you cannot be nominated twice in a three year period, can’t be former winners or be former winners of either Entertainer of the Year or Duo or Group of the Year and can’t have released a third album. As such, the pool is somewhat quite limited for artists out there – to the point that last year, the ACM Awards had a combined New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year category, with LANCO, Runaway June and High Valley being nominated. Of these, LANCO took home the award. However, both Runaway June and High Valley are ineligible for 2020 as they have been nominated twice in a three year period and there are other complications with nominations too – for example, if The Highwomen (Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby) charted a top 40 single, they would be in contention, but if Morris or Carlile won Female Vocalist of the Year, the whole group would then be ineligible as they would contain a member that wasn’t ‘new’. The 2020 ACM Awards will take place on April 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, America.

Luke Bryan has revealed that he’s releasing a new album in ‘Born Here, Live Here, Die Here’, which will be released on April 24. The record will be the Georgia born’s artist first since 2017’s ‘What Makes You Country’ and in addition to announcing the album, the singer has also dropped an extensive tour in the US. On said tour – which includes dates at Nashville’s Bridgstone Arena, Madison Square Garden in New York and the Staples Center in Los Angeles – Bryan will have Morgan Wallen, Runaway June and Caylee Hammack supporting him. Speaking about the album and the tour, the 2015 CMA Entertainer of the Year award winner said that he is very grateful to be in the position that he is in and that he is excited to hit the road with the support acts, all of whom he has been keeping a close eye on. “‘Proud to be right here’ is a phrase from my new album’s title track,” Bryan said. “From the moment I first heard it, I loved that this song related so closely to how I grew up and how I still have so many ties to my hometown. It’s a connection I feel is so important in country music. “I am truly so thankful to have the opportunity to make music for my fans and to look out into the crowds each night from stage and be proud of what we’ve created and I’m excited to get on the road with these guest artists, too. “I’ve been watching what Morgan is building with his fans and it has been so fun to watch. I know with him, Caylee and Runaway June on this tour it’s going to be such a high energy night for everyone.” ‘Born Here, Live Here, Die Here’ will be the seventh solo album by Luke Bryan.

Sunny Ozell has offered fans a glimpse into her upcoming album ‘Overnight Lows’ by releasing a single in the shape of All That I Am. You can listen to the song here. In addition to releasing the single, Ozell has also been confirmed to perform at UK AmericanaFest at the Empire Bar in Hackney on January 28, while she will also be at the awards two days later. ‘Overnight Lows’ is Ozell’s first record since 2015’s ‘Take It With Me’ and saw the New York based artist work with a host of talented musicians when recording, including Jay Bellerose (Robert Plant, Alison Kraus), Tyler Chester (George Ezra), Andy Hess (The Black Crowes, David Byrne) and Rich Hitman (Sara Bareilles). While it has been half a decade since Sunny Ozell last released a record, in that time she has been tremendously busy touring ‘Take It With Me’, which she has done so extensively both in the US and in the UK. In that time, she has become a valued member of the Americana Music Association UK, even headlining and co-curating a stage at Red Rooster Festival in Suffolk in association with them as well as PRS, with a line-up of female artists.

Current CMA New Artist of the Year Ashley McBryde has announced that she will release her much awaited second album ‘Never Will’ on April 3. You can pre-order the album here. McBryde took the country music genre by storm when she released her debut album ‘Girl Going Nowhere’ in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. Last year, she was a Main Stage act at C2C 2019, embarked on her biggest headline date outside of the US (including a date at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire) and was part of the second female medley at the CMA Awards, where Karen Fairchild declared all of those on stage as the “future of country music.” Since her release of ‘Girl Going Nowhere’, McBryde has released one single in the form of One Night Standards, so the vast majority of ‘Never Will’ will have been unheard of to the public. Speaking about the album – which will once again be produced by Jay Joyce – McBryde explained the meaning behind the album title and that it came from her issuing a rallying cry to her bandmates – either give this your all, or don’t bother. “The significance behind the album title comes from the lyrics in the title track: I Didn’t, I Don’t and I Never Will,’” McBryde said. “Before we recorded it with Jay [Joyce] in the studio, I said to my bandmates, ‘If we’re going to cut this and put it on the record, you’re promising anyone who ever listens to our music, we don’t listen to the noise in the background. “We didn’t, we don’t and we never will. Don’t cut it unless you’re willing to promise it.’ And we cut it right then.” Ashley McBryde is currently on tour in the US and has dates pencilled in until the mid July.

David Olney has tragically passed away aged 71 after appearing to suffer a heart attack on stage at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Florida. He died on January 18. The singer/songwriter, who has had his songs recorded by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstandt and Steve Young amongst many others, was mid-performance when the incident occurred and while doctors tried to resuscitate him, they were sadly unsuccessful. Amy Rigby was performing alongside Olney on January 18 and posted her version of events in the aftermath, explaining that she was incredibly honoured to be performing alongside him and that everyone lost someone special that evening. “David Olney, a beautiful man, a legend, a songwriting poet died last night,” Rigby said. “I was sitting next to him in the round, had been so honoured and looking forward to getting to trade songs with him and Scott Miller. Olney was in the middle of his third song when he stopped, apologised and shut his eyes. “He was very still, sitting upright with his guitar on, wearing the coolest hat and a beautiful rust suede jacket we laughed about because it was raining like hell outside the boathouse where we were playing – I just want the picture to be as graceful and dignified as it was, because it at first looked like he was just taking a moment. “Scott Miller had the presence of mind to say we needed to revive him. Doctors in the audience and 30A folks were all working so hard to get him to come to. It’s hard to post about this because I can’t really believe he’s gone. I am so sorry for his wife and family and friends and all the people who loved him and his music. Even those who never heard of him. We all lost someone important last night.” David Olney moved to Music City in 1973 and became an integral part of the music community in Nashville. There are no memorial details as of yet.

Lauren Jenkins has opted to release two covers from Bruce Springsteen’s fabled ‘The River’ album in Hungry Heart and Stolen Car. You can listen to the tracks here. The two covers represent the first pieces of new music the Texas born artist since her critically acclaimed album ‘No Saint’ was released in March 2019 and fans will be hoping that new material isn’t too far away. Speaking about the covers, Jenkins said that while she very rarely delves into covering other artists’ work, she will make exceptions for songs she believes to be of the highest quality, while also explaining that storytelling is what draws her to a song. “I’m a sucker for a storyteller,” Jenkins said. “Tell me a story about your joy, pain, love or loss and I’m in. That’s part of the reason why I have such a deep appreciation for Bruce Springsteen. He has a way of telling a story that feels like it’s your story, too. Honesty and vulnerability seem to be at the core and that’s something I try to mirror in my own music. “I don’t do covers often, but when I do, it better be a damn good song. Stolen Car and Hungry Heart have been part of the soundtrack to my life and I’m so excited to share my take on them. If you haven’t heard their creator singing these songs, do yourself a favour and go listen to Springsteen now.” Meanwhile, Jenkins will be returning to the UK for the first time since The Long Road Festival in early February as she will be supporting Brett Eldredge on his UK tour. Lauren Jenkins will be playing: January 31 – Cambridge Junction, Cambridge, England* February 1 – Institute, Birmingham, England* February 3 – Ritz, Manchester, England* February 4 – Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, Scotland* February 7 – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, England* *supporting Brett Eldredge

Twinnie has revealed the release date of her much anticipated debut album ‘Hollywood Gypsy’, which will be released on BMG on April 17. You can pre-order the album here. In addition to the album release date reveal, Twinnie has also shared that she will be heading on a brief UK tour in the middle of March, her biggest headline tour to date, which includes a night at Omeara in London. Speaking about her album, the artist– real name Twinnie-Lee Moore, who also played Porsche McQueen on Hollyoaks – said that the record name is very reflective of her and her life, while also giving some insight as to what the album will entail. “The title of the album pretty much sums me up,” she said. “I am a traveller by nature and by heritage, so I am quite free. ‘Hollywood Gypsy’ is about me, my life, my artistry.” The album itself has seen the artist work with some very high profile people within Nashville, including Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift and Shania Twain) and David Barns (Carrie Underwood and Maren Morris). 2019 was a very busy year for Twinnie, who shone at both C2C 2019 and The Long Road Festival, supported Kiefer Sutherland, Lauren Alaina and Jack Savoretti and also won the Breakthrough Act award at the 2019 BCMA Awards. Moving onto 2020 and in addition to her UK tour, she will be performing at C2C 2020 as a Spotlight Stage artist, meaning she will play inside the O2 Arena on the smaller stage in-between Main Stage acts. On her upcoming UK tour, Twinnie will be playing: March 17 – Stereo, Glasgow, Scotland March 18 – Deaf Institute, Manchester, England March 19 – O2 Academy3, Birmingham, England March 20 – The Louisiana, Bristol, England March 22 – The Crescent, York, England March 24 – Omeara, London, England

Margo Price has released her first new single in over two years in the shape of Stone Me, which was written alongside Jeremy Ivey. You can listen to the track here. The song is the first thing that Price has released since 2017’s ‘All American Made’ and comes off the back of a very hectic 2019 for the artist, who supported Chris Stapleton, performed at concert tributes to Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Mavis Staples and also got a Best New Artist award nomination for the Grammys. Speaking about Stone Me, Price said that it’s good to be back releasing music again after so long away nd that she’s had difficulty keeping everything under wraps while she was navigating her way through 2019. “After what feels like an eternity, I’m releasing a new song into the wild,” Price said. “It’s been hard to keep everything I’ve been working on for the last year to myself and I’m so excited to share it.” Much loved in the country and Americana world, Price’s second album ‘All American Made’ was dubbed as one of the album’s of the decade by Pitchfork, while she has also performed at C2C and Glastonbury. Margo Price is also on iconic musician and former White Stripe Jack White’s record label, Third Man Records.