Cody Johnson is walking into tonight’s ACM Awards with five nominations and every intention of trying to land a spot on Reba’s new television show. While excited to be up for one of the night’s biggest awards, Entertainer of the Year, COJO is even more excited to be surrounded by his childhood heroes whom he grew up watching on the ACM Awards. That includes tonight’s host, Reba McEntire, who Johnson said he connected with while at various ACM events earlier in the week. “I was talking to her earlier this week, she’s so sweet,” Johnson said of McEntire. After inviting her to one of his shows in Arlington, TX this November, Johnson said he also took the opportunity to offer himself up as an extra on her new sitcom. “I was like, ‘Hey! If you need any extras, let me know.’” He laughed. “It’s always great to have people like Reba or like Ronnie Dunn that you can pick up the phone and call and let them mentor you a little bit,” he said on a more serious note. “They were here for the first time too. They know how it feels. I’m doing this all for the very first time — this is all brand new to me... I remember being a kid and watching Reba and Alan Jackson, George Strait, Garth Brooks and all my heroes that were nominated in this category [Entertainer of the Year].” In addition to catching up with all his mentors and fellow Country pals, Johnson is also set to take the stage to perform his current single, “Dirt Cheap,” a song he said was almost recorded by Luke Combs. “I’ll tell ya what, Luke Combs had this song,” Cody revealed. “He had it in his phone and never clicked on it. So, thank you, Luke!” he laughed. Expressing his gratitude for the tune that he believes will bring him his next number 1 hit. Catch Cody’s performance of “Dirt Cheap,” on the ACM Awards tonight via Amazon Prime and hear his entire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Ahead of tonight’s ACM Awards, Russell Dickerson caught up with Audacy’s Katie Neal to talk new music, that viral moment of his son and Thomas Rhett's daughter, and more. “I just dropped a little piece called ‘Good Day to Have A Great Day,’" Russell noted, “it's my life motto, obviously,” he added, before going on to recall the first time he had the idea for the song. “I had the idea and I was like, this could be really dumb. You know what I mean?” Katie didn’t, countering that it turned out “dope.” Which Russell agreed with. “Yeah, it turned out dope and yeah, I was just like, why not just drop this song?” And so he did. Pulling a parent go-to by pulling out his phone to show Katie some pics of kiddos while he gushed about Remington and Radford, Dickerson also discussed that viral moment of his son and Thomas Rhett's daughter holding hands, and how he cant wait for TR to "pay for the wedding.” “I think there's going to be this wild moment in 15 years when all of them are in high school together,” Russell said. “Because we live literally two minutes from TR, and so they'll probably go to the same school. They'll probably all be in the same class, They’ll probably fall in love, and then Thomas Rhett will have to pay for the wedding.” When asked who he’s most excited to see and try to find during commercial breaks during tonight's show, Dickerson shouted out his possible future brother-in-law Rhett. “Probably TR honestly,” she replied, “Just find him and Lauren,” before adding the game plan might include finding “everybody,” noting “I’m friends with everybody.” As for any after parties, that’s gonna be a no go for Mr and Mrs Dickerson. “We have no kids. So that means trying to catch some Zs, mega Zs… The only after party that I'm going to is betwixt my sheets. Do you know what I'm saying?” Making sure to ask about his plans for more music, Russell shared that he doesn’t know exact dates, but did reveal that “it's getting mixed probably today or this week sometime.” “So mix, and then we got a master, then we gotta tweak and then we gotta do, and then we gotta eat,” he joked. "That's, all those pro industry terms that you guys don't really understand.” To hear all that and more, check the entire interview above, and don't miss the ACM Awards on Amazon Prime. Words by Maia Kedem Interview by Katie Neal

Lainey Wilson has been on a steady climb with her ACM Award wins after winning New Artist of the Year in 2022, Female Artist of the Year in 2023 and is now up for Entertainer of the Year in 2024. “I wasn’t nervous until I got here and saw all y’all and we started talking about it,” she said ahead of Thursday night’s show. “So many feelings. It’s just hard to wrap your head around all of it, but I’m excited.” Along with her Entertainer of the Year nom, Lainey is walking into the awards with an additional four nominations. With a big night ahead, Lainey is staying cool calm and collected knowing she has one of the best plus ones ever — her mama. “My mama has never walked a red carpet,” Lainey said before sharing her mom is embracing the experience to the fullest. “She was at the spa this morning, I didn’t even get my toes done for this and my mama is gettin’ her toes done. She was like, ‘I want the works!’” Sharing her special night with her mom is just another example of how humble Lainey remains after skyrocketing to fame over the last few years, and also where the 31-year-old drew inspiration for her next album, Whirlwind. “In the last few years I have said the word, ‘whirlwind’ a million times because that’s what I feel like it’s been,” she shared. “Trying to keep one foot on the ground, trying to make sure that I’m staying true to myself because we are moving at a very rapid pace and I can see where it’s easy to lose yourself.” “When I was writing this music and even when I was recording this music… I felt at home. I think making this record, it truly, it was the thing that kept me feeling still in a little bit of the chaos.” Whirlwind is set to release August 23. Hear more about the album, ACM Awards and Lainey’s new Bell Bottom’s Up Bar in Nashville by checking out her entire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Audacy Launch artist Kassi Ashton is going into tonight’s ACM Awards with her very first nomination and she plans on arriving in style. While catching up with Audacy’s Katie Neal ahead of Thursday night’s show, Ashton revealed she made her own red carpet outfit and is “stoked” to show it off. “I’m stoked to wear my outfit, I made it,” she shared before detailing it reflects her personality perfectly. “You know me, I’m not a rhinestones or sequins girly, I’m a leather girly. I’m a chrome, witchy, ‘70s Cher girly. I hope people that know me, when they see the outfit will go, ‘That’s so her!’” Fans of Ashton know she is no stranger to making her own clothes and this time, she filmed every stage of the process so fans can see exactly what went into the creation. “They make me film everything,” Ashton said of capturing creative process. “The filming part is so irritating… most the time when I’m sewing, I don’t have pants on… because I’m putting the clothes on and off while Im making them so I’m like, s***, I have to put a shirt on, I’m recording,” she laughed. Ashton is sure to turn heads with her look tonight and pull even more people in to her growing fanbase. Gaining more traction with her music is something Ashton is really excited for this year as she spends 2024 featured as a Launch artist on Audacy Country stations nationwide. “Every show I play, I know the amount of people that are singing and dancing along and wearing the merch it’s going to go up exponentially for the rest of the year and that’s insane to me because that’s the kind of fuel that helps to balance out all the rest of the things that aren’t great,” she shared. “And that’s what I’m crazy ecstatic for.” Hear from Kassi about her outfit, music, hearing herself on the radio and more by checking out her entire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

The 59th Annual ACM Awards are upon us and Thomas Rhett is ready to debut his brand new single, “Beautiful As You,” live for the first time in front of everyone but Chris Stapleton. During his appearance on Audacy’s Superstar Power Hour with ACM Award-winning Katie Neal, Thomas Rhett shared the one person he avoids eye-contact with while performing at awards shows is Stapleton and here’s why. “He’s just so good,” Thomas laughed. “Even though we’re really good friends, I’m just like, ‘You’re on such on a different level vocally than everyone else in this building.’” While he’ll be avoiding Stapleton, TR is over the moon to share his first new music in two years on such a big stage. “I haven’t put new music out in two years and so it feels really fresh for us,” he shared before shouting out the ACM Awards for supporting his new single. “Getting to debut a new song on an award show is such an honor — it takes a lot of trust, honestly, from the ACM folks. For them to [say], ‘we heard this song, we like it, you should play it!’ We’re very excited.” After releasing last week, fans everywhere have been dancing it out to the new single, “Beautiful As You,” which stemmed from one of Rhett’s biggest inspirations, his wife Lauren. “I think in a nutshell, for me, this song fully represents who my wife is at the core,” he shared. “People tell me all the time, ‘You don’t give yourself enough credit,’ and it’s like, I don’t deserve any credit for the marriage I’m in. I genuinely, every day wake up and I wonder ‘Why?’ like, ‘How did this happen?’ It really is one of those songs about just lookin’ at the person you’re with and being like, ‘What are you doing with someone like me? Thank God you are — but why?’” There’s a lot more fun to come as TR says the single is the first taste of his new album, arriving August 23. “It’s done, mixed, mastered, photo, video — all the things,” Rhett said of the new project which has been his main focus while not touring as heavily. “I’ve taken more time on this project than I really have on any project… It been a fun change of pace.” Taking time away from touring has not only brought what he says is one of his most joyful albums, but it’s also gifted him precious time with his four daughters at home. “It’s been really fun to kind of immerse myself in school and softball and dance and horses and all the things they’re into,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun to watch them really grow up this year and become themselves.” It’s also given him the opportunity to go full dad mode and have more opportunities than ever to embarrass his girls like only the best dads do. “We’re going to pick them up from school and I’m going to wear my Chewbacca outfit and Lauren’s going to be Darth Vader,” he said of his plans for picking up his two eldest on May 4th, better known as Star Wars day. “They’re going to be super embarrassed, but that’s what a parent’s job is, is to embarrass their children, so… internally, they’ll think, ‘Mom and Dad are pretty rad,’ but they’ll probably [externally] be like, ‘Ugh! Mom and Dad are such idiots.’” Hear more about Rhett and his adorable family stories, what he’s looking forward to most about the new album and so much more by checking out his entire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above, and don’t forget to tune in to the 2024 ACM Awards taking place live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on, May 16 at 8PM ET. Hosted by Reba McEntire, the show is free to stream exclusively on Prime Video. No Amazon Prime account is needed. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Jelly Roll is headed into the 2024 ACM Awards already breaking records as he celebrates being a first-time nominee with not one, but four nominations; Single of the Year (“Need A Favor”), Music Event of the Year (“Save Me” feat Lainey Wilson), Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. “My first thought was, ‘You been nominated four times, what could I have done that justified four nominations?!'” Jelly laughed while catching up with Audacy’s Katie Neal, who is celebrating an ACM win of her own. “The Entertainer of the Year [nomination], that’s crazy talk… I just couldn’t wrap my head around being nominated four times. Before I even seen what the four noms were, I seen the stat that it was the first time someone went from zero nominations to EOTY nomination since Billy Ray Cyrus in 1993.” Catch all the fun during the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards taking place live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on, May 16 at 8PM ET. Hosted by Reba McEntire, the show is free to stream exclusively on Prime Video. No Amazon Prime account is needed. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

The Grand Ole Opry’s newest member, Scotty McCreery, has a lot to celebrate after being inducted into Country’s most prestigious establishment just one week ago. “The Opry to me is such a big deal and it’s always been a huge goal of mine,” McCreery told Audacy’s ACM Award-winning, Katie Neal, during his recent appearance on the Superstar Power Hour. “I’ve got such an appreciation for the history of Country music and the Opry played a very significant role in making Country music popular… I’ve just got so much respect for the artists that have played there. To me, Country music is what I know, what I love, it’s what I will always do — whether 5,000 people show up or 5 people show up.” Making Country music is exactly what Scotty’s been focused on the past year as he’s put work into his next album, Rise & Fall, due out May 10. “This is me, and where I am today,” McCreery said of the forthcoming album. “Songs I enjoy singin’, songs that feel good to my soul… everything about this record feels right.” Included in the tracklist he loves so much is a couple of what Scotty refers to as “Daddy songs,” which were inspired by his son, Avery. “I didn’t flood this record with ‘em,” he laughed. “But, there was one song I started writing the night Avery was born, so that song made the record and there’s one that kind of ends the whole album as like, a thought towards Avery.” Songs about fatherhood aren’t the only new things about the album, so was the creative process. McCreery explained the songs were the product of a songwriting retreat to the mountains of North Carolina with his best songwriting pals — a different approach from writing songs in the city like he’s done for past projects. “It’s like heaven on earth up there,” he said of the location. “You hear the birds chirpin’ and you’ll see black bears. You’re in the middle of nature and it just puts your mind somewhere different than writing an album at 11 o’clock at an office like I do all the time.” Hear more about McCreery’s new album, his best Dad fails and so much more by checking out his full conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Sam Hunt’s songwriting has visited a wide range of topics over the years. From backroads and house parties to cop cars and outskirts, there’s not much Sam is afraid tackle in a songwriting session, except fatherhood. “I’m intimidated to write about my family and fatherhood,” he admitted to Audacy’s Katie Neal while sharing he’s been starting to gather ideas and draw inspiration for his next project. While the 39-year-old says he has no intentions of a “Dad song” making the tracklist, he shared hints of his family values will likely be weaved throughout as he is focused on providing a strong foundation for his kids. “I’ve always been geared more towards progress and pushing the boundaries, [but] the next project — at least from an idea perspective — will be more about roots and foundation... more traditional values,” he said. “The bedrock of how I hope to raise my family. Those things will be there — even if my songs don’t sound like what you would call a ‘Dad song,’ they will be written from a dad’s heart.” That’ll be a bit of a shift from his most-recent release “Locked Up,” which was inspired by the night Hunt was arrested in November 2019 for driving under the influence and violating open container law in Nashville and the impact it had on his marriage. While resurfacing a deeply personal time in his life, Hunt says he doesn’t mind bringing it back up as it is part of his story. “I wanted it to feel more like messing up, but having your significant other go through it with you and stand by your side,” he shared. “It’s more symbolic than a specific story about getting locked up, but because of my history — there are dots that can be connected there.” The song title also serves as the namesake for Hunt’s summer tour, the Locked Up Tour which will travel across the U.S. and Canada through September with special guests Russell Dickerson, George Birge (U.S.) and Dalton Dover. Also along for the ride is Sam’s family who he says make everything more fun. “Early on I didn’t get out to experience a lot of the places we’d visit,” he said of touring before having kids. “I get up early now and go find a really good breakfast place. A lot of the guys from the band will get up and go with me, or my kids [Lucy Louise (2), Lowry Lee (6 mo.)] and [wife] Hannah. They’re traveling with me so we try to smell the roses… we’ve been going to aquariums and museums and things that I wouldn’t have done years ago, but I’m making a point to do now.” He continued, “It makes a big difference, it makes the trip feel like a vacation and a big, exciting road trip where I just work for a couple hours a night and I get to be on this road trip with my family and some of my best friends in the world, so it’s the best of both worlds.” Hear additional details about Sam’s tour adventures, plus his ideas for new music and more by checking out his entire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

At the age of 47, Luke Bryan has discovered “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” comes with some personal consequences as he recently found he’s allergic to bass. Before playing a private show for some lucky Audacy listeners, Luke sat down with Katie Neal and said after years of mystery, he’s found the reason he comes home from fishing trips with red eyes, swollen hands, and a stuffy nose. “If I look like I’ve been smoking pot, that’s not true, I’ve been catching bass,” Luke laughed before detailing his rather serious bass allergy. “If I touch a bass, my eyes will get red, my hands will swell if I have to take the hook out.” The discovery comes after years of suffering for Luke, who thought he was simply experiencing normal allergies from being outside. “I spent years not knowing. My dad would take me on these fishing trips and I would be in the back of the boat like wheezing, maybe in need of an epipen. But my Dad was just like [suck it up], we just thought it was allergies [to] like, the trees, but it’s actually touching the bass.” Luke wasn’t about to let his allergies get in the way of making a small group of Audacy listeners dreams come true after they won a Totally Private concert from Luke at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville. The show was his first weekend gig in more than four weeks as he’s recently been striving to find better work-life balance. “My thing [now] is to just have fun writing songs, have fun doing the shows,” he shared. “I think for ten years I’ve just overworked myself to where all my friends, whenever I see them, they’re like, ‘You’re overworking yourself’ and I’m like, ‘I know, I can’t tell people no.’” While consciously making an effort to find balance, Luke still keeps pretty busy, especially now as he serves as a judge for his seventh season of ABC’s American Idol alongside Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, who revealed this go-around is likely her last. “I thought she might be [leaving],” Luke said when asked about Perry’s departure. “She’s been a rockstar on the show and to have developed a friendship… we’ve had a great time together. When I took the Idol gig, I knew that she had already signed up to do it and I didn’t know her. Seven years later, to have spent so much time with her has been pretty awesome. She’s a trip.” On top of his time with Idol, Luke is also promoting his brand new single, “Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” which he says has a “straight down the middle” Luke Bryan sound and is available now. “When I look at 16, 17 years of doing this there’s been a lot of songs put out. Sometimes I do some songs where I try something and the fans like it and sometimes the fans are like, ‘What is he up to?’” Luke said, laughing. “But this one is right down my wheelhouse and I’m excited to have that out.” Hear the new single on Audacy stations nationwide and check out Luke’s entire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above to learn about his bass allergy, Idol, new single and more. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

No Bad Vibes isn’t just a tour name for Old Dominion, it’s a promise they keep with a little help from a tequila shot before every show. Recently joining Audacy’s Katie Neal for the Superstar Power Hour, the guys revealed they go through $70,000 worth of tequila per year on tour. A large part of that is due to their pre-show ritual which includes a crew-wide tequila shot which can include up to 200 people some nights. “A tequila shot has always been the tradition,” Trevor Rosen shared of the group’s pre-show routine “We started when it was just five of us, six of us, and now it’s become a pre-show ritual. We get our whole team there and do a little toast before every show.” Added frontman Matt Ramsey, “Sometimes there’s like 100-200 people there. We just actually learned our tequila budget this week. It’s like, $70,000 a year.” Laughing at the amount is easier for the guys after sharing they have a partnership with a tequila company that sponsors all pre-show shots. “Turns out, it was a very smart partnership,” Rosen said of their connection to Cantira Negra tequila. “I don’t think they realized how much tequila we were going to go through,” laughed Ramsey. Come Summer 2024, tour isn’t the only place you can find OD raising a glass as they ready to open their own bar in Nashville’s Midtown district just minutes from the famed Broadway strip. “It’s going to be a little different than other artist bars in that we’re not trying to overtly make this the Old Dominion bar,” shared Ramsey. “That’s why we didn’t name it Old Dominion’s Bar. It’s Odie’s, which is sort of a nod to our name, but ultimately we don’t want people to walk in there and feel like they’re going to the Old Dominion show.” Agreeing on a concept and vibe for the bar came naturally for the guys, but coming up with a name wasn’t their strong suit according to celebrity restaurateur, Guy Fieri. “We had pretty much decided it was called Memory Lane,” shared Brad Tursi of their original idea. “We were at Stagecoach and we were talking to Guy Fieri [about it]… He looked right at us and said, ‘That’s the dumbest name I’ve ever heard,’” the guys laughed. “He threw a couple F-bombs in there too. He railed us for that,” added Matt. Needless to say, the guys took things back to the drawing board and decided on Odie’s, which they hope is a place (and name) everyone can enjoy. “Ultimately, we hope it’s a place locals feel comfortable going to, songwriters feel like they can come and showcase their music or have a #1 party,” concluded Ramsey. “We really want it to be part of the community rather than a tourist attraction.” Hear additional details about the bar, more stories from tour (including a proposal gone wrong) and Ramsey’s new puppy, Eddy, by checking out the guys’ full conversation with Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Audacy's Katie Neal welcomes Keith Urban to our airwaves as this week’s co-host for the Superstar Power Hour on all your favorite Audacy Country stations nationwide. During his time on the The Superstar Power Hour with Audacy’s Katie Neal, the 56-year-old shared his next project is a product of a lot of hard-work, soul searching, and honesty. After one year of working hard on what he believed would be his next studio album, Urban realized he missed the mark while presenting the new music to the team at his record label. “Each song was very strong unto itself, but when I put them together, it wasn’t the album,” Urban said of the first collection he presented to his team in February 2023. While the realization was heartbreaking, Urban knew he owed it to himself and his fans to take things back to the drawing board and make an album he was proud of. “I could feel, ‘this is not it,’  and I so didn’t want to say that,” he expressed before taking a deep breath, recalling the painful realization. “I so wish I could’ve just said, ‘It’s fine… let’s go.’” The decision to go back to the drawing board set a lot of original plans back for Urban, including touring. However, by staying true to himself, and buckling down for another year of work — Urban says he now has an album he knows is it and oozes the strong, relentless spirit that lead him to it. “There’s a spirit on the record that’s through every song — no matter what the songs are — it’s a very strong, through line,” he shared, revealing a lot of it is inspired by ideas expressed in the book The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. So what does all of this sound like? Fans can get a taste if what’s to come with recently released, ”Messed Up As Me,” and “Straight Line,” which will both be included on the album in addition to a special collaboration and “more guitar solos” according to Urban. “This record is full of guitar,” Keith said after sharing his producer, Dan Huff, prompted him to ponder why he doesn’t have as much guitar in his recent songs. “The tracks made me want to play.” And for the collaboration? Well, Urban is keeping that under tight wraps for now, but it’s a secret he’s ready to spill soon as he’s been keeping it for almost a year. “I did a collaboration with an artist last summer that I think turned out fantastic,” he revealed. “I’ve just been sitting on it since June last year and it’s been killing me.” That’s pretty much all Urban is willing to reveal about the track for now — other than the fact it’s very much a collaboration, not a duet — which makes the possibilities even more endless. “A friend of mine had suggested a collaboration — it’s not a duet, it’s a collaboration,” Urban said of reviving a song he’s had for some time. “I had somebody in mind, and I sent it to them and they loved it and we did it last summer we were just elated with how it turned out.” Hear more hints about what’s to come, plus some of his most touching stories from his past by checking out Keith Urban’s entire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal on the Superstar Power Hour above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

HARDY has officially entered his Rock era with the announcement of his very first Rock album coming soon. While excited to fully step into a new genre, the Mississippi native — who got his start as a Country songwriter — promises fans he’ll never abandon Country music. “I fully want to balance being a Rock ’n Roll artist and a Country artist at the same time,” he told Audacy’s Katie Neal during his recent appearance on the Superstar Power Hour. “I don’t even really know what that means yet, but I love Country music, I will never abandon it or leave it. I always want to make Country songs, I’m just kind of discovering myself and I’ve realized that maybe I do have a bit of a knack for the Rock ’N Roll thing, so I’m just chasing that to see how far it goes right now. Country is coming back, don’t worry.” HARDY’s Country roots run deep and it’s apparent with his newest HIXTAPE project honoring the late Joe Diffie. DIFFTAPE, available March 29, was previewed at the 2023 CMA Awards as HARDY took the stage with Morgan Wallen and Post Malone to perform “Pickup Man,” the first song to be released from the album. Keeping the tracklist a secret until the release on March 29, HARDY promised some worth-the-wait features. “It’s by far the biggest star-studded feature list ever. I can’t even tell you — you have no idea. It’s the coolest thing in the world,” he said before detailing the approach. “It’s Joe’s original recordings of his biggest hits and a couple maybe no-so-big hits, but great songs. Joey [Moi] my producer, has the tracks… and we’ve kept all the instrumentation the same and brought in all of either Joe’s friends or, well, everybody. Everybody is on this record and it is so cool.” Following the DIFFTAPE release, the focus will turn to Rock for HARDY, who says he’s been hard at work on his Rock album that will feature previously released songs “QUIT!!” and “Rockstar.” “Writing Rock songs is a lot easier than writing a Country song — there’s fewer rules,” he said when asked about the differences in the creative process. “Not that there’s rules, rules, but if you’re tryna write a Country hit, there are rules. That’s no discredit to all the Rock writers and bands out there — writing a song is not as easy as people think it is, but it just is more free [in Rock]. The lyrics don’t have to all tie into this one hook.” With the new album comes a fresh tour from HARDY, who will hit the road this spring beginning with a show May 30 in Rogers, AR. With a total of 15 dates, fans may notice a major cutback on the amount of shows, which the 33-year-old says is intentional. “I cut my touring in half this year — I wanted to be home more and feel maybe more like a human,” he disclosed. “I love touring, but it got to a point for me where it was too much… This overload of attention three or four days out of the week and then to come back and try to feel normal and be normal — there’s just a weight that it put on me… the way that I’m wired, it just took a toll on me.” For more information on his headlining tour, the new album, DIFFTAPE and much more check out HARDY’s full conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Kenny Chesney is celebrating another impressive career milestone with the release of his 20th studio album, Born — available now — and the accomplishment has him feeling pretty nostalgic. “I live in gratitude every day to have had the career and the songs that I’ve been able to write and get my hands on,” Chesney told Audacy’s Katie Neal before reflecting on when he first started in music. “I think about how that kid was so curious and scared, but so determined and wanted this so bad.” He continued, “I was in college playing a Mexican restaurant and I was carrying my own sound system… I would get free enchiladas and all the beer I wanted and in college, that’s a pretty big deal… To think of where we are now — it’s basically the same person doing the same thing — I’ve just a got a lot more stuff around me and a lot more people around me. The journey has been a beautiful one.” Inspired by the journey he’s been blessed by and the courage he’s had to chase his dream, Chesney is using his new album to encourage others to get out there and see what they can accomplish. “There’s several songs on this record that go straight to the heart of living your life to the fullest and just getting off the couch of your life,” he said of the messages throughout the project. “I’m proud of where we are, I think it’s a good reflection of where I am at this part of my life. I think that I was able to make a record that really defines our live element but gives people a glimpse of the person — that’s hard to do both — and I think that we were able to do that with this Born album.” Live shows were definitely something Chensey took into consideration while crafting the new album, and while he shares he’s excited to play a couple of new tracks on the road this summer with his Sun Goes Down stadium tour, he plans on keeping it mostly to the hits. “New music is great, especially for us, who have been doing this for a minute because it adds new energy,” Chesney said before detailing what he has in mind for his 2024 setlist. “We’re going to do a couple songs off the record that are pretty rockin’ — we’re going to find out place for those — but for the most part, we’re going to dive into our past. We’re going to do some we haven’t done in a while, but it’s going to be loud, it’s going to be fun, it’s going to be full of connection and love, which is what I love about what we do.“ Anyone who has been to a Kenny Chesney show for any amount of time knows the connection the 55-year-old is referring to as he is widely known for having one of the most electric and tight-knit connections to his fans who he calls, No Shoes Nation. “I am so in tune with the people that come see us play,” Chesney said. “I have touched so many hands and looked at so many faces and we have just this soulful connection. I know it’s a lot of people, and there’s no way to be kin to all those people, but it feels like a kinship.” Hear more about that connection, what else Chesney has planned for tour and all about the new album by checking out Kenny Chesney’s full conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

With more than 20 #1 singles under his belt, you might believe Thomas Rhett has a sixth sense for hit songs, but according to the 33-year-old hitmaker that couldn’t be further from the truth. Rhett used his latest chart climber, “Mamaw’s House” featuring Morgan Wallen as an example saying he never imagined the song performing on the charts. “I think because we wrote this song so long ago and when we released it, there was never a plan for it to go on a radio chart of any kind,” Thomas said of the reason why he was shocked the tune — which he wrote in 2020 with Morgan Wallen — was so well-received.  “It was just like, ‘This is cool that we did this together — let’s put it out.’ To see it organically making its way up the chart is really special.” He continued on to share the song was a product of he and Wallen’s first time ever writing together and came to be after Wallen received a call from his Mamaw during the write. “The whole song literally sparked by a phone call that he got in the middle of that write from his grandmother — his Mamaw... We walked away from that like, ‘Cool, man. Glad we wrote a song about our grandparents. Moving on…’” Thomas laughed. Having written the song in 2020, for four years it sat alongside hundreds of others Thomas says he has in the archives that may never see the light of day. Seeing the success of the song he almost didn’t release has Rhett overthinking (more than he already does) when it comes to the new album he’s got in the works. Typically seeking validation from those closest to him, Rhett says this go-around he’s decided to take a different approach. “I’ve had it happen so many times where I’ve been like, ‘This song is a smash, this is my favorite thing I’ve ever written in my life.’ Then you play it for a friend and they go ,’Eh.’” Known to take opinions straight to heart, Rhett was very selective about who he shared songs for the new album with and made sure he stayed focused on what the fans would like. “I was really careful this go-around not to let a lot of people in on the process because I was having so much fun — am having so much fun — making it,” Rhett shared before admitting he’s even kept his wife, Lauren, more on the outs that normal. “I actually sat my wife down and was like, ‘Hey, let’s make a date for me to play you the album because she’s always gotten to hear it, all the way through but this one it’s sort of like — ‘Hey, these are the decisions that I have made.’” So, with many on the outs — who did get to have input into Thomas’ new project? “There are three individuals that are not in the music business and they’re between the ages of 18 and 24 that are friends of mine that I sent everything to, in real time,” he shared. “They’re not jaded, they’re not so in the 615 [Nashville]. We can over-analyze a song to death… at the end of the day, people like a song, or they don’t.” In addition to gatekeeping the opinions, Rhett is also giving himself the gift of time with this project — something that’s never been on his side in the past as he’s written albums while on the road. “I’m doing like, 30 shows this year, so this is the most time — on purpose — that I’ve ever had to actually make an album,” he said. Allowing himself time to get things right, Rhett is excited to uncover the final product. While time is on his side for once with his career, the father-of-four says it’s a completely different ballgame when it comes to watching his daughters grow up. “It’s starting to get real. It’s starting to get to that point of that parenting bit where time moves fast, but you don’t think it really moves that fast — it’s starting to feel fast!” While wishing time would slow down at some points, Rhett admits his daughters getting older does have its perks — like his two oldest, Willa Gray and Ada James being old enough to take a duck hunting trip with him. “Willa Gray has been begging me to go for a couple of years,” he said, before admitting his girls’ tough nature always makes him proud. “It was a blast, Willa Gray got her first duck. It was one of those moments where I wanted everyone who said, ‘man you need a boy, you need to have a boy’ [to see.] I’m like, ‘These girls are tough!’ It may be even more fun [than with a son] to be honest with you.” Hear more about the trip, new music, how he’s learning to love horses and his some of Thomas Rhett’s favorite memories with family friend, Toby Keith, by checking out his interview on the Superstar Power Hour with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

After welcoming two baby girls, Kane Brown and his wife, Katelyn, are having some fun browsing a fresh list of names as they get ready to welcome their first son later this year. During his recent appearance on Audacy’s Superstar Power Hour with Katie Neal, Kane shared he and Katelyn have narrowed it down to four names, however, his original favorite isn’t on that list. “We wanted to name him Knight because it starts with a K,” Brown said, admitting the baby will have the initials KB like all their other family members; Kane, Katelyn, Kingsley, and Kodi. “But, it’s just the N. We’d have King and then Knight — for Knight in shining armor — but we need the K [sound]” he said, pronouncing the letter. Appears the couple hasn’t had too hard of a time moving past the name Knight as they already have a new favorite which they are hoping gets family approval before the baby boy arrives. “We have like four that we’re choosing from. There’s one that I would say is our number one name, but Kate’s [Katelyn’s] brother is not in love with it, so it’s really really [bothering] her…. I don’t know, maybe we will, maybe we won’t go with it.” While he anxiously awaits the arrival (and we all anxiously await the name), Brown is keeping busy as he climbs the charts with his current single, “I Can Feel It,” a stadium tour and making a new album… and even with all that, Brown says he still desires to do more. “I’m like, so competitive, I would definitely put me at the top of the list of the most competitive people in the genre,” Kane said, admitting he is always keeping an eye on his peers to make sure he is keeping up. “Like, when I was watching the Super Bowl — just to see some of the artists on Super Bowl commercials and things like that — and I’m sitting at the bar watching I’m like, ‘Man I could be doing something else.’ Sometimes it makes me feel like I’m being lazy.” Admitting he’s constantly battling thoughts of “never enough” when it comes to his career, Brown shared he received some much-needed clarity from actor and wrestler, John Cena, during a conversation that felt like therapy. “I had a therapy session with John Cena the other day,” Brown said. “Not really, but I was in the car with him and he was asking me questions — he’s actually a great interviewer — he asked me a lot of questions that I’ve never answered [before]. When I would give the answer, he would kinda tell me how he saw it.” One of those questions got Brown to open up about his struggles with feeling like he’s “less hungry” than he was in the early days when he had to brainstorm, plan and execute every move surrounding his music in the search for success. “I have a lot of extra time now, compared to my Facebook days where I had to think about what I was going to sing, time it out, and when I would do it, I would have to look at my social media and analyze and go over the analytics and everything like that. Now, sometimes it makes me feel like I’m not as hungry because I’m not doing as much,” Brown admitted before sharing that a simple statement by Cena made him see things differently. “He’s like, ‘You have other people do those jobs now,’” Brown said of Cena’s response, which made him recognize his success has grown too large for him to handle on his own. “It’s cool to see the growth,” Brown said of the times he does sit to reflect on how far he’s come. “I never really sit back and look at it… I’m always a front-lookin’ person, I never look back really, [but] I’ll get a random day where I sit and think about all the things that we’ve done. It’s cool.” Hear more from Kane about his accomplishments, tour, excitement for baby #3, and forthcoming duets with his wife, Katelyn, by checking out his conversation on the Superstar Power Hour with Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Cody Johnson has shifted the perspective of millions across the globe with his life-affirming hit, “’Til You Can’t,” and according to the cowboy-turned-Country star, that includes his own. While the song has been one of his biggest to date and reached the #1 spot on Country radio, Johnson says the impact on him and his fans was much greater than just topping music charts. During his recent appearance on the Superstar Power Hour with Audacy’s Katie Neal, COJO shared the song took on a whole new meaning to him shortly after he recorded it when a private jet he was flying in experienced an engine malfunction sending him and his team plummeting mid-flight. “We were all on a plane coming from Mississippi going to Austin to do a NASCAR Race National Anthem,” Johnson told Katie Neal of being on the jet with his wife, assistant and tour manager. “[We] were going to fly through the night and long story short, the jet stalled, engine failure, and we started plummeting from about 41,000 feet, down to about 10,000 feet and the pilot said, ‘This is it, we’re goin’ down.’” He continued, “I remember thinking about all the things I’d left unsaid and all the things I’d left unfinished and how angry I was — immediately, I thought, ‘I should have said that, I should’ve did this’ — and I don’t want to live with that regret anymore. Next night, when I sang, ’Til’ You Can’t,’ I was like, ‘This song is for me…’  it changed my perspective and I hope it’s affected other people like it’s affected me and I thank radio for giving it such huge platform.” While humbled that song in particular reached the top — Johnson is quick to clarify it’s not the #1 status that means the most to him, it’s the message he was able to spread and will continue to share whether he continues to reach #1 or not. “We followed ’Til’ You Can’t’ with ‘Human,’ which made it into the top 5 but didn’t get a #1 with it. Everybody was so concerned [saying] ‘We don’t think this is going to get #1’ and I was like, ‘It doesn’t matter… so we got a top 5, we didn’t get a #1 — boo hoo!’ I’m never going to chase #1s, I’m here to put out music I believe in and stories that are real.” Proof of the 36-year-old doing just that is everywhere as he regularly hears stories and meets fans who tell him how his music has changed — and even saved — their lives. “There was a young lady in Australia that came up to me at a meet & greet and explained to me how ‘Human’ came on as she was about to commit suicide and she decided not to,” Johnson revealed. “She said, ‘Who is this guy Cody Johnson?’ And the next song that comes on is ’Til You Can’t’ and she said, ‘I just want to thank you, it saved my life.’ That’s so much bigger than a Platinum record or a number 1 hit.” Johnson’s continues to impact listeners with his latest single, “The Painter,” which for him is about the love of his wife, Brandi, but can be interpreted for many other relationships, making it relatable for fans no matter their situation. “It was so perfect,” COJO said of the first time he heard the song penned by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins. “There are 10 million people out there in the world who feel this way about their spouse — and it may not be your spouse. It may be your daughter or your son or your Dad or your Mom — but somebody painted our lives and that song, where ever it takes you, it paints… such a beautiful picture in your mind.” Hear about the single, plus stories about Johnson’s rodeo days, songwriting, international tour dates and so much more by checking out his full conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal on the Superstar Power Hour above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Dierks Bentley is honoring the great Tom Petty with the release of his next single, a cover of Petty’s “American Girl.” With his own Country sound and hints of Bluegrass throughout, Bentley says he’s excited and honored to share his spin on the classic with the world. As Bentley sends the single to Country radio beginning February 26, the song is part of an even bigger project, Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, set to release May 31. The tribute album will feature greats like Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, Marty Stuart, Margo Price and many more as they cover the iconic songs of Petty’s monumental career. “This idea was presented to me and I was so excited to have a chance to be a part of it.” Dierks told Audacy’s Katie Neal during his time on the Superstar Power Hour. “I jumped on it. I said I’d love to get ‘American Girl,’ and I got it and we went in the studio and I had a lot of the same cast I use on some of the more Bluegrassy stuff, but we also put big drums, electric guitar — so it has a mixture of the two worlds… it turned out great.” While he never got the chance to meet Tom Petty before his passing in 2017, Bentley says growing up as a fan of Petty’s music, and also inspired greatly by his work as a musician, he feels like he has a strong connection and understanding of the icon. “It’s one thing to listen to ‘American Girl’ so many times as a fan, but to listen to it as a singer, knowing that this is really going to be out there, I wanted to try and make it as me as possible, but also grab some of the pieces of Tom Petty — just his vocals — there’s so much authenticity to his vocals, so raw, he’s just singing straight from the heart.” He continued, “I never got a chance to meet him… but that’s the thing about music… you know the artists through the music and you have the relationship there that, to me, that’s good enough. Getting a chance to honor him and be a part of this project, I’m happy with that — more than a handshake would have been.” Getting to cover one of his biggest inspirations in such a high-profile way isn’t the only plus for Bentley — he’s also excited to play the song live at his shows as well as have the single buy him a little more time to work on a new album. “It gives me more time to work on my record, coming out sometime next year,” Dierks said of having “American Girl” to promote while he works on a new album. “To be handed this song, an instant hit, you go out there on the road and everyone is excited to sing along to it. It’s actually an incredible gift.” In between promoting the new single, working on his album and touring on his Gravel & Gold Tour, Dierks says he is also keeping busy as an Uber driver for his kids as he tries to keep up with their extracurricular activities. From his son’s hockey tournaments to his youngest daughter’s tap dancing and eldest’s driving lessons, there’s a lot going on in the life of Dierks. Here all that and more during his talk with Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Chris Young has brought new focus to his health and fitness routine and fans are taking notice. More than 50 pounds down, Young is quick to clarify he isn’t “taking” anything but more trips to the gym. “Somebody walked up to me like, ‘What are you taking?’” Young shared in a puzzled tone. “Umm, water? Advil, sometimes,” he laughed. “It’s about being more healthy for me. In the gym, on a regular basis.” A tight gym community has helped Young continue to reach his health goals and while he feels comfortable celebrating his progress with his fellow work-out pals, he sometimes feels awkward sharing it with the world. He continued, “I work out with a bunch of guys who train tight ends in the NFL and they’re always hyping each other up at the gym and just having a good time, so it’s like, yeah, the workouts suck, but it’s been a lot of fun for me.” On top of his fitness journey, Young has been hard at work on his ninth studio album, Young Love & Saturday Nights, releasing March 22. His first album since Famous Friends in 2021, it will also will mark his largest collection of songs to date with 18 tracks. “It’s just time for some new music,” he shared. “Every album is a snapshot in time, right? Of like, where you are as a person, artist, writer, producer… this one in particular has been the biggest sort of labor of love that I’ve ever done.” He continued, “It’s something I’m really, really proud of. I am so happy that this project is finally coming out and that everybody gets to hear all the songs because I’ve been living with ‘em forever.” Hear additional details about the new album, Young’s fitness journey and more by checking out his entire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal on the Superstar Power Hour above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Chris Janson got us all excited about the possibility of a duet with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson last October when he posted a video calling out the legendary celeb. Now, he’s giving us an update on the status of that duet. “I’d say it’s pretty close,” Chris said when asked by Audacy’s Katie Neal how close a duet with The Rock is to happening. “When it happens, it happens, and it can be quick. It can be just like spur of the moment, ‘Okay, we’re gonna do it Tuesday.’ And so I think that’s kind of where it is right now.” Definitely excited at the opportunity for a collab with The Rock, Janson said he is making sure to still respect the space and time of his high profile pal. “As I do consider him a friend, he’s also an extremely famous friend, and even though he doesn’t act that way, he is, and I respect that very much,” Chris expressed. “I like to give that space... I’m sure he’s got plenty of buddies who hammer all the time about stuff, and I’m not that guy. I want to be very mindful of his situation, and he has a lot going on - I would say probably ’24 you could probably look [for a song with him] and certainly some live collaboration moments between he and I singing.” The buzz around Janson and Johnson doing a duet started when Janson posted a video on TikTok dedicating a cover of Hank Williams Jr’s “The Blues Man,” to The Rock and sharing with viewers they’d talked about doing something together. “This one goes out to my buddy, The Rock,” Janson said to start out the video. “We have yet to sing together live and I know we’re talking about it and I know we’re going to do it.” Can’t wait! Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

After nearly 20 years in the business, 11 #1 singles and 7 GRAMMY wins, it’s safe to say Country trio Lady A has quite the catalog, however, there is one song that “got away” that they just can’t stop thinking about. Ahead of their performance at Audacy’s Totally Private concert series at the Hard Rock in Nashville, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott revealed they were pitched the song “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” and passed on it, making room for Meghan Trainor and John Legend to swoop in and make it a big ol’ hit. “Meghan Trainor and John Legend’s [“Like I’m Gonna Lose You”], got pitched to us and we said ‘No,’” Hillary recalled with a stunned look on her face. “What were we thinking?! [That’s] such an amazing song.” While the trio continues to wrap their minds around what could have been, they were quick to admit they’ve been on the receiving end of the same kind of story with some of their own hits — for example, “Downtown.” “‘Downtown’ was on hold for Miranda [Lambert],” Charles shared. “Someone had sent it to us… technically, they shouldn’t have sent it to us but we were in the studio and were like, ‘We need a song like this!’” He continued, “It kind of got back to Miranda that we were thinking about it and she goes, ‘Oh, I love those guys. You know, if they’re going to the studio and cutting it, let ‘em have it.’ It could have been a Miranda hit.” While no one will ever know what the song would’ve accomplished for Miranda, Charles shared he believes songs have a way of “ending up where they’re supposed to,” which was exactly the case for a number of songs penned by Dave, Scott and Hillary, which found their best life with other artists. “‘A Little Bit Stronger' [by] Sara Evans” Hillary shared is a favorite song she penned made famous by another artist. “That one — before ‘Thy Will’ was probably the most personal song I’d ever written and so, to let it go, it was OK that we pitched it and I was so excited when she cut it because she’s just a huge, huge influence on me as an artist and a singer.” Dave then chimed in sharing a favorite from his own catalog, “I think the one with Luke Bryan [that] Charles and I wrote, ‘Do I.’ It was just a special moment in time too — we were early on in our career and just kind of coming up a similar time with Luke and getting to kind of be a part of — a little tiny part — of his star just shooting and rising early on.” While the song shuffle is all part of the business, Lady A is determined to make sure no song falls through the cracks as they continue work on their next album and plan to take their time to not only write, but explore outside songs. “I think what we’re trying to do this year is leave some space and margin to just kind of see creatively where we go,” Dave said of the approach the band is taking to work on their next project. “We had a big, busy tour last year, so we’ve got some good time for writing and letting the music dictate where we go. We feel so lucky to be in this spot, 17 years in.” While the record is still in the very beginning stages, the trio has set the tone for what’s to come with the lead single, “Love You Back,” a song that raised its hand with help from some Lady A experts — the fans. “Over the summer, we brought in a bunch of fans into a listening space and played a handful of new songs and this was the one that they really gravitated towards,” said Hillary. “This new music is [us] really wanting to put out songs and put on a show that the fans really gravitate towards and they feel is very personal to them.” As the band continues to keep things loose and let the fans and creativity be their guide for new Lady A music, they’re also excited to foster creativity with other artists as well. “I’ve been writing too with other artists,” Charles revealed. “Wrote a song with Jake Owen, got one with Carly Pearce that she’s puttin’ on a record, so trying to also branch out into different things and I think that’s what’s fun for us — is if you’re having fun doing it, then you’re doing the right thing.” “There’s nothing more exciting to me than that pure excitement of you’re working on a project and you have no idea if the song that you’re working on is going to be the next big song for you or not… you just keep showing up and you keep doing it.” Hear more about what’s to come from Lady A, plus some of the their hysterical memories including Bruce Springsteen, gas station restrooms, and Nahville Snow by checking out their entire interview with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal