Kristian Bush is releasing the third installment of his four-album release 52 – New Blue on Sept. 30. In celebration of the release, he’s shared two new tracks from the collection, “Diamond Motel” and “When’s The Last Time (feat. Dark Water).”

When creating the project, Bush set out to assemble a collection of love songs, but ultimately re-discovered another love—the ‘90s. Finding success as one half of Sugarland, he is also part of folk-rock duo Billy Pilgrim, which formed in the ‘90s.

Bush co-wrote each of the 12 songs on 52 – New Blue, and many of his co-writers have written popular hits in or around the 90’s. He teamed with Billy Steinberg (“Like a Virgin,” “True Colors”), Matraca Berg (“Strawberry Wine,” “You and Tequila”), Billy Montana (“Bring on the Rain,” “More Than a Memory”) and Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors on tracks for the new project.

“While looking for a way to group my songs for this next release, I stumbled on a truth. I found a New Blue. I found that the music and attitude, lyrics and chords, and the foundation of me walking out onto rock stages in the ‘90s, was woven into every Sugarland song, every solo song, every production and every co-write since. Many of the songs on this project feel like songs I would have put out in 1995.”

The final volume of Bush’s set is slated to be released in early 2023. The four-installment album series is named, not only his 52nd year on this planet, but the idea of a year—split into four seasons and 52 weeks—with all four albums released within a year’s time.

52 – New Blue Track List:
Diamond Motel –Kristian Bush, Billy Steinberg
Sailing to Arizona (feat. Chris Barron) – Kristian Bush, Jeff Cohen, Chris Barron
When’s The Last Time (feat. Dark Water) – Kristian Bush, Benji Shanks, Brandon Bush
The Great American Scream Machine (feat. Amie Miriello)–Kristian Bush
Give Me A Road–Kristian Bush, Benji Shanks
Crazy That Way (feat. Stephanie Lambring) –Kristian Bush, Bobby Pinson
Way With Words–Kristian Bush, Justin Lance, Clint Daniels
Man Like Me–Kristian Bush, Taylor Davis
Somebody Promised You–Kristian Bush
Mirror Behind The Bar–Kristian Bush, Phillip Lammonds, Billy Montana
New Girl (feat. Amie Miriello)–Kristian Bush, Matracea Berg, Jeff Cohen, Daniel Tashain
Put A Dent In It–Kristian Bush, Ellis Paul, Connie Harrington

Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard embrace at their last show as a duo. Photo: John Shearer

On Wednesday (Aug. 31), Florida Georgia Line‘s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley played their final concert as a duo at the Minnesota State Fair.

“This is our last official concert as Florida Georgia Line,” said Hubbard from the stage, according to Country Now.

In their final set, the Diamond-selling duo performed a myriad of their hits, such as “This Is How We Roll,” “H.O.L.Y.,” “May We All,” “Dirt” and “Meant to Be,” before closing with their first-ever hit “Cruise.”

Florida Georgia Line burst onto the country music charts in 2012 with “Cruise,” a song that would become a record-breaking No. 1 country hit. “Cruise” earned Diamond certification from the RIAA, becoming the first country single to attain sales and streams equivalent to 10 million units. They went on to earn a second Diamond-certified single with “Meant to Be,” a 2017 collaboration with pop singer Bebe Rexha.

Hubbard (a Georgia native) and Kelley (from Florida) met on campus at Belmont University in Nashville, and began a friendship with their shared an interest in music. In 2011, Big Loud began handling their artist development, publishing, management and record production. Producer Joey Moi, a partner at the company, helped to develop the FGL sound, incorporating elements similar to the popular recordings he produced for rock band Nickelback.

The following year, the duo signed a record deal with Republic Nashville/Big Machine Records and released the album Here’s To The Good Times. Since then, FGL tallied 19 career No. 1 singles, more than 13 billion global streams, sold more than 40 million tracks and 4.8 million albums worldwide, logged nearly 2 billion video views and played to over 4 million fans spanning massive arena and stadium headline tours. They’ve been honored by ACM, AMA, Billboard, CMA, CMT and more.

Their achievements as a duo are currently being celebrated at the Florida Georgia Line: Mix It Up Strong exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame, running until Jan. 1, 2023.

In early 2021, the two announced on social media that they would be releasing their own music as individuals. Though rumors swirled that the two were breaking up, Kelley and Hubbard maintained that they weren’t, but that they were exploring their creativity as solo artists.

Soon after, Kelley partnered with Warner Music Nashville to release an EP, BK’s Wave Pack. In June of 2021, he released a 17-song project inspired by his beach-side upbringing, Sunshine State Of Mind. After aligning with Big Machine Label Group in June of 2022, Kelley is releasing more new music.

Though slower to start, Hubbard started his journey as a solo artist in late 2021. After partnering with Borman Entertainment’s Gary Borman for management, Hubbard signed with EMI Nashville and began releasing music, such as hit fast-rising single “5 Foot 9.” In August he released a 6-song EP, Dancin’ In The Country, and announced his full-length debut solo album would be released on Jan. 27, 2023.

Caitlyn Smith, Ingrid Andress, & Lainey Wilson Join Forces For CMA Foundation

Caitlyn Smith, Ingrid Andress, and Lainey Wilson will take over the Franklin Theater on Sept. 26 for an intimate evening of music. The trio will play in the round, sharing stories behind their award-winning songs and careers.

Tickets are on sale now with a portion of ticket sales benefiting the CMA Foundation, which helps every child gain access to music education in their schools and communities.

VIP Tickets are also available and include access to a pre-show Q&A with the CMA. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with showtime set for 8 p.m.

Ingrid Andress’ ‘Wishful Drinking’ Gets Gold Treatment

Pictured (L-R): Blythe Scokin (Co-Founder, rogue.), Rohan Kohli (Sr. Director A&R, WMN), Anna Cage (VP Radio, WMN), Shane Tarleton (EVP Artist Development, WMN), Ingrid Andress, Clark Tedesco (VP Artist Development, WMN), Mike Dupree (VP Creative Director, WMN), Torie Mason (SVP Strategic Marketing & Analytics, WMN), Tim Foisset (SVP Commercial Partnerships, WMN).

Prior to her Blue Sessions performance at The Basement in Nashville, Ingrid Andress was presented with a plaque commemorating the Gold certification of her current top 10 single “Wishful Drinking” featuring Sam Hunt. Andress’ Warner Music Nashville label-family was on hand for the celebration.

“Wishful Drinking” has garnered nearly 185 million streams worldwide after debuting at No. 8 on Spotify’s all-genre Top 10 USA Song Debuts Chart. The song is featured on Andress’ recently released sophomore album, Good Person, available everywhere now.

AIMP Nashville Chapter Hosts Syn Mock Pitch Event

Pictured (L-R): John Ozier (Reservoir; AIMP National Chair), Courtney Kruckeberg (Endurance Music Group; AIMP Nashville Admin Director), Heather Cook (peermusic), Liz Rogers (Anacrusis), ET Brown (SESAC), Wendy Duffy (Resin8), Emily Boardman (River House Artists; AIMP Nashville Treasurer)

The AIMP Nashville Chapter hosted a Sync Mock Pitch event at the SESAC offices in Nashville on Wednesday (Aug. 31).

A group of AIMP Nashville members were able to present pitches and receive feedback from professionals within the sync space. The judging panel was comprised of several members of the Nashville Film Festival Music Committee, including ET Brown, Heather Cook, Wendy Duffy, and Liz Rogers.

Brandon Whitley Inks With Dare Records

Brandon Whitley

Brandon Whitley has signed with DARE Records, helmed by CEO/Founder and Grammy-winning producer Michael-Anthony “Mooki” Taylor. The Georgia-born singer-songwriter will celebrate by releasing a new track, “Whiskey In Me,” on Sept. 16.

“After seeing how hyped the room was after my team at TruMuzik and I met with DARE Records, I knew they were the ones to help recreate that same reaction with the fans,” Whitley says. “Their energy and excitement about getting the song out matched mine, and that’s a huge deal when deciding to partner up at this level. We could tell we really had something! I’m just excited to give the world a chance to hear this new song and I’m pumped to have DARE Records on board to help make that possible and in a bigger way than ever before!”

Whitley’s hometown of Monroe, Georgia is nestled between college town, Athens, and the metropolis of Atlanta. As a result, his musical influences include elements of rock, blues and country, combining to form his unique sound.

Taylor notes, “Brandon Whitley’s ‘Whiskey In Me’ had me at the drop of that undeniable hook: ‘I just wanna love you!’ Having lived in Music City myself, and felt the pulse of the hottest in country music being created and released, I knew instantly that this song is a bona fide, Nashville-birthed hit! And not to mention… that voice!”

117 Entertainment has partnered with Icon Entertainment Group for exclusive PR representation.

The brainchild of entrepreneur and real estate investor Bill Miller, Icon Entertainment owns and operates establishments in Nashville. The company has acquired commercial real estate totaling six properties and over 110,000 square feet in downtown Nashville, including the Johnny Cash Museum, Nudie’s Honky Tonk, House of Cards, Skull’s Rainbow Room, Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ and the Patsy Cline Museum.

Icon also recently announced its growth into East Nashville as Miller will be occupying the old home of Southern Grist Brewing Co. Miller will also be expanding in The Southern Turf building, which is already home to Skull’s Rainbow Room. He will be adding three more concepts, one being a Frank Sinatra-themed restaurant and bar opening in spring of 2023.

117 Entertainment was founded by Zach Farnum and represents a variety of artists, including Randy Travis, David Nail, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lee Roy Parnell, Wade Sapp, James Robert Webb, and more.

Kane Brown will ring in the release of his new album Different Man with a special celebration on Sept. 9. The one-day only event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 3-7 p.m. at The Ruby in Nashville (2411 Blakemore Avenue Nashville, TN 37212).

The immersive album celebration invites fans to participate in interactive photo experiences that take participants on a journey through the tracks on the multi-Platinum artist’s newest project.

The 17-track album features previously released songs “Grand,” “Whiskey Sour,” and “Leave You Alone,” as well as his recent No. 1 hits “Like I Love Country Music” and “One Mississippi.” Different Man will also include features from Blake Shelton and Brown’s wife Katelyn.

Brown will kick off his international “Drunk or Dreaming Tour” on Sept. 17 in Melbourne, Australia before continuing throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and Europe.