Kane Brown is prepping the release of his sophomore album, Experiment, on Nov. 9 via RCA Nashville. Sony Nashville held an album reveal party at Nashville’s The Bobby Hotel on Friday, Nov. 2 for industry insiders.

“I feel like with this album we were really trying to grow, and make the live show a lot better,” said Brown. “We were experimenting. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing [with] the first album. I didn’t really help [producer Dann Huff] out at all. I didn’t know Dann. I didn’t know what I was supposed to listen for. I got to this album and told Dann I wanted to be in the studio—give my input and be a lot more involved with it.”

What came from that was a special bond, Brown said. “There was one time where I told him he could do a better guitar solo on a song—he’s one of the best guitar players in the world. He sent me like eight solos within 30-minutes that were all No. 1 solos.”

Label Pres./CEO Randy Goodman took to the mic to describe the pressures Brown faced in recording a follow-up to his self-titled debut, which spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the country consumption chart, where is still top 5 after 100 weeks. “[Kane’s debut album was] an unvarnished look at [one] young African-American man growing up in the South,” said Goodman. “It’s that hard-straggle journey that’s brought him here today.

“If writing a sophomore album in a matter of months is not enough pressure, add to that an intense touring schedule—at a uniquely high level for a brand new artist—media attention, if not scrutiny, the highs of his first award to his inexplicable snub by the CMA membership, followed by his sweep of fan-voted AMA’s, and the unprecedented programatic commitments by the DSP’s—all of that paling in the light of his nuptials,” praised Goodman. “You might be willing to cut the 25-year old some slack if the pressure prompted a change in his attitude, or persona. I can attest Kane remains the even-keeled man of few words. I’m so proud of and for Kane.”

The party included gifts for attendees, including Sony’s XPERIA Ear Duo wireless headphones, for which Brown is a spokesperson.

Earlier last week, Apple Music hosted an exclusive show at 12th & Porter to record live performances, released with the streaming music provider. In addition, there’s a 15-minute behind-the-music video, which Apple Music produced for its service. Brown is the first country artist to partner with Apple Music for a partnership like this.

Before his first-ever sold-out headlining performance at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 7, Brown will appear on LIVE with Kelly & Ryan on Tuesday, November 6 ahead of a 6 p.m. iHeartCountry LIVE for a first look inside Experiment. Additionally Brown will appear on Pickler and Ben Nov. 8, The Voice on Nov. 13, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE Outdoor Stage on Nov. 14 and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22.

Apple Music Presents Kane Brown Live in Nashville

Jordan Brooker released his self-titled EP on Nov. 2. The project was recorded at Luke Wooten‘s Station West Studios in Nashville.

The Spencerville, Indiana native was discovered by Wooten on YouTube performing a cover of Dierks Bentley’s “Thinking of You.” After moving to Nashville, Brooker began working with Wooten, and earlier this year signed a publishing and artist development deal with Wooten’s Warehouse West Entertainment. 

Brooker has signed with Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy for business management, and Creative Artists Agency for booking.

Bobby Bones will join American Idol this season as the show’s in-house mentor, it was announced during Monday night’s (Nov. 5) telecast of Dancing With The Stars. Bones appeared on Idol last season, joining the top 24 hopefuls as they prepared to take the stage with their all-star celebrity duet partners. This season, his role has expanded and he will offer his expertise throughout the competition, helping contenders reach the next level of their artistry and performances.

With a nationally syndicated radio show The Bobby Bones Show reaching millions of listeners that recently garnered its third ACM Award for National On-Air Personality of the Year, Bones also earned a 2017 CMA award for National Broadcast Personality of the Year. His popular podcast, “BobbyCast,” recently surpassed 100 episodes and has been downloaded more than 6 million times, and he is also a two-time New York Times No. 1 best-selling author, touring stand-up comedian, philanthropist and chart-topping comedy artist.

American Idol is returning to ABC for the 2018-2019 season, after its inaugural season on the network during 2017-2018 with all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Ryan Seacrest will also return as host.