~ New Music Monday ~ January 9th, 2017 ~ Let's Catch Up ~

Happy New Year!!! I hope that you all had wonderful holiday's filled with rest, relaxing, good times with family, friends and a time of renewal. My Christmas tree is still up because it snowed here this weekend and it is the first time all month that it has felt even a little bit like Christmas. So, I was lazy about taking down the holiday décor and plan to slowly go about it this week. I love my Christmas decorations and so, taking them down always brings me down as well.

Even with a heavy spirit about the un-holiday-ing that I have to do, I know that I will have my ever faithful therapist by my side, music. A lot went on over the holidays for the artists we know and love. Speaking of love, lets start there......

Ballerini and Evans performing "Peter Pan"

from "The First Time" at The Listening Room in Nashville

Adding some sparkle to her hand in the new year was Kelsea Ballerini, her fella Morgan Evans, is an Aussie Country Music artist and the two met at the Aussie version of the CMAs/ACMs, when the two co-hosted the show last April. Head to Ballerinis socials to get the scoop. Kacey Musgraves and her fella, Ruston Kelley, got engaged on Christmas Eve, I believe, as she posted to her socials. She appears to be as happy as can be. Her man was original and sneaky in having her childhood bedroom in her childhood home, which Musgraves now owns, decked out in Christmas décor which is where he proposed. I think it all sounds very romantic and thoughtful. Head over to Musgraves socials for all the details and a pic of the bling.

Kip Moore and Dave Lapsley covering Oasis'

"Don't Look Back in Anger"

Along with engagement announcements there was also a sad break up. Kip Moore announced several days ago, via his socials that Dave Lapsley, electric guitarist, half of one of the couples that inspired #1 song, "Hey Pretty Girl", and the first official Slow Heart will be leaving the band. He and his fam are relocating and I know for myself that my little heart just dropped when I read the announcement. I am happy for DLaps and his fam, but I am heartbroken for the band, Kip and selfishly, us fans. I'm sure that Dave will show up here and there at future dates, or at least that's my hope. I also know that this had to be a difficult decision so, as fans, we all of course are supportive of both Lapsley, Moore and the Slow Hearts as they move forward. Fans have been flooding Moore and Lapsley's social media pages with words of comfort, encouragement, pictures from past shows and even a few vid clips of DLaps owning his solo's. Moore and the rest of the Slow Hearts on a bit of a break as they prepare to release a new single and album in 2017. The single was originally announced to be released this month and the album is expected later in the Spring or early Summer. In the mean time Moore has been having pics posted to his socials of his adventures. This band has toured for a solid ten years-ish with breaks only for holidays and the random week or weekend here or there. So, to say that they deserve a break is an understatement. As a fan I hope that the entire team is getting the rest, recovery, rejuvenation, inspiration, and whatever else they may need in this down time. We are, as always, patiently....well, as patiently as we know how, looking forward to the new music and the guys returning to the road.

Also, while we were away Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie and Tae were highlighted on the Forbes 30 under 30 list to watch, Carrie Underwood presented at the Golden Globes with Sting, Keith Urban kicked off 2017 from the heart of down town Nashville and his wife, Nicole Kidman joined him onstage for one of the tunes serving as his back up dancer. Mariah Carey, per Mariah Carey, was "sabotaged" at her NYE performance at Dick Clarks Rockin' New Years Eve. Side Note: I can't say, "Dick Clarks Rockin' New Years Eve" with out hearing/seeing Ross and Monica Gellar from friends practicing their dance. Is that just me? Anybody? Anybody? Well, o.k. As expected, musically, 2017 started with a high note......too soon?!

The Cadillac Three - "The South"

fr "Bury Me in My Boots"

Live at Abbey Road

 

Coming up in 2017 are tours, tours, and wait for it.....tours!!! Kicking off in January The Cadillac Three will begin their "Black Roses" tour which will have Aubrie Sellars as opening guest on several dates. I have a gut feeling this is a show you're gonna want on your calendar if you get the chance. Maren Morris will set off on her first headlining tour with beau Ryan Hurd opening several dates. Morris is also nominated for her first Grammy, which airs in February. Her freshman album, "Hero" is currently on itunes for $9.99 and this would be a great time for you to add it to your play lists. Trust me, you are gonna want to be able to say that you where a fan BEFORE she took home that golden trophy. Dierks Bentley is taking Jon Pardi and Cole Swindell on his "What the Hell Did I Say" tour, named after one of the tracks off of Bentley's current album, "Black". Kip Moore and the Slow Hearts are expected to return to road life in 2017 as well as head back to Australia for the second year in a row as a performer at CMC. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill announced they are once again combining their powers as a country music super couple and are co-headlining a tour in 2017.

Aubrie Sellers - "Liar Liar"

fr "New City Blues"

New music is also slated to hit radio and iTunes early in 2017. Reba McEntire is releasing a gospel record titled, "Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope". This can be pre-ordered now on iTunes and is currently set to release February 3rd. As mentioned earlier Kip Moore has discussed a new album to be released late Spring or early Summer, Kelsea Ballerini has been sharing via her socials that she is currently writing and recording for her sophomore album. There are many more and we will be sure to share them along the way as we make new posts for #NewMusicMonday!!!!

Miranda Lambert released, "The Weight of These Wings" just before the end of 2016 along with its first single, "Vice". I've been listening to the album all month and am falling in love with it track by track. I honestly wasn't sure, based on "Vice", exactly what to expect from this double disc offering from Lambert. I am happy to say, it is as epic as we expect it to be, as we expect Miranda to be. Go ahead and plan to see tracks from "The Weight of These Wings" double disc, "Nerve" and "Heart" to be featured in future #NewMusicMonday posts. I am anxious to hear what Lambert will release as her second "official" single off the album. I can't decide if I know what I would like to hear. There really are so many good tracks on it that I am unsure how Queen Ran and her team will decide. With Queen Ran in mind the last share for this weeks New Music Monday Catch Up will be from "The Weight of These Wings".

Miranda Lambert - "Highway Vagabonds"

fr "The Weight of These Wings"

Live on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert