Here’s a selection of the goings on in the wide world of country music.
– Kip Moore‘s sophomore album, Wild Ones, is cued up for an Aug. 21 release. All 13 tracks were co-written by Moore, whose current single, “I’m to Blame,” is No. 27 on the Country Airplay chart dated June 13. Moore is meanwhile on deck for the June 9 Music City Gives Back concert in downtown Nashville, alongside Rodney Atkins, Tyler Farr, Lee Brice and Maddie & Tae.
– Anyone who’s uncertain about Brett Eldredge‘s roots should have their questions answered with his sophomore album. It’s titled Illinois, and it’s scheduled to hit the market on Sept. 11. Eldredge was expected to announce the project on Late Night With Seth Meyers on June 1. The lead single, “Lose My Mind,” is at No. 26 in its sixth week on Country Airplay.
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– Asleep at the Wheel frontman Ray Benson will be inducted into the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame on Oct. 26. The western-swing vocalist is part of a wide-ranging class that also includes hard-rock band Cinderella, Broadway singer Andrea McArdle, jazz singer Billie Holiday and hip-hop band The Roots.
– “It’s basically like breathing to me.” That’s Chris Stapleton’s explanation for his relentless pursuit of music on “15 Years of Traveller,” a six-minute promotional video that premiered June 1 on YouTube. His album Traveller debuted at No. 2 on Hot Country Albums, and the “15 Years” video provides an intimate glimpse into the thought process and passionate dedication at the heart of one of Nashville’s most unique voices.
On This Day in Country History:
June 2
2011 — Elvis Presley is honored with a Mississippi Country Music Trail marker in Tupelo.
1985 — Roger Miller and the Broadway production of Big River win seven Tony Awards, including best musical and best score.
June 3
2009 — John Rich sings “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The Cincinnati Reds belt the Cardinals, 9-3.
June 4
2008 — The Oak Ridge Boys perform for President George W. Bush and both houses of Congress at a White House barbecue. The set list includes “Elvira.”
June 5
1993 — Toby Keith goes to No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart for the first time with “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.”
1980 — The John Travolta movie Urban Cowboy premieres. It includes music by Kenny Rogers, Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, Anne Murray, the Eagles, the Charlie Daniels Band, Jimmy Buffett, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt and J.D. Souther.
June 6
2012 — Carrie Underwood wins a pair of trophies during the CMT Music Awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. She claims video of the year, for “Good Girl”; and collaborative video of the year, for the Brad Paisley duet “Remind Me.”
June 7
2014 — George Strait delivers his final concert at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Guests on the show include Alan Jackson, Sheryl Crow, Jason Aldean, Lee Ann Womack, Eric Church, Ronnie Dunn, Vince Gill, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill and Martina McBride.
2010 — A Darius Rucker & Friends benefit at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon raises $48,000 for charity. Guests include Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Radney Foster, Jake Owen and Kid Rock, who joins Rucker on “Family Tradition.”
Source: RolandNote.com, the Ultimate Country Music Database
This article first appeared in Billboard’s Country Update newsletter — sign up here.