COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

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Keith Urban To Join "The Voice" As A Mega-Mentor: Keith Urban is prepping for a busy 2024. Not only has he promised new music is on the way, NBC just announced that the country star will join "The Voice" starting April 8 as a mega mentor for the performers who've made it through the battle rounds as they prepare for knockouts. Urban will appear on the hit singing competition alongside its current panel of coaches: Chance the Rapper, Dan + Shay, John Legend and Reba McEntire. Urban has previously appeared on  "The Voice" as former coach Blake Shelton's advisor during Season 15. He was also a coach on the series' Australian version for Seasons 1, 10 and 11.

Kacey Musgraves' "Deeper Well" Sets Personal Sales Records: Kacey Musgraves continues to grow her impressive career. Last week's release of her sixth album, "Deeper Well," set several personal high-water marks for the singer, debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200 in the US, outselling Morgan Wallen and a new album from Justin Timberlake. This marks Musgraves’ fifth Top 5 debut on the Billboard 200. In addition to this being Kacey’s biggest sales week ever, "Deeper Well" marks her fifth consecutive #1 debut on the Billboard Top Country Album chart. 

Sam Hunt Reveals "Locked Up" EP: Last week, Sam Hunt released the video and song "Locked Up." Yesterday he announced that the song is actually the title track for a new four song EP. We've heard two of the songs so far ("Locked Up" and his current hit "Outskirts"); the EP with two other new songs will be available everywhere April 5. In the meantime fans await Sam's third album; in over a decade in country music, Hunt has only released "Montevallo" in 2014 and "Southside" in 2020. 

Riley Green Announces "Way Out Here" EP: Riley Green is keeping fans happy with new music. The singer announced yesterday that his "Way Out Here" EP is forthcoming. The collection will feature his recently-released cover of Josh Thompson’s "Way Out Here," and another new song he’s been teasing for a little while now called "Jesus Saves," in addition to a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s "Atlantic City," which was previously on his 2016 "County Line" EP. Also included on the seven-song tracklist are several other unreleased tunes he's teased before including "Good Morning From Mexico," "Pick A Place," "Worst Way" and his current single "Damn Good Day To Leave." The EP drops April 12.

Hardy Reveals Track List For "Hixtape Vol. 3: Difftape": While Hardy is satisfying his rock fans with his latest album "ROCKSTAR," country fans also have a reason to get hyped. Coming this Friday: "Hixtape Vol. 3: Difftape," a collection of 17 songs that all feature late country singer Joe Diffie's trademark vocals (along with help from some famous friends). While we don't know exactly who those "friends" are, Hardy insists in his Instagram announcement that fans will be knocked out by who's on the collection. "‘Difftape’ is all Joe Diffie songs and it’s just a huge nod, tip of the hat, if you will, to the icon that is Joe Diffie. Rest in peace, we all love you, we all miss you and we just wanted to do something special and different and cool. So this is the biggest ‘Hixtape’ ever, 30 of our best country friends and singers. You’re not gonna believe all the people that are on this… I’m so proud of all the people that said yes to this." 

George Birge Comes Up On Fan Jamming His Tune In The Car: You never know what you'll see outside a country concert. Fans were driving in to a George Birge concert in Florida over the weekend when the singer himself decided to walk down the row of cars filing into the venue's parking lot - when he heard a familiar sound. "I'm walking down the street in Florida, I just heard this..we gotta go check out this guy with the windows down. What you listening to, bro?" The driver pointed at Birge and yelled, "I'm coming to the show, baby!" and cranked the song louder. Birge, obviously pumped, yells out "Let's gooooo!"