Elvie Shane has a lot to celebrate these days, but at the top of the list is “My Boy” reaching #1 on country radio.

The Kentucky-born singer has achieved his first #1 hit with his debut single, a song that conveys the love between a stepfather and his son. As a stepfather to his wife Mandi‘s 14-year-old son, the song is deeply personal for the singer. 

“We have done it. Number-one song in country music baby is ‘My Boy,'” Elvie shares in an Instagram video celebrating his debut hit. “People told me for years that this song would be a #1 song, and about two-and-a-half weeks ago, I found myself doubting that for just a moment.”

The new chart-topper jokes that he celebrated the monumental occasion by changing a dirty diaper of his and Mandi’s three-month-old daughter, Zaelyn.   

“I appreciate you guys so much for the love and support over the last year that this song has been on the radio. I am beside myself,” he continues in the video to his fans. “I am beyond blessed. Thank you, guys. I love you so much.” 

“My Boy” is the lead single off Elvie’s debut album, Backslider, set for release on October 29.

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Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood‘s duet, “If I Didn’t Love You,” was years in the making. 

While the duet may have come as a surprise to some, Carrie reveals that she and Jason have been plotting for years to set up a collaboration. While the pair have teamed up for live performances over the years, including a cover of Guns N’ Roses‘ “Paradise City” at the 2010 CMA Fest, this marks their first official studio duet. 

“Jason asked if I would sing ‘If I Didn’t Love You’ with him. I knew I liked the song, and Jason and I have actually been trying to do things together over the years,” Carrie says. “We’ve sang together before, but we’ve never officially recorded anything together. It just kind of felt like this could be our moment.”

Carrie continues: “I felt like it was a little bit of an unexpected duet to other people, but I feel like I always knew at some point I’d probably sing with him officially, and this just seemed like the stars were aligning and it just seemed like it was going to be the perfect fit.”

“If I Didn’t Love You” is nearing the top spot at country radio. The hit duet is featured on Jason’s upcoming album, Macon, set for release on November 12. 

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Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton celebrated the one-year anniversary of their engagement on Sunday, and now, Gwen has shared some never-before seen video and pictures from the day that Blake popped the question.

“one year ago today?!” she captioned her Instagram post. “October 17th 2020 we got engaged! @blakeshelton I love you!”  The first video shows Gwen showing off her ring as Blake dances up behind her and kisses her cheek. “Look! We just got engaged!” she yells, as the song “Celebration” plays in the background.

Another image shows Gwen on her knees covering her face as Blake kneels in front of her, holding her waist. Next, there’s video of Gwen’s massive diamond engagement ring.

Gwen and Blake didn’t make their engagement public until October 27, 2020.  They tied the knot July 3, 2021 at Blake’s Oklahoma ranch.

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Luke Bryan has been tapped to host the 2021 CMA Awards. 

This marks the “What Makes You Country” singer’s debut as CMA Awards host. He was awarded the show’s top prize, Entertainer of the Year, back-to-back in 2014 and 2015.

“The CMA Awards is one of the biggest nights of the year for Country Music. Being asked to host the CMA Awards was definitely something I put a lot of thought into before answering” Luke says in a statement. “The pressure that comes along with that can be overwhelming, but knowing I get to help honor and celebrate so many of my friends, I knew it was something I couldn’t turn down.”

Luke also said he’s “honored” to join the list of former CMA hosts, which include Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker. “I’m looking forward to making it fun and memorable and using this platform to continue to make Country Music shine,” he declared.

Reba McEntire and Darius co-hosted the show in 2020. It was revealed earlier this month that Reba was not returning as host for 2021.

Eric Church and Chris Stapleton are the most nominated acts at the 55th annual ceremony. Performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. 

The CMA Awards air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 10 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. 

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Ryan Hurd has nothing but praise for wife Maren Morris in her role as mother to their son Hayes. 

The husband and wife pair welcomed Hayes in March 2020, and Ryan says it’s been a joy to watch his wife blossom into motherhood. He jokingly admits that he knew she was excelling as a parent when he got home one day to find that Maren had taught their infant son an advanced skill in his absence. 

“Maren’s a really great mom and it’s cool to watch her learn how to do that,” Ryan tells Entertainment Tonight. “I didn’t realize how good of a mom she was until I got back and he had learned flash cards. I was like ‘I don’t do that, should I be doing flashcards? I didn’t know we had flash cards.'”

The couple met as songwriters in 2013 during a writing session that resulted in Tim McGraw‘s “Last Turn Home,” marking Maren’s first cut as a songwriter. It is one of many major successes the couple has experienced together, including their duet, “Chasing After You,” that’s racing up the charts, currently inside the top 10 on country radio.

“It was cool to have that moment with her. You see the rocket ship take off and you’re like ‘but I was there at the start,’ and that’s cool,” Ryan reflects, adding that he and Maren’s dream was to move to Nashville and be songwriters. “We both get to do it and we both to get to be passionate about our side of it and also passionate about the other person at the same time. It’s really cool to be in a relationship with somebody who feels the same thing.”

Ryan’s debut album, Pelago, is out now.

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Jimmie Allen‘s coming off a big week, as he heads into “Grease Night” this evening on Dancing with the Stars. 

Not only did he and his wife Alexis Gale welcome their second daughter, Zara James, over the weekend, he also just turned in his best performance of the season last Tuesday on Disney Villains Night. 

Part of Jimmie’s strategy has been to learn everything he can from folks who’ve done well on the show before.

“I was actually FaceTiming Lauren [Alaina] today, talking about the Rumba,” he told ABC Audio earlier in the season. “Talked to Nelly, AJ McLean and I talked to Chuck [Wicks]. I talked to Nick Carter, talked to Donald Driver, DeMarcus Ware, talked to BabyFace — a bunch of people that did it.”

“You know, it’s been super cool,” Jimmie continues. “Rashad Jennings, he actually won it with my partner Emma [Slater]. Kaitlyn Bristowe, that won it last year, I talked to her yesterday. It was super cool.”

Jimmie’s also relying on country fans to come through for him.

“Oh, yeah! Listen, them country music fans show up!” he says excitedly. “Okay, they show up! And I’m hoping they graded me low, so they can see the growth, and then I can come back next and try to get better.”

“Because I don’t wanna jump from sixes and fives to nines and tens…” he explains. “I kinda wanna work my way up. I don’t wanna go too high too fast.”  

So far, it’s a plan that seems to be working.

Tonight, tune in to see Jimmie dance the Foxtrot to “Sandy,” starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. 

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Cody Johnson has shared a new music video to go along with his tender ballad, “‘Til You Can’t.” The song is on the track list of his Human: The Double Album, which came out last week.

Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus is lending his name to a special new Donato’s Pizza menu item, for a good cause. For every ‘DeMarcus Pizza’ the restaurant sells through the end of November, $1 will be donated to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

“Just the Way” hitmakers Parmalee will bring their new single, “Take My Name,” to the stage of The Kelly Clarkson Show next week. Check local listings to find out when to tune in.

Speaking of “Just the Way,” Parmalee’s collaborator on that hit track, Blanco Brown, has new music out today. On Friday, he dropped “Never Gonna Tame You,” which is an original song from the new documentary The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses. Diane Warren wrote the song.

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Kelly Clarkson’s holiday project, When Christmas Comes Around, arrived on Friday, and the track list boasts some impressive collaborators. Among them is Chris Stapleton, who lends his voice to one particularly soulful song, “Glow.”

Kelly and Chris trade verses on the song, a love ballad about the one special person who’s missing from an otherwise perfect Christmas.

“Nothin’ has changed, I still wish you could be / Wrapped up in my arms, spendin’ Christmas with me,” the pair harmonize in the chorus. “When it gets cold is when I notice the most / With all the lights on the trees, even Christmas can’t compete with your glow…”

This is the first time Kelly’s ever teamed with Chris, but the pop star’s no stranger to country collaborations in general. In fact, “Under the Mistletoe” — her duet with Brett Eldredge — is a bonus track on When Christmas Comes Around.

Kelly also snagged a number-one country hit back in 2011, thanks to her duet with Jason Aldean, “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”

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Lady A is among the acts joining AXS TV’s celebration of National Country Music Month. The trio will be at the center of At Home and Social with Lady A — An AXS TV Special Event, which airs later this month

That broadcast will include the world performance premiere of the band’s new song, “Swore I Was Leaving.” Also during the special, Lady A will offer an acoustic version of their fan-favorite hit, “I Run to You,” and perform the title track of their new album, What a Song Can Do.

Also during October, AXS TV will celebrate country music with shows spotlighting Luke Combs, Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, Willie Nelson and many more.

Lady A’s At Home and Social with Lady A — An AXS TV Special Event airs on October 23 at 8 p.m. ET. It will rebroadcast the following day at noon ET.

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