 The new season of American Idol airs February 16th featuring judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie. Tune in to cast your vote for the next upcoming female country singer! “You’re going to Hollywood!” quickly turned into you’re “You’re going to Nashville!” for these successful women of country music. Carrie Underwood Undeniably, the most successful star to come from American Idol, is our very own Carrie Underwood. Underwood was the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, and her debut single, “Inside Your Heaven” debuted at number one on the Billboard 100. Since her debut album, Some Hearts in 2005, Underwood has sold 70 million records worldwide, created her own athleisure line, blessed us with the NFL Sunday Night Football intro, and has truly made the world a better place for rising female artists. Her latest tour featured all female opening acts, Runaway June and Maddie & Tae. Please keep gracing us with your incredible talent for many more years to come Carrie! Kellie Pickler Sweet southern, Kellie Pickler gained fame the season following Underwood. Pickler placed sixth on American Idol, but this did not stop her from releasing the catchy girl power hit, “Red High Heels.” She isn’t only a breathtaking singer, she can dance! Pickler won the sixth season of Dancing with the Stars with partner, Derek Hough. Wait, there is still more! She then went on to co-host the talk show, Pickler & Ben with Ben Aaron. What can’t the amazing Kellie Pickler do? Lauren Alaina If you are not following Lauren Alaina’s journey. You are missing out! Not only is the Georgia native absolutely hilarious (with a talented knack for puns), she is a show-stopping singer. Alaina was the runner up on the tenth season of American Idol. Beginning singing at the age of 3, she was destined for greatness. Alaina then went on to open for acts such as Jason Aldean, Sugarland, Alan Jackson, and Blake Shelton. She attended the same high school as Kane Brown, and they went on to duet on his number one single, “What If’s.” Following her massive wave of success she went on to win New Female Vocalist of the year at the 2018 ACM Awards. Similar to Kellie Pickler, this girl can dance! Alaina was partnered with Gleb Savchenko on the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars. During her time on the show she danced to her own song, “The Other Side” in dedication to her step-father. Keep doing you Lauren, we love you! Gabby Barrett Despite being only 19 years old, Gabby Barrett has made a name for herself in country music! Barrett finished third on the sixteenth season of American Idol. In the process, she found her soulmate and husband, Cade Foehner. Her post-breakup anthem, “I Hope” has received over 25 million streams. The Pittsburgh native sang in an all-black church choir during her teenage years, and has also performed the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Barrett has already gone on to open for country stars Toby Keith, Keith Urban, and Cole Swindell. This girl is only getting started, watch out for Gabby Barrett! Kelly Clarkson After becoming the first winner of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson moved on to becoming a top artist across genres. Now a coach on The Voice and host of her own show, Kelly continues to win over fans. Maddie Poppe Winner of season 16, Maddie Poppe won over the hearts of America and runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson. Following the release of her album “Whirlwind,” she announced a tour with Ingrid Michaelson. American Idol returns for its 18th season this Sunday (2/16) on ABC. AuthorHaley Moloney
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 CP2 is finally out and the thirteen-song album encompasses all the stages of love. Following her marriage to Michael Ray, Carly wanted to include “Finish Your Sentences” a duet with her husband. A song written by Kelsea Ballerini, Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, and Ashley Gorley, it was Carly’s label CEO Scott Borchetta who sent her the track telling her to sing with her new boyfriend.
While the majority of the songs are about love, the album also speaks of female empowerment and heartache. To show her strength and determination, Carly added “Dashboard Jesus” and “Woman Down” to her track list. Originally set to appear on her first record before she was turned down, “Dashboard Jesus” speaks to Carly never losing faith in herself. Meanwhile, “Woman Down” is inspired by the work of Shania Twain. Carly stating to Billboard, “I feel like Shania had a way [with] those empowering female songs - and as soon as I heard that song, I wanted to sing it for my mom. I wanted to sing it for my grandmother. I wanted to sing it for myself.” It is in the final song of her sophomore album “It Won’t Always Be Like This” which speaks on heartache. Written with Sam Ellis and Natalie Hemby, the song was inspired by her grandfather and ultimately the passing of her producer busbee who died unexpectedly of brain cancer. “I just feel grateful for the time that I got with him and I feel like it’s my duty to carry on his legacy and be a small part that gets to keep these songs going and cherish these little moments of music that he created. busbee changed our lives. His heart was all over this and I will forever be grateful to busbee.” Listen to CP2 here.  Photo: John Myers This Valentine's Day, Cross Atlantic's Karli Chayne and James Sinclair-Stott will release their enchanting new single "Just a Word" marking a prolific next chapter for the newly wedded duo.
Uplifted by an irresistible, arena-ready groove, the couple sings of the sacred moment when you meet your forever person, and the word "love" becomes more than just language others casually use. The lighthearted and meaningful love song was one-year in the making with Cross Atlantic's frequent co-writer, Bryan Austin. Sinclair-Stott co-produced the song with celebrated, hit-making songwriter-producer, Derek George (producer for Joe Nichols, Bryan White, Chase Bryant and Randy Houser; author of hits by Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Miley Cyrus and Rascal Flatts). "I realized that love was just a word before when I felt I found my best friend for life," Chayne says of Sinclair-Stott. "I never felt anything like it … I always wanted to be a solo artist. I never even considered being a duo until I realized I get to do this with him. I have someone there I can trust onstage and in the writer's room, creating music and producing music. He's there." The autobiographical lyrics were inspired by the instant connection they felt when they first met by chance in 2015 at Nashville's Crema coffee shop. At the time, Chayne, from Bolivar, Mo. was pursuing music professionally in town as a solo singer-songwriter. Sinclair-Stott, from Huddersfield, UK, was based in London and visiting the Tennessee capital for a second time. When they initially started collaborating, they discovered their respective approaches to music enhanced each other and realized they were onto something bigger than themselves. They developed an undeniable signature sound offering a timeless blend of organic, soul-stirring instrumentation that is artfully executed from the first time it's sourced. "After we had written together, he would produce the songs in England, and when he sent them to me, I realized that this is the sound I had been looking for," Chayne adds. "This is what I want. But he was in England. I didn't know if he was coming back." When Sinclair-Stott acquired his visa to be in Nashville and work as a duo, he lived at Chayne’s parents’ home in Hendersonville, Tenn. allowing the two to establish a solid foundation for a lifetime in music and for their friendship to grow into a relationship while navigating careers on the rise. They married on Sept. 24, 2019 at Middle Tennessee's The Estate at Cherokee Dock. "Just a Word" continues Cross Atlantic's musical dialogue that blends Sinclair-Stott’s British rock edge with Chayne’s rich heritage as a seasoned country artist from the Missourian Ozarks. "We want to tell our love story but also keep talking about who we are individually because we each bring something different to Cross Atlantic," Sinclair-Stott says. "We are who we are because of where we came from, which are very different places and families, but yet still have so much in common. We think that's something a lot of people can connect with." Listen to "Just a Word" here.  Triple-threat Kasey Lansdale is always focused on the next project. A singer-songwriter, author, and actress, Kasey found her place in the melting pot that is Los Angeles. Originally from Texas, her roots are embedded in country music. Growing up to Martina McBride and Reba, she writes music from personal experiences, or those things she hears around her. Her song “Good Girl” is a direct reflection of that.
Geared up for the release of the film “All Hail the Popcorn King,” she’ll be performing during its LA premiere on February 16th. The film celebrates her father’s contributions to the worlds of literature and entertainment through interviews with his many colleagues and fans including Bruce Campbell, Joe Hill, Mick Garris, David J Schow, James Purefoy, Yuri Lowenthal, Keith, Kasey and Karen Lansdale, Brian Keene, Del Howison, Amber Benson and Christopher Golden. An engaging performer, Kasey encourages fans to interact with her. In fact, her residency at Mixology 101 at the Grove has allowed her to try out new songs and sounds on different audiences to get their reactions. Not in Los Angeles? You can also watch Kasey on an upcoming reality show premiering on the USA Network within the year. Stay up to date with Kasey’s many accomplishments by following her on social media at @KaseyLansdale and on her website at http://www.kaseylansdale.com/.  Following the many debates regarding female representation in country music, Dash Radio has just set up a brand new show to celebrate the great women of country music. The two hour show is 100% female-led country music. Expect nothing but great music every weekend, from Dolly Parton to Carrie Underwood.
Inspiration for this 2 hour radio show comes from the 2019 CMT Awards when some of country music’s biggest stars made a statement. Jennifer Nettles started on the red carpet wearing a dress that stated “Equal Play” on the back & "Play our f*@#!n records, please & thank you." written on the inside of her dress. Towards the end of the award show Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker united to lead some of country music’s most prominent female artists in a rendition of Tucker’s legendary “Delta Dawn”. The stage was set with all female singers and this sparked the conversation. The conversation which made its way to Dash Radio and they've decided a Women of Country show was long overdue. The feature will air every Saturday from 12pm-2pm PST on The Tailgate and again on Sunday from 12pm-2pm PST on The Ranch. |