Texas songwriter, Susan Gibson released the new single, “Compassionate Combat”, today to celebrate, thank and benefit nurses across the country and the world. Produced by Billy Crockett and recorded at his Blue Rock Studio late last year, the song speaks to the hard work, and dedication that nurses put into helping those in need. Never in our lifetime has this work been more at the forefront of our thoughts than it has been over the last year and Gibson’s song captures the feelings that so many of us share about them. So often we struggle to find a way to thank those people that do so much for us and “Compassionate Combat” serves as the perfect way to show them that we all care. It is officially available on all streaming platforms today. The video directed by Brent Tallent (linked below) is also now posted. 

The song itself has had quite a journey. In the spring of 2020 as our country was realizing the impact the pandemic was having and going to continue to have, Susan was one of the songwriters approached by Carolyn Philips of Songs For The Soul, an organization that strives to support caregivers through the power of music. Carolyn asked Susan to write a thank you song to the nurses that were working so diligently to help steer the nation through these unprecedented times. Once “Compassionate Combat” was written and a demo distributed to Songs for the Soul’s network it began to take on a life of its own. Shortly after, a friend asked Susan to record a video telegram of the song to send to nurses in the Houston area. With no plans to record a new album and the touring industry at a halt, Gibson spent the rest of the summer and early fall in Montana on her family cabin. A November online show from The Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio would prove to be a pivotal moment in this song’s life. With no other new songs to showcase but having never performed the song live, Gibson decided to throw “Compassionate Combat” into the set list. 

Happenstance would have Dr. Cole Edmonson sitting at his home in Dallas, Texas taking in the show on his computer. Dr. Edmonson was immediately taken with the song, having spent his career working  in nursing and nursing leadership. As Chief Experience and Clinical Officer at AMN Healthcare (a nursing staffing organization), Dr. Edmonson was in an unique position to bring this song to a large audience of people in the nursing and healthcare world and he reached out to Billy Crockett to inquire about a recording of the song. After Crockett and Gibson spent a few days discussing recording a quick acoustic of the track to send along, Edmonson offered up a budget to record a fully produced band version along with a video. It seemed as though the universe was bringing all of the pieces together for this poignant, beautiful song to the audience for which it was originally written for. 

One the budget was in place, everything else fell quickly into place. The studio was booked, the backing band put together and the basic tracks were put to tape. Soon after, Dirje Childs came to the studio and laid down a cello part that would become the signature sonic part of the song. With the foundation of the song ready, it was time to add some more voices to the mix, Gibson reached out to several friends to sing backing vocals on the track and they all immediately said yes. Now armed with the voices of Texas music standouts, Bill Small, Adam & Chris Carroll, Elizabeth Wills, BettySoo and Walt Wilkins, “Compassionate Combat” was sent to Chris Bell to mix down and then on to Jerry Tubb for the final mastering. The resulting recording is a showcase of the songwriting talent of Gibson and the masterful playing of the assembled band. But, more importantly it is a tribute, a thank you card, a virtual hug and an expression of love to a group of people that mean so very much to everyone in the world. 

Not satisfied with just releasing the song and video to the world, Gibson decided that she wanted to use the song to help raise awareness and money for the American Nurse Association. You will find the link to donate to them on the website that was set up as a dedication to not just the song but the people that it was written about and for, www.CompassionateCombat.com ​

GRAMMY®-winning trio Lady A celebrate the confidence of a woman at her best in “Like A Lady” (BMLG Records) sharing an empowered sneak peek into their upcoming eighth studio album. Feeling energized from a full year of songwriting, the Country-chart mainstays return with a danceable throwback anthem and a dressed-down message of female independence. Co-written by the group’s Hillary Scott with Dave Barnes, Michelle Buzz, Martin Johnson and Brandon Paddock, it finds Scott leading the band with joyful vocal abandon and a playful strut – and shouting out those who’ve spent the last year learning to live it up in loungewear. Officially impacting Country radio on Monday, March 15. 
 
“I feel my most confident when I’m not trying too hard,” Scott explains. “I love getting glammed up and all the fancy clothes, but when I feel the most ‘me,’ it’s a lot more laid back – and I think that’s a lot of us. You are your most authentic self in blue jeans with a tequila drink, ya know? As we were writing it, I was like ‘It’s always been my dream to do a song that combines the things I love about Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5’ and Shania Twain’s ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman!’ – two of the most strong, powerful female songs ever,” she goes on. “So it was like ‘How can we do our version of that?’”
 
“Like A Lady” was produced by Dann Huff and features lush vocal stacks, arena-sized drums and a wall of sound pulled straight from the synthesized grandeur of ‘80s pop, with the band expecting it to become yet another drinks-up moment of camaraderie in their live show. But it also speaks to an issue near and dear to their hearts – and it’s one that each member plays a part in.
 
“It’s incredible that Charles and Dave, in all their masculinity, are willing to sing right alongside me on this song,” Scott continues. “I think that is another powerful statement. It’s super important for strong, great men to stand beside women and propel them forward. I hope it makes fans feel confident too, it brings them joy and just gets people excited about seeing live music again.”
 
“We were some of the biggest champions for 'Like A Lady’ and we’re honored to stand alongside Hillary,” says Dave Haywood. “We’ve had a front row seat to her strength over the years and we love linking arms with her on this song.”
 
“This song has such a great feel to it,” Charles Kelley adds. “One of the coolest parts of being in a co-ed band is being able to share those different perspectives, so that’s just part of what we get to do.”
 
Go behind-the-scenes with Lady A as they prepare for “Like A Lady” here.

Country music’s Jo Smith has returned with the release of “Wyoming.” The track is the first song Smith has written independently, becoming a song near and dear to her heart. The lyrics reflect on her first experience out West, where she was immersed in the beauty and expansiveness of Wyoming. On the song is renowned vocalist Vince Gill, Smith saying in an interview with Sounds Like Nashville, “Having Vince on the song is special for so many reasons, beyond him just being the GOAT, he was a part of my Opry debut back in 2013, and more recently, I was able to play him the final mix of “Wyoming” on the air during an appearance he made to the Coffee, Country & Cody show [where I was co-hosting with Bill Cody].” 
 
Moving to Nashville in 2004 at the age of 19 with a dream, Jo has had many accomplishments including being named one of Rolling Stone’s 10 New Artists You Need to Know in 2017 and a member of CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2018. Leaving RCA Records, Smith was able to return to her roots writing songs for herself not others. A performer as well, Smith views performing as the best way to test out new music and connect with an audience. For her the stage is her happy place and has performed for Whiskey Jam and Circle All Access most recently. 
 
You can listen to “Wyoming” on all digital platforms and find Jo Smith on her website. 

The Academy of Country Music®, dick clark productions and CBS announced today that Mickey Guyton will make history as the first Black female to host the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards™, alongside Keith Urban. The 56th ACM Awards® will broadcast live from three iconic country music venues, the Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe Sunday, April 18 from 8:00-11:00 PM on the CBS Television Network and steaming live and on demand on Paramount+.

Urban returns for his second year after hosting the 55th ACM Awards in September, while this marks Guyton’s first time hosting the ACM Awards and the 29th time multiple hosts have taken the ACM Awards stage. Guyton’s performance of her critically acclaimed song “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” at last year’s show featured Urban as a surprise guest on piano.

“I’m beyond thrilled to be co-hosting with my friend Mickey,” said Urban. “I love that finally everyone will get to see her infectious energy and uber creative spirit in full light.”

“Last year I had the opportunity to perform at the Academy of Country Music Awards with someone I long admired, Keith Urban, and this year I am incredibly excited to share hosting duties with him,” said Guyton. “As I’ve said before ‘if you can see it, you can be it,’ and it’s such an honor to step onto the ACM stage as the first ever Black woman to host the show. Over the years, the Academy of Country Music has always been a home for me through opportunities both onstage and throughout their work on diversity and inclusion. This is a moment of great significance for me and I am so thrilled to share it with all the fans.”

“Following Mickey’s groundbreaking and emotional performance featuring Keith Urban at last September’s ACM Awards, the producers knew that they would make a perfect hosting duo,” said ACM, dcp and CBS in a joint statement. “Since then, Mickey had a stratospheric rise and Keith has continued to top the charts. They will make a dynamic pairing that captures the warmth, humor, and comfort that the fans are looking for, and join a legendary list of talented artists that have hosted the ACM Awards over the years.”  

The 56th ACM Awards®, honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in Country Music, will feature exciting performances, unprecedented collaborations, surprising moments and more to be announced in the coming weeks. The health and safety of the artists, fans, industry, staff and partners involved in the ACM Awards is the number one priority. All guidelines set forth by national, state and local health officials will be closely followed and implemented during the production along with additional safety measures to be instated by dick clark productions and the Academy of Country Music. 

For more information, visit ACMcountry.com.