Month: April 2024

Cody Johnson has released a special music video for his No. 1 single, “The Painter,” featuring a painting by a young woman with special needs named Katie McCormick, whose mother, Teresa, connected with their local radio station after being especially moved by the song’s lyrics. “The Painter” was the first single off Johnson’s 12-track studio album Leather which was released last fall, and details his relationship with his wife, Brandi.

After Katie’s story made its way to Warner Music Nashville (Cody’s label) he began to develop the video in collaboration with an AI artist.  A post on Johnson’s socials read:  “Hey y’all, check out The Painter (Katie’s Version) that brings to life a painting by Katie McCormick, a young woman with special needs. Her mother, Teresa, connected with their local radio station one morning after being especially moved by the song’s lyrics. Because of Katie’s intractable epilepsy and many surgeries throughout her life, she has right sided weakness and a learning delay disability. However, she discovered a love of painting as a therapeutic outlet through a connection with her incredible and dedicated art teacher, Debby Francis. Katie’s story made its way to Cody’s label, Warner Music Nashville, who developed the video in collaboration with an AI artist. The result is a beautiful burst of color and movement, serving as an answer to the question – “how can we take Katie inside one of her own paintings? ** While this song is written about a man’s love for his wife and how she colors his world, it allows everyone who hears it to drift away in thought to that person who adds beauty and color to their own life. Be that a child, a parent, spouse, or friend,” Teresa shared. “This is what country music is all about. – Team CoJo”

Says Katie’s mom, Teresa: “While this song is written about a man’s love for his wife and how she colors his world, it allows everyone who hears it to drift away in thought to that person who adds beauty and color to their own life. Be that a child, a parent, spouse, or friend. This is what country music is all about.”

Take a look at the video for “The Painter (Katie’s Version)” – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is featured in the music video for good buddy Chris Janson’s latest single “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get”.  Janson shares: We had a great time making this video. Tons of genuine real fun. From Tennessee to Texas, we made it happen. Can’t thank DJ enough for starring in it and for being a great friend to me.” 

Per Billboard, the video isn a ‘fun escapade as the two ride around a field and lounge in the back of a 1970 brown Ford Explorer in the clip, laughing and enjoying each other’s company.’

Johnson and Janson met in 2022 in California, when Janson was with his son. They spotted Johnson in a parking lot while they were both waiting for their cars, and Janson says: “If it weren’t for my kid going, ‘Oh my gosh, The Rock is right in front of us! Daddy, please ask for a picture,’ this would have never maybe happened. I’m a pretty shy guy. I’ve never once, I’m proud to say, asked for a photo, because I understand the extent of what it constitutes when you are in the public eye. But God works in mysterious ways.”

Johnson adds: “’we bonded so quickly in a parking lot waiting for our cars to pull around – talking about ‘The Blues Man,’ talking about the Opry…what really moved me was Chris’ humility, his love for not only country music, which I love as well but his desire to work hard and take care of his family. He does it with such a grace and style – again, his humility, gratitude and always bringing some fun to the mix made us fast friends and I’m happy to be a part of his video.”

Check out the video for ‘Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get’ – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Kenny Chesney is releasing a limited -edition vinyl of his new album, ‘BORN;’ the 2 LP set will be available on May 24th.

Chesney shares: “I’m lucky. I have fans who still believe in the actual listening experience, starting an album at the beginning and taking the journey the songs are creating. Experiencing and asking ‘how does this music define a moment or a state of life? How does it color or reflect my mind?’ So much of my own life’s been defined by what I was listening to over the years, and still is. That’s a whole different way of consuming music than just a hit. Knowing that, I decided to go ahead and do vinyl. It’s a limited run, but it’s there for all the people who put on albums and make that kind of listening a destination. For anyone who sinks into the songs, this is for you.”

Chesney added: “It’s a lot of music, and a lot of life. I realized all that can be taken in in different ways. While we’re only doing a limited pressing, which will be available at select retail stores and through the website, I wanted this music to be in whatever form No Shoes Nation wants to experience it through…”

Chesney also just kicked off the Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on Saturday April 20.   For ticket information, head here.

Fans can pre-order the “BORN” vinyl via the Warner Music Nashville online store – here.

Editorial credit: Brian Friedman / Shutterstock.com

Luke Bryan has released “Love You, Miss You, Mean It”, which he teased back in February while performing during Country Radio Seminar in Nashville at Universal Music Group Nashville’s annual luncheon, later sharing snippets with his fans on social media.

Per Taste of Country, Bryan co-wrote the track alongside Rhett Akins, Jordan Minton, Jacob Rice and Ben Hayslip, with the romantic single ‘chronologically chronicling the storyline of a short-lived high school love story.’

Bryan shares that the song mirrors part of his love story with his wife, Caroline, sharing in a press release: “The first time I heard the song I felt like so many people would relate to it because we’ve all said that phrase ‘Love You, Miss You, Mean It.’ And the fact that the song just talks about young kids falling in love and the challenges of moving off to college and then finally reuniting is kinda my story with Caroline. I hope y’all love it.”

Take a listen to “Love You, Miss You, Mean It”: here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com