Country Thang Daily brings you five hottest topics in country music that became the headlines of most media sites this week. Check them out below.
1. Rising Country Singer Justin Carter Killed in Accidental Shooting
Justin Carter, a rising country star from Texas, was accidentally killed while shooting for a music video at his apartment in the Woodlands, about 30 miles north of Houston. The incident happened on the night of Saturday, March 16. The gun, which cut short Carter’s life and career, was used as a prop for the music video.
Photo credit: yahoo.com
His mother, Cindy McClellan told the Fox News that the gun he was carrying in his pocket while filming “went off and caught my son in the eye.”
Earlier in the week of his death, the 35-year-old Carter had just signed a record deal with Triple Threat Management. Mark Atherton of the said record label confirmed to ABC13 Carter’s potential of becoming the next Garth Brooks.
“Justin had a potential to, you know, in our eyes, and a lot of people’s eyes, to be the next Garth Brooks,” Atherton says. “He was always just so full of energy, just so fun … He always had that personality kind of like the class clown, but when it was time to get down to business, he got down to it.”
Atherton also revealed the company’s plan to release all Carter’s music and all its proceeds will go to his family.
Watch the music video of the singer’s single “Love Affair” which was released on March 9.
2. Garth Brooks and Other Country Icons Join Forces for the Keith Whitley Memorial Concert
A tribute concert for the late country and bluegrass singer Keith Whitley will be held on May 9 in honor of his 30th death anniversary. The all-star tribute memorial concert will feature some of the biggest names in country music including Garth Brooks, Mark Chesnut, Joe Diffy, Tracy Lawrence, Trisha Yearwood and many more.
Photo credit: klur.com
Whitley’s widow Lorrie Morgan will host the tribute memorial concert which will be held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater. Their son, Jesse Keith Whitley, is also expected to render a special performance for his father.
Whitley rose to fame after he moved to Nashville in 1983 and signed with RCA Records. He was at the peak of his career when his untimely death came. Prior to this, he was able to score three consecutive No. 1 hits including “Don’t’ Close Your Eyes,” “When You Say Nothing At All,” and “I’m No Stranger to the Rain.”
3. Awesome Stage Collaboration of Big Stars in the 2019 ACM Awards Revealed
Each year at the ACM Awards, the show features some of the most respected artists of country music on its Flashback series. The 2019 ACM Awards, which is set to air live on April 7, will have awesome collaborations of big stars on the program’s segment. The King of Country George Strait and ACM’s most-awarded artist Miranda Lambert will lead the star-studded line-up of performers in the awards show.
Photo credit: wbwn.com
The former holder of the title of most-awarded act Brooks & Dunn will also be performing alongside Luke Combs who was crowned 2019 New Male Vocalist of the Year. The 2019 ACM Flashbacks will also feature performances from ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade honoree Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Brothers Osborne with Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile with Dierks Bentley. The 2019 New Female Vocalist of the Year Ashley McBryde will also be taking the stage with Eric Church.
Even the show’s host Reba McEntire is set to take the stage. The 2019 ACM Awards will be held at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be aired live on CBS at 8 PM ET.
4. Kid Rock Spends a Day Golfing with Trump, Shares Photo
Kid Rock joins President Donald Trump for a fantastic golfing in Florida over the weekend. It was a perfect time for the pair to play golf given the sunny weather. The singer shared a photo of the two on his Instagram account.
They seem prepared for the 45th president’s International Golf Club held in West Palm Beach with their getup. Rock appears very patriotic in his red, white, and blue attire. On the other hand, Trump, as usual, is seen wearing his red cap. The singer added to his post the following caption:
“Another great day on the links! Thank you to POTUS for having me and to EVERYONE at Trump International for being so wonderful. What a great man, so down to earth and so fun to be with!!” Rock ended it with, “KEEP AMERICA GREAT!!”
5. Rockabilly Queen Wanda Jackson Announces Retirement from Performing
The Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson has just announced that she’s retiring from performing following the cancelation of her scheduled concerts. The 81-year-old singer did not specify any reason. However, she cited “health and safety” as the main reason for her decision in a statement shared via her Instagram account. Jackson is set to perform in Las Vegas (April 20) or in Nashville (May 25) but confirms she’s bowing out.
Photo credit: Wanda Jackson/Official Facebook Page
Jackson’s musical career spans more than six decades. She scored her big hits such as “Fancy Satin Pillows,” “Right or Wrong,” “Let’s Have Party,” and “In the Middle of a Heartache” throughout the ‘60s. She’s been a huge influence to other singers like Rosanne Cash, Pam Tillis, Cyndi Lauper, and Rosie Flores.