Katie & Company

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Jon Pardi | Superstar Power Hour Jan 11, 2024

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Toby Keith | Superstar Power Hour Dec 20, 2023

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As Toby Keith enters his third year fighting stomach cancer, the “Big Dog Daddy” isn’t letting his diagnosis keep him from what he loves most — music.

After taking two years to focus on his recovery, Keith returned to the stage for three sold-out shows at Park MGM’s Dolby Live in Las Vegas earlier this month. The shows marked his first “tour dates” following his diagnosis.

As he brings the focus back to his music, it’s clear the 62-year-old’s battle has brought new perspective to his life as he spotlights songs like his newest single, “Don’t Let The Old Man In.” Following his diagnosis, Keith has found new meaning in the song that he originally wrote in 2018 after being inspired by the legendary Clint Eastwood and his zest for life at the age of 88.

“I’m Clint Eastwood’s partner at his gold tournament —he’s 93 this year, by the way,” Keith shared during his time on the Superstar Power Hour with Katie Neal before telling the story of the inspiration behind the song. “Several years ago at the first event I played with him… I [asked], ‘What keeps you going at your age?’ He said, ‘I try to get up every day and be productive — not let that old man in.’”

He continued, “So I came home and said, ‘I’m going to write him a song.’ I didn’t know I was going to have to live those words in a few years.”

It’s only fitting that Keith performed the song to mark his first return to the stage at the People’s Choice Country Awards in September. Not only did he steal the show with his tear-jerking performance, he was also honored with the night’s Country Icon Award.

“I bet you all never thought you’d see me in skinny jeans,” Keith joked while addressing his thinner appearance due to his treatments as he accepted his award. “I want to thank the almighty for allowing me to be here tonight, he’s been riding shotgun with me for a little while,” he continued before recognizing others.

While Keith has kept detailed updates surrounding his health limited, he shared with Audacy’s Katie Neal he feels he’s “turning a corner” with the new year. “I’m doing really good. It’s been a tough two years, but I think I’m turning a corner,” he shared. “I don’t know if you’re ever done with it [cancer], but I’m trying to be.”

Hear more from Keith about the new single, his health and the 30 year anniversary of “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” by checking out his full conversation on the Superstar Power Hour with Katie Neal above.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Luke Bryan | Superstar Power Hour Dec 08, 2023

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Over his 16+ year career, Luke Bryan has done a lot of hip-shaking and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

During a recent conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal on the Superstar Power Hour, Luke shared why he thinks his hip-driven dance moves have become so popular and how he uses it to his advantage on stage.

“I guess it started because I’ve always danced and had fun and been maybe a little over the top with that —even in my college years,” he laughed. “I’ve always felt, if I’m up there dancing and havin’ fun and not tryin’ to be so pre-meditated, that would allow all the audience to relax and be the same.”

If you’ve had the opportunity to see Luke perform live, you’ve definitely experienced the power of the hip rolls which you have to admit — probably brought a smile to your face.

“I think once I started getting some reactions, and as the reactions got louder and everybody reacted more I probably added a little more than I should,” he said. “I’m just doing it all in fun, especially if I see an older lady down there, like a grandma, I’ll give her a little hip-shaking just to have a little fun.”

Safe to say some fun was had throughout Luke’s 2023 Las Vegas Residency, which took place at Resorts World Theatre. And while he says he had a great time performing each night for the fans, he also loved being able to gamble — one of his non-music hobbies.

“Obviously I love to play a little Blackjack and Craps and I pretty much know all the dealers,” he said of how he spent much of his time off-stage in Vegas for shows. “After all the dust settles, I think I’m actually even…. I’ve had some sketchy nights out there where I was down a little bit of money, but somehow climbed back.”

Glad to hear it all evened out for Luke, which means the chances of him going back are higher — an idea he confirmed he was definitely interested in. “I think at some point I’ll probably try to do that [a Vegas Residency] again, or do it at a different capacity.”

We look forward to it! To hear more about Luke’s Vegas Residency, recent Country On Tour, family life and more, check out his entire conversation from the Superstar Power Hour above.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Garth Brooks | Superstar Power Hour Nov 30, 2023

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All this week, Garth Brooks joined Audacy's Katie Neal for the Superstar Power Hour, offering up details about his brand new album Time Traveler; the 30th anniversary of his hit single "Ain't Goin' Down 'til the Sun Comes Up;" his new Nashville bar, and a whole lot more.

Garth Brooks is offering up "something from every era of Country music" with his new seven-disc box set, Time Traveler, available now exclusively at Bass Pro Shops -- packed with hits from his legendary career and new music, including his self-produced 14th studio album, as well as 2014’s Man Against Machine, 2016’s Gunslinger, 2020’s Fun, and his 2019 3X Triple Live concert album.

“I think the reason why we call it ‘Time Traveler’ is you could probably take eight of these songs and put them in five or six different decades of Country music,” Garth says of the new album. “I'm a huge fan of Country music. I was raised on Haggard and Jones, Buck Owens, and Charlie Pryde -- that era in the sixties -- guys like Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams Sr. were ghosts that my dad knew about, kind of passed on to us. Then I got to discover George Strait on my own... and then here came quite possibly one of the most awesome decades of Country music ever -- the ‘80s with Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, George Strait, a little girl named Reba McIntyre... It was just so good.”

Listing off even more of his influences, Garth admits “It was fun to now reflect back on that... It's a time machine; pretty much you're just going through decades of different kinds of Country music all on one record. But the crazy thing is -- this is what I love about it -- It's all Garth.”

Getting into the story behind one of Garth’s all-time fan favorites amid the 30th anniversary of his GRAMMY and ACM award-winning 1993 single "Ain't Goin’ Down ‘Til the Sun Comes Up," Brooks remembers he and his friends and fellow songwriters Kent Blazey and Kim Williams writing at Kent’s house which was undergoing construction at the time. “Well, Kent was having construction done on his house and all of a sudden you look, every termite in the place is starting to come out of the house,” he recalls. “So we move outside and it's 100 degrees outside... That's what I remember. We wrote fast because we wanted to get back in the air conditioning. But just that day, and seeing Kim Williams' face, God love him... I miss him so much.”

Garth's latest branded endeavor, his Nashville, TN venue Friends In Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk just had its grand opening, revealing his business plan to Katie, admitting "I know this is crazy... I wanted to be the Chick-Fil-A of honky tonks. We might have to change Wednesday to Friends Day. I just think Friends Day is the perfect day in there. Wednesday was how I got started. Music was playing Wednesdays at a place called Willie Saloon and every Wednesday, that's where you'd find Garth. So, I think Friends Day and Wednesday's gonna have something in the bar, but th ...

Dolly Parton | Superstar Power Hour Nov 22, 2023

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Audacy's Katie Neal welcomes Dolly Parton to our airwaves as this week’s co-host for the Superstar Power Hour on all your favorite Audacy Country stations nationwide.

One year after being inducted into the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly Parton has made good on her promise to release a Rock album. With some help from some A-list friends, Dolly’s 49th studio project, Rockstar, features 9 original songs and 21 classic Rock anthems with collaborators including Paul McCartney, Joan Jett, Melissa Etheridge, Lizzo, Pat Benatar and so many more.

“Just hearing them in my headphones when we were singing together was just amazing to me,” Dolly said of all the stars she got to work with for the project. “Just draggin’ some of those people out of retirement [was a good memory]. They thought, ‘Oh, I’m not doing that much anymore,’ and I said, ‘Well, you’re gonna do it now. I need you to do this.’”

Hear all about Dolly’s experience making the album as well as what her husband thinks about her Rock status, her Thanksgiving memories, and other fun stories by checking out the Superstar Power Hour with Katie & Company above.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Tim McGraw | Superstar Power Hour Nov 16, 2023

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As Tim McGraw celebrates his 47th song at the top of the charts with “Standing Room Only,” the 56-year-old says he’s still got a lot left to give.

“I feel like I got a lot more in me,” he told Audacy’s Katie Neal during the Superstar Power Hour. “ You know, I still feel like I'm still cranking, getting better – hopefully I'm getting better – I try to get better.”

Part of getting better for McGraw includes challenging himself to take risks outside his comfort zone which in the past have included cross-genre collabs, big time tours, acting, writing a book and more. From the looks of it, nothing seems off the table for McGraw, but turns out that’s not true.

During his conversation, McGraw revealed while he loves to read and has even authored a book – writing a memoir is not something he has planned for the future. “It's something that's not on my radar,” he said. “’Cause if you’re gonna do it, I think you gotta go completely all in. I think there’s a lot of stuff that I wouldn’t wanna tell. I think if I did a memoir, it wouldn’t be full and complete.”

In true Tim style, he continued on to clarify you can “never say never,” but for this specific venture, the scenario would have to be perfect. “Maybe down the road we’ll see… When all the principals are dead, so I’m not getting any trouble. Protect the innocent and the guilty,” he laughed.

While his disinterest in writing a memoir might surprise some, no one will be surprised that Tim is only interested in doing something if he’s ready to give it 100% – Take his forthcoming tour, for example.

“Well, it’s a huge stage, huge video, a lot of moving parts,” he said of the set-up, which is one of the biggest he’s had in his career with a “sickening” amount of lights. “I’ve had people tell me, ‘Why don’t you just do all white lights? And you guys do like an MTV Unplugged, sit down and play songs? I guarantee you people would love it,’” he shared before responding. “If you’ve ever tried to see me sit on a stool for two hours and sing a song, it’s impossible.”

There’s no doubts that McGraw’s shows are high-energy and that’s something he’s not ready to give-up as fitness is one of his top priorities. “You feel better, you know, I think you put on a better show,” he said of prioritizing fitness in his everyday life. Yes, even before shows.

“I mean, the band and I talk about it all the time. When we do our workouts during the day before the show, sometimes a day will sneak up on us when we don't have time where I'm busy or they're busy and we don't have time to get a workout in. We don't do as good of shows. Our shows aren't as good."

"We just feel different. Even if we wear ourselves out completely throughout the day, the energy level is so high when we' ...

Kenny Chesney | Superstar Power Hour Nov 10, 2023

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It’s exciting times for No Shoes Nation as Kenny Chesney dropped his brand new single, “Take Her Home,” along with a tour announcement for his 2024 Sun Goes Down Tour.

Both announcements come as Chesney reveals he is hard at work starting to shape his next album. While there isn’t much to share about the album quite yet, Chesney says it will be a product of fully immersing himself in the creative process, something he’s struggled with in the past.

“Sometimes I get so, so involved in everything and it can take away the creative process,” he explained. “When you’re really busy out on the road and you’re exhausted and you’re trying to make a record, but you’re also trying to run a company and you’re also trying to run this and do this — all of a sudden, you’re brain is just in so many different directions. It’s good to focus on the idea of just creating and that’s what I’ve been doing for a while.”

As the album is still taking shape, there’s one thing Kenny knows for sure — and that’s lead single “Take Her Home,” is not only being included, but setting a high bar for the rest of the project.

“When I heard ‘Take Her Home,’ I went, ‘Wow!’ I’ve been looking for this for a while because it’s one of those life moment songs,” he shared. “It’s just that kind of song that everyone can find a piece of themselves in.”

The song, written by HARDY, Hunter Phelps and Zach Abend with Chesney in mind, was an immediate yes for the Country star as it immediately passed his ultimate test — car speakers.

“When this song was sent to me, I drove around in my car and I listened to it — I bet I listened to it 15 times in a row,” he shared. “I said, If I hear this on the radio by someone else, I’m going to be really mad at myself.”

“It’s crazy. You can make these songs up and go in the studio, record ‘em and obviously I listen to it and decide in the studio, but something about getting in your car is where it just feels right.”

Fans all over will join Kenny in blasting the tune in their vehicles as they make their way to one of Chesney’s newly-announced 2024 tour dates. Hitting up 18 stadiums, Chesney will be joined by Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney, and his “When The Sun Goes Down” duet partner Uncle Kracker.

While fans have a new show, new music, and setlist to look forward to, Kenny promises the same type of Kenny Chesney experience they all know and love with big energy, love, and positive vibes.

Michael Ray at 'Stars and Strings' Nov 02, 2023

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Following the release of his Dive Bars & Broken Hearts EP in June, Michael Ray says there’s more new music on the way and it falls in the same vulnerable category that fans connected with on his last project.

“One of my hardest problems my whole life was just showing vulnerability,” Ray shared, admitting it took seeing other artists open up to help him gain confidence to share his truth . “Growin’ up in a divorced home, it was kinda chaotic there for many years and I didn’t want anybody to ever see that part.”

He continued, “Then I realized through COVID and different things; 1. God’s given me this platform [and 2.] the reason I felt like I could sing [about personal things] is because Tracy Lawrence sang it, or Joe Diffie, or Kenny Chesney, or whomever I was listening to showed some vulnerability. I learned, ‘Oh, there’s somebody else going through that.’ That opened my eyes up.”

After many years avoiding his emotions, Ray says they’re now a large inspiration in his songwriting which will be apparent on the next project with songs like, “Hold.”

“There’s one called ‘Hold’ that I love,” he said of new music in the works. “Life goes by fast and there’s a lot of things that distract us and you put your time into a lot of things that can waste your energy. There’s things you gotta let go of in life, but the things that mean the most you gotta hold.”

“I feel like you don't go through anything in life by accident… I think there’s a reason and I think sometimes you go through those things because sometimes maybe your blind to what you need to be changing. All of a sudden, your foundation gets rocked and you figure some stuff out. I think just lookin’ back on the last 4 years and just goin’ ‘You know what, screw it. I’m just gonna be myself and show this is where I’m at and who I am.’”

While Ray didn’t share any specific dates can can expect this new, revealing music, it’s definitely in the works as he has plans to continue cutting music in February 2024.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Hailey Whitters at 'Stars and Strings' Nov 02, 2023

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Hailey Whitters is sharing her predictions going into next week’s 57th Annual CMA Awards and according to her, the show will be dominated by pone of Country music's newest stars.

“I love Jelly Roll and I know he’s gonna sweep and I think he should because he’s had an insane year,” she said of the singer-songwriter who received a whopping 5 nominations, including New Artist of the Year, which Hailey is also nominated for. “I’m pumped to be there, to be in the category and, I hope I meet Dolly – that’s my goal,” she laughed.

Trophy or no trophy, the year has still been an incredible one for Whitters who celebrated her single, “Everything She Aint” going Platinum, an ACM win and CMA nomination – all milestones she’d just about given up hope on over the last 15 years.

“I’m just so proud,” she expressed before taking the stage at Audacy’s Stars & Strings of the year she’s had. “I have to slow it down and really soak up those moments because it has been a long time for me – I’m like a 15-year overnight success. I’ve been in Nashville for a really long time and I think just so many things have happened this year that I’d kinda given up on happening… It’s been a really special year.”

Another experience adding to the magic of 2023 for Whitters was being on tour with Country icon and co-host of next week’s CMA Awards, Luke Bryan. “He’s like, so funny,” she said of being on tour with Luke. “I would go out every night and do ‘9 to 5’ [by Dolly Parton] with him and he would always just greet me with a shot. He’s just a total ham… he says hilarious stuff all the time. What you see is what you get.”

To hear more about Hailey’s time on tour, new song, “I’m In Love,” and recent accomplishments, press play on her full conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal

Brian Kelley at 'Stars and Strings' Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

Chatting with Brian Kelley ahead of Audacy’s Stars and Strings, host Katie Neal got all the deets about what the Florida Georgia Line member has been up to lately and what he has planned for his next solo album.

Discussing the excitement of seeing his chart-rising track “See You Next Summer” get all the love that it has, and his enthusiasm to “just be out and about” working and playing the track, Brian says he feels “blessed” at this point in his career. Kelley notes, “Coming from FGL and doing everything that we were able to do... to have some more dreams out there to hunt down, it’s just exciting. I don’t take anything for granted, every day is new and every day is an opportunity.”

“I’m grateful to have this season of life and this chapter to be the captain of my own ship… it’s a special time, I’m really enjoying it.”

10 songs into his full-length solo album, BK has plans to step back into the studio, as well as releasing the first little taste of what’s to come with a new song coming out on 11/17, which he dubbed a “party anthem.”

"The track is rippin’, it’s a heavier track in terms of sonically,” he says, which is something you should get used to from BK on at least some of his future tracks. “Thematically and lyrically there’s still a few 'beach, lake, summer-ish' songs, but everything is pretty country-based,” BK revealed. An intentional choice to follow up his first solo release, 2021’s Sunshine State of Mind.

“When I made the first record… we were posted up at the beach, it was the middle of COVID, everything was shut down and I dove into songwriting, I dove into my artistry," he explains, "and not only did I have a blast making it, it helped me get through a time where nothing was really normal.”

Kelley also says he went into it with respect, knowing FGL dates were on the books, “trying to be really respectful of not diving in sonically… anywhere we’ve come from, any of my influences within that group.”

“But now,” he continued, “so much has changed over the past couple of years. I owe it to myself and to anyone that’s gonna listen to my music, to write music, record music, and put out music about where I’m at right now current day, as opposed to what I did two years ago.”

BK’s point is that he doesn’t want to limit himself; he’s not just a beach cowboy churning out summer songs. “I’m way more than that and I think everybody knows that,” he added, revealing he has a slow and sexy song called “Ten O’Clock on the Dock” that he’s excited for everyone to hear, and went on to call this next album his “serious body of work.”

BK also touched on FGL and how the group didn’t end the way he thought it would, noting he had every intention of doing both. To hear everything Brian had to say, listen to the entire interview above.

Words by Maia Kedem...

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