Katie & Company

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Kane and Katelyn Brown | Superstar Power Hour Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Music fans everywhere have fallen in love with Kane and Katelyn Brown’s love after the release of their duet “Thank God,” from Kane’s most recent album, Different Man.

The couple, who recorded the tune on Valentine’s day 2022, are celebrating the song reaching #1 just less than a year later and it’s safe to say the world is obsessed.

The duet features the pair singing together and separate as they showcase their faith and the gratitude they’ve have for one another, something they say has been present since their very first date.

“I knew the first date,” Katelyn said of knowing Kane was the one she would marry. “I just remember having our first official date and he was talking. I wasn’t really listening to anything he was saying. In my mind I was thinking, ‘Holy crap, I’m going to marry him.’ Something just felt inside of me that like, ‘This is my person.”

While Kane took a little more time to come around as he was just starting to get his music career off the ground, when he knew she was the one he couldn’t wait to seal the deal. For Kane, that mean proposing ASAP, which turned out to be 3am.

“Kane’s a very spontaneous person,” Katelyn shared. “When he has a feeling or he knows — he goes for it.”

She continued, “Kane showed up at my house at 3am — at my parents house — while I was sleeping and proposed to me. I thought I was dreaming, [I] had no idea. [I] woke up the next morning engaged… he couldn’t even wait!”

After a day of ring shopping with some of his closest female relatives, Kane admitted he got too excited and his emotions took over causing him to ask the moment he saw her even though she was sleeping.

“It was Easter, and I had it in my pocket,” he said. “I was going to hide the ring under the bed, but there were just so many emotions so I was like, ‘Whatever let’s just do this.’”

Katelyn reflected, “I sat there and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m engaged right now, but I can’t tell anyone because everyone’s sleeping, it’s 3 o’clock in the morning.’ I’m like, ‘This is the weirdest thing ever.’”

The couple went on to wed in October 2018 and are now parents to two daughters; Kingsley and Kodi.

To hear more about their duet, plans for the future and love story by listening to their full conversation with Katie Neal above.

Dan + Shay | Totally Private Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

Ahead of playing a one-of-a-kind, totally private show for some lucky Audacy listeners, Country duo, Dan + Shay, took some time to think about who they would want to receive private concert for themselves.

“I’d say maybe Adele or somebody, that would be really, really cool,” lead vocalist, Shay Mooney, told Audacy’s Katie Neal. “Because then I could ask her if she wanted to do a song with us,” he laughed. No shame here — put those collaboration vibes out there.

While discussing other options, the pair landed on the topic of the artists that have made them feel starstruck. They included Cody Johnson, Alan Jackson and Keith Urban.

“Cody Johnson is so sick,” said Dan Smyers immediately after being asked who the last artist was who made him “lose his cool.” “I bought tickets to go see him last summer and was singing every word… He’s got a presence. It’s like when you’re around this guy, [you know] he means business.”

Added Mooney, “It reminds me a lot of the first time we met Alan Jackson,” he said before detailing the moment Jackson tapped them on the shoulder ahead of an already nerve-wrecking performance.

“I was already nervous,” said Mooney. “We were standing there, side-stage, and you could feel a shadow coming right behind us and heard this voice [say], ‘Dan and Shay, Alan Jackson.’ We were like, ‘We know who you are,” he laughed. “I was definitely starstruck in that moment."

Chris Young | Superstar Power Hour Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

As Chris Young continues to ready the release of a new album, he’s giving fans an exciting peek of what’s to come with recent releases, “Looking for You,” and “All Dogs Go To Heaven.” But that’s not all, Young recently shared there’s another song coming “very soon” that will have fans in the feels.

"There’s another song coming out at some point very soon that is also very, very emotional, but in a great way,” Chris told Audacy’s Katie Neal during his time on the Superstar Power Hour. “Very special, very happy. It’s going to be a lot of fun releasing this record.”

Chris continued on to share how preparing for a record release has changed over his years in the business.

“In the beginning of my career it was like, ‘pick a single and that’s the thing you get to put out,’” he said. "Now, it’s like, ‘hey, this is the single, but, we’re also going to give you all this extra stuff so you guys can totally get into this album before it drops.”

While Chris hasn’t released much information about the forthcoming project, including the release date, it sounds like it won’t be too much longer. “I mean, I could put a record out tomorrow if I felt like it,” he stated. Well, what are we waiting for? We’re too excited to wait.

Hear more about the album, a revamped tour and more by checking out Katie’s full conversation with Chris above.

Carrie Underwood | Totally Private Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

Aside from her powerful vocals and mesmerizing live shows, there’s no doubt Country singer, Carrie Underwood has made a name for herself in the fitness world.

With her perfectly toned physique and admirable healthy habits, Carrie is the epitome of health for many and you’d be hard-pressed to find a single individual not trying to get a copy of her workout routine.

More than willing to motivate and provide resources for others to get healthy through her fit52 fitness app, Carrie admits there’s a lot more to it than lifting weights and running laps. The 39-year-old mother-of-two went on to share the importance of the “why” and how her motivation has shifted over the years.

“I feel like when I was in my 20s, I was definitely trying to work out to look as good as possible all the time,” she told Audacy’s Katie Neal. “I feel like as I’m older, my priorities have just shifted.”

She continued, “I see my kids and I want to be around for them as long as possible, but not just be alive as long as possible — I want to be present and be around and be involved. I think about that often.”

Additionally, Carrie hopes to inspire her sons, Isaiah (7), Jacob (4) to lead their own healthy lifestyle of their own. “There’s nothing bad about taking care of yourself,” she said. “I’m trying to be a good example for them as well.”

She added, “I really want them to be like, ‘Man, my mom was crushin’ it. Like, up until when she was in her 90s she was still working out and gardening and could haul stuff around…. My mom just kicked some booty, even as a little old lady.’”

Hear more about Carrie’s workout inspo as well as her current Denim & Rhinestones tour, Las Vegas residency, love for Rock music and more by listening to her interview with Katie Neal above.

Old Dominion | Superstar Power Hour Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

As they celebrate the start of their No Bad Vibes Tour, Country group, Old Dominion, is also spreading some love with the recent release of four new songs.

Looking to keep spirits up as they roll across North America on their tour, the guys released “Memory Lane,” “Freedom Like You,” “Easier Said with Rum,” and “Ain’t Got To Worry,”just weeks ahead of hitting the road. Each one sure to bring good island-energy as the majority were recorded at Jimmy Buffett’s studio in Key West.

“One of the [songwriting] sessions we did was down in Key West at Jimmy Buffett’s studio and three of the four songs were from that session,” said group member, Brad Tursi. “'Ain’t Got A Worry,' 'Memory Lane,' and 'Easier Said with Rum.'”

Traveling outside of their homes in Nashville to write songs is not a new concept for the guys, who say taking a trip and being removed from every day distractions often helps them focus on the creative process.

“It is really cool to be able to be free of the pressures of your home life [and] responsibilities,” said lead singer, Matthew Ramsey. “It’s really nice to be able to just wake up — especially in place like Key West — and go play your music and then walk across the street and have a beer.”

Jimmy Buffett’s studio was a large part of the creative process for the guys this time around as they say the small space fostered big creativity and the ultimate good energy.

“It seemed like it was a time portal, it could’ve been 2022 or it could have been 1985,” said Geoff Sprung. “It’s like you walk through the door and you’re in a completely different world.”

Added Ramsey, “It’s a little, cinderblock rectangle in the middle of the chaos of Key West and it’s just memorabilia from his career and stuff everywhere.”

While Key West seems to have sparked a lot of creativity within the group, they haven’t confirmed anything surrounding a new studio album and say they’re remaining focused on their current tour for the time being.

“We’re excited, we’ve been working really hard,” said Ramsey. “We rehearsed, I think, more than ever for this tour. We just really want to bring something special to our fans. It’s been a really long time since we’ve had a good headlining tour… we’re just so excited to get out there.”

Old Dominion’s No Bad Vibes tour is currently scheduled to run through July 1. Find a full list of dates and tickets here.

Elle King talks 'Come Get Your Wife' | Katie Neal Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

Elle King is putting her official stamp on Country music with the release of her debut, full-length album, Come Get Your Wife. Full of witty remarks and sassy sentiment, the project is confirmation the former Rock singer has found a forever home in Country music.

“I’ve made this record and I have this sound that I feel is mine and it’s what Country is to me and I’m very proud of it,” Elle shared with Audacy. “It kind of encompasses everything that I do, I just didn’t know Country was the road that was going to allow me to do all of it in one little gift wrapped box, with gold teeth.”

King has served as a breath of fresh air in the Country community since she first stepped in with the release of “Different for Girls,” a duet with Country favorite, Dierks Bentley. With a personality just as big as her talent, it was clear Elle felt right at home and continued to wow with her songwriting, talent and lovable quirks.

Seven years later, she has only solidified fan’s love for her genuine spirit and wacky ways — two things that shine like the gold on her teeth.

“Come get your wife is the title of my record ‘cause a jerk shouted it to my fiancé,” Elle enthusiastically shared of the inspiration for the project title. “I was like, ‘I’m not even married!’ But, he had it comin’,” she laughed before detailing some of the bold concepts on her album.

“It’s just funny, because I have blacked out a tattoo of someone’s name,” Elle said of the idea behind a track titled, “Blacked Out.” “BUT, a lot of people got my name tattoo’d on them. One guy did it twice,” she giggled.

Clearly not one to shy away from real-life inspiration, not every song has Elle’s signature “rough around the edges,” feel. King also gets vulnerable with the song “Lucky,” a nod to everything she feels blessed with in this life including her son, Lucky, who was her inspiration for the entire album.

“There’s a song called ‘Lucky’ that’s probably my most vulnerable song on the record, and it’s about my life and everything that’s brought me here and how I feel like I just got lucky,” she told Audacy’s Katie Neal. “I don’t know what I deserve in this life, but I feel like God has blessed me. My son’s name is also Lucky so there’s a lot in it and my life changed so much when I had him so, it’s cool.”

According to Elle, the blessings continue to spill over her life and right over this album as she called in a lot of “favors” from various professionals with experience creating hit Country albums.

“The amount of people that blessed and graced this record, the list is very, very, very long,” she said. “I feel very cool and especially grateful. A lot of asks that they should of said ‘No,’ but I can’t believe they said ‘Yes’… I called in all the favors I could for this.”

Thomas Rhett | Superstar Power Hour Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

When Thomas Rhett isn’t playing the biggest stages in Country music or writing the next big #1 song, he’s attempting to survive elementary school all over again, and according to the 32-year-old… it’s kicking his butt!

Rhett recently shared being a dad of four girls ages 7 to 1 means a lot of schoolwork and extra-curricular activities to keep up with and it’s all more intense than he remembers it.

“It’s kicking my butt way harder than I ever felt my butt kicked when I was actually in school,” he laughed while explaining to Audacy’s Katie Neal how he attempts to keep up. “Now, it’s your fault if your kids are late, it’s your fault if their lunch isn’t packed correctly, it’s your fault if their homework isn’t finished. We’re just trying to keep up with that and extra-curricular activities — gymnastics, dance, and all these things — it’s a blast though, I’m lovin’ it.”

Rhett is clearly crushing the Dad role just as well as he crushes the Country artist role, and while he works hard to stay present with whatever role he’s in, he admits he’ll never have to worry about getting a big ego — his daughters have assured him of that.

Rhett went on to share a story of Christmas shopping with his family in the Nashville area and his 5-year-old daughter’s hilarious reaction when fans asked him for a photo.

“We were Christmas shopping up in downtown, Franklin [Nashville area] and a few people asked to take a picture,” Rhett explained. “Ada James looked at me and she said, ‘Why do people like you?’ I love how blunt kids say stuff.”

He continued, “I was just like, ‘You know Daddy sings music and I think that those folks like Daddy’s music and they wanted a picture,’ and she was like,’ That’s so weird.’”

Seeing his daughters connect the dots surrounding his career is as a full circle moment for Rhett, who grew up with a famous parent himself, ‘90s Country star, Rhett Akins. Getting to tour regularly with his dad, Rhett has vivid memories of the road and can see those same memories forming for his daughters when he takes them out with him.

“My kids love getting on the bus, they love getting in their bunks,” he said. “They think it’s the coolest thing in the world… it’s pretty full circle behave it’s exactly what I used to love to do with my Dad.”

Hear more about Thomas’ family, his goals for 2023, and the artist he dreams of having a private concert from by tuning into his interview with Katie Neal on the 'Superstar Power Hour' above.

Dan + Shay | Superstar Power Hour Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

While Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers has been keeping quite busy working on new material into the new year, Shay Mooney has been busy in another way, preparing for baby number three on the way with his wife, Hannah.

“It is so crazy to even think about,” says Shay. “Obviously she’s very pregnant right now,” he adds, “but it doesn’t really become real until the actual day that the baby comes. So right now I’m chillin’, but it’ll be kind of crazy to have that moment when we’re fully just outnumbered. It’s a wild one. Terrifying.”

Already parents to two children, Asher and Ames, Shay says he and Hannah are likely going to stick with another "A" name this time around. "I think that we’ve got a name locked down. I don’t want to say it just in case we change our minds," he admits. "We waited for the last minute to come up with a baby name, so a lot of thought has gone into that. We're actually calling him 'Dan,'" he adds, pointing to his partner who accepts with a smile and open arms.

It all started for Dan + Shay 10 years ago, when Dan remembers putting a note into his phone after hearing Shay sing, saying that he thought he was the "greatest singer of all time," and still feels that way to this day. "We're two very different people, in a way that two puzzle pieces are obviously different," says Shay, "but it was perfect the way that we complimented each other and were able to bring in what the other didn't have."

"Being in a duo is very much like a marriage," Shay adds, "as we both are married now, we kind of know that's what it is. It's a relationship and it takes time and commitment, being able to compromise, and all of these things. I can't say I had any preconceived ideas... I knew he was a hard worker and that's what I needed in my life... and the rest was kind of history."

The Country duo is currently working on their fifth studio album, their follow up to 2021's Good Things.

Check out Katie Neal's full interview with Dan + Shay above, stay tuned for more conversations with your favorite artists, and listen to the Superstar Power Hour with Katie & Company every weekday from 2PM - 3PM on your favorite Audacy Country station!

Thomas Rhett | Superstar Power Hour Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

Christmas is near and Thomas Rhett is wasting no time getting in the Christmas spirit. With his very first holiday collection, Merry Christmas Y’all, available now, Rhett is already spreading Christmas cheer and has no shame about it.

“I love Christmas so much,” he told Audacy’s Katie Neal. “Our lights are already up,” he admitted.

With his lights up and plans to get his tree in the next couple weeks, Rhett says he still has yet to finish his shopping, but it won’t take long as he have a very strong strategy.

“I haven’t bought anything,” he shared before explaining his shopping strategy. “I’m usually the guy that gets the gifts for the guys in our family. I will pick an item and buy 12 of them because there are 12 dudes in our family. Lauren usually takes care of everybody else,” he laughed.

While holiday shopping seems like it’s a breeze for Rhett, the creation of his Christmas project didn’t come easy, despite his love for the holiday. He went on to share the making of Merry Christmas Y’all challenged him far beyond his previous projects.

“Going in and recording these was a lot of fun. [Frank] Sinatra is my favorite style of Christmas music — big band, horns, strings, the whole nine-yards — so we really tried to go in and re-create the 1940s or whatever with my voice on it.”

He continued, “I will say those are the most challenging songs I’ve ever sang in my life, in the studio,” he said. “The key changes every four seconds. Legit…. I’ve sang it [Christmas music] my whole life, but when you sing it not over Frank Sinatra’s voice, it’s an extra challenge.”

Hear more about Rhett’s adventures making a Christmas album, what he’s looking forward to most on his Home Team 23 tour and his logic surrounding holiday time birthdays in his conversation with Katie Neal above.

Tyler Hubbard | Superstar Power Hour Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

Tyler Hubbard, formerly one-half of Florida Georgia Line, may be celebrating his his very first #1 as a solo Country artist, but his #1 job will always be being Dad.

After hitting the top of the charts with his very first #1 as a solo artist, “5 foot 9” from his debut EP, Dancin’ In The Country, Hubbard reflected with Audacy’s Katie Neal on how different things are this time around from his music to how he spends his time on tour.

“Now getting to have the different dynamic of family out [on the road] with me and this whole new season, it’s just really exciting,” Hubbard, who is currently on the road as part of Keith Urban’s The Speed of Now tour.

“It is wild,” the father of three admitted. “I’ll be putting babies to bed and changing diapers right after [my set]. I’m still sweating from the show, or I’m about to go on stage… it is fairly comical. Everything that people think a rockstar life is, is exactly what I’m not doing right now but it’s a lot of fun…. It’s those special years, [I’m] just trying to make the most of them.”

Aside from being in Dad-mode, Tyler is also in new-artist mode, which is new territory for him after the mind-blowing success he saw with duo mate Brian Kelley as Part of Florida Georgia Line. Starting from the “beginning” has it’s challenges for Hubbard and his band, but he says it’s a good experience all-around.

“Just watching fans connect the dots is really interesting and fun, it’s also challenging,” he said. “I walk out on stage and for the first three or four songs or so there’s 10,000 people sitting in chairs just watching like they’re at a theatre and it’s just unique for what I’m used to.”

He continued, “I tell the band we’re goin’ through new artist training, how to do it again, how to win a crowd over, how to get them ready for Keith and how to integrate the stories of the songs and the banter… it’s all new everything so it has been challenging.”

Hubbard seems to have a good handle on the challenge as he’s celebrating his first solo-single, “5 foot 9” hitting #1 this week at Country radio.

“It feels great,” Hubbard said of the accomplishment. “To feel the support and I just feel like everybody’s kind of accepted me with open arms and it feels really really good.”

Hear more from Tyler about his first full-length album, time on tour and why he’s said ‘No’ to collaborations for the last year by tuning into his conversation with Katie Neal above.

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