Showbiz News Archives - off the record

Carly Pearce Wins First GRAMMY

Imogen Marshall — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Carly Pearce has won her historic first GRAMMY for ‘Never Wanted to be That Girl.’

Reigning ACM Awards Female Artist of the Year Carly Pearce has earned her first GRAMMY® award for her chart-topping duet “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde – making history as the first female pairing to win Best Country Duo/Group Performance. During their acceptance speech Pearce shared, “we wrote this song together and it has just transcended so many of my wildest dreams. We won a GRAMMY!”

Featured on her critically-acclaimed and commercially-lauded 29: WRITTEN IN STONE album, Pearce is set to deliver a new live version of the album on 24th March. Produced by Pearce alongside David Clauss, the album was recorded during an intimate concert event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, featuring special guests Lee Brice (“I Hope You’re Happy Now”), The Isaacs (“Easy Going”), Matthew West (“Truth Be Told”), Jenee Fleenor (“29”) and McBryde. Pearce continues to resonate with her honest lyrics and timeless musicality while closing her 29 story with current GOLD-certified Top-10-and-soaring hit “What He Didn’t Do,” which has amassed over 200 million streams to date.

Fans can pre-order 29: WRITTEN IN STONE (LIVE FROM MUSIC CITY) today.

Up next, Pearce joins Blake Shelton’s US BACK TO THE HONKY TONK TOUR kicking off February 16 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Honored as one of CMT’s 2022 Artists of The Year, the Grand Ole Opry and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame member is currently writing and recording new material as she prepares for her next musical chapter. For tour dates and more, visit CarlyPearce.com.

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Ashley Cooke Signs Co-Venture Record Deal

Imogen Marshall — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 06:00:05 +0000

Breakthrough country artist Ashley Cooke has signed a co-venture record deal with Big Loud Records / Back Blocks Music.

Rising star Ashley Cooke has signed a co-venture record deal with Big Loud Records / Back Blocks Music. Under the new deal, Cooke will be represented by Big Loud / Back Blocks Music for both label and publishing. Of the news, Cooke shares,“From the second I walked into Big Loud, it felt like home. They met me where I was, recognizing all I had built independently while also showing me how they could pour gasoline on the fire that had already started… Getting to partner with not only Big Loud but also my champion since day 1, Rakiyah Marshall/Back Blocks, is an absolute dream team and I couldn’t be more excited and confident to be joining the roster.”

Cooke hit the ground running on TikTok in 2020 and has since amassed a stealthy following of over 885K followers and nearly 12M likes. Last year, she released her debut project titled Already Drank That Beer that included cuts from Nashville’s hottest songwriters and a feature from Jimmie Allen. Cooke has now been named as one of Spotify’s ‘Hot Country Artist To Watch’ and is on Cole Swindell’s Down To The Bar Tour, with additional dates to be announced soon.

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Mickey Guyton and Chris Stapleton Lead 2022 Country GRAMMY Nominees

Imogen Marshall — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 16:41:10 +0000

The 2022 country GRAMMY Award nominations have been announced, with Mickey Guyton and Chris Stapleton leading the charge for the most nominations. See the full list below.

Best Country Solo Performance

“Forever After All” – Luke Combs

“Remember Her Name” – Mickey Guyton

“All I Do Is Drive” – Jason Isbell

“Camera Roll” – Kacey Musgraves

“You Should Probably Leave” – Chris Stapleton

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

“If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood

“Younger Me” – Brothers Osborne

“Glad You Exist” – Dan + Shay

“Chasing After You” – Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd

“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” – Miranda Lambert and Elle King

Best Country Song

“Better Than We Found It” – Jessie Jo Dillon, Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz, songwriters (Maren Morris)

“Camera Roll” – Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves and Daniel Tashian, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves)

“Cold” – Dave Cobb, J.T. Cure, Derek Mixon and Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Chris Stapleton)

“Country Again” – Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley and Thomas Rhett, songwriters (Thomas Rhett)

“Fancy Like” – Cameron Bartolini, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins & Shane Stevens, songwriters (Walker Hayes)

“Remember Her Name” – Mickey Guyton, Blake Hubbard, Jarrod Ingram & Parker Welling, songwriters (Mickey Guyton)

Best Country Album

“Skeletons” – Brothers Osborne

“Remember Her Name” – Mickey Guyton

“The Marfa Tapes” – Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram and Jon Randall

“The Ballad of Dood and Juanita” – Sturgill Simpson

“Starting Over” – Chris Stapleton

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Dua Lipa Announces Service95

Imogen Marshall — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:43:25 +0000

Global pop superstar, Dua Lipa announces her new project Service95, due for launch in 2022.

Global pop superstar Dua Lipa is proud to announce her new project, Service95, launching in early 2022.

Service95 is a global style, culture, and society concierge service created to help the reader make sense of the world. It will serve up a witty and considered curation of lists, recommendations, stories, information, thoughts, perspectives and conversations you won’t hear, see, or read everywhere else. There will be powerful articles from the world’s most compelling voices alongside savvy social commentary, laugh-out-loud features and left-of-center recommendations that will include late-night gnoshes, little-known hotspots, up-and-coming artists, grassroots activists and the sorts of travel tips only an extensively travelled international pop star could offer, “The more we share with each other, the closer we become, the wider our circles grow,” Dua says.

Service95 was inspired by Dua’s lifelong habit of personally curating extensive recommendations and lists, highlighting under-the-radar people, pieces of pop culture, travel destinations, hidden gems and global issues to her closest friends. Now, with the impending launch of the Service95 newsletter and podcast, everyone will be invited to Dua’s inner circle.

Subscribers to Service95’s free weekly newsletter will receive up-to-the-minute intel on everything and anything; from an underground new gallery in Sao Paulo, hidden diners in Louisiana and the best manicurist on Lagos Island to articles spotlighting the activists, causes, and complex world issues we could all learn more about. Every issue will be capped off by a personal letter from Dua herself, reporting from wherever it is in the world she happens to be, complete with whatever she’s been streaming, visiting, hearing, and consuming. “I find huge joy in telling people what I’ve learned about in any given city and love finding connection in our shared experiences,” she says. “Service95 is going to take that idea and bring it to anyone who’s as curious as I am about life.

Meanwhile, At Your Service podcast listeners can expect a sweeping companion piece to the newsletter consisting of deep, thoughtful conversations between Dua and a lineup of high-profile guests – many of whom you won’t find on just any podcast. You’ll hear frank discussions about pressing global concerns, heartwarming chats between old and new friends, and some of the most considered lists and recommendations you canimagine.

“Though a lot of my guests have done their fair share of talking, I want to go deeper with them,” Dua says. “Not only am I probing them about the things I’m most curious about, I’m also treating them like the experts they are.”

To subscribe please visit www.service95.com

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The CMA Award Winners for 2021 Are Announced

Imogen Marshall — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 14:46:40 +0000

The 55th Annual CMA Awards aired last night and announced the 2021 winners. Full details below.

“The 55th Annual CMA Awards” returned to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Shining a light on a community like no other, Country Music’s Biggest Night was filled with groundbreaking performances, heartfelt speeches and surprise wins.

Luke Combs, who performed his brand new single “Doin’ This,” received the night’s top honor of CMA Entertainer of the Year, a first for the artist. Sharing that he was at a loss for words, especially after hearing presenter Alan Jackson say his name, twice, Combs acknowledged all of this year’s artists in the category before saying, “I don’t deserve to win it, but I’m sure as hell glad that I did.”

Chris Stapleton was the night’s biggest winner, taking home four wins for CMA Album, Single, Song and Male Vocalist of the Year, while also being recognized for his work as a producer on his album and single. In addition to Stapleton, producer Dave Cobb and mix engineer Vance Powell earned two awards for CMA Album and Single of the Year, while songwriter Mike Henderson earned a trophy for CMA Song of the Year.

Brothers Osborne won CMA Vocal Duo of the Year, as T.J. Osborne graciously took to the stage to proclaim, “It really does feel like love wins tonight.” Jimmie Allen, who performed “Freedom Was a Highway,” received CMA New Artist of the Year, tearfully taking the stage to share that five years ago, he spent his last $100 to purchase a ticket to attend “The 50th Annual CMA Awards,” just to see his hero Charley Pride perform.

In one of the most emotional acceptance speeches of the night, Carly Pearce was brought to tears upon winning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year for the first time, as fellow nominee Ashley McBryde helped her to the stage. Old Dominion continues their reign as CMA Vocal Group of the Year, having now won four years in a row.

Miranda Lambert, the most-nominated female in CMA Awards history, kicked off the night with a career-spanning retrospective of her greatest hits that brought the crowd to their feet as host Luke Bryan took the stage. After greeting his fellow nominees and friends seated at tables in the audience, Bryan was surprised by his “American Idol” co-judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, poking fun at his hosting abilities. Bryan later performed his new single “Up.”

Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson captivated the audience with her first-ever CMA Awards performance of “Night Life,” a song originally written and recorded by Willie Nelson and later recorded by Aretha Franklin, followed by a show-stopping surprise duet with Stapleton of “You Are My Sunshine,” the Jimmie Davis-penned classic that both Franklin and Nelson also recorded. Stapleton also performed a stirring rendition of his song “Cold.”

Mickey Guyton, Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards shared an empowering performance of Guyton’s new song “Love My Hair,” which received a standing ovation. The performance was introduced by 14-year-old activist Faith Fennidy, a young Black girl who, in 2018, left her 6th grade classroom in tears after school officials complained that her hairstyle violated school policy. Fennidy is now an inspiration behind the CROWN Act, created to ensure protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles

In one of the night’s most touching moments, Brothers Osborne took the stage to perform “Younger Me,” a reassuring message of hope and strength to the younger version of oneself. Following a cold introduction, T.J. Osborne, who in February of 2021 publicly came out as gay, spoke about watching the CMA Awards for years and thinking how incredible it would be to be on the stage speaking his truth despite feeling that it would never be possible because of his sexuality. “I just wish, I wish my younger me could see me now.”

In true CMA Awards fashion, artists delivered once-in-a-lifetime collaborations throughout the night. Pearce and McBryde performed their heartachingly beautiful duet “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” while Chris Young and Kane Brown brought the crowd to their feet with their chart-topping, smalltown ode “Famous Friends.” Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood delivered the world television premiere of their recent No. 1 hit “If I Didn’t Love You,” and Dierks Bentley welcomed BRELAND and HARDY on stage for “Beers On Me.”

Keith Urban took to the streets of downtown Nashville, performing his new single “Wild Hearts” while walking down Broadway into Bridgestone Arena. Eric Church brought his nostalgic song “Heart On Fire” to the CMA Awards stage. Blake Shelton performed his new single “Come Back as a Country Boy.” And Zac Brown Band delivered a unifying message with their song “Same Boat.”

Rounding out the evening, Gabby Barrett, Dan + Shay, Old Dominion, and Thomas Rhett also delivered stellar performances for CMA Awards viewers.

Country artist Russell Dickerson, in partnership with Chevrolet, shared the inspirational story of Sarah Frei before inviting her to join him on stage to honor the CMA Foundation’s 30 Music Teachers of Excellence sitting in the audience. The moving segment brought the room to their feet.

Following is a complete list of winners from “The 55th Annual CMA Awards.”

“THE 55TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS” WINNERS:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Luke Combs

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)  

“Starting Over” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)

Starting Over – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell

SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s)

“Starting Over”
Songwriters: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Carly Pearce

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Chris Stapleton

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Old Dominion

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

Brothers Osborne

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Producer(s)  

“half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)  

“half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)
Director: Patrick Tracy

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

Jimmie Allen

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Pete Tong Receives The Music Industry Trusts Award 2021

Imogen Marshall — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 13:00:15 +0000

Pete Tong has received the Music Industry Trusts Award for 2021. This was the 30th Year of the MITS Awards and featured performances from New Order, Becky Hill and Norman Jay MBE.

Music legend, DJ, pioneer and national treasure Pete Tong MBE is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the music and broadcast industries. Over a thirty plus year career, Tong’s tireless commitment to championing the music he loves has seen him earn the role of ‘the global ambassador of dance music’. This year’s ceremony marked the 30th year of the MITS and the occasion was celebrated with a night of performances at the gala ceremony held in aid of the BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins in The Great Room, Grosvenor House Hotel. Hosted by acclaimed fellow DJ and presenter DJ Spoony, with performances from some of Pete’s longstanding friends and collaborators New Order, Becky Hill and Norman Jay MBE.

New Order brought the house down with a set filled with their more recent anthems and iconic classics ‘Regret’, ‘Be A Rebel’ before closing with the epic ‘Blue Monday’. Earlier in the evening, girl of the moment Becky Hill put on a spectacular performance with hits from her and Pete’s Ibiza Classics set, including a cover of Robyn’s ‘With Every Heartbeat’, ‘Love Can’t Turn Around,’ and ‘You’ve Got The Love’, joined by the incomparable vocalists Vula Malinga, Brendan Reilly and Holly Petrie, who have all recently toured with Pete. As the celebrations came to a close, Good Times legend Norman Jay MBE topped off the evening with a lively DJ set.

Special guests on the night included: music legend Nile Rodgers, Idris Elba, Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp, Duran Duran front man Simon Le Bon and his wife Yasmin Le Bon, The Script’s front man Danny O’Donoghue and Tallia Storm.

After being presented his award by friend Idris Elba, Pete told the crowd, “I’m seriously thrilled and humbled to be standing here receiving the MITS Award because I think this is recognition of dance music’s and club culture’s influence and success. Looking round this room, there are so many people that have been on that journey with me so this is for all of you.”

MITS chairman David Munns says, “We had a wonderful evening last night celebrating Pete Tong’s achievements in the music business. He’s the second DJ and broadcaster to be receiving the MITS Award, after the legend Fluff Freeman, and it’s a moment that we want to happen more and more. By acknowledging Pete, we too want to pay tribute to the dance music sector that brings so much talent, energy and excellence to the music industry.

We have been doing this for 30 years, celebrating legends in our industry and more essentially, raising funds for Nordoff Robbins and The BRIT Trust. It’s reassuring to know that after three decades, there is still a lot of love out there for good people and good causes.”

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Lily Rose Announces Engagement to Girlfriend Daira Eamon

Imogen Marshall — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 10:14:14 +0000

Lily Rose has shared the exciting news that she is engaged to girlfriend of three years – Daira Eamon. Sharing the news of the engagement exclusively with PEOPLE.com, Lily Rose shared the details of the proposal.

credit: Hunter Hart

Big Loud Records / Back Blocks Music and Republic Records Country artist Lily Rose has shared the exciting news that she and her girlfriend of three years, Daira Eamon, are engaged. Rose proposed to Eamon on Saturday, Oct. 23 in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood on a walk to their favorite restaurant, Mother’s Ruin, where close friends and family met them to celebrate. The couple, who has been together since 2018, feel like they “hit the lottery meeting each other” with “so many dreams that [they’re] pumped to chase down together.”

“The first apartment we shared together was in Germantown. We would walk down 5th Ave to get to our favorite bar, Mother’s Ruin, two to three times a week. We’ve had so many days and nights walking hand in hand together that I knew it was the most special spot to start our next chapter together,” Rose tells PEOPLE.

Rose, who says she has been ready to propose for the last two years, knew now was the right time, sharing she “cannot imagine waiting another minute to ask Daira to marry me.” The singer, who released her introductory project STRONGER THAN I AM earlier this month (10/1), will be dropping three extra tracks on Friday, Oct. 29 to round out the project. Hitting two major milestones this month, Oct. won’t be a month to soon forget for the rising star.

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The CMA Announce 2021 International Awards Nominees

Imogen Marshall — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 06:00:55 +0000

The CMA have revealed the nominees for 2021’s CMA International Awards that honour artists and industry executives who have supported and impacted the growth and promotion of country music internationally.

In addition to the five existing CMA International Award categories, CMA has also added a new award this year, the Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award. Named after the late Australian promoter, this award recognizes outstanding achievements by an individual who has made important contributions to the live music industry by extending performance opportunities and building live audiences for Country Music outside of the United States. A celebrated manager, promoter, CMA Board member and advocate for Country Music, Potts’ career spanned more than 30 years, opening doors for Australian Country artists including Tommy Emmanuel, Morgan Evans and Keith Urban. Promoters, booking agents, talent buyers, festival and venue bookers, and other live music industry professionals are eligible to receive this award, which is to be presented only when it is deemed that a recipient is worthy of recognition.

“We are delighted to honor those in the industry who have been instrumental in carrying Country Music forward into territories outside of the United States as this year’s CMA International Awards nominees,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “And we are especially thrilled to be adding a new award to the slate this year recognizing those specifically in the live music industry cultivating and growing Country Music’s reach. A true pioneer in the genre, few people exemplified this more than Rob Potts. He was a driving force in our efforts to expand Country Music internationally, and I am excited we are able to honor those following in Rob’s footsteps.”

2021 CMA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS – NOMINEES:

ROB POTTS INTERNATIONAL LIVE MUSIC ADVANCEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes outstanding achievements by an individual who has made important contributions to the live music industry by extending performance opportunities and building live audiences for Country Music outside of the United States.

Michael Chugg (Australia – Chugg Entertainment and Chugg Music)

Sina Hall (Germany – Semmel Concerts Entertainment GmbH)

Nigel Hassler (U.K. – CAA)

Sigve Prestnes (Norway – Stageway Talent)

Troy Vollhoffer (Canada – Premier Global Production, Country Thunder Music Festivals and Big Valley Jamboree)

JO WALKER MEADOR INTERNATIONAL AWARD
This award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual in advocating and supporting Country Music’s marketing development in territories outside the United States. 

Ilse DeLange (The Netherlands – Artist, founder of Spark Records, Firefly Publishing and Tuckerville Festival)

Tracy Martin (Canada – The Core Entertainment)

Natalie Waller (Australia – ABC Music and Events)

Chris York (U.K.– SJM Concerts, Country to Country Festival U.K.)

WESLEY ROSE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to Country Music outside of the United States. 

Mathias Bridfelt (Sweden – SVT)

Saniel Marriner (Australia – CMT Australia)

Ricky Marshall (U.K.– BBC Radio 2)

Charlotte Thompson (Canada – Red Umbrella P.R.)

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes outstanding achievement by a United States-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant creative growth, development and promotion of the Country Music industry outside of the United States during the eligibility period.

Brothers Osborne

Luke Combs

Dan + Shay

Maren Morris

Yola

INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY BROADCASTER AWARD
This award recognizes outstanding achievement by a radio broadcaster or syndicated radio reporter outside the United States who has made important contributions for the development of Country Music in his/her country.   

Dayna Bourgoin (Canada – Pure Country Radio/Bell Media)

Rita Jernquist (Sweden – Sveriges Radio P4)

Baylen Leonard (U.K. – Absolute Radio Country/Bauer Radio Limited)

Justin Thomson (Australia – KIX Country/Grant Broadcasters)

JEFF WALKER GLOBAL COUNTRY ARTIST AWARD
This award recognizes outstanding achievements by a Country Music artist signed outside of the United States. The artist must have furthered the popularity of Country Music as well as brought attention to the Country Music format in their foreign based territory.

Jill Johnson (Sweden)

Brett Kissel (Canada)

The Shires (U.K.)

The Wolfe Brothers (Australia)

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Alana Springsteen Signs with Global Talent Company UTA

Imogen Marshall — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 13:00:17 +0000

It’s been a big year for Alana Springsteen, signing with leading global talent and entertainment company – UTA, following the release of her mammoth new single ‘California.’

Rising country artist, Alana Springsteen has signed with leading global talent and entertainment company UTA for worldwide representation in all areas. Of the news, Springsteen shares, “The UTA team blew me away with their passion, excitement, and plan for me and my music… They understood me and my vision from day one, and UTA definitely felt like home. They’re brilliant at what they do, and I’m so grateful they’re now a part of the fam. Thank you to Jeffrey [Hasson], Brent [Weinstein], David [Zedeck], and the entire team. I can’t wait for everything to come!”

Already positioned by PEOPLE as “a name you’ll want to know in country music,” Springsteen has independently surpassed over 30 MILLION on-demand steams in just over a year plus amassed 670 playlist adds. Writing with “beyond-her-years poise, mixing the lovestruck giddiness of a teenager with the hooks of a pro” (Rolling Stone), the 20-year-old Virginia Beach, VA-native is collaborating with Nashville’s hottest tastemakers. Signing her first publishing deal at just 14, her blossoming catalog further showcases her “deft hand at applying a musical twist to everyday occurrences” (The Virginian-Pilot).

“We’re beyond excited to represent such an amazing artist, songwriter, and performer as Alana Springsteen,” shares Jeffrey Hasson and David Zedeck, Springsteen’s UTA Agents. “From our first meeting, we were impressed by her drive, purpose, and raw talent. Alana’s unique ability to capture emotions in the songs that she writes, and her commanding presence onstage, is a very rare gift. She’s a superstar in the making and we can’t wait to help share her talent with the world.”

Follow Alana Springsteen on: Facebook| Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

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Michael Boris Announces Engagement

Imogen Marshall — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 12:00:54 +0000

Lockeland‘s Michael Boris has announced his engagement to AC Jones. All details on their love story below.

Michael Boris, member of the rapidly-rising country trio Lockeland, was “all business” at last year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS2020) in February. Michael’s band had just returned from their first international tour across the United Kingdom, where they opened for acts such as Cam, Kip Moore, Josh Turner, LANCO, Morgan Evans and Logan Mize after their debut single, “Til the Cows Come Home,” landed on Music Row’s Top-40 Breakout chart.

Also in attendance at the conference was country newcomer, AC Jones, whose first two singles, “Buses and Trains” and “Mr. Moon” had also broken into the Top-40 Breakout (the latter which earned a position on Billboard’s Indicator). Romance was the last thing on either Michael or AC’s mind at the Grass Roots Promotions Starlight Dinner where the two sat one chair apart from each other.

The two had run into one another sporadically over the last couple of years at various events and industry gatherings, but on this day, they were laser-focused on their music–they chatted briefly about their ongoing projects and agreed to follow each other on Facebook.

Shortly following CRS, the virus hit and everything went into lockdown. AC’s latest single, “Castle,” however, had managed to climb its way to #34 on Music Row’s Top-40 Breakout chart and became her second single to gain an entry Billboard’s Indicator. It should have been an exciting time for AC, but the supporting tour had been cancelled and she found herself grounded in her hometown of Youngstown, Ohio.

500 miles away in Nashville, Lockeland’s latest single, “Made for Mornings” had climbed to #33 on the Music Row Breakout chart, but their international tour was also put on hold. This afforded Michael the time to strengthen a few industry connections, so he shot a friendly DM message to AC, upon seeing her comment on a recent post of his. The conversation, which both attest would likely not have happened under any other circumstance, quickly turned into a brief exchange that more than piqued the other’s interest.

“Something in my gut told me to reach out to AC. The more we communicated via Facebook Messenger, the more of a connection I felt with her” explains Michael. “I offered to buy her a cup of coffee the next time she was in town, and so I messaged her my number.”

“I gave him my phone number–I NEVER give out my phone number!,” laughs AC, “but I did it without hesitation. I’m a nervous person on the phone, and I tend to pace, but talking to Michael brought me so much peace and comfort that I found those little anxieties melting away, and a few minutes into the conversation, I realized that I wasn’t pacing at all.”

Right from the start, the two began communicating on a daily basis. As the conversations continued over the next couple of days via text, phone, and Zoom, Michael and AC began to explore topics beyond music and realized how much they had in common. They both had strong convictions in their Christian faith, and they shared many of the same beliefs and ideals. Not to mention discovering their mutual quirkiness, as well as their love for puns. A revelation was occurring in each of them, and day by day, they began to awaken to the miracle that was about to happen.

Exactly one week later, a late night phone call on the eve of Thanksgiving changed everything. Michael and AC both addressed the “elephant in the room,” as Michael humorously phrased it. They put their hearts and feelings for each other all on the line. Talking for hours through the night and into the morning of Thanksgiving, the two cemented their relationship. From this moment on, the two vowed to take an action every day for the rest of their lives… pray. Pray that the Lord Jesus would always be the solid foundation of their newfound relationship.

AC admits that she was completely falling for Michael. Call it fear or call it pragmatism, that evening she decided to lay her heart on the line.

“I just couldn’t draw out the relationship any longer or take the next step forward if his intentions weren’t the same as mine, so I poured out my heart to him. I was fully prepared for him to consider me ‘too much to handle’ and run away, and as much as it would have hurt me, if that was the case, I needed to know” says AC.

“When I listened to this beautiful woman pour out her heart to me, yes, I will admit that I did have a desire to run… TOWARDS her” exclaims Michael. “I have been through a failed marriage in the past. Moving forward, I was reluctant to open up my heart to anyone else. Over the next few years of singleness, I began to experience God’s healing on my scarred up heart.” He continues, “while I was listening to AC speak, I felt the Lord’s peace wash over me, and the things she thought might scare me away, actually drew me closer and closer to depths of her heart. She wasn’t dating to ‘date’, and neither was I. When she was finished, all I could do was chuckle and exclaim, ‘thank God!’ I believe it may have shocked her a little bit, but I knew that she was the real deal. From that moment, I was wholly, undeniably, and wildly in love with AC Jones.”

The relationship continued to deepen across the miles and on New Year’s Day, Michael caught a plane to spend a week with AC in Youngstown. As he hurried off the plane, and approached the sliding glass doors leading to the outside of “Arrivals”, there stood AC awaiting their first embrace.

“There wasn’t one shred of awkwardness” reflects AC. “During our hours of conversation, we had fallen in love and connected with each other at the deepest level… there’s no doubt in my mind that the Lord shaped us to be who we needed to be for each other – like two perfect puzzle pieces.”

“When we saw each other for the ‘real’ first time at the airport, our paces quickened and we ended up in a full run towards each other. She was a perfect fit in our embrace, and I didn’t want to let go” says Michael. Because the two had the unique experience of falling in love long distance, AC describes the week they spent together, from New Year’s Day to January 8th, as “backwards dating.”

“I knew the man’s heart completely. I could tell you anything about the core of who he was, but I didn’t know the small things, like how he liked his eggs!” laughs AC. “Normally, you learn these things at the front-end of a relationship and then you get to the really deep conversations, but we started out by sharing our souls, and then we got to the small-talk part.. like what do you like on your burger?”

When their time together had concluded after a beautifully breathtaking, yet short week, Michael left AC with a message he secretly wrote on her white board before his departure. It read, “I’m coming back for you.”

On February 24th, he fulfilled his promise and came back for her to visit for a long weekend. However, this visit, would change the course of their lives forever. When the couple arrived back at AC’s apartment, Michael pulled out a handwritten note for AC. In this note, he was not speaking as merely a boyfriend to AC, but he was speaking as something more. After promises and proclamations of his undying love in the note, he gave instructions to turn over the card. On the back of the card read, “Which leads me to my next question…” And in the very next moment, Michael was in front of AC, on bended knee, and holding a diamond ring. And not just any diamond ring, but rather AC’s late Grandma JoJo’s engagement ring. A powerful representation of a woman who never gave up on love.

With butterflies and a choked up voice, Michael asked, “AC Jones, will you marry me?” To which AC replied with love and assurance, “Is that even a question? Yes!”

And just like that, Michael Boris and AC Jones became engaged to be married!

After minutes of joyful embrace, the two ventured over to tell the good news to AC’s parents. Not only did they find Amanda’s parents in attendance, but also her sister, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, as well as Michaels parents joining via FaceTime from Nashville. Both families celebrated, rejoiced, and shed tears of joy. To Michael and AC, family is everything, and marriage does not only bond two individuals together, but it also merges the two families into one family.

In the meantime, the couple considers the distance a huge blessing. Painful, yes, but Michael and AC are filled with a spirit of God’s Love, peace, gratitude, and a forward determination.

“The reality of being away from someone you love is always a consequence of being an Artist and a unique challenge to any relationship” says Michael. “That being said, therein lies the blessing from God. Right from the start, He has been teaching us how to love one another through a computer screen. AC and I fell deeply in love before we ever had the chance to embrace each other in person. We choose to see our distance for what it is… a blessing. As each day goes by, the pain of missing each other always stings, but He gives us the confidence and the strength to be joyful in spite of our circumstances.

As a beautiful reminder to each other, Michael and AC each wear a half of a “mizpah” coin on a necklace, which is a Jewish custom and prayer that “the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from another.” If you look closely in many of their photos, you can see them wearing their half of the coin.

Michael reflects, “I couldn’t help but think about how just a year ago in February of 2020, we sat one chair across from each other at an industry event. We did not share anything more beyond a pleasant and professional conversation. And then almost exactly a year later, I would be on one knee in front of her, asking her to marry me. The Lord’s Timing is truly as they say… perfect.”

As for their careers, Michael, and the boys in Lockeland are planning on releasing their single, “Blackberry Whiskey” to all digital platforms on April 30th. Not to mention, they are currently making plans to release a long awaited album in the fall of 2021.

AC released her latest single, “You Wouldn’t Know Me Now,” on February 19th. The autobiographical song is one of self-empowerment and personal growth and the reintroduction of that stronger self to the world.

“I used to get the feeling that if something wasn’t going right in a relationship, it had to be caused by my own shortcomings, so I would slowly find myself sacrificing little pieces of who I was until I didn’t recognize myself anymore,” reveals AC. “It took some time (and quite a few conversations with the Lord) to find myself again, to fully embrace my self-worth, and to learn that, to the right person, who I am would always be enough – flaws and all. With Michael, I have the beauty and blessing of being radically and unapologetically myself.”

Follow AC Jones and Lockeland on all forms of social media and streaming platforms, and for fun updates on their wedding planning!

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