Mickey Guyton to Receive Breakout Artist Award at ‘CMT Artists of the Year’ – Mickey Guyton, a singer-songwriter not currently lacking for informal honors, will get a formal one when CMT gives her a special “Breakout Artist of the Year” award as part of its “CMT Artists of the Year” live telecast Oct. 13. The only times the network has given out the plaudit previously is when the title was bestowed on Chris Stapleton in 2015, Kelsea Ballerini in 2016 and Ashley McBryde two years ago, all seals of early-in-the-game approval that have aged well. – Read more at Variety.com
2021 AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANTS AMMON AND LIAHONA OLAYAN RELEASE NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO, “MAKE ME FORGET IT” – Utah-based siblings and singer/songwriters Ammon and Liahona Olayan have released their latest single and music video, “Make Me Forget It.” The song features a pop-centric beat and showcases their vocal harmony as a brother-sister musical duo. The siblings are set to perform in their hometown at Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, Utah on Wednesday, October 27th at 7:30pm, singing their hit songs and tracks to be released on theirupcoming album. – Reed more at Vents MagazineLaine Hardy tributes small-town roots with debut album, ‘Here’s To Anyone’ – “For me, Country is a genre, but it’s also a way of living,” the 21-year-old told Audacy. “My roots run really deep where I’m from. Home is where I get my inspiration, it’s where I re-build, re-set myself. All these songs are related to down-home livin’ and Country stuff.” He continued, “I’m excited to release some music for my fans, they’ve been waitin’ a good little while for it and I’m really excited about all these songs and the way they came out.” – Read more at Audacy
WATCH: Laine Hardy Feels ‘Complete’ After Releasing Debut Album, ‘Here’s To Anyone’ – “I feel really excited and I have a feeling of being complete when the album comes out,” Hardy shared during an exclusive sit-down interview with Country Now ahead of the album release. “But, it’s been two years since my Idol win and I’m just looking forward to it. Me and my team and everybody that’s been helping me along the way…I mean, I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.” – Watch the interview at Country Now
Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson Reunite
Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson coached together on The Voice. And of course, they are both American Idol alums. “It’s always amazing to sing and chat with @kellyclarkson,” wrote Jennifer. “We gotta do it again!”
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Lauren Jauregui ‘Growing Up’: How Her Grandma Encouraged Her Life-Changing ‘X Factor’ Audition – But it was her late grandma Grace whom the 25-year-old singer considered to be her “No. 1 fan” growing up. According to Jauregui, it was Grace who encouraged her to take her talents to The X Factor stage, where Fifth Harmony was born. “We used to always watch American Idol together, and she would always tell me, ‘You’re gonna sing for Simon Cowell and he’s gonna know — he’s gonna see what I see,'” she recalls as her eyes well up with tears. “And so when she passed, I was like, ‘I gotta do it.’ And so I did it.” – Read more at Billboard