Blake Shelton | Superstar Power Hour

Blake Shelton has seen a lot of success throughout his more than 20 year career, but the Oklahoma-native says he’s never had more fun than he is right now. After stepping away from the spotlight following 24 seasons on The Voice, multiple hit albums and #1 songs, Blake Shelton is back and he’s living his best life.</p> “I’m having the time of my life right now, just in my personal life and my music life,” he shared with Audacy’s Katie Neal while co-hosting the Superstar Power Hour,. “[Music] has kind of been of been off the radar for, I guess a couple of years, as far as releasing any new music or anything. It’s exciting, I kind of feel like a new artist again sticking my neck out there. I’m having a blast with it.” </p> Shelton shared he wasn’t always sure he’d return with new music, but after spending time with one artist in particular — Post Malone — his passion for the craft was reignited. “I credit him for really firing me up again about wanting to get in and make another record and get some music out there,” Shelton shared of his new friend Post. </p> “I don’t know how he does it. I’ve never been around a more infectious, happy person in my life as Post Malone. I hope everyone gets a chance to shake his hand one day because you’ll have a better day because of it. He’s just the happiest, most gracious guy I’ve ever met in my life. I don’t mean one of, I mean thee.” </p> Sharing he hopes Post will continue to stick around the genre, Blake shared he’s happy to have some space on the radio alongside artists like Post with his new single, “Texas.” Despite being weary to record the song, Shelton shared he’s more than happy for following through with it as it’s led to some of his greatest memories in the studio. </p> “I thought, ‘My gosh,’ this song is really special,” he said of the first time he heard it. “I was a little bit nervous about it for me, in fact I told Scott [Hendrix] (producer), I said, ‘I don’t know that I could see myself doing that song…’ but then the more I thought about it, the more I came to maybe that’s exactly why I should go in and record the song.” </p> He continued, “It’s some of the most fun I’ve ever had in the studio making a record and that’s just because the song is fun. That’s all it’s really meant o be anyway.” </p> According to Shelton, there’s lots more new music to come as he has plans to release an entire album in the coming year - but he plans on maximizing his time in the creative stages to make sure it’s exactly what he wants. “I have a record ready to go,” he shared. “I would like to keep lookin’ and playin’ with it for the next few months and recording some more things because I feel like I’m just now figuring out — especially with ‘Texas’ — what I want the sound to be like…. just kind of where I want to move to with this next step.” </p> While fans anxiously await new music, they have the opportunity to pass the time by seeing Shelton in Vegas for a six-night residency in February 2025 where Shelton says he hopes to treat fans to some of the older classics. </p> “If people are going to travel to come see me, they’re probably fans that… [have] been following along with me for a long time,” he said. “I think maybe the best thing I can do is dig out some of those old songs that I just don’t do anymore for whatever reason that I know were big records at the time — back in the freakin’ ‘90s or whenever they came out,” he laughed.</p> Tickets for all six shows at Las Vegas’ Colosseum at Caesars Palace are available now. To hear more about Shelton’s plans for the residency, new music and stories behind the classics check out his entire interview with Audacy’s Katie Neal. </p> Words by Monica Rivera, Interview by Katie Neal</p>

00:23:49

Keith Urban | Superstar Power Hoiur

A new year is upon us and Keith Urban is looking forward to sharing his enthusiasm for one of his favorite holiday traditions with fans across the Country.</p> Urban is set to help fans across the nation Rock into 2025 as he headlines and co-hosts New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash live from Music City’s Bicentennial Mall and the nostalgia is already strong for the Australia-raised singer-songwriter.</p> “I’m not a resolutions guy, but I love New Year’s Eve, I love the countdown,” Urban told Audacy’s Katie Neal during his recent appearance on the 'Superstar Power Hour'. I’ve always loved the countdown, it’s a big deal to me. I think it’s because … I quit school when I was 15 and Ive been playing in bands right away… so from the age of 15, I’ve always played in bands and we’ve always played on New Year’s Eve because back in the day, you’d earn like, triple your fee if you played New Year’s Eve…. I’m not used to celebrating New Year’s Eve anywhere but on a stage, so it feels really good to be back on a stage.”</p> The five-hour, star-studded celebration will air across multiple time zones (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT,10:30 PM-1:30 AM, ET/PT) on December 31st via CBS and Paramount+. Featured performers include Jelly Roll, Kane Brown and more in addition to Urban who is promising some high voltage performances of songs from his newest album, 'HIGH', which Urban says has resonated with fans in a special way.</p> “I’m feeling it’s the whole record people like instead of just a handful of songs — that’s a really good feeling,” he shared. “I haven’t had that maybe since, Ripcord, to that degree. So, that’s an amazing feeling. I think the songs are really connecting with everybody.”</p> Nashville’s Big Bash is just the start of a big year of live performances for Urban, who is set to kick off touring in addition to finishing up dates for his Las Vegas Residency.</p> “I love touring, like, love it,” he shared. “I should’ve been touring in 2024 because I did an album in ’23 that was called '615'… and I ditched that record and ended up doing this album called 'HIGH,' but it meant I had to push off touring into ’24. I feel for like, two years, I’ve been waiting for 2025 to happen so I can get touring.”</p> Touring isn’t the only thing Urban is looking forward to in the new year as he’s also working on a passion project of bringing a run down Nashville music studio that’s near and dear to his heart back to life. “I’m sort of bringing back to life a really great studio here in town,” he revealed. “Now that I’m pretty much off the road, I’m down there every day and that’s really, an extraordinarily exciting project for me… this is a studio where I made a lot of records over the years. It finally became for sale, so I jumped on it.”</p> Reviving the studio has Urban a bit outside of his comfort zone as he learns about building codes, treating mold and more, but it’s all worth it for the 57-year-old who says the studio will turn into a second home for him. “I know more about mold remediation then I ever want to know ever again,” he laughed. “I’ve learned about industrial air conditioning units and power and plumbing — I’ve just learned way too much about all these things — but it’s been riveting because at least it’s a studio. It’s an amazing studio and I’ll probably just live there once it’s up and running.”</p> Hear additional details about the studio project, touring and more by checking out Keith’s entire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal on the 'Superstar Power Hour.'</p> Photo: Borman Entertainment</p>

00:15:32

Ella Langley with Katie Neal

After being around music her whole life and dreaming of her own success as a musician, Ella Langley, is finally experiencing the success she deserves after years of hard work, determination and finessing her talent.</p> The 25-year-old recently joined Katie Neal at Audacy’s Nashville Sound Space located at the Hard Rock Cafe and dug deep on her Alabama roots, long-awaited success and the song that finally broke through for her.</p> “I don't remember a day not thinking about wanting to do this [music],” she shared before admitting, “I didn't know how it was gonna happen.” 2024 has been the year “it happened” for the Alabama native who has experienced next-level success with her single “you look like you love me,” featuring Riley Green.</p> “This song, what it’s doing is insane,” she said of her debut single before admitting she never thought it would even make an album. “I wrote the song with Aaron [Raitiere] at first and we didn’t write it as a duet - we wrote it as just a song for me to play around the bonfires at writers rounds to make everyone giggle.”</p> After being encouraged by members of her team to submit it for consideration on her first album, Langley still didn’t think the song would resonate. “I loved the song, I just never imagined it coming out because it’s a little bit of a risk.” After one of her team members at the label submitted it anyways, Ella was surprised to get a call from her agent raving about the tune and was finally convinced to move forward with releasing it.</p> Originally written as a solo, the song quickly turned into a duet when Ella was invited on tour with her longtime friend, Riley Green where she asked him to jump on the tune with her. “I just asked him, I said, ‘What would your opinion be on writing a second verse for this song and then I’ll put it out on my album?’”</p> After the pair continued to have fun with the song on tour and explore the different creative possibilities, it quickly gained traction thanks to social media and there was no turning back. Confident in the song, it was acceptance from Riley’s fans Ella says she was most worried about.</p> “Honestly, I just thought it was going to go the complete opposite way,” she shared. “I was worried about putting out a song with him in the first place just because, you know, he’s Riley Green — that’s all I really have to say.”</p> She continued, “Playing shows this past year, there’s a lot of people who didn’t know who I was and so some of the girls in the front row were like, so annoyed at me. I’m like, ‘Woah, I’m just up here trying to sing my song.’ This was before the song even came out, so I was a little worried all these girls were about to attack me because I’m putting out a song with Riley. But, it went such the opposite way and I was like, ‘the girls have my back! Wow!’”</p> As of a couple weeks ago, the song is now a CMA Winner for Musical Event of the Year earning both Riley and Ella their first CMA Awards and setting them up for even more success come 2025. Hear more of Langley’s story from her childhood to recent fame by checking out her entire interview with Audacy’s Katie Neal above.</p> Caylee Robillar</p>

00:24:08

Brooks & Dunn | Superstar Power Hour

Brooks & Dunn have done it again. The iconic Country duo has welcomed a new generation of music fans to their timeless classics with, REBOOT 2, a sequel to their highly-popular album from 2019, REBOOT. The project, available now, follows the same format as the 2019 release with several of today’s biggest Country stars joining the duo for reimagined versions of their most iconic songs. They include Lainey Wilson (“Play Something Country”), Morgan Wallen (“Neon Moon”), and Ernest (“Indian Summer”) in addition to some out-of-genre artists like Halestorm (“Boot Scootin’ Boogie”) and The Earls of Leicester (“How Long Gone”). On top of already being timeless classics, the collaborations with artists of other genres and generations have brought the magic of Brooks & Dunn’s music to even more music fans across the globe. “It’s really fun to ask the audience every night, ‘How many of y’all it’s your first Brooks & Dunn show?’” Kix Brooks told Audacy’s Katie Neal in an interview earlier this month. “About a half to two-thirds raise their hand,” Ronnie Dunn responded. “It’s wild,” added Kix. “The first time I did it [asked] I looked at Ronnie and we just grinned at went, ‘Whattt?! Welcome to the party y’all!’” Not only is the duo getting in front of new fans at their own shows, but they recently got the spotlight shed on them as newly crowned CMA Entertainer of the Year, Morgan Wallen, featured them as part of his famous “walk out” at a tour stop in Kansas City. “That’s a trip,” Ronnie said, recalling the experience. “The only hint we got from his people was, ‘OK, Morgan’s gonna walk fast.’ So we were like, ‘OK, we’re gonna walk fast,’” he laughed. Kix continued, “Theo Von (podcaster) made a great point about Morgan’s walk out. It’s like, he comes, you’re in the hallway, it’s like, ‘Hey dude! So great to see ya, high five, hug it out, c’mon let’s go,’ the crowd’s going wild… everybody going crazy, we’re right there with him and it’s like, ‘OK, you guys are done.’” He added, “We’re used to going to the stage at that point and I was like, ‘Oh, OK. Back to the dressing room. Thank you, we’ll see you in about two hours. OK, whatever.’” Come 2025, the duo will get to continue that energy right onto the stage at they embark on their Neon Moon Tour kicking off in Lubbock, TX on March 13. According to the guys, they’re ready to level-up the production after learning some new “tricks” during their Vegas residency, which wrapped in December 2021. “One of the cool things about being in Vegas for the seven years we were there off-and-on was that we met some serious production people — like, the Cirque de Soleil guys that do all that video and all those effects,” shared Dunn. “So, we get to use them now, which is the cream of the crop.” It will be quite the change from their touring days in the late ‘90s, early ‘00s when the duo recalls being in charge of all production ideas which resulted in shooting dummies out of cannons and creating “twin tornadoes” on stage. “We do have a pretty long history of doing some ridiculous, nonsense,” said Kix. “Shooting ourselves out of a cannon was pretty classic… it didn’t last too long because it was really dangerous,” he shared before detailing the dummies that shot out into the front section of the crowd ultimately giving one woman a bloody nose. “It’s like shooting’ a missile into the audience,” Added Ronnie. “This is how stupid we were.” Many lessons were learned the hard way for the pair, and with that, they’re grateful social media wasn’t around for their climb to success. “We wouldn’t be here,” Ronnie said with certainty when asked if social media would’ve hurt or helped their career in the early days. While the lack of documentation is a relief in many ways for the guys, they also say they believe it would keep them from being able to put together a documentary should they ever have the desire. “We’d have to have ...

00:31:29

Thomas Rhett | Superstar Power Hour

Thomas Rhett joins Katie Neal for the Superstar Power Hour.</p> Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images</p>

00:20:00

2024 CMAs: Sam Hunt talks with Katie Neal

Sam Hunt talks with Katie Neal backstage at the 2024 CMA Awards.</p> Photo: Alysse Gafkjen</p>

00:03:15

2024 CMAs: Bailey Zimmerman talks with Katie Neal

Bailey Zimmerman talks with Katie Neal backstage at the 2024 CMA Awards.</p> Photo: Chris Ashlee</p>

00:03:58

2024 CMAs: Riley Green talks with Katie Neal

It’s a big week for Riley Green who is a first-time nominee at this week’s 58th Annual CMA Awards. Ahead of Wednesday’s show, Green took time to catch up with Audacy’s Katie Neal to catch up on all the week’s festivities including his very first fashion show experience, upcoming CMA performance and more.</p> Touching quickly on the Boot Barn fashion show that both he and Katie attended Monday night, Riley says he “felt like everybody there was looking at me for my reaction… it was like not laughing in church, you know? It was fun,” he adds. “But, I was like, right there and a lady came out doing splits, interpretive dance, and they were all staring a hole through me when they were walking down. I didn't know where to look.”</p> Although it was his first fashion show, Riley says, “It won't be the last... I enjoyed it. I wished it lasted about 3 hours and I was drinking. That would have been fun. Here's what was tough: When it started and that girl was doing that dance thing where she was spinning on her head and stuff and it was real quiet. I wanted to clap. Miranda [Lambert] stopped me, because I was like, ‘You don't clap? That was awesome what she did.’”</p> Getting back to business, Riley shared he's looking forward to his own performance during this year’s CMA Awards. The 36-year-old Riley is scheduled to take the stage with Ella Langley to perform their hit single, “You Look Like You Love Me,” which is also up for Musical Event of the Year.</p> “This song is proof that I don't know what's a hit because, I mean, it was very organic how it happened" he shared. "[It] has been like [that] a lot of the collaborations I've done. I took Thomas Rhett duck hunting and we came out with ‘Half Of Me,’ and I was on tour with Luke Combs and played him ‘Different 'Round Here,’ and that ended up being a big hit for me. So, Ella was out on tour with me, heard the song -- I don't think they really knew what they were gonna do with it... I said, 'Well, I wonder… What if I wrote it from the guy's perspective? We did it and they liked it… I thought the talking verses were probably a little too traditional, but how awesome is it to see a song that's that Country, that's really that big of a hit.”</p> “I've never had a viral hit, I guess,” Riley admits, “and that was like kind of an overnight thing… you picked your phone up the next day and you couldn't get away from it. It was on everything, you know, so it's cool to see that. I'm super happy for her success with it too, it's been awesome to watch.”</p> This year’s ceremony will be Riley’s very first time on the CMAs stage, and although he’s feeling confident about the upcoming performance, there is one person he’ll be avoiding eye contact with. “Well, I didn't even think about that until you said it, I feel like Dierks Bentley,” he laughs. “I saw where everybody's sitting at. If I look at him [I'll laugh]”</p> Finally, discussing his current single “Damn Good Day To Leave,” Riley describes it as “a fun breakup song if there is such a thing. I love the thought of, you know, the girl left and you're sad, but the fish are biting, and the beer's cold, so it'll be all right.”</p> “It's a fun song, and it makes you wanna roll the window down and turn it up, so I love to sing that song," he says, "and it's always great when a song's climbing the chart because you get to watch the crowd sing it louder every week.”</p> Fans can catch Riley on his Damn Country Music Tour along with Ella Langley kicking off next year. </p> Listen to Katie's full chat with Riley Green above.</p> Don't miss the 58th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning, and Lainey Wilson on Wednesday, November 20 at 8/7c on ABC, and available the next day on Hulu. Find more of Audacy's CMA Awards coverage at audacy.com/cma. </p> Words by Joe Cingrana, Interview by Katie Neal</p> Photo: Jeremy Cowart</p>

00:04:08

2024 CMAs: Luke Bryan talks with Katie Neal

It’s a big week for Luke Bryan who is returning to host the CMA Awards for a fourth year. A seasoned pro at leading the festivities by now, the Georgia native says he’s not nervous about much before the big night… except one thing. </p> “I’m not really nervous about anything,” he told Audacy’s Katie Neal ahead of Wednesday night’s show. “The main thing is, how will I look?” While Luke might have a few jitters about his appearance, he’s not second-guessing for a moment that fans will be entertained and laugh a lot. </p> “It’s got us laughing,” Bryan said after sharing he’s already run through the script a couple times over Zoom with Manning and Wilson. “Pretty sure the people at home are going to laugh too.” </p> While the CMA Awards are only once a year, fans can plan on seeing Bryan a lot more on their television screens come Spring as he returns to host another season of IDOL on ABC. The new season will premiere March 2025 and feature Bryan alongside fellow returning judge, Lionel Richie and new judge, Carrie Underwood as they search across America for the next American Idol. </p> “We’re doing auditions on Idol,” Bryan shared before detailing how Underwood is fitting into the already tight-knit judging crew. “Carrie’s doing great and she’s not requesting for my removal from the show yet,” he laughed. “No HR flags or anything… so, we’re doing good. She’s had to learn a lot on the fly, it’s a lot to process.” </p> He continued, “What I’ve learned from her is she’s just got the best heart in the world. When she talks to these kids — it’s hard when you’ve gotta tell ‘em no and she’s learning you just gotta say no, but she’s doing great.” </p> Hear more about Idol, his hosting duties and new single by checking out Luke’s entire interview with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. </p> The 58th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, will broadcast live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 20 at 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.</p> Words by Monica Rivera, Interview by Katie Neal</p> Photo: Jim Wright</p>

00:03:16

2024 CMAs: Luke Combs talks with Katie Neal

It’s CMA Week and while Luke Combs is up for some of the most prestigious awards come Wednesday night’s broadcast, he’s busy celebrating a different kind of win to start the week. </p> On Monday (11/18), Combs was crowned PEOPLE’s, “Sexiest 34-Year-Old Man on the Planet.” The award is a branch off the publication's Sexiest Man Alive title, which went to actor, John Krasinski, this year. While Krasinski won the overall title, PEOPLE decided to break it down even further this year by crowing the sexiest man of each age from 20-41. </p> “1990, [a] down year when it came to sexy guys, but still proud to be at the top of the pile,” Combs laughed before sharing he was “very heavily surprised,” by his new title. “Maybe we’re re-defining sexy,” he laughed. “Guys’ [with] shirts that don’t fit that good, they fall asleep watching football —if that’s sexy, I’m your guy!” </p> No need to worry about Combs’ ego getting too big from the new title as he shared his young sons currently keep him humble making him watch shows like, Stinky and Dirty, while playing with dinosaurs and tractors. </p> “We’re into tractors and we’re into dinosaurs and we’re into the pool, we’re into swimming a lot,” Combs responded when asked how his sons, Tex (2) and Beau (1) are doing. “My kid has all the dinosaurs drive the tractors and stuff — that’s what’s going on right now.” </p> Combs and his wife, Nicole, will have the night off from playing dinosaurs on Wednesday as they attend the 58th Annual CMA Awards where Luke is up for multiple awards including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album Of the Year for his project, Fathers & Sons. Additionally, Combs will take the stage to perform his hit, “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma.” </p> “It’s gonna be sick,” he said of his plans for the performance. “We’ve got all the crazy effects and everything, which we’ve never done. We’ve never done fire and smoke and all that… We’re doing that this time because I feel like the song warrants it. Usually, I’m like, ‘Let the song speak for itself,’ but this time, I feel like the song would just be better with a bunch of cool fire and stuff, which is usually is not the case.” </p> Hear additional details about Combs’ performance, plus who he is most excited to see at the show, what fellow artist was an extra in his “Beer Never Broke My Heart” video and so much more by checking out his entire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. </p> The 58th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, will broadcast live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 20 at 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC and stream next day on Hulu.</p> Words by Monica Rivera, Interview by Katie Neal</p> Photo: Zack Massey</p>

00:03:09