LUKE BRYAN

A Texas rancher recently auditioned for “American Idol” and although he isn’t heading to Hollywood, he still got to fulfill part of his country music dream — by singing alongside Luke Bryan.

An emotional audition on “American Idol” by a survivor of a Texas high school shooting prompted tears from the judges and criticism of the country’s response to gun violence.

Luke Combs is the winner of the Country Music Association Awards' coveted entertainer of the year trophy.

The Country Music Association Awards will open this year's show with a tribute to the late country queen Loretta Lynn.

A finalist on “American Idol” has died in a vehicle crash in Tennessee.

Louisiana-native Lainey Wilson is having a breakout year as she tops the Country Music Association nominations in her first year as a nominee, earning nods in six categories.

Morgan Wallen won album of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards for “Dangerous: The Double Album,” a year after he was removed from the ACMs ballot after he was caught on camera using a racial slur.

Dolly Parton, Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett will be pulling double duty with special performances on top of their hosting duties at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards.

Chris Stapleton won the most trophies, but Luke Combs won the biggest one at the Country Music Association Awards.

Country star Luke Bryan is stepping into a new role as host of the CMA Awards this year.

Carrie Underwood has extended her record as the most decorated artist in the history of the CMT Music Awards — thanks to her song “Hallelujah.”.

The Academy of County Music honors drew a record-low audience, joining other awards shows also finding dwindling viewer interest.

Carrie Underwood brought the Academy of Country Music Awards to church.

Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton will have a small audience at this year's Academy of Country Music Awards show on Sunday of vaccinated medical workers.

Luke Bryan says he’s tested positive for COVID-19.

The Weeknd, Megan Thee Stallion and Roddy Ricch are among the top nominees for next month’s iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Morris and Stapleton lead the nominations for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards. The academy announced on Friday that Morris and Stapleton both had six nominations ahead of the April 18 awards show, which will air on CBS from Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton are the leading nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards, but only Stapleton joined the all-male ballot for the top prize of entertainer of the year. The academy announced on Friday that Morris and Stapleton both had six nominations ahead of the April 18 awards show, which will air on CBS from Nashville, Tennessee. AdMiranda Lambert, who is already the most nominated artist in ACM history, stretched her streak with five nominations.

In this video image provided by CMT, Carrie Underwood accepts the female of the year award for Drinking Alone during the Country Music Television awards airing on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (CMT via AP)

In this video image provided by CMT, Carrie Underwood accepts the female of the year award for Drinking Alone during the Country Music Television awards airing on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (CMT via AP)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carrie Underwood already had the most CMT Music Awards of any artist, but she'll need to make more room on her shelf. The superstar picked up two more trophies for video of the year and female video of the year in a remotely shot awards show. "I am so proud to be a part of this legacy of women in country music with you. Singer Granger Smith won for his on-the-nose music video called “Don't Cough On Me!"

Carrie Underwood accepts the entertainer of the year award in a tie with Thomas Rhett during the 55th annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

This combination photo shows, from left, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood, nominees for entertainer of the year at the 55th ACM Awards. (AP Photo)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In a pre-pandemic world, the Academy of Country Music Awards advertised itself as country music’s night to party with gambling, after-parties and a Las Vegas-style attitude. This year the red carpet, crowds and gambling are all r eplaced with COVID-19 tests, temperature checks and face masks. Swift, who makes her first return to the ACM stage in seven years, was the last female artist to win ACM entertainer of the year in 2011. “I certainly believe that she’s been an entertainer of all entertainers and brought so much grace and class and elegance to country music,” said Bryan.

This combination photo shows country singers, from left, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown and Mickey Guyton who will perform at this year's ACM Awards in Nashville. (AP Photo)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – At the Academy of Country Music Awards on Wednesday, there won’t be fake fans, canned applause or pre-taped acceptance speeches. After a five-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the awards show wants to bring the live television experience back again. The 55th annual ACM Awards, normally held in April in Las Vegas, were delayed this year and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, for the first time. “I don’t know if it’s gonna look like an NFL Draft night when we hand out the awards,” Urban said laughing.

This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)

This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. It lands on HBO and HBO Max on Saturday at 8 p.m.— AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Piano-playing pop star Alicia Keys is putting out her seventh album on Friday. — Kim Cattrall is at the center of Fox’s “Filthy Rich,” a prime-time soap opera loaded with money and betrayal that debuts 9 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 21.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country-turned-pop star Taylor Swift is coming back to her roots with a performance at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards. The nine-time ACM award winner will perform from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, where the awards show will be broadcast Wednesday on CBS. Swift will perform “betty” from her new album “Folklore,” which has held the top spot on for six weeks on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. 6 on Billboard's Hot Country song chart. This marks the first time in seven years that the two-time ACM entertainer of the year has performed at this awards show and will be her world premiere performance for any song from her “Folklore” album.

This combination photo shows, from left, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert, who were nominated for Entertainer of the Year for the 54th Annual CMA Awards on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020.

The CMAs announced Tuesday that Lambert earned seven nominations. She's followed by Luke Combs, who continues his streak of success as one of country musics biggest streaming artists with six nominations, including his first for entertainer of the year. Combs earned his first all-genre No. Carrie Underwood joins Combs and Lambert in the entertainer of the year category, along with Keith Urban and Eric Church. Other top nominees include Maren Morris, who scored five nominations including song and single of the year for her love song, The Bones."

NEW YORK Apple Music is launching several new radio shows hosted by A-list musical acts, including Snoop Dogg, Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood. The streaming service announced that it will debut two new radio stations Tuesday: Apple Music Hits, focused on popular songs of the 80s, 90s and 2000s, as well as Apple Music Country, dedicated to the country music genre. Both channels will have daily on-air hosts but will also include several shows hosted by well-known musicians. Apple Music Hits will include shows hosted by Snoop Dogg, Twain, Alanis Morissette, Backstreet Boys, Meghan Trainor, Ciara, blink-182s Mark Hoppus and Huey Lewis. Apple Music also announced Tuesday that its popular Beats 1 radio station featuring shows hosted by Billie Eilish, Elton John and Lil Wayne will be renamed to Apple Music 1.

SAN ANTONIO No need to wait in a long line this year to try to become the next American Idol. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, auditions will take place virtually and Texas auditions are scheduled for Aug. 22. America Idol': Katy Perry and Luke Bryan join Lionel Richie for historic performance of We Are the World'If you are interested you must sign up on the American Idol website and reserve a time slot. Once registered, be sure you have a Zoom account because, on the day of the audition, you will be provided a link to get in. Apple music launching shows with Snoop Dogg, Shania TwainAnd if you miss out on the Texas auditions this weekend -- no worries -- you can register to audition on any date that works for you.

This cover image released by Capitol Records Nashville shows "Born Here Live Here Die Here" by Luke Bryan, out on Friday. If you want to keep the warm feelings going, the good-natured Peanut Butter Falcon hits Amazon Video on Thursday as well. AP Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSICCountry superstar Luke Bryan is looking to his roots on his seventh album. From the safety of his Georgia homes man cave, Foxworthy visits everyday people to check out their potentially valuable heirlooms, pop-culture keepsakes and such. AP Television Writer Lynn Elber___Catch up on APs entertainment coverage here: https://apnews.com/apf-entertainmen t.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio country fans will be shouting “Play It Again” when Luke Bryan visits in the fall. The country star on Friday announced his “Proud To Be Right Here” tour, which includes a stop at the Alamodome on Oct. 3. Morgan Wallen, who just played the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, is the supporting act. Lineup announced for 4-day Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair at SA’s Market SquareTickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. March 13 at livenation.com and the Alamodome box office. Bryan is known for his hits “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” “Crash My Party” and “Kick the Dust Up.”