Today's Country Tidbits

Tim McGraw is totally psyched about the new album, which will be his first with his new record label, Big Machine. The first single is “Truck Yeah” and Tim says it’s a taste of what’s to come on the album: “The music has a lot of energy in it. It’s infused with all this enthusiasm and freshness. And I just think that it’s—I haven’t felt this way about music in a long time.” He’s headed to Austin Texas next month to tape his first episode of Austin City Limits, the longest-running music show in America. No air date yet, but I’ll keep you posted. On a different note, Tim says he’s still open to the idea of holding political office, but not until his daughters are grown up, and only if he’s in “a position where I can give back and feel like I’m smart enough to help.” Wish all our politicians felt that way!

Carrie Underwood’s new single, “Blown Away,” shines a good light on her rural roots of Oklahoma, and she’s happy to be among great company: “So many artists come from Oklahoma—Garth and Reba and Toby and Blake—it’s nice to see that there are people that you know do come from those small towns and they can make it big and still remember where they’re from as they move forward.”

Today is finally the day – Zac Brown Band’s new album, “Uncaged,” is out. In Zac’s opinion, it’s not talent that’s gotten them to the top of the charts: “We spent hours and hours writing the songs, and hours and hours arranging them and recording them and everything. We work harder than a lot of other bands I think. So, I think that’s what sets us apart.” Zac calls this album their best work yet.

Kellie Pickler knows the ins and outs of being part of the American Idol family, and she has some advice for the people auditioning for Season 12 – how can it have been 12 years already?? – of American Idol: “It’s so wild because it’s like immediately after the finale it’s in with the new, out with the old and on to the next season. That’s why too, when you come off the show you have to strike while the iron’s hot. As soon as you get off the show, you need to get your butt in the studio, you need to be writing – you need to be recording your record.” The auditions kick off this week in Chicago.

Kip Moore had a number one song with “Somethin’ Bout a Truck,” and his follow up single is a song he feels can do just as well: “I love the song. It was just one of those things that just felt right for the time right now. It felt like it was the right call to do. I just kind of went on my gut.” “Beer Money” is from Kip’s “Up All Night” album and is just starting it’s climb on the charts.