Connected with Kelly

Darius Rucker has been on the country music scene since 2008, but he has never lived in Nashville, until now. He called South Carolina home for most of his life. Now Darius is loving life in Music City and is taking full advantage of being so close to Broadway. He says he goes down to the honky tonks to hang, hear live music, and even make song requests! Darius also lets us in on new music and shares his new motto for life.

Tracy Lawrence has been in country music for 30 years. He was signed to a record deal just seven months after coming to Nashville, but after being mugged and shot four times, he almost didn't get his chance to see his music released. I've known Tracy for over 18 years and in that time he has continued to build an incredible discography including 18 number one hits! But he isn't slowing down, he has three new albums coming out this year! Get ready to take a deep dive into 90's country with Tracy Lawrence.

There are several names in Nashville that rise to the top when you are talking about power players. Laura Hutfless is always a part of that list. She has been at William Morris, TicketMaster, and Creative Artist Agency in the past. It was 2015 when Laura and colleague Jeremy Holley started FlyteVu, a full service entertainment and marketing company. They have worked on campaigns with Bumble, Jack Daniel's, Victoria's Secret and many more. The success of the company has allowed Laura to give back in many ways, including a healing retreat she started to help survivors of mass shootings. Her story is incredible and her strength is an example of turning pain into purpose. If you want more information about the retreat we discuss in this episode contact Onsite www.onsiteworkshops.com.

He is the "Dark Horse" in country music. Devin Dawson is a prolific songwriter and artist ("God's Country" for Blake Shelton, "One Beer" with Hardy and Lauren Alaina). But how did he get his start in the music industry? It started with a 1999 Chevy Silverado and a mashup of Taylor Swift songs. You interested yet? I thought so. He has a new EP called The Pink Slip with six amazing new songs on it. We dive into those AND we talk about how his first truck helped change his life. Check out this episode of Connected with Kelly! Stay Connected With Kelly: https://www.instagram.com/thekellysutton​ https://twitter.com/thekellysutton​ #ConnectedWithKelly​ #devindawson​ #taylorswift #blakeshelton #countrymusic #Nashville #Hardy #Lauren Alaina #kellysutton

You may not know his name but I am CERTAIN you are familiar with at least one of Shy Carter's songs.... "Someday" - Rob Thomas "Stuck Like Glue"- Sugarland "It Don't Hurt Like it Used To" - Billy Currington "Speak to a Girl" - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill "Heaven" and "Good As You" - Kane Brown and the massive hit "One Call Away" with Charlie Puth. Shy has been making music for years, but now he is front and center as the artist. Signed to Warner Nashville, Carter just released "Good Love" and has more music on the way. So why would an uber-successful songwriter want to be an artist? We find out in this episode of Connected with Kelly!

What sounds fun to you? Really fun? That's one of the questions Annie F. Downs started asking on her podcast nearly 7 years ago. Now she has a brand new book that goes by the same name as her podcast "That Sounds Fun!" This is the 8th book for Annie. We dive into why we all are chasing our fun, why we should all be amateurs at something, and why hobbies are so important. So let's have some FUN with Annie F. Downs!

Lindsay Ell. You may know here as the female guitar phenom. Or as the Canadian Country Singer / Songwriter. Or maybe as the artist who covered John Mayer's Continuum album front to back. Or maybe you've found Lindsay because of the stories she shared this past year. She opened up about being a survivor of sexual abuse when she was younger. No matter how you've discovered Lindsay Ell, chances are you have fallen in love with her. She is an incredible artist, songwriter and musician. And she has a new love in her life! She tells us all about it in this episode of Connected with Kelly. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse the phone number for help is 1-800-656-4673. Lindsay Ell's "Make You" Movement Fund is a part of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. You can find more information at cfmt.org

Old Dominion is one of the hottest bands in country music. There is no question. They've won group of the year at the ACM Awards, and CMA Awards and now they are nominated for two Grammy Awards for the song "Some People Do". We had a chat with lead singer, Matthew Ramsey and found out that song means much more to him than just another nomination - he tells us how that song changed his life. It's an incredibly candid discussion with Matthew about what it means to live the lyrics of a song you helped write. Also find out which Kenny Chesney song paved the way for the band, get a quick tease about new music and find out why Old Dominion Band Camp may now be a thing. It's all included in this episode of Connected with Kelly!

If you've heard it you will sing it all day long. "The Wine, The Beer, The Whiskeyyyyy...." So how did such a catchy song spill into 2020? What was happening in the room that day when it was written? We got the story on the song AND the TikTok video that almost injured Phillip Sweet's wife while he was shooting it. Get connected with four of our favorite people - Little Big Town.

Russell Dickerson had an amazing 2020. There aren't many people who can claim that. He had a baby, released an album and scored two #1 hits. Pretty great, right? We talked about how life with his son Remington has changed who he is and how he listens to his songs. And find out which song off of Southern Symphony puts Remy to sleep - plus what he is most excited about in 2021!

There are few people sweeter than Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman. She absolutely exudes kindness. Kimberly has been through a lot of grief in her life. She lost her first husband to a heart attack and a brother-in-law to a motorcycle accident. She recently talked about infertility and miscarriages she says were previously "a secret" to almost everyone. None of these things could steal her joy. Kimberly's first children's book "A Dolly For Christmas" is out now. It's the adoption story of her daughter "Dolly" as told through her daughter Daisy's eyes. Kimberly says it was a real-life Christmas miracle and she hopes it will inspire kids and adults to never give up hope. #kimberlyschlapman #littlebigtown #countrymusic #LBT #dollyforchristmas

The Oak Ridge Boys are Country Music legends. (You're probably singing "Elvira" in your head right now.) As much as they love country music, they are known for their take on Christmas. They have released 7 different Christmas albums, and for years they have toured in November and December with a huge Christmas show! Fast forward to 2020. No acts can tour right now. But thanks to an agreement signed in 2019, the show will go on! Oaks member Joe Bonsall told me all about it, why they were hesitant to sign it at first, plus I get the scoop on a new Oak Ridge Boys album produced by Dave Cobb coming in 2021! Stay Connected With Kelly: https://www.instagram.com/thekellysutton https://twitter.com/thekellysutton #OakRidgeBoys #Christmas

Red Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City when Luke was young. After he heard his mom tell stories about what happened at the topless bar when she was young, he turned the camera on her and started to make a documentary. Ten years later, "Red Dog" premiered at SXSW film festival. Luke also wrote the music for the soundtrack which is available now. He talked to us about making the documentary, what it was like to find out about his parents wild side and how it has impacted who he is today. Stay Connected With Kelly: https://www.instagram.com/thekellysutton https://twitter.com/thekellysutton #ConnectedWithKelly #lukedick #reddog #documentary

The headlines are calling Dolly Parton a saint. I would have to agree with that. Well before she donated $1 million dollars to fund research at Vanderbilt University for work on the corona virus, she has been helping thousands of people. She started the "My People Fund" after fires destroyed part of the Smoky Mountains near her childhood home. She's been helping children learn how to read for years with her Imagination Library. Check out this conversation I had with her in 2017. She talks about shining a light during dark times. (HELLO 2020!) We also talk about what she likes to order on her pizza, her guilty TV pleasure, and singing with Miley Cyrus. If you love "Aunt" Dolly like I do, subscribe and share! Would you vote for Dolly if she ever ran for office?? #dollyparton #dolly #dollyforpresident #ConnectedWithKelly

Carrie Underwood has Grammys, ACM, CMA, Billboard and CMT awards, but it is the little things that are making her feel connected these days. We dive into what hobbies she has taken up during her time off the road and what social media she DOES NOT use. It may surprise you! Plus how being a fashion designer for her brand, Calia By Carrie, has changed since being a mom of two!! #carrieunderwood #countrymusic #nashville #mygift #caliabycarrie

Country star Kane Brown is filling bags to send overseas for servicemen and women with help from Crown Royal. He talks about how his song, "Homesick", was written for his wife, but now he dedicates it to a different group of people. Kane also reflects on life in quarantine with his wife Katelyn and baby girl Kingsley AND when will we get new music from Kane? He gave us some hints! #kanebrown #crownroyal #purplebagproject #worshipyou #countrymusic

It's been 20 years since country supergroup Rascal Flatts came on to the music scene. You know them for songs like Praying for Daylight, God Bless the Broken Road and Life is a Highway. Now they are releasing "Twenty Years of Rascal Flatts, The Greatest Hits". But how did they become this award-winning trio to begin with? Who was the person who helped connect the dots and make Rascal Flatts, well Rascal Flatts? We sat down with Gary, Jay and JoeDon to find out how they got connected.