Good Morning. The 2024 CMT Music Awards lineup is here! If you want to know who is performing and presenting during one of country’s biggest nights, you’re in the right place.

Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, find three ways Zach Bryan has changed the music industry, details about Beyoncé’s “Blackbird” cover, and more!

Taylor Swift vs. Travis Kelce: The Power Couple Is Going Head-To-Head for an Award

International power couple Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have boosted their hardware collection this year. Now Swift and Kelce, both 34, are looking to collect more trophies at the upcoming 2024 Webby Awards. But they’ll have to face off against each other first. Read more at the link below.

2024 CMT Music Awards: See the Full List of Presenters and Performers

The 2024 CMT Music Awards are right around the corner. The fan-voted award show will air live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas this Sunday (April 7) on CBS. Today (April 3), CMT announced the full list of presenters and the final additions to the star-studded lineup of performers. Find the full list at the link below.

TOGETHER WITH BIG LOUD

Both a lifestyle brand and a countrified mixtape, HIXTAPE was pioneered by Big Loud Records' heavy hitter HARDY – "the musical papa to the HIXTAPE series" (American Songwriter). In its third installment, HIXTAPE is back as HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE, a celebration of the legacy and beloved catalog of GRAMMY and CMA Award-winning country icon Joe Diffie. Following HIXTAPE: Vol. 1 (2019), which included Diffie on “Redneck Tendencies (HARDY feat. Trace Adkins & Joe Diffie),” and 2021’s HIXTAPE: Vol. 2, the project brings together a new cast of characters collaborating on renditions of Diffie’s beloved classics. Hitmaking trio Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and Post Malone lead the charge with the first two offerings: “John Deere Green (HIXTAPE, Joe Diffie, Morgan Wallen & HARDY)” released on its 30th anniversary, and the 1994 No. 1 “Pickup Man (HIXTAPE, Joe Diffie & Post Malone).” Produced by Joey Moi, the tributary project is due out via Big Loud Records in conjunction with the Diffie estate on March 29, 2024, the fourth anniversary of Joe Diffie's passing. 

3 Ways Zach Bryan Has Changed the Music Industry

Zach Bryan seemingly popped up out of nowhere in 2022. His album, American Heartbreak, more than put him on the map–it catapulted him to fame. Despite his ever-brightening star, Bryan hasn’t lost his sense of self. He’s managed to do things his way, to great success. At the link below, find three ways Bryan has changed the music industry by paving his own path.

New Details Emerge About Beyoncé’s Cover of The Beatles Hit “Blackbird”—With Paul McCartney’s Backing

An interesting new tidbit has emerged about Beyoncé’s recently released cover of The Beatles’ “Blackbird.” The track appears on the pop/R&B superstar’s new country-flavored album, Cowboy Carter, which she rechristened “Blackbiird.” According to Variety, the new song’s backing track includes elements lifted directly from the Fab Four’s original 1968 version. Read more at the link below.

3 of the Best Hidden Meanings in Beatles Songs

The Beatles have hidden secret messages in many of their songs. And no, we’re not talking about backward odes to satan or confessions of replacing members with clones. We’re talking about hidden inspirations that the group weaved into their songwriting for fans to dissect later on. Find three such songs at the link below.

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