Luke Bryan Reigns At Spring Break Panama City

ARTIST NEWSFLASH

■ REBA’S LATEST HIT CHARTS NEW TOPICAL GROUND FOR THE SUPERSTAR: In looking back on all of Reba’s hits, the superstar has documented love at all stages and of all kinds, but “Consider Me Gone” is the first song that’s climbed the charts where the woman laid down an ultimatum for the guy to leave if he didn’t make things right, when there wasn’t another woman in the picture.  With that in mind, we asked Reba if she makes a conscious effort to search for subject matter that she personally hasn’t tackled before.  “I always try to find songs that people can relate to,” states Reba, matter-of-factly.  “I love strong songs, songs that say something and make a point.  ‘Consider Me Gone’ does just that.  And I think we sometimes need to be confrontational and talk about the pink elephant in the room and not let it drink up all the lemonade in the refrigerator…that’s not even mentioning the iced brownies!”  All joking aside, “Consider Me Gone” rockets #10-#5 this week at radio, making it the fastest-moving single of the week!

■ JUSTIN MOORE & WIFE FIND A HOME OF THEIR OWN: Justin Moore and his wife Kate just bought their first home south of Nashville, and you and they are quickly moving in before their baby Ella Kole comes early next year.  There are so many things happening so quickly in the rising star’s life right now, both personally and professionally, we asked Justin how he stays grounded and keeps everything straight.  We're very excited!” exclaims Justin.  “The 1100 square feet house we were in was just gonna get too crowded.  And, moving out in the country is gonna help me stay grounded.  My back porch looks out over a pasture full of cows instead of another house.  It makes me feel more at home.”

■ JIMMY WAYNE’S NEW ALBUM FURTHER SOLIDIFIES HIS SIGNATURE SOUND: Jimmy Wayne’s new single “Sara Smile” is now also the title of his new album, set to hit stores November 23^rd, the week of Thanksgiving.  This will be the hitmaker’s third album, and by now the North Carolina native has firmly established a ‘Jimmy Wayne sound’ that the fans recognize.  We asked Jimmy if this album further solidifies that ‘sound’.  “’Sara Smile’ has been my stamp, my silver bullet, my one ticket, the one song that I feel people will remember for a very long time,” notes Jimmy.  “I've wanted to record this song since the beginning of my career.  After thirteen years I've finally got that chance.  It's such a special song that I named the CD ‘Sara Smile.’  If I ever have a daughter I'll name her Sara.  For now the CD will have to carry on the ‘Sara Smile’ name.  There's more songs on the CD that allows me to sing the way I sing without any editing.  I love country music and I love soul music.  This combo has been a part of Nashville since 1945, so why not continue that tradition.”  

■ RANDOM NOTES: Jimmy Wayne’s “Sara Smile” single featuring Daryl Hall & John Oates is now available for purchase on iTunes.  The video for the single, filmed in Columbia, TN, will hit video channels next week…Jimmy Wayne’s latest video blog in his Kerosene Kam series is available here…Reba performs on Andrea Bocelli’s new Christmas album on the Elvis classic “Blue Christmas”.  Reba also performs on an upcoming PBS special with Bocelli.  Of the duet, Reba says “I always enjoy branching out and singing with different people, especially when they come from other genres of music.  Andrea has a marvelous voice and I think we blended very well together.”…CBS’ coverage of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature an exclusive performance from Reba.