Happy New Year, Y’all! In case you’ve been busy with the holidays and had no time to check what’s going on in the country music world, worry no more! We bring you the top 5 stories that dominated the country music industry this week.

1. Keith Urban Honors Artists We Lost in 2018 on New Year’s Eve

For more than three years, Keith Urban has been headlining the Music City Midnight celebration, making him a staple of the annual event. This time, his participation in welcoming the New Year at Nashville has a more solemn highlight. His medley performances were meant for the artists who passed away in 2018. Among those whom he honored were Aretha Franklin, Roy Clark, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Ed King, lead singer of The Cranberries Dolores O’Riordan, and Avicii. The reigning CMA’s Entertainer of the Year was joined by Peter Frampton for the medleys’ finale. They performed an extended version of “Sweet Home Alabama.” 

2. Woman Playing a Blake Shelton-themed Slot Machine Wins Big Prize

A Las Vegas woman who was playing a Blake Shelton-themed slot machine at the Planet Hollywood resort did not only win a valuable prize but also received the biggest surprise of her life. That’s when Blake Shelton himself walked up beside the unaware woman playing. Unknowingly, she looked up at the tall figure standing next to her and she quickly recognized the country superstar. She couldn’t help but gasp in surprise catching attention from people who were around. Not wanting the chance to pass her by, she grabbed the singer’s hand and shake it with much joy. 

You can watch the clip of the event from Shelton’s girlfriend Gwen Stefani’s  Instagram account.

3. Michael Ray Honors Grandma’s Memory with “If Only I Could Fly”

Michael Ray‘s New Year wasn’t that happy. His 2019 started with a loss of a loved one. On his Instagram account, the 30-year-old singer shared the sad news about his grandmother’s passing. However, he found a little comfort from a Merle Haggard song called “If Only I Could Fly.” The song instantly came to his mind after what happened and found himself playing it. He shared the video on his Instagram account. Also, he wrote a touching message to his grandma and thank her for everything.

“I don’t know what to say except thank you for all you did for all of us,” Ray writes. “I’m so glad God gave me you as a grandmother you were the definition of strong independent, hard-working, god-fearing, family woman. I’m so glad Carly got to meet you — she reminds me a lot of you in some ways.”

4. FGL’s Brian Kelley Renews Wedding Vows with Wife Brittney

On the fifth year of their wedding anniversary, Brian Kelley, the other half of the country duo Florida Georgia Line, and wife Brittney celebrated their love in an intimate way. The couple renewed their wedding vows in Big Sur, California last December. On December 16, 2013, the lovely couple tied the knot notwithstanding the rainy weather. Brian and Brittney doubled down on their love five years later. On his Instagram account, Brian wrote,

“I’d marry you a million times @bcole429 ?????. I love you with everything that I am, loved renewing our vows for our 5 year wedding anniversary in Big Sur, CA at the @postranchinn. What a spiritual and sexy time we shared there ? a little rain never hurt nobody.” 

On the other hand, Brittney also expressed her love for her husband. In fact, she sent him her anniversary greetings earlier on the month of their wedding anniversary.

“Couldn’t have asked for a more magical & dreamy day in Big Sur to renew our vows ???,” she wrote. 
“Happy 5 years @briankelley! ? Here’s to this crazy ride we’ve been on & all there is to come ?? You’re the best life partner?I love you ??.”

5. Danielle Bradbery Releases Amazing Song Covers

Danielle Bradbery is one of the youngest rising stars of country music and she’s already making a big name in the industry. She’s only 22 but her vocals clearly displayed her maturity as a performer as seen in her recent covers of songs. In late December, Bradbery announced to her fans the release of her covers project Yours Truly: 2018. The project includes covers of her favorite songs from across the musical spectrum from 2018. On the same day that she made the announcement, she released a cover of Ariana Grande’s “God is a Woman.”

You can watch the moving cover below.

And just recently, Bradbery released another achingly beautiful song cover this time from Kacey Musgraves. Her rendition of “Slow Burn” is the second in the series and she did a powerful yet hauntingly soft delivery. While she maintains the central acoustic figure, she incorporated different musical instruments like the cello and piano. Moreover, the banjo, vibe-y keys and percussion have been removed from the original arrangement, and the result is as amazing as that of Musgraves’