There weren’t really a lot of surprises at this year’s CMT Music Awards, which aired live from Nashville. Carrie Underwood was the biggest winner, taking home trophies for Female Video of the Year for “Love Wins” and overall Video of the Year for “Cry Pretty.” Ashley McBryde finally got some love for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” when she was awarded the Breakthrough Video of the Year win. Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Dan and Shay, Luke Combs and Zac Brown Band also took home a trophy each.

But let’s talk about Zac Brown for a second. Zac read from a scripted speech when he accepted his award, and that script included an F-bomb for his haters.

https://twitter.com/CMT/status/1136448622843834369

Luckily the censors were on the ball with that mute button – the way you hear it in that video is exactly the way I heard it live, although I’ve seen some internet chatter about some folks hearing him actually say the word. But come ON, Zac Brown. First, it’s a family show. As a dad himself, Zac should have noticed the kids in the room and thought about the ones watching and thought, “maybe there’s a different way I can express myself in my pre-planned speech I’m going to read from index cards.” Second, it was disrespectful to CMT to use that particular word – what if they hadn’t caught it? Would he be the one to pay their fine? But third, he’s not totally wrong. Haters CAN… well, you know.

Other moments of note: Seeing Luke Combs in a nice suit jacket and NOT looking like he’s about to change your oil. And don’t think we didn’t see that he switched out his usual red Solo cup for a much fancier blue Solo cup. Kelsea Ballerini’s acoustic opening to “Miss Me More” was FIRE. When Dan + Shay’s “before” picture was Brothers Osborne. And how are you gonna have Boyz II Men on there and not let them do even a little bit of Motownphilly? I’m still mad. And finally, today’s leg day workout was dedicated to Carrie Underwood, because on top of being an amazing vocalist and the biggest winner of the night, she is 100% #LegGoals.

Cardi B hit the stage Sunday night for a show in her tri-state home area. She’s the rightful headliner of New York radio station Hot 97’s “Summer Jam," the equivalent of sitting on TV’s fabled Iron Throne.

Cardi, of course, couldn’t make “Summer Jam” last year because she was literally a month away from giving birth to her baby girl Kulture. While she’s rocked stages across the world, you know that Summer Jam has to be extra special. What 26-year-old NYC bred rapper hasn’t dreamed of headlining Summer Jam? Her husband Offset was also on the bill along with his group Migos, making it an extra special family affair.

This was likely the last time we’ll see Cardi onstage for a while, as her body is still healing from liposuction and breast lift surgeries. She spoke about suffering through physical complications from the procedures a couple of days ago in Instagram live, citing her plastic surgeon strongly advise she take a pause from concerts until she’s fully recuperated. “I hate canceling shows because I love money. I'm a money addicted,” she lamented. The last time Cardi performed was a couple of weeks ago at the Hangout Fest at Alabama’s Gulf Shores. Since then, a myriad of her schedule performance dates has either been cancelled altogether or postponed.

“I get paid a lot of money, a lot of money for these shows. A lot of money,” she continued to explain. “I'm canceling millions of dollars in shows, but health is wealth, so I have to do what I have to do."

At “Hangout Fest,” she teased new music coming out this summer and she just dropped a new single “Press.” The artwork is grabbing just as much attention than the actual music itself. On the cover she appears nude coming out of court surrounded by media cameramen. Another photo of the single art shows the Bronx native wearing nothing but handcuffs. The last photo released shows Cardi clothed, still wearing cuffs but sharing a pose similar to a photo of notorious serial killer Aileen Wuornos who murdered several men from 1989 to 1990 in Florida. Her grizzly exploits were portrayed on the big screen in the film “Monster.”

“Monsta's gon' tear it up,” she says as the song begins. “Bardi!”

Cardi keeps her energy high on the chorus: “Press, press, press, press, press./
Cardi don't need more press./
Kill 'em all, put them hoes to rest./
Walk in, bulletproof vest./
Please tell me who she gon' check./
Murder scene, Cardi made a mess./
Pop up, guess who, bitch?...”

Hear the new track, and all things Cardi, right HERE!

I can’t believe you have to wait until September 27^th to hear Jon Pardi’s new album Heartache Medication. He had a few of us out to his house this week to listen to it, and it is SO. GOOD. And so very country – if you’re one of those people who complains about “today’s country” not being country enough, this album will make you very, very happy.

Jon Pardi introducing his new album at a listening party at his house. Photo credit: Jess Wright

In addition to the title track, which you can already hear on our Nashville Now station (https://www.slacker.com/station/nashville-now), the 14-song album also includes a duet with Lauren Alaina, which was written by Eric Church and Miranda Lambert. Jon himself wrote half of the songs.

Right after the party, he released the album cover and track listing, which will have to tide you over until September 27^th.

HEARTACHE MEDICATION TRACK LISTING

1.  “Old Hat” (Jeff Hyde, Matt Jenkins and Ryan Tyndell)
2. “ Heartache Medication” (Jon Pardi, Barry Dean and Natalie Hemby)
3.  “Nobody Leaves A Girl Like That” (Bart Butler, Marv Green and Jimmy Yeary)
4.  “Ain't Always The Cowboy” (Brandon Kinney and Josh Thompson)
5.  “Me And Jack” (Jon Pardi, Rhett Akins, Bart Butler and Luke Laird)
6.  “Don't Blame It On Whiskey (Featuring Lauren Alaina)” (Eric Church, Michael Heeney, Luke Laird and Miranda Lambert)
7.  “Tied One On” (Bart Butler, Chase McGill and Jamie Paulin)
8.  “Oughta Know That” (Jon Pardi, Bart Butler and Luke Laird)
9.  “Tequila Little Time” (Jon Pardi, Rhett Akins and Luke Laird)
10. “Buy That Man A Beer” (Clint Daniels, Justin Lantz and John Pierce)
11. “Call Me Country” (Jon Pardi, Bart Butler and Driver Williams)
12. “Just Like Old Times” (Jon Pardi, Jeff Hyde and Michael Heeney)
13. “Love Her Like She's Leaving” (Bart Butler, Dean Dillon and Jessie Jo Dillon)
14. “Starlight” (Jon Pardi, Bart Butler and Jeffrey Steele)

You know who’s a fan of Chris Stapleton? I mean, besides you. And me. And like, everyone (except my friend Colleen’s dad, but he’s wrong). Pink. Pink is a fan of Chris Stapleton. She’s such a fan that she invited Chris to duet with her on a song called “Love Me Anyway” on her latest album Hurts 2B Human. The song is FIRE. So good. Two incredible voices combined to give you goosebumps.

But it gets better.

When Pink played a sold out show at Madison Square Garden in New York, she started the song, and then Chris joined her onstage for their first public performance of it together. Obviously, the crowd went nuts.

She posted a pic on Instagram from the performance, raving about his voice, his songwriting, and his general awesomeness as a person, and what an honor it was to share the stage with him.

I’d just like to go on record saying I need them to come to Nashville and perform this song together. Pink? Chris? What do you say?