Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.

Gabby Barrett; Photo by Denise Truscello, Getty Images

Gabby Barrett Will Reprise a Fan-Favorite Performance from ‘American Idol’ at the ACM Awards

Posted on March 6, 2022

| By

Lauren Jo Black

The ACM Awards co-host will perform covers of Faith Hill and Lee Ann Womack.

Read More ›

ACM Awards 2022 - Gabby Barrett, Dolly Parton, Jimmie Allen

2022 ACM Awards: Everything You Need To Know

Posted on March 5, 2022

| By

Lauren Jo Black

“Country Music’s Party Of The Year” is upon us! The 57th Academy Of Country Music Awards (ACM Awards) will air…

Read More ›

Carly Pearce; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Carly Pearce Reveals 29 Lessons She’s Learned in Life

Posted on March 5, 2022

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Pearce is the reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and a four-time ACM nominee.

Read More ›

Clay Walker, Tracy Lawrence, Alexandra Kay; Photo via Instagram

WATCH: Clay Walker and Tracy Lawrence Crash Alexandra Kay’s Coffee Covers

Posted on March 4, 2022

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Country hitmakers Clay Walker and Tracy Lawrence surprised rising star Alexandra Kay during her latest “coffee covers” video and joined…

Read More ›

Jordan Davis; Photos via TikTok

WATCH: Jordan Davis Reacts To Hilarious ‘Buy Dirt’ Parody, ‘Pay Rent’: ‘Y’all Crushed This’

Posted on March 3, 2022

| By

Lauren Jo Black

This “Buy Dirt” parody has fans cracking up and even caught the attention of country hitmaker Jordan Davis, who recorded…

Read More ›

Brooks & Dunn; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Brooks & Dunn Announce Reboot 2022 Tour With Stacked Lineup of Special Guests

Posted on March 3, 2022

| By

Lauren Jo Black

The best-selling duo of all time, Brooks & Dunn is back with the REBOOT 2022 TOUR, kicking off on May…

Read More ›

ACM Awards; Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

How To Watch the 2022 ACM Awards, A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on March 3, 2022

| By

Lauren Jo Black

The Academy of Country Music Awards won’t be airing on cable this year.  After 13 years at CBS, the ACM…

Read More ›

Cade Foehner, Gabby Barrett; Emma McIntyre, Getty Images for Billboard

WATCH: Cade Foehner Tributes Gabby Barrett with Heartfelt Speech at Billboard Women In Music Awards

Posted on March 3, 2022

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Gabby Barrett was crowned the Rising Star at the 2022 Billboard Women In Music Awards ceremony on Wednesday evening (Mar….

Read More ›

Jason Nix, Lainey Wilson, Jonathan Singleton; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

A Day in the Life: Lainey Wilson Celebrates Her First-Ever No.1, ‘Things A Man Oughta Know’

Posted on March 3, 2022

| By

Lauren Jo Black

It was a cold and rainy Tuesday in Nashville when breakout country star Lainey Wilson experienced yet another career milestone:…

Read More ›

Eric Church, Morgan Wallen Minneapolis

Eric Church Confirms ‘One Hell Of A Night’ Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium Show with Morgan Wallen

Posted on March 2, 2022

| By

Lauren Jo Black

After nearly breaking the internet with Instagram teasers on Tuesday, Eric Church officially announced plans to headline “One Hell of…

Read More ›