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.

Maren Morris; Photo Courtesy CMA

Maren Morris’ ‘The Bones’ Named CMA Song of the Year

Posted on November 11, 2020

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Lauren Jo Black

Maren Morris is on a roll tonight! The superstar just received the trophy for CMA Song of the Year for…

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Maren Morris; Photo Courtesy ABC

Maren Morris’ ‘The Bones’ Nabs Single of the Year Trophy at 2020 CMA Awards

Posted on November 11, 2020

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Lauren Jo Black

Maren Morris and producer/mix engineer Greg Kurstin took home a win in the Single of the Year category for “The…

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Photo Courtsey Jenee Fleenor

Jenee Fleenor Unable To Perform at CMA Awards After Testing Positive For COVID-19

Posted on November 11, 2020

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Lauren Jo Black

Reigning CMA Musician of the Year and current Musician of the Year nominee Jenee Fleenor has tested positive for COVID-19…

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Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Morgan Wallen and Maren Morris; Photos Courtesy of CMA

PHOTOS: 2020 CMA Awards Red Carpet Arrivals

Posted on November 11, 2020

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Lauren Jo Black

“Country Music’s Biggest Night” is underway in Nashville and the stars, who have been freshly COVID-tested, are out in full-force…

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Lady A; Photo by Dove Shore

Lady A Forced To Pull Out Of CMA Awards at the Last Minute

Posted on November 11, 2020

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Lauren Jo Black

Lady A will no longer appear at The 54th Annual CMA Awards tonight. The trio made the announcement just one…

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Reba, Blake Shelton

Reba Reveals Why She Turned Down ‘The Voice’ Before Blake Shelton Joined

Posted on November 11, 2020

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Lauren Jo Black

Before Blake Shelton became the go-to country coach on NBC’s The Voice, the show’s producers had a different coach in…

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Carly Pearce; Photo by Hunter Berry/CMA

Watch Carly Pearce’s Tearful Reaction To Her CMA Awards Win

Posted on November 11, 2020

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Lauren Jo Black

Carly Pearce won her very first CMA Award this morning and her reaction was PRICELESS. Pearce and Lee Brice’s chart-topping…

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Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins

Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins To Host ‘CMA Country Christmas’

Posted on November 11, 2020

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Lauren Jo Black

Thomas Rhett and his wife, Lauren Akins, will get fans into the holiday spirit this year by co-hosting the annual…

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Kelsea Ballerini; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Kelsea Ballerini Added To CMA Awards Performance Lineup

Posted on November 11, 2020

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Lauren Jo Black

Kelsea Ballerini will perform her current single, “Hole In the Bottle,” during the CMA Awards tonight. The news was confirmed…

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Carly Pearce, Lee Brice; Photo by John Shearer

Carly Pearce and Lee Brice Secure CMA Musical Event of the Year Win for ‘I Hope You’re Happy Now’

Posted on November 11, 2020

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Lauren Jo Black

The 54th Annual CMA Awards aren’t until tonight, however, Carly Pearce and Lee Brice are already big winners. It was…

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