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.

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani Live

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s Love Story Comes To Life In New Live Music Video

Posted on June 26, 2020

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani just released a live music video for their chart-topping duet, “Nobody But You.” The clip…

Read More ›

Dan + Shay; Photo by Sesame Workshop, Zach Hyman

Watch Dan + Shay Sing a ‘Sesame Street’ Classic on ‘The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo!’

Posted on June 26, 2020

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Dan + Shay stopped by The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo! this week to perform the classic Sesame Street tune, “I…

Read More ›

Sam Hunt; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMT/Viacom

Sam Hunt Drops Acoustic Version Of ‘Hard To Forget’

Posted on June 26, 2020

| By

Lauren Jo Black

As Sam Hunt’s latest single, “Hard To Forget,” nears the top spot at country radio, the superstar is sharing a…

Read More ›

Lindsay Ell; Photo by Jeremy Cowart

Lindsay Ell Shines With Confident New Single, ‘Want Me Back’

Posted on June 26, 2020

| By

Lauren Jo Black

“Want Me Back” is Lindsay Ell at her best.

Read More ›

Cole Swindell - Single Saturday Night

Cole Swindell Gets Creative With Socially Distanced ‘Single Saturday Night’ Music Video

Posted on June 25, 2020

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Cole Swindell just dropped the music video for his latest hit, “Single Saturday Night.” The Georiga native premiered the clip…

Read More ›

Lindsay Ell; Photo by Jeremy Cowart

Lindsay Ell Explores the Stages of Grief On New Album, ‘Heart Theory’

Posted on June 25, 2020

| By

Lauren Jo Black

“If theory is the science of music, heart theory is the science of a heart,” Ell says.

Read More ›

Luke Bryan; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Luke Bryan Postpones Proud To Be Right Here Tour Until 2021

Posted on June 25, 2020

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Luke Bryan has officially rescheduled his Proud To Be Right Here Tour. The headlining trek will now take place in…

Read More ›

Dixie Chicks; Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The Dixie Chicks Are Now The Chicks

Posted on June 25, 2020

| By

Lauren Jo Black

It’s official – the Dixie Chicks are now The Chicks. The Grammy-winning trio revealed its name change on Thursday (June…

Read More ›

Walker Montgomery; Photo by Amy Richmond

Walker Montgomery Shares the Story Behind ‘Saving For A Rainy Night’

Posted on June 25, 2020

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Walker Montgomery is sharing the story behind his sexy new single, “Saving For A Rainy Night.” In a video premiering…

Read More ›

Eric Church; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Eric Church Sends a Message To Fellow Country Artists In Unapologetic New Single, ‘Stick That In Your Country Song’

Posted on June 25, 2020

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Eric Church has never been one to hold back his opinion and his new single, “Stick That In Your Country…

Read More ›