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.

Carrie Underwood; Photo by Jeff Johnson

Carrie Underwood Brings the Wow Factor to Nashville with Cry Pretty Tour 360

Posted on September 30, 2019

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Lauren Jo Black

Carrie Underwood brought her Cry Pretty Tour 360 to Nashville on Friday (Sept. 27) for a sold-out show at Bridgestone…

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Kacey Musgraves; Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Citi

Kacey Musgraves Lends Voice To ‘Frozen 2’ Soundtrack

Posted on September 30, 2019

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Lauren Jo Black

Disney just unveiled the track list for the Frozen 2 soundtrack and there’s a familiar name among the mix. ACM/CMA/Grammy…

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Florida Georgia Line; Photo by The Holy Mountain

Florida Georgia Line Wins Three ACM Decade Awards

Posted on September 30, 2019

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Lauren Jo Black

Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley were surprised with not one, not two, but THREE ACM decade awards…

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Blake Shelton; Photo by Andrew Eccles

Blake Shelton’s ‘Fully Loaded: God’s Country’ Arrives December 13

Posted on September 30, 2019

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Lauren Jo Black

Blake Shelton fans, get ready – the superstar is gearing up to release an album on December 13. Fully Loaded:…

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Busbee; Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Spotify

BREAKING: Songwriter/Producer Busbee Has Died

Posted on September 29, 2019

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Lauren Jo Black

Acclaimed songwriter/producer Busbee has died, according to several social media posts. Busbee, whose real name was Michael James Ryan, was…

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Carly Pearce, Lee Brice; Photo Courtesy of Big Machine Records and Curb Records

Hear Carly Pearce and Lee Brice’s ‘I Hope You’re Happy Now’

Posted on September 27, 2019

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Lauren Jo Black

“I Hope You’re Happy Now,” the much-anticipated duet from Carly Pearce and Lee Brice, is out now and it does…

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Jake Owen, Homemade; Photo via YouTube

Jake Owen Debuts Cinematic ‘Homemade’ Music Video

Posted on September 27, 2019

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Lauren Jo Black

Jake Owen just released the music video for his latest single, “Homemade” and it’s practically a mini-movie. Shot in Lynnville,…

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High Valley; Photo by Osprey Media

High Valley Answers Interview Questions While Playing With Rescue Puppies

Posted on September 27, 2019

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Lauren Jo Black

It’s time for another installment of the Country Now Pupdate! This time, fan-favorite duo High Valley makes an appearance to…

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Reba McEntire; Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Reba To Receive Artist of a Lifetime Award at ‘CMT Artists of the Year’

Posted on September 27, 2019

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Lauren Jo Black

CMT will honor the one and only Reba McEntire with the Artist of a Lifetime award at the upcoming 10th…

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Canaan Smith and Wife

Canaan Smith and Wife Expecting First Child

Posted on September 27, 2019

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Lauren Jo Black

Canaan Smith and his wife Christy are going to be parents! The couple shared the exciting news with People, revealing…

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