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.

Little Big Town; Photo Courtesy the Artist

Little Big Town Details New Single, Album and Tour

Posted on September 9, 2019

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Little Big Town is back! The Grammy-winning band just announced plans for a new single, album and tour. Nightfall, LBT’s…

Read More ›

King Calaway; Photo by Osprey Media

King Calaway Talks ‘Rivers’ While Playing With Rescue Puppies

Posted on September 9, 2019

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Rising country group King Calaway recently stopped by the Country Now Pupdate to celebrate the announcement of their much-anticipated debut…

Read More ›

Bobby Bones; Photo by Zack Massey

Bobby Bones Joins Purina Dog Chow’s ‘Service Dog Salute’ Campaign

Posted on September 9, 2019

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Did you know September is National Service Dog Awareness Month?

Read More ›

Jason Aldean; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Jason Aldean Announces Next Album, Drops New Tracks

Posted on September 9, 2019

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Jason Aldean surprised fans early Monday morning (Sept. 9) with the announcement of his ninth studio album, aptly titled, 9….

Read More ›

Ronnie Dunn; Photo by Steven Martine

Ronnie Dunn Revisits Country and Rock Classics On ‘RE-DUNN’

Posted on September 6, 2019

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Ronnie Dunn, the man who possesses one of the best voices in country music, just announced plans to release RE-DUNN,…

Read More ›

Brantley Gilbert; Photo by Jeff Nelson

Brantley Gilbert Plots 2020 Tour

Posted on September 6, 2019

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Country rocker Brantley Gilbert will take his new album on the road in 2020 with his just-announced Fire’t Up Tour…

Read More ›

Maddie & Tae; Photo Courtesy the Artist

Maddie & Tae Announce ‘Super Personal’ New EP

Posted on September 6, 2019

| By

Lauren Jo Black

After releasing the first part of their record earlier this year, Maddie & Tae are back with part two –…

Read More ›

Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins Hell Right

Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins Debut Rowdy ‘Hell Right’ Music Video

Posted on September 6, 2019

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins prove they know how to “raise hell right” in the brand new music video for…

Read More ›

Chris Janson; Photo by Conner Dwyer

Chris Janson Reveals ‘Real Friends’ Track Listing

Posted on September 6, 2019

| By

Lauren Jo Black

As the October 18 release date for his third Warner Music Nashville album quickly approaches, Chris Janson is revealing more…

Read More ›

Kelsea Ballerini - Homecoming Queen

Kelsea Ballerini Gets Vulnerable In ‘homecoming queen?’

Posted on September 6, 2019

| By

Lauren Jo Black

Kelsea Ballerini’s long-awaited new single, “homecoming queen?” is finally here and it does not disappoint. The Tennessee native previously shared…

Read More ›