BRELAND, a 27-year-old Jersey native, has taken over as the king of country collabs in Nashville, building his brand of cross country.

Country stars Keith Urban, Toby Keith and Carly Pearce will perform at the Academy of Country Music Honors this month, to honor Loretta Lynn, Dan + Shay and Luke Combs among others.

Carrie Underwood has extended her record as the most decorated artist in the history of the CMT Music Awards — thanks to her song “Hallelujah.”.

This combination of photos shows country singer Rissi Palmer, from left, Chuck Harmony, left, and Claude Kelly of Louis York and country rapper Breland. Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. The genre has historically been marketed to white audiences and reinforced white male artist stereotypes. (Chris Charles via AP, left, Jeremy Ryan via AP, center and Paul R. Giunta/Invision/AP)

Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. I was called colored, like, I didnt know colored people like country music, said Palmer, who had three singles reach the Hot Country Songs Chart. Both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association started diversity task forces more than a year ago when country music was being criticized for a lack of female voices and women were being left out of major categories like entertainer of the year. But just as country artists outwardly reflect a predominantly white image, there are few Black country music executives working behind the scenes. Theres a dismantling of culture that needs to happen.Palmer, who is recording a podcast that focuses on the experiences of women of color in country music, said she feels optimistic that the current discussions about race and country music can lead to progress, if real changes are implemented.

Lauren Alaina is opening up about the role Dancing With the Stars has played in helping her heal after her breakup with John Crist. "I am single for the first time as an adult, so I am not trying to hurry love," Alaina told her pro partner, Gleb Savchenko, during rehearsals. "Being on Dancing with the Stars has been the perfect recipe for healing my broken heart," the songstress shared. I'm dating Dancing With the Stars and it's going great." Lauren Alaina Says She's Channeling Sexy on 'DWTS' After John Crist Split (Exclusive) Embed Code RestartRELATED CONTENT:'DWTS': Lauren Alaina Reveals She's Been Dancing With a Broken Rib Since Week 1'DWTS': Lauren Alaina Takes ET Inside the Costume Department Ahead of Halloween Night (Exclusive)'Dancing With the Stars': Lauren Alaina Pays Tribute to Late Stepfather With Emotional Dance

John Crist is addressing the allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against him. The article documented allegations by five women, including, "individually sexting multiple women during the same time period, initiating sexual relationships with married women and women in committed relationships, offering show tickets in exchange for sexual favors and repeatedly calling these women late at night while drunk." Over several recent years, I have privately sought and received regular professional treatment for my sexual sin and addiction struggles. I now humbly seek forgiveness and mercy and lovenot just for me, but for those I've hurt along my path. RELATED CONTENT:Lauren Alaina Splits With Boyfriend John Crist Ahead of 'Dancing With the Stars' DebutLauren Alaina Is Dating Comedian John Crist After Ending Engagement Earlier This Year

Lauren Alaina has been battling an injury since week one of Dancing With the Stars. "Carrie Ann says your core is strong, but what Carrie Ann doesn't know is you have a messed up rib, right?" "Yeah, I have four hurt ribs," Alaina confirmed. Alaina earned three 9s from the judges, for a total score of 27/30 -- tying her at the top of the leaderboard. RELATED CONTENT:'Dancing With the Stars': Lauren Alaina Gives Us Marilyn Monroe Vibes With Sexy Vampire Routine'DWTS': Lauren Alaina Takes ET Inside the Costume Department Ahead of Halloween Night (Exclusive)

Things are about to get spooky on Dancing With the Stars, and Entertainment Tonight is giving you a firsthand look at what's to come on Halloween Night! I throw themed parties all the time, even when it's not Halloween, so I am in my element this week!" Halloween night is going to be my night." Now, for DWTS, she and Savchenko will be performing an Argentine Tango dressed in costume. "My costume this week is spooky and kinda risque," she added, before showing us the costume.

Lauren Alaina beautifully paid tribute to her "No. Prior to the dance, Alaina teared up while discussing just how difficult this night was going to be for her and her family. Savchenko choreographed the stunning routine, revealing that he wanted Alaina to dance as if she were talking to her stepdad. "She's doing much better than the doctors anticipated and I just wanted to dance for her tonight," Alaina told ET's Lauren Zima following the show. 'DWTS': Lauren Alaina Gives Update on Her Cousin Holly After Emergency Brain Surgery (Exclusive) Embed Code RestartRELATED CONTENT:'Dancing With the Stars': Lauren Alaina Channels Role Model Dolly Parton With 'Jolene' Foxtrot'DWTS': Lauren Alaina Channels Julia Roberts With 'Pretty Woman' TangoLauren Alaina on Going from Dorky Tomboy to Sexy Single DWTS Contestant (Exclusive)

Lauren Alaina made her country dreams come true Monday night, channeling her role model, Dolly Parton, in the Dancing With the Stars ballroom! Lauren revealed in her pre-taped interview package that she took Gleb to Nashville so that they could get extra inspired to dance for Dolly. Late last month, Lauren spoke with ET about what it's been like going from a "dorky" tomboy in her past life to a sexy (and single!) "And I was like, 'Gleb, I was the tomboy, dorky girl, who made straight As.'" RELATED CONTENT:'DWTS': Lauren Alaina Channels Julia Roberts With 'Pretty Woman' TangoLauren Alaina on Going from Dorky Tomboy to Sexy Single DWTS Contestant (Exclusive)How Lauren Alaina Is Channeling 'Sexy' on 'DWTS' After John Crist Split (Exclusive)

Lauren Alaina did her best to step into Julia Roberts' patent leather boots as she and partner Gleb Savchenko took on the iconic 1990 film for Movie Night. Dressed in full Pretty Woman costumes, Alaina and Savchenko began their dance on a red convertible before dancing it out to Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman." Alaina admitted that she was nervous to take on Pretty Woman, but she's clearly grown in her confidence. RELATED CONTENT:'Dancing With the Stars': Lauren Alaina & Gleb Savchenko Get Racy With 'Pretty Woman' Tribute - Live Updates! Lauren Alaina on Going from Dorky Tomboy to Sexy Single DWTS Contestant (Exclusive)How Lauren Alaina Is Channeling 'Sexy' on 'DWTS' After John Crist Split (Exclusive)

Country singer Jon Pardis third album, Heartache Medication, is officially out. Heartache Medication is a full-circle moment for the California native. The song, which Pardi says has Churchs seal of approval, also features country singer Lauren Alaina, who is currently competing on Dancing With the Stars. Even though Pardi showed off his dancing skills in his recent "Heartache Medication" music video, its doubtful well see him following in Alainas dancing footsteps on TV anytime soon. Capitol Records NashvilleIn the meantime, Pardi is about to kick off his headlining Heartache Medication Tour with a career first, sold-out shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

She may have had to apologize to her father for her steamy costuming on Dancing with the Stars, but despite looking so stunning, country singer Lauren Alaina says channeling sexy is a struggle. And, if you ask her dance partner, Gleb Savchenko, the fact that shes newly single means theres even more reason to rip off her skirt in the ballroom! The two scored 19 out of 30 with a sexy paso doble to Demi Lovatos Confident on Monday's episode of the ABC dance competition. The performance concluded with a show-stopping split, with Alaina telling judges, "I never expected a man to rip of my skirt on TV. RELATED CONTENT:How Lauren Alaina Is Channeling 'Sexy' on 'DWTS' After John Crist Split (Exclusive)Gleb Savchenko on Celebrating 36th Birthday at 'DWTS' Premiere With Lauren Alaina (Exclusive)'DWTS': Sean Spicer Says Launching His Campaign to Win Is Working (Exclusive)

(CNN) - "Dancing with the Stars" Season 28 premiered Monday, bringing with it plenty splash on and off the show. Hannah BrownThe "Bachelorette" alum Hannah Brown danced a cha cha to Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" with partner Alan Bersten. She and Pasha Pashkov danced a cha cha to "She Works Hard For The Money" by Donna Summer. Lamar OdomThe basketball player's size might have put him at a disadvantage (he's much larger than dance partner Peta Murgatroyd). He partnered with Cheryl Burke on a salsa set to Nelly's "Hot in Herre."

Alaina wasn't opposed to speaking out about her breakup, but her partner, Gleb Savchenko, preferred she focus that energy to the future. "He wants me to say that I'm sexy," she said of Savchenko whispering in her ear. Alaina revealed, adding that she's doing her best to follow that motto. RELATED CONTENT:'Dancing With the Stars' Season 28 Kicks Off With Some Clear Frontrunners -- See Who's Leading the Pack! 'Dancing With the Stars': Len Goodman Shades Beyonce and James Van Der Beek Slays in Season 28 Premiere'Dancing With the Stars' Season 28 Celeb-Pro Pairings Revealed During Premiere Night

Happy birthday, Gleb Savchenko! Eric McCandless via Getty ImagesAhead of the two-hour premiere, Savchenko's family, friends and fans took to social media to wish him a happy birthday. Hope you have a great day and HAPPY DWTS DAY!! Our wish kid Grace got to meet the #DWTS pro dancer backstage during her dance filled wish! https://t.co/DsDd8PSnflpic.twitter.com/baZQxDeeed Kids Wish Network (@kidswishnetwork) September 16, 2019@Gleb_Savchenko HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you my fave male pro.

Dancing With the Stars returned Monday with a whole new look, a whole new cast and a whole new judging and voting system, and after two hours of non-stop dancing a few clear frontrunners have emerged. And after all 12 couples danced their hearts out, there emerged three clear stars who are leading the pack. The dance earned them 7s from Carrie Ann Inaba and Len Goodman, and a 6 from Bruno Tonioli, for a total of 20 out of 30. earned them a 7 from Inaba and 6s from Goodman and Tonioli, for a total of 19 out of 30. Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

The 24-year-old singer confirmed the split just before her big debut on Dancing With the Stars on Monday night. During an interview with current DWTS champ Bobby Bones on Monday, Alaina shared that she doesn't "have a boyfriend anymore." "We were like, best friends before we dated, and were still best friends. Bones, who was partnered with Sharna Burgess last season, jokingly asked Alaina if she had fallen in love with her DWTS partner. Alaina confirmed her relationship with Crist, 35, on The Bobby Bones Show in May.

Lauren Alaina is ready to get to the ballroom! But going into this show with zero skill of what I'm going to be doing. "I don't know how to dance, so I don't know why I agreed to it really." I called him up and I was like, 'Bobby I don't know how to dance. Lauren Alaina Christine!'"