Category Archives: Artists

Colt Ford Shines a Light on PTSD in 12-Minute Mini-Movie, "Workin’ On"

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Colt Ford Shines a Light on PTSD in 12-Minute Mini-Movie, “Workin’ On” Nashville, TN, (December 15, 2015)….“Workin’ On,” a powerful 12-minute mini-movie featuring Colt Ford’s hit song which shines a spotlight on one of the biggest health crises facing soldiers returning from deployment: post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, makes its digital debut on NRACountry.com today. Click above to view the video. A private screening of the mini-movie was held earlier this year at the NRA Convention in Nashville. “There’s men and women that are suffering and struggling with PTSD, that have given everything for us to be able to have the freedoms that we do. And because we can’t see it, a lot of times it goes unnoticed,” Ford said. “So, I just wanted to try and make as big a deal of it as possible, so we can get some help. During this holiday season, let’s not forget the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country.” The music video version of “Workin’ On” featuring both Colt Ford and U.S. Navy SEAL (Ret.), Marcus Luttrell, has garnered nearly 2 million views raising much-needed awareness of this life-altering condition which affects 20 percent of all soldiers deployed within the last six years. From firefighters, to community service workers to the general public, PTSD can affect anyone.  The song, “Workin’ On,” was included  on Ford’s #2 Billboard’s Country Album, “Thanks For Listening.” Thankfully, the Lone Survivor Foundation, created by U.S. Navy SEAL (Ret.) Marcus Luttrell, is there to help. Luttrell founded the LSF after he watched several of his fellow soldiers die during Operation Redwing in Afghanistan in 2007. The film was produced by Colt Ford and Hideout Pictures.

Aaron Tippin Set for Country Music Hall of Fame Songwriter Session

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Nashville, Tenn. (December 15, 2015) – Country music’s Aaron Tippin is set to be spotlighted by the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum with a special Songwriter Session. Tippin’s Songwriter Session will be held in the Ford Theater this Saturday, December 19 at 11:30 AM. During the 45 minute program, Tippin will perform several of his hit songs and will discuss his 25 years in the music business. Immediately following the program, items purchased in the Museum Store will be available for Tippin to autograph. This year marks Tippin’s silver anniversary as a country music singer. To celebrate, he has released Aaron Tippin 25, a two-disc collection of 25 songs that includes 10 freshly recorded versions of his biggest career hits, as well as 15 brand new songs. The album is available for purchase at aarontippin.com and iTunes. PROGRAM ADMISSION: Free with Museum admission or Museum membership. For more information on obtaining a program pass or members-only advance reservation, click the following link: http://countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/event/songwriter-session-aaron-tippin#.VnA2vDZlmRs About Aaron Tippin Aaron Tippin’s traditional sound and focus on working-class themes made him one of the most popular acts of the 1990s. He co-wrote his hits “Kiss This,” “My Blue Angel,” “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio,” “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly,” “Working Man’s Ph.D.,” and “You’ve Got to Stand for Something.” For more information on Aaron Tippin, visit www.aarontippin.com. About the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. With the same educational mission, the foundation also operates Historic RCA Studio B, Hatch Show PrintTM, CMF Records, the museum’s Frist Library and Archive and CMF Press. Museum programs are made possible, in part, by the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and under agreements with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Keith Urban Announced As 2016 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award Recipient

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Keith Urban on Country Music News Blog!

Keith Urban Announced As 2016 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award Recipient (Nashville, Tenn. – Dec. 14, 2015) – The Country Radio Broadcasters have announced Keith Urban as the recipient of the 2016 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award, to be presented during the opening ceremonies of Country Radio Seminar on Feb. 8, 2016. Last year’s Artist Humanitarian Award recipient, Lady Antebellum, will be on hand to present Urban with this year’s award. The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board to honor Country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career. CRS Executive Director, Bill Mayne comments, “Keith Urban is a true humanitarian who gives out of love, passion, spirit, and generosity. It’s been an honor to witness quietly from the sidelines, the amount of time, talent, and passion that Keith has selflessly given over his life and career. The impact and reach of his generosity has effected so many and is so broad in scope and depth – his is a bar of humanitarian effort, that we all can be inspired by!” Over the years, Urban has been a strong supporter of numerous benefit concerts, including the annual “All For The Hall” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum benefit concerts, which has raised nearly $3 million in proceeds.  In addition, he’s been and remains a supporter of The Grammy in the Schools program, Mr. Holland’s Opus Fund and was recently named the first Ambassador of the CMA Foundation. He is a continued supporter of the “Make A Wish” Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As an advisory board member at St. Jude, Urban has visited the hospital and produces a calendar each year with all net proceeds going to St. Jude. Since their inception in 2003, these calendars have raised more than $850,000 for the life-saving mission of the hospital. Following the 2010 Nashville flood, he was very active in the relief efforts and participated in the re-opening of the Grand Ole Opry House, Marty Stuart’s “Late Night Jam,” GAC and Vince Gill telethons; all to raise funds for flood relief. Additionally, he has supported our nation’s troops and the Navy SEALS Foundation. Urban donated to the foundation his share of artist and publishing royalties from his song “For You,” which reached a total of $300,000. He was also the first Ambassador for the CMA Foundation’s Education Program and has donated from his line, URBAN guitars, to five Music Education Matters partner programs across the country, including programs in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City and San Francisco. He’s also donated URBAN guitars to the Grammy Foundation and its MusiCares program, as well as donating proceeds from the guitars to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to keep musical instruments in schools. Past recipients of the Artist Humanitarian Award have included Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Reba, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Charlie Daniels, among others. For more Continue reading Keith Urban Announced As 2016 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award Recipient→

Jon Langston Releases Self-Titled EP Friday, December 11

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Jon Langston Releases Self-Titled EP: Launches Video for “Rollin In Rockin Out” With Sounds Like Nashville Nashville- (Dec. 10, 2015) – KP Entertainment (Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell) announced today independent recording artist Jon Langston will digitally release a five-song, self-titled EP tomorrow. Jon recently debuted the EP’s “Rollin In Rockin Out” song with a high energy, live performance video, premiering on Sounds Like Nashville. Watch it here: [youtube FAsQ4nOJgO4] “Rollin In Rockin Out” was written by Jon, Monty Criswell and Jody Stevens. “This song was probably one of the funnest songs I’ve ever written. It brings that ‘life of the party’ feel every time I hear it.”   The Georgia native grew up playing music but traded his guitar for football in middle school, only to trade it back after suffering numerous concussions by his junior year in college. Jon moved to Nashville in 2014 to continue to pursue his musical dreams landing a publishing deal at Sony ATV.  He enjoys a strong following in his home state and core fans throughout the southeast and just wrapped his fall/winter tour selling out the 20+ shows, including the acclaimed Georgia Theater in Athens.  Jon Langston self-titled EP track listing: “Rollin In Rockin Out” – Jon Langston/Monty Criswell/Jody Stevens “Southern Drawl”– Rhett Akins/Jon Nite/Ross Copperman “Cigarettes And Me”– Jon Langston/Monty Criswell/Dan Isbell “In My Mind”  – Jon Langston/Rhett Akins/Murphy Elmore “Forever Girl” – Jon Langston  KP Entertainment’s artist roster includes Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Kelleigh Bannen, DJ Rock, CB30, Jon Langston, and Chancie Neal. The company also operates a publishing arm of Peanut Creek Music, a joint venture with Sony/ATV, as well as a partnership with Kobalt Music Publishing representing songwriter Mike Mobley. Additionally, KP Entertainment has partnered with Fly Hi Productions and operates the management of Luke Bryan’s “Farm Tour.”  

Charley Pride to Receive Master Award at the 3rd Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards

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Charley Pride to Receive Master Award at 3rd Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards   (Austin, TX) – The 3rd Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards will be held Tuesday, February 16th, 8:00 pm at the historic Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, Texas with music legend and past Ameripolitan winner Ray Benson as host. Charley Pride (Master Award) will join Wanda Jackson (Founder of the Sound) and Red Simpson (Founder of the Sound) as special award recipients. Tickets are available at austintheatre.org, the Paramount Theatre box office, and by phone at (512) 474-1221.   “Charley Pride is the first living male to ever receive the Ameripolitan Masters Award, preceded only by the amazing Ray Price, who was instrumental in creating the awards,” exclaims Dale Watson, founder of the Ameripolitan Awards. “Charley Pride’s music spans several generations, blazed new trails, and has never compromised his roots. This makes him perfect for the highest honor we can bestow, the Ameripolitan Master Award.” Celebrity presenters include Mike Wolfe of American Pickers and Todd and Don of KLBJ-AM with Sirius XM’s Dallas Wayne jumping into the announcer’s seat for another year.  Artists slated to perform at this year’s ceremony include Charley Pride, Wanda Jackson, Red Simpson, Billy Joe Shaver, James Hand, Doyle and Debbie, Georgette Jones, Justin Trevino, Rosie Flores, Whitey Morgan, Kim Lenz, Charlie Thompson, The Country Side of Harmonica Sam, Jason Roberts, Unknown Hinson, and other special guests. Voting online or by app is available now through December 26, 2015. Winners will be announced live during the 3rd Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards on Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Fans may vote in the following categories: Honky Tonk – Female, Male, Group; Western Swing – Female, Male, Group; Rockabilly – Female, Male, Group; Outlaw – Female, Male, Group; Ameripolitan DJ; Ameripolitan Venue; Ameripolitan Festival; and Ameripolitan Musician. A full list of nominees can be found here. Designed by Ballot Blaster, the ‘Ameripolitan 2016’ app is available for purchase ($1.99) with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Fender Music Foundation, which aims to keep music education alive and available in our nation’s schools and communities. Fans may also vote online beginning November 26th without purchasing the app at Ameripolitan.com. Only one vote is permitted, per valid email address.  Tickets to the 3rd Annual Ameripolitan Awards are available at www.austintheatre.org. For updates and breaking news, please visit Ameripolitan.com as well as the Ameripolitan Awards social networks on TWITTER and FACEBOOK.  Sponsors: The event is made possible by the generous sponsorship of presenting sponsor, Lone Star and co-sponsor, Fender. About Ameripolitan Music Awards: The Ameripolitan Music Awards, a 501(c)3, was created under the leadership of Texas Honky Tonk legend, Dale Watson, to acknowledge the exceptional creativity and dedication of roots artists whose work does not readily conform to the tastes of today’s “Country”, or other music genres and organizations. Ameripolitan Music LLC and The Ameripolitan Music Awards were founded to benefit and acknowledge these artists. It also provides fans with a means of finding these artists and their Continue reading Charley Pride to Receive Master Award at the 3rd Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards→

The Cains Release New Original Holiday Track, “Merry Christmas To You”

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(Nashville, Tenn. – Nov. 16, 2015) – In spirit of the holiday, The Cains have released a new seasonal song, titled “Merry Christmas To You.” The original, thoughtful ballad, which was written by Billy Lawson and Ed Hill, as well as produced by Billy Lawson, is about missing a loved one during the holiday season. Madison Cain commented, “When you think of Christmas songs, you think of joy, family and everything merry and bright. But for so many people, Christmas isn’t perfect. Relationships have been severed and the most wonderful time of the year often brings its own sting. We hope this song encourages people to reach out, make the call they’ve been putting off, or write a letter—it’s never too late to say ‘I love you.’” The song is already available at digital outlets such as iTunes and Amazon, and will be distributed to Country radio. The talented siblings have had a busy year with the release of their self-titled EP, which includes the lead single “Journeys End;” a sentimental ballad about love, family and hope that is currently airing on Country radio and spent over four months on Sirius XM’s The Highway playlist. The EP was written by The Cains – Madison, Logan and Taylor Cain – and also features other writer credits including Jaida Dreyer, Stephony Smith, Billy Lawson, Ed Hill, Becki Devries and Dave Thompson. The Cains was produced/mixed by Daniel Agee and is now available on iTunes, Amazon and other major digital retailers. In addition to the EP, The Cains have been touring the U.S. and the U.K. In March 2015, The Cains broke onto the U.K. Country music scene with their first international appearance at London’s Country to Country (C2C) festival, Europe’s largest and most well-attended Country music event of the year, and have since returned as the opening act for Sasha McVeigh’s I Stand Alone U.K. tour, opening on select dates that took them to London, Glasgow, Oxford, Manchester and more. For more information about The Cains, visit their website at www.TheCainsOfficial.com and check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For press inquires and interviews, contact Simone Diamond at simone@aristomedia.com or 615-269-7071. The Cains“Merry Christmas To You” Single ArtHi-Res Read more at AristoPR!

Blake Shelton to Host 2016 Nickelodeon ‘s Kids Choice Awards

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It seems television can’t get enough of Blake Shelton as he gets tapped to host the 2016 Kids Choice awards. Country Music superstar and coach on the Emmy winning NBC’s The Voice, Blake Shelton, will host Nickelodeon’s 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards, airing live on Saturday, March 12, 2016. Super-sized surprises will take over this year’s Kids’ Choice Awards honoring favorites from the worlds of film, music, and television, and giving kids a front-row seat to slime, stunts and celebrities.  The show will be seen by kids around the globe on Nickelodeon channels in more than 180 countries and territories. Additional Kids’ Choice Awards news will be announced in the coming months. Said Shelton of his hosting duties: “I’ve been on countless stages throughout my life, but none have promised the madness, excitement and endless slime as Nick’s Kids’ Choice Awards, which is undoubtedly the ultimate party for kids.  There is only one team here, and it’s Team Kids’ Choice so bring it on Nickelodeon!

Kenny Chesney Releases Spread the Love 2016 Tour Dates

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Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert release the first round of 2016 “Spread the Love” tour dates! Kenny Chesney and co-headliner Miranda Lambert made the big announcement today. The first series of stadium tour dates in 2016, starting with an April 23rd concert at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. The Spread the Love tour rolls on from there, with Chesney visiting an additional 10 stadiums — including Chase Field in Phoenix, Heinz Field in Pittsburgh and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City — before the summer comes to a close [bctt tweet=”@KennyChesney and @MirandaLambert release the first round of 2016 #SpreadtheLove tour dates!”]

Amber Hayes Added To 16-City Nothing But The Hits Holiday Tour

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Joins Ronnie McDowell, Deborah Allen, Jeff Bates and More (Nashville, Tenn. – Oct. 21, 2015) – Country artist Amber Hayes has been added to the 16-city Nothing But The Hits holiday tour. Performing alongside big names like Ronnie McDowell, Deborah Allen, Jeff Bates, Ken Mellons and others, Hayes is in her element. Coming off of her fourth Top 40 Country music single, “Running Out of Memories” and her newest release “Hero’s Heart,” there’s no doubt Hayes fits right in with the tour’s lineup. A 15-piece band will be accompanying the artists as they perform their hits and Christmas favorites. The show will also be in the traditional Country camp, satisfying listeners yearning for what promoter Danny Rasberry calls “real” Country music. “There is a void and a need for ‘real’ Country music,” said Rasberry. “With this tour, we put together some of the most sensational voices in music. I know the fans will love what will be coming their way!” Hayes and a hearty dose of Christmas spirit will be coming your way as the tour kicks off Nov. 28 in Stillwater, Okla. The tour will make its last stop in Newberry, S.C. on Dec. 19, hitting towns throughout Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and South Carolina on the way. To purchase tickets, call 601-649-2822 or visit www.NothingButTheHits.com. Nothing But The Hits Christmas Tour Dates: Nov. 28 – Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State tailgate party – Stillwater, Okla. Nov. 30 – Brown Grand Theatre – Concordia, Kan. Dec. 1 – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, Mo. Dec. 2 – Gillioz Theatre – Springfield, Mo. Dec. 4 – Crystal Theatre – Okemah, Okla. Dec. 5 – Poncan Theatre – Ponca City, Okla. Dec. 7 – King’s Opera House – Van Buren, Ark. Dec. 9 – Saenger Theatre – Hattiesburg, Miss. Dec. 10 – Private Event – Biloxi, Miss. Dec. 11 – Natchez Center of Performing Arts – Natchez, Miss. Dec. 12 – Grand Opera House of the South – Crowley, La. Dec. 15 – Kentucky Opry – Benton, Ky. Dec. 16 – Cox Capital Theatre – Macon, Ga. Dec. 17 – Gem Theatre – Calhoun, Ga. Dec. 18 – Morton Theatre – Athens, Ga. Dec. 19 – Newberry Opry House – Newberry, S.C. About Amber Hayes: Over the past few years, the Oklahoma native has been touring and performing at fairs, festivals and performance venues across the country. She has performed as the opening act for one of her biggest musical influences, Reba McEntire, and she has entertained fans overseas at military bases and International festivals, including the Country Gold Festival in Japan and the Scandinavian Country Music Festival in Sweden. She has made multiple appearances performing the national anthem at NFL and NBA games. Her first break at Country radio was with her debut EP C’mon in 2010, which landed her two Top 40 singles (“C’mon,” “Wait”) on the national MusicRow Country Breakout chart. In 2012, she released her sophomore album, titled Any Day Is A Good Day. Her Continue reading Amber Hayes Added To 16-City Nothing But The Hits Holiday Tour→