Special CMT Hot 20 Countdown episode to feature exclusive NWOC interviews and performances on January 22nd & January 23rd at 9a/8c CMT today revealed the ten artists named to its prestigious “CMT NEXT WOMEN OF COUNTRY” (NWOC) franchise, the brand’s long-running effort to support and expose developing female talent.
The country music community is showing overwhelming support for Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Famer Hugh Prestwood – who has written for big names like Randy Travis, Trisha Yearwood, and The Judds – after he started a GoFundMe, revealing that he and his wife may soon become homeless.
BETTY WHITE’s 100th birthday was YESTERDAY (1/17), and after the beloved star died last month at the age of 99, people have been honoring the one-time “Golden Girl” with tributes and supporting her animal charities.
This Christmas season saw the first annual “Honky Tonk Christmas Tour” featuring Curtis Grimes (Texas “Entertainer and Vocalist of the Year” with 13 #1 hit singles), David Adam Byrnes (2021 Texas Country Music Awards “Male Vocalist of the Year Nominee” with 5 consecutive #1 hit singles in Texas), and a host of friends. The acoustic freestyle performances gathered fans around in an atmosphere that echoed the true holiday spirit. The tour traveled to 15 cities throughout the Midwest and raised over $5,000 for the Toys For Tots Foundation.
Country artists WYNONNA JUDD, THOMPSON SQUARE, TERRI CLARK and more are taking part in PAWLIDAYS, a fundraising campaign sponsored by TITO’S HANDMADE VODKA that benefits NASHVILLE’s non-profit veterinary clinic, PET COMMUNITY CENTER. Other celebrity participants include actor LESLIE JORDAN, Country artists JAY ALLEN, JAMIE O’NEAL and CAROLYN DAWN JOHNSON, SIRIUSXM’s STORME WARREN and television personality SUZANNE ALEXANDER.
In an expansion of their respective business ventures, Jimmie Allen, Aaron Benward and John Marks have launched JAB Entertainment, a full-service management and production company. The trio serve as partners for the company, which is based in Nashville.
The country singer is opening her own restaurant and live music venue in Atoka, OK in 2022 and it’s aptly named Reba’s Place. The 66-year-old broke the news over the weekend during a concert in Durant, OK and posted a video of the moment on her Instagram page.
After a COVID-related pause, the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME began to get caught up last night (11/21) with a gala ceremony inducting its class of 2020, songwriter DEAN DILLON and artist/writers MARTY STUART and HANK WILLIAMS JR. The ceremony, held at the CMA THEATER inside the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM, was highlighted by little moments, two of them involving 1997 inductee BRENDA LEE.
ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL is launching its new “Love Music, Stop Cancer” t-shirt and social campaign, where the public can join over 100 of their favorite Country artists in becoming a “Partner in Hope for ST. JUDE,” a $20 monthly donor, to receive the campaign t-shirt. Continue reading St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Launches ‘Love Music, Stop Cancer’ Campaign
Last Cowboy is back for an all-new season premiering on Friday, November 12 at 8 PM ET/PT on CMT. Continue reading CMT set to debut return of The Last Cowboy on Friday, November 12
