MuttNation’s Pandemic and Tennessee Tornado Efforts

NASHVILLE (May 12, 2020) Just over two months ago, and just before the pandemic took hold of the country, Nashville and other areas of Tennessee were rocked by numerous devastating, deadly tornadoes. And, just like everyone else who calls the Volunteer State home, Miranda Lambert knew that she had to do whatever possible to help with the recovery. “We knew people needed to come first, but MuttNation is here because we have to watch over the animals, too,” said the top ACM award-winning country superstar whose Foundation has been helping shelter pets since 2009.  

Benefit Concert for Tennessee Disaster Relief THIS Wednesday (3/11)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — FOX’s Rent: Live Actor and singer-songwriter Brennin Hunt will host the Tennessee Tornado Relief Concert at VZD’s in Oklahoma City Wednesday, March 11.  Seven artists will perform in an intimate Nashville style writer’s round concert, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting Restore the Dream Fund, a fund supported by the efforts of United Way of Greater Nashville. 

Blake Shelton Reveals Ole Red Grand Opening

Ole Red Gatlinburg

WARNER BROS./WMN’s BLAKE SHELTON and RYMAN HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES will celebrate the grand opening of their multi-level entertainment venue, OLE RED, on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6th through SUNDAY, JUNE 10th during CMA FEST in NASHVILLE. Several events will take place during the week, including a “BLAKE SHELTON AND FRIENDS” concert; fans can enter to win tickets to the event here. The venue was revealed last year and will be located on Lower Broadway. “Lower Broadway is the centerpiece of NASHVILLE,” noted SHELTON. “There’s so much great music and fun going on down there all the time, and it’s exciting to now be a part of it – it’s a dream come true.” Added RYMAN HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES Chairman/CEO COLIN REED, “OLE RED is an experience unlike anywhere else on Broadway – from the live entertainment quality to the food, drinks, décor, and retail. We are excited to celebrate its grand opening with the thousands of fans and visitors that join us in NASHVILLE for one of the most exciting weeks of the year, CMA FEST.”

Country Music Mourns the Passing of Singer Daryle Singletary

Sources report that country singer Daryle Singletary has dies at the young age of just 46. Finding his biggest successes in the 90’s with hits like “Too Much Fun” and “I Let Her Lie” Daryle was a staple to the country music circuit with a buttery-smooth voice and a gentle and whole-hearted nature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoxIVO0YzUM Daryle passed in his home in Nashville, and the cause of death has not yet been released. His last performances was on Friday February 9th, 2018 in Alabama.  

KATHY MATTEA TO PERFORM 35TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW AT ALIVE AT THE BLUEBIRD SERIES

Kathy Mattea Alive at the Bluebird

Kathy Mattea first performed at the Bluebird Cafe on January 25, 1983, and her performance tomorrow as part of the 25th Annual Alive at the Bluebird concert series benefiting Alive Hospice will mark 35 years to the day when she first set foot in the famed club. She and her GRAMMY Award-winning husband, songwriter Jon Vezner, appeared on WSM-AM’s “Coffee, Country & Cody” to chat about her history with the Bluebird Cafe and their performances this week as part of Alive at the Bluebird. Pictured following the WSM-AM appearance are: (l. to r.)- WSM-AM Coffee, Country & Cody host Bill Cody; Anna-Gene O’Neal, Alive Hospice President/CEO; Kathy Mattea; Jon Vezner; Charlie Mattos, Coffee, Country & Cody producer. An Evening with Kathy Mattea Celebrating 35 Years is scheduled TODAY, Thursday, January 25 at 9:30 p.m., and Jon will be joined by Pat Alger, Don Henry and Tom Paxton on Friday, the 26th at 9:30 p.m. Both shows are currently sold out, but there is a possibility of seats becoming available at the door due to no shows or last-minute cancellations. Admission for most Alive at the Bluebird shows follows the standard Bluebird Cafe reservation policy. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday shows are available at 8:00 a.m. one week prior to the posted show, and weekend shows may be reserved on the preceding Monday beginning at 8:00 a.m. at www.BluebirdCafe.com. Please refer to the same website for admission pricing. Presenting sponsors for Alive at the Bluebird include Bass, Berry & Sims, Cigna, HCA, Hub International, Jackson National and Tennessee Oncology. SouthComm and WSM-AM return as media sponsors. Two special items have been donated to Alive Hospice to be auctioned during the 25th Annual Alive at the Bluebird concert series. A beautiful original “Wings to Fly” oil painting donated by acclaimed artist Deann Hebert and an Epiphone FT-100 acoustic guitar donated by Earl E. Owens, a prominent Nashville manager, producer, promoter and public relations executive who was cared for by Alive Hospice last year. The guitar will be autographed by all artists and writers performing during the Alive at the Bluebird series, and both items will be available for bidding online at www.bluebirdcafe.com and in person on the final night of the series. The Bluebird Cafe opened in June of 1982 and has been celebrating its 35th anniversary with special shows and events. Bluebird: The Movie, an in-depth documentary about the influence the tiny 90-seat venue has had on singers, songwriters and popular music in general, is currently in production. About Alive Hospice: Alive Hospice is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit that provides compassionate care and support for terminally ill patients and their families, grief support for adults and children, and education about the end of life. Alive Hospice was founded in 1975, making it the first hospice program in Tennessee and the Southeast, and the first in the nation to provide hospice care in private homes. Alive Hospice is accredited by the Joint Commission and is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, call 615-327-1085 or visit www.AliveHospice.org. Alive Hospice’s Mission: Continue reading KATHY MATTEA TO PERFORM 35TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW AT ALIVE AT THE BLUEBIRD SERIES

January Bluebird Cafe Shows Benefit Alive Hospice

Bluebird Cafe News on Country Music News Blog

The 25th Annual Alive at the Bluebird concert series kicks off 2018 with a month of shows benefiting Alive Hospice at The Bluebird Cafe. More than 130 artists and songwriters are scheduled to perform at least 27 shows beginning Tuesday, January 2 and running through February 1, 2018. Presenting sponsors for the event include Bass, Berry & Sims, Cigna, HCA, Hub International, Jackson National and Tennessee Oncology. SouthComm and WSM-AM return as media sponsors. “We are thrilled to mark the 25th anniversary of Alive at the Bluebird with such an amazing roster of talent,” said Anna-Gene O’Neal, Alive Hospice President/CEO. “I am also super-excited to partner with our good friends at the Bluebird in celebration of their 35th year. We are beyond grateful for the incredible support that we get from the songwriting community, our sponsors and the public. Alive at the Bluebird is a truly unique partnership-talk about a Nashville original! The proceeds directly benefit patients and family, but the entire program that runs throughout the month brings much-needed awareness to the important work that our mission supports.” Perennial favorites Amy Grant and Vince Gill are scheduled to perform on January 3, 2018, and such luminaries as Kim Carnes, Phil Vassar, Styx lead guitarist and vocalist Tommy Shaw, John Oates, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Keb’ Mo’, Gordon Kennedy, Dave Barnes, Hunter Hayes, Kathy Mattea, Jon Vezner and Don Henry are already booked to appear. Additional writers and artists will be announced in the coming weeks. “Every year, Alive at The Bluebird gives the month of January a very special energy here at the club,” said Bluebird Cafe General Manager Erika Wollam Nichols. “Our community of songwriters is inspired and moved by the great service that Alive Hospice provides – this inspiration is reflected in the number of people who volunteer their time and talent to raise funds and awareness through the month of performances. We are honored to have partnered with Alive Hospice for 25 years and can’t imagine a January without this amazing performance series that lights up The Bluebird with love and generosity.” The 25th Annual Alive at the Bluebird shows benefitting Alive Hospice will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays at 9:00pm, Fridays at 9:30pm and Saturdays at 6:30 and 9:30pm. Reservations and updated schedules and lineups can be found at www.BluebirdCafe.com. The Bluebird Cafe opened in June of 1982 and has been celebrating its 35th anniversary with special shows and events. Bluebird: The Movie, an in-depth documentary about the influence the tiny 90-seat venue has had on singers, songwriters and popular music in general, is currently in production. About Alive Hospice: Alive Hospice is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit that provides compassionate care and support for terminally ill patients and their families, grief support for adults and children, and education about the end of life. Alive Hospice was founded in 1975, making it the first hospice program in Tennessee and the Southeast, and the first in the nation to provide hospice care in private homes. Alive Hospice is accredited Continue reading January Bluebird Cafe Shows Benefit Alive Hospice

26th ANNUAL TIN PAN SOUTH SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL SET FOR APRIL 3-7, 2018

Tin Pan South 2018 Details

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced April 3-7, 2018 as the dates for the 26th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. The popular event features hit songwriters from all genres of music performing at some of Nashville’s hottest music venues. Regions Bank returns for the 11th year as the presenting sponsor of the event. Tin Pan South reigns as the world’s largest all-songwriter festival, and thousands of music fans attend the event annually to hear songwriters tell stories behind hit songs they have written and perform the songs as they were originally composed. The 2017 festival featured over 400 talented songwriters performing 100 shows during the five-day event. For the 11th consecutive year, NSAI invited a select group of students at the Watkins College of Art, Design, and Film to present artwork concepts to be used on all marketing materials for the upcoming Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. Students are given full creative license on how to best capture the sense of community, diversity and energy the festival embodies. Of the 13 participating students, the chosen design was created by María Sol Mancini. Currently an Illustration major at Watkins, Mancini was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, raised in Sunrise, Florida and studied at the Dillard Center for the Arts. “The idea behind the ‘Tin Pan’ piece was to create something fun and down to earth, so I went with a more hand-drawn style to reflect the heartfelt and creative part of original songwriting,” said Mancini. “I tried to capture the wildness and energy that comes while ‘cooking up’ song ideas and I wanted to showcase the festival ‘in-the-round’ experience.” Stay tuned to tinpansouth.com in the coming months for information about venues, lineups, the popular Fast Access Passes and more. About NSAI: The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization. Established in 1967, the membership of more than 5,000 spans the United States and 10 foreign countries. For over 50 years, NSAI has been dedicated to protecting the rights of and serving aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. For more information, visit nashvillesongwriters.com. About Regions Financial Corporation: Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $123 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage, and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,500 banking offices and 1,900 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

Haggard Family Unveils Plans for Merle Haggard Museum

Bill and Shannon Miller, the founders of Icon Entertainment Group, joined Merle Haggard’s family to unveil plans for the new Merle Haggard Museum and Merle’s Meat + 3 Saloon to be located at 121 Third Avenue South, Nashville, TN.  Working together, the Millers and the Haggards have curated performance wardrobes, instruments, professional and personal possessions and are designing interactive exhibits, to ensure that Merle’s fans are treated to a unique experience.  On this date, which marks the 50th Anniversary of the Capitol Records release of “Sing Me Back Home,” it was revealed that Merle’s Meat + 3 Saloon will also be a part of the plans to preserve this country music legend in in Music City. “The world lost one of the greatest country singers of all time and I lost the love of my life when Merle Haggard died on his 79th birthday April 6, 2016,” says Theresa Haggard. “Now, nearly one and half years later, I have partnered with my friends Bill and Shannon Miller, owners of the acclaimed Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline Museums to open the Merle Haggard Museum. Merle would be very happy knowing that his museum will be next door to his dear friend Johnny Cash. I’m sure he is up there smiling about that. Our family is also very excited about the Merle-themed restaurant and bar featuring first-class, Southern home cooking and a saloon to boot. This museum will be a way to preserve and share the love Merle had for music and life.” “My family is honored to join with our dear friends, the Haggard family, to bring a new, world-class museum to Nashville,” says Bill Miller, Founder of Icon Entertainment Group. “Merle Haggard is one of the most iconic country music singers and songwriters of all time. Rolling Stone and Billboard magazines both named him the number one country entertainer of all-time. We are very excited to begin the process of designing and building Merle’s museum which will also feature a Southern-style restaurant and saloon bearing his name. We are thrilled to be working with long time Nashville family restaurant operator David Swett, who brings his highly respected expertise to our restaurant. Swett’s opened their doors in 1954 and is still going strong.” Located at 121 Third Avenue South, the building will house Merle’s Meat + 3 Saloon on the ground level with the Merle Haggard Museum on an upper floor. Projected to open in the summer of 2018, the restaurant will be operated by the Swett Family, who are a staple on the Nashville scene operating their Swett’s Restaurant for 62 years. This new venture for Bill and Shannon Miller will mark the fifth attraction currently owned and operated by Icon Entertainment Group. Their first property was The Johnny Cash Museum, which opened its doors in April of 2013 and would go on to become one of the most applauded museum in the U.S. most recently earning the distinction as the only museum and music attraction on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Trending U.S. Continue reading Haggard Family Unveils Plans for Merle Haggard Museum