Category Archives: Community

The Power of Music Festival Unites Songwriting with Education

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Power of Music Festival 2018

World-class songwriters traveled to Bentonville, Arkansas, during the Power of Music Festival on April 26-29, giving listeners a rare chance to hear the stories behind the songs. The proceeds benefit the I’ll Fly Away Foundation’s music education program, which brings songwriting into area schools in order to elevate test scores and classroom engagement. With dozens of shows and artists, the event drew top talent like 2018 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Steve Dorff (“Through the Years,” “Every Which Way But Loose”). His solo performance at the elegant Haxton Road Studios in Bentonville attracted cast members of HBO’s True Detective, including his son Stephen Dorff and Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali. Steve Dorff also participated in multiple book signings for his new memoir, I Wrote That One, Too…: A Life in Songwriting From Willie to Whitney. Three members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame united for a well-attended round at Meteor Guitar Gallery. The lineup featured Roger Cook (“I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”), Richard Leigh(“Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”) and Dennis Morgan (“I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool”). Other highlights included original music from Steve Poltz (Jewel’s “You Were Meant for Me”),Jerry Salley (Chris Stapleton’s “Outlaw State of Mind), and Keith Sykes (Jimmy Buffett’s “Volcano”). Additional talent included indie-Americana band The Accidentals, female vocal group Farewell Angelina, Latin rock ‘n’ roll band Making Movies, inspiring rapper Saul Paul, guitarist-songwriter David Starr, and Emmy-winning composer Jonathan Wolff (Seinfeld, Will & Grace). A number of aspiring songwriters from the region also performed at venues like Two-25 Events and Bike Rack Brewery. The festival featured 42 shows and 51 artists over four days and included an education series for aspiring performers with guest speakers like soul music icon Al Bell (Stax Records). The festival is organized by the I’ll Fly Away Foundation, named for the iconic song “I’ll Fly Away,” written by  Albert E. Brumley. His granddaughter, Betsy Brumley-Bernier, founded the I’ll Fly Away Foundation with her husband, Kevin Bernier.

Huge Success for Nashville’s Premier Charity Event Annual Waiting for Wishes

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Halfway to Hazard

Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus and Kevin Carter Held their Annual Celebrity Waiters Dinner and Official After-Party “Jammin’ with Jay DeMarcus & Friends” on Tuesday night. Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts and co-host, NFL veteran and Super Bowl Champion, Kevin Carter held their 17th Annual Waiting for Wishes Celebrity Waiters Dinner at The Palm Restaurant on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. The sold-out event raised an estimated $150,000 for The Kevin Carter Foundation andMake-A-Wish® Middle Tennessee. The event has become Nashville’s premier celebrity event, making national news, raising more than $2.2 million for charity since its inception in 2002. Kevin Carter, Make-A-Wish Ambassador Kayden, Jay DeMarcus The sold-out celebrity event was an exclusive, VIP evening where Carter and DeMarcus invited an eclectic mix of celebrities from all over the country to take over The Palm as servers before they headed over toWhiskey Row for the Official After-Party – Jammin’ with Jay DeMarcus & Friends.   The event, presented by The Campbell Family Foundation and HCA, continues to be one of the most unique celebrity events in the country and is considered a “must attend” event for patrons and participants alike. Nearly fifty celebrities joined in to wait tables, sign autographs and perform at the after-party. This year’s cast of unexpected celebrities included Fox News Channel’s Dana Perino and Jesse Watters, the Chrisley Family from USA Network Chrisley Knows Best as well as sports icons like U.S. Olympians Matt Hamilton (Curlers), Kendall Coyne and Lee Stecklein (Women’s Hockey) and Lloyd Eisler (Ice Skating), NFL stars Jared Allen, Cris Collinsworth and Marcus Mariota, UFC/MMA Champions Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz as well as music stars like Hunter Hayes just to name a few. In 2012 “Waiting for Wishes” expanded to include an Official After-Party – “Jammin’ with Jay DeMarcus & Friends.” The informal jam session is an opportunity to create incredible “Only in Nashville” type moments on stage with SiriusXM’s Storme Warren serving as emcee.  This year was no different as a unique group of musicians jumped on stage with Jay DeMarcus to include band member Joe Don Rooney (Rascal Flatts), Tommy Thayer (KISS), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Jason Fitz (formerly with The Band Perry) and country artists Halfway to Hazard and Jillian Cardarelli. Jason Fitz, Yankton, Jason Scheff and Jay DeMarcus  “I am again so grateful to be able to continue to host this event in Nashville,” said Kevin Carter. “I’m thankful to my co-host Jay DeMarcus and the unbelievable celebrities that show up to wait tables for our patrons each year. I am humbled when I think about how many wishes we’ve been able to grant for children with life-threatening illnesses through our fundraising efforts and this event for the past sixteen years and now adding more funds to continue to provide hope.” The event is sponsored by The Campbell Family Foundation, HCA, The Band Foundation, Aon, PAR, Tennessee Titans, The Hilton Downtown Nashville, Empire Distributors, DET Distributing, Donatos Pizza, Trattoria IL Mulino, Nashville Lifestyles, RJ Young, The Palm, Matchless Transportation, Whiskey Row, Ego Design, Lipman, Jewelbox and Continue reading Huge Success for Nashville’s Premier Charity Event Annual Waiting for Wishes→

Brantley Gilbert Honors “Waffle House Hero” James Shaw Jr.

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Symphony Rehearsal for May 4 Ascend Concert Date Turns into Announcement for Waffle House Shooting Benefit T-Shirt James Shaw Jr. & Brennan McMurray Join Gilbert Dashboard Confessional Also Selling I Believe in Heroism T-Shirts at May 11 Ryman Show For Brantley Gilbert, playing with a symphony orchestra is unusual enough. But when the CMA Awards Song of the Year nominee heard about the shooting at a Nashville Waffle House, he knew he wanted to do something to honor James Shaw Jr. — the 29-year-old man who disarmed the shooter and has already started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the victims’ families. “When you see someone like James, who just jumped up and did what he did – and you think about the lives he saved, you realize what a special kind of guy he is,” Gilbert says. “I called my manager, Rich Egan, who heads up the I Believe In Nashville coalition, and asked if there was any way we could do something that would shine a light and remind everyone that heroes can be real life people. We came up with the idea of creating ‘I Believe in Heroism’ t-shirts that we will sell at our May 4th Nashville show and give the proceeds to James.” Joining Gilbert at the impromptu press conference was Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba, who will also be selling the shirts at his May 11 appearance at the Ryman Auditorium. The acclaimed singer/songwriter told the assembled media, “If you can’t get to a show, visit www.IBelieveInNashville.com and you can get the shirt, or donate to the GoFundMe pages set up for James and the families of the victims.” Gilbert spoke of wanting to give back, to recognize these men as a way to inspire others to see their own inner hero. For the hardcore rock country star from South Georgia, it is the inspiration that will help us all make the world a much a better place. “Bad people do bad things,” he offers. “But good people can do great things. Talking to James before we got up here, he said he’s not a superhero, he’s just a regular person. But I think there has to be some hero inside, that’s where that kind of bravery comes from.” Brantley Gilbert established himself as a voice of the hardcore, hardworking American from his debut single, the No. 1 “Country Must Be Country Wide.” With a strong commitment to rocking hard, reaching deep and pushing Nashville’s boundaries, the man lauded by Entertainment Weekly for “swaggering guitars, catchy hooks, and a DGAF attitude” and Rolling Stone.com as “a brooding, hip-hop influenced rocker” continues working to honor and support the people who dig in and make our world better. “When it’s not about me, that’s when I’m happiest.” Gilbert says. “More than that, when it’s about somebody who was brave, and we can honor them a little, that’s when it’s really good. To me, I can’t wait to play with the Symphony, but I’m really stoked to be here today with someone like James.”

Help St. Jude and Win Dream Home, Luke Bryan & Sam Hunt Tickets and More!

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Tulsa St Jude Dream Home

Construction is nearly complete on a gorgeous 4,000+ square foot dream home valued at over $600,000 near Tulsa, Oklahoma and it could be yours for the cost of a single $100 raffle ticket! Get your ticket by April 27 to be eligible to win a trip to see Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt in concert (Courtesy of K95.5) Proceeds from ticket sales for the 2018 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway will help children battling cancer and other deadly diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for anything. St. Jude covers the cost of transportation, food, treatment and lodging. And, for every child treated at the hospital, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries. This year’s sponsors include: Epic Custom Homes, FOX23, Stone Canyon, Mix 96.5, Tulsa World, TulsaPeople, FFO Home, Route 66 Chevrolet, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and national Sponsors, Brizo, Shaw Floors, Trane and Bosch. The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is a 26-year tradition that is now one of the largest singleevent fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital nationwide. To date, more than 420 houses have been awarded and the program has raised over $350 million for St. Jude. The daily operating cost for the research hospital is $2 million, which is primarily covered by public contributions. For more information visit dreamhome.org

Morgane and Chris Stapleton Celebrate the Birth of Twin Boys!

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Chris Stapleton News

In a surprise announcement on tonight’s ACM Awards, Reba McEntire took over the stage to accept the award on his behalf and to steal the show by announcing that the Stapleton family has just welcomed twin boys into the world! Congratulations to Chris and Morgane Stapleton from all of us here at CMNB and all your fans out there in the country music world! Congratulations to @ChrisStapleton who has won Album of the Year and just welcomed TWINS! #ACMawards pic.twitter.com/nAsBACSuEo — ACM Awards (@ACMawards) April 16, 2018

BlackHawk and The Outlaws Present Checks to Vanderbilt and MusiCares

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Last week in Nashville, Henry Paul and Dave Robbins, members of country group BlackHawk, as well as southern rock band The Outlaws, paid visits to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and MusiCares to deliver donations raised for each organization. Paul and Robbins presented a $40,000 check to Vanderbilt (on behalf of BlackHawk’s “Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Research Fund“) and a $20,000 check to MusiCares (on behalf of The Outlaws’ “Fallen Outlaw Fund“). “The ‘Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Research Fund’ and ‘The Fallen Outlaws Fund’ were both formed to help give back to two very worthwhile causes in the name of BlackHawk and Outlaw fans, respectfully,” says Paul. “Raising money for cancer research at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center and also for MusiCares, an organization that helps fund healthcare costs for uninsured musicians, is the cause. Honoring former founding BlackHawk member Van Stephenson and former founding Outlaws members Hughie Thomasson, Billy Jones and Frank O’Keefe, by perpetuating their memory in the name of these two charities, is our goal.” Collectively since 2006, BlackHawk’s “Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Research Fund” has generated $200,000 for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Over the past three years, The Outlaws’ “Fallen Outlaw Fund” has donated nearly $50,000 to MusiCares. BlackHawk’s and The Outlaws’ “Freeborn Jam,” held each fall at Nashville’s City Winery, helps generate charitable contributions to these efforts along with corporate support from Agrilogic Insurance Services LLC and year-long help from The Outlaws’ benevolent organization, the Four Horsemen Society. About BlackHawk For more than 20 years, BlackHawk has shared a unique sense of harmony with their voices, their songs and their fans. It’s a harmony that has sold over 7 million albums, scored some of the most distinctive country radio hits of the 90’s, and still draws tens of thousands of fans to their electrifying live performances. Today, BlackHawk continues to honor its past as it forges its future, and does it all with a commitment that takes the group’s music – and harmony – to a whole new level. For more information, visit blackhawklive.com. About The Outlaws For The Outlaws, it’s always been about the music. For more than 40 years, the southern rock legends have celebrated triumphs and endured tragedies to remain one of the most influential and best-loved bands of the genre. Today, The Outlaws have returned with new music, new focus and an uncompromising new mission: It’s about a band of brothers bound together by history, harmony and the road. It’s about a group that respects its own legacy while refusing to be defined by its past. But most of all, it’s about pride. For more information, visit outlawsmusic.com.

Tribute Concert Celebrating Pioneering Women of Country, Blues and Folk to Benefit the Americana Music Association®

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Hot off the press at CountryMusicNewsBlog.com!

A benefit concert for the Americana Music Association® at Music Hall Of Williamsburg on Wednesday, May 9 will feature some of this generation’s greatest talents paying homage to the pioneering women in songwriting history, including Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Bessie Smith, Carole King, Mahalia Jackson, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and many more. Appearing to cover some of these legends are Amy Helm, The Barr Brothers, Cassandra Jenkins, Courtney Marie Andrews, Craig Finn from The Hold Steady, Deva Mahal, Elizabeth & The Catapult, Jade Bird, Kam Franklin from The Suffers, Kanene Pipkin from The Lone Bellow, Lola Kirke, Nicki Bluhm, and Vera Sola, with others to be announced. The show is being produced by Jesse Lauter (Tedeschi Trucks Band), Hannah Gold (City Winery/ Luck Reunion) and Drew Thurlow (Sony Masterworks, SVP of A&R), with music direction from Josh Kaufman (Bob Weir, The National). Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Lola Kirke from Mozart in the Jungle. This year’s event is made possible in part by the support of Change The Conversation, a community coalition fighting gender inequality in the music industry. All proceeds will benefit the Americana Music Association®, a not-for-profit music trade organization. Since 1999, the mission of the Americana Music Association® has been to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. In recent years, the Association has been a galvanizing force garnering recognition from the Recording Academy (Best Americana Album Award), Billboard‘s Americana/Folk Album Chart and the inclusion of the musical term, Amer·i·ca·na, to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Tickets for the tribute show will be made available for purchase by members of the Americana Music Association® during an exclusive pre-sale on Thursday, April 5 beginning at 9AM EST. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 6 starting at 9AM EST and can be purchased here: http://axs.com/events/352728/americana-benefit-tickets?skin=mhow About the Americana Music Association®: The Americana Music Association® is a professional not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. The Association produces events throughout the year; including AMERICANAFEST®: The Americana Music Festival & Conference and the critically acclaimed Americana Honors & Awards program. The Americana Music Association® receives enormous support from the Tennessee Department of Tourism, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, Lagunitas Brewing Company, RAM, Mountain Valley Water, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC. About AMERICANAFEST®: The 19th annual AMERICANAFEST®: The Americana Music Festival & Conference will take place September 11-16, 2018. The event brings together fans and music industry professionals alike, offering six days of celebration through seminars, panels and networking opportunities by day and raw, battery recharging showcases each night. The Americana Honors & Awards Show is the featured performance of the festivities, taking place at the historic Ryman Auditorium. For information on how to purchase a conference registration, please visit www.americanamusic.org. About Change the Conversation: Change the Conversation, an organization founded in 2014 by music executives Leslie Fram, Tracy Gershon and Beverly Keel, fights gender inequality in the music business by providing support, education, and a community for female artists and music professionals. For more information, visit www.changetheconversation.net.

Larry Gatlin and Aaron Tippin to Perform at CMA Songwriters Series

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Country Legends to Participate in Special Writers Round on Tuesday, April 3 at Station Inn During Tin Pan South Week in Nashville Event Also Includes Hit Songwriters Charlie Worsham and Terry McBride Veteran singer-songwriters Larry Gatlin and Aaron Tippin will be a big part of this year’s CMA Songwriters Series during Tin Pan South week in Nashville. Gatlin and Tippin will perform during a special writers round set for Tuesday, April 3 at 6:00 pm at the Station Inn. Hit songwriters Charlie Worsham and Terry McBride will also be featured during the round. “I am so excited to be doing an in the round with these incredible writers,” says Tippin. “I don’t feel worthy to be included in this amazing group but I know it’s going to be a blast!” Gatlin adds, “I’m really lookin’ forward to doin’ a little pickin’ and grinnin’ with Aaron, Charlie, and Terry. I love to hear great songs… maybe this old geezer can contribute one or two.” Festival pass holders will be admitted first, with tickets sold at the door for $15 as space permits. The Station Inn is located at 402 12th Avenue South. 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. Tippin’s major career hits include “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.” In 2015, Tippin celebrated 25 years in the music business and 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. About Larry Gatlin The close family harmonies of Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers have given the trio a signature sound that led to country classics like “All The Gold In California” and “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You).” The brothers won a GRAMMY® for their 1976 breakthrough hit, “Broken Lady,” and reached #1 with several other songs soon thereafter. Along with five career nominations for the ACM Vocal Group, the Gatlin Brothers picked up three 1979 trophies–Single of the Year (“All The Gold In California”), Album of the Year (Straight Ahead) and Male Vocalist of the Year for Larry Gatlin. The brothers were also nominated for multiple CMA Awards. Larry Gatlin has written songs recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, Roy Orbison, Barry Gibb and countless Gospel artists including the Gaither Vocal Band, the Booth Brothers, the Isaacs and many more. After 63 years of music, the brothers continue to perform nearly 100 live concert dates each year.   For more information on Larry Gatlin, visit gatlinbrothers.com.

Watch Now: Cam and Smokey Robinson “Burning House”

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CMT Crossroads pairs Cam with Smokey Robinson

Enjoy Smokey Robinson and Cam performing her “Burning House.” Catch the full episode of CMT Crossroads: Smokey Robinson & Cam Wednesday, March 28th at 10/9c on CMT. SUBSCRIBE now for more CMT on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2r4dHA1 Watch more videos from CMT now: http://bit.ly/2gJ0kWw FOLLOW CMT: Facebook: http://at.cmt.com/Bsd230cWd2t Twitter: http://at.cmt.com/uXwGj Instagram: http://at.cmt.com/uXx1Q CMT.com: http://at.cmt.com/RIyG30cWddh Add CMT on SNAPCHAT: CMT

Chris Janson Inducted Into Grand Ole Opry

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Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville country artist Chris Janson was inducted as the newest and youngest living member of the Grand Ole Opry this evening by Garth Brooks, an Opry member since 1990. Addressing Janson on stage, Brooks said, “Driving in here tonight, I passed a billboard that says ‘Welcome To The Family.’ Family is a great name for this place. Another great name for this place is church. That’s what it’s all about. Because if any time you are at your lowest, these people are going to be here for you. And they’ll expect the same out of you, and they’ll get the same out of you.” Handing Janson his Opry member award, Brooks added, “Chris, it is my honor to welcome you to the family. This will be– no matter how many times you look back on it– the greatest night of your music career.” “How do you not cry on a night like this?” Janson began. “To know me is to know I really, truly love the Grand Ole Opry. … This will be a moment I will never forget. … Thanks for making my dreams come true, and thanks for buying a ticket to the Opry to see it happen! I hope you come back a million times! I’ll buy the ticket for ya. I don’t even care. I love you that much!” Janson’s surprise membership invitation from Opry member Keith Urban occurred during his sold-out concert at the Ryman Auditorium in February. “Chris Janson showed us all again tonight why we are so excited to welcome him into the Opry family,” said Opry General Manager Sally Williams. “Like he has during every Opry appearance he’s made, he exuded passion and enthusiasm for this iconic show he loves so much. Whether he’s playing his own hits, songs he’s written for fellow artists, or his all-time country favorites, he brings Opry audiences to their feet with his performances. Backstage, it’s amazing to watch him connect with both the artists who have come before him and those who are following in his footsteps. We could not be more thrilled about the excitement, loyalty, and great music he will bring to our Opry family for years to come.” About Chris Janson: Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville country artist Chris Janson was born to entertain crowds. He recently released his “heart-piercing ballad” (People) “Drunk Girl” to radio, where it is drawing praise from fans and critics alike. Called “quite possibly the most important song to come out of Nashville in years” (CMT), the single was named one of Rolling Stone’s 25 Best Country Songs of 2017. The singer / songwriter earned his second chart-topping single in November with the summer anthem “Fix A Drink” from his sophomore album Everybody.  Janson’s breakthrough No. 1 Platinum-certified single “Buy Me A Boat” was the 7th bestselling country song of the year in 2015, although his professional music career began more than 10 years ago. The singer/songwriter has also penned multiple top-charting Continue reading Chris Janson Inducted Into Grand Ole Opry→