Larry Gatlin and Aaron Tippin to Perform at CMA Songwriters Series

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”

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

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→

Brad Paisley To Host ‘The 2nd Responders’ Benefit Concert

Brad Paisley on Country Music News Blog

NASHVILLE’s BRAD PAISLEY will host “THE 2ND RESPONDERS,” a benefit concert on SATURDAY, MAY 12th at the SANTA BARBARA BOWL to honor those who were on the front lines and first responders during the recent CALIFORNIA wildfires and mudslides. A local presale is set for FRIDAY, MARCH 23rd from 11a-6p (PT), and tickets go on sale to the public on SATURDAY, MARCH 24th; ticket purchases are restricted by billing zip codes in SANTA BARBARA, VENTURA, and SAN LUIS OBISPO. Proof of residency is required. All proceeds will benefit the community and service workers through local organizations. “KIM and I fell in love with SANTA BARBARA and the MONTECITO area on our honeymoon,” shared PAISLEY. “It feels like small town AMERICA by the sea. With this concert, I hope to raise awareness, spirits, and money for the region that’s recovering from the devastating mudslides and fires. I hope people come out and actually make it an experience with us and visit some of the local shops, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.”

Naomi Judd and The Scott Brothers Join City of Hope 28th Annual Celebrity Softball Game

Naomi Judd News on Country Music News Blog

Country music icon Naomi Judd and The Scott Brothers’ Jonathan and Drew Scott are the first celebrities to sign up for the City of Hope 28th Annual Celebrity Softball Game. The event returns to First Tennessee Park on Saturday, June 9. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets. Naomi Judd, who participated in the game in the late 80s and early 90s, is dusting off her glove and returning as a play-by-play Guest Announcer. Additional legendary artists will be announced soon. “I may not be on the mound this time around, but I wanted to take a swing at cancer by being part of the game as one of the announcers! City of Hope is an incredible institution, so I’m honored to have a role in the event. I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans!” Naomi Judd said. The Scott Brothers are warming up for some sibling rivalry! “The City of Hope Celebrity Softball game is always great fun and for a really good cause. Can’t wait to play again this year,” says Drew. Jonathan adds, “It’s like a family reunion of the most giving people in the biz. I’m practicing my swing already with sledgehammers on Property Brothers.” Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, visit cityofhope.org/softball or follow City of Hope on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. ABOUT CITY OF HOPE: City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 49 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with clinical practice sites throughout southern California. It is ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit cityofhope.org. ABOUT NAOMI JUDD: Hailing from the Appalachian​ ​foothills​ ​of Ashland, Ky., mother​ ​and​ ​daughter​ duo, The Judds, were first discovered by RCA​ ​label​ ​head​ ​Joe​ ​Galante​ ​in​ ​1983 ​after landing a spot on​ ​WSM-TV’s​ “​The​ ​Ralph​ ​Emery Show.” They​ ​made​ ​their​ ​chart​ ​debut​ ​by​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​year​ ​with​ ​“Had​ ​A​ ​Dream​ ​(For​ ​The​ ​Heart),” and​ ​the​ ​two​ ​were​ ​on​ ​their​ ​way​ ​to​ ​a​ ​history​-making​ ​career. For​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​1980’s,​ ​each​ ​single​ ​from​ ​The​ ​Judds​ ​released​ ​by​ ​RCA​ ​went​ ​to​ ​the Billboard​ ​Top 10,​ ​with​ ​14 hits ​going​ ​all​ ​the​ ​way​ ​to​ ​number​ ​one.​ ​ The​ ​Judds​ ​embarked​ ​on​ ​their​ ​“Farewell​ ​Tour”​ ​in​ ​1991 ​after​ ​Naomi’s​ ​diagnosis​ ​of​ ​Hepatitis C​ ​forced​ ​her​ ​to​ ​retire​ ​from​ ​the​ ​road.​ Naomi​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​her​ ​health,​ ​beating​ ​the​ ​disease, writing​ ​several​ ​New​ ​York​ ​Times​ ​best-selling​ ​books​ ​and​ ​becoming​ ​a​ ​popular​ ​motivational speaker. This fall, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will explore the lives and careers of the GRAMMY®-winning mother-daughter duo with an exhibit opening Aug. 10, 2018. For more information, follow Naomi Judd on Facebook and Instagram or visit NaomiJudd.com. ABOUT DREW AND JONATHAN SCOTT: Multi-faceted entrepreneurs, authors and twin Continue reading Naomi Judd and The Scott Brothers Join City of Hope 28th Annual Celebrity Softball Game→

Congrats To Country Radio For Supporting St. Jude

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Kudos to our friends at Country radio that worked hard during their recent ST. JUDE Radiothons to raise money for ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL. FEDERATE MEDIA Country WBYT/SOUTH BEND, IN raised $306,720 this year; HALL COMMUNICATIONS Country WPCV/LAKELAND, FL, raised $204,863, which is a $26,000 increase compared to last year’s radiothon; MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS Country WDEZ/WAUSAU, WI raised more than $175,000, bringing their 17-year total to more than $2 million; and DICK BROADCASTING Country WRNS/GREENVILLE, NC’s two-day total came to $160,126.

Country Stars Mourn the Passing of Rev. Billy Graham

Ricky Skaggs and Billy Graham

Upon learning the news of the passing of his longtime friend, Reverend Billy Graham, country music legend Ricky Skaggs released the following statement: “I was up early this morning having my prayer time and Bible reading when I heard the news of Dr. Graham’s passing. The first thing I did was to thank God for sending Billy Graham into this world. My youngest daughter Molly gave her life to Jesus watching him on TV during one of his Crusades. It’s a story of millions of people just like Molly that came to Christ listening to Dr. Graham’s simple message of God’s love and forgiveness. There has never been an evangelist in our lifetime that has had the Christian integrity in ministry that Dr. Graham had. It was because he lived his life intentionally to honor Christ. He had righteous Godly men around him all the time, praying for him and praying with him everyday. He set up safeguards for his life as a husband, a father, and his life as a minister of the gospel. His ministry reflected his personal life and his personal life reflected his ministry. What a concept! He was above reproach, and he lived there always, because he never wanted to give anyone the slightest hint of doubt that he wasn’t who he said he was. His desire, first and foremost, was to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with his whole heart. He knew who he was and he knew Whose he was. He knew he was a beloved son, yet calling himself a sinner. Hard to imagine, but humility will do that to you. He believed the words of John the Baptist, when John said of Jesus, ‘He must increase and I must decrease,’ great words to live by. I’m so thankful that I got know Dr. Graham and do some of his Crusades. The first one I did was in Columbus, Ohio at a baseball field. I was up on stage singing some songs and it was pouring down the rain, big sheets of rain. I thought, all these people will go home, no one could sit through this storm, but no one left, some had umbrellas but most of them didn’t. Then all of a sudden, I looked and they were bringing Dr. Graham toward the stage in a covered golf cart, it stopped raining, it completely stopped. I knew then the favor of the Lord was on this man. I’m so grateful for the friendships I’ve made with the Graham family. Franklin is one of my dearest friends. I’m thankful that they allowed me and my family to come visit Dr. Graham and sing some songs, eat a hot dog, and pray with him at his home in Montreat, NC. The scripture says ‘a man’s gift makes way for him, and brings him before great and mighty men.’ From President Truman to President Trump, 13 Presidents, Queen Elizabeth and countless other leaders of many nations, Dr. Graham’s message has never changed. ‘For God so loved Continue reading Country Stars Mourn the Passing of Rev. Billy Graham→

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.  

TIM RUSHLOW SHINES DURING PERFORMANCE AT MAKE-A-WISH® MIDDLE TENNESSEE’S SIXTH ANNUAL STARS FOR WISHES

Tim Rushlow on Country Music News Blog

Country star, Tim Rushlow, along with fellow entertainers, Lee Greenwood and Maggie Rose, shined bright while performing Saturday, January 27 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and entertaining over 400 VIP Guests for Make-A-Wish®. Attendees enjoyed a three-course meal created by renowned Chef Greg Biggers of Nashville’s Fort Louise and Chicago’s Café des Architectes at the Sofitel Hotel while celebrating Middle Tennessee’s Stars for Wishes presented by Red Light Management. The sixth annual event raised $314,000. “I cannot think of a better charity to give my time to than one that bridges hope with a wish! Make-A-Wish® is just that.” affirmed Tim Rushlow. “I am honored I am able to be a part of such an amazing organization that just blesses these kids with such heartfelt wishes when it’s needed most!” “It was an honor to have Tim Rushlow perform at Stars for Wishes,” said Beth Torres, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish® Middle Tennessee.” “Make-A-Wish® is fortunate to have the support of the country music industry, and Tim is a great example of that generosity. We appreciate Tim, Maggie Rose, Lee Greenwood and everyone who helped make this year’s event the most successful yet. We’re another step closer to creating life-changing wishes to the more than 200 kids who are waiting for their wishes.”

Watch Now: 2018 Grammy Tribute to Route 91 / Manchester Shooting Victims

Grammy Tribute 2018

Last night country stars who were linked by tragedy at the terrible shooting that occurred at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, NV this summer joined each other on stage at the 2018 Grammy Awards to pay tribute to the lives lost both in Vegas and in Manchester to this senseless violence. The Brothers Osborne, Maren Morris, and Eric Church provided the audience with words of comfort and healing before performing a very stripped down version of Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqfJ9br-S_g