Category Archives: Community

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

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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.

Mel Tillis Remembered by Country Music Community

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COUNTRY MUSIC REMEMBERS MEL TILLIS: BOBBY BARE, RANDY TRAVIS,  ALABAMA, CHARLIE DANIELS, JEANNIE SEELY, LORRIE MORGAN, MOE BANDY, MAX T. BARNES, EXILE, JOHNNY LEE, LEE ROY PARNELL, TIM RUSHLOW AND PAUL BOGART   “I’ve lost a brother. Mel was the very first person I met when I came to Nashville in the late ‘50s and we’ve been friends ever since. I’ve lost another fishing buddy and a talented, talented brother. Without Mel and ‘Detroit City,’ I probably would not have had a career. Mel’s one of those people you’ve got to love.” – Bobby Bare, fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member and bandmate of Tillis’ in “Old Dogs” with Jerry Reed and Waylon Jennings. Mel Tillis co-wrote Bare’s smash-hit “Detroit City.” “Mel was a special friend, great artist, and constant inspiration to me—Heaven’s choir just got sweeter.” – Randy Travis, fellow Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member “Hall of Fame entertainer and songwriter — he was all in one, a great combination. He is one of our biggest heroes.” – Randy Owen of ALABAMA, fellow Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame member “Mel Tillis, you will be missed by so many of us you touched over the years. Rest in peace my friend.” – Charlie Daniels, fellow Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member “All I could think of when I heard the news of Mel’s passing was ‘one of the brightest lights in country music went out last night.’ He left an amazing legacy with his songs, but I will always remember his humor more than anything else. It’s sad to think there will be no more ‘Mel Tillis stories.’ – Jeannie Seely, fellow Grand Ole Opry member “It’s a sad day in country music but even sadder for the family and those of us who loved the late, great Mel Tillis. His life was the stage and making people laugh for years. He was truly one of the kindest men in the business to me. He was great friends with my dad and my uncle Bill and he’s treated me like a daughter. My heart breaks for the future of the Tillis family while they heal. It’s a hole that will never be filled for them. God bless Mel Tillis and the Tillis family.” – Lorrie Morgan, fellow Grand Ole Opry member “Mel was a great entertainer who inspired me so much. I am deeply saddened. What a great friend he was to me. I just thought the world of him. We will miss him dearly. His great songs will be with us forever. God Bless his family.” – Moe Bandy Old Dogs – Jerry Reed, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare and Mel Tillis from Edwin Schenk on Vimeo. “I first met Mel when I played with him on Bobby Bare and Friends in ‘85. He was a true country gentleman, a giant songwriter and an icon.” – Max T. Barnes “We always loved working with Continue reading Mel Tillis Remembered by Country Music Community→

‘Country Rising’ Benefit Raises $4 Million

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SUNDAY night’s (11/12) “COUNTRY RISING” concert in NASHVILLE, benefiting hurricane relief efforts and victims of the LAS VEGAS shootings, raised more than $4 million, according to organizers. The evening featured Country’s biggest stars, such as GEORGE STRAIT, JASON ALDEAN, DIERKS BENTLEY, SAM HUNT, LADY ANTEBELLUM, CHRIS STAPLETON, REBA MCENTIRE, MARTINA MCBRIDE, and KEITH URBAN, among others. Additionally, recently crowned CMA Entertainer Of The Year GARTH BROOKS sent a video greeting from his show in SPOKANE, WA announcing he’d donated proceeds from the concert to the relief effort. The fundraising effort continues, with fans able to give by texting “NASHVILLE” to 41010, donating online here, or purchasing concert merchandise here. All proceeds raised will go toward the COUNTRY RISING fund of THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

Haggard Family Unveils Plans for Merle Haggard Museum

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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→

Kelsea Ballerini, Trisha Yearwood and More Create Special Moments During Ninth Annual “OPRY GOES PINK” in Support of the Fight Againist Breast Cancer

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Opry Goes Pink 2017

The Grand Ole Opry® partnered with Women Rock For The Cure™ in the fight against breast cancer tonight with its ninth annual “Opry Goes Pink” show. Black River Entertainment’s Kelsea Ballerini and ten-year-old cancer survivor Chrissy flipped the switch making the Opry’s signature barn Pink. Opry member Trisha Yearwood performed and introduced Chrissy as this year’s Women Rock for the Cure “Opry Goes Pink” honorary survivor, symbolizing individual battles being won against the disease. Chrissy, who at age eight was the youngest person ever to be diagnosed with breast cancer, is now cancer-free. She was joined on stage by her older sister as well as her parents, both of whom are also cancer survivors. Additional performances tonight included Arista Nashville’s LANCO, who made their Opry debut, Easton Corbin, Charles Esten, Runaway June, and Connie Smith. CMT’s Cody Alan made his debut as an Opry guest announcer. The Opry is donating $5 from each ticket sold since the announcement of tonight’s show to Women Rock For The Cure™. About the Grand Ole Opry The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®.  Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, with Tuesday Night Opry shows through December 12.  To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn.  Celebrating nine decades of entertainment, the Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP).  For more information, visit opry.com. About Women Rock For The Cure Women Rock For The Cure™ is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) organization committed to connecting and supporting young women facing breast cancer. Founded in 2007, the organization works to build awareness and provide outreach programs through the power of the entertainment industry. Fueled by the annual Opry Goes Pink concert, the signature event has featured performances by Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, Kacey Musgraves, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, The Judds, Carrie Underwood and more. All proceeds benefit the organization’s outreach efforts, including the impactful Young Survivors Retreat, which brings together young women diagnosed with breast cancer. For additional information on Women Rock For The Cure, upcoming events and how to get involved, please visit www.WomenRockForTheCure.org.

Bobby Bare Launches Artist Management Firm

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Hot off the press at CountryMusicNewsBlog.com!

117 Entertainment Group President & CEO, Zach Farnum, announced today the creation of 117 Management with the signing of Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare. With the announcement comes the restructuring of the public relations branch of the company under the name 117 Publicity. A management staff will be announced in the coming weeks. “Bobby Bare is the quintessential country music legend. He paved paths for the Outlaw movement, is a Grammy-winner and Hall of Famer and has had over 50 country Top 40 hits,” said Farnum, adding, “Bare is one of the kindest and most respected people in the business. I’ve had an incredible and successful run working with him as his publicist and am humbled to move into this new role.” “I’m so glad to have Zach Farnum representing me, I think he’s just using me as bait to get bigger, younger acts,” joked Bare. Bobby Bare has released 39 albums charting over 50 country Top 40 singles including iconic songs like “Marie Laveau,” “500 Miles Away From Home” and “Daddy, What If,” just to name a few. His ode to the working man, “Detroit City,” won a Grammy in 1963 and he was inducted as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Credited by many as the “architect of Outlaw Country,” Bare became a trailblazer by taking control of his own production on his albums from his record label. He is also widely known as one of the most avid fishermen in country music. 117 Publicity, headed by VP Bev Moser, represents a wide array of artists including Chuck Negron, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lewis Brice, Logan Mize, Paul Bogart, Max T. Barnes, Scooter Brown Band, Darren Bessette Band, Nashville Association of Talent Directors as well as Bare. About Bobby Bare Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare is one of the most iconic country artists of all time, with chart-topping songs like “Detroit City,” “500 Miles,” “Marie Laveau” and many more. Artists from Little Jimmy Dickens and Hank Williams to big band acts like Phil Harris and the Dominoes all influenced his unique style leading to nearly five dozen top 40 hits from 1962 to 1983. The often referred to “Bruce Springsteen of Country” went on to earn multiple Grammy nominations and wins along with induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013 among many other awards and accolades. About 117 Entertainment Group 117 Entertainment Group is an entertainment firm specializing in management and publicity and marketing campaigns for musicians, events and brands. They represent the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Negron, Bobby Bare, Logan Mize, Lewis Brice, Paul Bogart and Scooter Brown Band, just to name a few. Zach Farnum has managed PR campaigns for an eclectic list of artists including Charlie Daniels, Don McLean, Randy Travis and many more, as well as high-profile events and festivals including A Heroes and Friends Tribute to Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam, Country Stampede, Tree Town Music Festival and more. Continue reading Bobby Bare Launches Artist Management Firm→

Kelsea Ballerini To Turn The Opry Pink

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Kelsea Ballerini to “Flip The Switch” On The Opry’s Signature Barn,  Trisha Yearwood to Introduce the Year’s Honorary Survivor  as Part of the Ninth Annual “Opry Goes Pink” in Support of the Fight Against Breast Cancer  The Grand Ole Opry® is joining Women Rock For The Cure™ in the fight against breast cancer on Tues., Oct. 24 with its ninth annual “Opry Goes Pink” show. Black River Entertainment’s Kelsea Ballerini will flip the switch on the Opry’s signature barn backdrop, turning it pink for the night as the “Legends” singer takes the stage to perform to raise awareness and funds for Women Rock for the CureTM, a Nashville-based non-profit committed to connecting and supporting young women facing breast cancer. Opry member Trisha Yearwood will also take the stage to perform and introduce this year’s Women Rock for the Cure honorary survivor, symbolizing individual battles being won against the disease. Arista Nashville’s LANCO will make their Opry debut, Easton Corbin, Runaway June, and others will perform, and CMT’s Cody Alan will appear as a guest announcer for the night, joining the ranks of other personalities who have appeared in the role including Garrison Keillor, Dan Rather, and Robin Roberts, among many others. Beginning today, when fans order tickets, $5 from every ticket sold will be donated to Women Rock For The Cure™.  Tickets are available at (615) 871-OPRY and opry.com. The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®.  Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, with Tuesday Night Opry shows through December 12. About the Grand Ole Opry The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®.  Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, with Tuesday Night Opry shows through December 12 and Wednesday shows returning September 13.  To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn.  Celebrating nine decades of entertainment, the Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP).  For more information, visit opry.com. About Women Rock For The Cure Women Rock For The Cure™ is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) organization committed to connecting and supporting young women facing breast cancer. Founded in 2007, the organization works to build awareness and provide outreach programs through the power of the entertainment industry. Fueled by the annual Opry Goes Pink concert, the signature event has featured performances by Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, Kacey Musgraves, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, The Judds, Carrie Underwood and more. All proceeds benefit the organization’s outreach efforts, including the impactful Young Survivors Retreat, which brings together young women diagnosed with breast cancer. For additional information on Women Rock For The Cure, upcoming events and how to get involved, please visit www.WomenRockForTheCure.org.

Listen Now: Eric Church – Why Not Me

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Last night Eric Church stepped on hallowed ground and paid tribute to all those who were forever scarred, injured, or killed in the terrible shooting that took place this last Sunday night in Las Vegas, NV. Church recalled jumping into the audience to greet his fans during his Friday night set. “I shook everybody’s hand and I thanked them for coming,” he said onstage at the Opry. “I came back up the left side, saw smiling faces, hands in the air and pictures being taken … 48 hours later, those places where I stood was carnage. “Those are my people. Those are my fans,” Church continued, tearing up and admitting he didn’t want to perform at the Opry or even play guitar. But after seeing an interview on CNN with Melton’s wife Heather talking about how her husband was a fan of Church, he was inspired to write “Why Not Me.” [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGc-rJtbpig[/embedyt]  

Reba McEntire to Host CMA Country Christmas

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Reba News on Country Music News Blog

It looks like Reba is taking the reigns when it comes time to ring in that holiday spirit. Jennifer Nettles is stepping down and Reba is stepping up to host the annual CMA Country Christmas special. The program will be taped in Nashville, TN at the Grand Ole Opry House on November 14th, and then later brodacast on November 27th on ABC. REBA MCENTIRE will host the eighth annual “CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS” program, to be taped on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14th at the GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE in NASHVILLE. The show will then air as a two-hour holiday special MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27th at 8p (ET) on ABC-TV.

Kenny Chesney Launches Love For Love City Foundation

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Kenny Chesney on Country Music News

After releasing a statement regarding his wish to help areas being affected by HURRICANE IRMA last WEEK (NET NEWS 9/7), BLUE CHAIR/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE’s KENNY CHESNEY has created the LOVE FOR LOVE CITY FOUNDATION to benefit the U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS and BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. For those wishing to donate, visit the foundation’s website here. CHESNEY, whose island home has been destroyed by IRMA, has also created LOVE FOR LOVE CITY FOUNDATION merch, which can be purchased here. “…I just wanted to say thank you to everybody that has donated to the LOVE FOR LOVE CITY FOUNDATION, because it’s going to help feed a lot of people,” CHESNEY expressed. “It’s going to help take supplies down to the island, and it’s hopefully going to help things has time goes on. And, I just wanted to say I’m very proud of everyone that’s donated, and I just wanted to tell y’all I love ya, and keep the VIRGIN ISLANDS in your prayers, in your thoughts, and I’ll keep you posted on what’s going on. GOD Bless you guys.”