“Music City Gives Back” Concert Returns to Nashville, Hosted By Rodney Atkins

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Rodney Atkins on Country Music News Blog!

Atkins set to perform during star-studded night of music benefiting W.O. Smith Music School on June 6th; full lineup to be announced soon! NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Six-time chart-topping country artist Rodney Atkins will host his seventh annual “Music City Gives Back” concert on Tuesday, June 6, unofficially kicking off a week of country music festivities in Nashville ahead of the CMT Music Awards and CMA Music Festival. The popular star-studded event, which benefits W.O. Smith Music School, will take place near 5th Avenue and Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville and will include performances by Atkins and more artists to be announced in the coming days. “Nashville is a special place in the way that people in this community truly support one another and this is another great example of Nashville and the music industry coming together to support the kids and future of our community,” said Atkins. “As an artist, I’m blessed to be able to call Nashville home and grateful for the opportunity to give back through music with this event every year.” The concert is free and open to the public and performances will begin at 4:55 p.m. Select artists will also be available to sign autographs in the free, no-ticket-required sponsor activation area from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., where guests can have a drink, get some food and meet their favorite artists. Carl Black Chevrolet, Wrangler and Ally are returning for the seventh year as presenting sponsors for Music City Gives Back. Carl Black Chevrolet will stream the performances and behind the scenes interviews live on both CarlBlackRadio.com and TuneIn Radio’s Country Roads, and Wrangler will stream live on WranglerNetwork.com. Returning media partners NASH FM 103.3 and 95.5 NASH ICON will also be on site to emcee the event and introduce the star-studded lineup. For continuing updates and artist announcements, follow Music City Gives Back at www.Facebook.com/MusicCityGivesBack, on Twitter @MusicCityGB and on Instagram @MusicCityGivesBack.

Top Ten Country Songs for Mom

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Mother’s day is almost here and while we know we hold her near and dear, here’s a few songs she might like to hear! (Ya see what we did there? ) Our country music crew has gotten together to make a list for you of our favorite songs for and about the woman you call Mom. Like My Mother Does – Lauren Alaina Teenage Daughters – Martina McBride 26 Cents – The Wilkinsons Mama’s Song – Carrie Underwood Mother Like Mine – The Band Perry You Can’t Lose Me – Faith Hill Somebody’s Hero – Jamie O’Neal Eight Crazy Hours – Reba McEntire Mamma Tried – Merle Haggard The Sweetest Gift – Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris Now go give your mamma a call, a hug, or a well-deserved footrub!

Creedence Clearwater Revisited headlining day 3 Muskogee G Fest on June 17

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There’s a bad moon rising over Muskogee, Oklahoma this summer as Creedence Clearwater Revisited which features CCR original members Stu Cook and Doug Clifford gear up to headline the third night of the G Fest on June 17 at Hatbox Airfield.  This touring season sees the addition of fiery new vocalist / rhythm guitarist Dan McGuinness. Creedence Clearwater Revival founding members and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Stu Cook and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford have been on quite a ride.  Following their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cosmo and Stu launched their Creedence Clearwater Revisited project in 1995 to once again perform live in concert the hit songs — touchstones of a generation.  Since then, the legendary rhythm section has been thrilled by the outpouring of affection for their new band.   World tours and a platinum selling album Recollection followed.  The astounding response to the band has been driven in part by new generations of fans that, as Cosmo says, “weren’t even born when the music came out.” While, as udiscovermusic.com recently commented, it is the “rhythm section Doug Clifford’s drums and Stu Cook’s bass that is a hallmark of Creedence Clearwater Revival,” the boys did not take assembling the rest of the new group’s players lightly.   “In the beginning Cosmo and I decided that if we could find the musicians that could capture the sound and recreate what the music was about, we’d do it,” recalls Stu.  As fans around the world can attest, Stu and Cosmo found the right players.  Lead guitarist Kurt Griffey brings crowds to their feet and the front of the stage with his solos.  He as recorded and toured with other notable musicians including members of the Eagles, Foreigner, the Moody Blues, Wings, Lynyrd Skynryd, Santana and Journey.  On lead vocal and rhythm guitar is Dan McGuiness.  The purity, power and range of Dan’s soaring voice hits right to the heart.  Multi‑instrumentalist Steve Gunner rounds out the group.  As Cosmo puts it, “Gun provides live all the overdubs that were on the records. – keyboard, acoustic guitar, percussion, harmonica and the high harmonies.” In 2013, Classic Rock Revisited critic Jeb Wright wrote about a Creedence Clearwater Revisited concert he attended.  “The true test of any concert is how the music makes you feel.  On this night, this writer walked away with a wonderful feeling, having just witnessed timeless, historical music, performed to perfection. Creedence Clearwater Revisited not only looks to the past, performing iconic songs, they bring them to the modern day, reminding us all of the true importance of this music.”

Kelcy Hyde Releases New Single Hell or High Water

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Singer/songwriter and country sweetheart Kelcy Hyde recently released her latest single, “Hell or High Water,” to iTunes. With lyrics like “And even if life breaks our hearts and our bones, I’ll love you and never let go, come Hell or high water,” the enchanting ballad is sure to hit the hearts of many.  You can download the song HERE! “I’ve always wanted to write a love song for the people who don’t give up – against all odds,” Hyde explains. I truly believe that if you love someone, and they love you, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.  When I met Lori Kelley (co-writer) and told her that I wanted to write a song with the title Hell or High Water, she loved the idea as much as I did.” “The young artist, whose dream is to duet with George Strait, won’t stop until she achieves her goals. The title of her new song makes that perfectly clear,” says Donna Block of CMchat.  Every great artist has a story; one of determination and prowess that guides them on a journey to find fame and success. Kelcy Hyde’s story started when she was a young girl growing up in Las Vegas with a passion for music, undeniable talent and a one-track mind to follow her dreams. Kelcy was not your ordinary teenager. Instead of finding her perfect dress to wear to prom or attending high school parties, Kelcy spent her nights and weekends cultivating her talent and studying country music. At 16 years old, Kelcy fulfilled a promise to her parents and graduated high school two years early. In return, her family relocated to Nashville in full support of Kelcy and her resilient pursuit to become a country artist. Since moving to Music City, Kelcy has performed on the historic stages of 12th & Porter, The Basement and the Bluebird Cafe, which previously helped launch the careers of famed artists Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks and Kings of Leon. Kelcy has also shared the stage with Trace Adkins, Darryl Worley, Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich, Cowboy Troy and The Farm during their worldwide tours. Kelcy dropped her first EP entitled “Your Heart Amazes Me” with an electric performance and release party in Nashville. The album, which contains five Country Rock songs, has received rave reviews across the internet. Kelcy continues to chase her dream of one day performing at The Ryman Auditorium. “Quitting is just not a option.” For more information, visit www.KelcyHyde.com and engage with Kelcy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Daily Lineup Announced for the 26th Annual Country Jam

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Kenny Chesney on Country Music News

Single Day Tickets Now On Sale  for “Colorado’s Biggest Country Music Party” Headliners Include Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett and Co-Headliners Justin Moore and Randy Houser 4-Day Festival will be held June 15-18 The daily lineup has been announced for the superstar lineup for “Colorado’s Biggest Country Music Party”– the 26th Annual Country Jam festival at Jam Ranch outside Grand Junction, CO on June 15-18, 2017.  The headliner lineup this year includes the just crowned ACM Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean and the ACM Male Vocalist of the Year Thomas Rhett as well as superstar Kenny Chesney and co-headliners Justin Moore and Randy Houser. Single day tickets are available now for Country Jam 2017 starting at $99. 4-day general admission tickets start at $155, with reserve tickets starting at $380, and weekend VIP tickets starting at $740. More information on single day tickets and VIP ticket details, along with camping options and pricing are available online at http://countryjam.com/tickets A packed lineup of superstar headliners and the hottest artists in country music as well as some rising newcomers will take the stage each day at Country Jam 2017. Thursday, June 15 Sasha McVeigh Smithfield Sammy Kershaw Randy Houser Justin Moore Friday, June 16 Sammy Arriaga Cody Johnson Parmalee Chris Young Jason Aldean Saturday, June 17 Devon Worley Band Farewell Angelina Frankie Ballard Old Dominion Kenny Chesney Sunday, June 18 American Young Mo Pitney Kane Brown Gretchen Wilson Thomas Rhett Details about performances at Jack’s Place, as well as for the festival’s annual Pre-Campground Party (held at Jack’s Place on Wednesday, June 14), will be posted at www.countryjam.com. Country Jam features world-class entertainment and on-site camping in the “high-desert” country of Western Colorado. The four-day festival has established itself as a must-do for country music fans, with last year’s Country Jam featuring performances from superstars, legends and the hottest rising newcomers in country music including Zac Brown Band, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley and Lee Brice, as well as Trace Adkins, Big & Rich, Joe Nichols, Tyler Farr, Easton Corbin, Chase Bryant, Darryl Worley, Neal McCoy, Halfway to Hazard, Canaan Smith, Aaron Watson, Lindsay Ell, High Valley, Drake White and The Big Fire, Stephanie Quayle and Annie Bosko and many others. More information about Country Jam can be found online at www.countryjam.com Stay connected with up-to-the-date information on Country Jam on Facebook or by following @CountryJamCO on Twitter

Jason Aldean Helps WFMS/Indianapolis Listener Land A Date For Prom

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CUMULUS Country WFMS/INDIANAPOLIS used their time with BROKEN BOW RECORDS artist JASON ALDEAN just before the “52ND ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS” to ask a favor — not for the station, but for a young listener. The WFMS crew asked ALDEAN to assist a local high school junior with his “promposal,” and ALDEAN happily obliged. “We asked the Entertainer Of The Year for a favor at the ACM broadcast, and JASON delivered,” WFMS morning co-host DEB told ALL ACCESS. “More importantly, ASHLEY said yes!” See ALDEAN’s video promposal from GRIFFIN to ASHLEY here.

Grand Ole Opry Introduces The Opry Box, Country Music’s First Merchandise Subscription Box

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Opry Box on Country Music News Blog!

The Grand Ole Opry is introducing country music fans to a new subscription box, the first of its kind to be curated around country living, Nashville, and the Opry. Each season, the Opry Box promises country music surprises including themed one-of-a-kind merchandise, an exclusive Inside The Circle magazine, and more. The Opry Box launches with “Opry Friends”, a box celebrating friendships between Opry artists as well as between country stars and their fans. Opry member Brad Paisley graces the cover of the seasonal magazine, sharing the stories about friends who contributed to his upcoming album LOVE AND WAR, also included in the first edition Box. Paisley’s Opry fishing buddy Little Jimmy Dickens is remembered in the Box with the inclusion of a travel mug emblazoned with the Country Music Hall of Famer’s name as found on his Opry House dressing room door. In addition to Box surprises, the inaugural Box also includes the Grammy®-nominated DVD/Blu-ray American Saturday Night: Live From The Grand Ole Opry featuring Paisley, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Brett Eldredge, and The Band Perry. Single boxes ($40 plus shipping) and subscriptions for four seasonal boxes ($140 plus shipping) are available now at opry.com and at 1-800-SEE-OPRY. About the Grand Ole Opry
 The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®.  Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, and Tuesday Night Opry shows will return February 14, 2017.  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.  Marking more than  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.

Lauren Alaina Scores First Career #1 With ‘Road Less Traveled’

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Congratulations to MERCURY NASHVILLE/19/INTERSCOPE artist LAUREN ALAINA for scoring the #1 spot on the MEDIABASE Country singles chart with her single, “Road Less Traveled.” This is ALAINA’s first career #1. Kudos to UMG NASHVILLE SVP/Promotion ROYCE RISSER; MERCURY NASHVILLE VP/Promotion DAMON MOBERLY; UMG NASHVILLE VP/Promotion DAVID FRIEDMAN; UMG NASHVILLE Nat’l Dir./Radio Syndication DONNA HUGHES, Dir./Promotion & Radio Marketing CHRIS SCHULER; MERCURY NASHVILLE Sr. Dir./MIDWEST Promotion CHARLIE DEAN, Dir./WEST COAST Promotion SALLY GREEN, Dir./SOUTHWEST Promotion JILL BRUNETT, Dir./NORTHEAST Promotion SUMMER HARLOW, Dir./SOUTHEAST Promotion JACK CHRISTOPHER, and Promotion Coordinator NICK KAPER. ALL ACCESS delivered sweet treats to the MERCURY NASHVILLE office TODAY (4/10) to congratulate the staff on their success.

Darius Rucker supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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Darius Rucker on Country Music News Blog

DARIUS RUCKER SUPPORTS ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL®  WITH EIGHTH ANNUAL “DARIUS AND FRIENDS” BENEFIT CONCERT JUNE 5 IN NASHVILLE, NOW AT THE HISTORIC RYMAN AUDITORIUM NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nine years since visiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and pledging his support, Darius Rucker has announced the date for his eighth annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert, sponsored by State Water Heaters. The event, which leads into CMA Music Festival week, takes place Monday, June 5 and will be held for the FIRST time at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. “This concert is a real highlight for me every year,” Rucker said. “And I couldn’t do it without the support of my friends who turn out to perform, tell stories and make this a memorable night for the fans, who are here from around the world.” The event has received an overwhelming response in past years, with sellouts year-after-year and more than $800,000 raised for St. Jude. Friends performing with Rucker in past years have included Luke Bryan, Radney Foster, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum) and Kenny Rogers, among others. The lineup for this year’s event will be announced in the coming weeks. Rucker made a commitment to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® after touring the campus in 2008 and is recognized worldwide for the lifesaving mission. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®  is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Unlike any other hospital, the majority of funding for St. Jude comes from individual contributions. Events like this help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Tickets to “Darius and Friends” will be available on Friday, April 14 at 10 a.m. CT via ticketmaster.com. This year Rucker teamed up with Ticketmaster to allow supporters to become #VerifiedFans. Qualified registrants that enter by Thursday, April 13 at 10 a.m. CT will receive a unique code to ensure they can buy tickets without worrying about scalpers or bots. More info on becoming a #VerifiedFan here. Additional sponsors of “Darius and Friends” includes CDW/Intel, GE, Hutton, Maverick, CAA and UMG/Capitol Nashville. For more information please visit www.DariusRucker.com. About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Since opening more than 50 years ago, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives and, for every child treated here, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries. The hospital has played a pivotal role in pushing U.S. pediatric cancer survival rates from 20 to 80 percent overall, and is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted to children. It is also a leader in the research and treatment of blood disorders and infectious diseases in children. St. Jude was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that no child should die in the dawn of life. Continue reading Darius Rucker supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital→