DAILEY & VINCENT INVITED TO JOIN GRAND OLE OPRY

Posted on by
The Grand Ole Opry News on Country Music News Blog

Three-time IBMA Entertainers of the Year and multi-Grammy®-nominated super duo Dailey & Vincent have been invited to become official members of the Grand Ole Opry. The pair returned to the Opry at the Ryman Auditorium tonight to celebrate the kick-off of its 10th year as a duo, which began on the Opry at the Ryman stage in 2007. The night also marked the duo’s 100th Opry appearance. The duo will be formally inducted into the Opry on Saturday, March 11. During a special half-hour Dailey & Vincent set, the two were joined by a series of guests including Opry members Marty Stuart and Connie Smith as well as John Carter Cash and his wife Ana Cristina in addition to Dailey’s father JB Dailey and Vincent’s mother Carolyn Vincent. After a performance with the duo, Stuart gave Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent the surprise of their lives, inviting the duo to officially join the Opry. “Country music needs you. Country music loves you. And the Grand Ole Opry welcomes you,” Stuart said. “This is one of the most special things that has ever happened to us,” a shocked Dailey said after a few seconds of stunned silence. “We’re so thankful.” Before closing out the show along with their guests on the gospel favorite “This Old House,” and equally surprised Vincent shared, “I have no words. I’m so honored. The Lord is so faithful to us.” “Dailey & Vincent have thoroughly entertained thousands of fans on the Opry stage over the past decade,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent embody so much about what fans love about the Opry. They have a tremendous respect for tradition, and they’re also innovators committed to the future of the music they love. We’re excited to welcome them as official members of the family in March.” Crystal Gayle is set to be inducted into the Opry by her sister Loretta Lynn on Saturday, January 21. Other artists scheduled to play the Opry in early 2017 include Brandy Clark, Chris Janson, Ricky Skaggs, and Josh Turner, among many others.

Travis Perry Wants YOU to put that Christmas Guitar to Great Use!

Posted on by
Chord Buddy on Country Music News Blog

*CountryMusicNewsBlog.com has not received any payment or product for this post. We just really love the ChordBuddy and wanted you to know about it in case someone you love has a shiny new guitar and needs help learning how to play it. Here at CMNB we’re all about bringing MORE music into the world in any way we can get it! ~WC Music plays a significant role in nearly everyone’s life, but for some people it represents much more than an invitation to dance or a soundtrack for the morning commute. Researchers have found that music therapy provides a diversion from negative feelings and helps manage the pain of not only adults, but of children with developmental, physical, behavioral, and neurological disabilities. It also increases range of motion and motor skills, and in some cases is a replacement for medication. In short, its therapeutic uses are many. “Music is invaluable to people with special needs, allowing them to express themselves non-verbally,” says Travis Perry, a music teacher for more than 35 years and inventor of ChordBuddy (www.chordbuddy.com), a device that makes guitar-learning easier for anyone – including those with disabilities. “Veterans can use music to help cope with PTSD as well as other physical injuries. Senior citizens can learn to play the guitar, which helps build hand strength.” One recent study showed that music therapy can even help children cope with routine immunizations, making them less stressed – and their parents less stressed as well. While music therapy is known to be fruitful for the person needing therapy, the results also can be a gratifying for the teacher. Perry says he’s found it especially satisfying to teach the guitar to autistic children, who can be challenging but ultimately rewarding pupils. In fact, a small number of people with autism are musical savants, according to the American Music Therapy Association, but all benefit from music therapy interventions to enhance their social, communicative and motor skills, among other needs. Generally, children with autism aren’t able to make what would be considered a pleasing sound on the guitar without some assistance. Perry uses his invention to help them. Instead of positioning their hand into the correct chord positions – often tricky for even able-bodied learners – they can just press a tab that results in a clear, strong chord sound. Perry, who has appeared on the popular TV show Shark Tank, didn’t actually have music therapy or people with special needs in mind when he invented ChordBuddy. He was trying to help his daughter learn to play and her frustration became his inspiration. “When learning an instrument, it’s important to have success right away, and that can be difficult to do with the guitar,” Perry says. “Most people give up within the first couple of months and the guitar ends up in a closet. That’s why I’m so excited when I know I’ve been able to help a special-needs child, a veteran with PTSD or a senior citizen with arthritis make music. “You Continue reading Travis Perry Wants YOU to put that Christmas Guitar to Great Use!→

Dolly Parton’s My People Fund Serves Nearly 900 Families In First Distribution

Posted on by
Smokey Mountains Rise - Benefiting Dolly Parton's My People Fund

Donations to the fund continue as totals climb to $9.3 million PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (December 22, 2016) – In a little more than two weeks after the wildfires that spread across Dolly Parton’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton and the Dollywood Foundation launched the distribution of assistance from the My People Fund. During the four day cash distribution, 884 families received their initial support payments. “It’s a blessing during this holiday season that we are able to help as many families as we have so far,” Parton said. “We know there are more families out there who need our help and we encourage them to be in contact with us before our January distribution.” The Dollywood Foundation My People Fund provides $1,000 each month to Sevier County families whose homes are uninhabitable or were completely destroyed in the recent Smoky Mountain wildfires. Any family who lost their primary residence (renters and homeowners) due to the wildfires in Sevier County will be eligible. A pre-application for those affected is available at dollywoodfoundation.org. Millions of people watched Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon on Tuesday, December 13 on Great American Country, AXS-TV, RFD-TV and The Heartland Network and during several rebroadcasts throughout the last week. As a result, donations continued to roll in and thanks to generous people from coast to coast and Parton’s friends, the total amount raised has climbed to $9.3 million. “As, Dolly said, the response has been overwhelming,” David Dotson, Dollywood Foundation President said. “We will distribute all $9.3 million to the families affected. That will insure all of the money raised will go to where Dolly promised it would go.” The next distribution is January 26 and 27, 2017 at the LeConte Events Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. About the Dollywood Foundation My People Fund: More than 1,300 families have been displaced due to the wildfires which spread across Parton’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee in late November. The entertainment icon established the Dollywood Foundation My People Fund to provide $1,000 each month for six months to every family who lost their primary residence. About Smoky Mountains Rise: Smoky Mountains Rise was a three-hour telethon broadcast on Tuesday, Dec. 13 to raise money for the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund to benefit those affected by the Sevier County, Tennessee wildfires. Smoky Mountains Rise was executive produced by Dolly Parton, Danny Nozell, Kirt Webster, Pete Owens and Scott Durand. Produced by Edie Hoback, Jeremy Westby, Shanna Strassberg, Suzzane Skinner, Nic Dugger and Shantel Klinger. About The Dollywood Company: A highly-awarded and widely-recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 150-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort; and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of nearly 30 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 25 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment (more Continue reading Dolly Parton’s My People Fund Serves Nearly 900 Families In First Distribution→

Rising Country Songstress, Arista Manning, Releases Video for Single “Southern Drawl”

Posted on by
Hot off the press at CountryMusicNewsBlog.com!

On the heals of the release of her debut EP, Ride This Night, 22-year-old Kentucky native, Arista Manning, has released the music video for her first single Southern Drawl. The video premiered today on Next Women of Country and is an energetic nod to those who have “an appreciation for all things southern.” As entertaining as it is catchy, Arista brings hard-hitting vocals and an attitude to the track that is hard to resist. The upbeat tune and Arista’s refreshing sound have already impacted radio and grabbed the attention of industry professionals. Al Windsperger of WYRQ said of Southern Drawl, “The music on the track reminds me of Charlie Daniel’s southern style… [Arista has] a nice voice that is easy to listen to,” and Seth Coburn of KLAW noted that “[Arista has] got a great voice, and Southern Drawl is a great mix of classic country with a modern sound.” About Arista Manning The daughter of a local farmer, rising country songstress Arista Manning’s musical career began with the southern roots that now help grow her artistry–inside her hometown church in Kentucky where she played piano and sang in the choir at just eight years old. After taking the stage at local talent shows and events for several years, Arista’s goals broadened beyond her small town, and the teenager began traveling to Music City to record demos and pursue the dreams that have continued to follow her. Arista’s debut EP boasts five songs written by some of Nashville’s most decorated songwriters (Brian White, Ashley Monroe, Brett James and many others). Ride This Night takes listeners on a journey of both nostalgia and adventure. From lyrics about spirituality and trusting God to deliver your dreams (Amen to That), to living in the moment and seeking the unknown (Ride This Night), Arista pays homage to the sound and storytelling of the classics from the genre, while beautifully reflecting her own experience as she begins to carve her path as a new artist, one that will resonate with listeners who have answered the call of their dreams. Full of personality with passion and a voice to match, Arista Manning is poised to make waves in the country music industry—reaching out to listeners of all ages and in every walk of life with meaningful messages, youthful anthems, and a respectful nod to her roots. You can find more information about Arista by visiting her website.

Multiple Grammy Award Winner Miranda Lambert Headlines The 18thAnnual "A Home For The Holidays," on CBS

Posted on by
Miranda Lambert on Country Music News Blog

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert headlines the 18th annual A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, to be broadcast Friday, Dec. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Miranda Lambert performs “Pushin’ Time” and “Keeper of the Flame” from her recently released and critically acclaimed sixth studio album, The Weight of These Wings, which spent two weeks at Number One on the Billboard Country Album Charts and is currently Number Three. The double album debuted at Number Three on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, which spans all genres. Lambert also performs the heart-warming, “The House That Built Me,” which is the song that earned Miranda her first Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (her second Grammy win was for Best Country Album for Platinum in 2014). A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS features uplifting stories of adoption from foster care and raises awareness of this important social issue. At the emotional conclusion of the program, Miranda greets some of the families featured in these stories while “Jingle Bells” plays in the background. The special is presented in association with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Children’s Action Network. Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas, who was adopted, established the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in 1992. It is dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of children in North America’s foster care system. The Children’s Action Network was founded in 1990 by leaders in the entertainment industry in order to harness the power of the entertainment media on behalf of children. The special is a part of CAN’s National Adoption Campaign to raise awareness of the joys of adopting and to find homes for the children who are waiting. The 18th annual A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS with Miranda Lambert is produced by Triage Entertainment and Goldsmith Entertainment. Karen Mack, Stu Schreiberg, Stephen Kroopnick and Marilyn Seabury are the executive producers. Kelly Brock is the producer, Kimberly Steer is the supervising producer and Mary Donaldson is the coordinating producer. Mike Simon is directing the special. About Miranda Lambert: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert touts six studio albums to her repertoire; Kerosene (2005), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2007), Revolution (2009), Four The Record (2011) and Platinum (2014), the latter earning Lambert a GRAMMY Award for Best Country Album, in addition to her previous GRAMMY win for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2010 for “The House That Built Me.” The Texas native released her sixth album, The Weight Of These Wings, on November 18, 2016. The first song released from The Weight Of These Wings, “Vice,” hit the Country Radio airwaves on July 18th touting a tally of 109 first week monitored reporting stations spinning the new song. Her second single “We Should Be Friends” arrived at radio on December 12, 2016.

DUSTIN LYNCH WINS BIG ON SPIKE TV’S LIP SYNC BATTLE

Posted on by

Took on Cassadee Pope in Last Night’s Hilarious Holiday Episode New Single “Seein’ Red” Enters Country Radio’s Top 10 Broken Bow Records artist DUSTIN LYNCH proved unbeatable in last night’s (12/21) laugh-out-loud episode of Spike TV’s LIP SYNC BATTLE, taking on fellow country star Cassadee Pope. Hosted by LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen, LIP SYNC BATTLE pits celebrities in a head-to-head fight to see who can deliver the most outrageous and entertaining lip-synched performance, and Lynch wowed the crowd with Ludacris’ lusty rap hit “What’s Your Fantasy” and Lou Bega’s dancehall smash “Mambo No. 5,” earning himself the LSB championship belt. Trading in his cowboy hat for a flat-brimmed cap, Lynch turned on the goofy sex appeal for “What’s Your Fantasy,” a hip-thrusting good time that ended with a whipped cream finish and had Pope doubled over in laughter. “Mambo No. 5,” on the other hand, was full of zoot-suited, Latin-flavored fun … with “a little bit” of fake mustache thrown in for good measure. Catch Dustin Lynch’s “Mambo No. 5” vs. Cassadee Pope’s “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzxsK5mF3Z0 In case you missed it, Dustin Lynch syncs “What’s Your Fantasy” by Ludacris here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flxMDlFXGj8 Meanwhile, Lynch’s current single – the steamy “Seein’ Red” – has just entered Country radio’s Top 10. Co-written by Kurt Allison, Steve Bogard, Tully Kennedy and Jason Sever, it’s the first taste of Lynch’s upcoming third album, with Rolling Stone praising Lynch’s vocals as “one of his most soulful and assured to date” and Taste of Country proclaiming the song “unapologetically sexy.” It follows the three-peat GOLD and PLATINUM success of singles “Where It’s At,” “Hell of a Night” and “Mind Reader” from his sophomore album, WHERE IT’S AT. Lynch will kick off 2017 with a bang, joining Florida Georgia Line’s DIG YOUR ROOTS TOUR as the featured supporting artist. The nationwide trek begins January 27 in Tallahassee, Florida, and also includes Chris Lane. For more information, visit DustinLynchMusic.com. ABOUT DUSTIN LYNCH: Since releasing his PLATINUM debut single, “Cowboys and Angels,” Lynch has catapulted onto the country music scene, with three consecutive #1s, two Top 5 albums, Platinum-level certifications and back-to-back summers on one of the biggest tours in country music (opening for Luke Bryan). Racking up over 55 million views on YouTube/VEVO, scoring 150 million plus streams on Spotify, soaring to #1 on the MTV Music Meter and selling 3 million digital singles, he brings a fresh combination of traditional influences and edgy intensity to the genre. Producers Mickey Jack Cones, Brett Beavers and Luke Wooten showcase his progressive sound throughout his sophomore album, WHERE IT’S AT (Broken Bow Records), which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Country Albums Chart upon release and has tallied over 1 million tracks sold to date. Realizing his long time dream of creating a fashion line, Lynch recently launched Stay Country. “Stay Country isn’t just a brand, it’s a lifestyle,” says Lynch. “It’s where I grew up. It’s home to the rivers I’ve fished, the Continue reading DUSTIN LYNCH WINS BIG ON SPIKE TV’S LIP SYNC BATTLE→

Brad Paisley Announces March 3 Release Date for Next Album – LOVEAND WAR

Posted on by
Brad Paisley on Country Music News Blog

Nashville, TN – Superstar Brad Paisley announces March 3 as the release date of his forthcoming album, LOVE AND WAR. “Today” is the first single from the much anticipated album and is already in the Top 15 on the country airplay charts   LOVE AND WAR is co-produced by Paisley and Luke Wooten and will be the entertainer’s 11th studio album release on Arista Nashville.   Brad Paisley is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer whose talents have earned him numerous awards, including three GRAMMYs, two American Music Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), among many others. He has been a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001. Paisley has written 20 of his 23 #1 hits including “He Didn’t Have to Be,” “Mud on the Tires,” “She’s Everything,” “Water” and “Remind Me,” among others. His highly successful Life Amplified World Tour 2016 traveled across the US and Canada and recently announced added dates for February 2017. Paisley also took his “Country Nation College Tour presented by Frontier Communications” to 9 IMG College partners this fall for free concerts on campus, a follow-up to his initial 2015 college tour. His current single, “Today,” is resonating with people around the globe and is currently in the Top 15 on the country single chart and the music video has been viewed over 30 million times. Paisley has partnered with Boot Barn® and developed an exclusive line of jeans, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, belts and woven shirts called Moonshine Spirit by Brad Paisley. Connect with Brad at www.BradPaisley.com, www.Facebook.com/BradPaisley, on Twitter @BradPaisley, on Instagram @Brad Paisley, and YouTube at YouTube.com/BradPaisley.

Old Dominion Caps Year w/ Sold Out Inaugural "Stagecoach SpotlightMeat & Candy Tour"

Posted on by
Old Dominion on Country Music News Blog

With 180+ shows and RIAA Gold certified album, 2016 ACM New Vocal Group of the Year Wraps “on the cusp of superstardom” [Vice] NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In their First Listen feature, NPR dubbed Old Dominion’s Meat & Candy “first-rate craftsmanship,” yet it was the band’s ability to bring those songs to life in their live show that led to the five-piece being selected for a unique partnership on the touring front — and the first in history — with Stagecoach. Aligning with “the biggest country music gathering in the world” (Los Angeles Times), Stagecoach tapping Old Dominion as part of the inaugural Stagecoach Spotlight Tour was just one in a series of major firsts for the band in what has been a breakout year. The partnership was overwhelmingly successful with 15 of Old Dominion’s 33-dates, 28-states headlining Meat and Candy Tour stops co-branded with the festival powerhouse, all seeing the band playing to fully packed houses. “It’s been ridiculous,” shares Old Dominion’s frontman Matthew Ramsey. “To think of what all we have accomplished as a band… as performers, as songwriters… to connect on that level with so many fans, we’re just so thankful for what this year has brought.” Just last month the album Entertainment Weekly called “deceptively smart” and “infectious,” Meat & Candy, was officially RIAA Gold certified in part due to the success of their newly cemented No. 1, “Song For Another Time,” the second chart-topper off their critically-acclaimed major label debut album. With a 2016 show tally of 182 and over 60,000 fans rocked in North America on the Meat and Candy Tour alone (not including fans they played to on Kenny Chesney’s Spread The Love Tour), the band, comprised of lead singer Ramsey, lead guitarist Brad Tursi, multi-instrumentalist Trevor Rosen, bassist Geoff Sprung and drummer Whit Sellers, will kick-off 2017 joining Miranda Lambert on her Highway Vagabon Tour. For more information, visit www.olddominionband.com and www.facebook.com/olddominionband or follow @OldDominion on Twitter and @OldDominionMusic on Instagram.

Big & Rich To Headline RIAA/Musicians On Call Inaugural Benefit

Posted on by

Country music superstar act Big & Rich will be the headlining entertainment at the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) second-ever inauguration charity event benefiting Musicians On Call. The hit duo will perform their set at the 9:30 Club the evening of the presidential inauguration on Friday, January 20, 2017. Comprised of Big Kenny and “Celebrity Apprentice” winner John Rich, Big & Rich have exerted a definitive gravitational pull to the direction modern country music has taken. Known as “America’s Technicolor cowboys,” Big & Rich have made a career of being relatable and musically relevant since exploding into the public consciousness in 2003. Their 2004 debut studio album Horse of a Different Color shot to RIAA triple-Platinum and included smash hit “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy),” while their latest album Gravity scored three back-to-back-to-back Top Ten country hits with “Look at You,” “Run Away With You,” and “Lovin’ Lately” featuring Tim McGraw. Meanwhile, their hit “Comin’ to Your City” is nearing a decade as the theme song for ESPN’s College GameDay. “Musicians On Call brings the healing power of music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities nationwide,” said Pete Griffin, President of Musicians On Call. “We are so grateful for RIAA’s long term support of our mission and to be the charitable beneficiary of Big & Rich’s performance in Washington, DC.” About Musicians On Call (MOC): Musicians On Call (MOC) was founded in 1999 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC by Michael Solomon and Vivek Tiwary, with the mission of bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities ranging from children’s hospitals to adult facilities, VA hospitals and hospices. To date, its volunteers have played for nearly half a million people in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Baltimore, with additional cities being continuously added. Musicians On Call continues its mission through room-to-room hospital performances by both local musicians and an esteemed list of national celebrities. MOC supporters over the years include Pharrell, Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran, Lady Antebellum, James Taylor, Jessie J, Justin Timberlake, Gavin DeGraw and Imagine Dragons. For more information, visit www.musiciansoncall.org.

Tyson Lucas – We Just Want To Be With You

Posted on by
Hot off the press at CountryMusicNewsBlog.com!

Award-winning singer-songwriter and Most Promising Future Star 2017 Finalist at the People’s Choice Awards, Tyson Lucas creates true Country music, with storytelling at its heart. Described by The Queensland Country Life newspaper as having “a voice that will one-day rival that of Adam Harvey”, Tyson has already shared the stage with one of his idols, Troy Cassar Daley, twice. At the Golden Guitar Awards, Tyson was selected to perform alongside (as a younger) Troy Cassar -Daley and described the experience as “The most exciting time of my life… I felt very honoured that Troy felt confident in my abilities.” The debut single from this talented young artist, ‘We Just Want To Be With You’ peaked on the iTunes chart at #2. “This song was actually started being written by my mum when she was working on night-shift at 3am in the morning while working away in the mines. She was missing us terribly and she thought she would put her feelings on paper. It’s about how both of my parents who work away feel when they have to leave us with our Nanna to go away for 6 days work and how my younger brother and I feel while they are away. Parents struggle every day to leave their children to go to work, some parents are away from their children for months at a time, and it does have a massive impact on families. This is our story and we hope that other families can relate to this song.” Listen to ‘We Just Want To Be With You’ Here!