Artist Updates (3/1/12)

Broken Bow Records newcomer Dustin Lynch will make his Grand Ole Opry debut Friday, March 2 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Also on the bill are Mel Tillis, Montgomery Gentry, Gloriana, Rhonda Vincent and more.

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Mercury Nashville/19 Recordings/Interscope artist Lauren Alaina will make her return to the American Idol stage on March 8, where she will perform her single “Georgia Peaches.” Currently on Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party tour, Alaina was also recently named as one of two opening acts on select dates of the upcoming Sugarland In The Hands of the Fans tour.

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Nashville’s Big 98/WSIX will host its first Friday Free-For-All show Friday, March 2 at the Cadillac Ranch. On-air personality Anthony Allen will host the event, which runs 3-7 PM and concludes with a free concert from Chris Cagle at 8 PM.

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Singer/Songwriter Sunny Sweeney has been named the NRA Country Artist of the Month for March.

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As of March 1, guitar wizard Steve Wariner has launched a new mobile website. Fans are being offered a free ringtone, instructional videos, and opportunities to win prizes. Check it out at www.stevewariner.com.

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Ray Stevens recently released Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music (Clyde Records), a nine CD, 108 song box set of classic comedy songs through the ages such as “Monster Mash,” “Yakety-Yak,” and “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.” Stevens celebrated the release with an invitation-only listening party Tuesday, Feb. 28.

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Curb Records will release Long Gone Daddy, the latest album from Hank III, on April 17. The 10 song collection, six of which are previously unreleased, features covers of classic country songs from Hank Williams Sr., Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson.

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Multi-platinum trio Point of Grace (Shelley Breen, Leigh Cappillino, Denise Jones) has launched lifestyle and music radio show “Graceful Living,” which is being syndicated through KMG Networks. Starting Saturday, March 3, the three-hour program will be available to Contemporary Christian and Country Stations. More info at gracefullivingradio.com.

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Austin-based singer-songwriter Darden Smith is recording his new album in Nashville. The new release, produced by Jon Randall and Gary Paczosa, is due later in 2012. Writing collaborators on the project include Radney Foster, Jack Ingram, Jay Clementi, Gary Nicholson, and Harley Allen.