Artist Updates (4/12/12)

According to the Nashville Post, LeAnn Rimes has sold her Franklin home for $4.1 million to a trustee for an unnamed party. The estate, located at 512 King Richards Court, was on the market for nearly three years and originally listed for almost $5 million.

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Canadian singer/songwriter Ray Griff will be undergoing reconstructive surgery in the next few days for a fractured jaw. According to his website, the procedure will be an arduous one, with a recovery time of three to four months.

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Acclaimed duo Shovels & Rope will release its new album O’ Be Joyful on July 31 via Dualtone Records. The duo is comprised of Cary Ann Hearst, whose song “Hells Bells” was featured in an episode of HBO’s True Blood, and Michael Trent, who formerly led the band The Films.

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Nashville radio promotion veteran Bill Wence is releasing his new album Analog Man in a Digital World on May 15 via 615 Records, with national distribution by Burnside. Guests on the record include Charlie McCoy, Becky Hobbs, Jonell Mosser, Gretchen Peters, Byrd Burton, Stick Davis, Bekka Bramlett, and the Jordanaires.

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Multi-platinum trio Point of Grace will release its new album A Thousand Little Things on May 1. Here’s a video of the girls talking about how the title came about, their struggles, and what they’re thankful for.

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Jett Williams will headline the 33rd Annual Hank Williams Festival in Georgiana, Alabama on June 1-2. The event takes place at the Hank Williams Music Park in his boyhood hometown. Also performing are Moe Bandy, Larry Gatlin, and Jeremy Parsons. More info here.

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Jesse Keith Whitley, the son of Lorrie Morgan and the late Keith Whitley, married Ashlee Hewittin March. The bride is originally from Lancaster, Minnesota and was a contestant on the sixth season of Nashville Star.

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Country rocker and outdoorsman Casey Donhew has teamed up with Justin Boots for the 2012 All American Dove Hunt, which benefits Camp Patriot and disabled veterans. Justin Original Workboots is hosting a sweepstakes in which one winner will get to go to the event, held September 10-12 at the Buckin’ B Ranch in Amarillo with hosts Donahew and NFL legend Bubby Brister. Info here.