Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes of The Allman Brothers Band, Ashley Monroe, Train’s Pat Monahan and surprise guest Joan Osborne gathered at New York City’s Best Buy Theater on Feb. 26 for an All For The Hall benefit concert honoring the Country Music Hall of Fame.
All of the artists shared the stage during the two-hour concert, trading songs and stories in an guitar-pull style. Harris sang with Crowell on a few cuts from their new duet album, Old Yellow Moon. Allman and Haynes brought their course Southern rock style and ace guitar skills to “Melissa,” “Midnight Rider” and “These Days.” Monahan performed his single “Bruises” with Monroe before performing his hit “Drops of Jupiter.”
In addition to the dinner and concert, part of the evening was set aside to raise money for the Country Music Hall of Fame and museum via a cocktail reception and auction, which included autographed guitars, concert tickets and autographed photos.

Pictured (L-R): Jason Aldean, Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Ashley Monroe and Pat Monahan. Photo: Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Jason Aldean, Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Ashley Monroe and Pat Monahan. Photo: Getty Images

The Band Perry’s single, “Better Dig Two,” has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The song is the first single from the trio’s Pioneer album, to be released April 2.

• • •

George Strait‘s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour debuted at No. 1 atop Pollstar’s Concert Pulse, besting artists including Justin Bieber, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Dave Matthews Band and The Who. Martina McBride has joined Strait for the tour, which has already sold out 15 venues.

• • •

Little Big Town and Hunter Hayes will headline the Blue Ridge Music Festival, to be held June 1 in Salem, Va. Additional performers will include Gloriana, Nashville star Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne), Colt Ford, Greg Bates and more.
The Blue Ridge Music Festival will be held at the Salem Stadium. General admission tickets are available for $35 at the Salem Civic Center box office, all Ticketmaster locations, or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. There are also a limited number of VIP tickets available for $99.50.

• • •

Alan Jackson will release Precious Memories Volume II on March 26. The album is a follow-up to his 2006 album Precious Memories. Songs featured on Volume II include “Amazing Grace,” “He Lives,” “Just As I Am,” “O How I Love Jesus,” “There Is Power In The Blood” and “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” among others.
“Denise and I had made a list of 30 to 40 songs to do for that first album,” Jackson says. “We had so many that we didn’t get to, I thought we’d go in and do a few more just the same way – heartfelt and simple.”

• • •

Ashley Monroe and new Nashville-based group Striking Matches will perform for a South by Southwest (SXSW) showcase in Austin on March 11. The event, presented by CMT, VH1 and MTV, will be held at the Control Room in Austin. Also performing on the bill are Guards, ZZ WArd, Elle King and Youngblood Hawke.
General admission tickets will be available for the show, though SXSW badge holders will be admitted free of charge.
 
 

Trace Adkins is feeling the love on his 11th studio album, Love Will…, and he has confirmed that it will be released this Spring on Show Dog-Universal Music.
Like any labor of love, this album benefitted from relationships built over time and based on respect. The impressive list of producers who helped these songs stand up to Trace’s rich baritone include Tony Brown, Mark Wright, Frank Rogers, Kenny Beard and Mickey Cones. Additionally, several unexpected guests (to be announced) will appear, since love is nothing if not a collaboration.
“Hold on one second!” said Adkins. “This is an album of love songs but in my book, ‘Hot Mama’ and ‘Badonkadonk’ are love songs! So don’t start thinking these are all ‘I’ll love you til the end of time’ ballads…but yeah, we’ve got those too.”
Starting today, fans can pre-order the album on www.TraceAdkins.com. Fans can now complete online tasks related to either Trace’s new album, his appearances on NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice and his role as a Red Cross spokesman. Fans who complete tasks will be entered to win prizes like a pair of Nocona Boots signed by Trace, a year supply of Trace Adkins Hightower’s Smoked Sausage, an iPod or an autographed Trace Adkins-branded guitar. Grand prizes include a trip to the live finale of All-Star Celebrity Apprentice in New York City (regardless of the outcome) or an all-paid cruise aboard Country Cruising 2014.

Leadership Music^TM is accepting applications from established entertainment industry leaders for the Class of 2014 throughout the month of March. The Class of 2014 will have the distinction of being the 25^th class to go through the program. The eight month, Nashville-based, learning program begins in September and is designed to create understanding among music industry professionals, educate, promote teamwork and create life-long relationships. Participants are required to attend an orientation, all-day sessions once a month on Fridays, plus two-day opening and closing retreats during the program. One-time tuition for the program is $1,000.
Application forms, program dates, policies and FAQ’s are available online at http://leadershipmusic.org/apply/. According to Debbie Schwartz Linn, executive director of the 24-year-old organization, “Last year’s program began with 45 members who were chosen from several hundred applicants. It’s a process that may take several tries before being accepted,” she stressed. “Our goal is a balanced and diversified class and choosing the best and brightest and leaders in their field, while representing all segments of the music industry. We strongly encourage applicants to keep trying.  The experience is like no other. ”
One industry veteran who is in the Class of 2013 summed up his experience: “I have more than 35 years in media and 20 years in music around the world, but these monthly days in Nashville are the highlight of my career.” And another member of the same class says, “A priceless glimpse into our entire industry from the experts shaping every aspect.”
Applications must be submitted via the on-line process no later than March 31, 2013.