NASH Nights Live‘s Elaina D. Smith will be honored by Alliance For Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) with a Gracie Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements by women across all sectors of media. Smith broadcasts her nationally syndicated Country show, NASH Nights Live, from Cumulus Media’s NASH Campus in Nashville.

Additional Cumulus staffers to be honored this year include Rita Cosby, host of WABC Radio New York’s The Rita Cosby Show, who earned two Gracies this year for Talk Show, News-Local Radio, and for Host, Non-News/Non-Fiction-Local Radio; and Joan Hamburg, host of WABC Radio New York’s The Joan Hamburg Show, who earned a Gracie for Soft News Feature-Local Radio. Shila Nathan, Middays Host for NASH FM 94.7 New York, earned a Gracie for her work as Afternoon Drive Personality-Local at CBS Radio-Chicago’s WUSN US99.5.

The 41st annual Gracie Awards, which support AWMF’s educational programs, charitable activities, public service and scholarship campaigns that benefit women in media, will be presented on Tuesday, May 24, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Smith will accept her award along with fellow national honorees including: Tina Fey, Angela Bassett, Cynthia Nixon, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vera Farmiga and Kathie Lee Gifford.

Cosby, Hamburg and Nathan will accept their respective Gracie Awards on June 21 at Cipriani in New York City, at the Gracies Awards Luncheon honoring local market, public and student award winners.

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) has announced a new Board of Directors, whose terms are effective immediately. Jackie Patillo currently serves as President.

The GMA was founded in 1964, and includes agents, artists, managers, promoters, radio personnel, label executives, songwriters and more. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards and IMMERSE.

“The GMA is excited to add an incredible group of individuals to our board as we continue strengthening and building the future for the association and its membership. I couldn’t be more honored and humbled to serve our community alongside such an accomplished group,” says Patillo.

Newly elected Directors serving a two-year term include:
Ben Howard, Provident Films
Chris Hauser, Hauser Promotions
David Bunce, Bessemer Trust
Lee Crisp, Museum of the Bible
Mike Harland, LifeWay Worship
Rod Riley, Word Entertainment
Scott Brickell, BrickHouse Entertainment

Newly elected Vice Presidents serving a one-year term include:
Mike Snider, William Morris Endeavor
Phil Thornton, Entertainment One Nashville
Ryan Dunham, Integrity Music
Devlin Donaldson, Judson University

Newly-elected officials serving a one-year term include:
Treasurer: Michael Miller, Salem Music Network
Secretary: EJ Gaines, PathLight Entertainment
International Representative: Henry Alonzo, Adarga Entertainment Group
Chaplain: Michael Guido, PR Ministries

Complete list of the GMA Board of Directors:
Directors:
Eddie DeGarmo
Demetrus Alexander, CW Entertainment
Ed Harper, The Harper Agency
Eric Eitel, MediaComplete
Ian Esklelin, songwriter
Scott Fehrenbacher, Trinity Western University
Lloyd Parker, WAY Media, Inc.
Ben Howard, Provident Films
Chris Hauser, Hauser Promotions
David Bunce, Bessemer Trust
Mike Harland, LifeWay Worship
Lee Crisp, Museum of the Bible
Rod Riley, Word Entertainment
Scott Brickell, BrickHouse Entertainment

Vice Presidents:
Mike Snider, William Morris Endeavor
Phil Thornton, Entertainment One Nashville
Ryan Dunham, Integrity Music
Devlin Donaldson, Judson University

Secretary:
EJ Gaines, Pathlight Entertainment

Treasurer:
Michael Miller, Salem Music Network

Chaplin:
Michael Guido, PR Ministries

Appointed Seats:
GMA Foundation Chairman: Charles Dorris, Charles Dorris & Associates
GMA Academy Chairman: Chris Erlanson, 168 Management
PRO Representative: Leslie Roberts, BMI
PRO Representative: Michael Martin, ASCAP
CCLI Representative: Howard Rachinski, CCLI
SGMG Representative: Clarke Beasley, National Quartet Convention, Inc.
CMTA Representative: Greg Bays, Capitol CMG Distribution
International Representative: Henry Alonzo, Adarga Entertainment Group
Lifetime Board Member: John T. Benson III, Triad II
Lifetime Board Member: Les Beasley, The Florida Boys
Lifetime Board Member: Ed Leonard, Daywind Music Group
Lipscomb University: Dr. Randy Lowry, Lipscomb University (Honorary)

Little Big Town Teams With Justin Timberlake

Following his collaboration with Chris Stapleton at the Country Music Association awards last year, it looks like pop star Justin Timberlake is back for another country alliance.

Timberlake shared recently that he was writing some tracks with Little Big Town, uploading a photo of himself with LBT members Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman.

 

Brooks & Dunn To Appear At Chicago’s LakeShake Festival

Brooks & Dunn will perform at the upcoming LakeShake Festival in Chicago. They will perform two shows, on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19.

The duo is currently part of a Las Vegas residency with Reba at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

For more information, visit lakeshakefestival.com.

 

Jamey Johnson, Love and Theft To Headline Buckin Wild Music Festival

The third annual Buckin Wild Music Festival will feature headliners Jamey Johnson and Love and Theft, among other performers, when it returns to Lost Creek Ranch and Arena near Erick, Oklahoma on April 15-17.

“What’s happening now continues to validate our vision for the Buckin Wild Music Fest of keeping it real,” said Donny G. Liles, the festival’s founder and producer, and Managing Partner of ALL Entertainment LLC.  “In just three years, we already have a first-rate lineup of great talent to deliver fantastic entertainment. This is part of what makes Buckin Wild unique – the connection among the artists and the fans. On and off the stage, everyone has a great time.”

Tickets and detailed information about the festival are available at buckinwildmusicfest.com.

Darius Rucker Plans Seventh Annual ‘Darius and Friends’ Benefit Concert

Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Darius Rucker will host his seventh annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, June 6 at the Wildhorse Saloon, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and sponsored by A. O. Smith.

Fans will have access to a pre-sale beginning March 23 at 11:00 a.m. CT, by using the code SOUTH. A general on sale will open at 11:00 a.m. CT the following day. Prices range from $35-100 with VIP table options.

Tickets will be available through the Wildhorse Saloon box office (615-902-8200 x1), WildhorseSaloon.com, and DariusRucker.com.

 

Chris Carmack Stars In New Opry Americana Collection

The Grand Ole Opry and Chris Carmack of ABC’s series Nashville are ushering in the spring and summer seasons in the online shop at opry.com with a new Americana merchandise collection.

Carmack is the face of the collection in photography shot at a Nashville university ball field and found online and in the Opry’s retail stores including prominent window displays at Opry Originals on Nashville’s famed Lower Broadway.

 

Tracy Lawrence Honored By Association of Fundraising Professionals

Tracy Lawrence was named Philanthropist of the Year at the Nashville’s National Philanthropy Day award ceremony Thursday, March 17. The event, put on by Nashville’s chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) recognized donors, volunteers, foundations, leaders, corporations and others engaged in philanthropy who made large, positive impacts in the community in 2015.

Lawrence has long been in partnership with the Nashville Rescue Mission, fundraising for the organization and feeding more than 75,000 in need throughout the past decade with his annual turkey fry. In addition to meals served, more than $63,000 was raised at the 10th Annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry Concert on Nov. 24, 2015 at City Winery which prompted the Rescue Mission’s submission of Lawrence for Philanthropist of the Year.