Artist Updates: Alabama, Craig Campbell, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton

Pictured (L-R): Blake McDaniel (CAA), Alan D. Valentine (President and CEO, Nashville Symphony), Randy Owen, and Tony Conway (Conway Entertainment). Photo: HBPR

Alabama has earned the highest-grossing run in the history of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center with The Nashville Symphony Orchestra. After the performance on Saturday night (May 15), the band took time to commemorate the record-breaking shows backstage. Maestro Vinay Parameswaran directed the orchestra during the 90 minute sets. Special guests included Jamey Johnson and guitarist James Burton.

The Nashville performances kicked off the band’s 2016 Southern Drawl Tour, running through October in promotion of their new single “Come Find Me” from their BMG studio album Southern Drawl.

Craig Campbell Plans 4th Annual Cornhole Challenge

Craig Cambell. Photo: Jason Myers

Red Bow Records artist Craig Campbell will host the 4th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge on Tuesday, June 7 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. near 5th Avenue and Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville with fellow country stars Michael Ray, Canaan Smith and more to be announced. Open to the public, artists will be paired with fans that bid online for the chance to play with them and bid on additional auction items. Tickets and VIP opportunities will be announced soon. Following the tournament, Campbell will take the stage to perform for the annual Music City Gives Back concert. He is national spokesperson for the cause, which raises awareness and funds for colorectal cancer education, research and prevention. His involvement is in honor of his late father who lost his battle with the disease at age 36.

Martina McBride To Lead Five-City Tour For Sarah Cannon Global Cancer Institute

Martina McBride. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Martina McBride has been confirmed for a five-stop tour that will specifically support Sarah Cannon Fund at Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Be The Match (operated by the National Marrow Donor Program) as part of Band Against Cancer, the collective initiative of Sarah Cannon, the global cancer institute of Hospital Corporation of America. The Sarah Cannon Tour with Martina & Friends will stop in three Texas cities (Dallas, Austin, San Antonio), as well as Denver and Nashville Information on tickets, dates, venues and supporting acts will be revealed in the coming weeks. “Just Around the Corner,” McBride’s forthcoming single from the newly released Nash Icon Records album Reckless, will serve as the official Band Against Cancer anthem.

Hallmark Channel Announces Full Week of Themed Shows at Dollywood

Pictured (L-R): Mark Steines, Dolly Parton and Cristina Ferrare. Photo: Triple7PR

Dolly Parton will host the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family for a week of programming at Dollywood, starting Monday, May 30 for a series titled Home & Family: The Ultimate Dollywood Experience. Parton will host Mark Steines and Cristina Ferrare as well as the program’s lifestyle expert Debbie Matenopoulos, beauty expert Kym Douglas, medical expert Matt Iseman, family man Matt Rogers, fashion designer Orly Shani, DIY expert Ken Wingard and design expert Paige Hemmis to highlight theme park rides, shows, cooking and music.