BMLG’s Andrew Kautz Elected To A2IM Board Of Directors

Andrew Kautz

Andrew Kautz

Andrew Kautz, COO of Big Machine Label Group, has been elected to the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) Board of Directors.

“A2IM has been invaluable to Big Machine as a resource and network of forward thinking companies all making a mark on our industry. To be asked to work with such an esteemed group of our peers and serve the membership is an honor for our company,” said Kautz.

Kautz is one of four new board members following elections by the A2IM label membership. Additional new board members are: Stephanie Alexa, Vice President, Finance and Licensing Administration, ATO; Glenn Dicker, Founder, Yep Roc Music Group); and Louis Posen, President/ Executive Director, Hopeless Records.

The Board was elected by A2IM’s membership of over 378 independent music labels representing a diverse array of musical genres, geographic locations and label sizes. The newly elected members will each serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors.

In addition, newly appointed members of the A2IM President’s Advisory Committee are: Alisa Coleman, COO, ABKO Music and Records; Randy Chin, President, VP Records; and Amit Nerurkar, General Manager, Mass Appeal.

In Pictures: Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood, Kimberly Williams-Paisley Make Opry Appearances

Little Big Town and Pharrell Williams. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie

Little Big Town and Pharrell Williams. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie

The Grand Ole Opry kicked off CMA Music Festival week with sold-out shows in the Opry House as well as free shows on the Opry Plaza.

Opry members Little Big Town treated fans in the night’s first show to a surprise as Pharrell Williams joined the group on stage to sing “C’mon,” a song he wrote and produced for the group’s forthcoming album Wanderlust. “He’s from Virginia and he loves country music!” group member Karen Fairchild exclaimed as Williams took the stage to a standing ovation.

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie

In addition to performing on both Opry shows of the night, Carrie Underwood hosted members of her fan club backstage in the Opry House’s Studio A between performances. Among those sharing the Opry stage with Underwood, Little Big Town, and Williams throughout the night were Darius Rucker, Jeannie Seely, Chris Janson, Charles Esten, Bill Anderson, and Lindsay Ell.

Carrie Underwood and her fan club party. Photo By: Chris Hollo / Hollo Photographics

Carrie Underwood and her fan club party. Photo By: Chris Hollo / Hollo Photographics

The music started earlier in the day with a free Opry Plaza Party presented by Humana featuring Warner Bros. recording artist Chris Janson along with Plaza Party opener Linday Ell.

Chris Janson at Opry Plaza. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie

Chris Janson at Opry Plaza. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie

Both Janson and Ell are featured on the Opry’s new release Opry 9.0, Vol. II, Discoveries From The Circle.

Lindsay Ell at Opry Plaza Party. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie

Lindsay Ell at Opry Plaza Party. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie

During the Plaza Party, Kimberly Williams-Paisley signed copies of her new book Where The Light Gets In in The Opry Shop before taking the Opry stage for her second visit as a guest announcer later in the evening.

Pete Fisher, GM/VP, Grand Ole Opry; Kimberly Williams Paisley; Bill Cody, Opry announcer. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie

Pete Fisher, GM/VP, Grand Ole Opry; Kimberly Williams Paisley; Bill Cody, Opry announcer. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie

Bobby Karl Works The Rooms: NATD Picnic, City of Hope Game, APA Open House, RaeLynn Signing

Chapter 530

Country superstars step up to the plate to strike out cancer at City of Hope's 26th Annual Celebrity Softball Game June 7 in Nashville. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for City of Hope

Country superstars step up to the plate to strike out cancer at City of Hope’s 26th Annual Celebrity Softball Game June 7 in Nashville. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for City of Hope

The Party Boy had a full slate of activities on Tuesday (June 7), and the CMA Music Festival hasn’t even officially started yet.

This is largely thanks to industry events, rather than the fan-oriented festivities to come. We began at Fannie Mae Dees Park (a.k.a. “Dragon Park”), where the National Association of Talent Directors (NATD) held its annual picnic. This is a warm. casual affair, with all homemade food and a friendly vibe you can’t beat.

I arrived at noon, well before most of the 50+ attendees showed up an hour later. Other early picnic people included Rod Harris, Randy Perkins, Dean Unkefer, Fred Vail, current NATD prez Steve Tolman, Ed Salamon, Dave Barton, Ray Shelide, aspiring media worker Kacie Baugus, Amber Robb, Dick Beacham and Zach Farnum.

Bonnie Sugarman was all aglow about the launch of Dolly Parton’s new tour. She bristles when Dolly is diminished by the “country” label used by talent buyers. “She is an international superstar,” sez Bonnie. “Her audience is not just country. I tell them it’s like they’re getting Cher or Bette Midler or Streisand.” Well said.

We couldn’t tarry long there. The City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game beckoned. We arrived at First Tennessee Park a little after 1 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, timed for the Green Carpet walk along the third base line.

Chairman and CEO of Staples Ron Sargent, singer-songwriter Vince Gill, music industry veteran Bruce Hinton, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group Scott Borchetta, and President and CEO of City of Hope Robert Stone attend City of Hope's 26th Annual Celebrity Softball Game. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for City of Hope

Chairman and CEO of Staples Ron Sargent, singer-songwriter Vince Gill, music industry veteran Bruce Hinton, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group Scott Borchetta, and President and CEO of City of Hope Robert Stone attend City of Hope’s 26th Annual Celebrity Softball Game. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for City of Hope

Scotty McCreery, David Nail, Brett Young, Bobby Bones, Bret Michaels and former major league pitcher Barry Zito have all played ball all their lives. But the rest? Not so much. Which is what makes it fun. As Opry team coach Pete Fisher put it, “The second this becomes about softball, we’re sunk.”

“Mostly, I like to watch it,” said American Idol champ Nick Fradiani. “Growing up, I played basketball.”

“I played basketball, not softball,” said Cassadee Pope. “But I’m pretty competitive. I’m just going to try and hit the ball and not psych myself out.”

“I haven’t played since I was 10,” admitted Mickey Guyton. “I’ll just run. I ran track, and I’m fast. All I have to do is get from home plate to first base.” In her arms was Charlie, her Chihuahua mix rescue dog. “He’s my Security. In fact, he’s my whole team’s Security.” She was playing on the iHeart Radio squad.

“I’m not a huge baseball fan,” said Jamie Lynn Spears. “Besides cheating, my strategy for this game is to just not embarrass myself.”

“I played in the band in high school,” said Craig Wayne Boyd. “But my wife played fast-pitch softball, so I practiced with her.”

Vince Gill, playing his 21st Celebrity Softball Game, was having no part of the Green Carpet. He was conserving his energy in the dugout and pointing to his ailing knees. He was pitching, after all.

But gamely greeting the media were Bucky Covington, A Thousand Horses, Danielle Bradbery, Chris Lane, Tristan McIntosh, Mark Wills and more. Others booked to hit the diamond included Lauren Alaina, Jessie James Decker, Locash, RaeLynn and Nashville’s Chip Esten and Jonathan Jackson.

Lauren Alaina. John Shearer/Getty Images for City of Hope

Lauren Alaina. John Shearer/Getty Images for City of Hope

By the way, it is strongly rumored that the fifth season of the Nashville TV show is going to be picked up by CMT. Perhaps they’ll announce this during the channel’s awards show on Wednesday night.

Lots of other stars had news to share. McIntosh was still tingling from her reception at her first appearance on the Opry. She sang “Wagon Wheel” with Darius Rucker and brought down the house.

Spears will be starring in an hour-long reality TV special called When the Lights Go Out on TLC on June 26 and co-wrote the recent Jana Kramer hit “I Got the Boy.” Guyton’s follow-up to “Better Than You Left Me” is its “answer” lyric, “Heartbreak Song,” due next week.

Fradiani is issuing a pop CD on Big Machine on Aug. 5. Nail is releasing Fighter as his next CD on July 15, describing it as “the most personal of my life.” Bones is promoting his new memoir, I’m Not Lonely If You’re Reading This Book, which cuts quite close to the, er, bone.

Working the room were Terry Bumgarner, Scott Stem, Dixie Owen, Rick Murray, Heather Conley, Dennis Banka and new artist Wesley Davis. Having it both ways is Savannah Keyes (pronounced “Kize”). The vivacious, young, smart Utah native is covering the week for Radio Disney. Plus, she’s been signed as an artist by Republic, is being produced by Jay DeMarcus and is performing on Friday. So she gets to see every side of this delightfully crazy week.

Bill Cody and Lorianne Crook co-hosted the game. I teased Lorianne about being a lovely ex Soundette for The Nashville Sounds when she was a youngster. “I can’t fit into the shorts anymore,” she lamented.

Before the slugging started, City of Hope patient Aaron Yniguez, who is 8, met his stem cell donor for the first time. Yolanda Nava saved the leukemia victim’s life. When she surprised him on the pitcher’s mound, everyone was touched.

Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for City of Hope

Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for City of Hope

Trisha Yearwood sang the National Anthem. Scott Borchetta presented the Champion of Hope Award to Bruce Hinton, who founded this charity event.

The two teams represented iHeart Radio and the Grand Ole Opry. I believe they battled to a draw, despite the Opry team having Zito as its “ringer.” Or maybe iHeart Radio won by a run. It doesn’t matter: The event raised more than $200,000.

Went home. Changed out of the sweaty softball clothes. Headed out again. Traffic going downtown at 5:15 p.m. crept along at a crawl. But duty called.

You see, APA is on the move in more ways than one. The talent agency is growing its client base in leaps and bounds, has added agents and threw a party to celebrate its glamorous new penthouse headquarters at One Nashville Place (150 Fourth Avenue North).

 Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for APA

Pictured (L-R): APA SVP/Partner, Steve Lassiter, Charlie Daniels, APA President/CEO Jim Gosnell

Charlie Daniels, Deborah Allen, Lee Roy Parnell, Benita Hill, Phil Vassar, Crystal Gayle and other stars mingled at the soiree.

The agency also represents such greats as Dolly, Big Smo, BlackHawk, Dailey & Vincent, Keith Anderson, Lee Greenwood, Maggie Rose, Sawyer Brown, Rob Baird, Chris Cagle, Don Williams, David Lee Murphy, Take 6, The Rippingtons, Clint Black and Travis Tritt.

Pictured (L-R): Deborah Allen, Charlie Daniels, Crystal Gayle. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for APA

Pictured (L-R): Deborah Allen, Charlie Daniels, Crystal Gayle. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for APA

The penthouse office suite was formerly occupied by a law firm, which might explain its sleekly moderne, gray-on-gray décor. Checking it out were David Corlew, David Malloy, Dave Brainard, John Dorris, John Marks, Becky Harris, Paula Szeigis, Jenny Tolman, Neal Spielberg, Bebe Evans, Jody Williams, Charlie Monk and gracious host Steve Lassiter, plus Sugarman and Shelide, spiffed up and out of their picnic duds.

We snacked on crab cakes, fried chicken, deviled eggs, steak & biscuits, various veggies and assorted chilled fruits.

Pictured (L-R): Peter Strickland, EVP/GM, WMN; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Raelynn; Blake Shelton; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R, WMN

Pictured (L-R): Peter Strickland, EVP/GM, WMN; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Raelynn; Blake Shelton; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R, WMN

Onward. At almost this same time, the Warner Music Group staged a last-minute gig at the new Aurora Studio in the lobby level of the Pinnacle skyscraper on Third Avenue South. When summoned by this company, we go without question.

We arrived just in time to hear WMG’s John Esposito say, “We could not be one iota happier than to have RaeLynn join the Warner family. There is a magic about this gal that when she walks in a room, you know she’s special. It’s these people who have fairy dust sprinkled on them who you want to be involved with. Because they can change other people’s lives.

Blake Shelton, who is this really interesting guy on a national TV show with a red chair and a buzzer, is taking her on his fall tour.”

Raelynn, Espo added, is already responsible for 850,000 digital sales and 75 million streams of her music. Comments Blake, “Her songs are phenomenal and are a step ahead of everybody else.”

Wearing a sparkly silver WB logo on her pink t-shirt, Raelynn signed her contract right there in front of us. I can’t recall an actual contract signing during Fan Fair or CMA Fest ever. Leave it to Espo.

“I’m kinda nervous,” she said. “I’ve never done this before,” added the label boss.

“I moved here—this August, it will be four years ago,” she told the crowd. “It’s not overnight success. You have to work hard. You have to write every day. You have to make connections. It’s so cool to be here and see everybody who has supported me the whole way. To do this has been the most magical thing. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. I promise I will work my ass off.”

Blake’s presence at the event was no coincidence. She said that he gave her support when she needed it most. As a teen, she weaseled her way past a security guard and forged her mother’s signature to audition for The Voice. Blake turned his chair around for her and promised her he’d make her a superstar.

John Esposito and RaeLynn“If it hadn’t been for you, I’d have given up,” Raelynn told him.

She played the upbeat “Your Heart” for the crowd, then her atmospheric debut WB single, “Love Triangle.” Two guitarists and a percussionist backed her.

“We are so proud of this whole project,” said Scott Hendricks. He played the finished version of the single, as well as the tempo tune “Wild Horse,” over the venue’s sound system.

Listening with all ears were Ben Vaughn, Wes Vause, Chris Keaton, B.J. Hill, Lon Helton, R.J. Curtis, Kerry Hanson, Julie Boos, and Aurora owner David Griffin, as well as Raelynn’s producers and songwriting collaborators Nicolle Galyon and Jimmy Robbins.

Raelynn is from Texas. Her full name is Rachael Lynn Woodward Davis. She was previously signed to Republic/Valory, but the label never released a full CD of her music. In February she married financial advisor Joshua Davis, who celebrated on Tuesday along with the rest of us.

WMG hors d’oeuvres included beef tacos, drunken peaches, mini sandwiches and veggie comfits. Plus, there was a table at the back of the room holding masses of candies in all shapes, sizes and colors.

As night fell, the music continued downtown. Alan Jackson serenaded fans, unplugged, at Acme Feed & Seed. Jason Aldean entertained from a stage in the middle of Broadway. Dustin Lynch, Canaan Smith, Rodney Atkins, Craig Campbell and LANco played at Fifth & Demonbreun.

Out at the Opry, Kimberly Williams Paisley was autographing copies of her new Alzheimer’s related book, Where the Light Gets In: Losing My Mother Only to Find Her Again.

And on we go…..

In Pictures: Maggie Rose Weds Austin Marshall

Pictured (L-R): Maggie Rose, Austin Marshall. Photo: Rebecca Adler

Pictured (L-R): Maggie Rose, Austin Marshall.

Maggie Rose, a songwriter for Play It Again Music Publishing, married Austin Marshall, Executive Vice President of Play It Again and also Rose’s manager, in Potomac, Maryland, on Saturday (June 4).

The ceremony, at Our Lady of Mercy, upheld her family tradition, taking place at her childhood church where many of her family members were wed. A reception followed at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

Groomsman Dallas Davidson performed “She’s All Yours,” a song the Play It Again President/CEO co-wrote with the bride, while she and her father danced. Marshall also performed a rendition of Joe Cocker’s “With a Little Help From My Friends.”

Rose wore a mermaid gown from Nashville-based designer Olia Zavozina. Marshall and his groomsmen wore Vera Wang tuxedos.

Rose is slated for two appearances during CMA Fest on Saturday (June 11).

Photos: Rebecca Adler

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CMT Music Awards Video Of The Year Finalists Revealed

CMT Music Awards

The finalists for tonight’s CMT Music Awards’ Video of the Year category have been revealed.

Fan votes have narrowed the field to Blake Shelton‘s “Sangria,” Carrie Underwood‘s “Smoke Break,” Chris Stapleton‘s “Fire Away,” Luke Bryan‘s “Strip It Down,” Thomas Rhett‘s “Die A Happy Man,” and Tim McGraw‘s “Humble and Kind.”

If Underwood wins, she will continue her streak of most Video of the Year wins, with seven total, including five consecutive wins.

Voting for each of the six finalists is open at cmt.com, and will continue through the live show this evening.

Performers for the 2016 CMT Music Awards include Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett. Collaborations include Blake Shelton and The Oak Ridge Boys, Billy Ray Cyrus and Cheap Trick, Dierks Bentley and Elle King, Fifth Harmony and Cam, Keith Urban with special guests Brett Eldredge and Maren Morris; and Pitbull with Leona Lewis and Cassadee Pope. New acts Brothers Osborne, LOCASH, Morris and Michael Ray will perform on the Firestone stage.

Hosted by Erin Andrews and J.J. Watt, “2016 CMT Music Awards” will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena tonight, June 8, at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

Tanya Tucker Plans Online Auction Of Stage Costumes, Keepsakes

Tanya Tucker

Tanya Tucker

Tanya Tucker has set aside 500 items from her personal collection to auction on Everything But the House (EBTH.com) starting on June 16.

A percentage of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, an organization that provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians and industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability or age-related problems.

“A few years ago I went through a difficult surgery on my vocal cords. Fortunately I was in a position to get the specialized care necessary to continue my career, but not everyone is in this position. This is one reason why I’m extremely excited to be working with EBTH to support Sweet Relief Musicians Fund with a percentage of the sale proceeds,” says Tucker. “I have spent my life collecting these treasures. I look forward to others having the opportunity to enjoy them as much as I have.”

Vintage Nudie suit custom designed for Tucker. 1975.

Vintage Nudie suit custom designed for Tucker. 1975.

The sale will feature 500 curated items including designer stage costumes worn on tour, at award shows and on photo and video shoots. Several items were featured in her 2014 Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exhibit, Tanya Tucker: Strong Enough to Bend.

The items include a 1970s Delta Dawn jumpsuit, an Azzedine Alaïa black leather bustier and fringed mini skirt, a 1975 custom Nudie suit, and a Fernando Wang beaded gown. A pink 1992 Harley Davidson Screamin’ Eagle from the Hall of Fame exhibit is also included in the sale.

The auction will also include clothing, accessories, jewelry and collectible home décor. All items are up for auction for seven days and all bids start at $1 with no reserve. Worldwide delivery is available.

Tim Carroll Signs Publishing Deal With Carlin Nashville

Tim Carroll

Tim Carroll

Carlin Nashville has signed Nashville rock artist and songwriter Tim Carroll to a worldwide publishing agreement.

“Tim is as authentic as it gets. He is a true original and we are thrilled to add him to our roster,” states Jeff Gordon of Carlin Nashville.

“I am proud and excited to join the Carlin Nashville team as a songwriter,” says Carroll. “The company’s vast catalogue already contains some of the greatest music ever made, and I have seen the passion and commitment they bring to their present work.”

Carroll’s songs have been recorded by more than 50 bands and artists, including John Prine, Asleep At The Wheel, BR549, Robbie Fulks, Bobby Bare Jr., Sunny Sweeney, Kasey Chambers and Sonny Burgess.

Carroll began his career in the late ‘70s as the rhythm guitarist for Indiana punk band, The Gizmos. He went on to form alt-country band The Blue Chieftains in NYC in the ‘80s. The band released a vinyl 45 single in 1989, spawning Prine’s cover of the Carroll-penned B side “If I Could, Then I Would.”

Carroll moved to Nashville in 1993 and two years later landed on the cover of Billboard magazine in an article about Nashville’s burgeoning alt-country music scene. He was nominated for a Nashville Music Award for Best Unsigned Artist in 1996 before signing a record deal with Sire Records in 1997. Carroll has since released eight solo albums to wide acclaim.

His recordings have been featured in several major motion films. 1999 cult classics Drop Dead Gorgeous and Election include “A Girl That’s Hip” and “Find a Way to Win,” respectively. “What’ll We Do ’Til Then” appears in the 2011 comedy Peace, Love & Misunderstanding.

Carlin Nashville is the Nashville division of independent music publisher Carlin America. With offices in New York, London and Nashville, Carlin has one of the world’s largest catalogs of vintage and modern roots music. Notable catalogs include King Records, Starday Records, AC/DC, James Brown, Billie Holiday, George Jones, Stanley Brothers and many more.

RaeLynn Signs To Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville

Pictured (L-R): Peter Strickland, EVP/GM, WMN; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Raelynn; Blake Shelton; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R, WMN

Pictured (L-R): Peter Strickland, EVP/GM, WMN; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Raelynn; Blake Shelton; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R, WMN

RaeLynn is the latest signing to Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville.

The singer-songwriter made it official by signing her recording contract at a private party on Tuesday night (June 7) at Aurora Studio in downtown Nashville.

After signing, she performed a few new songs from her upcoming album. Country singles will be worked by the WMN Promotion team.

A former contestant on The Voice, RaeLynn was previously signed to Big Machine Records and earned a gold-certified single for 2014’s “God Made Girls.” Her exit from Big Machine Records was confirmed in May. She is managed by Kerry Hansen at Big Enterprises.

“RaeLynn is a special artist who has been sprinkled with fairy dust,” said John Esposito, Chairman and CEO of Warner Music Nashville. “She has the kind of music that will change people’s lives and we couldn’t be one iota happier to have her join the Warner Music Nashville family.”

“From the moment I met Espo, I remember thinking he was the coolest dude ever and I’ve dreamed about being part of this family,” said Raelynn. “This is a town of hard work and I’m here to work my butt off. Thanks to everyone for believing in me!”

John Esposito and RaeLynn

John Esposito and RaeLynn

Sara Evans Joins Todd Chrisley For New Duet, CMA Fest, Reality Show

Infinite-Love-Digital-Cover (1)

Photo: Russ Harrington


Sara Evans
will sing a duet with Todd Chrisley on USA Network’s reality series Chrisley Knows Best on June 14. Titled “Infinite Love,” the duet will be available at iTunes on Friday (June 10).

“Infinite Love” was written by Chrisley and Nashville songwriter-producer Shane Stevens, and co-produced by Stevens and Nash Overstreet.

Chrisley and Evans will appear at the CMA Music Festival on Saturday with an autograph signing inside Music City Center from 3-3:45 p.m., followed by a special screening of the episode and fan Q&A at the FanFairX CMA CloseUp Stage at 4 p.m.

“Todd and I had so much fun together in the studio working on ‘Infinite Love’! My family watches and loves Chrisley Knows Best each week, which makes my duet with Todd even sweeter,” said Evans. “I can’t wait for fans to see the episode and hear the song.”

“We are so thrilled to have Sara Evans appear with us on the season four summer finale of Chrisley Knows Best,” said Todd Chrisley. “Our family has loved Sara from the early stages of her career and to have the opportunity to record ‘Infinite Love’ with her is beyond what I can place into words.”

Maren Morris, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood Set For ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp

PrintACM Lifting Lives has teamed again with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities for the 7th Annual ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp slated for June 22-June 29 in Nashville.

The week-long residential program, open to individuals with Williams syndrome, will offer one-of-a-kind experiences to this year’s attendees, including a day in the recording studio with Carrie Underwood and producer Ross Copperman, a Seacrest studio visit with RaeLynn, a visit to Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe with Maren Morris, a meet-and-greet with Maddie & Tae, and a songwriting workshop with Copperman and Eric Paslay.

Additionally, the campers will end the week on stage at the Grand Ole Opry with a live performance with Rascal Flatts.

The Camp has a dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome while providing music enrichment through performance and education. ACM Lifting Lives funds the costs of the Camp in addition to providing scholarships to several campers, enabling the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to advance its mission of improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through research, training and service.