Artist Updates: Scotty McCreery, Thomas Rhett, Randy Travis, Ryan Kinder, Aubrie Sellers

McCreery Gets Billy Bob’s Surprise

Pictured (L-R): Randy Travis, Scotty McCreery, and Mary Travis

Scotty McCreery got a big surprise during his show Friday night (Jan. 27) at Billy Bob’s Texas when Randy Travis, wife Mary and family showed up to cheer him on from the sidelines. McCreery had recently put “Forever and Ever Amen” into his set list, and experienced an ultra-cool career moment getting to sing that song for the first time ever live with Travis watching from the side of the stage.

“Definitely one of the coolest moments of my career to date is singing that song live, and looking over to my right and seeing him smiling ear-to-ear, dancing, and singing along with us!,” said McCreery.

Thomas Rhett Wows Thoroughbred Crowd

Photo: World Red Eye

Thomas Rhett performed at the inaugural $12 Million Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Saturday (Jan. 28) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The new race is the world’s richest Thoroughbred horse race and featured over 10,000 guests, including Vanessa Hudgens, Aaron Paul, Bobby Flay, Jon Lovitz, and more. 

Photo: World Red Eye

Chris Young, William Michael Morgan, More Join Travis Tribute

Randy Travis. Photo: Robert Tractenberg

Chris Young, Chuck Wicks, Paul Overstreet, Shane Owens and William Michael Morgan are the latest artists to join the lineup for the Randy Travis tribute, “1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes and Friends Tribute to Randy Travis.” The concert special set for Feb. 8 will include plenty of special moments, including a duet with Mark Chesnutt and Daryle Singletary.

Ryan Kinder Relishes Ryman Debut

Ryan Kinder made his Ryman Auditorium debut last week performing his current single “Close” at the historic venue. Kinder then wowed the Opry audience and fulfilled a lifelong dream when he stepped out from behind the mic and performed a capella on the hallowed stage.

“I have now crossed two things off the bucket list: playing guitar with my brother at The Gorge and now singing a capella at The Ryman,” said Kinder. “It’s an unreal feeling.”

Aubrie Sellers Doing Double Road Duty

Aubrie Sellers headed out on her first dates of Miranda Lambert’s 2017 Highway Vagabond Tour last week, playing Evansville, Indiana; Springfield, Missouri; and Kearney, Nebraska. Sellers is also simultaneously out on the road with The Cadillac Three for their Black Roses Tour on dates through February. 

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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