Donovan Woods to Release New EP March 3

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Donovan Woods is releasing his new four-song digital EP They Are Going Away, on March 3.

The Warner/Chappell writer has penned songs Tim McGraw, Billy Currington, Charlie Worsham and Charles Kelley, who recorded his song “Leaving Nashville” for his solo CD. The lead track on Woods’ new project, “What They Mean,” was penned with Kelley and is a response to a curious child in the backseat of a car who is listening carefully to the car radio.

“The songs are about coping with loss, and wholesale changes, that sort of thing,” offers Woods. “The title, I suppose, is trying to get at the temporariness of everything. Time speeds up when you get older, that’s an observable fact. It starts to feel like you’re always chasing some ineffable thing. It’s why your dad often had a slightly bewildered look in his eyes.”

In support of the release, Woods will embark on an 11-city Northeastern tour with Alan Doyle (Great Big Sea), which includes stops in Ann Arbor, Pittsburgh, New York, Richmond, and Boston, among others.

TRACKLISTING:
What They Mean
It’ll Work Itself Out
Drove Through Town
Empty Rooms

DisClaimer: Blake Shelton, Lari White Offer Top New Tracks

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The guys and gals competed head to head this week.

The ladies were paced by the superbly diverse new collection by Lari White. And two of them tied for the DisCovery Award. That would be Arista Manning and Kristi Warner.

As for the fellows, they fielded quite a team to compete against Lari for Disc of the Day. Her challengers included Marty Stuart, Travis Rice, Kane Brown, Randy Thompson and our winner, Blake Shelton.

SOUTHERN HALO/Living Like That
Writers: Nathan Dale Stoops/Paul Taylor/Benjamin Francis Harris/Aubrey Felice Collins; Publishers: Tunes of RPM/Paul Taylor/Music of RPM, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; Producers: Cat Gravitt & Gerald O’Brien; Southern Halo (track)
-This female trio rocks out on a rapid-tempo ode to living life in the fast lane. Feisty and fun.

 
KEITH URBAN & CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Fighter
Writer: Keith Urban/busbee; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Mary Rose/7189 Music/BMG Rights, BMI; Producer: busbee & Keith Urban; Capitol Nashville
-This pop-music duet features electronic beats and processed vocals. It is nicely composed, with her asking questions about their love and him responding with assurances of strength, fidelity and endurance.

 
RANDY THOMPSON/Midnight Blue
Writers: Randy Thompson; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Sean Russell; RTB (track)
-Ringing guitars, an echoey atmosphere, a super melody and a solid, manly vocal are the calling cards here. This guy has the goods.

KANE BROWN & LAUREN ALAINA/What Ifs
Writers: Kane Brown/Matthew McGinn/Jordan Schmidt; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Producer: Dann Huff; RCA Nashville (track)
– Nicely done. The craftsmanship in the songwriting is top notch, and his baritone vocal is packed with personality. The swirling melody and the dense production are the icing on this tasty cake. The female accompanying voice belongs to Lauren Alaina.

 
KRISTI WARNER/Gravity
Writers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Fred Vail; KW (track)
– The title tune of this gal’s CD is a driving, forceful, uptempo tune that she delivers like a pro. I like the little falsetto soprano embellishments in her phrasing on the choruses as well as her straightforward drawl in the verses. Promising.

 
LARI WHITE/Moonshine
Writers: Tom Bukovac/Lari White; Publishers: SWG, BMI; Producer: Lari White; Skinny WhiteGirl Music (track)
– Lari’s first new collection in 13 years is a double CD titled Old Friends / New Loves. One disc contains imaginative reinterpretations of her 1990s hits (”Now I Know,” “That’s My Baby,” “Lead Me Not,” “That’s How You Know,” etc.). The New Loves disc showcases her new songwriting accomplishments, including this moody, multi-tracked, swampy delight. Haunting, compelling and completely captivating. The album drops tomorrow. Get it.

 
TRAVIS RICE/Don’t Waste The Rain
Writers: Travis Rice; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP; Producer: Noah Henson; TR
– This former DisCovery Award winner is back, this time with a sexy, romantic ballad. It’s raining. He’s horny. And he’s calling her at work with a come-on to come home. A steamy video accompanying this can be seen on his website.

 
BLAKE SHELTON/Every Time I Hear That Song
Writers: Aimee Mayo/Chris Lindsey/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Publisher: Warner Tamerlane/The Queen of Dot Dot Dot/Universal/Chris Lindsey’s Songs/EMI Blackwood/Sagequinnjude/Famlove, BMI/ASCAP; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Warner Bros. (track)
– The romance may be over, but a song can bring back its memory in an instant. Blake sings with heartfelt intensity and the song’s solid structure gives Scott’s production enough space to move around in. Listenable in the extreme.

 
ARISTA MANNING/Ride This Night
Writer: Phillip James Roselle/Andrew Rollins/Nicole Scott; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Steve Pope; AM (track)
– The title tune of her debut EP is a rushing wind of energy with some very clever audio gimmicks in the production. Her soaring delivery is a burst of brightly smiling sunshine. I just have one question: Did her parents name her after a record company?

MARTY STUART/Whole Lotta Highway
Writer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Mike Campbell; Superlatone (track)
– The advance single from Marty’s forthcoming Way Out West collection (due March 10) is a rolling, wide-open-road song that sports silvery steel work, a splendidly thumping country-rock rhythm track and smooth-groove harmony vocals by his Fabulous Superlatives. I remain an enormous fan.

ACM Reveals ‘The Week Vegas Goes Country’ Performer Lineups

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The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has revealed details including the musical lineup, additional industry and fan events, as well as ticket on-sale dates and hotel codes for The Week Vegas Goes Country®, including the 5th Annual ACM Party for a Cause® – along with the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, which will broadcast LIVE for the first time ever from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

This year, ACM Party for a Cause will consist of industry and fan events located at different venues across Las Vegas including a new host hotel, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and several others from Thursday, March 30 – Sunday, April 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Academy of Country Music has announced additional events which will add to the all-star lineup for The Week Vegas Goes Country. These newly added festivities will kick-off on Friday, March 31 with the ACM Party for a Cause: Barnival Songwriter Showcase, continue Saturday, April 1 with an ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party presented by Country Rebel at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, and close out on Sunday, April 2 with ACM Pool Party for a Cause: Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Each of the festivities for The Week Vegas Goes Country will feature performances by some of the biggest names and hottest new talent in country music including Lauren Alaina, Drew Baldridge, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Bailey Bryan, Scooter Carusoe, Brent Cobb, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Dan + Shay, Clare Dunn, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Seth Ennis, Ryan Follese, Kenny Foster, Ashley Gorley, Walker Hayes, HISH, Ryan Hurd, Chris Janson, Ryan Kinder, Lady Antebellum, Luke Laird, LANCO, Tracy Lawrence, Jackie Lee, LOCASH, Love & Theft, Shane McAnally, Scotty McCreery, Alyssa Micaela, Midland, William Michael Morgan, Kip Moore, Jerrod Niemann, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Eric Paslay, RaeLynn, Michael Ray, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Runaway June, Dylan Scott, Aubrie Sellers, Dee Jay Silver, Chris Stapleton, Michael Tyler, Clay Walker, Aaron Watson, Hailey Whitters, Brett Young and more to be announced.

The full schedule of events, ticket on-sale dates, and hotel codes for the 5th ACM Party for a Cause with additional details can be found below. All events will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the ACM, which works to lift lives through the power of music.

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017:

6:00 PM 95.5 The Bull’s 9th Annual All-Star Guitar Pull
Location: Red Rock Ballroom, Red Rock Casino Resort Spa
Performers: Lauren Alaina, Jon Pardi, Darius Rucker, Chris Stapleton

10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Alyssa Micaela, Midland, Michael Ray

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017:
7:00 PM LOCASH with Ryan Follese and Michael Tyler at House of Blues
Location: House of Blues, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: LOCASH, Ryan Follese, Michael Tyler

8:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: WME Bash at the Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Jake Owen and more to be announced

8:30 PM ACM Party for a Cause: Songwriter Showcase presented by AIMP
Location: The Pearl, Palms Casino Resort
Performers: Ashley Gorley, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and more to be announced

10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
Location: Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, Harrah’s Las Vegas
Performers: Lindsay Ell, Ryan Kinder

10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Virgil’s Real BBQ
Location: Virgil’s Real BBQ, The LINQ Promenade
Performers: Bailey Bryan, Kenny Foster

10:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: Barnival Songwriter Showcase
Location: Mizuya Lounge, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Scooter Carusoe, Brent Cobb, Aubrie Sellers, Hailey Whitters

SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017:
12:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party presented by Country Rebel at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Love & Theft, William Michael Morgan, Runaway June, Dylan Scott, Aaron Watson and more to be announced

1:00 PM ACM Pool Party for a Cause at GO Pool
Location: GO Pool, Flamingo Las Vegas
Performers: Jackie Lee, Jerrod Niemann, Old Dominion, Dee Jay Silver

5:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause at The Joint
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Drew Baldridge, Kelsea Ballerini, Ryan Hurd, Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore, Eric Paslay, Dee Jay Silver, Brett Young

7:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause at House of Blues presented by CAA
Location: House of Blues, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Lauren Alaina, Billy Currington, Dan + Shay, Seth Ennis

8:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: WME Bash at the Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced

10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Redneck Riviera
Location: The Grand Bazaar Shops in front of Bally’s Las Vegas
Performers: John Rich, Clay Walker

SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017:
12:00 PM ACM Pool Party for a Cause: REHAB
Location: REHAB, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: HISH

8:00 PM ACM Awards Official After Party at The Joint
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Kane Brown, Easton Corbin, Clare Dunn, Dee Jay Silver, Walker Hayes, LANCO, Scotty McCreery and more to be announced

8:00 PM ACM Awards Official After Party at Park Theater
Location: Park Theater, Monte Carlo Resort and Casino
Performers: Russell Dickerson, Chris Janson, Tracy Lawrence, RaeLynn, Clay Walker, HISH

Artists Pay Tribute To Randy Travis With Emotional Evening In Song

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Pictured (L-R): Randy Travis; Justin Luffman (VP Brand Management, WMN); Peter Strickland (Chief Marketing Officer, WMN); Mary Travis; Cris Lacy (VP A&R, WMN)
Photo Credit: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

Since his major label debut album, Storms of Life, released in 1986 on Warner Music Nashville, Randy Travis has become a touchstone for champions of traditional country music. His one-of-a-kind vocal stylings brought country music back to its traditionalist roots, and garnered hit song after hit song. He would translate that success into acting as well, with roles in television (Touched By An Angel, A Holiday To Remember), and movies (The Rainmaker, Black Dog, The Wager).

In the past four years, Travis has poured that same heart and work ethic into his ongoing recovery from a stroke that nearly took his life in 2013.

Last night, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Travis was the man of the evening, sitting with his wife Mary at the side of the stage as more than two dozen artists turned up to pay homage, including Alabama, Rodney Atkins, Garth Brooks, Kane Brown, Mark Chesnutt, James Dupre, Charles Esten, Jeff Foxworthy, Montgomery Gentry, Ben Haggard, Chris Janson, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Neal McCoy, Scotty McCreery, William Michael Morgan, Joe Nichols, Paul Overstreet, Shane Owens, Michael Ray, Collin Raye, Ricky Skaggs, Kenny Rogers, Daryle Singletary, Michael W. Smith, The Bellamy Brothers, The Randy Travis Band, Ricky Traywick, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Chuck Wicks, Wynonna, Chris Young.

Randy Travis leads the grand finale at 1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis at Bridgestone Arena on February 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Outback Concerts.

Each was backed by Randy Travis’ band, which included several members who have been with Travis since his days of performing in North Carolina and later at the Nashville Palace, where he was then known by his actual surname, Traywick.

Backstage during a pre-show media event, Travis’ wife Mary revealed that each artist was told to choose two songs they would like to cover, largely leaving the set list for the evening up to the artists themselves.

“It was a first-come, first-serve kind of thing,” Mary said. “The artists that we have known for a long time that may have been fond of a song, like Jamey Johnson is a song that when we were in the hospital and Randy was still in a coma, Jamey would come to the hospital and stand at the foot of his bed and sing this song. There are songs that were attached to certain artists that really were important for them to have.”

Among the highlights were indeed Johnson’s quiet yet commanding take on “Promises,” and Alison Krauss’ graceful rendition of “Deeper Than The Holler.”

Warner Music Nashville’s Peter Strickland recalled how, as a kid living in Boston, hearing Travis’ Storms of Life album in 1986 changed his career path.

“This is the reason I moved to Nashville, this record. I never thought I would have the privilege and honor to work with Randy my entire career. It’s amazing to be able to do that. On behalf of Warner Bros. Records and Warner Music Nashville, congratulations.”

Strickland reeled off an impressive list of accolades Travis has accumulated in his more than three decades in music: 25 million records sold, 22 No. 1 records, 6 No. 1 albums, 6 Grammys, 6 CMAs, 9 ACMs, 10 AMAs, 8 Dove Awards, star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and last year, a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee.

NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 08: Darrin Vincent of Dailey and Vincent; Jeannie Seely; John Conlee; Jamie Dailey of Dailey & Vincent; Jan Howard; Rudy Gatlin; and Doug Green, Fred LaBour, and Woody Paul of Riders in the Sky. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Outback Concerts. [Click to enlarge photo]

His vocal influence was indelibly felt in the voices of both stars and newcomer artists, such as Kane Brown, who offered a thrilling take on “King of the Road” with his smooth, confident delivery. Michael Ray sounded at his best on the traditional “He Walked On Water.”

William Michael Morgan offered a spot on rendition of “Hard Rock Bottom Of Your Heart,” his voice effortlessly mimicking Travis’ signature vocal inflections.

Chris Janson livened up the heart-tugging “Look Heart, No Hands” with a harmonica solo, as cameras zoomed in on Travis and wife Mary holding hands during the performance.

“The first song I heard was ‘Diggin’ Up Bones,’” Janson recalled. “My dad would say, ‘This is the good stuff. This is the real stuff.’ I wrote my first five songs with the guy who co-wrote songs like ‘Look Heart, No Hands.’”

Chris Young offered a sterling rendition of “This Is Me,” while Josh Turner turned in a warm, understated version of Travis’ country-gospel tune, “Three Wooden Crosses,” which took the industry by surprise and topped the country charts after its release in 2002.

Though Travis’ extensive catalog held enough songs for every artist to cover, some artists opted to honor him with their own songs. Alabama welcomed a choir to the stage for “Angels Among Us,” while Kenny Rogers offered his own “The Gambler,” while video footage of his movies played in the background.

CCM artist Michael W. Smith performed the worship song “Walk With Me,” while Neal McCoy paid tribute with one of Travis’ favorite hymns, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.”

Randy Travis speaks at a press conference during 1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes & Friends Tribute. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Outback Concerts.

Travis, who was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1986, was honored by fellow Opry members for a group performance of “I’ll Fly Away,” featuring Jan Howard, Jeannie Seely, John Conlee, Riders In The Sky, Dailey & Vincent, and Rudy Gatlin.

Video tributes were sent in from Carrie Underwood and Ricky Van Shelton. Mayor Megan Barry was on hand to declare Feb. 8, 2017 as Randy Travis Day in Nashville.

Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Garth Brooks performed Travis’ perhaps best-known song, 1987’s “Forever and Ever, Amen.”

“This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done is sing one of your songs with you sitting there,” Brooks told Travis. “It’s gonna suck, but it’s all love.”

As the song wound down, Brooks offered the microphone to Travis, who seemed to bless the entire event with a final “Amen.”

Travis, his signature baritone voice still warm and sincere, then walked (with Mary’s help) to the front of the stage and led the crowd of fans and artists in a rendition of “Amazing Grace,” followed by “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”

Net proceeds from the event benefited the Randy Travis Foundation, which raises funds for stroke research and rehabilitation.

Kenny Rogers (right) greets Randy Travis (left) and Mary Davis (center) during 1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Outback Concerts

Nashville Labels Well Represented on Billboard’s Power 100 List

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Pictured, clockwise from top left: Mike Dungan, Randy Goodman, John Esposito, Scott Borchetta, Sarah Trahern, and Rob Beckham.

Billboard has released its annual Power 100 List, and several Music City execs made the cut. Out of the impressive group of tech gurus, label heads, artist managers, and media moguls on Billboard‘s annual ranking of executive excellence this year, 41 are newcomers who haven’t made the list before.

Spotify’s Chairman Daniel Ek tops the list of power players on Billboard‘s annual ranking, with UMG Chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge coming in at No. 2, Live Nation President/CEO Michael Rapino at No. 3, Apple execs Eddy Cue, Jimmy Iovine & Robert Kondrk at No. 4, and Rob Stringer, Chairman/CEO Columbia Records rounding out the Top 5.

Nashville was well represented on the list.

Partner, WME; co-head, WME Nashville Rob Beckham came in at No. 16, along with Marc Geiger, Sara Newkirk Simon, and Kirk Sommer.

Universal Music Group head Mike Dungan coming in at No. 35. Sony Music Nashville Chairman Randy Goodman is at No. 44, while Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta lands at No. 49, and Chairman/CEO Warner Music Nashville John Esposito is at No. 62. WME Partner and WME Nashville co-head Rob Beckham was included at No. 16

The only Music City female on the list, Sarah Trahern, CEO of the CMA, lands at No. 87.

Others with strong Nashville ties included in the list are Louis Messina, of Messina Touring Group, at No. 74. Bernie Cahill, co-founder/head of the music division of ROAR, lands at No. 97.

The entire list can be viewed here.

Miranda Lambert Has Some Beauty Parlor Fun in New Video

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Photo Credit: Becky Fluke

Miranda Lambert is releasing a new video for her latest single “We Should Be Friends” featuring some of her real life pals. Set in a small town beauty parlor, the new clip includes cameos from some of Lambert’s real-life friends, including songwriters Natalie Hemby and Waylon Payne, both of whom contributed songs to her latest CD The Weight Of These Wings.

The fun-filled new video is filled with colorful characters, beer can curlers, and tiny dogs. The clip was shot in Watertown, Tennessee, and directed by Trey Fanjoy.

Lambert is up for two Grammy awards at Sunday night’s Grammy Awards for the first single from The Weight Of These Wings, “Vice.”

Big Yellow Dog Songwriter Claire Guerreso To Release Debut EP

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Nashville-based artist Claire Guerreso is releasing her debut EP, Heavy, on Ultra Records this Friday (Feb. 10). This EP follows the single “I’m Just A Skipping Stone,” with Amsterdam electronic duo Deepend, which has garnered over a million streams and major airplay overseas.

Guerreso, a Big Yellow Dog songwriter, has had sync success with songs on Mad Max: Fury Road, Grey’s Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, Shades of Blue, Nashville, and Reign, as well as a recent cut on Billy Currington‘s latest album.

“Claire has such a unique, authentic voice and writing style. We are excited to see these great songs reach a much broader audience,” said Devon DeVries, VP of Creative Film/TV Music – A&R at Big Yellow Dog Music.

Heavy Track Listing:
1. Heavy (Claire Guerreso and Andrew Petroff)
2. I Cannot Be Broken (Claire Guerreso and Jeff Bowman)
3. Quicksand (Claire Guerreso and Ian Fitchuk)
4. Anchor (Claire Guerreso, Nick Lyman and Derek Cannavo)
5. Til The Stars Fall Down (Claire Guerreso, Jonny Price, Spencer Combs)
6. Skipping Stones (Claire Guerreso and Terry Sawchuk)

In Pictures: Jake Owen, The Band Perry, Winter Jam

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Jake Owen Honored By Golf Digest

Pictured (L-R): Arnie Award winners Peyton Manning, Phil Mickelson, Jake Owen, Doug Mackenzie, Vice Chairman of the Board, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, and Jerry Tarde, Golf Digest Editor-in-Chief.

Golf Digest hosted their annual “Golfers Who Give Back” event on Tuesday (Feb. 7), during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and presented Jake Owen, Peyton Manning, and Phil Mickelson with the prestigious Arnie Award (named after the late Arnold Palmer). Owen attended with his parents, Steve and Mitzi Owen. Jake’s father taught him to play golf at a young age.

Jake, an avid golfer with a 2 handicap, reflected on the honor, sharing the news with fans on Instagram:

“Last night was literally one of the greatest moments in my life. I was awarded ‘The Arnie Award.’ I also received this amazing honor last night with two people I’ve always admired and looked up to…Phil Mickelson and Peyton Manning. The award is not only near and dear to my heart because of the great Arnold Palmer (who is probably the most respected athlete in history) but also because it’s given to golfers that ‘give back.’ My work with my foundation ‘The Jake Owen Foundation’ has been one of the most fulfilling things I have ever been involved with. To me, life isn’t about awards. It’s not about money. At the end of this beautiful life, none of that matters. What matters is, the kind of person you are. Your character. Your legacy. What have YOU done for others? Arnold Palmer left a lasting legacy and I couldn’t be more proud to have my name in the same sentence as his. I’m forever humbled.”

 

The Band Perry Performs For 26th Annual Taste Of The NFL’s Party With A Purpose Event

Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry of The Band Perry. Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Taste Of The NFL

On Saturday, Feb. 4 at the University of Houston, celebrities and top chefs joined together with current, past and Hall of Fame NFL players to celebrate the 26th Annual Taste of the NFL’s Party with a Purpose to #KickHunger in the U.S.

The sibling trio closed the event with a performance after appearances by Alyssa Milano (Actress), Aly Raisman (Olympic Gymnast), Simone Biles (Olympic Gymnast), Caroline Wozniack (Tennis Player), Savvy Shields (Miss America 2017), Danielle “Summer Rae” Moinet (WWE Superstar), Trent Dilfer (ESPN Analyst), Anne Burrell (Celeb Chef), James Anderson & Carissa Rosario (NFL star & model), Carl Lewis (University of Houston Honorary Chair), and more joined current, former & retired NFL legends and Pro Bowlers including Merril Hodge, Delanie Walker, Matt Light, Chris Draft, Curley Culp, Dick Anderson and more.

Celebrity chefs Andrew Zimmern, Richard Blais, and Alex Guarnaschelli joined 32 talented chefs representing each of the NFL cities to create pre-game food.

 

Winter Jam Comes To Atlanta’s Georgia Dome

Pictured (L-R): NewSong’s Matt Butler, Jack Pumphrey, Mark Clay and Eddie Carswell; Kanas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley; and NewSong’s Billy Goodwin, Russ Lee and Rico Thomas. Photo: Sterling Graves

The Winter Jam 2017 Tour Spectacular made history Saturday (Feb. 4) as the final concert in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. The venue, which will close later this year, played host to more than 27,000 people for Winter Jam, marking one of the tour’s biggest nights ever. Saturday’s concert featured Winter Jam’s all-star lineup along with special appearances from American Idol alum Danny Gokey; hip/hop recording artist Tedashii; Duck Dynasty‘s Korie, John Luke and Mary Kate Robertson; Atlanta Braves great Otis Nixon; and Chris Conley, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver and former University of Georgia standout.

Winter Jam 2017 showcased 10 CCM artists including Crowder; Britt Nicole; Tenth Avenue North; Andy Mineo; Colton Dixon; Thousand Foot Krutch; and Winter Jam creators and tour hosts, NewSong.

Sarah Darling’s New CD ‘Dream Country’ Out This Friday

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Sarah Darling is releasing her forthcoming new album, Dream Country, this Friday (Feb. 10). The project is filled with tracks that Darling dubs “dream country” that run the gamut from wishing on wandering stars to songs that capture the spirit of dreamers. The CD includes tracks co-penned by Darling and Nashville star Sam Palladio, Minnie Murphy, Rebekah Powell, and others.

A teaser of the album’s lead single, “Halley’s Comet,” which is due out in March, can be streamed here. Fans can pre-order the new project on iTunes.

“This has been an opportunity to make a record with everything I’ve ever imagined, top to bottom,” says Darling about the new record. 

Dream Country Track Listing:
“Wish Upon A Wandering Star” – Sarah Darling, Zach Runquist, Andrew Petroff
“Where Cowboys Ride” – Sarah Darling, Zach Runquist
“Anchor” – Sarah Darling, Sam Palladio
“Tell That Devil” – Emery Dobyns, Matthew Mayfield, Jill Andrews
“Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” – Johnny Marr, Steven Morrissey
“Starry Eyes” – Sarah Darling, Jessica Campbell, Minnie Murphy
“Montmartre” – Sarah Darling, Jennifer Bostic
“Halley’s Comet” – Sarah Darling, Cheyenne Medders, Rebekah Powell
“You Take Me All The Way” – Sarah Darling, Tyler Flowers, Cheyenne Medders
“Stargazer” -Jesse Terry

Lady Antebellum To Announce ACM Awards Nominees On Feb. 16

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Lady Antebellum will appear live on CBS This Morning on Thursday, Feb. 16 to announce the nominees for the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards, during the 8 a.m. hour (delayed PT).

Entertainment Tonight hosts Nancy O’Dell and Kevin Frazier will announce additional nominees on ETonline.com at 8:50 a.m. ET/5:50 a.m. PT. The full list of nominations will be released immediately following the announcement on ACMcountry.com.

The 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards will broadcast live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 2 (live 8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.