Trace Adkins‘ new album, Something’s Going On (his first for BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records) debuted Top 3 on the Nielsen Soundscan Current Country Albums Chart upon its release March 31. Adkins has been busy promoting the new project, including appearing on NBC’s Today on release day to perform current single, “Watered Down.” Last night (April 10) he appeared on Spike TV’s Adam Carolla and Friends Build Stuff Live show to build an outdoor patio, compete for tool knowledge, and answer fan questions via social media. He’ll also perform “Watered Down” on The Talk when he stops by the show April 18 for a visit.

Busy touring with a packed schedule of dates through the end of October, Adkins is also planning a USO Tour this spring. He has performed for service men and women on 11 USO Tours throughout his career.

 

Members of the music industry have teamed up to host the Nashville Bourbon Derby on Tuesday, May 2, at the East Ivy Mansion. Proceeds will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation’s FTL Sarcoma Fund, which raises money for sarcoma cancer research in memory of Lindsay Walleman.

The event will feature rare bourbons donated from personal collections throughout the Nashville area, food trucks, auction items, and music from Warner Music Nashville artist Charlie Worsham‘s extensive vinyl collection.

The $50 entry fee includes ten (10) tickets redeemable for tastings. Additional drink tickets will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

The event’s host committee includes Jordan Pettit, Damon Moberly, Ryan O’Nan, Ryan Beuschel, Mark Block, Ryan Miller, Bo Martinovich, Darren Koch, Chris Palmer, Luke Rodgers, and Myles Murphy.

For more information, visit www.nashvillebourbonderby.com.

Photos by Ted Parker Jr.

The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association held a special tribute to the life and legacy of Guy Clark April 7 at the Paramount Theater in Austin, and a who’s who of Texas and Nashville talent showed up to pay their respects musically at the event.

Produced and emceed by Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hall of Fame member Rodney Crowell, the show also included performances by Joe Ely, Bruce Robison, Lee Roy Parnell, Jack Ingram, Verlon Thompson, Terry Allen, Brennen Leigh, Shawn Camp, The Trishas, Noel McKay and Terry McBride.

Producer, manager, Clark biographer, and longtime Americana and Texas music champion Tamara Saviano was awarded the Darrell K Royal Texas Music Legend Award during the evening by BMI’s Jody Williams.

“There’s been a well-worn path between Texas and Tennessee for many generations,” said Saviano upon receiving the honor. “To me, Austin and Nashville are sister cities, united in our collective quest to write great songs and discover great songwriters. Texans Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Lee Roy Parnell, Gary Nicholson, Radney Foster and many others have made their way from Texas to Nashville in search of publishing and recording deals. Yet, these Lone Star natives never lose the Texas in them. Guy would be so proud tonight. I still can’t believe he is gone and miss him every day. Many of his friends and family are here tonight, on stage and off, and we haven’t been together under one roof since Guy’s memorial. Grief shared is grief diminished and tonight I feel only joy and gratitude.”

The TxHSA’s 2018 Hall of Fame Class was also announced during the event, and includes Buddy Holly, Mickey Newbury, Liz Rose and Ray Wylie Hubbard.

 

 

Darius Rucker will hold his annual “Darius and Friends” concert for the first time at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on June 5. Now in its eighth year, the event leads into CMA Music Festival week and benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“This concert is a real highlight for me every year,” Rucker said. “And I couldn’t do it without the support of my friends who turn out to perform, tell stories and make this a memorable night for the fans, who are here from around the world.”

The popular event, previously held at the Wildhorse Saloon, sells out year after year and has raised more than $800,000 for St. Jude. Among the artists who’ve performed with Rucker at the benefit in past years are Luke Bryan, Radney Foster, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Charles Kelley, and Kenny Rogers. The lineup for this year’s event will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets will be available April 14 via Ticketmaster.com. Rucker has teamed up with Ticketmaster to allow supporters to become #VerifiedFans. Qualified registrants entering by April 13 at 10 a.m. CT will receive a unique code to ensure they can buy tickets without worrying about scalpers or bots.