Alex Williams’ Big Machine Debut Set For August Release

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Alex Williams is set to release his Big Machine Records debut Better Than Myself on August 11. The 12-track collection from the Pendleton, Indiana native features a blend of retro country and southern rock and features backing by an all-star band that includes drummer Victor Indrizzo (Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris), keyboard player Matt Rollings (Lyle Lovett, Mark Knopfler), bassist Joeie Canaday (Leann Rimes, Steven Curtis Chapman), pedal steel player Dan Dugmore (James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt), and guitarists Tom Bukovac (Don Henley, Stevie Nicks) and J.T. Corenflos (Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson).

The project was produced by Julian Raymond, recorded live, and tracked in just two days. That kind of take-no-prisoners, throttle-up intensity sets the tone for the project, which is colored throughout by Williams’ fierce independent streak.

“It seems like there’s a lot of people out there just trying to get through the day,” reflects Williams. “They’re working a job they don’t love or following somebody else’s dreams just because it’s safe and it keeps them comfortable. I didn’t want to be like that.”

BETTER THAN MYSELF Track List: 
1. “Better Than Myself” | Alex Williams, Greg Becker
2. “Hellbent Hallelujah” | Alex Williams, Neal Coty, Jimmy Melton
3. “More Than Survival” | Alex Williams, Marshall Altman
4. “Freak Flag” | Alex Williams, Marshall Altman
5. “Week Without A Drink” | Alex Williams, Brandon Kinney, Jimmy Yeary
6. “A Little Too Stoned” | Alex Williams, Greg Becker
7. “Old Tattoo” | Alex Williams
8. “Strange Days” | Alex Williams, Marshall Altman
9. “Pay No Mind” | Alex Williams, Greg Becker
10. “Can’t Get Enough Of You” | Alex Williams, Marshall Altman
11. “Few Short Miles (Bobby’s Song)” | Alex Williams
12. “Last Cross” | Alex Williams, Greg Becker

Country Radio Hall Of Fame Inducts Class Of 2017

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Pictured (L-R): 2017 Class of Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees: Mel Owens, Charlie Ochs, Todd Harding (The Good Morning Guys), Susan Moore (The Good Morning Guys), Brian Gary (The Good Morning Guys), Tim Closson, and Jim Mantel. Photo: Angelea Presti

The elite of country music’s radio industry gathered on Wednesday (June 21) to celebrate the induction of the Country Radio Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017.

This year’s Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees included Tim Closson, the late Joe Wade Formicola, Mel Owens, Jim Mantel, Charlie Ochs, the late Linda Lee, and Good Morning Guys’ Susan Moore, Brian Gary, and Todd Harding. Each nominee for induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame must have at least 20 years experience in radio, with 15 of those being in the country genre.

Country Radio Broadcasters Board Vice President and All Access Country Editor R.J. Curtis welcomed guests to the Country Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

“It validates their career and life’s work,” he said of the honor’s impact on honorees. “It’s better than giving away a car or $10,000.”

UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan, who was the first label head to serve on the Board of the Country Radio Broadcasters, was honored with with the President’s Award. He is the third active board member to receive the President’s Award in the 20-year history.

Dungan recalled the impact of country radio, and especially the Country Radio Seminar on artists’ careers, detailing how an early performance from Keith Urban at Country Radio Seminar launched a career filled with numerous chart toppers, including his most recent, “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”

Martina McBride was honored with the Career Achievement Award, commemorating a career that includes six No. 1 hits, 14 Grammy nominations and nearly 20 million albums sold.

McBride thanked numerous radio programmers and label promoters who have been part of her career from the beginning. She also thanked former label head Joe Galante for his long-term support of her career.

“One time he came to see a show, and he commented that all my songs really sound and feel like me,” she said. “I was never told what I could or could not record and was immensely supported by Joe Galante.

“I wanted to have songs on the radio and I wanted to have songs that mattered, and you allowed me to do both,” she concluded.

Music industry executive and former chairman of Sony Music Nashville Joe Galante presented Martina McBride with the 2017 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award.
Photo: Angelea Presti

Each of the honorees and/or the colleagues and family members honoring them mentioned highlights and funny tales from their lengthy careers in radio.

The late Joe Formicola son Joseph recalled how Formicola made an on-air plea to large businesses in Detroit, asking for a $10,000 check from the community to benefit cancer research. Within moments of making that on-air plea, a check had been delivered to the radio station.

Mac Daniels introduced Charlie Ochs, and recalled how when Ochs was on-air in the Washington, D.C. area, then-President George H.W. Bush’s security detail would call and request recordings of Charlie’s on-air work for Bush to listen to when he traveled outside of the Washington area.

Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, Mike Dungan, was recognized as the recipient of the 2017 CRB President’s Award. Photo: Angelea Presti

Kid Rock made a special appearance to honor Linda Lee, who recently died after a battle with cancer. “We were a tight community and I became friends with Linda,” he said. “She was happy as hell all the time. I was in touch with her throughout her battle. I knew she was a fan of me, but I was a fan of hers.”

The Good Morning Guys’ Bryan Gary ended the evening a fiery, impassioned acceptance speech.

“Every one of us in this room is in the coolest damn industry. We set the mood for the day for listeners. We play music and talk about things. I want to give [listeners] something they haven’t had. It’s because of country music that we have a door to the listeners.”

Cage The Elephant To Release ‘Unpeeled’ On July 28

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Nashville band Cage The Elephant is set to release the album Unpeeled on July 28 via RCA Records. The album was recorded during a series of intimate shows in Nashville, Knoxville, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. The shows featured a stripped down arrangement, with string quartet and additional percussion.

The album’s generous 21 tracks feature 18 curated songs from past albums, in addition to three reimagined versions of other existing songs.

“Many times you’re adding sonic layers looking for something to hide behind, and what you don’t realize is that that vulnerability and that nakedness might be the most compelling and interesting thing about the song,” said the band’s Matt Shultz.

The band released the video for “Whole Wide World,” which was originally penned and performed by Wreckless Eric. The track was reimagined during Cage The Elephant’s hometown concert at the Ryman Auditorium.

Cage The Elephant, which originally hails from Kentucky, includes singer Shultz, guitarist Brad Shultz, drummer Jared Champion, bassist Daniel Tichenor, lead guitarist Nick Bockrath and Matthan Minster on keyboard and backing vocals.

Unpeeled Track Listing
01 Cry Baby
02 Whole Wide World
03 Sweetie Little Jean
04 Spiderhead
05 Take It Or Leave It
06 Too Late To Say Goodbye
07 Punchin’ Bag
08 Shake Me Down
09 Telescope
10 Instant Crush
11 Trouble
12 Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked
13 Rubber Ball
14 Aberdeen
15 Golden Brown
16 Cold Cold Cold
17 How Are You True
18 Come A Little Closer
19 Back Against The Wall
20 Cigarette Daydreams
21 Right Before My Eyes

Americana Music Association Announces Lifetime Achievement Honorees

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The Americana Music Association has announced its 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees. The five honorees, Robert Cray, the Hi Rhythm section, Iris DeMent, Graham Nash, Larry Sloven, and Bruce Bromberg will be celebrated at Americana’s 16th Annual Honors & Awards held at the Ryman Auditorium on September 13. The event serves as the official kick-off for the 18th annual AMERICANAFEST: The Americana Music Festival & Conference. As previously announced, Van Morrison will be receiving the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting at the event as well.

Robert Cray will receive the AMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance. Cray has been bridging the lines between blues, soul and R&B for over four decades and has five Grammy wins. After bursting onto the scene as band leader for the Robert Cray Band in 1974, he and his band became responsible for bringing the timeless soul sound of their mentors John Lee Hooker, Etta James and Albert Collins to a younger audience. Throughout his career, he has performed with Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, BB King, Bonnie Raitt and the late Chuck Berry, among others.

The Hi Rhythm section will receive this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist. During the ’70s, they served as the late producer Willie Mitchell’s secret weapon for his vision of Memphis soul, providing their incomparable musicianship for hit Hi Records albums by artists like Al Green and Ann Peebles at the historic Royal Studios in Memphis, Tenn. Originally formed in the late ’60s, members include the late Mabon “Teenie” Hodges (guitar), Rev. Charles Hodges (organ), LeRoy “Flick” Hodges (bass), Howard Grimes (drums), the late Al Jackson, Jr. (drums) and Archie “Hubbie” Turner (keyboard).

Iris DeMent is receiving the Americana Association’s 2017 Trailblazer Award. Her independent 1992 debut Infamous Angel landed her a deal with Warner Bros. in 1993 without any support from mainstream radio. Over the next two decades, DeMent never shied away from using her voice and songwriting craft to address topics such as sexual abuse, religion and government policy throughout her work.

Graham Nash is the recipient of the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music Award, co-presented by the First Amendment Center. A two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee for his roles as a member of the Hollies and supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash (and later Young), the Grammy award-winning singer’s passionate voice continues to be heard in support of peace and social and environmental justice. The No Nukes/Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) concerts he organized with Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt in 1979 remain seminal benefit events. In 2011, Nash was instrumental in bringing MUSE back to the forefront with a concert to benefit Japan disaster relief and groups promoting non-nuclear energy worldwide.

HighTone Records founders Larry Sloven and Bruce Bromberg are the recipients of the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive. In the mid-’80s, they  bonded over their wide-ranging roots music tastes and sought out an opportunity to create a label home for the melting pot of influences that is now Americana music. For 25 years, HighTone Records produced 300 album releases and a number of landmark projects including the release of the first and longest running #1 Americana Radio Airplay album, Tulare Dust: A Songwriter’s Tribute to Merle Haggard, and even a Grammy award for Dale Alvin’s King of California.

The Americana Honors & Awards Show will take place at the Ryman Auditorium on September 13. Tickets for the 16th annual Americana Honors & Awards are made available for purchase with an AMERICANAFEST conference registration, which can be purchased here.

DisClaimer: Eli Young Band Heads To Never Land, Heidi Raye Lands DisCovery Award

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Photo Credit: Joseph Llanes

Summer officially started on Wednesday, and country music is ready.

Unleashing sounds tailored to the season this week are Kenny Chesney, Josh Turner, Miranda Lambert and Granger Smith.

Another summer-sounding song earns our Disc of the Day award. It’s the gorgeous, top-down celebration “Never Land” by the Eli Young Band.

The DisCovery Award this week goes to a personable singer named Heidi Raye. I’m confident that we’ll be hearing much more from her.

JOSH TURNER/All About You
Writer: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– This has a nice, funky sound that’s a really attractive change of pace for this artist. The bright, lively tempo is just right for summer listening.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/when Someone Stops Loving You
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Chase McGill/Lori McKenna; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: None listed
– Jimi’s torrid tenor is one of the most underrated vocal instruments in contemporary country music. He blazes brilliantly throughout this bonfire heartache ballad performance.

KENNY CHESNEY/All The Pretty Girls
Writers: Nicole Galyon/Tommy Lee James/Josh Osborne; Producer: Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/A Girl Named Charlie/BMG Platinum/SWMBMGBMI/Once in a Blue Tune/Anderson Fork in the Road/Smackville/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP
– Toss beach balls on the sand while this bouncer blasts from a boombox.

LINDSAY ELL/Waiting On You
Writers: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publishers: None listed
– Well sung and produced with clarity and exquisite taste. Eminently programmable. She’s been in the news this week because a radio station punished her for dating a perceived competitor, Bobby Bones. Just listen to the music, folks.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Pink Sunglasses
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Luke Dick/Natalie Hemby; Producer: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf & Eric Masse; Publishers: Round Hill Works/Big Loud Proud Crowd/Farm Town/Sony-ATV Tree/Little Loudere/Emileon/HappyGoWrucke/Creative Pulse/These Are Pulse, BMI
–Embarrassing piffle.

HEIDI RAYE/Worth a Shot
Writers: Heidi Raye/Justin Ebach; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– Quite promising. This nifty little “attitude” ditty is sung with chuckling, winking, pert personality. The “shot,” you see, is whiskey.

TYLER FARR/I Should Go to Church Sometime
Writers: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– It’s certainly an interesting premise for a song. But since it never really resolves itself after he works himself into a lather, it is ultimately rather unsatisfying.

ELI YOUNG BAND/Never Land
Writers: Mike Eli/James Young/Ross Copperman/Jon Nite; Producer: Ross Copperman & Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Small Town Kid/Young James Young/NYAC/EMI Blackwood/Rezolant/EMI April/Sony-ATV, BMI
– The group returns strongly to form with this wooshing rush of a performance. The production is stunning. The melody is addictive. The mood is inspiring. Turn it up and play it again.

CHARLEY PRIDE/Music in My Heart
Writers: Country Johnny Mathis; Producer: Billy Yates; Publisher: Avid Group, BMI
– The title tune of Pride’s first new album in more than six years is a toe tapper that is as country as grits. Twang that steel.

GRANGER SMITH/Happens Like That
Writers: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– This master showman stages another bid for chart success with this mid-tempo reflection on sudden romance. The echoey atmosphere in the arrangement gives his vocal extra impact.

Adam Doleac Releases Self-Titled EP, Named SiriusXM Highway Find

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Country artist and songwriter Adam Doleac recently released a self-titled EP via 287 Records on June 16.

The Hattiesburg, Mississippi native co-wrote all six tracks on the album, including “Whiskey’s Fine.” Lindsay Rimes, Taylor Phillips, Tom Douglas, and Jon Nite are a few of the songwriting heavyweights who contributed to the project.

Doleac, a former college baseball player, moved to Nashville in 2010. He is signed with 287 Entertainment for management, Sony/ATV for publishing and with WME for booking. He was recently named as a SiriusXM Highway Find artist, and debuted the song on-air with host Storme Warren.

“Being selected as the latest Highway Find artist is a huge honor for me, as it has been the launch pad for so many successful artists. Also, my mom has been asking me when I was going to be chosen as a Highway Find, so I know that she is thrilled,” Doleac said. “To finally be releasing new music is exciting. It’s nice to be able to hand someone a CD and say, ‘Hey, this is what I’ve been up to for the last couple of years.’ As a songwriter, it is always great to have cuts from other artists – but now I get the chance to put out music that tells my story as a songwriter and my vision as an artist.”

Adam Doleac Track List
“Bigger Than Us”  (Adam Doleac / Lindsay Rimes / Michael Heeney)
“Shady” (Adam Doleac / Brock Berryhill / Taylor Phillips)
“Refill” (Adam Doleac / John Gurney / Matt Roy / Taylor Phillips)
“Everybody Needs Somebody” (Adam Doleac / Jon Nite / Tom Douglas)
“Whiskey’s Fine” (Adam Doleac / Monty Criswell)
“Some Girls” (Adam Doleac / Lindsay Rimes / Monty Criswell / Luke Sheets)

Kip Moore Preps Third Album, ‘SLOWHEART’

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Kip Moore

MCA Nashville recording artist Kip Moore is set to release his third album, SLOWHEART, on September 8.

For his third major label outing—which follows the critically acclaimed debut Up All Night (“Mary Was The Marryin’ Kind,” “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” “Beer Money” and “Hey Pretty Girl”) and his sophomore album Wild Ones—Moore pours himself into every aspect of the project. He co-wrote 11 of the 13 tracks, was the sole producer for seven tracks, and co-produced five additional tracks. Additionally, his own guitar work can be heard all over the album, and it is Moore providing the majority of the harmony vocals.

“More Girls Like You,” penned by Moore, Steven Lee Olsen, Josh Miller, David Garcia, is the lead single from the project.

SLOWHEART Official Track List:

1. Plead The Fifth (Luke Dick, Josh Kear)
2. Just Another Girl (Kip Moore, Westin Davis, Ben Helson)
3. I’ve Been Around (Kip Moore, Dan Couch)
4. Fast Women (Kip Moore, Blair Daly, Westin Davis and Troy Verges)
5. Bittersweet Company (Kip Moore, Josh Miller, Troy Verges)
6. Sunburn (Kip Moore, David Garcia, Josh Miller, Steven Olsen)
7. More Girls Like You (Kip Moore, Steven Olsen, Josh Miller, David Garcia)
8. The Bull (Jon Randall, Luke Dick)
9. Blonde (Kip Moore, Steven Olsen, Josh Miller, David Garcia)
10. Good Thing (Kip Moore, Josh Miller, Troy Verges)
11. Last Shot (Kip Moore, Dan Couch, David Lee Murphy)
12. Try Again (Kip Moore, David Garcia, Josh Miller)
13. Guitar Man (Kip Moore, Dan Couch, Westin Davis)

Black River Entertainment Launches Americana Imprint, Signs Duo Carolina Story

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Pictured (L-R): Black River’s Gordon Kerr, Attorney Lauren Kilgore, Christian Barker, Carolina Story’s Ben Roberts, Black River’s Rick Froio, Carolina Story’s Emily Roberts, Black River Publishing’s Katie Barolak, and Black River Publishing’s Dave Pacula

Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr has revealed the label group has launched an Americana imprint, Black River Americana, anchored by first signing Carolina Story. The duo, which includes Ben and Emily Roberts, is signed to both Black River Americana and Black River’s publishing roster. They will return to the studio in July to begin work on their debut project for the new imprint.

Kerr states, “Americana music has a long history of celebrating the authenticity of life lived out through music. We are pleased to begin this journey forward as we celebrate, honor and embrace the art form of American Roots Music. Black River’s vision in establishing the studios, publishing house, management, and country and Christian labels has always been to ‘leave this place better than we found it,’ and adding Black River Americana to our label family is a natural next step in Black River Entertainment’s story.”

Ben and Emily Roberts met at Visible Music College in 2007. In 2009, they were married and set out on their first tour. Since then, they’ve played close to 1,000 shows across 43 states, including their home states of Arkansas and South Dakota.

“Every once in a while, you have that moment in the music industry that moves you more than you thought it could,” says Black River Records EVP Rick Froio. “Meeting Carolina Story, and then hearing them sing, was one of those moments. When Ben and Emily Roberts sing together, life just seems to come into focus. Honestly, it’s inspiring. I’m thankful to Christian Barker for introducing Carolina Story to us. It’s amazing the story that can be told when you keep yourself open to musical experiences you didn’t even know you were looking for.”

“From the moment we walked in the doors at Black River, we felt something different. Something special,” says Ben Roberts. “That initial feeling has only grown stronger since becoming a part of the Black River family. It’s just that. One big family. For years, we have been working extremely hard and searching for the right people to come alongside us and our music. We’re so incredibly glad to have found a true family of people who believe in not just our music, but in us as individuals. Black River is a place where we can truly grow and thrive all while being encouraged to be ourselves. It’s a breath of fresh air to be here.”

Sharing the sentiment, Emily Roberts adds, “Ben and I have been searching for a family like BRE for a very long time, and what’s great about this story is that they found us. Our goal has always been to let doors open ‘naturally and organically’ which we haven’t always been so patient in doing, but BRE has been worth the wait. We are thrilled about this partnership and can’t wait to get started!”

Nashville’s July 4th Celebration Gets New Stage Layout, Chris Young To Headline

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Chris Young. Photo: David McClister

Nashville will celebrate Independence Day in spectacular musical fashion for this year’s Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper Cherry, and will offer a new layout for its main concert stage.

This year’s headliner, Chris Young, will perform on the main concert stage, which will now be located at Fifth and Broadway, while the Nashville Symphony will perform at Ascend Amphitheater. The new configuration will spread attendees over a larger area, allowing those interested in the concert to congregate closer to the “Broadway Stage” at Fifth and Broadway and those attending for the fireworks show to find spots around Riverfront Park, The Green at Riverfront Park and Ascend Amphitheater. The pyrotechnics are synchronized to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony.

This year’s musical lineup also includes the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, R&B artist Jonny P; and new Sony Music Nashville duo The Sisterhood, featuring Alyssa Bonagura and Ruby Stewart, daughter of rock artist Rod Stewart.

Video screens will be placed on Broadway between Third and Fourth Avenue and at Walk of Fame Park. Audio will be piped to Public Square Park, Walk of Fame Park, Riverfront Park and The Green at Riverfront Park. Those sitting in Ascend Amphitheater will be able to watch the Broadway Stage concert on screens, while those on Broadway and Walk of Fame Park will be able to watch the Nashville Symphony performance on screens.

Nashville’s July 4 celebration is a free, family-friendly event. The event will include a Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park from noon to 4 p.m. Live music on the Broadway Stage will kick off with the National Anthem performed by Jason Eskridge and remarks from Mayor Megan Barry at 5:15 p.m. Young will wrap up on the Broadway Stage at 9:15 p.m., at which time attention will move to Ascend Amphitheater and the Nashville Symphony for the 30-minute fireworks show. This will be the third consecutive year Nashville will host the largest fireworks show in the country, featuring more than 35,000 pounds of explosives, and 150 miles of wire.

“With the kind of year Nashville has had, it is only fitting that we celebrate with our largest fireworks show ever,” said Beth Seigenthaler Courtney, board chair of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and president at DVL Seigenthaler. “A diverse lineup of great music will kick off the night on the Broadway Stage, and we will end it with an appropriate bang.”

Attendees primarily interested in fireworks are encouraged to watch from Ascend Amphitheater, Riverfront Park, The Green at Riverfront Park, Lower Broadway, Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge, Public Square Park (with audio) and Walk of Fame Park (with audio).

Artist Updates: Craig Morgan, Jerrod Niemann, Kane Brown, Mark Collie, Ashley McBryde

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Craig Morgan Heads Back ‘Outdoors’ For Eighth TV Season June 30

Craig Morgan is set to launch the eighth season of his show, “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors,” which will premiere June 30 at 7 p.m. on the Outdoor Channel. Adventures in the eighth 13-episode season include travels to Kodiak Island for a big Sitka Black-tailed deer, a special hunt in Texas where Craig hosts a veteran from each branch of the United States military, a trip to south Florida to chase Oceola Turkey, and more. Craig has also created a very special episode featuring some of his favorite hunting memories with his late son, Jerry.

 

Jerrod Niemann Performs at CMHOF Songwriter Session

Pictured (L-R): Chris DuBois (Sea Gayle Music), Tim Teague (guitar), Jerrod Niemann and Abi Tapia (Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

Jerrod Niemann performed and told stories about his career during the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s  Songwriter Session at the Ford Theater in Nashville on Saturday (June 17). Niemann performed songs like “My Saving Grace” and “Redneck Side of Me” which he co-wrote for Jamey Johnson, and recounted stories from his 10-plus year career during the event.

 

Kane Brown’s Self-Titled Debut Gets Vinyl Treatment

Kane Brown is set to release a vinyl version of his self-titled debut album on June 30. Featuring updated cover artwork, the vinyl album contains seven tracks penned by Brown and 11 tracks total, including “What Ifs,” and the autobiographical track, “Learning.” Kane Brown is produced by Matt McVanay and Dann Huff.

 

Mark Collie Helps Tennessee Inmates Through New Music Therapy Program

Mark Collie has been appointed Corizon Health’s Music Therapy Ambassador and will be working with Corizon’s behavioral health team to develop practices for integrating music into group counseling sessions for Tennessee inmates. A 10-week pilot program focused on inmates diagnosed with a variety of mental illnesses such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Substance Abuse Disorder has launched this month at two Tennessee correctional facilities, and the initiative will involve groups receiving a trauma-focused curriculum with music activities to highlight teaching points from the program. During weekly sessions, Collie will lead music expression through a variety of techniques including songwriting, singing and playing instruments.

 

Ashley McBryde Makes Opry Debut

Ashley McBryde made her Grand Ole Opry debut last Friday, (June 16) performing her SiriusXM “Highway Find,” “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega” and some other tracks from her upcoming album produced by Jay Joyce. She’ll join Eric Church and The Brothers Osborne on the road for select dates in September.