Artist Pics: Michael Ray, Canaan Smith, Wheeler Walker Jr., Newsboys

Michael Ray Throws First Pitch At Cubs Game

Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville’s Michael Ray stopped in Chicago on Tuesday (Aug. 1) to throw out the first pitch at the Cubs’ Wrigley Field.

Canaan Smith Meets With Goo Goo Dolls Lead Singer John Rzeznik

Country entertainer Canaan Smith, known for “Like You That Way,” often covers the Goo Goo Dolls hit “Iris” in concert. When The Goo Goo Dolls performed at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater recently, Smith spent time with The Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik backstage. “Like You That Way” currently has more than 9 million streams on Spotify.

Pictured (L-R): John Rzeznik and Canaan Smith

Wheeler Walker Jr. Makes Festival Debut At Faster Horses

Wheeler Walker Jr. made his festival debut at Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, Mich. on Friday, July 21, 2017. He offered songs from his debut album Redneck Sh*t, as well as his more recent Ol’ Wheeler, produced by Dave Cobb. He was joined onstage by Dierks Bentley for a duet of his latest single, “Summers In Kentucky.”

Wheeler Walker Jr. Photo: Marc Nader

Newsboys Lend A Hand In Baja, Mexico

Pictured (L-R): Newsboys’ Duncan Phillips; Eric Prager, executive director, Baja Christian Ministries; Bob Sanders, founder, Baja Christian Ministries; God’s Not Dead Missions Director and musician, Adam Agee; and Newsboys’ Michael Tait.

Members of CCM band Newsboys took a break from their summer tour schedule to help build homes in Baja, Mexico, last week. In partnership with Baja Christian Ministries and God’s Not Dead Missions, Newsboys’ Michael Tait and Duncan Phillips joined volunteers from around the U.S. to construct two homes for disadvantaged families. The week culminated with a community-wide fiesta hosted by the God’s Not Dead Missions team, featuring music, food and entertainment.

Partnering with Baja Christian Ministries for more than 15 years, Newsboys have helped build dozens of homes, schools and churches in the region.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at [email protected]

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