Photo Credit: Nathan Congleton NBC News

Kacey Musgraves is bringing her Oh, What A World Tour II to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 25. The date is one of a handful of shows she has added to the tour, including stops at New York’s Radio City Music Hall and Dallas’ The Pavillion at Toyota Music Factory.

Musgraves announced the new tour dates Friday morning (July 19) on NBC’s TODAY, where she also performed songs including “Slow Burn,” “Lonely Weekend,” “Happy and Sad” and “Oh, What a World” as part of the show’s summer concert series.

Bill Anderson and Jamey Johnson perform onstage during the 6th Annual Georgia On My Mind presented by Gretsch at Ryman Auditorium Nashville on July 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

The sixth annual Georgia On My Mind benefit concert featured memorable performances from some of Georgia’s own and Georgia’s neighbors. Hosted by SiriusXM’s Storme Warren, along with the Peach Pickers (Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip), the 6th annual event raised more than $200,000 for the Georgia Music Foundation.

Pictured (L-R): Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson and Rhett Akins take photos backstage during the 6th Annual Georgia On My Mind. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Georgia-born singer-songwriter Ray Fulcher kicked things off from the Ryman stage with his song “Anything Like You Dance.” Another Georgian, Travis Denning, followed him up with “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs,” his debut single. “It didn’t even matter I wasn’t 21, I had a Georgia license that said I was David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs,” Denning sang with a fist in the air.

Travis Denning performs on stage during the 6th Annual Georgia On My Mind. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

The crowd was then delighted by the first surprise guest of the night, BMLG artist Riley Green. Green sang his newest single, “In Love By Now.” Colt Ford & Rhett Akins dueted on Ford’s funny tune, “Chicken & Biscuits;” and then it was time to hear a few of the 70 No. 1 songs that the Peach Pickers have between the three of them.

The three men in Georgia hats and cowboy boots stood on the Ryman stage, strumming and leading the crowd in a country radio singalong, including hits like: Luke Bryan’s “Play It Again,” Dustin Lynch’s “Small Town Boy,” and Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight” and “Honey Bee.” They were then joined on stage by the Gretch family—the presenting sponsor for the event—who carried a check for $50,000 to the Georgia Music Foundation with them to the stage.

The next performance was a treat from the Otis Redding DREAM Choir—a fun, choral version of the Lil Nas X hit, “Old Town Road;” complete with dancers and cowboy hats.

Otis Redding Foundation DREAM Choir performs on stage. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Michael Ray then ventured out to play his break-up song, “Her World Of Mine,” and Lindsay Ell followed him up with “Criminal” on a solo electric guitar.

Craig Campbell stole the show with a tender version of “Outskirts of Heaven.” The simple acoustic guitar set him up for a stand-out vocal performance, and the crowd met him with a rousing standing ovation when he sang his final note.

John Berry delivered a warm and poignant tune called “The Richest Man.” Berry is currently fighting throat cancer, but his honeyed voice did not sound tarnished.

John Berry performs. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Audience members were entertained by a bluegrass tune by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, and then by a folk tune about late Georgian Duane Allman by Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. Brent Cobb followed Ray with a tune called “South of Atlanta.” The crowd loved his references to I-85, a major Georgia highway, and Old Glory.

It was then time to present the Flamekeeper Award to a music person who has kept the fire burning for the state of Georgia. “When you move to Nashville, 400 hundred, 500 miles away from home, you wanna know who the Georgia songwriters are. And it’s always Bill Anderson,” Hayslip said, announcing the honoree. Out walked the Country Music Hall of Fame Member in a red and black suit—representing his alma matter, the University of Georgia.

“How bout them dawgs?,” Anderson hollered. The crowd answered with a Georgia Bulldogs chant. “This red and black was not accidental!” he said.

“I was born in South Carolina but I got to Georgia as quick as I could,” Anderson admitted. He was raised in Griffin and Decatur, Georgia. “I’ve never forgotten where I came from and I’ve never forgotten the people who have stood by me.”

Bill Anderson accepts the Flamekeeper Award during the 6th Annual Georgia On My Mind. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Anderson was then joined by long-time co-writer Jamey Johnson. Together the two performed their duet “Everyone Wants To Be 21,” as well as their George Strait cut, “Give It Away.” The crowd’s singing almost drowned out the performers. “I’m proud to be a student of whispering Bill Anderson,” Johnson said. “He’s taught me just as much about being a human and a good man that he has about writing.”

Before Johnson could leave, Dallas Davidson insisted he do his version of “Georgia On My Mind.” He was met with another standing ovation, including by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

The night was not over. The last surprise guest for the night turned out to be Georgia-born Cole Swindell. The Warner Music Nashville artist sang his latest single, “Love You Too Late,” and one of his first, “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey.”

Cole Swindell performs onstage. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

The Peach Pickers returned to the stage once more to close the show with some more of their hits. With songs “Anywhere With You” (Jake Owen), “That Ain’t My Truck” (Rhett Akins), “Boys ‘Round Here” (Blake Shelton), and “What Makes You Country,” “I Don’t Want This Night to End” and “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day” (Luke Bryan), Davidson, Rhett and Hayslip capped off another Georgia On My Mind event.

Storme Warren, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip speak onstage during the 6th Annual Georgia On My Mind presented by Gretsch at Ryman Auditorium Nashville on July 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Lindsay Ell performs. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Michael Ray performs. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Riley Green performs. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Craig Campbell performs. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out and Amy Ray perform. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Brent Cobb performs. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Ray Fulcher performs. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Jamey Johnson, Georgia governor Brian Kemp and artist Colt Ford take photos backstage during the 6th Annual Georgia On My Mind presented by Gretsch at Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Pictured L-R): Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Dinah Gretsch, Fred Gretsch, Lena Thomas, Logan Thomas and Ben Hayslip pose for photos onstage during the 6th Annual Georgia On My Mind. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Pictured (L-R): Dallas Davidson, Governor of Georgia Brian Kemp, Jarrett Kemp, artist Rhett Akins, Marty Kemp, Lucy Kemp, Amy Porter Kemp, artist John Berry and artist Ben Hayslip take photos backstage during the 6th Annual Georgia On My Mind. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

Crossroads Music has added Jon Weisberger to its A&R team, with a focus on artists in the bluegrass, folk and Americana genres on the Mountain Home Music Company and Organic Records labels.

“As a member of Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, I’ve already been a member of the Mountain Home family for a few years, and had a chance to see the folks at Crossroads in action from an artist’s and songwriter’s perspective. In a tough industry, they really stand out for their music-centered approach, their forward thinking about the recorded music business, and most of all, their integrity,” says Weisberger. “I was honored to be invited to contribute to the company’s efforts, and I’m excited to get to work in bringing new talent into the fold as well as working with the great artists — many of them long-time friends and colleagues — already on the Mountain Home and Organic rosters.”

Weisberger began his career as a music journalist, writing for numerous outlets and penning the liner notes for over 100 albums. His worked earned two IBMA writing awards and the Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism.

In 2003, Weisberger moved to Nashville and joined Chris Jones & the Night Drivers. He appeared as bassist and harmony singer on seven albums by the group and contributed as a co-writer to more than a dozen songs in the band’s recorded repertoire before retiring from the band in 2019 and moving to Brevard, North Carolina.

In 2012, after more than two dozen of his songs were recorded, Weisberger was named the IBMA’s first Songwriter of the Year. He has earned nearly 200 cuts to date with the Infamous Stringdusters; the Del McCoury Band; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Balsam Range; Blue Highway; the O’Connor Band; Sierra Hull; Jim Lauderdale; Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers; Lindsay Lou and more. At the end of 2018, Weisberger joined the staff of Asheville Music Publishing, writing exclusively for the company and signing co-writers Thomm Jutz, Mark Simos and Becky Warren to co-publishing deals.

Weisberger also spent some time as a bluegrass radio DJ, serving as a producer for the syndicated program, “Into The Blue” from 2006 to 2009, and spending over a decade as producer and co-host of the popular SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction show, “Hand-Picked with Del McCoury.”

During most of that time, he also served as a member of the IBMA’s Board of Directors, including two years as chair.

“It turns out that the old saying about one door opening when another closes really has some truth to it,” says Weisberger. “I’m a little sad to say farewell to Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, but it’s no exaggeration to say that joining the Crossroads team and digging into a new way for me to help ensure the vitality of bluegrass and other forms of American roots music is the opportunity of a lifetime. I can’t wait to get going!”

Award-winning songwriters, veterans and service members will come together for a night of powerful music documenting military veterans’ experiences at the Songwriting With Soldiers concert on Thursday, Aug. 1 at Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium. The program, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, will be taped for national broadcast on PBS this Fall in a one-hour TV special, Songwriting With Soldiers.

The concert will feature writers performing original songs they’ve written with service members through the nonprofit organization Songwriting With Soldiers. Songwriters set to perform include Bonnie Bishop, Gary Burr, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Radney Foster, Mary Gauthier, James House, Will Kimbrough, Georgia Middleman, Gary Nicholson, Maia Sharp and Darden Smith.

“This performance shines a light on two important things – the power of music to help us connect, and the need to listen to today’s veterans and military families. These are the war stories of our times, and they have much to teach us,” said Songwriting With Soldiers co-founder Mary Judd.

Songwriting With Soldiers will premiere nationally in prime time on PBS on Friday, Oct. 25 at 9 p.m. CT. Tickets are on sale now for $20 to the general public and are free to active military, veterans and their families.

As they face reentry into civilian life, many service members struggle with the aftermath of service – combat, ambush, rocket fire, friends lost. SongwritingWith:Soldiers holds weekend retreats across the country, pairing service members with professional songwriters to craft songs about their experiences, often about combat and the return home. The creative songwriting process is life-changing for participants as it offers a unique outlet to tell their stories, rebuild trust, release pain and forge new bonds.