Industry Ink: Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Grand Ole Opry, More

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Brad Paisley Closes Out 2025 NFL Draft With Headline Performance

Brad Paisley. Photo: Courtesy of NFL

Brad Paisley headlined the NFL Draft Concert Series presented by Bud Light on April 26, closing out three days at the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. As the grand finale to Draft weekend, Paisley took the stage at the Draft Theater near Lambeau Field for a free concert following the conclusion of Round 7 of the Draft. Paisley dazzled the enthusiastic crowd with hits from his career and a blistering guitar-solo tribute to Prince.

He’ll launch his “Truck Still Works Tour” on May 21.

 

Eric Church & Willie Geist Talk ‘Evangeline vs. the Machine’ on ‘Sunday TODAY’

Eric Church joined Willie Geist on NBC’s Sunday TODAY. Photo: Courtesy of NBC

Eric Church sat down with Willie Geist on NBC’s Sunday TODAY over the weekend to discuss his nearly two-decade journey defined by consistent risk-taking and rule-breaking as he enters a bold new chapter with his most sonically ambitious project yet, his new album Evangeline vs. the Machine, due out May 2. Church also talked the album’s themes during a separate appearance on The Steam Room podcast with basketball icons Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson, noting, “Everything I look at today involves kids on iPads and kids doing whatever they do on ‘machines,’ and it’s a little bit of a crux between creativity versus the ‘machine’ that tries to manipulate that creativity.”

 

Grand Ole Opry Centennial Honored By Tennessee State Legislature

Pictured (L-R): Grand Ole Opry SVP and Executive Producer Dan Rogers, Rep. Jeremy Faison; Opry Entertainment Group CEO Patrick Moore, Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman Colin Reed, Opry Members Jamie Dailey, Darrin Vincent and guests

The Grand Ole Opry was recognized April 14 by the Tennessee House of Representatives in a special session held at the Tennessee State Capitol in honor of the Opry’s 100th anniversary. Introduced by Representative Jeremy Faison, the resolution recognized the Opry’s century-long impact on American music and Tennessee culture, calling it “the heartbeat of Nashville.” Following the resolution, Opry members Dailey & Vincent performed the fan-favorite tribute to their home state, “I’ll Leave My Heart in Tennessee,” live on the chamber floor. “I’ll Leave My Heart in Tennessee,” was written by Karen Staley and was named an official Tennessee State Song in 2022.

 

James Bay & Sheryl Crow Perform New Single At Brooklyn Bowl Nashville

James Bay and Sheryl Crow

Multi-Platinum singer, songwriter and guitarist James Bay brought out Sheryl Crow at his Brooklyn Bowl Nashville show last weekend to perform their new single “You and Me Time.” “You and Me Time” is off Bay’s Changes All The Time (Deluxe) album, available now via Mercury Records.

 

Micah Christopher Signs With Integrity Music

Micah Christopher with the Integrity Music Team + BrickHouse Entertainment

Micah Christopher has signed to Integrity Music. “Our team first met Micah a few years ago as a staff worship leader at The Bridge Church locally just south of Nashville,” explains Blaine Barcus, President of Integrity Music. “His genuine love for people and Jesus is obvious the minute you meet him. It’s that authenticity and big heart that made him a perfect fit to join our artist family. I have no doubt that Micah is going to sing songs that will impact the nations for the Kingdom!”

“I’m eager to start working with my friends at Integrity Music,” says Christopher. “For years, I have led worship songs by Integrity Music artists, and it’s just the absolute kindness of the Lord to let me now be a part of Integrity. From President Blaine Barcus to everyone at Integrity, I’ve already experienced such incredible support, belief, and encouragement. I fully trust that the Lord will be honored by our efforts to make Jesus known through the songs we write and sing.”

Lorie Hollabaugh
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