Industry Ink: Toby Keith & Friends, Matthew Ramsey, Koe Wetzel, Lukas Nelson, More

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Toby Keith & Friends Fundraiser Raises $1.4 Million

A Flight 1st Place golf team: Mark Vanhoose, Bryan Vineyard, Kelsey Cline, Talor Gooch and Matt Walker

The 21st Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic raised more than $1.4 million, benefiting The Toby Keith Foundation’s work with the OK Kids Korral, which the late singer called “my best gift I’ve ever given to the world.” The highest-dollar items included a Kentucky Derby package that went for $60,000, a Tuscan Villa experience that sold three times at $40,000 each and a Toby Keith Limited Edition Military Guitar that sold twice for $35,000. Silent auction items receiving high bids included a George Strait autographed cowboy hat for $7,000 and a Lainey Wilson concert experience that went for $6,800. Music from Party On The Moon entertained the crowd throughout the evening.

This year’s Toby Keith & Friends was hosted by his longtime friend, Sammy Hagar, who says, “Now that’s the way to start a fundraiser! I had a blast … would be happy to do it again. Toby would’ve done that and more for me any day.”

 

Matthew Ramsey Donates $50,000 To Save Local Middle School Band Program

Matthew Ramsey with concert band students

On Tuesday (June 24), Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey presented a donation of $50,000 on behalf of The Ramsey Foundation to the “Band Together” fundraiser to save the concert band program at J.T. Moore Middle School in Nashville.

On March 28, it was announced that school’s long-standing band program would be eliminated for the 2025–2026 school year. In response, a passionate group of parents launched the “Band Together” campaign with the mission to save the school’s concert band program. With generous support from Ramsey, the campaign has raised over $65,000, enough to hire a part-time band director for the upcoming year. The campaign’s goal is to reach $92,000 by June 30 to fund a full-time band teacher and keep the music alive for all grades. More information on how to help is available here. 

 

Koe Wetzel Celebrates Grand Opening Of Riot Room Houston

Koe Wetzel celebrated the grand opening of his Riot Room Houston last Friday (June 20). The 8,000 square-foot, two-story venue sits in the heart of Midtown, can host nearly 700 guests and includes a full-sized pontoon boat bringing that “on the lake” vibe straight into the club, a DJ booth set in a full-size Ford pickup engine bay, a custom-built jail cell and bucking bull, both perfect for photo ops, photos and memorabilia that bring fans closer to the music and the man behind it and more.

 

Lukas Nelson Featured On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon & The Howard Stern Show

YouTube video

Lukas Nelson recently performed the title track to his new record, “American Romance,” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Additionally, he appeared on The Howard Stern Show, where he performed “All God Did” and spoke with the host.

The album marks Nelson’s first solo project and first in partnership with Sony Music Nashville. In celebration of the release, Nelson was also featured on CBS Mornings last week, where he spoke with correspondent Anthony Mason.

 

Dr. Don Cusic & Bill DeMain To Host Lunch & Learn Honoring Chet Akins

Author/music historian Dr. Don Cusic and songwriter/musician Bill DeMain are set to host a free discussion at the TN State Museum on June 28 at noon, celebrating the legacy of Chet Atkins. The event will feature a Q&A style discussion with the duo, and signing of Dr. Cusic’s new book, Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar.

 

Cerrito Inks With MC1 Nashville Records

Cerrito has signed with MC1 Nashville Records, with distribution powered by MC1/DKM via The Orchard, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

With influence from Dottie West, Cerrito is known for blending traditional country with country and English and Spanish rhythms. His next single, “Hot Pepper Doll” will be released Friday (June 28).

Lauryn Sink
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