Allyson Shaheer/Charley’s neice, Rozene Pride, Neal McCoy and Pam Tillis. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry.

Neal McCoy was invited to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry family last night (Sept. 22) during “Opry 100 Honors Charley Pride,” a special show celebrating the life, music and legacy of the Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member.

During his set, McCoy performed three Pride classics and reflected on Pride’s friendship and mentorship, revealing that in the very early days of his career he would mow yards for a living during the week and travel with Pride on the weekends, opening his shows.

Following her performance, Opry member Pam Tillis welcomed Pride’s wife Rozene Pride to the stage to share memories of her late husband, and Mrs. Pride asked McCoy to escort her onstage. As she concluded her thoughts, she shared, “Charley would be so happy with what you’re going to do next, Pam,” as Tillis stepped in with an official member invitation for McCoy on behalf of Charley and Rozene Pride and the entire Opry family.

“Oh my gosh,” McCoy said. “What a great night. What a great night to be invited.”

McCoy has often credited Pride’s guidance, encouragement and example with helping shape his career and his approach to entertaining, and in 2013, McCoy released the album Pride: A Tribute To Charley Pride to honor his longtime friend and mentor.

“Opry 100 Honors Charley Pride” also featured performances by Opry member Darius Rucker, Pride’s son Dion Pride, Tony Jackson, The Malpass Brothers, and The War & Treaty.

McCoy will officially join the Opry family later this year on a date to be announced.

Craig Morgan is celebrating the heart, soul, and sounds of America on his latest album My Country, due out Nov. 6 ahead of Veterans Day via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.

The 11-song album highlights Morgan’s unwavering patriotism for the Stars and Stripes with songs like “Long May You Wave” and honors his late friend, Toby Keith, with a passionate and personal cover of “American Soldier.” A new track from the album, “I’m Country Music,” is available now ahead of the album’s release. The new single pays tribute to die-hard music fans and all the ways country music speaks to our hearts, hopes, fears, tears, and celebrations.

“This new album brings together two things I love – my country and country music – and it’s created to celebrate both,” shares Morgan. “You’ve been hearing ‘I’m Country Music’ in my shows lately and I’m excited to finally release it today. And I’m privileged too to have the blessing of my friend Toby Keith’s family to record and release my own version of his iconic song, ‘American Soldier,’ on the project too. I can’t wait for everyone to listen!”

Morgan will perform a headlining show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 7, and the Grand Ole Opry member will host his Veterans Day 5K, supported by Humana, that morning at the Grand Ole Opry House. Registration is open now and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Opry Trust Fund, Operation Finally Home, the USO and the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation.

My Country Track List:
1. “I’m Country Music” (Phil O’Donnell, Teddy Robb, Josh London)
2. “American Soldier” (Toby Keith, Chuck Cannon)
3. “The Will” (Jessi Alexander, Josh Phillips)
4. “Long May You Wave” (Craig Morgan, Scotty Hasting, Phil O’Donnell, Houston Phillips)
5. “That Ain’t Gonna Be Me” (Craig Morgan, Wade Kirby, Trent Willmon, Phil O’Donnell)
6. “Blue Collar Prayer” (Craig Morgan, Phil O’Donnell, Matt Willis)
7. “Soldier” (Gavin DeGraw)
8. “That’s What I Love About Sunday” (Adam Dorsey, Mark Narmore)
9. “Almost Home” – Craig Morgan & Jelly Roll – (Craig Morgan, Kerry Kurt Phillips)
10. “International Harvester” – Craig Morgan & Lainey Wilson – (Danny Myrick, Jeffrey Steele, Shane Minor)
11. “God, Family, and Country” (Craig Morgan, Craig Morris, Lance McDaniel)

Hill Country Reserve has announced the artist lineup and details for its inaugural gathering Nov. 2-4 in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.

Designed for a limited audience of 200, the the newest destination experience from Forefront Networks unfolds across Fredericksburg’s historic downtown, scenic Hill Country settings and one of Texas’ most iconic music towns, offering a more intentional way to connect with artists and the region.

The music lineup includes Wade Bowen, The Wilder Blue, Josh Weathers, Julianna Rankin, Alex Lambert, Garrett Mann, Angel White, a special duo with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall, and more. Guests will divide into smaller groups and enjoy tableside dinner performances from a variety of artists including Bri Bagwell, Paul Eason, Zane Williams and Django Walker.

The gathering kicks off with a welcome event at the Albert Hotel, built on the site of the historic Albert Dance Hall, where guests will unwind with vineyard views, chef-crafted dinners, and intimate performances beneath the Texas sky. While guests are enjoying downtown Fredericksburg throughout the three days, they can also shop Lucchese Bootmaker styles in the Albertina House, located adjacent to the Albert Hotel.

The second day expands into the surrounding Hill Country, where additional performances unfold against sweeping landscapes and the natural beauty that defines the region. The experience culminates on the third day with a private visit to Luckenbach, offering guests access to one of Texas’ most storied music outposts. The closing performances will be captured during a live taping of Texas Music Scene. 

Braxton Keith. Photo: @shotbyzap

With his major label debut album REAL DAMN DEAL, released earlier this year, Braxton Keith has made his mark on the country music landscape.

The project, which was lauded by fans and critics alike, landed Keith on multiple artist-to-watch lists by Amazon Music, Rolling Stone and more. His dynamic talent as a live performer was put on display with his “REAL DAMN DEAL TOUR,” which continues through the fall.

After such a successful year, Keith is gearing up to kick things up a notch with another run in 2027. The “TOLD YOU ONCE TOUR” kicks off in January and spans nearly 40 cities across the country, marking his most extensive tour to date. Rising artists Caden Gillard, Cole Goodwin, Carson Peters, Tyla Rodrigues and Wild Bill & The Bruisers will join as rotating support slots throughout spring.

Keith recently reflected on the past year with MusicRow, and looked towards the future.

MusicRow: You’ve built a pretty distinct identity around traditional country, honky-tonk, and Western swing, but you’re also releasing music in a very different country marketplace. How intentional are you about protecting that identity as your audience and the opportunities around you get bigger?

I only know how to be me and that’s all I’m ever going to try to be. I don’t really feel like I have to protect that identity because it’s genuinely who I am and I don’t know any other way to be.

REAL DAMN DEAL feels like an album that establishes a world around you rather than just introducing a collection of songs. How did you think about what you wanted this first major-label album to say about who you are as an artist?

I wanted my debut album to be country to its core because I am too. It’s important to me to spread the gospel of country music through my original songs and songs from the greats who have come before me. I want people to listen to my record and think “that truly was the real damn deal.”

You wrote 10 of the album’s 15 songs, and a lot of the conversation around the record has focused on your songwriting and storytelling. As your career develops, do you see yourself becoming even more songwriter-driven, or are you interested in finding a balance between your own material and songs written by other people?

I like a healthy balance. I love the process of getting into a writers’ room with some of the best in the business and taking an idea, dream, or story I have and letting them put their spin on it too. I want to be involved in that process because collaboration makes me a stronger songwriter whether it’s in a co-write or on my own.

You’re getting the chance to play very different rooms right now–from your own headlining shows to supporting artists like Lainey Wilson, Tucker Wetmore and Gavin Adcock, plus fairs and festivals. What are you learning from those different audiences? Does that change the way you approach your own live show?

Every time we get the opportunity to open up for acts like Lainey, Gavin, Tucker, etc., we absolutely pay attention and take away lessons from each artist, their unique way of connecting with their fans, and their live performance. I call it going to class. We always take away something valuable from those experiences and constantly strive to make our live show the best it can be.

There’s clearly an appetite right now for artists who are pushing traditional country sounds back into the center of the conversation. Do you think this moment is actually changing the business around that music, or is the audience appetite moving faster than the industry itself?

Everywhere we go, people are showing up to hear real country music, whether that’s honky-tonk, Western swing, or traditional country. The fans have made it clear there’s an appetite for it, and the business usually follows where the fans lead. I’ve always believed there’s a lane for traditional country, though. Country music is a big tent and there’s room for a lot of different styles. If there’s room for all of that, there’s dang sure room for traditional country too. It’s been really cool to see more artists carrying that torch and fans embracing it.

You’ve had a pretty remarkable run of “artists to watch” recognition and critical attention this year. At what point does being an artist people are watching become less interesting than figuring out how to build a sustainable career—and what does that next phase look like to you?

At no point am I not thinking about how to build a sustainable career and release music that is authentic to me and that my fans will love. Of course it feels great to get the accolades and feel like what I’m doing is resonating with people. But at the end of the day, there is no plan B for me. All I ever want to do is evolve and continue to get better and better at my craft and give fans a reason to keep listening to my music and buying tickets to my shows. The next phase looks a lot like the last, work hard, write great songs, play great shows and never stop tonkin’.

—

“TOLD YOU ONCE TOUR” 2027 Dates:
1/14 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore ^
1/15 – Rosemont, IL – Joe’s Live ^
1/16 – Springfield, IL – Boondocks ^
1/21 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre #
1/22 – Cleveland, OH – Globe Iron #
1/23 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre #
1/28 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall #
1/29 – Cincinnati, OH – MegaCorp Pavillion #
1/30 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel #
2/4 – Boston, MA – Royale *
2/5 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza *
2/6 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE *
2/11 – Fayetteville, AR – Ozark Music Hall ^
2/12 – Jackson, MS – Dixie National Livestock and Rodeo
2/13 – Baton Rouge, LA – Texas Club ^
2/18 – St. Pete, FL – Jannus Live *
2/19 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live *
2/20 – Jacksonville, FL – FIVE *
3/3 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues +
3/4 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues +
3/5 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre +
3/6 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades +
3/10 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom +
3/11 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox +
3/12 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory +
3/14 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory +
3/17 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Grand at The Complex +
3/18 – Denver, CO – The Mission Ballroom +
3/20 – Hamilton, TX – Santa Teresa Ranch Fest
4/8 – Columbia, SC – The Senate ~
4/9 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz ~
4/10 – Starkville, MS – Rick’s Cafe ~
4/15 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre ~
4/16 – Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s ~
4/17 – Anderson, SC – Wendell’s ~

^ Caden Gillard
~ Cole Goodwin
* Carson Peters
+ Tyla Rodrigues
# Wild Bill & The Bruisers