City National Bank has inked a sponsorship deal with Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe, becoming the “Official Bank of The Bluebird Cafe.”

“Nashville embraces our songwriting community and nothing represents that fact better than The Bluebird Cafe,” said Diane Pearson, senior vice president and team leader of City National Bank’s Nashville Entertainment Team. “Our community is blessed to have this special place that showcases songwriters in a way no one else can. We at City National are incredibly proud to support this iconic venue that is truly a national treasure.”

Owned by the Nashville Songwriters Association International since 2008, The Bluebird Cafe opened in 1982 and has gained worldwide recognition as a songwriter’s performance space and a venue where both established and up-and-coming songwriters and artists rise to fame and build their careers.

“Sponsoring The Bluebird Cafe is a terrific honor for City National Bank,” said Linda Duncombe, executive vice president and chief marketing, product and digital officer for the bank. “City National has a long and proud history of serving the entertainment industry in Nashville and across the country. We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Bluebird and be a part of their incredible legacy.”

“We only have a handful of sponsors and because of that, we’re careful about making sure the fit is right and that those partners understand our brand, which is both unique and delicate. Across the board, our partners share a love and understanding of songwriters and what makes them a significant part of the music business and of the Nashville community,” said Erika Wollam Nichols, general manager and chief operating officer of The Bluebird Cafe and president of Bluebird Cafe Inc.

Nichols adds, “City National is heavily invested in the entertainment business nationwide, and has a long history of supporting our community here in Nashville. They couldn’t have been a better fit.”

Country artists and friends came together via livestream last night (June 30) for the 5th annual Concert for Love & Acceptance, started by the Foundation for Love & Acceptance founder, award-winning country music artist and philanthropist Ty Herndon. The multi-artist livestream event raised needed resources to support LGBTQ youth and families.

Hosted by Herndon, Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, and CMT’s Cody Alan, the event benefited GLAAD and ACM Lifting Lives and was presented in part by CMT.

Actor and comedian Leslie Jordan kicked the Concert for Love & Acceptance off. “Speaking of love and acceptance, I love country music,” Jordan gleamed.

Tanya Tucker performed the first piece of music for the evening, expertly delivering her Grammy-winning “Bring My Flowers Now” with piano accompaniment.

Jake Owen played an acoustic version of his radio single “Made For You” from his porch. “Everybody’s made for somebody,” Owen said. Brett Young followed that up with “Lady.”

Kalie Shorr expressed that the cause was close to her heart, and played an ever-appropriate, stripped down version of her rocking “Angry Butterfly.” Lewis Brice followed Shorr with his dreamy “It’s You (I’ve Been Looking For).”

Mickey Guyton made an appearance to support the cause. “We have a long way to go when it comes to loving one another and accepting and celebrating one another just as we are, but I’m proud to be in the first with all of you,” Guyton said.

Hit songwriter Shane McAnally expressed gratitude to live in a moment of change, and said there is still work to be done before playing a shortened version of his anthemic hit with Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow.” “I hope everyone who hears this and sees this feels included,” McAnally said.

Country singer Wendy Moten performed a cover of George Jones’ “Walk Through This World With Me.” Michael Ray followed Moten with his 2017 hit “Think a Little Less.”

Actress, producer and singer-songwriter Rita Wilson performed her new song, “Where’s My Country Song?” She then presented Chenoweth with the 2020 Foundation of Love & Acceptance Rally Award. “She is tireless in her efforts to make the world a better place,” Wilson said of Chenoweth.

Chenoweth wasn’t the only award winner of the evening. Herndon also presented country newcomers Shelly Fairchild, Harper Grae and Brandon Stansell with the first-ever Rising Star Award.
“I’m excited to honor three LGBTQ rising stars in country music,” Herndon said. “They’re each a pioneer in their own right and tonight we’re proud to present each of them with our first-ever Foundation for Love & Acceptance Rising Star Award. These are my friends, and they’re so magnificent.”

Lauren Alaina showed off her always beautiful voice on her “Getting Good,” and Chenoweth followed it with her gorgeous voice on a interwoven performance of Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind” and “Losing My Mind” from the musical Follies.

Everette sounded great on a new tune, “Gonna Be Okay,” and Terri Clark played an acoustic version of her “No Fear.” Viewers were also treated to performances by Billy Gilman, Jamie O’Neal and Dennis Quaid.

The Indigo Girls gave one of the best performances of the night with a new song, “Country Radio.” “I wanna know what it’s like to fall in love like most of the rest of the world / But as far as these songs will take me is as far as I’ll go / I’m just a gay kid in a small town who loves country radio,” the Indigo Girls sing with their classic harmonies.

Founder and host Herndon closed the show with an expertly done version of his 1996 hit “Living In A Moment.”

The Foundation for Love & Acceptance is still accepting donations here. The Concert for Love & Acceptance is available to watch here.

Karl Michael has signed a label deal with Riser House Records.

The British singer/songwriter has penned songs that have garnered more than 100 million total streams on Spotify, including hits like “Can We Dance,” which he wrote with Bruno Mars for The Vamps, “Beautiful Me” for Dappy, and more. Michael is releasing his single “Beautiful Creature,” on Friday, July 10, the first of new music made in collaboration with producers Jon Levine (Dua Lipa, The Struts, Alessia Cara) and Scott Spock (Rihanna, Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne).

Karl undoubtedly has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard,” said Jennifer Johnson, President of Riser House Records. “Uniquely compelling, Karl is a true artist and creator in every sense. We are delighted at the opportunity to partner with him and bring his new music to the world.”

“Before I met the Riser House team, I genuinely didn’t think I’d be able to get my music out,” says Michael. “But now with such a passionate and strong label behind me, I’m excited for the world to hear my music.”

Jimmie Allen gets by with a little help from his friends on his latest project, Bettie James, which features collaborations with Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, Nelly, Noah Cyrus, The Oak Ridge Boys, Rita Wilson, and Tauren Wells. The Stoney Creek album is set for release July 10, and includes Allen’s current single “This Is Us” featuring Noah Cyrus, which has already garnered more than 25 million streams.

The project is inspired by and named after his late father, James Allen, and grandmother, Bettie Snead, who passed away in September 2019 and February 2014, respectively. “My dad and grandmom were two completely different people, but both played a huge part in my life. Since they died, I have been wanting to leave trails of their legacies throughout my music,” Allen said of his motivation for the project, which he co-produced alongside Ash Bowers.

“I am a fan of every artist on this project and humbled to have each one of them be a part of it,” continued Allen. “Each artist has touched the life of my dad, my grandmother and me through their music. I’m proud of this body of music and thankful to every writer that helped me create Bettie James.”

This afternoon, Allen co-hosts and performs on the CMA Summer Stay-Cay special with Lindsay Ell. The hosting pair appeared on Good Morning America this morning to talk about the multi-hour live stream event, which kicks off at 5 p.m. CT on CMA’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.