The Oak Ridge Boys are gearing up for the 24^th year of their annual Christmas tour this year as they celebrate 40 years in the business. The group will cross the country on dozens of dates on the Christmas Time’s A Comin’ Tour as they spread some Yuletide cheer and celebrate their four decades of recording, and they’ll perform plenty of the tracks from their 2012 holiday CD of the same name, Christmas Time’s A Comin, at every stop.
“Christmas is my favorite time of the year,” said Oak Ridge Boy Duane Allen. “The Oak Ridge Boys get to take our Christmas tour all over the USA, sharing joy, happiness, gifts, families getting together, and, of course, the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Our Christmas shows are the highlight of our year. Our 40th Anniversary tour dates are turning into celebrations everywhere we go. We have chosen a busy schedule so we can say ‘thank you’ to the many promoters, radio stations, fairs, festivals, and our wonderful fans who have all supported us for so many years. We hope everyone will come on out and celebrate with us.”
Christmas Time’s-A-Comin’ Tour Dates:
Nov. 5-7 – Branson, Mo.
Nov. 12-14 – Branson, Mo.
Nov. 16 – Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Nov. 19-21 – Branson, Mo.
Nov. 25 – Portsmouth, Ohio
Nov. 29 – Sioux Falls, S.D.
Nov. 30 – Des Moines, Iowa
Dec. 1 – Cheyenne, Wyo.
Dec. 2 – Salt Lake City, Utah
Dec. 3 – Cedar City, Utah
Dec. 5 – Billings, Mont.
Dec. 6 – Boise, Idaho
Dec. 7 – Kennewick, Wash.
Dec. 8 – Lewiston, Idaho
Dec. 9 – Spokane, Wash.
Dec. 10 – Eugene, Ore.
Dec. 11 – Redding, Calif.
Dec. 12 – Yountville, Calif.
Dec. 13 – Northridge, Calif.
Dec. 14 – Coachella, Calif.
Dec. 15 – Tucson, Ariz.
Dec. 16 – Amarillo, Texas
Dec. 17 – Topeka, Kan.
Dec. 18 – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Dec. 19 – Wabash, Ind.
Dec. 20 – Akron, Ohio
Dec. 21 – Toledo, Ohio
Dec. 22 – Green Bay, Wis.

Pensacola Beach will become a haven for music lovers in October, when the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival will bring more than 100 songwriters to 17 venues throughout the city.
Slated to run from Oct. 1 through Oct. 6, the lineup features numerous songwriters, including Ed Beaver, Sandy Carroll, Matt Bednarsky, Dee Briggs, Jay Brown, Tim Buppert, Daryl Burgess, Jeremy Bussey, Dani Carroll, Hope Cassity, Pearl Clarkin, Greg Crowe, Gary Culley, Steve Dean, Dan DeMay, Daniel Demay, Kevin Denney, Billy Ryan Droze, Dave Duncan, Mark Elliott, Jim Femino, Lorna Flowers, Aaron Goodvin, Genesis Green, Trent Jeffcoat, Katie Korac, Earl Bud Lee, Mike Loudermilk, Gary Loyd, Kaylan Loyd, Kirsti Manna, Jim McBride, Lisa McCarter, Bruce Michael Miller, Kayla Nettles, Jourdan Pace, Jerry Salley, Chas Sandford, Aaron Scherz, Jeff Silvey, Rusty Tabor, C.J. Watson, Joe West, Amber Leigh White, Bill Whyte, Karyn Williams, Jim McCormick, and Mo Pitney.
General admission is free to most of the venues throughout the festival. However, entrance to some special events, including intimate listening room shows and the Sunset Cruise, require a cover charge. An “All-Access Weekend Pass” is available for $50.00 and grants the patron entrance to all listening room venues during the week (except the cruise).
Additional events include “Sail With The SESAC Crew,” which include Ken Will Morton, Katie Armiger, Roxie Dean and Joe West. “Hits and Grins” includes Lisa Schaffer, Steve Dean and Bill Whyte.
This year’s sponsors include: Santa Rosa Island Authority, Visit Pensacola, Fox 8- New Orleans, WEAR-TV, Cumulus Radio Pensacola, WSRE (PBS) Pensacola State College, WUWF-FM, Talk Radio 1620, Budweiser/Lewis Bear & Co., Jack Daniels, James Reeves Attorney at Law, Pete Moore Chevrolet, Tanner Realty, Levin and Papantonio Law Firm, Blues Angel Music, Tom White the Printer, SESAC, Dr. Mark A. Giofanini, M.D., and Michelle Roche Media Relations.
For more information, visit pensacolabeachsongwritersfestival.com.

Country duo North 40 visited MusicRow‘s offices on Friday (Sept. 13) to preview songs from their upcoming project. Comprised of Louisiana native Heather Herren-Looney and Arizona native Paige Logan, the pair met in Nashville 20 years ago, quickly becoming close friends. However, they did not begin performing together until about three years ago and recently signed with Rhymetown Entertainment.
They performed three songs during their visit, beginning with “Tell Me Something Good.” “We cut 19 songs and thought the album was done,” says Paige. Heather agreed, saying, “We try to keep things positive. Life comes at you fast, and things are different this side of 40. There is always a bright side to everything, and this song came out of it.”
Paige is the alto in the duo, a nice grounding complement to Heather’s bright soprano voice. “Lucky To Be Lovin’ Me” is a sassy, confident song, written for Paige’s mother and father-in-law’s 50th wedding anniversary. They ended with current single “Hey Girl Hey,” co-written with Amber Rose. “It’s really a song meant to encourage and re-energize women who need it,” says Heather.
Their album will be completed near the end of September; for more information on North 40, visit north40country.com.
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The Board of Trustees of The Recording Academy has extended President/CEO Neil Portnow‘s contract through 2019. During semiannual meeting in May, the Board voted unanimously to keep Portnow at the helm of the nonprofit music membership organization. Portnow, had two years remaining on his existing contract, and is now in his second decade at the helm of The Recording Academy. He became President of The Academy in December 2002 and was promoted to President/CEO in September 2007.
In addition to his role as President/CEO of The Recording Academy, Portnow is President/CEO of MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation, Chair of the Board of the GRAMMY Museum, and a member of the Board of Trustees of The Latin Recording Academy.
“Neil is a dynamic leader whose collaborative, inclusive spirit and extensive experience and relationships across all aspects of music and entertainment have delivered dramatic financial, cultural and philanthropic benefits to The Recording Academy and its constituents,” said Christine Albert, Chair of the Board. “As a musician, a member, a longtime elected leader, and industry executive, he is uniquely qualified to understand and address the ongoing needs of our music community especially in today’s constantly evolving industry. Neil selflessly continues to advance The Academy’s profile and mission in everything he does, and he continues to innovate and expand the scope of events, programs and services we offer. His creativity, compassion, humility, and vision have served the organization well, and I, along with my fellow officers and our Board, look forward to our continued collaboration with him as he proceeds to reap even greater rewards on behalf of the organization we all love so much.”
“I am humbled and honored to continue to have our Board’s trust and confidence in steering The Recording Academy’s future,” said Portnow. “Together with our elected leaders from around the country and our tireless staff, we have reached new heights of growth and success, both domestically and internationally. We will continue to strive for even greater levels of excellence and achievement, for the organization and on behalf of our creative community, and I look forward to continuing my second decade of service to this exceptional organization.”