Bigger Picture Group artist Chris Cagle will release his fifth studio album, Back In The Saddle, on June 26, 2012. The album is his first since joining Bigger Picture’s artist roster.

Back In The Saddle was produced with Keith Stegall (Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson) and features Cagle’s current single “Got My Country On.” Cagle wrote five of the 11 tracks on the album, which also features contributions from Danny Myric, Kim Tribble, the Warren Brothers and more.

“The experience I’ve had making this record has rekindled the passion I had for music when I recorded my first record,” says Cagle. “Back In The Saddle is my life! I wouldn’t change anything about it; it is a record that I can live or die by and be content. I have given the fans my heart and soul, if it’s not good enough, I can live with it. If it is good enough, well then, I can’t wait to see what happens!”

Cagle will be in Nashville for CMA Music Festival next week before heading back out on the road to visit radio and play concert dates. He is scheduled to host his 2nd Annual Unbridled Concert on Friday, June 8 at the Wildhorse Saloon. The event benefits Saddle Up, a therapeutic horseback riding program for physically and mentally challenged children. More info here.

The 55th Annual Grammy Awards will be presented Sun., Feb. 10, 2013 at the Los Angeles Staples Center, and will air live on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Additionally, The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!—Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night, which reveals nominations in several categories along with performances will air live on CBS Wed., Dec. 5, 2012.

The eligibility year for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards is Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2012.

Grammy Week, which culminates in Music’s Biggest Night, will again feature celebrations of music, education and philanthropy, including Grammy Camp Basic Training, the Entertainment Law Initiative luncheon, the Producers & Engineers Wing event, the Grammy Foundation’s Music Preservation Event, the MusiCares Person of the Year tribute, the Special Merit Awards Ceremony, and Clive Davis and The Recording Academy’s Pre-Grammy Gala.

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards attracted 39.9 million viewers, the largest Grammy audience since 1984 and the second largest in history.

Elizabeth Cook will release her Gospel Plow EP on Tuesday, June 12, and is hitting the road this summer to support the release.

Cook was inspired to record Gospel Plow after participating in the California-based Strawberry Music Festival’s Sunday morning gospel show in 2011 and being moved by the music. The resulting collection features six of Cook’s favorite Southern gospel songs and a cover of Velvet Underground’s “Jesus.”

On Wednesday, June 13, Cook will perform on The Late Show With David Letterman. She previously appeared on the show as a sit-down guest. Additionally, she and her band (featuring her husband Tim Carroll on guitar and Bones Hillman of Midnight Oil on bass) will be on tour throughout summer. Full dates here.

Catch Cook’s “Apron Strings” on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country Mon. – Fri., 9 am – 1 pm CT

A special panel at Historic RCA Studio B discussed Chet Atkins and his contributions to the industry. Pictured (L-R): John Rumble, Les Ladd, Charlie McCoy, Don Cusic, Harold Bradley and Paul Craft.

The International Country Music Conference was held May 24- 26 at Belmont University. Co-chairs Don Cusic and James Akenson hosted academic sessions covering the Carter Family, Homer and Jethro, Johnny Cash, Charlie Pool and a special panel about Chet Atkins at RCA Studio B.

Nathan Gibson received the Belmont Book Award for the Best Book on Country Music in 2011. He authored The Starday Story: The House That Country Music Built.

The Charlie Lamb Journalism Awards were also presented at the conference, sponsored by Gary and Peggy Walker. Ronnie Stoneman presented the Contemporary Award for country music journalism to Alanna Nash.

Nathan Gibson was honored with the Belmont Book Award. Pictured (L-R): James Akenson, Gibson and Don Cusic

Alanna Nash received the country music journalism award. Pictured (L-R): Gary Walker, Peggy Walker, Ronnie Stoneman, Nash and Don Cusic

Gaylord Entertainment Co. today (5/31) announced that it has agreed to sell the Gaylord Hotels brand and the rights to manage its four hotels to Marriott International for $210 million in cash.

Gaylord will continue to own and operate the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and other attractions. According to a press release, no changes are anticipated at these iconic assets and Gaylord is committed to maintaining the legacy of these historic attractions.

Following consummation of the sale, Gaylord will continue to own its hotel properties and other businesses and will reorganize and elect to be treated as a real estate investment trust (REIT) effective January 1, 2013.

Gaylord Hotels will join the Marriott portfolio of brands. Terms of the management agreement call for Marriott to manage the resort and convention centers in the Nashville, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Orlando and Washington, D.C. areas under the Gaylord Hotels flag. Marriott will receive a management contract with an initial 35 year term, 2% base management fee, and an incentive fee linked to improvement in hotel profitability.

Colin V. Reed, Gaylord Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “The REIT structure allows us to benefit from a more efficient tax structure, and establish a platform to grow our distinct asset base through organic growth of our existing portfolio and, in time, through strategic acquisitions. Moreover, we believe that by working with Marriott International, our shareholders will benefit from significant property efficiencies and corporate overhead reductions, as well as revenue synergies which include Marriott’s ability to attract and market to large group customers.”