Late country music icon Waylon Jennings will be honored with a deluxe tribute compilation on February 8, as Scatter Records and the Big Machine Label Group team up to release The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated To Waylon Jennings, Vol. 1. Distribution and promotion will be handled by The Valory Music Co.

The star-studded tribute is part of a three volume project featuring some of country music’s best performing Jennings’ songs, including Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, Trace Adkins, Patty Griffin, and Sunny Sweeney. The lead single from Vol. 1 is “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way,” which supergroup Alabama reunited to record. The single goes for adds Dec. 13.

The project was conceived in 2007 by Scatter Records founder Witt Stewart, who contacted Jennings’ widow Jessi Colter with the idea. Colter also appears on the tribute, dueting with Sunny Sweeney on “Good Hearted Woman.” Colter and Jennings’ son Shooter pays tribute as well, performing “Belle of the Ball” for Vol. 1. Every performance on the collection earned Jessi and Shooter’s blessing.

“There have been several tribute albums made in my father’s honor, all of which were great tributes to his legacy. But this one has been a true passion project for a lot of artists and friends who truly wanted to remember and give back to the wonderful man he was,” says Shooter. “In the years since my dad passed away, I’ve grown as an artist and I feel this is the first time I’ve been able to give back truly to the man who inspired, influenced and nurtured me and my musical passion.”

Volumes 2 and 3 are due to be released later in 2011.

Vol. 1 tracklist:

1.   This Time – Jamey Johnson
2.   Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way – Alabama
3.   I’m A Ramblin’ Man – Randy Houser
4.   Belle of the Ball – Shooter Jennings
5.   Good Hearted Woman – Sunny Sweeney and Jessi Colter
6.   Don’t You Think This Outlaw Bit’s Done Got Out Of Hand – James Otto
7.   Just To Satisfy You – John Hiatt w Waylon Jennings
8.   Rose In Paradise – Kris Kristofferson and Patty Griffin
9.   You Ask Me To – Trace Adkins
10. Go Down Rockin’ – Waylon Jennings

(Bonus Track)
The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want To Get Over You) – Chanel Campbell

Robin J. Gordon of Gordon Law Group, PLC has announced the addition of attorneys Cynthia Wood and Caitlin Doty to the firm’s Entertainment Practice Group.

Wood comes to the Music Row firm from established Jackson, Tenn. firm Waldrop & Hall. Prior to attending law school at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, Wood worked in communication and public relations in Memphis. In addition to entertainment, her practice includes business and litigation matters.

Doty attended Vanderbilt Law School and graduated from the University of California Hastings College of Law. Prior to her move to Nashville, Doty was a judicial extern at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. She is fluent in Spanish, and focuses her practice on litigation, entertainment, and business matters.

With more than 20 years of experience, Gordon Law Group is located at 803 18th Avenue South, Nashville, Tenn.  37212. Contact them at 615-321-0220.

Grammy award winning acts Martina McBride (Republic Nashville) and Train (Columbia Records) shared the stage—swapping lines on “A Broken Wing,” “Wrong Baby Wrong,” “Drops of Jupiter” and “Hey, Soul Sister”—during the most recent episode of CMT Crossroads. (L-R): CMT Sr. VP Music Events and Talent John Hamlin, Big Machine Label Group Pres./CEO Scott Borchetta, Train’s Pat Monahan, McBride, Republic Nashville Pres. Jimmy Harnen and Train’s Jimmy Stafford. Photo: WireImage.com/Rick Diamond

Jo Walker-Meador traced her legendary 33-year career as executive director of the Country Music Association during SOURCE’s monthly luncheon meeting (11/18) at ASCAP. (L-R): SOURCE Secretary Judi Turner, Walker-Meador and SOURCE Pres. Judy Harris. Photo: Denise Fussell

Acclaimed jazz vocalist Anna Wilson made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Nov. 16 at the historic Ryman Auditorium, performing songs from her upcoming album Countrypolitan Duets. Special guests joining Wilson were Opry member Connie Smith, country singer Billy Dean, jazz icon Larry Carlton and American Idol finalist Matt Giraud, who appears on the album. Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Ray Price, and steel guitar great Lloyd Green, are among the other featured artists on the album produced by Wilson’ husband, hit songwriter/producer Monty Powell. (L-R): Mathew Knowles, Pres./CEO Music World Ent.; Dean; Wilson; Giraud; Carlton; and Powell. Photo: Joel Dennis

There are several holiday events and concerts coming up benefiting worthwhile organizations including Harvest Hands, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Christmas 4 Kids, Second Harvest, Musicares, and more.

Jo Dee Messina Confirms 2nd Annual Christmas Concert
Multi-platinum country singer-songwriter Jo Dee Messina has announced she will hold her second annual Christmas Concert benefiting Harvest Hands Community Development Corporation (CDC), Sat., Dec. 4 at 7:00 PM. at Brentwood United Methodist Church. Tickets are free and available online at www.jodeemessina.com, www.harvesthandscdc.com and www.bumc.net. Concert goers are asked to make a “love offering” for the cause.

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Nashville Cancer Survivor Inspires Community with Music and Memoirs
As part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Team in Training” program All Access’ editor and cancer survivor Jim Asker plans to raise $25,000 with his upcoming event, “An Evening of Music.” The event, hosted by GAC’s Suzanne Alexander, will be held Sat., Dec. 11 at The Listening Room at Cummins Station in Nashville from 7-10:00 PM. Special musical guests include singer/songwriter Anita Cochran, Cold River recording artist Katie Armiger and Curb recording artist Ashley Gearing. A silent auction will accompany the event with all proceeds benefitting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please CLICK HERE.

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Christmas 4 Kids Concert Sold Out
Charlie Daniels will host and headline the Charlie Daniels & Friends concert on Mon., Nov. 22 at the Ryman Auditorium, beginning at 7:00 PM. Daniels and friends Montgomery Gentry, Jake Owen and Sawyer Brown will perform at the charity event that raises money for the Christmas 4 Kids organization. The funds generated by the concert, and the Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event are used to give more than 400 children a day-long shopping excursion.

The Annual Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event will take place on Mon., Dec. 13 in Hendersonville, TN. The shopping excursion will takes place on Tues., Dec. 14. For more information on how you can volunteer to help chaperone one of these special children, visit www.Christmas4kids.org.

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The Music City Community Chorus Performs Rachmaninoff For Second Harvest Food Bank
The Music City Community Chorus, directed by Renee Grant-Williams, is performing its annual winter concert to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The chorus will be singing Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “All Night Vigil” on Dec. 16 at the Cathedral of the Incarnation at 7:30 PM free of charge. Audience members are asked to bring canned and non-perishable food items to donate to Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.MusicCityCommunityChorus.org.

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Steve Richard Helps High School Student Feed 500 Families for Thanksgiving
Force MP Entertainment’s Steve Richard is helping Elaine Odum, a young lady from Overland Park, KS feed 500 families for Thanksgiving. Odum accepted the challenge while attending a Christian youth camp. Richard made a donation himself and is reaching out to his fellow artists and the public to add their contributions as well. A non-profit organization called In His Service, is collecting money on Elaine’s behalf. To find out more and to donate visit www.steverichardmusic.com.

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Guitar Center Teams With Musicares

Guitar Center is giving holiday shoppers a chance to make a difference in the lives of musicians by making a contribution to MusiCares Foundation at any store in North America. MusiCares provides support and guidance for struggling musicians, from addiction recovery to personal or medical crisis. Guitar Center is accepting contributions $1 and up at any of the locations nationwide. Shoppers who donate will be given an ornament to display in the store. For more information, contact your local Guitar Center or visit them online at www.GuitarCenter.com.

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Billy Ray Cyrus and CMA Join DRIVE4COPD
Country Music and television star Billy Ray Cyrus and the Country Music Association (CMA) have joined DRIVE4COPD to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). DRIVE4COPD is a national public health initiative that aims to help people identify symptoms of COPD and take action. For more information about COPD and the campaign, visit: DRIVE4COPD.COM.

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Chelsea Field & Vampire Diaries Star Unleash 100k For Stray Pets
On Nov. 13 rising country star Chelsea Field and Ian Somerhalder, star of the CW Network’s The Vampire Diaries raised just over $100,000 for homeless animals in the southern region of Louisiana. Over 1,000 supporters, and 32 fur balls, turned out for “Unleashed! Bash on the Bayou.” The benefit featured Field as the musical entertainment with Somerhalder as event host and Chairman. All proceeds benefit Covington, Louisiana’s St. Tammany Humane Society, the largest no-kill animal shelter in the state.

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ReTune Nashville Raises $20,000 For Musicians
Tennessee nonprofit ReTune Nashville raised nearly $20,000 for musicians’ flood relief at the Oct. 23 Benefit Concert and Art Auction Event held at Nashville’s Soundcheck. Approximately 90 pieces of artwork and jewelry created from flood damaged instruments were on display. Music performers included Sean Smith, Sean O’Bryan Smith, Jeremy Lister, Anthony Smith, Jamie O’Neal, Eddy Raven, Kentucky Thunder and Derek St. Holmes. ReTune Nashville continues their efforts to raise funds for uninsured musicians affected by the May flood through MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief, Nashville Musicians Association Flood Relief Fund with the an online auction. To bid on items or for more information about ReTune Nashville, visit retunenashville.org.

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Johnny Cash Auction Benefits Musicares
Julien’s Auctions is proud to announce an auction of property from the life and career of Johnny Cash. The auction includes items from Cash’s military career, through his life and partnership with June Carter Cash, his time as a Highwayman through the end of his career. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit MusiCares.

Highlights in the sale are lyrics personally penned by Cash; three guitars from different points in his career—a vintage 1951 Martin, a Grammer Johnny Cash model, and a Martin used by Cash in the 1980s and gifted to his friend Bill Miller; stage clothing; and more. For more information: http://www.juliensauctions.com/auctions/2010/johnny-cash/index.html