Mike Huppe, President & CEO of SoundExchange & Riley Clemmons
Credit: Amy Carpenter Creative

Riley Clemmons was honored by SoundExchange as a 2018 Year End Top 20 Breakout Artist while in her hometown of Nashville this week. The distinction comes as Clemmons’ self-titled debut album tallies more than 35 million global career streams. Clemmons’ company on the list spans genres including names such as Mitchell Tenpenny, Bazzi, Kim Petras and more alongside past recipients Billie Eilish and Imagine Dragons. The plaque was presented in front of Clemmons’ family and team including Capitol Christian Music Group and Maximum Artist Management during the annual Music Biz Conference.

Riley Clemmons alongside the SoundExchange Team, Capitol Christian Music Group, Maximum Artist Management and her family. Credit: Amy Carpenter Creative

Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Buffy Cooper, Sarah Trahern, Tiffany Kerns, Walker County’s Ivy and Sophie Walker. (Back Row, L-R): Carlton Anderson, Brandon Morlock, Michael Ray, Will Hitchcock, Basak Kizilisik, and Ryan Griffin | Photo Credit: Chris Ashlee

The inaugural “Morris Higham Presents at The Bluebird Cafe” was held on Tuesday, May 7. The first show featured Warner Bros. recording artists Michael Ray, Ryan Griffin and Walker County as well as Arista recording artist Carlton Anderson playing to a sold out house. Over $2,000 was raised with proceeds benefiting The CMA Foundation.

“Our industry partners do such an incredible job of not only sharing country music far and wide but also by giving back within in our community and supporting its future through many wonderful initiatives,” shared Morris Higham’s Robert Filhart. “We wanted to find a way to contribute to those causes and that lead to the creation of ‘Morris Higham Presents at The Bluebird Cafe!'”  

“We’re so grateful to the country music community for continuing to show their commitment to music education,” said Tiffany Kerns, executive director, CMA Foundation. “Events like this allow us to advance our mission — providing high-quality music programs to kids across the country, and leverage more opportunities to strengthen the music education ecosystem.”

Additional shows are scheduled for Aug. 6, to benefit MusiCares Foundation and Nov. 19, benefitting ACM Lifting Lives. The shows will feature clients of Morris Higham Management performing in the round at the Bluebird Cafe. Stay tuned for line up details.

Country artist and songwriter James Wesley has announced the release of his self-titled EP,  along with the lead single “Running.” The five-song project is a collection of original music, with four songs co-penned by Wesley. James Wesley is available for purchase and streaming here.

“Well the day is finally here! This has been a long time awaited,” said Wesley. “This project was truly put together from love, sweat, tears along with hard work and a labor of love from my band and myself. Today I get to share my music with all of you that have been waiting so patiently. I appreciate all my friends, fans and family for all the support and love over the years. Sit back turn the music up and enjoy!”

James Wesley EP Track List:
“You Should Be Here With Me” – Rodney Clawson, Andrew Dorff and Jon McElroy
“Cornfield With Vegas Lights” – Vickey McGehee, Brian Davis and James Wesley Prosser
“Running” – Marcum Stewart, Zach Wrixon and James Wesley Prosser
“The You I Wanna Know” – Tim James, Wade Kirby and James Wesley Prosser
“Do What I Gotta Do” – Mike McQueery, Mark Nesler and James Wesley Prosser

Aaron Watson Photo credit: CK Dirks Photography

Aaron Watson has announced 16 new tour dates on his Red Bandana Tour, including Grand Ole Opry dates on June 8 and 25, and upcoming stops in South Padre Island, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and New Orleans, among others.

Watson is gearing up for the release of his brand new album Red Bandana, which is available for preorder now. Fans who order the new project will receive three instant grat tracks, “Kiss That Girl Goodbye,” “To Be The Moon,” and “Trying Like The Devil.”

Watson kicked off the year with the debut track from the new 20-song collection, “Kiss That Girl Goodbye.”  The single is already a Top 10 in Texas and breaking out at radio nationwide and has amassed over 3.4 million on demand streams and counting.

Tickets for the tour, which spans coast to coast June through October, are available at aaronwatson.com/tour.

Aaron Watson’s The Red Bandana Tour (New Dates In Bold):
6/8 – Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN
6/14 – Country Summer Festival, Santa Rosa, CA 
6/25 – Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN
6/27 – Memphis, TN
6/28 – Taylor County Expo Center, Abilene, TX
6/29 – White Oak Music Hall (Outdoors), Houston, TX
7/5 – Clayton’s Beach Bar, South Padre Island, TX
7/6 – Big Lake Festival, Big Lake, TX
7/11 – Hodag Country Festival, Rhinelander, WI
7/12 – Riverfront Live!, Cincinnati, OH
7/13 – Jam in the Valley, Varysburg, NY
7/18 – Adams County Fair, Hastings, NE
7/19 – Lazy Gators, Lake of the Ozarks, MO
7/20 – Texas Live!, Arlington, TX
7/26 – A Night in the Country, Yerington, NV
7/27 – Clos La Chance Winery, San Martin, CA
8/1 – Adams County Fair, Brighton, CO
8/2 – Starlight Ranch, Amarillo TX
8/3 – Whitewater Amphitheater, New Braunfels, TX
8/9 – Brewster St. Parking Lot Party, Corpus Christi, TX
8/10 – Ford Park Arena, Beaumont, TX
8/15 – KC Live!, Kansas City
8/16 – Revolution Music Room, Little Rock, AR
8/23 – Colorado State Fair, Pueblo, CO
9/5 – Washington State Fair, Puyallup, WA
9/7 – New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque, NM
9/20 – Southport Hall, Jefferson (New Orleans), LA
9/27 – Tulsa State Fair, Tulsa, OK
10/11 – Rialto Theatre, Tucson, AZ

Thomas Rhett announced today he is hosting an album release event for his latest project Center Point Road at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.

Fans are invited to an up-close-and-personal, in the round set from the singer/songwriter revealing stories behind brand new songs, while also delivering the smash hits and fan favorites that shaped him into the artist he is today in a rare, stripped-down setting. Longtime fans will recognize the favorite B-stage layout, inspired by Thomas Rhett’s live show where he shares stories behind the songs, connecting him to every seat in the house.

“We’ve been able to do album release parties all over the country, but to host one in my own backyard during CMA Fest when Country Music fans are here from all over the world is incredible,” said TR. “Nashville is home to the memories and stories from this album that made me into the person I am today, and to also be able to help raise money for Music Education while we celebrate this release makes it extra special.”

Tickets are $25 and include a copy of the upcoming album with proceeds benefiting music education through the CMA Foundation. Tickets are available beginning this Monday, May 13 at 10 a.m. CT for fan club members (via Thomas Rhett’s Home Team app) and 12 p.m. CT for general public.

Rhett transitions from the Canadian leg of his Life Changes Tour tonight in Edmonton (May 10) and Vancouver on May 15 to heating things up stateside on the Very Hot Summer Tour beginning May 17 with special guests Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson and Rhett Akins.