Texas Hill’s ‘Heaven Down Here’ Slated For January

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Texas Hill have announced the release of their debut album, Heaven Down Here, on Jan. 21. The trio–Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James and Adam Wakefield–are previewing the new project with the Casey James-led track, “Up One Side,” available everywhere this Friday, Oct. 15.

The 12-song album includes previously released tunes from their self-titled debut EP plus five new tracks. The trio first began writing and performing together in 2019 and announced the band publicly in June of 2020. Among the writers contributing to the project are Keith Stegall, Phillip White, Morgan Myles and more.

“All three of us were thrust into situations where millions of people made snap judgements on our talent and ability in 90 seconds, and that’s why this project has been so cathartic for us,” says Wakefield. “There are so many things we’re proud of on this record. I think the one I’m most proud of is how diverse and raw it is. At a time where new music coming out of ‘Music City’ can be formatted and predictable, we let the music lead; and it took us to a lot of different places. There are elements of Blues, R&B, Country, Southern Rock and even Latin influences on this mama-jama. I think there’s something for everyone on here.”

Heaven Down Here Track List:
1. Heaven Down Here (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James)
2. For The Love of It (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Phillip White, Brian Maher, James LeBlanc)
3. Up One Side (Phillip White, James LeBlanc, Casey James)
4. Four Roses (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Shannon Lawson)
5. Love Me When I’m Leaving (Adam Wakefield)
6. Neon Heart (Mike Walker, Ryan Beaver, James LeBlanc)
7. Easy On The Eyes (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Morgan Myles)
8. Where The Lonely Go (Keith Stegall, Craig Wayne Boyd, Phillip White)
9. Love Is A River (Adam Wakefield)
10. Sugar Cane (Brad Crisler, James LeBlanc, Craig Wayne Boyd)
11. Darkest Sky (Ryan Beaver, Mike Walker, James LeBlanc)
12. For The Love of It *Encore Version (Adam Wakefield, Casey James, Craig Wayne Boyd, Phillip White, Brian Maher, James LeBlanc

‘Living & Learning With Reba McEntire’ Returns For Second Season

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Living & Learning with Reba McEntire is returning to Spotify for its second season with episodes beginning on Oct. 25.

Each week, Reba will tackle numerous topics through informative and intriguing conversations with a variety of celebrity guests. She will be joined by her boyfriend “Sugar Tot” Rex Linn, country music trio Lady A, and fellow country music icon Trisha Yearwood, among others.

The first season featured interviews with Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Kristin Chenoweth, Thomas Rhett & Lauren Atkins, Glennon Doyle, Karamo Brown, and more. To catch up before season 2’s debut, click here.

 

Blessing Offor Releases Music On Chris Tomlin’s Bowyer & Bow Label Imprint

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Multi-talented singer songwriter Blessing Offor has partnered with Chris Tomlin’s Bowyer & Bow imprint on Universal/Capitol Christian Music Group to release new music. His double single debut “Brighter Days / Tin Roof,” is available on all digital streaming platforms.

The youngest of six siblings, the Nigerian-born singer-songwriter immigrated to the United States with his uncle at the age of six. Blessing was born blind in one eye, so his parents sent him to the United States in an effort to restore his vision, though unfortunately he lost his complete eyesight by age 10.

Gravitating towards the piano before losing his vision, Blessing’s teachers helped nurture his talent, and he soon found himself at Belmont University. Now Blessing is a go-to songwriter in Nashville, accruing writing credits with top talents Chris Tomlin, Natalie Hemby, Breland, and others.

Known for his powerful voice and very melodic sound, Blessing juxtaposes the driving rhythms of “Brighter Days” with the softer tones of “Tin Roof” on the release.

“I’ve really been looking forward to sharing my songs with everyone,” Blessing says. “Every one of them feels like I’m sharing a part of myself for people to relate to. That’s what ‘Brighter Days’ is about. The idea that we all experience dark days, but it’s those days that lead us to, and that makes the brighter ones worth waiting for.”

CRB Inducts Class Of 2021 Into Country Radio Hall Of Fame, Honors Keith Urban & Beverlee Brannigan

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Pictured (L-R): Country Radio Hall of Fame Inductees Bill Hagy, Bob Pickett, Angie Ward, Buzz Jackson, RJ Curtis, Heather Froglear. Photo: Andrea Schollnick

The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. held its 2021 Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony at The Westin in Nashville last night (Oct. 13) to induct four off-air radio broadcasters and four on-air radio personalities who have made a significant impact on the radio industry during their careers.

The 2021 Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of inductees recognized were off-air honorees Bob Call, RJ Curtis, Bill Hagy, and Norm Schrutt. On-air honorees were Heather Froglear, Buzz Jackson, Bob Pickett, and Angie Ward. Due to last-minute unforeseen circumstances, Call was unable to attend and appear at this year’s event. His induction will be held at the 2022 Hall of Fame event.

Pictured (L-R):2021 CRB President’s Award recipient Beverlee Brannigan and CRB/CRS Board President Kurt Johnson. Photo: Andrea Schollnick

CRB/CRS Board President, Kurt Johnson, also presented long-time music industry veteran and member of the CRB board and executive committee, Beverlee Brannigan, with the organization’s 2021 President’s Award.

Country music superstar Garth Brooks was on hand to present another country music giant, Keith Urban, with the 2021 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award. Brooks capped off the award presentation with a special performance of Urban’s 2004-hit song, “You’ll Think of Me,” and was later joined by Urban and Trisha Yearwood for a special performance of “Fishin’ in The Dark.”

Nominations for the 2022 Country Radio Hall of Fame are being accepted through Oct. 29. The Class of 2022 will be revealed at CRS 2022, to be held Feb. 23-25, 2022.

Pictured (L-R): Trisha Yearwood, Keith Urban, CRB/CRS Board President Kurt Johnson, Garth Brooks. Photo: Andrea Schollnick

Tim Kelly Shares Lifelong Musical Passion On Debut, Ruston Kelly-Produced Album

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Tim Kelly. Photo: John Chong

Tim Kelly is fulfilling a lifelong ambition with his debut album, Ride Through the Rain, which was produced by son, Ruston Kelly. The project is set for release on Nov. 5, and the album’s first single, “Leave This Town,” along with a live performance of the song featuring Ruston, is available now.

Ride Through the Rain includes nine original songs spanning from his teen years to the present day, drawing on modern sounds as well as the ‘70’s songwriters he admires. Telling his story in songs like “Leave This Town,” Kelly fulfills the promise he showed before he traded his musical ambitions for a manufacturing career to provide for his family. After touring with Ruston as his pedal steel guitarist and playing on his last two albums, Kelly was prodded by his son to finally make a record that captured his voice.

“’Leave This Town’ goes from contemplating a decision to walk away from the familiar, from roots and relationships, to actually doing it, making a major life change with all the uncertainty that goes with it,” explains Kelly. “I’m incredibly fortunate and grateful to be able to make a record at this point in my life, and I don’t think it’s the last thing that I’ll do.”

“Seeing this album come to life is a dream come true for both of us. I’ve tried to get him to record these songs for years, over many breakfasts and many conversations on tour,” shares Ruston. “His songs are the reason I write songs. They are masterfully written and beautifully performed by a man who has really seen it all. It’s pretty rare for a father’s album to be produced by his son and I definitely don’t take it for granted how special that is. I’m just so proud of him as my dad, as a person, and as an artist fulfilling a lifelong dream.”

Keb’ Mo’ Bridges Nashville & Compton On New Album, ‘Good To Be’

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Keb’ Mo’. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Keb’ Mo’ is reaching back to his roots on his new album, Good To Be, set for release on Jan. 21 via Rounder Records. The artist collaborated with Darius Rucker for the first single from the new collection, “Good Strong Woman,” available everywhere now.

“I co-wrote [‘Good Strong Woman’] with two of Nashville’s best country writers, Jason Nix and Jason Gantt. It’s a song that I didn’t think I’d be recording, but it was just too much fun, and I had to give it a shot. When Darius got involved, it went from fun to stun,” explains Kevin Moore, who is known by his stage name Keb’ Mo’.

Written between Nashville and his childhood home in Compton, California, Good To Be is a celebration of roots and resilience, drawing on a mesh of country, soul, and blues for its sound. The project was co-produced by Keb’ Mo’ alongside Vince Gill  and Grammy winner Tom Hambridge. Kristin Chenoweth and Old Crow Medicine Show also make guest appearances on the project.

Earlier this year, two tracks were released from the collection–“Sunny and Warm” and “The Medicine Man” (feat. Old Crow Medicine Show. Some of the album’s songs, like “Quiet Moments,” were written as far back as the early ’70s, while others were penned just months ago in the midst of the pandemic.

“You can’t bring an attitude to Compton,” says Keb’. “You can’t pose. You can’t be anything but real when you’re walking down the same streets you used to ride your bike on as a kid. In a lot of ways, coming back there felt like it completed me.”

Last month, Keb’ Mo’ received the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Performance Award at the organization’s 20th annual Honors and Awards show in Nashville. He will also be on tour throughout the rest of the year, with additional dates to be announced in the coming months.

Good To Be Track List:
1. Good To Be (Home Again)
2. So Easy
3. Sunny and Warm
4. Good Strong Woman (feat. Darius Rucker)
5. The Medicine Man (feat. Old Crow Medicine Show)
6. Marvelous to Me
7. Lean on Me
8. Like Love
9. Dressed Up in Blue
10. ‘62 Chevy
11. Louder
12. So Good to Me
13. Quiet Moments (feat. Kristin Chenoweth)

CMT Celebrates Top Country Entertainers At ‘Artists Of The Year’ Ceremony Live In Nashville

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Mary and Randy Travis speak onstage the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

Last night (Oct. 13), CMT recognized some of this year’s biggest acts live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center at the 2021 CMT Artists of the Year ceremony.

Honorees included Chris Stapleton, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Combs, alongside Breakout Artist of the Year Mickey Guyton and Artist of a Lifetime Randy Travis. Together these artists have produced some 200 career top 10 singles, won 130 awards and have been streamed over 25 billion times.

Luke Combs accepts an award onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

The evening kicked off with Combs performing “Forever After All,” and accepting his award from friend Eric Church. He thanked the fans and his wife, and gave a special call out to Randy Travis for his enduring influence on country music.

Next, Barrett was lauded by Grammy award-winning Christian artist Michael W. Smith who introduced a performance of her No. 1 hit song, “The Good Ones.”

Mickey Guyton and Yola perform onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

Guyton, alongside friend and musician Yola, garnered the night’s first standing ovation with the world premiere version of “Remember Her Name.” The performance moved Guyton to tears, noting in her acceptance speech that “country music is really everyone’s music.”

The second standing ovation came when Garth Brooks awarded friend and country legend Randy Travis with the Artist of a Lifetime Award. Randy and his wife, Mary Davis Travis, accepted the honor as Mary thanked the fans on Randy’s behalf noting, “Randy’s stroke may have taken his voice, but didn’t take the man or the heart, and it didn’t take the music.”

Brown was introduced by friend Nelly before taking the stage to honor Randy with one of his biggest hits, “Three Wooden Crosses.” Brown accepted his own 2021 honor, thanking the fans and remembering his bandmate and drummer who passed away in 2019.

Chris Stapleton accepts an award onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

Next, Grammy Award-winning artists Boys II Men, joined by Pentatonix’s Kevin Olusola, honored Stapleton with a first-ever performance of his song, “Cold.” Stapleton acknowledged being moved by all the “love in the room” as he accepted his award from friend and actress Connie Britton.

The final honoree celebrated was Kelsea Ballerini. Her husband, Morgan Evans, introduced her performance with tour-mates Jonas Brothers. Performing “With a Little Help From My Friends,” Ballerini accepted her award, thanking fans for their support.

The evening concluded with Walker Hayes who performed his smash viral hit, “Fancy Like.”

Gabby Barrett accepts an award onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

Kane Brown performs onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

Kelsea Ballerini accepts the 2021 CMT Artists of the Year award from her tour stop in Franklin, Tennessee, with the Jonas Brothers.

Walker Hayes performs onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

2021 Charlie Daniels Patriot Award Recipients Announced, Ceremony Set For Oct. 27

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The third annual Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Dinner is set to be held on Oct. 27 at Nashville’s City Winery. This year’s Patriot Award recipients include country singer Darryl Worley; decorated military veteran and co-author of 13 Hours, Mark “Oz” Geist; The Daniels Center at Middle Tennessee State University; and firearms manufacturers Marty and Cindy Daniel of Daniel Defense.

“Winning the Charlie Daniels Patriot Award is one of the greatest honors that could ever come my way,” says Worley. “It is total confirmation that my service to the men and women of the U.S. military is righteous and good. I pray that I can always enjoy the freedom that they afford us all and live a life worthy of their sacrifices.”

SiriusXM’s Storme Warren will co-host the event along with former U.S. Navy SEAL David Rutherford. Multi-Platinum entertainer Chris Young, a previous recipient of the Patriot Award, is set to perform live. Special guest speakers will include former New York City Police Commissioner, Bernie Kerik; former U.S. Navy SEAL, Eddie Gallagher; and decorated military veterans Chris Spence and Mario Vigil, two of the “Real Horse Soldiers” portrayed in the 2018 critically-acclaimed film, 12 Strong.

The dinner ceremony will also include a silent and live auction. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the late Country Music Hall of Fame member’s non-profit, The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project (TCDJHP).

“Charlie and I had many conversations regarding how we could pay respect and honor to those that crossed our paths, that go above and beyond in supporting our active military, as well as our returning veterans,” says Daniels’ longtime manager and TCDJHP co-founder, David Corlew. “The Charlie Daniels Patriot Award personifies the extraordinary acts of respect and care for those that have served this great nation. The award is a thank you from Charlie himself.”

Prior to his passing last year, Daniels and Corlew handpicked this year’s Patriot Award recipients. The criteria for the award is based on the mission of the organization: to support veterans in their return, rehabilitation, and reintegration back into civilian life. The award honors a person, persons, or group that fulfills and exemplifies the efforts and dedication of TCDJHP’s purpose to continuously care, support and encourage the men, women, and families who have served our great nation.

A limited number of tables remain available for purchase. For seating inquiries, contact Paige Dixon: 615-496-6556 / paige@leavinglegaciesfoundation.org. To donate or for more information, visit thecharliedanielsjourneyhomeproject.org.

Grammy Museum, National Museum Of African American Music To Host 1st Annual Rosedale Summit

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The Grammy Museum and the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) are partnering with Rosedale Collective and Propper Daley to present the 1st Annual Rosedale Summit: Country’s Reclamation & Promising Future in Nashville on Nov. 8.

The event will feature a series of performances and conversations that celebrate and recognize the art of BIPOC country musicians of the past, as well as spark conversation around country’s future. The Summit’s Host Committee is led by the Board of Nashville Music Equality.

Conversations will take place in both Los Angeles at the Grammy Museum and in Nashville at NMAAM, providing attendees the opportunity to explore the history of country music with Frankie Staton and historians as they focus on the major contributions of people of color in the genre.

In a panel with Rissi Palmer, Valerie Ponzio, and others, the event will also feature dialogue about how country can lead in the racial and social justice conversation. The summit will also highlight the work of upcoming BIPOC country music artists such as Tony Evans Jr., Gabe Lee, and Autumn Nicholas.

Additionally, country music singer, founder of the Black Country Music Association, and cardiologist Dr. Cleve Francis will receive the 2021 Hazelhurst Award which celebrates an unsung influence on BIPOC country music’s past.

The Summit will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on Nov. 8. For more information, click here.

Kelly Lang Releases Autobiography In Honor Of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Country singer-songwriter Kelly Lang is sharing her story through her new autobiography, I’m Not Going Anywhere, which is available now through Amazon.

A 17-year breast cancer survivor, Lang describes her journey of healing that brought her through the ups and downs of life and includes the unfolding of her love story with T.G. Sheppard. The book’s foreword was penned by Lang’s friend and fellow breast cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John, and the story provides life lessons and showcases Lang’s positive attitude during some of her most trying times. Exclusive QR codes are placed throughout the chapters, giving readers a closer look at unique videos from throughout Lang’s career.

Lang’s single, “I’m Not Going Anywhere,” continues to resonate with thousands nationwide as part of Ascension Hospital’s national campaign.

YouTube video

“Writing my memoir has been a roller coaster of emotions,” shares Lang. “I was able to revisit my early years starting out in the music business, learning valuable lessons along life’s highway. I really went deep into how it felt to hit a brick wall with a diagnosis of cancer and what I did to overcome and rise above since that terrible experience. I hope that my journey will be helpful to anyone who may face any battle in their life and perhaps be a ray of light as they fight their way through any crisis. It was so cathartic to be able to tell my truth and share my story in such a bold way. It was important to have this book completed to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month which was made possible thanks to Springer Mountain Farms Chicken.”

Lang is hosting a live virtual book signing and discussion on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. CT on Facebook.