Billy Ray Cyrus, Dennis Quaid, James Otto, More To Perform At Flooding Benefit

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City Winery Nashville will host a benefit concert on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m in response to the flooding that impacted Waverly, Tennessee last week.

Produced and organized by Jeremy Vaughn and the United Way of Humphreys County, “Waverly Strong: A Concert for Disaster Relief” will feature performances from Billy Ray Cyrus, Dennis Quaid, Meghan Linsey, James Otto, Eric Paslay, Sarah Potenza, Anthony Nunziata, Blessing Offor, Drew Baldridge, Jacob Bryant, Tigirlily and more. The concert will also include video messages from NBC’s This Is Us actress Chrissy Metz and more. Hosted by WKRN News 2’s meteorologist Danielle Breezy, the night will raise funds for the survivors and victims of last week’s unexpected flooding in the Middle Tennessee area.

United Way of Humphreys County will distribute all proceeds to the survivors and families of the victims. The concert will also be streamed live on Mandolin allowing viewers to donate from their homes.

Vaughn, who was born and raised in Waverly, notes, “Waiting over 24 hours to find out if my family was safe was terrifying. I’m grateful that my mom and the rest of my family are safe, but I know there are so many who were not as lucky. Now is the time for all of us to come together and give all we can to help build back ‘Waverly Strong.’”

As previously announced, all indoor City Winery guests will be required to provide either proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test result obtained within 72 hours of the event. Additionally, patrons will be required to wear masks while inside City Winery.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Circle Network To Air Day-Long Circle Remembers 9/11 Programming

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Craig Morgan at the Grand Ole Opry for Circle Remembers 9/11. Photo: Chris Hollo

To commemorate the upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11, Circle Network, Grand Ole Opry, and Wounded Warrior Project are hosting Circle Remembers 9/11 presented by Wounded Warrior Project. The day-long network takeover will include inspiring stories from veterans, their families, and friends which will honor and pay tribute to the commitment and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes.

“The country music community played an integral role in the healing process in the aftermath of 9/11 as it offered comfort through heartfelt lyrics and messages and helped bring those who were suffering together through the power of music. We couldn’t be more proud to partner with Wounded Warrior Project to bring the community together to remember all those lost and commemorate our many heroes,” says Drew Reifenberger, Circle Network’s General Manager.

Circle Remembers 9/11 will open with Coffee, Country & Cody: Remembers 9/11, a three-hour live special hosted by Bill Cody and Michael “CQ” Carrasquillo. The afternoon will feature performances from past Veterans and Memorial Days, a stand-up comedy show featuring veterans, various episodes of Craig Morgan’s Craig’s World that celebrate our country, and more.

Trisha Yearwood at the Grand Ole Opry for Circle Remembers 9/11. Photo: Chris Hollo

Songs from September: The Music That Healed A Nation, hosted by Bobby Bones, will air from 7-9 p.m. CT as artists recall the music that helped them manage those difficult and uncertain times with performances from Bacon Brothers, Billy Ray Cyrus, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Charles Esten, Craig Morgan, Jimmie Allen, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, MercyMe, Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood and more.

Directly following from 8-10 p.m. ET, Circle will air a special Opry Live filled with warrior stories and performances from artists from the Opry stage, as well as special musical tributes from three Sept. 11 memorial sites: Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville. The legendary stage will bring together Vince Gill, The McCrary Sisters and others for this special event, hosted by Charles Esten.

“Wounded Warrior Project is proud to partner with Circle for this day of remembrance. As we honor those who lost their lives in the terror attacks of 9/11, we must also remember the more than 3 million men and women who stepped forward to fight for us in the days, months, and years that followed. A great deal will be said about the War on Terror in the coming years, but most importantly we owe our veterans more than a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice. They fought bravely for our country, for the vulnerable, and for each other. Their service and sacrifice are not forgotten. We stand together to remember all who died and all who served,” adds Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington, Wounded Warrior Project CEO.

Warner Chappell Music Signs Breakout Singer-Songwriter Hailey Whitters

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Hailey Whitters

Warner Chappell Music Nashville has signed a worldwide publishing deal with breakout singer-songwriter Hailey Whitters.

Whitters released her critically-acclaimed debut album The Dream in February of 2020, and then released a deluxe version after signing her first record deal with Big Loud / Songs & Daughters, in partnership with her own label Pigasus Records. The deluxe version of the album, Living the Dream, featured five new collaborations with Brent Cobb, Jordan Davis, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Little Big Town, and Trisha Yearwood.

On top of writing her own material, the talented songwriter has written songs for Little Big Town (“Happy People”), Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile (“A Beautiful Noise”), Alan Jackson (“The Older I Get”), Martina McBride (“The Real Thing”), and Lori McKenna (“Happy People”), among others.

Ryan Beuschel, VP, A&R Strategy, WCM Nashville says: “Hailey is such a unique talent. She knows how to write songs that are deeply personal yet resonate with her fans. She’s already reached some pretty incredible milestones and all of us at Warner Chappell are excited to be on this journey with her.”

Jessi Vaughn, Manager, A&R/Digital, WCM Nashville adds: “Hailey is a force to be reckoned with. I admire her talent, but also her determination. She bet on herself and never gave up on her dreams and it’s amazing to see it all pay off. This is only the beginning and I look forward to what’s in store next.”

Whitters has toured with Brent Cobb, Jordan Davis, Maren Morris, and Little Big Town, and has graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry multiple times. In June, Opry Entertainment Group and the Grand Ole Opry named Whitters 2021’s inaugural Opry NextStage artist.

She is managed by Matt Graham (Range Media) and Chris Kappy (Make Wake), and is represented by Scott Stafford.

Skip Ewing Serves Up Some Seasonal Cheer On New Christmas Project

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Skip Ewing is celebrating the holidays this year with a brand new collection of original holiday songs and rearranged classics on Skip Ewing — Christmas, due out Nov. 12.

Produced by Kyle Lehning and Ewing, the tribute to the winter holidays mixes seasonal cheer with Ewing’s songwriting chops on seven tracks that include piano ballads (“Whenever a Child is Born”), love songs (“Mr. Snowman”), an inventive take on “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” titled “Better Watch Out,” and more.

On “I’ll Be Home (An American Christmas),” Ewing honors the country’s military families by intermingling the bittersweet “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” with the patriotic “America the Beautiful.” The album also celebrates Christmas’ spiritual side with “Just A Kid,” another Ewing original recorded years earlier by Kenny Chesney.

“Christmastime is musically rich,” says Ewing. “I feel fortunate and privileged to be able to record a Christmas album to offer new music that we also hope is musically rich. I want to make music that is lasting and meaningful and be able to do that until I can’t do it anymore.”

Throughout his career, Ewing has penned No. 1 smashes like Brian White’s “I’m Not Supposed to Love You Anymore,” Diamond Rio’s “I Believe,” Kenny Chesney’s “You Had Me From Hello,” and Collin Raye’s “Love, Me,” in addition to pursuing his own career as an artist.

Darius Rucker, Jason Isbell, Genesis Be, Rhiannon Giddens To Judge Sing Your Anthem Contest

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Kidizenship, a newly formed organization based in Nashville, is set to launch a digital youth civics magazine. As a non-partisan media platform for teens and tweens that merges civics education with creative self-expression and community action, it will also be hosting 6 contests that celebrate what kids have to say about their country.

The current contest, Sing Your Anthem, invites kids to write and perform their own national anthems, giving voice to their values and vision for their America. These are songs that describe what is beautiful about their communities and their shared nation and that inspire and unite people across divisions. Honoring the past, this will give an opportunity for kids to participate in democracy, celebrate community, and envision a better future. Judges for the Sing Your Anthem contest include Darius Rucker, Rhiannon Giddens, Jason Isbell, and Genesis Be.

The deadline for submissions is Oct. 12, and will be judged in two age categories: 8-12 & 13-18. For a full list of rules and to submit your song, click here.

Gilda’s Club To Hold 2021 Red Door Bash, Hosted By Demetria Kalodimos

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Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee is hosting the 2021 Red Door Bash on Oct. 9 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. The annual event will feature singer-songwriters Jenny Tolman and Dave Brainard, along with celebrity guest host Demetria Kalodimos, as Gilda’s Club celebrates free cancer support for individuals and families in Middle Tennessee. Special honors for community leaders and volunteers will also be given.

“This year, we have the distinct pleasure of honoring some incredibly special contributors to the Gilda’s Club community. We will present our annual Red Door Champion Award to a Williamson County couple that has supported our non-profit through volunteerism, financial giving and advocacy for nearly two decades,” says Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee President and CEO Harriet Schiftan. “We’re also seizing this opportunity to celebrate 13 of our volunteer support group facilitators, all of whom have continued to put our mission and members first, and graciously joined us as we boldly stepped into the world of virtual cancer support at the beginning of the pandemic.”

This year’s Red Door Bash will open with a reception and silent auction, followed by a three-course dinner and an opportunity to hear from a Gilda’s Club member before closing with the awards ceremony.

“The Red Door Bash committee hasn’t let the current environment prevent them from planning another extraordinary event,” Red Door Bash Co-Chair Rae Hirsch shares. “I’m most excited about this year’s silent auction, which includes a well-curated selection of experiences, jewelry, art and more.”

“We’re thrilled to have award-winning news anchor, filmmaker and writer Demetria Kalodimos as our celebrity host for a second year,” adds Co-Chair Erica Jacobs. “And singer-songwriters Jenny Tolman and Dave Brainard are beloved by the Gilda’s Club community. Ever since participating in our annual Songwriters Night in April, people have been asking for more of the duo’s incredible music and charming wit and rapport.”

Tickets to the Red Door Bash, sponsored in part by Omni Nashville and Burr+Forman, include reception food and beverages, access to a silent auction, a three-course meal with wine service, and valet parking. For more information and to reserve a seat, click here.

Red Door Bash Honorees:
Red Door Champion Award recipients – Brian and Victoria Marger
Red Door Hero Award recipients –
David Adcock, PT
Deanna Candeloro, M. Ed, LPC-MHSP
Dana Davis, LCSW
Lynn Dunavant, MA, HSP
Pamela Duvall, MS, CCC-SLP
Larae Heil, M Ed., MS, CCC-SLP
Cynthia Johnson, LCSW, BCD
Laura Jo Leach, LMSW
Doris P. McLay
Lanier Sachs, M. Ed., NCC
Carol Sanders, RN
Warren Thompson, Ph. D
J. Dawson Wells, LMSW

FGL, Jordan Davis, Maddie & Tae, Mitchell Tenpenny Added To 2022 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam

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After the recent rescheduling announcement, The Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam has announced the expanded lineup for the three-day festival in Panama City Beach running June 3-5, 2022. The event’s 10-year anniversary will feature Florida Georgia Line joining Brooks & Dunn and Old Dominion as headliners. Additionally, Jordan Davis, Maddie & Tae and Mitchell Tenpenny have also been added to the lineup, making this the largest bill in Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam history.

“Next year is our 10th anniversary, so we’re adding more acts to really up the excitement and make this a huge celebration,” says Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Executive Producer Rendy Lovelady. “These times continue to be challenging for all of us, and next June is going to be a party!”

The loaded lineup currently includes Gary Allan, Chris Janson, Scotty McCreery, Randy Rogers Band, Frankie Ballard, Tracy Lawrence, Tyler Rich, Darryl Worley, Corey Smith, Ryan Griffin, Steve Moakler, Elvie Shane, Tigirlily, Nate Barnes, Confederate Railroad, Presley & Taylor, and Chandler Flint. Unfortunately, Chris Stapleton’s schedule prevented him from headlining the 2022 event.

“We hated having to move the Labor Day event, but starting fresh next June is exciting for everyone,” shares Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam COO Mark Sheldon. “The first weekend in June will be the festival’s permanent new home, and we look forward to hosting our Jammers from all over the world.”

Anyone who purchased a pass for the 2021 festival who wishes to transfer their pass to 2022 will automatically have a bonus $21 added to their registered wristband to spend at next year’s festival. Three-day Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam 2022 passes have been reset to original 2021 prices. For ticket packages and more information, click here.

Luke Bryan Rides ‘Waves’ Of Success With 27th No. 1

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Luke Bryan. Photo: Ryan Anderson

Luke Bryan has racked up his 27th No. 1 single this week with “Waves,” which hits the top of the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase charts. The song was a two-week MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart No. 1 in June.

Penned by Zach Crowell, Ryan Hurd and Chase McGill, the song is the fifth No. 1 from Bryan’s Born Here Live Here Die Here album, which features the chart-toppers “Waves,” “Down To One,” “One Margarita,” “What She Wants Tonight,” and “Knockin’ Boots.”

“Waves” debuted at radio in April as the most added song in the country and Bryan performed it for the first time on TV on Good Morning America to promote the release of the deluxe edition of his album.

Bryan’s original five-part docuseries Luke Bryan: My Dirt Road Diary, on IMDb TV is currently airing now. The series features a new song Bryan co-wrote with Luke Laird and Josh Osborne, “Songs You Never Heard,” in honor of his late brother Chris, who was always Bryan’s biggest supporter of chasing his musical dreams.

Anne Wilson Makes History With Chart-Topping Debut Single ‘My Jesus’

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Anne Wilson

Anne Wilson has become the first female solo artist to hit No. 1 with a debut song on the National Christian Airplay chart since the chart’s inception in 2003 with her single, “My Jesus.”

The song, co-written by Wilson, Matthew West, and Jeff Pardo, topped the radio charts in just 14 weeks, and has held the top position for multiple consecutive weeks on the Hot Christian Songs chart, which combines airplay, sales and streaming data.

The video for “My Jesus” has more than 5.3 million YouTube views and 14 million views on Facebook, and the song has charted on both the Spotify Viral 50 chart and Shazam Top 200. With her three-single EP, My Jesus, along with the recently released live EP My Jesus (Live in Nashville), Wilson has amassed more than 37 million streams.

“We are honored to partner with Anne and release her music to the world,” shares CCMG Co-Presidents Brad O’Donnell and Hudson Plachy. “The unprecedented success of ‘My Jesus’ is just the beginning, and we cannot wait to see what is to come for Anne.”

Wilson will make her debut on the Opry stage this weekend on Sept. 4. She can also be heard on Apple Music’s Country Faith Radio talking with Lady A’s Hillary Scott. She’s currently working on her full-length debut that will be coming in 2022.

Industry Ink: Michael Ray, Big Loud Records, Kobalt

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Michael Ray Earns First Platinum Certification For ‘Think A Little Less’

Pictured (L-R): Buffy Cooper (Morris Higham Management); Justin Luffman (VP Artist Development, WMN); Cris Lacy (EVP A&R, WMN); Michael Ray; John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN); Clint Higham (Morris Higham Management). Photo: Chris Hollo

Singer-songwriter Michael Ray recently celebrated his first RIAA Platinum-certified single, “Think A Little Less,” which has been certified for U.S. digital single sales of over 1 million units. Bobby Bones presented Ray with a commemorative plaque Saturday night (Aug. 28) following his 58th performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

Ray has also received four Gold certifications throughout his career for his chart-topping songs “Kiss You in the Morning” and “One That Got Away,” as well as fan favorites “Get To You” and “Her World Or Mine.”

His current single, “Whiskey And Rain,” is climbing the country radio charts and has accumulated nearly 50 million streams since its release. Ray also released his new EP, Higher Education, last Friday (Aug. 27) which was produced by Ross Copperman.

 

Big Loud Adds Duane Hobson As Director Of Promotion (Southeast)

Duane Hobson. Photo: Chris Hornbuckle

Big Loud Records has added Duane Hobson as its Director of Promotion (Southeast). Supporting the label’s roster in the Southeast region, Hobson brings two decades of expertise to his new role and will report to SVP of Promotion, Stacy Blythe.

After graduating from Nashville State Community College, he went on to serve in various A&R capacities with RCA Records, Sony/BMG, and Sony Music Nashville. Since then, he’s spent time handling A&R Industry Consultant duties for the University of Georgia’s Music Business Department, as well as Kennesaw State University’s Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program. Most recently, Hobson worked as A&R Collaborative Manager/Tour Manager at Edge Artist Management, and has also consulted for Intercept Music, as well as numerous independent artists and producers.

“I’ve been waiting quite some time to have a spot on this team for Duane [Hobson]. He’s already beloved in our industry and we are honored that he chose Big Loud Records as the home for his return,” shares Blythe. “Duane’s passion and positivity are abounding, and I know our radio friends in the Southeast are going to love him.”

“It’s an honor to join a company that invests heavily in the individuals and in the culture that they have come to be known for,” shares Hobson. “I’m looking forward to being on the front lines daily in the Southeast representing this amazing artist roster with Big Loud Records.”

Hobson can be reached here.

 

Morgan Brasfield Upped To Creative Manager At Kobalt

Morgan Brasfield. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Morgan Brasfield has been promoted to Creative Manager at Kobalt Music.

Brasfield has spent her career dedicated to both amatuer and professional songwriters. After graduating from Belmont University, she worked her way from receptionist to writer representative at NSAI. She has worked on the creative team at Kobalt Music since 2017.

In her new role, she will work creatively with writer and publishing company clients while also overseeing calendar management, co-writing opportunities, and pitching songs.