Jason Aldean Donates To Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts During Macon Show

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Pictured (L-R): Lawson Pace, Banks Jones (son of LG), Stella Jones (daughter of LG), Jan Jones, Marty Wheeler (Samaritan’s Purse), Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Jason and Brittany Aldean.

Jason Aldean gave back to his hometown of Macon, Georgia in a big way during the final stop of his sold-out “Highway Desperado Tour” over the weekend at the new Macon Amphitheater.

Aldean stopped mid-show to recognize those impacted by Hurricane Helene during the concert, and in addition to personally donating $500,000 to Samaritan’s Purse, (an organization focused on Hurricane Relief efforts,) he was also joined onstage by Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones to donate the total of GoFundMe relief effort donations to Samaritan’s Purse, totaling more than $6.5 million to the cause.

In addition to Saturday’s “Highway Desperado” show, Aldean also headlined a charity benefit, Concert For The Kids on Oct. 3 in Macon with proceeds going to the city’s Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital. Longtime supporters of the hospital, the Aldean family raised and donated more than $618,000 at Thursday’s event to support the hospital’s continuing lifesaving efforts, including the neonatal unit (NICU).

Named after Aldean’s 11th studio album, the “Highway Desperado Tour” made over 80 stops across the country. He continues to dominate the charts, with 28 career No. 1 singles at country radio and his latest “Whiskey Drink” currently climbing the charts.

American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special Features Brad Paisley, Kane Brown

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Brad Paisley performs at the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special. Photo: Christopher Polk for Penske Media

50 years have passed since the first American Music Awards. The iconic award show’s milestone birthday was celebrated Sunday night (Oct. 6) with a star-studded anniversary special presented by CBS and Dick Clark Productions (DCP).

The special served as a tribute to the past 50 years and featured exciting new performances, artist interviews, special guests and exclusive classic highlights from DCP’s extensive archives, highlighting iconic moments that have defined the awards show and shaped pop culture.

Kane Brown performs at the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Two-time AMA winner Brad Paisley honored the late Charley Pride during the special with a performance of Pride’s “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” and his own new single “Truck Still Works.”

Five-time AMA winner Kane Brown celebrated the legacy of country music with a cover of Alan Jackson‘s “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” and his own chart-topping hit “Miles On It.”

Gladys Knight, who performed on the first American Music Awards in 1974, returned to the AMAs stage for an encore performance of “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

Other performers included Mariah Carey, Sheila E, Chaka Khan, Green Day, Jennifer Hudson, Nelly, Chingy, J-Kwon, members of the St. Lunatics, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, RAYE and Stray Kids.

Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Gloria Estefan, Jimmy Kimmel and Jennifer Lopez were special guests on the special. The night also featured appearances from AJ McLean, Cedric The Entertainer, Kate Hudson, Lance Bass, Samuel L. Jackson and Smokey Robinson.

The fan-voted American Music Awards will return on Memorial Day weekend, May 2025, on CBS.

Megan Moroney Will ‘Be Fine’ With Deluxe Album & New Tour Dates

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Megan Moroney. Photo: Cece Dawson

Breakout star Megan Moroney released the deluxe edition of her hit sophomore album Am I Okay? on Friday (Oct. 4) via Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records.

Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine) features three new tracks the singer has been teasing on social media. New tunes “Break It Right Back” and “I’ll Be Fine” were written by Moroney, David “Messy” Mescon, Rob Hatch and Ben Williams. “Break It Right Back” is a piano-forward song about the broken hopes of falling for someone too good to be true, and has seen over 22,000 TikTok creations since Moroney first posted the sound. Meanwhile, “I’ll Be Fine” serves as a call back to the album’s title track with a heavy heart.

Youtube video

The final of the three new tracks, “Bless Your Heart,” was written with female power team Moroney, Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington and Jessie Jo Dillon. It playfully harkens back to “I’m Not Pretty” off of Moroney’s debut album Lucky, with many references made back to the track.

All three new songs were produced by Moroney’s trusted collaborator Kristian Bush.

In addition to sharing the new music, Moroney has also announced a new slew of tour dates added on to her sold-out “Am I Okay? Tour.” The 12 new stops will begin in September 2025 at Credit One Stadium in Charleston with stops at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, The Greek Theater in Los Angeles and more.

Tickets for the new “Am I Okay? Tour” dates will go on sale this Friday (Oct. 11) at 10 a.m. local time.

“Am I Okay? Tour” Added Dates:
Sept. 12- Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
Sept. 16- Independence, MO – Cable Dahmer Arena
Sept. 18- West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center
Sept. 19- Idaho Falls, ID – Mountain America Center
Sept. 20- Lake Tahoe, NV – Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys
Sept. 24- Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
Sept. 26- Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater
Sept. 27- Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds
Sept. 30- Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Oct. 2- Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
Oct. 4- Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Oct. 10- Dallas, TX – Texas Trust CU Theatre

Jonathan Singleton Re-Enters Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Jonathan Singleton

Jonathan Singleton has re-entered the Top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma,” “Damn Good Day To Leave,” “Remember Him That Way” and “Tie Up” put Singleton in the No. 10 spot this week.

Zach Bryan remains in the No. 1 spot for the fifth consecutive week with “28,” “American Nights” and “Pink Skies.” Chris Stapleton climbs to No. 2 with “Think I’m In Love With You.”

Ashley Gorley (No. 3), Charlie Handsome (No. 4) and Riley Green (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Tim Dugger Toasts His Idols On New Project ‘Stars Over Alabama’

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Tim Dugger has released his new album, Stars Over Alabama, via Curb Records. In celebration of the project’s unveiling, he plans to take the stage at Ole Red Nashville tonight (Oct. 7).

The Alabama native toasts his childhood idols, such as Hank Williams Jr. and Merle Haggard, on Stars Over Alabama, serving up 13 tracks that reflect the ’90s country, southern rock and gospel he grew up listening to. The album shares a glimpse into the NASCAR enthusiast’s simple way of living, his favorite ways to waste a Saturday night and the lessons he’s learned along the way, with songs co-penned by Josh Thompson, Brandon Hood, Brad and Brett Warren and more.

This fall, Dugger will continue to treat fans to fresh cuts from Stars Over Alabama, as he completes his final lap of concerts for 2024, including speedways shows across the country.

Stars Over Alabama Track Listing:

1. “Lived Long Enough” (Benjy Davis, Jacob Mitchell, Tim Dugger)
2. “Buy A Bar” (Brandon Kinney, Josh Thompson)
3. “Mary Wanna?” (Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Tim Dugger)
4. “Down” (Aaron Scherz, Don Poythress, Randy Montana)
5. “Named You Music” (Brian Bunn, Rose Falcon, Tim Dugger)
6. “Stars Over Alabama” (Craig Wiseman, Tim Dugger, Tim Nichols)
7. “Do It Like Hank” (Hank Williams, Jr., Brandon Hood, Josh Jenkins, Phil O’Donnell, Tim Dugger)
8. “Man Upstairs” (Brandon Hood, Josh Thompson, Tim Dugger)
9. “Heart of a Small Town” (Brandon Hood, Tim Dugger, Tim Nichols)
10. “Like a Mama” (Nate Kenyon)
11. “God’s Got Me” (Jason Gantt, Jim McCormick, Tim Dugger)
12. “Mama Tried” (Merle Haggard)
13. “Time Off” (Adam Wood, Brian Bunn, Tim Dugger)

‘Concert For Carolina’ To Take Place Later This Month

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Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings and James Taylor will headline “Concert for Carolina,” a benefit show presented by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, on Oct. 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event will be hosted by ESPN’s Marty Smith and Barstool Sports’ Caleb Pressley and additional artists will be announced soon.

When devastation caused by Hurricane Helene first began, the singers mobilized and started outreach to put together an event to raise funds for the relief efforts. The call to David Tepper, Owner of the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC and Bank of America Stadium, and his wife Nicole Tepper, was received with overwhelming generosity and quick action. Without pause, the Teppers offered Bank of America Stadium as a venue and everyone united to make the benefit concert a reality as swiftly as possible.

“When Luke first approached us with the idea for a concert benefitting relief efforts in the region, we felt compelled to open the doors of Bank of America Stadium for this special moment,” shared David and Nicole Tepper. “Every day, we are more inspired by the strength and resolve of our Carolina community, and we are grateful to join Luke, Eric, and our fellow Carolinians as we embark on the road to recovery together.”

Tickets for the show will go on-sale this Thursday Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. ET.

100% of proceeds from the show, including sponsorships, will be split evenly between Combs and Church’s Chief Cares Foundation to give to organizations of their choosing in support of relief efforts across the Carolinas and the Southeast. Combs’ portion will be distributed between Samaritan’s Purse, Manna Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, as well as one more organization still to be announced. Church’s Chief Cares is focused on helping established charities and organizations that are well managed, organized and can expedite aid directly to the families affected by Hurricane Helene.

“I told y’all I had something big planned for Carolina,” said Combs on his Instagram. “One of the ways we’re helping is a benefit concert at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 26th! This concert took so much planning, work, and coordination from so many people. I’m so thankful to everyone who helped make this a possibility on such short notice.”

 

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A post shared by Luke Combs 🎤 (@lukecombs)

Church also took to Instagram, noting “This is my home. It’s in every fiber of who I am. Our family members, friends, neighbors and communities are in dire need. I’m honored to share the stage with an incredible lineup in order to help meet those needs. Through the dark, light will shine.”

 

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A post shared by Eric Church (@ericchurchmusic)

For those unable to attend the concert but still looking to support, donations can be made now to The North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund or to various organizations listed at concertforcarolina.com.

Matraca Berg Signs With UMPG Nashville

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Matraca Berg. Photo: Glen Rose

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) member Matraca Berg has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with UMPG Nashville.

With a career spanning nearly four decades, the 2023 BMI Icon Award recipient has also accumulated 11 BMI Millionaire Certificates. Her credits include hits like “Strawberry Wine,” “Wrong Side Of Memphis,” “I’m That Kind Of Girl,” “XXX’s And OOO’s” and “You And Tequila.”

“Cyndi Forman has known and worked with Matraca for more than 20 years. She and I were discussing songwriters that we both loved and respected, and it became obvious to both of us at the same moment that we needed to work with Matraca,” says Troy Tomlinson, Chairman & CEO, UMPG Nashville.

“I’ve been with the same publisher since my early 20s. Pat Higdon has always had my back. Finding another home after all these years was daunting. It feels good and natural to be at Universal Music Publishing now,” expresses Berg. “Troy and Cyndi have the same love of songs and deep respect for the music. Cyndi already knows some of my old catalog, and we know a lot of the stories and the history of this town, which is fun to share.”

Daily Music Schedule Unveiled For 2024 GoldenSky Festival

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The daily music schedule and mobile app have been unveiled for this year’s GoldenSky Country Music Festival, taking place Oct. 18–20 at Discovery Park in Sacramento, California.

Now in its third year, the function will feature over 35 country music acts, including headliners Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett and Luke Bryan as well as Shaboozey, Elle King, Gabby Barrett, Ashley McBryde, Turnpike Troubadours, Bailey Zimmerman, Riley Green, Clint Black, Charles Wesley Godwin, Paul Cauthen and GoldenSky Rising Star Competition winner Burke., among others.

Additionally, the event will include the GoldenSky Beer Festival, River City Saloon & Dance Hall, Sacramento farm-to-fork food offerings, local artisans, official pre-parties and afterparties and more.

Gates will open at 12:30 p.m. each day. Weekend and single-day general admission, VIP passes and park and ride shuttle passes are available now on the festival’s website, with GoldenSky Beer Festival passes available as an add-on purchase. Every pass purchase includes a $.25 charity fee for The DWP Foundation, which gives back to local and national charities throughout the year.

Fans can also make charitable donations for a chance to win round-trip airfare, a four-night hotel stay for two, GoldenSky merch package or a rideshare credit as well as meet-and-greets with Zimmerman, Green, King, Colbie Caillat, Hunter Hayes and Deana Carter. For more information, click here.

See the full daily music schedule below. Times are subject to change.

Friday, Oct. 18
Stage One                                                          Stage Two
9:20 p.m. Keith Urban                                   8:05 p.m. Turnpike Troubadours
7:00 p.m. Elle King                                         5:55 p.m. Clint Black
5:05 p.m. Shane Smith & The Saints          4:20 p.m. LoCash
3:45 p.m. Hailey Whitters                             3:10 p.m. Travis Denning
2:35 p.m. Carter Faith                                   2:00 p.m. Kylie Morgan
1:30 p.m. Logan Crosby                                1:00 p.m. Burke.

Saturday, Oct. 19
Stage One                                                      Stage Two
9:20 p.m. Thomas Rhett                            8:05 p.m. Riley Green
7:00 p.m. Gabby Barrett                            5:55 p.m. Charles Wesley Godwin
5:05 p.m. Conner Smith                            4:20 p.m. Sam Barber
3:45 p.m. Hunter Hayes                            3:10 p.m. George Birge
2:35 p.m. David Nail                                  2:00 p.m. Hannah Ellis
1:30 p.m. Tanner Adell                              1:05 p.m. Sofia Claire

Sunday, Oct. 20
Stage One                                                   Stage Two
8:25 p.m. Luke Bryan                              7:20 p.m. Bailey Zimmerman
6:15 p.m. Ashley McBryde                      5:30 p.m. Paul Cauthen
4:40 p.m. Colbie Caillat                          3:55 p.m. Chayce Beckham
3:20 p.m. Shaboozey                               2:45 p.m. Deana Carter
2:10 p.m. RVSHVD                                  1:40 p.m. Lecade
1:10 p.m. Madeline Merlo                     12:40 p.m. MoonShine Crazy

Dolly Parton Donates Over $1 Million To Hurricane Helene Victims

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Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton has donated over $1 million to support those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Parton allocated the money to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a charity focused on providing immediate assistance to the Helene flood victims. She shared the news at an event geared towards funding relief efforts for those impacted by the hurricane. Parton’s east Tennessee businesses are working with her Dollywood Foundation to match her contribution to Mountain Ways through an additional $1 million donation. The Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Stampede and Pirates Voyage are set to partner with Walmart in providing relief for the Appalachian region.

“This is my home,” Parton said at the event at a Walmart in Newport, Tennessee on Friday (Oct. 4). “This is a time for me to step up again, for all of us to step up and do what we can. Who knew, in our little part of the country here—where I was born and raised, just right down the road—that we would have this kind of devastation? When I look around, I think, ‘These are my mountains, these are my valleys, these are my rivers… these are my people, and this is my home.’ It was devastating, not just because it was my family, because all these people feel like my people. We all feel related, and we are in some sort of way. So it just devastated me just to know that we had to suffer like that.”

Walmart US president and CEO John Furner announced at the same event that the company, as well as Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, would donate $10 million to hurricane relief efforts across affected states.

Koe Wetzel Rocks Sold-Out Ascend Amphitheater Show

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Koe Wetzel. Photo: Motion Theory Media

Koe Wetzel took the stage in front of a sold-out Ascend Amphitheater crowd last night (Oct. 6) for a 75-minute explosive, rock star-style set as part of his “Damn Near Normal Tour.”

Ben Burgess started the night with a set full of songs off his new album Hollywood Cowboy, set for an independent release this Friday (Oct. 11). Getting the crowd to “dance to some country music,” the album preview included “Well Worth The Ride,” “Well Whiskey,” “Bull Rider” and “The Willie.” Burgess also used his impressive vocals to cover Johnny Paycheck’s “Slide Off Your Satin Sheets,” before closing his time with the album’s title track.

Up next on the night was Tanner Usrey, who burst onto stage with “Blackberry Wine,” which is featured on the Twisters soundtrack. Keeping the momentum going, he dove into fan favorites “Take Me Home,” “Come Back Down,” “With You” and “Give It Some Time.” Usrey then brought out his friend Kinsley to help him perform “Beautiful Lies,” a duet with Ella Langley off his Crossing Lines album, where cell phone lights illuminated the venue.

“Enough of that sad stuff let’s get rowdy,” Usrey exclaimed as he dove back into his set with a cover of Killer Faces’ “Stay With Me,” before closing out with thrilling performances of “Destiny,” The Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands To Yourself” and “Guns Drugs And Allergy Pills.”

Koe Wetzel. Photo: Motion Theory Media

As the lights went out and the crowd was brought to their feet, it was time for the main event. Before hitting the stage, Wetzel played a clip of Vanderbilt University’s goal-post-carrying celebration after beating Alabama over the weekend, getting the crowd even more hyped up. Sporting his ball cap and guitar, Wetzel came rocking out on stage with “Twister,” instantly setting the mood for the night. After claiming the night as “Sunday funday,” Wetzel turned up the heat with “Fuss & Fight,” initiating smoke and fire from his stage production, before going into “April Showers.”

“I didn’t know how this record would turn out with how honest it was,” Wetzel stated in reference to his 9 Lives album that dropped this past July. “With the help of Gabe Simon, Amy Allen, Carrie Karpinen, Ben Burgess, Steve Rush… and all the Nashville legends out here and some L.A. sprinkled in, we did it though. It all just made sense.” With the crowd dialed in ready to hear the new album live, he played the title track before throwing it back to “Forever.”

Wetzel kept the nostalgia going with “Love,” slowing down the set with a spotlight shining down on him. The crowd swooned as the singer hit all the right notes on the tune he co-wrote with Parker McCollum, giving the fellow Texan a shoutout at the end. Then it was time to dial the party back up with fan-favorites “Good Die Young,” “Kuntry & Western” and “Ragweed.”

Koe Wetzel. Photo: Motion Theory Media

Already proving his top-notch-entertainer status with more show to go, Wetzel led the crowd in a group cheers before diving into “Casamigos,” The crowd sand loudly along to “Sweet Dreams,” and Wetzel continued to thrill the amphitheater with “Drunk Driving,” “February 28, 2016” and tour namesake “Damn Near Normal.”

Putting everyone in a rock star state of mind, the night was nearing an end but the party was not slowing down. From the opening chords of the next track, fans were instantly engaged for “Creeps.”

“We wrote this song in the RCA studios right down the road from here,” Wetzel said. “We all wanted a girl’s point of view on the song, so we asked Jessie Murph to come on and she absolutely killed it. Jessie, wherever you are, we love you.” Through screams and excitement, Wetzel gave a show-stopping performance of the RIAA Platinum-certified single “High Road.” To close out the night, Bailey Zimmerman ran out on stage to serve some tequila to the band, before Wetzel closed out with “Something To Talk About.”

Wetzel’s “Damn Near Normal Tour” will continue this weekend in his home state of Texas with shows in Abilene and Lubbock before finishing the weekend run with a sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheater.