Chris Tomlin’s ‘Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship’ To Air On K-LOVE On Demand

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Chris Tomlin. Photo: Darius Fitzgerald

Chris Tomlin is delivering holiday cheer into homes with a K-LOVE On Demand premiere of Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship on Thanksgiving evening (Nov.25) at 7 p.m. CT.

The one-hour event will feature videos from the live recording of Tomlin’s third Christmas album, Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship, as well as a special acoustic version of “Silent Night.”

The performances included in the special were captured at Ocean Way studio during the album’s live recording, and features special guests Matt Redman, CeCe Winans and We The Kingdom. Tomlin also sits down with Lauree Austin from K-LOVE and Matt Maher to share the stories behind the songs and creating the Christmas album.

The special will be exclusively available with K-LOVE ON Demand through Dec. 9. Tomlin will also be on the road this Christmas with his “Chris Tomlin Christmas Tour” which launches in Jacksonville, Florida on Dec. 1 with 12 shows in 10 cities before wrapping Dec. 18.

Chris Tomlin. Photo: Darius Fitzgerald

Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship Performances:
“Emmanuel God With Us”
“Christmas Day” with We The Kingdom
“I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day”
“O Holy Night” with CeCe Winans
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
“Hope of Israel”
“Hallelujah” with Blessing Offor
“Crown Him (Christmas)” with Matt Redman
“His Name is Wonderful”
“All The World Awaits (Hosanna)”
“Silent Night” (Acoustic ersion)

IBMA World Of Bluegrass Attendance & Economic Impact Figures Released

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IBMA World of Bluegrass, which includes IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC, saw a combined attendance of 101,368 with the return to an in-person event in Raleigh, North Carolina this fall.

Last year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass took place virtually due to health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interest of health and safety, attendance and participation in all registered and ticketed IBMA World of Bluegrass activities this year required proof of vaccination.

This year’s festivities also generated more than $5.7 million in direct economic impact within Wake County according to figures released by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh). According to a release from IBMA, the $5.7 million is from tourism economic impact only, and does not include spending from locals, nor does it include a multiplier of indirect or induced impacts.

“It was vitally important to get back to live bluegrass music, as both musicians and fans were impacted by the events of the last two years,” says Pat Morris, executive director of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). “The IBMA was able to accomplish holding a great weeklong event in a safe environment and we are so grateful for the lead support of PNC Bank and all of our partners in Raleigh who helped make the event possible, and to the fans that returned, again, to make this the best week of bluegrass in the world. It was a tremendous event, and we can’t wait to be back in Raleigh in 2022!”

Earlier this summer, the IBMA announced a three-year extension to keep the event in Raleigh through 2024. Next year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass will take place Sept. 27 – Oct. 1, 2022.

Artist Action: Miranda Lambert, Jimmie Allen, Laine Hardy

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Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation To Hold 4th Annual Share The Love Campaign

Miranda Lambert. Photo: Acacia Evans

Miranda Lambert‘s MuttNation Foundation will hold its fourth annual Share The Love campaign, which gives back to animal shelters.

Through the initiative, 20 shelters will each receive a $1,000 MuttNation grant on behalf of the randomly selected individuals who have supported their local shelter by volunteering, fostering or adopting a shelter pet between Feb. 1, 2021, and Jan. 30, 2022. In addition to the shelter grants on behalf of the selected registrants, each of the twenty randomly selected individuals will also receive a hand-signed Miranda Lambert CD.

“I always tell people who want to help that volunteering, fostering and adopting are so important to every shelter. Even if you’re not in a position to adopt, maybe you have time to foster or volunteer—it all makes such a big difference,” Lambert shares.

Since its inception, the Share The Love has expanded from selecting 5 volunteers/shelters to naming 20 in the coming year. To register, click here.

Jimmie Allen Nabs RIAA Platinum Certifications, Best New Artist Grammy Nomination

Jimmie Allen

Multi-Platinum country recording artist Jimmie Allen was surprised yesterday morning (Nov. 23) with two RIAA certification plaques as his debut chart-topping single, “Best Shot,” went double Platinum and his second consecutive No. 1 single, “Make Me Want To,” achieved Platinum status.

“Congratulations to Jimmie on becoming a multi-Platinum artist! It’s been inspiring to watch his career grow through a lot of hard work and his incredible talent,” shares Jackie Jones, VP Artist and Industry Relations for the RIAA. “We can’t wait to see what Jimmie does next!”

Allen also received his first-ever Grammy Award nomination yesterday (Nov. 23) for Best New Artist, a milestone achievement in his breakout career. The 64th Annual Grammy Awards will take place Jan. 31.

2021 was a monumental year for Allen who released his latest star-studded collaboration album, Bettie James Gold Edition; published his first children’s book, My Voice Is a Trumpet; was crowned New Male Artist of the Year at The 56th Academy of Country Music Awards; hit the road with country superstar Brad Paisley; served as Executive Music Producer for the Netflix series Titletown High; performed at the Kennedy Center Honors in tribute to Garth Brooks; and appeared on Elton John’s newest album, The Lockdown Sessions, with the track “Beauty In The Bones.”

 

Laine Hardy Partners With Wild Wings Cafe, Little Kids Rock For Free, 6-City Tour

Laine Hardy. Photo: Robby Klein

American Idol winner Laine Hardy is teaming up with Wild Wing Cafe, a Carolinas-born restaurant chain, and Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit that champions music education in schools, for a six-market tour.

In each market, Hardy will visit a Little Kids Rock partner school presenting musical instrument gifts and performing a free concert, featuring songs from his recently released debut album, Here’s To Anyone, at the local Wild Wing Cafe. The run will kick off in Warner Robins, Georgia on Dec. 2 and conclude in Wild Wing Cafe’s headquarters city of Charlotte, North Carolina on Dec. 10. Other stops include: Anderson, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and Columbia, South Carolina.

“Growing up in a town with a population of 2000, our schools didn’t have much of a music education program so I had to figure it out on my own with the help of my family,” says the Livingston, Louisiana, native. “It’s really important to me to help nurture the artists of tomorrow, giving back to my own schools and others through Little Kids Rock.”

“For more than 30 years, live music has been an important part of the Wild Wing Cafe brand with now famous singers and songwriters performing on our stages early in their careers, including Luke Combs, Edwin McCain, Old Dominion, Zac Brown and Hootie & the Blowfish, to name a few,” shares Wild Wing Cafe CEO, Steve Weigel. “Having Laine Hardy tour our stages strengthens our commitment to emerging artists and delivers a real treat to our guests.”

Lyle Lovett Returns To The Road On 2022 Tour

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Lyle Lovett

Lyle Lovett is launching a 2022 tour with his acoustic group, which will mark his first in-person shows since March 2020.

Kicking off Feb. 26 with two nights in Alexandria, Virginia, the tour will visit intimate venues throughout the south in Charleston, Chattanooga, Orlando, Birmingham, Myrtle Beach, and more, wrapping in Lovett’s home state of Texas in Dallas in April.

The show will feature stripped-down arrangements of Lovett standards along with a preview of songs from his upcoming Verve Records project scheduled for May. Lovett’s acoustic group features longtime bassist Viktor Krauss and violinist Luke Bulla, country and bluegrass multi-instrumentalist Jeff White, and dobro whiz Josh Swift.

In addition to 2022 touring and a new album, Lovett’s album Joshua Judges Ruth will see a special thirtieth anniversary Vinyl Me Please re-release in March 2022 via Curb Records.

“It doesn’t seem possible that was 30 years ago,” Lovett says. “I never dreamed in 1976 when I was 18 and first started performing that in 2022 I’d still be able to do something for a living I love this much. It’s thanks to the people who keep showing up, who keep buying my records and who’ve supported my livestreams during the pandemic. I’m grateful to them, and I want to do my best for them every time.”

Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group Live Dates:
January 25, 2022—Orlando, FL—Dr. Phillips Centers Steinmetz Hall
February 26, 2022—Alexandria, VA—The Birchmere
February 27, 2022—Alexandria, VA—The Birchmere
February 28, 2022—Virginia Beach, VA—Sander Center for the Performing Arts*
March 1, 2022—Charleston, SC—Charleston Gaillard Center*
March 2, 2022—Knoxville, TN—Bijou Theatre
March 3, 2022—Asheville, NC—The Orange Peel
March 4, 2022—Chattanooga, TN—Walker Theatre
March 6, 2022—Myrtle Beach, SC—Carolina Opry Theater
March 7, 2022—Charlotte, NC—Knight Theater- Levine Center for the Arts
March 8, 2022—Greensboro, NC—Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts*
March 10, 2022—Albany, GA—Albany Municipal Auditorium
March 12, 2022—Clearwater, FL—Capitol Theatre
March 13, 2022—Clearwater, FL—Capitol Theatre
March 14, 2022—Ft Lauderdale, FL—The Parker
March 15, 2022—Jacksonville, FL—Florida Theatre
March 16, 2022—Mobile, AL—Saenger Theater
March 17, 2022—Birmingham, AL—The Lyric Theatre
March 18, 2022—Birmingham, AL—The Lyric Theatre
March 19, 2022—Germantown, TN—Germantown Performing Arts Center
March 21, 2022—Jackson, MS—Thalia Mara Hall
March 22, 2022—Fort Smith, AR—ArcBest Performing Arts Center
March 23, 2022—Eureka Springs, AR—The Auditorium
March 25, 2022—Galveston, TX—The Grand 1894 Opera House
March 26, 2022—Galveston, TX—The Grand 1894 Opera House
March 27, 2022—New Braunfels, TX—Gruene Hall
March 28—Waco, TX—Waco Hall†
April 8, 2022—Dallas, TX—The Majestic Theatre
April 9, 2022—Dallas, TX—The Majestic Theatre
*Tickets on sale December 10
†Tickets on sale December 6

New ‘Opry Country Christmas’ Shows To Kick Off For The Holidays

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Josh Turner. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry is kicking off a new tradition this weekend with the inaugural season of Opry Country Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Hosted by Opry member Larry Gatlin, Opry Country Christmas will showcase songs of the holiday season during four shows running on Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 8, and Dec. 12.

Each show will feature Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett, and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy. Other Opry members, special guests, and spotlight artists will round out the shows made up exclusively of country Christmas favorites. Among the Spotlight Artists scheduled to appear during the season are Steve Wariner, Lorrie Morgan, Josh Turner, and Trace Adkins.

All Opry Country Christmas shows will air on WSM Radio, WSM and Opry digital platforms. Tickets for Opry Country Christmas are on sale now.

Opry Country Christmas Lineup:
Nov. 28: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, Jason Crabb, Jeannie Seely, Steve Wariner

Dec. 5: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, John Berry, Lorrie Morgan

Dec. 8: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, Josh Turner

Dec. 12: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, The Isaacs, Connie Smith, Trace Adkins

AIMP To Honor Mitch Glazier, Alisa Coleman, Kris Ahrend, Heavy Hitters Music At 2021 Holiday Events

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Pictured (L-R, top row) Heavy Hitters Music, Mitch Glazier; (L-R, bottom row) Kris Ahrend, Alisa Coleman

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has announced its schedule of annual holiday events during which it will celebrate its success in 2021. The AIMP will recognize notable contributions to the independent music publishing community from Kris Ahrend and Alisa Coleman for their work with the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), Mitch Glazier of the RIAA, and independent music publishing company Heavy Hitters Music.

On Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. CT, the AIMP Los Angeles Chapter will host its Holiday Awards & Annual Meeting of Members virtually via Zoom. The Chapter will present its Indie Publisher of the Year award to Heavy Hitters Music, and its Individual Award in Support of Songwriters & Publishers to Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO of the RIAA.

“These annual awards are an opportunity for us to honor the best and the brightest organizations and individuals who are making an impact in our indie publisher community,” says Teri Nelson Carpenter, President of the AIMP Los Angeles Chapter. “After the untimely passing of Heavy Hitters Music co-founder Cindy Badell Slaughter this year, the company has managed to press on, achieving tremendous growth and success securing placements for its artists and clients this year. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments while honoring Cindy’s memory. Meanwhile, Mitch Glazier has been a great collaborator for the independent music publishing community through his work at the RIAA, working with the publishing community to pursue policies that are mutually beneficial for labels and publishers. We look forward to recognizing his contributions with our members.”

On Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. CT, the AIMP New York Chapter will host a virtual event to present their Indie Spirit Award to Alisa Coleman (Board Chair) and Kris Ahrend (CEO) of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC). Ahrend and Coleman have worked together since the formation of The MLC to address the concerns of the independent music publishing community.

“We are thankful to The MLC for their important work to ensure that indie music publishers receive accurate and timely mechanical royalties,” shares Michael Lau, President of the AIMP New York Chapter. “We look forward to closing out the year by honoring Alisa and Kris, and looking back on all the great work our New York Chapter members have done throughout the year.”

Due to the recent spike in COVID cases, the Nashville Chapter will not be holding an in-person general member event, but will hold a small event for Board members and its Young Professionals Committee. The Chapter’s all-member December meeting will take place on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. CT via Zoom.

“As we wrap up the year, we want to thank all of our members for their support and participation in the AIMP in general throughout the year,” comments John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and President of the Nashville Chapter. “While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to throw us curveballs, we are happy to have begun the process of moving back to in-person events, and are thrilled to have had the opportunity to see many of our members face to face over the course of the year. We are hopeful to see even more of you in 2022.”

Kane Brown, Hillary Lindsey, Ashley Gorley, More Win NMPA Gold & Platinum Program Honors

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Kane Brown

The NMPA’s Gold & Platinum Program has unveiled the top country songs and songwriters for the past year. Honoring the songwriters of RIAA-certified Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum singles, the honorees were notified and received their awards remotely. The eligibility period was July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021.

Based on a calculation of streams and sales, the “Platinum Anthem” or most listened to song in the past year went to “Be Like That,” performed by Kane Brown ft. Swae Lee & Khalid. The song was written by Brown (Sony Music Publishing), Khalid (Sony Music Publishing), Swae Lee (Warner Chappell), Mike WiLL Made-It (Warner Chappell), Eskeerdo (BMG), and Charlie Handsome (Sony Music Publishing).

With 14 certifications, Hillary Lindsey (Concord) was the Top Non-Performing Female Songwriter with hits such as “Hole in the Bottle,” “Church Bells,” “Hide the Wine,” “One Beer” and “What She Wants Tonight.” The Top Non-Performing Male Songwriter was Ashley Gorley (Round Hill/Tape Room Music) with 24 certifications for songs including “Kick the Dust Up,” “What’s Your Country Song,” “Eyes on You,” “Good Girl” and “Born to Love You.”

The Top Female Artist-Songwriter was Gabby Barrett (Sony Music Publishing) with five certifications for her breakout hits “I Hope” and “The Good Ones.” Meanwhile, the Top Male Artist-Songwriter was Chris Stapleton (Warner Chappell) who notched 16 certifications for “Broken Halos,” “Come Back Song,” “Starting Over,” “Parachute” and “Your Man,” and more.

This year’s Top Song or most listened-to song released prior to the past year was awarded to “Wagon Wheel,” performed by Darius Rucker and written by Bob Dylan (UMPG). The song has gone 9x Platinum since its release in 2013.

Billy Strings Extends 2022 Headline Tour

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Billy Strings. Photo: Joshua Black Wilkins

Billy Strings is continuing his extensive headline tour next year with 16 new shows announced for February and March.

Newly confirmed shows include a four-night stand at Port Chester’s The Capitol Theatre, two nights at Augusta’s Bell Auditorium, two nights at Knoxville’s Civic Auditorium, a three-date run at Madison’s The Sylvee, two nights at Cincinnati’s Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center, and more.

The upcoming performances add to yet another notable year for Strings, whose new album, Renewal, is out now via Rounder Records. Produced by Jonathan Wilson and recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium Studios, the sixteen track project incorporates influences of bluegrass, classic rock, metal, psychedelic music and more.

During 2021 he continued to make waves as he was awarded Breakthrough Artist of the Pandemic at the 2021 Pollstar Awards, named Entertainer of the Year and Guitar Player of the Year at the 2021 International Bluegrass Music Awards, and performed on PBS’ Bluegrass Underground.

Billy Strings Added Tour Dates:
February 3—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre
February 4—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre
February 5—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre
February 6—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre
February 11—Greensboro, NC—Greensboro Coliseum
February 12—Norfolk, VA—Chartway Arena
February 15—Augusta, GA—Bell Auditorium
February 16—Augusta, GA—Bell Auditorium
February 18—Knoxville, TN—Civic Auditorium
February 19—Knoxville, TN—Civic Auditorium
March 3—Madison, WI—The Sylvee
March 4—Madison, WI—The Sylvee
March 5—Madison, WI—The Sylvee
March 9—Cleveland, OH—KeyBank State Theatre
March 11—Cincinnati, OH—Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center
March 12—Cincinnati, OH—Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center

Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen Among Grammy Nominees

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Chris Stapleton, Mickey Guyton; (L-R, bottom row): Jimmie Allen, Brandi Carlile

The nominees for The 64th Grammy Awards were revealed Tuesday (Nov. 23), with plenty of Nashville’s finest musicians well-represented.

In the country categories, Mickey Guyton and Chris Stapleton dominate with three each. Stapleton, who nearly swept the CMA Awards earlier this month, is nominated for Best Country Album (Starting Over), Best Country Song (“Cold”), and Best Country Solo Performance (“You Should Probably Leave”). Guyton, who gave a historic performance on this year’s Grammy Awards, is also nominated for Best Country Album (Remember Her Name), Best Country Song (“Remember Her Name”), and Best Country Solo Performance (“Remember Her Name”).

Jimmie Allen, the CMA’s newly crowned New Artist of the Year and the ACM’s New Male Artist of the Year, is the only country artists nominated in the four general field categories, as Best New Artist.

Miranda Lambert accepting the Best Country Album award for Wildcard at the 63rd Grammy Awards on March 14, 2021. Photo: Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Kacey Musgraves, whose album Star-Crossed was deemed not eligible for Country Album of the Year, is nominated for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for “Camera Roll,” a song from that project.

Maren Morris is nominated for Best Country Song for “Better Than We Found It,” and is nominated for Best Country Duo Or Group Performance alongside her husband Ryan Hurd for their duet, “Chasing After You.” Miranda Lambert is nominated in the Duo/Group Performance category with Elle King for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” and with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram for The Marfa Tapes (Best Country Album).

Carrie Underwood is nominated alongside her duet parter Jason Aldean in the Country Duo/Group Performance category for “If I Didn’t Love You.” She is also nominated for Best Roots Gospel Album for My Savior.

Brothers Osborne are nominated for Duo/Group Performance for “Younger Me,” and for Best Country Album for Skeletons.

Other country artists represented in the nominees list are Luke Combs (Best Country Solo Performance for “Forever After All”), Dan + Shay (Best Country Duo Or Group Performance for “Glad You Exist”), Thomas Rhett (Best Country Song for “Country Again”), and Walker Hayes (Best Country Song for “Fancy Like”). Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson are nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, Parton for her A Holly Dolly Christmas and Nelson for his That’s Life.

Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson are also nominated in country categories, including Isbell’s “All I Do Is Drive” for Best Country Solo Performance and Simpson’s The Ballad Of Dood & Juanita for Best Country Album. Elsewhere, Simpson received a nomination for Best Bluegrass Album for Cuttin’ Grass – Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions).

A slew of Nashville writers, including Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Brady Clark, Brandi Carlile, Hailey Whitters and Ruby Amanfu are nominated alongside Alicia Keys and Linda Perry for Song of the Year with “A Beautiful Noise,” recorded by Keys and Carlile.

Brandi Carlile and wife Catherine Shepherd at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Photo: Courtesy Sacks & Co.

In addition to garnering two nominations for Song of the Year for both “A Beautiful Noise” and her own “Right On Time,” Carlile earned a whopping five nominations, including for Record Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance (“Right On Time”), and Best American Roots Performance (“Same Devil” with Brandy Clark).

Like Musgraves, Carlile’s single “Right On Time” was shifted to the best pop performance category rather than the American Roots division.

In the American Roots categories, Yola came out with two for Best American Roots Song (“Diamond Studded Shoes”) and Best Americana Album (Stand For Myself). Jackson Browne (Downhill From Everywhere), John Hiatt with The Jerry Douglas Band (Leftover Feelings), Los Lobos (Native Sons), and Allison Russell (Outside Child) are represented alongside Yola for Best Americana Album.

Other nominees in the American Roots categories were Jon Batiste, Billy Strings, The Blind Boys Of Alabama & Béla Fleck, Brandy Clark, and Rhiannon Giddens.

In the Christian and Gospel category, Cece Winans earned three nominations for Best Gospel Performance/Song (“Believe For It”), Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (“Believe For It”), and Best Gospel Album (Believe For It).

Dante Bowe was nominated three times in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category, for “Voice Of God,” “Joyful,” and “Wait On You,” the latter recorded by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music.

Other Nashvillians represented in the Grammy nominees include Ashley Gorley and Ben Johnson (“All My Favorite Songs”) and Kings of Leon in the Best Rock Song category. Additionally, The Black Keys‘ Delta Kream and Steve Cropper‘s Fire It Up are both nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album, Gramps Morgan‘s Positive Vibration is nominated for Best Reggae Album, Nashville Symphony Orchestra conductor Giancarlo Guerrero earned a nomination for Best Orchestral Performance (“Adams: My Father Knew Charles Ives; Harmonielehre”) and Sam Ashworth and others are nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media (“Speak Now.”)

Jon Batiste led the nominees this year with 11, including for Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song for “Cry.” Young artists made up the pop and general field nominees, with Justin Bieber, Doja Cat and H.E.R. garnering eight each, and Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo nabbing seven. All five are under 28.

The 2022 Grammy Awards will be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2022, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+ at 8 – 11:30 p.m. ET / 5-8:30 p.m. PT.

Final round voting to determine Grammy winners will take place from Dec. 6, 2021 to Jan. 5, 2022. Click here for a full list of 2022 Grammy nominees.

Chris Young To Headline SEC Championship Concert In December

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Chris Young. Photo: Jeff Johnson

Multi-Platinum country artist Chris Young will headline the first-ever T-Mobile SEC Championship Concert on Dec. 3, the eve of the SEC Championship game between No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 Alabama.

“Anyone who knows me, knows I pretty much live and breathe football,” says Young.  “I am beyond pumped to team up with T-Mobile and the SEC to headline the concert before the SEC Championship game! Let’s GO!!”

Young will perform his hit songs, such as “Famous Friends,” “Tomorrow,” and “Gettin’ You Home,” alongside special guests and fellow Sony Music Nashville artists Mitchell Tenpenny and Kameron Marlowe. The show will take place at Georgia International Plaza outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The show is free and open to the public with no ticket required. Fans on the ground can catch photo opportunities, food and beverages available for purchase, and more. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. CT with performances from Marlowe and Tenpenny, followed by Young taking the stage at 7 p.m. CT.

For fans who cannot attend in-person, T-Mobile will host a worldwide livestream broadcast of Young’s performance beginning at 6 p.m. CT via Young’s YouTube and Facebook channels.

Young has had an immensely successful career as he’s a member of the iconic Grand Ole Opry, has nearly 5 billion on-demand streams, 13 million singles sold, 12 career No. 1 singles, and 22 RIAA certified projects.