Fox’s upcoming series Monarch, the multi-generational, musical drama about America’s leading family of country music, is set make its premiere on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. CT. The show’s first season, in addition to its powerhouse cast, will feature its own collection of star-studded guests.

Starring Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, multi-Platinum and three-time Academy of Country Music Award winner Trace Adkins and Golden Globe nominee Anna Friel, Monarch‘s first season will also include guest appearances from Grammy Award winner Shania Twain, multi-Grammy Award nominee Martina McBride, Grammy Award winners Little Big Town, and Grammy Award winner Tanya Tucker.

Throughout the show, the Roman family is headed by the “Queen of Country Music,” Dottie Cantrell Roman, played by Sarandon, and her beloved husband Albie Roman, played by Adkins. The pair have created a country music dynasty, but the foundation of their success is a lie. When their reign as country royalty is put in jeopardy, heir to the crown Nicolette “Nicky” Roman, played by Friel, will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy and ensure her own quest for stardom.

The series will feature both original music and covers. Following its debut on Sept. 11, Monarch will make its time period premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. CT.

Gene Watson is venturing Outside the Box with his brand new album, set for release Sept. 16. Watson hosted an album listening event last night (Aug. 16) for industry members at the ONErpm office in Nashville.

Outside the Box features Watson’s first-ever collaboration with country legend and fellow Texan Willie Nelson on “Wonderful Future.” The album also includes a duet with Rhonda Vincent on “I’ve Got One of Those Too.” The 12-track collection fuses newly-recorded songs as well as re-imagined hits across multiple genres, from Merle Haggard to Etta James.

“We titled the album before we ever recorded the first song,” shares Watson. “I just wanted to do something that was different, not only for me, but for the fans too. Of course it’s still pure country music but the very first song I recorded was one by Etta James that I’ve always thought was one of the greatest songs out there. I really searched for songs I know my fans will appreciate and from that came this album, Outside the Box.”

Watson’s single “If It’s That Easy” was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records. Since then, he has charted 75 titles including 23 top 10 hits, six No. 1s and five No. 1 gospel records.

Outside The Box Track List:
1. If I Had Any Pride Left At All
2. If She Only Knew
3. Wonderful Future Featuring Willie Nelson
4. Lie To Me
5. Some Fools
6. I’ll Keep Holding Your Memory
7. I’ve Got One of Those Too Featuring Rhonda Vincent
8. They Played It
9. The Blues Are Alive and Well
10. Who Do You Think You Are
11. It Looked Good On Paper
12. Loneliness Is Eating Me Alive

The Onsite Foundation, a non-profit leader in emotional health education and resources, has partnered with MusiCares to create and host a retreat for music industry professionals on Oct. 6-9 at Onsite in Cumberland Furnace in Middle Tennessee.

“Unplugged: a Healing Retreat at Onsite For The Music Industry” is an invitation to step away from all the noise and distractions and into a space where participants can freely explore who they are, what got them here, and who they truly want to be as a creative moving forward. The tools introduced at the retreat will help attendees connect with themselves and work toward building an authentic life.

The “Unplugged” retreat will be available to musicians, singer-songwriters, engineers, stagehands, managers, tour bus drivers, A&R, agents, make-up artists, venue managers, live crews, and anyone else who is currently working or has worked in the music industry.

“We live in a world built to connect us, but it can feel like it’s designed to divide us, distract us, and keep us disconnected. When we feel disconnected from the world, we are likely disconnected from the world within ourselves,” shares Miles Adcox, Chairman and Proprietor of Onsite Workshops. “We hope attending Unplugged allows creatives to disconnect from all the noise and distractions of life so they can reconnect to themselves.”

Last year, 26% of MusiCares Wellness in Music Survey respondents said they regularly experience moderate to severe levels of depression. To put that in perspective, a 2019 National Health Interview Survey of U.S. adults founds that only 4.7 percent reported regularly feeling depressed.

The 2021 Wellness in Music Survey saw a decline in respondents experiencing moderate to severe levels of depression, with 20% reporting feeling this way. However, 56% of this year’s respondents reported feeling moderately high to very high levels of anxiety—and though that is down almost 10% from last year’s numbers, it indicates the mental health of the music community is still strained.

“We are so thankful that MusiCares has partnered with us to help music industry professionals who are struggling from the effects of stress and trauma. Our hope is that ‘Unplugged’ attendees leave the retreat feeling emotionally unstuck and empowered with new insights to better connect with their authentic self and the people in their life,” says Deanna Wantz, Executive Director of The Onsite Foundation.

“At MusiCares, we understand how important mental health and well-being are to the success of the music community,” says Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “We are excited to once again partner with The Onsite Foundation to give music professionals the resources needed for healing and reconnecting to their purpose so they can continue to do what they love.”

Register for the “Unplugged” retreat here.