ASCAP has announced that it is expanding its Wellness Program to offer telemedicine services to its songwriter and composer members.

The new telemedicine program, Doc On The Go, will launch later this month and give ASCAP members access to medical consultations with healthcare practitioners from Teladoc, a telehealth service provider. ASCAP creators can sign up for a monthly or annual plan for themselves or their families through the Member Access portal.

“Our program with Doc On The Go is meeting a critical need,” says Nicholas Lehman, ASCAP Chief Strategy and Digital Officer.“ Members have told us how important their physical health is in order to practice their craft and reach their full creative potential. As we navigate the global pandemic, ASCAP is here with resources that can help our community be productive and thrive, so they can keep on creating the music that the world loves.”

The ASCAP Experience will also address music creators’ needs through its free virtual programming, including Learning to Listen: A Live Music Meditation with Beginner’s Ear on Oct. 5 on IG Live. Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim, founder of Beginner’s Ear, will lead an exploration of the intersection of music and mindfulness where participants will get the chance to experience a live music meditation with violinist and ASCAP member Tim Fain.

ASCAP will also host Stay Human: The Path to Wellness for Music Creators on Oct. 6, 2:00 PM CT. This discussion will feature songwriter, humanitarian and activist Michael Franti of Spearhead; meditation and wellness coach Molly Woodhull; and Backline Executive Director Hilary Gleason, and will be moderated by Artist Activists Management partner and certified health and life coach Caitlin Stone.

In support of its commitment to member wellness, ASCAP is publishing original editorial features focused on the connection between creativity and wellness. Recent pieces include “7 Ways Music Can Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety,” “4 Ways for Creators to Safely Find Community During the Pandemic,” and “Stuck at the Computer? Reduce Stress on Your Body with These Physical Therapist-Approved Tips.”

Blake Shelton. Photo: Todd Stefani

Blake Shelton is releasing a deluxe edition of his latest album, Body Language, on Dec. 3.

The expanded project features four new tracks, including collaborations with Brooks & Dunn and Hardy, as well as a love song written with longtime friend Craig Wiseman. The deluxe edition also features his brand new single “Come Back As A Country Boy,” which was just released at country radio. The original Body Language album has already yielded the Platinum-certified No. 1 “Happy Anywhere” with Shelton’s wife, Gwen Stefani.

Shelton has had 28 No. 1s on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and nearly a dozen Gold and Platinum-certified singles. Over the past two decades he’s accumulated more than 8.5 billion global on-demand streams and 13 million U.S. album sales.

Body Language Deluxe Track List:
1. Come Back As A Country Boy (Michael Hardy, Josh Thompson, Jordan Schmidt)
2. Fire Up The Night (feat. HARDY) (Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt, Brian Kelley, Bart Butler)
3. Minimum Wage (Nicolle Galyon, Jesse Frasure, Corey Crowder)
4. Body Language (feat. The Swon Brothers) (Colton Swon, Zach Swon, Matt McGinn, Ryan Beaver)
5. Happy Anywhere (feat. Gwen Stefani) (Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne, Matt Jenkins)
6. Now I Don’t (Jessi Alexander, Alysa Vanderheym, Michael Hardy)
7. Monday Mornin’ Missin’ You (Jessi Alexander, Deric Ruttan, Josh Thompson)
8. Corn (Craig Wiseman, Matt Dragstrem, Chris Tompkins, Rodney Clawon)
9. Makin’ It Up As You Go (Brad Tursi, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
10. Whatcha Doin’ Tomorrow (Dallas Davidson, Kyle Fishman, Casey Beathard)
11. The Girl Can’t Help It (Ben Hayslip, Josh Osborne, Mark Holman)
12. The Flow (Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne)
13. Neon Time (Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler, Ben West)
14. Bible Verses (Joe Fox, Andrew Peebles, Brett Sheroky)
15. Throw It On Back (feat. Brooks & Dunn) (Bobby Pinson, Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins)
16. We Can Reach The Stars (Blake Shelton, Craig Wiseman)

Newsboys

The Newsboys have released their brand new album, Stand, through Capitol CMG.

The lead single from the project, “Magnetic,” is currently rising up the charts as the group returns to the road on their “Step Into the Light Tour.” For a full list of tour dates, click here.

“Time off the road and at home during the pandemic gave me the gift of uninterrupted time to spend in the studio,” lead singer Michael Tait says. “I spent a year or so at home thinking about the kind of music I wanted to make, writing songs, and working in the studio on the project that eventually became Stand. I knew that we wanted to create a record that spoke to the season we were all walking through, and we did exactly that.”

“Tait’s integral investment and intentionality in every part of the recording process made Stand that much more indicative of who we are as a band.,” adds drummer Duncan Phillips. “Michael’s a great songwriter, and this record really allowed that to stand out.”

Since getting their in Australia, Newsboys have released many hits, including “We Believe,” “Born Again” and Platinum-certified mega hit “God’s Not Dead,” which birthed a film franchise of the same name. The group has sold more than 10 million albums spanning 23 recordings, amassed one double Platinum and eight Gold certifications, 33 No. 1s, four Grammy nominations, two American Music Award nods, and multiple Dove Awards.

Newsboys

Stand Track List:
Magnetic
Ain’t It Like Jesus
I Still Believe You Are Good
Clean
Stand
Blessings On Blessings
Come Through
No Doubt
Never Too Far Away
Won’t Be Afraid

Nashville Music Equality will host “Once & Future Sounds Black Women’s Voices in Music” on Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Nashville Music Equality President Shannon Sanders and NME Vice President Gina Miller will host the night, which will feature panelists Rissi Palmer, Allison Russell, Amythst Kiah, and Yola.

The conversation will center around the journeys of these artists, how they overcome obstacles as Black women in music, where they see the genre growing in the future, the importance of storytelling in their music, where they find inspiration, and more. To register for the webinar, click here.

Palmer was offered her first publishing and label deal at the age of 19. In 2007, she released her debut album, Rissi Palmer, charting singles, “Country Girl,” “Hold On To Me,” and “No Air.” She launched her own radio show, Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer, on Apple Music Country. Since making its debut in August 2020, listeners have been treated to in-depth and necessary conversations with artists such as Brittney Spencer, Chapel Hart, Crystal Shawanda, Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, Miko Marks, The War and Treaty and many more. Palmer also created the Color Me Country Artist Grant Fund designed to support new country artists of color to build their music careers.

Russell recently released her first solo project, Outside Child. The poet, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, activist, and co-founder of Our Native Daughters and Birds of Chicago reflects on a tough childhood and a powerful statement of hope from a place of healing, of motherhood, and of partnership.

Kiah recently celebrated her Rounder Records debut with Wary + Strange. The Chattanooga-bred singer-songwriter is a member of Our Native Daughters—an all-women-of-color supergroup whose Kiah-penned standout “Black Myself” earned a Grammy nomination for Best American Roots Song and won Song of the Year at the Folk Alliance International Awards. Kiah interlaces political commentary and personal revelation in her music, offering an examination of grief, alienation, and the hard-won triumph of total self-acceptance.

Yola released her critically acclaimed debut album Walk Through Fire in February 2019. Nine months later, she achieved breakout success, landing four Grammy nominations including Best New Artist. Her new album Stand for Myself was released on July 30 and produced by Dan Auerbach. Yola has performed at both Newport Folk and Newport Jazz in the same year, and will also be joining select dates with Chris Stapleton on his rescheduled 2021 tour.