Blake Shelton. Photo: Andrew Eccles

Circle Network is celebrating “Spring Blake” this year as it teams up with Blake Shelton for a network takeover that will feature Shelton-themed episodes and star-studded performances from some of his closest friends. Viewers can tune into “Spring Blake” this Saturday, March 13 starting at 12 p.m. ET on Circle.

Just in time for the takeover, Circle’s country lifestyle programming is now available on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service. The network is Peacock’s first channel addition dedicated to country lifestyle and music programming. Circle’s distribution has grown rapidly since its launch in January 2020 and now reaches a monthly audience of nearly 150 million via ad-supported streaming distribution partnerships, in addition to its linear distribution.

“There are more than 130 million people in the United States who identify as country music fans, and with Peacock, we are able to reach more of this growing fan base than ever before,” says Scott Bailey, President of Opry Entertainment Group.  “We look forward to adding our artist-centered programming, like Opry Live, to their collection of high-quality content and channels.”

“Blake is an iconic country music star, and we are excited to have him take over Circle Network for a night of all things Blake Shelton,” says Drew Reifenberger, Circle Network General Manager. “Viewers will get an inside look into our favorite episodes and moments featuring Blake—from visits to the iconic ‘Ole Red’ hotspot, to live performances with his close friends and fellow country music stars. This also comes at a perfect time as we launch our partnership with Peacock, allowing even more country fans to take part in the journey.”

Runaway June’s Natalie Stovall, who was a part of #TeamBlake on NBC’s The Voice, will kick off the Shelton marathon at 12 p.m. ET with episodes from her show The Southern Weekend, where she’ll visit Shelton’s Ole Red restaurant in Nashville and meet Canaan Smith at Prince’s Hot Chicken for a hot chicken challenge. Other highlights include joining Luke Combs and Craig Morgan for a duck hunt on Morgan’s lifestyle show Craig’s World, a reunion with Shelton’s former tour mates Howard and David Bellamy on their Bellamy Brothers’ Honky Tonk Ranch, and more. The evening will also feature Shelton’s Opry Live with Dustin Lynch and Trace Adkins, as well as the premiere of this year’s Conservation AID concert benefiting The National Wild Turkey Foundation with Shelton, Lynch, Morgan, Chris Janson, Jimmie Allen, Lindsey Ell and Chuck Wicks.

“Spring Blake” will continue all March long at Ole Red. Circle and Ole Red are partnering up to launch a “Spring Blake” sweepstakes, with two lucky winners receiving a Personal Redphone, a Zoom meet and greet with Shelton, and a Spring Blake at Home Kit full of supplies to celebrate in true “Spring Blake” fashion. The kit will also include an Ole Red drumhead signed by Shelton.

Pictured (L-R): Joe Beck, Billy Sprague, grand prize winner Abigail Orsborn, Michael Blanton, and Gary Glover. Photo: Courtesy of Man of War Creative Studios

Nashville’s Songwriting University, in partnership with the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation and Gibson Gives, announced the winners of their first annual Christmas Songwriting Contest.

This year’s grand prize winner is Abigail Orsborn for her song, “Two Christmases.” In 2nd place, receiving $500 and a brand new Gibson Les Paul guitar is H. Jack Williams with “One Little Boy.”

The third, fourth and fifth place winners receive a two-hour songwriting session with a hit songwriter and the sixth through tenth place finalists receive a one-year subscription to SU/MasterClass.

“We were so honored to partner with Scott Hamilton and his foundation for this contest,” says Michael Blanton, one of Songwriting University’s founders. “To be able to provide some levity and light at the end of such a dark year was an honor and a testament to the healing power of song.”

SU provided a distinguished panel of songwriters, artists, producers and music professionals to select the 10 finalists who were awarded thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, including a check for $1,500 in addition to the Gibson Les Paul guitar for the grand prize winner.

This panel included award-winning songwriters Buddy Greene and Wayne Kirkpatrick, along with record executive Blanton.

Other finalists include:
3rd – “The Only Thing I Want More” by Cam Monroe
4th – “Why Christmastime” by Derek Toomey
5th – “Angels In the Snow” by Julie Broschard
6th – “A Much More Silent Night” by Lori Lee Loving
7th – “Peace for Your Christmastime” by David Powers
8th – “Highly Favored” by Dave Lemieux
9th – “It’s a Santa Claus Thing” by Darrell John
10th – “Christmas Cookies” by Jennifer Smestad

Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Brad Paisley, LeAnn Rimes and more are among the lineup for a new two-hour TV special, A Grammy Salute To The Sounds Of Change, spotlighting the iconic songs that inspired social change and left an everlasting imprint on history. The show is set to air three days after the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards on March 17 on CBS.

The special will be hosted by three-time Grammy winner Common and will also include appearances and performances by Yolanda Adams, Leon Bridges, D Smoke, Andra Day, Sheila E., Cynthia Erivo, Emily, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, John Fogerty, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Terrace Martin, and Billy Porter performing songs that have seen us through the darkest hours and greatest triumphs. Artists across genres will highlight the stories behind, and deliver personal interpretations of, the powerful music that inspired social justice and equality.

Presenters from the worlds of entertainment, art and activism will look back at some of the most iconic Grammy performances and moments in history as well during the inspiring special, which will also be available via livestream and on-demand on Paramount+, ViacomCBS’ newest global streaming service.

Lambert with two of her rescues, Delta and Jessi. Photo: Courtesy Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation and Tractor Supply Company have teamed up to provide a quarter of a million dollars in grants through the organization’s Mutts Across America program.

Through the program, a surprise $5,000 donation will be made to one shelter or foster-based rescue in each state across the country. Organizations are carefully researched and vetted before honoring one outstanding nonprofit in each state. Friends of Williamson County in Tennessee was among the recipients of this year’s grants.

Since the initiative’s inception, MuttNation’s Mutts Across America has supported more than 350 shelters with over $1.25 million in grants. In addition to the donations, Tractor Supply is the exclusive retailer of MuttNation products, and a percentage of all sales goes to the MuttNation Foundation to further support the cause.

“This was our first signature program and it’s our cornerstone,” says Lambert. “It lets us reward the hard-working rescues and celebrate shelter pets everywhere. It hits all the high notes. We’re so honored to have Tractor Supply Company as our partner. We’re accomplishing so much together and, thanks to their incredibly generous support, this year’s gifts to the shelters will be the most impactful ever. Given the fundraising difficulties rescues have faced over the past year, we know it will make a huge difference to thousands of animals.”

“At Tractor Supply, we love our four-legged friends and appreciate this opportunity to demonstrate our ongoing support for animal shelters across the country,” says Nicole Logan, Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager at Tractor Supply Company. “Miranda’s passion and tremendous dedication dovetails with our mission at Tractor Supply to care for all pets and animals. We are excited to expand our partnership with Miranda and the MuttNation organization to make this the most impactful Mutts Across America yet.”