Moody Center Dedicates New Backstage Lounge To George Strait

Moody Center has unveiled a new backstage lounge dedicated to George Strait during his final weekend at the arena named  “The Troubadour,” in honor of his GRAMMY-winning album. The lounge features a refurbished vintage jukebox programmed with his extensive catalogue, a burnt orange pool table, a restored neon sign and carefully curated décor.

“This lounge is more than just a space—it’s a tribute to an artist whose music and presence helped define the Moody Center from day one,” says Jeff Nickler, President of Oak View Group Austin, and General Manager of the arena. “We’re proud to honor him in a way that will be experienced for years to come.”

 

Vince Gill Appears On NPR‘s Tiny Desk

Vince Gill recently stopped by NPR‘s Tiny Desk series. During the set, he played “One More Last Chance,” “Whenever You Come Around,” “Heroes,” “When a Soldier Dies” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”

Accompanying him was John Meador, John Jarvis, Jimmie Lee Sloas and Billy Thomas.

 

Clint Black & Lisa Hartman Black Attend Premiere For When I Said I Do

Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black recently attended the premiere celebration for new Lifetime movie When I Said I Do at The Franklin Theatre. The movie is inspired by the couple’s duet of the same name.

Black and Hartman Black served as Executive Producers on the film and also make appearances as themselves, portraying hosts of a relationship podcast that influences the emotional journey of the main characters. When I Said I Do premieres this Saturday (May 23) at 7 p.m. CT.

 

Mackenzie Carpenter Partners With Beer Girl

Mackenzie Carpenter has partnered with Beer Girl, the gluten-reduced, low-ABV beer brand founded by Caroline and Griffin Foulk. Carpenter marks the brand’s first national partnership. The partnership kicked off with the beer being featured in Carpenter’s latest music video, “High Pony.” The brand will also appear throughout Carpenter’s upcoming tours with Riley Green and Jason Aldean.

“Partnering with Beer Girl felt super natural to me because our vibes were already so aligned. We’re both really passionate about creating a community that is empowering and always fun,” says Carpenter. “When I met Caroline, I instantly felt her energy and knew I wanted to be part of what she’s building.”

 

Hope On The Row Raises $19,000 At Sold-Out Nashville Benefit

Hope on the Row hosted its second annual Rounds for Hope benefit concert on May 12 at Riverside Revival. The sold-out event raised $19,000 in support of the organization’s ongoing outreach operations serving Nashville’s unhoused community. This year’s Rounds for Hope featured performances by Ava Suppelsa, Lauren Eliza, Lucy Voll, Ryan Hurd, Summer Overstreet and Jimmy Robbins, and was hosted by Ty Bentli.

Founded in 2020 by Suppelsa during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hope on the Row began by delivering essential supplies and meals to individuals experiencing homelessness in downtown Nashville. Today, the organization serves more than 150 people every Sunday and has provided over 36,000 meals and distributed more than 10,000 pounds of clothing since its founding.

 

I C RED Signs With Riser House Rock

Industrial-leaning rock project I C RED has signed with Riser House Rock.

 

Parker Brand Inks With Asphalt Music Group

Country artist Parker Brand has signed with Asphalt Music Group. Alongside the signing, he will release his debut single “More Cigarettes” on June 5. The track was written and produced by Aaron Chesling and combines traditional country with a contemporary edge.

“This song is personal,” says Brand. “Being a story telling artist, when given the opportunity to be a part of this song there was an immediate connection to the story itself and incredibly relatable to how I grew up amongst family and culture. This song is a like hug from my grandmother who is no longer with us physically.”

The Maui Songwriters Festival Summer Series has unveiled this year’s lineup.

On July 4, Dasha will take the stage for an Independence Day celebration.

Grace Tyler will headline on June 19, joined by Hawai‘i artists, Kala’e Parish and Kalenaku. On July 17, FILMORE will perform, with an opening set from Akoni Palomino. Kristian Bush and Payton Sullivan will wrap up the series on August 21, joined by Kamalani Kawa‘a and 94Tunez.

The events take place at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua in the resort’s Alaloa Lounge. Tickets for the July 4 will be on sale soon. Admission to the other performances is complimentary for resort guests. For non-hotel guests, there is a $10 entertainment fee per person.

More information on the series can be found here.

Veteran music executive and songwriter Shelby Kennedy has penned a new book for aspiring artists, songwriters and entrepreneurs, Gold & Platinum Nuggets of Wisdom: Bite-Sized Perspectives For Navigating The Music Business.  

Kennedy draws from his three decades of experience working with songwriters, artists, publishers, managers, producers and others in the industry in the new book, and offers insights in how to effectively navigate the music industry. Having had an insider’s view to the music business from the time he was small watching and learning from his dad, renowned producer Jerry Kennedy, Shelby possesses a wealth of unique observations and experiences that he shares in the new book.

The perspectives and insights offered up have been gleaned from discussions in the myriad of meetings Kennedy has had throughout his career. Readers will find guidance and helpful directions to aid in finding the best routes and strategies for their path forward. For Kennedy, encouraging people to use all the gifts God gave them to be all they were created to be really is a reward in itself.

“When people try to fit into the music industry, they can get confused and lose sight of what is meant to be their unique contribution. My book is an alternative attempt to have a few meetings with the reader so they can get on the fast-track with better understanding to cut through the clutter in their career path,” says Kennedy.

Gold & Platinum Nuggets of Wisdom: Bite-Sized Perspectives For Navigating The Music Business is available at Amazon Books and other digital platforms now.

Luke Bryan has unveiled the fall dates for his “FARM TOUR.”

Bryan will visit Latrobe, Pennsylvania on Sept. 17, Millersport, Ohio on Sept. 18, and Brookston, Indiana on Sept. 19.

Tickets for all three dates will go on sale this Thursday (May 21) at 8 a.m. CT.

Since the inception of the “FARM TOUR” in 2009, Bryan has raised funds to award 90 college scholarships to children of farming families. Additionally, over 10 million meals have been provided through tour sponsor Bayer’s “Take Care, Now” campaign and the #HerestotheFarmer social initiative.

Bryan will release his new album, SIGNS, on Sept. 18. He will kick off his “Word On The Street Tour” on May 29, with stops in Fort Worth, Albuquerque, Wichita and more. He will also visit San Diego, Washington D.C., Las Vegas and more on the “Double Down Tour” with Jason Aldean. Festival appearances this summer for Bryan include Carolina Country Music Fest, CMA Fest, Winstock Country Music Festival and more.