Capitol Records Nashville artist Jon Pardi brought his California brand of country music to Marathon Music Works near downtown Nashville for a tightly packed crowd on Monday night (April 25).

The Golden State native showcased many tunes from his forthcoming sophomore album, California Sunrise, out June 17. Of those new tunes, “Head Over Boots” is the first to shoot out of the gate, landing at No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart on March 31. Pardi played through additional standouts like the romantic “She Ain’t In It,” the groovy “Heartache On The Dance Floor,” and a prime two-stepper “Out Of Style.”

With the 2016 album Pardi continues his edgy, traditional country sound he has built over the past five years on the back of traditional country influences. The Nashville show recognized his heroes like the late West Coast legend Merle Haggard in addition to an encore performance of Alan Jackson‘s “Don’t Rock The Jukebox.”

Signature material from the 30-year-old star was spotlighted with a six-piece backing band, even employing a genuine fiddle and steel guitar. Additional stand-out material was showcased including older songs “Empty Beer Cans,” “What I Can’t Put Down,” and Pardi’s debut single “Missin’ You Crazy.”

Pardi’s 90-minute set came after a performance from UMG Nashville label mate Lauren Alaina (Mercury Nashville). The Season 10 American Idol runner-up gave the audience a taste of her pop-country fusion, charisma and charm. The entertainers powerhouse vocals were highlighted in a few pop covers including a mashup of Shania Twain, Dixie Chicks, Reba, Carrie Underwood, Britney Spears, Beyonce and Rihanna. Three songs were performed from her latest self-titled EP, including her Meghan Trainor co-write “Road Less Traveled,” and her single “Next Boyfriend.” She closed out her set with a cover of the Jessie J/Nicki Minaj/Ariana Grande pop hit “Bang Bang.”

Pardi continues to tour the country heavily through August. Alaina is booked for various dates through July.

The Country Music Hall of Fame is just one of several venues across Nashville that attracts thousands of fans during the CMA Music Festival, which will be held June 9-12.

This year, Blake Shelton will launch the activities at the Country Music Hall of Fame with a brief acoustic set and interview with CMHoF museum editor Michael McCall on Monday, June 6, at 3 p.m. The appearance is in support of his exhibition Blake Shelton: Based On A True Story, supported by SunTrust.

The museum will host several events throughout the week of CMA Music Festival, welcoming artists including Craig Morgan, Gary Allan, Aubrie Sellers, Bill Anderson, the Oak Ridge Boys, Scotty McCreery, Mickey Guyton, Margo Price, Brandy Clark, and more.

Fans can access at bundled ticket option with CMA Music Festival’s Fan Fair X, which is located inside Music City Center. The ticket includes museum admission and four-day access to Fan Fair X for $39.95, and can be purchased online or at the museum’s box office.

A limited number of presale tickets for Shelton’s program will be available to museum members along with Shelton’s fan club members via TicketFly.com on May 11 at 10 a.m. The general public can reserve tickets for Shelton’s appearance on May 13 at 10 a.m.

Schedule of Events:

Monday, June 6
3 p.m.: Interview and Performance with Blake Shelton

Wednesday, June 8
11:30 a.m.: Autograph signing with Craig Morgan
1:30 p.m.: Songwriter Session and autograph signing with Aubrie Sellers and Adam Wright
3:30 p.m.: Songwriter Session with Gary Allan

Thursday, June 9
10 a.m.: Autograph signing with Bill Anderson
2 p.m.: Autograph signing with Oak Ridge Boys

Friday, June 10
10 a.m.: Autograph signing with Scotty McCreery
12:30 p.m.: Performance and signing by some of CMT’s Next Women of Country, including Lauren Alaina, Clare Dunn, Brooke Eden, Margo Price, and Tara Thompson. Hosted by CMT’s Leslie Fram

Saturday, June 11
10 a.m.: Autograph signing with Brandy Clark
11:30 a.m.: Songwriter Session and autograph signing with Rae Lynn
1:00 p.m.: Songwriter Session and autograph signing with Mickey Guyton
3:30 p.m.: Songwriter Session and autograph signing with Jack Ingram

Sunday, June 12
1:00 p.m.: Fiddle Demonstration with Ryan Joseph
2:00 p.m.: Film Screening: Good Rockin’ Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records

CMA Close Up has added Phyllis Stark as Contributing Editor.

Stark, a veteran editor and journalist, was formerly the Nashville Bureau Chief and Senior Editor for Billboard. She continues to write a weekly column for Billboard‘s Country Update. Her career includes work as Executive Producer of National Content for E.W. Scripps Company’s television and radio station sites, a Nashville music correspondent for MSN.com, a MusicRow contributor, and Executive Editor of Country Music at radio-info.com, where she created the newsletter Stark Country.

Stark also served as VP, A&R and Head of Operations for the Nashville division of independent record label Robbins Entertainment.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Phyllis’ experience, credibility and integrity join our editorial team,” said Wendy Pearl, CMA VP of Corporate Communications and CMA Close Up Executive Editor.

Songwriters Set Charity Concert At The Listening Room

ASCAP songwriters Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne and Ashley Gorley will perform at Nashville music venue The Listening Room on Thursday, May 5 as part of a charity concert for The Donnell family. Both the father and young son in the family were recently diagnosed with cancer.

The concert begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more, visit listeningroomcafe.com.

Neal McCoy To Headline Children’s Charity Concert

Neal McCoy will perform during the 26th annual William Shatner Priceline.com Hollywood Charity Horse Show, to be held June 4 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

Guests will be treated to an arena show and a world-class reining competition, followed by a western dinner catered by Stonefire Grill. The evening concludes with a performance by McCoy.

Proceeds from the event will benefit special-needs children’s charities across the city of Los Angeles including AHEAD With Horses, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Hollenbeck Police Activities League (PAL), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Painted Turtle and others.

Clay Walker Announces Seventh Annual Chords of Hope Concert

Clay Walker will host the seventh annual Chords of Hope Benefit Concert at 3^rd & Lindsley during Nashville’s CMA Fest on Wednesday, June 8.

The concert, sponsored by TEVA and Pinnacle Financial Partners, will help raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS) research with proceeds going to the MS Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Walker’s charity, Band Against MS (BAMS).

Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are now available here.