Kelsea Ballerini during her sold-out Patterns release show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Photo: Kevin Mazur for Getty
Country superstar Kelsea Ballerini continued to celebrate the release of her newest album Patterns with a sold-out release show at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City last night (Oct. 29).
After Tigirlily Gold and Aly & AJ warmed up the crowd, Ballerini started the show off by being lifted onto the stage. Feeding off the energy from the fans, she began with a three-track run of “Patterns,” “This Time Last Year” and “Baggage,” all of which were sung back by the audience.
Taking fans through the journey of the album, Ballerini ran through the 15 songs before ending with “I Would, Would You.” During the performance, she gave a nod to her fellow Patterns collaborators, an all-female team consisting of Alysa Vanderheym, Hillary Lindsey, Jessie Jo Dillon and Karen Fairchild.
Kelsea Ballerini during her sold-out Patterns release show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Photo: Kevin Mazur for Getty
With the significance of the show front of mind for Ballerini, she took fans down memory lane through her 10-year career for the second half of the set, performing an array of her hits including “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Miss Me More,” “Hole In The Bottle,” “If You Go Down (I’m Going Down To),” “Penthouse” and more.
As the finale of confetti and fire was shooting off, Ballerini grabbed her guitar to end with an acoustic performance of the unreleased “To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak,” as a way to pay homage to how her career started.
“I promised myself when I started, no matter what venue I was playing, no matter how big or how small, I would sing a song just me and my guitar. I want to close the show tonight how it all started, with just me,” Ballerini said to her crowd.
Kelsea Ballerini during her sold-out Patterns release show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Photo: Kevin Mazur for Getty
Additionally, Ballerini has added six more dates to her 2025 “Kelsea Ballerini Live On Tour” trek. The added dates will take her to Kansas City, Omaha, St. Louis, Tulsa and Greenville, before wrapping up the tour in Charleston on April 9. Tickets for the new shows will go on sale this Friday (Nov. 1) at 10 a.m. local time.
Rounding out her Patterns release celebrations, Ballerini will appear on The Tonight Show Staring Jimmy Fallon tonight (Oct. 3o) and The Kelly Clarkson Show on Nov. 4.
“Kelsea Ballerini Live On Tour” Added Dates:
04/01 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
04/03 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
04/04 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
04/05 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
04/08 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
04/09 – Charleston, NC – North Charleston Coliseum
Dolly Parton Teams Up With Tennessee Tourism For ‘Playcation’ Kid’s Guide
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly Parton. Photo: Curtis Hilbun/Dollywood
Dolly Parton has teamed up with Tennessee Tourism to invite kids and kids-at-heart to plan adventures with the new Tennessee “Playcation” Kid’s Guide.
Launched in 2023, the “Playcation” campaign has become a year-long initiative to engage families and inspire kids to play an active role in planning vacations.
The free resource features kid-friendly activities and over 45 family-friendly Tennessee destinations, such as Dollywood, the Memphis Zoo, Tennessee Aquarium, Grand Ole Opry and more. Hidden randomly within the over-90-page guides are 10 Butterfly Tickets. The ticket recipients will win a VIP celebration at the opening of Dollywood’s 40th season, including a two-night stay for four people at one of the park’s resorts, season passes, a signed Parton-inspired guitar and an activity pass to explore other Pigeon Forge attractions.
“I love making dreams come true, and this is a chance for families to dream big and plan their perfect Tennessee vacation at one of my favorite places—Dollywood,” says Parton. “I’m tickled to be part of this adventure, and help create some memories that will last a lifetime. There’s nothing quite like spending time with family, and I’m just thrilled to give folks a little something special with these Butterfly Tickets!”
Kids can also submit their own artwork for a chance to be featured on a Tennessee-sponsored billboard.
The Tennessee “Playcation” Kid’s Guide is available for preorder now. For more information, click here.
Spotlight Stage To Return For 2025 C2C Festival
/by Madison HahnenCountry To Country (C2C) Festival’s Spotlight Stage will return, in partnership with the Country Music Association, for the 2025 event, taking place March 14–16 in London and Glasgow.
Bayker Blankenship, Drew Baldridge, Harper O’Neill, Kashus Culpepper, Kassi Ashton, Kezia Gill, Max McNown, Reyna Roberts and Willow Avalon will all take the Spotlight Stage at The O2 in London. Blakenship, Baldridge, O’Neill, Ashton, Gill and Avalon will also perform in Glasgow.
The Spotlight Stage seeks to further show C2C’s dedication to developing rising country stars, and further demonstrate CMA’s support of C2C through this new partnership. Since the festival’s inception, the Nashville-based organization has supported C2C’s mission of growing country music in the United Kingdom.
As previously announced, C2C 2025 will be headlined by Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson. Additional performers include Dylan Gossett, Tyler Hubbard, Chayce Beckham, Shaboozey, Tucker Wetmore, Niko Moon, Nate Smith, 49 Winchester, Avery Anna, Wyatt Flores, Tanner Adell and The Castellows.
The Lumineers & Kacey Musgraves To Headline Extra Innings Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Lumineers and Kacey Musgraves are set to headline the second annual Extra Innings Festival, taking place Feb. 28–March 1 at Tempe Beach & Arts Park in Tempe, Arizona.
The 2025 event will feature 20 acts across two festival stages, including Kings of Leon, Megan Moroney, The Red Clay Strays, Maren Morris, Grace Potter, O.A.R., Wyatt Flores, Sam Barber, Trampled By Turtles and more.
Additionally, the festival will include interactive baseball activities and numerous appearances by established MLB players Andre Dawson, Javy Lopez, Brady Anderson, Jake Peavy, Derrek Lee and Mike Hargrove, among others, as well as the return of “Off the Mound” with Ryan Dempster, which will feature live interviews and special performances from surprise guests, including those among the artist lineup and past and present MLB players.
Fans can sign up now t
Kelsea Ballerini Continues ‘Patterns’ Release Celebrations With Sold-Out MSG Show
/by Madison HahnenKelsea Ballerini during her sold-out Patterns release show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Photo: Kevin Mazur for Getty
Country superstar Kelsea Ballerini continued to celebrate the release of her newest album Patterns with a sold-out release show at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City last night (Oct. 29).
After Tigirlily Gold and Aly & AJ warmed up the crowd, Ballerini started the show off by being lifted onto the stage. Feeding off the energy from the fans, she began with a three-track run of “Patterns,” “This Time Last Year” and “Baggage,” all of which were sung back by the audience.
Taking fans through the journey of the album, Ballerini ran through the 15 songs before ending with “I Would, Would You.” During the performance, she gave a nod to her fellow Patterns collaborators, an all-female team consisting of Alysa Vanderheym, Hillary Lindsey, Jessie Jo Dillon and Karen Fairchild.
Kelsea Ballerini during her sold-out Patterns release show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Photo: Kevin Mazur for Getty
With the significance of the show front of mind for Ballerini, she took fans down memory lane through her 10-year career for the second half of the set, performing an array of her hits including “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Miss Me More,” “Hole In The Bottle,” “If You Go Down (I’m Going Down To),” “Penthouse” and more.
As the finale of confetti and fire was shooting off, Ballerini grabbed her guitar to end with an acoustic performance of the unreleased “To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak,” as a way to pay homage to how her career started.
“I promised myself when I started, no matter what venue I was playing, no matter how big or how small, I would sing a song just me and my guitar. I want to close the show tonight how it all started, with just me,” Ballerini said to her crowd.
Kelsea Ballerini during her sold-out Patterns release show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Photo: Kevin Mazur for Getty
Additionally, Ballerini has added six more dates to her 2025 “Kelsea Ballerini Live On Tour” trek. The added dates will take her to Kansas City, Omaha, St. Louis, Tulsa and Greenville, before wrapping up the tour in Charleston on April 9. Tickets for the new shows will go on sale this Friday (Nov. 1) at 10 a.m. local time.
Rounding out her Patterns release celebrations, Ballerini will appear on The Tonight Show Staring Jimmy Fallon tonight (Oct. 3o) and The Kelly Clarkson Show on Nov. 4.
“Kelsea Ballerini Live On Tour” Added Dates:
04/01 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
04/03 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
04/04 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
04/05 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
04/08 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
04/09 – Charleston, NC – North Charleston Coliseum
Old Dominion Slates CRS 2025 Appearances
/by Liza AndersonOld Dominion will participate in “The Artist Interview” and headline Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley on Feb. 20 during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2025.
The seven-time ACM Group of the Year and six-time CMA Vocal Group of the Year—comprised of lead vocalist and guitarist Matthew Ramsey, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Trevor Rosen, vocalist and guitarist Brad Tursi, bassist Geoff Sprung and drummer Whit Sellers—will discuss their journey and detail the artistry and camaraderie that defines Old Dominion.
They will then perform and share the stories behind their chart-toppers at Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley, hosted by Fitz of Country Top 40 with Fitz, in the evening. In addition to their own tunes, the bandmates have penned tracks recorded by fellow country stars, such as Keith Urban’s “Wild Hearts,” Sam Hunt’s “Make You Miss Me,” Blake Shelton’s “Sangria,” Kelsea Ballerini’s “I Hate Love Songs,” Dierks Bentley’s “Say You Do,” The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two” and Kenny Chesney’s “Save It For A Rainy Day.”
Registration is now open for CRS 2025, which will take place Feb. 19–21 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. For more information, click here.
Dream 3 Publishing & Kobalt Sign Andy Buckner
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L–R): Dream 3’s Greg Hill, Laurel Kittleson-Cobb, Andy Buckner, Dream 3’s Emily Olson and Kobalt’s Kevin Lane
Dream 3 Publishing and Kobalt have signed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andy Buckner to an exclusive publishing agreement.
Raised on a tobacco farm and cattle ranch deep in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Buckner grew up listening to gospel, bluegrass, southern rock and classic country music. Drawing inspiration from his upbringing and influences like Travis Tritt, Waylon Jennings, Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam and Gary Allan, he seeks share authentic southern songs with fans.
Buckner generated buzz while opening for Zach Top, and is currently working on new music alongside producer and former VP of A&R for Mercury Records Nashville Carson Chamberlain.
“Andy’s authenticity in his writing and amazing country voice paired with Carson’s production is a real treat for real country music fans like myself,” says Emily Olson, Partner & Creative Director, Dream 3 Publishing. “We can’t wait for everyone to hear the music they’ve been working on!”
Date Set For 62nd Annual ASCAP Nashville Awards
/by LB CantrellThe 62nd annual ASCAP Celebrates awards ceremony will take place at an exclusive VIP party on Monday, Nov. 18 in Nashville.
The invitation-only event will celebrate the top performers in country music. Last year’s winners included Ashley Gorley, Jordan Davis and more.
The annual event is during Nashville’s awards week, culminating with the 58th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. CT at Bridgestone Arena.
Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Nabs Top Debut On Country Streaming Songs Chart
/by Liza AndersonMorgan Wallen‘s “Love Somebody” debuts at No. 1 on the country streaming songs chart, all-genre chart and various international charts with 29 million streams, according to Luminate data.
Elsewhere on the country streaming songs chart, Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” slides down to No. 2 with 19 million new streams, adding to 843 million ATD. Post Malone and Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” moves to No. 3 with 16 million streams, adding to 746 million ATD, while Zach Bryan‘s “Pink Skies” shifts down to No. 4 with 12 million new streams, adding to 398 million ATD. Wallen’s “Lies, Lies, Lies” falls to No. 5 with 11 million streams, adding to 247 million ATD.
The top five remain the same on the country albums chart, as Jelly Roll‘s Beautifully Broken holds No. 1 with 68K in total consumption (33K album only/43 million song streams). Wallen’s One Thing At A Time takes No. 2 again with 50K (985 album only/64 million song streams), while Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion stays parked at No. 3 with 38K (2.6K album only/45 million song streams). Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album sits at No. 4 with 33K (567 album only/42 million song streams), and Bryan’s The Great American Bar Scene continues at No. 5 with 27K (161 album only/35 million song streams).
Additionally, Riley Green‘s Don’t Mind If I Do takes the top debut at No. 8 with 23K (2K album only/26 million song streams).
Vince Gill & Amy Grant Named Rick Byrd Character Award Recipients
/by Madison Hahnen“Night Of Hope” at Country Music Hall of Fame near Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, October 27, 2024. Photo: Sam Simpkins
Belmont University honored Vince Gill and Amy Grant with the Rick Byrd Character Award on Sunday night (Oct. 27) during the school’s “Night of Hope” at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The annual honor is named after former Belmont men’s basketball coach Rick Byrd. Recipients are chosen for their steadfast integrity and significant contributions to their community and profession. Honorees help promote a legacy of leadership, winning tradition and a culture of selfless service.
“We are thrilled to honor Vince Gill and Amy Grant with the Rick Byrd Character Award,” says Belmont President Dr. Greg Jones. “Their extraordinary musical talents have deeply enriched our culture and are matched by their unwavering commitment to serving others. Vince and Amy exemplify the very essence of what this award represents: individuals who lead with integrity, inspire through their actions and use their gifts to make a profound difference. Their dedication to numerous charitable causes and ability to bring people together through music truly embody the spirit of servant leadership that Coach Rick Byrd has always championed.”
Gill’s career has been backed by his stewarded songwriting, undeniable guitar playing and soul-stirring voice. Throughout his career, he has earned numerous RIAA certifications, 18 CMA awards, 22 Grammy awards and eight ACM awards. He was a 2007 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, before receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame five years later in 2012 and was named a 2014 BMI Icon.
Beyond his illustrious music career, Gill has participated in hundreds of charitable events, included his own-created “All For The Hall,” benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame. He has worked with a vast array of non profits such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Special Olympics and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, among others.
With a career spanning over four decades, Grant started with her gospel roots and eventually expanded into pop, while also becoming a songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. Having amassed over one billion global streams, Grant boasts 13 RIAA certified albums, six Grammy awards, 26 Dove awards, all while having stars on the Hollywood and Music City Walk of Fames. A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Grant was named into the 2022 class of Kennedy Center Honorees.
Grant is a hands on philanthropist, hosting the Barefoot Republic camp for two weeks each summer on her farm. There, she leads worship and outdoor adventures for attendees. In 2020, Grant was awarded with the Tony Martell Outstanding Entertainment Achievement Award by the T.J. Martell Foundation, which recognized her contributions to medical research focusing on cancer treatments and cures.
Industry Ink: Brad Paisley, Hillary Lindsey, Tyler Braden, Red Clay Strays, More
/by Lorie HollabaughBrad Paisley Performs National Anthem At World Series Game 1
Brad Paisley performs at World Series Game 1. Photo: Courtesy of MLB
Brad Paisley performed the National Anthem at Game 1 of the 2024 World Series Friday night from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The appearance was his fourth World Series anthem performance.
Paisley’s new single, “Truck Still Works,” is currently climbing the charts, and is the first new song from an upcoming album due out next year.
Country Music Hall Of Fame Hillary Lindsey Profiled In ‘Poets & Prophets Series’
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum writer-editor Angela Stefano Zimmer and Hillary Lindsey at the museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Hillary Lindsey was recently spotlighted in an in-depth interview for the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s “Poets and Prophets” series. The series highlights songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music.
Lindsey is a 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, a 2022 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, a two-time Academy of Country Music Songwriter of the Year award winner (2020, 2021) and a Country Music Association Song of the Year award winner (“Girl Crush,” 2015). The program was filmed and will premiere at a later date as part of the museum’s Live at the Hall digital programs series, available to stream on the museum’s website.
Tyler Braden Surprised With Gold During Opry Performance
Pictured (L-R): Justin Luffman (VP Artist Development, WMN); Aaryn Cantu (Marketing Manager, WHY&HOW); Halie Hampton (COO, WHY&HOW); Tyler Braden; Stephanie Davenport (VP A&R, WMN) and Mike Dupree (SVP Creative Director, WMN). Photo: Marisa Braden
Tyler Braden performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage Friday night (Oct. 25) and celebrated some special career achievements as well. The night kicked off with a surprise plaque presentation honoring his newly Gold-certified single, “Devil You Know.” Braden performed three songs during the segment and also showcased his two new releases, “More Than A Prayer” and “Above the Water.”
Red Clay Strays Perform On CBS Saturday Morning‘s Saturday Series
The Red Clay Strays performed three songs on CBS Saturday Morning this past weekend as part of their “Saturday Sessions” series, including “Wanna Be Loved,” “I’m Still Fine” and “Disaster.” The band is gearing up for the release of their first live album, Live At The Ryman, due out Nov. 15 via RCA Records.
Big Loud Rock Showcases Zoe Ko, Dogpark, & Liam St. John In Music City
Photo: Courtesy of Big Loud Rock
Big Loud Rock hosted a Nashville showcase recently with performances from Zoe Ko, Dogpark and Liam St. John at the Vinyl Lounge in Nashville on Oct. 15. The imprint has made significant strides in the industry with Hardy’s first-ever No. 1 rock single “Jack,” Blame My Youth’s Top 10 alternative radio single “The Break” and Jagwar Twin’s debut top 40 record “Bad Feeling (Oompa Loompa).”
Drake White Shares Album Inspiration On Kelly Clarkson Show
Drake White and wife Alex on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Photo: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal
Drake White appeared on the The Kelly Clarkson Show on Oct. 25 joined by his wife Alex to share the inspirational tale behind his new music. On hand to discuss his latest full-length album, Low Country High Road, the Alabama singer-songwriter told the story of his on-stage stroke in 2019, challenging recovery and ultimate return to the life he loves. He also explained how the family navigated infertility and welcomed son Hawk in 2023—a five-year “rollercoaster” which has led to his White’s new album.