Carly Pearce To Make 100th Grand Ole Opry Performance In April

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Carly Pearce at the Grand Ole Opry on March, 21 2023. Photo: Chris Hollo

Carly Pearce took the Grand Ole Opry stage last night (March 21), and announced that she will return to the iconic venue on Tuesday, April 11 to make her landmark 100th performance since her debut on May 30, 2015.

“When I made my Grand Ole Opry debut in 2015, I had hopes and dreams that I would be able to align with them in a much larger way as my career progressed,” said Pearce. “To now be at my 100th performance and to think about everything that has happened in the years that followed my debut, I am so proud to be a member of the Opry and know that they are a true partner of mine.”

Her 100th Opry show will feature special guests, such as fellow Opry members The Isaacs and Ricky Skaggs, and will air on WSM Radio, wsmonline.com, and SiriusXM, Willie’s Roadhouse on April 11 as well as on Circle Television as a special “Opry Live” on Saturday, April 22.

The Big Machine Records artist also shared that she and Opry Entertainment will launch a personally-curated, exclusive merchandise line including retro-inspired “music tour” graphic tees with mineral washes to look and feel just like vintage tees and more. The collection is available exclusively on Opry Entertainment websites and in Opry Entertainment retail stores in Nashville.

“I am also so excited to have a new merchandise line launching with the Grand Ole Opry. It will forever be a huge part of my story & a huge passion in my life to continue to keep the Opry at the forefront of our genre,” shared Pearce.

“As Carly steps into the circle for the 100th time, we are thrilled to partner with her to design this unique co-branded merchandise collection to celebrate the milestone performance. Our exclusive co-branded merchandise is specially created with the fans of Carly and the Grand Ole Opry in mind,” said Jim Decker, Opry Entertainment Vice President, Retail.

Pearce will release her latest project 29: Written In Stone (Live From Music City), a live retelling of her album 29, this Friday, March 24.

People’s Choice Country Awards To Air In September

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Carrie Underwood accepts The Country Artist of 2022 Award on stage during the 2022 People’s Choice Awards. Photo: Rich Polk/E! Entertainment/NBC via Getty Images

An airdate has been set for the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards, which will broadcast live on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

The two-hour telecast from the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville will lean into the rich connection between country music and the Opry through musical performances, genre-crossing collaborations, legendary tributes and surprise moments that regularly take place at the iconic venue.

The awards will recognize the biggest and best in country, chosen entirely by fans across various categories. Several honorary awards will also be handed out during the ceremony.

The People’s Choice Country Awards will have a presence on socials as well with All-Access Live bringing fans at home behind the scenes while interactively connecting country’s most popular stars with their biggest fans.

The new show is an extension of the popular fan-driven People Choice Awards franchise. The 2022 People’s Choice Awards, which aired across NBC and E!, garnered year-over-year ratings growth on the broadcast network and delivered 173 million total engagements across linear, digital and social platforms.

ACM LEVel Up To Host Final Workshop Of Undergraduate Series

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The Academy of Country Music’s LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program will host a final workshop in their series for undergraduate students, focusing on A&R, business management, marketing and radio, on March 30.

Panelists from AristoPR, FBMM, Triple Tiger Records, Sony Music Publishing, Warner Music Nashville and the Academy of Country Music will discuss how artists and songs are found and pitched through A&R, the branding and promotional efforts that help propel artists and organizations to success, the business aspects of helping artists achieve their career and financial goals as well as the role that radio plays in getting a song in front of country’s most loyal listeners.

All participants must register to attend in-person or virtually, with sessions being filled first-come, first-served. The location for the workshop will be sent to those selected to attend in-person upon confirmed registration. Sign-ups for the workshop on March 30, can be found here. For more information about ACM LEVel Up, click here.

Panelists:

Rafaella Braun – National Director, Promotion, Triple Tiger Records
Duane Clark – Owner and Business Manager, FBMM
Mason Domke – Coordinator, Warner Music Nashville
Synnovea Halsel – Manager, A&R, Sony Music Publishing
Rory Levine – Vice President, Marketing and Digital Strategy & Engagement, Academy of Country Music
Christy Walker-Watkins – President, AristoPR; Co-Owner, The AristoMedia Group; Co-Founder, Nashville Meets London

Panel Moderators:

Mackenzie Cooper – Coordinator, Triple Tigers Records
Stephanie Davenport – Senior Director, A&R, Warner Music Nashville
Daniel Killian – Business Manager, FBMM
Kortney Toney – Co-Founder and Executive Director, Nashville Music Equality

Larry Fleet Extends Headline Tour Into Summer 2023

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Big Loud Records artist Larry Fleet has announced an extension to his second headline tour, the “Larry Fleet Live Tour,” with eight new dates nationwide.

“Well, we ain’t done yet! Excited to keep the show on the road and see some of y’all at our headline dates this summer,” Fleet says. “It’s been a great time so far this spring, and it’s only getting better from here. See you out there!”

Following the releases of “Daddy Don’t Drink” and “Try Texas,” Fleet’s initial stint on the road has already seen nine sold out nights across the South and Midwest.

Tickets for the newly added tour dates go on sale on Friday, March 24 at 10 A.M. local time, with official pre-sales this week.

ACM Announces 2023 Radio Awards Nominees

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The Academy of Country Music has announced its ACM Radio Awards nominees for the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards on May 11.

Those receiving double nominations include Elaina Smith; KILT-FM in Houston, TX; KUZZ-FM in Bakersfield, CA; KXKT-FM in Omaha, NE; WBYT-FM in South Bend, IN; WMIL-FM in Milwaukee, WI; WQDR-FM in Raleigh, NC; WSIX-FM in Nashville, TN; WXTU-FM in Philadelphia, PA; and WYCT-FM in Pensacola, FL.

MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart reporters WCOW and WXFL are among the nominees for Small Market Station of the Year.

Winners of the ACM Radio Awards will be announced ahead of the 58th ACM Awards, with more information to follow in coming weeks. The awards will take place at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX and will stream live exclusively on Prime Video around the globe.

The full list of 58th ACM Awards nominations will be announced in the coming weeks, as well as hosts, performers, presenters, and opportunities for fans to come out and take part in ticketed and free and open-to-the-public programming.

The 58th ACM Radio Awards nominees are:

National Daily Personality:
Derek “Big D” Haskins, Sean “Bubba” Powell, Patrick Thomas and Jessica “Carsen” Humphreville; The Big D & Bubba Show
Bobby Bones, Amy Brown, “Lunchbox” Dan Chappell, “Producer Eddie” Garcia, “Morgan #2” Huelsman, “SZN” Ray Slater, “Scuba Steve” Stephen Spradlin, “Mike D” Rodriguez, “Phone Screener Abby” Anderson, Pitts, Kevin and Lauren; The Bobby Bones Show
Ania Hammar; Nights With Ania
Elaina Smith; Nights With Elaina
Shawn Parr; Shawn Parr’s Across The Country

National Weekly Personality:
Kix Brooks; American Country Countdown
Loriane Crook and Charlie Chase; Crook And Chase Countdown
Michael Knox and Shalacy Griffin; Knox Country 360
Kelleigh Bannen; Today’s Country
Elaina Smith; With Elaina

Major Market Personality:
George Lindsay, Monica “Mo” Lunsford and Erik Scott Smith; The Morning Bullpen; KILT/Houston
Michael J; At Work Show; WPOC/Baltimore
JR Jaus, Launa Phillips and Kevin Ebel; Tampa Bay’s Morning Krew; WQYK/Tampa
Andie Summers, Jeff Kurkjian, Donnie Black and Shannon Boyle; The Andie Summers Show; WXTU/Philadelphia
Josh Holleman, Rachael Hunter and Steve Grunwald; Josh, Rachael & Grunwald In The Morning; WYCD/Detroit

Large Market Personality:
Tim Leary and Chelsea Taylor; Tim + Chelsea Morning Show; WIRK/West Palm Beach
“Ridder” Shaun Ridderbush, Scott Dolphin and Shannen Oesterreich; Ridder, Scott And Shannen; WMIL/Milwaukee
Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry; The Q Morning Crew; WQDR/Raleigh
“Wayne D” Danielson and Tay Hamilton; The Wayne D Show; WSIX/Nashville
“Big Dave” Chandler, Jason “Stattman” Statt and Ashley Dawn; The Big Dave Show; WUBE/Cincinnati

Medium Market Personality:
Brent Michaels; KUZZ/Bakersfield, CA
Cliff Dumas and Tanya Brakebill; Cliff & Tanya In The Morning; KUZZ/Bakersfield, CA
Steve Lundy and Gina Melton; Steve & Gina In The Morning; KXKT/Omaha, NE
Nancy Wilson and Aaron “Woody” Woods; New Country Mornings With Nancy And Woody; WHKO/Dayton, OH
Julie Kansy and Dale Sellers; Julie And DJ In The Morning; WPCV/Lakeland, FL

Small Market Personality:
Deb Miles; WBYT/South Bend, IN
Steve Waters and Tiffany Kay; Steve & Tiffany In The Morning; WFLS/Fredericksburg, VA
Sean Lamb and Dave Patrick; Kicks Morning Crew; WQLK/Richmond, IN
Steve Stroud, Ben Walker and Nikki Thomas; Morning Air Show; WXBQ/Bristol, VA
Brent Lane and Melissa “Mel” McCrae; Cat Pak Morning Show; WYCT/Pensacola, FL

Major Market Station:
KILT/Houston
KKBQ/Houston
KMLE/Phoenix
KSCS/Dallas
WXTU/Philadelphia

Large Market Station:
KFRG/Riverside
KSOP/Salt Lake City
WKDF/Nashville
WMIL/Milwaukee
WPGB/Pittsburgh
WQDR/Raleigh
WSIX/Nashville

Medium Market Station:
KIIM/Tucson, AZ
KSKS/Fresno, CA
KXKT/Omaha, NE
WIVK/Knoxville, TN
WQMX/Akron, OH
WUSY/Chattanooga, TN

Small Market Station:
WAYZ/Hagerstown, MD
WBYT/South Bend, IN
WCOW/Tomah-La Crosse, WI
WXFL/Florence, AL
WYCT/Pensacola, FL

Jimmie Allen, Drake Milligan, Jay Allen Join Live In The Vineyard Goes Country Lineup

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Jimmie Allen, Jay Allen and Drake Milligan are the latest artists joining the lineup for this year’s Live In The Vineyard Goes Country (LITVGC), set for April 25-27 in Napa Valley, California.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to bring together such an incredible lineup of talented artists for Live In The Vineyard Goes Country,” says Bobbii Jacobs, LITVGC Co-Founder and FF Entertainment President. “With the addition of Jay Allen, Jimmie Allen and Drake Milligan, our lineup represents an exciting mix of established and up-and-coming artists passionate about their craft. We can’t wait to showcase their raw talent and electrifying performances, and we look forward to seeing their impact on the music industry.”

The elite event gives attendees intimate access to artists, Napa Valley wineries and world-renowned chefs over three days, bringing together music supervisors, radio programmers, DSP curators, label executives, VIPs, corporate hospitality groups and more from around the country to hear new music by today’s most successful and emerging artists in a unique arrangement.

In addition to the newly announced artists, the 2023 LITVGC lineup also includes Jake Owen, Lauren Alaina, William Beckmann, Wade Bowen, Cody Belew, Brandy Clark, Jackson Dean, Dalton Dover, Dillon Carmichael, Hannah Ellis, Ian Flanigan, Lanco, Levi Hummon, James Barker Band, Kat & Alex, Kimberly Kelly, Tyra Madison, Megan Moroney, Chase McDaniel, Neon Union, Catie Offerman, Meghan Patrick, Kimberly Perry, MaRynn Taylor, Aaron Watson, Jake Worthington and Warren Zeiders.

Luke Bryan Wraps Up RodeoHouston With Season’s Largest Crowd

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Luke Bryan at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Photo: Courtesy of Eder Acevedo

Country music star Luke Bryan closed out the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Sunday, March 19 with 74,779 fans in NRG Center, the highest attendance of the season. The concert marked Bryan’s 10th appearance at the rodeo.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the event has committed more than $575 million to the youth of Texas and education.

“I can’t believe this is my 10th year to play the Houston Rodeo,” says Bryan. “Riding out to the center stage and feeling that energy from the fans makes this event one of my favorite places to play.  It is an honor and I’m so thankful for the opportunity.”

Bryan returns to Resorts World Theatre this week. Each performance features only-in-Las Vegas production elements, including a shifting stage that lifts the artist and his band to the rhythms of his hit songs as well as a catwalk that descends from the ceiling and elevates Bryan to eye-level with audience members in the mezzanine. For more information, click here.

The Franklin Theatre & Given Entertainment To Launch Songwriter Series

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Pictured (L-R): Given Entertainment’s Traci Sterling Bishir, Tim Nichols, Autumn McEntire, Matt Wynn, Given Entertainment’s Cindy Owen, Jimmy Yeary and Franklin Theatre’s Julie Jackson. Photo: Red Studio by Angela

The Franklin Theatre has partnered with independent artist management and publishing company Given Entertainment to launch a new songwriter series at the historic venue, starting Friday, April 27. The inaugural writers round will include Tim Nichols, Jimmy Yeary, Matt Wynn and Autumn McEntire.

The Franklin Theatre was established in 1937. After a complete restoration by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County in 2011, it re-opened its doors as a state-of-the-art live music venue featuring performances by world-renowned artists.

“We’re excited to launch this new Songwriters Series at The Franklin Theatre with Given Entertainment,” says Franklin Theatre Managing Director Eric Dilts. “Since our reopening in 2011, The Franklin Theatre has played host to up-and-coming artists and music legends alike. Our Songwriter Series is an opportunity to showcase the storytellers behind your favorite songs in our iconic venue.”

Given Entertainment Founding Partner Cindy Owen adds, “We are honored to be asked to partner with The Franklin Theatre to create this new series. It’s the first of its kind for this beautiful historic landmark. We love any opportunity to shine a light on the songwriters and especially offering them another stage to share their music here in the heart of Franklin.”

For more information, click here.

Darius Rucker’s Riverfront Revival 2023 Lineup Announced

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Darius Rucker‘s Riverfront Revival has released the 2023 lineup for the festival, set for Oct. 7-8 at North Charleston’s Riverfront Park.

Rucker and the Turnpike Troubadours will headline the festival with performances by Lainey Wilson, Band of Horses and Greensky Bluegrass. Additional performers include Niko Moon, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Drivin N’ Cryin, Megan Moroney, Wilderado, Cha Wa, Elvie Shane, Yesterday’s Wine, Carter Faith, Wayne Graham, Randall Fowler, Haley Mae Campbell, Emily Curtis and Grayson Little.

Riverfront Revival will also feature curated offerings of the Lowcountry’s best food, libations, art and culture along the backdrop of the Cooper River.

Fans can snag a limited number of presale tickets now by visiting RiverfrontRevival.com and signing up for Riverfront Revival’s e-newsletter to automatically receive a presale code. Tickets will go on sale to the public this Friday, March 24. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold will once again benefit the Arts in Healing program at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Jackson Dean, Chapel Hart, More To Perform On CMT Awards Ram Trucks Side Stage

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The CMT Music Awards will highlight the next crop of rising country stars on the Ram Trucks Side Stage during the show on April 2 at Austin’s Moody Center. Avery Anna, Chapel Hart, Jackson Dean, Lily Rose, Megan Moroney and Nate Smith will all perform on the side stage. These talented artists add to the previously-announced slate of performers.

2023 CMT Next Women of Country member Anna will make her award show debut with a performance of “Narcissist,” which also earned her a first-time nomination for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year. Trio Chapel Hart, named to CMT’s Next Women of Country franchise in 2021, will bring a show-stopping performance of “You Can Have Him Jolene” to CMT audiences for their award show debut.

Fast-rising outlaw country singer-songwriter Dean will make his CMT debut with a hard-hitting performance of his No. 1 single “Don’t Come Lookin,” which has been featured in the hit series Yellowstone and also earned him a first-ever award show nod in Breakthrough Male Video of the Year category. GLAAD Media Award winner and 2022 CMT Next Women of Country member Rose sets her CMT Music Awards debut with a performance of new single, “Whatcha Know About That.”

Vying for her first CMT belt buckle this year, 2x CMTMA nominee and 2023 CMT Next Women of Country inductee Moroney will treat fans to her hit song “Tennessee Orange” and compete in both Breakthrough Female Video of the Year and CMT Digital First Performance of the Year categories. 2023 CMT Listen Up member Smith will make his award show debut with Platinum-certified No. 1 single “Whiskey On You,” which also earned him a first-time nod for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year.

The Ram Trucks Side Stage has featured many notable names who went on to become CMT Music Award winners and main stage performers, including Breland, Dan + Shay, Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Mickey Guyton, Parker McCollum and Thomas Rhett, among many others.