The Nashville Urban Choir performed at the recent CMA Awards, as part of a collaboration with Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton, Marty Stuart, Maren Morris and Mavis Staples.

Shannon Sanders and the Nashville Urban Choir have released a powerful new anthem, “Fight On.” The song is being released on Feb. 8 in honor of and in celebration of Black History Month. Written and performed by Sanders, “Fight On” is the first of many releases to come from the newly-inked partnership between Blue Rose Music and Sanders.

“Nashville has become a national story for many reasons, and we saw a great opportunity with Shannon to work with someone who has deep roots in the city, with a sterling reputation and a track record of hit songs, who makes it possible for us to plug into a pool of undiscovered talent,” says Blue Rose Music founder, Joe Poletto.

The video for “Fight On” features footage of the choir performing at the legendary Fisk University Chapel juxtaposed with scenes of Sanders, a lifetime Nashvillian, attacking a stream of vocal gymnastics in gritty, insider locations around town. The clip also features an epic scene of Sanders performing on Nashville’s iconic John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.

The Nashville Urban Choir, the creative brainchild of Sanders, symbolizes a growing and maturing city, one with a newfound respect and appreciation for the stylistic breadth of music that has always been created in Nashville’s urban neighborhoods but is just starting to be recognized. Featuring a revolving cast of independent and up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres, the choir’s diverse voices come together to experience moments conceived and executed by Sanders’ vision. They can be heard on upcoming recordings from Kaleo, as well as several Dave Cobb-produced albums including Rival Sons and Robert Randolph. The group capped off 2018 with a performance at the 2018 CMA Awards with Chris and Morgane Stapleton with Gospel legend Mavis Staples, Maren Morris, and Marty Stuart, who played Pop Staples’ guitar.

“Many music creators move here to pursue a career in the industry, but for me it all started here. Nobody here was interested in promoting hip-hop or R&B until the bottom fell out of the record industry and diversity was the only option to maintain the city’s robust musical eco-system. Now people are becoming more aware of all of the great music that has always had roots here,” said Sanders. “There is a need for cultural authenticity in Nashville, beyond the borders of the Music Row’s status quo. I am particularly excited about partnering with Blue Rose Music. What is most powerful is that we share similar values in that our appreciation for music and our desire to have a positive cultural impact supersede our commercial aspiration.”

The nominees for the 2019 CMA International Awards have been revealed, honoring industry executives and artists who have supported and made a difference to the growth and promotion of country music in international markets.

“Our entire country music community is appreciative of the dedication and support our international partners provide in helping grow the genre around the globe and for bringing it to a wider audience,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “From the industry executives and broadcast partners who work tirelessly, to the artists who share their talents throughout the world, we’re thrilled to congratulate all of this year’s CMA International Awards nominees.”

Winners will be presented with their awards in March as CMA hosts several events in international territories including Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

CMA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS – NOMINEES:

JO WALKER MEADOR INTERNATIONAL AWARD (This award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual in advocating and supporting country music’s marketing development in territories outside the United States)
Nigel Hassler, CAA, U.K.
Susan Heymann, Chugg Entertainment, Australia
Christina Sas, UMG International, Germany
Bob Shennan, BBC Music, U.K.
Chris York, SJM Concerts, U.K.

WESLEY ROSE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (This award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to country music outside of the United States)
David Dawson, NU Country, Australia
Rob Farina, iHeartRadio, Canada
Jan Gradvall, Sweden
Claire Horton, Claire Horton PR, U.K.
Paul Sexton, U.K.

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (Formerly the International Touring Artist Award, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by a United States-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant creative growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of the United States during the eligibility period)
The Cadillac Three
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves

INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY BROADCASTER AWARD (This award recognizes outstanding achievement by a radio broadcaster or syndicated radio reporter outside the United States who has made important contributions for the development of country music in his/her country)
Stuart Banford, Downtown Radio, Northern Ireland
Casey Clarke, Casey Clarke Productions, Canada
Paul Jackson, NOVA Entertainment, Australia
Baylen Leonard, BBC Radio 2, U.K.
Trevor Smith, Aloha Media, Australia

JEFF WALKER GLOBAL COUNTRY ARTIST AWARD (This award recognizes outstanding achievements by a country music artist signed outside of the United States. The artist must have furthered the popularity of country music as well as brought attention to the country music format in their foreign based territory)
Travis Collins, Australia
Ilse DeLange, The Netherlands
James Barker Band, Canada
Jill Johnson, Sweden
Ward Thomas, U.K.

Pictured (L-R): Matt Signore (COO, Warner Music Nashville); Chris Janson

Chris Janson celebrated the one-year anniversary of his Grand Ole Opry invitation last night (Feb. 5) with a special performance. Warner Music Nashville’s Matt Signore and the Opry’s Sally Williams joined Janson in the circle to present him with a plaque commemorating the RIAA Gold certification of his hit single “Drunk Girl,” a song he debuted live on the hallowed stage.

Following in his tradition of performing new music for his Opry family, Janson introduced his new single “Good Vibes” to the crowd before closing out the show with a rendition of his Double Platinum-certified No. 1 smash, “Buy Me A Boat.” “Good Vibes” releases Friday, Feb. 8.

Pictured (L-R): Matt Signore (COO, Warner Music Nashville); Chris Janson; Sally Williams (General Manager, Grand Ole Opry / Sr. Vice President, Programming & Artist Relations, Opry Entertainment)