CabaRay Showroom. Photo: Courtesy of Ray Stevens

Ray Stevens has announced he will sell his West Nashville-based CabaRay Showroom, but still plans to perform his previously scheduled live concerts at CabaRay as soon as he is able.

Following a mild heart attack earlier this year, Stevens underwent minimally invasive heart surgery in a Nashville hospital. In late July, he underwent a second procedure where doctors placed two stents to clear other blockages. He spent a few days in a Nashville rehabilitation facility and is now at home resting to regain his strength.

“At 86 and with my recent health problems, it’s probably time to slow down, and selling CabaRay is the first step,” says Stevens. “But in the interim, I still plan on doing shows once I’m fully recovered. I still have a lot I want to do in the recording studio, so I’ll focus all of my energy in that direction along with making videos to go along with the music from time to time.”

Stevens opened the CabaRay Showroom (5724 River Road) in 2018 and has performed there almost exclusively ever since. The 35,000-square-foot CabaRay features a main showroom with upstairs and downstairs seating for over 700, a backstage production area complete with dressing rooms, a lobby, a bar and kitchen, ticketing offices, a state-of-the-art studio, as well as office space.

Jeannie Seely’s 5,398th Opry show. Photo: Grand Ole Opry / Chris Hollo

Longtime beloved Opry member Jeannie Seely was honored at a special public service, “Jeannie Seely’s 5,398th Opry Show,” on Aug. 14 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

The service was a nod to Seely’s record-setting 5,397 Opry performances throughout her career after her passing on Aug. 1 at 85. Hosted by 650 AM WSM and Grand Ole Opry personalities Mike Terry, Bill Cody, Charlie Mattos and Kelly Sutton, the tribute show featured performances from Ricky Skaggs with Sharon and Cheryl White of The Whites, Larry Gatlin, Darryl Worley, Jamie Dailey of Dailey & Vincent, Louise Mandrell, Steve Wariner, The War and Treaty, T. Graham Brown and Seely’s favorite bluegrass act, Cutter & Cash. Seely’s band accompanied several of the performances.

Victoria Shaw, Charles Esten, Bobby Tomberlin, Buddy Cannon and Erin Enderlin paid tribute to Seely in a writers’ round during the special farewell show, while Seely’s friends Rhonda Vincent, Mandy Barnett, Wendy Moten and Linda Davis sang “Leavin’ and Sayin’ Goodbye” as well as her hit, “Don’t Touch Me,” which began with Seely’s very own pre-recorded vocals. It earned a standing ovation from attendees.

Seely was also honored in video tributes from Dolly Parton, Jimmy Fortune and Keith Bilbrey. Speakers included Opry’s Senior VP and Executive Producer Dan Rogers; Opry Associate Producer Talent Gina Keltner; Robert Bailey, who served with Seely on the local SAG-AFTRA board; Springer Mountain Farms President Gus Arrendale; and Seely’s pastor Hubert Cunningham. 

The service concluded with all of the artists and Opry members in attendance gathering on stage to perform “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” The finale also included Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Bill Anderson, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, John Conlee, Rudy Gatlin, Riders in the Sky, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dailey & Vincent, The Isaacs, Billy Dean, Deborah Allen and Tim Atwood.

Paige Elliott & Andy Flick.

Warner Music Nashville’s radio department is restructuring to include two distinct teams.

The two teams, Team WMN and Team WAR, will be supported by a centralized radio executive team who will work on behalf of the entire roster.

As part of the restructuring, Andy Flick has been elevated to Senior Director, Syndication and Market Strategy. In his new role, Andy will be overseeing airplay, marketing and content strategy for all Warner Music Nashville artists and will report directly to Tom Martens.

Additionally, Paige Elliott will be taking the reins of Team WMN as National Director, Radio. She will continue reporting into Anna Cage.

Pictured (L-R): Greg Sowders, Wyatt Ellis and Neil Mason.

Wyatt Ellis has inked a global publishing administration deal with Los Angeles-based Limited Edition Music Publishing in conjunction with Warner Chappell Music.

The deal will cover Ellis’ full catalog, including recent releases and upcoming original compositions. Known for blending elements of bluegrass, Americana, folk and country, the east Tennessee native’s debut album, Happy Valley, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart

“We are thrilled to welcome Wyatt Ellis to the Limited Edition family,” says Greg Sowders and Marc Wilson, Co-Founders/Co-Presidents of Limited Edition. “His playing is as deeply soulful as it is technically brilliant, and his songwriting reflects wisdom well beyond his years. Wyatt represents the future of bluegrass and country music, and we’re honored to be part of his journey.”

“Wyatt’s partnership with Limited Edition/Warner Chappell marks the perfect next step in his career,” adds Ellis’ manager Neil Mason of Red Light. “The partnership unlocks opportunities in Nashville, Los Angeles and beyond, connecting him with top-tier co-writes and creative collaborations. Since first picking up a mandolin, Wyatt’s growth as a songwriter, artist, and instrumentalist has been nothing short of remarkable. With the Limited Edition and Warner Chappell teams curating sessions for his upcoming solo album, Wyatt is poised for his most impactful chapter yet.”