The Music City Cares Fund has begun distributing grants to Las Vegas-area non-profits to aid in the recovery efforts following Sunday night’s Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting. The first two grants will be sent to Bridge Counseling Associates and the Injured Police Officer’s Fund.

In operation since 1971, Bridge Counseling is the oldest nonprofit providing individual and family counseling in Southern Nevada. The organization has been providing emotional and mental support for victims as part of the Family Assistant Center established at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the aftermath of the shooting. Iit has been providing group support for caregivers, first responders, and other people in counseling services. The organization has already seen more than 100 patients beyond its usual caseload and expects the numbers to grow exponentially in the coming days.

The Injured Police Officers Fund is composed of law enforcement officers from each of the member agencies who volunteer their time and are appointed by their agency. The organization has already helped pay for the expenses in the burial of an officer, with $25,000 going to help the family with additional expenses. Five injured officers remain hospitalized. The organization is planning to help officers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) going forward.

“The bullets are no longer flying, but the damage they caused will forever remain … for those who lived through it, and for those whose loved ones were there,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation. “For all of us who watched it unfold from afar, all we can do now is to do what we can to make their path easier, to support them in every way possible. Hence the birth of the Music City Cares Fund, which is already accepting gifts and making grants to address a range of issues and a range of opportunities to help,” Lehman continued. “We can’t do everything. We can’t turn the clock back to Saturday, but we can and must do what we can, when we can. Please join in this effort to restore health and rebuild lives. Giving matters.”

Donations to the Music City Cares Fund are tax-deductible, and 100% of the funds will go to nonprofits providing immediate and long-term needs of the shooting victims. To give to the Fund, go to cfmt.org/MusicCityCares. Other places to give include the National Compassion Fund Las Vegas, with 100% of funds to be distributed directly to victims of the shooting. Donations to the fund are held separately from general donations to the National Center for Victims of Crime.

Robert Deaton

United Talent Agency has signed television producer and director Robert Deaton. Most recently, Deaton executive produced the Nashville portion of the “Hand in Hand” show to benefit the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that aired on Sept. 14.

Deaton brought CMA Music Fest to television after he pitched and sold the idea to the network 14 years ago. He has served as the Executive Producer of ABC’s CMA Awards for 11 shows. The two-time Emmy winner is also at the helm of The Billboard Music Awards, and CMA Country Christmas.

On the music side, Deaton co-produced on Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas collection featuring Vince Gill, Little Big Town, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Bono and Michael McDonald. Deaton made his directorial debut with the feature film Rounding Third, last year.

Luke Bryan appeared on Good Morning America on Friday (Oct. 6) to reveal his upcoming sixth album for Capitol Records Nashville, What Makes You Country, will release Friday, Dec. 8.

Bryan co-wrote seven of the album’s 15 tracks, and welcomed several of country’s top writers including Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley, Michael Carter, Old Dominion member Brad Tursi, Zach Crowell, RCA Nashville singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd, David Lee Murphy, Nicolle Galyon and more. Jeff Stevens and Jody Stevens produced the album, while Jody co-wrote two of the tracks on the album and Jeff co-wrote one track.

“My favorite part of making a new album is getting to collaborate with the songwriting community in this town” said Bryan. “It is important to me to continue to push myself to grow on all levels and I feel like we did that on this project. Making and performing music never gets old and I can honestly say I am having the time of my life. I will be forever grateful to every fan who sings along each night.”

What Makes You Country track listing:
1. What Makes You Country – Luke Bryan, Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley
2. Out Of Nowhere – Luke Bryan, Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley
3. Light It Up – Luke Bryan, Brad Tursi
4. Most People Are Good – David Frasier, Ed Hill, Josh Kear
5. Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset – Zach Crowell, Ryan Hurd, Chase McGill
6. Bad Lovers – Justin Wilson, Dallas Davidson, Kyle Fishman
7. Drinking Again – David Lee Murphy, Brad Warren, Brett Warren
8. Land Of A Million Songs – Luke Bryan, Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens
9. Like You Say You Do – Luke Bryan, Michael Carter, Ashley Gorley
10. Hooked On It – Luke Bryan, Dallas Davidson, David Lee Murphy
11. She’s A Hot One – Michael Carter, Chase McGill
12. Hungover In A Hotel Room – Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Josh Kear
13. Pick It Up – Luke Bryan, Rodney Clawson, Matthew Dragstrem
14. Driving This Thing – Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Jody Stevens
15. Win Life – Rodney Clawson, Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon