Dan Rogers and Bill Anderson. Photo: Tyler Woods

Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson was surprised on the Opry Tuesday night (July 15) in honor of his 64th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member.

To commemorate his historic influence and position as longest-serving member, Opry Vice President and Executive Producer Dan Rogers presented Anderson with a custom scarf designed by world-renowned designer Manuel Cuevas. Anderson was also recognized on stage by the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Committee with the Music and Entertainment Ambassador Award.

“Bill Anderson has made an indelible mark,” says Rogers. “We could take a full Opry show and talk about Bill and his impact. He has continued to be a bridge between new and legacy artists for 64 years now, and now we thank him.”

“More than anything, it’s just a blessing to be up here for more than 64 years,” says Anderson. “Thank you to the fans and the Opry for supporting me all this time.”

Anderson was inducted into the Opry family July 15, 1961 at the age of 23. Since then, he has become a pillar of the Opry and a living link between generations of country music tradition. From classic hits like “Still,” “Po’ Folks” and “Mama Sang a Song” to chart toppers for artists like George Strait and Brad Paisley, Anderson’s influence reaches every corner of the genre, and he remains one of the most awarded and respected songwriters in country music history.

For King + Country, the Christian band composed of Australian-born brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, is set to return to the Grand Ole Opry House for a holiday residency, marking the longest artist residency held at the venue.

The shows, titled “A Drummer Boy Christmas: The Live Experiences,” will return to the Opry House Dec. 15-19, blending renditions of Christmas classics like “Little Drummer Boy” with the duo’s originals, such as hit songs include “God Only Knows,” “Relate” and “Joy.”

Tickets for all shows will go on sale July 25.

The Jonas Brothers. Photo: Anthony Mandler

Jonas Catalog Holdings 1, a new strategic outlet managed by Jonas Group Entertainment Holdings, has acquired a significant portion of pop supergroup The Jonas Brothers‘ music catalog.

“Joining forces with Jonas Group Entertainment feels like coming full circle,” share the Jonas Brothers. “We are passionate about songwriting and the creative process, and Leslie DiPiero has always been a true champion for songwriters and creators. We look forward to working with her and the team.”

The deal includes the full Happiness Begins album, which includes hits such as 5x Platinum “Sucker” and “Only Human.” Also included in the transaction is their latest project The Album, which includes smash hit “Waffle House.” Other tunes part of the acquisition include “Like It’s Christmas,” which has amassed over 600 million streams, and “Remember This,” which was used during the 2020 Olympic Games and performed live by the band during the closing ceremony.

“The foundation for every successful artist is the song, and Nick, Joe and Kevin are extraordinary songwriters,” says DiPiero, President of Jonas Group Publishing. “Their music has touched and inspired a generation of fans and fellow artists. It’s a privilege to welcome this body of work into the JGP family.”

“This catalog represents not just incredible commercial success, but cultural impact,” adds George Kreis, President of Jonas Group Entertainment. “Leslie and Kevin Jonas Sr. continue to lead with heart, vision and a deep belief in creators, and this catalog joins a dynamic roster that already includes Rhett Akins, Julia Michaels, Danger Twins/Amy Stroup, Justin Ebach, RaeLynn, David Kalmusky, Terri Jo Box and more.”

The transaction was made by Jonas Catalog Holdings 1, the investment entity founded by Kevin Jonas Sr. The entity is focused on strategic catalog acquisitions and long-term intellectual property in partnership with his Jonas Group Entertainment Holdings, which will oversee and lead the acquired assets, overseeing administration, synchronization, licensing and catalog development on behalf of Jonas Catalog Holdings 1. Recently, Jonas Group acquired Julia Michaels’ catalog, and also represent the catalogs of Rhett Akins, Danger Twins/Amy Stroup and Justin Ebach.

Corrum Capital served as the lead provider of debt financing for Jonas Catalog Holdings 1. The firm’s senior leadership team, headed by Co-Managing Partner Jonathan Mandle, played a key role in shaping the overall structure of the holding firm. Other participants in the debt syndicate include Bardin Hill, Cliffwater, and One William Street. Access Media Advisory (“AMA”), founded and led by Teresa Miles Walsh, provided strategic guidance and support to Jonas Group Holdings 1 throughout the process.

Shawn Camp’s The Ghost of Sis Draper, a concept album built on the songs born from Camp and Guy Clark’s most revisited muse, Sis Draper, will be released Sept. 12 on Truly Handmade Records.

The album’s songs are tied to one another by characters, narratives and kernels of old-time fiddle tunes. The project immerses listeners in a sharply drawn world: The devil’s box is temptation and salvation; life is beautiful, but death lurks nearby; and the hero is a wayfaring, fiddle-wielding woman called Sis. The Ghost of Sis Draper features 10 songs co-written by Camp and Clark, as well as one solo Clark composition.

Camp was seven years old when a traveling fiddle player named Sis Draper finally arrived at a pickin’ party in the hills of Perry County, Arkansas. To young Camp, Draper was already a legend—and he was dying to play with her. 25 years later, in Guy Clark’s basement workshop in Nashville, Camp and Clark were stumped on what they’d write their next song about. Camp told Clark about Sis Draper; the lore, the excitement.

“Guy said, ‘Well, there’s your song,’” Camp remembers. “We wrote ‘Sis Draper’ that day. ‘Magnolia Wind’ came next. For years, we would work on other songs, then fall into ‘Sis.’ If we got stuck on something, we’d end up going to the Sis Draper project. It’s partially fairytale and partially truth,” Camp continues with a grin. “We intentionally wrote songs that fit together.”

“Now, Truly Handmade Records, the label that manages Guy’s legacy, is the home of Shawn Camp and The Ghost of Sis Draper, a masterpiece album that only Shawn could record,” says Tamara Saviano, President and Creative Director of Truly Handmade Records. “Shawn is the keeper of the flame of Sis Draper. Truly Handmade Records is the keeper of Guy’s legacy. It’s a match made in folk music heaven.”

The Ghost of Sis Draper Track List: (all songs written by Camp and Clark except where noted):
1. “Sis Draper”
2.” Magnolia Wind”
3. “Soldiers Joy 1864”
4. “The Fiddlin’ Preacher”
5. “Old Hillybilly Hand-Me-Down” (by Shawn Camp, Guy Clark, Verlon Thompson)
6. “The Checkered Shirt Band”
7. “Big Foot Stomp”
8. “Grandpa’s Rovin’ Ear”
9. “Cornmeal Waltz”
10. “New Cut Road” (by Guy Clark)
11. “The Death of Sis Draper (part 1)”
12. “Hello Dyin’ Day”
13 “The Death of Sis Draper (part 2)”
14. “The Ghost of Sis Draper”

Robert Earl Keen is hosting a one-night-only fundraiser, “Buc-ee’s Presents Robert Earl Keen and Friends: Applause for the Cause,” on Aug. 28 at Whitewater Amphitheater outside of New Braunfels, Texas.

Keen will hit the stage with special guest Tyler Childers alongside a special trio set from Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall and Jack Ingram, plus Cross Canadian Ragweed, Randy Rogers, Ryan Bingham, Ray Wylie Hubbard and more to raise money for the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.

This Friday, (July 18) reserved seating tickets and general admission tickets will go on sale, and at the time of purchase, attendees will be given the opportunity to purchase a ticket for a local first responder to attend Applause for the Cause. For those interested, these special first responder tickets can be purchased and gifted without attending the event. Tickets can be purchased at whitewaterrocks.com.

Doors for Applause for the Cause are scheduled to open at 3 p.m., kicking off with Lloyd Maines and his Austin City Limits Band with special guest vocalists. As the sun sets, full-band sets from music legends from Texas and beyond will begin, including a special closing set by Robert Earl Keen and Tyler Childers.

“This is a star-studded lineup with music starting in the mid-afternoon and lasting far into the night,” says Keen. “We must help everyone as much as we can, for as long as we can.”

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to support the relief efforts of so many for our beloved Hill Country. The tragedies are beyond belief.” says Beaver Aplin, founder of Buc-ee’s. “Buc-ee’s teaming with Robert Earl Keen and friends for this benefit concert just seemed like the right thing to do. When we learned 100 percent of our commitment goes to the Community Foundation of the Hill Country, we were all in.”