Carrie Underwood and fellow songwriters Brett James, Hillary Lindsey, Ashley Gorley and Zach Crowell celebrated the No. 1 hits “Heartbeat” and “Church Bells” with a party at The Bell Tower on Thursday (Aug. 11). James, Lindsey, and Crowell co-wrote the single “Church Bells,” while Underwood, Gorley and Crowell co-wrote “Heartbeat,” with Crowell also serving as producer on the song.

“Thank you guys so much for being here,” said Underwood. “God is good and I’m so incredibly blessed throughout my life and career but mainly because I get to work with the best. That is a blessing beyond blessings. That goes for the people I write with and record with.”

She thanked manager Ann Edelblute, the Sony label staff and everyone that supports the artist, songwriters and songs.

BMI’s Jody Williams, ASCAP’s John Titta and Michael Martin, Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Cornman Music’s Nate Lowery, Underwood’s “Church Bells” producer Mark Bright, CMA’s Brandi Simms, and CRB’s Bill Mayne also offered words of praise for “Church Bells” and “Heartbeat.”

Birthday girl Hillary Lindsey was feted not only with praise for co-writing “Church Bells,” but with a cake honoring her special day. Attendees also dined on cupcakes specially made with toppings shaped like hearts and bells from Nashville bakery IveyCake.

“I turned 40 today,” said Lindsey. “If anyone had asked me when I was little what I would be doing on my 40th birthday, I never would have imagined that I would be onstage with some of my dearest friends and singing songs with friends I’ve made over the past 20 years, with a freakin’ superstar that I was just downstairs in hair and makeup and she’s giving me tips on eyelashes and preschools. I never would have imagined I would be here with this audience celebrating. I’m super thankful for all of this and for all of your friendships.”

“Everyone who knows me knows that my favorite thing about this business is not the music that we make, but the friends that we make,” said James, “and I’m on a stage with dear friends here tonight. I’m honored to be part of this.”

Avenue Bank made donations on behalf of each songwriter to Underwood’s C.A.T.S. Foundation, which was established in 2009 to improve Underwood’s Checotah, Oklahoma, hometown by assisting with causes and providing services to the community.

Sony Music Nashville Chairman/CEO Randy Goodman reminded the audience of Underwood’s accomplishments leading into the CMA Awards voting season.

“There is an opportune time for everything under the sun,” said Goodman. “At a time when some compare our cherished women to a salad brunch, we all know Carrie has never been anything but the main course.”

Underwood has indeed been busy in the past year. In addition to earning chart-topping hits from her latest album, Storyteller, she has also been on the road since January, entertaining crowds on her The Storyteller Tour: Stories In The Round, which runs through November.

Underwood released her fourth installment of the Sunday Night Football theme song, collaboratively rewriting the lyrics to “Somethin’ Bad” to fit the sports theme. She has played the UK four times, including headlining at C2C and most notably as the first country headliner for the Apple Music Festival in London. She will head to Australia in December with a string of tour dates with Keith Urban. Before that, she will co-host the 50th annual CMA Awards with Brad Paisley.

“She is not only a consummate artist but also an ambassador for our format,” Goodman said. “Indefatigable is the only way I can describe Carrie’s work ethic. A wise man did say there is a time for everything and when you ponder all that Carrie Underwood is and what she means to our genre, I think you all will agree that her time is now. Her time is now.”

The evening ended appropriately in song, with Underwood, James (who owns The Bell Tower) and Lindsey trading lines and harmonies on “Heartbeat,” “Church Bells,” and Underwood’s 2005 debut single, “Jesus Take the Wheel.”

The hit stories from Storyteller will keep coming, as Underwood ended the evening by introducing her upcoming fourth single from the album, “Dirty Laundry.”

A live television taping titled Celebrate the Soul: Black Music Honors will take place Thursday (Aug. 18) at 7 p.m. at TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall.

The National Museum of African American Music and Central City Productions are partnering to honor the recipients. Tickets are $27.50 to $102.50.

The two-hour television special will honor legendary African American artists and organizations that have influenced and made significant contributions to American culture.

Honorees include Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Big Daddy Kane, Dionne Warwick, Clarence Avant and Stax Records. Malcolm-Jamal Warner will host the event.

“As an actor, there were things I wanted to express that I could not, maybe even as a director,” said Warner. “Music has allowed me to develop an avenue of expression that my soul needs, which is why being part of something like Black Music Honors is a phenomenal opportunity. I am excited to participate and serve in this esteemed role.”

The night will be filled with performances from Tina Campbell, Ann Nesby, Andra Day, Chubb Rock and Stokley Williams. The Bar-Kays, The Temptations Revue featuring Dennis Edwards, and The SOS Band will also perform. Monie Love will be among the presenters.

The second annual Dress Up For St. Jude event has been set for Oct. 6. The special evening will showcase an array of new and gently-used fashion items for sale just in time for fall award shows, holidays and more.

The special sale is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. at the St. Jude Nashville office at 1102 17th Ave. S., Ste. 300, and all proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for their music therapy program.

The event was founded in 2015 by four music industry friends following an inspiring visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

Last year’s Dress Up For St. Jude offered dresses, handbags, jewelry and more at a fraction of their original prices. Event organizers are asking artists and music industry executives to clear out their closets, and donate the following items:

– New/gently used dresses of all shapes, sizes and styles from casual to formal;
– Celebrity dresses;
– New/gently used jewelry, accessories, shoes
– Clothing racks to display dresses

The St. Jude music therapy program helps patients attain emotional goals, such as learning to express themselves by writing and performing songs and discussing song lyrics. Creativity also helps patients cope with disease and its treatment. A clinical and evidence-based practice, music therapy can be used to achieve both musical and non-musical goals.

Kelsea Ballerini received a gold plaque for “Peter Pan” following a performance at the Grand Ole Opry on Wednesday (Aug. 10). The certification recognizes over 500,000 sales and streaming units in the U.S.

The certification follows the gold “Dibs” and the platinum “Love Me Like You Mean It.” All three singles are from her debut album, The First Time.

Ballerini expressed her gratitude and thanked her fans in this video posted to Twitter.

My heart could explode. I love you guys, thanks for making my dreams come true. ? pic.twitter.com/HnKU6T50Tq

— Kelsea Ballerini (@KelseaBallerini) August 11, 2016