Big Spark Music Group held a listening event Thursday (Aug. 4) at Nashville bar Old Glory to celebrate the release of its flagship artist Olivia Lane‘s digital EP. The self-titled project was released on July 29.

Before Lane offered remarks, Big Spark Music Group’s VP/GM Dennis Kurtz welcomed guests, noting the project has been in the works for three years.

“I’m not performing tonight, just drinking,” teased Lane. “Just to clarify, I haven’t got to celebrate because I’ve been on the road for the last month, so tonight’s a celebration!”

Olivia Lane (front middle) celebrates her EP release. Photo: Allison Kurtz

The seven-song project was produced by award-winning Nashville guitarist Ilya Toshinskiy, with Lane collaborating with songwriters Jim Beavers, David Frasier, Danny Myrick and Aaron Scherz, among others. Lane’s current single, “Make My Own Sunshine” has seen over 50 million impressions at radio.

Lane previously released an acoustic version of “Make My Own Sunshine” on a 13-track mixtape Heart Unlocked (2015). Prior EPs include her 2015 Steal Me Away and the 2014, Love Thing.

Olivia Lane Track Listing:

1. “Lightning” (Olivia Lane, Danny Myrick, Leland Grant, Ilya Toshinskiy)
2. “Quarter Life Crisis” (Lane, Aaron Scherz, David Frasier)
3. “Make My Own Sunshine” (Lane, Jim Beavers, Toshinskiy)
4. “She Fits” (Lane, Beavers, Toshinskiy)
5. “My Heartache” (Leland Grant, Toshinskiy, Shaye Smith, Tammy Hyler)
6. “There’s A Guy” (Lane, Scherz, David Frasier)
7. “Keychain” (Lane, Scherz, Bobby Hamrick)

Olivia Lane welcomes guests to her EP release party at Nashville’s Old Glory

Neal McCoy issued his first-ever jazz album, You Don’t Know Me, on Friday (Aug. 5). The project was released on New Design Records, distributed by WEA.

The collection was produced by Steve Tyrell, who won a 2004 Grammy as a producer of Rod Stewart’s Stardust…The Great American Songbook Volume III. In the 1990s, McCoy recorded eight Top 5 hits for Atlantic Records, including “No Doubt About It” and “Wink.”

McCoy used crowdfunding site PledgeMusic to create the album. The title track was written by Country Music Hall of Fame members Eddy Arnold and Cindy Walker.

McCoy said, “This album has been on my ‘bucket-list’ for a long, long time! I’ve loved and have been singing this music all my life, thanks to my parents. To work with the iconic Steve Tyrell was amazing, and we’re both from Texas so that made it extremely memorable. I really hope the fans enjoy this new, old side of me!”

Tyrell said, “Neal McCoy is the real deal…and I’m not just saying that because, like me, he hails from the great state of Texas! Sure, we have that in common, but we also share a love and respect for the Great American Songbook. This is the music we were raised on, the music our parents played, and the music that was the soundtrack to our younger years. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with this established country star and to witness how he put his own spin and sound on these timeless standards. My hat’s off to you, Neal! I’m so glad I got to know you and to help bring You Don’t Know Me to life!”

Track Listing For You Don’t Know Me

1. “Unforgettable”
2. “Dream a Little Dream of Me”
3. “All My Tomorrows”
4. “Laura”
5. “That’s All”
6. “It Had to Be You”
7. “It’s Been a Long Long Time”
8. “You Don’t Know Me”
9. “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”
10. “In the Wee Small Hours”
11. “I Get a Kick Out of You”
12. “The Second Time Around”
13. “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face”

Lee Greenwood

Lee Greenwood is now an Ambassador for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a nonprofit organization that provides support for America’s ill and injured veterans.

Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA” for 4,000 DAV members at the closing ceremonies of the DAV National Convention in Atlanta on Wednesday (Aug. 3). The event marked the start of Greenwood’s official partnership with DAV.

“It was an exciting night at the DAV National Convention in Atlanta. These proud men and women are dedicating their lives after military service to help those who are struggling to fit back into civilian life. They address the challenges of all wounded veterans head on and give hope to each soldier who otherwise might not survive,” Greenwood said.

A known champion of military and veteran causes, Greenwood will work with DAV to bring much-needed attention and support to the needs of the country’s 22 million veterans, their families and survivors. His ambassadorship will include support of many DAV campaigns, including Keep the Promise and Thank a Vet.

“Mr. Greenwood has shown a deep and abiding respect for our nation’s service members and veterans, and we could not be more thankful for his support,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “Our members were absolutely thrilled to hear him perform, and appreciate his patriotism and genuine gratitude for those who served. He is greatly admired within the veteran community and we look forward to working closely with him as advocates for our nation’s heroes.”

Lindsay Ell. Photo: Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo

BBR Music Group artist Lindsay Ell represented the Grand Ole Opry three times this week, with a performance in New York City, aboard a Southwest Airlines flight, and on the famous stage.

Lindsay Ell performs at Circle In The City in New York City’s Bryant Park. Photo: Grand Ole Opry

On Tuesday (Aug. 2), Ell played for fans at the Southwest Porch in New York City’s Bryant Park as part of the Opry’s summer music series Circle in the City. On Wednesday, on the flight back to Nashville, Ell performed a Live at 35 concert for passengers and surprised everyone on board with tickets to her appearance at the Opry that night in Nashville.

Lindsay Ell (left) performs a Live at 35 concert aboard Southwest Flight 1035 on her way back to Nashville for her Wednesday Night Opry performance. Photo: Grand Ole Opry

Ell is one of the performers on the compilation CD, Opry 9.0, Vol II, Discoveries From The Circle.

Thompson Square is set to complete the Circle in the City series on Tuesday (Aug. 9). The duo then travels to Nashville the next day to perform on two Opry shows.