Musicians On Call (MOC) has added nine new staff members across multiple departments as the organization continues to expand nationwide. The additions include Hailey Gilleland as Director of Development, Kathryn Bennett as Director of Individual Giving, Katie Trent as Development Coordinator, Danys Coronel as Digital Content Manager, Christopher Anthony as PR & Talent Coordinator, Emiley Roye as Northeast Program Coordinator, Abby Tannler as Program Coordinator, Ella Hunt as Program Coordinator and Delaney McBride as Executive Assistant.

“We are fortunate to have such a talented and passionate group joining Musicians On Call,” says MOC President & CEO Pete Griffin. “The diverse experiences and fresh perspectives they bring will be instrumental as we grow our reach, expand our fundraising, and strengthen our programs across the country. With their contributions, we’ll be able to deliver the healing power of music to even more people in need.”

In her role at MOC, Gilleland leads the organization’s fundraising strategy, with a focus on expanding major gifts and presence in external markets. Bennett connects supporters with MOC’s mission, manages donor stewardship and leads efforts to grow individual contributions nationwide. Trent supports donor engagement and development operations. Coronel oversees MOC’s digital strategy across social media, web and email, including digital fundraising campaigns, community engagement and storytelling through digital content. Anthony supports artist and celebrity engagement, media relations, and talent coordination for MOC programs and campaigns.

Roye manages MOC Bedside programs in New York and Philadelphia, and Volunteer Experience. Tannler serves as Program Coordinator for bedside programs in Denver and Phoenix and the MOC Virtual program. Hunt serves as Program Coordinator for the Mid-Southeast region, overseeing programs in Nashville, Memphis, Murfreesboro and Atlanta. McBride joins as Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, supporting day-to-day operations at MOC’s headquarters.

John Morgan will launch his headlining 2025 “Friends Like That Tour” beginning in October.

The tour will visit Atlanta, Chicago, Louisville, Denver, Portland, San Diego and more through Dec. 13, with a Nashville Palace stop on Nov. 7.

“Man, this is my first headlining tour, and I’m pumped to do it with some of my great buddies who we’ll announce very soon,” shares Morgan. “We’re hitting some brand new cities for y’all on this run and are coming back to some of our favorites venues too like Touch of Texas [Binghamton, New York] and Stashe at the Intersection [Grand Rapids, Michigan]—ready to bring Carolina Blue out on the road.”

Following his fourth No. 1 as a songwriter and first as an artist, “Friends Like That (feat. Jason Aldean),” the North Carolina native has the No. 1 most-added single this week with his fan-favorite, nostalgic track “Kid Myself.” Written by Morgan, Tyler Hubbard and Jordan Schmidt, the reflective track travels back in time to a regretful decision that cut a relationship short. Morgan recently performed “Friends Like That” on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

“Friends Like That” Tour Dates:
October 9 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works
October 10 – Binghamton, NY – Touch of Texas
October 17 – Atlanta, GA – Smith’s Olde Bar
October 22 – Cadillac, MI – Venue Event Center
October 23 – Grand Rapids, MI – Stashe at the Intersection
October 24 – Chicago, IL – Carol’s Pub
November 6 – Bloomington, IN – Bluebird
November 7 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Palace
November 8 – Louisville, KY – Zanzabar
November 28 – Denver, CO – Grizzly Rose
November 29 – Colorado Springs, CO – Whiskey Rose
November 30 – Grand Junction, CO – Warehouse 2565
December 4 – Great Falls, MT – Newberry
December 5 – Spokane, WA – The District at the Knitting Factory
December 6 – Tacoma, WA – Elks Temple
December 7 – Portland, OR – Ponderosa Lounge
December 9 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
December 10 – San Diego, CA – Moonshine Flats
December 13 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Casino

The Red Clay Strays have added extra dates to their 2025 “Get Right Tour” due to overwhelming demand.

The tour, which kicks off next month, will make stops across North America and Europe through the summer and fall, with new dates announced for Sept. 6 in Cincinnati, Oct. 2 in Pikeville, Kentucky, Oct. 9 in Macon, Georgia and Oct. 15 in Huntsville, Alabama.

Tickets for the new tour dates will be available via select pre-sales starting today (June 17) through June 19, with general on-sale beginning June 20 at redclaystrays.com/tour.

The band embarked on their first-ever “Australian Tour” in May, in addition to festival stops at Railbird Music Festival and Bonnaroo, and earlier this month played to their biggest crowd yet at CMA Fest, performing at Nissan Stadium. They were also nominated for Favorite Country Duo or Group at the 2025 American Music Awards, and took home their first ACM Award for New Duo or Group of the Year.

Grammy-nominated songwriter Sandy Knox is entering a bold new creative chapter with Weighting: My Life If It Were A Musical, a first-of-its-kind audiobook musical set for release June 24. Known for penning hits for artists like Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, Dionne Warwick and Liza Minnelli, Knox brings her signature wit and emotional depth to a deeply personal and genre-blending project nearly three decades in the making.

Told through narration and 21 original songs, all co-written by Knox, Weighting follows a woman’s transformative stay at Foundation House—a fictional weight-loss retreat where stories, friendships, and hard truths unfold. Listeners meet a cast of richly drawn characters whose struggles with body image, identity and self-worth mirror the emotional journeys so many face behind closed doors.

“It all started after a bad breakup,” Knox tells MusicRow in an exclusive interview. “I took a trip to a diet center, and the people I met there—their stories, their reasons for being there—were fascinating. I couldn’t stop thinking about it on the drive home, and I realized: this wasn’t just one song. This was a musical.”

Though life and career commitments pulled her in other directions over the years, the idea never let go. “Song ideas and hooks just kept coming to me,” she says. “When I finally framed it as an audiobook musical—something I could narrate and shape like a theatrical piece—it all started pouring out.”

Knox serves as narrator and central storyteller, introducing listeners to characters voiced by a cast of acclaimed performers including Wendy Moten, Kyndle Wydle and Evan Doan Jenkins. Jenkins, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, also co-wrote two of the songs and voices one of the project’s key characters.

The music spans styles—from R&B and pop to classic show tunes—delivered with theatrical flair and emotional nuance. A preview track, “There Could Never Be Enough Of You,” featuring Jenkins, will be released Friday (June 20).

To help shape the story’s emotional layers, Knox consulted psychotherapist Courtney Grimes, who specializes in body image.

“She really helped me dig into the psychological side of it,” Knox explains. “Because it’s not just about weight—it’s about how we see ourselves, how we think others see us, and what we believe we deserve.”

In total, over 100 people contributed to the project—including musicians, engineers, actors, designers, and creative collaborators. “Everyone had to sign an NDA,” Knox says. “But as soon as I explained the story, nearly every person came back to me with their own story. That’s when I knew it was bigger than me.”

With humor, honesty, and heart, Weighting offers an unflinching look at the messages we absorb about our bodies and the pressure we place on ourselves.

“My dream is that people give themselves a break,” Knox says. “Enjoy the story. Enjoy the music. Let it speak to you, but don’t let all that other noise define you.”

Pre-save and pre-order Weighting here.