Craig Morgan Plans Free Nashville Concert

Craig Morgan will host a free concert to celebrate the release of his upcoming album, A Whole Lot More To Me, set for release on Black River Entertainment on June 3. Presented by Kidde Fire Safety, LINE-X and NRA Country, the concert will be held Wednesday, June 8 at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon, beginning at 6 p.m.

The concert will also feature performances from Lindsay Ell, Adam Sanders, Hailey Whitters, Jillian Cardarelli. Third Day frontman Mac Powell, who duets with Morgan on “Hearts I Leave Behind” on Morgan’s new album, will also appear.

Mark Chesnutt Signs With Row Entertainment

Mark Chesnutt

Mark Chesnutt has signed with a new Nashville-based label, Row Entertainment. He will release the project, Tradition Lives, later this year, marking his first studio release of all-new music since 2008. Row Entertainment is a partnership with Jimmy Ritchey, Kyle Waites, and recording artist Tim Rushlow. Row Entertainment’s offices are located at 2818 Azalea Place in Nashville.

“Without a doubt, Mark is an artist that continues to stand for the best in the format,” Ritchey said. “Everyone here is so excited to be working along with him to bring his music to the masses.”

“Country music is what I’ve always been about, and that’s what I’ll always be,” Chesnutt said. “It’s all I know, and I think people will love the new music as much as I am going to love playing it for them.”

John Berry Announces New Album, Label, Publicist

Left photo (L to R):
Brian Smith, Leadership Artists; Trish Holman, Mansion Entertainment; John Berry; Dewayne Brown, Sony RED; John Mathis, Mansion Entertainment. Right photo, L-R: John Berry; Don Murry Grubbs, Absolute Publicity

John Berry will release his first studio album in three years on June 3. He has signed on with Mansion Entertainment and Sony RED for project distribution as well as Absolute Publicity’s Don Murry Grubbs for public relations representation.

“After my successful Kickstarter effort last fall resulted in the recording of my new album, What I Love The Most, I wanted to partner with a label that would really ‘get it,'” says Berry. “I was very pleased when Mansion Entertainment and Sony RED stepped up and was excited to release it. They are focused and we are all looking forward to its June 3rd release.”

Berry adds, “I had heard of Absolute Publicity and I am friends with many of the acts they represent. So when my manager and label both suggested them I knew it would be the right fit. I am thrilled to work with Don and his team in promoting this album I am so proud of.”

Smithfield Make Grand Ole Opry Debut

Pictured (L-R): J.R. Schumann, SiriusXM; Trey Smith; Jennifer Fiedler; Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Louisiana native James Dupré’s eclectic career path has taken him from being a paramedic to a YouTube star to a Nashville singer-songwriter.

Dupré spent six years as a paramedic, but always harbored a love of music and singing. His musical aspirations got an early boost when a producer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show saw videos of Dupré’s cover songs on YouTube, which led to a performance spot on the show.

“I was just getting experience playing in bars and clubs around that time,” recalls Dupré. “I hadn’t been on local television, much less national television. She wanted me to be on the show the next week. It was a lot of fun. I dove in headfirst and it turned out really well. Music wasn’t a hobby for me anymore after that.”

Like many artist careers, Dupré’s has been filled with stops and starts. He moved to Nashville in 2011 and saw a deal on Warner Bros. Records come and go. Television brought another career opportunity last year. During Season 9 of The Voice, Dupré got a four-chair turnaround from the judges and joined Team Adam [Levine]. He made it to the knockout rounds on the show before getting eliminated. Though he didn’t win the competition, he says the experience was invaluable.

“I had just left a deal on Warner Bros., and someone asked if I wanted to try out for the show,” he says. “I said yes, and the relationships I made on the show with the other contestants, and getting to meet the coaches, was priceless. A mentor for Team Adam was John Fogerty, so that was a highlight, getting to work with him.”

James Dupre with MusicRow staff.

Dupré co-wrote seven of the tracks on his latest independent album, Stoned To Death, along with writers including Jessi Alexander, Travis Meadows, Adam Wright, Jeff Hyde, Scooter Carusoe, and more.

Stoned To Death was produced by Jordan Lehning, son of producer Kyle Lehning (Randy Travis).

During a visit to the MusicRow office, Dupré previewed the project with a three-song performance, including “Green Light,” “Hurt Good,” and the title track.

“I first heard this song and was blown away by the lyrics,” said Dupré of “Stoned to Death.” “It reminded me of the hard-core country songs that I grew up listening to. I think Jordan did a phenomenal job on the production, and we liked it so much that we made it the title track. A title like that catches people’s attention and it’s a little dark for a title, but I kind of like it that way.”

In his review of the track, MusicRow‘s Robert K. Oermann wrote, “The title tune of Dupré’s upcoming album can be previewed on his website. And I urge you to do so. This is a singer who exudes charisma with every note. The song is stupendously well-written, boasting both perfectly executed turns of phrases and a beautifully swelling melody. Lehning’s slowly building production bonfire is magnificent. Sign me up for the fan club. Now.”

Trace Adkins. Photo: Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry has a special show set for May 24 to celebrate the USO’s 75th anniversary.

The lineup includes Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels Band, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Lee Greenwood, the Oak Ridge Boys, and more, including the MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band making its third appearance on the Opry stage.

Prior to the show, special guest U.S. veterans will be welcomed to the Opry House by artists and fans during a red carpet arrival parade. Participating veterans will represent service members who have served during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror and have returned to support other service members as USO volunteers.

The public is invited to be a part of the red carpet arrivals outside the Opry House beginning at 5:45 p.m. The evening’s Opry performance begins at 7:00 p.m.

“All of us at the Opry are ever-thankful for the men and women we will be recognizing on May 24,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. “It’s the perfect night to show in word and song our appreciation to those who have served our country, and in particular those who have returned to strengthen America’s military as USO volunteers.”

The USO’s partnership with the country music industry dates as far back as the early 1940’s, when Gene Autry traveled to the Pacific and toured with a group of USO performers. Following in his footsteps and beginning what is now a long-standing tradition, stars of the Grand Ole Opry began touring with the USO in 1949. Among some of the earliest faces to participate in USO tours were Red Foley, Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Roy Rogers, among others.

MusiCorps is a music rehabilitation program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that helps severely wounded warriors play music and recover their lives. The MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band’s Opry appearance is made possible by Humana, presenting sponsor of the Grand Ole Opry.

The USO (United Services Organization) is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Its programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of corporate partners and the dedication of volunteers and staff.