Cumulus Media and Fontanel have announced Camp NASH, a country music festival scheduled for Memorial Day, May 30, at the Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel. The event will benefit The Special Forces Charitable Trust, which provides meaningful financial support, programs and services to the United States Army Special Forces (Green Beret) community and their families.

Doors open at 11 a.m. with full concert performances by Big & Rich, Thompson Square, Parmalee, Chuck Wicks (who is emceeing the event), RaeLynn, and Breaking Southwest, from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tickets are $29 general admission and $39 reserved, with all ticket proceeds going directly to The Special Forces Charitable Trust. Tickets go on sale March 19. The event is presented by Love’s Travel Stops and Nationwide Express.

Camp NASH’s national media partner is America’s Morning Show, syndicated by Westwood One and heard weekday mornings on country radio stations across the country. Nashville media partners include 95.5 NASH Icon, NASH FM 103.3, 99.7 Super Talk, 104.5 the Zone, and 92Q.

“When we first began discussions with Fontanel about partnering for a Memorial Day country music festival to benefit SFCT, everyone at Cumulus Media was immediately on board and Camp NASH was born,” said Tommy Page, Senior Vice President, Brand Partnerships and NASH, for Cumulus Media. ”Our ability to reach a broad base of listeners nationwide and in Middle Tennessee through our popular Nashville radio stations and NASH country programming will allow us to build great awareness of the event. We will heavily promote Camp NASH to attract country music lovers for a day of great music and fun, while honoring the Special Forces Community and their families, and supporting a most worthy cause.”

Nina Carter

Nina Carter has been promoted to Associate Director, Writer-Publisher Relations, in Nashville. Carter moved to Nashville last year from BMI’s Atlanta office, where she was heavily involved with the planning and execution of the BMI Hip Hop and R&B Awards, local showcases, and South by Southwest offerings.

While in the Nashville office, she has been a key component of the success of the Eastside Sounds showcases, Maui Songwriters Festival, and Mountain High Music Festival, in addition to managing relationships with songwriters. Her new role will see her signing and providing service to writers in indie, rock, hip hop, film and TV, and country, as well as providing new showcase opportunities for artists in these genres.

“Nina Carter is a dynamic individual with creative and organizational skills that make her a perfect fit for our department,” says Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer-Publisher Relations, Nashville. “She came to us after working for three years in BMI’s Atlanta office. For the last six months she has assisted Mark Mason in planning and executing the many events our department produces. She has a great ear for all kinds of music and is a tremendous help to emerging and established songwriters.”

Carter is an Athens, Georgia, native, and graduate of the University of Georgia Music Business program. She began as an intern for the historic Georgia Theatre, following the tragic fire in 2009, to assist with fundraising and event management. After graduating from UGA, Carter went on the road with Atlanta-based company Shimon Presents to promote, recruit and manage volunteers onsite at music festivals like Bonnaroo, Hangout Festival, Wakarusa, All Good and Electric Forest Festival. She lived in Austin, Texas, for two years, where she worked for South By Southwest as Music Panels Coordinator and Special Projects Assistant.

In July 2012, Carter relocated to Atlanta to work in Writer-Publisher Relations at BMI, where she has been an invaluable part of the team ever since. She is a lively member of the music community, leading the Nashville chapter of the non-profit organization We’re hEAR For You, whose mission is to increase awareness of noise-induced hearing loss, hearing loss prevention and the use of earplugs among the music community.

Kris Kristofferson. Photo: Marina Chavez

Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss, Buddy Miller, Larry Gatlin, Jessi Colter, and Shooter Jennings have been added to the concert taping for The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson on March 16 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Previously confirmed artists include Dierks Bentley, Ryan Bingham, Rosanne Cash, Eric Church, Emmylou Harris, Jack Ingram, Jamey Johnson, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Darius Rucker, Hank Williams Jr., and Lee Ann Womack. Kristofferson will perform with a number of special guests throughout the evening.

A final block of seats is now available at Ticketmaster and at the Bridgestone Arena box office.

T.J. Martell Foundation is the official charity partner of the show.

Keith Wortman is creator and executive producer of the show. Grammy Award-winner Don Was will serve as music director and will lead an all-star band. The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson will be filmed and recorded for multi-platform distribution throughout traditional media (worldwide broadcast, music and digital).

Sam Hunt Joins 2016 Carnival LIVE Lineup

Sam Hunt will perform two shows as part of the 2016 Carnival LIVE lineup. He will appear on stage while the ships Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Splendor are docked in Cozumel on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20, respectively. Comedians Jim Gaffigan and Chris Tucker are also confirmed for Carnival LIVE performances. Tickets range from $30 to $75 for general admission. VIP tickets are available for $100 to $250 and offer seating in the first five rows, a photo opportunity with the artist and a commemorative concert pass.

Kristian Bush Releases “Say Yes to the Dress” Theme

Kristian Bush has written, recorded, and released the song “Forever Now (Say Yes),” which is the new theme for TLC’s hit series, Say Yes to the Dress. Coming up later in the season, Bush will make a cameo appearance to help his guitar tech’s fiancée, classic country girl Evyn, find the perfect dress. Bush’s first trip to Kleinfeld Bridal (where the show is set) and an inside look at the magic of wedding dress shopping inspired him to write the song. Bush is currently working on his first album for BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records.

Kellie Pickler Will Be Inducted Into North Carolina Music Hall of Fame

Kellie Pickler will be among the 2016 inductees into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place on Oct. 20 in Kannapolis. Pickler is from Albemarle. Other inductees include rock band The Avett Brothers, beach music pioneers Band of Oz, late funk guitarist Chuck Brown, old-time string band Rhiannon Giddens & The Carolina Chocolate Drops, late jazz musician Percy Heath, folk musician and storyteller David Holt, and The Temptations’ Ron Tyson.

Dan + Shay Confirmed For Good Morning America

Dan + Shay will perform “From The Ground Up,” on March 18 on ABC’s Good Morning America. Written by Chris DeStefano and the duo’s Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, the romantic new single is the first song to be released off their forthcoming album due out later this year via Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville. The release comes as a follow up to their No. 1 hit, “Nothin’ Like You,” which was honored with a nomination for favorite country song from the Radio Disney Music Awards.