Randy Houser’s new video for his latest single “We Went,” was released via VEVO yesterday (8/3). The Dustin Rikert-directed clip tells the story of the “Good Deed Bandits” who battle a drug baron and in true Robin Hood style redistribute the ill-gotten proceeds to deserving down-on-their-luck townsfolk. The clip features several of the same actors from Houser’s “Like A Cowboy” video, including veteran actor William Shockley (Robocop; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.) View the new clip here.

 

Thompson Square announced today that the on-stage and real-life couple will no longer be a duo. In fact, Thompson Square – or “T2” as fans affectionately call the married couple – will soon become “T3” with the arrival of their first child in January 2016! The duo first shared the big news with fans today via their social media accounts.

Keith Urban will take to Rockefeller Plaza this Friday, August 7, to perform on The Today Show Summer Concert Series. Urban confirmed that he will be performing his latest single, “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.”

Justin Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Way” has been officially certified platinum. The 2014 ACM New Artist of the Year is currently on the road as direct support on Brad Paisley’s crushin’ it world tour and is working on new music.

Westwood One has hired sales executive Tasha Blasi Pannuzzo as Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales, NASH. In her newly-created role, Pannuzzo will oversee client relations, brand partnerships, and multi-platform integrations for all of the company’s NASH entertainment programming platforms, including America’s Morning Show, NASH Nights Live, Kickin’ it with Kix, American Country Countdown, NASH TV, the recently-launched NASH Next, and the NASH Icon syndicated format.

Pannuzzo previously worked at Westwood One from 2005-2011 where she was one of the top sellers before moving up to manage the Business Radio Network and lead sales and marketing for the launch of the Wall Street Journal Radio assets.  More recently, Pannuzzo served as a Sales Director at TargetSpot. She will be based in New York City and reports directly to Westwood One President Steve Shaw.

“Our NASH assets are attracting great advertiser interest and we needed a seasoned professional to build on that buzz and cater to those clients,” said Shaw. “Tasha totally fits the bill. She’s got powerful sales savvy, she knows the country demographic, and she’s a proven revenue generator. She will be a great addition to our senior management team.”

 

Dolly’s Ryman Run

Dolly Parton’s two sold-out Ryman Auditorium shows last weekend helped raise money for two great causes, the Dustin Wells Foundation/W.O. Smith School of Music and the Opry Trust Fund. Parton was thrilled at the chance to lend a hand to her Opry friends as well as children at the Nashville music school. “I just love the Ryman, it’s such a sacred building. When I decided to do the benefit for Dr. Wells and the Dustin Wells Foundation, I was happy to learn it would be at the Ryman,” says Parton. “The money from this weekend will help get instruments into the hands of children wanting to learn music and will also help all my friends at the Opry, in the event they need a little extra help.”

John and Jacob Help Make Room For Americans

John and Jacob is working with the Make Room organization to help draw awareness to the problem of skyrocketing rent prices and unaffordable housing in America through their nationwide campaign. The band performed a private concert for Marlene Sigar, a single mother living in Madison, TN whose housing costs make up more than 75 percent of her monthly income, and her family. The show was filmed to help raise awareness about the housing issues currently plaguing America since one in four of the 42 million U.S. renter households spend at least half their income on rent which forces them to choose between paying for rent or paying for groceries, medicine, childcare and other essentials. Carly Rae Jepsen kicked off the national campaign May 1 with a living room concert in L.A.

Montgomery Gentry’s Super 8 Military Show

Montgomery Gentry treated members of the military and their families in Oak Grove, KY to a special live performance earlier this week, thanks to the Super 8 hotel chain and Premiere Networks. Held at Valor Hall near Fort Campbell, the event was hosted by CMT After MidNite’s Cody Alan and marked the first stop of the newly-launched “Super 8 Military Appreciation Tour.” Sponsored by Super 8 and Premiere Networks, the tour provides members of the military and their families with unique access to private concerts by top name country stars. 

Songs For Sound’s “Hearoes” Tour

Songs For Sound, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for the hearing impaired, is kicking off a 12-week “Hearoes” Tour on August 15-16 at Chicago’s Air & Water Show. Laura Bell Bundy will perform at air shows around the country on the tour, while Jessie James Decker will close out the tour at the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show in Pensacola Nov. 7. The tour will feature a screening vehicle which will travel to 60 stops around the country to help raise awareness around hearing health and prevention among veterans and their families. Lexi Vernon, a bilateral cochlear implant recipient, is the inspiration behind Songs for Sound, which was founded by Rascal Flatts member Gary LeVox‘s brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Jaime Vernon.

Shane Michael Taylor MusiCares Benefit

Shane Michael Taylor will perform a benefit for MusiCares in memory of his friend Lorna Flowers, who co-wrote songs with Taylor and encouraged his dream of becoming a songwriter in spite of his communication struggles due to cerebral palsy. Taylor will perform songs from his new CD I Will Stand at the Listening Room event August 12, which will also feature performances by Mason Douglas, Eddie Heinzelman, Justin and Jamie Zimmer, Jack Sundrud, and Mark Lonsway.