Nashville songwriter and playwright Marcus Hummon has created a concert theatrical adaptation based on the life of American abolitionist and social reformer Frederick Douglass. The work was commissioned by Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville.

“Frederick Douglass: The Making of an American Prophet” will focus on Douglass’ early years. The adaptation will star Bakari King as Douglass, and will feature the choir Inversion, as well as Heather Aikin, Patrick James, Jeff Lewis, Kelsey Onwuzuruigbo, and Jonathan Yudkin.

The adaptation premieres May 15 at Christ Church Cathedral at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances will take place May 17 (Fifteenth Ave. Baptist Church), May 23 (Vanderbilt’s Benton Chapel), and May 24 (Thistle Stop Cafe).

“People sometimes describe the quintessential American story as rags to riches — the story of a self-made man,” Hummon says. “With Frederick Douglass we have a deeper American success story; from slave to a president’s confidante, a successful author, a celebrated orator, a statesman and social reformer. In the tradition of prophets who speak truth that transcends the time they live in, Frederick has a lot to say to us today.”

The Peach Pickers (Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson) will present the 2nd Annual “Jameson Irish Whiskey Presents Georgia On My Mind” on Tuesday May 12 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

The concert benefits the Georgia Music Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports programs of music preservation, education and outreach.

Pictured (L-R): Hayslip, Akins, Davidson

Collectively, the Peach Pickers have written more than 60 No. 1 hits.

During the inaugural event last year, Georgia natives Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan performed.

“Onstage and backstage, there was such a camaraderie and connection because it was truly about Georgia and how much it means to all of us,” expressed Davidson, who also serves as chair of the Georgia Music Foundation. “We’ve all been so inspired by our home state and mostly rural communities, but especially by all the musicians from Georgia who came before us.”

This year, the list of special guests includes Tyler Farr, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Lauran Alaina, Four Wheel Drive, JAMP Masters, Kevin Kinney, and Maggie Rose.

Tickets are $49.50 and $39.50 and available at ryman.com.

Grooveshark is ceasing operations, after its parent company Escape Media agreed to a legal settlement with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group. The settlement includes the termination of all operations, wiping its computer servers of all the record labels’ music, and surrendering ownership of its website, mobile apps, and intellectual property.

Grooveshark founders Josh Greenberg and Sam Tarantino acknowledged creating and operating an infringing music service. Escape Media has agreed to financial penalties if the terms of the settlement are not followed.

“Despite the best of intentions, we made very serious mistakes,” Grooveshark said in a statement on its website. “We failed to secure licenses from rights holders for the vast amount of music on our service. That was wrong. We apologize.”

The statement also named several affordable alternatives, including Spotify, Deezer, Google Play, Beats Music, Rhapsody, and Rdio.

In a statement, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said, “This is an important victory for artists and the entire music industry. For too long, Grooveshark built its business without properly compensating the artists, songwriters and everyone else who makes great music possible. This settlement ends a major source of infringing activity.”