2013 Hall of Fame Inductee Kenny Rogers will participate in a special interview at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 2:30 p.m. CST.
The expert-led conversation will take place in conjunction with the debut of Kenny Rogers: Through the Years, a biographical exhibit in the museum’s East Gallery opening Aug. 15, 2014, and running until June 14, 2015.
Rogers will recount memories from throughout his history-making life and career during the interview, which will be held in the museum’s CMA Theater. Archival photographs and video will supplement the storytelling. The event is included with museum admission and free for museum members; seating is limited and a program pass is required. The interview will be streamed live online here.
Opening weekend programs include a songwriter session on Aug. 16 with Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz, who penned Rogers’s signature story song “The Gambler” and a film screening of 2001’s Kenny Rogers: Live by Request on Aug. 17. A companion book also entitled Kenny Rogers: Through the Years will accompany the exhibit.

“Kenny Rogers redefined and elevated country music superstardom in every sense,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “He blurred traditional genre lines and substantially expanded the core demographics of country music’s audience, all by being true to his unique artistic vision. His versatility is astounding. We could not be more thrilled to share this detailed presentation of his story.”

Rogers has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and has charted a single in each of the last seven decades. According to the RIAA, he has one diamond album, 19 platinum albums, and 31 gold albums. His accolades include three Grammys, six Country Music Association awards, and eight Academy of Country Music awards. Rogers was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
The exhibit will feature dozens of artifacts including costume pieces from the Gambler TV movie series, Dolly Parton’s rhinestone-embellished velvet jacket and dress she wore during a performance of “Islands in the Stream” with Rogers, and a die-cast metal replica of the Camaro race car driven by Kenny Rogers in the film Six Pack.
For more information on the Country Music Hall of Fame, click here.

Warner Bros. Records artist Charlie Worsham drew a packed house in Nashville during the third installment of Pickin’ On The Patio 2014 Wednesday (July 23). The event lived up to its name as Worsham offered a slew of songs from his album Rubberband. The Mississippi native also included a medley of Beatles hits in his set. Gigi’s Cupcakes, Aramark, Ajax Turner, Bud Light, and Patron were sponsors for the occasion.
Pickin’ On The Patio is held on the WMN patio the fourth Wednesday of every month from May through September. Mark your calendars for the next Pickin’ On The Patio to be held on Aug. 27.

Pictured (L-R): Kevin Herring (Sr. VP, Promotion), Tom Martens (Dir., National Promotion), Mark Noel (Artist Management Partners), Charlie Worsham, Brad Henderson (Big Howdy), Chris Palmer (VP, Promotion) Lisa Ray (VP, Brand Management), Scott Kernahan (Artist Management Partners), Anna Cage (Midwest/Northeast Regional Promotion Manager), Jessica Rouse (Promotion Coordinator), Cris Lacy (VP, A&R).

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Sarah Darling is adding a new role to her already diverse resume: fashion designer. The singer-songwriter and longtime Durango brand ambassador has designed a collection of western fashion boots for the brand. Two distinct styles, designed by Darling, will be added to Durango’s “Crush” line of footwear.
“Sarah has been such an incredible brand ambassador for us and her personal style really resonates with our consumer,” said Amber Vanwy, Marketing Manager for Durango. “These styles are flirty, fun and feminine; they are the perfect mash-up of Sarah’s whimsical style and Durango’s playful attitude toward fashion.”
The Sunflower Slouch boot in Sandy Brown is an easy-to-wear boot with a 2 ¼” heel and cushion-flex insole. The Darling Coral boot is tall classic western boot. The 14” shaft features bright coral-colored accents on brown leather and a 2 ¼” heel. Both styles designs are currently available for pre-order at www.durangoboots.com/darling.

Sarah Darling for Durango. Photo: Scott Cunningham

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The Cadillac Three brought their party to the Grand Ole Opry recently, where they celebrated their debut on the venue’s historic stage. The Nashville trio’s Jaren Johnston, Kelby Ray and Neil Mason performed their debut single, “The South,” as well as “Party Like You” and “White Lightning” from their upcoming Big Machine Records debut project.

All three band members had family present for the occasion, including Jaren’s father Jerry Johnston, who is a former drummer for The Grand Ole Opry band.

Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Records’ Erik Powell, Jack Purcell, The Opry’s Pete Fisher, WSIX’s Michael Bryan, The Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston, Jaren’s father Jerry Johnston, Neil Mason and Kelby Ray.

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Monday (July 21), songwriter and artist Victoria Shaw celebrated the 15th edition of ‘Victoria Shaw: Under the Covers’. A show, held at Broadway at Birdland, featured Erich Bergen (from the Jersey Boys movie), Desmond Child, James Dean Hicks, and Ramin Karimloo (a Tony nominee from Les Miserables). Guitarist/singer Sergio Ortega offered instrumental music, while Shaw’s two daughters, Ava and Ruby, sang backup for their mother on one song.

Victoria Shaw (on piano). Photo: Kevin Alvey.

Stoney LaRue’s video “First One To Know” premiered on CMT Pure, Edge and cmt.com today (July 24). It is the lead single from his forthcoming release, Aviator, and the video was directed and produced by Coleman Saunders of Americus Studios.
LaRue teamed with top producers Frank Liddell and Mike McCarthy to craft Aviator, which will be released Oct. 28 via eOne.
His 2011 project Velvet was self-released and debuted at No. 3 on the iTunes chart, as well as top 15 on the Billboard Country Music Album Chart. The Texas native-turned Oklahoma resident is a busy touring artist, and has won multiple Texas Regional Radio Awards.