SOLID recently visited the charity Notes For Notes, donating $4,000 to the cause.

(L-R): Front row: Nick Oldham, Kent Wolfenbarger, Sarah McGrady, Sabrina Abrishamchian, Heather Dicus, Phil Gilley and Jamal Dotson. Back row: Jeff Hoehne, Leona Edwards, Wes Perry and Eric Wright.

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Brenda Lee was among the artists and dignitaries on hand to help celebrate the Owen Bradley Music Festival in Westmoreland, Tenn. this past weekend. Organizers estimate approximately 2,000 attendees took part in the combined Owen Bradley Music Festival and Talent Search.

Brenda Lee

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Via Twitter.

Restless Heart is celebrating the season this year with a brand new, first-ever holiday album, A Restless Heart Christmas, due out Oct. 29. The Red River Entertainment project will include standards like “O Holy Night,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Angels We Have Heard On High,” and an a cappella version of “Silent Night,” along with two previously unreleased tracks.
The band is currently celebrating its 30^th anniversary with the release of the new 10-track project, which was produced by Restless Heart’s Greg Jennings. “Christmas is my favorite holiday,” said lead singer Larry Stewart of the upcoming release.  “It’s hard to believe that we didn’t do this album earlier in our career.  But it’s pretty cool that we can release our first Christmas album on our 30th anniversary!”
A Restless Heart Christmas Track Listing:
1.  Season of Harmony
2.  Tennessee Christmas
3.  O Holy Night
4.  Old Toy Trains
5.  Silent Night
6.  Jingle Bell Rock
7.  Angels We Have Heard On High
8.  Little Drummer Boy
9.  The Christmas Song
10.  Santa’s Prayer

Apple has officially entered into internet radio. The highly anticipated iTunes Radio was announced during a press event this afternoon (Sept. 10) at Apple’s Cupertino, Calif. headquarters. The radio service will be part of the iOS 7 update on Sept. 18. The service allows users to create their own stations and to purchase songs that they hear. It comes with more than 200 features. Several outlets offered live blogs of the press conference (here, here and here).
Apple also brought good news for iPhone users, revealing a Sept. 20 date for upgraded models. Next month, Apple plans to ship its 700 millionth iOS device. The iPhone 5S, an upgrade from iPhone 5, was also announced. With looks similar to the iPhone 5, the upgrade comes in new colors, including silver, gray and gold. It also holds an A7 chip, which, according to Apple, is the first 64-bit chip in a smartphone. Additionally there is an improved camera, and fingerprint-based security, which also are said to validate iTunes store purchases.
The company also announced the new iPhone 5C, which cost $99 each. The low-cost phones feature a plastic back, available in several colors including green, white, blue, red and yellow. Apple’s Phil Schiller says “you won’t see seams, or part lines or joins,” and the device is crafted from hard-coated polycarbonate.
Apple additionally revealed its iWork suite of apps, which include Pages, Numbers, iMovie, Keynote, and iPhoto. These apps were previously featured as premium software available for purchase. “We think that iWork is a really key advantage for our customers’ productivity, and iPhoto and iMovie are great for their creativity,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “Almost all of our customers want these apps.”

Fashion designer Manuel Cuevas, will hold the Grand Opening of his new retail space at 800 Broadway in downtown Nashville on Sept. 12th. The 3100 sq. ft. of space will showcase iconic couture Manuel designs and highlight the “New Vision” collection. Using cost-efficient design processes, Manuel’s “New Vision” is a collection of affordable pieces and one-of-a-kind items that will be 100% American made. “New Vision” includes apparel pieces and accessory items including leather goods, boots, dresses, pants, shirts, skirts and other creations for men and women at an affordable price point.
“We are excited about our new location and all that it represents,” stated Manuel. “The Nashville tourism, music and fashion communities have stood behind me for so many years. I am looking forward to sharing our new home with our friends and visitors who love Nashville as much as I do.”
The grand opening will feature light hors d’oeuvres, drinks and drawings for a special gift from Manuel. The evening will feature the music of Stephanie Urbina Jones, followed by Frank Ortega. The grand opening will be located at 800 Broadway in Nashville and will take place from 6p.m. until 8p.m. To RSVP for the grand opening, contact info@manuelcourture.com or 615-321-5444.

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Big Yellow Dog Music has signed 22-year-old singer-songwriter Maren Morris. Morris hails from Arlington, Texas, where she has had three songs on the Texas Music Chart, including the No. 1 song “All That It Takes.” Morris has also appeared with artists including Pat Green, Gary Allan, Marty Stuart, Radney Foster, Bob Schneider, Monte Montgomery and Eli Young Band.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Maren join the BYD family,” says Laura Wright, Big Yellow Dog Music’s Creative Director. “She’s a truly unique singer-songwriter who creates great music for all the right reasons. She’s the complete package, and we’re so lucky to have her!”

Pictured (L-R): Safford Motley’s Scott Safford, Big Yellow Dog’s Kerry O’Neil, Maren Morris, Kourtney Kirkpatrick, Laura Wright, BMI’s Jody Williams and Big Yellow Dog’s Brad Kennard

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Steven Gladstone