After a successful first year, the Watershed Music Festival is returning to the picturesque Gorge Amphitheatre Aug. 2-4. The event will feature performances from Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Lee Brice, Terri Clark, Kip Moore, Thompson Square, Chris Young and more, with late night sets at the “World Famous Late Night Honky Tonk” by Shooter Jennings and Blackberry Smoke.
“This time last year as we were getting ready to announce the first year of this festival, we knew we had a great location and a unique concept for country fans, but we didn’t know how amazing the weekend would turn out to be,” said Brian O’Connell, five-time ACM Promoter of the Year and President of Live Nation, Nashville. “We were blown away by the fans and the support from the artists. We have some new surprises planned for this year and hope to keep making it bigger and better year after year.”
Three-day festival passes and camping go on sale Friday, March 15 at www.watershedfest.com, www.ticketmaster.com, and www.livenation.com. Camping starts at $110 and festival passes are priced at $149 including taxes and fees.

Singer Hannah Blaylock is no longer with Edens Edge, and is now pursuing a solo career.  According to a statement on Edens Edge’s website, the group “said farewell to a founding member of the group, who left upon her own accord and with much disappointment. They played their final show on February 22, 2013 at The Grand Ole Opry. Dean & Cherrill would like to personally thank Scott Borchetta for his belief and support in Edens Edge. They’re forever grateful for the time spent inside the Big Machine family.”
Dean Berner says, “We’re literally living on the ‘edge’ right now, as we regroup, write and the next chapter of our band is revealed. It’s a crazy but exciting time and we hope everyone will join us on the journey.” Band member Cherrill Green adds, “One of my favorite parts of the past few years, in addition to amazing tours and performing on the Opry stage, was getting to make and meet fans. Feeling supported and loved as you are following your dreams is one of the most amazing gifts. I can’t thank the fans enough, and we can’t wait to get back out there and see them all again.”
Blaylock said in a statement that she is “writing and building material for her new project.”

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Word Entertainment has appointed Dale Mathews as Sr. VP, Music Publishing and Church Resources. Mathews will report to Rod Riley, President and CEO, Word Entertainment, and will oversee Word’s newly combined Publishing and Print Music operations. Mathews was previously President of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing.
“Dale’s track record speaks for itself,” said Riley. “His deep understanding of how to nurture songwriters, coupled with his tireless dedication to the church, makes him the perfect leader for this new role. Giving an executive of his caliber oversight of both our publishing and print music businesses will enable us to innovate and better serve our artists, songwriters and the church. I am thrilled to have Dale join our family and look forward to all of the future success he will bring to Word.”
“To join Word Entertainment, home to one of the most iconic music publishing houses in the history of Christian Music, is a huge honor for me,” said Mathews. “I have always admired this great company, from its amazing song catalog and church music legacy, to its reputation as being the industry leader in breaking new talent. I look forward to working with all of the songwriters, artists, and managers as we shape the future of Word Music’s publishing and print music businesses together.”

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McGhee Entertainment has added rock band A Thousand Horses to their growing Nashville Roster. President Scott McGhee will oversee their day-to-day schedules in-hand with CEO Doc McGhee. McGhee Entertainment’s roster also includes Clint Black, Joel Crouse, Mallary Hope, Darius Rucker, Chuck Wicks, The Willis Clan and more.

 “We couldn’t be happier to join forces with A Thousand Horses,” says McGhee Entertainment’s Scott McGhee. “They are everything we look for when seeking out new bands – they possess a solid touring history, write and record high-quality material and have a unique sound and image that sets them apart from the mainstream rock/country scenes. These guys are young, talented and have the passion to succeed in this business…we’re excited to be able to help push them to their maximum potential.”
Below, Back Row: Jeff Krones, CAA; Jonathan Carman, Drums for A Thousand Horses; Michael Hobby, Vocals, Harmonica for A Thousand Horses; Graham Deloach, Bass for A Thousand Horses; Bill Satcher, Lead Guitar for A Thousand Horses, Brinson Strickland, McGhee Entertainment.
Below, Front Row: Steve Markland, VP of A&R Warner/Chappell Music; Scott McGhee, President McGhee Entertainment; Doc McGhee, CEO McGhee Entertainment; Frank Rand, McGhee Entertainment

Darius Rucker filmed the clip for his latest single, “Wagon Wheel,” in Nashville earlier this week. The video, directed by Jim Wright, features several guest stars, including Jase, Korie, Sadie, Si and Willie Robertson from A&E’s Duck Dynasty, along with Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum.
“My wife came up with the idea to have the Duck Dynasty (DD) guys in the “Wagon Wheel” music video, and I thought we had no chance because they’re so busy so I never even said it out loud,” explains Rucker. “Thank God she called my manager because the DD folks took this video to a whole new level! Big thanks to them and Charles… It was a good time for sure, and I can’t wait to see how the video turns out!”
 “Wagon Wheel” was written by Ketch Secur of Old Crow Medicine Show and is based on a sketch by Bob Dylan. The single is from Rucker’s upcoming third solo country album, True Believers, which will be released this Spring.

Pictured (L-R): Charles Kelley, Darius Rucker and Jase Robertson. Photo: Joanna Carter

Pictured (L-R): Willie Robertson, Darius Rucker, Jim Wright, Sadie Robertson, Korie Robertson and Si Robertson. Photo: Joanna Carter

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Brad Paisley’s first interactive book, Building A Wheelhouse, will release on April 9, simultaneously with Paisley’s album Wheelhouse. The Building A Wheelhouse interactive book, an iTunes exclusive, and the regular and deluxe versions of the Wheelhouse album are available for pre-order on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com/BradPaisley).
Building A Wheelhouse is an exploration of the recording process involved in Paisley’s 8^th studio album, Wheelhouse. Designed with Apple’s digital book creation app, iBooks Author, Building A Wheelhouse offers an in-depth Multi-Touch look at the album, from both songwriting and production perspectives, with insights from Paisley and the collaborative team behind the making of this album. Developed by Slender Fungus, based in Los Angeles, this Multi-Touch book’s unique features include exclusive interviews, video and photo galleries.

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Dolly Parton

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Sarah Darling performed her single, “Home To Me,” on Monday’s episode of Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Darling and Conan O’Brien