Elizabeth Cook will release her Gospel Plow EP on Tuesday, June 12, and is hitting the road this summer to support the release.

Cook was inspired to record Gospel Plow after participating in the California-based Strawberry Music Festival’s Sunday morning gospel show in 2011 and being moved by the music. The resulting collection features six of Cook’s favorite Southern gospel songs and a cover of Velvet Underground’s “Jesus.”

On Wednesday, June 13, Cook will perform on The Late Show With David Letterman. She previously appeared on the show as a sit-down guest. Additionally, she and her band (featuring her husband Tim Carroll on guitar and Bones Hillman of Midnight Oil on bass) will be on tour throughout summer. Full dates here.

Catch Cook’s “Apron Strings” on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country Mon. – Fri., 9 am – 1 pm CT

The International Country Music Conference was held May 24- 26 at Belmont University. Co-chairs Don Cusic and James Akenson hosted academic sessions covering the Carter Family, Homer and Jethro, Johnny Cash, Charlie Pool and a special panel about Chet Atkins at RCA Studio B.

Nathan Gibson received the Belmont Book Award for the Best Book on Country Music in 2011. He authored The Starday Story: The House That Country Music Built.

The Charlie Lamb Journalism Awards were also presented at the conference, sponsored by Gary and Peggy Walker. Ronnie Stoneman presented the Contemporary Award for country music journalism to Alanna Nash.

 

 

Gaylord Entertainment Co. today (5/31) announced that it has agreed to sell the Gaylord Hotels brand and the rights to manage its four hotels to Marriott International for $210 million in cash.

Gaylord will continue to own and operate the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and other attractions. According to a press release, no changes are anticipated at these iconic assets and Gaylord is committed to maintaining the legacy of these historic attractions.

Following consummation of the sale, Gaylord will continue to own its hotel properties and other businesses and will reorganize and elect to be treated as a real estate investment trust (REIT) effective January 1, 2013.

Gaylord Hotels will join the Marriott portfolio of brands. Terms of the management agreement call for Marriott to manage the resort and convention centers in the Nashville, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Orlando and Washington, D.C. areas under the Gaylord Hotels flag. Marriott will receive a management contract with an initial 35 year term, 2% base management fee, and an incentive fee linked to improvement in hotel profitability.

Colin V. Reed, Gaylord Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “The REIT structure allows us to benefit from a more efficient tax structure, and establish a platform to grow our distinct asset base through organic growth of our existing portfolio and, in time, through strategic acquisitions. Moreover, we believe that by working with Marriott International, our shareholders will benefit from significant property efficiencies and corporate overhead reductions, as well as revenue synergies which include Marriott’s ability to attract and market to large group customers.”

 

Toby Keith’s 9th Annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic raised $664,000 last weekend, outperforming the 2011 total ($650,000) and bringing the OK Kids Korral one step closer to reality.

The event kicked off in Oklahoma City with a groundbreaking for the facility, which will offer a place of respite to those seeking treatment at OU Medical Center Children’s Hospital and other nearby facilities.

“In my job, you get to go to a lot of places and see a lot of things, but there’s not much in my world that’s more gratifying or important than helping these families,” Keith says. “Turning dirt on this project is a big moment for me and a lot of other people who’ve been a part of making it happen.”

• • •

Tim McGraw spent Memorial Day performing for a packed house of service members at New York City’s Beacon Theatre. In partnership with Chase and the United Service Organizations (USO), the show was streamed live via YouTube and to military bases around the world on The Pentagon Channel.

“These men and women go out and put their lives on the line to protect the simple freedoms we enjoy every day,” said McGraw. “Playing for them last night was a thrill for me, and it was just small gesture of appreciation. I hope there will be a lot more of these types of shows as we get deeper into our HomeFront program. The energy in The Beacon was electric last night…it was the perfect way to spend Memorial Day.”

McGraw recently launched a nationwide program called HomeFront in partnership with Chase and Operation Homefront to award mortgage-free homes to wounded warriors and service members in need at each summer concert date.

 

Phil Vassar will headline an event sponsored by Dreamwest Magazine to celebrate the Paris, France based consumer publication’s online expansion into the United States. The Experience Music & Fashion event will be at the Hard Rock Café on June 6 from 2:45 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Clothing by famed designer Manuel will be on display. Other artists on the lineup include The McClymonts, The Roys, Flynnville Train, Richie Owens, Pete Kennedy, Travelin’ Rose, Iodine, Stetson & Cia, Monroeville, Steve & Heather, Terri Lisa Church, Karla Perretta, Jason Ashley, Taylor Heard, Lizzy Long, Craig Morrison, Georgette Jones, Steven Salyers and David Church.

Donations and a silent auction will benefit the I’ll Fly Away Foundation which supports music education.

Dreamwest will also host smaller events at Pucketts Restaurant on June 4 and June 11, from 6 – 10 p.m.