Nashville’s venerable book publisher Thomas Nelson will be acquired by HarperCollins Publishers, the companies announced yesterday (10/31). The amount of the transaction was not revealed, and the deal is expected to close by the end of the calendar year.

Thomas Nelson is one of the country’s leading inspirational publishers. Among its offerings is the current No. 1 bestseller Heaven Is For Real, and the books of many popular authors, such as Billy Graham, Max Lucado, and Dave Ramsey.

“We are excited to be joining HarperCollins Publishers,” said Mark Schoenwald, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson. “We believe this transaction represents an attractive strategic fit for our company. With HarperCollins’ resources and capabilities to draw on, we will capitalize on the many opportunities in this rapidly changing world of publishing.”

Eddie Stubbs and Trace Adkins on set. photo: Chris Hollo

New television show, Reflections From The Circle, premieres on RDF-TV Sunday, Nov. 6. The series will give an exclusive look into the personal lives of country artists Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Kellie Pickler and Josh Turner. In their individual episodes, each artist will reflect on their careers through interviews on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry with TV and WSM radio personality Eddie Stubbs.

The famous Opry House circle holds personal significance for all the artists appearing on the show. Turner was officially welcomed to the Opry family there by Gill, who says he’ll always remember singing “When I Call Your Name” while Roy Acuff looked on just a foot away. Meanwhile, Adkins took the opportunity during his Opry debut to propose to his wife and, years later, announced from the circle that he and his wife were expecting a baby. Bentley celebrated his official Opry induction inside the circle with his beloved dog, Jake. And Daniels invited one of his favorite acts, Montgomery Gentry, to join the Opry family while they stood on the circle of wood. Following last year’s Nashville flood, Daniels later returned with the duo to sing “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” on the Opry House’s re-opening night.

Reflections From The Circle is scheduled to air Sundays at 7:00 PM/EST. The show’s first season schedule is as follows:

Sunday, Nov. 6 – Vince Gill
Sunday, Nov. 13 – Trace Adkins
Sunday, Nov. 20 – Dierks Bentley
Sunday, Nov. 27 – Josh Turner
Sunday, Dec.  4 – Kellie Pickler
Sunday, Dec.  18 – Charlie Daniels

Songwriter Natalie Hemby, with several Miranda Lambert cuts to her credit, has signed with EMI Music Publishing Nashville.

Hemby’s writing credits include the Lambert hits “White Liar,” and current single “Baggage Claim.” She’s also a co-writer of “Timing Is Everything,” recorded by Trace Adkins. Other artists who have recorded her work include Lee Ann Womack, Eli Young Band, Carrie Underwood, Amy Grant, and Randy Montana.

Hemby was previously signed to Carnival Music.

During The 45th Annual CMA Awards, reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley and former CMA Entertainers of the Year Vince Gill and Keith Urban will pay tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member and former CMA Entertainer of the Year Glen Campbell. Show organizers expect the salutatory performance to be a highlight of Country Music’s Biggest Night.

Campbell was named both CMA Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year in 1968, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. As a musician, Campbell was part of the Wrecking Crew, who performed on a variety of artists’ albums. His guitar prowess is featured on the Beach Boys’ seminal album Pet Sounds and on Frank Sinatra’s megahit “Strangers in the Night,” among others. He acted alongside John Wayne in the movie True Grit and hosted The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on television from 1968-1972. Earlier this year, Campbell announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He is in the midst of his successful Goodbye Tour after releasing his final album, Ghost on the Canvas.

The 45th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wed., Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young and Zac Brown Band. Plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter will sing their hit collaboration “You and Tequila;” Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield will sing their current duet “Easy;” Lionel Richie will perform a medley of hits with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker; and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood will have their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song “Remind Me.”