The Oak Ridge Boys are building fan connections through a unique package coming to the Opryland Hotel this fall. The Inaugural Oak Ridge Boys Rally will take place at Gaylord Opryland Resort October 23-25. Guests will spend two nights at the acclaimed resort, enjoy a concert, and attend a Q&A dessert reception with the band. The two-night reserved package, priced at $249, also includes tickets to the Grand Ole Opry with an appearance by the Oak Ridge Boys, a limited edition commemorative poster, and more.

A VIP package upgrade is available for an additional $40, including a meet-and-greet with the Oak Ridge Boys prior to the Opry and an Oak Ridge Boys special gift item.

The Oaks have been adding cover songs into their set, which the younger fans love. “When we throw new songs at the audience, it’s fun to watch their reaction,” says Richard Sterban. “The cool thing is they’re loving it. We don’t give it any introduction; we just go straight into each song. We did [The White Stripes’] “Seven Nation Army” in Minnesota recently and got a standing ovation. The younger kids in the audience were freaking out.”

Thompson onstage with KATC PD Jim West.

Columbia Nashville artist Josh Thompson released his debut single, “Beer On The Table,” yesterday (8/4) via digital outlets. He has been on a radio tour and recently wrapped up a week in the southwest with a visit to Colorado Springs. During the stop, Thompson made a surprise appearance on stage with KATC PD Jim West’s band Latigo. The impact of the new song was obvious when the crowd went wild during his performance of “Beer On The Table.”

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Katie Armiger has teamed up with CiCi’s Pizza for their Ultimate Pizza Party Blowout at 650 restaurants nationwide on Sat., Aug. 8. The anticipated 650,000 diners will receive a coupon book with over $100 in savings from major retailers and a discount to download her album Believe (Cold River Records). She has released her latest single, “Gone,” to radio. The ballad is one of the first songs that Katie wrote both lyrically and musically on her own, and has been winning her fans on the road during her first national tour on the Simon dTour – Country Music Tour sponsored by Great American Country, Simon Property Group, Inc., and F.Y.E.

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Show Dog Nashville sister trio Carter’s Chord performed the national anthem this past Saturday, Aug. 1 at Atlanta’s Turner Field as the Atlanta Braves host the Los Angeles Dodgers. The game was nationally-televised on FOX. Becky, Emily and Joanna Robertson released their debut album last year on Show Dog and have recently been in the studio working on new material with producer, label proprietor and superstar Toby Keith.

(L-R): Carter’s Chord’s Emily, Becky and Joanna Robertson

Luke Bryan is set to release his sophomore Capitol Records Nashville album, Doin’ My Thing, on Oct. 6. The follow-up to his No. 2 debut, I’ll Stay Me, that produced the hit singles “All My Friends Say” and “Country Man,” is being driven by Bryan’s current ballad “Do I” which is steadily climbing the country charts. It is at No. 23 this week on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart.

“I can’t wait for my fans to hear my new record,” says Bryan. “I have wrapped 3 years of touring, hard work and most importantly meeting fans and I think all of that growth is reflected on this album. Doin’ My Thing will make my die hard fans very happy and hopefully will reach out and grab some new fans. I am very proud of the music on this album and can’t wait to get it out there!”

The Georgia native had a career making 2008 with two major award nominations including the CMT Breakthrough Video of the Year nomination and his first nomination from the Academy of Country Music for “Best New Male Artist.”

Bryan, an avid hunter and fisherman, is also serving as the 2009 honorary chairman for National Hunting and Fishing Day taking place Sept. 26—a week before his album release. It is an annual celebration to remind the public that hunters and anglers often lead wildlife and outdoor conservation efforts. Hunting and fishing licenses, plus special taxes on related equipment generate more than $1.75 billion per year for the cause.