ACM Lifting Lives has announced that its 2024–2025 grant cycle will open for submissions on Aug. 19 and close on Sept. 20. This application window will focus on music and memory care, with support of $100,000 from Scott and Sandi Borchetta’s Music Has Value Fund.

The grant cycle continues ACM Lifting Lives’ history of music therapy programs, harnessing the healing power of music. Eligible beneficiaries will fall into one of three primary areas: qualifying organizations that provide direct memory care support to benefit the mental and emotional health of individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and cognitive decline; organizations that provide direct mental health support for people working within the country music industry; and 501c3 eligible organizations that provide music therapy programs for health-related needs.

A special segment of the 17th Annual ACM Honors on Aug. 21 will be devoted to this year’s ACM Lifting Lives grant cycle and feature a performance saluting Glen Campbell.

“Glen and his family so bravely chose to publicly share their fight with Alzheimer’s through the James Keach-produced I’ll Be Me documentary, which helped engage millions of people who face the realities of this terrible disease,” says Scott Borchetta. “This year that documentary celebrates a decade of impact. We were honored to release his final recordings on the Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated I’ll Be Me soundtrack, produced by our very own Julian Raymond. Now, this year, Big Machine is equally honored to have released Glen Campbell Duets: Ghost on the Canvas Sessions. Together with our friends at ACM Lifting Lives, we will celebrate Glen and his family’s boldness in chronicling the final stages of memory loss. What is clear through research and this incredible film is that music does make a difference. This grant will further important work focused on music and memory care.”

“We are proud to re-open submissions for our grant-making process, and support the essential work being done by organizations providing music therapy as a way of healing,” shares Lyndsay Cruz, Executive Director, ACM Lifting Lives. “I am so pleased to be partnering with Scott and Sandi Borchetta and their Music Has Value initiative to focus this cycle on music and memory care. We truly will be breaking new ground together by focusing on an issue that deserves more attention.”

For more information, click here.

The “Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act of 2024,” better known as the NO FAKES Act, was introduced to the United States Senate today (July 31) by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Thom Tillis (D-NC).

The bill sets out to protect all Americans from the AI-generated deepfakes that are currently taking social media by storm. From individuals having their likeness exploited in explicit ways to recording artists and performers made to perform works they never created or consented to, the No Fakes Act provides a new weapon in the fight to protect people’s images and voices from being faked, cloned and misused.

The legislation works to preserve the existing causes of action and right of publicity, including Tennessee’s ELVIS Act. Additionally, it contains exceptions in order to protect the public’s interest in free speech, open discourse and storytelling without overlooking the need for enforceable protection against invasive deepfakes and voice clones.

With the introduction of the NO FAKES Act to the Senate along with the Salazar-Dean No AI FRAUD Act in the House of Representatives earlier this year, there is now bipartisan and bicameral support to pass these protections into federal law.

Numerous music industry organizations have made statements supporting the legislation, including the AFM, ARA, A2IM, ASCAP, Association of American Publishers, BMAC, BMI, CAA, Fan Alliance, IMPF, MAC, Music Workers Alliance, NAVA, NITO, the National Music Council of the United States, NMPA, NSAI, OVU, Production Music Association, Professional Audiobook Narrators Association, SAG-AFTRA, SEDA, SESAC SONA, SoundExchange, UTA, WGAW, WME and more.

“The Human Artistry Campaign applauds Senators Coons, Blackburn, Klobuchar and Tillis for crafting strong legislation establishing a fundamental right putting every American in control of their own voices and faces against a new onslaught of highly realistic voice clones and deepfakes. The NO FAKES Act will help protect people, culture and art—with clear protections and exceptions for the public interest and free speech,” says Human Artistry Campaign Senior Advisor Dr. Moiya McTier. “We urge the full Senate to prioritize and pass this vital, bipartisan legislation. The abusive deepfake ecosystem online destroys more lives and generates more victims every day—Americans need these protections now.”

“The NO FAKES Act is an admirable first step in laying the groundwork to protect talent and the largest IP holders while still allowing for innovation,” says Dan Neely, Co-Founder and CEO, Vermillio. “Deepfakes are the tip of the iceberg, and talent and entertainment companies must properly protect themselves. We look forward to continuing our work with Senators Coons, Blackburn, Tillis, and Klobuchar, who understand the importance of using innovative technologies to address potential gaps that allow scammers, tech platforms, and internet opportunists to create unauthorized AI.”

“The Recording Academy thanks Senators Coons, Blackburn, Klobuchar and Tillis for their unwavering leadership in protecting artists, creators, and all individuals,” adds Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. “The NO FAKES Act is a major step forward in our fight to ensure that AI is used ethically and equitably to enhance creativity, not to exploit or replace it. This legislation will provide needed certainty and clarity to all stakeholders, and we urge the Senate to act quickly to pass it.”

“As the music community embraces pro-artist, human-first uses of AI, the NO FAKES Act represents a huge step forward for smart, effective, guardrails against irresponsible and unethical uses of these technologies,” says Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. “By returning to first principles and creating an enforceable new intellectual property right, the legislation lays the foundation for free market negotiations that will propel both innovation and safety forward in AI, not just for artists but for everyone. RIAA extends its deepest thanks to Senators Coons, Blackburn, Klobuchar, and Tillis and their teams for their persistent leadership in bringing stakeholders together to support this balanced, thoughtful, forward-looking legislation.”

A summary of the bill’s provisions is available here.

Carrie Underwood performs at her “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency.” Photo: Jeff Johnson

Carrie Underwood has added six additional shows next spring to her “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” at Resorts World Las Vegas, including March 26, 28 and 29 and April 2, 4 and 5.

The first headliner to ever take over the Resorts World Theatre stage, Underwood’s production will continue to enthrall fans from all over the world into spring 2025. A show exclusively designed for the resort’s state-of-the-art venue, the residency continues to sell out since its premiere in December 2021. Underwood recently celebrated her 50th performance at the venue in June, with over 200,000 fans estimated to have seen the show since its inception.

Tickets and a limited number of VIP packages and upgrades to these new performances will be available for purchase starting Aug. 2 at AXS.com. Tickets for all remaining 2024 performances are on sale now.

Ahead of her return to the Resorts World Theatre stage, Underwood will take the Good Morning America stage on Aug. 2 for a special performance as part of the 2024 Citi Summer Concert Series.

Star-studded finale for “Toby Keith: American Icon,” Photo: Chris Hollo for Universal Music Group

The life and legacy of Toby Keith was celebrated on Monday night (July 29) by a host of artists, celebrities, songwriters and his family and friends at a star-studded, sold-out concert event at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Filled with epic performances, personal stories and highlights from Keith’s life and career, the “Toby Keith: American Icon” event was taped live for a two-hour TV special set to air on Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. CT on NBC. It will stream the next day on Peacock.

Eric Church performs onstage for the “Toby Keith: American Icon” tribute at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group

Carrie Underwood kicked off the celebration and turned it up with “A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action,” and Eric Church kept the crowd on its feet with “As Good As I Once Was.” The night charged on with rocking Keith hits like “How Do You Like Me Now?!” performed by Brantley Gilbert and Hardy, “Who’s Your Daddy?” from Riley Green and Ella Langley and “Wish I Didn’t Know Now” from Ashley McBryde.

Other highlights included Luke Bryan playfully donning a black cowboy hat for Keith’s signature “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” and Lainey Wilson riding her Yellowstone horse “Cowboy” onstage to join Jamey Johnson for “Beer For My Horses.” Darius Rucker offered up a powerful rendition of “God Love Her,” and Priscilla Block introduced Jordan Davis and Clay Walker’s performance of “I Love This Bar.” Tyler Hubbard also led a rousing version of “Red Solo Cup” with friends Jelly Roll, Hardy, Davis, songwriters Jim and Brett Beavers and the Warren Brothers.

Keith was known for his unwavering support of our military, and the stage featured an enormous American flag and platform VIP seats for service members. Across the stage, a full bar was adorned with festive lights and all of the night’s special guests reveled in the party and camaraderie, pulling fans into a fitting celebration of the larger-than-life entertainer.

Jamey Johnson and Lainey Wilson perform onstage for the “Toby Keith: American Icon” tribute at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group

There were plenty of tender moments as well throughout the night, as Keith’s daughter Shelley Covel introduced her sister Krystal Keith for a stirring rendition of “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” Those in the arena were also the first to see never-released footage of Keith singing his buddy Joe Diffie’s “Ships That Don’t Come In.” The Honor Guard and U.S. Army Band performed “America The Beautiful,” and close friend Trace Adkins shared a heartfelt tribute before singing “American Soldier” backed by Mac McAnally and Scotty Emerick.

Keith’s heart and philanthropy were also on display as the night benefited Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral. Families from each organization were brought up to share their stories of receiving care and support when they needed it most.

To close out the night, Parker McCollum lifted his hat to Keith and stomped out a rousing version of “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” joined by nearly the entire lineup.

Special guests and speakers throughout the evening included Dolly Parton, Carrot Top, Blake Shelton, Stephen Colbert, Reba McEntire, George Strait, General Jones, Willie Nelson, Sammy Hagar, Miranda Lambert and Brett Favre.

Trace Adkins performs onstage for the “Toby Keith: American Icon” tribute at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group

Pictured (L-R): Family members Tracy Keith, Krystal Keith, Shelley Covel, Haley Covel, Stelen Covel and Tricia Covel attend “Toby Keith: American Icon” tribute at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group

Ashley McBryde performs onstage for the “Toby Keith: American Icon” tribute at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group

Darius Rucker performs onstage for the “Toby Keith: American Icon” tribute at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group

Jelly Roll performs onstage for the “Toby Keith: American Icon” tribute at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group