Amy Grant & Vince Gill. Photo: Robby Klein

Vince Gill and Amy Grant, who have captured our hearts for the last 13 holiday seasons with their “Christmas at the Ryman” residency, are bringing their magic to a new album. When I Think Of Christmas will be released on Sept. 13 via MCA Nashville.

The album contains remastered versions of nine of the duo’s holiday favorites, plus two new recordings. Included are Grant’s “Tennessee Christmas” and “Breath of Heaven,” which was originally recorded on her Home for Christmas ranked in Billboard’s Top 25 greatest holiday albums of all time, as well as Gill’s “O Holy Night” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The two new recordings are Grant’s version of the album’s title track and “Til the Season Comes Round Again,” a duet from the couple.

“Christmas music is a portal to wonder and awe, to nostalgia and ‘remember when,’ to hope and how-we-wish-it-could-be,” says Grant. “And because we return to the same playlists year after year, those songs have become the backdrop for our collective memories of gathering, of family, of gift giving, of celebration and solitude. I’ve recorded a lot of Christmas music over the years, and I’m excited to add two new songs to this collection, especially the song Vince and I close our Christmas concerts with, ‘‘Til The Season Comes Round Again.’ I hope these new songs find a place on playlists, whether it’s during the holiday season or all year ‘round.”

Gill adds to his wife’s reflections, “There’s nothing in the world that I love more than watching my girl shine, and she might shine the brightest when she does Christmas music. We have shared stages together for over 30 years, and I’ve loved every note of it. I hope everyone enjoys this collection of songs and hearing Amy shine.”

Grant and Gill will return for their 14th annual “Christmas at the Ryman” residency beginning Nov. 29 and running through Dec. 21. The full list of dates are below and tickets are available now at Ryman.com.

When I Think Of Christmas Track list:
Side A
1. When I Think Of Christmas – Amy Grant (NEW)
2. The Christmas Song – Vince Gill
3. Winter Wonderland – Amy Grant
4. I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Vince Gill
5. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – Amy Grant
6. Do You Hear What I Hear – Vince Gill

Side B
7. Tennessee Christmas – Amy Grant
8. O Come All Ye Faithful – Vince Gill
9. Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song) – Amy Grant
10. O Holy Night – Vince Gill
11. ‘Til The Season Comes Round Again – Amy Grant & Vince Gill (NEW)

2024 “Christmas at the Ryman” Dates:
Nov. 29 at 7:30 PM
Nov. 30 at 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Dec. 1 at 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Dec. 15 at 7:30 PM
Dec. 17 at 7:30 PM
Dec. 18 at 7:30 PM
Dec. 20 at 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Dec. 21 at 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM

The performers have been announced for the 23rd annual Americana Honors & Awards, taking place on Sept. 18 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

This year’s lineup includes Blind Boys of Alabama, Brandy Clark with SistaStrings, Charles Wesley Godwin, Dave Alvin, Dwight Yoakam, Fantastic Negrito, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Jobi Riccio, Kaitlin Butts, Larkin Poe, The Milk Carton Kids, Noah Kahan, Sarah Jarosz, Shelby Lynne, Sierra Ferrell, Turnpike Troubadours, The War And Treaty, Waxahatchee with MJ Lenderman and Wyatt Flores.

In addition to the six member-voted awards, the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented during the evening to  Lynne, Blind Boys of Alabama, Alvin, Yoakam, Don Was and Rev. Gary Davis.

The ceremony is the hallmark event of AmericanaFest, which is set for Sept. 17–21. The awards will also be filmed for broadcast on PBS in November.

Tyler Halverson & Cameron Sacky

Tyler Halverson and Cameron Sacky Band have joined the artist roster at Bruce Kalmick’s management firm WHY&HOW. The company’s Patrick Farr will oversee all things Halverson, and Allie Petko and Eddie Kloesel will handle the Cameron Sacky Band.

“As WHY&HOW has continued to grow over the last year, we are proud of the incredible artists we’ve added to the roster. Tyler and Cameron embody so much of what we look for in an act; a unique sound, work ethic and excitement to partner with us on a new approach to the business,” says Kalmick. “WHY&HOW is a family, and we are thrilled to welcome Tyler and Cameron into ours. We are cooking up some exciting things with them, and look forward to what’s next!”

Halverson, who cites such artists as Garth Brooks, George Strait, Taking Back Sunday and The Used as influences, has made an impact with his self-described “western amerijuana music.” He began making his own melodies at a young age and has turned heads with independent releases “Beer Garden Baby,” “Mac Miller” and “Your Bar Now,” going on to amass millions of streams.

Hailing from San Marcos, Texas, the Cameron Sacky Band’s self-titled 2021 debut EP has collected tens of millions of streams and helped propel the band to notoriety. Represented by The Neal Agency for booking, they recently played at the inaugural Cattle Country Music Festival, co-founded by Kalmick, as well as a sold-out show at the lauded Gruene Hall in their home state. The group is set to release their first full-length album, Quicksand, later this year.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville’s 2023 Music Row Build with Riley Green as Artist Advocate

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville’s Music Row Build (MRB) will host a “Homes for Hope” dinner at Mangia in Berry Hill on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. to support this year’s build, which is slated for Oct. 12 in the Village by the Creek community.

Individual tickets are available for $250, along with various table packages. For more information, click here.

“We have more exciting news forthcoming about this year’s anchor sponsor, a potential Opry show and so much more. The need for affordable housing in Nashville is critical, and the Mangia night will be fun and raise money for a great cause,” says Penny Gattis, MRB Chair. “The music community was instrumental in helping Habitat in its early days, and we remain committed to finding a way for more working Nashvillians to live where they work.”

Additionally, “A Band Of Brothers And Friends” benefit show was held at The Vinyl Lounge in Nashville earlier this month to help raise money for this year’s build. The MRB aims to establish a fund that contributes annually to a future Habitat homeowner as well as broader initiatives and goals, such as building an entire neighborhood that provides affordable housing to those who work in the music industry.

“The uncertainty and cost of housing deeply affects musicians and those who work in the music industry, who are not only the face but also the brand of Nashville,” Gattis adds.