After 37 years, Country Fest is rebranding to Hoofbeat. Established in 1987, the festival is the nation’s largest party in a hayfield and aims to bring fans from across the country together to experience unforgettable performances and make camping memories.

The rebrand is a nod to its Wisconsin roots, with a fresh perspective for the future. With festival ownership and crew remaining the same, this change seeks to usher in a new era by blending the festival’s history with exciting future prospects.

“We’ve grown beyond our humble beginnings,” says Wade Asher, Festival Promoter. “It’s time for a name that fits like a pair of well-worn boots a new anthem as we rage against the ordinary.”

Along with the rebranding announcement, Hoofbeat has revealed that Lainey Wilson is set to perform at the 2025 event, which is scheduled for June 26–28. Tickets will go on sale when the full lineup is announced in the fall.

TuneIn and Garth Brooks‘ The BIG 615 have teamed up with Tractor Supply Co. to host a radiothon on July 3–4 benefitting Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and first responders.

The radiothon will kick off on Wednesday (July 3) at 12:01 a.m. CT on The BIG 615 on TuneIn and run until 11:59 p.m. CT on Thursday (July 4). During the event, radio personality Storme Warren will play country music hits and share stories about how Folds of Honor and Tractor Supply Co. are making a positive difference in the lives of military and first responder families across the nation. A donation to the nonprofit will be made for each listener.

“It’s a huge honor to work with like-minded partners to give back to the families of our military servicemen and women and first responders who have sacrificed so much for our country,” says Rich Stern, TuneIn CEO. “Storme and The BIG 615 team have set up a tremendous lineup of interviews and guests that bring light to Folds of Honor’s impact on numerous families. We are proud to provide the platform to showcase this content and raise money for a meaningful cause.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Garth Brooks, The BIG 615, Tractor Supply Co. and TuneIn,” says Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, Folds of Honor Founder & CEO. “This unique and life-changing activation allows us to reach a large and patriotic audience. Every listener who tunes in is helping us honor the sacrifices of America heroes and educate their legacy.”

For more information, click here.

Pictured (L-R): Shane Quick, Nathan Baugh and Bradley Jordan

Peachtree Entertainment, a global concert promoter based in Nashville, and its founder Bradley Jordan have joined forces with industry executives Nathan Baugh and Shane Quick. Peachtree Entertainment, originally founded by Jordan in 2013, is now a collaboration with Baugh, Quick and promotion and production company  LiveCo.

Recognized for helping to launch the touring careers of Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, Gavin Adcock and many more, Peachtree Entertainment promotes artists, properties and events including Alan Jackson, Rock The Country, Gavin Adcock, Rock The South and Bulls, Bands and Barrels.

“I founded Peachtree Entertainment out of a passion for collaborating with artists from the grassroots level, aiding in the growth of their live touring endeavors,” explains Jordan. “It’s truly gratifying to elevate this venture to the next stage with people who value artists the same way I do.”

Of the three, Baugh will serve as CEO, leading all day-to-day operations. Quick will maintain relationships and cultivate the future of the company and Jordan will focus on forming new relationships and discovering new talent.

“Peachtree has built an incredible reputation for being an artist-first company. We are excited to continue to align with incredible artists and agencies to help provide creative touring and soft-ticket solutions to grow their career,” says Baugh.

“Working full-time alongside my best friends is a dream come true,” adds Quick. “We’ve always been able to partner together but to wake up every day and go to work building things together is an exciting time.”

“Collaborating with Nathan, Shane, Bradley and the entire Peachtree team furthers LiveCo’s commitment to providing the best possible experiences for fans, artists, and entertainers,” shares Chuck Steedman, LiveCo President and CEO. “They are among the most innovative, visionary, and talented leaders in the live entertainment space and we are thrilled to further and deepen our relationship.”

Alex Hall and campers receiving standing ovation after Grand Ole Opry performance. Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives/Terry Wyatt

ACM Lifting Lives recently hosted its 15th Annual Music Camp with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, a week-long residential program for musically-talented individuals with Williams Syndrome.

ACM Lifting Lives funds the costs of the camp, in addition to providing scholarships to several campers, enabling the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to advance its mission of improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through research, training and service. 30 campers with Williams Syndrome from across the U.S. participated in a full slate of personalized activities.

Tiera Kennedy visiting with campers at Ocean Way Studio during the recording of “Find the Sunshine.” Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives/Terry Wyatt

The camp serves a dual purpose of studying the rare genetic condition, while also providing music enrichment through performance and education. Throughout the week, campers went behind-the-scenes in the country music community and took part in exclusive opportunities with some of Nashville’s most established musicians and rising talent, including Ross Copperman, Dasha, Jordan Davis, Russell Dickerson, Ernest, Alex Hall, Caylee Hammack, Tiera Kennedy, Post Malone, Conner Smith and more.

This year, campers began the week by co-writing a song called “Find the Sunshine” with Copperman, Dickerson and J.T. Harding. They then recorded the new tune with the help of Kennedy, Copperman and Harding at Ocean Way Nashville before wrapping their week by performing it live on the Grand Ole Opry stage alongside Alex Hall and earning a standing ovation from the crowd.

Davis joined the campers at Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where they stepped into the role of radio DJ, asking Davis curated questions that were broadcast throughout the hospital. Smith played songs and held a casual Q&A with campers at The Bluebird Cafe, and Hammack united with them for a night of karaoke at Loser’s Bar & Grill, where they were joined by surprise guests Post Malone and Ernest.

“Hosting this camp is truly the highlight of the year for everyone involved, including the campers and those volunteering and doing the research,” says Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director, and Taylor Wolf, ACM Lifting Lives Sr. Manager & Music Camp Lead. “This camp allows our partners at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to conduct important research on Williams Syndrome, all while providing campers with an experience they’ll never forget. The artists, songwriters and venues in Nashville who donate their time to this amazing summer camp are the ones who make this research and fulfilling experience for campers possible, and we thank them for their positive energy and excitement.