Luke Bryan, Hardy & Old Dominion To Headline Watershed Festival 2024

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Luke Bryan, Hardy and Old Dominion are set to headline this year’s Watershed Festival and take the Gorge Amphitheatre stage in George, Washington Aug. 2-4.

The Main Stage will feature performances from Maddie & Tae, The Cadillac Three, Terri Clark, Ashland Craft, Riley Green, Brian Kelley, Pecos & The Rooftops, Dee Jay Silver, Josh Ross, Dylan Scott, Cole Swindell, Zach Top and Koe Wetzel.

Now in its 12th year, the festival continues to showcase exciting new acts on the Next From Nashville Stage. “Shedders” will get a glimpse of up-and-comers such as Kassi Ashton, Graham Barham, Sadie Bass, Annie Bosko, Aidan Canfield, Jade Eagleson, Mae Estes, Zandi Holup, Greylan James, Meg McRee, Madeline Merlo, Meghan Patrick, Matt Schuster, Austin Williams and Jake Worthington.

Ticket will go on sale next Friday, Jan. 26. For more information, click here.

Louisiana Cajun Music Legend Jo-El Sonnier Dies Following Show

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Jo-El Sonnier

Cajun country artist Jo-El Sonnier passed away on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the age of 77.

He died following a heart attack after a performance in Llano, Texas. Texas promoter Tracy Pitcox posted the news on his Facebook account on Sunday (Jan. 14). Sonnier had reportedly ended his show with a performance of his hit ‘Tear Stained Letter,’ receiving a standing ovation.

With a career that spanned decades, Sonnier demonstrated a talent for music early on. Born in Rayne, Louisiana to French-speaking sharecroppers, he learned to play the accordion at three, was on the radio by six and recorded his first songs at 11. He released several independent singles and albums as a teenager, and later signed with Mercury Records Nashville in the 1970s. Upon signing with RCA Records in the 1980s, he released hits like “No More One More Time” and “Tear Stained Letter.”

He later recorded for Capitol Records and Rounder Records and briefly explored acting, even making an appearance in the HBO series True Detective. Sonnier’s albums Cajun Pride and Cajun Blood received Grammy nominations, and he won a Grammy for best regional roots album for The Legacy in 2015. He was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009.

Details regarding services have not yet been announced.

Deluge Music Launches Two New Labels

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Pictured (L-R): Johnny Gates, Austin Luther, Brad Austin, David Robkin and Sam Grow

Deluge Music has launched two new record labels, East Music Row Records and Deluge Records Nashville.

East Music Row Records emerged from the minds of Deluge Music Founder David Robkin and singer-songwriters and producers Johnny Gates and Austin Luther with a goal of blending the hip, innovative sides of Nashville’s new indie rock and alternative-country music with the musicianship, professionalism and ingenuity of Music Row classists. East Music Row has already signed its first artist Felicity, an Australian alternative-pop creator based in Music City.

Under the umbrella of his “By Artists, For Artists” collective, Robkin has continued to grow Deluge Music since the company’s inception in 2015. His team includes artists, writers and producers such as Gates, Luther and Sam Grow as well as radio veteran Brad Austin.

Deluge Records Nashville is modeled in the tradition of the legendary FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals or the spirit of places like Sun Records in Memphis and Motown in Detroit. A single from country-pop artist Alexandria Corn marked the label’s first release. The next will be a song by country artist Blake Wood, set for early February. Both artists are produced by Grow.

Blake Shelton To Host First Oklahoma ‘All For The Hall’ Benefit Concert

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Blake Shelton will host a special “All For The Hall” benefit concert at the BOK Center in Tulsa on March 30, featuring an all-star Oklahoma lineup of Ronnie Dunn, Kristin Chenoweth, Wade Hayes, The Swon Brothers and more.

More performers will be announced soon for the concert, which benefits the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and its education programs. This will mark the first “All For The Hall” show in Oklahoma.

“I can’t think of a better place than Oklahoma for the next ‘All For The Hall’ show,” says Shelton. “Oklahoma and country music are synonymous, and members of the Country Music Hall of Fame include some of our most iconic stars, from Ronnie Dunn to Garth [Brooks], Reba [McEntire] and Vince Gill, to name a few. I’m thrilled to be hosting this show in my home state!”

“It speaks volumes when an artist of Blake Shelton’s stature supports our museum’s educational programs so wholeheartedly and so generously,” says Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “We’re immensely grateful not only to Blake but also to Ronnie, Kristin, Wade, The Swon Brothers and others for giving their ‘All For The Hall,’ and for helping us continue to educate our many audiences about the enduring cultural value of country music.”

Tickets for the event will go on sale Jan. 26. All proceeds from the show will go to the nonprofit museum’s education initiatives, which directly served more than 230,000 people through in-person and virtual programs in 2023. For more information, click here.

CAA Elevates Jenna Powell

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Jenna Powell. Photo: Molly Peach

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has promoted several employees across its offices and departments, including Jenna Powell in Nashville. She has been elevated to Executive in Corporate Communications.

After graduating from Pepperdine University with a degree in Public Relations, Powell joined CAA in 2018 as an Assistant to Chief Communications Officer Michael Mand. She was named Coordinator in 2019, before being promoted to Communications Manager in 2020.

In her new role, Powell will continue to focus on building out communications initiatives and media relations for CAA’s Music Touring, Digital Media, Theatre and Gaming divisions.

Additional promotions include Sebastian Brogan, Olivia Brooks, Kaitlin Gascoyne, Ross Lee and Jeff Lynds.

CMT To Honor Alabama With ‘CMT Giants’ Special

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Alabama’s Jeff Cook, Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry. Photo: Rick Diamond

CMT will honor legendary country group Alabama with CMT Giants: Alabama, a two-hour special later this year. The special will be filmed at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.

The special serves as a celebration of the group’s success over their career. Blake Shelton, Steve Wariner, Brad Paisley, Jamey Johnson, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Riley Green and Sam Hunt are all set to perform some of the group’s most iconic songs during the tribute event. Evander Holyfield, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, Martina McBride, Vince Gill and more are scheduled to share personal stories about their time with the group and how they have impacted music forever. Additionally, Alabama themselves will have an exclusive sit-down interview to reflect on their legendary career.

Alabama has made an impact on country singers for generations. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, the band has sold over 80 million albums and have had 43 No. 1 hits. After co-founding member Jeff Cook passed away in 2022, the band continues to tour per Cook’s wishes and encouragement.

CMT Giants: Alabama is Executive Produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Taillight’s Tom Forrest. Executives in Charge of Production are Jackie Barba and Heather D. Graffagnino. CMT’s Leslie Fram is the Executive in Charge of Talent. The Talent Producers are Suzanne Bender and Donna Duncan. 

Broadway Musical ‘Shucked’ To Become Feature Film

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Ashley D. Kelley & Grey Henson. Photo: Emilio Madrid

As the curtain closed on the comedic musical Shucked’s last Broadway performance on Jan. 14, Producer Mike Bosner announced that the play will become a feature film. “We don’t have to say goodbye just yet. Because I’m happy to announce that we will be making a feature film of Shucked‘” said Bosner during the final curtain call.

According to Variety, Mandalay Pictures will be spearheading the production. Executive Producers of the film are set to be Robert Horn, Jack O’Brien, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. Horn will also be writing the screenplay adaptation. The producers for the film will be Jason Michael Berman, Jordan Moldo and Alan Fox. No casting plans have been announced yet.

Shucked, which ran at the Nederlander Theatre from April 4, 2023 through Jan. 14, 2024, is a musical about tearing down walls and preserving our way through life. The musical had already previously announced plans to embark on tour starting in the fall, with stops in North America, London and Australia.

The cast is also currently up for a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album at next month’s Grammy Awards. Alex Newell also has nabbed a Tony for Featured Male Performer In A Musical.

Blake Shelton’s Ole Red Las Vegas Location Now Open

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Ole Red Las Vegas Main Floor. Photo: Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Ole Red Las Vegas

The Las Vegas location of Blake Shelton‘s bar, restaurant and music venue Ole Red is now open for business.

Ole Red Las Vegas Rooftop. Photo: Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Ole Red Las Vegas

Located in front of Caesars Entertainment’s Horseshoe Las Vegas, the four-story entertainment venue is now the largest among six Ole Red locations at 27,000 square feet and 686 seats, with a 4,500 square foot rooftop.

Ole Red Las Vegas features three interior bars, a rooftop bar, two stages, a 16-feet-wide by 37-feet-high LED video wall, a retail area and a VIP experience with event space for groups. Its menu consists of signature items including the Redneck Nachos and the Blue Tick Burger as well as over 15 new dishes exclusive to location, such as the Blackberry Crispy Chicken Sliders, Hillbilly Bone St. Louis Ribs and Ole Red Ribeye, along with a variety specialty cocktails, beer and wine.

The venue aims to showcase live music with high-quality acoustics and lighting to provide concert-like music experiences seven days a week. The debut lineup for opening week will spotlight Nashville country acts in addition to local bands and DJs. For more information, click here.

Ole Red Las Vegas Patio. Photo: Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Ole Red Las Vegas

Ole Red Las Vegas Third Floor. Photo: Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Ole Red Las Vegas

CRS 2024 Schedule Details Unveiled

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Schedule details have been unveiled for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024, taking place Feb. 28-March 1 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Additional details regarding the Digital Music Summit on Feb. 28 will be announced at a later date.

Wednesday, Feb. 28
8-8:50 a.m.: “Y’all Means All: Diversity Breakfast”
9-11:50 a.m.: Digital Music Summit Programming (More info to be announced)
11:45 a.m.-12 p.m.: Pre-Lunch Sponsor Performance featuring Joey Green, Sponsored by Texas Music Takeover
12-1:50 p.m.: Lunch & Performance Sponsored by Warner Music Nashville
2-4 p.m.: Digital Music Summit Programming (More info to be announced)
4-5 p.m.: Programming Networking Happy Hour
6-8:30 p.m.: “Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat”
8:30 p.m.-???: Paddle Royale Ping Pong Extravaganza

Thursday, Feb. 29
8:30-9:20 a.m.: “AI Interactive Town Hall” with Mike McVay, Zena Burns, Buzz Knight and Fred Jacobs
9:30-10:30 a.m.: CRS Research Presentation, “…But They Have A Great Personality: On Air Talent And Their Role On All Platforms,” Presented by SmithGeiger
10:30-11:30 a.m.: “The Artist Interview: A Conversation Between Trisha Yearwood & Lainey Wilson”
11:30 a.m.-1:50 p.m.: “Team UMG at the Ryman” Luncheon
2:30-3 p.m.: “Here I Grow Again On My Own: Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone”
2:30-3 p.m.: “Personal Branding: It’s Not Ego, It’s Branding!”
3:05-3:55 p.m.: CRS Honors
4-4:50 p.m.: “Passing The Torch: Why Mentors Matter”
7-9:30 p.m.: Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley
9:30-11:30 p.m.: The BBR Music Group Decades Party: Hits of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s & Beyond
10 p.m.-???: CRS After Hours

Friday, March 1
7:30-8:45 a.m.: Women’s Networking Breakfast, Sponsored by Nuvoodoo Media
8-8:45 a.m.: “Your Remote Sucks: Let’s Fix It!”
8:50-9:40 a.m.: “Grand Theft Promo: The Best Bits To Steal”
8:50-9:40 a.m.: “On Air Personalities: The OG Influencers”
8:50-9:40 a.m.: “Diversi”tea”: Spilling The Data On Inclusive Programming”
10-11 a.m.: Mental Health Session
11:10-11:40 a.m.: “AI: Work Smarter, Not Harder”
11:10-11:40 a.m.: “One Man Band: Tools For Today’s Programmer”
11:10-11:40 a.m.: “Howdy Partners: The Potential Of Great Partnerships”
11:45 a.m.-12 p.m.: Pre-Lunch Performance by Billie Jo Jones, Sponsored by Get Joe Records
12-1:50 p.m.: Lunch & Performance Sponsored by Big Machine Label Group (BMLG)
2-2:50 p.m.: “Unapologetically Unemployed”
2-2:50 p.m.: “AI Chat GBT: The Good, The Bad, The Truth”
2-2:50 p.m.: Cycle Of A Song: Megan Moroney & “Tennessee Orange”
3-3:50 p.m.: “Leadership, Strategy, and Optimizing Country’s Surge In 2024,” Sponsored by CMA
5:15-6:45 p.m.: New Faces Cocktail Reception, Co-Sponsored by Futuri Media
6:30-10 p.m.: New Faces Of Country Music Show
10 p.m.-???: CRS After Hours

For more information, click here.

Kenny Chesney Shares Album Title, Cover Of Upcoming New Project

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Kenny Chesney has revealed the title of his upcoming new album due out in March: Born. The leadoff track from the new project, “Take Her Home,” is already rising up the country charts.

“As for the title, well, we’re still not quite done deciding what’s going on here, but one thing’s for sure: Born is absolutely the title track,” says Chesney. “It’s got a lot of heart, a lot of soul – and it speaks the truth about living, life and what we’re all doing here. Banjo out front, a great big pocket that rocks back and forth, it feels great. But more importantly, it’s a lyric that throws out all the options, never tells you what to do and throws out the one existential truth no matter what you choose: ‘one thing’s for certain, we’ve all been living since the day we were born.’”

Chesney has been hard at work putting the finishing touches on the project, adding songs and distilling it down to just the right mix before taking it to his No Shoes Nation of fans.

“I’m just trying to find songs that continue the story of who we are…how we live, breathe, work, rock, kick back and sometimes get tangled up in feelings that are anything but simple. Normally, we wait until it’s all figured out, the T’s are crossed, the I’s are dotted. But everything about this record’s been different – from how much time we’ve spent, the different ways we recorded and wrote and found songs – so why not let the fans know as we’re finishing up? We make this music for them, so, here you go. It’s official: Born, March 29.  Now to the final line-up, and maybe getting a couple more out there.”