Jamey Johnson speaking during Jacksonville State University’s 2023 graduation ceremony. Photo: Courtesy of Jacksonville State University

Jamey Johnson was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Jacksonville State University (JSU), and also served as the commencement speaker during Friday (Dec. 15)’s graduation ceremony at Pete Mathews Coliseum.

Johnson is also launching a new annual music series at JSU to allow students to learn from successful recording artists and songwriters through performances, workshops and lectures. Additionally, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey proclaimed that Dec. 15 would henceforth be known as Jamey Johnson Day throughout the state, which he was born and raised.

“In my family, we have a rule about relationships: we only choose the ones that choose us back,” said Johnson. “Jacksonville State University and I chose each other 30 years ago and we still stand together today. I am proud to receive this honorary doctorate and I look forward to working with the faculty and students to raise money for scholarships and support local musicians and songwriters in their quests for success in the field of music. And I couldn’t be prouder of our Gamecocks for their recent win in New Orleans.”

On Thursday night (Dec. 14), Johnson took the stage at JSU’s Stone Center to help raise money for scholarships and the Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts. He was joined by fellow JSU alumni Owen, Riley Green and Gordon Mote during the show, which was hosted by JSU alum Bill “Bubba” Bussey of The Rick & Bubba Show.

Johnson enrolled at the university in 1993 and studied music education. He received a full scholarship to play the French horn and mellophone in the Marching Southerners, and left JSU to join the Marines, where he served for eight years. He then moved to Nashville to launch his career in country music.

The week was a big week for the entertainer, who also performed at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday (Dec. 16), and on Sunday (Dec. 17) sang “Georgia On My Mind” during the star-studded CBS primetime special Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration.

Photo: Courtesy of Paramount+

After receiving widespread critical acclaim following its debut at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, Willie Nelson & Family will now premiere as a four-part documentary series exclusively on Paramount+ on Thursday, Dec. 21.

Presented by MTV Entertainment Studios, in association with 101 Studios, Blackbird Presents Films and Sight Unseen, the series explores Nelson’s seven-decade career and underscores both his personal and professional highs and lows. At turns spiritual, dramatic and playful, the film spotlights the beloved music icon who has carved his rightful place among the greatest singer-songwriter and guitar players of all time, while speaking volumes through his lyrics and melodies, philanthropy, marijuana advocacy and activism on behalf of the American farmer.

Willie Nelson & Family was directed by award-winning filmmakers Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman. They also served as executive producers alongside award-winning storyteller Taylor Sheridan. The series blends their unique styles to build an intimate and cinematic memoir of the Red Headed Stranger, told in Nelson’s own voice. Filmed throughout the country, it traces back through time to weave perspectives from the artist’s actual and figurative families, including his children, sister Bobbie Nelson, fellow musicians, lifelong friends, producers, lawyers, booking agent, tour manager, driver, several Willie-ologists, concertgoers and anyone who shaped or was shaped by Nelson.

“It’s been an honor of a lifetime to live in Willie World and travel this long road with the great man and his family. Willie is the last of the consensus artists in America, bringing together people from across every divide: age, class, race, orientation, political affiliation and more. And so this series, like Willie’s music, is about healing. Let there be more of it. Let it be as deeply felt as Willie Nelson. We couldn’t be more grateful,” shares Zimny and Moverman.

“Willie’s music formed the soundtrack of my youth. His songwriting helped shape me as a storyteller,” says Sheridan. “Willie is a national treasure and his story will serve as inspiration for all those seeking their own path that leads away from the clouds of compromise. Willie has opened his life to us—warts and all—to serve as a beacon to overcoming failure, realizing dreams and keeping your compass once the dream is achieved.”

Keith Wortman, Mark Rothbaum, Julia Lebedev, Eddie Vaisman, Annie D’Angelo-Nelson, Leonid Lebedev, Mark Ankner and Sean Stuart also executive produced Willie Nelson & Family along with 101 Studios executive producers David C. Glasser, David Hutkin, Ron Burkle and Bob Yari.

Rothbaum, Nelson’s longtime manager, developed the project Wortman, Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Blackbird Presents.

“Telling Willie’s story has been a lifelong dream of ours, and we feel privileged to partner with Paramount+, Taylor Sheridan, David Glasser and their teams in bringing his story to the world,” state Wortman and Rothbaum.

Pictured (L-R): CMA’s Milly Olykan, Luke Combs and CMA’s Sarah Trahern. Photo: Josh Brasted/CMA

The Country Music Association honored superstar Luke Combs with the 2023 CMA International Artist Achievement Award, and country artist Kaylee Bell with the 2023 CMA Jeff Walker Global Artist Award.

Combs was surprised with the recognition backstage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena following his CMA Awards rehearsal by Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development.

The CMA International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a United States-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant creative growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of America during the eligibility period.

Combs has sold out and performed over 40 shows across three continents and 16 countries over the course of a year. Throughout his tour, the 2023 CMA Single of the Year winner celebrated the release of his new album, Gettin’ Old, the companion to his 2022 record, Growin’ Up. Both albums and his tour stops have received critical acclaim, and have showcased country music’s strength and growth outside of the states. Combs continues his historic run at country radio, as he recently earned his record-extending 16th consecutive No. 1 single with his version of Tracy Chapman’s award-winning classic “Fast Car,” amassing more than 750 million global streams to date.

Tyler Hubbard & Kaylee Bell. Photo: Acacia Evans/CMA

Bell was presented with the 2023 CMA Jeff Walker Global Artist Award by country hitmaker Tyler Hubbard. Hubbard surprised Bell with the award during her CMA Awards red carpet interview with the Australian-based Nine Network breakfast show, Today.

The CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award recognizes outstanding achievements by a country music artist who is originally based internationally and currently signed outside of the United States. The artist must have furthered the popularity of country music as well as brought attention to the country music format in their territory during the eligibility period.

Bell has made waves within country music’s Australian market with her radio success, international tours and major growth in streaming. In May 2023, she made history when her The Red EP received Australian ARIA Gold certification, as she was the first independent female country artist to ever achieve the milestone. In 2022, Bell was the most-streamed country artist based in Australia. She has toured internationally playing C2C Australia, C2C London, CMA Fest and CMC Rocks. Bell has also performed all around New Zealand, Australia and the U.S. as both a headlining act and supporting act for the likes of The Chicks, Morgan Evans, Brad Paisley and Ed Sheeran.

“I’m so stoked that I get to play country music,” said Bell during her interview with Nine Network’s Today. “I love New Zealand, I love Australia and I love that I get to play around those countries and now here in Nashville. I just moved to town, and this is a pretty wild way to just move to town and get one of these. This is amazing.”

The CMA International Awards honor industry executives and artists who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of country music in the international marketplace. Nominees are recognized in six categories acknowledging their dedication and efforts in growing opportunities for country music in their local territories. Winners in the four remaining categories will be presented their awards in the coming months.