Pictured (L-R, back row): Lily Rose, Walker Hayes, MacKenzie Porter, Dustin Lynch, Madeline Merlo and Nate Smith; (L-R, front row): Dr. Arif Kamal (Chief Patient Officer, American Cancer Society) and Alana Springsteen. Photo: Aubrey Wise

Country artist MacKenzie Porter hosted “MacKenzie Porter + Friends Present: Country vs. Cancer,” her inaugural benefit concert as an ambassador for the American Cancer Society, at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on Monday, Nov. 20.

Porter performed fan-favorites tunes “These Days” and “Pickup,” and debuted some new music from her forthcoming full-length album as well as previously-released tracks “Bet You Break My Heart” and “Chasing Tornadoes,” which Madeline Merlo and Porter transformed into a surprise duet for the special night.

Pictured (L-R): Maggie Ryan, Dan Ryan (Founder & CEO, Ryan Aviation Group), Dr. Arif Kamal (Chief Patient Officer, American Cancer Society), Miriam Kamal and MacKenzie Porter. Photo: Aubrey Wise

“This means so much to me,” she shared from the stage. “Cancer has affected my life in so many ways and I’m sure it has every single person in this room. I’ve always wanted to be involved in something like this.”

The event raised a total of $85,000 for the American Cancer Society, including a $20,000 donation from sponsor Ryan Aviation Group.

Nate Smith, Alana Springsteen, Lily Rose, Walker Hayes and Dustin Lynch also took the stage to support Porter and the American Cancer Society. The crowd was serenaded with Smith’s “Whiskey On You,” Springsteen’s “Goodbye Looks Good On You,” Rose’s “Villain,” Hayes’ “Fancy Like” and Lynch’s “Small Town Boy.” Porter joined in for performances of Hayes’ “Halloween” and her double-Platinum, six-week No. 1 collaboration with Lynch “Thinking ‘Bout You.”

“These artists are so busy so the fact they’re here shows how much this means to all of us,” she continued. “Doing good, spreading love, and helping people is the reason we’re all here.”

The evening ended with a milestone moment as Lynch presented Porter with a career plaque in celebration of her six No. 1 songs at Canadian country radio and seven Music Canada Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum certifications.

Nate Smith performs during “MacKenzie Porter + Friends Present: Country vs. Cancer.” Photo: Aubrey Wise

Alana Springsteen performs during “MacKenzie Porter + Friends Present: Country vs. Cancer.” Photo: Aubrey Wise

Dustin Lynch surprises MacKenzie Porter with career plaque during “MacKenzie Porter + Friends Present: Country vs. Cancer.” Photo: Brayln Kelly

Pictured (L-R): SMACK’s Jeremy Groves, Lee Krabel, Andrew Beason, SMACK’s Carly Sater, Robin Palmer and Sam Sarno

Songwriter and producer Andrew Beason has signed a publishing deal with SMACKSongs.

A native of Kilgore, Texas, Beason landed in Nashville in 2014. Over the past nine years, he has honed his craft and made his mark with cuts spanning multiple genres, in addition to securing coveted television placements.

Beason scored a No. 1 on Sirius XM’s The Highway in 2022 with Spencer Crandall‘s chart-topping hit, “Made.” Additionally, his song “Luckenbach Slide” was synced in season five of Jane The Virgin. His talents extend across country, pop, rock and R&B, earning him collaborations with some of the industry’s brightest stars including cuts alongside Dave Finley, Sammy Arriaga, The Roads Below and more. 

“We’re all so excited to have Andrew join our roster here at SMACK,” says Carly Sater, SMACK Creative Coordinator. In the few years I’ve known him, his incredible work ethic, talent and positive attitude have always been undeniable. He’s just someone you want on your team. I’m so excited to see all he accomplishes and I’m just thankful to be a part of it!”

“It’s a dream come true to join the amazing roster and team at SMACK! Some of my favorite songs were written by SMACK writers, and I’m beyond excited to learn, grow and add to their legacy,” says Beason. “Carly and the whole team have made me feel at home since day one, and I can’t wait to see how far we go!”

Pictured (L-R): Priscilla Block, Lee Brice, Tracy Lawrence, Cheryl Chunn, Shawn Parr and Halfway to Hazard. Photo: Annie Loughead

Tracy Lawrence hosted his 18th annual “Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert” in Nashville last week (Nov. 21), frying up over 1,200 turkeys that were distributed throughout Middle Tennessee, providing over 10,000 meals to those in need during the Thanksgiving holiday.

The day kicked off at the Nashville Fairgrounds with over 250 volunteers. Lawrence was joined by Lee Brice, Priscilla Block and Halfway to Hazard for a packed benefit concert that night at the Wildhorse Saloon, and donated another $250,000 towards Mission:Possible’s longtime partner, the Nashville Rescue Mission. The yearly event has now provided more than 86,000 meals to the homeless across Middle Tennessee and raised over one million dollars for Nashville Rescue Mission.

“I’m very proud of what Mission:Possible has grown into over the last 18 years,” Lawrence shares. “To see hundreds of volunteers frying turkeys for hours is nothing short of incredible. I want to thank Lee, Priscilla and Halfway to Hazard for being a part of this memorable and giving event.”

The event kicked off bright and early at the Nashville Fairgrounds—the second year at the upgraded location, with Lawrence kicking off the daytime event by dropping the first turkey into the fryer. Star-studded helping hands joining Lawrence included Gary Allan, Chris Young, Jamey Johnson, Ian Munsick, Travis Denning, Phil Vassar, Spencer Crandall, Frank Ray, David Lee Murphy, Trey Lewis, Kasey Tyndall, Noah Thompson and the evening’s performers. The charity function brought in dozens of industry members and the greater Nashville community to lend a hand in the massive undertaking.

Jelly Roll performs. Photo: Keith Griner

iHeartMedia Nashville’s The BIG 98 hosted its Friendsgiving celebration at the Grand Ole Opry House on Monday night (Nov. 20) benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Jelly Roll, Chris Janson, Riley Green and Anne Wilson were headliners for the benefit, and comedian John Crist opened the show with a surprise performance. Rapper Nelly also performed, and brought the audience to their feet to sing along with his hits. The evening centered around the importance of the St. Jude mission with St. Jude cancer survivor Addie Pratt, who also took the stage to share her story and shine a light on the important cause.

The BIG 98’s Friendsgiving kicked off Thanksgiving week, serving as a night of inspiration and music for St. Jude, which is currently holding their annual This Shirt Saves Lives Campaign, encouraging the public to become a supporter of the hospital and its patients alongside the biggest celebrities and artists in country and beyond. The BIG 98 plans to further support St. Jude with their two-day annual St. Jude event on Dec. 7-8.

Sonos Radio HD has partnered with the Country Music Association to launch a new subscription-only channel, A Very Special Country Christmas.

Launched Friday (Nov. 24), the channel features over 500 songs along with exclusive stories behind holiday hits from some of today’s most beloved country artists. This addition complements Sonos’ Country Christmas channel, available to all customers.

Spotlight artists on A Very Special Country Christmas include Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Chrissy Metz, Chris Janson, Elvie Shane, HunterGirl, Ingrid Andress, Jon Pardi, Lady A, Madeline Edwards, Morgan Evans, Shy Carter, Tenille Arts, Zach Williams and more. Along with the channel launch, Sonos Radio will promote the ABC airing of CMA Country Christmas—premiering on Dec. 14—as well as subsequent streaming on Hulu and Disney+ across multiple stations.