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

Riley Green has been named the 2023 Artist Advocate for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville’s Music Row Build (MRB).

Green will perform at the Grand Ole Opry on Nov. 21 in a special show benefiting Habitat’s Music Row Build. The Opry will be donating $5 a ticket that night to support MRB initiatives to advocate, educate and build affordable homes for hardworking families. Tickets to the Opry show can be purchased at Opry.com.

Before Green pursued a career in country, he framed houses with his dad. Green participated in the Habitat build site at Village by the Creek in north Nashville recently, helping this year’s Habitat homeowner Michelle Steele build her Habitat home. Green and Steele installed siding and insulation at the build site and Green’s parents, aunt and uncle drove up from Alabama to join the workday.

Future Habitat homeowner Steele, who works as a solution center consultant at a local bank and has a three-year-old daughter, will be the first in her family to become a homeowner. She is taking 100 hours of homeownership classes and working 70 hours on the build site to earn the opportunity for a Habitat 0% APR interest mortgage.

The Music Row Build began in 2003 and ended in 2012. It was reignited in 2020, and thanks to a generous donation by longtime Music Row Veteran Ree Guyer, a fund has been established to continue the work of MRB with a goal of raising $500,000. MRB Chair Penny Gattis has held numerous events throughout the year to add to the fund, which is now over $200,000.

“Having a home is something that is universal and that we can all get behind,” says Gattis. “When we lay our heads down at night, we want to know our family is safe and that we have a place to call home. In addition, the skyrocketing home and rent prices make it difficult for hospitality workers, musicians, teachers – working Nashvillians — to live where they work. More needs to be done.”

Rock The South

Eric Church, Hardy and Jelly Roll are set to headline the Pepsi Rock the South 2024 Festival next summer, July 18-20, in Cullman, Alabama.

Other artists performing throughout the three-day festival include Oliver Anthony, Parker McCollum, Warren Zeiders, Big & Rich Ft. Gretchen Wilson, Priscilla Block and many more.

“Crafting the lineup for Pepsi Rock the South 2024 has been an incredible journey. We’ve listened to our fans and aimed for the stars,” says Shane Quick, Partner of Pepsi Rock the South. “This year, we’ve brought together an amazing lineup of artists that truly reflects what our fans want to ensure they have an unforgettable three days. We have so many great things in store for Rock the South 2024.”

Organizers have increased the festival site by over 45%, invested in massive infrastructure improvements for campers and added ways to beat the heat with the Honky Tonk Hideaway, a large-scale, air-conditioned Nashville Broadway Experience featuring an acoustic stage, line-dancing lessons and more. Tickets go on sale Nov. 3 with pre-sale registration beginning today (Oct. 30). The pre-sale starts Nov. 1, and pre-sale registration, tickets and additional information is available at rockthesouth.com.

Pepsi Rock the South was founded in 2012 to celebrate the spirit of people helping people and continues to support charities in local Alabama communities. To date, the event has raised more than $1,000,000 for area charities including the Bethsadia Volunteer Fire Dept, Brook’s Place, Cullman Agriplex, Cullman Caring for Kids, Cullman County Imagination Library, Cullman VFW, Curt’s Closet, Good Samaritan Clinic, Les Dames, Restoring Women Outreach, Sisters United Recovery and The Link of Cullman County.

Pepsi Rock The South Lineup*:
Eric Church
Hardy
Jelly Roll
Parker McCollum
Oliver Anthony
Warren Zeiders
Nelly
Big & Rich Ft. Gretchen Wilson
Priscilla Block
Flatland Cavalry
Nate Smith
Wyatt Flores
Treaty Oak Revival
Kidd G
Gavin Adcock
Alana Springsteen
Dee Jay Silver

*lineup subject to change

Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has launched its Futuri Digital Pioneer Scholarship Program. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who’s shown exceptional promise in advancing the digital future of radio.

Funding for the program is provided by Futuri, whose content, audience and revenue technology is used by thousands of broadcasters across the globe.

The recipient will be honored during CRS 2024, which is set for Feb. 28-March 1, and will receive an exclusive package comprising of complimentary registration, hotel accommodations and airfare to attend the event. They will also enjoy year-long access to TopicPulse, Futuri’s AI-driven show prep system.

The Futuri Digital Pioneer Scholarship program joins the ranks of CRB’s other scholarship initiatives, such as the Lisa McKay and Rusty Walker Scholarship Programs. Since the nonprofit organization’s inception in 1969, CRB has embraced the philosophy of “Growth Through Sharing,” with a mission to provide a platform for education and a climate for growth. The Futuri Digital Pioneer Scholarship represents the latest chapter in this legacy of nurturing talent and fostering success within the industry.

“CRB has a long history of nurturing and encouraging ambitious, young industry professionals through our various scholarship programs,” says RJ Curtis, CRB Executive Director. “This new partnership with Fururi continues that mission, recognizes our evolving business by rewarding advancement of radio’s digital future, while further supporting CRB’s ‘Growth Through Sharing’ credo.”

Applications must be submitted by Nov. 10. To apply, click here.

Pictured (L-R, back row): Mitch Oglesby, Will Bundy, Rhett Akins, Kat Luna, Parker Welling, Conner Smith, Chris Tompkins, Braxton Keith, Heath Warren, Ben Vaughn (WCM), Dan Rogers (Grand Ole Opry); (L-R, front row): Kayce Russell (WCM), Lily Balkcom, Powell Balkcom, Ellie Balkcom, Christina Wiltshire (WCM), KK Johnson. Photo: Courtesy of WCM

Warner Chappell Music recently held its second annual songwriting camp at the Grand Ole Opry House, bringing together top and rising writers and artists to collaborate at the true home of country music.

Artists participating in the camp included Conner Smith (Big Machine), The Castellows (Warner Records/Warner Music Nashville), Track45’s KK Johnson (BMG), Kat Luna (Sony Records) and Braxton Keith (Warner Music Nashville), among others.

“The Grand Ole Opry House has, of course, hosted some of the world’s most legendary country music stars,” says Dan Rogers, VP and Executive Producer of Grand Ole Opry. “We were honored to open our doors to the second round of Warner Chappell songwriters, some of whom have already played the Opry stage several times, and many of whom I’m sure will play the stage in the future or hear their hits emanating over the Opry airwaves.”

“There’s no better place to serve as inspiration for the next country hit than at the historic Opry House, and we’re thrilled to have hosted our songwriting camp there a second time,” says Ben Vaughn, President and CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “We hope to continue this tradition with Dan and his team for many more years to come!”

Last year, WCM hosted its first three-day songwriting camp at the Grand Ole Opry House during their “Opry Loves The 90s” limited experience, which included an interactive ’90s tour exhibition and special in-show Opry programming, among others. Renowned WCM writers in attendance included Jessi Alexander, Liz Rose, Randy Montana, Rhett Akins, Tony Lane and David Lee Murphy.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is collaborating with Allegiant Airlines in support of the company’s Allways Rewards Visa card and loyalty program.

As part of the new collaboration, Underwood will appear in a series of commercials that highlight her small-town roots, staying connected with the people, places and experiences that matter most while illustrating how the Allways Rewards Visa card helps cardholders “Live their best Nonstop Life.”

Allegiant will officially kick off Underwood’s partnership through a national advertising campaign, and the first national spot aired during last night’s Thursday Night Football game on Amazon Prime between the Buffalo Bills and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She will also be featured in digital media and ads across various platforms and channels for the airlines.

“I really responded to Allegiant’s mission to make travel accessible and affordable for people who may not live near a big city airport, helping them to live their own best ‘nonstop’ lives,” says Underwood. “I also appreciate the company’s history of giving back, which is important to me in everything I do.”

Underwood and Allegiant also share a partnership with Make-A-Wish, the national nonprofit that grants wishes for kids. Since 2012, Allegiant has been helping Make-A-Wish grant wishes for kids across the country by providing them with airfare to their wish destinations. Underwood has been involved with the organization for more than 15 years, granting wishes since the beginning of her career. She most recently donated $1 from each ticket sold for her ongoing “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” to Make-A-Wish.

“Carrie Underwood and Allegiant have a shared story and values that are rooted in small towns and the impact that affordable, accessible air travel has in connecting people with the friends, family and places that matter most,” says Scott DeAngelo, Allegiant’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We believe Carrie’s universal appeal and embodiment of living what we refer to as ‘the nonstop life’ will introduce a new profile of customers and Allways Rewards Visa cardholders to Allegiant’s brand of all nonstop, convenient, ultra-low-cost travel. We’re thrilled to collaborate with her and elevate the Allegiant experience for new and existing customers alike.”