Hardy Receives Plaque For First Rock Radio No. 1 ‘Jack’

The Big Loud Records and Big Loud Rock teams surprised Hardy backstage at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California this past weekend with a No. 1 plaque for his first rock radio hit “Jack.”

The genre blender will continue his travels this fall, as he plans to kick off “The Mockingbird & The Crow Fall Tour” in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 31.

JD Souther Featured In CMHOF’s Poets & Prophets Interview Series

Singer-songwriter and producer JD Souther was featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Poets and Prophets interview series this past weekend. The series spotlights songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music.

Souther formed the duo Longbranch/Pennywhistle with Glenn Frey and released a self-titled album in 1969. The Grammy-nominated Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee has written hits for Brooks & Dunn, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Trisha Yearwood and more.

He recorded and performed with Richie Furay and Chris Hillman as the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, and has released several solo albums over the last 20 years, including his most recent project, Tenderness (2015). Souther has sinced reissued expanded editions of past solo albums John David Souther (1972), Black Rose (1976), Home By Dawn (1984) and his project with Frey, Longbranch/Pennywhistle (1969).

The program—which included vintage photos, audio and film clips—was filmed and will premiere at a later date as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Live at the Hall digital program series, which is available to stream on the museum’s website.

Nancy Jones Presents Huntsville Police Department With Fundraising Check

Nancy Jones, widow of the late George Jones, presented a fundraising check in partnership with Concerts 4 A Cause, The Wounded Blue and the Von Braun Center (VBC) to the Huntsville Police Department on Wednesday (July 19) to benefit the family of Officer Garrett Crumby following his death and Officer Albert Morin, who was critically injured in a shooting on March 28.

When Jones became aware of the shooting, she immediately wanted to use the high-profile tribute concert, “Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones,” to raise money in support of both officers and their families.

Guitars autographed by Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Wynonna Judd, Dierks Bentley, The Oak Ridge Boys, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Jelly Roll and more were sold during the fundraiser. Additionally, a pair of front-row tickets to the concert were auctioned off with support from 93.3 Nash Icon.

“I am beyond thankful for the friendships I have with so many artists who agreed to sign guitars to help raise this money,” said Jones. “Everyone did their part and we did the right thing here. I hope this money will help these families not have to worry about some of the day-to-day bills that put a burden on you when you are dealing with health and tragic situations.”

Police Chief Kirk Giles accepted the fundraiser proceeds of more than $80,000 on behalf of Officer Morin and Officer Crumby’s families.

“The outpouring of love from our community was overwhelming following the death of Officer Garrett Crumby and the critical wounding of Officer Albert Morin,” said Chief Giles. “Thank you to Nancy Jones, the artists, these organizations and everyone who donated to support Officer Crumby’s family and Officer Morin following this tragic shooting.”

The inaugural Sac Song & Wine Series will continue to bring more of Nashville’s hit songwriters to Miner’s Leap Winery in Clarksburg, California to share the stories behind some of country music’s biggest songs.

The Sac Song & Wine Series takes place on one Wednesday night each month through October. The next event is Aug. 16 with hitmakers Eric Paslay and Trent Tomilson. The Sept. 13 event features Charles Esten (ABC series Nashville, Netflix Series Outer Banks, newly released single “In A Bar Somewhere) and Jon Nite (“I Hope” by Gabby Barrett, “Lady” by Brett Young, “Break Up in the End” by Cole Swindell and “Living” by Dierks Bentley). The series will conclude on Oct. 4 with Nicolle Galyon  (“Thought You Should Know” by Morgan Wallen, “Tequila” by Dan & Shay, “All The Pretty Girls” by Kenny Chesney and “We Were Us” by Keith Urban) and Rodney Clawson (“I Saw God Today” by George Strait, “Lucky” by Megan Moroney, “Crash My Party” by Luke Bryan and “American Kids” by Kenny Chesney).

Each event features a live DJ set by Louis Giovanni, line dancing lessons, food trucks and pourings by Miner’s Leap.

Following the launch on May 17 with two successful shows that featured songwriters Lee Thomas Miller, Wendell Mobley, Tim Nichols and D. Vincent Williams, the Sac Song & Wine Series has become a sought-after ticket in the area. Created by Randi Moody, the series brings together her expertises in music and food and wine events to her community while spotlighting songwriters who have written the soundtrack to her and her family’s life.

For more information, click here.

Niko Moon has announced his “Better With You Tour,” which is set to kick off this fall. Jordan Harvey will support on all dates.

Named after Moon’s latest release “Better With You,” the trek will visit more than a dozen cities across the country, including Cleveland, Louisville, Detroit, Dallas, Charlotte and more through Nov. 10. Ticket presales begin tomorrow (July 25), with general sales starting this Friday (July 28).

A songwriter with a proven track record, Moon has written six No. 1s for artists including Zac Brown Band and Dierks Bentley. His new track “Heaven Has A Bar” reunites him with friend and collaborator Zac Brown. He has currently racked up more than 870 million on-demand career streams thus far and earned triple-Platinum status for his No. 1 debut single, “Good Time.”