Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Ronnie Milsap’s 80th Birthday
Pictured: Trace Adkins, Ronnie Milsap, Mark Willis andn Little Big Town (Photo: Mark Mosrie)
The Grand Ole Opry celebrated the 80th birthday of legendary member Ronnie Milsap with a special “Ronnie Milsap & Friends” performance on Saturday night. Milsap was inducted into the Opry family on February 6, 1976.
Milsaps’ celebration featured peformances from the legend himself plus Trace Adkins, Mandy Barnett, Little Big Town, Don Schlitz, Jeannie Seely, and Mark Wills. The Show ended with a performance of “Honky Tonk Women” led by Milsap with Adkins, Little Big Town and Wills joining.
Portions of the show will air as a Saturday night Opry Live later this year on the Opry’s television broadcast home, Circle Nework, Circle All ACcess Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Elle King Surprises Beloved High School Teacher in Tulsa
Pictured: Elle King, Cathy Welker-Graham (Choteau High School teacher), Emma Hughes (Choteau Senior Student) (Photo: Corey Bost)
When Elle King received a letter form Chouteau High School senior student, Emma Hughes, praising her teacher, Cathy Welker-Graham, King decided to pay a visit before her Tulsa show last Friday (March 24).
King and her guitarist surprised the student, teacher, and entire student body when she arrived to perform “America’s Sweetheart” and dedicate it to Welker-Graham.
“I didn’t always have the greatest experience in school,” laughed King. “But every few schools I would find a teacher who believed in me, and it gave me confidence and they told me that I could do something great with my life even if I was different. So I think that great teachers should be celebrated. It was important to me that we show this deserving teacher some well-earned gratitude.”
Chouteau High School Principal Clint Hall, who helped to coordinate the surprise said, “As educators, this is why we do what we do. We are here to make positive impacts on our students. It took a lot for me to keep a lid on this. Mrs. Welker-Graham is a rockstar teacher and Emma is a great kid! It could not have come together for two better people. This was priceless! Tears of joy from a lot of people today!”
King went on to record a new song at Tulsa’s legendary Church Studio before her show at Cain’s Ballroom. She performed hits from her new album, Come Get Your Wife, including “Tulsa,” for a sold out audience and special guests Hughes, Welker-Graham, and Hall.
CMA Hosts ‘MemberSIPS’ Focused On The Power of Women and Connection
Women in the music industry gather for a MemberSIPS event focused on “The Power of Women and Connection”
CMA members gathered at CMA’s Nashville headquarters for a ‘MemberSIPS’ event featuring women across the music industry to discuss the power of connection and mentorship last Thursday (March 23).
Moderated by coach and consultant, Jorja White, participants were invited to bring a female colleague that they were impressed with or have mentored. CMA members in attendance, including 2023 CMA Membership Committee Chair Karen Fairchild, then broke into small groups to further network, share stories and provide their contact information so that each attendee left with at least one new connection. The women also had the opportunity to have a complimentary professional headshot taken while at the event.
CMA created MemberSIPS to cater to its members’ professional development needs—offering thematic presentations, discussions and gatherings, and providing members a networking opportunity while enjoying a beverage with one another. CMA members can look forward to the next MemberSIPS on Wednesday, April 12.
Stars Support 16th Annual Jeffrey Steele Benefit Concert
Pictured: Jeffrey Steel & Friends (Photo: Anthony Scarlati)
The 16th Annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends fundraising concert supporting The Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund raised nearly $200,000 last Friday (MArch 24). All proceeds go t0 continuing the mission aiding overlooked and at-risk youth in the memory of Steele’s son, Alex LeVasseur, who passed away in 2007.
Country radio personality Storme Warren and Casey LeVasseur hosted the evening. The concert opened with a surprise performance by Gary LeVox (Rascal Flatts). Other surprise guests included Shay Mooney (Dan + Shay) country rapper Jelly Roll, and performers Ben Burgess, Steve Dorff, Preston James, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, LOCASH, Lit, Silence X Noise, Bridgette Tatum and The Warren Brothers
“Your generosity over the last 16 years has helped us to not only build a legacy for Alex, but to really make a difference in the lives of our youth in Middle Tennessee and beyond,” says the LeVasseur family. “We have raised more than $1.6 million to help nonprofits in our area who are championing our youth and the kids of our community and in other neighborhoods and communities across the country, to share Alex’s love and light to those who need it most.”
The LeVasseur family announced at the benefit concert that a $200,000 grant to the Brentwood Family YMCA is supporting the building of the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Skatepark.
The Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund has been able to build partnerships and lend support to many youth-focused organizations. Through the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Grant, they have supported the building of 12 skateparks in underserved communities across the country. With The Beat of Life, a scholarship giving vulnerable youth access to music education, instrument lessons, and more has been established in Alex’s name.
BMI Presents At The Bluebird Cafe Highlights Local Nashville Songwriters
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Shannon Sanders, Tyler Cain, Meghan Linsey, Channing Wilson, and Bluebird Café’s Erika Wollam Nichols (Photo: Heather Freeland)
BMI continued its monthly songwriter showcase at the Bluebird Cafe on March 21 with Channing Wilson, Meghan Linsey, and Tyler Cain.
Linsey, runner-up from Season 8 of NBC’s The Voice, sang her songs “Over the Moon,” “You Ruined That Song,” and “Say It To My Face.” Since her time on The Voice, she’s toured internationally and worked with Chingy and Aloe Blacc.
Nashville songwriter Wilson has cuts with Luke Combs, Travis Tritt, Oak Ridge Boys and more. He performed songs from his latest album, Dead Man, including “A Little More Like Him,” “Good Morning Hot Coffee,” and “Sunday Morning Blues.”
Producer, songwriter, and artist Cain sang “The Dreamer,” “Forever and Always,” and “Suitcase Heart.” His previous collaborations include Darius Rucker, Big & Rich, Ruston Kelly, and Ashley Moore.
The next showcase, again hosted by BMI’s Shannon Sanders, is April 25 with a lineup to be announced in the coming weeks.
Bailey Zimmerman Breaks His Own Record With ‘Rock And A Hard Place’
/by Lorie HollabaughBailey Zimmerman. Photo: Spidey Smith
Bailey Zimmerman‘s meteoric rise continues with his latest chart-topper, the Platinum “Rock And A Hard Place,” which reached the No. 1 spot in less than 15 weeks at radio.
The track is not only the No. 1 song this week on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, but raced to the top even faster than his first multi-Platinum smash, “Fall In Love.” Zimmerman’s three-month and three-week span between these first two chart-toppers is the quickest for any act’s first two hits in nearly 25 years, according to Billboard.
Named one of New York Times’ Best Songs of 2022, “Rock And A Hard Place” also marks Zimmerman’s first Top 10 hit on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart. The track hits the top 10 in its 41st week on the Hot 100 – rewriting the record for the longest climb to the top 10 for a song by a soloist in the chart’s history. It continues its reign as one of the top 4 most-streamed country songs in the U.S., and totals more than 550 million global streams to date.
Zimmerman’s new album, Religiously. The Album., is due out May 12 via Warner Music Nashville/Elektra. He is up for two awards at the upcoming CMT Music Awards, for Male Video of the Year and Breakthrough Male Video of the Year, and is currently out on the road now supporting Morgan Wallen‘s 50+ date “One Night At A Time World Tour.”
Dolly Parton & Garth Brooks To Host 58th ACM Awards
/by LB CantrellThe Academy of Country Music, Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions have announced that Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks will host the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards. The awards ceremony will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ territories on Prime Video from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, May 11 at 8 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. CDT/5 p.m. PDT.
The 58th ACM Awards will mark the first time Brooks will host an awards show, coming ahead of his Las Vegas residency and off the heels of his world tour. It’s the second consecutive year that the show will be hosted by Parton.
“I am thrilled to return to host the ACM Awards, this time with my friend Garth,” shares Parton. “While I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with him throughout the years, I can’t believe we’ve never had the chance to work together. In addition to getting to see all this great new talent in country music, I am excited to have the chance to premiere the lead single from my upcoming rock album on the show!”
“Anyone with Dolly Parton makes a fantastic couple,” says Brooks.
“The ACM Awards is the world’s biggest and most groundbreaking country music awards show and the only one to stream live across the globe thanks to our partners at Prime Video, so there is no host pairing more appropriate than music’s most iconic global superstars, Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks,” says Academy of Country Music CEO and ACM Awards executive producer Damon Whiteside. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring this legendary pair together for the first time ever as ‘Country Music’s Party of the Year’ heads to the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. From exclusive superstar performances to unexpected collaborations to the industry’s most exciting emerging talent, fans are in for an unforgettable night that can only be seen on the ACM Awards stage!”
The 58th Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions, with Raj Kapoor, Barry Adelman, and Fonda Anita serving as executive producers and Whiteside serving as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.
A limited number of tickets for the 58th ACM Awards are still available for purchase on SeatGeek. Nominees, performers, and presenters for this year’s show will be announced in the coming weeks.
Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey Injured In ATV Crash, Band Reschedules Shows
/by Caela GriffinMatthew Ramsey (center) surrounded by fellow Old Dominion members. Photo: Mason Allen
Old Dominion‘s frontman Matthew Ramsey suffered a pelvis fracture from an ATV accident, leading the band to reschedule three of their upcoming tour dates.
Ramsey shared the news Tuesday (March 28) via Old Dominion’s social media explaining that his pelvis is “fractured in at least three places” and will require at home recovery.
“The good news is it’s gonna heal just fine. The bad news is I’m gonna have to stay home and recover for a little while,” the social media statement from Ramsey reads.
According to the Old Dominion’s social media post, the shows scheduled for Key West this weekend (March 31 – April 2) have been rescheduled to March 22 – 24, 2024. The venue will honor all tickets and grant admission to next year’s show.
“I know we all had plans to sing and dance together in Key West. I was looking forward to that so much!” Ramsey writes. “We will make it up to you! I promise we’ll keep you updated on my recovery and any other shows that might be affected. This tour has been such a blast so far this year and before you know it I’ll be back out there with No Bad Vibes!”
Sheree Spoltore Celebrates 10 Years Of Global Songwriters Connection [Interview]
/by LB CantrellSheree Spoltore
Sheree Spoltore was raised by music in her home state of Arkansas. Her parents, Jackie and Johnny Young, were touring singers, songwriters and musicians who opened for the likes of Eddy Arnold and Ray Price when they came through their region.
Spoltore’s dad even operated a studio in the Muscle Shoals area at one time, so it was no coincidence that she took up the lifestyle of music as well. After cutting her teeth by singing in church, she went on to tour Europe, perform at Carnegie Hall and even play a presidential inauguration. She also began her songwriting journey while growing up in Arkansas.
Spoltore came to Nashville in 1995 to be part of the music industry. She says, “When you come here, it’s like breathing for the first time. Merle Kilgore, who became my mentor, gave me my first job listening to all the back catalog [at his company.]”
Thus began Spoltore’s habit to hustle. She earned a publishing deal, waited tables at the Nashville Palace and even managed to pitch songs, all while raising three kids. Her talent and charisma brought her multiple opportunities to work on the business side of things as well.
“I was really fortunate to get a world view of the music industry,” Spoltore says. “As a creative director, I got to serve the gifts and talents of legendary writer Chris Gantry, who’s known as a Music Row rogue but is an incredibly talented man.
“Then I worked for Barbara Orbison for several years and she was really good to me. Her world was a very big world and she opened up every door that she had to me,” she adds. “From there I was fortunate enough to work at NSAI for seven years. I really appreciate the opportunity that Bart Herbison gave me there to serve songwriters.”
While at NSAI, Spoltore saw a need that she felt she could help fill in the songwriter community that came through the doors.
“What I noticed was that I was able to create real success for people through one-on-one mentoring,” Spoltore says. “I like to figure out how I can maximize and amplify what makes songwriters unique and what makes them different. I get to dig for treasure. I’m a treasure hunter.”
Thus, in 2013, Spoltore opened Global Songwriters Connection to help connect songwriters to publishers and resources needed to have a successful career. The company provides mentoring, connections, song evaluations and an individualized plan to each of its members.
“I have been fortunate to facilitate over 200 publishing deals, whether it be as a connector or a facilitator,” Spoltore says. “That is done by opening up a door, making someone aware of a songwriter and putting together a plan of action that really positions that person to succeed. That is my passion.
“The motto of my company is to encourage, equip and empower creators to be making a living and a difference with their gifts and talents.”
Spoltore brings her decades of experience to her role as President of GSC. She taps into her experience as a hustling songwriter when mentoring and creating introductions for creators.
“When I opened up GSC, it was with a desire to be able to offer online services direct to market. My goal was less about [getting songwriters’] publishing deals, but more about how can I teach them to make a living. Just because you don’t get a publishing deal or a label deal, doesn’t mean you’re not supposed to be making a living with your gifts and talents.”
Spoltore’s husband Lou Spoltore of the entertainment company Live On Stage, has provided help with booking songwriters to play gigs, which has allowed them to continue to fund their dreams of being a Music Row hitmaker.
Spoltore will celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary during a mixer at the CMA Event Center on Thursday (March 30) from 5 to 7 p.m. The catered celebration sponsored by Chater Songs and ASCAP is open for public to come and go as they make their way to Tin Pan South.
GSC will also be giving out awards at the mixer, presenting the Lorna Flowers Community Encourager Awards to Warner Chappell’s Christina Wiltshire and posthumously to John Cirillo.
Spoltore sums, “It’s our way of saying thank you to the community and my industry friends for their wonderful support. We’d love to see everyone there and say hello.”
Black River’s Doug Johnson Hospitalized After Suffering Cardiac Arrest
/by LB CantrellDoug Johnson
Black River’s VP of A&R, Doug Johnson, was taken to the Vanderbilt Hospital emergency room this morning (March 28) after suffering cardiac arrest at home.
According to Black River, doctors determined upon first examinations that Johnson’s heart is strong and he did not experience a heart attack. Due to Johnson needing compressions and being resuscitated with an AED, he is currently in the ICU in a medically-induced coma allowing his body time to rest.
The label asks that the music community pray for Johnson, specifically that he stays fever-free and that there is no swelling. Doctors are expecting to wake him 48-72 hours from now.
Well wishes to Johnson, his wife Lisa and their children can be sent to RSVP@blackriverent.com. Any gifts can be taken to the Black River office at 12 Music Circle South, Nashville, TN 37203.
More updates regarding Johnson will be published as they come out.
Bobby Karl Works The Room: Regions Bank Hosts Tin Pan South Kickoff
/by Bobby KarlTin Pan South kick off party. Photo: Courtesy of NSAI
Chapter 667
The annual kick-off party for the massive Tin Pan South festival gathered dozens of tunesmiths and their pals at the Music Row Roundabout branch of Regions Bank.
Sherrill Blackmon, Steve Bogard, Martha Moore, Michael Jay, Dale Dodson, Brandon Will, Erika Wollam Nichols, Rory Bourke, Chase Chapman, Porter Howell, Bart Herbison, Sam Hollander, Randi Perkins, Michelle Goble, Preshus Harris, Bev Moser, Victoria Mainhardt and Ashley Evans were among the early arrivals at the soiree. Hostess-with-mostest Lisa Harless greeted one and all in the balloon-festooned bank lobby.
Tin Pan South kick off party. Photo: Courtesy of NSAI
The festival’s opening party is usually packed shoulder to shoulder. This year, it was not. Several attendees mentioned that their bodies were there but their hearts and minds were shrouded in grief because of the mass school shooting that morning in Nashville. We were there despite the somber shadow, trying to maintain and support this worthy event.
Now in its 31st year, Tin Pan South is the world’s largest songwriting festival. It gathers more than 300 tunesmiths from all points on the compass. They perform for five days’ worth of gigs at 10 Music City venues — 3rd & Lindsley, The Bluebird Cafe, Commodore Grille, The Lounge (City Winery), Analog (Hutton Hotel), Cross Eyed Critters Watering Hole (Graduate Hotel), The Hard Rock Cafe, The Listening Room, Live Oak and The Vinyl Lounge.
Marlon Hargis and Sonny LeMaire of Exile were being interviewed about the bank’s handsome, extensive exhibit saluting the band’s 60th anniversary. If you’ve not been there, go see that Regions office — it also has an impressive Beatles display, cool posters, guitars and other music artifacts under glass.
Tin Pan South kick off party. Photo: Courtesy of NSAI
Bryan Ruby was celebrating the release of “Baseball Country,” his single timed to the launch of this year’s baseball season. The former pro ball player performed at 10 major-league ballparks last season and plans to do more this year. He’ll sing the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Pirates in June. At other stops, he plays pre- or post-game concerts or sings at adjacent sports bars.
Nashville-based Susan Stewart is the head of the songwriter & composer wing of the Recording Academy. Her gig is made much easier because she’s based in America’s songwriting capital. Songwriters who don’t live here, almost always come to town to co-write, no matter what genre they represent. When she worked for the Nashville Songwriters Association years ago, Stewart helped to stage Tin Pan South.
The attendees were treated to two free, full bars. Maggiano’s did the catering — a buffet featuring stuffed mushroom caps, rigatoni in parmesan meat marinara, chicken pesto croquettes with lemon aioli sauce, veggies, a variety of cheeses, caprese salad and mini Italian bread slices, plus cheesecake cups, topped by strawberries.
Let the festival begin.
CMT Music Awards Announces Lineup Additions
/by Lorie HollabaughIn celebration of the 10th anniversary of the storied CMT Next Women of Country franchise, seven-time Grammy winner Alanis Morissette will make her CMT Awards debut alongside Next Women of Country alum Ingrid Andress, Lainey Wilson, Madeline Edwards and Morgan Wade, plus Austin native Jackie Venson on guitar, for a world premiere performance of the female-empowerment anthem “You Oughta Know.”
Global icon Gwen Stefani will also make her CMT debut with a special one-of-a-kind performance alongside nominee Carly Pearce for the duo’s first-ever on-stage collaboration. Stefani last appeared on the show in 2020 with husband Blake Shelton to accept their Collaborative Video of the Year win for their duet “Nobody But You.”
Best-selling female artist of all time Shania Twain will be recognized with the third-ever CMT Equal Play Award, which recognizes an artist who is a visible and vocal advocate for elevating diverse and underrepresented voices in country music. Previous winners of the CMT Equal Play Award include Jennifer Nettles and Linda Martell.
CMT has also revealed the top six finalists vying for the night’s most-coveted Video of Year Award, with fan voting now open at vote.cmt.com. The final six Video of the Year nominees are:
Blake Shelton – “No Body”
Carrie Underwood – “Hate My Heart”
Cody Johnson – “Human”
Hardy feat. Lainey Wilson – “wait in the truck”
Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown – “Thank God”
Morgan Wallen – “You Proof”
Over the past three weeks, fans have cast their votes across all categories, including Video of the Year, narrowing down to the top six finalists from the original list of 16 nominees. On April 2, the six will be narrowed down to top three, with voting continuing through the live show, leading up to the big reveal at the end of the night.
This year’s top six sees Underwood competing for her fifth consecutive Video of the Year win and tenth overall in the category, as she remains the most awarded artist in CMT Music Awards history with 25 career wins.
Should Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown win, they would make history as the first husband and wife duo to win the coveted award. This would also be the first win for each of them in the category.
A win for Shelton would mark his second time winning Video of the Year, with the first earned in 2018, and a win by Johnson, Hardy, Wilson or Wallen would be their first win in the category.
Jesslee Signs With ONErpm
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, front row): Steve Virginia (Black Label Nash Entertainment Group), Jesslee, Tim Wipperman (ONErpm); (L-R, back row): Alex McGinnis (ONErpm), Ryan L Cunningham (ONErpm), Ricky L Vinson (Black Label Nash Entertainment Group), Lisa Vinson (Black Label Nash Entertainment Group). Photo: Brooke Christopher
Singer-songwriter Jesslee has signed with ONErpm. Jesslee’s debut single, “Unmeet You,” is available on all platforms now, and the YouTube video for the single premiered yesterday (March 27).
Jesslee, who appeared for 45 consecutive weeks on Apple Music’s Country Hot Tracks, first appeared on the music scene in 2018 on coach Blake Shelton’s team on season 14 of NBC’s The Voice. Jesslee moved to Nashville and continued developing her craft. Her track “Unmeet You” was penned with her manager, Steve Virginia, and fellow Voice alums, The Swon Brothers.
“Jesslee is a phenomenal singer,” shares Tim Wipperman, Managing Director for ONErpm Nashville. “Her powerful vocals are unparalleled, coupled with the fact that she is one of the best new writers in town.”
“As an Italian American artist,” Jesslee says. “I am so excited to be working with a company that embraces my uniqueness and is dedicated to working with artists to develop something wonderful together.”
Industry Ink: Ronnie Milsap, Elle King, CMA, Jeffrey Steele, BMI
/by Caela GriffinGrand Ole Opry Celebrates Ronnie Milsap’s 80th Birthday
Pictured: Trace Adkins, Ronnie Milsap, Mark Willis andn Little Big Town (Photo: Mark Mosrie)
The Grand Ole Opry celebrated the 80th birthday of legendary member Ronnie Milsap with a special “Ronnie Milsap & Friends” performance on Saturday night. Milsap was inducted into the Opry family on February 6, 1976.
Milsaps’ celebration featured peformances from the legend himself plus Trace Adkins, Mandy Barnett, Little Big Town, Don Schlitz, Jeannie Seely, and Mark Wills. The Show ended with a performance of “Honky Tonk Women” led by Milsap with Adkins, Little Big Town and Wills joining.
Portions of the show will air as a Saturday night Opry Live later this year on the Opry’s television broadcast home, Circle Nework, Circle All ACcess Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Elle King Surprises Beloved High School Teacher in Tulsa
Pictured: Elle King, Cathy Welker-Graham (Choteau High School teacher), Emma Hughes (Choteau Senior Student) (Photo: Corey Bost)
When Elle King received a letter form Chouteau High School senior student, Emma Hughes, praising her teacher, Cathy Welker-Graham, King decided to pay a visit before her Tulsa show last Friday (March 24).
King and her guitarist surprised the student, teacher, and entire student body when she arrived to perform “America’s Sweetheart” and dedicate it to Welker-Graham.
“I didn’t always have the greatest experience in school,” laughed King. “But every few schools I would find a teacher who believed in me, and it gave me confidence and they told me that I could do something great with my life even if I was different. So I think that great teachers should be celebrated. It was important to me that we show this deserving teacher some well-earned gratitude.”
Chouteau High School Principal Clint Hall, who helped to coordinate the surprise said, “As educators, this is why we do what we do. We are here to make positive impacts on our students. It took a lot for me to keep a lid on this. Mrs. Welker-Graham is a rockstar teacher and Emma is a great kid! It could not have come together for two better people. This was priceless! Tears of joy from a lot of people today!”
King went on to record a new song at Tulsa’s legendary Church Studio before her show at Cain’s Ballroom. She performed hits from her new album, Come Get Your Wife, including “Tulsa,” for a sold out audience and special guests Hughes, Welker-Graham, and Hall.
CMA Hosts ‘MemberSIPS’ Focused On The Power of Women and Connection
Women in the music industry gather for a MemberSIPS event focused on “The Power of Women and Connection”
CMA members gathered at CMA’s Nashville headquarters for a ‘MemberSIPS’ event featuring women across the music industry to discuss the power of connection and mentorship last Thursday (March 23).
Moderated by coach and consultant, Jorja White, participants were invited to bring a female colleague that they were impressed with or have mentored. CMA members in attendance, including 2023 CMA Membership Committee Chair Karen Fairchild, then broke into small groups to further network, share stories and provide their contact information so that each attendee left with at least one new connection. The women also had the opportunity to have a complimentary professional headshot taken while at the event.
CMA created MemberSIPS to cater to its members’ professional development needs—offering thematic presentations, discussions and gatherings, and providing members a networking opportunity while enjoying a beverage with one another. CMA members can look forward to the next MemberSIPS on Wednesday, April 12.
Stars Support 16th Annual Jeffrey Steele Benefit Concert
Pictured: Jeffrey Steel & Friends (Photo: Anthony Scarlati)
The 16th Annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends fundraising concert supporting The Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund raised nearly $200,000 last Friday (MArch 24). All proceeds go t0 continuing the mission aiding overlooked and at-risk youth in the memory of Steele’s son, Alex LeVasseur, who passed away in 2007.
Country radio personality Storme Warren and Casey LeVasseur hosted the evening. The concert opened with a surprise performance by Gary LeVox (Rascal Flatts). Other surprise guests included Shay Mooney (Dan + Shay) country rapper Jelly Roll, and performers Ben Burgess, Steve Dorff, Preston James, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, LOCASH, Lit, Silence X Noise, Bridgette Tatum and The Warren Brothers
“Your generosity over the last 16 years has helped us to not only build a legacy for Alex, but to really make a difference in the lives of our youth in Middle Tennessee and beyond,” says the LeVasseur family. “We have raised more than $1.6 million to help nonprofits in our area who are championing our youth and the kids of our community and in other neighborhoods and communities across the country, to share Alex’s love and light to those who need it most.”
The LeVasseur family announced at the benefit concert that a $200,000 grant to the Brentwood Family YMCA is supporting the building of the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Skatepark.
The Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund has been able to build partnerships and lend support to many youth-focused organizations. Through the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Grant, they have supported the building of 12 skateparks in underserved communities across the country. With The Beat of Life, a scholarship giving vulnerable youth access to music education, instrument lessons, and more has been established in Alex’s name.
BMI Presents At The Bluebird Cafe Highlights Local Nashville Songwriters
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Shannon Sanders, Tyler Cain, Meghan Linsey, Channing Wilson, and Bluebird Café’s Erika Wollam Nichols (Photo: Heather Freeland)
BMI continued its monthly songwriter showcase at the Bluebird Cafe on March 21 with Channing Wilson, Meghan Linsey, and Tyler Cain.
Linsey, runner-up from Season 8 of NBC’s The Voice, sang her songs “Over the Moon,” “You Ruined That Song,” and “Say It To My Face.” Since her time on The Voice, she’s toured internationally and worked with Chingy and Aloe Blacc.
Nashville songwriter Wilson has cuts with Luke Combs, Travis Tritt, Oak Ridge Boys and more. He performed songs from his latest album, Dead Man, including “A Little More Like Him,” “Good Morning Hot Coffee,” and “Sunday Morning Blues.”
Producer, songwriter, and artist Cain sang “The Dreamer,” “Forever and Always,” and “Suitcase Heart.” His previous collaborations include Darius Rucker, Big & Rich, Ruston Kelly, and Ashley Moore.
The next showcase, again hosted by BMI’s Shannon Sanders, is April 25 with a lineup to be announced in the coming weeks.
Scotty McCreery Teams Up With UScellular To Celebrate Hometown Connections
/by Lorie HollabaughScotty McCreery. Photo: Jeff Ray
Scotty McCreery is teaming up with UScellular for its “Locally Grown, Locally Live” music campaign to showcase artists and the people and places that have shaped who they are today.
The campaign will spotlight McCreery’s hometown connection as well as Greylan James (Knoxville, Tennessee); Kalie Shorr (Portland, Maine); Corey Kent (Bixby, Oklahoma); Hailey Whitters (Shueyville, Iowa); and Morgan Wade (Floyd, Virginia.)
The campaign kicked off yesterday (March 27) with the “Locally Grown, Locally Live” VIP Fan Experience Sweepstakes and will run through May 28. There are a variety of opportunities for fans to engage with the artists, including a website with artist videos and an original Spotify playlist, curated to showcase the artists. On April 5 at 8 p.m. CT, McCreery will host an “Ask Me Anything” Instagram Live session, where fans will have a chance to ask questions and interact with him. UScellular will also celebrate each artist and their stories on its socials.
“I love how UScellular is creating an opportunity for me and other artists to stay connected with fans in communities across the country,” says McCreery. “The amazing people in my hometown of Garner, North Carolina, helped give me my start in music, and it’s great to see that UScellular is working in a similar way to show how they are committed to enriching the communities they serve.”
There will also be special appearances from all the “Locally Grown, Locally Live” artists at the UScellular Connection Stage, headlined by McCreery, at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 8.
“At UScellular, we connect people to what matters most. The two letters at the beginning of our name speak volumes about who we are as a company and how we show up for our communities” says Verchele Roberts, UScellular Vice President of Brand Management. “Music brings us together, so we’re celebrating artists across the country who cultivate genuine connections with their fans.”