Pictured (L-R): Collen Mayer, CEO of The Store; Brad Paisley; Kimberly Williams-Paisley; Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Tom Ozburn, President & CEO of TriStar Centennial Medical Center. Photo: Sean O’Halloran

The Store officially opened its second location in Nashville yesterday (Jan. 14) on the campus of TriStar Centennial Medical Center on the ground level of TriStar Centennial’s B Garage at 311 23rd Ave North.

Corporate and private donations helped make the buildout and operations of the new location of The Store possible. Co-founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, the nonprofit offers a free, referral-based grocery store to families and individuals in need across Middle Tennessee and emphasizes dignity and choice, allowing customers to select from a variety of fresh produce, meats, dairy products and pantry staples.

The Store’s original location opened in 2020 on Belmont University’s campus and served nutritious food and support services to 2,200 families in 2025. Due to the growing hunger crisis, the demand for The Store’s services continues to grow, and the wait list has substantially lengthened. The opening of the second location will provide the opportunity to more than double the number of families currently being served.

“We are very thankful to TriStar Centennial and to all of the wonderful individuals and corporations all over the country providing financial support for this mission,” says Kimberly Williams-Paisley. “We also couldn’t have done this without the hundreds of volunteers assisting our staff to help make this all come together. Together, we aim to help our customers get to the place where they won’t need The Store anymore, where the next time we see them will be when they come through our doors as one of our volunteers. That’s our dream.”

The Store utilized more than 3100 volunteers in 2025 to stock shelves, assist customers, and execute year-round programming. With the addition of the second location, The Store will need 275 volunteers each week and welcomes individuals, families and organized groups to volunteer. Given the increased size, The Store’s new location will also offer emergency clothing and provide shopping trips for persons referred by Centennial staff and other partners.

“The new store at Centennial reflects what’s possible when a community comes together with compassion and purpose,” says Collen Mayer, The Store CEO. “At nearly three times the size of our original store, with expanded storage and volunteer space, this location will allow us to serve twice as many neighbors—meeting the growing food need with dignity and love.”

Gavin Adcock & Hudson Westbrook.

The Maui Songwriters Festival is returning for its 11th year to The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua Feb. 11-14.

The multi-day experience is presented by Renate Event & Design in partnership with The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, and in collaboration with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. Guests will enjoy both intimate showcases and large-format concerts from artists and songwriters including headliners Gavin Adcock and Hudson Westbrook along with Chris DeStefano, Josiah Queen, Alana Springsteen, Kameron Marlowe, Reid Haughton, Dan Alley, Neil Medley, Lauren LaRue, Sara Bares, Kapali Long, Akoni Palomino, and the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific (Pearl Harbor). All events will be hosted by on-air personality Katie Neal.

Exclusive VIP packages, special room rates, and event tickets are available now at mauisongwritersfestival.com. Festival proceeds directly benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui, supporting local youth and families. The festival has donated more than $220,000 to the Maui community over the past three years.

Pictured (L-R): John Ozier (EVP of Creative, Reservoir), Beth St. Jean (Senior Creative Manager, Reservoir), Allison Veltz Cruz, Greg Gallo (VP of Creative, Reservoir) and Sarah McDaniels (Creative Coordinator, Reservoir). Photo: Courtesy of Reservoir

Allison Veltz Cruz has inked a publishing deal with Reservoir Media.

Veltz Cruz earned her first country chart-topper with Matt Stell’s double-Platinum “Prayed For You” in 2019, followed by Tenille Arts’ Platinum, No. 1 track, “Somebody Like That.”

Veltz Cruz was named the AIMP Rising Songwriter of the Year in 2020 and has earned additional cuts with Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Lady A, Carly Pearce, George Birge, Maddie & Tae, Drew Baldridge and Lainie Garner, among others.

“This is my dream deal with a dream team and a full circle moment for me. I’ve never been more excited to create,” says Veltz Cruz.

“Allison Veltz Cruz is the best – not just for her incredible talent, but also for the authenticity, heart, and hustle that she brings into every writing room,” adds Greg Gallo, Reservoir Vice President of Creative. “Allison’s ability to craft songs that connect artists to listeners is truly special. Reservoir is excited and honored to partner with Allison on her next set of hits.”

Julianne Cassidy

Julianne Cassidy, Sr. Director of Publicity, has exited her role at Sweet Talk Publicity. She first joined the company in 2016 as Account Executive.

During her tenure, she led and assisted on artist campaigns spanning established acts to breakout stars including Florida Georgia Line, Kelsea Ballerini, Dustin Lynch, Brian Kelley, LOCASH, Gabby Barrett, Charles Esten, Alana Springsteen, Chase Matthew, Ty Myers and Mason Ramsey, as well as high-profile runs like Missy Elliott’s debut headline tour, “OUT OF THIS WORLD — The Missy Elliott Experience” and Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival. In addition, she handled day-to-day publicity needs for business accounts such as Big Loud, Songs & Daughters and Jonas Group Entertainment.

Prior roles include Associate Editor at Womanista and Digital Editor/National Content at Journal Broadcast Group.

She is actively pursuing opportunities and can be reached at juliannecassidy.contact@gmail.com.

Dwight Yoakam will host the inaugural “Dwight Yoakam & Friends: Rockin’ for the Kids at The Roxy” benefit show taking place during Grammy Awards week in Los Angeles. The one-night-only charity concert is set for Jan. 28 at the Roxy Theatre and will benefit Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

Presented by Yoakam alongside Billy Bob Thornton and McG, the evening will feature a full performance by Yoakam and his band, with special guest appearances by Charley Crockett, Marcus King, Lukas Nelson and additional artists to be announced. Video director and producer McG will emcee the event.

“When you walk the halls of a children’s hospital, it changes you. It puts all of life in a very graphic perspective,” says Yoakam. “As Emily and I were there with our own child, we saw so many families facing battles no one hopes to ever have to endure. And while we were fortunate to not face those challenges, that experience never left us. Rockin’ for the Kids is our way of saying thank you to Dr. Krieger and the entire staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, on behalf of every family who puts their trust in them every single day.”

“On behalf of everyone at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, we are thrilled to be partnering with Mr. Yoakam and his wife on what is sure to be a truly special evening,” adds Mark D. Krieger, MD, the hospital’s Surgeon-in-Chief and the Billy and Audrey L. Wilder Chair in Neurosurgery. “We are grateful to Dwight and Emily for their passion and vision in bringing this night to life.”

Tickets are on sale now. For sponsorship opportunites and VIP tickets, contact Matt Semler.