BABY NEWS:
There’s always something to be grateful for, even amidst a pandemic, as proven by the arrival of Ellie Britton Nail on October 19, 2020. Country hit-maker David Nail and his wife Catherine welcomed their baby girl after a long struggle with IVF and many prayers. People announced the arrival of the 9lbs., 2oz. bundle of joy, emphasizing the miracle that this baby girl truly is. Nail, known for major hits including “Red Light,” “Night’s On Fire” and “Whatever She’s Got” gets to spend a little more time at home these days with his family due to the pandemic and is excited to introduce the couple’s older twins, Lawson and Lillian, to their new sister. More Nail news at https://davidnail.com/
BENEFIT NEWS:
Five musical superstars have joined forces in the fight against breast cancer, releasing a new song – “Pink”. The new single features Dolly Parton, Monica, Jordin Sparks, Sara Evans and Rita Wilson – who herself is a breast cancer survivor. This special collaboration benefits Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization. The song was produced by Victoria Shaw and co-written with Erin Kinsey and Jodi Marr. The song is distributed by Brighter Day Records and available digitally everywhere. The moving lyrics and vocals provide listeners with hope for a future when no one loses someone they love to breast cancer and “PINK is just another color.” Each year breast cancer kills more than 42,000 women and men in the U.S. alone. Since 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed at some point in her lifetime, nearly everyone has or will be touched by this disease, whether personally or by someone they love. “This is such a beautiful song of hope,” said Dolly Parton. “I’m honored to join with these powerful women to help support Susan G. Komen’s life-saving work.”
BLUEGRASS NEWS:
Bluegrass supergroup Sister Sadie has made history by becoming the first all-female band to win Entertainer of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards. A 35-year-old institution, the IBMA has never before awarded a female group with this honor. The landmark achievement comes one year after the 2019 IBMA Awards, during which Sister Sadie became the first all-female act to be named Vocal Group of the Year. “Bluegrass is traditionally viewed as a male-centric genre, but a genre that is rooted in the Appalachian sounds of Mother Maybelle Carter,” says Tina Adair, a mandolin virtuoso and spellbinding vocalist who, like her three bandmates, was already an acclaimed solo artist by the time Sister Sadie formed in 2012. “We’re proud of this honor. There’s a lot of purity and traditionalism in this genre, but a lot of progressivism, too. We love getting to contribute new perspectives to a style of music that has shaped us all.” Follow Sister Sadie at https://www.facebook.com/sistersadieband.
BOOKING NEWS:
CJ Solar’s live shows opening for Chris Janson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gary Allan, Aaron Watson, 38 Special and others have generated rave reviews, and now the Kinkead Entertainment Agency has signed the hit artist/songwriter for exclusive booking representation. “CJ has major stage presence, is an incredible guitar slinger and writes major hit songs for himself and his friends,” said Kinkead Entertainment Agency head Bob Kinkead. “I’m betting the farm that in due time CJ will be the next big artist to break out of this town, I believe it. I’m looking forward to great things in 2021 and beyond booking shows across the country!” More at https://www.cjsolar.com/ and https://www.kinkeadentertainment.com.
CD NEWS:
Ross Cooper follows 2018’s acclaimed I Rode The Wild Horses with a new studio album, Chasing Old Highs, due out on February 26, 2021. The former pro bareback bronco rider – who released the album’s lead track, “Hello Sunshine,” in July – follows the optimistic kickoff with the atmospheric, melancholy “South of the Angels,” released in late October. Written by Cooper and fellow Texas native Billy McClaren (who grew up just 20 miles apart outside Lubbock, but met in Nashville), “South of the Angels” is an ode to stark West-Texan grit and resilience.
“People from where we’re from seem to have a certain way of talking and acting, even walking,” Cooper says of their hometown. “People back home are tough as nails. They have to be, because it’s not the easiest place to live. This song is one of my favorites.”
In addition to his single launch, Cooper has joined United Talent Agency’s esteemed roster, signing with agents Cass Scripps and Kaleb Tooker ahead of his forthcoming 11-track record.
CD RELEASES:
Nearly 20 years since the release of Jamie O’Neal’s debut album Shiver, the multi-GRAMMY® nominated singer-songwriter has released Sometimes, her first album since 2014, available now via BFD/Audium Nashville. The album includes new songs like “Someone’s Sometimes” featuring John Paul White as well as re-imagined versions of O’Neal’s smash hits such as “There Is No Arizona 2.0” featuring Lauren Alaina, “When I Think About Angels 2.0” featuring Martina McBride, “Trying To Find Atlantis 2.0” featuring Sara Evans and “Somebody’s Hero 2.0” featuring her daughter Aliyah Good. O’Neal announced Sometimes, which she co-produced with husband Rodney Good, in May through the release of the project’s lead single, “The World Goes On.” Leading up to the release of Sometimes, O’Neal dropped several singles with “Someone’s Sometimes” featuring John Paul White as the most recent, following “There Is No Arizona 2.0” featuring Lauren Alaina. More about Jamie O’Neal and the new album at https://www.jamieoneal.com/
CHARITY NEWS:
Musically Fed, World Central Kitchen and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee partnered with Rhino Staging to deliver boxes of food to 100 families on October 24. The drive-thru event focused on families who work in the live entertainment, touring and concert industries whose businesses have virtually been shut down since March. “Live music literally shut down overnight, and there is no indication when tours and concerts will be back up and running on a large scale,” said Maria Brunner, founder of Musically Fed. and whose own Insight Management contracts with live entertainment for tour marketing. “There is so much need among touring crews, musicians and related vendors in the Nashville entertainment community.” Twice a month through the end of November and every week in December, 100 boxes of dry goods and fresh produce will be prepared by Dega Food Restaurant Group on behalf of World Central Kitchen. Qualifying families must work in the live entertainment industry and are vetted through a phone interview to ensure they are unemployed, underemployed or have lost SNAP. See how to help at https://www.musicallyfed.org.
CMA AWARD NEWS:
CMA has announced that Country Music superstars and previous CMA Awards winners Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker will host “The 54th Annual CMA Awards” live from Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on ABC. Country Music’s Biggest Night™ will take place from Music City Center in downtown Nashville and will feature the biggest artists and performances in Country Music. McEntire and Rucker came together to announce the news live this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “I’m thrilled to be back hosting the CMA Awards and even more thrilled that I get to share the stage with Darius Rucker,” says McEntire. “We’re looking forward to a night of celebrating great Country Music and hope you’ll tune in and watch!” “I look forward to the CMA Awards every year because of the incredible performances and the opportunity to celebrate the year in Country Music,” says Rucker. “To be invited to host this year’s awards alongside Reba — are you kidding me?! — it is an absolute honor! The full list of nominees is listed at www.cmaworld.com.
CMT NEWS:
Multi-platinum entertainer Chris Young is humbled to have won his first-ever CMT Music Award trophy during the awards ceremony on CMT, broadcast as part of a six-network simulcast across MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, Pop TV and TV Land. The fan-voted “Performance Of The Year” award for was for his emotional tribute honoring his friend Kane Brown’s late drummer, Kenny Dixon, where Chris sang a stripped-down version of his song “Drowning” at the 2019 CMT Artists Of The Year. Chris received a standing ovation for his heartfelt performance that evening. Co-penned by Chris, Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge, “Drowning” was inspired by the passing of Chris’ close friend, Adam. Fans can also catch Chris’ post-win interview on CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown this weekend. Chris will have new music releasing soon to country radio and streaming services. For more information, visit chrisyoungcountry.com.
CONCERT NEWS:
2020 Christmas 4 Kids Virtual concert headliner is “Just Another Day in Paradise” hitmaker Phil Vassar. He is the face of the nonprofit fundraising event, with Matt Ramsey of Old Dominion, Lonestar, Eddie Montgomery, Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele and more set to appear. The show takes place Nov. 23rd at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets benefit a local nonprofit that provides roughly 400 underserved Middle Tennessee children a holiday season shopping spree. “Christmas 4 Kids is an event that year after year I look forward to participating in,” Vassar said in a news release. “I am thrilled to be carrying on this great tradition with some of my dear friends and songwriters. The holidays are a special time, especially for kids, and I love that this organization benefits kids in Middle Tennessee.” Tickets start at $38.50 before fees and are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. More info at www.christmas4kids.org.
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