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Get To Know New Artist Hayden Haddock With This Q&A

Learn all about new artist, Hayden Haddock, with this Q&A.

Q: You are currently busy touring, recording and are a full time student at Texas A&M. How do you juggle it all?

It definitely gets tough sometimes, but just basic time management is key. I try to just get all my school work done during the week to leave the weekends free for touring.

Q: With Type 1 diabetes, how do you maintain a healthy lifestyle while on the road?

Luckily, i’ve had plenty of time to adapt to having T1D since I was diagnosed at 8 years old. I try to just make health conscious decisions when it comes to eating, but that doesn’t mean I say no to a good ole Whataburger!

Q: What is your go to snack when touring?

My go to snack on the road would have to be Cheeto Hot Fries and a Bang energy drink.

Q: What is your favorite song to play at your live show?

My favorite song to play live would have to be “Don’t Bother Calling” off of my EP or a new song called “Where You Come In”!

Q: You are currently in the studio working on your sophomore project with Trent Willmon. What has been the most exciting part of the recording process for you so far?

 My favorite part of recording is definitely tracking day with the band. I love it because you get to hear your songs take on a whole new personality and really come to life. 

Q: What was it like writing with HIT songwriters during your first trip to Nashville?

It was a little intimidating, honestly. I don’t think of myself as a great songwriter yet, so I was just so fortunate to be able to learn from those guys and help better myself as a songwriter.

Q: What can fans expect from your next record?

This next project will definitely top the last, as it should. It is 100% true, authentic country music which is what I stand for. I think every song on this next record has the potential to be a hit!

Q: Since you are also a full time student, what is your favorite course you are currently taking?

I’m not a big fan of school (don’t tell my parents) but if I have to choose I would say Materials and Methods just because it’s teaching me things that can actually be used in everyday life.

Q: What is the most exciting show/venue you have played so far?

My favorite show has probably been playing at The Rustic Dallas. It was a packed house, a very interactive crowd, and I had a lot of old friends show up which was pretty cool.

Q: When can we expect the new music?

We are shooting to have the new record out by early January of 2020. We just might release a single before then, so stay tuned for that!

Q: Lastly, since we are Focus on the 615, what is your favorite restaurant in Nashville?

I have been to a lot of great restaurants there, but I think my favorite would have to be Kayne Prime!

For more information, visit https://haydenhaddock.com.

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Season Finale of RACING WIVES Tonight At 10/9c

Catch the season finale of Racing Wives tonight (Friday, September 20th)at 10/9c only on CMT!

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Luke Combs Joins The Grand Ole Opry 

Luke Combs was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry family by Opry members
Vince Gill and Joe Diffie. Fellow Opry members The Gatlin Brothers,
Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, and Mark Wills joined them onstage to welcome their newest fellow member. Photo credit: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (June 16, 2019) – Luke Combs was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry family tonight by Opry members Joe Diffie and Vince Gill in front of a sold-out Opry crowd. Combs grew up on Diffie’s hits like “Pick Up Man” and “John Deere Green,” and the first concert he ever attended was Gill’s. After Combs performed his No. 1 smashes “When It Rains It Pours” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” Diffie and Gill joined him on stage, also flanked by Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, and Mark Wills. 

“This is what dreams are made of right here,” Gill began. Looking to Combs, he added, “If you’ll come here and you’ll invest in the people and this stage, you’ll get back a hundred-fold what you ever give to this place.” 

Presenting Combs with his Opry Member Award, Diffie added, “I remember being asked to be a member of the Opry, and it was like a dream. And it still feels like a dream, even to this day. On behalf of myself and all the Opry members past, present, and future, Luke Combs, you are now officially the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry!” 

Award in hand, Combs said, “Here I am on stage with people I grew up listening to and people who have shaped me as an artist. I just want to say thank you to you guys, thank you to the Grand Ole Opry, and thank you to the fans—without you all there is no country music, there is no Grand Ole Opry. Thank you so much for everything you guys do for making this possible for guys like us on this stage. I will never forget tonight!” 

The hit-maker then rounded out his Opry induction set with his first song as an Opry member, “This One’s For You.” 

Backstage, Opry General Manager Sally Williams shared, “Luke Combs’ love for the Grand Ole Opry is rivaled only by country music fans’ love of his music and his fellow Opry members’ appreciation both of his artistry and his friendship. Luke and all of us at the Opry have developed an incredible relationship since he made his Opry debut less than three years ago, and we are thrilled that as of tonight he has a musical home for the rest of his career. Welcome, Luke!” 

About Luke Combs
CMA and ACM Award-winner Luke Combs is a multi-platinum, No. 1 Country singer-songwriter from Asheville, NC. With brazen songwriting talent and grizzled, soul-infused vocals, Combs stormed onto the music landscape as one of Country’s brightest stars with the release of his critically-acclaimed, RIAA double Platinum, No. 1 debut album, This One’s For You on River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. Since its release, the album has spent a total of 35 non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, including 16 weeks in 2018—the most of any album in a calendar year. The album’s first five singles—3x platinum “Hurricane,” 3x platinum “When It Rains It Pours,” platinum “One Number Away,” platinum “She Got The Best of Me” and 2x platinum “Beautiful Crazy”—have all reached #1 making Combs the first artist ever to score five consecutive career-opening #1’s on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. Adding to his monumental year, Combs recently released his new EP, The Prequel, which features 5 new songs co-written by Combs including lead single “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” The track debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Country Streaming Songs chart with 11 million streams—setting the record for the best first week of streaming ever for a country song. Continuing to make history, Combs is also the first artist to simultaneously top all five Billboard country charts for multiple weeks: Top Country Albums, Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales. Recently awarded Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist and Top Country Album at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, New Artist of the Year at the 52nd Annual CMA Awards, New Male Artist of the Year at the 2019 ACM Awards and Country Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, Combs is currently in the midst of his sold-out “Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour”—his first ever headline arena tour.  

About The Grand Ole Opry: 
The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®.  Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, with Tuesday night shows running through December, Wednesday night shows through October, and seasonal Opry Country Classics shows on Thursdays. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn.  Celebrating nine decades of entertainment, the Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP).  For more information, visit opry.com.  

(l to r: Randy Goodman, Chairman/CEO Sony Music Nashville; Sophia Sansone, day-to-day manager, Make Wake Artists; Lynn Oliver-Cline, Founder, River House Artists; Combs;
Sally Williams, General Manager, Grand Ole Opry; Ken Robold, COO/EVP, Sony Music Nashville; Chris Kappy, Founder/Owner, Make Wake Artists). Photo credit: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry.
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Grand Ole Opry Premieres New Backstage Tour Including Immersive Film  Hosted By Opry Members Garth Brooks And Trisha Yearwood In New Custom-Built Theater, The Circle Room  

The Circle Room
Photo courtesy BRC | Grand Ole Opry; photo by Matt Blair

The Grand Ole Opry today unveiled its new daytime backstage tour, including a new immersive film in a custom-built theater, The Circle Room. Hosted by Opry members Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, the film experience takes fans on an emotional, heartfelt journey through the eyes of the artists who play the world-famous stage and features priceless archival footage of over 100 artists, country’s most iconic songs, and concert-like special effects.

Throughout the film, Brooks and Yearwood stand in the Opry’s famous circle which moved with the Opry from the historic Ryman Auditorium to the Opry House more than 40 years ago and reflect on their first memories of the Opry, their Opry debuts, member invitations and inductions, and lives as members of the Opry family. Additionally, they share some of the Opry’s most powerful moments and lead a chorus of dozens of  past and present Opry artists—Roy Acuff, Trace Adkins, Patsy Cline, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Minnie Pearl, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban among them—in the Opry’s anthemic “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” 

“For nearly 100 years, the Grand Ole Opry has offered fans a unique way to discover and connect with country music’s new stars, superstars and legends,” said Colin Reed, chairman and chief executive officer for Ryman Hospitality Properties. “ As visitation to Nashville and the Opry has continued to rise in recent years, we have seen unprecedented demand from guests for more ways to connect with artists through the Opry and its amazing story. This magnificent film is designed to immerse fans in the Opry experience from an artist-centered point of view to give them a glimpse into why playing the Opry has been described by so many as the pinnacle of their careers.”

NBC’s TODAY SHOW 
sat down with Brooks and Yearwood in The Circle Room to watch the film and talk about the significance of the Opry. Click HERE to watch the exclusive interview and peek at the Opry’s new immersive film. Click HERE to see the extended interview with Brooks and Yearwood on TODAY.com about their first performances on the Grand Ole Opry, its historical significance in country music, and Yearwood’s upcoming solo tour.

The Circle Room is the capstone of a $12 million Opry House expansion and renovation project aimed at enhancing the Opry guest experience. In addition to the new VIP room and film, the renovation also included a new retail store, enhanced food and beverage options, a new parking area, and additional Plaza upgrades, which were completed in late 2018.  

The new film leads off the Opry’s new backstage tour, which continues into the newly renovated Opry House lobby featuring a new, custom lighting element made with Gibson guitars and a video presentation showcasing what happens backstage in the moments before the Opry’s red curtain goes up on the iconic show. 

Backstage, guests learn more about the Opry’s story from Opry member Brad Paisley in historic Studio A, visit the Opry’s themed dressing rooms, and more before ending with the greatest thrill in country music: a chance to stand in the sacred circle on the Opry stage. 

By night, the new Circle Room becomes a VIP upgrade area for Opry show guests, featuring food and beverage as well as a visit from an artist on the evening’s show. 

The new Opry Circle Room and Lobby experiences were conceived, designed, and produced by the award-winning experience design and production agency BRC Imagination Arts, who have worked with acclaimed destinations including Ryman Auditorium, Jameson Distillery Bow St., the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Museum of Liverpool, The Henry Ford, Guinness Storehouse, and more.   

More About The Circle Room’s Immersive Film and Technology 

Audio:
The Circle Room is equipped with a custom 23.1 surround sound audio system with hidden speakers in the ceiling, walls and set pieces that allow the audio engineers and designers to place sound anywhere in the show space.

Media:
The Circle Room is approximately 1,500 square feet with multiple projectors covering a unique silvered string material that allows for one-of-a-kind stunning imagery. These immersive projection surfaces have the added benefit of becoming transparent on demand to reveal sets and concert lighting effects. 

Lighting:
Similar to a live concert, The Circle Room houses a theatrical LED lighting system that allows for precise control of millions of colors. As one of the most dynamic moving light packages in the Nashville, this robust system can harmoniously display any color or accent at any given time in the show. This technology allows The Circle Room to seamlessly transform from an emotional daytime show into a beautiful lounge space in seconds.

Accessibility:
To ensure that guests with disabilities can enjoy the experience, the Circle Room and the new lobby show utilize a new-to-market handheld closed-captioning system. This system allows any guest to carry an Opry-provided tablet which displays descriptive closed captioning and lyrics. This new technology, previously only seen at major theme parks, keeps in sync with the experience no matter what area of the room the guests are in and ensures everyone has the same immersive experience.

Show Control:
The Circle Room is run by a unique control system that allows the space to be operated by only one host. After multiple years of development, this system controls and syncs every piece of equipment while also informing the maintenance staff of any issues well before they impact the show for guests. 

Room Flexibility and Transformation:
By day, The Circle Room experience serves as the lead-off to Opry tours. At night, the Circle Room transforms into a VIP lounge or even a small, live performance space. With just a push of a button the lighting changes, the drapes open and leaded crystal chandeliers magically lower from the ceiling, giving the lounge an intimate and exclusive feel. These magical touches, mixed with a variety of plush seating, provide each guest with a comfortable place to relax before the show (and maybe even be part of a visit from an Opry star!).

About the Grand Ole Opry:
The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®.  Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, with Tuesday night shows running through December, Wednesday night shows through October, and Opry Country Classics shows on Thursdays this fall. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn.  Celebrating nine decades of entertainment, the Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP).  For more information, visit opry.com.

About BRC:
BRC Imagination Arts is a global experience design and production agency that creates transformative experiences that build lasting relationships between visitors and the organization, institution or brand. For more than three decades, BRC’s masterful storytellers have helped notable cultural, museum, and brand experiences all over the world tell their stories in ways that engage and inspire audiences. BRC Imagination Arts has worked with some of the most respected and acclaimed destinations in the world including the Ryman Auditorium, Jameson Distillery Bow St., the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Museum of Liverpool, The Henry Ford, Guinness Storehouse, and more. 

The Grand Ole Opry premieres new immersive film for industry guests in the state of the art custom-built Circle Room as part of the new backstage tour experience. The film was followed by a panel Q&A discussion about the creation of the 14-minute film
(L to R: Scott Bailey, Opry Entertainment President; Bill Cody, Opry announcer and 650 WSM AM host; Barbara Schaetz, Vice President Business Operations for Grand Ole Opry House; Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO for Ryman Hospitality Properties; Opry member Mark Wills; Brad Shelton, BRC Imagination Arts Creative Director)

© Grand Ole Opry, Photo By: Chris Hollo
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CMT Celebrates The 4th Of July Holiday With “Red, White And Blue Week” Beginning Wednesday, July 3 Featuring Exclusive Presentation Of Nashville’s Live Fireworks Display, Brert Eldredge Concert And A Salute To Military Families

CMT announces a weeklong salute to America with “Red, White and Blue Week” – a variety of popular and patriotic programming surrounding Independence Day. The week will feature movie and TV series marathons of all-time American favorites; a one-hour special featuring country stars and military families in “CMT Hometown Heroes;” and “CMT Let Freedom Sing!” – a live broadcast from downtown Nashville, featuring a concert by country artist Brett Eldredge. The concert will be immediately followed by a commercial-free presentation of one of the largest fireworks displays in the country, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp’s (NCVC) live Fourth of July fireworks display, accompanied by the Nashville Symphony. “CMT Let Freedom Sing!” is hosted by CMT’s Cody Alan.

Original programming kicks off on Wednesday, July 3 at 10 pm ET/9 pm CT with “CMT Hometown Heroes”- a one-hour, three-part special featuring heartwarming stories honoring military families. The special begins with the story of an Army Master Sergeant who was injured while serving, and has returned home to his family in Adairsville, Georgia. Faced with a home needing extensive repairs, Operation Homefront, with support of The Home Depot Foundation and ACM award winner Chris Janson, treat the family to a home-makeover and a special acoustic performance of Janson’s unreleased song, “Everybody’s Going Through Something.”

Next, Operation Homefront visits Nashville to join the Nashville Predators Foundation as they host a Star-Spangled baby shower for nearby expectant military wives. ACM New Female Vocalist Nominee RaeLynn, who is also a military wife, surprises the moms-to-be with a heartfelt performance of “Camo,” her poignant penned song that speaks to the often difficult and lonely time spent apart from loved ones while they serve our country.

Rounding out “CMT Hometown Heroes” is the story of Jaxson Jordan, a young 13-year old in Jacksonville, N.C. who, despite his health challenges, spends most of his free time helping his community. In recognition of his service, Jaxson was selected as Operation Homefront’s 2019 Military Child of the Year® for the Marine Corps. As the teen prepares to travel to Washington, D.C. for the awards ceremony, he and his siblings receive a surprise visit from their dad, Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Jordan, who returns home from deployment just in time to join the family on their trip. Impressed by Jaxson’s dedication to service, country rocker, Brantley Gilbert, makes an unannounced visit to Jaxson’s hometown to perform for military families in the community and gives the family the opportunity of a lifetime.

For more information on Operation Homefront, please visit: OperationHomefront.org.

“Red, White and Blue Week” continues with the exclusive 90-minute special, “CMT Let Freedom Sing!” on Wednesday, July 4 at 10 pm ET/9 pm CT. Fans are treated to a front row seat to one of the biggest Independence Day celebrations in the country, and a concert by hit-maker Brett Eldredge. Eldredge, who recently celebrated his seventh #1 single, kicks off the live event with a one-hour musical set, which is followed by a half-hour, commercial free presentation of the NCVC’s Fourth of July fireworks presentation. The entire 90-minute program will encore immediately following the premiere telecast.

“Let Freedom Sing!” is produced by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp for the city of Nashville. This is the 15th annual celebration produced by the NCVC and the 35th in the city. For more information on this fireworks spectacular, visit https://www.visitmusiccity.com/media/press-release/2019/july4th-funfacts.

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*Tune In Alert* “CMT Crossroads: Brooks & Dunn & Friends” Premieres Friday, June 28 At 10 PM ET/9 PM CT

The best-selling country duo of all time Brooks & Dunn teams up with some of country’s hottest new stars when “CMT Crossroads: Brooks & Dunn and Friends” premieres Friday, June 28 at 10 PM ET/9 PM CT. Joined by friends Brett Young, LANCO frontman Brandon Lancaster, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi, Luke Combs andMidland, the eventful night of collaborations took place in front of thousands of fans on an outdoor stage in downtown Nashville.

The one-hour special showcases songs from Brooks & Dunn’s 2019 collaboration project Reboot, which debuted at No. One and consists of re-recordings of their timeless hits with a twist of added guest vocals and new arrangements, from country’s rising talent. “CMT Crossroads” brings six of the artists featured on the album together to perform the iconic hits with Brooks & Dunn.

The unforgettable night includes performances of:

  • “Brand New Man” with Luke Combs;
  • “My Next Broken Heart” with Jon Pardi;
  • “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” with Midland;
  • “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” with Brett Young;
  • “Red Dirt Road” with Cody Johnson;
  • “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up for Nothing” with Brandon Lancaster of LANCO.

Brooks & Dunn also perform fan-favorites “My Maria” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone.”

“CMT Crossroads: Brooks & Dunn and Friends” is executive produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux, SwitchedOn Entertainment’s John Hamlin and Taillight TV’s Tom Forrest. For more information, visit CMT.com and check out CMT Crossroads on Facebook, and use the hashtag #CMTcrossroads.

About Brooks & Dunn:

With 20 No. One hits stretching back to 1991, two GRAMMY awards, dozens of ACM and CMA honors and a discography counting more album sales than any duo in history – regardless of genre – Brooks & Dunn’s influence on today’s country has never been in question. Hits like “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “My Maria” and “Believe” have propelled the duo to more than 30 million albums sold, with the New York Times heralding “together they helped drive the power-country era of the early-to-mid 1990s and continued to benefit from the sea change in the genre they helped initiate right through their most recent albums.” Their original “Merle Haggard meets The Rolling Stones” vibe made them progressive stars in their own right. The duo’s recently released collaboration project REBOOT debuted at No. One on Billboard’s Top Country Albums. The impressive feat marks the first time the duo has topped the album charts since 2009 while simultaneously earning the duo their 10th Billboard 200 Top 10 album, the most of any country duo or group in the chart’s history. This year, the duo will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the “Modern Era Artist” category. A Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit on Brooks & Dunn will also open Aug. 9. For more information, visit www.brooks-dunn.com.

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CMT Hosts Several Stellar Events In Nashville Leading Up To The CMT Music Awards

CMT built the excitement for a second year in a row as they hosted several fun music events around Nashville leading up to their biggest event: CMT Music Awards.

Maggie Rose and Them Vibes perform at CMT Songbird Supper Club.

The week celebrating the CMT Music Awards kicked off with the inaugural CMT Songbird Supper Club on Sunday, June 2nd , which you can read all about here. This elegant event was sponsored by Pepsi and held at the Neuhoff Site.

Check out the photos above in Instagram for some highlights from the evening that featured a special dinner created by some culinary superstars from across the U.S. and music by some fabulous up-and-coming country artists.

On Monday, June 3rd, the 2nd annual CMT Ram Jam: Artists To Watch concert was held at the Cowen at Top Golf, serving as the perfect setting for the evening that was presented by Ram Trucks. It featured dynamic, full-band performances by Runaway June, Morgan Wallen, and Jordan Davis in front of a packed house. Check out video clips from the night below.

Tuesday, June 4th, started with the 2nd annual CMT Block Party in the early afternoon at the beautiful Schmerhorn Symphony Center Plaza in downtown Nashville. Presented by Wendy’s who handed out free Frosties and chicken sandwiches to the hungry crowd. It was an outside event that featured performances by: Cassadee Pope, Brandon Lay, and Lainey Wilson.

Tuesday night began with the taping of CMT Crossroads with Brooks & Dunn and a star-studded line-up of friends in downtown Nashville in the middle of lower Broadway in front of a live audience. Fans stood for hours prior to the taping to get a glimpse of the sound checks taking place for the show. You can see a video clip below.

They were joined by: Brett Young, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi, Luke Combs, Midland, Brandon Lancaster from LANCO, and more.

Tune-in for the premiere of this incredible CMT Crossroads on airing on FRIDAY, JUNE 28th at 10PM ET only on CMT.

The night didn’t stop there as the fun continued with an intimate late night acoustic round of music with some of the ladies of country music. It was held at the trendy True Music Room and Bar inside the Cambria Hotel, featuring some of CMT’s Next Women of Country members: Clare Dunn, Lindsay Ell, and Erin Enderlin. Sponsored by SEE HER and Citibank.

Afterwards, fans were given the opportunity to take pictures with and get autographs from the three talented ladies.

Finally, Wednesday kicked off early with CMT Sweat presented by Barry’s Bootcamp in the Gulch.

CMT Sweat was the can’t-miss kickoff to the CMT Music Awards happening lthat evening. Fans joined Barry’s trainers for an early-morning workout while enjoying music mixed live by DJ Anthony Batista. Attendees enjoyed swag giveaways and a free healthy breakfast.

In the early afternoon, day two of the CMT Block Party in front of the Schmerhorn Symphony Hall continued. Crowds gathered again for free chicken sandwiches and Frosties from the presenting sponsor, Wendy’s. It featured performances from Hardy, Rachel Wammack, and Ingrid Andress.

At last, the day of the CMT Music Awards had arrived after a fun-filled week leading up to their hallmark yearly event. Crews cleared the street around the Bridgestone Arena and began to set up the red carpet to the delight of excited onlookers anticipating what the evening had in store.

Stay tuned for the full wrap-up of the CMT Music Awards from our perspective!

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CMT Hosts Inaugural CMT Songbird Supper Club

To kick off the celebration of this year’s CMT Music Awards, CMT hosted the inaugural CMT Songbird Supper Club on June 2nd at the Neuhoff Site.

Maggie Rose and Them Vibes entertain the crowd.

Located in the historic Germantown area of Nashville, the long-abandoned, former meat packing plant, Neuhoff Site at 1308 Adams St., has recently been turned into an upscale event venue. Beautifully-decorated to help kick off a week of special events hosted by CMT.

Neuhoff Site

The CMT Songbird Supper Club follows in the tradition from years past of a special dinner that CMT has held in honor of the current CMT Music Awards’ nominees with artists and industry only present. This year, under its new name, CMT opened up a limited number of tickets to the public for purchase to experience a night of fine dining and live music.

The evening began with guests first enjoying a cocktail reception just outside the venue. There was a nice selection of special drinks created for the event with waitstaff serving hors d’vores created by some of the visiting chefs.

Following the cocktail reception, guests made their way into the main event hall with a stage along with several long, candlelit tables that filled the elegantly-decorated room to enjoy the dinner and the musical performances.

My personal favorite dish that was served was the squash with yellow curry sauce with white rice. Going to try to replicate that one from my home!

CMT brought in a collection of culinary superstars from across the U.S. for this very special evening. The chefs included: Roxana Jullapat (East Hollywood, CA), Erik Bruner-Yang (Washington, D.C.), Will Thompson (Miami, FL), Sarah Gavigan (Nashville, TN), and Kristen Kish (Austin, TX).

As guests dined on delectable gourmet dishes from the talented chefs, we were treated to live music. Them Vibes, Twinnie, and Hannah Ellis started out the music for the evening with Maggie Rose joining with her band, Them Vibes, to close out this special night. They stole the show combining Maggie Rose’s powerful, distinctive vocals with the groove that Them Vibes provided as they played their own unique mix of country, soul, and blues bringing the crowd to their feet as most took to the dance floor to end the night on a festive high note.

It was certainly a success and an event that I hope returns next year!

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*Tune-In Alert* “CMT Hot 20” Airs Second Installment Of “CMT’S Sweetest Summer Celebration Presented By DQ®” Saturday, June 22 At 9a ET/PT

*TUNE-IN ALERT* “CMT HOT 20” AIRS SECOND INSTALLMENT OF “CMT’S SWEETEST SUMMER CELEBRATION PRESENTED BY DQ®” SATURDAY, JUNE 22 AT 9AM ET/PT

NASHVILLE – June 20, 2019 – “CMT Hot 20” and DQ® team up for an all-new episode of “CMT’s Sweetest Summer Celebration Presented by DQ®” airing Saturday at 9AM ET/PT. The installment features interviews and performances by artist Lauren Alaina.

CMT’s partnership with DQ® continues to deliver fans the best new music all summer long. Each installment features all-new interviews with the artists, including what their summer plans entail and their favorite picks from the NEW DQ Summer Blizzard® Treat Menu. “Hot 20” will also premiere new live performance videos from the artists, which were filmed when they celebrated with fans at an event held in Nashville earlier this spring. Videos will move into CMT music hour rotation following their debut on “Hot 20.”

The remaining of the premiere schedule for “CMT’s Sweetest Summer Celebration Presented by DQ®” on “Hot 20 Countdown” is as follows:

Lauren Alaina

•             Premieres Saturday, June 22 at 9AM ET/PT (Encores Sunday, June 23 at 9AM ET/PT)

Maddie & Tae

•             Premieres Saturday, July 20 at 9AM ET/PT (Encores Sunday, July 21 at 9AM ET/PT)

Walker Hayes

•             Premieres Saturday, August 10 at 9AM ET/PT (Encores Sunday, August 11 at 9AM ET/PT)

About IDQ:

International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses and services a system of more than 7,000 locations in the United States, Canada and 25 other countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffet, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.

About CMT:

CMT is the leading authority on country music and lifestyle, offering a mix of original series, music events and specials. CMT is everywhere its fans are including two cable channels (CMT and the 24-hour music channel, CMT Music), radio (CMT Radio), digital (CMT App, CMT.com) and social (CMT on Facebook, CMT on Instagram and CMT on Twitter). CMT is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

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Florida Georgia Line Hosts Surprise Performance At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital With Tourmates Dan + Shay, Morgan Wallen, HARDY And Canaan Smith

Hundreds gather for largest-ever on-campus concert as artists perform their hits, take photographs, sign autographs

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (June 18, 2019) – On Saturday, June 15, Florida Georgia Line along with Dan +  Shay, Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and Canaan Smith made a special visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Memphis, Tennessee, to play for the patients and their families ahead of the duo’s 2019 CAN’T SAY I AIN’T COUNTRY tour stop that night in Southaven, Mississippi.

St. Jude patient families were all smiles as the artists performed some of their biggest hits, sparked sing-a-longs and spoke directly to the families about the impact St. Jude has on them. They expressed how it was an honor to share their music with the brave kids who are fighting childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The wives of the performers, Hayley Hubbard, Brittney Kelley, Hannah Mooney, Abby Smyers, and Christy Smith joined by their friends, Caroline Hobby, Catherine Nail, Gabi McCreery, and Kristen Brust, took time after the show to take a personalized tour of the St. Jude campus.

The country music industry has raised more than $800 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® began 30 years ago.

Thanks to generous donors – families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, sharing stories and videos from St. Jude Inspire, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter and Instagram and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

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