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CRS 2020 Featured Speaker Revealed: Rascal Flatts To Appear At ‘Rascal Flatts: 20 Years of Country Radio Success’

By on October 7, 2019 in Press Releases
Rascal Flatts
Photo Credit: Robby Klein

(Nashville, Tenn. – Oct. 2, 2019) Superstar vocal group Rascal Flatts has been added to the growing list of high-profile speakers confirmed to appear during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2020.  Rascal Flatts: 20 Years Of Country Radio Success, is set for 4:00pm (CT) on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Nashville’s Omni Hotel, and is sponsored by the Country Music Association (CMA) as its annual featured session at CRS. Sarah Trahern, Chief Executive Officer for CMA, will conduct this in-depth Q&A with the trio. Together, they will share insight into the trio’s monumental 20-year journey, as Rascal Flatts broke down boundaries as true trailblazers in the genre while maintaining a longevity and relevance that continues to propel them to the top of the country radio charts.  Prior to the 60-min discussion, Rascal Flatts will also appear at the Opening Ceremonies to reveal the Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

CRB/CRS President of the Board, Kurt Johnson, commented, “Rascal Flatts’ indelible mark on Country music for the past two decades makes this a must-see event for CRS2020. Gary, Jay and Joe Don are among the greatest legends of our genre, and their stories will be riveting.”

With seventeen No. One hits, over 23.4 million albums sold, 35 million digital downloads and 2.2 billion streams worldwide, time and success have only put Rascal Flatts closer to their core with expert musicianship, razor-sharp vocals and songs that have shaped lives, loves and the genre of country music itself. The trio’s Top 20 single “Back To Life” follows back-to-back chart-topping singles “Yours If You Want It” as well as “I Like The Sound Of That.” The group has also earned over 40 trophies from the ACA, ACM, AMA, CMA, People’s Choice and more, also making them the most awarded country group of the past decade. Known as one of the hottest-selling touring acts in any genre, Rascal Flatts has sold over 11 million concert tickets to date. 

“2020 is going to be our 20th Anniversary as a band and is a huge milestone for us,” shared Gary LeVox. “Country radio has been such an important part of our story and so we’re looking forward to reflecting on where it all began and where country radio continues to take us today.” 


About the Country Music Association:  Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. More than 7,600 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on the ABC Television Network in the U.S.    About Country Radio Seminar: Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio. Country Radio Seminar 2020 is set for Feb. 19-21 at the Omni Nashville Hotel, and will be held at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Registration for Country Radio Seminar is currently $599 per person and is available for purchase at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.  Additionally, CRS host hotel, Omni Nashville, is accepting reservations. For more information, visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com, and follow CRS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Additional information can be obtained by calling 615-327-4487

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Nashville Ballet To Premiere Critically Acclaimed Story Of A Streetcar Named Desire

By on October 7, 2019 in Press Releases

First-ever U.S. company performs iconic work from Tennessee Williams Nov. 1-3

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 25, 2019) – Nashville Ballet is excited to bring world-renowned Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and London-based Director Nancy Meckler’s beguiling performance of A Streetcar Named Desire to the heart of the South in November 2019.

For the first time ever, Tennessee Williams’ legendary tale will be performed by a United States-based ballet company on one of the South’s premier stages. Considered Williams’ greatest work, A Streetcar Named Desire dramatizes the life of Blanche DuBois, an aging Southern belle who is forced to leave her aristocratic life and flee to a dilapidated New Orleans tenement after facing a series of tragic losses.

“This ballet represents the perseverance of women who have felt unheard,” said Meckler. “People often assume that female-led performances are fairytales; however, A Streetcar Named Desire is a fictional representation of the challenging reality female artists face in making their voices heard. I hope it will show aspiring artists, particularly choreographers, that women have the right to come out of the shadows and find success – even in what used to be a male-dominated industry.”

For the second time this year, Nashville Ballet will bring yet another boundary-pushing performance to Polk Theater. This adaptation is unique as the story will unfold through the singular perspective of Blanche DuBois. With Lopez Ochoa’s masterful choreography, audiences can expect a new interpretation of Williams’ work; one that humanizes the timeless tragedies of societal expectation and victimization, both of which still ring true for women today.

“Transforming this work into a ballet takes Williams’ story to places it has never been before,” said Lopez Ochoa. “By choreographing the narrative, we were able to tell a story of debauchery, heartbreak and strength from an entirely new perspective – a perspective that finally brings Blanche DuBois’ character into the light.” 

Similar to Lucy Negro Redux – Artistic Director Paul Vasterling’s time-bending performance of William Shakespeare’s love life – A Streetcar Named Desire brings topics of social justice to the forefront of the ballet world. Returning to Williams’ Southern roots, the story remains one of his most performed plays and has inspired many adaptations in other forms, including a critically acclaimed film that was released in 1951.

Nashville Ballet Company Artist Julia Eisen will take on the title role of Blanche DuBois. A veteran of the company, Eisen has spent the past nine years working under Vasterling’s direction.

“It is a privilege for our company to perform this work as it exemplifies the unwavering strength of female performers,” said Vasterling. “Once again, I am honored to work with a team of such powerful women, and I have no doubt that the caliber of Annabelle’s choreography will inspire Julia to give a performance that deeply resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.”    

A Streetcar Named Desire will premiere in Nashville at TPAC’s Polk Theater Friday, Nov. 1, through Sunday, Nov. 3. For more information on tickets and scheduling, please visit nashvilleballet.com/streetcar.

About Nashville Ballet
Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company, NB2 (a pre-professional training company), provide more than 55,000 arts experiences to adults and children annually through season performances and its Community Engagement programming. Curriculum-based Community Engagement programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet brings world-class dance instruction to students age 2 to 70. To learn more about the Nashville Ballet, please visit nashvilleballet.com.

Nashville Ballet receives public funding from Metro Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Contributions from local, regional and national institutional funders and community partners, as well as hundreds of generous individuals, provide ongoing support of Nashville Ballet’s mission-critical programs.

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Grand Ole Opry Announces Artist Lineup And Events For DOLLY WEEK 2019

By on October 6, 2019 in Music

NASHVILLE, TN – In celebration of Dolly Parton’s 50th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member, the Grand Ole Opry is hosting Dolly Week 2019-a week long series of events and special Opry shows to honor arguably country music’s greatest global ambassador and an artist who has taken the Opry with her wherever she goes.

Dolly Week 2019 includes five consecutive nights of Dolly-themed Opry shows that include performances by many of Dolly’s friends and artists she has influenced including Bill Anderson, Dierks Bentley, Barry Gibb, Emmylou Harris, Chris Janson, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Margo Price, Don Schlitz, Jeannie Seely, Hank Williams, Jr. and more. Artists plan to perform a mix of their own hits as well as songs written, popularized, or inspired by the 50-year Opry icon.

Parton will be performing on both sold-out shows Sat., Oct. 12, capping the week-long celebration of Parton’s impact on music and the Opry.

                                                  DOLLY WEEK 2019 LINEUP
                                             (artists and schedule subject to change)TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019:
Tuesday Night Opry | GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE

Lineup includes:
Dustin Lynch
Suzy Bogguss
The Isaacs
Stephanie Quayle
and more

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2019:
Wednesday Night Opry | GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE

Lineup includes:
Sara Evans
Del McCoury Band
Don Schlitz
Sam Williams (Opry debut)
Stephanie Urbina Jones
and more

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019: (Sold Out)
 Opry Country Classics hosted by Larry Gatlin | RYMAN AUDITORIUM | Featuring performances of #1 Dolly hits

Lineup includes:
The Gatlin Brothers
Dale Ann Bradley
Emily West
Shawn Camp & Lauren Mascitti
Sierra Hull
Hannah Dasher
and more

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019 (Two Shows: 7 p.m. (Sold Out) and 9:30 p.m. (Tickets Available)
Friday Night Opry | GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE  

Lineup Includes (TWO Shows | 7:00 & 9:30 PM):
Bill Anderson
Barry Gibb
Dierks Bentley (1st show only)
Margo Price
Emmylou Harris
Chris Janson 
and more

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2019 (Two Sold-Out Shows, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.): 
GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE | Dolly Parton’s 50th Grand Ole Opry Anniversary Celebration featuring Dolly Parton and many more

Lineup Includes (TWO Shows | 7:00 & 9:30 PM):
Dolly Parton
Lady Antebellum
Jeannie Seely
Toby Keith
Margo Price
Barry Gibb
Hank Williams, Jr. (1st show only)
Candi Carpenter
and more

DOLLY WEEK 2019 Special Events and Programming Also Includes:

DOLLY: MY OPRY MEMORIES – Limited Time Only Exhibit

In celebration of Dolly Parton’s 50thanniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member, the Opry House will host “Dolly: My Opry Memories”- an exclusive exhibit featuring 24 wardrobe pieces the internationally-known country music icon has worn on the Opry stage and at events held at the Ryman Auditorium over the last 50 years.  The exhibit will run through October 31.

Among Parton’s fashions featured: 

  • Dress worn on the evening of her Opry induction (1969)
  • Gown worn for a duet with fellow Opry member Vince Gill on her monster smash “I Will Always Love You” (1995)
  • Ensemble worn during a surprise Opry appearance to celebrate the 40thanniversary of Reba McEntire’s Opry debut (2017)

Also included in the exhibit in the Opry House’s historic Studio A are exclusive videos of Parton recounting some of her favorite Opry memories along with rarely seen performance clips spanning her five decades of Opry membership. The limited-time-only exhibit was curated and designed to celebrate Parton’s milestone anniversary and tells the storied career of one of the Opry’s greatest global ambassadors.

Tickets for the “Dolly: My Opry Memories”  exhibit are $12 when guests add it on to the purchase of an Opry backstage tour. Exhibit-only tickets are $17. Packages and tickets are on sale now at www.opry.com.Please check opry.com for available tour times. 

DOLLY RADIO on 650 WSM

As part of Parton’s 50th Opry anniversary celebration, flagship station WSM flipped its Opry Nashville streaming channel to “Dolly Radio” to coincide with the exhibit. The 24/7 “all things Dolly stream” will feature the music legend’s many hits from her catalog of over 3000 songs, past Opry performances, archived interviews, special features from fellow artists, and much more. Fans will be able to access “Dolly Radio” 24/7 via WSMonline.com and the station’s free mobile app.

THE OPRY SHOP – located at the Opry House

In celebration of Parton’s 50th Anniversary as an Opry member, The Opry Shop—also located at the Opry House– will feature a unique collection of eleven custom-designed items for women, men and children celebrating the milestone anniversary. A special Dolly Parton Queen of Country 50th Anniversary graphic was created by Opry Entertainment Product Development Manager Molly Brooks, who was inspired by a Parton photograph captured by longtime Opry photographer Les Leverett.  
BACKSTAGE TOURS

In June, the Opry premiered a new immersive film experience featuring video hosts Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood and showcasing more than 100 Opry artists, Parton included. The film shown in the Opry House’s new Circle Room opens the Opry’s daytime backstage tour.

About Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is the most honored and revered female country singer-songwriter of all time. Achieving 25 RIAA certified Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum awards, she has had 26 songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. Parton recently became the first Country artist honored as Grammy MusiCares Person of the Year given out by NARAS. She has 41 career Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she has 110 career-charted singles over the past 40 years. In 2014 the RIAA recognized her impact on recorded music with a plaque commemorating more than 100 million units sold worldwide – and in 2016 her No. 1 album Pure & Simple, which topped the Billboard Top Country Albums and Americana/Folk Albums charts and debuted at No. 1 in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Australia, added to that massive tally. She has garnered eight Grammy Awards, including a 2017 win with Pentatonix for their collaboration on her iconic 1974 hit “Jolene”; 10 Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year; five Academy of Country Music Awards, also including a nod for Entertainer of the Year; four People’s Choice Awards; and three American Music Awards. In 1999, Parton was inducted as a member of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame. 

In 2008 Parton launched her return to touring on a global scale with Backwoods Barbie World Tour, the first of many sold-out arena tours, returning her to Billboard Boxscore’s Top 10 Country Tours of the Year. Her 2016 movie “Christmas Of Many Colors: Circle Of Love,” was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie. In 2017, Parton released her first children’s album, I Believe In You, on Dolly Records through her partnership with Sony Music Nashville; the project’s proceeds benefit The Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, a non-profit that in August 2019 gave away over 1.4M books, and has given away a total of over 125M books to date to children from birth to five years of age in the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK. In 2018, Parton received her first two Emmy Awards as the organization recognized her lifetime of giving with the Governor’s Award and the award for Best Community Service Program lauding her 2016 telethon “Smoky Mountains Rise,” which raised more than $13 million for her My People fund, which provided financial assistance to victims of massive wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Parton recently collaborated with producer Linda Perry on the soundtrack for the Golden Globe nominated film Dumplin’ starring Jennifer Aniston and Danielle MacDonald. In addition, Netflix will be releasing an eight part anthology film series called Heartstrings thru her Sandollar Productions in association with Magnolia Hill Productions, with each individual film based on one of Dolly’s masterful songs. This will be released on Netflix in the fall of 2019. 

Up next, Dolly has partnered with IMG on an exclusive marketing/branding deal for 2020. Next year will also mark the 33rd anniversary season for Dollywood, her theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., which since 1986 has hosted more than 2 million visitors annually.

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 through December 11 plus seasonal Wednesday and Thursday Opry Country Classics performances. 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.

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“CMT Crossroads” Celebrates Its 70th Episode With Superstar Pairing Of Halsey And Kelsea Ballerini In One Of Its Largest Outdoor Tapings Ever On Friday, October 11 In Nashville

By on October 4, 2019 in Press Releases

Pair to Perform Together for the First Time Live at Ascend Amphitheater in Downtown Nashville

“CMT Crossroads: Halsey & Kelsea Ballerini” to Premiere Early 2020 

NASHVILLE – October 3, 2019 – CMT has announced the 70th episode taping of its critically-acclaimed music series “CMT Crossroads,” featuring global superstars Halsey & Kelsea Ballerini. The two will take the stage together for the first time ever during a special, open-to-the-public taping of “CMT Crossroads” at the Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville on Friday, October 11. The episode will premiere on CMT in early 2020.

“I feel so fortunate to have a friend like Kelsea. She is a spectacular talent and an even better human being. It’s been an honor to watch from the sidelines as she has trailblazed country music the past few years. Her songs make me laugh and cry and put every single window down in the car,” said Halsey. “The first stage Kelsea and I ever shared together was a 3 foot karaoke dance floor right in Nashville. We’ve sang together in my living room, in her kitchen, in the back seat of cars in drive through lines late at night. And this time we get to get on a real stage, one of the most iconic stages in history, and do the thing we love the most in front of a city that is so dear to both of us.”

“From hearing ‘Colors’ for the first time years ago to her playing the first cut of ‘Without Me’ in my living room last year, I’ve always been a superfan of Halsey. Her songwriting has a way of painting the most beautiful pictures and telling the most emotional of stories, and after becoming fast friends over wine and karaoke nights, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather share the CMT Crossroads stage with. We’re going to bring a little pop, a little country, a big love of songwriting, and no doubt some sass to Nashville next week,” shared Ballerini. 

The all-ages show will be general admission; ticketing details to be released in the days prior. For more information, visit Crossroads.CMT.com.

The success of “Without Me” has made Halsey the first and only female artist to have at least three songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100 for 50 weeks each. Rounding out the trio of songs are the 2x Platinum “Eastside,” her collaboration with Benny Blanco and Khalid, and The Chainsmokers’ 10x Platinum “Closer,” which she featured on. “Without Me” spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in early 2019, marking her first solo single to reach the top spot. It now ranks as the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit by a female artist of this century. She is the first artist to rank at Nos. 1 and 2 simultaneously on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Songs radio airplay chart. In March 2019, Halsey became the first artist in history to replace herself at No. 1 twice on the U.S. Pop Songs Airplay chart when “Without Me” returned to No. 1, bumping “Eastside” from the top spot. “Without Me” is the most-played song of 2019 at U.S. radio.

Since 2015, Halsey has amassed over 23 billion streams worldwide and sold more than nine million adjusted albums globally. She has played sold out dates on five continents (including New York City’s Madison Square Garden), been nominated for a GRAMMY and appeared on a wide variety of magazine covers, including Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, NYLON, Forbes, Playboy and Billboard. Her 2015 debut album, BADLANDS, was certified Platinum by the RIAA within one year of its release. Halsey claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 with 2017’s Platinum-certified hopeless fountain kingdom, which contained such hits as the 2x Platinum “Now or Never” and the 4x Platinum “Bad at Love.” She featured on BTS’ Platinum hit, “Boy With Luv” and, most recently, alongside Future on “Die for Me,” a track from Post Malone’s new album. She recently won the Hal David Starlight Award, presented by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, plus a VMA and two Teen Choice Awards. Her new single, “Graveyard,” amassed more than 50 million combined global streams in its first two weeks of release. The song was #1 Most Added at Top 40 radio and topped Spotify’s Today’s Top Hits playlist. Halsey celebrated her birthday by sharing a new song, “clementine,” and the accompanying music video. The track is from her new album, Manic, which will be released on January 17, 2020 on Capitol Records.

Halsey continues to push creative boundaries, expanding her influence and impact beyond music. After making her film debut in the animated 2018 summer movie Teen Titans GO! as the voice of Wonder Woman, she was seen in A Star is Born, starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. She continues to use her voice to speak up for causes she passionately believes in, including disenfranchised youth, women’s rights, mental health and the LGBTQ community. GLAAD honored her in 2018 as “Outstanding Music Artist.”

As an undeniable vocalist, songwriter, and performer, Kelsea Ballerini elevates country for a new era with emotional songcraft, poignant honesty, and classic grace. Her new single “homecoming queen?” is climbing the charts at Country radio and has already earned more than 18 million streams and 2.8 million music video views. Since her gold-certified 2015 full-length debut The First Time, she has consistently made history. By 2019, she became the only female country artist to achieve three consecutive #1 songs from a debut album, notched a total of five number ones with the platinum “Miss Me More,” and the Grand Ole Opry welcomed her as their youngest current member. Not to mention, she garnered two GRAMMY® Award nominations, won two ACM Awards, and took home the iHeartRadio Music Awards honor for “Best New Artist.” 2017’s Unapologetically marked her second Top 5 debut on the Billboard Top 200. With multiple platinum singles, her total streams exceed two billion to date. In addition to touring alongside everyone from Kelly Clarkson to Keith Urban, she ascended to an arena headliner on The Miss Me More Tour. Everything paved the way for her third full-length, which promises to be her most personal yet, expected in 2020 on Black River Entertainment.

“CMT Crossroads” shows the far-reaching roots of country music by pairing country artists with musicians from other genres. Each episode features a different set of stars playing together, swapping stories and sharing their common love of music. The series debuted January 13, 2002 with Elvis Costello and Lucinda Williams and since has showcased dream musical partnerships including Ray Charles and Travis Tritt; Bon Jovi and Sugarland; Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire; Def Leppard and Taylor Swift; Sting and Vince Gill; John Mayer and Keith Urban; Steven Tylerand Carrie Underwood; Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum; Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves; Alicia Keys and Maren Morris to name a few.

“CMT Crossroads” is produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin. For more information, visit CMT.com, check out CMT Crossroads on Facebook, on YouTube at YouTube.com/CMTcrossroads and use the hashtag #CMTcrossroads.

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). For more information, please visit CMT Press at cmtpress.com.

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Tennessee Tourism Debuts New “Ken Burns Country Music Pathway”

By on September 25, 2019 in In The Press, Press Releases

NASHVILLE – Sept. 25, 2019 – Trace the origins of the genre that inspired Ken Burns’ “Country Music” documentary via a newly-released Tennessee Music Pathways’ route. From Bristol to Memphis and everywhere in-between, visitors can uncover the history that changed the course of American music and walk in the footsteps of legends as seen in Burns’ latest masterpiece.

Airing now on PBS, the debut of “Country Music” coincides with the first anniversary of Tennessee Music Pathways, a program created to showcase the state’s rich musical legacy across all 95 counties with hundreds of landmarks and attractions.

Tennessee is home to seven genres of music: blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll. Tennessee Music Pathways connects fans to music and inspires travel using a travel-planning website at www.TNmusicpathways.com.

See the places that inspired the music on the “Ken Burns Country Music Pathway”(full list available at www.TNmusicpathways.com):

  • The Birthplace of Country Music Museum (Bristol) and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (Nashville) offer almost a century of musical storytelling. The 1927 Bristol Sessions – known as the “big bang of country music” – are celebrated at the Smithsonian-affiliated Birthplace of Country Music Museum. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the world’s largest music museum, featuring galleries, archival storage, theaters, education centers and retail space, as well as RCA’s Historic Studio B and Hatch Show Print.
  • Stand Where Legends Were Born in Memphis. Self-taught producer Sam Phillips created a new sound at the iconic Sun Studio,where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and many more recorded. Visitors can still see where Lewis stubbed his cigar on the piano keys during the legendary “Million Dollar Quartet” sessions. Beale Street is the “Home of the Blues,” where musicians like B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf and Louis Armstrong honed their music for a different kind of sound that has influenced artists for generations. Take a short drive and visit Elvis Presley’s Graceland where you can tour the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s beloved home, Graceland Mansion, or take in more than 10 exhibits that explore his passions and career at Elvis Presley’s Memphis.
  • Experience Music in Hallowed Venues. Country’s most famous stage began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925. Now, nearly a century later, the Grand Ole Opry reigns as an entertainment phenomenon. In the heart of downtown Nashville, Ryman Auditorium is hallowed ground where country music’s biggest stars performed, and today’s stars still revere the beloved hall. Today, the music lives on through nightly shows and daytime tours.
  • Celebrate the Women of Country Music at Sites Honoring Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Minnie Pearl and Dolly Parton. The Patsy Cline Museum in downtown Nashville celebrates the life of the legendary songstress and features hundreds of never-before-seen artifacts, personal belongings and videos. An engraved boulder marks the site in Camden, Tennessee where a small plane carrying Cline, two of her co-stars and her manager crashed in 1963. Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, better known by her stage name Minnie Pearl, was a pioneering female comedian on the Opry stage. A statue made of chicken wire in her hometown of Centerville stands in her honor today. Loretta Lynn’s Ranch & Campgrounds in Hurricane Mills includes her plantation home and the famous Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum. Sevierville erected a statue in honor of their beloved hometown songstress Dolly Parton,best-selling female country music artist of all time.Sevier County is also home to her nearby award-winning attraction, Dollywood, which contributes thousands of jobs in her home community.
  • Walk the Line in Johnny Cash’s Footsteps. Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Johnny Cash Museum is dedicated to the life and music career of the late “Man in Black.” Cash also needed a hideaway, and he found one in the form of an abandoned 1800s general store and farm in tiny Bon Aqua. In 2015, a pair of entrepreneurial brothers purchased the general store and farm, converting it into a Johnny Cash museum called the Storytellers Museum & Hideaway Farm.
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CMT To Honor Five Superstar Artists As “2019 CMT Artists Of The Year”:  Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Luke Combs And Thomas Rhett

By on September 17, 2019 in In The Press, Press Releases

10th Annual Celebration Premieres Live Wednesday, October 16 at 8pm ET/PT

NASHVILLE – September 17, 2019 –CMT today revealed it will honor superstar acts Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett as the top country artists of 2019 to be celebrated at this year’s 10th Annual “CMT Artists of the Year” special, broadcasting LIVE from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, October 16 at 8pm ET/PT. 

The 90-minute special will highlight the five “Artists of the Year” who have collectively ruled the last 12 months in country music, leading across all CMT’s platforms, scoring chart-topping albums and singles while simultaneously selling out arenas across the country. The event will feature surprise musical pairings and guests as in past years, and will also feature a live-streamed remote performance by Carrie Underwood from her “Cry Pretty Tour 360” tour stop in Cleveland, Ohio. Additional performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.

“These five, stand-out honorees have dominated country music this year and we look forward to paying tribute to each of them at the 10th year anniversary CMT Artists of the Year event,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy & Talent, CMT. “From first-time honorees Dan + Shay, Kane Brown and Luke Combs to two-time honoree Thomas Rhett and now five-time honoree Carrie Underwood, this incredible collection of talent coming together at what marks a pivotal time in each of their careers promises to be a night of incredible performances and reflection.”

This year marks a significant milestone for the “CMT Artists of the Year” special as it celebrates the decade-long anniversary of the live music franchise. Through the years, the show has become a highly anticipated celebration of both country music’s breakthrough talent, as well as seasoned musicians who’ve become icons in the country music industry. 

While the awards special has always been exciting to watch with its unexpected performances and heartfelt moments from musicians, it has also been an advocate for supporting important causes. In years past, the show has raised both awareness and contributions for those impacted by such natural disasters as Hurricane Harvey and the tragic events at Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas. Last year, the “2018 CMT Artists of the Year” special was dedicated to the women of country music and demonstrated CMT’s commitment to female artists. 

Previous “CMT Artists of the Year” performances and surprise acts have included Adele and Darius Rucker performing Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” Adam Lambert and Leona Lewis paying tribute to Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” and Maroon 5 covering Taylor Swift’s “Mine.” The show has featured appearances by Ellen DeGeneres, Matthew McConaughey, Selena Gomez, Billy Bob Thornton, Roger Clemens, Morgan Freeman, the cast of Nashville and more. Performers and presenters for “2019 CMT Artists of the Year” to be announced. 

For more updates go to CMTAOTY.CMT.com. Follow @CMT on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and use #CMTAOTY to join the conversation.

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ABOUT CMT
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Hendrick’s Gin Unveils Groundbreaking New Department

By on September 13, 2019 in Uncategorized

HENDRICK’S GIN UNVEILS DEPARTMENT OF NOT-SO-CONVENIENT TECHNOLOGY

Courtesy of William Grant & Sons.

NEW YORK, NY (September 13, 2019): Hendrick’s, the world’s most unusual gin, is proud to announce its first (sort of) venture into modern technology – a new division of elaborate, entertaining devices that offer an oft-needed respite from the mundanity of mass-produced modern electronics: “The Hendrick’s Department of Not-So-Convenient Technology.” The groundbreaking new department will provide Hendrick’s tipplers an array of offbeat gadgets and gizmos for purchase, released periodically on a whim and a fancy. 

“HORATIO” IS THE WORLD’S FIRST SOMEWHAT SMART SPEAKER – THE DEBUT PRODUCT IN THE NEW DIVISION OF DELIGHTFULLY INNEFFICIENT GADGETS

The very first item in the department, unveiled Tuesday night at an intimate theater in Manhattan among luminaries in the tech and cocktail world, is Hendrick’s Horatio – a beautifully elaborate voice activation device made of brass, copper and leather parts. Created as a counterpart to today’s banal and predictable voice-activated speakers restricted to merely answering questions, Horatio is a far-more sophisticated device that’s utterly independent of anything you may ask of it – indeed, you never know exactly what Horatio may say!

Courtesy of William Grant & Sons.

“Rather than breaking new ground, we prefer to cavort imaginatively on existing ground,” stated the gin-maker’s ambassador to the Western United States, Mr. Mark Stoddard, who was in “full turtleneck and specs” in his wardrobe for the event. “Horatio perfectly demonstrates our entirely unnecessary response to what we see as a gaping hole in the modern technology market. The speaker even includes a built-in cocktail holder, an innovation that we expect to rock Silicon Valley back on its knees!”

Courtesy of William Grant & Sons.

Key features of this wondrous contraption include finger-powered activation (freeing your voice for other things), a martini holder and endless bragging rights at parties. You might hear Horatio, a chipper fellow with a delightful British accent, utter anything from “The fitness center opens at the ungodly hour of 5am” to “Let’s just say it is a good day to carry an umbrella in one hand and a cocktail in the other.”

The glories of overcomplication and inefficiency are hardly new for the gin-maker. Hendrick’s has previously bestowed dirigible airships, hot air balloons, pedal-powered cocktail machines and vast amounts of other fascinating and utterly inefficient machines onto the world. Not only that, the gin itself is concocted on two entirely different types of stills, each of which must be charged will 11 botanicals, then combined and further transformed with rose and cucumber essences — all of which is done in the tiny, utterly inconvenient seaside village of Girvan, Scotland.

The antithesis of today’s movement toward mass production, only five Horatio devices exist in the world. Each is a full-fledged work of art created by two American artists and includes lovingly salvaged antique parts collected over many years. Indeed, no two are exactly alike. These are indisputable prized feats of human achievement that will undoubtedly increase in value over the years, all while continuously delighting Hendrick’s home imbibers, their families and guests. They are available online on a first-come-first served basis for the entirely reasonable price of $1,113 per unit.

Courtesy of William Grant & Sons.

Stay tuned for more unusual gadgets to come from the Department of Not-So-Convenient-Technology. For more information, visit http://www.hendricksgin.com/us/dnsct and to purchase Horatio for yourself, visit https://hendrickstinyshop.com/.

ABOUT HENDRICK’S GIN

Hendrick’s is a deliciously super premium gin, made with a number of unusual twists. To deliver a most curious and delightfully unique flavor, Hendrick’s combines a distinct blend of eleven botanicals, as well as the signature infusions of cucumber and rose petals, producing a wonderfully refreshing gin with a delightfully unique aroma. Hand crafted in Scotland in miniscule batches by William Grant & Sons, Hendrick’s is the only gin that uses a marriage of spirits from both a Carter-Head and Copper Pot Still, a combination that produces a divinely smooth gin that has both the required character and balance of subtle flavors. Since Hendrick’s was first introduced to America nearly 20 years ago, it has gained widespread acclaim and received numerous awards, including a Double Gold medal in the 2014 Fifty Best Gin Awards; ‘Gin of the Year’ at the Food and Wine Magazine Awards and voted ‘World’s Best Gin’ by the Wall Street Journal. Hendrick’s Gin has an ABV of 44% and an SRP of $34.99.  Please enjoy the unusual responsibly. For further information, visit www.hendricksgin.com.

ABOUT WILLIAM GRANT & SONS

William Grant & Sons Holdings Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the global premium spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s most awarded single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch, Grant’s®, as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum, Tullamore D.E.W.® Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder® Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Drambuie® Scotch Liqueur.

William Grant & Sons has been honored as “Distiller of the Year” by the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition and International Spirits Challenge 12 times over the past 13 years, including the most recent award in 2018.

Founded in 1964, William Grant & Sons USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of William Grant & Sons, Ltd. and features one of the fastest growing spirits portfolios in the USA with brands including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, Drambuie, Milagro Tequila, Grant’s, Hudson Whiskey, Gibson’s Finest, Monkey Shoulder, Clan MacGregor, Reyka Vodka, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Montelobos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, Flor de Caña Rum, The Knot and Raynal French Brandy. For more information on the company and its brands, please visit www.grantusa.com.

HENDRICK’S GIN 44% ALC/VOL. ©2019 BOTTLED AND IMPORTED BY WILLIAM GRANT & SONS. NEW YORK, NY. SIP THE UNUSUAL RESPONSIBLY.

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Brett Young Drops THE ACOUSTIC SESSIONS EP Today

By on September 13, 2019 in Uncategorized

Nashville, TN – September 13, 2019 – Multi-PLATINUM artist Brett Young dropped THE ACOUSTIC SESSIONS EP today, 9/13. The fresh, stripped-down collection features “five of the country star’s best-loved songs” (American Songwriter), all co-written by Young from his chart-topping album TICKET TO L.A. (BMLG Records), lauded by critics as “…his ticket to country superstardom” (Newsday). With four songs previously released, the EP is rounded out today with a reimagined version of the album’s title track “Ticket To L.A,” appropriately timed as the hitmaker prepares for a homecoming trip next week, headlining a pre-sold out show at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Sept. 19. 

Watch the video here and listen to the EP here.

Young’s sophomore release, TICKET TO L.A. (BMLG Records), debuted atop the Billboard Country Albums chart upon release and features current single “Catch” and lead chart-topping hit “Here Tonight,” both which he co-wrote. TICKET TO L.A. follows his PLATINUM self-titled debut, which dominated the Top 20 on the Country Albums chart for 37 weeks. Delivering five consecutive No. 1 hits with “In Case You Didn’t Know” (5X PLATINUM), “Mercy”  (2X PLATINUM), “Sleep Without You” (PLATINUM), “Like I Loved You” (PLATINUM) and “Here Tonight” (GOLD), Young was named ASCAP’s 2018 Country Songwriter-Artist of the Year for his “melodic craftsmanship” (Billboard). He has also garnered nominations from ACM, Billboard, Teen Choice, CMT and CMA Awards as he continues to rack up nonstop hits as “one of country’s most consistent radio stars” (Rolling Stone). Young has amassed more than 1.8 billion streams of his catalog globally. He continues to bring his “big stage presence” (OC Register) and “engaging and vocally strong” (Providence Journal) live show coast-to-coast to multiple festivals including iHeartRadio in Las Vegas on September 21. For additional information, visit BrettYoungMusic.com.

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Preds’ Roman Josi & Pekka Rinne, Titans’ Kevin Byard & Logan Ryan, Lily Aldridge, Helen Johannesen, Bertha González Nieves, Mark Oldman & More Join Music City Food + Wine Festival

By on September 4, 2019 in Uncategorized

Nashville, TN (September 4, 2019) – Music City Food + Wine Festival is pleased to welcome Nashville Predators’ Roman Josi and Pekka Rinne as well as Tennessee Titans’ Kevin Byard and Logan Ryan as celebrity sous chefs at the Friday Night Throwdown, sponsored by RBC Wealth Management and City National Bank and benefitting Predators Foundation and Ryan Animal Rescue, with Lily Aldridge, Bertha Gonzalez Nieves, Helen Johannesen and Mark Oldman joining the dynamic line-up of engaging Meet the Maker and Tasting Sessions during the seventh annual festival, September 20-22, 2019; http://www.musiccityfoodandwinefestival.comFriday Night Throwdown: Sponsored by RBC Wealth Management and City National Bank, each team will receive a charitable donation for competing in the Throwdown, with an additional amount awarded to the winning team. Chef Carla Hall will lead Team Preds, as defenseman Roman Josi and goalie Pekka Rinne compete on behalf of the Predators Foundation, which supports and builds philanthropic partnerships around Nashville: https://www.nhl.com/predators/community/predators-foundation. Chef Tim Love will lead Team Titans, with safety KevinByard and cornerback LoganRyan competing in support of Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation, dedicated to aiding the animal community with financial and educational resources:https://www.ryananimalfoundation.org   The two teams will go head-to-head, challenged to create the ultimate game-winning meal. Nashville’s own Emmy Award-winning personality and GIFFT Wines partner, Kathie Lee Gifford, will emcee the spirited culinary showdown, featuring a star-studded panel of guest judges. Come out and cheer on the hometown teams as they battle for the charities closest to their hearts and bragging rights in the kitchen.   Meet the Maker & Tasting Sessions: On Friday night, September 20 and Saturday, September 21, festivalgoers are encouraged to stop by the Meet the Maker and Tasting Sessions tents to experience interactive spirits, wines and cocktails tastings led by a star-studded roster of industry pros.   Join Helen Johannesen, acclaimed sommelier and partner of Helen’s and Jon and Vinny’s in Los Angeles, for a tasting of TheDopest Fall French Wines on Friday night. On Saturday, wake up and enjoy Sparkling Wines for Breakfast.   Listen in as the first female Maestra Tequilera, Bertha GonzálezNieves, and supermodel Lily Aldridge lead attendees in an intimate tasting of Casa Dragones’ innovatively handcrafted 100% Blue Agave tequila.   Don’t miss the unique opportunity to sip and savor wines of a bygone era during Drink Back the Concorde: Supersonically Special Wines Served on “The Bird” with wine expert and author, Mark Oldman. Seminar attendees will get a souvenir luggage tag that replicates the tag that the Concorde used in the 1970s. Oldman will return to lead festival attendees in a delicious discovery of what wines pair best with barbecue during Grilling Gods: The Best Wine for BBQ. Join Emmy Award winning personality and GIFFT Wines partner Kathie Lee Gifford as she shares her life-long passion for wine and philosophy about how slowing down, savoring blessings and spending time with family and friends is a GIFFT. Gifford will lead the GIFFT Wines tasting, explaining why she loves Monterey County wines and the role she played in creating quality wines for all to enjoy.   Experience Guinness + Cheese Pairings while learning about the history of Guinness with a brewery expert. The guided tasting will leave attendees with a wealth of new beer knowledge.   Take a deep dive into The History of Maker’s Mark and celebrate the spirit of craftsmanship with signature the bourbons born from a 170-year-old recipe including, Maker’s Mark and Markers 46. Savor South Walton, Florida with a tasting demo led by award-winning chef Jim Richard of Stinky’s Fish Camp. Enjoy fresh Gulf seafood and learn the secret to whipping up an undeniable seafood gumbo with blue crab that will be expertly paired with a Provence Rosé.   Cooking Demonstrations: On Friday night, September 20 and Saturday, September 21, festivalgoers have the opportunity to get up close and personal as chefs lead interactive and informative Cooking Demos.   Before the Friday Night Throwdown, find out what happens when Down Home Meets Up Town with Tyler Florence (restaurateur, chef, TV host, author and media producer) and Martina McBride (Country music artist, TV Host, author).   On Saturday, take a Guacamole Master Class with Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo Xoco, Leña Brava, Cruz Blanca, Frontera Cocina, Bar Sotano) and listen in as Sarah Grueneberg (Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio) shares her beloved Family Recipes. Aaron Sanchez will demonstrate his take on Fish Tacos with Mojo while Scott Conant shares The Secret to Risotto.
Tickets & More Information  Music City Food + Wine Festival ticket options include an All-In Ticket, as well as Friday Evening Ticket,Saturday Ticket, Harvest Night Ticket, and Gospel Brunch Ticket. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Ticket prices are inclusive of all food and drink.     The All-In Ticket ($525 per person) enables guests to experience the full weekend of Music City Food + Wine Festival programming, including Friday and Saturday festival access; the Friday Night Throwdown; interactive cooking demos & book signings; hands-on beer, wine and cocktail tasting sessions; tastes from Nashville’s best chefs & restaurants; access to Saturday’s Harvest Night and Sunday’s Gospel Brunch.     The Friday Evening Ticket ($165 per person) includes single-day access to Friday, September 20 Festival programming at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, including interactive cooking demos & book signings; Friday Night Throwdown; hands-on beer, wine and cocktail tasting sessions; tastes from Nashville’s best chefs & restaurants; and more.     The Saturday Ticket ($165 per person) includes single-day access to Saturday, September 21 festival programming at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, including interactive cooking demos & book signings; hands-on beer, wine and cocktail tasting sessions; tastes from Nashville’s best chefs & restaurants; and more.    Harvest NightTicket ($275 per person) is available as a stand-alone ticket option for Saturday evening, September 21, Harvest Night brings together signature dishes from world-renowned chefs from Nashville and across the country with a live musical performance from Chicago Plays the Stones, two generations of Chicago Blues stars paying homage to The Rolling Stones, whose own sound was inspired by the great bluesmen of all time.   Gospel Brunch ($85 per person) is available as a stand-alone ticket for Sunday, September 22, at Walk of Fame Park. Gospel Brunch features a dynamic roster of restaurants and chefs serving creative brunch favorites. Get a jump-start on the day with eye-opening cocktails, wine, coffee, and a spirited live gospel brunch performance from Cedric Sesley & Out For Sous.     For more information, please visit http://www.musiccityfoodandwinefestival.com or follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/musiccityfw) and Facebook (Facebook.com/musiccityfw) #MCFW.     About Music City Food + Wine Festival:  Music City Food + Wine Festival is produced by founding partners Vector Management, GRAMMY-award winning artists Kings of Leon, world-renowned chef Jonathan Waxman and Austin-based C3 Presents – producer of Lollapalooza in Chicago’s Grant Park, and Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin’s Zilker Park.     About FOOD & WINE:  FOOD & WINE is the ultimate authority on the best of what’s new in food, drink, travel, design and entertaining. FOOD & WINE has an extensive social media following on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and Snapchat. FOOD & WINE includes a monthly magazine in print and digital; a website, foodandwine.com; a books division; plus newsletters, clubs, events, dinnerware and cookware. FOOD & WINE is a registered trademark of TI Inc. Affluent Media Group, a subsidiary of Meredith Corporation. 

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