Black River Entertainment’s Sarah Darling is in her element as the special guest on CMT’s Southern Fried Flicks With Hazel Smith. Known for her love of baking in addition to music, the episode featuring Sarah premieres Sunday, November 25th at 6PM CST and showcases the film Fireproof.
Archive | In The Press RSS feed for this section
Sarah Darling Dishes With Hazel Smith On CMT’s Southern Fried Flicks This Sunday At 6pm Central
Brantley Gilbert Makes Special Visit To Veterans Hospital With Musicians On Call
This Veterans Day (11/12) was an especially memorable one for Brantley Gilbert, who spent the morning with Musicians On Call visiting veterans at Nashville’s VA Hospital. The chart-topper took time from his Hell On Wheels Tour to spend the holiday sharing his music and honoring some of the men and women who’ve served.
The Southern rocker said, “I have never experienced anything quite like playing for these veterans. These men and women have sacrificed their lives for our freedom … my freedom to be able to play my music. I have so much respect for them. It was an honor to be able to spend time with them and hopefully brighten their day a little. I know it has certainly changed my life.”
Founded in 1999, Musicians On Call affords musicians like Brantley the opportunity to bring music to patients’ bedsides. To date, these volunteers have played for over 350,000 people in healthcare facilities nationwide. The Nashville division alone has visited nearly 60,000 patients in Middle Tennessee and recently celebrated its fifth Anniversary.
Award-Winning Director And Visionary Shaun Silva Opens New Post Production Facility “FORWARD”
Grand Opening Brings Out Nashville’s Mayor Dean And Many Of Today’s Top Film, TV, Advertising, Entertainment And Music Executives

Shannon,Triston, Tanner and Shaun Silva and Mayor Karl Dean ribbon cutting with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce
Award-winning and reigning CMA SRO Video Director of the Year Shaun Silva introduced FORWARD, Nashville’s most customized and experienced post production facility during an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday evening. Designed by Silva and Nashville Architectural and Interior Space Designer Chris Gill, FORWARD is poised to set a new standard and offering to world of film and television, advertising agencies and many others seeking the highest in post production quality and talent. FORWARD is now open for business, located in the historic Marathon Village at 1200 Clinton Avenue, Suite 255, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.
FORWARD can also be reached at 615-320-3269 and by visiting weareforward.com.
FORWARD is equipped with a roster of top-level talent that is ready to provide clients with a turnkey operation. The impetus of the facility’s design was about the client’s needs and comfort, but more importantly to be home to the best equipment possible. With iQ, Pablo, Avid and Final Cut systems built from the ground up to communicate through an unmatched Quantel gene pool and SAN; the workflow is the best in the region.
“I have always said we need to create a post facility that elevates the perception of Nashville and to enhance the diversity of amazing talent and projects that are being done out of here,” says Shaun Silva, owner of FORWARD and TackleBox Films. With FORWARD, our intent is to have the best of the best creating the best right here on the shoulders of Nashville,” he continues.
Martina McBride Raises Over $35,000 For Musicians On Call At Nashville Fundraiser
Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 Benefit at the Hard Rock Cafe Breaks MOC Nashville Fundraising Records
Republic Nashville recording artist, Martina McBride, performed to a sold out Hard Rock Cafe Nashville crowd on Friday, Nov. 16 with all proceeds directly benefitting Musicians On Call (MOC) Nashville, the non-profit that brings music to the bedsides of patients in six area healthcare facilities. Breaking MOC Nashville fundraising records for a single event, the benefit amassed over $35,000 through the event ticketing, silent auction, and through a unique online auction that afforded one lucky winner the opportunity to join McBride on stage for a song to which winning bidder, Lyndsi Riley, chose “This One’s for the Girls.”
“We could not imagine a better way to celebrate our fifth anniversary in Nashville. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see such an icon perform in an intimate setting,” shared Katy Epley, MOC Nashville’s Program Director. “Martina and her entire team could not have been more gracious or supportive of our efforts to bring the healing power of music to the bedsides of patients.”
McBride expressed, “I was so happy to be a part of the fifth anniversary of Musicians On Call in Nashville. We put together an eclectic set list of hits mixed with some of our favorite album cuts for a show that was one-of-a-kind. It’s a great organization doing important work and I was proud to be a part of that very special evening.”
Funds raised from the event will be used to support the local MOC branch and help to continue and to expand its Bedside Performance Programs. Visit www.MusiciansOnCall.org for more information on upcoming events or on how to donate or volunteer.
George Strait’s New Single, “Give It All We Got Tonight,” Now Available For Purchase
The Cowboy Rides Away Tour VIP Charity Auction II to Launch on Friday, November 23, 2012
George Strait’s new single, “Give It All We Got Tonight,” from his 2013 forthcoming album was most-added at country radio release week and now fans can purchase the track exclusively online on iTunes and in stores at Walmart beginning today, Monday, Nov. 19. The Walmart exclusive will also feature Strait’s 1985 No. 1 hit, “The Cowboy Rides Away,” in celebration of his upcoming The Cowboy Rides Away Tour with special guest Martina McBride commencing on January 18, 2013 in Lubbock, Texas.
In recognition of the single’s availability and due to the overwhelming response to the first online auction, CID Entertainment is again opening up bidding for two exclusive VIP packages at each stop on the tour which will include two front row tickets, private pre-show access, admission to a private exhibition of Strait’s memorabilia, and more. The auction package is available HERE beginning Friday, November 23, 2013 with proceeds benefitting The Jenifer Strait Foundation.
Randy Travis and The Avett Brothers Team Up for CMT Crossroads
Critically Acclaimed Network Show Premieres on November 23
Be sure to tune in as country superstar Randy Travis shares the spotlight with folk artists The Avett Brothers when CMT presents an all-new episode of CMT Crossroads. Meeting and collaborating for the first time on the CMT Crossroads stage in Nashville, Randy Travis and The Avett Brothers will perform some of Travis’ most famous hits along with some of The Avett Brothers’ most memorable tunes, including some from their current album, The Carpenter. CMT Crossroads: The Avett Brothers and Randy Travis is set to premiere on Friday, November 23 at 11:00 p.m. (Eastern).
Warner Bros. Records has been home to Randy Travis for the majority of his recording career, and together they have accumulated lifetime sales of his music in excess of 20 million units to date. Travis is one of the biggest record sellers in music industry history, with 18 No. 1 singles, 29 Top 10 chartings, certification of the rare quintuple platinum album (Always and Forever, released in 1987), one triple platinum album (Storms of Life, released in 1986), two double platinum’s (Old 8×10, released in 1988, and No Holding Back, released in 1989), eight platinum albums, and 10 gold albums. Randy Travis’ Anniversary Celebration CD is his latest release. It marks his phenomenal silver milestone in the music industry, and includes a star-studded cast of collaborators.
Kenny Rogers Christmas & Hits – The Holiday Tradition Continues
Music Icon Celebrates 31st Anniversary of Christmas & Hits Tour
Grammy Award-winning music legend Kenny Rogers will celebrate the 31st Anniversary of his Christmas & Hits Tour in 2012 with a festive show featuring live performances of holiday classics and his biggest hits. The one-of-a-kind vocalist and entertainer will perform at venues across America, once again joined by special guest Billy Dean, beginning on November 23rd in Catoosa, Oklahoma and wrapping December 23rd in Westbury, New York.
Rogers is known for creating an inviting atmosphere with his Christmas & Hits Tour, which consistently receives rave reviews and has become a holiday tradition in its own right since its start 31 years ago. The “Christmas” portion of this year’s inviting set will include heartfelt performances of traditional and original songs such as “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “Joy To The World,” and “Mary, Did You Know.” Local choirs and children will have an opportunity to showcase their talents, having once again been chosen to perform with Rogers in each city of the tour. Rogers will sing many of his timeless classics in the “Hits” segment of the show, including “Lady,” “The Gambler,” “Islands In The Stream,” “Daytime Friends,” “Lucille,” “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town,” “She Believes In Me,” “Coward Of The County,” “Through The Years,” and several more.
Martina McBride’s “The Joy Of Christmas” Tour Kicks Off November 23
Highlights for Holiday Season Include “The Thanksgiving Day Parade On CBS,” New Music Video, Special Olympics Album and “CMA Country Christmas” Special on ABC
The favorite time of year for Martina McBride is Christmas, and the country superstar will be sharing the holidays with fans old and new this year with appearances in two television specials, a new music video, a cut on the popular A Very Special Christmas album and her 16-city “The Joy of Christmas” Tour.
The new tour kicks off at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre on Friday, November 23, 2012 and wraps up December 21 in Chicago. Backed by a 12-piece band, complete with a string section, Martina brings her love of the holidays to intimate theaters. A video screen depicting wintery street scenes, busy shoppers, snowy mountains and more, tastefully complements traditional and contemporary holiday classics. Multiple wardrobe changes, a duet with “The King,” local celebs reciting “The Grinch,” and a home video of the McBride’s on Christmas morning are guaranteed to put fans in the Christmas spirit.
GRAND OPENING! New Nightlife and Event Space SEEN Opens In Downtown Nashville This Weekend
2nd Avenue Gets An Upscale Facelift with Grand Opening!
SEEN Nightlife + Event Space will officially open it’s doors on Saturday, November 17th at 10pm. The new nightlife venue has been operating under a “soft open” status for the past two weeks and has already received rave reviews from industry executives, musicians, DJ’s, promoters, entertainment reporters, socialites, Tennessee Titans and more!
In the mist of all the great Honky Tonks that line Broadway, now sits a place where music fans can dance to a different beat and that beat is under experienced and excellent leadership.
SEEN is owned and operated by Doug Green, the owner of MAI, Nashville’s most successful nightlife venue for the past 4 years. Mai housed some of Nashville’s most popular weekly parties as well as major shows such as – Questlove, Will I Am, Skrillex, AfroJack, 12th Planet, R3hab, Pretty Lights, Adventure Club, Above and Beyond, Miguel, LMFAO and many more.
The Band Perry Featured on GAC TV’s Noteworthy at The Opry
Republic Nashville sibling trio The Band Perry will be featured this weekend on “NOTEWORTHY at The Opry,” which will air on Saturday (11/17) at 8:00 p.m. CST.
The series captures live performances on The Opry stage and gives fans an in-depth look into the lives and music of some of Country’s biggest, most revered artists. This weekend’s episode will feature The Band Perry’s performances of “You Lie” and “Independence,” as well as an intimate interview with the band on upcoming music, life on the road and more. Continue Reading →
Sign-up HERE for the weekly newsletter!
Want the latest from FOCUS on the 615 all at once? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter! You'll also get exclusive content ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIBERS!





