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Runaway June’s Debut EP Available Now

By on September 7, 2018 in In The Press

Photo Credit: Kristin Barlowe / Design Credit: Glenn Sweitzer

Wheelhouse Records trio RUNAWAY JUNE, “a band that’s well on its way to Country music superstardom” (People.com), has a lot to celebrate today as its self-titled debut EP is available now at all digital retailers and streaming services. Produced by Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Brett Young), and anchored by lead single “Buy My Own Drinks,” which Music Row Magazine praises as a “runaway hit,” the project has been eagerly-anticipated by critics and fans alike.

With their debut EP effort, critics have been propelled to declare, “it’s a rarity an act impresses so fully with their first rodeo, but Wayne, Cooke and Mulholland have already proven they defy the norm. They’re here to conquer,” (B-Sides and Badlands), while others note the ascending trio “is about to blow up…” (Whiskey Riff). Listen to the EP here.
“Buy My Own Drinks” was co-written by Runaway June’s Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne along with Hillary Lindsey and Josh Kear. In addition to the ACM nominated group’s latest single, the EP also contains their previous Top 40 hit ”Wild West” and a fan favorite from their live show, Dwight Yoakam’s “Fast As You.” 
“This is a group of songs that really expresses us as a band,” said Cooke. “We have been working on this project for two years and so many life changes have happened to us as people, and now more than ever we have songs that tell the stories of those moments.”
“The EP is a really fun and diverse look into our sound as a band. It incorporates the fun of the live show, but also shows some soft moments that fans can relate to,” added Mulholland.
Jennifer Wayne also noted of production, “Dann Huff has changed our lives. He’s completely zoned in our sound. He’s so collaborative and he’s such a joy to work with.”
“Buy My Own Drinks” officially impacted Country radio on 8/20. Creating an intoxicating buzz, the song exploded onto airwaves as the second most added song of the week.
Adding to the excitement, Runaway June continues to take Country music by storm as they prepare to support seven-time Grammy winner and Pollstar’s three-time top female country touring artist Carrie Underwood as she launches a new arena tour, The Cry Pretty Tour 360, in Spring 2019.  Sponsored by CALIA, the new tour will kick off on May 1 in Greensboro, NC, and will play 55 arenas across the U.S. and Canada and be promoted by AEG Presents.
Tickets for the concerts are on sale now.
For the latest news, tour dates and information, please visit: www.RunawayJune.com
Runaway June EP track listing:
1) “Buy My Own Drinks” (Hannah Mulholland, Jennifer Wayne, Naomi Cooke, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear)
2) “I Am Too” (busbee, Corey Crowder, Liz Rose)
3) “Got Me Where I Want You” (James Slater, Kat Higgins, Justin Morgan)
4) “Fast As You” (Dwight Yoakam)
5) “Wild West” (Justin Lantz, Billy Montana, Jennifer Wayne)
About RUNAWAY JUNE:  Lauded by Billboard as the “Next Hot Trend in Country Music” and likened to a ‘Dixie Chicks for a new generation,’ Runaway June’s organic three-part harmonies and ringing strings are sweeping the nation, leaving a mark on one infatuated audience after another with its “inescapable talent” (AXS.com). The BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records act is comprised of the vocal stylings and musicianship of Naomi Cooke (lead vocals, guitar); Hannah Mulholland (vocals; mandolin); and Jennifer Wayne (vocals; guitar).  The trio is receiving rave critical notices from the likes of Billboard, Rolling Stone Country, The Huffington Post, CMT and more for its brand of organic and melodic Country music. Runaway June is the first all-female trio in over a DECADE to earn two Top 40 hits and recently scored a 2018 ACM nomination for New Vocal Duo or Group of The Year. They released their self-titled debut project for Wheelhouse Records on September 7. For more information, visit: www.RunawayJune.com 
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Home Free Celebrates New Fatherhood In “Spaceship” Video

By on September 7, 2018 in In The Press

It’s a boy for tenor Rob Lundquist as all-vocal Country knockouts HOME FREE welcome the littlest member of their band family in their brand new video spotlighting pop singer-songwriter Andy Grammer’s “Spaceship.”

Recreating special moments of the anticipated birth of Charles (“Charlie”) earlier this year, Lundquist’s wife Kelsey and firstborn Lydia make sweet cameos as the sentimental video follows their emotional journey of the first ultrasound, a growing baby bump, and even matching Minnesota Twins jerseys with dad.

“Home Free is one big family, so it’s very special to celebrate this happy moment in my life with everyone,” shares Lundquist. “I can’t wait for our fans to meet my sweet little man in this video!”

Watch Home Free’s tender “Spaceship” video here.

While dominating the nearly sold-out 17-date European trek of their TIMELESS WORLD TOUR, after visiting Taiwan for a multi-date appearance at the international Vocal Asia Festival last month, the quintet is also gearing up to usher in the holiday season with their third annual A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS TOUR. Adding new production elements to their festive setlist full of yuletide classics, the fan-favorite tradition begins November 24 at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City in Atlantic City, NJ, and wraps with a can’t-miss New Year’s Eve bash at the Ikeda Theater in Phoenix, AZ.

For more details on Home Free’s TIMELESS WORLD TOUR plus A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS TOUR, click here. In addition, VIP experiences are available.

HOME FREE TOUR DATES:

SEPTEMBER 2018
7 | Vienna, Austria – Chelsea (SOLD OUT)
8 | Prague, Czech Republic – Futurum Music Bar (SOLD OUT)
10 | Cologne, Germany – Gloria-Theater (SOLD OUT)
11 | Paris, France – Les Etoiles (SOLD OUT)
12 | Utrecht, Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg – Grote Zaal (SOLD OUT)
14 | Tienen, Belgium – Paterskerk (SOLD OUT)
16 | Dublin, Ireland – Whelan’s
17 | Belfast, Northern Ireland – Elmwood Hall
19 | Glasgow, Scotland – Òran Mór
20 | Birmingham, England – O2 Institute
21 | London, England – Union Chapel

NOVEMBER 2018
8 | Dekalb, IL – Egyptian Theatre
9 | Richmond, KY – EKU Center for the Arts
10 | Troy, OH – Hobart Arena
17 | Green Bay, WI – Meyer Theatre
24 | Atlantic City, NJ – Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City*
25 | North Bethesda, MD – Strathmore*
28 | Harrisburg, PA – Whitaker Center*
29 | Richmond, VA – Dominion Arts Center*
30 | Greeneville, TN – Niswonger Center for the Arts* (SOLD OUT)

DECEMBER 2018
2 | Oxford, AL – Oxford Theatre*
6 | Tampa, FL – Tampa Theatre*
7 | Fort Myers, FL – Barbara Mann Center*
8 | Orlando, FL – Bob Carr Performing Arts Center*
9 | Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre*
13 | Davenport, IA – RiverCenter – Adler Theatre*
14 | Carlton, MN – Black Bear Casino*
15 | Spencer, IA – Clay County Regional Events Center*
16 | Ames, IA – Stephens Auditorium*
19 | Wichita, KS – Orpheum Theatre Wichita*
20 | Columbia, MO – Jesse Auditorium*
21 | Cedar Rapids, IA – Paramount Cedar Rapids*
22 | Wausau, WI – Grand Theater* (SOLD OUT)
28 | Memphis, TN – Cannon Center for the Performing Arts*
29 | Broken Arrow, OK – Broken Arrow Theatre*
31 | Phoenix, AZ – Ikeda Theater*

*A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS TOUR

For more information on Home Free, visit www.homefreemusic.com.

Follow Home Free on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

ABOUT HOME FREE:
Celebrated all-vocal Country quintet Home Free have made their mark on the music scene selling more than 350,000 copies combined of their popular albums, embarking on major national and international tours, amassing over 240 million YouTube views, and being declared “Country music fans’ favorite a cappella group” (Taste of Country). Their latest studio album, TIMELESS, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in late 2017. Produced by longtime collaborator Darren Rust, the eclectic project showcases their distinct vocal blends across 11 tracks, featuring four original songs, which merge tender R&B and fun-loving Pop with Country edge. Their extensive catalog spotlights four Top 10 albums, including FULL OF (EVEN MORE) CHEER, FULL OF CHEER, COUNTRY EVOLUTION, and their breakout debut CRAZY LIFE (2014), which hit #1 on iTunes Country chart and #4 overall following their victory on NBC’s The Sing-Off. With praise rolling in from the likes of Perez Hilton, Country Living, FOX & Friends, Rolling Stone Country, AXS.com, and more, the five-man band from Minnesota has been electrifying crowds with their one-of-a-kind live show while their reputation as extraordinary showmen and harmony-laden versions of hits by John Mayer, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Maren Morris, The Oak Ridge Boys, and more, have built a loyal fanbase.

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Nashville Ballet Opens Season With Tchaikovsky Classic

By on September 7, 2018 in In The Press

Opening the organization’s 20th season under Paul Vasterling’s artistic direction, Nashville Ballet will present what’s commonly considered one of the greatest classical ballets of all time, Swan Lake, with three performances September 21-23, 2018 at TPAC’s Jackson Hall.

 

Drawing upon Russian folklore, Swan Lake transports audiences to a realm of lush romance to tell the tale of the beautiful, but cursed, maiden Odette. Forced to spend her days as a swan upon a desolate lake, Odette may only take her true form as a human in the darkest hours of the night. Without a vow of true love to break the wicked curse, Odette will never be free. This fan favorite features the challenging and highly coveted, dual role of Odette and Odile, the evil temptress crucial in determining the heroine’s fate.

Christopher Stuart and Kayla Rowser in Swan Lake in 2014 photo by Karyn Photography

His first ballet composed, Tchaikovsky began arranging Swan Lake in 1875 and premiered it in 1877. Twenty years after its inception, choreographers Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa’s 1895 revival staged the version that serves as the foundation for the quintessential ballet.

 

Last presented by Nashville Ballet in 2014, Swan Lake features choreographic updates from Artistic Director Paul Vasterling and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Nashville Symphony. With striking new costumes for Odette and the illustrious swan corps, Nashville Ballet offers a dazzling fresh take on this timeless masterpiece.

 

“The beauty, power and technical complexity of Swan Lake make it one of the most important ballets, both for dancers and the audience to experience,” Vasterling said. “Petipa and Ivanov’s choreography set a standard for grace and athleticism still inherent to ballet today; the new tutus for this production will highlight that standard and the strength of our Nashville Ballet artists on stage.”

 

Get swept away by the magic of Swan Lake by purchasing tickets in person at the TPAC box office in downtown Nashville, by phone at (615) 782-4040 or at www.nashvilleballet.com. The presenting sponsor for Swan Lake is Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund; supporting sponsors are Benefits, Inc. and Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance. A complete performance schedule and more information can be found at www.nashvilleballet.com/swan-lake.

 

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 70,000 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.

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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Music City Food + Wine Festival Announces Additional Harvest Night Chefs, Panel Discussions, Tasting Sessions & Book Signing Schedule

By on September 7, 2018 in In The Press

Music City Food + Wine Festival is pleased to announce the addition of acclaimed chefs Billy Durney (Hometown Bar-B-Que) and Matt Hyland & Graydon Atchley (EMMY Squared Nashville), as well as James Beard Foundation Award semi-finalists Ford Fry (Sea Wolf, Le Loup, Star Rover, Superica) and Matt McClure (The Hive at 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville) to the Harvest Night line-up. Rounding out the festival programming are a dynamic line-up of intimate Panel Discussions and engaging Tasting Sessions, as well as the Book Signing schedule, for the sixth annual festival, September 14-16, 2018. http://www.musiccityfoodandwinefestival.com.

 

Panel Discussions:

Join culinary all-stars on Saturday, September 15 for intimate Panel Discussions that foster engaging and often hilarious conversations. Kick-off the day with moderator Carla Hall (Chef, Author, TV Personality) and chefs Jeni Britton Bauer (Jeni’s Ice Cream), Gerard Craft (Pastaria) and Billy Durney (Hometown Bar-B-Que) to discover the crucial dishes, essential drinks and dream guests that make-up their Ultimate Dinner Party. Don’t miss the chance to learn about the culinary Must-Haves in the kitchen, in the pantry and beyond with chefs Matt Bolus (The 404 Kitchen), Rob Newton (Gray & Dudley)and Andy Little (Josephine), moderated by Tiffani Faison (Sweet Cheeks, Tiger Mama, Fool’s Errand).

 

Moderator Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto, Jams, Adele’s Brezza Cucina) will be joined by chefs Jessica Benefield (Two Ten Jack, The Green Pheasant), Chris Shepherd (UB Preserv), Tandy Wilson (City House, Mop / Broom Mess Hall) for a spirited conversation about their Kitchen Highs & Lows. Listen in as Ruth Reichl (Author & TV Personality) uncovers answers to the Things You Always Wanted To Know But Were Too Afraid To Ask with chefsPat Martin (Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, Hugh Baby’s), Deb Paquette (Etch Restaurant) and Aarón Sánchez (Johnny Sánchez).

 

Tasting Sessions:

Friday night, September 14 and Saturday, September 15 festivalgoers are encouraged to stop by the Tasting Sessions tent to experience interactive and hands-on sampling of spirits, wines, cocktails and more from the world’s experts. Join The 404 Kitchen sommelier, Jenelle Engleson, to sip and savor four rosé variations during Where There’s A Will, There’s A Rosé. Take A Walk Through Heaven’s Door with Ryan Perry, Heaven’s Door whiskey developer,and taste three expressions from Tennessee’s award-winning whiskey made in partnership with Bob Dylan.

 

Learn about Italy’s wine regions and numerous grape varietals during Formaggio Forever – Pairing Italian Wines and Cheese. Whether taste buds run to festive bubblies, crisp whites or rich reds, there’s a wine to fit every palate and every plate. Festivalgoers can enjoy four wines from Santa Margherita, each paired with a cheese from Nashville’s local cheesemonger, The Bloomy Rind.

 

Find out how to Savor South Walton with chef Dan Vargo serving tastes of Gulf Blue Crab Cocktail with Walton County Greens and Tangerine paired with Inspiration Rosé from Provence Rosé Group.Join Phillip Dormont, Treaty Oak distiller & lead product developer, for Thoughts on Bourbon and Foodfeaturing samples of signature whiskeys, including Red Handed Bourbon Whiskey, Ghost Hill Texas, Bourbon Whiskey, and Red Handed Rye Whiskey.

 

Book Signings:

For a chance to meet & greet with chefs and get their latest cookbook personalized and signed, festivalgoers are encouraging to swing by the Book Signing tent on Saturday September 15. The signing schedule can be found via https://www.musiccityfoodandwinefestival.com/schedule/.

 

Tickets & More Information:

Music City Food + Wine Festival ticket options still available include Friday Night Ticket and Saturday Ticket and a limited number of Gospel Brunch Tickets. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

 

The Friday Night Ticket ($165 per person) includes single-day access to Friday, September 14 festival programming at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, including the Official Drink of Nashville competition and the Friday Night Throwdown; Grand Taste, with more than 80 beer, wine, cocktail, and culinary tastings; access to Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint & Friends; and more.

 

The Saturday Ticket ($165 per person) includes single-day access to Saturday, September 15 festival programming at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, including Grand Taste, with more than 80 beer, wine, cocktail, and culinary tastings; cooking demos; panel discussions; access to Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint & Friends; and more.

 

Gospel Brunch Ticket ($85 per person) will return to Walk of Fame Park on Sunday, September 16, featuring 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 Gayle Mayes.

 

For more information, please visit http://www.musiccityfoodandwinefestival.com or follow us on Instagram (Instagram.com/musiccityfw) Twitter (Twitter.com/musiccityfw) and Facebook (Facebook.com/musiccityfw) #MCFW.

 

Music City Food + Wine is generously sponsored by: Nashville Convention + Visitors Bureau, Toyota and FOOD & WINE.

 

About Music City Food + Wine Festival:

Music City Food + Wine Festival is produced by GRAMMY-award winning artists (and Nashville residents) Kings of Leon, world-renowned chef Jonathan Waxman, Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and Andy Mendelsohn, 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 Time Inc. Affluent Media Group.

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CMT To Celebrate The Life Of Burt Reynolds With Weekend Encore Of The Critically-Acclaimed Documentary “The Bandit”

By on September 6, 2018 in In The Press

In celebration of the life of Hollywood Icon Burt Reynolds, who passed away earlier today, CMT will be encoring the “The Bandit,” the 2016 documentary about the famous film “Smokey & The Bandit.” CMT will air “The Bandit” on Friday, September 7 at 8pm and 10 pm EST, as well as on Saturday, September 8 at 12pm EST after “CMT Hot 20 Countdown.” One of Reynolds’ films “Without a Paddle,” will also air on Friday, September 7 immediately following the 10 pm documentary.

 

“The Bandit,” is an original documentary about 70s superstar Burt Reynolds, his best friend, roommate and stunt-double Hal Needham, and the making of their unlikely smash hit “Smokey & The Bandit.”  The film tells the action-packed story of the making of the iconic film, while tracing the vivid personal journeys of Reynolds and Needham from obscurity to stardom and highlighting one of the most extraordinary relationships in Hollywood history. Featuring new interviews with Reynolds, rare archive material, including footage from Reynold’s personal archive, as well as candid interviews with the late Hal Needham, the documentary tells an exhilarating and moving story about loyalty, friendship and creative risk. Jesse Moss produces and directs.  Amanda McBaine produces for Mile End Films. Jayson Dinsmore, Lewis Bogach and John Miller-Monzon executive produce for CMT.

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Billy Ray Cyrus To Perform On Good Day New York, Premiere Acoustic Version Of Global Hit “Goddess Of Democracy”

By on September 6, 2018 in In The Press

Photo Credit: 
Steven J. Bradley

Billy Ray Cyrus’ whirlwind media tour in New York continues as his global hit, “Goddess of Democracy,” builds a steady, grassroots foundation within a few days of posting the viral video. On Thursday, the songwriter/superstar will debut an acoustic version of “Goddess of Democracy” during a performance on Good Day New York (airing during 9 a.m. ET hour).

“Goddess of Democracy” is the first release from his forthcoming album, The Snake Doctor Circus, set for release this fall.

During a performance on the TODAY Show, Cyrus dedicated his patriotic anthem,”Some Gave All,” to Sen. John McCain while promoting “God Bless The Broken Road,” which is in theaters nationwide this Friday, Sept. 7. Proceeds from the film will go to DAV, a nonprofit charity that provides support for veterans of all generations and their families. The more successful the movie is, the more veterans the DAV gets to serve.

For more information on DAV, visit DAV.org.

About Billy Ray Cyrus:
Billy Ray Cyrus continues captivating audiences with his distinctive vocal style and charismatic stage presence. Throughout the course of nearly three decades, Cyrus has achieved worldwide success as a singer, songwriter, actor and producer. The Flatwoods, Kentucky native exploded onto the music scene when his first album, Some Gave All, debuted on the all-genre Billboard album charts at No. 1 and stayed there for a record-breaking 17 weeks in 1992. The lead single, “Achy Breaky Heart,” became a phenomenon as the single went multi-platinum. Some Gave All also went on to sell 9 million copies. Along the way, Cyrus charted 35 singles, 16 of which are Top 40 hits, including “Could’ve Been Me,” “Where’m Gonna Live When I Get Home,” “She’s Not Cryin,” “Some Gave All,” “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” and many more. Cyrus has also enjoyed a successful career as an actor in “Doc” and “Still The King,” as well as the Disney series “Hannah Montana” with his daughter Miley Cyrus.

For more information on Billy Ray Cyrus and his upcoming projects, visit BillyRayCyrus.com.
facebook.com/BillyRayCyrus
twitter.com/billyraycyrus
instagram.com/billyraycyrus

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The Onsite Foundation Will Honor Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell At Annual INSPIRE Event 

By on September 5, 2018 in In The Press

The Onsite Foundation announced today that their annual INSPIRE event will honor Live Nation’s President of Country Touring Brian O’Connell and his Nashville team with their 2018 Inspiration Award, taking place October 23 at Marathon Music Works.  The special evening will recognize O’Connell’s ongoing commitment to helping the victims and families of the Oct. 1 tragedy in Las Vegas. The Onsite Foundation has created a 100% Scholarship, trauma and grief intensive program specifically for those who lost loved ones and proceeds from INSPIRE will benefit this directly, helping to find healing through mental health resources. To purchase tickets and sponsorships packages visit here: https://give.classy.org/inspire.

“The Onsite Foundation more than doubled its’ impact last year thanks to the success of this event,” said Miles Adcox, CEO of The Onsite Foundation. “With this momentum, a new important idea was born to help change the way we have historically responded to mass tragedies in our country. We are circling back over a year after the Route 91 Harvest Festival to offer Onsite’s world class proven grief and trauma intensives for free to all who lost a loved one that day. The country music industry is known for doing things differently and this will be no exception. I’ve spent a lot of time with Brian O’ Connell since October 1st of last year and I’ve never seen someone in his position care so much about helping the fans and music community recover and heal. He and his team have spent countless hours in support of these efforts. He was the last to want this honor but the first to raise his hand when he heard how the proceeds would help the families.”

“The work that The Onsite Foundation does is so important,” said Brian O’Connell. “I’m a huge advocate of seeking help when you need it, and so our philosophies are very much in line with each other. I’m so inspired by my team for their strength this past year and thankful to be a part of raising more funds for a shared cause so close to us all.”

About The Onsite Foundation:
The Onsite Foundation provides funding to vulnerable populations including , victims of mass tragedies, refugees, veterans, first responders, creatives, and every day people needing mental health resources. This aids in the healing and rebuilding of those who struggle from the effects of trauma, abuse, stress, mental-health and relationship issues.  Inspire is an event honoring and celebrating the creative community and the individuals who give their heart and soul to make it what it is. This energy and culture is made possible by the tireless efforts of those who use their platforms to make an impact by giving back to their communities and inspiring those in need. Past recipients include Troy Tomlinson, Tracie and Scott Hamilton, Rod Essig and Pete Fisher. Past performers include Kenny Chesney, Wynonna, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Big & Rich, Ashley Monroe, LeAnn Rimes, and many more.  For more information, visit: https://inspirenashville.net/about/.

About Brian O’Connell:
President of Country Music Touring for Live Nation, Brian O’Connell is first and foremost a music fan. His passion for the artist, live shows and the fan experience remains engrained in his award-winning career of more than 25 years. O’Connell not only has a hand in some of the most important careers in country music, but has helped to revolutionize country touring. Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt and many more are part of his growing tour legacy. He developed the innovative and successful Country Megaticket, and continues to grow a vibrant festival division, including Watershed Music And Camping Festival, Faster Horses, Country LakeShake, Tortuga Music Festival and Seven Peaks Music Festival.  In 2018, O’Connell was honored with the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award and he is a eight-time winner of the Academy of Country Music’s Promoter of the Year award – more than any other promoter. He is a four-time winner of the Country Music Association’s Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year award. In 2013 he was named Promoter of the Year by IEBA (the international Entertainment Buyers Association) and recognized by the industry’s leading tour source Pollstar with the 2006 Bill Graham Promoter of the Year Award, as well as the 2017, 2014 and 2013 Talent Buyer of the Year award.

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The Delta Rae Revival Congregates Tonight (9/5)

By on September 5, 2018 in In The Press
Preview Stunning “Do You Ever Dream?” Video Ahead of the
Immersive Musical Experience


Photo Credit: Delta Rae

Delta Rae kicks off their much-anticipated,16-week residency at The Basement tonight in Nashville (1604 8th Ave S.) with Carrie Welling and Liz Longley taking the stage at 8:00P. As promised, they have been teasing a special guest for the evening who will make the lucky fans in the intimate crowd “Surrender.” Tickets for the show sold out online, prompting the band to open the doors for a limited number of $10 walkup guests.

The Delta Rae Revival will offer a new immersive experience from the moment fans arrive to the stage as audiences assemble every Wednesday from September 5 through December 19. This three-dimensional experience offers a palpable energy and dynamic rarely seen during concerts. More surprises are to come each week and will be announced throughout the next months over the band’s social media.

The wait is over for loyal supporters eager for new music. Leading up to their Music City celebration, Delta Rae has continued to create inside and outside the studio and today officially released “Do You Ever Dream?” to all digital partners. The song comes alive in an accompanying new video filmed in the band’s origin state of North Carolina and across the globe in Rekjavik, Iceland with director, Law. The stunning cinematic endeavor captures the complexity between two people whose relationship has fallen cold. Lead vocalist Brittany Holljes stars in the video portraying a dream-sequence visual depicting the reality of love lost and a yearning for more. She and her bandmate brother Eric Holljes (vocals, piano) produced this soul-stirring journey with Law that also features bandmates Liz Hopkins (lead vocals), Ian Holljes (vocals, guitar), Mike McKee (drums) and Grant Emerson (bass). Watch “Do You Ever Dream?” here  and get the song digitally https://DeltaRae.lnk.to/DreamPR. 

“One of my best friends from college is a genius filmmaker who directed our first music video for ‘Bottom of the River,'” expressed Eric. “He’s always wanted to shoot a video in Iceland, so we booked the cheapest tickets we could find, story-boarded on the flight, and traveled around the gravel roads eating salami and cheese sandwiches in a rental car, pulling over to shoot when we saw something beautiful. We wrote the song after Brittany’s break up with someone who didn’t share her imagination and vision for the future, and I think it was cathartic for her to finally tell that story. For me, it was one of the most creative experiences of my life and it has jumpstarted the next chapter for the band, which is proving to be our most ambitious and creative yet.”

Added Law, “Shooting in Iceland was an unforgettable experience. Every day was a fight against the elements, whether it was wind, rain, snow, sleet, cliff edges or puffins, Brittany was a trooper and overcame it all. She also asked to do everything barefoot because it just wasn’t difficult enough.”

The six-piece troupe will add an interactive element to the new song and more from their hearty catalogue – including hits from their Valory Music Co. EP’s A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE and THE BLACKBIRD SESSIONS – on stage week to week. The Delta Rae Revival offers first-timers and longtime fans a perfect combination of light and dark of Southern storytelling accompanied by impressive set design that Eric conceptualized and built.

Purchase tickets for remaining shows through December online now. For more information, visit DeltaRae.com and continue to check in on their social media accounts for updates on special guests and opening acts.

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Eight-Time Grammy Winner Dolly Parton To Be Honored As 2019 MusiCares Person Of The Year

By on September 5, 2018 in In The Press

Photo credit: Kii Arens

Eight-time GRAMMY® winner Dolly Parton will be honored at the 2019 MusiCares® Person of the Year tribute on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, it was announced today by Neil Portnow, President/CEO of MusiCares and the Recording Academy. Proceeds from the 29th annual benefit gala will provide essential support for MusiCares ( www.musicares.org), a charity founded by the Recording Academy that ensures music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical, and personal need. The tribute will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center two nights prior to the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards®.

Parton will be the first artist from the Nashville music community to be honored by MusiCares. She is being recognized as the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year for her considerable creative accomplishments and her longtime support of a number of causes through her Dollywood Foundation, including the Imagination Library, which, since 1996, has provided more than 100 million books to children from birth to 5 years of age in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the U.K.”Dolly Parton has always been and continues to be a courageous trailblazer and indomitable inspiration for creators and artists—so for us to have the opportunity to honor her at our annual MusiCares Person of the Year gala is to pay tribute to a true pillar of strength and someone who we all look up to and cherish,” said Portnow. “With her legendary talent, she has forged a career that spans decades, and her gifts as a performer resound on both stage and screen. Dolly also knows the power of philanthropy and she has used her stardom to contribute to a wide range of causes from natural disasters to education and literacy programs.”

“I am so excited and humbled to be honored as MusiCares Person of the Year,” said Parton. “It’s even more special knowing the gala benefits music people in need. I can’t wait to hear all of the great artists singing my music.”

Remarks Parton’s manager Danny Nozell, CEO, CTK Management, “I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving to be the first MusiCares Person of the Year representing the Nashville music community.  It’s been a privilege to witness her generous heart firsthand for the last 14 years.”

“With each passing year, the goal of MusiCares remains clear: to do more and serve more music people in need,” said Michael McDonald, MusiCares’ Board Chair. “Over the course of our last fiscal year, we provided more than $6.4 million to more than 8,500 members of the music industry—the largest number of clients served and dollars distributed in a single year in our charity’s history. We are confident that our 2019 Person of the Year tribute to Dolly Parton will help us raise the funds that sustain and expand our mission.”

The MusiCares Person of the Year tribute ceremony is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week. The Person of the Year gala will begin with a reception and silent auction offering an exclusive and unparalleled selection of luxury items, VIP experiences, and one-of-a-kind celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The reception and silent auction will be followed by a gala dinner sponsored by AEG; a live auction; a tribute concert featuring renowned musicians and other artists; and the award presentation.

The celebration culminates with the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019. The telecast will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.Established in 1989 by the Recording Academy, MusiCares offers health and human services and programs to members of the music community, including emergency financial assistance for basic living expenses such as rent, utilities, and car payments; medical expenses, including doctor, dentist and hospital bills; and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, hepatitis C, and other critical illnesses. MusiCares offers nationwide educational workshops covering a variety of subjects, including financial, legal, medical, and substance abuse issues, and programs in collaboration with health care professionals that provide services such as flu shots, hearing tests, and medical/dental screenings. MusiCares provides access to addiction recovery treatment and sober living resources for members of the music community. Staffed by qualified chemical dependency and intervention specialists, MusiCares offers Safe Harbor Room® support, sponsored in party by the Bohemian Foundation, to provide a network to those in recovery while they are paraticipating in the production of televised music shows and other major music events.  MusiCares holds weekly addiction support groups for people to discuss how to best cope with the issues surrounding the recovery process.

For more information, please contact:
MusiCares at 310.392.3777 or personoftheyear@musicares.org.
ABOUT DOLLY PARTON
Dolly Parton is the most honored female country performer of all time. Achieving 25 RIAA certified gold, platinum, and multiplatinum awards, she has had 26 songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. 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 album Pure & Simple , which topped the Billboard Top Country Albums and Americana/Folk Albums charts and debuted at No. 1 in the United States, Canada, U.K., and Australia, added to that massive tally. She has garnered eight GRAMMY Awards, including a 2016 win with Pentatonix for their collaboration on her iconic 1974 hit “Jolene”; nine Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year; 13 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 nonprofit that, since 1996, has provided more than 100 million books to children from birth to 5 years of age in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the U.K. In 2018, Parton received her first two Midsouth Emmy Awards as the organization recognized her lifetime of giving with the Governors 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 is currently collaborating with producer Linda Perry on the soundtrack for the film Dumplin’ starring Jennifer Aniston and Danielle MacDonald with Parton as the executive producer. And Parton’s Dixie Pixie Productions is partnering with Warner Bros. Television to produce a series of television films to premiere on Netflix in 2019. Next year will 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 MUSICARES
A friend and ally of the music community, MusiCares was established by the Recording Academy to safeguard the health and well-being of all music people. A four-star charity and safety net in times of need, MusiCares offers confidential preventative, recovery, and emergency programs to address financial, medical, and personal health issues. Through the generosity of our donors and volunteer professionals, our dedicated team works across the country to ensure the music community has the resources and support it needs.

For more information, visit www.musicares.org, “like” MusiCares on Facebook, and follow @MusiCares on Twitter and Instagram.

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Lady Antebellum Signs With Big Machine Label Group

By on September 4, 2018 in In The Press

BMLG staff congregates to surprise and celebrate signing of superstar act Lady A. Photo credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

MULTI-PLATINUM, seven-time GRAMMY® Awards winners Lady Antebellum have signed with Big Machine Label Group’s BMLG Records. A reconnection of sorts for the trio whose success has taken them around the globe, the deal finds Lady A once again crossing paths with BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta and BMLGR President Jimmy Harnen.

“We have been truly blessed throughout our career to work with some of the brightest people in music,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “We’ve watched BMLG become the powerhouse they are from the sidelines and couldn’t be more excited to become part of their family. We hope to honor all the people who have been part of our story over the last 10 years – can’t wait to work with some old friends again and are excited for where it takes us all together!”

“Lady Antebellum is the consummate vocal group,” Borchetta says. “Hillary, Charles and Dave have a special chemistry that only the greatest bands of all time have and what you see is what they sing – and it’s the sort of thing no label can create, only magnify. I am delighted that we get to assist them in writing the next chapter in their extraordinary career.”

Pictured (L-R): BMLGR’s Matthew Hargis, BMLG’s Sandi Spika Borchetta, BMLGR’s Jimmy Harnen, Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Lady A’s Dave Haywood, BMLG’s Andrew Kautz, Allison Jones and Mike Rittberg. Photo credit: Jason Kempin

With nine No. 1 Country hits, two AC chart-toppers, a No. 2 spot on the Hot 100, Lady A hits critical mass with the American public over and over again. Their musically forward, fresh and uplifting sound has sold over 18 million albums. Their songs reflect youth, romance and an ideal of how people hope to live. They have appeared on nearly every TV show imaginable including being the musical guest on Saturday Night Live.“Our extreme belief in Lady A, admiration of their amazing career and the greatness they have yet to achieve, as well as being their biggest fans,” begins Harnen, “makes this the thrill of a lifetime.”

“It is also the grand reuniting of a large musical family,” Harnen continues. “Scott Borchetta and I worked with Linda Davis, Hillary’s mom (as well as her father Lang Scott) when we were both at DreamWorks. Michelle Tigard Kammerer worked closely with Lady A when they signed to CAA, and Matthew Hargis and I helped break the band at radio on their debut album. The long associations, close ties and the group’s always incredible music is literally why we do this.”

With seven GRAMMY® Awards, including the 2011 overall Record and Song of the Year awards for “Need You Now,” six Country Music Association Awards, including back-to-back Single of the Year nods for “I Run To You” and “Need You Now,” seven Academy of Country Music Awards, including three Top Vocal Group and Album of the Year trophies, and four straight American Music Awards for Favorite Country Group, the undeniable quality of the trio’s music defines them.

With 2017’s Heart Break receiving both GRAMMY® and Country Music Association Award nominations, after well-received solo albums from Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott, Lady A is currently writing and recording new music that is poised to be the best music of their careers.

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