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Ole Red Nashville Welcomes Acclaimed Chef Garrett Pittler

Following the opening of Ole Red in Tishamingo, Oklahoma last fall, Blake Shelton and Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. are set to open the doors to their newest Ole Red property on famed Lower Broadway in the heart of downtown Nashville this spring. They are proud to welcome acclaimed chef Garrett Pittler as Executive Chef of the 26,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment venue.

Pittler has worked for some of Music City’s most prestigious hotels, restaurants and venues, including Omni Nashville, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel and most recently City Winery Nashville. The James Beard Award nominee was also a finalist on Food Network’s “Chopped” and has won numerous awards for his culinary prowess.

“Chef Garrett’s creative culinary skills coupled with his unique experience bringing exceptional menus to both intimate and large-scale, non-traditional spaces make him an outstanding leader for both venues at Ole Red,” said Pete Weien, Senior Vice President of New Venue and Retail Operations for Opry Entertainment.

Ole Red will feature two distinct dining experiences. The downstairs entertainment space will offer traditional Southern fare with a twist. Menu items will include catfish corndogs, Nashville hot chicken biscuit and champagne bucket of chicken. On the rooftop, The Lookout at Ole Red will feature small plates and unique, specialty hand crafted cocktails along with top shelf bourbon, rye, Casamigos and Codigo tasting flights.

“We’re excited to add to the dining experience at Ole Red through the food and beverage offerings in our Nashville location,” adds Pittler. “The restaurant menu will feature Southern comfort food and adventurous bites like catfish corndogs, pulled bar-b-que mushroom sandwich and signature Ole Red Onion Burger. On the rooftop, The Lookout at Ole Red menu will offer shareable small plates like pimento cheese burrata, Nashville hot calamari and fresh seafood bank. From traditional to imaginative, our intention is to provide unique menu options that satisfy every craving.”

Pittler will also oversee menu options for Ole Red’s private event space, The Hall at Ole Red, which can host anywhere between 200 to 300 guests. The private event space will feature a spectacular view of Lower Broadway with a distinct look and feel of its own and can be used to host private parties, small conferences or industry events.

Designed to embody the spirit of Shelton’s chart-topping hit “Ol’ Red,” the venue includes a two-story bar and restaurant, retail area, performance space, dance floor and private VIP booths for small groups. The property will also feature a third floor, private event space and a separate dining menu for the 6,000-square-foot rooftop with an indoor/outdoor bar and restaurant showcasing panoramic views of Lower Broadway.

The performance space at Ole Red Nashville will be equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system and acoustics tailor-made for the event programming that will take place there, including intimate concerts, live-band karaoke and showcases for up-and-coming talent. Additional programming details will be announced closer to opening.

About Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE:RHP) is a REIT for federal income tax purposes, specializing in group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets. The Company’s owned assets include a network of four upscale, meetings-focused resorts totaling 7,811 rooms that are managed by lodging operator Marriott International, Inc. under the Gaylord Hotels brand. Other owned assets managed by Marriott International, Inc. include Gaylord Springs Golf Links, the Wildhorse Saloon, the General Jackson Showboat, The Inn at Opryland, a 303-room overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord Opryland and AC Hotel Washington, DC at National Harbor, a 192-room overflow hotel near Gaylord National. The Company also owns and operates media and entertainment assets, including the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary weekly showcase of country music’s finest performers for over 90 years; the Ryman Auditorium, the storied former home of the Grand Ole Opry located in downtown Nashville; 650 AM WSM, the Opry’s radio home; and Ole Red, a country lifestyle and entertainment brand. The company also is a joint venture partner in Opry City Stage, the Opry’s first home away from home, in Times Square. For additional information about Ryman Hospitality Properties, visit www.rymanhp.com.

About Blake Shelton
Country Music Association’s 2012 “Entertainer of the Year,” five-time Male Vocalist of the Year winner and GRAMMY nominee Blake Shelton continues to add to his superstar status. In November he released his album Texoma Shore, which became his sixth record to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and marked his 11th all-genre Top 10. Texoma Shore features his Top 10 and climbing single “I Lived It” as well as the smash hit “I’ll Name The Dogs,” a romantic tune that boasts over 68 million streams and recently became his 25th No. 1 song. In the week following album launch, Shelton became the first artist in Country Aircheck / Mediabase history to have six songs chart simultaneously. Texoma Shore follows 2016’s Gold-certified If I’m Honest, the best-selling country album release of the year, which spawned three chart-topping songs and earned him a No. 1 on both the Billboard Top Country Albums and the all-genre Top Album Sales charts.

A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Shelton has earned a host of honors throughout his career including 20 ACM nominations and the Top Country Artist title at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards. Shelton proved worthy of the distinction on this winter’s “Country Music Freaks” headlining tour alongside Brett Eldredge, Carly Pearce and special guest Trace Adkins. As a coach for the Emmy Award-winning television show The Voice, Shelton is a six-time champion, most recently with his contestant Chloe Kohanski. Off stage, Shelton has teamed up with Ryman Hospitality to open a string of Ole Red entertainment restaurant venues, a nod to his 2001 hit of the same name. The flagship location in his Oklahoma hometown Tishomingo opened its doors in September 2017, with Nashville’s venue on lower Broadway planned to follow later this spring.

For more information and upcoming tour dates, please visit www.BlakeShelton.com and follow @BlakeShelton.

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The Latest Emerging Artists on Spotify’s RISE

 

When you discover a new artist, you don’t just want to hear the song, you want to know everything—what their name means, where they’re from, how they started, what their process is like, which music they listen to. Whether their struggle was real or they’re an overnight sensation, it’s the stories that truly bring the music to life.

To go further behind the scenes with emerging artists, Spotify is introducing the new wave of RISE, the artist development program that supports up-and-comers across genres and gives fans a glimpse inside their lives. While the first season featured new favorites like Lauv and Trippie Redd, Spotify is now focusing on Platinum-selling Country breakthrough band LANCO, R&B artist Jorja Smith, Latin singer Karol G, and indie artist Rex Orange County.

Spotify will highlight one of the four emerging artists every two weeks in each artists’ bespoke multimedia RISE playlist, kicking off with the groundswell movement behind LANCO. Stay tuned for RISE short form documentary films (“24 Hours on the RISE”), original recording sessions with unique collaborators (“RISE Recordings”), live event activations, and collaborations on Spotify-optimized vertical videos.
Spotify will highlight one of the four emerging artists every two weeks in each artists’ bespoke multimedia RISE playlist, kicking off with country sensation LANCO. “When we were kids, putting together our first band and writing our first songs, our dream was to be able to eventually play them for people,” said LANCO’s lead singer Brandon Lancaster. “Spotify RISE is helping us make that dream a reality. By telling our stories through our music and through our entire creative process, we’re able to connect to our fans and grow the LANCO community in a deeper way than we could have ever imagined.”

All of these unique stories will live alongside the music—plus you’ll start to see them on Spotify’s many owned and operated playlists and editorial channels, creating a variety of new potential discovery moments for Spotify listeners.

Read about our four new RISE artists below, and check out spotify.com/RISE to hear more from each RISE artist.

About Spotify’s RISE Artists:

LANCO

In an incredible year of firsts, the “arena-rock leaning band” (Entertainment Weekly) LANCO became the first country group to debut on the Billboard Country albums charts at No. One in 10 years with their coming-of-age album, HALLELUJAH NIGHTS (Arista Nashville), which now boasts over 234 million digital streams. Additionally, this year’s two-time ACM nominated group is now the only Country band to achieve a PLATINUM single prior to a debut album release, with the two-week No. One “Greatest Love Story.” Following the multi-week chart-topping hit, their “foot-stomping new single” (Rolling Stone) “Born To Love You” proves LANCO is “well on their way to being reigning hitmakers,” (PopCulture). Named “the band to watch” by Bobby Bones, CMT, Entertainment Weekly, Hits Magazine, Rolling Stone, Spotify and more, LANCO continues “drawing in fans from across the globe” (Tucson Weekly) after touring the country’s top festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Watershed and Faster Horses. This month, they will hit the road for their first amphitheater run as special guests on Dierks Bentley’s 2018 MOUNTAIN HIGH TOUR. For more information and upcoming tour dates, visit www.lancomusic.com.

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Shania Twain And Jake Owen Come To USA Network With Country Music Showcase Series ‘Real Country’

USA Network today announced REAL COUNTRY, a new country music showcase series featuring multi-platinum, five-time GRAMMY Award®-winning trailblazer Shania Twain, and ACM Award-winning and platinum-selling singer-songwriter Jake Owen. Premiering this fall on USA, the eight-part REAL COUNTRY will film this summer in Nashville and is produced by Wilshire Studios, with Twain, Nicolle Yaron, Stijn Bakkers and Leslie Garvin set to executive produce.

In each hour-long episode, Twain and Owen hand-select emerging solo artists, duos and groups to perform in showcases that spotlight the rich traditions, songs and themes of specific country genres. The best artists from each showcase will perform in a grand finale, for the chance to be named one of country music’s next breakout acts.
“REAL COUNTRY celebrates everything we love about country music, while providing a unique platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent,” said Heather Olander, Senior Vice President, Alternative Development and Production, USA Network. She added: “We are extremely lucky to work with both Shania and Jake. Shania is a true international icon who remains the best-selling female country artist of all time and whose music broke barriers across genres, and Jake is an ACM Award-winner who consistently dominates the country charts with some of today’s biggest hits.”
Twain shared: “It’s been an incredible year for me, releasing my new album and coming back to country music. I feel it’s time for me to add my own support in finding our greatest undiscovered talent. It’s beyond thrilling to be leading the charge with REAL COUNTRY, and I’m on a mission to find artists who will keep country music diverse and dynamic. The kind of diversity that inspired all of us.”
Added Owen: “Country music truly seems to be the healing factor in a lot of people’s lives. I will always be grateful for music, whether I’m performing or listening, and I want to encourage up-and-coming artists to tell their stories, find their audiences and make their mark in country music with the same guidance that artists have given to me throughout my journey.”
“NBCUniversal has made a commitment to reimagine the commercial experience,” said Mark Marshall, Executive Vice President, Entertainment Advertising Sales, NBCUniversal. “REAL COUNTRY is a tremendous opportunity for advertisers to connect with the genre’s passionate fan base in an engaging and authentic way.”
Anyone interested in being invited to perform on one of REAL COUNTRY’s showcases can apply at http://realcountry.castingcrane.com or via email at RealCountry@castingduo.com.
About Shania Twain:
International superstar Shania Twain is a five-time GRAMMY winner and the reigning Queen of Country Pop. With more than 90 million albums sold worldwide and U.S. sales topping 34.5 million, Twain remains the top-selling female country artist of all time. Her albums include “Shania Twain,” Twain’s Platinum-selling 1993 debut; “The Woman in Me,” her GRAMMY Award-winning, Double Diamond-selling 1995 release; “Come On Over,” the best-selling studio album in Soundscan history by a female artist in any genre and the best-selling country album of all time with over 40 million units sold worldwide; and “UP!,” Twain’s third consecutive Diamond-selling album release. 
Recognizing her indelible impact and achievements in music, Twain is the first and only female to receive CMT’s Artist of a Lifetime Award, and she recently received the Icon Award at Billboard’s Women in Music ceremony. Twain’s hits include “Any Man of Mine,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “You’re Still the One” and “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” Twain’s first album in 15 years, “NOW,” was released in September 2017 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 albums, making it the first female country release in over three years to top the all-genre chart. Additionally, the album landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country album chart and went to No. 1 in Canada, Australia and the UK. Twain is currently gearing up to embark on her 2018 NOW World Tour.
About Jake Owen:
ACM award-winner and Grammy-nominated Owen has had six No. 1 singles to date – the two-time platinum anthem “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” platinum-certified hits “Beachin’,” “Anywhere with You,” “Alone with You,” “The One That Got Away” and, gold-certified “American Country Love Song.” Owen’s fifth studio album, “American Love,” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart. Most recently, Owen signed a new label deal with Big Loud Records, reuniting him with producer Joey Moi. Owen’s debut single for Big Loud, “I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” is the fastest rising single of his career. Owen and Moi are currently in the studio working on a forthcoming project.
About USA Network:
USA Network, the leader in cable entertainment, offers a powerful stable of dramatic, comedic and unscripted originals in more than 102 million U.S. homes.  The network also features spectacular live television, a dynamic portfolio of acquired series and the best in blockbuster theatrical films and entertainment events.  A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV.  USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. USA’s award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com.  Watch USA Network anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs.
About Wilshire Studios:

Wilshire Studios develops and produces a diverse slate of original unscripted programming for multiple platforms, aligning with award-winning producers and innovative storytellers to create compelling content that explores reality through a variety of formats. From E!’s signature “Live from the Red Carpet,” USA Network’s “The Cromarties” and Oxygen’s “Mysteries and Scandals,” to the upcoming “Real Country” for USA, “Unspeakable Crime: The Killing of Jessica Chambers for Oxygen” and the debut “People’s Choice Awards” on E!, Wilshire Studios produces series that are informative, revealing, thrilling and entertaining. Wilshire Studios is part of the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment portfolio.

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CMA Fest: Free Nightly Concerts Return To Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage At Ascend Amphitheatre June 7-9

RaeLynn performs at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater on Saturday, June 10 during the 2017 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.

The Country Music Association has announced the return of the popular free nightly concerts during CMA Fest at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage located in downtown Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater Thursday, June 7 through Saturday, June 9, starting at 7:00 PM/CT each evening. 

Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music Group kicks off festivities Thursday night with a lineup of non-stop music featuring Chase Bryant, Craig Campbell, Lindsay Ell, Everette, Chase Rice, Runaway June, and Granger Smith 
Lee Brice will headline Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by Red Light Management on Friday night. The lineup also includes Clare Dunn, Tyler Farr, Maddie & Tae, and Drake White and The Big Fire.  
Saturday fans will enjoy Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by Warner Music Nashville for the second year featuring Cole Swindell joined by Cale Dodds, Morgan Evans, Michael Ray, and Tegan Marie.  
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® returns to CMA Fest with Rock With Us, a rocking chair experience Thursday through Saturday. The brand will turn Ascend Park and the nearby John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge into a true Cracker Barrel front porch experience by displaying 100 rocking chairs as well as three giant rockers making their festival debut. Fans are encouraged to post photos in the rockers on their social media channels using the hashtag #CBMusic. During CMA Fest in 2017, Cracker Barrel raised $15,000 for the CMA Foundation through a rocking chair experience. Additional details for this year’s Rock With Us will be announced soon.      
“Cracker Barrel shares our same passion for music and social responsibility, which is why we are thrilled to continue our partnership into a second year with a great lineup of acts performing nightly on the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater and helping to raise funds for music education and the CMA Foundation,” said Emily Evans, CMA Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships. 
“Music and entertainment are an important part of the Cracker Barrel brand because it provides us an authentic and emotional connection with our guests,” said Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Senior Marketing Manager Julie Ulmer. “We were thrilled to bring free nightly concerts to festival goers at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage last year and look forward to our second year at CMA Fest.” 
Fans can purchase the CMA Fest Nash Pass for $60, allowing a limited amount of VIP early access to nightly shows at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater. The Nash Pass will also include Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum tour, Ryman Auditorium tour and four-day admission to Fan Fair X in Music City Center. Fan Fair X activities and stage lineups will be announced in the coming weeks.  
A limited number of tickets for the Nightly Concerts at Nissan Stadium are still available through the CMA Box Office at 1-800-CMA-FEST. Nightly concert tickets also include four-day access to Fan Fair X. Outdoor daytime stages including the Breakout Stage, Budweiser Forever Country Park Stage, Riverfront Stage and others to be announced soon are free and open to the public. All artist lineups are subject to change.
Don’t miss a beat—get connected with CMA on CMAfest.com, the Official CMA Fest App, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and sign up for CMA Country Connection emails to receive the latest news as soon as it’s announced.
**Suggested Tweet**: Nightly #CMAfest concerts return to @CrackerBarrel Country Roads Stage at @Ascend_Amp June 7-9 w/ @LeeBrice, @ChaseRiceMusic, @ColeSwindell & many more! See full lineup & buy CMA Fest Nash Pass for VIP early access: CMAfest.com. <<link>> 
About CMA Fest  
The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™ began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Now in its 47th year, the legendary festival has become the city’s signature Country Music event that hosts in excess of 90,000 fans from all 50 states and two dozen foreign countries. In 2017, CMA Fest featured 11 stages with over 350 artists, 1,100 musicians, and 167 hours of music – all to benefit music education. Since 2006, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $2
1 million to sustainable music education initiatives across the U.S. thanks to the fans who attend CMA Fest and the artists who perform for free. CMA Fest is filmed for a three-hour ABC Television Network special2018 marks the 15th consecutive year of the broadcast.  
About the CMA Foundation 
Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation
is committed to improving and sustaining music education programs all across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music education. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), has invested more than $21 million in over 85 programs across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations. Guided by the generosity of the Country Music community, proceeds from CMA Fest, the four-day long music festival held annually in Nashville, are used to power the CMA Foundation’s social impact and unique model of giving. 
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The CMA Foundation’s Music Teachers Of Excellence Awards Event Set For Tuesday, May 8

RCA Records Nashville recording artist and CMA Foundation board member Chris Young will host the CMA Foundation’s Music Teachers of Excellence invite-only event at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on Tuesday, May 8. Photo credit: John Shearer

On Tuesday, May 8, the CMA Foundation will present the third annual Music Teachers of Excellence Awards, honoring 34 music educators from districts across the state of Tennessee, as well as Chicago, Cincinnati, Seattle and Los Angeles, for their innovation and commitment to music education. The invite-only event will be hosted by multi-platinum RCA Records Nashville recording artist and CMA Foundation board member Chris Young at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works. The CMA Foundation created the Music Teachers of Excellence program in 2016 in an effort to recognize the best and brightest music teachers from Nashville and beyond.

Award recipients were selected because of their dedication to bring a quality music program to their students and the impact they’ve had on their school community through music. In addition to a night of celebration, these dedicated educators will each receive a stipend from the CMA Foundation in recognition of their tireless work for their students and music programs.

“Research continues to show us that a quality music education will have a positive impact on a student’s academic achievement and social development and a lot of that responsibility falls in the hands of music educators, ” said Tiffany Kerns, CMA Director of Community Outreach. “We are excited to have Chris Young join us this year as our host to help honor music teachers from across the country, thanking them for their dedication to students and their music community .”

“As someone who’s benefitted from music education, I am so thankful for the music teachers who helped me along the way,” said Young. “I look forward to celebrating the music educators who share their love of music with the next generation.”

Young, one of the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry, is coming off his second consecutive studio album to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. At the age of 32, the RCA Records Nashville recording artist has 10 No. 1 singles and seven albums to his credit, including the Platinum-certified Neon and 2015’s Gold-certified I’m Comin’ Over, which earned multiple nominations from CMA Awards, ACM Awards, Billboard Music Awards, CMT Music Awards, Grammys and Radio Disney Music Awards and scored three consecutive chart-topping singles. Named “one of his era’s finest traditionalists” by the Associated Press, Chris has quickly become an international ambassador for Country Music, performing to packed houses around the globe and is currently headlining the sold-out “Losing Sleep 2018 World Tour.”

2018 National Music Teachers of Excellence Award Recipients:

Darnella Davidson, Los Angeles Unified School District, San Pedro, CA

Elizabeth Fortune, Seattle Public School, Seattle, WA

Andrew McGuire, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL

Christian Tierney, Cincinnati Public School, Cincinnati, OH

2018 Tennessee Music Teachers of Excellence Award Recipients:

Pamela Andrews, Station Camp Elementary School

Ronda Armstrong, Stanford Montessori

Jennifer Barnes, Lockeland Design Center

Lisa Benton, Heritage Middle

Rita Black, Eakin Elementary

Christopher Blackmon, Thomas A. Edison Elementary

Jacob Campos, Franklin High School

Joel Denton, Ooltewah High School

Benjamin Easley, Nolensville High School

Kim Folsom, Dan Mills Elementary

Lisa Forbis, Hume Fogg High School

Glenn Fugett, Nashville School of the Arts

Mark Hale, Mt. View Elementary

Katie Harrah, Oliver Middle School

Trey Jacobs, Nashville School of the Arts

Kevin Jankowski, Oliver Middle Prep

Julie Jolly, West End Middle School

Anna Maria Miller, Hume-Fogg Academic H.S., Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School

Jennifer Partridge, Gower Elementary

James Phillips, Oak Ridge High School

Lauren Ramey, Ravenwood High School

Alaina Schwartz, Crieve Hall Elementary

Matthew Taylor, Meigs Academic Magnet Middle

Barry Trobaugh, Munford High School

Alice Asako Wall, Waverly Belmont Elementary

Paul Waters, Bellevue Middle Prep

Kristina Waugh, Rossview Middle School

Franklin Willis, Andrew Jackson Elementary School

Chad Witemeyer, Henry Maxwell Elementary

Alexis Yatuzis-Derryberry, Lascassas Elementary School

Music Teachers of Excellence is supported by Delta Air Lines, Anheuser-Bush and Uber.
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About the CMA FoundationEstablished in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining music education programs across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music education. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), has invested more than $21 million in over 85 programs across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations. Guided by the generosity of the Country Music community, proceeds from CMA Fest, the four-day long music festival held annually in Nashville, are used to power the CMA Foundation’s social impact and unique model of giving.

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CMA Fest Reveals Additional Free Daytime Performances On Multiple Stages

The Country Music Association has announced additional artist performances during this year’s CMA Fest. The festival—now in its 47th year—boasts an exceptional bill of hundreds of artists performing on 11 stages throughout downtown Nashville Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10.
The Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe entertains fans daily from 10:45 AM-4:30 PM, with BMI programming performances Thursday, June 7 from 2:45-6:30 PM including Adam Craig, Ray Fulcher, Trea Landon, Drew Parker, Faren Rachels, and Payton Smith. Additional acts taking the Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe include 17 Memphis, Ryan Beaver, Logan Brill, Brennley Brown, Austin Burke, Davisson Brothers Band, Travis Denning, Jeffrey East, Hannah Ellis, FILMORE, Noah Guthrie, Levi Hummon, Brett Kissel, Tegan Marie, Josh Mirenda, Hudson Moore, Hayley Orrantia, Meghan Patrick, Stephanie Quayle, Jordan Rager, Brandon Ray, Restless Road, Tyler Rich, Adam Sanders, Scooter Brown Band, Kalie Shorr, Natalie Stovall, Sweet Tea Trio, Temecula Road, Mitchell Tenpenny, The Last Bandoleros, Tyminski, and Carter Winter.

Located inside the NCVC Visitor Center at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage will take place daily from 11:00 AM-4:40 PM. Thursday’s performances are presented by ASCAP and feature Max Camp, Hannah Dasher, Austin Jenckes, Parker McKay, Steven Lee Olsen, Riley Roth, Steel Union, Matt Stell, TRAVLRS, and Sarah Allison Turner, while Friday’s performances are presented by SESAC and feature Spencer Crandall, Ben Danaher, Erin Enderlin, Livy Jeanne, Jordyn Mallory, Tom O’Connor, Jake Rose, Seaforth, SZLACHETKA, and Jenny Tolman. Saturday and Sunday’s performances include Baylou, Craig Wayne Boyd, Lewis Brice, Emily Brooke, Kenton Bryant, Dallas Caroline, Ruthie Collins, Dalton & the Sheriffs, Sarah Darling, Haley & Michaels, Halfway to Hazard, Lucas Hoge, House Whiskey, Madison Kozak, Kendell Marvel, Ian Munsick, Ray Scott, George Shingleton, Sons of Daughters, and Tara Thompson.

All outdoor daytime stages, including both the Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe and Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage, are free and open to the public.
A limited number of tickets for the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium are still available through the CMA Box Office at 1-800-CMA-FEST. Nightly concert tickets also include four-day access to Fan Fair X; Fan Fair X activities and stage lineups will be announced soon.
Don’t miss a beat—download the CMA Fest app, or get connected with CMA on CMAfest.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and sign up for CMA Country Connection emails to receive the latest news as soon as it’s announced.

About CMA Fest

The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™ began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Now in its 47th year, the legendary festival has become the city’s signature Country Music event that hosts in excess of 90,000 fans from all 50 states and two dozen foreign countries. In 2017, CMA Fest featured 11 stages with over 350 artists, 1,100 musicians, and 167 hours of music – all to benefit music education. Since 2006, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $21 million to sustainable music education initiatives across the U.S. thanks to the fans who attend CMA Fest and the artists who perform for free. CMA Fest is filmed for a three-hour ABC Television Network special. 2018 marks the 15th consecutive year of the broadcast.

About the CMA Foundation

Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining music education programs across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music education. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), has invested over $21 million in 85 programs across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations. Guided by the generosity of the Country Music community, proceeds from CMA Fest are used to drive the CMA Foundation’s social impact and unique model of giving.

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Home Free Premieres Hypnotic Cover Of “Helplessly Hoping”

Photo credit: David McClister

All-vocal phenom HOME FREE is back with a new cover video, showcasing their otherworldly harmonies with a captivating version of Crosby, Stills & Nash’s “Helplessly Hoping.”

The quintet recently performed their swelling version of the classic track during an off-mic moment at their sold-out headlining debut at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, marking the only time they’ve ever performed the track live.

Watch Home Free’s transcendent take on “Helplessly Hoping” here.

The group also made a splash at the ACM Awards Official After Party in Las Vegas, sharing a bill with New Female Vocalist of the Year Lauren Alaina, New Male Vocalist of the Year Brett Young, New Duo/Group of the Year Midland, and many more.

They’ve just announced a special one-night-only engagement with Country Music Hall of Famers and legendary vocal group The Oak Ridge Boys on June 21 in Lincoln, NE. The powerhouse crooners have collaborated on a signature cover video of “Elvira” which has earned more than 10 MILLION views. The Oaks’ Duane Allen has also called Home Free “the only group that I’ve seen in years that could capture what we captured and carry it further” (Rolling Stone Country).

HOME FREE TOUR DATES:

MAY 2018

02 | Duluth, MN – Symphony Hall at Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (NOT MANY TICKETS REMAIN)

03 | Joliet, IL – Rialto Square Theatre (NOT MANY TICKETS REMAIN)

04 | Elkhart, IN – Lerner Theatre

05 | Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theatre

06 | Madison, WI – Orpheum Theatre (NOT MANY TICKETS REMAIN)

08 | Manhattan, KS – McCain Auditorium

10 | Eau Claire, WI – State Theatre (SOLD OUT)

11 | Brookings, SD – Swiftel Centre (NOT MANY TICKETS REMAIN)

12 | Fargo, ND – Fargo Auditorium (LESS THAN 20 TICKETS REMAIN)

13 | Mankato, MN – Mankato Civic Center

JUNE 2018

10 | Nashville, TN – CMA Fest Riverfront Stage

15 | Branson, MO – Mansion Theatre

21 | Lincoln, NE (with The Oak Ridge Boys) – Pinewood Bowl Theater

22 | Denver, CO – Levitt Pavilion Denver

23 | Sandy, UT – Sandy Amphitheater

JULY 2018

11 | Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre

12 | Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

13 | Keene, NH – Colonial Theatre

14 | Uncasville, CT – Wolf’s Den at Mohegan Sun Casino

15 | Verona, NY – Turning Stone Resort and Casino

19 | Greenville, SC – Peace Center Concert Hall

20 | Orkney Springs, VA – Shenandoah Valley Music Festival

27 | Seymour, WI – Outagamie County Fair

28 | Lakeside, OH – Hoover Auditorium

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

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

About Home Free:

Since being crowned NBC’s The Sing-Off victors, all-vocal quintet Home Free has made their mark on the music scene selling more than 350,000 copies combined of their popular albums, embarking on four major national tours and amassing over 220 million YouTube views. In 2016, FULL OF (EVEN MORE) CHEER – an expanded version of their popular holiday album, FULL OF CHEER – debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, cementing the band as Country music’s top all-vocal entertainers. The release of their third studio album, COUNTRY EVOLUTION, elevated the band “from auxiliary entertainment to headlining attraction” (Times Leader) and hit #4 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Produced by Darren Rust, the deluxe version includes five originals and nine new renditions of hit songs that showcase the band’s undeniable talents, tight harmonies and intelligent arrangements that are uniquely their own. Home Free’s breakout debut album CRAZY LIFE (2014) hit #1 on iTunes Country chart and #4 overall. Their latest project TIMELESS hit shelves September 22, debuting at #2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Founded in 2000 during collegiate years, the five-man band from Minnesota has been electrifying crowds with their live show for nearly a decade, performing together for packed audiences at major festivals, fairs, colleges and theatres. Their extensive touring and reputation as extraordinary showmen has built a loyal fanbase while bringing their homegrown Country style into the national spotlight.

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The Debut Single From Black River’s Abby Anderson Is Digitally Available Now

Black River Entertainment songwriter/artist Abby Anderson’s debut single “Make Him Wait” is digitally available now. Currently on her national Country radio promo tour, Anderson is set to open for Russell Dickerson on select dates before a jampacked CMA Music Festival week of performances and appearances.

Written by Anderson along with GRAMMY-nominated hit songwriter Tom Douglas and hit songwriter/producer Josh Kerr who also produced the single, the empowering message in “Make Him Wait” serves as a reminder to trust your worth.

In a recent Instagram post, Anderson expressed her hope for “Make Him Wait” saying, “I’m sharing a little bit of my heart and the truth that I was brought up knowing. And honestly, I hope that this song serves as a reminder of how precious you are, how cherished you should be, and above all, to trust your worth with someone worth your trust.” View the full Instagram post here.

Last month, Anderson gave fans a sneak peek into the single with the release of an acoustic performance video of “Make Him Wait,” which can be viewed here.

The Dallas, Texas, native was recently named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country for 2018, a CMT Listen Up Artist – #18for2018, one of Pandora’s “2018 Country Artists to Watch” as well as The Boot’s “2018 Artists to Watch.”

Prior to making her solo move to Nashville at 17 years old, Anderson worked hard to finish school early and get a head start on her dream of a career in music. Upon arriving in Music City, she began paying her dues by playing gigs in local favorites, including The Bluebird Café, The Listening Room Café, and the Tin Roof, among others, while working as a nanny. Her hard work and perseverance paid off a few years later as Anderson was surprised by Black River Entertainment with a publishing and record deal during a charity event at the Ryman Auditorium in 2017.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

05/23/18 – Club Rodeo – San Jose, CA

05/31/18 – House Of Independents – Asbury Park, NJ

06/01/18 – Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, CT

06/02/18 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA

06/05/18 – Cannery Ballroom – Nashville, TN

*06/09/18 – Breakout Stage, CMA Music Festival – Nashville, TN

07/04/18 – Flannagan’s – Dublin, OH

*Stay tuned for updates

For fans looking to stay in the loop on Abby, please visit AbbyAndersonMusic.com to sign up for her mailing list. For more information on Abby, follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

ABOUT BLACK RIVER ENTERTAINMENT:

Underneath the Black River Entertainment umbrella is a family of record labels, a management company, a GRAMMY-winning publishing company, and state-of-the-art recording studios.

Black River Records, Black River Americana, Black River Christian and Passport Productions make up the family of record labels. The combined roster of artists includes Abby Anderson, Kelsea Ballerini, Jacob Davis, and Ronnie Milsap; Carolina Story; Hannah Kerr and Josh Wilson; and Nikita Karmen. Thrive Management provides artist management services within Black River Christian.

Black River Publishing is home to many talented writers including: Hit songwriters/producers Bobby Huff and Josh Kerr, songwriters/artists Ben Caver, Eddie Garcia, Nikita Karmen, Scott Stepakoff, Anna Vaus, and Nick Wayne, songwriters/Black River recording artists Abby Anderson, Carolina Story, Jacob Davis, Hannah Kerr and Josh Wilson, and the catalogues of hit-songwriter/Black River Recording artist Kelsea Ballerini, hit songwriters/producers Doug Johnson, Forest Glen Whitehead, and GRAMMY-winning songwriter Josh Osborne. For more information about Black River Publishing, please visit www.blackriverpublishing.com.

Owned and operated by BRE, the historic Sound Stage and Ronnie’s Place studios are located on Nashville’s famous Music Row and have set the standard legendary artists/musicians/producers have appreciated since the late 1960s. Artists from multiple genres have cut hits in these studios including 50 Cent, Kelsea Ballerini, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Casting Crowns, Alice Cooper, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert, Jerry Lee Lewis, Reba McEntire, Craig Morgan, PHISH, Taylor Swift, Shania Twain and Keith Urban.

Part of the Pegula Sports and Entertainment family, which includes the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, AHL’s Rochester Americans, NLL’s Buffalo Bandits, HARBORCENTER, Buffalo Marriott HARBORCENTER, KeyBank Center, and IMPACT Sports Performance, Black River Entertainment and its entities are based in Nashville, TN. For more information, please visit www.blackriverent.com.

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Cassadee Pope Celebrates The Release Of New Music With A Little Help From Her Friends

Last night, Cassadee Pope celebrated the release of new music with a dynamic performance in front of fans and industry friends at Analog at Hutton Hotel.

Pope kicked off the 11-song set with her brand new single “Take You Home”, which was released independently and currently has over 2 million streams to date.


Surprise guest Chris Young took the stage to perform their GRAMMY-nominated duet and No. 1 single “Think of You.” Before Young left the stage, he proclaimed Pope as “one of the finest singers on the planet.” A medley of songs brought Pope’s BFF’s Maren Morris, Lindsay Ell, Kalie Shorr, Mickey Guyton, Maggie Rose, Natalie Stovall, Kelleigh Bannen and Hannah Ellis to the stage for an impromptu dance party, ending with a performance of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”

“There was a lot of love in the room last night,” said Pope. “Looking out into the audience and seeing so many friends and people who have helped me through the past year, I felt a sense of camaraderie and support that I have never felt anywhere else. I’m so grateful to be part of such an amazing community of creative people who ‘get’ one another and lift each other up. Plus, it feels really awesome to know that people are embracing my new music!”


Following Pope’s victory on Season 3 of NBC’s The Voice, the singer’s powerhouse voice, inimitable presence, and endless charm has transformed her into a force of nature beloved by millions worldwide.

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For more information on Cassadee Pope, log onto:

www.cassadeepope.com

Or follow her on Facebook

Instagram and Twitter

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Live Nation To Launch National Concert Week With $20 All-In Ticket Offer For Summer


Today Live Nation announced ‘National Concert Week’ will take place April 30 through May 8 with an exclusive $20 all-in ticket offer for fans to celebrate the kickoff to its biggest summer season. The deal will include over 1.5 million tickets to 2,000+shows across Live Nation’s roster of summer tours including Comedy, Country, Hip-Hop, Latin, Metal, Rock, Pop, and more.

For one week only, fans can get their hands on the $20 all-in tickets Monday, April 30 at 8:00 am local time at
NCW.LiveNation.com, through Tuesday, May 8 at 11:59 pm local time.

DJ Khaled shared his excitement about the ticket offer from 45,000 feet, encouraging music fans to nab their tickets to the hottest summer shows. Watch the video
HERE.

Produced by Live Nation, National Concert Week is a time for artists and fans to celebrate their love of live music. To launch the week, Live Nation
will hold a special media event in New York featuring dozens of their touring artists.

Talent in attendance talking about their upcoming summer tours will include Paramore, Lindsey Stirling, Bush’s Gavin Rossdale, Jeff Beck, Counting
Crows’ Adam Duritz, Ann Wilson of Heart, Evanescence’s Amy Lee, Foreigner’s Mick Jones, 3 Doors Down, Bad Company and Free’s Paul Rodgers, Coheed and Cambria, Collective Soul, Pentatonix, O.A.R., Poison, Soul Asylum, Stone Temple Pilots, Styx, Taking Back
Sunday, The Cult, The Offspring, Whitesnake, and more.

Helping kick off National Concert Week, Shania
Twain will perform on TODAY show April 30th. Paramore will perform on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert May 1st.

Nationally Touring Artists With Live Nation’s $20 All-In “National Concert Week” Ticket Offer:

311 / The Offspring

3 Doors Down / Collective Soul

5 Seconds of Summer

Alan Jackson

Arcade Fire

Avenged Sevenfold / Prophets of Rage

Backstreet Boys

Beck

Bon Jovi

Brad Paisley

Breaking Benjamin / Five Finger Death Punch

Bush / Stone Temple Pilots / The Cult

Charlie Puth

Chicago / REO Speedwagon

Chris Brown

Coheed and Cambria / Taking Back Sunday

Counting Crows / LIVE

David Blaine

Dead & Company

Def Leppard / Journey

Dierks Bentley

Dwight Yoakam / Lucinda Williams / Steve Earle

Enanitos Verdes / Hombres G

Erasure

Foreigner / Whitesnake / Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening

Game of Thrones

G-Eazy

Godsmack / Shinedown

Gov’t Mule / The Avett Brothers

Hall & Oates / Train

Halsey

Imagine Dragons

Janet Jackson

Jason Aldean

Jeff Beck / Paul Rodgers

Joe Biden

Juanes / Mon Laferte

Keith Urban

Kesha / Macklemore

Kevin Hart

Kid Rock

KIDZ BOP LIVE 2018

Kygo

Lady Antebellum / Darius Rucker

Lindsey Stirling / Evanescence

Logic

Luis Miguel

Luke Bryan

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Maroon 5

Miranda Lambert / Little Big Town

Ms. Lauryn Hill

NEEDTOBREATHE / JOHNNYSWIM

Niall Horan

ODESZA

Ozzy Osbourne

Paramore

Pentatonix

Poison / Cheap Trick

Post Malone

Rascal Flatts

Ray LaMontagne

Rise Against / AFI

Rob Zombie / Marilyn Manson

Rod Stewart / Cyndi Lauper

Shakira

Shania Twain

Steely Dan / The Doobie Brothers

Styx / Joan Jett and the Heartbreakers

The Smashing Pumpkins

Thirty Seconds To Mars

Vans Warped Tour

Weezer / Pixies

Zac Brown Band

For a full list of participating artists, please visit
NCW.LiveNation.com.

To see a complete list of Live Nation’s summer tours and festivals, please visit livenation.com.

About Live Nation Entertainment:

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation
Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit

www.livenationentertainment.com.

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