Tim McGraw Announces New Book Tour With Performances

Tim McGraw Announces New Book Tour With Performances

Posted on April 17, 2019

Tim McGraw teamed with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham to pen a new book, Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest and the Music That Made a Nation, which will be released on June 11. According to the book description, “Jon and Tim take readers on a moving and insightful journey through eras in American history and the songs and performers that inspired us. Jon chronicles our history, exploring the stories behind the songs, and Tim reflects on them as an artist and performer.”

In conjunction with the book’s release, Tim and Jon will be hitting the road for a seven-date book tour, which kicks off on June 10 in New York and makes additional stops in Washington, D.C., Atlanta and more.

During the tour, Tim and Jon will give a behind-the-scenes look at what went into creating the book and their friendship, as they combined their individual perspectives as writer and artist. The tour will also include Tim performing songs featured in the book.

Songs of America explores both famous songs and lesser-known ones, including “My Country, ’Tis of Thee,” “God Bless America,” “Over There,” “We Shall Overcome” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

Every tour ticket purchased includes a copy of Songs of America.

Songs of America Book Tour

  • June 10 | Beacon Theatre | New York
  • June 11 | Charleston Gaillard Center | Charleston, S.C.
  • June 12 | The Anthem | Washington, D.C.
  • June 21 | Magnolia Market at the Silos | Waco, Texas
  • June 22 | Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre | Atlanta
  • June 23 | Belt Theater | Charlotte, N.C.
  • June 24 | Raleigh Memorial Auditorium | Raleigh, N.C

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Sheryl Crow to Release New Johnny Cash Duet, “Redemption Day”

Sheryl Crow to Release New Johnny Cash Duet, “Redemption Day”

Posted on April 17, 2019

Sheryl Crow is bringing Johnny Cash back to radio airwaves on April 19 with a little editing ingenuity. Sheryl will release a re-booted version of her song, “Redemption Day,” in the form of a duet with the Man in Black.

After touring war-torn Bosnia with First Lady Hillary Clinton in 1996, Sheryl penned “Redemption Day” and included it on her self-titled album that same year. Johnny recorded the song shortly before he died 2003, and it was featured on his posthumously released 2010 album, American VI: Ain’t No Grave.

With the blessing of Johnny’s estate, Sheryl re-recorded “Redemption Day” and added Johnny’s vocals to the new arrangement for her upcoming album of collaborations.

“Johnny Cash recorded it [in 2003] and felt like it would be the cornerstone of his record,” says Sheryl. “He was adamant about knowing what every lyric meant and he really delivered the song in a way that felt like for him it would be the most important song on his record . . . but two months later he passed, so cut to now and I’m making a record of collaborations and I asked the family if they would give me their blessing in letting me use his vocal. I feel like the song has finally found its moment. I re-recorded it, rearranged it, and Johnny and I are both singing the song. I hope he would be proud of what we’ve done and feel like it has met its moment.”

The video for “Redemption Day,” directed by Shaun Silva, incorporates footage of Johnny next to scenes of a young child watching history unfold, in all of its tragedy and triumph.

“As a mom of two young kids,” says Sheryl, “I see that our kids watch what we do on their behalf and how we shape their future. They’re privy to everything visual, especially now, and there’s no way to shield your child from the roughness of reality. If we could see the world through a child’s eyes, we would make different decisions.”

Check back on April 19 for the new video.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Watch Carrie Underwood Induct Kelsea Ballerini Into the Grand Ole Opry

Watch Carrie Underwood Induct Kelsea Ballerini Into the Grand Ole Opry

Posted on April 17, 2019

After Little Big Town invited Kelsea Ballerini to join the Grand Ole Opry on March 5, Carrie Underwood inducted the Tennessee native on April 16 in front of a packed Opry House.

Carrie presented Kelsea with her Opry trophy, saying, in part, “The Grand Ole Opry is the heart and soul of country music.”

After recounting her first visit to the Opry as a fan, her 2015 Opry debut and subsequent Opry appearances, Kelsea held her award close and said, “Grand Ole Opry, thanks for seeing something in me and for believing that I’ll always love you like I do because I do, and I will.”

Kelsea and Carrie then teamed up for a duet of Trisha Yearwood’s 1992 hit, “Walkaway Joe.”

Earlier in the night, Keith Urban made a surprise appearance to deliver congratulations to Kelesea and to perform “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” Later in the show, Vince Gill surprised the audience yet again by joining Del McCoury Band during the group’s portion of the show.

Watch Carrie induct Kelsea below.

photo by Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Kristian Bush & Rita Wilson Plan Co-Headlining Tour

Kristian Bush & Rita Wilson Plan Co-Headlining Tour

Posted on April 17, 2019

Musical collaborators and good friends, Kristian Bush and Rita Wilson will embark on a co-headlining tour this summer.

Kicking off on June 5 in Atlanta, the tour will make additional stops in Nashville, New York, Boston and more. Tickets are on sale now.

Rita Wilson & Kristian Bush Tour

  • June 5 | Center Stage Theater | Atlanta
  • June 9 | City Winery | Nashville
  • June 11 | City Winery | Washington, D.C.
  • June 12 | City Winery | New York
  • June 14 | The Paramount | Huntington, NY
  • June 15 | The Welmont Theater | Montclair, NJ
  • June 17 | City Winery | Boston
  • June 19 | Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall | Munhall, Pa.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

NCAA Waiver Approved for Lou Brown

NCAA Waiver Approved for Lou Brown

Posted on April 16, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee redshirt senior Lou Brown got some great news on Tuesday morning, receiving confirmation from the NCAA that her Extension of Eligibility Waiver has been approved. She is cleared to play basketball for the Lady Vols during the 2019-20 season.

Brown, a graduate transfer from Washington State, arrived in Knoxville after the start of the fall semester from her hometown of Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 6, 2018. She had been held up by unexpected delays in getting her student visa renewed. After a little over a month on campus, she suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in preseason practice on Oct. 17, 2018, forcing her to sit out the entire 2018-19 campaign.

“This injury has been tough on me in more ways than one,” Brown said. “So waking up to this news just reassured everything that I’ve put into getting back to being healthy. I came here for a reason, and I’m just so excited to have the opportunity to live that out with my team.”

Brown, who returned to the court Monday for offseason workouts along with her teammates, was a supportive presence at practice and games last season. Her UT family was understandably thrilled to learn that her hard work and patience had been rewarded.

“I am very happy to hear this great news for Lou Brown,” Lady Vol head coach Kellie Harper said. “To suffer an injury like that is devastating, and I am pleased that she was granted another year of eligibility. We are so excited for her and look forward to seeing what the future holds for Lou.”

The 6-foot-3 forward started 71 of 95 career games at Washington State from 2014-18. She averaged 5.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while knocking down 80 three-pointers during her time in Pullman. Brown graduated from WSU in May 2018 with a degree in sport management and is pursuing a master’s degree in communications.

After her 2016-17 season ended prematurely due to a foot injury while she was averaging 10.4 points and 6.9 rebounds through seven games, Brown returned to the court in 2017-18 as a redshirt junior. She started 23 of 28 contests and averaged 6.4 points and 6.0 rebounds for WSU. She was the team’s leading rebounder and fifth-leading point-producer, scoring in double figures nine times and tallying six games with double digits in rebounds. She had four double-doubles to lead the squad.

Brown connected on a single-season career-most 29 threes in 87 attempts (.333) two seasons ago. She tallied her most field goals and attempts, hitting 62 of 171 (.363), and shot a team-best 78.1 percent from the free throw line (25-32). She also posted a career high for assists in a season with 49.

 

UT Athletics

Aaron Watson Announces New Headlining Tour

Aaron Watson Announces New Headlining Tour

Posted on April 16, 2019

Aaron Watson will hit the road this summer for The Red Bandana Tour, which takes its moniker from the Texan’s upcoming album of the same name (June 21).

Kicking off on June 28 in Abilene, Texas, the tour will make additional stops in Houston, Cincinnati, Kansas City and more.

“I am so excited to announce the new tour this summer with the release of my new album, Red Bandana,” says Aaron. “Of course, kicking it off in my hometown of Abilene means the world to me. Touring is what we do, it’s how we built the business and met so many amazing fans over the years. I can assure everyone that we plan on coming to your market over the course of this record with a brand-new stage and production as well as set list. We’ll be playing the old favorites and a lot of new songs from Red Bandana.”

Tickets are on sale now. More dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Red Bandanna Tour

  • June 28 | Taylor County Expo Center | Abilene, TX
  • June 29 | White Oak Music Hall (Outdoors) | Houston, TX
  • July 6 | Big Lake Festival | Big Lake, TX
  • July 11 | Hodag Country Festival | Rhinelander, WI
  • July 12 | Riverfront Live | Cincinnati, OH
  • July 13 | Jam In The Valley | Varysburg, NY
  • July 18 | Adams County Fair | Hastings, NE
  • July 19 | Lazy Gators | Lake Of The Ozarks, MO
  • July 26 | A Night In The Country | Yerington, NV
  • Aug. 10 | Ford Park Arena | Beaumont, TX
  • Aug. 15 | Power & Lights District | Kansas City, MO
  • Aug. 23 | Colorado State Fair | Pueblo, CO
  • Sept. 5 | Washington State Fair | Puyallup, WA

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Marty Stuart Named 16th Artist-in-Residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Marty Stuart Named 16th Artist-in-Residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Posted on April 16, 2019

Following in the footsteps of country music luminaries like Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Rosanne Cash and more, Marty Stuart will be the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 16th artist-in-residence

Marty will perform three themed shows in the museum’s CMA Theater on Sept. 11 (The Pilgrim), Sept. 18 (Psychedelic Jam-Bo-Ree) and Sept. 25 (Songs That Tell a Story).

Ticket pre-sale starts on April 17 at 10 a.m. CT and ends on April 18 at 10 p.m. CT. Public on-sale begins on April 19 at 10 a.m. CT.

Established in 2003, the museum’s artist-in-residence series honors a musical master who has contributed a large and significant body of work to the canon of American popular music. The artist-in-residence is invited to use the museum’s performance venues to create unique musical experiences. Marty joins a prestigious group of past honorees that includes Cowboy Jack Clement, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Buddy Miller, Connie Smith, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Rosanne Cash, Jason Isbell and Miranda Lambert.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Cody Johnson, Lindsay Ell, Brett Young, Ashley McBryde & More Added to Nightly Concerts at Ascend Amphitheater During CMA Fest

Cody Johnson, Lindsay Ell, Brett Young, Ashley McBryde & More Added to Nightly Concerts at Ascend Amphitheater During CMA Fest

Posted on April 16, 2019

Nightly concerts will return to Ascend Amphitheater for three star-studded showcases on June 6–8 during Nashville’s CMA Fest.

June 6: Chase Rice will headline with support from Jimmie Allen, Blanco Brown, Adam Craig, Lindsay Ell, Tyler Farr, King Calaway, Locash and Runaway June.

June 7: Brett Young will headline with support from Bailey Bryan, Jordan Davis, Adam Hambrick, Caylee Hammack, Jillian Jacqueline and Mitchell Tenpenny.

June 8: Hunter Hayes and Cody Johnson will co-headline with support from Ingrid Andress, Tucker Beathard and Ashley McBryde.

Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are required for entry: three-day reserved tickets ($66), single-day reserved ($25 each night) and single-day lawn ($10 each night), plus taxes and fees. Pre-sale begins on April 17 at 10 a.m. CT and closes on April 18 at 5 p.m. CT, with public on-sale opening April 19 at 10 a.m. CT.

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

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