John Anderson to Get Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit . . . Featuring His Stuffed Alligator

John Anderson to Get Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit . . . Featuring His Stuffed Alligator

Remember the “alligator and the gar” mentioned in John Anderson’s 1992 hit, “Seminole Wind”?

So blow, blow Seminole wind
Blow like you’re never gonna blow again
I’m callin’ to you like a long-lost friend
But I know who you are
And blow, blow from the Okeechobee
All the way up to Micanopy
Blow across the home of the Seminole
The alligator and the gar

Apparently the gar survived, but the alligator got stuffed—and you can see it in John’s new spolight exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame, which will open on June 16.

The new spotlight exhibit will include:

  • A stuffed alligator owned by John
  • An early stage costume from John’s wardrobe embroidered patterns and rhinestones designed by western designer Manuel
  • A Manuel-designed wool and leather jacket with Native American motifs worn by John on the cover of Seminole Wind and in the video for “Straight Tequila Night”
  • John’s 1968 Fender Telecaster that the singer played in the video for “Straight Tequila Night”
  • A tooled leather guitar strap with John’s initials.
  • John’s two CMA Awards from 1983—Horizon Award and Single of the Year (“Swingin’”)

Over his 30-plus-year career, John has recorded a bevy of No. 1 tunes, including “Swingin’,” “Black Sheep,” “Wild and Blue,” “Straight Tequila Night” and “Money in the Bank.”

“I am very grateful and flattered that the folks at the Country Music Hall of Fame would consider me for an exhibit,” said John. “This is something that most artists only dream about and for me it’s becoming a reality. Love and thanks to the fans who have supported us through the years as well as the folks at the Hall of Fame.”

“Darius Rucker & Friends Benefit Concert” Surpasses $1 Million Raised for St. Jude + Watch Brooks & Dunn’s Surprise Performance of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”

“Darius Rucker & Friends Benefit Concert” Surpasses $1 Million Raised for St. Jude + Watch Brooks & Dunn’s Surprise Performance of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”

With his eighth annual Darius & Friends Benefit Concert on Monday night (June 5) at the Ryman Auditorium, Darius Rucker surpassed $1 million raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The sold-out concert and auction, in conjunction with the golf tournament today (June 6), raised more than $400,000, breaking all previous records and bringing the total amount raised over eight years to $1.2 million.

“You can’t help but be moved by the amazing work that St. Jude does,” says Darius. “To raise this kind of money and awareness for them . . . for the families that rely on St. Jude, it’s just incredible. I’m so grateful to all our friends who came out and donated their time to be on the show.”

Dan + Shay, Luke Combs, Michael Ray, John Oates of Hall & Oates, KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer and Cowboy Mouth’s Paul Sanchez performed with Darius for the more than 2,400 fans in attendance. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn made a surprise appearance and treated fans to “Red Dirt Road” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” before heading back to Bridgestone Arena to watch the Nashville Predators defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Watch Brooks & Dunn perform “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” below.

main image courtesy of Crystal K. Martel Photography

“Music City Gives Back” Concert Featuring Kip Moore, Brett Young, Granger Smith & “Nash Nights Live” Is a Smash for Smashville [Photo Gallery]

“Music City Gives Back” Concert Featuring Kip Moore, Brett Young, Granger Smith & “Nash Nights Live” Is a Smash for Smashville [Photo Gallery]

Rodney Atkins’ seventh annual Music City Gives Back charity concert was a smash in Smashville yesterday (June 5) as Kip Moore, Brett Young and Granger Smith fired up the downtown crowd before the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins faced off in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Hosted by Nash Nights Live’s Shawn Parr and Elaina Smith, the annual concert benefited the W.O. Smith Music School. In addition to Kip, Brett and Granger, the concert featured a few surprise guests—Preds cheerleaders, mascot GNASH and announcer Terry Crisp—who worked the crowd into a frenzy (and helped spur the Preds to victory).

“This is the first time we’ve had hockey still going on in June in Nashville, so the crowd was extra excited, and so were the artists,” says co-host Elaina Smith. “Brett even rocked a Preds jersey. It was a great way to kick off CMA Fest week. Not even a little rain could dampen the spirit of the crowd. It was so much fun, and it was for a great cause.”

Check out the photo gallery below.

photos by Bryan Webb

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Release Tender New Video for “Speak to a Girl” [Watch]

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Release Tender New Video for “Speak to a Girl” [Watch]

Today (June 6), Tim McGraw and Faith Hill released a tender new video for their single, “Speak to a Girl,” which is currently No. 20 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. The husband-and-wife tandem shows off their romantic side in the video that features the couple caressing and kissing throughout.

Written by Shy Carter, Dave Gibson and Joe Spargur, the tune is the first taste of Tim and Faith’s upcoming duets album.

“It’s one of our favorite songs that we’ve ever done,” Tim tells Nash Country Daily. “It’s just a really special, special song. I think it says so much. When songs can be timely and really move you and really have a message, then you know that you have something special. I think that this song really is a special song. It’s special for us, having three daughters—me being a husband and Faith being a mom of three daughters and growing up in a world of all women like I did, I think it’s just a really special song.”

“It kind of gives you a landscape of how to speak to a girl, and what the important parts of language are when it comes to communicating with one another—with a woman,” Faith reveals to Nash Country Daily. “It’s about truth and honesty and respect. The biggest one being respect.”

Watch Tim and Faith’s tender new video below.

Inside the Grand Opening of Florida Georgia Line’s New Nashville Restaurant, FGL House [Photo Gallery]

Inside the Grand Opening of Florida Georgia Line’s New Nashville Restaurant, FGL House [Photo Gallery]

Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley hosted an exclusive VIP Party on June 5 for the grand opening of their new Nashville venue, FGL House.

The four-story attraction at 122 3rd Ave South features multiple bars, the largest “Cruise” rooftop in Nashville and a basement-level lounge with a baby grand piano. Throughout the evening, a video wall showcased clips from FGL and other country artists, while Dee Jay Silver mixed tunes (he’ll be there every week for Country Club Tuesdays).

Industry insiders were also treated to a number of selections from the menu, including fried oysters, chicken lollipops, horseradish salmon, burgers and salads, as well as craft beers and signature cocktails made with FGL’s Old Camp Whiskey.

In addition to thanking the crowd for attending, Tyler and Brian debuted an unfinished video for their upcoming single, “Smooth,” which features songwriter Craig Wiseman and an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas.

“What excites Tyler and I the most is always staying creative,” said Brian. “We love seeing what fresh things we can come up with to take our music to a new level and turn our dreams into reality.”

“We want FGL House to be just as welcoming, fun and entertaining for our guests as if they were coming out to one of our shows—nothing but good food, good drinks and good times,” added Brian.

Check out the photo gallery below.

photos by Jason Simanek

“SpongeBob SquarePants” Musical Heads to Broadway With Original Songs From Lady Antebellum, David Bowie, Steven Tyler & More

“SpongeBob SquarePants” Musical Heads to Broadway With Original Songs From Lady Antebellum, David Bowie, Steven Tyler & More

SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and the rest of the motley crew from Bikini Bottom will hit the Broadway stage on November 6 for the opening of The SpongeBob Musical.

According to the musical’s press release, SpongeBob and his crew have their hands full as they face total annihilation in their undersea world. But just when all hope seems lost, “a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage.”

Directed by Tina Landau, The SpongeBob Musical features original songs from a bevy of artists, including David Bowie, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, and Lady Antebellum, whose offering, “Chop to the Top,” is performed as SpongeBob and Sandy climb a mountain.

Other artists who penned original songs include Yolanda Adams, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I.

The new musical had a Chicago run during the summer of 2016, and now the show will open at Broadway’s The Palace Theatre on December 4, with previews beginning on November 6. Tickets go on sale on June 26.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaCVbL8mxOo

photo courtesy The GreenRoom

The People Have Spoken: RaeLynn’s New Single Is “Lonely Call” [Listen]

The People Have Spoken: RaeLynn’s New Single Is “Lonely Call” [Listen]

RaeLynn is following up the March release of her debut No. 1 album, WildHorse, with a new single, “Lonely Call.”

When it came time to choose the album’s sophomore single, RaeLynn enlisted the help of some of her most trusted advisors: her fans.

“I knew the most important voice in this decision would be my fans,” RaeLynn says. “I asked and ‘Lonely Call’ won hands down. My fans obviously know me well because this is the one I was hoping for too.”

Co-written by RaeLynn, Nicolle Galyon and Rob Hawkins, “Lonely Call” follows the album’s lead single, “Love Triangle,” which reached the Top 30 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

Listen to “Lonely Call” below.

Watch Dierks Bentley Sing the National Anthem Before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final

Watch Dierks Bentley Sing the National Anthem Before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final

The NHL’s Nashville Predators were back in action against the Pittsburgh Penguins for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night (June 5).

Like the Preds nine previous home playoff games, the performance of the national anthem was a star-studded affair—this time Dierks Bentley had the honor.

In Round 1 of the playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks, Carrie Underwood (April 17) and Luke Bryan (April 20) sang the national anthem before Games 3 and 4, respectively.

In Round 2 against the St. Louis Blues, Little Big Town (April 30), Vince Gill (May 2) and Lady Antebellum (May 7) had the honors before Games 3, 4 and 6, respectively.

In the Western Conference Finals against the Anaheim Ducks, Keith Urban (May 16) delighted the crowd with an a cappella performance before Game 3, while Kelly Clarkson sang the anthem before Game 4 (May 18) and Trisha Yearwood got the nod before Game 6 (May 22).

Martina McBride got the call to perform the anthem before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins on June 3.

Tonight, it was Dierks’ turn to get the crowded turned up. Watch his performance below.

Lee Brice and Wife Sara Welcome Baby Girl, Trulee Nanette

Lee Brice and Wife Sara Welcome Baby Girl, Trulee Nanette

Lee Brice and his wife, Sara, announced the arrival of their baby daughter today (June 5) on Instagram. Trulee Nanette Brice was born in Nashville on Friday, June 2, at 9 a.m.

“We are so blessed and beyond overjoyed to bring our precious baby girl into the world,” said Lee in the post. “She’s beautiful, happy and healthy, we could not ask for anything more. Introducing Trulee Nanette Brice. Born June 2, 2017, at 9 a.m., weighing 7 lbs, 13 oz and 20 inches long.”

Trulee makes the Brice family a party of five, joining big brothers Ryker Mobley, 3, and Takoda, 8.

Congrats to the happy couple.

Bill Monroe’s Estate Is For Sale, Including Cabin, Fiddle and Name Rights

Bill Monroe’s Estate Is For Sale, Including Cabin, Fiddle and Name Rights

Bill Monroe’s estate is for sale, including name, image and likeness rights.

Bill, who died in 1996, popularized traditional bluegrass music in the U.S. as a singer, instrumentalist and influential bandleader. The “Father of Bluegrass,” as he was known, scored hits on the country charts during the 1940s and 1950s, including “Kentucky Waltz,” “Wicked Path of Sin” and “Gotta Travel On.” He is one of the few artists inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Some of the items included in the estate sale:

  • Uncle Pen’s Cabin, where Bill lived with his uncle from 1927–1929 after his parents died
  • BillMonroe.com
  • Name, image and likeness rights
  • Last will and testament
  • Personal record collection
  • Fiddle, with Bill’s initials inscribed

Interested parties should contact Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group, at 615-724-1818 for more information.

photos courtesy of Monroe Enterprises

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