The latest from Jimmy Carter in Nashville

The folk saw it on Twitter maybe the radio and they are in line! Blake Shelton giving a no notice show in Birmingham Alabama tonight

Rascal Flatts celebrates 16 years in country music : After nearly two decades in the business, members of country music group Rascal Flatts said there's no end in sight. (1-29-16)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 29, 2016)- Multi-Grammy award winner and MCA Records Nashville recording artist Vince Gill announced today during a live Facebook chat at Ernest Tubb Record Shop in downtown Nashville with legendary Opry announcer and Country Music On-Air Personality Hall of Famer Eddie Stubbs that he will celebrate his 25 th Anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry ® with two special shows on Saturday, August 13 . Gill, one of the Opry’s most beloved and frequent players, was inducted as an Opry member on August 10, 1991. Gill will release his 18th album, Down To My Last Bad Habit , on February 12 on MCA Records Nashville. Beginning today, Opry fans can purchase autographed copies of the CD along with tickets to Gill’s 25 th Opry anniversary show at opry.com . Gill is also scheduled to reunite with Lyle Lovett on February 17 for their 13-city “Songs and Stories” Tour. For a complete list of tour dates and more information go to www.VinceGill.com . “We...

NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville, TN – (January 28, 2016) – 2016 Grammy nominee and Pollstar’s three-time top female country touring artist, Carrie Underwood, will launch a new arena tour this Saturday, January 30th, with a sold-out show in Jacksonville, Florida at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The Storyteller Tour - Stories in the Round , in association with award-winning cosmetics brand ALMAY, will take new music from her Gold-certified Storyteller album on the road, playing 40 arenas across the U.S. and Canada as well as five international shows in March during Europe’s biggest country music festival, Country to Country (C2C).  On The Storyteller Tour Underwood will meet soldiers and their families in a new initiative with Carnival Cruise Line and Operation Homefront, a national non-profit that builds strong, stable, and secure military families. The year-long Honor. Family. Fun. program will help raise funds for Operation Homefront. Videos highlighting the meet ...

     Lebanon, Tenn. (January 28, 2016) – 650 AM WSM , the radio home of the Grand Ole Opry, and the Wilson County Convention and Visitors Bureau are pleased to announce the debut of WSM Live From The Capitol Theatre , a live performance show highlighting aspiring singers and songwriters.  The two-hour matinee program will broadcast live from 1-3 p.m. CT from the stage of Lebanon’s historic Capitol Theatre on February 27, March 26, and April 23, 2016, with future dates to be announced.       WSM Live From The Capitol Theatre is not a talent competition, but rather a showcase designed to give much needed exposure to vocalists and bands looking for their break in the music industry.  A rich musical history has positioned Wilson County as an “incubator” for aspiring songwriters and musicians who are seeking performance and learning opportunities before heading to Music City. To be considered for the showcase, performers can visit W...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 27, 2016) – Just like their 1983 mega-hit, The Oak Ridge Boys are “American Made,” and today the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame announce they are planning to bring their multi-platinum selling and GRAMMY® Award winning repertoire of hits to an American city near you. Their 2016 United States tour will stretch all the way from Louisiana to California to Florida to Virginia. Performing over 150 dates per year for over 40 years, The Oak Ridge Boys are looking forward to bringing their critically acclaimed high-energy show to a city near you! For a full list of dates and information on how to buy tickets, visit www.oakridgeboys.com/tour . Known for their iconic and multi-platinum selling hit “Elvira,” along with other chart-toppers like “Bobbie Sue,” “Thank God For Kids,” and “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight,” The Oak Ridge Boys have achieved a decorated career, winning five GRAMMY® Awards, and multiple CMA, ACM and Do...

Reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan wrapped the second annual sold-out, four-night concert event, Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa, in Riviera Maya, Mexico on Monday night. The concert destination weekend featured two headline shows by Luke as well as headline concerts by Dierks Bentley and Cole Swindell. Additional performers included Craig Campbell, Brett Eldredge, Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch, Chris Stapleton and DJ Rock.  “The band and I really look forward to Mexico and these Playa shows,” shared Luke. “We like our tradition of launching into the new year this way.”  Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa musical vacation delivered a special setting for an unforgettable fan experience. The four-night tropical getaway and concert experience was designed and produced by CID Presents as the ultimate all-inclusive Caribbean concert vacation. Guests were treated to nightly beachfront concerts at The Barecló Maya Beach Resort, airport transportation, 24-hour concierge...

TYLER FARR GOES ON IMMEDIATE VOCAL REST FOLLOWING MICROLARYNGEAL SURGERY Nashville, TN  – Following microlaryngeal surgery to remove a vocal polyp on his vocal chords, Columbia Nashville post modern country traditionalist Tyler Farr has been placed on total vocal rest. The power vocalist first became aware of vocal issues while on tour with Jason Aldean this summer – and the problem was identified during a severe bout of  bronchitis at the end of 2015. “This is the last thing I would’ve ever expected,” says the operatically-trained Farr. “I sing hard, and I give it everything I have  every  night, but I really believed I was putting my training to work. After a #1 song, an awesome tour with Jason and getting engaged, this is not how I thought I was going to be winding up 2015.” Rather than wait and see, Farr and his medical team opted to remove the polyps and begin vocal rest, followed by aggressive therapy. To maximize recovery and minimize time off the ...

JASON ALDEAN, ERIC CHURCH AND KEITH URBAN WILL TAKE THE STAGE AT FIFTH-ANNUAL WATERSHED FESTIVAL FOR BACK-TO-BACK WEEKENDS A Thousand Horses, Brothers Osborne, Brett Eldredge, Tyler Farr, Merle Haggard, Neal McCoy, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, David Nail, Jon Pardi, RaeLynn, Travis Tritt And More Will Also Play Across The Two Weekends “Must See” Music And Camping Festival Will Return To The Gorge As First-Ever  Country Music Festival To Host Two Consecutive Weekends - Passes On Sale Jan. 29  NASHVILLE, TN - Jan. 25, 2016 - The fifth-annual Watershed Music and Camping Festival will be the first-ever country music festival to host two consecutive weekends, with superstars Jason Aldean, Eric Church and Keith Urban slated to headline the festival both weekends. With a history of selling out in just minutes, both weekends will take place at the world’s most awe-inspiring music venue, The Gorge on July 29-31 and Aug. 5-...

HANK WILLIAMS JR.'S IT'S ABOUT TIME CHARTS HIGHEST STUDIO DEBUT IN  CAREER HISTORY WITH #2 BILLBOARD TOP COUNTRY ALBUM IT'S ABOUT TIME Lands in Top 10 on Billboard 200 with No. 8 Album in the Country NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 25, 2016) – Hank Williams Jr.’s Nash Icon Records album It’s About Time , available here , achieved the highest studio album peak position of his career with a No. 2 album on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and broke the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200, landing at No. 8. Hank Jr. and his new tourmate Chris Stapleton, who have the No. 2 and No.1 Billboard Top Country Albums, respectively, will co-headline an eight-date tour of amphitheaters across the American south and midwest. The success of It’s About Time surpasses Hank Jr.’s 2012 release of Old School, New Rules , which, at the time, was his highest debut, charting at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and No. 12 on Billboard’s Top 200. “I real...

THOMAS RHETT’S “DIE A HAPPY MAN" MARKS FIRST SIX-WEEK NO. ONE ON THE BILLBOARD COUNTRY AIRPLAY CHART SINCE TAYLOR SWIFT’S “OUR SONG” IN 2008 The PLATINUM Hit Consistently Maintains Position As Best-Selling Country Track and Tops Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart for 11th Week NASHVILLE, TN – Jan. 25, 2016 – Multi-PLATINUM singer/songwriter Thomas Rhett declares the top spot once again on the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week as his megahit “Die A Happy Man" spends its sixth consecutive week at No. One. The last artist to hold the same reign over the chart was Taylor Swift exactly eight years ago with “Our Song.” "I seriously can't believe this song has spent six weeks at No. one,” said Thomas Rhett. "When you put a song out there as personal as this, you hope it connects and resonates with people. But I could never have imagined it would connect like this! And to mirror an achievement not seen since Taylor Swift - someone I rea...

DIERKS BENTLEY'S “SOMEWHERE ON A BEACH” SETS SAIL AT COUNTRY RADIO AND ON iTUNES Bentley Adds Newcomer Tucker Beathard to 2016 TOUR NASHVILLE, TN - Jan. 25, 2016 - Fans across the country have found a little reprieve from winter in Dierks Bentley's "Somewhere On A Beach,” evident as the track immediately shot to the top of iTunes' Country songs upon release. The salty track serves as the lead single from his forthcoming eighth studio album BLACK  (Capitol Records Nashville) and is the most added song at Country radio this week, with the biggest add date of 2016 as 104 stations jumped on board. “I was ready to have fun, so it’s been really cool to see the fans immediately react to this song the way they have,” said Bentley. “As I literally sit on a beach right now in Cancun, I can’t remember ever being this excited about a new single." Critics were also quick to jump onboard, noting the “lead single from forthcoming album 'Black' i...

Brad Paisley’s Country Nation College Tour presented by Zaxby’s The Pavilion at Ole Miss NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 25, 2016) Last night Brad Paisley performed the last show on his Country Nation College Tour presented by Zaxby’s as part of the grand-opening season for The Pavilion at Ole Miss.  The University of Mississippi became the tenth IMG College-partner school to welcome Paisley this school year as he provided free entertainment for the campus community.  2015 breakthrough artist and GRAMMY nominated Cam was special guest. View a highlights clip here: http://bit.ly/BPOleMiss

Dramatic video shows Russian Tu-95 bomber exploding after left wing erupts in a ball of flame during take off : A minute-long footage shows the Tu-95MS crashing during take off at Ukrainka airbase in Russia’s Far East. As we reported last year, the Russian Ministry of Defense suspended all the Russian …

Humble and Kind This song is so special to me. I really wanted a video that showed the universality of the message of Humble and Kind. Thanks to Wes Edwards for executing this vision and to Oprah Winfrey for lending us scenes of Belief from all over the world. I hope you like it as much as I do. Posted by Tim McGraw on Thursday, January 21, 2016

Biggest snow since 1988 in January.....it had it's moments...

NASHVILLE, TN (January 22, 2016) – Reigning six-time consecutive CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, Miranda Lambert is gearing up for a very busy 2016.  She is heading out on the road for her headlining tour with special guest, multi-platinum singer/songwriter Kip Moore and the CMA and ACM nominated duo, Brothers Osborne. In addition to Miranda’s own headlining tour, she is also joining Kenny Chesney on his “Spread the Love” Tour performing in stadiums around the country starting in April.  And for the first time, Miranda will perform for her fans overseas, on March 11th in London (UK), on March 12th in Dublin (Ireland) and March 13th in Glasgow (Scotland) as part of the Country to Country Festival 2016 (C2C). “Keeper of the Flame” Tour stops will include: Austin, TX Bangor, ME Bethel, NY Bristow, VA Charlotte, NC Cleveland, OH Chicago, IL Columbia, MD Darien Center, NY Fayetteville, AR Hartford, CT Ind...

KEITH URBAN’S ALL FOR THE HALL BENEFIT FOR THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME® AND MUSEUM RETURNS TO BRIDGESTONE ARENA ON TUESDAY, APRIL 12 MASHVILLE: THE MUSIC CITY IN 2016 TO FEATURE PERFORMANCES FROM URBAN, VINCE GILL, LUKE BRYAN, PETER FRAMPTON, FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE, EMMYLOU HARRIS, SAM HUNT, JASON ISBELL, MADDIE & TAE AND MAREN MORRIS Tickets On Sale Friday, Jan. 29 at 10:00am CT NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 22, 2016…Four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban and Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill , will return to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on April 12 for the sixth, highly anticipated All for the Hall , a concert to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum. The show’s musical theme, Mashville: The Music City in 2016 , will feature performances from musical directors Urban and Gill along with  Luke Bryan, Peter Frampton , Florida Georgia Line , Emmylou Harris, Sam Hunt , Jason Isbell , Maddie & Tae, and Maren Morris . The show’s p...