“When Pigs Fly” Nov 7 benefits Christmas 4 Kids

Lindsay Ell, Mitchell Tenpenny perform at dinner, bourbon tasting

Here’s a last-minute opportunity to enjoy “When Pigs Fly”, an evening of fun and music that benefits Christmas 4 Kids, the organization that provides hundreds of underprivileged children in Middle Tennessee with their very own Christmas shopping spree. Due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic, the need is even greater this year. Read on to find out more about the fun evening set for November 7 and the great organization you’ll be helping. Or go here for more info or to buy tickets to “When Pigs Fly” and other Christmas 4 Kids events.

Note: the annual shopping spree for kids in need will be a little different this year. Scroll down for details.

Lindsay Ell

Lindsay Ell and Mitchell Tenpenny have signed on to perform at the Christmas 4 Kids “When Pigs Fly” dinner event in Hendersonville, TN this Saturday, November 7. The evening will feature a BBQ dinner and bourbon tasting event with additional performances by Rockland Road and other surprise musical guests. The new Christmas 4 Kids fundraising effort will be made possible thanks to a partnership with Live Love Nashville, the Hendersonville Parks Department and HolidayFest.

Mitchell Tenpenny

“I’m so excited to be a part of the Christmas 4 Kids show again this year,” says Tenpenny. “I always love getting to be a part of giving back to the greater Nashville community as a native myself! Can’t wait to have a fun night with everyone!”

Catered by Martin’s BBQ, the dinner will take place at 7:00 pm/CT behind the Ultimate Party Super Store located at 246 West Main Street in Hendersonville. Tickets are $50.00 each, with an additional charge of $5.00 for Bourbon Tasting, provided by Lipman Brothers, and $10.00 to participate in a rib-eating contest sponsored by Texas Roadhouse. This event is also the first in a series of Hendersonville Hometown Jam music events for 2020. The Hometown Jam was started in 2019 by the Hendersonville Parks Department, and this year will feature multiple nights that benefit different charities throughout the year.

Live Love Nashville, a local 501c3 that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various local charities, will be hosting an online giving campaign with 100% of all gifts going to C4K. Live Love Nashville’s core values are helping children who are less fortunate, and this mission is a perfect match for C4K.

HolidayFest is a non-profit community service organization that serves as the umbrella organization to promote, market, and act as the governing body to set policies and determine approval of the charity and service organizations that are supported. HolidayFest has worked to raise funds for local charities for the past 16 years.

Virtual Concert with Phil Vassar Nov 23

To close out this year’s events, on Monday, November 23, country music artist Phil Vassar will host Phil Vassar & Friends for an at-home virtual concert starting at 7:00 pm/CT. Online tickets are $25.00 each and can be purchased at philvassar.com. Virtual meet-and-greet passes can also be purchased for an additional amount. Go here to purchase tickets for the Virtual Concert with Phil Vassar.

Shopping Spree will be different this year

Due to current social distancing restrictions, the shopping spree will be done a little differently this year. Each child will still receive the $150.00 shopping spree, but the kids will provide “wish lists” to volunteers who will personally shop for them at the Hendersonville Walmart on December 7th-8th. The Christmas gifts will then be delivered to the children at their appropriate schools on December 15.

Go here for more information on Christmas 4 Kids, to donate online or to purchase tickets to upcoming events.

About Christmas 4 Kids

Christmas 4 Kids is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for over three decades. Each year, the organization provides hundreds of underprivileged children in Middle Tennessee with their very own Christmas shopping spree. The funds generated from the annual Ryman concert and Tour Bus Show/artist meet-and-greet event, are used to give many children, from nearly 30 schools, a day-long shopping excursion.  For more information, visit here.

Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell celebrate “What Happens in a Small Town”

First No. 1 for Lindsay Ell

By Preshias Harris

Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell got together with co-writers and members of Nashville’s music community to celebrate their Number One hit, “What Happens in a Small Town” on 08 January.

Number One parties are frequently held in one of Nashville’s many bars and honky tonks, but not this one. The celebration was held at Music City Indoor Karting, a go-kart track. There was a good reason for choosing this location.  “I like to go fast. I like to go real fast!” said Gilbert with a grin. “December 18th was eight years without having a drink for me. I can still go to bars and it’s not a problem but it’s not quite as fun for me as it is for most.  But this place, everyone can still drink and have a good time and I can run people into the wall!”

The story behind the song

Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell. Photo: Joseph Llanes

At the media meeting before the award presentation, Brantley, Lindsay and co-writers Josh Dunne, Rhett Akins and Brock Berryhill, talked about how the song, “What Happens in a Small Town,” came about. Brantley said he had recorded and delivered to the label (Valory Music Co / Big Machine Label Group) what he thought was everything needed for the new album, Fire’t Up.

Continue reading “Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell celebrate “What Happens in a Small Town””

CMA Fest 2019 brings Country artists up close and personal with fans

Day One of CMA Fest in review

When the 2019 CMA Fest got under way on Thursday, June 06, country music fans were fired up and ready for almost 100 performances on eleven stages across downtown Nashville.

Jimmie Allen performs at CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Now in its  48th year, the annual CMA Fest began as Fan Fair in 1972, initially staged at the Municipal Auditorium.  the festival moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982.  Fan Fair became the extravaganza we know it today when it was officially renamed the CMA Music Festival in 2004 and by then it was expanding to more venues including Bridgestone Arena, Riverfront Park and what is now Nissan Stadium.  The name was later shortened to CMA Fest, attracting fans from 40+ countries every year.

Trisha Yearwood show featured songwriters

On Day One of the festival, fans were treated to performances from many of their favorite artists with music from morning to night. Trisha Yearwood opened the CMA Close Up Stage for Thursday’s special Artist of the Day session at Xfinity Fan Fair X (an event named to honor the festival’s original title) with songwriters featured on her forthcoming album including Ashley McBryde, Karyn Rochelle and Lucie Silvas.  The venue also featured ‘meet and greets’ and prize giveaways.

Michael Ray on stage during Day One of CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Randy Houser and Chase Rice headlined the Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music Group.  Also on stage were Warner Brothers artist Michael Ray and BBR Music Group’s Jimmie Allen and super guitarist and talent Lindsey Ell.

Lindsay Ell shreds during CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Miranda’s MuttNation finds homes for 61 dogs

Continue reading “CMA Fest 2019 brings Country artists up close and personal with fans”

‘New Faces of Country Music’ set for CRS

Stars on the rise at Country Radio show

Jimmie Allen, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, LANCO, Dylan Scott will strut their stuff for radio honchos

The 2019 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is just around the corner, set for Feb. 13-15, 2019 at the Omni Hotel in Nashville.  CRS is an annual convention that brings together thousands of Country radio air personalities, program directors and consultants.  They are joined by record label executives, A&R staff and artist management teams, eager to expose their acts to radio’s decision makers.

A highlight at every CRS is the New Faces of Country Music® show.  The ‘Class of 2019’ will consist of: Jimmie Allen (Stoney Creek), Russell Dickerson (Triple Tigers), Lindsay Ell (Stoney Creek), LANCO (Arista), and Dylan Scott (Curb). The annual new artist showcase event officially closes out the seminar and remains one of the most anticipated events each year at CRS.

I have attended CRS for many years and always look forward with excitement to the New Faces show. Here is an overview of the artists that will be part of the ‘Class of 2019.’

Jimmie Allen

With such an amazingly successful 2018 in his rearview mirror, we have to keep reminding ourselves that Jimmie Allen is still technically a newcomer.  But he’s definitely not new to Nashville. Reinforcing the maxim that ‘Nashville is a ten-year town,’ Jimmie arrived in Music City in 2007 at the age of 22 with a bank balance of $21.00. Virtually broke, Jimmie was reduced to sleeping in his car at first, so he could send money from paychecks back to his mom in Delaware.

Working a variety of jobs over the years, he was determined to follow his dream in music. Developing his skill as a songwriter, he signed a publishing deal with Wide Open Music in 2016. Then, in 2017, he was signed to Stoney Creek Records by Jon Loba, Executive VP of BBR Music Group.  Jimmie’s debut album, ‘Mercury Lane,’ was named after the street he grew up on in Delaware. The album’s lead-off single, “Best Shot,” topped Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. With that song, Jimmie made history as the first black artist to launch their career with a No. 1 at Country radio.

In an interview with The Tennessean in December, Jimmie said he always carries $2.00 in his pocket every day with the promise that he must have given it away before bedtime. The reason: back when he first came to Nashville, someone gave him a dollar. He bought a chicken sandwich at McDonalds that he tore in half to make it last for two days.

“It made every sacrifice worth it. I got to look my son in the eyes and tell him, ‘If you work hard and are good to people, eventually you’ll get an opportunity to make your dreams happen.” – Jimmie Allen, speaking of his success in an interview with the Tennessean, December 28, 2018

Music and tour dates at Jimmie Allen’s website  and on Facebook.

Russell Dickerson

It’s also been a good year (or two) for Russell Dickerson. A fan favorite, he currently has over 200 million streams on Spotify and approximately 30 million YouTube views.  He graduated from Belmont University with a degree in music and signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 2010, releasing an EP, “Die to Live Again,” the following year. Continue reading “‘New Faces of Country Music’ set for CRS”