LEBANON, Tenn. (Jan. 19, 2015) – Musical icon Dr. Ralph Stanley released his latest CD today. Man of Constant Sorrow is now available exclusively at all 634 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and online at crackerbarrel.com for $11.99.  

The digital album also will be available for purchase at select digital retailers. The record is distributed by Cracker Barrel and in partnership with Red River Entertainment and Bob Frank Distribution. 

The three-time GRAMMY Award winner’s new CD features Stanley performing duets with guest artists including Dierks Bentley, Elvis Costello, Del McCoury, Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale, Old Crow Medicine Show, Robert Plant, Ricky Skaggs, Nathan Stanley, Josh Turner, Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings and Lee Ann Womack, while also performing two solo songs. Ronnie McCoury and Womack’s daughter, Aubrie Sellers, also appear on the album, along with Stanley’s band The Clinch Mountain Boys. The 87-year old International Bluegrass Hall of Honor inductee recorded the album in Nashville with Miller and Lauderdale as producers.

“I've always enjoyed singing with other artists," said Stanley. "Everyone who joined me on this record did a fine job.  I think this will be a project that my fans will really enjoy.” 

“Cracker Barrel is delighted to bring Dr. Ralph Stanley and Friends’ CD, Man of Constant Sorrow, to our guests,” said Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig. “The performances are wonderful, the music is timeless and the project is a great addition to our exclusive music program. We know our guests will look forward to discovering this album.”  

The 13 songs on Man of Constant Sorrow are:

1.         “We Shall Rise,” Ralph Stanley and Josh Turner with The Clinch Mountain Boys
2.         “I Only Exist,” Ralph Stanley and Dierks Bentley with The Clinch Mountain Boys 
3.         “We’ll Be Sweethearts in Heaven,” Ralph Stanley and Ricky Skaggs with The Clinch Mountain Boys and   Ronnie McCoury
4.         “Rank Stranger,” Ralph Stanley and Nathan Stanley with The Clinch Mountain Boys
5.         “I Am the Man, Thomas,” Ralph Stanley, Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale with The Clinch Mountain Boys and Ronnie McCoury
6.         “White Dove,” Ralph Stanley and Lee Ann Womack and Aubrie Sellers with The Clinch Mountain Boys and Ronnie McCoury
7.         “Red Wicked Wine,” Ralph Stanley and Elvis Costello with The Clinch Mountain Boys
8.         “Pig in a Pen,” Ralph Stanley and Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings with Paul Kowert
9.         “Two Coats,” Ralph Stanley and Robert Plant
10.       “Brand New Tennessee Waltz,” Ralph Stanley and Del McCoury with The Clinch Mountain Boys and Ronnie McCoury
11.       “Short Life of Trouble,” Ralph Stanley and Old Crow Medicine Show
12.       “Hills of Home,” Ralph Stanley
13.       “Man of Constant Sorrow,” Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys

Stanley was born in 1927 in Big Spraddle, Va. He learned to play banjo from his mother when he was a teenager. After graduating high school and serving in the U.S. Army, he joined older brother Carter in creating the Clinch Mountain Boys and began performing on local radio stations and at regional venues. After Columbia Records signed them, they became known as The Stanley Brothers and went on to record such classics as “Angel Band,” “Little Maggie” and their signature tune, “Man of Constant Sorrow.” During this time, he developed a unique style of playing the banjo that became known as “Stanley style.”

After Carter died in 1966, Stanley continued to perform and record as a solo artist. Through the years, he helped mentor several future bluegrass and country music artists who performed in his band before embarking on solo careers, including Ricky Skaggs, Larry Sparks and Keith Whitley.

In 1976, Stanley received an honorary doctorate from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., and he has been known as “Dr. Ralph Stanley” ever since.

He was presented with the National Heritage Award by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, elected into the International Bluegrass Hall of Honor in 1992 and inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2000. His performance of “O Death,” featured in the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” earned him his first GRAMMY Award in 2001 for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The soundtrack album for that movie also earned Stanley both a GRAMMY Award and a CMA Award for Album of the Year.

His album Lost in the Lonesome Pines earned Stanley his third GRAMMY Award in 2002, this time for Best Bluegrass Album. His performance of “Me and God” with Josh Turner received an ACM nomination for Vocal Event of the Year in 2006. That same year, he received two major honors: the Living Legend Award from the Library of Congress and the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush.

He released his autobiography, Man of Constant Sorrow, in 2009. Stanley received a second honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Yale University on May 19, 2014, and was elected as a fellow in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences on Oct. 11, 2014. For tour dates and more information, visit www.DrRalphStanleyMusic.com.

Nashville, TN (January 19, 2015) - Grand Ole Opry star Jim Ed Brown's first CD release in 30 years, IN STYLE AGAIN, rolls out tomorrow, January 20.  The 13-track disc features guest stars Vince Gill, The Whites and The Browns - and reunites Jim Ed with long-time duet partner Helen Cornelius.  Yesterday The Boot kicked off release week coverage with a feature that included personal track-by-track descriptions and an in-depth interview with the legendary performer.

The Grand Ole Opry has jumped on the Brown bandwagon as well, and will celebrate by giving away five copies of the CD via its GOO Facebook pagetomorrow.  The disc is available for purchase through Amazon, iTunes and other retailers.  Fans eager to immerse themselves in the Jim Ed story can hear candid reflections on the artist's career on YouTube. 
Throughout the disc, Brown's signature lush vocals caress traditional Country songs that feature the talents of top-tier Nashville session players John Hobbs (Piano, Organ), Michael Baker (Guitar), Glen Duncan (Guitar, Mandolin, Violin), John McTigue (Drums), Dave Roe (Bass), Chris Scruggs (Guitar, Pedal Steel),Gary Prim (Keyboards), Daryl Hornburger (Steel Guitar), Michael Baker (Acoustic Guitar), Brent Mason (Electric guitar), Dennis Crouch (Upright Bass) and Greg Morrow (Drums).  Impeccable background vocals on "Watching The World Walking By," "Laura (Do You Love Me)," "Lucky Enough" and "It's A Good Life" were furnished by Bergen White, Lisa Silver and Kira Small McConaghy.  The title track was produced by Brown's close friend and Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare, while the balance of the offering was produced by Don Cusic.  The album's first single, "When The Sun Says Hello To The Mountain," features Jim Ed and sister Bonnie Brown, and was released to Country radio in November.

Today, Jim Ed returns to his doctors for a follow-up CT scan.  The singer, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer, is feeling good - and looking forward to receiving a clean bill of health.  "The support of my family and the outpouring of positive thoughts and prayers from my fans has given me an incredible boost during this emotional time," Brown notes. "I'm grateful for every day I can spend on God's green earth - and thankful to everyone who gives meaning to my life."

Fans can stay social with Jim Ed on Facebook and Twitter.

Dierks Bentley's Sounds of Summer tour might not start until June, but he's keeping busy in the meantime with his "new" band--Hot Country Knights. Along with the members of his band, as well as the Brothers Osborne, the group Hot Country Knights specializes in covering 90's country. Each member of the band has a new alter ego complete with biography. Dierks' newest persona? Douglas "Big Rhythm Doug" Douglason, who is, of course, the front man of the group. 

"I have a little alter ego," Bentley, 39, recently told PEOPLE. "I'm working on a little something something with my guys in the band. It's a little side project – a little bit of a '90s country cover band. We specialize in '90s country, which was a great era in country music." 

Hot Country Knights is planning to make their live debut at an invite-only event at The Stage in Nashville on Feb. 25. 

Check out their Facebook page for more information and to read those detailed (hilarious) biographies of each member of the group. Watch the video "re-introducing" the group below.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., (January 17, 2015) – Make-A-Wish® Middle Tennessee raised some $250,000 tonight at its third annual “Stars For Wishes” event at Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Hosted by TV personality Melissa Rycroft, the evening was filled with heartfelt performances by Gary Allan, “Stars For Wishes” founderJonathan Cain (Journey), Scotty McCreery and Street Corner Symphony.
Photos from the event are available for editorial use, free of charge, here.
“We’re incredibly grateful for all of the support and donations that have helped us surpass our ‘Stars For Wishes’ goals year,” said President and CEO, Beth Torres. “Thank you for a beautiful evening and for allowing us to continue to fulfill our mission of granting wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.”

Over 600 guests began their evening with a Make-A-Wish silent auction including hundreds of items donated by individuals and local organizations. Guests then enjoyed a four-course meal created by renowned local chefs, Hal Holden-Bache of Lockeland Table, Tandy Wilson of City House and Tyler Brown of the Capitol Grille.
The highlight of the evening involved 12 year-old Wish Kid Jessica as she invited fellow Wish Kid, Makaylan and her family onstage. The crowd erupted as six year-old Makaylan, who has been diagnosed with a Wilms tumor, learned her wish has been granted: she’ll soon take a trip to Disney World with her family.

After dinner, the attendees were treated to a live auction and additional musical performances. Jonathan Cain closed out the evening by presenting a check to Make-A-Wish® Middle Tennessee from the funds he was able to raise on tour with Journey in 2014. Overall, the event raised more than $250,000 thanks to the generous supporters and sponsors, including a $30,000 matching donation from local businessman, Jeff Lynch at Pita Pit.
The Late Party, hosted by the Young Leaders Board of Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee was also held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel following the event.

For more information about Make-A-Wish® Middle Tennessee, visit middletennessee.wish.org. 

Nashville, TN - (January 16, 2015) Rhea Francani bursts onto the music scene with the release of her first single, “Dizzy” on January 20, 2015. The single, from the debut EP I Want You To Know  due out February 10, 2015, is accompanied by a high-energy music video capturing the escapades of a girls’ night out.  An interactive campaign coincides with the releases on Instagram inviting fans to share their favorite things about #DizzyNightOut.   

Francani readily admits she’s not your typical country music artist as she was raised in Western NY and now lives in New York City. “I am drawn to the southern charm of country music’s heartfelt lyrics - songs about love, life and good times,” she explains. “I wanted to create an authentic country album drawing on the talents of the Nashville music industry, and those seasoned professionals that could bring my music to life.”  

The finessed singer/songwriter/performer co-produced the four self-penned tracks at Omni Sound Studios in Nashville with Omni’s own Mike Walter, utilizing some of the industry’s top studio musicians. LA/Nashville-based music videographer, Jeff Johnson, shot the high-energy music video for “Dizzy” on the streets of Music City’s Lower Broad and its honky tonks and Karaoke bars. “I’m following my heart’s highway from NY to Nashville. My fans know me as a city girl with a country heart. I’m thriving in two completely different worlds!”  

Rhea has performed various styles of music on numerous stages of theatre.  She is an honors graduate of Wagner College, NYC in Musical Theatre Performance.  She resides in New York City and is a soon-to-be alumnus of Teachers College, Columbia University, NYC with a Master's Degree in Music and Music Education.  Upon graduating, in May 2015, Rhea will look to reside in Nashville.  

www.rheafrancani.com

NASHVILLE, TN (January 14, 2015)  – The Casey Donahew Band is kicking off 2015 in a big way, hitting the road as hard as ever and gaining new fans all across the country! This past weekend the Texas indie sensation made a stop through Denver for a two-night stand at the city’s famed Grizzly Rose nightclub. Donahew and his stellar band had a successful run through Colorado, playing shows in Aspen and at Musicfest in Steamboat Springs before heading to the Grizzly Rose, where he sold out both nights and thrilled crowds at the standing-room-only Colorado venue. He heads back to the Lone Star state for a five-show run in mid-January and will be touring hard throughout 2015. Donahew is currently at work on his latest CD, which is due out later this year. 

About Casey Donahew Band:
In just over 10 years, The Casey Donahew Band has risen from favorites on the local Texas music scene to a nationally popular touring act that consistently sells out venues across the country. From Red Rocks to their regular stomping ground Billy Bob’s, the band burns up stages of all sizes, serving up its own sizzling brand of alt country to its devoted band of eager fans. Donahew has topped the Texas charts time and again with each single, racking up TEN #1 singles throughout the course of his impressive, self-made career. With the help of wife Melinda, he has painstakingly carved out a niche for himself on the country scene and built his career from the ground up one show at a time. His efforts have pushed him to heights he never could have imagined when he first plugged in on stage at the Thirsty Armadillo bar back in Fort Worth’s Stockyards in the Fall of 2002, and began constructing his own field of musical dreams. The Lone Star favorite now routinely packs venues across the country selling out rooms on a regular basis. Powering those shows are his successful albums, which consistently land at the top of the iTunes sales charts as well as songs on the Texas radio charts.  Donahew has released four independent albums to critical and commercial acclaim.  His 2011 release, DOUBLE WIDE DREAM, debuted at #2 on the ITunes Country Chart and #10 on the Billboard Country Chart and spawned three #1 singles: the title track, “ Double Wide Dream,” “Let’s Not Say Goodbye Again,”  and “One Star Flag.” Casey’s latest CD, STANDOFF, quickly topped the iTunes Country Chart at #1 upon its release and also hit the Overall iTunes Chart in the #8 position.  STANDOFF has also yielded the #1 radio singles “Whiskey Baby,” “Small Town Love,” and his most recent #1 single “Lovin’ Out of Control,” is Donahew’s fastest rising single to date.  Casey’s current single, “Not Ready To Say Goodnight,” promises to be another hit. 

For more information visit www.caseydonahewband.com

New York (January 15, 2015) — Two of country music’s most dynamic voices — Chris Young and Lee Brice — join forces to kick off 2015, bringing their unique brands of soulful, high-energy country together for a co-headlining tour beginning in Syracuse, NY at the War Memorial (at Oncenter) on Thursday, Jan. 22.
 
Brice — the “evocative, rough-edged singer” (New York Times) who notched a No. 1 debut for his album I Don’t Dance and was the first country artist to secure an RIAA platinum single certification with the album’s title track, also a #1 radio single, in 2014 ­— says he’s looking forward to touring with Young, “one of country music’s most reliable hitmakers” (USA Today).
 
The “stoic brute,” (New York Times) is watching his current single “Drinking Class” — a song that “heads right down the blue-collar Springsteen highway” (Country Weekly) — climb country radio charts.
 
Young, who has solidified his spot as one of country’s go-to artists both at radio with six No. 1 singles and on the road with numerous sold out shows, also expressed his excitement to launch this new tour.
 
Young’s latest hit “Lonely Eyes” was voted among Rolling Stone Country’s Top 10 songs of 2014, noting his “towering vocal performance” on the soaring ballad from A.M., his critically and commercially acclaimed fourth album. The 29-year old recently performed the song on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and debuted the track’s music video, his tenth in an illustrious career that’s delivered seven Gold/Platinum certified singles and presented him as a global ambassador for country music with shows in Ireland, United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, Sweden and beyond.
 
"Lee and I had a blast last year when we were out with Brad (Paisley) and so we thought it would be great to join up for a co-headlining tour for our fans this winter," shares Young. "I can't wait to kick things off in Syracuse later this month and head west all the way to Hawaii!"
 
Brice concurs, “Chris and I have been talking about touring together again for a while. We have a lot of fun together!”
 
Initial Tour Dates Include:
*Markets and venues subject to change
**with Brothers Osborne
Jan. 22 - Syracuse, NY / War Memorial At Oncenter**
Jan. 23 - Mashantucket, CT / Foxwoods Resort Casino**
Feb. 6 - Jonesboro, AR / ASU Convocation Center**
Feb. 7 - Corbin, KY / The Arena**
Feb. 19 - Independence, MO / Independence Events Center**
Feb. 20 - Bloomington, IL / U.S. Cellular Coliseum**
Feb. 21 – La Crosse, WI / La Crosse Center Arena**
Mar. 7 - Kahului, HI / Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Mar. 8 - Honolulu, HI / Blaisdell Concert Hall

NASHVILLE, TN (January 13, 2015) – The new single from Big Spark Music Group powerhouse vocalist-songstress Olivia Lane, is garnering more national attention, as “Steal Me Away” will be featured as part of CMT’s Listen Up Discovery Music Program 2015. Beginning today (1/13), the program will feature on-air and cross-platform promotion to better connect Lane with a passionate new fan-base.

The fun-loving music video for “Steal Me Away” captures the essence of chasing your dreams, and made its premiere on CMT.com. Since its release, the video has been featured on GAC’s Emerging Artists Channel, ZUUS and across multiple online platforms.

After ringing in the New Year with a special opening performance for musical inspiration Wynonna Judd, Lane is back to work on new music and writing with some of Nashville’s top tunesmiths including Catt Gravitt (Jake Owen, “Alone With You”), Danny Myrick (Jason Aldean, “She's Country”)  and Laura Veltz (Eli Young Band, "Drunk Last Night”). The talented singer will once again team up with musician Ilya Toshinskiy at the helm of the new music. 
 
The fresh-faced newcomer made the move to Nashville, TN, over a year ago to pursue music, eagerly following in the footsteps of her mother who was a country singer. Ever since she can remember, the 23-year-old has been immersed in the craft and tradition of country music and knew that Music City was where she would land after graduating from USC with a focus in music, songwriting and acting. 

Fans can check out more from Olivia at OliviaLane.CMT.com.

For more information, visit http://www.olivialane.com/.

(BOSTON, Mass.) - Following rave reviews of their live Hank Williams tribute concerts over the past several years, rockers Girls Guns and Glory has announced the release of a live tribute album from the shows. Girls Guns and Glory Presents: A Tribute to Hank Williams - Live! is slated to drop on February 24, 2015 via Lonesome Day Records' new imprint Dry Lighting Records.

"Hank Williams was a game changer," says Girls Guns and Glory vocalist/guitarist Ward Hayden. "I've read a few Hank biographies and something that often gets mentioned that I feel a connection with is that before Hank Williams there weren't cowboy hats in 'Hillbilly Folk,' which became country music. That's a western thing. Hank's from Alabama and there aren't too many cowboys in Alabama. He got the image of the American Cowboy from watching guys like Gene Autry on TV and he incorporated it into his style and after his success it became commonplace for that western style to show up in country music."

While Hayden grew up in a household that listened to classic country music, such as Merle Haggard, Charlie Pride, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and, of course, Hank Williams, he admits it wasn't his "bag" at first. "Around when I turned 20 and the lyrics stated making a whole lot of sense is when it hit me.  If you've never had your heart broken then country music can sound like a bunch of twangy gibberish," he says.
  
The 12-track Girls Guns and Glory Presents: A Tribute to Hank Williams - Live! was recorded on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day 2014 at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA. "We chose these two days because in the legacy of Hank Williams these are the dates of the two final shows he never got to play," explains Hayden. "On New Year's Eve back in 1952 Hank Williams was slated to perform in Charleston, WV. He wound up staying the night in Knoxville, TN and never arriving at that show due to foul weather.  New Year's Eve 1953, is a key date in Hank's legacy because en route to his show in Canton, OH his driver pulled off at a gas station to find Hank unresponsive in the backseat of his Cadillac. Jan 1, 1953 for all intents and purposes, is the day the world bid farewell to its greatest country songwriter."

The band chose to perform and record these shows specifically to honor the legend and his music and to celebrate his life and legacy. "He was a wild man and he felt both physical and emotional pain in a very intense and deep way," continues Hayden. "His songs are a testament to that. Hank's music has had a huge impact on the way I view music and songwriting and the emotional honesty that can get put into a three minute long song. He was a master of boiling down a moment and an emotion, and in my own songwriting I have constantly used his work as an example of how you don't need to necessarily get wordy and say a lot, all the while still saying so much on a much deeper level. This tribute has been a dream come true and the icing on the cake is that we had such a good time performing his songs and bringing up friends to guest with us and share in the experience."

Girls Guns and Glory once again performed another string of Hank Williams tribute concerts this past December and earlier this month in the middle of their U.S. tour. The tribute shows were held in New England from Dec. 27-Jan. 3. This season marks the band's fifth year of performing the Hank Williams Tribute show.

For more information visit their official website

Girls Guns & Glory presents: A Tribute to Hank Williams - Live! Track Listing:

1. "Jambalaya"
2. "Moanin' The Blues"
3. "Hey Good Lookin'"
4. "Move It On Over"
5. "So Lonesome I Could Cry"
6. "Honky Tonk Blues"
7. "Dear John"
8. "Your Cheatin' Heart"
9. "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It"
10. "Rockin' Chair Money"
11. "I Saw The Light"
12. "The Old Log Train" 

(Nashville, TN, Newport, RI and New York, NY) January 14, 2015 - City Winery, Newport FolkPresents® and the Americana Music Association announced today a partnership to promote a series of concerts titled State of the Union taking place at the esteemed City Winery venues in Chicago, Napa, Nashville, and New York City.  One night per month in each city, State of the Union will highlight artists whose musicianship and excellence set the standard for live performance.

The State of the Union concert series is the result of brainstorming conversations between Shlomo Lipetz, City Winery’s National Programming Director, Jay Sweet, Producer of the Newport Folk Festival® and Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association, seeking ways to work together to promote the collective appreciation of American roots music.

“Newport Folk Presents® and the Americana Music Association are torchbearers in presenting not only some of the best music today but also in discovering amazing new talent,” said City Winery’s Lipetz, adding “we are thrilled to present this series with these prestigious music loving organizations.”
“Building partnerships is paramount for the continued success of Newport Festivals Foundation™,” commented Newport Producer Sweet, adding “working with the Americana Music Association and City Winery, who share our taste in great music, makes perfect sense.”

“I love this partnership with Newport Folk and City Winery,” added Americana’s Hilly. “From the historical significance of the Newport Folk Festival to City Winery’s strategically situated venues and appreciation for the artistry, I can’t think of better partners to spread our mission to support the authentic voice of American Roots Music." 

State of the Union, a monthly concert series from Newport Folk Presents ®, the Americana Music Association and City Winery, will kick off across the nation in January.

CHICAGO
January - Joe Henry 1/19
February - Shawn Colvin 2/18-19 
March - Buckwheat Zydeco 3/4
NAPA
January - Willie Watson 1/20 
February - Steep Canyon Rangers 2/28 
April - North Mississippi Allstars 4/3
NASHVILLE
January - Jackie Greene 1/19
February - Booker T. Jones 2/24
March - Aaron Neville 3/8 (Tickets on sale January 20, 2015)
NYC 
January - Alejandro Escovedo 1/22-24
February - Jay Farrar 2/11
March - Mary Gauthier & David Wilcox 3/29