Hot country newcomer Frankie Ballard, who tops both the Mediabase Country Chart and Billboard Country Chart this week with his smash “Helluva Life,” celebrated his first ever #1 single with fans last night (3/18) as he took the stage in front of a sold-out crowd for the Nash-FM 103.3 and 95.5 WSM concert series at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville, TN. Ballard’s set included the anthem “Helluva Life,” which has sold nearly 400,000 digital copies, along with the fan favorite “It Don’t Take Much” on his new album, SUNSHINE & WHISKEY (Warner Bros. Records), available everywhere now.
 
The Michigan native is currently touring all over the country and will join Jake Owen’s DAYS OF GOLD Tour for select dates through the summer. His dynamic set has caught the eye of many publications, including Country Weekly, who described the singer as “a true guitar hero,” and added that Ballard “exhibits an elegant supple style of playing rarely seen in these days of hard-rock country.”
 
For upcoming tour dates and more information, visit www.frankieballard.com.
 
Ballard’s SUNSHINE & WHISKEY is now available on iTunes.

Pictured L-R: Chris Palmer (VP Promotion, WAR), Jessica Rouse (Promotion Coordinator),Jordan Pettit (Nat’l Dir. Promotion, WAR), Frankie Ballard, Ray Vaughn (Southwest Regional Promotion Manager, WAR), Chad Schultz (Nat’l Dir. Radio Promotion & Marketing), John Esposito(President & CEO, WMN), Kevin Herring (SVP Promotion), Tom Martens (Southeast Regional Promotion Manager, WAR), Abby Law, (Midwest/Northeast Regional Promotion Manager, WAR),Peter Strickland (EVP & GM, WMN), Raffaella Braun (West Coast Promotion Manager, WAR) 

RPME Records powerhouse vocalist Maggie Rose will debut the brand new music video for her current single, “Looking Back Now,” exclusively on Vevo, the world’s leading all premium music video and entertainment platform, today (3/18). Following the premiere, the video will be available across multiple media platforms tomorrow (3/19).
 
Filmed in Nashville, TN, Maggie worked alongside director Kristin Barlowe to take a different approach with the video. The singer paints a simple picture of the song’s raw lyrics through edgy close-up shots and unexpected props that are uncommon in a music video by a female in this era. Pushing the boundaries, “Looking Back Now” is Maggie’s third single from her acclaimed debut album, CUT TO IMPRESS.
 
Since the release of CUT TO IMPRESS, dynamic vocalist Maggie Rose has garnered national attention from media and fans alike. The project landed on Roughstock.com and CountryMusicRocks’ Best Albums of 2013, and was listed as one of only four country albums to make Amazon.com’s Best Music of 2013. Produced by Blake Chancey, James Stroud and Stephony Smith, the album features the breakthrough Top 30 hits “I Ain’t Your Mama” and “Better,” which stayed on the country music charts for over 30 weeks. The project highlights Maggie’s songwriting prowess on nearly half of the tracks. The Potomac, Maryland native recently opened for Gary Allan and Sheryl Crow on the FREE & EASY Tour.
 
For more information, visit www.iammaggierose.com
 
Watch the Vevo exclusive of “Looking Back Now” here.

Granger Smith, country music artist and proud patriot, is lacing up his BOOTS once again for the fourth annual Boot Walk, May 4-8, 2014. Granger will begin the 100-mile trek in Austin, Texas and will spend five days wearing out those combat boots all the way to Fort Hood. At the conclusion of the walk, on May 8th, Granger and special guests will celebrate with a concert honoring the men and women who serve our country. 
 

“Boot Walk started as a crazy extension of my entertainment tours in Iraq as a way to say thank you to our armed forces. Now at year 4, it has turned into a very passionate fundraiser to me,” said Granger Smith. “I firmly believe that my career as a musician is enabled by the brave men & women that ensure our freedom. There’s not a month in the year now that I’m not wearing combat boots and thinking about the next 100 miles.”

“This year, we have had added new components to Boot Walk in an effort to allow Granger’s fans to join him and show their support,” said Deanna Kenisell, Co-Special Events Coordinator for Boot Campaign. “We are excited to have more people join in the Boot Walk experience with Granger and make a bigger impact on our desire to awaken the patriot in us all and give back to our troops when they come back.”

Granger and friends, including Josh Grider, Cody Bryan and Brian Keane, will perform a concert on May 8th at the Fort Hood Harley Davidson located at 875 W Central Texas Expressway, Harker Heights, TX.  Tickets go on sale March 21st on http://BootWalk.com. Concert tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.  Admission is free with a Military ID.  

This year, Granger aims to collect $50,000. Proceeds raised from the Walk and concert benefit the Boot Campaign, a non-profit dedicated to promoting patriotism, raising awareness, and providing assistance to military families. 

To find out how you can help by raising funds, hosting a "shadow walk" in your hometown, volunteering, and more visit here.

Earlier this year, Ellen DeGeneres danced to Brandy Clark’s song “Stripes” during the Beats Music Super Bowl commercial. This week, the two entertainers will meet when Clark makes her debut appearance on the nationally-syndicated “Ellen DeGeneres Show” this Monday, March 24th. During the appearance, Clark will perform “Stripes,” which can be found on her first album, 12 Stories.   

“It was incredible that my song was used in the Beats Music commercial starring Ellen earlier this year, and now I am going to perform ‘Stripes’ on her show,” said Clark. “I am so excited, and I look forward to meeting her.”  

Since being released in October 2013, 12 Stories has received tremendous critical acclaim. Hitfix’s Melinda Newman wrote that Clark was “the best new artist country radio isn’t playing” and that 12 Stories “made almost every music critics’ best of 2013 list for its heart, wit, smart wordplay, and Clark’s expressive vocals.”  When reviewing 12 Stories, Randy Lewis of the Los Angeles Times wrote, “This is the country debut of the year.” Rolling Stone’s Will Hermes noted, “Her debut is all airtight craftsmanship, sly wit and precise detailing that treats mainstream style like artisanal fast food.” New York Magazine’s Jody Rosen named 12 Stories his favorite album of 2013 remarking, “She’s a brisk, vivid, witty storyteller; her tunes unfold in old-fashioned weepers and chugging honkytonk, with fiddles, pedal steel, and vocal harmonies driving home the punch lines and pathos.” The Tennessean’s Peter Cooper observed in a cover story last November, “She is about expression, not impression. Which is why she's impressive” before noting an already remarkable feat: “As voiced through others, her songs have moved two or three million other people. Now, Clark's songs may be heard in her own rich voice.”  

Clark is currently touring the country opening for Jennifer Nettles. In addition to writing and performing her own songs, Clark also writes for other artists. Miranda Lambert took her song “Mama’s Broken Heart” to No. 1, as did The Band Perry with “Better Dig Two.”  She’s also had songs recorded by Sheryl Crow, Darius Rucker, and frequent collaborator, Kacey Musgraves.   

NOTE~~Her appearecne was originally scheduled for Thursday, March 20th, but has since been rescheduled to Monday the 24th.
For more information visit www.brandyclarkmusic.com.   

It has been a helluva ride for country guitarist-singer Frankie Ballard, who tops both the Mediabase Country Chart and Billboard Country Chart this week, with his smash “Helluva Life.” Ballard’s fastest rising single to date has earned him his first ever #1 single, with nearly 400,000 digital copies sold.
 
"My heart is overflowing,” shares Ballard. “I'm so thankful to Country Radio for taking a chance on this song. I'm more than happy to play this one for the rest of my helluva life!"
 
On April 2nd, tune in to the TODAY show to see Ballard perform the top-selling single featured on his new album, SUNSHINE & WHISKEY (Warner Bros. Records), available everywhere now.
 
The Michigan native is currently touring all over the country and will join Jake Owen’s DAYS OF GOLD Tour for select dates through the summer. His dynamic set has caught the eye of many publications, including Country Weekly, who described the singer as “a true guitar hero,” and added that Ballard “exhibits an elegant supple style of playing rarely seen in these days of hard-rock country.”
 
For upcoming tour dates and more information, visit www.frankieballard.com.
 
Ballard’s SUNSHINE & WHISKEY is now available on iTunes.

Storme Warren's 8th Annual Nashville Navy Party will be held on June 3, 2014 at the Limelight. Artists announced include Danielle Peck, Jaime Fox, and Shane Thomas, with more to be added.
Tickets go on sale today at 12noon CT and are only $20. There is a special gift for the first 300 ticket buyers. For more information visit here (although as of 11amEST site is not updated).

Earlier today, Jake Owen got members of the music industry community beachin’ with an exclusive sneak peek at his second major headline tour – DAYS OF GOLD TOUR 2014. Gathering at Nashville’s Steel Mill, attendees watched the chart-topping vocalist’s final rehearsal before kicking off the 55-city plus tour next Thursday (3/20) in Brookings, SD. The red-hot tour also stars Eli Young Band* along with Parmalee*, Thomas Rhett* and The Cadillac Three. (*select dates)
 
Before taking the stage, Jake was surprised with a special presentation commemorating recent career milestones. He scored two plaques; one for the GOLD-certification of his album BAREFOOT BLUE JEAN NIGHT and one for tallying more than 5 million downloads from the popular project, which delivered four consecutive No. 1 hit singles.
 
Jake’s current single “Beachin’” is quickly climbing the Country Radio charts and is from his latest RCA Nashville album DAYS OF GOLD. The new party anthem is the follow-up to the vivacious “Days of Gold.”
 
Jake’s DAYS OF GOLD is available now via this link: http://smarturl.it/daysofgoldalbum
 
For on sale dates and more, visit www.jakeowen.net
Find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jakeowen
Follow him on Twitter @jakeowen.

The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions announced that Eric Church, Toby Keith, and Lady Antebellum with legendary musician Stevie Nicks are scheduled to perform on the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The ceremony, which will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

These artists join previously announced performers including Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line and The Band Perry. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events, visit www.ACMcountry.com.

As announced across social media earlier today, reigning ACM New Artist of the Year Florida Georgia Line will turn up the heat with their headline run -- THIS IS HOW WE ROLL SUMMER SERIES 2014. Kicking off May 30 in Springdale, AR, the sizzling new tour will slide into select baseball stadiums and feature special guest, Grammy Award-winning Nelly and opening act Chris Lane.
 
“Last year we played the ballpark in Lexington, Kentucky and it was an epic night,” says Brian Kelley. “We thought how fun would it be to hit several of these and bring the good times to the field!”
 
Tyler Hubbard adds, “Summer can’t get here fast enough. Having Nelly and Chris along for the ride is going to make for one big, outdoor party!”
 
FGL has exploded since releasing four consecutive, multi-week #1 smashes in the US and Canada with the GOLD-certified “Stay,” the PLATINUM-certified hits “Get Your Shine On” and "Round Here," and 6X PLATINUM “Cruise,” whose sales are combined with the remix featuring Nelly. Breaking the record for longest #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart, “Cruise” has sold nearly 6.8 million downloads in the US alone and is the best-selling digital Country single of all time according to SoundScan. Nelly's remix on the summer anthem helped maximize the reach across multiple genres and platforms. The award-winning duo’s current single “This Is How We Roll” featuring Luke Bryan is quickly climbing the country radio charts and is from the deluxe version of their chart-topping, PLATINUM-certified debut album HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES (Republic Nashville).
 
FGL has racked up four nominations - Vocal Duo of the Year, Album of the Year (HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES), Single of the Year (“Cruise”) and Vocal Event of the Year (“Cruise” Remix featuring Nelly) - for the ACM Awards, airing April 6 at 8:00P Eastern on CBS. Earlier in the weekend (April 4), FGL will join labelmates at the ACM Party for a Cause Festival for "Outnumber Hunger Live!" to raise awareness for the 1 in 6 Americans who struggle with hunger.
 
The unstoppable duo is currently on the road as direct support for Jason Aldean’s NIGHT TRAIN Tour. 
 
THIS IS HOW WE ROLL SUMMER SERIES 2014*
 
May 30 - Springdale, AR – Arvest Ballpark
 
May 31 - Pearl, MS – Trustmark Park
 
June 1 - TBA
 
June 12 - Charleston, SC – Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park
 
June 13  - Augusta, GA – Lake Olmstead Stadium
 
June 14 - TBA
 
June 19 - Ft. Wayne, IN – Parkview Field
 
June 20 - Bowling Green, KY – Bowling Green Ballpark
 
June 22 - Asheville, NC – McCormick Field
 
*Initial dates announced
 
For on-sale dates and more, visit FloridaGeorgiaLine.com.