ENCINO, CA (March 18, 2015) – The Academy of Country Music announced today that 2015 leading male ACM Award nominee Dierks Bentley will host the ACM Charity Motorcycle Ride & Concert on Saturday, April 18. The ride will begin at two dealerships including Strokers Dallas in Dallas, Texas and Longhorn Harley-Davidson in Grand Prairie, Texas with performances at each location. Riders will end their journey at Maverick Harley-Davidson in Carrollton, Texas with a concert featuring full throttle performances by country music’s top artists.

The ACM Charity Motorcycle Ride & Concert will kick off on Saturday, April 18 with performances by Will Hoge at Strokers Dallas,and Joey Hyde at Longhorn Harley-Davidson before the riders hit the road. The ride will end with a concert emceed by former Dallas Stars player Craig Ludwig at Maverick Harley-Davidson featuring performances by host Dierks Bentley, Clare Dunn, Will Hoge, Joey Hyde, James Otto, Dee Jay Silver, Montgomery Gentry, Thompson Square and more to be announced. 

Fans can register to ride and purchase general admission tickets beginning Friday, March 20 at 10AM PT / 12PM CT on ticketing.acmcountry.com for $75. Proceeds from the event will benefit ACM Lifting Lives,the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, local child abuse advocacy groups, and military philanthropies. The local charities include Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Bikers Against Child Abuse, and 444 Angel. The military philanthropies include Folds of Honor Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Navy SEAL Foundation, and Task Force Dagger Foundation.

The ACM Charity Motorcycle Ride & Concert is among the highly-anticipated events held during the ACM Awards week culminating with the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year®. The ceremony, co-hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, will broadcast LIVE from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

NASHVILLE, TN March 19, 2015 — The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) and City Winery are teaming up to present the first of several songwriters nights in the coming months.  

The initial installment of “Hits From The Hall” will feature Hall of Fame members Mac Davis, Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, who will perform at the venue on Tuesday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are $20 for downstairs seating; $30 for limited upstairs VIP seating.  All seats are reserved and may be purchased beginning Friday morning,March 20, at citywinery.com/nashville or by contacting the venue at (615) 324-1010.  City Winery is located at 609 Lafayette St.
“The shows will help raise funds for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and we’re excited to launch with three amazing songwriters – Mac, Tom and Allen,” says Mark Ford, NaSHOF’s executive director.  “These three are always so gracious to lend us their talents, just as our friends at City Winery have been gracious to provide such a fantastic environment for experiencing music.  We look forward to hearing a lot of classic songs and the stories behind them in the months to come.”

"We are proud to host the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Hits From the Hall,” says David Richter, City Winery General Manager.  “With the inarguable caliber of music in this town, we look forward to playing host to such extremely talented songwriters.  We feel this is a perfect fit for our venue and look forward to many more Hits From the Hall!”

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:
Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) is one of the nation’s highest songwriting achievements.  Since 1970, 196 of Music City’s top tunesmiths from all genres of music have been enshrined by the non-profit organization, which is dedicated to honoring Nashville’s rich songwriting legacy through preservation, celebration and education.  In 2013, NaSHOF realized a long-held dream with the opening of its Hall of Fame Gallery, located in downtown Nashville on the first floor of the Music City Center (201 5th Avenue South).
More information is available at http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/.

Nashville, Tenn. (March 19, 2015)—National and international recording artist 
Ray Scott (deciBel Nashville) has signed on with Bob Kinkead/The Kinkead Entertainment Agency for exclusive booking representation.  Ray joins the Kinkead Entertainment Agency line-up that encompasses Ray Stevens, Bill Engvall and Kyle Cease to name a few.

Ray’s announcement is in keeping with his 2015 “green flag” momentum--the release of his new single entitled “Ain’t Always Thirsty” (ON RADIO NOW/from the album RAY SCOTT) and the corresponding “Ain’t Always Thirsty” music video premiere on RollingStone.com (Monday, March 23, 2015).  Making its debut on SiriusXM “The Highway” in February, the sobering and emotional single was met with early welcome and applause from country music fans across the globe.

“Throughout my booking career I have represented some of the great singers in country music (Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, to name a few) that stylistically made a mark in the country music industry,” said Bob Kinkead, President/Owner, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency. “Ray Scott reminds me a lot of those great icons with his unique sound and style. I am excited to get to work with and rep Ray as his exclusive agent.”

Ray Scott has made more than 40 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, has performed on a number of historic honky-tonk stages across the country, and at national and international fairs, festivals and arenas (including the Interlackin Festival in Switzerland, Country Thunder, Country Jam, Charlie-palooza festival and CMA Fest).

Ray Scott Upcoming 2015 Shows
Date                        City                                    Venue
3/20                        Semora, NC                      Bar 119
3/27                        Morgantown, WV             Schmitt’s Saloon
4/10                        Columbus, OH                  The Bluestone      
4/11                        Charleston, WV                Grumpy's    
4/23                        Wheeling, WV                   Capitol Theatre
4/24                        Chicago, IL                        Joe’s
4/25                        Dryden, MI                         Dryden Bar
5/9                          Springfield, IL                    Boonedocks
6/11                        Nashville, TN                     Fan Jam
7/28                        Philadelphia, MS              Neshoba County Fair
10/22                      Jacksonville, FL                Florida Theatre
10/23                      Coral Springs, FL             Coral Springs for the Arts


For more information on Ray Scott, visit: www.rayscott.com

Nashville, TN (March 18, 2015) Navigator Records will release UNSAFE & SOUND, the sophomore studio project from the Minnesota based band Maiden Dixie on April 14. The follow up to Little Black Dress was recorded in Mastermix and Okemah studios with award winning singer/songwriter/producer Kevin Bowe at the helm.

The six-member band will celebrate the release of  the new music with two special events in Minneapolis. The first on April 2 at the Surly Brewing Company where the band, co-writers and special guests will perform the songs from UNSAFE & SOUND and tell the audience about their experiences creating the new music as a band in this intimate acoustic show. Then on April 15, the day after the official release of the new CD, Maiden Dixie will take over the stage at the famous Fine Line Music Cafe with Kevin Bowe + The Okemah Prophets opening the show. Downtown Minneapolis will be alive as the band debuts the new project and their UNSAFE & SOUND TOUR 2015 stage show.
 
UNSAFE & SOUND Track Listing - Writers 

An Honest Man's Wage 2:35 - Jonathan Krentz/Graham Becker

Shoulda' Gone Home 2:50 - Channing Himes/Jonathan Krentz

Too Close to Goodbye 3:00 - Jonathan Krentz/Roy Holdren

If I Had To Guess 4:23 - Channing Himes/Graham Becker

Love Revival 3:51 - Lisa McCallum/Josh Kear

Story of Our Own 4:10 - Channing Himes/Jonathan Krentz/Roy Holdren

Bullets in the Gun 3:30 - Jonathan Krentz/Kate Smith/Paul O'Conner

The Road 4:10 - Jonathan Krentz/Roy Holdren

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – March 16, 2015) Hit songwriter, Rivers Rutherford (“Ain’t Nothing Bout You”/Brooks & Dunn, “Living In Fast Forward”/Kenny Chesney, “Real Good Man”/Tim McGraw), has been added to the star-studding songwriter lineup for theFirst And The Worst event, which will feature some of Nashville’s most recognized songwriters coming together to perform the first and the worst songs they ever wrote, as well as their songs that have become top-selling records recorded by superstar artists.  The inaugural First and The Worst is scheduled for April 1, 2015 at 3rd and Lindsley. 

Hosted by Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and music critic Peter Cooper, the evening will also feature Richard Leigh (“Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and “I’ll Get Over You”/Crystal Gayle, “The Greatest Man I Never Knew”/Reba McEntire), Liz Rose(“Tim McGraw,” “Teardrops On My Guitar,” and "You Belong To Me"/Taylor Swift), Phil Barton ("A Woman Like You"/Lee Brice, “She Rides Away”/David Nail, “Yeah Yeah Yeah”/Dustin Lynch), Roxie Dean ("When I Think About Angels"/Jamie O'Neal, “Why They Call It Falling”/Lee Ann Womack), and Wynn Varble (“Waitin’ On A Woman”/Brad Paisley, “Have You Forgotten”/Darryl Worley, and “I’m A Little More Country Than That”/Easton Corbin).  

All event proceeds from sponsorship tables, ticket sales and the silent auction will benefit Music Health Alliance. The non-profit’s work assists songwriters, artists and music industry professionals in finding affordable health solutions and financial resources at every stage of their career. The mission of Music Health Alliance is to Heal the Music by providing access to healthcare through services that PROTECT, DIRECT & CONNECT music professionals with medical and financial solutions. In two short years, they have saved over $5.5 million dollars in insurance premiums, reduction of medical bills, and prescription savings.  

Tatum Hauck Allsep, MHA’s Founder/Executive Director said, “The First and The Worst will enable Music Health Alliance to provide life saving healthcare access to the music industry in its most vulnerable time of need.  MHA is thrilled to be the beneficiary of such an incredibly clever and entertaining evening of music.”

First and The Worst is the brainchild of Grammy-nominated songwriter, Sandy Knox(“Does He Love You,” "She Thinks His Name Was John," and "Why Haven't I Heard From You"/Reba McEntire and her own early gems “Upchuck” and “Mr. Phone”). “The First and The Worst is an event I have dreamed about for close to 20 years…a night in which the audience is allowed to peek inside the brilliant minds of hit songwriters long before they had ever written a hit,” explains Knox about the idea becoming a reality. “And, having it benefit the Music Health Alliance makes it all about giving back to our community.”

Doors to the event will open at 5:00 p.m. and the show will start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are now available for purchase through http://thefirstandtheworst.com/. Tickets are $20 for balcony and $75 for reserved seating. Table sponsorships are available for $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500, and $10,000 for the title sponsorship.  There are a limited number of tables available for sponsorship.  Please contact Shelia Shipley Biddy at [email protected] for more information. 

For more information on Music Health Alliance, visit their website,www.musichealthalliance.com, or view this video that serves as an introduction to the non-profit organization, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Follow The First and The Worst’s official Facebook and Twitter for more updates on the upcoming charity event.

Nashville, TN -- March 18, 2015 – After growing up in the shadows of Bill Monroe, Keith Whitley and The Judds in the blue hills of eastern Kentucky, singer/songwriter CARLY PEARCE will find herself sharing the same stage as her country music heroes when she takes her first steps into the circle to make her Grand Ole Opry debut this spring. The Sirius XM “On The Horizon” artist, whose hit “Blame The Whiskey” is garnering national attention, announced exclusively today during “Mornings with Storme Warren” that she will mark her first Grand Ole Opry performance on May 30.
 
"Some kids dream of being a doctor and some kids dream of being an actor; I always dreamt of singing on the Grand Ole Opry,” confided Carly. “Anyone who knows me would tell you that. To realize that in two short months I will be singing on the same stage, in the famous circle where my musical heroes have stood makes me feel overwhelmingly blessed." 
 
Carly Pearce’s “Blame The Whiskey” (Barry Dean, Carly Pearce, Laura Veltz) has become a fan favorite on Sirius XM’s The Highway, Spotify and in her live shows. The hit song can be downloaded at iTunes HERE with tickets to Carly’s May 30 Opry debut available HERE.
 
The Covington, KY native fronted her first band at 11 and moved to Nashville in 2009 to give flight to her musical dreams. Carly’s musical resumé includes numerous performances at Music City’s famed Bluebird Café, hitting the road on the “Country Throwdown Tour” with Florida Georgia Line and Justin Moore, and spending the last year singing with “Pretty Little Liars” star Lucy Hale in her touring band.
 
Get to know Carly Pearce on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, SoundCloud and her official website.

The theme I hope people take away from this record is Real Life.  Yeah, I want people to move with the party and drinking songs, but I want people to feel the heartbreak too. I want them to feel the urgency in ‘Urgency’ and the sense of standing on the edge of losing everything if something doesn't change in ‘Civil War.’  Real life.”
--JASON MICHAEL CARROLL 

Country music singer, songwriter, guitarist and hitmaker JASON MICHAEL CARROLL is setting his sights on the Tuesday, May 5 release of WHAT COLOR IS YOUR SKY, his fourth full-length album and first since 2011. The album’s first single “God Only Knows”—notably premiered yesterday with COUNTRY WEEKLY—is available today (3/17) via iTunes and gaining strong support among his long-term loyal fans while already seeing heavy rotation at country radio stations including WCYE in Rhinelander, WI, WVFB in Tompkinsville, KY and WKUL in Cullman/Birmingham, AL.

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR SKY—the self-released (via For The Lonely Records) 15-track collection of songs about love, life, good times, pain, and simple ways sung in CARROLL’s trademark baritone voice and recorded with his band—embodies the emotional essence and storytelling flow of the best country music and reflects his rocking side as well. 

Track listing for WHAT COLOR IS YOUR SKY:

1.         All I’m Drinking ‘Bout
2.         God Only Knows
3.         What Color Is Your Sky
4.         Here’s To
5.         Love Like July
6.         Does He Know
7.         ‘Til The Speakers Blow
8.         Civil War
9.         Urgency
10.       Blown Away
11.       We Ride
12.       Close Enough
13.       Here With Me
14.       Painting Pictures
15.       Waste Their Life – Demo Version


For more information and tour dates, visit his official website

March 17, 2015 (Toronto, ON) – With a JUNO nomination and a Canadian Country Music Association Awards win (Group or Duo of the Year) already under their belt Small Town Pistols are no strangers to the spotlight. Recognized over the past two decades for their musical prowess, this brother-sister duo has continued to push the boundaries of country music since their introduction in 1998. 

It is no surprise then that, as they prepare to release their highly anticipated sophomore album Pistology, the duo are tackling it from a whole new perspective. Its second single, “Can’t Wait To Meet You,” speaks directly to the new adventure both members are currently on – that of parenthood. Released today, this heartfelt track carries listeners through the emotional adventure of becoming a parent for the first time. 

Laying a strong foundation for this second full-length album, “Can’t Wait To Meet You” lends itself perfectly to the lesson-bearing anthems found in “My Family” and “Be Your Own Song.” However, the reintroduction of “I Only Smoke When I Drink” (a 2014 fan favourite) and the haunting lyrics of “Ghost” confirms for listeners that this award-winning duo have not been overwhelmed by their recent life changes. They continue to create music that speaks to the challenges of everyday life – desire, heartbreak and the consistent struggle of being true to yourself.

Having achieved musical success with The Wilkinsons in the late 90s (earning two Grammy nominations) and their respective solo efforts over the next decade, Small Town Pistol members Amanda and Tyler eventually reunited in Nashville (2012) to write as a duo. They quickly realized they were moving in the right direction and coined their new name in tribute to their Grandmother Ida who was always known as a ‘pistol’ for her razor sharp personality.

With a long list of tour dates on the horizon, it will be hard to miss Small Town Pistols in 2015. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for upcoming announcements throughout the spring.

@SmTownPistols | facebook.com/SmallTownPistols YouTube.com/SmallTownPistols

Lewis & Leigh are delighted to announce the release of their second EP, Missing Years​. They’ve teamed up once again with Matt Ingram & Dan Cox at Urchin Studios - the team behind Laura Marling’s forthcoming ​album, Short Movie​. The EP showcases a darker side to the duo’s work and features a take on Coldplay’s ‘Spies.’ 

The roots of Lewis & Leigh stretch from the Deep South all the way over to the Welsh coast​. Drawing on the rich heritage of these two musical hotbeds, Al Lewis ​and Alva Leigh create a unique blend of Celtic folk and Americana​. In early 2014, Al & Alva began writing songs together with no plan in mind. They quickly bonded over their love of Whiskeytown, Gillian Welch, and The Band. Within weeks, these Americana-tinged folk songs tumbled out to form a life of their own, and suddenly Lewis & Leigh ​was born. "What Is There To Do," the lead single from their debut EP Night Drives spent four weeks on the BBC Radio 2 playlist. In July they opened for Grammy-nominated songwriter John Fullbright​. This year they’ve already been busy, performing at the Celtic Connections Festival ​in Glasgow. They also sold out Camden’s famous folk/roots club Green Note​. In March, Lewis & Leigh performed at The O2 as part of Country 2 Country​, Europe’s largest country music showcase. 

Watch the video for their song "Devil's in the Detail," which was filmed at an old mansion in Suffolk using just the duo's iPhones and the 8mm app: https://youtu.be/bgMWNCQE9ZY

For more information visit their official website

LOST HIGHWAY--a weekend-long Motorcycle, Camping and  Music, destination festival--will be held Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 at San Manuel Amphitheater with camping at the picturesque Glen Helen Regional Park (adjacent to the venue) in San Bernardino, CA. LOST HIGHWAY will feature live performances on multiple stages from country and rock heavyweights. The weekend will feature performances from Toby Keith on his Good Times & Pick Up Lines tour presented by Ford F-Series with Eli Young Band and more on the festival’s Country Stage. In the rock realm, Social Distortion, Reverend Horton Heat, Lucero, Lindi Oretga and others will play live on the Quaid Harley-Davidson Stage. Early Bird Festival GA tickets are available for as little as $19.50 and will be on sale this Friday, March 20 through Ticketmaster; all the info is at www.LostHighwayFest.com. Watch the LOST HIGHWAY festival trailer here: www.losthighwayfest.com/trailer  

Festival attendees are primed to experience a lot more than music at the event which is rooted in the tradition and camaraderie of a global destination for motorcycle riders, such as the world-renowned Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally™ which will celebrate its 75th anniversary this August. Friday night begins with camping check-in on the shady, lakeside campgrounds ofGlen Helen Regional Park and the official LOST HIGHWAY kick-off party for those that purchase weekend Camping or VIP packages. On Saturday, San Manuel Amphitheater will open at 1pm and feature a full day of live music plus a motorcycle show and expo showcasing old and new school bikes, UKNOWN Industries’ team of riders and their freestyle Harley-Davidson riding demos, and a stunning freestyle Motorcross show, with visual thrills around every corner for attendees. Other fun happenings will include the House of Kolor’s helmet art show featuring custom-painted motorcycle helmets. The art show will be hosted by world-renowned motorcycle painter Taylor Schultz which will feature eight celebrated painters fromCalifornia and around the world.