Music News Archives

The 23rd annual Key West Songwriters Festival on May 9–13 in Florida will feature some of country music’s most talented singer/songwriters, including LANCO, Tyler Farr, Robert Earl Keen, Wade Bowen, Bruce Robison, Ashley McBryde and more. To help further the rebuilding effort due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in September 2017, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, Morgan Wallen, RaeLynn and more will headline the Keys Strong Hurricane Relief concert during the Key West Songwriters Festival on May 9. “We believe that music is healing and are beyond blessed to bring our Nashville community to Key West in support of the relief efforts,” says Brian Kelley. “Spreading the love to a place that first welcomed us and our music completes the circle in a way. We’re looking forward to being back.”

Chris Stapleton will return for his second official appearance at the annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival south of Nashville this fall. The multi-genre music event takes place September 22nd and 23rd at the Park at Harlinsdale horse farm in Franklin, Tennessee. Stapleton played the inaugural Pilgrimage Festival in 2015, and this year Jack White and Lionel Richie will co-headline. Ticket options for the 2018 fest include a two-day Pilgrimage pass or the two-day VIP Village pass, with on-site parking passes also available. Children 10 and under get in free when accompanied by an adult Pilgrimage Pass. Passes go on sale Friday, March 30th at 10:00  and details can be found at the Pilgrimage Festival website here 

Scotty McCreery has reached the top slot on the album charts with Seasons Change.  The album came out on March 23 and has sold more than 40,000 copies, which has sent McCreery to the top of Billboard’s Country Albums Chart.  “It’s been quite a journey these last few years, and to learn that Seasons Change has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart is awesome and so gratifying,” said McCreery.  Fans can hear McCreery’s new music live, as the singer plans to tour for the next couple months. More information can be found on McCreery’s website.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood announced on Tuesday, March 27th that three country legends are being added to the Country Music Hall of Fame‘s famous rotunda.  Ricky Skaggs, Dottie West and Johnny Gimble were announced as the 2018 inductees. Ricky Skaggs was named as the Modern Era Artist inductee for his incredible career achievements in both country music and bluegrass. He played alongside Vince Gill and Jerry Douglas before joining Emmylou Harris’ band in the late 1970s. His solo country career took off in the 1980s, earning him 12 No. 1 hits. Veterans era artist inductee Dottie West, a close friend of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, paved the way for many other female country artists. She recorded multiple hit duets with Kenny Rogers but also found solo success in the 1980s, including her No. 1 hit “A Lesson in Leavin’.” She tragically passed away at just 58 in a car crash while on her way to the Grand Ole Opry in 1991. Texas native and legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble was selected as the Recording and/or Touring Musician nominee. Gimble was a longtime member of Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys but also toured alongside Merle Haggard, George Strait and Marty Robbins. All three artists will be inducted in a private medallion ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year.

Luke Bryan’s second single from his sixth studio album, What Makes You Country just made it to No. 1.  The single “Most People Are Good,” has flown up the charts and earned Bryan his 20th No. 1 hit. This week, Bryan’s track moved quickly from the No. 3 spot up to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, ahead of Devin Dawson’s “All On Me” and Thomas Rhett’s “Marry Me.” Bryan also holds the top spot on the Mediabase Country chart. Bryan is particularly proud that this song earned him his 20th No. 1. “I think that ‘Most People Are Good‘ might be one of the best songs I’ve ever recorded,” Bryan stated in a press release. “I think it’s a song that truly helps people believe in people again.”