Charles Esten News

Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, hosted the20th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration Presented by Pepsi at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum this pastFriday night (May 31), raising $330,000, the most funds raised at a MOC event in Nashville to date. This exclusive concert celebrated the organization's 20th anniversary of delivering the healing power of music and featured a live performance by headlinerBlake Shelton and Cale Dodds.

Legendary country superstar Randy Travis will make a special appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage Saturday, May 4 to celebrate his 60th birthday. The Opry's flagship radio station 650 AM-WSM and its digital counterpart have named Travis their Artist of the Month and will mark the Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member's 60th with a week of special promotions and programming, including Travis' Opry birthday appearance, beginning Monday, April 29. Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith and Braving the Storms of Life will be released on May 14 and is available for preorder now at foreverandeveramenbook.com.

Lionsgate and Producer Scott Delman (President, Blue Spruce Productions) announced today that the beloved Lionsgate and ABC Studios television series Nashville, a hit for six seasons on ABC, CMT and Hulu, is being adapted as a Broadway musical. Delman, a 10-time Tony Award® winner who will serve as lead producer, has acquired the live theatrical rights from Lionsgate and ABC Studios, which co-produced and distributed the television show.  Additional information, including production dates and the complete creative team, will be announced shortly.

The Country Music Association has revealed the initial artist lineup for this year's CMA Fest, which features hundreds of Country Music artists performing on multiple stages throughout downtown Nashville Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9. CMA Fest is a one-of-a-kind festival with artists donating their time to perform so a portion of ticket proceeds can directly benefit high-quality music programs across the country through the CMA Foundation. A limited number of four-day passes for the nightly performances at Nissan Stadium are still available at CMAfest.com or through the CMA Box Office at 1-800-CMA-FEST.  

Breakout Warner Music Nashville/Warner Bros. Records Country artist MORGAN EVANS is toasting yet another career highlight today with the release of his brand new album Things That We Drink To.

Country groups Home Free and Sixwire have signed on to join a star-studded lineup of artists for the Alabama & Friends #JSUStrongtornado relief concert benefiting Jacksonville State University (JSU).

Park City Institute Executive Director Teri Orr, announced the approval of City Park as the home of the six remaining 2018 St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights Concert Series, by Park City City Municipal Corp. City Council.

The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Humana® is set to celebrate its 93rd birthday with an annual Birthday Bash and a special birthday concert by Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member Charley Pride at 3 PM Sat., Oct. 13 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN. The Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient made his Opry debut in 1967, charted 36 No. 1 singles, sold over 70 million records, and this year marks his 25th Anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member. Concert tickets go on sale July 20 at 10:00 am at (615) 871-OPRY and opry.com.

VIDEO: Watch Promo For All New Upcoming NASHVILLE

David McCormick, owner of Ernest Tubb Record Shop, was recently honored for the 50th anniversary of his ownership.

The second annual Dance Party to End Alz was held on Sunday, June 3 at Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon. Hosted by Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Blair Garner, the sold-out event raised more than $340,000 for Alzheimer's Association care, support and research programs.

Having recently wrapped the quarter with its highest ratings in four years, CMT today unveiled its summer programming slate of new and returning original series and music events, including new series 'Bachelorette Weekend' from SallyAnn Salsano and 495 Productions, producers of 'Jersey Shore' and 'Party Down South,' the final episodes of the landmark series 'Nashville' and a new season of 'Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making The Team.'

Having recently wrapped the quarter with its highest ratings in four years, CMT today unveiled its summer programming slate of new and returning original series and music events, including new series “Bachelorette Weekend” from SallyAnn Salsano and 495 Productions, producers of “Jersey Shore” and “Party Down South,” the final episodes of the landmark series “Nashville” and a new season of “Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making The Team.”

On the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day, PBS' multi award-winning NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT welcomes THE VOICE Season 14 finalist Spensha Baker, to open the show with a special performance of the “National Anthem,” honoring the service and sacrifice of all our men and women in uniform, their families at home and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.   A 29-year tradition unlike anything else on television, America's national night of remembrance takes us back to the real meaning of the holiday through personal stories interwoven with musical performances.

On the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day, PBS' multi award-winning NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT returns live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winnerGary Sinise.  The 29th annual broadcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERTairs live on PBS Sunday, May 27, 2018, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m., before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.