George Jones, News

Mound Valley, Kansas  nativeand Traditional Country music performer and James Wesley, was recognized by Labette Community College, in Parsons, KS, during the 22nd Annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, November 1st and presented the William and Allene Guthrie Van Meter Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award by President Mark Watkins. The award recognized his achievements, service and many contributions to the music industry. The award is named in memory of the Van Meters for their generous estate gift that funded renovationof Thiebaud Theatre at LCC. 

Steve Poltz has been described as a?oequite possibly the most talented and engaging solo performer on this planeta?? by Front Porch Music. The alternative folk singer, songwriter and all-around  free spirit has enjoyed a colorful career since striking out with San Diego cowpunk cult favorites the Rugburns in the early '90s. Along the way, the Canadian-American co-wrote Jewel's 1995 hit 'You Were Meant for Me,' and made a short major-label run of his own. Multi-platinum a?oemystery mana?? Jack Tempchin of Eagles songwriting fame, opens the show.  Poltz and company will take command of the Poway Stage on Saturday, November 2 starting at 8 p.m.

Adult-contemporary country singer, and Minnesota-native Debbie Anthony has released her sophomore album, More To Be Said. Produced by fast-rising studio ace Gena Johnson (Ben Folds, Dave Cobb: Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Kacey Musgraves, John Prine), who also provides backing vocals on many of the tracks, More To Be Said is available at Apple Music, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify, Pandora, and via her YouTube channel.

Louise Mandrell has been waiting for this week for, well, 30 years. Playing Favorites, her first album in as many years, will be released by Time Life this Friday, October 4, 2019. To celebrate the 15-song collection, she will perform on the Opry Country Classics show at the Ryman Auditorium this Thursday, October 3 and will perform “Night Life” from the album on “Huckabee” Friday night. That episode will air on TBN this Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Singer-songwriter Alexa Ray Joel will return to the Café Carlyle for her seventh engagement, October 1-5. Reviewing a previous residency at the legendary cabaret, The New York Times called Joel, daughter of music legend Billy Joel and supermodel Christie Brinkley, a?oea singer following her own heart.a?? Joel, who recently exuded characteristic warmth, humor, and musicality in the 2018 documentary Always at the Carlyle, will sing a mix of original songs, Broadway numbers anda?"alwaysa?"a tune from her dad and one from Ray Charles. a?oePeople don't know this, but my middle name is after my dad's favorite singer, Ray Charles, so I always pay homage,a?? she explains.

Billy Ray Cyrus, who was just announced as a two-time 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards nominee, will return to his roots tonight when he performs his multi-platinum-selling legendary hit, “Some Gave All,” on NBC's hit summer series “America's Got Talent” with Voices of Service, a Northern Virginia quartet comprised of active and retired U.S. veterans.

Grammy®, AMA, ACM and CMA award winning country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member Crystal Gayle released her first new album in nearly 16 years today; You Don't Know Me which includes the first ever recording with her sister, the legendary Loretta Lynn. Available everywhere, the new album is released by Southpaw Musical Productions, and distributed by BFD in partnership with The Orchard.

Celebrated R&B artist Bettye LaVette will make a momentous return to the Café Carlyle, October 10-12, showcasing her inimitable style and gut wrenching vocals. LaVette is an interpreter of the highest order. Whether the song originated as country, rock, pop, or blues, when she gets through with it, it is pure R&B. She gets inside a song and shapes and twists it to convey all of the emotion that can be wrought from the lyric. To quote the late, great George Jones: 'Bettye is truly a 'singer's singer.''

International recording artist Tami makes her NYC debut. Her music is a like a riveting mystery novel you can't put down. With each song she sings, she reveals another clue to her soul. Wrapped in her voice is the sweetness and twang of country. The sorrow and guts of rhythm and blues. And the hope and reverence of gospel. When sewn together, Tami is a portrait of strength---a strong woman with a story that needs to be told.

BRIC is pleased to announce a free concert by iconic R&B songstress Bettye LaVette on Saturday, October 19 at 3PM, co-presented by Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) at The Plaza at 300 Ashland, to kick off the 2019 BRIC JazzFest. The announcement completes the programming for the fifth edition of the celebrated Brooklyn jazz festival, which continues the 41st season for the pioneering NYC arts-and-media organization and leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn. The Festival takes place over the course of a week (October 19-26) and continues to be what the New Yorker calls a a?oeproudly eclectic gathering [that] remains unbounded by convention.a?? This year's edition will feature concerts, film, poetry, and conversation, culminating in a three-day music marathon, with performances taking place simultaneously in the various spaces comprising BRIC House (647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn).

Two-time CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Janie Fricke announces Real Gone Music release of 'It Ain't Easy: The Complete Hits', available now. This 41-track, 2 CD compilation spans from 1977 to 1989, including not just her solo smashes such as 'What're You Doing Tonight,' 'It Ain't Easy Being Easy,' 'He's A Heartache (Looking For A Place To Happen),' and 'Tell Me A Lie,' but also her chart-topping duets with Charlie Rich (“On My Knees”), Merle Haggard (“A Place to Fall Apart”), Larry Gatlin ('From Time To Time') and Johnny Duncan ('Come A Little Bit Closer'). As an added bonus, Janie penned the liner notes, which are accompanied by previously unseen photos and she autographed 100 booklets for fans who order 'It Ain't Easy: The Complete Hits' through Real Gone Music.

Grammy® award winning country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member Crystal Gayle released 'Ribbon Of Darkness' digitally today, kicking off the pre-sale for her forthcoming, first new album in nearly 16 years, You Don't Know Me. Available everywhere Sept. 6th from Southpaw Musical Productions/BFD/The Orchard, the new music finds the acclaimed stylist exploring songs written or recorded by such country legends as Dolly Parton, Marty Robbins, Willie Nelson, Buck Owens, George Jones and Hank Williams. The album was co-produced, recorded and mixed by Crystal's son, Christos Gatzimos.

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Ron Pope announces a string of U.S. tour dates, kicking off January 10, 2020 inNashville; purchase tickets HERE. You can find a complete list of dates below. Pope's new LP, Bone Structure, will be released next spring via his own Brooklyn Basement Records. He has released two singles from the forthcoming record thus far, “Take The Edge Off” and “Practice What I Preach,” which premiered via The Boot. 

Two-time CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Janie Fricke announces the release of 'It Ain't Easy: The Complete Hits' through Real Gone Music on August 9. This 41-track, 2 CD compilation includes many of her 18 number one hits including 'What're You Doing Tonight,' 'It Ain't Easy Being Easy,' 'He's A Heartache (Looking For A Place To Happen),' 'Tell Me A Lie' and more. All forty-one songs released on 'It Ain't Easy: The Complete Hits' will be available at Amazon.com. Also included are popular duets with Johnny Duncan, Merle Haggard, Charlie Rich, George Jones and Larry Gatlin.

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Ron Pope debuts new tracks “Take The Edge Off” and “Practice What I Preach” via The Boot; read the piece HERE. He also confirms his new LP,Bone Structure, will be released next spring via Brooklyn Basement Records

One of the most talked about singers in Nashville today, Tony Jackson, will return to perform at the Grand Ole Opry on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 7 p.m. CST. 

Grammy® award winning country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member Crystal Gayle is delighted to announce the release of her first new album in nearly 16 years, You Don't Know Me. Available everywhere September 6, with a pre-sale beginning August 9, the new album is being released by Southpaw Musical Productions, and distributed by BFD in partnership with The Orchard.

American Songwriter describes Eilen Jewell as “one of America's most intriguing, creative and idiosyncratic voices.” That singular voice springs forth from a woman of more than one mind, and she taps into many of them on Gypsy, due out August 16, 2019 on Signature Sounds.

Lisa Matassa, known in the 80s as hitmaking freestyle dance star Lysa Lynn, returned to her roots of Country music in the mid 2010's and recorded an album of solo material as well as an album of duets with legendary country music artists such as Eddy Raven, The Bellamy Brothers, Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, Marty Raybon of Shenandoah and more. Having shared the stage with Dierks Bentley, Leann Rimes, Eric Church, Ronnie Dunn and most recently Lee Brice, Matassa continues to write songs and finds joy in the process of making music.

Outback Concerts and University of Illinois Springfield proudly announce: A Very Special Evening with VINCE GILL on Sunday, October 20 at 7:30 PM at Sangamon Auditorium.