Tanya Tucker News

As noted in USA TODAY, the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's IS Texas. It's the home of big-name concerts, bull riding and chicken fried steak with a reputation as gigantic as the state itself...a with a new dance floor, Billy Bob's Texas fans will be two-stepping throughout the month of August with top name entertainers gracing its historic stage.

In 1998, in partnership with Smith Music Group, led by Rick Smith, Sr., Billy Bob's Texas began recording live performances from select artists taking the stage of the award-winning nightclub to be part of their Live at Billy Bob's Texas series. The series launched with back to back recordings of Pat Green and Merle Haggard. Now, in 2018, the famed series is celebrating its 20th Anniversary.

Are you ready for some great country fun? The Las Cruces Country Music Festival, New Mexico's largest country music festival, is back this fall for another weekend of legendary country music October 19-21, 2018.

Since opening on April 1, 1981, with a kick-off week of concerts that featured Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Willie Nelson, Janie Fricke, and Waylon Jennings, Billy Bob's Texas has been named the Academy of Country Music's “Nightclub of the Year” ten-times. Now, in 2018, the concerts continue in June with performances by many Texas favorites and some of Country music's finest artists.

The producers of Tennessee Whiskey the Musical, are opening up a national talent search to cast the role of the King of Country, George Strait for their upcoming production of Tennessee Whiskey the Musical, the story of Dean Dillon. To kick-off the search, they are launching a virtual audition process where interested performers can post a video singing and playing a George Strait/Dean Dillon song. These videos will be seen by the show's casting team and it could earn them a chance for a callback at one of the show's National auditions taking place in New York, Nashville and Las Vegas in the summer of 2018.*

Charley Crockett is featured on this week's episode of 'Walking The Floor with Chris Shiflett.' Listen to the full interview HERE. Of Crockett and the episode, Rolling Stonepraises, 'Charley Crockett has become the king of his own wild frontier...the conversation traces his path from the cotton fields of south Texas to the stages of theaters across the country. Along the way, Crockett and podcast host Chris Shiflett geek out over Memphis' musical history, Texas' independent spirit and the thrill of chasing down your own unique horizon.'

Country Music Hall of Fame' s Dean Dillon will give an exclusive, invite-only concert at Times Square's Opry City Stage New York City (1604 Broadway, between 48 & 49 Street) on Saturday, May 12 at 7pm (Doors open at 6:30pm). This concert will celebrate the launch of the new musical Tennessee Whiskey The Musical written by Dewey Moss and featuring the songs of Dean Dillon. Tickets are FREE with limited seats being offered to the public. For more information about the exclusive concert and the musical, please visit TennesseeWhiskeytheMusical.com.

Country Music Hall of Fame' s Dean Dillon will give an exclusive, invite-only concert at Times Square's Opry City Stage New York City (1604 Broadway, between 48 & 49 Street) on Saturday, May 12 at 7pm (Doors open at 6:30pm). This concert will celebrate the launch of the new musical Tennessee WhiskeyThe Musical written by Dewey Moss and featuring the songs of Dean Dillon. Tickets are FREE with limited seats being offered to the public. For more information about the exclusive concert and the musical, please visitTennesseeWhiskeytheMusical.com.

Charley Crockett's anticipated new album, Lonesome As A Shadow, is now streaming in full at Cowboys & Indians. Of the album, Cowboys & Indians praises, “… a captivating blend of Memphis soul, Cajun blues, and Texas country.”  

#CMASongwritersSeries presented by @USBank kicks off #CMAfest Wed, June 6 at @CMATheater featuring Mary Chapin Carpenter (@M_CCarpenter), Vince Gill (@VGcom), @MacMcAnally & Don Schlitz (@don4adollar)! Tix, starting at $20, go on sale Wed, Apr 11 at 11 AM|CT on CMAtheater.com.

Charley Crockett's new single, “Ain't Gotta Worry Child,” premieres today at Billboard,who calls the song, “a soulful track that calls to mind Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions…” Watch the video/share HERE.

The official video for Charley Crockett's new single, “Lil' Girl's Name” recently premiered at Clash Music, who praises, “…it's Americana from the old school, with his yelpin' voice set against twangin' guitars and lyrics that reach towards the universal.” Watch/share HERE. Shot while on tour in London at Texas Joe's BBQ, the video was co-directed by Ray Lewis and Texas Joe himself and features Crockett with his touring band. 

Charley Crockett's new song, “Lil' Girl's Name” recently premiered at No Depression, who calls it an, “…infectious rockabilly scorcher…” and goes on to declare, “'Lil' Girl's Name' gets you moving; it's so much fun to dance to this song that you're disappointed when the music fades out.” Listen/share HERE.

LA based The Launchpad Group partners with writer/producer Dewey Moss of DMoss Productions andWildcatters Network to bring the story of Dean Dillon and his music to the stage in the new jukebox musical, Tennessee Whiskey The Musical. Dates, theatre and cast TBA.

Charley Crockett's anticipated new full-length album, Lonesome As A Shadow, will be released April 20 and is now available for pre-order. In advance of the release, the album's first single, 'I Wanna Cry,' recently premiered at Rolling Stone who describes it as, '...a more soulful side of the traditional roots-based sound that Crockett first honed as a street performer in New Orleans.' Listen/share HERE.

Mickey Lamantia Featured in Rolling Stone Country, Releases EVERY BAD HABIT

Family, friends, fans and music industry colleagues of the late Mel Tillis gathered at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, January 31, to honor the legendary singer who passed away last November.  

Billy Yates' Hit Songwriters in the Round will debut April 6, 2018 at the Americana Theatre on the famed 76 Country Music Boulevard strip in Branson. The first three shows will feature two of Nashville's most gifted songwriters, those being Kerry Kurt Phillips, whose songwriting credits include: 'Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)' (Joe Diffie), 'Down On The Farm' (Tim McGraw), and 'She Let Herself Go' (George Strait), along with Wynn Varble, star of the hit TV series, Joey and Rory, whose songwriting credits include: 'Have You Forgotten' (Darryl Worley), 'Waitin' On A Woman' (Brad Paisley), and 'A Little More Country Than That' (Easton Corbin).

Make the Harris Center your home for the holidays nowhere else in the region is there such a rich mix of holiday fare under one roof!

McAninch Arts Center (MAC) located at 425 Fawell Blvd. on the campus of College of DuPage presents LIV ON: Olivia Newton-John, Beth Nielsen Chapman & Amy Sky, Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. International superstar and multiple Grammy Award-winner Olivia Newton-John, Grammy nominee Beth Nielsen Chapman and SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) Award-winner Amy Sky lend their vocal and songwriting talents to LIV ON, an inspiring new project that grew from the trio's personal experiences of triumph over adversity.