Tim McGRaw News

In celebration of “The 52nd Annual CMA Awards,” Country Music's Biggest Night, ABC is set to air its 10th annual pre-CMA Awards Special, “Country Music's Biggest Stars: In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts,” Sunday, Nov. 11 from 9:00-10:00 PM/CT on The ABC Television Network. 

Singer-songwriter, actress and producer Rita Wilson makes her return to Cafe Carlyle, October 16-20 with Rita Wilson: Liner Notes.

CMT today revealed an all-star tribute to country legend and 2018 “Artist of a Lifetime” Award recipient, Loretta Lynn, featuring Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley and Martina McBride. The trio will perform LIVE from Nashville at the 9th annual “2018 CMT Artists of the Year” special on Wednesday, October 17 at 8:00pm ET/PT. Some of music's biggest stars are set to present at the event, including Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Smokey Robinson, singer-songwriter Elle King, Hillary Scott, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, along with a special introduction by platinum-selling artist, Trisha Yearwood. They all join previously announced presenter Sissy Spacek.

Singer-songwriter, actress and producer Rita Wilson makes her return to Cafe Carlyle, October 16-20 with Rita Wilson: Liner Notes. Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote of her debut residency: '[If you] closed your eyes at certain moments you could imagine you were cruising down a Southern California highway in the early 1970s. Sandwiched between the music of Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne on the car radio was a promising new voice whose sound fit right in with theirs.' Rita Wilson's forthcoming residency will go 'behind the music' to discover stories leading to songs that have become the soundtrack to so many lives. The performances will include friends who just happen to have written some of the most memorable songs of this century and last - for fascinating revelations about how their creations came to be.

Closing out a banner 2018, legendary British rock 'n' roll icons and 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® nominees Def Leppard reveal a string of upcoming releases. The group assemble a brand new greatest hits collection entitled The Story So Far - The Best Of, arriving in stores and online November 30, 2018. It will be available in multiple configurations: a 2-CD set comprised of 35 tracks, 1-CD comprised of 17 tracks, 2LP vinyl, and digital. Among a blockbuster tracklisting loaded with timeless smashes, all four versions feature three new songs, including the official recording of the band's recent fan favorite Depeche Mode cover 'Personal Jesus,' 'Rock On (Remix),' and the original holiday song 'We All Need Christmas.' As a bonus for collectors, the first pressing vinyl copies of The Story So Far feature an exclusive 7' single of 'Personal Jesus' and 'We All Need Christmas.' See full tracklisting below.

CBS today announced an all-star lineup of Drew Barrymore, RuPaul Charles, James Corden and Faith Hill for THE WORLD'S BEST, a new global talent competition series from two of the most prolific unscripted producers in television, Mike Darnell (“American Idol” and “Ellen's Game of Games”) and Mark Burnett (SURVIVOR, “The Voice”).

Fans who follow Country Music Hall of FamerCharlie Daniels online may have noticed what appears to be a serious infestation of boll weevil bugs on his social media accounts and website. As it turns out, those critters aren't boll weevils at all. They're actually, 'Beau Weevils,' and are a nod to Daniels' upcoming studio album, Beau Weevils - Songs in the Key of E, set for release on Friday, October 26.

To continue this year's celebration of women, CMT has added seven new powerhouse performances to the “2018 CMT Artists of the Year” lineup: Carrie Underwood with CMT Next Women of Country and tour mates Maddie & Tae and Runaway June; Miranda Lambert and Pistol Annies; Kelsea Ballerini with Alison Krauss; Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman with soul legend Gladys Knight; and Hillary Scott with singer-songwriter Tori Kelly and Grammy-award winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin. In addition, honoree Maren Morris will join forces with Brandi Carlile for a powerful tribute to late icon Aretha Franklin. The 9th annual special premieres LIVE from Nashville on Wednesday, October 17 at 8:00pm ET/PT, only on CMT.

In a year of celebrating the achievements of women in country music, CMT today announced that Loretta Lynn will be honored with the “Artist of a Lifetime” award presented by Ram Trucks at this year's all-female “CMT Artists of the Year” event premiering live Wednesday, October 17 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. Academy Award winner and “Coal Miner's Daughter” actress Sissy Spacek will bestow the award to Lynn, who joins previous recipients of the honor including Shania Twain (2016), Kenny Rogers (2015), and Merle Haggard (2014).

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).

As the kick-off to this year's highly anticipated “2018 American Music Awards,” chart-topping artists Kane Brown and Ella Mai, singer and American Music Award winner Normani and award winning singer/songwriter Bebe Rexha today announced the nominations LIVE from YouTube Space LA.  The event was livestreamed on the official American Music Awards YouTube channel (YouTube.com/TheAMAs) and included a panel discussion about the nominations with the presenting talent and Billboard correspondent Chelsea Briggs. Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the “2018 American Music Awards” will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 9 at 8:00pm ET on ABC. 

In recognition of the undeniable influence and impact of female artists in country music, CMT today announced that for the first-time ever the annual “CMT Artists of the Year” special is dedicated to the women of country music—past, present and future. This year's all-female “Artists of the Year” celebration will honor CarrieUnderwood, Miranda Lambert, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, and Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott. The 90-minute special will premiere on Wednesday, October 17 at 8:00 PM, ET/PT only on CMT.

Emmy-nominated daytime talk show “Pickler & Ben” returns for its second season on September 17th. The show is quickly becoming a household name and will be distributed in 175 markets – a 483% increase over the 30 markets at the launch of season one. (View the complete and most up-to-date list of markets where “Pickler & Ben” airs here.)

Fox Stage Productions and Kevin McCollum have announced the creative team for the new Broadway-bound musical MRS. DOUBTFIRE. Four-time Tony Award Winner Jerry Zaks, (most recently represented on Broadway by the hit revival of Hello, Dolly!) will direct, joined by Tony Award Nominees (for Something Rotten!) John O'Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick (book) and Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick (music and lyrics).

The Country Music Association's critically acclaimed CMA Songwriters Series Presented by U.S. Bank announces a performance at The Heights Theater in Houston Monday, Sept. 17 at 7:00 PM featuring Josh Kerr, Maddie & Tae and Jon Nite. Maddie & Tae's Maddie Marlow (from Sugarland, TX) and Tae Dye have a strong connection to Texas, with the two first meeting during a music showcase in Dallas prior to becoming a Platinum-selling duo, while Nite was born in Amarillo, TX. Tickets for the performance cost $25 and are on sale now at CMAsongwritersseries.com.

GRAMMY® Award-nominated, platinum-certified country hit maker Cassadee Pope debuts her latest single today, “One More Red Light,” co-written by Pope, Kelly Archer and Emily Shackleton. The infectious up-tempo track, which sees Pope in rare vocal form, marks the second song from Cassadee's forthcoming release.  Its first single, “Take You Home,” amassed more than 8 million streams.  

Singer-songwriter, actress and producer Rita Wilson makes her return to Cafe Carlyle, October 16-20 with Rita Wilson: Liner Notes. Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote of her debut residency: '[If you] closed your eyes at certain moments you could imagine you were cruising down a Southern California highway in the early 1970s. Sandwiched between the music of Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne on the car radio was a promising new voice whose sound fit right in with theirs.' Rita Wilson's forthcoming residency will go 'behind the music' to discover stories leading to songs that have become the soundtrack to so many lives. The performances will include friends who just happen to have written some of the most memorable songs of this century and last - for fascinating revelations about how their creations came to be.

The following acts are performing at City Winery Chicago (1200 W. Randolph St) throughout the month.

The Country Music Association visited Chicago yesterday, Tuesday, July 24, with Illinois native Brett Eldredge and fellow songwriters Ross Copperman, Tom Douglas, Heather Morgan and Jordan Reynolds, joining the CMA Foundation and U.S. Bank to visit students at Chicago's Notes for Notes studio followed by a sold-out CMA Songwriters Series Presented by U.S. Bank performance at Joe's on Weed Street. 

More artists have been announced to perform at the Chillin' on the Lucie music festival in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Oct. 3 - 7. Uncle Kracker has joined the roster, as well as Cassadee Pope, Parmalee, Josh Gracin, Clare Dunn, Kalie Shorr, Hudson Moore and Lewis Brice. Twang and Round, Radio Romance, Julia Cole, Honey County, County Wide and Libby Switzer are also set to perform. Festival packages can be purchased here.