Willie Nelson News

From Willie Nelson to Scooby Doo with a little bit of the Grateful Dead, Dr Phillips has something for every one!

It was a night that celebrated the best in Country Music through riveting performances, heartfelt speeches and poignant tributes at “The 53rd Annual CMA Awards.”

'The 53rd Annual CMA Awards,' hosted by Carrie Underwood and special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, kicks off with a star-studded red carpet before the live show from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Country Music's Biggest Night broadcasts LIVE TONIGHT, Wednesday, Nov. 13 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC.

a?oeThe 53rd Annual CMA Awardsa?? has announced additional performers and presenters to its previously announced lineup. Joe Walsh joins Dierks Bentley alongside Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson and John Osborne for a special performance honoring Kris Kristofferson, the 2019 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the initial lineup for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “For over 30 years, one of the major factors that has built and sustained MerleFest has been the quality of the artists and performances that our guests see over the 4-day festival,” says Ted Hagaman, Festival Director. “People truly feel that the festival is a great value and that is why music fans and families return year after year. We feel that the 2020 lineup again reflects the diversity and quality of performers, and we look forward to another successful festival in April.” The complete lineup for MerleFest 2020 will be announced over the next few months. 

Nashville recording artist LynnMarie brings her latest solo work as a a?oeBest Ofa?? performance to the United Solo Theatre Festival. There's an Accordion in My Closet is the follow-up work to her award-winning play Wrap Your Heart Around It, which was awarded a?oeBest New Productiona?? in 2013.

Who would guess that what has been described as a sleepy little cowtown is actually a hotbed of young musical talent? The latest to join Sacramento's rank of up-and-coming people-to-watch is Sam C. Jones, a transplant from Virginia who landed on the west coast in 2016 and has quickly made a name for himself in the world of local professional theatre. He has recently returned to his passion of songwriting and will be releasing an album of original work later this winter. Broadway World Sacramento spoke to Sam about the King, country music, and what gets his creative juices flowing.

King Center has announced nine new shows for its 2020 season. See the new lineup below:

Women in Country Music will unite for a historic, not-to-be-missed opening performance at a?oeThe 53rd Annual CMA Awards.a?? The groundbreaking number led by Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton will also feature Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Crystal Gayle, The Highwomen (comprised of Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires), Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Tanya Tucker and Gretchen Wilson, each performing iconic Country songs for a monumental decades-spanning medley never before seen. 

Acclaimed singer, film and Broadway actress CHARLEENE CLOSSHEY rings in the festive season November 1 with the release of her holiday album Christmas Time is Here. The album features her debut radio single 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,' which landed on the 2018 Mediabase Hot AC Chart peaking at #18 its first week alongside classics by Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby and contemporary artists Mariah Carey, John Legend, Lady Gaga, and Sia. This year, a remixed/remastered version of the single hits holiday airwaves again, kicking off Closshey's Christmas album.

W'ALL Austin, a brand new nonprofit art park, music installation and cultural project for social good, gears up for an official public launch during this year's East Austin Studio Tour. The launch events, entitled a?oeE.A.S.T. Sounds,a?? will take place Saturday, Nov. 16, with a second event the following Saturday, Nov. 23 from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. each day. Located at Mosaic Sound Collective, an East Austin hub of affordable resources and services for creatives, W'ALL Austin connects music lovers, musicians and the community to celebrate and create art while fighting for social justice.

Chris Stapleton's “Second One To Know” official music video—created in collaboration with The LEGO Group—is premiering today.

You won't believe your eyes and ears! Singer, songwriter and John Denver tribute artist Ted Vigil brings his a?oeRocky Mountain Christmasa?? performance to the Capitol Center for the Arts (Concord, NH) for one night only on Saturday, December 21 at 8PM.

The Country Music Association has revealed its 2019 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient—iconic Country Music star, Kris Kristofferson.

Iconic singer, songwriter, author and activist Judy Collins, the 2019 recipient of the Joe's Pub Vanguard Award & Residency, continues her takeover with an eight-night run, November 18-27, celebrating her latest album Winter Stories. A collaboration with critically acclaimed Norwegian folk artist Jonas Fjeld, and masterful bluegrass band Chatham County Line, Winter Stories is a collection of songs that capture the sounds and feeling of the winter season.

Drew and Ellie Holcomb are thrilled to announce that they're hitting the road together again in 2020! The You and Me Tour: An Evening with Drew & Ellie Holcomb kicks off on January 24th at Dallas' Kessler Theatre and brings a special evening of music to folks across the US before wrapping up in late February in Chicago. Tickets are on-sale to the public starting on Friday, November 8th with pre-sales happening this week.

Actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth is set to present at the a?oeThe 53rd Annual CMA Awards.a?? Country Music's Biggest Night, hosted by Carrie Underwood with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, airs live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8/7c on the ABC Television Network. 

As music fans around the world get ready to celebrate Country Music's Biggest Night, ABC airs its 11th annual pre-CMA Awards special. Hosted by ABC News' Robin Roberts, a?oeDolly Parton: Here She Comes Again!a?? airs TUESDAY, NOV. 12 (10:00a?"11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC.  

The Orleans Hotel and Casino will bring highly-acclaimed entertainers to The Orleans Showroom in December, including renowned singer Engelbert Humperdinck, Family-Friendly Rodeo Viewing Parties, the holiday show a?oeMerry Christmas Darling: A Carpenters' Christmas,a?? swing revival group Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and funk band Con Funk Shun. December entertainment will also feature free live entertainment at Bourbon Street Lounge and Bailiwick All American Pub + Eatery throughout the month.

Award winning cabaret singer Lucille Carr-Kaffashan recently did a run of shows at Don't Tell Mama in which she looked at the works of some of rock and roll's great male singer songwriters.