JON WOLFE ANNOUNCES GRAND OLD OPRY DEBUT

 

Midway through the best touring year of his career - making stops from Texas to Iowa and Tennessee to Washington - country recording artist Jon Wolfe has been invited to make his debut on the legendary Grand Ole Opry Friday, September 9, 2022. The Oklahoma native began his country music career over a decade ago, and as with most singer/songwriters, this is a moment he has dreamed of every step of the way.

“The thought of standing on the same stage as the legends that have paved the way for me to do what I do is almost beyond words for me,” says Wolfe. “From Hank Williams to George Jones to Garth Brooks and every legend in between that has sculpted Country Music, it’s hard to believe I’ll be stepping on the most historic and respected stage that they once have. I take this moment in my career with the ultimate gratitude and awe – I just hope I can make them proud! This is definitely one of those moments that I know I will remember for the rest of my life.”

From small town Oklahoma to the bustling city of commodities trading floor to the dance halls and honky-tonks of Texas to Music Row, Jon Wolfe has been known for his traditional voice and unique storytelling abilities. His current single, A Cowgirl Like You, from his highly acclaimed Dos Corazones album produced by GRAMMY nominated producer Dave Brainard, lives among the Top 5 songs across the Texas radio charts.

Tickets are now available at Opry.com.

For tour dates and to learn more about Jon Wolfe, visit jonwolfecountry.com.

LAINEY WILSON TO MAKE VALENTINE'S DAY OPRY DEBUT

Rising Country artist, Lainey Wilson, shared her Valentine’s Day plan to make her official Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday night. In the spirit of the holiday, Lainey will be spending time with her first and biggest love, Country music, and realize her dream of standing on that iconic stage.

Stepping into Country music’s hallowed circle for the first time, Lainey will fulfill an aspiration she’s had since her first visit to Nashville at the age of nine. This morning, while sharing her excitement about Friday’s debut on WSM Radio’s Coffee, Country & Cody, she recalled visiting the Opry and walking by the WSM studio, thinking how cool it would be to be on 650 AM one day. Today, she made that a reality, performing two songs on the air, which earned a text from the Grand Ole Opry’s VP/Executive Producer, Dan Rogers saying “Wow, Lainey sounds great!”

“Most little girls dream about their wedding day, walking down the aisle in a beautiful wedding dress. Well, this is the day I’ve been dreaming about my whole life—to be standing in the Grand Ole Opry circle in a pair of bell bottoms, doing what I love,” said Lainey Wilson. “Stepping into that circle is about like stepping into Country music heaven. You hear about how it’s the best feeling in the world...how it’s better than you imagined it...but you don’t really understand until you get there and experience it for yourself. So many of my influences have stood in that circle. I’m humbled and excited to feel their spirit when I step in for the first time.”

Since releasing her first single “Dirty Looks” to Country radio, things have only been heating up for the newcomer—just last week she received a roaring standing ovation in front of a sold-out crowd in Springfield, MO (and consequentially sold out all of her merch), found out she has been added to several nights with Dierks Bentley’s 90’s Country parody band, Hot Country Knights in addition to opening for Country legend Reba McEntire in April.

Currently out on the road with Justin Moore and Tracey Lawrence on their Late Nights And Longnecks Tour, Lainey’s live performances, with her guitar-wielding rock ‘n’ roll swagger and rousing dance moves has earned her slots playing hundreds of shows with greats like Randy Houser, Morgan Wallen, The Cadillac Three, Jon Pardi and more. She also recently (January 15) performed on the Bobby Bones and the Raging Idiots' Million Dollar Show, benefitting St. Jude and appeared on his popular BobbyCast podcast.
 
In the fall, Lainey released latest new EP, Redneck Hollywood. Produced by mastermind, Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Keith Urban, Little Big Town), the title of the four-track project is drawn from lyrics in the semi-autobiographical track, “LA,” which celebrates the Louisiana native’s down-home upbringing, zest for life and dreams of making it in this big world. In just four songs (all of which she co-wrote), Redneck Hollywood highlights Lainey’s depth as an artist like never before as she offers a thoughtful look into her psyche and all of its complexity. Mixing traditional Country sounds with grit, soul and just a bit of funk, Lainey has developed her own “bell bottom country” sound that reflects both her personality and her preferred fashion aesthetic.
 
Catch Lainey Wilson in concert:

2/20 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour|  Baton Rouge, LA                        
2/21 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour| Alexandria, LA                        
2/22 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Enid, OK                        
2/28 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Indianapolis, IN                         
2/29 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Cleveland, OH                        
  3/5 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Amarillo, TX                        
  3/6 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Denver, CO               
  3/7 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Kansas City, MO                       
3/19 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Atlanta, GA                        
3/20 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | St. Augustine, FL                        
3/26 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Des Moines, IA
3/27 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Cedar Rapids, IA
3/28 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Champaign, IL
  4/7 | KUZZ Presents Class of 2020 | Bakersfield, CA
  4/8 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Bismark, ND
  4/9 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Fargo, ND
4/10 | Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Minneapolis, MN
 4/11| Late Nights And Longnecks Tour | Green Bay, WI
 4/16| 2020 One Knight Stand Tour| Chicago, IL
 4/17| 2020 One Knight Stand Tour | Rosemont, IL
 4/18| 2020 One Knight Stand Tour | Royal Oak, MI
 4/26| Reba: Live in Concert 2020 | Sioux Falls, SD 
 6/12| Winstock Country Music Festival | Winsted, MN 
 6/18| Country Jam | Grand Junction, CO 
 7/10| Windy City Smokeout | Chicago, IL 
 7/11| Country Concert 2020 | Fort Loramie, OH 

Listen to Redneck Hollywood everywhere digitally now. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit her website https://laineywilson.com/

JAMES CAROTHERS TO MAKE OPRY DEBUT ON JANUARY 17, 2020

Nashville honky-tonk crooner, James Carothers, will play the Grand Ole Opry for the first time on Friday, January 17, 2020. He will perform before country icon Alan Jackson during his sets at both the 7:00 P.M., and the 9:30 P.M. shows that evening at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets available here. Carothers' debut comes on the heels of his latest album, Songs & Stories, released independently on November 22, 2019.

James was the 2018 WSM Road Show Winner, resulting in the opportunity to make his Grand Ole Opry debut opening for Jackson. He was also selected by Jackson from the crop of rising artists who play at AJ’s Good Time Bar, Jackson’s self-owned honky-tonk on downtown Nashville’s famed “Lower Broadway,” to open select dates on Jackson’s 2019 “Honky Tonk Highway” tour. 

"The Opry has been a goal of mine for the longest time, so getting to play the same night as Alan Jackson at the Ryman is the best news ever," James said. "I can't wait to see all of my family and friends there. It's just going to be a tremendous honor."

Carothers will join a cast of country legends the evening of his debut, including Jackson, Alison Krauss, Gene Watson and more to be announced.

Learn more about James at www.JamesCarothers.com.

TENILLE ARTS MAKES GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT

Photo credit: ©Grand Ole Opry / Chris Hollo

Very few dreams are as special to a Country music artist as playing the Grand Ole Opry for the first time, and that was exactly the case for Reviver Records artist Tenille Arts Saturday night. Her parents and siblings made the trip from her native Weyburn, Saskatchewan for the wonderful evening, as did much of her extended family and friends.

Opry member Jeannie Seely introduced Tenille, who walked out on the hallowed stage, entered the sacred circle and launched into her latest recording “Somebody Like That.” The Opry band then quietly left the stage, as Tenille told the story behind writing her current single “Call You Names.” With just her acoustic guitar and microphone she delivered the beautiful song that left few dry eyes in the audience.

 “I really don’t think I’m ever going to get over the pure magic of Saturday night,” said Tenille. “My Opry debut was everything I could have dreamed of and more!! Thank you to my family, my friends, my team, and my fans, who all made me feel so loved and supported, whether you were backstage, on the sidelines, or cheering me on from afar. I truly think I’m the luckiest person in the world!”

Tenille makes a Nashville appearance tomorrow night performing at noon on the main floor of Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar sponsored by The Big 98 and Tige and Daniel. Thursday, she heads to Tinley Park, IL for the Big 95.5 & Miller Lite Nashville Nights concert at 7:30 p.m. at JW Hollstein’s.

Pictured following Tenille Arts' (c.) Grand Ole Opry debut are: Grand Ole Opry member Jeannie Seely (l.) and Gina Keltner, Director of Opry Talent Scheduling and Logistics (r.)

Photo credit: ©Grand Ole Opry / Chris Hollo

Born and raised in the small prairie town of Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Tenille Arts picked up the guitar and penned her first song at age 13 and has been performing across the US and Canada ever since. She made her first appearance on The Bachelor in January 2018 singing her original song “Moment of Weakness.” The performance resulted in a record deal with powerhouse indie label Reviver Records. She made her second appearance on the show in January of this year performing “I Hate This.” The song hit #1 on both the U.S. and Canadian iTunes Country Charts and #9 U.S. iTunes all-genre following the episode.

Tenille has released an EP and a full-length album, and her music has tallied over 25 million streams. Noted music critic Tom Roland was so moved by her music that he has penned three full-page features in the Billboard Country Update. Music Row Magazine critic Robert K. Oermann called Tenille "Promising in the extreme." Streaming giant Pandora named her one of their new artists to watch, and CMT included her in their “Ten Must-See Indies You Need to Know,” a video discovery program that spotlights rising independent artists and established artists from independent labels. Rolling Stone named Tenille one of their “10 New Country Artists You Need To Know,” calling her “An edgy, Fearless-era Taylor Swift with crystalline vocals; ideal for hopeless romantics who are fire signs,” and PopCulture.com named her one of their "Country Artists to Watch in 2018."

To learn more about Tenille Arts go to www.tenillearts.com

JACOB DAVIS CELEBRATES GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT + NEW MUSIC VIDEO

Opry introduction included debut single “What I Wanna Be” + “James Brown”

Shot on location in Louisiana, “What I Wanna Be” Music Video

Premieres with CMT 

Jacob Davis Makes his Grand Ole Opry Debut on Friday, June 23

Photo Credit: Chris Hollo

Black River Entertainment’s Jacob Davis achieved a career dream Friday night as he made his debut on the most revered stage in country music, The Grand Ole Opry. With a live show that has led Country Living to dub him "a bona fide star," and Taste of Country raving "a showman, appropriate for someone raised where the Louisiana Hayride broadcasts still echo," Davis stood confidently in “the circle” surrounded by friends and family who made the drive up from his hometown of Shreveport for this once-in-a-lifetime music moment performing “What I Wanna Be,” a song he wrote with Forest Glen Whitehead and Adam Hambrick that Whitehead produced (Kelsea Ballerini), as well as “James Brown,” lending to the "funk and soul" monikers that permeate his songs (Taste of Country).

Jacob Davis Makes his Grand Ole Opry Debut on Friday, June 23

L to R ID: Black River Entertainment's CEO Gordon Kerr and Executive Vice President of Black River Records Rick Froio; Jacob Davis; and Senior Vice President of Programming and Artist Relations for Opry Entertainment and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry Sally Williams

Photo Credit: Chris Hollo

"This floor is literally cracking underneath my feet, and you have no clue how incredible this feels," he said standing in the Opry circle in his weathered Tony Llama boots. Stumbling over words from anticipation of that first note, the Shreveport-native introduced the audience to "What I Wanna Be" simply saying, "I think... this is what a guy oughta say to a girl..."

Written with Scott Stepakoff and Jason Gantt, Davis had some surprise accompaniment join him for his second song, "James Brown." "I was raised on 90's country, and a little soul, a little funk, just a great mixed bag of music... I figured Elvis brought a little funk when he played here, so...," and with that he brought out two horn players to accompany him.

Jacob Davis on the set of his "What I Wanna Be" music video in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Credit: Black River Entertainment

“What I Wanna Be” is the first taste of what’s to come from Jacob Davis’ full-length album on Black River Entertainment, and the Louisiana-native recently returned to the Bayou state to film its music video. Directed by Josh Kranich, the backdrop for the performance driven music video is set in popular New Orleans’ live music venue Bamboula’s. With CMT’s “Summer of Music” underway and Jacob Davis as one of their 17 in 2017, he joined Cody Alan to talk about family, songwriting and life on the road. Check out the video for "What I Wanna Be" HERE.

AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY NEWCOMER NIKITA KARMEN HITS IT "OUT OF THE PARK" WITH DEBUT SINGLE

Black River Entertainment announces the release of Nikita Karmen’s debut single “Out of the Park” is digitally available now and at Australian radio via Play MPE.

An Australian native, Nikita Karmen began crafting her songwriting back home near the beaches of Sydney and made the move to Nashville, TN in November of 2015. In June of 2016, Nikita signed with the US based entertainment company.

With a regular gig opening for and as part of Bobby Bones and the Raging Idiots, the musical comedy group comprised of Bobby Bones and Producer Eddie from iHeartMedia's The Bobby Bones Show, Nikita will tour much of the United States.

Her newest opportunity to step up to the plate in Nashville is with the Australian release of “Out of the Park,” a song she penned as a message of hope for her sister, someday meeting the right guy.

“Being on the other side of the world and having the opportunity to release a song back at home is so exciting to me,” said Nikita. “While Nashville is where I have always dreamed of being, I started writing songs back in Australia so it feels amazing to have something for all my friends and family to hear over there.”

“Out of the Park” is digitally available now. To stay updated on Nikita Karmen visit her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

VIDEO PREMIERE: "WASTING ALL THESE TEARS" - CASSADEE POPE

  

Cassadee Pope made her voice known as the winner of NBC's "The Voice" last season and a member of Team Blake, but she's making her own voice in country music with the debut of her single, "Wasting All These Tears". The video recently made it's premiere on CMT. Check it out below.