KELLEIGH BANNEN BREAKS BIG ON SIRIUSXM

First Artist to have THREE Songs Simultaneously Featured as a Highway Find:

 "John Who," "Happy Birthday" and "The Joneses"

Kelleigh Bannen’s news announcing a simultaneous three-song SiriusXM’s The Highway Finds music premiere did not go out in advance of her appearance yesterday on the Storme Warren Show as the Nashville native couldn’t believe it was all really happening.

“I guess part of me didn’t want to jinx it?,” says the female powerhouse AXS calls “Nashville’s most underrated singer-songwriter.” “When you’ve been at it for over a decade like I have been, it’s almost unheard of to get this kind of support as an unsigned female in Country… three songs and this much airplay out of the gate? It’s powerful.

"The pressure was really off when we wrote and recorded these songs,” Bannen reflects of her three singles, “John Who,” The Joneses” and “Happy Birthday” that are simultaneously spinning on the mainstream country channel. She continues, “After I was dropped from my major label deal, a fearlessness set in as I really didn’t have anything else to lose.”

SiriusXM’s The Highway Finds program was developed as a tool for not only new music discovery but also as a platform to champion and, in turn, help break new artists through early airplay on a national level.

"Going through Kelleigh's new music, it became clear almost immediately that picking a 'first single' was going to be really tough...so we decided since all of the music is this great, why not just go with all three songs? So that's exactly what we did" adds J.R. Schumann, Senior Director of Programming for SiriusXM.

Kelleigh Bannen’s The Joneses:

"John Who"

Writers: Kelleigh Bannen, Will Bowen and Christopher Rafetto

Producer: Jaren Johnston

"Happy Birthday”

Writers: Kelleigh Bannen, Clair Douglas and Dallas Wilson

Producer: Jaren Johnston

"The Joneses"

Writers: Kelleigh Bannen, Todd Clark and Travis Wood

Producer: Todd Clark

Bannen will make another debut next month as the musical guest on SiriusXM The Highway’s Music Row Happy Hour, starting at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT on Friday, July 13. And you can always join in on The Highway by listening to Ch. 56.

All three songs are available now, listen here.

10 MUST SEE ARTISTS AT #CMAFEST2015

Country fans are getting ready to take over Music City for 4 days next month and most are excited about seeing the big names at LP Field but we're excited for you to experience the newer artists, those you may not be familiar with and see what they have to offer. You may find that you have a new favorite! Here are our choices for 10 of the best new artists you must see at CMA Fest this year (in no particular order.) They've each made a name for themselves this year and are names you'll be hearing long after you get home from CMA Fest.

Kelsea Ballerini 

She's got a contagious smile and an infectious attitude, but this country beauty has the voice and stage presence to make her the total package. With her current debut single, "Love Me Like You Mean It" sitting at #13 on the charts, Kelsea Ballerini is making her way to the top in record time.

Friday, June 12 

12:45pm - 1:10pm 

Bud Light Stage

Craig Wayne Boyd

You may know Craig as last season's "Comeback Kid" who went on to win NBC's hit series, "The Voice" last season, but Craig's not a new voice on the country block. Having pounded the streets of Nashville for years, he's finally made his way to the attention of Americans everywhere. His debut single, "My Baby's Got a Smile on Her Face" hit #1 right out of the gate, tying Garth Brooks as the only artist to debut at #1 and now his second single, "I"m Still Here" is quickly gaining momentum.

Sunday, June 14

 3:00pm

Chevy Riverfront Stage

Kelleigh Bannen

This country girl isn't content to sit on the sidelines and watch other females get the attention, she's come out swinging with her singles "Sorry on the Rocks", "Famous" and her latest "I Only Smoke when I Drink". Kelleigh Bannen's made her presence known and has made her mark on country music.

Saturday, June 13 

12:05pm - 12:30pm

 Bud Light Stage

Mo Pitney

Another artist we could go on for days about, Mo Pitney. Mo is the right artist at the right time in country music. Talk about well timed. Right when fans are getting tired of the same old same old, along comes this soft spoken guy with anything but a soft voice. Mo's single "Country", co-written with "Whispering" Bill Anderson has country fans shouting for "Mo Country", not "Bro Country". When a voice can bring an entire room to dead silence and put tears in the eyes of the listener, you know you've heard brilliance. He is the "ePITome" of traditional country from his baseball cap to his cowboy boots. This boy's blood runs thick with tradition and twang.

Tuesday, June 9 

 7:00pm 

"The Countriest of the Country"

George Jones Museum 

 This is a ticketed event. Tickets available here.

Thursday, June 11 

3:25pm - 3:50pm

Bud Light Stage

Ray Scott

Ray Scott is an original to say the least. His voice is deep and sexy, his attitude is brash and in your face and his music is the perfect combination of all of those ingredients. Ray is the guy your mama warned you about, but the artist that's proving that theory wrong because no one's mama could have ever had an imagination this good. 

Tuesday, June 9

Storme Warren's Nashville Navy Party at Limelight

This is a ticketed event

Tickets available here

Thursday, June 11

FanJam - 707 18th Ave South in Nashville

This is a ticketed event

Tickets available here

 4:00pm - 4:30pm 

Gildan Broadway Hard Rock Stage

Friday, June 12

4:00pm

Ray Scott Fan Club Party at the Wildhorse Saloon

This is a ticketed event

Tickets available here

Sunday June 14 

1:30pm - 2:00pm 

AT&T U-verse Showcase Stage 

A Thousand Horses

A Thousand Horses hit the scene running with the power of ... well ... a thousand horses. Their current single, "Smoke" is smoldering on the charts in the Top 10 and it's looking like they may just have their first #1 single very soon. Crowds gather quickly to hear these guys in action so you'll want to stake out your spot pretty early!

Thursday, June 11

1:25pm to 1:50pm

Bud Light Stage

Brian Davis

How would we describe Brian Davis? Unapologetic, rowdy, drunk on country and ready to put a boot in any crowd's ass. Fresh off the Hell on Wheels tour with country bad boy, Brantley Gilbert, Brian's kicked into full party mode and it doesn't take an invite to his party because everyone is welcome to grab a cold one and pull up a tailgate. Brian has co-written many songs with area artists including Brantley's current hit, "One Hell of an Amen" and that's exactly what fans are saying at the end of a Brian Davis show - amen!

Friday, June 12 

2:00pm - 2:30pm

Gildan Broadway Hard Rock Stage 

Rick Monroe

Rick Monroe, the face of the Jagermeister Country Tour for the past few years, has been pushing the Nashville envelope for years just trying to get someone to finally open it and see what a winner he is. This year, that envelope's been opened with his latest CD, "It's a Love Thing" making waves with industry players and his single "Fire's Out" breaking onto the Billboard charts and was even featured on Fox News this morning! 

Saturday, June 13 

4:00pm to 4:30pm

Belk Park Stage

Chris Janson

After years of being an independent artist, releasing his own music and trying to prove himself, his hard work and belief in himself paid off in spades with his indie single, "Buy Me a Boat" hitting #1 on the iTunes country charts and peaking at #7 on the all genres chart, edging out Taylor Swift with the video being financed and produced by CMT and finally signing a record deal with Warner Music Nashville. Chris is a phenomenal songwriter and an energetic, interactive artist who knows how to keep 'em coming to the shows and buying the music. 

Saturday, June 13

2:05pm - 2:30pm

Bud Light Stage

CAM

Where did this spitfire come from? Cam came out of nowhere and blasted country listeners with her fun, flirty debut single "My Mistake" and now she's everywhere you look. With a bright personality, a unique and one of country music's strongest female voices, we'll be seeing and hearing much more from Cam.

Friday, June 12

2:05pm - 2:30pm

Bud Light Stage

EVENT (NASHVILLE, TN): JAN 22 - MUSIC IN THE CITY - KELLEIGH BANNEN, KRISTY LEE COOK, EDENS EDGE, HIGH VALLEY, CASEY JAMES AND CLAY COOK

Nashville Lifestyles magazine will present Music in the City, an annual concert featuring the best new artists in Nashville.

The show, hosted by CMT, will showcase live performances by new artists Kelleigh Bannen, Kristy Lee Cook, Edens Edge, High Valley, Casey James, and Clay Cook of the Zac Brown Band.

“This year’s lineup is jam-packed with diverse, dynamic talent,” said Stacie Standifer, publisher and editor of Nashville Lifestyles magazine, via a release. “It’s such a fun evening of Music City’s talent featuring entertainment in a festive environment. We’re pleased to partner with W.O. Smith Music School, and hope the proceeds will help give music lessons to the next generation of Music City’s top talent.”

Music in the City takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 5:30 p.m. at The Tin Roof. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the W.O. Smith Music School. Tickets and more information are available at www.nashvillelifestyles.com.

VIDEO PREMIERE: "SORRY ON THE ROCKS" - KELLEIGH BANNEN

We are lovin' Kelleigh Brannen and her great new song, "Sorry on the Rocks". The song has been picked up as a favorite by country radio and now CMT has debuted the video. Take a look, let CMT know you wanna see it on the video countdown. Way to go, Kelleigh!

EVENT (HAVELOCK, NC): NOVEMBER 14 - WRNS GUITAR PULL WITH LITTLE BIG TOWN, CLAY WALKER, KELLEIGH BANNEN AND DUSTIN LYNCH

It's time for the 4th Annual WRNS Guitar Pull brought to you by Got To Be NC Agriculture, Piggly Wiggly, Furniture Distributors, and Look Out Ford!

This year's pull is Wednesday, November 14th at USMC Cherry Point's Base Theatre.

Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7:30pm.

Who's going to be there?

Kelleigh Bannen

Kelleigh's debut song "Sorry On The Rocks" is gaining on the charts as we speak!  She's sure to be an excellent opener for the pull!

Dustin Lynch

Dustin's debut single "Cowboys and Angels" made quite the splash going all the way to the top 5 on the charts.  His first album debuted at the top of the country charts as well.

Clay Walker

Clay has been topped the charts with more hits than we can count including "Fall," "Hypnotize The Moon," "Rumor Has It," "Live Until I Die," and many more

Little Big Town

LBT's 15 year career has produced great hits like "Boondocks," "Little White Church," and the song of the summer this year "Pontoon."

So...now that you know the great line-up...how do you get tickets? Well, you can't buy them, because tickets are FREE!  But, you must win them!

Listen every weekday at 8:30a, 11:30a, and 4:30p for the Guitar Pull cue to call.  Be caller number 9 at 888-682-WRNS(9767) and you will automatically win!

You can also stop by the following ticket drops to win!

October 20th - Piggly Wiggly in Kinston from 1p-3p

October 27th - Furniture Distributors in Havelock from 11a-1p

October 27th - Piggly Wiggly in Kinston from 1p-3p

November 3rd - Look Out Ford in Newport from 8a-10a

November 10th - Piggly Wiggly in Jacksonville from 1p-3p 

You will also be able to get tickets if you are a member of the WRNS Country Club!  Tickets will go live on the Free Store Monday, October 29th at 5pm.  Get them while they last!

All the tickets are General Admission and first come first serve for seating...BUT, you can WIN an upgrade!  Members of the Country Club can bid on VIP Eat and Greet passes to get backstage for some great food provided by MacDaddy's and to meet all the artists!!  Bidding on the Eat and Greet passes begin Friday, October 19th!

We will also be continuing our tradition of donating toys for Toys For Tots at this year's pull. So please remember to bring your new, unwrapped toy to the show to give back to those kids who may not have as great of a holiday as others this season.

EVENT (WEST PALM BEACH, FL): TUESDAY, AUG 14 AT 6:00PM - FREE SHOW FEATURING CRAIG MORGAN, DUE WEST AND KELLEIGH BANNEN AT CITYPLACE

South Florida Country 103.1 WIRK, Bud Light and Napleton West Palm Hyundai present a free concert on the plaza at CityPlace with Nashville superstar Craig Morgan!

The music starts at 6pm on Tuesday, August 14th at CityPlace featuring a free concert with Craig Morgan, Due West and Kelleigh Bannen.

It's a FREE, all-ages show, live on the plaza at CityPlace. Get more info at CityPlace.com. It's all brought to you by Bud Light, Napleton West Palm Hyundai and South Florida Country 103.1 WIRK!

NEW MUSIC: TAKE A LISTEN TO "SORRY ON THE ROCKS" BY KELLEIGH BANNEN

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE NEW SINGLE FROM KELLEIGH BANNEN

"SORRY ON THE ROCKS"

(Kelleigh Bannen / Troy Johnson)

@2012 No Such Thing Music (BMI), Yacht Haven Music (SESAC)

Produced by Paul Worley / Jerry Smith