THE COUNTRY MUSIC CRUISE 2023 ANNOUNCES STELLAR LINEUP

9th Anniversary Country Music Party At Sea Sails January 22-29, 2023

Randy Owen, Clay Walker, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mark Chesnutt, Neal McCoy, Pam Tillis, Asleep At The Wheel, Johnny Lee, John Berry, Jimmy Fortune, T.G. Sheppard, Gary Morris, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, The Malpass Brothers, Ray Scott, Karen Hester – A Tribute To Dolly, Gil Grand “The Grand Tour”, 50 Shades of Hay, Chuck Mead, Grand Ole Opry At Sea, Elvis Tribute Artists, Tim Atwood & Chrissy Sparks, and More To Be Added

Just as The Country Music Cruise 2022 docked following a week of delightful entertainment and beautiful ports of call, organizers announced the exciting lineup for the 2023 Country Music Party at Sea. The 9th Annual Country Music Cruise aboard Holland America’s stunning Nieuw Amsterdam will feature Randy Owen, Clay Walker, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mark Chesnutt, Neal McCoy, Pam Tillis, and many others. The seven day cruise will depart from Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday, January 22, and make stops in picturesque St. Maarten and San Juan before returning on January 29.

“We really appreciate our artists and dedicated cruisers for sticking with us through a very challenging couple of years,” said Mike Jason, StarVista LIVE Senior Vice President, Live Entertainment. “Last week was absolutely amazing with an incredibly talented group of stars and musicians performing all day into the night, the greatest group of fans in the world, and a combination of beautiful Caribbean weather and a luxury ship with world class amenities and service. We are planning 2023 to be bigger and better than ever.”

In addition to the headliners, the exciting lineup includes Asleep At The Wheel, Johnny Lee, John Berry, Jimmy Fortune, T.G. Sheppard, Gary Morris, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, The Malpass Brothers, Ray Scott, Karen Hester – A Tribute To Dolly, Gil Grand “The Grand Tour”, 50 Shades of Hay, Chuck Mead, Tim Atwood & Chrissy Sparks, and more to be added. Perennial favorites the Elvis Tribute Artists and a very special Grand Ole Opry at Sea performance event return to the cruise.

Guests onboard The Country Music Cruise enjoy more than 100 live performances in seven different venues throughout the week. Cruisers can socialize with their favorite artists at theme nights, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, jam sessions, meet and greets, and have unprecedented opportunities to meet and mingle with the stars aboard what has been called the ultimate country music party. The non-stop entertainment also includes Country karaoke, Gospel Hour, dueling pianos, corn hole tournament, and line dancing.

Fares for The Country Music Cruise 2023 include all concerts, daily activities, delicious meals and so much more. 

For cabin rates and more information, visit www.countrymusiccruise.com or call toll-free 866-476-2879. 

AMERICAN IDOL'S LAUREN MASCITTI AND COUNTRY ICON PAM TILLIS COME TOGETHER ON "ONE LIFE STAND" MUSIC VIDEO

Mascitti’s Retro Video was Directed by Tillis

Nashville-based country artist and songwriter Lauren Mascitti and country music legend Pam Tillis recently collaborated on the music video for Mascitti’s new single “One Life Stand” (produced by Shawn Camp). Directed by Tillis, the clip premiered on Taste of Country and is featured on CMT.com and Ditty.TV. The enchanting retro piece was filmed on location in Shelbyville, TN on Flagship Detroit, the oldest DC-3 still flying, in Nashville at The Dive Motel, and at Pearl Diver, a tiki-bar and restaurant owned by Pam’s husband and producer, Matt Spicher.

Tillis and Mascitti met in 2004 in Branson, Missouri. Mascitti was only twelve years old at the time, working in a theater where Tillis often made appearances, when one of Tillis’ friends brought her to one of Pam’s shows and introduced the pair. They have worked together on a few occasions since meeting.

“I think Lauren is the total package. A voice like velvet. Smart, beautiful, she has the drive, but she’s also the most sensitive and caring person you’ll ever meet. She has total integrity with her music and as a woman,” adds Tillis.

Pam Tillis is a GRAMMY-award winner, member of the Grand Ole Opry, and platinum-selling artist. In addition to being a chart-topping and best-selling country singer-songwriter, Tillis enjoys directing and mentoring young artists. She began mentoring artists about 4 years ago, and as she worked with these young women, she eventually began to direct photo shoots. This led to the discovery of her love for being on the other side of the camera, composing shots, and making artists look their best. Tillis adds that it is, “the joy of creating with a different medium that really kept [her] going during the pandemic.” Her “One Life Stand” collaboration follows a track that Tillis and her husband helped Lauren produce in 2010, an experience that led her to say that Mascitti’s “drive and talent were unmistakable.”

“Pam is not only one of the most gifted artists and writers I’ve ever written with, but she has always been so kind to me. I started coming to Nashville around the age of 12 and even back then, she and her husband Matt Spicher were so quick to take me under their wing and offer up their friendship, kindness, and advice. Getting to work with Pam on this video was a full-circle moment for me, and a true honor. Not to mention so much fun!”

SKYVILLE SALUTES NASHVILLE WITH CLARE BOWEN, CHRIS CARMACK, CHARLES ESTEN, LENNON AND MAISY, MARK COLLIE, JD SOUTHER AND PAM TILLIS

Photo Credit: Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

On July 13, the Emmy-nominated, groundbreaking online music series Skyville Live saluted the magic of Music City with an unforgettable concert showcasing Nashville mainstays alongside fresh faces in town including Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten, Lennon & Maisy, Mark Collie, JD Souther and Pam Tillis.

If you needed yet another reason to love this creative city, this impressive lineup offered just that. “I don’t know where there is better music in Nashville,” gushed Tillis. Simply oozing with talent, each artist commanded the stage with high-energy performances of their original music mixed with fan-favorite covers to the sheer delight of the adoring live audience.

Carmack stunned the packed house with an electric guitar-heavy tribute to his idol by serving up a jaw-dropping rendition of B.B. King’s classic “Sweet Little Angel”.

Another highlight of the stellar night included songwriting great Souther, as he made it hard not to sing-along to his iconic “Heartache Tonight,” first made famous by the Eagles.

Each incredible artist had a front row seat proudly supporting each other during their solo spots, yet they united for a sweet closing number performing the Beatles’ staple “With a Little Help from My Friends.”

The performers were supported by renowned musicians including Jon Conley (guitar), Chad Cromwell (drums), Kenny Greenberg (band leader/guitar), Steve Mackey (bass guitar), Mike Rojas (keyboards), Justin Schipper (guitar) and background vocalists Perry Coleman and Tania Hancheroff.

For music lovers worldwide, this episode streamed live exclusively on AOL.com, RatedRed.com and go90, a free mobile video platform available across all wireless carriers. To access go90, simply download the app via the App Store or Google Play.

Featuring the world's greatest artists spanning generations and musical genres, Skyville Live is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for performers and audiences alike. Each episode is recorded with full HD video in front of an intimate studio audience in Nashville and live-streamed around the world. Thanks to its reputation for inspiring creativity and magical on-stage moments, the show has become a destination for the biggest names in music: Since debuting in January 2015, Skyville Live has welcomed artists like Billy F Gibbons, Cyndi Lauper, Kris Kristofferson, Jason Isbell, Gladys Knight, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Taj Mahal and many more.

Skyville Live is produced by famed songwriter, producer, and Grammy nominee Wally Wilson, and is executive produced by Tisha Fein and Bryan Lee.

WAY BACK WHEN WEDNESDAY: "MI VIDA LOCA" - PAM TILLIS

This “Way Back When Wednesday” we shall embrace the crazy and the wonderful talents of Pam Tillis. One of her biggest hits and greatest songs, “Mi Vida Loca” was co-written by Pam and Jess Leary. It was released off of Tillis’ 1994 album “Sweetheart’s Dance” which was the first album she produced herself along with help from Steve Fishel.

Pam Tillis is famous for an abundance of reasons, first and foremost her voice. Secondly, her lyrics and lively stage presence. The list goes on from there but a few of the reasons she’s achieved such great staying power is that her songs are still relevant today. Some of her more famous ones are “Shake The Sugar Tree,” “Maybe It Was Memphis” “Don’t Tell Me What To Do” and of course, “Mi Vida Loca.” 

Jess Leary is a songwriter out of Massachusetts who moved to Nashville after pursuing and gaining some renown in Boston. She was a regular on a variety of music circuits, including country, folk and rock. After winning a talent show, she was flown out to perform at the Grand Ole Opry and decided that Nashville would be her home. Leary also graced many a stage as a backup singer for Reba, Garth, Pam Tillis and a myriad of others. She’s written songs for most recently Blake Shelton on his “Bringing Back The Sunshine” album, as well as Tim McGraw, Shenandoah and oddly enough, New York Yankee Nick Swisher. 

What I love most about this song is it makes no apologies. She simply says “Welcome to my crazy life” and if you’re going to enter into it you better have “nerves of steel.” My life happens to be crazy, it’s not sedate and it’s not for everybody. It’s a life full of passion and crazy as a “never-ending circus ride,” a life full of adventure and travel and baby, if you’re in it a life full of love as well. There’s nothing ordinary here and it’s full of the unexpected but if you want in, you got it. She serenades a man by firelight when she realizes that she’s found a compadre in him. A sonorous song with an exceptional story, Tillis and Leary know just want to write and just what to sing for songs that last through the decades.

Contributor: Alyse Smith Follow Alyse on Twitter at @ASmith1300 

PAM TILLIS & LORRIE MORGAN "GO PINK" WITH NEW SINGLE "I AM A WOMAN"

Girl Power Duo Releases “I Am A Woman” As Appropriate Fit In Alignment With National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 17, 2013)—Red River Entertainment recording artists, Grits & Glamour (Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan), the royal women of country, celebrate the revealing and poignant sophomoric single release “I Am A Woman” (ON RADIO NOW) from their critically acclaimed collaborative album entitled DOS DIVAS.

Co-written by Grits & Glamour band member, and close personal friend, Mary Sue England alongside hit writer Thom Shephard, “I Am A Woman” is a true-to-life heart song that paints the perfect picture of the “every day woman” as an anthem of strength, endurance and resilience for women of all ages and all walks of life.

I'M A WARM HEART WITH COLD FEET

I'M A MONA LISA SMILE / AND THE TEARS YOU'LL NEVER SEE

I'M A PROMISE AND I'M A PRAYER

I AM FAITH / I AM HOPE / I'M THIS PINK RIBBON THAT I WEAR

AND I AM BRAVE / NO MATTER WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY

I AM A WOMAN
In early celebration, and in sporting style, the Tennessee Titans welcomed Grits & Glamour to perform “I Am A Woman” in recognition of breast cancer awareness month (on Sunday, October 6, 2013//Titans vs. the Chiefs) where the Titans cheerleaders invited cancer survivors onto the football field during the pregame presentation. Continuing their mutual initiative to share their heartfelt support of women who have become tragically touched by the unforgiving hands of breast cancer, the Opry stars will perform at the 5th Annual Opry Goes Pink Show as The Grand Ole Opry® joins Women Rock For The Cure™ in the fight against breast cancer on Tuesday evening, October 22. In the company of LeAnn Rimes, Amy Grant, Mandisa (who is making her Opry debut) and others, Morgan and Tillis will appear before the signature barn backdrop which will be spotlighted pink for the night in recognition of survivors and fighters of cancer.

“We have no words to express our personal honor and privilege to be included in this event—to step onto the historic Opry stage on such an important occasion to perform such a powerful song—empowering women (daughters, mothers and grandmothers),” says Pam Tillis. “When we heard ‘I Am A Woman’ for the first time, Pam and I knew it had to be on our new album; it’s one of those songs that captures life moments and the unspoken sentiment and emotions shared by every female—simple or complex. We are pleased to be part of this extraordinary affair, to speak on behalf of others who cannot and add volume to those who can,” adds Lorrie Morgan.

The vibrant Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis are trendsetters with identifiable voices of their own in the country music industry both as solo and duo recording artists. Award-winning entertainers, the ladies have 28 top ten hits between them, have enjoyed more than 18 million records sold worldwide and scored 12 number one hits combined. Road warriors who exude compelling strength and determination, Tillis and Morgan continue to support the momentum of their debut Grits & Glamour album DOS DIVAS (released July 23, 2013/distributed by Sony Red) as part of their Grits & Glamour Tour canvassing the country from east to west and are committed to carry on their own independent breast cancer awareness campaign in conjunction with the new single release.

For more information on Grits & Glamour, visit www.gritsandglamour.com.

This Week's Opry Schedule ... Don't Miss Danny Gokey, Randy Houser, Randy Montana and More!

Man there is some awesome music on the Grand Ole Opry this week! Hot country newcomer, Hunter Hayes made his Opry debut this evening. Other performances this week include Troy Olsen, Jimmy Wayne, American Idol's Danny Gokey, Randy Montana, my favorite artist ever - Randy Houser, Vince and Jenny Gill with Amy Grant and more. If you can't make the shows in person, tune into www.opry.com and listen LIVE. I have a feeling I'm gonna be listening ALL week long! You can always check the Opry schedule by going to www.opry.com.

Sat., 08/13/2011 at 7:00pm CT -  Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Emmylou Harris, Jenny Gill, The Time Jumpers, John Anderson, and more

Tue., 08/16/2011 at 7:00pm CT -Charlie Daniels, Danny Gokey, Randy Montana, Randy Houser, Pam Tillis, and more


Fri., 08/19/2011 at 7:00pm CT -  Jimmy Wayne, Will Hoge, Troy Olsen, Exile, and more