NEW MUSIC COMPETITION SERIES "BANDED" JOINS AXS_TV SATURDAY, MAY 13

AXS TV is pleased to announce that the Brandon Jenner-hosted new music competition series BANDED is joining the network's lineup starting Saturday, May 13 at 9pE. And for viewers in Canada, it will air on GameTV on July 8.

AXS TV—a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.—puts the spotlight on rising stars from across the country in the all-new original music competition BANDED, an innovative series that redefines the traditional “build-a-band” concept and showcases exceptional up-and-coming artists who can play, write, and sing. BANDED episodes will premiere each week on AXS TV starting Saturday, May 13 at 9 p.m. ET. The series also will roll out weekly across all of AXS TV’s digital channels starting Friday, May 12.

BANDED is hosted by musician and television personality Brandon Jenner, with recording artist and American Idol finalist Didi Benami as co-host.

In the series premiere, 25 contenders will be placed into five brand new multi-genre bands under the tutelage of GRAMMY®-winning and -nominated songwriters, producers, and artists such as Songwriters Hall of Fame honoree Wendy Starland, credited with discovering and developing Lady Gaga; as well as Paul Ebersold, Steve Diamond, Justin Wilson, and Dave Pahanish.

Each week will feature a roster of legendary mentors and guest judges from across the music spectrum, such as Metal icons Vince Neil and Kip Winger; chart-topping Country star Steve Azar; Vans Warped Tour mastermind Kevin Lyman; and world-class rock ‘n roll drummer Mark Schulman, among many others.

The inaugural season presents eight all-new episodes, with six hour-long episodes bookended by the 90-minute season premiere and season finale. A special video podcast will accompany each episode, as BANDED contestants and stars breakdown all the latest happenings from the show.

“We are extremely pleased to announce our partnership with AXS TV in launching the inaugural season of BANDED,” said Nico Albano, Executive Producer of the series. “AXS TV’s national and digital platforms are incredibly robust, giving viewers multiple ways to conveniently enjoy our content. We hope that this will be the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between AXS TV and BANDED, and we look forward to continuing to work with them as we move forward into the future.”

“BANDED is the perfect complement to our growing lineup of all-new original music-themed programming, putting a fresh spin on the standard music competition format that brings viewers into the fascinating creative process that each band undertakes,” said Katie Daryl, AXS TV’s Vice President of Programming. “We have some truly talented competitors and world-class mentors onboard, and we cannot wait to share all of this and more with our audience when BANDED premieres on AXS TV’s platforms next month.”

GameTV will be the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of BANDED. The series will air every Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on GameTV, beginning July 8.

“We are excited to be the exclusive home in Canada, and look forward to premiering it this summer,” said Maria Donatelli, Director Of Programming for GameTV.

Series sponsors include Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown, Verijet, Colgate Optic White, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Bulova/Citizen, PRS Guitars, Roland, Gretsch, Zildjian, DW, Fender, and Remo.

For more information, please visit www.BANDEDtv.com.

SCOTTY MCCREERY KICKS OFF THIRD SEASON OF '"CMT CAMPFIRE SESSIONS"

“CMT Campfire Sessions” returns for third season on CMT Digital with an all-new slate of performances under starlit skies

New season kicked off with Scotty McCreery on Tuesday, Oct. 18th via CMT’s Facebook & YouTube channels

Latest installment also features artists Charley Crockett, Elle King, Jessie James Decker, Lainey Wilson and Warren Zeiders

CMT Digital’s much-acclaimed original series “CMT Campfire Sessions” returned for its third season Tuesday, October 18th with new episodes premiering each week via CMT’s YouTube and Facebook channels (full schedule below). Kicking off Season 3 is multi-platinum country star Scotty McCreery who shares stripped-back versions of hits including his recent three-week No. 1 “Damn Strait,” “Five More Minutes,” “You Time,” and current single “It Matters To Her,” all performed fireside with two members of his band. Watch McCreery’s full episode here.

Artists Charley Crockett, Elle King, Jessie James Decker, Lainey Wilson and Warren Zeiders will appear in upcoming installments of the show, offering acoustic performances under starlit skies. Wilson’s episode marks her second “CMT Campfire” appearance and includes a special tie-in to her character on Paramount Network’s award-winning series, “Yellowstone.”

“We are thrilled to welcome this group of artists as part of our third season of CMT Campfire Sessions on digital,” said Melissa Goldberg, VP, Digital & Social Media, CMT. “Not only do they represent the breadth of the genre, but their talent of storytelling through song, especially in this fireside-format, creates a unique experience for the fans that is amazing to witness on screen.”

Goldberg continues: “And while the fire remains constant throughout this new season, we made some cool set changes to reflect each artist’s unique vibe, which translated to everything from pink muscle cars to bohemian backyards. These stylistic enhancements serve to further connect the audience with their favorite stars while evolving the overall look and feel of the series.”

Season 3 schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Oct. 18 – Scotty McCreery

Tuesday, Oct. 25 – Charley Crockett

Tuesday, Nov. 1 – Jessie James Decker

Monday, Nov. 7 – Lainey Wilson

Tuesday, Nov. 15 – Elle King

Tuesday, Nov. 22 – Warren Zeiders


“CMT Campfire Sessions” is a reimagining of the traditional campfire sing-along, swapping songs and stories that nod to the nostalgia and intimacy of storytelling that is synonymous with country music. Fans can view past “CMT Campfire Sessions” episodes via CMT’s Facebook and YouTube channels. For more information, visit CMT.com, join the conversation using #CMTCampfireSessions and also follow @CMT on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

“CMT Campfire Sessions” began as a CMT Digital-led production that gave fans an inside look into the backyards of some of their favorite artists during quarantine, including Cody Johnson, Granger Smith, Hailey Whitters, Jimmie Allen, Jordan Davis, Lainey Wilson, Lee Brice, Russell Dickerson and The War and Treaty. The success of the digital franchise went on to inspire the brand to launch a linear version of the series of the same name; with both series featuring appearances from a stellar list of artists including: Brandy Clark, Brett Eldredge, Brittney Spencer, Brothers Osborne, Clay Walker & Tracy Lawrence, Gary Allan, Kane Brown, Keb’ Mo’, Jason Aldean, Jon Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Maddie & Tae, Miranda Lambert with Jack Ingram & Jon Randall, Old Crow Medicine Show, Old Dominion, Riley Green and Trisha Yearwood.

CMT TO AIR “NAOMI JUDD: A RIVER OF TIME CELEBRATION” LIVE FROM RYMAN AUDITORIUM COMMERCIAL-FREE ON SUNDAY, MAY 15TH AT 6P/5C

PUBLIC MEMORIAL CELEBRATION TO INCLUDE TRIBUTES FROM WYNONNA & ASHLEY JUDD WITH SOON-TO-BE ANNOUNCED PERFORMANCES AND SPECIAL APPEARANCES FROM SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN ENTERTAINMENT

CMT and Sandbox Live today announced “NAOMI JUDD: A RIVER OF TIME CELEBRATION,” a LIVE celebration from Ryman Auditorium, in partnership with The Judds' family, to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of country music icon Naomi Judd. CMT will exclusively televise the public memorial service as a commercial-free special on Sunday, May 15th at 6p/5c.

“We are sincerely privileged to work alongside Wynonna and Ashley to present this live celebration of life for their mother Naomi. While we all continue to deeply mourn the loss of such a legendary artist, we are honored to commemorate her legacy alongside the country community, her friends, family and legions of fans across the world at the perfect venue: The Mother Church of Country Music. This special will celebrate her timeless voice, unforgettable spirit and the immense impact she left on our genre through the best form of healing we have - music,” shared CMT Producers.

Additional details on the public memorial service, performers and special appearances to be announced in the coming days.

“NAOMI JUDD: A RIVER OF TIME CELEBRATION” is a co-production from CMT and Sandbox Live; Margaret Comeaux (CMT), Leslie Fram (CMT), Jason Owen (Sandbox Live) and Patrizia DiMaria (Ladypants Productions) are Executive Producers.

CMT previously aired The Judds’ final performance of international hit and chart-topping single, “Love Can Build A Bridge,” from the 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS. Watch the full performance here.