Three-time Grammy® winner and superstar Tim McGraw recently released his first music video since 2018 for his single “7500 OBO” from his critically acclaimed album HERE ON EARTH which was released last summer via Big Machine Records – Watch HERE. The premiere is followed by a YouTube Premium-exclusive afterparty starring Tim and the video’s two directors, Alexa and Stephen Kinigopoulos talking about the video. Making her acting debut starring in her first music video is Tim and wife Faith Hill’s daughter Audrey McGraw.

HERE ON EARTH, McGraw’s 16^th studio album, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country album chart, marking his 4^th straight decade with a #1 album on the Billboard Country Album chart. The album was his 19^th worldwide #1 and his 17^th U.S. #1, tying him for second most #1 albums in the U.S., just behind George Strait.  The album was also re-released in spring with an additional set of songs as the HERE ON EARTH Ultimate Edition to add to the musical tapestry of life presented in the original album.

ABOUT TIM­ MCGRAW
Tim McGraw’s unparalleled career includes sales of over 80 million records worldwide, 44 number one radio singles, 19 number one albums and countless industry awards and accolades. His unique chart achievements include having three singles in the Top 20 of the radio charts on multiple occasions, as well as having two singles spend over 10 weeks at number one.  His last solo project spawned one of the biggest hit singles of all-time, “Humble and Kind,” whose message continues to impact fans around the world including a Spanish version sung by McGraw. He has routinely been cited as one of the biggest touring artists in the history of country music. As part of the host committee, McGraw welcomed the largest outdoor crowd ever to his Nashville performance at the 2019 NFL Draft. He also appeared in the NFL Tailgate Party for Super Bowl LII and the College Football Playoffs 2020. McGraw’s current single with Tyler Hubbard, “Undivided” was the Billboard No. 1 selling Country Single its debut week and was featured in the 2021 Inauguration performance, “Celebrating America” seen across the world.

American Idol Standout Makes Highly Anticipated Debut – Listen Now

While fans nationwide may have come to know and love LACI KAYE BOOTH on the American Idol stage, the Nashville-by-way-of-Texas newcomer is reintroducing herself with a self-titled debut out today via BMLG Records. The 8-track collection blends her raspy yet velvet alto with the echoes of her Country influences from Merle Haggard to The Chicks and Shania Twain. LISTEN NOW: https://LKB.lnk.to/SelfTitledPR

“My whole life, I prayed, and I wished for this to happen.  I prayed for it every night, and every time I’d blow out my candles on my birthday cake, I’d wish for it,” Laci recalls. “In my heart of hearts, this is exactly what I always wanted.”

Growing a dedicated fanbase, she was thrust into the spotlight as a season favorite on Season 17 of American Idol and her unique “dreamy Country” sound is exactly what drew multiple record labels around town to the young artist, likening her to the Lana Del Rey of Country. However, after meeting with Big Machine Label Group heavyweights Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen, Laci knew a perfect match in their team alongside 19 Recordings and producer Dann Huff.

The musical family continued to build as Nathan Chapman, James Slater, Charles Kelley, Sam Ellis, Laura Veltz, Jimmy Robbins, Liz Rose, and so many more joined the fold. Treasured Nashville songwriters who welcomed Booth completely with open arms. Through word of mouth in the Nashville songwriting community she quickly proved herself and became a sought-after artist for collaborating. Co-writing every track on this collection, each one is every bit as unmistakable, unforgettable and uninhibited as her pure tone and whisper-tinged vocals.

Track List:
1. “Used To You” | Laci Kaye Booth, Sam Ellis, Sara Haze                                                        
2. “On The Fence” | Laci Kaye Booth, Todd Clark, Sara Haze, Jason Cole Saenz                         
3. “Treasure” | Laci Kaye Booth, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
4. “Broken Heart Still Beats” (featuring Charles Kelley) | Laci Kaye Booth, Charles Kelley, Paul DiGiovanni, Adam Hambrick
5. “Shuffle” | Laci Kaye Booth, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland                                                 
6. “If He Would’ve Stayed” | Laci Kaye Booth, Carlo Colasacco, James Slater                        
7. “Visions” | Laci Kaye Booth, Jamie Kenney                                                      
8. “Heart Of Texas” | Laci Kaye Booth, Nathan Chapman, Emily Fox Landis

Like the gold shimmer she exudes, Laci offers “Treasure” as her first single at Country radio on September 13. The 25-year-old will soon be an identifiable voice in the genre – one that makes you turn the volume all the way up, because you’ve simply never heard anyone like her before.

Laci will celebrate the release today with a listening party with fans at 1pm CT on Vertigo – tune in here. For more information and upcoming tour dates, visit LaciKayeBooth.com and follow along with more of Laci’s journey via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Country Artist Lindsay Ell to Open Show at Nissan Stadium

Nashville-based pop/rock singer-songwriter Ben Rector will headline a free concert outside Nissan Stadium to kick off the Sept. 5 World Cup Qualifying match as Nashville hosts USA-Canada, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced today. Country artist Lindsay Ell will open the show at 4:15 p.m., and Rector will take the stage at 5:15 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. match. #WorldCup #Nash2026

This will be U.S. Soccer’s first home match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign and serves as a preview with Nashville in contention to serve as a host city for the 2026 World Cup. The U.S. team has had some recent significant wins, beating rival Mexico on Aug. 1 in the Gold Cup, after defeating them June 6 in the Concacaf National League final, resulting in two trophies for the U.S. Men’s National Team.

The concert is free and open to the public, including those without game tickets. Game tickets are on sale. Nashville country trio Runaway June will perform the national anthem. Both Rector and Ell are based in Nashville. Ell, who is Canadian, represented Nashville Soccer Club as part of the league’s 25^th Season Celebration and helped them unveil their MLS away jersey, called the Nashville Vibe. More details at visitmusiccity.com/worldcupqualifier.

“We see this as a dress rehearsal to World Cup 2026, and having live music is essential to showing FIFA how we stand out from other destinations,” said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “With Nashville’s deep base of talent, we thought it would be fitting and fun to add a native Canadian with our Nashville headliner to add to the spirit of the game.”

The concert will take place on the South Plaza between Gates 8 and 9 at Nissan Stadium. Gates will open at 3 p.m. alongside U.S. Soccer’s official FanHQ event, a pregame fan activation created to extend the fan experience beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch. The event will include music, games, food and more.

“Hosting a World Cup Qualifier is more than just a match; it’s an event,” U.S. Soccer Chief Communications Officer Neil Buethe said. “We are thrilled to be offering fans a memorable experience beyond the field and to be showcasing the best a market can offer. What better way to do that in Music City than a free concert to build energy toward the game?”

With winning at home vital to any team’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup, venue selection is a critical component. U.S. Soccer recognizes Music City’s growing soccer culture and outstanding facilities as key factors in the selection. Nashville was named Best Sports City in 2019 by Sports Business Journal.

Currently home to Nashville SC, the city has developed a rich history of supporting the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team and drawing impressive crowds. The USA began its march to the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup title by playing to a 1-1 draw with Panama in front of 47,622 fans – then a record attendance mark for soccer in the state of Tennessee.

A year later, more than 40,000 fans witnessed a U.S. 1-0 shutout victory against regional rivals Mexico. Most recently, the U.S. team overcame Jamaica 3-1 in the semifinal of the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. Overall, the USA has amassed a 4-2-1 record in Nashville.

 World Cup Qualifying

The match against Canada is part of the ‘triple date’ to open World Cup Qualifying during which the U.S. will play three matches in seven days. The campaign kicks off with the USMNT traveling to face El Salvador on Sept. 2 at the 53,000 seat Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador. Three days after the Canada game, the USMNT takes on Honduras in San Pedro Sula. Under the new qualifying format, a total of eight teams – increased from six in previous cycles – will compete in the Final Round, with the top three teams advancing to Qatar ’22. The fourth-place team will participate in an Intercontinental playoff for the last spot. The 10 matches in the Final Round had typically been played during the course of 18 months. Due to schedule changes related to the global pandemic and the new format, each team will play 14 matches in a seven-month period. ussoccer.com

Ben Rector

You love Ben Rector’s music… you just might not have realized it yet. Called “exactly what the world needs” by The Collegian and praised for a sound that “perfectly encapsulates all the warm feelings” by People magazine, this songwriting polymath has flown a hair’s breadth under the mainstream radar for over a decade. In that time he has amassed over a billion streams across all platforms; played live on a number of national television shows, including Jimmy Kimmel, Conan, The Today Show, and more; had his music featured in over 100 TV shows, ads, and films including Pretty Little Liars and Castle (his single “Brand New” is one of the most licensed songs for television and film in the last five years); hit the number one spot on Billboard’s U.S. Folk chart and the number nine spot on their top 200; mentored stars of tomorrow on ABC hit show American Idol; sold out three consecutive nights at the legendary Ryman Auditorium, as well as countless other theaters and arenas around the country; and that’s just the start – not bad for an artist that’s chosen to remain largely independent. There’s an understated magnetism to Rector and his “meticulously crafted, shamelessly romantic folky pop” (Chicago Tribune). He’s Nashville’s worst-kept, best-kept secret, and if you’ve never heard his name before, now you’ll never forget it. benrectormusic.com

Lindsay Ell

Lindsay Ell’s newest album heart theory was produced by the legendary Dann Huff, and its storytelling highlights Ell’s growth since her debut album on Stoney Creek Records, The Project, which debuted at No. 1 on the Country Album Sales Chart and was named Billboard’s “Best Country Album of 2017.” That album spawned her first Top 20 hit in the United States, as well as her first No.1 on the Canadian Country radio charts – making her the first female artist to top that chart in 10 years. Most recently, she scored her first No. 1 with “What Happens in a Small Town,” her duet with Brantley Gilbert – another milestone moment making her the first Canadian artist to hit No. 1 in the U.S. since Emerson Drive’s “Moments” in 2007, and the first Canadian woman to reach the top of the charts since Terri Clark with “I Just Wanna Be Mad” in 2003. Over the past three years, Ell has shared the stage with some of the biggest acts in the world touring with Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, and Sugarland. She has made multiple appearances on the CMA Awards stage, including playing with Carrie Underwood and performing with distinguished country group, Little Big Town, alongside other powerhouse female artists in one the biggest moments of the 2019 CMA Awards where she was also nominated for Musical Event of the Year. Ell’s nominations do not stop there, she is a 2-time 2020 ACM nominee for New Female Artist of the Year and Music Event of the Year. lindsayell.com

The Definitive Docuseries on the Extraordinary Life & Career of the Iconic Willie Nelson

Award-Winning Filmmakers Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman to Direct Multi-Part Docuseries,
Willie Nelson Providing Exclusive Participation and Access to His Archives

 Blackbird Presents and Sight Unseen are thrilled to announce production is well underway on “Willie Nelson and Family,” the definitive docuseries on the extraordinary life and career of the iconic Willie Nelson. Emmy Award® & Grammy Award®-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny and Academy Award®-nominated & Emmy Award®-winning filmmaker Oren Moverman are co-directors of this multi-part docuseries. Willie and his family and friends are providing exclusive participation and access to his archives. Filming is underway in the deep-rooted Nelson locales of Austin, Maui, Nashville, Los Angeles and New York.

The project was developed by longtime Nelson manager Mark Rothbaum and Blackbird Presents Founder & Chief Creative Officer Keith Wortman, whom have collaborated on several award-winning film, television and music projects. They identified the celebrated directors of Zimny and Moverman as uniquely suited to direct the series, along with Moverman’s award-winning production company with Julia Lebedev and Eddie Vaisman, Sight Unseen, as a producing and financing partner. Executive Producers are Keith Wortman, Mark Rothbaum, Annie Nelson, Julia Lebedev, Eddie Vaisman and Leonid Lebedev.

“Telling Willie’s story has been a lifelong dream of ours, and we feel privileged to realize this dream with Thom, Oren and Sight Unseen,” said Rothbaum and Wortman.

“Words like ‘honored,’ ‘excited’ and ‘humbled’ don’t come close to describing the way we feel about being entrusted with telling Willie’s story. And what a story it is! We are celebrating the music, the career, the long road, the family, friends and history. But, more than anything, we are piecing together a narrative – one never before seen in its entirety – about an extraordinary man with a unique ability to bring people together; folks of all races, orientations, genders, political ideologies and musical leanings. These days, we sure could use the healing powers of Willie Nelson,” said Zimny and Moverman.

At 88 years old, Willie is as vibrant, active and dynamic as ever. In the last year alone, he has led major online concert fundraisers for Farm Aid and the Austin Community Foundation. He was the voice of 13 major sports leagues as part of the Ad Council’s national ad campaign on vaccination awareness. He released a No. 1 album of new recordings, That’s Life, where he paid homage to his favorite Frank Sinatra songs, released his latest book Willie Nelson’s Letters to America and performed and was celebrated in a once-in-a- lifetime music special Willie Nelson: American Outlaw on A&E. He is one of the musicians leading the charge to safely get back “on the road again” with the announcement of his full calendar of concert and festival dates in 2021.

About Willie Nelson
With a seven-decade career, Willie Nelson has earned every conceivable award as a musician and amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor and activist. He continues to thrive as a relevant and progressive musical and cultural force. In recent years, he has delivered more than a dozen new albums, released a Top 10 New York Times’ bestsellers book, again headlined Farm Aid, an event he co-founded in 1985, been honored by the Library of Congress with their Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, received his 5th degree black belt in Gong Kwon Yu Sul, headlined the annual Luck Reunion food and music festival during SXSW, launched his cannabis companies Willie’s Reserve and Willie’s Remedy, and graced the covers of Rolling Stone and AARP The Magazine. In July 2020, Willie released his album First Rose of Spring – an atmospheric soulful showcase of beautifully-written songs and poignant performances. September 2020 brought a memoir with his sister and pianist Bobbie Nelson titled, Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of The Family Band. For 2021, he released a new studio album in February —That’s Life, Willie’s second album of standards and classics made famous by Frank Sinatra (his first, 2018’s My Way, earned Willie the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Solo Album). The two legends were friends, musical colleagues and mutual admirers of each other’s work. In June 2021, a collection of his thoughts on America, family, faith and music hit shelves as a new book titled Willie Nelson’s Letters to America. These creative endeavors as well as new songs and performances that add to his classic catalog, find Willie Nelson rolling at an artistic peak, writing and singing and playing with the seasoned wit and wisdom that comes from the road.

About Blackbird Presents
Blackbird Presents is an award-winning creator and producer of premium music-driven content via a range of strategies including all-star concert events, tours, festivals, broadcast specials and films. Its projects feature the biggest music stars in the world (including Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards, George Strait, Steven Tyler, Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, Jimmy Buffett, The Roots, Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Brandi Carlile, Lionel Richie, Reba McEntire, John Mayer, Kacey Musgraves, Darius Rucker, Jack Johnson, Robert Plant, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Juanes, Van Morrison, Sturgill Simpson, Lady A, Little Big Town, Ringo Starr, Idina Menzel, Becky G, Nathaniel Rateliff, and many others), produced for a portfolio of studio and network partners including CBS, Viacom, A&E, AMC, CMT, Live Nation, AEG, Nederlander, Facebook, PBS and more. Recent music, film and television projects include Willie: Life & Songs Of An American Outlaw, Biography: Kenny Rogers, Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert, Peace Through Music: A Global Event For Social Justice, Sing Me Back Home: The Music of Merle Haggard, The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson, Outlaw: Celebrating The Music of Waylon Jennings, I’ll Take You There: Celebrating 75 Years of Mavis Staples, The Life and Songs of Emmylou Harris, The Musical Mojo of Dr. John: Celebrating Mac and His Music, and All My Friends: Celebrating The Songs and Voice of Gregg Allman, which earned a GRAMMY® Award nomination for Gregg Allman and Taj Mahal’s awe-inspiring performance of Statesboro Blues.

Blackbird Presents is also the creator and producer of The Outlaw Music Festival Tour, in partnership with Willie Nelson; The American Roots Music & Arts Festival, in partnership with Eric Church; and The Last Waltz 40 Tour in partnership with Robbie Robertson.