MICHAEL RAY REFLECTS ON HIGHER EDUCATION WITH BRAND NEW EP

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New Track “Just The Way I Am” Out Now

Warner Music Nashville signed Michael Ray in early 2014 after hearing about the kid from Florida booking his own shows (200+ a year), packing them out and doing so with original material playing on country radio without a major promo team fueling its momentum. Long a student of country music, now having essentially earned his doctorate, Ray shares what he has learned those many years on the road on his first new project since 2019’s Amos. Higher Education EP is due August 27. Pre-order / pre-save the album HERE.
“I’ll never forget that time in my life when I was fresh out of high school, working a trade I expected to do all my life — splicing cable — and Amos, my grandfather, recognized how much I loved writing and singing Country music,” says the Eustis, Florida native. “He said, ‘you can either look back and say ‘Damn, I wish I would have,’ or ‘Damn, I’m glad I did,’ and the latter is a whole lot easier to live with.’ With that, my band and I made the move to Music City. The next five years I leaned on the insanely talented writers, musicians and touring artists I knew, and the five+ after that I have leaned on this town. I am proud to know them the way I do, to have learned from them, and for them to know me.
“Higher Education is about going through life and the hard knocks that make you who you are … coming out of it stronger, having let it change you without hardening you. This album reminds me that even though we all go through hard times, we grow and we’re better for it.”
The final advance ahead of Higher Education’s release is the Michael Hardy, Ben West, Josh Miller-written “Just The Way I Am” (listen HERE and watch the music video HERE).
Might slow it on down
And wave at a passerby
Hug your neck say “I love ya”
‘Stead of sayin’ goodbye
And
I might cuss a little more
Then I probably should
I’m a poor man’s Hemingway
Back in the woods
Higher Education also features current single “Whiskey And Rain,” praised by Rolling Stone for “embracing a natural throwback country sound (listen HERE). “Whiskey And Rain” is Top 25-and-climbing at country radio as it tops 40 million on-demand streams.
1.    Whiskey And Rain (Josh Thompson, Jesse Frasure)
2.    Just The Way I Am (Michael Hardy, Ben West, Josh Miller)
3.    Holy Water (Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps, Ben Johnson, Michael Hardy)
4.    Picture (Michael Ray, David Garcia, Michael Hardy)
5.    Higher Education feat. Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Billy Gibbons and Tim Montana (Tim    Montana, Derek George, Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Frank Rogers)
6.    Live Without You (Michael Hardy, Jessi Alexander, Corey Crowder)
7.    Didn’t Know I Was Country (Michael Ray, Taylor Phillips, Ashley Gorley)
Earlier this summer Ray previewed the new project with perhaps his most personal song to date, “Picture” (listen HERE) Ray co-wrote the day of his Uncle Terry’s memorial following his untimely passing. American Songwriter applauds it “captures both the existential crisis and the understanding to celebrate life that often comes during the grieving process,” while MusicRow boasts, “Because one day all you will have is the memory and a photo. A lovely sentiment, a pretty melody and a sincere performance. What’s not to love?”
Catch Ray on the road with his Just The Way I Am 2021 Tour as it continues tomorrow night in Gillette, Wyo. and wraps in the fall at the Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Tickets are available at MichaelRayMusic.com.

TIMMY BROWN RELEASES ACOUSTIC VERSION OF 2016 DEBUT SINGLE “LIL’ BIT”

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Timmy Brown does it again with an acoustic spin on his 2016 debut single “Lil Bit.” After a successful debut full-length album release earlier this year, Timmy is not slowing down and is still bringing new music to his strong fanbase. Listen to the song here!

This acoustic version slows down the originally upbeat song and gives it a more sentimental tone. With this new spin on his original, Timmy Brown proves that he still has more to offer with every release. The clever lyrics put a modern twist on a traditional country song. Timmy seems grateful for the small things in life and this acoustic version is the perfect sound for a slow summer night. 

“I thought it would be fun to bring back my first ever released song ‘Lil’ Bit’ as an acoustic version, after releasing my first full-length album Good Life. It’s always been one of my favorites and most requested original songs at my shows. It was great revisiting the song in the studio after working hard on my sound over the last couple of years!” says Timmy.

The reviews came in strong for the rising singer/songwriter’s album Good Life. Renowned music critic Robert K. Oermann says “I think he has the goods.” American Songwriter said the album “paints a truly authentic portrait of an emerging artist.”

About Timmy Brown
Timmy Brown is a singer, songwriter, and recording artist from Norton, Massachusetts and is best known for his dedication to creating expressive and energized country music. Brown’s debut EP Leave This Town was released in April of 2016 and on April 18th of that year Timmy’s first single, titled “Lil Bit,” was released on iTunes where it reached the Top 100 charts in a matter of twenty-four hours. In the fall of 2017, Brown auditioned for Season One of the “American Idol” reboot on ABC and finished in the top sixty contestants. His infectious energy, talent, and enthusiasm have made him a local favorite throughout the New England area. In 2019, Brown was voted New England Country Music’s Local Male Artist of the Year for the fourth year in a row. Timmy Brown has opened for a number of popular artists including Dustin Lynch, Kane Brown, LANCO, and Lindsey Ell. Brown’s latest album Good Life, produced by Josh Gleave, released in 2021 with a track-list of ten first-class, brand new songs. Track four from the album, “Play It By Beer”, will appear as the album’s single and accompanied by a new music video that will be released later this month. Also appearing on Good Life is “If You Were Here” dedicated to Brown’s beloved grandmother, who pushed Brown to pursue his dream of a music career. Brown’s dedication and love of music is evident when he is performing on stage. It is his devotion to the country genre and his natural ability to draw in and connect with his audience that has earned Brown such a loyal fan base.

FRONT AND CENTER – ACCLAIMED CONCERT SERIES RETURNS TO PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR 10TH SEASON

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Hosted by Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville:
Lady A, Old Dominion, John Hiatt, Jerry Douglas, Tommy Emmanuel, Brantley Gilbert, Dustin Lynch, Maddie & Tae

Glen Cambell Live From the Troubadour Plus New Age Act Sangeeta Kaur

Premieres Nationwide Beginning August 1, 2021
(Check Local Listings)

  Lady A

Glen Campbell

For the last decade, public television’s critically acclaimed live music series “Front And Center” has showcased an eclectic variety of musicians, from industry veterans to emerging artists, in an intimate setting that uniquely connects an artist to their fans. Artists play their defining hits and introduce new work in a dynamic hour of music and banter about life on the road, songwriting influences and the hard work and heartbreak that come before the sold-out shows and crowded award shelves. Season 10 premieres nationwide beginning August 1 on public television stations (check local listings) with eight concerts that span genres from Rock to Country to Blues to New Age.

In a slight departure from the series’ usual format, Season 10 launches with an archival concert by the late Glen Campbell, recorded in August 2008 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. Campbell returned to the iconic club, treating the audience to a mix of Campbell standards like “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston” and “Rhinestone Cowboy” along with instant-classic covers of hits by U2, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Velvet Underground, The Replacements, Green Day, Foo Fighters, John Lennon and Yoko Ono and Scottish band Travis. It was a night of music that explored the commonalities of genres, country-tinged arrangements and how good live music feels. This PBS “Front And Center” special demonstrates why Campbell was a beloved American voice – and still inspires viewers with its exuberant performances. Watching the last live, full-concert performance that Campbell recorded, now four years since he passed in 2017, fans are reminded of the rare talent for exceptional guitar playing, phrasing and vocals this legend brought to whatever song he interpreted. The show is also available as a full-length album on Surfdog Records/Big Machine Records.

Following Campbell, new, exclusive performances this season include several of Nashville’s biggest stars performing from Analog at Hutton Hotel, with episodes filmed both pre-pandemic and under COVID safety protocols: Grand Ole Opry member Dustin Lynch; Country Music Association Triple Play Award winner Brantley Gilbert; ACM and CMA reigning Vocal Group of the Year Old Dominion; five-time GRAMMY® Award winners Lady A; CMA Award-winning Country duo Maddie & Tae; and nine-time GRAMMY nominee John Hiatt with Jerry Douglas and special guest Tommy Emmanuel. Rounding out season 10 is New Age vocalist Sangeeta Kaur in a performance from Los Angeles.

Platinum-selling Country artist Dustin Lynch’s February 2020 concert is a celebration of the release of his acclaimed album Tullahoma one month prior. Lynch’s heavily autobiographical set list includes the title track inspired by his childhood hometown 75 miles from his current Nashville stardom, his multi-week No. 1 smash “Small Town Boy” and 2012 breakout debut “Cowboys and Angels,” about his grandparents’ 65-year love story which he plays in this concert as an acoustic solo. Fixing his jacket so his mom “doesn’t get mad,” Lynch energizes the crowd in person and at home, a pre-COVID recorded reminder of how exciting packed live music performances were and will be again.

Southern Rocker Brantley Gilbert brings his band along for a stripped-down set of his No. 1 hits that lyrically span both the party and the pew. The very personal set list includes hits inspired by his courtship with his wife (“You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,” “If You Want a Bad Boy”), his nine years of sobriety (“Bottoms Up”) and more. Gilbert also invites his co-writers for three of his number one hits – Brian Davis (“One Hell of an Amen”), Mike Dekle (“Country Must Be Country Wide” and “One Hell of an Amen”), Justin Weaver and Brett James (both on “Bottoms Up”) – on stage to perform with him and chat about the songwriting process, how performance can change a song, why everyone in music dresses in all black and Gilbert’s history of stage acrobatics.

Country-pop five-piece band Old Dominion gets warmed up for their first headlining tour in a performance recorded on the 5th anniversary of their first album. Between songs in a set that includes their biggest hits – “Never Be Sorry,” “One Man Band,” “Make it Sweet” and more – as well as a first-time-in-concert cover of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” front man Matthew Ramsey shares stories of a lyrical mishap that brought them closer to their fans in Chicago, a soundcheck that resulted in a last minute addition to their album Meat and Candy and more.

Lady A joins the season as one of the 21st century’s premier vocal groups with the highest certified song by a Country group (the 9x Platinum “Need You Now”). The multi-GRAMMY winning trio of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, who recently earned their 11th career No.1 with “Champagne Night,” perform fan-favorite songs both old and new from their decade of award-winning hits.

Maddie & Tae, longtime friends and music collaborators who first broke out in 2013 with their brilliant counter to “Bro-Country” – “Girl in A Country Song” – and are now the first and only Country twosome with multiple No. 1s, showcase their tight harmonies in a concert that includes that first Platinum-selling smash plus their Double Platinum-certified hit “Die from a Broken Heart” as well as their latest, “Woman You Got.”

John Hiatt with Jerry Douglas and special guest Tommy Emmanuel bring their distinctive musicianship to their performance of songs from Hiatt and Douglas’ 2021 release Leftover Feelings with universal themes – family, loss, tough redemption and long-term love. Douglas’ innovative work on the Dobro, paired with Certified Guitar Player Emmanuel’s fingerstyle technique along with Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Famer Hiatt’s storytelling make for a one-night-only experience.

While traveling the world as an operatic vocalist, Sangeeta Kaur was introduced to the power of spiritual mantra as well as the discipline of yogic practices that have influenced her musical expression. Her performance for “Front And Center” showcases her innovation and creativity, merging classical and contemporary music approaches for a performance enhanced by gorgeous visuals, graphics and costuming. Recorded in Los Angeles, the concert features a guest appearance by Jon Anderson of YES on the world premiere of his song “Sun and Rain” as well as world-class ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro and world class backing musicians who have worked with Wings, Jimmy Buffett and more icons of the industry. The set includes Sangeeta’s original composition “In All of Time” and a stunning rendition of “Les Feuilles Mortes” set in a virtual magical forest.

“Front And Center” is a production of Front and Center, LLC and is distributed nationally by American Public Television. Episodes will also be available to watch on the “Front And Center” YouTube page. For more information and to watch prior seasons featuring artists including Santana, Jack Johnson, Shawn Mendes, Sheryl Crow, Seal, Hozier, Miranda Lambert and more, visit frontandcenter.com. Follow “Front And Center” on social media on Facebook at FrontAndCenterTV, on Twitter @frontandcenter and on Instagram @frontandcenterTV.

“Front And Center” Season 10
August 1 – Glen Campbell
August 8 – Dustin Lynch
August 15 – Brantley Gilbert
August 22 – Old Dominion
August 29 – Lady A
September 5 – Maddie & Tae
September 12 – John Hiatt with Jerry Douglas and special guest Tommy Emmanuel
September 19 – Sangeeta Kaur with special guests Jon Anderson and Jake Shimabukuro

About American Public Television
American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations. Founded in 1961, APT distributes 250 new program titles per year and more than one-third of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. APT’s diverse catalog includes prominent documentaries, performance, dramas, how-to programs, classic movies, children’s series and news and current affairs programs. “Doc Martin,” “Midsomer Murders,” “America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated,” “AfroPoP,” “Rick Steves’ Europe,” “Pacific Heartbeat,” “Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Television,” “Legacy List with Matt Paxton,” “Lidia’s Kitchen,” “Kevin Belton’s New Orleans Kitchen,” “Simply Ming,” “The Best of the Joy of Painting” with Bob Ross, “Live From the Artists Den,” James Patterson’s “Kid Stew” and “NHK Newsline” are a sampling of APT’s programs, considered some of the most popular on public television. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service and distributes Create®TV — featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming — and WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.

About Analog at Hutton Hotel
Analog at Hutton Hotel is an intimate music venue showcasing the industry’s most inspired musicians that gives you an up close and personal experience in a comfortable living-room style setting. It immerses audiences in Nashville’s unrivaled live music scene, where storytelling is prized above all else. Located just steps from the famed Music Row, Analog was designed to provide some of the best venue acoustics in all of Nashville while providing an intimate, interactive and engaging experience for audiences and talent. From the artists; to the design of the lounge seating; to the advanced, innovative technology; to the mixologist providing crafted cocktails — the artistic spirit inspires a unique experience nightly.

FANFEST TO REV UP BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX WEEKEND

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FanFest is Free and Open to the Public and Located on Broadway

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will be giving racing fans an inclusive opportunity to take a front row seat with FanFest on Thursday, August 5. FanFest is free and open to the public, and will be located on Broadway between 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave. This will be the only official Big Machine Music City Grand Prix event to take place on Broadway.

“We are thrilled to be able to kick off the weekend with this free and inclusive experience for racing fans in downtown Nashville,” Big Machine Music City Grand Prix President Chris Parker said. “The chance to get up close with the drivers and cars before the big race will be an unforgettable chance of a lifetime.”

Meet several of your favorite NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers during an autograph session and pose for photos and selfies with one of more than 15 race cars that will be on display including those from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, GT America, Trans Am, Stadium SUPER Trucks and, of course, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix show car. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES team cars on display will be the No. 2 of Nashville’s Josef Newgarden and No. 12 of Will Power from Team Penske; No. 26 of Colton Herta from Andretti Autosport w/Curb Agajanian; No. 51 of Romain Grosjean from Dale Coyne Racing with RWR; No. 18 of Ed Jones from Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan; and No. 06 of Helio Castroneves from Meyer Shank Racing.

The 30-minute autograph session, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will feature NTT

INDYCAR SERIES drivers Alex Palou and Marcus Ericsson of Chip Ganassi Racing; Alexander Rossi of Andretti Autosport; James Hinchcliffe of Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport; Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist of Arrow McLaren SP; Max Chilton of Carlin; Jones of Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan; Dalton Kellett of A.J. Foyt Enterprises; Santino Ferrucci of Rahal Letterman and Lanigan Racing; and Cody Ware of Dale Coyne Racing with RWR. This will be the only multiple-driver autograph session available for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES during the race weekend, so you don’t want to miss it.

The three-hour fan event will be highlighted by a live pit stop challenge with Chip Ganassi Racing and six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon taking on A.J. Foyt Enterprises and four-time series champ Sebastien Bourdais in side-by-side competition. The pit stop challenge will begin at 6:30 p.m. A media bullpen will

be set up on Broadway and 1st Ave. to capture the Pit Stop Challenge via photo and video, and interviews with drivers will be available at that location as well.

The festival opens with the Music City MINI Grand Prix, a pedal car race for kids down Broadway that begins at 4:30 p.m. All proceeds from the MINI Grand Prix will benefit the youth at Rocketown, a drop-in “student center” where marginalized teens and young people from low-income communities can find peace, purpose and possibilities. For more information or to register for the pedal car race, please visit www.rocketown.org/grandprix.

Thursday’s Schedule:

4:30-5:30pm – Music City MINI Grand Prix pedal car race for kids 5:30-6:00pm – Autograph Session with NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers 5:30-7:30pm – FanFest Car Display
6:30-7:30pm – Pit Stop Challenge

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, a three-day international festival of speed and sound set for August 6-8 offers something for everyone. It will be staged on a temporary 2.17-mile grand prix circuit in Nashville and around the Nissan Stadium campus.

In addition to a weekend of racing, attendees can look forward to the best Nashville has to offer, including live musical performances by top artists, best-in-class food experiences and entertainment that centers on speed in a way only Music City can serve up.

For more information on the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, visit musiccitygp.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @musiccitygp. All ticket options are on sale now while supplies last. Fans can purchase Big Machine Music City Grand Prix three-day packages starting at $119, single-day tickets starting at $35 and festival add-ons at musiccitygp.com/tickets, Ticketmaster.com or by calling the Tennessee Titans’ ticket office at 615-565-4650.

About Big Machine Music City Grand Prix:

Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is a three-day international festival of speed and sound featuring the NTT INDYCAR® SERIES, GT America, Crosley Stadium SUPER Trucks, and Trans Am series racing events. The event aims to create a comprehensive world-class international destination event that highlights Nashville, Tenn., the Music City and the Mid-South region. It will include music, food, culture and entertainment centered on the speed, technology, skill and excitement of up-close urban INDYCAR and other forms of racing. As a privately funded event, Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is owned and operated by 615GP, LLC. More information is available at www.musiccitygp.com.

ANNOUNCING GIBSON RECORDS

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A New Record Label From Gibson

Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators

For the past 127 years, Gibson – the iconic American instrument brand – has been synonymous with creating and shaping sound across genres of music and generations of players. Gibson today announced the launch of Gibson Records, headquartered in Music City, Nashville, TN alongside a strategic label partnership with BMG.

Over the past two and a half years, Gibson has launched successful music initiatives built around their iconic brands, premium guitars, and amazing artists. Not to mention initiatives that have re-energized the Gibson fanbase and the music community at large including Gibson Artist Collections, Gibson TV, the Gibson App, the Gibson Generation Group (G3), Gibson Gives, and the newly opened Gibson Garage in Nashville. Gibson Records is the next major step contributing to the evolution of collaborative artist partnerships.

Iconic music that inspired generational movements has been recorded with Gibson guitars since the inception of recorded music. Gibson Records will work with Gibson artists to produce, record, and promote their music to fans around the world, spreading the power of their music, creating, building, and delivering guitar centric music, across genres to fans across the globe.

“Launching a record label that is in service to our artists is the natural evolution of our 127 years of history. Gibson Records will work with Gibson artists to capture, record and promote their music under an artist friendly partnership,” says Cesar Gueikian, Brand President, Gibson Brands. “Gibson Records will keep all of us at Gibson focused on our artist-first culture that is engaged and connected to music. We are excited to launch Gibson Records, to announce that Slash is our first signed artist and that we have entered into a label partnership with BMG.”

Gibson Records has also announced that it has entered into a strategic label partnership for the release with BMG, the world’s fourth-biggest music company.

“It’s an honor to be the first release on the new Gibson Records,” says SLASH. “It’s a zenith in our partnership for sure and having worked so closely with Gibson for so long, I know they will be a label that genuinely supports their artists creatively. Not just me, but all the artists they choose to work with. It’s perfect.”

“Partnering with Gibson Records and BMG presents an exciting and unique opportunity to explore new ideas for marketing and promoting a record,” adds Jeff Varner, Co-Founder of Revelation Management Group (Slash’s longtime manager). “It shows a real commitment on the part of Gibson towards the artist community, and it will serve as a model for future artist releases.  Working with Cesar and the Gibson team has provided a fresh approach to how we can support an album release.”

“BMG congratulates Gibson on the launch of their new label and is proud to collaborate with Gibson Records on its inaugural album release,” says Thomas Scherer, President, BMG Repertoire and Marketing, New York, and Los Angeles. “This is the perfect match between two global brands with an unrivaled reverence for iconic artists and respect to service their creative talents. We are excited to be the worldwide partner for Slash’s new album with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators and look forward to delivering their new music to fans everywhere around the world.”

About Gibson:

Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 127 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, and KRK, behind great music for over 30 years. Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Learn more at Gibson.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Gibson TV, and Instagram.

About Slash:

Slash – the iconic, GRAMMY-winning, American rock guitarist, songwriter and film producer-has amassed album sales of over 100 million copies, garnered a GRAMMY Award and seven GRAMMY nominations and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Slash landed on the top of the charts with his first solo album, Slash (2010) which featured Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie, Myles Kennedy and more. Shortly after, he formed his current band Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators-which features Myles Kennedy (lead vocals), Brent Fitz (drums), Todd Kerns (bass/vocals) and Frank Sidoris (rhythm guitar)-who’ve been touring worldwide and making music for a decade. The group released the critically acclaimed Apocalyptic Love (2012) which stormed the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart debuting at #4 as the top rock album and spawned Slash’s first-ever #1 solo radio hits “You’re A Lie” and “Standing In The Sun.” Slash released Nothing Left To Fear (2013) the soundtrack to the first theatrical film co-produced with SLASHfiction, his film/TV production company specializing in the horror genre. The band’s second album, World On Fire debuted to global praise and the album’s title track, “World On Fire” ascended to #1 at U.S. Rock Radio. In 2016, Guns N’ Roses re-united and Slash joined Axl Rose and Duff McKagan for the historic and ongoing “Not In This Lifetime Tour” which Billboard now ranks as the third highest grossing tour of all time. Slash and his band’s most recent release is their critically-acclaimed third album Living The Dream (2018) which Rolling Stone declared “a biting blues filigree at the end of a riff, weeping solos full of long notes and boogie-woogie riffs” and the Los Angeles Times added is full of “unexpected funk, boogie, blues and garage rock influences.” Fueled by the  Top 5 song “Driving Rain,” and the single “Mind Your Manners” as well as,  the best critical praise of their career, Living The Dream debuted with 10, Top 10 chart placements worldwide and by the end of their world tour in 2019, the group had achieved seven consecutive, Top 10 Hit singles at radio. www.slashonline.com

About BMG:

BMG – est. 2008 – is the world’s fourth-biggest music company, the first new global player in the music business of the streaming age, and a record label and music publisher in one. Named in 2020 one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company, BMG’s pitch is unique – a relentless focus on fairness and transparency and service to its artist and songwriter clients. BMG’s 20 offices across 12 core music markets now represent over three million songs and recordings, including many of the most renowned and successful catalogs in popular music history. BMG’s fresh approach includes production music, films, books, artist management, merchandise, neighboring rights, and live as well as music publishing and recordings off the same service platform. BMG is owned by international media, services and education company Bertelsmann, whose other content businesses include the broadcaster RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin Random House and the magazine publisher Gruner + Jahr. With its multi-platform perspective, integrated technology platform and commitment to help artists maximize their income, BMG aims to be the best company in music to do business with. www.bmg.com

RICKY SKAGGS REVEALS NEW KENTUCKY THUNDER BAND MEMBERS

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Skaggs Welcomes Mike Rogers and Billy Contreras as Paul Brewster Retires and Mike Barnett Recovers from Brain Injury

 Ricky Skaggs has added new Kentucky Thunder band members to its roster of first-rate musicians with Mike Rogers performing tenor vocals and playing rhythm guitar and Billy Contreras on fiddle. This comes as Paul Brewster retires from the band and Mike Barnett recovers from a brain aneurysm sustained in 2020.

Rogers is a vocalist and a multi-instrumentalist, which includes playing drums, acoustic guitar, banjo, and steel guitar. In the past, he has performed as a band member of multiple country and bluegrass acts, including Kevin Denney, Craig Morgan, and Doyle Lawson. Rogers is also a songwriter and producer, having penned songs for Morgan, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Lonesome River Band and Jimmy Fortune, and producing Fortune’s album, Lessons.

Contreras is a fiddler as well as an educator, session player, arranger, and producer. He studied with Buddy Spicher and Rachel-Barton Pine and has performed or recorded with a host of talent including Lionel Hampton, George Jones, Doc Severinsen, Hank Thompson, Hank Jones, Crystal Gayle, Grady Tate, Charlie Louvin, Al Grey, Ray Price, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and the Nashville Symphony, along with teaching at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

As both Rogers and Contreras are welcome additions to Kentucky Thunder, missing from the lineup will be long-time band member Paul Brewster, and for now, Mike Barnett.

Brewster was with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for 26 years, winning many GRAMMY® and IBMA awards during his tenure with Skaggs and the band.

“As Paul’s been with me for more than 25 years, he made a huge impact in the sound and makeup of Kentucky Thunder,” says Skaggs. “He’s one of the best tenor singers in bluegrass music, a first-class musician and a good friend. Paul is a wonderful Christian brother as well, which has been more important to him than his great singing gift. His presence on stage and off will be missed!”

Fiddle virtuoso Barnett’s career includes a GRAMMY® nomination for his highly acclaimed album Portraits in Fiddles. The gifted band member is working towards recovery from a brain injury which occurred in the summer of 2020.

“Our hearts were heavy upon hearing the news of Mike’s brain aneurysm back last summer,” explains Skaggs. “He has overcome so much and is working hard towards recovery. We can’t wait to see him get back to fiddling, of which he is a master at such a young age. My wife Sharon and I, along with the band and crew, look forward to seeing him perform again soon and all of our prayers are with him at this time for God to heal him completely.”

“We congratulate Paul on his retirement and wish him all the best and our thoughts and prayers are with Mike during this phase of his recovery,” adds Skaggs’ longtime manager Charlotte Scott.

About Ricky Skaggs
Earning 12 #1 hit singles, 15 GRAMMY® Awards, 13 IBMA Awards, nine ACM Awards, eight CMA Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), two Dove Awards, the ASCAP Founders Award, three honorary Doctorate degrees, inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame, IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, National Fiddler Hall of Fame, Musicians Hall of Fame, and GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the 2013 Artist-In-Residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, an Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in the Instrumentalist category along with countless other awards, Ricky Skaggs is truly a pioneer of Bluegrass and Country music. Since he began playing music over 60 years ago, Skaggs has released more than 30 albums and has performed thousands of live shows. He started his own record label, Skaggs Family Records, in 1997 and has since released 12 consecutive GRAMMY®-nominated albums. His latest release, Hearts Like Ours, with his wife, celebrated artist Sharon White of The Whites features the couple dueting on handpicked country love songs. And the Grand Ole Opry member has released his first-ever autobiography, “Kentucky Traveler.” The book details the life and times of Skaggs and provides a descriptive history of Country and Bluegrass music, as told by the master himself. In addition to his regular touring schedule with his band, Kentucky Thunder, he has added country tour dates as he plugs in and plays full shows of his chart-topping hits. Skaggs was a 2020 recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government.

BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP + CREATIVETS RELEASE “WAR AND PEACE” FEATURING LANCE CARPENTER

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 Big Machine Label Group and CreatiVets announce today the release of “War And Peace” featuring Lance Carpenter. Written by Jay Thurin, Richard Casper, Chris Ferrara, Lance Carpenter and Brian Walsh, the song’s lyrics express a deep love and appreciation for veterans’ partners, who face the challenges of returning home from war alongside them:
I’m your war it’s plain to see
Through it all I don’t know how you stay with me
You could go you could leave but you carry me
I’m your war
You’re my peace
“I’m so honored to be involved with CreatiVets and proud is an understatement to see how it’s evolved and grown over the years and the massive positive impact it’s made and continues to make for veterans and their families,” says Carpenter. “I never served in the military so I’m humbled at the opportunity to use my talent as a singer/songwriter to, in a small way, serve those who have served for me.”
This month also saw the release of “Old Glory” featuring Chris Ferrara in alignment with the 4th of July. Written by Chris Hamilton, Richard Casper, Chris Ferrara, Joe Bachman, the upbeat song is the perfect addition to your summer playlist.
About Lance Carpenter
Singer/Songwriter Lance Carpenter pens hits of contemporary Country radio, while still staying true to his traditional background. Growing up on a farm in Ozark, Arkansas, Lance moved to Nashville in 2011 and within 18 months, he signed his first publishing deal and secured 2 major cuts. Lance achieved his first No. 1 hit by co-writing Kelsea Ballerini’s single “Love Me Like You Mean It.” He released his self-titled debut album LANCE CARPENTER in 2013 with follow up albums HAY DAYS in 2015 and MUSTANG in 2018. Lance has performed with Toby Keith, Luke Bryan, Justin Moore, Randy Rogers Band and more as well as cuts on albums by Dylan Scott, Tyler Farr and Richie McDonald. He continues writing music that inspires, memorializes and captures his own zest for life while remaining true to his laid-back country boy persona. In addition, Lance continues to astound with the work ethic and humbleness that determined his early successes.
About CreatiVets
CreatiVets is a veterans organization dedicated to helping wounded veterans heal through the arts and music. The organization was inspired by executive director Richard Casper, who discovered firsthand just how transformative the arts can be to veterans after military service.Casper served for four years as a Marine, including a 2006 tour in Iraq where he watched his close friend and comrade, Luke Yepsen, fall to enemy snipers. There he also sustained four IED blasts in the span of just four months, leaving him with a major left traumatic brain injury and significant PTS, depression and anxiety upon returning home. His experiences in art classes at Heartland Community College, and later the Chicago Institute for the Arts, revealed to him the power of art and music to transform the “warrior brain.” Casper’s vision for CreatiVets was to give veterans a way to talk about their experiences in combat.CreatiVets was founded in 2013. The organization hosts a number of free songwriting and visual arts programs through its sites in Dallas, Chicago, Nashville and partnerships with the Grand Ole Opry and the Chicago Art Institute. Major artists including Brantley Gilbert, Craig Morgan and Love and Theft, as well as brands including Amazon and The Nashville Sign, have helped CreatiVets spread its message to Nashville and beyond. Amazon partnered with CreatiVets and Big Machine Label Group last July to release the album VETERAN SONGS, which can be accessed on any Amazon Alexa by speaking the command, “Alexa, play music by veterans.”

About Big Machine Label Group
Led by Founder, President and CEO Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group encompasses Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co., BMLG Records, Big Machine/John Varvatos Records and publishing company Big Machine Music as well as its own digital radio station, Big Machine Radio. BMLG artists include superstars Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Sheryl Crow, Thomas Rhett,  Rascal Flatts, Brantley Gilbert, Lady A and Sugarland; chart-topping acts Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Brett Young, Midland, Carly Pearce, Riley Green, Aaron Lewis, Badflower and “The Voice” winner Danielle Bradbery. BMLG artists have received multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, AMA, CMT, Teen Choice, MTV, Billboard, People’s Choice and Brit Awards. Big Machine is the first-ever American label to align with terrestrial radio for performance royalty rights for its artists and is an industry leader in fighting for artist, songwriter, publisher and record company rights. Big Machine Label Group created the Music Has Value Fund to provide assistance to nonprofit organizations that make music, aspire to make music, and access and appreciate music. Visit BigMachineLabelGroup.com for more information.

TODD SNIDER ANNOUNCES 2021 TOUR: “RETURN OF THE STORYTELLER”

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Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter Reveals 50+ 2021 Concerts; Snider Plans to Harvest Audio From Tour for Special Live Album

Todd Snider, who Rolling Stone hails as “America’s sharpest storyteller,” is headed back to the live music circuit following a year-long hiatus due to Covid-19. Beginning this month, Snider will embark on his “Return of the Storyteller” tour, an extensive cross-country trek that includes more than 50 live concert dates taking place throughout the remainder of 2021.
Snider plans to capture audio from the tour to create a special live album, The Comeback Special. The compilation will be recorded in over 50 music venues that are reopening across the country with select songs released in 2022. After a long break from the road, Snider will return to his storytelling roots filled with freshly inspired folklore and a new interactive concert experience.
“After Coronavirus, I knew I wanted to release a live album of this tour and call it The Comeback Special,” explains Snider. “Being unable to tour for more than a year has given me the opportunity to work on new songs and covers and practice old material. I want the people to be part of my upcoming album and to release something special for those that missed live concerts as much as I have.”
Snider has long been recognized as one of his generation’s most gifted and engaging touring musicians, so it’s no surprise he has returned from the pandemic with a new comeback tour. He will hit the road on July 24 with a sold-out performance at The Caverns in Pelham, TN.
Fans are invited to come out and be part of the live record as Snider takes audience requests, shares stories and performs songs from his extensive catalog, including the brand new studio album, First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder.
Very Special Guests Darrin Bradbury, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Jamie Lin Wilson, Reed Foehl, Jack Ingram, Lilly Winwood, David Lindley, Chicago Farmer, Steve Poltz, Spanish Love Songs, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott will join Snider on select dates.
 
“Return Of The Storyteller” Tour Schedule:
July 24 – Pelham, TN – The Caverns – SOLD OUT
Aug 19 – Macon, GA – Hargray Capitol Theatre^
Aug 20 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse^
Aug 22 – Hopewell, VA – The Beacon Theatre^
Aug 23 – Cleveland, OH – Music Box Supper Club^
Aug 25 – Cincinnati, OH – 20th Century Theater^
Aug 26 – Nelsonville, OH – Stuart’s Opera House^
Aug 27 – State College, PA – The State Theatre^
Aug 28 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre
Aug 30 – New York, NY – The Gramercy Theatre^
Aug 31 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere^
Sept 1 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat^
Sept 3 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre^
Sept 4 – Charlotte, NC – McGlohon Theater^
Sept 5 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall^
Sept 8 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center#
Sept 9 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater%
Sept 10 – Norfolk, CT – Infinity Hall Norfolk%
Sept 11 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall Hartford%
Sept 15 – Albany, NY – The Egg – Swyer Theatre%
Sept 16 – Natick, MA – The Center for Arts Natick%
Sept 17 – Fairfield, CT – StageOne%
Sept 18 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
Sept 19 – Charleston, WV – Mountain Stage
Sept 24 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium&
Sept 29 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater#
Oct 1 – Bozeman, MT – The ELM
Oct 2 – Missoula, MT – The Wilma
Oct 3 – Egyptian Theatre – Boise, ID
Oct 4 – Tower Theatre – Bend, OR
Oct 7 – Seattle, WA – Washington Hall@
Oct 8 – Eugene, OR – Soreng Theater at Hult Center@
Oct 10 – Grants Pass, OR – The Rogue Theatre@
Oct 13 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall@
Oct 14 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall – SOLD OUT@
Oct 16 – San Luis Obispo, CA – The Fremont Theater@
Oct 17 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall@
Oct 20 – Healdsburg, CA – Raven Theatre@
Oct 22 – Paradise, CA – Paradise Performing Arts Center@
Oct 23 – Stateline, NV – Montbleu Resort & Casino**
Oct 25 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room – SOLD OUT#
Oct 27 – Fort Collins, CO – Washington’s
Oct 29 – Kansas City, MO – Folly Theater^^
Oct 30 – Omaha, NE – Scottish Rite Hall^^
Oct 31 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s^^
Nov 1 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s^^
Nov 3 – Iowa City, IA – The Englert Theatre^^
Nov 4 – Madison, WI – Barrymore Theatre^^
Nov 5 – Chicago, IL – Park West#
Nov 6 – Grand Rapids, MI – Wealthy Theatre##
Nov 17 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre%%
Nov 18 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
Nov 19 – St. Louis, MO – Sheldon Concert Hall
Nov 20 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre&&
Dec 3 – Greenville, TX – Texan Theater
Dec 4 – Temple, TX – Cultural Activities Center
Dec 6 – Tomball, TX – Main Street Crossing
Dec 7 – Tomball, TX – Main Street Crossing
Dec 8 – Tomball, TX – Main Street Crossing

MICHAEL RAY ANNOUNCES NEW SONG “JUST THE WAY I AM” AVAILABLE FRIDAY, JULY 30

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Tickets On Sale Now for 2021 Just The Way I Am Tour

 

Credit Sean Hagwell.jpg

Hitmaker Michael Ray announces more new music from his upcoming project due later this summer, “Just The Way I Am,” a song that recognizes that people aren’t all good or all bad, balancing grinning self-deprecation with honesty and pride. “Just The Way I Am” is set for release Friday, July 30 and is available to pre-save HERE.

“This song really feels autobiographical for me,” shares Ray. “It touches on the good parts of people while still acknowledging that they have faults and flaws, myself included. I relate to it so fully, that it feels like I could have written it. I hope that when fans hear it, they understand more about me and maybe even relate to it themselves.”

Written by Michael Hardy, Ben West and Josh Miller, “Just The Way I Am” finds Ray’s smooth vocals painting a character that feels like a portrait of someone we all know in the first verse:

Might slow it on down
And wave at a passerby
Hug your neck say I love ya
‘Stead of sayin’ goodbye

Ain’t lookin’ for one
But won’t run from a fight
I got too much pride

Hey I’m the kinda guy
That likes a simple life
The only suit and tie I own
Is for when Heaven calls somebody home

The first of many new tracks from Ray, his current single “Whiskey And Rain”– praised by Rolling Stone for “embracing a natural throwback country sound”– is currently climbing the charts at country radio as it reaches 38 million on-demand streams.

“Just The Way I Am” follows the release of “Picture,” written shortly after the unexpected passing of his Uncle Terry and penned with Michael Hardy and David Garcia. “Picture” is about memories made and memories still to make, with American Songwriter sharing the track “captures both the existential crisis and the understanding to celebrate life that often comes during the grieving process,” while MusicRow boasts, “Because one day all you will have is the memory and a photo. A lovely sentiment, a pretty melody and a sincere performance. What’s not to love?”

Catch Ray out on the road with his Just The Way I Am 2021 Tour, as it continues tonight in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. and wraps in the fall at the Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Tickets are available at MichaelRayMusic.com.

Just The Way I Am 2021 Tour Dates (headlining unless otherwise noted):
July 21                        Jenks Club                                                      Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.
July 23                         Power Plant Live                                           Baltimore, Md.
July 24                        Pinehaven Country Club                                Guilderland, N.Y.
July 25                        Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom                  Hampton Beach, N.H.
July 31                        Cam-Plex Heritage Center                             Gillette, Wyo.
Aug. 6                         Antelope County Fair                                     Neligh, Neb.
Aug. 21                       Brown County Fair                                         Aberdeen, S.D.
*Support to Nelly
Aug. 22                       Central State Fair                                            Rapid City, S.D.
*Support to Kip Moore
Aug. 25                       The Pageant                                                    St. Louis. Mo.
Sept. 3                         Ozark Amphitheater                                       Camdenton, Mo.
*Support to Brantley Gilbert
Sept. 4                         Touchdowns & Tunes                                    Paducah, Ky.
*Support to Brantley Gilbert and Ashley McBryde
Sept. 10                       Washington State Fair                                    Puyallup, Wash.
Sept. 18                       Swine N Dine                                                 Paxton, Ill.
Sept. 23                       Island Hopper Songwriters Festival               Ft. Myers, Fla.
Nov. 14                       Tortuga Music Festival                                   Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
*Support to Jon Pardi

About Michael Ray
For Michael Ray, music is his grandfather singing and sweating on a rural Florida stage. It’s the childhood refuge he found during the pain of his parents’ divorce. It’s family and stories, history and hope. Ray says music saved him, but it did even more: Music made him. In four short years, Ray has built an impressive foundation. Three No. 1 songs – “Kiss You in the Morning,” “Think a Little Less,” and “One That Got Away” – plus “Get to You” and “Her World or Mine,” brings his tally to five Gold-certified singles. The poignant “Her World or Mine” from his sophomore album Amos also produced a video that has captured more than 26 million YouTube views since its debut less than a year ago. Now, two hit albums into that all-too-rare blend of critically acclaimed and commercially successful career, Ray has released “Whiskey and Rain,” the first single off of his upcoming project produced by GRAMMY-nominated song whisperer Ross Copperman. Proof that heartbroken wallowing can feel good if it swings, “Whiskey And Rain” has garnered 38 million streams since its release, cementing Ray as the ideal bridge between vintage country cool and modern country’s best sounds. Catch Ray this summer on his 21-stop Just The Way I Am Tour, kicking off June 13 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Learn more about Ray at MichaelRayMusic.com or follow him on Instagram and Twitter @MichaelRayMusic and Facebook.com/MusicMichaelRay.

LEE GREENWOOD AND BRELAND HOMES PARTNER WITH HELPING A HERO TO BUILD HOME FOR SPECIAL VETERAN

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Wounded Warrior to Receive Home On-Stage During an All-Star Salute to Lee Greenwood on October 12th at the Von Braun Center

Lee Greenwood with Patti and Louis Breland (Photo by Austin Smith)

Lee Greenwood along with Louis and Patti Breland of Breland Homes announced a partnership with Helping a Hero to provide a custom-built home for a wounded warrior in north Alabama as part of the All-Star Salute to Lee Greenwood event. Helping a Hero has launched the “Nominate a Hero” program where the community can nominate a wounded veteran for consideration to be selected as a home recipient. Nomination forms can be found on Helping a Hero’s website at helpingahero.org.

“Helping a Hero has helped provide over 100 homes for veterans and I have served as an ambassador for them for over a decade. The work they do is tremendous, especially when you get to hand those keys to a wounded veteran. The reactions are priceless,” said Greenwood. “I know that I am being honored on October 12th and it’s very appreciated, however, after I met Louis and Patti, I knew this was a wonderful opportunity to team together and make a difference. I am honored to share the stage on October 12th to honor a special veteran.”

Breland Homes is one of the top home builders in the southeast with a 46-year history of constructing quality homes in exceptional communities and is one of the most trusted names in the homebuilding industry. Breland’s latest projects include two master-planned mixed-use communities, Clift Farms, and Town Madison. Clift Farms is located on Highway 72 across from Madison Hospital and Town Madison is on I-565 in Madison, which features Toyota Field – home of the new Trash Pandas minor league baseball team.

“When Patti and I met Lee Greenwood and learned about his partnership with Helping a Hero to build homes for our veterans we jumped at the chance to help,” said Louis Breland. “Our nation’s military and the heroes that fought for our country have a special place in our hearts and we are always looking for opportunities to honor and support them. I can’t think of a better way to do this than to build a home for a wounded warrior in our community.”

Helping a Hero is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization that has awarded more than 100 homes in 23 states for wounded warriors injured in the Global War on Terror. Helping a Hero raises funds and works with building partners to design the homes so they are specially adapted to the hero’s needs. Most homes include wider doorways and hallways, roll-in showers, roll under sinks and other adaptations to help our military veterans regain their daily independence after suffering combat-related injuries.

“Helping a Hero is excited to partner with Breland Homes to build a specially adapted home for a wounded hero in Alabama,” said Meredith Iler, Helping a Hero’s chairman emeritus and founder of its home program. “We are counting on Alabamians to help us locate a brave and deserving wounded veteran who was injured while serving the country and needs an adapted home. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedom, and this is a way to say ‘thank you for your service.'”

In order to qualify, a veteran must be 100% permanently disabled and injured in combat during the post 9-11 Global War on Terror. Click here for more information on the Nominate a Hero project. Click here for more information on the Selection Process.

ABOUT LEE GREENWOOD:
Throughout his expansive career, international country music icon Lee Greenwood has earned multiple CMA and ACM Awards, a Grammy Award for Top Male Vocal Performance on “I.O.U,” in 1985, and a multitude of other prestigious awards nominations. His discography includes twenty-two studio albums, seven compilation albums, seven No. 1 hits, and thirty-eight singles including songs like “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Ring On Her Finger Time on Her Hands,” “She’s Lyin’,” “I Don’t Mind the Thorns if You’re the Rose,” “Dixie Road,” “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “Going Going Gone,” “You Got A Good Love Comin’,” among others. His stand-out hit “God Bless the U.S.A.” has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001, and 2003), giving it the distinction of being the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart shortly after 9/11. Known for his stand-out patriotism and support of the U.S. military, Greenwood has been honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s National Patriot’s Award and entertained troops on more than 30 USO Tours.

ABOUT BRELAND HOMES:
Since 1975, Breland Homes has successfully developed or built over 30,000 single-family lots and homes. Breland Homes currently has 15 new residential communities across Madison, Limestone and Cullman counties as well as the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast. With decades of combined experience in developing livable communities and quality home construction, the Breland Homes team has established a reputation as one of the premier home builders in the southeast United States.

ABOUT HELPING A HERO:
Helping a Hero is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Texas that has awarded over 100 homes in 23 states to our most severely wounded warriors injured in the Global War on Terror. Helping a Hero is certified by the Better Business Bureau as a transparent and accountable charity and was also one of 12 charities selected by the BBB for the “Award of Distinction” in 2017. Applications are being accepted for 2021 and 2022 homes.