Six One Five Collective Partners With Nashville-Based Soles4Souls To Provide Shoes For People In Need

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 Music City supergroup Six One Five Collective (Sarah Darling, Michael Logen, and Nicole Witt) has partnered with Nashville-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Soles4Souls to provide shoes to people in need, as well as funding to bolster additional educational and economic opportunities.

Fans of Six One Five Collective will be able to donate their gently used shoes at upcoming shows (next stops include Wire and Wood Festival in Alpharetta, GA, Canton Stage, on October 8th, and Oct. 9th at Lawrenceville Arts Center in Lawrenceville, GA). There will be Soles4Souls collection boxes near the stage at each show, as well as a QR code available for convenient scanning (which will allow people to easily make monetary donations). Every dollar donated creates educational and economic opportunities.

“When Nicole approached us with this idea, we were ecstatic,” said Jamie Ellis, Vice President, Marketing and Communications. “Soles4Souls is headquartered in Nashville so it was a natural fit to collaborate with Nashville artists in the 615 Collective. I’m excited about merging two of the things that Nashville is best at: music and serving others!”

The partnership comes on the heels of music news for The Collective’s Nicole Witt. A song she co-wrote with Skip Black and Aaron Goodvin, “You Ain’t,” was cut by Goodvin (featuring Meghan Patrick) and released to Canadian country radio on Friday, 9/23, via Warner Canada.

“I am SO excited for the world to hear this song. Aaron and Meghan sing the fire out of this single. I love how the story of the song progresses from heartbreak to you’re too late,” said Witt. “The lyric hits against a feel good country mid tempo.”

Collective artist Sarah Darling just wrapped a five-show run supporting Carly Pearce in Europe, with stops in Hamburg, London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Dublin.

“Touring with Carly Pearce across Europe was life changing,” Darling said. “I’ve played across the pond a lot in my life, but to share these sold out spaces honestly felt like a dream. Hearing people sing the lyrics of your songs halfway across the world is one of the most magical experiences ever as an artist. I loved getting to watch Carly share her heart each night on stage, and honored I got to duet with her in her set. I’m still pinching myself.”

About Six One Five Collective:
The Six One Five Collective (Sarah Darling, Michael Logen, and Nicole Witt) is a collaborative effort and creative brainstorm of solo artists that are steeped in the musical mix of Country, Americana, Folk and Pop. Their sound is an undeniable wall of distinctive harmonies, vocal prowess, and solo voices that are reminiscent of those great American bands that have come before them; Fleetwood Mac, Little Big Town, etc. They will be hosting several guest artists on tour this fall, including Shelly Fairchild, Cyndi Thomson and Emily Earle.

Their road show is an eclectic mix of original solo music, hit songs they’ve written for other artists, and high energy songs that are the “Six One Five sound.” They’ve toured around the world opening for John Legend, India Arie, John Hiatt, Kenny Chesney, and others. They’ve played the Grand Ole Opry stage, C2C and have toured extensively overseas. They are Nationally awarded artists and songwriters with a Grammy nomination and an IBMA Song of the Year honor. Their songs have been written for household names like Kelly Clarkson, George Strait, Lee Brice, Ingrid Andress, Marc Broussard, Sister Hazel, and several TV shows such as Nashville, Virgin River, and Parenthood.

GENE WATSON’S OUTSIDE THE BOX LANDS IN LUMINATE’S TOP 15 COUNTRY ALBUM SALES CHART

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Opry Country Classics to Spotlight Watson’s Greatest Hits Thursday, Sept. 29
with Performances from Watson, Lorrie Morgan, Erin Enderlin, Rhonda Vincent,
The Gatlin Brothers and Jake Hoot

Legendary country vocalist Gene Watson‘s newest album, Outside the Box, lands among Luminate’s Top 15 Country Album Sales Chart this week alongside Luke Combs and Taylor Swift. On Thursday, Sept. 29, the Grand Ole Opry’s Opry Country Classics will celebrate Watson’s iconic career and greatest hits with performances from Watson, Lorrie Morgan, Erin Enderlin, Rhonda Vincent, The Gatlin Brothers and Jake Hoot. To purchase tickets, click HERE.

Outside the Box features Watson’s first-ever collaboration with country legend and fellow Texan, Willie Nelson on “Wonderful Future.” The album also features a duet with Grand Ole Opry peer Rhonda Vincent on “I’ve Got One of Those Too.” Click HERE to stream Outside the Box.

Nelson, like so many of Watson’s peers, is a longtime fan of the ‘singer’s singer’ and welcomed Watson to his own SiriusXM channel, Willie’s Roadhouse (Ch. 59) for an Outside the Box album release special hosted by Grand Ole Opry legend and Sundays with Seely host, Jeannie Seely.

The album release special was recorded with a live audience of subscribers at SiriusXM’s Music City Theatre in Nashville, the one-hour special features performances of new and classic songs from Watson and his Farewell Party Band, as well as conversation and never-told-before stories from their years in the music industry.

Outside the Box showcases Watson’s masterful vocals that have been his signature for more than six decades. The 12-track collection fuses newly recorded songs from Watson as well as re-imagined hits across multiple genres, from Merle Haggard to Etta James. The album was produced by Dirk Johnson and executive produced by Watson.

“We titled the album before we ever recorded the first song,” shared Watson. “I just wanted to do something that was different, not only for me, but for the fans too. Of course it’s still pure country music but the very first song I recorded was one by Etta James that I’ve always thought was one of the greatest songs out there. I really searched for songs I know my fans will appreciate and from that came this album, “Outside the Box.”

Celebrating 60 years in the music business hasn’t slowed down Watson, as he continues to added more dates to his 60th Anniversary Tour.

Watson’s single “If It’s That Easy” was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records. Since then, he has charted 75 titles including 23 Top 10 hits, six No. 1 country singles and five No. 1 gospel records. The Texas native continues to perform to sold-out crowds, singing in the same key as he did more than five decades ago.

CMT NAMES COUNTRY MUSIC ICON ALAN JACKSON AS “ARTIST OF A LIFETIME”

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Star-studded special premieres Friday, October 14th at 9p/8c from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony

CMT today announced country superstar Alan Jackson will be honored with the “Artist of a Lifetime” award presented by Ram Trucks at the 2022 “CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR,” premiering Friday, October 14th at 9p/8c on CMT. Jackson will join the illustrious ranks of previous “Lifetime” honorees Randy Travis (2021), Reba McEntire (2019), Loretta Lynn (2018), Shania Twain (2016), Kenny Rogers (2015) and Merle Haggard (2014) as he’s celebrated by his peers for a remarkable career spanning more than three decades.

“I believe I’ve made more videos than just about anybody, and I know how important they have been in bringing my songs to life for the fans, so thank you CMT for all the years and for this sweet honor,” Jackson says. “I’m very proud.”

“We’re honored to recognize the incomparable Alan Jackson as this year’s CMT ‘Artist of a Lifetime.’ For more than thirty years, his traditional sound, iconic voice and beloved catalog of music has captivated audiences across the globe and his talent as a recording artist and songwriter are simply unmatched,” shared CMT Producers. “From his early beginnings in Newnan, Georgia, to selling out the world’s largest stages, Alan has led fans on a musical journey that proved to be a reflection of their own lives. As his songs continue to inspire new generations of fans, we are privileged to celebrate his lifetime of accomplishments.”

The 2022 “CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR” hailing from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, will honor Jackson and previously announced honorees Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes with special never-before-seen performances, special guests and congratulatory moments. Additional honorees, performers and presenters for the 90-minute special to be announced in the coming weeks.

A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Jackson’s storied career has yielded a staggering 35 No. 1 hits and nearly 60 million sales worldwide, including iconic songs “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Chattahoochee” and “Don’t Rock The Jukebox.” For more than 30 years, his music has entertained (“It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”), touched hearts (“Drive (For Daddy Gene)”) and mirrored the emotions and experiences of many (“Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” “Remember When”) giving him a revered place in country music history. His remarkable career includes a long list of accolades that include more than 30 years of membership in the Grand Ole Opry, three CMA Entertainer of the Year honors, two GRAMMYs and the Heritage Award as the most-performed country songwriter-artist of ASCAP’s first 100 years. Jackson recently released the critically-acclaimed album, Where Have You Gone, and is continuing to thrill audiences on his sold-out Last Call: One More For The Road tour.

Jackson’s history with CMT runs deep. He has made and released nearly 60 iconic music videos, starting with his debut single…two of which were honored as the CMA Video of the Year (“Chattahoochee” and “Midnight in Montgomery”), another recognized as the ACM Video of the Year (“Drive (For Daddy Gene)”). He was honored as a “CMT Giant” in 2008 and received the inaugural Impact Award at the 2014 “CMT MUSIC AWARDS.” Jackson has also ranked No. 1 on both CMT’s “40 Greatest Songs of the Decade” and CMT’s fan-voted “20 Greatest Men in Country Music” lists.

2022 “CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR” is executive produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin. The Executives in Charge of Production are Jackie Barba and Heather D. Graffagnino. Leslie Fram is Executive in Charge of Talent; Shanna Strassberg is Talent Producer.

COLE SWINDELL EARNS HIS THIRD BACK-TO-BACK, MULTI-WEEK NO. 1 SINGLE WITH “SHE HAD ME AT HEADS CAROLINA”

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Swindell Nominated For Two CMA Awards for “Never Say Never” –
Musical Event of the Year, Music Video of the Year

Cole Swindell remains at the top of the Billboard country airplay chart this week with his fastest-rising to date, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.” The song is now the third consecutive multi-week No. 1 single from his fourth album, Stereotype, following “Single Saturday Night” and “Never Say Never” (with Lainey Wilson). “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” is Swindell’s 12th career No. 1. Additionally, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” Swindell’s 12th career No. 1, has more than 182 million global streams to date.

“She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” produced by Zach Crowell and co-written with Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett and the original writers on “Heads Carolina, Tails California” Mark D. Sanders and Tim Nichols, also hit No. 1 on Sirius XM’s The Highway Hot 30 Weekend Countdown last month.

Swindell is nominated for two CMA Award nominations for Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year with Lainey Wilson for his multi-week No. 1 duet single “Never Say Never.” “Never Say Never” was previously his fastest-rising single to date before “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” hit No. 1 on the Billboard country airplay chart last week. The 56th Annual CMA Awards will air LIVE from Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00 – 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC.

About Cole Swindell:

Multi-Platinum selling superstar Cole Swindell recently released his new album Stereotype has already charted two back-to-back multi-week No. 1 hits including “Single Saturday Night,” and most recently his Gold-certified smash single “Never Say Never,” a duet with his friend and BBR Music Group’s rising star Lainey Wilson. His new single “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” has become his fastest-rising single to date hitting the top 10 in just seven weeks and No. 1 in just 12 weeks. In the seven years since his debut on Warner Music Nashville, Swindell has racked up an impressive 12 No. 1 singles as an artist – 13 No. 1’s as a songwriter – nine certified Platinum singles (four singles at 2x Platinum), a Platinum-certified debut album (Cole Swindell) and a Gold-certified sophomore album (You Should Be Here). The Georgia hitmaker has over 5 BILLION global career streams. His massive, GRAMMY-nominated hit “Break Up In The End” was named the NSAI Song of the Year (2019).

Swindell has played on some of the biggest stages in the world, including making history being the first-ever live radio and TV broadcast from the 57th floor terrace of 4 World Trade Center. He has played high-profile national television performances on NBC’s Citi Concert Series on TODAY, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, ABC’s CMA Fest specials, CMA and ACM Awards, MLB Network, NASCAR and Sports Illustrated among others. The entertainer has toured with some of the biggest names in country music, including Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line and Dierks Bentley. He officially became a headliner on his own in 2018 with his Reason To Drink Tours and his subsequent headlining Down To Earth Tour, most recently his Down To The Bar Tour and will be back out on the road in the fall headlining his Back Down To The Bar Tour with Ashley Cooke and Dylan Marlowe.

COUNTRY ARTISTS COMMIT TO THE FIFTH ANNUAL “HEAL THE MUSIC DAY” TO SUPPORT MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE

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With the growing need for access to life-saving healthcare, mental health, and financial resources for working musicians, artists of all music genres are teaming up to support Heal the Music Day October 21, 2022

Donate at MusicHealthAlliance.com/Heal-The-Music-Day; Donations will be matched up to $25,000 October 1-21

The fifth annual “Heal The Music Day” will be October 21, 2022 and music makers across all genres are invited to join Chris & Morgan Stapleton, Lauren Daigle, Keith Urban, Rodney Crowell, Ronnie Dunn, Tina Parol, Vince Gill, Wiatr & Associates, and many more to raise awareness and funding to support Music Health Alliance (MHA). In just nine years, MHA has provided free healthcare advocacy and access to life-saving health and financial resources to more than 18,000 working music professionals nationwide and is entirely funded through individual and corporate donations and grants.

Launched in 2017, Heal The Music Day is the brainchild of Grammy-winning musician Rodney Crowell who is championing this year’s campaign with MHA in an effort to raise awareness and support for the emergency and ongoing medical needs of our country’s creative community, 76% of whom are self- employed or part of a small business, many with limited and unpredictable resources, and often uninsured or under-insured for healthcare. To participate, members of the music community — including artists, songwriters, producers, publishers, publicists, promoters, business managers, record label executives, booking agents, attorneys, venues, stylists and more — can pledge a percentage of a single day earnings or event to support MHA’s life-saving services and help their fellow music makers who are in need.

“In the world of the working musician, good health is something most of us take for granted – that is, until something goes wrong,” says Crowell. “The healthcare advocates at MHA ensure that no music professional must face a healthcare crisis alone. It is crucial to support MHA’s work to heal the music and the best part is that music makers don’t have to do anything that they are not already doing. Pledges can be as simple as a percent of a concert, event, creative work, or single donation made for Heal The Music Day October 21.”

Through personal and compassionate healthcare advocates, Music Health Alliance’s free services range from access to doctors, specialists, diagnostic testing, hospitals, medicine, health insurance, Medicare and senior care, mental health support, dental and vision resources, end of life care, and financial assistance resources during times of illness. For every $1 donated, MHA can provide $30 in healthcare support and services.

“Heal The Music Day is not only our largest fundraiser, but also an opportunity for the music industry to step up and support their fellow musicians in need. The need for our services has increased more than 65% this year over last, with mental health support growing more than 300% over the past two years. Our goal is to raise more than $300,000 this year to meet the continued increase in critical need and ensure that nobody working in the music industry will ever have to walk a health crisis alone. Heal The Music Day is a great investment into the long-term health and wellness of the music industry as a whole,” says Tatum Allsep, MHA Founder and CEO.

Pledges made for Heal The Music Day will continue the impact of MHA’s services on our country’s working musicians since 2013.

Become a Heal The Music Day partner and make a pledge at https://www.healthemusic.com/. Through an anonymous matching donor, all donations made October 1-21 will be matched up to $25,000, doubling the impact of donations by music makers and music supporters alike.

WINNERS REVEALED AT 5TH ANNUAL NASHVILLE SONGWRITER AWARDS

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Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins awarded the 
2022 NSAI ‘Song of the Year’ Honor For “Buy Dirt”

A sold out crowd at the Ryman Auditorium experienced a night to remember Tuesday September 20 as NSAI, alongside presenting partner City National Bank, celebrated the 5th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards. An evening filled with heartfelt speeches, emotional stories and incredible performances, over 20 songwriters and artists took the stage throughout the ceremony to pay tribute to the honorees and award-winning songs. GARTH BROOKS (Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award), ASHLEY GORLEY (Songwriter of the Decade) and TAYLOR SWIFT (Songwriter-Artist of the Decade) were honored with milestone achievements, and another top honor of the night, ‘Song of the Year,’ was awarded to Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins for “Buy Dirt” (recorded by Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan). Gorley was named ‘Songwriter of the Year’ for a record-breaking 6th time and MATTHEW WEST earned ‘Songwriter-Artist of the Year,’ making him now only the second-ever Christian genre songwriter-artist to receive the title. In addition, 11 songs in total were celebrated as winners in the cherished peer-voted ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ award category!

Previously announced recipient, Jon Platt, Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO, was presented with the President’s Keystone Award by NSAI Board President, Steve Bogard and celebrated with a performance of “Rich Man” by LITTLE BIG TOWN, and to honor Brooks and his lifetime of achievements, Luke Combs sang “Beaches of Cheyenne,” and legendary songwriters Pat Alger, Kent Blazy and Tony Arata, performed a medley of hits, concluding with “The Dance”.   

Throughout the night, the audience was thrilled with several special appearances, including Anne Wilson who joined Matthew West at the top of the show to perform “Me On Your Mind,” Sam Hunt who joined the stage performing “23” alongside Chris LaCorte and Josh Osborne, Kelsea Ballerini who sang “Half Of My Hometown” with Nicolle Galyon and Jimmy Robbins, and Larry Fleet who performed a moving rendition of “Sand In My Boots”.

In a stunning close to the show, the final surprise of the night was an appearance by Taylor Swift, who took center stage after receiving her Songwriter-Artist of the Decade Award, where she performed “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”, bringing the Ryman audience to their feet as they sang along to close out the show.

Additional artist appearances that filled the night included: Parmalee, HARDY, GAYLE, Alana Springsteen, Walker Hayes, Tigirlily, Thomas Rhett and Babyface, as well as many of the incredible award-winning songwriters.

“On behalf of City National Bank, we would like to congratulate the winners of the 5th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards – particularly Garth Brooks, Ashley Gorley, Matthew West and Taylor Swift for their milestones,” said Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, Co-Heads of City National Bank Entertainment Division, Nashville.  “We are thrilled a sold out crowd at the Ryman Auditorium helped us celebrate songwriters from across the music community!”

Bringing one of the NSAI’s mission pillars to the forefront, the Nashville Songwriter Awards, now it its 5th year, is truly a night all about celebrating songwriters and their importance to the community at large and beyond. The annual awards are set to return to the Ryman Auditorium Fall 2023.

CLAYTON ANDERSON’S MADE IN THE USA ALBUM AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE

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CMT World Premieres Video for New Single “Let Me Go”
Watch Clayton’s Emotional “Mini Movie” Here

 Clayton Anderson releases Made In The USA today — his first full-length album since signing to Visionary Media Group in 2021.

The Southern Indiana native, who just wrapped a summer-long lake tour, celebrated the new album with a release-day CMT World Premiere of the heart wrenching video for his latest single “Let Me Go,” written by Anderson, Jimmy Ritchey, Robert Counts, Brian Pruitt (and produced by Brandon Hood). “Let Me Go” was mixed in Dolby Atmos and will be available on DSPs that support spatial audio.

Continuing to proudly represent his home state, Anderson will headline the Indianapolis Colts’ Home Opener Concert, presented by Bud Light, at American Family Insurance “Touchdown Town” on Sunday, Sept. 25. The concert will take place at 10 AM EDT before the Colts open their home schedule against the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 PM.

“I’ve been so excited about releasing this album for months now. I can’t believe its debut is finally here! Made In The USA has been a labor of love; every note on every song I poured my heart into and I can’t wait for the world to hear it,” says Anderson. He adds, “On top of debuting this album, our friends at CMT are World Premiering my newest video to ‘Let Me Go,’ which you won’t want to miss. You can catch it on CMT Music or at CMT.com today. Make sure you watch through the end for the goosebump ending.”

Made In The USA features 12 tracks (eight co-written by Anderson) and is his most introspective album yet — sharing his deepest dreams, fears, and hard-working pride, while delivering the raucous, feel-good tunes that have earned him engaged fans across America and premier placements with blue chip brands like Ford, Major League Fishing, the Colts, and ESPN, and editorial playlisting across Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Anderson’s midwestern childhood shaped the happy-go-lucky singer, who grew up fishing, boating, and playing his guitar on the lakes of Southern Indiana. After releasing album track “Show Me Your Fish” (by Anderson, Christian “Davis” Stalnecker, and Grammy winner Dave Audé) earlier this year — crowned “the fishing song of the year” by Hook & Barrel Magazine — Anderson again tributed his roots and the state that built him with his third album single “Indiana” (Anderson, Audé, Stalnecker), on August 12 for 812, Anderson’s Southern Indiana area code.

Greatly inspired by the Hoosier State’s music heroes (John Mellencamp, John Hiatt, and Michael Jackson), Anderson launched his career at Indiana University where he played the frat circuit before winning Kenny Chesney’s Next Big Star battle of the bands in 2008. He then moved to Nashville to “Get After It” — a personal creed for Anderson, who, along with co-writers Nash Overstreet and Shane Stevens, channeled the motivating message into an anthem for those who work hard to play hard. Ford — the hardest working of truck brands — selected “Get After It” for its national Spring Truck Month ad campaign, and recently renewed it for this Fall.

Made In The USA’s eponymous single (written by Brandon Hood, Parker Welling, and Aaron Parker) released on May 25th, just in time for Memorial Day. Watch the lyric video here.

KATE WATSON RELEASES “CINDERELLA SLIPPER” MUSIC VIDEO

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Rising country artist Kate Watson released her new music video for “Cinderella Slipper.” A country girl at heart herself, Kate reminds her fans to stay true to themselves and to never forget where they came from in this lighthearted and upbeat music video. Growing up in Texas, Kate was taught that she deserves her fairy tale ending even though she enjoys “a pair of jeans and some cowboy boots” more than anything. Watch the music video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvqSNZm83YE

“Cinderella Slipper” is an original song that just encourages everyone to just be yourself, have fun, work hard, and go after what you want! Make your own Cinderella Story and never look back!” said Kate Watson.

With proven success in her hometown state, Kate was described as “the total package” by country recording artist, Parker McCollum, after watching Kate sing at her cowboy church back home. “Cinderella Slipper” perfectly captures all sides of this up-and-coming artist, showcasing her country girl attitude and jaw-dropping vocals that make her the top Texas Women’s country artist on the scene.

About Kate Watson
A true Texas girl, Kate Watson brings the energy and hometown heart with her every time she hits the stage. Her roots are in the church, growing up singing alongside her father at Lone Star Cowboy Church in Montgomery, Texas, the largest cowboy church in the world. This was the place where country recording artist Parker McCullum first heard Kate sing, describing her as “the real deal.” She is a rising star on the country music scene since being a former contestant on the 2019 American Idol season as well as playing a multitude of shows across Texas and beyond. Kate is known for her songwriting skills and loves to tell stories through her music just like in her upcoming single, “Cinderella Slipper” releasing on September 9. She has performed with many notable artists including Josh Ward, Joe Nichols, Jon Wolfe, and Kevin Fowler, and is a pro at performing in front of large audiences with experience singing at venues such as the OrpheumTheater, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Dosey Doe Big Barn, and The Rev Room. Kate’s main goal in life is to inspire audiences and provide hope through her songwriting and her live performances.

JACK SCHNEIDER ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM WITH FIRST TRACK, “JOSEPHINE”

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Out November 11, Best Be On My Way features ten songs backed up by Vince Gill, David Rawlings, Stuart Duncan, and more
Americana newcomer Jack Schneider has a laundry list of eclectic descriptors fitting to precede his name—record producer, songwriter, tape machine enthusiast, Vince Gill’s rhythm guitarist, and NYU grad, to name a few—but on November 11th of this year, Schneider will be adding “recording artist” to that list with the release of his debut LP Best Be On My Way. Recorded live to tape in Nashville with some of the city’s biggest names—the aforementioned Gill, David Rawlings, Stuart Duncan, and Dennis Crouch—Schneider’s inaugural record is a testament to tradition, timelessness, and the modern relevance of old ways. As a whole, the record is a testament to the necessity of looking at the past in order to know just where you’re headed. Riddled with raw truths, compelling stories, and unforgettable sonic motifs, Best Be On My Way is necessary listening for life’s long road ahead.
Today, Holler premiered Best Be On My Way’s first single, the album-opening “Josephine.” Showing their highest praise for the opening track they stated, “If listening to Jack Schneider feels like traveling back in time then maybe that’s because in some ways you are. Records are capable of taking you places and Jack Schneider and his band have every intention of setting you on a journey back through the years to a time when everything felt a little more real somehow.” The song finds Schneider strumming his beloved 1956 Martin D-28 guitar, “Big Jim,” in front of an all-star band of acoustic musicians. A delicate blend of love and longing, “Josephine” will be a shoo-in for fans of The Band, Bob Dylan, or James Taylor—and contemporary favorites like Gillian Welch, Watchhouse, or The Avett Brothers. Fans can hear “Josephine” now at this link and pre-order or pre-save Best Be On My Way ahead of its November 11th release right here. A list of Schneider’s upcoming tour dates can be found below or at jackschneidermusic.com/tour.
More About Best Be On My Way: Best Be On My Way was recorded on a hot day in June at Nashville’s Sound Emporium. Inside the air-conditioned studio, there was a slight quiver in the air—the hum of a tape machine, the impression that the atmosphere was churning inside a black-and-white photograph. There was an unspoken sense, among those who knew Schneider well, of momentousness: the session itself felt as though it were a real-life culmination of a long and tenuous journey on Schneider’s part, in which he had collected friends and strangers along the way and gathered them together for the odyssey’s retelling. From childhood friends to recent mentors, the motley crew of musicians sat in a wide circle in the live room as around a campfire, much to the contemporarily trained Engineers’ dismay. The players themselves were evidence of a gap Schneider is bridging between musical generations: Grammy award-winning artists Vince Gill and David Rawlings played alongside both Stuart Duncan and Dennis Crouch—longtime Nashville session musicians—and Liv Greene and Griffin Photoglou, two twenty-something artists fresh out of college.
Throughout the long months of quarantine, Schneider began working intensively with former Gruhn Guitars colleague and frequent collaborator, Wes Langlois. Shut up in the studio together for weeks, the two wrote, recorded, and released what they referred to as “vanishing albums:” full-length records accessible for a week at a time each during the pandemic, after which they were removed from streaming services and unavailable for physical purchase. It was from these ephemeral collections of songs that the seed for Schneider’s (permanent) debut record was born.

GIBSON GIVES RECEIVES ITS LARGEST DONATION TO DATE FROM HIKMA IN RESPONSE TO THE OPIOID CRISIS

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Donation Valued at $1 Million for TEMPO–Powered By Kloxxado® Outreach Program
Gibson Gives’ TEMPO Program Saves Lives From Opioid Overdoses By
Training and Empowering Musicians to Prevent Overdose

Last year, Gibson Gives–the purpose-driven charitable arm of the iconic American instrument brand Gibson—launched TEMPO-Training and Empowering Musicians to Prevent Overdose. The TEMPO program works with non-profits to provide both life-saving training for using the drug Naloxone (Kloxxado® Narcan), which is used to prevent opioid overdoses, and offer a support network for recovery from opioid addiction. Through TEMPO, Gibson Gives is training musicians, crew members, music industry professionals, and non-profits on how to properly administer Kloxxado® giving them the ability to reverse opioid overdoses and save lives.

Gibson Gives’ TEMPO program is proud to announce a generous commitment of 16,000 doses of Kloxxado® (Naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 8 mg from Hikma. The three-year commitment titled TEMPO, Powered by Kloxxado®  is valued at $1 Million, marking the largest single donation to Gibson Gives and its TEMPO program, so far.

Kloxxado® by Hikma contains a higher dose of 8 mg of Naloxone per spray–double the dose per spray of Narcan® (Naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 4 mg. With increasingly stronger amounts of illicitly manufactured fentanyl being discovered in substances including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and counterfeit pills (CDC, Drug Overdose – Other Drugs), 78% of opioid overdose reversals now involve at least 2 doses of Naloxone (DEA, One Pill Can Kill).

“We are beyond grateful to Hikma for their recent donation of Kloxxado® to TEMPO,” says Erica Krusen, Senior Director of Cultural Influence at Gibson Brands. “Opiate overdoses persist as a major public health problem, contributing to over 100,000 U.S. deaths just last year (CDC, Drug Overdose Deaths in the U.S. Top 100,000 annually). These deaths are preventable through the timely administration of Naloxone–a safe, effective, and easy to administer medication that reverses opioid overdoses and helps save lives.”

Gibson Gives’ TEMPO program is now 12 non-profit members strong including MusiCares, The Scars Foundation, The Clinic (Roadie Advocacy Group), Sandgaard Foundation, Sims Foundation, Harbor Path, Musicians For Overdose Prevention, Life By Music, Passenger Recovery, National Harm Reduction, and Solace For Hope. The TEMPO program believes it is important not only to save a life, but also to aid in recovery from opioid addiction. Select TEMPO partners will provide counseling for those suffering from opioid addiction, and to family members who have lost a loved one to overdose. Each non-profit member of the TEMPO Network is recognized as an official TEMPO program training center.

MusiCares–which provides a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community in Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services, Health Services, and Human Services–will be the first TEMPO partner to launch in the artist area during this weekend’s Pilgrimage Music & Culture Festival in Franklin, TN. Pilgrimage Festival will mark TEMPO’s first distribution of and training sessions for Kloxxado® via MusiCares whose mission is to serve musicians and the music industry.

Gibson Gives and TEMPO will be producing training videos and distribute Kloxxado® to University Music Departments across the United States, and produce artist-driven Public Service Announcements. The timing of this life-saving overdose reversal drug comes as musicians are touring again, and in-person concerts and festivals are at an all-time high after post-COVID shutdowns. Lethal overdoses from opioid and fentanyl  are on the rise globally, and have reached an all-time high in the U.S.; with public warnings being issued regularly about fentanyl-laced products, awareness has never been more critical.