COUNTRY MUSIC PERFORMER AND SONGSMITH, ROB WOLF, CLOSES 2022 WITH DIGITAL RELEASE OF NEW SINGLE, “FOR THE BEST”

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Country music performer and songsmith, Rob Wolf, has released his latest and final single for 2022 titled, “For the Best.”  The self-penned new song is for anyone who has made the decision to part ways by leaving home, a job, a relationship and gained the understanding that moving on is hard, but comes with beautiful lessons. Sometimes the end of something comes unexpectedly, and sometimes it slowly creeps up on you. Either way, the end is often a painful experience that can be riddled with doubt. The song shines a light on the forging of separate paths and shares a message of the peace that comes in knowing that some decisions are for the best. The new music is available now for streaming and download on all digital music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora and more at https://taplink.cc/forthebest_rw.

“I hope a lot of people can relate to this song,” reflected Rob Wolf. “I know that in my life, and life in general, people leave homes, bands and relationships thinking that it’s a terrible decision and their life is over because of it, but this song really portrays a fact that the decisions are for the best.”

“For the Best” was recorded at Bold Studios and produced by Tyler Cain, mixing was done by Mark Lonsway and mastering by John Mayfield. Studio musicians on the single included Ben Jackson on steel guitar, Jackson Eppley on bass, Tyler Cain played piano and electric guitar and Rob Wolf added guitar and vocals.

CRAIG MORGAN JOINS THE USO IN BRINGING A “TASTE OF HOME” TO U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS DEPLOYED IN GERMANY

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Country Music Star and Army Veteran brightens the holidays
and performs for troops stationed abroad

When our service members can’t be home for the holidays, the United Service Organizations (USO) takes home to our service members. 17-year Army veteran Craig Morgan joined the nonprofit on a three-day trip, from December 19 to 21, to Germany where the country music star performed three concerts for troops and their families stationed at USAG Bavaria.

Morgan, who was active duty for 10.5 years and a member of the U.S. Reserves for 6.5 years, was reunited with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions while touring USAG Bavaria, both of which he was a part during his years of service. Since Morgan’s first USO tour in 2002, he has visited 15 countries during 13 tours, entertaining more than 45,000 U.S. troops and their families.

“It’s always an honor and a privilege to visit with our troops and their families, but especially during the holiday season,” said Morgan. “I know how much it means to them to receive those care packages at this time of the year and to hear those messages of gratitude from Americans everywhere who value the incredible sacrifices they make year-round.”

“Serving overseas over the holiday season, sometimes far from family and friends, can be difficult,” said Jennifer Wahlquist, Vice President, USO Global Entertainment. “We’re grateful to the wonderful entertainers like Craig who generously donate their time to bring holiday cheer and a connection to home to our service members.”

“We are so thankful for Craig Morgan taking the time to visit with and perform for our Soldiers and family members,” said Audre Binder, Director, Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation at United States Army Garrison Bavaria. “And it’s even more special because Craig knows what it’s like to be away from loved ones during the holidays, as a former servicemember himself. He has just an incredible way of connecting with everyone here.”

Bringing entertainment to the troops is a cornerstone of the USO’s mission to strengthen America’s service members through connection. More than 75,000 service members participate in USO Entertainment tours annually, and more than 50,000 military members have attended virtual celebrity visits through the USO Military Virtual Programming Entertainment Series (USO MVP) during the last two years.

MIRANDA LAMBERT & TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY BRING HOLIDAY HAPPINESS TO EIGHT DESERVING ANIMAL SHELTERS

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Miranda Lambert and her husband, Brendan McLoughlin hold Amsie and Ava Grace at Williamson County Animal Center

One of shelter pets’ greatest champions, reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and current quadruple-GRAMMY nominee Miranda Lambert, teamed up this week with Tractor Supply Company, the exclusive retailer for her MuttNation pet line, to spread holiday cheer to animal shelters both near and far.

On Monday, Lambert and her husband Brendan McLoughlin visited a Tractor Supply store in Franklin, Tenn., where they filled their carts with pet toys and supplies and then made surprise stops at three local shelters: Williamson County Animal Center, Metro Nashville Animal Care & Control and Nashville Humane Association.

“This is the perfect time of year to visit your local animal shelter and to thank them for the great work they do all year long, helping the pets and the communities where we live,” shared Lambert. “These three shelters have been important local partners to MuttNation and to me, personally, and I just wanted to show my appreciation.”

After Lambert visited the three shelters, Tractor Supply Company surprised her and MuttNation with $5,000 in gift cards to spread the joy to an additional five shelters and rescues that help senior pets and pets with special needs as part of the MuttNation Love Harder initiative.

“During this season of giving, all of us at Tractor Supply are thrilled to join with Miranda and MuttNation to support animal shelters and the wonderful work they do in caring for our four-legged friends,” said Kimberley Gardiner, SVP and chief marketing officer for Tractor Supply Company. “Supporting the communities we serve – not only for our customers but also for our pets – is at the core of everything we do at Tractor Supply. Miranda and her team’s commitment to the mission of caring for pets is just remarkable, and we couldn’t ask for a better partner in this worthy cause.”

The five shelters receiving $1,000 Tractor Supply gift cards are: SNARR Northeast (Special Needs Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation) (Brewster, N.Y.); Frankie & Andy’s Place (Winder, Ga.), New Leash on Life (Lebanon, Tenn.); Muttville Senior Dog Rescue (San Francisco, Calif.), and Sunflower Sanctuary (Tijares, N.M.).

MuttNation Foundation and Tractor Supply Company ask everyone to consider supporting their local animal shelter by adopting, fostering or volunteering throughout the year – and to consider giving a special gift to shelter pets during the holiday season.

About MuttNation Foundation
Founded by Miranda and her mom, Bev Lambert, in 2009, MuttNation is a donation-supported 501c(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote the adoption of shelter pets, advance spay & neuter and educate the public about the benefits of these actions. MuttNation also works with transport partners to assist and relocate animals during times of natural disaster. MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert, a pet line of toys and supplies that benefits the Foundation, is available exclusively at Tractor Supply Company stores throughout the U.S. www.muttnation.com

JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS WITH YACHT REVIEW AND DEBBY BOONE COVER A HOLIDAY CLASSIC

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John Driskell Hopkins and Debby Boone with Ricky Skaggs Images by Scott Sexton / 2911 Media

John Driskell Hopkins, founding member of the GRAMMY-winning Zac Brown Band and three-time GRAMMY winner Debby Boone graced the Grand Ole Opry stage Friday night for their new single “SNOW”, once recorded by her mother-in-law, Rosemary Clooney. Backed by Balsam Range, Hopkins and Boone created a magical moment bringing to life once again this holiday classic using a Yacht Rock sound and the catchy lyrics “What is Christmas with no snow, no white Christmas with no snow” leaving everyone ready for a white holiday season. Boone also surprised the audience with a beautiful performance of “You Light Up My Life” that brightened the room and brought the audience to their feet.

“It is truly an honor to have performed with both Debby Boone and Balsam Range on one of the world’s most iconic stages,” shares Hopkins. We are so excited about our single “SNOW,” and it has been a wonderful Christmas season already. I hope it is for you as well!”

Rolling Stone Country premiered the “SNOW” music video, and Time Life released the song across all streaming platforms. Read and view the Rolling Stone premiere here or on Yahoo! Entertainment and stream/download “SNOW” here.

“Standing in the circle of the Grand Ole Opry stage is incredibly meaningful for me connecting me to my grandfather Red Foley, and my mother-in-law Rosemary Clooney who stood there together many years ago,” shares Debby Boone. “Now to sing at the Opry with Hop doing a duet of a song from ‘White Christmas’ adds another rich layer to this experience. I am so honored to have had this opportunity.”

This season, though there is so much to celebrate, there is also much to cherish every day since Hopkins was diagnosed with ALS on December 21, 2021. Hopkins announced his diagnosis and the launch of Hop On A Cure Foundation on May 30th, 2022. Hop On A Cure is committed to supporting research to prevent, reverse, and cure ALS while raising awareness, building a compassionate community, and unleashing the healing power of hope. ALS, which, only a few years ago, was thought of as an uncommon disease that affected 1 in 20,000 people, now is expected to affect 1 in 300 men, women, and children during their lifetime. There is an expected increase of 40% in ALS cases over the next decade.

AMANDA SHIRES SHARES NEW VERSION OF HOLIDAY TRACK “BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE”

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GRAMMY-winning, singer-songwriter/violinist Amanda Shires has shared “Blame It On The Mistletoe Christmassy 2022 (Featuring Lawrence Rothman),” out today on Thirty Tigers listen HERE. The single is a new version of the original irreverent track, “Blame It On The Mistletoe,” from her lauded 2021 holiday album, For Christmas. Rolling Stone said the album was “crackling with emotion at just the right spot,” while People Magazine noted, “the star of the show is her ethereal and tremulous voice.”

“Blame It On The Mistletoe” was co-written by Amanda and Brittney Spencer. The new version, “Blame it on The Mistletoe Christmassy 2022 (Featuring Lawrence Rothman)” features Shires’ producer and creative partner, Lawrence Rothman (Margo Price, Charli XCX, Kim Gordon, Courtney Love), plus a slate of multi-layered instrumentation, bringing a new dimension to the production. An unconventional, yet thoroughly festive offering, the song delivers a memorable melody with a spotlight on Shires distinctive vocal stylings.

Amanda explains, “I wrote the song ‘Blame It On the Mistletoe’ with my good friend Brittney Spencer. We wrote it in the summertime, and we were thinking about holiday romance, holiday hook-ups, cozy warm feelings, and just the possibility of love or like or making that move. Sometimes you need a little instigation like mistletoe…or a cocktail. This new version features my friend Lawrence Rothman who helped me produce it. Their voice is very magical, and I think you’re going to love it. Also, we added a few more instruments to it to make it more sparkly, more glittery, more Christmassy.”

The supremely talented Shires is coming off a monster year of accolades for her latest incomparable album, Take It Like A Man, out now on ATO Records listen HERE. Written and recorded during lockdown, the album is a fearless song cycle of ruthlessly candid tunes documenting Amanda’s life as a woman, a wife and mother during a tumultuous time. Produced by Lawrence Rothman and featuring Jason Isbell on guitar and guest vocals by Maren Morris and Brittney Spencer, the album is filled with revealing and autobiographical songs.

Take It Like A Man appears on multiple “Best of 2022” lists including The New York Times who called her, “A fearless woman gathering all her strength and belting out her truths with a poet’s diction and a bird of prey’s voice;” Stereogum, who noted, “Rather than bemoan Nashville’s disregard for women like her — who have the talent and temerity to remake country music in their own image — she takes it as a challenge, staring you down and daring you not to listen,” and Popmatters who raved, “Shires’ passion comes through with both determination and a latent potential for destruction.” Entertainment Weekly called her, “a commanding force…a singer-songwriter who elevates raw, almost too-real storytelling with her vocal prowess.”

Over the last several months, Amanda completed a triumphant headline nationwide tour, and reunited with The Highwomen – the all-women supergroup that she founded that also features Maren Morris, Natalie Hemby, and Brandi Carlile. The band performed at the CMT tribute to Loretta Lynn in October and will also appear in honor of Amy Grant at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors (airing on CBS Dec 28).

Since getting her start playing fiddle with the legendary Texas Playboys at the young age of 15, Amanda has brought her boundless originality to her solo albums, collaborated with the likes of John Prine and Justin Townes Earle and earned the 2017 Emerging Artist of the Year prize from the Americana Music Association (AMA). In addition to The Highwomen, she’s also a member of Jason Isbell’s 400 Unit.  A fierce activist, Amanda has been eloquently outspoken about the importance of women’s reproductive rights.

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC OFFICIALLY OPENS NEW NASHVILLE HEADQUARTERS WITH RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

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The Academy of Country Music officially opened its new headquarters in Nashville today with a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting after nearly 60 years on the West Coast, moving into the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood of Nashville. The ceremony featured reigning ACM New Male and Female Artists of the Year Parker McCollum and Lainey Wilson; Nashville Mayor John Cooper; Deana Ivey of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp; AJ Capital Partners CEO and Founder Ben Weprin; and ACM officials including Academy Board of Director Officers and members.

“I have to pinch myself right now, because this literally feels like a dream,” Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside said at the ribbon cutting. “It’s been three years in the making, and I just can’t believe, looking out on everybody’s faces, that we’re here. Welcome to the new Academy of Country Music headquarters!”

“I am thrilled to welcome the Academy of Country Music to their new home in Nashville. What better place for the Academy to put down their roots than the capital of Country Music itself,” said Nashville Mayor John Cooper. “I’m grateful to ACM CEO Damon Whiteside and the ACM Board of Directors for their commitment to Nashville and for bringing yet another outstanding cultural institution to our great city.”

The Academy’s new headquarters is located in the new Nashville Warehouse Co. Building, giving the celebrated Country Music organization a Music City home after almost six decades in California. The office features abundant workstations and meeting rooms decorated with custom art installations showcasing the storied brand’s unparalleled and rich heritage in the front row of Country Music history and featuring major milestones and iconic moments from the 1960s to now, including the very first Board of Directors meeting in 1965 to the first official ACM Awards show at the Hollywood Palladium in 1966. The headquarters were designed with the celebrated organization’s established brand of being an innovative, progressive renegade in mind, as well as to offer an open-door environment to Academy members, Board of Director leaders, and other industry professionals from all around the globe, creating an instant hub for the Country community as the vibrant city continues to grow.

BAILEY ZIMMERMAN IS THIS YEAR’S NO. 4 TOP NEW ARTIST ACROSS ALL GENRES

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Announced as Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Performer

Bailey Zimmerman is launching into 2023, fueled by impressive 2022 accomplishments that continue to pour in. Billboard’s year-end charts rank Zimmerman as their No. 2 Top New Country Artist and No. 4 Top New Artist across all genres. He also finds himself at No. 8 on the Top Country Artist chart and within the Top 50 of their Top Artists overall. ABC and dick clark productions also recently announced Zimmerman as part of their star-studded lineup of performers for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023, airing Saturday, December 31st on ABC.

Coming in hot at No. 3 on TikTok’s Emerging Artists chart in the U.S., he has also been named to multiple Year End Best Of lists including LA Times’ 100 Best Songs of 2022, NY Times’ Best Songs of 2022 and Holler’s 20 Best Country and Americana Songs of 2022. In addition, Zimmerman is the only country artist in 2022 to receive two Platinum certifications from the RIAA, beginning with his No. 1 debut single “Fall In Love,” the fastest debut single to reach No. 1 at country radio since 2015 and the first debut hit to make it all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart this year. Currently featured on iHeartCountry’s Mainstream and New Country stations as one of their latest On The Verge artists, he also earned a second certification for his current radio single, “Rock And A Hard Place,” which is set for a national TV debut on Good Morning America December 27th.

“We are so proud of the incredible year Bailey’s had and even more excited about what the future holds for this talented young artist,” shared 300 Elektra Entertainment’s Chairman & CEO, Kevin Liles. “The storied legacy of Elektra is built on artist development, a driving force that’s woven into our DNA and a mission that our amazing partners at Warner Music Nashville share with us. We know that this is just the start of his journey. Look out for BZ in ’23.”

“I’m in awe of how fast the country music community has embraced and helped accelerate this insanely talented artist,” added Warner Music Nashville Co-President, Ben Kline. “As big as this story already is, the best is truly yet to come. We are fortunate to have such great partners in Elektra to help reach our shared vision for Bailey.”

The Illinois native will be heading out on the road with global superstar Morgan Wallen for his 2023 One Night At A Time World Tour, kicking off overseas in New Zealand and Australia next March before returning stateside in April. The 39-date trek will visit multiple legendary venues including stadium stops at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, Chicago’s Wrigley Field, LA’s SoFi Stadium and Boston’s Fenway Park before wrapping on October 7th at Tacoma Dome in Washington. Tickets are on sale now at BaileyZimmermanMusic.com (see full list of tour dates below).

In October, Zimmerman shattered records with his first full-length release, Leave The Light On (LISTEN HERE), becoming not only the most-streamed all-genre debut of the year, but also the biggest streaming country debut of all time. The EP arrived at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 9 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. A worldwide success, the EP also debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Canadian Country Albums chart and No. 8 on their all-genre Canadian Albums Chart. Having recently soared past the impressive career milestone of more than 1 billion career streams, he joins Zach Bryan and Luke Combs as the only country artists this year to earn more than 1 million streams on each track during street week alone.

BLACKBIRD PRESENTS AND SIGHT UNSEEN ANNOUNCE WILLIE NELSON AND FAMILY DOCU-FILM SET TO DEBUT AT 2023 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

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Festival Screening Marks the World Premiere of the
First Authorized Work Exploring the Life of the Country Outlaw Icon

Blackbird Presents and Sight Unseen announce the world premiere of Willie Nelson and Family, the first authorized work exploring the life and career of the Country outlaw icon, debuting at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The festival will take place January 19–29, 2023, in person in Park City, Salt Lake City, and the Sundance Resort, along with a selection of films available online across the country January 24–29, 2023.

With a career spanning seven decades, Nelson is widely recognized as one of the greatest singer/songwriter/guitar players in the history of popular music. An outlaw cowboy who transcended his humble beginnings in small-town Abbott, Texas, he remains beloved, continuing to speak for people from all walks of life with his music, philanthropy, marijuana advocacy and activism on behalf of the American farmer.

Award-winning filmmakers Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman fuse their own unique styles to construct an intimate and cinematic memoir of the Red Headed Stranger, traversing the highs, lows and in-betweens of Nelson’s personal life and professional career. Alongside close friends and family who have accompanied him on a remarkable journey, Nelson tells his story in his own voice.

Developed by longtime Nelson manager Mark Rothbaum and Blackbird Presents Founder & Chief Creative Officer Keith Wortman, Nelson and his family and friends provided exclusive participation and access to his archives. Executive Producers are Keith Wortman, Mark Rothbaum, Annie Nelson, Julia Lebedev, Eddie Vaisman, Leonid Lebedev, Sean Stuart and Mark Ankner.

SINGER-SONGWRITER ADAM WARNER RELEASES CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM, WHAT WE’RE KNOWN FOR

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Country and southern rock singer-songwriter, U.S. Marine veteran and patriot, Adam Warner releases his new album What We’re Known For, available everywhere now (orcd.co/qqloabe) by Sunday Supper Records and The Orchard. Warner co-wrote most of the songs on the album on his family’s farm just outside of Lawrenceville, Illinois with songwriting buddies Mark Addison Chandler, Josh Gallagher and Taylor Goyette.

What We’re Known For is Warner’s deep dive into exploring southern rock and more modern country sounds than his previous releases. From rowdy southern rock honky tonk anthems like “One Drunk,” to the graceful tugging at his listener’s heartstrings on “Split A Beer,” to Adam showing his unrelenting love for his wife on “Lost In Country Song,” or the Marine veteran honoring the legacy of Charlie Daniels and fundraising for the Journey Home Project on his rocked out version of “Long Haired Country Boy,” What We’re Known For is one of 2022’s most appropriately and authentically named album releases coming out of Nashville.

 “To say I’m excited is an understatement,” said Warner. “My team, the songs, the production, everything is evolving. I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

About Adam Warner:
Adam Warner brings a big sound from a small town swagger to the country scene; fusing his timeless drawl with the infectious ‘take it or leave it’ energy of rock n roll, Warner has mastered the art of a good time. After proudly serving in the United States Marines, Adam Warner crafted his country rock catalog in Nashville, Tennessee–with singles like “Catchin’ Hell” and “Long Haired Country Boy” and more in the pipeline for 2022, every aspect of his brand bleeds red, white and blue. A self-proclaimed bad influence, Warner has learned not to take himself too seriously, and his music offers his audience a chance to do the same.
Despite his rowdy bravado, Adam Warner still honors the best of country’s time honored traditions with songs like “Someone God Can Use,” which he humbly performed at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House. With influences extending across decades of musical icons, Warner has shared the stage with some of his biggest heroes, including Lee Brice, Jamey Johnson, Jerrod Niemann, American Young, Midland, Trace Adkins, Neil McCoy, Rhonda Vincent and Darrell Singletary. Having already celebrated a multitude of career highs, Warner has become ingrained in the country music community with releases like “Semper Fi” featuring Trace Adkins, which pays homage to active and former military, along with the 2018 Tennessee Titans anthem “Welcome to the South”–played at every home game at Nissan Stadium.
Adam Warner’s music mimics the philosophy in which he lives his life by. “Do what you love and love what you do,” he asserts, “there’s no restart button. One of the greatest things about music is that it lives forever, my songs will be around long after I’m gone. But while I’m here, I want to help people live in the moment. At the end of the day, if I can play a part in one person’s good day, if I can make some laugh, cry or feel something, I know I’ve done my job as an artist.” The best of Adam Warner is yet to come–stay tuned for upcoming tour dates and high-octane releases that’ll set the soundtrack for 2022.

CHRIS WILLIAMS AND KID REVERIE FIND A DEEPER LEVEL OF COLLABORATION ON NEW ALBUM

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 Something From Nothing Due out March 3rd; Hear first single “Half a Mile” Dec. 20

Chris Williams and Kid Reverie’s new album began with an inquisitive search for a simple sound. Having heard Steve Varney’s (Kid Reverie) open-back banjo accompanying fellow songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov on a YouTube video, Williams began tracking down something similar for his own personal collection. “That banjo sounded so amazing on one condenser mike, and I wanted to find one like it,” says Williams. After a long search, he landed on Varney’s website. Williams noticed that he offered lessons and decided to sign up for one or two. “I was so taken with his work and his instrument that I’d pay to talk to him,” Williams chuckles. Kid Reverie recalls, “Chris always came to our lessons with a solid idea. I routinely found myself saying something like, ‘This is great, now let’s make it a song.’”

The pair have just announced the upcoming album Something from Nothing—due out March 3rd, 2023. Born from their initial collaboration, the pair eventually c0-wrote the twelve songs that became Something from Nothing. C0-produced by Williams and Varney and mastered by Varney, the two played every instrument on the album—with the exception of Michael McKee who joins in on drums for five songs and Ayda Varney who plays cat toy sounds on a tune. “This process was very cathartic. It took a trying time for both of us and allowed us to open ourselves to a writing partnership that neither of us expected. I am grateful for this amazing musical experience and hope everyone enjoys these songs as much as we loved creating them!” Kid Reverie affirms that he’s “rarely had such deep collaboration with another songwriter. For so long it felt like we were just doing lessons. I think it took both of us quite a while to realize we were co-writing songs and making an album.”

Today, Chris Williams and Kid Reverie shared the first listen from Something from Nothing, the ebbing and flowing “Half a Mile.” Written a few tunes into Williams’ and Varney’s time writing songs together, “Half a Mile” was a marked point of exploration for the pair, entering a mix of time signatures and tempo changes. “Every writing session we had, I was blown away by Steve’s in-depth knowledge of theory, song structure and catalog of hundreds of songs and examples within each at his fingertips,” remembers Williams. “Very useful when reaching for ideas and inspiration.”

Joined on drums by the aforementioned McKee, Williams and Varney lay down a luscious bed of stringed instruments and on which the song’s story is told. “‘Half a Mile’ is about growing in different ways; about questioning generational teachings we all morph into by process of hand-me-down traditions,” says Williams, adding, “Finding we can have it multiple ways without abandoning anything entirely.” With a stack of beautiful background vocals and string arrangements, the song’s second chorus crashes into a loping ¾ time before stripping it all away and returning to the original feel for the final verse. “It’s hard to remember exactly who did what throughout each song, as we both wore so many hats,” Williams remembers. “As usual, our songwriting process was super gratifying.”