DOLLYWOOD’S HARVEST FESTIVAL BRINGS FALL FAMILY FUN TO AMERICA’S #1 THEME PARK

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New Hoot Owl Hollow displays provide more fun for “owl”

Dollywood guests are sure to have a “hoot” during this year’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 23- Oct. 29) thanks to a brand-new area created within the family-favorite Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health.

Appropriately named Hoot Owl Hollow, the area features hundreds of pumpkins in Dollywood’s Craftsman’s Valley that celebrate the nocturnal creature, including a massive 14’ tall version created with more than 150 carved white pumpkins. It’s just the latest addition to the event that has overwhelmingly become one of America’s favorite fall family destinations, and it surely will have guests pulling an “owl-nighter” in order to experience “owl” the fun!

A longstanding tradition for so many, the Harvest Festival greets guests with the surrounding mountainsides draped in vibrant colors. Dollywood’s landscaping and fresh décor accent the autumn atmosphere and bring the beauty right into the park, making it ripe for families to create their picture-perfect pumpkin photo ops to share with friends!

At night, Great Pumpkin LumiNights, one of the nation’s premier family-friendly harvesttime events, provides bushels of memories for guests, thanks to thousands of glowing and carved pumpkins throughout Dollywood. For those with small children—or anyone looking for a fun, not scary experience—this event is certainly the cream of the crop. Families can bask in the glow as they wander through displays in Dollywood’s Timber Canyon, Wilderness Pass, Wildwood Grove and Craftsman’s Valley areas. Beyond the impressive displays, guests can find a number of exciting activities to create long-lasting memories together.

“I think everybody knows I believe every day in the Smoky Mountains is beautiful and truly a gift from God,” Dolly Parton said, “but I do feel like fall is when He really puts on a show for all of us to admire and enjoy. As the leaves change, the mountains transform into a patchwork of bright, vibrant colors that make them look as if they’ve come alive. The hot summer days start to fade and crisp, cool winds bring that fresh mountain air down into the valleys and right into my Dollywood. To me, this has to be the most beautiful theme park in the whole world, because no park in the world is built right in the middle of the Smokies!”

“I just know folks are going to get a kick out of the new Hoot Owl Hollow. And in ‘owl’ seriousness, I hope our guests make their own precious Smoky Mountain memories while they are here. As I look back on my favorite family memories, so many of them took place during this time of year, and I hope our guests leave with the those special moments they’ll share forever.”

No festival at Dollywood is complete without award-winning entertainment, and the Harvest Festival certainly delivers. Several genres are well-represented with a wide-range of Southern gospel and bluegrass artists, as well as Americana acts and classic country performers scheduled to appear. In all, more than 1900 performances take place during the Harvest Festival.

Fresh off a finalist appearance on America’s Got Talent, Chapel Hart graces the stage of DP’s Celebrity Theater on Oct. 2. Country music legend John Anderson—known for hits like Swingin’, Seminole Wind, and Straight Tequila Night—visits the park on Oct. 10. Contemporary Christian group Sidewalk Prophets visits Sept. 28, while Southern gospel favorites including The Collingsworth Family (Sept. 26), Karen Peck and New River (Oct. 5), Triumphant Quartet (Oct. 19) and The Isaacs (Oct. 21) also entertain guests throughout the festival. Bluegrass is well represented with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage (Oct. 24), Dailey & Vincent (Oct. 24) and more set to perform. Knoxville’s Emily Ann Roberts—who placed second on season nine of NBC’s The Voice—performs Oct. 20.

A complete schedule can be found on Dollywood.com. Performances take place on indoor and outdoor stages throughout the park, allowing the beautiful sounds to echo through the surrounding hillsides and create a highly-engaging entertainment offering.

Dollywood’s culinary team has created a smorgasbord of creations to take advantage of the bountiful supply of crops provided by the Smoky Mountain harvest. The smells of smoked bratwursts, turkey legs, or smoked andouille sausage mac and cheese pair nicely with the fresh tastes of sweet potato poutine, spiced pumpkin bisque and BUSH’S three bean pumpkin chili. For sweet treats, the ever-popular pumpkin spice is in full supply with items ranging from pumpkin spice churros with pumpkin fluff to pumpkin spice iced coffee. Items like the maple pecan bacon funnel cake, hot apple cider, wassail or an apple pie milkshake are perfect to carry and enjoy while admiring the beauty of Dollywood in the fall.

Several other guest favorites return to the Harvest Festival, including the colossal pumpkins—last year’s pumpkins ranged in weight from 800 to 1500 lbs. each—which come from growers across the East Coast. Visiting artisans and makers display their handmade wares at locations throughout Dollywood, with many demonstrating the talented skills and techniques they use as they create their one-of-a-kind treasures.

The Harvest Festival fun also is celebrated at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa with themed activities and harvest décor planned throughout the resort’s property.

Guests can enjoy live entertainment by featured Harvest Festival performers in the resort’s atrium every Tuesday including performances by The Young Fables, The Woods, Billy and Cruz Contreras, the High Beams, and Kate and Corey. Daily roaming performers also can be found throughout the resort.

The resort’s culinary team is cooking up special dining experiences, including an unforgettable wine pairing event on Saturday, Oct. 23. In The Lounge, Guests can feast upon delicious Harvest-themed food and beverage options. At The Spa at DreamMore Resort, Guests can relax with special treatments infused with fall scents and ingredients. For Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, Guests can choose from treatments that are reminiscent of harvest in the Smoky Mountains such as the Honey Chai Massage or Luminous Pumpkin Facial.

With so many opportunities for creating vibrant new family traditions, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival is a must-see experience this season.

Dollywood is open 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. each day of operation (Sept. 23- Oct. 29) during the Harvest Festival. The park is closed on Tuesdays throughout the festival. For more information and a park operating calendar, visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.

DARIUS RUCKER TO RELEASE “OL’ CHURCH HYMN” FEATURING CHAPEL HART ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 30

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Newest Single Follows Three-Time GRAMMY Winner and Golden Buzzer Trio’s Duet Performance
of “Something To Talk About” During NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” Finale

Multi-Platinum star Darius Rucker continues to unveil new music as he puts the finishing touches on a forthcoming album, with “Ol’ Church Hymn” featuring rising trio Chapel Hart set for release Friday, Sept. 30. The song comes on the heels of another collaboration from Rucker and the trio, who joined forces for a performance of Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About” during last week’s “America’s Got Talent” season finale on NBC. Watch the electrifying performance HERE and pre-order / pre-save “Ol’ Church Hymn” HERE.

Written by Rucker together with Ben Hayslip, Josh Miller and Greylan James, the gospel-inspired love song features Rucker’s rich baritone vocals, praised by Billboard as “one of the most distinctive voices of country’s modern era,” joined by the three-part harmony of Chapel Hart to profess a born-again love in the joyful chorus:

        You soothe my soul like an ol’ church hymn
        Found in a book in the back of a pew
        Born again love I’m a new person
        Hand in the air hallelujah
        Amen, Amen, Amen
        Amen, Amen, Amen
        You soothe my soul like an ol’ church hymn

“Like so many people, I was blown away when I saw Chapel Hart’s original response to ‘Jolene,’” notes Rucker. “I was recording ‘Ol’ Church Hymn’ at the time and instantly had this vision of it becoming a duet once I heard their voices. I’m so thankful they said yes to singing on it with me, and I can’t wait to see the huge career they’re going to have.”

“He really took a chance on us… He saw some of our stuff online and he was like ‘I love what you ladies are doing. I have an idea and I want to hear you guys on this song,’” Chapel Hart’s Devynn Hart shared recently.

The new duet will be featured on Rucker’s forthcoming album – his first solo project since 2017’s critically acclaimed When Was the Last Time. Fans can also see Rucker perform live as he brings the inaugural Riverfront Revival festival to his hometown of Charleston, S.C. on October 8 and 9, with Brothers Osborne, SUSTO, Jimmie Allen, Charley Crockett and more joining him on the lineup. Limited tickets remain available for purchase at RiverfrontRevival.com.

“CMT GIANTS: VINCE GILL” premieres Friday, September 16th at 9p/8c on CMT

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Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Emmylou Harris, Keb’ Mo,’ Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Rodney Crowell, Sheryl Crow, Sting, Wendy Moten & daughters Corrina Grant Gill & Jenny Gill to honor Gill’s storied career

CMT today announced “CMT GIANTS: Vince Gill,” an all-new 90-minute special celebrating the extraordinary career and music of country music titan Vince Gill. The star-packed event premieres Friday, September 16th at 9p/8c exclusively on CMT. Gill’s tourmate and vocalist Wendy Moten first revealed the news last night onstage in front of a sold-out crowd at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium during night one of his four-night residency.

“CMT GIANTS: Vince Gill” brings together Gill’s superstar friends, collaborators and some of the biggest names in music to honor him with performances of his most legendary hits, including Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson,Luke Combs, Maren Morris and Ricky Skaggs, with more to be announced. Emmylou Harris, Keith Urban, RebaMcEntire, Rodney Crowell and Sting will also appear as special guests to share personal stories, reflect on their time working with Gill and speak to his forever impact on country music. The special will additionally feature an all-new sit down interview with Gill as he reflects personally on his career, his classic songwriting, musical influences and his future plans, all blended alongside rare photos, performance footage and interviews from the vault.

“From his timeless song catalog, numerous awards and unmatched musicianship, to the respect and camaraderie cultivated among his fellow musicians, and of

course, his signature sense of humor, we can all agree Vince is a true titan in country music,” shared Margaret Comeaux, CMT’s Senior Vice President of Production, Music & Events. “He is a true ‘artist’s artist’ who has touched fans worldwide with his music and songwriting, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to bestow him with our most esteemed ‘CMT Giants’ distinction.”

CMT’s new music special will mark the first-ever televised performance from Belmont University’s new Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.

Gill has a celebrated history with CMT including his collaboration with Sting for an episode of the iconic music franchise “CMT Crossroads” in 2011. He also appeared alongside Alison Krauss for the “CMT Cross Country” series in 2006. Most recently, he appeared at the 2019 “CMT Artists of the Year” ceremony to present friend Reba McEntire with her special “Artist of a Lifetime” honor.

Launched in 2006, the CMT GIANTS franchise is CMT’s elite honor celebrating the careers of country music’s most legendary artists: Reba McEntire (2006), Hank Williams, Jr. (2007), Alan Jackson (2008), Kenny Rogers (2020) and Charley Pride (2021). Stars that have previously taken part in past specials include Alan Jackson, Buddy Guy, Darius Rucker, Dolly Parton, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Gladys Knight, Gretchen Wilson, Jennifer Nettles, Kelly Clarkson, LeAnn Rimes, Lionel Richie, Luke Combs, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Megan Mullally, Michael McDonald, Rascal Flatts, Steven Tyler, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Trisha Yearwood and Wynonna, to name a few.

THE IMAGINARIES’ “THINGS ARE GONNA BE ALRIGHT” AVAILABLE NOW

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Following the recent Netflix premiere of A COWGIRL’S SONG, momentum continues for The Imaginaries with the release of “Things Are Gonna Be Alright” today. Produced by the husband-and-wife duo (Maggie McClure and Shane Henry) and penned by Henry and Jeff Silbar (“Wind Beneath My Wings”), “Things Are Gonna Be Alright” delivers a universal and relevant message of hope to listeners.

To stream and download “Things Are Gonna Be Alright,” click HERE.

The Imaginaries will debut “Things Are Gonna Be Alright” live during several upcoming tour dates, including concerts with Noah Vonne in Dallas on Sept. 13 and Tulsa on Sept. 14, a stop in Nashville for AMERICANAFEST and a show on Sept. 18 with The Woods and Kiely Connell at The Basement as well as a concert on Oct. 14 in Oklahoma City. For tickets and more information, click HERE.

The Imaginaries enlisted Rahul Chakraborty with Chakra Productions to produce the cinematic video for “Things Are Gonna Be Alright.” Cowboys & Indians will premiere the short film, which stars The Imaginaries, on Sept. 12. McClure and Henry also starred in A COWGIRL’S SONG, written and directed by Timothy Armstrong, and wrote and produced the original motion picture soundtrack.

Released in theaters and on VOD from Samuel Goldwyn Films on April 22, A COWGIRL’S SONG debuted on Netflix on Aug. 21 and released on DVD and Blu-ray on Sept. 6. The Imaginaries will appear at a screening of the coming-of-age drama tonight (Sept. 9) at Rodeo Cinema in Oklahoma City that will feature a short performance and Q&A with cast and crew.

LEWIS BRICE UNLEASHES HIGH-ENERGY VIDEO FOR ‘FUN, WILD AND UP-TEMPO’ “LIVIN”

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Hit the road with country-rocker Lewis Brice as he proves summer isn’t over with the release of the video for his latest single, “Livin.'” Brice flawlessly captures his dynamic and high-energy performance he’s become known for in the video for “Livin’” which “showcases the fun and wild side of his artistry (PopWrapped).”

Brice spent the summer on the road, performing to packed audiences across the Southeast. The video for “Livin'” was filmed over the span of five different shows with four different videographers capturing footage. Featured in the video is Brice’s hometown show in South Carolina, hitting the stage at Carolina Country Music Fest as well as performances at Key West Songwriters Festival and opening for Michael Ray. PopWrapped exclusively premiered the track, noting that “the single’s production accompanies the lyrics in the song perfectly.”

“I wanted the video for ‘Livin” to really embody the spirit of the song. It’s all about living life to the fullest and letting loose when you get a chance. When I’m out on the road getting to do what I love, that’s when I feel like I’m Livin,'” shared Brice. “So I’m stoked we got to incorporate performances at some of my favorite venues like The Blind Horse Saloon and Coyote Joe’s in the video.”

Brice released “Call Me Yours,” another romantic single from the country singer, earlier this year. His previous single, “It’s You,” amassed more than 15 million streams, as covered in People, the video featured Brice’s fiancé Denelle Manzer. “Livin” is the third release of a forthcoming album from Brice, set for release in August of this year.

Brice has been named one of Rolling Stone Country’s “2017’s New Country Artists You Need to Know” and Billboard’s “Country Artists to Watch in 2018”. Tracks from the EP were featured on SiriusXM The Highway, CMT Music, and Spotify’s New Boots & Wild Country playlists, and its lead single ‘Best Ex Ever’ reached the Top 40 of MusicRow’s Country Breakout radio chart. 

In October 2021, Double Down Music, a publishing division of PIA Music Group (PIA), partnered with Pump House Music to announce the signing of Brice to the new publishing company.

ASHLEY McBRYDE PRESENTS: LINDEVILLE, SET FOR RELEASE FRIDAY, SEPT. 30

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Produced by John Osborne, Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville includes performances from McBryde,
Brothers Osborne, Brandy Clark, Aaron Raitiere, Pillbox Patti, Caylee Hammack and Benjy Davis

Ashley McBryde set out with a group of her favorite collaborators to work up a project they had no intention of ever recording or releasing. What came from that weeklong songwriting exercise in a rural cabin outside Nashville is Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville, a distilled version of everything that listeners have come to appreciate from McBryde: raw, honest, specific portraits of small-town America, and the many characters that you may encounter in any one of them. The project tips its hat to the writing methods of legendary Nashville songwriter Dennis Linde (“Goodbye Earl,” “Burning Love,” “Bubba Shot the Jukebox”). Set for release in full on Friday, Sept. 30 via Warner Music Nashville, pre-order for Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville is available now.

“A few years ago, Aaron Raitiere, Nicolette Hayford and I were on a write,” shares McBryde. “We wrote this song called ‘Blackout Betty,’ and I realized we had written previous songs called ‘Shut Up Sheila’ on Never Will and ‘Livin’ Next to Leroy’ on Girl Going Nowhere. Aaron had a song called ‘Jesus, Jenny,’ and I thought, ‘We should keep these characters together and give them a place to live!’

“Not long after that, I thought, ‘What if we call it Lindeville?’ in honor of Dennis Linde,” the Arkansas-native continues. “I want to lock six writers in a house and just spend six- or seven-days writing. We stayed in Tennessee in this little house close to a lake. It was eight bottles of tequila, two cartons of cigarettes, one kitchen table and six individuals out of their minds.”

Those six individuals included McBryde, Raitiere, Hayford, Connie Harrington, Brandy Clark and Benjy Davis, each drawing from their own upbringings to give Lindeville an every-town realism blended with familiar characters, moral ambiguity and a healthy enough dose of gallows humor to make this town feel like your town.

Produced by John Osborne, Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville features performances from McBryde, Brothers Osborne, Clark, Raitiere, Pillbox Patti (Hayford), Caylee Hammack and Davis, forming a cast of characters that appear across the 13-track collection.

“This is technically the first full-length album that I’ve produced by myself. One of the things I tried to do was capture each character as a performance,” elaborates Osborne. “I listened to each song, and I wrestled with it for a while. Do I want to make the songs sound the same? Make it sound like it’s all done in one room on one day?”

“And then I thought to myself, ‘Each song has to represent not only a different character, but a different emotion and a different story.’ There is certainly continuity between the tracks – we have vocalists and mostly the same musicians on every song. But I decided to take different approaches to each song because it needed to represent the story,” Osborne concludes.

“I just hope that when a few, even just a handful, of people listen to the record and it ends with the line ‘Nothing but stars over Lindeville,’ they put their hands over their heart and say, ‘What a nice trip that was,’” offers McBryde.

“And for the whole running time of the record, nothing else had to matter. You got to focus on other people’s drama and other people’s problems and got the reminder that everything’s all right.”

WoodSongs Announces Distribution Date To Benefit Eastern Kentucky Flood Victims

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Mountain Top Media TV & WKYT-TV reports on why & how the effort came together
Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum joins effort as instrument donation drop-off point
Those wishing to donate instruments or services may visit WoodSongs.com/Flood or email [email protected] for assistance
Folksinger Michael Johnathon and the WoodSongs broadcast wants to help restore the music of Appalachia’s front porches after torrential rains washed away homes, businesses, bridges and, for many, music instruments in communities of eastern Kentucky. WoodSongs will replace musical instruments for FREE for any person or organization affected by the floods.
Hundreds of playable music instruments of all kinds are being actively collected at several drop-off locations across the state until Friday, September 30.
After the instruments are inspected, polished, and refurbished with new strings and made presentation-ready they will be distributed to those in need.
The distribution date to deliver instruments has been arranged for Saturday, October 29 at the Knott County Central High School parking lot from 1-5PM (76 Patriot Lane, Hindman, KY 41822) from 1-5pm ET. Any resident of the flooded areas in Knott, Letcher, Johnson, Pike, Perry, or Breathitt counties can come and receive FREE replacement guitars, banjos, fiddles, dulcimers, band instruments while supplies last.
“I believe that love is the greatest transaction of the arts, it drives everything we do, everything we create and everything we feel,” Johnathon said. “This is a time to put our politics, opinions and divisions aside and be loving neighbors to those in real, actual need. Let’s not underestimate the comfort music and art can bring to families and neighbors in a time of great loss. When the time is right, we will be there.”
This past March the WoodSongs completed a similar project for the communities destroyed by tornadoes in western Kentucky, collecting nearly 1,000 musical instruments from across America for musicians in Mayfield, Dawson Springs and other regions in Western Kentucky (woodsongs.com/tornado).
If you need an instrument replaced, be at Knott County Central High School on Saturday, October 29 between 1-5pm ET. Instruments will be given free of charge, first come first served. It is recommended you visit WoodSongs.com/flood to reserve your request.
DONATIONS NEEDED:
Band instruments of all kinds: trumpets, trombones, flutes, drums, clarinets, guitars, banjos, fiddles, mandolins, keyboards, upright basses, electric instruments, amps, etc. You can bring your donated instrument to any of the locations listed below, or ship directly to Currier’s Music World in Richmond by Friday September 30.
To donate large instruments like a piano or drums send an email to [email protected], describing what you have, include a photo and your contact information. WoodSongs will connect your donation with a new home.
PRIMARY DROP-OFF & SHIPPING ADDRESS:
Currier’s Music World
292 S 2nd St.
Richmond, KY 40475
Phone: (859) 623-6010

*include ‘WoodSongs Flood Relief’ on package

ADDITIONAL DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:
KENTUCKY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
2590 Richmond St
Mount Vernon, KY 40456
Phone: (606) 256-1000
KENTUCKY CENTER FOR TRADITIONAL MUSIC
Morehead State University
186 East First Street
Morehead, KY 40351
Phone: (606) 783-9001
KENTUCKY SCHOOL OF BLUEGRASS & TRADITIONAL MUSIC
Hazard Community College
One Community College Drive
Hazard, KY 41701
Phone (606) 4387-3630
LEXINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
1733 Russell Cave Rd.
Lexington, KY 40505
Phone: (859) 231-500
MOUNTAIN MUSIC EXCHANGE
5171 N Mayo Trail
Pikeville, KY 41501
Phone: (606) 437-5551
MOUNTAIN HEALTH ARENA
1 Civic, Center Plaza
Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 696-5990
MOUNTAIN ARTS CENTER
50 Hal Rogers Dr
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Phone: (606) 886-2623

BAILEY ZIMMERMAN WILL “NEVER LEAVE” HIS FANS UNANSWERED, DEBUT EP LEAVE THE LIGHT ON

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New Song “Never Leave” Out Today (9/15)  (LISTEN HERE)

Skyrocketing breakout country artist Bailey Zimmerman has proven time and time again his dedication to putting fans first. After discovering a rough, unfinished demo of the song “Never Leave” online, social media followers of the rising country star quickly began sharing it with friends. The organic groundswell created such a buzz that Zimmerman decided to finish the song and share it with excited listeners today (LISTEN HERE), alongside the announcement of his debut EP, Leave The Light On, available everywhere October 14th (PRE-ORDER/SAVE HERE).

“I was in a pretty weird part of a relationship at the time, and just wanted to write something that expressed how I felt about the situation,” Zimmerman explained. “When I came into the room with Gavin Lucas, Mary Kutter, and my man Chris Sligh, I knew I could be really honest!”

In addition, Zimmerman’s current hit single, “Fall In Love,” is now within the Top 15 at country radio. Propelled by nearly 250 million streams to date worldwide, it is the 11th most-streamed country song of the year and currently Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Zimmerman also continues to “forge new territory for a modern country crossover” (Billboard), having recently announced that every single date on his first-ever headlining trek is now completely sold out. He has earned a constantly rising total of more than half a billion global streams to date and currently ranks Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Songwriters chart and Top 30 on their all-genre Artist 100 Chart.

Before his whirlwind rise since releasing his very first song in 2021, the twenty-two-year-old was born and raised in the small town of Louisville, IL. He grew up listening to hour after hour of country radio on long hauls across state lines with his father, who owned a trucking business, while back at home his mom instilled in him a life-long appreciation for the power chords and edgy vocals of 80’s hair rock. But it was time spent at the family’s car dealership where he learned the art of telling stories, listening to Grandpa Zimmerman and his oldest friends, who would sit and tell stories capture people’s attention with their words.

At the age of sixteen, Zimmerman got his first job at the local meat processing plant and hasn’t stopped working since. From long hours on the gas pipeline, to late nights of backbreaking roadwork, he embodies the old school American values of hard work and dependability and applies the same steadfast mentality to his music. Through his plainspoken charm, contagious enthusiasm and genuine portrayal of life on the back roads, the up-and-comer has already attracted a loyal and passionate fan base. With more new music on the horizon, featuring the grit and gravel of his unmistakably Southern drawl, Zimmerman will continue to showcase the straightforward authenticity for which he is known and loved.

SINGER/SONGWRITER JACKSON NANCE ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF SOPHOMORE SINGLE “CHAMPAGNE AND WHISKEY”

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Singer/Songwriter and Mississippi native Jackson Nance has announced the release of his sophomore single, “Champagne and Whiskey.” The new song was co-written by Nance, Shane Bauman and Celica Westbrook. All three writers also served as producers on the project. The ballad tells the story of a relationship that works despite the profoundly different backgrounds of each partner.

“Champagne and Whiskey” is available for download and streaming on all digital music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music / iTunes, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube Music and more at https://orcd.co/k45gdmp.

“Champagne and whiskey was an amazing project to be a part of. When we first started writing this idea, we all knew it was something special. The lyrics to this song captures the feeling that it does not matter where you come from or how different two people can be. What matters is the love between them,” confides co-writer Celica Westbrook. “Jackson drew inspiration from his own personal experience and I was honored to be a part of this song!”

“I was born in Hattiesburg, MS and I grew up in Nashville, and still live there,” shared Jackson Nance. ”You could definitely say I’m southern.” He continued, “My girlfriend is from Rutherford, NJ and she often talks about how different things are up there. I wanted to put a cool spin on contrasting the places we are from. ‘Champagne and Whiskey’ perfectly describes our relationship. I’m super excited for everyone to hear it!”

About Jackson Nance:
Jackson Nance, a 22-year-old singer-songwriter-musician-producer hailing from Laurel, Mississippi, and currently based in Franklin, Tennessee, has been grooming his music style and perfecting his performance since a very young age. He is the youngest male artist to ever sign a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music at age 15. Nance was commissioned by The Alabama Tourism board to write and record an original song with session musicians from The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, also known as The Swampers. Nance spent the next 4 years on music row perfecting his songwriting abilities under the wings of some of Nashville’s greatest songwriters including Devin Dawson, Jimmie Allen, Danny Orton, Steve Mcewan, Fred Wilhelm and Mark Bright among many others. His tendency to be in the right spot at the right time has allowed him to join Toby Mac in the studio after a chance and a brief meeting at a local ice cream shop to have Randy Owen from Alabama invite him two years in a row to perform on Randy’s Fandemonium show. Nance has engaged in studio work with the late Reggie Young, one of the most recorded guitar players of all time, who gave Jackson a custom leather jacket that was made for Marty Stuart. He has opened for or shared stages with Billy Ray Cyrus, Jeffrey Steele, Little Texas, Delbert McClinton, Moe Bandy, Jamey Johnson and more. Ready to let the world hear his music, he released his debut single “I Love You Mom” on May 20, 2022. The tune was the result of a forgotten birthday gift, so he wrote and performed the song for his mom more-or-less on the spot. On September 3, 2022 he announced the release of his sophomore single, “Champagne and Whiskey.”

ACCLAIMED COUNTRY TRIO FLAT RIVER BAND RELEASES SERENE NEW SINGLE, “AIN’T A WOMAN LIKE A RIVER”

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Acclaimed Country Music trio Flat River Band has released their new single, “Ain’t a Woman Like a River,” to radio co-written by Chad Sitze and John Colgin. The serene ballad poetically describes the many contrasting facets of a woman while being delivered as only the Flat River Band can – in perfect harmony. Download and stream the new music on all digital music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora and more at smarturl.it/aintawomanlikeariver.

“I reached out to my co-writer, John Colgin, about some river songs for the EP Sights and Sounds and he called me back the next day with the first verse and the rest is history. It was written during that COVID era!” shared Flat River Band’s Chad Sitze.

“We have been playing this song out and have been getting a big response on our harmonies, so we decided to give country radio the option of spinning an acoustic version of ‘Ain’t a Woman Like a River,” explained Flat River Band.

Recorded at Omni Recording Studios, “Ain’t a Woman Like a River ” was produced by Flat River Band and co-produced by William Gawley. Bryce Roberts served as engineer and mastering was done by John McClure. Bill Tyler Designs created the single’s artwork. Studio musicians included Chad Sitze on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Dennijo Sitze on tenor vocals, electric guitar and mandolin and Andy Sitze on baritone vocals and electric bass. Drums were played by Chuck Reyer, steel guitar by Matt Klevorn and Chris Nole was on piano.

About Flat River Band:
Flat River Band consists of three brothers Andy, Chad and Dennijo Sitze, who grew up in a multi-generational family band. Performing alongside their parents and grandparents, they held residencies at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri and at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Throughout their tenure in music, the Missouri natives have charted #1 hits on the bluegrass gospel charts and have opened for The Chicks’ Natalie Maines, Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, TG Sheppard and more. The trio’s songs can be found in the 2018 movie The Least of These, A Christmas Story, featuring Duane Allen (The Oak Ridge Boys), Deborah Allen and Tayla Lynn (Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter). The band recently released a new five-song EP, Sights and Sounds, which has given the trio exposure in the spotlight of the Americana and Country formats. For more information on the Flat River Band, visit flatriverband.com.