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.

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.