Paisley, Gill, Urban to honor Glen Campbell at CMA Awards.

Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley and former CMA Entertainers of the Year Vince Gill and Keith Urban will pay tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member and former CMA Entertainer of the Year Glen Campbell during “The 45th Annual CMA Awards.” The three guitar virtuosos’ performance saluting the legendary singer/musician will be a highlight of “Country Music’s Biggest Night™.”

“The 45th Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration “You and Tequila;” Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet “Easy;” Lionel Richie performing a medley of hits with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Darius Rucker; and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song “Remind Me.”

Campbell was named both CMA Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year in 1968, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. The legendary performer has sold more than 45 million albums and recorded such classic hits as “Wichita Lineman,” “Gentle On My Mind,” “Galveston,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Southern Nights,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.” As a musician, Campbell was part of the much-heralded Wrecking Crew that performed on a variety of artists’ albums. His guitar prowess is featured on the Beach Boys’ seminal album Pet Sounds and on Frank Sinatra’s megahit “Strangers in the Night,” among others. He acted alongside John Wayne in the movie “True Grit,” and hosted “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour” on television from 1968-1972. Earlier this year, Campbell announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He is in the midst of his successful Goodbye Tour after releasing his final album, the critically-acclaimed Ghost on the Canvas.

Campbell is scheduled to play the Ryman on Nov. 30 and Dec. 5. Tickets for the first show are sold out, but a few tickets remain for the Dec. 5 date and are available here.

Seniors Realize their Dreams on Ryman Stage at Silver Stars Finale.

Talented competitors vie for $5,000 prize, performing for audience and celebrity judges Bonnie Bramlett, Billy Burnett and Mel Tillis at free-to-public event

Ten Silver Stars™ will take the stage to compete for thousands of dollars in prize money before a live audience when HealthSpring presents the Silver Stars™ talent competition finals, Sunday, Oct. 23 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The show is open to the public with complimentary admission.

HealthSpring’s Silver Stars™, now in its fourth year, features a roster of impressive 60-plus singers and musicians who will perform before a live audience and celebrity judging panel for the chance to be crowned HealthSpring’s 2011 Silver Star. Music industry icons Bonnie Bramlett, Billy Burnett of Fleetwood Mac and Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis will serve as judges to determine the first-, second- and third-place winners, who will receive a total of $7,500 in prize money.

“The show will be fantastic, with something for everyone,” HealthSpring of Tennessee President Greg Allen said. “We are honored to host this unique event for the senior community. Every year we are so impressed with the level of talent we see in the Silver Stars finalists and this year is no exception. It’s going to be great family fun, and as always, a tough competition for the top prize!”

Event host and producer Billy Block said, “The show will feature a variety of entertainment, from country and gospel music to jazz and Latin vocals and more. Come early to what is sure to be a great show. The first one thousand attendees will receive a free Silver Stars CD, featuring performances from finalists.”

The finalists were chosen by local celebrity judges during weekend auditions in Nashville and, for the first time, Memphis. Over 200 talented contestants competed for the chance to perform in the spotlight of the Ryman Auditorium. The 2011 Silver Stars™ finalists are:

Nashville Finalists

David Balph
Boomer Castleman
Richard Fagan
Diane Hill
Marilon Larson
Alicia Lundquist
Lawrence Thomison
Memphis Finalists
The Masqueraders
The Memphis Reed Riders
Ruby Wilson

The 2011 Silver Stars™ competition is co-sponsored by Harvest Construction, Healthways Silver Sneakers, Human Arc, Solid Gospel 105 FM, Southeast Venture and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Silver Stars™, presented by HealthSpring, is a Nashville talent competition for active adults 60 and older. HealthSpring established Silver Stars™ in 2008 to reach the pool of untapped talent ignored by shows like American Idol™ and Nashville Star™, which exclusively focus on young contestants. HealthSpring, a Medicare Advantage plan dedicated to helping older Americans get more from Medicare and more from life, designed the Silver Stars™ competition to give local seniors the chance to share their talent from the stage in Music City.

Aretha Franklin, October 19 Setlist

Edit this setlist | More Aretha Franklin setlists

Event Announcement: Christmas 4 Kids

Top country artists Colt Ford and Joe Nichols have just been annouced as the latest additions to the line-up for the 10th Anniversary of the Charlie Daniels Band & Friends Concert to benefit Christmas 4 Kids (a division of Christmas For Kids, Inc.). The show will take place at the famed Ryman Auditorium on Monday, Nov. 21. Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 21 and will be available by clicking here. They will be joining previously announced artists Phil Vassar and Sawyer Brown to round out the line-up for this special event. The Charlie Daniels Band will also take the stage throughout the night, as Daniels will play host for entire evening.

Christmas 4 Kids is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for over 25 years providing many children, each year, with their very own shopping spree. The funds generated by the concert, and the Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event, are used to give over 400 children from 29 different schools, a day-long shopping excursion. The special day consists of a chauffeured trip from their school aboard an entertainer’s luxury tour bus, lunch, and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus at College Heights Baptist Church. To wrap up the day, the tour buses journey to the Hendersonville, Tennessee Walmart, where the kids receive a brand new winter coat, and $150.00 to spend on anything they want!

Goo Goo Dolls, October 17, 2011 Setlist and Photos

Edit this setlist | More Goo Goo Dolls setlists

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

2011 Americana Awards & Honors

The 2011 Americana Music Honors & Awards were once again held at the Ryman and honored a virtual who’s who of the genre. Show highlights included performances by Allison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller and Don Was. They kicked off an unforgettable evening with “I’ll Fly Away” as a tribute to the 10 year anniversary of the “O Brother, Where Art Thou” soundtrack release. Album of the Year winners, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy covered the Low song, “Monkey.” Duo of the Year, The Avett Brothers and newcomers The Civil Wars captivated the audience with their unique style performing “Once and Future Carpenter” and “Barton Hollow” respectively. Other performances included Song of the Year winner Justin Townes Earle, Lifetime Achievement honoree Gregg Allman, Hayes Carll, Elizabeth Cook and more!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Photos (c) Steve Lowry/Ryman Archives

Concert Announcement: The Civil Wars, January 12, 2012

Singer/Songwriter duo The Civil Wars have played the Ryman stage as part of other shows in the past (“Prairie Home Companion”, Americana Music Awards) January 12, 2012 they will return to headline for the first time. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 21 and tickets will be available by clicking here. Known for their powerful, haunting harmonies, members John Paul White and Joy Williams instantly clicked when they first met back in 2008. Their song “Poison and Wine” appeared on Grey’s Anatomy in 2009 – helping to kickstart their career.

Nominated for CMT, CMA and Americana Music Awards in 2011, The Civil Wars keep up a relentless international touring schedule. Their latest effort “Barton Hollow” is available now.

Ryman and Nissan Announce Partnership

RYMAN AUDITORIUM AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP
Nissan North America to become Official Partner of Ryman Auditorium

Ryman Auditorium and Nissan North America have entered into a multi-year partnership making Nissan an Official Partner of the Ryman. As Official Partner, Nissan will become an integrated part of the Ryman during the daytime tour experience and nighttime concerts and will enjoy brand association in advertising and promotional mediums.

“We are thrilled to align the Ryman in this long-term partnership with Nissan,” said Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium General Manager. “We look forward to putting ‘Innovation For All’ into action, enhancing our concert experiences for fans with cutting edge innovation and technology. We’re excited to have a locally based global company as our partner. Together, we’ll elevate our museum and concert offerings, not only for fans here in Nashville but for audiences around the world using a variety of media platforms.”

“We strive for ‘Innovation For All’ and that includes Nashville’s diverse music community. Where better to center that partnership but within the very epicenter of Music City, the Ryman Auditorium? Our partnership with the Ryman is an extension of our commitment to Nashville and its thriving entertainment offerings,” said Jon Brancheau, Vice President, Marketing, Nissan.

In the new year, the partnership will use new and emerging technologies to immerse patrons into the Ryman experience more than ever before. Additional programs include the “Nissan Recording Sessions From The Ryman,” a national contest which will give the finalists an opportunity to play and record on the historic stage.

The program kick-off includes the launch of the first official Ryman iPhone and Android apps. Within these free apps, concert goers will be able to receive concert announcements via text message, RSVP and share concerts via Facebook and Twitter, scroll through the Hatch Show Print Gallery and purchase concert tickets directly within the app. The biggest artists performing today continue to populate the Ryman concert calendar. Upcoming concerts include the Goo Goo Dolls October 17, Aretha Franklin October 19, Peter Frampton October 22, Indigo Girls and Brandi Carlile November 17, Glen Campbell November 30 and December 5, Gillian Welch December 1, Judy Collins & Arlo Guthrie December 4, Daryl Hall & John Oates December 8, Jim Brickman December 15, Amy Grant & Vince Gill December 20 & 21.

More coverage: Tennessean and Music Row.

Keb Mo, Photos Oct. 7, 2011

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Peter Frampton To Be Inducted Into Music City Walk Of Fame

Music City, Inc. today announced the newest inductee into the Music City Walk of Fame, presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar: Grammy®-winning guitarist and songwriter Peter Frampton. Frampton will be recognized officially with the unveiling of a commemorative sidewalk marker on Saturday, October 22, beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The induction ceremony, which is sponsored by Great American Country (GAC), is free and open to the public.

Frampton will return to the Ryman Auditorium that evening to raise funds for the preservation of Nashville’s Radnor Lake. In a special concert, he will perform his smash 1976 live album “Frampton Comes Alive!” from start to finish. Including classic rock staples “Show Me the Way,” “Do You Feel Like We Do” and “Baby, I Love Your Way.” Tickets are available here.

Peter Frampton is one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history. He began his music career as a teenager in England, first as lead singer and guitarist for The Herd, and then with Humble Pie. Frampton has recorded 16 albums, with his most acclaimed being his multi-platinum selling live album Frampton Comes Alive!, which is one of the top-selling live records of all time.

Frampton has a history of supporting Nashville. He lived in Nashville for seven years, and many of his band members and crew currently live in the city as well. He continues to write, record and rehearse in the city regularly. Frampton has appeared in promotional videos and advertising campaigns for Nashville and also served as the headlining performer for the Music City Jazz & Blues Festival in 2008.

He is currently on a world tour in recognition of the 35th anniversary of famed Frampton Comes Alive! album. Frampton’s Nashville show on this tour, on the evening of this Walk of Fame Induction at the Ryman Auditorium, serves as a charity event benefiting Friends of Radnor Lake.

“Honoring Peter Frampton into the Music City Walk of Fame best exemplifies what the project is all about: recognizing the diverse talent that has influenced and been influenced by the unique and creative spirit in Nashville,” said Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It is the creative contributions by Mr. Frampton and the inductees before him that make Nashville, Music City.”

The Music City Walk of Fame was created in the fall of 2006 on Nashville’s Music Mile and is a landmark tribute to those from all genres of music who have made significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration. With the addition of Frampton, the Walk of Fame boasts 51 stars.

A permanent sidewalk medallion with the honoree’s name displayed in a star-and-guitar design will be installed in the sidewalk along the Music Mile. The plaque for Frampton will be inlaid in Walk of Fame Park on Demonbreun, between 4th and 5th Avenues South.

The Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City, Inc., the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB), and is produced with the support of presenting sponsor Gibson Guitar and sponsors GAC, Durango Boot, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks.

Nominations are open to the public and are accepted in the categories of Artist, Musician, Songwriter, and Producer/Music Industry Executive. Application forms are reviewed by the Music City Walk of Fame anonymous selection committee.