Dierks Bentley will take a break from his Burning Man Tour to perform during NBC’s Today Show’s 2019 Citi Concert Series on Thursday (August 1st).

Keith Urban, Maddie & Tae, Barbara Mandrell, Chris Janson, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes and Trisha Yearwood are among the initial list of artists announced for the 13th annual ACM Honors ceremony. The event will take place August 21st at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and will honor Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming, Billy Joe Shaver, Gayle Holcomb and the film, A Star is Born.

George Strait and Loretta Lynn will be honored at the 2019 Nashville Songwriter Awards. King George will receive the President’s Keystone Award while the legendary Loretta will receive the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2019 Nashville Songwriter Awards will take place at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium September 17th.

Kassi Ashton will be among the singer-songwriters to perform at BMI’s fifth annual Maui Songwriters Festival December 5th – 7th. The event will also feature performances by Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Randy Houser, Dustin Lynch, Natalie Hemby and Bob DiPiero.

Caylee Hammack will make her national television debut on Wednesday (May 29^th) during the 10am (local time) hour of NBC’s Today Show. She will perform her song, “Family Tree.”

Kacey Musgraves is among the recipients for the Academy of Country Music’s 13th Annual ACM Honors, which will be presented August 21st at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. She will receive the Jim Reeves International Award, in recognition of her efforts to spread country music around the globe by playing shows in Japan, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Other honorees include Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Rodney Crowell, Shane McAnally and many others. The film A Star is Born will received the Tex Ritter Award.

Lauren Alaina is set to play in Craig Campbell’s 7^th Annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge at the Nashville Omni during this year’s CMA Music Fest on June 4^th. The benefit will raise funds and awareness for colorectal cancer. Jerrod Niemann, Jimmie Allen, Tyler Rich and Teagan Marie will also take part.

Travis Denning, Kassi Ashton, Caylee Hammack will be among the artists performing on the DISH Presents Next From Nashville Stage during the ACM Festival of the Year, Faster Horses, taking place July 19^th-21^st in Brooklyn, Michigan. Previously announced performers include Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, Brothers Osborne, Kip Moore, LANCO, Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope, Michael Ray, Mitchell Tenpenny and Brett Young.

Adam Hambrick, Billy Currington, Clare Dunn, Kassi Ashton and Travis Denning have been added to the list of performers at this year’s CMA Fest, running June 6th – 9th in downtown Nashville. Check out when and where you can find these free performances, plus many others below.

Chevy Breakout Stage at Walk of Fame Park, Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Bridgestone Plaza and Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage will feature over 110 performances Thursday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9, highlighting fan favorites and rising Country stars daily.

Located at Walk of Fame Park, the lineup at the Chevy Breakout Stage will highlight rising artists from 11:10 AM – 4:55 PM on Thursday, and 10:30 AM – 4:55 PM Friday through Sunday including Carlton Anderson, Tenille Arts, Kassi Ashton, Drew Baldridge, Chris Bandi, Kelleigh Bannen, Bailey Bryan, Austin Burke, Dillon Carmichael, Adam Craig, Travis Denning, Cale Dodds, Adam Doleac, Clare Dunn, Brooke Eden, Filmore, HARDY, Jillian Jacqueline, James Barker Band, Austin Jenckes, Brett Kissel, Love and Theft, Tegan Marie, Steve Moakler, Muscadine Bloodline, Brandon Ratcliff, Brandon Ray, Teddy Robb, Noah Schnacky, Dylan Schneider, Seaforth, Smithfield, Matt Stell, Sweet Tea Trio, Tenille Townes, Rachel Wammack, Waterloo Revival, The Wild Feathers and Carter Winter. Gates for the Chevy Breakout Stage will open to the public at 10:40 AM Thursday, June 6 and 9:30 AM Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9. In addition, Miranda Lambert will lead MuttNation’s Mutt March on Thursday, June 6 from 8:30 to 10:30 AM.  Starting at Nissan Stadium, the parade of pups will wind its way across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and into Walk of Fame Park, where Storme Warren will interview Lambert in a live broadcast from the Chevy Breakout Stage on SiriusXM’s The Highway. Register for the MuttMarch here: https://www.MuttNationFoundation.com.

The Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Bridgestone Plaza entertains fans from 10:45 AM – 4:30 PM daily, with the “BMI Tailgate” performances Thursday, June 6 from 2:45 PM – 5:10 PM, which includes Colin Elmore, House Whiskey, Josh Phillips and Dan Smalley. Additional acts taking the stage include The Adelaides, Jay Allen, Roan Ash, Gabby Barrett, Stephen Carey, Troy Cartwright, Crowder, Kyle Daniel, Jaida Dreyer, Ross Ellis, Everette, Fairground Saints, Ray Fulcher, Noah Guthrie, Adam Hambrick, Levi Hummon, Hunter Brothers, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Lauren Jenkins, Willie Jones, King Calaway, The Last Bandoleros, Leaving Austin, Baylee Littrell, Hayley Orrantia, Drew Parker, Stephanie Quayle, Faren Rachels, Elvie Shane, Kalie Shorr, The Sisterhood Band, The Swon Brothers and Lainey Wilson. Gates for the Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Bridgestone Plaza will open to the public at 9:45 AM each day, Thursday through Sunday.

The Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage, located inside the NCVC Visitor Center at Bridgestone Arena, will take place daily from 11:00 AM – 4:40 PM. Thursday’s performances are presented by ASCAP and feature Haley Mae Campbell, Seth Cook, Cross Atlantic, Jobe Fortner, Makayla Lynn, Jill Martin, David Ray, Maggie Renfroe, Joe Robinson and Anna Rose. Friday’s performances are presented by SESAC and feature Blanco Brown, Nora Collins, Spencer Crandall, Erin Enderlin, Aaron Goodvin, Kelly McGrath, Tom O’Connor, Jake Rose, Scott Stevens and Jenny Tolman. Saturday and Sunday’s lineups includes Beoga, Jordan Brooker, Brown & Gray, Shy Carter, Robert Counts, Crawford & Power, Hannah Dasher, Larry Fleet, Kylie Frey, Tony Jackson, Angie Keilhauer, Cory Marks, Jaden Michaels, Emily Ann Roberts, Shane Runion, SixForty1, Tiera, Tyler Reese Tritt, Anna Vaus and The Wandering Hearts.

Additional performers at CMA Fest include Billy Currington at the Chevy Riverfront Stage on Thursday, Randy Houser at Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music Group on Thursday and Pam Tillis on the Budweiser Forever Country Stage on Sunday.

All outdoor daytime stages including the Budweiser Forever Country Stage, Chevy Breakout Stage at Walk of Fame Park, Chevy Riverfront Stage, Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Bridgestone Plaza and Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage are free and open to the public. All stage lineups are available in the Official CMA Fest App. Additional stage lineups, Xfinity Fan Fair X activities and more will be announced in the coming weeks. All artist lineups are subject to change.

Artists performing at CMA Fest donate their time so a portion of ticket proceeds can directly benefit high-quality music education initiatives across the United States through the CMA Foundation.

Don’t miss a beat by staying connected with CMA on CMAfest.com, the Official CMA Fest App, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and sign up for CMA Country Connection emails to receive the latest news as soon as it’s announced.

MCA Nashville’s Kassi Ashton released the music video for “Pretty Shiny Things” this week. Check it out below:

Kassi Ashton, one of the most compelling rising stars in Nashville, has today released a new song entitled, “Pretty Shiny Things.” Produced by Luke Laird and co-written by Kassi and Emily Landis, the emotional ballad highlights Kassi’s incredible vocal talent and showcases a more raw and vulnerable side to her musical style. “Pretty Shiny Things” is available now on all digital streaming platforms HERE.

“Three years ago, this song was there for me in the middle of the night. Like a diary entry that was writing me, not me writing it,” says Kassi. “It has silently waited, given guidance, and reminded me that honest art is the best art. I’m honored to be passing it along to whoever needs it now.”

Coming up, Kassi is set to play a few festivals this summer to include: CMA Fest in Nashville, TN, LakeShake Fest in Chicago, IL, Hometown Rising in Louisville, KY and Country Concert in Ft. Loramie, OH.

About Kassi Ashton
Kassi Ashton brought a whole new attitude of her own to country music upon arrival in 2017. The California, Missouri singer and songwriter initially touched down with a string of critically acclaimed tracks. Released by UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope, her introductory release “California, Missouri” stirred up widespread critical acclaim from Taste of Country, CMT, The Boot, and many more. As her profile grew, she lent her voice to the standout “Drop Top” on Keith Urban’s chart-topping 2018 album, Graffiti U. He went on to describe her as “such a unique, original creature.” Expanding on her confessional and catchy storytelling, she maintained momentum on the summer solo song “Taxidermy.”  Named “Who to Watch” by Huffington Post and The Tennessean, radio personality Bobby Bones included her among his Class of 2018. Rolling Stone lauded her as “a devilish songwriter who isn’t afraid to flip convention on its head,” and Refinery29 also claimed, “she blends pop aesthetics with a presence doused in no-fucks-left-to-give authenticity.” She continues to defy convention and define a signature style on the 2019 single “Violins”—and a whole lot more to come.

Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry will be featured in a new half-hour American Idol special on ABC to air ahead of the 91^st Oscars on Sunday (February 24th). In American Idol: A New Journey Begins, Seacrest sits down with judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie to discuss the Season 2 return of the series and share a preview of this year’s crop of new talent. The panel also will answer fan questions and share behind-the-scenes secrets. It will air at 4pm ET Sunday. In addition, ABC will air a musical performance featuring some of the auditionees from the upcoming premiere episode to air during the live broadcast. The new season of American Idol will premiere March 3rd at 8pm ET.

Speaking of the Oscars, don’t forget to tune-in on Sunday to watch Kacey Musgraves present at this year’s Oscars. The 91st Academy Awards will air live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday (February 24th) at 8pm ET/5pm PT on ABC.

Kip Moore will be featured in a new special on the Audience Network on DirecTV/UVerse on March 1st, which will include performances from his show at L.A.’s Wiltern Theater, as well as footage from his Journey to Slowheart documentary. The special will air at 9pm ET/PT.

Darius Rucker has been announced as the recipient of the Music Business Association’s Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award for his years of charitable contributions, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and MUSC Children’s Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina (Darius’ hometown). He will accept the honor during the annual Music Biz 2019 Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner May 7th in Nashville. Previous recipients of the Humanitarian Award include Martina McBride, Melissa Etheridge, Annie Lennox and Bonnie Raitt, among others.

Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Lauren Alaina, Clare Dunn and Kassi Ashton are among the artists playing the first annual Hometown Rising Country Music & Bourbon Festival September 14th and 15th in Louisville, Kentucky. Tim McGraw, Dwight Yoakam, Brett Young and Jake Owen will also perform. For ticket information, go to hometownrising.com.

Kassi Ashton, Travis Denning, Clare Dunn and Caylee Hammack are on the bill for the “Next From Nashville” stage at this year’s Country LakeShake Festival in Chicago June 21st-23rd.

Kassi Ashton, one of Nashville’s most compelling rising stars, has released the new music video for her song “Violins” today. A vibrant and entertaining reflection of the song’s empowering lyrics, the piece finds her shutting down an immature suitor amidst the fitting backdrop of a high school gymnasium. Kassi’s creative fingerprint impressively extends beyond the music and into the choreography and fashion elements of the video as well. Throughout, she shows off skillful majorette dance routines and even dons various stylish band outfits that she hand-made herself.

“Violins,” first released on January 25, was produced by Luke Dick and Luke Laird, and co-written by Kassi, Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby. The music video was shot in Nashville and marks Kassi’s first collaboration with director Kristin Barlowe.

“Visuals are so important to me, because that’s the way I understand and explain everything in my life,” Kassi said about the video. “It is no different with my music. When I allowed my brain to think of all the possibilities of what this video could look like, a million ideas soaked in red light came out. Kristin Barlowe, in all her magic, and her entire team perfectly translated my thoughts to the screen.”

About Kassi AshtonKassi Ashton brought a whole new attitude of her own to country music upon arrival in 2017. The California, Missouri singer and songwriter initially touched down with a string of critically acclaimed tracks. Released by UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope, her introductory release “California, Missouri” stirred up widespread critical acclaim from Taste of Country, CMT, The Boot, and many more. As her profile grew, she lent her voice to the standout “Drop Top” on Keith Urban’s chart-topping 2018 album, Graffiti U. He went on to describe her as “such a unique, original creature.” Expanding on her confessional and catchy storytelling, she maintained momentum on the summer solo song “Taxidermy.”  Named “Who to Watch” by Huffington Post and The Tennessean, radio personality Bobby Bones included her among his Class of 2018. Rolling Stone lauded her as “a devilish songwriter who isn’t afraid to flip convention on its head,” and Refinery29 also claimed, “she blends pop aesthetics with a presence doused in no-fucks-left-to-give authenticity.” She continues to defy convention and define a signature style on the 2019 single “Violins”—and a whole lot more to come.

http://kassiashton.com/

Facebook.com/KassiAshton

Instagram: @KassiAshton

Twitter: @KassiAshton

Kassi Ashton, one of the most compelling rising stars in Nashville, has released her highly-anticipated new song “Violins” today. Produced by Luke Dick and Luke Laird, and co-written by Kassi, Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby, the empowering anthem seesaws between her dynamic delivery, raucous twang, and wailing guitars.

Kassi’s undeniably authentic lyrics are on full display, as she shuts down deceitful former lovers with a chantable hook that almost everyone can relate to, “I can’t hear the violins you’re playin, there’s no symphony inside my head.  I’ve got my own marching band, guess I lost my give a damn.” “Violins” is available now on all digital streaming platforms, and the accompanying lyric video can be seen HERE.

“We (Natalie Hemby, Luke Dick and I) were sitting in Luke’s studio one morning. We got on the subject of my exes and how all of them had been unfaithful to me,” Kassi said about the initial inspiration for the track. “We were discussing the steps of getting over it and how they usually all come running back, whining, begging for a second chance. That’s when I rolled my eyes, raised two fingers to my ear and mimicked what my dad used to call ‘the world’s smallest violin’ to accompany their take-me-back tears. I started joking, saying that for most, I didn’t even care to serenade their second chance efforts. I didn’t have time for that because I have better shit to do. It was Natalie’s idea to call it ‘Violins’ and Luke brought the funk. I just had to bring the attitude and experience.”

About Kassi Ashton
Kassi Ashton brought a whole new attitude of her own to country music upon arrival in 2017. The California, Missouri singer and songwriter initially touched down with a string of critically acclaimed tracks. Released by UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope, her introductory release “California, Missouri” stirred up widespread critical acclaim from Taste of Country, CMT, The Boot, and many more. As her profile grew, she lent her voice to the standout “Drop Top” on Keith Urban’s chart-topping 2018 album, Graffiti U. He went on to describe her as “such a unique, original creature.” Expanding on her confessional and catchy storytelling, she maintained momentum on the summer solo song “Taxidermy.”  Named “Who to Watch” by Huffington Post and The Tennessean, radio personality Bobby Bones included her among his Class of 2018. Rolling Stone lauded her as “a devilish songwriter who isn’t afraid to flip convention on its head,” and Refinery29 also claimed, “she blends pop aesthetics with a presence doused in no-fucks-left-to-give authenticity.” She continues to defy convention and define a signature style on the 2019 single “Violins”—and a whole lot more to come.

Audio / LINER Adam Hambrick (New Year) 1

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Audio / LINER Adam Hambrick (New Year) 2

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Audio / LINER Brandon Lay (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Carrie Underwood (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Clare Dunn (Happy New Year)

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Audio / LINER Darius Rucker (Happy New Year)

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Audio / LINER Dierks Bentley (Happy New Year)

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Audio / LINER Eric Church (10 COUNTDOWN)

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“10-9-8-7—6-54321, Happy New Year, y’all. It’s Eric Church, and it’s time to put a drink in MY hand!”

Audio / LINER Eric Church (Happy New Year)

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“Hey! It’s Eric Church, hoping you have a Happy New Year.”

Audio / LINER Eric Church (Hand your keys to a friend)

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“Hey! Eric Church here…This New Year’s Eve, if you put a drink in your hand…hand your keys to a friend. Trust me guys, don’t drink and drive.”

Audio / LINER Gary Allan (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Jon Langston (New Year) 1

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Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Jordan Davis (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Josh Turner (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Kacey Musgraves (New Year)

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“Hey! It’s Kacey Musgraves, hoping you have a safe and Happy New Year!”

Audio / LINER Kassi Ashton

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Audio / LINER Keith Urban (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Kip Moore (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Lauren Alaina (New Year)

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Audio / LINER LBT (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Maddie & Tae (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Mickey Guyton (New Year)

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Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Happy New Year)

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Audio / LINER Shania Twain (Happy New Year)

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Audio / LINER Travis Denning (New Year)

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“Hey y’all, this is Travis Denning, wishing you a Happy New Year.”

Kassi Ashton grew up in a rural town called California, Missouri, and she took ballet and other dance classes for many years. So, one of her favorite Christmas memories include being in The Nutcracker every year. “One of my favorite Christmas traditions growing up was always being a part of The Nutcracker,” says Kassi. “[I took] ballet my entire life, and now that I’ve graduated and moved on, I go see The Nutcracker at the Nashville Ballet every year. I can’t wait to have a little girl some day and put her in ballet class.”

Kassi loves Christmas music, especially the holiday classics. “My favorite thing about Christmas hands down is Christmas music. I start playing eh, the day after Thanksgiving usually, if not a little sooner. I love the classics – Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, anything that you know by heart and you don’t have to really think about. Christmas songs are the best,” she says. “My favorite Christmas song is ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ by Judy Garland in the key of G, because that’s my key [laughs], and I can sing along perfectly.” [laughs]

Kassi is one of three recipients of the first-ever CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship. Throughout the next year, CMA and its staff will provide support for the artists, helping connect each with professionals within the industry as well as providing unique opportunities to participate in CMA-related events during CMA Fest, CMA Awards and C2C: Country 2 Country festival in the U.K.