Tune-in alert for Friday (September 9th). The 10th Annual ACM Honors will air tomorrow beginning at 9pm ET/PT on CBS. The two-hour special, hosted by Lady Antebellum, is dedicated to celebrating honorees and off-camera category winners from this year’s ACM Awards. 

The television special features an all-star lineup of live performances as well as award presentations celebrating honorees, including Special Awards recipients Glen Campbell, Crystal Gayle, Eddie Rabbitt (awarded posthumously), Tanya Tucker, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Jeff Walker (awarded posthumously), Jimmy Webb, Little Big Town and The Statler Brothers. Additionally, Jason Aldean was honored with the ACM Triple Crown Award and Miranda Lambert was presented with the inaugural ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award. Ross Copperman was also honored as Songwriter of the Year.

Artists who performed in tribute to the honorees include:

• Kelsea Ballerini performed “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” in tribute to Crystal Gayle.
• Dierks Bentley performed “Freedom” in tribute to Ross Copperman, joined onstage by participants of the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp.
• Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell performed “I Love A Rainy Night” in tribute to Eddie Rabbitt.
• Alicia Keys and Cam performed a special duet of “Girl Crush” in tribute to Little Big Town.
• Maren Morris performed “Delta Dawn” in tribute to Tanya Tucker.
• Chris Young and Dan + Shay performed “Flowers on the Wall” in tribute to The Statler Brothers.
• The Band Perry performed “MacArthur Park” in tribute to Jimmy Webb.
• Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Keith Urban and Dierks Bentley performed an all-star medley in a special tribute to Glen Campbell. The medley consisted of Campbell’s hits “Southern Nights,” “Gentle On My Mind,” “Wichita Linemen,” “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and the iconic “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

The Academy’s Studio Recording Award winners were celebrated in a pre-televised ceremony, and many served as the house band for the night under the direction of music director Frank Liddell. Backing up artists during performances on the telecast were ACM Guitarist of the Year Derek Wells, ACM Bass Player of the Year Michael Rhodes, ACM Specialty Instruments Player of the Year Danny Rader and ACM Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year Jim “Moose” Brown, who also served as bandleader.  Other Studio Recording Award honorees included Producer of the Year Dave Cobb, Audio Engineer of the Year Justin Niebank, Drummer of the Year Shannon Forrest and Steel Guitar Player of the Year Paul Franklin.

The ceremony presenters included Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley, Emmylou Harris, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Martina McBride, Mike Fisher, Thomas Rhett, and Toby Keith. The event was taped at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, and sponsored by City National Bank and Kendra Scott.

About ACM Honors™

ACM Honors™ is an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the Academy of Country Music Awards, including the Special Awards, Studio Recording Awards and Songwriter of the Year Award winners. The 10th Annual ACM Honors was taped on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and – for the first time ever – was produced for television by dick clark productions to be broadcast on Friday, September 9 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Tiffany Moon is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. For more information, visit www.ACMcountry.com.

Photo L-R: Shannon Campbell, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith performing at the 10th Annual ACM Honors in tribute to Glen Campbell. Photo Credit: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music)

Tune-in Friday, September 9, 2016 at 9:00pm ET/PT on CBS for the television debut of the 10^th Annual ACM Honors™. Hosted by multi-ACM Award-winning group Lady Antebellum, the two-hour special is dedicated to celebrating honorees and off-camera category winners from the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards.

 The television special features an all-star lineup of live performances as well as award presentations celebrating honorees including Special Awards recipients Glen Campbell, Crystal Gayle,Eddie Rabbitt (awarded posthumously), Tanya Tucker, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Jeff Walker (awarded posthumously), Jimmy Webb, Little Big Town and The Statler Brothers. Additionally, Jason Aldean was honored with the ACM Triple Crown Award and Miranda Lambert was presented with the inaugural ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award. Ross Copperman was also honored as Songwriter of the Year.

Artists who performed in tribute to the honorees include:

• Kelsea Ballerini performed “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” in tribute to Crystal Gayle.
• Dierks Bentley performed “Freedom” in tribute to Ross Copperman, joined onstage by participants of the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp.
• Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell performed “I Love A Rainy Night” in tribute to Eddie Rabbitt.
• Alicia Keys and Cam performed a special duet of “Girl Crush” in tribute to Little Big Town.
• Maren Morris performed “Delta Dawn” in tribute to Tanya Tucker.
• Chris Young and Dan + Shay performed “Flowers on the Wall” in tribute to The Statler Brothers.
• The Band Perry performed “MacArthur Park” in tribute to Jimmy Webb.
• Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Keith Urban and Dierks Bentley performed an all-star medley in a special tribute to Glen Campbell. The medley consisted of Campbell’s hits “Southern Nights,” “Gentle On My Mind,” “Wichita Linemen,” “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and the iconic “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

 The Academy’s Studio Recording Award winners were celebrated in a pre-televised ceremony, and many served as the house band for the night under the direction of music director Frank Liddell. Backing up artists during performances on the telecast were ACM Guitarist of the Year Derek Wells, ACM Bass Player of the Year Michael Rhodes, ACM Specialty Instruments Player of the Year Danny Rader and ACM Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year Jim “Moose” Brown, who also served as bandleader.  Other Studio Recording Award honorees included Producer of the Year Dave Cobb, Audio Engineer of the Year Justin Niebank, Drummer of the Year Shannon Forrest and Steel Guitar Player of the Year Paul Franklin.

 The ceremony presenters included Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley, Emmylou Harris, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Martina McBride, Mike Fisher,Thomas Rhett, and Toby Keith. The event was taped at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, and sponsored by City National Bank and Kendra Scott.

 About ACM Honors™

ACM Honors™ is an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the Academy of Country Music Awards, including the Special Awards, Studio Recording Awards and Songwriter of the Year Award winners. The 10th Annual ACM Honors was taped on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and – for the first time ever – was produced for television by dick clark productions to be broadcast on Friday, September 9 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Tiffany Moon is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. For more information, visit www.ACMcountry.com.

Photo L-R: Shannon Campbell, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith performing at the 10th Annual ACM Honors in tribute to Glen Campbell. Photo Credit: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM/ Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music)

Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith and Blake Shelton will pay tribute to Glen Campbell at the 10th Annual ACM Honors Tuesday night (August 30th). The legendary performer will be honored with the ACM Career Achievement Award, and the artists will perform an all-star medley of Glen’s greatest hits, finishing with a group performance of the hit “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

Keith says Glen is one of his biggest influences, mainly because he’s a “guitartist.” “I’ve always been a fan of what I like to call guitartists, you know those guitar-artists like Glen Campbell, who’s probably one of my biggest influences; those guys who knew a good song, had a great voice and played great and just the all-around guys with a guitar,’ says Keith. “When you think of Glen Campbell, you think of, I think of ‘Galveston,’ ‘Wichita Lineman,’ then I also think of him being a phenomenal guitar player.”

Toby says despite his debilitating illness with Alzheimer’s, he’s still an amazing guitar player. “He was one of the greatest guitar players of all time, and I don’t think most people realize that. I think most people saw him on the Glen Campbell Good Time Hour and some movies, and they just thought he’s a singer that sings some pop country,” says Toby. “But Glen was one of the greatest guitar players of all time too, and even when he couldn’t remember his songs he could still play them without remembering the words. It’s nice that they’re paying tribute to Glen.”

Last week, Dierks told us, “I’m honored to get the chance to perform on this tribute show for the ACMs [Honors], to be a part of this tribute. I’ve always felt connected to his music, grew up listening to it. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Kim Campbell will accept the award on behalf of her husband of 35 years.

Previously announced performers include Luke Bryan, The Band Perry, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Cole Swindell, Maren Morris, Cam, Chris Young, Miranda Lambert and the night’s hosts Lady Antebellum, among others.

The ACM Honors is dedicated to celebrating all of the special honorees and off-camera category winners from this year’s ACM Awards. The two-hour special tapes Tuesday (August 30th) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and will air September 9th at 9pm ET/PT on CBS.

Singer, songwriter and entertainer Toby Keith is rounding up some amens and good calls with his new single “A Few More Cowboys.” In addition to growing airplay and the lyric video’s debut last week at Taste of Country and The Boot (watch here), social media campaigns #TKCowboy and #TKCowboysInAction are spotlighting some “cowboys” who are making the world a better place to live.

Recently highlighted are the Cajun Navy’s efforts to rescue Louisiana flood victims and neighborhood activist Kevin Upshur. See more here and here, respectively. Both are living up to the lyrics of Keith’s song:

With a few more cowboys, there’d be a lot less outlaws

With a few more amens, be a lot less bad calls

And a few more yes ma’ams, be a lot less yes men

This world would be a better place to live in

With a few more cowboys

And speaking of cowboys, this time of the rhinestone variety, Toby will perform in tribute to Glen Campbell at the 10th Annual ACM Honors Tuesday, Aug. 30th in Nashville. He joins Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and Keith Urban for a medley of Campbell’s most beloved songs at the event, which will be taped for prime time broadcast Sept. 9 on CBS. Campbell is being honored with the ACM Career Achievement Award.

“You talk about a singer, picker, and performer … nobody’s ever done it all any better than Glen Campbell,” Keith says. “I’m honored to be a part of it and we’ll do our best to live up to those songs.”

In other news, Toby guest managed the Kansas Stars, an all-star team of baseball greats that played in the National Baseball Congress World Series earlier this month. Keith managed two games, including one pitched by the great Roger Clemens.

Meanwhile, Keith’s 13th Annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic raised $1.175 million for the cost-free home-away-from-home OK Kids Korral in June. And the Toby Keith Interstates & Tailgates Tour Presented by Ford F-Series continues its standing-room-only run. Upcoming dates:

Sept. 8                Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center

Sept. 9                Indianapolis’ Klipsch Music Center

Sept. 10              St Louis’ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

Sept. 22              Florence (SC) Civic Center

Sept. 23              Tampa’s Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre

Sept. 24              West Palm Beach’s Perfect Vodka Amphitheater

Sept. 30               Las Vegas’ Route 91 Harvest Festival

Oct. 9                  Sonoma (CA) Music Festival

Oct. 14                Tulsa’s BOK Center

Oct. 15                Dallas’ Cattle Baron’s Ball

Oct. 16                Austin’s 360 Amphitheater

The Academy of Country Music® (ACM) announced that Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton and Keith Urban will take the stage at the 10TH ANNUAL ACM HONORS™ for a special tribute to Glen Campbell, who as previously announced will be honored with the ACM Career Achievement Award. The country music luminaries will perform an all-star medley of Campbell’s greatest hits, culminating to an ensemble performance of the iconic “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Kim Campbell will accept the award on behalf of her husband (of 35 years).

Toby Keith and Blake Shelton join previously announced performers Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Cam, Maren Morris, Cole Swindell, Keith Urban and hosts Lady Antebellum. Additional performers and presenters will be announced.

The 10^TH ACM Honors™ is an evening dedicated to celebrating the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards. Hosted by multi-ACM Award-winning group Lady Antebellum, the two-hour special will tape on Tuesday, August 30 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, and make its television debut on Friday, September 9 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Tickets for the special taping are available for purchase to the general public now at Ticketmaster.com.

For more information on the Academy of Country Music and the ACM Honors, please visit www.acmcountry.com.

About ACM Honors™
ACM Honors™ is an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the Academy of Country Music Awards, including the Special Awards, Studio Recording Awards and Songwriter of the Year Award winners. The 10th Annual ACM Honors takes place Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and – for the first time ever – will be produced for television by dick clark productions to be broadcast on Friday, September 9 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Tiffany Moon is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. Tickets to ACM Honors are priced at $60 and $100 and will go on sale to the general public at Ticketmaster.com and the Ryman box office at 10:00 AM CT on Wednesday, August 10, 2016. For more information, visit www.ACMcountry.com.

Toby Keith is back with new music, and he’s bringing along some friends … a few more cowboys, to be precise. The Show Dog Nashville recording artist’s latest single, “A Few More Cowboys,” just landed at all digital retailers, including iTunes (http://umgn.us/MoreCowboys) and radio.

Co-written by Toby Keith, Bobby Pinson and Dean Dillon, the song (listen here: https://pressroom.umgnashville.com/news/a-few-more-cowboys) calls for simplicity in these difficult times:

With a few more cowboys, there’d be a lot less outlaws

With a few more amens, be a lot less bad calls

And a few more yes ma’ams, be a lot less yes men

This world would be a better place to live in

With a few more cowboys

Pinson has written eight chart-toppers and has had songs cut by a diverse array of country hitmakers including Sugarland, Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart and, of course, Keith. A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Dillon is one of the most accomplished songwriters of all time. His compositions include George Strait’s “The Chair” and George Jones’ “Tennessee Whiskey,” as well as 10 co-writes with Keith.

The new music comes as the Toby Keith Interstates & Tailgates Tour Presented by Ford F-Series continues its May to October run. On a recent stop in Brainerd, MN, Keith’s Friday night headlining show at the Lakes Jam Festival had a record high attendance number for the event. The Brainerd Dispatch, who reported an abundance of fans that noted Toby was their favorite, said, “fans filled the bowl area from front to back.”

His 13th Annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic recently raised $1.175 million for the cost-free home-away-from-home OK Kids Korral, which aids sick children and their families.

Here are Fourth of July liners from several of your favorite artists:

Dierks Bentley will perform on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Monday (June 27th).

Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” has been certified gold and platinum by the R.I.A.A. The song, which he performed on the CMA Awards last November, is from his award-winning album, Traveller.

At the CRB’s annual Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner, Josh Turner paid tribute to Randy Travis, who was honored with the Career Achievement Award. Josh performed a medley of Randy’s songs, including “Diggin’ Up Bones,” “Three Wooden Crosses,” “Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart” and “Forever and Ever, Amen,” among others. Prior to his performance, Josh said, “I’m just honored and flattered to have been asked to honor my hero. One of the best things I feel like anybody can have in life is a hero, because a hero makes you want to be a better version of yourself, and they inspire you to do great things. That’s exactly what Randy Travis has done for me throughout the years.”

Toby Keith raised more than $1.1 million during his 13th annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic earlier this month in Oklahoma. Proceeds from the event will benefit his foundation’s OK Kids Korral, where families are able to stay for free when their children are receiving cancer treatments.

Country Music has lost a legend. Merle Haggard, who turned 79 today, died Wednesday (April 6th) in California, surrounded by friends and family. The Country Music Hall of Famer had been in failing health for quite some time, diagnosed with double pneumonia in December, which led to the cancellation of several dates, including a two-night stand at the Ryman Auditorium.

Haggard had 40 No. 1 songs, including “Mama Tried,” “Workin’ Man Blues,” “Okie From Muskogee” and “The Fightin’ Side of Me” and wrote many classics, some of which had been recorded by folks such as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill, who is a lifelong fan of the iconic entertainer.

“I‘ve been a [Merle] Haggard nut my whole life,” says Vince Gill, who along with his pal Paul Franklin released Bakersfield album in 2013 (a collaborative tribute of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens songs). “And I’ve played country music, recorded country music my whole life, and I’ve tried to emulate what I loved about Merle Haggard on a lot of occasions.”

Many of country music’s brightest stars took to Twitter to offer their thoughts:

For Eric Church, he wrote and recorded “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag” for his Sinners Like Me album. The song also featured the subject of the song, Mr. Merle Haggard.

Eric Church ‏@ericchurch 
Rest in peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00IEK9KdWgE …

Alan Jackson ‏@OfficialJackson 
“We lost one of the greatest singer/songwriters since Hank Williams. Inspiration to millions, great American, thank you Merle. I’ll miss you.”

Luke Bryan ‏@LukeBryanOnline 
“A true hero was lost today. Thank you for your contribution to not only country music but all music. @merlehaggard”

Keith Urban ‏@KeithUrban 
“One of the gr8 concert memories I have is seeing Merle and the Strangers at the Ryman in Nashville. We had a ‘live’ album of his when I was growing up and I felt like I’d fallin’ inside my Dad’s stereo speakers. One of my all time favorite voices – and a master songwriter. Blessings to your soulful spirit Merle & all of you family & loved ones.” – KU

Hillary Scott ‏@HillaryScottLA
“You are a cornerstone of country music @merlehaggard…u will be missed greatly. Praying for the Haggard family.”

KACEY MUSGRAVES ‏@KaceyMusgraves 
“I think I’ll just stay here and drink.”

Billy Currington ‏@billycurrington 
“rip @merlehaggard thank you for all the great music u blessed us with. we will play it forever.”

Dierks Bentley ‏@DierksBentley 
“Literally just fell to the floor. can’t believe we lost the hag. rip merle haggard.”

Toby Keith ‏@TobyKeithMusic 
“The greatest singer songwriter of my lifetime is gone. Thanks for the music and friendship. R.I.P. Hag. – T”

GaryAllan ‏@GaryAllan 
“Merle was my all-time hero. Today we lost one of the greatest songwriters of country music and I will always regret not recording with him. He was a legend and I was honored whenever we got the chance to share a stage with him. Thank you for the inspiration, the advice and for always being you. I, as well as the entire music community, will miss you Merle.”

Darius Rucker ‏@dariusrucker
“Heaven’s band just got better! RIP to the LEGENDARY @merlehaggard. Your music will never die!”

Jon Pardi ‏@JonPardi 
“Sad day today @merlehaggard has passed. RIP to a true songwriter, a pioneer of California Country, and country music.”

Kip Moore ‏@KipMooreMusic 
“RIP Merle…you paved the way for so many. You had what we all hope for…a voice that matters and survives the ever changing trends.”

Josh Turner ‏@joshturnermusic  5m5 minutes ago
“Pains me to say that country music icon @merlehaggard has passed away. So honored to have known him and shared the stage with him. Thanks Merle for all you’ve done for us!”

Mickey Guyton ‏@MickeyGuyton 
“RIP Merle Haggard. Heaven’s choir just got a heck of a lot better.”

For David Nail, seeing Merle in concert was a life-changing experience. “The night I saw Merle At the Golden Nugget, it was the single greatest combination of seeing an artist/venue/city together, that I’ve ever witnessed.  It was a spiritual experience.  I looked at my buddy multiple times in disbelief that we were actually there.  I teared up on a few songs.  I knew the greatness I was seeing/hearing.”

George Strait was a huge fan of Merle Haggard’s. He says, “When I was in the Army and stationed at Schofield barracks in Hawaii, you know Merle came there, and he played Conroy Bowl.  And I remember I was playing an NCO club that night, and before my little gig, I got to run over there and I kinda snuck in and saw Merle and it just blew me away. That’s what I wanted to be like, you know, I wanted to be like the Hag. And so, I can’t tell you how big of an influence he was on me, just huge.”

Strait also posted a reaction on his socials: “It’s a very sad day for all of us Hag fans. He was a true icon of the music world and it’s hard to believe we won’t be able to see him anymore. I honestly think that had it not been for him, I would not have chosen the path that I chose.” – G

Dierks Bentley will hit the ice with the Nashville Predators on Sunday (February 27th) in the alumni game against the St. Louis Blues alumni.

Charles Kelley will appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday (March 2nd).

If you want to light up your life, you can do so with a David Nail candle. Inspired by the romantic themes of his hit song, “Night’s On Fire,” the candle boasts the earthy aroma of sage, oak and lavender to relax the body while the lively aromas of orange and amber awaken the mind! Night’s On Fire is subtle and enticing. 12 ounce soy wax candle with an 80 hour burn time housed in a repurposed wine bottle!

Little Big Town is set to receive the Artist of the Year award from the Music Business Association. The band will accept the award during the 2016 Music Biz Awards Luncheon May 18th. Sam Hunt will be honored with the Breakthrough Artist Award.

Toby Keith has been added to The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson along with Hank Williams Jr., Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Lee Ann Womack and Jack Ingram. The concert taping, which pays tribute to the famed singer-songwriter-actor, will take place March 16 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Previously announced artists include Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, Emmylou Harris, Jamey Johnson, Willie Nelson and Trisha Yearwood.