Brantley Gilbert Teams Up with PEDIGREE To Help U.S. Veterans

The PEDIGREE® brand has been a long-time supporter of America’s servicemen and women. This year, the brand is extending that devotion by partnering with Country music artist Brantley Gilbert, who is known for his commitment to U.S. veterans. Together, the brand and Gilbert are giving companion dogs to eight veterans throughout various stops on his THE ONES THAT LIKE ME TOUR this spring.

The partnership between the PEDIGREE brand and Gilbert was formed earlier this year, after Gilbert had multiple conversations with experts on the best way to help service people trying to cope with re-entry. It was at that point Gilbert reached out to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the PEDIGREE brand with the idea of pairing veterans in need with companion animals to help normalize their re-acclimation.

“Nothing helps heal like an animal’s love,” said Gilbert. “These dogs aren’t just good dogs, they’re trained to help their veteran, and new companion, cope with stress, memories and triggers people can’t see and provide them with a sense of solid grounding. I am honored that the PEDIGREE brand agreed to be a part of this campaign, because it’s something I really wanted to do – and they understand so many of the reasons why this is such a good remedy for these veterans.”

As part of their collaboration, the PEDIGREE brand will work with Custom Canine Unlimited to transport and train all eight dogs and provide each dog with a one-year supply of PEDIGREE dog food to ensure each companion and veteran get off to a great start together. The companion dogs were recruited by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, while the veterans were identified by DAV.

“When we heard about what Brantley wanted to do on his The Ones That Like Me tour to honor veterans, we knew we had to help,” said Elizabeth Barrett, PEDIGREE Brand Manager, Mars Petcare. “Brantley has distinguished himself as an artist who goes to great lengths to give back to America’s armed forces, and his efforts to provide companion dogs to veterans during this tour align perfectly with the PEDIGREE brand’s Feed the good™ campaign, which is based on the insight that dogs and humans benefit each other. Knowing that the PEDIGREE brand can play a part in finding loving homes for these dogs while giving back to those who have served our country is an incredible honor.”

Gilbert will be presenting a vet with a companion dog every weekend of this spring’s THE ONES THAT LIKE ME TOUR. For him, giving healing to the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard members who represented our nation is the greatest gift his music has provided.

“These dogs and people are all heroes,” said Gilbert. “Seeing the faces of these vets when their dog comes bouncing into the room melts your heart. I know for these families, beyond being the family’s new best friend, these animals are helping heal things for these soldiers in ways nothing else can.”

“It’s awesome the PEDIGREE brand would be part of this dream I had,” he explained. “They recognized the need for what this is and stepped up to make things happen. This is making a lot of people’s – not just the vet’s – lives better, happier, so many things.”

Look for more stories, more moments and more dogs over the coming months on Gilbert’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as on the PEDIGREE Brand Facebook and Twitter pages.  For more information on the FEED THE GOOD™ campaign, visit www.Pedigree.com.

Tyler Rich Makes Huge Impacts at Country Radio with Debut Single “The Difference”

Tyler Rich is making a big statement on Country radio and to listeners nationwide. Proving he is “The Difference,” Tyler’s new single is No. 1 most-added to station playlists, offering an official introduction to the Northern California heartthrob. Before splitting time between the West Coast and Nashville upon landing at The Valory Music Co. last year, the compelling singer/songwriter had already cultivated a large social following eager for new music. Embrace “The Difference” here.

The message immediately struck a chord with Tyler the first time he heard the Rhett Akins, Ben Burgess, Devin Dawson and Jacob Durrett collaboration. “‘The Difference’ perfectly describes the relationship with my fiancée. In fact, I’m kind of bummed I didn’t write this one but I’m grateful these guys let me have it,” he joked. “We travel a lot for our jobs and often aren’t in the same cities. I used to text her ‘love ya’ and she would say “you mean I love you?” I never knew the difference before her and now it is so obvious looking back.”

The official music video for “The Difference” was recently released to Vevo + syndicators and features Tyler alongside fiancée Sabina. The picture-perfect couple strolled through Nashville with their dogs Charlee and Abby while reliving the beginning stages of a new relationship. Their on-screen courtship intensifies as they develop into more than a casual fling. You can see Tyler genuinely feels the lyrics when he sings: “There’s a difference between ‘miss ya’ and ‘I miss your face’ / There’s a difference in ‘what’s goin’ on’ and ‘baby, how was your day’ / Yeah, there’s a hell of a difference in sayin’ three words / Or kinda just meanin’ two / There’s a difference in ‘love ya’ and ‘I love you’ / And I wanna be the difference.”

“The Difference” has already crossed over 1 million streams and critics are singing its praises with The Boot exclaiming “With its catchy beat and heartfelt lyrics, it’s easy to envision a wedding dance with ‘The Difference’ playing in the background.” Tyler also caught the attention of SiriusXM as a coveted Highway Find and CMT named him a Listen Up 2018 artist.

As he continues traveling to meet new fans and friends at radio, Tyler will make several appearances during ACM Awards weekend in Las Vegas (April 12-15) and stop in Nashville to open for Justin Moore at Ryman Auditorium on May 2.

For the latest updates and more, visit TylerRichMusic.com.

Ty Herndon and CMT’s Cody Alan To Host GLAAD’s 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance

GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, announced the 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance set for June 7 at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. The show, taking place the night after the 2018 CMT Music Awards, will feature a coalition of artists and celebrities appearing and performing to accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ community.

Ty Herndon and CMT’s Cody Alan will host, and the event will feature performances by Herndon, as well as Terri Clark, Cassadee Pope, Michael Ray, Calum Scott, Brandon Stansell, and more. Additional appearances and performances to be announced. CMT will return as the event’s media sponsor and will amplify the event and line-up across its radio and social platforms. Additional support for the event is provided by Nissan.

“Music has the power to uplift, empower, and change hearts and minds across the country,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President and CEO. “GLAAD is honored to present the third Concert for Love and Acceptance to help drive forward acceptance with an amazing lineup of talent and messages of support for the LGBTQ community.”

“We’re proud to once again lock arms with our friends at GLAAD to lend our voice and support to an event that champions love and acceptance through the power of music,” said Frank Tanki, General Manager of CMT and TV Land.

The inaugural Concert for Love and Acceptance was held in 2015 to kick off GLAAD’s Southern Stories Tour and the second iteration was held in 2017. The event has been supported by artists like Reba McEntire, with a lineup of performances has included Chris Carmack, Crystal Gayle, Billy Gilman, Dana Goldberg, Kree Harrison, Mickey Guyton, Levi Hummon, Runaway June, Ryan Kinder, Meghan Lindsey, Street Corner Symphony, Thompson Square, and Trent Harmon. GLAAD’s Southern Stories initiative tells the stories of LGBTQ people and their allies in the South to create a cultural shift towards LGBTQ acceptance and understanding in the region.

“I’m thrilled to partner with GLAAD once again for this show that has broken so much new ground and started so many important conversations over the past three years,” said Herndon. “Letting our LGBTQ friends, family, and neighbors know they are accepted and loved just as they are isn’t just making the world a better place – it’s literally saving lives – and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

In recent years, country music has become a more affirming environment for the LGBTQ community with chart-toppers like Luke Bryan and “Most People are Good” following in the footsteps of Garth Brooks, Kasey Mugraves, and The Dixie Chicks sharing inclusive messages through their lyrics. Furthermore, CMT host Cody Alan came out publicly in late 2016 in People Magazine with the help of GLAAD and received an outpouring of support and love from the country music community and his fans. Stars like Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, and Dierks Bentley all voiced their support on social media. Ty Herndon, a Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning artist with album sales of more than 4 million, was the first major male country music star to come out, when he shared his story with the world in 2014.

“As we fight attempts to roll back equality and compromise the ground we have gained for acceptance, it is important for our community to continue to tell our stories and for allies to stand up and be counted,” said Ellis.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.glaad.org/nashville.

Caroline Jones Releases New Album ‘Bare Feet’

Multi-instrumentalist Caroline Jones – one of Billboard’s “15 Country Artists to Watch in 2018,” released Bare Feet (Mailboat Records), the follow-up to the EP that first introduced the country pop singer-songwriter’s layered, infectious tracks. Caroline hits the road with songwriting icon Jimmy Buffett this weekend as her new album goes live at all online retailers. Album purchase link can be found HERE.

She will make her national television debut on NBC’s TODAY (April 11) and has added tour dates with Zac Brown Band and Tim & Faith’s Soul2Soul Tour to her previously announced summer schedule with Jimmy Buffett.

Jones performed all instruments (except bass and drums) and co-produced Bare Feet with Grammy and Academy Award-winning producer Ric Wake (Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Trisha Yearwood).

“If there’s any justice in the music business, this unique gem will find a place in the hearts of music fans everywhere in the coming year. Her music is a little country, a sprinkle of pop, and a dash of folk, but when you hear a song that has the infectious sparkle of “Bare Feet,” you know that Jones is something special.” – Billboard

 “An ambitious, entrepreneurial guitar heroine primed to bring back the pop-country glory of the Nineties” – Rolling Stone 

“Multi-Instrumentalist Caroline Jones—who plays everything on her records except bass and drums—recently released a six-song EP that showcases her talents on acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, lap-steel, keyboards, and harmonica.” – Guitar Player 

 “With a guitar, huge passion, and big smile in tow, multi-instrumentalist Caroline Jones is taking the music industry by storm.” – Nashville.com

 “Caroline Jones finds unique sound in country pop mix” – Tennessean

Tour dates below:
April 6 – Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum – Jimmy Buffett
April 7 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion – Jimmy Buffett
April 14 – Orlando, FL – Camping World Stadium – Jimmy Buffett
April 17 – Atlanta, GA – Verizon Amphitheatre – Jimmy Buffett
April 21 – Miami, FL – Hard Rock Stadium – Jimmy Buffett
June 18 – Hamilton, Canada – First Ontario Centre – Tim & Faith: Soul2Soul
June 19 – London, Canada – Budweiser Gardens – Tim & Faith: Soul2Soul
July 28 – New York, NY – Citi Field – Zac Brown Band
July 29 – New York, NY– Citi Field – Zac Brown Band
August 10 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field – Zac Brown Band
August 31 – Seattle, WA – Safeco Field – Zac Brown Band

BARE FEET TRACK LIST:
“The Difference (Goshdamn)”
“Rise (Sing It Loud)”
“Bare Feet”
“Country Girl”
“Tough Guys”
“Worth the Wait”
“Your Heart Is Mine.”
“Twilight’s Cryin’”
“One Of These Days”
“Sunshine”
“Brown Eyed Girl”

Performance Lineup Continues To Grow for the 53rd ACM Awards

The Academy of Country Music® revealed that Kane Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town and Jon Pardi have been added to the all-star lineup of performers for the 53RD ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™, honoring country music’s superstars and hottest emerging talent. It was also announced that country artists Cam, Dustin Lynch, and Kiefer Sutherland, The Ranch co-stars Sam Elliott and Ashton Kutcher, SEAL Team co-stars David Boreanaz, AJ Buckley and Max Thieriot, as well as The Talk host Eve have been added as presenters for the ceremony.

The 53rd ACM Awards®, hosted by Reba McEntire, will broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.

Previously announced ACM Awards performers include Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Midland, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Bebe Rexha, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and Brett Young. Previously announced presenters include Drew Brees, Nancy O’Dell, Rebecca Romijn and Lindsey Vonn.

Tickets to the ACM Awards are now on sale at www.axs.com. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events including ACM Party for a Cause®, visit www.ACMcountry.com and www.PartyForaCause.com. You can like Academy of Country Music on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @ACMawards and Instagram @ACMAwards for more immediate updates.