Thomas Rhett and Wife Lauren Welcome Home Adopted Daughter Willa

Country Star Thomas Rhett and his beautiful wife Lauren welcomed home their adopted daughter from Uganda. Willa Gray Akins joined their family on Thursday, May 11, 2017, and it felt like Christmas Day for Thomas.

“On the way to the airport, it was like Christmas Day,” the country star tells People exclusively.

“It felt like a dream” Lauren shared.  “I’ve dreamed of us all being on the same continent for so long. It finally feels like everyone is where they’re supposed to be.”

While visiting Uganda on a trip with 147 Million Orphans in 2016, Lauren first met Willa. As soon as Thomas saw a photo of his wife holding the sweet 18 month old, Thomas immediately saw the bond his wife shared with Willa.

“Lauren had this amazing glow about her and it just felt like she was already our daughter in a weird way,” Thomas says. “I just blurted out, ‘We should bring her home.’ ”

The dream came true for the couple and Willa is now home in Nashville with Thomas and Lauren. Read more about their adoption journey exclusively at People here.

Thomas Rhett with Daughter Willa
Photo Credit: Kailey Dickerson

The three are adjusting nicely, and quickly. “It is very weird to be called ‘Dad’ by a little human being,” Thomas shares. “But it is one of the coolest feelings in the world. Nothing beats that.”

Thomas and Lauren will welcome another baby girl this summer as Lauren is due in August. We have no doubt that Willa will be an amazing big sister! Huge congratulations and best wishes go out to the entire family.

Calia by Carrie Underwood and Dick’s Sporting Goods Team Up To Fund Girls Team Sports Projects

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation and CALIA by Carrie Underwood, a fitness and lifestyle brand created in partnership with DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) and multi-platinum superstar, Carrie Underwood, announced plans to fully fund girls team sports projects on education crowdfunding platform, DonorsChoose.org.  Pledging a $200,000 commitment, together CALIA by Carrie Underwood and The DICK’S Foundation will fund an estimated 100 teams across the country in the month of May.

The pledge marks the third Sports Matter donation on behalf of CALIA by Carrie Underwood and The DICK’S Foundation, as a part of its broader $500,000 commitment to support girls youth sports across the country. Two grants were previously awarded in 2016: $100,000 to Underwood’s alma mater, Checotah (Okla.) School District’s Girls Athletic programs and $100,000 to Aldine Independent School District’s Girls Athletic programs in Houston, TX.

“Sports were a big part of my life growing up, so it’s important to me that girls across the country get those same opportunities,” said CALIA Lead Designer, Carrie Underwood. “Through Sports Matter, CALIA and The DICK’S Foundation, we are empowering hundreds of girls across the country to learn, grow and dream, teaching them to do what they love later in life.”

Through its Sports Matter program, DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation made a multi-year $50 million commitment to raise awareness and support youth sports programs facing budget shortfalls.  To date thousands of teams and leagues have been support by DICK’S and its Foundation’s efforts to champion local youth sports.

For more information on Sports Matter and CALIA by Carrie Underwood, visit SportsMatter.org and CaliaStudio.com.  

Tyler Farr Reveals Another Side of Himself With New Single “I Should Go To Church Sometime”

Tyler Farr returns to country radio with his newest single, “I Should Go To Church Sometime.” Written by Brinley Addington, Michael Hardy and Sarah Turner, the new track, which Farr calls “a country music baptism,” will be included on his forthcoming studio album.

Tyler reveals a new side of himself to fans with the release of his new song, a side which fans have likely not seen/heard before. “The song was kind of like a baptism, a country music baptism, if you will. It shows another side of me” Tyler reveals. “There’s several layers to people, you starting peeling them back and you find different things. This song kind of does that for fans, and I haven’t had a song, obviously, anything remotely close to this.” 

As the singer/songwriter continues to grow both personally and professionally, he wants his music to grow with him. “I feel like…me personally when you’re making new music and stuff…maturing as an artist, maturing as a person, I want my albums to speak that, and grow with me” says Farr. “I think this is the perfect single to show that. I think represents a period of growth, and lessons learned.” 

“I Should Go To Church Sometime” is available at digital music outlets now, such as iTunes here. The new single will officially impact country radio on May 15.

Keep up with Tyler Farr by visiting his official website, tylerfarr.com.

Brad Paisley To Embark on 2017 Weekend Warrior World Tour

Brad Paisley has announced his 2017 tour, Weekend Warrior World Tour, which kicks off May 18 in Saratoga Springs, NY. The tour will travel across the country and across the ocean this summer with tour stops in Norway and Sweden. Special guests on the U.S. leg of the tour will be chart-topping county star Dustin Lynch, hit maker Chase Bryant and rising star Lindsay Ell. Bryant will also be on the Canadian, Norway and Sweden dates and Ell will also be on the Canadian dates.

Paisley has partnered with Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, for Band Against Cancer to help spread the word of community-based treatment, options and support. As a tour sponsor, Sarah Cannon will provide on-site resources at each tour stop that are powered by askSARAH, Sarah Cannon’s cancer helpline. Sarah Cannon has adopted Paisley’s #1 hit “Today” as the campaign’s 2017 theme song.

As part of the partnership, Paisley is providing an opportunity for his fans to engage in the cause, by participating in a ‘Get One, Give One’ campaign for his new album LOVE AND WAR (released Friday, April 21). When fans purchase the new album for a special limited time price of $15 via www.bandagainstcancer.com and www.bradpaisley.com, they can send an additional free copy to a patient going through the cancer journey.

2017 Weekend Warrior World Tour Dates:
*May 18 Saratoga Performing Arts Center Saratoga Springs, NY
*May 19 BB&T Pavilion Philadelphia, PA
*May 20 Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek Raleigh, NC
*June 16 Toyota Amphitheatre Wheatland, CA
*June 17 Shoreline Amphitheatre Mountain View, CA
*June 23 Mattress Firm Amphitheatre San Diego, CA
*June 24 Honda Center Anaheim, CA
*June 25 Ak-Chin Pavilion Phoenix, AZ
*June 29 Sunlight Supply Amphitheater Portland, OR
*June 30 White River Amphitheatre Seattle, WA
*July 14 Isleta Amphitheater Albuquerque, NM
*July 15 Pepsi Center Denver, CO
July 24 Furuviksparken Gavle, Sweden
July 25 Grona Lund Stockholm, Sweden
July 28 Countryfestivalen Seljord, Norway
*August 3 Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater Wantagh, NY
*August 4 P.N.C. Bank Arts Center Holmdel, NJ
*August 5 Xfinity Center Mansfield, MA
*August 6 Xfinity Theater Hartford, CT
*August 10 Riverbend Music Center Cincinnati, OH
*August 11 Klipsch Music Center Indianapolis, IN
August 12 Soaring Eagle Casino Mt. Pleasant, MI
August 13 Illinois State Fair Springfield, IL
August 18 Country Thunder Calgary, AB
August 19 SaskTel Centre Saskatoon, SK
August 20 MTS Centre Winnipeg, MB
August 25 Nebraska State Fair Grand Island, NE
August 26 Treasure Island Casino Red Wing, MN
*September 1 Walmart Amp Rogers, AR
*September 2 Irving Music Factory Dallas, TX
*September 8 PNC Music Pavilion Charlotte, NC
*September 9 Jiffy Lube Live Bristow, VA
*September 10 Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
At Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VA
*September 15 Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre West Palm Beach, Fl
*September 16 MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre Tampa, FL
*September 22 Blossom Music Center Cleveland, OH
*September 23 Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Chicago, IL
*September 24 Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre St. Louis, MO

*Tickets are available at LiveNation.com and MegaTicket.com

All tickets are available at bradpaisley.com

Florida Georgia Line To Open “FGL House” Restaurant and Entertainment Venue In Nashville

Multi-platinum superstars Florida Georgia Line are proud to announce the establishment of their first restaurant and entertainment destination, a four-story attraction in Nashville’s trendy SoBro district called FGL HOUSE.

Opening in early summer 2017 in partnership with LRC Group, FGL HOUSE will welcome guests inside the hitmaking duo’s anything-goes world, four levels of good times and vibey tunes designed to make each visitor a part of the FGL tribe.

“What excites Tyler and I the most is always staying creative. We love seeing what fresh things we can come up with to take our music to a new level and turn our dreams into reality,” shares Brian Kelley.

Tyler Hubbard adds, “We want FGL HOUSE to be just as welcoming, fun and entertaining for our guests as if they were coming out to one of our shows – nothing but good food, good drinks and good times! We can’t wait for opening day to get here!”

Situated on 3rd Avenue South in the Country music mecca of downtown Nashville, the new venue will feature edgy live music every day – focusing specifically on today’s country trends. A world-class kitchen will fuse unique Southern style cuisine with California flair, and bars on each floor will serve local craft beers and deliciously mixed cocktails – many featuring the red-hot duo’s own Old Camp Whiskey.

FGL HOUSE will also boast the largest “Cruise” rooftop Nashville has to offer, dedicated to an all-day and all-night party with stunning views of the Music City skyline. Meanwhile, visitors can step away from the hustle and bustle to relax in a classy basement-level lounge, complete with its own baby grand piano, cocktail menu inspired by ‘90s pop culture and specialty martinis.

A massive, awe-inspiring video wall will continuously showcase the hottest video content from Florida Georgia Line and other country stars – as well as all your favorite sporting events – and the internationally renowned Dee Jay Silver will spin custom country mixes during can’t-miss Country Club Tuesdays.
More information about FGL HOUSE will be revealed soon. To stay up-to-date, visit fglhouse.com.