Thomas Rhett Leads Fight to Outnumber Hunger as the Campaign’s Spokesperson

Big Machine Label Group, General Mills and Feeding America® have again joined together for the Outnumber Hunger Campaign, a nationwide effort aimed at fighting hunger in local communities across America. This year’s program features country music’s most-played artist of 2016, multi-ACM nominee, Thomas Rhett, as the campaign’s spokesperson.

Since its launch in 2011, Outnumber Hunger has helped secure more than 45 million meals for local families served by the Feeding America nationwide network of member food banks. This year, Thomas Rhett will be featured on the front of specially-marked packages of nearly 60 General Mills brands, including Cheerios™, Lucky Charms™, Nature Valley™ and Totino’s™. Beginning March 1, individuals can purchase specially-marked products, enter the code found on the packaging along with their zip code at Outnumberhunger.com to help Feeding America® secure five meals* on behalf of their local member food bank.

“For more than 30 years, General Mills has partnered with Feeding America to raise awareness for hunger. It’s through programs like Outnumber Hunger, that we get the opportunity to create unique ways to get our shoppers involved with the cause so that we can band together to help our local communities,” said Kristin Merchant, integrated shopper marketing senior planner at General Mills. “As food insecurity continues to be an ongoing issue across the United States, we’re proud to do our part as a company, and have outstanding partners like Big Machine Label Group, to put a spotlight on the cause so we can help to outnumber hunger.”

“With more than 45 million meals secured as a part of the Outnumber Hunger program, we wanted to find a way in 2017 to add another element to continue to expand this important program to help fight hunger,” said Big Machine Label Group President Scott Borchetta. “We are thrilled to partner with General Mills and Feeding America once again and to add another dimension—with a Pandora Plus trial and exclusive Big Machine Label Group artist content—for fans and program participants. Using music to affect positive change is a cornerstone at Big Machine Label Group.”

A long-time advocate for fighting hunger, CMA, ACM, Billboard Music and CMT Award-Winner Thomas Rhett has participated in the Outnumber Hunger campaign every year since its inception. Additionally, the multi-Platinum singer/songwriter has a history of holding numerous fan events, including his official Fan Club parties, to benefit Feeding America.

“It’s great to have been part of the Outnumber Hunger Program since it started six years ago,” said Thomas Rhett. “Being able to see the program’s impact firsthand is a really amazing perspective to have, so I’m excited to be part of sharing their story and helping offer fans a way to help give back to their local communities.”

This year, fans can also access special behind-the-scenes artist content featuring spokesperson Thomas Rhett and participating Big Machine Label Group artists, including iconic superstar Reba McEntire, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members Cheap Trick, 2016 American Idol winner Trent Harmon, newly minted chart-topper Brett Young, Grammy® Award-winning vocalist Jennifer Nettles and many more, at OutnumberHunger.com/Backstage. For the first time in the program’s history, streaming service Pandora will also be a part of the Outnumber Hunger campaign, with an exclusive playlist curated by Big Machine Label Group featuring Thomas Rhettand a 30-day Pandora-Plus subscription trial.

Outnumber Hunger has included numerous components and support from platinum-selling BMLG artists including Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, Reba McEntire, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band and The Voice winners Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery, who have performed during first-rate charity concerts and made visits to local food banks over the program’s six-year history. This long-standing partnership has helped secure more than 45 million meals for Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and has helped to bring national awareness of the 1 in 8 Americans who struggle with food insecurity.

“With more than 42 million people struggling with hunger, programs like Outnumber Hunger help to inform and engage the public,” said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America. “For the last six years, General Mills and Big Machine Label Group have worked with Feeding America to shine a light on hunger, an issue that exists in every county in America. We are grateful for their support and excited to be a part of Outnumber Hunger again this year.”

For more information on Outnumber Hunger, visit Outnumberhunger.com/Backstage.

CMR Exclusive: Interview with Lucas Hoge

Artist on the rise Lucas Hoge is celebrating his latest single “Boom Boom” which is at country radio now. In addition, Hoge has a lot more to celebrate! The singer/songwriter is finalizing his full length studio album and gearing up to release brand new single “Dirty South.”

Country Music Rocks chatted with Lucas Hoge to talk about all the great things ahead in 2017. Check out our interview below, or click here.

“Boom Boom” is available now on digital media outlets. Grab your copy on iTunes here.

Stay connected with Lugas Hoge by visiting his Official Website, and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Recording Academy to Honor Keith Urban at GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards

On April 5, The Recording Academy® will honor four-time GRAMMY® winner Keith Urban with the Recording Artists’ Coalition® Award at the annual GRAMMYs on the Hill® Awards in Washington, D.C. Urban’s continued commitment to numerous music education programs has not only served to inspire young musicians, it has provided thousands of greatly needed musical instruments to underserved programs across the country. 
 
Urban’s contributions to music education date back nearly a decade and have remained consistent ever since. Underscoring the need to support education-based initiatives that attract young people toward music and encourage their creative pursuits, Urban has volunteered for The Academy’s GRAMMY Camp® music program, which offers high school students an interactive summer music experience. He has supported The Recording Academy’s grant-based education initiatives, which provide necessary funds to America’s public schools, helping to sustain local music education programs for youth. In addition, Urban has participated in the GRAMMY U Soundchecks® program on multiple occasions.
 
“Through music education programs, Keith Urban has encouraged aspiring musicians by giving them the opportunity to perform and achieve their dreams,” said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. “An engaged member of the music community and The Recording Academy for many years, Keith is an outstanding music citizen and supporter of the future of music, so it is our great pleasure to honor and recognize his dedication at GRAMMYs on the Hill.”
 
“The opportunity to work with aspiring musicians and kids, who are just discovering music for the first time, really inspires me,” said Urban. “Creativity is at the heart of an innovative society – it brings people together and teaches children self-expression, creative confidence, and improvisational skills which are essential to their development. Being honored by The Academy, especially given the fact that they’re the ones that have given me the chance to be part of their work in this area, is humbling. It’s an incredible honor.”
 
Uniting the worlds of music and politics, GRAMMYs on the Hill also recognizes legislators who have improved the environment for music by advocating for music creators’ rights. Previously honored legislators include former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), and John McCain (R-Ariz.), and House Leaders Kevin McCarthy and Nancy Pelosi.
 
The awards take place at the Hamilton Live in Washington D.C., and will feature unique live performances and musical surprises. The GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards are sponsored by music rights organization SESAC.
 
The following day, April 6, The Recording Academy will host the music community’s largest annual Washington, D.C. gathering, GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, which sees hundreds of music professionals from across the country visiting lawmakers to discuss important issues facing today’s music creators.

Eric Church Experiences A Career First While Performing “These Boots”

Country Superstar Eric Church is currently out on his headlining Holdin’ My Own Tour. Treating fans to an evening filled with music, performing over 35 songs each show, you can count on hearing your favorites all throughout the night.

While there are countless fan-favorite tracks throughout a Church performance, “These Boots” has become an interactive one throughout the years. Fans take off their boot and hold it up high during the song. In many instances, fans near the stage will toss their boot to Church for him to sign. This is a fan favorite pasttime during a Church concert and always without incident. Well, without incident until a few weeks ago during his performance in Boston where he got a boot in the head – literally.

“I will tell you for the first time in my career, I took one to the head in Boston. I lost it in the light, and this guy, I mean the guy felt so bad, ‘cause he was like a really big fan,” Eric shares. “I could see him and everything was fine, but when he threw the boot, I lost it in one of the spotlights. I completely lost it and didn’t know which way to go, so I hunkered a little bit and tried to cover and I moved right into it.”

“A lot of people saw it better than I did, and it clocked me, “ Church explains.  “I mean, it was so good. It knocked my sunglasses off. They went flying, and the [laughing] thing, and you look up and this guy is so mortified. It’s like he’s killed his guy. [laughs] He told me to throw it, but he was mortified. He really was, but it was fine. I put the sunglasses back on and shook it off. My vision was blurred for three days, but it was…[laughs]. He got me. That’s the first time that’s happened in my career, taking one in the head anyway.”

Clearly Church took it all in stride, but he’ll likely have his eyes peeled for flying boots each time during this song!

Church’s Holdin’ My Own Tour continues this weekend as he heads into Canada visiting Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Country Music Rocks Interview with Michael Tyler

Reviver Records recording artist Michael Tyler is gearing up to release his debut album, 317, on March 17. Featuring 11 new tracks, all of which are co-written by the singer/songwriter, 317 serves as a solid introduction to the country newcomer.

Country Music Rocks chatted with the rising star about his new collection of music. See what Michael Tyler told us about his debut album, new single “They Can’t See, “ his live shows, and so much more. Check out the video below, or click here.

Michael Tyler is currently out on the road with labelmates LoCash on their Live Nation’s Ones To Watch Tour. For a complete list of Michael’s tour dates, please visit themichaeltyler.com.

Michael Tyler 317 Debut Album317 will be available in stores and on digital music outlets on March 17. Pre-order your digital album on iTunes now by clicking here.

Learn more about Michael Tyler by visiting his Official Website, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.