Drake White Teams Up With Ford and Is Givin The Dream

One of the country’s most energizing performers” (Rolling Stone Country), Drake White is collaborating with Ford Motor Company Fund in five cities across the U.S. to make a positive impact on the community.

No stranger to giving back through his work with Outnumber Hunger and Feeding America through their partnership with Big Machine Label Group, White is taking his community commitment to a new level by teaming up with Ford in key markets to participate in local service projects. Ford dealers will assist by providing transportation in specific markets and engaging the local community for volunteer needs and much more.

“Even before I had a public voice, giving back to the community has always been very important to me,” said White. “Whether I’m helping one family in my hometown in Alabama raise money for their urgent needs or helping a community with cleanup efforts after a storm, now that I have this platform it is more important to me than ever.”

“Ford, Country music and community service have a long, rich history, dating back to Henry Ford, a big music fan and believer in making the world a better place,” said Yisel Cabrera, community relations manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “We are excited to join with Drake in fighting hunger, disaster relief, promoting safe driving and building stronger communities.”

White will be making five stops across the country for #LivintheDream By Giving the Dream throughout the summer. Dates are as follows:

May 19 Hartford, CT / Foodshare
June 4 Los Angeles, CA / American Red Cross
July 2 Detroit, MI / Habitat for Humanity
August 14 Dallas, TX / Ford Driving Skills for Life
August 20 Boston, MA / Greater Boston Food Bank

For more information on this partnership and additional details for each city, visit DrakeWhite.com/GivingtheDream.

Cole Swindell Makes History with Special Performance at the World Trade Center

Cole Swindell released his highly anticipated sophomore album, You Should Be Here, last week on May 6. Since the album release, Swindell has been making the rounds with several media appearances.

Today was a significantly special one as the country artist appeared on Fox & Friends, and made history as the first-ever artist across all genres to perform a live concert from the Four World Trade Center terrace. The setting for this special performance overlooked the Freedom Tower in New York City.

Cole performed album-titled #1 single, “You Shoud Be Here.” Originally penned as a tribute to his late father, Cole says the song now also takes on an even greater meaning for the families of the 9/11 victims.

Swindell indicates that this performance is the “most special performance” of his career and the artist is humbled by this opportunity.

Florida Georgia Line Adds Nitto Tire as Tour Presenting Sponsor

History making country duo Florida Georgia Line has added Nitto Tire as the Presenting Sponsor of their upcoming Dig Your Roots tour.

As part of their partnership, Nitto Tire will be activating on-site at select shows this summer while giving fans the opportunity to engage with the brand and win prizes.

Nitto Tire is a leading manufacturer of off-road and street performance tires. The brand will be launching an all new tire in its Grappler line of truck and SUV tires this summer and Florida Georgia Line fans will get a first look at this new tire at CMA Fest in Nashville, TN on June 11th. This new tire will be featured on a Florida Georgia Line-inspired truck (F150) built by Nitto. Additional details regarding how fans can enter to win the truck at the conclusion of the Dig Your Roots tour will be available soon.

“Being car enthusiasts ourselves, we are thrilled to partner with Nitto Tire for our tour,” says Tyler Hubbard of the group. Brian Kelley continued, “Getting our own FGL inspired car is incredible! We are honored and can’t wait for one of our fans to drive away in it.”

For up to date information on Florida Georgia Line, the Dig Your Roots tour, tour cities and tickets go to www.floridageorgialine.com or www.livenation.com.

Cassadee Pope To Release New “Summer” Single and EP

As sun-kissed days begin to linger, Cassadee Pope is finding joy in the rising temperatures a little early, releasing new music with a fitting title. Her SUMMER EP is due out June 3 on Big Machine Label Group, showcasing dynamic vocals that are signature for the West Palm Beach, FL native.

Cassadee penned three of the songs, including the title track that marks her next single and officially impacts Country radio on June 6. The collection has touches of nostalgia, tapping into feelings of both love and longing that are often associated with reflection. Throughout “Summer,” lyrics and melody intensify: My heart on fire in his hands, yeah/ He drove away the first of September / But I remember, / yeah I remember / He talked like / And he walked like / And he looked like / And he burned like / Summer.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Summer | Written by Cassadee Pope, Kelly Archer, Emily Shackelton
2. Piano | Written by Cassadee Pope, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
3. Kisses At Airports | Written by Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Chase McGill
4. Alien | Written by Cassadee Pope, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite

Corey Crowder produced the EP and co-wrote Cassadee’s first-ever #1 single, “Think of You.” The duet with Chris Young topped both Country radio airplay charts just last week, and the pair will continue to collaborate on his I’M COMIN’ OVER TOUR presented by AEG Live as dates have been extended for a fall run of shows.

Visit cassadeepope.com for tour dates and more.

Nominees Announced for the 2016 CMT Music Awards

On the heels of her historic and record-setting sixth “Video of the Year” win last year (her fourth consecutive win), reigning champ, Carrie Underwood, is set to protect her crown against powerhouse first-time nominees Chris Stapleton and Cam, who top nominations for the fan-selected “2016 CMT Music Awards.”

With three nominations each, including “Video of the Year,” they will face off in top categories against superstars Blake Shelton,Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Old Dominion,Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett, who each garnered two nominations, live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 8th at 8pm ET/PT.

The battle for the highly coveted CMT Music Awards buckle for “Video of the Year” is intense with previous “Video of the Year” winners Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban fending off superstars like Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean,Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett and Tim McGraw, who’ve never walked away with the night’s top prize.

This year’s awards span multiple genres and decades of unparalleled music talent. “CMT Performance of the Year” nominees include Grammy-nominated pop stars Adam Lambert and Leona Lewis for their duet of “Girl Crush” from CMT’s 2015 “Artists of the Year.” Going head-to-head against the duo are country music icons Lynyrd Skynyrd and star Brantley Gilbert for their performance of “What’s Your Name” from “CMT Crossroads.”

Fan voting begins today at CMT.com and continues until Monday, June 6 at 12:01 AM ET. On Wednesday, June 1, CMT will announce a brand-new surprise awards category. In the coming weeks, CMT will reveal this year’s host, performers, presenters and more.

2016 CMT Music Award Nominees

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.
Blake Shelton – “Sangria”
Cam – “Burning House”
Carrie Underwood – “Smoke Break”
Chris Stapleton – “Fire Away”
Florida Georgia Line – “Sippin’ On Fire”
Jason Aldean – “Tonight Looks Good On You”
Keith Urban – “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16”
Little Big Town – “Girl Crush”
Luke Bryan – “Strip It Down”
Sam Hunt – “Break Up In A Small Town”
Thomas Rhett – “Die A Happy Man”
Tim McGraw – “Humble and Kind”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist
Blake Shelton – “Sangria”
Eric Church – “Like A Wrecking Ball” (From 2015 CMT Music Awards)
Keith Urban – “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16″
Luke Bryan – “Kick The Dust Up” (From 2015 CMT Music Awards)
Sam Hunt – “Break Up In A Small Town”
Thomas Rhett – “Die A Happy Man”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist
Cam – “Burning House”
Carrie Underwood – “Smoke Break”
Jana Kramer – “I Got The Boy”
Kacey Musgraves – “Biscuits”
Kelsea Ballerini – “Dibs”
Maren Morris – “My Church”

GROUP / DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group or duo; awarded to the artists
Brothers Osborne – “Stay A Little Longer”
Dan + Shay – “Nothin’ Like You”
Florida Georgia Line – “Sippin’ On Fire”
Little Big Town – “Girl Crush”
Old Dominion – “Break Up With Him”
Zac Brown Band – “Loving You Easy”

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)
Brothers Osborne – “Stay A Little Longer”
Cam – “Burning House”
Chris Janson – “Buy Me A Boat”
Chris Stapleton – “Fire Away”
Maren Morris – “My Church”
Old Dominion – “Break Up With Him”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)
Adam Lambert and Leona Lewis – “Girl Crush” (From CMT Artists of the Year)
Brantley Gilbert and Lynyrd Skynyrd – “What’s Your Name” (From CMT Crossroads)
Carrie Underwood – “Smoke Break” (From CMT Instant Jam)
Cheap Trick and Jennifer Nettles – “I Want You To Want Me” (From CMT Crossroads)
Chris Stapleton – “Nobody To Blame” (From CMT Artists of the Year)
Darius Rucker – “Alright” (From CMT Instant Jam)