Blake Shelton To Return For Season 11 of NBC’s The Voice

NBC’s popular singing competition show, The Voice, is currently underway now with season 10. However, the network is already gearing up and making plans for the next season. Country superstar Blake Shelton is set to return as a coach for season 11, alongside Adam Levine. Both Shelton and Levine have been coaches on the two-time Emmy Award winning show since the beginning.

Joining Blake Shelton and Adam Levine in September will be Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys. Both Cyrus and Keys are very familiar with the popular network show. Miley is currently a key advisor now on season 10, while Keys served as a mentor during season 7.

“The musical expertise and energy these two incredibly talented women will bring to the show is remarkable,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. “We’re thrilled that they’ll be joining Adam and Blake in what we know will be a magical 11th season.”

Blake’s previous seasons as a coach have been super successful resulting in four champions of his own including,  Craig Wayne Boyd, Danielle Bradberry, Cassadee Pope and Jermaine Paul.

The Voice airs on NBC Monday and Tuesday evenings at 8/7c.

Kristian Bush Pens Original Songs for New Play “Troubadour”

GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist Kristian Bush has penned a set of original songs for Janece Shaffer’s new play Troubadour, which will stage its world premiere at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia,January 18-February 12, 2017.

A romantic comedy set in 1950s Nashville, Troubadour follows the son of a country music legend who joins forces with a singer-songwriter and a rodeo tailor to carry on his father’s legacy. As the story unfolds, a revolution is born, and country music is changed forever — with Bush’s period-accurate tunes guiding the way.

“Writing the throwback country songs for Troubadour was exciting, especially for an East Tennessee boy like me,” says Bush. “It was a joy discovering these characters, and a wonderful challenge to try and create hit songs for each of them that would fit in the authentic timeline of the story.”

Atlanta playwright Janece Shaffer wrote the script with music from Bush and direction by Susan V. Booth. For tickets and information, visit alliancetheatre.org/production/troubadour or call 404.733.5000.

Cole Swindell To Embark on USO Tour and Gift New Album to Service Members

On the eve of his forthcoming album, rising superstar Cole Swindell has teamed up with the USO to honor America’s service members and celebrate the organization’s 75th anniversary. With plans to embark on a USO tour in 2016, the singer/songwriter is asking fans to visit coleswindell.com and gift a digital copy of his brand new album “You Should Be Here” to an active duty service member from March 29th through May 31st.

All copies will be distributed to military personnel by the USO in May, which is also National Military Appreciation Month. Swindell is also donating $1 from every new album gifted via his official store directly to the USO, to help further its mission to strengthen America’s service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their military service. To view a special personalized message from Swindell, click here .

“My song ‘You Should Be Here’ was written about missing a loved one and wishing they could be there with you to experience milestones and make memories,” Swindell said. “No one knows the feeling of missing a loved one better than the men and women of our military and their families. And no one knows our service members and their loved ones better than the USO. They’ve been serving our nation’s military community for more than seven and a half decades, and it’s an honor to stand in support of them today.”

In an effort to help the USO bring the 99% of Americans closer to the 1% who serve, the Georgia native is also lending his support to the USO’s Campaign to Connect – a new digital message platform designed to show appreciation to those who serve. Throughout the year, Swindell is urging fans to help the USO send 1 million messages of support to our military members and their families by publishing personalized messages online using his unique URL, http://bit.ly/1QmyDKn .

“The USO is sincerely grateful to Mr. Swindell for his outpouring of support,” said Juliet Gilliam, USO vice president of entertainment partnerships and talent relations. “With his help and generous contribution, the USO will provide an opportunity for many service members and military families around the world to feel more connected to family, home and country this year. As we near Military Appreciation Month, we look forward to working together more closely with Cole and continuing to create an even greater impact throughout the year.”

No stranger to the military, the country star’s late father, Keith Swindell, was an Air Force Sergeant and his fraternity brother and friend, Kyle Davis, served five tours in Afghanistan with the Special Forces. Swindell’s first public nod to military came in March 2015, with the release of his Billboard hit “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey.” The song not only paid tribute to those who serve our nation overseas but also featured Davis and former members of his military unit.

Reigning ACM New Artist of the Year Cole Swindell released his latest single “You Should Be Here” on December 14th. The single reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts in just 15 weeks since its debut, making it his fastest rising single to date. Cowritten by Swindell and Ashley Gorley, the song has been streamed over 20 million times and sold over 402,000 copies. The track is the first single off Swindell’s upcoming album, which is scheduled for release on May 6 on Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville.

Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban To Perform with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons on the ACM Awards

Miranda Lambert, six-time reigning ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, current three-time nominee and the only female nominee for Entertainer of the Year, will perform with the legendary Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Keith Urban, current three-time ACM Award nominee and this year’s Mae Boren Axton Award recipient, will perform ZZ Top’s classic “Tush” on the 51ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, to be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 3 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Also, Keith Urban, will perform his new single, “Wasted Time,” live on the broadcast.

Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini featuring Nick Jonas, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Cam, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Sam Hunt, Charles Kelley, Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton with Katy Perry, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Trombone Shorty, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Chris Young with Cassadee Pope, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, and Old Dominion.

Presenters also include Miss America Betty Cantrell, Tom Hiddleston, Chris Janson, Jana Kramer, Martina McBride, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Nancy O’Dell, Jake Owen, Chase Rice, Kiefer Sutherland, Cole Swindell and Maddie & Tae.

The 51st Academy Of Country Music Awards, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, is produced for television by dick clark productions. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events, visit www.ACMcountry.com

Kelsea Ballerini and Nick Jonas To Perform Together at the 51st ACM Awards

This morning, producers and executives of the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards participated in a press conference call to announce several exciting moments on this year’s show, to be broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 3 at 8:00PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

Discussions on the call included their plans and insights for this year’s ceremony, surprises in store for fans, as well as details regarding the presentation of the Tex Ritter Award to music icon Dolly Parton.

Highlights from the call included:

  • This year’s ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year winner, Kelsea Ballerini, will be joined by pop superstar, Nick Jonas for a must-see performance
  • New Orleans rising star, Trombone Shorty, will duet with one of the shows biggest acts
  • Actor Tom Hiddleston and ACM Nominees Maddie & Tae added to the lineup of previously announced presenters, which includes Miss America Betty Cantrell, Chris Janson, Jana Kramer, Martina McBride, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Nancy O’Dell, Jake Owen, Chase Rice, Kiefer Sutherland and Cole Swindell

Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Cam, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Sam Hunt, Charles Kelley, Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton with Katy Perry, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Chris Young with Cassadee Pope, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town and Old Dominion.

The 51st Academy Of Country Music Awards, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, is produced for television by dick clark productions. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events, visit www.ACMcountry.com.