Erich Church Schedules Two Night Appearance at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Country music superstar Eric Church has built a reputation for making every live show special with one-night-only set lists and unique arrangements. Now “our greatest working rock star” (Stereogum) is pushing the envelope even further with a not to be missed two-night engagement at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

To make these shows extra special, he will be joined by different opening guests each night. Billy Joe Shaver will open up for Church on Saturday, April 30 and Marty Stuart on Sunday, May 1.

Fan club members will have the first chance to purchase tickets during the fan club pre-sale, starting March 4, on ericchurch.com.

The performances offer fans one of the few chances this year to see the Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year nominee. Church, who’s up for six awards at the April 3 CBS-broadcast award show, has mostly laid low since The Outsiders World Tour’s two-year run concluded and the surprise release of new album Mr. Misunderstood last November. He’s only scheduled a few shows so far in 2016, and with an album’s worth of new music to debut you can bet every single show will be special.

A four-time ACM Awards winner, in addition to the top honor Entertainer of the Year, Church is also up for Album of the Year for Mr. Misunderstood, Male Vocalist of the Year, Video of the Year for Top 15 single “Mr. Misunderstood,” Vocal Event and Song of the Year for “Raise ‘Em Up” with Keith Urban.

Church recently released “Record Year,” the second single from Mr. Misunderstood. The song, which name checks Stevie Wonder’s Songs In The Key of Life, Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger, John Lee Hooker’s One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer among others from Church’s stack of vinyl, was dubbed the “most moving moment” on the new album by Rolling Stone.

Tickets start at $85 (plus applicable service fees) and go on sale Friday, March 11 at 10 a.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel box office, by calling 888.9.AXS.TIX or online at axs.com. For VIP ticket packages including premium seating options, please contact jointvip@hrhvegas.com. For groups of 12 or more, please call 702.693.4017 or contact darnson@hrhvegas.com.

For more information on Eric Church, please visit ericchurch.com, Facebook or Twitter.

For more information on Billy Joe Shaver, please visit billyjoeshaver.com, Facebook or Twitter.

For more information on Marty Stuart, please visit martystuart.net, Facebook or Twitter.

Grand Ole Opry To Release OPRY 9.0 Vol II: Discoveries From the Circle

The Grand Ole Opry is releasing the second in a series of projects spotlighting new country music artists who will visit the show during its 90th anniversary year and propel the show toward the century mark. OPRY 9.0, Vol II: Discoveries From The Circle will be released on March 8 and is set to include memorable live Opry performances from next generation artists Chris Janson, Lindsay Ell, and Mo Pitney.

Each of the artists to be featured on the 9.0 series will make numerous Opry appearances throughout the year and will be scheduled for Opry Shop in-store appearances in support of the project. Janson and Ell are scheduled to perform songs from the EP on the Opry on release day, March 8. The pair will also sign copies of the EP in The Opry Shop following that night’s show. Pitney and Ell will perform and appear at an in-store signing on March 25.

“As the Opry continues to celebrate nine decades of great country music, we are also focused on the new artists who are shaping the genre’s future,” said Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment President and co-executive producer. “Each of the three artists featured in this volume of Opry 9.0 has a unique style that has stood out to fans in the crowd and has made fellow artists at the Opry take note.”

The 9.0 audio project will be supplemented with other artist discovery content on opry.com, throughout the Opry’s social media platforms, at live Opry performances, and with the Opry’s country radio partners.

TRACK LISTING:
OPRY 9.0, VOL II: Discoveries From The Circle:
1. Chris Janson, “Buy Me a Boat”
2. Chris Janson, “Holdin’ Her”
3. Lindsay Ell, “All Alright”
4. Lindsay Ell, “Criminal”
5. Mo Pitney, “Clean Up On Aisle Five”
6. Mo Pitney, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes”

OPRY 9.0, Vol II: Discoveries From The Circle, will be available at the Opry’s four Nashville retail stores as well at Opry.com and all major digital retailers and streaming services. The album was executive produced by Buchanan and Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher.

The Country Music Community Mourns The Loss of Joey Feek

The beautiful Joey Feek, of country music’s duo Joey + Rory, lost her battle with cancer yesterday. While we all knew the day would be arriving, it still doesn’t lessen the pain and sadness. The country music community is reeling from this loss of one of their own and many took to social media to express their grief and condolences.

Clare Dunn To Make Grand Ole Opry Debut March 5

Clare Dunn makes her debut at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night (March 5th), and it’s a homecoming of sorts for the singer from Colorado. The day after she moved to Nashville, she got a job working at the Opry’s gift shop. She worked there for several years while she was in college, and even after signing her first publishing deal as a songwriter.

“I worked in the gift shop and I sold ‘Picture History Books’ before every show,” recalls Clare. “Every chance that I could and even a lot of times when I shouldn’t have, I would sneak into the house, and I would watch as much of the show as possible each night. Considering I worked every show every night, maybe I owe the Opry a buck or two back. [laughs] Anyway, I got to see Porter Wagoner before he passed away. I knew every Little Jimmy Dickens’ joke. I watched Jeanie Sealy & Jean Shepard in their elements every night, and witnessed so many new artists play the Opry for their first time and then go on to become superstars and return to the Opry. And it was just such an amazing experience.”

So, for Clare, performing at the Grand Ole Opry is a full circle moment; one she’s not taking lightly. “I never dreamed in a million years while growing up driving tractors out on the Great Plains where I’m and listening to all the artists that played the Opry, I never dreamed that I would get a chance to see them or even be able to chase this dream myself,” says Clare. “So, working at the Opry was treasured time for me. It was a time of absorbing as much of the rich history of the Opry as I possibly could. It was a time of just getting to be near the music that shaped our genre, and getting to witness not only how the Opry house itself affects the fans, but the artists who are so honored to play that stage that made country music famous.”

Clare has hit the airwaves with her new single, “Tuxedo,” which is featured on her self-titled EP that was released this past fall.

Joey Feek of Country Music’s Beloved Duo Joey + Rory Passes Away

It is with an extremely heavy heart to report that after a long and courageous battle with cancer, Joey Feek, from country music’s beloved duo Joey + Rory, has passed away. Both Joey and Rory’s strength, courage and faith has been beyond amazing as she continued her fight day after day.

Rory Feek announced via thislifeilive.com, “At 2:30 this afternoon, as we were gathered around her, holding hands and praying.. my precious bride breathed her last.  And a moment later took her first breath on the other side.”

This disease is a vicious one, but Joey fought her way through for quite some time, setting goals along the way. She recently reached one of her final goals, celebrating her daughter’s second birthday.  Rory has kept the community updated through his blog, thislifeilive.com. During his wife’s final days, he wrote “One of the last things Joey said before she drifted into the deep sleep she’s been in for a few days now is, “I have no regrets… I can honestly say, that I have done everything I wanted to do and lived the life I always wanted to live”.”

Joey leaves behind a loving husband, Rory, a beautiful daughter, Indiana (2), two stepdaughters Heidi and Hopie, both parents and three sisters, as well as a community that loves & respects her and the entire family.

Joey also leaves so much love and inspiration to those that were around her, and those of us that have followed their story so closely. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends during this difficult time.