Petition To Remove Blake Shelton From Grand Ole Opry

Organized Groups Planning A “March” On Music Row To Remove Blake Shelton From The Grand Ole Opry. Blake Shelton ruffled some feathers recently when he made comments like nobody wants to listen to their grandpas music. It was a big to-do with plenty of fans, musicians and industry folks for a good week, and then Shelton made a few apologies and legends like Merle Haggard accepted them. Well…we only thought the fuss was over. Several organized groups are still up-in-arms about the situation and have decided to take action. By action they mean having Shelton removed from the Grand Ole Opry. Bob Everhart, President of the National Traditional Country Music Association since 1976, had this to say, “We organized a large non-profit corporation 39 years ago to prevent the very thing Blake Shelton is espousing. Today we have joined forces with the Traditional Music Association of America; Classic Country; The Real Old Farts & Jackasses; American Music Group; and several other organizations who are very concerned about the insults Blake Shelton tosses around so nonchalantly.“ Maggie Penn, who heads up a country music association in Michigan, echoed Everhart’s concerns. “We are going to march on Nashville. We are demanding that Blake Shelton be removed from the Grand Ole Opry. We are also demanding that huge radio conglomerates respond to our requests to feature more traditional and classic country music on these so-called country music radio stations. Clear Channel is one of the worst offenders. Mr. May, CEO, of Clear Channel needs to remember that the frequencies they broadcast on do not belong to them, they belong to us.“ The “march” is set for April 17th down Music Row in Nashville. My question for you is, do you think all of this is necessary? We want to know what you think, so fire away in the comment section below!

Grand Ole Opry Patsy Cline Memorial Concert

Grand Ole Opry Honors Opry Members Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins with Special Memorial Concert Tuesday March 5th. Tonight (Tuesday, March 5th) the Grand Ole Opry will be honoring the memory of three Grand Ole Opry Members, Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins on the 50th Anniversary of the plane crash that claimed their lives along with pilot and Cline’s manager, Randy Hughes. The plane crash occurred on March 5th 1963 en route from Kansas City to Nashville, TN outside Camden, TN. There were no survivors. Tonight’s concert marks the first Tuesday Night Opry of the season, and Cline, Hawkins and Copas will be honored with performances of their hit songs by Jean Shepard (spouse of Hawkins at the time of his death), Mandy Barnett, Terri Clark, John Conlee and Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys. ACM Award nominees Florida Georgia Line will also perform along with Opry group, Riders In The Sky. Country music is country music because of artists like Cline, Hawkshaw and Copas, and we salute them today.

Sarah Darling To Release EP

Sarah Darling Is Set To Release Her Home To Me EP. Sarah Darling is gearing up to release her Home To Me EP. Comprised of new music from her forthcoming album, the EP is produced by Dann Huff and will be available digitally on January 29. At radio now, “Home To Me” continues to catch some attention. The song has over 46,000 units purchased since the digital release on August 21. Already a multiple week #1 on CMT Pure, the music video for “Home To Me” is playing on CMT, GAC and TCN. Fans can purchase the song and video on iTunes. Sarah’s partnership with MoonPie and the ‘“Home to Me’ Sweepstakes” continues throughout 2013 and features Sarah on several hundred thousand cartons of the nationally distributed product. The promotional feature of the partnership highlights Sarah’s hit single while tying in a yearlong sweepstakes including an all-expenses paid trip to Nashville, VIP tickets to see Sarah perform at the Grand Ole Opry and much more. For more on this sweepstakes CLICK HERE.

Maggie Rose Country Weekly’s January Spotlight

Maggie Rose Chosen As A January Spotlight By Country Weekly. Country Weekly has chosen Maggie Rose as a January spotlight with a free download of her song “Mostly Bad.” The magazine says that Maggie is one of “country’s bright young talents with powerful vocals and equally powerful songs.” You can get the free download of “Mostly Bad” by CLICKING HERE. The song was written by Maggie and Jim Wes and can be found on Maggie’s upcoming RPME debut album. The album will go on sale March 26 and includes “I Ain’t Your Mama.” This past Saturday, January 5, Maggie performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

High Valley To Make Grand Ole Opry Debut

High Valley Starts The Year Off Right With Their Debut Performance At The Grand Ole Opry This Weekend. High Valley is busting out of the 2013 gates with a dream come true as the trio makes its Grand Ole Opry debut. Their performance will be at the Ryman on Saturday, January 5th. Also exciting for the boys is that they will make their inaugural Opry appearance sharing the bill with one of their musical icons, Ricky Skaggs. But, before they achieve their Opry dreams High Valley will be in Birmingham, Alabama on January 4th to perform at the BBVA Compass Street Fest and Pep Rally. Their performance will take place before the Ole Miss Rebels take on the Pittsburgh Panthers at the BBVA Compass Bowl. Brothers Brad, Bryan and Curtis plan to spend 2013 touring and gearing up for the release of their US debut album, Love Is A Long Road, due out later this year. Watch the official music video for High Valley’s “Love You For A Long Time” below.

Marty Stuart Celebrates 20 Years As Grand Ole Opry Member

This Coming Saturday, Marty Stuart Will Be Honored When The Grand Ole Opry Celebrates His 20 Years As A Member! If you want to get Marty Stuart a present for his anniversary of being an Opry Member, get China. A celebration will take place December 8 in honor of his 20 years! There will be performances by his wife, Connie Smith, Charley Pride, Old Crow Medicine Show and Brandy Clark. Phyliss J. Anderson, Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will also appear with Stuart, as well as two Choctaw dancers. Everything will take place at the historic Ryman Auditorium where Stuart made his debut alongside Lester Flatt in September 1972 at age 13. “Marty has won the love and respect of all of us at the Grand Ole Opry as well as friends and fans around the world,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. “Like the Grand Ole Opry itself, Marty celebrates and showcases all the styles under the country music umbrella. He has the utmost respect for our musical heritage while also working tirelessly to ensure country music’s future growth. We’re excited to celebrate his Opry anniversary at the Ryman, the stage on which his Opry career began when he was just a teenager.” Congrats to another of country music’s legends!