November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Phylicia J.L. MunnCountry music will be represented during the 2020 Stand Up for Heroes event. 

The New York-based event that honor veterans and their families will feature virtual performances by Brad Paisley and Mickey Guyton, who appear alongside a diverse roster of musicians and comedians including Bruce Springsteen and Sheryl Crow, actor/comedians Tiffany Haddish and Ray Romano, comedians Iliza Shlesinger, Nate Bargatze and Ronny Chieng, comedy writer Jeannie Gaffigan and more. 

The event, which is being held virtually for the first time in its 14-year history, will be hosted by Jon Stewart and feature appearances by Prince Harry and The Duke of Sussex. 

Stand Up for Heroes also raises awareness and proceeds for the Bob Woodruff Foundation.  

“For the last 14 years, the Stand Up for Heroes event has continued to inspire our nation and serves as a reminder of all of the brave individuals that have defended our country selflessly in our military,” said Bob Woodruff, ABC News correspondent and Bob Woodruff Foundation co-founder. “This year, it is especially important that we unite to show support for their sacrifices as we come together virtually to stand up for our heroes.”

Stand Up for Heroes will stream on November 18 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC News Live, TikTok, Facebook, Cheddar, Twitch and the Armed Forces Network.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

MISSION:POSSIBLE Tracy Lawrence has called on several of his peers to perform at the 2020 Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert on November 24 to provide support for the homeless community in Nashville. 

Tim McGraw, Chris Young, Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny, John Rich and David Tolliver will all participate in the virtual concert in benefit of the Nashville Rescue Mission, which will be live streamed from the Wildhorse Saloon on Talk Shop Live.  

The two-part event will kick off with a turkey fry at Nashville Rescue Mission, which will observe pandemic local health guidelines, followed by the virtual concert at at 8 p.m. ET. 

The concert is free to view and specialty merchandise is available for purchase, with the proceeds going toward the Nashville Rescue Mission. 

Lawrence started the Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert in 2006, and has so far raised almost $1 million and supplied over 90,000 meals for families in need.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

BMGDarius Rucker has teamed up with legendary songwriter Diane Warren on the first single from her upcoming debut album. 

The track, called “Times Like This,” is about perservering through hard times. It was released in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project to commemorate Veteran’s Day. The video, filmed at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, also debuted Tuesday.

“There was only one artist I could imagine for it and that was Darius Rucker. When he agreed to do it, I was ecstatic and when I heard his vocal for the first time I could not believe what I was hearing,” Diane says in a statement.

“It is one of those once in a lifetime moments when the perfect song finds the perfect voice it was meant for. So proud to have it be my first single!”

“Diane is such a legend, so I was absolutely honored when she called saying that she had me in mind for a song,” adds Darius. “It’s one of those things that just being asked to be part of her record — and especially such a great song like this — is just amazing.” 

“Times Like This” will appear on Diane Warren: The Cave Sessions Vol. 1, due out in early 2021. The album also features contributing vocals from Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Jason Derulo and many others.

Among the country hits Diane Warren has written: LeAnn Rimes‘ “How Do I Live,” Faith Hill’s “There You’ll Be” and Trisha Yearwood‘s “I’ll Still Love You More.”

By Andrea Tuccillo
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPiNtF-ODB8&w=640&h=360]

November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

John ShearerJimmie Allen, Sheryl Crow, Jon Pardi and Scotty McCreery are among the genre-spanning artists teaming up with Musicians on Call (MOC) to give back to our nation’s heroes this Veterans Day. 

To continue bringing the gift of music to veterans safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, MOC has partnered with Wrangler to present the Concert for Veterans, in which several artists offer uplifting, virtual performances at the bedsides of veterans in more than 140 VA facilities across the country to thank them for their service. 

Brad Paisley, Michael Ray, Chris Janson, Nashville star Charles Esten, Terri Clark and up-and-coming duo Walker County are among the other country artists taking part in the program, along with Grammy-winning soul singer Leon Bridges and actress and singer-songwriter Alexis Wilkins. 

Some of the hit songs the veterans get to hear include Jon’s “Head Over Boots,” Scotty’s “This is It” and Sheryl’s “Every Day is a Winding Road.”  

Though Veterans Day is Wednesday, veterans in the VA facilities will be treated to the performances throughout the week.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.