Runaway June’s Natalie Stovall Honored For Hosting 50th Opry Live
Pictured (L-R): Natalie Stovall and Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Chris Hollo
This past Saturday (Jan. 22), Circle Network aired a special episode of Opry Live where two-time CMA award winner and Opry member Kelsea Ballerini surprised country artist Natalie Stovall with a milestone print honoring her 50th time hosting the livestream.
A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Stovall has been performing professionally since she was ten. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of 12 and has performed everywhere from the White House to The Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition to a solo career where she was named as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, Stovall is also a member of the country band Runaway June.
“When we began the Opry livestream during the pandemic in 2020, we had no idea how important Natalie would be to it and in keeping the Opry tradition of live Saturday nights going, doing so with a vibrancy that has endeared her to Circle fans,” says Drew Reifenberger, Circle Network’s General Manager.
Recording Academy And GLAAD Form New Partnership For LGBTQ+ Inclusion In Music
The Recording Academy has donated $150,000 to GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization. This donation will go towards supporting its work to diversify the music industry and champion musicians in the LGBTQ+ community.
Additionally, the pair announced a partnership for 2022 to further promote inclusion in this space through various initiatives, including: editorial content spotlighting LGBTQ+ music artists on Grammy.com and GLAAD.org, as well as each organization’s social media channels; support from the Recording Academy for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on April 2, 2022 and New York City on May 6; LGBTQ+-focused DEI training sessions hosted by the GLAAD Media Institute for Recording Academy elected leaders and staff to learn more about LGBTQ+ people and issues; and participation from key GLAAD executives in the Recording Academy’s DEI speakers series throughout the upcoming year.
“We’re thrilled to double-down on our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in partnership with GLAAD to inspire a culture of belonging and respect within the music industry,” says Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Hurt. “This partnership embodies our joint commitment to accelerate progress for LGBTQ+ voices and ensure that the music community is representative of the many diverse artists who contribute to and call this industry home.”
“The music industry is one of the most powerful avenues for bringing cultural conversations around diversity and inclusion to the forefront,” adds GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Our new partnership with the Recording Academy will shape the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in music and uplift underrepresented voices within the industry who have been overlooked for far too long.”
YellowHeart Teams Up With Daniel Donato For Cosmic Country Club NFT Collection
YellowHeart, the NFT marketplace for music, ticketing and community tokens, has teamed up with Nashville’s indie music artist Daniel Donato to create the Cosmic Country Club NFT Collection. Donato is the first of many upcoming partnerships with emerging indie artists as YellowHeart expands their music family in 2022.
The collection features a limited edition of 66 Members Only digital tour laminates, which includes a hand numbered and hand signed Cosmic Country Club laminate by Donato, a pair of tickets to any show of choice in 2022 with access to sound check, and first priority access to all other NFT releases such as music releases, digital hangout sessions, and more.
“Daniel Donato is one of my favorite artists coming out of the bustling Nashville music scene,” says Josh Katz, CEO and Founder of YellowHeart. “He is a phenomenal guitar player, singer and songwriter and we are thrilled to be welcoming him into the YellowHeart family and to offer music fans new ways to enjoy Daniel’s unique musical sound and style.”
Founded in 2017 by music blockchain innovator Josh Katz, YellowHeart has worked with artists such as Kings of Leon, Maroon 5, XXXTentacion, Brandi Carlile, The Disco Biscuits, ZHU, Burnley F.C., and more.
Dustin Collins Taps Buddy Cannon, Bill McDermott For Upcoming Album
Pictured (L-R): Buddy Cannon, Dustin Collins, Bill McDermott. Photo: Derrek Kupish,
Singer-songwriter Dustin Collins has enlisted industry veterans Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire) and Bill McDermott (Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley) to produce his upcoming album, Working Man. The 11-track project is slated for release this summer from DCDL Entertainment.
“Working with Buddy Cannon and my longtime producer, Bill McDermott, is a dream come true. For a kid from Kentucky who grew up playing a lot of the songs that Buddy has written or produced, this was truly a humbling and life making experience. I can’t say enough about how grateful I am to have gotten to make a record with such wonderfully talented people,” shares Collins.
A portion of proceeds from the project will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA, which provides U.S. veterans with the tools they need to help them heal after deployment overseas and enable them to re-enter society.
Working Man follows Collins’ latest album, It’s Been Awhile, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers South Central Albums chart. His independent single, “Cold Dead Hands,” ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Singles Sales chart. The Kentucky native also earned a slot on Aaron Watson’s “Vaquero Tour” and has opened for Tanya Tucker, Clay Walker, Chris Janson, Granger Smith, Kane Brown and more.
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