PRESS RELEASES

Country music legend Gene Watson was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry family this evening by Opry member Steve Wariner. “I remember my induction night as humbling and overwhelming,” said Wariner. “But tonight, it’s about Gene who is a great ambassador for country music and one of the best interpreters of a country song that ever lived.” After an introduction on stage by Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs who claimed Watson as one of the  most respected voices in country music history, Watson came center stage. “It’s hard to find the words to say, so I guess better than talking I ought to sing,” said Watson. “So many people contributed to this wonderful night, and I make a promise to everyone to keep up the tradition of country music,” he continued before delivering his hits “Got No Reason Now For Goin’ Home” and “Fourteen Carat Mind.” 

Two-time 2020 GRAMMY® winner Billy Ray Cyrus released his new EP, The Singin' Hills Sessions Vol. 1 Sunset, via BMG/BBR Music Group, today. Following his record-shattering year, the collection of songs embodies Cyrus’ passion for storytelling, including the focus track, “I am…I Said,” a Neil Diamond-penned and recorded classic. Earlier this week, Cyrus dedicated a performance of “I am…I Said” to Kobe Bryant and the victims in the helicopter crash on CBS’ “The Talk” (click here to watch).

Four-time GRAMMY® winner and singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, Steve Wariner, has infused more than four decades of pickin' and guitar slingin' into his very own Gretsch® appropriately titled, G6120T Steve Wariner Signature Nashville® Gentleman, and now the esteemed Vintage Guitar Magazine is commending the music legend's career and new guitar with Wariner on the March cover. Photographer David Abbott captured the image of Steve with his Gretsch® Nashville® Gentleman during a recent shoot at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

Multi platinum-selling singer/songwriter Phil Vassar is releasing his long-awaited 10th studio album, Stripped Down. The album's effortless production puts the songs front and center. It features songs written over the past 20 years but never-before recorded and new music, including “This is Where The End Starts”, co- written with daughter, Haley Vassar. American Songwriter premiered the single this week. Vassar's take on "Postmarked Birmingham," a hit he wrote for Blackhawk, is also included on the project. Click HERE to download. Numerous hit songwriters collaborated with Vassar on the album including Ross Copperman, John Rich, Don Sampson, and Charlie Black to name a few.

Since Frank Sinatra swigged Jack Daniel’s on stage, whiskey and music have been tied to the guitar string. Now, the world’s leading American whiskey critic brings the two together in a podcast—The Fred Minnick Show, which debuts January 17 across iHeart, Apple Podcast, Spotify,, Google Play and other podcast platforms.