Pictured (L-R): WMN’s Justin Luffman and Shane Tarleton, Randy Travis, Mary Travis, Tony Conway, Zach Farnum and WMN’s Mike Du. Photo: Courtesy Warner Music Nashville
Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Travis was recently presented six Telly Awards for his documentary, More Life. Travis received the honors for Gold Winner in Non-Broadcast – Editing, Gold Winner in Non-Broadcast – Biography, Silver Winner in Non-Broadcast – Directing, Silver Winner in Non-Broadcast – Use of Archival Footage, Silver Winner in Non-Broadcast – Documentary: Individual, and Silver Winner in Non-Broadcast – Music/Concert.
In 2011, More Life started as a concert special honoring the 25th anniversary of Travis’ iconic album Storms of Life. As the film was being finalized in 2013, Travis unexpectedly became ill and suffered a massive stroke, making him unable to perform and severely limiting his speech. Since then, the film has become a celebration of his legacy.
“Producing More Life has been a labor of love for the past eleven years. Having the documentary released to the world, and received with such accolades, feels so right. Randy Travis is the cornerstone of Warner Music Nashville and we are honored and thrilled to help tell his story with More Life,” shares Shane Tarleton, EVP, Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville.
Pictured (L-R, back row): Ben Hall, senior director of development at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Zach Farnum, Troubadour Advisory Council leadership team member; Lauren Alaina; Patrick Thomas, chair of the Troubadour Advisory Council; Mary Lauren Teague, Troubadour Advisory Council leadership team member; (L-R, front row): Katherine Smith, senior manager of advancement at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Ella Choi; Katie Cline Moore, Troubadour Advisory Council leadership team member; and Lisa Purcell, senior vice president of external affairs at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Lauren Alaina took the stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 10th annual Nightfall at the Hall concert on Wednesday (Sept. 7). The night serves as an after-hours celebration exclusively for the museum’s Troubadour members.
Prior to Alaina’s performance, student artist Ella Choi performed “Blueberry Love,” a song that she wrote with guidance from museum staff as part of the museum’s flagship educational program, Words & Music.
For more information or to become a Troubadour member, click here.
Addie Morton & Samantha Kane
Addie Morton has been named Promotion Coordinator for Big Machine Records.
Morton fills the position previously held by Samantha Kane, who moved into the newly created role of Marketing & Event Manager for all of Big Machine Label Group.
Catie Offerman. Photo: Chris Hollo
MCA Nashville singer-songwriter Catie Offerman made her Grand Ole Opry debut earlier this month (Sept. 2). Offerman showed off her talent as a multi-instrumentalist by playing her fiddle and guitar on songs such as “Happyland Trailer Park” and “Don’t Do It In Texas.”
“I just finished playing my Opry debut and honestly, I can’t believe it’s over because I feel like I’ve prepared for this my whole life, and it was over just like that. It’s just so surreal to be part of this country music family, something that I’ve dreamed about for years, and even talked to my grandparents about. And here I am, I did it and I can’t wait to do it again!” says Offerman.
“It is so special to have my family here, they came all the way from Texas, 15 hours in the car with their chihuahuas, just to be here,” she continues. “It’s just really sweet because it’s a long haul and it was amazing knowing that they were out there supporting me, though they’ve supported me my whole life. Whether it’s been me playing in smokey bars in Austin or God knows where in Texas, pizza restaurants, polka gigs, all the way to the Opry they’ve been there for me. So, this is really special to share this moment with them,” she adds.
Cooper Alan will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on Sept. 21, joining a lineup of Opry members The Isaacs and the Del McCoury Band, along with Priscilla Block, Steven Curtis Chapman and more.
With over 100 million streams on his music and 10 million followers across social platforms, Alan has built a fanbase through his writing and performing sold-out shows across the country.
“Making my Opry debut is something I’ve dreamed of my entire life. My heroes have all sung on that stage and I’m incredibly honored, humbled, and grateful that it is my turn to step into that circle. A huge thank you to the Opry staff for believing in me and my amazing team for working so hard to help me get here!” Alan shares.
“We have lots of respect for artists who go from playing bars to headlining their own tours, all while growing such an engaged & dedicated fan base. Because of that, we’re thrilled to welcome Cooper onto the Grand Ole Opry stage to make his debut,” notes Grand Ole Opry Director of Artist Relations & Programming Strategy Jordan Pettit.