As one of the most respected figures in the country music community, Nancy Jones is not just a guardian of her late husband’s legacy; she’s a testament to the power of personal integrity and perseverance. With a winsome smile and sweet Southern charm that transcends any stage, Nancy is more than just a music icon’s spouse; she’s a phenomenal communicator. Her ability to connect with people, both in public and private, has endeared her to her husband’s fans and colleagues alike. In 2016, she received the prestigious Source Award from the Country Music Association for her role in “Women Behind ..read more

Country Music’s King of the Road, Roger Miller, is remembered as a multi-faceted artist who was as accomplished in writing music as in singing or playing drums, banjo, piano, fiddle or guitar. The Oklahoma-raised Miller was only a year old when he lost his father from spinal meningitis. Miller was born in 1936, the height of the Depression, and being the family clown, he learned how to make light of his circumstances. “We were dirt poor,” he once explained. “What I’d do is sit around and get warm by crawling inside myself and make up stuff… I was one of those kids that never had much to say ..read more

It seems reasonable that Minnie Pearl’s persona should be able to sell fried chicken, right? After all the Centerville, Tennessee, native Sarah “Minnie Pearl” Cannon was, for her time, a country comedy phenomenon. With her frilly country dresses and straw hats adorned with colorful flowers and a $1.98 price tag hanging from its rim, Cannon spent 50 years on the Grand Ole Opry beginning in 1940. In 1969 she carried her humor to television as a regular on “Hee Haw,” where yet another generation of fans would come to know and love her. So, when former Democratic gubernatorial nominee John Jay H ..read more

As their Smart & Safe Florida campaign to implement safe and common-sense cannabis regulation blazed on to more than one million signatures, the Bellamy Brothers rolled out their Old Hippie Stash Mobile in April. The duo enlisted artist Mark Hannah, known for his sign painting and mural work in many local and regional areas in Central Florida, for the psychedelic transformation of a 1978 Volkswagen Westfalia. Their most recent project, “40 Years: The Vinyl Album,” celebrated the Bellamy Brothers’ journey to fame that started on the pop music charts in the ‘70s and took a w ..read more

Last summer singer-songwriter Toby Keith revealed a deeply personal battle with stomach cancer, with which he was diagnosed in fall 2021. However, his indomitable spirit shone through, and he persevered, undergoing chemotherapy and radiation while maintaining a desire to return to entertaining. Recently, hundreds gathered to witness his pop-up concerts at Hollywood Corners in Norman, Oklahoma, where he resides. The 1920s roadhouse, which Keith transformed into a deli, bar and music venue, played host to Keith and his Easy Money Band, entertaining the crowd for two and a half hours each night ..read more

No other animals have been as influential on human evolution as horses. Horses are highly intuitive to nonverbal messages and intention, and as such can reflect aspects of ourselves that can lead to deep healing and connection. That’s why the Horses for Mental Health has garnered support from celebrities, musical artists, mental health advocates, esteemed equestrians and more, all sharing stories of horses that have positively impacted their lives, mental health and/or personal journeys. “There’s nothing more calming and rewarding than climbing onto a saddle and taking a ride,” said two-time ..read more

Rubye Blevins was the first female country artist to sell a million records. Never heard of her? Of course you have! The song was “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” the year was 1935 and the stage name under which she recorded and performed across six decades was Patsy Montana. The artist, who was the eleventh child of her farmer parents in rural Arkansas, played organ, violin and guitar, moved to California at age 21 in 1929. Already an accomplished yodeler, singer and guitarist, she entered and won a local talent competition that awarded her a spot on the Hollywood Breakfast Club&n ..read more

Love for traditional mountain music fused with bluegrass styling bound the careers of two talented brothers from Big Spraddle Creek, Virginia. Influenced by the Grand Ole Opry, J.E. Mainer’s Mountaineers, Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys and the Carter Family, Ralph and Carter Stanley had performed at informal gatherings as well as on established radio shows before serving in World War II. Yet, it was not until 1946 that they formed The Stanley Brothers and The Clinch Mountain Boys, the group that made them legendary. “From the beginning they combined the graceful vocal harmonies of a ‘br ..read more

In the 69 years since Rex Allen Jr. made his first appearance on stage, he has been applauded, acknowledged and awarded. He made his debut at The Bluebird Café at a special Western night in August just three weeks before turning 76. The Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater spotlighted his songwriting and the stories behind the songs on a lineup in June. During this year’s CMA Fest he performed at the Country With Heart concert. In 2015 he was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement award by the National Traditional Country Music Association, quite appropriately honoring a hardworking, multitale ..read more

In the picturesque heart of Southwest Virginia, two young girls embarked on a remarkable musical odyssey that would capture the hearts of many. Savannah and Sarah Church, lovingly referred to as “The Church Sisters,” are the fraternal twins who brought their dulcet harmonies to life against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains. Their captivating journey commenced in 2007 when they won the coveted WAKG Rising Stars Talent Competition. Their angelic voices were the key to unlocking a future filled with melodies and dreams. With their stepfather, Jay, and their brother, Seth, joining the e ..read more