Grand Ole Opry announces 2023 Opry Country Christmas – The Grand Ole Opry has announced Nashville’s favorite holiday tradition, Opry Country Christmas, will return to the Grand Ole Opry House for the third year. Presented by Humana, the series will feature special performances by Spotlight Artists including Opry member Lauren Alaina on November 29th, multi-Platinum selling country artist Scotty McCreery on December 3rd, Opry members Trace Adkins on December 7th, Lady A on December 11th and Chris Janson on December 18th with more to be announced soon. – Read more at The Music Universe
Reality Kingpin Mike Darnell Departs Warner Bros. TV Group After 10 Years – The dark prince of the unscripted world is plotting his next chapter: Mike Darnell is exiting Warner Bros. Television Group after a decade with the studio, a move he decided to make after a restructuring would have altered his role at the company. Darnell, who had served as president of unscripted television for Warner Bros., and Warner Bros. Television Group chairman/CEO Channing Dungey were set to announce the change on Thursday. – Read more at Variety
Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying Marries Fiancé Mark Manio in Romantic Seaside Wedding: ‘Luckiest Man on Earth’ (Exclusive) – Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying has found his happily ever after with husband Mark Manio. The happy couple tied the knot on Friday in an intimate, star-studded black tie ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, California after six years of dating. – Read more at People
‘DWTS’ pro Gleb Savchenko announces 1st movie role, “Swing into Romance” starring alongside Danica McKellar – Gleb writes on Instagram, “Grateful and Thrilled to Embark on My Acting Journey! Excited to announce my first role in a movie and can’t wait to bring this character to life of Alex Ivanov,” Gleb continues, “Feeling blessed and ready to shine on the big screen!” According to ABC News the Swing into Romance synopsis reads, “”When former dancer Christine Sims (McKellar) temporarily returns to her hometown in time for the town’s Fall Festival, she discovers her family’s General Store is in trouble. In her efforts to save the business, Christine will need to dust off those dancing shoes one more time, face her ex-fiancé, and maybe even find love.” Danika competed on DWTS in 2014 with pro-partner Val Chmerkovskiy.
Bruce Hough, father of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ siblings, qualifies for House GOP primary ballot in Utah – Bruce Hough, the father of two professional dancers who have been mainstays on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” has qualified for the Republican primary ballot in the special election for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District, the lieutenant governor’s office said Wednesday. Among Hough’s 10 children are professional dancers Julianne and Derek Hough, who rose to fame on “Dancing with the Stars.” Derek is a judge on the hit reality show, while Julianne will be a co-host this season. On the trail, Bruce Hough has emphasized the need to “pinpoint the problems” and “do the incremental work that we need to do,” which he says includes reducing debt and controlling the deficit to “slow the growth of government.” – Read more at CNN.com
Zachariah Smith Opens Up About ‘American Idol’s’ Attempt to Box Him In The “Country Lane,” Teases Rock-Infused Country EP – “When I was with Idol, they basically pitched me ‘American Grace’ and they pitched me a bunch of songs. I’d given them a couple of songs that I had written, and they weren’t too sure about it. They tried to box me into the country lane, and the thing with me is I love country and rock and roll. I can sing both. And so I think that’s what fans can expect for this next EP or album, whatever you want to call it.” – Read more at Music Mayhem Magazine
Iowa-born Maddie Poppe has a new look, sound and indie spirit – “My ‘American Idol’ experience was very positive,” Poppe said. “But I’ll be the first one to insist you’re in a bubble at all times.” “Obviously, it was easier to be a part of my team five years ago than it is today,” Poppe acknowledged. “But the people who are currently with me really believe in my talent.” – Read more at Sioux City Journal
How Gabby Barrett Focused on the Here and Now With New Single ‘Glory Days’ – “It reminded me of kind of old-school Keith Urban — like ‘Somebody Like You’ or just kind of in that era,” Barrett notes of the foundational sound, developed by songwriter-producer Seth Mosley (“Make You Mine,” “Build a Boat”). “It just felt fun and it felt open, and I wanted something that was more upbeat.” “Glory Days” has its creative roots in Barrett’s recent past. She recorded a duet version of “Build a Boat” with contemporary Christian artist Colton Dixon, released in January, that Mosley co-produced. – Read more at Billboard
American Idol’s Phillip Phillips has drifted back in style – That is so cool. I am blessed to have people still liking my music. I was visiting Boston when I first heard “Home” on the radio. I was with a radio rep and we were heading to a radio station. He had the station on, with Hannah and I in the car, and it was such a cool feeling. Anytime I hear a song of mine in the airport or grocery store or in the car, it is still such a cool feeling. Growing up, you love playing music. When you finally get some recognition, it is very cool to have success with it. – Read more at Goldmine
