Artist Updates (5/16/14)

Darius Rucker. Photo: Chris Hollo

Darius Rucker will host his fifth annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert on Monday, June 2 at the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville. Featuring performances by Rucker and a star-studded lineup including Clint Black, Eli Young Band, David Nail, Cassadee Pope, Kenny Rogers, Corey Smith and Thompson Square, the sold-out show unofficially kicks off CMA Music Festival Week.

All proceeds from the concert will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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Craig Morgan was scheduled for routine shoulder surgery Thursday (May 15) to repair torn tendons that had accumulated over the years. The minor procedure turned out to be more complex than anticipated, requiring several hours of surgery and six screws to remedy bone fractures.

As a result, the singer has been forced to cancel his commitments into next week, including shows in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., along with his scheduled appearances on The Talk (CBS) and The Grand Ole Opry.

Morgan is expected to fully recover.

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Meghan Linsey, previously of Country duo Steel Magnolia, has launched her solo career with a PledgeMusic Campaign. Through the campaign, she invites fans to invest in her upcoming project, and offers incentives including an autographed limited edition Hatch Show Print, a mani or pedi with Linsey, a personalized song written by Linsey and a private house show, among many other items.

To donate to the PledgeMusic Campaign, visit meghanlinsey.com.

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Columbia Nashville artist Tyler Farr played his Top 15 hit single, “Whiskey in My Water” for the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday night in Nashville. The singer also celebrated his first CMT Awards nomination for Breakthrough Video of the Year for his #1 platinum-selling hit title-track, “Redneck Crazy.”

Farr is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the upcoming MusicRow Awards.

Photo: Chris Hollo