Artist Updates: Martina McBride, Canaan Smith, Josh Turner

Martina McBride And Friends Kickoff Fall Tour With Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute

Pictured (L-R): Dee Anna Smith, CEO Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA; Cassadee Pope; Martina McBride; and Erol R. Akdamar, FACHE, President of the HCA North Texas Division attend Band Against Cancer: The Sarah Cannon Tour. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images

Martina McBride kicked off the Band Against Cancer: The Sarah Cannon Tour over the weekend in Texas, with stops in Dallas on Sept. 16 and Austin on Sept. 17. The event featured special guests Thompson Square, Cassadee Pope and Hudson Moore.

The string of dates is planned to help connect those facing cancer with community-based resources and support close to home. The tour will head to San Antonio, Texas on Sept. 21 and Denver, Colorado on Oct. 8 before culminating with a special performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Oct. 26. For more information, visit bandagainstcancer.com.

Canaan Smith Joins UK Tour

Canaan Smith. Photo: Mercury Nashville

Mercury Nashville’s Canaan Smith is set to join UK country duo The Shires on a 19-date run across the pond later this year. Immediately following his fall headlining Sundown Ready Tour, Smith will be featured through Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland (full dates below). Tickets are on sale today.

The Shires UK Tour Dates with Canaan Smith:

Nov. 15: Belfast, Ireland; Limelight
Nov. 16: Dublin, Ireland; The Academy
Nov. 18: Oxford, England; O2 Academy
Nov. 20: Basingstoke, England; The Anvil
Nov. 21: Southampton, England; O2 Guildhall
Nov. 23: Northampton, England; Royal and Derngate
Nov. 24: Cardiff, Wales; St. David’s Hall
Nov. 25: Bedford, England; Corn Exchange
Nov. 27: Cambridge, England; Corn Exchange
Nov. 28: Bristol, England; Colston Hall
Nov. 29: Brighton, England; Brighton Dome
Dec. 2: Llandudno, Wales; Venue Cymru
Dec. 3: Birmingham, England; O2 Institute
Dec. 4: Manchester, England; The Bridgewater Hall
Dec. 5: Gateshead, England; Sage Gateshead
Dec. 7: Glasgow, Scotland; O2 ABC
Dec. 8: York, England; Barbican Centre
Dec. 9: Liverpool, England; O2 Academy
Dec. 11: London, England; O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Josh Turner Helps Atlanta Braves Countdown Games At Turner Field

Josh Turner. Photo: Atlanta Braves

Longtime Atlanta Braves fan Josh Turner joined the organization Friday night (Sept 16) as Braves Nation continued its ceremonial countdown of the few remaining home games at Turner Field. The Braves’ new SunTrust Park will be christened in 2017.