Through The Lens (12/5/13)

Creative Nation had a show at the Basement Tuesday, Dec. 3 featuring Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Native Run and Maggie Chapman. The group played six new uncut country singles and three original Christmas jingles with help from some of their favorite co-writers including Natalie Hemby, Rhett Akins, The Warren Brothers, Josh Osborne and Dave Barnes.

Pictured, Back Row: Luke Laird, Rhett Akins, Brad Warren, Ian Fitchuk, Brett Warren, Creative Nation’s Julie Stuckey, Barry Dean, Josh Osborne and Bryan Dawley. Front Row: Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, Maggie Chapman, Rachel Beauregard, Creative Nation’s Kelsey Granda and Natalie Hemby.

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Pictured (L-R): John Dittrich, Dave Innis, Larry Stewart, Eddie Stubbs, Paul Gregg, Billy Holland, Greg Jennings, Don Murry Grubbs). Photo credit: Eric Marcum.

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The Academy of Country Music welcomed rising singer/songwriter Corey Smith to the office while he was in Los Angeles last month. While at the Academy, he performed his latest single, “Ain’t Going Out Tonight” and signed up for professional ACM membership, as part of the Academy’s complimentary one-year membership offered to support emerging artists.

Pictured (L-R): Elice Cuff, Publicist, Sweet Talk Publicity; Genevieve Jewell, Manager, The Collective; Corey Smith; Bob Romeo, CEO, Academy of Country Music; Brian Beckerman, Tour Manager. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

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Clay Walker, along with pals Craig Campbell and Greg Bates, raised more than $12,000 during the fourth annual Chords of Hope benefit concert held at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Oct. 30. The concert was hosted by Clay’s charity Band Against MS (BAMS) and all proceeds were donated to the MS Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to aid in MS research and awareness.

Pictured (L-R): Craig Campbell, Clay Walker, and Greg Bates. Photo Credit: Tori McPherson