Emily Ann Roberts Joins Forces With The Salvation Army

Country music artist Emily Ann Roberts has joined forces with The Salvation Army, the nation’s largest private provider of social services, to help bring joy and relief to those facing the toughest challenges this holiday season and beyond.

By contributing to Emily Ann Roberts' virtual Red Kettle, individuals have the chance to make a meaningful difference to help The Salvation Army meet the increasing needs of millions of families across the country. All contributions made through the virtual Red Kettle will help The Salvation Army support the needs of individuals and families in the communities where they are donated. These funds will be used to provide Christmas gifts, food, shelter, rent, and utility assistance to millions of people struggling this holiday season and beyond. 

Emily Ann’s virtual Red Kettle will remain open for donations until December 31. Supporters who contribute during this period will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of Emily Ann's one-of-a-kind hand-crocheted throw blankets she often showcases on her social media.

To donate to Emily Ann Roberts' virtual Red Kettle and participate in this heartwarming initiative, please visit HERE. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in need, not only during the holidays but all year long. 

Emily Ann said, “I’m a firm believer in doing what you can with what you have. I love to crochet, and I am so happy to see this blanket truly go to good use! I pray these donations are a blessing to those who need it most, and that this blanket will bring joy and comfort to whoever wins it!”

For more info and to buy tickets to see Emily Ann on Blake Shelton's Back To The Honky Tonk Tour presented by Kubota, please visit emilyannroberts.com.

BACK TO THE HONKY TONK TOUR PRESENTED BY KUBOTA DATES:

February 22 - Hershey, Pa. - GIANT Center

February 23 - Detroit, Mich. - Little Caesars Arena

February 24 - Milwaukee, Wisc. - Fiserv Forum

February 29 - Lafayette, La. - CAJUNDOME

March 1 - Austin, Texas - Moody Center

March 2 - Bossier City, La. - Brookshire Grocery Arena

March 7 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada - SaskTel Centre

March 8 - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - Rogers Place

March 9 - Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Scotiabank Saddledome

March 14 - Spokane, Wash. - Spokane Arena

March 15 - Tacoma, Wash. - Tacoma Dome

March 16 - Portland, Ore. - Moda Center

March 21 - Fresno, Calif. - Save Mart Center

March 22 - Palm Springs, Calif. - Acrisure Arena

March 23 - Glendale, Ariz. - Desert Diamond Arena

March 27 - Moline, Ill. - Vibrant Arena at The MARK

March 29 - Wichita, Kan. - INTRUST Bank Arena

Darius Rucker Honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Congratulations to Darius Rucker, who was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on December 4, 2023.

After being introduced by former Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan, Rucker shared, “This is stuff you don’t even dream about when you’re from South Carolina…all I ever wanted was to be a singer, but you never dream that this stuff is going to happen.”

“Usually, you’re going record to record or tour to tour, and when this happens, you get to sit down and think about the whole thing,” Rucker shared with Variety as he reflected ahead of receiving the Hollywood Walk of Fame honor. “You think about when the band started, in a dorm at University of South Carolina, and then all the hard work, playing for seven years before you got a record deal. You think about going to Nashville and being told it was never going to work. You think about the first No. 1 [record] you ever had.

“You think about all that stuff, and you have to believe in fate, because one step to the left or one step to the right, and I’m not here talking to you. So you just thank God everything happened the way it did.”

Praised by People for having “never left his humble roots in the rear view,” Rucker recently released his latest album Carolyn’s Boy, an homage to his late mother, a woman he celebrates as the sole reason for “who I am, how I am, what I am.”

Photo Credit: Imagery by Oscar/HCC

The GIG at Belmont: An Unforgettable Music Experience

We happened upon The Gallery of Iconic Guitars aka The Gig by mistake. We went to Belmont University to visit The Frederick Hart Studio Museum (see other post). Across the hall was this beautiful, small, mighty room, full of unbelievable guitars. We thought, why not, we're here. We were met by a wonderful Belmont student. She was so excited, she told us the story about how the exhibit came to be. Told us all about the many many guitars.

The museum is designed so well. As you enter, you walk through a makeshift hall with acoustic guitars on both sides. As you leave this hallway, you enter a huge room, there are displays around the walls by Fender, Gibson, and Martin. In the middle of the room is a "stage" where you are encouraged to pull up a stool, pick a guitar, and play.

Off this main room is a small outcove filled with the most beautiful mandolin collection. Simply, beautiful.

This was a great find and I would recommend it to everyone. Parking is free and only $5 to get in, you can't beat it.

The Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont is Music City’s premier venue designed to celebrate some of the most rare and iconic guitars and stringed instruments ever known, including:

• 1939 Martin D-45, one of only 91 made between 1933 and 1942

• 1923 Gibson F-5 Mandolin, signed by designer and visionary Lloyd Loar

• 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard, among the most enduring electric guitars in history

• 1887 Martin 0-28, still stamped with “C. F. Martin & Co. New York” on the back of the peghead

• The Loar Quartet Master Series, featuring the F-5 mandolin, H-5 mandola, K-5 mandocello and L-5 guitar—all signed and dated by Mr. Loar

The GIG features an intimate experience for visitors to view these prized instruments up-close, along with historically and technically in-depth information on each. It is our hope that these magnificent instruments and their stories serve to inspire legions of music enthusiasts from all generations.

THE STORY OF THE GIG

The origins of The GIG at Belmont trace back to the generous gift of a stringed instrument enthusiast to an institution that treasures music and music history.

An avid collector of iconic stringed instruments, the late Steven Kern Shaw invested much of his inheritance in acquiring historically significant guitars and mandolins. Shaw’s passion for music emerged as practically a birthright. As the grandson of the late Jerome Kern, Steven grew up under the influence of one of America’s foremost composers of musical theater and popular tunes. Kern’s hits included such classic songs as “Ol’ Man River,” “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” among countless others.

Following Steven Kern Shaw’s death, his will specified his desire that his prized instruments be donated to an institution capable of properly exhibiting and caring for the collection, preferably in the Nashville area that had become his home. He also felt strongly that “these instruments are to be played and heard,” not just collect dust in a display. Thanks to the input of a family friend, co-executor of his estate, and vintage guitar expert George Gruhn, the Shaw Collection of nearly 500 unique and irreplaceable instruments came to Belmont University and established the foundation of The Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont. Now, beyond just conveying the important history and design of these instruments this museum will bring new life and music to these unique, irreplaceable guitars and mandolins rather than merely displaying them behind glass.

Gruhn said, “These instruments are to be played and heard in concerts and recordings as well as to be available for students, musical instrument builders and scholars to study, play and learn from association with them. Belmont University was the natural choice for a permanent home for this collection. Belmont draws students and scholars from around the world and is noted for the excellence of its College of Entertainment and Music Business and the College of Visual and Performing Arts which can incorporate aspects of this collection into their curriculum.”

Location:

The Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont is located on the campus of Belmont University inside the Lila D. Bunch Library. Parking is free on the street and in designated visitor lots.

The GIG is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sundays from 1 pm to 4:30 pm

Admission

Adults and Youth 13+: $5

Youth 12 and under: FREE

Belmont Students, Faculty and Staff: FREE with Belmont ID

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