November 2016

Back where it all began, George Strait returned to New Braunfels’ Gruene Hall Wednesday night (Nov. 16.) and performed a nearly two-hour set in celebration of Strait Out of the Box: Part 2, available Friday, Nov. 18. Taking the stage just after 7 p.m., The King of Country Music with his band, The Ace in the Hole Band, kicked off the surprise performance with Here for A Good Time, a song Strait co-wrote with his son, Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillon. For the first time, Strait performed the two brand new songs from Friday’s upcoming release, Kicked Outta Country and You Gotta Go Through Hell, both of which he co-wrote. As awareness of the surprise show grew, a frenzy erupted in the historic township with fans flocking to the dancehall to see and hear Strait through the dusty side screens of Gruene Hall. As the show came to a close, Strait paused for a moment – taking it all in – before walking one final time along the stage’s rim thanking those fans that helped celebrate his return to the storied hall. Fans wanting to see Strait live will be able to purchase tickets to 2017’s newly announced 2 Nights of Number 1’s, a limited-engagement concert series at T-Mobile Arena across four weekends (April 7-8; July 28-29; Sept. 1-2; Dec. 8-9), with tickets on sale beginning Friday.

ACM award-winner Sylvia will bring her heartfelt music to the hit TV show, ‘Country Classics.’ Beginning this week, the country chart-topper will guest host four upcoming episodes. The program focuses on classic country from the 70s, 80s and 90s, highlighting some of the genre’s biggest hits. Sylvia will be promoting her latest project, It’s All In The Family, which is available now. “Academy of Country Music’s ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ 1982, Sylvia, has a chain of hits to her credit,” said ‘Country Classics’ executive producer Jeff Moseley. “It was a special treat to have Sylvia guest host ‘Country Classics.’ Her talent and charm made for some very special Country Classics.” ‘Country Classics’ will air new episodes beginning this week on the Heartland TV network. Additional all-new episodes will air on November 21, November 28 and December 5. Along with Heartland TV, the show airs on The Family Channel, AMG TV, Angel Two Network/Dish TV and Keep it Country TV – UK. Sylvia’s latest project was released in October, and was met with high critical praise. The hitmaker is back, and generating a lot of buzz, recently being featured in Southern Living, The Huffington Post and many more! She also took fans inside her project, with in-depth videos detailing the inspiration and process that went into recording each song. The exclusive videos were featured by Roughstock, Digital Journal, The Country Note, The Daily Country and more.

There Will Be A 100% Chance of Snow Plus A Visit from Santa To Kick off the Holidays in Memphis The event is free and open to the public. WHAT: Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Elvis Presley’s Graceland WHO: T.G. Sheppard and Santa
WHEN: November 17 at 6:00 p.m. CST WHERE: Graceland Plaza, Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., will officially begin the holiday season when Country Music Award winner singer-songwriter T.G Sheppard “flips the switch” on the traditional lights and decorations during the annual lighting ceremony on Thursday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. CST and lights up Elvis Presley’s iconic home for the season. Santa has guaranteed there will be a 100% chance of snow during the event. The extensive Christmas display at the king’s castle includes hundreds of blue lights along the driveway, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and his sleigh, and much more, all originally displayed at Graceland by Elvis and the Presley family. The interiors of Graceland mansion will feature the Presley family’s Christmas décor starting on November 17 for seasonal holiday tours through his birthday celebration in January. Included will be his traditional red velvet drapes as well as Presley family Christmas artifacts on display around several trees throughout the home. Channeling his inner Elvis, Santa will arrive to greet the fans and children and will be available for photos following the lighting ceremony. The lighting event featuring T.G. Sheppard is free and open to the public. While promoting records for RCA, T.G. formed a close personal and professional relationship with Elvis, who appreciated T.G.’s unique style and personality. As a token of their friendship, Elvis gave T.G. his first tour bus in 1976, helping to provide him with the confidence to give up the promotion business and hit the road full time. Following the lighting ceremony, The Guest House at Graceland will offer tours of the new 450-room luxury resort along with complimentary hot chocolate and candy canes. A special holiday package that includes tickets to visit Graceland while decorated for the holidays is available for booking through The Guest House at Graceland.