America’s Clogging All*Stars

You’ll hear us before you see us! America’s Clogging All*Stars is a percussive dance group representing the unique dance form of clogging. The group consists of 74 performers and these team members actually represent 7 unique teams coming together as one. These dancers hail from 7 different states including: Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky and Maryland. These team members typically compete AGAINST one another in the competitive world of clogging but have come together as a single team to perform as America’s Clogging All*Stars. Members of this team represent some of the best clogging in the nation featuring national championship level clogging. The dancers learned the routine via social media and came together for a single practice to dance together as one team here in Nashville!

Amber Leigh and the Wildhorse Saloon Dancers

Singer / songwriter, Amber Leigh, has spent every chapter of her life on stage. The South-Florida native was found side stage in a play-pen while her father, a musician himself, performed. She then fronted her own band by the age of 10 and now, residing in Nashville, performs over 200 shows a year across the country.

The Irish-bred, fiddle playing Leigh, who is widely recognized by her fiery red hair, has already released nine full length albums, all to critical acclaim. Her unique, "Country with a touch of Celtic flair”, sound has led to a strong fan base that has seen her share the stage with country music's finest including Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady Antebellum among others.

Leigh continues to support organizations such as Wounded Warriors Project, The Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The Humane Society and the American Cancer Society.

Ana Cristina Cash

Currently living in Nashville, Ana Cristina prepares for the release of her upcoming project, “Shine,” slated for an early 2020 release date. Produced by John Carter Cash and recorded at the Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tenn. (in which Johnny Cash built himself in 1979), “Shine” displays an array of musical influences including folk, jazz and blues, fused with a country background. She recently co-wrote “La Prision De Folsom”, the Norteño Spanish-Language version of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” with the legendary Los Tigres Del Norte which is currently charting on Billboard. Fans can get a taste of Ana’s new album with the release of her first song off the record, “Broken Roses.” Released on World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10, 2019), “Broken Roses” tells a heartbreaking story of the trials and tribulations that go along with loving another who struggles with mental health and/or substance abuse. The music video for “Broken Roses” was directed by acclaimed director David McClister and was shot in Nashville. Ana hopes to create awareness and promote an open conversation with purpose via her music and the release of “Broken Roses.”

Avenue Beat

Brash. Bright. Fresh. Wildly melodic. Avenue Beat are three girls from Quincy, Illinois who grew up ingesting social media platforms and theater groups – and turned into the notes of a chord that lands somewhere between Taylor Swift ascending and Billie Eilish, at her most real. The genzennial collective of Sami Bearden, Savana Santos and Sam Backoff are strong, smart, fun – in love with life, each other and getting on with it …fresh face of new feminism, while blowing off being told who girls are supposed to be. Avenue Beat’s debut self-titled EP is available now via The Valory Music Co./Tape Room Records, which was co-produced by lead singer Savana, David Garcia and Ashley Gorley. With the stretched staccato vowels of the hilarious self-empowering “Delight,” sisters-sticking-together euphoria of “Be A Bro,” angst-rejecting post-break-up “Ruin That For Me” or their self-induced euphoria of “Broke,” Avenue Beat beckons listeners with pillows of narcotic harmony and glistening melody and lyrical truths that cut right to the gut. Following a run on the spring leg of Mason Ramsey’s 2019 HOW’S UR GIRL & HOW’S UR FAMILY TOUR, Avenue Beat returns this Fall for select dates beginning October 24 in Indianapolis, IN. For a full list of dates and more, visit AvenueBeat.com and follow along on Instagram

Bianca Ryan

Hailed as “the next revolution in the music industry” by Quincy Jones and “ones of the best singers I have ever heard” by Simon Cowell, Recording Sensation Bianca Ryan’s soaring voice and tremendous range captured the imagination of the music industry and began thrilling audiences alike with her Top 100 eponymous first major label release for Columbia Records nearly fifteen years ago. The first American artist signed to SYCOmusic, she has recorded with Quincy Jones, David Foster, Siedah Garrett, Diane Warren, Kara DioGuardi, and Walter Afanasief, with whom she had an International Number #1 Hit: Why Couldn’t It Be Christmas Everyday. As an avid creator, she now releases music on Bianca Ryan Records, her performances, music, and videos have been streamed more thirty million times, and her social media platforms reach millions of fans daily. She has sung the national anthem for nearly every major American sports franchise, appeared on Broadway, in movies and residencies in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, and, beginning with President George W. and First Lady Barbara Bush’s Children’s National Medical Center Christmas televised Christmas fundraiser in 2006, has become a staple of televised Christmas parades and tree lighting ceremonies around the country.

A favorite of television producers since she first appeared on Star Search at age 10, she has appeared as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Pickler and Ben, and Ellen, as well as a contestant on Showtime at The Apollo, America’s Got Talent: The Champions, and America’s Got Talent, of which she was the first winner of any Got Talent Franchise in the world. She recently performed as a special guest this summer of 2019 on America’s Got Talent the Live Results show with her show stopping performance of “You’re No Good”. Bianca’s AGT Champions Version of “Say Something” has been climbing Spotify playlists and charts worldwide.

An avid entrepreneur, she released her 23-shade make up line, Ciao Bianca in 2018.

Billy Gilman

“Music is my life, and it is always what I will be doing with my life. Just releasing his newest anthem “Soldier” Gilman is more confident than ever standing behind a message he feels this world needs to hear. “We all need to be Soldiers in every way to create a kinder world.” “This a salute to not only our heroes fighting for freedom, but heroes standing up against discrimination, bullying of any kind, and overcoming any and all hardships.”

Brett Kissel

As one of the top acts on the Canadian Country music scene and a 14-time CCMA winning artist, Brett Kissel is on the brink of becoming a household name across the United States. Earlier this year Kissel took home his second Juno Award (equivlent to a GRAMMY) for Album of the Year. His current single “Drink About Me” is featured on editorial playlists across Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and has garnered over 2M streams in just one month. The “Drink About Me” music video starring Bachelor Nation’s Kaitlyn Bristowe and Jason Tartick premiered on Entertainment Tonight and was recently added to CMT Music. Having toured with artists such as Garth Brooks and Brad Paisley, the young entertainer is no stranger to the stage and just last year he completed two legs of his headlining tour which was marked as one of Canada’s most extensive tours, selling out venues and reaching nationwide status. Earlier this year, Kissel was awarded a Gold record for his smash single “Anthem” (his seventh Gold record) and a “Double Road to Gold” plaque by CIMA, where he was one of the few artists to qualify in the 12-month eligibility period, for his massive 2018 “We Were That Song” tour that saw him perform over 110 dates in every province and territory in Canada.

Farewell Angelina

Named after a haunting Bob Dylan song, Farewell Angelina is an all-female country group with four powerhouse vocalists, dynamic songwriters and accomplished multi-instrumentalists. Their stellar blend of heart-stopping harmonies over blazing double violins and guitars has earned soaring praise across the board. Roughstock calls them a “Superstar Act… with Killer Songs;” Rolling Stone says, “Wickedly smart songwriting delivered with a healthy dash of sass… deft playing… into one sonic knockout punch.” A band of longtime friends, Nicole Witt, Andrea Young, Lisa Torres & Ashley Gearing all met pursuing their dreams in Nashville, TN.

Francesca Battistelli

GRAMMY® award-winning artist Francesca Battistelli began writing and performing original songs at age 15. A childhood immersed in art, music, dance and theatre prepared her for a future career on the stage. Since her 2008 Gold-certified debut, My Paper Heart, Battistelli has propelled three consecutive studio projects to the top of Billboard’s Christian Albums chart and notched seven No. 1 radio singles, including multi-format, 15-week chart-topper “Holy Spirit.” The wife and mother of four has appeared on “Good Morning America” and “FOX & Friends” and has seen her music placed in a variety of high-profile films and television shows. In addition to one GRAMMY® win and four career GRAMMY® nominations, Battistelli has garnered a Billboard Music Award nod, two K-LOVE Fan Awards and six Dove Awards, including being named the Gospel Music Association’s Artist of the Year. With total On-Demand streams exceeding 399 million, YouTube views of 74.4 million, and total equivalent albums of 2.1 million, the singer/songwriter continues to be one of the strongest voices in Christian music.

General Jackson Cast

This holiday season, experience the elegance and sophistication of a Music City Christmas aboard the General Jackson Showboat!Our show features beloved classic Christmas songs by artists like Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole, as well as modern holiday favorites by Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, and more! Carefully crafted to feature twelve of Nashville’s finest musicians, singers and dancers, this show embodies all of the spirit and magic of Christmas with dynamic, new musical arrangements, Broadway style dance numbers, jaw-dropping costumes, and a gorgeous light and multimedia display! Put on your holiday best and create a new Music City Christmas tradition aboard the General Jackson Showboat!

JT Hodges

Always a storyteller, J.T. Hodges is bringing holiday cheer to millions of Lifetime viewers as the singer/songwriter returns to acting in “Christmas Stars,” a new movie, that also features never before heard Christmas tunes from Hodges, airing December 13 at 8PM ET/PT. On November 15, Hodges will also release his new EP, All Through the Night, which includes the original title track and Christmas classics with an arrangement that only Hodges can deliver, including standards like "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," and "Deck The Halls," as well as "God Rest Three Kings," a melodic holiday tune that weaves in lyrics from "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "We Three Kings." Hodges acting chops can be traced to 2013's "Finding Christmas” on Lifetime, when the New York Times raved the film was "most notable, though, for the presence of J. T. Hodges, normally a country singer but here an actor. Mr. Hodges, a newcomer to the acting thing, is surprisingly good." In "Christmas Stars," aspiring R&B artist Layla (Erica Durance) crosses paths with amateur songwriter Spence (Hodges), and thinks she's found her shot at finally getting a record deal. But as the holidays approach, the fast-paced, high stakes music business threatens to change their sound and relationship - especially when the label executives begin to see Spence as the real star. "Christmas Stars" is produced by Chesler/Perlmutter Productions. "Christmas Stars" is part of Lifetime's largest holiday movie slate ever for the network’s annual It’s a Wonderful Lifetime programming schedule. Hodges, known for his smash hits "Hunt You Down," "Goodbyes Made You Mine" and "Sleepy Little Town," which spent two weeks at No. 1 on Sirius/XM's The Highway, is also in the studio working on all-new music for release in 2020.

Kerri Arnold, Miss Tennessee Volunteer 2019

Kerri Arnold was awarded the opportunity of a lifetime when she was crowned Miss Tennessee Volunteer on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tennessee. As the newly crowned Miss Tennessee, Kerri won $25,000 in college scholarships and serves as the Governor’s Official Spokesperson for Character Education and travels over 80,000 miles speaking to over 70,000 schoolchildren about Character Education.

Kira Kosarin

KIRA KOSARIN (Jasmine) is best known for her starring role as 'Phoebe Thunderman' in the hit series, The Thundermans on Nickelodeon. The series recently finished its 4th (and final) season and 99th episode on-air. In addition to the show being consistently tapped as Nickelodeon's #1 series and winning the KCA 2016 'Favorite TV Show'. Kira has also been nominated 3 years in a row for the KID'S CHOICE AWARDS for the 'Favorite TV Actress' category and was just seen guest hosting the 2017 KIDS CHOICE AWARDS alongside John Cena.

Kirk Jay "The Voice"

When meeting Kirk Johnson for the first time you get the impression that he is some big city dude but he is just a plain old country boy born and raised in the rural county of Bayminette, Alabama. He jokes that a rooster was his first alarm clock. He loves family, church and country music. Kirk grew up listening to country music on the radio because that was the only station their old radio could play.

Kirk was a contestant on the NBC program “The Voice”. Kirk made the finale and finished in the Top 3 of Season 15. Kirk’s songs placed 2, 4, 5, 14, 15, 16, & 23 respectively on the charts with Apple Music.

Lewis Brice

Lewis’s debut self-titled EP, produced by himself and his brother Lee Brice, was released via Pump House Music/Kobalt on July 14th, 2017 to glowing reviews, landing at No. 11 on the US iTunes Country chart. Since then, Lewis has been named one of Rolling Stone Country’s “New Country Artists You Need to Know” and Billboard’s “Country Artists to Watch in 2018”. Tracks from the EP were featured on SiriusXM The Highway, CMT Music, and Spotify’s New Boots & Wild Country playlists, and its lead single 'Best Ex Ever' reached the Top 30 of Music Row’s Country Breakout radio chart. The next chapter of Lewis’s music was unveiled on November 23rd, 2018 as the first single from his forthcoming second collection of songs, titled ‘Blessed’, was introduced to the world by a special Thanksgiving acoustic performance premiere with his brother Lee Brice. ‘Blessed’ has acquired over 7 million streams to date on multiple platforms and recently won BCMA (British Country Music Association) International Song of the Year! His catchy summer anthem tune ‘Summertime Vibes’ was released on April 26th and an “extreme water sports” style video for the song was released in July. With more new music and shows worldwide on the horizon, 2019 promises to be the best year yet for Lewis Brice!

Lucas Hoge

Some people are just born communicators and Lucas Hoge has that gift. Fans know this because Hoge’s new album Dirty South ascended to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Country Album Sales chart during its debut week. Whether he’s performing for troops overseas, sharing his love for the great outdoors with fellow sportsmen at a Bass Pro/Cabela’s gathering or writing another song for a hit TV show, Hoge has that rare ability to find common ground with just about anyone and draw them into his world. A passionate supporter of the U.S. military, Hoge has traveled the globe extensively performing for the troops visited numerous countries throughout the Middle East and beyond for the past ten years as part of the Wrangler National Patriot Tour. Hoge is also the celebrity spokesperson for Guardian Angels For Soldier's Pet. Combine all of that with his Midwestern charm and a work ethic that won’t slow him down, it looks like the best is yet to come.

Lily Hensiek, Hometown Hero

By the age of 18, Lily Hensiek had already battled cancer twice. She was first diagnosed with leukemia at age 7 and has been determined to end childhood cancer ever since. Together with her family and through community support, Lily created the Lily’s Garden initiative to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research. Lily’s Garden has now raised over $2 million to support childhood cancer initiatives at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Today, Lily is a freshman at the University of South Carolina, where she is studying to be a pediatric oncology nurse, so she can help other kids overcome cancer. Lily’s dedication to giving back and helping others is just one of the reasons that she took home last year’s Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Award in the Capacity-Building Volunteer category. Lily is an inspiration to us all, and we are thrilled to have her as this year’s parade Hometown Hero.

Nashville Children’s Theatre presents Auntie Claus

From the book AUNTIE CLAUS by Elise Primavera, adapted for the stage by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich on commission by Nashville Children’s Theatre. World Premiere November 14, 2019

There’s something mysterioso about Sophie Kringle’s glamorous great aunt. She serves Christmas cookies at teatime, even in July! Her penthouse at the Bing Cherry Hotel glitters with Christmas lights all year long. There’s also that secretive “business trip” every year around the holidays. Determined to get to the bottom of Auntie Claus’ eccentric ways, Sophie embarks on an adventure that leads straight to the heart of the holidays. A world premiere holiday musical event for the whole family commissioned for Nashville audiences by award winning writing team Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich (Netflix’s Julie’s Green Room, Ever After, Junie B. Jones).

Nolan Sotillo

Nolan Sotillo is a multi-talented singer/songwriter, musician, and actor from South Florida. Presently residing in Nashville, Nolan just released his debut EP, titled “No Love Lost.” From starring in Disney’s “PROM” and Steven Spielberg’s “Red Band Society” on Fox, to getting his songs placed in movies and television, Nolan’s passion and hard work has led to his success as an artist.

Sandra Lynn

Rising country music singer-songwriter, Sandra Lynn, has established herself as “one of the most consistent powerhouse vocalists to emerge from the last decade (CMT).” With “vocals that range from delicate to dynamo (Parade),” Lynn is currently crafting a musical chronicle, produced by GRAMMY®-winning engineer/producer Ben Fowler, about one couple’s struggle to save their relationship. The story was introduced to listeners through Lynn's 2018 debut Billboard Country Album Fight and continued with the latest string of releases "Lose the War," "Am I Just Dreaming" and "I Think of You." Lynn's videos for the singles world-premiered on platforms, including CMT, Parade and Paste Magazine to name a few. These critically-acclaimed songs are a welcome addition to Lynn's catalog of music, which includes collaborations with Nashville's hottest songwriters and hitmakers such as Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, Dave Brainard, Ross Copperman, Jeremy Spillman and several Hall of Famers. Opening for country stars such as Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Cole Swindell and Kenny Rogers as well as performing during CMA Fest and Milwaukee’s Summerfest, Lynn has made a name for herself on the live circuit. The songstress has also graced the stages and rounds of Nashville institutions, including the historic Ryman Auditorium and revered Bluebird Cafe along with 3rd and Lindsley, The Listening Room and Wildhorse Saloon.

The Swon Brothers

2013 was the year that changed The Swon Brothers’ lives. The Swon Brothers became the first duo to make it to a season finale with the help of their coach, Blake Shelton on the hit TV show, The Voice. In October 2014, The Swon Brothers released their self-titled album and received a nomination for CMA Vocal Duo of the Year. Shortly after, in 2016, they released their EP, Timeless and spent the year touring coast to coast in the United States and Canada with Carrie Underwood on The Storytellers Tour.

In 2017, The Swon Brothers toured "The About Last Night Tour” and charted their follow up single, "Don't Call Me." The Swon Brothers just released a self-penned new single called “Travelin’ On,” which features the legendary Vince Gill on vocals and guitar.

Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders

Founded in 1999, after the franchise moved from Houston, the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders are a dynamic group of 27 individuals who hail from across the United States. The Titans continuously aspire to innovate their Cheerleading team, which is why this year the organization expanded the team to include a broad range of athletes with elite dancing, stunting, and tumbling skills! In addition to cheering for their Titans on the sidelines every Sunday, the Titans Cheerleaders’ impact in the community is exceptional, participating in community events all over the state of Tennessee throughout the year.