AGP Executive Report

Dolly’s Nashville Legacy: A new hotel and museum celebrate Dolly Parton’s ties to Music City, as her nephew denies threatening her estate and challenges a restraining order. Ryman Health Concerns: Beach Boys frontman Mike Love performed seated at the Ryman, telling fans he has been dealing with health issues; former bandmate Al Jardine said the footage left him concerned. Nashville Songwriters: Stars and Guitars puts songwriters in the spotlight at the Crown, while the 9th annual Musicians Medical Fund benefit is set for Oct. 17 at The Point. Arts Calendar: Tennessee Tech’s School of Art, Craft & Design will host its 29th annual Bacchanal on Oct. 26.

Nashville Music: Kane and Katelyn Brown celebrated their eighth anniversary at a Halloween party at his Broadway bar. Dolly Tribute: A two-hour CMA special honoring Dolly Parton will air Wednesday from Belmont University, with performances by Lainey Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and other stars. Art & Craft: Tennessee Tech’s Oct. 26 Bacchanal auction will raise scholarship funds, with student musicians providing live jazz. Classical Music: Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents the Tennessee premiere of Bernstein’s Songfest alongside Tchaikovsky on Oct. 15–16. Live Performance: Johnson County Community Theater stages Once Upon a Mattress Oct. 16–24; Studio Tenn’s Nov. 14 benefit cabaret features Disney Legend Susan Egan. Nashville Songwriting: Laura Veltz’s Songwriter Soup podcast has launched its fifth season and become a nonprofit sharing guidance for music creators.

Nashville Music: Riley Green teamed up with Peyton Manning on “Alabama Vs. Tennessee,” a playful rivalry song timed for Saturday’s game in Knoxville. Kristin Chenoweth also paid tribute to Dolly Parton on a historic Nashville stage, while Jack White reunited the Raconteurs at a Nashville show. Podcasting: Nashville startup Rebel Audio is targeting $10 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered tools for recording, editing and distributing podcasts. Fall Arts & Events: Franklin’s PumpkinFest expands to two days, Oct. 24–25, with live music, costume contests and more than 200 vendors. Knoxville’s Ijams Nature Center hosts Hallo-Week Oct. 20–31, including spooky poetry, improv and family activities. Local Arts: Tennessee Tech’s annual Bacchanal art auction is set for Oct. 26, and the inaugural Memphis Jazz Festival brought new sounds downtown. Dolly Parton: Her SongTeller Hotel is drawing attention as a Nashville attraction inspired by the country star’s vision.

Nashville Live Music: Jack White reunited the Raconteurs during a two-night run at The Truth, with local acts Snooper and Bully opening. Phoebe Bridgers also drew fans to Bridgestone Arena for a phone-free show built around her new album, Lost Weekend. Music City Arts: The Nashville Symphony has a new lifeline from Oracle, while a hands-on Hatch Show Print workshop invites families to make art with historic carved blocks. Fall Plans: A new Middle Tennessee Halloween guide rounds up haunted woods and houses open through October and into November. Tennessee Sports: The Vols rallied past Arkansas 24-17, with first-time starter George MacIntyre throwing for 247 yards and DeSean Bishop rushing for the winning touchdown.

Nashville Music: The Beach Boys played the Ryman with Mike Love, despite his serious health challenges. John Stamos said he hopes it wasn’t their last show together. Nashville Rock: Jack White reunited the Raconteurs during a hometown gig. Hands-On Arts: Hatch Show Print is inviting families to try printing with its hand-carved blocks at a Nashville workshop. Memphis Music: The inaugural Memphis Jazz Festival brought a new sound to downtown. Community Events: Cleveland’s Oct. 31 Halloween block party will feature live music, a costume contest and candy for kids.

Nashville Live Music: Jack White reunited the Raconteurs during a Nashville show, while Jelly Roll’s Goodnight Nashville speakeasy has taken on a vampire theme. Memphis Festivals: Widespread Panic brought Ivan Neville, Chuck Leavell and Randall Bramblett onstage at Mempho Music Festival; downtown also hosted the inaugural Memphis Jazz Festival. Music City Attractions: Dolly Parton’s Life of Many Colors Museum and Song Teller Hotel are now open in Nashville, celebrating the country star’s legacy. Coming to Tennessee: Nickelback announced 2027 tour stops in Nashville and Knoxville.

Memphis Music: The inaugural Memphis Jazz Festival brought 16 local musicians to downtown, adding a new showcase for the city’s homegrown jazz scene. Nashville SC: The club ended Austin FC’s eight-match unbeaten run with a 4-1 road win, strengthening its grip on the Eastern Conference lead. Music City Attractions: Dolly Parton’s Life of Many Colors Museum and Song Teller Hotel have opened in Nashville, celebrating the country icon’s career and legacy. On Tour: Nickelback announced 2027 Nashville and Knoxville dates on its Everything Under the Sun tour. Tennessee Sports: The Vols rallied past Arkansas 24-17, while Memphis beat UAB 38-13.

Public Art: Midtown Memphis is adding color to the streetscape with an artsy makeover at Madison and Avalon. Live Music: A Nashville drummer who has survived cancer four times is taking the stage at Skydeck for a benefit supporting patients. Nashville Sound: Songwriter Bernie Taupin is making his Grand Ole Opry debut, while organizers have unveiled a star-packed lineup for a Dolly Parton tribute special. Tour News: Nickelback has announced 2027 stops in Nashville and Knoxville.

Nashville Music: Phil Wickham, Josiah Queen and Brandon Lake led the Dove Awards with three wins each at Bridgestone Arena; Tasha Cobbs Leonard also took home honors. Dolly Parton’s Legacy: Nashville’s new Life of Many Colors Museum and Song Teller Hotel are now open, while her Broadway musical team has shared advice she gave shortly before her death. Live Events: Hurricane Isaias threatens weekend plans across the Mid-South, with rain and gusty winds forecast for the Memphis Jazz Festival and Mempho Music Festival; Savannah’s Wayne Jerrolds Bluegrass Festival continues Saturday. Coming to Tennessee: Nickelback announced 2027 Nashville and Knoxville dates on its Everything Under the Sun Tour. Arts Support: Oracle’s $10 million gift has put the Nashville Symphony’s 2026-27 season back on track. Music Education: The University of Memphis music business program earned top honors in Billboard’s latest rankings.

Event Changes: Hurricane Isaias has canceled West Tennessee’s Beech Lake Bike Fest, while other fall events across the region have been postponed. Tennessee Sports: The 0-4 Titans host the 0-4 Texans Sunday, with one team set to earn its first win; No. 15 Tennessee visits Arkansas Saturday. Live Music: Nickelback’s 2027 arena tour includes a Nashville stop. Country Music: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum editor Michael McCall will retire at year’s end after more than two decades and helping shape major exhibits, including its Dolly Parton showcase. Nashville Arts: Dolly Parton’s Life of Many Colors Museum and Song Teller Hotel are now open, and a $10 million Oracle gift has restored the Nashville Symphony’s 2026-27 season and brought furloughed staff and musicians back.

New Nashville Music: Stephen St. Clair and Michael Simeon have teamed up for a new take on ERNEST and Morgan Wallen’s “Flower Shops.” Dolly’s Nashville Legacy: Parton’s Life of Many Colors Museum and Song Teller Hotel are now open, and a Nashville tribute will feature Ella Langley, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire. Symphony Returns: Oracle’s $10 million gift has put the Nashville Symphony’s 2026–27 season back on track, with furloughed musicians and staff returning. Music History: Country historian Don Cusic’s new book traces Bob Dylan’s roots in Nashville and country music.

Nashville Music History: Country historian Don Cusic’s new book, Country Bob, traces how Nashville and country music shaped Bob Dylan; he’ll discuss it at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum on Nov. 7. Dolly Parton’s Legacy: Parton’s SongTeller Hotel and Life of Many Colors Museum have opened in Nashville, while her musical is headed to Broadway. Arts Lifeline: Oracle’s $10 million gift puts the Nashville Symphony’s 2026–27 season back on track and brings furloughed staff and musicians back. Onstage Around Tennessee: The Williamson County Performing Arts Center is holding auditions for its locally cast Broadway revue, and the Jazz Foundation of West Tennessee has a fall concert set for Oct. 10 in Jackson. Bluegrass Meets Pop: Steve Martin, Alison Brown, Del McCoury and Dan Tyminski have given Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” a banjo-driven bluegrass makeover.

Dollywood Visit: Britney Spears shared a rare family outing with sons Sean and Jayden at Dollywood, calling the park “adorable” and “so incredibly cool.” Nashville Symphony: Oracle’s $10 million gift has put the orchestra’s 2026–27 season back on track, allowing furloughed musicians and staff to return. Dolly Parton Celebrations: Nashville’s Life of Many Colors Museum and SongTeller Hotel have opened, while a planned TV tribute will feature Ella Langley, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire.

Tennessee on Screen: Nashville-based Shining Isle Productions released a trailer for Season 4 of animated fantasy series The Wingfeather Saga, premiering Oct. 21. Country Charts: Tennessee native Kenny Chesney’s Silver Sands Marina debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on Top Country Albums, while its single “Carry On” hit No. 1 on Country Airplay. Dolly Tribute: Ella Langley, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire are among the performers announced for a Nashville tribute to Dolly Parton. Symphony Returns: Oracle’s $10 million gift has put the Nashville Symphony’s 2026–27 season back on track, allowing furloughed musicians and staff to return.

Dolly Parton Tribute in Nashville: The CMA’s televised celebration, “I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” lands Oct. 21 on ABC/Disney+ (Hulu the next day) with a star-studded lineup including Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Ella Langley, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, Kristen Chenoweth, Lady A and more, plus special guests Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. Music & Arts Funding: Oracle’s $10 million gift has Nashville Symphony’s 2026-27 season back on track, pulling the plug on planned furloughs and bringing musicians and staff back. Local Stage Spotlight: Central Methodist’s Little Theatre will stage Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music” Oct. 8-11, directed by CMU alum Steven Minning. Death Penalty Fallout: Christa Pike is now conscious and speaking after Tennessee’s botched execution attempt, while attorneys head to court seeking more details and possible preservation of execution records. Tennessee Sports Buzz: Reports say Josh Heupel will start QB George MacIntyre vs. Arkansas after Faizon Brandon’s struggles.

Local Arts & Education: ETSU educator Jody LaShay Wood is making storytelling a core classroom skill, arguing it boosts language, discussion, and confidence for future teachers. Memphis Schools: A state oversight board takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools could move forward soon as a judge signals he’s ready to lift a block. Nashville Music Scene: The new indoor venue “The Truth” opened Oct. 3, aiming for intimate shows with stacked seating and premium ticket perks. Country Spotlight: Tucker Wetmore kept it short on dating rumors about Ella Langley—responding “Next question” when asked. Exhibition Buzz: Art & Soul announced “Nima’s Retrospective” for Oct. 17 in Nashville as part of National Arts & Humanities Month. Film Win: Memphis cosmic horror “Dreams of a Dead God” just won Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi at the Chicago Horror Film Festival. Community Arts: Monica Byington was named Artist of the Month at Local Artists Gallery, with her work and classes featured across East Tennessee. Sports-Entertainment Crossover: The Nashville Predators host the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday night on The Spot Nashville 28.