The Boot News Roundup: Randy Owen Earns CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award + More
Welcome to The Boot's News Roundup, a morning rundown of the news country music fans need to know. Read on to learn more about the latest goings-on in the country, Americana, bluegrass and folk genres.
Alabama frontman Randy Owen is the 2019 recipient of the CMA Foundation's Humanitarian Award. Much to his surprise, Owen -- who founded the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids program, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019 -- received the honor at a CMA Board of Directors reception held in Nashville on Nov. 19 (he thought he was there to present an industry award to radio personality Lon Helton). "I'm truly surprised and grateful for this award," Owen says in a statement. "Hopefully, this will inspire other artists to follow their hearts to help the down and out, the helpless and especially sick children and families in need."
Old Crow Medicine Show, the Del McCoury Band and more artists are set to play at DelFest 2020. Now in its 13th year, the Memorial Day weekend festival, set for May 21-24 in Cumberland, Md., will also feature performances from Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Sam Bush, Mandolin Orange, the Infamous Stringdusters and other acts set to be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can score advance four-day passes now via DelFest.com, and all ticket options will be on sale on Dec. 3 at 12PM ET.
Americana duo Penny & Sparrow have announced plans for a slew of tour dates in 2020 in support of their brand-new album Finch. The tour is set to kick off on Jan. 18 in Abington, Va., and will make stops in Texas, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, New York, Maryland and Michigan before concluding at the Basement East in Nashville on May 2. Tickets for the tour go on sale on Friday (Nov. 22) via Penny & Sparrow's official website.