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.

Sturgill Simpson is near the top of the lineup for Bonnaroo 2018. Planned for June 7-10, the iconic festival held in Manchester, Tenn., will also feature performances from Margo Price, the Revivalists, Brothers Osborne, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Tyler Childers, Midland, the Texas Gentlemen and Jade Bird. Alongside that killer lineup of country and Americana performers, the Grand Ole Opry will broadcast a show from the festival for the first time ever.

Dierks Bentley route 91 harvest festival blood donation
Cooper Neill, Getty Images
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Already named the CRS Artist Humanitarian of the Year for 2018, Dierks Bentley has been announced as a featured speaker for this year's Country Radio Seminar. The annual conference for radio industry professionals will host a conversation titled Climbing the Mountain, which will, per a press release, focus on "Bentley's rise to superstardom built by following his own path and not trends." The 2018 Country Radio Seminar is set for Feb. 5-7, and will be hosted at Nashville's Omni Hotel.

Emmylou Harris 2016 tour
Jason Davis, Getty Images for NAMM
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Emmylou Harris is among a slate of legendary artists who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, the organization that puts on the Grammy Awards, in 2018. "These exceptionally inspiring figures are being honored as legendary performers, creative architects and technical visionaries," says Recording Academy President Neil Portnow in a press release. "Their outstanding accomplishments and passion for their craft have created a timeless legacy." In addition to Harris , Neil Diamond, Queen, Tina Turner and Hal Blaine will also receive Lifetime Achievement Awards this year; the honors will be presented at a ceremony sometime this summer.

Earls of Leicester perform after the power goes out
Getty Images for Stagecoach
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Bluegrass sextet the Earls of Leicester have announced plans to record a live album at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The album will be recorded over a two-night stand at the Hall's CMA Theater on Feb. 24-25, and is a follow-up project to the group's 2016 album Rattle & Roar. "We will be debuting songs new to our repertoire and rolling out a few surprises as we videotape and record the culmination of five years of work in our mission to re-educate and, in many cases, reveal this body of work for the first time," said Earls founder Jerry Douglas in a statement.

Jordan Davis interview 2017
UMG Nashville
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Newcomer Jordan Davis has announced plans to headline his first-ever tour. The White Wine and Whiskey Tour will kick off in West Peoria, Ill., on Feb. 2 and will conclude on March 22 in St. Louis, Mo., with stops in Dallas, Texas; Cleveland, Ohio; Nashville, Tenn.; and Detroit, Mich., along the way. The Louisiana-born artist will be touring in support of his most recent hit single, "Singles You Up," and will be joined on the road by country up-and-comer Jillian Jacqueline. Tickets go on sale on Jan. 12 and can be purchased at Davis' website.

The Young Fables Caught
YouTube
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Laurel Wright, a member of Americana group duo the Young Fables, is mourning the loss of her younger sister, Lindy, who died on Jan. 4 in a car accident. Wright and her family have launched a crowdfunding effort, via GoFundMe, to help pay for medical and funeral expenses. At press time, the campaign had already raised more than $17,500 of its $20,000 goal.

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