The Boot News Roundup: Garth Brooks Opens Notre Dame Show Soundcheck to Students + 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.

Notre Dame students are invited to join Garth Brooks at the soundcheck for his show at the school. Brooks revealed during his Monday night (Oct. 8) Inside Studio G Facebook Live chat that students can join him for the soundcheck and a Q&A session -- which will also feature Trisha Yearwood -- on Oct. 19, the night before his Oct. 20 concert at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame faculty and staff will be able to buy tickets for the soundcheck, with that money going to a scholarship program.

Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini are among the presenters for the 2018 American Music Awards. The four country artists will help hand out trophies and introduce performers (including Carrie Underwood) during the annual all-genre awards ceremony, which will be hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross. The 2018 American Music Awards are scheduled to air live from Los Angeles on Tuesday night (Oct. 9) at 8PM ET on ABC.

Rising star Kalie Shorr begins a 25-stop trek across the U.S., dubbed the Road to the CMA Awards Tour, on Tuesday (Oct. 9). Shorr's tour is stopping exclusively at Walmart's in Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Texas and other states, highlighting both Shorr and the upcoming 2018 CMA Awards. At each location, she'll perform an hour-long acoustic set and hang with fans during meet and greets; select locations will also include stops at nearby high schools and colleges as part of the CMA Foundation's It Starts With M.E. campaign, which highlights the importance of music education.

Dottie West's friends and admirers will celebrate what would have been her 86th birthday, as well as her upcoming Country Music Hall of Fame induction, with the second annual Dottie West Birthday Bash on Wednesday (Oct. 10) at Nashville's 3rd & Lindsley. Hosted by Jeannie Seely, the event supports the Nashville Musicians Association, and will also feature Ricky Skaggs, the Time Jumpers and more. Doors for the event will open at 6PM, with the show set to begin at 7:30PM; donations will be accepted at the door in lieu of tickets.