The Boot News Roundup: Jennifer Nettles Takes Role in ‘Harriet’ + 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.

Jennifer Nettles has taken a role in Harriet, a forthcoming feature film about the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Distributed by Focus Features and Universal Pictures International, the movie will star Cynthia Erivo as Tubman, as well as Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn and Clarke Peters. Kasi Lemmons, who co-wrote the screenplay with Gregory Allen Howard, is directing, while Debra Martin Chase, Daniela Taplin Lundberg and Gregory Allen Howard are producing. Harriet will begin filming in Virginia in October.

Carrie Underwood will be back at the Grand Ole Opry on Oct. 26 for the organization's 10th annual Opry Goes Pink breast cancer fundraiser. This year, she'll flip the switch to turn the Opry's barn backdrop pink for the evening, and perform two shows to help raise money for breast cancer charities. Tickets for the shows are available at Opry.com; $5 from each ticket will go to charity.

Blake Shelton's Ole Red restaurant, bar and venue is expanding to Orlando, Fla. The new location will open in 2020, at the ICON Orlando 360 development; it will include 15,000 square feet of space with seating for 500 guests, private event areas and spots for live music. Ole Red is currently open in Tishomingo, Okla., and Nashville, Tenn.; a third location, in Gatlinburg, Tenn., is expected to open in 2019.

Toby Keith will be honored with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra's 2018 Harmony Award, which "recognizes an individual who exemplifies the harmonious spirit of Nashville's musical community," per a press release. "Toby Keith has the unique ability to capture the essence of life's most passionate and memorable moments through music," say Symphony Ball chairpeople Katie Crumbo and Laurie Seabury in a press release. "More than just an outstanding singer and songwriter with a legendary onstage energy, Toby has made selfless contributions to the world around him ... that prove his impact reaches well beyond music." Keith will receive the honor on Dec. 8, during the Symphony Ball.

Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, the Peach Pickers, Phillip Phillips and DJ Rock are planning the Heart of South Georgia benefit concert in their home state. Set for Oct. 3 at the Exchange Club of Albany in Albany, Ga., the show will benefit the Community Foundation of South Georgia's Heart of South Georgia Fund, which supports natural disaster relief efforts and other needs in the area. Tickets for the event are available now.

Phil Vassar and Lonestar will hit the road this holiday season for the Not So Silent Night Tour. Named for their forthcoming Christmas single, the trek will begin on Nov. 30 in Biloxi, Miss., and hit Larchwood, Iowa; Lowell, Mass.; Westbury, N.Y.; and more before wrapping up on Dec. 22 at Frederick, Md.'s Weinburg Center. Both the single and tour will support the Salvation Army.