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.

Grammy Awards-winning Nashville songwriter Kenny O'Dell has died. According to the Tennessean, O'Dell is known for writing country hits including Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors" and "Mama He's Crazy," released by the Judds; he also earned cuts from Tanya Tucker, Dottie West and Kenny Rogers. O'Dell, who was 73, will be laid to rest on Saturday (March 31) in Nashville. -- AM

Brothers Osborne are asking fans for "prayers, thoughts, love, positive vibes or whatever ya got" for their mom, who is undergoing what John and TJ Osborne describe as "a big heart surgery" on Friday (March 30). The Osbornes shared a photo of their three siblings and themselves with the mother on Instagram on Thursday (March 29), letting their followers know that they, too, are part of the family: "Momma Osborne loves y'all," they write. -- AS

Dolly Parton is being honored at the Grand Ole Opry with a new mural, recently unveiled. Painted by Nashville artist Scott Guion, the mural is now located in the Opry House plaza, likely making it a new selfie destination for visiting fans. The installation is part of an ongoing $12 million renovation at the Grand Ole Opry, which is set to be finished by the end of 2018. -- AM

Kix Brooks Nashville preservation
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
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Kix Brooks is starring in a new Hallmark Channel movie called Home By Spring that will debut on Saturday night (March 31). According to Taste of Country, Brooks stars in the film as a billionaire named Arthur who isn't too sure about his daughter's new fiance. In addition to acting in the movie, Brooks dug up a never-recorded song he wrote in 1983, called "Barefoot Days," which he performs in the film as well. -- AM

Scotty McCreery Order of the Long Leaf Pine award
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Scotty McCreery has tied a chart record set by a fellow former American Idol contestant, Clay Aiken. With his newly released album Seasons Change, McCreery became only the second male Idol contender to score five Top 10 albums. According to Yahoo Entertainment, McCreery's first three studio albums and Christmas record are the other four records that helped him earn this honor, which comes seven years after he was crowned the Season 10 winner of American Idol. -- AM

Route 91 Harvest Festival Marilou Danley statement
David Becker, Getty Images
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Collin Raye is set to perform as part of a memorial ceremony in honor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting victims in Las Vegas, Nev. On April 8 at 2PM, Raye will play at the Las Vegas Community Healing Garden, which was established shortly after a gunman killed 58 people and injured hundreds more as they attended the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival in October, as 900 butterflies are released (the number of butterflies represents the victims of the shootings and their families). The event, which is being arranged by Nathan Adelson Hospice in conjunction with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, the City of Las Vegas and Get Outdoors Nevada, ACM Lifting Lives and the Music City Cares Fund, will be a brief, non-denominational ceremony and also include remarks by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman. -- AM

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