FRANKLIN, TN - Artist on the rise Riley Clemmons launched her debut Christmas tour last evening with a sold-out performance at the famed Franklin Theatre in downtown Franklin, TN, her hometown and a bedroom community to Nashville. The elegant evening featured the young singer/songwriter’s soaring yet emotive vocals on an assortment of Christmas classics accented with a handful of originals, including her Christmas hit, “The First Christmas,” which is also the name of her tour. The evening benefitted the Ryan Seacrest Foundation’s “Seacrest Studios” which reside in various pediatric hospitals across the nation.
“What an absolute dream come true to kick off the Christmas season with a sold-out hometown show, especially at the historic Franklin Theatre,” said Clemmons. “It was so surreal to debut my first Christmas tour surrounded by friends and family.”
In addition to launching Clemmons’ first ever headline Christmas tour, the concert also benefitted the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. The foundation’s primary initiative is to build broadcast media centers, named Seacrest Studios, within pediatric hospitals for patients to explore the creative realms of radio, television, and new media. The aim is to contribute positively to the healing process for children and their families during their stay by developing these centers to bring an uplifting spirit to the hospital community.
Clemmons has supported Seacrest Studios for the past few years, making appearances in the studios in various cities, including several times at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. “It was a true honor to have the privilege of celebrating and supporting my friends at the foundation throughout the evening,” said Clemmons. “I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with them many times over the past few years, and I’m so inspired by the good they’re doing in both Nashville and across the country.”
“We are incredibly thankful for the love and support Riley Clemmons has shown the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and our Seacrest Studio locations across the country,” said Meredith Seacrest, Executive Director & COO of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. “We couldn’t continue to provide such unique and fun experiences for countless patients and families without the support of the entertainment community. From studio visits with patients to curating special art projects and concerts, Riley has and continues to be a true light for families in the hospital, in what sometimes can be very dark times.”
“The First Christmas Tour” is Clemmons’ first headlining tour. Named after her hit Christmas song, the tour will hit ten cities between December 3 and December 18. For ticket information, visit rileyclemmons.com/tour.
ABOUT RILEY CLEMMONS
Riley Clemmons is a 22-year-old artist from Nashville, TN who has accumulated nearly 250 million global streams and more than 50 million YouTube video views in her young career. After spending years honing her craft in writers’ rooms, Riley sky-rocketed onto the scene with her 2017 Capitol CMG debut single “Broken Prayers,” which has generated over 30 million global streams to date. Her 2018 self-titled album debut quickly entered the Billboard Heatseekers chart, entering at No.13. Her sophomore album, Godsend, has solidified Riley’s position as an artist the rise and has garnered nearly 200 million global streams since its release. In 2021, she was named one of People Magazine’s “Emerging Artists 2021,” punctuated a partnership with Vevo, and performed at MusiCares x The Amy Winehouse Foundation’s benefit “Back To Amy” in support of mental health awareness. She has performances on the SHEIN X ROCK THE RUNWAY virtual fashion show, the TODAY Show, and FOX & Friends. In 2022, Clemmons also had debut performances at the Grand Ole Opry and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, as well as a top 5 radio hit with “Fighting for Me.” An accomplished composer, performer, producer, and recording artist, Riley draws inspiration from life experiences, blending musical influences from Gospel, the Nashville songwriting culture, and a variety of classic and modern artists including Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, and more, to create music that is as catchy as it is relatable.
ABOUT THE RYAN SEACREST FOUNDATION
The Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to inspiring today’s youth through entertainment and education-focused initiatives. RSF’s primary initiative is to build broadcast media centers — Seacrest Studios — within pediatric hospitals for patients to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media. Founded in 2009, RSF currently has Seacrest Studios at hospitals in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Orange County, Philadelphia and Washington D.C, Nashville and Orlando. Three new studios are scheduled to open in the next year in Memphis, TN at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Queens, NY at Cohen Children’s Medical Center and Salt Lake City, UT at Primary Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit www.ryanseacrestfoundation.org.
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