Briefs: The Cadillac Three (formerly The Cadillac Black) land a Nashville record deal

• Country/rock band The Cadillac Three (which, until recently, went by the name The Cadillac Black) has been signed to Nashville label Big Machine Records, home of Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and others. No reason was given for the name change. The band comprises three Nashville natives: Jaren Johnston (guitar and lead vocals), Kelby Ray (bass, steel guitar, dobro, acoustic, and vocals) and Neil Mason (drums, percussion and vocals). They are expected to release new music on the label later this year.

The band has been repeatedly endorsed by pal Dierks Bentley, and appeared on an episode of ABC’s drama “Nashville” late last year. Their music has been featured on MTV’s “Buckwild,” the CW’s “Vampire Diaries” and “Heart Of Dixie,” and CBS’ “CSI Miami.” Additionally, Johnston wrote Keith Urban’s hit “You Gonna Fly,” two new cuts on McGraw’s latest album, “Two Lanes Of Freedom,” and several other songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans and Bentley.

• Dwight Yoakam is the sole country act announced so far for this year’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, although quite a few Americana and bluegrass performers will also be on the bill, including Sam Bush and Del McCoury. The festival is set for June 13-16 in Manchester, Tenn. Headliners include Paul McCartney, Mumford & Sons, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Billy Idol, Wilco, Pretty Lights, R. Kelly and Wu-Tang Clan also fill out the festival’s diverse talent lineup.

• Craig Morgan (right) and Sarah Darling will lend their voices to the 14th annual St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon, set for April 27 in Nashville. Continuing the tradition of combining country music with Nashville’s premier running event, Morgan and Darling will cap the weekend of festivities with a post-race concert at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.

The musically themed road race annually attracts more than 30,000 runners, walkers and 6,000 junior racers, who will take on the 26.2 and 13.1-mile courses while passing some of Nashville’s best live bands along the route.

• Greg Bates (“Did It For The Girl”) will warm up this Sunday’s (2/24) Daytona 500 with a 60-minute pre-race performance. Marking his official debut at The Daytona [Fla.] International Speedway, Bates is slated to perform beginning at 11:30 a.m.

“I grew up watching NASCAR every weekend with my family,” says Bates in a press release. “Daytona is always the biggest race of the year, and I’m so excited to be performing there this Sunday.”

Bates is no stranger to NASCAR, having performed last summer during the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis. His record label has been a presenting sponsor of the race for the past few years.