Urban Joined by Wariner on Ryman Stage

Keith Urban performed publicly for the first time (Fri., Feb. 3) since his vocal surgery on the 61-year-old Ryman stage for the final time before it was taken out for replacement the following morning.

Urban played his latest single, “Long Hot Summer,” with a string quartet, then went into “Making Memories of Us,” sitting on a monitor at the front of the stage with no amplification. “You Gonna’ Fly” was followed by an encore featuring “Somebody Like You.”

Steve Wariner was set to close the show, and as he began, he called Urban back on stage to join him on “Let My Guitar Do The Talking.”

• • • •

ASCAP Nashville Salutes David Nail’s “Let It Rain”

(L-R) LeAnn Phelan (ASCAP), Singleton, Taylor Lindsey (BMG Chrysalis) and Sara Johnson, David Nail and Ryan Beuschel (ASCAP). Photo: Ed Rode

ASCAP hosted a No. 1 Party for David Nail’s “Let It Rain,” a song Nail co-wrote with Jonathan Singleton.

Producers Chuck Ainlay and Frank Liddell were also honored at the event alongside publishers BMG Chrysalis and Carnival Music.

• • • •

Fricke Visits CMA

(L-R) Sheri Warnke (CMA Vice President of Strategic Partnerships), Fricke, Betsy Walker (CMA Senior Coordinator of Member Relations and Services), Brandi Simms (CMA Senior Manager of Membership and Balloting) and Montine Felso (Webster & Associates PR). Photo: Christian Bottorff.

Two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Janie Fricke stopped by the CMA offices last week (Feb. 10) to talk about her latest album, Country Side of Bluegrass.