Martina McBride Joins New E! Series

Martina McBride has signed on to be part of the artist development team for the new original series from E! called, Opening Act.

Producer Nigel Lythgoe and his artist development team, comprised of McBride, label founder Pete Wentz; performer Jason Derulo; producer Antonina Armato; and vocal coach Nick Cooper, will prepare amateur performers, singers and songwriters to play as an opening act for artists such as Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Nicki Minaj, Rod Stewart, LMFAO, Jason Mraz, and Gym Class Heroes, among others.

The series promises no auditions, no judges, no eliminations and no competitions. The amateur performers were found through their online videos, and once they are chosen their “performance boot camp” begins. Each participant will be given a one-night-only performance that can make or break their musical career. The twist is that they aren’t aware they are being considered until the show’s host, Olivia Lee, surprises them with the news.

Opening Act premieres Monday, July 9 at 10:00pm ET/PT, on E!

Opening Act Sneak Peak:

June/July ’12—On the Cover: BMI

Launched in 2011, the BMI Live program uses digital and mobile technology to distribute royalties for live performances of original music. In its first year, BMI Live paid thousands of performing songwriters, offering additional income to those facing the tough economic realities of gigs and touring. Thanks to BMI Live’s online platform and the sophisticated information technology structure beneath it, it is easy for songwriters to sign up and receive the royalties they’re owed.

To sign up for BMI Live, BMI members should log into the BMI Live section of bmi.com and register their set lists with the date and venue where they performed. Songwriters who have not yet affiliated with BMI should first go to www.bmi.com/join to register their songs with BMI. Both BMI and BMI Live are free to join.

“It’s easy to register your live shows on BMI.com – every independent artist should be taking advantage of this.” – Chancellor Warhol

“What BMI has done and continues to do, is find ways for performing writers/artists to receive compensation for their works in all avenues of performance. I am proud to be a part of such a team for 25 years now, and I remember all those years ago as a young writer I was treated the same way as I am now, with respect.” – Jeffrey Steele

“Getting paid? Sometimes it is hard. BMI Live helps us get paid for when we play our songs live even at medium to smaller venues. Every bit helps and am grateful that BMI has our back.” – Jessi Darlin / Those Darlins

“BMI Live has been a great tool for my artists, who are also writers, to be paid for the performances of their songs from touring. The extra income paid by BMI has helped cover expenses for my acts making it easier to invest in their touring business.” – Aaron Hartley, Manager / Caitlin Rose

“Touring is my passion and has always been the primary way I wanted to build my career.  I love that I get paid through BMI every time I play live!  Such an amazing program for independent, up and coming songwriters who want to spread their music through playing live.” – Allen Stone

“BMI Live is a great program for touring artists, especially the ones who aren’t playing arenas (yet).” – Ruthie Foster

Bootstraps Foundation Hosting Inaugural “Passion For Fashion” Show

The Bootstraps Foundation and Nashville City Club’s Young Executive Council will host the inaugural “Passion For Fashion” show at Nashville City Club this Thursday (6/28).

Tammy Genovese, the current head of Music City Sports & Entertainment Group and former CEO of CMA, will host the event with Titans kicker, Rob Bironas.

“This fashion show is an opportunity to showcase Nashville as a center of culture and charity as well as music,” said Genovese.

Stylist, Betsy Briggs Cathcart and her glam squad from Studio BBC Salon, will be responsible for hairstyles and make-up walking the runway. Milton White, co-producer of Nordstrom’s 2012 Nashville Symphony gala, will produce the event.

The Bootstraps Foundation provides the ability for students who have achieved success in High School despite facing severe obstacles and hardships, the ability to follow educational goals.

For more information, click here.

Brothers of the Sun Tour Brings Hit Packed Show To LP Field

Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw are having as much fun as their fans. Their Brothers of the Sun tour set down at Nashville’s LP Field Saturday (6/23), bringing a 6-hour party—even longer for devoted tailgaters—that felt like a reunion between the superstars and country music lovers.

The night was a treat for longtime fans who have followed McGraw’s and Chesney’s almost two decade careers, as the singers delivered hit after hit from their mega catalogs. What’s fantastic about the Brothers experience is that while both performers have grown artistically since their debuts, they enjoy returning to the sometimes hokey hits that later allowed them the freedom to explore more thought provoking material.

The heat didn’t deter the parking lot full of tailgaters, many of whom gathered before noon to pre-party for the 4 PM show. They toted in games of cornhole, sets of speakers, and loaded-down coolers. In keeping with Chesney’s laid back beach-inspired brand, plastic leis draped many necks in the crowd of mostly 40-and-unders. Jake Owen kicked off the music inside the 68,000 seat stadium, followed by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

When McGraw took the stage around 6:45 PM, his opening numbers including newer hit “Felt Good on My Lips,” and older favorite “For A Little While” had couples dancing hand-in-hand in front of the concessions booths. And that’s how it went all night long, the perfect blend of new and catalog hits from two of country music’s greatest acts.

McGraw offered early career boosters “Down on the Farm,” “Everywhere,” “Just To See You Smile,” and “Where The Green Grass Grows” which brought the entire crowd to its feet. The sun was as bright as his all-white wardrobe as he continued, previewing “Mexicoma” and “Truck Yeah” from his upcoming release. Of course, his set also included monster smash “Live Like You Were Dying.”

“You can wake up every morning and put your best foot forward and try to be the best person you can be,” he said as he launched into recent hit, “Better Than I Used To Be.”

Fans received the added bonus of appearances by surprise guests—Faith Hill joined him for “I Need You,” and Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck tossed footballs into the crowd.

Banners decorated the sides of the gigantic stage, featuring photographs of a warm orange coastal sunset sinking into cool aqua waves. Video screens were a key part of the experience in such a huge venue, and good camera work kept the projections interesting.

Upping the video ante, Chesney’s set benefited from the dark night sky which made the lighting and screens even more spectacular. The stadium was a sea of cell phone lights and colored beams slicing the air. His grand entrance included flying above the fans on a swing while singing “Beer In Mexico.” For the night, Chesney was the preacher to his devoted congregation. He and the crowd fed off each other’s energy, which was as thick as the humidity.

He partied right along with his fans, offering escapism-via-enjoyment favorites including “Reality,” “Living In Fast Forward” and “Out Last Night.” But all his hits aren’t about nights on the town, he does sentimental equally well, and slowed the tempo for moody angst on “Somewhere With You” and doting reflection on “Anything But Mine.” No matter the song, if he stopped singing, the crowd could carry the lyrics.

When Potter returned for “You And Tequila” it was one of the highlights, with the performers sharing a genuine moment, just as Hill and McGraw had earlier. Chesney, who has been playing stadiums for years but hadn’t stopped in Nashville since 2007, said the acoustic song reminds him of his early days playing for tips. He thanked songwriters Deana Carter and Matraca Berg, who last week won Song of the Year for “Tequila” at the MusicRow Awards.

To celebrate Potter’s birthday, the Franklin High marching band made an appearance and played “Happy Birthday” while the crowd sang along.

The finale was the most fun of an already eventful night. Rounding out the hit-packed show was a return to where it all started for the superstars, with McGraw coming back to the stage for their duet “Feel Like A Rock Star.” Then they traded verses on career making smashes “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and “Indian Outlaw.” Owen and Potter helped shut down the stadium with a cover of Jackson Browne’s “Running On Empty.”

Artist Updates: Carrie Underwood, Love and Theft

Carrie Underwood is slated to make her first appearance in the popular CMA Songwriters Series, when it returns to Boston on Tuesday, July 31 at Royale in the downtown Theater District.

Joining Underwood for the event will be some of her hit co-writers Brett James (“Cowboy Casanova”), Luke Laird (“So Small”), and Hillary Lindsey (“Just a Dream”). As usual, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Bob DiPiero will host and perform at the event. Tickets go on sale Friday (June 29) and are $50 for VIP seating, $39 for reserved, and $25 for general admission.

Underwood recently performed her first-ever U.K. concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which sold out within 90 minutes of tickets going on sale. This week, Underwood heads on to Australia for a series of shows.

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RCA Nashville’s Love and Theft has signed with EMI Music Publishing Nashville. The duo of Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson currently has the single “Angel Eyes” approaching top 10 on all the charts. Love and Theft’s upcoming self-titled album for RCA will be in stores July 24.

(L-R): Back: EMI's Laura Wright, Missy Wilson, Ben Vaughn. Front: EMI's Tom Luteran, Barker-Liles, Gunderson, EMI's Josh Van Valkenburg

Mansfield Diagnosed With Colon Cancer

MusicRow sends wishes for a quick recovery to USA Today Nashville Correspondent Brian Mansfield, who revealed via Twitter and Facebook that he has been diagnosed with colon cancer.

“Looking at surgery in a couple weeks, followed by several months of chemotherapy,” said Mansfield in a Facebook status update. “I feel fine right now, though: It’s a fascinating irony that I won’t actually feel bad until the cancer’s gone, since it appears to be contained and operable.”

Mansfield has spent over 15 years covering Nashville’s music scene and industry for the publication and also oversees the USA Today “Idol Chatter” online community. Additionally, he writes and produces the Opry Country Classics show and America’s Opry Weekend shows for radio.

Big Machine Continues Sponsorship for Indy500 Winner

IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti and BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta kiss the infamous bricks after winning the 2012 Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27

Big Machine Records officially announced today a continued sponsorship of five-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti during the remainder of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.

“Partnering with Dario has been an extension of our racing dreams coming true. We’re honored to be involved with this great driving champion, who also happens to be a resident Tennessean. We look forward to visiting victory lane again soon,” said BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta.

While last month’s Indy 500 was the first time Big Machine Records partnered with Franchitti’s racing team – Chip Ganassi Racing – it was certainly not the label’s first venture into the racing world. In 2011, Borchetta’s Big Machine Records was a sponsor of the late Dan Wheldon’s winning car at the Indy 500 and partnered with The Speedway during the Brickyard 400 presented by BigMachineRecords.com. The innovative collaboration created a unique festival environment at the track and was the first time a record label has ever presented a nationally-televised race in the 100-year history, appealing to both music and auto racing fans alike.

The label will return this year under the title – Crown Royal Presents the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com. The race weekend will again treat fans to a special concert before drivers start their engines, featuring Country music stars The Band Perry, Justin Moore, The Mavericks, Greg Bates and others.

Dr. John to Headline First 2012 Live on the Green

Legendary New Orleans singer/songwriter Dr. John will headline the first 2012 Live On the Green performance, which takes place Thursday, September 6.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has been delivering his uniquely New Orleans-rooted psychedelic funk and rock since his first album Gris Gris in 1968. He also performed as a session player on albums by Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, and the Rolling Stones. His 2012 album Locked Down was recorded in Nashville and produced by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach.

“Dr. John has been a part of music history for more than four decades, giving him a unique multi-
generational audience,” said Live on the Green Exec. Producer Lester Turner. “His show blends voodoo rhythms, rock, rhythm & blues with
his New Orleans roots. He is the ideal artist to kick off a lineup focused on a variety of musical styles,
generations and qualities; one which aims to celebrate the best of what’s happening nationally and locally.”

The annual late summer-fall concert series is held every Thursday, September 6 – October 11 at Public Square Park in front of Metro Courthouse. The full lineup for 2012 will be announced Thursday, July 5. More info here.

From the Road (6/25/12)

Somethin’ ‘Bout Thumbs Up
MCA Nashville’s Kip Moore played to a packed house at the KSKS/Fresno Summer Series Show. Moore’s new single “Beer Money” is currently going for adds.

(L-R): MCA's Marlene Augustine, KSKS MD JodyJo Mize, Moore, KSKS PD Mac Daniels

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“T” For  Two
Curb Records’ Rachel Holder scored a little swag when she paid a recent visit to KRRV/Alexandria, LA PD Melissa Frost. Rachel’s single “In Your Arms” is currently at No. 18 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

(L-R): Frost, Holder

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Smokin’ Hodges
Show Dog-Universal’s JT Hodges recently rocked Kix 106 WGKX/Memphis’ Smokin’ Summer Showcase.

(L-R): SDU’s Greg Sax, WGKX PD/Mornings Duane Shannon, WGKX Mornings Abby Summers, Hodges, WGKX APD/MD Kay Manley

Photo Friday (6/22/12)

Jamey Johnson and President Jimmy Carter met in Atlanta, Georgia last weekend at Chastain Park Amphitheater where Johnson and Willie Nelson were appearing. It was the first time the pair had met.

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Warner Music Nashville’s Hunter Hayes gathered an estimated 7,000 person crowd last night (6/21) at the KC Power & Light District’s Hot Country Nights in Kansas City, MO. Authorities for the entertainment district had to stop letting people in as the rafters began to overflow.

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Kenny Chesney performed for the American Express Unstaged music series this Wednesday night (6/20). The 75-minute set was set on the beach of Wildwood, NJ, available live on YouTube as well as on demand.