September 2013 - Page 18 of 24

Industry Ink (9-10-13)

September 10, 2013/by Jessica Nicholson

Fashion designer Manuel Cuevas, will hold the Grand Opening of his new retail space at 800 Broadway in downtown Nashville on Sept. 12th. The 3100 sq. ft. of space will showcase iconic couture Manuel designs and highlight the “New Vision” collection. Using cost-efficient design processes, Manuel’s “New Vision” is a collection of affordable pieces and one-of-a-kind items that will be 100% American made. “New Vision” includes apparel pieces and accessory items including leather goods, boots, dresses, pants, shirts, skirts and other creations for men and women at an affordable price point.
“We are excited about our new location and all that it represents,” stated Manuel. “The Nashville tourism, music and fashion communities have stood behind me for so many years. I am looking forward to sharing our new home with our friends and visitors who love Nashville as much as I do.”
The grand opening will feature light hors d’oeuvres, drinks and drawings for a special gift from Manuel. The evening will feature the music of Stephanie Urbina Jones, followed by Frank Ortega. The grand opening will be located at 800 Broadway in Nashville and will take place from 6p.m. until 8p.m. To RSVP for the grand opening, contact [email protected] or 615-321-5444.

• • •

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed 22-year-old singer-songwriter Maren Morris. Morris hails from Arlington, Texas, where she has had three songs on the Texas Music Chart, including the No. 1 song “All That It Takes.” Morris has also appeared with artists including Pat Green, Gary Allan, Marty Stuart, Radney Foster, Bob Schneider, Monte Montgomery and Eli Young Band.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Maren join the BYD family,” says Laura Wright, Big Yellow Dog Music’s Creative Director. “She’s a truly unique singer-songwriter who creates great music for all the right reasons. She’s the complete package, and we’re so lucky to have her!”

Pictured (L-R): Safford Motley’s Scott Safford, Big Yellow Dog’s Kerry O’Neil, Maren Morris, Kourtney Kirkpatrick, Laura Wright, BMI’s Jody Williams and Big Yellow Dog’s Brad Kennard

• • •

Steven Gladstone

Hutchins/Music Row Administrators Group will kick off its fall speaker series on Thursday, Sept. 19 at BMI’s 6th Floor Theater. The speaker for the event will be attorney Steven Gladstone,who will speak on how LLCs can be used by entertainment business owners for multiple reasons. Gladstone was recently featured on Forbes.com. Future speakers will include MusicSynk’s Robin Piscotta (October) and Country Radio Broadcasters’ Bill Mayne (November). To RSVP for one of the meetings, contact [email protected].

"The British Are Coming" To Nashville's Belcourt Taps

September 10, 2013/by Jessica Nicholson

belcourt taps logo111 Several of Britain’s top songwriters are set to showcase their talents in Music City this month. The week-long live music event United Kingdom/Nashville Songwriter Exchange Collaboration will take place Sept. 16-25 and is open to the public. Performances by these artists will be held each day and night at Nashville’s Belcourt Taps. The collaborations will include extensive songwriting sessions at the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Artists and writers taking part include James Otto, Trent Tomlinson, Lee Roy Parnell, Ira Dean, Marty Raybon, Hilary Williams, Steve O’Brien, Steve Cropper, Earl Bud Lee, Brad Stewart and Will Rambeaux. Other special guests will include Roger Cook, Anthony Smith, Shannon Lawson, King’s Bullet, Sammy Hudson, Dan Daley, Steve O’Brien, ISHI, Daisy Mallory, The Band 13, Chas Sandford, Blue Miller, James House, BREE, Natasha Borzilova, Lotte Mullan, Paul Steel, Matt May, Mark Hill, Jessica Sharman, TJ Howard, Allen McKendree, Travis Gilbert, Stewart Mann and Statesboro Revue.
“I’m excited to unite these two cultures together,” expressed Rose Melillo, industry veteran and owner of Belcourt Taps. “Nashville has many talented performers and for the UK to see that and believe in our artists is surreal.”
In exchange, The British Government will be repeating the process in Brighton, England next year by inviting Nashville acts for their showcase event called “The Great Escape.” In addition to the support of the UKTI and NSAI, sponsors include Spokes Buzz, Band Swap, Czann’s Brewing Company, and New Belgium Brewing. Executive chef Jane Marcum will be catering all the private parties during this week. Any donations and money raised during this event will go straight to Last Chance For Animals (LCA), a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to eliminating animal exploitation.
For a full performance schedule of shows at Nashville’s Belcourt Taps, visit belcourttaps.com.

The Band Perry Reveal Dates For We Are Pioneers World Tour

September 10, 2013/by Lorie Hollabaugh

The Band Perry is ready to take the world by storm as they pioneer their way through their very first global headlining arena tour titled We Are Pioneers Tour. The tour, which kicks off Nov. 8 in Gothenburg, Sweden, will take the band across Europe to Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Sweden, and more before they launch the North American leg on Jan. 9 in British Columbia. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Saginaw, Mich., St. Augustine, Fla. and Green Bay, Wis. are just a few of the markets they’ll visit during the first few months of 2014.
The trio has ramped up their stage show for the new tour with a new set, sound, lighting, and more surprises, and will be joined by Easton Corbin and Lindsay Ell for the U.S. dates. Though only on their second album, the Perrys have shattered attendance records at multiple arenas across the country and played to over half a million people already. To say they live out of a tour bus would be an understatement: they’ve been on tour approximately 850 out of the last 915 days on major tours with Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts, as well as on their own entertaining crowds across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Europe.
“We live to play,” says Kimberly Perry. “In our minds everything we do – writing, recording, interviews, appearances – is the means to the live end. To fully and totally understand our band, you have to see us live. It’s the three of us in our element, our living room, our therapy session, our recess. We can’t wait to bring We Are Pioneers to the world.”
NOVEMBER 2013
8 Gothenburg, SWEDEN Tradgarn
10 Stockholm, SWEDEN Cirkus
11 Skien, NORWAY Ibsenhuset
12 Oslo, NORWAY Folketeateret
13 Trondheim, NORWAY Olavshallen
15 Helsingborg, SWEDEN Tivoli
16 Randers, DENMARK Vaerket
18 Cologne, GERMANY Stadtgarten
19 Hamburg, GERMANY Knust
20 Berlin, GERMANY C-Club
22 Munich, GERMANY Strom
23 Zurich, SWITZERLAND Mascotte
25 Paris, FRANCE Divan Du Monde
26 Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS Melkweg (The Max)
29 Birmingham, UNITED KINGDOM Birmingham HMV Institute
30 Glasgow, UNITED KINGDOM ABC
DECEMBER 2013
1 Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM Ritz
2 London, UNITED KINGDOM HMV Forum
4 Dublin, IRELAND Vicar Street
5 Belfast, UNITED KINGDOM Mandela Hall
JANUARY 2014
9 Penticton, BC South Okanagan Event Centre
10 Kamloops, BC Interior Savings Centre
11 Prince George, BC CN Centre
12 Dawson Creek, BC EnCana Events Centre
15 Red Deer, AB Enmax Centrium Arena
16 Lethbridge, AB Enmax Centre
18 Regina, SK Brandt Centre
21 Sudbury, ONT Sudbury Arena
22 Kitchener, ONT Memorial Auditorium
23 Oshawa, ONT General Motors Centre
24 Kingston, ONT K-Rock Centre
FEBRUARY 2014
6 Independence, Mo. Independence Events Center
8 Bemidji, Minn. Sanford Center
9 Grand Forks, N.D. Ralph Englestad Arena
13 Dubuque, Iowa Five Flags Center
14 Kearney, Neb. Viareo Event Center
15 Rapid City, S.D. Rushmore Plaza Civic Center
16 Billings, Mont. Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark
20 Rockford, Ill. BMO Harris Bank Center
21 Cape Girardeau, Mo. Show Me Center
22 Corbin, Ky. The Corbin Arena
23 Saginaw, Mich. Dow Events Center
27 Green Bay, Wis. Resch Center
28 Mankato, Minn. Verizon Wireless Center
MARCH 2014
1 Duluth, Minn. Duluth Ent. Convention Ctr. Arena
2 Cedar Rapids, Iowa U.S. Cellular Center
7 Savannah, Ga. Savannah Civic Center
For a full list of tour dates, visit thebandperry.com.

Trace Adkins To Release Christmas Album And Embark On Tour

September 10, 2013/by Michael_Smith

Trace Adkins will release a Christmas album of Celtic carols entitled The King’s Gift on Oct. 29, 2013. The holiday album will feature several special guests, including The Chieftains, Alyth McCormack, Emma Stevens, The Isaacs, Kenny Aronoff and Kevin and Lily Costner. The album will also include Adkin’s cover of “We Three Kings,” which he recorded last Christmas.
Following the album’s release, Adkins will embark on The Christmas Show Tour, a theatrical and musical production beginning on Nov. 15. The production will alternate between Adkins telling stories and performing carols alongside a string quartet, female vocalists and a range of traditional instruments. The holiday tour is inspired by Adkin’s annual hosting duties at Disney World’s Candlelight Processional.

Fans can purchase pre-sale and VIP Tickets today at TraceAdkins.com. VIP ticket holders will attend a pre-show experience with a private performance, Q&A, merchandise and meet and greet. General admission tickets will be go on sale on Sept. 13.
The King’s Gift Track Listing:
Wexford Carol
Tannenbaum
O’ Come Emmanuel (with Emma Stevens)
Away In A Manger
I Saw Three Ships (w. The Chieftains feat. Alyth McCormack)
Silent Night (w. Kevin and Lily Costner)
We Three Kings (w. Sonya Isaacs)
Drummer Boy (w. Kenny Aronoff)
Oh Holy Night (w. The Isaacs)
What Child Is This

CMA Announces 2013 Broadcast Awards Finalists

September 10, 2013/by Sherod Robertson

Pictured (L-R): Troy Tomlinson (CMA Chairman of the Board of Directors; Wariner; Sheri Warnke (CMA SVP of Marketing and Communications)

Steve Wariner revealed the CMA Broadcast Awards finalists this morning via Live Stream from CMA’s Nashville offices.
Normally, five finalists are selected for CMA Broadcast Personality and CMA Radio Station of the Year in four categories: Small, Medium, Large, and Major Market. However, the categories this year are especially competitive with ties in three categories. Large Market Personality of the Year has seven nominees vying for the trophy while Small Market Personality of the Year and Major Market Station of the Year each have six contenders.
The CMA Broadcast Award winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at The 47th Annual CMA Awards, to be held Wed., Nov. 6 beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and broadcast live by ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host the event for the sixth time. See the list of nominees in artist categories here.
The third and final ballot will be emailed to CMA members Thurs., Oct. 10. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Mon., Oct. 28 (5:00 PM/CT).

Steve Wariner performs.

CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:
National

“American Country Countdown” (Kix Brooks) – Cumulus Media Networks
“The Crook & Chase Countdown” (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) – Jim Owens Entertainment and Premiere Networks
“The Lia Show” (Lia Knight) – Dial Global

Major Market

“Ben & Matt in the Morning!” (Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“Cornbread Morning Show” (Jeff Law, Judi Diamond, and Mac Douglas) – WIL, St. Louis, Mo.
“The Doc and Andie Show” (Ken Medek, Andie Summers, and Kevin Crockett) – WXTU, Philadelphia, Pa.
“Laurie DeYoung Morning Show” (Laurie DeYoung, Mark Williams, Jeff St. Pierre, and Claire Scattergood) – WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
“Paul Schadt Morning Show” (Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, and Geof Knight) – WKKT, Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./ Rock Hill, S.C.

Large Market

Angie Ward – WTQR, Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, N.C.
“Brian and Amanda in the Morning” (Brian Phillips and Amanda Leonardo) – WCTK, Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, R.I.
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeff “Maverick” Bolen, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Jim, Deb & Kevin” (Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt, and Kevin Freeman) – WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind.
“Mornings with Dave O’Brien” (Dave O’Brien) – WLHK, Indianapolis, Ind.
“Q Morning Crew” (Mike Wheless, Marty Young, and Janie Carothers) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
“The Tige & Daniel Morning Show” (Tige Rodgers and Daniel Baker) – WTQR, Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, N.C.

Medium Market

“The 95 KSJ Country Breakfast Club with Dan Brennan and Shelby Mitchell” (Dan Brennan and Shelby Mitchell) – WKSJ, Mobile, Ala.
“Andy and Alison and the Morning Crew” (Andy Ritchie, Alison West, and Jimmy Holt) – WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.
“Kevin Richards Show” (Kevin Richards) – WGNA, Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y.
“Steve & Gina and the Kat 103 Morning Show” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha, Neb./Council Bluffs, Iowa
“Tom and Becky in the Morning” (Becky Palmer and Tom Owens), WBBS, Syracuse, N.Y.

Small Market

“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
“The Good Morning Guys” (Brian Gary, Todd Harding, and Susan Moore) – KUAD, Ft. Collins-Greeley, Colo.
“Middays with Philip Gibbons” (Philip Gibbons) – WGSQ, Cookeville, Tenn.
“The Monk & Kelly Show” (Jonathon Monk and Dianna Kelly) – WGSQ, Cookeville, Tenn.
“Officer Don and DeAnn” (Don Evans and DeAnn Stephens) – WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Ky.
“Scotty & Cara in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Cara Denis) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.

CMA RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR:
Major Market
KUPL – Portland, Ore.
WIL – St. Louis, Mo.
WKIS – Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, Fla.
WMZQ – Washington, D.C.
WPOC – Baltimore, Md.
WXTU – Philadelphia, Pa.
Large Market
KAJA – San Antonio, Texas
WCTK – Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, R.I.
WFMS – Indianapolis, Ind.
WLHK – Indianapolis, Ind.
WQDR – Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
Medium Market
KSSN – Little Rock, Ark.
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
KXKT – Omaha, Neb./Council Bluffs, Iowa
WBBS – Syracuse, N.Y.
WYRK – Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Small Market
KCLR – Columbia, Mo.
WGSQ – Cookeville, Tenn.
WKSF – Asheville, N.C.
WLLR – Quad Cities-Davenport-Rock Island, Iowa/Moline, Ill.
WXFL– Florence-Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Swift, Musgraves Top 47th Annual CMA Awards Nominations

September 10, 2013/by Sherod Robertson

Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift tie with six nominations each for the 2013 CMA Awards.

Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift top this year’s nominees for the 47th Annual CMA Awards with six nominations apiece (full list below). Musgraves is up for Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year; and picked up two more nominations for Album of the Year for Same Trailer Different Park and Single of the Year for “Merry Go ‘Round,” which she produced with Luke Laird and Shane McAnally. In the Song of the Year category (which is presented to songwriters) she is nominated twice, once for “Merry Go ‘Round” with songwriters Josh Osborne and McAnally and for Lambert’s hit “Mama’s Broken Heart” with songwriters Brandy Clark and McAnally.
Swift is already familiar with the winner’s circle at the CMA Awards, and she has earned another six nominations this year including Entertainer of the Year; Female Vocalist of the Year; Album of the Year for Red, which was produced by Jeff Bhasker, Scott Borchetta, Nathan Chapman, Dann Huff, Jacknife Lee, Max Martin, Shellback, Butch Walker, Dan Wilson and Swift; and nominations for “Highway Don’t Care” with Tim McGraw and Urban for Single, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year. Swift now has 21 CMA Awards nominations and seven wins including two for Entertainer of the Year (2009, 2011), which ties her with Barbara Mandrell for wins in that category by a female artist.
Miranda Lambert, the CMA’s reigning Female Vocalist, and Blake Shelton, the reigning Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year, received five nominations each. Lambert received three individual nominations for Female Vocalist, Music Video (“Mama’s Broken Heart,” directed by Trey Fanjoy) and Single of the Year, for “Mama’s Broken Heart” (produced by Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf and Chuck Ainlay), with an additional two nominations with Pistol Annies. Shelton earned five nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (Based on a True Story, produced by Scott Hendricks), Music Video of the Year (directed by Fanjoy) and Musical Event of the Year (“Boys ‘Round Here”). Florida Georgia Line and Keith Urban each received four nominations for Country’s Biggest Night.
The first round of nominations were announced this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America by Sheryl Crow and Florida Georgia Line. Remaining categories were announced via livestream from Best Buy Theater in New York City.
The third and final ballot will be emailed to CMA members Thurs., Oct. 10. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Mon., Oct. 28 (5:00 PM/CT). The 2013 Broadcast Awards finalists were also announced this morning from Nashville.
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will return to host the CMA Awards for the sixth consecutive year. The 47th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 6, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Tickets for the Annual Awards, as well as CMA Country Christmas, will go on sale Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. CT. Tickets can be bought at ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or in person at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Box Office.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
George Strait
Taylor Swift
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lee Brice
Brett Eldredge
Florida Georgia Line
Kacey Musgraves
Kip Moore
DUO OF THE YEAR
Big & Rich
Florida Georgia Line
Sugarland
Love and Theft
Civil Wars
Thompson Square
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
Based on a True Story, Blake Shelton; Produced by Scott Hendricks; Warner Bros. Records
Blown Away, Carrie Underwood; Produced by Mark Bright; 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville
Red, Taylor Swift; Produced by Jeff Bhasker, Scott Borchetta, Nathan Chapman, Dann Huff, Jacknife Lee, Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift, Butch Walker and Dan Wilson; Big Machine Records
Same Trailer, Different Park, Kacey Musgraves, Produced by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally and Kacey Musgraves; Mercury Records
Tornado, Little Big Town; Produced by Jay Joyce; Capitol Records Nashville
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“I Drive Your Truck,”Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington and Jimmy Yeary
“Mama’s Broken Heart,” Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
“Merry Go Round,” Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osbourne and Shane McAnally
“Pontoon,” Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird and Barry Dean
“Wagon Wheel,” Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor
SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
“Cruise,” Florida Georgia Line, Produced by Joey Moi, Republic Nashville
“Highway Don’t Care,” Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw, Big Machine Records
“Mama’s Broken Heart,” Miranda Lambert, Produced by Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf and Chuck Ainlay, RCA Nashville
“Merry Go Round,” Kacey Musgraves, Produced by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally and Kacey Musgraves, Mercury Records
“Wagon Wheel,” Darius Rucker, Produced by Frank Rogers, Capitol Records Nashville
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Award goes to each Artist)
“Boys ‘Round Here,” Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies, Warner Bros. Records
“Cruise,” Florida Georgia Line with Nelly, Republic Nashville
“Don’t Rush,” Kelly Clarkson featuring Vince Gill, 19 Recordings/RCA Records
“Highway Don’t Care,” Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, Big Machine Records
“The Only Way I Know,” Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church, Broken Bow Records
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Director)
“Blown Away,” Carrie Underwood, Directed by Randee St. Nicholas
“Boys Round Here,” Blake Shelton feat. Pistol Annies, Directed by Trey Fanjoy
“Downtown,” Lady Antebellum, Directed by Peter Zavadil
“Highway Don’t Care,” Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, Directed by Shane Drake
“Mama’s Broken Heart,” Miranda Lambert, Directed by Trey Fanjoy
“Tornado,” Little Big Town, Directed by Shane Drake
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Brent Mason
Mac McAnally

Artist Action (9/9/13)

September 9, 2013/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Craig Morgan

• Craig Morgan has added several ticket packages to his upcoming 7^th Annual Celebrity Off-Road Trail Ride & Concert this Saturday (9/14) in his hometown of Dickson, Tenn. Aaron Lewis and Tate Stevens as well as a number of motocross celebrities will join Craig for the event, which includes a motocross exhibition from several top competitors, followed by a group trail ride, lunch and an evening concert. Motocross stars participating this year include Destry Abbot, Fred Andrews, Randy Hawkins, Andrew Short, Larry Ward, and Ryan Villopoto. Proceeds will benefit Billy’s Place, which helps foster children in Dickson County and throughout Middle Tennessee. Additional information on ticket prices can be found at craigmorgan.com.

Charlie Daniels

• Charlie Daniels’ “Scholarships for Heroes” charity benefit for The Task Force Dagger Foundation, which will take place this Wednesday, September 11 at The Palm in Nashville, has sold out. Emceed by Storme Warren, the evening will include a concert by Phil Vassar as well as a live auction. The Task Force Dagger Foundation provides assistance to wounded, ill, or injured soldiers and their families.

Jo Dee Messina

• Jo Dee Messina is planning a Canadian run in October on the first leg of her new tour in support of her latest single, “Peace Sign.” The tour will take her through Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba on nine dates through mid-October.
2013 Canadian Tour Dates:
Oct 3 – North Battleford, SK – Gold Eagle Casino
Oct 4 -Swift Current, SK – The Living Sky Casino
Oct 5 -Yorkton, SK – Painted Hand Casino
Oct 6 – Melfort, SK – Kerry Vickar Center
Oct 8 – Grande Prairie, AB – Spurs Cookhouse
Oct 10 – Edmonton, AB – Cook County Saloon
Oct 11 – Whitecourt, AB – Eagle River Casino
Oct 12 – Regina, SK – Casino Regina
Oct 13 – Winnipeg, MB – McPhillips St. Station

Erin Enderlin, Photo: Amy Poché

• Erin Enderlin made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday night (Sept. 6). Erin’s two-song set included “Finding My Voice” and the title track of her new album I Let Her Talk. “I can’t believe I made it through without crying,” Erin said mid-performance. “This has been my dream since I was a little girl — to stand up on this stage where so many of my heroes have played. I’m just so proud and humbled to be here tonight.” Erin’s Opry performance was dedicated to her late grandfather H.D. Clinton, who, along with her grandmother Wanda Clinton, raised Erin on music played on the Opry stage. A Kickstarter campaign to fund Erin’s music video for “I Let Her Talk” runs through October 6.

Black River Entertainment Promotes and Hires

September 9, 2013/by Eric T. Parker

Pictured (L-R): Mike Wilson, Director, National Promotion; Brian Rhoades, Senior Director, Artist Promotion and Brand Development

Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr announced an expansion at the company today (Sept. 9) with Brian Rhoades to the newly created position of Senior Director, Artist Promotion and Brand Development. With Rhoades’ immediate transition, Black River’s Vice President of Promotion, Bill Macky also announced the hiring of Mike Wilson as the Director, National Promotion, who fulfills the role immediately.
In his new role, Rhoades will work directly with Black River staff, strategic partners, and artists including Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Glen Templeton and The John King Band. Rhoades began at Black River in 2011 bringing over 25 years of experience in the music industry, including time at Capitol Records, Sony Music, & Warner & Reprise Music Group in New York.
Wilson’s twenty plus years of radio experience comes from time as Vice President of Promotion for RCA, which includes taking over 100 singles to No. 1 on the charts.
“Brian Rhoades and Mike Wilson have demonstrated the important qualities needed for their new positions and I’m looking forward to their contributions to the company,” explained Kerr.
Both Rhoades and Wilson will be based out of the label’s Music Row offices in Nashville and can be congratulated at their respective emails.

CMA Fest Visitor Spending Breaks Records

September 9, 2013/by Caitlin Rantala

The 2013 CMA Music Festival contributed a record-setting $31.5 million in direct visitor spending to the local community according to numbers released by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp.
“The CMA Music Festival is Nashville’s triple-crown,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. “It is the city’s largest festival. It generates the most economic impact and it provides prime time, national network exposure. The event continues to grow and evolve and outperform its record success every year.”
Originally started as Fan Fair in 1972 with 5,000 fans in Municipal Auditorium, CMA Fest has grown to a record daily attendance of more than 80,000 people.
“Since moving to downtown Nashville in 2001, CMA Music Festival has been an event that showcases Music City, drives tourism, benefits music education, and generates a strong base of local revenue,” said CMA President of the Board Ed Hardy. “This event has seen tremendous growth and with all the enhancements to the downtown footprint – especially with the opening of the new Music City Center – we have seen unprecedented attendance and the establishment of what has become a world-class music festival for Music City.”
In 2001, the Festival generated $15.5 million in direct visitor spending; in 2012, that figure had grown to $30 million. The Festival also benefits music education through a program called Keep the Music Playing. To date, CMA and The CMA Foundation have contributed more than $7.6 million to supply instruments and musical equipment for all 144 Metro Nashville Public Schools – providing a strong incentive for students to stay in school.
The 2014 CMA Music Festival will take place June 5-8 in Nashville and will again be filmed for a concert special on ABC. Tickets are available now at ticketmaster.com.

Belmont University Sponsors Music City Roots Televised Series

September 9, 2013/by Jessica Nicholson

Belmont University has signed on as a lead sponsor of the inaugural televised series of Music City Roots: Live from The Loveless Cafe, which will premiere on its hometown station, Nashville Public Television, on Sept. 13, 2013 at 7 pm central. Soon thereafter, the 13-episode series, distributed by American Public Television, will debut in markets covering over 60 percent of all US households, including WNET in New York, WGBH in Boston, plus stations in Los Angeles, Austin and over 75 other markets.
Twelve of the season’s 13 episodes are condensed looks at shows from the Fall 2012 season of MCR. Performances include the emerging talent of Nashville’s Delta Saints, who met as students on Belmont’s campus. The 13th show will survey some of the best performances on the show in 2013.
Belmont University joins Col. Littleton, Griffin Technology and Star 129 Diamond Production to make this national broadcast possible.