Dillon, Varble to Perform at Island Hopper Songwriter Festival

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Screen shot 2014-07-10 at 2.48.53 PMDean Dillon, Tim James, Wynn Varble, Phil O’Donnell, Kevn Kinney, Dylan Altman, Marshall Altman are among the songwriters slated to perform during the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival. The festival is the first for the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, and will be held Sept. 26-28 on Captiva Island, and on Oct. 3-5 on Fort Myers Beach. Presented by BMI, Clear Channel Media & Entertainment, and iHeartRadio, the festival will offer free performances from singer-songwriters in a pristine location at popular island venues.
Additional performers include Jeff Cohen, Kristen Kelly, Ruth Collins, Danny Myrick with Megan Linville, George Ducas, Billy Montana, Frank Myers and Loving Mary.
Complimentary trolley transportation will be provided to and from venues, including a special performance at the private home of American painter and graphic artist Robert Rauschenberg on Captiva Island, which will open its doors to the public for the first time exclusively for the festival.
“We are so pleased to welcome so much talent to the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest and offer up close access to these storytellers,” said Dan Spears, vice president, industry relations at BMI. “We are delighted to partner with such a beautiful destination to celebrate American music.”
Guests interested in attending the festival can visit islandhopperfest.com for more information.

Garth Brooks Is Back! World Tour, New Music In The Works

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Garth Brooks addresses the press. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser

Garth Brooks addresses the press. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser


Garth Brooks announced his long awaited return to the road today (July 10), as well as a new studio album to be promoted and marketed via a partnership between his own Pearl Records and Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Records Nashville. Brooks and his team gathered at Marathon Music Works in Nashville to share the news at a media event and luncheon. The entertainer called this the “second half” of his career.
With 134 million albums sold, Brooks is the best selling solo artist of all time. He has long held out from making his music available to digital outlets, and today revealed plans to release his music digitally within the next two or three weeks. “When it is used right, [digital] can do wonders for the artists and the songwriters,” said Brooks, adding, “we play our own way.” Therefore, the music will be exclusively at GarthBrooks.com. Currently the site features a four-day countdown until his music is available. For a limited window it will be available at what he said is a “stupid” low price. He also alluded to a possible digital music deal with Ticketmaster.
Brooks hasn’t mounted a full-scale tour since 2001, though he has performed various one-off concerts and a long-term gig in Las Vegas. He didn’t reveal the location of the opening concert of the upcoming tour today. Instead, he will fulfill a promise to a fan named Andy, who he met at one of his concerts in Las Vegas, and call Andy on July 14 to reveal the opening city. Brooks said he is proud of the low ticket price for the upcoming run, but didn’t give details, which will be made public in the next ten days. Ben Farrell of Lon Varnell Enterprises is promoting the outing. “I hope we give you a show that makes you forget the ones in the ’90’s,” Brooks said. The entertainer also said that wife and singer Trisha Yearwood will be joining him on the tour.
Garth Brooks. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

Garth Brooks. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


The new album is being produced by Mark Miller, who engineered under Brooks’ longtime producer Allen Reynolds, who is now retired. Matt Allen is engineering the new project which features Brooks’ longtime studio musicians. “My job at this point is to create,” said Brooks, adding that he is writing and searching for songs, though much of his own material is being overshadowed by the quality of outside songs. No release date has been set, but he expects the first track to be available within the next two months. The singer also discussed how he feels a responsibility to spread the message about his music after he creates it.
His music won’t sound like what is currently spinning on Country radio. “My music is not bro-country, or hick-hop, it’s Garth Brooks,” he said. “I was the guy who ‘wasn’t the Country guy’ in the ’90’s, so it feels a bit weird to be the guy who is now the older Country guy. Garth music is ever evolving and stands the test of time.”
Whereas his recent albums via Pearl Records—mostly repacked versions of older hits—were sold exclusively at Walmart, the new music will be available at all retailers.
Brooks released the box set Blame It All On My Roots in 2013, but has not put out an album of original material since 2001’s Scarecrow. However, he continued releasing singles to radio, including the hits “Good Ride Cowboy” and “More Than A Memory.”
Sony Music president and CEO Doug Morris.

Sony Music Entertainment chairman and CEO Doug Morris. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser


Doug Morris, CEO Sony Music Entertainment, sought out Brooks to make the deal. “When you have the opportunity to sign one of the best selling artists of all time to your roster, you jump at it,” he said today.
News of the upcoming tour follows this week’s cancellation of the superstar’s five-night comeback run in Dublin, Ireland due to city permit issues. Brooks addressed the situation saying, “[Today is] a day of joy, but it is also under a cloud.” Earlier this week he stated in a letter that his crew and equipment are still en route to Dublin in hopes of a last minute revival of the shows. However, Ticketmaster has already outlined the ticket refund process. Two of the first three questions asked by media at today’s event were from members of the Irish press, but there was no news of an agreement.
News personality Harry Chapman hosted the press conference and Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Gary Overton also appeared.

Outlaws Benefit Charity For Lost Friend

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10003935_763232920367843_3432208334656693891_nThe outlaws were in town last night (July 9) to raise money for the Nikki Mitchell Foundation at Marathon Music Works. Nikki Mitchell, Waylon Jennings’ longtime time business cohort, passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2013.
Jamey Johnson led the bill, offering songs from Jennings and Hank Cochran, who passed in 2010 from the disease. Also taking the stage were Shooter Jennings, Jessi Colter, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Hayes, Jerrod Niemann, Julie Roberts, Josh Abbott and Carter’s Chord. Serving as the house band were Waylon Jennings’ touring musicians Richie Albright, Jerry Bridges, Fred Newell, Tommy Townsend and Carter Robertson, mother of the members of Carter’s Chord.
Nine board members formed the Nikki Mitchell Foundation to raise money for pancreatic cancer research, which has a six percent survival rate five years from diagnosis. The first fundraising show was held in May 2013 in Austin, Texas. Nashville will host the annual event, Full Moon Full Life.
The sold out crowd participated in live and silent auctions, where Brooks and Dunn’s “Red Dirt Road” lyrics went for $800, duck hunting sold for $1,100, and Waylon’s double platinum plaque for $5,700. Additional auction items included tickets to Dollywood, Cheekwood, Nashville Zoo, Nashville Shores, a Tennessee Titans game and restaurants Puckett’s, White’s Mercantile and Sunflower Café.
Estimates report the Nashville event raised $50,000, all in honor of a friend. Information on the charity can be found here.

Artist Updates (7/10/14)

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his hands11While performing on the road as part of Mercury recording artist Jennifer Nettles‘ That Girl Tour, Nettles and Slate Creek’s Brandy Clark pair up for a rendition of “His Hands.” The song, penned by Nettles, Hillary Lindsey and Ashley Gorley, was originally released on the deluxe version of Nettles’ album That Girl. A live recording of the duet is now available on iTunes.
“What I love about what Brandy brings to this is song,” explains Nettles, “is that her voice has a sweet vulnerability to it that I think makes the character in the second verse that much more believable and that much more authentic.”

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For King and Country

For King and Country


For King and Country will launch the 40-city fall tour, titled You Matter—The Tour, beginning Sept. 14 at The People’s Church in Franklin, Tenn. The tour will wrap in New York City on Nov. 23, and is sponsored by Compassion International. The tour supports their sophomore release, Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.
For more information, visit forkingandcountry.com.

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 look again1111Fifty years after Johnny Cash‘s album Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian was released in 1964, a collection of top artists have come together to update the songs that meant so much to the late legend. Look Again To the Wind: Johnny Cash’s Bitter Tears Revisited will be released on Sony Music Master Works on Aug. 19. The project, produced by Joe Henry, will feature Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Bill Miller, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and Norman and Nancy Blake, as well as up-and-comers the Milk Carton Kids and Rhiannon Giddens.
The album was recorded in three sessions: the first two in Los Angeles and Nashville and, lastly, one at the Cash Cabin, in Cash’s hometown of Hendersonville, Tenn. Providing the instrumental backing for most of the album are Greg Leisz (steel guitar, guitars), Keefus Ciancia (keyboards), Patrick Warren (keyboards for the L.A. sessions), Jay Bellerose (drums) and Dave Piltch (bass).

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rory

Rory Partin


A recording with Jimmy C. Newman is on the self-titled album from Rory Partin. Newman added his contribution to “Jambalaya (On The Bayou)” prior to his death in June 2014. For more information, visit rorypartin.com.

YEP Announces Leadership Council

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yep11The Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) network has announced the formation of the YEP Leadership Council. The council will host YEP’s events including showcases, monthly mixers and educational programming.
The new YEP Leadership Council consists of Emilija Clark (Made In Network), Kristen Kee (Sony Music Nashville), Caroline Melby (Sea Gayle Music), Katie Roth (Crush Music/I.R.S. Records Nashville), Shannon Saunders (WME), Josh Saxe (BMG Chrysalis), Alina Thompson (CMT), Anna Weisband (THiS Music), Laura Williams (Regions Bank), and Jamie Younger (Warner Music Nashville).
“We have some incredibly exciting education initiatives coming down the pipeline for YEP so this was a great time to bring some really talented newcomers into the leadership fold of YEP as our executive board takes on new initiatives to be announced shortly,” stated Executive Director Andrew Cohen.
YEP is made up of people from multiple aspects of the industry and has grown to nearly 6,700 members in the three years since it’s formation in Nashville.
The YEP network creates a platform for the entertainment industry to thrive in a supportive and creative environment for the betterment of its members as well as the industry as a whole.
For more information on YEP, click yepnashville.com.

Shania Twain Hints at New Tour

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shania111Since 2012 Shania Twain‘s fans have traveled to her during her Shania…Still The One residency at Las Vegas’ Caesar’s Palace. With her commitment with Caesar’s Palace set to run out in July, the entertainer says she is considering bringing her show to the fans. According to an interview with the Calgary Herald, the Canada native says that she and her team are “looking at some dates already, probably in the spring.” Twain hints that an announcement could come after her commitment to Caesars ends, and after another event in P.E.I. in August. The singer’s shows this week, July 9-10, at the Calgary Stampede also signal her return to the stage.
“I think I’m going to do more,” she says. “I guess it’s just something I’m enjoying more now than I have in a long time. Vegas has been a really good transition for me to get back onstage again, and I guess I’m enjoying it. So why not do more?”
Twain says that touring will not necessarily coincide with a new album project, though she says she has plans to return to the studio this year.
“It’s my priority this year and I will be in the studio as soon as I can get in, get my ducks in a row—I’m working on it all the time right now,” she says. “I’ve been writing for it for a long time now, I’ve got lots of things so it’s really about putting the puzzle together now.”

New Renderings Of Proposed Nashville Convention Center Site Released

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Following the opening of the Music City Center, Nashville has plans for its previously existing Nashville Convention Center. In December 2013, a plan was proposed to replace the structure with a one-million-square-foot, mixed-use development. New renderings of the project, designed by Gresham, Smith & Partners, have been released.
As previously reported, the new building will also include underground parking and entertainment complexes. A plaza-like setting along Fifth Avenue will provide a new showcase for the Ryman Auditorium.
The structure will include 840,000-square-feet of office space, a 673-room Nashville Renaissance hotel, along with 244,000 square feet of retail space, and a 50,000 square foot National Museum of African American Music. The latest renderings showcase a multi-story retail space with glass towers.
Construction is estimated to begin in 2017, with an opening tentatively slated for 2019.

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Updated rendering of the new NCC construction


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Updated rendering of the NCC location

'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night To Rock' Airing in August

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Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA

Jason Aldean. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA


Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Hunter Hayes, Brad Paisley, The Band Perry and numerous other Country artists will be featured in CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, which is slated to air Tuesday, Aug. 5, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC Television Network. The television special will be hosted for the second year by current CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town.
This marks the 10th time ABC will broadcast the special. The television event first aired in 2004, and moved to ABC in 2005. The annual special will continue to air on ABC through 2021.
Viewership for 2013’s CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, grew by 46 percent over 2012, and by 33 percent in the adults 18-49 demographic.
CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock is executive-produced by Robert Deaton.

Industry Pics (7/9/14)

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ole songwriter Marty Dodson received a platinum record this week for his song “Fire It Up” with Joe Cocker. The ole team presented the award to Dodson at the company’s offices in Nashville.

Pictured (L-R): Gilles Godard (VP, ole); Emily Mueller (Creative Manager, ole); Shellien Kinsey (Creative Coordinator, ole); Marty Dodson; John Ozier (GM Creative, ole); and Ben Strain (Creative Director, ole).

Pictured (L-R): Gilles Godard (VP, ole); Emily Mueller (Creative Manager, ole); Shellien Kinsey (Creative Coordinator, ole); Marty Dodson; John Ozier (GM Creative, ole); and Ben Strain (Creative Director, ole).

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Lady Antebellum recently invited Grammy U members to soundcheck during a stop at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irving, Calif., on their Take Me Downtown Tour. Following soundcheck, Grammy U members did a Q&A with the trio, who answered questions about songwriting, touring and industry topics.

GRAMMY U1

Pictured: Lady Antebellum with Grammy U students

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The Academy of Country Music welcomed singer-songwriter Robby Johnson to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. Johnson performed his debut single, “South of Me,” previewed his current single, “Feel Good Song,” and signed up for professional ACM membership, as part of the Academy’s complimentary one-year membership offered to support emerging artists.

robby johnson acm1

Robby Johnson performs at the ACM office in Encino, Calif.

Industry Ink (7/9/14)

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Screen shot 2014-07-09 at 12.33.17 PM1The annual conference hosted by investment bank Allen & Company is welcoming top leaders from the biggest media and technology companies to Sun Valley, Idaho this week.
According to the NYT, content providers at the deal-making retreat will likely be looking to join forces to gain clout against distributors in the face of acquisitions including Comcast’s proposed $45 billion takeover of Time Warner Cable, and AT&T’s pending $49 billion acquisition of DirecTV. Along these lines, the newspaper reports Discovery Communications and Scripps Networks, home to Great American Country, are dicussing teaming up.
Among those who received invitations to the conference were Tim Cook of Apple, Les Moonves of CBS, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Rupert Murdoch, Barry Diller and leaders from Google, Yahoo, Viacom, Pandora, and the major league sports organizations.

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run the row1The Women’s Music Business Association together with Musicians on Call will hold the inaugural We Run the Row 5K on Saturday, Sept. 13, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the heart of Music Row. The 3.1 mile course will travel on closed roads through Music Row and then end at Owen Bradley park before the party continues on to Tin Roof for a post-race concert. There will be concert ticket prizes for the top three males and females.
All proceeds will benefit WMBA and Musicians on Call. To enter, register at racesonline.com.

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gmaNominees for the 45th annual Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards nominations will be announced on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. CT. The nominees will be announced from Lipscomb University in Nashville. The 45th annual GMA Dove Awards will again be broadcast on the UP Network.