Big & Rich's 'Gravity' Set To Release In September

Gravity, the latest album from hit-making duo Big & Rich, is set to hit stores on Tuesday, Sept. 23. This 11-track album is the duo’s fifth studio album and the inaugural project on their new label, Big & Rich Records. During their album release week, John Rich and Big Kenny will be making stops in both New York City and Los Angeles promoting their current hit single “Look At You.”
The dynamic duo are scheduled for the TODAY show on Thursday (Sept. 25), as well as appearances on Imus in the Morning, Huckabee, The Better Show, The Chew, The Queen Latifah Show, and others. Full details with air dates will be released soon.
Gravity Track Listing:
1. Look At You
2. Lovin’ Lately (feat. Tim McGraw)
3. Gravity
4. Brand New Buzz
5. Rollin’ Along
6. Run Away With You
7. Lose A Little Sleep
8. Don’t Wake Me Up
9. That Kind of Town
10. Thank God For Pain
11. I Came To Git Down
For additional information, visit: bigandrich.com

Little Extra Music and Razor & Tie Sign Kylie Sackley

 (L-R front row): Sharon Tapper, Lisa Johnson, Kylie Sackely, Lisa Ramsey Perkins; back row: Bradley Collins, Penny Everhard, Jody Williams

(L-R, front row): Sharon Tapper, Lisa Johnson, Kylie Sackely, Lisa Ramsey Perkins; (back row): Bradley Collins, Penny Everhard, Jody Williams


Lisa Johnson of Razor & Tie Music Publishing (RTMP) and Lisa Ramsey Perkins of Little Extra Music have signed songwriter Kylie Sackley to a worldwide publishing co-venture.
The Australian Country writer has penned songs for LeAnn Rimes (“Nothin’ ‘Bout Love Makes Sense”), Faith Hill (“Sunshine and Summertime”), Alan Jackson (“It’s Just That Way”), Danielle Bradbery (“Young In America”), Thompson Square, John Rich, Lee Brice and Jo Dee Messina. Sackley won Australia’s Country music talent search, Star Maker (Keith Urban was a previous winner). She has been recently nominated for the APRA (Australian Performing Rights Association) “Breakthrough Songwriter Of The Year” award.
“When two of Nashville’s strongest, smartest, most fabulous firecrackers ask you to sign a publishing deal, you say —hell yes!!” said Sackley of Ramsey-Perkins and Johnson, who are both quoted as admirers of Sackleys’ work ethic.
Nashville-based Little Extra Music is home to songwriters Will Bowen and Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and represents catalogs for Jessi Alexander and Jim McCormick. RTMP’s Nashville writer roster includes Allen Salmon, Andrew Combs, Brennin Hunt, Catt Gravitt, Gerald O’Brien, John King, Maggie Eckford, Marshall Altman, Mindy Smith, Pete Sallis, Phillip LaRue, Seth Jones, Shannon Wright, and Tofer Brown.

ACM Honors Announces Performers and Presenters

ACMHonorsThe lineup for the 8th annual ACM Honors just got even more prestigious. Frank Liddell will serve as the musical director for a host of performers including Dierks Bentley, Clare Bowen, Shawn Camp, Kelly Clarkson, Rodney Clawson, Hunter Hayes, Will Hoge, Jack Ingram, Kacey Musgraves, Sam Palladio, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott, Lee Ann Womack, Oak Ridge Boys, and Dwight Yoakam.
Presenters will include Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, Justin Moore, Brenda Lee, The Swon Brothers, Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall, and Pete Fisher. As previously announced, Jake Owen will serve as host for the evening.
Previously announced honorees include Special Awards recipients Bob Beckham (posthumously), Steve BuchananJack Clement (posthumously), Dean DillonToby Keith, Kris Kristofferson, Ronnie MilsapPaul Moore, Buck Owens (posthumously), Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts. Studio Recording Awards (formerly MBI Awards) recipients include Shannon Forrest, Paul Franklin, Dann Huff, Charlie Judge, Rob McNelley, Justin Niebank, Michael Rhodes and Bryan Sutton.
Industry Award winners include Brian O’Connell of Live Nation, Nicole More of Neste Event Marketing, Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, TXBilly Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, TX, Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TNGrand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN, Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT and Mohegan Sun Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT. Shane McAnally will be honored as Songwriter of the Year.
The 8th annual ACM Honors will be held Sept. 9 at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

Industry Ink: Black River Publishing, ASCAP, For The Record

ASCAP recently welcomed several of its songwriters to take part in the performing rights organization’s monthly songwriters-in-the-round at the Bluebird Cafe, and its Almost Famous rock showcase series at The Basement.
On Wednesday (Aug. 6), the monthly Bluebird Cafe songwriters round featured Steven Clawson, Brandon Hamilton, Allison Veltz and Emily Weisband. On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Almost Famous showcase featured Clear Plastic Masks, Austin Jenckes, INTL and Juhi.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Allison Veltz, Brandon Hamilton, Emily Weisband & Steven Clawson

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Allison Veltz, Brandon Hamilton, Emily Weisband & Steven Clawson

Pictured (L-R): Austin Jenckes, Juhi, ASCAP's Evyn Mustoe and INTL

Pictured (L-R): Austin Jenckes, Juhi, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe and INTL

 Pictured: The Basement's Mike Grimes (second from left), ASCAP's Evyn Mustoe (second from right) with Clear Plastic Masks

Pictured: The Basement’s Mike Grimes (second from left), ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe (second from right) with Clear Plastic Masks

   • • •

we love the 90s1Song plugging group For The Record invites Music Row song pluggers to its “We Love the ’90s Plugger Mixer” on Aug. 27 at Belcourt Taps. The private event will take place from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to don their favorite ’90s gear to support one of the greatest decades in Country music history. The playlist will include plenty of ’90s Country favorites.

For The Record includes Well Mannered Music, Red Creative Group, and Diamond Eye Music.

 • • •

Black River Publishing recently presented a private gathering in support of “Come Over” for Komen. The event, which featured Brandy Clark, Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally, welcomed 120 attendees and raised more than $7,000 for Komen Greater Nashville. The event was produced by Little Red Hen Events.

Pictured (L-R): Stacey Foster, Shelby Floyd, Brandon Nunnally (LRH), Kira Harvath (LRH), Melissa Houck, and Patty Harman.

Pictured (L-R): Stacey Foster, Shelby Floyd, Brandon Nunnally (LRH), Kira Harvath (LRH), Melissa Houck, and Patty Harman.

Paisley Defies Label and Management, Leaks Album

Brad-Paisley-Moonshine-In-The-Truck-LeakBrad Paisley is all about leaking his forthcoming album, Moonshine in the Trunk, due to hit shelves next Monday, Aug. 25. It’s the ubiquitous power struggle, this time between record label “suits” vs. artists, in which Paisley played the hero to fans on social media over the past month by posting teasers for unreleased album tracks.
The original leak, now banned on YouTube, has been replaced by a steady stream of content leading up to the album’s shelf date. Most recently (Aug. 20), Paisley enlisted the help of the Ellen Show to release the lyric video to his self-proclaimed favorite song on the album, “Shattered Glass.” The single, about the struggle women face against the glass ceiling, became available for digital purchase at midnight.
With the social media hashtag #leakingmoonshine, Paisley has additionally sought social partnerships for the release with Chevrolet, racecar driver Jeff Gordon, athlete Aaron Rodgers, Bobby Bones, Sherri Shepherd, Jenny McCarthy, Kermit the Frog, NASA, Dave Ramsey and Ludacris. Various email, voicemail, and phone exchanges with his label Sony Nashville and management Fitzgerald/Hartley pair with many of the “unplanned” promotion leaks online.
Fans can pre-order Moonshine in the Trunk and immediately receive the songs “River Bank,” “Crushin’ It,” “Perfect Storm,” “Country Nation,” and “Shattered Glass,” which are available for individual purchase. The album will be available in-full the day after Sunday’s (Aug. 24) Rising Star season finale, for which Paisley is a guest expert on the ABC-TV show.

Garth Brooks To Be Honored With ASCAP Centennial Award

garth slider

Garth Brooks


ASCAP will honor a select group of artists with its once-in-a-century ASCAP Centennial Awards, in recognition of their accomplishments in their respective music genres. Garth Brooks will be one of the recipients of the prestigious award, as well as Joan Baez, Billy Joel, Stephen Sondheim, and Stevie Wonder.
The presentations will take place Monday, Nov. 17 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, during a gala party celebrating ASCAP’s 100th anniversary. The event will be hosted by ASCAP president and chairman Paul Williams, and will feature the recipients, along with guest artists performing in tribute to the honorees.
The gala will also serve as the first fundraiser benefiting the ASCAP Foundation, which supports music education, talent development, and humanitarian activities.
“Each of our ASCAP Centennial Award recipients is in a class of his or her own, as the creator and performer of songs that have touched the lives of people across the globe. It’s wonderful to be able to salute them on the occasion of ASCAP’s Centennial year and, as important, to raise funds to perpetuate the important work being done by The ASCAP Foundation,” said Williams.

AEG Live To Supply National CineMedia With Music Clips

aeg live1AEG Live has inked a deal with National CineMedia, a top provider of advertising in movie theaters. AEG Live will provide short promotional video clips to be shown prior to feature films, in order to promote upcoming artist tours and music projects.
The first roll-out involves 10- and 20-second video clips promoting the 24-city Enrique Iglesias/Pitbull tour, which launches Sept. 12. Each month, a different AEG Live-affiliated artist will be featured; clips can also cover charitable campaigns. Additionally, theater goers will be able to purchase concert tickets and music from featured artists using the Shazam app.
National CineMedia is owned by Regal Entertainment Group, AMC, and Cinemark. Anschutz Corp. owns both AEG Live and the Regal chain of theaters. The deal allows AEG Live to become the top music supplier to NCM.

Thompson Nashville Hotel Coming To The Gulch

gulch thompson hotel
A new hotel is coming to The Gulch. Thompson Nashville will be at the intersection of 11th and 12th Avenues on the block with The 404 Hotel and Kitchen and The Station Inn (see MusicRow’s recent coverage of the legendary music venue).
The 12 story, 224-key Thompson Nashville is expected to open in summer 2016. There will be a ground floor restaurant and boutique retail space, and the rooftop will have an indoor-outdoor lounge, and event venue.
Site work for the project is anticipated to begin in early 2015.
MarketStreet Enterprises, which has led development of The Gulch over the last 15 years, is working with Hastings Architecture Associates, AJ Capital Partners and The Berger Company on the new hotel. Nashville based MarketStreet is also working on Gulch Crossing, a new office building. MarketStreet is a privately held real estate investment and development company led by founder Steve Turner, his son Jay Turner, and business partner Joe Barker.
Thompson Hotels are part of Commune Hotels & Resorts.

Celeb News: Witherspoon, Toth Buy Nashville Digs

reesewitherspoon_nash2

Reese Witherspoon shows off some cleavage in a sexy orange dress while attending the 2014 Hollywood Stands Up to Cancer Event on Tuesday (January 28) in Culver City,

Witherspoon and Toth at the 2014 Hollywood Stands Up to Cancer Event in January.


Reese Witherspoon and talent agent husband Jim Toth recently purchased a home in Oak Hill, Variety confirms.
The couple bought the 3800 square foot home from Kelley Beaman, wife of Beaman Automotive’s Lee Beaman. Beaman purchased the “fixer-upper” on 6.5 acres last year for $1.5 million and sold it to the actress/Nashville native and her husband for $1.95 million.
• • • •
Carrie Underwood’s performance of “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” the opening theme for Sunday Night Football on NBC, will air weekly starting Sept. 7 when the season opens with the Denver Broncos vs. the Indianapolis Colts. Joining Underwood for the pre-recorded spot are NFL players Jimmy Graham, Colin Kaepernick, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Brandon Marshall, Clay Matthews, LeSean McCoy, Philip Rivers, DeMarcus Ware and Russell Wilson. There will be a special opening theme for NBC’s broadcast of Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, 2015. SNF is the No. 1 primetime program on television for three years running.
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL -- "SNF Promo Shoot 2014" Episode Episodic -- Pictured: Carrie Underwood -- Photo by: (Paul Drinkwater/NBC)

SNF promo shoot 2014. Pictured: Carrie Underwood. Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBC


• • • •
Newcomers Chasin’ Crazy (RPM Entertainment) have released the music video for debut single “That’s How We Do Summertime.” The five member group (Jimmy James Hunter, Forest Miller, Landon Parker, Creigh Riepe and Travis Fincher) visited Old Hickory Lake in Nashville and a local baseball field to shoot the video. The clip was produced and directed by Steve Bates, Chris Radclife and Louis Police of  Reylent Entertainment. It can be seen at www.chasincrazy.com.
The single was recorded at Westwood Studios in Nashville, and produced by Marti Frederiksen and Blake Chancey. Chasin’ Crazy is wrapping up its debut EP due out later this year.
chasin' crazy

Chasin’ Crazy

Rural Media Group To Relocate to Former GAC Building

Screen shot 2014-08-20 at 3.40.32 PM1Rural Media Group has reached an agreement with Scripps Networks, LLC to sublet the space vacated recently by Great American Country at 49 Music Sq. W. in Nashville. RMG owns RFD-TV, FamilyNet, and Rural Radio on Sirius XM.

The move from RMG’s current location at Northstar Studios will take place over the next several months. As part of the agreement with Scripps, RMG purchased the GAC production equipment contained on the first two floors of the building. RMG’s corporate offices will take over the majority of space on the 3rd floor.
“This option came along at the perfect time for our company as we have been looking for the right place to consolidate our operations and expand production for original programming,” stated Patrick Gottsch, Founder of Rural Media Group, Inc. “We want to thank the good folks at Northstar Studios who were so supportive in helping build RFD-TV over the past 10 years here in Nashville. They are all the ultimate professionals, and we wish them well with the sale of their property on Dickerson Pike.”
The majority of key employees from RMG’s corporate offices in Omaha, Neb. will be transferred to Nashville in the coming months. New jobs in 64 categories will be created in television and radio operations, digital production, and marketing. Applicants can review openings at rfdtv.com. A remodeling of the Music Row space is expected to be completed in mid-September.
“These are exciting times at Rural Media Group as we continue to expand distribution for both television channels, RFD-TV (RFD HD) & RURAL TV/FamilyNet, and begin our second year of operations for RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM Channel 80,” offered Steve Campione, COO for RMG. “To finally have all our operations and management team at one location will be a huge benefit by itself to this company. The fact that we have found such a perfect building and location right in the middle of Nashville’s Music Row can only add to our potential success over the next several years.”
Much of the GAC staff was relocated or laid off.