Artist Pics: Doobies, Jerrod Niemann, Rascal Flatts, Brooke Hogan

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Jerrod Niemann and The Doobie Brothers Duet At The Woods

Jerrod Niemann and The Doobie Brothers followed up their studio collaboration on The Doobies’ latest album, Southbound, with a performance together during a show at the Woods Amphitheater in Nashville May 9. Doobie Brothers member Patrick Simmons and Niemann traded vocals on the 1975 classic “South City Midnight Lady” with Niemann also jumping in on “Black Water.” 

Pictuted (L-R:) Patrick Simmons and Jerrod Niemann

Pictuted (L-R:) Patrick Simmons and Jerrod Niemann

Brooke Hogan Becomes CMA Member

Brooke Hogan stopped by the CMA recently to sign on as an official member of the organization in preparation of the release of her first country single, “Fly Away,” and her upcoming performance at the CMA Music Festival.  

Pictured (L-R) Mike Meade, RA, Buddy Lee Attractions / Brandi Simms, Sr. Director of Membership and Balloting / Brooke Hogan, Carrie Tekautz, Membership and Balloting Assistant / Brenden Oliver, Membership and Balloting Coordinator

Pictured (L-R) Mike Meade, RA, Buddy Lee Attractions; Brandi Simms, CMA Sr. Director of Membership and Balloting; Brooke Hogan; Carrie Tekautz, CMA Membership and Balloting Assistant; Brenden Oliver, CMA Membership and Balloting Coordinator

Rascal Flatts on Tour

Rascal Flatts and Nashville songwriters Neil Thrasher and Kelley Lovelace performed Sunday night (May 24) at the Tree Town Music Festival in Forest City, Iowa. Gary LeVox and his seven-year-old niece Lexi, who is a bilateral cochlear implant recipient, also performed together in support of the Songs for Sound charity.

Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox (middle) performs on stage with songwriters, Neil Thrasher (left) and Kelley Lovelace (right) during Sunday night's performance at Tree Town Music Festival in Forest City, Iowa. (PRNewsFoto/Songs for Sound)

Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox (middle) performs with songwriters Neil Thrasher (L) and Kelley Lovelace (R) in Forest City, Iowa. Photo: PRNewsFoto/Songs for Sound

Gary LeVox and niece Lexi Vernon

Gary LeVox and niece Lexi Vernon. Photo: PRNewsFoto/Songs for Sound

Kip Moore’s Sophomore Collection Set To Drop In August

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unnamedKip Moore is readying his sophomore album, Wild Ones, for release August 21. Inspired by the dizzying life on the road touring Moore has been experiencing for the past few years, the CD features 13 tracks co-written by Moore with writers including Chris DeStefano, Brett James, Rodney Clawson and Troy Verges. It was produced by James and DeStefano.

“Wild Ones really encompasses everything I’ve been through out on the road since the first album, it embodies us as a band every night out on stage, it alludes to the traveling circus it sometimes feels like we are a part of,” said Moore. “I’m so glad that I’m able to finally let the fans know when to expect what we’ve been working on so passionately for the past couple years, to let them know the wait is nearly over.”

The first single from the new collection, “I’m To Blame,” is already rising up the charts, and Moore is gearing up to take the new music to the masses as a part of Dierks Bentley’s Sounds Of Summer Tour June 5.

Track list

1. Wild Ones (Kip Moore, Chris DeStefano, Brett James)
2. Come And Get It (Kip Moore, Brett James, Manny Medina)
3. Girl of Summer (Kip Moore, Troy Verges, Blair Daly)
4. Magic (Kip Moore, Westin Davis, Luke Dick)
5. That Was Us (Kip Moore, Westin Davis, Dan Couch)
6. Lipstick (Kip Moore, Justin Weaver, David Frasier, Westin Davis)
7. What Ya Got On Tonight (Kip Moore, Troy Verges, Blair Daly)
8. Heart’s Desire (Kip Moore, Dan Couch, Adam Browder, Erich Wigdahl)
9. Complicated (Kip Moore, Chris DeStefano, Rodney Clawson)
10. I’m To Blame (Kip Moore, Justin Weaver, Westin Davis)
11.That’s Alright With Me (Kip Moore, Dan Couch, Luke Dick)
12. Running For You (Kip Moore, Troy Verges, Blair Daly)
13. Comeback Kid (Kip Moore, Erik Dylan, Ross Copperman, Jeff Hyde)

Youtube video

Rainey Qualley Prepares To “Turn Down The Lights” June 2nd

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unnamed-1Rainey Qualley is gearing up for the release of her debut CD, Turn Down The Lights, on Cingle Records June 2.

Qualley’s song “Turn Me On Like The Radio” was added as a “Highway Find” on SiriusXM’s The Highway and rose to No. 17 on their countdown, and her debut single “Me And Johnny Cash” hits country radio soon. The new collection is produced by Russ Zavitson and John Ramey.

Qualley is the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell. Growing up in Montana and North Carolina she learned to appreciate the simpler things in life, and her new CD reflects that earthiness and simplicity.

“We didn’t own a television, so my brother, sister and I and friends would be outside playing catching salamanders, climbing trees—everything most kids do outside,” she said. “Being in the Appalachian Mountains, those sounds are really native to my ears, and I love the historical element of country music—it’s so native to America. Country is innately earthy, which I’m drawn to.”

LifeNotes: Veteran Country Artist Bob Stegall, Father of Keith

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Bob Stegall

Bob Stegall

Former Abbott Records artist and Louisiana Hayride performer Bob Stegall passed away on Wednesday, May 27 at age 85.

He was a steel guitarist and pianist who was in Johnny Horton’s band and performed in such groups as The Hackberry Ramblers and The Road Runners. Stegall also owned a Louisiana recording studio and several Nashville song publishing companies. He is the father of noted producer, songwriter and performer Keith Stegall.

Born Robert O. Stegall in Cortez, CO, he performed in Texas and California before settling in Shreveport, LA, the home of The Louisiana Hayride on KWKH radio. While on the Hayride, he performed alongside Jim Reeves and Hank Williams, as well as Horton. He joined the roster of Abbott Records in the early 1950s.

He taught son Keith to play guitar, which led to the boy performing on stage and having his first recording session at age eight. Keith Stegall went on to produce million-selling records for artists such as Alan Jackson and Tracy Byrd and co-write hits for Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Mickey Gilley, Glen Campbell, Travis Tritt, Clay Walker and more. Like his father, he also became a recording artist.

While Keith was growing up, Bob Stegall’s business interests included owning a Gulf Oil service station in Bossier City, LA, as well as a child-care center and the Beech Springs Recording Studio in Haughton, LA.

For the past 25 years, Bob Stegall has been a music publisher in Nashville. Working from an office in Berry Hill, he established Jenerilin Publishing, Bob Stegall Music and Courtyard 108.

He was diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease last summer, which led to his retirement. He resided in Santa Fe, TN.

In addition to son Robert Keith Stegall, Bob Stegall is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean Kirkland Stegall. Other survivors include daughter-in-law Janet Stegall, granddaughters Jen Ketner, Erin Stegall and Lindsay Nixon; great-granddaughter Eden June Nixon; brothers Bill, Larry and Stan Stegall; sister Mary Nell Kirk; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and close friends Susan and Richard Parker.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. today, May 29, at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. Dr. Joe Bowers will officiate, assisted by Rev. Larry Stegall and Stan Stegall. Interment will take place in Williamson Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association. The online guest book is here.

Pandora Hosting Free Concert By Thompson Square, Dustin Lynch and Kelsea Ballerini

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pandora country eventPandora is hosting an exclusive listener event in Nashville leading up to CMA Music Festival. Set to perform are Thompson Square, Dustin Lynch, and Kelsea Ballerini.

The first-ever Pandora Country Event will take place on Friday, June 5, 7 p.m. at Marathon Music Works. Guests will enjoy a hosted bar at the free concert.

Pandora listeners are invited to RSVP to the event here. RSVP does not guarantee admission.

Black River Signs Bobby Bones’ The Raging Idiots

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Pictured (L-R): Celia Froehlig, Greg McCarn, Producer Eddie, Bobby Bones, Doug Johnson, Gordon Kerr.

Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr and Vice President of Publishing Celia Froehlig announced the signing of The Raging Idiots, comprised of radio personality Bobby Bones and his producer Eddie, to Black River Entertainment.

“Bobby Bones and Producer Eddie are unique comedic individuals,” said Kerr. “The light-hearted songs and comedy bits by The Raging Idiots not only entertain people but, through the charity aspects of their shows, actually help make a difference in people’s lives. We look forward to sharing some laughs and changing some lives together.”

“It’s the best fit. Black River is such a creative place to be,” said Bones. “We did our first charity album here and Black River gave us the studios for free. It was just, ‘Here use the studio, do good and also be funny.’ We still want to do good and we still want to be funny. It started so great, so we figured let’s go along for the ride, together.”

The Raging Idiots have performed nearly 40 charity shows and have raised more than $800,000 all benefitting local animal charities.

Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow To Co-Host CMT Awards

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Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow

Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow

The CMT Awards should be right on pitch and in step this year since the star of the Pitch Perfect movies, Brittany Snow, has been tapped to co-host the show along with Dancing With The Stars co-host Erin Andrews. The awards show airs live on CMT from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena June 10 at 8 p.m. ET.

“As a longtime fan of CMT and the CMT Music Awards, I’m thrilled to join Erin in hosting what’s sure to be one of the most memorable musical nights of the year,” said Snow.

Andrews adds her CMT hosting gig to her other duties as co-host of the mirror ball dancing competition and as a broadcaster for FOX NFL Sunday. “Being a huge fan of country music, the CMT Music Awards are one of my favorite events of the season,” said Andrews. “I cannot wait to be around all the talented artists and bands and look forward to being a part of such a great event.”

Superstar/new mom Carrie Underwood is this year’s top nominee with five nominations, including two in the Video of the Year category. Lady Antebellum and Kenny Chesney each racked up four nods, while Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean earned a respective three nominations each. Keith Urban and Luke Bryan were also recognized with two nominations apiece. Fans can vote via CMT.com through June 7 to determine the winners. The six Video of the Year finalists will be announced at the beginning of the live telecast and fans then vote at CMT.com throughout the show to determine the night’s big winner.

Weekly Chart Report (5/29/15)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report

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Lifenotes: Publicist Mike Hyland Passes

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mike hyland

Mike Hyland

By Robert K. Oermann & Michael McCall

Longtime Nashville publicist Mike Hyland passed away following a two-year battle with cancer on Thursday, May 28, at his home in Sonoma, CA. He was 65.

He began his career in rock music and was the first publicist for The Allman Brothers. He moved to Nashville in 1979 to head the publicity department of Elektra/Asylum. The following year, he formed Network Ink with Exit/In nightclub co-founder Liz Thiels. This was one of the Nashville music industry’s first and most important independent publicity firms.

In 1984, he formed The Hyland Company. Over the years, his clients included Hank Williams Jr., Asleep at the Wheel, Waylon Jennings, The Burrito Brothers, Keith Whitley, Dale Watson, Riders in the Sky, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Charley Pride, Eddie Rabbitt and Leon Russell.

He also represented such companies as Acuff-Rose Music, Almo/Irving Music, House of Gold Music, MCA Music, Monument Records, The Bluebird Cafe, Country Radio Seminar, the Minnie Pearl Museum, NARAS, WSM-AM/FM, WKDF-FM and WLAC-AM/FM.

In late 1989, Hyland joined Gaylord Entertainment. He did publicity for the 1991 Grand Ole Opry Tour, the 1994 re-opening of The Ryman Auditorium, Opryland’s Nashville on Stage summer concert series and other endeavors.

In 1997, Hyland established Full Court Press with his wife, Phyllis. During the next few years, the company became increasingly involved with the wine industry. It launched the annual Wine Down Main Street Festival in Middle Tennessee. In 2009, the Hylands decided to relocate to the California wine country.

Hyland wrote for Wine Country This Week and The Sonoma Sun, as well as providing public-relations consulting to CornerStone Sonoma, Meadowcroft and Thomas Henry Wines.

Michael Hyland was born on Long Island and raised in upstate New York. As a young man, he began representing such top rock acts as Humble Pie, Dave Mason, Procol Harum, The Rascals, Cat Stevens and Traffic. He also represented the famed concert venue The Fillmore East.

His passion for the music of The Allman Brothers led him to relocate to Macon, GA in the early 1970s. At age 25, he became Vice President of Public Relations for Capricorn Records there. This made him one of the youngest record executives in America. In addition to the Allmans, he worked with the rest of the label’s roster, including Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Bramlett, Delbert McClinton, the Marshall Tucker Band, Wet Willie, Martin Mull, Sea Level and Livingston Taylor, as well as the solo careers of Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts.

Hyland’s succeeding successes in Nashville spanned the 1980s and 1990s.

Mike Hyland is survived by his wife Phyllis Lewis, by sons Glynn and John Hyland of LaGrange, GA, by daughter Amanda Hyland Jones of Dallas, TX and by stepchildren Travis and Laurie Armstrong of Nashville. Funeral arrangements have not been released.

Industry Ink: NMPA, Hailey Whitters, ‘MusicRow’s’ Jessica Nicholson

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NMPANMPA Sues Wolfgang’s Vault

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), on behalf of several music publisher members, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against “Wolfgang’s Vault,” which disseminates concert videos and audio recordings through websites including ConcertVault.com, Daytrotter.com and MusicVault.com, as well as YouTube. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

According to the NMPA, much of the sites’ content was never properly licensed. This lawsuit not only intends to stop these entities use of unlicensed works, but also to pay back those whose material has been exploited.

The infringing websites offer tens of thousands of hours of concert footage as on-demand streams, digital downloads, CDs, DVDs and vinyl recordings which generate revenue for Wolfgang’s Vault through subscriptions and advertising. They attract approximately 50,000 visitors per day.

Savannah Celine Nicholson, by Paul Sharp Photography

Savannah Celine Nicholson, by Paul Sharp Photography

MusicRow’s Nicholson Welcomes Baby

Congratulations to MusicRow Magazine’s Jessica Nicholson and husband Kirk Nicholson who welcomed their first child, daughter Savannah Celine Nicholson, on Monday, May 18, 2015. She weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and was born at 9:12 p.m.

hailey whitters

Hailey Whitters

APA Signs Hailey Whitters

Singer/songwriter Hailey Whitters has signed with APA, it was announced by APA Nashville SVP and Head of Concerts, Steve Lassiter. Whitters has opened for a wide variety of acts over the last few years, including Chris Knight, Randy Houser, Josh Thompson, Jana Kramer, Randy Rogers Band, Granger Smith, and Shenandoah. Most recently, she has been touring all over the U.S., with tour dates through the end of the year as she continues to work on her debut album. Whitters is signed to Carnival Music.