John Oates Taps Brett Eldredge, Ashley Monroe For TJ Martell Benefit

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John Oates (Photo by © 2013 Juan Patino)

John Oates

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member John Oates will lead a benefit for the T.J. Martell Foundation at City Winery in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 26. Special guests for the evening include Brett Eldredge and Ashley Monroe.

The event will celebrate the release of his documentary/concert DVD Another Good Road which will be available Jan. 20.

Oates will perform songs from Another Good Road, selections from his previous release Good Road To Follow as well as some classic Hall & Oates hits. In addition to the DVD release, which includes a bonus live CD (PS Records /Warner Elektra), Another Good Road will debut as a TV special on music channel Palladia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 at 9 PM.

To purchase tickets visit www.CityWinery.com.

* This event has been previously rescheduled. All tickets purchased prior will be honored for the Jan. 26 show. For more information please visit www.tjmartell.org.

Gretchen Peters To Be Honored at CMHoF ‘Poets and Prophets’ Series

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gretchen peters11

Gretchen Peters

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Gretchen Peters will offer stories and songs during the Country Music Hall of Fame series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters. Peters will perform at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m.

Museum editor Michael Gray will host the 90-minute program, which will include recordings, photos and film clips from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. The Poets and Prophets series is included with museum admission, and is free to museum members. The interview and performance will be streamed live on the museum’s website. Following the program, Peters will sign limited edition, commemorative Hatch Show Print posters.

Atlanta’s Shaky Boots Festival To Debut With Star-Packed Lineup

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shaky boots flyerThe inaugural Shaky Boots Festival in Atlanta has announced the line up for the event May 16-17, 2015.

Set to perform are genre leaders Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry and many more, alongside numerous artists from outside of mainstream country.

The three-stage event is from the producers of the established rock event Shaky Knees Festival and will be held at the KSU Sports and Entertainment Park in Kennesaw, Ga.

“Country music has such a rich history in the South,” says Shaky Boots co-founder Tim Sweetwood, “and I was surprised that Georgia doesn’t have a first-class festival dedicated to the genre. Music is my absolute passion, and with the overwhelmingly positive response to Shaky Knees in three short years, it just felt like the right time to launch Shaky Boots.”

Two-day weekend passes go on sale Thurs., Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. EST starting at $169. VIP ticket packages and exclusive luxury suites are also available. For more information, visit shakyboots.com/tickets.

The confirmed Shaky Boots 2015 lineup includes:

Blake Shelton
Brad Paisley
Dierks Bentley
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Dwight Yoakam
Jason Isbell
Old Crow Medicine Show
Sara Evans
Justin Moore
Joe Nichols
Eli Young Band
Kip Moore
Jana Kramer
Josh Thompson
Kristian Bush
The Devil Makes Three
Brothers Osborne
Cracker
The Cadillac Three
The Whiskey Gentry
Drake White and the Big Fire
Amanda Shires
Claire Dunn
The Railers
Brooke Eden
Jim White vs. The Packway Handle Band
…and more to be announced

Industry Ink: Bonnaroo, ASCAP, Debbie Z Entertainment, paNASH Style

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bonnaroo works fund logo1The Bonnaroo Works Fund (BWF), the charitable arm of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, is accepting online applications for the 2015 grant cycle beginning today. The Fund gives back to communities that need it the most by awarding funding to arts, education and environmental nonprofits.

Those interested should visit bonnarooworksfund.org for more information or apply directly online at app.wizehive.com/appform/menu/Bonnaroo. The deadline is March 15, 2015, and grants will be announced in May 2015.

• • •

ascap diy uASCAP will present a DIY-U course on health insurance on Tuesday, Jan. 13 from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. ASCAP has partnered with Music Alliance for the informational workshop, which is aimed at helping songwriters and industry members understand their options for health insurance, and how to navigate the healthcare system.

To reserve a spot, email [email protected].

• • •

Debbie Zavitson and Dave Kent

Debbie Zavitson and David Kent

Debbie Z Entertainment will be representing the catalog of songwriter David Kent. A writer of Blake Shelton’s No. 1 hit “Austin,” Kent moved to Nashville to focus on songwriting in 1990 after being on the road with Hall & Oats playing keyboards.

Kent has had top 10 hits and cuts with Martina McBride, Rodney Atkins, Neal McCoy, Tracy Lawrence and others.

• • •

panashstyle1paNASH Style LLC continues to grow its staff with the hiring of Associate Stylist Mackenzie “Teddy” Robert.

Robert has experience in styling and artist brand development, and has styled artists from Kacey Musgraves to Hunter Hayes. She most recently worked on the brand development behind Meghan Trainor’s “All About that Bass” release. She has also held positions with the Annie Moses Band, Big Yellow Dog Music, Sony RED Music, Show Dog – Universal Music, and 12 South Entertainment.

“I am excited about the expertise Mackenzie brings to the table, including her knowledge and experience in branding for recording artists,” says Lori Bumgarner, owner of paNASH Style.

Music Business Association To Honor Scott Borchetta

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Scott Borchetta

Scott Borchetta

Big Machine Label Group president and CEO Scott Borchetta will be honored with the Music Business Association’s (Music Biz) Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement during the Music Biz 2015 Awards luncheon, to be held May 14 at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel.

“Throughout his years in the music business, Scott has demonstrated a keen ear for talent that has led to more than 30 million albums sold by Big Machine artists, not to mention #1 Country and Pop radio smashes (165 in all) in every year over the course of his career,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “His drive for innovation has also led to Big Machine’s ground-breaking deal with terrestrial radio for performance royalty rights. We’re thrilled to present him with this Award and look forward to many more years of success for Big Machine.”

In 2005, Borchetta launched Big Machine Records and signed Taylor Swift as his first artist, helping the singer-songwriter become the first artist to achieve three consecutive million-plus-selling debuts, for the albums Speak Now, Red, and 1989. He expanded Big Machine Records into Big Machine Label Group, including The Valory Music Co., Republic Nashville, Dot Records, and NASH Icon, representing artists including Florida Georgia Line, Reba, Tim McGraw, The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, and more.

Prior to founding Big Machine Label Group, Borchetta worked with MCA Records and DreamWorks Records, aiding the careers of George Strait, Reba, Trisha Yearwood, Toby Keith, Vince Gill, and others.

Other who have been honored by the Music Business Association include Dick Clark, Casey Casem, Jim Urie, Sylvia Rhone, the Country Music Association, the Recording Industry of America, Bob Higgins, Eric Paulson, Clive Davis, and others.

Music Biz 2015 will be held in Nashville for the first time in Association history on May 12-14.

McCormack To Exit BMLG

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Mandy McCormack

Mandy McCormack

Big Machine Label Group Director/Promotion Strategy Mandy McCormack will be leaving the label group on Friday, Jan. 16, to begin a yet-to-be-announced role working for Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. McCormack has been with BMLG since 2005.

“Big Machine Label Group is my family and has been my life for 10 years,” says McCormack. “Thank you to Scott Borchetta for your faith, friendship and belief in me for almost 20 years, all the way back to my days at KZLA and After Midnite. From wet paint on the walls to the empire BMLG has become, I am so very proud to have been part of all of the successes since Day One.”

McCormack can be reached at 615-419-1513 or [email protected].

CRS Registration Rate To Increase On January 13

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CRS-2015-LogoThe deadline to purchase the $499 regular rate for the 2015 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is Monday January 12. The registration fee will increase to $599 starting Tuesday, Jan. 13.

CRS 2015 will be held Feb. 25-27, 2015 and includes more than 20 educational panels and presentations by industry-leading speakers, including entrepreneur Todd Wagner, leadership and team development coach, Lori Addicks, and Shazam CEO, Rich Riley. In addition, several of the format’s biggest acts will appear as featured speakers, including Keith Urban and the 2015 Artist Humanitarian Award recipient, Lady Antebellum.

As previously announced, Friday’s New Faces of Country Music Show will feature performances by Frankie Ballard (Warner Bros./WAR), Sam Hunt (MCA), Maddie & Tae (Dot), Eric Paslay (EMI) and Cole Swindell (Warner Bros./WAR).

For more information and too register, visit countryradioseminar.com.

DISClaimer: Female Voices Make A Strong Showing in 2015

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Happy New Year.

lee-ann-womack-the-way-i'm-livingfeaturedThis past one was terrible for women in country music, so I am pleased to report that in the first stack of platters of 2015, female voices rule. Today, reigning queen Miranda Lambert is joined by equally powerful sounds from Maddie & Tae, Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town and the sublime Lee Ann Womack, who has this week’s Disc of the Day.

Don’t count the guys out. Frankie Ballard and Collin Raye sound especially good. And the male group A Thousand Horses wins the first DisCovery Award of 2015.

PARKER McCOLLUM/Meet You In The Middle
Writer: Parker McCollum; Producer: Corby Schaub; Publisher: none listed; PYM
-Breezy sounding, but with an underlying sadness. The Texan sings with plaintive yearning while guitars ring along to the refrain.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Girl Crush
Writers: Liz Rose/Lori McKenna/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Songs of Crazy Girl/Songs of Universal/Hoodie/HillarodyRathbone/BMG, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville
It’s not as gay as the title implies. The reason she has the “girl crush” is because she wants to be like the woman he loves instead of herself. Whatever the case, the lovely, wistful ballad is absolutely dreamy sounding.

RAY PRICE/I Wish I Was 18 Again
Writers: Sonny Throckmorton; Producer: Fred Foster; Publisher: Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; Amerimonte
This heart-tugging waltz was originally a hit for George Burns in 1980. The fact that Ray Price was dying when he recorded this version makes it ache all the more. It remains an awesome piece of songwriting that everyone should hear.

COLLIN RAYE/Same Old Lang Syne
Writers: D. Fogelberg; Producers: Kelly Schoenfeld/Johnny Swinell; Publishers: Hickory Grove/EMI April, no performance rights listed; Goldenlane (track)
Collin’s new Everlasting CD is a set of reinterpretations of pop classics, including “Against All Odds,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” “She’s Got a Way,” “We’re All Alone” and “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.” Appropriately, he greets the New Year with this Dan Fogelberg chestnut that toasts an old flame and a new beginning.

MADDIE & TAE/Fly
Writers: Maddie Marlow/Taylor Dye/Tiffany Vartanyan; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Super Big/Not Your Average Girl/Silva Tone, ASCAP; Dot (track)
-Country’s most refreshing new female voices are back with a song of hope, optimism and strength in the face of adversity. The melody is delicious, the harmonies are sparkling, the track is terrific and the mood is uplifting. I’m in. Totally.

A Thousand Horses1A THOUSAND HORSES/Smoke
Writers: Michael Hobby/Jon Nite/Ross Copperman; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Carolina June/Greatshakin/EMI April/EMI Blackwood/Jon Mark Nite/Songs By Red Room/Sony-ATV, BMI; Republic Nashville
The woman is like smoke, “blowing rings around my heart.” He can’t put her down once he starts. She goes great with booze. She’s not good for his health. Her perfume lingers on his clothes. She’s a habit, and this haunting, swirling single makes her sound like a must-have. Very promising.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Little Red Wagon
Writers: Audra Mae/Joe Ginsberg; Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glen Worf; Publishers: WB/AMAEB/Double Flannel, ASCAP; RCA
-Miranda’s back in her feisty-female mode on this rumbling bopper. She’s a free spirit who has no use for the guy who’s pursuing her. The highly personalized last verse is a particular hoot.

T. GRAHAM BROWN/Forever Changed
Writers: H. Lindsey/D. Penn/C. Whitesett; Producers: Mark Carman/T. Graham Brown/Publishers: none listed; Mansion
-The title tune of this blue-eyed soulman’s latest collection is a sweet, tender ballad that he sings with depth and maturity. In addition to solo showcases like this, the gospel-themed album also includes collaborations with Leon Russell, Vince Gill, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jason Crabb, Jimmy Fortune, Sonya Isaacs and more. Recommended with an “amen.”

FRANKIE BALLARD/Young & Crazy
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Shane McAnally/Rhett Akins; Producers: Marshall Altman/Scott Hendricks; Publishers:External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent/Universal/Smack Ink/EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-“How am I ever gonna get to be old and wise/If I ain’t ever young and crazy?” You said it, brother. Hit bound. Rock on.

Lee ANN WOMACK/The Way I’m Livin’
Writers: Adam Wright; Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, and Glenn Worf; Publishers: Alrighty Den/Wrightone, BMI; Sugar Hill (track)
-This peerless country stylist is nominated for a Grammy Award this year. The title tune of the album in question is also her current single. There’s a devil on her shoulder who tells her that being bad feels good. So now she doesn’t know wrong from right, and the instruments that churn up that sound all around her make the chaos all the more inescapable. Contemporary country at its finest.

Nashvillians On ‘Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List

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florida georga line 2014

Florida Georgia Line

Three artists with strong Nashville ties earned spots on Forbes’ new 30 Under 30 in music list: Kacey Musgraves, 26; Meghan Trainor, 21; and Florida Georgia Line (Tyler Hubbard, 27; Brian Kelley, 29).

The duo is the subject of an article in the magazine discussing their multiplatinum success, a typical day on the road, pre-show rituals, advice from songwriter Don Schlitz, and their upcoming world tour.

Among others on the list are Ed Sheeran, Big Sean, Sam Smith and Shellback. Forbes isn’t allowing repeat appearances on the 30 Under 30 lists—music is just one of the categories—which explains the absence of Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift on this year’s tally.

The list was compiled by judges Taylor Hanson, of the band Hanson; Jody Gerson, chief of Universal Music Publishing; and Troy Carter, founder of Atom Factory and manager of acts including John Legend and John Mayer.

For full coverage of the 30 Under 30 in music, click here.

Meghan Trainor

Meghan Trainor

Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves

Blake Shelton To Host, Perform on ‘Saturday Night Live’

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Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton already knows how to charm a television audience through his work as a coach on NBC’s The Voice and his previous stints as a co-host on the Academy of Country Music Awards, so he’s certainly got the live television experience to tackle his next television challenge.

Shelton has been confirmed as a host for the Jan. 24 episode of Saturday Night Live. This marks Shelton’s first time hosting SNL, and he will be the first musical host of the show’s 40th season. He will double as musical guest, promoting his new Warner Music Nashville project, Bringing Back the Sunshine.