Weekly Register: Rucker Rockin’ At No. 1

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darius ruckerDarius Rucker’s Southern Style debuted at No. 1 on the country album chart today, with sales of 52K. It’s his fourth consecutive solo album to enter at No. 1, fueled in part by the success of No. 1 lead single, “Homegrown Honey.” He penned the hit with Charles Kelley and Nathan Chapman. Southern Stylewas produced by Frank Rogers and Keith Stegall.

In recent weeks Rucker visited Today and Ellen, and he is set for ABC’s The Chew on April 16, before heading out on the Southern Style Tour May 14 with Brett Eldredge, the Brothers Osborne and A Thousand Horses.  

Elsewhere on the country album chart, NOW That’s What I Call ACM Awards 50 Years scored a nice debut with 11K, landing at No. 4. There is also a 2015 ACM Awards Zinepak compilation, which fell to No. 6 in its second week of release, moving 8K/17K RTD. Luke Bryan’s Spring Break…Checkin’ Out swam to No. 2 (17K/154K RTD) in its fourth week at sea. Rounding out the country top 5 are Sam Hunt, Montevallo, at No. 3 (16K/427K RTD) and Jason Aldean, Old Boots New Dirt, at No. 5 (8K/897K RTD)

Jon Wolfe debuted Natural Man with sales of 2.2 K.

Top 5 Country Tracks TW
Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time,” 60K
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush,” 51K
Cole Swindell, “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey,” 46K
Zac Brown Band, “Homegrown,” 42K
Eric Church, “Like A Wrecking Ball,” 27K

On the all-genre Top 200 chart, rapper Wale debuted at No. 1 with The Album About Nothing with total activity of 100K.

Overall album sales were up 14 percent week over week, but the year-to-date stats are still slumping.

YTD Albums
Overall -1.5%
Overall digital +2.7%
Country -12.9%
Country digital -7.4%

YTD Tracks
Overall -10.1%
Country -16.4%

APA Signs Rock Band Kansas

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kansas

Kansas

Rock band Kansas has signed with agency APA for worldwide representation. The company will represent band members Phil Ehart, Billy Greer, David Manion, Ronnie Platt, David Ragsdale, and Richard Williams as they bring their music to fans around the world.

“Kansas has been a part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll landscape for over four decades,” commented Steve Lassiter, SVP/Partner and Head of Concerts at APA Nashville. “Their fans are extremely devoted, and we at APA are excited to continue to unite the band with their fans for more stops along their musical journey.”

Kansas released its debut album in 1974, and went on to sell more than 30 million records, and earn eight Gold albums, three sextuple-Platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, and Best of Kansas), one Platinum live album (Two For The Show), and more.

The documentary Miracles Out of Nowhere, which chronicles the band’s rise to fame, premiered in February at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and debuted on television on both VH1 Classic and Palladia on March 20. The film and companion CD released March 23, debuting at No. 37 on Billboard‘s album sales chart, and at No. 61 on the Billboard Top 200.

‘State of the Union: A Celebration of American Roots Music’ Spring Dates Announced

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City WineryThe Americana Music Association, City Winery, and Newport Folk Presents have announced the continuation of their partnership with the second edition of their State of the Union series, featuring select performances from April through July 2015.

The series will include performances from Holly Williams, Darrell Scott, Rodney Crowell, John Cowan, Sam Bush, Shelby Lynne, Amy Helm, Sony Landreth and more.

State of the Union: A Celebration of American Roots Music will take place at the City Winery venues in Chicago, Napa, Nashville and New York City. The series is presented by American Airlines, Lagunitas and Nissan.

The spring lineup is as follows:

NASHVILLE
Holly Williams-April 29
Dar Williams with Jim Lauderdale-May 9
Darrell Scott & Friends: A Tribute to Ben Bullington featuring John Cowan, Rodney Crowell and Bill Payne (of Little Feat)- May 19

CHICAGO
Jorma Kaukonen-April 9
Shelby Lynne-May 26-27
Sam Bush-June 11
Amy Helm-July 7

NAPA
Rhiannon Giddens-May 11
Leo Kottke-June 28

NEW YORK
Blitzen Trapper performs Harvest-April 17
Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams (Album Release) with Blind Boy Paxton-May 18
Sonny Landreth-June 14

Musicians Corner Reveals Spring 2015 Lineup

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musicianscornerThe Musicians Corner spring 2015 kickoff celebration will take place from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. on May 9 at Nashville’s Centennial Park. Helping ring in the festivities will be Dave Barnes, Matt Wertz, Kris Allen, Jason Eskridge, and Viva Mexico.

The spring season will run through June 28 with performers including John & Jacob, Foy Vance, The Secret Sisters, Those Darlins, and Trent Dabbs.

Available throughout the Saturday events will be food trucks, Kidsville, Dogville, local artisans, and the Musicians Corner Pub. Music is slated to begin at 1:30 p.m.

A location change has moved the weekly events nearer the West End and 25th Street/Elliston Place corner.

For a full list of performers and special guest updates, visit musicianscorner.com.

I.R.S. Nashville Adds Clark To Artist Roster

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Pictured (L-R): John Grady, President, I.R.S. Nashville; Ashley Clark; Star Farm's Michael Powers, and Matt Corbin.

Pictured (L-R): John Grady, President, I.R.S. Nashville; Ashley Clark; Star Farm’s Michael Powers and Matt Corbin.

Ashley Clark, formerly with the Clark Family Experience, has signed with I.R.S. Nashville for the release his self-titled solo album, produced by Mutt Lange.

I.R.S. Nashville has entered into an agreement with independent promotion company Star Farm Nashville to assist with the promotion of Clark’s debut single “Greyhound.” The I.R.S. promotion staff, headed by VP of Promotion Tom Moran, and the Star Farm team, headed by President Michael Powers, have already begun working together to promote Clark’s music to country radio.

“Greyhound,” which was penned by Ashley and his brother Austin Clark, impacts radio May 18.

“Michael and his Star Farm team are the perfect partners for us with Ashley Clark,” says I.R.S. Nashville President John Grady. “Michael and I met over a Mutt Lange production 20 years ago. We are both excited to do it again.”

Moran says, “Star Farm is a group of outstanding promotion people that John Grady and I know well. They are the perfect team to partner with our I.R.S. staff on the Ashley Clark project.”

‘American Epic’ Documentary To Study 1920s Musicians, Recording Technology

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American EpicJack White, T Bone Burnett, and Robert Redford have signed on as Executive Producers for the three-part television event, American Epic. Created by two British filmmakers, Bernard MacMahon and Allison McGourty, the documentary follows America’s musical flourishing in the 1920s, when record companies took portable recording machines across the country in hopes of capturing the performers and musical styles that would give way to the genres of blues, country, Gospel, Cajun, folk and more. These musicians’ lives and music are revealed through previously unseen film footage, previously unpublished photographs, and interviews with some of the last living witnesses to that era.

The documentary’s filmmakers re-assembled the machine that allowed many American musicians to hear themselves on record for the first time, and replicated the atmosphere of America’s 1920s field recordings, allowing some top artists of today to record straight to wax, using the original microphones, amplifiers, and other equipment from that era. This marks the first time performers have been able to use this machinery in more than 80 years.

These performances will be featured in a separate feature-length work, American Epic Sessions, also set to air on PBS stations and BBC Arena. Sony will release the soundtrack.

Others taking part include Alabama Shakes, The Americans, The Avett Brothers, Beck, Frank Fairfield, Ana Gabriel, Rhiannon Giddens, Merle Haggard, Bobby Ingano, Elton John, Auntie Geri Kuhia, Pokey LaFarge, Bettye LaVette, Los Lobos, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Taj Mahal, Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Fred Martin & The Levite Camp, Ashley Monroe, Nas, Willie Nelson, Charlie Kaleo Oyama, Blind Boy Paxton, and Raphael Saadiq.

American Epic is directed by MacMahon, and created/produced by McGourty, MacMahon, and Duke Erickson.

American Epic will air in Fall 2015 on PBS and BBC Arena.

Watch the teaser for American Epic below.

SOLID To Hit The Bowling Lanes To Help Kids

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Bowl For Kids SakeSOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) will host their 5th Annual Music Row Madness Bowling Tournament to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee Bowl for Kids’ Sake on Thursday, April 9 at AMF Pla-Mor Lanes in Nashville, TN from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. CT. All proceeds will directly benefit BBBS of Middle TN.

Music industry professionals are encouraged to register on the website with a team of five to six individuals, raising a minimum of $750. Those participating have the chance to win a large variety of prizes including gift cards for Flip Burger, Uber, Hattie B’s, prize packs from Paddleboard Nashville, Loveless Café, Arrington Vineyards, and even a free session from a recording studio in Nashville.

Last year SOLID contributed over $30,000 in proceeds for Big Brothers Big Sisters and this year’s goal is to raise that to $35,000. In 2014, Berkley Myers of Starstruck Entertainment and Jason Hauser of McGhee Entertainment headed up the team that organized the event. “Last year we were able to raise the most money in SOLID’s 17-year history by bringing members of the music community together to champion an incredible cause,” according to Myers, SOLID Treasurer. “We as an organization pride ourselves on being able to create unity among colleagues to better our industry, each other, and the city of Nashville.”

“SOLID is honored to make a difference in Nashville with some of the most elite young professionals in the music industry,” says Brian O’Neil, SOLID President. “In turning our professional competitive drive into collaborative efforts to help our community, we can further emphasize the significance of the entertainment community within Nashville as a whole. We can’t wait to see how our relationship with BBBS expands as we approach SOLID’s 20th year!”

Corporate sponsors for the event are still being accepted for a minimum donation of $500.00. General inquiries and requests can be directed to Emma Tur at [email protected] or Basak Kizilisik at [email protected].

PLA-More Lanes is located at 2906 Foster Creighton Drive in Nashville.

Visit tnbowling.com to participate or to donate.

Nashville Musicians Association Honors Bill Walker For 50 Years of Industry Service

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bill walker

Bill Walker (L) and Dave Pomeroy (R)

World-renowned arranger, conductor, and music director Bill Walker was recently presented with the 50 Years of Service To The Industry pin by the Nashville Musicians Association (American Federation of Music).

AFM Nashville President Dave Pomeroy made the presentation to Walker and noted, “Over the past few years it has been a real pleasure to get to know Bill Walker. He is a great arranger, composer, conductor, bandleader, and a wonderful man. His impact on the Nashville music scene has been tremendous, and it was an honor to present him with his 50-year AFM pin.”

Walker’s extensive body of work includes music director residency on various television shows, including The Johnny Cash Show (1969-1971) on ABC, the CMA Awards (for 15 years), the Music City News Awards, Music Hall America (Syndicated), The Statler Brothers Show on TNN (1991-1998) and numerous other prime-time television specials.

He is recognized for his work in movies, and produced or arranged some of the biggest hits in Country music history.

NaSHOF Sets 2015 Induction Ceremony Date

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nashof-logoThe Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) will present its 45th Anniversary Dinner and Induction Ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 11, at Nashville’s Music City Center.

The organization’s Executive Director Mark Ford made the announcement, noting the gala will again feature tributes and performances of inductees’ songs by special guest artists, as well as annual awards for the year’s top songs from fellow songwriters’ organization NSAI.

Inductees for this year will be announced in the coming months.

Ali Harnell Named TJ Martell’s Ambassador of the Year

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aliharnell2013HEADshot3

Ali Harnell

The TJ Martell Foundation is honoring Ali Harnell, Sr. VP, AEG Live/The Messina Group, as its 2015 Ambassador of the Year.

The roast-style event highlighting her career achievements will take place Monday, May 11 at 6 p.m. at Zanies in Nashville.

Last year’s inaugural event honored Rob Beckham, co-head of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment’s Nashville office.

Tables and tickets are available now. “The Hecklers’ Lounge Single Tickets” are $75 each and include two drinks. “Back 40 Café Tables” include four seats, a bites food basket and two drinks per person for $400. Sponsorship options go up to tables of 10 for $2500.

For more information or to purchase tickets/tables go to tjmartell.org.