May 2015 - Page 6 of 22

Would You Like That Beer To Go? New Law Will Allow It

May 22, 2015/by Sherod Robertson

Governor Bill Haslam signed the “to-go cup” bill (House Bill No. 642) on April 28, which will soon make it legal to carry open containers of beer or liquor on one block in downtown Nashville. The law goes into effect on July 1.

The approved block is on Fifth Avenue between Demonbreun Street and Korean Veterans Boulevard and allows people to carry alcohol as they walk between Music City Center, Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Omni hotel. The goal was to make these three buildings a more cohesive unit rather than create a downtown environment where patrons walk around with a drink in their hand.

Last year, a bill attempting to allow open containers to be carried on Lower Broadway failed to gain enough support to be passed.

While the law only allows for open containers on the one block, it begs the question: Does this limited area set the stage for potentially expanding the area to include additional streets in the future?

Stay tuned.

Ticketmaster Snags Ex-Show Dog Director, Sloane Cavitt Logue

May 21, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Sloane Cavitt Logue. Photo: Krista Lee

Sloane Cavitt Logue has been named Manager of Client Relations for Ticketmaster Artist Services in Nashville.

Logue will serve as the primary contact for Ticketmaster’s Nashville-based artist and manager clients, providing access to and advice on how best to utilize Ticketmaster’s artist programs.

“I look forward to helping artists super-serve their fans. In this role, I will be able to share all the great products and services Ticketmaster has to offer to Nashville’s exploding music community,” said Logue.

Zeeshan Zaidi, SVP/GM of Artist Services for Ticketmaster added, “Serving our clients in Nashville is a major priority for us so we needed a strong local presence. Sloane is a perfect fit—a talented music marketing executive who is plugged into the industry. We’re excited to have her representing Ticketmaster in the Music City.”

Logue previously served as Director of Digital Marketing at Show Dog Universal Music, where she worked for more than seven years. She can be reached at [email protected] or 615-932-5216.

Keith Urban: Meets Fan Demand With New Video, Joins Jason Derulo Track

May 21, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Urban’s “Come Back To Me” video.

Keith Urban has released a video for his song “Come Back To Me” at the request of fans, even though the track is not a single. The bonus video marks the success of his current album FUSE, which spawned four No. 1s, including his 18th charttopper, “Raise ‘Em Up.”

The video was shot last December in Nashville and was directed by Chris Hicky. “Come Back To Me” was written by Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark and Trevor Rosen and was co-produced by Butch Walker and Urban.

Tonight (May 21), Urban and John Mellencamp will perform “Pink Houses” on NBC’s star-studded charity event Red Nose Day, 8-11 p.m. ET, to raise money for children living in poverty in the U.S. and around the world. Also on the show, see Blake Shelton visiting a mobile health clinic in Los Angeles that is providing free, life-changing care to underprivileged children.

In more Urban news, he and Stevie Wonder are featured on a new Jason Derulo track, “Broke.”

CMA Fest Kick-Off Concert Performers Announced

May 21, 2015/by Kelsey_Grady

Today CMA announced the performers for the CMA Music Festival Free Kick-Off Concert at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage featuring SiriusXM Highway Finds.

Performers include A Thousand Horses, Greg Bates, Annie Bosko, Ruthie Collins, Jessie James Decker, Clare Dunn, Haley Georgia, Haley & Michaels, Sonia Leigh, LoCash, Jackson Michelson, Logan Mize, Jess Moskaluke, Old Dominion, James Otto, Outshyne, Parmalee, Carly Pearce, Adam Sanders, Canaan Smith, Dallas Smith, and Sundy Best (lineup subject to change).

“The CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Concert has been extremely popular with our fans and adds another day of free music to the event,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “It is just another way we can thank the local fans for supporting the Festival while also welcoming Country Music fans from around the country and world to Nashville.”

“We are excited to be working with the CMA for the first time on the official kick-off event for CMA Music Fest featuring SiriusXM Highway Finds. We’re looking forward to curating a lineup of Highway Finds artists and putting together a great stage to kick off the week’s festivities,” said John Marks, CMA Board Member and Senior Director, Music Programming, SiriusXM.

CMA also announced this year’s national anthem singers for the 2015 CMA Music Festival. Katie Armiger will perform the national anthem on Thursday, June 11 at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage. Performing the national anthem at LP Field Thursday night will be Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, followed by Restless Heart on Friday, Kellie Pickler on Saturday, and Lee Greenwood on Sunday.

Last Days: Nashville’s Sub Stop Closes Next Week

May 21, 2015/by Sherod Robertson

A popular music industry lunch spot for sandwiches and salads will close its doors next week on Friday, May 29.

Located near Music Row, the iconic pink facade on Broadway houses the establishment which has served locals for over 40 years.

Touting high quality food, generous portions and friendly service, this local hang’s most popular dishes include homemade chicken salad sandwiches, Italian and reuben sandwiches and a wide assortment of cakes.

In August of last year, MusicRow reported Nashville would soon be home to a SkyHouse luxury high-rise apartment building at the current Sub Stop location. The 25-story, 352-unit building being built by Novare Group and Batson-Cook Development Company would include more than 10,600-square-feet of ground level retail.

Although no official update has been received on the new development, one thing is for sure: Sub Stop shutters its doors in eight days.

MusicRow Awards: Breakthrough Artist of the Year

May 21, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Nominees for the 27th annual MusicRow Awards, Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors, have been revealed. This year’s BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST category is stacked with entertainers who are also talented tunesmiths, having co-written almost all of their debut albums.

The fastest rising female act in eight years, Maddie & Tae scored with sassy debut single “Girl In A Country Song.” It reached No. 1 at country radio, sold over 600K downloads, and reeled in over 22 million VEVO video views. They co-wrote all four titles on their EP, and earned an ACM nod for Vocal Duo of The Year. They are about to head out on Dierks Bentley’s Sounds of Summer Tour.

Kelsea Ballerini’s self-penned debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It” is quickly scaling the country radio and sales charts, while debut album The First Time hit shelves this week. She is co-headlining the career-boosting CMT Next Women of Country Tour.

Chase Rice’s album, Ignite The Night, debuted at No. 1 on the country albums chart. It yielded the Platinum-certified, Top 5 hit “Ready Set Roll” and new follow-up single “Gonna Wanna Tonight.” He sold out nearly every stop on his own Ignite The Night Tour last year, and will keep the momentum going on Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Tour this summer.

Sam Hunt’s Montevallo is the best-selling country debut album since 2011, and the best-selling country album of 2015, with sales topping 500K. The Georgia native earned back-to-back Platinum singles with “Leave the Night On” and “Take Your Time.” Hunt co-wrote every song on his album, including “Cop Car,” made famous by Keith Urban. He also has writing credit on the Billy Currington hit “We Are Tonight.” Hunt spent the fall on the CMT tour with Kip Moore.

Cole Swindell, MusicRow’s 2014 Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, is back with a nomination for Breakthrough Artist after a blockbuster year. He earned three straight No. 1s: Platinum-certified “Chillin’ It” and Gold certified “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey” and “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight.” As a songwriter, he has credits including “This Is How We Roll” (Florida Georgia Line ft. Luke Bryan), “Roller Coaster” (Bryan) and “Get Me Some of That” (Thomas Rhett), the latter two songs were penned with Breakthrough Songwriter nominee Michael Carter. Next up Swindell will head out on tours headlined by Jason Aldean and Kenny Chesney.

The MusicRow Awards are often a key predictor for select CMA Awards. Almost every year since 2006, MusicRow’s Breakthrough Artist winners also received the CMA New Artist/Horizon Award later the same year, including Kacey Musgraves (2013), The Band Perry (2011), Zac Brown Band (2010), Lady Antebellum (2008), Taylor Swift (2007), and Carrie Underwood (2006).

Award winners are voted on exclusively by Subscriber Members of MusicRow. Honors will be presented during an invitation-only ceremony at ASCAP on Tuesday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m., saluting the Breakthrough Songwriter, Breakthrough Artist, Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, and the Top Ten Album AllStar Musicians. The eligibility period is May 1, 2014 – April 30, 2015.

Click to see the full list of nominees.

Brett Eldredge’s No. 1 Song “Mean To Me” Celebrated In Nashville

May 21, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Sony/ATV’s Josh VanValkenburg, BMI’s Bradley Collins, BMI singer/songwriter Brett Eldredge, Warner Music’s John Espositio, ASCAP songwriter Scooter Carusoe, ASCAP’s Michael Martin, and Carnival Music’s Frank Liddell.

Nashville’s Acme Feed & Seed held a rooftop party hosted by BMI and ASCAP on Wednesday (May 20) to celebrate the No. 1 song “Mean To Me” recorded by Brett Eldredge. The song was written by Eldredge and Carnival Music’s Scooter Carusoe and produced by Luke Laird.

BMI’s Bradley Collins and ASCAP’s Michael Martin each spoke and welcomed the crowd to an almost rainy celebration. They recognized the song as Eldredge’s third consecutive No. 1 song and Laird’s second as a producer.

Carusoe praised Eldredge as an artist and songwriter but also commended him as a person. He said, “I’ve been around a long time, and Brett is the most fondly spoken of. I want to recognize him as a pal.”

Warner Bros. CEO/President John Esposito took the mic to offer his congratulations, as did Carnival Music’s Frank Liddell, Warner’s Scott Hendricks, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, and representatives from CMA and CRB. Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox announced a donation to the Alzheimer’s Fund on behalf of Carusoe and Eldredge.

When Eldredge took the stage, he recognized his parents and brother who were in attendance. Many thanks were given to his manager, Warner Bros. team, publishers and all the believers.

“This is such an amazing feeling that never gets old,” said Eldredge. “Five years ago, I had a meeting with Espo that ended with me saying that I believed in him, and him saying he believed in me.”

Katie Armiger Launches “Girls With Dreams” Contest

May 21, 2015/by Kelsey_Grady

Katie Armiger

Katie Armiger is launching “Girls With Dreams,” a national songwriting competition for young songwriters. They will compete for the chance to win a $10,000 college scholarship and record with Armiger and two-time Grammy-winning producer Chad Carlson (Taylor Swift) in Nashville.

“My entire career started by winning a contest,” says Armiger. “And now I’d like to give other young ladies an opportunity like the one I had.”

For contest rules and information, please go to katiearmiger.com.

DISClaimer: Steven Tyler Is Tops

May 21, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

It’s the world turned upside down.

Just about everything in this week’s column is unexpected. I never thought I would be giving an award to the likes of Steven Tyler. First off, I am philosophically opposed to carpetbaggers from pop going “country.” Secondly, it seems counterintuitive to give a newcomer award to a member of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. But facts are facts. His single is tops, and this is the first time he’s been in this column. So he gets a DISCovery Award.

Despite the presence of heavy hitters like Thomas Rhett, Zac Brown and Thompson Square, the Disc of the Day winds up being a dead heat between two much lesser known acts. So come to the podium, Tebey and Old Dominion.

THOMAS RHETT/Crash and Burn
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory (ERG)
—It has a somewhat ‘60s retro quality, what with the hand claps, background vocal grunts, whistling and bright, pop chorus melody. Quite listenable.

THOMPSON SQUARE/Trans Am
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Broken Bow
—A shuddering guitar, a quirky-jerky tune, electro-processed vocal touches and shouted “Hey’s” are stirred together in this ode to a sporty ride. Bouncy.

TEBEY/When the Buzz Wears Off
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Road Angel (ERG)
—Ear catching, thanks to a warmly personable vocal, a rushing-forward arrangement, a hooky melody, a youthful vibe and an imaginative lyric. I dig this a whole big bunch. Credits, please.

Old Dominion

OLD DOMINION/Break Up With Him
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA (ERG)
—I’m a big fan of this group, so I’m delighted to see it getting a major-label shot. From the spoken-word verse introductions to the super melodic choruses, this has everything it takes for success. As catchy as the dickens.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Loving You Easy
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine (ERG)
—Jaunty and ultra romantic. His lead vocal is loaded with friendliness, and the band’s signature harmony singing is as flawless as ever. This goes down so smoothly, it’s bound to be a hit.

JOE SCHMIDT/Jesus Loves Me
Writer: Joe Schmidt; Producer: Mark A. Burch; Publisher: none listed, BMI; JS (CDX) (www.joeschmidtmusic.net)
—Yes, it’s the familiar Sunday-school song, dressed up with some new lyrics and sung in a chesty, macho baritone. Pass.

STEVEN TYLER/Love Is Your Name
Writer: Lindsey Lee/Eric Paslay; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Hound Hill Works/Hear Candy/Riding Songs/Spirit Catalog Holdings/s.a.r.l./Five Stone/Spirit Two, BMI/ASCAP; Dot
—I’ve been dreading the country debut of Aerosmith’s lead singer. Surprise: It doesn’t suck. Aided by a tuneful, extremely well written song and a sprightly, choppy production, Tyler sends his tenor skyward amid mandolin flourishes and sunny harmony singers. Very, very playable.

COUNTRY JACK HARPER/I’d Say We’re Even
Writer: Jack Harper; Producer: Gene Breeden; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; CJH (track)
—Plain-jane country, unadorned with today’s pop production touches. Old fashioned and wobbly sung, but sweetly intentioned.

TYLER FARR/Withdrawals
Writer: Josh Kear/Gordie Sampson/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Julian King & Jim Catino; Publisher: Global Dog/Lunalight/Words & Music/Bughouse/Dash8/BMG Rights/Hillarodyrathbone, ASCAP; Columbia (track)
—“They don’t have a rehab for heartbreak.” He’s going through withdrawal, now that it’s over between them. Sung with passion, at the top of his range. With lots of screaming electric guitars around him to add to the “excitement.”

TORI MARTIN/Woman Up
Writer: none listed; Producer: Chuck Ebert; Publisher: none listed; Martin 3 (www.torimartinofficial.com)
—Bluesy and stomping, with a female-empowerment lyric. Her vocal is a little bit shakey, but it’s the attitude that counts here.

Bobby Karl Works The Luke Bryan CMHoF Exhibit Preview

May 21, 2015/by Bobby Karl

Luke Bryan. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for CMHOF

One of country music’s biggest stars displayed an aw-shucks reaction when honored with his own exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame last night (May 20).

“Curators: I’m not even sure I knew what that word was, except maybe it was something in Las Vegas,” said Luke Bryan. “But now that I do, I thank you.

“To have such a wonderfully done exhibit is pretty amazing. To see it laid out in front of you is very amazing.”

Bryan was speaking at the preview party for Luke Byran: Dirt Road Diaries. The CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year’s exhibit opens to the public on Friday, May 22.

“Luke Bryan is as country as they come,” said the museum’s Kyle Young. “He grew up on a peanut farm. He sang in the church choir…He loves to fish and hunt.

“He encourages his fans to enjoy themselves. When he hits the stage, he’s the happiest guy in the world. He chooses to celebrate life. The way he finds joy in life is why he is where he is today.”

Luke concurred. “We just wake up every day and figure out how to smile and make other people smile,” he said. “Thank you for letting me having a place in this magical world here in Music City.”

As their remarks suggested, the exhibit emphasizes Luke Bryan’s prowess as an entertainer. Posters, t-shirts, ball caps, guitars, magazine covers, stage props, show clothes and the like are all displayed.

Representing his early life in Leesburg, Ga., are his childhood piano (a Wurlitzer spinet), kindergarten diploma, school backpack, Little League uniform, first guitar and the script from the high-school production of Annie Get Your Gun, in which he co-starred.

Want to know his lifestyle? The exhibit includes his Remington shotgun, bow and arrows (used on the reality TV series Buck Commander), fishing reel and trophy-size mounted bass caught in Brazil. There you have it, plus gowns his wife wore to awards shows and the awards he won at them.

Taking it all in were Mike Dungan, Mike Vaden, Mike Sisted. Charlie Cook, Charlie Monk, Royce Risser, Lisa Lee, Troy Tomlinson, Seab Tuck and Sarah Trahern.

Pictured (L-R): Universal Music Group Nashville's Mike Dungan, LiveNation's Brian O'Connell, Luke Bryan, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, and KP Entertainment's Kerri Edwards. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for CMHOF

Pictured (L-R): Universal Music Group Nashville’s Mike Dungan, Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell, Luke Bryan, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Kyle Young, and KPEntertainment’s Kerri Edwards. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for CMHOF

The cocktail hors d’oeuvres featured black-eyed pea salad, candied bacon, crostinis, cheese dip, ham roll-ups, veggies and mini hoe cakes. We schmoozed and vogued in the Hall of Fame rotunda before perusing Luke’s displays.

Luke Bryan has sold nearly seven million albums and had 12 No. 1 country singles. His Crash My Party CD has sold two million units and spawned six consecutive No. 1 smashes. In 2014, more than 1.7 million fans attended his concerts.

Celebrating his accomplishments were such figures as Jeff Stevens, Cindy Mabe, Diane Pearson, Eric Parker, Dave Pomeroy, Vince Santoro, Andrew Kintz, Chris Horsnell, country historian Tony Russell (visiting from London), Kate Richardson, Teresa George, Bob Paxman, Heath Owen, Steve Hodges, Lois Riggins-Ezell, Earle Simmons, Rebecca Walls, Cindy Watts and CMT’s Jennifer Danielson, Jordan Stevens and Jen Morrison.

“I moved here in 2001, just knowing a handful of people,” said Luke. “I just thank you guys for being here….So many amazingly important people in this room have made this happen…I love y’all.”

Luke sees his exhibit for the first time with his mother in the background and manager Keri Edwards behind. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for CMHOF

Luke sees his exhibit for the first time with his mother and wife in the background and manager Kerri Edwards behind. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for CMHOF