Thomas Rhett Sets Sophomore Release, Plans Fan-Voted Cover Art

Fans can vote for the album cover for Thomas Rhett.

Fans can vote for the album cover for Thomas Rhett.

Thomas Rhett announced Sept. 25 will be the release date for his sophomore album Tangled Up (Valory Music Co.).

The cover art has not been released because Rhett has asked fans to help choose the disc’s cover art at ThomasRhett.com. Four designs (above) will be whittled to the final cover revealed in the coming weeks.

“This album is something we’ve been working on for two years and musically, it really pulls from all the things I have been inspired by during that time,” says Rhett. “The title comes from a lyric in one of the new songs, and I think it’s a cool way to point to all the different influences that I have as an artist and a songwriter—from soul and r&b to old school country to rock and everything in between. They are all in this record!”

Rhett is currently out on Florida Georgia Line’s Anything Goes Tour 2015 before joining up with Brett Eldredge for CMT on Tour: Brett Eldredge & Thomas Rhett—Boots & Suits in the fall.

The Valory Music Co.’s lead single, “Crash And Burn,” is climbing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart, landing at No. 12 this week. The TK McKamy-directed music video, filmed in the streets of downtown Nashville with a vintage boombox and classic convertible, tells the story of a love-life on a downward spiral.

Thomas Rhett in the TK McKamy-directed music video for "Crash and Burn."

Thomas Rhett in the TK McKamy-directed music video for “Crash and Burn.”

Corey Smith Celebrates Release Week ‘While The Gettin’ Is Good’

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Pictured (L-R): Kendall Durkee, The Collective; Cliff O’Sullivan, Rounder Label Group; Ashley Moyer, Rounder Label Group; Cass Scripps, APA Booking; Brinson Strickland, The Collective; Brandi Simms, CMA; Corey Smith; Brenden Oliver, CMA; Megan Bedford, Rounder Label Group; Rachel Cunningham, The Collective; and Carrie Tekautz, CMA.

Sugar Hill Records artist Corey Smith stopped by CMA on Wednesday (June 24) to play a few songs for the staff including his new single “Feet Wet” and songs from his new release, While The Gettin’ Is Good.

Smith has partnered with several outlets to unveil important elements of this release. Rolling Stone Country exclusively announced the album, while Roughstock premiered the album art and track list, and Country Weekly took the exclusive on the “Feet Wet” lyric video.

Smith just wrapped a week of special events in Nashville surrounding the album’s release. He performed a sold-out benefit concert for the Seva Foundation on June 24 at Bluebird Café, and he celebrated release day on the revered Grand Ole Opry stage, complete with an album signing. He will continue his tour throughout the summer with stops in New York City, Chicago, Washington DC and more.

He will perform at the Tin Roof Nashville on Aug. 7.

While The Gettin’ Is Good track listing
1.  Don’t Mind
2.  Ain’t Going Out Tonight
3.  Flip-flop
4.  My Kinda Lady
5.  Feet Wet
6.  Taking the Edge Off
7.  Dahlonega
8.  Blow Me Away
9.  PRIDE
10. The Baseball Song
11. Drinkin’ on My Mind
12. Bend

Artist Pics: Steven Tyler, Kenny Chesney, Dan + Shay With Keith Urban

Steven Tyler Debuts Country Video

Steven Tyler is releasing a video for his debut country single, “Love Is Your Name” on July 3. Tyler will give fans a sneak peek of the new clip on ABC’s Good Morning America. The video was directed by Trey Fanjoy and shot just outside of Nashville.

Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler on the set of his new music video. Photo: Seth Hellman

Kenny Chesney Stops By No Shoes Reefs During Florida Date

Kenny Chesney visited the first two No Shoes Reefs in Jacksonville’s St. John River while in the area for his June 14 Florida Country Superfest show. The man-made reefs, named the Coastal Conservation Association and George Holt Reefs, were designed to promote the aquatic habitat and improve area fishing and were built through the support of Chesney’s ongoing partnership with Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and The Coastal Conservation Association/Building Conservation Trust.

Pictured Front Row L-R: Captain Nathan (Seafood Kitchen Boat), Pat Murray (Coastal Conservation Association President) Captain Russell (Seafood Kitchen Boat) Kelleigh Gorski and Brian Gorski (Executive Director CCA Florida) Back Row Left to Right: Brett Palmer (AbiJack Management, Inc) and Kenny Chesney. Photo Courtesy: Kenny Chesney

Pictured Front Row (L-R:) Captain Nathan (Seafood Kitchen Boat), Pat Murray (Coastal Conservation Association President), Captain Russell (Seafood Kitchen Boat), Kelleigh Gorski and Brian Gorski (Exec. Dir. CCA Florida). Back Row: Brett Palmer (AbiJack Management, Inc) and Kenny Chesney. Photo Courtesy: Kenny Chesney

Dan + Shay Perform With Keith Urban

Dan + Shay performed with Keith Urban on the song “Tonight I Wanna Cry” at the recent sold-out Soaring Eagle Casino show. The duo also sang with Urban during an encore at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisc. on Friday (June 24). The duo went on to open for Shania Twain on Saturday at Ottawa’s Wesley Clover Park with 20,000 fans in attendance. 

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Keith Urban (center) with Dan + Shay

JB and the Moonshine Band Offer Up ‘Mixtape’ to Fans

JB and the Moonshine BandJB and the Moonshine Band are gearing up for the release of their latest album Mixtape tomorrow (June 30).

The project is the third for the band, whose 2012 release Beer For Breakfast was named one of the Top 5 Country Albums of the Year by Rolling Stone and who have had three consecutive No. 1s on the Texas chart.

“Although ‘Mixtape’ is the title of one of the songs on the album, it also describes the varied styles on the album,” said frontman JB Patterson of the new collection. “I would say that the album is indeed country, but more specifically, it’s traditional country, outlaw/alternative country, pop country, rock and Americana all at the same time.”

Along with the new CD release, the band is slated to play the 1000th live performance of their career this year and continue to rack up 175 dates per year on the road.

Mixtape Track Listing:
1. Shotgun, Rifle, and a .45 (JB Patterson)
2. You Can’t Take My Backroads (JB Patterson/Kyle Jacobs/Randy Montana)
3. Mixtape (JB Patterson)
4. How Can I Miss You (JB Patterson)
5. Light It Up (JB Patterson/Lex Lipsitz)
6. Close Enough To Heaven (JB Patterson)
7. Wagon (Jeff Middleton / Ben Stennis/JB Patterson)
8. Keep a Couple Beers Cold (Jeff Jones)
9. Good Lord’s Grace (JB Patterson)
10. Mess Outta Me (JB Patterson)
11. Where’s Woody Guthrie (Allen Shamblin/Rob Crosby)
12. Back When We Were Kids (JB Patterson)
13. Shotgun, Rifle, and a .45 (Remix) (JB Patterson)

Industry Pics: John and Jacob Present CMA Grants; WMN Welcomes CRB Board

CMA Supports Music Education

Pictured: (front, L-R:) W.O. Smith Camp BackBeat students Gloria Lomax, Kira Wolfe, Christian Balderas, and Javon'Tae Blackmun. (back, l-r) Jonah Rabinowitz, W.O. Smith School Executive Director; John and Jacob's Jacob Bryant, John Davidson, Austin Smith, Jake Thrasher, and Trevor Davis; Tiffany Kerns, CMA Community Outreach Manager; and John Tumminello, Musicians Corner Executive Director Photo Credit: Caitlin Harris / CMA

Pictured: (front, L-R:) W.O. Smith Camp BackBeat students Gloria Lomax, Kira Wolfe, Christian Balderas, and Javon’Tae Blackmun. (back, l-r) Jonah Rabinowitz, W.O. Smith School Executive Director; John and Jacob’s Jacob Bryant, John Davidson, Austin Smith, Jake Thrasher, and Trevor Davis; Tiffany Kerns, CMA Community Outreach Manager; and John Tumminello, Musicians Corner Executive Director
Photo Credit: Caitlin Harris / CMA

John and Jacob made a special appearance at the Musicians Corner concert series in Nashville Saturday (June 27) to present CMA Foundation grants to the Musicians Corner organizers and the W.O. Smith Music School.

Students from the W.O. Smith Music Camp Backbeat had just finishing performing on the Centennial Park stage when the duo presented them with a check from the CMA. The money will go to fund W.O. Smith camps for low-income students, and enhanced musical experiences in the Kidsville section of Musicians Corner.

Grants from the CMA Foundation are made on behalf of artists like John and Jacob who donate their time and perform for free each year during the CMA Music Festival.

The rising duo returned to Musicians Corner to perform on Sunday. 

Warner Hosts CRB Board

Warner Music Nashville hosted an event for the board of Country Radio Broadcasters last week in Nashville. The dinner was held on the patio of the label group’s Nashville offices, and featured performances by William Michael Morgan and Ryan Kinder.

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Pictured: Warner Music Nashville executives, CRS Agenda Committee members, CRB Board members and artists William Michael Morgan and Ryan Kinder (seated).

ASCAP Promotes Lauren Iossa To Exec. VP

Lauren Iossa

Lauren Iossa

ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews announced today (June 29) that marketing executive Lauren Iossa has been promoted to Exec. Vice President, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, effective July 1, 2015. Iossa will be based out of New York City and will join the organization’s executive leadership team and continue to report directly to Matthews. She will oversee all of ASCAP’s global public relations, brand and corporate marketing activities, as well as communications and special events.

Iossa joined ASCAP in 1984 and most recently served as SVP and Chief Marketing Officer. She has played an important role in raising ASCAP’s profile as an advocacy-focused, service-oriented organization. During a tumultuous time in the landscape of litigation, copyright reform and the consent decree review process, she helmed an effective multi-platform marketing and communications campaign. She is also the architect of one of ASCAP’s most successful brand initiatives, the annual ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO, which just celebrated its 10th year, and has hosted more than 20,000 attendees.

“As we move towards increased efficiency and transparency for our members and licensees, Lauren and her team are a central component to executing these pivotal changes in the organization and providing strategic guidance,” said Matthews. “Her deep knowledge of ASCAP’s history, her commitment to our mission and her passion for music make her a uniquely effective advocate for this organization and for the rights of music creators worldwide. She is an incredible asset to ASCAP’s executive team as we navigate a transformation for a new era in advocacy and rights management.”

“Songwriters and other music creators are at a critical juncture in terms of how their music is valued in the marketplace, and ASCAP is on the front lines of the fight to modernize the music licensing system and protect their copyrights and their livelihoods,” said Iossa. “Building ASCAP’s brand as a modern rights management company calls for strategic activities that communicate our unmatched value to members, licensees, members of Congress and policy makers. I look forward to working closely with the other members of Beth’s leadership team to capitalize on our momentum and to protect the value of music and the rights of the people who create it.”

Iossa is active with the CISAC World Copyright Summit, an executive partner in the PENCIL program to aid New York City public schools, and was honored by Billboard as an influential woman in the music business.

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Round Hill Music Re-signs Wade Kirby

Pictured (L-R): Round Hill Music's Josh Saxe,  songwriter Wade Kirby, Round Hill Music's Mark Brown, and Round Hill Music's attorney, Mathew Beckett

Pictured (L-R): Round Hill Music’s Josh Saxe, songwriter Wade Kirby, Round Hill Music’s Mark Brown, and Round Hill Music attorney Matthew Beckett

Round Hill Music has re-signed hit songwriter Wade Kirby to an exclusive global publishing agreement. Kirby is co-writer of current Parmalee single “Already Callin’ You Mine,” and has also written No. 1 singles for George Strait (“I Saw God Today”) and Blake Shelton (“Doin’ What She Likes”) as well as Easton Corbin’s top 10 single “All Over The Road.”

Kirby’s illustrious career spans over two decades, having signed his first publishing contract in 1988. Stars such as Tyler Farr, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Craig Campbell, Jackie Lee, William Michael, Kellie Pickler, Brett Kissell, Joe Nichols, Kenny Rogers, Faith Hill, and Billy Currington have also recorded Kirby’s songs.

“We are delighted to be continuing our great relationship with Wade Kirby. Wade is a super talented songwriter and a rare breed. We look forward to a successful future,” says Mark Brown, Vice President, and General Manager of Round Hill Music Nashville.

In addition to Kirby, Round Hill’s Nashville roster includes Marti Frederiksen, Danny Myrick, Lindsey Lee, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Elisha Hoffman, Rachel Proctor, Trey Bruce, and The Moxies, as well as Big Loud Shirt writers Craig Wiseman, Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Sarah Buxton, and Matt Dragstrem.

Dolly Sells Out Ryman, Adds Second Show

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton

In response to the demand for tickets to the Pure And Simple benefit scheduled for July 31 at the Ryman Auditorium, Dolly has added a second show on Aug. 1 that will benefit the Opry Trust Fund.

“I love being a member of the Grand Ole Opry…have been since 1969,” said Parton.”It’s important to me to be able to do a concert for the Opry Trust Fund as so many of my old Opry friends have benefited from it through the years. The money raised will go to help fund the medical needs and hospitalization for those who are not able to afford it and need the help. I am proud to be of help in any way.”

Tickets for the added date are $55 and $100 and will go on sale July 2 at 10 a.m. online only at ticketmaster.com.

The two dates will mark the first time Dolly has performed full concerts in Music City in 12 years.

More information on the Opry Trust Fund can be found here.

Tanya Welch Departs Sony Music Nashville

Tanya Welch

Tanya Welch

Tanya B. Welch has exited Sony Music Nashville after two decades with the label group. She served as Sr. Director of Marketing.

She tells MusicRow, “It’s been an amazing 20 year ride with Sony Music Nashville (including Epic, Columbia, RCA, BNA, Monument and yes, even Lucky Dog Records) and I’m forever grateful for the lessons learned and the friendships cultivated. I’m truly overwhelmed when I think of the front row seat I’ve had to witness this era of modern country music (not to mention the legacy projects I’ve been blessed to be a part of)…I’m excited about the future and a soon to be announced new adventure.”

Artist Pics: Martina McBride, Michael Ray, Steve Wariner

Michael Ray Performs at Pickin’ On The Patio

Warner Music Nashville hosted the second Pickin’ On The Patio party this week featuring Atlantic Records’ Michael Ray. His new single “Kiss You In The Morning” is nearing the top 10. That night Ray pulled double duty by making his fourth appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

Pictured (L-R): Jordan Pettit (VP, National Promotion, Team WEA), Justin Luffman (VP, Brand Management), Brandon Mauldin (Ontourage Management), Michael Ray, Cris Lacy (VP, A&R), Tony Conway (Ontourage Management), Scott Hendricks (SVP, A&R), Adrian Michaels (Director, National Promotion, Team WEA)

Pictured (L-R): Jordan Pettit (VP, National Promotion, Team WEA), Justin Luffman (VP, Brand Management), Brandon Mauldin (Ontourage Management), Michael Ray, Cris Lacy (VP, A&R), Tony Conway (Ontourage Management), Scott Hendricks (SVP, A&R), Adrian Michaels (Director, National Promotion, Team WEA)

Martina McBride Celebrates Philanthropic Success On CBS This Morning

Almost four years ago, Martina McBride’s fans from around the world joined together to form the charity effort “Team Martina.” CBS This Morning highlighted the fundraising initiatives of the group earlier today (June 26). The group has raised over $300,000 and donated to various non-profits in five countries, including the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, The Chastain Park Conservancy and Covenant House. McBride encourages local participation of her fans to do good works in the towns where she makes tour stops.

Team Martina

Team Martina. Photo: Shelia Jones

 

Steve Wariner Visits WSM-AM’s Charlie Mattos

SelecTone recording artist and country music legend Steve Wariner visited WSM-AM’s Charlie Mattos to talk about his upcoming show at Nashville’s City Winery on June 24 and play songs from his most recent album It Ain’t All Bad.

Pictured (L-R): Steve Wariner and Charlie Mattos

Pictured (L-R): Steve Wariner and Charlie Mattos