iHeartRadio Annouces Shelton, Chesney For Fifth Music Festival

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iHeartRadioKenny Chesney and Blake Shelton were announced as the headlining country acts to hit the stage at the fifth annual iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, Nev. from Sept. 18-19. The event will kick off at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with host Ryan Seacrest.

The Daytime Village returns to the MGM Resorts Village on Saturday, Sept. 19 with performances, fan zones and interactive experiences.

The line up also includes Kanye West, Sam Smith, The Who, Coldplay, Demi Lovato, David Guetta, The Weeknd, Tove Lo, Lil Wayne, Fall Out Boy, Disclosure, Hozier, Jason Derulo, Duran Duran, Prince Royce, Diplo, Trey Songz, The Killers, Nick Jonas, Janet Jackson and surprise guests.

“What makes this show unlike all others is that every artist is a massive star and could easily headline the MGM Arena on their own,” said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms, iHeartMedia.

The iHeartRadio Music Festival will broadcast live on iHeartMedia radio stations for fans throughout the country across 150 markets and will stream live on Yahoo Screen each night at 7:30 p.m. PT. The iHeartRadio Music Festival will also return to The CW Network as an exclusive two-night special on Sept. 29-30 from 8:00-10:00 p.m.

A pre-sale for MasterCard customers began July 30. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT via iHeartRadio.com/buytickets. Tickets for the Daytime Village can be purchased via iHeartRadio.com/village. iHeartMedia station listeners will have the chance to win all-expense-paid trips. One grand prize winner will be chosen to receive a fantasy all-access experience.

The iHeartRadio Music Festival is co-produced by John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises and Tom Poleman.

Schermerhorn To Celebrate Hank, Cash for One-Night Theatrical Concert

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hank and cash cast

Hank and Cash Legacy Cast

Studio Tenn Theatre Company and the Nashville Symphony have partnered to present The Hank and Cash Legacy, a one-night-only theatrical concert celebrating Hank Williams Sr. and Johnny Cash at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on August 14 at 7:30 PM.

“We are proud to partner with Studio Tenn to bring an all-new production to the Schermerhorn stage,” said Nashville Symphony President & CEO Alan D. Valentine. “Like so much of the programming we do here, ‘The Hank and Cash Legacy’ is both world-class and uniquely local—the kind of experience you can only have here in Music City. Great music touches everyone, and the legendary songs of Hank Williams and Johnny Cash resonate strongly with music lovers of all kinds.”

Modeled after Studio Tenn’s original productions 2013 The Hank Legacy and the 2015 The Cash Legacy (below), this combination show features singers and musicians putting stylistic spins on timeless hits. From Hank’s “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey, Good Lookin’” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” to Cash’s “I Walk the Line,” “Man in Black,” “Ring of Fire” and dozens more.

Tickets are on sale at StudioTenn.com.

Chris Young Named Title Sponsor of Music Row Ladies Golf Tourney

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Chris Young

Chris Young. Photo: ACM/Getty

The 29th annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament has added Chris Young as the title sponsor of this year’s event on August 17.

The tournament will once again benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee and be held at Old Natchez Country Club in Franklin, Tenn. Tim McGraw, ASCAP, City National Bank are also sponsors of the event.

“I’ve been part of the tournament for the last several years, caddying when I’m not on the road or sponsoring when I couldn’t be there in person,” Young commented. “I’m glad to support this fun event which helps benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee.”

Registration is now open and sells out quickly. To register, please contact Suzanne Lee at [email protected].

Luke Bryan to Perform Special Show for Citi Card Holders in NYC

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Luke BryanLuke Bryan will hit the bright lights of New York City to celebrate the release of his latest album Kill The Lights, performing a private concert exclusively for Citi card holders that will stream live from Irving Plaza on the Live Nation Channel on Yahoo Aug. 7.

Tickets for the special Big Apple show will be available for purchase for Citi cardmembers beginning Aug. 5. Fans can tune in to stream the concert live online on Aug. 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET here and will also be able to stream the show wherever they are through the Yahoo Screen App on mobile devices (iOS, Android) and connected devices (Apple TV, Roku and Xbox).

“Luke Bryan’s last album solidified his superstar status and we are thrilled to celebrate the release of Kill The Lights,” said Jennifer Breithaupt, Global Head of Entertainment Marketing for Citi. “Country music is a favorite among Citi cardmembers. We’ve enjoyed working with Luke on his previous tours and know this intimate concert will be a night to remember.”

“I am so excited to be getting this new music out to my fans and cannot wait to be on stage and enjoy the album release night with them!” adds Bryan about the special event.

Country Stars Reveal Film Faves on Fandango Web Series

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fandango-logoBrad Paisley, Scotty McCreery, Maddie & Tae, and Old Dominion talk movies in Fandango Movieclips’ new country edition of its “I Love Movies” video series. The series celebrates the memories of movie-going and explores how films influence and touch people’s lives.

Paisley’s choice is the Jimmy Stewart holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life. “There is a similarity between Country songs and the movies, maybe more so than any other art form,” said Paisley about the power of films. “Country songs, when done in a story form, are the closest thing to a Hollywood script you’ll find.”

McCreery found parallels between his favorite film Miracle, about the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team victory over the Soviet Union, and his own life story unfolding. “If you could read my mind when Ryan Seacrest said the winner of American Idol is Scotty McCreery, you could almost hear those lines ‘Do you believe in miracles?’ It was incredible for me out of nowhere, small town USA, to be getting up there and doing that in front of all those people.”

The 2008 horror thriller, The Strangers, left a lasting impression on Maddie & Tae, while Old Dominion’s members were so influenced by their favorite, Back To The Future, that it inspired their new video for “Break Up With Him.”

The episodes were filmed at the CMA Music Festival this summer and are available for viewing on Fandango Movieclips on YouTube and Fandango.com.

Industry Ink: Jerrod Niemann, Mickey Jack Cones, Renegade Radio, Songwriters For Second Harvest

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Niemann’s “Blue Bandana”

Jerrod Niemann’s “Blue Bandana” was the most-added song at country radio this week, with a career high of 83 first-week stations added on Billboard and Country Aircheck. The Sony staff bandana-ed up in tribute and gathered with Niemann to celebrate the feat at the label.

Pictured: (L-R): FRONT – Arista Nashville Regional Promotion Managers Lauren Thomas and Rusty Sherrill; Jenny Shearin, Promotion Specialist, Arista Nashville; CENTER – Andy Elliott, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville; Lesly Tyson, VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville; Christy Garbinski, Promotion Representative, Sony Music Nashville; R.G. Jones, Director, Promotion/Strategy & Analysis; and, BACK – Steve Hodges, EVP, Promotion & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville; Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Jerrod Nieman; Ken Robold, EVP & COO, Sony Music Nashville; and, John Sigler, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville

Pictured: (L-R): Front– Arista Nashville Regional Promotion Managers Lauren Thomas and Rusty Sherrill; Jenny Shearin, Promotion Specialist, Arista Nashville; Center – Andy Elliott, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville; Lesly Tyson, VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville; Christy Garbinski, Promotion Representative, Sony Music Nashville; R.G. Jones, Director, Promotion/Strategy & Analysis; and, Back – Steve Hodges, EVP, Promotion & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville; Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Jerrod Nieman; Ken Robold, EVP & COO, Sony Music Nashville; and, John Sigler, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville

Cones Wedding in Mexico

Producer Mickey Jack Cones (Joe Nichols. Trace Adkins, Dustin Lynch) married Shannon Danielle Harvey July 25 on the Mexican island of Isla Mujeres where they are also honeymooning. The guests of the ocean front wedding included 24 of their immediate family members from Texas and Alabama, and friends.

Micky Jack Cones

Shannon Danielle Harvey and Micky Jack Cones

renegade radioLynn Goes Renegade

Robby Lynn has joined Renegade Radio Nashville as host of the morning show from 8-12 noon Monday-Fridays. Lynn will continue his Sunday’s Kind Of Country show, which he has hosted for the past 20 years, from Music City, and will also host a special show on Tuesdays, Hometown Check-In, where calls will be made back to his hometown of Vidor, Texas to check out what is happening in and around the city. He will also host a writer’s rounds show where he will interview a new songwriter each week.

unnamed-11Tomato Love

Local songwriters will take to the stage to help the hungry at “For The Love Of Tomatoes,” a food drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee Aug. 10. Leah Turner, SaraBeth, Jordyn Stoddard, Sandra Lynn, Colby Dee, Sasha McVeigh, Lindsey Highlander, April Kry, and Mary Sarah will perform at the benefit at Dan McGuinness Irish Pub at 6 p.m., and canned goods will be accepted at the door for admission. All proceeds will go directly to Second Harvest.

DisClaimer: Americana Take Us In Many Directions This Week

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Cover_hi_resOur Americana friends take us in many directions this week.

Enduringly great Robert Earl Keen is on a bluegrass trip. Songwriters Richard Fagan and Jack Tempchin are on the comeback trail. Up-and-comers Della Mae and Statesboro Revue continue their marches to roots-music stardom. And we’ll follow the always dependable Darrell Scott and Kasey Chambers wherever they lead.

The sales success of Jason Isbell is making headlines. But it’s his music that earns him the Disc of the Day.

The DisCovery Award goes to Amy Helm. She has a stellar pedigree and the talent to fulfill it.

JACK TEMPCHIN/Room to Run
Writer: Jack Tempchin/Carey Ott; Producer: Joel Piper; Publisher: Night River/Long Story Short, ASCAP; Blue Elan (track) (www.jacktempchin.com)
—Tempchin initially made his mark by penning “Already Gone” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” for The Eagles. He also struck paydirt with Johnny Rivers’ hit version of “Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancin’)” in 1977. But he has sporadically made solo albums, too, including a fondly remembered 1978 effort for Arista. This is the title tune of an EP that’s a foretaste of his full-length CD comeback next month. His honest, open, earnest tenor voice breathes life into this nostalgic ode to his father’s guidance. Gentle, echoey instrumental support adds extra heart and warmth.

AMY HELM/Rescue Me
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; eOne (track) (www.amyhelm.com)
—She is the daughter of the late Levon Helm, a prominent participant in his Midnight Rambles and a member of the roots band Ollabelle. Now Amy Helm steps out with her first solo CD, Didn’t It Rain. This groovy, rhythm-happy, blue-eyed soul track has become an NPR favorite. Rolling, rollicking piano by Little Feat’s Bill Payne sure doesn’t hurt it. Also check out her version of Sam Cooke’s “Good News.” This gal has what it takes.

amy helm album 2015

JASON ISBELL/Something More Than Free
Writer: Jason Isbell; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Songs of Emchant, BMI; Southeastern/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.jasonisbell.com)
—His brilliant last album, Southeastern, triumphed at the Americana Music Awards. Isbell returns this year with an equally arresting song cycle. Its title tune is the world-weary lament of a persevering working man. His plaintive, near-rasp delivery demands that you hang on every line of this and every other song he sings. The man is a Nashville treasure.

RICHARD FAGAN/Redemption
Writer: R. Fagan; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RF (track) 
—Best known as the writer of the John Michael Montgomery’s “Be My Baby Tonight,” “Sold” and “I Miss You a Little,” Fagan has a new collection of 11 originals. The title tune is a gospel-flavored shout that references his hair-raising, hard-living past, including killing his best friend. Elsewhere on the set, his gifts for innovative production touches, startling lyrics and instantly catchy melodies shine brightly.

KASEY CHAMBERS & BERNARD FANNING/Bittersweet
Writer: Kasey Chambers/Bernard Fanning; Producer: Nick DiDia; Publisher: Essence/Mushroom, no performance rights listed; Sugar Hill (track) (www.kaseychambers.com)
—The title tune of this Aussie singer-songwriter’s new CD is a wistful duet ballad that burns with romantic regret. She can still break your heart with every vocal note.

ROBERT EARL KEEN/1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Writer: Richard Thompson; Producer: Lloyd Maines; Publisher: Beeswing, no performance rights listed; Dualtone (track) (www.robertearlkeen.com)
—The widely beloved troubadour has built a career on his gripping songwriting. Keen has long been a bluegrass fan, and he sets aside his own catalog on his Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions CD to sing the songs of Flatt & Scruggs, Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, A.P. Carter, Jimmie Rodgers and more. His take on this Richard Thompson tune has a dark urgency. As always, his voice is packed with personality. Only this time, it is backed by hot pickers, including Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek on fiddle. Vocal guests include Lyle Lovett, Natalie Maines and Peter Rowan. I remain an enormous fan.

DELLA MAE/Boston Town
Writer: Celia Woodsmith; Producer: Jacquire King; Publisher: Squawkbox, ASCAP; Rounder (track) (www.dellamae.com)
—This all-female Nashville ensemble scored a Grammy nomination with its prior Rounder CD. The follow-up is less bluegrassy, leaning toward an earthier, thumpy folkie vibe. It leads off with this rolling, earnest, ramblin’-gal ode. Other highlights include a cover of the Stones’ “No Expectations.” Della Mae’s accomplished picking and singing grab your ears throughout. If you aren’t already, get hip to this band.

LOWELL LEVINGER/Get Together
Writer: Dino Valenti; Producer: Ethan Turner & Lowell Levinger; Publisher: none listed; Grandpa Raccoon (track) (www.lowelllevinger.com)
—Levinger is better known as “Banana,” one of the original members of The Youngbloods. His solo CD revives that band’s favorites—”Sugar Babe,” “Darkness Darkness,” “Grizzly Bear” and the like. The title tune is The Youngbloods’ all-time hippie love-one-another classic, slowed to a shambling, affectionate shuffle. His bandmate Jesse Colin Young joins him on vocal harmony. Off in the audio distance are Maria Muldaur, David Grisman, Peter Rowan and other “Grand Chorus” friends. Smile on your brother, indeed.

STATESBORO REVUE/Undone
Writer: S. Mann/G. Quist; Producer: Scott Davis, Gordy Qust & The Statesboro Revue; Publisher: Hot Foot/Victrolacaster, ASCAP/SESAC; Vision/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.statesbororevue.com)
—This Texas ensemble took the roots-music world by storm with its debut collection two years ago. The follow-up is the appropriately titled Jukebox Revival. This lead single is a funky, rocking, soulful, swampy ode to working-class America. The album drops on Aug. 7. Get on board now.

DARRELL SCOTT/Lone Pine
Writer: Ben Bullington; Producer: Darrell Scott; Publisher: Wind Whipped, ASCAP; Full Light (track) (www.darrellscott.com)
—A formidable songwriter himself, Scott devotes his new CD to the works of the late tunesmith Bud Bullington. It is a spare recording, just an extraordinary singer accompanying himself with nimble fingers on guitar, piano, banjo, steel or bass, depending on the song. Here, he moans the bluesy, haunting lyric while his banjo notes drop around him. There is no one in this city I’d rather have sitting next to me with an instrument, singing lyrics this marvelous in my ear. A stunning recording.

Johnny Slate Dies at Age 77

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Johnny Slate.

Johnny Slate.

John Thomas Slate had a multifaceted music career in Nashville, making his mark as a songwriter, publisher, producer and manager for more than 40 years.

He passed away on Friday, July 24 at age 77, following a battle with cancer.

As a songwriter, Johnny Slate was known for such BMI award-winning songs as “Better Love Next Time” (Dr. Hook, 1979) and “Blaze of Glory” (Kenny Rogers, 1982), plus the Razzy Bailey hits “Friends” (1981), “I Keep Coming Back” (1981), “Loving Up a Storm” (1980) and “Tonight She’s Gonna Love Me (Like There Was No Tomorrow)” (1979).

He also cowrote the Joe Diffie hit “Next Thing Smokin’” (1992), The Younger Brothers’ “Nothing But the Radio On” (1982), Joe Sun’s “Shotgun Rider” (1980) and Eddy Arnold’s “Don’t Look Now (But We Just Fell in Love)” (1981).

The Razzy Bailey singles “What Time Do You Have to Be Back to Heaven” (1978), “I Ain’t Got No Business Doing Business Today” (1979) and “Everytime You Cross My Mind (You Break My Heart)” (1982) were also cowritten by Johnny Slate.

His songs were recorded by Johnny Cash, Ringo Starr, George Jones, Delbert McClinton, Tammy Wynette, Tom Jones, John Denver, Sammy Davis Jr., Exile, Loretta Lynn, Millie Jackson, Roger Miller and Charlie Rich, among others.

Slate was born in Clarksville, Tenn. After coming to Nashville, he wrote for Pamper, Green Grass, House of Gold and several other publishers before forming his own Out of Slate Music.

He was the professional manager at Tree International. He opened the Warner Bros. publishing office and served as its director. He and songwriter Larry Henley formed the Windchime and Sandstorm publishing companies, responsible for the 1978 Player pop hit “This Time I’m in it for Love.”

He created and became president of Affiliated Publishers Inc. (API) with Danny Morrison and Tony Harley. The company’s writers included Drew Womack, Joe Diffie, Kerry Kurt Phillips, Steve Pippin, Sonny LeMaire, Ken Spooner, Jerry Laseter and Wyatt Easterling. The company’s copyrights included Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It” (1995) and Diffie’s “Pickup Man” (1994).

As a producer, he created albums for Henley, Diffie, Sons of the Desert, Ron Williams and Fallenrock, among others.

As a manager, he opened a company called IMAGE Mgmt. He and his partners there managed Diffie, Tim McGraw, Ty Herndon, Sons of the Desert and several independent-label artists.

Johnny Slate was also an author. With his cowriter and cousin Danny Morrison, he published Song Writing From the Inside Out with Applewood Books.

He is survived by children Stacey, Stephen, Stephanie, Jenny and David, by 11 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and by sister Dorothy Holeman.

A memorial service for Johnny Slate will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3 at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service and immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to MusiCares.

BMI Plans Stage At St. Louis LouFest

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A group of eight bands and singer-songwriters will hit the BMI sponsored stage at the 2015 LouFest. Running Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, in Forest Park, St. Louis, festival headliners include Hozier, Ludacris and The Avett Brothers.

Now in its third year, the BMI stage will kick off the festival at 1 p.m. each day, setting the pace with top-notch burgeoning acts. Performers range from the seven-piece funky jam band KOA to Nashville’s synth-pop group COIN to Texas soul band the Suffers to the dark and bluesy All Them Witches. Rounding out the lineup are The Black Cadillacs, Brave Baby, Earl Burrows, The Suffers, and Walking Shapes.

In addition to LouFest, BMI also sponsors stages at other C3 Presents’ music festivals Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival, offering prime showcasing opportunities to BMI songwriters.

bmi stage at loufest

Industry Pics: Miranda Lambert, Brett Jones, Brandon Green

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Brett Jones Signs Brandon Green

Songwriter and publisher Brett Jones (“If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Crazy Town,” “That’s How Country Boys Roll”) has signed artist/writer Brandon Green to an exclusive publishing agreement with Jones’ Crazytown Productions.

Green, a Mississippi native, has built up a substantial following touring the Gulf Coast. He has already achieved notoriety by becoming the runner-up on Season 2 of CMT’s Can You Duet, and by being selected by Keith Urban as the winner of Guitar Center’s “Your Next Record with Keith Urban.” Following the Guitar Center competition, Green recorded songs with legendary producer Dann Huff and secured an opening spot on Urban’s 2011 tour.

[First row: Green. Second row left to right: Noah McPike (Almon & McPike), Brett Jones, and Bradley Collins (BMI).]

Seated: Brandon Green. Standing (L-R): Noah McPike (Almon & McPike), Brett Jones, and Bradley Collins (BMI)

Miranda Lambert Rocks 3rd and Lindsley

At Nashville venue 3rd and Lindsley on July 28, reigning CMA and ACM Female Vocalist winner Miranda Lambert headlined a very special, unplugged version of her Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars Tour. Proceeds were used to establish the Miranda Lambert Women Creators Fund, a scholarship for outstanding women students at Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

Pictured (l-r) with Lambert: Sony Music Nashville EVP, Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges; EVP & COO Ken Robold; and Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman.

Pictured with Lambert (L-R): Sony Music Nashville EVP, Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges; EVP & COO Ken Robold; and Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman