Music City Food + Wine Festival Draws Near

music city food and wine 2015Music City Food + Wine Festival has added the Sunday Gospel Brunch, with a menu crafted by Matt Bolus (404 Kitchen) and a live performance by award-winning steel pedal guitarist Robert Randolph and the Nashville Friends Choir. The brunch is set for Sunday, Sept. 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, and is part of the third annual festival, running Sept. 19 – 20.

The event is produced by Kings of Leon, world-renowned chef Jonathan Waxman, Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and Andy Mendelsohn, and Austin-based C3 Presents.

The festival grounds at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park will feature live cooking demonstrations, book signings, samples, wines, cocktails, and giveaways.

Saturday’s Harvest Night offers plenty of celebrity chefs and music performances at Walk of Fame Park, though the musical line-up has not been announced.

New Uber users can apply the promo code “FOODWINE” to receive a free ride up to $20.

Music City Food + Wine Festival ticket options include a Saturday Day Pass ($150), Sunday Day Pass ($150), Harvest Night Pass ($225) or All-In Pass ($500).

Details at www.musiccityfoodandwinefestival.com.

In more foodie news, Waxman is launching Chef’s Night Out, a dinner series at his restaurant Adele’s. The first event will feature award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern on Thurs., Sept. 17. Cost is $80 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Following on Oct. 6 is guest chef Marcus Samuelsson. Call 615-988-9700 for reservations.

StubHub Ditches ‘All-In’ Ticket Pricing

StubHub_logoIt seems that attendees of music and sports events dislike the sticker shock of “all-in” ticket pricing even more than they dislike additional fees being tacked on during the checkout process.

After less than two years of “all-in” pricing, ticket resale company StubHub is reverting to its previous system of adding 15 percent to 17 percent to ticket prices at checkout, according to the Wall Street Journal.

However, StubHub President Scott Cutler says the shift away from all-in pricing isn’t a retreat.

“I view it as a continuous evolution,” says Cutler, adding that the price-display change is one of several changes in the works, including better event recommendations and a further expansion into international markets. The all-in ticket pricing display will still be an option on StubHub, though not the default setting.

“The hope was that the industry would follow and that would yield greater transparency,” Cutler says. However, few competitors joined in with all-in pricing display, making them look like a better deal than StubHub in preliminary ticket price search results.

Regardless of display options, StubHub remains one of the biggest players in the $6 billion live event ticket reselling market.

Industry Ink: BLA, Catch This Music, Matt Rizor Fundraiser

buddy lee attractionsBLA Adds To Artist Roster

Buddy Lee Attractions (BLA) has added Andy Griggs and Mark Wills to the booking agency’s roster of notable country music entertainers, which includes Darryl Worley, Daryle Singletary, Halfway to Hazard, Radio Romance and more.

“The Country music sector has long provided a venue for a wide variety of musical styles,” said Donna Lee, Owner and CEO, Buddy Lee Attractions“Griggs and Wills have made it evident, with their consistent demand, that their style of music can put bodies in seats at any venue. Promoters recognize their ‘test of time’ entertainment value.”

 

Catch This Music Adds Executive Assistant

Kathryn Graham

Kathryn Graham

Catch This Music has added Kathryn Graham in an executive assistant role. A graduate of Full Sail University, she worked for five years at Bluewater Music. Her career path has also included stops at Lyric Financial and ClearBox Rights.

“I’ve always felt the artists/writers were missing a trusted source where administrative and creative thinkers come together to form a family circled around the growth of their music. CTM is this place,” says Graham.

“I’m so excited to have Kathryn join our CTM family,” says CTM President/CEO Eddie Robba. “Kathryn brings great value and excitement to our team.”

 

Fundraiser For Industry Member Matt Rizor

rizor1

Matt Rizor

Just over one year ago, booking agent Matt Rizor was left in a coma after being hit by a car in Nashville. Today, after months of therapy, Rizor is walking, running, and talking, though still on the road to a full recovery.

He has had therapy at Stallworth Center in Nashville, the Shepard Center in Atlanta, and at NeuroRestorative in Michigan. Friends and family hope to raise $15,000 to cover therapy and travel expenses for continued therapy for Rizor, as Medicaid will not cover therapy at NeuroRestorative.

To donate, visit youcaring.com.

Weekly Chart Report (9/4/15)

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Steven Tyler To Join CMA Songwriters ‘Front and Center’ Filming

Steven Tyler. Photo:  Zack Whitford.

Steven Tyler. Photo: Zack Whitford.

Legendary Aerosmith member and budding country music artist Steven Tyler will give a live performance on Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Melrose Ballroom in Long Island City, New York for an exclusive Front and Center public television episode.

Set to air in early 2016, the acoustic event is part of the Country Music Association’s (CMA) Songwriters Series additionally featuring hit songwriters Rebecca Lynn Howard, Eric Paslay, Lindsey Lee, Nuno Bettencourt, and Marti Frederiksen.

Tyler and his guests will perform stripped down versions of songs from his forthcoming Dot Records country album, including lead single “Love Is Your Name,” along with his mega-hits from Aerosmith.

Together, Tyler and Aerosmith have nine No. 1 hits including  “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” in addition to co-written titles “Jaded,” “Cryin’,” and “Livin’ On the Edge.” They have sold more than 150 million records worldwide that have included 18 platinum and 12 multi-platinum album certifications. He has won four Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2013, Tyler was awarded with the Founder’s Award at the ASCAP Pop Awards and was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Tyler and Aerosmith recently finished their North America Blue Army tour.

Tickets for the Front and Center taping are available from $95-$150.

In advance of his taping, Tyler will be a part of a CMA’s reveal of final nominees for its annual awards. He will also perform at the Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin, Tenn. on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Miranda Lambert To Be Honored At Symphony Ball

Miranda Lambert performs during CMT Artists of the Year. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT

Miranda Lambert performs during CMT Artists of the Year 2014. Photo: Rick Diamond/ Getty Images for CMT

Miranda Lambert will be the recipient of the 2015 Harmony Award, presented each year by the Nashville Symphony to an individual who best exemplifies the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s musical community.

Lambert will be honored at the 31st annual Symphony Ball on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, where she will also perform with the Grammy Award-winning orchestra.

The 2015 Symphony Ball patron party will be hosted by Mr. and Mrs. T.K. Kimbrell on Tuesday, December 8, 2015.

“I have always felt that music is universal no matter what genre, and being recognized by the Nashville Symphony as a Harmony Award recipient is an honor,” said Lambert. “And the icing on the cake is I get to perform a few of my songs with the Symphony orchestra, which is such a rare and out-of-this-world musical opportunity. I look forward to an amazing night and a heartfelt thank you.”

“Miranda Lambert’s numerous contributions to the Nashville community, including her recent establishment of a scholarship program for women at Belmont University, illustrate her commitment to Music City and demonstrate exactly why she is such a worthy addition to the list of previous Harmony Award winners,” said Mrs. Charles (Laura) Niewold and Mrs. Frederic (Sarah) Reisner, co-chairs of the 2015 Symphony Ball fundraiser. “An immense talent who is also passionate about making Nashville a better place, Miranda embodies everything that this award represents, and we are forever grateful to her for how much she has given back to this city we all love so much.”

The Symphony Ball is Nashville’s premier winter social event. Since its inception in 1985, the ball has raised more than $7 million for the Symphony.

Past recipients of the Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award include Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Mike & Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Marty Stuart and Keith Urban.

The Nashville Symphony has earned 15 Grammy nominations and seven Grammy Awards. It has more than 140 performances annually.

MusicRowPics: Macy Martin

Macy Martin performs for MusicRow staff.

Macy Martin performs for MusicRow staff.

For most high school students, senior year is a flurry of SATs, classes, college applications and planning, and extracurricular activities. Rising artist Macy Martin had a few extra activities on her schedule—including recording sessions, songwriting sessions, tour dates, radio station visits, and running her charitable organization, Macy’s Toy Box.

Martin, who comes from a family of doctors and lawyers, fell in love with music at an early age, and recorded her first album in Texas at the age of 13.

Martin recently visited MusicRow‘s office to perform a trio of songs from her latest 12-track project, Find My Melody. Music industry veteran Kent Wells (Dolly Parton) produced and co-wrote several tracks. During the visit, Martin performed her flirty current single, “Baby What Ya Doin’,”  as well as the pop-country ballad “Beginning of the End” and “Headway.”

Macy’s Toy Box, which Martin founded when she was nine years old, collects new and gently used toys for underprivileged children. The organization has collected thousands of toys for children since its inception, and also works to assist Bridge Ministries in Nashville. 

Martin will continue to balance school with her recording career, with plans to move to Nashville and attend Belmont University.

Macy Martin with MusicRow staffers.

Macy Martin with MusicRow staffers.

 

Shania Will Continue Rocking This Country—And The Rest of the World

Shania Twain Rock This Country Tour 2015Shania Twain is extending her current Rock This Country tour, reports the Las Vegas Sun. Twain recently sat down with legendary media personality Robin Leach to toast her 50th birthday and talk about adding more tour dates, her upcoming album, and another Las Vegas residency.

The extended tour, with 75 shows on the itinerary, will end in October in her home country of Canada. She told Leach she will also head overseas: “Then Europe and maybe add on Asia, Australia and New Zealand. I have to take it phase by phase. But the ideal scenario is to come back to Las Vegas. I’d like to return to Las Vegas and do another couple of years in a residency.”

Her two-year run at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas ended in December. She said, “We could return to Las Vegas next fall, 2016 or early 2017. I would be very happy to be back in Las Vegas.”

The Rock This Country tour, which visited Nashville this summer, has 15 trucks, 100 traveling crew members, plus another 200 crew members at each stop, according to the newspaper.

She said she also plans to finish a new album this fall.

Currently, Twain is taking a break at home in the Bahamas, where her son has started a new school year, before the tour resumes in mid-September.

Opry Films Concert Documentary

Brad Paisley on August 31 at the Opry filming. Photo: Opry

Brad Paisley on Aug. 31 at the Opry filming. Photo: Opry

The Grand Ole Opry is reportedly planning a documentary concert film, tentatively set to hit movie screens in December.

Titled American Saturday Night: Live From the Grand Ole Opry, the project will include footage from a Monday, Aug. 31 lineup, featuring Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry and Brett Eldredge.

Performances and backstage footage will allow moviegoers a rare seat at the show and its performers.

Official comments were not immediately available.

Cingle Records Celebrates Launch Party, Rainey Qualley Opry Debut

Pictured (L-R): Rainey Qualley and the Grand Ole Opry's Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Pictured (L-R): Rainey Qualley and the Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Cingle Records’ flagship artist Rainey Qualley welcomed Nashville’s music industry to celebrate as she made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday night (Aug. 28).

Qualley performed her radio single, “Me And Johnny Cash,” and “Never Mine,” both from her debut EP Turn Down The Lights.

“What a surreal and humbling experience,” said Qualley. “It’s completely overwhelming and I’m still trying to take it all in,” she said from her dressing room at the Grand Ole Opry, aptly named “Into The Circle” for artists making their Opry debut.

Prior to her performance, Cingle Records hosted a label launch party in Studio A of the Grand Ole Opry House.

Rainey Qualley performs at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Rainey Qualley performs at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo.

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Pictured (L-R): Rainey Qualley and MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser.

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Pictured (L-R): Russ Zavitson (President/Cingle Records); Rainey Qualley, and John Shackleford (CEO/Cingle Records). Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser.