Charity Notes: Healing Hands Helping Heroes, Chords For A Cause

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Artists Line Up For Healing Hands Helping Heroes

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The Middle Tennessee Chapter of AORN is excited to announce that three-time Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and contemporary blues artist Keb’ Mo’ will join the star-studded lineup that also includes feature entertainment by the “Frontmen of Country,” Richie McDonald of Lonestar, Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas and Larry Stewart of Restless Heart – all of the original voices behind the hits.

The event will benefit the Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Middle Tennessee Chapter and REBOOT Combat Recovery and is set to take place Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 at The Rosewall (1120 McGavock St) with cocktails at 6:00 p.m., dinner buffet and program at 7:00 p.m. and entertainment to follow at 8:00 p.m.

Healing Hands Helping Heroes tables are now on sale to the public. Tables are $3,800 (table of 8) or half table (4 tickets) is $1,900. Visit https://healinghandshelpingheroes.eventbrite.com

 

Cornman Music Writers To Perform For Chords For A Cause

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Jimmy Robbins, Leah Turner, and James Slater will join songwriters from Cornman Music on Sept. 29 for a special songwriter edition of Chords For A Cause; Cornman Music & Friends, benefitting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital At Vanderbilt. Cornman Music will be represented by writers Steven Lee Olsen, Caitlyn Smith, and Josh Mirenda. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. Money raised will benefit Children’s Cancer Research.

This 3rd edition of Chords for a Cause will be hosted at B.B. Kings Blues Club on 152 Second Avenue North in Nashville. Tickets are $30 for VIP seats, or $10 for Music City Cat Seating. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

Artist Updates: Kacey Musgraves, Kellie Pickler, Bellamy Brothers, Erica Nicole

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Kacey Musgraves To Anchor “Opry Goes Pink” Show

Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves

The Grand Ole Opry® is joining Women Rock For The Cure™ in the fight against breast cancer on Tues., Oct. 27 with its seventh annual “Opry Goes Pink” show.

Grammy, ACM, and CMA award-winner Kacey Musgraves will flip the switch on the Opry’s signature barn backdrop, turning it pink for the night as Musgraves and others including Opry members Terri Clark and Montgomery Gentry perform in support of breast cancer awareness.

 

Kellie Pickler Sets Premiere Date For New Reality Series

Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler‘s upcoming reality series for CMT, I Love Kellie Pickler, is set for a Nov. 5 premiere date. The show will air at 10 p.m. ET.

I Love Kellie Pickler focuses on Pickler’s relationship with family and friends, including husband and songwriter Kyle Jacobs. Ryan Seacrest is an executive producer on the show.

 

The Bellamy Brothers Launch Second Leg of 40th Anniversary Tour

Bellamy Brothers. Photo: Jarrett Gaza

Bellamy Brothers. Photo: Jarrett Gaza

The Bellamy Brothers are headed to Europe this week to launch the second leg of their 40th anniversary tour, with concert dates in Norway and Switzerland, before returning stateside for 20 additional shows before the year’s end.

The duo recently celebrated four decades in the industry with the release of Bellamy Brothers: 40 Years, a two-disc set including 20 re-recorded versions of their classic songs, as well as 20 new tunes.

 

Erica Nicole Performs National Anthem For NY Mets Game

Country artist Erica Nicole recently performed the National Anthem for the NY Mets vs. Miami Marlins at Citi Field on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

She was asked to perform the anthem through her relationship with organization Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD). Nicole performed with a veteran and a service dog on the field.

Photo: Erica Nicole, Hector Torres and Tuna

Photo: Erica Nicole, veteran Hector Torres and dog Tuna

DISClaimer: Praise For Craig Morgan, Mo Pitney, Home Free

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Photo: Joseph Llanes

Leaves are falling and the fall releases are beginning to drop, too. One thing we do not have this week is a first-timer to the column. So I have no DisCovery Award recipient.

That being the case, let’s spread the love around with our Disc of the Day award. Absolutely, for certain, that belongs to mighty voiced Craig Morgan.

But if we want to salute a baby act, save some applause for Mo Pitney, whose sophomore single is a thing of perfect wonder. And for a left-field pleasure, give a listen to the imaginative vocal arranging skills of Home Free.

RACHELE LYNAE/Quicksand
Writers: Rachele Lynae/Danick Dupelle/Patricia Conroy; Producers: Jamie O’Neal/Rachele Lynae; Publishers: Rachele Lynae/Bend That Note/Emerson Drive/Patricia Conroy, ASCAP/SOCAN; Momentum
-She’s warning her girlfriend about a guy who is big trouble while the band rumbles around her in a ruckus. After such a rocking ride, the abrupt ending might give you whiplash.

Home Free

Home Free

HOME FREE & THE OAK RIDGE BOYS/Elvira
Writers: Dallas Frazier; Producers: Darren Rust/Home Free; Publishers: Sony-ATV Acuff Rose, BMI; Columbia (track)
-Home Free is the a cappella quintet that won on TV’s The Sing Off. They warble like perfectly harmonizing birds and have enormous talent for creatively re-arranging country classics like this one. If you think you’ve heard this song enough times already, trust me, you haven’t. This gives it a completely fresh sound. Elsewhere on the new Country Evolution CD are equally inventive re-workings of “9 to 5,” “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” “Friends in Low Places,” “Fishin’ in the Dark” and more.

REBA McENTIRE/Until They Don’t Love You
Writers: Shane McAnally/Lori McKenna/Josh Osborne; Producers: Tony Brown/Reba; Publishers: Universal/Smack Ink/Hoodie Songs/One Little Indian Creek/Songs of Black River, ASCAP/BMI; Starstruck/Nash Icon (track)
-Lots of rhythm. Not much melody.

CRAIG MORGAN/When I’m Gone
Writers: Justin Ebach/Steven Dale Jones; Publishers: Byron Gallimore/Craig Morgan; Publishers:Whispering/Word/Son of Austin, SESAC/ASCAP; Black River
– He remains one of the greatest vocalists in this city, and this powerhouse performance of a pile-driving song proves it. It’s a ferociously soaring rocker about living life to the fullest. Sing it, brother.

ABBI WALKER/Well Behaved Too Long
Writers: Abbi Walker/P. Ryan Petkoff/Rich Alvarez; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Abbi Walker, BMI; Indie
-She gives this sassy number her best, but the production is rinky-dink cheesy.

GLEN CAMPBELL/Streets of London
Writer: McTell; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Westminster, no performance rights listed; Rainman (track)
-The “new” CD by this legend is a live album recorded in England in 1990. It includes full-band rendition of his big hits, plus Paul McCartney’s “Mull of Kintyre” (featuring his stunning bagpipe playing) and this lovely, heartfelt performance of Ralph McTell’s folk song accompanying himself on simple acoustic guitar. Pure talent.

STEPHANIE URBINA JONES/Bring It Back to the Heartland
Writers: Stephanie Urbina Jones/Mark Marchetti; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Casa Del Rio/Mark Marchetti, SESAC/BMI; Casa Del Rio
-I have long been a fan of this lady’s work. Her voice is as throaty and emotive as ever on this topical single. The lyric yearns to bring the nation back to its better years when we had mom-and-pop stores, products made in the U.S.A., family farms, good jobs and the American Dream.

JOHN ANDERSON/Don’t Forget To Thank The Lord
Writers: John D. Anderson/John Rich; Producers: John Anderson/Joe Spivey; Publisher: none listed; Bayou Boys (track)
-John says not to take things for granted. Remember to thank teachers, preachers, policemen, firemen, mothers, soldiers and at the end of the day, the man upstairs. The loping rhythm, fiddle work, steel backing and guitar chops are all first rate. As is his singing, of course.

JON PARDI/Head Over Boots
Writers: Jon Pardi/Luke Laird; Producers: Bart Butler/Jon Pardi; Publishers: Golden Vault/Bill Butler/Song Factory/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation, BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-This goes down smooth and easy with its lulling, gentle rhythm and simple, smiling lyric of romance. Sweet and youthful.

Mo Pitney photo Joseph LLanes

Mo Pitney. Photo: Joseph Llanes

MO PITNEY/Boy and a Girl Thing
Writers: Mo Pitney/Don Sampson; Producer: Tony Brown; Publishers: Mike Curb/She’s My Darlin/House of Sea Gayle, BMI/ASCAP; Curb (CDX)
-This is ultra cool, a soft, dreamy groove that’s as comfy as a hammock on a summer afternoon. You’ll think it is understated at first, but this will definitely get under your skin and into your memory bank. The kid just might be our next big star. I wanna hear Mo.

Brian Mansfield To Join Shore Fire Media

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Brian Mansfield

Brian Mansfield

Veteran music journalist Brian Mansfield is exiting his 18-year role at USA Today, to join public relations firm Shore Fire Media in the newly created senior role of Content Director. Mansfield will begin his new role at Shore Fire on Oct. 13. He will work out of the Nashville branch of Shore Fire, and will oversee two junior staff members in the New York office.

His responsibilities will include creating content channels and developing social media strategies.

Shore Fire Media represents more than 50 acts, including Zac Brown Band, Lee Brice, and Aaron Watson, as well as Bruce Springsteen and Lana Del Rey, and organizations including Downtown Music Publishing, the Americana Music Association, and more. Shore Fire has a staff of 26, with offices in Brooklyn and Nashville.

Mansfield is a former member of the board of directors of the Country Music Association.

Industry Ink: Essential Broadcast Media, Cole Swindell, Kip Moore, Fontanel

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EB MediaEssential Broadcast Media Gets New Digs

Essential Broadcast Media has moved to 2001B Blair Blvd. Nashville TN, 37212. The phone number is the same: 615-327-3259.

Additionally, Bailey Sharpe has joined the team as Executive Administrator. She joins owner Ebie McFarland, and staffers Scott Stem, Stephanie Rew, Darlene Rodriguez, Olivia Hanceri, and Kailey Pearce. She can be reached at [email protected].

Annette St. Onge

Annette St. Onge

Fontanel Hiring

Fontanel has hired Annette St. Onge as Director of Entertainment and Events, as the venue focuses on having entertainment seven nights per week.

The destination is adding more musical performances, and weekly activities such as Nashville Improve, Sips & Strokes, and Cigar Nights. The Hauntanel Hayride and Haunted Trails event will be held October 23 and 24.

Fontanel has five stages for music performances, including the Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater and the Silo Music Stage.

cole swindell11Swindell Gets Platinum Certification

Cole Swindell’s “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey” is the second single from the Georgia native’s self-titled debut album to be certified Platinum by the RIAA. The song is Swindell’s third consecutive No. 1 single, following his mega hit “Chillin’ It” and Gold-certified “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight.”

His Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville album, Cole Swindell, has sold 3.3 million downloads and over 430,000 albums, along with more than 130 million streams.

Kip Moore Tapes Front and Center, CMA Songwriter Series

The acclaimed public television show Front and Center and the Country Music Association teamed up for a special taping of the CMA Songwriters Series with Kip Moore. The event took place Monday night at the Iridium in New York City.

Moore performed with renowned songwriters Brett James and Jaren Johnston, frontman of The Cadillac Three.

Prior to the taping, James, Johnston, and Moore took time out from soundcheck to welcome and meet with teachers from Education Through Music, which is supported by the CMA Foundation. The CMA Foundation is investing $145,000 in music education in New York City inner-city schools through the organization.

l-r) Jaren Johnston, Kip Moore, and Brett James before a special taping of the CMA Songwriters Series for "Front and Center" at the Iridium Monday in New York. Photo Credit: Jim Belmont Photography

Pictured (L-R): Jaren Johnston, Kip Moore, and Brett James before a special taping of the CMA Songwriters Series for “Front and Center” at the Iridium Monday in New York. Photo: Jim Belmont

Bobby Karl Works “Blake Shelton Week”

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Blake Shelton brought music back to the Row for the final installment of Warner Music Nashville’s Pickin’ on the Patio 2015. Thousands of people filled the streets to celebrate with the reigning five-time CMA Vocalist of the Year. Shelton performed an hour long set that included many of his 20 No. 1 singles, all featured on his forthcoming album Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits due October 23. Photo: Alan Poizner

Blake Shelton brought music back to the Row for the final installment of Warner Music Nashville’s Pickin’ on the Patio 2015. Thousands of people filled the streets to celebrate with the reigning five-time CMA Vocalist of the Year. Shelton performed an hour-long set that included many of his 20 No. 1 singles, all featured on his forthcoming album Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits due October 23. Photo: Alan Poizner

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 507

It’s Blake Shelton Week here in Music City.

Thousands thronged the streets of Music Row last night (Sept. 23) for his free concert. Even more heard his fifth anniversary celebration as a Grand Ole Opry cast member on Tuesday (Sept. 22). Today (Sept. 24), BMI and ASCAP are throwing a bash for five of his most recent No. 1 hits at Losers. More on this to follow.

Trace Adkins and Blake Shelton. Photo: Chris Hollo

Trace Adkins and Blake Shelton. Photo: Chris Hollo

The fun began with Blake’s appearance on the Opry. The show’s chief Pete Fisher presented him with a fifth of whiskey to commemorate the fifth anniversary. Not just any fifth, mind you. This one looked just like a fifth of Jack Daniels, except instead of “Jack Daniels,” the distinctive white-on-black label script read, “Blake Shelton.” It also read, of course, “Old No. 5,” and on the back Pete had inscribed the megastar’s “distilling” process.

Trace Adkins was the one who invited Blake to become an Opry cast member and the one who inducted him. He was on hand to sing “Hillbilly Bone” with Blake. “He’s still as cranky as ever, and that’s why I love him,” said Blake of Trace.

A heavenly host of fabulons gathered at Warner Bros. Records on Wednesday for a party celebrating Blake’s 20 No. 1 hits. By the way, there have been 15 of them in a row. Soon to be 16. Warner Bros. honcho John Esposito told us so, adding that Blake has won nine CMA awards, is a five-time CMA male vocalist, co-hosts the ACMs and is a four-time winning coach on TV’s The Voice. “Blake could sing the phone book,” Espo averred. He said that the A&R department is the heart and soul of his label while introducing producer Scott Hendricks. “I hope we’ve made you proud with the records we’ve made,” said Scott.

Then it was Blake’s turn to take the mic. “This is unbelievable,” he began. “This whole day, I’ve been running into people I haven’t seen in a long time. I ran into Jim Ed Norman. He looks the same as he did 100 years ago! It makes me realize how important the Nashville community has been to my success. More than ever, I realize how important great songs are. Thanks to the songwriters.”

Scott and his staff have sifted through 20,000 songs for Blake’s records. Frankly, I don’t think I would have the patience.

“It’s just been a magical day….I feel like it’s not about me,” Blake added later. “There are the songwriters, the record label, my agents….and that’s why I wanted to do something free for the community, for the fans.” The fans were there. Typical of the devoted, dedicated country lovers, many had found out about this Music Row event and travelled to Nashville, just to attend. Chris Cannon and his Channel 5 crew aired awesome helicopter video views of the assembled multitude.

(L-R): Kevin Herring (SVP, Promotion), Peter Strickland (EVP & GM, WMN), John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Scott Hendricks (EVP, A&R), Narvel Blackstock (Starstruck Management), Brandon Blackstock (Starstruck Management). Photo: Alan Poizner

(L-R): Kevin Herring (SVP, Promotion), Peter Strickland (EVP & GM, WMN), John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Blake Shelton, Scott Hendricks (EVP, A&R), Narvel Blackstock (Starstruck Management), Brandon Blackstock (Starstruck Management). Photo: Alan Poizner

Among the lucky ones in the party space and patio above the crowd were Charlie Cook, Charlie Chase, Lorianne Crook, Rob Simbeck, Rob Beckham, Kyle Young, Mary Ann McCready, Julie Boos, Gold and Platinum RIAA plaque maker Deborah Lotz (who is moving here from L.A., another coup for us), Leslie Fram, R.J. Curtis, John Marks, Stuart Dill, rising star Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes, Narvel Blackstock (we tried to get Kay West to pry him for Reba divorce details, but she wouldn’t do it), Cindy Watts, Shauna Russell, Tom Roland and Sherod Robertson.

The songwriters and other creative citizens who contributed to those 20 chart toppers were given crystal trophies. The ones I schmoozed included David Kent & Kristi Manna (“Austin”), Paul Overstreet (“Some Beach”), J.T. Harding (“Sangria”) and Ryan Hurd (“Lonely Tonight”).

There will be more of these folks at today’s Blake bash celebrating his most recent No. 1 hits.

Blake Shelton performs for the final installment of Warner Music Nashville's Pickin' on the Patio 2015 to thousands of fans. Photo: MusicRow

Blake Shelton performs for the final installment of Warner Music Nashville’s Pickin’ on the Patio 2015 to thousands of fans. Photo: MusicRow

Future of Music In Cars: Ford, Apple

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Ford Opens In-Dash Technology For App Developers

Apps like Pandora are displayed on screen and display many of the app features customers use on their phones.

Apps like Pandora are displayed on screen and display many of the app features customers use on their phones.

Ford has opened up its in-dash touch screen technology for app developers to help enhance the in-car user experience. This means that external app developers will have access to voice recognition, push notifications, access to vehicle information sensors.

There are more than a dozen design templates to help develop a look and feel for apps with the automaker’s new SYNC® 3 technology, which allows for phone apps to appear on the onboard system as they appear on the phone.

Since Ford rolled out the automotive industry’s first developer program in 2013, more than 13,000 developers have registered and more than 24,000 software development kits have been downloaded. There are more than 90 AppLink-compatible smartphone apps now running on iOS and Android devices around the world, including Pandora, Spotify and more.

Apple “Internally Commits” To Electric Car

AppleElectricCar

The Wall Street Journal has revealed that Apple has accelerated the development of an electric car, applying its expertise in developing hardware (design, batteries, sensors) and software integration.

Targeting 2019, the paper notes the technology giant has spent more than a year weighing the project’s feasibility before internally committing to its codename: Titan. Rumors that the 600-person team will triple, including staffing experts in driverless cars. Though, the paper is quick to note that “the Cupertino, Calif., company doesn’t currently plan to make its first electric vehicle fully autonomous.”

Songwriter Paul Overstreet Plans Theater Musical

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Paul Overstreet

Paul Overstreet

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Paul Overstreet begins staging his first musical next week. Overstreet is having workshop run-throughs of his musical Sneaky Old Time at The Ruskin Group Theater in Santa Monica, Calif. He says the show is a narrative constructed around his 30-year catalog of hits.

The show is seeking a Nashville venue as it develops.

Overstreet’s hits as a songwriter include “When You Say Nothing At All,” “On the Other Hand,” “Love Can Build a Bridge,” “Forever and Ever Amen,” “Diggin; Up Bones,” “Daddy’s Come Around,” “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and “Some Beach,” among many others.

He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003.

Country Music Execs Rank Among Billboard’s ’40 Under 40′

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Their clients include the ACM Awards, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Hunter Hayes, Blake Shelton, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Dan+Shay, Fancy, and more. All under the age of 40, these execs have forged high-powered careers, with work that impacts country artists and fans on a daily basis. Billboard ranks them among fellow powerful industry execs in this year’s list of the Top 40 Under 40 Music Power Players.

Jeremy Holley

Jeremy Holley

Jeremy Holley, 37, is Sr. VP, Consumer and Interactive Marketing for Warner Music Nashville, including a label roster that boasts artists Blake Shelton, Ashley Monroe, Brett Eldredge, and more. Among his recent successes has been the career growth of Hunter Hayes.

Jason Owen

Jason Owen

Jason Owen, 39, is President/CEO of Sandbox Entertainment, where he represents artists including Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, and Kacey Musgraves.

Bobby Reynolds, 39, is VP of Booking for AEG Live in Las Vegas. Earlier this year, he crafted a multi-year residency for Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Mike Mahan, 39, is president of Dick Clark Productions. He has worked on television productions including the American Music Awards, ACM Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and the Golden Globes. The ACM Awards’ 50th anniversary drew 15.8 million viewers.

Scooter Braun, 34, is the founder of SB Projects. His clients include pop artists Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Carly Rae Jepsen and Tori Kelly, alongside former Nashville resident Fancy, and country duo Dan+Shay. Braun says his wife’s work as founder of nonprofit organization F— Cancer gives him perspective on his work.

Colt Ford Preps Greatest Hits Package

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unnamedAnswer To No One: The Colt Ford Classics, will chronicle the entertainer’s music from 2008 through 2014. Set for release on Oct. 23 via Average Joes Entertainment, the project includes his duets with Brantley Gilbert (“Dirt Road Anthem”), Jason Aldean (“Drivin’ Around Song”), and collaborations with Jake Owen (“Back”), Eric Church (“Country Thang”), Jamey Johnson (“Cold Beer”), John Michael Montgomery (“Ride Through The Country”), and Nappy Roots with Nic Cowen (“Waste Some Time”).

“I’m doing this album for the fans,” Ford says, laughing that he’s never had a song in the Top 40. “These are greatest hits to those guys. My life’s on this album. I’m thankful for those who gave me a chance when I first came to Nashville. I’ve been blessed to have worked with so many talented artists who have contributed their time and talent and for being a part of my records.”

Answer To No One track list:

1. Answer To No One (Feat. JJ Lawhorn)
2. The High Life (Feat. Chase Rice)
3. Crank It Up
4. Back (Feat. Jake Owen)
5. Huntin’ The World
6. Waste Some Time (Feat. Nappy Roots & Nic Cowen)
7. Cut ‘Em All (Feat. Willie Robertson)
8. Country Thang (Feat. Eric Church)
9. Drivin’ Around Song (Feat. Jason Aldean)
10. Cold Beer (Feat. Jamey Johnson)
11. Ride Through The Country (Feat. John Michael Montgomery)
12. Chicken & Biscuits (Feat. James Otto)
13. No Trash In My Trailer
14. Dirt Road Anthem (Feat. Brantley Gilbert)