October 2015 - Page 16 of 25

Artist Action: Kellie Pickler, Brad Paisley, Scotty McCreery, Josh Thompson

October 13, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

Kellie Pickler Visits The Rachael Ray Show

Kellie Pickler appeared as a guest on The Rachael Ray Show today (Oct. 13). Adding to her list of TV credits (American Idol, Dancing With the Stars), Pickler and her husband, songwriter Kyle Jacobs, will star in the upcoming CMT series, I Love Kellie Pickler, premiering Nov. 5.

Kellie Pickler and Rachael Ray

Brad Paisley Completing College Tour This Week

Brad Paisley will wrap up a series of free shows at college campuses this week. His nine-stop Country Nation College Tour presented by Zaxby’s will visit the University of Georgia in Athens on Thursday (Oct. 15) and conclude at the University of South Carolina in Columbia on Friday.

The final show will support and honor area residents heavily impacted by recent flooding. Many first responders and their families will be in attendance as special guests.

Brad Paisley’s Country Nation College Tour

Scotty McCreery Greets Gov. Pat. McCrory

Scotty McCreery returned to his hometown of Garner, N.C., on Monday (Oct. 12) to welcome North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, who was in the community to announce the modernization of the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. McCreery presented the governor with a Garner T-shirt.

Scotty McCreery and North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory

Josh Thompson Releases Change: The Lost Record, Volume 1

Josh Thompson has issued a six-song EP titled Change: The Lost Record exclusively on iTunes. Thompson recorded the project while signed to RCA in 2011.

He co-wrote all of the songs on the album. A second volume is expected next year.

As a recording artist, Thompson’s singles include “Way Out Here,” “Beer on the Table,” and “Won’t Be Lonely Long.” In addition to his own music, he has written songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Gary Allan, Darius Rucker and Joe Nichols.

Josh Thompson

The Writer’s Room: Hillary Lindsey

October 13, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

One of Music City’s ace songwriters, BMG writer Hillary Lindsey has penned a string of hits recorded by Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town, plus Taylor Swift (“Fearless”), Sara Evans (“A Little Bit Stronger”), Lady Antebellum (“American Honey” and “Lookin’ For A Good Time”), Gary Allan (“Every Storm Runs Out of Rain)” and more.

Lindsey, an ASCAP writer, has written for Underwood since the singer won American Idol in 2005; Lindsey co-wrote Underwood’s debut single, “Jesus Take The Wheel,” and has gone on to co-write numerous hits for (and often with) the Grammy winner, including “Wasted,” “Just A Dream,” “See You Again,” “Two Black Cadillacs,” and “So Small,” as well as “Smoke Break,” the first single from Underwood’s upcoming Storyteller project.

Lindsey’s collaborations with fellow co-writers Liz Rose and Lori McKenna (the group’s informal name is The Love Junkies) have resulted in one of the most successful and most talked about songs of 2015, Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” which has garnered several nominations for the upcoming CMA Awards, including Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year.

Lindsey spoke with MusicRow as part of a Writer’s Notes series for its annual Publisher issue (released today, Oct. 13). For the full interview, check out the annual MusicRow Publisher Issue.

On Her Start in Nashville:

I came to Nashville in 1994, and attended Belmont [University]. I majored in Music Business, because I thought when I tried to get a record deal, that I wouldn’t get screwed because I knew the business side of it. My roommate interned at a record label. She took one of my tapes and played it. The tape got sent around to different publishers, and Famous Music signed me. Then I signed with Epic out of Los Angeles, but that deal lasted about three months. John Polk, who signed me, told me he quit and that they were dropping me and two other acts he had most recently signed. I hadn’t recorded anything, and didn’t even step into the studio. It was a pretty low time. Then I stopped feeling sorry for myself and began writing with Gordie Sampson, Brett James, Troy Verges, and others. We began getting cuts, and I thought, ‘This isn’t bad, either.’

On Her First Co-Write With Liz Rose:

Liz Rose and I had written one song together, but we were actually not in the same room when we wrote it. That track was “Fearless,” the title track of Taylor Swift’s album. Obviously Taylor and Liz wrote a lot together. I had a writing date with Taylor, and she came to my home. She came in like a fireball. She was young, but she knew exactly what she wanted. She had been working on the song with Liz, but wanted to finish it with me. When the song was cut for Taylor’s album I didn’t really know Liz, but that was our first cut together.

On Writing Sessions With The Love Junkies:

Lori [who lives in Stoughton, Mass.] will fly to Nashville, and we will hole up at Liz’s house for a few days. Liz is the queen bee. She whips us into shape. We will write three or four songs in a day. You can almost not turn off the writing juices. We will write all day, then it’s wine time and then you write more and eventually make it into your pajamas. They get up before me and they are already down there. They’ve been tweaking lines from the song the night before or have been working on new ideas.

On Songwriting Dry Spells:

I’ve been very lucky and blessed. It’s been a good run recently. But I hit dry spells all the time. I get so frustrated, and want to throw my guitar against the wall or move away, it’s so dramatic. Some writers can take a [long] break, and come back super-refreshed. For me, it’s a muscle that I like to keep working out. But in the same breath, it’s healthy. I couldn’t do all those songs by myself. Those songs are because of my co-writers as well. We lean on each other very heavily.

On The State Of Female Artists and Songwriters At Country Radio:

A year or so ago, I would have been more sad about it, but I really feel like that tide is turning. You can see certain artists like Maren Morris doing well. I feel like there is a real change about to come. There is so much talent among the female writers, and they are here busting their butts every day. Natalie Hemby, Nicolle Galyon, Heather Morgan, Caitlyn Smith — there are so many I can’t name them all. Kelsea Ballerini just broke through, and we’re seeing Mickey Guyton. We need a few more to break through. It’s all cyclical.

Hunter Hayes To Release Three-Disc Set, ‘The 21 Project’

October 13, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Atlantic/Warner Music Nashville artist Hunter Hayes will release The 21 Project on Friday, Nov. 6. The three-disc set includes one acoustic album, one studio album, and one live album. Each one will feature the same seven songs with the different variations.

“This project has been a lot of fun for me, because it really brings the focus back to the music and shows how a song grows from its original form into something we play on stage,” said Hayes, who co-produced The 21 Project with Dann Huff. “We’re making our fall tour all about the music and connecting with fans in a closer setting, and just enjoying music together.”

The 21 Project is available for pre-order now by clicking here.

Track Listing:

1. “21” (Dallas Davidson, Kelley Lovelace, Ashley Gorley, Hayes)
2. “Young And In Love” (Hayes, Dan Omelio, Dave Barnes)
3. “Saint Or A Sinner” (Hayes, Lori McKenna, Barry Dean)
4. “Where It All Begins (feat. Lady Antebellum)” (Hayes, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott)
5. “Suitcase” (Hayes, Gorley, Ross Copperman)
6. “The Trouble With Love” (McKenna, Hayes)
7. “I Mean You” (Hayes, Jimmy Robbins, Gorley)

Hayes will embark on his 21 Tour on Oct. 22. Current dates include:

Thursday, Oct. 22 – Western Carolina University – Cullowhee, N.C.
Friday, Oct. 23 – Kent State University – Kent, Ohio
Saturday, Oct. 24 – West Point Eisenhower Hall Theater – Highland Falls, N.Y.
Thursday, Oct. 29 – Purdue University – West Lafayette, Ind.
Friday, Oct. 30 – Aebersold Recreation Center at Slippery Rock University – Slippery Rock, Pa.
Thursday, Nov. 5 – Western Kentucky University – Bowling Green, Ky.
Friday, Nov. 6 – Notre Dame University – Notre Dame, Ind.
Saturday, Nov. 7 – Illinois State University – Normal, Ill.
Saturday, Nov. 14 – University of Oklahoma – Norman, Okla.

American Music Awards: Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Meghan Trainor, Sam Hunt Land Top Nominations

October 13, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Meghan Trainor are among the artists with Nashville ties that garnered nominations for the American Music Awards’ top honor, Artist of the Year, at their 2015 awards ceremony. They will vie against Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj, One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, and The Weeknd.

Swift dominates the nominations with six nods this year. Her additional nominations include Song of the Year (“Blank Space”), Favorite Female Artist-Pop/Rock, Collaboration of the Year (“Bad Blood,” ft. Kendrick Lamar), Favorite Album-Pop/Rock (for 1989), and Favorite Artist-Adult Contemporary.

In the overall new artist category, Hunt is up against Fetty Wap, Tove Lo, Walk the Moon, and The Weeknd.

In the country categories, Kelsea Ballerini lands in the Favorite Female Artist category, alongside Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert. Jason Aldean, Bryan, and Hunt are up for Favorite Male Artist-Country, while Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town, and Florida Georgia Line are up for Favorite Duo or Group-Country.

Aldean, FGL and Hunt are all up for Favorite Album-Country.

Joe Jonas and Charlie Puth revealed six categories of nominees on ABC’s Good Morning America. Immediately following the broadcast, five additional categories were announced in real time exclusively via Snapchat (TheAMAs). ABC News then livestreamed the remaining 12 categories and included a recap of all nominees in the 11 previously-announced categories.

Jennifer Lopez will serve as host and performer during the 2015 American Music Awards, which will broadcast live from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Artist Of The Year
LUKE BRYAN
ARIANA GRANDE
MAROON 5
NICKI MINAJ
ONE DIRECTION
ED SHEERAN
SAM SMITH
TAYLOR SWIFT
MEGHAN TRAINOR
THE WEEKND

New Artist Of The Year Presented By Kohl’s
FETTY WAP
SAM HUNT
TOVE LO
WALK THE MOON
THE WEEKND

Song Of The Year
WIZ KHALIFA Featuring CHARLIE PUTH “See You Again”
MARK RONSON Featuring BRUNO MARS “Uptown Funk!”
ED SHEERAN “Thinking Out Loud”
TAYLOR SWIFT “Blank Space”
THE WEEKND “Can’t Feel My Face”

Collaboration Of The Year Un-Leashed By T-Mobile
WIZ KHALIFA Featuring CHARLIE PUTH “See You Again”
RIHANNA & KANYE WEST Featuring PAUL MCCARTNEY “FourFiveSeconds”
MARK RONSON Featuring BRUNO MARS “Uptown Funk!”
SKRILLEX & DIPLO Featuring JUSTIN BIEBER “Where Are Ü Now”
TAYLOR SWIFT Featuring KENDRICK LAMAR “Bad Blood”

Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock
NICK JONAS
ED SHEERAN
SAM SMITH

Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock
ARIANA GRANDE
TAYLOR SWIFT
MEGHAN TRAINOR

Favorite Duo Or Group – Pop/Rock
MAROON 5
ONE DIRECTION
WALK THE MOON

Favorite Album – Pop/Rock
ED SHEERAN “x”
SAM SMITH “In The Lonely Hour”
TAYLOR SWIFT “1989”

Favorite Male Artist – Country
JASON ALDEAN
LUKE BRYAN
SAM HUNT

Favorite Female Artist – Country
KELSEA BALLERINI
MIRANDA LAMBERT
CARRIE UNDERWOOD

Favorite Duo Or Group – Country
ZAC BROWN BAND
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE
LITTLE BIG TOWN

Favorite Album – Country
JASON ALDEAN “Old Boots, New Dirt”
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE “Anything Goes”
SAM HUNT “Montevallo”

Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop
DRAKE
FETTY WAP
NICKI MINAJ

Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop
J. COLE “2014 Forest Hills Drive”
DRAKE “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
NICKI MINAJ “The Pinkprint”

Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B
CHRIS BROWN
TREY SONGZ
THE WEEKND

Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B
BEYONCÉ
MARY J. BLIGE
RIHANNA

Favorite Album – Soul/R&B
CHRIS BROWN “X”
D’ANGELO AND THE VANGUARD “Black Messiah”
THE WEEKND “Beauty Behind the Madness”

Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock
FALL OUT BOY
HOZIER
WALK THE MOON

Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary
ED SHEERAN
TAYLOR SWIFT
MEGHAN TRAINOR

Favorite Artist – Latin
ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
RICKY MARTIN
ROMEO SANTOS

Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
CASTING CROWNS
HILLSONG UNITED
MERCYME

Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
CALVIN HARRIS
DAVID GUETTA
ZEDD

Top Soundtrack
Fifty Shades of Grey
Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1
Pitch Perfect 2

Charity News: Miranda Lambert, Charles Esten, Lindsay Ell, ‘End of the Row’

October 12, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Grand Ole Opry Adopts From Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation

Miranda Lambert and Pete Fisher. Photo by Chris Hollo.

Miranda Lambert with Pete Fisher and the Opry’s newest pet, Charlie. Photo by Chris Hollo.

Miranda Lambert helped three puppies find a home after her appearance on the Grand Ole Opry on Oct. 6. Lambert brought the dogs to her Opry appearance on behalf of her MuttNation Foundation, which provides funds to animal shelters nationwide. One of the puppies, a Labrador/terrier mix named Charlie, was welcomed into the Opry family, with several Opry staffers sharing responsibility for him. Charlie and the other two puppies had been dropped on someone’s property in rural Oklahoma. After being found and rescued, they were driven to Lambert’s Redemption Ranch in early July.

Charles Esten Helps Red Gold Tomatoes, Second Harvest Stock the Shelves

Pictured (L to R): Red Gold’s Jorge Cardenas, Charles Esten and Sylvia Roberts. Photo by Bev Moser.

Red Gold Tomatoes donated 43,000 pounds of tomatoes on Oct. 7 on behalf of the upcoming Off the Record gala event in Nashville. Charles Esten (of ABC’s Nashville), Big & Rich’s Big Kenny Alphin, Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and wife Brittany, Phil Vassar and clothing designers Johnathan Kayne and Margaret Roberts were on hand to help with the donation. The Off the Record event will be held at the home of Sylvia Roberts on Nov. 1. A portion of all proceeds will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

Lindsay Ell Busks On Broadway

(From Clockwise Top Left — PHOTO 1: Mark Price, Linde Pflaum of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt; Lindsay Ell; Kelsey-Lane Benner and Stuart Dill of Children’s Hospital; CMT’s Leslie Fram. PHOTO 2: Lindsay Ell signs autographs for fans. PHOTO 3: Lindsay Ell, Lucie Silvas, Charlie Worsham pose with fans. PHOTO 4: Lindsay Ell takes an umbrella break. PHOTO 5: Lindsay Ell performs for fans. PHOTO 6: All donations benefitted the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt)

Stoney Creek singer-songwriter Lindsay Ell recently raised thousands to support the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Her fundraising method? The longtime tradition of street busking.

The performer and guitar slinger, in partnership with CMT’s Next Women of Country, took part in a 24-hour “Busking on Broadway” event, braving the rain and wind while performing on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. Artists showing their support during the marathon performance included Craig Campbell, Ashley Gearing, Brooke Eden, Kristen Kelley, The Raging Idiots (Bobby Bones and Eddie), Lucie Silvas, Charlie Worsham, Chuck Wicks, and others.

Ell’s new single, “By the Way,” officially impacts country radio on Oct. 19.

Dickinson Wright PLLC’s End of the Row Party Supports T.J. Martell Foundation

Pictured (L-R): Travis Meadows, Maggie Rose, Angaleena Presley, James Slater, Derek Crownover, Gordie Sampson, and John Whitehead.

Dickinson Wright PLLC hosted its End of the Row party last week, raising $5,000 to support the T.J. Martell Foundation, which funds medical research related to finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS.

The event, held Oct. 1 at Ruby in Nashville, featured singer-songwriters including Trea Landon, Dan Pellarin, Natalie Estes, Julienne Irwin, James Slater, Travis Meadows, Maggie Rose, Gordie Sampson, and Angaleena Presley.

IEBA’s Agents Panel Dishes: $1.5 Million for Top Festival Acts

October 12, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Pictured (L-R): Tom Lord, Jeff Krones (CAA), Kevin Neal (WME), Jonathan Adelman (Paradigm), Nick Nuciforo (UTA), and Andrew Colvin (The Billions Corp).

Pictured (L-R): Tom Lord (Red Light), Jeff Krones (CAA), Kevin Neal (WME), Jonathan Adelman (Paradigm), Nick Nuciforo (UTA), and Andrew Colvin (The Billions Corp).

Tom Lord of Red Light Entertainment Management hosted the Agents Power Panel during the 45th Annual International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) three-day conference at Nashville’s Omni Hotel today, Oct. 12.

Among those agents represented were Jeff Krones (CAA), Kevin Neal (WME), Jonathan Adelman (Paradigm), Nick Nuciforo (UTA), and Andrew Colvin (The Billions Corp). The five provided insightful information to a room of buyers from around the globe.

Among the highlights, Neal revealed he just returned from a trip to Brazil in scouting more territory for country music. Top-tier performers in festivals have been paid upwards of $1.5 million. In addition, Colvin noted The Billions Corp has uniquely begun focusing attention toward podcasts.

Managing Expectations:

Adelman noted the juggle when managers want to prematurely push their artist. “We are not an employment agency. There’s got to be real value and a plan. Everyone is enamored by this festival circuit lately. Well, I don’t know that playing at 12 p.m. on a Friday is the best choice for us. And you’re not most likely going to be able to play that festival for the next 3-5 years. Maybe the power of no is louder than yes.”

Neal: “The first of three openers on a tour is somewhat overrated for those who aren’t ready. If they haven’t developed their live show and they get on a tour, it achieves nothing. I tell managers, ‘You want your artist playing the midnight beer tent, opposed to the 12 p.m. main stage because they may be converting many more fans. You have to look at what’s happening locally, too.

“A lot of festivals are paying bigger than I have ever seen in my career but include radius clauses. You may see an artist play a festival in New York then not in the Northeast at all and we try to pare those down.”

Artist Development:

Krones: “I’m not involved in creative, but am in terms of creating a plan with the record cycle. I don’t want to work with artists who don’t have a vision. After we get the direction from the artist, that’s when our teams can get together to be creative to create growth.

“Ten of the last 15 new country acts CAA has signed have not had a record deal—maybe a publishing deal. But we seem to be passing on rock acts with label deals in search of natural growth [acts that can sell out before radio].”

Adelman: “You’re looking for additional revenue streams if you’re a new or established artist. So you may look at sponsorship wraps to get a bus. We’re welcoming that now and open to every venue possibility.

Relationships and Incentives:

Neal: “One thing we should look at is working cross-genre. People get tired of seeing the same people play together year after year. When Florida Georgia Line played ballparks, it ended up making more money than the arenas could offer—you just have to gamble on yourself.”

Nuciforo: “A lot of times the artist teams have a reason for the market or venue they want to play. It sucks because that doesn’t always make sense to buyers. With social stats now, we literally have a department that analyzes the numbers.”

Adelman: “Most of us try to honor the history with that promoter or buyer. If the buyer has done their job right, they understand the expectations and hopefully take into account their food and beverage in tickets fees. If its above the red line then it’s a winner, but if its below we’ll try to work to get it above. It’s a partnership. It’s the little things we make note of, like a deli tray or laundry service that filter back to us, that make us push for that market again.

“But remember without the artist, none of us are employed. It’s all about their development, so [buyers] think about how to help that artist move their career in your marketplace and want to return.”

International Opportunities:

Neal on the opportunities brought my WME’s merger with IMG: “Brett Eldredge had an IMG supermodel in his “Lose My Mind” video. We’re trying to work country music into the different opportunities like IMG colleges and golf. WME just bought the Miss Universe Pageant from Donald Trump and we’re trying to figure out which artists will work for that, which is broadcast in many countries. C2C has also been phenomenal for opening up Europe for our artists. CMC Festival in Australia opens that up for our artists too.”

Photos: Jana Kramer, Wynonna, Eli Young Band, Kelsea Ballerini and Dibs

October 12, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

Jana Kramer Greets a New Album on Good Morning America

Jana Kramer is celebrating the release of her new album, thirty one, in New York City. On Monday (Oct. 12), the Elektra Records Nashville/WMN artist joined Robin Roberts and crew for a performance of her single, “I Got The Boy,” on Good Morning America.

Jana Kramer and Robin Roberts

Wynonna Brings Foreigner’s Lou Gramm to Girls Night Out Concert

Lou Gramm, the original lead singer of Foreigner, joined Wynonna Judd to perform “I Want to Know What Love Is” at the Venetian Las Vegas on Saturday night (Oct. 10). Foreigner had a No. 1 hit with the power ballad in 1985, while Wynonna revived it for her 2004 album, What the World Needs Now Is Love. Wynonna and her mother, Naomi, have reunited The Judds for a special Girls Night Out residency at the property. Upcoming performances are Oct.13, 14, 16, 17, 21, 23 and 24.

Wynonna Judd and Lou Gramm

Eli Young Band Takes the Field in Houston

Over the weekend, Eli Young Band played a set at Constellation Field in the Houston area, in partnership with KKBQ radio for their first “Country at the Ballpark.” The band performed in front of a crowd of over 9,000 fans and posed with members of the KKBQ team backstage.

Pictured Back Row L – R: Bob Zlotnik – owner of Constellation Field, Jake Stewart – DJ, Mike Eli, Jon Jones, Pat Middleton – DJ, Al Farb – Morning Zoo Producer, James Young and Chris Thompson
Middle row- Chris Fair, Promotions Coordinator. Christi Brooks, MD. Lisa Searcy, Marketing Director. Linda V, DJ. Candy Mendez, Promotions Manager and Marlane Disher – Promotions.
Front row- Kevin Kline – DJ, Johnny Chiang – PD/OM and George Couri – Triple 8 Management.

Kelsea Ballerini Puts Dibs on Joel Raab

Kelsea Ballerini has been introducing her dog, Dibs, to her friends on tour, including radio consultant Joel Raab. Naturally, “Dibs” is the singer’s latest single from her Black River debut album, The First Time.

Black River’s Greg McCarn, Kelsea Ballerini, Dibs, Joel Raab

Bluewater Music Signs Kristofferson To Admin Agreement

October 12, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Kris Kristofferson

Bluewater Music has signed Grammy award‐winning Kris Kristofferson to an administration agreement for his Jody Ray Publishing catalog covering the world, excluding the US and Canada.

Kristofferson is a Country Music Hall of Fame member with 15 BMI Award Winning Songs to his credit. “Here Comes That Rainbow Again,” “A Moment of Forever,” and “Chase the Feeling” are just a few of the songs that Bluewater will now administer.

Peter Roselli, Bluewater’s COO, adds, “A legendary songwriter, artist and actor, we’re thrilled to be working with Kris!”

For more information about Kris Kristofferson, visit kriskristofferson.com.

CMA Awards Add Top Female Performers

October 12, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Maddie & Tae, Kacey Musgraves, and host Carrie Underwood will perform during the 49th Annual CMA Awards.

“From Miranda Lambert’s explosive debut CMA performance in New York in 2005 to Reba’s performance in that famous red dress that now resides in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the females in our format deliver some of the most dynamic and talked about awards moments and this year should be no different,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern.

Ballerini is nominated for the first time this year, earning a spot in the categories of Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year.

Lambert received her third Entertainer of the Year nomination in 2015 along with nominations for Female Vocalist, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year for “Little Red Wagon.” Lambert is the most awarded female in CMA Awards history with 11 wins and 38 nominations.

Duo Maddie & Tae received their first nominations for Vocal Duo of the Year; Music Video of the Year for “Girl in a Country Song,” and New Artist of the Year.

Musgraves, who won New Artist of the Year in 2013 and Song of the Year in 2014, has three nominations this year including Album of the Year for Pageant Material, which she co-produced with Luke Laird and Shane McAnally, Female Vocalist; and Music Video of the Year for “Biscuits.”

CMA previously announced the performance collaborations of Eric Church with iconic country rocker Hank Williams, Jr. and Thomas Rhett collaborating live with Fall Out Boy, as well as performances by CMA Awards hosts Brad Paisley and Underwood.

The 49th Annual CMA Awards will air live Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11 PM/ET) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on the ABC Television Network.

Kelsea Ballerini

Miranda Lambert

Maddie & Tae

Kacey Musgraves

Artist Pics: Kix Brooks, The Band Perry, NCHS, John Conlee, The Judds

October 12, 2015/by Kelsey_Grady

Kix Brooks Climbs For Fallen Firefighters

Kix Brooks with Firefighters

This past Saturday, Oct. 10, American Country Countdown host Kix Brooks participated in the Kidde-sponsored National Stair Climb event at Citi Field in New York City. The National Stair Climb honors all fallen firefighters, and it was the first ever stair climb in NYC. Kix did several media interviews, posed for photos, and spoke during the opening ceremony. In fact, he was so inspired, that he decided last minute to do the climb!

The Band Perry Headlines Vanderbilt’s Commodore Quakc

The Band Perry

Annual music bash The Commodore Quake will be held at Vanderbilt University’s Memorial Gym on Friday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m., with featured acts The Band Perry and Third Eye Blind.

“We are incredibly excited to bring two fantastic bands to Vanderbilt’s campus,” said Music Group Chair, Kern Vohra, when asked about this year’s Quake Lineup. “This is going to be a great year for Quake, and I can speak for everyone on The Music Group when I say that we are all beyond happy to be a part of it.”

For tickets, visit vanderbilt.edu.

Opening Night For Nashville Connection Heroes Salute

Darryl Worley

The Nashville Connection- Heroes Salute (NCHS) is a Music and patriotic event which is created for singer and songwriters from all over the country to come to Nashville to network, connect, and work up close and personal with Music Industry top professionals in Nashville and Atlanta. The opening ceremonies will be Oct. 14 at the Legislative Plaza at 9:30 a.m.

Those participating are Colonel (Retired) Fareed Betros, Joan Betros, Darryl Worley, Irlene Mandrell, Rebecca Eggers from Fort Campbell, Gold Star Mom’s, and Survivor Outreach Services, Music Industry Pros and Executives, City officials, The Patriot Guards and an American Legion rifle Salute.

John Conlee Honoring Law Enforcement Officials

John Conlee

John Conlee is set to honor law enforcement officers around the country with his Oct. 14 performance of “Walking Behind The Star” on Fox News’ FOX & Friends.

“I wanted to do this song to show support to police officers who are just doing their jobs,” says Conlee. “With all the turmoil going on I think they are relieved that someone is paying attention the other way and giving them a pat on the back.”

The Judds Reunite In Vegas

Photo: Erik Kabik

The Judds graced the stage in front of a full house for an emotional opening performance of Girls Night Out at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian® Las Vegas. The show marked the iconic and multi-platinum country duo’s first concerts together in nearly five years.