Jana Kramer To Release Sophomore Project on Friday

JanaKramerthirtyone

Jana Kramer will release thirty one, her 11-track sophomore album with Elektra/WAR on Friday, Oct. 9.

Kramer co-wrote six of the tracks. Additional writers on the project include Maddie & Tae, Jamie Lynn Spears and Alyssa Bonagura. Kramer worked with producer Scott Hendricks. The lead single is “I Got The Boy.”

An exclusive album preview is available from Pure Silk Shave with an exclusive track not for sale titled, “Hey Hey, Kiss Kiss.” Pre-orders are a immediately available with a thirty one Intro Pack (19.99) including a digital and physical album, select immediate download tracks and an autographed poster (limited to the first 250 purchasers). A Deluxe Pack ($39.99) includes the same as the Intro Pack, in addition to a tee shirt and a now sold-out Snapchat option.

A pregnant Kramer will be traversing the country from New York to California to Florida through November (full dates below).

thirty one Track Listing:
1. Boomerang (Chad Carlson, Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Aaron Scherz)
2. Don’t Touch My Radio (Jana Kramer, Blair Daly, Catt Gravitt)
3. I Got The Boy (Tim Nichols, Connie Harrington, Jamie Lynn Spears)
4. Pop That Bottle (Kramer, Phil Barton, Lindsay Rimes, Michael Hughes)
5. Love (Catt Gravitt, Jimmy Robbins)
6. Circles (Brandon Hood, Alyssa Bonagura, Jeffrey Steele)
7. Bullet (Kramer, Catt Gravitt, Marti Frederiksen)
8. Dance In The Rain (Kramer, Emily Shackleton, Phil Barton, Lindsay Rimes)
9. Said No One Ever (Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, busbee)
10. Just Like In The Movies (Kramer, Gravitt, Brian Kierulf)
11. Last Song (Kramer, Robbins, Gravitt)

Jana Kramer Tour Dates
Oct. 07 – Blarney’s Twisted Irish Pub, Harrisburg, Pa.
Oct. 08 – Patchogue Theatre For The Performing Arts, New York, N.Y.
Oct. 09 – Maryland Live! Casion – Rams Head Center Stage, Baltimore, Md.
Oct. 10 – Scope, Norfolk, Va.
Oct. 16 – Red Rock Saloon, Madison, Wis.
Oct. 17 – Red Rock Saloon, Milwaukee, Wis.
Oct. 20 – B 93.9’S Bra-Country, Raleigh, N.C.
Oct. 21 – Visalia Fox Theater, Visalia, Calif.
Oct. 22 – Rodeo Club, San Jose, Calif.
Oct. 23 – Ace Of Spades, Sacramento, Calif.
Nov. 06 – Florida Veteran Field, Gainesville, Fla.
Nov. 17 – James Brown Arena, Augusta, Ga.
Nov. 19 – Coyote Joe’s, Shelby Twp, Mich.
Nov. 20 – Firekeepers, Battle Creek, Mich.
Nov. 21 – Belterra Resort & Casino, Florence, Ind.

Songwriters Hall of Fame Nominates Nashville Writers

songwriters-hall-of-fame-logo

Six legendary country songwriters are on the 2016 ballot for the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which recognizes talent from across all musical genres.

Dallas Frazier (“Elvira,” “There Goes My Everything”), John D. Loudermilk (“Abilene,” “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye”), Bob McDill (“Amanda,” “Gone Country”) and Curly Putman (“He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “Green Green Grass of Home”) are nominated in the non-performing songwriters category.

In addition, Tom T. Hall (“Harper Valley P.T.A.,” “I Love”) is nominated in the performing songwriters category, while Roger Miller (“King of the Road,” “Dang Me”) is in the deceased songwriters category.

Eligible voting members will have until Dec. 11 to turn in ballots with their choices of three nominees from a non-performing category, two from a performing category and one from a deceased category. Inductions will take place on June 9, 2016, in New York City.

Read the full list of nominees.

The Oak Ridge Boys Announce 26th Annual Christmas Tour

The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Tour

The Oak Ridge Boys will embark on their 26th annual Christmas Night Out Tour on Nov. 17 in Branson, Missouri. With more than two dozen stops, the tour will conclude on Dec. 23 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

“There is nothing quite like an Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Show. This tour has become an Oak Ridge Boys tradition and is a tremendous experience for the entire family. With a revamped stage and a fresh approach, this year’s show will be a dynamic mix of music representing every aspect of Christmas from presents and snow, to romance and Santa Claus, on to the real meaning of the season celebrating the birth of Jesus,” said The Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall.

“Folks can expect to hear old favorites like ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Jingle Bells’ mixed with some very poignant newer songs like ‘Getting Ready for A Baby’ and ‘Mary Did You Know.’ A highlight of the evening is the much-loved ‘rocking chair’ segment where each Boy rocks by the fireplace and shares personal thoughts about Christmas. So we hope you’ll come out and see us… and Merry Christmas!” Bonsall added.

The group will be formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this month.

Christmas Night Out Tour dates are listed below:

Nov. 17-19: Branson, Mo.; The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre

Nov .21: Canton, Ohio; Canton Palace Theatre

Nov. 22: Newport News, Va.; Ferguson Center For The Arts

Nov. 24: Portsmouth, Ohio; Vern Riffe Center For The Arts

Nov. 27: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Paramount Theater

Nov. 28: Sioux Falls, S.D.; Washington Pavilion

Nov. 29: Des Moines, Iowa; Hoyt Sherman Place

Nov. 30: Topeka, Kan.; Topeka Performing Arts Center

Dec. 1: Cheyenne, Wyo.; Cheyenne Civic Center

Dec. 2: Colorado Springs, Co.; Pikes Peak Center

Dec. 3: Richfield, Utah; Sevier Valley Center

Dec. 4: Boise, Idaho; Morrison Center at Boise State University

Dec. 5: Kennewick, Wash.; Toyota Center

Dec. 6: Lewiston, Idaho; Clearwater River Casino Event

Dec. 7: Spokane, Wash.; INB Performing Arts Center

Dec. 8: Eugene, Ore.; Hult Center

Dec. 10: Shelton, Wash.; Little Creek Casino Resort

Dec. 11-12: Lincoln City, Ore.; Chinook Winds Casino

Dec. 13: Redding, Calif. Redding Convention Center

Dec. 15: Deadwood, S.D.; Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel

Dec. 16: Saint Joseph, Mo.; Civic Arena

Dec. 17: Paducah, Ky.; Carson Center

Dec. 18: Manistee, Mich.; Little River Casino Resort

Dec. 19: Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; Crystal Grand Music Theatre

Dec. 20: Merrillville, Ind.; Star Plaza Theatre

Dec. 21: Evansville, Ind.; Old National Events Plaza

Dec. 22: Atlanta, Ga.; Philips Arena

Dec. 23: Nashville, Tenn.; Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Industry Ink: ACM, Catch This Music, Wortman Works Media & Marketing, Anastasia Brown

Jake Owen’s Midnight Mission

The Midnight Mission (TMM) honored the Academy of Country Music’s leader Bob Romeo Thursday night at a star-studded Beverly Hills Golden Heart Awards gala celebrating those with a philanthropic spirit. ACM Award winner Jake Owen was on hand to pay tribute to Romeo and present him with the honor following a four-song set that had the audience on its feet.

Jake Owen and Bob Romeo. Photo: Melanie Catalano Photography/Courtesy of The Midnight Mission

Jake Owen and Bob Romeo. Photo: Melanie Catalano Photography/Courtesy of The Midnight Mission

 

Catch This Music Celebrates Four Years

Catch This Music will celebrate four years with a Parking Lot Party on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. The party will be held at 1008 17th Ave. S. in Nashville. RSVPs can be sent to kathryn@catchthismusic.com.

4yrFlyer

 

Kelsea Ballerini Calls ‘Dibs’ On ACM Membership

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Black River recording artist Kelsea Ballerini to the office while she was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, she signed up for Academy membership and performed several songs from her debut album including her current chart-climbing single, “Dibs” and her first Gold-selling, #1 single “Love Me Like You Mean It.”

Kelsea Ballerini signing up for Academy of Country Music membership.  Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

Kelsea Ballerini signing up for Academy of Country Music membership. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

 

Wortman Works Media & Marketing Adds Account Exec, Announces West Coast Expansion

1928888_109674358018_4556176_nWortman Works Media & Marketing announces the addition of recent Auburn University graduate Elyse Wiser to the agency as an account executive. Additionally, the company expands to the west coast with Townhouse West in Pasadena, California. Award-winning media veteran Denise Quan serves as a consultant and content manager.

Wortman Works Media & Marketing continues to expand and evolve as a full service public relations, brand development and management company, with the addition of Townhouse West and consultant Denise Quan, who began her career at ‘Entertainment Tonight,’ and most recently served as Senior Producer at CNN. There, she specialized in broadcast, digital, radio and text projects and spearheaded multi-platform coverage of major events, such as the Grammy Awards.

“Quan is one of the most respected in the business. Her abilities range from producing a story that is hard-hitting in nature to writing an introduction piece inciting interest in one of today’s up and coming celebrities,” says Wortman. “The expansion of our team and capabilities enhances the strength of our core as we strive to offer our clients progressive approaches in the ever-changing landscape of media and marketing.”

Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James Retail Store Adds Brown For Music Curation

Nashville’s Anastasia Brown, music supervisor and entertainment executive, has been tapped by Reese Witherspoon to curate music for “SOUTHERN SOUNDCHECK,” a monthly playlist for Witherspoon’s online Southern specialty store, Draper James.


According to Reese, the music of the South is quintessential to “hosting a cocktail party or going on a road trip. The playlist is (almost!) as important to us, as what we’re wearing. Lucky for us, we’ve got a good friend to help us choose the tunes.” Witherspoon chose Anastasia Brown because she “is a music industry superstar who has music supervised films and television series that have garnered Oscar, Grammy, Dove, and Emmy wins and nominations.”

Brown has worked on projects including The Shack (Lionsgate), Hot Pursuit (New Line Cinema), The Americans (FX), The Darkest Hour (New Regency), Footloose (Paramount), August Rush (WB), It’s Complicated (Universal Pictures), For the Love of Music: The Story of Nashville (Kings of Leon, Black Keys, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris), Taken (Sci-Fi), The Darkest Hour (Regency), and more.

Anastasia Brown Reese Witherspoon

Anastasia Brown and Reese Witherspoon

CMA Awards Will Kick Off With Eric Church and Hank Williams Jr.

Logo for the 49th Annual CMA Awards

Eric Church and Hank Williams Jr. will open the 49th Annual CMA Awards with a premiere performance of “Are You Ready for the Country,” Williams’ first single on Nash Icon. The three-hour show will air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 4 on ABC.

This is Church’s first year to be nominated in the CMA Entertainer of the Year category. Williams won the top award in 1987 and 1988.

Church is also nominated in the Male Vocalist category, as well as Single of the Year for “Talladega,” Song of the Year for “Like A Wrecking Ball,” and Musical Event of the Year for “Raise ‘Em Up” with Keith Urban.

The song, which was written and recorded by Neil Young and later recorded by Waylon Jennings, “is the perfect narrative for the night,” said CMA Awards Executive Producer Robert Deaton. “It sets up musically everything that is going to happen for the rest of the show.”

The performance by Church and Williams will lead into the opening monologue by hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.

“They have impeccable timing as hosts and then in the next segment you see them with their bands blowing the roof off the arena with an amazing performance,” said Deaton. “They are the whole package.”

“If you don’t see the first 15 minutes of the CMA Awards live, you will be grasping for straws at the proverbial water cooler the next morning,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “It is that good and it is just the beginning of a great night of entertainment.”

Jeremy Holley, Laura Hutfless Launch Marketing Agency, FlyteVu

Jeremy Holley

Jeremy Holley

Music marketing executives Jeremy Holley and Laura Hutfless have teamed to launch FlyteVu, a full-service marketing agency.

Holley exits Warner Music Nashville where he has spent the past decade, most recently as the Sr. VP of Consumer & Interactive Marketing. Hutfless will leave her position as Music Brand Partnership Agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

FlyteVu officially opened Oct. 1, and offers brands a wide variety of services including strategy and planning, custom analytics, creative services, talent and property partnerships, music licensing, digital and social strategy, event activation and more.

FlyteVu will be temporarily based at the offices of CAA.

Holley was recognized as one of Billboard’s Power Player Top 40 Under 40 in 2015. He played a key role in building Warner Music Nashville and Word Entertainment’s multiple rights (360) business, overseeing all aspects of creative, digital, and strategic marketing. He has worked on strategic partnerships with Shazam and Youtube, and with brands including Pepsi, Samsung, and JCP.

Laura Hutfless

Laura Hutfless

Hutfless was named to Billboard’s Power Player Top 40 Under 40 in 2012 and 2013. In her role as Music Partnership Agent at CAA, she worked with leading brands including Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Beringer Wines, ConAgra Foods Inc, Hallmark, Dr. Pepper, Kraft, Skechers, and Mary Kay.

FlyteVu’s first employee is Whitney Byerly, who worked with Hutfless at CAA to develop cause-marketing programs connecting artists, charities and corporate brands.

Announcements on client signings and additional employee hirings will be forthcoming.

“We are both grateful to Warner and CAA for the opportunity to work with an amazing group of people, learn from inspiring leadership and help develop groundbreaking artists,” said Holley. “We understand the importance that brands and artists play on culture and want to offer solutions that create more authentic ‘music’ moments that move consumers to action.”

“Jeremy has been an amazing partner with us at Warner Music Nashville,” said WMN President and CEO John Esposito. “He has led our digital efforts, helping put WMN at the forefront of the digital space thanks to his forward thinking and creativity. I’ve been supportive of this entrepreneurial concept of his since Jeremy first came to me with the idea earlier in the year. The music industry thrives on entrepreneurs and we look forward to working with Jeremy and his new company. It will benefit all the artists at WMN. I know he will kick ass.”

“FlyteVu is a solution for brands who want to connect with consumers on a deeper level at the intersection of storytelling, music and technology,” said Hutfless. “It’s not about interrupting the pop-culture conversation with a one-off sponsorship; it’s about joining in the conversation and telling an authentic story over time. There is more opportunity for brands in the music space now than ever before, and with our 20-plus years of experience working with artists and brands, we’re excited to help them navigate the landscape and create nontraditional business solutions.”

“We are grateful to Laura for all of her great work on behalf of CAA’s clients,” said John Huie, co-head of CAA Music’s Nashville operations. “We are happy to see Laura follow her passion and thrilled that we will continue to work with her at her new venture, FlyteVu. She will always be a part of the CAA family.”

FlyteVu will be based at the offices of CAA, 401 Commerce St., Penthouse, Nashville, TN 37219, for the short term before moving into its permanent location. The mailing address will be 11 Music Circle S., Nashville, TN 37203, and phone number is (615) 942-0242. For more information on FlyteVu visit FlyteVu.com.

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Sing at Donald Trump Event

Gatlin (L) with Trump (R)

(Larry Gatlin (L) hosted a campaign for Presidential candidate Donald Trump in Franklin, Tennessee, on Sat., Oct. 3.

Larry Gatlin And The Gatlin Brothers were the special guest performers for Presidential candidate Donald Trump during his visit to Middle Tennessee on Sat., Oct. 3. In front of a packed house at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee, the band performed the national anthem along with several of their hit songs before Trump took the stage.

“I was the MC and the brothers and I sang at the Donald Trump event over the weekend in Nashville. It was good to see my old friend, Donald,” Gatlin said. “I honored my commitment to Governor Bush and Governor Huckabee, also old friends, that I would not tell anybody who to vote for—I do not have the right to do that. I would advise everyone to do their homework. Listen, read, study, pray… then vote their hearts. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

To see a video clip courtesy of The Tennessean, click here.

Dot Records Signs Ashley Campbell

Campbell family at a 2014 documentary celebration. Pictured (L-R): Cal Campbell, Kim Campbell, Scott Borchetta (BMLG), Ashley Campbell, Shannon Campbell. Photo: Rick Diamond

Campbell family at a 2014 documentary celebration. Pictured (L-R): Cal Campbell, Kim Campbell, Scott Borchetta (BMLG), Ashley Campbell, Shannon Campbell. Photo: Rick Diamond

Dot Records has officially announced the signing of Ashley Campbell to its artist roster. Campbell’s first single from the Big Machine Label Group imprint is titled “Remembering,” featured on the I’ll Be Me Soundtrack.

AshleyCampbellRememberingThe self-penned tune, centers around the relationship she shares with her father, legendary country artist Glen Campbell and his battle with Alzheimer’s. The singer/songwriter is currently in the studio with producer Buddy Cannon working on her debut album.

Campbell has performed alongside her father for years. During the country legend’s three-year farewell tour, the songstress acted as guitar and banjo player, keyboardist and harmony vocalist. She was also featured on the 2015 soundtrack’s “Home Again.”

Campbell is managed by TK Kimbrell at TKO Artist Management.

Dot Records includes a recording roster of superstar Steven Tyler, Maddie & Tae and rising singer/songwriters Drake White and Tucker Beathard.

Grand Ole Opry Celebrates 90th Anniversary With Star-Studded Birthday Bash

Grand Ole Opry celebrates 90th anniversary. Photo: Chris Hollo

Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 90th anniversary. Photo: Chris Hollo

This weekend, the Grand Ole Opry celebrated nine decades devoted to country music, with performances from Little Big Town, The Oak Ridge BoysCarrie Underwood, Jeannie Seely, Larry GatlinTrace Adkins, members from the cast of ABC’s Nashville, and more.

Underwood’s first performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage came in June 2005, shortly after her win on American Idol. She was inducted into the Opry by fellow Oklahoman Garth Brooks, in May 2008. She returned to the Opry stage Saturday night to offer a rendition of her debut hit, “Jesus Take The Wheel,” before strapping on a guitar for her current single, “Smoke Break.” She ended with a chipper version of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.” Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts made the journey to Nashville to introduce Underwood to the Opry audience that evening.

Carrie Underwood performs "Smoke Break" at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Carrie Underwood performs “Smoke Break” at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo.

“My first performance was a total whirlwind,” recalled Underwood at a press conference backstage. “I had just come off of American Idol and we immediately came to Nashville, because this is where I wanted to be. Stepping out on that stage, it was like, ‘What am I doing here?’ I felt very unworthy, and still do to a certain extent, just because it is the Grand Ole Opry.”

“I was scared to death,” said Adkins of his first Opry performance. The fear was more than just the nerves of a first-timer. “There was a miscommunication and somebody thought my band was going to be here, and I thought the Opry [house] band had learned my song, and neither one of those things had happened,” he recalled. “The stage manager asked if I was going to mic my guitar, and I said, ‘Don’t worry about it,’ because I thought the band was going to play my song. I was doing ‘Every Light In The House Is On.’ He said, ‘Well, are you just going to sing a cappella?’ I said, ‘No, is the [house] band going to play?’ A friend of mine, luckily, had a copy of my CD in his truck and ran out to get it. The Opry band listened to it one time through, charted it, and went onstage and played the song perfectly. I’ll never forget that. And then I proposed to Rhonda that evening, because I didn’t think I’d ever get to come back. I thought I might as well propose while I’m here.”

Adkins, of course, has returned to the Opry stage numerous times, and was inducted as a member in 2003. Saturday evening, he offered “Ladies Love Country Boys” and a version of Don Williams’ “‘Til The Rivers All Run Dry,” to the delight of the Opry crowd. Saturday marked the second day of performances for The Oak Ridge Boys, who also appeared on the Friday night Opry (Oct. 2) to perform a rendition of “Elvira” with Little Big Town.

“Every time we come down here, it is an honor to be among these people,” said The Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall. “Minnie Pearl was one of the greatest people to walk the face of this planet and so was Sarah Cannon, I might add. Jimmy Dickens? Backstage at the Opry has not been the same since Little Jimmy Dickens has been gone. I mean, everybody wanted to be around him. Everybody wanted a piece of Little Jimmy Dickens, and it was fun to watch it. You try to carry the torch. That’s why I thought last night was so meaningful. There is always magic on the stage. When we came out onstage last night with [Little Big Town], it was a magical moment. I think the Opry is all about magic, tradition and magic. Everybody here feels that magic and tries to live up to it.”

The Oak Ridge Boys with Little Big Town. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Oak Ridge Boys and Little Big Town display Grand Ole Opry 90th Anniversary member gifts. Photo: Chris Hollo

On Saturday, the Oaks — who will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this  month — offered their evergreen hit “Elvira” as well as a rendition of “Have A Little Talk With Jesus,” from their latest album, Rock of Ages: Hymns and Gospel Favorites. Meanwhile, Nashville‘s Charles Esten, Aubrey Peeples, Chris Carmack, and Sam Palladio performed for a combined 30-minute segment of the two-hour show, a testament to the positive attention the show has brought to its namesake city and the Grand Ole Opry. The 90th Anniversary celebration will continue on Tuesday, Oct. 6 with appearances by Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Marty Stuart, and more as well as upcoming appearances by Kelsea Ballerini, Easton Corbin, Charlie Daniels Band, Loretta Lynn, Alison Krauss, Rascal Flatts, and many others.

On Nov. 28, 1925, announcer George D. Hay introduced the one-hour WSM Barn Dance, with a performance from fiddler Uncle Jimmy Thompson. In 1927, the show was renamed The Grand Ole Opry, and today, it is the longest-running radio broadcast in United States history.

Stagecoach Festival Reveals Lineup, On-Sale Date

Stagecoach

Eric Church, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan will headline the 10th annual Stagecoach Festival next year in Indio, California. The event will take place April 29 to May 1, 2016. Passes will go on sale Friday (Oct. 9).

Church will headline the April 29 lineup, with Chris Young, Sam Hunt, Emmylou Harris, Eric Paslay, Marty Stuart and more also on the bill.

Underwood will perform on April 30 following sets from The Band Perry, Dustin Lynch, John Fogerty, Chris Stapleton, Lee Ann Womack, Rodney Crowell and more.

Bryan will conclude the festival on May 1, sharing the day with Little Big Town, Joe Nichols, The Doobie Brothers, A Thousand Horses, RaeLynn and Turnpike Troubadours, among others.

General admission passes are $299. Corral reserved seating and corral standing pit passes are $899.