The premiere of 2015 CMT Artists of the Year received significant social traction during its live broadcast on Wednesday (Dec. 9). According to Nielsen, the all-star special ranked as the most social cable program of the day.

In addition, Adam Lambert and Leona Lewis’ performance of Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” was the most-tweeted-about moment of the show, which was held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville.

The special will re-air on Saturday (Dec. 5) at 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. ET/PT, as well as Sunday at 5 p.m. ET/PT.

This year’s special honored Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Little Big Town and Blake Shelton. Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild were unable to attend due to the death of Westbrook’s sister, Joyce. FGL’s Tyler Hubbard had to bow out due to a reaction to vaccinations in advance of a charitable trip to Africa.

In addition, Kenny Rogers accepted the Artist of a Lifetime award from Dan Rather. Chris Stapleton received the first-ever Breakout Artist award and performed “Nobody to Blame” during the show.

Other performers included Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Cassadee Pope and RaeLynn, while Trace Adkins, Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler and Lee Ann Womack presented awards.

The cast of ABC’S Nashville also received the International Impact Award. Connie Britton accepted with fellow cast members Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson, Sam Palladio, Audrey Peeples, Maisy Stella and Lennon Stella.

Leadership Music members, family, and friends donated over $16,000 to help alleviate hunger in the Middle Tennessee area, enough to offer more than 66,000 meals to those in need. The organization exceeded its fundraising goal of $10,000.

The classes of Leadership Music held a friendly competition to see which class could raise the most money for the hunger drive.

Squeaking past the Class of 2016 in the 11th hour to claim bragging rights, the Class of 2012 has been named the winner of the competition again this year, donating the most funds, and honoring classmate Jaynee Day who serves as President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and serves on the board of Leadership Music.

The top five class standings, in order of the most money raised, are:
Class of 2012
Class of 2016
Class of 2015
Class of 2008
Class of 2007

 

BMI and ALT 98.3 Present Eastside Sounds

BMI and ALT 98.3 presented their monthly showcase, Eastside Sounds, at The Basement East on Wednesday night (Dec. 2). Hosted quarterly by radio personality Wells Adams, the showcase highlights top independent voices who create music confidently outside of the mainstream. This week’s showcase featured Tedo Stone and PHIN.

 

Big Yellow Dog Project Debuts at No. 1

Jessie James Decker‘s first holiday album, This Christmas, has debuted at #1 on the iTunes Holiday Album chart. The album follows the #1 debut of her lead single, This Christmas, from the album on the iTunes Holiday Single charts three weeks ago. The album features three original songs, several holiday standards, and a duet with husband, Eric Decker.

 

Midwest Communications Picks Up ‘The Pickup’

Syndicated online series, ‘The Pickup,’ has been added to Midwest Communications’ country brand. Viewers can now watch the series via the media company’s 16 country websites, including seven DUKE FM stations and nine contemporary country stations.

“It is a terrific show and a perfect fit for our stations,” says Tom Baldrica, Corporate Country Brand Strategist, Midwest Communications. “This is a natural step in our continuing commitment to country music.”

“In our never-ending search to deliver content, ‘The Pickup’ arrived at our doorstep, with excellent content for our websites delivering up-close and personal access to the country stars we know and love,” says Jeff McCarthy, VP Programming, Midwest Communications.

 

MTSU Hires Abby White as Development Director

Abby White, a former staff editor at the Nashville Scene and Nfocus magazine, has been tasked by MTSU to create stronger connections between the university and the media and entertainment industries. White joined MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment as a development director at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year. MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment is the fifth-largest communication program in the nation.

The CMA Songwriters Series will return to the UK for its 10th European show on March 10 at indigo at The O2 in London. This CMA Songwriters Series installment will feature Charles Esten (of ABC’s Nashville), Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Ashley Monroe, and Charlie Worsham.

Launched in 2005, the CMA Songwriters Series will enter its 12th year in 2016. In 2012, the Series made its European debut with shows in London, Dublin, and Belfast. Celebrating the craft of storytelling through song and the stories behind country music’s greatest hits, the series returned the following year with shows taking place in Ireland, London, and Paris. Since 2014, the CMA Songwriters Series has returned annually to London as part of Country 2 Country, the three-day country music festival at The O2 in London.

Nashville-based executives Marcie Allen, Lori Badgett, Julie Boos, Ali Harnell, Allison Jones, Cindy Mabe and Mary Ann McCready are featured in Billboard’s new ranking of the 50 most powerful women in the music business.

Allen is the president of MAC Presents and was recognized in the Branding category for work with clients like Southwest Airlines and Microsoft Windows. In addition, the Finance category cites Badgett (Senior VP/team leader, City National Bank), Boos (co-owner/VP/business manager, Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy) and Mary Ann McCready (President/co-founder/business manager, Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy) as leaders in their field.

Meanwhile, Harnell (Senior VP, AEG Live) is cited in the Live category for producing 180 shows in 2015, grossing $36 million. In the Labels category, key Nashville figures include Cindy Mabe (President, Universal Music Group Nashville), who guided the label to a 40 percent market share in 2015, as well as Allison Jones (Senior VP A&R, Big Machine Label Group), who is recognized for placing future hit songs with the label roster, which includes Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts.