Reba McEntire Joins Hearts Of Hope For Nashville Rescue Mission

Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire and singer-songwriter Caroline Kole are confirmed for the Hearts of Hope event benefitting the Nashville Rescue Mission. The event will take place on Feb. 13 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Boone Convocation Center at Trevecca Nazarene University.

The lunch will celebrate homeless and hurting women in Nashville by making them the guests of honor on the day before Valentine’s Day. Tickets are available at a suggested minimum donation of $100. A meal will be provided. Purchasing information is available at the Nashville Rescue Mission website.

“I think everybody should support the Mission because folks need help,” McEntire stated at last year’s event. “It’s a part of our community, and as neighbors we need to get in there and volunteer and see how we can help them out, and get them back on their feet.”

 

George Jones’ Bandit Records Catalog Acquired By Concord Bicycle Music

George Jones, Burn Your Playhouse Down

George Jones’ recordings for his label imprint Bandit Records have been acquired by Concord Bicycle Music. The assets were obtained from Jones’ widow, Nancy Jones, according to a Concord Bicycle statement.

The master recordings included in the deal include 2001’s The Rock, 2005’s The Gospel Collection and Hits I Missed…And One I Didn’t, 2006’s Kickin’ Out The Footlights Again (with Merle Haggard), and 2008’s duets collection Burn Your Playhouse Down. The catalog also contains various Roy Acuff track masters and assorted George Jones compilations.

In a separate transaction, Concord Bicycle Music has also acquired the catalog of Americana label HighTone Records from Shout! Factory. The transaction includes master recordings from Buddy Miller, The Blasters, and many others.

“Concord Bicycle Music is proud to be the new home for these fantastic and historic recordings,” said Steven Salm, Chief Corporate Development Officer, Concord Bicycle Music. “HighTone and Bandit represent an important niche in the American independent music culture and fit perfectly within our existing catalog.”

“The HighTone and Bandit catalogs exemplify a deeply rooted and evocative part of America’s musical heritage,” added Sig Sigworth, SVP Catalog Management & Development, Concord Bicycle Music. “We’re proud to add these stellar works to Concord Bicycle Music’s already extraordinary collection of country, folk, blues and Americana master recordings.”

Thomas Rhett To Host Boot Camps In Snap Fitness Endorsement

Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett will host five exclusive boot camps to promote his I Feel Good health initiative with the gym franchise Snap Fitness. The hour-long fitness session will feature Rhett and a certified Snap Fitness trainer taking the class through a personalized health and wellness session.

The first boot camp will be held Saturday (Jan. 23) in Springfield, Missouri. That will be followed by sessions in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Feb. 19; Dallas, Texas, on May 21; Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 11; and Columbus, Ohio, on June 18. Fans will have the chance to win a spot at a boot camp through radio stations in the select markets.

“I jumped at the chance to work with Snap Fitness on this campaign. Being in good shape is a big part of being able to get on stage night after night and do what I love,” Rhett said. “It’s cool that I get to share my interest in fitness directly with fans and give them a look into how you can make it a priority no matter your lifestyle.”

In addition to the boot camps, Rhett will participate in fitness challenges on social media throughout the campaign and encourage his followers to get active. In addition, for every 30-day trial purchased prior to June 1, Snap Fitness will donate $1 to Folds of Honor, a non-profit that helps provide educational support to the families of fallen or wounded soldiers.

Chris Janson Will Perform For Oklahoma’s Hospitalized Veterans

Chris Janson

Chris Janson

Chris Janson will headline a free concert for the Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) organization at the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Friday (Jan. 22).

Area veterans, military service members and their families are invited to attend the event, also open to the public. It is presented in partnership with AMVETS, the Department of Defense Vietnam War Commemoration, Soldier’s Wish and Tulsa’s Coffee Bunker.

Help Hospitalized Veterans LogoA national, nonprofit organization, HHV was founded to provide therapeutic arts and crafts to America’s veterans and active duty military. In 2009, HHV expanded its mission to include a concert series to not only entertain, but to educate Americans about the contributions of war veterans and the military.

“Our goal is to offer therapeutic assistance to our nation’s veterans and military, to improve emotional health and ease the transition to civilian life,” said HHV’s Chairman of the Board, John (Jack) M. Meagher, Judge (Retired), a Vietnam War veteran. “At our concerts, we are able to educate the public about the tremendous sacrifices these individuals made. We look forward to hosting another big night to honor the brave men and women who risked their lives for our freedom. Every concert in this series is an experience to witness.”

‘Skyville Live’ Confirms Cyndi Lauper, Kelsea Ballerini, Ingrid Michaelson

Skyville Live - Jan 28

The next episode of Nashville-based music series Skyville Live will feature Cyndi Lauper and special guests Kelsea Ballerini and Ingrid Michaelson.

The episode is scheduled to stream live exclusively via go90, a free mobile video platform available across all wireless carriers, on Jan. 28, at 7 pm. CT. To access go90, download the app via App Store or Google Play.

“Leave it to the girls! This might be our most fun show yet. But it’ll also have some moments that’ll move you to tears,” says Wally Wilson, creator and executive producer for Skyville Live. “Don’t miss this one!”

Lauper’s upcoming 11th studio album, Detour, recorded late last year in Nashville, will showcase her takes on classic country songs from the 1950s and 1960s and will feature appearances by several country artists.

LifeNotes: Noted Guitarist Pete Huttlinger Passes

Pete Huttlinger

Pete Huttlinger

Nashville acoustic-guitar great Pete Huttlinger has died at age 54.

He recorded more than 15 albums, toured and recorded with John Denver and won awards for his fleet-fingered playing. His instructional DVDs and guitar workshops taught many fellow musicians.

Huttlinger was the husband of Music Row publicist Erin Morris, the son-in-law of noted country music journalist Ed Morris and the brother-in-law of song publisher Jason Morris..

Pete Huttlinger was born in 1961 in Washington, D.C. He was a 1984 graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He won the National Fingerpick Guitar championship in 2000.

In addition to touring and recording with Denver, Huttlinger backed LeAnn Rimes and John Oates. He has been heard on records by Faith Hill, Jimmy Buffett and The Nashville Chamber Orchestra, among others.

He had a congenital heart defect, and this shadowed his career. Huttlinger had a stroke in 2010 that paralyzed his right arm and rendered him unable to speak. He fought his way back to health and launched a second career as a public speaker. His presentation was titled “Don’t Just Live: Live Well.”

Huttlinger walked the 2012 Music City Marathon with a bag containing a battery pack for his heart pump. He and his wife co-authored the 2015 book, Joined at the Heart: A Story of Love, Guitars, Resilience and Marigolds.

The guitarist suffered another stroke on Jan. 11. He died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Jan. 15.

He is survived by wife Erin Morris Huttlinger, stepchildren Sean Della Croce and James Della Croce, brother Frank Huttlinger and sister Theresa Vigour.

A memorial service will be scheduled later.

Producer Dave Cobb To Take Over Music Row’s Historic RCA Studio A

Dave Cobb

Dave Cobb

Ben Folds is set to leave Music Row’s historic RCA Studio A, after renting the space for 14 years. Folds cited a demanding touring schedule and increasing roster of projects around the globe as reasons for stepping away from Studio A, though he will record in the space as time allows.

Beginning April 1, Dave Cobb will take up working residence in the historic studio, which was built by Chet Atkins, Harold Bradley, and Owen Bradley. Cobb’s reputation as a producer has risen, thanks to the popularity of roots-oriented albums from Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, and Chris Stapleton.

“I know the studio will be in good hands with Dave Cobb,” Folds said. “Dave is familiar with the history and inner workings of Studio A and he represents a bright future for Music Row.”

In 2014, RCA Studio A became the epicenter of a battle between preservationists and real estate opportunists, when Folds penned an open letter stating that RCA Studio A was to be sold to a Brentwood firm that had plans to demolish the space and build condominiums. A “Save Studio A” movement began, spearheaded by Folds and songwriter-producer Trey Bruce. The movement garnered supporters including Justin Timberlake, Dave Grohl, Keith Urban, and others.

At the eleventh hour, a trio of entrepreneurs including Mike Curb, Aubrey Preston, and Chuck Elcan (operating as Studio A Preservation Partners) stepped in to preserve the studio. The federal government added RCA Studio A to the National Register of Historic Places.

“I’m proud to be entrusted with the keys to one of the best-sounding rooms in the world,” Cobb said. “My plan is simple: Honor the history of Studio A while making sure its unique sound carries forward onto new songs and albums with new artists.”

“Ben Folds played a key role in reopening one of the world’s most important recording studios,” said Preston. “Mike, Chuck and I wish Ben the very best in the future.”

Opened in 1965, Studio A’s client list has included Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, and George Strait as well as newer artists like Hunter Hayes, Jamey Johnson, and Kacey Musgraves. Pop and rock artists who have worked at the Studio A complex include Tony Bennett, The Beach Boys, and The Monkees, and newer artists like Sara Bareilles and Kesha.

 

Old Dominion Celebrates First No. 1 and Sold-Out Nashville Show

Pictured (L-R) front: Old Dominion's Whit Sellers, Trevor Rosen, Matthew Ramsey, Geoff Sprung and Brad Tursi; (back) Big Deal Music's Pete Robinson, Rehits/Smacktown Music's Michael McAnally Baum and Ree Guyer Buchanan, producer Shane McAnally, RCA Nashville's Keith Gale, ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Sonic Geo Music's George Whaley, ASCAP's Beth Brinker, Music of RPM's Blake Chancey and Smacktown Music's Robert Carlton. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Pictured (L-R) front: Old Dominion’s Whit Sellers, Trevor Rosen, Matthew Ramsey, Geoff Sprung and Brad Tursi; (back) Big Deal Music’s Pete Robinson, Rehits/Smacktown Music’s Michael McAnally Baum and Ree Guyer Buchanan, producer Shane McAnally, RCA Nashville’s Keith Gale, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Sonic Geo Music’s George Whaley, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Music of RPM’s Blake Chancey and Smacktown Music’s Robert Carlton. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Old Dominion gathered before a sold-out show at Marathon Music Works on Thursday (Jan. 14) to celebrate the band’s first No. 1 single, “Break Up With Him.”

The title spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard chart and was written by all five members of the band, Matthew Ramsey (celebrating his third No. 1), Trevor Rosen (celebrating his fourth No. 1), Brad Tursi (celebrating his third No. 1), Geoff Sprung, and Whit Sellers. For their first No. 1, the latter two writers were presented with their own Boulder Creek No. 1 guitar.

All five songwriters are ASCAP-affiliated. Mike Sistad and Beth Brinker represented the organization. The No. 1 event was sponsored by First Tennessee Bank and FTB Advisors.

“When it’s just the five of us on the road, someone always points it out,” says Ramsey. “It highlights how it’s not just the five of us anymore, but how many people are out there busting their asses for us. Sometimes that’s the only reason we get up and bust ours.”

“I moved here to not be in a band,” said Tursi. “But that didn’t work out.” Sellers recalled having been in Nashville for 10 years and how the band feels serendipitous. Sprung looked back on the long journey while Ramsey expressed surprise at how everything has fallen in place.

Producer Shane McAnally celebrated his fourth No. 1 as a producer at the event. McAnally offered thanks to the band’s manager, Clint Higham, who also managed McAnally’s artist career in the 1990s. “Clint and I have been friends for 20 years and have for so long tried to figure out a project to work on together,” recalled McAnally. “He is the most generous, the most passionate and the hardest-working manager with a great team around him. That’s the reason he’s so successful. It feels like this is all meant to be.”

Remarks were also offered by publishers. Blake Chancey of RPM Music shared the lesson he’s learned from the band−to never give up. Ree Guyer Buchanan of Rehits and Robert Carlton of Smacktown Music testified to the strong work ethic they observe specifically in Rosen, the writer they share. Pete Robinson of Big Deal Music commented on how the band’s success is not something that happens every day, going from Whiskey Jam to the Hollywood Bowl. Geo Whaley’s Sonic Geo Music also recalled the band’s humble beginnings.

As the “label before the label,” ReeSmack Records (Thirty Tigers) was also recognized with remarks from Guyer Buchanan and Michael Baum before current label—RCA Nashville/Sony—was represented by Keith Gale, who offered plaques and remarks. “We’re here to celebrate a big No. 1 record, but I’d also like to celebrate the album (Meat and Candy) as a whole body of work because it’s amazing,” Gale said before pumping the band’s second single, “Snapback,” which had over 126 stations playing the song in its first week.

MusicRow’s Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson offered No. 1 Challenge Coins for the single that also landed No. 1 on the secondary radio CountryBreakout chart on October 8, 2015. SiriusXM was an early adopter of the gold-selling “Break Up With Him,” and it was announced that the song won The Highway’s listener poll as the No. 1 song of 2015, for which plaques were presented. Holly Freeman from the CRB and Brandi Simms from the CMA also offered commemorations.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow's Sherod Robertson, Trevor Rosen, Matthew Ramsey, Brad Tursi and MusicRow's Troy Stephenson. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Old Dominion’s Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Matthew Ramsey, Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi and MusicRow‘s Troy Stephenson. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Later that evening before Old Dominion took to the stage, Buzz Brainard and Al Skop announced the show would be live streamed on SiriusXM.

For the band’s first show of 2016, a playlist of catchy, self-penned tunes was in line including “Snapback,” “Said Nobody,” “Nowhere Fast,” and “Wrong Turns.”

Old Dominion.

Old Dominion.

The audience of largely 20-somethings crowded the stage and snapped smartphone photos throughout the show, which also featured the band members’ individual songwriting catalogs.

Those songs intermingled through the set included “A Guy Walks Into A Bar” (Tyler Farr), “Ex To See” (Sam Hunt), “Say You Do” (Dierks Bentley), “Save It For A Rainy Day” (Kenny Chesney), “Sangria” (Blake Shelton) and “Wake Up Lovin’ You” (Craig Morgan).

Columbia Nashville/Sony newcomer Maren Morris opened the show. Morris also shares early beginnings with songs released by her publisher, Big Yellow Dog, before being picked up by a major label. With a two-member band, not including her own acoustic guitar prowess, she played through her stellar songs “Sugar,” “80s Mercedes,” “I Wish I Was,” “Drunk Girls Don’t Cry,” and her current single “My Church.”

Maren Morris.

Maren Morris.

Mel Tillis Is Recovering, Spokesman Says

Mel Tillis

Mel Tillis

Although stories about Mel Tillis’ failing health are spreading throughout social media, spokesman Don Murry Grubbs has stated that the singer is recovering well from colon surgery.

As the posts spread on Friday (Jan. 15), Grubbs told The Tennessean, “Doctors said he’s doing fine and on the right track. He’s awake and watching television.” When contacted by MusicRow, Grubbs offered the same information.

On Tuesday (Jan. 12), it was announced that Tillis, 83, had to cancel an upcoming appearance on The Country Music Cruise due to the surgery, which requires several weeks of recovery time.

Kelsea Ballerini Sings on ‘GMA,’ ‘Late Night With Seth Meyers’

Kelsea on Good Morning America

Kelsea Ballerini made debut performances on ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers on Wednesday (Jan. 13). She started the day by singing her current Top 10 single, “Dibs,” on GMA and chatted with host Amy Robach about her meteoric rise to stardom as well as what’s ahead for 2016.

Showing off another side of her music, Ballerini performed fan-favorite “XO” from her debut album, The First Time, that night on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

See the performance below: