Industry Ink: Stylist On Call, Buddy Lee Attractions, Alive Hospice, Centricity Music

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Jules Wortman Launches On-Demand Beauty Company

Stylist On CallJules Wortman has launched Stylist On Call, Nashville, providing clients professional and affordable hair and makeup services that come straight to the client. Anchored by a team of professional stylists, the “glam on demand” team visits clients at their home, office, hotel, event or wherever needed. Debbie Dover Hall will serve as Style Director for the company.

“Glam isn’t just for the celebrities, it is something we all can use,” states Wortman. “Nashville is one of the hottest cities today. Not only do we have numerous awards shows, galas, weddings and many other opportunities to get glamorous, we have a record number of wedding parties coming to town for bachelorette parties, as well as executives needing services for that big presentation or for a romantic anniversary dinner. As of today, Nashville can offer this mobile beauty service to everyone.”

Stylist On Call, Nashville also offers services in surrounding communities, including Bellevue, Brentwood, Franklin, Hendersonville, Hermitage, Mount Juliet, and more.

To book an appointment, visit stylistoncallnashville.com or download the free app. To book, clients select their preferred appointment date, time and location and make a secure online payment. A stylist will then contact the client to confirm the appointment. Same-day appointments are accepted. The website and app include all information regarding booking, as well as a style gallery and images of stylists’ previous work.

 

Buddy Lee Attractions Adds To Artist Roster

Back Row (L-R): Joe Lee; Brian Fee; Grayson Flatness, David Kinswiney, Senior VP, BLA; Amy Aylward; Aura Guadagno; Nicole Wyatt. Front Row (L-R): Clint Perry, Plaid Flag Music; Kree Harrison; Mike Meade, Representing Agent/VP, BLA.

Back Row (L-R): Joe Lee; Brian Fee; Grayson Flatness, David Kinswiney, Senior VP, BLA; Amy Aylward; Aura Guadagno; Nicole Wyatt. Front Row (L-R): Clint Perry, Plaid Flag Music; Kree Harrison; Mike Meade, Representing Agent/VP, BLA.

Kree Harrison and Daphne Willis join the list of entertainers on the BLA roster, which also includes Justin Forrest, Halfway to Hazard, Brooke Hogan, Sonia Leigh, Radio Romance and more.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kree and Daphne, artists with distinct talent and diversity, to the BLA family of entertainers,” said Mike Meade, Vice President and Representing Agent, Buddy Lee Attractions. “These two young ladies offer a taste of a diverse musicality that will satisfy the palate for music listeners who want to be tantalized by what they hear.”

 

Album of Songwriter Demos Benefits Alive Hospice

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Producer Marshall Altman highlights several songwriters behind some of country music’s greatest hits for a new album benefitting Alive Hospice. Keeping It Original for Alive: A Celebration of Songwriters Benefiting Alive Hospice features 13 songs that became hits for Kenny Chesney, Lee Brice, Josh Groban, Gary Allan, Frankie Ballard, Chase Bryant, Lance Miller and John King. The album is available at alivehospice.org, as well as at iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify and other digital stores.

The project is also available at the Bluebird Cafe this month, during the 23rd annual Alive at the Bluebird concert series, which includes three shows with songwriters featured on the project. Two upcoming shows will take place this week. Jessi Alexander, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne (with Nicolle Galyon) will perform Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 9:30 p.m. Marshall Altman, Dylan Altman, and Tommy Lee James (with Gabe Dixon) will perform Friday, Jan. 15 at 9:30 p.m.

 

Centricity Music Celebrates Five-Week Chart-Topper For Jordan Feliz

Pictured (L-R): Jon Sell, Centricity Music; Jordan Feliz; Kris Love and Jennifer Allen, Centricity Music

Pictured (L-R): Jon Sell, Centricity Music; Jordan Feliz; Kris Love and Jennifer Allen, Centricity Music

Jordan Feliz‘s first CCM single, “The River,” has remained No.1 for five weeks on Billboard’s National Christian Audience Chart and seven weeks on the CHR/Hot AC Chart. The Centricity Music staff helped Feliz to celebrate this achievement with a No. 1 plaque. The presentation was made by Jon Sell, Manager of A&R, Kris Love, Senior Director of National Promotions and Jennifer Allen, Director of National Promotion. The single is from Feliz’s debut album for the label, Beloved.

Big & Rich Celebrate Back-To-Back Top 10 Hits With Nashville Party

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Big & Rich Records Celebrates two Back-To-Back Top 10s and more!Mt Richmore Nashville, TN1.12.16 Photo By Bev Moser *Moments by Moser

Pictured (Front Row, L-R): John Rich, Big Kenny. (Back Row, L-R): Ron Cerrito, Mike Nobrega, Whitney Daane, Jeff Solima, Rob Dalton.

New Revolution Records’ Big & Rich threw a party at Mt. Richmore (John Rich’s house) last night (Jan. 12) to celebrate back-to-back Top 10 hits with “Look At You” and “Run Away With You.” And as a bonus, they recently saw the most first week adds in their career for the current single, “Lovin’ Lately,” featuring Tim McGraw.

The event was held on level three of Rich’s home. It featured a full bar, stage, and big screen TV that was showing music videos from Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, and Jason Aldean. All of the songs were co-written by John Rich or Big Kenny.

Marc Oswald, who handles the manger role for Big & Rich, welcomed the crowd before introducing members of BMI, ASCAP, New Revolution, and Kobalt Music Publishing.

Big Kenny took the mic to preach about how “this team has been grinding for years and is on a constant voyage.”

Rich shared the story of meeting Big Kenny at a showcase for the first time and getting hit in the face by a piece of candy that Kenny had thrown the stage. “We decided to write together and had a song on our first meeting. And since then, we have written over 500 songs together,” said Rich.

Many familiar faces were present including Tim McGraw, Michael Ray, and legendary news journalist Dan Rather.

All photos courtesy of Bev Moser/Moments By Moser.

Pictured (L-R): John Rich, x, Jody Williams, Big Kenny.

Pictured (L-R): John Rich, Michael Martin (ASCAP), Jody Williams (BMI), Big Kenny.

View of Nashville from Mt. Richmore.

View of Nashville from Mt. Richmore.

Big & Rich Records Celebrates two Back-To-Back Top 10s and more!Mt Richmore Nashville, TN1.12.16 Photo By Bev Moser *Moments by Moser

CRS Keynote Offers Esposito, Goodman, Hendrich, Phillips

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CRS 2016 Logo

Four industry executives with decades of successful business experience will participate in a keynote discussion at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2016.

John Esposito (newly elected Chairman of the Board of the CMA and President/CEO of Warner Music Nashville), Randy Goodman (Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Bill Hendrich (Executive VP of Radio, Cox Media Group) and Rod Phillips (Sr. VP Programming, iHeart Country) will discuss their “new view” and enlighten attendees on how they have transitioned into new roles.

Additionally, they will discuss their current outlook on the industry and the future, how they intend on managing these new roles and their take on various challenges within the industry.

Charlie Morgan, CRB President and Sr. VP and Market Manager for Emmis Communications/Indianapolis, will lead the discussion, titled New Views From The Top. The keynote is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 8, at 4 p.m. in the Legends Ballroom presentation hall on Level 2 of Omni Nashville.

Morgan states, “This keynote discussion will be very informative to the business-minded professionals attending CRS. Our goal is for attendees to walk away with actionable ideas and thoughts and our end-game is to help them learn how to increase revenue, market share/ratings, and advance their individual career. The level of perspective of these participants will be formidable.”

Steven Tyler Joins NMPA SONGS Foundation Board of Directors

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The National Music Publishers’ Association has announced that Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler has joined the NMPA SONGS (Supporting Our Next Generation of Songwriters) Foundation Board of Directors.

Launched in 2015, the NMPA SONGS Foundation promotes the creation of music by supporting gifted songwriters and programs that foster composition education. The foundation’s goal is to provide financial assistance and support of educational programs to assist talented writers, so they can continue their creativity in the age of streaming. It is a 501(c)3 corporation.

“As a songwriter who has lived and breathed this business for most of my life, I see how hard it has become for those young artists who are trying to make it today. I’m proud to serve on the NMPA SONGS Foundation Board because young creators deserve a chance−and we are going to be instrumental in giving that to them,” says Tyler.

“Everyone knows about Steven Tyler’s music, but not everyone knows what a passionate advocate he is for the people behind the songs,” said NMPA SONGS Foundation President David Israelite. “Considering his songwriting credentials, I am thrilled that he is joining the NMPA SONGS Foundation Board, where I know his insight and his heart for helping creators will be an incredible asset.”

The NMPA SONGS Foundation Board also consists of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) President Lee Thomas Miller, singer-songwriter Jewel, songwriter Kara DioGuardi, Razor & Tie founder Craig Balsam, Reservoir Media Management founder Golnar Khosrowshahi, NMPA EVP & General Counsel Danielle Aguirre, and NMPA SVP of External Affairs, Charlotte Sellmyer.

In 2013, Tyler was awarded with the Founder’s Award at the ASCAP Pop Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In November, Tyler founded his philanthropic initiative Janie’s Fund in partnership with Youth Villages to bring hope and healing to girls who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect. He is currently working on his highly-anticipated solo album with Big Machine Label Group.

Luke Bryan Announces Stadium Shows, Adds Dates To Kill The Lights Tour

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Luke Bryan.

Luke Bryan.

Luke Bryan has announced five stadium shows for 2016, including Boston’s Gillette Stadium (July 16), Minneapolis’ US Bank Stadium (Aug. 19), Chicago’s Wrigley Field (Aug. 27), Dallas’ AT&T Stadium (Oct. 22) and Detroit’s Ford Field (Oct. 29).

“I’m crazy excited about this year,” Bryan said. “It’s going to be bigger and better. I’m most excited that we have Dustin Lynch back out to provide me comedy. The fact I could get Little Big Town to tour with me for a whole year, I’m super excited.”

Additionally, Bryan’s Kill The Lights Tour has been extended through this fall, adding 40 concerts to his previously released 2016 schedule. 

Fans can purchase tickets beginning Jan. 29 for select cities as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at Megaticket.com. Live Nation is the national tour promoter for the Kill The Lights Tour and Cabela’s, a retailer of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is a sponsor. Citi is the official credit card. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets through Citi’s Private Pass Program.

2016 Kill The Lights Tour second leg:

May 20: Atlanta, Georgia, Lakewood Amphitheater
May 21: Atlanta, Georgia, Lakewood Amphitheater
May 27: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Bayou Country Superfest*
May 29: Daytona Beach, Florida, Florida Country Superfest*

June 2: Holmdel, New Jersey, P.N.C. Bank Arts Center
June 3: Atlantic City, New Jersey, Boardwalk Hall
June 4: Hershey, Pennsylvania, Hershey Park Stadium
June 9: Virginia Beach, Virginia, Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
June 10: Washington, D.C., Jiffy Lube Live
June 11: Washington, D.C., Jiffy Lube Live
June 17: Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Country USA*
June 19: Columbus, Ohio, Buckeye Country Superfest*
June 24: Toronto, Ontario, Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
June 25: Toronto, Ontario, Molson Canadian Amphitheatre

July 7: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Summerfest*
July 8: Indianapolis, Indiana, Klipsch Music Center
July 9: Indianapolis, Indiana, Klipsch Music Center
July 16: Foxborough, Massachusetts, Gillette Stadium
July 17: Bangor, Maine, Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
July 21: Scranton, Pennsylvania, The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
July 22: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, First Niagara Pavilion
July 23: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, First Niagara Pavilion
July 29: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, BB&T Pavilion
July 30: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, BB&T Pavilion
July 31: Saratoga Springs, New York, Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Aug. 11: Cleveland, Ohio, Blossom Music Center
Aug. 12: Cleveland, Ohio, Blossom Music Center
Aug. 13: Cincinnati, Ohio, Riverbend Music Center
Aug. 14: Cincinnati, Ohio, Riverbend Music Center
Aug. 19: Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Bank Stadium
Aug. 21: Calgary, Alberta, Country Thunder Calgary*
Aug. 25: Bonner Springs, Kansas, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
Aug. 26: St. Louis, Missouri, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 27: Chicago, Illinois, Wrigley Field

Sept. 1: Raleigh, North Carolina, Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Sept. 2: Charlotte, North Carolina, PNC Music Pavilion
Sept. 9: Denver, Colorado, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Sept. 10: Denver, Colorado, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Sept. 15: Sacramento, California, Toyota Amphitheatre
Sept. 16: Mountain View, California, Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sept. 22: Phoenix, Arizona, Ak-Chin Pavilion
Sept. 30: Salt Lake City, Utah, USANA Amphitheatre

Oct. 1: Salt Lake City, Utah, USANA Amphitheatre
Oct. 22: Dallas, Texas, AT&T Stadium
Oct. 29: Detroit, Michigan, Ford Field

*festival date

Dates and cities subject to change. For a full list of Luke Bryan’s Kill The Lights tour dates, visit lukebryan.com.

Messina Touring Group Promotes Five To Executive Positions

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MTG Logo 3Louis Messina and Messina Touring Group have promoted several longtime staffers following a management restructuring. Mike Dugan has been upped to President, Rome McMahon and Kate McMahon have been promoted to Executive Vice President positions, and Bridget Bauer and Sara Winter have been upped to Senior Vice President positions.

“It’s no secret that every successful company gets that way because of the people working every day to make it grow,” Messina said. “Mike, Rome, Kate, Bridget and Sara have been making this company great for years, decades in some cases. I’m so proud of everyone and these promotions are well-deserved.”

Dugan and Winter worked on Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour, the McMahons helped guide Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival run of stadiums and Bauer oversaw Eric Church’s The Outsiders World Tour. Together, Kate McMahon and Bauer guided the launch of George Strait’s upcoming Las Vegas Arena exclusive engagements, in which all eight shows are sellouts, including two shows in 2017.

Dugan began his career in the concert business in 1991 with Nederlander Concerts and soon began his relationship working with Louis Messina for PACE Concerts at the Starwood Amphitheatre outside Nashville. In 2004 he joined the Messina Group in Houston and has been involved in promoting the tours for Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Nickelback, Sugarland, Gretchen Wilson and Ed Sheeran while at TMG. In 2009 he became TMG’s point person for Taylor Swift’s Fearless Tour and continued that involvement on the 2011 Speak Now Tour, the 2013 RED Tour and the 2015 1989 World Tour. Taylor’s 1989 World Tour was the highest grossing tour in 2015, grossing over $250 million in tickets sales worldwide.

Rome McMahon has been working with Louis Messina for over 20 years, first at PACE Concerts, then SFX Entertainment, Clear Channel Entertainment and finally helping to form The Messina Group in 2001. The 2016 Kenny Chesney tour will mark his 13th tour with the performer. McMahon plays an integral role overseeing promoter duties as well as acting as Chesney’s tour accountant. McMahon has a hand in guiding many other office projects–including tours for Eric Church, George Strait and Ed Sheeran. Prior to touring with Chesney, he toured as a promoter rep with Aerosmith, The Dixie Chicks and The George Strait Country Music Festival.

Kate McMahon has worked with Louis Messina for 20 years and helped form The Messina Group in 2001. In that time, she has marketed the last 13 Kenny Chesney tours, played an integral role in marketing George Strait shows, from 1996 to present, including The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, the exclusive engagements in Las Vegas in 2016-17 and the George Strait Country Music Festivals from 1998-2001. She has been named one of Billboard’s Women of The Year three times. She oversees all country acts with the marketing department.

Winter was Director of Tour Marketing at Messina Touring Group for seven years, spearheading Taylor Swift’s tour marketing since her first sold-out headlining tour through her record-breaking sold-out 1989 World Tour. In 2014 she added Ed Sheeran to her list of clients, taking the helm of marketing for his first U.S. arena headlining tour as well as his North American tour in 2015. Winter has taken on the position of overseeing all pop artists within the marketing department as Messina Touring Group welcomes clients Vance Joy and Shawn Mendes.

Bauer’s career in the music industry spans more than two decades. Her experience at CMT, the William Morris Agency, and six years overseeing day-to-day management and touring operations for Asleep at the Wheel provided the groundwork needed to take on the management of Louis Messina and his office. She is also the promoter rep for the George Strait tour. Alongside Louis Messina and Kate McMahon, Bauer produced the final show on Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour in 2014 at AT&T Stadium. The show was the largest indoor concert in North American history. In 2010, MTG teamed up with Reba McEntire to promote her All the Woman I Am Tour that Bauer ran point on, and she currently manages Eric Church touring.

UMG Artists, Songwriters To Benefit From SoundCloud Deal

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UMG-Soundcloud

Universal Music Group (UMG) and SoundCloud have announced an agreement today (Jan. 13) that allows UMG’s emerging and established artists and songwriters to benefit on the new ad-supported and paid tiers, expected to be introduced in the U.S. and other markets later this year.

The agreement benefits UMG’s roster of recording artists as well as songwriters signed to Universal Music Publishing Group. In addition, UMG’s labels and publishing company will gain access to SoundCloud’s promotional tools, analysis and data to provide recording artists and songwriters with new opportunities to generate revenue and to strengthen their connections with fans.

“At UMG, we have long-embraced empowering entrepreneurs and innovative services such as SoundCloud,” said Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group. “With this partnership, we’re ensuring recording artists, songwriters and labels benefit, both creatively and commercially, from the exciting new forms of music community engagement on SoundCloud. We look forward to working with SoundCloud and supporting the company’s evolution into a successful commercial service.”

“With this partnership with UMG we will further strengthen and grow the unique community we’ve built over the past seven years, where multiple forms of expression can live and where artists at every stage of their careers come to create and share their work,” said Alexander Ljung, SoundCloud Founder & CEO. “Bringing together the world’s largest audio platform and the world’s largest music company means we are able to further expand SoundCloud’s role as a critical platform for creators and open up its benefits to UMG’s extensive roster of artists.”

Ljung continued: “With the majority of the music industry partnering with us, and adding to the more than 100 million tracks already available to discover on the platform, we are able to offer a service to both creators and listeners that is unrivalled in the music streaming space today.”

Berlin-based SoundCloud is a platform for music and audio creators with 175 million monthly listeners.

Big Machine Label Group Expands Internationally With London Office

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Big Machine Label Group has expanded its international presence with a new office and staff in the United Kingdom. Located within the Universal Music Group offices on London’s Kensington High Street, the BMLG UK team is comprised of Chris Koegen (Head of International), Alexandra Hannaby (Label Manager) and Amy Maunder-Taylor (Label Coordinator) with plans to develop more over the next year. Jimmy Chapin remains Senior Manager of International and is based in the BMLG US headquarters.

The establishment of a UK offices allows BMLG to take complete ownership over the record cycle for its artists. BMLG will continue to work with Ted Cockle and the team at Virgin/EMI for Taylor Swift.

“Our continued strong relationship with David Joseph and the Universal Music Group is highlighted and defined by this investment and belief in the Big Machine Label Group. It highlights how dedicated we are to the UK (and related territories) in breaking our artists through and building on their ever-growing fanbases. This is a natural expansion of our original mission, and I can’t thank David and his incredible team enough for this opportunity,” said Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group.

“Few would bet against Scott Borchetta succeeding in his mission to take his artists and their music to a wider audience in the UK,” said David Joseph, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music UK. “He’s an exceptional discoverer of new talent, whose new team is ready to build on what our labels have already achieved here. I’m looking forward to supporting them as the UK chapter of the Big Machine story unfolds.”

Nashville Ballet, Bluebird Café Team For Attitude Series

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Nashville Ballet has collaborated with the Bluebird Café for a new installment of the dance organization’s Attitude series.

A Valentine’s Day evening performance has been added to the original schedule due to popular demand, with a total of four performances Feb. 12-14 at TPAC’s Polk Theater.

The ballet will convey the look and feel of the Bluebird Café. Songwriters Victoria Banks, J.T. Harding and Georgia Middleman will perform a selection of their biggest hits in typical Bluebird fashion, in a writers’ round featuring a stripped-down sound, the stories behind their songs and spontaneous collaboration.

Hit songs made famous by country superstars like Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire and Sara Evans will provide the soundtrack to new choreography by Nashville Ballet’s Christopher Stuart, New Dialect’s Banning Bouldin, Brian Enos and Gina Patterson. The piece, entitled City of Dreams, is named after Banks’ song that was recorded by more than 40 artists to support Tennessee flood relief in 2010.

“The overarching theme is City of Dreams, because Nashville is that,” said Erika Wollam Nichols, The Bluebird Cafe’s Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “Nashville is the place where people come with dreams, even if you’re not a songwriter or musician. The energy of chasing your dreams is here.”

“As songwriters, we’re always thinking about how we’re making people feel and how to use words and melodies in a way that will make people connect with our music,” Banks said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the choreographers use their own interpretations of the songs to add an extra visual element to the performance to make people connect in an even deeper way.”

Artist Updates: Joey + Rory, Scotty McCreery, Willie Nelson

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Joey + Rory Plan Deluxe Edition of Cracker Barrel CD

Joey + Rory deluxe CD

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Joey+Rory have partnered for a deluxe CD edition of Hymns & Stories That Are Important To Us, which will be available at all locations on Feb. 12. In addition to the duo’s seventh studio album, the deluxe package includes never-before-seen photos of Joey + Rory and their family, a magnet, lyrics, excerpts and stories from Rory’s blog, “This Life I Live,” and a closer look into the couple’s journey creating this album together.

Cracker Barrel will donate $1 of the retail sales price of each deluxe package sold while supplies last to the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation.

 

Scotty McCreery Will Sing National Anthem at AFC Game

Scotty McCreery

Scotty McCreery

Scotty McCreery will perform the National Anthem at the American Football Conference (AFC) Divisional Playoff Game held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Saturday, Jan. 16. The game, which will air live on CBS at 4:35 PM ET (3:35 PM CT), will pit the New England Patriots against the Kansas City Chiefs.

McCreery is a die-hard Patriots fan who performed for the team members and their guests at their “Welcome to Arizona Party” last year prior to the team winning the 2015 Super Bowl.

 

Willie Nelson Schedules New Album of Standards

Willie Nelson, Gershwin album

Willie Nelson‘s new album of pop standards, Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin, will be released on Feb. 26 by Legacy Recordings. Among the 11 Gershwin classics are two duets: “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off” with Cyndi Lauper and “Embraceable You” with Sheryl Crow. Other selections include “But Not For Me,” “Somebody Loves Me,” “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Love Is Here To Stay,” “They All Laughed,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” and the immortal title track.

The album of pop standards, penned by legendary songwriting duo George and Ira Gershwin, follows the selection of Nelson as the 2015 recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The first country artist ever to receive the distinguished Gershwin Prize, Nelson was honored in November with a two-day celebration in Washington D.C., culminating in a star-studded tribute concert scheduled for broadcast on PBS on Jan. 15.