Industry Ink: CMA At SXSW, Tin Pan South, Grand Ole Opry, IBMA

CMA Songwriters Series Going To SXSW

Pictured (L-R): Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne

The CMA Songwriters Series returns to Austin to make its official South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival debut at the Paramount Theatre on March 19. The lineup consists of 2014 CMA Song of the Year Award winners Kacey Musgraves and Shane McAnally (“Follow Your Arrow”), and two-time CMA Awards nominee Josh Osborne.

“This trio of writers represents the highest echelon of talent for the current era of Country Music,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “CMA is excited to partner with another prestigious festival like South by Southwest and expose different audiences to the incredible songwriting talent in the country community.”

Tin Pan South Sets On-Sale Date For Fast Access Pass

Fast Access Passes for the Nashville songwriting festival Tin Pan South will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (March 8) at TinPanSouth.com. The festival is set to run April 5-9, and the Fast Access Passes allow patrons to bypass the cover charge at the door and allow advance seating, space permitting. Quantities are limited, and last year’s passes sold out in record time.

Ten of Nashville’s top music venues are set to host more than 350 songwriters performing 92 shows throughout the week. New venues at Tin Pan South this year are The Country and Whiskey Rhythm Saloon. They join perennial favorites 3rd & Lindsley, Blue Bar, The Bluebird Café, Commodore Grille, Douglas Corner Café, Hard Rock Café Nashville, The Listening Room Café and Station Inn.

Opry Adds Second Show Featuring Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry has added a second show on March 26 to its spring lineup, as Opry member Loretta Lynn returns to country music’s most famous stage. Lynn’s first studio album in 12 years, Full Circle, will be released on Friday (March 4). Cole Swindell, Parker Millsap, and Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers are also scheduled to appear on March 26.

IBMA Enlists Rubin Media

Rubin Media owner Ronna Rubin is pleased to announce the addition of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) to the company’s client roster. Key projects will include the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, World of Bluegrass conference, and IBMA Awards, to be held September 27 through October 1, in Raleigh, N.C.

The IBMA is the trade association that connects and educates bluegrass professionals, empowers the bluegrass community, and encourages worldwide appreciation of bluegrass music. It is based in Nashville, Tennessee.