Artist News: Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Pete Scobell, ‘Nashville’ Tour, Vintage Hymns

New MuttNation Products

Miranda Lambert has teamed with Petmate to launch the MuttNation™ Fueled by Miranda Lambert brand. The collection of bedding, collars, leashes, toys, apparel, feeding and watering products will debut at Global Pet Expo March 16-18, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Every purchase will help fund rescue and adoption programs of MuttNation Foundation™, the organization established by Miranda and her mother Beverly Lambert in 2009.

miranda lambert muttnation

 

Aldean Rocks Down Under

Jason Aldean recently sold out headlining tour dates in Melbourne, Sydney, and at the CMC Rocks QLD Country Music Festival. Upon returning stateside, Aldean will perform on the ACM Awards airing April 3 on CBS, where he is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, and will vie to retain his title as Male Vocalist of the Year.

jason aldean australia 2016

Photo: Greg Sylvia

 

Nashville On Tour

The stars of ABC’s Nashville will take the show on the road again this spring with a concert tour across the U.S., featuring cast members Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack and Charles Esten. Joining in select cities will be Will Chase, Jonathan Jackson and Aubrey Peeples. Additionally, the Nashville in Concert tour will stage its first international run in the United Kingdom with Bowen, Carmack, Esten and Sam Palladio. The Music of Nashville, Season 4, Volume 2 will be released May 13 on Big Machine Records. The television series returns March 16 on ABC.

Nashville logo

 

Pete Scobell Cruisin’ With Kid Rock

Country artist Pete Scobell has joined the line-up on Kid Rock’s Chillin’ The Most Cruise, setting sail for Jamaica March 10-14. Scobell’s new album, Walkin A Wire, is a 12-song collection featuring songs penned by hitmakers Dierks Bentley, Travis Meadows and Rodney Clawson, as well as guest vocals from Wynonna. Scobell’s single “Walkin a Wire” is rising fast on the MusicRow chart.

Pete Scobell

Pete Scobell

 

Soulful Hymns Reimagined

voices hymns albumVoices: Vintage Hymns With Heart & Soul is set for release April 8. The album features classic hymns delivered by Country singers Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Joe Bonsall and William Lee Golden of The Oak Ridge Boys, Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, and Trae Edwards, as well as Gospel and Christian music greats Phil Keaggy, Michael English, Judy Martin Hess, Joy Gardner, Woody Wright and Timothy Moore.

 

LifeNotes: Music Veteran and SXSW Festival Co-Founder Louis Meyers Passes

Photo: facebook.com/louis.meyers.589

Photo: facebook.com/louis.meyers.589

Veteran music manager and SXSW co-founder Louis Jay Meyers passed away in Austin, Texas on Friday, March 11, 2016, which was also the opening day of this year’s South By Southwest festival. The cause of death is not immediately known.

Meyers is the co-founder, creator, and former director of the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference (SXSW).  He was part of a small group of Austin boosters who established SXSW in 1987. The first event showcased 200 acts in one hotel. The festival now occupies large areas of the city and incorporates film and technology as well as music.

Once the festival was established, Louis Meyers moved on to become the executive director of Folk Alliance International, 2002-2010. He then became that organization’s special projects director. It was during this phase of his career that he graduated from Nashville’s Leadership Music program in 2012.

In recent years, he has been managing the bluegrass band The Hillbenders. The group made headlines by re-recording the songs of The Who’s rock opera Tommy in bluegrass style. The resulting 2015 CD was titled Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry, released on Nashville’s Compass Records label.

Born in 1955 and raised in Austin, Texas, Meyers was a musician for 45 years, performing live and recording on guitar, banjo, and pedal steel guitar. His credits include recordings or performances with Willis Alan Ramsey, Bruce Robison, Killbilly, Bill & Bonnie Hearne, The Killer Bees, Jello Biafra, Mojo Nixon, Fastball, Michael Hearne, Stonehoney, Tennessee Boltsmokers and many others. As a producer, Meyers won the NAIRD award for Independent Reggae release in both 1987 and 1989 for his work with The Killer Bees.

In the 1980’s, Meyers was a concert promoter producing hundreds of shows at Austin’s legendary Liberty Lunch concert venue and was the primary talent buyer for Austin’s famous Antone’s Nightclub in the late 90’s.

After leaving SXSW in 1995, Meyers directed the LMNOP Music Conference (New Orleans), Rockrgrl Music Conference (Seattle), A2A: Access to Amsterdam Conference (Amsterdam), and the Austin Music Network (AMN) before taking the position as Executive Director of the Folk Alliance International organization and conference in 2005.

A Celebration of Life will be planned with details announced in the coming weeks.

 

Warner/Chappell Music Signs Cale Dodds

Cale Dodds

Cale Dodds

Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Cale Dodds. Dodds has had recent success with his song “Drunk Dial,” which was recorded by A Thousand Horses and broke the Top 25 on U.S. Country Airplay charts.

As a performing artist, Dodds has opened for Sam Hunt, Brett Eldredge, Billy Currington, and Canaan Smith. He is currently working with writer/producer and ACM nominee Corey Crowder.

For more on Dodds, watch the EPK below.

Toby Keith To Launch Interstates & Tailgates Tour In May

unnamed-1Toby Keith will hit the road the summer on the Toby Keith Interstates & Tailgates Tour Presented By Ford F-Series. The 24-plus date trek opens May 21 in Louisville. Just prior to the launch of the tour, the singer-songwriter will perform at The Players Championship’s Military Appreciation Day on May 10 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Fans can also catch Keith’s SoundStage concert on PBS stations.

May 21: Louisville, Kentucky (KFC Yum! Center)
June 18: Holmdel, New Jersey (PNC Bank Arts Center)
June 24: Brainerd, Minnesota (Lakes Jam Festival)
June 25: Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Denny Sanford Premiere Center)
June 30: Cherokee, North Carolina (Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Resort)
July 1: Biloxi, Mississippi (Harrah’s Gulf Coast Casino & Hotel)
July 8L Virginia Beach, Virginia (Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater)
July 9: Washington, D.C. (Jiffy Lube Live)
July 10: Raleigh, North Carolina (Walnut Creek Amphitheatre)
July 14: Toronto, Canada (Moison Canadian Amphitheatre)
July 15: Darien Lake, New York (Darien Lake Performing Arts Center)
July 16: Hartford, Connecticut (XFINITY Theatre)
July 21: Bangor, Maine (Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion)
July 22: Boston, Massachusetts (XFINITY Center)
July 31: Sweet Home, Oregon (Oregon Jamboree)
Aug 4: Bethel, New York (Bethel Woods Center for the Arts)
Aug 5: Cleveland, Ohio (Blossom Music Center)
Aug 12: Chicago, Illinois (Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre)
Aug 13: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (First Niagara Pavilion)
Aug 14: Saratoga Springs, New York (Saratoga Performing Arts Center)
Sept 8: Cincinnati, Ohio (Riverbend Music Center)
Sept 9: Indianapolis, Indiana (Klipsch Music Center)
Sept 10: St Louis, Missouri (Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre)
Sept 23: Tampa, Florida (Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre)
Sept 24:West Palm Beach, Florida (Perfect Vodka Amphitheater)
Oct 15: Dallas, Texas (Cattle Baron’s Ball)
Oct 16: Austin, Texas (Austin 360 Amphitheater)
TBA: Las Vegas, Nevada (Route 91 Harvest Festival)

Levi Hummon To Release Self-Titled EP April 1

LH_ART_EP_Cover_2016.03.04_FNL

The Valory Music Co. artist Levi Hummon will release his self-titled EP on Friday, April 1.

Singer-songwriter Hummon contributed to four of the five tracks. Jimmy Robbins produced and co-wrote on four of the five tracks.

In 2014, Hummon’s songs caught the attention of songwriter and publisher Desmond Child, which resulted in “Make It Love” being included in Two: The Story of Roman & Nero. Hummon also co-wrote Steven Tyler’s current country single, “Red, White and You.” Levi credits early lessons in songwriting to his Grammy-award winning father Marcus Hummon (Rascal Flatts’ “Bless The Broken Road” and Dixie Chicks’ “Cowboy Take Me Away”).

He has been on the road opening shows for Kelsea Ballerini. This spring Hummon will open dates on Billy Currington’s Summer Forever Tour.

LEVI HUMMON EP TRACKLISTING
1. “Life’s For Livin’” (Levi Hummon, Matt Jenkins, Jimmy Robbins)
2. “Chain Reaction” (Levi Hummon, Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins)
3. “Love You Hate You Miss You” (Ryan Hurd, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz)
4. “Guts And Glory” (Levi Hummon, Tom Douglas, Travis Hill)
5. “Window Down Days” (Levi Hummon, Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins)

Music Agent Curt Motley Joins UTA

Pictured (L-R): Brendan Rich, Lance Roberts, Curt Motley, Nick Meinema

Pictured (L-R): Brendan Rich, Lance Roberts, Curt Motley, Nick Meinema

Nashville music agent Curt Motley has joined UTA from Paradigm.

Motley will be based in UTA’s Nashville office where he will continue to represent major live and touring acts. In joining the UTA Music roster, Motley’s clients will have access to UTA’s full spectrum of services across numerous practice areas. Also making the move to UTA Music is Paradigm agent Brendan Rich.

Motley was most recently co-head of music at Paradigm Talent Agency in Nashville. He began his career in 1990 at TKO Artist Management, then in 1995 came to Monterey Artists (acquired by Paradigm in 2005) from his own in-house booking agency, As The World Tours.

“Curt Motley has been a veritable force in the music business for more than 25 years,” said UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer. “We welcome him to UTA Music and we are excited about his many contributions as we expand our team.”

Motley’s clients include Toby Keith, Jamey Johnson, Mac McAnally, Ashley Campbell, Kim Campbell, Krystal Keith, JT Hodges, Ned LeDoux, Waterloo Revival, Western Underground, Erik Dylan, Walker McGuire, Chris Bandi, and Scotty Emerick.

“I really got to know UTA and Lance Roberts when Chris Janson was added to Toby Keith’s summer tour dates last year,” said Motley. “UTA is building something special in music, and I’m excited at the many new opportunities.”

In 2015, UTA acquired The Agency Group, the world’s largest independent music agency, to form UTA Music, a leading music touring and representation practice.

New Honky-Tonk Will Honor ‘Nudie Suits’ Tailor Nudie Cohn

Many of Cohn's designs became signature looks for their owners. Among his most famous creations was Elvis Presley's $10,000 gold lamé suit, worn by the singer on the cover of his 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong album. Pictured here: Nudie Cohn with Elvis

Many of Cohn’s designs became signature looks for their owners. Among his most famous creations was Elvis Presley’s $10,000 gold lamé suit, worn by the singer on the cover of his 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong album. Pictured: Nudie Cohn with Elvis

Johnny Cash Museum Founder Bill Miller is set to honor classic country music tailor Nudie Cohn with a concept restaurant, dubbed Nudie’s Honky Tonk, in downtown Nashville.

As previously reported, Miller acquired Lawrence Records Building, located at 409 Broadway, in February 2016. The $10 million establishment will undergo renovations and will reopen as Nudie’s Honky Tonk this summer.

The three-floor, 12,000-square-foot space will be decorated with vintage “Nudie Suits,” including suits and clothing that belonged to artists including Hank Williams, Sr., and Johnny Cash. The venue’s walls will be adorned with music memorabilia and rare instruments.

The restaurant will include three stages for live music, and several bars, including one bar that checks in at over 100 feet long. The venue’s fare will be based on Southern comfort food.

Nudie Cohn was a Ukrainian-born American tailor who designed rhinestone-covered suits, known popularly as “Nudie Suits,” and other elaborate outfits for some of the most famous celebrities including Gene Autry, Johnny Cash, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Robert Redford, Porter Wagoner, and John Wayne.

Cohn also had an affinity for garishly decorated automobiles. Between 1950 and 1975 he customized 18 vehicles, mostly white Pontiac Bonneville convertibles, with silver-dollar-studded dashboards, pistol door handles and gearshifts, extended rear bumpers, and enormous longhorn steer horn hood ornaments. They were nicknamed “Nudie Mobiles,” and the nine surviving cars have become collector’s items. One of the “Nudie Mobiles,” Cohn’s personal Cadillac El Dorado, which is valued at $400,000, will be suspended on the honky-tonk’s interior entrance wall.

Bill Miller said, “Nudie Cohn is to country music what Edith Head and Bob Mackie are to Hollywood: legendary and definitive. His artistry went beyond the country genre. Everyone from Hank Williams, Sr. to Elton John and Bob Dylan to Johnny Cash wore Nudie. We will showcase his absolute mastery as the true king of rhinestone cowboy couture. Nudie’s Honky Tonk will be a shrine to country music history and will feature live music, food and drink in a fun, and energetic museum-quality setting.”

Cohn’s granddaughter Jamie Nudie added, “I’m thrilled to be working with Bill. My Grandparents would be so excited knowing their artistry will now be on display in Music City for so many people to enjoy! It’s been my mission and pleasure keeping the Nudie legacy alive. I have always said for years I want our younger generation to be educated on the Nudie story. Like Nudie they can come from nothing, work hard, be creative, and live their own version of the American Dream.”

“I’m big on Nashville,” Miller continues. “We’ve purchased two significant buildings on lower Broadway in 18 months. We’re not done with acquisitions. Nashville and the tourists who come here deserve more world-class establishments. There’s a bit of a void downtown, and we’re committed to helping fill that void.”

Cohn was equally famous for his garishly decorated automobiles. Between 1950 and 1975 he customized 18 vehicles, mostly white Pontiac Bonneville convertibles, with silver-dollar-studded dashboards, pistol door handles and gearshifts, extended rear bumpers, and enormous longhorn steer horn hood ornaments. Pictured here: Nudie with one his classic decorated ‘Nudie Mobiles”

Nudie with one his classic decorated “Nudie Mobiles.”

Eric Church To Ticket Scalpers: ‘You Will Not Win. I Will.’

Eric Church. Photo: Jill Trunell

Eric Church. Photo: Jill Trunell

Eric Church is known for waging war against ticket scalpers head-on. His latest battle ensued when Church and his team discovered that 2,700 tickets were purchased by known scalpers for the singer’s upcoming two-night stand (Aug. 9-10) at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado. Church’s team immediately cancelled the tickets.

“I do want to add a quick word about the scalpers,” said Church. “I have never seen more relentless, nefarious and frankly disgusting efforts to defraud the fans and the general public. Six words for you thugs: You Will Not Win. I Will.”

Fielding Logan of Church’s management company Q Prime South has long spearheaded the singer’s war on scalpers.

Church’s 2015 album Mr. Misunderstood was a surprise release, and it was delivered to 80,000 fan club members free of charge before it went on sale. He is rising up the country charts with “Record Year,” the album’s second single.

Church heads into this year’s ACM Awards with six nominations, including Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album, Video, Vocal Event and Song of the Year. He will perform during the show when it airs live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Apr. 6 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Maren Morris Sets Album Release Date, Reveals Tracklist

Maren-Morris_Hero_Cover

Columbia Nashville singer/songwriter Maren Morris is set to release Hero, her first major label full-length album on June 3. Morris co-wrote every track and shared production duties with songwriter/producer busbee. They co-wrote her debut single “My Church” which made country radio history by setting the record for the most first-week station adds with 107. The previous record for a debut single was 99.

The title Hero is inspired by Morris’ song “I Wish I Was.” She says, “‘I Wish I Was’ is the most autobiographical song on this record and I admittedly was not the hero in that story, but I am the hero in mine. I’ve come such a long way from who I was in Texas, who I am as a writer, who I am as a woman today. I think the message of this record is self acceptance and awareness, and that to me is heroic.”

Morris returns to her home state of Texas this week for the annual SXSW Music Conference and Festival in Austin, performing at The Spotify House on Wednesday (March 16) and YouTube Music at Coppertank on Thursday (March 17).

In addition to her own headlining dates, Morris will kick off her album release week with the first stop on the Keith Urban RipCORD World Tour 2016 on June 3 in Kansas City. She will be on the tour through summer and fall.

Hero track listing:

1. Sugar (Maren Morris/Brett Tyler/Laura Veltz)
2. Rich (Maren Morris/Jessie Jo Dillon/Laura Veltz)
3. My Church (Maren Morris/busbee)
4. I Could Use a Love Song (Maren Morris/Jimmy Robbins/Laura Veltz)
5. 80’s Mercedes (Maren Morris/busbee)
6. Drunk Girls Don’t Cry (Maren Morris/Barry Dean/Luke Laird)
7. How It’s Done (Maren Morris/busbee/Natalie Hemby)
8. Just Another Thing (Maren Morris/Matt Dragstrem/Shane McAnally)
9. I Wish I Was (Maren Morris/Natalie Hemby/Ryan Hurd)
10. Second Wind (Maren Morris/Chris DeStefano/Shane McAnally)
11. Once (Maren Morris/busbee)

Weekly Register: Blake Shelton, Joey + Rory Top Country Sales Charts

Blake Shelton

On the digital country tracks chart, Blake Shelton’s latest single, “Here To Forget” takes the top spot this week (and lands at No. 10 overall) with 53k sold. Following Shelton at No. 2 on the digital country tracks rankings is Maren Morris, whose “My Church” has a loyal following with 36k sold. Jake Owen’s “American Country Love Song” is at No. 3 with (35k), followed by Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” at No. 4 (33k), and Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here” at No. 5 (30k).

On the overall digital tracks rankings, Lukas Graham’s “7 Years” is No. 1, with 121k sold. The top debut this week is from Meghan Trainor. “No” lands at No. 2 on the overall digital singles rankings, with 113k sold.

Overall digital tracks sales are down 26.1 percent, with country tracks sales down 22.1 percent.

On a bright note, Cam’s “Burning House” digital single has sold more than 1 million.

Joey + Rory 2016

Following the death of Joey+Rory’s Joey Martin Feek on March 4, the duo’s latest album Hymns, has taken the top spot on the Country album rankings, with 44k sold. The project is at No. 10 on the all-genre album rankings.

They are followed on the country albums chart this week by Chris Stapleton’s Traveller at 31k, Granger Smith’s Remington with 24k, Loretta Lynn’s Full Circle (20k) and Sam Hunt’s Montevallo (7.5k).

Kendrick Lamar’s Untitled Unmastered debuted at No. 1 on the overall rankings this week, with 178k (142k album only). The project marks Lamar’s second chart-topping project in less than a year, after To Pimp A Butterfly. Untitled Unmastered was a surprise album drop, and released to digital retailers and streaming services on March 4. The physical version of Untitled Unmastered (explicit version) released March 11. An edited version will release March 18.

Year to date, country album sales are down 4.2 percent, with country digital album sales down 12.8 percent. Overall album sales are down 16.4 percent, while overall digital album sales are down 23.5 percent.