Bobby Karl Works Dierks Bentley’s Exhibit Preview At Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 522

Pictured are (L-R): UMG Nashville's Mike Dungan, Jake, Dierks Bentley, Cassidy Black, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Red Light Management's Mary Hilliard Harrington, and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Mick Buck. Photo: Donn Jones

Pictured (L-R): UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan, Jake, Dierks Bentley, Cassidy Black, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Red Light Management’s Mary Hilliard Harrington, and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Mick Buck. Photo: Donn Jones

“Many of the people in this room have known Dierks for years,” said Kyle Young at the Thursday evening (March 3) party celebrating the opening of Dierks Bentley‘s “Every Mile a Memory” exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Some 20 years ago, Bobby Karl was bellied up to the bar at 3rd & Lindsley when a curly-headed youngster walked up and said, “I want to meet you. My name is Dierks Bentley. I am going to be a recording artist. I hope you’ll remember me.”

“Well, I’ve never met anyone named Dierks before,” I said, “so I promise I’ll always remember you.” And I did.

In 2001, Bentley issued an indie album on Big White Music called Don’t Leave Me in Love, which I duly noted. After signing with Capitol two years later, he moved into my neighborhood and began stopping over to play his new music. So I was one of the many, many attendees who have been so happy to watch him become the star that he is.

Dierks Bentley CMHOF Exhibit. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Dierks Bentley speaks with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Peter Cooper. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Other veteran Dierks pals in the crowd included Pat Rolfe, Brett Beavers, Mike Ward, Jessi Alexander & Jon Randall Stewart (who are also former neighbors), David Conrad, Luke Wooten and, of course, Jake, the star’s dog and video costar. Not to mention wife Cassidy Black, who has been his sweetie since junior high.

“I’m a country music singer; I’m a country music fan; I’m a country music student,” said Bentley during the cocktail party to celebrate this latest feather in his cap. “I love this music. I never really looked at country music as a path to stardom. I’ve been really lucky. It’s been a great ride. I’m really honored to be here, and I’m going to do my best to keep representing the genre.”

To that end, he’ll be co-hosting this spring’s ACM Awards from Las Vegas. That’s a long way from where he started in Music City.

Dierks Bentley CMHOF Exhibit. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Dierks Bentley CMHOF Exhibit. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

“We are exactly one mile from a place that gave Dierks some of his early musical memories, The Station Inn,” Young recalled. “Dierks walked into The Station Inn 20 years ago and heard some of the finest bluegrass musicians. He found a community. They cheered him forward, backed him up and pushed him on. It’s been a long trip, but not one that he took alone.”

Along for this part of the journey were Tom Lord, Mike Sirls, Nina Miller, Hunter Kelly, Kathryn Richardson, Peter Cooper, Teresa George, Bob Paxman, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Michael McCall and Chris Horsnell.

After the cocktails and speeches, we toured the display. “Every Mile a Memory” features awards, costumes, posters, manuscripts and more. We’re as fond of it as we are of him.

Dierks Bentley at the debut of Dierks Bentley: Every Mile a Memory. Photo: Donn Jones.

Dierks Bentley at the debut of Dierks Bentley: Every Mile a Memory. Photo: Donn Jones.

Dierks Bentley CMHOF Exhibit. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Dierks Bentley CMHOF Exhibit. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Dierks Bentley (with dog Jake) speaks to Peter Cooper at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Dierks Bentley (with dog Jake) speaks to Peter Cooper at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Road To Roo Kicks Off Round One

Pictured (L-R): Lightning 100’s Brittney Farrow, MillerCoors’ Kim Juodaitis, songwriter Carla Cappa, Det Distributing Company’s Elise McCracken, AC Entertainment’s Neeley Rice and BMI’s Mark Mason. Photo: Jake Giles Netter

Pictured (L-R): Lightning 100’s Brittney Farrow, MillerCoors’ Kim Juodaitis, songwriter Carla Cappa, Det Distributing Company’s Elise McCracken, AC Entertainment’s Neeley Rice and BMI’s Mark Mason. Photo: Jake Giles Netter

BMI and Nashville radio station Lightning 100 kicked off the first round of Road to Roo, sponsored by MillerCoors, at Acme Feed and Seed on Thursday (March 3). With more than 250 submissions that were narrowed down to 16 bands, the first group of 8 performed for a packed house of fans, who cast ballots for the bands they think should advance further and get another chance to play at Bonnaroo. Jess Nolan, Roots of a Rebellion, OJR, and Heavy Sole all made the first cut.

Self-described “acid cowboy” rocker OJR tears through his set at Acme for the first round of Road to Roo. His performance secured him a spot in round two. Photo:  Jake Giles Netter

Self-described “acid cowboy” rocker OJR tears through his set at Acme for the first round of Road to Roo. His performance secured him a spot in round two. Photo: Jake Giles Netter

Reggae group Roots of a Rebellion plays their original tunes for an enthusiastic crowd at Road to Roo, landing a slot in the next round of the competition. Photo: Jake Giles Netter

Reggae group Roots of a Rebellion plays their original tunes for an enthusiastic crowd at Road to Roo, landing a slot in the next round of the competition. Photo: Jake Giles Netter

Kane Brown To Offer Major Label Debut EP ‘Chapter 1’ In March

unnamed-1Kane Brown will offer five new songs on his major label debut EP, Chapter 1, set for release March 18.

The collection includes the RCA Nashville artist’s debut radio single and viral fan favorite “Used To Love You Sober,” which boasts over 200,000 downloads and 2.2 million streams to date. With four out of five tracks co-penned by Brown, Chapter 1 previews the full-length album expected from the Georgia native later this year.

“I’m so excited to release Chapter 1–my fans have been so patient and supportive as I’ve worked on this project!” said Brown. “From the writer’s room to the studio to playing these songs night after night on tour, it’s been an incredible experience. I’m grateful to my fans and can’t wait for what’s to come in the future but right now let’s start with Chapter 1!”

In May, Brown teams up with Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell and The Cadillac Three for the 56-date Dig Your Roots Tour with stops in Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver and Nashville. He hits the road next weekend for a run of sold-out shows in Champaign, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Peoria, Illinois.

Chapter 1 Track Listing:
1. “Wide Open” (Kane Brown/Corey Crowder/Justin Lantz)
2. “Used To Love You Sober” (Kane Brown/Josh Hoge/Matthew McVaney)
3. “Last Minute Late Night” (Ben Caver/Corey Crowder/Matthew McGinn)
4. “Excuses” (Kane Brown/Josh Hoge/Matthew McVaney)
5. “There Goes My Everything” (Kane Brown/Josh Hoge/Matthew McVaney/Chris Young)

RIAA Announces Gold & Platinum Awards For January/February

 

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The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has released its list of gold and platinum earners to kick off 2016, and several country artists have some newly minted heavy metal to add to their accolades.

jason aldean burnin it downDigital Multi-Platinum Single
Jason Aldean,”She’s Country” (3x)
Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down” (2x)
Florida Georgia Line, “Stay” (2x)
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush” (2x)

Digital Platinum Single
Jason Aldean, “Hicktown”
Rodney Atkins, “If You’re Going Through Hell”
Lee Brice, “I Drive Your Truck”
Florida Georgia Line, “Sippin’ On Fire”
Tim McGraw, “Southern Girl”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man”
Blake Shelton, “Sangria”
Cole Swindell, “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight”
Chris Young, “I’m Comin’ Over”

Digital Gold Single
Randy Houser, “Goodnight Kiss”
Maddie & Tae, “Fly”
Tim McGraw, “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools”
Tim McGraw, “She’s My Kind Of Rain”
Tim McGraw, “Just To See You Smile”
Montgomery Gentry, “Where I Come From”
Cole Swindell, “Let Me See Ya Girl”
Hank Williams, Jr., “Family Tradition”
Hank Williams, Jr., “Country Boy Can Survive”

sam hunt montevalloStandard Multi-Platinum Album
Sam Hunt, Montevallo (2x)

Standard Platinum Album
Luke Bryan, Kill The Lights
Sam Hunt, Montevallo
Miranda Lambert, Platinum
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Carrie Underwood, Greatest Hits: Decade #1

Standard Gold Album
Luke Bryan, Kill The Lights
Kelly Clarkson, Piece By Piece
Brett Eldredge, Bring You Back
Chris Stapleton, Traveller

Blake Shelton Exhibit Coming To Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum In May

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has selected Blake Shelton to be the focus of an upcoming exhibit. Blake Shelton: Based on a True Story, which opens May 27, will explore Shelton’s life and multi-dimensional career.

Shelton released his first album (and single, “Austin”) in 2001. Since then, he has won the CMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year five times, and was named the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year in 2012. He has garnered 21 No. 1 singles across multiple Billboard country music charts. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2010, and is working on his 10th season as a coach for NBC’s The Voice. He will release a new single, “Came Here to Forget,” on Tuesday (March 8).

“Blake Shelton is one of the most well-established contemporary artists in country music,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. “Countless accolades into his musical career, he continues to stay true to his sound and musical style, and continues to receive recognition for it. We’re honored to host this exhibition and to share the story of this incredibly talented individual.”

“I came to Nashville in 1994, and I’ve always been fascinated by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum,” Shelton said. “I remember the first time I walked in there, I was blown away. To have my own exhibit is more than a dream come true, because I never dreamed it could happen! It’s crazy, is what it is. I couldn’t be more excited or more honored than to be a part of the museum.”

A range of artifacts, including stage wear, instruments, song manuscripts, photos, and personal items will be displayed as part of the exhibit.

Sturgill Simpson To Release New Album In April, Tour Coming In May

Sturgill Simpson. Photo: photo credit: Reto Sterchi

Sturgill Simpson. Photo: photo credit: Reto Sterchi

Sturgill Simpson‘s highly-anticipated new project, A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, will release April 15 on Atlantic Records. It’s the follow-up to 2014’s Grammy-nominated Metamodern Sounds In Country Music.

The album’s first single, “Brace For Impact (Live A Little)” premieres today (March 4) at SturgillSimpson.com.

The album, which Simpson produced, was written–from start to finish–as a letter to his first child, who arrived in 2014. The project features eight original songs, plus a rendition of Nirvana’s “In Bloom.” It was recorded primarily at Nashville’s The Butcher Shoppe, with engineer David Ferguson and assistant engineer Sean Sullivan.

Simpson will launch a spring tour on May 5 at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater, in Austin, Texas. Dates in Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, and more follow.

unnamedA SAILOR’S GUIDE TO EARTH TRACK-LISTING:
1. Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)
2. Breakers Roar
3. Keep It Between The Lines
4. Sea Stories
5. In Bloom
6. Brace For Impact (Live A Little)
7. All Around You
8. Oh Sarah
9. Call To Arms

 

STURGILL SIMPSON TOUR DATES
May 5: Austin, Texas (Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater)
May 6: Austin, Texas (Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater)
May 7: Dallas, Texas (The Bomb Factory)
May 10: Houston, Texas (White Oak Music Hall)
May 11: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Criterion Theater)
May 16: Lexington, Kentucky (Lexington Opera House)
May 17: Lexington, Kentucky (Lexington Opera House)
May 18: Chattanooga, Tennessee (Tivoli Theater)
May 20: Knoxville, Tennessee (Tennessee Theater)
May 21: Indianapolis, Indiana (Egyptian Room – Old National Centre)
May 22: Louisville, Kentucky (Louisville Palace)
June 2: Royal Oak, Michigan (Royal Oak Theatre)
June 3: Chicago, Illinois (Riviera Theatre)
June 4: Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Riverside Theater)
June 5: Minneapolis, Minnesota (First Avenue)

BMLG’s Brett Young Offers Blue-Eyed Soul, Transparent Songwriting On New EP

Brett Young performs for MusicRow staff. Photo: Molly Hannula

Brett Young performs for MusicRow staff. Photo: Molly Hannula

One of Big Machine Label Group’s newest signings, California native Brett Young draws from a blend of blue-eyed soul and country’s relatable lyrics for his own brand of music.

As a songwriter, Young inked a deal with Big Machine Music, and co-wrote every track on his self-titled EP, which released Feb. 12.

Young stopped by MusicRow to perform a trio of songs from his EP, including “In Case You Didn’t Know,” as well as current single “Sleep Without You,” which Young co-wrote with Justin Ebach and Kelly Archer.

“I was back visiting friends and family and I turned on pop music, just to see what was going on,” Young said. “Three songs in a row came on that were about a guy trying to sleep with a girl. I was like, ‘We get it. That song works, we get it.’ I started thinking about what a sweet twist on that would be. My mind went to this place where you are in a relationship for so long that whether you live together or not, you can’t really go to sleep without that good night phone call or text message. My parents have been together 36 years and my dad still, if my mom goes on a women’s retreat with the church, he’s restless at night because they are used to being together.”

Young shot the video for “Sleep Without You” in a beach house on the shores of Malibu, California. Shane Drake, who has worked with Kelly Clarkson, Paramore, Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw, directed the clip.

Brett YoungYoung ended his acoustic preview with the intensely personal “You Ain’t Here To Kiss Me,” a song he co-wrote in the wake of a breakup with a longtime girlfriend. He penned the track with Tiffany Goss and Matt Alderman.

“I went back out to California for New Year’s Eve,” Young recalled. “I had been in Nashville for about a year at that point. And the girl I had been with for six years was still living in Los Angeles, so I went to spend the holidays with my family, but mostly to see her. I had been out there for seven days, and I still hadn’t seen her. So New Year’s Eve morning I woke up and the plan was to spend the day with her and her family, and all the excuses just kind of didn’t sit right with me.

“I called her and said, ‘Hey, I’m ring shopping. Why do I feel like we are on different pages here?’ She said, ‘No you shouldn’t be ring shopping.’ So the conversation turned to, ‘We don’t have to be in the exact same place, but after six years, shouldn’t we be there? And if we are not, why aren’t we?’ She goes, ‘Babe, can I call you back? I just pulled up for my hair appointment.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, you can, but I think I’m going to change my flight and go back to Nashville tonight.’ She said, ‘Don’t be dramatic, I’ll call you back.’

“Well, she called me back, but I was boarding my flight. There was a layover in Phoenix and it got delayed, so next thing I know, I’m on a half-empty plane at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Two days later I was at a writing appointment, I brought up what I had been going through, and this song just came out.”

In an EPK, Young said that transparent style of songwriting is exactly what he aims for, both as a writer and an artist. “I think the most important thing to me with my music, and with the songs and stories, is I want it to be real and honest, and I want it to be relatable to a really wide age range.”

Young is working with producer Dann Huff on his first full-length release for BMLG.

Brett Young (and BMLG's Matthew Hargis) visit with MusicRow staff.

Brett Young (and BMLG’s Matthew Hargis) visit with MusicRow staff.

Weekly Chart Report (3/4/16)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

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In Photos: Chris Young, Scotty McCreery, WSM, Fender Guitars

Chris Young Marks Third Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Pictured (L-R): Dan Cheney, Vice President & COO Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo;  Joel Cowley, President & CEO Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo; Chris Young, Jack Lyons, Chairman of the Board Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo; Rob Beckham, WME

Pictured (L-R): Dan Cheney, Vice President & COO Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo; Joel Cowley, President & CEO Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo; Chris Young, Jack Lyons, Chairman of the Board Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo; Rob Beckham, WME

Chris Young wowed a crowd of 65,000 at his third time playing the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo last night (March 2) at NRG Stadium. The show, which capped off Armed Forces Appreciation Day and included a flag presentation by the United States Air Force, featured a standout performance with duet partner on his latest single, “Think Of You,” with Cassadee Pope.

 

Scotty McCreery Appears on Larry Gatlin’s Live Radio Show

Pictured (L-R): Scotty McCreery, producer/co-anchor Jonathan Shaffer, and Larry Gatlin. Photo:  Scott Stem

Pictured (L-R): Scotty McCreery, producer/co-anchor Jonathan Shaffer, and Larry Gatlin. Photo: Scott Stem

Scotty McCreery was interviewed live by Larry Gatlin on WSM-AM’s The Gospel According to Gatlin on Monday (March 1). The radio show broadcast from the green room, backstage at the Opry House minutes before McCreery performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage. McCreery discussed his upcoming book Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward The Dream (in stores on May 3), songwriting, and more.

 

Nan Kelley and Devon O’Day Premiere on Afternoon Radio

Pictured (L-R): Chuck Wicks, Nan Kelley, Wade Hayes, Devon O'Day

Pictured (L-R): Chuck Wicks, Nan Kelley, Wade Hayes, Devon O’Day

650 AM WSM premiered Nashville Today, an all-new afternoon drive show hosted by industry veterans Nan Kelley and Devon O’Day, on Tuesday afternoon from 3-6 p.m. CT. Special in-studio visits include Chuck Wicks and Wade Hayes.

 

Fender Guitars Donates During Nashville Tour

Buddy Guy with Sophia Gulley and recipients from local organization, YEAH.

Buddy Guy with Sophia Gulley and recipients from local organization, YEAH.

During the Experience Hendrix Tour event that happened on Monday (Feb. 29) in Nashville, Fender Guitars had the opportunity to donate a guitar to Sophia Gulley from the local organization, YEAH, to use for future programming. The stop brought Buddy Guy, Billy Cox, Zakk Wylde, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Dweezil Zappa and Eric Johnson to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Americana Music Association Appoints New Executive Committee

Americana logo

The Americana Music Association Board of Directors has announced its newly appointed Executive Committee of the not-for-profit organization.

Cliff O’Sullivan of Rounder Label Group has been named President, while Amanda Hale of Vector Management will shift her role to Past-President. John Ingrassia of Vector Management will serve as President-Elect in the Association’s leadership succession plan.

The Grammy Museum’s Lynne Sheridan will continue to serve as Secretary. The two at-large Executive Committee members are Jonathan Levine of Paradigm Talent Agency and Garth Fundis of Slate Creek Records. Kurt Vitolo will continue in his role as Treasurer, and his firm, KV Financial Group PC, will act as the Association’s accounting firm.

These positions are held for one-year terms.

The Americana Music Association Board of Directors consists of 19 elected or appointed industry professionals. The 2016 Board includes, in addition to its Executive Committee members:

John Allen (New West Records)
Dave Cobb (Producer / Low Country Sound)
Carrie Colliton (Record Store Day)
Tim Fink (SESAC)
Mark Moffatt (Producer)
Al Moss (Al Moss Promotion)
Todd Ohlhauser (Mercy Lounge)
Jessie Scott (Music Fog / Sun Radio)
Drew Thurlow (Pandora)
Rodney Crowell (artist representative)
Mary Gauthier (artist representative)
Buddy Miller (artist representative)
John Beiter of Shackleford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP will continue to serve as the Association’s counsel.