DISClaimer: Martina McBride, Brett Young Offer Standout New Tracks

/by
Pictured (L-R): Martina McBride, Brett Young

Pictured (L-R): Martina McBride, Brett Young

We have an embarrassment of riches in this week’s stack of platters.

A constellation of stars is on hand. And all of them are making music at the tops of their games — Brothers Osborne, Gene Watson, Kelsea Ballerini, Willie Nelson and Chris Stapleton. Shining brightest is Martina McBride, who takes home the Disc of the Day prize.

I have three newcomers to recommend to you today. They are Jordan Rager, Joey Hyde and this week’s DisCovery Award winner, Brett Young.

BROTHERS OSBORNE/21 Summer
Writers: John Osborne/TJ Osborne/Craig Wiseman; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: WB/Trampy McCauley/All the Kings Pens/Songstein/Big Loud Shirt; EMI (track)
-Dreamy nostalgia set to a gorgeous melody and married to a swaying, echoey, atmospheric production. I dig these guys the most.

JOEY HYDE/Losing It
Writers: Joey Hyde/Heather Morgan/Lindsay Rimes; Producer: Aaron Eshuis; Publishers: none listed; JH (track)
-Thumpity, thumpity rhythm burbles beneath his urgent, slightly raspy tenor vocal performance. Gripping. Intense. Addictive.

MARTINA MCBRIDE/Reckless
Writers: Sarah Buxton/Heather Morgan/Zach Crowell; Producers: Dann Huff/Nathan Chapman; Publishers: TBD; Nash Icon Records
-This is downright inspiring. Like a beam of brilliant sunlight, her voice pierces through the heart-pounding production. I love it when she rocks, and one of the outstanding things about this performance is that she phrases with so much subtlety while soaring into the sonic stratosphere. Another masterpiece from one of our most gifted interpreters.

GENE WATSON/Enough For You
Writer: Kris Kristofferson/Producer: Dirk Johnson; Publisher: none listed; BMI; 14 Carat (CDX)
-Heavenly strings, a sighing steel guitar, a Kristofferson song and Gene’s enduringly soulful voice. What more could you ask for?

KELSEA BALLERINI/Peter Pan
Writers:Kelsea Ballerini/Forest Glen Whitehead/Jesse Lee; Producer: Forest Glen Whitehead/Jason Massey; Publishers: Songs of Black River/KNB/Ole Purple Cape/Honey Lee/Ole, ASCAP/BMI; Black River (track)
– The best-written song on Ballerini’s debut CD is now her third single. Excellent use of Neverland, Lost Boy and flying away imagery. The production punches in all the right places, and her vocal performance is shaded perfectly.

BRETT YOUNG/Sleep Without You
Writers: Brett Young/Kelly Archer/Justin Ebach; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Super Big/Caliville/Downtown DMP/Stars and Stripes/Maple Leaf/Wordspring, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; Big Machine Label Group
– His voice has an appealing throaty quality. The songwriting is vividly picturesque. The chugging, choppy production has loads of hooks. A solid winner.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Fire Away
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Danny Green; Producer: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (track)
– Smoldering sonic embers. The definition of blue-eyed soul.

JORDAN RAGER & JASON ALDEAN/Southern Boy
Writers: Luke Laird/Barry Dean/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Country Paper/These Are Pulse/Creative Pulse/Pulse Nation/Songs of Countrywood/Ole/EMI April, BMI/ASCAP; BBR
– Gentle yet anthem-like. The lyric doesn’t always deliver 100%, but the swelling production does. A promising debut.

WILLIE NELSON/Summertime
Writers: George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin/DuBose Heyward; Producers: Buddy Cannon & Matt Rollings; Publishers: Frankie G/Nokawi/Ira Gershwin/DuBose & Dorothy Heyward/SMP/Imagem/WB, ASCAP; Legacy (track)
– The title tune of “Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin” is this oft-sung ballad from Porgy & Bess. Willie’s rendition has a slightly loping tempo. His conversational baritone is contrasted against sister Bobbie’s rippling piano lines and his own acoustic guitar runs. Sublimely listenable.

ALLIE LOUISE/Stilettos
Writers: Lindsey Lee/Rachel Proctor/Victoria Banks; Producer: Eddie Gore; Publisher: none listed; Sixth Beat (track)
-The message here is that women are tougher than they look: “We wear our pain like stilettos.” Louise uses her upper vocal register effectively.

[Updated] Merle Haggard Hospitalized, Two Ryman Shows Postponed

/by
Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard

[Updated March 3: Merle Haggard’s upcoming concerts at the Ryman have been postponed to Sept. 27 and 28 due to illness. March 8 tickets will be honored on Sept. 27. March 9 tickets will be honored on Sept. 28. If you are unable to attend the new dates, refunds are available at point of purchase. Deadline for refunds is April 8 and 9.]

Merle Haggard has been admitted to a California hospital for treatment of a recurring bout of double pneumonia.

His publicist, in a statement released Tuesday, said Haggard has had to postpone his concert dates in March. Haggard had been slated to play Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on March 8-9.

A March 3 concert date with Marty Stuart in Jonesboro, Arkansas, has been rescheduled for May 10.

The 78-year-old singer cancelled some dates in February because he was still feeling weak from a previous case of pneumonia in both lungs, but returned to the stage last month.

In October 2015, Haggard spoke with MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson for the MusicRow Podcast about country music and memories of his friendship with Johnny Cash.

Cam Packs The House For “Burning House” Party At BMI

/by
Pictured: (L-R): Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, manager Lindsay Marias, Arista Nashville’s Randy Goodman, BMI songwriters Cam and Tyler Johnson, BMI’s Jody Williams, Sony ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird and Pulse Recording’s Scott Cutler and BMI’s Bradley Collins.

Pictured: (L-R): Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, manager Lindsay Marias, Sony Music Nashville’s Randy Goodman, BMI songwriters Cam and Tyler Johnson, BMI’s Jody Williams, Sony ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird and Pulse Recording’s Scott Cutler and BMI’s Bradley Collins.

Although by all accounts it was an unlikely success story, Cam and her ardent supporters gathered at BMI on Tuesday, March 1, to celebrate the No. 1 success of her breakthough hit, “Burning House.”

Cam co-wrote the song with Tyler Johnson and Jeff Bhasker, the latter of whom was unable to attend due to commitments in Los Angeles. BMI’s Jody Williams presided over the party and presented Epiphone guitars to Cam and Johnson.

Nearly everyone at the podium explained that a ballad by a female artist released in the summer didn’t stand much of a chance, yet the powerful song galvanized the staff of Arista Nashville to make it a hit. (Cam is signed in a joint deal with Arista Nashville and RCA Records in New York.)

Cam-Burning-House-SingleSony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman spoke about how some No. 1 country singles don’t make much of an impact, but that “Burning House” was different in that regard. Goodman came on board at Sony in July 2015, shortly after the single was released to radio.

He explained, “Thank goodness I took the job after this single was released because I think historically having been in my position, if someone had said, ‘OK, we’re going to come with this single, it’s a ballad, it has no drums, we’re going to come in the summer, women are “tomatoes” in country radio’s eyes, let’s go get this,’ I would have said, ‘You’re out of your mind.’ And we wouldn’t be here today probably. Thank goodness I wasn’t there.”

He spoke extensively about Cam’s strong work ethic, as well as her successful Untamed album launch, a Grammy nomination and four ACM nominations.

“Sometimes songs impact and sometimes songs matter, and those are the ones that we really, really celebrate, and this is one that did. I am so humbled and proud to have been a part of it,” he continued. “I want to recognize the people from Arista who put a lot of great effort into this, because this was not at easy record to take to No. 1 at country radio.”

He concluded, “There was always a sense that this was a labor of love, or that it was a song of destiny, and that’s what kept driving us. What’s great about it is that it showed what was great about everybody on the staff, and it brought them together in a very special way. It was a great honor to see all of you do what you did. So, Cam, I’m so thankful I found you when I arrived at Sony Music. Thank God! I look forward to doing this many times over.”

CMA’s Brandi Simms, CMT’s Cody Alan, Country Radio Broadcasters’ Ashley Silver, and Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox also stepped up to recognize the song’s achievement. Sony/ATV’s SVP of A&R Josh VanValkenburg offered kind words about Bhasker, who is on the company’s roster.

Although they didn’t speak, Cam’s manager Lindsay Marias joined the group on stage, as did Pulse’s Scott Cutler, representing half of Johnson’s co-publishing deal with Creative Nation.

Earlier in the party, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird talked about the tight-knit bond shared by the musical team. For example, Johnson is engaged to Marias. Inspired by a line in the song (“I wish that we could go back in time…”), Laird presented the songwriters with handmade hourglasses, while others on the stage were given candles scented like a burning house, crafted by local company Ranger Station.

When Johnson took the mic, he grinned like a young boy and gave thanks to Cam, Marias, Creative Nation, Pulse, the studio musicians, and the A&R staff at Arista Nashville. “I feel like I got spoiled making this album because it was really properly A&R’d,” he observed.

At the end of the event, Cam (who did not have an outside publisher on the song) beamed as she addressed the industry audience.

“This is so cool. Thank you all for being here. I know so many of you have been a big part of this,” she said. “And especially to the promo team – you know firsthand that it takes a lot of early mornings, a lot of phone calls, a lot of no’s, [and] what it’s like to be actually a female artist. You have to work three times as hard to get something that’s just as deserving up there. I couldn’t have done that if you guys hadn’t believed in me three times as much as anybody else, and that means everything to me.”

After a round of applause, she gave thanks to Johnson, Bhasker, and Marias, and added, “I want to thank [Sony Music CEO] Doug Morris. When I went into his office for singing that song, he sang it back to me and said it was going to be a hit, and I didn’t quite believe him but he was right. I want to thank Bobby Bones and everybody at that show for taking a chance on playing it in the summer, which I know nobody wanted to do.”

She continued, “Country radio—for playing the shit out of it. It’s like a dream come true, and I know for some reason it’s not the easy thing to play a song that everyone says they like. It’s still not really intuitive like that. There’s a lot more to it, we’re learning. I really appreciate all the different small sacrifices that everybody made for this to get where this is at.”

She offered sincere thanks to the Sony staff, her band, her fiancé, and Creative Nation’s Beth and Luke Laird (“I feel like you are my step-publishers”).

“This is amazing and I don’t want it to end, but I feel like I have to give away the microphone,” she said with a laugh. “But thank you very, very, very much for taking a very personal song and I know it probably means something personal to you now too. That makes my heart so happy that it’s living in all of us now. Thank you very much.”

Nashville Takes A “Smoke Break” To Celebrate Carrie Underwood’s 22nd No. 1

/by
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP songwriter Chris DeStafano, BMI songwriter Carrie Underwood, ASCAP songwriter Hillary Lindsey

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP songwriter Chris DeStafano, BMI songwriter Carrie Underwood, ASCAP songwriter Hillary Lindsey. Photo: Erika Goldring

Carrie Underwood celebrated “Smoke Break,” her 22nd No. 1 song (12th as a songwriter) with an ASCAP and BMI-hosted soiree at Nashville restaurant The Sutler.

The song was co-written by Underwood (BMI), Hillary Lindsey (ASCAP) and Chris DeStefano (ASCAP). This is a back-to-back No. 1 for the writing trio, who also penned Underwood’s “Little Toy Guns.”

Among those honoring the tune were ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Jody Williams, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, CMA’s Brandi Simms, CRB’s Bill Mayne, and Underwood’s manager Ann Edelblute (The HQ). Ron Cox of Avenue Bank announced a donation to Underwood’s C.A.T.S. Foundation.

“Smoke Break,” and the rest of the Storyteller project, was one of the first to be worked to radio under new Sony Music Nashville head Randy Goodman.

Goodman recalled the urgency and weight given to the project. “The third day I was at Sony, I get a call [from Ann Edelblute]. She said, as only Ann can do, ‘Do you know we have an album scheduled on October 23?’ And it was about July 15 at the time, which in record launch time is tomorrow. An hour later, I walked up the street [to Ann’s office], we sat down an immediately began listening to what became the Storyteller album. And it was both exciting and terrifying at the same time, because I’m new to this job, this is a new team, and we are going to launch if not specifically the most important record of the year for us, and it’s Carrie Underwood and all eyes are going to be on us and we wanted to do a great job. So it was one of those things that broke us all in in a quick and effective way.”

Pictured- (L-R): Back Row: Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, ASCAP’s Michael Martin, BMI’s Bradley Collins, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Jody Williams and Arista Nashville’s Randy Goodman. Front Row: Chris DeStefano, Carrie Underwood, and Hillary Lindsey.

Pictured- (L-R): Back Row: Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, ASCAP’s Michael Martin, BMI’s Bradley Collins, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Jody Williams and Arista Nashville’s Randy Goodman. Front Row: Chris DeStefano, Carrie Underwood, and Hillary Lindsey. Photo: Erika Goldring

Goodman also took the time to emphasize Underwood’s songwriting talent. “One thing I always say, is that it’s great that she’s had 22 No. 1 singles, and great that she sold what she sold, and that’s important, but what I always try to say about Carrie is that this is her 12th No. 1 single that she’s actively been involved with as a writer. She’s such a phenomenal singer and she represents our format so well. She’s truly one of the treasures of country music, and while I’m talking about her being a great singer, if you haven’t cast your ACM votes yet, we covet those votes. At the same time, she’s also an incredible songwriter. I always want to bring that up, because I think that’s one of those things that goes under the radar because her ability as a vocalist and her ability as an entertainer, I think that’s where people gravitate to. I think all too often your songwriting ability is not recognized.”

DeStefano thanked his publisher, as well as Sony Music Nashville’s team, and his two co-writers. “I want to start by thanking my dear friend Hillary. She is one of the best songwriters ever. You are truly an inspiration. You are a dear friend, but I’m still intimidated to be in the room with you. She pushes me, and that’s a great feeling. Carrie, thank you so much, you are the best and an inspiration. It’s an honor to know you and call you a friend. You and Ann are an amazing team. Thank you for Ann for all you do.”

Lindsey was also quick to thank her co-writers, and recalled how the song was written. “Thank you to the beautiful sunny day we had that day, or we never would have walked outside. We wanted a break, and I remember sitting around her little fountain in her place in Leiper’s Fork. We were chillin’ and taking a break, and then Chris grabbed an acoustic, and we were like, ‘You know, let’s depart from that other song we were writing and jam on something new.’ So thank you God for the sunshine.”

Underwood summed up the event. “Hillary, I’ve known you for 10 or 11 years now, and it’s a pleasure and an honor, and I don’t know of anyone that I’ve written with consistently like I have with you, and we always come up with something awesome. Any time I hear your voice on a demo I get, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Hillary! Turn it up.’ It’s amazing and I look forward to many more. Chris, I haven’t known you as long but I feel like we’ve done a lot of writing together. This team is just so easy to be around, and even if we don’t come up with a No. 1 smash, I had fun. It’s nice to write with people that no matter what, you had a nice day. You are just killing it all over the place, so I look forward to seeing whatever else you are going to do here in Nashville. We’re glad to have you.”

She continued, “Ann and my HQ family, we’ve been together a long time too, and none of this would have happened without you, so thank you Ann and Allie and Jess and Lauren. I have the best team around me ever. To my Arista family, my amazing promo team. I’m thankful that there are so many people who are willing to believe in what we do and to push that and work that, and make sure people hear it. Thank you BMI and Jody, you have always been so good to me, and to ASCAP for hosting this party. All of our spouses and family members, thank you so much for supporting us and allowing us to do what we do, and watching the kids while we go and write. We couldn’t do it without you guys. I’m blessed and thankful. I’m happy to be celebrating another No. 1. It never gets old.”

Brothers Osborne Celebrate First No. 1 Single

/by
Pictured (L-R): (front) ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Smack Ink's Robin Palmer, co-writer/artist TJ Osborne, co-writer/artist John Osborne, King Pen Music's Kelly King, (back row) Universal Music Group's Mike Dungan, co-writer Shane McAnally, Universal Music Publishing's Kent Earls, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing's Ben Vaughn.

Pictured (L-R): (front) ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Smack Ink’s Robin Palmer, co-writer/artist TJ Osborne, co-writer/artist John Osborne, King Pen Music’s Kelly King, (back row) Universal Music Group’s Mike Dungan, co-writer Shane McAnally, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn.

Nashville’s music industry braved cold and rain Tuesday (March 1) to celebrate Brothers Osborne’s chart-topping tune “Stay A Little Longer,” with an ASCAP-hosted shindig at South.

The energy in the room was palpable, as “Stay A Little Longer” marks the first No. 1 as writers and artists for Brothers Osborne members TJ and John Osborne. The tune is the 15th No. 1 song for co-writer Shane McAnally. Producer Jay Joyce was not in attendance.

Among those offering glowing congratulations were ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, King Pen Music’s Kelly King (who received numerous thanks of her own during the shindig), Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Universal Music Group’s Mike Dungan, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls, Smack Ink’s Robin Palmer, Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton, CRB’s Holly Lane, and CMA’s Brandi Simms.

“I talk a lot about the love affair we have for our artists,” said Dungan. “There is nothing more gratifying to someone who works at a label than having a project that you deem personally to be great and that you feel moves the needle and affects the culture and I can’t tell you have wonderful and perfect it is when greatness and art intersect with commerce and it results in a No. 1 record, and I couldn’t be happier about it.”

Dungan also honored John and TJ, as well as McAnally, with what is lovingly called the “Impaler Award.”

“There is a waiver to fill out later because they are dangerous,” quipped Dungan. “Shane McAnally, 14 out of your 15 [No. 1 songs] are from us? We’ve made a lot of money together, buddy.” To Brothers Osborne, he added, “You guys are still ridiculously unrecouped, but we are getting there.”

“TJ, your voice I really do think is going to go down in history as one of the greats,” said McAnally. “They are both incredible singers, and their harmonies sound amazing, but I really do think the tone and texture and sounds you guys get together this is really historical and I’m really honored that I got to be a part of this first No. 1 of many.”

“I said this before but a lot of people talk about how much work it takes and sometimes it is a bit unnerving but to always look at everyone around you, and literally no one is ever dropping the ball and working their [butts] off,” said TJ.

TJ Osborne also offered thanks to Sistad. “Mike Sistad was one of the first people to put us on a show, when no one gave a s— about us. It was a show at the Bluebird. Also, when no one was willing to lend us any more money, Sistad stepped up with ASCAP and gave us a loan that literally saved us from totally collapsing, which we might have done anyway. He just gave us a little more drinking money, so thank you.

“It’s cool to have all this stuff handed out tonight,” he continued. “We wanted to hand out some gifts ourselves. We didn’t realize it would take so long to get a royalty check,” he quipped, to the laughter of the audience.

John Osborne also thanked lawyer Chip Petree. “We forgot to put him in our liner notes, so I want to thank him first.”

“It’s all about the people,” Osborne summarized. “You look at a song, it’s Brothers Osborne, but it wasn’t just Brothers Osborne. I cannot be more grateful. It’s hard work and a little bit of luck. I think if it all ended right now, I’d feel like the luckiest person in the world. I genuinely do. Not so much for the accolades and No. 1s, but Nashville is full of the greatest people on earth. That’s why people keep moving here, because it’s seriously great. The fact that we get to celebrate a huge milestone in our lives with people that we genuinely love, that’s the greatest thing to me. I can’t thank you all enough and I can’t wait to do this again.”

Pictured (L-R): JT Osborne, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne. Photo: Frederick Breedon for ASCAP.

Pictured (L-R): TJ Osborne, Shane McAnally, John Osborne. Photo: Frederick Breedon for ASCAP.

Sandbox Entertainment Adds Chappel McCollister To Oversee Sponsorships, Licensing

/by
Chappel McCollister

Chappel McCollister

Sandbox Entertainment has added Chappel McCollister to its management team in a newly created role. He will oversee sponsorships, licensing, and endorsements for all artists on the Sandbox roster.

McCollister joins Sandbox after serving as the Director of Tour Partnerships at G7 Entertainment Marketing for the past six years.

“I am thrilled to have Chappel join our team. He is a star in his area of expertise,” said Sandbox President/CEO Jason Owen. “His knowledge, experience, and energy will be instrumental in the growth of Sandbox.”

Chappel can be reached at [email protected] or 615-915-5454.

Curb Records Acquires Warner Music Group’s Stake In Word Entertainment

/by

Curb-WordCurb Records has acquired WMG’s stake in Word Entertainment, the Christian faith-based entertainment company based in Nashville. Word Entertainment has become a wholly owned division of Curb, expanding on the long partnership between Curb and WMG.

Since 2002, Word Entertainment has been owned 80 percent by WMG and 20 percent by Curb. Under the terms of the transaction, Curb will purchase WMG’s share in Word’s recorded music, distribution, publishing, film, and live events divisions, as well as Word’s building in Nashville. Word’s printed music division remains jointly owned by WMG and Curb.

Rod Riley, President and CEO of Word, will continue to run Word Entertainment. WMG will continue to distribute Word releases to the general market, and Word will continue to distribute WMG releases to the Christian market. Word’s publishing catalog will continue to be administered by Warner/Chappell.

Curb Chairman and Word Chairman Mike Curb said, “We are proud to continue our relationship with the Warner Music Group that started 50 years ago when my own musical group was signed by Warner Reprise and later signed by Word Records when it was still located in Waco, Texas and operated by its original founder Jarrell McCracken. We’ve had a long, successful relationship with Espo and Paul Robinson and more recently with Stephen Cooper, Cameron Strang, Matt Signore, Jeremy Sirota and Tom Marcotullio. For almost 15 years, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as Chairman of Word Entertainment as well as being a minority shareholder in the company. During that time I’ve had a chance to work with great leaders such as Jim Van Hook and that led to the merger of Word with Fervent Records, which was the label that was started by Rod and Susan Riley and it turned out to be the most important moment for the future of Word. Rod Riley had led the transformation of Word into this century by developing some of the greatest contemporary Christian artists of our time. We look forward to working with Rod for the future leadership as we bring together Word Entertainment, Fervent Records and Curb Records, which have all had a long history in contemporary Christian music.”

“It has been an honor for me to be part of the Word and Warner families for the past decade,” said Word Entertainment President & CEO Rod Riley, “and so I am excited that our companies will be continuing to work closely together. I am grateful to Espo for his support and collaboration as we worked to continue to transform Word both creatively and commercially. Mike Curb has simultaneously served as a wise and thoughtful mentor to me for more than a decade, and I am thrilled that Word and Curb will continue on our journey to take Christian music to new heights. Our mission remains constant – to continually serve our artists and songwriters while we forge new ground as one of the preeminent faith-based entertainment companies.”

“Mike Curb is a legend in our business, with over five decades of discovering outstanding talent and making great music,” said Warner Music Nashville President & CEO John Esposito. “Since Curb and WMG became partners in the ownership of Word 14 years ago, we have been at the forefront of the Christian Music movement. Rod is a tremendously talented, motivating leader, and I join him in saying how excited we are that we will remain partners. This move is a great opportunity for Word’s artists, songwriters, and employees, and the ongoing combination of our amazing teams ensures that Word’s future is very bright.”

Founded in 1951, Word Entertainment has grown into an artist services company active in recorded music, publishing, film, live events, and church resources. Word’s roster of popular and influential artists and songwriters includes for KING & COUNTRY, the duo who won two Grammy awards in 2015, and Francesca Battistelli, who won Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at this year’s Grammys.

 

ACM Awards Add Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Sam Hunt

/by

2015_acm_award_logo_tunein_cmyk_type_041415

Four more performers have been confirmed for the ACM Awards, to be held April 3 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The show will air on CBS.

ACM nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church and Sam Hunt will join previously announced performers Cam, Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.

Church is nominated for five ACM awards this year: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album (Mr. Misunderstood), Music Video (“Mr. Misunderstood”) and Vocal Event (“Raise ‘Em Up” with Urban).

Ballerini is on the ballot for Female Vocalist and New Female Vocalist. In addition to co-hosting for the first time, Bentley is up for Male Vocalist and Music Video (“Riser”). Hunt will compete for Album (Montevallo) and Single (“Take Your Time”).

President Obama, Michelle Obama Named SXSW Keynote Speakers

/by
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama

President Barack Obama will appear as part of a Keynote Conversation at South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive on March 11 in Austin, Texas. First Lady Michelle Obama will be the opening Keynote at SXSW Music on March 16.

This marks the first time in the 30-year history of SXSW that a sitting President and the First Lady have participated in the event, which is known for showcasing the most innovative ideas and creative talent of our time.

President Obama will sit down with Editor in Chief of The Texas Tribune Evan Smith for a conversation about civic engagement in the 21st Century before an audience of creators, early adopters and entrepreneurs who are defining the future of our connected lives.

The President will call on the audience to apply their ideas and talents to make technology work for us—especially when it comes to tackling big challenges like increasing participation in the political process and fighting climate change. In the lead-up to the event, The Texas Tribune will also source questions for the discussion from its online audience.

First Lady Michelle Obama comes to SXSW Music to discuss the Let Girls Learn initiative, which aims to break barriers for the 62 million girls around the world who are not in school today, more than half of whom are adolescent.

The SXSW Music Conference brings the global music industry together and offers the perfect platform to celebrate Women’s History Month, as the First Lady provides her call to action to support girls’ education.

“I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate our event’s 30th year than to welcome both the President and First Lady to SXSW,” said SXSW co-founder Roland Swenson. “As each new generation comes up at SXSW they look for ways they can be of service, and it’s important to reflect and support that message. President and Mrs. Obama’s visit here will inspire attendees to that purpose.”

President Obama’s appearance is open to all SXSW Interactive, Gold, and Platinum registrants.

First Lady Michelle Obama’s event is open to all SXSW Music, Film, Gold, and Platinum registrants.

Chip Taylor Among Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductees For 2016

/by
Chip Taylor. Photo: Davey Wilson.

Chip Taylor. Photo: Davey Wilson.

Chip Taylor is among those who will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.

Taylor’s best-known compositions are “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning.”

His songs have also been recorded by Waylon Jennings (“Sweet Dream Woman”), Bobby Bare (“Just A Little Bit Later Down The Line”), Linda Ronstadt and The Hollies (“I Can’t Let Go”), The Brown Family (“Springtime”) and more. His 1973 country/rock album spawned many covers such as “Son Of A Rotten Gambler” (Emmylou Harris), “Clean Your Own Tables” (Johnny Cash) and “The Real Thing” (George Strait).

Taylor will join fellow inductees Elvis Costello, Marvin Gaye (posthumously), Tom Petty, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (posthumously).

“The 2016 roster of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees is a beautiful mosaic of the best of late 20th Century popular music. With creators of Rock & Roll, Soul/R&B, Country and Funk/ Dance represented, we are looking forward to an unforgettable and extremely exciting event and evening at the Marriott Marquis on June 9th,” said Co-Chairs Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. “With the exception of two, all of the 2016 inductees are alive and continue to be as vitally creative as ever. This year’s Induction and Awards Dinner will mark our first year as Chairmen at the SHOF helm and we could not be more excited about the quality and diversity of the songs and songwriters that will be honored.”

The Songwriters Hall of Fame’s 47th annual Induction and Awards Dinner will be held Thursday, June 9 in New York City. Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) honors musical pioneers, while the organization’s outreach to the music community supports the next generation of troubadours.

Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.