Keith Urban Adds Canadian Dates To Ripcord World Tour

/by

Keith Urban Ripcord

Keith Urban has added six Canadian concerts to his Ripcord World Tour 2016.

He will be joined on the fall dates by special guests Dallas Smith (“Wastin’ Gas”) and Maren Morris (“My Church”).

Urban will launch the series of Canadian shows on Sept. 10 in Vancouver, British Columbia. He will make his first-ever performances in Kelowna, British Columbia, on Sept. 11, and Prince George, British Columbia, on Sept. 13.

On Sept. 15, he will play Calgary, Alberta, followed by a show in Edmonton, Alberta—the first artist announced to perform at the brand-new Rogers Place. The Canadian series of dates ends Sept. 17 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

“Our Canadian shows have always been off-the-hook giant parties,” said Urban. “From the very first shows I ever did, there was a synergy with the audience that’s only grown stronger over the years. I can’t wait to bring the Ripcord World Tour to everyone this year.”

Urban will release his eighth studio album, Ripcord, on May 6. The project includes the hit singles “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” “Break on Me” and “Wasted Time.”

The first stop of his Ripcord World Tour is June 2 in Kansas City, Missouri, with special guests Brett Eldredge and Maren Morris.

CMA Foundation, Brett Eldredge Honor 50 Nashville Music Teachers

/by
Pictured (L-R): John Esposito, President/CEO, Warner Music Nashville and CMA Board Chairman; Nashville Mayor Megan Barry; Brett Eldredge; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Joe Galante, CMA Foundation Board Chairman. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA

Pictured (L-R): John Esposito, President/CEO, Warner Music Nashville and CMA Board Chairman; Nashville Mayor Megan Barry; Brett Eldredge; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Joe Galante, CMA Foundation Board Chairman. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA

The CMA Foundation honored 50 Nashville music teachers during the inaugural CMA Music Teacher of Excellence, held Tuesday night (April 26) at City Winery in Nashville. Hosted by CMA award winner Brett Eldredge, the event recognized teachers who brought value to their students, to their individual schools, and to the community. Each teacher received a $2,000 grant from the CMA Foundation.

“Purchasing instruments has been central to the mission of the Foundation, but rewarding teachers provides the motivation and encouragement necessary to have a dynamic, sustainable music program in Nashville and other cities,” said Joe Galante, Chairman of the CMA Foundation Board of Directors.

Brett Eldredge, host of the CMA Music Teacher of Excellence, welcomes his own childhood music teacher, Judy Carroll, as his special guest at the inaugural honors evening at City Winery Tuesday in Nashville. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA

Brett Eldredge welcomes his childhood music teacher, Judy Carroll, as his special guest at the inaugural honors evening at City Winery Tuesday in Nashville. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA

Eldredge’s own childhood music teacher, Judy Carroll, also attended the ceremony. Carroll is a 27-year veteran music educator, having taught voice and choral programs at elementary and middle schools in Paris, Illinois.

“Everyone needs somebody to help guide you along. Someone that sees the talent in you, that believes,” said Eldredge. “There are so many schools that don’t have music programs and that is why I’m so passionate about this, because some kids may not have their Judy Carroll, or their mentor, or the person that helps them along. Kids should never be without the option to have music in their lives.”

CMA Music Teacher of Excellence Franklin Willis, Choral Director at Madison Middle Prep (center), with Dr. Nola Jones, Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts, Metro Nashville Public Schools, and Jon Loba, Executive Vice President, BBR Music Group and CMA Board member, at the CMA Music Teacher of Excellence honors at City Winery Tuesday in Nashville. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA

CMA Music Teacher of Excellence Franklin Willis, Choral Director at Madison Middle Prep (center), with Dr. Nola Jones, Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts, Metro Nashville Public Schools, and Jon Loba, Executive Vice President, BBR Music Group and CMA Board member, at the CMA Music Teacher of Excellence honors at City Winery Tuesday in Nashville. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA

To date, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $13.68 million to 30 music education initiatives across the country, reaching 1 million students.

The inaugural recipients of the CMA Music Teacher or Excellence grants are:

Kate Affainie (Granberry Elementary)
Ronda Armstrong (Stanford Montessori)
Jennifer Barnes (Lockeland Design Center)
Rita Black (Eakin Elementary)
Christopher Blackmon (Thomas Edison Elementary School)
Michael Currie (A.Z. Kelley Elementary)
Benjamin Easley (John Overton High School)
John Feltt (Hermitage Elementary School)
Kim Marie Folsom (Dan Mills Elementary)
Lisa Forbis (Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School)
Mandy Funderburk (Bellevue Middle School)
Laura Gabriel (Nashville School of the Arts)
Janelle Ganske (Hillsboro High School)
Katie Harrah (W.H. Oliver Middle Prep)
Kathy Hart (Harpeth Valley Elementary)
Daniel Hayes (Granberry Elementary)
Kathy Hull (Hull-Jackson Montessori School)
Melissa Husebo (Andrew Jackson Elementary)
Ira “Trey” Jacobs III (Head Middle Magnet)
Lisa Kemp (Haywood Elementary)
Steven King (Tom Joy Elementary)
Laura McAfee (Glenn Elementary Enhanced Option)
Melissa McClaran (Cane Ridge Elementary)
Kimberly McLemore (Antioch High School)
Anna Maria Miller (Hume-Fogg/Martin Luther King)
Eleni Miller (John Overton High School)
Ila Nicholson (John Early Museum Magnet Middle Prep)
Franklin Norris (Meigs Academic Magnet)
Jennifer Partridge (Cumberland Elementary)
Sean Patrick (Cole Elementary)
Catherine Pratt (Goodlettsville Elementary)
Holly Rang (Pennington Elementary)
Richard Ripani (Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School)
Tracy Roberts (Dodson Elementary)
Alaina Schwartz (Crieve Hall Elementary)
Todd Shipley (Martin Luther King, Jr. Academic Magnet School)
Marilyn Smith (W.H. Oliver Middle Prep)
Nita Smith (Creswell Middle Prep)
Alexander Snyder (Two Rivers Middle Prep)
Michael Walton (DuPont Hadley Middle Prep)
Karen Waters (Park Avenue Enhanced Option Elementary School)
Paul Waters (Bellevue Middle School)
Susan Waters (W.H. Oliver Middle Prep)
Richae Williams (J.E. Moss Elementary)
Franklin Willis (Madison Middle Prep)
Chad Witemeyer (Maxwell Elementary)
John Womack (McGavock High School)
Joshua Wright (McGavock Elementary)
Frank Zimmerer (East Nashville Magnet High School)
Ben Zolkower (Hillwood High School)

Brett Eldredge, center, is host of the CMA Teachers of Excellence event and gathers with teachers on stage at City Winery on April 27, 2016.

Brett Eldredge, center, is host of the CMA Teachers of Excellence event and gathers with teachers on stage at City Winery on April 27.

CMHoF Receives $2,500 Federal Grant For Preservation Needs

/by

Country Music Hall of Fame logo

The Tennessee State Library & Archives is distributing more than $30,000 worth of federal grant funds to 15 organizations across the state to help preserve important historical records.

The Country Music Hall of Fame will receive $2,500 from the organization. Other Nashville locations receiving $2,500 grants are the Southern Baptist Library and Archives, as well as Travellers Rest Historic House and Museum.

These funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including purchasing storage equipment such as shelving and boxes, hiring temporary staff for specialized records preservation projects, training archives personnel, or creating digital versions of records.

The funding for the grants comes from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, which is part of the National Archives. The Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board reviews grant applications to determine which groups receive awards each year.

“When historical records are lost, they are irreplaceable,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “That’s why the projects these 15 organizations are undertaking are so important. They are taking steps to ensure the historical treasures in their communities are properly preserved. I commend the work that the grant recipients are doing on behalf of our state’s shared history.”

The grant recipients are:
Blount County Archives, Maryville, $1,900
Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, $2,500
C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa, Memphis, $2,500
Dyer County Archives, Dyersburg, $925
Highlander Research and Education Center, New Market, $2,500
Houston County Archives, Erin, $925
Lincoln County Archives, Fayetteville, $2,000
Museum Center at 5ive Points, Cleveland, $2,500
Overton County Archives, Livingston, $2,500
Pink Palace Museum, Memphis, $2,400
Sam Davis Home, Smyrna, $1,900
Stewart County Historical Society, Dover, $2,000
Southern Baptist Library and Archives, Nashville, $2,500
Travellers Rest Historic House and Museum, Nashville, $2,250
University of Memphis Special Collections, Memphis, $2,450

CMA Music Festival Reveals More Free Performances

/by

2016-CMAMusicFestival-Logo-Badge-4CCMA Music Festival has announced more free and open-to-the-public performances, revealing the artists to play on the Gildan Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe.

Located at the corner of Broadway and First Avenue in downtown Nashville, the Gildan Broadway Stage will operate Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12 from 10:45 a.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. CT.

Performing on the Gildan Broadway Stage are Sammy Arriaga, Ryan Beaver, Craig Wayne Boyd, Courtney Cole, Ruthie Collins, Adam Craig, Jacob Davis, Cale Dodds, Ben Gallaher, Haley Georgia, Ryan Griffin, Levi Hummon, Brett Kissel, Jon Langston, Brandon Lay, Lucy Angel, MamaDear, Walker McGuire, Carly Pearce, Sister C, Cole Taylor, The Railers, Walker County, Waterloo Revival, and Carter Winter. (Artists and schedules subject to change).

“We take great pride in CMA Music Festival being a place where fans can discover a new favorite act,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Nearly a dozen artists are making their festival performance debut on the Gildan Broadway Stage, making it a great spot to hear something fresh.”

Those debuting artists include Benton Blount, Fort Defiance, Olivia Lane, Levon, Steve Moakler, Radio Romance, Jordan Rager, Runaway June, Rae Solomon, The Last Bandoleros, and Morgan Wallen.

Also making her festival debut is Third Man Records’ Margo Price, who has been added to The Park Stage in Walk of Fame Park.

T.J. Martell Foundation Plans Downtown Derby Bed Race

/by

Bed Race

T.J. Martell Foundation’s Young Professionals Council will host the inaugural Downtown Derby Bed Race in Nashville on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to noon.

The fundraiser will benefit leukemia, cancer and AIDS research. There are 21 teams participating in the competition, including Creative Artists Agency, Regions Bank, United Talent Agency, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, WME/IMG and more.

This year’s sponsors are Nacarato Volvo Trucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Huskins Harris Business Management, Bridgestone Arena, JACK-fm, JHE Production and Do615.

The bed race will run up 5th Ave. from the Omni Hotel to Bridgestone Plaza. Beds will race in heats over 10-minute intervals. The two fastest teams will compete for first place and the Downtown Derby Bed Race trophy.

Awards will also be presented for Best Decorated and Best in Spirit. The Shining Star award will be presented to the individual who raises the most money through online fundraising. The People’s Choice Award will be presented to the team that collectively raises the most money.

“This is a fantastic event for a fantastic cause,” said Young Professionals Council co-chair Zac Koffler. “Where else can you bobsled a bed downtown, make a pit stop at Rippy’s in between heats, and simultaneously raise money to help support the many doctors, hospitals, and researchers, who are working tirelessly to reach the finish line to cure cancer.”

BMI Elevates Jessica Frost To Executive Director

/by
Jessica Frost

Jessica Frost

BMI has promoted Jessica Frost to Executive Director of Industry Relations.

In her newly-expanded role, Frost will continue her work to develop and cultivate relationships with industry associations and businesses across the country that use BMI music. Frost is based in Nashville and reports directly to Dan Spears, Vice President of Licensing, Industry Relations.

“Jessica’s ability to both educate business associations on the importance of having a music license and explaining the value that music brings to each establishment is second to none,” Spears said. “She has strong relationships in the industry and is a true advocate for our songwriters who rely on the licensing fees we collect so they can get paid for the music they create.”

Frost began her career at BMI in 1999 as a customer relations executive for the licensing team and moved through the ranks holding various positions until she was promoted to Senior Director of Industry Relations in 2013. Frost currently sits on the board of the Nashville/Midsouth Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She attended the University of Florida where she received her B.A.

In Photos: Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves

/by

Miranda Lambert Meets Southeast Radio Reps

Miranda Lambert poses with Southeast radio representatives prior to a concert in Auburn, Alabama.

Miranda Lambert poses with Southeast radio representatives prior to a concert in Auburn, Alabama.

Miranda Lambert celebrated the opening weekend of Kenny Chesney’s 2016 Spread The Love Tour on Saturday night (April 23) with friends from Southeast radio stations. Lambert is a special guest on Chesney’s stadium tour, which launched at Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium.

 

Maren Morris Visits The Big Apple

Maren Morris greets NASH FM 94.7 Program Director John Foxx

Maren Morris greets NASH FM 94.7 Program Director John Foxx

Maren Morris stopped by the NASH FM 94.7 studios in New York City on Tuesday (April 26) to chat with Shila. Her debut album, HERO, comes out on June 3, and she performed a couple of songs off the album including “80’s Mercedes” and “My Church.”

 

Kacey Musgraves Opens For George Strait

Kacey Musgraves. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Kacey Musgraves. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Kacey Musgraves warmed up the crowds at George Strait’s sold-out concerts in Las Vegas on April 22 and 23. She entered the new T-Mobile Arena in pink Western wear trailed by a pony. Musgraves will also open Strait’s shows in Las Vegas in September and December.

Tyler Waugh Joins Big Loud Records

/by
Tyler Waugh

Tyler Waugh

Tyler Waugh has joined Big Loud Records as the label’s Southeast Region Director of Promotion.

“Tyler has an incredibly versatile background with success in multiple genres and promotion roles. He will be an invaluable asset to our BLR team,” said label president Clay Hunnicutt. “He will hit the ground running immediately to continue our success with Chris Lane, ‘Fix,’ and all the other projects we have coming out soon.”

Waugh joins the label’s promotion team of Nikki Jimenez, Northeast Region; Dave Kirth, West Coast Region; Roger Fregoso, Midwest Region led by National Director of Promotion Stacy Blythe and Hunnicutt.

Waugh began his music industry career in 2000, and most recently was Southeast Regional Director of Promotion at 1608 Promotion, a division of Reviver Records. His prior career entries include time at Blaster Records, Streamsound Records, Arista Records, RCA Music Group, Roadrunner Records, and BMG Distribution.

“Joining the Big Loud Records team is a huge opportunity, allowing me to be a part of a group of people that are extremely creative and forward thinking,” says Waugh. “I’m excited to work with Chris Lane, who I’ve been a fan of since I first heard his music, and I can’t wait to talk to my friends at radio about ‘Fix’ and all the great new music releasing soon. Big thanks to Clay, Craig, Chief, Seth, and Joey for bringing me on board!”

Big Loud Records label launched in 2015 and was founded by manager Seth England, Joey Moi, Craig Wiseman, Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Hunnicutt.

Waugh can be reached at [email protected] or 615-870-2040.

Google Fiber Comes To Music Row-Area Apartments

/by

Google Fiber logo

Google Fiber is now available in several Nashville apartment properties.

According to Google Fiber’s Apartment Finder, four properties in Nashville’s Music Row and Gulch areas now have access, including Element Music Row, Rhythm at Music Row, Bristol on Broadway and Icon in the Gulch now offer access to residents.

Additionally, The Fiber Space opened in the Icon building at 1108 Division. The space provides customers a space to learn about Google Fiber’s products and to experience the gigabit speeds for themselves.

Residents in those four apartments and condominium buildings can sign up at The Fiber Space or online.

Numerous other apartments in Davidson County are set to be installed with Google Fiber soon, including 1010 on the Row, Crescent Music Row, Note 16, The Cadence, Terrazzo, Twelve Twelve, and more.

Additionally, Google announced that Fiber Phone will also be available to Nashville customers. Fiber Phone is a $10/month service for local and international calls, which connects to a mobile phone and transcribes voicemails.

Big & Rich Set Summer Tour Dates

/by
Big & Rich

Big & Rich

Following the release of their singles “Look At You” and “Run Away With You,” Big & Rich have plans to embark on a 14-city summer tour. The duo is currently on the country charts with “Lovin’ Lately,” featuring Tim McGraw.

The duo will visit Live Oak, Florida’s Suwannee River Jam on Friday (April 29).

The tour will showcase cuts from Gravity, as well as the duo’s signature hits like “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” and “Lost in this Moment.”

Big & Rich On Tour
April 29: Live Oak, Florida; Suwannee River Jam
April 30: Lincoln, Alabama; Talladega Super Speedway
May 14: Atlanta;Wolf Creek Amphitheater
May 30: Nashville; Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater
June 5: Virginia Beach, Virginia; Patriotic Festival
June 10: Mountain Dale, New York; Taste of Country Festival
June 11: Winsted, Minnesota; Winstock Country Music
June 18: Grand Junction, Colorado; Country Jam
June 25: Philadelphia; Lincoln Financial Field
July 8: Fort Loramie, Ohio; Country Concert at Hickory Hill Lakes
July 17: Brooklyn, Michigan; Faster Horses Festival
July 23: Columbus, Georgia; Columbus Civic Center
August 13: Papillion, Nebraska; Werner Park
August 17: Spokane, Washington; Northern Quest Resort & Casino