Maren Morris Makes National TV Debut On ‘Good Morning America’

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George Stephanopoulos, Good Morning America; Maren Morris; Robin Roberts, Good Morning America; Rob Marciano, Good Morning America; Lara Spencer, Good Morning America. Photo: ABC/Lou Rocco

Maren Morris performed “My Church” during her national television debut on Good Morning America on Monday (April 25).

With over 433,000 downloads and 13.4 million streams on Spotify, “My Church” is the lead single from Morris’ debut album, HERO, which will be released on June 3. Morris co-produced the album, which will be released by Columbia Nashville.

In addition, Morris will support Keith Urban’s RipCORD World Tour 2016 starting on June 2 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Charity News: The Listening Room Cafe, Neal McCoy, Clay Walker

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Songwriters Set Charity Concert At The Listening Room

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Pictured (L-R): Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley

ASCAP songwriters Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne and Ashley Gorley will perform at Nashville music venue The Listening Room on Thursday, May 5 as part of a charity concert for The Donnell family. Both the father and young son in the family were recently diagnosed with cancer.

The concert begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more, visit listeningroomcafe.com.

Neal McCoy To Headline Children’s Charity Concert

Neal McCoy

Neal McCoy

Neal McCoy will perform during the 26th annual William Shatner Priceline.com Hollywood Charity Horse Show, to be held June 4 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

Guests will be treated to an arena show and a world-class reining competition, followed by a western dinner catered by Stonefire Grill. The evening concludes with a performance by McCoy.

Proceeds from the event will benefit special-needs children’s charities across the city of Los Angeles including AHEAD With Horses, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Hollenbeck Police Activities League (PAL), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Painted Turtle and others.

Clay Walker Announces Seventh Annual Chords of Hope Concert

Clay Walker

Clay Walker

Clay Walker will host the seventh annual Chords of Hope Benefit Concert at 3rd & Lindsley during Nashville’s CMA Fest on Wednesday, June 8.

The concert, sponsored by TEVA and Pinnacle Financial Partners, will help raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS) research with proceeds going to the MS Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Walker’s charity, Band Against MS (BAMS).

Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are now available here.

 

Ryman Adds 98 Degrees, Melissa Etheridge, Kansas To Calendar

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Ryman Auditorium (medium)

The Ryman Auditorium has announced upcoming concerts from pop group 98 Degrees, Oscar-winning musician Melissa Etheridge and rock band Kansas.

Etheridge is scheduled to perform on July 17. She released the album This is M.E. in 2014. In addition to her catalog of hits, Etheridge will share personal stories about her life and the inspiration behind her songs.

98 Degrees will play on July 19. Known for hits like “Because of You” and “The Hardest Thing,” the R&B/pop group will be supported by O’Town (“All or Nothing”), Dream (“He Loves You Not”) and Ryan Cabrera (“On the Way Down”).

Kansas is booked for Oct. 8. One of the most popular bands of the 1970s, the group is famous for hits like “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind.” Kansas is expected to release a new album this fall.

Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday (April 29) at 10 a.m.

BMI Hosts Songwriter Retreat For 10 Belmont Students

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Pictured (L-R): standing: Jake Rogers, Daniel Ethridge, Meredith McNair, Colton Jones, Dani Brillhart, Hunter Leath and BMI’s Josh Tomlinson. Seated: Kayla Woodson, Emily Landis, Kasi Ashton and Caylan Hays. Photo: Amber J. Davis

Pictured (L-R, standing): Jake Rogers, Daniel Ethridge, Meredith McNair, Colton Jones, Dani Brillhart, Hunter Leath and BMI’s Josh Tomlinson. Seated: Kayla Woodson, Emily Landis, Kasi Ashton and Caylan Hays. Photo: Amber J. Davis

BMI hosted a three-day intensive songwriters retreat for 10 Belmont University students at the Sony/ATV Firehall.

Students of all grade levels joined for collaborations and writing groups at the retreat, which was held April 22-24. The students were able to record demos of their new tracks to send to publishers and management.

Songwriters Kayla Woodson and Daniel Ethridge discuss the details of their chorus in one of the three songs written in just one day of the Belmont writers retreat. The students took every opportunity they had to collaborate with their fellow writers. Photo: Amber J. Davis

Songwriters Kayla Woodson and Daniel Ethridge discuss the details of their chorus in one of the three songs written in just one day of the Belmont writers retreat. Photo: Amber J. Davis

Caylan Hays and Meredith McNair sing through a rough edit of one of their new songs. The pair spent the retreat meeting new songwriters, writing songs and recording demos. Photo: Amber J. Davis

Carlin Nashville Hosts Showcase During Nashville Film Festival

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Pictured (L-R, Middle/Front): Katrina Tsang, Carlin Nashville; Abbey Hickman, We Are Walker; Brian Naguit, CBS; Blaire Alise, Blaire Alise & The Bombshells; Anastasia Brown, Format Entertainment; Julia Michels, Format Entertainment; Jeff Gordon, Carlin Nashville; Kaylin Frank, Disney; Justine von Winterfeldt, Format Entertainment; Aaron Mercer, Wool & Tusk; Nick Maker, Energy BBDO; Toddrick Spalding, Mob Scene; (L-R Back): Gideon Klein, Blaire Alise & The Bombshells; Nick Keenan, Leo Burnett; Nick Swafford, Blaire Alise & The Bombshells; Jessie Key Blaire Alise & The Bombshells. Photo: Carlin Nashville

Pictured (L-R, Middle/Front): Katrina Tsang, Carlin Nashville; Abbey Hickman, We Are Walker; Brian Naguit, CBS; Blaire Alise, Blaire Alise & The Bombshells; Anastasia Brown, Format Entertainment; Julia Michels, Format Entertainment; Jeff Gordon, Carlin Nashville; Kaylin Frank, Disney; Justine von Winterfeldt, Format Entertainment; Aaron Mercer, Wool & Tusk; Nick Maker, Energy BBDO; Toddrick Spalding, Mob Scene; (L-R, Back): Gideon Klein, Blaire Alise & The Bombshells; Nick Keenan, Leo Burnett; Nick Swafford, Blaire Alise & The Bombshells; Jessie Key, Blaire Alise & The Bombshells. Photo: Carlin Nashville

Carlin Nashville hosted a private dinner and showcase for film, TV and ad executives during the Nashville Film Festival on Friday night (April 22).

Music supervisors were treated to brand new songs from Carlin Nashville songwriter and rock artist Blaire Alise & The Bombshells. The sponsored event featured an energetic, intimate performance followed by an outdoor dinner party at East Nashville’s Rumours East.

Blaire Alise & The Bombshells perform. Photo: Mary-Beth Blankenship

Blaire Alise & The Bombshells perform. Photo: Mary-Beth Blankenship

Carlin Nashville is the Nashville division of independent music publisher Carlin America. With offices in New York, London and Nashville, Carlin has one of the world’s largest catalogs of vintage and modern roots music. Notable catalogs include: King and Starday Records, AC/DC, James Brown, Billie Holiday, George Jones, Stanley Brothers, Stephen Sondheim and many more.

Kendall Lettow Joins MV2 Entertainment

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Kendall Lettow

Kendall Lettow

MV2 Entertainment has announced the hiring of Kendall Lettow as Creative Director. In the new role, she will pursue publishing, artist development, and TV/film placements for the company.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Lettow studied music business at MTSU and interned at Big Loud Shirt publishing company in 2011. She landed her first job at Kobalt Music as a creative assistant that same year, followed by career stops at Still Working Music and ThiS Music.

Songwriters on the MV2 roster are Jay Allen, Bart Allmand, Robert Arthur, David Fanning, Terry McBride, Mark and Cherie Oakley and Nora Collins.

“I am truly excited to have Kendall here at MV2. Her creative drive and passion for music make her a perfect fit for our team,” said MV2 Entertainment General Manager Tony Harrell.

Artist Updates: Rob Baird, Scott Brantley, Colt Ford

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BMI Hosts Rob Baird Listening Party

Pictured (L-R): Jon Freeman, journalist; Larry Murray, Foolish Kings Management; Rob Baird, artist; Bradley Collins, BMI; Jed Hilly, Americana Music Association. Photo credit: Steve Low

Pictured (L-R): Jon Freeman, journalist; Larry Murray, Foolish Kings Management; Rob Baird, artist; Bradley Collins, BMI; Jed Hilly, Americana Music Association. Photo credit: Steve Low

Rob Baird previewed his upcoming album, Wrong Side of the River, at a listening party at BMI on Thursday (April 21). The project will be released on May 13 via Hard Luck Recording Company.

 

CMA Welcomes Scott Brantley

Pictured (L-R): Mike Mouret, President, Studio Gold Nashville; Brandi Simms, Sr. Director of Membership, CMA; Scott Brantley

Pictured (L-R): Mike Mouret, President, Studio Gold Nashville; Brandi Simms, Sr. Director of Membership, CMA; Scott Brantley

New artist Scott Brantley stopped by CMA offices recently after signing up for membership. He is signed to Studio Gold Recordings and will release a new single, “How Summer Goes,” to country radio in May.

 

Colt Ford And Jack Nicklaus Meet At Concession Cup

Pictured (L-R): Jack Nicklaus, Colt Ford

Pictured (L-R): Jack Nicklaus, Colt Ford

Colt Ford, an Average Joes recording artist and former pro golfer, greeted World Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Nicklaus at The Concession Cup at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida. The event was held place April 19-23 on a course built by Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin.

The Concession Cup was created to celebrate amateur golf through the staging of a goodwill match-play competition. The event provides financial benefit to various worthy charities within the Bradenton/Tampa/St. Petersburg area.

The inaugural event in 2014 generated over $176,000 for Orphan’s Heart Foundation, The First Tee of Tampa Bay, The First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee and Nicklaus Children’s Heath Care Foundation.

Dolly Parton Reveals Dates For Pure & Simple Tour

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Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton has revealed the tour dates for the first leg of her upcoming Pure & Simple Tour, which will cross the United States this year. Stops for the first 14 dates of the tour will include performances in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, New York, and more.

Parton’s Pure & Simple Tour coincides with the summer release of her double-disc album Pure & Simple with Dolly’s Biggest Hits. The collection will include some of Parton’s most popular singles as well as a few new tracks.

Additional U.S. dates will be announced soon, including her first trek into Canada in more than two decades. For the last 20 years, Parton has only played select dates in the U.S., but her 2016 tour will cover numerous cities across North America.

Dolly Parton Pure & Simple Tour Dates
June 3: Greensboro, North Carolina; Greensboro Coliseum
June 4: Duluth, Georgia; Infinite Energy Center
June 7: Charleston, West Virginia; Charleston Civic Center
June 8: Vienna, Virginia, Wolf Trap
June 10: Northfield, Ohio; Hard Rock
June 11: Cincinnati, Ohio; Horseshoe Casino
June 12: Lewiston, New York; Artpark
June 15: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mann Center
June 17: Lenox, Massachussets; Tanglewood
June 18: Bangor, Maine; Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
June 22: Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania; Mohegan Sun Arena
June 25: Forest Hills, New York; Forest Hills Stadium
June 26: Holmdel, New Jersey; PNC Bank Arts Center
June 28: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Consol Energy Center

George Strait Opens Las Vegas Concert Series

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George Strait performs at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Essential Broadcast Media

George Strait performs at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Essential Broadcast Media

George Strait entertained 19,222 fans at Las Vegas’ new T-Mobile Arena this past weekend with songs from his catalog of No. 1 songs, including “All My Ex’s Live In Texas,” “Ocean Front Property,” and more.

“I’ve missed you guys and I’m looking forward to being here a few more nights this year,” Strait told the crowd.

Strait also honored the late Merle Haggard with a medley of Haggard hits, including “Mama Tried,” “Fightin’ Side Of Me,” and “My Life’s Been Grand.”

“We’ll never get to hear Merle play live again, but his music will live on forever,” Strait said.

Kacey Musgraves opened the show.

The show is the first of several Strait concerts at the T-Mobile Arena slated for 2016 and 2017, with additional sold-out shows set for Sept. 9-10, Dec. 2-3, and Feb. 17-18, 2017.

Weekly Register: Sturgill Simpson Steers To Top Of Country Albums

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sturgill-simpson-a-sailors-guide-to-earth-002

Sturgill Simpson‘s A Sailor’s Guide To Earth ranks No. 1 on the country albums rankings and No. 3 overall, selling 52.5K. It’s the Nashville musician’s first release with Atlantic Records.

Simpson is followed by Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller (29K), Joey + Rory‘s Hymns (13K), Thomas Rhett‘s Untangled (5.6K), and Sam Hunt‘s Montevallo (5.3K). Marie Osmond makes a Top 10 debut this week on the country album rankings with Music Is Medicine entering at No. 10 with 3.9K in sales.

Prince‘s music takes the two top spots on the overall album rankings, with The Very Best and Purple Rain ranking at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, with 179K and 69K units (album sales, song sales and streaming figures combined). Santana‘s Santana IV debuts at No. 5 on the overall chart, with 42K units. Nashville’s Thirty Tigers/Sony Red is distributing the project. Thirty Tigers/Sony Red was also behind Simpson’s previous release Metamodern Sounds In Country Music.

Overall album sales YTD have decreased 16.5 percent, while country album sales have declined 4.8 percent. Overall digital album sales have shrunk 23.5 percent, while country digital album sales have declined by 13.7 percent.

Tim McGraw Humble and Kind

Tim McGraw continues to top the tracks rankings with “Humble and Kind” (40K), followed by Dierks Bentley‘s “Somewhere On A Beach” (33K), Maren Morris‘ “My Church” (25.5K), Thomas Rhett‘s “T-Shirt” (25K), and Chris Young (featuring Cassadee Pope)’s “Think Of You” (25K). The Voice contestant Adam Wakefield makes this week’s highest country debut, with “Soulshine” ranking at No. 12 on the country rankings and No. 42 on the overall rankings (18.5K).

Lukas Graham‘s “7 Years” returns to the No. 1 spot on the overall digital tracks rankings this week.

Track sales have decreased 25.1 percent YTD, while country track sales have decreased 20.2 percent.

Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.