June 2016 - Page 17 of 25

Photos: Chris Janson, The Last Bandoleros, WMN’s CMT After-Party, Craig Campbell, Decca UK

June 10, 2016/by Eric T. Parker

Chris Janson Hosts Fan Party During CMA Fest

Pictured (L-R): Chris Janson, John Esposito.

Chris Janson and Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO, John Esposito, posed backstage at Janson’s exclusive fan party hosted at The Warner Sound presented by Cherokee USA yesterday (June 9). Esposito and WMN staff also met up with one of the label group’s newest signings, The Last Bandoleros.

Pictured (L-R): Scott Hendricks, EVP, A&R; Lisa Ray, VP, Brand Management; Kevin Herring, SVP, Promotion; Tom Martens, Director, National Promotion; Chris Palmer, VP, Promotion; Jerry Fuentes, The Last Bandoleros; Martin Kierszenbaum, Cherrytree Music; Peter Strickland, EVP/GM, WMN; Derek James, The Last Bandoleros; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Diego Navaira, The Last Bandoleros

Warner Music Nashville After-Party for CMT Music Awards

Meanwhile for the label group, The Last Bandoleros made their CMA Music Fest debut outside of Hard Rock Café.

Lance Roberts (United Talent Agency), Curtis Rempel (High Valley), Ryan Kinder, Brad Rempel (High Valley), RaeLynn, Scott Hendricks (EVP A&R), Peter Strickland (EVP/GM), Nick Meinema (United Talent Agency)

Pictured (L-R): Lance Roberts, United Talent Agency; Curtis Rempel, High Valley; Ryan Kinder; Brad Rempel, High Valley; RaeLynn; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R; Peter Strickland, EVP/GM); Nick Meinema, United Talent Agency

After the CMT Music Awards on Wednesday (June 8), Warner Music Nashville celebrated with friends, fans and industry members with performances from its roster of talent, including High Valley, RaeLynn and Ryan Kinder.

Craig Campbell Raises $35,000 At Celebrity Cornhole Challenge

Pictured (L-R): Jerrod Niemann and Craig Campbell. Photo: XPRESSIVE IMAGES BY JAMIE

REDBOW Records artist Craig Campbell raised $35,000 for colorectal cancer during his 4th annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge during CMA Fest on Tuesday (June 7). In honor of his father who lost his battle with the disease at age 36, Campbell was joined by Blackjack Billy, Brett Kissel, Canaan Smith, Jerrod Niemann, Kristian Bush, Lauren Alaina, Mary Sarah, Matt Stillwell, Michael Ray, Thompson Square, Trailer Choir and wife Mindy in the tournament. Smith and Campbell duked it out, with Campbell being crowned the winner for 2016.

Decca UK Showcases Artists At Nashville’s Basement East

Pictured (back L-R) are: Trevor Davis, Austin Smith, Jake Thrasher, Jacob Bryant and John Davidson of the band John and Jacob. (Front L-R) Iain Snodgrass, 1634 Music International; Danny Roberts, Decca UK; artist Kandace Springs and Aisling Noonan and Rebecca Allen, Decca UK. Photo: Eric Adkins

Pictured (back L-R): Trevor Davis, Austin Smith, Jake Thrasher, Jacob Bryant and John Davidson of the band John and Jacob. (Front L-R) Iain Snodgrass, 1634 Music International; Danny Roberts, Decca UK; artist Kandace Springs and Aisling Noonan and Rebecca Allen, Decca UK. Photo: Eric Adkins

Decca UK showcased its artists at Basement East in Nashville on Tuesday night (June 7) as part of Whiskey Jam. The event highlighted artists from both the US and UK, representing a variety of musical styles.

‘Nashville’ Confirmed For Fifth Season On CMT And Hulu

June 10, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

CMT, Hulu, Lionsgate and ABC Studios have confirmed a fifth season of Nashville.

Longtime SVOD partner Hulu will make all Nashville episodes available to stream the day after they air on CMT.

A spokesperson for CMT stated that the agreement calls for 22 episodes. Returning cast members have not yet been announced.

The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios, and Opry Entertainment. Production will commence in Nashville with Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz (the creators of Thirtysomething) at the helm.

The deal, negotiated by Lionsgate Television Group President Sandra Stern on behalf of Lionsgate and ABC Studios, Sarah Levy of Viacom Kids and Family Group on behalf of CMT, and Hulu executives, is an orchestrated initiative to ensure that Nashville fans will continue to have the same level of access to their favorite show.

“CMT heard the fans. The wave of love and appreciation they have unleashed for Nashville has been overwhelming,” said Brian Philips, President of CMT. “Nashville is a perfect addition to our evolving line-up of big music specials, documentaries, and original series. We see our fans and ourselves in this show and we will treasure it like no other network. Nashville belongs on CMT.”

“Nashville has long been a fan favorite show on Hulu and we are so proud to continue to make new episodes available for fans to stream the day after they air,” said Craig Erwich, SVP and Head of Content, Hulu. “We look forward to bringing even more episodes of this acclaimed series to its passionate and devoted audience.”

“CMT and Hulu are the perfect combination for our iconic and beloved series Nashville and we want to thank the incredible fans for their unwavering support—#Nashies, you helped make this possible,” said Kevin Beggs, Chairman of the Lionsgate Television Group. “We also want to extend our appreciation to the State of Tennessee, City of Nashville, and Ryman Hospitality for their unending support. They have been a key ingredient to the continued success of this show and we’re thrilled to extend our partnership for a fifth season.”

“We always had faith that we would find a way to bring Nashville back to its devoted fans, and we’re very proud to be in partnership with CMT and Hulu to extend the life of this series,” said Patrick Moran, Executive Vice President, ABC Studios.

The fourth season of Nashville attracted more than 8 million weekly viewers across all platforms and ranks as one of television’s most DVR’d series. The series is particularly strong with women 18-34. Out of more than 180 broadcast dramas since fall 2012, Nashville ranks in the top 20.

The series airs in 82 international markets on six continents. Since its debut, the show has inspired 10 soundtracks, including a Christmas album, which have collectively sold more than one million album units and over 5 million single-track downloads to date. It has also been nominated for multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: CMA Music Festival, Day 1

June 10, 2016/by Bobby Karl

Jake Owen at CMA Music Fest Riverfront. Photo: Jake Owen/Twitter

Chapter 532

I love this week.

No, I do not have sunstroke. And, no, country music hasn’t finally driven me insane. Unlike some in the industry, I genuinely love the people of the CMA Music Festival. The fans now come in all ages, sizes, shapes and colors. What unites them is camaraderie.

As I plunged into the crowds on Thursday (June 9), I felt like I was bathing in goodwill. I met people from France, Australia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Alabama, Wisconsin and elsewhere. They were bonded together by their love of our music.

I usually just make a complete circuit of all the sites and stages of the fest daily, grabbing impressions from whatever I see along the heated pavements. This year, I decided to try a targeted approach. I highlighted the acts I really wanted to see and directed my steps accordingly.

Chris Janson performs at CMA Music Festival’s Riverfront Stage. Photo: Chris Janson/Instagram

In order of appearance, those artists were Brothers Osborne at Riverfront, The Last Bandoleros at the Hard Rock, Shenandoah on the Durango Stage, Hailey Whitters at the Music City Stage, Chris Janson at Riverfront, Dailey & Vincent at Ascend Amphitheater and Maren Morris at Riverfront. What I hadn’t allowed for was the amount of time it takes to get from stage to stage. So I didn’t catch everybody exactly on time.

Jake Owen kicked things off at Riverfront by arriving by boat. Which was way cool. Up in the Fan Fair X exhibit hall in the Music City Center, Shane Owens was getting the lay of the land in advance of his Durango Stage performance. Marie Osmond, Cassadee Pope, The Swon Brothers, Jericho Woods and Ashton Shepherd were autographing while Bill Cody was interviewing Charlie Daniels on the CMA Close-Up Stage.

Maren Morris performs at CMA Music Festival’s Riverfront Stage. Photo: Maren Morris/Instagram

Besides the fabulous Ascend Amphitheater, there’s another new stage this year. I found it in the visitor center in the base of the “needle” of the Bridgestone Arena. It’s small, but perfect for singer-songwriters.

“My name is Hailey Whitters, and I’m happy to be here at CMA Fest,” said the performer. “Like everybody else here, I’m writing songs.” She had a capacity crowd of roughly 100. “Thank y’all for coming out and spending time with us.”

Wandering further downtown I passed by Tucker Beathard rocking the Chevy Cruise Stage, then found another new music spot, the Honky-Tonk Alley, just off Broadway. David Nail was soulfully wailing there. The Hard Rock rocked with Cale Dodds and Jacob Davis.

Tearin’ it up at the Ascend were Dailey & Vincent. There, some 200 bluegrass lovers caught some welcome shade in the first 10 rows of seats. Chris Janson concluded a barn-burning set at Riverfront by thanking even the people in the boats on the Cumberland behind the stage.

David Nail greets fans during a signing time at Fan Fair X at CMA Music Fest. Photo: David Nail/Instagram

David Nail greets a fan during a signing time at Fan Fair X at CMA Music Fest. Photo: David Nail/Instagram

As always, the Riverfront audience was packed with young sun worshippers. Maren Morris, whose album dropped last Friday, displayed confident stage presence. And even though most of her songs were probably unfamiliar to the fans, they grooved with her all the way. Beaming in the wings was Sony boss Randy Goodman. Maren was his first signing, and she seems to be working out. Big time.

Among the other fabulons I greeted at various locations on the “campus” were Patrick Clifford, Steve Popovich Jr., Mike Sirls, Dale Bobo, T.K. Kimbrell, singer-actor Lindsey Haun, Tom Luteran, Joe Galante, Kerry O’Neil and Hunter Kelly.

On Broadway, music was pouring out of every honky-tonk. The souvenir shops were jammed. Street buskers were everywhere. Strollers, bicycles, wheelchairs, walkers and Segways jockeyed for position. On the last named were the more than 100 medical personnel circulating to tend to emergencies.

The sky was blue. The sun was shining. Tens of thousands were having the times of their lives. Even the traffic cops were mellow. It was a beautiful day.

CMT, Cole Swindell Partner For Fall Tour

June 10, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Cole Swindell has partnered with CMT for his third annual Down Home Tour.

Billed as Cole Swindell’s Down Home Tour Presented by CMT on Tour, the series of shows will begin late this fall. They will coincide with the release of his Down Home Sessions III EP.

This sponsorship marks the 15th annual tour for CMT. The tour is produced by Live Nation.

Swindell announced the partnership during the CMT Music Awards on Wednesday. He released his latest album, You Should Be Here, on Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville in May.

Swindell’s hits include “You Should Be Here,” “Let Me See Ya Girl,” “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey,” “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight” and “Chillin’ It.” His latest single is “Middle of a Memory.”

SunTrust, Warner/Chappell Offer Free Music At Hot Dog Day

June 10, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

SunTrust staffers during 18th annual Hot Dog Day

Pictured (L-R): VP/Client Advisor, SunTrust Sports & Entertainment Group, Bryan Bolton, SunTrust Sports & Entertainment Group Head Jeff Dunn, MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson

The 18th Annual SunTrust Hot Dog Day, co-hosted by Warner/Chappell Music Publishing and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, took place on Thursday (June 9) at the SunTrust Music Row location.

The free event featured entertainment provided by Warner/Chappell Music Publishing, including writers Phil Barton, Calynn Green, Mark Trussell, Josh Mirenda, Caroline Watkins, Aaron Raitiere, Taylor Davis and Dave Pittenger.

SunTrust Music Row is located at 1026 17th Ave. S.

18th Annual SunTrust Hot Dog Day

Weekly Chart Report (6/10/16)

June 10, 2016/by Troy_Stephenson

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

In Pictures: NASH Country Concert With Kelsea Ballerini, Jon Pardi, Levi Hummon, Special Guests

June 10, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Aisha Shehu Kaikai

Kelsea Ballerini, Jon Pardi and Levi Hummon helped raise funds for Musicians on Call at NASH Country’s CMA Fest Kickoff Party on Tuesday night (June 7) at Cannery Ballroom in Nashville. Hunter Hayes and Hillary Scott made special appearances during Ballerini’s set. Musicians on Call is a non-profit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.

Jon Pardi. Photo: Aisha Shehu Kaikai

Levi Hummon. Photo: Aisha Shehu Kaikai

Hunter Hayes and Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Aisha Shehu Kaikai

Kelsea Ballerini and Hillary Scott. Photo: Aisha Shehu Kaikai

2016 CMT Music Awards Ratings Up 21 Percent

June 9, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

The 2016 CMT Music Awards brought in 3.3 million viewers (live plus same day) on Wednesday night (June 8). Ratings were up 21 percent from 2015. The show was simulcast across three Viacom networks (CMT, TV Land and Nick@Nite) and received a gross rating in its target demo of 1.36.

The awards also lit up social media with #CMTawards trending worldwide for 5 hours to rank as the top-rated Series/Special on Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings for the day.

Hosted by Erin Andrews and J.J. Watt, the star-studded evening included mash-ups from Little Big Town and Pharrell Williams, Blake Shelton and The Oak Ridge Boys, and Cam and Fifth Harmony.

Winners included Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town, and Thomas Rhett.

Rounder Records Preps Jack Ingram, Mark O’Connor Albums

June 9, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Singer-songwriter Jack Ingram and accomplished fiddle player Mark O’Connor will issue new albums in August on Rounder Records.

Ingram’s new project, Midnight Motel, is now scheduled for an Aug. 26 release. (It was initially scheduled for June 24.) The first single, “I’m Drinking Through It,” is available for purchase now.

Ingram is scheduled for two Nashville shows this weekend. He will perform a Songwriter Session at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday (June 11) at 3:30 p.m. An autograph signing will take place immediately following the performance. On Sunday, Ingram and his band will perform at the CMA Music Festival at 11:50 a.m. on the Chevrolet Cruze Park Stage, located at The Park between the Hilton and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

In addition, The O’Connor Band, the family band led by acclaimed musician and composer Mark O’Connor, will release their debut album, Coming Home, on August 5 on Rounder. O’Connor is a six-time CMA Award winner for Musician of the Year (1991-1996).

In the O’Connor Band, he is joined by his wife Maggie (fiddle, vocals), his son Forrest (mandolin, vocals), and Forrest’s partner, Kate Lee (fiddle, vocals), all of whom are highly regarded young musicians. The lineup is rounded out by national flatpick guitar champion Joe Smart on guitar, and University of Miami PhD candidate Geoff Saunders on bass and banjo.

According to press materials, the new project is “centered on uplifting, smart, and exploratory original vocal songs.” New material draws largely upon the writing style of the top country writers of the ’80s and ’90s. The album also includes a rendition of the Bill Monroe instrumental “Jerusalem Ridge.”

In Pictures: Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Clay Walker, Joe Nichols, Craig Campbell, Maren Morris

June 9, 2016/by Eric T. Parker

UMG Nashville Supports Darius Rucker’s Seventh Annual Benefit Concert

Pictured (L-R): Kelli Porter, Doug Phillips, Brian Wright, Michelle Hall, Rob Femia, Jeremy Bradford, Kim Gilbert, Darius Ruck, Mike Harris, Mike Dungan, Lori Christian, Cindy Mabe, Dawn Gates, Amanda Good, Bryan Chisolm, Leigh Parr. Photo: Randi Radcliff

Pictured (L-R): Kelli Porter, Doug Phillips, Brian Wright, Michelle Hall, Rob Femia, Jeremy Bradford, Kim Gilbert, Darius Rucker, Mike Harris, Mike Dungan, Lori Christian, Cindy Mabe, Dawn Gates, Amanda Good, Bryan Chisholm, Leigh Parr. Photo: Randi Radcliff

Universal Music Group executives and staff joined Capitol Nashville artist Darius Rucker at the Wildhorse Saloon on Monday (June 6) in Nashville for his seventh annual Darius and Friends benefit concert for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, sponsored by A.O. Smith.

Radio Execs and WMN Enjoy Blake Shelton Exhibit Preview

Pictured (L-R): John Shomby, Cumulus; RJ Curtis, All Access; Mike Hammond; Rod Phillips, iHeart; Joel Raab; Patrick Thomas, Silverfish Media; Kimsey Kerr, WSIX; Charlie Cook, Cumulus; Kristen Williams, WMN; Blake Shelton; Kurt Johnson, Townsquare; Robin Rhodes, Premiere; Rosemary Young, Premiere; Kevin Herring, WMN; Coyote Calhoun

Radio executives and WMN staff celebrated the opening of Blake Shelton’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exhibition, titled Blake Shelton: Based On A True Story. The exhibit opened May 27 before a June 6 industry welcoming with the star.

Clay Walker Celebrates 7th Annual MS Benefit

Pictured (L-R): Tige (The Big 98 WSIX), Joe Nichols, Clay Walker and Daniel (The Big 98 WSIX).

Pictured (L-R): Tige, The Big 98 WSIX; Joe Nichols; Clay Walker; Daniel, The Big 98 WSIX

Clay Walker celebrated a sold-out benefit show with special guests Joe Nichols, Craig Campbell and radio hosts Tige and Daniel on Wednesday (June 8) at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley for his 7th Annual Chords of Hope MS benefit concert.

Pictured (L-R): Craig Campbell and Clay Walker

Maren Morris Makes Media Rounds After Album Release

Maren Morris. Photo: Andrew Lipovsky-NBC

Maren Morris on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Photo: Andrew Lipovsky-NBC

Columbia Nashville newcomer Maren Morris made media rounds in promotion of her June 3 album release, titled Hero. The breakout star performed her Top 10 song “My Church” on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in addition to a web exclusive talking about the first concert she attended.

Maren-Morris-performs-80s-Mercedes-on-The-Today-Show_6-7-16_Courtesy-of-NBC

Maren Morris on the TODAY show. Photo: Courtesy of NBC

Morris also sang on NBC’s Today show, revealing her popular title “80s Mercedes.” In addition, the singer made a special appearance with of Montreal’s guitarist Bennet Lewis on Sprout’s Sunny Side Up, the only live morning show for preschoolers. She performed the children’s songs “Wheels on the Bus,” and “Row Row Row Your Boat” with Chica the chicken.

Pictured (L-R): Maren Morris, Chica, Bennet Lewis. Photo: Courtesy of Sprout

Photos: Chris Janson, The Last Bandoleros, WMN’s CMT After-Party, Craig Campbell, Decca UK

Chris Janson Hosts Fan Party During CMA Fest

Warner Music Nashville After-Party for CMT Music Awards

Craig Campbell Raises $35,000 At Celebrity Cornhole Challenge

Decca UK Showcases Artists At Nashville’s Basement East

‘Nashville’ Confirmed For Fifth Season On CMT And Hulu

Bobby Karl Works The Room: CMA Music Festival, Day 1

CMT, Cole Swindell Partner For Fall Tour

SunTrust, Warner/Chappell Offer Free Music At Hot Dog Day

Weekly Chart Report (6/10/16)

In Pictures: NASH Country Concert With Kelsea Ballerini, Jon Pardi, Levi Hummon, Special Guests

2016 CMT Music Awards Ratings Up 21 Percent

Rounder Records Preps Jack Ingram, Mark O’Connor Albums

In Pictures: Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Clay Walker, Joe Nichols, Craig Campbell, Maren Morris

UMG Nashville Supports Darius Rucker’s Seventh Annual Benefit Concert

Radio Execs and WMN Enjoy Blake Shelton Exhibit Preview

Clay Walker Celebrates 7th Annual MS Benefit

Maren Morris Makes Media Rounds After Album Release

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