Garth Brooks To Launch SiriusXM Channel With Ryman Show

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks will hold an invitation-only concert at the Ryman Auditorium as part of the launch of The Garth Channel on SiriusXM. The concert, which will be his first-ever full show at the Ryman, will air live on Thursday, Sept. 8 on SiriusXM’s The Garth Channel (channel 55), and via SiriusXM’s app and online at siriusxm.com.

“Just the thought of playing the Ryman is crazy. The fact that SiriusXM is going to capture the evening makes it even a bigger event for me,” said Brooks.

“It will be a special moment for Garth at the Ryman, and we are excited to present this one-of-a-kind performance to our national listening audience. As Garth is showing on his current tour, he holds nothing back, and for him to play the Mother Church of Country Music will be a treasured moment for his many fans,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM.

The Garth Channel, the new, exclusive channel, which marks the first time Brooks’ music will be available 24/7 in one place, on radio or online, will be curated and presented by Brooks. The channel will feature music from America’s best-selling solo artist of all time, spanning four decades, along with songs from the artists that influenced his iconic career as well as his hand-picked favorites by contemporary performers he admires.

SiriusXM’s The Garth Channel will also include regularly hosted shows and behind-the-scenes commentary from Brooks, guest DJ specials hosted by his fans and friends, live concert recordings and other rarities from Brooks’ treasured archives. SiriusXM subscribers who have had an account since July 11 will have the opportunity to enter to win tickets to the concert through SiriusXM.

CMT Renews Billy Ray Cyrus Series, ‘Still The King’

Pictured (L-R): Joey Lauren Adams, Madison Iseman and Billy Ray Cyrus in CMT's 'Still the King'

Pictured (L-R): Joey Lauren Adams, Madison Iseman, Billy Ray Cyrus in CMT’s Still the King

CMT has announced a second season, 13-episode renewal of Still The King, starring Billy Ray Cyrus, Joey Lauren Adams and Madison Iseman.

The one-hour season finale airs Sunday, Aug. 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Season 2 will begin production this fall and is slated to premiere next year.

The premiere of Still The King on June 8 marked CMT’s highest rated original series premiere to date grossing more than 4.7 million total viewers (L+3) for a 1.03 rating A18-49 rating across a 3 network simulcast (CMT, TV Land, Nick@Nite). The series is currently reaching nearly 4.5 million viewers each week.

“Working on the series has been a career highlight,” said Cyrus, who is also executive producer. “Thanks to the fans for embracing these crazy characters and all of their beautiful flaws. We’re going to take this mess to a whole new level next season.”

“The success of Still The King is a wonderful start for our move into scripted programming,” said Jayson Dinsmore, EVP of development for CMT. “Both charming and irreverent, this series is like nothing else on television and we can’t wait to continue the journey.”

Tickets Available For SOURCE Hall Of Fame Induction

Pictured: Front Row (L-R): Diane Cash, Tammy Brown. Back Row (L-R): Callie Khouri, Nancy Jones, Alison Booth Photo: Denise Fussell

Pictured: Front Row (L-R): Diane Cash, Tammy Brown. Back Row (L-R): Callie Khouri, Nancy Jones, Alison Booth. Photo: Denise Fussell

A limited number of seats remain for the SOURCE Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Aug. 23.

This year’s SOURCE Awards will also be marking the organization’s 25th Year Anniversary celebration and will be held at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at the Historic Municipal Auditorium.

Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. followed by a sit-down dinner beginning promptly at 7 p.m. The presentation will be hosted by Brenda Lee and Jeannie Seely.

Tickets are $85.

As previously announced, this year’s inductees are: Alison Booth, MTM Music Group, RCA Records, Sony Music Nashville; Tammy Brown, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Sony Music, olé Songs; Diane Cash, WLAC Radio, MCA Records, John Conlee Enterprises; Nancy Jones, George Jones Management, George Jones Museum; Callie Khouri, Creator/Executive Producer of Nashville; and Gail Pollock (posthumously), Monument Studios, We Make Tapes.

Founded in 1991, SOURCE is a nonprofit organization supporting women executives and professionals who work in all facets of the Nashville music industry. In 2003, the annual SOURCE Awards were established to pay respect to and honor the women who helped develop and build upon the foundation of the music industry in Nashville. SOURCE also pays tribute to women who presently make major contributions with their work in the industry.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Sheryl Crow Slated For Inaugural Outlaw Music Festival

Willie Nelson Sheryl Crow Outlaw Festival

Pictured (L-R): Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Promise of the Real, Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Lee Ann Womack, and Brothers Osborne are set to perform at the inaugural Outlaw Music Festival, slated for Sunday, Sept. 18 at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Nelson will be backed by his Family Band, while Young will be backed by Promise of the Real, which includes Nelson’s sons, Lukas and Micah Nelson.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Geoff Gordon and the entire Live Nation team to bring this incredible musical experience to fans in Scranton and its surrounding communities,” says Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird Presents.

General public ticket sales begin Friday (July 29) at 10 a.m. CT via ticketmaster.com, by phone 800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets, and The Montage Mountain Box Office. VIP packages will include upgraded seats, premier parking pass, VIP club access, and exclusive festival merchandise.

The Earls Of Leicester Honor Flatt & Scruggs At CMHoF Concert

Pictured (L-R): The Earls of Leicester's Jerry Douglas; Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Peter Cooper and Abi Tapia; The Earls of Leicester's Charlie Cushman, Shawn Camp, Jeff White, Barry Bales and Johnny Warren; and McLachlan Management's Andrew Stokes at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum

Pictured (L-R): The Earls of Leicester’s Jerry Douglas; Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Peter Cooper and Abi Tapia; The Earls of Leicester’s Charlie Cushman, Shawn Camp, Jeff White, Barry Bales and Johnny Warren; McLachlan Management’s Andrew Stokes. Photo:  Jason Davis/Getty Images for Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum

On Friday, July 22, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, along with The Earls of Leicester, honored the legacy of Country Music Hall of Fame members Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs with a performance in the CMA Theater.

The concert was presented in support of the museum’s permanent exhibit The Precious Jewel, which currently houses Earl Scruggs’ Gibson RB-Granada Mastertone banjo and Lester Flatt’s Martin D-28 guitar.

The Grammy-winning band features Jerry Douglas on Dobro, Shawn Camp on guitar and lead vocals, Charlie Cushman on banjo and guitars, Jeff White on vocals and mandolin, Johnny Warren on fiddle and Barry Bales on vocals and bass. They released the album Rattle & Roar on Rounder Records on July 15.

Willie Nelson Teams With The Time Jumpers For Ray Price Tribute Album

album-cover-0466e0f1-6590-4408-a3d5-b419e9f937d5

Willie Nelson will pay tribute to the late singer Ray Price, with the new project For The Good Times: A Tribute To Ray Price. The album is set for release on Legacy Recordings on Friday, Sept. 16.

Nelson teamed with producer Fred Foster and conductor/arranger Bergen White, who had worked together to finish Price’s final album Beauty Is… at Nashville’s Ocean Way Studios. Nelson also teamed with The Time Jumpers on six of the album’s tracks, including “Invitation To The Blues,” “Heartaches By The Numbers,” “Crazy Arms,” “City Lights,” “I’ll Be There” and “Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me.”

The Time Jumpers includes Vince Gill (electric and acoustic guitar, harmony vocals), Andy Reiss (electric guitar), Larry Franklin (fiddle), Joe Spivey (fiddle), Kenny Sears (fiddle), Brad Albin (bass), Billy Thomas (drums), Jeff Taylor (piano and accordion), Paul Franklin (pedal steel) and Willie’s Family Band harmonica player Mickey Raphael.

Nelson’s musical relationship with Price began in 1960, when Nelson was an aspiring artist and songwriter. After Nelson made the move to Nashville, his song “Night Life” was used as Ray Price’s theme music to open his concerts. Nelson continued to work with Price on projects including San Antonio Rose (1980), Run That by Me One More Time (2003) and Last of the Breed (2007), a trio album with Merle Haggard. Ray Price made an appearance, singing “Cold War with You,” on Willie’s 2012 Legacy album Heroes.

For The Good Times: A Tribute To Ray Price track listing:

1. “Heartaches By The Number” (featuring The Time Jumpers)
2. “I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)” (featuring The Time Jumpers)
3. “Faded Love”
4. “It Always Will Be”
5. “City Lights” (featuring The Time Jumpers)
6. “Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me” (featuring The Time Jumpers)
7. “Make The World Go Away”
8. “I’m Still Not Over You”
9. “Night Life”
10. “Crazy Arms” (featuring The Time Jumpers)
11. “Invitation To The Blues” (featuring The Time Jumpers)
12. “For The Good Times”

Buckle Up Country Music Festival Near Cincinnati Cancelled

Buckle Up Festival Logo

With less than two weeks until it was set to open, Buckle Up Festival near Cincinnati, Ohio, has been cancelled.

The two-day festival was slated for Aug. 5-6 at Summit Park in Blue Ash, Ohio. Headliners for the event included Brad Paisley, Randy Houser, and Chase Rice.

Also set to perform were Maddie & Tae, Tyler Farr, Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots, Brooke Eden, Corey Smith, Mo Pitney, Maggie Rose, Jessie James Decker and more.

The cancellation announcement was made on the festival’s official website:

Due to circumstances beyond our control, PromoWest Productions is regretfully announcing the cancellation of the 2016 Buckle Up Country Music Festival set to take place in Blue Ash, Ohio August 5 & 6. All tickets purchased will be automatically refunded via Ticketmaster.

Artist Updates: Chris Janson, Trent Harmon, Brice Long

Chris Janson Donates Funds To Benefit Those Affected By West Virginia Floods

Chris Janson. Photo: WMN

During Chris Janson‘s performance at the Peck Fest in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, he announced from stage that every dollar raised at the merch table would stay in West Virginia to help those affected by flooding that hit the region less than a month ago. “It’s the right thing to do,” said Janson. “I’ve played many nights here in West Virginia and the people have always treated me and my family so nice. It’s like a second home to me.”

 

Trent Harmon Contributes Song To Ice Age: Collision Course Soundtrack

Photo: Big Machine Records

Photo: Big Machine Records

Trent Harmon, winner of American Idol‘s final season, has contributed a rendition of the 1975 classic “Dream Weaver” to the digital version of the soundtrack to Ice Age: Collision Course. Harmon worked with producer Ross Copperman on the track.

Harmon recently released his debut single, “There’s A Girl,” to country radio, and is working on his upcoming Big Machine Records debut.

 

11th Annual Brice Long and Friends Back To Back Foundation Concert Raises $61K

Brice Long. Photo: Brice Long/Facebook

Brice Long. Photo: Brice Long/Facebook

The eleventh annual Brice Long and Friends Back to Back Foundation Benefit Concert was held Saturday in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and raised over $61,800.

The show featured music from Nashville songwriters Lee Thomas Miller, Clint Daniels, and Marla Cannon-Goodman, as well as a full band concert featuring Brice Long. His set included his hit singles as a songwriter, including “Nothing On But The Radio,” “Like a Cowboy,” “Anything Goes” and more.

Back to Back aids local families in need during the holiday season but also helps throughout the year with other local charities. Brice formed The Back to Back Foundation in 2005 with the intent to give back to the community that has supported him throughout his career. Since its inception Back to Back Inc. has raised over $380,000 and helped over 200 families.

Industry Ink: CMA Opens New Office, Opry Entertainment Staffs Up, #RoadToAmericanaFest

CMA Open For Business At New Location

CMA staff members on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 begin moving to new Music Row offices at 35 Music Square East, Suite 201, in Nashville. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA

CMA staff members on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 begin moving to new Music Row offices at 35 Music Square East, Suite 201, in Nashville. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA

The Country Music Association began operating from its new Music Row headquarters at 35 Music SQ. E. on Monday (July 25).

CMA had occupied its former building at One Music Circle South since 1991, when there were only 15 full time staff members, one annual television program, and Fan Fair was held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. CMA is now home to 49 staff members; three ABC television properties; the annual CMA Music Festival, which brings 88,500 fans to downtown Nashville; CMA Songwriters Series, showcasing the best of country music’s hit songwriters; and the CMA Foundation, which has donated $13.68 million to improving and sustaining music education programs across the U.S.

Phone and fax numbers remain, and the new mailing address is 35 Music Sq. E., Ste. 201, Nashville, TN 37203.

 

Opry Entertainment Adds Writer/Producers, Videographer

Opry EntertainmentOpry Entertainment has added Ben Stansbury and Jill Wilderman as writer/producers, and Caleb Thomas as videographer.

Stansbury has a decade of digital, TV, commercial and music video production experience and has produced music videos for Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line and Charles Kelley.

Wilderman has spent the last decade in Los Angeles in TV and digital content development, most recently as the founder, producer and host of online country music news and content destination Spotlight Country. There she produced and hosted an exclusive country music news program for the VEVO digital music video platform.

In his eight years in video production and photography, Thomas has worked in production on the television series Nashville as well as numerous music videos and on tour content projects for Nashville’s top labels and artists.

Stansbury can be reached at bstansbury@opry.com; Wilderman at jwilderman@opry.com, and Thomas at cthomas@opry.com.

 

Americana Music Association Launches #RoadToAmericanaFest

Road To AmericanaFestThe Americana Music Association is gearing up for its 17th annual Festival and Conference, slated for Sept. 20-25 in Nashville, with an interactive campaign, #roadtoamericanafest. The campaign will engage artists, independent radio, retail, and more to promote AmericanaFest through their social channels.

The campaign will run through September with initial support coming from artists including Bonnie Raitt, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, and Wynonna & The Big Noise in the U.S., Shane Nicholson in Australia, and My Bubba from Iceland/Sweden.

A #roadtoamericanafest contest has also been launched, with the grand prize including a flyaway experience to attend the Americana Music Festival as well as the Americana Honors & Awards on Sept. 21 in Nashville. For more details, go to visitmusiccity.com.

Sony Music Nashville Learns Label History At CMHoF

Sony Music Nashville staff at the Country Music Hall of Fame with Museum Editor Peter Cooper. Photo: Alan Poizner

Sony Music Nashville staff at the Country Music Hall of Fame with Museum Editor Peter Cooper. Photo: Alan Poizner

Sony Music Nashville staff visited the Country Music Hall of Fame on Wednesday (July 20) to learn about the history of the three labels that now comprise present-day Sony Music Nashville.

The presentation was lead by Museum Editor Peter Cooper, who traced the history of Arista, Columbia and RCA Nashville for the group, including promo teams for each of the three labels. He also discussed the artist breakthroughs of the past 12 months.

The event took place nearly a year to the day after Randy Goodman, then the newly-announced Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Nashville, surprised the staff by bussing everyone to the Hall of Fame for a gathering to discuss creating a new Sony Music Nashville storyline.

In addition to Cooper’s presentation, the staff was treated to a dinner and drinks in the Hall of Fame rotunda.