In Pictures: Dan + Shay, Chris Lane, Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs

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Dan + Shay Deliver New Single On Jimmy Kimmel Live! Debut

Pictured (L-R): Dan Smyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Shay Mooney

Pictured (L-R): Dan Smyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Shay Mooney

Dan + Shay performed their new single “How Not To” on their Jimmy Kimmel Live! debut Wednesday (Sept. 28). The radio single is the second from the Warner Music Nashville duo’s sophomore album Obsessed.

 

Chris Lane Performs No. 1 Single On Seth Meyers

Big Loud Records artist Chris Lane made his national TV debut on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers Wednesday (Sept. 28). Lane peformed his first chart-topping hit “Fix.”

Lane’s second single, “For Her,” off his debut album, Girl Problems, offers a real-life proposal music video which has since garnered over 124,000 views in nearly two weeks.

 

Kellie Pickler And Kyle Jacobs Honored By Department Of Defense

Pictured (L-R): Robert O. Work, Deputy Secretary of Defense; Kellie Pickler; Kyle Jacobs; Vice Admiral Frank. F. Pandolfe; Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mr. Michael Rhodes; Director of Administration, Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer. Photo: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tim D. Godbee

Pictured (L-R): Robert O. Work, Deputy Secretary of Defense; Kellie Pickler; Kyle Jacobs; Vice Admiral Frank. F. Pandolfe, Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Mr. Michael Rhodes, Director of Administration, Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer. Photo: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tim D. Godbee

The Department of Defense honored Kellie Pickler and her songwriter husband Kyle Jacobs with its Spirit of Hope Award on Wednesday (Sept. 28).

The award is presented annually to distinguished Americans and organizations whose patriotism and service reflects that of Mr. Bob Hope. Recipients have selflessly contributed an extraordinary amount of time, talent or resources to significantly enhance the quality of life of service members and their families serving around the world.

The star of CMT’s docu-comedy television series I Love Kellie Pickler is known for avid support of servicemen and women with USO tours. Notable honors have included the first-ever Operation Troop Aid Chris Kyle Patriot Award, given from the parents of the slain Navy SEAL during the 2015 CMA Music Festival, and in 2013 she received the Heart For The Warrior Award from the USO of North Carolina during the Salute to Freedom Gala.

Top IBMA Awards Go To The Earls Of Leicester, Flatt Lonesome

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The Earls of Leicester. Photo: Dave Brainard

The Earls of Leicester. Photo: Dave Brainard

Bluegrass artists The Earls of Leicester, Flatt Lonesome and Becky Buller were among the top IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards winners in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Thursday night (Sept. 29).

The Earls of Leicester, an all-star bluegrass band that solely performs from the catalog of Flatt & Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, claimed Entertainer of the Year. Individual members took home solo categories for Dobro Player of the Year (Jerry Douglas), Bass Player of the Year (Barry Bales) and Banjo Player of the Year (Charlie Cushman).

Flatt Lonesome — a band that includes siblings Kelsi, Charli and Buddy Robertson — walked away with awards for Album, Song and Vocal Group of the Year. Becky Buller was awarded the Female Vocalist and Fiddle Player of the Year.

Flatt Lonesome. Photo: Dave Brainard

Flatt Lonesome. Photo: Dave Brainard

The event was hosted by Sierra Hull and Dan Tyminski. During the ceremony, Hull won her first Mandolin Player of the Year award. Bryan Sutton claimed Guitar Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, Danny Paisley won Male Vocalist of the Year, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen earned Instrumental Group of the Year, and Mountain Faith received Emerging Artist of the Year.

The show’s Bluegrass on Screen theme offered performances like “Man of Constant Sorrow” by Soggy Bottom Boys (O Brother, Where Art Thou), “Rainbow Connection” by the Lonely Heartstring Band (The Muppets) and the inclusion of archival clips from classics like The Beverly Hillbillies, Bonnie and Clyde, and Deliverance.

“What a wonderful night for bluegrass music’s award-winning performers,” said IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “To celebrate music from young rising stars like Flatt Lonesome alongside iconic songs from movie and television classics is a reflection of the depth and timeless appeal of the genre. Congratulations to all nominees and winners.”

Winners of the 27th Annual IBMA Awards are:

Entertainer of the Year: The Earls of Leicester
Female Vocalist of the Year: Becky Buller
Male Vocalist of the Year: Danny Paisley
Vocal Group of the Year: Flatt Lonesome
Instrumental Group of the Year: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Song of the Year: “You’re the One,” Flatt Lonesome
Album of the Year: Runaway Train, Flatt Lonesome
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year: All Dressed Up, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year: “Fireball,” Special Consensus featuring Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley and Alison Brown
Emerging Artist of the Year: Mountain Faith
Recorded Event of the Year: “Longneck Blues,” Junior Sisk and Ronnie Bowman
Banjo Player of the Year: Charlie Cushman
Bass Player of the Year: Barry Bales
Dobro Player of the Year: Jerry Douglas
Fiddle Player of the Year: Becky Buller
Guitar Player of the Year: Bryan Sutton
Mandolin Player of the Year: Sierra Hull
Inductees into the Bluegrass HOF: Clarence White; the Rounder Founders: Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy and Bill Nowlin
Distinguished Achievement Award: Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, Boston Bluegrass Union, SiriusXM Radio’s Bluegrass Junction, Bill Emerson, Jim Rooney (handed out Thursday afternoon)

The Valory Music Co. Announces New Promo Staffers

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valory-music-co

The Valory Music Co. has appointed Northeast and Southeast Directors of Promotion and Marketing, effective Monday (Oct. 3).

Don Gosselin

Don Gosselin

Don Gosselin will lead the Northeast and Brooke Nixon will oversee the Southeast. The Big Machine Label Group imprint has also added Lauren Perry as Promotion Coordinator.

In August, Ashley Sidoti was named National Director of Radio Promotion for The Valory Music Co. The imprint’s roster includes Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Tara Thompson and The Church Sisters.

Brooke Nixon

Brooke Nixon

“All of us at The Valory Music Co. are excited to have Don, Brooke and Lauren join us,” said Valory’s SVP Promotion George Briner. “With Don’s recent promotion experience working with radio in the Northeast, he has already created solid relationships. Brooke has this passion for music that is infectious and is just one of the many great talents she brings to the label that will make her a great promotion person. Being able to hire both Brooke and Lauren from within the BMLG just makes this hiring that much more special.”

Lauren Perry

Lauren Perry

“I am honored to join The Valory Music Co. team and can’t wait to get rolling,” said Gosselin, who joins The Valory Music Co. from iHeartMedia. “The artists at The Valory Music Co. are all such great friends and have always delivered great music to country radio!”

Nixon added, “I am extremely excited to join the The Valory Music Co.,” said Nixon. “Words cannot express how grateful I am for my time at Dot Records and everything it taught me. The support I have received from both the Dot and the Valory teams has been very much appreciated. I am ready to rock the Southeast with Valory!”

Pearl Records Adds Three Regional Promo Directors

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Pearl Records has hired Nathan Cruise, Hilary Hoover and Glenn Noblit as Directors, Regional [...]

Pictured (L-R): Nathan Cruise, Hilary Hoover, Glenn Noblit

Pearl Records Inc. has hired Nathan Cruise, Hilary Hoover and Glenn Noblit as Directors, Regional Promotion. They will be working with newly-appointed General Manager Lesly Simon and Mandy McCormack.

Additionally, McCormack’s role at the label is expanding to Senior Vice President of Radio Promotion, Marketing and Artist Strategy. The label is owned by Garth Brooks.

“Mandy and I are thrilled to add Hilary, Nathan and Glenn to the Pearl Records Inc. family,” said Simon. “They bring a wealth of experience, a great passion for the music and incredible respect from the radio community to this team.”

Cruise, most recently with In2une Records, has spent the last 20 years in country promotion including stops at Arista, Curb Records, Show Dog and Warner Bros.

“I’m excited to be a part of this team and this chapter in Garth’s career,” said Cruise. “Thank you to Mandy and Lesly for bringing me on board.”

Hoover started her career at All Access Music Group, but spent the last four years in promotion at Broken Bow Records Music Group including time at both RED BOW Records and Stoney Creek Records.

“I’m so grateful to Mandy McCormack and Lesly Simon for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the extraordinary legacy of Garth Brooks,” said Hoover. “I’m eager to get started on this journey with the incredible team at Pearl Records!”

Noblit has worked in various capacities from publicity to radio promotion for over 18 years with artists including Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, Big & Rich, Ryan Adams, Carl Perkins, Faith Hill, Aaron Lewis, Montgomery Gentry and others while working for Warner Brothers, Lost Highway, AristoMedia, Webster & Assoc., and most recently with Reviver Records with hit duo LOCASH, The Josh Abbott Band & newcomer Michael Tyler.

“To say I’m excited to work for and with Garth Brooks and this exceptional Pearl team is a giant understatement,” added Noblit. “This is an absolute dream come true. I have been beyond blessed to have worked with and made friendships with some of the best people and artists in this awesome business. I’m so ready for this new dance to get started.”

The new team members can be reached at the following email addresses:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected] (effective Monday, Oct. 3)

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Accepts Plaque At WMN Patio Party

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Pictured (L-R): Jimmie Fadden, Steve Schweidel, Justin Luffman, Jeff Hanna, John Esposito, John McEuen, Bob Carpenter

Pictured (L-R): Jimmie Fadden, Steve Schweidel, Justin Luffman of Warner Music Nashvillle, Jeff Hanna, John Esposito of Warner Music Nashville, John McEuen, Bob Carpenter

Warner Music Nashville surprised the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with a plaque prior to their rooftop performance at the label’s Pickin’ on the Patio series on Wednesday night (Sept. 28).

The certification marked the platinum certification of the 1986 album Twenty Years of Dirt, the platinum certification of the 1987 single “Fishin’ in the Dark,” and the gold certification of the 1989 album, More Great Dirt. Although the band has recorded for numerous record labels, they charted 14 Top 10 hits for Warner Bros. in the 1980s.

The concert album Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends – Circlin’ Back: Celebrating 50 Years will be released by Warner Music Nashville on Friday (Sept. 30). The set is available as a CD or as a CD/DVD combo.

Jason Lehning Signs Publishing Deal With Spirit/Fluid Music Revolution

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Frank Rogers, Fluid Music Revolution; Jason Lehning, Daniel Hill, President, Spirit Music Nashville. (L-R, back row): AJ Burton, Vice President, Fluid Music Revolution; Billy Lynn, VP Creative, Spirit Music Nashville; Eric Hurt, Sr. Director Creative, Spirit Music Nashville.

Pictured (L-R, front row): Frank Rogers, Fluid Music Revolution; Jason Lehning; Daniel Hill, President, Spirit Music Nashville. (L-R, back row): AJ Burton, Vice President, Fluid Music Revolution; Billy Lynn, VP Creative, Spirit Music Nashville; Eric Hurt, Sr. Director Creative, Spirit Music Nashville.

Spirit/Fluid, the Nashville-based joint venture between Spirit Music Group and Frank Rogers’ Fluid Music Revolution has signed Jason Lehning to an exclusive publishing deal.

“Fluid Music Revolution and Spirit Music Nashville are thrilled to welcome Jason Lehning to the family. It is always special to be able to work with someone who you not only respect as a talent, but also as a person. We could not be more excited about the next phase of Jason’s career and cannot wait for the world to hear the new music that he is creating,” said Rogers.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Frank as an engineer for many years, so when we started talking about working together as writer and publisher, it all just fell into place naturally. I’m really excited to begin this next chapter with Fluid/Spirit and the incredible creative staff there – and I’m looking forward to what kind of trouble we can all stir up in the coming months!” said Lehning.

The son of Randy Travis’ producer Kyle Lehning, Jason spent his childhood around the entertainment industry. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Lehning returned to Nashville to work as an engineer. Lehning has since been active as a producer, musician, composer, mixer and engineer, contributing to over 350 albums by artists including George Jones, Erasure, Mat Kearney, Guster, Bill Frisell, and Alison Krauss. Lehning won two Grammy awards as an engineer and was nominated for the Best Engineer Grammy in 2008. Lehning also tours regularly in the UK with his band The Bees with singer-songwriter Daniel Tashian and drummer David Gehrke.

Frank Rogers was named MusicRow‘s Producer of the Year in 2005, as well as 2008-2009. He’s also co-written a slew of country hits, including “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” by Brad Paisley, “Alright” and “This” by Darius Rucker and “Backroad Song” by Granger Smith.

Financial Guidance Group Opens Tennessee Office In Franklin

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Pictured (L-R): Christoph von dem Bussche, Carl F. von dem Bussche, Sr. Carl F. von dem Bussche, Jr. Photo credit: Seth Farmer

Pictured (L-R): Christoph von dem Bussche, Carl F. von dem Bussche, Sr. Carl F. von dem Bussche, Jr. Photo credit: Seth Farmer

Tampa-based Financial Guidance Group, Inc. has opened a Tennessee branch, located at 710 Evans St. in Franklin. The company’s Nashville branch emphasizes service for musicians, producers and others in the entertainment industry.

Led by Carl F. von dem Bussche, Sr., the family-owned-and-operated company provides fiduciary fee-only financial planning. Carl F. von dem Bussche, Sr., has 39 years of experience in planning and investment management, and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). His sons Christoph and Carl F., Jr. are also involved in operations.

Carl F. von dem Bussche, Jr.’s career includes time as a recording artist in a band (Arc the Sun) and working in major label A&R at EMI CMG, as well as a creative arts/music director for Relevant Church.

“Ever since I moved to Nashville as a recording artist and songwriter in 2003, I’ve had a passion to help those who work in the entertainment industry,” shares von dem Bussche, Jr. “Back then, I did some business management for friends on the side when I wasn’t on the road. I just saw such a need for financial guidance in this community where you can have the sudden windfall of a hit song, inconsistent income, or other challenges associated with being in the music biz. Since I grew up with my dad as a financial planner, I obtained a business degree and worked for FGG before I made the move to Nashville. I felt like this was something I was uniquely qualified to do. After touring with a band for years, working at a label, and then acting as the creative arts and finance director for a church, I’ve come back around to really feeling like I could be doing more to serve the entertainment community. After numerous meetings with my dad and brother, we decided to expand our business to Nashville and focus on helping this unique demographic with financial planning and investing on a personal level.

“We’ve developed strategic alliances with several business managers and management companies in assisting their clients on the planning and investing side,” von dem Bussche, Jr. continues. “The way that FGG does business as fee-only advisors really resonates with this community because we don’t sell financial products or take commissions. There’s a lot of distrust of financial advisors within the music industry, but we feel that by being transparent and open about how we do business, it is a refreshing change to those we’ve been able to connect with so far. We’re excited to get FGG Nashville off the ground and make a difference in this community to help them realize their financial goals and dreams.”

George Strait Announces Second ‘Strait Out Of The Box’ Set

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George Strait
George Strait will release Strait Out of the Box: Part 2 exclusively with Walmart on Nov. 18.

Issued by MCA Nashville, the three-disc, 56-track collection features 36 hit singles including 26 No. 1s. The set also features two brand new songs, including his latest radio single “Goin’ Goin’ Gone,” in addition to 18 choice album cuts. All songs were personally selected by Strait. A track list has not been announced.

Strait Out of the Box: Part 2 spans 20 years of Strait’s career from 1996 to 2016, following the 1995 multi-platinum four-disc release, Strait Out of the Box.

CMHOF’s Poets And Prophets Series Will Honor Paul Overstreet

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paul-overstreet

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Paul Overstreet will be honored in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s songwriter series Poets and Prophets on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 1:30 p.m. An in-depth interview hosted by museum editor Michael Gray will be illustrated with rare vintage photos, film footage and recordings from Overstreet’s career. Overstreet will also perform a few of his compositions.

Raised in Mississippi, Overstreet moved to Nashville in 1973 and had his first hit in 1982 with George Jones’ “Same Ole Me,” which climbed to No. 5 on the country chart. Overstreet became a chief source of material for Randy Travis, and by the end of the 1980s Travis had topped the charts with “On the Other Hand,” “Diggin’ Up Bones,” “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “Deeper than the Holler.” Overstreet went on to write dozens of other hits, including “When You Say Nothing at All” (Keith Whitley, followed by Alison Krauss), “Love Can Build a Bridge” (the Judds), “A Long Line of Love” (Michael Martin Murphey) and “Some Beach” (Blake Shelton).

Overstreet also has had a career as an artist, with No. 1 hits “I Won’t Take Less than Your Love” and “Daddy’s Come Around.” In addition to Grammy awards for “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “Love Can Build a Bridge,” Overstreet has received numerous CMA, ACM and Dove Awards. He was BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year every year from 1987 to 1991.

The Poets and Prophets program is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited, and passes are required for admittance. Museum members can reserve program passes in advance by phone (615-416-2050) or via [email protected]. The program will be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org/streaming.

Artist Updates: Dolly Parton, Selah, Smithfield

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Dolly Parton Plans First Visit To Jimmy Kimmel Live

Dolly Parton

On Monday (Oct. 3), Dolly Parton will be the lead guest and perform as part of the Outdoor Concert Series on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, her first-ever appearance on the late night program. In addition, that morning, she will appear as the featured guest on The Talk, where she will chat with hosts Sharon Osbourne, ‎Sheryl Underwood, Aisha Tyler and Julie Chen about her new movie, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors – Circle of Love, and the success of her new album Pure & Simple.

Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors – Circle of Love, premieres on NBC on Nov. 30. The sequel to the critically-acclaimed film Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors will be available on DVD beginning on Dec. 20 and digitally on Dec. 1.

 

Christian Group Selah Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

Pictured (L-R): Selah's Allan Hall; Grand Ole Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher; Selah's Amy Perry and Todd Smith. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Pictured (L-R): Selah’s Allan Hall; Grand Ole Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher; Selah’s Amy Perry and Todd Smith. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Curb recording artist Selah made their debut on the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (Sept. 23). Introduced by Grand Ole Opry member Ricky Skaggs, the trio performed “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” and “Amazing Grace” at the Grand Ole Opry House.
 
Comprised of Todd Smith, Allan Hall, and Amy Perry, the group has been recording and touring for nearly 20 years, garnering total sales of more than 4 million (album and single units), and eight GMA Dove Awards.

The evening’s lineup also included Cassadee Pope, Chris Lane, Lindsay Ell, Striking Matches, and Grand Ole Opry members The Whites, Connie Smith, Mike Snider and John Conlee.

Pictured (L-R): Selah's Amy Perry; singer/songwriter Cassadee Pope; and Selah's Allan Hall and Todd Smith

Pictured (L-R): Selah’s Amy Perry; singer/songwriter Cassadee Pope; and Selah’s Allan Hall
and Todd Smith

 

Smithfield Teams With Rebecca Creek Distillery

smithfield

The duo Smithfield, comprised of Trey Smith and Jennifer Fiedler, has partnered with Texas-based Rebecca Creek Distillery for an endorsement deal. The partnership comes as Smithfield is promoting their current single, “Hey Whiskey.” The company’s spirits include Rebecca Creek Fine Texas Spirit Whiskey, Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey and Enchanted Rock Texas Vodka.

“Rebecca Creek Texas Whiskey is very excited about our new relationship with Smithfield,” said Matt Appleby, VP of National Marketing for Rebecca Creek Distillery. “So many undeniable similarities make our partnership the perfect fit; from our Texas roots, to the passion and determination we’ve put into our craft in an effort to reach our fans and share what we have created. Steve Ison, our founder, set out to prove that Texas could create a whiskey that could compete with the best in the world. Mission accomplished and the result is as smooth as the sounds of Jennifer and Trey’s harmony. We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for both of us.”