Billy Currington Will Stay Up ‘Til The Sun On New Tour

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Billy Currington is launching his headlining Stay Up ‘Til the Sun tour beginning March 9 in St. Louis, Missouri. Currington will visit more than 20 cities including Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City, and Philadelphia on the new tour. The title of the tour comes from the lyrics to his latest single, “Do I Make You Wanna,” from his sixth studio album Summer Forever.

Billy Currington Stay Up ‘Til The Sun Tour 2017:

March 9: St. Louis, MO; Peabody Opera House
March 10: Dubuque, IA; Five Flags Center
March 11: Kansas City, MO; Uptown Theater
March 23: Northfield, OH; Hard Rock Live
March 24: Roanoke, VA; Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
March 25: Sayerville, NJ; Starland Ballroom
April 6: Pittsburgh, PA; Stage AE
April 7: Silver Spring, MD; The Fillmore
April 8: Strousburg, PA; Sherman Theater
April 20: Houston, TX; House of Blues
April 21: Oklahoma City, OK; The Criterion
May 11: Philadelphia, PA; The Fillmore
May 12: Huntington, NY; The Paramount
May 13: Hampton Beach, NH; Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
May 19: Richmond, VA; Center Stage
May 20: New York, NY; Playstation Theater
June 1: Atlanta, GA; The Tabernacle

Zac Brown Band Welcomes Home Fans With New Tour

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The Zac Brown Band will kick off its 2017 “Welcome Home Tour” with two hometown shows May 12-13 at Verizon Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Georgia, in support of the band’s upcoming new album, Welcome Home, which will also release May 12. On the 40+ date tour the band will return to stadiums and amphitheaters across the country including Hollywood Bowl, Wrigley Field, Coors Field, Gorge Amphitheatre and Camden’s BB&T Pavilion where last year they broke the record for the best-attended show in the venue’s 22-year history.

ZBB fan club members have priority access to pre-sale tickets beginning Jan. 17, and general public sales begin Jan. 20. Every online ticket order includes a choice of a physical or digital copy of the new album.

WELCOME HOME 2017 TOUR DATES
May 12: Alpharetta, GA; Verizon Amphitheatre
May 13: Alpharetta, GA; Verizon Amphitheatre
May 26: Gilford, NH; Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
May 27: Gilford, NH; Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
May 28: Gilford, NH; Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
June 8: Detroit, MI; DTE Energy Music Theatre
June 9: Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Blossom Music Center
June 11: Burgettstown, PA; KeyBank Pavilion
June 23: Bethel, NY; Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
June 24: Syracuse, NY; Lakeview Amphitheater
June 25: Darien Center, NY; Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 1: Milwaukee, WI; Summerfest
July 6: Hartford, CT; XFINITY Theatre
July 7: Holmdel, NJ; PNC Bank Arts Center
July 8: Holmdel, NJ; PNC Bank Arts Center
July 14: Camden, NJ; BB&T Pavilion
July 15: Camden, NJ; BB&T Pavilion
July 16: Bristow, VA; Jiffy Lube Live
July 29: Denver, CO; Coors Field
Aug. 19: Quincy, WA; The Gorge
Aug. 25: Noblesville, IN; Klipsch Music Center
Aug. 26: Chicago, IL; Wrigley Field
Aug. 27: St. Louis, MO; Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
Aug. 31: Toronto, ON; Budweiser Stage
Sept. 1: Toronto, ON; Budweiser Stage
Sept. 2: Saratoga Springs, NY; Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Sept. 3: Hershey, PA; Hersheypark Stadium
Sept. 15: Dallas, TX; Starplex Pavilion
Sept. 22: West Palm Beach, FL; Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre
Sept. 23: West Palm Beach, FL; Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre
Sept. 24: Tampa, FL; MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Oct. 5: Charlotte, NC; PNC Music Pavilion
Oct. 6: Raleigh, NC; Coastal Credit Union Music Park 
Oct. 8: Virginia Beach, VA; Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre
Oct. 27: Mountain View, CA; Shoreline Amphitheatre
Oct. 28: Los Angeles, CA; Hollywood Bowl

 

Dot Records Promotes Michelle Tigard Kammerer

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Michelle Tigard Kammerer

Dot Records has promoted Michelle Tigard Kammerer to the newly-created title of National Director of Radio Promotion, effective immediately. She will report to VP of Promotion Kris Lamb. Most recently serving as Northeast/Midwest Director of Promotion and Marketing, she will continue to build relationships between radio and the label’s artist roster, which includes Zac Brown Band, Steven Tyler, Maddie & Tae, Aaron Lewis, Drake White and Tucker Beathard.

Kammerer joined Dot Records in 2014. Her previous career stops include time at CRS as Sr. Director, Brand Marketing & Strategic Partnerships.

“MTK is one of the brightest stars I’ve ever seen in the radio promotion field,” said Dot’s General Manager Chris Stacey. “Her passion for our artists, attention to detail and tireless work ethic make her the perfect fit to be the National Director. “Between MTK and Kris Lamb, this dynamic duo will bring a whole new level of organization and structure to Dot’s already top tier promo staff!”

“I am honored and excited to accept this new position,” said Kammerer. “Since the launch of Dot Records, our team here at Big Machine Label Group has worked tirelessly to establish our artists and ourselves within the music industry. This new role will allow us to build on our successes and reach greater heights moving forward.”

Michelle can be reached at 615-846-7751 or via [email protected].

Hall Of Fame Announces ‘Music of 2016’ Currents Exhibit

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The Country Music Hall of Fame has unveiled the final exhibit it plans to showcase in 2017, “American Currents (The Music of 2016).” The Museum announced its entire, year-long lineup for the first time in its 50-year history this week via its social media channels, and this new exhibit opening in March will chronicle and highlight some of the best musical moments of the previous year through a behind-the-scenes look at all things new and noteworthy from 2016.

Among those artists featured in the new exhibit are Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Eldredge, Mickey Guyton, Miranda Lambert, William Michael Morgan, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Margo Price, and Chris and Morgane Stapleton with more to be announced.

As previously revealed this week, the 2017 schedule will also include exhibits on Jason Aldean, Loretta Lynn, Shania Twain, and country music couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

 

Curb’s Childress Gets VP Stripes

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The Curb Group has promoted Courtney Childress to Vice President/Human Resources. Childress has worked in the department since joining the company in 2004. In her new role, she will oversee human resources across Curb Records, Word Records, Curb Publishing, The Curb Family Foundation and Curb Racing, and report directly to Curb Group CEO, Jim Ed Norman.

“There is no one better to handle the breadth of human resources and potential across all of the Curb Group companies than Courtney.  Her leadership qualities, expertise and understanding secure the exciting future we continue to build each day,” stated Norman.

“I am proud and truly grateful for the opportunity to support a family company that has not only produced 50 years of great music, but has touched the lives of so many through the Curb Family Foundation,” said Childress.

Jessi Colter Preps New Album, ‘The Psalms,’ For March Release

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Jessi Colter will return with her first new studio album since 2006’s Out Of The Ashes, when she releases The Psalms, a collection of spontaneous musical interpretations of sacred poems from the Old Testament.

Colter, who offered piano and vocals for the album, collaborated with Lenny Kaye on electric and acoustic guitar. Kaye also co-authored Waylon: An Autobiography, which was published in 2012. The book chronicled the life of Colter’s late husband and creative partner, Waylon Jennings.

The core tracks for The Psalms were recorded nearly a decade ago during two separate two-day sessions in 2007 and 2008, at Dubway studios in Manhattan.

“One morning in 1995, while working with Waylon Jennings on his autobiography in Nashville, I came into the living room to find Jessi Colter at the piano, singing the Psalms,” Kaye recalls in the liner notes for the project. “She would place her fingers on the keys, forming simple chords and expressing melodies as they came to her. There was no forethought, no conception of composition; only the intuitive expression of the spirituality behind these most ancient of sacred poems, the divinity they wellspring within each of us. I listened transfixed while she paged through the Old Testament, choosing each Psalm, finding within them the emotive voice of the Shepherd Boy, the Warrior, ultimately the King that is David. It was one of the most beautiful expressions of belief I had ever witnessed.

“In the early months of 2007 I secured a studio with a good piano. There was no rehearsal. We would select a Psalm. She sat behind the keyboard, gathered herself, and then began to sing. There were one, perhaps two takes of each. Sometimes I accompanied her on guitar. Over the years I decorated them with chosen musicians, careful not to disturb their intimacy or their moment of improvised creation and inspiration.”

“I am thrilled to work with Lenny Kaye and sing King David’s Psalms, the most creative music I’ve ever done,” says Colter, “…and the greatest challenge!!”

Colter is best-known for her collaborations with late husband Jennings, for her 1975 country-pop crossover hit “I’m Not Lisa,” and for her contributions to the platinum-selling Wanted: The Outlaws. A singer and songwriter, Colter has written songs for Dottie West, Nancy Sinatra, Hank Locklin and others, and has released 15 major label albums.

The Psalms will release March 24, 2017 via Legacy Recordings. Colter will also release her autobiography, An Outlaw and a Lady: A Memoir of Music, Life with Waylon, and the Faith That Brought Me Home, April 11.

The Psalms Track Listing:

  1. PSALM 150 Praise Ye The Lord
  2. PSALM 75 Unto Thee
  3. PSALM 114 And The Mountains Skip Like Rams
  4. PSALM 99 He Is Holy
  5. PSALM 24 Who Is The King of Glory
  6. PSALM 136 Mercy and Loving Kindness
  7. PSALM 151 King David’s Last Psalm
  8. PSALM 21 Be Thou Exalted
  9. PSALM 45 My Song To A King
  10. PSALM 73 Like A Beast
  11. PSALM 23 The Lord Is My Shepherd
  12. PSALM 72 Arise O King of Old

 

 

Black River Christian Adds Two to Executive Team

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Pictured (L-R): Brian Thiele, Jill Tomalty

Black River Christian has appointed two new members to its executive team. Brian Thiele will serve as Vice President, Radio Promotion for the label, while Jill Tomalty joins as Senior Director, Artist Management and Development for Black River Christian’s in-house management company, Thrive Management.

Thiele received his BA degree from James Madison University before moving to Nashville, and previously worked in promotion at MCA Records, Lost Highway Records, Vivaton Records and EMI CMG before rising to Senior Director, National Promotion at Word Entertainment.

“Brian impressed me with his knowledge of Christian music, passion for making a difference, and his desire to lead Black River Christian’s radio promotion into the future,” said Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr. “I can’t wait to see his impact on our company and our roster!”

Tomalty received her BA degree from Western Michigan University and her Master’s from Oakland University. She began her career at RCA Label Group before becoming an independent consultant through her own company, Noteworthy Nashville. She also served as Director/Marketing & Brand Management at both Word Entertainment and Provident Label Group, Director/National Promotion at Flying Island Entertainment, and most recently as VP/Media & Marketing at Grassroots Promotion.

“In life and business, you meet people that you know are meant to play an important role along the journey,” said Kerr. “Jill Tomalty is one of those incredible people. Her wisdom, knowledge of the genre and genuine love for people and music make her the natural fit for Thrive Management. Those who know Jill, have the opportunity to see life lived out to the fullest!  Her quality leadership has already had an impact on our company.”

Thiele may be reached at [email protected] and Tomalty at[email protected]. Both can also be reached at 615-780-3070.

Jason Aldean Launches 33-City ‘They Don’t Know’ Tour in April

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Jason Aldean is hitting the road on his They Don’t Know Tour beginning Apr. 27 in Toledo, Ohio, with special guests Chris Young, Kane Brown and Dee Jay Silver. The new tour hits 33 cities including Chicago, Washington D.C., Denver, Philadelphia, and Toronto, and tickets for the first dates will be available beginning Jan. 20 at JasonAldean.com and LiveNation.com. Select markets are also part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket which go on sale Jan. 27 at www.megaticket.com. Live Nation is the official promoter of the tour. 

“It only takes a couple weeks off the road before I get that itch, and I’m already feeling it,” said Aldean. “We’re going to spend some time switching the production up to be bigger and louder than anything we’ve ever done. It’ll be cool to have Chris back out with us and Kane is the right guy to get the fans riled up.” 

The new tour coincides with the opening of a special exhibit highlighting Aldean’s life and career at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum that will open its doors on May 27. 

JASON ALDEAN: THEY DON’T KNOW TOUR Markets:
Toledo, OH
Ft Wayne, IN
Green Bay, WI
Charleston, WV
Cleveland, OH
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Uncasville, CT
Toronto, ON
Darien Center, NY
Wantagh, NY
Charlotte, NC
Indianapolis, IN
St. Louis, MO
Cincinnati, OH
Birmingham, AL
Jacksonville, FL
Tampa, FL
W.Palm Beach, FL
Philadelphia, PA
Washington, DC
Virginia Beach, VA
Raleigh, NC
Holmdel, NJ
Salt Lake City, UT
Denver, CO
Albuquerque, NM
Spokane, WA
Sacramento, CA
Mtn. View, CA
Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Anaheim, CA

Weekly Chart Report (1/13/17)

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

LifeNotes: Guitarist/Producer Tommy Allsup Passes

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Tommy Allsup

Famed guitarist, record producer and former Nashville session musician Tommy Allsup has died at age 85.

Allsup is known for his work with such artists as Buddy Holly, Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, Moon Mullican and Asleep at the Wheel. He was also a recording artist.

He first achieved prominence as a 1952 member of the western-swing band led by Johnnie Lee Wills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The bandleader was Bob’s brother and had a big hit in 1950 with “Rag Mop.”

Allsup was playing in a group called The Southernaires based in Lawton, Oklahoma when he was summoned to Clovis, New Mexico to play on some recording sessions in 1958. Among the tunes Allsup played on were “It’s So Easy,” “Love’s Made a Fool of You” and “Heartbeat” by Buddy Holly.

Allsup relocated to Odessa, Texas to open a dancehall called The Silver Saddle. His band there was headed by Moon Mullican, the hillbilly-boogie piano stylist famed for such hits as “I’ll Sail My Ship Alone,” “Sweeter Than the Flowers,” “Cherokee Boogie” and “New Jole Blon.”
Holly came to hear the band on New Year’s Eve. He asked Allsup to accompany him on an upcoming 1959 tour called The Winter Dance Party. Holly had already hired Waylon Jennings to play bass. Allsup recruited drummer Carl Bunch.

At a tour stop in Clear Lake, Iowa, Jennings gave his seat on Holly’s chartered plane to The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), who was ill. Allsup lost a coin toss to Ritchie Valens for the last seat on the aircraft. On Feb. 3, 1959, the plane crashed, killing all aboard. This event became known as “The Day the Music Died.”

Later in 1959, Tommy Allsup relocated to Los Angeles. He became a session musician and a record producer. Among the hits he played on was 1965’s “This Diamond Ring” by Gary Lewis & The Playboys, as well as several instrumentals by The Ventures.

Allsup became the A&R director for country music at Liberty Records. In this role, he became the producer for the label’s Tex Williams, Willie Nelson, Warren Smith, Billy Mize and Bob Wills.

He produced the 1963 Willie Nelson LP Here’s Willie Nelson. Among the Wills albums he produced was 1960’s Together Again, which reunited the western-swing legend with his Texas Playboys vocalist Tommy Duncan.

Returning to Odessa, Allsup opened his own recording studio. Among the hits recorded there was 1969’s “In the Year 2525” by Zager & Evans.

Allsup next relocated to Nashville. In the 1970s, he played on records by George Jones, Marty Robbins, Reba McEntire, Ferlin Husky, Faron Young, Wanda Jackson, Lynn Anderson, Charlie Rich, Kenny Rogers and other country stars. He produced five albums for Asleep at the Wheel and was the head of the Metromedia Records label.

In 1973, Allsup played bass and produced the final album by Bob Wills, For the Last Time. Following the death of Wills, Allsup and vocalist Leon Rausch fronted The Original Texas Playboys. They kept the Wills western-swing legacy alive for several decades.

Tommy Allsup was also a recording artist. In Music City, he led the recording bands The Nashville Surveys and The Tennessee Saxes. His albums included Twistin’ the Country Classics (1962), Tommy Allsup Plays the Buddy Holly Songbook (1965), The Hits of Charley Pride (1969), Tommy Allsup & The Tennessee Saxes Play the Hits of Tammy Wynette (1971), Country Guitars (1994), Tommy Allsup’s Gospel Guitar (2000), True Love Ways (2001) and Precious Guitar (with Billy Grammer, 2010).

Allsup is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. His son, Austin Allsup, competed on the 2016 edition of the hit TV program The Voice.

Tommy Allsup passed away in Lubbock, Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.