Songwriters Join CMA Foundation In Washington For Music Education Advocacy

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Country Music Association Foundation and the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM) in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Members made the rounds visiting their members of Congress. (Photo / Rod Lamkey Jr./CMA)

Jim Beavers, Drake White, Heather Morgan, and LOCASH joined CMA Foundation representatives in Washington Wednesday (5/24) and took their songs to the Hill to help advocate for music education initiatives. The four performed for elected officials during the annual National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Fly-In.

After a full day of meetings, the four also participated in the CMA Songwriters Series at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for special attendees including Congressman Jim Cooper (TN-05), NAMM leadership, and representatives from the Washington Post, ESPN, PBS, and others. The Kennedy Center’s Turnaround Arts Program is a 2017 CMA Foundation grant recipient.

The CMA Songwriters Series first debuted in Washington at the Library of Congress in 2010 and has presented six shows in D.C.

Country Music Association Foundation and the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM) in the on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Photo / Rod Lamkey Jr./CMA)

Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern, Preston Trust & Chris Lucas of LoCash, Drake White, Jim Beavers, Heather Morgan, and National Association of Music Merchants Joe Lamond pose for a photo during the CMA Songwriters Series at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for NAMM)

Opry All-Star Show To Honor Don Williams, Celebrate Tribute Album

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In celebration of the release of the new Don Williams tribute album, Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams, the Grand Ole Opry will honor his music and five-decade career with a special show on next Tuesday night’s Opry (5/30). Opry member Alison Krauss, John Prine, Jason Isbell, and Amanda Shires, all of whom appear on the new album honoring the man known as the “Gentle Giant,” will perform during the Tuesday night show. The Slate Creek Records collection is available at retailers and digital outlets today, just in time for Williams’ 78th birthday tomorrow.

The new project was assembled and produced by Williams ‘ longtime producer/friend Garth Fundis. Other artists covering Williams classics on the new CD include Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Brandy Clark, Lady Antebellum, Keb’ Mo’, Pistol Annies, Chris and Morgane Stapleton, and Trisha Yearwood. Gems like “Good Ole Boys Like Me,” “Tulsa Time,” and “I Believe In You,” all appear on the new album.

The collection not only honors Williams’ artistic contributions, but supports a great cause as well, since all guest artist performances were donated in support of MusiCares, the charitable foundation of The Recording Academy. MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for those in the music industry in times of need, covering a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies. A majority of the proceeds from album sales will go to MusiCares.

Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams Track Listing: 
1. “Tulsa Time” –  Pistol Annies
2. “I Believe in You” – Brandy Clark
3. “We’ve Got a Good Fire Goin’” – Lady Antebellum
4. “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend” – Dierks Bentley
5. “Amanda” – Chris Stapleton feat. Morgane Stapleton
6. “Till The Rivers All Run Dry” – Alison Krauss
7. “Love Is On A Roll” – John Prine feat. Roger Cook
8. “If I Needed You” – Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires
9. “Maggie’s Dream” – Trisha Yearwood
10. “Lord I Hope This Day is Good” – Keb’ Mo’
11. “Good Ole Boys Like Me” – Garth Brooks

 

2017 MusicRow Awards: Song of the Year Nominees

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CATEGORY 4—SONG OF THE YEAR

Voted by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor writers and publishers on the craft of songwriting, not necessarily chart performance.

 

“Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Songwriters: Steven Lee Olsen, Hillary Lindsey, Clint Lagerberg
Publishers: WB Music Corp., Music Of The Corn, Rezolution Music, BMG Gold Songs, House Of Sea Gayle Music, Spirit Catalog Holdings, S.a.r.l./Spirit Two Nashville, ASCAP
Recorded by Keith Urban (Capitol Nashville)

The title “Blue Ain’t Your Color” came to Steven Lee Olsen in the middle of the night. He took the idea to co-writer Clint Lagerberg and then recruited Hillary Lindsey. The result was a present-day classic about a woman feeling blue and the suitor trying to paint her bright. Keith Urban was hooked immediately when he heard the demo. MusicRow Producer of the Year nominee Dann Huff added studio finesse and the song went on to earn two Grammy nominations. Meanwhile, Olsen is also nominated for MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter.

 

“Kill A Word”                     
Songwriters: Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Luke Dick
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Longer And Louder Music, Little Louder Songs, Mammaw’s Fried Okra Music, Emileon Songs, BMI
Recorded by Eric Church ft Rhiannon Giddens (EMI Nashville)

Eric Church, Jeff Hyde and Luke Dick made a profound statement on Church’s hit “Kill A Word.” Dick had the initial idea for the song about stopping negative words—conjuring imagery with lyrics like “poison never,” “shoot goodbye,” “choke lonely” and “hang hate,” with a redeeming chorus that says, “I’d turn lies and hate to love and truth.” The track landed on Church’s album Mr. Misunderstood, which went on to win CMA Album of the Year. It was helmed by MusicRow Producer of the Year nominee Jay Joyce.

 
“Leaving Nashville”                       
Songwriters: Abe Stoklasa, Donovan Woods
Year of the Dog Music (Big Yellow Dog) administered by Words & Music, Shakapublishing, administered by Downtown DLJ Songs, ASCAP
Recorded by Charles Kelley (Capitol Nashville)

Penned by Abe Stoklasa and Donovan Woods, this ode to songwriters and their community resonated up and down Music Row. “Leaving Nashville” is a journey through the highs and lows of the trade—where “If it ain’t a single, it don’t mean nothing.” But, ultimately, the song is about dedication to the music, because as Stoklasa and Woods wrote, they “ain’t never leaving Nashville.” The song was recorded by Charles Kelley. Stoklasa is also nominated for MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year.

 
“Vice”                     
Songwriters: Miranda Lambert, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Pink Dog Publishing, Smack Hits, GMR/Kobalt Music Group Ltd., GMR/AndersonFork In The Road Music, Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., Smackville Music, ASCAP, BMI
Recorded by Miranda Lambert (RCA Nashville/Vanner)

“When it hurts this good you gotta play it twice…” Miranda Lambert served up a cocktail of regret, sadness and escapism in her hit song “Vice.” Together with co-writers Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally, they crafted lyrics of simultaneous heartache and attraction: “All dressed up in a pretty black label/ Sweet salvation on a dining room table/ Waiting on me/ Where the numb meets the lonely.” The song went on to earn a Grammy nomination and her longtime collaborator Frank Liddell is nominated for MusicRow Producer of the Year.

 
“Wanna Be That Song”   
Songwriters: Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman, Scooter Carusoe
Publishers: Sony/ATV Countryside, Paris Not France Music, EMI Blackwood, Rezolant, Scrambler Music, Abbotts Creek Music Two, Carnival, ASCAP, BMI
Recorded by Brett Eldredge (Atlantic Nashville)

“Every life has a soundtrack” and Brett Eldredge wants to be yours. He co-wrote these words with Scooter Carusoe and Ross Copperman, and says “Wanna Be That Song” captures who he wants to be as an artist. The poignant song describes lovers together in the “window booth at a bar,” “back pew on a Sunday” and “crowded bleachers,” and evokes emotions that “makes you dance, makes you fall/ that melody rewinds years… makes time stall.” Copperman is also nominated for Producer of the Year.

 

The MusicRow Awards will be presented at a private ceremony. 

See the full list of nominees. 

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow subscribers. Voting closes on Tuesday, May 30 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive a ballot.

Weekly Chart Report (5/26/17)

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

Kelsea Ballerini Moves Publishing To Sony/ATV

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Pictured (L-R): Duane Clark (Flood, Bumstead, McCready, & McCarthy, Inc.), Mike Milom (Milom Horsnell Crow Rose Kelley PLC), Fletcher Foster (Iconic Entertainment), Kelsea Ballerini, Troy Tomlinson (Sony/ATV) and Josh Van Valkenburg (Sony/ATV)

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed a new publishing deal with singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini. Ballerini, who remains signed as an artist to Black River Entertainment, had previously been with Black River Publishing since 2013.

“Having known Kelsea since she was 13 years old and seeing her songwriting grow over the years makes it even more special to be able to come alongside her as her publisher,” says Sony/ATV Nashville’s President and CEO Troy Tomlinson. “With all her abilities to perform and entertain fans worldwide, she remains, as always, at her core a gifted songwriter.”

Ballerini is the only country female to begin her career with three No. 1 singles, including “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Dibs,” and “Peter Pan.” Her current single “Yeah Boy” is a Top 5 hit, and is the fourth and final single from her debut album The First Time.

“Troy was the person that told me to move to Nashville when I was 13. I remember every time I came to town, he would make time for me to come by and play him new music I was working on,” shares Ballerini. “That encouragement and belief was crucial for my whole journey this far. It feels like a full circle joining the Sony/ATV family, and I’m so excited to continue to grow as a songwriter under their incredible team.”

On May 26, Ballerini will begin Lady Antebellum’s You Look Good World Tour as the featured supporting artist alongside Brett Young. Meanwhile, she has four nominations for the upcoming 2017 CMT Music Awards. The show airs live from Nashville June 7 at 8 p.m. ET. She will also team with Thomas Rhett to co-host the CMA Music Fest 2017 special, which will air this summer on ABC.

Luke Bryan Announces Farm Tour 2017

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Four-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan announces the ninth annual “Bayer Presents Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2017,” set to run Sept. 28 through Oct. 7. 2017 ACM New Male Vocalist Jon Pardi will support Luke at each stop and more support is to be announced.

This year’s tour will visit communities in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.

Tickets go on sale Friday, June 2 at 10 a.m. local time. On May 30, exclusive “Bayer Presents Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2017” ticket pre-sales will begin for Luke’s Fan Club (the Nut House). Additional pre-sale tickets will be available through radio and Spotify on May 31 and through the tour’s sponsors via their digital platforms on June 1.

Since the tour’s inception in 2009, Luke has awarded 50 college scholarships to local students from farming families within the communities the tour has played. A total of more than 100,000 fans have gathered on the farms each year.

“Bayer Presents Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2017”
Sept. 28 Lincoln, NE; Benes Farm
Sept. 29 Baldwin City, KS; Don-Ale Farms
Sept. 30 Boone, IA; Ziel Farm
Oct. 5 Fort Wayne, IN; Spangler Farms West
Oct. 6 Edinburg, IL; Ayers Family Farm
Oct. 7 Centralia, MO; Stowers Farm

2017 MusicRow Awards: Breakthrough Artist-Writer Nominees

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Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 29th annual MusicRow Awards, we take a closer look at the Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year nominees.

CATEGORY THREE: BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST-WRITER

Voted by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor a Nashville songwriter and artist who for the first time wrote or co-wrote a Top 10 song, which they also recorded.

Lauren Alaina, “Road Less Traveled,” Warner/Chappell (BMI)

Lauren Alaina’s first No. 1 hit, “Road Less Traveled” is an empowering message of self-acceptance which she co-wrote with Jesse Frasure and Meghan Trainor. The rising star also contributed to all 12 songs on her album, which earned her first ACM nomination for New Female Vocalist of the Year. Lauren Alaina’s career received a major jumpstart when she appeared on Season 10 of American Idol. She will spend the summer touring with fellow Georgia native Luke Bryan.

Tucker Beathard, “Rock On,” Big Music Machine, Fade 49 Music (BMI)

Tucker Beathard broke through with his debut single “Rock On,” which reached No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart. He co-wrote the song with dad Casey Beathard and Marla Cannon-Goodman. A multi-instrumentalist, Tucker plays lead guitar and drums throughout his Fight Like Hell EP. This summer fans can catch Beathard performing at some of music’s biggest festivals, including Summerfest,  Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

Luke Combs, “Hurricane,” Big Music Machine, 50 Egg Music, Straight Dimes Publishing, (BMI)

Luke Combs built his career one show at a time, growing from 3-hour acoustic sets in his native North Carolina to touring this summer with Brantley Gilbert and performing at Bonnaroo and CMA Music Fest. Combs self-released music for years, including the song that would eventaully become his debut single and first No. 1, “Hurricane.” The singer co-wrote the song with fellow nominees Thomas Archer and Taylor Phillips. Combs has writing credits on every track on his album This One’s for You, set for release on June 2.

Jon Pardi, “Head Over Boots,” Sony/ATV (BMI) 

Jon Pardi’s “Head Over Boots” was his first No. 1 song as an artist and songwriter. Co-written with Luke Laird, the track has been certified Platinum and helped the singer secure the title of ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year. He followed that success with another No. 1, “Dirt On My Boots.” Heading into summer, Pardi releases new single “Heartache on the Dance Floor” and hits the road with Dierks Bentley, and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Brett Young, “Sleep Without You” and “In Case You Didn’t Know,” Super Big Music, Caliville Publishing, admin by Big Machine Music (ASCAP)

Brett Young co-wrote his first two singles, “Sleep Without You” and “In Case You Didn’t Know,” which also became his first No. 1 hits. In addition, the ACM nominee is a co-writer of “Love Again,” the current single by Nash Next winner Todd O’Neil. Young will tour Canada with Thomas Rhett, before spending the summer on the road with Lady Antebellum. “Sleep Without You” was also the first No. 1 for Young’s co-writers Justin Ebach and Kelly Archer, who are nominated for MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter.

The MusicRow Awards will be presented at a private ceremony. 

See the full list of nominees. 

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow subscribers. Voting closes on Tuesday, May 30 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive a ballot.

Lauren Alaina Celebrates First Chart-Topping Song, “Road Less Traveled,” With “Number Onesie” Party

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP writer Meghan Trainor, BMI singer-songwriter Lauren Alaina and BMI writer Jesse Frasure. Photo: Steve Lowry

Lauren Alaina got a star-studded surprise during her first No. 1 party yesterday (May 24), as she celebrated her very first chart-topping single, “Road Less Traveled.”

Alaina co-wrote the track with BMI writer Jesse Frasure and songwriter/pop star Meghan Trainor (ASCAP), who made a surprise appearance to celebrate with Alaina. Industry members and colleagues joined Alaina, Frasure and Trainor to celebrate at Nashville restaurant The Sutler.

Alaina, who has made no secret of sharing her love for the outfit on various social media posts, sparkled in a glittery blue onesie, and provided onesies for all her party guests.

Alaina recently completed a series of shows with Martina McBride on the CMT Next Women of Country Tour, and will join Luke Bryan’s Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day Tour this summer.

Pictured (L-R): Warner Chappell’s Alicia Pruitt, producer busbee, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace, ASCAP writer Meghan Trainor, BMI singer-songwriter Lauren Alaina, BMI’s Leslie Roberts and BMI writer Jesse Frasure. Photo: Steve Lowry

Florida Georgia Line’s Nashville Restaurant And Entertainment Venue Will Open June 5

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Florida Georgia Line

As thousands of fans flock to Nashville for this year’s CMA Music Festival, slated for June 8-11, Florida Georgia Line will offer fans another way to beat the heat, with the opening of their previously announced restaurant and entertainment venue, FGL House.

The venue will open to the public on June 5 beginning at 7 p.m. CT. Located at 120 3rd Ave. S. in Nashville, the venue will offer four stories of music and Southern-style food with a California flavor. Bars on all four levels will offer craft beer and custom cocktails, featuring FGL’s own brand of Old Camp Whiskey. The venue also offers a rooftop bar. A basement-level martini bar houses a large video wall perfect for watching sporting events.

Special events will include Country Club Tuesdays, with Dee Jay Silver spinning custom remixes.

Performers Announced For Two Bonnaroo SuperJam Sessions

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Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival’s popular yearly SuperJam session will be twice as nice this year, as Superfly and A.C. Entertainment continue the tradition with two SuperJam sessions set for 2017.

The first SuperJam—Preservation Hall Presents: The Soul Shakedown—will take place Sunday June 11 from 1:00 a.m.-2:15 a.m. and include Preservation Hall Jazz Band featuring singer/multi-instrumentalist/Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Jon Batiste, as well as The Head and The Heart, Sam Cohen, The Meters’ George Porter, Jr., Lecrae, Margo Price, Tank and the Bangas, Lukas Nelson, Nicole Atkins, Flint Eastwood and more.

Meanwhile, The Bluegrass Situation Roots SuperJam will be hosted once again by Ed Helms & Friends on Sunday, June 11 from 9:15 p.m.-10:30 p.m. This year’s jam will see the actor/comedian/banjo maestro backed by the Bryan Sutton Band and joined by Martina McBride, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Greensky Bluegrass, Mandolin Orange, River Whyless, Gaby Moreno, Baskery and Lillie Mae.

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 2017 will include performances and appearances from over 170 artists, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weeknd, Chance the Rapper, and, in an exclusive first-ever Bonnaroo headline performance, U2 performing a set that will include a 30th anniversary celebration of their career-defining 1987 album, The Joshua Tree.

The 2017 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will take place June 8 – 11, at Great Stage Park, the 700-acre farm and event space located 60 miles south of Nashville in Manchester, Tennessee.

Tickets—including General Admission, VIP, and the brand new Platinum Pass—are on sale now via bonnaroo.com.