Stuart Dill Named Vanderbilt Medical Center Office Of Engagement Director

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Stuart Dill has been named Director of the newly-created Vanderbilt University Medical Center Office of Engagement. Dill has served as the Medical Center’s entertainment industry liaison since 2015.

As Director of Engagement, Dill will continue his work with the entertainment industry and will serve as the institutional leader focusing on internal and external community engagement, including new strategies to build upon VUMC’s philanthropic mission. The new role creates additional opportunities for Dill to develop and strengthen partnerships between VUMC and the entertainment industry, including professionals in music, athletics and the performing arts.

“The definition of a true community is a group of people who care for one another – who engage with one another. Nashville is so unique to have two internationally renowned communities – healthcare and entertainment, and both revolve around engagement. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work in the awe-inspiring VUMC community that strives daily to connect and deepen our relationships and engagement in our community, nation and world,” Dill said.

Prior to joining VUMC, Dill was a 30-year music industry veteran and artist manager who worked with Minnie Pearl, Freddy Fender, Dwight Yoakam, Jo Dee Messina, Rodney Crowell, The Wreckers, Sister Hazel, Laura Bell Bundy, Point of Grace, Billy Ray Cyrus, and many others. He also authored the novel, “Murder on Music Row,” that won the Independent Book Publishers (IPPY) Award’s Gold Medal in 2012.

Anna Mae Calls Out Admirer On Debut Single

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photo credit Evan Boutte

Nashville-based pop singer-songwriter Anna Mae has released her debut single “Call Girl” via Next2Shine. The upbeat summer song finds Anna Mae snapping back at a potential suitor who won’t commit unless he’s hiding behind his phone screen.

“Too many people hide behind their phones and social media instead of actually going after what they want,” Anna Mae shared of the unapologetic track’s inspiration. “I hope this song is a reminder to listeners that they’re worth someone’s attention.”

The retro-inspired singer just signed to Prescription Songs’ Nashville office, and has already had success in the synch world, landing 12 major network placements in less than a year. “Call Girl” is the first song from her upcoming debut EP.

American Music Awards Set To Air In November

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The 2017 American Music Awards, the world’s biggest fan-voted award show, has set the date for this year’s telecast and will air live on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

The awards honor the fan favorites across multiple musical genres, including Pop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Inspirational, Latin, EDM and Soundtrack, as well as New Artist of the Year, Collaboration, Tour, Video, Favorite Song and Artist of the Year.

Last year’s country AMA winners included Tim McGraw for Favorite Country Song for “Humble And Kind” and Florida Georgia Line for Favorite Band, Duo or Group – Country.

Home Free To Launch Second Country Christmas Tour

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photo credit: Neil van Niekerk

Home Free are bringing their signature a cappella sound infused with the spirit of the season back this year as they embark on their 2017 A Country Christmas Tour. Following the breakout success of 2016’s A Country Christmas Tour and the group’s deluxe holiday album Full Of (Even More) Cheer, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, the quintet is bringing new music, new production, and even more holiday favorites to 20 cities across the U.S. for this year’s trek.

Tickets are available for presale on Tuesday (Aug. 8) and go on sale to the general public on Friday (Aug. 11). A select number of VIP and Q&A packages will also be available for purchase. The group has been working on a new full-length project, which is expected this fall, and has already amassed over 167 million YouTube views with their creative takes on classics and current hits.

A Country Christmas Tour Dates:

NOVEMBER 2017
29 | Rochester, MN – Mayo Civic Center
30 | Salina, KS – Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts 
DECEMBER 2017
1 | Mason City, IA – North Iowa Area Community College 
2 | Branson, MO – The Mansion Theatre 
3 | Des Moines, IA – Des Moines Civic Center
6 | Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theatre
7 | Louisville, KY – Brown Theatre
8 | Dekalb, IL – Egyptian Theatre
9 | Kalamazoo, MI – State Theatre
10 | Midland, MI – Midland Center for the Arts
13 | Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center
14 | Ann Arbor, MI – Michigan Theatre
15 | Troy, OH – Hobart Arena
16 | Henderson, KY – Preston Center for the Arts 
17 | El Dorado, AR – South Arkansas Performing Arts Center
19 | Houston, TX – Cullen Performance Hall
20 | Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
21 | Montgomery, AL – Montgomery Performing Arts Center
22 | Huntsville, AL – Von Braun Center
23 | Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall

Luke Bryan To Be Featured In New Snapchat Docu-series

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Luke Bryan. Photo: Carlos Ruiz

Luke Bryan will be featured this weekend in the debut episode of Artist Pass, the new docu-series show through the partnership of Billboard and Snap Inc., set to premiere on Snapchat’s Discover platform this Sunday, Aug. 6.

Bryan’s premiere episode will reveal a behind the scenes look at what life is like backstage before his headlining performance at the Faster Horses festival, one of country music’s most popular events. Artist Pass will be the newest show added to Snap’s longer-form video programming and will be the first to deliver originally-created content featuring music artists. The episodes will last 4-5 minutes each and future episodes will air bi-weekly starting on Aug. 6.

Billboard’s programming for Snap Inc. will deliver timely, relevant and compelling content that provides unparalleled access to some of today’s biggest music artists in a first-of-its-kind series through Snapchat’s TV-like format on Discover. Other artists lined up for future episodes include Demi Lovato and Rae Sremmurd. Honda is the exclusive sponsor for Artist Pass.

New Albums Coming From Brandy Clark, Erin Enderlin

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Brandy Clark Plots Live Album

Brandy Clark is set to follow up her critically acclaimed Big Day In A Small Town album with the new live album, Live From Los Angles, set to release Aug. 18. Recorded in Los Angeles’ Hotel Cafe last year, the album was released as an exclusive limited-run of vinyl albums in April in honor of record store day.

Live From Los Angeles Track Listing
Drinkin’ Smokin’ Cheatin’ (Written By – Brandy Clark)
Stripes (Written By – Brandy Clark, Matt Jenkins, Shane McAnally)
Big Day In A small town (Written By – Brandy Clark, Mark D. Sanders, Shane McAnally)
Hold My Hand (Written By – Brandy Clark, Mark Stephen Jones)
Daughter (Written By – Brandy Clark, Jeremy Spillman, Jessie Jo Dillon)
Love Can Go To Hell (Written By – Brandy Clark, Scott Stepakoff)
Girl Next Door (Written By – Brandy Clark, Jessie Jo Dillon, Shane McAnally)
Get High (Written By – Brandy Clark)
When I Get to Drinkin’ (Written By – Brandy Clark, Josh Osborne, Scott Stepakoff)
Since You’ve Gone To Heaven (Written By – Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally)
Pray To Jesus (Written By – Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally)

 

Erin Enderlin Preps Whiskey Town Crier Album For Sept. 1

Erin Enderlin, songwriter behind tracks including Alan Jackson’s “Monday Morning Church” and Lee Ann Womack’s “Last Call,” will release the album Whiskey Town Crier on Sept. 1.

The concept album was produced by Jamey Johnson and Jim “Moose” Brown, and includes a duet with Randy Houser (“The Coldest In Town”) and Chris Stapleton on “His Memory Walks On Water” as well as “Caroline.” The release follows Enderlin’s 2013 album I Let Her Talk.

Whiskey Town Crier
1. Intro
2. Caroline (Jim “Moose” Brown/ Erin Enderlin)
3. Baby Sister (Erin Enderlin/ Shane McAnally/ Felix McTeigue)
4. Ain’t It Just Like A Cowboy (Erin Enderlin/ Heather Little)
5. The Blues Are Alive & Well (Erin Enderlin/ Jim “Moose” Brown/ Shane McAnally)
6. Home Sweet Home To Me (Erin Enderlin/ Paul Sikes)
7. Till It’s Gone (Jon Randall/ Jim “Moose” Brown/ Erin Enderlin)
8. The Coldest In Town – duet with Randy Houser (Erin Enderlin/ Steve Leslie)
9. Whole Nother Bottle Of Wine (Erin Enderlin/ Heidi Newfield/ Jim “Moose” Brown)
10. Broken (Erin Enderlin)
11. Hickory Wind (Gram Parsons/ Bob Buchanan)
12. Jesse Joe’s Cigarettes (Erin Enderlin/ Shane McAnally)
13. His Memory Walks on Water (Erin Enderlin/ Irene Kelley)
14. ‘Till I Can Make It On My Own (Billy Sherril/ Tammy Wynette/ George Richey)

Matt Redman Sets ‘Glory Song’ Release For September

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Matt Redman is gearing up for the release of his 13th album, Glory Song, on Sept. 29 with sixstepsrecords, Capitol CMG. The Grammy winner’s newest collection of songs covers a sonically diverse musical backdrop, including uniting with 120 local worship leaders and songwriters on group vocals, and special guest collaborations with Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Kierra Sheard.

Glory Song was co-produced by Jeremy Edwardson and Jeremy SH Griffith and songwriters including Bernie Herms, Aaron Lindsey, Chris Tomlin, Jonas Myrin and Ed Cash joined Redman on this latest release. The first single from the album, “Gracefully Broken” featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard, is going for adds at radio Aug. 2.

“I’d made three live albums in a row, so this time around we decided to get back to recording in the studio and I was beyond grateful to get to do that at such an iconic place – Capitol Studios in LA,” explains Redman. “My aim from the beginning was to bring a bit more of a ‘gospel’ sound to proceedings. Recently I’ve been inspired by worship leaders like Tasha Cobbs Leonard, but also so aware of how little our various streams of the church seem to proactively reach out and work and worship with each other. So this record hopefully still sounds like me, but you’ll also hear the likes of Tasha, Kierra Sheard and a gospel choir in the mix too – and I love what they bring.”

Redman will be bringing his newest collection of music to churches for nights of worship from coast to coast throughout the street week of the album. Glory Songwill be available for pre-order on Sept. 8.

Steve Azar Brings In B.B. King’s Backing Band For New Delta-Inspired Album

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Steve Azar recruited a pretty impressive backing band for his latest album, Down At The Liquor Store, his first new release in five years. Azar recorded the new project, due out Aug. 11 on Ride Records, with The Kings Men, the group of top rate musicians who served as B.B. King’s backing band for years until his passing.

The project was recorded last Spring at Club Ebony in Indianola, B.B. King’s hometown, and Azar was the first artist to ever record a full-length studio album at the historic venue. The combination of Azar’s Delta-born songwriting approach and the band’s musical background and intuitive nature created a unique and soulful sound that isn’t country, specifically rock, or traditional blues, but something Azar terms “Delta Soul.”

The album’s title was derived from Azar’s experiences in his younger days helping his parents, descendants of Lebanese/Syrian immigrants, run the family business which served as a kind of community center for generations of Mississippians of all backgrounds and races.

“To have recorded an album with these monumental talents in this place that has meant so much to the greater Mississippi music community has been a true honor,” said Azar. “We all pitched in and made the most of the opportunity, and we just couldn’t be prouder of the result which, in a way, represents a microcosm of the special place we call the Delta.”

Down at the Liquor Store is accompanied by a full-length feature documentary Something In The Water. The film chronicles the making of the album and the trajectory of The Kings Men within the context of the Mississippi Delta’s worldwide musical influence. For Azar, the projects are yet another vehicle to spread the spirit and rich soul of the Delta region with the rest of the world. Mississippi is celebrating its Bicentennial this year and in connection with that, Steve has been appointed Music & Culture Ambassador of the State.

In 2013, he co-founded the Mighty Mississippi Music Festival with this year’s edition set for the weekend of September 29 – October 1 at Warfield Point in Greenville.

 Down at the Liquor Store Track Listing:
1. Rena Lara
2. Start To Wanderin’ My Way
3. Tender And Tough
4. Wake Me From The Dead
5. Down At The Liquor Store
6. She Just Rolls With Me
7. I Don’t Mind (Most Of The Time)
8. Chance I’ll Take
9. Over It All
10. Road Isn’t There Anymore
11. These Crossroads
12. Ode To Sonny Boy
13. Greenville
 

Artist Pics: Brett Eldredge, Chris Janson Celebrate New Music, Francesca Battistelli Goes Gold

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Brett Eldredge Celebrates Album Release Day With Goodies For WMN

Brett Eldredge celebrated the release of his self-titled album, out today (Aug. 4), with some chocolate, bringing brownies to the staff at Warner Music Nashville.

 

Chris Janson Fixes Some Drinks At The Opry

Photo: 2017 Grand Ole Opry, LLC / Rachael Black

Chris Janson celebrated “Fix A Drink Night” at the Grand Ole Opry on Wednesday night (Aug. 2). In addition to his three-song set, Janson previewed music from his forthcoming sophomore album Everybody for fans, family and friends from radio and media earlier in the evening. “Fix A Drink” has become a summer anthem and is the fastest rising single of his career.

 

Francesca Battistelli Celebrates Gold With Industry, Family And Friends

Fervent Records artist Francesca Battistelli was recently honored at a small gathering of label, industry partners, family and bandmates for her second RIAA-Certified Gold record for the Grammy-Award winning and No. 1 single “Holy Spirit.”

“Holy Spirit,” from Battistelli’s album If We’re Honest, spent an impressive 15 weeks in the No. 1 slot at Christian radio and was the No. 2 most-played song of 2015 at Christian AC Radio. “What a special night! This song has been such an anchor in my own life, and I don’t think we ever expected this, but the Lord’s plans are always better than ours,” shares Francesca. “To watch this song reach so many people has been such a blessing!”

Danielle Bradbery To Release Sophomore BMLG Records Album In December

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BMLG Records artist Danielle Bradbery is set to reintroduce herself to fans, sharing more of her own journey on her upcoming sophomore album I Don’t Believe We’ve Met, out Dec. 1.

“I am more than ready to re-introduce myself with music that is true to my story and my sound after diving into the writing process over the past four years,” said Bradbery. “With I Don’t Believe We’ve Met, I got the opportunity to work with amazing writers and producers that brought out my unique style and allowed me to tap into so many different influences. This is the beginning of a new chapter for me, and I am so excited for everyone to hear what we’ve made.”

Bradbery penned seven of the album’s 10 tracks, including lead single “Sway,” co-written with Emily Weisband and Johan Fransson. Other co-writers on the album include Thomas Rhett, Josh Kerr, Hannah Ellis, Heather Morgan, Jason Gantt, Johan Lindbrandt, Jeff Pardo, Molly Reed, and more.

Co-producers Josh Kerr, Afterhrs (One Direction), Alysa Vanderheym, Jason Gantt (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn), Julian Bunetta (One Direction, Thomas Rhett) and Sam Ellis (Marina McBride, Hunter Hayes) all helped to fine-tune the singer-songwriter’s new sound.

I DON’T BELIEVE WE’VE MET Track List:
1. “Sway” | Danielle Bradbery, Johan Fansson, Emily Weisband
2. “Potential” | Danielle Bradbery, Johan Lindbrandt, Emily Weisband
3. “What Are We Doing” | Danielle Bradbery, Sam Ellis, Thomas Rhett, Emily Weisband
4. “Worth It” | Danielle Bradbery, Jeff Pardo, Molly Reed
5. “Can’t Stay Mad” | Danielle Bradbery, Ian Franzino, Andrew Haas, Steph Jones
6. “Messy” | Danielle Bradbery, Hannah Ellis, Josh Kerr
7. “Red Wine + White Couch” | Nicolle Galyon, Alysa Vanderheym, Emily Weisband
8. “Hello Summer” | Rhett Akins, Julian Bunetta, Jaren Johnston, Thomas Rhett
9. “Human Diary” | Josh Kerr, Emily Weisband
10. “Laying Low” | Danielle Bradbery, Jason Gantt, Heather Morgan