In Pictures: Dolly Parton, Grand Ole Opry, BMI, SESAC, The People Sing!, NSAI, TPAC

Dolly Parton Crashes the Premiere Episode of ‘Pickler & Ben’

Pictured (L-R): Faith Hill, Kellie Pickler, Dolly Parton, and Ben Aaron. Photo: George Burns, Jr

Legend and icon Dolly Parton made an unexpected visit to the set of Pickler & Ben to surprise Kellie Pickler, co-host Ben Aaron, and Executive Producer Faith Hill for the premiere episode of their new Nashville-based talk show. Pickler & Ben is the first national show of its kind and will premiere on Monday, Sept. 18.

The show will air first in 21 markets owned and operated by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP), and 17 additional markets through Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution, and on CMT the morning after the first run.

 

The Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Country Cares for St. Jude Kids

Pictured (L-R): Charles Esten, Luke Bryan, Sally Williams (GM, Grand Ole Opry/SVP, Programing & Artist Relations, Opry Entertainment), Randy Owen, Bill Cody (650 WSM AM), and Kerri Edwards ( KP Entertainment/Luke Bryan manager). Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Pictured (L-R): Luke Bryan, Kael, and Clare Bowen. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Pictured (L-R): Kael, his brother Brody, and Randy Owen. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry celebrated Country Cares for St. Jude Kids during a special show Wednesday night (Sept. 13). Among the performers were Randy Owen of Country Music Hall of Fame group Alabama, four-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan, and Clare Bowen and Charles Esten of the hit series Nashville.

St. Jude patient Kael, who is five years old, took the stage as a special guest announcer for the night. After Kael presented Owen with a memento thanking him for 28 years of work with Country Cares for St. Jude Kids, the Country Music Hall of Famer returned the favor and surprised Kael and his brother Brody with their own Opry keepsakes.

The month of September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and supporters are encouraged to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in its efforts to end childhood cancer.

 

BMI Kicks Off AmericanaFest with a Full House

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mason Hunter, Phoebe Hunt, and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Steve Lowry

Pictured (L-R): Meg Sellers (Diageo), Jenna Desmond (SUSTO), Branden Bosler (BMI), Corey Harper (SUSTO), Marshall Hudson (SUSTO), David Preston (BMI), Dries Vanderberg (SUSTO), Nina Carter (BMI), and Justin Osborne (SUSTO). Photo: Steve Lowry

BMI hosted the official AmericanaFest kickoff party Tuesday night (Sept. 12) and set the bar high for the festival to follow. Fans and industry VIPs packed the BMI lobby to capacity as three of Americana’s hottest acts took the stage.

Hurray for the Riff Raff kicked off the night with a phenomenal acoustic set, followed by an instrument-filled performance from Phoebe Hunt & the GatherersSusto had guests dancing and cheering for more and wrapped up the night with an impromptu encore performance.

 

SESAC Creative Services Team with Christian Lopez

Pictured (L-R): Lydia Schultz, ET Brown, Christian Lopez, and Cristina Wheeler.

SESAC Creative Services team enjoyed a night out with SESAC artist Christian Lopez at the AmericanaFest Razor & Tie Kick-off Happy Hour on Tuesday (Sept. 12).

 

The People Sing! Presented by the Americana Music Association

Pictured (L-R): Teddy Thompson, Marcus Hummon, Elizabeth Cook, Kelsey Waldon, Mike Khalil, Rhiannon Giddens, Joe Henry, Alice Randall, Mike Cooley, Billy Bragg, Valerie June, Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer, Hayes Carll, Gretchen Peters, Barry Walsh, and Otis Taylor. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images [Click photo to enlarge]

Pictured (L-R): Allison Moorer, music director; Anthony Arnove, director/producer; and Christi Dortch, executive VP of programming & sales at TPAC. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Mike Khalil, Elizabeth Cook, Shelby Lynne, Marcus Hummon, Allison Moorer, Joe Henry, Hayes Carll, Rhiannon Giddens, Billy Bragg, and Teddy Thompson. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium filled on Tuesday night (Sept. 12) for The People Sing! presented by the Americana Music Association and Voices of a People’s History. The event featured performances by Allison Moorer, Hayes Carll, Alice Randall, Joe Henry, Teddy Thompson, Otis Taylor, Elizabeth Cook, Shelby Lynne, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rhiannon Giddens, Billy Bragg, Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, and more.

“We were thrilled to bring our family of troubadours and troublemakers to the historic War Memorial Auditorium last night and honored to partner with the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the Americana Music Association,” said director/producer Anthony Arnove. “We have long dreamed of a performance driven by musicians of the calibre who performed in The People Sing! Last night really was a vision years in the making.”

 

NSAI in DC

Pictured (L-R): Bart Herbison, Brooke Perry, and Forest Glen Whitehead.

Pictured: Forest Glen Whitehead performs for Texas Congressman Blake Farenthold.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) was on Capitol Hill this week for meetings with Members of Congress. Songwriter/producer Forest Glen Whitehead performed for Texas Congressman Blake Farenthold and staff.

 

World Premiere Of Part Of The Plan at TPAC

Pictured (L-R): Nashville actors Chaley Rose and Sam Palladio, professional golfer Brandt Snedeker and wife Mandy, Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney and wife Tiffany Fallon. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town), JT Hodges, and Kasey Hodges. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Famous faces and VIPs turned out at Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) Sunday night (Sept. 10) for the world premiere of Part of the Plan, the new, original American musical featuring the music and lyrics of celebrated singer-songwriter, the late Dan Fogelberg.

Joe Don Rooney (Rascal Flatts), Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town), country artist Maggie RoseNashville actors Sam Palladio and Chaley RoseAlison Krauss, blues artist Casey James, Jay Buchanan (Rival Sons frontman), Shane MacAnally, Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Bobby Braddock, Grammy-winning songwriter Don Henry, PGA pro Brandt Snedeker, Emmy-nominated actress Brynn Thayer, and Jean Folgerberg (Dan’s wife) were among those in attendance. Nashville music and entertainment industry names included John Marks, Bonnie Garner, Skip Bishop, Leslie Fram, Neal Spielberg and Tracy Gershon, among others.

Part of the Plan runs through Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. For tickets and additional information, visit the TPAC website.

Pilgrimage Festival Producers Balance Growing Event With Boutique Feel

Pilgrimage Festival co-producer Kevin Griffin.

When Kevin Griffin decided to go for a run down Franklin Road four years ago, he didn’t know he was setting out on a Pilgrimage. But as he looked at beautiful Harlinsdale Farm in his adopted hometown of Franklin, Tenn., the longtime Better Than Ezra frontman envisioned his next journey: a music festival.

Fast forward to 2017, where Griffin and co-producers Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan are a week away from the third annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, set for Sept. 23 and 24 at Harlinsdale Farm. Next week’s forecast is sunny—for both the weather and the experience.

The event has grown tremendously since it debuted in 2015, and now operates as a full-time enterprise with an office in Franklin. Griffin says it has “exceeded our wildest dreams.” Daily attendance doubled from the first to second years, and is growing again this year, when about 30,000 fans will be grooving to the sounds of Justin Timberlake, Eddie Vedder, Ryan Adams, Fitz and The Tantrums, The Avett Brothers and more. Griffin says the property can easily handle attendance of 60,000.

He attributes excellent word-of-mouth to the growing numbers, noting that the musical line-up for the first year was arguably stronger than the second year, and attendance doubled anyway. That is because so much attention is given to the ease of getting in and out of the festival grounds, convenience of purchasing food and drinks, creating a cool artisan marketplace and unique vibe.

Whelan says, “The guest experience is very important to us, as well as the overall brand and what it represents to the community. We are proud of that and it’s something we work very hard at. It’s not just about the music. It’s about the experience for everybody, from the time they decide to come to Pilgrimage to the time they leave. We spend a lot of time curating the line-up and have a healthy debate internally about the music and food programming and everything that goes with the brand. Our goal long-term is that the festival always have a boutique feel to it.”

Griffin agrees, “We want people this year to have as good of a time as the first two years. With this festival, we’ve wanted to walk before we run, and grow at a pace that we can handle.”

This year the grounds will include a new Americana Music Triangle Experience, featuring musical storytelling and décor curated by American Pickers. Also new is the Farm to Turntable area, offering food trucks in a horse paddock. “With the larger crowd this year, we wanted to expand the footprint because there is so much space out there,” says Griffin.

After that healthy debate about the musical line-up, Pilgrimage organizers turn their wish list of performers over to longtime talent booker Jay Sweet.

This year the festival has its biggest artist to-date—Timberlake, a Franklin-area resident who is co-producing the event as well as headlining on Saturday night.

“Justin’s been a great partner since he signed on over a year ago,” continues Whelan. “Obviously with him performing this year he’s very engaged with what Pilgrimage looks like, the line up, what his set will look like. The exposure he’s brought (has been amazing) and his involvement is not just about this year, it’s about the growth of Pilgrimage moving forward. He’s a global superstar who appeals to high school kids, grandparents and everybody in between.”

By design, Pilgrimage attracts all ages. Griffin says, “It’s the kind of festival the Nashville area was missing—a multi-genre festival that represents all the great music and food from the area, merchants and artisans. A Middle Tennessee cultural experience for the whole family.”

Nashville AIMP Chapter To Host Third Annual Songwriter Series

The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers will host its third annual Songwriters Series on Monday, Sept. 25 at The Country from 4-6 p.m. CT. The series will feature six new-and-noteworthy independent songwriters in writers’ rounds.

The series was created by a committee of industry professionals and is headed by SMACKSongs’ Michael Baum and Wrensong’s Ree Guyer, and launched in 2015 to showcase some of Nashville’s standout songwriters and bring the Nashville independent publishing community together for a night of celebration.

The Class of 2017 was chosen from more than 50 submissions and voted on by a committee of industry professionals. The six songwriters chosen for this year’s class are Hannah Ellis, Ross Ellis, Michael Hardy, Ashley McBryde, Daniel Ross and Sarah Turner, who each represent different independent Nashville-based publishers.

Writers of the last two years’ classes have continued to receive cuts and acclaim within the industry including current charting singles, ACM nominations, and number one songs.

Previous songwriter classes include:
Class of 2016: Brinley Addington, Ash Bowers, Dustin Christensen, Erik Dylan, Jeffrey East and Josh Jenkins
Class of 2015: Maggie Chapman, Luke Dick, Jameson Rodgers, Matt Rogers, Hailey Whitters and J.P. Williams

Alabama To Offer Up Christmas Cheer On First Holiday Album In 21 Years

Alabama is releasing their first new Christmas album in over two decades on Oct. 6. American Christmas, due out on BMG, is a collection of holiday favorites including “Away In A Manger,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells,” as well as four new songs contributed by the band. The album also includes an updated version of the group’s heartwarming holiday classic “Christmas In Dixie,” which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.

“To all our fans: Christmas is a special time for Alabama. We hope it is for you. From our hearts to you, we give you this Christmas gift.  Thank you for the love and support, all these years,” said Jeff, Teddy and Randy, “Merry Christmas!”

The album will be available at Cracker Barrel and other retailers and online digitally at Amazon, iTunes and Spotify and other outlets.

Track list:
 1-   Ain’t Santa Cool
 2-   Go Tell It On The Mountain
 3-   Silent Night
 4-   Why Can’t Christmas Day Last All Year Long
 5-   Away In A Manger
 6-   Christmas Joy
 7-   First Christmas Without Daddy
 8-   Winter Wonderland
 9-   Greatest Gift
 10- Jingle Bells
 11-  Remember Me
 12- (I Wanna) Rock N Roll Guitar
 13- Christmas In Dixie
 14- Sure Could Use Some Christmas Around Here
 15- Auld Lang Syne

BMI And Dualtone Celebrate Lumineers Day In Nashville

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Vice President of Writer Publisher Relations Jody Williams, BMI’s Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships & Events Mason Hunter, Jeremiah Fraites and Neyla Pekarek of The Lumineers, Dualtone Co-Founder and CEO Scott Robinson, Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers and Dualtone President Paul Roper

It was Lumineers Day in Nashville on Thursday (Sept. 14) as the group’s successes were touted by Dualtone at a special celebration at BMI. The group was presented with plaques during the event honoring the successes of their triple-Platinum self-titled debut album and certified Gold follow-up album Cleopatra.

Their three platinum singles – “Ho Hey,” “Stubborn Love,” and “Ophelia” – and two gold singles – “Flowers in Your Hair” and “Cleopatra” – were also recognized by BMI’s Vice President of Writer Publisher Relations, Jody Williams, who presented the group with MillionAir awards in recognition of 3 million radio performances.

The special ceremony concluded with a surprise from Williams: a proclamation declaring September 14, 2017 “The Lumineers Day” in Nashville signed by Mayor Megan Barry.

BMI’s Jody Williams, The Lumineers and BMI’s Mason Hunter pose after the award presentations

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ASCAP To Donate $25K To MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund

ASCAP will donate $25,000 to MusiCares and its hurricane relief fund, supporting members of the music community, including the tens of thousands of ASCAP songwriter, composer and music publisher members affected by the recent devastation of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

“Our hearts go out to our members who must now recover from these catastrophic storms,” said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. “ASCAP has always believed in harnessing the strength of our collective community to build a stronger future for music creators. In that spirit, we are pleased to join forces with our friends at MusiCares in helping to rebuild a future for those members of our community who need our help putting their lives back together.”

“ASCAP has more than 75,000 members who live in Texas, Florida and other communities hit hard by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma,” said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. “In seeking the most effective and efficient way to provide assistance to our affected members, the choice was easy. As our longtime ally in supporting music creators, MusiCares has the experience, infrastructure and resources to provide essential assistance to our members. We know our donation is in good hands.”

To donate to the fund, visit musicares.org/donate and choose “Hurricane Relief” in the gift designation drop-down menu.

Zach Williams Releases Deluxe Version Of ‘Chain Breaker’ Today

Singer-songwriter Zach Williams will digitally release the deluxe version of his breakthrough Chain Breaker album via Provident Label Group/Sony Music today (Sept. 15). The physical version of the deluxe album will be available Nov. 3.

The deluxe version features 15 songs, including new additions “Home,” “Freedom,” a live recording of “Washed Clean,” “Promised Land,” and a cover of the Allman Brothers Band classic “Midnight Rider.”

Williams’ debut single “Chain Breaker” topped the Christian singles charts for 15 consecutive weeks, and also entered the Top Rock Songs chart. His followup, “Old Church Choir,” is in the Top 10 on the Top Rock Songs chart.

Chain Breaker: Deluxe Edition
Promised Land *
Song Of Deliverance
Chain Breaker
Old Church Choir
Survivor
To The Table
My Liberty
Fear Is A Liar
Everything Changed
Revival
So Good To Me
Home *
Midnight Rider *
Freedom *
Washed Clean (Live) *
*denotes new songs

Memorial Service Set For Jessi “Zazu” Wariner

Jessi Zazu. Photo: Daniel Meigs

The life of Nashville singer-songwriter and former Those Darlins frontwoman Jessi “Zazu” Wariner will be celebrated during a memorial service on Sunday, Sept. 17, beginning at 3 p.m. at Fort Houston (2020 Lindell Ave., Nashville).

Wariner died Tuesday, Sept. 12, following a public battle with cervical cancer. She was 28.

Those Darlins, which formed in 2006 out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, also included Nikki Kvarnes and Linwood Regensburg and rotating players after Kelley Anderson left the band in 2012. The band would release three albums, including a self-titled project in 2009, followed by Screws Get Loose in 2011 and Blur The Line in 2013. The band broke up in early 2016 shortly before Wariner announced her diagnosis.

A fund has also been set up to aid in paying for remaining medical expenses at youcaring.com.

The Oak Ridge Boys To Explore Uncharted Territory On Second Dave Cobb-Produced Album

Pictured (L-R): Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, Dave Cobb, Peter Cooper. Photo: Jon Mir

The Oak Ridge Boys announced this week they will release a project with producer Dave Cobb in the first quarter of 2018.

At a listening event this week during the Americana Music Association AmericanaFest at Nashville’s RCA Studio A, where the album was recorded, the Oaks previewed some songs from the yet-untitled project. This will be the group’s second album with Cobb, who produced the Oaks’ acclaimed The Boys Are Back album released in 2009.

Cobb’s vision for the Oaks on this new project was to dig way back into their gospel music roots. “Everyone has heard the Boys sing gospel, but nobody has heard it quite like this,” said Logan Rogers, founder of Lightning Rod Records. “Under Dave Cobb’s direction, they touch on unchartered territory—and for a long-tenured act like The Oak Ridge Boys, that’s saying something.”

The album will be released on Lightning Rod and distributed by Thirty Tigers.