Cam To Perform New Single In Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

/by

Photo: Alan Poizner

Cam will be sharing her holidays with millions this Thursday (Nov. 23) when she appears in the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. During the parade route on 34th Street in New York City, she will ride the Domino Sugar float, and perform her new single, “Diane,” which will be telecast on NBC.

As part of the excitement surrounding the release of her new single, Cam surprised a public tour yesterday at Historic RCA Studio B on Music Row. She treated visitors to an acoustic performance of the new song and the classic “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” which Elvis recorded in the same studio. The surprise pop-up show was captured on Facebook Live here, as part of a content series celebrating the 60th anniversary of the opening of Historic RCA Studio B.

Cam is also set to launch her Best Coast Tour next week, headlining nine West Coast dates beginning Nov. 28. 

Thomas Rhett To Kick Off Salvation Army Campaign At Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Game

/by

Thomas Rhett will perform during halftime of the nationally televised Dallas Cowboys game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thanksgiving Day at AT&T Stadium, kicking off The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign.

The Red Kettle Campaign, which begins on Thanksgiving Day and runs through Christmas Eve, is the largest and longest-running fundraiser of its kind. It raised $147.3 million during the 2016 campaign alone and has raised nearly $2.2 billion since the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day partnership began in 1997. Donations provide shelter and meals for the homeless and hungry and Christmas toys for millions of children, in addition to numerous other social service programs The Salvation Army provides all year long.

“Watching the Cowboys game is such a tradition on Thanksgiving Day,” said Thomas Rhett. “It’s all about being together with family and friends, but this year is going to be a little different for us. I’m pumped that we get to pack up the whole family to go to Dallas for the halftime show…it’s going to be blast and helping do it for a good cause makes it
even better.”

“Thomas Rhett is not only a chart-topping country artist, but also a musician whose commitment and passion for philanthropy makes him a great fit to join the Fight for Good and kickoff the Red Kettle Campaign,” said Charlotte Jones Anderson, executive vice president and chief brand officer for the Cowboys and former national advisory chairperson for The Salvation Army. “Every year, The Salvation Army makes a difference in the lives of millions of Americans. We want everyone to know that their donations truly make an impact.”

The Red Kettle Kickoff halftime show has been nationally televised for all of its 21 years, reaching millions of viewers with the campaign’s message. Rhett is the newest addition to a list of Red Kettle halftime performers, including Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Selena Gomez, Kenny Chesney, Enrique Iglesias, Keith Urban, Daughtry, Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Destiny’s Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gilman, Clint Black, Randy Travis, and Reba McEntire.

 

Disney Music Group Signs Johnny Dibb

/by

Pictured (L-R): Josh Tomlinson (BMI), Austen Adams (Dickinson Wright PLLC), Ciara Shortridge (Disney Music Group), Johnny Dibb, Leslie Roberts (BMI), Dustin Kovacic (Dickinson Wright PLLC), Sarah Schumacher (DMG)

Johnny Dibb has entered into an exclusive worldwide agreement with Disney Music Group, announced by Mio Vukovic, SVP A&R/Head Of Creative.

Originally from Plymouth, England, Dibb grew up in Social Circle, Georgia after moving to the U.S. when he was 5 years old. A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, he began producing music at 15, and became involved in leading worship at churches around Atlanta through his high school years. He moved to Nashville at 17 to attend Belmont University where he studied music business and production.

Dibb says, “I’ve been waiting on this for a while – having a passionate team behind me that is going to push me forward and help me become the best songwriter I can be. I can’t wait to see what the future holds and I’m extremely honored to be a part of such an amazing company.”

Pictured (L-R): Peter Lloyd (DMG), Barbara VanderLinde (DMG), Dibb, Mio Vukovic (DMG), Brandon Kitchen (DMG)

CMA Honors ‘TODAY’ Producer Brittany Schreiber With 2017 Media Achievement Award

/by

Brett Eldredge presents Brittany Schreiber with the Media Achievement Award at “The 51st Annual CMA Awards,” live Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and broadcast on the ABC Television Network.

Country artist and CMA Board member Brett Eldredge surprised NBC TODAY Music Booking Producer Brittany Schreiber with the 2017 CMA Media Achievement Award during The 51st Annual CMA Awards Red Carpet on Nov. 8. TODAY‘s Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb congratulated Schreiber on air the following morning.

“I love working with the entire country music community, whether it’s to feature a superstar, introduce a new artist or highlight the city of Nashville itself,” said Schreiber. “I’m so grateful for how quickly I’ve been embraced by this community and I have such a huge appreciation for the Country Music Association for this special recognition.”

“Brittany is a true professional whose efforts have significantly impacted the careers of many in the country genre,” said Amber Williams, CMA Vice President of Communications and Talent Relations. “She is well-respected among voting CMA member publicists for her passion and is very deserving of this honor.”

At age nine, Schreiber knew she wanted to work for the TODAY Show. By 2009, that dream became a reality when, right out of college, she landed a role as a NBC Page working with TODAY, Saturday Night Live and Bravo’s Andy Cohen. Just a year later, she secured a staff position with NBC and has since ascended to Music Booking Producer.

The CMA Media Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to country music. Print and Internet journalists, columnists, authors, and editors; television writers, producers and bookers; and syndicated radio reporters are eligible to win this award.

Past winners of the CMA Media Achievement Award include:

1982 Jack Hurst
1983 Neil Hickey
1984 Dolly Carlisle
1985 Red O’Donnell
1986 No Award
1987 David Zimmerman
1988 Robert K. Oermann
1989 Bob Claypool
1990 Dick Heard
1991 No Award
1992 Mark McEwen
1993 Lynn Lester
1994 Judy Massa
1995 Clay Smith
1996 Tisi Aylward
1997 Jay Orr
1998 Chet Flippo
1999 Hazel Smith
2000 Neil Pond
2001 Harry Chapman
2002 Jim Patterson
2003 Denise Quan
2004 Alanna Nash
2005 Mark Bracco
2006 Donna Hughes
2007 Storme Warren
2008 Monica Escobedo
2009 Cynthia Sanz
2010 Beville Darden
2011 Ashley Dvorkin
2012 Jennifer Meyer and Ray Sells
2013 Deborah Evans Price
2014 Chuck Dauphin
2015 Cindy Watts
2016 Beville Dunkerley and Joe Hudak

‘CMA Country Christmas’ Set To Air Nov. 27

/by

Chris Young and Alan Jackson. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA

Some of the biggest names in country will celebrate a CMA Country Christmas when the special airs Monday, Nov. 27 from 8-10 p.m. ET on ABC. Now in its eighth year, this year’s show features Reba McEntire, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, CB30, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, CeCe Winans, Trisha Yearwood and Chris Young.

Fun-filled behind-the-scenes clips with CMA Country Christmas performers answering holiday-themed questions like What’s in a Fruitcake? and What did Tiny Tim say?  can be found on CMA’s YouTube channel throughout the week leading up to the special.

 

Lady Antebellum. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA

John Rich Partners With Eastside Distilling For Redneck Riviera Spirit Line

/by

John Rich and Eastside Distilling, Inc. have signed an exclusive global spirits licensing agreement with Rich’s Redneck Riviera lifestyle brand. 

Production has already begun on the new Redneck Riviera spirits, which are being branded as a favorite for those looking to enjoy a great liquor at the working man’s price point. The line includes American blended, aged, flavored and premium-blended whiskies, as well as vodka and rum. Award-winning distillers Travis Schoney and Mel Heim will craft each recipe using the finest ingredients.

“This is an exciting time for the Redneck Riviera brand,” Redneck Riviera’s John Rich said. “It has always been my goal to have a spirits line, and to be announcing this so young into the company’s launch is such a thrill and an honor. To be able to roll out this custom blend whiskey made in America by some of the top distillers in the country is a big win for us. I love a smooth blend of whiskey and a tight cigar to chill out after a rocking Big & Rich show or just a nice evening at home. This team is hard working and they play even harder, just like we do.” 

The brand will be highly focused on the Southeast initially, with a roll out to the rest of the country in the months to come.

“When I met John Rich I knew right away that we were going to do great business together,” said Eastside Distilling CEO Grover Wickersham. “His energy and drive to succeed is unmatched, and when we saw the tremendous growth that the Redneck Riviera lifestyle brand has made in a short time, we knew that this was the right brand to forge a partnership. The spirits line is an obvious next step to the brand’s line of apparel, boots, food and honky-tonks.”

Matthew Morgan Follows Scott Clayton To WME

/by

Matthew Morgan. Photo: Micah Kandros

Music agent Matthew Morgan has joined WME as a music agent in the company’s Nashville office from CAA. This news follows yesterday’s (Nov. 20) announcement that Scott Clayton has moved from CAA to WME as partner and co-head of WME’s Nashville office.

During his career, Morgan has worked with Cam, Gavin DeGraw, Lizzo, Ryan Follese, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Phillip Phillips, Pussy Riot, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Ricky Reed, Rival Sons, Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Script, and Zac Brown Band among others.

In Morgan’s previous work with CAA, he co-headed the festival department. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Morgan joined the CAA music department in 2004 following two years at Country Music Television. He is a member of the CMA and ACM.

Las Vegas Shooting Victims File Lawsuits Against MGM Resorts, Live Nation

/by

Attorneys representing more than 450 victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting on Oct. 1 at the Route 91 Harvest Festival filed five new lawsuits in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday (Nov. 20), the LA Times reports. More than 500 people were injured during the attack.

Those named as defendants in Monday’s lawsuits included festival promoter Live Nation, Paddock’s estate, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, the hotel from which gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire on the crowd of Route 91 Harvest Festival attendees across the street, as well as Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino owner, MGM Resorts International.

Victims seeking financial compensation previously filed more than 15 lawsuits.

The suits’ plaintiffs were all Route 91 Harvest Festival attendees, as well as a few security guards working the event. More than 30 of the plaintiffs were shot, and two were family members of victims who were killed. Nearly 100 of the plaintiffs were injured from trampling, according to attorneys. The majority of the attorneys’ clients are from California, which attorneys stated as a reason for filing the suits in Los Angeles instead of Las Vegas.

The plaintiffs argue that the hotel’s operators “breached their duty of reasonable care” by not noticing Paddock was storing guns in his room and by not responding fast enough after security guard Jesus Campos was shot by Paddock before the massacre began. The victims’ attorneys also argued that the festival did not have proper exits or adequately trained employees for when the crowd began evacuating, which they said resulted in more injuries.

“The incident that took place on Oct. 1 was a terrible tragedy perpetrated by an evil man,” MGM Resorts International said in a statement. “These kinds of lawsuits are not unexpected and we intend to defend ourselves against them. That said, out of respect for the victims, we will give our response through the appropriate legal channels.”

Lee Thomas Miller Congress Rally Scheduled For Dec. 4

/by

A rally in support of Lee Thomas Miller‘s run for Congress will be held on Monday, Dec. 4 at BMI’s Nashville office from 4-6 p.m. Lee and several industry leaders will speak during the event, and a host committee of industry leaders is currently being formed.

Everyone in the industry is invited to attend in support of Miller, and to meet him or find out more about the campaign. Miller is running to represent Tennessee’s 7th district in the U. S. Congress for the seat being vacated by Congressman Marsha Blackburn, who recently announced her Senate campaign. He announced his run a few weeks ago, and has stepped down from his former post as president of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) in order to run for the seat.

A tireless champion of songwriter’s rights who has fought for the protections of intellectual property on the front lines before Congress and the U. S. Justice Department, Miller has penned songs like “In Color,” “The Impossible,” “You’re Gonna Miss This,” and “I’m Still a Guy,” for artists like Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, and Jamey Johnson.

Mac Davis, Brothers Osborne, Natalie Hemby Set For ‘The First And The Worst’

/by

Mac Davis, Brothers Osborne, and Natalie Hemby are the latest artists to offer up their “First And The Worst” songs to help support Music Health Alliance. The artists will gather at Nashville’s City Winery on Feb. 28 to perform the very first and the very worst songs they ever wrote, along with some of their biggest hits.

Now in its fourth year, the one-of-a-kind event will help raise funds for Music Health Alliance, which provides free support to songwriters, artists, musicians and music industry professionals at every stage of their career to find affordable healthcare solutions and financial resources. Advance tickets go on-sale tomorrow to City Winery Vinofile members. Individual tickets go on sale starting at 3 p.m. CT on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, and are $50 for balcony seats at bit.ly/2Ahl6oi and $100 for floor seats at bit.ly/2hPGB83. Sponsor tables start at $1,000 and can be purchased by contacting Music Health Alliance’s Shelia Shipley Biddy at [email protected].

Additional performers for the 2018 event will be revealed in the coming weeks.