12th Annual ACM Honors Date Announced

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The Academy Of Country Music announced today (March 21) that the 12th annual ACM Honors will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018 and will return to Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium for the ninth consecutive year. The ACM Honors is an evening of live music and tributes celebrating recipients of the Academy of Country Music’s Special Awards, Songwriter of the Year Award, Industry Awards and Studio Recording Awards.

For more information, visit acmcountry.com.

Lenore Kinder To Join Paradigm’s Nashville Office

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Lenore Kinder

Concert promoter Lenore Kinder is joining Paradigm Talent Agency’s Nashville office as an agent, starting April 2. Kinder comes to Paradigm with over 10 years experience at AEG Presents, where she earned a reputation for outstanding artist development, growing superstars like Imagine Dragons, Adele and Mumford & Sons from clubs to arenas and curating North American tours for Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers and Kelsea Ballerini.

Kinder won the Rising Star award at last month’s Pollstar Awards, and the 2017 ACM Award for Talent Buyer of the Year. She is a voting member of the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and the Americana Music Association.

“I’m thrilled to start a new chapter of my career at Paradigm,” Kinder says. “The last decade in the industry has prepped me to take my love for artist development to the next level. The office in Nashville has captured lightning in a bottle and I’m honored to join their team.”

“We’re ecstatic to have Lenore joining us,” says Paradigm Nashville office head Jonathan Levine. “In addition to being one of the most respected promoters in the business, with a knack for discovering and nurturing great talent, Lenore’s energy and passion are boundless. So too is her commitment to quality and attention to detail. Without question Lenore will become an invaluable member of the innovative, laser-focused artist development team that defines Paradigm and our Nashville office.”

Paradigm CEO Sam Gores says, “As we continue to forge our own path as a company and stake our claim as the most progressive agency in Nashville, it’s uniquely talented people like Lenore Kinder that will enhance our outstanding team and help bring that vision to life.”

Merle Haggard Classic Inspires Keith Urban’s Latest Single

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Keith Urban honors country legend Merle Haggard in his latest single, “Coming Home,” from Urban’s upcoming album Graffiti U.

With “Coming Home,” Urban took the intro from Haggard’s signature song “Mama Tried,” and used it as the basis for a new song.

“’Coming Home” started with an idea I had of using the intro of one of my favorite Haggard songs, ‘Mama Tried’ – to build an entirely new song around it. Then, I took the idea to J.R. Rotem and he put some chords around it. I jotted down the first words that the music made me feel, jumped on a mic and sang the chorus.

“Hearing that rolling Haggard guitar lick sparked memories of my childhood – and my dream to come to America.” added Urban. “I knew right then the story (of the song) was about the struggles of being in a city where your dreams have brought you, but far from your home – wherever, whomever and whatever that is for each of us.”

Haggard is also given co-writer credit on the new song.

“Coming Home” also features vocals from pop artist Julia Michaels, who also co-wrote the track. Michaels has penned songs for Selena Gomez, Fifth Harmony and Gwen Stefani, and was nominated for two Grammy awards earlier this year, for Song of the Year (“Issues”) and Best New Artist. Co-writers on “Coming Home” include Urban, Rotem, Michaels, and country powerhouse songwriter Nicolle Galyon, with co-production by Rotem and Urban.

“Julia’s writing contribution extended into the idea of the need to want to physically be home,” Urban said. “She summed up the whole story in one sentence: ‘Yeah, I know it’s only one call away, but it’s not the same.’ For me, that simple phrase said so much, especially when she sang it!”

The song already has the blessing of Haggard’s wife Theresa Haggard and son Ben Haggard.

“I called Theresa Haggard and Ben Haggard to play them what we’d been working on. It was important to me to have their blessing- and I’m so grateful that they love the song.”

Urban’s 58-city “GRAFFITI U WORLD TOUR 2018,” launches June 15th in St. Louis.

Scotty McCreery’s ‘Five More Minutes’ Achieves Gold

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Pictured (L-R): Scott Stem (McCreery’s Manager, Triple 8 Management); Bob Morelli (President, RED MUSIC); McCreery; Norbert Nix (Partner & GM, Triple Tigers Records); and George Couri (McCreery’s Manager; Partner, Triple 8 Management; and Partner, Triple Tigers Records). Photo: Laura June Kirsch

Scotty McCreery had a lot to celebrate in the Big Apple Monday night (March 19) when he performed at the Gramercy Theatre in celebration of the release of his new album Seasons Change. Backstage at his show the Triple Tigers recording artist received a plaque commemorating the RIAA Gold certification of his recent No. 1 hit, “Five More Minutes.”

Penned by McCreery, Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell, the song topped both the Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck Country Airplay charts, and was McCreery’s first ever No. 1 song.

Hazel Smith Visitation Set For Today

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Hazel Smith

The Madison Funeral Home will host a farewell to Hazel Smith this afternoon, Wednesday, March 21.

Known as “Country Music’s Mother Hen,” Smith was a legendary country-music journalist, Nashville booster, media maven and Music Row personality. She passed away on Sunday, March 18 at age 83 following several years of declining health.

She was a columnist for Country Music magazine, Country Weekly, Country Music Today and CMT.com. Between 2007 and 2013, she was the Host of the CMT TV series Southern Fried Flicks

Smith was also the author of the 2001 country-star cookbook Hazel’s Hot Dish. In promoting it, she did multiple appearances on the nationally syndicated TV series The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

At various times in her colorful career, she was a publicist, a manager and a syndicated radio reporter.

She was also a songwriter. Her works were recorded by Tammy Wynette, Dr. Hook, Bill Monroe, Brenda Lee, Ray Sawyer, Billie Jo Spears, IIIrd Tyme Out, Helen Reddy, Nana Mouskouri, The Whites and others.

Hazel Smith was the office manager for Ron Haffkine and Dr. Hook, for Ricky Skaggs and for Tompall Glaser’s “Hillbilly Central” recording studio. During her tenure at the last-named, she coined million-dollar marketing moniker “Outlaw Music” to describe Glaser, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and similar artists in 1970s.

Hazel Smith was born on May 31, 1934 in Caswell County, NC. She was a divorcee with two sons when she met Bill Monroe at a bluegrass festival. Their relationship brought her to Nashville. She inspired his song “Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine.” It later became a 1989 hit for The Kentucky HeadHunters.

Once in Nashville, she began publicizing Kinky Friedman, Glaser, Jennings, Dr. Hook and others. She rose to fame as the gossip columnist for Country Music magazine in the 1970s. Based on this, she became a Music Row fixture and, eventually, a mentor to Fletcher Foster, Robert K. Oermann, Chet Flippo & Martha Hume, Garth Brooks, Gillian Welch and more.

She was a relentless champion of her sons and their music. The Smith Brothers were signed to Epic Records and released their debut LP n 1990. Member Billy Boone Smith is now a popular solo entertainer. Brother Terry Smith is a member of the award-winning bluegrass band The Grascals.

Hazel Smith was given the CMA Media Achievement Award in 1999. She was a SOURCE honoree in 2008.

Her visitation will take place at Madison Funeral Home, 219 E. Old Hickory Boulevard, Madison, Tennessee 37115, from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

She will be laid to rest at Camp Springs United Methodist Church, 9168 Cherry Grove Road, Reidsville, North Carolina 27320, on Saturday.

Watch: Garth Brooks Welcomes Chris Janson As Newest Opry Member

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Chris Janson was inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday night (March 20) by Garth Brooks, who has been an Opry member himself since 1990. The moment was a monumental one for the artist, who has already played the hallowed stage more than 150 times.

“Driving in here tonight, I passed a billboard that says ‘Welcome To The Family.’ Family is a great name for this place,” said Brooks during Janson’s induction. “Another great name for this place is church. That’s what it’s all about. Because if any time you are at your lowest, these people are going to be here for you. And they’ll expect the same out of you, and they’ll get the same out of you.”

“How do you not cry on a night like this?” said Janson, who is now the Opry’s youngest living member. “To know me is to know I really, truly love the Grand Ole Opry. This will be a moment I will never forget. Thanks for making my dreams come true, and thanks for buying a ticket to the Opry to see it happen! I hope you come back a million times! I’ll buy the ticket for ya. I don’t even care. I love you that much!”

“Chris Janson showed us all again tonight why we are so excited to welcome him into the Opry family,” said Opry General Manager Sally Williams. “Like he has during every Opry appearance he’s made, he exuded passion and enthusiasm for this iconic show he loves so much. Whether he’s playing his own hits, songs he’s written for fellow artists, or his all-time country favorites, he brings Opry audiences to their feet with his performances. Backstage, it’s amazing to watch him connect with both the artists who have come before him and those who are following in his footsteps. We could not be more thrilled about the excitement, loyalty, and great music he will bring to our Opry family for years to come.”

Industry Ink: ASCAP, CAA, Leadership Music, True Grit Management

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ASCAP At The Bluebird

Pictured (L-R): (front) CAA’s Kylen Sharpe, Jameson Rodgers, Tenille Townes, ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, (back) Canaan Smith, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, Tyrone “Golden” Carreker, CAA’s Meredith Jones and CAA’s Michael Bryan.

ASCAP recently hosted its long-running monthly showcase series at the Bluebird Cafe and partnered for the first time with Creative Artists Agency to feature songwriters and artists that are both ASCAP members and clients of CAA.

Performers included Mercury Records Nashville artist Canaan Smith, Sony Music Nashville artist Tenille Townes, songwriter-artist Jameson Rodgers and, making his Bluebird Cafe debut, songwriter-artist Tyrone “Golden” Carreker.

 

Kelly Clarkson, Devin Dawson Speak at Leadership Music

Pictured (L-R): Devin Dawson, Kelly Clarkson, John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN)

Warner Music Nashville and its Chairman & CEO John Esposito helped host the 29th class of Leadership Music for a portion of their Record Company Day last Tuesday (March 13). The Leadership Music board member was joined by Warner Music Nashville / Atlantic Records breakout artist Devin Dawson for a special performance, while Atlantic superstar Kelly Clarkson shared a few songs and discussed her storied career during the afternoon panel.

 

True Grit Management Launches In Austin

Artist manager Arthur Penhallow, Jr. formerly of Punch Enterprises andC3 Management has founded True Grit Management. Penhallow cut his teeth with Punch Andrews (Bob Seger and Kid Rock) for well over a decade.  His roster includes Cody Jinks, Whitey Morgan, Ward Davis, Blue Water Highway, and Sunny Sweeney.

“Absolute dedication to the artist is the foundation at True Grit Management. The artists deserve that to say the least. They work tremendously hard and sacrifice everything they have for a career in music. It is my job to make sure they get paid and to professionally provide them with career expertise at every level,” commented Arthur Penhallow.

In addition to the Management company, Penhallow recently acquired Austin based booking agency CTK Entertainment, which will now be known as True Grit Talent Agency.  Michael and Carrie Krug, along with the entire staff and roster at CTK have joined the True Grit team.

Nashville Bands The Sisterhood, Loving Mary Join Steven Tyler Tour

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Steven Tyler and Nashville’s Loving Mary Band have announced their summer tour in the U.S., Canada and Europe, with country rock duo The Sisterhood Band (comprised of Ruby Stewart, the daughter of Rod Stewart, and Alyssa Bonagura, daughter of Kathie Ballie and Michael Bonagura of Baillie & the Boys,) set to join Tyler on select tour dates.

Kicking off in June, the tour makes stops in major markets such as New York City, Calgary, Madrid, London and more. The Loving Mary Band is a powerful sextet from Nashville formed by Marti Frederiksen, longtime Aerosmith collaborator who co-wrote Aerosmith’s hit, “Jaded” and produced several of their albums including Just Push Play. The band backs Steven Tyler’s solo country project and tours with him frequently and is comprised of Frederiksen, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Suzie McNeil, Elisha Hoffman, Andrew Mactaggart and Sarah Tomek.

Steven Tyler/Loving Mary Tour Dates:
June 12                 Lewiston, NY                         Artpark Amphitheater
June 18*                New York, NY                       SummerStage/Central Park
*City Parks Foundation Annual Gala
June 21                  Vienna, VA                           Wolf Trap
June 24                  Bethlehem, PA                     Sands Bethlehem Event Center
June 27                  Detroit, MI                            MotorCity Casino Hotel
June 30                  Northfield, OH                      Hard Rock Live
*Public Benefit for Akron Children’s Hospital
July 7                     Naperville, IL                         Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest
July 11*                  Calgary, AB                           Cowboys Stampede Tent
July 15*                  Sion, Switzerland                  Sion Sous Les Etoiles Festival
July 18                   Trieste, Italy                          Trieste Piazza Unita D’Italia
July 24                   Barolo, Italy                           Collisioni Festival, Piazza Colbert
July 27                   Rome, Italy                            Rome Cavea
July 30                   Madrid, Spain                        Teatro Real
August 2*               Marbella, Spain                     Starlite Festival
August 7                London, UK                            O2 Forum Kentish Town
*The Sisterhood Band not appearing

Carly Pearce Celebrates First No. 1 Song

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Pictured (L-R): busbee (BMI), Carly Pearce (ASCAP), Emily Shackelton (BMI)

“If I am living proof of anything, it’s that one song can change everything,” said Big Machine Label Group artist Carly Pearce, as she celebrated “Every Little Thing,” her very first No. 1 song as both an artist and a songwriter during a celebration at the Country Music Association offices in Nashville on Monday (March 19).

Pearce, an ASCAP writer, was joined by her “Every Little Thing” co-writers busbee and Emily Shackelton (both BMI writers) during a party hosted by both of the performing rights organizations.

“I’ve dreamt of what it would be like to have a No. 1 song since I moved to Nashville,” shared Carly. “I have experienced that with my peers over the years and have listened to the stories behind the songs that changed other people’s lives, but I had no idea that ‘Every Little Thing’ was going to be that song for me.”

Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta agreed that the song has put Pearce’s career in overdrive, but noted that her work ethic is more than up to the challenge. Pearce was recently nominated for her first ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year honor, and will join several tours this year including a current stint with Blake Shelton’s Country Music Freaks Tour, followed by outings on Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes tour, Rascal Flatts’ Back To Us tour, and Luke Bryan’s What Makes You Country Tour.

Emily Shackelton (BMI), Carly Pearce (ASCAP) and bubsee (BMI) perform “Every Little Thing”

The chart-topping success comes after years of struggle for Pearce, who at one point acted as her own tour manager, booking agent and publicist, and personally reaching out to industry influencers such as John Marks, JR Schumann, and Leslie Fram to get them interested in her music.

Among those celebrating Peace’s first No. 1 song were ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, BMI’s Mary Ann Keen, Liz Rose Music’s Liz Rose and Scott Ponce, BMG’s Kos Weaver, BMLG’s Borchetta and Allison Jones, CMA’s Brandi Simms, Country Aircheck’s Chuck Aly, and MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson.

Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Carly Pearce, BMLG’s Allison Jones

Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton On Board For ACM Awards

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Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton and Keith Urban have been added to the stellar lineup of performers for the upcoming 53rd Annual ACM Awards April 15. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Entertainment Tonight host Nancy O’Dell, actress Rebecca Romijn, and Olympic Alpine Skier Lindsey Vonn have also been added as presenters for the ceremony.

Previously-announced ACM Awards performers include Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Bebe Rexhaand Thomas Rhett. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 53rd ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8 p.m.  ET/PT on CBS.