‘And The Writer Is…’ Podcast Gears Up For Third Season

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“And The Writer Is…” podcast is back for a third season beginning Monday, April 30, with a new set of guests including One Republic’s Ryan Tedder, Nick Jonas, busbee, and more. 

Anchored by multi-platinum songwriter Ross Golan (Selena Gomez, Flo Rida, Lady Antebellum, Ariana Grande and others) and produced by Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer Joe London (Thomas Rhett, Jason Derulo, Pitbull and others), the behind-the-scenes podcast shines a light on how hits are written, and will feature 12 brand new episodes released every Monday starting April 30.

“We have lined up a group of truly inspiring writers for season three and we can’t wait to release these episodes to our listeners,” said Golan. “Songwriters are often overlooked in the industry and we’re hoping to continue to shine a light on the men and women who craft the soundtrack of our lives.”

“And The Writer Is…” can be downloaded everywhere podcasts are available including Spotify, Apple Music and iHeartRadio. More information can be found at andthewriteris.com.

 

Bobby Karl Works The 2018 Tin Pan South Kickoff Party

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BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 588

During the next five days, 10 of Nashville’s finest music venues will be competing for the attention of the hundreds of attendees of this year’s Tin Pan South festival.

But on Monday evening (April 2) the place to see and be seen was the lobby of Regions Bank on the Music Row Roundabout. A merry mob of creative folks mingled there at the fest’s kick-off party. Regions, the event’s presenting sponsor, tossed a first-class bash, as always.

The schmoozing was at maximum decibels at the party’s peak. Rocking the room were Levi Hummon, Marcus Hummon, Marc-Alan Barnette, James Dean Hicks, Michael Peterson, rocking Web Wilder. Pete Sallis, Dave Gibson, Jimbeau Hinson, handsome J.T. Harding, Jamie Floyd, Tony Arata and NSAI prez Steve Bogard. How’s that for a talent lineup?

Photo Credit: Cooper Smith

Jack Daniels sponsored the bar. That was kinda cool for Miss Mary and me, since we’d finally gotten around to taking the distillery tour in Lynchberg last month. I highly recommend it as a day trip.

Maggiano’s catered. We snacked on Italian beef sliders, cucumber slices topped with herb cheese, mini Italian meatballs, chicken pesto sliders, assorted cheeses and tomato & mozzarella skewers with balsamic glaze. Yum, yum.

The NSAI puts on the event. Its exec, Bart Herbison, positioned himself near the entryway to offer greetings to one and all.

Working the room were Mike Martinovich, Fletcher Foster, Butch Baker, Craig Campbell, Chris Keaton, James Elliott, John Ozier, John Beiter, San Francisco visitor Tom Donald (among the many who travel to Nashville for the renowned fest), Preshias Harris, Larry Weiss, Sherrill Blackman, Steve O’Brien, Stan Moress, Charlie Monk and hostess-with-the-mostest Lisa Harless.        

Photo Credit: Cooper Smith

“I’m not going to do much club-hopping,” said The Bluebird Café’s Erika Wollam-Nichols with a chuckle. “I like to stay put. I don’t do so well at other people’s clubs. I don’t think they like me shush-ing people.”

Hubby Roger Nichols is manning the soundboard at The Station Inn. The other venues participating are The Listening Room Café, The Commodore Grille, Douglas Corner Café, Hard Rock Café, South, 3rd & Lindsley, The Local and Whiskey Rhythm Saloon.

If you go, and I urge you to, prepare to have your ears pinned back by the likes of Paul Overstreet, Nash Overstreet, Billy Montana, Randy Montana, Emily West, Matthew West, Brennan Leigh, Leigh Nash, Billy Dean, Barry Dean, Krystal Keith, Keith Burns, Josh Kerr, Josh Osborne, Al Anderson, Abby Anderson and Robert Earl Keen.

Photo Credit: Cooper Smith

Not to mention Eric Paslay, Matraca Berg, Waylon Payne, Keb’ Mo’, Trent Willmon, Lance Carpenter, Larry Gatlin, Aaron Tippin, Charlie Worsham, Jerrod Niemann, Jedd Hughes, Wynn Varble, Carly Pearce, Lindsay Ell, Mike Reid, Bekka Bramlett, Post Monroe, Paul Jefferson, Eddy Raven, Lori McKenna, Dan Tyminski, Desmond Child, Radney Foster, the folks listed in the third paragraph and scads more of the nearly 300 top-tier songwriters who will be showcasing during this extraordinary week.

This is the 26th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. Fast-Access Passes are sold out, but at-the-door admission will be available for most shows.

Let the tune fiesta begin.

Photo Credit: Cooper Smith

Photo Credit: Cooper Smith

Photo Credit: Cooper Smith

Neil Young, Van Morrison Added To Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival

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Willie Nelson‘s Outlaw Music Festival has announced eight additional dates for the tour’s second leg this September, with Van Morrison, Neil Young + Promise of the Real (Saratoga Performing Arts Center only), Tedeschi Trucks Band, Margo Price, Greensky Bluegrass, Terra Lightfoot, and The Commonheart joining the second run.

The festival lineup already includes Willie Nelson & Family, Sturgill Simpson, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Alison Krauss, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Brandi Carlile, The Head and the Heart, Old Crow Medicine Show, Ryan Bingham, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, The Wild Feathers, JD McPherson, Delta Rae, and Particle Kid.

Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, April 6. Citi is the official pre-sale credit card of the festival and Citi card members will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning today through Thursday, April 5 at 10PM through Citi’s Private Pass program.

“This started out with a one-show storyboard two years ago. Now, you can hear, feel, smell and immerse locally in that joyous exuberance,” says Geoff Gordon, Live Nation Philadelphia Regional President. “Outlaw is really just a celebration of everything Willie, which the Picnic has been for decades.”

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
BURGETTSTOWN, PA – KEYBANK PAVILION
Willie Nelson & Family
Van Morrison
Sturgill Simpson
Brandi Carlile
The Commonheart
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
HERSHEY, PA – HERSHEYPARK STADIUM
Willie Nelson & Family
Van Morrison
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Sturgill Simpson
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
TBA
Other Artists To Be Announced

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
TORONTO, ON – BUDWEISER STADIUM
Willie Nelson & Family
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Sturgill Simpson
Terra Lightfoot
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
SCRANTON, PA – THE PAVILION AT MONTAGE MOUNTAIN
Willie Nelson & Family
Van Morrison
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
TBA
Other Artists To Be Announced

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
CAMDEN, NJ – BB&T PAVILION
Willie Nelson & Family
Van Morrison
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Greensky Bluegrass
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
HOLMDEL, NJ – PNC BANK ARTS CENTER
Willie Nelson & Family
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Sturgill Simpson
Greensky Bluegrass
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
TBA
Other Artists To Be Announced

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
MANSFIELD, MA – XFINITY CENTER
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Margo Price
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – SARATOGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Willie Nelson & Family
Neil Young + Promise of the Real
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced

Jason Isbell, Ashley Monroe, Jamey Johnson, Bobby Bare, Jessi Colter To Play CMHoF Show

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will present a concert, under the musical direction of Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings, to mark the opening of the museum’s new major exhibition, Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s. The concert, exhibit and additional programs will explore an era of intense cultural exchange between Nashville and Austin, Texas, in the 1970s, when country music’s Outlaw movement was on the rise.

Outlaws & Armadillos opens May 25, for a nearly three-year run, with the separately ticketed concert set for 8 p.m. that day.

The unparalleled roster of artists slated to grace the stage of the museum’s CMA Theater includes Country Music Hall of Fame member Bobby Bare and a veteran crew of renegades and iconoclasts including Jessi Colter, Joe Ely, Michael Martin Murphey, Gary P. Nunn, Willis Alan Ramsey, Kimmie Rhodes (appearing with Delbert McClinton) and Billy Joe Shaver, all of whom are represented in the exhibit.

From a new generation of torchbearers will come Jason Boland, Jack Ingram, Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson, Ashley Monroe, Amanda Shires, and Colter Wall, ensuring that the audience will experience an unprecedented and historic evening of melody and mayhem.

This special concert is being made possible with support from sponsors Ben Milam Whiskey and Luckenbach Texas, a legendary Texas music venue.

The museum’s new exhibition, Outlaws & Armadillos, spotlights the revolution that took place when Bare, Guy Clark, Tompall Glaser, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker, and others took creative control from their record labels, in order to develop new sounds that were as frank as their lyrics.

Co-curated by museum staffers Peter Cooper and Michael Gray with Austin filmmaker Eric Geadelmann, the exhibit includes items such as the still where storyteller Tom T. Hall and the “bootleg preacher” Will D. Campbell made whiskey, the Randall knife that once belonged to Guy Clark’s father, the paintings of Susanna Clark, the outfit worn by Joe Ely when he worked at a circus, the remarkable photography of Leonard Kamsler and Marshall Fallwell Jr., the Gibson guitar played by Cowboy Jack Clement, and the Armadillo art of Jim Franklin.

The concert will paint a vivid picture of the era, in Nashville and in Austin, and its lasting impact.

“We pondered how to put on a concert that would do justice to this spectacular era and to these spectacular artists,” said Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young. “The only possible answer was, ‘Call Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings.’”

Tickets for the May 25 concert are $40.95 and include museum admission. The concert will be recorded for future broadcast on satellite radio SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel. The radio presentation will include additional content related to the museum exhibit. Tickets go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. CDT on Friday, April 6, and can be purchased here.

Jack White’s ‘Boarding House Reach’ Debuts Atop Albums Chart

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Photo: David James Swanson


Boarding House Reach, the third solo album from Third Man Records/Columbia artist Jack White, has debuted at No. 1 this week on Nielsen Soundscan’s Top 200 albums rankings, with 121,000 in traditional album sales. The feat marks White’s third consecutive chart-topping debut for a new solo release.

The album is also the best-selling rock album and alternative album. It earned fourth-largest sales week for a vinyl album since Nielsen began tracking sales in 1991. 27,000 units of Boarding House Reach‘s sales this week were on vinyl LP.

Boarding House Reach marks White’s first new album in nearly four years.

 

 

The Wild Feathers Debut New Single “Big Sky”

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The Wild Feathers have released a new single, “Big Sky,” which debuted on March 30 on Sirius XM The Highway as a “Highway Find.”

On “Big Sky” the Wild Feathers reunite with producer Jay Joyce, who oversaw the group’s 2013 self-titled debut and 2016’s Lonely Is a Lifetime. The band, Taylor Burns, singer-guitarist Ricky Young, singer-bassist Joel King, and drummer Ben Dumas, embrace their more countrified influences on the new project.

“We’ve always just made our music regardless of what genre it’s supposed to fit in,” says guitarist and vocalist Taylor Burns. “We were surprised but excited when we found out that the Highway wanted to play it right away. It just reminded us of the old school way that radio used to discover bands.”

Industry Ink: SSM Entertainment, Riley Green, PLA Media

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New Signing For SSM Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Patti Olsen-Garafola, Ashley Barron and Dean Scallan.

Ashley Barron has signed with SSM Entertainment. She joins a growing roster of artists at SSM Entertainment/SSM Nashville Records including Branch and Dean, Alexandra Demetree, AC Jones and Wes Hayden.

“Ashley has such a positive spirit and undeniable drive, and we could not be more thrilled to welcome her to our SSM family,” said label CEO Dean Scallan.

Label President, Patti Olsen-Garafola, said 2018 is already looking bright for this emerging artist. The label is set to release Barron’s debut single to country radio later this year.

 

BMLG Records’ Riley Green Gives Back To Florida Hometown

Pictured (L-R): Tom Hargery (GM, Iron City), Jason Westbrook (Production / Security Manager, Iron City), Riley Green, John Grass (Head Football Coach, JSU), Ed Lett (Athletics Development Director, JSU), Pamela J. Hoyes Beehler (Ph. D- First Lady, JSU), John M. Beehler (Ph.D., CPA-President, JSU)

BMLG Records artist Riley Green, a Jacksonville, Florida native, performed a benefit show on Friday (March 30) to aid those affected by tornadoes that devastated his hometown on March 19.

One of his Green’s first moves was to contact Steve Demedicis, the owner of Iron City in Jacksonville – a venue that Riley has sold out several times. Demedicis told Riley he could perform a hometown show at his venue and not only would he allow all tickets sales to be used for relief efforts, Iron City would also donate an additional $1,500.00. Todd Hagerty, General Manager of the entertainment complex at 513 22nd St. South, agreed to cover all expenses and production related to the benefit concert. Green performed to a sold-out crowd and presented the Jacksonville State University Foundation with a check for $50,000.

Green had previously attended the university and played quarterback for the school’s football team.

 

PLA Media Adds Blue Honey To Roster

PLA Media has added country/Americana duo Blue Honey to their award-winning roster. The husband and wife duo will be releasing their first single, “August Without Us,” from their upcoming sophomore project on April 6.

 

Chris Tomlin Stresses Hope, Unity At Second ‘Good Friday Nashville’ Concert

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Chris Tomlin performance photo by Makayla Symmonds. [Click photo to enlarge]

Chris Tomlin welcomed a strong lineup of talented fellow musicians for his second Good Friday Nashville concert on March 30 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, performing with friends including Matt Maher, Tauren Wells, Kim Walker Smith, Christine D’Clario and Pat Barrett.

In only its second year, the show exceeded sales expectations, with additional seats opened 360 degrees around the arena due to demand for tickets. Last year’s inaugural event became the largest ticketed Christian concert in Bridgestone Arena’s history. Again this year, all net proceeds benefit Tennessee Kids Belong, which aids foster children and families.

The show began with a video clip of the recently-deceased pastor Billy Graham delivering a sermon during one of his “Billy Graham Crusades” in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1973.

Tauren Wells

Tomlin, who has sold more than 8 million albums in his 20-plus year career, took time to greet the crowd from what he called the “praise pit” in front of the stage to the “choir loft” seats in the upper balconies.

He launched into “This Is Amazing Grace,” followed by the party-ready “God’s Great Dance Floor,” complete with falling confetti.

“You know when there is confetti on song number two, that this evening is going to be good,” Tomlin quipped.

Truthfully, the evening was more focused on unity and moments of worship than partying.

“We are all united tonight, and there is a power when you are united,” Tomlin said.

Jesus Culture’s Kim Walker Smith

Jesus Culture’s commanding vocalist Kim Walker Smith, whose formidable instrument blends an Adele-esque soul with the frayed earthiness of a seasoned rocker on “Love Has A Name.”

Smooth pop-soul vocalist Tauren Wells offered a polished, fresh rendition of his 2017 hit “When We Pray.”

Latin Christian music star Christine D’Clario offered “How Beautiful Your Name Is” in Spanish.

Matt Maher offered his 2008 hit “Your Grace Is Enough,” a song that still sounds surprisingly fresh a decade after it became a hit.

Newcomer Pat Barrett, a co-writer with Tomlin on Tomlin’s hit “Good, Good Father” and the first signing to Tomlin’s new label imprint, also performed.

Christine D’Clario

Meanwhile, Tomlin had plenty of hits from his own catalog to offer, including “Our God Is Greater,” and “Amazing Grace (Our Chains Are Gone).”

The stage lights lowered and the audience members lit up their phones across the arena, bathing the venue in a soft glow as the crowd took over singing Tomlin’s hit “How Great Is Our God.”

It wouldn’t be a Nashville concert without a surprise guest, and Tomlin welcomed country trio Rascal Flatts to the stage. The trio offered “Changed” and “God Bless The Broken Road,” before joining Wells and Tomlin for a rendition of the classic hymn “How Great Thou Art.”

“We are so humbled by all of you who filled Bridgestone Arena with worship and gave to the children of Tennessee. Our hope is that every year this event grows even bigger,” shared Tomlin. “We rejoice and sing because we know that our chains are gone and we come to God with a grateful heart for all he has done.”

The evening ended with Tomlin’s recent mega-hit “Good Good Father.”

Already planning for next year, Tomlin’s Good Friday Nashville 2019 will take place April 19, 2019.

Chris Tomlin with Rascal Flatts.

Chris Tomlin and Gary LeVox.

Pictured (L-R): John Huie – CAA, Bryan Myers – CAA, Chris Tomlin , Dan Fife – Awakening Events / Promoter, Tony Johnsen – CAA, Anthony Piedmonte – Piedmonte & Co. / Manager trade shot by Makayla Symmonds

Entertainment Marketing Agency FlyteVu Opens Austin Office

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Pictured (L-R): Megan Runser and Morgan McKenzie

Nashville-based entertainment marketing agency FlyteVu has announced the opening of its second office in Austin, Texas, and two new hires Megan Runser and Morgan McKenzie as Account Managers.

Megan Runser will help lead the Austin team across a number of clients, including Bumble, Big Beat Dallas, and more. Prior to joining FlyteVu, Runser was the Director of Marketing at Austin-based Kendra Scott and helped launch the jewelry, home, and beauty brand’s first international presence in the UK in 2017. She also previously held marketing positions with Google and lululemon athletica. Project Manager Liz Ivy will be relocating from Nashville to join Runser in the Austin office.

Morgan McKenzie joins FlyteVu’s Nashville office from The Infinite Agency in Dallas, Texas. She was most recently a Brand Manager where she planned, managed, and executed marketing campaigns for a number of accounts from CPG to non-profits.

“Known for its live music culture and an incubator for fast-growing tech brands, along with established and iconic corporations, Austin is a natural next step for FlyteVu. We are thrilled that Megan and Morgan have joined our FlyteVu family and look forward to the company’s continued growth and expansion to further serve our clients across the country,” said Laura Hutfless, Partner at FlyteVu.

FlyteVu’s new office is located at 5540 N Lamar Blvd in Austin, Texas.

Megan and Morgan can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected].

Mark Your Calendar—April 2018

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Single Add Dates

Craig Campbell. Photo: Kelly Marie Photography

April 2
Tyler Rich/The Difference/Valory
Nick Brennan/Simply Irresistible/MC1 Nashville
Wild Blue Country/Here We Are/The United States Air Force Academy Band
Sara Spicer/Jump/HH
Matt Mason/E

April 5
Wes Hayden feat. Andy Griggs/There’s Always Now/SSM Nashville

April 6
October Rose/Closer/October Rose Music

April 9
Midland/Burn Out/Big Machine
Old Dominion/Hotel Key/RCA Nashville
Craig Campbell/See You Try/Red Bow
Melissa Mickelson/Hold On/Tower Hill Entertainment
Andrea Vasquez/Sugar Coat It/Arrow Music Agency

April 16
Thomas Rhett/Life Changes/Valory
Smith & Wesley/Hook Line & Sinker/Dreamwalkin’ Records
Cort Carpenter/Holy Ground/Triple C Records
Lefroy/Mexican Getaway/Stallion Records
Charles Parker/Party Girls/Charles Parker Music
Dallas Remington/Never Turned Around

April 23
Rodney Atkins/Caught Up In The Country/Curb Records
Parmalee/Hotdamalama/Stoney Creek Records
Bobby Wills/Won’t You Be Mine/MDM Recordings
Dushane Band/Forever For Now/KES Music Group
Homer Hart/Buckle Up/PLAY2WIN Records

April 30
Davisson Brothers Band/Po Boyz/Dreamlined Entertainment

Industry Events

April 12–15
6th Annual ACM Party for a Cause in Las Vegas

April 14
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2018 Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland

April 15
ACM Awards in Las Vegas

Album Release Dates

April 3
Point of Grace/Beautiful Name

April 6
Various/Restoration [Elton John reinterpreted]/Universal Music Group Nashville
Various/Johnny Cash: Forever Words/Legacy Recordings
Don Gibson/The Best of the Hickory Records Years (1970-1978)/Omnivore Recordings
Blackberry Smoke/Find A Light/Thirty Tigers
David Lee Murphy/No Zip Code

April 13
Jason Aldean/Rearview Town/Broken Bow Records
John Prine/The Tree of Forgiveness/Oh Boy Records
CJ Solar/Get Away With It [EP]/Sea Gayle Records

April 20
Brothers Osborne/Port Saint Joe/EMI Nashville
Ashley Monroe/Sparrow/Warner Music Nashville
Old Crow Medicine Show/Volunteer/Columbia Records Nashville
Donovan Woods/Both Ways/Meant Well
Joshua Hedley/Mr. Jukebox/Third Man Records

April 27
Willie Nelson/Last Man Standing/Legacy Recordings-Sony Music Entertainment
Beth Nielsen Chapman/Hearts of Glass
Southern Halo/Just Like In The Movies
Muscadine Bloodline/Muscadine Bloodline [EP]

April 29
Eric Church/61 Days In Church/EMI Nashville