Nashville Pride Festival Reveals 2018 Lineup

The 30th Annual Nashville Pride Festival has revealed its 2018 Nissan Main Stage entertainment lineup including Wilson Phillips, JoJo, Taylor Bennett, Chely Wright, Steve Grand, FLETCHER and more. This year’s Pride Festival will take place on June 23rd-24 at Public Square Park in Downtown Nashville. Saturday’s festival kicks off with the Equality Walk at 10 a.m.

The Nissan Main Stage kicks off with two Nashville-based acts, synth-pop group, John Cyrus, and Nashville native (unicorn) and emerging hip-hop artist, Gifted Queen; the RNBW Nash Songwriters Stage features singer-songwriters within Music City’s LGBTQ community, and there will also be a stage dedicated to drag performers from around the region and a full day of music from DJs from WXNA.

Saturday’s Nissan Main Stage lineup also includes musician and social activist Chely Wright, producer Andreas Moss, pop singer FLETCHER, hip hop newcomer (and younger brother to Chance the Rapper) Taylor Bennett, and Saturday’s Nissan Main Stage headliner — JoJo.

The festival continues on Sunday with performances on the Nissan Main Stage from Nashville’s own Katie Pruitt, Becca Mancari, and Lavender Country, soul crooner Desi Valentine, pop star Steve Grand, and Sunday’s Nissan Main Stage headliner — Wilson Phillips.

Tickets and festival information — including the ability to create a custom schedule — are available through the Nashville Pride app or by visiting NashvillePride.org.  Daily passes are $5.00 for the general public, weekend and VIP passes are on sale now.

Jake Owen, Morgan Wallen, Jillian Jacqueline Added To Stars For Second Harvest Benefit Lineup

Big Loud Records artists Jake OwenMorgan Wallen and Jillian Jacqueline have been added to the 14th annual Stars For Second Harvest benefit concert set for June 5 at the Ryman. Hosted by songwriter Craig Wiseman and presented by O’Charley’s, the show will feature acoustic performances by some of country’s brightest stars.

Tickets for the benefit are available now for reserved seating at $40, preferred seating at $60 and a select number of premium seats, which include a seat and limited edition show poster, for $125 plus service charges. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com, the Ryman box office, Ryman.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.

Proceeds from the show benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee in their efforts to feed hungry people and work to solve hunger issues in the community.

Kelsea Ballerini Joins Sandbox Entertainment

Kelsea Ballerini has signed with Jason Owen‘s Sandbox Entertainment, Owen has confirmed to MusicRow.

As MusicRow reported yesterday, Ballerini left her previous management company, Fletcher Foster‘s Iconic Entertainment.

Sandbox Entertainment also represents artists including Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Midland, Faith Hill, and more.

Collaborators, Writer Credits Revealed For Keith Urban’s ‘Graffiti U’

Keith Urban‘s latest single “Coming Home” features pop singer/songwriter Julia Michaels, but she’s not the only female Urban will collaborate with on his upcoming Graffiti U album.

The album, which releases April 27 via Capitol Records Nashville, also includes UMG Nashville/Interscope artist Kassi Ashton (on the track “Drop Top”) and Stoney Creek Records singer/songwriter/guitar slinger Lindsay Ell (on “Horses”). Additionally, the album features a collaboration called “My Wave,” with Shy Carter.

The album also includes Urban’s women-empowering track, “Female,” which he debuted at last year’s CMA Awards.

See the full track listing and writer credits for Urban’s Graffiti U below:

GRAFFITI U TRACK LISTING & CREDITS

Coming Home (Featuring Julia Michaels)
Written by Keith Urban, J.R. Rotem, Julia Michaels, Merle Haggard, Nicolle Galyon
Produced by J.R. Rotem & Keith Urban
Contains elements of Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried.” Used by permission.

Never Comin Down
Written by Keith Urban, Josh Kerr, James Abrahart, Shy Carter
Produced by Josh Kerr & Keith Urban

Same Heart
Written by Keith Urban, Jason Evigan, Emily Weisband, Jordan Minton
Produced by Jason Evigan & Keith Urban

My Wave (Featuring Shy Carter)
Written by Keith Urban, Greg Wells, Shy Carter
Produced by Greg Wells & Keith Urban

Parallel Line
Written by Ed Sheeran, Benjamin Levin, Johnny McDaid, Julia Michaels, Amy Wadge
Contains elements of “Everglow” courtesy of Chris Martin, Will Champion, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, Tor Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen used by permission.
Produced by Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid & Keith Urban

Drop Top (Featuring Kassi Ashton)
Written by Keith Urban, Jimmy Robbins, Mozella, Josh Osborne
Produced by Jesse Shatkin, Jimmy Robbins & Keith Urban

Way Too Long
Written by Oscar Holter, Julia Michaels, Nate Ruess
Produced by Oscar Holter for Wolf Cousins Productions

Horses (Featuring Lindsay Ell)
Written by Matt Rad, Mozella, Jamie Scott
Produced by Matt Rad & Keith Urban

Gemini
Written by Keith Urban, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Ian Kirkpatrick
Produced by Ian Kirkpatrick & Keith Urban

Texas Time
Written by Max Townsley, Drew Erickson, Steve Lindsey, Dillon O’Brian
Produced by Mike Elizondo & Keith Urban

Love The Way It Hurts (So Good)
Written by Keith Urban, Ben Berger, Ryan Rabin, Ryan McMahon
Produced by Captain Cuts & Keith Urban

Female
Written by Nicolle Galyon, Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally
Produced by Ross Copperman, Dann Huff & Keith Urban

Steal My Thunder
Written by Keith Urban, Jason Evigan, Emily Weisband, Jordan Minton
Produced by Jason Evigan & Keith Urban

Eric Church’s ’61 Days In Church’ Exclusive Coming On Record Store Day

In 2017, Eric Church began recording an ambitious project, 61 Days In Church, recording 30 songs per night during his 61-date Holdin’ My Own Tour.

On Record Store Day (April 21), Church will release an exclusive collection of cover songs from the tour, available on LP with 2,500 exclusive copies available to fans (available only at participating record stores).

The collection includes the following eight cover songs:
1. “Better Man” (Live At Tacoma Drive, Tacoma, WA, March 18, 2017)
2. “Turn The Page” (Live At CenturyLink Center, Omaha, NE, April 8, 2017)
3. “Dixie Chicken” (Live at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, April 5, 2017 with Chuck Leavell)
4. “Six Days On The Road” (Live at PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, April 21, 2017)
5. “Rusty Cage” (Live at Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., May 19, 2017)
6. “Allentown” (Live at Santander Arena, Reading, PA, May 18, 2017)
7. “Midnight Rider” (Live at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, May 27, 2017)
8. “American Woman” (Live at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, April 5, 2017 with Glenn Hughes)

The Holdin’ My Own Tour was presented in two sets with an intermission. The tour reached nearly a million fans culminating with two sold-out shows at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

 

Cam, Lucie Silvas Set For Ryman Auditorium Show

Cam

Cam will perform her first headlining concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The singer-songwriter, who recently made guest appearances on American Idol and The Late Late Show with James Corden, will welcome Lucie Silvas as her special guest.

Cam, in support of her sterling new single “Diane,” served as a mentor on the All-Star Duets episode of American Idol, performing “Diane” with contestant Effie Passero and her breakthrough hit “Burning House” with contestant Shannon O’Hara. That same evening, Cam made her late night television debut of “Diane” with an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

CMT presales starts today, April 18, and Ryman’s presale will begin tomorrow, April 19 at 10 a.m. CST. General public tickets will go on sale Friday, April 20 at 10 a.m. CST.

For more, visit ticketmaster.com.

BMI and Tito’s Host Special Release Party for Record Store Day

Pictured (L-R): Sam Phillips Recording Service/Sun Records’ Jerry Phillips, Tito’s Josie Fox, BMI’s Mason Hunter, Tito’s Zack Flores, Record Store Day’s Carrie Colliton, BMI’s Branden Bosler, Sun Record Corporation’s John Singleton and the BMI Foundation’s Clay Bradley.

In preparation for April 21st’s nationwide Record Store Day, BMI and Tito’s Handmade Vodka held a private release party in the BMI Nashville office yesterday evening (April 17).

The event featured the premiere of a 20-minute documentary, 5 Turns Around the Sun, and the launch of two special edition records, Sun Record Company Vol. 5 and Malaco: The Last Soul Company; 50 Years of Excellence.

Thanks to Record Store Day and their partnership with Tito’s charitable arm (Love, Tito’s), a portion of the proceeds of the Malaco record will directly benefit the BMI Foundation, which supports the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, grants, and commissions. Tito’s and Record Store Day presented Clay Bradley of the BMI Foundation with a check for $5,000.

The celebration featured remarks from BMI’s Mason Hunter, Carrie Colliton from Record Store Day, and Zack Flores from Love, Tito’s. Sparkle City Disco spun vinyl as guests enjoyed cocktails provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

CMA Fest Announces Performers For Ascend Amphitheater Stage

RaeLynn performs at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater on Saturday, June 10 during the 2017 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville. Photo: Caitlyn Harris

The Country Music Association has announced the return of the popular free nightly concerts during CMA Fest at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage, located at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville.

This year’s CMA Fest takes place June 7-9, with the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage performances beginning at 7 p.m. each evening.

Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music Group kicks off festivities Thursday night with a lineup featuring Chase Bryant, Craig Campbell, Lindsay Ell, Everette, Chase Rice, Runaway June, and Granger Smith.

Lee Brice will headline Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by Red Light Management on Friday night. The lineup also includes Clare Dunn, Tyler Farr, Maddie & Tae, and Drake White and The Big Fire.

Saturday fans will enjoy Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by Warner Music Nashville for the second year featuring Cole Swindell joined by Cale Dodds, Morgan Evans, Michael Ray, and Tegan Marie.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® returns to CMA Fest with Rock With Us, a rocking chair experience Thursday through Saturday. The brand will turn Ascend Park and the nearby John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge into a true Cracker Barrel front porch experience by displaying 100 rocking chairs as well as three giant rockers making their festival debut. Fans are encouraged to post photos in the rockers on their social media channels using the hashtag #CBMusic.

“Cracker Barrel shares our same passion for music and social responsibility, which is why we are thrilled to continue our partnership into a second year with a great lineup of acts performing nightly on the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater and helping to raise funds for music education and the CMA Foundation,” said Emily Evans, CMA Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships.

 

Studio Bank Announces $40+ Million in Capital Raise

Studio Bank has exceeded its goal of raising $40 million in initial capital, which satisfies the minimum amount stated in the organization’s regulatory applications.

The bank raised this funding from over 325 subscribed investors, with most of the campaign efforts focused over four months between October 2017 and January 2018. Over 85 percent of the bank’s shareholders will be local Nashville-area investors.

“We are honored by such a phenomenal response from the Nashville community,” said Aaron Dorn, Chairman, President, & CEO. “This level of local support is an emphatic confirmation that Nashville needs a modern bank to serve its amazing creators with a unique and boutique approach to banking. That’s the very reason we’re starting this company.”

Nashville music industry executive Ron Cox, who serves as co-founder of Studio Bank, and was previously co-founder of Avenue Bank, serves as Executive VP of Studio Bank and oversees the music, arts, and entertainment division.

The founding team continues to focus its attention on completing the regulatory approval process and preparing for its official launch anticipated later this year.

Breaking: Kelsea Ballerini Exits Iconic Entertainment

Kelsea Ballerini has exited her management deal with Iconic Entertainment, led by Fletcher Foster, MusicRow has confirmed.

Ballerini signed with Iconic in 2015, before releasing her debut album The First Time later that year on Black River Entertainment. Ballerini has since earned four No. 1 songs, and released her sophomore album, Unapologetically, in late 2017.

Ballerini’s new management home has not been revealed.