Miranda Lambert Named Artist-In-Residence At Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum

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Miranda Lambert will be the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 15th artist-in-residence, performing two shows in the museum’s CMA Theater on Wednesday, Sept. 19 and Wednesday, Sept. 26. Both shows will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 13.

“We’re talking about someone who has been the CMA’s top female vocalist a record seven times, selling millions of albums and scoring hit after hit while retaining absolute artistic conviction and credibility. She writes her heart and sings her truth, and her truth resonates,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. “We are honored that she is this museum’s 15th artist-in-residence, the latest in a line of greats that includes some of Miranda’s own musical heroes, like Guy Clark, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, and Buddy Miller.”

“The history that the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum holds is so important,” said Lambert. “It’s truly an honor to be named artist-in-residence for the museum. I’m thankful for this place, where our music can continue to be cherished, and I’m thrilled to be among the esteemed artists who have been honored by this designation.”

Ticket prices for each show range from $59.50 to $150 (plus ticketing fees). Ticket sales are limited to four tickets per transaction on a first come, first served basis and are non-refundable. Tickets go on sale to the public on July 13 at 10:00 a.m. CDT at countrymusichalloffame.org.

Established in 2003, the museum’s artist-in-residence series honors an entertainer who has contributed a large and significant body of work to the canon of American popular music. The artist-in-residence is invited to use the museum’s performance venues to create unique musical experiences. Lambert joins a prestigious group of past honorees that includes Cowboy Jack Clement, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Buddy Miller, Connie Smith, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Rosanne Cash and 2017 artist-in-residence Jason Isbell.

Garth Brooks To Headline First-Ever Concert At Notre Dame Stadium

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Garth Brooks has been invited to play the first-ever concert at Notre Dame Stadium. At a press conference in Nashville on Monday (July 9), it was revealed that the storied venue, established in 1930, will host its inaugural concert with a special headlining performance by Brooks, at a to-be-announced date. Brooks was joined by revered member of the University of Notre Dame family and former head football coach Lou Holtz, who shared in the excitement of the upcoming event.

“Notre Dame stadium has seen so many iconic moments!” said Brooks. “I look forward to bringing a new kind of crazy to the party.”

“Right from the outset, I just felt that Garth represents Notre Dame’s values,” said John Affleck-Graves, Notre Dame’s executive vice president. “And he is the perfect choice as the first artist to perform in concert in the stadium that Rockne built. This promises to be one of the biggest events in Notre Dame’s history.”

“Tradition and memories are built in that stadium. It’s an iconic place,” said Mike Seamon, Vice President for Campus Safety and Event Management at Notre Dame. “This is an important moment and once we decided we were going to have a concert, Garth just jumped into our minds right away. And we knew that he had to be the one. That was it.”

“It’s never been done before. And it’s our understanding that Garth loves to do things that haven’t been done before,” said Lee Sicinski, Associate Vice President for Event Management at Notre Dame. “To bring a historic event like a Garth Brooks concert to the stadium, it just gives you goose bumps.”

Nashville Symphony, AFM Local 257 Provide Musician Raises In New Orchestra Contract

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The Nashville Symphony and the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257 have ratified a new four-year contract for the orchestra musicians that will go into effect on Aug. 1.

The new agreement provides for a 3.5 percent increase to the musicians’ base salaries for the 2018-19 season, as well as increases of 3.75 percent for the 2019-20 season and 4.25 percent for each of the following two seasons. The contract also restores two previously unfilled positions, a first violin position in the first year of the agreement, and a cello position in the second year of the agreement, restoring the orchestra’s total membership back to 83.

“Our musicians are at the core of everything we do at the Nashville Symphony, and they are invaluable assets to the entire Middle Tennessee community,” said board chair Mark Peacock. “I am proud that we’ve reached this important agreement, which affirms the value of our orchestra’s hard work and dedication.”

“AFM Local 257 is pleased to have reached a successful conclusion to these negotiations,” said Dave Pomeroy, president, Nashville Musicians Association. “We thank Nashville Symphony leadership and our negotiating committee for their commitment and dedication to the process, and, especially, the musicians of the Nashville Symphony. This contract helps bring these excellent musicians’ compensation closer to their high level of artistic achievement, and we are proud to represent them as we move forward together.”

“The spirit of mutual respect and cooperation that has yielded tremendous accomplishments and accolades for the Nashville Symphony over the years also characterized the negotiations that resulted in this agreement,” said Alan D. Valentine, president and CEO. “We share with our musicians a clear sense of mission, vision and commitment to the community, and this agreement sets the stage for the realization of our long-term goals and a very bright and exciting future for the Nashville Symphony.”

The Nashville Symphony has released 29 recordings on Naxos, which have received 24 Grammy nominations and 13 Grammy awards, making it one of the most active recording orchestras in the country. The orchestra has also released recordings on Decca, Deutsche Grammophon and New West Records, among other labels. With more than 140 performances annually, the orchestra offers a broad range of classical, pops and jazz, and children’s concerts, while its extensive education and community engagement programs reached 60,000 children and adults each year.

Rezonant Music Publishing, Stryker Music Group Sign Ryan Plappert

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Pictured (L-R): Mark Ahlberg/Stryker; Rebekah Gordon/Rezonant; Ryan Plappert; Tim Wipperman/Rezonant; Michael Martin/ASCAP.

Songwriter Ryan Plappert has signed a joint venture publishing deal with Rezonant Music Publishing and Mark Ahlberg’s Stryker Music Group. Plappert, a Belmont University graduate, was selected to be part of ASCAP’s GPS Project Class in 2013 and previously wrote for Sony/ATV.

“I feel honored to have the opportunity to work alongside such a diverse and talented writer roster,” Plappert said. “Mark, Rebekah, Tim and the rest of the creative team at Rezonant and Stryker have a passion for songwriting that rivals my own. Never have I felt more inspired to create music. This is exactly where I want to be and I couldn’t be happier to be here.”

“The partnership with Mark and the addition of Ryan to our Rezonant family is truly exciting,” said Rezonant’s VP Creative, Rebekah Gordon. “Ryan has an incredible ability to create a lasting melody and an insatiable work ethic. We look forward to building upon the success that he and Mark have with Stryker.”

“Ryan is a class act writer and remarkable talent,” noted Ahlberg. “Expanding the team around him to include Rebekah Gordon and Tim Wipperman from Rezonant will further help Ryan prove himself to be one of Nashville’s most creative and dedicated new writers.”

The Steeldrivers, Bluegrass Underground Plan 10th Anniversary Celebration

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The Steeldrivers released their self-titled debut album 10 years ago, and are celebrating the anniversary milestone in style with a special performance at The Caverns in conjunction with Bluegrass Underground’s 10th anniversary throwdown on Friday, Aug. 17. The band was the first act ever to play Bluegrass Underground, located in the valley of Pelham, Tennessee at the base of Monteagle mountain, back on Aug. 16, 2008.

“Our dedication and determination remain just as intact today as it did 10 years ago,” says singer, songwriter and fiddler Tammy Rogers. “I liken us to what the Rolling Stones would sound like if they played banjos, fiddles and mandolins — it’s that rock-n-roll edge played on traditional instruments and our shows continue to reflect that high-level energy and fun.  I think we have another 10 years in us!”

The band re-released their self-titled debut on vinyl last year, and their most recent Rounder Records project The Muscle Shoals Recordings reached No. 1 on the Billboard‘s Bluegrass Chart and received a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.

Arista Records Relaunches With David Massey As President/CEO

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Pictured (L-R): Clive Davis, David Massey, Rob Stringer

Legendary record label Arista Records has relaunched, with David Massey as President/CEO. Massey, based in New York, will report directly to Sony Music Entertainment CEO Rob Stringer.

In addition, Sony Music and Massey have entered into a new joint venture for Massey-led artist management and music publishing businesses.

Clive Davis founded the Arista Records label in 1974; the label served as a recording home to artists including Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana, Patti Smith, the Grateful Dead, and many others. The label was shuttered in 2011, along with the Jive and J imprints. However, Arista Nashville has continued to operate, and is currently home to artists including Brad Paisley, Cam, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s duet album.

Davis said, “I am really delighted to see the Arista name return to a place of prominence under an executive with the talents of David Massey. David is a true music man who has tremendous respect for artistry, and he is the ideal choice to carry on the label’s great tradition.”

Massey was previously president/CEO of Island Records. Since 2013, he oversaw artists including Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Elton John, Bon Jovi and others. Prior to his work at Island, Massey spent six years as president of Mercury Records, working with Neon Trees, Portishead, and more. His career also includes roles as Exec. VP, A&R at Sony Music Label Group U.S., and president of imprint Daylight Records. Earlier in his career, he was at Sony Music’s Epic Records, where he spent a decade in a variety of roles, including EVP/GM, and Exec. VP, A&R.

Massey commented, “I want to thank Rob Stringer for the phenomenal opportunity to return to Sony Music in an expansive new partnership and lead the next chapter of Arista Records. Clive Davis made the Arista name synonymous with tremendous creativity and great songs, and I look forward to continuing that identity by working with the many talented people at Sony to build a new roster of hit artists. I am also excited to join forces with Sony to drive additional growth through artist management and music publishing.”

Stringer said, “We are excited to be reintroducing the iconic Arista brand as a full major label under the leadership of David Massey. David is a visionary and progressive talent developer and his recent success at breaking new artists around the world only highlights his remarkable consistency of creative success year after year. As well as releasing new music to the world, David will use his vast experience in building new publishing and artist management ventures that will enhance Sony Music’s overall music strategy.”

Maren Morris, Florida Georgia Line Make Nielsen 2018 Mid-Year Top Songs Rankings

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Maren Morris

Maren Morris and Florida Georgia Line have both earned massive sales and airplay in the first half of 2018, thanks to two record-breaking songs. On Nielsen’s 2018 Mid-Year rankings, FGL’s collaboration with Bebe Rexha, “Meant To Be,” ranks at No. 2 with more than 2.5 million (Songs with SES On-Demand). Morris’ collaboration with Zedd and Grey, “The Middle,” is at No. 3, with 2.068 million.

Both songs also make Nielsen’s Top 5 Radio songs as of mid-year 2018, with “Meant To Be” at No. 2 with 585,000 spins and an audience of more than 2 billion. “The Middle” ranks at No. 5, with 470,000 spins and an audience of more than 2 billion.

Both Jason Aldean and Keith Urban had albums place in the Top 10 albums (total sales) chart for the first half of 2018. Aldean’s Rearview Town is at No. 3 with 328K, while Urban’s Graffiti U is at No. 10 with 199K.

Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett Among Top Country Earners In Nielsen 2018 Mid-Year Report

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Jason Aldean

Released in April 2018, Jason Aldean‘s Rearview Town sits at the peak of Nielsen’s top five country albums in terms of sales at mid-year 2018. The Broken Bow Records artist’s album earned sales of 522,000 (album+TEA+On-Demand Audio SEA). Columbia Nashville artist Kane Brown‘s self-titled album ranks at No. 2, with 432,000. Luke Combs‘ This One’s For You, Chris Stapleton‘s 2015 album Traveller, and Thomas Rhett‘s Life Changes round out the Top five country albums for mid-year 2018.

Additionally, Aldean’s Rearview Town is among the overall Top 10 albums (total sales) for mid-year 2018, reaching No. 3 overall, with 328,000. Rearview Town ranks only behind The Greatest Showman: Original Soundtrack (1.064 million) and Justin Timberlake‘s Man Of The Woods (403,000).

Top 5 Country Albums. Source: Nielsen 2018 Mid-Year Report

Aldean is also the Top (Country) Genre Artist on Nielsen’s 2018 Mid-Year chart, which ranks sales data (album+TEA+On-Demand Audio SEA) from Dec. 29, 2017 through June 28, 2018. Aldean’s sales topped 862,000 for the first half of the year. Thomas Rhett also makes the Top 5 (Country) Genre Artists list at No. 5, with 524,000 for the first half of 2018.

Top 5 Country Genre Artists. Source: Nielsen 2018 Mid-Year report.

Brown’s track “Heaven” also ranks at No. 2 on Nielsen’s 2018 Mid-Year Top 5 radio songs (ranked by Airplay Audience). “Heaven” garnered more than 205,000 spins (audience of more than 791 million), bested only by Luke Bryan’s “Most People Are Good,” which earned more than 211,000 spins (audience of more than 829 million). “Most People Are Good” was also recently named a Song of the Year at the 30th annual MusicRow awards.

Aldean’s “You Make It Easy” is at No. 4, with 188,000 spins and an audience of more than 727 million. Thomas Rhett’s “Marry Me” is at No. 5, with 182,000 spins and an audience of more than 721 million.

Aldean, Brown and Thomas Rhett also dominate the Top 5 Songs chart, with Brown’s “Heaven” at No. 1 with 1.36 million (Songs w/ SES On-Demand). Brown’s “What Ifs” (ft. Lauren Alaina) is at No. 5 with 916K. Aldean’s “You Make It Easy” is at No. 2, with 1.3 million, while Thomas Rhett’s “Marry Me” is at No. 3 with 1 million.

Overall, country as a genre continued to rank fourth in its share of total volume. Country music’s total volume was 8.4 percent as of mid-year 2018, vs. 8 percent in mid-year 2017. R&B/hip-hop continued to reign as the format with the largest share, at 31.2 percent at mid-year 2018, up from 25.1 percent at mid-year 2017. Rock remained the No. 2 format (23.1 percent share), and pop remained the No. 3 format (15.1 percent share).

Share of Total Volume by Format and Genre. Source: Nielsen 2018 Mid-Year Report.

Jack White Is Top Vinyl Seller For First Half Of 2018

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Jack White is the king of vinyl, at least according to the list of top-selling vinyl albums for the first half of 2018, according to Nielsen’s 2018 Mid-Year report. White’s latest studio effort, Boarding House Reach, has sold 37,000 copies on vinyl in the first six months of the year. White’s Third Man Records is a proponent of releasing projects on vinyl, even opening a vinyl production facility in Detroit’s historic Cass Corridor neighborhood in February.

Vinyl LP sales were up 19.2 percent in the first half of 2018, with 7.6 million units of vinyl sold in the first half of 2018, vs. 6.4 million in 2017. The resurgence seems to be in full swing, with vinyl LPs now comprising over 18 percent of all physical album sales, up from 13 percent last year through mid-year.

Another Nashville-based artist, Justin Timberlake, secures the No. 7 best-selling vinyl for the first half of 2018, with Man Of The Woods selling 26K.

2018’s Mid-Year Top 10 Selling Vinyl Albums
1. Jack White, Boarding House Reach (37,000)
2. Kendrick Lamar, DAMN. (30,000)
3. Soundtrack, Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 (28,000)
4. Michael Jackson, Thriller (28,000)
5. Fleetwood Mac, Rumours (28,000)
6. Panic! at the Disco, Pray for the Wicked (26,000)
7. Justin Timberlake, Man of the Woods (26,000)
8. Prince and the Revolution, Purple Rain (Soundtrack) (25,000)
9. Amy Winehouse, Back to Black (25,000)
10. The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (23,000)

Dustin Collins To Release New Album In August

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Singer-songwriter Dustin Collins is releasing a new album, It’s Been Awhile, on Average Joes Entertainment on DCDL Entertainment on Aug. 3.

It’s Been Awhile was produced and mixed by Bill McDermott and features Collins’ current single “The Barn.”

Collins has logged hundreds of thousands of miles on the road playing in honky tonks, fairs and festivals throughout the midwest and his home state of Kentucky, including a slot on Aaron Watson’s Vaquero Tour, as well as opening for Chris Janson, Granger Smith, Kane Brown, The Kentucky Headhunters and many more. 

IT’S BEEN AWHILE TRACK LISTING:
1.  The Barn – (Jack Williams, Troy Johnson)
2.  Cold Dead Hands – (Dustin Collins)
3.  Pieces – (Monty Russ Criswell, Lincoln Parish, Stephen Wilson)
4.  Texas Was You – (Tony Martin, Wendell Lee Mobley, Neil Thrasher)
5.  Bonfire Songs – (Dustin Collins)
6.  It Always Starts With You – (Dustin Collins)
7.  It’s Been Awhile – (Dustin Collins)