Chris Janson Receives BMI Million-Air Awards During Opry Appearance

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Pictured: (L-R): John Ozier, ole; David Preston, BMI; Chris and Kelly Janson. Photo: Chris Hollo

Chris Janson was surprised at the Grand Ole Opry last night (July 25) with three BMI Million-Air certificates just minutes before taking the Opry stage for the 138th time.

Janson is the Grand Ole Opry’s newest and youngest living member, and he was recognized for his No. 1 single “Buy Me a Boat” (2 million), and two songs he wrote which were recorded by other artists: “How I’ll Always Be,” recorded by Tim McGraw (1 million), and “I Love This Life,” recorded by LOCASH (2 million). David Preston, BMI’s Senior Director/Creative, Nashville, presented Janson with the recognitions.

“It’s so great to watch a guy, who I consider my friend, go from playing honky tonks in Nashville to playing arenas in front of thousands of fans. Chris Janson loves what he does for a living, and it shows in the way his fans respond to his music. He continues to release songs that connect with people and it’s no surprise that these cuts have reached such a high level of success,” said Preston.

Following his performance Janson shared the exciting news with his fans on his socials. “I am so humbled to be a songwriter. Kelly, the kids and I are so thankful, and feel so blessed to be living this dream come true…I am 110 percent totally speechless. God is good.”

A Million-Air Award is given to songwriters, composers, and publishers whose songs accumulate over one million U.S. broadcast performances.

SESAC Responds To NSAI, SONA Assertions

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[Update, July 25]: SESAC has released the following statement in response to the calls to action from NSAI and SONA:

SESAC is America’s 2nd oldest PRO. We have a long history of advocating on behalf of songwriters and providing a premium value for their work unavailable at other PROs in the U.S. since the 1940s. SESAC is a driver of competition that benefits ALL songwriters.  SESAC wholeheartedly supports the goals of the Music Modernization Act and wants those goals made law – just like you do. We are concerned that a lack of competition might damage not only our business, but songwriters too. We’ve suggested a simple amendment to improve competition so we can continue to ensure that ALL songwriter and publisher royalties continue to grow. Any assertion to the contrary is simply dishonest.

[Original post, July 24]:

Two songwriter groups have spoken out against private equity firm Blackstone (which acquired music rights organization SESAC in 2017) following a last-minute proposal from Blackstone to alter the Music Modernization Act (MMA).

A portion of the MMA, as currently drafted, calls for the creation of a single Music Licensing Collective (MLC). The collective would oversee digital mechanical licenses, collect money from digital services, track the digital usage of writers’ works and pay writers.

Blackstone and SESAC (which also owns licensing firm The Harry Fox Agency) contends that the creation of such a collective could render firms that handle administration for music licenses unnecessary. So, they have proposed changes to the MMA.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and Songwriters of North America (SONA) have asked that Blackstone, SESAC and Harry Fox withdraw the proposal and support the MMA as currently drafted. NSAI and SONA contend that the Harry Fox Agency, SESAC, and Blackstone are “using their financial and political muscle for their own narrow corporate self interest.”

The MMA recently passed the House of Representatives with a unanimous favorable vote (415-0). The MMA represents years of negotiation among songwriters, publishers, streaming companies, record labels, performing rights organizations, and more.

Blackstone released the following statement:

“Blackstone strongly supports music modernization, and we are confident legislation will be signed into law this year as long as all parties continue working in the same cooperative spirit that has characterized the process so far.”

SESAC released the following statement:

“SESAC is committed to working towards a version of the Music Modernization Act that retains all of the benefits for writers, publishers and DSPs and which will move music licensing into the 21st Century while supporting a competitive market in music rights administration.”. “We expect that as the Senate continues to work through these issues with input from concerned and well-meaning stakeholders, an appropriate resolution will be reached and the MMA will be passed before the end of the year.”

BMI also released the following statement:

“The Music Modernization Act represents an historic opportunity to enact meaningful music licensing reform. The bill is the product of unprecedented collaboration among music stakeholders and passed unanimously through the House Judiciary Committee, the full House, and the Senate Judiciary Committee. BMI is disappointed that at this late stage, the MMA is being endangered by last minute asks. During the long process of drafting this bill, BMI, like many others, had to compromise on certain provisions in order to achieve a final result that benefits the industry as a whole. We hope that the parties currently in disagreement can work together to resolve their issues, allowing this important piece of legislation to move forward.”

Country Music Hall Of Fame Names Inaugural Class Of Circle Guard Honorees

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Pictured (L-R): E.W. “Bud” Wendell, Member, Country Music Hall of Fame; Kyle Young, Commander General, Circle Guard; J. William Denny; Steve Turner, Founder, Circle Guard; David Conrad; Mary Ann McCready; Seab Tuck; Emmylou Harris, Member, Country Music Hall of Fame. Photo: Carissa Riccardi for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

During an intimate luncheon Wednesday (July 25) on the stage of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater, Emmylou Harris and Bud Wendell unveiled the museum’s Circle Guard honor and the inaugural class of honorees. Harris and Wendell are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Trustees Emeriti of the museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees.

The Circle Guard unites and celebrates individuals whose highest-level contributions of time, talent, and treasure to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum safeguard the integrity of country music and make it accessible to a global audience through the museum. The Circle Guard designation ranks as the grandest distinction afforded those who exhibit an unwavering commitment to the museum and its mission.

“Through the efforts of Circle Guard initiates,” said Harris, “the legacies of the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and, by extension, the achievements of all who are part of the country music story, are honored in perpetuity at the museum.”

In recognition of their significant contributions to the museum, the following are the inaugural class of Circle Guard initiates:

David Conrad, for serving on the museum board for 32 years; generously supporting the museum’s capital campaign, education council and annual fundraising efforts; enlisting the help of countless high profile friends—from Chet Atkins and Marty Stuart to Cowboy Jack Clement and Kimmie Rhodes—to facilitate exhibitions, programs and fundraising activities.

Bill Denny, for investing personally in campaigns for the original museum, the move downtown, and the recent expansion; serving on the museum board for 53 years—a tenure longer than that of any other board member, past or present; loyally promoting fiscal discipline, robust preservation and the serious study of country music; donating his family’s Denny-Cedarwood Music Collection to the museum.

Mary Ann McCready, for helping to advance the vision for arena shows in the series of All for the Hall fundraising concerts, which have netted more than three million dollars for the museum; spearheading a fundraising campaign to recognize the museum’s two chairmen of the twenty-first century with the naming of the Bud Wendell and Steve Turner Boardroom in their honor; tirelessly uniting the music business and the broader business community for the museum’s common good.

Seab Tuck, for designing the museum’s iconic building—marrying form, function, and meaning in his work to design a structure that welcomes more than 1.2 million people each year; faithfully supporting the museum as a passionate lover of country music and its story; and designing the Circle Guard logo and related recognitions.

Steve Turner, for demonstrating overwhelming support and leadership as chairman of the museum’s board for the last decade—including spearheading the recent capital campaign and 210,000-square-foot museum expansion; leading numerous charges that have helped connect the museum to its community—from the String City puppet show to an admission program that welcomes Middle Tennessee youth at no cost; serving as an active visionary for the museum and the city of Nashville.

Kyle Young, for receiving the appointment as the Circle Guard’s first Commander General, in recognition of 42 years of service— starting as a ticket-taker and now leading the museum as CEO; consistently upholding the institution’s mission and the music at the heart of it; helping to establish the museum as a downtown linchpin and a cultural touchstone.

In weeks to come, Circle Guard initiates will carry forward the legacies of those celebrated in the Hall of Fame Rotunda, as well as those who make up the broader country music story, by leading the “Road to the Country Music Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance and Salute.” This new, annual ritual, open to all museum visitors, will pay tribute to all of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s yearly classes and their inducted members. For the two weeks leading up to the annual Medallion Ceremony, at 1 p.m. daily, Circle Guard initiates will conduct this ritual by reading Country Music Hall of Fame members’ biographies in the museum’s Rotunda, from 1961 to present day.

CMA Visits Chicago With Brett Eldredge, Tom Douglas, Ross Copperman, And More

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Tom Douglas, Brett Eldredge, Heather Morgan, Ross Copperman and Jordan Reynolds at CMA Songwriters Series presented by US Bank at Joe’s on Weed in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

The Country Music Association visited Chicago on Tuesday (July 24) with Illinois native Brett Eldredge and fellow songwriters Ross Copperman, Tom Douglas, Heather Morgan and Jordan Reynolds, joining the CMA Foundation and U.S. Bank to visit students at Chicago’s Notes for Notes studio followed by a sold-out CMA Songwriters Series Presented by U.S. Bank performance at Joe’s on Weed Street.

Chicago’s Notes for Notes studio welcomed attendees with three performances by student musicians Ifeanyi Elswith, Devon Fields and Armoni Taffe. The songwriters then joined students to assemble and paint guitars and ukulele kits as well as create percussion instruments from recycled materials, participate in a songwriting session where students had the chance to ask the songwriters for tips in writing and producing songs, and finally jump into the recording/mixing room where students created a track. Copperman and Douglas also recorded a podcast episode at WN4N Radio with students during the visit.

During the songwriting session, the five songwriters spoke about their inspirations and their writing processes. Douglas revealed that he writes with a special pencil, the same brand and style that author John Steinbeck wrote with. Copperman explained that connecting with the listener and writing about things they do is the best way to write a hit song. Reynolds agreed with students that establishing character and a point of view is essential in songwriting. Eldredge said he cried in the studio a few days prior because a line someone had written was so powerful and reminded him of his family. And Morgan said she used to sing her little sister to sleep, extending the songs she knew or making up new ones before she learned to play guitar and began writing more.

CMA Songwriters Series presented by US Bank visits the newly-opened Notes for Notes Studio at the James R. Jordan Boys and Girls Club in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

In 2017, the CMA Foundation partnered with Notes for Notes to help fund studios across the country and allow the studio spaces to operate freely each year. As part of U.S. Bank’s Community Possible giving platform and its Places to Play partnership along with the CMA Foundation, both entities presented a combined $75,000 in funding to Chicago’s Notes for Notes studio during the visit, which will sustain operational costs for the remainder of 2018. To date, the CMA Foundation has funded nearly $2 million with the Notes for Notes organization in 13 state-of-the-art recording studios nationwide, serving 4,400 total youth around the country.

Following the Notes for Notes studio visit, the five songwriters hit Joe’s on Weed Street for a sold-out CMA Songwriters Series Presented by U.S. Bank show. Eager and excited fans lined up outside the venue early and were treated to performances of songs including “Beat of the Music,” “Tequila,” “Lose My Mind,” “Woman, Amen,” and “The House That Built Me.” The night was special for Eldredge, who explained to the crowd Joe’s on Weed Street was where he got his start back in 2011. After Morgan performed “Haven’t Met You Yet,” Eldredge gushed, calling her an angel. Douglas shared that “The House That Built Me” was a song he had tried to write for seven years, which went on to receive “Song of the Year” at the CMA Awards in 2010. All of the songwriters have written with Eldredge, as Reynolds expressed what an honor it was to write with Eldredge.

Tom Douglas, Brett Eldredge, Heather Morgan, Ross Copperman and Jordan Reynolds perform at CMA Songwriters Series presented by US Bank at Joe’s on Weed in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

CMA Songwriters Series presented by US Bank visits the newly-opened Notes for Notes Studio at the James R. Jordan Boys and Girls Club in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

2018 Black Music Honors To Celebrate Bobby Brown, Dallas Austin, Bebe And Cece Winans, Faith Evans

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Chicago-based television production company Central City Productions (CCP) announced the 2018 Black Music Honors – the annual two-hour television special that honors artists and musicians who have influenced and made significant contributions to American music. The television special is set to take place on Thursday, Aug. 16 in Nashville.

This year’s honorees for the 2018 Black Music Honors include Bobby Brown, who will receive the R&B Soul Music Icon Award for his 40 years in entertainment and 32 years as a solo artist, Bebe and Cece Winans, who will be co-honorees of the Gospel Music Icon Award, and chart-topping music producer and label executive Dallas Austin, who will be presented with the Music Innovator Icon Award, and multi-platinum, Grammy® Award-winning recording artist, songwriter and producer Faith Evans, who is set to receive the Urban Music Icon Award.

“The vision of the Black Music Honors is to recognize the trailblazers in African American music who have paved the way for the artists of today. Many of these artists have never received their much-deserved recognition,” said Don Jackson, founder and CEO of Central City Productions.

Television and radio personality Rickey Smiley and Grammy® Award-winner and actress LeToya Luckett return as co-hosts of the show, which is set to air on broadcast syndication on Sept. 8-30, 2018. This year’s sponsors include AT&T, McDonald’s, Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, and Chevrolet with State Farm tapped as the title sponsor.

Ticket proceeds will benefit the 2019 opening of the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville. This event will be held at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show taping at 7 p.m.

ole Song Search Challenge Offers Single Song Contracts To Four NSAI Members

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Four members of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) have been offered single song contracts by music publishing company ole, as part of NSAI’s inaugural “ole Chapter Challenge” song search. In April, every NSAI member throughout the world was able to play a song at their chapter meeting. Local members then voted for their favorite song for further consideration by ole.

“The four songs we selected for contracts were professional caliber and we are excited to pitch them to artists, for film and tv and other uses,” said ole’s Nashville Vice President John Ozier. “It is exciting to find talented songwriters from around the country whose songs deserve a chance for placement. I applaud Bart Herbison and his team at the NSAI for giving both the songwriters and ole this opportunity.”

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for unsigned songwriters to find a partner with ole’s clout to help them get a placement. It is really a chance for dreams to come true,” said NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison.

Each April NSAI will present the “ole Chapter Challenge” across its 100 plus chapters located around the globe. NSAI members vote at each chapter. The winning song is then forwarded for further consideration by ole for a possible contract. In addition, each local NSAI Regional Chapter Coordinator gets to submit a song for consideration as a reward for their service to the organization.

Songwriters who received single song contract offers from ole and their chapters were:

“Filling Space” by Selda Sahin — NSAI NYC Chapter;
“Good Things” by Josh Cottrell — NSAI Knoxville, TN Chapter;
“Insane” by Aubrey Toone — Salt Lake City, UT NSAI Chapter;
“Keep Talking Like That” by Scott Forman – coordinator, NSAI NYC Chapter

Winners pictured (L-R): Josh Cottrell. Selda Sahin (with Derek Gregor), Aubrey Toone, Scott Forman

Becky Buller, Molly Tuttle Among Top 2018 IBMA Awards Nominees

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Becky Buller and Molly Tuttle were among the top nominees with six nods apiece for the 2018 International Bluegrass Music Awards, it was announced this morning at a press conference in Nashville. Special Consensus and The Del McCoury Band/The Travelin’ McCourys also made a strong showing with five nominations each, and Darin & Brooke Aldridge, The Sam Bush Band,Michael Cleveland, The Gibson Brothers, Sierra Hull, The Infamous Stringdusters, Lonesome River Band, Mile Twelve, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Punch Brothers, Missy Raines, Sister Sadie, and Rhonda Vincent also received several noms.

Becky Buller is nominated for Song of the Year, Gospel Performance of the Year, Recorded Event of the Year (with three different nominations), Female Vocalist of the Year, and Fiddle Player of the Year, while an individual nomination goes to band member Ned Luberecki for Banjo Player of the Year. Becky is the first woman to win IBMA’s Fiddle Player of the Year, and the first to win both Female Vocalist and an Instrumentalist of the Year Award.

2017’s first-ever woman Guitar Player of the year, Molly Tuttle, is nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Recorded Event of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Guitar Player of the Year.

“Congratulations as well to the Distinguished Achievement Award recipients and all of the awards nominee finalists,” saids IBMA’s Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “From the established leaders in our music to those who are working tirelessly to become our future leaders, we celebrate your hard-earned achievements.  You inspire all of us.  I look forward to us continuing this celebration on September 27th at the biggest night in our community, the International Bluegrass Music Awards!”

Award winners will be announced at the International Bluegrass Music Awards on September 27, at the Duke Energy Performing Arts Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The IBMA Awards Show will be broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction) on September 27that 7:30 p.m. EDT, streamed via Facebook Live,and will be made available for rebroadcast by radio stations worldwide.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Del McCoury Band
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Earls of Leicester
Gibson Brothers

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Flatt Lonesome
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Gibson Brothers
I’m With Her

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Sam Bush Band
The Travelin’ McCourys
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Punch Brothers

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Tie)
Mile Twelve
Molly Tuttle
Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Billy Strings
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado
Sister Sadie

SONG OF THE YEAR
Calamity Jane – Becky Buller (artist), Becky Buller/Tim Stafford (writers)
If I’d Have Wrote That Song – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (artist), Larry Cordle/Larry Shell/James Silvers (writers)
Swept Away – Missy Raines (artist), Laurie Lewis (writer)
Way Down the River Road – Special Consensus (artist), John Hartford (writer)
You Didn’t Call My Name – Molly Tuttle (artist), Molly Tuttle (writer)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Life Is a Story – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Doyle Lawson (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Mayhayley’s House – Lonesome River Band (artist), Lonesome River Band (producers), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Rise – Molly Tuttle (artist), Kai Welch (producer), Compass Records (label)
Rivers & Roads – Special Consensus (artist), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
The Story We Tell – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (artist), Joe Mullins (producer), Rebel Records (label)

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
I’m Going Under – Darin & Brooke Aldridge (artist), Karen Taylor-Good/Bill Whyte (writers), single release, Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Little Girl – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Harley Lee Allen (writer), Life Is a Story(album), Doyle Lawson (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Speakin’ to That Mountain – Becky Buller (artist), Becky Buller/Jeff Hyde (writers), Crepe Paper Heart(album), Stephen Mougin (producer), Dark Shadow Recording (label)
Travelin’ Shoes – Special Consensus (artist), Traditional arranged by Special Consensus (writer), Rivers & Roads(album), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
When God’s in It – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (artist), Ronnie Bowman/Jerry Salley (writers), TheStory We Tell(album), Joe Mullins (producer), Rebel Records (label)

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Lynchburg Chicken Run – The Grascals (artist), Danny Roberts/Adam Haynes (writers), Before Breakfast (album), The Grascals (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Medley: Sally in the Garden/Big Country/Molly Put the Kettle On – Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn (artists), Sally in the Garden and Molly Put the Kettle On – Traditional arranged by Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Big Country – Bela Fleck (writers), Echo in the Valley (album), Bela Fleck (producer), Rounder Records (label)
Sirens – Infamous Stringdusters (artist), Infamous Stringdusters (writers), Laws of Gravity (album), Infamous Stringdusters, Billy Hume (producers), Compass Records (label)
Squirrel Hunters – Special Consensus with John Hartford, Rachel Baiman & Christian Sedelmyer (10 String Symphony), & Alison Brown (artists), Traditional arranged by Alison Brown/Special Consensus (writers), Rivers & Roads(album), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
Wickwire – Mile Twelve (artist), Mile Twelve (writers), Onwards (album), Stephen Mougin (producer), Delores the Taurus Records (label)

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
Calamity Jane – Becky Buller with Rhonda Vincent (artists), Crepe Paper Heart(album), Stephen Mougin (producer), Dark Shadow Recording (label)
I’ll Just Go Away – Dale Ann Bradley & Vince Gill (artists), Dale Ann Bradley(album), Dale Ann Bradley (producer), Pinecastle Records (label)
The Rebel and the Rose – Becky Buller with Sam Bush (artists), Crepe Paper Heart(album), Stephen Mougin (producer), Dark Shadow Recording (label)
She Took the Tennessee River – Special Consensus with Bobby Osborne (artists), Rivers & Roads(album), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
Swept Away – Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Sierra Hull, and Molly Tuttle (artists), single release, Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Shawn Camp
Buddy Melton
Del McCoury
Russell Moore
Tim O’Brien

FEMALE VOCALIST
Brooke Aldridge
Dale Ann Bradley
Becky Buller
Molly Tuttle
Rhonda Vincent

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kristin Scott Benson
Gina Clowes
Ned Luberecki
Noam Pikelny
Sammy Shelor

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Barry Bales
Mike Bub
Missy Raines
Mark Schatz
Tim Surrett

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Hunter Berry
Becky Buller
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan

DOBRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas
Andy Hall
Rob Ickes
Phil Leadbetter
Justin Moses

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kenny Smith
Billy Strings
Bryan Sutton
Molly Tuttle
Josh Williams

MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush
Jesse Brock
Sierra Hull
Ronnie McCoury
Frank Solivan

Ricky Skaggs, Paul Williams, Tom T. And Dixie Hall Are Newest Inductees Into IBMA Hall Of Fame

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The IBMA is inducting Ricky Skaggs, Paul Williams, and Tom T. Hall and Dixie Hall into the 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame. All four will be will be officially inducted on Thursday, Sept. 27 in Raleigh, North Carolina at the International Bluegrass Music Awards. The awards show will be broadcast live at 7 p.m./ET on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction (Ch. 62).

“Congratulations to Ricky Skaggs, Paul Williams, and Tom T. & Dixie Hall. For the indelible impact each of them has made on bluegrass music, they are receiving our highest honor, induction into the IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame,” says IBMA’s Executive Director Paul Schiminger.

The International Bluegrass Music Awards Show is the centerpiece of the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass week, which is brought to you by Chiesi USA. Tickets for the 29th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show are available by logging onto worldofbluegrass.org or by calling 1-800-514-3849.

Reba McEntire To Be Among 2018 Kennedy Center Honors Recipients

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Reba McEntire at the 27th Annual Kennedy Center Honors at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2014. Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images North America

Reba McEntire has been announced among the distinguished honorees at the 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors. Additional honorees include Cher, pianist Philip Glass, jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter, co-creators of Hamilton—writer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, director Thomas Kail, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, and music director Alex Lacamoire—receiving the unique Kennedy Center Honors as trailblazing creators of a transformative work that defies category.

2018 honorees will be presented at a star-studded celebration on Sun., Dec. 2. at the Washington DC Opera House, broadcast nationwide on CBS on Wed., Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. ET.

“The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes exceptional artists who have made enduring and indelible marks on our culture,” stated Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein.

“The world looks to America for its creative instincts and artistic courage,” said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter. “This year’s slate of Honorees represents the pinnacle of our nation’s originality and the rich mosaic of diverse perspectives and art forms that has come to define who we are as a people.”

Previous country music honorees include Merle Haggard, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Roy Acuff.

Final Round Of Performers Announced For AmericanaFest

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Pictured (L-R) Top: Birdtalker, Yola Carter, Brandi & the Alexanders, Charley Crockett; Bottom: Fantastic Negrito, The Lone Bellow, Neighbor Lady, Richard Thompson

Rosanne Cash, Amanda Shires, The Lone Bellow, Buddy Miller, and Paul Cauthen are among the final list of the 52 final performers announced for the upcoming annual AMERICANAFEST: The Americana Music Festival & Conference September 11-16 in Nashville. Today’s announcement joins previous performer lists.

For the 19th consecutive year, the six-day festival and conference will once again fill the city with legends, newcomers, award-winners, and buzz-worthy artists, showcasing the breadth of Americana’s influence on a global scale. Over 250 artists and bands will participate in the annual event.

2018 festival wristbands are currently on sale to the public for $75 on the website and in Nashville at Grimey’s New & Preloved Music and The Groove. Festival Wristbands allow admission into all evening showcase venues and select sanctioned parties and events.

Final Round of Artists Confirmed to Play AMERICANAFEST 2018:
Amanda Shires
Arkansas Dave
Birds of Chicago
Birdtalker
Bones Owens
Brandi & the Alexanders
Buddy Miller
Buxton
Charley Crockett
Charlie Faye & The Fayettes
Choir! Choir! Choir!
Chris Gantry
Chris Shiflett
Creamer
DADDY
Dylan Pratt
Elise Davis
Elizabeth Cook
Fantastic Negrito
Hymn For Her
Ian Moore
Janiva Magness
Jason James
Jeremy Pinnell
JP Harris
Kathy Mattea
Lee Roy Parnell
Leslie Stevens
Lilly Hiatt
Mandolin Orange
Max Gomez
Mike & The Moonpies
Neighbor Lady
New Reveille
Oliver Hazard
Paul Cauthen
Peter Bradley Adams
Rev. Sekou
Richard Thompson
Rosanne Cash
Samantha Fish
Sarah Siskind
Taylor Kingman
The Lone Bellow
Thomas Csorba
Tom Freund
Town Mountain
Tyler Childers
Walter Salas-Humara
William Fitzsimmons
Wood & Wire
Yola Carter