Old Dominion To Headline Special Ryman Auditorium Show In September

Old Dominion will headline a special show, “An Evening with Friends,” at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sept. 18, which will benefit both The Opry Trust Foundation and The Ryan Seacrest Foundation. The band will be joined by a bevy of  surprise guests and friends at the benefit.

This marks the first time the platinum-selling quintet have performed on the hallowed stage, and tickets go on sale this Friday Aug. 17, 2018, with a special fan pre-sale beginning today (Aug. 14).

“The Ryman has been a bucket list venue since we moved to Nashville,” said Old Dominion front man Matt Ramsey. “The growth of this band over the past couple of years has taken us all over the world into some truly huge venues, but every time we come home, there she is. We cannot wait to get on that stage. On top of that, we are enjoying getting to the point where we can help others with our music. The Ryan Seacrest Foundation and the Opry Trust are charities that are near and dear to us. It’s going to be a beautiful night.”

 

Songwriter, Artist, Producer Blue Miller Passes

Nashville musician Blue Miller, whose career spanned country, soul and rock genres, died at age 66 on Saturday, Aug. 11.

He was best known to country fans as a mainstay of The Gibson/Miller Band. But he was also notable for his collaborations with rock star Bob Seger, with neo-soul million seller India.Arie and with country hit maker Blake Shelton.

Born William Mueller, he was the son of Detroit musicians and began playing guitar before he reached his teens. As a young man, he formed a rock band named Julia, which brought him to the attention of Seger in the Motor City.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member employed guitar ace Miller as a backing musician at both shows and in the recording studio in the 1970s.

After a stint with the band 1776, Miller launched his solo recording career with two independent LPs in his hometown. When he relocated to Florida, he resumed recording, this time as a Southern-rock artist for Capricorn Records.

In the wake of a brief session career in Atlanta, he hit the road as the only white member in the touring band of soul star Isaac Hayes. He then relocated to Chicago, where he wrote ad jingles for Nutrasweet, Bud Light, Taco Bell and other products.

He also penned music for film and TV soundtracks. Miller’s “Who’ll Miss the Bus” was recorded for a transit-system documentary and won an Emmy Award.

Blue Miller moved to Nashville in 1990. He initially worked as a session musician for such artists as Mel McDaniel, Peabo Bryson and Albert King. His songs were recorded by Englebert Humperdinck, Gladys Knight, David Ruffin and others.

With the assistance of producer Doug Johnson, he formed The Gibson/Miller Band with singer-songwriter Dave Gibson in 1991. The team’s debut on the charts was “Big Heart” the following year. Miller and Gibson co-wrote it with Freddy Weller.

The duo’s biggest hits were the co-written “High Rollin’” and “Texas Tattoo” in 1993. Both charted in the 20s. This activity earned The Gibson/Miller Band a 1993 Best New Group Award from the ACM.

Miller and Gibson also co-wrote 1994’s top-40 charting “Stone Cold Country.” Their cover of “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” appeared on the soundtrack of the 1994 movie The Cowboy Way.

The Gibson/Miller Band recorded two albums for Epic Records, Where There’s Smoke (1993) and Red, White and Blue Collar (1994). The title tune of the second became their final country chart entry.

Following the group’s breakup, Miller returned to songwriting and session work. His soulful, gritty voice made him attractive as a demo and jingle singer. His guitar skills were also widely admired. He appeared on records by Doug Stone, Ty Herndon, Vern Gosdin, Michael Bolton, Clay Walker, Tanya Tucker, Aaron Neville, Mickey Newbury, Richard Marx and more.

In addition, he sang backup on the star-making records by Shelton, produced by Bobby Braddock.

His Kick in the Asphalt Band recorded race-themed songs and toured on the Winston Cup NASCAR circuit in 1997. He also co-wrote Neal McCoy’s 1998 hit “If You Can’t Be Good (Be Good At It),” as well as songs for Blackfoot, Blue October, Melissa Manchester and others. He released a solo CD titled Blue in 2000.

When Nashville-based Universal talent scout Reen Nalli discovered India.Arie, she introduced Blue Miller to her new signee. Arie and Miller worked together in Nashville to produce some of the music that made her a star.

Blue Miller co-wrote four songs, co-produced four tracks and performed on five tunes that appeared on her 2001 breakthrough album Acoustic Soul. The album went Double Platinum and was nominated for seven Grammy awards, including Album of the Year.

He toured with her in 2001-02 and continued to work with her on subsequent albums. Miller’s talents are also heard on recent albums by Ginny Owens, Bobby Pinson, Burrito Deluxe, Jools Holland, Ricky Lynn Gregg and Steve Green.

In recent years, he had been producing records for David G. Smith, Confederate Railroad and Brandon Desayer. Smith reported yesterday that Blue Miller died from complications from a cerebral hemorrhage that occurred in January.

Visitation for Blue Miller will held at the Harpeth Hills Funeral Home in Franklin on Friday 4-8 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. A celebration of life service will follow Saturday’s visitation.

On The Cover: Carly Pearce Leads MusicRow’s 2018 Artist Roster Issue

MusicRow Magazine released its annual Artist Roster issue on Monday (Aug. 13). The cover of the new issue was revealed yesterday during a party at ASCAP, featuring rising artist Carly Pearce. For a look at MusicRow’s Artist Roster cover reveal party (held Monday, Aug. 13), click here.

Honey-soaked intonation and bourbon-fueled sentiment abundant, Carly Pearce is the songwriter behind 2018’s big female breakout “Every Little Thing.” She understands setbacks, yet perseveres. Holding onto her dream as friends signed record deals, trading center stage to sing backup and cleaning AirBNBs, she continued to self-finance her music. Since leaving high school at 16 to perform at Dollywood, her Kentucky grit has refused to relinquish.

Convinced the stark ballad was three minutes of magic, SiriusXM’s J.R. Schumann stepped out with Carly’s busbee-produced “Every Little Thing” and label offers flooded in. Long-time believer, Big Machine Label Group A&R SVP Allison Jones recognized the power in the self-made singer.

Establishing herself as a live performer who not only connects but ignites the women in the audience with a reality-meets-glamour embrace on life, Carly has earned a spot as the only female on tours with Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts and Luke Bryan in 2018. Whether the full-bodied temptation of “Hide The Wine,” or the yearning for innocence of “I Need A Ride Home,” Carly offers an empowerment that’s so needed.

“Her voice just lights up. It’s a true timeless thing, not of the moment, but always,” says busbee. “She’s the same way as a writer. As a collaborator, I’m not coming in and making these songs happen. When you reflect who she is, there’s so much there.”

One of only three women to see their debut single hit No. 1 on the country charts in the past 12 years, Carly wants to make music that lasts.

“Little did I know the impact early friendships would have. ASCAP hosted a ‘support group’ for female songwriter-artists that not only opened doors professionally but reminded me how small communities can rally around each other. Nashville helped me find me: all of it, the hard stuff, too. Embracing happy moments or where I’ve messed up, it’s important for me to share it all.”

“Even ‘Every Little Thing,’ after all that, it’s not – ultimately – a song about how bad it is, but to tell you, it’s going to be alright.”

The 2018 Artist Roster issue also features Maverick’s Clarence Spalding, the marketing strategy behind the chart-topping success of Scotty McCreery‘s Seasons Change album, as well as a roundtable discussion on the state of A&R with BMLG’s Allison Jones, BBR Music Group’s Sara Knabe, Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy, and UMG Nashville’s Stephanie Wright.

Single copies of Artist Roster are available for purchase online (musicrow.com), and are included with yearly subscriptions at no additional cost.

 

Bobby Karl Works The Room: MusicRow Magazine’s Cover Reveal Party

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, Carly Pearce, and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. Photo: Ed Rode Photography

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 599

Here are some things you remember as you climb to country stardom.

The first time somebody asks you for your autograph; the first time you hear yourself on the radio; your first big concert appearance; signing your first recording contract; making your first video; doing your first media interview; winning your first award.

How about this? The first time you are on the cover of a big magazine.

We celebrated that last one with Carly Pearce on Monday afternoon (Aug. 13) at ASCAP. That is the day that the “Artist Roster” edition of MusicRow was published. And guess who is smiling on its cover?

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson and Carly Pearce. Photo: Ed Rode Photography

“This is the first time that MusicRow has done this event,” said the mag’s owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. He and Carly unveiled a blow-up of the cover on ASCAP’s stage in the lobby.

“I’ve been reading this magazine for years,” Carly responded. “So this is kind of a full-circle moment.

“What a year-and-a-half I’ve had,” she continued. “I’m really grateful to all of you. I will never, ever, ever take it for granted.”

It has been a long climb for the young singer-songwriter. Carly formed her first band at age 11 in 2001, became a full-time entertainer at Dollywood at age 16, moved to Nashville at age 19 and served nearly six years in a fruitless Sony label development deal.

Party attendee J.R. Schumann helped to change her life. He put “Every Little Thing” on Sirius/XM radio. Attendee Allison Jones took note and urged attendee Scott Borchetta to sign Carly to Big Machine. Attendee Jeff Gregg put her on the road via CAA. Manager Rob Baker – also an attendee – managed her progress. You’ll find all of them in the Artist Roster issue.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin and Beth Brinker, Carly Pearce, and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. Photo: Ed Rode Photography

Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Carly Pearce, and Longshot Management’s Rob Baker and Aaron Kinssies. Photo: Ed Rode Photography

Hosting ASCAP’s Michael Martin and Mike Sistad were with her all along the journey. Sistad presented Carly with a framed souvenir of the cover image.

“I want to thank you so much for being here — we’re so proud to have Carly in the ASCAP family,” said Mike. “I’ve known her for nine years.”

“Mike Sistad and ASCAP were among the first to support me,” Carly confirmed.

As we all know, the aching ballad “Every Little Thing” blasted its way to No. 1. Now, Carly’s saucy “Hide the Wine” is poised to repeat the feat.

Everyone must have been primed for a party, because the event was really crowded. The thunderous schmoozing in the echo-y lobby came courtesy of Chuck Flood, Chuck Thompson, Charlie Monk, Sarah Skates, Martha Moore, Sherrill Blackman, Steve O’Brien, Suzanne Lee, Dale Bobo, Dan Keen, Melanie Howard, Mike Craft, Becca Walls, Pat Higdon, Kos Weaver, Julie Boos, Andrew Kintz, Lisa Konicki and Cindy Owen, among many others.

Beaming above it all was Carly Pearce, who is notable for her positive attitude, no matter the length or difficulty of the climb. She also has a can-do work ethic that is awesome.

“This is an artist who will do whatever it takes to assure her place in this world,” Sherod observed. “She has been named a MusicRow Next Big Thing artist. Women are so important to this industry, and MusicRow is a big supporter of women.”

Read more about Pearce’s career here.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, Robert Oermann, Carly Pearce, and MusicRow‘s Haley Crow, Alex Kobrick, Eric Parker, and Jessica Nicholson. Photo: Ed Rode Photography

Exclusive Watch: Sugarland Offers Behind-The-Scenes Look At Retro “Babe” Video

Sugarland knows how to make a dramatic return, and the duo pulled out all the stops for the juicy, glamorous clip for their current single, “Babe.”

“Babe” marks the first proper music video from Sugarland’s Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles since 2011’s “Tonight,” and the clip is a beautifully-orchestrated piece of 1960s mod. Nettles stars as a devoted housewife who discovers her husband has an office mistress (played by pop superstar Taylor Swift, who co-penned the song with Pat Monahan). The video chronicles the effects of the philanderer’s actions on both women.

If the video gives off serious Mad Men vibes, that’s because it was filmed partially on the set of the hit television show, over the course of two days. Every piece of the video, from the set to the actual vintage clothing, was meant to be authentic.

“If you want to be in the throwback of mid-century mod, that was right in the heart of it,” Nettles says. “Another part of the video was the house we were in, which seemed like this preserved time capsule, except the owner actually lived there. She was a dame for sure, and was a Hollywood socialite back in the day. She preserved it exactly like it was in the ‘60s, all the way down to clear plastic seat covers on the couch.” The house featured in the “Babe” video also looks strikingly like the one used in Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart” video from 2013.

“Babe,” both the song and the video, were a gift from BMLG labelmate Swift. Swift offered guest vocals on the track, and offered the idea for the treatment. “That was all Taylor,” Nettles says.

“She was like, ‘I have an idea for the video,’ but her idea was this fully-formed video treatment,” Bush says. From there, Sugarland and Swift swapped emails and pictures, nailing down details for the shoot.

Swift also suggested actor Brandon Routh, known for his role as Superman in Superman Returns, for the role of the cheating husband.

“Not only does he look like Superman, but he has that clean, all-American man look for that era,” Nettles says. “Even from the top of the video, when we are saying our goodbyes, and there is a shot of him in his fedora and you see the little tip of his hat, it’s just gorgeous.”

Bush appears in multiple roles, from the next-door neighbor to the weatherman.

“I’m totally the Dave Grohl in this video. Remember when he did that video with all the people in that airplane? Once we started talking about it we just kept adding in characters. It’s like ‘Where’s Waldo?’”

Nettles loves the way the drama builds throughout the piece. “I loved the scene where all the secretaries are typing away and all the looks that are thrown back and forth when Taylor makes her way to his office and then I come in, like ‘Uh oh, this stuff is about to go down.’ All that interplay was super fun.”

And that dramatic climax when the mistress (played by Swift) gives a death stare to the hopeful housewife (Nettles) as they meet in the office suite? Swift and Nettles played off each other, live.

“We filmed it together on purpose,” Nettles says. “We figured everyone would be like, ‘Oh, they shot this separately and never got to interact.’ Also, because of the nature of the treatment, it’s like, ‘When are the wife and the mistress going to have a chance to see each other? Thankfully the director came up with the solution for how to get us in the room at the same time for that big reveal moment. It’s a pretty powerful scene.”

Bush was among those watching the playback for the scene.

“Everyone just kind of took a step back, like, ‘I hope I never get looked at like that.’”

“Taylor was mentioning that she’s never done a video like this narrative where she gets to play this villainous character,” Nettles says. “With the look she gives me in the office, to display that kind of character I think was a lot of fun for her, too.”

Of course, there can be comedy in drama, and Nettles walks this fine line effortlessly as her character turns to a few too many martinis to cope with her husband’s betrayal.

“My favorite was what I called watering the pool, which is when she’s had a couple of martinis in the afternoon, and she’s supposed to be watering the plants, but ends up watering the pool in her despair. I would love to do a whole movie based on who she is…”

The “Babe” video plays as a mini-movie; there is no performance sequence.

“It’s a beautiful format, and a lot of times, especially in country music, I think it has tended to move away from the more narrative stuff because quite frankly, it’s just more costly, but it is such a beautiful genre,” Nettles says. “I hope that we can continue storytelling in such a way. I definitely enjoy it and I think it adds to another layer and another dimension to the song.”

Bush agrees.

“It’s a great way to put a new spin on a conversation that you are already listening to on radio.”

“Babe” is the second single from the duo’s newly-released album Bigger.

Jason Aldean To Hit The Beach As First Headlining Act For 2019 Tortuga Music Festival

Jason Aldean is the first headlining act announced for Rock The Ocean’s 2019 Tortuga Music Festival, which is set for April 12-14 in Fort Lauderdale. The three-day, vacation-vibe event is now in its seventh year, and has become a destination event, with fans from all over the world traveling to enjoy the sun-soaked festivities.

Hotel packages for the highly-anticipated festival on the shores of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park are available now at TortugaMusicFestival.com, with more information including official onsale date, additional lineup and ticket prices to be shared in the coming months.

The Tortuga Music Festival strives to raise funds and awareness of the issues that the world’s oceans currently face, as well as supporting marine conservation and research. Attendees can learn about where a portion of the proceeds from their passes go onsite at the festival at Rock The Ocean’s Conservation Village. Offering an arena of exhibits within the festival grounds, fans can experience games, interactive touch tanks, cooking exhibitions, the latest ocean technology, and how they can help make a difference.

RIAA Gold And Platinum: July 2018

In July, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) issued 218 Song Awards and 25 Album Awards.

Multi-Platinum Album Certifications

Taylor SwiftRed (7x Platinum)

 

Platinum Album Certifications

Kenny ChesneyLive In No Shoes Nation

Luke CombsThis One’s For You

Taylor SwiftThe Taylor Swift Holiday Collection

 

Gold Album Certification

Kenny ChesneyLive In No Shoes Nation

 

Multi-Platinum Singles Certifications

Taylor Swift – “Everything Has Changed” (2x)

Taylor Swift– “I Knew You Were Trouble” (7x)

Taylor Swift – “Red” (2x)

Taylor Swift– “Look What You Made Me Do” (4x)

Taylor Swift – “…Ready For It” (2x)

Taylor Swift– “Blank Space” (8x)

 

Platinum Singles Certifications

Jason Aldean – “You Make It Easy”

 Jordan Davis -“Singles You Up”

Morgan Wallen -“Up Down”

Taylor Swift -“Forever And Always”

Taylor Swift – “Delicate”

Taylor Swift – “End Game”

Taylor Swift – “Welcome To New York”

Nathaniel Rateliff And The Night Sweats – “S.O.B.”

 

Gold Singles Certifications

Blake Shelton– “I’ll Name The Dogs”

Taylor Swift – “The Way I Loved You”

Taylor Swift– “The Best Day”

Weekly Register: Luke Combs, FGL Lead Country Sales Charts

Luke CombsThis One’s For You tops this week’s country albums chart, with 24K (total consumption), according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Last week’s chart-topping album, Songs For The Saints from Kenny Chesney, is at No. 2 this week, with 24K, followed by Jason Aldean‘s Rearview Town at No. 3 with 17K. Kane Brown‘s self-titled album is at No. 4 with 14K, and Dan + Shay‘s self-titled album rounds out the Top 5, with 14K.

Florida Georgia Line continues to dominate the Top Country Song Sales chart, as “Simple” moves 17K this week. Brett Young‘s “Mercy” is at No. 2 with 16K, followed by Dan + Shay’s “Tequila” at No. 3 with 12K. Jason Aldean (w/Miranda Lambert)’s “Drowns The Whiskey” is at No. 4 with 11K, followed by Kenny Chesney’s “Get Along” at No. 5 with 11K.

BMI To Honor John Prine With Troubadour Award

John Prine

Broadcast Music, Inc. will honor singer-songwriter John Prine with the Troubadour Award at a private dinner held at BMI’s Nashville office on Monday, Sept. 10. The Troubadour Award celebrates songwriters who have made a lasting impact on the songwriting community. The award, given only once previously, honors writers who craft for the sake of the song and set the pace for generations of songwriters who will follow.

“For a couple of generations of songwriters John Prine’s music set the bar,” says Jody Williams, VP, Creative, Nashville. “Sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, but always poignant, his songs paint vivid pictures of unforgettable characters.”

Prine is a renowned songwriter and two-time Grammy-winner. He is a Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member and a PEN New England Lyrics Award recipient whose classic debut album, John Prine, is recognized as part of the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Hall of Fame; his songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, as well as many others.

His new, critically-acclaimed album, The Tree of Forgiveness, recently debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart with over 54,000 equivalent albums sold in its first week—a career high chart position and sales week for the legendary singer, songwriter and performer. The album also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart, No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart and No. 2 on Billboard’s Rock Albums chart. Released on his own independent label, Oh Boy Records, the album is Prine’s first album featuring new material in over 13 years and was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Dave Cobb.

The private event will feature tribute performances and guest speakers. The event also serves as a homecoming for BMI’s Americana family of artists.

City National Bank Acquires Exactuals

City National Bank has acquired Exactuals, a Los Angeles-based provider of innovative SaaS solutions for complex payments in the entertainment industry.

Exactuals’ innovative payment system, PaymentHub, allows studios, unions, guilds, payroll companies, music publishers, record labels, and others to provide direct deposit payments, tax document management and online reporting to rights holders, performers, managers, service providers and independent contractors across the globe. Exactuals’ system provides payments and reporting functions with greater security, accuracy, transparency and speed, and firms can process global payments through operating accounts at City National.

In addition to PaymentHub, Exactuals recently launched RAI, a sophisticated artificial intelligence tool used by record labels and publishers to optimize ownership metadata for the calculation and payment of royalties.

Mike Hurst will remain CEO of Exactuals, and he and the firm’s other executives are being retained with multi-year contracts. The payments firm will continue to modernize the residuals and royalty payment process for the entertainment industry, and over time, it plans to expand to serve other businesses as a wholly owned subsidiary of City National Bank.

“Exactuals has developed a groundbreaking and unique payments and reporting platform that enhances security and reliability,” said City National Bank Chairman and CEO Russell Goldsmith. “City National has been a minority investor in Exactuals for several years, and the two companies have formed a strong partnership. Mike and his team are highly skilled, and we’re very pleased that they will be joining City National. This acquisition builds on City National’s history of serving the entertainment industry, and it is the latest example of our commitment to provide clients with premier service and state-of-the-art payments systems. We look forward to helping Exactuals as the firm continues to grow.”