Ryman Auditorium To Build Outdoor Stage

The Ryman Auditorium will be adding a small outdoor stage, MusicRow has confirmed.

Ryman Hospitality Properties has filed plans with the city to build a 16×10 covered stage to the 4th Avenue side of the Ryman to be used as a dedicated area for plaza entertainment, like WSM’s Pickin On The Plaza events during the summer.

Industry Ink: Kane Brown RIAA Certifications, Amber Williams Starts Beaucoup Media, Jerry Lee Lewis Health Update

Kane Brown’s Experiment Goes Gold, “Lose It” Goes Platinum

Kane Brown is doubling up this week with the Gold certification of his album Experiment and the Platinum certification of his third career No. 1 “Lose It.” The certifications come on the heels of his ACM-nominated hit “Heaven” being certified 4X Platinum, making Brown one of only five country acts with multiple 4X Platinum hits, including Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt and Taylor Swift.

The updated Platinum certifications of both “Lose It” and “Heaven” follow Brown’s earlier certification of his chart-topping single “What Ifs” as 4X Platinum. Brown’s “Heaven” is also nominated for Single of the Year at the 2019 ACM Awards and was country radio’s most-played airplay hit of 2018.

 

Amber Williams Starts Boutique Public Relations Entertainment Agency, Beaucoup Media

Music executive Amber Williams has started Beaucoup Media, a boutique public relations entertainment agency that specializes in bespoke media campaigns and distinct event activations for lifestyle brands.

Williams’ has nearly 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, most recently serving as the Vice President of Communications and Talent Relations for The Country Music Association in Nashville, overseeing media for the CMA Awards, CMA Fest, and Country Music Hall of Fame Induction announcement press conference, as well as booking the CMA Songwriters Series. Prior to that she spearheaded opening a New York City office for Beck Media where she led a team for six years while working with clients Amazon, Hulu, National Geographic Channel, Netflix, Sony Pictures International Television and The Wendy Williams Show. Williams entered the Nashville music business scene originally via Universal Music Nashville in 2004. She launched her public relations career in 2000 in Los Angeles at Sony Pictures International Television, followed by the then newly-formed cable network Hallmark Channel.

Contact Williams at amber@beaucoupmedia.co or www.beaucoupmedia.co.

 

Jerry Lee Lewis Transferred To Rehabilitation Center Following Stroke

After suffering a stroke and spending two weeks in the hospital, Jerry Lee Lewis has been transferred to a rehabilitation center.

“Jerry Lee Lewis is expected to fully recover with aggressive and intensive rehab. From what I have seen thus far, he is heading in the right direction,” said Dr. Rohini Bhole, M.D., Lewis’ Neurologist.

As such, Lewis will unfortunately have to cancel his appearances on April 28 at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, May 18 at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, Tenn. and on June 8 at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Va.

Brad Paisley, Little Big Town To Headline Live In The Vineyard Goes Country In May

The Live In The Vineyard festival is going country for the second year and partnering with CMT for the special three-day event. Live In The Vineyard Goes Country will take place May 14-16 in Napa, California, and offer attendees exclusive access to artists, top tier winemakers and world-renowned chefs during the once-in-a-lifetime event. This year’s festival will feature headlining performances by Brad Paisley and Little Big Town, with intimate acoustic performances by Brothers Osborne, Caylee Hammack, Chris Lane, Cody Johnson, Gone West, HARDY, Ingrid Andress, LANCO, Michael Ray, Morgan Evans, Scotty McCreery and Walker Hayes. 

Fans can follow along with coverage of the event on LITVGC and CMT’s social media channels, and catch a special edition of CMT Hot 20 Countdown airing Saturday, May 25 at 9am ET/PT (encore Sunday, May 26 at 9 am ET/PT).

Attendees will be treated to an acoustic performance at the Opening Reception on Tuesday, May 14 by Brad Paisley, LANCO and Walker Hayes. On Wednesday, May 15 attendees will enjoy a tailgate style guitar pull with Caylee Hammack, Chris Lane, HARDY and Ingrid Andress. The night of May 15, attendees will head to Uptown Theatre for the main concert event featuring Brothers Osborne, Cody Johnson, Michael Ray and a headlining performance by Little Big Town. Live In The Vineyard Goes Country will conclude on Thursday, May 16 with a Send Off Brunch featuring performances by Gone West, Morgan Evans and Scotty McCreery.

Information on the festival and ticket giveaways can be found at liveinthevineyardgoescountry.com

Emily Landis Inks Publishing Deal With BMG Nashville

Pictured (L-R): Chris Oglesby, VP Creative, BMG Nashville; Rakiyah Marshall, Creative Director, BMG Nashville; Emily Landis; Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville; Noah McPike, Attorney, Dickinson Wright PLLC

Songwriter Emily Landis has signed a new worldwide publishing agreement with BMG Nashville. A graduate of Belmont University, where she studied songwriting, Landis highlighted her musical skills in spring 2016, co-writing four of the eight original songs performed in the esteemed Belmont Showcase Series for the country genre.

Since then, Landis has joined the Nashville songwriting community co-writing songs with recording artists Kassi Ashton, Seaforth, Walker McGuire, Cassadee Pope, Tegan Marie, and James Otto, among others.

Said Landis, “I am so excited to work alongside everyone at BMG. They are some of the most passionate individuals in the business, and those are the kinds of people you want on your team. It is an honor to call myself a BMG writer.”

Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Nashville, said, “Emily is a perfect fit for us, gifted and versatile. We are fortunate she has chosen us to shepherd her career.”

Rakiyah Marshall, Creative Director, BMG Nashville, said, “We are thrilled to have Emily join BMG. Her talent, fresh perspective, and passionate work ethic have her destined for a bright career. We look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

Billy Ray Cyrus To Release New Album Via BMG

Billy Ray Cyrus will release his new studio album, The SnakeDoctor Circus, via BMG.

The concept record features Cyrus’ longtime collaborator and songwriting mentor, Don Von Tress, who co-wrote Cyrus’ signature smash “Achy Breaky Heart.”

The SnakeDoctor Circus album certainly has a lot to say and the music reflects all my influences. My goal has always been to make music that would touch people’s lives around the world. I’m excited about getting the music to the people,” Cyrus said.

The SnakeDoctor Circus is a very personal body of music for Billy Ray. He poured his heart and soul into every note and we are happy to help present it to his passionate and adoring fan base,” said Jon Loba, EVP, BBR Music Group.

A release date for the project has not been revealed.

ASCAP Partners With Luck Productions To Launch Luck Embassy Program

Luck Productions has partnered with ASCAP and Embassy partners—Southwest, Gibson, The Line Hotel, and Modern Electric Sound—to develop an artist-facing portal—called the Luck Embassy program—geared toward helping musicians with year-round artist support directly to the #luckfamily.

Pictured: Nicole Atkins and Jim Sclavulos perform at Luck Reunion 2019. Photo: Rett Rogers

Luck Reunion’s Matt Bizer says, “The Luck Embassy is our way of honoring a year-round commitment to our Luck Family of artists. We are excited to kick off Embassy offers with some of our favorite partners; and look forward to growing the program as a resource pool and safe space dedicated to supporting artists where it matters most.”

“ASCAP has always celebrated music’s history while lifting up the next generation of songwriters, so partnering with Luck Reunion to support the Luck Embassy program made perfect sense. ASCAP shares Luck’s spirit of support for artists and their creative families, and together we hope to be a friendly place for them to turn, no matter where they are in their careers or what kind of music they create,” said ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Nashville-based Membership Director. “That we get to call Texas home base for this partnership feels like a special nod to some of our most celebrated members, like Townes Van Zandt, Guy and Susanna Clark, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle, legends who have forged a path for today’s storytellers.”

Click here for a breakdown of benefits offered to #luckfamily through the Luck Embassy portal, including flights with Southwest, special rates at The LINE Hotel, discounted Modern Electric sound recorders, and more.

Maren Morris’ ‘GIRL’ Breaks Streaming Record, Debuts At No. 1

GIRL, the new album from Maren Morris, has shattered the record for the largest streaming week ever for a country studio album by a woman, with 24 million streams in its first week. GIRL also debuts atop the country albums chart, with 46K in total consumption and 25K in traditional sales, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The album debuts at No. 4 on the all-genre Top 200 album rankings.

“I am blown away by the support this last week,” says Morris. “My fans were already screaming the lyrics at the show the day after the album came out. I am so shocked and thankful to have broken this record for country music!”

Morris’ previous full-length effort, HERO, also debuted at No. 1 on the country albums chart, upon its release in 2016, with 45K in total consumption (37K in traditional units).

She recently launched her GIRL World Tour (including a stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium) and is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards (April 7).

Atlanta Rapper Lil Nas X Appears On ‘MusicRow’ Top Songwriter Chart

Atlanta rapper Lil Nas X is at No. 17 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with his independently-written “Old Town Road.” The moody track dubbed ‘country trap’ exploded on the short video sharing app, TikTok. The music video features animation from a popular video game, Red Dead Redemption and has been viewed 7.1 million times.

Ashley Gorley is at No. 1 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Kevin Welch follows at No. 2, Shane McAnally at No. 3, Brett James at No. 4, and Ben Burgess at No. 5.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Brantley Gilbert Inks New Management Deal

Seated: Brantley Gilbert. Standing (L-R): Manager Clint Higham; VP Marketing, MHM Basak Kizilisik; Manager Aaron Keiser

Valory Music Co. artist Brantley Gilbert, who is currently preparing music for his fifth studio album, has signed with Clint Higham and Morris Higham Management for representation. Joining Gilbert at Morris Higham Management is longtime associate Aaron Keiser. The former day-to-day manager for songwriter/artist Brian Davis, Keiser oversaw touring, publishing and general career issues before teaming with Gilbert full-time as a management associate. He makes his move to the MHM team as both an agent of continuity and partner in continued career expansion.

“Brantley Gilbert makes music for a large portion of America who deserve a hero,” says Higham. “He sees where they live, knows why they matter and delivers live with a passion for the power of hard work, family, friends, faith and the things that matter. He’s an important voice, and I’m honored Morris Higham Management can be part of realizing his vision.”

Gilbert has penned and recorded six No. 1 songs, including the CMA Song of the Year-nominated “Dirt Road Anthem.” He also earned consecutive platinum albums for Halfway to Heaven, and Just As I Am.

“I have always believed it’s about the songs, what they say and where you take them,” Gilbert says. “I want people helping me build the BG Nation who understand all careers aren’t cut the same way, but they all require integrity in how you create them. I love what Clint’s built in terms of focusing on an artist’s strengths, and the way they see who I am. This is gonna rock.”

 

George Strait Sets New Venue Attendance Record In Houston

George Strait

George Strait continues to prove why he’s the undisputed King of Country, breaking his own attendance records and setting the bar for excellence higher and higher. He recently performed to a record crowd of 80,108 in Houston’s NRG Stadium, besting his previous attendance record set there in 2013 of 80,020. The show was Strait’s 30th performance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and fans ate it up as he kicked off the night with one of his crossover No. 1’s “Write This Down” before covering a setlist spanning his 30 studio albums.

When Strait introduced the lead single “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” from Honky Tonk Time Machine, his new album due out March 29 on longtime label home MCA Nashville, the crowd erupted, singing along from the first verse. Strait’s grandson Harvey also joined the troubadour on stage for a special performance of “God and Country Music.”

Strait produced his forthcoming 30th studio album alongside Chuck Ainlay and wrote 8 of the 13 songs, including a co-write and featured tune with Willie Nelson, marking the first time the two have collaborated on a song. Other writers on the new project include Dean Dillon, Jim Lauderdale, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, and son Bubba Strait, who has 10 co-writes on the new album.