Lauren Alaina Reveals Plans For That Girl Was Me Headlining Tour

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Lauren Alaina announced today via an Instagram video message that she will launch her That Girl Was Me Tour this fall. Kicking off in Columbia, Missouri on Sept. 14, the headlining tour will hit Boston, New York, Atlanta and Nashville. Alaina also released the music video for her nostalgic hit, “Ladies in the 90’s,” which was directed by Ben Skipworth.

 

Curb Records artist and “Slower” singer Filmore will join Alaina on the road. The Missouri native has tallied over 50 million on-demand streams and has previously opened shows for Sam Hunt, Brett Young, Carrie Underwood and Jon Pardi.

Tickets are available for purchase beginning this Friday, May 31 at laurenalainaofficial.com/tour. Special VIP packages are also available through VIP Nation and include a gift item, meet and greet access, a unique performance from Alaina and more.

That Girl Was Me Tour Dates:
Sep. 14 • Columbia, MO The Blue Note
Sep. 19 • Warrendale, PA Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
Sep. 20 • New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Sep. 21 • Richmond, VA The National
Sep. 26 • Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
Oct. 3 • Columbus, OH The Bluestone*
Oct. 5 • Indianapolis, IN 8 Seconds Saloon
Oct. 24 • Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre
Oct. 25 • Nashville, TN Exit/In

*Opener TBD

Tin Pan South Reveals 2020 Dates

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NSAI announced today that the 28th Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will be returning once again and is set for Tuesday, March 24 through Saturday, March 28, 2020.

Known as the largest songwriters-only festival of its kind, the event will include nearly 100 shows, with songwriters ranging from newcomers to top hitmakers, filling venues throughout Nashville.

Each year, one round is selected to honor an additional purpose beyond supporting and celebrating the songwriters we all love, and that purpose is to benefit a local non-profit organization. For the 2019 festival, W.O. Smith Music School was chosen as the non-profit partner, and thanks to a sold-out crowd at the round featuring hit songwriters Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna and a few special guests, NSAI was proud to raise $2,000 to gift to the organization.

Additional festival information including the 2020 non-profit partner, performer submission period and ticket on-sale dates will be announced in the coming months.

Country Music Hall Of Fame Announces American Currents Concert Series

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville will celebrate its new exhibit American Currents: The Music of 2018 this summer with two shows in the Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater.

John Anderson will take the stage on Aug. 8. Meanwhile on Aug. 20, Brad Clawson, Rodney Clawson and Nicolle Galyon will showcase selections from numerous hit songs the family has created.

The two shows are in support of the museum’s American Currents exhibition, and all four performers are featured in American Currents: The Music of 2018, which carefully examines the noteworthy figures and events in country music’s recent past.

Tickets for both shows will be available starting Friday, May 31. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit CMATheater.com.

Eric Church, Jeffery Hyde Leap Into Top 20 On ‘MusicRow’ Top Songwriter Chart

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Co-writers Jeff Hyde and Eric Church leap 44 slots into No. 15 and No. 16 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart as Church’s “Some Of It” continues climbing and Keith Urban’s new song “We Were” enters the charts. Hyde and Church’s “We Were” was co-written with Ryan Tyndell.

Ashley Gorley tops the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the eighth consecutive week. Michael Hardy and Ross Copperman maintain their positions at No. 2, and No. 3. Luke Combs and Shane McAnally round out the top five at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.

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.

ACM’s Special Awards Honorees To Include Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves

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The Academy of Country Music has named this year’s recipients of the Special Awards for the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards. Honorees will be celebrated during the 13th Annual ACM Honors, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards.

Additional off-camera categories to be feted at ACM Honors include already announced Industry Awards and Studio Recording Awards winners, along with previously announced Songwriter of the Year Award winner, Shane McAnally.

The ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award will go to Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who throughout their career has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions and other goodwill efforts.

The ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award will go to WME Partner (and Director at Large on the ACM Board) Gayle Holcomb. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others. Holcomb helped launch ACM Lifting Lives in 2009, and made the initial endowment to form ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, in honor of her late mother. Holcomb remains actively involved in the fund’s charitable events, and is the former Academy of Country Music board chairman.

Miranda Lambert is the recipient of this year’s ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award, which is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year.

Kacey Musgraves is this year’s honoree for the ACM Jim Reeves International Award, which is presented to an artist or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.

Meanwhile there is a three-way tie for the ACM Poet’s Award this year, with the honor going to Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming and Billy Joe Shaver. This award is presented to a country music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of country music.

A Star Is Born, featuring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, has been named the recipient of the Tex Ritter Film Award, which recognizes an outstanding television movie, series or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features country music. Past recipients of the Tex Ritter Film Award include Beer For My Horses, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Country Strong, Crazy Heart, Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, Nashville,O Brother, Where Art Thou, Sweet Dreams and Walk the Line, among others.

As previously announced, Shane McAnally has been chosen as the recipient of the Songwriter of the Year award. This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter, selected by a Professional Panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization representatives.  This is McAnally’s second ACM Songwriter of the Year award. Past recipients of the ACM Songwriter of the Year Award include Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna and Roger Miller.

This year’s ACM Honors will take place Aug. 21 at the Ryman Auditorium. The awards are voted on by the ACM Board of Directors.

Eric Church’s Fan Loyalty Breaks Nashville’s Nissan Stadium Attendance Record

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Eric Church. Photo: John Shearer

If there’s one thing to know about Eric Church fans, it’s that they’ll show up.

In Nashville, on Saturday (May 25), their loyalty gave Church the footing to set a new attendance record for a concert crowd at Nissan Stadium, to the tune of 56,521 (breaking the 2018 record of 56,112). This nearly tripled his attendance record from two years prior, across town at the Bridgestone Arena.

“I got a glimpse of this place as I came in, all the way full, all the way sold out,” confirmed The Chief—as he is known to the diehards—from his stadium stage. “I came here 15 years ago and had dreams, but I’m not sure I could dream this big…this is something I’ve never seen before in my life.”

If not about heartbreak, “Record Year” offered the most definitive punch to the vibe of the evening with the line, I owe you a beer/For my record year.

Church made good on that offer, with more than beer available for fan-club members and VIP in the pre-show tailgate. Six food truck vendors were present, alongside activations for vinyl pressing, Jack Daniel’s trailer tours and a tee-shirt screen printing. Known for doing things his own way, Church brought high-end merch with his infamous pop-up stores, offering whiskey glass sets to the tune of $750 in addition to quality clothes.

Eric Church with fans who camped out for pit access. Photo: Courtesy of the Double Down Tour

Speaking of loyal fans, many apparently waited on a first-come-first-serve basis for space in the stadium’s concert pit. Church made an appearance early Saturday morning around 12:30 a.m. in line outside the gates of Nissan Stadium, where fans were camping out beginning Friday afternoon.

In a blitz to sign records which audience members held up around his catwalk, Church prominently elevated artwork for his complete studio discography.

Eric Church. Photo: John Shearer

“Tonight is going to be about all six albums—from Sinners [Like Me] all the way to Desperate Man,” Church declared before playing his banjo-driven debut single from 2006, “How ‘Bout You.” Give me a crowd that’s redneck an’ loud, we’ll raise the roof, more or less chanting the lyrics to the throwback tune, reverberating with the input of the fans in the outdoor stadium. Joanna Cotten helped Church pack a punch of an intro on stage with “Drowning Man” alongside “That’s Damn Rock & Roll” and “Over When It’s Over.” Cotten held a meet and greet of her own for the base she’s steadily growing with the elevation received from her slot on Church’s tours.

Coordinated lighting and a duo of video walls, similar to those seen at CMA Fest’s nightly stadium shows, gave Church the reach to connect with fans all the way in the 300-level seats, who at times were all on their feet.

Church was backed by a six person band, then stripped to acoustic renditions of “Mr. Misunderstood,” “Creepin’,” and “Mistress Named Music.”

Joanna Cotten and Eric Church. Photo: John Shearer

What stood out most about the night is his camaraderie with the audience, who he speaks to– to a tee. Church sings in the first line of Mr. Misunderstood, Sitting in the back of the class; I was just like you/Always left out, never fit in; he reaches the country-bent crowd, declaring their adult independence in the lyrics Grown-ass man from “Desperate Man”; getting left behind in heartbreak in a hometown for “Round Here Buzz”; and the plain-stated crowd favorites “The Outsiders” and “Sinners Like Me.”

He is perhaps most outspoken on songs such as “Kill A Word” and “The Snake,” speaking to a relatively progressive, traditionally conservative political base. The audience balances these traditions and progressions with the haze of marijuana puffing from concert seats with nods to traditional country—namely Hank Williams and Merle Haggard. Both legacies progressive and traditional in their own right.

And all this was before the intermission. Church has been playing two dates in cities throughout 2019, except Nashville. Only one supersize venue was required for Music City. The evening’s feat made him the first artist to play Nissan Stadium alone in the venue’s 20+ year history. He went on stage at 8:45 p.m. and played well after midnight.

Although Church introduced his mother in the audience after the 30-minute intermission, the party really started post-break. Wearing an American flag print like a robe, Church performed “Jack Daniels,” advising if anyone needed, to puke and rally to keep up. And in gratitude, Church played well over three hours.

In the free seats, fans on Nashville’s walking bridge peeked over the gates to hear the reverberated echoes of some of those titles worth hearing remnants of—such iconic material as “Talladega,” “Knives of New Orleans” and “Round Here Buzz.”

Prior to the event, Church made an appearance with his label and management to accept a 30-million album sales plaque.

“He defies pretty much any imaginable odd on how you build a career,” said UMG President Cindy Mabe of Church, who she’s worked with since his first album. “You can watch it out here tonight because he built this fan-base one by one. There are so many people in this town that want to be just like this guy, but there’s only one Eric Church.”

For fans that missed the Nashville Double Down Tour, Church has just been announced as a CMA Fest performer at Nissan Stadium Friday, June 7.

Pictured (L-R): Eric Church, Cindy Mabe and John Peets. Photo: John Shearer

Eric Church. Photo: John Shearer

Upcoming Double Down Tour Dates

June 28 & 29               George, Wash. || The Gorge Amphitheatre
Sept. 13 & 14              Green Bay, Wis. || Resch Center
Sept. 20 & 21              Calgary, Alberta || Scotiabank Saddledome
Sept. 28                       San Francisco, Calif. || Chase Center
Oct. 4 & 5                   Grand Rapids, Mich. || Van Andel Arena
Oct. 11 & 12               Philadelphia, Pa. || Wells Fargo Center
Oct. 25                        Little Rock, Ark. || Verizon Arena
Oct. 26                        Birmingham, Ala. || BJCC Arena
Nov. 1                         Manchester, N.H. || SNHU Arena
Nov. 2                         Hartford, Conn. || XL Center
Nov. 15 & 16              Washington, D.C. || The Anthem
Nov. 22 & 23              Sacramento, Calif. || Golden 1 Center

Warner Bros. Records Rebrands As Warner Records

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After 61 years, music label Warner Bros. Records is being rebranded as Warner Records across the globe, complete with a new logo.

The new branded name will have minimum impact on the Nashville office as the majority of their artists are signed to Warner Music Nashville.

This rebranding is the latest step in the company’s evolution, following Aaron Bay-Schuck joining as U.S. Co-Chairman & CEO in October 2018, Tom Corson being appointed U.S. Co-Chairman & COO in January 2018, and Phil Christie being named President of the UK label in 2016. The name change also follows the U.S. company’s recent move to a new, state-of-the-art headquarters in downtown LA’s Arts District.

The news follows the recent rebranding of Warner’s publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music.

Warner Bros. Records was founded in March 1958 as an arm of Warner Bros. Pictures, whose “shield” logo was adopted by the fledgling label and has been used by the company ever since. In 2004, when Warner Music Group was sold by Time Warner and became the world’s largest independent major music company, it was agreed that Warner Bros. Records would continue to use the Warner Bros. name and logo for 15 years.

“For the first time in the label’s history, we’ve had the opportunity to create a distinct, modern identity entirely of our own,” said Corson and Bay-Schuck. “The timing couldn’t be better, since we all feel the label is at a moment of reinvention that builds on our legacy, while moving into a future driven by fearlessness and creativity. We have a growing roster of world-class artists, a rejuvenated team, and an incredible new location. It’s a new day for Warner Records, an iconic label that was born in the California sun, and is at home everywhere on earth.”

“We’re signing and developing the next generation of British artists to move global culture, so we wanted the Warner Records brand to have the power and freedom to mean different things to different people around the world,” said Christie. “A new logo isn’t meaningful on its own, and our label will always be defined by the originality of our artists, our music, and our people.”

The new Warner Records brand identity and logo were developed in partnership with Emily Oberman and her team at Pentagram, the world’s largest independently owned design studio. Pentagram has worked with many prestigious companies and events such as Rolls Royce, London Fashion Week, Rotten Tomatoes, and Sundance Institute, and Sotheby’s, as well as music projects for the likes of The Rolling Stones and The National, among many others.

Kassi Ashton, Travis Denning, Hardy To Play Faster Horses ‘Next From Nashville’ Stage

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Faster Horses Festival announced the lineup for its DISH Presents Next From Nashville Stage. The festival’s stage built for the most buzz-worthy new Nashville acts will host Kassi Ashton, Dillion Carmichael, Davisson Brothers, Travis Denning, Ross Ellis, Everette, Caylee Hammack, Hardy, Levi Hummon, Lauren Jenkins, Seaforth, Matt Stell, Rachel Wammack and Waterloo Revival on July 19-21 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Previously announced acts for the three-day “Party Of The Summer” include headliners Toby Keith, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band alongside performers Brothers Osborne, LANCO, Kip Moore, Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope, Michael Ray, Mitchell Tenpenny, Brett Young and more.

“Faster Horses is special for so many reasons,” said Brian O’Connell, President of Live Nation Country Touring. “We built this event from zero. The blank field was our canvas, all we had was our imagination and passion for our work. To be awarded with an ACM Award for those efforts, I could not be more proud of the incredible team that created and sustains this event. We are also so thankful to the ACM’s and it’s members. We could not be more fired up to head into our seventh year.”

 

TriScore Music Acquires RPM Music Group

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New Nashville-based music publisher TriScore Music has entered the publishing rights acquisition business with the purchase of RPM Music Group. TriScore principals Steve Broome and Andy Green, who also are affiliated with TriBridge Residential, one of the premiere real estate development and investment firms in the Southeast, announced the deal today. TriBridge Residential has over $1.3 billion in assets under management.

TriScore has also partnered with RPM principals Blake Chancey and Scott Siman, who will be working closely with them to make additional catalog and rights acquisitions. “It’s the perfect complement to our real estate business, and we look forward to building up the catalog,” said Broome.

“I am thrilled to announce our first acquisition,” said Broome. “We can’t think of better people to work with than Blake Chancey and Scott Siman, true leaders in the music industry.”

The deal brings into TriScore rights associated with major copyrights including songs by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Cher, Amy Grant, Sam Hunt, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley and Old Dominion. Songs include Grammy winner “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere,” and No. 1 singles “Say You Do,” “Break Up With Him,” “Make You Miss Me,” “Save It For a Rainy Day,” “I’m Moving On,” “Leave the Pieces,” and “Chainsaw,” among others.

Founded in 2007, RPM has been one of Nashville’s most successful indie publishing companies over the last decade. Founders Chancey and Siman are both former executives at Sony Music, and are both second generation music men. Chancey produced records with David Ball, the Dixie Chicks, Montgomery Gentry and Mary Chapin Carpenter, among others. He is a Grammy Award winner and has produced two Diamond-selling albums. His father Ron headed up A&R at several major labels, including ABC/Dot and MCA Music where he signed George Strait, and produced such acts as the Oak Ridge Boys and Conway Twitty.

Siman was a leading music attorney before moving to Sony and later taking over management for Tim McGraw. He is a former President and Chairman of the Academy of Country Music, and as a Country Music Association board member spearheaded the effort to establish the CMA Music Fest. He serves as President of EM.Co, a music marketing and management firm. His father Si produced the first major country music television show, The Ozark Jubilee, which took country music from its rural roots to America’s suburbs and cities, and he is credited with landing record deals for such Country Music Hall of Fame members Chet Atkins, Porter Wagoner and The Browns.

Rounder Records Signs The War And Treaty

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The War and Treaty. Photo: Courtesy Rounder Records

Rounder Records has signed duo The War and Treaty, with their first project for the label set to release next year.

Rounder President John Strohm remarked, “We are beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to work with The War and Treaty, a group that utilizes incredible vocal talent and extraordinary songwriting chops to deliver an affirming message of unity and inclusiveness that is very welcome in this age. They encompass many of Rounder’s genre traditions while crafting a fresh, exciting sound that is entirely their own.”

The duo, comprised of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount-Trotter, formed in 2014. Their rootsy soul brand of music and gospel-steeped harmonies have made them local favorites in the Nashville music scene and beyond. Earlier this month, they earned two nominations at the Americana Music Association’s Honors & Awards, including Duo/Group of the Year and Emerging Act of the Year.

The War and Treaty just finished several tour dates opening for Al Green, and have support slots scheduled with Brandi Carlile and Jason Isbell, as well as festival appearances for Dierks Bentley’s Seven Peaks Music Festival, among others. They were also the subject of a CBS Sunday Morning profile on May 26, which delved into Michael’s history as an Iraqi War veteran, Tanya’s early career as both an actor and musician, as well as their current success as The War and Treaty.