Dan+Shay Reschedule Spring Leg Of Arena Tour Due To Coronavirus Concerns

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Grammy-winning duo Dan+Shay has postponed the spring leg of their Dan+Shay The (Arena) Tour, which launched March 6 with two shows at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

The newly-rescheduled dates launch July 30 at Tulsa, Oklahoma’s BOK Center, and wrap Oct. 31 in Tacoma, Washington.

Previously purchased tickets will be honored for all dates. The duo issued the following statement:

“Well, here we are. March 12, 2020, sitting in a bus parked outside Wells Fargo Center, making a statement we never thought we’d have to make. After the mandatory postponement of our Philadelphia show, and several others in the coming weeks, we have made the collective decision (with our team and health officials) to postpone the spring leg of THE (ARENA) TOUR. These shows mean the world to us, and it was important that they be postponed and not canceled, but more than the shows, our fans mean the world to us, and protecting their safety is the number one priority. We want the shows to be memorable, and not experienced with fear.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding. It is a strange, strange time for all of us, but we felt this was the right thing to do. Previously purchased tickets will be honored at all rescheduled dates. We hope everyone can make it. Keep an eye on venue websites for further information and updates. Stay safe out there.

So much love,
Dan + Shay

The postponed tour is just the latest in a string of concerts and festivals that have been either canceled or rescheduled, including Tin Pan South, SXSW, Coachella, Stagecoach, and more.

NEW DATES: Dan + Shay The (Arena) Tour 2020
July 30: Tulsa, OK- BOK Center
July 31: Dallas, TX-American Airlines Center
Aug. 1: San Antonio, TX- AT&T Center
Aug. 6: Louisville, KY- KFC Yum! Center
Aug. 7: Grand Rapids, MI- The Van Andel Arena
Aug. 8: Oro-Medonte, ON- Burl’s Creek Event Grounds
Aug. 13: Omaha, NE- CHI Health Center
Aug. 14: Kansas City, MO- Sprint Center
Aug. 15: Chicago, IL- United Center
Aug. 21: Calgary, AB – Prairie Wind Park
Aug. 28: Milwaukee, WI- Fiserv Forum
Aug. 29: Minneapolis, MN- Target Center
Sept. 10: Greenville, SC- Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Sept. 11: Charlottesville, VA- John Paul Jones Arena
Sept. 12: Greensboro, NC- Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Sept. 17: North Little Rock, AR- Simmons Bank Arena
Sept. 18: St Louis, MO- Enterprise Center
Sept. 19: Detroit, MI- Little Caesars Arena
Sept. 24: Washington DC- Capital One Arena
Sept. 25: New York, NY- Madison Square Garden
Sept. 26: Pittsburgh, PA- PPG Paints Arena
Sept. 28, 2020 Philadelphia, PA- Wells Fargo Center
Oct. 1: Orlando, FL- Amway Center
Oct. 2: Atlanta, GA- State Farm Arena
Oct. 3: New Orleans, LA- Smoothie King Center
Oct. 5: Indianapolis, IN- Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Oct. 8: Newark, NJ- Prudential Center
Oct. 9: Boston, MA- TD Garden
Oct. 10: Uncasville, CT- Mohegan Sun Arena
Oct. 11: Hershey, PA- GIANT Center
Oct. 15: Denver, CO- Pepsi Center
Oct. 16: Salt Lake City, UT- Vivint Smart Home Arena
Oct. 17: Las Vegas, NV- T-Mobile Arena
Oct. 21: Glendale, AZ- Gila River Arena
Oct. 23: San Francisco, CA- Chase Center
Oct. 24: Sacramento, CA- Golden 1 Center
Oct. 29: Boise, ID- Boise State University – Extra Mile Arena
Oct. 30: Portland, OR- MODA Center
Oct. 31: Tacoma, WA-Tacoma Dome

IBMA Announces 2020 Leadership Bluegrass Class

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Abi Tapia, Amanda Thompson, Suzy Thompson, Angela Sommers Rees, Lauren Price Napier. (L-R, second row): Ethan Charles, Jennifer Danielson, Evie Ladin, Rebecca Frazier, Natalya Zoe Weinstein, Roxanne Tromly, Michelle Lee, Fred Knittel.(L-R, third row): Rick Faris, Marianne Kovatch, Dave Howard, Greg Garrison, Ned Luberecki, Didier Philippe. (L-R, back row): Benjamin Wright, Jake Blount, David Brower, Worth Dixon, Thomas Cassell, Ed Leonard.

The International Bluegrass Music Association is proud to announce the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2020. This was the 21st year of Leadership Bluegrass, which now boasts over 500 alumni. The program was hosted at BMI in Nashville on March 2-4, with Kathy Hanson serving as the course facilitator and Jordan Laney serving as assistant facilitator.

The intensive, three-day program focuses on interactive learning and networking experiences and invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the bluegrass industry and pursue leadership development. Each year, participants are selected through a competitive application process and are a cross-section of current and future leaders from all areas of the industry, coming from various regions of the U.S. and the world.

Leadership Bluegrass 2020 graduates:
Jake Blount  – Jake Blount / Tui / The Moose Whisperers – Washington, D.C.
David Brower – PineCone / WUNC – Carrboro, NC
Thomas Cassell – Circus No. 9 – Johnson City, TN
Ethan Charles – International Bluegrass Music Association – Nashville, TN
Jennifer Danielson – Pandora – Nashville, TN
Worth Dixon – D’Addario & Company, Inc. – Farmingdale, NY
Rick Faris – Special Consensus – Topeka, KA
Rebecca Frazier – Rebecca Frazier and Hit & Run – Nashville, TN
Greg Garrison – Leftover Salmon / University of Colorado, Denver – Lakewood, CO
Dave Howard – Louisville Folk School – Louisville, KY
Fred Knittel – Smithsonian Folkways Recordings – Washington, D.C.
Marianne Kovatch – Blue Ridge Music Center – Winton-Salem, NC
Evie Ladin – Evie Ladin Band – Oakland, CA
Michelle Lee – WOBL / Bluegrass Borderline / Smoked Country Jam – Sheffield Lake, OH
Ed Leonard – Billy Blue Records – Hendersonville, TN
Ned Luberecki – Becky Buller Band / SiriusXM – Nashville, TN
Didier Philippe – La Roche Bluegrass Festival – Etaux, France
Lauren Price Napier – The Price Sisters – Hyden, KY
Angela Sommers Rees – Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival – Dorrigo, NSW, Australia
Brian Swenk – Big Daddy Love / Midwood Entertainment – Glen Allen, VA
Abi Tapia – Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Nashville, TN
Suzy Thompson – Berkeley Old Time Music Convention – Berkeley, CA
Amanda Thompson – Frankfort Bluegrass Festival – Mokena, IL
Roxanne Tromly – Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum / ROMP Fest – Owensboro, KY
Natalya Zoe Weinstein – Zoe & Cloyd / Warren Wilson College – Fairview, NC
Benjamin Wright – Henhouse Prowlers / Bluegrass Ambassadors – Chicago, IL

Brandon Hood, Dann Huff Form Artist Development Venture With Warner Chappell Music Nashville

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Back row (L-R): Ben Vaughn (WCM), Dann Huff, Will Overton (WCM). Front: Brandon Hood

Producer/songwriter Brandon Hood and producer Dann Huff have launched an artist development company in a joint venture with Warner Chappell Music. Through the partnership, Hood, Huff, and WCM will co-sign writers for artists that Hood & Huff work with. The publisher has also signed Hood to a worldwide publishing deal.

“My relationship with Dann has been a navigational beacon for me as a guitarist, producer, and songwriter. He’s someone as close as family to me, and I could not be more excited to have his mentorship become more official in my career,” said Hood. “I’m thrilled to partner with him and the entire Warner Chappell family to pursue development opportunities with incredible artists.”

Born and raised in Blairsville, Georgia, Hood landed in Nashville in 2005 to pursue a degree at Belmont. During his time there his guitar and production skills caught the attention of Dann Huff, who signed him to his first-ever publishing deal. Hood’s songs have been recorded by Rascal Flatts, Sam Hunt, Jessie James Decker, and more, and he’s currently producing records for Drake Milligan, Hannah Dasher, and Tim Dugger, among others. Hood is managed by Mary Lauren Teague at Dotted i Entertainment.

A Nashville native, Huff’s versatile career spans decades and includes playing session guitar for superstars from Madonna to Michael Jackson, to producing for some of the biggest names in country music like Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill, Thomas Rhett, and Reba McEntire, to name a few. Some of his most recognizable country hits include, Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t My Color,” Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know,” and Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man,” which landed Single of the Year at the 2016 CMA Awards. Huff has been named CMA’s Musician of the Year, ACM’s Producer of the Year, and Music Row’s Producer of the Year three times each, and was honored as Billboard’s Producer of the Decade in 2010.

Adam Romaine Joins Young Guns Publishing

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Adam Romaine

Young Guns Publishing has added Adam Romaine to its team, in the newly-created role of Sr. Creative, A&R, where he will be responsible for discovering and signing new songwriter talent, fostering relationships with songwriters and more.

Romaine previously served as Creative Director and Tour Manager for Florida Georgia Line’s Tree Vibez Music bus, which resulted in 42 cuts, nine radio singles, two U.S. country radio No. 1 hits and two Canadian No. 1 hits.

“From our first conversations with Adam, we knew we wanted him as part of the team. His infectious drive and personality fit perfectly with our company, and we know he’s going to be a huge asset. He’s already hit the ground running and we couldn’t be more excited to have him here at Young Guns,” says Young Guns President Will Hamrick.

Romaine adds, “I’m excited to join the Young Guns team, and look forward to making additions to an already successful roster.”

The Young Guns roster includes Ben Stennis, Micah Wilshire and Katie Garfield.

 

Carrie Underwood’s New Book Debuts On ‘New York Times’ Best Seller List

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Carrie Underwood’s new lifestyle book, Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life, has rocketed to the No. 2 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Along with reaching the No. 2 spot on the highly-competitive Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous list, the book also hit No. 1 on Amazon during its first week of publication and is currently No. 3 on Amazon’s most-sold nonfiction chart.

Underwood kicked off a multi-city promo tour last week with personal appearances in Brooklyn, Stamford, CT and Nashville, all of which sold out in under a minute. She took over the NBC airwaves on March 3 with appearances on The Today Show, competed in a “Fittest of the Fit” challenge on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on March 6, and cooked with Rachael Ray on March 9. Underwood also graces the covers of Women’s Health and Parade Magazine, and was featured in InStyle, People, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, and more.

She also launched her new fitness app, fit52, on March 2, which is now available for download on iOS, a holistic wellness platform designed to encourage and support users on their personal wellness journey.  March also marks her fifth anniversary as founder and lead designer of her fitness and lifestyle brand, CALIA by Carrie Underwood, which launched in 2015 and is exclusively available at DICK’S Sporting Goods nationwide and online.

Industry Pics: Mo Pitney, Laura Veltz, Mitchell Tenpenny, Chuck Wicks

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Mo Pitney Previews Upcoming Album

Pictured (L-R): Modern Management’s Ted Greene, Curb Records’ RJ Meacham, Mike Curb, Mo Pitney, Laurel Kittleson, Benson Curb, Colt Murski, Jeff Tuerff, Bryan Stewart


Mo Pitney recently performed new music from his upcoming album for members of his label home Curb Records on Thursday, March 5 at the Curb Studio. The upcoming album will follow his 2016 project Behind This Guitar.
 

Laura Veltz Honored During Song Suffragettes Sixth Anniversary Show

Pictured (L-R): Mia Morris, Erin Grand, Song Suffragettes’ Helena Capps, Chloe Gilligan, Jenna LaMaster, Jeannie Seely, Laura Veltz, MTSU’s Dean Beverly Keel, Sarabeth Taite, Candi Carpenter, Kalie Shorr, Vic Allen, Bellah Mae and Song Suffragettes’ Todd Cassetty. Photo: Jordan Merrigan


Nashville’s all-female, singer-songwriter collective, Song Suffragettes, celebrated their sixth anniversary with two songwriter rounds on March 9, featuring nine female singer-songwriters and a special presentation to hit songwriter Laura Veltz who has penned six No. 1 hits in recent years including Maren Morris’ “The Bones” and Dan + Shay’s “Speechless.” Veltz accepted the Yellow Rose of Inspiration Award for her contributions to the songwriting community. Beverly Keel, Dean of Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment moderated a Q&A session with Veltz. Veltz also offered an acoustic performance of Maren Morris’ latest single “To Hell and Back,” which Veltz co-wrote with Morris and Jessie Jo Dillon.
 

Mitchell Tenpenny, Chuck Wicks Raise Over $73,000 For Tornado Relief

Mitchell Tennpenny & Chuck Wicks + Friends Raise $73,698 Thousand for Hands On Nashville


Nashville native Mitchell Tenpenny and NASH FM’s Chuck Wicks recently teamed to create a benefit concerts to aid those impacted by last week’s Nashville tornadoes. The Band Camino, Chris Lane, Devin Dawson, HARDY, Tyler Rich, The Sisterhood Band, and more came out to show their support. Their partnership resulted in two sold-out concerts held at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, which together raised $73,698. All ticket sales from the shows, auction item donations and all proceeds from bar sales during the concerts will benefit Hands On Nashville.

Signings: Clay Walker, Sarah Buchanan, Travis Tritt

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Clay Walker Signs With TKO Artist Management


Clay Walker has signed with TKO Artist Management and is prepping for the digital release of his 2003 album A Few Questions on March 27. TKO Artist Management represents The Bacon Brothers, Glen Campbell, Colt Ford, Krystal Keith, Toby Keith, Chris LeDoux, Ned LeDoux, Mac McAnally and Waterloo Revival.

Sony/Provident Signs Sarah Buchanan

Top Row (L-R): Jeff Cruz, Jamie Rodgers, Holly Zabka, Jason Frizzell, Josh Pauley, Kauland Buchanan, Nathanael Kotras, Bottom Row (L-R): Sony/Provident CEO Terry Hemmings, Sarah Buchanan

Sarah Buchanan has signed a recording contract with Sony/Provident, and a publishing agreement with Essential Worship. Buchanan, who leads worship at Nashville’s Church of the City-Sylvan Park, is set to release music later this year and launch a tour in early 2021.

“There have never been truer words to describe how I feel – this means the world to me. I feel incredibly validated and affirmed in what I have felt my heart pulling me towards for several years. It is overwhelming to look around and see so many new faces in my corner that have quickly become like family to me,” Buchanan said. “I am incredibly at peace and feel a new sense of responsibility to steward this new platform as best I can – that is not lost on me. There is no manual on how to navigate the thing that you have been working towards for what feels like forever, which is a weird reality for me now. I am beyond honored to be joining the Provident team and working alongside people I have admired from afar for so long – seriously, someone pinch me.”

Travis Tritt Signs With Big Noise Music Group

Pictured (L-R): Adam Muhlbaum (Big Noise Music Group, Sr. VP of Marketing and Project Management), Mike “Cheez” Brown (Travis Tritt’s Manager), Jon Cohen (Big Noise Music Group, President), Travis Tritt, Nick Gross (Big Noise Music Group, CEO)

Travis Tritt has signed with Los Angeles-based label Big Noise Music Group and is set to release a new full-length album later this year. The project, which is being produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, The Highwomen, Sturgill Simpson), will mark Tritt’s first album release in more than 12 years.

Walker Hayes, Teddy Robb, Brandon Ratcliff Revive Triple Play Tour

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Walker Hayes, Teddy Robb, and Brandon Ratcliff are taking a page from the playbook of ’90s country and hitting the road together on the Triple Play Tour presented by Monument Records. The tour will be visiting major markets across the U.S., kicking off on April 9 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and running through May 16 in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Inspired by the original Triple Play tour that launched the careers of Shania Twain and Toby Keith, Hayes, Ratcliff, and Robb will all be releasing new singles into the marketplace throughout the run and sharing one bus and one band. The trio will be fully investing in these cities with press, radio, college and brand events in addition to the marketplace shows.

Hayes has kept fans and audiences across the globe captivated since the release of his debut album boom., which included the Platinum hit “You Broke Up With Me.” After selling out clubs across the country last year on his Dream On It Tour, and releasing his latest EP, 8Tracks, Vol. 3: Black Sheep, Hayes’ songs have been streamed nearly half a billion times. He has new music set for release this month.

Ratcliff burst onto the scene with his debut single, “Rules Of Breaking Up,” accumulating over 50 million streams. After hitting the road with Kelsea Ballerini and Brett Young, and opening dates for Keith Urban, Ratcliff was selected as a Pandora Ones to Watch artist and topped Rolling Stone’s all-genre Breakthrough Artists chart last summer. On his latest project, Uncovered, Ratcliff digs into his musical influences, releasing covers of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon,” Stevie Wonder’s “Livin’ For The City,” and Alison Krauss’ “Forget About It.”

Robb released his debut track “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You” in 2019. Since then, his music has accumulated over 80 million worldwide streams, and he’s played festivals across the country and performed to national audiences. New music will be announced in the coming weeks.

Mercury’s Triple Play Sampler: Three Home-Run Artists was released in 1993, featuring John Brannen, Toby Keith and Shania Twain.

BREAKING: Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo Ordered To Close Remainder Of Festival

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The City of Houston and the Houston Health Department have ordered the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to close the remainder of the festival, and the festival’s organizers have announced they will comply with the city’s order. The grounds will close at 4 p.m. today.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo launched March 3, and was slated to run through March 22. Among the artists that had been slated to make upcoming appearances through March 22 include Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Lizzo, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Gwen Stefani, Khalid, Chris Stapleton, Marshmellow and Luke Bryan.

“The Rodeo is deeply saddened; however, the safety and well-being of our guests and our community is our top priority. Out of precaution, the City has decided that this is the best course of action for our community,” the festival’s organizers said via a statement. Organizers are working on a plan to refund tickets to attendees.

“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been a fabric of this community since 1932. Having to close early is extremely difficult as guests, volunteers, exhibitors, rodeo athletes and entertainers look forward to the 20 days of the Rodeo each year. We look forward to the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to continue to promote agriculture, education, entertainment and Western heritage. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”

ACM Awards Are On: The Academy of Country Music To Hold Awards Show Despite Coronavirus Concerns

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As cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus continue to rise across the United States, leading festivals and other music events to postpone or cancel shows, the Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions plan to move forward with the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards show, which is set for April 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“We are closely monitoring the situation along with the MGM team, who are in continuous contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Southern Nevada Health District, and other agencies and experts for guidance. We will take every precaution to ensure the safety of our artists, staff, crew, guests and attendees,” the organization said via a statement.

The ACM today announced its first round of performers, with a lineup that includes this year’s ACM Awards host Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert. Lambert will perform alongside Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars tourmates Lindsay Ell, Caylee Hammack, Elle King, Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes for their live television premiere performance of their Music Event of the Year-nominated song “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.

In recent weeks, Nashville-based songwriter festival Tin Pan South announced it will postpone the festival until the summer, while Austin’s massive SXSW festival announced its cancellation. Coachella and its country music-focused counterpart Stagecoach have both been postponed until October.

To date, there have been more than 120,000 confirmed cases of the virus globally, including more than 1,000 in the United States.