Industry Ink: Darius Rucker, John Esposito, 30A, Nashville Rising Star, Mississippi Hall Voting

/by

Darius Rucker Gets Randy Owen ‘Angel’ Honor

Pictured (L-R): Randy Owen; President and CEO of ALSAC Richard Shadyac Jr.; Darius Rucker. Photo: Seth Dixon

Darius Rucker was recently honored with the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Academy Of Country Music. ACM Lifting Lives surprised Rucker with a $50,000 donation to St. Jude given in recognition of his work with both the hospital and the ACM.

 

Espo Addresses Monmouth Graduates

(L to R) Henry Mercer, chairman of the Monmouth University Board of Trustees, Paul R. Brown, president of Monmouth University, Olympic gold medalist and Distinguished Alumni Recipient Christie Rampone and Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito

Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito delivered the commencement address to over 400 students at Monmouth University on Friday (Jan. 13) before receiving an honorary doctorate of music from the University from Monmouth president Paul R. Brown.

 

ASCAP Celebrates At 30A

Pictured (L-R): Derek George, Jaren Johnston, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, Cole Taylor, Cale Dodds, Josh Kerr, Abe Stoklasa, Emily Weisband, ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, Josh Kear and Frank Rogers

ASCAP was a major sponsor of the 30A Songwriters Festival for the 7th consecutive year, and this year’s festival included performances from writers like Josh Kear, Jaren Johnston, Jimmy Robbins, Derek George, Josh Kerr, and Brent Anderson. ASCAP showcases were held at The Boathouse in Watercolor, and on Friday night, special guests included Emily Weisband and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, who performed “Need You Now” with his co-writer Josh Kear.

 

Nashville Rising Star Launches Open Mic Contest

“Nashville Rising Star” is excited to announce Series 8 of their songwriter open mic competition. The contest will be held at the Whiskey Room at King’s Bowling in Nashville and is open to all songwriters of any genre. The contest started Jan. 11 and will be held Wednesdays for nine weeks.

The semi-finals will be held March 1 featuring 14 preliminary round winners. The audience (at the venue and online) selects one writer, and the music industry panel selects three writers to move on to the final round. The final round will be on March 8 and the grand prize winner will receive $500 cash and other career advancing prizes.

 

MAX Hall of Fame Voting Open

The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is asking fans to participate in the selection of the inaugural Hall of Fame Induction Class by voting from the Top 65 nominees that were selected by the nominating committee. Voting will be open until Feb. 17, and fans can vote once per email for their top 15 nominees. To read about the nominees, which include Sam Cooke, Bo Diddley, Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, Jimmy Buffett, and Faith Hill, go to msarts.org.

Artist Pics: Little Big Town, Harlem Globetrotters, Old Dominion, Tucker Beathard

/by

Little Big Town’s Disney Surprise

Little Big Town pose for a selfie with Radio Disney Country correspondent Savannah Keyes and the Wadsworth High School Choir after the group surprised the choir at a music workshop at Walt Disney World. Photo: Greg Newton

Little Big Town surprised students from Ohio’s Wadsworth High School on Friday (Jan. 13) as they finished up a Disney Performing Arts workshop at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Performance Hall with a visit that was part of Give a Note Foundation’s 2017 Music In Our Schools Tour. The kickoff event was part of the fourth annual Music In Our Schools – Music Inspires Tour founded by the Give a Note Foundation, an affiliate of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). The event continues to grow each year thanks to the generosity of contributors such as Disney Performing Arts, Radio Disney, Radio Disney Country, and the CMA Foundation.

 

Country Families Have Some Globetrotters Fun

The Harlem Globetrotters and Josh Turner and his family Photo: Frederick Breedon

A group of country artists and their families had a ball when the Harlem Globetrotters came to town Sunday (Jan. 15) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and enjoyed a meet and greet with the world-famous team, which has been entertaining millions of fans around the globe for the past 91 years. Josh Turner, with wife Jennifer and sons Hampton, Otis and Colby, Allison DeMarcus with children Madeline and Dylan, David Nail with wife Catherine and twin children Lawson and Lillian, and songwriter Bobby Braddock with daughter, Lauren Braddock Havey and his grandson Braddock Havey were all on hand for the fun. Turner’s son Hampton even appeared on the court in the game’s final quarter and swished a long shot, causing the arena to erupt in cheers. For his achievement, Hampton was awarded with a Harlem Globetrotters autographed jersey presented by Globetrotters star, Ant Atkinson.

 

Old Dominion Pops Up In Nashville

Old Dominion surprised more than 500 fans at the Basement East in Nashville on Thursday night (Jan. 12) with a pop-up show. During the surprise 90-minute set, the band performed their chart topping singles “Break Up With Him” and “Song For Another Time” along with fan favorites from their album Meat and Candy and cuts they’ve written for Kenny Chesney, Tyler Farr and more.

 

Tucker Beathard Makes His Opry Debut

Tucker Beathard with Pete Fisher

Tucker Beathard made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday (Jan. 14), walking into the Opry Circle for the first time with just his guitar and performing a reflective rendition of his new single “Momma And Jesus.”

Beathard also played a new song for the Opry audience, “18,” during his debut on the hallowed stage, which also marked the final one for Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher after 17 years of welcoming new artists into the circle.

Keith Urban, Ross Copperman, Joe Fisher Team With Kobalt For New Publishing Venture

/by

Pictured (Front row, L-R): Mike Milom, Milom Horsnell Crow Rose Kelley PLC; Joe Fisher, Partner, BOOM; Keith Urban, Singer/Songwriter, Partner, BOOM; Ross Copperman, Partner, BOOM.  Pictured (Back row, L-R): Mary Ann McCready, Flood Bumstead McCready McCarthy; Stephanie Cox, VP Creative, Kobalt; Jesse Willoughby, Kobalt GM, Kobalt Nashville; Willard Ahdritz, CEO and founder, Kobalt; Richard Sanders, President, Kobalt; Laura Alexander, Senior Director Creative, Kobalt; Kimberly Holcombe, Senior Manager Client Relations, Kobalt; Brooke Yancey, (formerly Creative Assistant, Kobalt).

Kobalt has signed a deal with BOOM, the collaborative publishing venture launched by country singer-songwriter Keith Urban, writer/producer Ross Copperman and A&R professional Joe Fisher. Kobalt will be administering and funding the company along with providing creative support. BOOM’s current roster includes Jordan Minton, Cali Rodi and Logan Turner.

Jesse Willoughby, General Manager of Kobalt, Nashville commented, “We’re beyond excited to announce our partnership with BOOM, to be involved with such an extraordinary group including Keith, Joe and Ross means a tremendous amount to the continued growth of Kobalt Nashville. I speak for everyone on the team with great enthusiasm as we help to grow this new venture.”

“We’re honored to be partnering with our friends at Kobalt,” said Urban, Fisher and Copperman in a joint statement. “They’re leaders in the industry with a dedicated focus on technology that makes them one of the best administrative company’s in the world. Their creative team is extraordinary and we’re looking forward to only great things in the future.”

Richard Sanders, President of Kobalt Music said, “When artists, writers and industry professionals of this caliber come together to form their own venture, and choose to partner with Kobalt, it is truly an honor and it speaks volumes to the trust people have in the company.”

Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood Among Grammy Performers

/by

Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood are among the first round of performers announced for the upcoming Grammy Awards in February. Other performers revealed include Metallica, The Weeknd, and John Legend.

No word if Urban and Underwood will perform separately or together during the ceremony, as they appear together for “The Fighter” on Urban’s Ripcord project.

Urban is nominated for Best Country Album for Ripcord, as well as for Best Country Solo Performance, for “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” The track also netted a Best Country Song nomination for songwriters Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey and Steven Lee Olsen.

Meanwhile, Underwood is also nominated for Best Country Solo Performance, for “Church Bells.”

The 2017 Grammy awards will be held Feb. 12 at the Los Angeles Staples Center. The ceremony airs live at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum To Honor Traci Thomas

/by

Traci Thomas

The 10th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum will honor manager and Americana Music Association co-founder Traci Thomas.

As part of Thirty Tigers, Thomas aided Jason Isbell’s career ascent to becoming a recent Grammy winner, earning two trophies in 2015 for Best American Roots Song and Best Americana Album. Thomas also oversaw the rise of soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones. Her current clients include duo Allison Moorer & Shelby Lynne, as well as John Moreland.

Made possible by the Gibson Foundation, the forum is presented annually to honor a music industry leader who continues the legacy of pioneer Louise Scruggs.

The forum is set for Feb. 15, 2017, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

The program is free and open to the public, but reservations are requested. Reservations can be made by emailing rsvp@countrymusichalloffame.org.

Industry Ink: The Country Network, IBMA, Silverado Records

/by

The Country Network’s Nashville Team Adds Program Director

Kent Bailey

Kent Bailey has joined The Country Network’s Nashville team as Program Director. Bailey’s experience in radio and TV spans over three decades, including stints at CMT International, as well as alongside former associate Cary Rolfe, VP of Programming and Artist Relations for The Country Network.

Bailey assisted Rolfe in programming The Country Network during its original launch in 2012 (and subsequently ZUUS Country, until its sale in late 2015). Bailey reunited with Rolfe and has been working with The Country Network in Nashville as a programming consultant since June, contributing greatly to its initial success. Bailey can be reached at kent@tcncountry.com.

 

IBMI Adds Member Services Director, Opens Showcase Applications

Amy Beth Hale

Amy Beth Hale has joined the staff of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) as Member Services Director. Hale was most recently Director of Writer/Publisher Relations at SESAC Nashville, working closely with songwriters and publishers as well as maintaining SESAC’s audio library and overseeing the maintenance of their database. Hale is a member of the Leadership Bluegrass class of 2011. She can be reached at amybeth@ibma.org or 615-256-3222.

Additionally, the IBMA has opened its showcase applications for the 2017 Bluegrass Ramble, which will take place during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass. All emerging bands plus established bands with new music or new personnel are encouraged to apply. The application process runs through Feb. 28. Bands can apply at ibma.org.

 

Exegan Music Group Promotes Silverado’s Chesling To VP Role

Aaron Chesling

Aaron Chesling has been promoted to VP, A&R at Silverado Records’ parent company, Exegan Music Group. Chesling will continue to oversee A&R at Silverado Records as well as the company’s other properties. Chesling formerly served as Logistics Coordinator for Big Machine Records.

“We have an exciting year planned and are very excited to have Aaron helming a key element of our strategy,” said Exegan Music Group CEO Scott Thomas.

“This past year building up Silverado Records here in Nashville, and working with Scott on some new projects going forward have been an awesome experience. I’m really looking forward to this next chapter,” Chesling said.

Silverado, which launched in 2016, boasts an artist roster that includes Joe Diffie, HISH, Zack Dyer, Ali Morgan and Melissa Mickelson.

Exegan Music Group was formed in 2010 by Scott Thomas and a group of investors. The company owns and manages more than a dozen small record labels and catalogs, including Gateway Records, Poison Tree Records and more.

GhostTunes Prompts Users To Transfer Music By March 3

/by

A little over two years since the launch of Garth Brooks‘ GhostTunes, the download store is notifying users to transfer music off the website by March 3, 2017.

In an email to users, GhostTunes is prompting the transfer all purchased music from music libraries to an Amazon Music account, for free. However, the transfer does not include Amazon Music Unlimited, the service Brooks announced an exclusive partnership with in October 2016.

GhostTunes was the first to offer Brooks’ music in digital format for purchase, as well as millions of major label songs from various artists across multiple genres. Randy Bernard led GhostTunes, joining the company with experience at Rural Media Group, Professional Bull Riders Association and INDYCAR.

Amazon Music Unlimited is an on-demand, ad-free music streaming service, including a catalog of tens of millions of songs—including every Brooks album. As fate would have it, the sweet partnership extended to wife, Trisha Yearwood, for an exclusive store for her music and home goods.

Aaron Watson Sets Supporting Tour Dates For Upcoming Album, ‘Vaquero’

/by

Aaron Watson has announced a series of tour dates in support of his upcoming album Vaquero, set for release Feb. 24.

The project, out via BIG label Records, features the lead single “Outta Style.” Watson’s previous album, The Underdog, made history by topping the Billboard Top Country albums chart, making Watson the first independent solo make country artist to debut in the top spot.

Watson’s 2017 tour will include a stop at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry on Feb. 10, as well as appearances at Billy Bob’s, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The tour will launch Jan. 20 in Terrell, Texas, before heading abroad for four stops in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

AARON WATSON 2017 TOUR DATES

Jan. 20: Terrell, TX – Silver Saloon
Jan. 25: Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor
Jan. 26: Manchester, UK – Night & Day
Jan. 27: London, UK – The Garage
Jan. 28: Dublin, IR – Whelan’s
Feb. 3: Wichita Falls, TX – Denim & Diamonds
Feb. 4: Stillwater, OK – Tumbleweed Dancehall
Feb. 10: Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
Feb. 17: Salt Lake City, UT – Western Hunting and Conservation Expo
Feb. 18: Waco, TX – Extraco Event Center
Feb. 25: San Antonio, TX – San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
March 4: Sonora, TX – JL Bar Ranch & Resort
March 7: Houston, TX – Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
March 9: New York, NY – Marlin Room at Webster Hall
March 18: Grant, OK – Choctaw Event Center
March 23: Little Rock, AR – Revolution Music Room
March 24: Bossier City, LA – The Stage at Silver Star Smokehouse
March 25: Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
March 30: Bakersfield, CA – Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
March 31: San Bernardino, CA – The Brandin’ Iron
April 5: West Hollywood, CA – The Troubadour
April 6: San Diego, CA – Moonshine Flats
April 7: Florence, AZ – Country Thunder
April 13: St Louis, MO – Delmar Hall
April 14: Springfield, MO – Shrine Mosque
April 15: Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
April 27: Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theatre
April 28: Corpus Christi, TX – American Bank Center
May 12: Tampa, FL – Dallas Bull
June 24: Manhattan, KS – Country Stampede
Aug. 3: Prairie du Chien, WI – Country On The River

George Strait, Brad Paisley to Perform at T.J. Martell Nashville Honors Gala

/by

George Strait and Brad Paisley will both perform at the T.J. Martell Foundation’s 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Hotel on Monday, Feb. 27.

The awards pay tribute to outstanding community leaders, and each honoree is celebrated with a musical performance and presentation. 2017 Gala honorees include Janet Miller (Spirit of Nashville Award), Dr. Joseph Smith (Medical Research Advancement Award), Scott Hamilton (Humanitarian Award), Rod Essig (Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award), and Louis Messina -(Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award).

The event has raised more than $4 million for leukemia, cancer and AIDS research since its inception in 2009.

LifeNotes: Songwriter Greg Trooper Dies

/by

Greg Trooper

Songwriter Greg Trooper died Jan. 15, 2017, two days after his 61st birthday.

Trooper, a New Jersey native, has had songs recorded by artists including Vince Gill, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg, Robert Earl Keen, Maura O’Connell, Lucy Kaplansky, Tom Russell and Walt and Tina Wilkins. On previous albums he has had harmony vocals provided by Emmylou Harris and Rosanne Cash.

The songwriter first garnered the attention of Steve Earle, who recorded Trooper’s “Little Sister” and later Gill, who recorded “We Won’t Dance” on his 1989 debut project for MCA Nashville When I Call Your Name.

Trooper recently released his 13th album, Live At The Rock Room, a recording of a live performance from January 2015 in Austin, Texas. It features Texas musicians Jack Saunders on upright bass and Chip Dolan on keyboards and accordion.