Charity News: Tracy Lawrence, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Vince Gill, Jim Lauderdale

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Tracy Lawrence Celebrates 11th Annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry

Tracy Lawrence Stands with Titans Cheerleaders at 11th Annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry. Photo: Jon-Paul Bruno

Tracy Lawrence Stands with Titans Cheerleaders at 11th Annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry. Photo: Jon-Paul Bruno

Tracy Lawrence held his 11th annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry Tuesday, Nov. 22 to benefit Nashville Rescue Mission.

Later that evening, Lawrence was joined by Big & Rich, Ben Rue, Jerrod Niemann and Halfway to Hazard for the second annual Tracy Lawrence Mission: Possible Charity Concert at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. During the concert, Lawrence revealed a new homeless fundraising initiative he will be launching in May 2017, the Mission: Possible Golf Tournament and Charity Concert, a partnership with WSM that will benefit Lebanon, Tennessee’s Brooks House and the Nashville Rescue Mission. The Brooks House is a non-denominational, faith-based transitional, non-emergency shelter where women and children receive temporary shelter.

Funds raised by the singer at his annual event have helped provide more than 75,000 meals to those in need, and more than 5,000 turkeys have been fried and donated to the Mission.

Tracy Lawrence (L) Participates in Turkey Frying Photo: Jon-Paul Bruno

Tracy Lawrence (L) Participates in Turkey Frying. Photo: Jon-Paul Bruno

 

Sam Hunt, Florida Georgia Line Team With Musicians On Call

fglMusicians On Call is set to launch its first Deck The Halls Campaign, with some help from Florida Georgia Line, DNCE, Sara Evans, Sam Hunt, Trey Songz, Band of Merrymakers and more.

These artists personally designed limited-edition holiday sweaters that are for sale at musiciansoncall.org. Proceeds from the sale of the sweaters will help MOC to continue to deliver the healing power of music to patients across the country. The campaign also feature a holiday gift auction, including signed guitars and memorabilia and VIP experiences from more than 25 artists including Ed Sheeran, Kelly Clarkson, Reba, and more. The auction runs through Dec. 8 at ebay.com.

 

Vince Gill And More Team For Homeless Charity Benefit Concert

vince-gill

Vince Gill

Vince Gill, Jim Lauderdale, Alan O’Bryant, Tim O’Brien, Valerie Smith and more will gather to help charity Room in The Inn. Sam Jackson will emcee.

The 17th annual Christmas Bluegrass Benefit Concert For The Homeless will take place Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at The Station Inn. A $15 minimum donation at the door is welcome. Attendees are also encouraged to bring items to donate, such as soap, shampoo, new socks, combs, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

 

 

 

Songwriter Lineup Revealed For Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley During CRS 2017

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Pictured (L-R): Shane McAnally, Luke Laird, Brett James

Pictured (L-R): Shane McAnally, Luke Laird, Brett James

On Feb. 23, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley will welcome 11 top songwriters for the popular after-hours event during Country Radio Seminar 2017.

Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, JT Harding, Laura Veltz, Luke Laird, Ashley Gorley, Brett James, Rhett Akins, Busbee, Jon Nite, and Cole Taylor are all set to perform.

Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley will be held on Feb. 23 from 7 p.m. until midnight in the Legends Ballroom (level 2) at The Omni in Nashville, Tenn. A cash bar will be available. A CRS badge will be required for admittance.

Bob Kingsley will host the event, now in its sixth consecutive year.

Kingsley states, “One of the highlights of my year is presenting some of the best songwriters in the world to my radio colleagues at CRS. This year we’ve got one of the best line-ups ever. Anyone who’s been there can tell you that seeing hit songs performed by the people who wrote them, and hearing the stories behind them, makes for one of the greatest evenings you will ever spend. As always, I can’t wait.”

The $599 regular registration rate for Country Radio Seminar 2017, to be held Wednesday, Feb. 22 through Friday, Feb. 24 at the Omni hotel, is available at countryradioseminar.com.

Industry Ink: RIAA, Music Health Alliance, BMI

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RIAA Gold and Platinum Certification Holiday Schedule

riaa-logo

The RIAA will be closing the books for Gold & Platinum certifications early, on Friday, Dec. 9. After Dec. 9, 2016 they will not accept requests to certify any titles until after the first of the new year.

In an effort to allow industry members to submit fourth quarter certifications, the RIAA will temporarily suspend its 30-day physical album release requirement as shown below:

  • Released by Friday 11/11/16 – eligible for certification beginning Friday 12/2/16
  • Released by Friday 11/18/16 – eligible for certification beginning Friday 12/9/16

 

Music Health Alliance Sets Free “Get Covered” Seminar at BMI

Music health allianceNashville non-profit Music Health Alliance is working around the clock to offer assistance to members of the music community, ahead of the 2017 healthcare open enrollment deadline on Dec. 15. Music Health Alliance, in partnership with MusiCares, will offer a free “Get Covered” seminar on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at BMI (10 Music Square East) from noon to 2 p.m.

Those interested in attending should RSVP to Shelia Shipley-Biddy (Shelia@musichealthalliance.com).

Music Health Alliance has provided free assistance to more than 450 members of the creative community as they navigate the complicated health insurance system. In that time, Music Health Alliance has helped realize nearly $1 million dollars in premium savings for its clients.

 

18th Annual BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Honors Names Honorees

Pictured (L-R): Kim Burrell, Marvin Sapp

Pictured (L-R): Kim Burrell, Marvin Sapp

BMI will honor Gospel music artists Kim Burrell and Marvin Sapp at the 18th annual BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Honors at the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta, GA on Jan. 14, 2017. The event will pay tribute to the best of the gospel music community with former Trailblazers award recipient Yolanda Adams returning to the stage as host alongside gospel singer-songwriter VaShawn Mitchell.

The invitation-only event will be attended by gospel music’s top songwriters, stars, and industry executives. In addition to honoring Burrell and Sapp, BMI will also announce the “Most Performed Gospel Song of the Year.”

“BMI is thrilled to be back in Atlanta celebrating the brightest talent in gospel music today,” said BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations in Atlanta, Catherine Brewton. “Kim Burrell and Marvin Sapp are paving the way for future generations of gospel songwriters by effortlessly crossing genres and exposing inspirational music to a wider audience. Both epitomize what it truly means to be a Trailblazer of gospel music and are positive role models in faith, charity and beyond.”

Artist Updates: Chris Young, Aaron Watson, Charlie Daniels

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Chris Young Establishes Scholarship

chris-young-2016RCA Records Nashville artist and former Middle Tennessee State University student Chris Young is celebrating the season of giving by creating an annual scholarship for recording industry students at his alma mater. Young’s gift will allow MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry to award a yearly scholarship, starting this fall, for a rising junior or senior. Young is a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., home of MTSU.

 

Aaron Watson Shares New Single

aaron-watson-outta-style

Aaron Watson has released new single “Outta Style” and is sharing it for public streaming on his Soundcloud site.

Watson is known for heavy touring and in 2017 he will embark on a UK trek with dates in Glasgow, Manchester, London and Dublin.

 

Charlie Daniels To Receive Humanitarian Award

Charlie Daniels

Charlie Daniels

Charlie Daniels will receive the first-ever Rare Country Humanitarian of the Year Award, honoring his commitment to veterans via The Journey Home Project. The honor will be presented by surprise guests on Wednesday (Nov. 30) during the Charlie Daniels 80th Birthday Volunteer Jam at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

The Humanitarian Award is the final honor to be announced as part of the inaugural Rare Country Awards, which showcases the year’s best in country music as determined by fans.

Mandy West Returns To GrassRoots Promotion As VP, Client Development

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mandywest11-28Mandy West has returned to GrassRoots Promotion as VP of Client Development. West had previously served as Promotion Coordinator, Radio Tour Manager and then Director of Operations at GrassRoots Promotion in her 11-year tenure before leaving for two years to serve as VP of Operations for The Clif Doyal Agency. West’s stops prior to GrassRoots Promotion included i.v. inc., transparent creative management and Clear Channel Spectacolor in New York.

As VP of Client Development, West will work with new clients to develop their radio promotion and social media campaign strategies and will also represent GrassRoots Promotion’s new products and services to artist and label clients including the GrassRoots proprietary Interactive Radio Airplay Map and the Facebook Target Tastemaker Ad Campaign.

GrassRoots Promotion celebrates 20 years of business in 2016 and includes radio promotion to non-reporters, Traction, MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart, Billboard Indicator, Aircheck Activator and Texas reporters along with social media marketing, consulting and radio syndication.

GrassRoots Promotion Managing Partner and Co-owner Nancy Tunick states, “We are so thrilled to have Mandy back as part of our GrassRoots family. Mandy is uniquely qualified to work with our artist clients and labels as she has broad marketing experience and was instrumental in helping to develop many of our existing services.”

West says, “In so many ways, it feels like I’ve come home. GrassRoots is an amazing company and I’m genuinely excited to accept this new role and to be a part of an exceptionally talented team—and they’re nice people too! I’m looking forward to continuing their long-standing tradition of providing excellent client care—as well as introducing some really innovative new services and products. It’s great to be back!”

West can be reached at 615-226-3355 or at mandy@grassrootspromotion.com.

Triple Tigers Records Staffs Up

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Pictured (L-R): Annie Brooks, Parker Fowler, Diane Lockner, Laura Hostelley

Pictured (L-R): Annie Brooks, Parker Fowler, Diane Lockner, Laura Hostelley

Triple Tigers Records has added four staffers to its radio promotions team. In October, Triple 8 Management teamed with Thirty Tigers to create the new label, led by General Manager Norbert Nix.

Diane Lockner has been named Regional Promotion/NE for Triple Tigers Records. She spent 11 years at Capitol Nashville, where she helped promote Dierks Bentley from an opener to a headlining act, numerous No. 1 singles for Keith Urban, Little Big Town’s first No. 1 record and Jon Pardi’s first No. 1 single. Previous stops include Jive Records, Virgin Records and Guardian Records where she worked with Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, P!nk, Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, David Bowie and The Rolling Stones.

Annie Brooks has been named Regional Promotion/West Coast. She will represent Triple Tiger Records from her office in Portland, Oregon where she was recently the Marketing and Promotions Director for Entercom station, KWJJ, led by Mike Moore. Following her graduation from Washington State University with a degree in Applied Intercultural Communication in 2010, Brooks started as an intern at Entercom Communications where she rose to Marketing and Promotions Director, a post she has held since 2011.

Parker Fowler will serve as Regional Promotion/SE and will represent artist Russell Dickerson in launching his debut single, “Yours.” Following his graduation from Auburn University with a degree in Radio, TV and Film, Fowler began his music business career by joining Sony Nashville’s marketing department as an intern. He was soon promoted to RCA Promotions Specialist.

Laura Hostelley will represent Triple Tigers Records as Promotion Coordinator, based in Nashville. While attending Belmont University, Hostelley spent her semesters interning in various parts of the music industry including Country Aircheck, MusicRow Magazine and Sirius XM.

Weekly Register: Lambert’s ‘The Weight Of These Wings’ Flies Into Top Spot

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the-weight-of-these-wings

Miranda Lambert’s The Weight of These Wings, a two-disc set, debuts with total activity of 133K. The project flies into the No. 1 slot on the country albums chart and No. 3 on the overall chart. Coming in at No. 1 and 2 overall were Metallica selling 291K and Bruno Mars moving 231K.

On the country chart, the Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood album, Christmas Together, sold 39K to land at No. 2. Coming in at No. 3 is the Walmart exclusive from country stalwart George Strait. Strait Out of the Box Part 2, a 3-CD set, debuts with 21K. Chris Stapleton and Florida Georgia Line round out the top 5 with sales of 13K and 12K, respectively.

On the country tracks charts, the No. 1 spot belongs to Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” which crosses the Gold mark, selling 36K TW and 508K RTD. It is ranked No. 12 on the overall tracks chart. The top country debut comes from Sundance Head, a contestant on The Voice, whose cover of “No One” (Alicia Keys) sold 16K and entered at No. 4.

Top 5 Country Tracks
Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color” 36K
Little Big Town “Better Man” 26K
Florida Georgia Line ft. Tim McGraw “May We All” 22K
Sundance Head “No One” 16K
Jon Pardi “Dirt On My Boots” 15K

Source: Nielsen Soundscan

keith-urban

Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” is the top country track.

Natalie Hemby To Release Debut Solo Album

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natalie-hemby

Natalie Hemby, songwriter behind hit songs including Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” and Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar” and “Automatic,”  is set to debut her own solo project, Puxico, on Jan. 13. The album’s title was inspired by her grandfather’s hometown of Puxico, Missouri.

“When you put out your first record, it spells out who you are, both as an artist and as a person,” says Hemby, who grew up in Nashville. “Puxico isn’t my hometown, but it feels like it is. I’ve gone there every year since I was a kid. Musically, my roots are from that place. Puxico is roots-oriented music, from bluegrass to southern gothic to soul to old-school country.”

Hemby co-wrote all nine of Puxico‘s tracks, reflecting her talents not only as a songwriter, but as a vocalist, bandleader, and frontwoman.

“I spent my 20s trying to land a record deal, and most of my 30s writing for other people,” she says. “It’s time to put out my own record. Maybe I’m a late bloomer, or maybe it’s just finally the right time to bloom.”

The album is a family affair for Hemby. The project will be released on GetWrucke Productions, a joint venture between Hemby and her husband, producer Mike Wrucke. Wrucke oversaw the recording sessions, too, playing multiple instruments and providing all of the male harmonies along the way. Hemby collaborated with a close circle of friends on Puxico, including drummer Fred Eltringham, pedal steel performer Greg Leisz, and co-writers Trent Dabbs and Lindsay Chapman.

Fans and industry members can hear live renditions of the tracks on Puxico, when Hemby performs at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on Jan. 13 to celebrate the album’s release. Tickets are available at ticketweb.com.

Bobby Bones To Launch Funny & Alone Stand Up Comedy Tour

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bobby-bonesBobby Bones, host of iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, will be on the road in early 2017, when he launches his Funny & Alone Stand Up Comedy Tour on Jan. 13 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Bones’ one-man stand-up routine will blend his love of country music and comedy, with stories from his childhood in rural Arkansas and also from hosting his radio show.

Special guests Walker Hayes and Nikita Karmen will join him for the tour.

“I’ve been doing stand up comedy since I was 19 years old, and I’m really excited to be able to do it for more people next year,” said Bones. “My favorite thing to do is be on the radio, but it’s followed very close by my love for comedy and the stage. I wanted to put together a show that lovers of comedy and music would enjoy. It’ll be fun to bring out Walker Hayes, who is one of my current favorite artists. And I’m also excited for the rest of the country to see Nikita Karmen, but mostly I’m just pumped to make people laugh.”

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. local time, at bobbybonescomedy.com.

BOBBY BONES: FUNNY & ALONE STAND UP COMEDY TOUR Dates:

Jan. 13: Virginia Beach, Va.
Jan. 14: Roanoke, Va.
Jan. 20: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Feb. 3: Richmond, Va.
Feb. 4: Washington, D.C.
Feb. 10: Sacramento
Feb. 11: Chico, Calif.
Feb. 24: Muskegon, Mich.
March 10: Durham, N.C.
March 11: Greensboro, N.C.
March 24: Bismarck, N.D.
March 25: Grand Forks, N.D.
March 31: Bakersfield, Calif.
April 7: Boston *(Opener TBC)
April 8: Northampton, Mass.
May 19: Wichita, Kan.

Luke Bryan Extends Kill The Lights Tour In 2017

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luke-bryan-farm-tourLuke Bryan is extending his very successful Kill The Lights Tour into 2017, with today’s announcement of 11 additional dates during February and March.

The two-time CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year has already visited 58 cities on the tour. The outing played to 1.6 million fans and wrapped at the end of October after six sold-out stadium shows, and 10 back-to-back sell-outs in five cities.

The 2017 leg opens in Huntington, West Virginia on Feb. 17. Bryan returns to Madison Square Garden on March 1 where he performed a sold-out show in 2014.

Brett Eldredge will open the Kill The Lights Tour 2017 shows.

Live Nation is the national tour promoter. Cabela’s and Citi are brand partners and Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Nov. 30.

Kill The Lights Tour 2017
Feb. 16: Huntington, W. Va.; Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Feb. 17: Bloomington, Ind.; Assembly Hall
Feb. 18: Jonesboro, Ark.; ASU Convocation Center
Feb. 23: Columbia, S.C.; Colonial Life Arena
Feb. 25: Jacksonville, Fla.; Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
March 1: New York; Madison Square Garden
March 3: Manchester, N.H.; Verizon Wireless Arena
March 4: Providence, R.I.; Dunkin’ Donuts Center
March 9: Richmond, Va.; Richmond Coliseum
March 10: Fayetteville, N.C.; Crown Coliseum
March 17: Orange Beach, Ala.; The Wharf