‘MusicRow’ Reporting Station WCOW-FM Lands 2 CMA Nominations

September 1, 2016/by Troy_Stephenson

Arnie Andrews and Ben Butler of WCOW-FM in LaCrosse, Wisconsin

WCOW-FM, a MusicRow reporting station in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, picked up two CMA Award nominations in broadcast categories on Wednesday (Aug. 31).

“Ben and Arnie” (Arnie Andrews and Ben Butler) received a nod for CMA Broadcast Personality, Small Market. In addition, WCOW-FM is on the ballot for CMA Radio Station of the Year, Small Market.

The winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at The 50th Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 2 on ABC.

Referring to all nominees in the broadcast categories, Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer stated, “Much of the sustained success of our format and rise of country’s newest stars can be attributed to the passion and drive of these key radio professionals. They pioneer the grassroots efforts in communities across the nation to keep country music listeners excited and engaged with the genre.”

Ricky Skaggs Will Be Honored At ASCAP Country Music Awards

September 1, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

ASCAP will present Ricky Skaggs with its Founders Awards at the 54th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards on Oct. 31 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

The exclusive, invitation-only gala celebrates the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed country songs of 2015.

ASCAP President Paul Williams said: “For more than four decades Ricky Skaggs has been a musical force in bluegrass and country music. His incredible gifts as a musician combined with his boundless creativity and energy continue to fuel a passion for American roots music around the world. A national treasure, he has influenced generations of fellow music creators and we are honored to present him with the ASCAP Founders Award.”

The Founders Award is one of ASCAP’s highest honors and is presented to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Each recipient is a musical innovator who possesses a unique style of creative genius, which will enrich generations to come.

Gator Harrison Named Sr. VP For iHeartMedia’s Nashville Market

September 1, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Gator Harrison

Gator Harrison has been named Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia’s Nashville market, effective immediately. The six-station Nashville cluster includes WSIX-FM, WUBT-FM, WNRQ-FM, WNRQ-HD, WRVW-FM and WLAC-AM.

Harrison will report to RSVPP and iHeartCountry Brand Manager Rod Phillips. Harrison replaces Michael Bryan, who is pursuing another role within the company, according to iHeart spokesperson Kevin Wong.

Harrison will continue to serve as brand coordinator for the Nashville-based iHeartCountry team, which has more than 145 country broadcast radio stations across the U.S.

“We’re thrilled to have Gator join us and oversee programming in Nashville,” said Dan Endom, Region President for iHeartMedia Nashville. “Gator built his network and experience in the industry from the ground up and his proven track record makes him perfectly suited to lead our Nashville station brands’ programming.”

Harrison previously worked as the Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Chattanooga where he oversaw all aspects of on-air and online programming for the market’s five radio station brands.

“The Tennessee community has been great to me throughout my career, and I can’t wait to make them proud in Nashville,” said Gator. “iHeartMedia Nashville is home to six leading radio station brands that I can’t wait to work with and help them continue to connect with listeners every day.”

“The ability to live out my dream of assembling and developing this group of world-class air talent and programmers in Nashville has been something close to an unimaginable experience. To say I’m proud is an understatement. It’s also gratifying to know I’m leaving iHeartMedia-Nashville in terrific hands. Gator Harrison is a great friend, an exceptional programmer, and a strong leader,” said Bryan. “Meanwhile, I’ve spent years growing and developing my own skills and relationships, expanding on my passion for the music and my desire to help foster talent. I’ll be taking all of this on my next adventure and look forward to sharing more soon.”

BMI Signs Songwriter Ben Haggard

September 1, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured: Newly signed BMI songwriter Ben Haggard and BMI’s Jody Williams pose for a photo in Jody’s office.

Pictured: Newly signed BMI songwriter Ben Haggard and BMI’s Jody Williams pose for a photo in Williams’ office.

BMI continues the songwriting legacy of country music’s Haggard family with the signing of songwriter Ben Haggard.

Ben Haggard, the 23-year-old son of legendary country singer-songwriter and BMI Icon recipient Merle Haggard, stopped by the BMI Nashville office on Wednesday (Aug. 31) to officially sign as a BMI writer.

Ben has been on the road with his brother Noel, finishing out a slate of concerts Merle had been scheduled for before his death on April 7. Ben and Noel have opened for Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson and the Oak Ridge Boys.

DISClaimer: David Nail, Brandy Clark, Billy Ray Cyrus Stand Out

September 1, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

David Nail

As summer drags on relentlessly, we find relief in fresh country sounds.

Our vocal collaboration du jour is the awesome new single by David Nail featuring Brothers Osborne. Our most fabulous female is the brilliant Brandy Clark. Our surprise male winner is the wonderfully humorous performance by Billy Ray Cyrus. Give all three a Disc of the Day honor.

The DisCovery Award goes to Margo Price. She performed “Four Years of Chances” on The Tonight Show on Aug. 2 and introduced “Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)” and “Since You Put Me Down” on SNL earlier this year. All three are on her new Midwest Farmer’s Daughter vinyl album. Way to go, TV broadcasters.

CURTIS BRALY/Love You Down
Writers: Jeremy Bussey/Tom Tillman/Jayce Hein; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed, SESAC/BMI, Go Time/Briley (track)
– His clinging to pitch for dear life. Despite his shaky vocal performance, the track pumps mightily behind him and the song is solid.

DAVID NAIL Featuring BROTHERS OSBORNE/Good At Tonight
Writers: TJ Osborne/John Osborne/Troy Verges/Barry Dean; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; MCA Nashville
– Thrilling. As you might expect, the voices are on fire with conviction. What is just as great is the fact that the song is a total barn burner, loaded with pounding percussion, churning electric guitars and passionate lyrics. Play it again.

WAYLON JENNINGS/Young Widow Brown
Writers: Waylon Jennings/Sky Corbin; Producers: Robby Turner; Publishers: Heart of the Hills/Trio/Fort Knox, no performance rights listed; Country Rewind
– Finding new Waylon music is always a good thing. He and a bunch of other country acts recorded a series of short, military-recruitment radio shows in 1970. These tapes have recently been rediscovered. Former Waylon band member Robby Turner put new instrumentation on the performances to bring them up to date. Most of the tunes on the resulting The Lost Nashville Sessions CD are early Waylon hits such as “Just to Satisfy You,” “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line,” “Mental Revenge” and “Brown Eyed Handsome Man.” This tasty country rocker is more obscure, the tale of a man who inherits a lusty gal he can’t keep up with. Delightful.

BRANDY CLARK/Love Can Go To Hell
Writers: Brandy Clark/Scott Stepakoff; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Highway 508/Clearbox Rights/Nettwerk One-A/Ten Ten, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– I am on board with the fact that she’s a country songwriting genius. What is frequently overlooked is that she is also a singer of flawless phrasing, liquid tone and silky listenability. This lightly bopping, tinkling, twinkling outing about an ended relationship is audio ecstasy on every level. I am in love with this woman’s music.

SOUTHERN HALO/Rewind
Writers: Chancie Neal/Gerald O’Brien/Catt Gravitt; Producers: Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Publishers: none listed; BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo
– Smiley. Sunshiny. Summery. Swaying.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Dirty Laundry
Writers: Zach Crowell/Ashley Gorley/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Atlas/External Combustion/Songs of Southside Independent/HillarodyRathbone/BMG, ASCAP; Arista/19 (track)
– That ain’t her shade of lipstick. She doesn’t drink the red wine that’s on his shirt. That’s not the smell of her perfume. He’s trying to sneak in late, again. You’re in trouble, pal. She’s pissed off and rocking.

RUSTY RIERSON/Something ‘Bout You
Writer: Kevin Welch; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Sony/ATV Cross Keys; RecordRanch
-This Kansas-bred country boy has a delivery that goes down easily. He has a natural warmth and an instantly likable sound. The rolling groove of this Kevin Welch song fits him like a glove. If there’s such a thing as a baby Strait, this guy is it.

MARGO PRICE/Four Years Of Chances
Writer: Margo Price; Producers: Alex Munoz/Matt Ross-Spang; Publisher: Peach Pit, SESAC; Third Man (track)
– It’s a slow build, starting with a stark little guitar figure and her plaintive, accusatory voice. The rhythm track picks up steam as the rest of the band comes creeping in. But no matter what is going on with the track, it’s her piercing, riveting delivery that commands the spotlight. A very cool little record.

KAREN RICHARDS/Ladies Man
Writer: Karen Richards; Producers: Frank Green/Jim Sanford; Publisher: none listed; Krystal Mac (track)
– Yikes. The echo chamber only emphasizes her shortcomings. And they are too numerous to list here.

BILLY RAY CYRUS/Hey Elvis
Writer: none listed; Producers: Brandon Friesen/Noah Gordon; Publishers: none listed; Blue Cadillac (track)
– Billy Ray’s upcoming Thin Line collection is loaded with celeb guests — Shelby Lynne, Joe Perry, Shooter Jennings and children Branson Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, for starters. This fantastically catchy, rocking track features Bryan Adams and Glen Hughes singing backup on its wildly clever lyrics. Its video, available on his website, is comprised of hilarious footage from his wacky CMT television sit com Still the King. Heartily recommended.

Mark Your Calendar—September 2016

September 1, 2016/by Eric T. Parker

Single Add Dates

September 5
Carrie Underwood/Dirty Laundry/Arista Nashville
Cody Jinks/I’m Not The Devil/Thirty Tigers
Joe Loftus/Can’t Take the Us from the USA/Stanley Music Group
Scott Steele/Drink About It/The Spot Light Records
Gary West/I Ain’t Playing No Jason Aldean/Stanley Music Group

September 12
David Nail w/ Brothers Osborne/Good At Tonight/MCA Nashville
Luke Combs/Hurricane/Thirty Tigers
Brandy Clark/Love Can Go To Hell/Warner Bros.
Morgan Wallen/The Way I Talk/Big Loud Records
Andy Ross/Back on the Backroads/Buck Shot Records
Skye Claire/Pawn Shop/Mandolin

September 19
Rick Trevino/Cowboys Like Me/Campo Negro Records
Casey Donahew/Kiss Me/Almost Country Entertainment
Shari Rowe/Take That Shot/Maven Media
Jordan Rager/Now That I Know Your Name/Broken Bow

September 26
Jeremy Bowman/Like A Song On The Radio/Funky Cowboy Records

Album Release Dates

September 2
Waylon Jennings/The Lost Nashville Sessions
Ryan Follese/Ryan Follese [EP]/BMLG Records
Jared Wade/We’ve Got the Summer/Independent

September 9
Jason Aldean/They Don’t Know/Broken Bow Records
The Time Jumpers/Kid Sister/Rounder Records
Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris/The Complete Trio Collection [re-released/remastered 3-discs]
Billy Ray Cyrus/Thin Line/Blue Cadillac
Paper Bird/Paper Bird/Sons of Thunder Records-Thirty Tigers
Chely Wright/I Am The Rain/MRI-Sony
Jack White/Jack White Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016/Third Man Records-Columbia
Whiskey Myers/Mud/Thirty Tigers

September 16
Aaron Lewis/SINNER/Dot Records
Willie Nelson/For The Good Times: A Tribute To Ray Price/Legacy Recordings

September 23
Luke Bryan/Farm Tour…Here’s to the Farmer [EP]/Capitol Records Nashville
Dwight Yoakam/Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars…/Sugar Hill Records

September 30
John Prine/For Better, Or Worse/Oh Boy Records-Thirty Tigers
William Michael Morgan/Vinyl/Warner Bros.-Warner Music Nashville
Nitty Gritty Dirt/Circlin’ Back: Celebrating 50 Years [CD/DVD]/NGDB Records-Warner Music Nashville

Industry Events

September 9
10th annual ACM Honors airs 9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT on the CBS

September 17-18
Music City Food + Wine Festival

September 20-25
AmericanaFest 2016

September 21
Americana Honors and Awards show at the Ryman Auditorium

September 24-25
Pilgrimage Music Festival at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee

September 26
38th annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards at Rocketown

Talkative Table Hosts Named For T.J. Martell Foundation Event

September 1, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

The T.J. Martell Foundation has confirmed guest hosts for Let’s Talk Nashville on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Hutton Hotel.

Founded by Ben Jumper, CEO of Soundcheck and Crew One Productions and T.J. Martell board member, Let’s Talk Nashville provides a rare opportunity for guests to dine at tables hosted by some of the most interesting, accomplished and influential people in Nashville.

All proceeds benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation which funds innovative leukemia, cancer and AIDS research at top hospitals, including the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

“I’m so excited about the upcoming ‘Let’s Talk Nashville’ event for the T.J. Martell Foundation,” Jumper says. “The list of hosts this year is amazing and has helped push it over the top. The event continues to grow. I look forward and have great expectations for the future of the event.”

Each table will have a guest host, who will provide a table centerpiece that reflects their background and acts as a conversation starter. Centerpieces will be included in the evening’s silent auction. Tickets are $200 each and tables start at $2,000. Seats are limited and may be reserved.

Confirmed table hosts thus far include:

Christiev Alphin: creative director, celebrity stylist, designer, model scout and wife of Big Kenny of Big & Rich

Amy and Eddie: integral members of the award winning Bobby Bones Show which reaches millions of listeners on nearly 100 radio stations across the country.

Gigi Butler: founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes, which opened its first location in Nashville in 2008 and is now the largest cupcake franchise in the country.

Danielle Breezy: News 2’s new Chief Meteorologist and a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist. She covered Oklahoma’s second largest tornado outbreak—when 36 tornados touched down in 24 hours.

Guy Gilchrist: created Jim Henson’s Muppets Comic Strip and has had his hand to Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry, Fraggle Rock, The Pink Panther, and many more.

Sheriff Daron Hall: sworn-in as the 61st sheriff of Davidson County in September of 2002 and elected to his fourth term in 2014

Ali Harnell: Senior Vice President at AEG Live/The Messina Group. She oversees all aspects of bookings, operations and touring activity for Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town and others.

Stacie Kinder: director of cheerleading for the Tennessee Titans. She is also the co-founder of Pro Cheer & Dance, which specializes in cheer and dance training and competition.

Brenda Lee: a member of both the Rock & Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame and has received the coveted Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Derrick Mason: played 15 seasons as a wide receiver in the NFL. He spent most of his career with the Tennessee Oilers/Titans and is the No. 12 receiver on the NFL’s all-time list.

Mike McCloud: CEO of World Food Championships. He works to make food competitions a long-term, fun-filled legacy for the culinary industry.

Chris McCracken: entrepreneur and the current Local Owner of Jim ‘N Nick’s Community BBQ of Tennessee.

Andrew Nacario: 9-year veteran baseball agent with CAA sports. He has advised over 27 first-round draft picks and negotiated more than $100 million in amateur contracts.

Dr. Rhea Seddon: veteran of three space shuttle flights and one of the first six women to ever enter NASA’s Astronaut Program.

Dr. William (Bill) Tansey: Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and Cell and Developmental Biology and a co-leader of VICC’s Genome Maintenance Research Program.

Keni Thomas: country music singer and former US Army Ranger. He served in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and the Battle of Mogadishu, which was recounted in Blackhawk Down.

Dean Unkefer: former undercover agent for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in New York City. He has since started Special Promotions, Inc. and founded the Country Showdown.

Erik and Karin Vonk: the proprietors of Richland Distilling Company, America’s only Single Estate Rum distillery.

Pete Weber: the play-by-play voice of the NHL’s Nashville Predators. He has won four Tennessee Sportscaster of the Year awards.

Dean Wolfe: founder of American Music Water. He and his company are dedicated to giving back with the sale of bottled water.

Charlie Worsham: singer and songwriter who has toured with Taylor Swift and opened for Miranda Lambert. He also guest appeared in an episode of Bones.

Ellis Island Provides Setting For Florida Georgia Line’s ‘Dig Your Roots’ Release

September 1, 2016/by Sherod Robertson

Keeping with the theme of their new album title, Dig Your Roots, Florida Georgia Line celebrated the release of their third studio album this week in New York City. The project was released on Friday, Aug. 26 through Big Machine and Big Loud Mountain. It was produced by Joey Moi and contains 15 tracks, six of which were co-written by Jordan Schmidt, a writer for FGL’s publishing company Tree Vibez.

A VIP reception, presented by Budweiser, was held on Monday, Aug. 29, in The Registry Room (or “The Great Hall,” as it is called today) at the iconic Ellis Island, which was originally used for processing immigrants. Ellis Island was the gateway for over 12 million immigrants as the nation’s busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954, drawing in 5,000 to 10,000 people through the immigration station each day. The island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.

Interesting fact: Estimates show that close to 40 percent of all U. S. citizens can trace at least one of their ancestors back to Ellis Island.

MusicRow sat down with Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley on Ellis Island for an exclusive conversation about the new project. Kelley was eager to share details about collaborating with Tim McGraw for the second single, “May We All,” and the duo’s experience of cutting their acting chops in the song’s music video.

How did the collaboration on “May We All” with Tim McGraw come about?

“May We all” came in pretty early in the Dig Your Roots recording process. It was one of the earlier songs. On this album, we knew we wanted to do more collaborations since we didn’t have any on the Anything Goes album. We took it on a song-by-song basis and let it happen naturally. For this song, it was easy for us to know we wanted McGraw on it.

What drew you to bring McGraw in on this project?

He’s a legend and we’ve always loved him. I can even tell you where I was when I first heard “Don’t Take The Girl.” I’m a huge fan. He is the man! He’s on our label so we hit him up and he loved the song. We didn’t get to record it together but shooting the video was a day that Tyler and I will never forget. He’s a total pro, shows up in character and gave a lot of really good advice. He said, “Don’t act. Just let it be natural. Let it be organic and let it happen.” I think Tyler and I showed up prepared and ready to do that. Making a mini-movie gives our fans something different. It allowed us to get in the acting world a little bit and dip our toes.

Now that you’ve had a chance to show off your acting chops in the new video, is acting something you would like to add to your career?

Man, I think we both would love to! It’s something that has always interested us. If the right thing came along and we could get creative, taking it to the next level and be fresh, that would be amazing. It’s a really cool outlet because who doesn’t love the movies and TV shows and short films? Today, when Tyler and I get any free time, we love to catch up on a good show or movie and hopefully our fans would love to see us in something different. If the right thing came along, I think we would jump at it, work really hard and make sure it was quality material.

Invited guests at the celebration, which consisted of broadcasting, media influencers and team members, noshed at several food stations highlighting many different cuisines. Old Camp Whiskey, FGL’s newly released peach pecan whiskey, appeared in the featured cocktail, allowing attendees to taste the newly minted drink. Beer drinkers were also pleased with offerings from Budweiser, the company FGL has teamed up with on their Dig Your Roots Tour.

Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta and Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard in The Great Hall

Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta presented FGL with plaques honoring one million downloads of “H.O.L.Y.,” the first single from the “Dig Your Roots” project which also topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on July 7.

The evening culminated with the exciting world premiere of the music video for “May We All” directed by TK McKamy, featuring Tim McGraw. The song is FGL’s second single from the Dig Your Roots album. Produced like a mini-movie, the five-minute-plus video includes moments of intense suspense, giving FGL members Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley an opportunity to try out their acting chops.

FGL has teamed with YouTube to produce the behind-the-scenes content of the new video in 360° virtual-reality technology. Guests were given the Google Cardboard viewer and, by inserting their smartphone into the device, they were able to experience an immersive, 360° 3D environment from the set of the video.

The following day, broadcasters from all over the United States and Canada gathered to interview FGL, as well as key members of their team including Google Cardboard’s Aaron Luber, Tree Vibez songwriter Jordan Schmidt, Big Loud Mountain’s Seth England, Live Nation Nashville’s Brian O’Connell, Proximo Spirits’ Scott Green, and FGL Tour Manager and Management Consultant Troy “Tracker” Johnson. Interview segments were broadcast live on air during the day from the heart of Manhattan at 246 Fifth The Yard.

Guests take private ferry to the iconic Ellis Island.

In Pictures: 10th Annual ACM Honors At The Ryman

August 31, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Lady Antebellum. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Now in its 10th year, the ACM Honors show still finds that balance of recognizing historical achievements and bringing out modern country superstars.

That was particularly true on Tuesday night (Aug. 30) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. For the first time, the event was filmed for a CBS network special, which will air on Sept. 9. The national spotlight enticed a number of A-list artists to appear.

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 30: Musicial artisits Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Bierks Bentley and Toby Keith perform onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Shannon Campbell (son of Glen Campbell), Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

The impressive list of performers, presenters and honorees included: Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Cam and duet partner Alicia Keys, Dan + Shay, Crystal Gayle, Emmylou Harris, Toby Keith, hosts Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, The Statler Brothers, Cole Swindell, Tanya Tucker, Keith Urban, and Chris Young.

Pictured (L-R): Kelsea Ballerini, Crystal Gayle, ACM EVP, Managing Director Tiffany Moon. Photo: Getty Images for ACM

Pictured (L-R): Kelsea Ballerini; Crystal Gayle; Tiffany Moon, EVP/Managing Director, Interim CEO, ACM. Photo: Getty Images for ACM

Prior to the musical performances, the Studio Recording Awards were presented to the following: Michael Rhodes, bass player of the year; Derek Wells, guitar player of the year; Jim “Moose” Brown, piano/keyboards player of the year; Danny Rader, specialty instrument(s) player of the year; Justin Niebank, audio engineer of the year; Dave Cobb, producer of the year; Shannon Forrest, drummer of the year; and Paul Franklin, steel guitar player of the year.

Thomas Rhett. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Once the performances kicked in at 7 p.m., the night moved quickly—even though that part of the show lasted about three hours. Thomas Rhett introduced Jason Aldean as the winner of the ACM Triple Crown Award, indicating that he has won trophies as a new artist, male vocalist and entertainer. In addition to an acceptance speech, Aldean delivered a medley of “Dirt Road Anthem,” “Tattoos on This Town” and a new single, “A Little More Summertime.”

Jason Aldean. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Introduced by Little Big Town, Keith Urban sang “Blue Ain’t Your Color” to commemorate the acceptance of his ACM Mae Boren Axton Award.

Keith Urban. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Stepping out of the ACM world for a few minutes, Urban, Little Big Town and Dierks Bentley covered David Bowie’s “Heroes” for a separate Stand Up to Cancer network special.

Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild; Dierks Bentley; Keith Urban; Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Maren Morris treated ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award winner Tanya Tucker to a spot-on version of “Delta Dawn.”

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 30: Musicial artists Maren Morris presents an award to Tanya Tucker onstage at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Pictured (L-R): Maren Morris, Tanya Tucker. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

In the next stretch of performances, The Band Perry sang “MacArthur Park” for ACM Poet’s Award winner Jimmy Webb, who was presented the trophy by Toby Keith.

The Band Perry. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Songwriter Jimmy Webb recieves an award onstage from singer-songwriter Toby Keith, musical artists Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry from musicial group The Band Perry at the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Webb, Toby Keith, The Band Perry. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Martina McBride brought out Chris Young and Dan + Shay to sing “Flowers on the Wall” before giving the ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award to Don Reid and Jimmy Fortune, two members of The Statler Brothers.

Martina McBride. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Dan Smyers from Dan + Shay, Chris Young, Shay Mooney from Dan+ Shay. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Jimmy Fortune and Don Reid of The Statler Brothers. Photo: Jhn Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Kelsea Ballerini submitted a marvelous version of “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” before Crystal Gayle came up to accept her ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award.

Kelsea Ballerini .Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Crystal Gayle receives an award onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Crystal Gayle. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Emmylou Harris was given the honor of presenting Miranda Lambert the first-ever ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award. Lambert, who sang “Misery and Gin” in homage to Haggard, was visibly thrilled to receive an award named for one hero, and hand-delivered by another.

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 30: Emmylou Harris (R) presents Miranda Lambert (L) with an award onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Pictured (L-R): Miranda Lambert, Emmylou Harris. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Dierks Bentley returned to the stage to sing “Freedom” to salute his friend Ross Copperman, named ACM Songwriter of the Year.

Dierks Bentley. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Ross Copperman. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell teamed up for “I Love a Rainy Night” in tribute to ACM Poet’s Award recipient Eddie Rabbitt, who died in 1998. Rabbitt’s daughter Demelza accepted in his honor.

Singer-songwriters Cole Swindell and Luke Bryan perform onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Pictured (L-R): Cole Swindell, Luke Bryan. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Terri Walker, the widow of beloved industry figure Jeff Walker, spoke eloquently while receiving his ACM Jim Reeves International Award. Their children Christy Walker-Watkins and Jon Walker stood with their mother during her speech.

Nashville Predators Mike Fisher presents an award onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Mike Fisher spoke highly of his wife, Carrie Underwood, who was unable to accept her ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award in person. A concert performance of “Temporary Home” emphasized the positive outlook that the award embodies.

Alicia Keys and Cam.

Alicia Keys and Cam provided one of the highlights of the evening with their rendition of Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush.” Little Big Town were honored with the Crystal Milestone Award.

Little Big Town. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

A tribute to Glen Campbell roused the crowd, as Shelton sang “Southern Nights,” Bentley offered “Gentle on My Mind,” Urban performed “Wichita Lineman” and Keith covered “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” They united for a terrific take on “Rhinestone Cowboy,” the 1975 ACM Single and Song of the Year, and a positive speech from Campbell’s wife Kim — who indicated that Campbell would have been overjoyed to hear such a tribute — concluded the evening on an uplifting note.

Cal Campbell, Kimberly Campbell, Ashley Campbell, and Shannon Campbell. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Industry Ink: BMI, Buddy Lee Attractions, Foundation For Bluegrass Music

August 31, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

BMI, Cam, Skye Claire Celebrate Women In Radio

Pictured (L-R): Joe D’Angelo, SVP of HD Radio; Erica Farber, President/CEO of the Radio Advertising Bureau; Cam; Skye Claire; Dan Spears, Vice President, Industry Relations, BMI.

Sony Music Nashville artist Cam and Mandolin Entertainment’s Skye Claire performed for the ninth annual Rising Through The Ranks Seminar at a private dinner in Nashville on Aug. 24.

The annual event, presented by The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), in conjunction with BMI and the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group (MIW), welcomed over 20 scholarship recipients.

The two-day seminar, held each year at BMI Nashville’s offices, focuses on motivating women in the radio industry and providing them with the tools and management techniques to help them carry out their role to the best of their ability.

John Berry Joins BLA

Pictured (L-R): Absolute Publicity’s Don Murry Grubbs, BLA’s Mike Meade (VP), Kat Boggs, Joe Lee, John Berry, BLA’s Derek Shampine, Donna Lee (CEO/Co-owner), Aura Guadagno, Amy Aylward, John Roberson, David Kiswiney (Sr VP), Leadership Artists’ Brian Smith

John Berry has joined Buddy Lee Attractions for live booking representation. Berry released his first album in three years, What I Love The Most, in June.

“We are proud to welcome John Berry to the BLA family,” says BLA Vice President, Mike Meade. “He is an artist who consistently delivers great music with an incredible stage presence.”

“We are thrilled to be joining the BLA family of artists and agents and that’s really what it feels like… family,” adds Berry’s manager, Brian Smith. “John is very close friends with several of their artists and Donna, Mike, David and the entire staff have just made us feel so genuinely welcome. I knew when John and I left a meeting with them last week that this was the final piece to the puzzle we had been searching for. We are ready to dig in and work!”

Nancy Cardwell Joins Foundation For Bluegrass Music

Nancy Cardwell

Longtime bluegrass music industry member Nancy Cardwell has joined the Foundation for Bluegrass Music as its administrator. Cardwell served as Special Projects Director for the IBMA from 1994-2012. She also served as the trade association’s executive director from 2012-2015.

“The Foundation is delighted to have one of the architects of the highly effective Bluegrass in the Schools program back on board,” said Foundation Board chairperson Mark Panfil. “Nancy Cardwell is a highly organized individual with a real passion for the mission of the Foundation and the future of Bluegrass Music.”

The Foundation For Bluegrass Music launched in 2007 by IBMA to support bluegrass music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

“If bluegrass music were a town, we would be your community foundation,” Cardwell explains. “We’re the ‘United Way’ of bluegrass music—a place to donate funds and set up endowments that will be used for bluegrass-related programs and projects that will keep the genre alive and growing for decades to come. As Mr. Monroe said, this music is powerful. We want to save the world with bluegrass music.”