Bridgestone Arena, proposed 6th Avenue/Broadway Entrance. Photo: Populous

The Nashville Predators are considering a wide range of updates to the Bridgestone Arena over the next 20 years, according to a report obtained by MusicRow.

Architectural design firm Populous prepared the report to explore the future of the venue at its existing site, with the amenities it needs to attract more millennials.

Bridgestone Arena, Proposed view of 5th Avenue/Demonbreun. Photo: Populous

Proposed improvements include a hospitality tower at the 6th Avenue/Broadway entrance, to encompass a hotel, office, and residential space, as well as street-level retail and hospitality areas. The team store and visitors center would both be relocated. The 5th Avenue/Broadway area would include rooftop and street level hospitality areas, as well as a renovated event plaza.

Wider concourses, additional bathroom space and concessions spaces are also being considered as part of the intense renovations. The Predators stadium lease runs through 2028.

Bridgestone Arena, Proposed view of 5th Avenue/Demonbreun. Photo: Populous

The Bridgestone Arena was built in 1996, and has a capacity of 17,113. The report considered other arenas of similar capacity, including Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida (19,092), which was built in 1996 and has been renovated. Other arenas that have also been renovated include American Airlines Center in Dallas, which was built in 2001 and has a capacity of 19,200. The report notes that Philips Arena in Georgia is currently undergoing renovations. The arena was built in 1999 and has a capacity of over 19,000.

According to the report, the next step is to  carry out an exterior/interior conditions assessment and inventory count, and to draw up a master plan with the ideas that will be most profitable for the space.

Bridgestone Arena, Proposed 6th Avenue/Broadway Aerial View. Photo: Populous

Brett Eldredge
Photo Credit: Katherine Tyler

Brett Eldredge will release his first collection of holiday songs this fall, relying on classic and timeless material. The set will also feature an original song, “Glow.”

The album was recorded at Avatar Studios in New York with producers Rob Mounsey and Jay Newland.

“I’ve been inspired for this record from a very young age,” said Eldredge. “I dreamt of the day I could record all these classic songs that I’ve loved since I was a little kid. I recorded those classics in New York City and tried to give a tip of the hat to the ones that came before me—Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ray Charles—by adding that swing and that soul to the best of my ability. When it came to actually recording, I wanted to live in the experience. We hung Christmas lights in the studio in the middle of May and had musicians from the best bands in the world all in the same room—from horns to strings. Everyone was so inspired to make this classic record. I think it really shows in the songs and I can’t wait for people to hear that magic we found.”

Pictured (L-R): Lon Helton, CMA Board member; Denny; Sally Williams, General Manager, Ryman Auditorium and CMA Board President; and John Esposito, President/CEO, Warner Music Nashville and CMA Board Chairman. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA

The Country Music Association honored board member Bill Denny as the namesake and inaugural recipient of its J. William Denny Award on Tuesday (Aug. 16) during its quarterly CMA Board of Directors meeting in Nashville. The award is presented in recognition and appreciation of a lifetime of dedication, distinguished service, and meritorious contributions to the CMA Board of Directors. The honor can only be presented once a year and may honor a person living or deceased.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch the Country Music Association grow to international prominence while keeping focused on its primary function of promoting Country Music,” said Denny. “The music created by Nashville’s talented songwriters and musicians has brought global attention to ‘Music City’ and the CMA Board has always been a reservoir of bright, highly skilled and creative business people willing to spend their volunteer time to help the industry expand. I’m delighted to have this award named in my honor and I appreciate it very much.”

Denny joined the Board in 1961. He served as President in 1966 and Chairman in 1975 and has served on numerous committees. During his outstanding tenure, Denny contributed to the unprecedented growth of the organization, impacting the success of CMA’s many initiatives in the U.S. and abroad. He was named a lifetime Director in 1976.

Denny retired as President of Nashville Gas in 1998. He served on the Board of the parent company, Tennessee Natural Gas Lines, Inc., from 1978 until it was acquired by Piedmont Natural Gas, Inc. in 1985, at which time he became Corporate Vice President for Tennessee for Piedmont Natural Gas, and remained Division President of Nashville Gas. Prior to that, he was President and Chairman of Cedarwood Music Publishing Co., Inc. from 1962 until 1983, and owner of Hatch Show Print. He is currently the owner of Denny Properties, a real estate investment firm.

All future recommendations for recipients of this honor should be submitted to the CMA Awards and Industry Relations department. All submissions will be evaluated by the Awards and Recognition Committee and then presented to the Board of Directors for discussion and/or approval.

Pictured (L-R): CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern and former CMA Executive Director Jo Walker-Meador congratulate Board member Bill Denny as the recipient of the inaugural J. William Denny Award. Denny began serving on the CMA Board during Walker-Meader’s tenure. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA

Additionally, SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe addressed the CMA Board of Directors at their quarterly meeting in Nashville on Tuesday (Aug. 16). During his keynote, Huppe addressed the ecosystem of the global music business and the need for industry-wide technology standards that enable efficient and accurate distribution of royalties.

SoundExchange has distributed more than $3.5 billion in performance royalties to U.S. artists and rights holders since its inception.

SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe addresses the CMA Board of Directors during their quarterly meeting Tuesday at the Omni Hotel in Nashville. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Liz Rose Music’s Brad Beausir, Razor & Tie’s Kaeli Lafferty and Jen Duke, Big Yellow Dog’s Lauren Funk, Catch This Music’s Brandon Perdue and Dan Hodges Music’s Michelle Attardi.

Photos: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser Photography

The Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament—presented in 2016 by Keith Urban and sponsored by ASCAP, City National Bank and Tim McGraw—has announced that the long-running charity event has raised over $1.95 million dollars for United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee in its three-decade history. The 30th annual tournament took place on Monday, August 15 at Old Natchez Country Club in Franklin, Tennessee.

As always, the tournament’s participant teams were encouraged to dress in costume, with awards for best dressed. First place was awarded to Team Razor & Tie’s “Christmas In August.” Second place went to Team Vaden Group’s pirate theme. Team Black River Entertainment’s “Peter Pan” took the third place trophy. Musicians Hall of Fame’s Kay Smith received the spirit award for having participated in 29 of the 30 tournaments to date, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s “Team USA” were given the “MRLGT Foursome Spirit” Award.

Pictured (L-R): Vaden Group’s Jennifer Lane, Vicki Cherry (with MRLGT’s Herky Williams in the background), Trisha Adams and Weber Reid.

Pictured (L-R): Black River Entertainment’s Brian Rhoades, Kelly Bolton, Dawn Delvo, Emily Hungate, Jaclyn Bethke, Taylor Weil and Tanya Welch, and Black River Entertainment recording artist Jacob Davis.

Sponsors included Joe Don Rooney and Tiffany Rooney, who sponsored the “19th Hole” after-party; Jason Aldean, who is the tournament’s longtime beer sponsor; Reba, who returned to sponsor the photo booth for the third consecutive year; and Toby Keith, who sponsored a booth in “Tent City” that featured his Wild Shot Mezcal brand for the sixth year in a row.

Pictured (L-R): MRLGT Committee Member ASCAP’s Suzanne Lee, “Spirit of MRLGT” Award winner Musicians Hall of Fame’s Kay Smith, MRLGT Director Herky Williams.

Pictured (L-R): Sony/ATV’s Hayley Creek, Tresa Hardin, Lee Swartz, Debbie Tenpenny, Emily Witters and Derrick McCloud.

Pictured (L-R): WME’s Morgan Kenney and Sarah Van Hoven; iHeartRadio/The Bobby Bones Show’s Nada Taha; Brett Kenney; Stoney Creek Records recording artist Lindsay Ell, WME’s Michelle Jacobs, Abby Baas and Maya Akser, Scott Murphy, and WME’s Carrie Murphy.