Maddie & Tae Support “Shine Bright” Campaign For Children’s Hospital

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Maddie & Tae Shine Bright

Maddie & Tae have premiered a special performance of “Fly” in a music video that supports Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The duo are artist ambassadors for the letter-writing campaign “Shine Bright,” presented by the Children’s Hospital and Nashville Predators.

The “Shine Bright” effort aims to encourage the hospital’s patients, families and caregivers. Participants can write letters during upcoming “Shine Bright” dates and booth locations in Nashville, including Bridgestone Winter Park (Jan. 23), Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball vs. Florida (Jan. 26), and Centennial Sportsplex (Jan. 28-30).

“Seeing the light and joy in the eyes of the patients we were able to sing and play with would brighten anyone’s day,” says Maddie & Tae’s Tae Dye. “Knowing people find something encouraging in this music is the greatest gift we can be given.”

“And supporting the ‘Shine Bright’ campaign, especially interacting with the patients and caregivers at Children’s Hospital has been one of the most rewarding things we’ve done,” adds Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow. “Knowing this special version of ‘Fly’ will also encourage people to write letters of support is the icing on the cake.”

Watch the special performance of “Fly” at cmt.com.

Artist Updates: Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley, Kip Moore, Jennifer Nettles, Mary Fletcher

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Stars To Serve As Celebrity Coaches For 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game

Pictured (L-R): Dierks Bentley, Vince Gill, Charles Kelley, Chris Young

Pictured (L-R): Dierks Bentley, Vince Gill, Charles Kelley, Chris Young

NHL fans and country music stars Dierks Bentley, Vince Gill, Charles Kelley, and Chris Young will serve as celebrity coaches for the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Sunday, Jan. 31. The 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game will broadcast live at 5 p.m./ET on NBCSN, CBC and TVA Sports.

Bentley, Gill, Kelley, and Young will join NHL head coaches Gerard Gallant of the Florida Panthers, Lindy Ruff of the Dallas Stars, Darryl Sutter of the Los Angeles Kings, and Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals behind the bench.

 

Kip Moore Adds International Tour Dates

Kip Moore

Kip Moore has added tour dates in the UK, Ireland and Australia to his Wild Ones Tour. Upcoming international tour dates include:

March 5: Thredbo, Queensland, Australia; Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival
March 11-13: Ipswich, Queensland, Australia CMC Rocks Queensland
April 22: Dublin, Ireland; Whelan’s
April 23: Glasgow, Scotland; Oran Mor
April 25: Birmingham, England; O2 Institute
April 26: Manchester, England; Manchester Academy 3
April 27: London; KOKO

 

Jennifer Nettles Sings With Sara Bareilles on CMT Next Women of Country Tour

Pictured (L-R): Sara Bareilles, Jennifer Nettles. Photo: Carl Scheffel

Pictured (L-R): Sara Bareilles, Jennifer Nettles. Photo: Carl Scheffel

Jennifer Nettles welcomed Sara Bareilles during a concert at New York City’s Beacon Theatre as part of the CMT Next Women of Country tour on Wednesday night (Jan. 20).  They harmonized on “She Used to Be Mine” from the upcoming Broadway musical, Waitress. With music and lyrics by Bareilles, the show opens for previews in March 2016. In addition, Nettles performed a 90-minute set of signature hits and introduced new music from her forthcoming album on Big Machine Records, slated for release this spring.

 

Mary Fletcher Partners With Addiction Campuses For Latest Single

Pictured (L-R): Mary Fletcher and Eric Mitchell, CMO of Addiction Campuses

Pictured (L-R): Mary Fletcher and Eric Mitchell, CMO of Addiction Campuses

Country artist Mary Fletcher has partnered with Nashville-based Addiction Campuses, a leader in addiction treatment and recovery programs in the United States, with her latest single, “I Called Him Dad,” available for download at Amazon, iTunes and Google Play. 

Fletcher penned the poignant song about her father, who passed away a couple of years ago from complications due to alcoholism. In honor of her father, Fletcher will donate 50 percent of proceeds from the download of the single to Addiction Campuses, who will match the donation to fund scholarships for those in need of treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse.

Weekly Chart Report (1/22/16)

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Miranda Lambert Announces Keeper of the Flame Tour

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Miranda Lambert is ready to hit the road again in 2016 for her Keeper of the Flame Tour.

Along for the trek are Kip Moore and Brothers Osborne. Among the cities the Keeper of the Flame Tour will visit are Los Angeles, San Antonio, New Orleans, Austin, and Chicago.

In addition to Lambert’s headlining tour, she is joining Kenny Chesney on his Spread the Love Tour performing in stadiums around the country starting in April. And for the first time, Lambert will perform for fans overseas on March 11 in London, March 12 in Dublin, and March 13 in Glasgow, as part of the Country to Country Festival 2016 (C2C).

Miranda Lambert’s Keeper of the Flame Tour cities:

Austin, Texas
Bangor, Maine
Bethel, New York
Bristow, Virginia
Charlotte, North Carolina
Cleveland, Ohio
Chicago, Illinois
Columbia, Maryland
Darien Center, New York
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Hartford, Connecticut
Indianapolis, Indiana
Irvine, Cailfornia
Jacksonville, Florida
Los Angeles, California
New Orleans, Louisiana
Omaha, Nebraska
Orange Beach, Alabama
Raleigh, North Carolina
Rogers, Arkansas
San Antonio, Texas
Saratoga Springs, New York
St. Louis, Missouri
Tampa, Florida
Virginia Beach, Virginia
West Palm Beach, Florida

Fans can purchase tickets beginning Jan. 29 for select cities as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at www.Megaticket.com.

 

Florida Georgia Line Set 2016 Tour With Cole Swindell

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Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line have announced the cities for their 2016 Dig Your Roots Tour, which will begin in March. Specific dates have not yet been announced.

Cole Swindell, The Cadillac Three and Kane Brown will also appear on the tour, which is sponsored by Budweiser.

“Tyler and I are going to make this year very personal with the Dig Your Roots Tour,” said Brian Kelley. “We want our fans to feel right at home with us as they learn more about our story and we learn about theirs. From Kane Brown, to The Cadillac Three, to Cole Swindell, there is not a dull moment in this show. We are so thankful that we get to bring some of our closest friends on this journey.”

Tyler Hubbard added, “Since day one, BK and I have been all about throwing the biggest party we can. This year is going to be a big one with new music, new tour and new memories. We cannot wait.”

Fans can purchase tickets beginning January 29th for select cities.

2016 Dig Your Roots Tour Confirmed Cities:
Tupelo, Mississippi
Orange Beach, Alabama
Rapid City, South Dakota
Bismarck, North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Daytona Beach, Florida
Cullman, Alabama
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Indianapolis, Indiana
Columbus, Ohio
Bangor, Maine
Gilford, New Hampshire
London, Ontario, Canada
Hartford, Connecticut
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Raleigh, North Carolina
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Bristow, Virginia
Wantagh, New York
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Twin Lakes, Wisconsin
Monticello, Iowa
Billings, Montana
Salt Lake City, Utah
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Holmdel, New Jersey
Boston, Massachusetts
Pointe-du-Chêne, New Brunswick, Canada
Brownsville, Oregon
Darien Center, New York
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Saratoga Springs, New York
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Syracuse, New York
Lexington, Kentucky
Erie, Pennsylvania
Cleveland, Ohio
Charlotte, North Carolina
Des Moines, Iowa
St. Louis, Missouri
Chicago, Illinois
Denver, Colorado
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Sacramento, California
Mountain View, California
Phoenix, Arizona
Irvine, California
San Diego, California
Nashville, Tennessee
Evansville, Indiana
Kansas City, Missouri
Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Atlanta, Georgia

Las Vegas’ Route 91 Harvest Festival Announces 2016 Lineup

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Route 91 logo

Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Little Big Town and Chris Young are confirmed for the third annual Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas. The three-day, two-stage event is scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at the Las Vegas Village across from Luxor Hotel and Casino.

The lineup will also include Billy Currington, Lindsay Ell, Tyler Farr, Jana Kramer, Dustin Lynch, David Nail, Granger Smith feat Earl Dibbles Jr., Travis Tritt and more.

VIP passes will be available for purchase offering fans access to the shaded Neon Lounge with a private cash bar, premium elevated viewing and lounge seating, express festival entrance, air-conditioned restroom facilities, private food vendors, complimentary massage services, a dedicated festival concierge and more. Passes go on sale on Jan. 29.

“Everything in Vegas is larger than life and spectacular so it sets the bar pretty high for us coming back each year,” said Brian O’Connell, Live Nation President of Country Touring. “Route 91 has grown way beyond our expectations in only two years, especially selling out ahead of gates opening last year. I’m thrilled to be able to bring some of country’s brightest stars to party and continue to make an even bigger mark on Sin City!”

Chris Baldizan, senior vice president of entertainment booking and development for MGM Resorts International, said, “The Live Nation team led by Brian O’Connell has put a tremendous lineup together for this year’s Route 91 Harvest. This event is a true testament to how Las Vegas continues to evolve as a premier entertainment destination. Fans worldwide have the opportunity to experience the great festival atmosphere while also enjoying a variety of diverse offerings along The Strip throughout the weekend. This is what our guests have come to expect from the most dynamic city in the world.”

All For The Hall Concert Scheduled For April 12 At Bridgestone Arena

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All For The Hall

Keith Urban and Vince Gill will return to host the sixth annual All For The Hall concert on April 12. The all-star event will benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Peter Frampton, Emmylou Harris, Sam Hunt, Jason Isbell, Maddie and Tae, and Maren Morris are also confirmed to perform. The show’s musical theme this year will be Mashville: The Music City in 2016.

Reserved seating tickets, priced at $35 and $55 (price does not include Ticketmaster surcharge), will go on sale Friday, Jan. 29. VIP packages will also be available.

“Nashville has become a dynamic and diverse musical melting pot,” Urban said. “While it remains the home of country music, an unbelievably talented community of songwriters, producers, instrumentalists, singers, bands and solo artists are rapidly changing the entire musical landscape in ‘Music City U.S.A.’ Our sixth All For The Hall event— ‘Mashville: The Music City in 2016’—will celebrate that!!!!”

“In 2009, Keith Urban and Vince Gill organized a concert to benefit our museum. Now approaching its sixth year, the All for the Hall concerts with Keith and Vince have netted over $2.6 million. The abiding support of these two country music superstars who continue to act as champions for this museum allows us to further our mission,” said museum CEO Kyle Young.

“The proceeds of this fundraiser are especially important as they help to ensure that the history of country music is preserved, shared, and continues to grow and evolve for generations to come,” Young continued.

This year, Urban and Gill will be joined on stage by a group of Middle Tennessee students who will debut an original song written for the evening. The students will co-write the song with a professional songwriter through the museum’s award-winning, flagship education program, Words & Music.

The show’s Presenting Sponsor is City National Bank. The show’s Lead Sponsor is the Academy of Country Music.

Charity News: Jennifer Nettles, Jeffrey Steele, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Terri Clark, Banner Music

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Jennifer Nettles To Headline The Shalom Foundation Benefit

Jennifer Nettles

Jennifer Nettles

Jennifer Nettles will perform at The Shalom Foundation’s 6th Annual Hymns, Hams & Jams event, taking place Monday, February 1 at 6:30 p.m. at The Factory in Franklin. The evening will include a silent and live auction, dinner, and cocktails. Nettles is a longtime supporter of the non-profit, which provides financial support, physical assistance and spiritual guidance to children living in extreme poverty and their families, especially in Guatemala.

Jeffrey Steele’s 9th Annual Remembrance Event Reveals Participants

RememberAlex

Jeffrey Steele has announced Chris Janson, LOCASH, Kurtis John, The Shuggah Pies, Kevin Griffin, Mac Davis and others will join the 9th annual charity event, raising funds in remembrance of his late son Alex LeVasseur, who passed away in 2007 at age 13 from an ATV accident. Storme Warren will host the event, starting at 7 p.m. on March 7, with a live auction all to benefit overlooked and underprivileged youth with an interest in skateboarding, which was Alex’s passion. Tickets are available from $75. VIP seating is sold out. More than $200,000 in grants have been given from the organization.

David Pack, Jimmy Nichols, Branch and Dean Help Benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Cystic-Fibrosis

David Pack of Ambrosia, Jimmy Nichols and Branch and Dean will play the Loveless Barn on Saturday, January 30, at 6 p.m. in a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The evening is sponsored by Brauer, Abbvie, Regions Bank, Pinnacle Financial and HCA/TriStar Health.

Terri Clark Brings Opry to Veterans with MOC

Terri Clark performing for veterans

Terri Clark performing for veterans

Terri Clark joined Musicians On Call (MOC) to perform for 35 veterans at the Nashville VA hospital on Jan. 11. The visit was in partnership with the Grand Ole Opry—celebrating its 90th anniversary—and its Circle Throwdown, which brings impromptu performances with Opry artists and a replica of the famed six-foot circle of wood across the country. Clark serenaded with her hits “Now That I Found You” and “No Fear.”

Banner Music Hosts 1st “Burger & Brew” Songwriter Luncheon

Pictured (L-R Back): Brian Carper, Alex Dooley, Asher Cataldo, James Robert Webb, David Stevenson, Matt Mason, and Steve O'Brien Front; (Front): Nick Autry, Zack Donegan, Adam Smith, Kris Hitchcock, Dean Scallo, Shane Thompson, and Eric Hurt.

Pictured (L-R Back): Brian Carper, Alex Dooley, Asher Cataldo, James Robert Webb, David Stevenson, Matt Mason, and Steve O’Brien Front; (Front): Nick Autry, Zack Donegan, Adam Smith, Kris Hitchcock, Dean Scallo, Shane Thompson, and Eric Hurt.

Banner Music begins 2016 with a new tradition: Banner Music’s Burger & Brew, a monthly songwriters mingling at Winner’s Bar & Grill. With a personalized invitation/ticket from Banner Music owner, Camilla Kleindienst, the first event was held January 14, offering a creative break and free lunch. Guests for February’s gathering will be specifically given a ticket to attend.

Kalatech Introduces Publishing Pro 2.0

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kalatechNashville-based business solutions company Kalatech releases updated publishing software product known as Publishing Pro 2.0. The software tool, geared to publishers and copyright owners, allows users to manage songs, pitches and administration.

Partner and V.P. of Kalatech Melissa Hollis describes the tool geared to the music industry songwriting community as “a creative catalog manager.”

“You play from it and you pitch from it,” adds Hollis who joined Kalatech after 12 years of publishing experience with prior stints at Larga Vista Music and My Good Girl Music, among others.

The redesign of the software features improved user interface and added functionality including multiple audio versions per song title, personal playlists, improved sync placement pitches, and ability to add components such as bios and photos that accompanying song pitches.

 

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Industry Ink: Hayes Carll, Brooke Antonakos, Bart Allmand, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

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Hayes Carll’s New Album Arrives In April

Hayes Carll. Photo: Jacob Blickenstaff

Hayes Carll. Photo: Jacob Blickenstaff

Hayes Carll will release a new album titled Lovers and Leavers via Thirty Tigers on April 8. It’s his first new album in five years.

Carll recorded the project with producer Joe Henry over five days in Los Angeles in the winter of 2015. He is currently Grammy-nominated in the category of Best Country Song for writing “Chances Are,” recorded by Lee Ann Womack.

“I didn’t have one song that I knew would be a sing along or would make people dance. I felt vulnerable in a way that I hadn’t in a long time. But I got what I wanted—a record with space, nuance, and room to breathe. It felt right for my art. It felt right for my life,” he said. “Lovers and Leavers isn’t funny or raucous. There are very few hoots and almost no hollers. But it is joyous, and it makes me smile. No, it’s not my Blood on the Tracks, nor is it any kind of opus. It’s my fifth record—a reflection of a specific time and place. It is quiet, like I wanted it to be.”

 

Brooke Antonakos Hired as VP at RED Creative Group

Brooke Antonakos

Brooke Antonakos

RED Creative Group has announced Brooke Antonakos as the Vice President of Creative Services for the Nashville-based publishing company. Antonakos will be in charge of all day-to-day creative responsibilities.

“We are extremely excited to have Brooke join our team. The combination of her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for our songwriters will make her a true advocate for our songs and our business going forward,“ says Jeremy Stover, songwriter-producer and owner of RED Creative Group.

“I am thrilled to join RED Creative Group,” says Antonakos. “Jeremy has some of the best writers in town and I couldn’t be more excited to represent their catalog. I look forward to expanding the careers of these dynamic writers. ”

Previously, Antonakos held creative positions at Big Yellow Dog Music and Byron Gallimore’s Red Vinyl Music.

 

 Bart Allmand Signs Co-Publishing Deal at MV2

Pictured (L-R): Kendra Poling, MV2; Linda Edell Howard, attorney; Clay Myers, MV2; Bart Allmand; Tony Harrell, MV2; Austen Adams, attorney. Photo: MV2 Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Kendra Poling, MV2; Linda Edell Howard, attorney; Clay Myers, MV2; Bart Allmand; Tony Harrell, MV2; Austen Adams, attorney. Photo: MV2 Entertainment

MV2 Entertainment has signed Bart Allmand to an exclusive co-publishing agreement. Allman’s songwriting credits include Brooks & Dunn’s “You Can’t Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl” and Steve Holy’s “Brand New Girlfriend.” The native of Holdredge, Nebraska, moved to Nashville in 1987 to attend Belmont University. He pursued a songwriting career after a period in radio promotion at Monument Records in the 1990s.

“Having been in the business for over 20 years, I can honestly say that Tony Harrell (General Manager, MV2), Clay Myers (Creative Director, MV2), and James Archer (CEO/President, MV2) have made me feel like I have a new family and a new home at MV2. I’m so excited and thankful for this opportunity,” Allmand said.

 

Webster PR Will Represent Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band logo

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has enlisted Webster PR to promote their 50th anniversary of recording music and touring. Formed in California in 1966, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band consists of Jeff Hanna (guitars/vocals), Jimmie Fadden (drums/harmonica/vocals), John McEuen (banjo/fiddle/guitar/mandolin), and Bob Carpenter (keyboards/accordion/vocals).

“It’s an honor to work with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and celebrate their milestone anniversary of five spectacular decades,” said Kirt Webster, President/CEO. “They’re one of very few musical acts to achieve such longevity and this level of success—a testament to their talent and authenticity.”