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Blake Shelton Announces Nashville Stop On Upcoming Tour

October 8, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Blake Shelton plays LP. Photo: CMA

Blake Shelton will make a tour stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on March 4, 2016, as part of his upcoming Blake Shelton presented by Gildan Tour.

The tour currently includes 11 stops, launching Feb. 18, 2016 in Cincinnati’s U.S. Bank Arena.

Tickets for Shelton’s Nashville tour stop go on sale Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. CT via Ticketmaster. A Blake Shelton BS’er Fan Club pre-sale will begin Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. CT.

“Man, I’m just so excited about 2016,” says the CMA’s reigning five-time Male Vocalist of the Year. “We’ve got a new album coming and I can’t wait to get back out on the road and play some new music for my fans. As an artist, my favorite thing to do is go on the road and play shows. I’ve missed it, and it’s gonna be like old times. So y’all get ready to party, ‘cause Blake Shelton is comin to see ya’!”

Ticket prices for the tour range from $29.75 – 69.75. All other on sales will be announced soon.

Blake Shelton presented by Gildan Tour stops:
2/18/2016 Cincinnati, OH U.S. Bank Arena
2/19/2016 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
2/20/2016 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
2/25/2016 Lincoln, NE Pinnacle Bank Arena
2/26/2016 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
2/27/2016 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
3/3/2016 Memphis, TN FedEx Forum
3/4/2016 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
3/17/2016 Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center
3/18/2016 Wilkes-Barre, PA Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
3/19/2016 Pittsburgh, PA CONSOL Energy Center

Roger Fregoso Joins Big Loud Records For Midwest Promotions

October 8, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Roger Fregoso

Big Loud Records has announced Roger Fregoso as the label’s Midwest Region Director of Promotion.

Fregoso completes the newly formed promotion team made up of David Clapper, Southeast Region; Nikki Jimenez, Northeast Region; and Dave Kirth, West Coast Region, all led by National Director of Promotion Stacy Blythe and label president Clay Hunnicutt.

“Roger is the right guy at the right time to complete our Big Loud Records promotion squad,” says Hunnicutt. “His training, background and passion for his artists is already well known, and we have no doubt he’ll bring that same level of engagement to the label. Now we’re fully loaded and off to the races!”

Fregoso most recently worked at Curb Records, where he handled special promotion projects following the label’s absorption of sister imprint Sidewalk Records. Fregoso began his three-year stint with the Curb family as the West Coast regional for the start-up Sidewalk Records in 2012.

“With the two C’s in hand – chocolate and Chris Lane music – I cannot wait to hit the road and reconnect with my radio friends throughout the Midwest! I’m very thankful to Clay [Hunnicutt] and Stacy [Blythe] for choosing me and I’m thrilled to be a part of this fantastic promotion family,” shares Fregoso.

Big Loud Records is the newly-launched label founded by manager Seth England, producer Joey Moi, songwriter Craig Wiseman, manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and radio veteran Hunnicutt.

Fregoso will report directly to Hunnicutt and can be reached by email at roger@bigloudrecords.com or via phone at 760-532-8521.

Big Yellow Dog Brings The Funk

October 8, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Lauren Funk has joined Big Yellow Dog Music as Creative Manager.

She is a Belmont graduate who interned at the publishing company for two semesters before making the transition into a full-time member of the creative department.

Carla Wallace, co-owner, says, “I knew Lauren had to be a part of our BYD team when I found out her last name was Funk. Lauren has a real love for great music and a talented ear for hits. We are excited to have her join our creative team. We can now officially say that we got the Funk!”

Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild To Premiere Fashion Line

October 8, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Karen Fairchild

Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild will premiere a fashion collection with the digital commerce company EVINE Live (evine.com), on Oct. 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Designed by Fairchild herself, the line will be named Fair Child. Details and embellishments will be featured throughout the jackets, tops and bottoms, dresses, and statement pieces featuring studs, embroidery, and sequins.

“Fair Child is a blend of everything I love,” said Fairchild. “It’s a collection of rich textures, details and embellishments in iconic pieces that are easy to wear, glamorous and affordable. These versatile pieces are made to be worn together through mixing, matching and layering.”

“We’re always looking to offer our customers product and personalities reflective of what’s hot and, in the world of country music, there are very few artists who are as relevant today as Karen Fairchild,” said Russell Nuce, EVINE Live’s Chief Strategy Officer. “Karen has worked closely with our team from the beginning, directing almost every aspect of the collection’s design. We’re excited to add Fair Child to our growing proprietary fashion business.”

Viewers are invited to tune in to EVINE Live via cable and satellite, mobile apps and live streaming online at www.evine.com. EVINE Live airs on DIRECTV Channels 73 and 316, DISH Network channels 134 and 228 and the nation’s top cable providers.

For more information visit evine.com/fairchild.

Watch Fairchild discuss the new line below.

Scotty McCreery To Release Biography in 2016

October 8, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Scotty McCreery. Photo: Eric Adkins

Scotty McCreery is set to release his first book, titled Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward The Dream, on May 3, 2016.

The book, to be published by Zondervan, chronicles McCreery’s story from small town dreamer to becoming American Idol’s season 10 winner (at age 17), to his current status as a chart-topping country music entertainer.

The book will be available for pre-orders beginning Nov. 15.

“God gave me a voice and America gave me a chance,” says McCreery. “This book is about those two things, and about the amazing journey that began the moment I decided to say two words about this show I knew and loved. ‘Why not?’”

After his American Idol win, McCreery released his break-out album, Clear As Day, which was the best-selling solo album released by a country artist in 2011. The Mercury Nashville / 19 / Interscope recording artist also became the youngest man in history to have his first album debut atop the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. McCreery has sold more than 2.5 million albums and received both Platinum and Gold album certifications.

McCreery earned the Academy of Country Music Award for New Artist of the Year in 2011; CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year (for “The Trouble With Girls”) in 2012; and two American Country Awards: New Artist of the Year in 2011 and Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2013.

His new studio album is slated to release in 2016, and his latest single, “Southern Belle,” is at country radio now.

LifeNotes: Boy Howdy Co-Founder, Drummer Hugh Wright Passes

October 8, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Drummer Hugh Wright, who co-founded the hit country band Boy Howdy, has died at age 63.

He died of natural causes at his home in Great Falls, Montana, on Friday, Sept. 25.

A native of Des Moines, he studied percussion at the University of Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1975. Wright was the drum major of the school’s marching band.

He moved to Los Angeles and became a studio musician for a number of nationally known artists, including blues legend John Lee Hooker. He was named the California Music Association’s Drummer of the Year in 1992.

He next became a founding member of Boy Howdy, fronted by singer-songwriter Jeffrey Steele. Signed to Curb Records, the group scored four Top 40 country hits in 1993-94, including “A Cowboy’s Born With a Broken Heart” and the Top 10 successes “She’d Give Anything” and “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore.”

Wright moved to Great Falls in 1995 and continued his music career by performing in a number of regional rock, pop, blues and country bands.

A memorial service is planned in Montana. For more information contact Rod’s Music at 406-771-1314.

Hugh Wright (on left) was the drummer in Boy Howdy. Photo submitted by Jeffrey Steele.

Hugh Wright (L) was the drummer in Boy Howdy. Photo submitted by Jeffrey Steele.

The Valory Music Co. Adds Bradford Hollingsworth For NE Promotion

October 8, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Bradford Hollingsworth

The Valory Music Co. announced today (Oct. 8) that Bradford Hollingsworth has been named Director of Northeast Promotion & Marketing for the Big Machine Label Group imprint. Effective this week, Hollingsworth will begin promoting the label’s artists including Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Justin Moore, RaeLynn, The Mavericks and Eli Young Band.

“We’re all excited to have Bradford join us at The Valory Music Co.,” said SVP Promotion George Briner. “He comes to us with a vast background of experience including serving in our country’s military, working with the Detroit Pistons and Nashville Predators, as well as Country Radio Broadcasters and the Nashville Chamber of Commerce.”

“I could not be more pumped to join Big Machine Label Group and The Valory Music Co. at a time when Valory is on fire. The leadership, staff and roster at BMLG is unparalleled and I look forward to being on this already successful team.”

Hollingsworth fills a role vacated by Shari Roth in August.

DISClaimer: George Strait Delivers With “Cold Beer Conversation”

October 8, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

It must be that time of the year.

The fourth-quarter releases are dropping regularly, and country’s big stars are vying for our attention. This week, alone, we have Toby Keith, George Strait, Kip Moore, Lee Ann Womack and Dustin Lynch, plus Eric Paslay and Chris Janson on hand to solidify their newly minted successes.

Kip, Lee Ann and Chris all have superb singles, but the Disc of the Day goes to the once and future king, George Strait.

Moonlight Social is back and sounding even better than ever. Another new duo, Dave & Whitney take home the DisCovery Award.

DUSTIN LYNCH/Mind Reader
Writers: Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Brett Beavers/Luke Wooten/Mickey Jack Cones; Publishers:EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Rhettro Music (BMI) admin by EMI Blackwood Music, Inc., WB Music Corp., Tar Cam Knox Music (ASCAP) admin by WB Music Corp., Thankful for This Music (ASCAP) admin by WB Music Corp.; Broken Bow (track)
-The track seems needlessly “busy,” with a little too much going on. But the song and performance are solid.

GEORGE STRAIT/Cold Beer Conversation
Writers: Al Anderson/Ben Hayslip/Jimmy Yeary; Producers: Chuck Ainlay/George Strait; Publishers:International Dog/Bucked Up/WB/Tar Can Knox/Thankful For This/EMI Blackwood/Great Day At This/Beatyville, BMI/ASCAP; MCA (track)
-Totally classy, mellow and full of gentle grace. The groove is magical. His voice is so relaxed and warm, leaning toward you like an old friend. This is a country-music masterpiece.

Dave and Whitney

DAVE & WHITNEY/Alibi
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Sarah Buxton/Jamie Moore; Producer: Dan Frizsell; Publisher: none listed; 45 (track)
-This is a feisty, frolicsome new duo hailing from rural Indiana. She has a saucy, foxy vocal delivery. He harmonizes and provides the lead electric guitar. Elsewhere on the EP, he handles some of the lead singing.

LEE ANN WOMACK/Chance Are
Writers: Hayes Carll; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; Publishers: Highway 87/BMG Chrysalis, SESAC; Sugar Hill (track)
-She pours soul all over this yearning ballad. Paul Franklin’s steel guitar sighs in poetic sympathy. Awesome listening.

MOONLIGHT SOCIAL/Rub A Little Dirt On It
Writers: Jeremy Burchard/Jennica Scott/Jo-Leah Tibury; Producers: Kelly Schoenfeld/Jeremy Burchard; Publishers: none listed; MS
-These two Texans can sure-nuff sing. This funky little thang is produced to provide plenty of space for their flawless harmonizing. I have liked this Jeremy-and-Jennica team in the past. This new single makes me positive that they deserve stardom. Somebody sign these folks up for the Big Time.

TOBY KEITH/Rum Is The Reason
Writers: Toby Keith/Scotty Emerick; Producers: Toby Keith/Mac McAnally; Publishers: Tokeco Tunes/Florida Room/BPJ, BMI; Show Dog (track)
-The mighty Toby takes a page from the Buffett Caribbean playbook and adds steel drums to this rollicking, feel-good track. “Take it home, Coral Reefers,” chuckles the singer.

ASHLEY CAMPBELL/Remembering
Writers: Ashley Campbell/Kai Welch; Producer: Julian Raymond; Publishers: WB/Chateau Banjo/Nettles and Bones, ASCAP; Dot
-Glen Campbell’s daughter marries a sad, wistful lyric to a strikingly lilting, uplifting melody. The breezy production overlays her refrain, “Daddy don’t you worry, I’ll do the remembering.” Recommended.

KIP MOORE/Running For You
Writers: Kip Moore/Troy Verges/Blair Daly; Producer: Brett James/Kip Moore; Publishers: Music of Stage Three/Songs of Cornman/Roll Through/BMG/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room/Southside Independent/Internal Combustion/Kickin’ Grids, BMI; MCA (track)
-Loaded with raspy fire and urgency. She’s leaving, but he loves her so much that he’ll be there in a heartbeat if she ever needs help. Blue-collar heartache with pounding passion. I dig this guy the most.

ERIC PASLAY/High Class
Writers: Eric Paslay/Corey Crowder/Jesse Frasure; Producer: Jesse Frasure/Marshall Altman; Publisher: WB/Five Foot Sixteen/Songs From the Rose Hotel/Rio Bravo/Telemitry, ASCAP/BMI; EMI (CDX)
-They might be a couple of rednecks, but just for tonight they’re living the upper-crust life. The track stutters relentlessly and he stays at the top of his vocal range all the way through. It kinda wears you out.

CHRIS JANSON/Power of Positive Drinkin’
Writers: Chris Janson/Mark Irwin/Chris DuBois; Producers: Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois/Chris Janson; Publishers: Red Vinyl/Buckkilla/Words & Music/House of Sea Gayle/Clearbox Rights/Green Vinyl, BMI/ASCAP; WB (CDX)
– Everything’s going wrong, so he’s headed for the neon lights to chug a bunch of beers in a row, until life looks a little more rosy. Joyously rhythmic and a merry lyric delight. Chalk up Big Hit #2 for this boy.

Charity News: Craig Morgan, Jana Kramer, ASCAP, Ryman Auditorium

October 7, 2015/by Kelsey_Grady

Craig Morgan’s 9th Annual Dickinson County Charity Event

Craig Morgan is prepping for his 9th Annual Charity Event benefitting the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation on Oct. 17. The morning will start with a golf tournament at Greystone Golf Course. MMA champion Dan Henderson and motocross pro Kevin Windham will be hitting the green with Morgan. Gates will open at 2:30 p.m. for the family-friendly music festival taking place at Dickson’s War Memorial Lawn with artists including former American Idol contestant Janelle Arthur, Sirius XM Highway Find artist Adam Sanders and Kentucky rockers Halfway To Hazard entertaining the crowds before Morgan’s full-band headlining set at 7 p.m.

Jana Kramer and Cody Alan Bring Super 8 Appreciation Tour To The Big E

Hundreds of service members and their families were treated to a special live Q&A with Jana Kramer hosted by CMT After MidNite’s Cody Alan on Oct. 2 as part of the Super 8 Military Appreciation Tour. Following the special event at the Court of Honor Stage, attending members and their families received premium seats for Kramer’s show at The Big E’s Xfinity Arena.

Kramer expressed, “Giving back to the men and women who selflessly serve this country was an absolute honor for me. I was so proud to be a part of this event and to be joined by Cody Alan on this special night.”

Super 8, Cody and Jana on stage - low res

Super 8 Marketing Manager Ally Psyhojos and Super 8 Vice President of Operations Alice Lazore join CMT After MidNite’s Cody Alan and award-winning Country music star Jana Kramer on stage at the Super 8 Military Appreciation Tour at The Big E. Photo: Super 8

Songwriters Raise Over $150K For Music Education

On Oct. 1, Napa Valley- and Nashville-based non-profit organization Notes For Education presented an ASCAP songwriters round in at Gargiulo Vineyards in the Oakville appellation of the Napa Valley. Sponsored by ASCAP, Gargiulo Vineyards, SunTrust Bank and more, the intimate event featured songwriters Jon Nite, Rivers Rutherford, and Deric Ruttan. Tickets to the event and the auction raised a combined total of more than $150,000, marking the charity’s single largest fundraising event in its seven-year history.

Pictured (l-r): SunTrust Bank’s Earle Simmons, The Bluebird Cafe’s Erika Wollam Nichols, Gargiulo Vineyards’ Valerie Gargiulo, SunTrust Bank’s Bryan Bolton, Deric Ruttan, Gargiulo Vineyards’ Jeff Gargiulo, Jon Nite, Rivers Rutherford, Notes For Education’s Debi Cali Leal, Gargiulo Vineyards’ Sharon Sidhu and ASCAP’s Alison Webber (Toczylowski) and Mike Sistad

Hats Off to High Hopes Coming To Ryman Auditorium

The 18th annual Hats Off To High Hopes at the Ryman Auditorium will be Sunday, Nov. 15. and will feature Tim Nichols and The Warren Brothers. Tickets go on sale Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. on ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $29.50-49.50.

Profits aid High Hopes Development Center, a local non-profit focused on equipping children and youth, with and without special needs, to reach their maximum potential.

Industry Ink: CMA Awards, BMI at ACL Fest, Sony/ATV and Belmont, Music Biz Conference

October 7, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Thomas Rhett

CMA To Reveal Performance Pairings on One-of-A-Kind Wednesdays

Thomas Rhett will team up with rock band Fall Out Boy to perform during The 49th Annual CMA Awards, airing live Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11 PM/ET) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on the ABC Television Network.

One-of-a-kind collaborations are a hallmark of Country Music’s Biggest Night and this year that tradition continues with pairings that will be announced on “one-of-a-kind” Wednesdays, leading up to the big night.

Thomas Rhett is a nominee in the New Artist of the Year category.

CMA previously announced the collaboration of Eric Church with Hank Williams, Jr., as well as performances by CMA Awards co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.

The final CMA Awards ballot will be sent to eligible voting members tomorrow (Oct. 8). It closes Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6:00 PM/CT.

BMI Hosts Stage At Austin City Limits Music Festival

Rising artists rocked the BMI stage at Austin City Limits Music Festival last weekend in Austin, Texas. Muddy Magnolias, comprised of BMI songwriters Kallie North and Jessy Wilson, took the stage on Oct. 4 to perform latest single, “American Woman.”

Pictured (L-R): Third Generation’s Clay Bradley, BMI songwriter and Muddy Magnolias member Jessy Wilson, BMI songwriter Sarah Davidson, CAA’s Lindsey Myers, BMI songwriter and Muddy Magnolias member Kallie North, and BMI’s Mark Mason.

Sony/ATV and Belmont University Continue All Access Program

The Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont University will again partner with Sony/ATV Music Publishing for the “All Access” program. Students will have the opportunity to have two songs reviewed by the Sony/ATV Music Publishing Creative Team, which will select students to perform their songs live for the Sony/ATV team at a showcase.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing SVP of Nashville A&R Josh Van Valkenburg said, “Sony/ATV is incredibly proud to continue this partnership with Belmont. We saw and heard some amazing talent last year, and actually signed one of the students who performed! Belmont continues to be an innovative educational leader by developing opportunities like All Access, and we feel confident we will receive even more impressive submissions from Belmont students this year.”

James I. Elliott, Chair of Songwriting in the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, added, “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to have their music heard by Troy Tomlinson, Josh Van Valkenburg and the Sony/ATV Creative Team. We look forward to the process and have high hopes that Sony/ATV Music Publishing will discover some future hit makers at Belmont.”

Music Biz To Honor Redeye Distribution

The Music Business Association (Music Biz) will present its Independent Spirit Award to Redeye, a leading physical and digital distributor and label services provider. The presentation will take place on Tuesday morning, May 17, during the Awards Breakfast of the Music Biz 2016 convention at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville.

Founded in 1996 in Haw River, NC, by Tor Hansen, with Glenn Dicker joining as a partner soon after, Redeye got its start in the independent music scene of the Southeast U.S. Early Redeye-distributed artists include John Mayer and Shawn Mullins, who both went on to become Platinum-selling artists. Nearly two decades later, Redeye has grown into an international music company with more than 70 employees and offices across the U.S. and overseas.