Downtown Nashville was the place to party last night (Sept. 21) as the music industry celebrated the upcoming release of The Valory Music Co. artist Thomas Rhett’s sophomore album, Tangled Up. The project comes out Friday, Sept. 25.

More than 200 label staff, publishers, songwriters, producers, and more celebrated at swanky private club Citizen. Tangled Up co-producer Jesse Frasure spun tracks from the album, such as “Vacation,” “Learned From The Radio,” and current single “Die A Happy Man,” alongside tracks from The Weeknd, Blackstreet, Chris Stapleton, and more. Among the revelers were BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Rhett’s wife Lauren Akins, and Rhett’s BMLG labelmates Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery.

“It’s so exciting to have a moment like this to share it with all of you, when you literally can see an artist going to the next level,” BMLG founder/CEO Scott Borchetta shared with guests. “That’s what’s happening right here, right now, in real time. Thomas Rhett is getting ready…you watch what’s going to happen in the next 18 months, because then we’re going to be talking about the headlining tour. But we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves.”

Partygoers sipped on cocktails inspired by the album’s tracks, including Tangled Up, and Crash & Burn, each made with Crown Royal.

“We wanted to swing for the fences,” Rhett said of the record’s new sound. “As we’ve gone, my jeans have gotten tighter and my jeans have gotten skinnier,” he quipped. “My dad’s sittin’ here going, ‘Gosh I remember when you were in cowboy boots singing to Brooks & Dunn in the living room.’

“Thank you to those who have embraced this new sound and this new direction,” Rhett continued. “I think the best part is this album is fully 100 percent Thomas Rhett. There is nothing fake about this record. I have to give thanks to Scott and [BMLG’s] Allison [Jones] for saying, ‘We don’t want you to just turn in hits. We want you to turn in songs that move you, songs you believe in.’ We’re getting into that time where we might piss some people off with the songs we’re putting out, but hopefully the majority love us. Thank you to all my friends, the songwriters, Jesse [Frasure] and Dann [Huff] for going all out on this record, it’s pretty crazy. Cheers to you and thank you for being here and being part of this album release party.”

Borchetta and Rhett launched the party with Rhett’s soul-infused current single, “Die A Happy Man.”

“My wife asked me the other day if the song was written for her or just inspired by her, and the answer is both,” Rhett said of the single. “She’s always wanted me to write a song like ‘Just To See You Smile’ by Tim McGraw, even though this song doesn’t sound anything like that. It’s super personal to our relationship.”

Tangled Up releases Friday, Sept. 25.

George Strait is headed to Las Vegas in 2016, he announced today (Sept. 22) during a live press conference. Strait will launch a series of concerts at the new, 19,000-seat Las Vegas Arena, beginning April 22, 2016. Kacey Musgraves will open the shows in Las Vegas.

Strait will play four concerts, on April 22-23, 2016, and on Sept. 9-10, 2016. Tickets for the shows go on sale Oct. 2, 2015.

UMG Nashville president Cindy Mabe announced that Strait will release a new album, Cold Beer Conversation. The project will release Friday, Sept. 25 exclusively with Apple Music and Walmart. The album’s title track will release to country radio tomorrow (Sept. 23).

The project will include songs penned by Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark, Buddy Cannon, Ben Hayslip, Bubba Strait, Dean Dillion, and more. Full track listing below.

Strait has released 40 albums, sold nearly 70 million albums, and had more than 60 No. 1 hits. He played to over 1 million fans during The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, which marked the end of his touring career.

The entertainer’s awards count includes 23 CMA Awards, 17 ACM Awards, 1 Grammy Award, 5 American Music Awards, and an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He is also a National Medal of the Arts recipient and an ASCAP Founders Award recipient, among other honors.

Track listing for Cold Beer Conversation:
1. “It Was Love” (Keith Gattis)
2. “Cold Beer Conversation” (Al Anderson, Ben Hayslip and Jimmy Yeary)
3. “Let It Go” (George Strait, Bubba Strait and Keith Gattis)
4. “Goin’ Goin’ Gone” (Wyatt Earp and Keith Gattis)
5. “Something Going Down” (Jamey Johnson and Tom Shapiro)
6. “Take Me To Texas” (Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally)
7. “It Takes All Kinds” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, Bob Regan and Wil Nance)
8. “Stop And Drink” (Dale Dodson and Troy Jones)
9. “Everything I See” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, Dean Dillon and Keith Gattis)
10. “Rock Paper Scissors” (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell and Bubba Strait)
11. “Wish You Well” (Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde and Brice Long)
12. “Cheaper Than A Shrink” (Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson)
13. “Even When I Can’t Feel It” (Dean Dillon, Ben Hayslip and Lee Miller)

Kickstarter has restructured as Kickstarter PBC, a public benefit corporation. In a statement on the company’s website, Founder/Chairman Perry Chen, Co-founder Charles Adler, and CEO/Co-founder Yancey Strickler offered an explanation of the new business model.

“Until recently, the idea of a for-profit company pursuing social good at the expense of shareholder value had no clear protection under U.S. corporate law, and certainly no mandate. Companies that believe there are more important goals than maximizing shareholder value have been at odds with the expectation that for-profit companies must exist ultimately for profit above all. Benefit Corporations are different. Benefit Corporations are for-profit companies that are obligated to consider the impact of their decisions on society, not only shareholders. Radically, positive impact on society becomes part of a Benefit Corporation’s legally defined goals.”

Among the company’s values and commitments listed in its charter are:

• An agreement to not lobby or campaign for public policies unless they align with the company’s mission and values, regardless of possible economic benefits to the company.
• A commitment to not use loopholes or other esoteric but legal tax management strategies to reduce the company’s tax burden. Kickstarter will be transparent in reporting the percentage of taxes it pays and explaining the factors that affect its tax calculation.
• Kickstarter will seek to limit environmental impact. It will invest in green infrastructure, support green commuting methods, and factor environmental impact when choosing vendors. Additionally, Kickstarter will provide recommendations and resources that help creators make environmentally conscious decisions on tasks, like shipping and packaging, that are common to the use of its services.
• Kickstarter will annually donate 5 percent of its after-tax profit towards arts and music education, and to organizations fighting to end systemic inequality. Half of the 5 percent will be devoted to music and arts programs, with a primary focus on underserved communities in New York City. The other half will be devoted to organizations addressing systemic inequality. Kickstarter will primarily focus such contributions on 501(c)(3) organizations fighting to end prejudices against and increase opportunities for people of color, women, and LGBTQ individuals.
• Kickstarter will provide opportunities and paid time off for employees to provide professional mentorship and skills training to people from groups underrepresented in the worlds of art, business, or technology.
• Kickstarter will report on team and leadership demographics, executive and CEO pay ratios, and programs and strategies employed to build a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization.

The first of these benefits will be shared beginning in February 2017.

“From Kickstarter’s inception, we’ve focused on serving artists, creators, and audiences to help bring creative projects to life. Our new status as a Benefit Corporation hard-codes that mission at the deepest level possible to guide us, and future leaders of Kickstarter,” the statement summed.

Dierks Bentley Commissions “Riser” Necklace

Dierks Bentley commissioned a limited edition “Riser” necklace available now on Dierks.com and at Nashville’s White’s Mercantile for $79. All proceeds of the handcrafted 18” gold-chain with a hand-stamped charm design will benefit Bentley’s 10th Annual “Miles & Music For Kids.”

The one-of-a-kind accessory brings the story full-circle, including Bentley’s inspired message that first launched the project: “We are on a journey. The endless cycle of life, love, loss, faith, freedom, and family. We learn from our past to define our future. Everyone has a defining moment in their life, a breakthrough moment, it’s the moment when you choose to be a riser.”

 

Steven Tyler Joins The Cadillac Three During Nashville Show

Nashville natives The Cadillac Three rallied Saturday night at The Cannery Ballroom, where they were joined by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler for a rendition of “Sweet Emotion.” The iconic songwriter and prolific singer, who was introduced as the reason TC3 wanted to be musicians, proved the admiration was mutual when he revealed a shirt announcing he was the newest member of The Cadillac 4. 

The Cadillac Three is made of Music City born and bred Jaren Johnston (Guitar & Lead Vocals), Neil Mason (Drums, Percussion & Vocals) and Kelby Ray (Bass Steel Guitar, Dobro, Acoustic & Vocals).

 

Darius Rucker Teams With Uber On ‘Southern Style Tour’

Darius Rucker will parter with rideshare app Uber for select dates on his Southern Style Tour, giving fans the chance to win free rides as well as VIP packages for the fall leg of the tour, beginning next month.

A few lucky riders in cities across the United States will win VIP packages for a Southern Style Tour stop which include two tickets to the show, an exclusive Darius Rucker pre-show acoustic performance, and invitation to a pre-show party in the VIP Party Lounge. Fans can enter the promo code SOUTHERNSTYLE to enter to win, and receive $20 off their first ride as well as a free download of Darius’ latest album, Southern Style, featuring his latest No. 1 hit single, “Homegrown Honey.”

The Southern Style Tour launches Oct. 8 in Chicago.