In Her Own Words: Taylor Talks Tour

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taylorTaylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour is in full swing and will visit eight countries and span four continents by the time it wraps. Swift is upping the ante on everything this go-round, including playing stadiums as well as arenas, and weighs in on the bonuses of hitting those super-sized crowds.

Almost leaves you breathless.

“The benefits of playing stadiums are kinda endless,” says Swift. “It’s so many people — you’re looking out into this packed football stadium of seventy thousand people. The energy coming at you from seventy thousand people is the most unbelievable feeling in the world. It’s almost like…it almost leaves you breathless knowing that many people would want to come see you play a show so we’ll start there, that’s a benefit of playing a stadium. Also, you know you don’t have to play as many shows in a week if you’re playing stadiums so it gives you time to recharge and down time and leaves you generally not that overworked when you’re doing a stadium tour.”

Swift has also changed her thinking regarding costuming for the 1989 Tour. The fashion plate artist is working her street style into the show a bit more this time around and says she’s toning it down a notch in a sense.

More fashionable than anything done before.

“We decided on costumes for each song based on kind of the mood that they evoked. It all starts with the emotional DNA of a song and we take it from there. And I knew that I wanted this tour to be more fashionable than anything we’ve done before. In the past, our tour show clothes have seemed more like costumes and this one with the show it just seems more like really insane moments of you know, fashion, things I would love to wear on a red carpet, things I would wanna wear walking down the street. You know, I definitely wanted to pull it back into that world rather than like a Halloween costume vibe (laughs).”

Swift admits she is also very specific about ensuring that the sounds you hear on her records are replicated in the live show, meaning hours of meticulous rehearsals before the show ever gets off the ground.

I want to be as true to this album as possible.

“The first month of rehearsals was just musical so we’re in a recording studio trying to figure out how to get the live band to sound exactly like the album, ’cause I want to be as true to this album as possible. I want the drum sounds to be exactly the same drum sounds that you heard on the album etc… So, then we moved into production rehearsals which is doing all the choreography, learning all the changes in between the songs you know, finding a flow to the show. But a year in advance is when we draw up the stage and when we figure out what the stage is gonna look like. So it’s a pretty extensive, long process.”

Nashville fans will get to experience 1989 when the tour comes to town September 25-26 at the Bridgestone Arena.

 

 

Kix Brooks ‘Steaks Out’ New Cooking Channel Series

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Kix Brooks.

Kix Brooks

Kix Brooks will set out across America to find the best steakhouses in a new Cooking Channel series, Steak Out with Kix Brooks–including Nashville’s Cork & Cow and The Standard.

During six, half-hour long episodes, Brooks will visit Dallas, Denver, Nashville, New Orleans, New York City, Omaha and Washington D.C. 

While on the road touring as a part of country music duo Brooks & Dunn, he discovered that it was rare for a city not to have a steakhouse that put a unique spin on the classic steak.

“Kix Brooks is a great addition to Cooking Channel as an aficionado of food and wine,” said Michael Smith, GM/SVP, Cooking Channel. “Over the years, viewers have come to know him as a legendary country music artist. Now, on Steak Out with Kix Brooks, they get to meet a different side of him – Kix Brooks: the passionate meat-lover.”

“We searched the country for some of the best steakhouse,” said Brooks. “If there is one thing I love as much as music–it is a great steak, so I can’t wait to share with viewers what we found.”

Produced by Giant Pirates Entertainment, it premieres Tuesday, July 14 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Brooks & Dunn will reunite in Las Vegas, beginning June 17, when it joins forces with Reba for REBA, BROOKS & DUNN: Together in Vegas at Caesars Palace.

Kip Moore Launches Nationwide Skatepark Project

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(L-R): Kip Moore speaks at "Comeback Kid Skatepark Project" press conference on 6/3. Photo: Alan Poizner.

(L-R): Kip Moore speaks at “Comeback Kid Skatepark Project” press conference on 6/3. Photo: Alan Poizner.

Kip Moore has joined forces with Nashville based Salemtown Board Co. to launch the Comeback Kid Skatepark Project, a series of skateboard parks that will be built around the country to benefit communities and kids in inner cities. At a press conference today in Nashville, Moore and Mayor Karl Dean announced plans for initial projects in Nashville, Boston, San Marcos, TX, and Annapolis, MD.

The inspiration for the project’s name comes from Moore’s song “Comeback Kid,” an anthem from his upcoming album Wild Ones. Each park will be uniquely designed to provide the optimum place for people of any age to learn how to skate. Plans call for most of the phase one parks to be up and running by fall 2015.

“What started off as a pipe dream of mine years ago, has truly become a passion project,” said Moore. “It came from me wanting to give kids in inner cities a safe outlet, where they can form the bonds I know can be made from having somewhere awesome to go and be a part of something they enjoy. I wrote the song ‘Comeback Kid’ at a time when I felt like a comeback kid, but now when I sing it I think less about myself and more about the kids we are doing this for and how much I admire and respect them. We’re starting with these four cities, but the plan is to keep growing this as far and wide as we can.”

The Skatepark project is the first initiative of “Kip’s Kids Fund,” a donor fund through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee focused on youth and teens. Moore is an avid rock climber, surfer, and skateboarder, and has enjoyed alternative sports for much of his life. Because of his heart for small town and inner city kids growing up with too few options for activities, he created the fund to provide alternative outlets promoting healthy habits and physical activities.

Moore’s sophomore album, Wild Ones, is set to be released Aug. 21.

LifeNotes: Songwriter Toni Dae Passes

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ToniDae

Toni Dae (Helen J. Hamm )

Songwriter Toni Dae passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, June 3. She was 76 years old. The songwriter had cuts by such iconic artists as Alan Jackson, Conway Twitty, George Jones, Aaron Neville, Tammy Wynette, Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt and many more.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, James E. Hamm and is survived by her children, Daffie Gayle (David) Moore, Janice Kay (James) Schlichting, Dennis (Lynda) Hamm; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Dae will be this afternoon at Nashville’s Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. The funeral is set for tomorrow, Saturday June 6, at 1:00 p.m. All arrangements are listed under her legal name, Helen Jo. Hamm and can be viewed here.

ToniDae2

Artist Action: Reba, Darius Rucker, Wade Bowen, Thompson Square, Emi Sunshine

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Reba and Darius Rucker.

Reba and Darius Rucker.

Reba and Darius Rucker Reveal Impactful Movies During CMA Fest

Fandango will debut new episodes of I Love Movies, part of its Movieclips Original Video Series, featuring Darius Rucker and Reba during the nightly concerts at LP Field during the CMA Music Festival in Nashville on June 11-14.

The episodes will offer interviews from Esquire Magazine‘s writer-at-large Cal Fussman, sharing how movies have inspired and influenced country superstars in pivotal moments of their lives.

Other venues will display the features throughout the week, in addition to inclusion on Fandango’s digital network, which runs through the fall and is timed with the 49th Annual CMA Awards in November.

“Movies helped shape who I am today,” said Rucker. “It’s joyous to see something meaningful on the big screen, providing important moments in your life. I remember the first time I saw Purple Rain, I was instantly changed. I’m getting chills just thinking about it.”

“Music and movies have inspired me in so many ways,” said Reba. “Both are not only significant parts of my career but my life. A great lyric or line from a film has the ability to take your mind somewhere new. I’m excited to share some of my favorite moments with I Love Movies.”

“Country Music and the movies are kindred spirits, as both share authentic life stories that leave meaningful, lasting effects on their audiences,” said Adam Rockmore, head of marketing at Fandango.

Fandango sells tickets to more than 26,000 screens nationwide, entertaining and informing consumers with reviews, commentary, celebrity interviews and trailers.

Wade Bowen's 17th Annual Bowen Classic, Photo: Todd Purifoy, Purifoy Photography

Wade Bowen’s 17th Annual Bowen Classic, Photo: Todd Purifoy, Purifoy Photography

Wade Bowen Raises over $275k for Local Texas Charities

Wade Bowen‘s 17th Annual Bowen Classic raised over $275,000 this past weekend (May 31-June 1) in Waco, TX with performances from Randy Rogers, Tuff Hedeman, Cody Canada and The Departed and Willian Clark Greek.

The celebrity golf tournament was held at Cottonwood Golf Course.

Over $1.25 million has been raised in total, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting local Waco charities: Avance and The Boys and Girls Club of America.

Thompson Square. Photo: Weston Heflin

Thompson Square. Photo: Weston Heflin

Thompson Square Releases “Trans Am” Music Video

Thompson Square revealed its new music video for current single “Trans Am” today (June 5) exclusively with CMT (CMT Pure, thompsonsquare.CMT.com, CMT Artists App).

CountryWeekly.com and Glamour.com also helped in the roll-out of the video, which was directed by Wes Edwards. Shot over a 15-hour day inside Nashville’s Soundcheck sound stage, the treatment offered the duo its first live performance video, which includes bandmates and the actual staging and lighting rigs from Thompson Square’s live concerts.

This Sunday (June 7), Keifer and Shawna Thompson guest star on popular DIY Network program Salvage Dawgs, at 9 p.m. CT.

Emi Sunshine.

Emi Sunshine.

Emi Sunshine Launches Kickstarter For Broken Down Van

Ten-year-old performer Emi Sunshine has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for her van, which broke down prior to her upcoming summer tour. Prizes, limited edition t-shirts, and more are available to aid in buying a new mode of transportation.

Her tour is planned to hit destinations including Canada, New York, Las Vegas and California.

“We hope that this Kickstarter will give us the funds needed to purchase a new van/bus and we hope that it can be a way for the fans to directly take part in our journey to spread our music to as many ears as possible,” said a release from Sunshine’s mailing list.

Photo Roundup: Big Deal Music’s Summer Party

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Big Deal Music held a celebratory party last week (5/28) at their Nashville office in Berry Hill as part of its week-long national conference, which brought members of the company’s Los Angeles and New York offices to Music City. Among performers were Brad Tursi who recently celebrated his No. 1-penned song, Tyler Farr‘s “A Guy Walks Into A Bar.” Big Deal writer John Ryan also performed his hit by One Direction, “Story of my Life,” and Dixie Chicks members, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison performed their Court Yard Hounds song, “Amelita.” Hannah Blaylock and New York-based Sharon Van Etten also entertained the guests with performances.

Brad Tursi singing his most recent #1 cowritten song “Guy Walks Into A Bar”

Brad Tursi sings his recent #1 song, “Guy Walks Into A Bar.”

John Ryan performing his One Direction hit “Story Of My Life”

John Ryan performs his One Direction hit, “Story Of My Life.”

Pictured (L to R): Martie Mcquire, Hannah Blaylock and Emily Robison

(L-R): Martie Maguire, Hannah Blaylock and Emily Robison.

Big Deal staff attending their national conference last week

Big Deal staff attends company’s national conference in Nashville.

Folk Queen Jean Ritchie Dies At 92

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2002JeanRichie

Jean Ritchie

Appalachian music icon Jean Ritchie, who influenced generations of folk and country stars, passed away on Monday, June 1, at age 92.

During her long and illustrious career, Ritchie revived and popularized the dulcimer, preserved hundreds of traditional mountain songs, recorded more than 30 albums, wrote seven books, helped establish the Newport Folk Festival, wrote songs for many country and bluegrass stars, and was a musical touchstone for Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Doc Watson, Judy Collins and more.

Joan Baez called her “the Mother of Folk” music. Dolly Parton said, “When I grow up, I want to write just like Jean Ritchie.”

The legend’s final album, Dear Jean: Artists Celebrate Jean Ritchie, was released by Nashville’s Compass Records label in 2014. It featured contributions from Seeger, Collins, Kathy Mattea, Janis Ian, Robin & Linda Williams, Tim O’Brien, Suzy Bogguss and Dale Ann Bradley, among many others.

Mattea recorded Ritchie’s “West Virginia Mine Disaster” and “Black Waters.” Ritchie’s “The L&N Don’t Stop Here Anymore” was popularized in 1979 by Johnny Cash, and was also recorded by Michelle Shocked, The New Coon Creek Girls, Bobby Goldsboro and others. Kenny Rogers recorded the folk legend’s “Tennessee Bottle.” Emmylou Harris did Ritchie’s “Sorrow in the Wind” on her landmark 1979 LP Blue Kentucky Girl.

“Blue Diamond Mines” was cut by bluegrass artists including The Seldom Scene and The Johnson Mountain Boys. “My Dear Companion” was on the acclaimed 1987 Trio LP by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. Others who recorded Jean Ritchie’s songs include Roger McGuinn, June Carter Cash, Laurie Lewis, Alice Gerrard and Graham Nash.

Jean Ritchie was the youngest of 14 children born to a farm family in the mountains of Viper, KY. She grew up singing traditional folk songs. As an adult, she learned they were called “hillbilly” or “country” numbers.

With a college degree in social work, she moved to New York City in 1947. She sang her traditional tunes in Greenwich Village, where she was heard by Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly and Oscar Brand, all of whom praised her. In 1950, she married photographer and filmmaker George Pickow (1922-2010).

Her influential repertoire at the time included “Fair and Tender Ladies,” “Pretty Saro,” “Amazing Grace,” “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair,” “One Morning in May,” “Barbara Allen,” “Lord Randall” and “Father Get Ready.”

Ritchie began recording in 1952. By the time of the “folk revival” of the late 1950s and early 1960s, she was fairly prominent. She often sang on Brand’s WNYC radio show. She was among the headliners at the inaugural Newport Folk Festival in 1959, along with Earl Scruggs, Odetta, Baez and Seeger.

The Kingston Trio and Judy Collins both relied on her arrangements of traditional songs on their early albums. Her melody for “Fair Nottamun Town” was used by Bob Dylan for his “Masters of War.” She demanded and received compensation.

In 1963, she recorded a landmark album with Doc Watson. During this same period, she began encouraging craftspeople to build mountain dulcimers and published instruction booklets about playing the ancient modal instrument.

Ritchie released the album None But One in 1977. It won a Rolling Stone magazine Critics’ Choice award. She was the subject of the 1996 nationally telecast documentary Mountain Born: The Jean Ritchie Story. She also appeared in the 1996 TBS six-hour documentary series America’s Music: The Roots of Country, produced by Nashville’s Tom Neff.

In 2002, Jean Ritchie received a National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship and was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. She suffered a stroke in 2009 and moved to Berea, KY, where she died.

Jean Ritchie is survived by sons Peter and Jonathan Pickow, both of whom have performed with her.

Weekly Chart Report (6/5/15)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report

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Artist Pics: Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Nick Fradiani, Josh Dorr, Gloriana

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Big Machine Label Group Supports Outnumber Hunger

Big Machine Label Group artists Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn and Nick Fradiani (American Idol Season 14 champion) traversed to the Twin Cities in support of the 2015 Outnumber Hunger program. The talented trio performed a private concert at the General Mills headquarters in Minneapolis and shared their personal stories of involvement.

Pictured (L-R:) Cassadee Pope, Nick Fradiani, RaeLynn. Photo: BMLG

Pictured (L-R:) Cassadee Pope, Nick Fradiani, RaeLynn. Photo: BMLG

Josh Dorr Kicks Off Fender Accelerator Tour

RCA Nashville’s Josh Dorr hit the road Wednesday for the Fender Accelerator Tour. Dorr will be touring through the month of June in his custom van and sharing his life on the road through Fender’s social channels using the hashtag #FENDERXLR8R. 

Josh Dorr

Josh Dorr

Gloriana At The Opry

Gloriana, whose new album Three was released this week, recently performed at the Grand Ole Opry. The trio played their Top 25 single “Trouble,” a new track off the album titled “Wanna Get To Know You” and their smash hit “Kissed You Goodnight.”

Pictured (L to R): Tom Gossin, Pete Fisher, Rachel Reinert, Mike Gossin

Pictured (L-R): Tom Gossin, Pete Fisher, Rachel Reinert, Mike Gossin

Warner Music Nashville Plans 4-day CMA Fest Events

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The-Warner-Sound-CountryMusicRocks.net_Warner Music Nashville has set its schedule for the fourth annual The Warner Sound from June 10-14, four days surrounding CMA Fest.

Hosted at downtown Nashville’s aVenue, the series will feature fan parties and performances from Big Smo, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Gloriana, Hunter Hayes, Chris Janson, The Railers, Michael Ray, Cole Swindell and Charlie Worsham. (Full schedule below.)

Select events around town throughout the week also include an Ashley Monroe preview of upcoming album, The Blade, at Third and Lindsley (Tuesday, June 9; 6:00 p.m.). Hunter Hayes will host his Coffee House Experience at Bongo Java in The Omni Hotel (Friday, June 12; 3:00 p.m.). Country rapper Big Smo will host the “Smo Down” at the Hard Rock Cafe (Friday, June 12; 11 p.m.).

The Warner Sound @ aVenue Full Schedule 
(spontaneous “pop-up” performances to be announced daily)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
10:00 p.m. – The CMT Awards Official Fan After Party with The Railers, Michael Ray, Chris Janson

THURSDAY, JUNE 11
10:00 a.m. – Dan + Shay Dan + Shay + You Fan Party
1:00 p.m. – Cole Swindell Down Home Crew Fan Party
4:00 p.m. – Gloriana THREE Album Release Fan Party

FRIDAY, JUNE 12
4:00 p.m. – Brett Eldredge Fan Party

SUNDAY, JUNE 14
12:00 p.m. – Charlie Worsham Donuts & Jam Fan Party