Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen To Tour Texas and Back

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Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers. Photo: Jim McGuire

Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers. Photo: Jim McGuire

Solo artists Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen will join forces for an initial 21-date Hold My Beer and Watch This acoustic tour 2015, an event that originated more than eight years ago and has grown into an annual touring gig.

Ninety-minute sets will kick off at the Nutty Brown Amphitheater in Austin and stretch across most of the country, including the final stop at the 2015 AmericanaFest in Nashville in September.

A handful of full-band performances are promised on year’s theater tour, as well as tracks from the recently released 10-song album, Hold My Beer, Vol. 1, produced by Lloyd Maines. The first single, “Standards,” is at radio following the album’s April 20 release.

“I’m ready to tour this record, we both have lived these songs and continue to do so,” says Rogers.

Bowen adds, “This is always my favorite time of year…Two buddies hangin’ out playing music cause we love what we do. What could possibly be better?”

Visit randyandwade.com for more information.

Initial dates for Hold My Beer and Watch This 

5/21 Austin, TX Nutty Brown Amphitheater
7/09 Omaha, NE at Slowdown
7/11 Saint Louis, MO at Old Rock House (outside)
7/12 Chicago, IL at Joe’s Bar
7/14 Grand Rapids, MI at The Intersection
7/15 Columbus, OH at Newport Music Hall
7/16 Indianapolis, IN at The Vogue Theatre
7/17 Kansas City, MO at Crossroads
7/20 Corpus Christi, TX at Brewster Street
7/21 Nacogdoches, TX at Banita Creek Hall
7/22 College Station, TX at Harry’s
7/23 Helotes, TX at Floore’s Country Store
8/11 Amarillo, TX at Wild West
8/12 Lubbock, TX at Midnight Rodeo
8/19 Little Rock, AR
8/20 Wichita Falls, TX
9/2 Portland, OR at Dante’s
9/3 Seattle, WA at Neptune Theatre
9/9 San Francisco, CA at Slim’s
9/10 Los Angeles, CA at Troubadour
9/17 Nashville, TN at AmericanaFest

[UPDATED]: Spotify: Adds Video, Contract Leaks, Starbucks Partnership

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(MusicRow) – [Updated report, 1:15 p.m. CT]

The Verge is reporting a request from the copyright owner has led to the removal of the leaked Spotify contract from its server. The link now displays a 404-error. A detailed report of the contract can be seen here.

[Previous story]

Spotify Adds Video

SpotifySpotify has expanded into the world of video. The streaming service announced it is adding video clips and audio shows to the music mix.

“We know there are times in the day you want to switch between music to catch up on the latest news, listen to your favorite podcast or simply watch something fun,” said Spotify in a release. “Spotify will suggest video and audio shows for you to watch and learn what you love.”

Entertainment, news and clips will be available from ABC, Adult Swim, BBC, Comedy Central, Condé Nast Entertainment, ESPN, Fusion, Maker Studios, NBCUniversal, TBS, TED and Vice Media, with more to come.

The update also comes with a feature for runners, matching the pace of your stride with the perfect tempo song.

Sony-Music-Entertainment-LogoContract Leaks

Sony Entertainment‘s 2011 contract with Spotify has leaked on The Verge. The 42-page contract was signed a few months prior to Spotify’s U.S. launch. The document reveals streaming calculations, a $25 million advance for two years of the contract ($9 million the first year and $16 million the second) with a $17.5 million advance for the optional third year to Sony Music, and a Most Favored Nations Clause.

See the contract here.

Starbucks Deal

StarbucksOn Monday (May 18), Starbucks announced intent to establish a multi-year relationship with Spotify. Employees and customers will be able to pick the songs played at the shops. Additionally, Spotify will be incoporated into Starbucks’s mobile app. There will be opportunities for Spotify and Starbucks members to earn “Stars as Currency.”

This development comes after a February announcement that the coffee retailer will cease selling physical CDs, which it had since 1994.

Weekly Register: Debut Tracks From Chris Young, Meghan Linsey, Steven Tyler

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chris young i'm comin over

Chris Young has the highest track debut.

The new song from Chris Young, “I’m Comin’ Over,” is the top country debut (No. 2) and top overall debut (No. 12) this week. The first single from his upcoming album sold 71K, but couldn’t knock “Girl Crush” (85K) out of the top country spot. Picking up steam from The Voice, Meghan Linsey debuted “Tennessee Whiskey” with 32K downloads, and Steven Tyler’s country outing, “Love Is Your Name,” entered at No. 9 country, selling 25K.

On the overall tracks chart, Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” sold 227K TW and more than 2 million RTD.

TOP 5 COUNTRY TRACKS TW
Little Big Town “Girl Crush” 85K
Chris Young “I’m Comin’ Over” 71K
Blake Shelton “Sangria” 49K
Sam Hunt “Take Your Time” 41K
Meghan Linsey “Tennessee Whiskey” 32K

On the albums chart, Zac Brown Band hangs on to the No. 1 country position (No. 7 overall), selling 31K TW. Making debuts are the Nashville Season 3, Vol. 2 album at No. 3 country with sales of 12K, and a project by Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell at No. 8 with 7.1K.

The Pitch Perfect 2 soundtrack is a hit just like the movie. It debuted at No. 1 overall with activity of 107K (92K albums only).

Zac Brown Band Jekyll and Hyde

Zac Brown Band sits at No. 1 on the country album chart.

TOP 5 COUNTRY ALBUMS TW
ZBB, 31K
Sam Hunt, 14K
Nashville Season 3, Vol. 2, 12K
Chris Stapleton, 11K
Reba, 9.2K

Check back next week to see sales numbers from Kelsea Ballerini’s debut album, the new platinum edition of Brantley Gilbert’s current album, and EPs by Jon Pardi and Logan Mize.

YTD ALBUM SALES
Overall -2.9%
Overall Digital +1.2%
Country -7%
Country Digital +.9%

YTD TRACK SALES
Overall -10.3%
Country -16.1%

Josh Dorr Added To Fender Accelerator Tour

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josh dorr

Josh Dorr

RCA Nashville artist Josh Dorr has been added to the Fender Accelerator Tour, which provides support and resources to emerging artists. Dorr joins a list of acts on tour including Deap Vally, Night Terrors of 1927, Priory, Matthew Curry, The Bots, Waters, Marmozets, Striking Matches, and Coasts.

While on tour, Fender will provide each band with a customized 15-passenger touring van, fuel and vehicle maintenance needs, promotional and marketing support, and Fender gear, including electric and acoustic guitars, basses, amps and accessories. The artists will continue to document stories from the tour through Fender’s social media using the hashtag #FENDERXLR8R.

The tour continues through June, with Fender Accelerator artists making tour stops in major cities across the United States. More information can be found at www.fender.com/accelerator.

Josh Dorr Fender Accelerator Tour

6/4 Kansas City, MO-Power and Light Outdoor Stage
6/5 Fayetteville, AR-George’s Majestic Lounge
6/6 Farmington, MO-Farmington Country Days
6/11 Nashville, TN-CMA Fest – BMI Tailgate Party
6/12 Tifton, GA-The Gin
6/13 Valdosta, GA-Bluewater
6/18 Memphis, TN-Lafayette’s Music Room
6/19 Springfield, IL-Boondocks
6/20 Marinette, WI-Porter Country Festival
6/24 Dewey Beach, DE-Rusty Rudder
6/25 Freehold, NJ-iPlay Amusement Park
6/26 Portland, ME-Asylum
6/27 Salisbury, MA-The Flying Horses

2015 MusicRow Awards: Producer of the Year Nominees

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2015 producer of the year headerNominations for the 27th annual MusicRow Awards, Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors, have been revealed. The following Producer of the Year nominees contributed to some of the best albums coming out of Nashville during the eligibility period (May 1, 2014 – April 30, 2015).

These nominees kept sounds fresh for superstars and gave cache to the genre’s next headliners. Veteran studio whizes Byron Gallimore and Frank Liddell had stellar years, helping their respective longtime artist collaborators, Tim McGraw and Miranda Lambert, turn in innovative albums. Gallimore also led studio efforts for his own Streamsound artists Kristian Bush and Austin Webb, while Liddell helmed quality projects by wife Lee Ann Womack, David Nail and Stoney LaRue.

A few of the Producer of the Year nominees collaborated with other MusicRow Award nominees and winners. Shane McAnally produced 2015 Breakthrough Artist nominee Sam Hunt, as well as rising band Old Dominion, which includes Breakthrough Songwriter nominees Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi. McAnally also coproduced 2013 Breakthrough Artist winner Kacey Musgraves.

Jay Joyce produced Little Big Town’s latest album, which includes Song of the Year nominee “Girl Crush.” Joyce also reunited with longtime collaborator Eric Church and worked with Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett and Brothers Osborne.

Joyce and fellow Producer nominee Ross Copperman each helmed tracks for Keith Urban, who tapped a myrid of producers for his latest album. Additionally, first-time nominee Copperman worked with Eli Young Band and helped Dierks Bentley conjure a new sound.

Award winners are voted on exclusively by Subscriber Members of MusicRow (click to subscribe and receive your ballot). Honors for Breakthrough Songwriter, Breakthrough Artist, Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, and Top Ten Album AllStar Musicians will be presented during an invitation-only ceremony at ASCAP on Tuesday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m.

See complete list of nominees HERE.

2015 producer of the year nominees

Sawyer Fredericks Wins ‘The Voice’

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Sawyer Fredericks was named winner of The Voice last night (May 19), besting finalist Meghan Linsey. Throughout the season, Fredericks, who was on Team Pharrell, offered country songs such as “Man of Constant Sorrow.” Kelly Clarkson, Luke Bryan, John Fogerty and Meghan Trainor were among the performers on the season finale.

Photos: Tyler Golden and Trae Patton/NBC.

the voice 2015

John Fogerty and winner Sawyer Fredericks.

the voice 2

Meghan Linsey and Kelly Clarkson on The Voice.

the voice 4

Meghan Trainor performs on The Voice.

the voice 3

Luke Bryan on the season finale.

Coach Blake Shelton.

Coach Blake Shelton.

 

 

Rendy Lovelady Management Plans Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam 2015

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HeadlinersThe Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Country Music Festival which takes place in Panama City Beach, FL over Labor Day Weekend has announced its three-day lineup.

“I promised the biggest lineup in Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam history and I think we’ve delivered,” says Executive Producer, Rendy Lovelady, of Nashville based Rendy Lovelady Management. “This year we have a mix of chart topping acts, up-and-comers, and legends.”

Performers include Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Hunter Hayes, Dwight Yoakam, Martina McBride, Sam Hunt, Scotty McCreery, Gary Allan, Ronnie Milsap, Kellie Pickler, Tyler Farr, Darryl Worley, Kristian Bush, Kirstie Lovelady, Nick Sturms, The Swon Brothers, Jack Ingram, Preston Summerville, Them Dirty Roses and the Pepsi Southern Original Winner.

Three-day tickets to the festival are currently $119 but the price will increase once the current ticket tier is sold out. To purchase tickets visit: https://gulfcoastjam.frontgatetickets.com

YouTube video

Brad Paisley Set To Open For Rolling Stones In Nashville

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bradpaisleystonesThe Rolling Stones have announced country music’s Brad Paisley will be a special guest opening their show in Nashville on June 17 at LP Field.

Zip Code Tour, the band’s 15-city North American stadium tour, kicks off in San Diego on May 24, and will be making stops in Columbus, Minneapolis, Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Detroit and Buffalo before wrapping in Quebec on July 15 at Le Festival D’Été de Québec.

The tour will be the first time the rock legends have played North American stadiums since 2005-2007’s A Bigger Bang Tour. AEG Live’s Concerts West is the promoter of the Zip Code Tour and tickets can be purchased here.

The Rolling Stones – Zip Code Tour
May 24, 2015–San Diego, CA (Petco Park)
May 30, 2015–Columbus, OH (Ohio Stadium)
June 3, 2015–Minneapolis, MN (TCF Bank Stadium)
June 6, 2015–Dallas, TX (AT&T Stadium)
June 9, 2015–Atlanta, GA (Bobby Dodd Stadium)
June 12, 2015–Orlando, FL (Orlando Citrus Bowl)
June 17, 2015–Nashville, TN (LP Field)
June 20, 2015–Pittsburgh, PA (Heinz Field)
June 23, 2015–Milwaukee, WI (Summerfest/ Marcus Amphitheater)
June 27, 2015–Kansas City, MO (Arrowhead Stadium)
July 1, 2015–Raleigh, NC (Carter-Finley Stadium)
July 4, 2015–Indianapolis, IN (Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
July 8, 2015–Detroit, MI (Comerica Park)
July 11, 2015–Buffalo, NY (Ralph Wilson Stadium)
July 15, 2015–Quebec, QC (Le Festival D’Été de Québec)

Top Nominees To Perform at CMT Music Awards

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2015-CMT-Music-Awards-FeaturedCMT has announced the first round of performers for the CMT Music Awards, set for June 10 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Confirmed to perform are Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum and Luke Bryan. The show will be broadcast live at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

Heading into the event, Underwood is the frontrunner with five nominations, including two for Video of the Year, two for Female Video of the Year and one for Collaborative Video of the Year for her duet with Miranda Lambert. Lady Antebellum and Chesney have four nominations each, while Florida Georgia Line and Aldean earned a respective three nominations. Urban and Bryan both scored two nods.

Additional performers, presenters and host will be announced at a later date.

Fans can vote at CMT.com through June 7 at 11:59 PM ET to determine the winners. The six finalists for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can then vote at CMT.com throughout the live telecast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.

The 2014 CMT Music Awards was the second most-watched telecast in franchise history.

Luke Bryan To Heat Up Summer With New Album

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luke bryan kill the lightsLuke Bryan’s next album Kill The Lights is set for release on Friday, Aug. 7. It is the follow up to his most successful project to date, the double platinum Crash My Party, which has yielded six consecutive No. 1 singles.

The Capitol Nashville artist appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today (May 19) to announce the album and perform its lead single “Kick The Dust Up,” which was released today. Tonight he will perform the single on the season finale of The Voice.

“We’ve been performing the new song on tour this spring, using it to open the shows,” said Bryan. “We love the crowd reaction to it and I cannot wait to be able to share more new music this summer. It’s been two years since we’ve had a new album and I don’t think I’ve been this eager yet to get it out to the fans.”

Bryan will perform on Good Morning America on album release day, Aug. 7, as part of the 2015 Summer Concert Series at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.

Since debuting in 2007, Bryan has scored 12 No. 1 singles and sold nearly seven million albums. His digital track sales total 27 million from four studio albums.

In 2014, Bryan achieved the best touring year of his career with 1.7 million fans attending his concerts. In early 2015, he played his first-ever shows in Europe. His current Kick The Dust Up Tour will continue through October and includes seven stadium dates. He is the reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year.

This Friday (May 22), The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will launch a summer exhibit, “Luke Bryan: Dirt Road Diary.”