Nashville Celebrates Ballard’s “Sunshine and Whiskey”

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Music industry guests assembled at Nashville hotspot City Winery yesterday (April 14) to celebrate Frankie Ballard’s second consecutive No. 1 hit “Sunshine and Whiskey.” ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, who happens to be the wife of “Sunshine and Whiskey” co-writer Jaren Johnston, and BMI’s Clay Bradley hosted the gathering to honor Ballard and writers Luke Laird (BMI) and Johnston (ASCAP). In addition to being a hit songwriter, Johnston is member of band The Cadillac Three.

“Sunshine and Whiskey” marks Laird’s 19th No. 1 song, and is the fourth for Johnston.

Among those honoring the song were Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, CMA, CRB, and Universal Music Publishing’s Cyndi Forman.

Laird’s wife and Creative Nation business partner, Beth Laird, pointed out that eight of the 15 songs Luke and Johnston have co-written have been recorded. She also offered celebratory whiskey racks to Ballard and the songwriters.

The evening included a donation presented by Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox on behalf of the songwriters to Preston Taylor Ministries.

“I still get this overwhelming feeling I don’t deserve to be up here,” Ballard said modestly, before recalling how much he wanted to record “Sunshine and Whiskey” when he first heard it. Ballard doesn’t have long to bask in the celebration; he will soon be on the road opening shows for Florida Georgia Line.

Pictured (Back row): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, Universal Music Publishing’s Cyndi Forman and Creative Nation’s Beth Laird. (Front row): BMI songwriter Luke Laird, BMI singer/songwriter Frankie Ballard, ASCAP songwriter Jaren Johnston, producer Marshall Altman.

Pictured (Back row): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, Universal Music Publishing’s Cyndi Forman and Creative Nation’s Beth Laird. (Front row): BMI songwriter Luke Laird, BMI singer/songwriter Frankie Ballard, ASCAP songwriter Jaren Johnston, producer Marshall Altman.

MusicRowPics: Rainey Qualley Trades Hollywood For Music City

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Rainey Qually with MusicRow staff.

Rainey Qualley with MusicRow staff.

Singer-songwriter Rainey Qualley may have entertaining in her blood, but don’t expect her to follow in the footsteps of her mother, actress Andie MacDowell. Instead, Qualley is forging her own creative path in country music.

Qualley grew up in Asheville, N.C., raised on the music of classic country entertainers including Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash. Over the years, the 25-year-old has called Montana, Los Angeles, and Nashville home.

During her MusicRow visit, Qualley offered a three-song acoustic performance of songs from her Turn Down The Lights EP. Qualley co-wrote every track on the EP, with co-writers including Ramey, Jeffrey Easy, Adam Smith, and Roxie Dean. THe project was produced by Russ Zavitson and John Ramey.

Qualley ran through tracks including the power ballad “Never Mine,” “Dead and Gone,” and “Me and Johnny Cash.” She says the song, a quirky tune about turning to booze and The Man in Black to get over a breakup, was inspired by personal experience. “I was venting to [co-writer Ramey] in the car about an ex-boyfriend, and we came into the office and wrote the song.”

“I was in L.A. and I was coming back and forth from Nashville regularly for songwriting trips,” said Qualley of her introduction to Music City. “I’ve always loved songwriting, and Russ knew I had a lot of room to grow. He started setting me up with co-writers, and I began going back and forth to Nashville and Los Angeles. After my first trip to Nashville, I was begging Russ, ‘Hey, when can I move here?'” She has now been living in Nashville for nearly a year.

The multi-talented entertainer has dabbled in acting, scoring roles in the movies Falcon Song (2014), Mighty Fine (2012), and Pink & Baby Blue. Just before making the move to Nashville, Hollywood came calling again, in the form of a role on popular series Mad Men. “I auditioned for the role and ended up getting it. It only took like four hours to shoot, so I thought, ‘Why not?'”

Still, Qualley says her goals for the future center around her upcoming full-length album and burgeoning music career. “Music is really my focus and where my heart is.”

Rainey Qualley performs for MusicRow staff.

Rainey Qualley performs for MusicRow staff.

Hit Songwriter Lance Miller Signs With Warner/Chappell

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lance miller

L-R (Front): Brad Warren (Co-Writer), Lance Miller, Brett Warren (Co-Writer) L-R (Back): BJ Hill (W/C), Travis Carter (W/C), Phil May (W/C), Blain Rhodes (W/C), Scott Safford (Attorney), Matt Michiels (W/C)

Warner/Chappell Music has signed hit songwriter and SESAC Song of the Year winner Lance Miller to a worldwide co-publishing agreement.

Miller’s accolades include 2014 SESAC Song Of The Year presented at last year’s SESAC Nashville Music Awards for his co-write on Jerrod Niemann’s “Drink To That All Night.”

He also has writing credits on Lee Brice’s “Beautiful Every Time” and Thomas Rhett’s “Beer With Jesus.”

Weekly Register: Rucker’s ‘Southern Style’ Reigns For Second Week

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darius rucker slider Southern-StyleThis week was lackluster for new releases, and both the overall tracks and overall albums charts saw significant dips.

On a brighter note, Neilsen’s country albums tally saw Darius Rucker’s Southern Style reign supreme for a second consecutive week, moving 17k units. Rucker sold 52k during the project’s debut week.

Also in the Top 5 this week are Sam Hunt’s Montevallo (15k), Now That’s What I Call ACM Awards: 50 Years (11k), Luke Bryan’s Spring Break…Checkin’ Out (10k), and Florida Georgia Line’s Anything Goes (7.4k)

Top country debuts this week went to Will Hoge at No. 15 (3.7k), Kristian Bush at No. 16 (3.7k), and Pokey LaFarge at No. 28 (1.4k).

Also worth noting is Lee Brice who jumped from No. 21 to No. 7 this week, selling 7.1k (an upward swing of 179 percent), on the strength of a Google Album of the Week promo, on sale for $2.99.

The Original Soundtrack from the movie Furious 7 topped the overall album chart, selling 111k this week. The top debut on the overall album chart was All Time Low at No. 2, selling 80k. All Time Low was the only debut in the top 10 this week.

Compared to last week, overall album sales were down 1.7 percent, while overall digital sales were up 2.6 percent. Country album sales were down 13.2 percent, while country digital sales were down 7.5 percent.

This time last year, the top overall album was Frozen, which sold 133k that week. On the country charts one year ago, Martina McBride’s Everlasting topped the country album chart, selling 21k.

Tracks

Sam Hunt’s “Take Your Time” tops the country tracks tally this week, with 55k units moved. Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” moved 43k this week, followed by Zac Brown Band’s “Homegrown” (40.5k), Thomas Rhett’s “Crash and Burn” (40k), and Cole Swindell’s “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey” (35k).

Wiz Khalifa earns a second week at No. 1 on the overall tracks chart with “See You Again,” which sold 464k. The top overall and country debut this week is Thomas Rhett’s “Crash and Burn” (40k). The track debuted at No. 4 on the country tracks chart and at No. 31 overall.

Year-to-date, overall track sales have fallen 9.7 percent, while country tracks have fallen 16.5 percent.

This time last year, Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” topped the overall track chart, selling 257k, while Luke Bryan’s “Play It Again” topped the country tracks chart, selling 108k.

Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium To Open Cafe Lula

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cafe lulaNashville’s Ryman Auditorium is scheduled to open a new restaurant in early June. Café Lula will be located on the East side of the Ryman facing Fourth Avenue. The restaurant will offer seating for up to 80 patrons inside and an outdoor covered patio that will accommodate 30 more.

The menu will feature rotisserie cooking and locally sourced ingredients available for both dine-in and to-go service. The restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily with extended hours during nighttime Ryman events.

“Cafe Lula will be a delicious and convenient addition to downtown’s dining options,” said Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium general manager. “We look forward to serving a wide range of guests, from Nashville visitors looking for a cup of coffee and pastry before taking a Ryman tour– to our downtown neighbors looking for a quick and healthy lunch– to music fans looking for dinner and a cocktail before a concert.”

The cafe is named in honor of Lula C. Naff, longtime manager of the Ryman. “For decades Lula C. Naff brought the world to Nashville through the stage door of the Ryman,” said Williams. “We’re excited to honor her legacy with the naming of our new cafe.”

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Cafe Lula

Mandy Barnett To Headline Nashville Symphony Show

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Mandy Barnett

Mandy Barnett

Singer, songwriter and actress Mandy Barnett has been named the featured entertainer for the 2015 Nashville Symphony Fashion Show.

Barnett earned rave reviews as a teenager when she portrayed Patsy Cline in the stage show, “Always…Patsy Cline” at The Ryman Auditorium. She has released six albums and continues to tour around the world. She is also a regular on the Grand Ole Opry.

The fashion show will take place at Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville on Tuesday May 5 and will feature designs of Brunello Cucinelli.

Anastasia Brown, independent film and television producer and music supervisor of Format Entertainment will serve as emcee.

Proceeds from the event will support the Nashville Symphony’s music education and community engagement programs, which serve more than 100,000 children and adults in Middle Tennessee annually.

Tickets can be purchased here start at $150. The evening will include a cocktail reception, silent auction and Italian cuisine.

Opry Launches Artist-Curated Collection With Kellie Pickler

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KelliePickler1

The Grand Ole Opry launched its first artist-curated merchandise collection– Selma Drye by Kellie Pickler home goods collection– at a special launch party backstage at the Grand Ole Opry House yesterday evening (April 14). The collection of home goods, inspired by Kellie Pickler’s great-grandmother Selma Drye, includes Pickler’s touch on unique frames, candles, pillows, dishes, aprons, canisters and select furniture pieces. The country artist was on hand between performances on two Opry shows last night to talk about her great-grandmother Selma Drye and how she inspired the various items in the collection.

(L-R): Kim O'Dell, Director of Retail, Opry; Kellie Pickler; Pete Fisher, Vice President/General Manager, Opry, celebrating the launch of "Selma Drye by Kellie Pickler" home goods collection backstage at the Grand Ole Opry.

(L-R): Kim O’Dell, Director of Retail, Opry; Kellie Pickler; Pete Fisher, Vice President/General Manager, Opry, celebrating the launch of “Selma Drye by Kellie Pickler” home goods collection backstage at the Grand Ole Opry.

“When you get a house, it takes a while to make it feel like a home,” said Pickler. “My great-grandmother had a simple, loving touch that made her house a home like no other. It’s really nice being able to take things I know she would have loved and create a line inspired by her.”

“When we began thinking about working with artists on curated Opry collections and spoke with Kellie about the opportunity, we immediately fell in love with the stories she told of her great-grandmother, Selma Drye,” said Kim O’Dell, the Opry’s Director of Retail. “We knew the way Kellie described Selma’s unique style and authentic way of living was perfectly in line with the types of product experiences true to the Opry. We’re excited to work with Kellie, and more artists in the future, all of whom will have their own influences and unique connections to the Opry.”

Selma Drye by Kellie Pickler is available online and in both Grand Ole Opry retail stores.

YouTube video

Robertson Family Adds ‘Musical’ To Dynasty

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duckdynasty

The Robertson Family‘s unlikely rise to fame as reality television stars featured on A&E’s Duck Dynasty now includes a musical.

Duck Commander Musical opens tonight, Wednesday, April 15 in the Crown Theater at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The musical is a tale of faith, food, family and the pursuit of the American dream based on the best-selling book The Duck Commander Family, written by Korie and her husband, Willie, CEO of the family’s Duck Commander empire. The 90-minute musical features an original score that fuses country, rock, gospel and pop, performed by a seven-piece band.

“Our theater agent had read the book and came to us with the idea,” Korie reflects. “We loved the concept because it’s an inspiring story of faith, love, and family– through the good times and the bad– and it’s something the entire family can see in Las Vegas.”

Tony Award-nominated director Jeff Calhoun directed and choreographed “Duck Commander Musical.” Asa Somers wrote the book and Steven Morris, Robert Morris and Joe Shane wrote the score. The cast includes Broadway veterans Mimi Bessette as Miss Kay, Ben Thompson as Willie, Tad Wilson as Phil and Russell Arden Koplin as Missy.

The Robertsons spent time working with the cast to make sure the experience is as authentic as possible for fans and newcomers alike.

Click here for ticket information, behind-the-scenes footage and photos.

Going Once, Twice, Sold! Leaders To Offer Time To Highest Bidder

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charitybuzzLeaders from a variety of industry segments will offer their time and advice as part of Leadership Music’s annual online auction.

Numerous Leadership Music alumni have donated an hour of their time to share industry expertise with the highest bidders.

Those taking part include: record label executives Mike Dungan (UMG), John Esposito (WMG), Jim Catino (Sony) and Jim Ed Norman (Curb); entrepreneur and mentor Joe Galante; publishers Cindy Forman (UMG) and John Ozier (ole); booking agent Jeff Gregg (CAA); Mike Sistad from ASCAP and Mark Mason from BMI; artist manager Tom Lord; the CMA’s Sarah Trahern; musicians Jonathan Yudkin and Dave Pomeroy; songwriters Tom Douglas, Brett James and Victoria Shaw; performance coach Bill Cakmis; Erika Wollam Nichols from the legendary Bluebird Café; and IEBA’s Pam Matthews.

The auction will continue until April 23. Proceeds will benefit Leadership Music’s annual Program for established industry leaders.

Click here to bid on any of the music industry experiences.

 

Garth Brooks Announces Tour Stop In Tennessee

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Garth KnoxvilleGarth Brooks has announced he will be bringing his world tour to Knoxville, Tennessee for the first time in 18 years.

Trisha Yearwood will also be part of the shows that will take place at the Thompson Boling Arena on Friday May 29 and Saturday May 30. Both shows are scheduled to start at 7:30pm.

Tickets will go on sale Friday, April 24th at 10:00 AM EST. There will be an eight-ticket limit per purchase and tickets can only be be purchased at www.KnoxvilleTickets.com/Garth or 1-844-4GarthB (1-844-442-7842). No tickets will be sold at the venue box office or outlets on April 24th.

Tickets will cost $69.23 plus a $5.75 service charge for a total of $74.98.