Artist Pics: Luke Bryan, The Swon Brothers, Chelsea Bain

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CID Presents held its inaugural Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa in Riviera Maya, Mexico, Jan. 23-27. Performances by country superstars Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell, Dustin Lynch, Eric Paslay, Chris Stapleton, Kelleigh Bannen, and DJ Rock, kept the four-night, all-inclusive tropical party going.

Luke Bryan Performing at Inaugural CID Presents Crash My Playa Photo: Crash My Playa/aLIVE Coverage

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Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line On Stage at CID Presents Crash My Playa Photo: Crash My Playa/aLIVE Coverage

Guests Enjoying the Sights and Sounds of CID Presents Crash My Playa Photo: Crash My Playa/aLIVE Coverage

The Swon Brothers joined Maddie & Tae and Sam Hunt for the Smokin’ New Country event at Bub City in Chicago on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Pictured (L-R): Maddie & Tae, Colton Swon, WUSN MD Marci Braun, Zach Swon, WUSN PD Jeff Kapugi, Sam Hunt

Pictured (L-R): Maddie & Tae, Colton Swon, WUSN MD Marci Braun, Zach Swon, WUSN PD Jeff Kapugi, Sam Hunt

Rising country singer/songwriter Chelsea Bain recently spent time in the downtown area of her native Phoenix to see how her home town has been transformed by the NFL and Super Bowl XLIX. On Sunday Feb. 1, she will perform at the NFL Game Day Fan Plaza just outside of University of Phoenix Stadium, and she has been added to perform at Saturday’s Celebrity Flag Football Challenge at Surprise Stadium.

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Chelsea checks out the football field in the Phoenix convention center, where she will be performing this evening as part of the NFL Experience Engineered By GMC.

MusicRow Panel Stations Nominated For ACM Awards

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Don Jarrett

KTHK/Idaho Falls, Don Jarrett

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WXFL/Florence, AL, M. Fletcher Brown

Congratulations to both KTHK/Idaho Falls, Idaho, and WXFL/Florence, Ala., for being nominated for the ACM Small Market Station Of The Year.

Both stations are valued members of the MusicRow Panel.

“I couldn’t be more proud of what my team has done in the last two years,” says KTHK’s Don Jarrett. “We are so grateful to have owners and management that have allowed us to fulfill our vision for The Hawk! Beyond excited to be nominated for an ACM Award…its a dream come true.”

In addition to being nominated for Small Market Station of the Year, WXFL’s M. Fletcher Brown is also up for Small Market Personality of the Year.

“My GM saw it before I did, and paged me to his office! I just knew I was fired!” explains Brown. “I am unbelievably honored to be nominated, and couldn’t be prouder of my entire staff for their dedication to what we do! Thank you, ACM!”

The radio awards will be presented during the annual Radio Winners Reception held the day prior to the ACM Awards telecast, on Saturday, April 18 in Arlington, Texas.

The ACM Awards will take place on Sunday, April 19 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and will air LIVE starting at 7 p.m./Central on CBS Television Network.

Weekly Chart Report (1/30/15)

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

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BREAKING NEWS: ACM Awards Nominations Revealed

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Entertainer of the Year Nominees

The Academy of Country Music began revealing the final nominees this morning (Friday, Jan. 30) for the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards, via its social media outlets.

Miranda Lambert is this year’s leading nominee, with eight nominations, including an Entertainer of the Year nod. She picked up her ninth nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year; she is the current record holder for the most consecutive wins in that category.

Dierks Bentley received seven nominations, followed Florida Georgia Line with five nominations. Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney each earned four nominations, while Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and Kacey Musgraves earned three apiece.

Rounding out the coveted Entertainer of the Year category are Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, and legendary entertainer Garth Brooks. Brooks holds the record for the most number of wins in this category. If he wins, it will mark his seventh Entertainer win. This also marks the first Entertainer nomination for Florida Georgia Line.

Dierks Bentley cements his first Single Record of the Year and Video of the Year nominations, both for “Drunk On A Plane.” He is also up for Vocal Event of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (for Riser), and is nominated twice in the Song of the Year category for “I Hold On,” as both songwriter and artist.

First-time ACM nominees this year include Jaren Johnston (two nominations: Album of the Year, producer for Dierks Bentley’s Riser and Vocal Event of the Year, for “The South”), Chris Stapleton (nominated as a songwriter in the Song of the Year category for “Drink A Beer”), Brothers Osborne (Vocal Duo of the Year), Maddie & Tae (Vocal Duo of the Year), The Cadillac Three (Vocal Event of the Year for “The South”), and The Swon Brothers ( Vocal Duo of the Year).

The awards show will take place April 19 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan return to co-host the event.

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Miranda Lambert
Florida Georgia Line

Vocal Event of the Year
Lonely Tonight – Blake Shelton Featuring Ashley Monroe, Producer: Scott Hendricks, Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
Meanwhile Back At Mama’s – Tim McGraw Featuring Faith Hill,  Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw, Record Label: Big Machine Records
Somethin’ Bad – Miranda Lambert Duet With Carrie Underwood, Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, Record Label: RCA Nashville
The South – The Cadillac Three Featuring Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley & Mike Eli, Producers: Dann Huff, Justin Niebank, Record Label: Big Machine Records
This Is How We Roll – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Luke Bryan, Producer: Joey Moi, Record Label: Republic Nashville

Video of the Year
American Kids – Kenny Chesney. Director: Shaun Silva, Producer: Don Lepore
Cop Car – Keith Urban, Director: John Urbano, Producer: Michelle Abnet
Drunk On A Plane – Dierks Bentley, Director: Wes Edwards, Producer: Clarke Gallivan
I’m Not Gonna Miss You – Glen Campbell, Director: James Keach, Producer: Julian Raymond
Somethin’ Bad – Miranda Lambert Duet With Carrie Underwood, Director: Trey Fanjoy, Producer: Trent Hardville

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Male Vocalist of the Year (tie)
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton

Female Vocalist of the Year
Brandy Clark
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
The Swon Brothers

New Artist of the Year (currently open for fan voting)
Brett Eldredge
Tyler Farr
Sam Hunt
Kip Moore
Thomas Rhett
Chase Rice
Cole Swindell
Dan + Shay

Album of the Year

Old Boots, New Dirt, Jason Aldean
Producer: Michael Knox
Record Label: Broken Bow Records

Pain Killer, Little Big Town
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

Platinum, Miranda Lambert
Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville

Riser, Dierks Bentley
Producers: Ross Copperman, Jaren Johnston
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

The Outsiders, Eric Church
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville

Single Record of the Year (awarded to artist/producers/record company)

“American Kids” Kenny Chesney
Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
Record Label: Blue Chair Records/Columbia Nashville

“Automatic” Miranda Lambert
Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville

“Dirt” Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Republic Nashville

“Drunk On A Plane” Dierks Bentley
Producer: Ross Copperman
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

“I Don’t Dance” Lee Brice
Producer: Lee Brice
Record Label: Curb Records

Song of the Year (awarded to songwriters/publishers/artists)
American Kids – Kenny Chesney, Songwriters: Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally
Publishers: Big Red Toe Music (BMI), Creative Nation Music (BMI), Farm Town Songs (BMI), Smack Ink (ASCAP), Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Twangin And Slangin Songs (BMI), Universal Music Corporation (ASCAP)

Automatic – Miranda Lambert, Songwriters: Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), Wruckestrike (BMI)

Drink A Beer – Luke Bryan, Songwriters: Jim Beavers, Chris Stapleton
Publishers: House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

Follow Your Arrow – Kacey Musgraves
Songwriters: Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
Publishers: 351 Music (BMI), Highway 508 Songs (ASCAP), House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Smack Ink (ASCAP), Universal Music Corporation (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

Give Me Back My Hometown – Eric Church
Songwriters: Eric Church, Luke Laird
Publishers: Creative Nation Music (BMI), Longer And Louder Music (BMI), Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Twangin And Slangin Songs (BMI)

I Hold On – Dierks Bentley
Songwriters: Dierks Bentley, Brett James
Publishers: Atlas Holdings (ASCAP), Big White Tracks (ASCAP), External Combustion Music (ASCAP), Songs of Brett (ASCAP), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

Radio category nominations and the Songwriter of the Year nominees were previously announced Thursday, Jan. 29.

Sam Hunt Set To Headline Nashville Benefit Concert

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Sam Hunt

Sam Hunt

MCA Nashville artist Sam Hunt will headline The 6th Annual CountryMusicIsLove Concert Benefiting The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF). The event will take place Monday, Feb. 23 at The Listening Room Cafe in Nashville. Tickets are on sale now.

Other artists announced to perform include Jana Kramer, The Swon Brothers, Old Dominion, Austin Webb and more. The doors will open at 6 p.m., with the concert beginning at 7 p.m.  Nashville’s Song Suffragettes will kick-start the evening of performances with an all-female songwriters round.

All proceeds from the concert will be donated to The Children’s Heart Foundation, the country’s leading national organization solely committed to congenital heart research funding. The goal of the foundation is to bring health, hope and happiness to children and families impacted by congenital heart defects.

In previous years, artists such as Kip Moore, Dustin Lynch, Brett Eldredge, Chase Rice, Thompson Square, Craig Campbell, have performed at the annual concert.

 

ACM Announces Radio Awards Categories Nominees

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ACMThe Academy of Country Music has revealed nominees in several radio categories for the 2015 Academy of Country Music Awards, including ACM Broadcast Personality of the Year, and ACM Radio Station of the Year.

The National ACM Broadcast Personality of the Year nominees include:  Big D and Bubba of “The Big D & Bubba Show” (Compass Networks), Cody Alan of “CMT After Midnite” (Premiere Networks), Crook and Chase of “The Crook and Chase Countdown” (Premiere Networks), Lia Knight of “The Lia Show” (Westwood One), and Shawn Parr and Elaina Smith of “Nash Nights Live” (Cumulus Media).

Two MusicRow panel radio stations are in the running for this year’s Academy of Country Music radio nominations. WXFL in Florence, Ala., earned two radio nominations, including ACM Small Market Radio Station of the Year, while M. Fletcher Brown with WXFL earned a nomination for ACM Broadcast Personality of the Year (Small Market). KTHK in Idaho Falls, Idaho was also nominated for ACM Small Market Radio Station of the Year.

See below for a full listing of nominees.

ACM Broadcast Personality Of The Year

National
“The Big D & Bubba Show,” (Big D, Bubba, Patrick Thomas), Compass Networks
“Cmt After Midnite” (Cody Alan), Premiere Networks
“The Crook And Chase Countdown”, (Crook And Chase), Premiere Networks
“The Lia Show”, (Lia Knight), Westwood One
“Nash Nights Live”, (Shawn Parr, Elaina Smith), Cumulus Media

Major Market
“Ben & Matt”, Knix/Phoenix, Iheartmedia
“Dave & Veronica”, Wqyk/Tampa, Beasley
“Lisa Dent & Ramblin’ Ray”, Wusn/Chicago, Cbs Radio
“Razz On The Radio”, Wxtu/Philadelphia, Cbs Radio
“Tanner In The Morning, Wsoc/Charlotte, Beasley

Large Market
“Aj & Ashley”, Wwka/Orlando, Cox Media
“The Big Dave Show”, Wube/Cincinnati, Hubbard Broadcasting
“Dave O’brien”, Wlhk/Indianapolis, Emmis Communications
“Q Morning Crew”, Wqdr/Raleigh, Curtis Media Group
“The Odd Squad”, Ckry/Calgary, Ab, Corus Radio

Medium Market
“97 Country Breakfast Club”, Wpcv/Lakeland, Fl, Hall Communications
“Buzz Jackson”, Kiim/Tucson, Cumulus Media
“Cash And Carey”, Kwen/Tulsa, Cox Media
“The Kat 103 Morning Show”, Kxkt/Omaha, Iheartmedia
“Wynn & Wilson”, Wqmx/Akron, Rubber City Radio

Small Market
“Good Morning Guys”, Kuad/Ft. Collins-Greeley, Co, Townsquare Media
“Gator, Styckman, & Cowboy Kyle”, Wusy/Chattanooga, Iheartmedia
“M. Fletcher Brown”, Wxfl/Florence, Al, Big River Broadcasting
“Philip Gibbons”, Wgsq/Cookeville, Tn, Cookeville Communications
“Scotty & Cara In The Morning”, Kclr/Columbia, Mo, Zimmer Radio

 

ACM Radio Station Of The Year

Major Market
Knix/Phoenix, Iheartmedia
Wil/St. Louis, Hubbard Broadcasting
Wklb/Boston, Greater Media
Wsoc/Charlotte, Beasley
Wusn/Chicago, Cbs Radio

Large Market
Ckry/Calgary, Ab, Corus Radio
Kaja/San Antonio, Iheartmedia
Wmil/Milwaukee, Iheartmedia
Wube/Cincinnati, Hubbard Broadcasting
Wwka/Orlando, Cox Media

Medium Market
Kuzz-Am/Fm/Bakersfield, Owens One
Kxkt/Omaha, Iheartmedia
Wcyq/Knoxville, Journal Broadcast Group
Wqmx/Akron, Rubber City Radio
Wyrk/Buffalo, Townsquare Media

Small Market
Kclr/Columbia, Mo, Zimmer Radio
Kthk/Idaho Falls, Id, Riverbend Communications
Wgsq/Cookeville, Tn, Cookeville Communications
Wxfl/Florence, Al, Big River Broadcasting
Wyct/Pensacola, Fl, Adx Communications

Kalatech Named Winner in Sixth Annual Nashville Technology Council Awards

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Back Row: Brian Huddleston (Nashville Tech Council) Debby Farmer (DevDigital) Will Hackett (Kalatech), Josh Griffin (DevDigital.) Front Row: Mitch Ballard (DevDigital), Brittany Wegusen (Kalatech), Melissa Hollis (Kalatech), Max Black (Kalatech), Peter Marcum (DevDigital)

Back Row: Brian Huddleston (Nashville Tech Council) Debby Farmer (DevDigital) Will Hackett (Kalatech), Josh Griffin (DevDigital.) Front Row: Mitch Ballard (DevDigital), Brittany Wegusen (Kalatech), Melissa Hollis (Kalatech), Max Black (Kalatech), Peter Marcum (DevDigital)

Kalatech, a cloud-based platform for music professionals in the touring, booking and publishing industries, won “Early Stage Company of the Year” at the sixth annual Nashville Technology Council Awards, held Thursday at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Kalatech serves some of the Nashville music industry’s best-known artists, songwriters, and industry members, including artists such as Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, songwriters including Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark, and Tony Conway of booking agency Conway Entertainment Group. Kalatech, a subsidiary of programming and development firm DevDigital, is headed by Brittany Wegusen, one of the small-but-growing number of young, female IT entrepreneurs making waves in the Nashville music business scene.

“Since launching in May 2014, we’ve experienced rapid growth, and we now have more than 70 clients,” Wegusen said. “We think our company really embodies the spirit of the Early Stage Company award. We hope to be able to make more announcements in 2015 about big-name clients and new products that will continue to help companies in the music business run more efficiently and effectively.”

In addition to running the day-to-day operations at Kalatech, Wegusen will also serve as a speaker and mentor for the startups selected for the Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s Project Music program, a 14-week program that began Jan. 18.

Winners at the NTC awards.

Winners at the NTC awards.

Oak Ridge Boys Visit George H.W. Bush

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Pictured (L-R) front: William Lee Golden, President George H.W. Bush, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban. Standing: Duane Allen, Darrick Kinslow, Barbara Bush & Darrell Bowling).

Pictured (L-R) front: William Lee Golden, President George H.W. Bush, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban. Standing: Duane Allen, Darrick Kinslow, Barbara Bush & Darrell Bowling.

The Oak Ridge Boys had the privilege of spending time visiting with President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush during a recent trip to Houston, Texas.

Members of the country vocal group, including their tour manager and friend were “honor[ed with a] great visit,” in the words of tenor Joe Bonsall.

The 41st President of the United States experienced health problems during christmas but was seen skydiving in June 2014 to celebrate his 90th birthday.

EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS: ACM Announces 2015 Songwriter Of The Year Nominees

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ACMThe Academy of Country Music has revealed the nominees for its Songwriter of the Year Award exclusively with MusicRow.

Rodney Clawson, Ashley Gorley, Luke Laird, Josh Osborne, and Chris Tompkins are the five finalists.

The Songwriter of the Year honor will be presented during the 9th annual ACM Honors event, to take place Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015 in Nashville.

During last year’s 8th annual ACM Honors event, Shane McAnally was named Songwriter of the Year, and feted with a performance by Kelly Clarkson, Kacey Musgraves, and Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott.

The remainder of the nominees for the 50th Academy of Country Music awards will be revealed Friday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 a.m. CT via the ACM’s social media sites.

The 50th Academy of Country Music Awards will be presented live from AT&T Stadium on Sunday, April 19 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Television Network.

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ACM Songwriter of the Year nominees (L-R): Chris Tompkins, Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Josh Osborne and Ashley Gorley

Industry Ink: Borman Entertainment, Gold Mountain Entertainment, AIMP

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Borman Entertainment Moves To New Nashville Location

bormanThe Nashville office of artist management firm Borman Entertainment has moved to The Tower at Renaissance in downtown Nashville, taking up residence on the building’s 26th floor.

The company’s new address is 611 Commerce Street, Suite 2602; Nashville, TN 37203. Phone numbers remain the same: 615-320-3000 (phone) and 615-320-3001 (fax).

Borman Entertainment has locations in Los Angeles and Nashville, and represents Keith Urban, Alison Krauss, Mickey Guyton, and Clayton Anderson from its Nashville office.

 

Gold Mountain Entertainment Adds To Artist Roster

Front Country Band

Front Country Band

The Nashville office of Gold Mountain Entertainment has signed band Front Country to their roster. They join Gold Mountain Nashville’s roster, which includes Ronnie Milsap, Nanci Griffith, The Crickets, Todd Snider, Hard Working Americans, Jeff Austin, Great American Taxi and Jason D. Williams.

Front Country formed in 2011, and includes Adam Roszkiewicz, Jacob Groopman, Jordan Klein, Leif Karlstrom, Melody Walker, and Zach Sharpe. The group recently released the project Sake of the Sound, and will begin their national and international tour in February 2015.

 

AIMP Panel is ‘All About That Bass’

AIMP LogoThe Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville announces its first panel of 2015 to be held Feb. 18 at the ASCAP’s Connie Bradley Board Room from 11:30am-1:30pm.  A case study of Meghan Trainor and the song “All About That Bass,” publishers Carla Wallace and Kerry O’Neil of Big Yellow Dog Music will talk about how the song became a hit, its successes and how this translates into publishing.

With sponsorship by Fifth Third Bank and ASCAP, this event will is free for AIMP members and $15 for guests. Pre-registration is required and can be done here.