Live Nation To Operate Nashville Riverfront Amphitheater

/by

A rendering of Nashville's riverfront amphitheater

A rendering of Nashville’s riverfront amphitheater


Live Nation will operate Nashville’s riverfront amphitheater, which is slated to open in 2015, according to The Tennessean. Ryman Hospitality held the runner-up bid.
Red Light Management, the Nashville Predators, and the Nashville Symphony were Live Nation’s partners in bidding for the amphitheater operations. Red Light Management will provide business direction and programming strategy, and will facilitate the development of festivals and special events. The Predators, which also operates Bridgestone Arena, will oversee event staffing, corporate sponsorships and premium seat sales.
The amphitheater, located on the Cumberland River’s west bank, has a capacity of 6,800. The city can reportedly limit the amphitheater to 20 events per year, with an additional 10 civic events. The amphitheater will also be the summer home for the Nashville Symphony.
“I am confident that the Symphony’s future performances at the amphitheater will allow us to continue our mission of delivering outstanding music to Middle Tennessee audiences and assure the Nashville Symphony’s place as one of the nation’s top orchestras,” Symphony CEO Alan Valentine said.
Live Nation owns and operates 150 music venues worldwide and more than 50 U.S. amphitheaters. The company owned and operated Nashville’s Starwood Amphitheater prior to its closing in 2007.

DISClaimer: A Radio Slot For The Good Ol' Boys

/by

jason d williams1

Jason D. Williams


The good ol’ boys are back in full force.
With this week’s announcement that Taylor Swift’s next album is completely aimed at pop listeners, that leaves us with exactly two major female solo country stars, Carrie and Miranda. They are, coincidentally, current duet partners, so that opens up one more radio slot for a male.
How much longer can this go on?
On the plus side, we have some very worthy newcomers to report this week. One is Casper McWade. A Google search revealed that he is from Oklahoma and that his band is called The Honky Tonk Rebels. All I really know is that he is a sensational country vocalist and that his “Whiskey” song is a gem. What he needs is some first class representation, publicity and promotion.
Daniel Lee is also making his debut this week. He shows definite promise. And then there is our DisCovery Award winner, handsome, 21-year-old, Texas native Chase Bryant. Lend him your ears as well.
It has been way too long since we’ve heard from Jason D. Williams. The wild man wins the Disc of the Day prize.
BERNIE NELSON/If I Know Blue
Writers: Bernie Nelson/Jess Brown; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Dumpster Diver/Jess Brown; ASCAP/BMI; If I Know Blue
-I remain a big, big fan of this big, big talent. Nelson is best known for writing successes for others, and if you want a helping of his latest should-be hits, check out his new Blue CD. This title tune is the best George Strait ballad that superstar never recorded. Heart touching and oh-so country. If you’ve ever loved a dog, prepare to get choked up.
Chase Bryant. Photo: Justin Nolan Key

Chase Bryant. Photo: Justin Nolan Key


LENNY COOPER/Lights On
Writers: L. Cooper/J. Spillner/J. Sciullo/T. Wood; Producers: J. Sciullo; Publishers: Riley Payton/DJKO Phivesttarr/Average ZJS/Nettwerk Arias/Revel In It/Burn Card, SESAC/BMI; Average Joes
-Cooper is back with another stack of back-road, mud-digger ditties. The first single from his The Grind CD is this drawled drinkin’ song. In brief, he’s still rocking after “last call,” so he doesn’t care what time it is. The song is more spoken than sung, but with this guy, it’s the attitude that counts.
BILL WENCE/Songs That Make Me Think About You
Writers: Nathan Adam Johnson; Producers: Bill Wence/Joe Funderburk; Publishers: Fortunate, ASCAP; 615 (track)
-Decades after beginning his career, Wence is still out there playing piano behind Bobby Bare and Wanda Jackson. Also, in addition to being a prolific record promoter, he is still making records, himself. This title tune to his latest is a jaunty, beach-y bopper.
RAY STEVENS/Swing Down Chariot/Swing Low Sweet Chariot medley
Writers: traditional; Producer: Ray Stevens; Publisher: Ray Stevens Music (arr.), BMI; Clyde/Gaither
-At age 75, Stevens has been on a tear lately. His memoir, Ray Stevens Nashville, is selling well, and he’s back on disc with a gospel collection. The latter kicks off with this toe-tapping arrangement of two standards that are already lively. One of the most remarkable things about it is the fact that the chorus that backs him and adds so much to the arrangement is evidently comprised of his own, multi-tracked self.
PHILIP CLAYPOOL/Come On Back Home
Writers: Philip Claypool/John Swatner; Producer: Michael Lloyed; Publisher: Heyday/Swat, BMI; Heyday (track)
-The title tune of Claypool’s latest is an uptempo country bopper. The song might be lively, but the lyric is a yearning plea for a lover to return. Listenable.
JASON D. WILLIAMS/Hillbillies and Holy Rollers
Writers: Jason D. Williams/Dale Watson; Producer: Dale Watson; Publishers: none listed; Rockabilly (track)
-Considering how much this charming ball of energy’s sound harkens back to the classic days of rockabilly music, it comes as a surprise to learn that his new CD is the first he has recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis. The title tune is a rollicking honky tonker embellished by his Jerry Lee -style piano flourishes and confident, echo-chamber vocals. As the title suggests, it is equal parts church and barroom. Ya gotta love this guy.
CASPER McWADE/Whiskey
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Cabin Creek
-I like his resonant baritone delivery, and the song is well crafted. The pace drags just a little. But the release’s biggest problem is its lack of information. I’d like to know who this guy is and who wrote the song, and the packaging offers zero about either one.
DANIEL LEE/Backwood Tobacco
Writers: Daniel Lee/Lynn Hutton/John Henderson; Producer: Shannon Houchins & Noah Gordon; Publishers: Daniel Lee/House of Sea Gayle/Words & Music/Bug/Murrah/BMG, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joes
-Like everything else on this label, this rocks strenuously. For a change, however, the label’s disc features someone who can actually sing. An extremely promising debut. Keep it up.
SILO ROAD/4 Quarters
Writers: Broome/Swindle; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Cabin Creek
-Incompetently recorded. Find a producer.
CHASE BRYANT/Take It On Back
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Red Bow (ERG)
-I am told this youngster put on a fine show during CMA Music Fest. At any rate, he’s now being featured in Teen Vogue and is making his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday. His single is an upbeat, nostalgic ditty that recalls young love to the accompaniment of a catchy rhythm track, rippling banjo, snazzy electric guitar breaks, occasional electro effects and some harmonizing backup singers. Clap hands and sing along.

Weekly Register: Sam Hunt Drops "X2C"

/by

Sam Hunt

Sam Hunt


X2C, the digital EP from UMGN’s Sam Hunt entered the Country album chart this week with sales of 8.1K to land at No. 5, driven largely by the success of his debut single “Leave The Night On.”
On the overall tracks chart, “All About that Bass” by Big Yellow Dog songwriter Meghan Trainor sold 239K, booming at the top for another week.
Kenny  Chesney scored the top Country track debut with “Flora Bama” surfing in with 29K.
Taylor Swift confirmed Tuesday that her Oct. 27 release, 1989, will be her first official pop album—meaning its sales numbers, which are likely to be huge, won’t count toward Country’s album sales tally.
At this point, Country album sales are down -19.4 percent compared to last year, having sold 18.7 million units YTD. (By comparison, overall album sales are down -14.5 percent.) Can Country’s major releases help the genre’s album sales total rebound before year’s end? The line up includes: Aug. 25 Brad Paisley; Sept. 9 Lee Brice, Dustin Lynch; Sept. 16 Tim McGraw; Sept. 23 Kenny Chesney; Sept. 30 Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton; Oct. 7 Jason Aldean; Oct. 14 Florida Georgia Line; Oct. 21 Little Big Town; and a Garth Brooks project expected around Thanksgiving.
Top 5 Country Albums TW
Luke Bryan, 19K
Brantley Gilbert, 12K
Miranda Lambert, 12K
FGL, 10K
Sam Hunt, 8.1K
Top 5 Country Tracks TW
Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down” 93K
FGL, “Dirt” 70K
Kenny Chesney, “American Kids” 70K
Dierks Bentley “Drunk on a Plane” 49K
Lady Antebellum, “Bartender” 46K
Country track sales lag -18.7 percent compared to last year, having sold 93.4 million. Overall track sales are down -12.8 percent.

Trisha Yearwood Reveals New Music On The Way

/by

Gary Overton, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville and RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood

Gary Overton, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville and RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood


Grammy Award-winning vocalist Trisha Yearwood has signed with Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Nashville and announced that her twelfth studio album will be titled PrizeFighter. The news was shared August 19 at The Cordelle during an evening of food and music with friends and industry colleagues.
After Sony Music Nashville’s Gary Overton announced Yearwood’s roster appointment (and the launch of her own Gwendolyn Records imprint), Yearwood offered an acoustic performance of four songs with Johnny Garcia (guitar) and Steve Cox (keys), including two new tracks (the bluesy “Your Husband’s Cheating On Us” and the poignant “I Remember You”) along with the Karyn Rochelle-penned “Cowboys Are My Weakness” from Yearwood’s Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love album, and her 1992 hit “Wrong Side of Memphis.” Yearwood will join her husband not only as a labelmate but for the Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood which kicks off in Chicago on Sept. 4.
Several songwriters were in the audience, including Matraca Berg, Sarah Buxton, Sara Haze, Brad Rempel, Jessi Alexander, and duo Joey+Rory’s Rory Lee Feek and Joey Martin Feek.
The event also celebrated the start of the fifth season of her Emmy Award-winning Food Network series, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, which debuts on Saturday, 8/23; plans for a third cookbook; her own line of cutlery, Precious Metals cookware; and a partnership with Hellmann’s. With Yearwood’s ever-growing cooking career, it was no surprise that the catering was delicious. Most of the scrumptious hors d’oeuvres were from Yearwood’s own recipes.
“Trisha Yearwood is a tremendous recording artist who has enjoyed much success in everything she has done,” commented Doug Morris, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment. “She is a talent like no other, and I am pleased to welcome her to the Sony Music family for the next chapter of her exciting music career.”
RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood performing new music and hits at tonight’s (Aug. 19) event in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser

RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood performing new music and hits at tonight’s (Aug. 19) event in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser


Sony Music Nashville chairman & CEO, Gary Overton shared, “Trisha Yearwood is one of Country music’s brightest stars. Her versatility and passion have put her at the forefront of countless industries—but first and foremost, Trisha is an unparalleled recording artist who has sold millions of albums and is respected as one of the greatest female vocalists in Country music. We’re honored to welcome her to the RCA Nashville family, and look forward to her fans hearing her highly-anticipated new music.”

“I can’t even find the right words to express how excited I am to be releasing new music! I chose the title PrizeFighter because it feels like an anthem for all of us,” said Yearwood. “It’s about fighting for what you believe in, and never giving up, even when it’s hard. It’s a message we all need to hear. I’m so looking forward to working with the amazing staff at Sony. Music is what feeds my soul, and I’m grateful to them for giving me the chance to share what I love.”

Throughout five seasons on Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, Yearwood has uniquely folded musical elements and performances into her Food Network show. “Of Trisha’s many talents, there can be no doubt,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior VP, Food Network. “In Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, it is Trisha’s devotion to friends and family, her Southern hospitality and her passion for cooking that resonate so strongly with our audience. Viewers love spending time ‘in the kitchen’ with her as she cooks and entertains with her signature down-to-earth charm, playful humor and deliciously appealing warmth.”

RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood performing new music and hits at tonight’s (Aug. 19) event in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser

RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood performing new music and hits at tonight’s (Aug. 19) event in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser


Bob Tuschman, General Manager/Senior VP for Food Network, shares his first meeting with Yearwood at RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood Announcement event at The Cordelle (Aug. 19) in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser

Bob Tuschman, General Manager/Senior VP for Food Network, recalls his first meeting with Yearwood during the event at The Cordelle (Aug. 19) in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser


Media and members of the music industy join RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood at The Cordelle (Aug. 19) in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser

Media and members of the music industy join RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood at The Cordelle (Aug. 19) in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser

MusicRowPics: Robby Johnson

/by

Robby Johnson visit

Robby Johnson visit


Independent artist Robby Johnson has notched some impressive milestones. His single “South of Me” reached No. 20 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart. Tonight, he will perform the song on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman. The video for “South of Me” garnered nearly three million views on YouTube.
Johnson grew up in Canada, but says he fell in love with everything American, especially the music of artists including Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Though Johnson’s native language is French, he learned English through immersing himself in English-language television programming as a child.
Nearly three years ago, his wife purchased a demo session for Johnson as a Christmas gift. While recording in the studio, the musicians recognized his vocal talent and urged him to make the move to Nashville. In 2012, he relocated his music and business operations to Music City, where he began writing songs and networking.
The singer-songwriter visited MusicRow‘s office to preview songs from his upcoming 12-song project. Johnson collaborated with Jimmy Nichols (Faith Hill, Reba) and Frank Myers. He offered acoustic takes on “South of Me,” “Every Little Everything,” and a cover of Brooks’ classic “The Dance,” which Johnson performed in his native French.
[slide]

Product Partnerships: Lucas Hoge, Veronica Ballestrini

/by

lucas hoge2Nashville singer-songwriter Lucas Hoge has teamed with PUREFactory Naturals-Flip Flop Collection and Sandals For Your Neck for a number of specialty cross-promotions and giveaways.
The venture ties with Hoge’s new single, titled “Flip Flops,” co-written by Hoge and JD Wood.

• • •

Veronica Ballestrini. Photo: Mackenzie LaRoe

Veronica Ballestrini. Photo: Mackenzie LaRoe


Singer-songwriter Veronica Ballestrini has been named a brand ambassador for Davy Crockett’s Cookies & Cream Whiskey, based in Gatlinburg, Tenn. “I’m so thrilled to be entering into this partnership with Davy Crockett’s distillery,” says Ballestrini. “I not only have a single that I’m proud to be delivering to my friends at radio, but I also have some great whiskey that I’m packin’. My friends at radio better watch out—they haven’t tasted any whiskey like this!”
Ballestrini’s single, “Cookies and Cream” is featured on her sophomore album, Flip Side, which released June 17. Ballestrini co-wrote all 11 tracks on the project.
Chuck Edwards of Davy Crockett’s Whiskey added, “Davy Crockett’s Cookies and Cream Whiskey is proud to be partnering with Veronica. Her strong social media presence and her ability to connect with her fans, along with the release of her single ‘Cookies and Cream,’ made a partnership with her just seem natural.”

Industry Pics: BMI, Grand Ole Opry

/by

BMI recently hosted a songwriter mixer on Aug. 12 which took place at their Nashville offices in their Writer/Publisher lobby. More than 75 writers attended the event and enjoyed dinner and drinks while networking with other songwriters and setting up future collaborations.

Pictured (L-R): BMI's Perry Howard, songwriter Matt Chase, BMI's Leslie Roberts, songwriter James McNair

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Perry Howard, songwriter Matt Chase, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, songwriter James McNair.

 • • •

The Grand Ole Opry welcomed internet sensation EmiSunshine to its stage on Tuesday, Aug. 5. The 10-year old, who hails from Madisonville, Tenn., recorded her first two albums at age 7 and has a new album out now, Black Sunday ’35. In addition to making her Opry debut she also recently appeared on the Today Show and performed at Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam at the Ryman this summer.

Pete Fisher with EmiSunshine. Photo: Chris Hollo

Grand Ole Opry’s Vice President and GM Pete Fisher with EmiSunshine. Photo: Chris Hollo

Target Retailers Score Swift's Deluxe Release

/by

Taylor-Swift-Deluxe-D.L.X-DLXTarget will be the exclusive retailer offering six additional tracks to Taylor Swift‘s recently announced 1989, an ’80s-inspired pop album due in stores Oct. 27.
The Minnesota-based box retailer will offer D.L.X., featuring three extra songs to consumers along with three voice memos, which Swift announced in the Aug. 18 livestream. For Canadian shoppers, Swift’s deluxe album will include just one of the exclusive songs and three voice memos.
“I’ve gotten a lot of questions about songwriting, about the process, about what happens when I get an idea,” Swift told fans in her livestream from New York City. “The first thing I do is grab my phone and either sit it on the edge of the piano or put it on my bed in front of my guitar and play whatever melody/gibberish that comes to my brain first. I’ve never released any of that before but I actually have three bonus tracks that are just voice memos from my phone. You’ll hear me singing an idea and melody and some words, an you’ll be able to go to the record to see what it ended up being when it was finished.”
Available for pre-buy at retailers including Amazon, the 13-track physical album includes a CD booklet designed by Swift and one of five collectable sets of 13 exclusive print photos, and also available with the 16-track D.L.X. Pre-order the D.L.X. at Target.com.
From TaylorSwift.com, fans are directed not only to Target, but to pre-order the 13-track digital album on iTunes, where a short behind-the-scenes video clip is available for viewing. The album’s first single “Shake It Off” is currently available for download.
Although Yahoo! hasn’t released viewership figures for the August 18th livestream, Swift’s “Shake It Off” music video received over 4.5 million on VEVO by the next day. Fans can share #1989ERS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Tumblr for a chance to “attend a top-secret event.” Additional 1989 promotions include the Swiftstakes. Exclusive album codes offer a chance to win one of 1989 items (250 sets of two tickets with meet and greets, 250 sets of 2 tickets, 300 autographed pictures, 300 1989 Tote bags, 389 specialty pick packs).

Industry Ink: AIMP, ACM, Nickel Creek

/by
Pictured: John Allen (BMG Chrysalis), Marc Driskill (AIMP Exec. Director/Sea Gayle), Kari Barnhart (5/3 Bank), Brian Brasher (Panelist), Lindsey Williams (Panelist), Randy Wachtler (Panlist), Brad Peterson (5/3 Bank), Hunter Williams (Production Music Association), Tim Fink (SESAC), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Paul Jones (Panelist) // Photo Credit: Misha Tristan

Pictured (L-R): John Allen (BMG Chrysalis), Marc Driskill (AIMP Exec. Director/Sea Gayle), Kari Barnhart (5/3 Bank), Brian Brasher (Panelist), Lindsey Williams (Panelist), Randy Wachtler (Panlist), Brad Peterson (5/3 Bank), Hunter Williams (Production Music Association), Tim Fink (SESAC), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Paul Jones (Panelist). Photo: Misha Tristan

aimpThe Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville and Fifth Third Bank hosted the Production Music Association for a sold out Production Music 101 panel on Aug. 6 at ASCAP’s Connie Bradley Board Room, getting insight and perspective from panelists Randy Wachtler (Warner/Chappell Production), Brian Brasher (Pitch Hammer Music), Paul Jones (Auralation Music) and Lindsey Williams (Composer/Really Big Bison Music) and moderated by Hunter Williams (PMA).

• • •

nickel creek1Nickel Creek‘s self-titled album, released in 2000, has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album was the trio’s first release through Sugar Hill Records, and earned them their first Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album and Best Country Instrumental for “Ode to a Butterfly.”
Nickel Creek was produced by Alison Krauss and engineered by Gary Paczosa, now Sugar Hill Records’ Vice President of A&R.

                                                       • • •

this is country1The Academy of Country Music has revealed the first ACM commemorative book, This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards. The 224-page book includes a foreword by Reba, and is written by the Academy’s Lisa Lee. Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Loretta Lynn, Alabama’s Randy Owen, Reba, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Marty Stuart, Kenny Chesney, Merle Haggard, Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and more contributed to the book.
This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards will release Tuesday, Sept. 23, and is available for pre-order at Amazon. Proceeds from the sales of the book go to ACM Lifting Lives.

Artist Updates: Joel Crouse, Alabama, Lindsay McCaul

/by
joel crouse11Show Dog-Universal artist Joel Crouse releases his debut studio album, Even The River Runs, today (Aug. 19). It is available for purchase on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.com.
Produced by Jamie Houston, the project includes Crouse’s lead single, “Don’t Tell Me.”
• • •
alabama111Alabama will release a Gospel album on Sept. 8. Angels Among Us: Hymns & Gospel Favorites: Deluxe Edition will be available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations and online at crackerbarrel.com. The digital album will be available at select digital retailers.
The deluxe edition will contain three exclusive tracks not found on the regular edition, which will release later in September on Gaither Music Group. Tracks on the deluxe version include “I Saw The Light,” “Because He Lives,” “Raising Alabama,” and other classics.
• • •
mccaul1Centricity Music artist Lindsay McCaul releases her sophomore project, One More Step, today (Aug. 19). She co-wrote the 11 songs on the project. She is set to join Jason Gray‘s With Every Act of Love Tour this fall, with labelmates Unspoken and Carrollton.