Shovels and Rope Lead Americana Nominations

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(L-R T Bone Burnett, Jim Lauderdale, Lisa Marie Presley, Elizabeth Cook, Americana Executive Director Jed Hilly, Buddy Miller)

Pictured at today’s announcement (L-R): T Bone Burnett, Jim Lauderdale, Lisa Marie Presley, Elizabeth Cook, Americana Executive Director Jed Hilly, Buddy Miller


Rising duo Shovels & Rope lead the nominees for the 2013 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards with four nominations. Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller follow closely with three nods each. Other nominees include Rodney Crowell, John Fullbright, Lauderdale, The Lumineers, JD McPherson, Milk Carton Kids, Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, Richard Thompson, and Dwight Yoakam.
The nominee announcement ceremony took place today (May 14) in Los Angeles at the Grammy Museum®. AXS TV broadcast the event, and will air an encore presentation tonight at 9PM ET/6PM PT.
Today’s celebration kicked off with an Americana tribute to George Jones featuring Miller and Lauderdale leading an all-star band comprised of Fats Kaplin, Brian Owings and Jay Weaver. The music continued with performances by Lisa Marie Presley with special guest T Bone Burnett, Elizabeth Cook and the Milk Carton Kids.
The Americana Honors & Awards, presented by Nissan, will return to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sept. 18, 2013, as part of the Americana Music Festival, running Sept. 18-22. The show, featuring Lauderdale as host and Miller leading the All-Star Band, will air live on AXS TV.
In more Americana news, the organization is developing a multistate tourism venture called the Americana Music Triangle. USA Today has the story.
 
Shovels and Rope

Shovels and Rope


2013 Americana Honors and Awards Nominees
Album of the Year
Buddy & Jim, Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale
Cheater’s Game, Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison
From The Ground Up, John Fullbright
O’ Be Joyful, Shovels & Rope
Old Yellow Moon, Emmylou Harris/Rodney Crowell
Song of the Year
“Birmingham,” Shovels & Rope
“Good Things Happen to Bad People,” Richard Thompson
“Ho Hey,” The Lumineers
“North Side Gal,” JD McPherson
Artist of the Year
Buddy Miller
Dwight Yoakam
Emmylou Harris
Richard Thompson
Emerging Artist of the Year
JD McPherson
John Fullbright
Milk Carton Kids
Shovels & Rope
Duo/Group of the Year
Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell
Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison
Shovels & Rope
Instrumentalist of the Year
Doug Lancio
Larry Campbell
Greg Leisz
Jay Bellerose
Mike Bub

Music City Eats Festival Coming to Nashville in September

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music city eats logo 111111Kings of Leon’s Nathan and Caleb Followill, Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and Andy Mendelsohn, Chef Jonathan Waxman and C3 Presents are set to debut Music City Eats: Nashville Food, Wine and Spirits Festival. The two-day festival will take place Sept. 21-22; tickets will go on sale Friday (May 17) at 10 a.m. CT at musiccityeats.com.
The festival will bring together restaurant showcases, cooking demonstrations, panel discussions, and wine, beer and spirits tastings.
Music City Eats features a lineup of prominent chefs, including: Erik Anderson & Josh Habiger (The Catbird Seat); Carey Bringle (Pegleg Porker); Matt Farley (The Southern); Sarah Gavigan (Otaku South); Joseph Lenn (The Barn at Blackberry Farm); Pat Martin (Martin’s Barbecue); Deb Paquette (Etch); Giovanni Pinato (Giovanni Ristorante); Barclay Stratton (Merchants); Tandy Wilson (City House); and more to be announced.
A signature event of Music City Eats is Saturday night (Sept. 21)’s Harvest Night presented by CITI and Petty Fest presented by Jameson at War Memorial Plaza and Auditorium. Paying tribute to the legendary music of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Petty Fest Nashville celebrates all things Petty, and will be hosted by the Kings of Leon and the Cabin Down Below band, along with many other very special guests.
Featured chefs at Harvest Night will include: John Besh (Besh Restaurant Group); Tom Colicchio (Craft Restaurants, Riverpark); Giada De Laurentiis (Chef, Author); Mike Lata (FIG, The Ordinary); Edward Lee (610 Magnolia, Milkwood); Donald Link (Herbsaint, Cochon, Butcher, Calcasieu, Peche); Tim Love (The Lonesome Dove, Queenie’s, Woodshed Smokehouse, Love Shack, White Elephant Saloon); Aaron Sanchez (Mestizo); Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun); Nancy Silverton (Pizzeria Mozza, Osteria Mozza);  Michael Symon (Lola, Lolita, Roast, B Spot); Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto); and Trisha Yearwood (Musician, Author).
“We love food as much as music and believe that Nashville can be a foodie haven if given the proper exposure to all of our great chef friends, which is why we are putting this festival on,” said Followill.

Hall of Fame Announces CMA Music Festival Events

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countrymusichalloffameThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is preparing for a busy week during the CMA Music Festival with several artist performances and autograph signing sessions.
Artists taking part in various events at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum include Thompson Square, Ashley Monroe, Kristen Kelly, Lee Greenwood, Love and Theft, Tate Stevens, Craig Campbell and Jamey Johnson, as well as songwriter Brett James, musician Joe Fick, and television host and author Katie Cook.

A schedule of Live from the Museum Store, Presented by CMT events, other programming and special museum hours for CMA Music Festival week includes:
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Museum hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Noon   Thompson Square: Signing  (museum store)                                         
8:00 p.m.   Hot Nights at the Hall with Ashley Monroe
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Museum hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.   Kristen Kelly: Performance and Signing  (Plaza, Museum Store)
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Museum hours 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
11:30 a.m.   Lee Greenwood: Signing (Museum Store)
2:00 p.m. Love and Theft: Performance and Signing  (Plaza, Museum Store)
Friday, June 7, 2013
Museum hours 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
10:30 a.m.   Craig Campbell: Performance and Signing  (Plaza, Museum Store)
3:00 p.m.    Tate Stevens: Performance and Signing (Plaza, Museum Store)
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Museum hours 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
11:30 a.m.    Songwriter Session w/Brett James  (Ford Theater)
Brett James has written hits including “Blessed” (Martina McBride); “Cowboy Casanova” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel” (Carrie Underwood); “The Man I Want to Be” (Chris Young); “Out Last Night” (Kenny Chesney); “The Truth” (Jason Aldean); “When the Sun Goes Down” (Kenny Chesney) and “Who I Am” (Jessica Andrews). Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Limited seating. Program pass required.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Museum hours 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.     Joe Fick: Slap Bass Demonstration (Hall of Fame Rotunda)
“Slick” Joe Fick has performed or recorded with Sonny Burgess, James Burton, D.J. Fontana, Wanda Jackson, the Jordanaires and Boots Randolph. His rockabilly band, the Dempseys, was named Beale Street Entertainers of the Year in 2009. Fick portrayed Elvis’s bass player, Bill Black, in the 2006 Johnny Cash biopic, Walk the Line. Included with museum admission. Free to members.
2:00 p.m. Living for a Song: Tribute to Hank Cochran (Ford Theater)
Featuring Jamey Johnson
An accomplished songwriter, Jamey Johnson has written hits for himself (“In Color”) and for other artists (George Strait’s “Give It Away”). His most recent album, Living for a Song, features 16 classics written by the late songwriting legend Hank Cochran. For this panel discussion about the album, Johnson joins Cochran’s widow, Suzi Cochran, and Buddy Cannon and Dale Dodson, Cochran’s friends and producers of the album. Johnson will perform briefly, and the program will be illustrated with vintage photos, film footage and recordings. This program is presented in support of the exhibit Patsy Cline: Crazy for Loving You. The event will be streamed live on countrymusichalloffame.org. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Limited seating. Program pass required.
2:00 p.m.     Katie Cook: Signing Museum Store
Cook will sign her books Little Big Benny: The Boy Who Didn’t Know He Was the Universe, 
Little Big Benny: Double Stick Karma and Little Big Benny: The Wicked Itch.
The Songwriter Session, Slap Bass Demonstration and the Cochran tribute are included with museum admission ($22 for adults, $14 for children ages 6 to 17, and free for children under 6) and free to museum members.
Seating for the programs is limited, and program passes are required for admittance. (Visit the museum’s website for complete admission and signing details.)
Artist performances on the plaza do not require admission, but signing passes are required for all autograph signings and will be included with transaction at time of purchase of artists’ product.  Most signing passes can be obtained on the museum’s website beginning May 15 at 10 a.m. CDT. They can also be obtained in the Museum Store beginning on June 3 at 9:30 a.m. CDT.

Visit countrymusichalloffame.org/cmafest for more information.

 
 
 
 
 
 

NSAI Honors No. 1 Songs

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The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) hosted a No. 1 Party on Monday, May 13 to honor the writers of songs reaching the top spot between January and March 2013. The event, sponsored by Bill Lynch of Lynch Wealth Management, also featured several make-up presentations to writers who were unable to attend when their songs were honored previously.

Pictured (L-R): Front Row, seated: Billy Montana, Jessi Alexander, Josh Kear, Trevor Rosen, Brandy Clark, Hillary Lindsey,Second Row (standing): Colby Robbins of Lynch Wealth Management, Jonathan Singleton, Chris DuBois, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher, NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison, Mark Irwin, Shane McAnally Back Two Rows, standing: Brian Dean Maher, Jeremy Stover, David Lee Murphy, Jim Beavers, Jon Randall, Matt Warren, Ben Hayslip, Brett Beavers, Jimmy Robbins, Rodney Clawson. Not pictured: Recipients Delta Maid, Wendell Mobley, NSAI President Lee Thomas Miller

Pictured L-R: (Front row, seated): Billy Montana, Jessi Alexander, Josh Kear, Trevor Rosen, Brandy Clark, Hillary Lindsey, (Second row, standing): Colby Robbins of Lynch Wealth Management, Jonathan Singleton, Chris DuBois, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher, NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison, Mark Irwin, Shane McAnally,
(Back rows, standing): Brian Dean Maher, Jeremy Stover, David Lee Murphy, Jim Beavers, Jon Randall, Matt Warren, Ben Hayslip, Brett Beavers, Jimmy Robbins, Rodney Clawson. (Not pictured): Recipients Delta Maid, Wendell Mobley, NSAI President Lee Thomas Miller


 Songs Recognized (January – March 2013) 
Country charts:
“Better Dig Two,” Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen, recorded by The Band Perry
“Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain),” Gary Allan, Hillary Lindsey, Matt Warren, recorded by Gary Allan
“Goodbye In Her Eyes,” Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, John Hopkins, Sonia Leigh, recorded by Zac Brown Band
“Highway Don’t Care,” Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, recorded by Tim McGraw & Taylor Swift
“How Country Feels,” Vicky McGehee, Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher, recorded by Randy Houser
“One Of Those Nights,” Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Chris Tompkins, recorded by Tim McGraw
“Southern Comfort Zone,” Chris DuBois, Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley, recorded by Brad Paisley
“Sure Be Cool If You Did,” Rodney Clawson, Jimmy Robbins, Chris Tompkins, recorded by Blake Shelton
“The Only Way I Know,” Ben Hayslip, David Lee Murphy, recorded by Jason Aldean w/Luke Bryan & Eric Church
“Til My Last Day,” Brian Dean Maher, Justin Moore, Jeremy Stover, recorded by Justin Moore
“Tornado,” Natalie Hemby, Delta Maid, recorded by Little Big Town
“Two Black Cadillacs,” Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear, Carrie Underwood, recorded by Carrie Underwood
AC & Pop charts:
“I Knew You Were Trouble,” Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift, recorded by Taylor Swift
“Try,” busbee, Ben West, recorded by Pink
Make-up Presentations (For writers who were unable to attend previously when their songs were first honored.)
Billy Montana, “Hard To Love,” recorded by Lee Brice
Hillary Lindsey, “A Little Bit Stronger,” recorded by Sara Evans
Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, “5-1-5-0,” recorded by Dierks Bentley
Jim Beavers, “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” recorded by Josh Turner, and “Sideways,” recorded by Dierks Bentley
Jon Randall, “Am I The Only One,” recorded by Dierks Bentley
Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, “Drink On It,” recorded by Blake Shelton
Josh Kear, “Drunk On You,” recorded by Luke Bryan
Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins, “Blown Away,” recorded by Carrie Underwood
Rodney Clawson, “Take A Little Ride,” recorded by Jason Aldean
Dean Dillon, “Here For A Good Time,” recorded by George Strait
Jonathan Singleton, “Let It Rain,” recorded by David Nail
Chris DuBois, “Remind Me,” recorded by Brad Paisley w/ Carrie Underwood
 

Industry Ink (5-14-13)

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A hedge fund manager whose company owns a notable 6.5% stake in Sony is pushing the company to spin off part of its entertainment operations and focus on its electronics division, according to the New York Times. The holding, made up of stock and derivatives, is valued at about $1.1 billion. Daniel Loeb leads the hedge fund Third Point and successfully spurred corporate changes at Yahoo.

• • •
THiS Music and Warner/Chappell Music have signed a publishing agreement with up-and-coming songwriter and recording artist Leah Turner. Turner is currently in the process of writing and recording her debut project for Sony Music Nashville.
Pictured (L-R): Front Row: Connie Harrington (This), Janine Appleton (This), Leah Turner, Ben Vaughn (WC), Tim Nichols (This)Back Row: Phil May (WC), Rusty Gaston (This)

Pictured (L-R): Front Row: Connie Harrington (This), Janine Appleton (This), Leah Turner, Ben Vaughn (WC), Tim Nichols (This). Back Row: Phil May (WC), Rusty Gaston (This)

• • •
To celebrate the continued success of Big Loud Shirt Industries, company founder and songwriter Craig Wiseman hosted the 7th anniversary party Thursday evening (May 9) in the parking lot of the Big Loud Shirt office building. Staff, friends and music industry insiders all gathered to celebrate with Craig and his accomplished team of writers and artists, including Rodney Clawson, FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, Joey Moi and Chris Tompkins.
Thanks to Fireball/Firefly and Gigi’s Cupcakes, the guests toasted cocktails and enjoyed an array of delectable snacks while rocking out to Dee Jay Silver’s choice playlist.
Pictured (back row, L-R): Tyler Hubbard and Rodney Clawson, Steven McMillian, Craig Wiseman, Heather Buresh, Seth England and Joey Moi, Big Loud Shirt writer Brian Kelley. (front row, L-R): Chris Tompkins, Kevin Noble, Amy Allmand and Kimberly Gleason Photo: Justin Mrusek for Big Loud Shirt

Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Tyler Hubbard and Rodney Clawson, Steven McMillian, Craig Wiseman, Heather Buresh, Seth England and Joey Moi, Big Loud Shirt writer Brian Kelley. (Front Row, L-R): Chris Tompkins, Kevin Noble, Amy Allmand and Kimberly Gleason. Photo: Justin Mrusek for Big Loud Shirt

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Live it up poster1XYQ Artist Management will host Q It Up Live, a star-studded concert series at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville in downtown Nashville. Concerts will be held once every other month through the end of the year. The series kicks off this Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. CDT featuring Darryl Worley and supporting acts Danielle Peck, Sarah Darling, Mo Pitney and Friends of Lola. Adam Wurtzel from WSMV Channel 4 News’ More at Midday will host, and a silent auction and raffle will benefit the American Red Cross and local non-profit for the hearing impaired, Songs For Sound.

XYQ Artist Management’s Lee Willard says, “We are thrilled to present this concert series alongside Margaritaville, Jack Daniel’s and our other partners. It’s our goal to deliver great shows with star talent while raising funds for worthy causes in our community.”

 
 
 

 

IEBA Opens Registration, Young Professional Membership

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IEBARegistration for the IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) Professional Conference will open tomorrow (May 15). The 43rd annual event will run October 19-22, 2013 at Nashville’s Omni Hotel, near the Music City Center. Early bird registration rates run through Sept. 18.
IEBA has added a Young Professionals membership category. Those who join under this category will receive full membership benefits including IEBA voting privileges, the IEBA Member Directory and access to all VIP industry events.
Young Professional members will have the opportunity to vie for the newly created Rookie of the Year award, to be presented during the annual Honors and Awards Dinner at IEBA’s annual conference.
Membership prices for IEBA are $125 Professional, $75 Young Professional and $25 Student (college).
IEBA conference registration rates are based on membership level and increase as the date draws near. Details at www.ieba.org.

Grand Ole Opry Adds 'Nashville' Exhibit

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nashville-abcBeginning today (May 14), fans enjoying backstage tours of the Grand Ole Opry House can get a little closer to Nashville, the hit drama just renewed for a second season on ABC.
Charles (Chip) Esten, who plays Deacon Claybourne on the series, hosts a new video as part of the exhibit in Studio A of the Opry House. The exhibit also features show memorabilia including a sequined dress worn by Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) for her Opry debut in the first episode of the series; an ensemble worn by Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton); Barnes’ Gretsch White Falcon guitar; and more, including road cases, microphones, backstage passes, and laminates created for the Red Lips White Lies Tour featuring co-headliners Barnes and Jaymes.
The Grand Ole Opry House was featured prominently in the series premiere of Nashville, and is set to appear on screen again this Wednesday, when Scarlett O’Conner (Clare Bowen) makes her Opry debut. Opry House Studio A has been seen in the series’ first season as both a rehearsal hall used by Jaymes and the site of a political fundraiser.
Grand Ole Opry House Backstage Pass Tours are available seven days a week through October and after most Opry performances. Tickets and information are available at opry.com, 800-SEE-OPRY, and at the Opry House Box Office.

BMI Tailgate Party Lineup at CMA Music Festival Announced

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Pictured (L-R): Major Management’s Virginia Davis; BMI’s Perry Howard and Penny Everhard; Thomas Rhett; and BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Clay Bradley, and Mark Mason.

Pictured (L-R): Major Management’s Virginia Davis; BMI’s Perry Howard and Penny Everhard; Thomas Rhett; and BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Clay Bradley, and Mark Mason.


BMI will get CMA Music Fans ready to party long before the doors open to the nightly concerts at LP field. The performing rights organization will host the second annual BMI Tailgate Party during this year’s CMA Music Festival. The tailgate will take place each evening, June 6-9, on the South Lawn of LP Field.
On Monday (May 13), BMI held a “tailgate” bomb with artist Thomas Rhett to announce the lineup. Rhett performed several songs, including “1994,” a song written by Rhett, Luke Laird and Barry Dean, and recorded by Jason Aldean.
The lineup includes:
Thursday, June 6
4:30 p.m. -5 p.m.  Joey Hyde
5:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m.  Joel Crouse
6 p.m.–6:45 p.m.  Thomas Rhett
 
Friday June 7:
4:30 p.m.–5 p.m.  Lindsay Ell
5:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m.  David Fanning
6 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Josh Thompson
 
Saturday, June 8:
4:30 p.m.–5 p.m. Westbound Rangers
5:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m.  Native Run
6 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Jon Pardi
 
Sunday, June 9:
4:30 p.m.–5 p.m.  Curious Band
5:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m.  The Railers
6 p.m.–6:45 p.m.  Brazilbilly

Keith Urban To Perform New Single on 'American Idol' Finale

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keith urbanYesterday (May 13), Keith Urban debuted his new single, “Little Bit Of Everything,” which will see its broadcast television premiere on Thursday (May 16) on the Season 12 finale of American Idol.
The song is from Urban’s forthcoming album, slated for release this Fall. To hear the single, visit keithurban.net.
“‘Little Bit Of Everything’ conveys a sentiment that’s always felt right to me,” said Urban. “I connected with that from the first time I heard it. I ‘felt it’ and I loved it. I gravitate towards the sound of a song and it’s instrumentation. On this song I was able to take the elements of sound that I’ve used before and blend them together into a fusion of spirit and energy.”
“Little Bit of Everything” was penned by Brad and Brett Warren and Kevin Rudolf and co-produced by Urban and Nathan Chapman.  
 
 

Collin Raye Enters New Booking Agreement

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CollinRaye_lrgCollin Raye has signed with Brand Entertainment Agency for booking representation and is working with agent Greg Burns. The singer is about to embark on his national That’s My Story tour, which opens Saturday, May 18 in Indiana and includes theater, casino and festival dates through Dec. 6.
Raye’s career launched in the early 1990s with debut smash “Love, Me,” and went on to spawn 15 No. 1s. His hits include “Little Rock,” “In This Life,” “My Kind of Girl” and “I Can Still Feel You.”
Three years ago, following the death of his granddaughter Haley, Collin founded a charity in her memory which aims to help families in need of wheelchairs for their children. It is called the Haley Bell Blessed Chair Foundation.
Reach Brand Entertainment Agency’s Greg Burns at 615-562-3726 ext. 2 or greg.burns@brandentagency.com.