Tammy Ragusa Returns To Premiere Networks

/by

Tammy Ragusa

Tammy Ragusa has returned to Premiere Networks as a writer and producer for the company’s country radio prep team, effective immediately. Based in Nashville and reporting to Ira Robbins, VP/Editorial Director for Premiere, she will be responsible for creating and developing show news prep, music and special event coverage, and holiday programming for 200 country radio affiliate stations across the U.S.  Tammy served in a similar role for Premiere from 2006-2012. 

Most recently, Tammy was a Senior Correspondent and Community Manager for Rare Country, where she provided editorial and social media content for the country music-focused website.  She served as a senior staff writer for Country Weekly from 2012-2016. Tammy previously held positions in marketing and artist development at Capitol Records and Sony Music Nashville.

Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin Announce 2019 Tour

/by

Grammy-winning artists Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin announced today (April 9) a series of tour dates throughout the fall of 2019. Carpenter and Colvin will appear on stage together as an intimate acoustic duo, swapping songs and sharing stories. These shows will feature the acclaimed songwriters performing material from their vast catalogues as well as some of their favorite songs. The tour will make a stop in Nashville on Nov. 13.

Carpenter and Colvin previously toured together in 2013. Audiences were invited to share the artists’ “living room” as they played music and traded quips in a warm, comfortable setting inspired by the duo’s long-lasting camaraderie.

For ticket information, visit marychapincarpenter.com/tour or shawncolvin.com.

Promotions: FBMM, O’Neil Hagaman

/by

FBMM Promotes Brad Akin, Betsy Lee

Pictured (L-R): Betsy Lee, Brad Akin

Brad Akin and Betsy Lee have been promoted to Associate Business Manager at Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy. Lee is based in Nashville, while Akin is based in New York.

Akin came to FBMM more than 10 years ago as one of the first New York office employees. Originally from Larchmont, New York, he is a graduate of Union College and began his career in artist management before transitioning to FBMM. He is a member of the Country Music Association and an active supporter of the New York chapter of Women in Music.

Originally from Milledgeville, Georgia, Lee joined the FBMM team more than 15 years ago following her graduation from the University of Georgia. Lee has extensive worldwide touring experience and, while working at FBMM, has served as interim European tour accountant for her clients. Lee is a member of the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association and SOURCE. She has previously served as treasurer of the Nashville Film Festival.

“Betsy is an incredibly valuable part of the FBMM family,” said Julie Boos, owner and chairman of FBMM. “Not only is she the financial watchdog for every aspect of her clients’ fiscal world, but she also does a fantastic job at keeping her clients informed every step of the way. I’m excited to see her grow in her new role and continue to be a great representative of FBMM to our clients and the music industry.”

“Brad and Betsy have earned the confidence of their clients,” said Jamie Cheek, owner and president of FBMM. “Their promotions are well-deserved and showcase not only their expertise and dedication to our clients, but also our commitment to developing a deep bench of industry experts here at FBMM. We know they will thrive in their new roles as associate business managers. ”

 

O’Neil Hagaman Promotes Tiffany Wiggers

Tiffany Wiggers

O’Neil Hagaman, LLC. has promoted Tiffany Wiggers to Manager.

Wiggers began her career at the firm as an intern in the business management division in 2004. After graduating from David Lipscomb University in 2005 with a Bachelors of Arts in professional accounting and management, she continued her education by studying law at Nashville School of Law. In the summer of 2009, she passed the Tennessee bar and is a current member of Nashville and Tennessee Bar Association’s Entertainment Divisions. Her daily duties include management of staff, overall financial management of clients business including financial and tax accounting, contractual oversight and review, and monitoring of risk management.

 

Dan + Shay, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Kane Brown Achieved Platinum Status In March

/by

The RIAA has announced its certifications for March, with Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Luke Bryan and more achieving heavy metal status.

Artists receiving Platinum certifications for singles included Luke Bryan for his “Light It Up,” “Most People Are Good,” and his 5x-Platinum “Drunk On You,” Luke Combs for his 3x-Platinum “When It Rains It Pours” and his 2x-Platinum “Beautiful Crazy,” Kane Brown for his “Lose It,” and his 4x-Platinum “Heaven,” Brett Young for his 2x-Platinum “Mercy,” and Russell Dickerson for his 2x-Platinum “Yours.”

Platinum album certifications for March included Luke Combs’ 2x-Platinum This One’s For You. Among the Gold albums certified in March were Kane Brown’s Experiment, Dan + Shay’s Dan + Shay, and Luke Bryan’s What Makes You Country.

Artists achieving Gold singles in March included Chase Rice‘s “Eyes On You,” Kelsea Ballerini‘s “I Hate Love Songs” and “Miss Me More,” Michael Ray‘s “Get To You,” and Luke Bryan’s “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset.”

Brett Eldredge To Headline Nashville’s July 4th Celebration

/by

Brett Eldredge will headline Nashville’s July 4th celebration on Lower Broadway, Let Freedom Sing!, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp has announced. Mac McAnally, a record breaking 10-time CMA Musician of the Year, and Grammy-nominated neo-soul/rock artist Jessy Wilson are part of the diverse, all Nashville-based lineup. In a new partnership, CMT will air a 90-minute live special that will include performances from Eldredge, highlights from Let Freedom Sing! and conclude with the acclaimed firework show.

Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper is a free, family-friendly event that showcases the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony and one of the largest fireworks shows in the country.

Additional announcements in the coming weeks will include information about activities on Wednesday, July 3 to enhance the semifinal Gold Cup soccer match being played at Nissan Stadium that day.

“Once again, Nashville will host a world-class July 4th event, and, with Gold Cup activities on July 3, we have the potential to turn this holiday into a five-day extended weekend for locals and visitors alike to enjoy soccer, music, fireworks and so much more that Nashville offers,” said Ronnie Smith, Head of Corporate Bank, Regions Bank, who serves as chair of the NCVC board of directors. “The CMT broadcast will provide yet another opportunity to showcase this stellar celebration and our great live music to a national audience.”

The main concert stage will be located at Fifth Avenue and Broadway and will include a DJ and live music starting at noon and into the evening. Additional performances will feature the 2018 and 2019 winners of Lightning 100’s Music City Mayhem, followed by The Joe West Band and country artist Dylan Scott.

After the concert, the event will shift to the Cumberland Riverfront with a firework show synchronized to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony. The program at Ascend Amphitheater will start around 9:30 p.m. and conclude with a 30-minute pyrotechnics show. The program will feature patriotic recitations from Barry Scott.

The Independence Day celebration will include a Family Fun Zone, with inflatables and other kid-friendly activities, from noon to 5 p.m. at Music City Walk of Fame Park.

Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th is presented by Dr Pepper and partners include Advance Financial, Anderson Benson Insurance, Kroger, Green Giant, Topgolf Nashville, Navy Federal Credit Union, Jack Daniel’s, and Budweiser.

Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th package experiences are available for purchase. Packages include a minimum of 1-night stay at a participating hotel and a July 4th Fun Pack, which includes the following for each member in a package reservation: Commemorative July 4th event t-shirt, event koozie, hand-held American flag, patriotic folding hand fan, and a Nashville cinch bag to carry your items around. To make this experience more convenient, the July 4th Fun Packs will be delivered to the hotels. To book this package experience or if you have questions, please call 1-800-657-6910 or visit visitmusiccity.com.

Taylor Swift Donates $113K To Tennessee Equality Project

/by

Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift has donated $113,000 to the Tennessee Equality Project, which is working to stop state lawmakers from passing legislation that would allow private adoption agencies to raise religious and moral objections over prospective parents, and another bill that prevents state and local agencies from taking action against a business based on its internal policies.

Chris Sanders, who leads the project, revealed the donation on Facebook, along with a photo of a letter Swift wrote in support of the organization’s work in bringing together a group of Tennessee faith leaders in a petition against the legislation.

“I’m so inspired by the work that you do, specifically in organizing the recent petition of Tennessee faith leaders standing up against the ‘slate of hate’ in our state legislature…I’m so grateful that they’re giving all people a place to worship,” Swift stated in the letter.

“She sees our struggle in Tennessee and continues to add her voice with so many good people, including religious leaders, who are speaking out for love in the face of fear,” Sanders said on Facebook.

During last year’s midterm elections, Swift endorsed Democrat Phil Bredesen’s run for Senate. Bredesen ultimately lost to Marsha Blackburn.

Photo: Tennessee Equality Project

Old Dominion Announce European Leg To ‘Make It Sweet’ Tour

/by

Old Dominion. Photo: Mason Allen

Old Dominion have added European dates to to their “Make It Sweet Tour” and will vist Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the U.K. in October. The European tour marks their fourth trip overseas and the announcement follows the sold-out success of the European leg of their “Happy Endings World Tour” in 2018. The European dates begin Oct. 4 in Stockholm, and conclude Oct. 16 at the O2 Academy in Glasgow, with support from special guest Jordan Davis.

Ticket pre-sale begins April 10 and on sale for the dates begins Friday April 12.

“To see how much Old Dominion have grown as a band since their first time at C2C and a small Hoxton Bar & Kitchen show in London through to their recent sell-out U.K. run has been amazing to watch,” said Simon Jones, AEG Presents Senior Vice President of Live Music, International, at the end of the last international tour. “They are consummate performers, and we’re looking forward to seeing their international business grow and grow.”

In addition to clocking over a billion streams, Old Dominion’s most recent single “Make It Sweet” is at Top five at country radio and is continuing to rise. They also recently received their second nomination for Country Duo/Group at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.

Make It Sweet Tour” European Dates:
Oct. 4 – Stockholm, Sweden, Nalen
Oct. 6 – Berlin, Germany, Astra Kulturhaus
Oct. 7 – Cologne, Germany, Live Music Hall
Oct. 8 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Melkweg
Oct. 10 – London, England, Eventim Apollo (formerly Hammersmith Apollo)
Oct 12 – Belfast, Ireland, Waterfront Hall
Oct. 14 – Manchester, U.K., Albert Hall
Oct. 15 – Birmingham, U.K., O2 Academy
Oct. 16 – Glasgow, U.K., O2 Academy

Nashville Bob Dylan-Affiliated Distillery To Add Music Venue

/by

In fall 2020, the SoBro building that once housed the Elm Street Methodist Church will reopen as the Bob Dylan-affiliated Heaven’s Door Spirits and Center for the Arts, reports Nashville Scene.

Located at 614 5th Ave. S., the space will include a 360-seat live performance venue, as well as a craft whiskey distillery and whiskey library, a restaurant, and an art sanctuary, and will display Dylan’s paintings and sculptures. Today (April 9) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the release of his Nashville Skyline album. Nashville architecture firm Tuck-Hinton was the most recent tenant of the former church building, and had operated from the space for 22 years.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Weekly Register: George Strait Earns 27th No. 1 Album

/by

George Strait

George Strait has earned his 27th No. 1 album on the country albums chart with his project Honky Tonk Time Machine. The album moved 51K in total consumption and landed at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 rankings, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The 13-track album was produced by Strait and Chuck Ainlay and features eight tracks penned by Strait himself.

Reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year Luke Combs‘ This One’s For You drops to No. 2 with 26K in total consumption, followed by Dan+Shay‘s self-titled effort at No. 3 (14K). Maren Morris‘ GIRL is at No. 4 with 14K, while Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller rounds out the Top 5 with 13K in total consumption.

Combs remains at No. 1 this week on the Top Country On-Demand Streaming chart, as “Beautiful Crazy” earns 11.5 million streams. Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” earned 7.8 million streams to land at No. 2. Dan + Shay’s “Tequila” is at No. 3 with 7.167 million streams, while Kane Brown‘s “Heaven” is at No. 4 with 7.163 million streams. Dan + Shay’s “Speechless” rounds out the Top 5 with 6.6 million streams this week.

ACM Awards Win Sunday Evening For CBS

/by

The Academy of Country Music Awards’ ratings earned a win for CBS on Sunday evening (April 7), drawing 9.9 million viewers and ranking as the evening’s highest-watched and most-watched broadcast.

However, that number is down 18% from 2018’s 12.06 million viewers, according to zap2it.com. The show earned a 1.6 rating among adults 18-49, down from last year’s 2.1 rating.

The ACM Awards was produced by Dick Clark Productions, a division of Valence Media, parent company of the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group.

This year’s winners included Entertainer  of the Year Keith Urban, Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year winner Kacey Musgraves, Male Artist of the Year Thomas Rhett, Duo of the Year Dan + Shay (who also picked up Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “Tequila”), Group of the Year winners Old Dominion, New Male Artist of the Year Luke Combs, New Female Artist of the Year Ashley McBryde, and New Duo/Group of the Year LANCO, among others.

Click here for MusicRow‘s full recap of the televised awards show.