Kelsea Ballerini To Join Kelly Clarkson’s Meaning Of Life Tour

Earlier today (Friday, Sept. 14) Kelly Clarkson announced her first headlining tour in three years, titled Meaning of Life Tour, after her most recent album. She also revealed that country hitmaker Kelsea Ballerini, as well as The Voice winner Brynn Cartelli, will join as special guests.

The 28-city tour launches Jan. 24, 2019 in Oakland, California. The trek includes a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on March 29.

Meaning of Life is the album I always wanted to make and I am so excited to finally be able to tour it!” Clarkson said via a release. “Even while recording it, I couldn’t wait for people to experience the music live, to not only hear it, but feel it. It has taken almost a year of planning, and I can’t wait to see y’all on the road!”

Pre-sale ticket access begins Sept. 17, with public on-sale beginning Sept. 24.

The Meaning of Life Tour Dates:

1/24/19 – Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena**
1/25/19 – Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center**
1/26/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ STAPLES Center*
1/30/19 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Vivint Smart Home Arena**
2/1/19 – Glendale, AZ @ Gila River Arena*
2/7/19 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center**
2/8/19 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center**
2/9/19 – Southaven, MS @ Landers Center**
2/14/19 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena*
2/15/19 – Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center**
2/16/19 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center*
2/21/19 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena**
2/22/19 – Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena**
2/23/19 – St. Louis, MO @ Chaifetz Arena**
2/28/19 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center*
3/2/19 – Wichita, KS @ INTRUST Bank Arena**
3/7/19 – Uniondale, NY @ NYCB Live Nassau Coliseum*
3/8/19 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden**
3/9/19 – Allentown, PA @ PPL Center*
3/14/19 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena*
3/15/19 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena*
3/16/19 – Baltimore, MD @ Royal Farms Arena**
3/21/19 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena**
3/22/19 – Indianapolis, IN @ Bankers Life Fieldhouse**
3/23/19 – Cincinnati, OH @ U.S. Bank Arena**
3/28/19 – Duluth, GA @ Infinite Energy Arena **
3/29/19 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena**
3/30/19 – Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena**
**with Kelsea Ballerini and Brynn Cartelli
*with Brynn Cartelli

Zach Williams Issues New EP ‘Survivor: Live From Harding Prison’

Zach Williams has released a special EP today (Friday, Sept. 14), titled Survivor: Live From Harding Prison. Recorded live earlier this summer from the Nashville-based prison where Williams performed acoustically along with Bethel Music’s “No Longer Slaves,” the project was produced in partnership with local non-profit, Men of Valor.

Each song featured on the six-song project, “Survivor,” “Old Church Choir,” “To The Table,” “No Longer Slaves,” “Fear Is A Liar” and “Chain Breaker,” were filmed with interviews from some of the inmates sharing their personal testimonies. Video footage will release weekly on Williams’ YouTube channel, and a devotional will be available in the coming weeks through YouVersion, written by a pastor with Men of Valor.

The project is something that Williams, who first made his name in 2016 with the record-breaking single “Chain Breaker,” has been wanting to do for years.

“As a songwriter, seeing God use the songs I write and my experiences to show His grace to others is one of the biggest blessings I have ever received,” Zach Williams shares. “A little over five years ago, I visited a prison in Arkansas with my wife and shared the story of what God was doing in our lives. What I experienced that day is something I will never forget. God broke my heart for these men and women. They had, ultimately, just made bad decisions which is something that I completely related to, and for me, that experience gave a whole new meaning to the word ‘grace.’ Ever since then, I have felt a calling to share my music and stories with men and women in prison in the hopes that lives can be changed by the power of the gospel. My prayer is to see chains broken and walls shattered. God has a plan for each and every one of our lives but we have to fully surrender to the Cross before those plans are revealed.”

Williams is performing on the Air1 Positive Hits Tour into October, and will hit the road with labelmate Matt Maher for several dates in late October and early November. He is also slated to appear on The Little Drummer Boy | The Christmas Tour with for King + Country in December. His new single, “Survivor,” goes to radio today.

YouTube video

Garth Brooks’ Notre Dame Concert Sells Nearly 85,000 Tickets In Less Than Three Hours

Tickets went on sale for Garth Brooks‘ upcoming inaugural Notre Dame concert on Friday (Sept. 14), and in less than three hours, the event had sold just under 85,000 tickets.

Brooks commented, “Just when you think you have seen it all as an entertainer, today happens! I can’t wait to see all of you in October.”

Brooks’ show, the first-ever concert event to be held at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana, will take place Saturday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. ET. The concert is sponsored by Amazon Music.

There are a few single seats left. Tickets can only be purchased at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or either Ticketmaster Express 1-866-448-7849 or 1-800-745-3000. The concert will be rain or shine.

Tickets cost $79.95 plus a $4.00 facility fee and a $15.00 service charge for a total of $98.95.

Signings: Rocky Block, DJ Cannon Banyon, T-Woods, Rebel Union

Rocky Block Signs With Being Bob Music

Standing (L-R): Jamie Bruno, Being Bob Music; MaryAnn Keen, BMI
Seated (L-R): Bob DiPiero, Being Bob Music; Rocky Block; Jody Williams, BMI

Artist/songwriter Rocky Block, son of the late Billy Block, has signed a publishing deal with Being Bob Music and is being developed by Being Bob Music Owner Bob DiPiero.

“Rocky is one of the most talented artist/writers that I have ever heard,” said DiPiero. “We are looking forward to a long and successful run with Rocky and Being Bob Music.”

“It’s truly humbling to have someone as talented and successful as Bob believe in me. I’m excited to join his team and get to work,” said Block.

 

DJ Cannon Banyon, T-Woods Take The Backroad

Southern country artists DJ Cannon Banyon and T-Woods have signed with Backroad Records, a division of Average Joes Entertainment. Both artists will release new music in the coming weeks.

T-Woods’ debut music video “I Am Who I Am,” launches today, while Banyon, a producer and touring DJ based in South Carolina, will release his new single, “Shawty In The Truck,” on September 21.

“Cannon Banyon has been one of the top music promoters in the mud bog and country backwoods/underground world for years. We’re pleased to partner with him to create the next iteration of his sound. T-Woods’ new video is a great first look for a new artist we think fans will enjoy,” said Forrest Latta, A&R.

 

Rebel Union Joins PLA Media Roster

Rebel Union has inked with PLA Media for publicity representation. The four-part group, Suzanne Dennis, Allie Johnson, Blake Mohler and Zach Laughlin, recorded a video of a mash-up of “Hurricane” by Luke Combs and “Let It Rain” by David Nail which has garnered almost 200k views already. In the past year, the group released their debut single “Secondhand High.”

Toby Keith To Be Honored With Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award

Toby Keith has been named as the 2018 recipient of the Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award.

Keith will be presented the award and perform during the 34th annual Symphony Ball on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Presented annually by the Nashville Symphony and selected by a dedicated committee, the Harmony Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s musical community.

“Toby Keith has the unique ability to capture the essence of life’s most passionate and memorable moments through music, as evidenced by an incredible career that has produced hit music every year over the past three decades,” said Katie Crumbo and Laurie Seabury, chairmen of the 2018 Symphony Ball fundraiser. “More than just an outstanding singer and songwriter with a legendary onstage energy, Toby has made selfless contributions to the world around him – including scores of performances for U.S. service personnel abroad and assisting the families of children with critical illnesses through the Toby Keith Foundation – that prove his impact reaches well beyond music. We look forward to celebrating Toby and all of his tremendous accomplishments at the 2018 Symphony Ball.”

“I’m so appreciative of this honor given to me by the Nashville Symphony,” Keith said. “Thank you, it means a great deal to me.”

The Symphony Ball is one of the Nashville Symphony’s two annual fundraisers. Since its inception in 1985, the Ball has raised millions for the Symphony, sustaining the organization’s mission of achieving excellence in musical performance and educational programs, while engaging the community, enriching audiences and shaping cultural life.

Past recipients of the Harmony Award include Chet Atkins, Mike and Linda Curb, Rascal Flatts, Béla Fleck, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Miranda Lambert, Lyle Lovett, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Marty Stuart, Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Steve Winwood and Trisha Yearwood.

Carrie Underwood To Team With Grand Ole Opry For 10th Annual Opry Goes Pink

The Grand Ole Opry and Carrie Underwood are joining together in the fight against breast cancer on Friday, Oct. 26 with a special 10th Annual Opry Goes Pink. Opry member and Capitol Records Nashville artist Underwood will flip the switch on the Opry’s signature barn backdrop, turning it pink for the night as the “Cry Pretty” star takes the stage to perform on two shows that night. Underwood also flipped the switch on the inaugural Opry Goes Pink in 2009.

Underwood and the Opry have teamed to create Cry Pretty Opry Goes Pink packages featuring Opry Goes Pink tickets, Underwood’s Cry Pretty album (available now) and a collectible print. Beginning today, when fans order the package or tickets, $5 from every package and ticket sold will be donated to the fight against breast cancer. Tickets and packages are available at opry.com and at (800) SEE-OPRY.

Weekly Chart Report (9/14/18)

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Dolly Parton To Present 9 To 5 The Musical At The Savoy In London

Dolly Parton is bringing 9 To 5 The Musical to the Savoy Theatre in London for a limited season from Jan. 28–Aug. 31, 2019. The musical will star Louise Redknapp as ‘Violet Newstead’, Amber Davies as ‘Judy Bernly’, Natalie McQueen as ‘Doralee Rhodes’ and Brian Conley as ‘Franklin Hart’.

Inspired by the cult film, 9 To 5 The Musical was written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, with choreography by Lisa Stevens, set and costume design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe. Music from the show, 9 To 5 The Musical Original Broadcast Cast Recording is planned for re-release via Dolly Records/Sony Music.

Tickets for the London run will go on sale Sept. 18.

LifeNotes: Alan Jackson’s Son-In-Law Ben Selecman Dies

Samuel Benton “Ben” Selecman, husband of Mattie Jackson Selecman and son-in-law of country artist Alan Jackson, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 12, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Selecman, a Nashville resident, had recently suffered severe traumatic head injuries in a fall. He was 28 years old.

Selecman was an East Tennessee (Knoxville) native and University of Tennessee Knoxville graduate. He earned his law degree at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and was employed as an Assistant D.A. by the Nashville-Davidson County District Attorney’s Office.

Selecman married wife Mattie, the oldest daughter of the country singer-songwriter and his wife Denise, last October. In addition to his wife, Selecman is survived by parents Mark and Brenda Selecman, brother Cole Selecman and his wife, Morgan.

 

Spotify Increases Download Limit To 10,000 Tracks

Spotify has increased the number of songs Premium users can download offline to a single device, from 3,333 songs to 10,000 songs. Additionally, Spotify now allows subscribers to download songs on up to five devices, instead of the previous limit of three devices.

“At Spotify, we’re always working on improving the experience for our users,” said a Spotify spokesperson. “We can now confirm that we have increased the number of offline tracks per device — from 3,333 on 3 devices to 10,000 tracks per device for up to 5 devices.”

In total, Premium users can download a limit of 50,000 songs, which is less than Apple Music’s limit of 100,000 songs, while Amazon Prime Music allows users to download an unlimited amount of songs onto four different devices. Spotify Premium is available for $10 per month.