ACM Awards Add Alan Jackson, Kelly Clarkson, Kane Brown And More

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The Academy of Country Music revealed today that Kane Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town and Jon Pardi have been added to the all-star lineup of performers for the 53RD Academy of Country Music Awards. It was also announced that country artists Cam, Dustin Lynch, and Kiefer Sutherland, The Ranch co-stars Sam Elliott and Ashton Kutcher, SEAL Team co-stars David Boreanaz, AJ Buckley and Max Thieriot, as well as The Talk host Eve have been added as presenters for the ceremony.

The 53rd ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.

Previously announced ACM Awards performers include Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Midland, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Bebe Rexha, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and Brett Young. Previously announced presenters include Drew Brees, Nancy O’Dell, Rebecca Romijn and Lindsey Vonn.

 

Big Machine Marketing Department Promotes Susemichel, Fisher

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Katherine Susemichel, Molly Fisher        Photo Courtesy of Big Machine Label Group

Big Machine Label Group has promoted Katherine Susemichel to Director, Project Management and Molly Fisher to Project Manager, reporting to Chief Marketing Officer Mike Rittberg.

Susemichel joined BMLG in 2013, and will continue to serve as project manager for Florida Georgia Line, Brett Young, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Thomas Rhett. She is also heavily involved in radio promotion initiatives and chart strategy across Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and BMLG Records’ imprints.

“I’m thrilled to have Katherine’s continued hard work and dedication as part of Big Machine’s Marketing department,” said Rittberg.

Fisher, a graduate of Millersville University of Pennsylvania, began at BMLG in 2014 and has since risen to project manager for Reba McEntire, Brantley Gilbert, Cheap Trick, Midland, Trent Harmon and Tyler Rich.

“Molly’s infinite passion for our artists makes this the perfect next step in her career at Big Machine,” said Rittberg.

Susemichel can be reached at [email protected] and 615-846-7689, and Fisher can be reached at [email protected] and 615-846-7681.

 

Lisa Ray Joins Sandbox Management

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Lisa Ray

Former Warner Music Group executive Lisa Ray has joined Sandbox Management, where she will serve as day-to-day manager for duo Dan+Shay.

Since 2013, she served as VP, Artist Development for Warner Music Nashville, where she worked alongside a roster of artists including Dan+Shay, Devin Dawson, Chris Janson, RaeLynn, Ashley McBryde, Charlie Worsham and more.

“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Lisa and watching her excel in her field, during her time at Warner Music Nashville,” said Sandbox President/CEO Jason Owen. “She has an amazing perspective and knowledge of all things in our world, and I am so excited to have such an incredible red-head bring her talents and expertise to the Sandbox team.”

“I’m beyond thrilled to get to work with such an amazing team at Sandbox, and with Jason, who I’ve been a huge fan of for years,” said Ray. “Jason’s innovation and forward-thinking will only help to guide me to the next level in this industry, and I am so appreciative for the opportunity to continue working alongside the enormously talented Dan + Shay in this new capacity. I’m over the moon about the future!”

She can be reached at [email protected].

Jeff Owen, Kyle Williams Sign With Centricity Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Chad Segura, Kyle Williams, Justin Nicolet

Jeff Owen and Kyle Williams have joined the Centricity Publishing writers roster.

Williams, a former member of Christian pop-rock group Stars Go Dim, currently plays guitar and keys for We Are Messengers. He co-penned Stars Go Dim’s No. 1 hit “You Are Loved,” and also co-wrote and performed on the track “Welcome To The Fire,”  which was recently licensed for promotional use for NBC’s Chicago Fire, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and the upcoming film I Still See You.

Owen is a member of the Dove-Award winning band Tenth Avenue North, playing guitar and singing backing vocals. He’s co-written multiple Chrsitian radio No. 1’s, including Tenth Avenue North’s “I Have This Hope,” “Healing Begins,” and “Worn.” Owen produced the band’s Decade The Halls Christmas album, along with projects for Jon McLaughlin and various indie artists. He also produces his own projects for film and TV.

“We are so excited to welcome Jeff and Kyle to the Centricity Publishing family,” VP of Publishing Chad Segura said. “They’re both ridiculously talented, and we know they’ve only scratched the surface of what they’re truly capable of. We’re grateful to be a part of this next chapter for each of them.”

Centricity Publishing’s writer roster includes Lauren Daigle, Johnny Diaz, Mike Grayson, Seth Mosley, Aaron Shust and more.

Pictured (L-R): Chad Segura, Jeff Owen, Justin Nicolet

Collin Raye, ACM Lifting Lives Team For Route 91 Remembrance

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To honor those lost or affected by the tragic events of Oct. 1, 2017, Nathan Adelson Hospice, Southern Nevada’s largest non-profit hospice organization, will host a free, commemorative butterfly release ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 8 at the Las Vegas Community Healing Garden, highlighted by a special performance from Collin Raye.

Raye, who had 16 No. 1 hits and 24 top ten records, including “Love, Me,” will perform as 900 butterflies are released, representing the number of victims and families directly affected by the tragedy.

The event is presented by Nathan Adelson Hospice in conjunction with ACM Lifting Lives, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, The City of Las Vegas and Get Outdoors Nevada and Music City Cares Fund. The special tribute will feature a short, nondenominational ceremony, remarks by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman.

“As an organization that provides extensive grief and bereavement outreach in the community, we understand trauma and its impact on individuals and their loved ones,” said Carole Fisher, President and CEO of Nathan Adelson Hospice. “With help from a grant from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the generous support of The City of Las Vegas, Get Outdoors Nevada, the Lifting Lives arm of the Academy of Country Music and the Music City Cares Fund, we are able to continue the healing process of our community in a visible and meaningful way.”

“ACM Lifting Lives is proud to partner with Nathan Adelson Hospice in this special ceremony honoring the victims and families of the October tragedy,” said Pete Fisher, ACM CEO. “All of us at the Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives truly believe in the powerful role music plays in healing lives, and now in our 15th year, feel a genuine and heartfelt connection to Las Vegas and its people.”

The Las Vegas Community Healing Garden, established shortly after the event, is located at 1015 S. Casino Center Boulevard. Free parking is available.

Still Working Music Group Names New Creative Director

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Emily Olson

Still Working Music Group has named Emily Mueller Olson as Creative Director. Emily will oversee the extensive Still Working catalog and work closely with Still Working writers to make sure their amazing songs are heard.

“We feel so lucky to have Emily join our Still Working family. She is extremely passionate and talented and we can’t wait to see what the future holds!” said Alex Orbison.

Emily moved to Nashville in the Summer of 2005 with a passion for songs and songwriters. She graduated from Belmont University with a Music Business degree and has over 10 years of experience in publishing including stops at Disney Music Publishing, Tom-Leis Music, Pain in the Art Productions, ole, and launching her songwriter/producer/musician management business called listen + connect creative. Notably, Emily holds the credit of Production Assistant on almost a dozen major label projects, including Taylor Swift’s Speak Now album and The Band Perry’s self-titled debut. She has secured over 150 cuts for artists including Brett Young, Randy Houser, Sara Evans, Mickey Guyton, Justin Moore, Sister Hazel, and Trent Harmon.

“All I really want is to be surrounded by great music and great people…get incredible songs floating around Nashville heard….and to help songwriters I really believe in get to where they want to be. Getting to work with the Still Working roster is a dream come true,” said Olson.

Still Working Music was founded in 1990 by the late Barbara Orbison and is now run by her sons, Alex Orbison (President) and Roy Orbison, Jr. (Co-President) along with Chuck Fleckenstein (COO and General Manager). Recent Still Working successes include Kenny Chesney’s No. 1, “All The Pretty Girls,” Miranda Lambert’s “Tin Man” (nominated as 2017 Country Song of the Year) and Lost Frequencies’ “Are You With Me,” a No. 1 in 18 countries around the world. Still Working’s catalog includes hits by Taylor Swift, One Direction, Ashley Monroe, Travis Denning, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, and George Strait as well as cuts by Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Easton Corbin, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Celine Dion, and Joe Walsh.

Still Working Music writers include Tommy Lee James, Gordie Sampson, Jon Randall, Chase Bryant, Dylan Altman, Alana Springsteen, Dominic Scott Kay, and Lance Miller. Still Working Music partners with BMG, Kobalt, and Big Deal, among others.

Recording Academy To Honor Little Big Town, Reps. Judy Chu And Doug Collins

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On April 18, the Recording Academy will celebrate 20 years of advocacy in Washington, D.C., by honoring Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook of three-time Grammy-winning group Little Big Town at the annual GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards. Little Big Town’s contributions to the music industry align with some of the Recording Academy’s key advocacy and organizational causes, including advocating for music education and supporting MusiCares®, a charity founded by the Academy that provides a safety net of support for the music community. The evening will also feature a performance by the band.

Uniting the worlds of music and politics, GRAMMYs on the Hill also recognizes legislators who have improved the environment for music by advocating for music creators’ rights. The 2018 congressional honorees are Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), a long-time champion of music creators, and Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), author of the songwriter-focused Music Modernization Act (H.R. 4706) and a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee. Chu and Collins also both serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Creative Rights Caucus.

“Little Big Town’s advocacy efforts, coupled with the legislative momentum on Capitol Hill to protect creators, further the Academy’s vision of a brighter future for music—something the Recording Academy has been championing since its inception, and made an even greater commitment to when it established its D.C. offices in 1998,” said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. “We also are privileged to recognize the significant contributions of Reps. Chu and Collins, who have long supported the creative community’s right to be fairly compensated and to have meaningful copyright protections, advocating for the current comprehensive legislation, and supporting our continuing campaign for a terrestrial performance right.”

“We’re honored to stand alongside the Academy and Reps. Chu and Collins in speaking out and protecting an industry that has done so much for us,” said Sweet.

“Music is healing and powerful, and music education gives our children an outlet for expression that is absolutely necessary for their overall growth and well-being,” continued Fairchild. “We will continue to do our part to protect music education, songwriters, recordings, and the artists who bring them to life.”

Don Henley, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band are all past honorees at the GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards. Previous GRAMMYs on the Hill congressional honorees include former Vice President Joe Biden; Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.); and House Leaders Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

The awards dinner and show will take place at the Hamilton Live in Washington, D.C., and will feature unique live performances and musical surprises. The GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards are sponsored by music rights organization SESAC Inc.

10th Annual Nashville Honors Gala Raises Over $425K

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Pictured (Front row, L-R): Dr. James Netterville, Mike Smardak, Janet Ayers, Frank Bumstead, David Poile. (Back row, L-R): Danny Gokey, Storme Warren, Natalie Grant, Jeff Foxworthy, Laura Heatherly, Lauren Alaina, Mike Fisher, Charles Esten, Danielle Bouharoun, Shawn Parr. Photo: Rick Diamond for T.J. Martell Foundation

The T.J. Martell Foundation raised more than $425,000 for cancer research during the 10th annual Nashville Honors Gala on Monday (March 26), which featured performances from Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Natalie Grant and more.

The evening marked the 25th anniversary of the T.J. Martell Foundation’s partnership with the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The Nashville Honors Gala alone has raised more than $4 million for cancer research since the event was launched in 2009. Monday’s event was hosted by Nashville actor/singer Charles Esten, and also included performances and appearances from Lauren Alaina, Danny Gokey, Jeff Foxworthy, Agenia Clark, Dr. Ron Eavey, Frank Thomas, and Mike Fisher.

This year’s honorees were:
Janet Ayers – Lifetime Humanitarian Award
David Poile – Spirit of Nashville Award
Frank Bumstead – Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award
Mike Smardak – Tony Martell Outstanding Entertainment Achievement Award
Dr. James Netterville – Medical Research Advancement Award

Natalie Grant. Photo: Rick Diamond for T.J. Martell Foundation

Keith Urban. Photo: Rick Diamond for TJ Martell Foundation

 

Thompson Square Returns After Five-Year Hiatus With ‘Masterpiece’

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Thompson Square are back with their first new album in more than five years, MASTERPIECE, which is set for release June 1. The duo worked with producers Nathan Chapman and Dann Huff on the new project, but also self-produced a few of the independent CD’s 11 new tracks which feature touches of R&B, reggae and hard rock influences.

“This album is called MASTERPIECE, and the definition of a masterpiece is an artist’s life’s work,” Keifer says. “When we’re 80 years old and we look back, we want to be able to say we’re really proud of all the stuff we did.”

Five songs from the album, “Masterpiece,” “A Love Like This,” “Millionaires,” “Up In Smoke” and “Let’s Do Something Stupid,” are available now for fans, and the full length album is available for pre-order here.

The duo will return to the road later this year for a slate of acoustic and full-band shows which will be announced soon.

 

Ty Herndon, Cody Alan To Host 2018 Concert For Love And Acceptance

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GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, announced the 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance set for June 7 at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. The show, taking place the night after the 2018 CMT Music Awards, will feature a coalition of artists and celebrities appearing and performing to accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ community. Ty Herndon and CMT’s Cody Alan will host, and the event will feature performances by Herndon, as well as Terri Clark, Cassadee Pope, Michael Ray, Calum Scott, Brandon Stansell, and more. CMT will return as the event’s media sponsor and will amplify the event and line-up across its radio and social platforms. Additional support for the event is provided by Nissan.

“We’re proud to once again lock arms with our friends at GLAAD to lend our voice and support to an event that champions love and acceptance through the power of music,” said Frank Tanki, General Manager of CMT and TV Land.

“I’m thrilled to partner with GLAAD once again for this show that has broken so much new ground and started so many important conversations over the past three years,” said Herndon. “Letting our LGBTQ friends, family, and neighbors know they are accepted and loved just as they are isn’t just making the world a better place – it’s literally saving lives – and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

The inaugural Concert for Love and Acceptance was held in 2015 to kick off GLAAD’s Southern Stories Tour and the second iteration was held in 2017. The event has been supported by artists like Reba McEntire, with a lineup of performances has included Chris Carmack, Crystal Gayle, Billy Gilman, Dana Goldberg, Kree Harrison, Mickey Guyton, Levi Hummon, Runaway June, Ryan Kinder, Meghan Lindsey, Street Corner Symphony, Thompson Square, and Trent Harmon. GLAAD’s Southern Stories initiative tells the stories of LGBTQ people and their allies in the South to create a cultural shift towards LGBTQ acceptance and understanding in the region.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit glaad.org.