Brad Paisley Adds Bridgestone Arena Tour Date

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Brad Paisley and Rob Hendon. Photo: Derek Cressman

Brad Paisley teamed with painter Rob Hendon for a unique reveal to celebrate the addition of a show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on April 6 to Paisley’s upcoming Weekend Warrior World Tour.

Paisley revealed a wall mural he painted with “the original guitar painter” Hendon on Level One of Bridgestone Arena.

Tickets and VIP packages for the April 6 Nashville date go on sale beginning Friday, Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. local time. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. local time through Thursday, Jan. 25 at 10 p.m. local time. A limited number of exclusive VIP Packages will also be available for sale starting Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. local time. Tickets and VIP packages can be purchased at BradPaisley.com

The winter leg of the Weekend Warrior World Tour kicks-off this Thursday, Jan. 25 in Los Angeles at STAPLES Center and extend through April. Special guests on the tour are Broken Bow Records artist Dustin Lynch, RED BOW Records’ Chase Bryant and fast-rising star and multi-instrumentalist Lindsay Ell.

Stevie Nicks, Lenny Kravitz, Def Leppard Managers Create New Firm

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Lenny Kravitz

Managers for artists including Def Leppard, Stevie Nicks, and Lenny Kravitz have teamed to form CSM Management, with headquarters in Nashville and Los Angeles. The team includes music managers Craig Fruin, Sheryl Louis and Mike Kobayashi. All three were formerly connected with HK Management, whose founder Howard Kaufman died in early 2017.

The CSM roster includes Lenny Kravitz, Jeff Lynne and ELO, Stevie Nicks, Chris Isaak, Def Leppard and Tesla.

“At CSM, we approach client management with a core philosophy and a global brand perspective. We provide each client with a customized focus on every aspect of their career. Collectively, we bring expertise in international marketing, touring, digital marketing and expertise in film, television, design, and merchandising. We all take pride in creating and implementing solutions that are innovative and collaborative with our artists,” commented Fruin, who represents Lenny Kravitz, Jeff Lynne and Jeff Lynne’s ELO.

Sheryl Louis, who manages Stevie Nicks, Chris Isaak and co-manages Fleetwood Mac, commented: “Bringing our individual expertise under one roof gives our clients the opportunity to thrive and grow more than ever. This wider perspective has created a perfect environment for the three of us to collaborate, explore strategies and ideas, and collectively bring our vast experience and attention to the needs of our artists.”

“Forming this company with Craig and Sheryl felt seamless given our long term partnership with Howard and HK Management. Our special bond with one another and collective vision for CSM enables us to focus on what’s most important and meaningful to our artists during every facet of their careers. We understand the need to adapt to the ever-changing music landscape which guides us to be at the forefront of a thriving global industry. Our commitment is to fully servicing our clients in all aspects of the business while actively looking for like-minded artists to grow our roster,” commented Mike Kobayashi who manages Def Leppard and Tesla.

CSM Management’s Nashville office is located at 1200 Clinton Street, Ste. 241. CSM Management can be reached at 615-750-3590 or info@csmmgmt.com.

 

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A Night For Mike Owens: Benefit Show Slated for Jan. 31

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A benefit show for music industry veteran Mike Owens has been set for Jan. 31, 2018, featuring distinguished country music artists Brandy Clark, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Jerrod Niemann, James Otto and others.

The show will be held at at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. and show beginning at 8 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will go towards Owens’ healthcare expenses including costs for modifications needed to his home.

Owens, who most recently served as VP Creative at Sea Gayle Music, began his career in radio promotions at Arista Records in the 90s working for industry stalwarts Tim DuBois and Mike Dungan.

Owens has been on a kidney transplant list for over two years and some of the complications have resulted in a diminished blood supply to his arms and legs. Due to this issue, Doctors at Vanderbilt had to recently remove his leg up to his knee. After being at Vanderbilt hospital for two weeks, he was moved to Summit Rehab center where he began rehab and was fitted for a prosthesis. He was released on Saturday, Jan. 20. With his costly medical expenses, as well as modifications needed for his home, help is needed.

Fo those wishing to contribute directly to assist with these costs, a GoFundme account has been created for Owens.

Tickets to the benefit show can be purchased here.

Rumblefish To Deliver Music Admin Services For Digital Platform WEYV

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The Harry Fox Agency’s Rumblefish has been engaged by WEYV to provide music licensing and royalty support for its new digital content platform, WEYV. WEYV is an ad-free entertainment app that allow users to listen to music, read magazines, and soon, to watch visual content all in one app experience. In addition to offering music from all the major labels and magazines from Time Inc., WEYV will expand its offerings to include additional digital content such as podcasts and videos.

Rumblefish’s music rights and data management platform is designed to simplify licensing and streamline administration. Rumblefish will provide license support, data management, royalty calculation, and publisher payment services for WEYV’s music offering. These services will help to power WEYV with a robust catalog of music and to focus on the growth and expansion of the WEYV platform.

“HFA’s Rumblefish is proud to support the launch of the WEYV digital content platform,” said Michael Simon, President and CEO of The Harry Fox Agency. “With our copyright expertise and extensive publisher relationships, Rumblefish is the most trusted and reliable provider of administration services. And we’re thrilled to support WEYV who recognizes the importance of compensation for music publishers and songwriters.”

“This is an exciting time for WEYV, and we are pleased to have Rumblefish as a trusted partner to expedite administration services,” said Stephanie Scapa, Chief Executive Officer, WEYV. “HFA’s top-notch relationships make it an essential resource for licensing and royalty support as WEYV is committed to fairly compensating our music content providers, including songwriters, artists and publishers.”

WEYV will also donate 0.5% of its revenue to charitable causes, so the more you listen to an artist, the more WEYV will donate to the charity selected by or on behalf of that artist.

Clay Walker, Steve Wariner, Terri Clark Set For Anita Cochran Benefit Concert

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A benefit concert, “A 90’s Country Night: Unplugged,” has been organized for artist Anita Cochran who was diagnosed with triple positive, invasive carcinoma breast cancer back in August 2017.

“A 90’s Country Night: Unplugged” will take place Tuesday, March 13 at 3rd and Lindsley, and will include performances by Clay Walker, Steve Wariner, Terri Clark, Suzy Bogguss, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Ty Herndon, Wade Hayes, The Lynns, Bryan White, Mandy Barnett, and a special guest who is one of Anita’s biggest influences, Crystal Gayle.

Cochran has been undergoing aggressive chemotherapy treatments and has had to stop touring. Although the prognosis is positive, she will continue chemotherapy through the fall. She’s chronicled her treatment since the beginning of her diagnosis in her blog Journey to Healing  anitacochran.com/blog. 

Cochran signed with Warner Bros. Records and released her first project Back To You in 1998, which produced the No. 1  song, “What If I Said,” which featured Steve Wariner. She gained the respect of her peers for her work in producing, singing, writing, and playing multiple instruments including lead guitar on her debut album.

Tickets for the special evening can be purchased here.

Richie McDonald, Larry Stewart, Tim Rushlow Form New Group The Frontmen

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Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas and Richie McDonald of Lonestar have formed a new group, The Frontmen, and are releasing a new single “If It Wasn’t For The Radio” to radio independently. The new tune was penned by Kellys Collins, Austin Cunningham and David Fenley and is a tip of the hat to radio opening the doors to The Frontmen’s own successful careers as hit makers with a collective 30 million records sold and over 50 top 40 hits between them.

“To find a song like this that speaks to who we are, why we do what we do and why we’re here, with honesty and a huge dose of real life, is incredibly humbling and moving!” states Stewart. “At this moment in time, we couldn’t have found a more perfect song for Richie, Tim and myself to sink our hearts into. Because I do not believe we would be where we are today, if it wasn’t for the radio. Truly a gift!”

“The Frontmen are definitely special. There is a common thread that runs through us and our catalog of songs and I am honored to share the stage with these two amazing singers,” says Rushlow. “From multiple global tours performing for our military to shows across America for our fans it is always humbling when the people sing our songs back to us, never missing a lyric. That is simply because radio has embraced us and the music we have all made over the years. Radio is why we’ve had these amazing careers. So, it is entirely fitting that we finally get to record a great song from the heart and give a nod of thanks in their direction.”

The three will launch an accompanying tour beginning Feb. 3, which will kick off in Mississippi and continue on to Oklahoma, Arizona, Minnesota and Nevada with more stops added through the Spring.

The Frontmen Tour Dates:
Feb. 3, 2018 – Gulfport, Miss. – Island View Casino Resort
Feb. 23, 2018 – Shawnee, Okla. – Firelake Arena
Feb. 27, 2018 – Surprise, Ariz. – Happy Trails RV and Golf Resort
Mar. 2, 2018 – Jackpot, Nev. – Cactus Pete’s Resort Casino
Mar. 3, 2018 – Jackpot, Nev. – Cactus Pete’s Resort Casino
Mar 15, 2018 – Tower, Minn. – Fortune Bay Resort  Casino
Mar. 16, 2018 – Tower, Minn. – Fortune Bay Resort  Casino
Mar. 17, 2018 – Morton, Minn. – Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel
More dates announced soon.

Industry Ink: Blue Sky Group, Buddy Lee Attractions, PLA Media

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Blue Sky Group Adds Director Of Royalties

Steven McMillan

Entertainment business and financial management firm Blue Sky Group (BSG) has added Steven McMillan as Director of Royalties. He joins the BSG team from Round Hill Music where he served as the Director of Tracking.

Steven began his career at Big Loud Bucks Administration and Information before joining Round Hill Music and is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. In addition to his work with Blue Sky Group, he is also a member of AIMP, CMA, Copyright Society of the South, and is an alumnus of SOLID Nashville.

Blue Sky Group is located at 54 Music Sq. E. in Nashville.

 

Buddy Lee Attractions Signs Michelle Wright

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Jon Sayles (BLA), Tayler Bock (BLA), Chuck Thompson (Thompson Entertainment Group President), Jimmy Dasher (BLA), Steve Peck (BLA), Aura Guadagno (BLA), Amy Aylward (BLA). Pictured (Front row, L-R): Donna Lee (BLA CEO), Mike Meade (BLA President) Not pictured: David Kiswiney (BLA Sr. VP), Anthony Wozniak (BLA)

Canadian-born artist Michelle Wright, known for hits such as “Take It Like A Man” and “Guitar Talk,” has signed with Buddy Lee Attractions for live concert bookings. Wright, who was signed to Arista Nashville, earned the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Female Artist honor in 1993. She earned 25 Top Ten radio hits and in 2011, was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

PLA Media Signs The Young Fables

PLA Media has signed on to represent Americana/country duo The Young Fables for publicity representation. The duo, managed by Hope Tree Entertainment, will release their sophomore project Old Songs this spring. The album is produced by Mitch Dane, known for work with Jars of Clay, Brandon Heath and Caedmon’s Call.

YouTube video

Dierks Bentley To Launch 40-City Mountain High Tour This Summer

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Dierks Bentley announced today he is hitting the road on the Mountain High Tour later this year, which will kick off May 17 in Columbia, Maryland and  will hit over 40 cities with special guests Brothers Osborne and LANCO. The announcement comes on the heels of his upcoming new album, The Mountain, and his brand new single, “Woman, Amen,” which was just released.

“I needed the time off to devote all my attention to the new music and making The Mountain album…but now I can’t wait to fire up the buses and get back out there,” said Bentley. “I’ve been friends with TJ and John for a long time and I have loved watching their career explode. I’m just getting to know the boys in LANCO, but I love their music and the energy they bring to the stage. And after seeing them and the Bros party down at the grand opening of my new bar on Lower Broadway last week, I can tell you it’s gonna be game on this summer!”

Bentley, Brothers Osborne and LANCO started prepping for the road with a wild trip up “The Mountain,” and shared the video exclusively with Entertainment Weekly.

On Friday (Jan. 26), the first tickets to select cities will be available as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at Megaticket.com. Citi is the official credit card of the 2018 Mountain High Tour, and card members will have access to presale tickets through Citi Private Pass, Citi’s Entertainment Access Program.

First Announced 2018 MOUNTAIN HIGH TOUR Stops:
Columbia, Md.
Holmdel, N.J.
Philadelphia
Cincinnati
Clarkston, Mich.
St. Louis
Kansas City, Mo.
Pittsburgh
Indianapolis
Bethel, N.Y.
Darien Center, N.Y.
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Raleigh, N.C.
Charlotte, N.C.
Alpharetta, Ga.
Salt Lake City
Virginia Beach, Va.
Bristow, Va.
New York City
Jacksonville, Fla.
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Tampa, Fla.
Austin, Texas
Houston, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Albuquerque, N.M.
Phoenix
Mountain View, Calif.
Sacramento, Calif.
San Diego
Los Angeles

Eric Church’s ‘Mr. Misunderstood’ Reaches Million-Plus Mark

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Eric Church’s Mr. Misunderstood album.

Eric Church‘s fifth album, Mr. Misunderstood, has reached the Platinum mark, selling over one million units since its release. Church sent copies of the album to members of his devoted fan club, the Church Choir, before surprise announcing it at the 2015 CMA Awards and putting it on sale to the public.

The project has already produced the Grammy-nominated No. 1 single “Record Year,” “Kill A Word,” and the current single “Round Here Buzz,” which has become the fourth No. 1 from the album. The distinct story line of the album started with the lead single/title-track, “Mr. Misunderstood” which included a video featuring a real teenager, Mickey Smay, a musically inclined 14-year-old from Rochester, NY, who carried the album’s theme through the subsequent singles.

Church is gearing up for a performance on the upcoming Grammys with Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne to pay tribute to victims of violence in 2017.

Restless Heart Announces Initial Dates On 35th Anniversary Tour

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Restless Heart. Photo: Adrian David Payne

Country music group Restless Heart has announced the first round of live concert dates for its year-long 35th Anniversary Tour. Over a dozen of performances have been announced in this initial run with stops in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky.

“35 years… far more than we could have ever imagined or hoped for, and still an absolute privilege to share the stage with all of our original members,” says Restless Heart’s Dave Innis. “That is something to be grateful for and it’s in thanks to all our amazing fans, old and new, who have become friends and family to us throughout the years.”

Larry Stewart, the band’s lead singer, adds, “I’m so honored to hit the stage with my original bandmates every night, and I believe we’re as good as we’ve ever been. To see our fans continue to support us and to see so many new fans attend our shows, it’s humbling. Thank you to our RH family for remaining loyal fans!”

John Dittrich, Greg Jennings, Paul Gregg, Stewart, and Innis—the five original men who make up Restless Heart—have enjoyed one of the most successful group careers in country music history, placing six consecutive No. 1 hits and four Gold-certified albums.

Additional dates will be announced via restlessheartband.com in the coming weeks.

Restless Heart 35th Anniversary Tour First-Round Schedule

Jan 27 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
Feb 10 – Waco, TX – Karem Shriner Hall
Feb 17 – Punta Gorda, FL – Downtown Hoedown
Feb 24 – Bowie, TX – Bowie Community Center
March 24 – Manistee, MI – Little River Casino Resort
April 12 – Pigeon Forge, TN – Dollywood Showstreet Palace Theater
April 13 – Hopewell, VA – The Beacon Theatre
May 5 – San Angelo, TX – House of FiFi DuBois
June 16 – Bremen, GA – Mill Town Music Hall
July 3 – Campbellsville, KY – Campbellsville Fourth of July
July 7 – Norman, OK – Riverwind Casino
July 28 – Rural Retreat, VA – Rural Retreat
Sept 8 – Arenzville, IL – Burgoo Festival
Oct 19 – Pigeon Forge, TN – Country Tonite Theatre