Little Big Town, Lady Gaga, P!nk To Perform At Grammy Awards’ 60th Anniversary

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The upcoming 60th Anniversary of the Grammy Awards will include some milestone performances during its Jan. 28 broadcast on CBS. Little Big Town, Lady Gaga, Childish Gambino, P!nk, Patti LuPone, and Ben Platt are the first slate of performers announced who will be performing on the show’s special anniversary celebration.

The show returns to New York this year for the first time in 15 years and will be hosted by James Corden and air live from Madison Square Garden in New York City. In celebration of the show’s return to New York, two-time Grammy winner LuPone will reprise her 1981 Grammy performance of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” and “Dear Evan Hansen’s” currently nominated Ben Platt will perform a classic from West Side Story in a special Broadway tribute honoring the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Leonard Bernstein.

Two-time Grammy winners Little Big Town are nominated for Best Country Album (The Breaker) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Better Man”). Other country nominees include Chris Stapleton with three nods, and Midland, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, and Miranda Lambert all with two nominations. A full list of country nominations can be seen here.

 

Chris Stapleton To Appear On New Justin Timberlake Album

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Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton is one of several artists who will make an appearance on Justin Timberlake‘s upcoming Man Of The Woods album, slated to release Feb. 2 (RCA Records). The collaboration marks the artists’ first official recorded collaboration since their 2015 CMA Awards duet of “Tennessee Whiskey/Drink You Away,” which proved to be a star-making turn for Stapleton. In September 2017, Stapleton joined Timberlake for a surprise collaboration the Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin, Tennessee.

Other artists to collaborate on Timberlake’s new album include Alicia Keys, Timbaland, and The Neptunes. According to a preview trailer for Man of the Woods, Timberlake says the album was inspired by wife, actress Jessica Biel and their son Silas, and his own history.

Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton perform during the 2015 Country Music Association Awards. Photo: CMA/Instagram

“This album is really inspired by my son, my wife, my family but more so than any other album I’ve written, where I’m from. It’s personal,” Timberlake says in the trailer clip for the album. Timberlake is originally from Memphis, Tennessee, and in 2015, he purchased a home just outside of Nashville, in Leiper’s Fork. After his collaboration on “Drink You Away,” with Chris Stapleton at the 2015 CMA Awards, the song was promoted to country radio.

Timberlake will release the album’s first single, “Filthy,” on Jan. 5. The track was penned and produced by Timberlake, Timbaland and Danja, with additional writing credits from James Fauntleroy and Larrance Dopson. Following “Filthy,” Timberlake will release three additional music videos, each with their own individual style and color from three different directors. The additional songs will be released weekly starting on Jan. 18 leading up to the release of the full album.  Two days after the release of the album, Timberlake will hit the stage and headline the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show on Sunday, Feb. 4.

Public Memorial Service For Mel Tillis To Be Held At Ryman Auditorium

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Mel Tillis

The Tillis family has announced details for a public memorial service for the late Mel Tillis. On Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m., family, friends, fans, and music industry colleagues, will gather at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium to honor the life and career of the Country Music Hall of Famer.

A slew of country stars will perform some of Tillis’ most memorable career songs. Those scheduled to take the stage include Ricky Skaggs, Ray Stevens, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Brenda Lee, Alison Krauss with the Street Corner Symphony, Jamey Johnson, Collin Raye, Daryle Singletary, Lorrie Morgan, Ira Dean, Pam Tillis, Sonny Tillis, and Carrie April Tillis. The Statesiders, Tillis’ band, will accompany select performances.

The event is free and open to the public.

Following a lengthy struggle to regain his health, country music legend Mel Tillis passed away on Nov. 19, 2017, at the Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida. Tillis battled intestinal issues since early 2016 and never fully recovered. He was 85.

Lonnie Melvin Tillis was born in Tampa, Florida on Aug. 8, 1932. Throughout his 60+ year career, the Grand Ole Opry member recorded more than 60 albums, had 35 Top Ten singles, six No. 1 hits (“I Ain’t Never,” “Coca-Cola Cowboy,” “Southern Rains,” “Good Woman Blues,” “Heart Healer,” and “I Believe In You”), was named CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1976, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame the same year. Tillis was elected a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He wrote over 1,000 songs, 600 of which have been recorded by major artists including Kenny Rogers (“Ruby, Don’t You Take Your Love To Town”), George Strait (“Thoughts Of A Fool”) and Ricky Skaggs (“Honey, Open That Door”). BMI named Tillis Songwriter of the Decade for two decades. In February of 2012 President Obama awarded Tillis the National Medal of Arts.

Industry Ink: Milkbone Challenge, 78 RPM Records, ‘Nash Nights Live’

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Writers Compete In ‘Milkbone Challenge’

Pictured (L-R) Back row: James McNair, Scott Thomas, Matt Alderman, Seth Ennis, Josh Dunne, Brock Berryhill, Tyler Reeve, Jeremy Bussey, Barry Knox, Jamie Paulin. Second Row (L-R): Jona Sherwood, Jared Mullins, Jay Brunswick, Jody Stevens, Tommy Cecil, Jaida Dreyer, Greylan James, Brad Clawson, Matt Thomas. Front Row (L-R): Mandelyn Monchick, Kasey Tyndall, Lainey Wilson. Photo: Kristin KJ Joyner. [CLICK TO ENLARGE]

On Dec. 28 some of Nashville’s hit songwriters joined forces for the second annual Milkbone Challenge (MBC). Twenty-two writers, artists and composers met at Parmalee’s house west of Nashville to write songs and compete for the MBC awards including Best Song of the Day, Lick O’ The Day and Line Of The Day.

The challenge was divided into two sessions with five writing teams per session where teams had three hours to write and record their song. At the end of the day, those involved gathered to listen to all the songs. Judges Tom Luteran (SonyATV), Dave Rose (Deep South Entertainment {DSE}), Mandelyn Monchick (DSE), Tiffany Bearden (Evolution PR) and Kasey Cleckler (NSAI) deliberated to choose the winners of the three existing categories, as well as establish a new category for Best Radio Song.

Best Song of the Day was awarded to “Back Of A Baptist Church,” penned by Seth Ennis, Jaida Dreyer, Tommy Cecil and Jared Mullins. Line of the Day was awarded to Seth Ennis for “Cause she’s got it all and her only flaw is who’s holding her hand” in the song “She Loves Me,” penned by Ennis, Barry Knox, Matt Alderman and Lainey Wilson. Lick O’ The Day was awarded to James McNair for the song “Home Away from Home,” written by McNair, Jona Sherwood, Parmalee’s Matt Thomas, Kasey Tyndall and Parmalee’s Barry Knox. The brand new Best Radio Song award was presented to “Looking For A Song,” written by Jody Stevens, Jay Brunswick, Greylan James and Brad Clawson.

This year’s participants included: Tommy Cecil, Jared Mullins, Jaida Dreyer, Seth Ennis, Jody Stevens, Jay Brunswick, Greylan James, Brad Clawson, Barry Knox, Jona Sherwood, Matt Thomas, James McNair, Kasey Tyndall, Will Weatherly, Scott Thomas, Jamie Paulin, Matt Alderman, Josh Dunne, Brock Berryhill, Tyler Reeve, Lainey Wilson and Jeremy Bussey.

78 RPM Records Inks Deal With Vince Youngs

Pictured (L-R): Attorney William Whitacre, Vince Youngs and 78 RPM Records’ Bernie Faulkner (standing). Photo: so much MOORE media

President of 78 RPM Records’ Bernie Faulkner has announced the signing of Modesto, California based country newcomer Vince Youngs to the label and On The Wall Music. Expect Youngs’ first radio release later this month.

 

Nash Nights Live‘s Elaina Smith To Be Featured On Final Season Of Nashville

Elaina Smith with the episode’s director, Tim Busfield (The West Wing, Studio 60).

NASH Nights Live‘s Elaina Smith debuts Thursday night (Jan. 4) on the season premiere of CMT’s Nashville. Smith will play herself, conducting an interview with Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere). The CMT episode, titled “New Strings,” launches the series’ sixth and final season.

Anacrusis Inks Admin Deal With Kobalt

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Nashville-based publisher Anacrusis has signed an exclusive, global administration deal with Kobalt Music Group. Anacrusis was started by Liz Rogers, who now serves as Creative Director. The Anacrusis-Kobalt partnership will be managed by Kobalt’s Nashville office, under GM Jesse Willoughby.  Kobalt will be handling admin for Anacrusis’ catalog, which includes pop artist Drew Southwell, who recently collaborated with Steve Aoki, and has garnered attention from Timbaland.

“We could not be more excited to partner with Kobalt,” said Rogers. “They are a true leader in merging technology and music, while maintaining valuable relationships and service, focusing on the songwriter. “We have exciting opportunities on the horizon and Kobalt is the perfect partner to help take Anacrusis to the next level.”   

Anacrusis will be hosting a writing camp and official showcase at the Sundance Film Festival featuring both Anacrusis and Kobalt writers, as well as presenting The Nashville House at SXSW again in March. 

Sugarland Plots 2018 Still The Same Tour

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Following the announcement of Sugarland’s return with an upcoming album to be released jointly via UMG Nashville and Big Machine Label Group, the duo has announced it will hit the road this year with 48 tour stops, including a stop in Nashville. Other cities on the tour include Atlanta, Anaheim, Dallas, Seattle, and more. Specific dates for each city have not yet been announced.

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush recently returned to country radio with the new single, “Still The Same,” marking their first radio offering since 2011’s “Tonight.”

The duo has sold nearly 10 million albums domestically, and earned Platinum-certified singles including “All I Want to Do,” “Stay” and the 2x Platinum “Stuck Like Glue.” During their career, the duo has also earned several accolades including CMA Vocal Duo of the Year (2007-2011), five ACM Awards (including Song of the Year and Single of the Year) and Grammy honors for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and Best Country Song, for “Stay.”

The duo’s reunion comes after both Nettles and Bush released solo projects in recent years. Nettles released the solo album, That Girl, in 2014 via Mercury Nashville. Her second solo album, Playing With Fire, released via Big Machine in 2016. Meanwhile, Bush released the solo album Southern Gravity as a solo artist in 2015 with the now defunct Streamsound Records before signing with BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records. There, he also produced Lindsay Ell’s The Project, released in August on the label group’s Stoney Creek Records.

Sugarland 2018 Still The Same Tour Stops

Allentown, Pa.
Anaheim, Calif.
Atlanta
Augusta, Ga.
Bakersfield, Calif.
Bismarck, N.D.
Chicago
Columbia, Md.
Columbus, Ohio
Dallas
Daytona beach, Fla.
Denver
Des Moines, Iowa
Durant, Okla.
Gilford, N.H.
Grand Island, Neb.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Green Bay, Wis.
Greenville, S.C.
Huntsville, Ala.
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Louisville, Ky.
Moline, Ill.
Nashville, Tenn.
Newark, N.J.
Niagara falls, Ontario
Omaha, Neb.
Pensacola, Fla.
Phoenix, Ariz.
Portland, Oregon
Raleigh, N.C.
Rapid city, S.D.
San Diego, Calif.
Santa Barbara, Calif.
Seattle
Sioux falls, S.D.
Spokane, Wash.
St. Louis
St. Paul, Minn.
Sugar Land, Texas
Toledo, Ohio
Tulsa, Okla.
Uncasville, Conn.
Verona, N.Y.
Wichita, Kan.
Worcester, Mass.
Youngstown, Ohio

Smithfield To Join Granger Smith On 2018 Tour

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Smithfield will join Wheelhouse Records artist Granger Smith for 12 dates on his upcoming 2018 Winter tour. The Texas acts will kick off the tour on Jan. 18 at Irving Plaza in New York, New York.

Duo Smithfield, which includes Jennifer Fiedler and Trey Smith, released the single, “When You’re Gone,” which has earned more than 2.1 million streams on Spotify, 480K views on YouTube and is consistently topping the CMT 12-Pack Countdown. Both songwriters, Fiedler is aligned with ASCAP, while Smith is signed with SESAC. Last year, the duo took part in SiriusXM and Live Nation’s Highway Finds Tour, alongside Steve Moakler and Drew Baldridge.

Smithfield Tour Dates:
Jan. 18: Irving Plaza | New York, NY
Jan. 19: Paradise Island Rock | Boston, MA
Jan. 20: Starland Ballroom | Sayreville, NJ
Jan. 25:  Kegs Canal Side | Jordan, NY
Jan. 26: Upstate Concert Hall | Clifton Park, NY
Jan. 27: Trocadero Theatre | Philadelphia, PA
Jan. 28: Anthology | Rochester, NY
Feb. 1: Castle Theatre | Bloomington, IL
Feb. 3: Prarie’s Edge Casino Resort | Granite Falls, MN
Feb. 8: Ram’s Head Live | Baltimore, MD
Feb. 9: Dusty Armadillo | Rootstown, OH
Feb. 15: The Griffin Restaurant | El Dorado, AR

Exile Celebrates 55th Anniversary With No Limit Tour

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Music group Exile will celebrate its 55th anniversary with the upcoming No Limit Tour, which launches this month with shows in the Nashville area. The band will appear on the Huckabee Show (TBN) on Jan. 13, followed by a Grand Ole Opry appearance the same day. The band will play Franklin, Tennessee’s Franklin Theatre on Feb. 10, followed by shows in Kentucky, Florida, Oklahoma, Iowa, and more.

Since forming in Richmond, Kentucky, in 1963, Exile has sold more than 8 million records and earned three Gold records. 2018 also marks the 40th anniversary of the group’s hit “Kiss You All Over,” which spent four weeks atop the Billboard pop chart in 1978. The band’s other hits include “Give Me One More Chance,” and “I Don’t Want to Be a Memory,” among others.

“We’re excited and proud to commemorate this landmark achievement in Exile’s history of 55 years as a band as well as celebrating the 40th Anniversary of ‘Kiss You All Over’ this year!” said members of Exile, adding, ”there are some very special plans for 2018, and we cannot wait to share them with all our fans.”

Exile “No Limit Tour” 2018
Jan. 13 – National TV – Huckabee Show – TBN
Jan. 13 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
Feb. 10 – Franklin, TN – Franklin Theatre
Feb. 15 – Lancaster, KY – Grand Theater
Feb. 16 – McMinnville, TN – Park Theater
Feb. 24 – Weirsdale, FL – Orange Blossom Opry
Mar. 3 – Norman, OK – Thunderbird Casino
Apr. 14 – Niagara Falls, Ontario – Niagara Falls View Casino Resort
Apr. 16 – Pigeon Forge, TN – Dollywood, Show Street Theater
Jun. 3 – Branson, MO – Silver Dollar City
Jun. 8 – Richmond, KY – Chenault Vineyards
Jun. 29 – Prestonsburg, KY – Mountain Arts Center – Hillbilly Christmas in July
Jul. 22 – Iowa City, IA – Johnson County Fair
Aug. 11 – Bevier, MO – Bevier Homecoming
Oct. 2 – Eminence, MO – Cross Country Trail Ride
Oct. 16 – Hiawassee, GA – Georgia Mountain Fair / Anderson Music Hall
Nov. 17 – Federalsburg, MD – Curtis Andrew Auctions Events w/Rhonda Vincent
Nov. 30 – Scottsburg, IN – Ross Country Jamboree
Dec. 1 – Scottsburg, IN – Ross Country Jamboree
Dec. 15 – Bremen, GA – Mill Town Music Hall

mTheory Adds Marketing Manager

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Erica Buchi

mtheory Nashville, the Music City division of the artist management services company, has hired Erica Buchi as Marketing Manager.

Buchi comes to mtheory from Ticketmaster/Live Nation Entertainment, where she was Marketing Services Specialist- National Tours. For over five years, she supported artists like Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line and Carrie Underwood.

mtheory, which was founded in 2010, also has offices in New York and Los Angeles.

Buchi can be reached at erica@mtheory.com

Funeral Services Set For Opry’s Hairl Hensley

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Photo credit: WSM

The life of Country DJ Hall of Fame member Hairl Hensley will be celebrated on Friday – he died on New Year’s Eve, his birthday, at age 81.

Best known as a host of The Grand Ole Opry for 35 years, Hensley also hosted satellite-radio programs, presented bluegrass showcases, worked as a TV announcer and was a regular on Knoxville’s Tennessee Barn Dance.

A native of Madisonville in East Tennessee, Hairl Hensley initially aspired to be a musical performer. Born Dec. 31, 1936, he learned to play guitar as a teenager. He joined a country band that was regularly featured on WDEH in Sweetwater, TN. When the station’s morning DJ was promoted, Hensley took that job.

He worked his way up through the country ranks to become an announcer on WNOX in Knoxville. His duties included co-hosting the station’s Tennessee Barn Dance show. Its cast included such future Nashville stars as Jim & Jesse, Don Gibson and Archie Campbell.

Hensley’s first big job in Nashville was as the voice-over announcer on Porter Wagoner’s widely syndicated TV series. During the late 1950s, he also became the overnight DJ on WKDA in Nashville. He served a stint at WMAK in Music City before being named the program director at WLAC.

In 1972, he joined the staff of WSM, the host station of The Grand Ole Opry. He worked at the station and/or the Opry for the next 35 years. Hensley became known as “the dean of Grand Ole Opry announcers” and was one of the most familiar voices in the annals of country radio.

He was named Country Disc Jockey of the Year by the CMA in 1975. In the early 1980s, he became WSM’s program director.

Hairl Hensley was inducted into the Country Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1995. The following year, Hensley was named Bluegrass DJ of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music. His daily WSM radio series included “The Early Bird Gets the Bluegrass” and “Orange Possum Special.”

He won the Radio Personality Award at the 2000 Golden Voice Awards. Hensley left WSM in 2004, but continued to announce Opry broadcasts. In later years, he also hosted a daily show on the Sirius “Roadhouse” satellite radio channel.

Ill health forced his retirement in 2007.

Hairl Hensley was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2014.

He suffered a heart attack and underwent triple-bypass surgery on September 17, 2017. He died on December 31 in Mt. Juliet, TN.

Visitation with the family is scheduled for Friday, January 5 from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Spring Hill Funeral Home in Nashville. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 2:00 p.m.