IBMA Reveals Nominees For 2017 IBMA Awards

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The International Bluegrass Music Association revealed this year’s nominees for the IBMA Awards, during an event held at the SiriusXM Studios in Nashville Wednesday morning (July 26).

IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger announced the 2017 International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductees, which include Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, Bobby Hicks, and Roland White.

Distinguished achievement awards will be presented to Norman Blake, bluegrass music publication Bluegrass Today, Louisa Branscomb, Fletcher Bright, and Silver Dollar City.

Entertainer of the Year nominee Balsam Range ended the nomination reveal with a performance alongside Female Vocalist of the Year nominee and reigning IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year Sierra Hull and Justin Moses.

Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn will host the IBMA’s 28th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show on Thursday, Sept. 28 at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

Entertainer of the Year:
Balsam Range
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Earls Of Leicester
Flatt Lonesome
The Gibson Brothers

Female Vocalist of the Year:
Brooke Aldridge
Dale Ann Bradley
Sierra Hull
Amanda Smith
Molly Tuttle

Male Vocalist of the Year
Shawn Camp
Eric Gibson
Leigh Gibson
Buddy Melton
Russell Moore

Emerging Artist Of the Year
Front Country
The Lonely Heartstring Band
Molly Tuttle
Sister Sadie
Volume Five

Vocal Group of the Year
Balsam Range
Blue Highway
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Flatt Lonesome
The Gibson Brothers

Instrumental Group of the Year
Balsam Range
The Earls Of Leicester
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Punch Brothers

Song of the Year
“Blue Collar Dreams,” recorded by Balsam Range; Aaron Bibelhauser (writer)
“Going Back To Bristol,” recorded by Shawn Camp; Mac Wiseman, Thomm Jutz, Peter Cooper (writers)
“I Am A Drifter,” recorded by Volume Five; Donna Ulisse, Marc Rossi (writers)
“Someday Soon,” recorded by Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Ian Tyson (writer)
“The Train That Carried My Girl From Town,” recorded by The Earls Of Leicester; Frank Hutchison (writer)

Album of the Year
Fiddler’s Dream, Michael Cleveland; Producers: Jeff White/Michael Cleveland; Compass Records
In The Ground, The Gibson Brothers; Producers: Eric Gibson/Leigh Gibson/Mike Barber; Rounder Records
Mountain Voodoo, Balsam Range; Producer: Balsam Range; Mountain Home Records
Original, Bobby Osborne; Producer: Alison Brown; Compass Records
Rattle & Roar, The Earls Of Leicester; Producer: Jerry Douglas; Rounder Records

Recorded Event Of The Year
“East Virginia Blues,” Ricky Wasson and Dan Tyminski
“Going Back To Bristol,” Shawn Camp with Mac Wiseman, Peter Cooper, Thomm Jutz
“I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You,” Bobby Osborne with Sierra Hull, Alison brown, Rob Ickes, Stuart Duncan, Trey Hensley, Todd Phillips, Kenny Malone, Claire Lynch, and Bryan McDowell
“Steamboat Whistle Blues,” Michael Cleveland ft. Sam Bush
“‘Tis Sweet To Be Remembered,” Mac Wiseman and Alison Krauss

For a full list of nominees, visit ibma.org.

Manchester City Football Club And Sony Nashville Team For Pre-Game Fan Party

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Manchester City Football Club will be hosting a huge pre-game fan party before its soccer match against Tottenham Hotspur here in Nashville on July 29 at the George Jones Museum and Entertainment Complex. Sony Nashville is supporting the event, with artists Ryan Hurd, Seth Ennis, and The Sisterhood performing.

Manchester City ambassador Mike Summerbee and former player Paul Dickov will be on hand at the party to meet fans and preview the upcoming pre-season match, and fans can enjoy Q&A’s onstage and giveaways during the event. 

“I’m so thrilled to team up with Manchester City to officially kick off their big game this weekend in Nashville,” said Ennis. “I love soccer and have always been the biggest City fan, so to have a match in our backyard and be able to welcome them to town and watch them play is so exciting. I can’t wait to get the party started for City fans with Ryan and The Sisterhood. Let’s go City!”

Ricky Skaggs To Perform First Full Country Concert In 20 Years At Nashville Palace

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Photo courtesy of Carson Photoworks

Ricky Skaggs is performing his first full-blown concert in two decades on Sept. 2 in Nashville at the Nashville Palace. Skaggs is plugging back in for the concert and cranking up his hits from the ’80s, including “Highway 40 Blues,” “Honey (Open That Door),” “Heartbroke,” “Country Boy,” and “Uncle Pen,” among others.

Skaggs has been honoring a promise he made to the late Bill Monroe to do his part to keep bluegrass alive, and since Monroe’s passing in 1996, Skaggs has kept that promise, playing thousands of live bluegrass shows and releasing several albums dedicated to the genre. But he’s decided it’s time to dust off the songs that made him famous.

“After playing bluegrass music for the last 20 years, I’m gonna have a blast plugging in my electric guitar and singing my country hits again,” says Skaggs. “Can’t wait! We did a test run of the show back in June and came away from it feeling great!”

Since he began playing more than 50 years ago, Skaggs has released over 30 albums. He started his own record label, Skaggs Family Records, in 1997, and has released 12 consecutive Grammy-nominated albums on the label.

Tickets to Skaggs’ country show, which range from $20-200, go on sale today and can be purchased HERE.

ASCAP, BMI Reveal Comprehensive Musical Works Database

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Performing rights organizations ASCAP and BMI have joined forces to create a single, comprehensive database of musical works from their combined repertories that will deliver an authoritative view of ownership shares in the vast majority of music licensed in the United States.

Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, ASCAP and Mike O’Neill, President and CEO, BMI announced the database, which will feature aggregated song ownership data from both PROs and offer greater transparency in song ownership. ASCAP’s and BMI’s respective databases will continue to be available on each organization’s respective website during the creation and initial launch of the joint database.

The joint database will roll out in phases with Phase One expected to launch by the end of 2018, and include the majority of ASCAP and BMI registered songs. Future phases will explore customizable, interactive API solutions and the potential inclusion of other databases.

A cross functional team of copyright, technical and data experts from BMI and ASCAP began working on the project over one year ago, in anticipation of the demand from licensees and the industry for more clarity around ownership shares. The database, which will be publicly available initially via ASCAP and BMI websites, will feature aggregated information from BMI’s and ASCAP’s repertories and will indicate where other performing rights organizations may have an interest in a musical work.

ASCAP and BMI have long had their respective online, searchable repertory databases – ASCAP’s ACE Repertory and BMI’s Repertoire Search. Both PRO public databases already include the following information, which will be combined in the joint database: song and composition titles, performing artist information, aggregated shares by society for ASCAP & BMI, international Standard Work Codes (ISWC) and other unique identifiers, as well as IP names and numbers.

The respective teams are analyzing, testing and reconciling the data from each organization, addressing incomplete and/or incorrect registrations, share splits, U.S. representation of international works and complicated ownership disputes, among other things. They are now testing the combined data sets in a cloud platform, and the results of that analysis will serve as the foundation for the joint database.

Matthews commented, “ASCAP and BMI are proactively and voluntarily moving the entire industry a step forward to more accurate, reliable and user-friendly data. We believe in a free market with more industry cooperation and alignment on data issues. Together, ASCAP and BMI have the most expertise in building and managing complex copyright ownership databases. With our combined experience, we are best positioned to make faster headway in creating a robust, cost effective market solution to meet the needs of the licensing marketplace.”

O’Neill added, “This is an important solution for the marketplace created by the experts who know their data best. We have always advocated for data transparency and supported the need for a user-friendly and comprehensive solution that would benefit music users and music creators alike. While BMI and ASCAP remain fierce competitors in all other regards, we recognize that our combined expertise allows us to create the best solution for our members and the marketplace. We’re excited by our momentum and the promise of what this database can become in the future.”

LifeNotes: Multi-Talented Guitarist Billy Joe Walker Jr. Passes

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Billy Walker Jr.

The Nashville music community lost one of its most gifted and diverse contributors with the death of Billy Joe Walker Jr. this week.

Walker was one of the most prolific session musicians in Music City. He was a hit songwriter. He was an acclaimed recording artist. He produced records for more than a dozen stars.

Among the artists whose recordings he guided are Travis Tritt, Collin Raye, Mark Chesnutt, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tracy Byrd and Pam Tillis.

He discovered, as well as produced, Bryan White.

More than 100 of Walker’s songs have been recorded, including such major hits as “I Wanna Dance With You” (1984) and “B-B- B Burning Up With Love” (1986), both sung and co-written by Eddie Rabbitt. Others who have recorded Billy Joe Walker Jr.’s songs include Trisha Yearwood, Jerrod Niemann, Van Zandt, Tanya Tucker, Billy Currington, Chet Atkins and John Anderson.

It would be easier to cite Nashville artists he has not backed in the studio, rather than the voluminous list of those he has.

Just a sampling of the stars he has accompanied on records includes Ray Charles, Merle Haggard, The Dixie Chicks, Tom Jones, Hank Williams Jr., Bryan Adams, George Jones and Randy Travis.

Billy Joe Walker Jr. also achieved notoriety via a series of major-label, star-guitar records in a smooth-jazz style that was sometimes described as “new age.”

He was a native of Midland, Texas, who became a self-taught guitarist at age 6. A local radio station gave him his own 30-minute program, “The Little Billy Walker Show,” when he was 9. As a teenager, he worked regularly in Texas nightclubs.
When he was 17, he moved to Los Angeles to seek his fortune.

Within two years, he was playing sessions. In addition to backing stars such as Glen Campbell and The Beach Boys, he played for TV soundtracks, commercial jingles and film scores, including movies starring Clint Eastwood, Anthony Quinn and Burt Reynolds.

Producer Jimmy Bowen first brought him to Nashville in 1980. Walker was soon backing Kenny Rogers, Waylon Jennings, Crystal Gayle, Mickey Gilley, Steve Wariner, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill and dozens more. After several years of commuting, he moved to Music City in 1985.

Billy Joe Walker Jr.’s solo recording career began in 1987. Signed to MCA Records, he issued Treehouse, so named because he recorded it in his home studio of that name. Painting Music and Universal Language followed as solo LPs in 1989 and 1990, respectively.

Walker next signed as a pop instrumentalist with Geffen Records in L.A. His solo CDs The Walk (1992) and Untitled (1993) ensued. Several of his albums during this period became jazz-chart successes and earned rave reviews.

His next two albums were recorded for Bowen’s Liberty Records imprint in Nashville. These were 1993’s Warm Front and 1994’s Life Is Good.

Walker brought Bryan White to fame beginning in 1994. He produced White’s breakthrough hits “Someone Else’s Star,” “Rebecca Lynn,” “I’m Not Supposed to Love You Anymore,” “So Much for Pretending” and “Sittin’ on Go.”

His solo instrumental CDs continued with Children Play in 1996 and Defeated Creek in 1997. As a session musician, he now backed Martina McBride, Rodney Crowell, George Strait and others.

He also continued producing records. “All the Good Ones Are Gone,” which he produced for Pam Tillis, earned a CMA Single of the Year nomination in 1997. Travis Tritt’s Down the Road I Go, produced by Walker in 2000, became a Platinum Record.

The Walker productions “Just Let Me Be in Love” and “Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo” revived Tracy Byrd’s career in 2001-02. The CD The Other Side, which Walker produced for Billy Ray Cyrus, was nominated for a 2003 Dove Award by the gospel industry.

Byrd’s CD The Truth About Men, which Walker produced, earned an ACM nomination in 2003. Walker also worked with new artists such as Brad Martin, Drew Smith and Shelley Skidmore.

In 2009, Billy Joe Walker Jr. launched a new website. He signed a new personal management contract with The Consortium in 2011.

But he had been in declining health in recent years. Billy Joe Walker Jr. passed away at age 64 in Kerrville, Texas on Tuesday (July 25).

Walker is survived by son, Dr. Shane Walker, of Naples, Florida, and by daughter Katelyn Walker, of Nashville. Funeral arrangements have not been announced. A memorial service will be held in Nashville.

Artist Updates: Montgomery Gentry, Phil Vassar, Kellie Pickler, Alisa Turner

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Montgomery Gentry To Headline T.J. Martell Foundation’s Country On The Beach

Montgomery Gentry will headline the T.J. Martell Foundation’s 9th Annual Country on the Beach at the Reach Resort in Key West, Florida. The event runs from Oct. 1-4, 2017. Hosted by Storme Warren, the event will include concerts by some of country music’s most popular artists, daily events and parties, all for the benefit of raising funds for cancer research. For tickets, visit countryonthebeach.com.

 

Phil Vassar, Kellie Pickler Team For Christmas Tour

Phil Vassar and Kellie Pickler are teaming up this season for a special Christmas tour around the country launching Nov. 24. In honor of the tour, Pickler and Vassar are releasing a new Christmas single this holiday season called “The Naughty List,” written by Vassar and Juliana Songs and co-produced by Vassar and long-time friend Dane Bryan, who also co-produced Vassar’s first Christmas album, Noel. Tickets for A Christmas Tour go on sale Friday, July 28.

 

Integrity Music To Release Debut Album From Alisa Turner


Nashville-based artist Alisa Turner’s self-titled debut is set for release from Integrity Music on Aug. 25 with the pre-sale beginning Aug. 4. Produced by Grammy-nominated Michael Farren, Alisa Turner weaves her very personal story of grief and suffering with hope and redemption. The project includes “My Prayer For You,” the project’s first radio single, which was penned by Farren.

 

Darius Rucker To Release Fifth Studio Country Album ‘When Was The Last Time’

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Darius Rucker will release his fifth studio country project, When Was The Last Time, on Friday, Oct. 20, via Capitol Records Nashville.

Rucker released the album’s second single, “For The First Time,” to country radio yesterday (July 24). It follows Rucker’s recent chart-topper “If I Told You,” which marks his eighth No. 1 country song since he debuted in 2008. “For The First Time” was penned with Derek George and Travis Hill.

The singer-songwriter, who worked with producer Frank Rogers on previous albums, made a shift for the new project by bringing in producer Ross Copperman for the new album.

“On top of being a genius with the equipment, Ross is so high-energy and funny; that kid is never not laughing,” Rucker said via a release. “Every time we were in the studio we had a great band who had great ideas of their own, so it was the farthest thing from tedious, but just, let’s get in and do it. I think for the whole record we spent just three days tracking music.”

Chris Tomlin Welcomes All-Star Lineup For Second Red Rocks Show

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Chris Tomlin has added a second concert at the popular Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado, as a special “Chris Tomlin & Friends” event on Sept. 5. The event will feature opening act Ellie Holcomb, as well as sit-in guests including Steven Curtis Chapman, Mac Powell (Third Day), Brandon Heath, and Pat Barrett.

The show will precede the already scheduled “Chris Tomlin: Worship at Red Rocks” event that will take place on Sept. 6.

“Two nights at Red Rocks. Can you believe this? This is the best!” exclaimed Tomlin. “Being able to play back to back nights at one of the most beautiful venues in the world will be unforgettable. So wherever you’re from, join us. Get your tickets and come to Denver because it’s going to be a special night.”

Tickets for “Chris Tomlin & Friends” will go on sale July 28 at 10 a.m. MT.

 

LeAnn Rimes Plots Fifth Annual Today Is Christmas Tour

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LeAnn Rimes will be back on the road this holiday season, launching her fifth annual Today Is Christmas Tour in December. The tour will include a stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Dec. 10, before wrapping in Aspen, Colorado on Dec. 20.

Each set will include a mix of songs from her three holiday albums, plus performances of hits such as “How Do I Live,” and songs from her latest album, Remnants (Sony Music/Thirty Tigers/RED).

“Hard to believe we are talking about Christmas in July, but I am excited to start preparing for the holiday season,” shares Rimes. “It is one of my favorite times of the year; there is something magical about it, and being able to share it with my fans makes it all the more special.”

Rimes has teamed with CID Entertainment to offer three levels of enhanced experiences as part of the Today Is Christmas 2017 Tour, including a premium ticket, access to a pre-show performance and Q&A with Rimes, as well as exclusive merchandise and the opportunity for a meet & greet. Enhanced experiences will be available for purchase starting July 26 at 10 a.m. local time at CID Entertainment’s official site.

Today Is Christmas 2017 Tour Dates

Dec. 2: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Parker Playhouse
Dec. 3: Sarasota, Fla.; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Dec. 4: Naples, Fla.; Artis-Naples
Dec. 8: The Villages, Fla.; Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center
Dec. 9: Oxford, Ala.; Oxford Performing Arts Center
Dec. 10: Nashville, Tenn.; Ryman Auditorium
Dec. 12: Fayetteville, Ark.; Walton Arts Center
Dec. 14: Lake Jackson, Texas; The Clarion at Brazosport College
Dec. 15: Tulsa, Okla.; Paradise Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort
Dec. 16: Emporia, Kan.; Emporia Granada Theatre
Dec. 18: Denver; Paramount Theatre – Denver
Dec. 19: Salt Lake City, Utah; Abravanel Hall
Dec. 20: Aspen, Colo; Belly Up Aspen

EmiSunshine To Release ‘Ragged Dreams’ In August

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Teenage vocalist and songwriter EmiSunshine will release her fourth studio recording, Ragged Dreams, on Aug. 25. On the album, 13-year-old EmiSunshine tackles a range of topics from autism (“Ninety Miles”), to incarceration, deceit, and murder.

“I’m pretty sure that most folks expect me to write and sing about rainbows, butterflies and unicorns, but that’s just not me,” says EmiSunshine. “I like to write about things that are real and life just isn’t pretty sometimes…that’s just the way it is. I also get my song ideas from scary movies (I love scary movies!); I love the ‘shock factor;’ it’s just plain fun to see the ‘surprise’ on people’s faces!”

Produced by Sunshine and backed by her family-band, The Rain (father, Randall Hamilton-bass; brother, John Hamilton-mandolin; uncle, Bobby Hill-drums), the album spotlights cameo performances by notables Randy Kohrs (resonator guitar), Tim Crouch (mandolin/fiddle/guitar), Justin Moses (fiddle/guitar/dobro/banjo), Hitoshi Yamaguchi (cello), Ben Probus (fiddle) and others.

Digital Delivery Services will spearhead the global digital retail campaign.

EmiSunshine got her first taste of fame four years ago, when a homemade video of her performance went viral. She was the featured performer during MusicRow‘s 2015 Rising Women on the Row event in Nashville.

Ragged Dreams Track Listing

1. Ragged Dreams
2. Sinner’s Serenade
3. Strong Armed Robbery
4. Porter Wagoner Blues
5. Resting Place
6. Johnny, June & Jesus
7. Carry Me Home
8. Ninety Miles
9. Tennessee Killin’ Song
10. Little Blackbird
11. As the Waters Rise
12. Katie Belle
13. Shame, Shame, Shame
14. Stepping Stone
15. Danny Ray