Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival Adds New Tour Dates

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Willie Nelson and Blackbird Presents have added a second leg of concerts to the 2017 Outlaw Music Festival Tour, which includes a variety of performances from Willie Nelson & Family, Eric Church, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Blackberry Smoke, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, and Particle Kid, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. (Artists performing in various cities, please refer to the specific market lineups listed below for more information.)

The second leg of the outing includes an initial five dates, beginning in Holmdel, New Jersey, on Sept. 8, 2017 and ending on Sept. 17, 2017 in Camden, New Jersey, with additional dates and cites to be added. Additionally, each date will feature a range of festival attractions.

“We had such a blast launching and playing last year’s Outlaw Music Festival in Scranton, we had to take it out on the road,” says Nelson.

“After last year’s Outlaw Music Festival, we made it our mission to assemble an extraordinary lineup and bring this experience to music fans all over the country,” says Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird Presents. “I’m looking forward to more unforgettable music moments and I’m honored to be working with these incredible musicians.”

New Outlaw Music Festival Tour dates and lineups:

Sept. 8: PNC BANK ARTS CENTER – HOLMDEL, NJ
Lineup: Willie Nelson & Family, Sheryl Crow, The Avett Brothers, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real and Particle Kid

Sept. 9: NORTHWELL HEALTH AT JONES BEACH THEATER – JONES BEACH, NY
Lineup: Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and Particle Kid

Sept. 10: HERSHEYPARK STADIUM – HERSHEY, PA
(artist lineup to be announced)

Sept. 15: BLOSSOM MUSIC CENTER – CLEVELAND, OH
Lineup: Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Blackberry Smoke, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and Particle Kid

Sept. 17: BB&T PAVILION – CAMDEN, NJ
Lineup: Willie Nelson & Family, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Particle Kid, with additional artists to be announced

BMI Honors Tim James with Three Million-Air Awards

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts and Bradley Collins with BMI singer-songwriter Tim James and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen and Josh Tomlinson.

BMI singer-songwriter Tim James stopped by the company’s Nashville office to celebrate airplay milestones of three of his songs, including “Give It All We Got Tonight,” “Love Like Crazy” and “Holler Back,” which were all awarded BMI Million-Air certificates.

Fun fact: For the average song, a million spins is the equivalent of playing the song back-to-back for about six years.

BMI Writers, Artists Soak Up The Sun At Key West Songwriters Festival

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BMI’s Leslie Roberts gathers for a photo with songwriters Bob DiPiero, Jeffrey Steele and Al Anderson at Pier House Resort on Day 1 of the Key West Songwriters Festival on May 10, 2017. Photo: Erika Goldring

Key West experienced its Nashville migration as dozens of songwriters descended on the city last weekend to perform at the 22nd Annual Key West Songwriters Festival, held May 10-14. Among the writers/artists taking part in the sun-filled festivities were Michael Ray, Jeffrey Steele, Cam, Lee Thomas Miller, Maren Morris, and many more.

BMI’s Bradley Collins (R) presents Michael Ray a Million-Air Award at Cowboy Bills on Day 2 of the Key West Songwriters Festival on May 11, 2017, in Key West, FL. Photo: Erika Goldring

Maren Morris performs on the Duval Street stage on Day 4 of the Key West Songwriters Festival on May 13, 2017, in Key West, FL. Photo: Erika Goldring 

Old Dominion performs on the Duval Street stage on Day 4 of the Key West Songwriters Festival on May 13, 2017, in Key West, FL. Photo: Erika Goldring

BMI’s Leslie Roberts presents Lee Thomas Miller with a Million-Air award at the San Carlos Institute on Day 3 of the Key West Songwriters Festival on May 12, 2017, in Key West, FL. Photo: Erika Goldring

EmiSunshine Compiles Industry Team

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Seated (L-R): Charlie Ray (Music City Artists), EmiSunshine, Shelly Mullins (ProMO Image)
Standing: Stephanie Orr-Buttrey (Country Wired), Kat Atwood (Music City Media)

EmiSunshine, the 12-year-old from East Tennessee who became a viral phenomenon, has assembled her team to assist with the release of her upcoming album Ragged Dreams. She has signed with Steven Pritchard of Pro Tour Events for artist management. Pritchard will oversee and assist with day-to-day management including A&R, booking, PR and social media campaigns.

She has also signed with Music City Media and ProMO Image as national PR representatives, Charlie Ray with Music City Artists as her exclusive booking agent, Stephanie Orr of Country Wired to help elevate Emi’s digital footprint, and Ed Gertler of Digital Delivery Services to spearhead the global digital retail campaign.

“EmiSunshine is more than a young girl with a big voice and a unique style. She is an extremely gifted songwriter whose music reflects deep, meaningful messages well beyond her own life experiences,” said Pritchard. “She is a blossoming talent who is confident in who she is and I am confident in the talents of this group of industry professionals to see Emi achieve her dream to become a career recording artist.”

In Pictures: SESAC Celebrates in Key West

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Pictured (L-R): SESAC songwriters Steve Bogard and Justin Wilson, VP of Creative Services Shannan Hatch, and Rob Hatch. Photo: Courtesy SESAC

SESAC held its annual Brunch & In-the-Round at Kelly’s Caribbean Bar & Grill in the historic seaport of Key West at this year’s 22nd annual Key West Songwriters Festival.

SESAC affiliates Matt Alderman, Steve Bogard, Nora Collins, Jim Femino, Tiffany Goss, Rob Hatch, Adam Searan, Brian White, Karyn Williams and Justin Wilson were among the talented artists who performed at the brunch and throughout the five-day festival.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Lydia Schultz, Storme Warren, and Shannan Hatch. Photo: Courtesy SESAC

 

Pictured (L-R): SESAC songwriter Brian White, Shannan Hatch, songwriter Karyn Williams, and SESAC Creative Services Manager Cristina Wheeler. Photo: Courtesy SESAC

Warner Music Nashville Signs Morgan Evans

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Morgan Evans with Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO, John Esposito

Warner Music Nashville has signed singer, songwriter and musician Morgan Evans.

Hailing from Newcastle, Australia, Evans recalls an early interest in music when he started playing guitar at the age of 13. He spent his teenage years seeing the country through the windshield of an old van as he toured in a band with his brother.

Signed to Warner Music Australia since 2012, he now continues his relationship with the Warner Music family in Nashville. Managed by Fitzgerald Hartley out of Nashville and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge out of Australia, he is currently in the studio working on new music with songwriter/producer Chris DeStefano.

Evans is set to play the Grand Ole Opry stage this Friday, May 19, followed by a performance the following evening at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Café. Evans is also engaged to Black River Entertainment singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini.

Alexandra Petkovski Inks With Unsecret Music

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Nashville-based Unsecret Music has signed artist/songwriter Alexandra Petkovski to their roster. Working under the artist name FJØRA, Petkovski’s debut pop single “Wild Animals” will release early this summer. 

Hailing from Toronto, Petkovski is a classically-trained pianist, an Istvan Electroacoustic Scholar and the former lead singer of the band the GiGi Sisters. As a recent Belmont University graduate with a Masters in Music Composition, Petkovski is now creating some of the industry’s most distinct forays into dance-infused pop music.

“Alexandra exemplifies everything Unsecret Music is about – artistry, imagination, and a desire to work at the highest level,” says Matt Bronleewe, Owner/Founder of Unsecret Music. “When I first met her, I was amazed at the array of talents she possesses. It’s going to take years before the depths of those abilities fully come to light.”

“I’m excited to join forces with Matt Bronleewe and become part of the Unsecret Music family,” Petkovski shares. “Music has been my whole life and I’m excited to continue my musical journey here in America. I’ve already met and worked with so many unbelievably talented and humble people who have helped shape the person I’ve become and the music I create.”

Unsecret Music also represents artists Wave & Rome, Meaning Machine and The Uncaged Sea. Bronleewe is a producer, songwriter, author and former member of CCM band Jars of Clay.

LifeNotes: Nashville Songwriter Joy Byers Passes

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Her official obituary in Gallatin listed her as Joyce Elene Johnston, but as Joy Byers or J. Byers, she was a prolific pop and country songwriter.

Byers died at age 82 on May 10.

Her copyrights include “What’s A Matter Baby,” a 1962 pop hit for Timi Yuro, as well as Brenda Lee’s 1964 pop single “When You Loved Me,” “Wishing It Was You” by Connie Francis in 1965 and the novelty “Ring Dang Doo’ by Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs in 1966.

Byers is perhaps best remembered as the writer of the Elvis Presley 1964 hit “It Hurts Me.” She went on to write or co-write 16 songs for Presley’s movies, including the charted “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me’ (1966) and “Let Yourself Go” (1968). Her country top-10 hits included “Gardenias in Her Hair” by Marty Robbins in 1967, “Here Comes Heaven” by Eddy Arnold in 1968 and “I Can’t Say Goodbye” by Marty Robbins in 1969.

Joy Byers is also credited on songs recorded by The Orlons, Arthur Alexander, Gene Vincent, Bill Haley & The Comets, Rick Nelson, Solomon Burke, Steve Alaimo, Hank Locklin, Nancy Sinatra, The 5 Royales, Del Shannon, Betty Everett, Joe Henderson, Anita Bryant, Jimmy Church, Joe Hinton, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis and Big Al Downing, among others.

She was the widow of Bob Dylan/Johnny Cash/Leonard Cohen record producer Bob Johnston (1932-2015).

Joy Byers is survived by son Kevin, three grandchildren and two nieces. According to The Tennessean, a private memorial for her will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be submitted at alexanderfh.info. (real name: Joyce Alene Byers Johnston).

Exclusive: Thomas Rhett Builds On Stateside Success With UK Touring, Radio

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Thomas Rhett performs as part of C2C in 2016. Photo: Hunter Ney

Since earning his first No. 1 song in 2013 with “It Goes Like This,” Thomas Rhett has become known as one of country music’s most successful and talented newcomers. In addition to co-writing his own chart-toppers including “Star of the Show,” “Get Me Some Of That,” and “Crash and Burn,” he’s penned hits for Florida Georgia Line (“‘Round Here”), Jason Aldean (“1994”), and Michael Ray (“Think A Little Less”), among others.

In 2016, his career skyrocketed as “Die A Happy Man” spent six weeks atop the country charts and earned him the CMA Single of the Year honor. Earlier this year, he was named the Academy of Country Music’s Male Vocalist of the Year.

In the midst of building his career stateside, the Big Machine Label Group artist, along with his team, has been steadily building his draw with audiences in the United Kingdom.

In 2016, Thomas Rhett performed at C2C: Country 2 Country, a festival developed by 02 Arena and SJM Concerts, in conjunction with the Country Music Association.

“[C2C organizers] are providing a platform globally and that helps for country music to gain exposure, for us to make a commitment to go overseas and tour,” says Thomas Rhett’s manager, G Major Management founder Virginia Davis. “We took that initial opportunity and built around it.”

Davis, along with BMLG’s international director Jimmy Chapin, WME’s Akiko Rogers, and Live Nation UK’s Anna-Sophie Mertens, will discuss the process and strategy behind focusing on overseas markets during the panel “Thomas Rhett: Breaking An International Act” for the 2017 Music Biz Conference. The panel will take place Wednesday, May 17 at 12:15 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel Nashville.

In May 2016, Thomas Rhett followed his debut Country 2 Country appearance with a full-fledged media trip to the UK, where it was announced he would be returning to the UK for a series of shows in November, including stops in Dublin, Ireland; London, England; Glasgow, Scotland; Antwerp, Belgium; and more.

By the time Thomas Rhett returned for the series of headlining shows, his singles such as “Crash and Burn” and “Die A Happy Man” had gained traction and the groundwork had been laid with nearly a full year of promotion.

“We ended up selling out our headlining UK shows in November, so we knew the UK market was something we could really build,” says Davis.

G Major Management’s Virginia Davis

New Opportunities, New Challenges

According to 2016 research findings from the Country Music Association, the UK market represents roughly 5 million listeners. Forty percent of adults in the UK/London listen to country music, and the UK was among the markets with the highest levels of listeners who rank the country music genre as their favorite.

Mertens names the popular television show Nashville as a catalyst for catching the eyes and ears of music fans in the UK in the past several years.

“I think people saw some background into the songwriting and everything that goes on in Nashville,” Mertens says. “The show has a great storyline and great songs they use in the show. I think people who would normally say, ‘I don’t like country music,’ began to realize that their tastes might be aligned a little bit more with what country music has to offer.”

Working radio in the UK can also offer artists the ability for different and additional radio singles, as the UK’s cycle for a radio single can last from six to eight weeks, compared to approximately 20 weeks for a radio single in the United States.

In addition to key radio stations, Mertens lists daytime television segments and playlists, including top Spotify playlists, among the top ways to reach UK fans. “We don’t have as many digital radio stations in the UK, it’s not quite as much of a thing here. There is only one mainstream station, BBC Radio2, that really embraces some country acts, and then, only some of them, not all of them. It is a publicly funded station, which means you can’t advertise on it, so it’s all about getting artists on their shows, or getting them on key playlists.”

Not that those playlists or stations need to be strictly country. Mertens names another client, The Cadillac Three, as an example. “They aren’t classed as country in the UK. They are classed as southern rock/classic rock, so we suddenly have all these avenues across the rock stations, and the Download Festival, a huge rock festival. They were on that bill. They will play to huge numbers of people, so it’s almost about finding an angle that isn’t just straight country but that you can do something with. That isn’t to say a straight country angle won’t work, but you’ve got an added bonus. And that’s why Thomas Rhett has worked so well.” The Cadillac Three will return to the Download Festival this year.

Mertens says that some of the most well-received audience targeting for UK fans of Thomas Rhett found that those fans were also strong fans of artists such as Maroon 5, Train, Jason Mraz and John Mayer, in addition to other country artists.

“He’s not that dissimilar in terms of audience profile,” says Mertens. “The age group might be 25+, they are female-heavier for sure, and lots of couples, but the range does go into older audiences as well.”

Davis says that UK fans share a deep love for country music. During her time working with Thomas Rhett in UK markets, she noticed that UK fans tend to gravitate toward an album’s deeper cuts earlier in an artist’s career. She also noticed how the fans reacted to singer-songwriter (and Thomas Rhett’s father) Rhett Akins, who opened the shows. “It was amazing seeing Rhett Akins open these shows in the UK this past November. They knew all of Rhett’s songs, they knew the Luke Bryan cuts, the Blake Shelton cuts. They were singing along to these songs that Rhett was performing, and then later the same for Thomas Rhett’s set.”

Davis calls C2C: Country 2 Country a great launching pad for artists, but stresses the key to success is international markets comes from consistency. “You have to have an artist that wants that international success and is dedicated to doing what it takes to build it.”

Davis says they are looking at 2018 to continue shows globally—hoping to build a similar career arc in Australia, as well as an additional round of UK shows in even larger venues.

“The goal is for Thomas Rhett to be able to play his music for as many fans as he can,” Davis says. “It’s about finding the best ways to reach all his fans and serve that demand with an incredible live performance.”

 

Miranda Lambert And Furry Friends To Raise Their Paws For The MuttNation Cause With CMA Music Fest March

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Miranda Lambert and some of her adorable MuttNation pals are raising their paws for the cause with an inaugural MuttNation March on the morning of June 8 during CMA Music Fest. Lambert and her band of precious rescue dogs will march from Nissan Stadium over the Pedestrian Bridge into downtown Nashville to raise awareness about pet adoption and help some of the MuttNation find permanent homes.

“So many shelter pets need a home, so we are going to march to raise awareness,” says Lambert.  “Country music has the best fans in the world and together we can help so many animals find amazing homes.”

Fans and their own dogs are encouraged to join the celebration and help spread awareness for shelter pets, and registration for the inaugural MuttNation March begins today at MuttNationFoundation.com.  The cost to register is $15 per person and includes an event t-shirt to wear during the march.

The March will conclude just steps away from Music City Center, where the MuttNation Foundation Adoption Drive will take place inside CMA Fan Fair X throughout CMA Fest.  The Adoption Drive will feature a photo booth, the MuttNation mobile unit and the crowd favorite, “Puppy Corral,” with plenty of shelter dogs looking to find forever homes.  The MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert Pet Collection will also be available to purchase, and a portion of proceeds from each sale goes to benefit the MuttNation Foundation.

Those unable to attend the March can still help out some deserving furry friends in need. Today through June 19, fans can visit MuttNationFoundation.com and enter the MuttNation Shelter Day Sweepstakes, where a winner and guest will receive a day with Lambert making over an animal shelter in need.  Fans giving higher donations will receive a handful of unique incentives including exclusive merchandise, meet & greets and more.