Nashville’s Mayor Megan Barry Proclaims Ryman Auditorium Day

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(L – R): Vince Gill, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and Chairman and CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties, Colin Reed. Credit: Steve Lowry

In a ceremony held earlier today on stage at Ryman Auditorium, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry issued a proclamation celebrating May 10, 2017 as Ryman Auditorium Day in honor of the iconic venue’s 125th anniversary.

“From its beginnings as a church to its years as the home of the Grand Ole Opry to its revival as the coolest concert venue in the world, the Ryman has a story like no other building – anywhere,” Mayor Barry said. “I’m grateful for everything the Ryman means to Nashville, and I’m excited to celebrate its first 125 years while looking forward to many more.”

Colin Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Ryman Auditorium’s parent company, Ryman Hospitality Properties and Opry Member Vince Gill joined Mayor Barry onstage to celebrate Ryman Auditorium Day, which is also the 132nd anniversary of the meeting between Captain Thomas Ryman and Reverend Sam Jones that inspired Ryman to construct a grand tabernacle for the people of Nashville.

“As the owners of this Nashville treasure, we view ourselves as both the stewards and protectors of its rich and storied legacy,” said Reed. “We are thankful that Mayor Barry has chosen to recognize not only the historical significance of the Ryman but also its continued influence on Nashville’s thriving music and tourism industries.”

“If you think about it, music has had a great history here, but the real purpose of this building was to save people… and 125 years later it’s still saving people,” expressed Gill. “This place just has spirit that you can’t even put into words. It really is a magical place. The very first time I ever sang in this building it was just me and a guitar, and it was one of the most majestic experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I really felt that spirit move through me. This place more than any place I’ve been…I really felt that spirit. Whether I play here with a seven-piece band or a bluegrass band… no matter what you throw at this place it takes it and elevates it.”

Jason Aldean CMHoF Exhibit To Open May 26

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHoF) will explore the life and career of Jason Aldean in a new exhibit, Jason Aldean: Asphalt Cowboy, set to open May 26.

The exhibit is presented by outdoor merchandiser, Field & Stream, for which Aldean is a spokesperson. Asphalt Cowboy will include childhood mementos, memorabilia from Aldean’s early career, stage wear, guitars, awards, photos and more from Aldean’s personal collection.

“In ‘Asphalt Cowboy’ Jason sings about running underneath the stars on a ride that won’t let him go,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. “Years of touring across the country, burning up the asphalt, have led him to country music superstardom on a ride that’s far from over. We are pleased that he will join Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood among the contemporary artists we have featured in special summer exhibits examining country music in the twenty-first century.”

“I could not be more honored to have an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum,” said Aldean. “To look around the space and see my personal heroes and artists who helped shape country music is a surreal feeling. To be a part of a legacy like this really is a dream come true.”

“When we first started working with Jason, it was our goal to create an authentic partnership with someone who is genuinely passionate about the outdoors,” said Lauren Hobart, executive vice president & chief customer & digital officer for DICK’S Sporting Goods, which owns and operates Field & Stream. “We are not only thrilled to be supporting Jason’s exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, but we’re excited to help bring country music fans and outdoor enthusiasts closer to the music they enjoy.”

For more information, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.

RaeLynn To Greet Fans On Forever 21 Stops On RaVe Tour

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Photo Credit: Katie Kauss

RaeLynn will make a series of in-store appearances at select Forever 21 stores around the country in support of her new RaVe Tour, beginning Friday May 12 at the Jordan Creek Town Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Fans can visit stores to meet with RaeLynn and get copies of her new album Wildhorse signed, and two winners at each event will be selected to receive tickets to that night’s show.

She’ll appear at the Forever 21 at Cool Springs Galleria in Nashville May 23 before wrapping the RaVe tour with her final date at Nashville’s Mercy Lounge May 24, and then launches into a full slate of summer dates.

The video for her new single “Love Triangle” recently earned RaeLynn her second CMT nomination for Breakthrough Video Of The Year at this year’s upcoming CMT Music Awards. Recently nominated for the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards fan-voted The Freshest!-Best New Artist Country and selected as a 2017 Country Artist to Watch by Pandora, Napster and Billboard, RaeLynn has racked up over 120 million cumulative career streams.

RaeLynn Forever 21 Appearances: 
Friday, May 12 – Forever 21 at Jordan Creek Town Center, Des Moines, IA
Friday, May 19 – Forever 21 at Eastwood Towne Center, Lansing, MI
Saturday, May 20 – Forever 21 at Circle Centre Mall, Indianapolis, IN
Tuesday, May 23- Forever 21 at Cool Springs Galleria, Nashville, TN

Florida Georgia Line Opening FGL House In Downtown Nashville

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Photo Credit: Delaney Royer

Florida Georgia Line are the latest artists to jump into the hospitality business with the announcement of their new venture, a bar and restaurant in the SoBro district called FGL House.

The four-story attraction on Third Ave. South will feature live music every day of the week and serve up Southern style food with a California flair and plenty of cocktails, including craft beers and specialty drinks featuring the duo’s own Old Camp Whiskey.

“What excites Tyler and I the most is always staying creative. We love seeing what fresh things we can come up with to take our music to a new level and turn our dreams into reality,” shares FGL’s Brian Kelley.

“We want FGL House to be just as welcoming, fun and entertaining for our guests as if they were coming out to one of our shows – nothing but good food, good drinks and good times!,” adds FGL’s Tyler Hubbard. “We can’t wait for opening day to get here!”

Opening in early summer 2017 in partnership with LRC Group, the new venue also boasts the largest rooftop lounge area Nashville has to offer, dedicated to an all-day and all-night party with stunning views of the Music City skyline. Visitors can also enjoy a basement-level lounge complete with its own baby grand piano, cocktail menu inspired by ‘90s pop culture, and specialty martinis. Dee Jay Silver will also spin custom country mixes during Country Club Tuesdays at the new hotspot. 

The duo will be busy this summer as well on their soon-to-launch Smooth Tour 2017, featuring Nelly, Chris Lane, and select dates with the Backstreet Boys. Kicking off June 2 in Austin, Texas, the tour will also feature Morgan Wallen and Russell Dickerson, who have just been added to the bill on select dates.

 

Grand Ole Opry To Salute Veterans Of Desert Storm

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The Grand Ole Opry will salute the veterans of Desert Storm with a red carpet parade and annual Salute the Troops Opry performance on Tuesday, May 23.

The public is invited to be a part of red carpet arrivals from veterans, which will be outside the Opry House beginning at 5:45 p.m. The evening’s Opry performance begins at 7:00 p.m. with Trace Adkins, Terri Clark, Dailey & Vincent, Charlie Daniels Band, Chris Young, and the MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band.

Throughout the evening, fans will learn of the heroic actions of Desert Storm veterans as well as the National Desert Storm War Memorial Association’s work to build the National Desert Storm Memorial in Washington D.C.

“Country music was a major part of the patriotism that swept the U.S. and the support our troops felt from the folks back home in 1990 and 1991,” said Scott C. Stump, CEO of the National Desert Storm War Memorial. “It’s exciting to be able to celebrate that continued patriotism and reflect on the sacrifices of our Desert Storm veterans at the home of country music, the Grand Ole Opry.”

Brett Eldredge To Release New Album In August

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Brett Eldredge is gearing up for the release of his sophomore, self-titled album this summer, which is set to hit outlets August 4. The project is the followup to his debut CD Illinois, which was released in 2015 and produced four chart-topping hits. He announced the album news during his appearance Tuesday morning (5/9) on “TODAY” where he joined Kathie Lee and Hoda to broadcast the 2017 CMT Music Awards nominations.

The album will feature Eldredge’s new single “Somethin’ I’m Good At,” which he debuted on the 52nd ACM Awards and has already racked up over 10.2 million streams.

“It’s kind of crazy to see an album cover with just your name on it,” Eldredge said. “I think that shows what I want to say with this album. Maybe it takes a little bit of guts to put out a self-titled album – but if it’s 100% honestly you, then that should come across through the music. That’s my name and I hope my fans love me for me. Hopefully they feel the connection of these songs and they help them through their everyday lives. Because that’s why I make this music.”

The new album is his first studio album in two years, but Eldredge released a Christmas album Glow in October that contained a chart-topping duet with Meghan Trainor of the classic “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” He’ll no doubt preview many of the songs off the brand new album as part of Luke Bryan’s “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day” tour this Summer.

Industry Ink: BMI, Keith Stegall, Writer’s Den Music Group, K-LOVE Fan Awards

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Keith Stegall Honored With BMI’s Million-Air Awards

Pictured: BMI’s Jody Williams, BMI songwriter Keith Stegall and BMI’s David Preston. Photo: Steve Lowry

BMI’s Jody Williams and David Preston dropped by BMI songwriter Keith Stegall’s home to present the decorated songwriter with two more Million-Air Awards. Marking the milestone of millions of radio air plays, Stegall was presented with designations for one million plays of “Sexy Eyes” and five million plays of “Don’t Rock The Jukebox.”

 

Writer’s Den Music Group Signs Noel McKay

Pictured (L-R, back row): Bobby Rymer, Writer’s Den; Shannan Hatch, SESAC; Sarah Feldman, Writer’s Den. (Front row): Noel McKay

Bobby Rymer and Sarah Feldman of Writer’s Den Music Group are pleased to announce the signing of writer/artist Noel McKay to a worldwide publishing agreement. Writer’s Den recently signed McKay’s fellow High Plains Jamboree member Brennen Leigh.

“So many of my established music business and songwriter friends have told me Writer’s Den is one of the good ones. The enthusiasm for great songs is contagious. I’m extremely happy to be writing for them.” says McKay.

Rymer said, “I was already a fan of Noel, but I knew we wanted to work with him after asking him where an idea for a song came from and he responded”, “The music business is fraught with people with emotional problems. That’s where.”

 

K-LOVE Fan Awards Coming To Select Theaters Nationwide

The fan-voted K-LOVE Fan Awards will be broadcast for the first time on the big screen as The K-LOVE Fan Awards: Ignite Hope will be shown in select movie theaters nationwide on Tuesday, June 13 at 7 p.m. local time.

The awards, hosted Matthew West and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, will take place May 28 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Artists attending will include Danny Gokey, Jeremy Camp, Britt Nicole, Matthew West, Jesus Culture, Crowder, Mandisa, MercyMe, for King & Country, and more.

Tickets for The K-LOVE Fan Awards: Ignite Hope can be purchased online by visiting FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 500 select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

2nd Annual AIMP Nashville Awards Winners

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Pictured (L-R): AIMP Rising Independent Artist-Writer of the Year Natalie Hemby, Publisher’s Pick co-writer (“Rich”) Laura Veltz, presenter and songwriter Don Schlitz, Artist-Writer of the Year and Publisher’s Pick co-writer (“Rich”) Maren Morris with co-writer Jessie Jo Dillion. Photo: Getty Images

The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) hosted the second annual AIMP Nashville Awards Monday night (May 8) at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Presented for the first time by the Academy of Country Music, the event honored Nashville’s independent publishers, songwriters, artists and music champions (full list below) with an evening of performances.

“Last night was truly indicative of how great it is to be a part of the independent songwriting and publishing community in Nashville right now,” said AIMP Nashville Executive Director, John Ozier. “The level of talent in the room was incredible and the camaraderie is what keeps the AIMP Nashville continuing to grow as an organization.”

Old Dominion performs Maren Morris’ “80s Mercedes.” Photo: Getty Images

 

Caitlyn Smith and Walker Hayes perform Miranda Lambert’s “Vice.” Photo: Getty Images

The show kicked off with Old Dominion performing a rendition of Maren Morris’ “80s Mercedes,” followed by Walker Hayes and Caitlyn Smith performing Miranda Lambert’s “Vice.” Devin Dawson performed Brett Young’s “Sleep Without You” before Don Schlitz took the stage to announce Morris’ “Rich” as the 2017 AIMP Publisher’s Pick, with a performance of the song by 2017 AIMP Rising Independent Artist-Writer of the Year Natalie Hemby.

Brandy Clark performs “Kill A Word.” Photo: Getty Images

Carly Pearce sang Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and Jon Pardi, along with Bart Butler, announced Morris as the 2017 AIMP Artist-Writer of the Year before Ryan Beaver belted Pardi’s “Head Over Boots.” The evening closed with a performance of Eric Church’s “Kill A Word” by Brandy Clark and the Brothers Osborne’s announcement of “Blue Ain’t Your Color” as the 2017 AIMP Song of the Year.

Pictured (L-R): Big Yellow Dog Music’s Matt Lindsey (VP, Creative), Kerry O’Neil (Co-owner), Carla Wallace (Co-owner) and Lauren Funk (Creative Manager). Photo: Getty Images

 

Pictured (L-R): TJ Osborne, Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey and John Osborne. Photo: Getty Images

“The Academy of Country Music was thrilled to support the AIMP as presenting sponsor of the second annual AIMP Nashville Awards,” said Pete Fisher, Academy of Country Music CEO. “All music begins with a song and we are excited to celebrate the independent publishing community who works so hard to give incredible songs life.”

The 2017 AIMP nominees are listed below, with winners indicated in each category. Read MusicRow‘s Bobby Karl review at MusicRow.com.

AIMP Rising Independent Songwriter of the Year
Kelly Archer 
Luke Dick
Justin Ebach
Adam Hambrick
Jesse Lee
Jordan Schmidt

AIMP Rising Independent Artist-Writer of the Year
Ryan Beaver
Devin Dawson
Walker Hayes
Natalie Hemby
Carly Pearce
Caitlyn Smith

AIMP Artist-Writer of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Brandy Clark
Eric Church
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Brett Young

AIMP Song Champion of the Year
Jeff Carlton
Courtney Crist
Celia Froehlig
Shannan Hatch
Bart Herbison
Jeff Skaggs

AIMP Publisher’s Pick
“Leaving Nashville” written by Abe Stoklasa, Donovan Woods
Big Yellow Dog Music, Shakala Publishing

“Love Can Go To Hell” written by Brandy Clark, Scott Stepakoff
Kobalt Music, Sea Gayle Music, Ten Ten Music Group

“Love Triangle” written by Nicolle Galyon, RaeLynn, Jimmy Robbins
Big Machine Music, Prescription, Round Hill Music

“Rich” written by Jessie Jo Dillion, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz
Big Machine Music, Big Yellow Dog Music, Kobalt Music, Revelry Music

“Tacoma” written by Bob DiPiero, Caitlyn Smith
BMG, Cornman Music, Round Hill Music

“Wheels” written by Steve Moakler, Gordie Sampson, Caitlyn Smith
BMG, Cornman Music, Creative Nation Music

AIMP Song of the Year
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” written by Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen Cornman Music, Hillarodyrathbone Music, Sea Gayle Music, Spirit Music

“Head Over Boots” written by Luke Laird, Jon Pardi
Creative Nation Music, Song Factory Music

“Vice” written by Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
SMACKSongs

“Kill A Word” written by Eric Church, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde
Little Louder Music

“Sleep Without You” written by Kelly Archer, Justin Ebach, Brett Young
Big Machine Music, Downtown Music, Red Creative, Word Country

“80s Mercedes” written by busbee, Maren Morris
BMG, Big Deal Music, Big Yellow Dog Music

AIMP Independent Writer of the Year
busbee
Ross Copperman
Zach Crowell
Ashley Gorley
Luke Laird
Shane McAnally

AIMP Independent Publisher of the Year
BMG
Big Loud Shirt / Round Hill Music
Big Yellow Dog Music
Combustion Music
Creative Nation Music
SMACKSongs

Artist Updates: Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Rodney Atkins

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Darius Rucker Goes Undercover

Darius Rucker will go undercover to help discover a new musical talent during an episode of CBS’ Celebrity Undercover Boss, which airs Friday, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET. During the episode, Rucker travels to Austin, Texas, to run an open mic night, work as a roadie and search for standout street performers on Austin’s famous Sixth Street.

Undercover Boss is produced by Stephen Lambert, Greg Goldman, Chris Carlson and Greg Lipstone for Studio Lambert/All3Media America.

“I’ve been in the music business for a long time, and this is an experience I will never forget,” Rucker said. “Our industry is all about cultivating and sharing great music, so having the opportunity to go undercover and authentically participate in an artist’s early days was just incredible.”

 

Carrie Underwood, Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation Partner To Fully Fund Girls Team Sports Projects

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation and CALIA by Carrie Underwood announced plans to fully fund girls team sports projects on education crowdfunding platform, DonorsChoose.org. Pledging a $200,000 commitment, together CALIA by Carrie Underwood and The DICK’S Foundation will fund an estimated 100 teams across the country in the month of May.

The pledge marks the third Sports Matter donation on behalf of CALIA by Carrie Underwood and The DICK’S Foundation, as a part of its broader $500,000 commitment to support girls youth sports across the country. Two grants were previously awarded in 2016: $100,000 to Underwood’s alma mater, Checotah (Okla.) School District’s Girls Athletic programs and $100,000 to Aldine Independent School District’s Girls Athletic programs in Houston, Texas.

“Sports were a big part of my life growing up, so it’s important to me that girls across the country get those same opportunities,” said CALIA Lead Designer, Carrie Underwood. “Through Sports Matter, CALIA and The DICK’S Foundation, we are empowering hundreds of girls across the country to learn, grow and dream, teaching them to do what they love later in life.”

 

Rodney Atkins To Host 7th Annual Music City Gives Back Concert

Rodney Atkins will host his seventh annual “Music City Gives Back” concert on Tuesday, June 6, leading into a week of country music festivities in Nashville ahead of the CMT Music Awards and CMA Music Festival. The event, which benefits W.O. Smith Music School, will take place near 5th Avenue and Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville and will include performances by Atkins and more artists to be announced in the coming days.

“Nashville is a special place in the way that people in this community truly support one another and this is another great example of Nashville and the music industry coming together to support the kids and future of our community,” said Atkins. “As an artist, I’m blessed to be able to call Nashville home and grateful for the opportunity to give back through music with this event every year.”

The concert is free and open to the public and performances will begin at 4:55 p.m. Select artists will also be available to sign autographs in the free, no-ticket-required sponsor activation area from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., where guests can have a drink, get some food and meet their favorite artists.

Exclusive: Key West Songwriters Festival Celebrates 22 Years

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Natalie Hemby performs at San Carlos Theater during Key West Songwriters Festival

Today, numerous singer-songwriters descend on Key West to celebrate the 22nd annual Key West Songwriters Festival.

A massive lineup that includes Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Cam, Lauren Alaina, Shawn Camp, William Michael Morgan, Michael Ray, Luke Combs, Aaron Watson, Steve Cropper and Robert Earl Keen play alongside a party of Nashville luminaries and rising writers. The five-day festival, slated for May 10-14, will feature more than 50 free shows at various venues around the area, incorporating performances from more than 200 songwriters.

Key West Songwriters Festival founder Charlie Bauer has been managing venues in Key West since 1988, when he opened Hog’s Breath Saloon. The venue featured three shows a day, featuring singer-songwriters. A struggling songwriter presented him with the idea of offering performing rights organizations the chance to bring writers to Key West to play shows. Key West Songwriters Festival’s first year came in 1995, and featured six songwriters, including Shel Silverstein and Mickey Newbury.

Performing rights organization BMI stepped in as a partner and sponsor in 1996, helping to grow the festival into one of the country’s most unique songwriter festivals.

“At the time Mark Mason was with BMI and he offered for me to come back to Nashville with him, to introduce me to publishers and really crank it up to the next level,” Bauer recalls. “I was also booking songwriters to play the Hog’s Breath, so I was well-received in Nashville. I had a bar in Key West where songwriters could come down and play some of their original stuff and kind of get feedback on their original music and make some money too, so I was pretty popular when I came up to Nashville.”

Though the festival has attracted top artists over the past two decades, Bauer says the emphasis is still on the songwriters, and that the event’s growth has been organic.

“If you follow the chronologic lineups of our show over the years, a lot of the major artists were down here performing as singer-songwriters either on their own or with publishers. Everybody from Lee Brice to Randy Houser to Florida Georgia Line to Maren [Morris] and Kacey [Musgraves], all these people were down here sometimes four or five years in a row. Almost all of them have been down here performing. Our alumni is pretty much everyone who has been around the past 25 years or so.

Wendell Mobley performs at Sloppy Joe’s during Key West Songwriters Festival.

“We want the singer-songwriters here. We don’t try to get the big name acts. What has happened is a lot of them became big name acts and it’s cool that they will still come down, because they are not getting paid for these shows.”

Bauer says 90 percent of the festival is made of free concerts. Additionally, there are seven larger theater shows throughout the event. Each day will feature music at venues including Pier House Resort Beach, Sloppy Joe’s, Green Parrot Bar, and special events including the NSAI “Bluebird at Blue Heaven” show and the closing concert at Casa Marina Resort.

“It’s one of the few festivals where you can see so much free music. I’ve tried to keep it as a local event. I get a lot of tempting offers for people to come in and have outside vendors for food and other things, but we try to keep it local for local businesses.”

As word of Key West Songwriters Festival has spread over the past several years, Bauer says the festival has continually attracted more of Nashville’s music industry.

“It used to be kind of a way for writers to get away from Nashville to have some more fun, and now the industry’s kind of followed them down here.”

Charlie Feldman (BMI), Robert Earl Keen, and Charlie Bauer.

As country music and Nashville’s songwriters have incorporated various musical styles into their work over the past several years, so has the Key West Songwriters Festival. “We are following along with the lead that country music is heading. There’s a lot of pop involved and a lot of Nashville writers are not necessarily country writers. They go there to co-write and to work on their craft. When they come down to the festival, it’s fun to hear them perform songs that you wouldn’t necessarily hear on the country station, and maybe not on radio at all. It’s fun to let them cut loose and hear them play stuff they have written.”

Given the long-running popularity of Key West Songwriters Festival, Bauer says he is considering launching a new festival in late 2017 or early 2018.

“We are thinking of going a little more pop-oriented, and there is a lot of Latin influence here, too. Some of those performers are coming down from Miami and LA, too, and mixing up the genres a bit. “

Proceeds from the Key West Songwriters Festival will benefit the BMI Foundation, which supports creation, performance, and study of music via awards, scholarships, grants and commissions.

Bob DiPiero, Robert Earl Keen, Charlie Worsham