Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini To Host CMA Music Festival Special On ABC

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Tourmates Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini have been on the road as part of Thomas Rhett’s Home Team Tour this year, but this summer, he and Ballerini will team up again, this time to host the CMA Fest 2017, a three-hour music special to be aired on ABC, and executive-produced by Robert Deaton.

The announcement was made on Good Morning America this morning (April 20).

This marks Thomas Rhett’s second year co-hosting the television special, following last year’s co-hosting duties with Brett Eldredge.

The CMA Music Festival will run from June 8-11 in Nashville.

“I’ve grown up going to CMA Fest as a fan and last year getting to perform on the big stage is one of the most epic memories I’ll ever have. And now, being able to host with my current tour mate, Thomas Rhett, is going to be another crazy thing off the bucket list,” said Ballerini. “I can’t wait to test out my hosting skills and perform again this year!”

“I always look forward to CMA Music Fest,” added Thomas Rhett. “Ever since I was there as a fan sitting in the nosebleeds to hosting this year with Kelsea, it’s always been one of the biggest weeks in Country Music that is all about the fans. I’m pumped.”

The pair will bring the Home Team Tour to Nashville tonight (April 20) for a show at Ascend Amphitheater.

CMA Hosts Media Guests At Quarterly Meeting In New York

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Pictured (L-R): Howard Appelbaum, Nielsen Entertainment President; Joe Galante, CMA Foundation Board Chairman and Galante Entertainment Organization Chairman; and Vivien Lewit, CMA Board member and YouTube Content Partnerships Director and Global Head of Artist Relations. Photo: Fadi Kheir / CMA

The CMA held its quarterly Board meeting in the Big Apple this week on Wednesday (April 19) at the Le Parker Meridien Hotel, and two media leaders were on hand to address the Board.

Nielsen Entertainment President Howard Appelbaum, who leads Nielsen Entertainment’s portfolio of entertainment information, data, and insight products, and ABC’s Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts each addressed the Board during the meeting. Roberts has hosted the annual CMA Awards preview special “All Access Nashville,” which airs on ABC, since 2009.

CMA Board member and CEO of McDermott Media Group Deb McDermott (l) and Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts during the CMA Board of Directors meeting Wednesday in New York City. Photo: Fadi Kheir / CMA

AIMP Nashville Awards Nominees Announced

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Nominees have been announced for the second annual AIMP Nashville Awards, which will be presented for the first time by the Academy of Country Music. The awards will take place at the Ryman Auditorium May 8 and will feature performances from Nashville’s hottest independent writers and artists. Nominees were selected by 300 AIMP voters through anonymous ballots.

Last year’s inaugural show included performances of AIMP-nominated songs by artist-writer nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Brandy Clark, Tyler Farr, Sam Hunt, Old Dominion and a collaboration by rising writer nominees, Brothers Osborne and Maren Morris.

“We are very excited to once again celebrate the achievements of Nashville’s independent music publishing community at the second annual AIMP Nashville Awards,” said AIMP Nashville Treasurer and awards co-chair, Ree Guyer. “The show serves as a platform to honor the unique and talented artists and writers who call Nashville home, while also serving as a reminder of the support shown from writers, artist and publishers within our AIMP community.”

“The Academy is delighted to support AIMP in this most important endeavor: honoring the independent spirits who keep country music relevant with their craft,” said Tiffany Moon, Executive Vice President/Managing Director of the Academy of Country Music. “The contribution these artist and writers make to the industry – and to fans – is a tremendous gift.”

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, 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, Pulse Songs

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

“Head Over Boots” written by Luke Laird, John 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

In Pictures: BMI, Grammy Pro, Grand Ole Opry

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BMI, ALT 975 Present Eastside Sounds Show

BMI and the newly revamped ALT 975 presented the first Eastside Sounds showcase of 2017 to a packed house at the Basement East in Nashville. Featuring pop/soul artist J. Human and rocking soul singers The New Respects, the enthusiastic audience was treated to a night of incredible Nashville musicianship.

Pictured (back row, L-R): BMI songwriters and The New Respects band members Darius Fitzgerald and Jasmine Mullen, BMI’s Nina Carter, BMI songwriter J. Human and BMI’s Josh Tomlinson. (Front row): BMI songwriters and The New Respects band members Alexis and Alexandria Fitzgerald. Photo: Rhea Foote

Pictured (L-R): Iconic Entertainment Group’s Brian O’Neil, BMI’s Branden Bosler, BMI songwriter J. Human, BMI’s Nina Carter and iHeart Media’s Wells Adams hang backstage at the BMI and ALT 975 Eastside Sounds showcase at the Basement East. Photo: Rhea Foote

 

Jermaine Dupri, Anthony Hamilton Discuss Careers During Grammy Pro Event

Songwriter Jermaine Dupri and R&B/soul artist Anthony Hamilton spoke during a Grammy Pro “Art of the Craft” session on April 13 at Nashville’s The Listening Room. The event, moderated by engineer/mixer Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, included a conversation, listening session and live performance.

Dupri is known for his work with Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Usher and more. In 2006, he earned a Grammy for Best R&B Song for “We Belong Together.” Hamilton earned multiple Grammy nominations for tracks including “Comin’ From Where I’m From,” “Charlene,” and won a Best R&B Song Grammy in 2009 with “You’ve Got The Love I Need” (w/Al Green).

Pictured (L-R): The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick; moderator and GRAMMY winner Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, GRAMMY winner Jermaine Dupri, GRAMMY-winning Soul/R&B artist Anthony Hamilton, and The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President and two-time GRAMMY winner Shannon Sanders. Photo: courtesy of The Recording Academy®/photo by Jason Davis, WireImage.com

 

Brad Paisley Makes Surprise Grand Ole Opry Appearance

Grand Ole Opry member Brad Paisley stopped by unannounced to celebrate the release of his new album Love and War with his Opry family. Introduced by his co-writer friend and Opry legend Bill Anderson, Paisley explained to the audience that he and Anderson had penned a new song called “Dying To See Her” for Paisley’s new album which will be released April 21. The two performed the tune together, and Paisley added a sampling of his hits including his recent No. 1 from the album, “Today.”

Paisley is set to return to the Opry for two shows May 6. Tickets and ticket/album combo packages are available at opry.com. Paisley graces the cover of the Opry’s seasonal Inside the Circle magazine, part of the Opry’s new subscription box, the Opry Box, also available at opry.com.

Brad Paisley performs on the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Elle King, Butch Walker, Shooter Jennings, Wynonna And More Set To Play Dylan Fest

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Dylan Fest: A Celebration of Bob Dylan‘s 76th Birthday, has been set for May 23-24 at the Ryman Auditorium. The second annual two-night concert event will feature an array of artists paying tribute to the music of Bob Dylan by performing their favorite Dylan songs.

Set to appear at the festival are Wynonna & The Big Noise, Elle King, Shakey Graves, Duane Eddy, Boz Scaggs, Valerie June, Hamilton Leithauser, Moon Taxi, Richard Hawley, Shooter Jennings, Anderson East, Erika Wennerstrom of Heartless Bastards, Butch Walker, Karen Elson, Langhorne Slim, John Paul White, The Weeks, Rayland Baxter, Bones Owens, Danny Masterson, The Whigs, The Watson Twins, Jonathan Tyler, Paul Cauthen, Gill Landry, Lauren Shera, The Texas Gentlemen, Eric Pulido of Midlake, Shelly Colvin, Odessa and many more.

In addition to commemorating Dylan’s 76th birthday, the concerts will also celebrate Dylan’s recent Nobel Prize win and marks the 50th anniversary of his 1967 album, John Wesley Harding, recorded at Columbia’s Studio A in Nashville.

Tickets go on sale April 21 at ticketmaster.com. The shows will benefit Refuge Foundation for the Arts, a non-profit providing sanctuary for the pursuit of creative expression through music and art that was founded in response to the lack of resources available to artists today.

 

John Butler To Exit Curb, Join Spotify As Head Of Christian Music

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After 15 years at Curb Records, VP of Promotion John Butler is exiting the company. He will join Spotify as Head of Christian Music, beginning April 24.

In his new role, Butler will continue to be based in Nashville, overseeing Christian music globally through playlist curation, programming and editorial.

Prior to his work at Curb Records, Butler served at Squint Entertainment (Sixpence None The Richer) and Arista Austin. During his career he also spent time at Jive Records and Silvertone Records (Jars of Clay).

Lauren Alaina, Chris Janson, Kip Moore, Michael Ray Set For “Georgia On My Mind” Concert

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Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, and Ben Hayslip – will return to host “Georgia on My Mind” May 16 at the Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation

The fourth annual Jameson Irish Whiskey Presents Georgia On My Mind concert, set for May 16 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, will host a solid lineup of chart-toppers and ace songwriters, hosted by the Peach Pickers Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip.

Lauren Alaina, Chris Janson, Kip Moore, Michael Ray and T. Graham Brown are slated to perform, as are Georgia Music Hall of Famers Drivin’ N Cryin’ and Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie. Returning this year are Dexter Redding and Otis Redding III, sons of the soul icon Otis Redding.

The evening also includes a special performance by students from the Georgia Pick and Bow Traditional Music School in Dahlonega, who received a grant from the Georgia Music Foundation in 2016 from concert proceeds.

“This is as close to a Georgia homecoming as you are going to get in Tennessee,” said Davidson, who also chairs the Georgia Music Foundation Board of Directors. “The popularity and success of this event is so rewarding because it celebrates our homegrown talent and allows us to give back to deserving music education programs.”

“At Jameson we believe music has the power to make a community a family, and we are excited to celebrate and be part of the Georgia-bred music family for the fourth year with ‘Georgia on My Mind,'” said Sebastien Borda, Director, Jameson, Pernod Ricard USA.

The Georgia Music Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 1994, has distributed more than $150,000 in grants to deserving music education, preservation and outreach programs across the state in the past three years from “Georgia On My Mind” proceeds. Each year during the concert, the Georgia Music Foundation presents its Flamekeeper Award to a Georgia artist who tirelessly preserves and promotes Georgia’s musical roots and traditions.

Tickets, which are available now, are $52.50 and $42.50 and will be available via Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, ryman.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Watch a clip from the 2016 concert below.

YouTube video

William Michael Morgan Joins BMI

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Pictured (L-R): William Michael Morgan, BMI’s Bradley Collins

William Michael Morgan stopped by BMI’s Nashville office on April 18 to officially join the performing rights organization. The singer-songwriter has been touring in support of his debut Warner Music Nashville album Vinyl, which was released late last year.

The album includes his debut single, “I Met A Girl,” penned by Shane McAnally, Sam Hunt, and Trevor Rosen. Morgan is currently promoting his followup single, “Missing.”

Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy Promotes Jason Fridenstine

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Jason Fridenstine

Entertainment business management firm Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy has promoted Jason Fridenstine from associate business manager to business manager.

A native of Ohio, Fridenstine has been with FBMM for 18 years and has more than 25 years of music industry experience. His previous experience as a recording artist and producer has given him insights on multiple aspects of the music industry. At FBMM, he provides his clients with business management advice that is tailored to their individual needs and circumstances.

“Jason always goes above and beyond for our clients,” said FBMM partner Mary Ann McCready. “One of his strengths is his ability to understand our clients’ needs and put himself in their shoes. We look forward to seeing how he will continue to solve our clients’ toughest business problems in the future.”

Fridenstine is active in Nashville’s music community as a member of the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association and Recording Academy. He also volunteers in his free time with MusiCares, Habitat for Humanity and St. Henry’s Men’s Club and is a volunteer coach for youth baseball. Fridenstine graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1991 with a B.A. degree in music and has continued his education by taking accounting and finance classes at Nashville State.

Carrie Brings Luck To Mike Fisher And The Preds At Monday Night’s Blackhawks Matchup

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As if Nashville Predators fans weren’t amped enough going into Game 3 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks here on home ice Monday night (April 17), Carrie Underwood made a surprise appearance to open the game with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.

Underwood and her golden pipes must’ve brought some added luck to hubby Mike Fisher and the Preds, because they fought their way to a third win 3-2 in overtime, helping the team take their first 3-0 series lead in franchise history. Decked out in a Predators jersey, the proud superstar tweeted about the supercharged energy of the crowd before the puck even hit the ice, and was as overjoyed as anyone when they pulled out their third victory in the tight game.

No word on whether she’ll sing again at Thursday’s Game 4 against Chicago, but it’s likely she’ll be on hand for every minute of the pulse-pounding action.

Go Preds!

Watch the video below: