Reba, Jason Isbell, John Prine Set For Thistle Farms Fundraiser

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The Thistle Farms 20th Anniversary Fundraiser, Love Letters, will take place at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on May 3.

The event will celebrate the organization’s accomplishments of the past two decades, with a star-studded lineup of performers including Reba McEntire, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Shemekia Copeland and special guest John Prine. Founder Becca Stevens—as well as the women of Thistle Farms, survivors of addiction, trafficking and addiction—will lead the evening with stories of hope and inspiration.

Thistle Farms recently launched new branding for its much-loved Body & Home line of handmade products. Esteemed chef Martha Stamps has been tapped to lead the culinary direction of the expected summer reveal of the Café of Thistle Farms, formerly known as Thistle Stop Café. Also underway is a $3 million renovation that includes a new manufacturing facility as well as an expanded cafe and event space.

Tickets are available for the Love Letters evening at thistlefarms.org.

Nashville Bourbon Derby To Benefit T.J. Martell’s FTL Sarcoma Fund

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Members of the music industry have teamed up to host the Nashville Bourbon Derby on Tuesday, May 2, at the East Ivy Mansion. Proceeds will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation’s FTL Sarcoma Fund, which raises money for sarcoma cancer research in memory of Lindsay Walleman.

The event will feature rare bourbons donated from personal collections throughout the Nashville area, food trucks, auction items, and music from Warner Music Nashville artist Charlie Worsham‘s extensive vinyl collection.

The $50 entry fee includes ten (10) tickets redeemable for tastings. Additional drink tickets will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

The event’s host committee includes Jordan Pettit, Damon Moberly, Ryan O’Nan, Ryan Beuschel, Mark Block, Ryan Miller, Bo Martinovich, Darren Koch, Chris Palmer, Luke Rodgers, and Myles Murphy.

For more information, visit www.nashvillebourbonderby.com.

Webster PR Signs Brenda Lee

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Brenda Lee has added Webster Public Relations for PR, named Janet Wilcox as Manager of Brenda Lee Productions, and continues booking representation with Stan Barnett at CAA.

“We’ve got some big plans in the works!” said Lee. “We’ve got so much momentum going on and I wanted to sign with Kirt and his team exclusively to stay on top of all of our exciting projects. Our team at Brenda Lee Productions will be headed by my longtime assistant Janet Wilcox. We’re all excited about the opportunity to work with Webster PR.”

In other Webster PR news, the company continues its growth by adding Megan Carmean to lead a new division as Lifestyle Brand Manager. In her new role, Carmen will manage brand awareness and public relations for all existing Webster clients such as StarVista LIVE, Journey Home Project, and Springer Mountain Farms and will expand Webster’s corporate clientele portfolio and Lifestyle Brand staff. Her previous career stops include the American Cancer Society, and most recently the Academy of Country Music.

Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Honors Guy Clark, Tamara Saviano

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Tamara Saviano accepts the DKR Texas Music Legend Award from presenter Rodney Crowell.

Photos by Ted Parker Jr.

The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association held a special tribute to the life and legacy of Guy Clark April 7 at the Paramount Theater in Austin, and a who’s who of Texas and Nashville talent showed up to pay their respects musically at the event.

Produced and emceed by Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hall of Fame member Rodney Crowell, the show also included performances by Joe Ely, Bruce Robison, Lee Roy Parnell, Jack Ingram, Verlon Thompson, Terry Allen, Brennen Leigh, Shawn Camp, The Trishas, Noel McKay and Terry McBride.

Producer, manager, Clark biographer, and longtime Americana and Texas music champion Tamara Saviano was awarded the Darrell K Royal Texas Music Legend Award during the evening by BMI’s Jody Williams.

“There’s been a well-worn path between Texas and Tennessee for many generations,” said Saviano upon receiving the honor. “To me, Austin and Nashville are sister cities, united in our collective quest to write great songs and discover great songwriters. Texans Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Lee Roy Parnell, Gary Nicholson, Radney Foster and many others have made their way from Texas to Nashville in search of publishing and recording deals. Yet, these Lone Star natives never lose the Texas in them. Guy would be so proud tonight. I still can’t believe he is gone and miss him every day. Many of his friends and family are here tonight, on stage and off, and we haven’t been together under one roof since Guy’s memorial. Grief shared is grief diminished and tonight I feel only joy and gratitude.”

The TxHSA’s 2018 Hall of Fame Class was also announced during the event, and includes Buddy Holly, Mickey Newbury, Liz Rose and Ray Wylie Hubbard.

Jody Williams honors Tamara Saviano.

 

Joe Ely performs “Magdalene.”

 

Noel McKay performs “Favorite Picture of You.”

Artist News: Soul2Soul Tour Opens, Midland Opry Debut, Silverado Records

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Soul2Soul 2017 Opening Night

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s Soul2Soul The World Tour 2017 launched Friday night (April 7) in New Orleans, La. Members of their team from Sony Music Nashville joined them on the road for opening night of one of this summer’s biggest tours. The outing visits Nashville for back-to-back shows Aug. 4 and 5 at the Bridgestone Arena.

(L-R): Ken Robold, Lauren Thomas Fowler, Josh Easler, Randy Goodman, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Steve Hodges, Shane Allen, John Zarling, Jim Catino

 

Midland Makes Opry Debut

Midland made their Grand Ole Opry debut Saturday night (April 8). Lead singer Mark Wystrach, guitarist Jess Carson and bass player Cameron Duddy performed two shows from the legendary circle that night, offering debut single “Drinkin’ Problem” and fan-favorite “Burn Out.”

Pictured (L-R): Grand Ole Opry GM Sally Williams, Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Midland’s Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach and Jess Carson, Opry Entertainment President Steve Buchanan, Sandbox Entertainment’s Todd Ramey and BRND MGMT’s Matt Graham. Photo: ©2017 Grand Ole Opry | Chris Hollo

 

Silverado Signature Songwriter Series Features Tyler Jordan

Silverado Records has signed singer-songwriter Tyler Jordan for the third volume of the Silverado Signature Songwriter Series album releases. Hailing from Belton, SC, Jordan has been writing songs in Nashville since 2010.

(L-R): Tyler Jordan and Silverado’s Aaron Chesling

Darius Rucker’s Annual St. Jude Benefit Moves To Ryman

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Darius Rucker will hold his annual “Darius and Friends” concert for the first time at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on June 5. Now in its eighth year, the event leads into CMA Music Festival week and benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“This concert is a real highlight for me every year,” Rucker said. “And I couldn’t do it without the support of my friends who turn out to perform, tell stories and make this a memorable night for the fans, who are here from around the world.”

The popular event, previously held at the Wildhorse Saloon, sells out year after year and has raised more than $800,000 for St. Jude. Among the artists who’ve performed with Rucker at the benefit in past years are Luke Bryan, Radney Foster, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Charles Kelley, and Kenny Rogers. The lineup for this year’s event will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets will be available April 14 via Ticketmaster.com. Rucker has teamed up with Ticketmaster to allow supporters to become #VerifiedFans. Qualified registrants entering by April 13 at 10 a.m. CT will receive a unique code to ensure they can buy tickets without worrying about scalpers or bots.

Grand Ole Opry Delivers New Subscription Boxes

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Grand Ole Opry fans can now get Opry curated music selections, one-of-a-kind merchandise, a copy of its exclusive Inside The Circle magazine, and more with the new Opry Box subscription service.

The first Opry Box, “Opry Friends,” celebrates friendships between Opry artists and the stars and their fans and includes Brad Paisley on the cover of the magazine, a travel mug commemorating Little Jimmy Dickens, the DVD/Blu-ray American Saturday Night: Live From The Grand Ole Opry featuring Paisley, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Brett Eldredge, and The Band Perry, and other surprises.

Subscriptions including four seasonal boxes are $140 plus shipping and available now at opry.com and at 1-800-SEE-OPRY. Single boxes are available as well for $40 plus shipping.

Relive Country’s Greatest Decade Tonight

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Some of country’s hottest rising stars will take fans on a trip through the ‘90s tonight (April 11) at Exit/In in Nashville. Slated to perform are Adam Craig, Adam Sanders, Craig Campbell, Dustin Lynch, Lauren Alaina and Michael Ray. Surprise guests are also expected.

Storme Warren will host the sold-out show titled “90s’s Night: One of the Greatest Decades of Country Music.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is at 8.

Weekly Register: Artists See Post-ACM Awards Sales Bumps

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Miranda Lambert. Photo: Becky Fluke

The recent Academy of Country Music Awards resulted in sales bumps for several performers.

Miranda Lambert‘s The Weight Of These Wings moved to No. 1 on the Nielsen Soundscan country albums rankings, moving 23K this week (318K RTD). Her sales increased 946 percent after her performance of “Tin Man” on the awards show.

Keith Urban, who performed both “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” as well as “The Fighter” alongside Carrie Underwood, saw his sales increase 87 percent (Underwood’s sales increased 68 percent). His album Ripcord, lands at No. 2 this week on the country albums chart, with 17K sold.

Trace Adkins‘ debut release on Wheelhouse Records (BBR Music Group), Something’s Going On, debuts at No. 3 country, selling 13K.

Reba, who collaborated with CCM performer Lauren Daigle on “Back To God,” is at No. 4 this week. Her album Sing It Now sold 10K this week. She saw a 72 percent increase in sales after her ACM performance.

Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton, who performed his new track “Second One To Know,” sees his album Traveller round up the Top 5 with 8.6K.

Other debuts include Rodney Crowell‘s New West Records debut Close Ties at No. 8 on the country albums rankings with 5.1K sold. The Mavericks debut at No. 10 country with Brand New Day selling 4.9K, while Dailey & Vincent debut at No. 44 with Patriots and Poets, selling 846.

Sam Hunt

On the country digital tracks rankings, every song in the Top 5 was performed during the recent ACM Awards.

Sam Hunt continues to hold on to the No. 1 country digital track slot, with “Body Like A Back Road” selling 70K this week.

Thomas Rhett‘s new single “Craving You” (featuring Maren Morris), debuts at No. 2, with 54K. Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood‘s “The Fighter” is at No. 3, with 53K. Miranda Lambert’s “Tin Man” is at No. 4, with 45K, while Lady Antebellum‘s “You Look Good” is at No. 5 with 41K.

Overall digital track sales are down 24.1 percent YTD, while country digital track sales are down 22.6 percent YTD.

Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

Dylan Schneider To Release EP ‘Spotlight’s On You’ April 14

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Dylan Schneider

Dylan Schneider is set to release his new EP, Spotlight’s On You, this Friday, April 14. The five-song EP features songs penned by Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley, Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, and more. Schneider contributed two co-writes to the EP, on the songs “Grew Up Slower” and “You I Used To Know.”

The EP, produced by Aaron Eshuis, marks Schneider’s third release; he debuted with EP Wannabe in August 2016. In October, he released the follow-up EP 17, which reached No. 3 on iTunes and No. 34 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Albums chart.

“Getting back into the studio for this new EP was an absolute blast,” said Schneider. “I loved creating this new music and can’t wait to put it out for all my fans to hear.”

Schneider has earned a social following of nearly 800,000, collecting over 32 million video views.

Spotlight’s On You track listing:

1. Rockstar (Chris DeStefano/Ashley Gorley/Thomas Rhett)
2. Grew up Slower (Dylan Schneider/Jesse Frasure/Josh Miller)
3. It’s a Guy Thing (Stephen DeLoach/Nate Kenyon/Ben Wells)
4. Fireworks (Ross Copperman/Dallas Davidson/Ashley Gorley)
5. You I Used to Know (Dylan Schneider/Aaron Eshuis/Neil Medley)