Chicago’s Lakeshake Festival Announces Next From Nashville Stage Lineup

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The Country LakeShake Festival in Chicago has revealed the lineup for its “Next From Nashville” stage. Performing at the three-day festival’s second stage will be Bailey Bryan, Drew Baldridge, Adam Craig, Seth Ennis, Ryan Kinder, Ashley McBryde, Dylan Scott, Lucie Silvas, Caitlyn Smith, Smithfield, Natalie Stovall and Drake White and The Big Fire, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

The lineup for the star-stacked festival, set for June 23-25 at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, will also feature superstars Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Little Big Town, and more.

Fans can partake in the multiple activities onsite at the festival, including the highly popular Blackhawks Bar, Silent Disco Line Dancing, Wine Lounge, Food Trucks, Kids Zone and additional games and activities. Passes for Country Lakeshake are available here.

Weekly Register: Alison Krauss Tops Country Album Chart, Tim and Faith Offer Top Debut Single

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Alison Krauss

Alison Krauss‘ Windy City sits atop the country albums chart this week, with 7.4K sold. She rises to the top from last week’s rank at No. 4.

Little Big Town‘s The Breaker remains at No. 2 this week with 7.3K units sold, followed by Reba‘s Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, which remains at No. 3 this week, with 6.9K. Keith Urban‘s Ripcord jumps from No. 6 to No. 4, with 6.7K sold. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller rounds out the Top 5 again this week, with 6K.

The top debut on the country album chart is Jessie James Decker’s EP Gold, selling 1.6K and coming in at No. 25.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill‘s new single, “Speak To A Girl,” is this week’s top debut on the country digital tracks chart, at No. 29, with 5.4K sold. The track released mid-day on Thursday, the last day of the sales week to count for Soundscan rankings.

Country group Midland‘s “Drinkin’ Problem,” moves from No. 50 to No. 14 on the country tracks chart, selling 8.7K this week.

Sam Hunt also continues to dominate with “Body Like A Back Road” at No. 3 overall and No. 1 country, selling 61K (487K RTD). Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood‘s “The Fighter” is at No. 2, with 25K. Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know” follows at No. 3, with 24K, while Jon Pardi‘s “Dirt On My Boots” ranks at No. 4 with 22K. Little Big Town‘s “Better Man” rounds out the Top 5 this week, with 19K.

Overall digital track sales are down 23.1 percent YTD, while country digital track sales are down 21.3 percent YTD.

Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

Industry Ink: Borman Entertainment, Lady Antebellum, Leadership Bluegrass

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Borman Ups Bethany Seifert

Bethany Seifert

Bethany Seifert has been named Director, Radio and Tour Marketing for Borman Entertainment. Seifert has been with the company for 18 months and worked at positions at the company from receptionist, office manager and assisted the management team while actively working in the touring department before earning this promotion. She will report to VP of Touring and Radio Promotion, DJ Kisshauer.

Borman Entertainment Nashville’s roster includes Keith Urban, Alison Krauss, Mickey Guyton and Clayton Anderson.

 

Lady Antebellum Seeking Horn Players For Nashville Show

Lady Antebellum will amplify the horn section found on the lead single “You Look Good” off their upcoming sixth studio album Heart Break (Capitol Nashville), when they bring their headlining You Look Good World Tour back to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 9.

Through an innovative social media campaign, horn players can submit a video with their rendition of Lady A’s Top 20 hit by using the hashtag #YOULOOKGOODonstage. The band will hand-select winners to join them in Music City.

Watch the announcement below:

YouTube video

 
 

Leadership Bluegrass 2017 Graduates

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2017. Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive, three-day program focused on interactive learning and networking experiences that invite participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the bluegrass music industry, and pursue leadership development.

This was the 18th year of Leadership Bluegrass, which now boasts over 400 alumni. Leadership Bluegrass 2017 was hosted at BMI in Nashville, Tennessee March 20-22.

The 2017 Leadership Bluegrass graduates are:
Erik Alvar, Jim Hurst Trio, Gainesville, TN
Lee Bidgood, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Jeff Burke, Wernick Method/Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, TN
Adam Engelhardt, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Nashville, TN
Anna Frick, Airshow Mastering, Boulder, CO
Barb Heller, North Country Public Radio, Canton, NY
Justin Hiltner, Artist, Nashville, TN
Kathryn Jenkins, Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, Sevierville, TN
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Mile Twelve, Jamaica Plain, MA
Irene Kelley, Artist/Songwriter, Nashville, TN
uri kohen, Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival, County Mayo, Ireland
Brennen Leigh, High Plains Jamboree, Austin, TX
CJ Lewandowski, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys/Bluegrass Today/Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association, Sevierville, TN
Corrina Rose Logston, Independent Artist/High Fidelity, Whites Creek, TN
Laura Mainer, Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers, Johnson City. TN
John Meyer, Museum of Appalachia/Tennessee Fall Homecoming, Clinton, TN
Ashley Moyer, Rounder Label Group, Nashville, TN
Joe Newberry, Artist, Raleigh, NC
Akira Otsuka, Bluegrass 45, Gaithersburg, MD
Ricky Gene Powell, Wintergrass/Artist-Teacher-Event Producer, Burien, WA
Craig Reed, Downtown Raleigh Alliance/Younger Brother Productions, Raleigh, NC
Bobby Rymer, Writers Den Music Group, Nashville, TN
John Smith, Free Dirt Records & Service Co, Washington DC
Bill Thibodeau, Rick’s Musical Instruments/Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance, Cumberland, RI
Kris Truelsen, Radio Bristol, Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol, VA
Rachel Whitney, Pandora Media, Nashville, TN

Luke Combs’ Debut Album To Release June 2

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Luke Combs will release his debut album This One’s For You on June 2 on River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. The project includes his debut single “Hurricane,” which boasts 59 million streams.

The 27-year-old Asheville, North Carolina native co-wrote all 12 tracks on the project which includes the hallmark fan favorite “One Number Away,” the silver-lining song “When It Rains It Pours,” and the part-love letter, part-apology title track dedicated to those who’ve supported Combs on his road to stardom.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this album. These songs mean so much to me and all my friends who I wrote them with,” said Combs. “From North Carolina to Nashville, this project has been such a long time in the making and I can’t wait for the fans to hear it. I sincerely hope they enjoy the album because they are the reason I do what I do.”

This One’s For You will be available for pre-order at digital retailers and lukecombs.com starting April 28. Combs joins Brantley Gilbert on his eight-month Devil Don’t Sleep Tour through September 2017.

This One’s For You Track Listing
1. Out There – Luke Combs, James McNair, Ray Fulcher, Jacob Bryant
2.  Memories Are Made Of – Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Cody Webb
3. Lonely One – Luke Combs, Drew Parker, Erin Ashley O’Keefe
4. Beer Can – Luke Combs, James McNair, Ray Fulcher
5. Hurricane – Luke Combs, Thomas Archer, Taylor Phillips
6. One Number Away*- Luke Combs, Robert Williford, Sammy Mitchell, Steven Andre Battey
7. Don’t Tempt Me – Luke Combs, Robert Williford, Joseph Michael Costa
8. When It Rains It Pours – Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Jordan Walker
9. This One’s For You – Luke Comb, Ray Fulcher, Pat Cooper
10.  Be Careful What You Wish For – Luke Combs, Rob Crosby, Ray Fulcher
11. I Got Away With You – Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Tyler Reeve
12. Honky Tonk Highway – Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Rob Crosby

Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum To Celebrate 50th Anniversary with $1.50 Admission Price April 1

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 1, and is inviting everyone to the party with a special one-day ticket price of $1.50 for all guests — the same price as a ticket on the museum’s opening day back in 1967. 

Guests will enjoy musical performances and activities throughout the building, as well as refreshments prepared by museum executive chef Bobby Hammock and witness the reveal of a special 50th anniversary cake created by Dulce Desserts. In addition, the first 5,000 guests through the doors on April 1 will receive a complimentary Hatch Show Print commemorative poster of the occasion.

Among the planned activities for the day include a Songwriter Session featuring Sonny Curtis, a Poets and Prophets In-the-Round with Buzz Cason, Dallas Frazier, Dickey Lee, and Dan Penn, a film loop of highlights from the first 50 years of the County Music Hall of Fame and Museum (1967 – 2017), guitar and songwriting workshops in the Taylor Swift Education Center, and shows by Rory Hoffman in the Curb Conservatory. 

Promotions, Hirings At Marbaloo

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(Top Row, L-R): Carly Brandt, Megan Clemens, Caitlin Davis. (Bottom Row, L-R): Madeline Farr, Victoria Henderson, Anthony Langone, Tara Miller.

 

Marbaloo has announced a round of promotions and new hirings.

New York native Anthony Langone has now been promoted to Publicity Manager, Head of Talent PR.

Megan Clemens celebrated a promotion to Jr. Marketing Manager after her 1 year anniversary with Marbaloo.

Caitlin Davis, upon her one-year anniversary at Marbaloo, was promoted to Publicity Coordinator. She was previously employed at the Bradford Group and then joined Marbaloo as a Publicity Assistant in 2016 after applying for the MarbaLearn program.

Madeline Farr has been promoted to Marketing & Client Relations Coordinator. In addition to her continued care of KP Entertainment’s roster she will also become the point person for incoming and potential client communication.

Victoria Henderson has joined Marbaloo as an Interactive & Partnerships Assistant. Henderson previously interned with Triple 8 Management before working at ASCAP.

Tara Miller was brought on staff at Remedy Creative (a Marbaloo Marketing company) in January, after completing the MarbaLearn Intern program. She continues to study Graphic Design at O’More College of Design.

Carly Brandt has returned to Marbaloo as Managing Director of Interactive & Operations. Carly joined Marbaloo for the first time after starting her career in music at CrowdSurf. She then spent time in artist management both at Pennington Entertainment and with artist Natalie Stovall before rejoining Marbaloo in March. In this newly-created role, she supervises all Interactive staff, manages the onboarding process for new clients and supports Executive initiatives.

Charity Notes: Music Makes Us, Evening With The Hitmakers, Dancing For Safe Haven

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Music Makes Us Celebrates Music In Our Schools Month

In celebration of Music in Our Schools Month, Music Makes Us is showcasing the benefits of music education with banners across Nashville’s Music Row area. The banners highlight ways in which music education can change a child’s life.

Championed by industry leaders on former Mayor Karl Dean’s Music City Music Council and now by Mayor Megan Barry, Music Makes Us is a private/public initiative focused on ensuring access and increasing participation to music in Metro Public School students.

Music Makes Us extends a special thank you to the businesses that have displayed a banner: ASCAP, CMA, NAS Associates, SESAC, Third Generation Entertainment, Warner Music Nashville, and Word Entertainment.

“We look to the businesses of Music Row to continue their support of Music Makes Us. By expanding awareness, we bring much-needed attention to the value of music education for all students. Our collective impact depends on the meaningful engagement with the music industry,” says Laurie Schell, Director of Music Makes Us.

 

Evening With The Hitmakers To Be Held April 17

The 9th Annual Evening With The Hit Makers will take place Monday, April 17 at The Listening Room Cafe (217 2nd Ave. S. in Nashville) beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.

The event will include an acoustic performance by Jeff Bates, as well as recognized songwriters Dave Berg, Danny Wells, Jeremy Bussey, Jayce Hein, and Kent Maxson. Kicking off the night will be effervescent young country sibling group The Runaway Hamsters.

Money raised will go directly to the Live4Tay Foundation, a financial support system to help families who have children with cancer.

 

Billy Dawson, Dawn Bunetta To Take Part In 8th Annual Dancing For Safe Haven Event

Billy Dawson, Dawn Bunetta

Safe Haven Family Shelter (SHFS), which serves Middle Tennessee families experiencing homelessness, will holds its 8th Annual Dancing for Safe Haven event on Saturday, April 1 at Hilton Nashville Downtown, beginning at 6 p.m.

Singer-songwriter Billy Dawson, along with other Nashville notables, will take the dance floor in support of Safe Haven’s mission.

The evening will also feature a special tribute to Dawn Bunetta, the recipient of the 2017 Safe Haven Hero award. Through a foundation established together with her late husband Al in memory of their teenage son Juri, Dawn hosted several fundraisers to benefit Safe Haven through the Juri Bunetta Friendship Foundation. She has also contributed through volunteerism, advocacy, and board service—giving more families a place to call home. Friends can celebrate in this special evening by making a gift in Dawn’s honor at classy.org.

 

Dennis Reese Named Sr. VP, Promotion For RCA Nashville

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Dennis Reese

Dennis Reese has been appointed to Senior Vice President, Promotion, RCA Nashville. Reese will begin his new role on April 1.

Reporting directly to Sony Music Nashville’s Exec. VP, Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges, Reese will be responsible for the development, implementation and supervision of the strategic and tactical radio promotional plans for artists on the RCA Nashville roster which includes Kane Brown, Ryan Hurd, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Dolly Parton and Chris Young.

Hodges says, “Dennis has a rock solid reputation in the industry, excellent relationships with many of our key partners and a real passion for our format and roster. I am elated to have him lead the RCA Nashville team in this exciting and ever-evolving world.”

Reese says, “This is a dream come true for me. It is such an honor to be a part of RCA Nashville and the Sony Music Nashville family, and, I can’t thank Steve and Randy Goodman enough for inviting me to join their team.”

Reese was Senior Vice President, Promotion, Epic Records most recently. Prior to this, he held the position of Senior Vice President, Promotion, Capitol Records for 11 years, and was also Senior Vice President of Promotion at Elektra Records and Columbia Records. Reese began his career in radio, and programmed stations in Miami, Orlando and Charlotte.

Inaugural Innovation In Music Awards To Be Held June 6 In Nashville

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The inaugural Innovation In Music Awards will recognize leaders who have developed innovative strategies to advance the music industry. The awards event will be held Tuesday, June 6 at The Westin in Nashville.

Innovation Awards will be given in such categories including:

-Innovator of the Year
-Heritage Award
-Innovation in Music, Music Industry Executive
-Innovation in Music, Artist
-Innovation in Music Live/Touring
-Innovation in Music, National Media
-Innovation in Music, Digital Media
-Innovation in Music, Digital Broadcast
-Innovation in Music, National Broadcast
-Innovation in Music, Major Market Radio
-Innovation in Music, Medium Market Radio
-Innovation in Music, Small Market Radio

The ceremony will consist of acceptance speeches from the evening’s honorees, four musical performances, and a short-form talk from an industry representative considered to be a bright, forward-thinker. A committee of music professionals was formed to plan the award selection process and determine this year’s debut honorees. The committee is currently comprised of executives whom work in various areas of the music industry, including in management, digital streaming, publishing, record labels, and more.

Cold River Records’ Pete O’Heeron spoke on behalf of the selection committee stating, “The difficulties of breaking a new artist is a common topic among our industry. By organizing this event, our goal is to recognize music industry professionals and radio program directors who are taking big and bold steps to advance new music and support the breakthrough of emerging talent. We are seeing a convergence of technologies entering the market to join traditional radio airplay in creating unprecedented layers of new exposure. We feel radio and music professionals who are committed to new music and breaking artists should have an evening dedicated to them.”

Tom Lord of Red Light Management also commented, “I’m excited to play a part in recognizing the innovators of new music and new artists. I’m really looking forward to honoring the leaders of the next generation.”

 

T.J. Martell Foundation Promotes Melissa Goodwin, Adds Two Staffers

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Melissa Goodwin

The T. J. Martell Foundation has promoted Nashville-based Melissa Goodwin to Sr. VP, Operations, and has added two staffers to its New York office.

Goodwin began her career with T.J. Martell as the Special Events Manager in 2005. Prior to joining the Foundation she worked with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as Event Director for the Tennessee Chapter. Her passion for non-profit work began during her time with the Nashville Metro Police Department where she played an integral role in the Law Enforcement Torch Run which raised over $125,000 for Tennessee Special Olympics.  She later joined the Special Olympics working with police across the state of Tennessee. Goodwin has held various national positions within the T.J. Martell Foundation including administrative, financial and human resources. She will remain based in the Foundation’s Nashville office.

Jon Baum has been named Senior Vice President of Entertainment and Business Development. Baum has a background in management working with artists like the Kinks, The Babys, Neil Sedaka, Gino Vanelli, Paul Davis and Randy Newman. He was part of both the original MTV Networks and VH1 teams, and created promotions for The Rolling Stones and David Bowie at Clear Channel as Vice President of Marketing Partnerships.  He also helped create the Jagermeister Music Tour, the Revolver Golden Gods Awards Show and the EA Sports Madden Challenge, and helped launch Guitar Aficionado Magazine in 2009. Based in New York, Baum will focus on non-event revenue through special partnerships with brands and festivals, the Foundation’s CharityBuzz auction, and national projects.

Annalisa Buehler has also joined the team as East Coast Manager of Special Events. Prior to joining T.J. Martell, Buehler was part of the Women’s E-commerce Merchandising team at Club Monaco. She is a graduate of the Scripps College of Communications at Ohio University and will be based in the Foundation’s New York office.