Carrie Underwood Celebrates 100th Grand Ole Opry Performance

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Pictured (L-R): Sally Williams, General Manager, Grand Ole Opry / Sr. Vice President, Programming & Artist Relations, Opry Entertainment; Carrie Underwood; Steve Buchanan, President/Opry Entertainment Group. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Carrie Underwood celebrated her 100th performance on the Grand Ole Opry this past weekend with four sold-out shows. Connie Smith introduced Underwood on Saturday’s (March 25) first show and presented her fellow Opry member with a commemorative print and a rose bouquet in celebration of 100 Opry appearances. She was also surprised by the Opry with 100 pink roses backstage in her dressing room and a specially-decorated cake from Nashville’s IveyCake. 

“Opry fans, all of us Opry members, and the entire Opry family are excited when you come home to the Opry stage,” said Smith to Underwood. “Even when you’ve been on the road more than 200 days a year, you’ve always come back to the Opry. That tells me you love us, and we love you right back.”  

Underwood made her Opry debut on June 10, 2005, less than two weeks after winning American Idol, and became an official Opry member in 2008. Her love for the Opry started as a child, as she grew up watching and listening to the show, hoping one day she’d perform on the famous stage. 

“I grew up dreaming of one day performing here and maybe even becoming a member,” said Underwood. “That dream comes true over and over each time I take the Opry stage. Here’s to the next 100!” 
 

iHeartCountry Festival Reveals Daytime Village Lineup

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Several of country music’s top newcomers will take the stage as part of the Daytime Village at the iHeartCountry Festival, slated for Saturday, May 6 from 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m. at Frank Erwin Center’s North Box Office Plaza in Austin, Texas. The free daytime event will feature live performances by Jon Pardi, Lindsay Ell, Kane Brown, Tucker Beathard, Chris Janson and Kip Moore. The Daytime Village will also feature fan zones and interactive experiences by iHeartRadio’s brand partners.

iHeartMedia on-air personality Bobby Bones will return as the host of the iHeartCountry Festival main stage.

In addition to his Daytime Village performance, Kip Moore has been added as a main stage performer, joining Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert, Rascal Flatts, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini and Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots, with more to be announced.

iHeartMedia’s Country music radio stations will broadcast the iHeartCountry Festival live in their local markets and at iHeartRadio.com.

Event sponsor AT&T will livestream the event, followed by a TV broadcast on the AT&T Audience Network on May 19 at 9 p.m. ET.

Florida Georgia Line Sell Out ‘Smooth’ Stadium Dates

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Florida Georgia Line has sold out their first-ever headlining stadium shows on upcoming dates in Boston, Minneapolis, and Chicago. The Fenway show slated for July 7, the Target Field show on July 29, and Wrigley Field date set for Aug. 12 are part of the duo’s upcoming Smooth Tour, which will feature special guests the Backstreet Boys (who are featured on FGL’s latest single “God, Your Mama, And Me”); Nelly, who reached Diamond status with FGL’s smash “Cruise”; and “Fix” singer Chris Lane. The tour kicks off in Austin, Texas on June 2.

Fans will get a taste of those shows on April 2 when FGL and the Backstreet Boys perform the national TV debut of “God, Your Mama, And Me” on The 52nd Annual ACM Awards.

“It’s an unreal feeling knowing that our dreams of being in stadiums are coming true and that our fans sold these shows out so quickly,” said Tyler Hubbard. “Not to mention we get to share a stage with our boys Backstreet Boys, Nelly, and Chris Lane. These shows will make history! We’re still so blown away.”

Artist Updates: Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, The Cadillac Three, Restless Heart

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Thomas Rhett Teams With Maren Morris On New Single

Thomas Rhett has paired with Maren Morris for “Craving You,” the first single from his upcoming third studio album. The track will release to radio on Friday, March 31.

“I remember hearing ‘Craving You’ and was immediately blown away by the story behind the longing of this guy who can’t wait to see his girl again,” said Rhett. “There’s this 80s vibe that’s rocking throughout this track that makes it really euphoric. It was so nice to be able to work with Maren whose voice is undeniably powerful and soulful, and just really adds a lot of intensity to the song.”

The project follows Rhett’s Platinum-certified album Tangled Up Deluxe, which includes his recent seventh No. 1 song “Star of the Show,” as well as his six-week chart-topper “Die A Happy Man.”

 

Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley To Appear On CBS This Morning, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley

On Wednesday, March 29, 52nd Academy Of Country Music Awards co-hosts, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, will appear on CBS This Morning for a sit-down interview and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for a sit-down interview and performance.

The CBS appearances will be in support of the 52nd ACM Awards®, which will be broadcast live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 2 (live 8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/delayed PT) on the same network.

 

 

The Cadillac Three To Release Limited Edition Vinyl Set For Record Store Day

The Cadillac Three will release a limited-edition vinyl, Live At Abbey Road, for Record Store Day on April 22. From the North London studio, the band recorded live versions of several tracks from their debut album Bury Me In My Boots.

“We’re three guys from Music City, where some of the coolest grooves and talented players from any genre have recorded,” said The Cadillac Three frontman and songwriter Jaren Johnston. “So many of those influences are on what we do today, and I think fans will feel it in the energy from these live tracks.”

Drummer Neil Mason added, “It’s still pretty surreal that we’ve gone from high school days of rehearsing in my parents’ basement to selling out shows in the UK and being invited to record at Abbey Road! We wanted this Record Store Day exclusive to be a special way for our fans to enjoy these bucket-list moments too.”

 

Restless Heart Announces New Tour, Including Nashville Date

Restless Heart has announced the first leg of its 2017 North American tour, including the Nashville Palace, on April 21. The tour launches tonight (March 24) in Florence, Oregon, visiting several cities in Texas, Louisiana, and other states.

“My favorite part about touring each year is seeing the familiar faces of our incredible fans in every crowd,” says Restless Heart keyboardist/vocalist Dave Innis. “After all these years, it’s more like family, especially since so many are raising a new generation of Restless Heart fans to keep us ‘rollin’ down the highway!'”

“It’s a great feeling going into each touring season knowing that we get to once again hit the stage every night with the original five guys still on top of our game,” adds Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart. “Time to get the show on the road!”

Bailey Bryan To Release Debut EP ‘So Far’ April 14

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New artist Bailey Bryan is releasing her debut EP, So Far, on 300 Entertainment/Warner Music Nashville on April 14.

Produced by Dennis Matkosky, Bryan co-wrote each of the five songs in the collection. Followers on her Instagram often see pictures taken from the road and studio, as well as no-makeup shots of Bryan, including ones of a waistline to shoulders zipper scar after a back surgery, which inspired her song “Scars” on the new project.

“This idea, which obviously I believe so strongly in, that the hardships in life, the things that are the hardest to come through are what kind of form the most beautiful things about us,” Bryan says. “If you listen to ’Scars,’ it was inspired by coming to terms with this giant scar that I have on my back and the fact that I love it now, it’s a part of me and it came from a really hard thing.”

So Far Track List:

1. Own It – (Bailey Bryan, Dennis Matkosky, Casey Brown)
2. Hard Drive Home – (Bailey Bryan, Dennis Matkosky, Matt McVaney) 
3. Scars – (Bailey Bryan, Tom Douglas, Dennis Matkosky)
4. Life Goes On – (Bailey Bryn, Casey Brown, Becki Devries, Dennis Matkosky
5. Used To – (Bailey Bryan, Michael Hardy, Dennis Matkosky)

Lindsay Ell Previews New Tracks On Debut EP

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Lindsay Ell

BBR Music Group’s Jon Loba welcomed industry and superfans of Lindsay Ell to the Germantown Nashville lounge, The Back Corner (TBC) on Thursday, March 23 to preview her EP, released today. Among attendees were the newcomers’s boyfriend and radio star Bobby Bones and her CMT Next Women of Country pal Lauren Alaina.

“There are some things that are worth the wait, and Lindsay Ell and her music are worth the wait,” said Loba. “Real art takes time. We had released a couple of things on Lindsay, it was honestly our fault—we didn’t have the right music on her. But then she had someone come in to her life in Kristian Bush who she absolutely gelled with and is making magic with.”

Ell’s Bush-produced Stoney Creek EP—appropriately titled Worth The Wait—reveals six songs from the strikingly beautiful guitar virtuoso.

Among the tracks is “Criminal,” a dynamic title most encompassing what the young artist is capable of—melody, lyrics and production.

“Thank you so much for coming and thank you for giving me patience and letting me figured this whole thing out,” exclaimed Ell from the stage before previewing the EP with a three-person band.

Lindsay Ell preview party

In additional to Ell-penned original titles, the EP also features outside songs, one titled “Space” from Caitlyn Smith, Heather Morgan and Maggie Chapman in addition to a John Mayer cover.

“The first meeting [Kristian Bush] and I had about music, he asked me what my favorite record was,” recalls Ell. “It would be John Mayer’s Continuum. He said, ‘I want you to go record the whole thing. The only rules are you need to play all the instruments. I cleared my schedule for two weeks, and 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. I sat in an office and recorded the whole record.

“It’s so different when you record something compared when you’re just listening to it. I learned so much about myself, my favorite record of all time, and I figured out how I love to sound in the studio. We ended up putting ‘Stop This Train’ on the EP, and it’s actually the exact work tape I made in my janky little office.”

Worth The Wait is available now.


Worth The Wait Track Listing

1) “Waiting on You” (Lindsay Ell, Adam Hambrick, Andrew DeRoberts)
2) “Criminal” (Lindsay Ell, Chris Stevens, Fred Wilhelm)
3) “Space” (Caitlyn Smith, Heather Morgan, Maggie Chapman)
4) “Standing Here” (Melissa Peirce, Ryan Hurd, Chase McGill)
5) “Worth The Wait” (Lindsay Ell, Travis Meadows)
6) “Stop This Train” (John Mayer, Pino Palladion)

Colton Dixon’s ‘Identity’ Revealed On Third CD

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Colton Dixon‘s third studio album Identity is out now. The new project’s first single, “All That Matters” is already climbing the charts, hitting the top 5 at Hot AC and the Top 15 on the National Christian Audience chart. Billboard exclusively premiered the song earlier this year, while PEOPLE Magazine debuted its official music video.

The deluxe version of the record features 17 tracks and is divided into three sonically unique sections – mind, body and spirit, each with its own instrumental interlude. Among the tracks on the new CD is “The Other Side,” a song inspired by Dixon’s wife Annie losing her younger brother a few years back and her family’s strength during that time.

“I’ve had more fun working on Identity than any other record,” Dixon said. “I’ve tried a lot of new things on this album, and I’m pumped for you all to finally hear it. I’m so excited for you to travel through the mind, body and spirit with me as you listen.”

Identity Track Listing:
“All That Matters” – Colton Dixon/Colby Wedgeworth/Ben Glover; produced by Colby Wedgeworth
“Autopsy” – Colton Dixon/Michael Pollack; produced by Broken City (strings composed by Ben Blasko)
“Brand New Life” – Colton Dixon/Gannin Arnold/Adam Watts; produced by Broken City
“Breathe” – Colton Dixon/Jason Walker/Tedd Tjornhom; produced by Tedd T/Colton Dixon
“Down” – Colton Dixon/Gannin Arnold/Adam Watts; produced by Broken City
“High” – Colton Dixon/Seth Mosley; produced by Seth Mosley and Mike X O’Conner
“Human” – Colton Dixon/Seth Mosley; produced by Seth Mosley and Mike X O’Conner
“I Would Choose You” – Colton Dixon/Gannin Arnold/Adam Watts; produced by Broken City
“Identity” – Colton Dixon/Justin Ebach; produced by Broken City
“In My Veins” – Colton Dixon/Tommee Profitt; produced by Tommee Profitt
“No Greater Love” – Colton Dixon/Gannin Arnold/Adam Watts/Ben Glover; produced by Broken City
“The Other Side” – Colton Dixon/Jeff Pardo; produced by Broken City
“Technicolor” – Colton Dixon/Jared Martin/ Justin Ebach/ Tedd Tjornhom; produced by Tedd T
“Warriors” – Colton Dixon/David Garcia/Tommee Profitt; produced by Tommee Profitt and David Garcia
“The Mind” – Colton Dixon – produced by Broken City
“The Body” – Colton Dixon and Ben Blasko – produced by Broken City
“The Spirit” – Colton Dixon and Ben Blasko – produced by Broken City

Allman Brothers Band To Release Live CD From Fox Theater Shows

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The Allman Brothers Band is releasing recordings from a set of shows from a sold-out, three-night run they played at Atlanta’s Fox Theater in 2004. The Fox Box will be released digitally March 24 and in stores on April 28 via RED Distribution as an eight-CD set.

The collection features a remastered audio mix and tightening up of the song spacing along with a very unique element: in the 53 songs performed, there is only one repeat, “Dreams,” which is played three times, each with different vocals by the guitar soloists: Derek  Trucks, Warren Haynes and Jack Pearson.

The Allman Brothers Band in 2004 featured founding members Gregg Allman (keyboards, vocals), drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe and percussionist Marc Quinones, guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, and bassist Oteil Burbridge. Guitarist Jack Pearson, who was in the band from 1997-99, was a special guest, and other guests include Derek’s bandmate/wife Susan Tedeschi, guitarist Vaylor Trucks (Butch’s son who was captured on the rear cover of Brothers & Sisters as a child) and keyboardist Rob Baracco.

FOX BOX track list:

9/24/04 Disc 1
–Mountain Jam
–Trouble No More
—Midnight Rider
–Wasted Words
–Worried Down With The Blues
–You Don’t Love Me

–Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More
Disc 2

–Rockin’ Horse
–Hot ‘Lanta
–Melissa
–Come And Go Blues
–Can’t Love What You Never Had
–Why Does Love Got To Be So Bad?

–Franklin’s Tower
Disc 3

–Black Hearted Woman
–Dreams (with Jack Pearson)
–Mountain Jam (reprise) (with Jack Pearson)

–Southbound (with Jack Pearson)
9/25/04 Disc 1

–Les Brers (Intro)
–Don’t Want You No More  / It’s Not My Cross To Bear
–Statesboro Blues
–Stand Back
–Who’s Been Talking
–Soulshine
–Good Clean Fun
–Old Before My Time
–Woman Across The River

–Instrumental Illness
Disc 2

–The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
–Leave My Blues At Home
–Key To The Highway
–Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (with Susan Tedeschi)
–One Way Out (with Valor Trucks)
–Blue Sky
–Dreams
–Les Brers In A Minor
–Layla

9/26/04 Disc 1

–Revival
–Every Hungry Woman
–Done Somebody Wrong
–Hoochie Coochie Man
–Desdemona
–High Cost Of Low Living
–44 Blues

–End Of The Line
Disc 2

–Dreams
–I Walk On Gilded Splinters
–Stormy Monday
–The Same Thing (with Rob Baracco)

–In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (with Rob Baracco)
Disc 3

–In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (cont’d, with Rob Baracco)
–Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’
–No One To Run With
–Whippin’ Post

Lady Antebellum To Headline Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

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Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum is scheduled to play their second headlining show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, Sept. 9.

The show is part of the trio’s previously announced You Look Good World Tour, featuring Kelsea Ballerini and Brett Young.

The trio is climbing the radio charts with their current single, “You Look Good,” penned by Hillary Lindsey, Ryan Hurd, and busbee, who also produced the trio’s upcoming album Heart Break, slated to release June 9.

The tour and album mark a return for the trio after a brief hiatus, which saw Charles Kelley release his solo project The Driver, which featured the Grammy-nominated title track that included vocals from Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay. Meanwhile Hillary Scott earned two Grammy honors for her inspirational album Love Remains, and the single “Thy Will.”

Tickets for the Sept. 9 Nashville date will go on sale 10 a.m., March 31 at Bridgestone Arena’s box office and via Ticketmaster.

Industry Ink: Ryan Kinder, Belmont University, John Lomax III

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Ryan Kinder Makes Some Sounds In The Round

(Back Row, L-R): Peter Strickland, John Esposito, Matt Signore, Megan Joyce, Chad Schultz. (Front Row, L-R): Adrian Michaels, Ashlee McDonald, Ryan Kinder, Stephanie Davenport, Tim Foisset, Cris Lacy, Lisa Ray

Ryan Kinder performed at Warner Music Nashville on Wednesday (March 22) for the “Warner Sound In The Round” concert series, where he played a half hour set that included his current single “Close.”

 

Belmont University, West Texas A&M Partner

At a signing ceremony Friday morning (March 24) in Belmont-owned Ocean Way studios, Belmont University officially entered an innovative educational partnership with West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) that will allow WTAMU students to participate in and complete courses offered by Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

 

John Lomax Joins PLA Media Roster

PLA Media has added music veteran John Lomax III of the famed Texas Lomax family to its client roster. PLA is partnering with Lomax III on several upcoming projects that will celebrate the 150th anniversary of his grandfather’s birth this September.

“I couldn’t be more honored for John to request that we work on this project that is so near and dear to his heart,” says Pam Lewis, President of PLA Media. “John loaned me a first edition of his grandfather’s book, published in 1947, and I couldn’t put it down. I feel like I know him. The music and the story is so very compelling and a cornerstone of America’s musical history and folklore. The Lomax family, then and now, are true national treasures.”