Sugarland Member Sells Out Solo Shows

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Photo: Dana Tynan

Kristian Bush, half of country music duo Sugarland, is adding an encore performance after selling out two solo Thanksgiving weekend shows at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA.

“Kristian Bush and Friends” will be two shows (6:30 and 9:30 pm) on Sunday, Nov. 25, with special guests Ellis Paul and Canaan Smith. The newly added show is set for Monday, Nov. 26 with guest singer-songwriter Patrick Davis.

“I’ve been a songwriter my entire life, and Eddie’s is the club where I got my start, so I’m happy to keep on playing for as long as people want to listen,” Bush says.

Bush will make his third appearance on the CMA Songwriter Series when it returns to Nashville Oct. 31 at Marathon Music Works as part of Country Music Month, leading up the annual CMA Awards on Nov. 1. Along with his Sugarland partner Jennifer Nettles, Bush is nominated for CMA Vocal Duo of the Year.

Bush started his career with folk rock duo Billy Pilgrim in the early ’90s. He has garnered five CMA Vocal Duo awards as part of Sugarland, exceeding sales of more than 22 million units with eight No. 1 singles. In 2011, Bush founded the music publishing company Songs of the Architect, recently working with Boys Like Girls frontman Martin Johnson and Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale, as well as Canaan Smith, Lauren Alaina, Jaida Dreyer and Alana Springsteen.

For more information, visit www.kristianbush.com

IEBA Conference Closes With Awards Presentation

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(L-R): IEBA Awards Host MC Hammer, Charley Pride and Neal McCoy. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

The International Entertainment Buyers Association’s 42nd Annual Conference in Nashville wrapped yesterday (10/9) with record-breaking attendance of nearly 700 registrants.

MC Hammer hosted last night’s dinner and ceremony, which was a joint celebration of the IEBA Industry Awards and the CMA SRO Awards (see SRO winners list). Artist Charley Pride, entertainment publisher Ray Pilszak and talent buyer Joe LaGuardia, posthumously, were inducted into the IEBA Hall of Fame.

The evening included appearances by David Cassidy, Peter Noone, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, Ronnie Dunn, Neal McCoy, John Schneider and Tom Wopat (The Duke Boys) as well as performances by Melinda Doolittle and Belmont University School of Music students.

“The conference and awards dinner exceeded all of our expectations,” said Tiffany Davis, Executive Director of IEBA. “It was a once in a lifetime experience with the legendary Charley Pride and the many other current and future legends of our industry all in the room together. MC Hammer entertained and charmed everyone. It was a perfect conference with an enchanted ending.”

See MusicRow’s coverage of the conference’s reality TV panel discussion here.

International Buyer of the Year: Larry Werner, Panhandle Productions
Fair Buyer of the Year: Todd Boltin, Variety Attractions
Festival Buyer of the Year: Mike Smardak, Outback Concerts
Club Buyer of the Year: Gary Osier, Gary Osier Presents
College Buyer of the Year: Mark Letson, EastCoast Entertainment
Corporate Buyer of the Year: Fran Romeo, Romeo Entertainment Group
Casino Buyer of the Year: Kell Houston, Houston Productions
Venue Executive of the Year: Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
Emerging Talent Agent of the Year: Travis Wolfe, Paradigm Agency

 

Stagecoach 2013 Lineup Revealed

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Stagecoach 2013 is scheduled for the weekend of April 26-28 at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. The performance lineup announced for the outdoor country music festival includes Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Hank Williams Jr., Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Thompson Square, Dwight Yoakam, Lonestar, Phil Vassar, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more.

Stagecoach is also introducing its new Stagecoach RV Resort to provide a more comfortable camping experience for guests. Buyers are guaranteed the opportunity to purchase RV spots in the future, plus “in & out” privileges, and a secure area next to the venue entrance. Space is limited, so interested parties must submit applications prior to Monday, Oct. 15 at Noon CT.

Tickets for Stagecoach 2013 go on sale Saturday, October 20 at Noon CT. Check here for more info.

Industry Ink (10/9/12)

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Ronnie Dunn, Big Al Anderson, and The Grascals have joined the musical lineup for the 9th Annual Leadership Music Dale Franklin Awards, which will be held Wednesday, Oct. 17 at War Memorial Auditorium. The event, which includes previously announced artists Rodney Crowell, Little Big Town, David Nail and the Time Jumpers, will pay tribute to Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, and Randy Owen. Tables are sold out, but a few seats remain available here.

• • •

David Levin

BMI has announced the appointment of David Levin as Vice President, New Media. The New York-based Levin will be responsible for the growth of digital revenues, addressing digital market needs, and managing day-to-day operations for BMI’s New Media licensing business. Previously, Levin spent 12 years at Sony Music Entertainment where he was most recently SVP, Digital Sales. He will report to Richard Conlon, SVP of Corporate Strategy, Communications, and New Media.

• • •

Live music powerhouses Tour Supply, Inc. and JH Audio have announced a strategic partnership to serve their mutual customers with top quality gear. Sales reps from JH Audio will be based out of Tour Supply’s New York and Nashville locations, to provide a one-stop hub for sales of JH Audio’s popular in-ear monitor systems and Tour Supply’s pro audio goods.

• • •

RCA Nashville’s Jake Owen has signed with Jensen Arrowsmith’s media relations firm Sweet Talk Publicity for independent PR representation. Owen played sold out stadiums this summer on the Brothers of the Sun Tour, and his current single is “The One That Got Away.” He joins SweetTalk clients Florida Georgia Line and Billy Ray Cyrus.

• • •

Buddy Lee Attractions has announced the signing of singer/songwriter Crystal Hoyt to its roster for booking representation. Hoyt was formerly a member of the popular trio Trailer Choir. “I took about four or five months off and did nothing but write,” she says. “I’ve been in the process of redeveloping myself as an artist and a writer.”

• • •

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) recently named Lisa Harless, Sr. VP of Regions Bank’s Sports and Entertainment Division, the 2012 recipient of its Stephen Foster Award. The honor was presented at NSAI’s “World’s Largest No. 1 Party” on Sept. 17 in recognition of Harless’ outstanding support to songwriters, the music industry, and NSAI.

(L-R): Lee Thomas Miller, President of NSAI; Lisa Harless, Regions Bank Sports and Entertainment Division; Maria Pallante, United States Registrar of Copyrights; Susan Stewart, South Regional Director of The Recording Academy; Robert Frost of Frost Specialty; Susan Myers, Director of Sponsorships, NSAI.

Oak Ridge Boys Celebrate 40th Anniversary

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Oak Ridge Boys. Photo: Mike Payne

The Oak Ridge Boys will mark four decades of music with the a commemorative CD and The Oak Ridge Boys 40th Anniversary Tour.

January 19-20 will mark the beginning of the tour at the Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston, TX.

Whistle stops will continue for the group’s ongoing partnership with America by Rail, which invites audiences traveling by rail to visit the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre in Branson.

The quartet will also set sail to Cozumel for The Oak Ridge Boys Rally at Sea, February 28-March 4, including two shows and a meet & greet.

The band released the new CD Christmas Time’s A-Coming on September 25. An exclusive version of the album, featuring two bonus tracks, is available at Cracker Barrel. The album marks the group’s sixth holiday CD, which will be supported by the group’s annual Christmas tour of 20 years, preceding the 40th Anniversary Tour.

More information can be found here.

Redbox Ramps Up Ticketing Service

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Redbox is entering the ticketing market. It is now selling event tickets at select Philadelphia-area kiosks and online, with plans to expand into other markets. The service will roll out to all 650-plus kiosks in the Philly area by mid-October. Regardless of the ticket price, Redbox Tickets™ will be sold at face value or below, with a $1 fee per ticket. This is much less expensive than Ticketmaster fees.

Among the tickets already available are Carrie Underwood at the Wells Fargo Center, NASCAR events, and the Philadelphia Film Festival.

Ticketmaster has exclusive contracts with many venues, so Redbox will also cater to smaller events such as fairs.

Tickets can also be purchased online at www.redbox.com/tickets. Consumers will have the option to print their tickets at home or in some cases, pick them up at the event venue.

Venues, event owners, attractions, team owners or ticketing companies that are interested in partnering with Redbox to make their inventory available to both a national and local audience can also go to www.redbox.com/tickets to learn more or email SellTickets@redbox.com.

Florida Georgia Line Headlines Sold-Out Shows

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FGL performing for a sold-out crowd at Joe’s Bar in Chicago on 9/28.

Florida Georgia Line recently headlined five consecutive sold-out shows at Tin Roof Lexington (9/25), Tin Roof Cincinnati (9/26), Tin Roof Indianapolis (9/27), Joe’s Bar Chicago (9/28) and Bridge View Center Ottumwa (9/29).

“Joe’s hasn’t had a brand new band on their first single sell out in advance since 2005, and Florida Georgia Line sold out 6 weeks in advance!” said owner Ed Warm. “FGL delivered 90 minutes of country to crowd that knew every word to every song!”

Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley have been heavily touring in preparation for a full-length album release expected on Dec. 4. After this upcoming weekend of shows in the southeast, the duo will join Jake Owen for the 11th annual CMT On Tour kicking off on October 10 in New York.

FGL’s breakout single “Cruise” has sold well over 500,000 copies and has been certified GOLD in Canada. Superstar shout outs from Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Jennifer Nettles have praised the duo’s music.

A 5-track EP produced by Joey Moi titled, It’z Just What We Do, is currently available for sale in addition to a 6-track 2010 collection titled, Anything Like Me.

For tour dates and more, visit FloridaGeorgiaLine.com.

MC Hammer To Host IEBA Awards

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It's Hammer time!

MC Hammer will host the 42nd annual IEBA conference award dinner on Tues., Oct. 9. The ceremony will honor IEBA Hall of Fame inductees Charley Pride, Ray Pilszak and Joe LaGuardia (posthumously). Also, IEBA Industry Awards and CMA SRO Awards will be presented. Set to appear are David Cassidy, Peter Noone, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, Ronnie Dunn, Neal McCoy and surprise guests. Set to perform are Melinda Doolittle and Belmont University School of Music students Reid Johnson, Charles Rogers and Rayvon Owen, under the direction of Henry W. Smiley. Tickets are sold out.

In more IEBA news, Paradise Artists Agency will present classic rock and pop at its party Tuesday afternoon (10/9) at War Memorial Auditorium, including Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, Burton Cummings and David Cassidy.

WME’s Monday night party (10/8) will feature hit makers Dustin Lynch, Thompson Square and Gary Allan.

The IEBA Indie Showcase will unofficially open the conference on Sat., Oct. 6 at 12th & Porter. Jessica Frech will host and perform. Also on the bill are Breaking Laces, Von Grey and Evan P. Donohue. The music industry is invited to attend this free showcase. Doors at 8 PM, show at 9.

See previously announced showcase and panel line-ups here and here. IEBA runs Oct. 7-9 at the Sheraton Downtown Nashville. Details at www.ieba.org

Garth Ends Vegas Residency

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Garth Brooks has announced that his final performance at the Wynn Las Vegas will take place Nov. 17, 2012. The show has been running since December 2009. Remaining performance dates are below.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wynn,” said Brooks. “Mr. Wynn told me that the Wynn audiences were some of the best in the world and he was right. As for Steve Wynn, he is one of the smartest guys I have ever had the pleasure of talking to or listening to. He does everything top notch and is the easiest and best boss I have ever worked for…..I just love him!”

The announcement also hinted that Brooks would be filming his one-man show for a possible network special.

Tickets are currently available for Garth’s final shows at the Wynn for $225 plus tax and service fees.

Remaining dates:
October 5 & 6
October 26 & 27
November 16 & 17

Concert Times
7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Chris Young Plots Tour, Sells Out Ryman

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Chris Young will launch the first leg of his headlining Liquid Neon Tour in November, and the first date will be a sold-out show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The concert date will mark Young’s first-ever headlining show in Music City.

Joining Young for the trek will be Thomas Rhett, whose “Beer With Jesus” is quickly scaling the charts, and RCA Nashville’s Joanna Smith (“We Can’t Be Friends”), who will open the shows. Young’s tour experience includes time with talents like Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and more. His latest single, “I Can Take It From Here,” just shipped to radio.

Liquid Neon Tour Dates:
11/15 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
11/16 – Bristol, TN – Viking Hall Civic Center
11/17 – Pikeville, KY – Eastern Kentucky Expo Center
11/30 – Corbin, KY – The Arena

Additional Tour Dates Yet To Be Announced:
Youngstown, OH *with Eric Paslay and Joanna Smith
Bowling Green, OH
Evansville, IN
Huntsville, AL
Savannah, GA
Chattanooga, TN