Steven Curtis Chapman Reveals SCC Solo Dates For 2018

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Steven Curtis Chapman has announced he will continue his successful tour, SCC SOLO: A Night of Hits, History, and Influences, this spring. Adding 26 dates to the tour that kicked off this fall, the 2018 leg will kick off in Dallas, Texas on Feb. 3 and will run through April, hitting historic venues like the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia and The Bijou in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“We thought we knew what to expect musically until he blew away our expectations,” states Rick Stevens, Lighthouse Radio. “But what really made the night special was how transparent and accommodating he was. We felt more like friends than fans.”

A promoter of one the shows earlier this fall also shared, “He gave us glimpses of both the successes and the challenges that he and his family have gone through. We got to hear right from his heart.”

Tickets are available now by visiting StevenCurtisChapman.com.

SCC SOLO 2018 TOUR DATES:

Feb. 3 – Dallas, TX
Feb. 17 – Muscle Shoals, AL
Feb. 22 – Cleveland, OH
Feb. 23 – Pittsburgh, PA
Feb. 24 – Shipshewana, IN
Feb. 25 – Ashland, KY
March 8 – Gainesville, FL
March 9 – Chattanooga, TN
March 10 – Atlanta, GA
March 11 – Knoxville, TN
March 16 – Washington DC
March 17 – Baltimore, MD
March 18 – Carlisle, PA
March 23 – Columbus, OH
March 24 – Manheim, PA
March 25 – Williamsport, PA
April 7 – Kernersville, NC
April 8 – Rocky Mount, NC
April 11 – Auburn, ME
April 12 – Springfield, MA
April 13 – Providence, RI
April 14 – Montgomery, NY
April 15 – Bethel, CT
April 26 – Portland, OR
April 27 – Reno, NV
April 29 – Sacramento, CA

AXS Reveals Ticket Sales Integration With Facebook

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Music lovers are now able to purchase and redeem tickets to AXS events directly on Facebook. A two-way integration allows tickets to be purchased and redeemed through a QR code in the Facebook app. Fans can also share and transfer tickets through the app.

AEG-owned AXS also has integrations with Spotify, Groupon and Stubhub. Promoters in some markets will be able to use Facebook tools in event discovery and audience targeting, as part of partner distribution network AXS Anywhere’s expansion.

By leveraging the followers and user behavior on a participating artist’s page, AXS Anywhere gives promoters significant data collection opportunities for Facebook’s 2 billion registered users.

Ben Gallaher Gives Back On Seventh Annual Barbed Tour

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Ben Gallaher launched his 2017 Barbed Tour this week. The Pennsylvania native has spent the past seven years performing for inmates at correctional institutions in his home state. Gallaher will perform tunes from his five-song, self-titled debut Sony Music Nashville EP, which was produced by Julian King and Jim Catino, and released in August.

“I started touring Pennsylvania State Prisons in 2011 when I was 19 after a friend who worked at SCI Camp Hill reached out to see if I’d consider performing there,” said Gallaher. “I jumped at the opportunity, even though I’d never been to a prison before. After that first solo acoustic performance, it just spread from one state prison to another. I titled it the Barbed Tour and each year I love going back to play behind bars. It’s such an unscripted experience. Music is so universal. It doesn’t matter where; whether you are in a bar, in a church, or in a prison, music has a powerful effect.”

Barbed Tour Dates:
Monday, Dec. 11 – Frackville
Tuesday, Dec. 12 – Fayette
Thursday, Dec. 14 – Camp Hill
Friday, Dec. 15 – Graterford
Tuesday, Dec. 19 – Retreat
Wednesday, Dec. 20 – Chester

WME Bolsters Rock Roster With 13 New Signings

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WME has added 13 new acts to its rock roster, including Rodrigo y Gabriela, Iron & Wine, The Record Company, The Sherlocks, Rival Sons, NAWAS, Marc Scibilia, Devon Gilfillian, The War and Treaty, Low Cut Connie, Kathleen Edwards, Ida Mae and Amasa Hines. These bands will be represented by teams of agents across all areas including music, film, television, books, and endorsements.

These acts are the latest to be added to WME’s growing rock roster. This news follows last month’s announcement that Scott Clayton joined WME to run its rock division and serve as Co-Head of its Nashville office. Joined by longtime colleagues, Matthew Morgan, Buster Phillips and Brandi Brammer, Clayton and his team continue to sign some of the world’s most talented and well known artists. Earlier this month, WME announced the signing of Dead & Company, Gov’t Mule, Kings of Leon, Michael Franti, My Morning Jacket, and Train.

Casting Crowns Extends Very Next Thing Tour Into 2018

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Casting Crowns returns to the road in 2018 for the final leg of its The Very Next Thing Tour, featuring special guest I AM THEY. Presented by Compassion International, the 30-city spring leg of “The Very Next Thing” Tour will run from March to early May of 2018, with tickets going on sale Friday in most markets. The tour has hit 100 major markets since Fall 2016, resulting in multiple sold-out performances and an overall attendance topping 435,000, making it the most-attended Crowns tour since 2008.

The Very Next Thing Tour supports Casting Crowns’ current studio album, The Very Next Thing (Beach Street/Reunion), the group’s 15th release and eighth studio album since its label debut in 2003. With more than 10 million records sold, Casting Crowns has held the position of Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. The band is currently wrapping up a holiday arena tour, A Glorious Christmas, with for KING & COUNTRY. They also just received a seventh Grammy nomination, and have generated 100,000 child sponsorships through their concerts.

The Very Next Thing Tour – Spring 2018
* Dates and markets subject to change without notice
March 8 – Macon, GA
March 9 – Florence, SC
March 10 – Norfolk, VA
March 15  – Huntington, WV
March 16 – Bourbonnais, IL
March 17 – Effingham, IL
March 18 – Wisconsin Dells, WI
March 20 – Rochester, MN
March 22 – TBD
March 23 – Park City, KS
March 24 – Longview, TX
March 29 – TBD
March 30 – Paducah, KY
April 5 – TBD
April  6 – Andrews, TX
April 7 – TBD
April 8 – McAlester, OK
April 12 – Knoxville, TN
April 13 – Hixson, TN
April 14 – Farmington, MO
April 19 – Mandeville, LA
April 20 – Tuscaloosa, AL
April 21 – Albany, GA
April 26 – Poughkeepsie, NY
April 27 – Augusta, ME
April 28 – Lowell, MA
April 29 – Charlottesville, VA
May 3 – TBD
May 4 – Wheeling, WV
May 5 – Owensboro, KY

Paradigm Names Margaret Bushart As Nashville Office GM

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Margaret Bushart

Paradigm Talent Agency has promoted Margaret Bushart to General Manager of its Nashville office. In her new role, alongside the day-to-day responsibilities of General Manager, Bushart will serve as an ambassador and liaison to the Music City community, strengthening relationships with key Nashville music institutions, professional organizations, media and record labels. She will also serve as primary point of contact for Paradigm’s public relations and charitable initiatives in Nashville, in conjunction with the agency’s communications department and Director of Social Impact.

Bushart joined Paradigm in early 2013, and has served as assistant to office head Jonathan Levine and executive office administrator. She will continue to manage Levine’s desk and oversee office administration.

“In her five years with us, Margaret has proven herself immensely capable and a true leader on our team,” says Levine. “She’s the heart of our Nashville office and will do us proud as the face of Paradigm’s operations, alongside our extraordinary agents, to the wider Nashville community.”

Paradigm also recently announced the move of its Nashville operation to spacious and scenic new downtown offices at 222 2nd Ave South.

The Paradigm team is a group of creative entrepreneurs who help guide the careers of a dynamic roster of talent, leading with the belief that when the artist’s interests are placed front and center, lasting success will follow. With offices across the US, UK and Canada, Paradigm provides global representation to clients in television, live music, motion pictures, theater, digital, book publishing, content finance, brand partnerships and beyond. Since 1993 Paradigm has acquired a variety of complementary companies, always with the goal of providing a broad range of services to the artists.

WME Signs Michael Franti

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Michael Franti is the latest signee to WME for exclusive representation. The agency will now represent Franti in all areas including music, film, television, books, and endorsements. Franti continues to be managed by Bernie Cahill and Matt Maher.

Franti is a globally recognized musician, humanitarian and activist filmmaker revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, devotion to health and wellness, and worldwide philanthropic efforts. Franti’s hit singles include “The Sound of Sunshine,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts, as well as “Say Hey (I Love You),” “I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like)” and “Life Is Better With You.” His most recent album, Soulrocker, hit No. 5 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart and No. 17 on Billboard’s Top Current Albums chart. In 2017, he played 110 shows for over 450,000 fans, and over the course of his career has been a perennial favorite at major festivals around the world.

Franti was formerly represented by CAA, and follows several artists and executives who have moved from CAA to WME in recent weeks, including artists My Morning Jacket, Train, and Kings of Leon, as well as execs Scott Clayton, Brandi Brammer, Buster Phillips, and Matthew Morgan.

Train Inks With WME

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Train has signed with WME for exclusive representation. The agency will now represent the band in music, film, television, books, and endorsements. They continue to be managed by Crush Music.

Since the release of their debut in 1998, Train has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide, more than 30 million tracks, with multiple Platinum/Gold albums, and three Grammy awards, two Billboard Music Awards and dozens of other honors.

Earlier this year, the band released their eighth studio album, A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat, on Columbia Records which spawned the lead single, “Play That Song,” hitting Top 5 on the iTunes chart, Top 10 at Hot AC radio, and charting at Adult Top 40. The band recently finished its 48-date North American tour.

The signing follows as several executives have exited CAA and joined WME’s Nashville office, including Scott Clayton, Matthew Morgan, Brandi Brammer, and Buster Phillips. The Train signing announcement furthers a bolstering to the company’s rock roster, with the recent addition of Kings of Leon.

Walker Hayes To Launch Good As Gold Tour In February

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Walker Hayes. Photo: Rachel Deeb

Walker Hayes is launching his own 13-city tour, the Good As Gold tour, named for a line in his Gold-certified hit,“You Broke Up With Me.” The tour will kick off Feb. 1 in Uncasville, Connecticut and will run through April. Hayes is gearing up for the release of his debut album, boom., this Friday, (Dec. 8), and “You Broke Up With Me,” which is Top 15 on the charts, has already notched over 50 million streams.

“I am so humbled by folks wanting to see this live that we can do this,” shares Hayes. “I’m so honored to have so many supporters — from my peers to the industry to country radio — on this crazy journey with me. You all have absolutely changed my life.”

Fans can pre-order Hayes’ new album boom. and instantly receive five tracks including the current single, “Beautiful,” “Halloween,” “Shut Up Kenny” and “Beer in The Fridge.”

Tickets for the new tour go on sale this Friday (Dec. 8).

Good As Gold Tour Dates:
February 1 – Mohegan Sun- Wolf Den in Uncasville, Connecticut
February 2 – Paradise Rock Club in Boston, Massachusetts
February 3 – The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland
February 17 – The Coyote Joe’s in Charlotte, North Carolina*
March 1–  Brick Street Bar in Oxford, Ohio
March 2 –  Joe’s on Weed Street in Chicago, Illinois
March 3 –  Stage AE in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 15 – House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio
March 16 – 8 Seconds Saloon in Indianapolis, Indiana
March 17 –  St. Andrews Hall in Detroit, Michigan
March 24 –  Saddlebags in Savannah, Georgia
April 26 – Buck Owens Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California
April 27– Close LaChance Winery in San Martin, California

*On sale December 15

Paradigm Talent Agency Makes Nashville Move

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Pictured (Back row, L-R): Keith Richards (standing), Keith Levy, Joe Atamian, Jenny DeLoach, Matt Runner, Josh Swann, Nate Herweyer, Matt Korn, Greg Hoffman, Keith Shackleford (standing). Pictured (Front row, L-R): Maxwell Wiebrecht, Jeffrey Hasson, Clint Wiley, Jonathan Levine, Sam Gores, Amanda Ances, Max Braun, Casey Smith. [Click photo to enlarge]

Paradigm Talent Agency has moved its Nashville operation into larger offices, located at 222 Second Ave. S. in downtown Nashville. The new office opening follows Paradigm’s move a year ago to new Manhattan offices. A new, consolidated Los Angeles headquarters will open in early 2018. Paradigm also has offices in London, Chicago, Toronto, Monterey, San Diego, Berkeley, and Austin.

“Since Paradigm first opened a Nashville office 14 years ago, we have carved an independent path into Music City,” said Paradigm Chairman and CEO Sam Gores. “Since moving to Nashville from Monterey five years ago, our office head Jonathan Levine’s leadership and impeccable taste have anchored the growth of an extraordinary and unique Third Coast presence for our agency.”

“Over the last few years we have watched our business grow and thrive exponentially, not unlike the city of Nashville,” said Levine. “We’re thrilled to be moving downtown and want the new offices to be a welcome destination for our diverse roster of artists.”

Levine is joined by agents Andrea Ambrosia, Amanda Ances, Joe Atamian, Max Braun, Jenny DeLoach, Jeffrey Hasson, Nate Herweyer, Matt Korn, Keith Levy, Keith Richards, Matt Runner, Keith Shackleford, Josh Swann, Maxwell Wiebrecht and Clint Wiley.

Paradigm’s clients represented out of the Nashville office include recent Grammy nominees Brent Cobb (Best Americana Album) and The Mavericks (Best Americana Album, Best American Roots Song), as well as producer Dave Cobb, who worked on songs and albums that earned a combined five nominations; as well as The Lumineers, Sturgill Simpson, Echosmith, Margo Price, Ben Folds, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Cody Jinks, Big Gigantic, Anderson East, Young The Giant, Dr. John, Fergie, Aubrie Sellers, Flogging Molly, Lee Ann Womack, Asleep at the Wheel, Whitey Morgan, Shakey Graves, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Black Eyed Peas, and many more.