Randy “Baja” Fletcher

Randy “Baja” Fletcher will be honored with the inaugural CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual CMA Touring Awards (formerly known as the SRO Awards). CMA Touring Awards will be presented in Nashville at Marathon Music Works on Monday, Jan. 23. The evening will be hosted by CMA Awards winner Kristian Bush.

The CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award is for an individual who has accomplished the highest level in the country music field of touring.

“Over the course of his amazing career, Baja has worked with countless artists, concerts, and events. He has been an integral part of some of the genre’s most ambitious tours, the careers of some of Country Music’s biggest icons, and the Country community. The respect that everyone who has ever worked with Baja has for him proves that he is a perfect fit to be the first recipient of this Award,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

Fletcher’s touring career began at the age of 17 with Bill Deal and the Rhondels. He traveled with the band up and down the East Coast on solo dates, as well as part of packaged shows of the era that included pop and Motown artists. In May of 1969, Fletcher’s career was briefly interrupted while he served in the US Army, including a tour of Vietnam. After his tour of duty, he returned to work with the Rhondels.

While working as a concert stage manager in 1973, he made a connection that would land him a job on the road with rock legends ZZ Top, with whom he would tour for much of the mid ‘70s, including the notable Worldwide Texas Tour. In 1978, he began a 10-year run as stage and production manager for Waylon Jennings. During this time he also co-toured with country artists Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Willie Nelson, and many more. In 1988 he began working with Randy Travis on Travis’ first headlining tour, whom he would continue with for five years.

When Travis took a break from touring at the end of 1992, Fletcher began working with then-newcomer duo Brooks & Dunn. For the next 18 years he served as production manager for their tours. Following his time with Brooks & Dunn, Fletcher opened the current chapter of his career in 2011 when he took on the role as production manager for Keith Urban, with whom he tours currently.

Country group Shenandoah will tour in 2017 to commemorate 30 years since the release of their debut album in 1987.

Several stops on the tour have been announced, with a second round of dates to be released in January. It kicks off on Jan. 22 in Annapolis, Maryland and will continue throughout the year. Shenandoah will also perform two live concerts in Zürich, Switzerland for the first time.

“After 29 years in the music business, we find ourselves more determined than ever before,” says lead singer Marty Raybon. “The past helps us to realize where we’ve been and sets our vision to where we want to be. Our mission in 2017, with new music, is to expand our fanbase while continuing to enjoy the performances and making our 30th year the best ever.”

The Randy Rogers Band just wrapped a sold-out run on the West Coast, and isn’t slowing down in 2017.

Known for performing more than 100 dates a year, the group’s upcoming schedule includes stops in Boston, Washington DC, and NYC. They have announced concerts through April 28 at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, Calif.

The six-piece’s independently-released Nothing Shines Like Neon landed in the top five on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. They are currently working on new music for 2017.

Singer-songwriter Randy Rogers will also play a rare acoustic show at the Black Tie and Boots 2017 Presidential Inaugural Ball in January. In addition to the band, he has plans to return to the studio in January to record with fellow Texan Wade Bowen.

Pictured (L-R): WME Nashville Co-head Rob Beckham; new agents Nick Miller, Alex Luebbert and Shannon Saunders; WME | IMG Co-CEO Patrick Whitesell; WME | IMG COO Jason Lublin; WME Nashville Co-head Greg Oswald; new agent Austin Neal; and digital marketing exec Sloane Logue.

WME Nashville Co-Heads Rob Beckham and Greg Oswald gave employees a surprise preview of their new office space on Tuesday (Dec. 13), and also announced several promotions and new hires. In 2017, WME Nashville will begin conducting business from 1201 Demonbreun Street, 14th & 15th floors.

WME | IMG Co-CEO Patrick Whitesell and WME | IMG COO Jason Lublin were in attendance for the unveiling, and the company holiday party later that night at Pinewood Social.

Promoted to Agent were Shannon Saunders, Nick Miller and Alex Luebbert. Saunders began her career with WME in 2010, and most recently worked as a Booker for clubs in Texas and Oklahoma. She will join the Fair & Festival Department.

Miller began his career with WME in 2011, and most recently assisted in booking large venues in the South Central territory. Miller will join the Developmental department as a booking agent in the West.

Luebbert began his career with WME in 2011, and most recently assisted in booking large venues in the North Central territory. Luebbert will join the Developmental department as a booking agent in the North.

WME also added Austin Neal as an Agent, booking medium venues in the Southeast territory. Before joining WME, Neal worked most recently at Triple 8 management, and prior to that as day-to-day manager for Big & Rich, and a territorial agent at Buddy Lee Attractions.

Sloane Logue has joined WME and will head Digital and Marketing Initiatives. She previously served as the Client Relations Manager at Ticketmaster, and also spent over 7 years as the Director of Digital Marketing at Show Dog-Universal Music.

These announcements from WME come on the heels of last week’s news that Shari Lewin has been named Partner by the agency.

Dale Watson and Ray Benson

Ray Benson and Dale Watson will release their first duo album, Dale & Ray, on Jan. 6 on Ameripolitan/Home Records, distributed by Mailboat Records. The album will include original tracks, such as “The Ballad of Dale and Ray,” and “Bus’ Breakdown,” as well as a tribute to Merle Haggard, “Feelin’ Haggard.”

On Wednesday, Dec. 14, SiriusXM will preview one of the album’s two cover tunes, a rendition of Willie Nelson’s “Write Your Own Songs.” The song will play simultaneously on SirusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse and on Outlaw Country at 5 p.m. ET.

“Ray and I have talked about doing this record from all the way back when I had black hair and he was still awake at the wheel,” Watson says. “To be able to do a record with a man I respect so much has been a dream come true.”

“The idea for this record is older than Willie Nelson,” Benson confirms. “Dale and I are kind of kindred spirits. We both have made careers as outsiders, fighting for the opportunity to play and showcase the kind of music that we want to play. For this record, we got to write and create original music that I’m extremely proud of.”