Cast Of ABC’s ‘Nashville’ Now Touring U.S.

The cast of ABC's Nashville performs in concert. Photo: Chris Hollo

The cast of ABC’s Nashville performs in concert. Photo: Chris Hollo

Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack and Charles Esten of ABC’s Nashville are currently touring the U.S., with fellow cast members Will Chase, Jonathan Jackson and Aubrey Peeples joining the tour in select cities.

The tour is produced by Opry Entertainment. Although no Nashville dates are on the tour, the schedule will run through May 7 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The tour will head overseas for its first-ever international run in mid-June. Due to demand, additional London dates were added to its sold-out schedule. The international shows feature cast members Bowen, Carmack, Esten and Sam Palladio. Jackson joins for the show in Dublin.

The cast of ABC's 'Nashville' performs. Photo: Chris Hollo

The cast of ABC’s ‘Nashville’ performs. Photo: Chris Hollo

Nashville In Concert Tour Dates:

April 21: Tulsa, Okla.; Brady Theater
April 23: Grand Prairie, Texas; Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
April 24: Austin, Texas; The Moody Theater
April 25: Houston; Revention Music Center
April 27: Atlanta; Fox Theatre
April 28: Clearwater, Fla.; Ruth Eckerd Hall
April 30: Rosemont, Ill.; Rosemont Theatre

May 1: Detroit; Fox Theatre
May 3: Washington; DAR Constitution Hall
May 5: New York; The Theater at MSG
May 6: Boston; Wang Theatre
May 7: Uncasville, Conn.; Mohegan Sun Arena

June 13: Manchester; Bridgewater Hall
June 14: Birmingham; Birmingham Symphony
June 16: Glasgow; Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
June 17: Bristol; Bristol Colston Hall
June 18: London; London Eventim Apollo Hammersmith (matinee)
June 18: London; London Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
June 19: London; London Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
June 20: Dublin; 3Arena

Blake Shelton Unveils Album Cover, Adds Tour Dates

Blake Shelton If I'm Honest

Blake Shelton has unveiled the artwork for his new album, as well as new tour dates for fall 2016.

If I’m Honest will be released via Warner Music Nashville on May 20. The black-and-white cover image will also be available in a limited-edition 3-D/ lenticular cover insert. His new single is “Came Here to Forget,” written by Craig Wiseman and Deric Ruttan. The project also includes “Savior’s Shadow,” which Shelton co-wrote with Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander.

In addition, Shelton will kick-off the fall leg of the tour tour in his home state with a two-night stand in Oklahoma City on Sept. 9-10. Other double night shows include the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minnesota and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Tickets are available through LiveNation.com and ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

Sept 9: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Chesapeake Energy Arena
Sept 10: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Chesapeake Energy Arena
Sept. 15: Peoria, Illinois; Peoria Civic Center Arena
Sept. 16: St. Paul, Minnesota; Xcel Energy Center
Sept. 17: St. Paul, Minnesota; Xcel Energy Center
Sept. 22: Wichita, Kansas; INTRUST Bank Arena
Sept. 23: Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Denny Sanford Premier Center
Sept. 29: Albany, New York; Times Union Center
Sept. 30: Hartford, Connecticut; XL Center
Oct. 1: Boston, TD Garden
Oct. 6: Manchester, New Hampshire; Verizon Wireless Arena
Oct. 7: Brooklyn, New York; Barclays Center
Oct. 8: Brooklyn, New York; Barclays Center

Buddy Lee Attractions Taps PLA Media For PR Representation

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PLA Media, led by Pam Lewis, will handle public relations, social media, and marketing for Buddy Lee Attractions’ roster of artists. With a team of 18 agents and assistants, Buddy Lee Attractions has positioned itself as an agency that works to build and guide an artist beyond the touring arena.

Among the artists represented by Buddy Lee Attractions are Kree Harrison, Kristen Kelly, Sonia Leigh, Rhett Akins, Daphne Willis, Halfway To Hazard, Darryl Worley, Jason Michael Carroll, and more.

“For over 50 years, Buddy Lee Attractions has built a business on finding the highest quality talent in the industry,” says Lewis. “They believed in Garth Brooks before we signed with Capitol and it was at that moment that I truly understood their team’s vision—to find the best in the business and work diligently to develop that talent.”

“We’ve worked with Pam and her team on and off for the last 30 years and the one thing she continues to fiercely represent is the best in signed and unsigned artists,” says Buddy Lee Attractions CEO Donna Lee. “Her team thinks out of the box and really engages with their clients to define and market to the most responsive audiences.”

Tortuga Music Festival Attracts Nearly 90,000 To Fort Lauderdale

Photo: Tortuga Music Festival

Photo: Tortuga Music Festival

In its fourth year, Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival broke its attendance record with nearly 90,000 fans attending the event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The three-day festival concluded on Sunday (April 17).

The festival’s lineup included Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley, along with Sam Hunt, Elle King, Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kelsea Ballerini and dozens more. This is the first year the festival has added a third day.

In another first for the festival, the grounds were evacuated on Friday night due to severe weather, but gates reopened later for Bentley’s set.

“HUKA is honored to produce large-scale, destination-location festivals—it’s the fierce loyalty of our Tortuga fans who allow us to raise the bar each year,” said HUKA Entertainment CEO Evan Harrison.

A.J. Niland, HUKA Entertainment Chief Experience Officer added, “With the fan response to this year’s enhancements like more shade, art installations, and better flow, my mind is already racing with innovative surprises for next year.”

Dierks Bentley at Tortuga Music Festival 2016. Photo: Marc Serota/Tortuga Music Festival

Dierks Bentley at Tortuga Music Festival 2016. Photo: Marc Serota/Tortuga Music Festival

Sturgill Simpson Set For Two Ryman Auditorium Shows

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Sturgill Simpson releases his new project, A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, today (April 15) on Atlantic Records. Fans will get to hear many of those tunes live in Nashville later this year, when Simpson plays two shows at the Ryman Auditorium, on Oct. 28-29.

Tickets go on sale (internet only) on Friday, April 22 at 10 a.m. CT at ryman.com.

Simpson’s touring schedule for 2016 will include stops at Austin’s Moody Theater for two sold-out shows, as well as Dallas’ The Bomb Factory, Houston’s White Oak Music Hall, two nights at Lexington, Kentucky’s Opera House, a show at Knoxville, Tennessee’s Tennessee Theater and more.

A Sailor’s Guide To Earth is Simpson’s third full-length album and follows his Grammy-nominated 2014 release, Metamodern Sounds In Country Music. His new project, which Simpson also produced, was written—beginning to end—as a letter to his first child, who arrived during the summer of 2014.

Signings: Kissel Joins WME, SESAC Adds Dunn

Bob Doyle & Associates’ artist Brett Kissel has signed with WME. The Juno Award-winning artist has opened for Brad Paisley and Garth Brooks and he is currently working on new music. Kissel’s new video “Cool With That,” is set to release later this spring.

Pictured (L-R): Andy Friday, Manager, Bob Doyle & Associates; Nate Towne, WME; Brett Kissel; Rob Beckham, WME; Bob Doyle, Manager/Owner, Bob Doyle & Associates.

Pictured (L-R): Andy Friday, Manager, Bob Doyle & Associates; Nate Towne, WME; Brett Kissel; Rob Beckham, WME; Bob Doyle, Manager/Owner, Bob Doyle & Associates.

 

Sarah Dunn of the Sarah Dunn Band has signed with performing rights organization SESAC. Dunn is in the studio finishing up her sophomore release.

“I feel it’s an accomplishment to join a company in Nashville that really cares about an artist personally and looks deeper into what essentially makes the music. SESAC views country as it should be; timeless, valuable, and meaningful,” Dunn said.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Katie Mae Vogrin and Sarah Dunn

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Katie Mae Vogrin and Sarah Dunn

Jason Aldean To Unleash His Six String Circus Tour In May

Jason Aldean. Photo: Jim Wright

Jason Aldean. Photo: Jim Wright

Jason Aldean will bring his Six String Circus Tour to 27 cities this summer, beginning in Rogers, Arkansas, on May 19. The trek will feature continued support from Thomas Rhett and A Thousand Horses.

Aldean was the first artist to perform at Boston’s Fenway Park, and he will return to the stadium on Sept. 9, to co-headline a show with Kid Rock.

In March, Aldean brought his show Down Under for a string of shows in Australia.

“It was really cool to go over and play Australia for the first time last month, but there’s nothing like shows at home,” said Aldean. “I’m looking forward to Kid Rock meeting up with us in Boston, we’ve played each other’s shows and been friends for awhile, so actually getting to do a full night together somewhere as iconic as Fenway Park is going to be a huge. The guys and I are ready to get back out there for the summer in the amphitheaters. That’s always a party waiting to happen with us!”

Six String Circus Tour Dates:
May 19: Rogers, Ark.; Walmart AMP
May 20: Kansas City, Mo.; Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
May 21: Dallas; Gexa Energy Pavilion
June 17: Wantagh, N.Y.; Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
June 24: Salt Lake City; USANA Amphitheatre
June 26: Albuquerque, N.M.; Isleta Amphitheater
July 14: Bethel, N.Y.; Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
July 15: Syracuse, N.Y.; Lakeview Amphitheater
July 21:I ndianapolis; Klipsch Music Center
July 22: St. Louis; Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 12: Phoenix; Ak-Chin Pavilion
Aug. 13: San Diego; Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Aug. 14: San Bernardino, Calif.; San Manuel Amphitheater
Aug. 18: Sacramento, Calif.; Toyota Amphitheatre
Aug. 19: Mountain View, Calif.; Shoreline Amphitheatre
Aug. 20: Irvine, Calif.; Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
Sept. 9: Boston; Fenway Park*
Sept. 11: Hartford, Conn.; The XFINITY Theatre
Sept. 15: Hershey, Pa.; HersheyPark Stadium
Sept. 16: Virginia Beach, Va.; Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
Sept. 17: Philadelphia; BB&T Pavilion
Sept. 22: Darien Center, N.Y.; Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center
Sept. 23: Cleveland; Blossom Music Center
Sept. 24: Pittsburgh; First Niagara Pavilion
Sept. 29: Charlotte, N.C.; PNC Music Pavilion
Sept. 30: Raleigh, N.C.; Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Oct. 1: Bristow, Va.; Jiffy Lube Live

*With Kid Rock

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Alabama Announces Tour Dates, New Single With Alison Krauss

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama has announced summer and fall dates for the Southern Drawl Tour, following performances with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra on May 12-14.

The County Music Hall of Fame inductees have also released a new single, “Come Find Me,” featuring Alison Krauss.

Alabama’s latest album, Southern Drawl, was released by BMG in October. The new single was written by Tony Lane and David Lee.

Alabama’s Southern Drawl Tour Dates

May 12-14: Nashville
May 21: Houston, Texas
May 22: Biloxi, Mississippi
June 3: Augusta, Georgia
June 44: Dothan, Alabama
June 17: Pueblo, Colorado
June 18: Enid, Oklahoma
June 26: Ft. Payne, Alabama
July 8: Deadwood, South Dakota
July 9: Hinckley, Minnesota
July 15: Enoch, Alberta, Canada
July 16: Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada
July 23. Valparaiso, Indiana
July 25: Harrington, Delaware
July 30.16: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
August 4: Lincoln, Nebraska
August 5: Washington, Missouri
August 6: Davenport, Iowa
August 13: Fairlea, West Virginia
September 16: Glen Allen, Virginia
September 17: York, Pennsylvania
October 7: Cary, North Carolina
October 8: Fairfax, Virginia

Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Tour Spans U.S., Europe, Asia

Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers has announced the first leg of dates for his final tour, titled The Gambler’s Last Deal. In addition to dozens of U.S. concerts, the 77-year-old singer has scheduled stops in Singapore, Thailand, The Phillippines, Scotland, The Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

The tour will begin May 13 in Mahnohmen, Minnesota. Linda Davis will be the special guest on all dates. Charlie Worsham will appear on select dates in Europe.

“I’m excited about making one more sweep around the world,” Rogers said. “For more than five decades, I’ve been fortunate enough to have such wonderful, loyal audiences, and their support has meant so much. This final tour is going to be a celebration of all of my music, and I know each night will be truly special.”

The Gambler’s Last Deal concerts will include a reflective look back through Rogers’ 50-plus-year career. Enhanced with personal stories, vintage photos and video clips—including never-before-seen footage—the retrospective will touch on every part of Rogers’ career. Along with his long list of hits, Rogers plans to sing songs he hasn’t performed in years. The show is produced by veteran producer Kelly Junkermann.

A very limited number of VIP ticket packages will be offered, allowing fans the opportunity to meet Rogers and receive one-of-a-kind The Gambler’s Last Deal memorabilia. Two types of VIP packages are available for each show of the tour.

The Gambler’s Last Deal Tour Dates

May 13: Mahnomen, Minnesota; Shooting Star Casino
May 14: Red Wing, Minnesota; Treasure Island Resort & Casino
May 15: Clear Lake, Iowa; Surf Ballroom
May 21: Rochester, New York; Kodak Center for Performing Arts
May 22: Montclair, New Jersey; Wellmont Theater
May 26: Portland, Maine; Maine State Pier
May 27: Watertown, New York; Watertown Fairgrounds Arena
May 28: Salamanca, New York; Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino

June 4: Crockett, Texas; Crockett Civic Center: SOLD OUT
June 17: Vienna, Virgina; The Filene Center at Wolf Trap
June 19: Atlanta, Georgia; Chastain Park Amphitheater
June 22: Del Mar, California; San Diego County Fair
June 24: Lincoln, California; Thunder Valley Casino Resort
June 25: Laughlin, Nevada; The E Center: Edgewater Casino Resort
June 26: Phoenix, Arizona; Comerica Theatre
June 28: Santa Rosa, California; Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
June 29: Saratoga, California; The Mountain Winery
June 30: Thousand Oaks, California; Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

July 1: Bakersfield, California; Bright House Networks Amphitheatre
July 2: Indio, California; Fantasy Springs Resort Hotel & Casino
July 9: Grand Ronde, Oregon; Spirit Mountain Casino
July 14: Tulsa, Oklahoma; Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
July 15: Enid, Oklahoma; Enid Event Center
July 16: Stockdale, Texas; Kosciusko Hall
July 22: Anderson, Indiana; Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
July 23: Kettering, Ohio; Fraze Pavilion
July 24: Highland Park, Illinois; Ravinia Festival
July 31: Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Fair

August 6: Singapore, Singapore; Star Theatre
August 9: Bangkok, Thailand; Royal Paragon Hall
August 11: Manila, Philippines; Araneta Coliseum

September 4: Nichols, New York; Tioga Downs
September 16: Morristown, New Jersey; Mayo Performing Arts Center

October 6: North Little Rock, Arkansas; Verizon Arena
October 7: Memphis, Tennessee; Orpheum Theatre
October 8: New Orleans, Louisiana; Saenger Theatre
October 31: Glasgow, Scotland; The SSE Hydro*

November 3: Amsterdam Zuid, The Netherlands; Heineken Music Hall*
November 7: Dublin, Ireland; 3Arena*
November 8: Belfast, United Kingdom; SSE Arena*
November 10: London, United Kingdom; Palladium*
November 12: London, United Kingdom; Eventim Apollo*

* with Charlie Worsham

Industry Ink: CMHoF, Bill Anderson, Triple 7 PR, Preshias Harris

Country Music Hall Of Fame Celebrates Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes”

Pictured (L-R): Carco Clave, Chuck Mead, Stan Perkins, Peter Guralnick, David McGee, Dr. Mark Crawford, Naomi Judd, museum editor Michael Gray, museum manager of public programs Abi Tapia and Martin Lynds.

Pictured (L-R): Carco Clave, Chuck Mead, Stan Perkins, Peter Guralnick, David McGee, Dr. Mark Crawford, Naomi Judd, museum editor Michael Gray, museum manager of public programs Abi Tapia and Martin Lynds. Photo: Caleb Dirks, CK Photo

The Country Music Hall of Fame celebrated the 60th anniversary of Carl Perkins’ classic “Blue Suede Shoes” with a panel discussion and performance on April 9 in the museum’s Ford Theater.

The panel discussion included Perkins’ son Stan Perkins (also Carl’s longtime drummer), close friend Naomi Judd (of the Judds, for whom Perkins wrote the No. 1 hit “Let Me Tell You About Love”); David McGee (co-author, with Carl Perkins, of Go, Cat, Go!: The Life and Times of Carl Perkins, the King of Rockabilly); Peter Guralnick (author of Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll), and moderator Dr. Mark Crawford (associate professor of music at Tennessee State University).

Following the panel, Chuck Mead (founding member of BR5-49 and music director for the stage musical Million Dollar Quartet) performed a brief set with his band and special guest Stan Perkins.

The Kinkead Entertainment Agency Adds Bill Anderson

Pictured (L-R): Kirt Webster, Bob Kinkead, Gregory Scott, Bill Anderson, Lee Willard

Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Kirt Webster, Gregory Scott, Lee Willard. (Front Row, L-R): Bob Kinkead, Bill Anderson

Bill Anderson has signed with The Kinkead Entertainment Agency for booking representation. Bob Kinkead will serve as his agent and is based in the agency’s Nashville office.

“I’m really excited about joining Bob and his agency. His is the ’boutique’ approach to booking, with a limited number of artists and a lot of individual attention given to each one. His 30-plus year reputation as an agent in Nashville is impeccable,” Anderson said. “Plus, if we ever have to have a meeting at midnight, he lives only three houses and one boat dock away from where I live on Old Hickory Lake!”

 

Triple 7 Public Relations Adds Publicist

triple-7-logoTriple 7 Public Relations has expanded its Nashville office with the addition of Kayce McGehee, as was announced today by CEO Carrie Simons. McGehee will report to Tanya Taylor, who has led the company’s Nashville office since 2008.

Kayce has promoted her personal brand for years, so she’s uniquely qualified to understand the needs of our clients and brings great experience in pitching media,” Simons said. “Her intellect, energy and excitement are contagious, and she’s an incredible addition to our team in handling local and national press campaigns.”

A graduate of University of Virginia, McGehee recently relocated from Brooklyn, New York, to Nashville with the intention of focusing her efforts on her music career alongside producer Tim Brennan. During a short stint temping at Triple 7, she realized her additional passion for handling publicity and brand building for the company’s client roster, and her tenacity and understanding of the business resulted in a full-time position with the company.

 

Preshias Harris To Host “A Preshias Day In Music”

Preshias Harris

Preshias Harris

Preshias Harris, a 26-year music industry veteran, will host A Preshias Day In Music, to commemorate being a 10-year breast cancer survivor.

The event will be held April 23 at The Listening Room Cafe in Nashville, from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The event is open to all ages and admission is free. However, attendees are encouraged to bring a bag of dog food or cat food as a donation to Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue (a no-kill animal shelter located in Nashville).   

Among those performing will be Larry Alderman, Bailey Bala, Heidi Beuerlein, Dustin Bragg, Allison Bray, Tyler Brent, Bailey Callahan, Matt Cooper, Carmen DeMari, James Gee, Dave Gibson, Lindsey Harding, Anna Holt, AJ Kross, Michaela Lawson, Chelsie Love, Re Mattei, Jeff Prince, Gyth Rigdon, Brad Rowe, Michael Rowe and more.