Touring Archives - Page 87 of 213

Kacey Musgraves Launches Album, Announces Tour

June 23, 2015/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Kacey Musgraves’ highly-touted sophomore release Pageant Material hits retailers today (June 23), and she’s celebrating release day with appearances on Good Morning America, and an in-store signing and performance at Brooklyn’s Rough Trade, followed by an appearance on The View tomorrow (June 24).

Today she also revealed dates for The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue, beginning in Atlanta Aug. 27 and wrapping in Amsterdam Nov. 22. The tour will visit iconic venues including The Wiltern, Ryman Auditorium, The Apollo Theatre, and Royal Albert Hall. See a complete listing of dates below.

Musgraves co-wrote every song on the Mercury Nashville project and co-produced it with cowriters Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. The Texan says she wanted the music to really represent who she is. “I really wanted this album to have a classic feel, like a lot of the records I know and love” says Musgraves. “I intended on it having a laid-back yet lush, slightly kitschy, western vibe. And most of all, I wanted it to feel like me.”

Musgraves helped industry members get into the pageant spirit for the release of her album earlier this month at a fun-filled bash at PLAY in Nashville, where she handed out tiaras and sashes to partygoers, and drag queens lip synched songs from Pageant Material on a runway.

Pageant Material track listing:
1. High Time (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
2. Dime Store Cowgirl (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
3. Late To The Party (Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Josh Osborne)
4. Pageant Material (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
5. This Town (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Brandy Clark)
6. Biscuits (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark)
7. Somebody To Love (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
8. Miserable (Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, Brandy Clark)
9. Die Fun (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
10. Family Is Family (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
11. Good Ol’ Boys Club (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby)
12. Cup Of Tea (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
13. Fine (Kacey Musgraves, Ashley Arrison, Shane McAnally)

The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue:
8/27 – Atlanta, GA / The Buckhead Theatre
9/11 – Los Angeles, CA / The Wiltern
9/18 – St. Louis, MO / The Pageant
9/23 – Nashville, TN / Ryman Auditorium
10/1 – Detroit, MI / Royal Oak Music Theatre
10/3 – Philadelphia, PA / The Trocadero Theatre
10/9 – New Orleans, LA / The Howlin’ Wolf
10/11 – Tulsa, OK / Cains Ballroom
10/15 – Charlottesville, VA / Paramount Theater
10/16 – Washington, DC / Lincoln Theatre
10/23 – New Haven, CT / College Street Music Hall
10/24 – New York, NY / Apollo Theater
11/9 – Gateshead, UK / Sage Gateshead
11/10 – Birmingham, UK / The Institute
11/12 – Dublin, Ireland / Dublin Academy
11/15 – Glasgow, UK / Glasgow ABC
11/16 – Manchester, UK / Albert Hall
11/18 – London, UK / Royal Albert Hall
11/20 – Hamburg, Germany / Knust
11/22 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Melkweg

Visit www.kaceymusgraves.com for the most updated pre-sale information, tickets, and VIP packages. Public on-sale tickets for The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue go on sale Friday, June 26.

Artist Pics: Chesney, Brooks & Yearwood, Paisley & Underwood, Sheryl Crow With Time Jumpers

June 22, 2015/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Chesney Tour Thrills 54,000 Fans

Packers coach Mike McCarthy (not pictured) and Chesney presented a fan in the audience with a signed helmet. Photo: Jill Trunnell

Kenny Chesney made a triumphant return to Green Bay’s Lambeau Field Saturday (June 20), thrilling the crowd of nearly 54,000 with plenty of surprises. The evening marked the second time he’s taken over the historic home of the Green Bay Packers and the only time an artist has played it twice, and the fans were more than ready to party the night away with him.

A five-tiered cake was rolled out along with a giant margarita for a special birthday celebration for buddy Grace Potter as Chesney led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to his duet partner, who just days earlier had celebrated her first No. 1 song with their collaboration “Wild Child,” which they performed for the amped crowd.

Kenny Chesney at Lambeau Field on June 20, 2015
Photo: Jill Trunnell

The Time Jumpers Welcome Surprise Guests

Sheryl Crow, Eagles member/solo rocker Joe Walsh, drummer Steve Jordan and bluesman Tab Benoit turned out to see The Time Jumpers’ June 15 show at 3rd and Lindsley. Walsh and Jordan (who has backed Eric Clapton, John Mayer and Keith Richards) were in town recording and stopped by to check out the famed Jumpers. Crow and Benoit sat in with the band for a bit. The songstress lent a hand vocally on the George Strait classic “When Did You Stop Loving Me,” and Benoit joined in on George Jones’ “Bartender Blues.”

Pictured (L-R): TTJ’s Joe Spivey and Paul Franklin, Steve Jordan, TTJ’s Vince Gill and Andy Reiss, Joe Walsh and TTJ’s Kenny Sears, Larry Franklin and Jeff Taylor

Time Jumper Kenny Sears at the mic with Sheryl Crow

The Time Jumpers’ Kenny Sears at the mic with Sheryl Crow.

Brooks, Yearwood Make Surprise Opry Appearance

Grand Ole Opry members Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood made a surprise appearance before a sold-out crowd at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (June 19). Introduced by fellow Opry member Vince Gill, Yearwood sang her debut No. 1 “She’s In Love With The Boy,” and then she and Brooks delivered a medley of classic country duets: Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn (“After The Fire Is Gone”), Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius (“I Don’t Want To Have To Marry You”), and George Jones and Tammy Wynette (“Golden Ring”).

Paisley Opens For Rolling Stones, Recruits Guest Carrie Underwood

Brad Paisley was the opening act for The Rolling Stones Zip Code Tour stop at LP Field in Nashville on June 17. Carrie Underwood joined Paisley on their No. 1 hit duet, “Remind Me,” and Joe Walsh of the Eagles played his classic “Life’s Been Good” and stayed on stage to play on Paisley’s “Alcohol.” Later, during the Rolling Stones show Paisley was the special guest on “Dead Flowers,” trading verses with Mick Jagger and guitar licks with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood.

brad paisley and carrie underwood with rolling stones

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood open for The Rolling Stones. Photo: Ben Enos

Dixie Chicks Return to Road for European Tour

June 18, 2015/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Dixie Chicks

The Dixie Chicks are launching a European tour next year that will hit six venues in Amsterdam, the UK, and Scotland running from April 20-May 4. Ironically the tour will bring the trio back together in London just down the road from Shepherd’s Bush, the site of Maines’ polarizing remarks against former President Bush and the Iraq war 12 years ago.

On their first tour since 2013’s Long Time Gone Tour, the Chicks will play the Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall, Birmingham Barclaycard Arena, Manchester Arena, London The 02, Glasgow The SSE Hydro, and the Dublin 3 Arena.

The band’s last project, Taking The Long Way, was released in 2006, and earned five Grammys, including Album of the Year. They have since released separate projects with Natalie Maines releasing a solo rock effort in 2013 and sisters Emily Robison Strayer and Martie McGuire releasing several CDs as the Court Yard Hounds.

DIXIE CHICKS TOUR DATES
April 20, 2016 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Heineken Music Hall
April 29, 2016 – Birmingham, United Kingdom – Barclaycard Arena
April 30, 2016 – Manchester, United Kingdom – Arena
May 1, 2016 – London, United Kingdom – The 02
May 3, 2016 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – The SSE Hydro
May 4, 2016 – Dublin, Ireland – 3 Arena

Little Big Town Tour Halted Due To Jimi Westbrook’s Vocal Cord Surgery

June 17, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Little Big Town backstage at LP Field following their performance at CMA Music Festival last weekend. Photo: Bev Moser

This afternoon, Little Big Town shared news of member Jimi Westbrook’s upcoming surgery on its Facebook page. The band is canceling or rescheduling its concerts through the end of July.

Little Big Town posted:

With heavy hearts we want to let you guys know that Jimi will have to undergo surgery next week to remove a polyp on his vocal cord. As a result, doctors have ordered him to rest his voice and completely recuperate before we continue touring. All shows through July 30th will be cancelled or rescheduled.

It breaks our hearts to let you guys down, but Jimi’s health is the most important thing and he is expected to make a full recovery with rest and treatment. We will keep everyone updated on Jimi’s progress. Thanks for your understanding and support. – K,K,J & P

Industry Pics: WME Women Host ‘Wined Up,’ Nashville Cats on CBS, Regions Bank Welcomes Teachers

June 17, 2015/by Sarah Skates

WME Gets “Wined Up For The Big Week”

The women of WME hosted a classy soiree at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Monday, June 8. The invitation-only “Wined Up For The Big Week” event gave Music Row ladies a chance to mingle before the kick off of CMA Music Festival. Among the WME women in attendance were Becky Gardenhire, Laurie Pozmantier and Risha Rodgers. Also spotted working the room were Kerri Edwards, Marion Kraft, Caitlyn Smith, Sunny Sweeney, Natalie Stovall, Cris Lacy, Rebekah Gordon, Becky Harris, Donna Huskins, Erika Wollam Nichols, and Whitney Daane.

In the photo from l – r: Jennifer Witherell (Big Enterprises), Becky Gardenhire (WME), Laura Heatherly (TJ Martell), Tinti Moffat (TJ Martell), Kerry Hansen (Big Enterprises).

Pictured (L-R): Jennifer Witherell (Big Enterprises), Becky Gardenhire (WME), Laura Heatherly (TJ Martell), Tinti Moffat (TJ Martell), and Kerry Hansen (Big Enterprises)

Nashville Cats on CBS This Morning

Lloyd Green, Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy and Norbert Putnam appeared on CBS This Morning today (June 17) to discuss the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s exhibition Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City and the two-disc companion album being released today. Read the story here.

The album features an unreleased version of Bob Dylan’s “If Not for You” and 35 other tracks by artists including the Byrds, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, George Harrison, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Simon & Garfunkel and Neil Young.

To celebrate the album’s release, the museum will host a free concert, to be held on 5th Ave. S., between Demonbreun Street and Korean Veterans Boulevard, Tuesday, July 7, at 6 p.m. Set to perform are John Carter Cash and Ana Cristina, Julie Christensen, Radney Foster, Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Jamie Hartford, Al Kooper, Kathy Mattea, Tracy Nelson, Michael Nesmith (Monkees) and more.

Lloyd Green, Charlie McCoy and Norbert Putnam at The Ryman.

Regions Bank Welcomes Teachers For Music Row Externship

Regions Bank hosted the first day of the week-long Music Row Externship for the teachers of the Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School. The Academy of Entertainment Management’s Externship included presentations by Regions Music Row bankers, Grand Ole Opry General Manager Pete Fisher, and business manager Lainie Allbee of Martin, Allbee & Associates. Other program days this week will be at Warner Music Nashville and Warner/Chappell Music as the Pearl-Cohn faculty learn about the workings of the entertainment industry.

Pictured (L-R): Jaydie Fay, Yolanda Jackson, Matthew Truwit, Stephanie Booth, Regions Bank’s Lisa Harless, Annmarie O’Daffer and William Darnell

Industry Ink: Dan Hodges Music, Show Dog, Renee Bell, Emporium Presents, Pitch Please Pluggers

June 16, 2015/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Michelle Attardi

Dan Hodges Promotes Michelle Attardi

Michelle Attardi has been promoted to Creative Director at Dan Hodges Music. Attardi graduated from Berklee College of Music with honors and has worked at the company for two years, where she is responsible for writer management and song placement for the DHM staff writers and clients. In her new position she will also serve as a liaison between the creative and administrative arms of the company.

“Michelle appreciates the creative process and the people behind it,” said DHM owner Dan Hodges. “She strives to find areas for growth for herself and others and is a complement in all we do.” She can be reached at [email protected].

Emporium Presents

Dan Steinberg’s Square Peg Concerts and Jason Zink’s Sherpa Concerts have come together to form Emporium Presents. Steiny and Zink have been producing shows together in one form or another since the mid-nineties. The promoters have shared three offices (Denver, Nashville and Seattle), and a fairly sizable staff to produce hundreds of events together annually.

All phone numbers and addresses for the Colorado, Tennessee and Washington offices will remain the same. The Nashville office is located at 3819 Sentinel Dr., Nashville, TN 37209, 615-301-8728. However they now share the new website www.emporiumpresents.com and have new email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

Renee Bell with Winston

Renee Bell Opens Winston Dog

Dog owner and former music industry executive Renee Bell recently opened Winston Dog, a boutique and fluff out bar for dogs of all sizes, in the Hill Center of Green Hills. A weekend of grand opening celebrations will take place on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21.

The boutique features a fluff out bar where dogs can get a paw scrub, a spritz, a nail trim and more, as well as a high-end collection of canine couture items.

Ten percent of all sales from the grand opening weekend will benefit Tiny But Mighty, an organization focused on celebrating the unbreakable bonds between dogs and people as well as raising awareness and funds for animal welfare and rescue groups including the Nashville Humane Association. Details at winstondog.net.

Pitch, Please Hosts Writers Round

Songplugger group Pitch, Please will host a songwriting round at Soulshine Pizza on June 24. The pitch group consists of representatives from Warner/Chappell, Big Machine Music, ThiS Music, HoriPro, Big Loud Shirt and Kobalt.

Events will begin at 5:00 p.m. Writers include Josh Mirenda, Matt Dragstrem, Jake Scott, Mike Walker, Hunter Phelps, Emily Weisband, Michael Hardy and Laura Veltz.

Katie Kettelhut

Show Dog Hires Katie Kettelhut

Katie Kettelhut has been named Promotion Coordinator for Show Dog Nashville. Kettelhut graduated from the Minnesota School of Business with honors and worked as an intern at TKO Artist Management prior to joining the label. Reach her at [email protected].

Sturgill Simpson Announces Fall Tour Dates

June 15, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Sturgill Simpson

Sturgill Simpson announces fall dates to follow his summer tour. The dates include Philadelphia’s Tower Theatre on Sept. 18, New York’s Beacon Theatre on Sept. 19 and DC’s Lincoln Theatre on Sept. 23.

He also has shows scheduled for the Firefly Music Festival, Big Barrel Country Music Festival, FarmBorough Festival, Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic, Forecastle, Newport Folk Festival and Lollapalooza.

Simpson released his album Metamodern Sounds In Country Music in 2014 and was nominated for three Americana Associations Honors & Awards in 2015. Produced by Dave Cobb, the album was recorded live-to-tape at Nashville’s LCS studio over four days in late 2013.

STURGILL SIMPSON TOUR DATES
June 20—Dover, DE—Firefly Music Festival
June 23 & 24—Toronto, ON—Horseshoe Tavern (SOLD OUT)
June 26—Dover, DE—Big Barrel Country Music Festival
June 27—New York, NY—FarmBorough Festival
July 4—Austin, TX—Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
July 6—Austin, TX—Outlaw: Celebrating the Music of Waylon Jennings
July 11—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre†
July 14—Kansas City, MO—Crossroads KC
July 15—Omaha, NE—Sokol Auditorium
July 17—Eau Claire, WI—Eaux Claires at Foster Farms
July 18—Louisville, KY—Forecastle
July 19—Birmingham, AL—Sloss Music & Arts Festival
July 24—Cooperstown, NY—Brewery Ommegang*
July 25—Newport, RI—Newport Folk Festival
July 26—Hampton Beach, NH—Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
July 29—Pittsburgh, PA—Stage AE*
July 30—Columbus, OH—The LC Pavillion*
July 31—Chicago, IL—Metro (SOLD OUT)
August 1—Chicago, IL—Lollapalooza
August 2—Indianapolis, IN—White River State Park*
August 14—Gothenburg, Sweden—Way Out West
August 15—Oslo, Norway—The Oya Festival
August 18—Edinburgh, U.K.—Liquid Rooms
August 19—Leeds, U.K.—Brudenell Social Club
August 20—London, U.K.—Islington Assembly Hall
August 22—Wales, U.K.—Green Man
August 24—Groningen, Netherlands—Noorderzon Festival
August 25—Amsterdam, Neterlands—Paradiso Grote Zaal
August 27—Tonder, Denmark—Tonder Festival
August 29—Helsinki, Finland—Helsinki Festival
September 6—Fargo, ND—Bluestem Center for the Arts Amphitheatre‡
September 7—St. Paul, MN—Minnesota State Fair – Grandstand‡
September 12—Maryville, TN—The Shed
September 13—Asheville, NC—Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
September 15—Norfolk, VA—NorVa Theatre
September 16—Charlottesville, VA—Jefferson Theater
September 18—Upper Darby, PA—Tower Theatre
September 19—New York, NY—Beacon Theatre
September 23—Washington, DC—Lincoln Theatre
September 25—Baltimore, MD—Rams Head Live
September 25-26—Boston, MA—Boston Calling Festival
October 2-4—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 9-11—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Music Festival

*appearing with Old Crow Medicine Show
†appearing with The Avett Brothers
‡appearing with Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson

Eric Church Breaks Fifth Attendance Record on ‘The Outsiders Tour’

June 15, 2015/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Eric Church

Eric Church is vowing that no two shows on his The Outsiders Tour this year will be the same, and he’s off to a good start in keeping that promise with his recent Orange Beach, AL show at The Amphitheater On The Wharf.

Opening for himself, Church played a 45-minute acoustic set for the crowd before joining his band onstage for the three-hour, 28-song show that mixed deep cuts like “Before She Does” and “Carolina” with favorites and chart-toppers like “Talladega,” “Cold One” and “Wrecking Ball.”

A record 10,021 fans were in attendance at the show, which marks the fifth attendance record set by the The Outsiders Tour so far. The tour was ranked at the top on Billboard’s Hot Tours of 2015 list.

Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett Pair For Fall CMT Tour

June 11, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett. Photo: John Shearer/CMT

After wrapping a successful Next Women of Country Tour this spring with Danielle Bradbery and Jana Kramer, CMT will head out on its 14th annual tour this fall, new with Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett. Bradbery will join the boys as a special guest.

The pair revealed the nationwide tour on Twitter on Wednesday (June 10) and that evening introduced Kenny Chesney‘s performance during the CMT Music Awards.

Officially titled CMT on Tour: Brett Eldredge & Thomas Rhett—Boots & Suits, the two performers will start with a coin toss to determine who performs first, while kicking off events in late October. Dates and cities for the concerts will be announced soon.

“Thomas and I have been buddies for a while,” said Eldredge. “We started out in Nashville around the same time, and now we get to hit the road together on the Suits & Boots Tour. This show will have a lot to offer the fans because we have such different styles, but they work well together. I promise, this is going to be a show the fans will never forget!”

“I’m super pumped to embark on my first co-headlining tour with someone like Brett,” added Rhett. “I can’t wait to be out on the road doing our own shows and having full control of what we want our fans to see. It’s going to be a party as soon as you walk through the doors.”

CMT on Tour marks the first headlining tour for both Eldredge and Rhett, as the pair have separately been busy cranking out music with a combined two studio albums and six No. 1 hit singles to date. The guys have performed to millions of fans with spots on coveted superstar bills including Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and Keith Urban.

Created in 2002, CMT On Tour has played a role in launching up-and-comers towards superstar status including Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Keith Urban, Jake Owen and Kip Moore. The tour is produced by Live Nation.

Bobby Karl Kicks Off CMA Fest With Ryman Unveiling, CAA Party

June 9, 2015/by Bobby Karl

Ryman photos by Steve Lowry

CHAPTER 489

The CMA Music Festival doesn’t officially start until Wednesday (or Thursday, depending on who’s counting), but make no mistake, the fans are already here in droves.

What’s more, the music biz has already cranked up its own events celebrating the fest. On Monday (6/8), downtown Nashville was alive with both festival goers and industry mavens. Lower Broadway is already blocked off, and fans crowded its sidewalks on Monday afternoon, many bearing shopping bags full of early souvenirs.

RYMAN RENOVATION

Just in time for Nashville’s biggest tourism event, we have a new attraction. The hallowed Ryman Auditorium has retooled itself with a $14 million injection to become a must-visit museum, café and gift shop. The gig celebrating this new tourist mecca took place late Monday afternoon and featured a bevvy of politicos as well as our own fabulons.

Rep. Jim Cooper, Tennessee General Assembly Speaker of the House Beth Harwell, Chip Forrester, Hank Adam Locklin, mayoral candidates Bill Freeman and Jeremy Kane and the Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Butch Spyridon were there. As were celebs such as Ricky Skaggs, T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang, Jeannie Seely, John Conlee and Chip Esten.

“It’s an incredible day in the ongoing history of the Ryman Auditorium,” said the venue’s manager Sally Williams.

The new tour through the Ryman begins in a theater off the balcony’s lobby. A wrap-around “Soul of Nashville” experience of video, slides and 3-D images introduces you to the venue’s distinguished history. The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow and Darius Rucker sing during it.

Next, the balcony’s hallway/vestibule hosts an exhibit celebrating Nashville Show Prints. As you walk along the back wall of the balcony, Trisha Yearwood narrates a video about Tom Ryman and Sam Jones, who founded the place in 1892. Photos and artifacts are in an adjoining case.

Nicole Kidman narrates the next mini documentary. This one is about Lula C. Naff, who transformed the Union Tabernacle into a premier performing-arts venue in 1906-1955. In the vestibule on the far side of the balcony is a spectacular timeline, loaded with stunning graphics. This section also contains a narrative of the building’s renovation in 1994.

Down a flight of stairs you encounter a “Ryman Recording Studio” booth where you can record yourself and emerge with a Ryman Records CD with a professional-looking label. Too shy to sing? You can have your photo taken at the iconic mic, center stage.

On the back wall of the auditorium, your first stop is a Grand Ole Opry history lesson taught by Marty Stuart and Ricky Skaggs. The Ryman began hosting the Opry on June 5, 1943. The exhibit cases accompanying the video feature artifacts of Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Uncle Dave Macon, Marty Robbins, Kitty Wells, Porter Wagoner, Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams and Hank Snow.

“I believe this is the spiritual Ground Zero of Nashville,” said Skaggs at the opening’s press conferenece. “The music I hold nearest and dearest to my heart—bluegrass music—was birthed right here [in 1945].” Skaggs has lost 68 pounds, by the way. Without cutting his hair.

Next comes “Stage to Screen,” a video narrated by Chip Esten that tells the story of how the venue has been used for TV shows and movie locations.

“We call it a ‘location,’ but it’s way more than a location,” said Estin to the press. “It’s almost a character on our show.” The ABC-TV Nashville series, which stars him as “Deacon Claybourne,” goes into its fourth season next fall.

Exhibit artifacts in this section come from Coal Miner’s Daughter, Honkytonk Man, Sweet Dreams and the Johnny Cash TV show, as well as Nashville.

The last mini documentary is hosted by ABC’s Robin Roberts. She tells the tale of how the Ryman has become one of the premier concert venues in America. The neighboring cases house artifacts from Gregg Allman, The Black Crowes, Miranda Lambert, Ryan Adams, Buck Owens, Brad Paisley and more.

As you exit, you pick up your photo, peruse the excellent gift shop (where you can make your own custom t-shirt) and perhaps visit the new Lula Café (named for Lula Naff).

“This building is truly revered,” said Ryman Hospitality CEO Colin Reed. “Its…123-year…history is to be celebrated and shared.”

“This whole project will make sure that people know where they have been,” said Esten.

“This is truly one of the best places for people to hear good music,” said Jubilee Singers director Paul Kwame.

“The Mother Church of Country Music is really the mother of ALL music now,” said Mayor Karl Dean. “The Ryman is a must-see stop on any visit to Nashville.”

Murmuring approval were the Nashville Public Library’s Kent Oliver, Steve Lowry, Steve & Ree Guyer Buchanan, Tim O’Brien, Brenda Colladay and Barry Mazur.

We snacked on items from the Lula Café—deviled eggs, sliders, chicken salad and other tasty bites. See a video of the renovation.

Cafe Lula

CAA BBQ

I didn’t eat much, because the unofficial debut CMA fest event was next door, the annual CAA barbecue party. I was amazed at how many ways they served barbecue—in tacos, as dip for crackers, as sandwiches, in waffle cones. The event took place in a street-level party tent, as well as in the company’s penthouse offices at 401 Commerce Street.

This event also featured a mayoral candidate: Megan Barry. Not to mention Rod Essig, John Huie, Fletcher Foster, Dan Hill, Will Witherspoon, Justin Smith, John Briggs, Randi Perkins, Kay West, Ron Cox and Mike Vaden. Like me, Pete Fisher had migrated from the Ryman party next door. Heads up: Jody Williams is greeting us with a fist bump, due to a gardening arm injury.

I enjoyed listening to Erika Wollam-Nichols and Shannon Casey reminiscing about their days as underlings at The Bluebird Café. The former now runs it, and the latter is now a CAA princess. Mike Kraski was squiring his promising new duo UnBrake-able. Similarly, Gillie Crowder brought her management client, pop singer-songwriter Josh O’Keefe.

I also must give a shout-out to attendee Aaron Scherz, because he is breaking out as a songwriter. He co-wrote both “Girl in a Country Song” with Maddie & Tae and the new Reba/Jennifer Nettles duet

Due to the PM thunderstorm, The CMA World GlobaLive! Show was cancelled. So the first of the hundreds of festival concerts became the Darius Rucker & Friends event to benefit St. Jude’s at The Wildhorse Monday night.

Pictured (L-R): Darin Murphy, CAA; Donna Jean Kisshauer; Marc Dennis, CAA