Stars Of ABC’s ‘Nashville’ To Launch Tour In New York City

/by

nashvilleFollowing a highly successful tour in 2014, stars of ABC’s Nashville will once again hit the road in an eight-city spring concert tour, starting April 29 in New York City.

Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten, Aubrey Peeples and Lennon & Maisy will take the stage and perform various songs from the hit television series. Sam Palladio will join the tour for the New York and Los Angeles shows and Jonathan Jackson will appear in Chicago. All shows go on sale Friday, March 27.

“It is so exciting and rewarding to see our amazing cast blossom as live artists and be able to have that intimate relationship with our ‘Nashville’ fans,” said Dawn Soler, Senior Vice President, TV Music, ABC Entertainment Group. She added, “Taking Nashville on the road, along with our ‘On The Record’ series, offers our viewers a complete and authentic experience.”

April 29 New York, N.Y., Beacon Theater
May 2 Boston, Mass., Wang Theater
May 3 Washington, D.C., DAR Constitution Hall
May 5 Chicago, Ill., Rosemont Auditorium
May 6 Minneapolis, Minn., Northrop Auditorium
May 8 San Francisco, Calif., Warfield Theater
May 9 Los Angeles, Calif., Nokia Theater L.A. Live
May 10 Phoenix, Ariz., Comerica Theater

Road Crew Key To Touring Success

/by
CBS This Morning went behind the scenes of Eric Church’s tour recently. Reporting from Fresno and Los Angeles, Mark Strassmann showed what goes into the $19 million production: 170 tons of equipment, 100+ crew members, 18-hour days, 14 trucks, 12 buses, six-hour set up, and, as his stage manager put it, “100,000 pounds of rock your city.” Costs of the nine-month outing are $3 million for the stage, $3.9 million for vehicles, $2.5 million for lighting video and audio, and $2 million to pay the crew, which equals about “$250,000 to show up” at a venue.

Showing the manpower and money that goes into a tour, Eric Church’s run is a $19 million production, including about $2 million to pay the crew. Each date requires 170 tons of equipment, 100+ crew members, 18-hour days, 14 trucks, 12 buses, and six hours of set up (CBS News).

The touring industry continues to thrive, and road crews are a key part of any outing’s success. In 2014, Pollstar valued the North American concert industry at $6.2 billion.

This week The Wall Street Journal examined the world of roadies, or concert technicians. The article discusses their widely varying income ($200 to $1,500 a day), personal sacrifices (hard on relationships), lifestyle on tour (museums, anyone?), females on the road (8 in a crew of 60) and the technical proficiency required for the gig (reading 200-page manuals on guitar effects).

Among those featured in the article are Jimmy Davis, stage manager for Hank Williams Jr., who also works at Nashville event production company LogiCom. Davis told the paper he brings home almost six figures a year.

Also featured is guitar tech Tom Weber (Van Halen, Poison, Reba McEntire, Lyle Lovett) who earns about $200,000 in a good year. He says, “We’re the Marines of the music business.”

Read more here.

Kinkead Entertainment Agency Adds To Artist Roster

/by
Pictured (L-R): Ray Scott, Robert Kinkead

Pictured (L-R): Ray Scott, Bob Kinkead

Singer-songwriter Ray Scott, perhaps best known for his 2005 album My Kind of Music, has signed to Kinkead Entertainment Agency for booking.

Scott, signed to deciBel Nashville, is currently promoting his self-titled album and the single “Ain’t Always Thirsty.”

Kinkead Entertainment also represents Ray Stevens, Bill Engvall, and Kyle Cease, among others.

“Throughout my booking career I have represented some of the great singers in country music (Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, to name a few) that stylistically made a mark in the country music industry,” said Bob Kinkead, President/Owner, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency. “Ray Scott reminds me a lot of those great icons with his unique sound and style. I am excited to get to work with and rep Ray as his exclusive agent.”

As a songwriter, Scott has penned songs including “A Few Questions” (Clay Walker) and “Pray For The Fish” (Randy Travis). He was previously signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2005, where he released three singles, including “My Kind of Music,” “Gone Either Way,” and “I Didn’t Come Here To Talk.” He then released three projects on Jethropolitan Records from 2008-2014.

 

Meghan Trainor Rides Her ‘MTRAIN Tour’ To The Ryman

/by

Meghan-TrainorMeghan Trainor announced her summer MTRAIN Tour today (March 16), including an Aug. 15 stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. This is good news for Music City fans who didn’t score a ticket to this Friday night’s (March 20) show at The Cannery Ballroom, the last stop on her sold out That Bass Tour, which is her very first outing.

The MTRAIN Tour, promoted exclusively by Live Nation, kicks off Friday, July 3 in Atlantic City, NJ and has stops scheduled through Sept. 6 in nearly 30 major markets across the country. English trio Life of Dillon, currently riding the charts with debut single “Overload,” will open. Tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, March 20 at www.livenation.com.

In April, May and June, Trainor is set for international dates in the UK, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Denmark, Germany and Italy.

In tandem with the tour announcement, Trainor premiered the music video for “Dear Future Husband” on NBC’s Today and Cosmopolitan.com. Recently certified Gold by the RIAA, the track impacts radio today as well. This week, she will appear on The Voice as the mentor for Blake Shelton’s team.

Continuing her incredible streak of success, breakout single “All About That Bass” is now six-times Platinum and its follow-up, “Lips Are Movin,'” is double Platinum.

Trainor recorded her debut album Title (Epic) in Nashville with producer Kevin Kadish. The release had first-week total consumption of 237,511 units, making it the biggest-selling debut for a female artist’s first full-length album in more than five years; and the biggest-selling debut for a solo artist’s first full-length album in more than three years.

Live Nation Inks Deal For New Official Soft Drink, Bottled Water Partner

/by

LiveNation250Live Nation Entertainment has announced PepsiCo as the exclusive carbonated soft-drink and bottled water partner, providing brands such as Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist and Aquafina to 75 of Live Nation Entertainment’s amphitheaters, clubs and theaters in the United States, as well as the curated Pepsi “Out of the Blue” experiences with Live Nation artists. These experiences include sound checks, meet & greets, ticket access, and tour/festival tie-ins.

PepsiCo replaces Live Nation Entertainment’s previous partner, Coca-Cola.

FarmBorough, New York City’s new country music festival, Lollapalooza and the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience will also be sponsored by Pepsi.

“Our partnership with Live Nation elevates our robust music platform to new levels,” said Adam Harter, VP, Pepsi Consumer Engagement. “For decades, Pepsi has been a leader in music and has always focused on providing fans with unparalleled access to great music and their favorite artists. Live Nation will play a dynamic role in our new ‘Out of the Blue’ music campaign as we deliver new and exciting music experiences in a way only Pepsi can deliver.”

The alliance officially launched last month when Pepsi began its “Out of the Blue” campaign, a national promotion that spans 100 days and will give away numerous four-person flyaway trips to Live Nation festivals and events. Through May 18, fans become eligible for a chance to win by following @Pepsi on Twitter, snapping a photo of any Pepsi(TM) beverage product and posting it to Twitter with #OutoftheBlue.

“We are looking forward to this long-term alliance with Pepsi, as we are perfectly positioned to further the brand’s music platform,” said Russell Wallach, president, Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. “We are passionate about bringing incredible music experiences to consumers, and that mission will be at the heart of all the programming we develop together with Pepsi.”

Industry Signings: Diamond Eye Music, Lamon Records, Battle Artist Agency

/by

SESAC Writer Signs with Diamond Eye Music

SESAC-affiliated singer/songwriter Nicolette Hayford has signed with Diamond Eye Music for publishing representation. Hayford, a Nashville-based artist, has collaborated with writers including Jeff Silbar, Ken Johnson and Andi Zack, and is currently writing and performing around the U.S.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Diamond Eye Music’s Chris Burch, Hayford, Diamond Eye Music’s Alyssa Adams, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and Diamond Eye Music’s Molly Lins. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Diamond Eye Music’s Chris Burch, Hayford, Diamond Eye Music’s Alyssa Adams, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and Diamond Eye Music’s Molly Lins. Photo: Peyton Hoge

 

Lamon Records Adds Buddy Jewell To Roster

Buddy Jewell

Buddy Jewell

Singer-songwriter Buddy Jewell has signed with Nashville-based Lamon Records. Jewell has plans to record a classic country album in 2015, working with Lamon Records’ producer and CEO Dave Moody.

“When Dave first approached me, it was like he was reading my mind… it was meant to be,” Jewell says. “I’d been toying with the idea of doing a classic country cover project and had actually begun picking out material in advance. One of the tunes I was strongly considering was George Hamilton IV’s “Abilene” written by songwriting legend J.D. Loudermilk. I’ve ALWAYS loved that tune. While talking to Dave, I became aware of Mr. Hamilton’s and Mr. Loudermilk’s friendship with the Moodys and Lamon Records. That helped to seal the deal for me.”

More than a decade ago, Jewell was the first winner of reality television show Nashville Star. He earned a deal with Columbia Records and charted on country radio with “Sweet Southern Comfort” and “Help Pour Out The Rain.”

 

Battle Artist Agency Signs Country Traditionalist Moe Bandy

Moe Bandy

Moe Bandy

Moe Bandy has signed a booking agreement with Battle Artist Agency, joining a roster that includes The Bellamy Brothers, Williams & Ree, Eddy Raven, Mickey Gilley, Earl Thomas Conley, and Gene Watson.

Bandy has several shows slated for coming weeks, including a March 18 show at The Nashville Palace.

Artist Updates: Brad Paisley, Streamsound Records, Dualtone Music

/by

Brad Paisley To Appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday (March 16), broadcasting from Austin, Texas, during music festival South By Southwest (SXSW). Kimmel will bring his late-night talk show to SXSW for a week of broadcasts, and has invited Paisley to join as one of the performers. Paisley will perform his current single, “Crushin’ It.”

Others slated to appear during that week include Kevin Hart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Romo and Matthew McConaughey, as well as blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr., who will sit in with Kimmel’s house band Cleto and the Cletones.

 

Streamsound Artist Partners with Country Outfitter

unnamed (25)Streamsound Records artist Austin Webb has partnered with Country Outfitter to promote his current single, “All Country On You.” The retail, product, and media company will offer merchandise to Webb’s fans via contests at country radio, as part of the national rollout of Webb’s “All Country On You” campaign.

“Country Outfitter is a proven leader in its industry; interacting with millions of country fans daily,” says Streamsound Records CEO/President Steve Richardson. “Through this strategic partnership, country fans will have a new way to connect and get to know Austin Webb.”

“We’re excited to introduce Austin Webb’s personality, style, and music to millions of Country Outfitter fans,” says TJ McDaniel, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Country Outfitter. “The campaign with Streamsound Records combines a product giveaway with an extensive content marketing campaign to create a perfect storm of promotion at this critical point in Webb’s career. We look forward to watching him take off and claim his place in the genre.”

 

Dualtone Music’s Ivan & Alyosha Gears Up For Tour, Album Launch

Ivan & Alyosha

Ivan & Alyosha

Nashville’s Dualtone Music has released tour dates for the label’s duo Ivan & Alyosha, in support of their sophomore album, It’s All Just Pretend, available May 4. The tour will include stops in Nashville (June 2 at the High Watt), as well as Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Chicago and other cities.

It’s All Just Pretend features 11 new songs, and was produced/engineered by Ryan Carbary, Joe Chiccarelli (U2, My Morning Jacket), and Chad Copelin.

For a full list of tour dates, visit www.ivanandalyosha.com.

Signings: Buddy Lee Attractions, APA Nashville Add To Rosters

/by
Darryl Worley

Darryl Worley

Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc. (BLA) has signed Darryl Worley to its roster. Worley joins fellow BLA entertainers, including Rhett Akins, Daryle Singletary, newcomers Millennial, Radio Romance, Sonia Leigh, Kristen Kelly and Brooke Hogan.

Worley is gearing up to release his seventh studio album, One Time Around, which is produced by Jim “Moose” Brown and slated for a summer release.

“Darryl Worley is a crowd-pleaser on stage and off. The responses from his fans–who buy tickets to see his show night after night–speak volumes,” said Donna Lee, Owner & CEO, Buddy Lee Attractions. “We are proud to represent an artist whose talents never cease to amaze.”

 

• • •

boxmastersEclectic band The Boxmasters has signed with APA Nashville. Their upcoming fourth album, Somewhere Down The Road, is set to be released later this year. The band is comprised of Teddy Andreadis, who has shared the stage with such legendary artists as Guns N’ Roses, Carole King, Alice Cooper, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and B.B. King; engineer J.D. Andrew, whose worked with such icons as The Rolling Stones, Guy Clark and Kanye West; Nashville singer/songwriter Brad Davis; and Bud (a.k.a. Billy Bob) Thornton who, in addition to his successful film and television career, has recorded four solo albums, as well as tribute records to Earl Scruggs and June Carter Cash.

“We’re really looking forward to bringing their live show throughout the U.S. in 2015 and beyond,” commented Steve Lassiter, SVP/Partner and Head of Concerts at APA Nashville. “All of us at APA are very excited to take their extraordinary music to another level and celebrate the release of their forthcoming album this year.”

Aretha Franklin With The Symphony; ‘Motherhood’ At TPAC

/by

Aretha Franklin will perform with members of the Nashville Symphony on Tuesday, June 30, at 7:30 pm. The “Queen of Soul” is known for classics including “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Baby I Love You,” and “Think.”

The event is part of the HCA/TriStar Health Legends of Music Series.

Tickets start at $89. Reach the box office at (615) 687-6400, or buy online at NashvilleSymphony.org.

aretha franklin

• • • • •

Motherhood the Musical, written by Nashville songwriter Sue Fabisch, will play at TPAC’s Andrew Johnson Hall this Mother’s Day weekend, with performances May 6-17.

The humorous look at motherdom debuted as a workshop at the Nashville’s Darkhorse Theater in 2008 and was immediately picked up by producers. Since then it has been performed across the nation and around the world, including Scotland and Australia.

Tickets at tpac.org.

motherhood the musical

Eric Church Fights Counterfeit Merch

/by
Eric Church. Photo: Jill Trunnell

Eric Church. Photo: Jill Trunnell

Eric Church has been granted a temporary restraining order to allow the seizure of counterfeit merchandise being sold outside his concerts.

He requested the injunction in U.S. District Court this week and also filed suit against unnamed defendants, listed as John Does, who are producing and selling unlicensed t-shirts and goods. He is seeking damages from the vendors.

According to the injunction, Church’s team can seize counterfeit merchandise being sold within a five-mile radius, 24-hour time period of his concerts.

Church is represented by Riley Warnock & Jacobson’s John Jacobson and Chris Vlanos, according to the Nashville Post.