Touring Archives - Page 95 of 213

Vince Gill And Amy Grant Announce Ryman Holiday Residency

February 9, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Pictured (L-R): Amy Grant, Vince Gill

Vince Gill and Amy Grant have announced an eight-night residency for their annual Christmas at The Ryman this December.

Two additional shows have been added to their 2015 dates, after all six shows sold out in 2014.

The concerts for 2015 are scheduled for Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 22 and 23., Tickets go on sale Saturday, Feb. 14 and cost $125, $75, $55 and $35. Tickets will be available via ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, ryman.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

“Christmas audiences are special,” Grant explains. “They tend to involve the whole family, and their emotions are a wonderful mix of anticipation and reverence. It’s a thrilling experience for both of us.”

“These holiday tours have become our favorites,” Gill agrees.

Artist Updates: Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, LOCASH, Nashville Universe Awards

February 6, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Darius Rucker To Be Featured on CMT’s Inside Fame

Twenty years after Darius Rucker first achieved musical success as a member of group Hootie & the Blowfish, the now award-winning country artist shares the moments behind his success in both pop and country with a new episode of CMT’s bio-series Inside Fame: Darius Rucker. The episode premieres Saturday, Feb. 7 at 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Rucker’s upcoming fourth studio album, Southern Style, will release March 31. The singer-songwriter’s Southern Style Tour, featuring Brett Eldredge, will launch May 14 in Holmdel, N. J.

Inside Fame is a CMT original production, with Jayson Dinsmore, Lewis Bogach and John Miller-Monzon serving as executive producers.

Florida Georgia Line, NEEDTOBREATHE Set for Live In The Vineyard Festival

Florida Georgia Line, NEEDTOBREATHE, Melissa Etheridge, Katy Tiz, Oh Honey, and The Veronicas are slated to perform during the 15th installment of the “Live In The Vineyard” festival. To be held March 26-29 in Napa Valley, Calif., the private festival happens twice per year, and give attendees access to recording artists, top tier wine makers, and acclaimed chefs.

For more information, visit liveinthevineyard.com.

Storme Warren To Host Third Annual Nashville Universe Awards

The third annual Nashville Universe Awards will welcome host Storme Warren (SiriusXM’s “The Highway”) at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville on Monday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. CT. Established in 2012, the awards highlight upcoming artists, from musicians to filmmakers, while introducing them to industry tastemakers.

Nominees in five top categories were recently revealed:

Entertainer of the Year
Don Woods
2 Steel Girls
Gibson Cage
3 Lanes Crossing
Trailer Choir

Male Vocalist of the Year
Troy Hoss
Kevin Klein
Michael Moore
Chris Rogers
Tom Dixon

Female Vocalist of the Year
Amy Rose
Keeghan Nolan
Carmen Brandy
Taylor Parks
Jolina Carl

Vocal Group of the Year
The Southern Experience Band
Darrin Morris Band
Phoenix Drive
3 Lanes Crossing
The Plott Hounds

Song of the Year
The Suitcase – Garrett Steel
Forward – 2 Steel Girls
Kick Start This Party – Tom Dixon
Whiskey Melody – Don Woods
The Cheatin’ Song – 3 Lanes Crossing

LOCASH To Launch ‘2015 I Love This Life Tour’ on Feb. 15

LOCASH. Photo: Jake Harsh

Duo LOCASH will visit a string of popular music markets on its 2015 I Love This Life Tour. The trek will launch Feb. 15 in Westbury, N.Y. Upcoming stops include Evansville, Ind., Melbourne, Fla., Annapolis, Md., Hunter, N.Y., Rhinelander, Wis., Sunrise Beach, Mo., and more. LOCASH’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas recently signed to Reviver Records, and are ready to bring their energetic live shows to fans. The duo’s new single, “I Love This Life,” will impact country radio during the week of Country Radio Seminar.

“We know we can make this new record deal very successful,” Lucas said. “We’ve got a lot of amazing fans and people who believe in us, and we’ve thrown kindling all over the place — now it’s time to light it.”

For tour dates, visit locashmusic.com.

Nashville Music Moguls Make ‘Billboard’ Power 100 List

February 6, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

PIctured (clockwise, L-R): Scott Borchetta, Clint Higham, Mike Dungan, Brian O'Connell, Clarence Spalding, Louis Messina, and John Esposito.

Pictured (clockwise, from top left): Scott Borchetta, Clint Higham, Mike Dungan, Brian O’Connell, Clarence Spalding, Louis Messina, and John Esposito.

Billboard recently released its 2015 Power 100 Index, and some of Nashville’s power players are included alongside other top industry moguls.

Topping the list is Universal Music Group chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge, who led the charge in breaking four new artists in 2014, including Iggy Azalea, 5 Seconds of Summer, Sam Smith,and Ariana Grande, each selling more than 1 million albums and track equivalents in the United States in 2014. UMG also distributed the year’s best seller, Taylor Swift‘s 1989.

At No. 2 is Live Nation president/CEO Michael Rapino. Live Nation claimed 22 of 2014’s top 25 tours. Rapino helps guide some 20,000 employees in 100 offices around the world.

Rounding out the Top 10 are: Azoff MSG Entertainment’s Irving Azoff (No. 3), Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Martin Bandier (No. 4), Apple’s Jimmy Iovine (No. 5), Red Light Management owner/founder Coran Capshaw (No. 6), Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris (No. 7), iHeartMedia Chairman/CEO Bob Pittman (No. 8), Creative Artist Agency’s Rob Light (No. 9), with Apple’s Eddy Cue and iTunes’ Robert Kondrk at No. 10.

Several power players with strong Nashville ties also made the rankings, including:

No. 23: Big Machine Label Group Founder/CEO Scott Borchetta
No. 33: Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan
No. 37: Live Nation president of country music touring Brian O’Connell
No. 66: Warner Music Nashville president/CEO John Esposito
No. 74: The Messina Group president Louis Messina
No. 76: Maverick partner Clarence Spalding
No. 93: Morris Higham Management’s Clint Higham

Brad Paisley’s Summer Tour To Feature Mickey Guyton, Justin Moore

February 6, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Brad Paisley. Photo: Jim Shea

Brad Paisley will welcome Mickey Guyton and Justin Moore for his 2015 Crushin’ It World Tour, slated to launch May 15 in Philadelphia, Pa.

Paisley is currently headlining his Country Nation World Tour presented by KRAFT Cheese through March 2015. He recently partnered with Boot Barn® to develop an exclusive line of jeans, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, belts and woven shirts called Moonshine Spirit by Brad Paisley.

2015 Crushin’ It World Tour dates

New Legislation Aims To Nip Bots In The Bud

February 5, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Concert tickets --- Image by © Ocean/Corbis

Image: © Ocean/Corbis

Lawmakers are fighting bots in the name of fair ticketing practices.

U.S. Representatives Marsha Blackburn (TN-07), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), and Jim Cooper (TN-05) yesterday (Feb. 4) introduced H.R. 708, the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act.

“Computer programs shouldn’t be allowed to cheat people out of fair ticket prices and great entertainment,” Rep. Cooper said.

H.R. 708 would make the use of bots to circumvent security measures employed by ticketing sites an “unfair and deceptive practice” under the Federal Trade Commission Act, and a crime under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. It would also create a private right of action whereby parties harmed by bots can sue in federal court to recover damages.

“Scalpers have been taking advantage of computer hacking software (BOTS) to circumvent restrictions put in place by on-line ticketing agents for years,” said Rep. Blackburn. “They purchase tickets in mass quantities and sell them at a considerably marked up rate, which hurts fans of live entertainment who get priced out of the market. The live entertainment industry goes to great lengths to build relationships with its fans and ensure that they will access to shows. The BOTS Act will allow FTC enforcement, criminal sanctions, and a private right of action to be brought against on-line scalpers. It is time to level the on-line ticket playing field for fans of live entertainment.”

Organizations supporting this bipartisan legislation include The Recording Academy, Live Nation Entertainment, as well as the Tennessee Sports and Entertainment Industry Coalition.

Martina McBride Keeps ‘Everlasting Tour 2015’ Rolling

February 4, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Martina McBride performs during her Everlasting Tour during a stop in Omaha, Neb. Photo: Amiee Stubbs

Martina McBride is set to continue her Everlasting Tour 2015, bringing more of her soulful cover tunes from her album Everlasting to fans. Several additional tour dates have been scheduled for the coming months, including stops in Oklahoma, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Indiana.

“The band and I are having so much fun on this Everlasting Tour!” McBride said. “I really wanted to put together a show that is as visually entertaining as it is musically entertaining. The addition of the horn section and singers adds so much energy to what we do. We are enjoying the fresh take on our hits of the last 20 plus years as well as being able to play so much of the new album because it’s familiar music to my fans. I think we are all wishing this tour really would last forever!”

EVERLASTING TOUR 2015 (*newly announced dates)
Feb. 10: Hudiburg Cheverolet Center (Midwest City, OK) *
Feb. 12: Adler Theater (Davenport, IA)
Feb. 13: Swiftel Center (Brookings, SD)
Feb. 26: Spotlight 29 Casino (Coachella, CA)
March 26: Rodeo Austin (Austin, TX)
March 27: Beau Rivage Theatre (Biloxi, MS)
March 28: Billy Bob’s Texas (Ft. Worth, TX)
May 15: Star Plaza Theater (Merrillville, IN) *
May 16: Crystal Grand Music Theater (Wisconsin Dells, WI) *
June 6: Riverbend Festival (Chattanooga, TN)
June 18: Burlington Steamboat Days (Burlington, IA)
July 3: Alabama Theater (Myrtle Beach, SC) *
July 22: Last Change Stampede & Fai, Lewis & Clark County (Helena, MT) *
July 25: Medicine Hat Stampede (Medicine Hat, AB)
July 28: Sweetwater County Fair (Rock Springs, WY) *
Aug. 13: Brown County Fairgrounds (Aberdeen, SD)
Oct. 2: Norsk Hostfest (Minot, ND) *

Soak Up The Sun At The Key West Songwriters Festival

February 3, 2015/by Sarah Skates

BMI is bringing back two of its popular events for 2015: the Key West Songwriters Festival and the Road To Bonnaroo competition.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI, will be held May 6-10, 2015. The impressive list of performers at the 20th annual event includes headliners Chris Young, Robert Earl Keen, Dean Dillon, Jeffrey Steele, Kacey Musgraves, Rhett Akins, Bob DiPiero, Lee Thomas Miller, Raul Malo, Al Anderson, Pat MacLaughlin, Shawn Camp, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, James Slater, Even Stevens, Steve Bogard, Steve McEwan, Guthrie Trapp and the Mulekickers, Chuck Cannon, Loving Mary, Josh Dorr, Dylan Altman Blues Band, Kostas, Aaron Watson and many more.

“The Key West Songwriters Festival exhibits BMI’s strong commitment to nurturing the careers of our songwriters and is the perfect place for songwriters to showcase their talent,” says Mark Mason, BMI’s Executive Director of Writer/ Publisher Relations. “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association in such a unique location to host show after show of some of the best songwriters in the country.”

The festival will kick off with a concert on Ocean Key Resort’s Sunset Pier, followed by daily stages at the Southernmost Hotel Collection, sunset shows on Pier House Resort’s beach and The Westin, Main Stage Duval Street Concert featuring Chris Young, and rounded out with a closing concert at the historic Casa Marina Resort. In addition, NSAI will present a special Bluebird at Blue Heaven show on Thursday, May 7. Select shows require separate tickets.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Sponsors include SunTrust Bank, Texas Roadhouse, HD Radio, Epiphone, and Texas Heritage Songwriters Association.

BMI’s Road to Bonnaroo 2015 will let 30 local standouts vie for three performance slots at Bonnaroo. The event will take over the Mercy Lounge and High Watt on three upcoming Mondays in Nashville: February 23, March 9, and April 6.

The lineup slated for Feb. 23 is DeRobert & The Half Truths, Koa, Sol Cat, Elise Davis, Liz Cooper & The Stampede, Tesla Rossa, The Future, Sexx, The Trinity Schill Kill, and The Wans. Doors open each night at 7 p.m., the music starts at 8 p.m., and there’s never a cover charge.

RTB 2015 will follow the rules established in previous years: ten bands will perform three-song sets during each installment of the series. To select the evening’s top contender, an industry panel comprised of local music journalists, bloggers, 8 off 8th hosts, and past RTB winners will contribute one half of the verdict, while fan votes through onsite ballots determine the other half.

RTB was Nashville’s first collective effort to send homegrown talent to ‘Roo when it debuted seven years ago.

Bonnaroo is slated for June 11-14 in Manchester, Tenn.

Bandsintown Connects With Fans Via Touring Management App

February 3, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Artists and artist managers who use Bandsintown now have a new way of tracking behavioral analytics of concertgoers, and a new way of connecting with fans. The web-based service, which is used by more than 15 million concert-goers, introduced the new Bandsintown Manager app today (Feb. 3). The free app is available on Facebook, iOS and Android, and the analytics tool is available to artists with more than 100 “trackers,” or fans who use Bandsintown to receive an artist’s concert updates.

The tool allows artists to know where their largest concentration of fans is located, in order to plan tour stops. The data can also aid artists and managers with tour routing, ticket sales, and more. They can also repost fans’ concert photos and videos, direct message fans, and edit tour dates.

Bandsintown’s new analytics tool follows companies such as Spotify, Pandora, and Kobalt, which have added analytics dashboards in recent years.

Lady Antebellum Adds Hometown Show To Their ‘Wheels Up Tour 2015’

February 2, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Pictured (L-R): Mike Dungan (UMG), Charles Kelley, John Huie (CAA), Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood, Daniel Miller (Fusion Music), Ed Green (Red Light Management) during a media brunch in Nashville.

Lady Antebellum announced this morning (Monday, Feb. 2) that Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena has been added to their Wheels Up Tour 2015. The show will take place on Sept. 11, 2015 with tickets going on sale Friday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. CST through www.ticketmaster.com.

Special guests Hunter Hayes and Sam Hunt will also be part of the bill.

In celebration of the tour and the newly-announced headlining Nashville show, Lady Antebellum held a private brunch for members of the Nashville media earlier today.

“We started down the road at 3rd & Lindsley, and now we’re playing the Bridgestone Arena,” said Dave Haywood. “It’s a real full-circle moment for us.”

“The lineup, the openers we were able to land with Hunter Hayes and Sam Hunt, it will be an all-around fun show. We have a lot to be thankful for,” said Hillary Scott.

The ACM nominated and seven-time Grammy-winning trio’s fifth studio album, 747, is available now.

The previously announced Wheels Up Tour will launch Feb. 28 with a European trek that will include stops in Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Scotland, the UK, and Australia. The North American leg of the tour will begin May 1 in Lubbock, Texas.

Unstoppable Chief: Eric Church Saves Show Despite Sick Band

February 2, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Eric Church. Photo: Jill Trunnell

After a stomach bug knocked out most of his band and crew in Salt Lake City, UT on Saturday, Jan. 31, Eric Church took the stage at the EnergySolutions Arena for a 19-song acoustic set.

“If you’ve seen our show so far on this tour, you’re probably wondering what the hell is going on right now. Well, so am I,” Church told the crowd. “Here’s the deal: Yesterday we had the stomach flu strike our band, our crew, everyone. We had no one to hang video, lights, nothing. But I’m still here. I’m still standing. We’ve talked about how every show on The Outsiders Tour is different. Well, tonight will be the most different one. Shit there’s nobody left. It’s just me. I’m going to give you everything I got.”

As a consolation, Church announced he will return to play Memorial Day (Mon., May 25) with a full band. Supporting acts will be announced at a later date. Fans wishing to attend should hold onto all physical tickets. Those unable to attend that show can seek a full refund at point of purchase beginning Wednesday, Feb. 4, until 5 p.m. day of concert.

Lzzy Hale‘s rock band, Halestorm, opened the show with a full 45-minute set. The production and stage were scaled back–only four spotlights and a minimal floor lighting package showcased Church in this unique setting. Guitar players Jeff Hyde, Jeff Cease and Driver Williams joined Church for a few songs and Hale came onstage for an acoustic rendition of “That’s Damn Rock and Roll.” Church worked six mic positions (scaled back from the normal 14), still performing to every section of the 360-degree setup.

Fans looking to experience Church live can tune-in to CBS on Feb. 8 for the Grammy Awards, where he is up for Best Country Album and Best Country Song, and will play a yet-to-be-announced song. The Outsiders World Tour will return to the road on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.

Saturday’s complete set list is as follows:
“Talladega”
“Drink In My Hand”
“Guys Like Me”
“How ‘Bout You”
“I’m Getting’ Stoned”
“Creepin’”
“Like Jesus Does”
“Cold One”
“Livin’ Part Of Life”
“Give Me Back My Hometown”
“That’s Damn Rock and Roll”
“Before She Does”
“Homeboy”
“These Boots”
“Like A Wrecking Ball”
“Jack Daniels”
“Smoke A Little Smoke”
“Thunder Road”
“Springsteen”

Vince Gill And Amy Grant Announce Ryman Holiday Residency

Artist Updates: Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, LOCASH, Nashville Universe Awards

Darius Rucker To Be Featured on CMT’s Inside Fame

Florida Georgia Line, NEEDTOBREATHE Set for Live In The Vineyard Festival

Storme Warren To Host Third Annual Nashville Universe Awards

LOCASH To Launch ‘2015 I Love This Life Tour’ on Feb. 15

Nashville Music Moguls Make ‘Billboard’ Power 100 List

Brad Paisley’s Summer Tour To Feature Mickey Guyton, Justin Moore

New Legislation Aims To Nip Bots In The Bud

Martina McBride Keeps ‘Everlasting Tour 2015’ Rolling

Soak Up The Sun At The Key West Songwriters Festival

Bandsintown Connects With Fans Via Touring Management App

Lady Antebellum Adds Hometown Show To Their ‘Wheels Up Tour 2015’

Unstoppable Chief: Eric Church Saves Show Despite Sick Band

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