Maverick City Music, Kirk Franklin To Embark On The ‘Kingdom’ Arena Tour

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5x Grammy-nominated group Maverick City Music has announced its upcoming headlining tour with 16x Grammy award-winning vocalist Kirk Franklin. The “Kingdom” arena tour, the largest so far in their career, is named after the group’s forthcoming collaboration album.

Produced by Live Nation and Undivided, the 37-city tour kicks off on June 1 at FTX Arena in Miami, making stops across North America in Atlanta, Toronto, Nashville, Los Angeles and more before wrapping up at Denver’s Ball Arena on July. Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, March 18 at 10 a.m. local time.

Since forming in 2018, Maverick City Music has featured a rotating group of members that include Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, Dante Bowe, Lizzie Morgan, MJ George, Aaron Moses, Joe L Barnes and Brandon Lake. Their 2021 album Old Church Basement, in collaboration with Elevation Worship, earned the group three Grammy nominations across three categories.

“Kingdom” Tour Dates:
Wed Jun 01 – Miami, FL – FTX Arena
Thu Jun 02 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
Sat Jun 04 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
Sun Jun 05 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
Tue Jun 07 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at the BJCC
Thu Jun 09 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Fri Jun 10 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Sun Jun 12 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Tue Jun 14 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Thu Jun 16 – Washington DC – Capital One Arena
Fri Jun 17 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
Sat Jun 18 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Sun Jun 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
Tue Jun 21 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
Wed Jun 22 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
Thu Jun 23 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena
Sat Jun 25 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Sun Jun 26 – Chicago, IL– Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Tue Jun 28 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Thu Jun 30 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Fri Jul 01 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum
Sat Jul 02 – Jackson, MS – Brandon Amphitheater
Thu Jul 07 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
Fri Jul 08 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Sat Jul 09 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
Sun Jul 10 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Wed Jul 13 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Sat Jul 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
Tue Jul 19 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Wed Jul 20 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Fri Jul 22 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion
Sat Jul 23 – Irvine, CA – Five Point Amphitheater
Sun Jul 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
Wed Jul 27 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Thu Jul 28 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
Fri Jul 29 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena
Sun Jul 31 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

Lainey Wilson Welcomes CMHOF Troubadour Members At Annual Kickoff Party

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Lainey Wilson. Photo: Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Lainey Wilson, the freshly-crowned ACM New Female Artist of the Year, took the stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s annual Troubadour kickoff party on Tuesday night (March 15).

The singer-songwriter performed a handful of her hits, including “Two Story House;” a solo version of her fiery duet with Cole Swindell, “Never Say Never;” and “Things a Man Oughta Know,” which won the award for ACM Song of the Year earlier this month.

Pictured (L-R, back row): Ben Hall, senior director of development; Zach Farnum, Troubadour Advisory Council leadership team member; Lainey Wilson; Patrick Thomas, chair of the Troubadour Advisory Council; (L-R, front row): Katie Cline Moore, Troubadour Advisory Council leadership team member; Katherine Smith, senior manager of advancement, membership and annual giving; and Lisa Purcell, senior vice president of external affairs. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Wilson is also highlighted in the museum’s annual exhibition American Currents: State of the Music, which opened this month and explores notable music, artists’ achievements and music-related events from the past year.

Troubadour is a membership program of the museum that engages young professionals in supporting its mission. The museum hosts quarterly networking events, which range from concerts to exhibition previews, for Troubadour members.

The goals of the program are to engage young leaders, ages 21-45, in the museum’s mission, build life-long relationships between members and the nonprofit museum, and create a special networking space that unites music lovers. For more information on the Troubadour membership program, visit here.

Carly Pearce To Host One-Night-Only Event In Nashville

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Carly Pearce. Photo: Alexa Campbell

Carly Pearce is inviting fans to a one-night-only concert event titled “Inside 29: Written in Stone Live from Music City” at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on April 6.

Throughout the evening, the newly-crowned ACM Female Artist of the Year will share songs from her album, 29: Written In Stone. A portion of ticket sales will benefit losses from the recent tornado devastation in the Kentucky native’s home state through the Music Has Value Fund.

“I have been lucky enough to connect with fans in times of heartache and joy, especially with 29, so this is going to be such a special night. There may be a few surprise guests, and I can’t wait to share even more of the inspiration behind these songs that led me to a place of growth and happiness,” Pearce says.

The special show will be filmed for release later in the year. General on-sale will begin this Friday (March 18).

Pearce will continue on “The 29 Tour” this weekend with shows in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. She will also join Kenny Chesney’s “Here and Now Tour 2022” as direct support.

CMA Makes Triumphant Return To U.K. For 2022 C2C Festival

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A special CMA Songwriters Series show opens the 2022 C2C Festival in London on Thursday, March 10. Pictured (L-R): Luke Dick, Caitlyn Smith, Russell Dickerson and Shy Carter. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA

The CMA returned to the Country to Country: C2C Festival this past weekend in the U.K. with its CMA Songwriters Series and Introducing Nashville series.

Serving as the official kickoff for C2C, the CMA Songwriters Series show on Thursday (March 10) set the tone for the weekend’s return and featured performances from Shy Carter, Luke Dick, Russell Dickerson and Caitlyn Smith.

Other highlights included special guests Priscilla Block, Everette, Tiera Kennedy and Morgan Wade surprising fans and joining the round, as well as the announcement that both Carter and Wade would be making their Grand Ole Opry debuts.

CMA’s Introducing Nashville stage. Pictured (L-R): Morgan Wade, Tiera Kennedy and Priscilla Block. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA

CMA’s international touring series, Introducing Nashville, featured performances by Block, Kennedy and Wade during the festival’s opening set on the main stage at the O2 in London, 3 Arena in Dublin, and the OVO Hydro in Glasgow. This year’s show also marked the first time a songwriter’s round has been featured on a U.K. arena stage.

“To be back and celebrating country music with our international fans, colleagues and industry partners has been incredibly meaningful,” says Milly Olykan, Vice President, International Relations and Development. “The energy of the crowds and overall excitement throughout the weekend was a testament to the ways the country genre has continued to grow and reach audiences even with the challenges we’ve faced over the last two years. We are already counting down until next year!”

Live In The Vineyard Goes Country Announces 2022 Lineup

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Live In The Vineyard Goes Country (LITVGC), set for April 26-28 in Napa Valley, has announced the lineup for this year’s event.

Jessie James Decker, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Joe Nichols will kick things off at the Opening Reception at Napa’s oldest winery, Charles Krug, on April 26. Events on April 27 begin with a VIP Tailgate among the vineyards at Peju with performances from Hannah Ellis, Jameson Rodgers, and Lee Brice.

The evening will conclude with the Mainstage event at The Uptown Theatre with Chase Rice, Breland, Morgan Evans, Tyler Braden, Caroline Jones, and more to be announced.  The event will close with a special Send-Off Brunch at Domaine Chandon on April 28 with artists to be announced soon.

In addition to the LITVGC main events, private VIP performances are set at wineries throughout Napa Valley and will feature intimate acoustic sets from Easton Corbin, Tim Duggar, Ian Flanigan, Jordan Fletcher, Ray Fulcher, Ryan Griffin, Ty Herndon, Rayne Johnson, Erin Kinsey, Brooke Moriber, O.N.E. The Duo, Caitlyn Smith, Matt Stell, and Restless Road, with more to be announced.

“LITVGC is an event that brings together ‘the best of’ in music, culinary arts, wine, and more,” says Founder of Live In the Vineyard and President of Forefront Entertainment Bobbii Jacobs. “LITVGC bridges relationships like no other, and we couldn’t be prouder of the impact it continues to have on the different communities it touches. We are excited about this year’s lineup and for what’s in store–this year’s attendees are in for a real treat.”

The three-day private event brings together radio programmers, DSP curators, label execs, VIPs, corporate hospitality groups, and more  to hear brand new music by artists in a unique setting. For more information, click here.

SixForty1 Builds Team: Signs With Morris Higham, WME, More [Exclusive]

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Pictured (L-R): Aaron Keiser (Morris Higham Management), Eric Gallimore (Amped Entertainment), Rob Filhart (Toby & Molly Music), Aaron Tannenbaum (WME)

SixForty1 has signed with Morris Higham Management and WME’s Aaron Tannenbaum for representation.

The pop-country duo comprised of Austin Gee and Brooks Hoffman have also individually inked respective publishing deals with Amped Entertainment and Toby & Molly Music.

Formed while attending Murray State University in Kentucky, the duo discovered they had immediate songwriting chemistry. After moving to Nashville in 2018, they soon gained attention from some of Nashville’s power players, including Aaron Keiser at Morris Higham Management and Tannenbaum.

The announcement on their new team follows SixForty1’s 2021 EP release, Started Right Here, which moved the duo’s streaming numbers into the multi-millions. SixForty1 has toured with Brantley Gilbert, Eli Young Band, Michael Ray, Walker Hayes, Niko Moon and Dustin Lynch, and are currently on the road with Tyler Rich on the “Two Thousand (more) Miles Tour.”

“It’s an honor to represent SixForty who are dedicated to their craft,” says Morris Higham Management’s Clint Higham. “Both Austin and Brooks are equally talented songwriters as they are performers. In a day of TikTok and instafamous moments, it’s refreshing to work with Brooks and Austin. They are the real long-term deal.” 

“I am proud to be working with Aaron Keiser and Morris Higham Management to nurture what Brooks and Austin have already established with their unique songwriting and great live show,” says Tannenbaum.

“We are blessed with the opportunity to work with such an incredible team and we are excited to see where we take each other,” shares Gee and Hoffman. “The sky is truly the limit here.”

Kane Brown Leads Nominations For 2022 CMT Music Awards

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The nominees for the 2022 CMT Music Awards have been unveiled. Each winner is selected by fans, with voting now open at vote.cmt.com.

Kane Brown leads this year’s nominees with four nods, including Video of the Year, Male Video of the Year and two entries for CMT Performance of the Year. Artists with three nominations this year include female powerhouses Kelsea Ballerini and Mickey Guyton, plus Breland and Cody Johnson as first-time nominees.

The first round of nominations for the Video of the Year award includes 12 acts, including Carrie Underwood, who continues to reign as the most awarded artist in CMT history with 23 wins. She is nominated twice this year for her collaboration with Jason Aldean. Also facing off for the night’s biggest award are Brandi Carlile, Cody Johnson, Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, and Taylor Swift feat. Chris Stapleton.

The CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year category has been added to this year’s show, recognizing artist performances created for CMT Digital throughout the year, with Brittney Spencer, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi, Josh Turner and Lainey Wilson competing for the inaugural award.

Hosted by Ballerini and Anthony Mackie, the show will broadcast live from Nashville on Monday, April 11 from 7-10 p.m. CT. This year’s show marks the inaugural broadcast of the awards on CBS, which will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Performers, presenters and additional details about the 2022 CMT Music Awards will be announced in the coming weeks.

The nominees for the 2022 CMT Music Awards are:
Video of the Year*
Brandi Carlile – “Right On Time”
Cody Johnson – “‘Til You Can’t”
Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson – “Never Say Never”
Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood – “If I Didn’t Love You”
Kacey Musgraves – “Justified”
Kane Brown – “One Mississippi”
Kelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny Chesney – “half of my hometown”
Luke Combs – “Forever After All”
Maren Morris – “Circles Around This Town”
Mickey Guyton – “Remember Her Name”
Miranda Lambert – “If I Was A Cowboy”
Taylor Swift feat. Chris Stapleton – “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

Female Video of the Year
Brandi Carlile – “Right On Time”
Gabby Barrett – “Footprints On The Moon”
Kacey Musgraves – “Justified”
Maren Morris – “Circles Around This Town”
Mickey Guyton – “Remember Her Name”
Miranda Lambert – “If I Was A Cowboy”
Tenille Arts – “Back Then, Right Now”

Male Video of the Year
Cody Johnson – “’Til You Can’t”
Eric Church – “Heart On Fire”
Kane Brown – “One Mississippi”
Luke Bryan – “Waves”
Luke Combs – “Forever After All”
Thomas Rhett – “Country Again”
Walker Hayes – “Fancy Like”

Group/Duo Video of the Year
Brothers Osborne – “I’m Not For Everyone”
Dan + Shay – “Steal My Love”
Maddie & Tae – “Woman You Got”
Old Dominion – “I Was On a Boat That Day”
Parmalee – “Take My Name”
Zac Brown Band – “Same Boat”

Breakthrough Video of the Year, Presented by Sonic
Breland – “Cross Country”
Caitlyn Smith feat. Old Dominion – “I Can’t”
Elvie Shane – “My Boy”
Parker McCollum – “To Be Loved By You”
Priscilla Block – “Just About Over You”
Tenille Arts – “Back Then, Right Now”

Collaborative Video of the Year
Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde – “Never Wanted To Be That Girl”
Dustin Lynch feat. MacKenzie Porter – “Thinking ‘Bout You”
Nelly & Florida Georgia Line – “Lil Bit”
Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood – “If I Didn’t Love You”
Jimmie Allen & Brad Paisley – “Freedom Was A Highway”
Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan – “Buy Dirt”
Kelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny Chesney – “Half of My Hometown”

CMT Performance of the Year
Brothers Osborne – “Muskrat Greene/Dead Man’s Curve Medley (from CMT Campfire Sessions)”
George Strait – “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone (from CMT Giants: Charley Pride)”
H.E.R. feat. Chris Stapleton – “Hold On (from 2021 CMT Music Awards)”
Kane Brown – “Three Wooden Crosses (from 2021 CMT Artists of the Year)”
Kelsea Ballerini feat. Paul Klein of Lany – “I Quit Drinking (from 2021 CMT Music Awards)”
Mickey Guyton feat. Gladys Knight & Breland – “Friendship Train (from 2021 CMT Music Awards)”
Nelly feat. Kane Brown, Blanco Brown & Breland – “Ride Wit Me (from CMT Crossroads: Nelly & Friends)”

CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year
Brittney Spencer – “Sober & Skinny” (from CMT Campfire Sessions)
Carly Pearce – “Dear Miss Loretta” (from CMT :60 Songs)
Cody Johnson – “Dear Rodeo” (from CMT Campfire Sessions)
Jon Pardi – “On The Other Hand / Forever and Ever, Amen” (in honor of 2021 CMT Artist of a Lifetime Randy Travis)
Josh Turner – Live (from CMT KickBack)
Lainey Wilson – “Things A Man Oughta Know” (from the CMT Studio)

*Top nominees, from the first round of voting, will be announced on April 4. Final nominees, from the second round of voting, will be announced on show day, April 11. Final voting will be determined via social media and announced as the final category during the live show.

Jack White Charges Major Labels To Build Their Own Pressing Plants Amid Supply Chain Issues

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Jack White. Photo: Courtesy of Big Hassle

In light of recent supply chain issues and manufacturing bottlenecks, Jack White has called upon major labels to build their own vinyl record pressing plants.

White’s Third Man Records began focusing on vinyl production in 2009, taking the effort a step further when he opened Third Man Pressing in 2017. The pressing print has since been available to anyone to press a record.

In the past year, partly due to the supply chain issues triggered by COVID-19, White has invested in more record presses, more employees, and more shifts to accommodate the growing demand for vinyl products.

“At least once a week, without fail, someone will reach out asking me to help expedite their vinyl record manufacturing. It’s a natural thought… knowing that I own a pressing plant and have my own record label,” White says in a statement. “With industry-wide turnaround times for vinyl currently leaning towards the length of a human pregnancy, it’s obvious, in a world so contingent on being of-the-moment and timed just right (a single, an album, a tour etc.), these timelines are the killers of momentum, soul, artistic expression, and far too often, livelihoods.”

He continues, “While the entirety of vinyl investment and framework in the past decade has originated from independent companies and investors, the bigger problems we now see require major solutions. In this spirit, I turn to our collegial big brothers in the music world, Sony, Universal, and Warner, and politely implore them to help alleviate this unfortunate backlog and start dedicating resources to build pressing plants themselves.

“The issue is, simply, we have ALL created an environment where the unprecedented demand for vinyl records cannot keep up with the rudimentary supply of them,” White adds.

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White goes on to explain that it has never been easier to purchase a vinyl press in the past four decades, signaling that major labels have no excuse not to join in.

“We’re all on the same team with the same goals. I truly believe that with a good faith investment in the infrastructure that got us here, we can continue on this upward trajectory and further inspire the worlds around us. Now is the time,” White sums.

White also announced the special guests for his upcoming, aptly-named “Supply Chain Issues Tour.” North American guests include Sugar Tradition, Olivia Jean, Geese, July Talk, Men I Trust, Starcrawler, JD McPherson, Be Your Own Pet, Briston Marone, Chicano Batman, Natalie Bergman, The Afghan Whigs, The Kills, The Backseat Lovers, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Ezra Furman, Cautious Clay, and Glove. UK and European dates will see White supported by Chubby & The Gang, Yard Act, SONS, Doctor Victor, Ko Ko Mo, Larkin Poe, Equal Idiots, and Mdou Moctar.

The tour, which features White’s first headlining shows in four years, begins with two sold out album release shows on April 8 and 9 at Detroit’s Masonic Temple Theatre, and continues through late August. For a full list of upcoming shows, click here.

Amazon Music Announces Documentary Following A New Generation Of Black Country Artists

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Jimmie Allen. Photo: Joshua Kissi

Amazon Music has announced it will release a new feature-length documentary, For Love & Country, which examines country music’s evolution through the lens of a new generation of Black country artists.

Directed by acclaimed photographer and director Joshua Kissi, the Amazon Music Original documentary will features interviews and performances from Jimmie Allen, Blanco Brown, Breland, Shy Carter, Mickey Guyton, Willie Jones, Valerie June, Amythyst Kiah, Reyna Roberts, Allison Russell, Brittney Spencer, and Frankie Staton.

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“What I’ve come to realize is country music as a genre is just as complex as this country itself,” says Kissi. “Now is the moment to stand up for the voices that have always mattered throughout time, especially the musicians who didn’t get the credit when it was due.”

“I’ve always believed in the old saying, ‘if you can see it, you can be it,’” adds Mickey Guyton. “However, it’s no secret there has been a lack of representation of Black artists in mainstream country music for years. That’s why I hope little Black girls growing up now can see us, artists like Brittney, Reyna, Amythyst, Allison, Valerie, Frankie and me, and know they have a place here in country music. We all do.”

For Love & Country will highlight a new rising class of Black artists that are seeking to change country’s long-held identity as music by-and-for white audiences. Local Nashville residents will also be featured, including journalist and New York Times bestselling author Andrea Williams, Davidson County criminal court clerk and former vice mayor Howard Gentry, academic and author Amanda Marie Martínez, and rapper Mike Floss.

“This film is our collective story, in our own words,” adds Brittney Spencer. “We’re all carving our own unique paths. We’ve all got our own dreams and challenges, and our own ways of navigating them. I hope when people see this film, they better understand the conversation of race in country music. I hope it humanizes the discussed issues and puts a crowd of Black, beautiful faces to a topic the public has heavily engaged & debated, particularly over the last two years. I’m happy to be a part and share my story.”

In tandem with the trailer, Amazon Music has released “Black Myself,” an Amazon Original acoustic version of Amythyst Kiah’s song. Additional Amazon Original songs by artists featured in the film will roll out over the coming weeks.

For Love & Country will release on April 7 on Amazon Music and Prime Video globally.

Music Health Alliance To Host 1st Annual ‘Coulda Shoulda Woulda’ Benefit

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Music Health Alliance (MHA) is holding its first annual “Coulda Shoulda Woulda” event to benefit the Nashville-based non-profit on April 19 at Nashville’s City Winery. Songwriters Hardy, Randy Montana, Hunter Phelps and Jameson Rodgers are set to join in an evening of stories and songs at 6:30 p.m. CT with SiriusXM’s Storme Warren hosting.

The night of music will showcase the artists in the round performing songs that “coulda, shoulda, woulda” been a smash, along with their biggest hits. Additionally, a rare autographed vinyl collection will be available for silent auction at the event.

“So many songs are truly remarkable but end up forgotten in the back of a drawer or placed on hold and never recorded,” shares Grammy-winning songwriter and MHA board member, Liz Rose. “Guests will get to hear some never-heard-before songs and ones that got away… the ‘coulda, shoulda, woulda’ songs from some of today’s biggest hitmakers.”

Tables start at $1,000 and are available now by contacting events@musichealthalliance.com.

For every $1 donation, MHA is able to provide $30 in life-saving healthcare resources to Heal The Music. The team assists music industry professionals with the entire spectrum of their healthcare needs, ranging from assistance with medical bills or physical and mental health guidance including finding doctors or medicine, finding financial grants while recovering from a serious health issue, affordable health insurance, or answers to Medicare questions.