Clint Wiley & Julie Sturdivant Join CAA

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Clint Wiley, Julie Sturdivant

Clint Wiley and Julie Sturdivant have joined CAA’s music touring department. Both will be based in the agency’s Nashville office.

Music agent Wiley started his career at Third Coast Artists Agency, and spent time at APA, Paradigm and Artisan Agency before joining CAA. His touring roster includes The Mavericks, Raul Malo, Asleep At The Wheel, Ray Benson, and McKinley James.

“Clint has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the live music business,” shares CAA Co-Head of Nashville Music, Darin Murphy. “His skills, experience and taste—specifically in the world of country music—will provide further fuel to our exceptional Nashville team, and to our Music Touring colleagues and clients globally.”

Sturdivant joins CAA from digital marketing agency Marbaloo Marketing, with her prior career stops including time at KOST 103.5 and Universal Music Group’s Interscope Records. As a Music Brand Partnerships Executive at CAA, Sturdivant will help lead brand partnership efforts for the agency’s Nashville roster of artists, including Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, and Maren Morris, among others.

“Julie is a creative and highly accomplished industry veteran with tremendous experience working with country music legends, as well as emerging artists,” says CAA’s Head of Music Brand Partnerships, Tom Worcester. “We are excited to add her unique talent to our outstanding brand partnerships group, who work daily to connect our artists with innovative and meaningful opportunities.”

In addition to Wiley and Sturdivant’s hirings, CAA has also announced a wide variety of artist-brand partnerships, having closed more than 80 deals and more than $10 million in guarantees for the agency’s country roster since March 2021. Noteworthy partnerships include Hunter Hayes and Smirnoff, Carly Pearce and Northwestern Mutual, Brett Eldredge and Facebook Audio Rooms, Keith Urban and JBL/Harman, and Maddie & Tae and Hot Tools, among others.

Vince Gill Announces His Return To The Road This Summer

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Vince Gill

Vince Gill is heading back out on the road this summer for the first tour with his band since 2019. Gill has also been touring as part of The Eagles since 2017.

The new 18-date tour kicks off July 7 in Greensboro and will visit Charleston, Birmingham, Huntsville, Des Moines, Omaha, Oklahoma City, Ft. Worth and more, with additional stops to be announced in the weeks to come. For ticketing information, click here.

“When all touring stopped back in March of 2020, it was a good time for me to take a break from the road,” explains Gill. “Now the Eagles are touring again, and that’s a blast! But I’m also eager to get back on the bus and visit some places and fans that I haven’t seen for a while.”

Joining Gill on the dates will be vocalist Wendy Moten, a recent contestant from NBC’s The Voice. Moten toured with Gill as a harmony singer for several years, and Gill produced Moten’s most recent album, I’ve Got You Covered.

“I’ve always enjoyed sharing a stage with Wendy, whether she was singing harmonies for me, or when we were in The Time Jumpers together,” he adds. “It’s always been my wish that more of the world could hear her, so being able to feature her each night of this tour is something I look forward to.”

Vince Gill Confirmed Tour Dates:
7/7 – Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts – Greensboro, NC
7/8 – Township Auditorium – Columbia, SC
7/9 – North Charleston Performing Arts Center – N. Charleston, SC
7/10 – Bell Auditorium – Augusta, GA
7/14 – Alabama Theater – Birmingham, AL
7/15 – Saenger Theater – Mobile, AL
7/16 – Montgomery Performing Arts Centre – Montgomery, AL
7/17 – Von Braun Center – Huntsville, AL
7/20 – Coronado Performing Arts Center – Rockford, IL
7/21 – Adler Theatre – Davenport, IA
7/22 – Des Moines Civic Center – Des Moines, IA
7/23 – Holland Performing Arts Center – Omaha, NE
7/28 – Ovens Auditorium – Charlotte, NC
8/12 – Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre – Oklahoma City, OK
8/13 – Billy Bob’s Texas – Ft. Worth, TX
8/14 – Orpheum Theatre – Memphis, TN
8/26 – Dothan Civic Center – Dothan, AL
8/28 – Fox Theatre – Atlanta, GA

Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson, More To Perform At 2022 CMT Music Awards

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CMT has revealed the first round of performers set to take the stage at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, broadcasting live from Nashville on April 11.

Among the first set of artists are Kelsea Ballerini, who is serving as one of the evening’s co-hosts alongside Anthony Mackie, as well as Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris with Ryan Hurd, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell featuring Lainey Wilson, and Keith Urban.

Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.

As previously announced, Brown leads the star-studded nominations this year with four nods; co-host Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and first-time nominees Breland and Johnson follow with three each. Tenille Arts, Priscilla Block, H.E.R., Paul Klein of Lany, MacKenzie Porter, Elvie Shane, Caitlyn Smith and Brittney Spencer also received their first CMT recognitions. Carrie Underwood remains the most decorated artist in CMT history with 23 wins, vying for two additional trophies in the Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year categories, both for her duet with Jason Aldean.

For a full list of nominations, click here.

Fan voting is now open for the 2022 CMT Music Awards, country music’s only entirely fan-voted award show. General voting ends Monday, April 4 at 9:00 a.m. CT.

This year’s show will mark the inaugural broadcast of the CMT Music Awards on the CBS Television Network. The show will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

Riley Green Brings His Live Show To Listeners With New ‘We Out Here: Live’ Album

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Riley Green. Photo: Jim Wright

Riley Green is giving fans a taste of his headlining tour with his latest collection, We Out Here: Live, set for release this Friday (March 25) via BMLG Records.

“We’ve seen our biggest and loudest crowds so far on this tour, and to thank all the fans who have come out, we recorded one of the nights for them,” says Green. “Can’t wait for y’all to hear it.”

More dates have also been added to Green’s “We Out Here Tour,” including a stop at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on July 3 to kick off one of the largest Independence Day weekends in the country. The singer-songwriter will also visit Anaheim’s House of Blues, San Diego’s SOMA, Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre, Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Beach, and more.

Green will also join Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn and Luke Combs on the road throughout the year.

We Out Here: Live Track List:
1. Different ‘Round Here (Live) | Riley Green, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton
2. Get That Man A Beer (Live) | Riley Green, Jonathan Singleton, Channing Wilson
3. If It Wasn’t For Trucks (Live) | Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Randy Montana
4. Put ‘Em On Mine (Live) | Riley Green, Wyatt McCubbin, Jonathan Singleton
5. Georgia Time (Live) | Riley Green
6. When She Comes Home Tonight (Live) | Riley Green, Jordan Fletcher, Ryan Nelson
7. I Wish Grandpas Never Died (Live) | Riley Green, Lendon Bonds, Buford Green
8. Hell Of A Way To Go (Live) | Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin
9. That’s My Dixie (Live) | Riley Green, Jessi Alexander, Randy Montana
10. There Was This Girl (Live) | Riley Green, Erik Dylan
11. Dixieland Delight (Live) | Ronnie Rogers

Brandi Carlile, Mickey Guyton, More To Honor Joni Mitchell At MusiCares Person Of The Year Gala

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The 31st annual MusiCares Person of the Year benefit gala will be held on April 1, 2022.

The night, honoring the music and legacy of Joni Mitchell, will feature Brandi Carlile, Mickey Guyton, Allison Russell, Lauren Daigle, Sara Bareilles, Beck, Leon Bridges, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Angélique Kidjo, Cyndi Lauper, Pentatonix, Billy Porter, Stephen Stills, St. Vincent, Jon Batiste, Black Pumas, and a remote performance from Graham Nash.

Batiste and Carlile, each nominated for multiple Grammy Awards this year, will also serve as Artistic Directors for the night, a first for Person of the Year.

This year’s tribute will be held at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, including a reception and silent auction, followed by a dinner and tribute concert honoring Mitchell’s impact on the music industry and the inspiration she has provided to artists over the years.

“We’re excited to honor Joni together, in person, as a music community and can’t wait to bring this great event to Las Vegas,” shares Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “We will be celebrating with a purpose, toasting one of music’s greatest songwriters and musicians, while raising vital funds to address the critical health and social service needs of the music community.”

“MusiCares’ amazing work providing aid to music professionals is crucial to the well-being of our community,” adds Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “Their ongoing support for music people is truly inspiring and we’re looking forward to celebrating the return of Person of the Year this April.”

Dolly Parton, James Patterson & Hello Sunshine Partner To Produce ‘Run, Rose, Run’ As Feature Film

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Dolly Parton & James Patterson. Photo: JB Rowland

Dolly Parton continues to add to her busy schedule with the announcement that she will be starring in Hello Sunshine’s feature film adaptation of Run, Rose, Run, the recently released novel written by Parton with James Patterson.

Founded by Reese Witherspoon, Hello Sunshine is a media company that puts women at the center of every story it creates, celebrates and discovers. The company tells stories across all platforms-from scripted and unscripted television, feature films, animated series, podcasts, audio storytelling, and digital series. Hello Sunshine is also home to Witherspoon’s Book Club and the newly launched RBC App.

“Growing up in Nashville, I’ve loved Dolly since the moment I heard her magical voice and saw her luminous personality shine onstage. Beyond her magnetic presence as an artist and performer, she is one of the greatest songwriters and storytellers of our time. Her impact knows no bounds-as a musician, actor, writer, businesswoman, activist and all around incredible human being-Dolly Parton is not only an icon to me, but a true inspiration to women and girls everywhere,” Witherspoon explains. “My admiration for her grew to even greater heights when reading Run, Rose, Run, a gripping and heartbreaking book I couldn’t put down. I couldn’t feel more honored to be working alongside her and James to bring this remarkable story to the screen.”

Parton and Patterson will produce the feature alongside Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine’s President of Film and Television, Lauren Neustadter. Ashley Strumwasser will executive produce for Hello Sunshine.

“I’m proud, excited and honored to be working with my good friend Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine on the movie of Run, Rose, Run from the novel I co-wrote with James Patterson,” Parton says. “James and I love Reese and look forward to working with her and her wonderful team.”

“It has been a joy working with Dolly Parton on this book. It’s a great story that we are both proud of,” Patterson adds. “In partnership with Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine, we will produce a great movie.”

Run, Rose, Run, which was released earlier this month, debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list. Parton also released a companion album of the same name on March 4 through her own Butterfly Records. The album debuted at No. 1 on the country, Americana/folk and bluegrass charts.

Set in Nashville, the book centers around a young woman who comes to Music City to pursue her music-making dreams. The source of her songs is a secret she has tried desperately to hide, but the past she has fled may destroy her future.

Rhett Akins Moves Into Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Rhett Akins

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Rhett Akins has entered the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Akins is a co-writer on Thomas Rhett’s “Slow Down Summer” and Parker McCollum’s “To Be Loved By You.”

Ashley Gorley maintains his eight-week reign at No. 1 on the chart as a co-writer of such songs as “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay), and “Take My Name” (Parmalee).

Shane McAnally (No. 2) and Michael Hardy (No. 3) complete the top three on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Weekly Register: Ernest Earns Top Country Debut With ‘Flower Shops (The Album)’

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Ernest. Photo: Delaney Royer

Big Loud’s Ernest makes the biggest country album debut this week. The singer-songwriter’s debut record, Flower Shops (The Album), comes in at No. 12 with 7.9K in total first-week consumption (1.1K album only/8.2 million song streams), according to MRC Data.

Morgan Wallen continues to dominate at the top of the country albums chart with Dangerous: The Double Album racking in 46K in total consumption (1.9K album only, 55 million song streams). Wallen also takes the fifth spot as his debut project, If I Know Me, adds 15K in total consumption. Taylor Swift remains in the second spot with Red (Taylor’s Version) gaining 19K. Luke Combs takes up the remaining spots: What You See Is What You Get takes No. 3 and This One’s For You earns No. 4 with 18K and 16K, respectively.

Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan continue to sit atop the top country streaming songs chart this week as “Buy Dirt” adds another 6.3 million streams, according to MRC data. Walker Hayes‘ “AA” jumps to No. 2 with 5.6 million streams, while “Fancy Like” drops down one spot to No. 3 gaining 5.6 million streams. Cody Johnson‘s “Til You Can’t” remains steady at No. 4, earning 5.6 million streams. Combs seals the top five with his current single “Doin’ This,” adding 5.4 million streams.

Maren Morris To Celebrate New Album With Amazon Livestream From New York

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Maren Morris and Amazon Music are teaming up to present “Maren Morris: Live From New York,” an intimate, one-night-only live performance streaming on March 26. The show will serve to celebrate the launch of Morris’ new album Humble Quest.

Taking place at the historic Sony Hall in New York City, the event will begin at 7 p.m. CT with a pre-show led by Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson, hosts of the Country Heat Weekly podcast. Fans will be able to tune in via the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, and as well as on Prime Video globally.

The performance is one of the first times fans can hear the new songs from Humble Quest live before the award-winning entertainer heads off on her “Humble Quest Tour” in June with stops at Radio City Music Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Bridgestone Arena, and more.

During the livestream, fans will also get a sneak peek at Morris’ episode of the Amazon Music digital series The Walk In, where host Mo Heart takes fans on tours through the closets of some of her favorite celebrities and artists. Livestream viewers will hear the stories behind the looks and learn about Morris’ relationship with her stylist, Dani Michelle. The full episode drops in the Amazon Music app on March 28, kicking off season two of the series.

Dierks Bentley Takes ‘Beers On Me’ Tour Into Summer With New Dates

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Dierks Bentley has added a summer leg to his “Beers On Me” tour. The multi-Platinum entertainer will visit over 31 cities as the extended trek launches June 3 in Wilmington, North Carolina with special guests Ashley McBryde and Travis Denning. The beloved vocalist will also bring his show to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Aug. 26.

Verizon will offer an exclusive presale in the U.S for select markets through the customer loyalty program Verizon Up. Members will have first access to purchase presale tickets from March 22-24. Public on sale will begin this Friday (March 25) at dierks.com.

“A bunch of friends, ice cold beer and good country music is just about all you need for a perfect summer,” shares Bentley. “Every year when we plan a tour, I think this summer is going to the best yet…and this year is no different! I’m excited to have Ashley and Travis jump on this leg of the ‘Beers On Me Tour’…now just counting the days ’til June!”