Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, More Added to Grand Ole Opry’s 95th Anniversary

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NBC is honoring country music’s most famous show with its Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years of Country Music special on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 9-11 p.m. ET/PT.

Recorded at the Grand Ole Opry House, the two-hour special will feature performances by Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Kane Brown, Lady A, Little Big Town, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dolly Parton, Darius Rucker, Marty Stuart, Carrie Underwood and Trisha Yearwood. As previously announced, Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton will co-host the show, which will also feature archival footage including interviews and performances.

Among the slated cover songs are Ballerini singing “When You Say Nothing At All,” Bentley and Stuart’s duet of “Pancho & Lefty,” and Lady A’s rendition of “Forever and Ever, Amen.”

“This special is going to capture so much of what makes the Opry a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience,” said Dan Rogers, Opry Vice President and Executive Producer.

The Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years of Country Music telecast is a production of Grand Ole Opry and Brad Lachman Productions with Lachman serving as executive producer. Along with Lachman, Rogers and Scott Bailey are executive producers. Bill Bracken, Brad Lachman Productions, is co-executive producer.

Justin Timberlake Joins Ownership Group Of Music City Grand Prix

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Justin Timberlake is joining the ownership group responsible for bringing the Music City Grand Prix urban street race to Nashville in August. In addition to Timberlake, other music industry members joining the effort are President & CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, Scott Borchetta, and EVP/Music Sports & Entertainment at Pinnacle Financial Partners, Andy Moats.

Timberlake—who is from Memphis, Tennessee—has had ties to the racing world before, backing late British driver Dan Wheldon’s winning effort in the Indianapolis 500 in 2011 through a sponsorship with his clothing company William Rast. Other new additions to the ownership group include former Delta Airlines COO Gil West, and NASCAR team owner/driver Justin Marks. Just last month, Marks’ Trackhouse Racing team announced a new addition to his team—Grammy-winning Latin artist Pitbull.

The three-day international festival of speed and sound will be staged August 6-8 on a temporary 2.17-mile grand prix circuit in downtown Nashville and around the Nissan Stadium campus. The course will cross the Cumberland River via the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge, making the Music City Grand Prix one of the only events in motorsports to cross over a major body of water. In addition to a weekend of racing, attendees can look forward to live music performances by top artists, best-in-class chef-curated food experiences, and more.

“I am incredibly proud of the ownership group we have assembled,” says Matt Crews, CEO of Music City Grand Prix, “Our group combines game changers in the world of business, music and motorsports. Each person brings something unique to the table that will be invaluable as we merge motorsports, music and food into a one-of-a-kind event. This event will be one to remember and one to be celebrated year after year in the heart of Music City. We look forward to the team’s unique perspectives and the magic that soon will become the inaugural Music City Grand Prix.”

Other Music City Grand Prix Owners:
Teddy Phillips – CEO Phillips and Jordan, Inc.
Kevin Clayton – President & CEO of Clayton Homes
Brad Lager – Chairman & CEO Herzog Contracting Corporation
JR Hand – President/CEO Hand Family Companies
Darby Campbell – Owner and President of Safe Harbor Development
Stanton Barrett – Movie Director, Stunt Coordinator, Race Car Driver
Drew Kitchen – Attorney Maynard Cooper
Amish Purohit – Alpha Development
John Thompson – CEO MTA Distributors
Ace Harrington – COO MTA Distributors

BREAKING: ACM Halts Morgan Wallen’s Eligibility For 2021 Awards

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer

The Academy of Country Music announced they will halt Morgan Wallen‘s potential involvement and eligibility for this year’s ACM Awards.

“The Academy does not condone or support intolerance or behavior that doesn’t align with our commitment and dedication to diversity and inclusion,” the statement reads.

The announcement comes after Wallen’s recording contract with Big Loud Records was suspended following the surfacing of a video of the country artist saying the N-word outside his Nashville home.

The 56th ACM Awards are to take place on Sunday, April 18, 2021 on CBS. Last year Wallen was nominated for New Male Artist of the Year.

Dan + Shay To Headline Warner Showcase During CRS

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Country Radio Seminar has released the lineup for the third annual Warner Music Nashville Luncheon, to be held Feb. 17 at noon CT during CRS: 2021 The Virtual Experience. The event will be headlined by Dan + Shay with additional performances by Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Drew Parker, Ian Munsick, Michael Ray, Robyn Ottolini, and Shy Carter.

“No matter where we are in the world, all of us at WMN remain committed to CRS and its mission to educate and connect,” said Warner Music Nashville SVP Radio Kristen Williams. “While we would love to be welcoming everyone to Nashville, we look forward to celebrating together in a new way. From GRAMMY-winning global superstars Dan + Shay to the brightest new talent, we can’t wait to bring our music into your homes.”

This year’s CRS agenda offers attendees more than 14 educational sessions, four morning networking events, two lunchtime performances, four interactive workshops, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley featuring Thomas Rhett and Guests, Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat at CRS, the annual New Faces of Country Music® Show, and Luke Bryan at the annual CRS Artist Interview, sponsored by BMI.

Registration for CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience is $199 per person and is available at www.countryradioseminar.com.

Houston Rodeo Canceled For 2021

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The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a revered performance slot for country artists, has been canceled. The RODEOHOUSTON® competitions, concerts and entertainment, carnival, and other attractions and activities, were recently rescheduled for May 4 – 23, 2021, but were canceled due to the ongoing health situation.

The Junior Livestock and Horse Show competitions will still be held in March, as private events. While the Downtown Rodeo Parade, Trail Ride activities, Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition, and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Comcast Business, are canceled for 202; the Rodeo Run, presented by ConocoPhillips, will be held in a virtual format, with details to be announced once available.

“While we were optimistic that moving our Rodeo to May would provide a better opportunity to host our annual community event that Rodeo fans have come to love and expect, unfortunately, it has become evident that the current health situation has not improved to the degree necessary to host our event,” said Chris Boleman, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “While this is an extremely heartbreaking decision for our Rodeo volunteers and the larger Rodeo community, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the health and well-being of our community.”

Dates and information for the 2022 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will be announced at a later date.

Spotify Reports 345 Million Monthly Active Users

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Spotify announced the results of its 4th quarter of 2020 on Wednesday (Feb. 3), reporting growth in many areas of the company.

According to CEO and founder Daniel Ek, “Despite the global uncertainty of 2020, it was a remarkable year for Spotify. Following a strong Q2 and Q3, Q4 met or exceeded our guidance by nearly every metric.”

Highlights from the quarter include:

Total Monthly Active Users grew 27 percent Y/Y to 345 million.

Premium Subscribers increased 24 percent Y/Y to 155 million.

Total revenue of €2,168 million grew 17 percent Y/Y in Q4, or 24 percent Y/Y on a constant currency basis.

Podcast consumption hours nearly doubled Y/Y and 25 percent of Monthly Active Users now engage with podcasts, up from 22 percent the previous quarter.

Additionally, Spotify’s advertising revenue outperformed its forecast.

See the complete shareholder letter here.

WMG Corp. Q1 Results: Highest Quarterly Revenue in History as Standalone Company

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Warner Music Group Corp. has announced its 1st quarter financial results for the period ended Dec. 31, 2020.

“Despite the impact of COVID, we generated the highest quarterly revenue in our 17-year history as a standalone company, growing 4% compared to the prior-year period, which was unaffected by COVID,” said Steve Cooper, CEO, Warner Music Group. “The strong double-digit growth in our digital revenue and direct-to-consumer business more than offset the continued disruption to our performance, merchandising, and physical revenue. We have some fantastic new music from amazing artists and songwriters on the way, and we continue to grow our investment in a new generation of talent, as well as inventing bold and memorable ways to impact global culture.”

WMG Financial Highlights:

Generated Highest Quarterly Revenue in History as a Standalone Company

Delivered Double-Digit Digital Revenue Growth Driven by Continued Momentum in Streaming

Increased Revenue Contribution from Emerging Platforms, Unlocking New Value-Creation Opportunities

Achieved Strong Year-Over-Year Growth and Margin Expansion in Key Operating Metrics

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2020:

Total revenue grew 6 %, or 4 % in constant currency.

Digital revenue grew 17 %, or 16 % in constant currency.

Net income was $99 million versus $122 million in the prior-year quarter.

Read the complete press release here.

Brothers Osborne Frontman T.J. Osborne: “I’m Very Comfortable Being Gay”

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T.J. Osborne (left) with bandmate and brother John Osborne.

Brothers Osborne’s T.J. Osborne sat down with TIME magazine recently to publicly discuss his sexuality for the first time. In the thoughtful article written by Sam Lansky and titled, “T.J. Osborne Is Ready to Tell His Story,” Osborne shares that he is gay, and has been out among close friends and family for years.

“I’m very comfortable being gay,” he tells TIME. “I find myself being guarded for not wanting to talk about something that I personally don’t have a problem with. That feels so strange.”

The article expresses the support of his brother and bandmate, John Osborne, despite the fact that coming out publicly could potentially have professional risks to their successful careers. “If I had to have all my money and success erased for my brother to be truly fulfilled in life,” John said, “I wouldn’t even think about it. Not for a second.”

T.J. added that he looks forward to making music without creative boundaries.

“I want to get to the height of my career being completely who I am,” T.J. tells TIME. “I mean, I am who I am, but I’ve kept a part of me muted, and it’s been stifling.”

In a video posted to his Instagram, T.J. said, “the person you know is me, now you just know more about me.”

 

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A post shared by @tjosborne

Artists including Kacey Musgraves are standing with Brothers Osborne in support. “Others will now feel invited to the country music party for the first time,” Musgraves told the magazine. “Country music deserves a future even more honest than its past.”

More of T.J.’s peers have come out in support of him, including the following:

BREAKING: Big Loud Suspends Morgan Wallen’s Recording Contract

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer / Getty Images For Ryman Auditorium

Following the release of a video obtained by TMZ of Morgan Wallen saying the N-word outside his Nashville home, Big Loud Records has suspended Wallen’s recording contract indefinitely.

The label announced Wallen’s suspension in a Tweet, saying Republic Records supports their decision and that “such behavior will not be tolerated.”

The video was reportedly shot Sunday (Jan. 31) night by neighbors and shows him yelling profanities, including the N-word. Following the release of the video, iHeart Media, Cumulus, Spotify, Apple, CMT and other organizations have made efforts to remove Wallen’s music from their platforms.

AIMP To Host Tik Tok Webinar With Andrew Jannakos And Priscilla Block

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AIMP’s Nashville Chapter will host a webinar Thursday (Feb. 4) called “Tik Tok to Record Deal: The Transition From Viral Fame to Recording Artist.” The online event is at 4:30 p.m. CT and features TikTok stars Priscilla Block and Andrew Jannakos as well as their label teams from UMG Nashville and Sony Music Nashville, respectively.

The webinar will discuss the path from achieving viral fame to becoming a recording artist, and will also feature panelists Andrew Cohen (Owner & Music Manager, Cohencidence Projects), Margaret Tomlin (Dir., A&R, Sony Music Nashville), and Brian Wright (Exec. VP of A&R, Universal Music Group Nashville), as well as moderator Marissa Turk (Associate Day-to-Day Manager, SMACKSongs).

The webinar is free for AIMP members and $5 for non-members, with registration available now via Zoom.