Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, More To Honor George Jones At ‘Still Playin’ Possum’ Event

The one-night concert event “Still Playing Possum: Music and Memories of George Jones,” is set for April 25 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

The special television taping event, serving to honor the legacy and music of the country icon, will include performances from Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Chesnutt, Michael Ray, Sam Moore, Tanya Tucker, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence, with more artists to be announced.

“George Jones died on April 26, 2013, in Nashville, Tennessee. It will be ten years since he left us with just his songs, so to produce this night of music to honor his legacy is perfectly fitting,” says Nancy Jones. “George made history and influenced artists from all genres and many of them will celebrate with us in April. The night will bring lots of emotion for the fans, our family, and anyone who just loved country music.”

Tickets go on sale Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. CT with VIP upgrades also available for purchase.

Industry Ink: ASCAP, KFGE, Pennington Distilling Company

ASCAP Nashville Hosts Christian Music Songwriters Workshop

Pictured (L-R, top row): Randall Buffam, Farris Blount, Jr, Joseph Smith, and Nicole Thomas; (L-R, second row): Angelica Wilshire, Matthew Soileau, Jason Houser, and Naomie Celestin; (L-R, third row): Michael Flowers, Sharon Erlenmeyer, Kele Currier (ASCAP), and Cas Weinbren; (L-R, bottom row): James Jurado, Chidiya Ohiagu, and Noel Cohen.

The ASCAP Nashville membership team virtually hosted The ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop on Dec. 8-9.

Now in its 13th year, the workshop included 15 up-and-coming Christian songwriters led by award-winning ASCAP songwriter, motivator, and facilitator Jason Houser. The two sessions covered navigating creative life, developing a unique voice as a songwriter, writing with courage, and more. Each attendee played a song for the group, and Houser gave insightful feedback on potential revisions for each song.

“We had an incredible group of songwriters–from New York to California–for The ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop. It’s so important for us as creatives to collaborate and receive coaching in order to grow in our craft,” Houser shares. “In my opinion, ASCAP is the best PRO–this is just one example of how they provide meaningful growth opportunities for their members.”

 

KFGE Raises Over $13K For Local Charities In Lincoln, Nebraska

Pictured (L-R, top row): Megan King and Brooke Summers; (middle row): Cory Edmondson; (L-R, bottom row): Johanna Buresh and Gary Greenwood.

NRG KFGE/Lincoln, Nebraska Froggy 98 recently raised $13,550 in items and monetary donations for local charities, just in time for the holidays. Each member of the on-air staff picked a local charity and competed for donations.

The “Charity Chase” was sponsored by John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating and Air, who donated an extra $1,500 which was split between each team’s charity in the order they placed.

Morning show producer, Megan King, came in first place for Supportive Services for Veteran Families, Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership, Inc. Afternoon host, Brooke Summers came in second with People’s City Mission. In third place was APD/Mid Day host Cory Edmondson with BraveBe Child Advocacy Center. Morning host, Johanna Buresh finished in fourth place with MilkWorks, and morning host, Gary Greenwood, came in fifth place for Boys & Girls Clubs of Lincoln/Lancaster County.

Pennington Distilling Company Donates $10,000 To Music Health Alliance

Pictured (L-R): Shelia Shipley Biddy, Jenny Pennington, Tatum Allsep, and Carla Denham.

Pennington Distilling Company recently made a $10,000 donation to Music Health Alliance (MHA) in support of the nonprofit’s work to provide free healthcare advocacy and support to those within the music industry.

“We value our long-term relationship with Jeff and Jenny Pennington and the Pennington Distilling Company and all of the good they do for our music community. We’re thrilled that the 2022 Picker’s Vodka Nashville product fundraiser raised $10,000 for MHA which will allow us to provide $300,000 to help heal the music with life-saving healthcare advocacy and resources,” notes Tatum Allsep, Music Health Alliance Founder & CEO.

Jeff and Jenny Pennington, co-founders of Pickers Vodka, add: “We are thankful to continue our support of Music Health Alliance and their amazing work in providing healthcare advocacy and access to healthcare resources and insurance, mental health support, and financial resources for any musician in need.”

Additionally, Pennington Distilling Company will donate $1 of every bottle of Pickers Original Vodka sold in all their Nashville accounts that support live music to MHA in 2023.

Kip Moore Returns To Europe In 2023 For Headlining Shows

Kip Moore has announced a string of headlining shows in the U.K. and Europe for 2023.

He’ll return to major cities across the pond, as well as play some cities for the first time as he kicks the tour off in Hamburg on May 13. Tickets are on sale now.

As part of the international trek, Moore will also headline the inaugural Country and Americana festival, Highways at London’s Royal Albert Hall, on May 20. The evening’s lineup also includes Morgan Wade, Jackson Dean, and Stephen Wilson Jr.

“We’ve made it a big priority of ours to keep coming back to the U.K. and Europe over the years. We feel a very genuine connection with the fans there and I’m looking forward to playing some new cities for the first time too,” Moore shares. “To get to headline Royal Albert Hall and launch Highways festival is a true bucket list moment for me. Royal Albert Hall is so legendary, I feel very grateful to get to play there.”

Women’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp Opens Up Limited Number Of Songwriter Slots

Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp, which gives fans the opportunity to make their rock star dreams a reality, has released a limited amount of Hitmaker Songwriting Package slots for their upcoming Women’s Camp. The camp will run from Jan. 19-22 in Nashville.

The Songwriting Package slots allow songwriters to take advantage of the camp’s songwriting opportunities at a discounted rate without the obligation to perform. Women’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp, powered by Gibson, will feature Wynonna Judd and Lzzy Hale, frontwoman of Grammy-winning hard rock band Halestorm.

The Hitmaker Songwriting Package includes a recording session with songwriter and producer Jodi Marr at the Writers Studio at the Hutton Hotel; mentoring opportunities in-person with Judd, Hale, Vicki Peterson of The Bangles, and additional counselors; a master download of one recorded song; and placement in a songwriting group with fellow writers to encourage collaboration, share ideas, and foster relationships.

Rock Camp – The Movie, a documentary on the once-in-a-lifetime experience of Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp, is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Lauren Daigle’s The Price Fund Donates $681,000 To Community Charities

Lauren Daigle with The Price Fund recipients. Photo: Ashely Wright

Lauren Daigle recently wrapped up her season of fall giving through her organization, The Price Fund, with donations of $100K to New Orleans’ Ellis Marsalis Center, Roots of Music, NOCCA, KidSmart, and Young Audiences of Louisiana. The gifts were presented at her sold out holiday performances at New Orleans’ Saenger Theatre.

The concerts have become an annual tradition for Daigle, and offer an opportunity to highlight the importance that music charities can bring to underserved communities by allowing several children and young adults to perform on stage.

Daigle also presented funds to Roots Music, Country Music Hall of Fame’s Words & Music and Notes for Notes at her holiday concerts at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, as well as to 42Strong, Colorado Healing Fund, Music Health Alliance, Agape School and Greater Good Music earlier this fall. The Price Fund’s fall giving total as tallied $681,000.

“I’m truly moved and inspired by the passion and commitment that I’ve seen from every single person involved with all of these organizations–not to mention the tireless and seemingly endless work done by their volunteers,” Daigle shares. “The thousands whose lives they touch each and every day, not only provides light and hope for so many in need, it sets an example for all of us to follow and shows us what we do mean to each other.”

Established by Daigle in 2019, The Price Fund is designed to provide care for both children and the elderly, as well as those in need. She actively works to heal through various means, including work with at-risk youth. Through donations made via ticket sales, merch and streaming, Daigle has distributed over $2.2 million to 37 nonprofits around the world.

Cody Johnson Heads Into 2023 With Full Slate Of Tour Dates

Cody Johnson. Photo: Jay Trevino

Cody Johnson is heading into 2023 with a packed touring schedule that already includes seven sold out dates.

His new tour kicks off on Jan. 20 in Lafayette, Louisiana, and makes stops in Raleigh, Louisville, Austin, Norfolk, St. Louis, and many more through Oct. 20.

Johnson played his last concert of 2022 in Las Vegas on Dec. 10 with a sold-out show at Michelob Ultra Arena, and released a new live album with his longtime touring band, Cody Johnson & The Rockin’ CJB Live, on Dec. 2.

This year, the award-winning singer-songwriter increased his career streams by one billion for the second consecutive year, now boasting more than four billion career streams. Johnson was recently awarded with Pandora’s Billionaire plaque signifying more than one billion streams on the streaming service.

Additionally, Johnson’s multi-Platinum, multi-week No. 1 hit “’Til You Can’t” was the most-listened to country song of the year on iHeart radio, most-played song on Mediabase stations, named MusicRow’s Song of The Year, and landed on Billboard’s Best Songs of 2022 list. “’Til You Can’t” is also nominated for Country Song of the Year at the 65th annual Grammy Awards.

2023 Cody Johnson Tour Dates:
1/20 – Lafayette, LA – Cajun Dome
1/21 – Southaven, MS – Landers Center
1/27 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena
1/28 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
2/16 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
2/17 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum Center
2/18 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson Boling Arena
2/25 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
3/3 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial
3/4 – Youngstown, OH – Covelli Centre
3/11 – Arlington, TX – American Rodeo at the American Western Weekend, Half Time performance
3/24 – Dayton, OH – Wright St. University Nutter Center
3/25 – Champaign, IL – State Farm Center
4/14 – Prescott Valley, AZ – Findlay Toyota Center
4/15 – Florence, AZ – Country Thunder AZ
5/18 – Syracuse, NY – The Onecenter
5/19 – Lowell, MA – Tsongas Center
5/20 – Bridgeport, CT – Total Mortgage Arena
5/26 – Lewisburg, WV – State Fair of WV
5/27 – Fairfax, VA – EagleBank Arena
5/28 – Norfolk, VA – Scope Arena Patriotic Festival
6/15 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena
6/16 – Winsted, MN – Winstock Country Music Festival
6/23 – North Platte, NE – Nebraskaland Days
6/24 – Mack, CO – Country Jam
7/15 – Topeka, KS – Country Stampede
7/20 – Twin Lakes, WI – Country Thunder
7/21 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena
7/22 – Cullman, AL – Rock The South
7/28 – Toole, UT – Country Fan Fest
8/5 – Sweet Home, OR – Oregon Jamboree
10/20 – Kissimmee, FL – Country Thunder

Full Coverage Communications Adds Little Big Town & More To Client Roster

Little Big Town. Photo: Blair Getz Mezibov

Full Coverage Communications is capping 2022 with a handful of new client signings as well as two new staff hirings.

New additions to the company’s roster include Little Big Town, as well as Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Kid Harpoon, The Kid LAROI, Michael Buble, Ozuna, and TXT.

Consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook, Little Big Town first came on to the music scene over 20 years ago with songs “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone,” and Grammy-nominated “Little White Church.” The band’s breakthrough albums, Tornado and Pain Killer, produced multiple No. 1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” and “Day Drinking” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of the year “Girl Crush.”

Their 2017 record, The Breaker, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Charts and top 10 on the Billboard 200. The album features their Grammy-winning, multi-week No. 1, “Better Man” as well as the 2019 Grammy-nominated, “When Someone Stops Loving You.” The band’s self-produced ninth studio album Nightfall was released in January 2020 and hit the top of the Billboard Country Charts. The record includes Grammy-nominated “The Daughters,” “Over Drinking,” and “Wine, Beer, Whiskey.”

This past September, the group released their 10th studio album, Mr. Sun, which debuted as the top country album by a group in 2022. From the feel good “Gold,” the poolside vibe of “All Summer,” the sassy “Better Love” and the jig-inducing “Heaven Had A Dance Floor,” to deeper cuts like “Different Without You,” the surprisingly woeful title track, a chilling final goodbye in “One More Song,” and the sobering “Three Whiskeys and the Truth,” the record marks yet another chapter in Little Big Town’s artistry.

They have earned more than 45 award show nominations and taken home nearly 20 awards, including multiple Grammys, AMAs, People’s Choice Awards, CMAs and ACMs, in addition to an Emmy award.

Full Coverage has also added Melissa O’Toole as Director and Avery Robinson as Senior Publicist, both of whom will be based out of the company’s Los Angeles office.

“Adding such an incredible mix of marquee names and breakout superstars to our roster perfectly embodies our strategic media relations approach as we take stock of the tremendous growth the company has experienced in three short years and the hard work and dedication our staff brings to the table each day,” shares Erica Gerard, Managing Partner. “We are thrilled to welcome Melissa and Avery to the team. They have both already hit the ground running, and their combined experience will be key to the continued success of our company.”

Full Coverage Communications, formed in September 2019, is an entertainment public relations and communications strategy firm with teams in Los Angeles and New York. The company’s existing Nashville-based roster includes Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Kings of Leon, and Jimmie Allen.

David Morris To Kick Off 2023 With First Headlining Tour

David Morris. Photo: Kirsten Barnett

Singer-songwriter and rapper David Morris will hit the road early in the new year on his first headlining trek, the “Hometown Heartbreak Tour,” starting Feb. 19 in Gainesville, Florida.

Following his busy year opening for artists such as Jelly Roll and Kidd G, Morris will also serve as support for Russell Dickerson‘s “She Likes It Tour” on select dates in February. Tickets for the “Hometown Heartbreak Tour” are available now at davidmorrisofficial.com.

“I’m beyond excited to be hitting the road this spring,” shares Morris. “There’s no better feeling than being on stage and hearing people sing along to my songs. I can’t wait to meet all my fans and put on one hell of a show!”

2022 has been triumphant year for Morris, seeing him garner 110 million streams with songs including back-to-back hits “Carrying Your Love” and “Dutton Ranch Freestyle.” In his recent self-written single, “Broken Heartland,” he highlights his home state of West Virginia with his unique sound.

New Owners Of Exit/In, AJ Capital Partners, Tap Dan Merker As Lead Talent Buyer

Photo: Courtesy of Zach Nieszczur | Exit/In

Following the news of ownership change at Nashville’s historic Exit/In, the venue’s new management, AJ Capital Partners, has named a new talent buyer in Dan Merker. According to Billboard, the venue has plans of re-opening sometime early next year after its temporary closure on Thanksgiving.

Rather than looking to a large promoter, such as Live Nation, the 51-year old independent venue will utilize an in-house team led by Merker. Charged with overseeing talent buying for all AJ Capital properties, he has previous stops at Outback Presents, HUKA Entertainment and Tortuga Music Festival.

According to the report, AJ Capital Partners acquired the Exit/In, as well as Hurry Back bar, in July 2021 for $6.45 million from Anthony Rentals. The company will officially take over operations of the property on Jan. 1, 2023.

AJ Capital currently owns the Graduate Hotel chain and developed Live Nation’s Nashville office in the Nashville Warehouse Co., as well as the newly opened Nashville headquarters for the Academy of Country Music. The company also owns the Minglewood Hall venue in Memphis; New Orleans’ Joy Theater; The Senate in Columbia, South Carolina.; Houston’s White Oak Music Hall; and Iron City in Birmingham, Alabama.

First opening in 1971 at 2208 Elliston Place, the 500-person capacity venue is one of Music City’s most beloved independently owned venues and played host to tens of thousands of notable acts, including Etta James, Rosanne Cash, Johnny Cash, Linda Rondstadt, Talking Heads, Billy Joel, Muddy Waters, Leonard Cohen, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Willie Nelson, Chuck Berry, Sharon Jones, Kings Of Leon, Lucinda Williams, The Allman Brothers Band, Cage The Elephant, REM, and many more.

In February of 2021, it was announced that the Exit/In property was being listed for sale. Venue owner Chris Cobb, in partnership with Grubb Properties, created a GoFundMe campaign in an attempt to help purchase the property and, in turn, solidify the future of the club. However, none of their bids were accepted.

Ryan Vojtesak Leaps Into Top Five On The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

Ryan Vojtesak

Ryan Vojtesak shoots into the top 5 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week.

Rising from No. 12 up to No. 5, Vojtesak has writing credits on three songs currently on the charts, including “Wasted On You,” “One Thing At A Time” and “You Proof,” all of which are recorded by Morgan Wallen.

Zach Bryan remains in the No. 1 spot for the 13th week in a row. Six of his own songs are currently on the chart, including “Something In The Orange,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” “Sun To Me,” “Fifth Of May,” “The Good I’ll Do” and “Burn, Burn, Burn.” Since he’s the sole writer on each of the tracks, he receives all of the points earned from airplay, digital download track sales and streams on the Songwriter Chart.

Filling out the remainder of the top 5 are Morgan Wallen (No. 2), Ashley Gorley (No. 3) and Ernest Keith Smith (No. 4).

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.