CMA Teams Up With Discovery Education To Launch New STEAM Program

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Photo: Courtesy of CMA and Discovery Education.

CMA has partnered with worldwide EdTech leader Discovery Education to launch “Working in Harmony: Every Voice is Instrumental,” a program designed to encourage students to explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) careers within the country music industry. The educational project focuses on students and educators in grades 3-12 nationwide, and provides an array of no-cost digital resources for students to learn about the many career opportunities offered within the world of country music.

CMA is the first-ever music organization to collaborate with Discovery Education. The multi-year partnership includes standards-aligned resources designed for wherever learning takes place, and intends to show students how country music is driven by bold ideas, diverse professionals and a wide variety of unique STEAM careers. The content seeks to inspire students to become collaborative and forward-thinking leaders by covering career profiles that utilize STEAM skills as well as with classroom activities, instructional supports and family activities.

The first content offering within “Working in Harmony” is a three-part video topic series, “This is STEAM Country!,” which explores live performances and festivals. Each video will be paired with standards-aligned curriculum to strengthen the concepts within each grade band. The video series features Aaron Farmer (Music Director, Florida Georgia Line), Alec Takahashi (Creative Director/Lighting Designer, Thomas Rhett) and Lindsay Bertelli (Owner/President, Reach LLC), who demonstrate how each of their innovative skill sets help bring CMA Fest to life.

“Harmonious collaboration is the key to any successful venture, and we are proud to partner with the Country Music Association and the CMA Foundation to provide the resources needed by educators and students to explore and pursue careers utilizing STEAM skills,” states Discovery Education General Manager of Social Impact Amy Nakamoto.

“Through our partnership with Discovery Education, we are thrilled to deliver these resources directly to students and educators that highlight how our industry professionals embrace powerful STEAM skills to bring country music to fans around the world,” says CMA CEO Sarah Trahern. “As a trade organization representing the country music industry, our role has always been to provide support while also guiding the business through challenges. Our industry has seen firsthand the significant amount of labor loss as a result of the pandemic, as well as the critical need to provide a diverse pipeline of individuals to all areas of the business. This partnership will allow students around the country to learn about the many career opportunities our industry has to offer, and we hope they’ll even become a fan of country music in the process!”

Following today’s (Oct. 12) program premiere, Discovery Education will debut a virtual field trip to be captured during the 56th Annual CMA Awards in November, giving students an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the various elements of the award show. The CMA Awards virtual field trip content and curriculum will launch early next year within the Discovery Education K-12 learning platform with additional content produced throughout the collaboration.

For more information, click here.

Blake Shelton To Leave ‘The Voice’ After 12 Years As A Coach

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Blake Shelton

After 12 years, country superstar Blake Shelton has announced that he will be leaving The Voice after Season 23. Shelton served as a coach on the singing competition’s 22 seasons.

Throughout his 12 years on the show, Shelton’s team has notched eight wins, including Jermaine Paul (Season 2), Cassadee Pope (Season 3), Danielle Bradbery (Season 4), Craig Wayne Boyd (Season 7), Sundance Head (Season 11), Chloe Kohanski (Season 13), Todd Tilghman (Season 18) and Cam Anthony (Season 20).

“I’ve been wrestling with this for a while and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from The Voice after next season,” the decorated entertainer shared on social media. “The show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me.”

Shelton took a moment to share a series of thanks to the entire The Voice team, including NBC, the producers, writers, musicians, crew and catering, as well as longtime host Carson Daly and all of his fellow coaches over the years, including his wife Gwen Stefani.

 

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“I have to give a huge shouts to the singers—the ‘Voices,’ who come on this stage season after season and amaze us with their talent and a special thanks to those who chose me to be their coach,” he continued. “Lastly, it’s about y’all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches, and everyone at The Voice who are chasing our dreams. It would not happen without you!”

Joining Shelton in the coaches chairs for his last season will be Kelly Clarkson, who has previously served as a coach. A few new faces, Niall Horan and Chance The Rapper, will also take a seat in the signature red spinning chairs. It is set to debut in spring of 2023.

Shelton, along with fellow coaches Stefani, Camilla Cabello and John Legend, can be seen on the show’s current season on NBC.

Last Call For ACM New Membership & Renewals

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The ACM’s deadline to apply for new memberships and renew memberships to maintain voting eligibility for the 58th ACM Awards in 2023 is this Friday (Oct. 14).

Those who have not yet submitted their application for ACM Membership must do so before the end of the day on Friday to qualify to obtain or maintain voting eligibility for the 2023 awards. Accepted and active Academy members also gain access to benefits, including early access to tickets for ACM events, discounts on industry partner events, industry data insights, monthly educational and networking events, and more.

To apply online for a membership with the Academy of Country Music, click here.

Ryman Hospitality Properties Announces Leadership Transition Going Into 2023

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Colin Reed & Mark Fioravanti

Ryman Hospitality Properties Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Colin Reed will transition to Executive Chairman of the company after more than 21 years as CEO. President Mark Fioravanti has been appointed to succeed Reed as CEO under the title President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

In Reed’s new role, he will serve as Executive Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) Board of Directors. He will also focus on working with OEG strategic investor Atairos and NBCUniversal to unlock opportunities for value creation; advancing the company’s ESG and diversity, equity and inclusion goals; and community and government affairs. Reed will continue his role with artist and shareholder relations alongside Fioravanti.

“It has been my honor to lead this company for over two decades as we transformed our business into the hospitality and entertainment powerhouse it is today,” Reed notes. “With our businesses operating at record or near-record levels of performance and another strong year on the horizon, this is an ideal time for me to transition into a new role. I would like to thank our employees, board members, shareholders, customers, and our many beloved Opry members for their support and confidence in me over the past 21 years. We have built a truly magnificent business, and I am eager to work toward its continued success in the years ahead.”

Since joining predecessor company Gaylord Entertainment in 2001, Reed has led a strategic reorganization of the company’s holdings. In the following years, the company built a portfolio of hotel assets under the Gaylord Hotels brand, which now includes five of the top 10 largest non-gaming resort and convention center hotels in the United States. In 2012, Reed led the company through its conversion to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) after selling the Gaylord Hotels brand to Marriott International.

In 2002, Reed recruited Fioravanti to join the management team to oversee marketing as the company further refined its Gaylord Hotels brand. His roles included Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Gaylord Entertainment; President of Gaylord Entertainment’s subsidiary ResortQuest; and SVP and Treasurer of Gaylord Entertainment. Fioravanti took on oversight of Finance in 2008 and was promoted to SVP and CFO in 2009 after helping the company successfully navigate the 2008 financial crisis.

As the company’s Executive Vice President and CFO from 2011 to 2015, Fioravanti was instrumental in the 2012 REIT conversion and subsequent value creation. Since then, Fioravanti has overseen initiatives to strengthen the company’s balance sheet, strategically deploy capital for future growth and generate meaningful shareholder returns. He was named President and CFO in 2015.

Fioravanti played an important role in managing the company’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and, most recently, played a leading role in securing a minority interest strategic investor for the company’s growing OEG segment. Fioravanti joined the company’s Board of Directors in February.

“I am grateful to Colin and my fellow Board members for the opportunity to lead Ryman Hospitality Properties,” Fioravanti shares. “I have the privilege of entering this role with a long-tenured management team that shares my passion for these unique businesses. Together with my team, I look forward to continuing to work to shape our vision, support our employees and create value for all our stakeholders.”

Kenny Chesney To Be Featured Guest For CRS 2023’s ‘The Artist Interview’

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Country superstar Kenny Chesney will appear as the featured guest for “The Artist Interview” at CRS 2023. Through an exclusive Q&A session presented by BMI on March 14, Chesney will discuss his career thus far, as well as details on what’s to come. The convention will take place Mar. 13-15, 2023 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Chesney has been the only country artist to appear on Billboard’s Top 10 Touring Acts of the Last 25 Years over the last decade. He has sold a million-plus tickets on each of his full-sized tours since 2003. On his “Here And Now 2022” tour, he performed for over 1.3 million people with 21 stadium shows, following three different tour postponements to respect shifting health protocols.

The eight-time Entertainer of the Year’s last CRS appearance was in 2020 where he was honored for the humanitarian efforts he’s made throughout his career with the CRB Artist Humanitarian Award.

“We’re thrilled to have Kenny join us at CRS ‘23 in March. There’s so much to talk about. He’s been an important and consistently relevant artist for three decades, entertaining millions of fans with a dynamic show that brings his massive catalog of hits to life one stadium at a time. Only a very few artists–from any genre–can claim this achievement, and Kenny Chesney lives in that rare air. We can’t wait for this session at CRS,” says CRS/CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis.

“Music is such an important piece of people’s lives,” Chesney states. “I believe music is medicine. It changes lives, makes a difference and is there every step of the way. I can’t wait to dig in and talk about all these songs, all these moments and the journey to how we got there.”

Registration for CRS 2023 is open now. For more information, click here.

Keith Urban Proves Why He’s An Entertainer Of A Generation At Nashville Stop

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Keith Urban performs at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Brennon Williamson, Courtesy of Guitar Monkey Tours

Keith Urban reminded Nashville of why he’s one of the best entertainers in country music on Friday (Oct. 7) when his “The Speed Of Now World Tour” hit its Bridgestone Arena stop.

Ingrid Andress opened the show. Her set included her breakout hit “More Hearts Than Mine,” songs from her new record Good Person, and a surprise visit from Sam Hunt to perform their collaboration “Wishful Drinking.”

Tyler Hubbard was up next in the bill. He performed songs from his new solo record, such as “Baby Gets Her Lovin’,” “35’s,” “5 Foot 9” and “Dancin’ in the Country.” He also thrilled fans with some FGL material like “Cruise” and “Meant to Be.”

When Urban took the stage, he came out with the loud and energized “Tumbleweed.” It was the beginning of a near 30-song marathon of which Urban never tired of. He went straight into his 2004 hit “Days Go By” before addressing the hometown crowd.

“This is a special night tonight because we’re in Nashville, and we always do things a little different in Nashville,” Urban said. He let the crowd know that theme for the night was “Broadway To The Big Time.”

“A lot of artists in this very town got their start right down there on lower Broadway,” he said. “They’re doing it right now. They’re playing night after night for hours. We did it too.” He then showed a clip of him and his former band The Ranch playing at a club on Nolensville Road in 1997.

Keith Urban and Kayley Green perform at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Brennon Williamson, Courtesy of Guitar Monkey Tours

Later in the night, Urban invited one of Broadway’s talented singers, Kayley Green, to the stage. The bubbly blonde singer gave a hair-raising performance of Martina McBride‘s “Independence Day” before the two sang the Urban-Miranda Lambert duet “We Were Us,” making for one of the best moments of the night.

Green grasped at her heart and beamed at the packed arena as she performed–and she sounded incredible.

Urban’s show was full of hits flanked with special, intimate moments that seemed custom for a Nashville show. One special moment came when Urban noticed a sign in the back of the audience that said “I skipped school for you.” He invited the young girl holding the sign up to join him on stage for a photo.

The highly skilled performer relished in the crowd sing-a-long moments, such as “Wild Hearts,” “Kiss a Girl,” “Long Hot Summer,” and “Somewhere In My Car.” He smiled at fans raising their hands and voices in a transcendent energy exchange.

Keith Urban tributes Loretta Lynn. Photo: Brennon Williamson, Courtesy of Guitar Monkey Tours

In an intimate moment, Urban honored the late Loretta Lynn. “This week we watched one of our honky tonk angels ascend,” he said before playing acoustic versions of “Blue Kentucky Girl” and “You’re Looking at Country.” Photos of the country legend lit up the otherwise dark stage.

In a highlight of the night, Urban invited out country superstar Luke Combs. He did a rendition of his “When It Rains It Pours” with Urban singing along and playing acoustic guitar. Combs then filled in for Eric Church on his and Urban’s “Raise ‘Em Up.”

When Urban made his way to a small satellite stage at the back of the venue, it came as no surprise that he wanted to get closer to the audience. He made himself very acquainted with the faces in the crowd, responding to people’s hoots and hollers and beaming with pride when the audience sang and danced along.

On the small stage, Urban performed a snippet of John Denver‘s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” with his acoustic guitar, as well as “Better Life” and “You’ll Think of Me.” Before he left to go back to the main stage, he signed and handed the guitar to a fan.

When Urban returned for his final few songs, he kicked it off with “Somebody Like You,” complete with a few verses of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” which got some giggles out of him and the band. He then blitzed fans with hits, playing “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “The Fighter” and “Wasted Time,” before closing the show with “Stupid Boy” for the encore.

Urban brings his top-notch show to Savannah, Georgia’s Enmarket Arena on Thursday (Oct. 13).

Derek Wells Elevated To Spirit Music Nashville Vice President, A&R/Production

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Derek Wells

Derek Wells has been promoted to Vice President, A&R/Production at Spirit Music Nashville. The company has also extended its partnership with Wells’ 2 Mix Music.

A native of Nashville, Wells is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and publisher. He is credited on over 100 No. 1 singles for the likes of Maren Morris, Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, Shakira, Kenny Chesney, Scotty McCreery, Carrie Underwood, P!nk, Hardy, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Dolly Parton, and Thomas Rhett.

In 2016, Wells was the youngest person in history to win the ACM Guitar Player of the Year award, and also the youngest to be nominated for the CMA Musician of the Year Award. In 2018, he was named MusicRow Magazine’s Guitar Player of the year and, in 2019, he was awarded his second ACM Guitar Player of the Year honor. Wells is currently a nominee for Musician of the Year at the 56th CMA Awards.

As a producer, Wells recently celebrated his third consecutive No. 1 with Scotty McCreery, the three-week Billboard No. 1 “Damn Strait,” as well as celebrating the release of Maddie & Tae’s Through The Madness, Volume 1 and 2, Danielle Bradbery’s “A Special Place” and the newest single from Hardy, “Wait In The Truck” featuring Lainey Wilson.

“Derek Wells has been an integral part of Spirit Music’s success the last few years,” says Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/CCO, Spirit Music Nashville, Frank Rogers. “Derek is an amazing musician, producer, publisher, friend and mentor to our staff and writers. I am thrilled to promote him to Vice President A&R/Production and to continue our partnership with 2 Mix Music. Here we go again bro!”

“I’m excited to continue this journey with Spirit and the world class team that’s been assembled here,” adds Wells. “Every writer and staff member in our building represents the kind of person that I want to be associated with. We’ve had a great few years and I know how much excitement we all have about our future and the music being made here! Big thanks to Frank Rogers for the leadership and friendship he shows to our team day in and day out. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in crime! Most fun wins!”

Star-Studded Lineup Of Performers & Presenters Unveiled For 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year Celebration

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The performers and presenters for the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year celebration have been unveiled.

The night’s stacked lineup will include solo performances from several of this year’s Artist of the Year honorees, including Alan Jackson, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown and Lainey Wilson. The celebration will also feature a pair of never-before-seen performances: Walker Hayes teaming up with Platinum-selling entertainer Ciara for a world premiere collaboration, and chart-topping singer-songwriter Riley Green taking the stage for a special debut in honor of Luke Combs.

Chris Stapleton, Dan + Shay, Dustin Lynch, Rascal Flatts’ vocalist Gary LeVox, singer-songwriter-producer and author Kelsea Ballerini, Yellowstone star Kelsey Asbille and Shane McAnally have been tapped as presenters for the 90-minute celebration. Additionally, racing legend Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will make a remote presentation to Combs from his annual Dale Jr. Foundation charity event in North Carolina.

The evening’s festivities will take place at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center and will premiere on Friday (Oct. 14) at 8 p.m. CT on CMT.

Hardy Joins Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert As 2023 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Headliner

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Hardy has joined the lineup of headliners for the 11th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Presented by Jim Beam, which is slated for June 1-4 in Panama City Beach, Florida. Taking over Frank Brown Park, Hardy joins Morgan Wallen and Miranda Lambert as the third of four headliners announced for the 2023 festival.

“My publicist won’t allow me to cuss to express how excited we are about how this lineup is coming together,” jokes Executive Producer Rendy Lovelady. “We’ve already sold more tickets–way more tickets–than any year this far out from the festival, and I can’t wait to see what happens when our Jammers hear about Hardy and the rest of our lineup!”

Tickets for next year’s festival are currently available at GulfCoastJam.com. Sky Boxes, Side Stage, Super VIP, and all parking passes are already sold out for 2023, but a limited number of VIP pit passes are still available.

“We’re incredibly excited about the addition of Hardy to this already amazing lineup,” adds Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam COO Mark Sheldon. “We are also tempering this exciting news and the incredible response we’re having to next year’s festival with the fact that many of our friends and neighbors are dealing with aftermath of this awful hurricane.”

Further lineup details for the 11th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam will be announced in the coming weeks.

Weekly Register: Tyler Childers Makes Top Country Album & Song Debut

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RCA’s Tyler Childers makes the top country album debut this week with his three-part Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven record. The new project takes the No. 3 spot with 27K in total first-week consumption (16K album only/13 million song streams). The album’s title track, which also notches the top debut on the country streaming songs chart, comes in at No. 85 with 2.1 million streams, according to Luminate data.

Higher up on the top country streaming songs chart, everything remains the same for a third consecutive week. Zach Bryan claims No. 1 with “Something In The Orange” gaining 15 million streams. Morgan Wallen‘s “You Proof” follows in No. 2 adding 10 million streams, while his “Wasted On You” remains at No. 5 with 7.6 million streams. Luke Combs maintains the third position with “The Kind Of Love We Make” tacking on 9.8 million streams, and Bailey Zimmerman‘s “Rock And A Hard Place” keeps the fourth spot with 9 million streams.

On the album’s side, Wallen’s blockbuster Dangerous: The Double Album unsurprisingly claims the top spot, adding 46K in total consumption (1.5K album only/56 million song streams). Bryan’s American Heartbreak remains at No. 2 with 28K, and Combs’ Growin’ Up keeps its spot at No. 4 with 16.5K in total consumption. Taylor Swift jumps up to close out the top five as Red (Taylor’s Version) notches 16K in total consumption.