Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa Destination Event Returns

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Four-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan, along with CID Presents, announces the fourth-annual Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa, an all-inclusive concert vacation set for Jan. 17-20, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The Caribbean beach vacation, which has sold out for the past three years, features Bryan headlining two of the four nightly concerts, with additional performers to be announced soon.

“Kicking the year off on the beach with an amazing backdrop, good ol’ country music and watching the fans have the time of their life…yes I’m in!” said Bryan.

“We are thrilled to announce our fourth year at Crash My Playa. As many of the Playa Crashers already know, it’s going to be an amazing time filled with great music, a beautiful site, and passionate, fun-loving country music fans,” said Dan Berkowitz of CID Presents. “We look forward to welcoming back returning guests, and are excited to meet those joining us for the first time.”

Fans can stay at the event’s host resort, the Barceló Maya, or opt for one of several all-inclusive tropical resorts with daily onsite activities, offsite adventures like deep sea fishing, zip-lining, and ATV tours, excursions including day trips to Tulum, official Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa merchandise packages, and more.

Citi is the official card of Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa. Citi cardmembers will have access to all-inclusive packages via a special pre sale through Citi’s Private Pass Program beginning Tuesday, May 23 at 1pm EST. For complete Citi pre-sale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com. Members of Luke’s fan club, Luke’s fan app and previous Crash My Playa guests will have access to pre sale packages on Tuesday May 23 at 1pm EST. The public on sale will be Wednesday, May 24 at 1pm EST.

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Sing at Donald Trump Event

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Gatlin (L) with Trump (R)

(Larry Gatlin (L) hosted a campaign for Presidential candidate Donald Trump in Franklin, Tennessee, on Sat., Oct. 3.

Larry Gatlin And The Gatlin Brothers were the special guest performers for Presidential candidate Donald Trump during his visit to Middle Tennessee on Sat., Oct. 3. In front of a packed house at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee, the band performed the national anthem along with several of their hit songs before Trump took the stage.

“I was the MC and the brothers and I sang at the Donald Trump event over the weekend in Nashville. It was good to see my old friend, Donald,” Gatlin said. “I honored my commitment to Governor Bush and Governor Huckabee, also old friends, that I would not tell anybody who to vote for—I do not have the right to do that. I would advise everyone to do their homework. Listen, read, study, pray… then vote their hearts. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

To see a video clip courtesy of The Tennessean, click here.

Nielsen Teams With atVenu To Track Music Sales at Concerts

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nielsenNielsen and atVenu, the provider of a mobile and web-based solution used by artists to manage merchandise logistics while on tour, today (July 8) announced a new collaboration that for the first time will allow artists to digitally report their venue sales to Nielsen’s music reporting tools, including Nielsen SoundScan, the industry-standard for music sales measurement.

Beginning Friday July 10, to coincide with the new Friday Global Release Date, atVenu will become Nielsen’s preferred venue sales data provider and automatically submit all venue sales recorded in the atVenu app directly to Nielsen.

By providing daily venue sales to Nielsen, atVenu will enable faster verification of venue sales and alignment with the new Friday-to-Thursday sales cycle for charts. The atVenu app is the only way to deliver venue sales in a digital format to Nielsen.

atvenu logo“We’re very excited to announce this new venue sales reporting solution,” said Billy Law, Nielsen’s VP Content and Business Development for its Nielsen Entertainment group. “For a long time we’ve wanted to report venue sales on the same Sales Cycle as all of the other music sales information we collect for the industry, and this collaboration with atVenu will allow us to do that in time for the new Friday Global Release Date on July 10.”

Nielsen’s music reporting services will be available via atVenu to all artists, signed and independent, in the U.S. and Canada. For labels managing multiple artist accounts, a free dashboard will be available, allowing users to manage accounts, track sales and get a better view into the sales data pipeline.

“Since launch of the atVenu platform, we’ve managed the merchandise and music sales data for over 2,500 artists at more than 65,000 concerts,” said Ben Brannen, Co-Founder and President of atVenu. “We know how important SoundScan reporting is to our artists and their teams. This exciting collaboration revolutionizes how venue music sales are reported by providing artists with an easy-to-use solution that increases both accuracy and transparency of their data.”

atVenu’s Nielsen reporting service will go live on July 10, 2015. For more information, visit www.atvenu.com/soundscan.

Paisley Plays Surprise Concert for Military Stationed in Afghanistan

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Brad Paisley performs for U.S. troops at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. (Pete Souza/The White House)


Brad Paisley boarded Air Force One on Saturday night (May 24) with President Obama, and made an overnight flight to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. The unannounced trip allowed Paisley to surprise US troops with a one-hour acoustic concert on Memorial Day.
The singer-songwriter referred to the event as “the honor of my life” as he performed for about 3,000 U.S. Troops stationed in Afghanistan. President Obama also spoke, thanking the troops for their extraordinary service and also met with military commanders and visited wounded troops in the base hospital.

MusicRow Reveals Rising Women Honorees

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MusicRow is proud to announce the inaugural Rising Women on the Row honors will be presented to Mary Hilliard Harrington, Shannan Hatch, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens and Carla Wallace.

“It’s an honor to recognize these five accomplished women who have made such substantial contributions to the Nashville music industry, and continue to rise in their achievements,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “We are fortunate to be able to offer an event where we can gather to celebrate these honorees, as well as salute all women in our industry, whose efforts greatly contribute to its success.”

This year’s honorees will be feted at a private sit-down breakfast and ceremony set for Friday, March 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s Little Italy. Due to high demand, no additional tickets are available at this time. To be put on a waiting list, email tickets@musicrow.com.

The Rising Women on the Row breakfast joins other annual events hosted by MusicRow, including the CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, and the reader-voted MusicRow Awards.

Mary Hilliard Harrington

Mary Hilliard Harrington—President, The GreenRoom
Harrington’s self-built publicity company reps major stars including Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, and many more. Her multifaceted office also handles day-to-day management for Bentley. She serves on the Country Music Association board of directors, and the Academy of Country Music board of directors.

Shannan Hatch

Shannan Hatch—Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, SESAC
During her tenure with SESAC, Hatch has signed hit songwriters including Monty Powell, Craig Campbell, Jon Stone and Rob Hatch. She joined the organization in 2002 and was promoted to her current post in January 2011. Hatch also handles SESAC-sponsored events including Tin Pan South, and the Key West Songwriters Festival. She is involved with the Miller Harris Foundation and Musicians On Call.

Heather McBee

Heather McBee—Vice President, Artist Development/Marketing & Web Initiatives, Sony Music Nashville
McBee strives to find innovative ways to market Sony Music artists, and works to guide the label group through the digital music space. She interned with the label while attending Belmont University and has risen through the ranks. McBee was promoted to her current post in December 2011. She is also a Leadership Music alumna.

Denise Stevens

Denise Stevens—Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb
Stevens’ legal work includes drafting The Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act for client NSAI, as well as due diligence review and analysis of Warner Music Group’s sale to Access Industries. Her clients include Carrie Underwood, Wynonna, Loretta Lynn, Amy Grant, Third Day and Switchfoot. She is a Leadership Music alumna, and serves on the GMA Foundation board.

Carla Wallace

Carla Wallace—Co-Owner, VP Creative, Big Yellow Dog Music
Wallace oversees day-to-day operations of this publishing company, which she launched in 1998 with co-owner Kerry O’Neil. In recent years, the company scored big with landmark hits “Need You Now” and “Before He Cheats.” Big Yellow Dog received ASCAP’s Global Impact Award in 2011. Wallace is a Leadership Music alumna, and is involved with NARAS and the Nashville Humane Association.

Big Yellow Dog Music Launches Label

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Successful publishing company Big Yellow Dog Music has launched a label side, and its first release will be songwriter Logan Mize’s debut album Nobody In Nashville. Co-produced by Mize and fellow Big Yellow Dog songwriter Daniel Tashian, Nobody In Nashville is due out March 13.

“I definitely don’t try to think about other artists when I’m writing,” says Mize. “I want to pull straight from my own head, I keep it my own for sure.”

A native of Wichita, KS, Mize played football at Southern Illinois University before he began writing songs. He juggled pay-the-rent jobs  after moving to Nashville, eventually landing his publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog. Co-writers on Nobody In Nashville include Tashian, Liz Rose, Mark D. Sanders, Bob DiPiero, and Blake Chaffin.

Kip Moore Sets Release Date For Debut Album

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Singer-songwriter Kip Moore will release his MCA Nashville debut album Up All Night on April 24. Brett James produced the release, and Moore co-wrote every song on the collection including his top-20 single, “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck.”

“The song doing great is a huge accomplishment, but the fact that I’m getting to release a whole record, something I’ve put so much energy into over the years, is the biggest accomplishment in my music career thus far,” says Moore. “I am so excited for people to get a chance to hear this record because I feel like it is an emotional record and I want to be able to move people like the records moved me growing up.”

Moore grew up in Tifton, GA. and has written many songs from experiences in his youth, including his current single. “Reckless (Growing Up)” is a semi-autobiographical journey from Georgia to Nashville and his “Faith When I Fall” was penned the day after Moore was offered his record deal. The album also features “Drive Me Crazy,” “Crazy One More Time” and “Hey Pretty Girl.”

Moore will join Billy Currington and David Nail on tour later in March. Moore is also partnering with Red Bull for multiple Spring Break Bash appearances in Panama City Beach, FL., including two Walmart appearances (March 5 and 12) and two full-band club shows.

More on Moore below:

YouTube video

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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There are plenty of songs that make us feel something, but occasionally one rises above the rest to become a rallying cry. Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” is one of those songs.

The song (written by Ben Hayslip, Sonya Isaacs, and Jimmy Yeary) is now occupying the CountryBreakout No. 1 spot after a 30-plus week climb, which speaks to its durability in the marketplace. McBride tackles the always-tough subject of breast cancer, telling the story of a woman whose husband and family is there to support her every step of the way, from diagnosis to surgery and then recovery. Cancer patients and survivors adopted the anthem as their own, and McBride even took a cross-country Amtrak tour to raise awareness for breast cancer while promoting the release of her Republic Nashville debut Eleven.

“I’m Gonna Love You Through It” also garnered industry accolades, including a Grammy nomination for Best Solo Country Performance. McBride is also currently nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 1.

Weekly Chart Report (3/2/2012)

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Martina McBride, who currently has the CountryBreakout No. 1 song with "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," recently played the BOK Center in Tulsa and visited with Vanessa Valli of KWEY/Weatherford, OK.

SPIN ZONE
There is considerable chart movement in the post Country Radio Seminar shuffle, resulting in a new CountryBreakout No. 1 song for Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” Martina’s anthem of devotion actually has a slight down-tick in spins, but more than enough to stay on top as older singles rotate out. Making a big leap to No. 2 from 7 is Lady Antebellum’s “Dancin’ Away With My Heart,” thanks to a 226 spin gain. Taylor Swift’s “Ours” is up to No. 3, followed by Blake Shelton’s “Drink On It” and Jake Owen’s “Alone With You.”

Capitol’s Luke Bryan and EMI Nashville’s Eric Church also excel in the spins department, each tacking on an additional 500-plus plays for “Drunk On You” and “Springsteen,” respectively. And somehow Carrie Underwood trumps them both, as her new single “Good Girl” picks up nearly 1000 spins to debut at No. 29–one of our highest chart bows ever. Underwood and team smartly debuted the song during CRS and programmers are responding favorably as they freshen their lists. Also getting big spin gains are Rascal Flatts’ “Banjo” at No. 9, Zac Brown Band’s “No Hurry” at No. 14 and Jason Aldean’s “Fly Over States” at No. 16.

Underwood’s debut leads a whole pack of new entries, including Easton Corbin’s “Lovin’ You Is Fun” at No. 69. Also appearing are Darryl Worley’s “You Still Got It” at No. 75, Jon Wolfe’s “I Don’t Dance” at No. 78, Kix Brooks’ “New To This Town” at No. 79, and Shooter Jennings’ “The Deed and the Dollar” at No. 80. Right outside the Top 80, poised to debut next week are Matt Kennon’s “You Had To Pick On Me,” and The McClymonts’ “I Could Be A Cowboy.”

Frozen Playlists: KBCR, KVVP, KYKX, KZTL KZZY WAAG, WZMR

Upcoming Singles
March 5
James Wesley/Walking Contradiction/Broken Bow
Hunter Hayes/Wanted/Atlantic/WMN
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/R&J
David Nail/The Sound of a Million Dreams/MCA
Kentucky Headhunters/Great Acoustics/Red Dir

March 12
Sonia Leigh/Bar/Southern Ground/Quarterback
Glen Templeton/Sing That Song Again/Black River
Josh Abbot Band/Touch/PDT
Joanna Smith/We Can’t Be Friends/Columbia

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista – 29
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury – 69
Darryl Worley/You Still Got It/Tenacity – 75
Jon Wolfe/I Don’t Dance – 78
Kix Brooks/New To This Town/Arista – 79
Shooter Jennings/The Deed And The Dollar/eOne – 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista – 987
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville – 517
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol – 501
Jason Aldean/Fly Over States/Broken Bow – 388
Rascal Flatts/Banjo/Big Machine – 276

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista — 64
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 25
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville — 14
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury — 13
Thompson Square/Glass/Stoney Creek — 13
Thomas Rhett/Something To Do With My Hands/Valory — 11
Kix Brooks/New To This Town/Arista — 11
Dustin Lynch/Cowboys And Angels/Broken Bow Records — 8
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/R & J Records — 8

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Matt Kennon/You Had To Pick On Me/Roaddawg – 191
The McClymonts/I Could Be A Cowboy/BSM Music – 188
Levi Riggs/My Best Friend’s A Girl/Windridge Records – 188
One Night Rodeo/We Could Go To Jail / – 167
Acklen Park/Great American Song/Otter Rapids Music – 156

Country artists donated their time Feb. 24-25 in Blytheville, AR performing for the 32nd Annual ESA St. Jude Country Cares For Kids sponsored by KHLS/96.3 FM, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and Ritter Communication. This year over $215,000 was raised. (L-R): (kneeling) Coty and Clinton Walker from The Walker Bros.; (Seated on couch): Jason Green, Chuck Wilder, Tiffany Sykes, Steve Southard and David Adam Byrnes; (upper couc): Dana Ham, Kelly McGrath, Kacey Smith, and Christine Moore; (Back row): CJ Wilder, Mark Wayne Glasmire, Bob Logan Buddy Jewell, Darren Warren, Mike Lester, Debbie Polk, Tom Hill and Sean Patrick McGraw

Arista Nashville’s Kix Brooks recently hosted the WYCD/Detroit 10 Man Jam Guitar Pull. Brooks is supporting his new single, “New To this Town,” featuring Eagles’ guitarist Joe Walsh. The single debuted at No. 79 on the CountryBreakout chart this week. (L-R): Jack Shell (WYCD MD), Tim Roberts (WYCD OM/PD), Kix Brooks and Renee Leymon (Arista Nashville Promotions)

Young Guns Publishing Opens With Six Writers

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L-R: (front) Phoebe Sharp, Kimberly Paige, Weston Burt. (back) Jeff Garrison, Ben Reno, Tripp Weir.

Ramblin’ Music opened its doors in Nashville in October 2011, and its Young Guns Publishing division has launched with six songwriters. Company president Cliff Downs announced the initial Young Guns roster will include Ramblin’ flagship artist Weston Burt, plus Ben Reno, Phoebe Sharp, Kimberly Paige and Gimm & Icky duo members Jeff Garrison and Tripp Weir.

“The idea for Young Guns Publishing was born out of a dinner with Ramblin’ Music founders Gene and Donna Brooks,” said Downs, who also serves as Creative Director. “The more they got into this business, the more they wanted to get involved with young talent and help them fulfill their dreams.”

All of the Young Guns Publishing writers are also artists who perform in Nashville and on the road. The group represents multiple genres of music, whose songs will be both pitched to other artists as well as set aside for their own future recording projects. “This group of writers is not only incredibly diverse, the passion they have for their craft is just incredible,” added Downs.

Ramblin’ Music was co-founded by Atlanta business couple Gene and Donna Brooks in Fall 2011. The company is located in Nashville at 1105 16th Ave S, Suite A. Inquiries regarding artist and songwriter signings can be directed to info@ramblinmusic.com.