Pictured (L-R): Brandon Gill, Manager, Creative Nation; Julie Behr Sturdivant, Sr. VP, Marbaloo Marketing; Steve Moakler, Artist & Songwriter; Beth Laird, Co-Owner, Creative Nation; Haley Montgomery, Manager Awards & Membership; ACM.
The Academy of Country Music has unveiled the upcoming calendar event list for industry leaders. ACM Membership now offers webinars and in-person events, as well as case studies, with a mission to provide key learnings, professional development, and enrichment within the country music industry.
Upcoming exclusive ACM Membership events include Your Real Social Network: A Conversation with Diversify the Stage About Equity and Relationships in the Music Business. The event will feature a conversation among leaders in the music and touring industry on the short and long-term importance of building a diverse network in the music industry. The panel will highlight the power of intention, interconnection, and the importance of relationships to career building. This event will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Another upcoming event is Presented by ACM Lifting Lives: A Community Wellness Event for the Music Industry. ACM Lifting Lives will put the spotlight on taking time for a break and focusing on mental health. This event will be held in November with more details to come in the following weeks.
“The Academy is honored to have the opportunity to partner with artists, industry members and respected organizations across the country music landscape to continue expanding benefits while creating deeper value for our members through these new initiatives,” says VP of Artist and Industry Relations, Governance and Board Administration at the Academy of Country Music, Tommy Moore. “It truly takes a community to make these events happen and is a testament to the hard work of the entire team. We are excited to continue to develop these events and offerings, in efforts to elevate and better serve our membership.”
Past events include, A Case Study in Success as an Independent Artist: featuring Steve Moakler, which was hosted both in-person and livestreamed on Tuesday, Sept. 21. The panel discussed Moakler’s journey the success he’s found by super-serving a passionate group of fans versus appealing to the masses. Panelists included Brandon Gill, Manager, Creative Nation; Julie Behr Sturdivant, Sr. VP, Marbaloo Marketing; Beth Laird, Co-Owner, Creative Nation; and Haley Montgomery, Manager Awards & Membership, ACM.
Pictured: Lainey Wilson, Austin Jenckes, and Randall Foster.
Another previous event was NashFilm & ACM Presents: From Country Hits to Sync Success with Lainey Wilson, which was held on Saturday, Oct. 2. The event featured a conversation with hit songwriters and new and emerging country artists about diversifying songwriting strategies, what it means to write a country hit, and how to shift gears and write a song that works for placement in film, television, and gaming. Panelists included Wilson and Austin Jenckes, as well as songwriters Micah Wilshire & Jennifer Hanson, and moderator Randall Foster of Symphonic Distribution
New ACM membership applications and existing membership renewals are open now through Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. CT in order to vote during the 2021 Awards cycle, as well as gain access to this fall’s exclusive events and educational panels. To apply online for Academy of Country Music membership, click here.
Fisk Jubilee Singers To Celebrate 150 Years With Ryman Benefit
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Fisk Jubilee Singers photographed in Jubilee Hall at Fisk University on Oct. 29, 2020. Photo: Bill Steber and Pat Casey Daley.
The Fisk Jubilee Singers are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the ensemble with a special benefit concert at the Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 11.
The show will feature performances of their traditional repertoire of spirituals with a lineup of talent, including Jason Eskridge, Ruby Amanfu, Natalie Hemby, Brassville, Rissi Palmer, Kyla Jade, Tommy Sims, Starlito, Curt Chambers and Dr. Bobby Jones. Marcia Dyson, founder of Women’s Global Institute, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies while Shannon Sanders, the Grammy, Emmy and Dove award-winning producer, will serve as co-musical director for the concert with Musical Director and Fisk Jubilee Singer Alumnus Dr. Paul T. Kwami. Tickets are available for purchase now.
“This has been an extraordinary year, and we are so excited about the future of the Fisk Jubilee Singers,” says Dr. Jens Frederiksen, Executive Vice President, Fisk University. “The voices of the Fisk Jubilee Singers have inspired generations across the country and the world, and today’s ensemble continues to exemplify everything that makes Fisk University such a special place.”
Earlier this year, the Fisk Jubilee Singers received their first Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album, making Fisk University the first Historically Black College & University to receive that honor. They were also honored with the Rhapsody and Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music, and a Dove Award nomination.
“Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Fisk Jubilee Singers is an incredible milestone,” adds Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “We are honored to support this event and the singers who first started exporting music from Music City all those years ago.”
The Fisk Jubilee Singers were organized as a choral ensemble in 1871, playing an important role in introducing and sustaining the tradition of the Negro spiritual. The ensemble traveled throughout the world in the 1800s, singing songs that were sacred to them and raising money to support Nashville’s Fisk University. The ensemble is comprised of Fisk University students, who are selected annually through an audition process.
ACM Launches Webinars, Industry-Focused Events As New Membership Benefit
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Brandon Gill, Manager, Creative Nation; Julie Behr Sturdivant, Sr. VP, Marbaloo Marketing; Steve Moakler, Artist & Songwriter; Beth Laird, Co-Owner, Creative Nation; Haley Montgomery, Manager Awards & Membership; ACM.
The Academy of Country Music has unveiled the upcoming calendar event list for industry leaders. ACM Membership now offers webinars and in-person events, as well as case studies, with a mission to provide key learnings, professional development, and enrichment within the country music industry.
Upcoming exclusive ACM Membership events include Your Real Social Network: A Conversation with Diversify the Stage About Equity and Relationships in the Music Business. The event will feature a conversation among leaders in the music and touring industry on the short and long-term importance of building a diverse network in the music industry. The panel will highlight the power of intention, interconnection, and the importance of relationships to career building. This event will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Another upcoming event is Presented by ACM Lifting Lives: A Community Wellness Event for the Music Industry. ACM Lifting Lives will put the spotlight on taking time for a break and focusing on mental health. This event will be held in November with more details to come in the following weeks.
“The Academy is honored to have the opportunity to partner with artists, industry members and respected organizations across the country music landscape to continue expanding benefits while creating deeper value for our members through these new initiatives,” says VP of Artist and Industry Relations, Governance and Board Administration at the Academy of Country Music, Tommy Moore. “It truly takes a community to make these events happen and is a testament to the hard work of the entire team. We are excited to continue to develop these events and offerings, in efforts to elevate and better serve our membership.”
Past events include, A Case Study in Success as an Independent Artist: featuring Steve Moakler, which was hosted both in-person and livestreamed on Tuesday, Sept. 21. The panel discussed Moakler’s journey the success he’s found by super-serving a passionate group of fans versus appealing to the masses. Panelists included Brandon Gill, Manager, Creative Nation; Julie Behr Sturdivant, Sr. VP, Marbaloo Marketing; Beth Laird, Co-Owner, Creative Nation; and Haley Montgomery, Manager Awards & Membership, ACM.
Pictured: Lainey Wilson, Austin Jenckes, and Randall Foster.
Another previous event was NashFilm & ACM Presents: From Country Hits to Sync Success with Lainey Wilson, which was held on Saturday, Oct. 2. The event featured a conversation with hit songwriters and new and emerging country artists about diversifying songwriting strategies, what it means to write a country hit, and how to shift gears and write a song that works for placement in film, television, and gaming. Panelists included Wilson and Austin Jenckes, as well as songwriters Micah Wilshire & Jennifer Hanson, and moderator Randall Foster of Symphonic Distribution
New ACM membership applications and existing membership renewals are open now through Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. CT in order to vote during the 2021 Awards cycle, as well as gain access to this fall’s exclusive events and educational panels. To apply online for Academy of Country Music membership, click here.
Barry Waldrep Honors Tony Rice With Tribute Featuring Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, More
/by Lorie HollabaughBluegrass instrumentalist and producer Barry Waldrep is releasing a special tribute to bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice. The 21-song project, Barry Waldrep and Friends Celebrate Tony Rice, will be available everywhere on Dec. 24 and features an all-star lineup of bluegrass, Americana, and country royalty.
Among some of the guests on the upcoming project are Rodney Crowell, Jim Lauderdale, Warren Haynes, and Oteil Burbridge, alongside Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Spooner Oldham and Patrick Simmons and country’s Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris.
“Music knows no boundaries and Tony created so many great examples of that. When you cross the line of other genres, that’s when you expand the audience and turn people on to other styles that they would not normally be interested in,” says Waldrep. “The intent of this album and the artists involved is to show what a powerhouse master Tony Rice was at bringing musicians and fans together from different genres. All of these artists knew the music of Tony Rice very well – artists from classic and southern rock royalty to heavy metal, Americana, country and roots gospel. Also included are some of the greatest musicians and harmony singers in the business that were influenced by Tony as well.”
Rice was one of the most influential and beloved musicians in all of bluegrass and Americana music. After he passed away in late 2020, his songs and stylings continue to live on in the musicians he inspired.
Barry Waldrep and Friends Celebrate Tony Rice Track List:
Why You Been Gone So Long – Featuring Jimmy Hall
Song For The Life – Featuring Rodney Crowell
10 Degrees and Getting Colder – Featuring Darrell Scott
Blue Railroad Train – Featuring Marty Raybon
Walk On Boy – Featuring Mike Farris
Early Morning Rain – Featuring Kim Richey
Wayfaring Stranger – Featuring Warren Haynes
I’ll Stay Around – Featuring Vince Gill
Song For A Winter Night – Featuring Radney Foster
EMD – Featuring Barry Waldrep, Tammy Rogers, John Jorgenson and John Cowan
You Were There For Me – Featuring Teresa Williams and Larry Cambell
Church Street Blues – Featuring Jim Lauderdale
This Old House – Featuring John Berry
9 Pound Hammer – Featuring Pat Simmons
Four Strong Winds – Featuring John Paul White
More Pretty Girls Than One – Featuring Jacob Bunton
Summer Wages – Featuring Barry Waldrep, Tammy Rogers, Spooner Oldham
It’s Cold On The Shoulder – Featuring John Jorgenson
Bury Me Beneath The Willow – Featuring Rory Feek
Where The Soul Never Dies – Featuring Donna Hall and Kelli Johnson
Me And My Guitar – Featuring John Cowan
Alan Jackson Warms Hearts With Hits And Stories At Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
/by LB CantrellAlan Jackson at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Katie Kauss
Fans gathered to celebrate one of country music’s giants this weekend. Country Music Hall of Fame member Alan Jackson commanded the Bridgestone stage with charisma and pride during his hit-filled set on Friday night (Oct. 8).
After an entertaining opening set from James Carothers, who often plays at Jackson’s downtown establishment AJ’s Good Time Bar, Jackson came out swinging. He kicked things off with “Gone Country” and “Summertime Blues,” and played many of his the 35 No. 1 hits. He grinned ear to ear as he surveyed the crowd, constantly putting his hand to his heart to show his appreciation for the fans.
During a special portion of the show, Jackson took a seat on a stool and introduced some hits with their corresponding stories—just like he was at the Bluebird Cafe. Ultimately, Jackson expressed a ton of gratitude for his long and fruitful career.
“I’m not trying to brag, I just want to say thanks to people like y’all who have supported my music. It’s been a crazy ride,” he said before playing his first-ever hit “Here In The Real World.”
Jackson took us on a journey through his early days on Music Row before telling the crowd the story of his father’s radio that inspired the first line of “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow.”
The lauded performer was presented with a plaque for garnering 5 billion streams on Pandora during the show. UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan, Cindy Mabe and Annie Ortmeier joined Jackson on stage, along with Pandora’s Alina Thompson and Jen Danielson, to present the Hall of Famer with a commemorative plaque.
“I wish mama could have heard that. She wouldn’t have known what I was talking about,” Jackson humbly said before thrilling fans with “Pop a Top.”
Alan Jackson at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Katie Kauss
Also among Jackson’s setlist were his fun “Good Time” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” as well as some of his deeper material like “Remember When” and “Drive (For Daddy Gene).”
During “Little Bitty” Jackson noticed his young fans in the crowd, including a kid at his first concert. Bridgestone roared for “Chattahoochee,” holding up t-shirts that said “hotter than a hoochie coochie.” They swayed and cried to “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” holding up their cell-phone lighters.
During another portion of the show, Jackson invited his daughter Ali out to sing “You’ll Always Be My Baby,” a song from his new album Where Have You Gone. Family photos flashed behind the two as they sang the touching song.
Jackson closed the heartwarming show with a double encore of “Mercury Blues” and “Where Have You Gone,” his yearning anthem to traditional country music.
The crowd ate up every word.
Patrick Droney’s “State Of The Heart Tour” Set For February
/by Lorie HollabaughWarner Records’ singer-songwriter Patrick Droney has some big plans for the new year as he will embark on his extensive 26-city “State Of The Heart Tour” beginning in February.
The cross-country trek kicks off on Feb. 11 in Dallas and runs through April 1 in Vancouver, with Droney hitting every corner of the U.S. and Canada. Along the way, he will make headlining stops at famed venues like New York City’s Irving Plaza and Los Angeles’s The Fonda Theatre. Artist pre-sale begins on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. local time, followed by the general on sale on Friday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. local.
Droney is also set to perform to a sold out crowd at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on Wednesday, Oct. 20 in support of his recently released State of the Heart: Deluxe Edition. The extended version of his debut full-length release features five new recordings and is available now.
Reba To Launch Multi-City Tour Kicking Off In November
/by Lorie HollabaughReba McEntire will return to the road on Nov. 26 on the “Reba: Live In Concert” tour. Brandy Clark, Hannah Dasher, Caylee Hammack, Reyna Roberts, Cailtyn Smith, Brittney Spencer and Tenille Townes will join the multi-Grammy winning entertainer on various dates throughout the run.
Traveling around the country through March 19, McEntire will make stops in Knoxville, Pittsburgh, Birmingham, Green Bay, Atlantic City, and many more.
Tickets for the shows go on sale Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. local time at reba.com and livenation.com. Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets from Oct. 12-14 through Citi Entertainment.
The country music icon recently released her new three-part box set, Revived, Remixed, Revisited, and will host a special Amazon Music livestream event tomorrow (Oct. 12). Additionally, on Thursday (Oct. 14), she will perform two songs and share more behind the release on TODAY, beginning at 8 a.m. local time on NBC.
“Reba: Live in Concert” Tour Dates:
11/26 Choctaw Casino & Resort, Durant, OK – The Grand Theater
11/27 Choctaw Casino & Resort, Durant, OK – The Grand Theater
1/13 Evansville, IN – Ford Center *with Caylee Hammack
1/14 Huntsville, AL – Von Braun Center Arena *with Caylee Hammack
1/15 Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena *with Caylee Hammack
1/20 Toledo, OH – Huntington Center *with Hannah Dasher
1/21 Green Bay, WI – Resch Center *with Hannah Dasher
1/22 Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center *with Hannah Dasher
1/27 Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena *with Caitlyn Smith
1/28 Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena *with Caitlyn Smith
1/29 Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena *with Caitlyn Smith
2/3 Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center Omaha *with Brandy Clark
2/4 Springfield, MO – JQH Arena *with Brandy Clark
2/5 North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena *with Brandy Clark
2/17 Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena *with Brittney Spencer
2/18 Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Event Center *with Brittney Spencer
2/19 Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center *with Brittney Spencer
2/24 Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at the BJCC *with Tenille Townes
2/25 Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum *with Tenille Townes
2/26 Bossier City, LA – Brookshire Grocery Arena *with Tenille Townes
3/4 Mashantucket, CT – Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino
3/5 Mashantucket, CT – Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino
3/17 Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena *with Reyna Roberts
3/18 Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center *with Reyna Roberts
3/19 Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena *with Reyna Roberts
SOURCE Holds Virtual Hall Of Fame Awards Honoring 20 Female Trailblazers [Exclusive]
/by LB CantrellSOURCE Awards Co-Hosts Jeannie Seely and Shannon McCombs. Photo: Bev Moser
SOURCE Nashville recently held its 18th Annual Hall of Fame Awards virtually from the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Co-hosted by Grand Ole Opry member Jeannie Seely and Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame Awards inductee, Shannon McCombs, this year’s event posthumously inducted 20 female trailblazers in the country music industry.
Presented by Springer Mountain Farms, the event was produced by Erica Rosa and Sheree Spoltore. A video of the ceremony is available on SOURCE Nashville’s YouTube channel.
SOURCE Hall of Fame inductees are nominated and inducted based on peer recommendations, biographies, accomplishments, reputation, the number of years each individual has worked within the entertainment industry, and level of community involvement. Next year’s induction ceremony will be in person on Aug. 23, 2022.
The 2021 inductees included:
Opry Entertainment Group Updates Artist & Label Strategy And WSM Radio Teams
/by Lydia FarthingJenn Tressler, Anna Lemme, Kelly Sutton
Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) has announced updates to its Artist & Label Strategy and WSM Radio teams.
Jenn Tressler has been promoted to Artist & Label Strategy Senior Manager. Since joining the team last year, she has a strong understanding of the opportunities for the Opry’s artists and label partners across the OEG portfolio of brands.
OEG has also added Anna Lemme as an Artist & Label Strategy Manager, reporting to Jordan Pettit, Director of Artist Relations & Programming Strategy. She has been with the company for several years, working on marketing partnerships and artist support for the Ole Red brand.
As previously announced, the WSM Radio Team has added Kelly Sutton to co-host and serve as entertainment reporter for Coffee, Country & Cody. She will report to J.P. Tinnell who was recently promoted to General Manager and Content Director.
“We are thrilled to announce these additions and promotions within our teams,” says Scott Bailey, President of Opry Entertainment Group. “These investments will allow us to further set our assets apart and offer artists more opportunities to partner with our family of brands.”
The team is also recruiting a Talent Buyer for the Ole Red brand. For more information and to apply, click here.
TN Dept. of Tourist Development Launches Digital Passports To Ken Burns’ ‘Country Music’
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has unveiled a new digital passport that encourages music lovers to visit nearly two dozen sites in Tennessee that appear in Ken Burns’ acclaimed PBS documentary Country Music, to promote Tennessee Music Pathways.
Using a web-based app created by Bandwango, travelers can document their visits and redeem their “stamped” passports for prizes ranging from a limited-edition Hatch Show Print, a copy of Ken Burns Country Music: An Illustrated History, or a Tennessee Music Pathways branded guitar.
Tennessee Tourism launched a physical passport for the Ken Burns Country Music Pathway in 2019 and will add the digital passport to make the traveling experience and “stamp collecting” even easier. Passports are available online through Oct. 18, 2022.
Nearly 50 million people in the U.S. and millions more worldwide have watched Ken Burns’ Country Music, making it one of the most-watched documentary series in history. More than four million streamed the 16-part series online, and thousands more continue to watch on Amazon Prime each month, nearly two years after its premiere.
Locations that inspired the music on Ken Burns Country Music Pathway include:
Chart Action: Shelton Dominates Chart, Bryan Debuts
/by Alex ParryBlake Shelton commandeers the most added and highest debut titles on the country charts this week with his latest single ““Come Back As A Country Boy.” He earned 197 adds across the Billboard, Mediabase, and MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio charts landing at No. 28, No. 35, and No. 46, respectively.
This is the first of four new tracks from the deluxe version of his album Body Language, due out Dec. 3. “Come Back As A Country Boy” was written by Michael Hardy, Josh Thompson, and Jordan Schmidt.
Luke Bryan‘s newest single, “Up,” impacted country radio on Oct. 4 and gained 15 adds on the MusicRow Chart in its first week. He debuted on the chart at No. 73 with 216 spins. “Up” was written by Jeremy Bussey, Taylor Phillips, and Bobby Pinson; and produced by Jeff Stevens and Jody Stevens.
For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.