Creative Artists Agency (CAA) hosted its second annual application-only networking and professional development summit, THE HUBB, designed to provide diverse internship- and career-ready college students with the tools and resources needed to successfully enter the music business. The event played host to 30 students from 26 universities, including Berklee College of Music, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Miami University, Morehouse College, Purdue University, Spelman College, University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Georgia, and Villanova University, among others, at CAA’s Nashville office on Sunday, Sept. 8 and Monday, Sept. 9.
THE HUBB participants had the opportunity to learn from and meet with key executives representing a variety of sectors within the industry, including label operations, business management, A&R, publishing, marketing, artist management, touring, and live production. Recruiters also led workshops, providing attendees with insights into the tools and skills needed in today’s job market.
Among the participating industry leaders were special guests Little Big Town, CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville Mike Dungan; EVP of Universal Music Group Radio Promotion Royce Risser; CAA Nashville Co-Founder John Huie; CAA Agents Sabrina Butera, Katie Germano, Lindsey Myers, Joe Harris, and Meredith Jones; CEO of Tri-Star Entertainment Lou Taylor; Executive Director at IEBA Pam Matthews; Nashville Head of A&R, Prescription Songs Katie Fagan; Apple Music – Country Music Programming & Editorial Madison Hanten; Loeb & Loeb Associate Farrah Usmani; Safford Motley’s Scott Safford; Earth, Wind, & Fire Tour Accountant David Norman; and the event’s namesake, Barbara “Mother” Hubbard.
Hubb participants visited Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group for a session with CEO Lou Taylorand team. Tri Star returned as aPremiere Sponsor for The Hubb 2019.
“At CAA, we have always believed that growing and developing the next generation of diverse leaders can only positively impact all workplaces,” Rob Light, Managing Partner and Head of CAA Music said. “We’re proud of the amazing doors THE HUBB conference has helped open for students in order to be successful in the music industry and beyond.”
A leader in the promotion of inclusion, CAA has long focused on the issue of diversity, and implemented short- and long-term strategies to ensure a more equitable and robust workplace and create sustainable change, within the agency and beyond.
For more than a decade, CAA has recruited at top-tier colleges and universities, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, and women’s colleges, resulting in a significant change to the pipeline of entry-level staff hired at the agency, as well as those whose positions translate into jobs across the industry. The agency has also forged partnerships with national organizations developing current college students from diverse backgrounds to provide greater access to careers across the entertainment industry. Building on the success of these collaborations, the agency launched THE HUBB in 2018, offering diverse internship and career-ready college students an opportunity to gain insights and establish relationships needed to build a career in the music industry.
Several 2018 alumni of THE HUBB are currently full-time employees at top music companies, including CAA, Universal Music Group, and Spotify, among others.
Universal Music Group Nashville’s Executive VP of Radio Promotion Royce Risser conversing with students after their informative session. UMG Nashville returned as a Supporting Sponsor for The Hubb 2019.
“Not only did THE HUBB introduce me to a wide variety of music industry professionals, but it also helped me forge relationships with other students who are just as curious and eager to learn as I am,” said Brooke Baumgartner, Executive Assistant at Spotify & HUBB Alumna. “THE HUBB expanded my knowledge of the music industry in a way that the classroom couldn’t and allowed me to hear firsthand all of the paths I can take as I navigate my journey as a music professional. My industry skillset and overall confidence skyrocketed following the conference, allowing me to share my unique experiences and insights with prospective employers during my job search.”
Delta Air Lines was the Official Airline Partner for the event, with IEBA and Tristar Sports & Entertainment Group, as well as Universal Music Group and Prescription Songs, serving as Premiere and Supporting Partners, respectively. Additional sponsors included AEG, Babco Entertainment, Bridgestone Arena, City National Bank, Corner Partnerships, Essential Broadcast Media, Event Resources, Fusion Management, Graduate Hotel, Hemphill Brothers, How To Concerts, Loeb & Loeb, Lyft, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, More Music Group, Morris Higham Management, mtheory Nashville, Neste Event Marketing, Premier Global Production, Pretty Polly Productions, Rams Head Live, Safford Motley, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Topgolf, Cambria Hotel, Triple 8 Management, Warner Chappell, and Well Dunn Foundation, among others.
Lee Brice Celebrates Sixth No. 1, “Rumor” With Co-Writers Ashley Gorley And Kyle Jacobs
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Jon Stone, Penny Gattis, Enzo DeVincenzo, Ashley Gorley, Beth Brinker, Lee Brice, Shannan Hatch, Kyle Jacobs, Ryan Beuschel, Dan Frizsell, Janine Ebach, Chris Van Belkom. Photo: Steve Lowry
Lee Brice celebrated his sixth No. 1 single, with “Rumor,” on Monday (Sept. 9) at Nashville’s The Sutler Saloon. SESAC-affiliated Brice co-wrote the track alongside ASCAP writers Ashley Gorley and Kyle Jacobs during a 2015 writers retreat in Florida. Brice and Jacobs also served as co-producers on the song, with Dan Frizsell and Jon Stone.
ASCAP and SESAC hosted the No. 1 party, led by ASCAP’s Beth Brinker and SESAC’s Shannan Hatch. Among those honoring the hit were Curb Records founder/owner Mike Curb. “This guy is a producer,” Curb said of Brice. “Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but he should have his own record company. His [productions] sound like those Stax records that last forever.”
“Rumor” has also been certified Platinum by the RIAA and earned more than 300 million streams worldwide. Others in attendance included Curb/Word’s Janine Ebach and Colt Murski, Round Hill’s Penny Gattis, Combustion’s Chris Van Belkom, Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson, Country Radio Broadcasters’ RJ Curtis, and Curb Records’ RJ Meacham and Ryan Dokke.
Pictured (L-R): Jon Stone, Ashley Gorley, Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs, Dan Frizsell. Photo: Steve Lowry
“Ashley has got the ‘Dixie dust,’ the magic, and this thing you can’t really find anywhere else except him,” Brice said of Gorley. “Writing this song, I could never have asked for this to be written with anyone else other than these two guys. And Kyle, we are soul brothers.
“Y’all being here makes us feel special,” Brice added. “This song starts right here on this stage, and there are so many qualities in these guys on this stage that made the song what it is,” he added, referring to his co-writers and co-producers.
“Rumor” is a chart-topper at country radio, but the track is also steadily moving up the Adult Contemporary Songs chart, currently sitting inside the Top 20. “We might be doing this again soon for the A/C charts,” said Curb.
BMG Opens New State-Of-The-Art Nashville Complex
/by Lorie HollabaughBMG Nashville Building Exterior. Photo: Cody Heckber
BMG threw a welcome bash yesterday (Sept. 10) to officially open its brand-new, state-of-the-art Nashville complex to its artists, writers, and the Music City community. The move brings together BMG’s Nashville recordings operation BBR Music Group (formerly housed at 65 Music Sq. W), BMG’s publishing operation (formerly housed at 29 Music Sq. E), and BMG’s copyright and royalties operations all under one roof, operating off the same platform, at 1 Music Circle South, Suite 500, Nashville, TN.
Broken Bow artist Jason Aldean was on hand to cut the ribbon and officially open the new space to Music Row neighbors and industry friends. BMG shared a moment from the ceremony on Instagram.
The newly developed 36,000 square foot, two-floor, full-service music facility maintains an impressive presence in the heart of Music Row and now sits alongside BMG’s U.S. hubs in Los Angeles and New York. The consolidation to its new offices comes 10 years after the new BMG first established a base in Nashville with the acquisition of Crosstown Songs. Considered as a standalone BMG territory, BMG Nashville is now the company’s third biggest worldwide, after Los Angeles and the UK, but ahead of Germany.
The facility combines both indoor/outdoor working space and sophisticated interior design elements with significant nods to industrial architectural style. Key design components of the floor plan include seven fully equipped/top-of-the-line songwriter/recording rooms, multiple live performance areas, four state-of-the-art A/V meeting spaces and conference rooms, optimized individual listening rooms, and a large communal outside area and terrace available for live events.
BMG Nashville 5th Floor Welcome Center. Photo: Cody Heckber
“The significant investment we’ve made and continue to make in country music, expresses how important Nashville is to BMG,” said BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch. “We will continue to champion our songwriters and artists inside and outside of Nashville and develop opportunities and growth for our artist’s careers both in the US and internationally.”
“The new Nashville set-up typifies the BMG approach,” said Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Nashville, said. “It’s a thrill being in an environment where you have writers working on a song in one room, the creative A&R team just outside those doors, an impressive full-service record label just beyond that, and a world-class administrative team all seamlessly integrated in the same office.”
Acquired in 2017, BBR Music Group was BMG’s single largest acquisition in the recordings business since its launch in 2008. BBR Music Group and its associated labels – Broken Bow Records, Wheelhouse Records and Stoney Creek Records – boast an artist roster featuring Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, Chase Rice, Randy Houser, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lindsey Ell, and Granger Smith alongside up-and-coming developing acts Jimmie Allen, King Calaway, Runaway June, and Blanco Brown, among others.
BMG’s Nashville operation has grown from 20 staffers dedicated to publishing to nearly 100 employees evenly split across publishing, recordings, and operations overseeing all aspects of BMG’s business including A&R, Accounting, Administration, Income Tracking, Marketing, Publicity, Radio Promotion, Royalties, and Synch Licensing.
BMG Nashville Conference Room. Photo: Cody Heckber
BMG Nashville Hallway Mural. Photo: Cody Heckber
BMG Nashville Writers Room. Photo: Cody Heckber
BMG Nashville Kitchen. Photo: Cody Heckber
Artist Updates: Jeannie Seely, Jordan Rager, The Likely Culprits, Jamey Johnson
/by LB CantrellJeannie Seely To Host Star Studded Spectacular Celebrating Birthday Of Dottie West, Honoring Bill Anderson
Pictured: Dottie West and Bill Anderson. Photo: Courtesy of Ron Harman
Renowned country artist and a fifty-two year member of the Grand Ole Opry, Jeannie Seely is slated to host the third annual Dottie West Birthday Bash on October 9 at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville. The event supports Nashville Musicians Association with 100% of the proceeds going to the Musician’s Emergency Relief Fund.
In addition to celebrating Dottie’s birthday and honoring her, the event also honors a musician or artist who (like her) has made an indelible impact on country music. This year the event will honor Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame member, Bill Anderson.
This year’s line-up includes Tim Atwood, John Berry, Buddy Cannon, Melanie Cannon, Peter Cooper, Erin Enderlin, Tess Frizzell, Jamey Johnson, Thomm Jutz, Jon Randall, John Schneider, Bobby Tomberlin, Dallas Wayne and Kenna West along with special guests and surprises. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
Zaxby’s Announces Inaugural ‘Insane Music Tour’ Featuring Riser House Entertainment’s Jordan Rager
Zaxby’s, known for its chicken fingers, wings and salads, announces its inaugural Insane Music Tour featuring Riser House Entertainment’s recording artist Jordan Rager. The tour, in partnership with Nashville-based Artistry Alliances, launches in Mississippi on Sept. 12-13 at 4:30 p.m. with additional appearances this fall in Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky and Georgia.
“Anybody who knows me, knows how big of a fan I am of Zaxby’s. I couldn’t be more excited to partner with them for the Zaxby’s Insane Music Tour this fall,” Rager said. “I’m looking forward to getting to go some places I haven’t been in a while, meeting fans and playing my new music for everyone.”
Jordan Rager is the first performer in Zaxby’s new entertainment series, featuring various artists each year. Tickets are available here.
Zaxby’s Insane Music Tour Feat. Jordan Rager:
Sept. 12 – 1657 Sunset Dr. Grenada, Miss.
Sept. 13 – 2574 W. Jackson Ave. Oxford, Miss.
Sept. 19 – 1204 US Hwy 78 East Jasper, Ala.
Sept. 20 – 5420 McFarland Blvd. – Northport, Ala.
Sept. 26 – 139 E. Columbia Ave. Leesville, S.C.
Sept. 27 – 2320 Augusta Rd. West Columbia, S.C.
Oct. 3 – 10 Benton Rd. Travelers Rest, S.C.
Oct. 4 – 3915 Concord Pkwy S. Concord, N.C.
Oct. 10 – 1111 Kim Kent Dr. Richmond, Ky.
Oct. 11 – 104 Sand Lake Dr. Lexington, Ky.
Oct. 17 – 820 Hull Rd. Athens, Ga.
Oct. 18 – 3704 Atlanta Hwy. Athens, Ga.
All-Star Band The Likely Culprits Release Debut Album
The Likely Culprits, a seven-member group of close friends who are also some of the most in-demand musicians and artists in Nashville, released their self-titled debut album yesterday (Sept. 10). The band is comprised of bluegrass singer-songwriter Ronnie Bowman, country artist Melonie Cannon, fiddle player Deanie Richardson, musician Brandon Bostic, roots vocalists and musician Ashby Frank, session vocalist and producer Garnet Imes Bowman and bass player Austin Ward.
The release is a joint venture between Euphony Records and Jamey Johnson’s Big Gassed Records.
“Having known most of them since I first moved to Nashville nearly 20 years ago, I love the Likely Culprits like family and I’m quite proud to have them on my label,” Johnson says. “I hope you enjoy their new album as much as I do.”
The band’s first performance was at the legendary Station Inn and they have continued to perform there whenever their touring schedules allowed. “We finally decided that we have a built-in fan base, so we needed to cut some of these tunes,” Richardson says. “We got in the studio and laid out all of our favorites from our set list, and that is the record.”
Renowned producer Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss) produced the album, so he and Johnson also appear in the band’s cover photo. Johnson plays the role of the judge and Cannon serves as the bailiff in the picture shot at the Cheatham County Courthouse. Richardson says, “Jamey surprised us and said, ‘You are going to need a lawyer,’ so he brought Ron White.”
The Likely Culprits is available for streaming here.
Chris Janson To Kick Off Real Friends Tour September 20
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Janson is hitting the road on his Real Friends Tour this fall playing 22 dates across the country. The tour will take him coast to coast and include a sold-out show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on September 25, where he will be joined by label mate Michael Ray.
The tour comes fresh on the heels of the announcement of Janson’s new album Real Friends, which is due out October 18. Fans who pre-order the album will receive four instant tracks, including the recently released “Done.” Janson served as co-producer on the 13-track project, and he teams up with label mate Blake Shelton on the record’s title track.
Janson’s current single “Good Vibes” has rocketed into the Top 10 at country radio ahead of the album’s release, and has already reached nearly 37 million on-demand streams.
FGL, Dan + Shay, Blanco Brown, Nelly Rock FGL Fest At Indy Motor Speedway
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R:) Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta; Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley; Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles. Photo: The Holy Mountain
Florida Georgia Line hosted their own music festival at Indiana’s Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the weekend (Sept. 7-8), and performed for a packed house of over 25,000 eager fans Saturday night. They were joined by a full slate of friends for the festival inside Oval 4 of the historic track, including Blanco Brown, Nelly, Dan + Shay, Canaan Smith, Payton Smith and Mitchell Tenpenny.
The duo then joined Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta on Sunday (Sept. 8) for the Big Machine Vodka 400 at The Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line. They served as Grand Marshals calling drivers to their cars before Borchetta gave the call for drivers to “start their engines!” Joining them at the historic track were label mates Danielle Bradbery, who performed the national anthem, and newcomer Callista Clark, who performed “God Bless America.”
Excitement is already building for next year as the racing event and namesake concert move to Fourth of July weekend in 2020.
Florida Georgia Line performs. Photo: The Holy Mountain
Nelly performs. Photo: The Holy Mountain
Blanco Brown performs. Photo: The Holy Mountain
Pictured (L-R:) Big Machine artist Danielle Bradbery, Big Machine SVP of Creative Sandi Spika Borchetta, Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta at the winner’s circle with Big Machine Vodka 400 Winner Kevin Harvick. Photo: IMS
Adam Hambrick Plots Fall Tour In Collaboration With Graduate Hotels
/by LB CantrellRising country artist Adam Hambrick has announced his first-ever headlining tour in partnership with Graduate Hotels. The Capitol Records Nashville/Buena Vista Records artist is also touring supporting LANCO, Chris Lane, Tucker Beathard, and Parker McCollum on select dates. Adam recently released his new track and official music video “Forever Ain’t Long Enough.”
“College was such a blast for me. I loved every minute of it. That’s where I discovered so much of the music that made a mark on me. That’s why, with help from Graduate Hotels, we built my first tour around college towns and made it the theme for this Fall,” states Hambrick.
Prior to select shows, Adam will be collaborating with Graduate Hotels creating an intimate fan experience, including a solo acoustic set and VIP hang. The Graduate Hotel experience is free and open to the public. Tickets and additional information can be found at adamhambrick.com.
2019 Fall Tour Dates:
SEP 19 – The Lyric Oxford Oxford, MS*+
SEP 20 – Druid City Music Hall Tuscaloosa, AL+
SEP 26 – The Foundry Athens, GA*
SEP 28 – Highway 49 Fest Richland, MS+
OCT 3 – The Bourbon Theatre Lincoln, NE*
OCT 4 – Holland PFAC Scott Recital Hall Omaha, NE
OCT 5 – Guitars Rock N’ Country Bar Joplin, MO
OCT 19 – The Stache Grand Rapids, MI
OCT 20 – Blind Pig Ann Arbor, MI*
OCT 27 – First Security Amphitheater Little Rock, AR
OCT 31 – George’s Majestic Lounge Fayetteville, AR*+
NOV 8 – First Avenue Club Iowa City, IA*+
NOV 9 – The Tap Bloomington, IN*
*Graduate Hotel VIP Experience Tour Stop
+Supporting LANCO, Chris Lane, Tucker Beathard, or Parker McCollum
CAA Hosts Second Annual The Hubb Summit
/by Jessica NicholsonCreative Artists Agency (CAA) hosted its second annual application-only networking and professional development summit, THE HUBB, designed to provide diverse internship- and career-ready college students with the tools and resources needed to successfully enter the music business. The event played host to 30 students from 26 universities, including Berklee College of Music, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Miami University, Morehouse College, Purdue University, Spelman College, University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Georgia, and Villanova University, among others, at CAA’s Nashville office on Sunday, Sept. 8 and Monday, Sept. 9.
THE HUBB participants had the opportunity to learn from and meet with key executives representing a variety of sectors within the industry, including label operations, business management, A&R, publishing, marketing, artist management, touring, and live production. Recruiters also led workshops, providing attendees with insights into the tools and skills needed in today’s job market.
Among the participating industry leaders were special guests Little Big Town, CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville Mike Dungan; EVP of Universal Music Group Radio Promotion Royce Risser; CAA Nashville Co-Founder John Huie; CAA Agents Sabrina Butera, Katie Germano, Lindsey Myers, Joe Harris, and Meredith Jones; CEO of Tri-Star Entertainment Lou Taylor; Executive Director at IEBA Pam Matthews; Nashville Head of A&R, Prescription Songs Katie Fagan; Apple Music – Country Music Programming & Editorial Madison Hanten; Loeb & Loeb Associate Farrah Usmani; Safford Motley’s Scott Safford; Earth, Wind, & Fire Tour Accountant David Norman; and the event’s namesake, Barbara “Mother” Hubbard.
Hubb participants visited Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group for a session with CEO Lou Taylorand team. Tri Star returned as aPremiere Sponsor for The Hubb 2019.
“At CAA, we have always believed that growing and developing the next generation of diverse leaders can only positively impact all workplaces,” Rob Light, Managing Partner and Head of CAA Music said. “We’re proud of the amazing doors THE HUBB conference has helped open for students in order to be successful in the music industry and beyond.”
A leader in the promotion of inclusion, CAA has long focused on the issue of diversity, and implemented short- and long-term strategies to ensure a more equitable and robust workplace and create sustainable change, within the agency and beyond.
For more than a decade, CAA has recruited at top-tier colleges and universities, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, and women’s colleges, resulting in a significant change to the pipeline of entry-level staff hired at the agency, as well as those whose positions translate into jobs across the industry. The agency has also forged partnerships with national organizations developing current college students from diverse backgrounds to provide greater access to careers across the entertainment industry. Building on the success of these collaborations, the agency launched THE HUBB in 2018, offering diverse internship and career-ready college students an opportunity to gain insights and establish relationships needed to build a career in the music industry.
Several 2018 alumni of THE HUBB are currently full-time employees at top music companies, including CAA, Universal Music Group, and Spotify, among others.
Universal Music Group Nashville’s Executive VP of Radio Promotion Royce Risser conversing with students after their informative session. UMG Nashville returned as a Supporting Sponsor for The Hubb 2019.
“Not only did THE HUBB introduce me to a wide variety of music industry professionals, but it also helped me forge relationships with other students who are just as curious and eager to learn as I am,” said Brooke Baumgartner, Executive Assistant at Spotify & HUBB Alumna. “THE HUBB expanded my knowledge of the music industry in a way that the classroom couldn’t and allowed me to hear firsthand all of the paths I can take as I navigate my journey as a music professional. My industry skillset and overall confidence skyrocketed following the conference, allowing me to share my unique experiences and insights with prospective employers during my job search.”
Delta Air Lines was the Official Airline Partner for the event, with IEBA and Tristar Sports & Entertainment Group, as well as Universal Music Group and Prescription Songs, serving as Premiere and Supporting Partners, respectively. Additional sponsors included AEG, Babco Entertainment, Bridgestone Arena, City National Bank, Corner Partnerships, Essential Broadcast Media, Event Resources, Fusion Management, Graduate Hotel, Hemphill Brothers, How To Concerts, Loeb & Loeb, Lyft, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, More Music Group, Morris Higham Management, mtheory Nashville, Neste Event Marketing, Premier Global Production, Pretty Polly Productions, Rams Head Live, Safford Motley, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Topgolf, Cambria Hotel, Triple 8 Management, Warner Chappell, and Well Dunn Foundation, among others.
Nashville’s New Year’s Eve Celebration Lineup Includes Keith Urban, Jason Isbell
/by Jessica NicholsonReigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban will headline Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve in Nashville (#Nashville NYE) for a fourth year in a row, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced today. Urban will lead an all-star and diverse lineup that includes Americana powerhouse Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit; English rock band The Struts; Americana award winner and 2019 nominee Amanda Shires, who is also a member of The 400 Unit and critically-acclaimed new band The Highwomen; and the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The 11th annual event will take place at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and is free and open to the public.
“From the very beginning, our goal was to have a long-term partnership with Keith, and, as we expected, his leadership, talent and involvement has been invaluable to the event’s success,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “As you would expect from a consummate professional like Keith, every year the show is completely different and fresh, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to ring in 2020.”
“Nashville’s New Year’s Eve is hugely successful at drawing visitors from around the globe. Events like this underscore how the hospitality industry adds so much to the local Nashvillian’s quality of life through visitor spending and tax revenues that support city services,” Mayor David Briley said. “And local residents don’t need to fly to London or New York to experience a world-class event; they can simply take a short ride to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.”
Last year, the Nashville concert was featured on “NBC’s New Year’s Eve” national broadcast that was live from Times Square in New York City. It was the most successful New Year’s Eve event for Nashville with an all-time high $23 million in direct visitor spending over 2017’s $22.3 million. Attendance was approximately 175,000 to 200,000, a record attendance over 2015’s 150,000.
Gates at Bicentennial Mall will open at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 with DJ Case Bloom providing entertainment before the Music Note is raised. The Fisk Jubilee Singers, an ensemble of students from Fisk University, will kick off the live music with a selection of Spiritual music. The show’s highlight will be the traditional Music Note Drop and accompanying fireworks display to usher in the New Year. GRAMMY-winner DJ Dave Audé also will be part of the lineup.
NBC’s ‘Songland’ Renewed For Second Season
/by Jessica NicholsonNBC has renewed the hit songwriting competition series Songland for a second season. The competition features producer-mentors Ryan Tedder, Ester Dean and Shane McAnally.
The show has produced songs for artists including the Jonas Brothers, Black Eyed Peas, Kelsea Ballerini, will.i.am., Macklemore (ft. IRO), Leona Lewis, John Legend and more.
Songland has averaged a 1.1 rating in adults 18-49 and 5.1 million viewers overall in “live plus seven day” Nielsen ratings. After 35 days of digital and linear delayed viewing, including encores, Songland grows to a 1.9 rating in 18-49 and 7.6 million viewers overall.
The series partnered with BMG for a recording and publishing contract to release the songs written and recorded by the two runners up, and created a strategic song release plan with music distributors such as Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify and Pandora.
Songland is executive produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Audrey Morrissey, director Ivan Dudynsky, Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart, Chad Hines, and multi-Grammy-winning recording artist and Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine. Josh Gummersall serves as producer along with Ryan Tedder. Songland is produced by Live Animals in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, Dave Stewart Entertainment and 222 Productions.
Date Set For 55th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 55th annual Academy of Country Music Awards will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 5, 2020, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
The ACM Party for a Cause events also return on Saturday, April 4, including ACM Lifting Lives’ Topgolf Tee-Off with guest hosts Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker.
The newly-created Saturday night concert event, the ACM Beach Bash Presented by Dr Pepper at Mandalay Bay Beach will host performances from reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban and 11-time ACM Award-winning trio Lady Antebellum, and more to be announced.
Tickets for The Week Vegas Goes Country® events, including the 55th ACM Awards and Ultimate ACM Fan VIP Packages, will be available for ACM A-List pre-sale starting Wednesday, September 18 and general on-sale beginning Friday, September 20 at ACMAwards.com. Portions of all ACM Party for a Cause proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives®, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, which works to lift lives through the power of music.