Brett Eldredge will headline Nashville’s July 4th celebration on Lower Broadway, Let Freedom Sing!, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp has announced. Mac McAnally, a record breaking 10-time CMA Musician of the Year, and Grammy-nominated neo-soul/rock artist Jessy Wilson are part of the diverse, all Nashville-based lineup. In a new partnership, CMT will air a 90-minute live special that will include performances from Eldredge, highlights from Let Freedom Sing! and conclude with the acclaimed firework show.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper is a free, family-friendly event that showcases the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony and one of the largest fireworks shows in the country.
Additional announcements in the coming weeks will include information about activities on Wednesday, July 3 to enhance the semifinal Gold Cup soccer match being played at Nissan Stadium that day.
“Once again, Nashville will host a world-class July 4th event, and, with Gold Cup activities on July 3, we have the potential to turn this holiday into a five-day extended weekend for locals and visitors alike to enjoy soccer, music, fireworks and so much more that Nashville offers,” said Ronnie Smith, Head of Corporate Bank, Regions Bank, who serves as chair of the NCVC board of directors. “The CMT broadcast will provide yet another opportunity to showcase this stellar celebration and our great live music to a national audience.”
The main concert stage will be located at Fifth Avenue and Broadway and will include a DJ and live music starting at noon and into the evening. Additional performances will feature the 2018 and 2019 winners of Lightning 100’s Music City Mayhem, followed by The Joe West Band and country artist Dylan Scott.
After the concert, the event will shift to the Cumberland Riverfront with a firework show synchronized to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony. The program at Ascend Amphitheater will start around 9:30 p.m. and conclude with a 30-minute pyrotechnics show. The program will feature patriotic recitations from Barry Scott.
The Independence Day celebration will include a Family Fun Zone, with inflatables and other kid-friendly activities, from noon to 5 p.m. at Music City Walk of Fame Park.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th is presented by Dr Pepper and partners include Advance Financial, Anderson Benson Insurance, Kroger, Green Giant, Topgolf Nashville, Navy Federal Credit Union, Jack Daniel’s, and Budweiser.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th package experiences are available for purchase. Packages include a minimum of 1-night stay at a participating hotel and a July 4th Fun Pack, which includes the following for each member in a package reservation: Commemorative July 4th event t-shirt, event koozie, hand-held American flag, patriotic folding hand fan, and a Nashville cinch bag to carry your items around. To make this experience more convenient, the July 4th Fun Packs will be delivered to the hotels. To book this package experience or if you have questions, please call 1-800-657-6910 or visit visitmusiccity.com.
Dan + Shay, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Kane Brown Achieved Platinum Status In March
/by Lorie HollabaughThe RIAA has announced its certifications for March, with Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Luke Bryan and more achieving heavy metal status.
Artists receiving Platinum certifications for singles included Luke Bryan for his “Light It Up,” “Most People Are Good,” and his 5x-Platinum “Drunk On You,” Luke Combs for his 3x-Platinum “When It Rains It Pours” and his 2x-Platinum “Beautiful Crazy,” Kane Brown for his “Lose It,” and his 4x-Platinum “Heaven,” Brett Young for his 2x-Platinum “Mercy,” and Russell Dickerson for his 2x-Platinum “Yours.”
Platinum album certifications for March included Luke Combs’ 2x-Platinum This One’s For You. Among the Gold albums certified in March were Kane Brown’s Experiment, Dan + Shay’s Dan + Shay, and Luke Bryan’s What Makes You Country.
Artists achieving Gold singles in March included Chase Rice‘s “Eyes On You,” Kelsea Ballerini‘s “I Hate Love Songs” and “Miss Me More,” Michael Ray‘s “Get To You,” and Luke Bryan’s “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset.”
Brett Eldredge To Headline Nashville’s July 4th Celebration
/by Jessica NicholsonBrett Eldredge will headline Nashville’s July 4th celebration on Lower Broadway, Let Freedom Sing!, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp has announced. Mac McAnally, a record breaking 10-time CMA Musician of the Year, and Grammy-nominated neo-soul/rock artist Jessy Wilson are part of the diverse, all Nashville-based lineup. In a new partnership, CMT will air a 90-minute live special that will include performances from Eldredge, highlights from Let Freedom Sing! and conclude with the acclaimed firework show.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper is a free, family-friendly event that showcases the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony and one of the largest fireworks shows in the country.
Additional announcements in the coming weeks will include information about activities on Wednesday, July 3 to enhance the semifinal Gold Cup soccer match being played at Nissan Stadium that day.
“Once again, Nashville will host a world-class July 4th event, and, with Gold Cup activities on July 3, we have the potential to turn this holiday into a five-day extended weekend for locals and visitors alike to enjoy soccer, music, fireworks and so much more that Nashville offers,” said Ronnie Smith, Head of Corporate Bank, Regions Bank, who serves as chair of the NCVC board of directors. “The CMT broadcast will provide yet another opportunity to showcase this stellar celebration and our great live music to a national audience.”
The main concert stage will be located at Fifth Avenue and Broadway and will include a DJ and live music starting at noon and into the evening. Additional performances will feature the 2018 and 2019 winners of Lightning 100’s Music City Mayhem, followed by The Joe West Band and country artist Dylan Scott.
After the concert, the event will shift to the Cumberland Riverfront with a firework show synchronized to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony. The program at Ascend Amphitheater will start around 9:30 p.m. and conclude with a 30-minute pyrotechnics show. The program will feature patriotic recitations from Barry Scott.
The Independence Day celebration will include a Family Fun Zone, with inflatables and other kid-friendly activities, from noon to 5 p.m. at Music City Walk of Fame Park.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th is presented by Dr Pepper and partners include Advance Financial, Anderson Benson Insurance, Kroger, Green Giant, Topgolf Nashville, Navy Federal Credit Union, Jack Daniel’s, and Budweiser.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th package experiences are available for purchase. Packages include a minimum of 1-night stay at a participating hotel and a July 4th Fun Pack, which includes the following for each member in a package reservation: Commemorative July 4th event t-shirt, event koozie, hand-held American flag, patriotic folding hand fan, and a Nashville cinch bag to carry your items around. To make this experience more convenient, the July 4th Fun Packs will be delivered to the hotels. To book this package experience or if you have questions, please call 1-800-657-6910 or visit visitmusiccity.com.
Taylor Swift Donates $113K To Tennessee Equality Project
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift.
Taylor Swift has donated $113,000 to the Tennessee Equality Project, which is working to stop state lawmakers from passing legislation that would allow private adoption agencies to raise religious and moral objections over prospective parents, and another bill that prevents state and local agencies from taking action against a business based on its internal policies.
Chris Sanders, who leads the project, revealed the donation on Facebook, along with a photo of a letter Swift wrote in support of the organization’s work in bringing together a group of Tennessee faith leaders in a petition against the legislation.
“I’m so inspired by the work that you do, specifically in organizing the recent petition of Tennessee faith leaders standing up against the ‘slate of hate’ in our state legislature…I’m so grateful that they’re giving all people a place to worship,” Swift stated in the letter.
“She sees our struggle in Tennessee and continues to add her voice with so many good people, including religious leaders, who are speaking out for love in the face of fear,” Sanders said on Facebook.
During last year’s midterm elections, Swift endorsed Democrat Phil Bredesen’s run for Senate. Bredesen ultimately lost to Marsha Blackburn.
Photo: Tennessee Equality Project
Old Dominion Announce European Leg To ‘Make It Sweet’ Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughOld Dominion. Photo: Mason Allen
Old Dominion have added European dates to to their “Make It Sweet Tour” and will vist Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the U.K. in October. The European tour marks their fourth trip overseas and the announcement follows the sold-out success of the European leg of their “Happy Endings World Tour” in 2018. The European dates begin Oct. 4 in Stockholm, and conclude Oct. 16 at the O2 Academy in Glasgow, with support from special guest Jordan Davis.
Ticket pre-sale begins April 10 and on sale for the dates begins Friday April 12.
“To see how much Old Dominion have grown as a band since their first time at C2C and a small Hoxton Bar & Kitchen show in London through to their recent sell-out U.K. run has been amazing to watch,” said Simon Jones, AEG Presents Senior Vice President of Live Music, International, at the end of the last international tour. “They are consummate performers, and we’re looking forward to seeing their international business grow and grow.”
In addition to clocking over a billion streams, Old Dominion’s most recent single “Make It Sweet” is at Top five at country radio and is continuing to rise. They also recently received their second nomination for Country Duo/Group at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.
Make It Sweet Tour” European Dates:
Oct. 4 – Stockholm, Sweden, Nalen
Oct. 6 – Berlin, Germany, Astra Kulturhaus
Oct. 7 – Cologne, Germany, Live Music Hall
Oct. 8 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Melkweg
Oct. 10 – London, England, Eventim Apollo (formerly Hammersmith Apollo)
Oct 12 – Belfast, Ireland, Waterfront Hall
Oct. 14 – Manchester, U.K., Albert Hall
Oct. 15 – Birmingham, U.K., O2 Academy
Oct. 16 – Glasgow, U.K., O2 Academy
Nashville Bob Dylan-Affiliated Distillery To Add Music Venue
/by Jessica NicholsonIn fall 2020, the SoBro building that once housed the Elm Street Methodist Church will reopen as the Bob Dylan-affiliated Heaven’s Door Spirits and Center for the Arts, reports Nashville Scene.
Located at 614 5th Ave. S., the space will include a 360-seat live performance venue, as well as a craft whiskey distillery and whiskey library, a restaurant, and an art sanctuary, and will display Dylan’s paintings and sculptures. Today (April 9) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the release of his Nashville Skyline album. Nashville architecture firm Tuck-Hinton was the most recent tenant of the former church building, and had operated from the space for 22 years.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Weekly Register: George Strait Earns 27th No. 1 Album
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Strait
George Strait has earned his 27th No. 1 album on the country albums chart with his project Honky Tonk Time Machine. The album moved 51K in total consumption and landed at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 rankings, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The 13-track album was produced by Strait and Chuck Ainlay and features eight tracks penned by Strait himself.
Reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year Luke Combs‘ This One’s For You drops to No. 2 with 26K in total consumption, followed by Dan+Shay‘s self-titled effort at No. 3 (14K). Maren Morris‘ GIRL is at No. 4 with 14K, while Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller rounds out the Top 5 with 13K in total consumption.
ACM Awards Win Sunday Evening For CBS
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Academy of Country Music Awards’ ratings earned a win for CBS on Sunday evening (April 7), drawing 9.9 million viewers and ranking as the evening’s highest-watched and most-watched broadcast.
However, that number is down 18% from 2018’s 12.06 million viewers, according to zap2it.com. The show earned a 1.6 rating among adults 18-49, down from last year’s 2.1 rating.
The ACM Awards was produced by Dick Clark Productions, a division of Valence Media, parent company of the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group.
This year’s winners included Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban, Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year winner Kacey Musgraves, Male Artist of the Year Thomas Rhett, Duo of the Year Dan + Shay (who also picked up Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “Tequila”), Group of the Year winners Old Dominion, New Male Artist of the Year Luke Combs, New Female Artist of the Year Ashley McBryde, and New Duo/Group of the Year LANCO, among others.
Click here for MusicRow‘s full recap of the televised awards show.
ACM Awards: Warner Music Nashville Celebrates Big Wins
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Back row, L-R): Chris Janson, Ashley McBryde; (Front row, L-R): Dan Smyers, WMN CEO John Esposito, Shay Mooney. Photo: Jason Myers
Warner Music Nashville had plenty of trophies to celebrate following the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday (April 7). Dan + Shay took home three awards during last night’s ACM Awards, with the duo’s Dan Smyers earning five trophies. The Multi-Platinum, chart-topping global hit “Tequila” earned the duo and their producer Scott Hendricks Song and Single of the Year awards early in the evening. Dan + Shay also earned Duo of the Year after performing their duet “Keeping Score” with pop superstar Kelly Clarkson.
Warner Music Nashville CEO John Esposito, Michael Ray, and Warner Music Nashville EVP, A&R Cris Lacy. Photo: Jason Myers
Pictured: Dan Smyers, Chris Janson, Ashley McBryde, Shay Mooney. Photo: Jason Myers.
Michael Hardy Moves Into Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellMichael Hardy moves up 18 spots to No. 5 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, with credits on Florida Georgia Line’s “Talk You Out Of It,” Chris Lane’s “I Don’t Know About You,” his own “Rednecker,” and Blake Shelton’s newest single “God’s Country,” which he premiered at the ACM Awards on Sunday (April 7).
Blake Shelton performs “God’s Country” on Academy of Country Music Awards. Photo: Instagram/ACM
Ashley Gorley is at No. 1 on the MusicRow chart this week, while ACM Songwriter of the Year Shane McAnally is at No. 2. Brett James is at No. 3 and Ross Copperman fills the No. 4 slot. Kevin Welch, who moved to No. 1 last week after several weeks in the No. 2 spot, has dropped to No. 6 this week.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Industry Ink: Darius Rucker, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Adkins Publicity, SESAC
/by Lorie Hollabaugh10th Annual ‘Darius And Friends’ Benefit Set For June
Darius Rucker.
Darius Rucker will celebrate 10 years of giving back with his upcoming 10th Annual Darius and Friends concert benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Monday, June 3. The event, which unofficially kicks off CMA Music Fest in downtown Nashville, has raised $1.6 million to date and will feature an all-star roster of friends to be announced in the coming weeks.
“This event is always special because I love seeing my friends come together to support St. Jude and the amazing work they’re doing for families,” shares Rucker. “When we were planning the upcoming Hootie & the Blowfish tour, it was important to me that we kept this show on the schedule. Of all the exciting things to come this year, this night will still be a highlight.”
The lineup for this year’s event will be announced soon. Tickets to the 10th Annual Darius and Friends benefit concert are available at ticketmaster.com. Pre-sale access begins tomorrow, April 9 at 10 a.m. CT and runs through April 11 at 10 p.m. CT, with tickets on sale to the general public this Friday, April 12.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band To Play CMA Theater Show
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will play a show at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Sept. 27. The band is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their award-winning album Will the Circle be Unbroken, Volume 2 this year.
Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday, April 12, at 10 a.m. CST. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to cmatheater.com.
Dennis Quaid Inks With Adkins Publicity
Dennis Quaid has signed with Adkins Publicity for music PR representation. Not only an accomplished actor, Quaid is also a singer-songwriter and touring musician who has been playing music since his grandfather bought him his first guitar at a Texas Kmart. He performs originals and country standards with his band, Dennis Quaid & The Sharks, and they recently released the first studio album of their 19-year history, Out of the Box.
“As far back as I can remember, music has always been a big part of my life,” says Quaid. “My third cousin was Gene Autry, the original Western movie singing cowboy. My grandmother played piano and sang songs from the ’20s, songs from her youth. My dad played piano and crooned like Bing Crosby and looked a little like Dean Martin.”
SESAC At ACM Lifting Lives
Pictured: Play It Again Music’s Juli Newton Griffith, SESAC songwriter Justin Wilson, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, SESAC singer/songwriter Lee Brice, and SESAC songwriter Rob Hatch.
Play It Again Music’s Juli Newton Griffith, SESAC songwriter Justin Wilson, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, SESAC singer/songwriter Lee Brice, and SESAC songwriter Rob Hatch get together to raise funds and awareness for Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund at the ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off on Saturday, April 6 in Las Vegas.