54th Annual ACM Awards Nominees: The Full List

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Chris Stapleton, Dan + Shay, and Kacey Musgraves lead the nominees for the upcoming 54th Academy of Country Music Awards, to be held Sunday, April 7 in Las Vegas.

Reigning Male Artist of the Year, Chris Stapleton received six nominations in four categories, including his second nod for Entertainer of the Year. Stapleton is also nominated twice, as both artist and producer, for his album From A Room: Volume 2 in the Album of the Year category, which he won last year for From A Room: Volume 1. Additionally, he is nominated for Song of the Year twice, as both artist and songwriter, for “Broken Halos.” Lastly, Stapleton is nominated for Male Artist of the Year.

Dan + Shay earned six nominations, including their sixth nod for Duo of the Year. They received nominations in the Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year categories for “Tequila.” Dan + Shay are also nominated for Album of the Year for Dan + Shay, and Music Event of the Year for “Keeping Score” (featuring Kelly Clarkson). Additionally, Dan Smyers received 3 individual nominations as a producer in the Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Music Event of the Year categories. He also received an individual nomination as a writer in the Song of the Year category for “Tequila.”

Kacey Musgraves earned five nominations in three categories, including a nod for Female Artist of the Year. Additionally, she is nominated in the Album of the Year Category twice, as both artist and producer, for Golden Hour, as well as in the Song of the Year category twice, as both artist and songwriter, for “Space Cowboy.” Musgraves most recently won in 2016 in the Video of the Year category for “Forever Country” and previously won in the Album of the Year category in 2013 for Same Trailer Different Park.

Earning four nominations each are Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha.

Ian Fitchuk, a first-time nominee this year, picked up six nominations including a nod for Album of the Year with Kacey Musgraves as a producer for Golden Hour. Fitchuk also received five nominations across Studio Recording Award categories, including Bass Player of the Year, Drummer of the Year, Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year, Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year and Producer of the Year.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Kenny Chesney
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Dierks Bentley
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban

DUO OF THE YEAR
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• LOCASH
• Maddie & Tae

GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Lady Antebellum
• LANCO
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion

NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Danielle Bradbery
• Lindsay Ell
• Ashley McBryde
• Carly Pearce

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Jimmie Allen
• Luke Combs
• Jordan Davis
• Michael Ray
• Mitchell Tenpenny

NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
• High Valley
• LANCO
• Runaway June

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers / Matt Dragstrem
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

• Desperate Man – Eric Church
Producers: Jay Joyce / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville

• From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb / Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Nashville

• Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk / Daniel Tashian / Kacey Musgraves
Record Label: MCA Nashville

• The Mountain – Dierks Bentley
Producers: Ross Copperman / Jon Randall Stewart / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• Down to the Honky Tonk – Jake Owen
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Big Loud Records

• Heaven – Kane Brown
Producer: Dann Huff / Polow Da Don
Record Label: RCA Nashville

• Meant To Be – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Wilshire for Rock The Soul Ent
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records

• Most People Are Good – Luke Bryan
Producers: Jeff Stevens / Jody Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

• Tequila – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• Break Up In The End – Cole Swindell
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon / Chase McGill / Jon Nite
Publishers: EMI April Music Inc. / Nite Writer Music (ASCAP) / Songs of Universal, Inc. / Plum Nelly (BMI) / Big Music Machine (BMI)/ Big Ass Pile Of Dimes Music (BMI)

• Broken Halos – Chris Stapleton
Writers: Mike Henderson / Chris Stapleton
Publishers: WB Music Corp./House of Sea Gayle Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights/Spirit Catalog Holdings, S.a.r.l. admin. by Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP); Straight Six Music (BMI)

• Meant To Be – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Writers: David Garcia / Tyler Hubbard / Joshua Miller / Bebe Rexha
Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs/Kiss Me If You Can Music (BMI) (all rights administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC) Big Loud Mountain (BMI) and T Hubb Publishing (BMI). All Rights Administered by Round Hill Works. Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. on behalf of itself and Songs of the Corn and Jack 10 Publishing. Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (ASCAP) D Soul Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)

• Space Cowboy – Kacey Musgraves
Writers: Luke Laird / Shane McAnally / Kacey Musgraves
Publishers: Smack Hits/Smack Songs, admin by Kobalt Music Group ltd. (GMR)/Universal Music Works/We Are Creative NBaSmack Hits/Smack Songs, LLC, admin. by Kobalt Music Group Ltd. (GMR); Universal Music Works/We Are Creative Nation/Jake and Mack Music, admin. by Universal Music Works; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./351 Music (BMI).

• Tequila – Dan + Shay
Writers: Nicolle Galyon / Jordan Reynolds / Dan Smyers
Publishers: Beats and Banjos (ASCAP)/ WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)/A Girl Named Charlie (BMI) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) / Buckeye26 (ASCAP) / Jreynmusic (ASCAP)

• Yours – Russell Dickerson
Writers: Casey Brown / Russell Dickerson / Parker Welling
Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs/Kailey’s Dream / So Essential Tunes / Not Just Another Song Publishing / Hillbilly Science and Research Publishing/Trailerlily Music

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
• Babe – Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift
Producer: Roger Hunt
Director: Anthony Mandler

• Burn Out – Midland
Producer: Ben Skipworth
Director: TK McKamy / Cameron Duddy

• Burning Man – Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
Producer: Nate Eggert
Director: Wes Edwards

• Drunk Girl – Chris Janson
Producer: Ben Skipworth
Director: Jeff Venable

• Shoot Me Straight – Brothers Osborne
Producer: April Kimbrell
Director: Wes Edwards / Ryan Silver

• Tequila – Dan + Shay
Producer: Christen Pinkston
Director: Patrick Tracy

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR*(Off Camera Award)
• Ross Copperman
• Ashley Gorley
• Shane McAnally
• Chase McGill
• Josh Osborne

MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• Burning Man – Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
Producers: Ross Copperman / Jon Randall Stewart / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

• Drowns the Whiskey – Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert
Producer: Michael Knox
Record Labels: Macon Music, LLC; Broken Bow Records; BBR Music Group; BMG

• Everything’s Gonna Be Alright – David Lee Murphy featuring Kenny Chesney
Producers: Buddy Cannon / Kenny Chesney / David Lee Murphy
Record Label: Reviver Records

• Keeping Score – Dan + Shay featuring Kelly Clarkson
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

• Meant To Be – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Wilshire for Rock The Soul Ent
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records

INDUSTRY AWARDS:
CASINO OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
• Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant, OK
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort – Cherokee, NC
• The Joint: Tulsa – Tulsa, OK
• Peppermill Reno – Reno, NV
• Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – Mt. Pleasant, MI

CASINO OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY
• Casino Rama – Orillia, ON
• Grand Casino Hinckley – Hinckley, MN
• Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
• Sandia Casino Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM
• WinStar Global Event Center – Thackerville, OK

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
• Boots & Hearts – Oro-Medonte, ON
• Faster Horses – Brooklyn, MI
• Stagecoach – Indio, CA
• Tortuga Music Festival – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Windy City Smokeout – Chicago, IL

NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR
• Dusty Armadillo – Rootstown, OH
• Grizzly Rose – Denver, CO
• Joe’s on Weed St – Chicago, IL
• Joe’s Live – Rosemont, IL
• Stoney’s Rockin’ Country – Las Vegas, NV

VENUE OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
• House of Blues – Anaheim, CA
• House of Blues – Boston, MA
• Floore’s – Helotes, TX
• Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
• Surf Ballroom – Clear Lake, IA

VENUE OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
• Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH
• Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, TN
• The Wharf Amphitheater – Orange Beach, AL
• The Anthem – Washington, DC

VENUE OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY
• Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
• BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
• Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON
• PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
• Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Noblesville, IN

DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
• Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions
• Billy Brill – Billy Alan Productions
• Gil Cunningham – Neste Event Marketing
• Kell Houston – Houston Productions
• Nicole More – Wilson Events, Inc.

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
• Brent Fedrizzi – AEG Presents
• Stacy Vee – Goldenvoice
• Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar
• Adam Weiser – AEG Presents
• Jason Wright – Live Nation

STUDIO RECORDING AWARDS:
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Mike Brignardello
• JT Cure
• Ian Fitchuk
• Tony Lucido
• Glenn Worf

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
• Matt Chamberlain
• Ian Fitchuk
• Evan Hutchings
• Aaron Sterling
• Nir Z

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Tom Bukovac
• Jedd Hughes
• Danny Rader
• Adam Shoenfeld
• Ilya Toshinsky
• Derek Wells

PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Dave Cohen
• David Dorn
• Ian Fitchuk
• Tony Harrell
• Charlie Judge
• Gordon Mote

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Ian Fitchuk
• Jenee Fleenor
• Carl Miner
• Mickey Raphael
• Ilya Toshinsky

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Dan Dugmore
• Steve Hinson
• Mike Johnson
• Russ Pahl
• Justin Schipper

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
• Craig Alvin
• Ryan Gore
• Jeff Juliano
• Vance Powell
• F Reid Shippen

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
• Buddy Cannon
• Ian Fitchuk
• Dann Huff
• Jay Joyce
• Michael Knox

Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives Join Steve Miller Band On Tour

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Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives will join the Steve Miller Band for a 34-date North American tour, beginning June 13, hitting stops in Los Angeles, New York and Boston.

Stuart is also slated to perform at the “Country Music: Live at the Ryman, a Concert Celebrating The Film By Ken Burns” concert at the Ryman on March 27, along with previously announced performers, to promote the upcoming 16-hour Country Music documentary.

Select tickets are available at martystuart.net/events.

Marty Stuart tour dates:
March 2 – Stoughton, WI @ Stoughton Opera House
March 15 – Nashville, IN @ Brown County Playhouse
March 16 – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
March 22 – Macon, GA @ Hargray Capitol Theatre
March 23 – Live Oak, FL @ Suwannee Spring Reunion
March 27 – Nashville, TN @ The Ryman (Country Music: A Celebration of the Film by Ken Burns)
April 4 – Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere
April 5 – Phoenixville, PA @ Colonial Theatre
April 6 – Wheeling, WV @ The Wheeling Jamboree
April 10 – Houston, TX @ The Heights
April 11 – Waco, TX @ Waco Hippodrome Theatre
April 13 – Roswell, NM @ The Liberty
April 14 – Florence, AZ @ Country Thunder
June 1 – Franklin, NC @ Smoky Mountain Center For The Performing Arts
June 13 – Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena*
June 15 – Tulsa, OK @ River Spirit Casino – Paradise Cove Margaritaville*
June 16 – Rogers, AR @Walmart Amp*
June 21 – Alton, IL @ Liberty Bank Amphitheater Summer Concert Series*
June 22 – Dubuque, IA @ America’s River Festival*
June 24 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park “Meijer Gardens”*
June 28 – Rochester, NY @ Rochester International Jazz Festival*
June 30 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Freedom Hill*
July 12 – Prior Lake, MN @ Lakefront Music Fest*
July 14 – Duluth, MN @ Bayfront Festival Park*
July 16 – Kettering, OH @ Fraze Pavilion*
July 18 – Baltimore, MD @ MECU Pavilion*
July 21 – Twin Lakes, WI @ Country Thunder
July 20 – Lynchburg, VA @ Riverfront Park Concert Series*
July 24 – New York, NY @ Pier 17*
July 25 – Boston, MA @ Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion*
July 27 – Rangeley, ME @ Rangeley Health & Wellness Pavilion*
July 28 – Kingston, NY @ Hutton Brickyards*
July 30 – Selbyville, DE @ The Freeman Stage at Bayside*
July 31 – Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap Center for Performing Arts*
August 2 – Mashantucket, CT @ The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino*
August 3 – Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest*
August 11 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sandia Resort and Casino*
August 13 – Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom*
August 14 – Vail, CO @ Gerald R. Ford Amphitheatre*
August 16 – Billings, MT @ Cove Creek Outdoor Pavilion*
August 17 – Missoula, MT @ Big Sky Brewery*
August 19 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden*
August 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre*
August 22 – Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre*
August 24 – Stateline, NV @ Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys*
August 27 – Salem, OR @ Oregon State Fair*
August 28 – Airway Heights, WA @ Northern Quest Resort & Casino*
August 30 – Woodinville, WA @ Chateau Ste. Michelle*
August 31 – Woodinville, WA @ Chateau Ste. Michelle*
(* supporting Steve Miller Band)

Industry Ink: Big & Rich, Reviver Records, Mitchell Tenpenny, CRB, Myriad Productions

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Big & Rich Partner With Reviver Records

Big & Rich

Country duo Big & Rich have entered into a partnership with Reviver Records, where Reviver will promote the duo’s latest single, “Brand New Buzz,” to radio. Thirty Tigers will continue to represent the duo for marketing and distribution. This move reunites the duo with Reviver Records’ President Gator Michaels, who previously served as Sr. VP at Big & Rich’s former label home, Warner Bros.

“John, Kenny and I have enjoyed tremendous success in the past and we all expect that success to continue well into the future.” says Michaels.

“We are thrilled to align with Reviver Records as they continue to build momentum for ‘Brand New Buzz’,” says Big & Rich. “Gator and his team have been big believers in our music since we launched our debut single ‘Wild West Show’ in 2004, as well as the genre-bending career single ‘Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy.’ We are ready to rock this new era into the stratosphere.”

 

Mitchell Tenpenny Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

Pictured (L-R): Riser House Entertainment President Jennifer Johnson; Tenpenny’s manager Kristen Ashley; Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman; Mitchell Tenpenny; Opry Entertainment GM Grand Ole Opry/Sr. Vice President Programming and Artist Relations Sally Williams; 377/Red Light Management’s Haley McLemore; Opry Entertainment Director of Artist Relations & Programming Strategy Jordan Pettit; Grand Ole Opry Director of Talent Scheduling & Logistics Gina Keltner. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Riser House/Columbia Nashville artist Mitchell Tenpenny made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Feb. 16, performing his platinum-certified hit “Drunk Me.” He ended his Opry set with the tune “Walk Like Him,” which he dedicated to his father, Mitch Tenpenny, as well as his grandmother Donna Hilley, who was the former CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

 

Country Radio Broadcasters Announces Scholarship Endowment Recipients

The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. (CRB) has announced the recipients of two scholarship endowments, which were awarded to two universities. The two endowments, valued at $50,000 in honor of Country Radio Seminar’s 50th Anniversary event, were given to Dr. Richard Robinson of The University of Tennessee at Martin and Dr. Butler Cain of the University of North Alabama. Each received a $25,000 endowment for the 2019-20 school year.

Past recipients of the CRB endowment scholarship include Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State University, Texas A&M University, Central Michigan University, University of North Texas, Green River College, and more. A CRB scholarship committee was assembled to oversee the vetting of applications. 

 

Myriad Productions Signs Savannah Nider

Pictured (L-R): Steve Cox (Myriad Productions), Savannah Nider

Nashville-based Myriad Productions has announced its first signing of 2019 with the addition of singer-songwriter Savannah Nider to the company’s management division. In addition to Nider, Myriad represents country music hitmaker Collin Raye, as well as rising singer-songwriters TJ Weaver and Wendy Hope.

Mike Curb Foundation, Regions Foundation Offer $1 Million Donation To National Museum Of African American Music

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The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) announced a joint gift of $1 million from the Regions Foundation and the Mike Curb Foundation, marking another milestone for the interactive new museum, slated to open in downtown Nashville later this year as part of the Fifth+Broadway development.

Each organization is contributing $500,000 toward the museum’s construction – which will feature ambitious and evolving displays in tribute to America’s most dynamic and transformative African American artists and movements. Representatives from NMAAM, the Regions Foundation and the Mike Curb Foundation were joined by elected officials and community leaders, including Senator Marsha Blackburn, state Senator Brenda Gilmore and Nashville Mayor David Briley, to announce the significant gifts and unveil new details of what the expansive, 56,000 square foot museum will share with its guests.

The museum will be home to traveling exhibits and five permanent galleries featuring 25 interactive displays that chronicle the history of African American music from the 1800s to the present day. More than 1,400 artifacts have already been collected to be showcased in the space.

“Today’s event marks a major fundraising milestone for us,” said H. Beecher Hicks, III, president and CEO of NMAAM. “After years of planning and discussions, this project will soon become a reality. We are so grateful to the Regions Foundation and the Mike Curb Foundation for helping to make this pioneering museum a reality.”

The donations made by the Regions Foundation and the Mike Curb Foundation put the museum in closer reach of its nearly $50 million fundraising goal prior to opening in early 2020. Currently, fundraising has reached nearly 75 percent of the target. In appreciation of the commitment by Regions, the grand foyer of the Museum will be named in honor of the Regions Foundation.

Pictured (L-R): Lee Blank, Nashville Market Executive for Regions Bank; David Briley, Mayor of Nashville; Marsha Blackburn, US Senator; H. Beecher Hicks, III, president and CEO of NMAAM; Brenda Gilmore, TN State Senator; Jim Ed Norman, Mike Curb Foundation

“Regions Bank and the Regions Foundation are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve, and the National Museum of African American Music will add to the vitality of the Nashville area by honoring and recognizing the impact of African American contributions to modern American music,” said Lee Blank, Nashville Market Executive for Regions Bank. “This gift represents our support of this living, lasting legacy, which celebrates the unique journeys and immense talent of artists who have shaped music history. We know that the people of Middle Tennessee and visitors from throughout the globe will enjoy what this museum will offer for generations to come.”

Tuesday’s announcement unveiled artifacts that will be part of the permanent exhibition – one of which included sheet music by Grammy Award-winning artist Stevie Wonder.

“We’ve decided to name our gift in honor of the Fisk Jubilee Singers and highlight the impact they’ve had on our city’s rich musical history,” says Jim Ed Norman of the Mike Curb Foundation. “We think it’s fitting that all visitors to the museum will now see the ‘Fisk Jubilee Singers’ name at the Broadway entrance as it will serve as a reminder of the musical influences in our great city.”

Regions Foyer at National Museum of African American Music.

MusicRowLife: WTHO Georgia Radio Personality Steve Ferguson Passes

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Pictured (L-R): Steve Ferguson and Garth Brooks

Steve Ferguson lost his battle with cancer last night (Feb. 18); he was diagnosed with terminal bile cancer earlier this year. He served on the MusicRow reporting panel for 12 years with WTHO.

Ferguson began his radio career in 1985 with WMTZ in Martinez, Georgia, as a part-time Sunday afternoon host. In five years, he had been promoted to program director and morning drive host. In 1990 when WMTZ’s format changed to oldies, Ferguson left the station to work for WTHO in Thompson, Georgia. He served as the program director for 29 years as well as morning drive host for 18 years.

In 2010, Ferguson was awarded MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year for his love and dedication to his profession. Last week (Feb. 13), he was awarded the Randy Jones Award for the same devotion to his community and career. Ferguson was also an avid musician having played bass guitar, drums and vocals.

Visitation was held Thursday (Feb. 21) at Beggs Funeral Home in Thomson, Georgia. Funeral Services were held Friday (Feb. 22).

[Updated]: ole Acquires Parallel Catalog, Adds Tim Hunze As Sr. Director, Creative

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Tim Hunze

[Updated, Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 9:05 a.m.]

The six Parallel writers added to ole’s roster from the acquisition are reported to be Alex Hall, Lance Carpenter, Blake Chaffin, Joey Hendricks, Michael Lotten and Michael White.

Parallel’s Dir. of Admin, Mary Kate O’Boyle, has also joined ole as Client Services Manager, Catalogue. Parallel’s recently promoted Senior Creative Director, Travis Myatt, was not reported to have a place in the acquisition.

[Previous Story]

ole has concluded an exclusive worldwide deal with Parallel Music Publishing, acquiring 100 percent of Parallel’s catalog of more than 6,500 songs, including No. 1 hits The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two,” Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It,” Justin Moore’s “Till My Last Day,” and Michael Ray’s “Kiss You In the Morning,” as well as Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart” which went to No. 2 at country radio. Parallel songwriters are responsible for five No. 1 hits.

As part of the deal, ole also adds six active songwriters to its roster, as well as adding Parallel Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Tim Hunze as Senior Director of Creative at ole. Working out of its Nashville office, Hunze will be responsible for working with ole’s roster of songwriters and artists. A pipeline of singles are expected to hit the charts in 2019.

“This acquisition checks so many boxes for us. Parallel has a great roster of writers and artists; the staff is incredibly well-respected and knowledgeable, and the momentum built by Hunze and his team continues to grow. We’re proud to have them as part of the ole family now,” commented ole’s Vice President of Creative, John Ozier.

“I am so fired up to join John and his team. I think joining forces will create some amazing momentum for all our writers and artists. Watch out Music Row, ole is coming in hot,” added Hunze.

Founded in 1992 as a personal management company to launch the celebrated Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Parallel quickly became one of the most successful talent management, music publishing and production companies in the entertainment business.

Weekly Register: Kacey Musgraves’ ‘Golden Hour’ Tops Country Albums Chart Following Grammy Sweep

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Kacey Musgraves

Following its two Grammy wins for Album of the Year (country and overall), Kacey Musgraves’ acclaimed Golden Hour has re-entered the Top 200 Albums chart at No. 9 this week, with 35,000 equivalent album units earned for the week ending Feb. 14, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The stat makes Musgraves’ Golden Hour the first album in the past century to re-enter the Top 200 in the Top 10 following a Grammy Awards show.

The project also tops this week’s Country Albums chart, besting its debut week back in April 2018, when Golden Hour entered the chart at No. 4. This week’s sales mark a 524 percent sales surge for Musgraves’ album. Musgraves earned a total of four Grammy wins on Sunday, Feb. 10, with the additional accolades of Best Country Song (“Space Cowboy”) and Best Country Solo Performance (“Butterflies”).

Other big post-Grammy album winners include Brandi Carlile. Carlile swept the American Roots portion of the awards show, and her By The Way, I Forgive You album re-enters the Top 200 at No. 22, with 20K (marking an 897 percent increase).

Musgraves’ fellow Grammy winners and nominees dominate this week’s Top 5, with Grammy Best New Artist nominee Luke Combs‘ This One’s For You at No. 2 (25K), first-time Grammy winners Dan + Shay at No. 3 with 18K (marking a 17 percent post-Grammy sales surge), and Grammy nominee Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller at No. 4 with 13K. Kane Brown‘s Experiment rounds out the Top 5 with 10K.

On the Top 5 Country streaming songs chart, Luke Combs’ “Beautiful Crazy” leads with 8.9 million streams. Dan + Shay take the No. 2 and No. 3 spots with “Speechless” (8 million) and “Tequila” (7.9 million), respectively. Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” is at No. 4 with 7.5 million streams and Kane Brown’s “Heaven” rounds out the Top 5 with 7.1 million streams.

Lonestar Plots 2019 Tour

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Pictured (L-R): Dean Sams, Keech Rainwater, Richie McDonald, Michael Britt

Country group Lonestar is back for its 2019 tour, Hits & More Hits. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the band’s triple-Platinum Lonely Grill album, which accumulated four No. 1 songs including “Amazed,” “Smile,” “What About Now,” and “Tell Her.”

The tour launches March 2 in Panama City Beach, Florida, and will include stops throughout the United States and Canada. The trek wraps Sept. 21 in Franklin, North Carolina.

“We are celebrating another milestone in 2019,” says keyboardist/vocalist Dean Sams. “It’s the 20th anniversary of the release of our Lonely Grill CD that had four number one singles on it and sold over four million records. Hope to see everyone out to celebrate with us on our ‘Hits and More Hits Tour’ in a city near you! After all, it’s you the fans that made it happen!!!”

Lonestar includes Sams, alongside lead vocalist Richie McDonald, drummer Keech Rainwater, and lead guitarist/vocalist Michael Britt.

Lonestar 2019 Hits & More Hits Tour Dates:
3/2/19: Panama City Beach, FL – Aaron Bessant Amphitheatre
3/8/19: Kent, OH – The Kent Stage
3/9/19: Manistee, MI – Little River Casino Resort
3/15/19: Fort Pierce, FL – Sunrise Theatre
3/16/19: Pinellas Park, FL – England Brothers Park
3/17/19: Immokalee, FL – Seminole Casino Hotel
4/13/19: Florence, AZ – Country Thunder USA
4/24/19: Lake Buena Vista, FL – American Gardens at Epcot Disneyworld
4/25/19: Lake Buena Vista, FL – American Gardens at Epcot Disneyworld
4/26/19: Lake Buena Vista, FL – American Gardens at Epcot Disneyworld
5/31/19: Dayton, OH – Hollywood Gaming At Dayton Raceway
6/9/19: Norfolk, VA – Town Point Park
6/11/19: Belleville, ON – The Empire Theatre
6/13/19: Burlington, ON – Sound of Music Festival
6/14/19: London, ON – London Music Hall
6/15/19: Rama, ON – Casino Rama
6/17/19: Halifax, NS – Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
6/18/19: Moncton, NB – The Centre at Casino New Brunswick
6/20/19: Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
6/21/19: Lincoln, RI – Twin River Casino
6/22/19: Winston-Salem, NC – The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex
6/23/19: Myrtle Beach, SC – Calvin Gilmore Theater
7/6/19: Roundup, MT – Roundup City Park
7/11/19: Tee PeeCreek, Alberta – TeePee Creek Stampede
7/12/19: Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada – Country Thunder Saskatchewan
7/18/19: Port Huron, Michigan – Port Huron to Mackinaw WSAQ Radio Show
7/19/19: Twin Lakes, WI – Country Thunder USA
7/20/19: Oskaloosa, IA – Southern Iowa Fair
7/25/19: Calgary, Alberta, Canada – Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
7/26/19: Mattawa, ON, Canada – Mattawa Voyageur Days 2019
7/27/19: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada – Howl at the Moon Music Festival
8/1/19: Spokane, WA – First Interstate Center for the Arts
8/2/19: Whitefish, MT – Glacier Twins Baseball Fundraiser
8/3/19: Klamath Falls, OR – Klamath County Fair & Carnival
8/5/19: Santa Rosa, CA – Sonoma County Fair
8/7/19: Duchesne, UT – Duchesne County Fair
8/8/19: Nephi, UT – Juab County Fair
8/10/19: Henderson, NV – Sunset Station Hotel & Casino
8/14/19: Bath, NY – Steuben County Fair
8/16/19: Richmond, RI – Washington County Fair
8/23/19: Meridian, MS – MSU Riley Center for the Performing Arts
8/24/19: Mount Vernon, KY – Renfro Valley Entertainment
8/30/19: Lexington, MI – Village Theatre
9/1/19: Matthews, NC – Stumptown Park
9/6/19: Bonner Springs, KS – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
9/13/19: Frederick, MD – The Great Frederick Fair
9/21/19: Franklin, NC – Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts

Belmont University Students Back Ed Sheeran During Elvis NBC Special

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Ed Sheeran with Belmont University students

Several students from Belmont University’s School of Music recently made an appearance on NBC, providing background vocals for Ed Sheeran during the Elvis All-Star Tribute that aired Sunday (Feb. 17).

Belmont University Associate Professor of Music Dr. Jeffery Ames, who led the students during the performance, received a message from Pat McMakin, director of Ocean Way Nashville Recording Studios (which is owned by Belmont), that Sheeran’s team was looking to assemble an ensemble to contribute background vocals on a song the artist was recording.

Ames contacted 16 School of Music vocalists, both undergraduate and graduate students, and wrote the arrangement. The group rehearsed three times before taping a version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” with Sheeran at Ocean Way last fall.

“Now that it’s aired, I had no idea of the magnitude and scope this production would have,” said Ames. “It truly was an opportunity to allow Belmont to shine on a national platform. In addition, it was a tremendous learning experience for all of the students involved, allowing them to record professionally in the studio with a highly skilled and popular artist.”

The national broadcast of the recording occurred last night as part of the Elvis All-Star Tribute. The two-hour program on NBC was roughly timed to mark 50 years since Presley’s historic ’68 Comeback Special, which resurrected the singer’s music career. The lineup for the performance included Sheeran, Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Pistol Annies, Dierks Bentley, host Blake Shelton, John Fogerty, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Shawn Mendes and more.

YouTube video

Country Lakeshake Announces ‘Next From Nashville’ Stage Lineup

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Chicago’s Country LakeShake revealed this year’s lineup for the launchpad “Next from Nashville” stage today, detailing performances from up-and-comers Kassi Ashton, Austin Burke, Travis Denning, Clare Dunn, Ross Ellis, Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Levi Hummon, Elizabeth Lyons, Jobi Riccio, Seaforth, Matt Stell, Rachel Wammack, Waterloo Revival and Rita Wilson.

The festival will take place June 21-23 and will be the first country music festival that will host a full day featuring all female artists on both stages.

Previously announced performers include Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert (also featuring Pistol Annies), Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina, Clint Black, Danielle Bradbery, Lindsay Ell, Jon Langston, Midland, Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope, Granger Smith feat. Earl Dibbles Jr, Mitchell Tenpenny and Brett Young.

Country LakeShake is part of Live Nation’s premiere family of country music festivals spread across the country, including Watershed in George, Washington; Faster Horses in Brooklyn, Michigan; Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Seven Peaks Music Festival in Denver, Colorado. LakeShake will kick off at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island. Passes are available at lakeshakefestival.com.