Front row (L-R): Greg Blake, Jessica Grossman, Stacy Chandler, Patricia Ann Eaves, Cathy Fink, Jeff Miller. Second row (L-R): Scott Napier, Mollie Farr, Katie Keller, Landon Elmore.
Third row (L-R): Maria Ivey, Patricia Imbrogno, Emma John, Ivy Sheppard, Jef Walter.
Fourth row (L-R): Adam Kirr, George Jackson, Bil VornDick, Brett Martin, Kara Kundert, Matt Miller. Back row (L-R): Patrick M’Gonigle, Dan Eubanks, Lenny Nichols, Jeffrey Ludin. Photo: Alane Anno
The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2018. Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive, three-day program focused on interactive learning and networking experiences which invite participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the bluegrass music industry, and pursue leadership development. This was the 19th year of Leadership Bluegrass, which now boasts over 400 alumni. Leadership Bluegrass 2018 was hosted at BMI in Nashville, Tennessee March 5-7. Trisha Tubbs served as the course facilitator (her 8th consecutive year), and Jay Armsworthy was assistant facilitator.
Each year, participants are selected through a competitive application process and are a cross-section of current and future leaders from all areas of the industry, coming from various regions of the U.S. and the world. Sponsors for Leadership Bluegrass include BMI, Wintergrass (Acoustic Sound), Bluegrass Heritage Foundation and Williams Mullen.
Greg Blake, Greg Blake Music, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, Overland Park, KS
Stacy Chandler, No Depression, Garner, NC
Patricia Ann Eaves, Eastern Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Landon Elmore, Landon Elmore Design & Marketing, Raleigh, NC
Daniel Eubanks, Special Consensus, Nashville, TN
Mollie Farr, Lost Buffalo Artists, Nashville, TN
Cathy Fink, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Silver Spring, MD
Jessica Grossman, Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association, Huntington, IN
Patricia Imbrogno, Artist, Pittsburgh, PA
Maria Ivey, Press House, Nashville, TN
George Jackson, Artist, Booking Agent, Madison, TN
Emma John, The Guardian, London, UK
Katie Keller, International Bluegrass Music Museum, Owensboro, KY
Adam Kirr, Charm City Bluegrass, The Bluegrass Marketer, Baltimore, MD
Kara Kundert, Bluegrass Pride, Oakland, CA
Jeffrey Ludin, Bluegrass Country Foundation, Vienna, VA
Brett Martin, Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc., Independence, VA
Patrick McGonigle, The Lonely Heartstring Band, Brookline, MA
Matthew Miller, Rounder Records, Nashville, TN
Jeff Miller, Flashpoint Arts, Tuscaloosa, AL
Scott Napier, Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, Bloomington, IN
Lenny Nichols, Central Texas Bluegrass Association, Round Rock, TX
Ivy Sheppard, Born In The Mountain, Mount Airy, NC
Bil VornDick, Mountainside Music, Nashville, TN
Jef Walter, The Carolina PineCones, Durham, NC
BMLG Names Jessica Myers VP, Rights Management & Business Affairs
/by Jessica NicholsonJessica Myers
Big Machine Label Group has appointed Jessica Myers as Vice President, Rights Management & Business Affairs, effective immediately. Myers will continue to oversee rights management, licensing and A&R administration for BMLG as well as for the label group’s publishing arm, Big Machine Music.
“Jessica’s extensive licensing and rights management work is a tremendous asset to BMLG and this new title aptly reflects the important role she continues to play at Big Machine,” said BMLG Chief Operating Officer Andrew Kautz.
Since joining the label group in 2013, Myers has run point on administration of BMLG’s master and copyright assets. She will continue to work closely with EVP General Counsel Malcolm Mimms and Kautz with the broadened responsibilities.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and faith Scott Borchetta, Andrew Kautz, and Malcolm Mimms have entrusted to me. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and am excited about what’s to come,” said Myers.
Myers continues to be based at BMLG’s Nashville headquarters and can be reached via jessica.myers@bmlg.net and 615-345-4534.
Jake Owen Celebrates Two-Week Most Added Single, “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)”
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Seth England (Partner, Big Loud Records), Keith Gale (Good Company Entertainment), Jon Andolina (Good Company Entertainment), Clay Hunnicutt (President, Big Loud Records), Jake Owen, Joey Moi (Producer and Partner, Big Loud Records), Stacy Blythe (National Promotion Director, Big Loud Records). Photo: Nick Swift for Big Loud Records
Recording artist Jake Owen celebrated his Big Loud debut single, “I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” which became the most-added record at country radio for a second consecutive week ahead of it’s official impact date (March 12). On that date, industry executives, creatives and media gathered to support Owen and his already top 30 single at Nashville’s Hutton Hotel Analog event space.
“This town is built around passion,” says Owen of Nashville. “I know I moved here because I was passionate about making music, traveling the country, making people smile and having a good time. I find myself all these years later in front of all these people and a new label that are freaking passionate about music and taking it to the people. I can’t really ask for more in my life than that right now.
“I’m so ecstatic about the launch of this new music and single,” he said of the new song, which was added by 134 monitored chart-reporting country radio stations. “Big Loud Records has done an incredible job launching this new project for me and believing in who I am and what kind of music I’m drawn to make. Joey Moi, once again, helped elevate the song to a whole other level, and we are all fired up about this start to a great 2018. Thanks country radio for believing in me!”
“Jake delivered a huge record and country radio showed up big for us,” adds Stacy Blythe, Big Loud’s National Promotion Director. “134 stations by add date is a debut we couldn’t even imagine. I’m very proud of this Big Loud family and this is just the start!”
Clay Hunnicutt, President of Big Loud Records, expresses, “Thank you to everyone who has helped Jake and the Big Loud team get off to such an amazing start. This far exceeded our expectations. There’s a proven track record that Jake and Joey Moi make great music together, so we really shouldn’t be surprised…There’s a lot more to come this year!”
“I Was Jack (You Were Diane)” was an iHeart World Premiere, and Sirius XM’s “The Highway” blasted it out of the gate. The new nostalgic single is garnering attention from digital media partners as well. Jake graced the cover of Spotify’s Hot Country playlist, featuring “I Was Jack (You Were Diane).” Also, the song topped Amazon Music’s Fresh Country playlist and was added to Apple Music’s A-List Country playlist, as well as, Pandora’s New Country Now playlist.
In addition, Owen’s 2018 Life’s Whatcha Make It Tour kicks off on May 15 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at AT&T Field, with special guest Chris Janson and rising star Jordan Davis. The majority of shows will take place at baseball stadiums across the country.
Caitie Hurst Signs With Centricity Music
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 23-year old Hendersonville, Tennessee native led worship and worked in youth ministry for years, and has been working with songwriters and producers such as Colby Wedgeworth (Zach Williams, Jordan Feliz) and Cody Fry (Ben Rector, All Sons & Daughters) to craft her EP.
“I want to bridge the gap between songs that sound like popular radio and songs that hold lyrics that are actually meaningful and communicate the Gospel,” Hurst said. “God has used songs to reveal truth to me and get me through challenging experiences. I want to create music has cool beats, but that ultimately it’s the word of God within the songs making the impact.”
“It didn’t take long to discover not only Caitie’s incredible talent, but a heart and attitude rare to find in our work,” Centricity Senior VP of A&R John Mays said. “We’re thrilled to support her and her music.”
Sam Hunt’s The Nashional Music Festival Canceled
/by Jessica NicholsonSam Hunt
Sam Hunt‘s recently-announced Nashville music festival, The Nashional, has been canceled, according to the festival’s official website.
The event, which was to feature performers including Hunt, Brothers Osborne, Judah & The Lion, and Muscadine Bloodline, would have taken place April 20-21 at Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
According to the event’s website:
Refunds are available at point of purchase.
Outlaw Music Festival Tour Returns May 25
/by Lorie HollabaughThe first leg of North America’s biggest touring festival will stop in nine cities, beginning in Raleigh, NC, on May 25 and running through July 1 in The Woodlands, TX (Houston). Each date will feature a unique range of attractions including local cuisine, craft beers, and crafts by local artisans to provide fans in each city with an unforgettable concert experience.
“We had so much fun on the Outlaw Music Festival Tour last year that we decided to do it again! See y’all out on the road this summer,” says Nelson.
More artists and dates will be announced in the coming weeks, and tickets for the general public go on sale March 16. VIP packages including great seats and exclusive merchandise will be available. Citi® is the official pre-sale credit card of the Outlaw Music Festival Tour, and Citi card members will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning today until Thursday, (3/15).
“Family. That’s what this touring group of artists, fans, and friends are when we come together for our annual Outlaw Music Festival Tour. I am thrilled to continue this journey with Willie, this extraordinary group of performers, and Live Nation,” says Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird Presents.
OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL TOUR DATES & LINEUPS:
FRIDAY, MAY 25
RALEIGH, NC – COASTAL CREDIT UNION MUSIC PARK AT WALNUT CREEK
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Alison Krauss
Delta Rae
Other Artists To Be Announced
SATURDAY, MAY 26
CHARLOTTE, NC – PNC MUSIC PAVILION
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Brandi Carlile
Old Crow Medicine Show
Other Artists To Be Announced
SUNDAY, MAY 27
BRISTOW, VA – JIFFY LUBE LIVE
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Other Artists To Be Announced
FRIDAY, JUNE 22
CINCINNATI, OH – RIVERBEND MUSIC CENTER
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Old Crow Medicine Show
Other Artists To Be Announced
SATURDAY, JUNE 23
NOBLESVILLE, IN – RUOFF HOME MORTGAGE MUSIC CENTER
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Old Crow Medicine Show
JD McPherson
Other Artists To Be Announced
SUNDAY, JUNE 24
DETROIT, MI – DTE ENERGY MUSIC THEATRE
Willie Nelson & Family
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
The Head and the Heart
Old Crow Medicine Show
Other Artists To Be Announced
FRIDAY, JUNE 29
LITTLE ROCK, AR – VERIZON ARENA
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Ryan Bingham
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced
SATURDAY, JUNE 30
DALLAS, TX – STARPLEX PAVILION
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Ryan Bingham
The Head and the Heart
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
The Wild Feathers
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced
SUNDAY, JULY 1
THE WOODLANDS, TX – CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL PAVILION
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Ryan Bingham
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
The Wild Feathers
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced
ACM Announces Radio Award Winners
/by Jessica NicholsonThis marks the third ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year win for The Bobby Bones Show. The show previously won the award in 2013 and 2015. This also marks the second win for Steve & Geoff in the Medium Market On-Air Personality of the Year category. This marks the eleventh win for WSIX-FM, seventh win for WUSY-FM, and second win for KTTS-FM in Radio Station of the Year categories.
Below is a complete list of the Radio Award winners for the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards:
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR WINNERS:
NATIONAL Bobby Bones, Amy, Lunchbox, Eddie – The Bobby Bones Show
MAJOR MARKET Bud and Broadway – WIL-FM – St. Louis, MO
LARGE MARKET Dale Carter – KFKF-FM – Kansas City, MO
MEDIUM MARKET Steve & Geoff – KUZZ-AM/FM – Bakersfield, CA
SMALL MARKET Dave Daniels – KHAY-FM – Ventura, CA
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR WINNERS:
MAJOR MARKET KMLE-FM – Phoenix, AZ
LARGE MARKET WSIX-FM – Nashville, TN
MEDIUM MARKET WUSY-FM – Chattanooga, TN
SMALL MARKET KTTS-FM – Springfield, MO
Kane Brown Sets Guinness World Record
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s EVP Marketing/New Business John Zarling, EVP/COO Ken Robold and Chairman/CEO Randy Goodman; Kane Brown; EFG Management’s Martha Earls; Sony Music Nashville’s EVP Promotion/Artist Development Steve Hodges, SVP A&R Jim Catino and SVP RCA Promotion Dennis Reese Photo: Alex Alvga
Kane Brown can add Guinness World Records title holder to his growing list of accolades, since he recently made history by joining the ranks of record setters. Brown recently set the record for and became the first act to top five US country charts simultaneously.
Kane was presented with his official record certificate recently at the Sony Music Nashville office. On Oct. 28, 2017, he became the title holder for the first act to top five US country charts simultaneously, including Top Country Albums (Kane Brown Deluxe Edition); Country Digital Song Sales (“Heaven”); and Country Airplay, Hot Country Songs, and Country Streaming Songs (“What Ifs” featuring Lauren Alaina).
“It feels awesome to be a Guinness World Records title holder and to be the first artist to achieve this with Billboard,” said Kane on achieving the record. “I remember being in elementary and middle school and looking at the books for all of the records, and I can’t believe my name gets to be in there now.”
To date, Brown’s album has remained at No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Album chart for eight weeks. Since its December 2016 release, his debut has surpassed all country album debuts with the most weeks at No.1 — no other country album has exceeded more than an eight-week run at the top of the chart.
IBMA Announces 2018 Leadership Bluegrass Graduating Class
/by Jessica NicholsonFront row (L-R): Greg Blake, Jessica Grossman, Stacy Chandler, Patricia Ann Eaves, Cathy Fink, Jeff Miller. Second row (L-R): Scott Napier, Mollie Farr, Katie Keller, Landon Elmore.
Third row (L-R): Maria Ivey, Patricia Imbrogno, Emma John, Ivy Sheppard, Jef Walter.
Fourth row (L-R): Adam Kirr, George Jackson, Bil VornDick, Brett Martin, Kara Kundert, Matt Miller. Back row (L-R): Patrick M’Gonigle, Dan Eubanks, Lenny Nichols, Jeffrey Ludin. Photo: Alane Anno
The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2018. Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive, three-day program focused on interactive learning and networking experiences which invite participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the bluegrass music industry, and pursue leadership development. This was the 19th year of Leadership Bluegrass, which now boasts over 400 alumni. Leadership Bluegrass 2018 was hosted at BMI in Nashville, Tennessee March 5-7. Trisha Tubbs served as the course facilitator (her 8th consecutive year), and Jay Armsworthy was assistant facilitator.
Each year, participants are selected through a competitive application process and are a cross-section of current and future leaders from all areas of the industry, coming from various regions of the U.S. and the world. Sponsors for Leadership Bluegrass include BMI, Wintergrass (Acoustic Sound), Bluegrass Heritage Foundation and Williams Mullen.
Greg Blake, Greg Blake Music, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, Overland Park, KS
Stacy Chandler, No Depression, Garner, NC
Patricia Ann Eaves, Eastern Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Landon Elmore, Landon Elmore Design & Marketing, Raleigh, NC
Daniel Eubanks, Special Consensus, Nashville, TN
Mollie Farr, Lost Buffalo Artists, Nashville, TN
Cathy Fink, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Silver Spring, MD
Jessica Grossman, Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association, Huntington, IN
Patricia Imbrogno, Artist, Pittsburgh, PA
Maria Ivey, Press House, Nashville, TN
George Jackson, Artist, Booking Agent, Madison, TN
Emma John, The Guardian, London, UK
Katie Keller, International Bluegrass Music Museum, Owensboro, KY
Adam Kirr, Charm City Bluegrass, The Bluegrass Marketer, Baltimore, MD
Kara Kundert, Bluegrass Pride, Oakland, CA
Jeffrey Ludin, Bluegrass Country Foundation, Vienna, VA
Brett Martin, Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc., Independence, VA
Patrick McGonigle, The Lonely Heartstring Band, Brookline, MA
Matthew Miller, Rounder Records, Nashville, TN
Jeff Miller, Flashpoint Arts, Tuscaloosa, AL
Scott Napier, Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, Bloomington, IN
Lenny Nichols, Central Texas Bluegrass Association, Round Rock, TX
Ivy Sheppard, Born In The Mountain, Mount Airy, NC
Bil VornDick, Mountainside Music, Nashville, TN
Jef Walter, The Carolina PineCones, Durham, NC
Tenille Arts Inks With Reviver Records
/by Lorie HollabaughTenille Arts has signed with Reviver Records. Her debut single is set to launch following a national tour at country radio.
The 23-year-old raised in the small prairie town of Weyburn, Saskatchewan, picked up the guitar and penned her first song at the age of 13, and has been performing across the US and Canada ever since. She made the move to Nashville almost three years ago, and her music has already tallied over two million streams in 2017 and over three million overall. Arts’ Rebel Child album was released in October 2017.
“We are thrilled to have Tenille join our family,” said Reviver Executive VP/GM Gator Michaels. “She is a fantastic singer, writer and player. The Reviver team is honored to introduce country music’s next triple-threat artist!”
In addition to Reviver Entertainment, Tenille’s team includes Dreamcatcher Management, Noble Vision Music Group, Campbell Entertainment Group, with Jay Williams and Alex Luebbert handling bookings at WME.
“I’m so excited to be signing with Reviver Records,” said Tenille. “I’ve been building my team in Nashville for a couple of years now, and when I combine those incredible people – Hal Oven, Adam Wheeler, Matt Rovey, Craig Campbell, Michael Emery, Powell Hedley, Jim Mazza, Debbye Scroggins and CeCe Dawson – with everyone at Reviver Records, it’s my dream team. It’s the best feeling in the world as an artist to feel like every single person involved is passionate, genuinely excited about the music and always thinking about the long-term career. Everyone is already hard at work, and it feels great to be a part of something so special.”
WME Announces Bash At The Beach Lineup For Las Vegas
/by Jessica NicholsonThe lineup has been announced for WME’s second Bash at the Beach. The two-night concert will take place at the Beach at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14. Concert-goers are invited to bring blankets, sit on the beach, or wade in the surf while enjoying the music from the cool confines of Mandalay Bay’s 1.6-million-gallon wave pool.
Chris Young is set to close out the two-night event with a performance on Saturday night. Chris Janson will headline Friday night’s show. Cam, Dee Jay Silver, Granger Smith, Jordan Davis, LANCO, Lindsay Ell, Morgan Evans, Morgan Wallen, Parmalee, RaeLynn and Scotty McCreery are also set to perform.
Proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music.
This event is the latest to be announced in connection with the 6th Annual ACM Party for a Cause festivities, and it will be the place to be during “The Week Vegas Goes Country.”