Norro Wilson at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Poets and Prophets: Salute to Legendary Country Songwriter Norro Wilson on March 5, 2011. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Norro Wilson died at age 79 on Thursday, June 8.
Wilson was the producer of hit records for Charley Pride, George Jones, Kenny Chesney, Tammy Wynette, Con Hunley and Keith Whitley, among others. He was an executive at several publishing and record companies.
He was also widely loved on Music Row for his twinkling wit, clever imitations and quirky sense of humor. But his most important legacy is the stunning song catalog he leaves behind.
Norro Wilson’s co-written “The Grand Tour” has been a hit three times. George Jones introduced it in 1974. Aaron Neville revived it in 1993. It is currently a hit single and video for Tony Jackson. The song has also been recorded by Sammy Kershaw, Joe Stampley, Dwight Yoakam and Dale Watson, among others.
“A Very Special Love Song,” which was a 1974 Charlie Rich hit, won Wilson a Best Country Song Grammy Award. “A Picture of Me Without You” topped the charts for both George Jones (1972) and Lorrie Morgan (1991).
Wilson also co-wrote such classic songs as “Soul Song” (Joe Stampley 1972), ”The Most Beautiful Girl” (Charlie Rich 1973), “Another Lonely Song” (Tammy Wynette 1973) and “He Loves Me All the Way” (Tammy Wynette 1970).
Wilson was named BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1973, 1974 and 1975.
Born Norris Denton Wilson in 1938, he was a native of Scottsville, Kentucky who learned piano and sang barbershop harmonies as a youth. He began his music career as the tenor singer in the gospel act The Southlanders Quartet. He migrated to Nashville with the group in 1957.
He continued to sing with the quartet until 1960. Wilson then formed a vocal duo with fellow future Music Row song publisher Don Gant (1942-1967).
As a songwriter, Norro Wilson signed with Acuff-Rose in 1962. He joined Al Gallico Music in 1967, initially working for the company as a song plugger.
But he continued to harbor an ambition to be a recording artist. Wilson recorded for Monument, Smash (the 1969 LP Dedicated to Only You), Mercury (1970’s “Do It to Someone You Love,” his only top-20 country hit), RCA, Capitol and Warner Bros. He also worked as a session backup singer for Faron Young, Ferlin Husky and others.
Meanwhile, Gallico had him pitching its writers’ songs to country recording artists on Music Row. In the late 1960s, Wilson began collaborating with the company’s tunesmiths.
Among his early songwriting successes were “Baby Baby (I Know You’re a Lady)” (David Houston 1969), “I’ll See Him Through” (Tammy Wynette 1969), “Then He Touched Me” (Jean Shepard 1970), “My Man (Understands)” (Tammy Wynette 1972), “Bring It On Home (To Your Woman)” (Joe Stampley 1973), “I Love My Friend” (Charlie Rich 1974) and “The Door” (George Jones 1974). These are in addition to several of the classics listed above.
Warner Bros. Records hired him to work in its A&R department in 1975. He retired his recording career two years later. In 1982, he joined RCA Records, also as an A&R executive.
“Still a Woman” (Margo Smith 1979), “Never Been So Loved” (Charley Pride 1981), “Surround Me With Love” (Charly McClain 1981), “Night Games” (Charley Pride 1983) and “You’ve Got Something on Your Mind” (Mickey Gilley 1985) continued his hit songwriting streak. But Wilson always emphasized that he was merely a collaborator, rather than a songwriting star. Among his frequent songwriting partners were Glenn Sutton (1937-2007), Billy Sherrill (1936-2015), Carmol Taylor (1931-1986), and George Richey (1935-2010).
As his songwriting career waned, Norro Wilson became CEO of the Merit Music publishing company in 1987. He then started Norro Productions in 1990, signing Kershaw as one of his first clients. He and Buddy Cannon began co-producing Jones and Chesney and formed Bud Ro Productions in 1998.
Wilson continually evolved as country music modernized in the 1980s and 1990s. He became a producer for Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, John Anderson, Chely Wright, John Michael Montgomery, Craig Morgan and Sara Evans, among others.
Norro Wilson was elected into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996. He joined the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He was saluted by the Country Music Hall of Fame in its “Poets & Prophets” spotlight series in 2011.
The songwriter, producer, publisher, record-label executive and performer had been in ill health for some time, although he did attend last fall’s Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony in the Music City Center.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Lady Antebellum Celebrates Album Release With CMA Music Fest Pop-Up Performance
/by Lorie HollabaughThe trio will also perform on Saturday’s show (June 10) at Nissan Stadium, before trekking to New York City where they will perform their new single “You Look Good” on Good Morning America Monday morning (June 12) at 8:30 ET on ABC. They will follow that up with a performance and Q&A live from the iHeartRadio Theater NY that evening at 8 p.m. ET. On Tuesday (June 13). The trio will perform the album’s title track on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Later in the week on Thursday (June 15), Lady A will sit down with “CBS This Morning” host Gayle King to chat about the making of Heart Break.
Taylor Swift Releases Full Catalog To All Streaming Services
/by Jessica NicholsonThe move celebrates Swift’s certification for moving 100 million song units, from the Recording Industry Association of America and comes on the heels of rumors about the wheels starting to spin on the release of a forthcoming sixth studio album.
“In celebration of 1989 selling over 10 Million Albums Worldwide and the RIAA’s 100 Million Song Certification announcement, Taylor wants to thank her fans by making her entire back catalog available to all streaming services tonight at midnight,” a statement said.
In 2014, Swift famously removed her music from Spotify and only released her work with Apple Music, after a 2015 tussle with the tech giant involving the payment of artist royalties during the trial period at launch.
SiriusXM Invests $480 Million In Pandora
/by Eric T. ParkerWith a loyal quarterly audience of nearly 100 million listeners in the U.S., the capital provided through the SiriusXM investment will allow Pandora to make targeted investments and capitalize on opportunities to build on its position in the streaming radio business.
Under the terms, Liberty Media—a subsidiary of SiriusXM—purchased an aggregate of $480 million in newly issued Series A convertible preferred stock of Pandora. When the transaction closes, three individuals designated by SiriusXM will be named to the Pandora Board of Directors. One of those individuals will serve as Chairman and SiriusXM designated directors will serve as select Board committee representatives. With these appointments, the Pandora Board will be expanded to consist of nine directors.
“The investment from SiriusXM infuses resources to help Pandora continue to grow and innovate,” said Pandora CEO and founder Tim Westergren. “With the strategic review behind us, and a strong balance sheet, we look forward to focusing on business execution and the optimization of our strategy.”
SiriusXM purchased $172.5 million of Series A preferred stock upon execution of the agreement and has agreed to purchase the balance of the Series A preferred stock at a second closing. The Series A preferred stock will represent a stake of 19 percent of Pandora’s currently outstanding common stock and a 16 percent stake on an as-converted basis. The Series A preferred stock is convertible into common stock at a purchase price of $10.50 per share. The conversion price of the Series A preferred stock is approximately a 14.2 percent premium to Pandora’s volume weighted average price for the 20-day period preceding June 9, 2017. The Series A preferred stock will bear a 6 percent cumulative dividend, payable in cash, accretion of the Series A preferred stock or a combination thereof.
Jim Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of SiriusXM, said, “This strategic investment in Pandora represents a unique opportunity for SiriusXM to create value for its stockholders by investing in the leader in the ad-supported digital radio business, a space where SiriusXM does not play today. Pandora’s large user base and its ability to provide listeners with a personalized music experience are tremendous assets. With its strong technology and new product offerings, we believe there are exciting opportunities for Pandora to accelerate its growth and increase value for Pandora and SiriusXM stockholders.”
“Liberty Media has long recognized the strength of the Pandora brand and the opportunities in the ad-supported digital radio market,” said Greg Maffei, Chairman of the SiriusXM Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Media Corporation. “We are very supportive of SiriusXM’s strategic investment.”
“Pandora’s Board and management team are committed to driving stockholder value and have carefully evaluated alternative strategies as part of the process disclosed on May 8,” said Tim Leiweke, member of Pandora’s Board of Directors. “We are pleased that the conclusion of that process resulted in a major investment by SiriusXM. With this investment, we have the backing of one of the media industry’s most successful investors and significant capital to accelerate growth. Pandora is now poised to advance to the next stage of the company’s lifecycle. Lastly, this transaction ensures that Pandora stockholders get the benefit of additional capital from an important strategic investor who can help enhance stockholder value.”
In connection with the transaction, Pandora agreed with an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts to terminate their Investment Agreement announced on May 8, 2017, and pay KKR a termination fee of $22.5 million.
Pandora is required to redeem the Series A preferred stock on the fifth anniversary of the closing for an amount equal to its liquidation preference plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Pandora can also redeem the Series A preferred stock at any time after the third anniversary of the closing if the daily volume weighted average price of Pandora’s common stock is greater than or equal to 175 percent of the then applicable conversion price for a period of at least 20 days during a 30 day trading window prior to the notice of redemption.
SiriusXM will be subject to certain standstill restrictions, including, among other things, that it will be restricted from acquiring additional securities of Pandora for 18 months. After that period and for so long as a director designated by it is serving on the Board of Directors, SiriusXM has agreed not to acquire more than 31.5 percent of Pandora’s equity securities without the approval of Pandora’s Board of Directors.
The second closing contemplated by the agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust approval, and is expected to close by the fourth quarter. The agreement may be terminated by either party if closing has not occurred by February 1, 2018.
Additional information relating to the SiriusXM investment may be found in the Form 8-K that will be filed by Pandora with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Allen & Company LLC and BofA Merrill Lynch are serving as financial advisors to SiriusXM and Jones Day and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP are serving as its legal counsel. Centerview Partners LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors to Pandora and Sidley Austin LLP and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz are acting as legal counsel.
LifeNotes: Songwriter/Producer Norro Wilson Passes
/by Robert K OermannNorro Wilson at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Poets and Prophets: Salute to Legendary Country Songwriter Norro Wilson on March 5, 2011. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Norro Wilson died at age 79 on Thursday, June 8.
Wilson was the producer of hit records for Charley Pride, George Jones, Kenny Chesney, Tammy Wynette, Con Hunley and Keith Whitley, among others. He was an executive at several publishing and record companies.
He was also widely loved on Music Row for his twinkling wit, clever imitations and quirky sense of humor. But his most important legacy is the stunning song catalog he leaves behind.
Norro Wilson’s co-written “The Grand Tour” has been a hit three times. George Jones introduced it in 1974. Aaron Neville revived it in 1993. It is currently a hit single and video for Tony Jackson. The song has also been recorded by Sammy Kershaw, Joe Stampley, Dwight Yoakam and Dale Watson, among others.
“A Very Special Love Song,” which was a 1974 Charlie Rich hit, won Wilson a Best Country Song Grammy Award. “A Picture of Me Without You” topped the charts for both George Jones (1972) and Lorrie Morgan (1991).
Wilson also co-wrote such classic songs as “Soul Song” (Joe Stampley 1972), ”The Most Beautiful Girl” (Charlie Rich 1973), “Another Lonely Song” (Tammy Wynette 1973) and “He Loves Me All the Way” (Tammy Wynette 1970).
Wilson was named BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1973, 1974 and 1975.
Born Norris Denton Wilson in 1938, he was a native of Scottsville, Kentucky who learned piano and sang barbershop harmonies as a youth. He began his music career as the tenor singer in the gospel act The Southlanders Quartet. He migrated to Nashville with the group in 1957.
He continued to sing with the quartet until 1960. Wilson then formed a vocal duo with fellow future Music Row song publisher Don Gant (1942-1967).
As a songwriter, Norro Wilson signed with Acuff-Rose in 1962. He joined Al Gallico Music in 1967, initially working for the company as a song plugger.
But he continued to harbor an ambition to be a recording artist. Wilson recorded for Monument, Smash (the 1969 LP Dedicated to Only You), Mercury (1970’s “Do It to Someone You Love,” his only top-20 country hit), RCA, Capitol and Warner Bros. He also worked as a session backup singer for Faron Young, Ferlin Husky and others.
Meanwhile, Gallico had him pitching its writers’ songs to country recording artists on Music Row. In the late 1960s, Wilson began collaborating with the company’s tunesmiths.
Among his early songwriting successes were “Baby Baby (I Know You’re a Lady)” (David Houston 1969), “I’ll See Him Through” (Tammy Wynette 1969), “Then He Touched Me” (Jean Shepard 1970), “My Man (Understands)” (Tammy Wynette 1972), “Bring It On Home (To Your Woman)” (Joe Stampley 1973), “I Love My Friend” (Charlie Rich 1974) and “The Door” (George Jones 1974). These are in addition to several of the classics listed above.
Warner Bros. Records hired him to work in its A&R department in 1975. He retired his recording career two years later. In 1982, he joined RCA Records, also as an A&R executive.
“Still a Woman” (Margo Smith 1979), “Never Been So Loved” (Charley Pride 1981), “Surround Me With Love” (Charly McClain 1981), “Night Games” (Charley Pride 1983) and “You’ve Got Something on Your Mind” (Mickey Gilley 1985) continued his hit songwriting streak. But Wilson always emphasized that he was merely a collaborator, rather than a songwriting star. Among his frequent songwriting partners were Glenn Sutton (1937-2007), Billy Sherrill (1936-2015), Carmol Taylor (1931-1986), and George Richey (1935-2010).
As his songwriting career waned, Norro Wilson became CEO of the Merit Music publishing company in 1987. He then started Norro Productions in 1990, signing Kershaw as one of his first clients. He and Buddy Cannon began co-producing Jones and Chesney and formed Bud Ro Productions in 1998.
Wilson continually evolved as country music modernized in the 1980s and 1990s. He became a producer for Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, John Anderson, Chely Wright, John Michael Montgomery, Craig Morgan and Sara Evans, among others.
Norro Wilson was elected into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996. He joined the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He was saluted by the Country Music Hall of Fame in its “Poets & Prophets” spotlight series in 2011.
The songwriter, producer, publisher, record-label executive and performer had been in ill health for some time, although he did attend last fall’s Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony in the Music City Center.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Exclusive: Music Executive Todd Cassetty To Consult For ‘American Idol’
/by Sherod RobertsonTodd Cassetty
Long-time music executive Todd Cassetty has been retained as the Nashville talent consultant for the new American Idol, set to air early next year on ABC.
Cassetty and his team will be looking for both male and female artists, ages 15-28, from all styles and genres of music. “We’re just now getting started on our search,” says Cassetty. “We look forward to contributing some great Nashville talent to such an iconic television program.”
Cassetty will continue his regular duties with Hi-Fi Fusion and Cassetty Entertainment while consulting with American Idol.
Cumulus Media’s Kelly Ford, Cheree Carter Earn Gracie Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonKelly Ford
Kelly Ford, Co-Host of Cumulus Media and Westwood One’s nationally syndicated morning radio show, Ty, Kelly & Chuck, was honored Wednesday night (June 7) in Los Angeles with a 2017 Gracie Award as Best Co-Host, Radio.
Cumulus Media’s Cheree Carter (who was unable to attend) was also awarded with two Gracies for Host/Personality and Imaging.
The Gracie Awards, held at Los Angeles’ Beverly Wilshire Hotel, honor outstanding programing created by, for, and about women.
A full list of winners is available at allwomeninmedia.org.
Industry Ink: Big Machine, Sony Music Nashville, Bullseye Marketing, CMHoF, Jammber
/by Lorie HollabaughBig Machine Hosts Pour It On Event
A full schedule can be found at SoundtrackToSummer.com. Fans 21 and older who visit the store will also be among the first to have a taste during the POUR IT ON World Premiere event, featuring Big Machine Platinum Filtered Premium Vodka, Clayton James Tennessee Whiskey and All Mighty 140 Shine bottled and distilled by Tenn South Distillery in Lynnville, TN.
Sony Music Nashville Launches Live @ 1201 With Luke Combs
Hoda And Kathie Lee Chat With Nashville Country Club
Andrea Zonn Interviewed At Country Music Hall Of Fame
The Zonn interview is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited, and passes are required for admittance. Members can reserve program passes in advance by phone (615-416-2050) or via e-mail (reservations@
Jammber And Sony/ATV Writers Round At The Listening Room
Jammber is partnering with Sony/ATV for a monthly writers round beginning June 13 at the Listening Room Cafe featuring Monty Criswell and several other writers. Jammber’s mission is to help empower the people behind the music, especially songwriters.
DISClaimer: Gary Allan, Maggie Rose Outshine Star-Packed Competition
/by Robert K OermannGary Allan
Looks like it’s all-hands-on-deck for the CMA Fest edition of DisClaimer.
The most star-packed review column of the year to date includes such red-hot names as Thomas Rhett and Jason Aldean, plus plenty more. Because of all the big-time attractions, there was no room for newcomers today. Hence, no DisCovery Award.
The male contenders for Disc of the Day looked, on paper, to be a duel between our resident bruiser vocalists Luke Combs and Chris Stapleton. But both were bested by a come-from-behind dark horse, Gary Allan. It has been way too long since we have had new music from this talented fellow.
The female division appeared to be a contest between our happening ingenues, Lauren Alaina and Kelsea Ballerini. But here again, the front runners were beaten by a lesser known star, Maggie Rose. To retread a cliche, you go, girl.
MAGGIE ROSE/Body On Fire
Writers: Maggie Rose/Chad Carolson; Producers: Jimmy Robbins/Maggie Rose/Chad Carolson; Publishers: none listed; MR (track)
– A home run. Steamy, sensuous, slow-burning and sensational. Her voice explodes into little firecrackers and ignites sparklers throughout. The production is a beautifully textured tapestry of electronic wonder. Why is this gifted woman not on a major label?
LUKE COMBS/When It Rains It Pours
Writers: Luke Combs/Ray Fulcher/JOrdan Walker; Producer: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Big Music Machine/50 Egg/Straight Dimes/Works of RHA/Atlas/Extremely Comustible/On Cor/PAJ, BMI; Columbia/River House
– A drawling good ole boy’s lament of love gone wrong becomes a toe-tapping celebration of freedom and good fortune. This guy sounds exactly like somebody you want to have a beer with.
CHRIS STAPLETON/Either Way
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Tim James/Kendall Marvell; Producers: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (track)
– It’s just that magnificent voice and an acoustic guitar delivering a heartbreak ballad. And, boy, do they pack a wallop. Riveting and gripping and righteous and real.
KELSEA BALLERINI/Legends
Writers: Ballerini/Forest Glen Whitehead/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Forest Glen Whitehead/Jason Massey; Black River
– Echoey, atmospheric and utterly lovely. It’s about finding perfect love and soaring with the feeling.
CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink
Writers: Chris Janson/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley; Producers: Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– He can’t fix the weather, job worries, a broken heart, the blues or the news. But he can sure ‘nuff fix a drink. Rollicking fun.
ELI YOUNG BAND/Fingerprints
Writers: Mike Eli/James Young/Ross Copperman/Josh Osborne; Producers: Ross Copperman/Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Small Town Kid/Young James Young/NTAC/EMI Blackwood/Rezolant/Sony-ATV/Songs of Black River/One Little Indian Creek, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
– Dense sounding, with loads of “bottom” in the mix. It’s not nearly as catchy as their big hits have been.
LAUREN ALAINA/Doin’ Fine
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Emily Shackleton/busbee; Producer: Busbee; Publishers: none listed; Mercury/19/Interscope (CDX)
– It’s a bit of a letdown as the follow-up to a star-making performance. But it has plenty of pluck, and she sings it splendidly, particularly in her upper register.
GARY ALLAN/Mess Me Up
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Ross Copperman/Shane McAnally; Producers: Gary Allan, Ross Copperman, Greg Droman; Publishers: none listed; EMI (CDX)
– Darkly compelling. In front of a throbbing track, he begs a woman he is obsessed with to torture his mind. As usual, he sings with tremendous fire and conviction. A burning cauldron of sound.
JASON ALDEAN/They Don’t Know
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Broken Bow (ERG)
– In defense of rural life, to the accompaniment of screaming guitars.
THOMAS RHETT & MAREN MORRIS/Craving You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Valory Music (ERG)
– It’s a potent rocker with plenty of thump and crash. Despite the billing, this is essentially a Rhett solo with some occasional vocal coloring by Morris.
Fan-Facing CMT Awards Honor Keith Urban’s Appeal For Nearly Half Of The Show
/by Eric T. ParkerCarrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Photo: CMT
It is a good thing Keith Urban stayed the duration of the 2017 CMT Music Awards on Wednesday evening (June 7). The Universal Music Group star’s name was called for nearly half of the envelopes turned.
“All I’m trying to do is just trying to make a connection,” confessed a humble Urban, who dedicated the evening’s biggest award—Video of the Year (“Blue Ain’t Your Color”)—to his fans inside and outside the room. “It’s all about [fans], that’s why I go over and say hi to everybody.” In a pre-show Facebook Live, Urban elaborated, “I hate when they rush us away from you [fans lined up outside], I love to try to get to as many people as we humanly can before they pull us away.”
In all, Urban’s name was called for four of the fan-voted awards, half of those distributed that he could have qualified for, including a win for Collaborative Video of the Year with new label mate Carrie Underwood.
Pictured (L-R): Danielle Bradbery, RaeLynn, Reba, Carrie Underwood. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Pictured (L-R): Dustin Lynch, Brett Young, Brett Eldredge, Gnash. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Underwood, who was the recipient of two awards in her own right, notching 17 wins at the awards show over the years—breaking her own record. “The captain’s wife” was involved in many of the award show’s shout-outs to the Nashville Predators, even offering one herself before wrapping her Female Video of the Year win for “Church Bells.”
“Thank you God for so many incredible blessings me and my husband have in our lives, there’s a lot going on in our lives and we are so grateful,” said Underwood after thanking the fans. “…Go Preds!”
In addition to the collaborative duo’s on-screen success, CMT’s Nashville and Music City’s Predators were in full view.
In introducing the Universal Music Group star’s Collaborative Video of the Year, Hollywood star Ashton Kutcher dumped a catfish on stage. Addressed later, the show’s host—Nashville’s Charles Esten—contextualized the southern hockey tradition.
Gnash, the team mascot, was on hand for another entertaining shtick involving Underwood and Lauren Alaina. Alaina herself was presented Breakthrough Video of the Year (“Road Less Traveled”) by an ageless Reba. Vocal powerhouse Alaina confessed her inexperience in actually winning. “Thank you to all of [the artists] here that I’ve watched get awards every year, you have inspired me,” said Alaina.
Additional winners included Florida Georgia Line for Duo Video of the Year for “H.O.L.Y.,” Little Big Town for Group Video of the Year (“Better Man”) and Jason Derulo/Luke Bryan for “CMT Performance of the Year” for “Want to Want Me.”
Charles Esten and wife Patty Hanson. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
CMT’s original Nashville TV show was also on full display, promoting its sixth season, with an amusing opening video sequence set at Rayna James’ mansion, filled with benign sexual innuendo. The tasteful monologues and hosting segments came across with full effect.
As customary, CMT offered a chance for unique duets. Perhaps most poignantly were top winners Urban and Underwood’s “The Fighter,” which blended a stripped down remake before launching in to the full production of the fan-favorite.
Cross-genre performances extended to Peter Frampton with the Brothers Osborne (“It Ain’t My Fault”); an opening tribute to Gregg Allman from Darius Rucker, Charles Kelley and Jason Aldean with former Allman bandmember Derek Trucks (“Midnight Rider”); Florida Georgia Line with The Chainsmokers (“Last Day Alive”); Luke Bryan (“Strip It Down”) Jason Derulo (“Want to Want Me”); and a closing number with Lady Antebellum (“You Look Good”) with Earth Wind & Fire (“September”).
Lady Antebellum. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Brothers Osborne (Center) with Lucy Silvas (L) and sister Natalie (R). Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Sponsorships abounded, as in-program shout-outs were made with Firestone tires, Hershey chocolates and Pepsi.
True to his speech, Urban’s Bentley Flying Spur waited patiently in the street as he signed autographs and took photos with fans, eight hours after arriving downtown. It was one hour after the show wrapped and shortly after Jason Aldean finished his free, post-show concert at Walk of Fame Park. The park, like many landmarks this week that are re-branded for sponsorships, was referred to as Hilton Park to promote Aldean’s concert, and will be named Chevrolet Park after today at the start of CMA Fest. Let the festivity bells and the cash registers start ringing!
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Kelsea Ballerini and fiancee and new Warner signee Morgan Evans. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Anderson East and Miranda Lambert. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Pictured (L-R): Michael Monaco, Luke Bryan, Hunter Jobes. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Thomas Rhett with wife Lauren. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Runaway June. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
CMT’s Cody Alan and Trea Smith. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Brandi Cyrus with Cyrus. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Shane and Michael McAnally Baum’s daughter Dylan with Savannah Chrisley. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Sara Evans Benefits CMA Foundation With New Limited Edition Wine
/by Jessica NicholsonCollective Artist Management’s, Craig Dunn, ONEHOPE Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Brandon Hall, Sara Evans, CMA Foundation’s Joe Galante and Tiffany Kerns celebrate the launch of ONEHOPE Sara Evans Signature Series 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon at City Winery Nashville on June 7, 2017. Photo: Kayla Schoen
Sara Evans has launched a limited edition ONEHOPE Sara Evans Signature Series 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Every purchase of a limited edition bottle will benefit the CMA Foundation, which helps fund quality music education programs throughout the United States.
Evans debuted the wine, along with music from her upcoming album Words, during a preview party at Nashville’s City Winery on Wednesday, June 7.
Made in collaboration with Rob Mondavi Jr. and cellared and bottled by ONEHOPE Winery in Napa, California, the wine is available now at onehopewine.com/saraevans.
“All three of my children are musicians — it’s been a joy to watch them learn how to play and sing and I want to do my part to help other kids have that same chance,” said Evans. “When the opportunity presented itself to combine three things that are very important to me – music, children, and wine – I couldn’t resist! I’m so excited to partner with ONEHOPE to release my own Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon and help fund the amazing work the CMA Foundation is doing by supporting music education programs across the country.”
Since its inception, the CMA Foundation has given more than $17.5 million to organizations enhancing the lives of students through the power of music.
Adding to her support of music education, Sara will make several appearances during the week of CMA Music Festival, from which ticket proceeds benefit the CMA Foundation. She will appear on Friday, June 9 at the HGTV Lodge, and on the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage. On Saturday, June 10 she will appear at City of Hope’s Celebrity Softball Tournament at First Tennessee Park, at the Radio Disney Country Stage for a Q&A and performance, at Womanista’s Bumble Beetique at The Bell Tower, and offer a performance at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday evening.
ONEHOPE Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Brandon Hall, Sara Evans, and CMA Foundation’s Joe Galante. Photo: Kayla Schoen