Bobby Bones Announces Second Leg Of Funny & Alone Standup Comedy Tour

Bobby Bones has announced the second leg of his Funny & Alone Standup Comedy Tour, following a run of more than 15 sold-out shows earlier this year. The second leg of the tour will begin June 30 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and will feature special guests Carly Pearce and Nikita Karmen.

The second leg of the tour includes shows in California, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 19 at 10 a.m. local time. For more information, visit bobbybonescomedy.com.

Kane Brown, Lauren Alaina Team For New Music Video For “What Ifs”

Kane Brown has partnered with Lauren Alaina for the new music video for their collaboration “What Ifs,” streaming exclusively on Amazon Music.

Directed by P. R. Brown and produced by Steve Lamar, “What Ifs” is the first music video to be filmed at The Inn at Newport Ranch on the breathtaking North California coastline.

“What Ifs,” from Brown’s self-titled debut RCA Nashville/Zone 4 album, is his current single at country radio. The track was co-written by Brown, Matthew McGinn, and Jordan Schmidt, and produced by Dann Huff.

 

Sara Evans Sets Album Preview Party For June 7

To celebrate the release of her upcoming album Words, Sara Evans is hosting an album preview party on Wednesday, June 7 from Nashville’s City Winery to give fans a sneak peek at the songs from her upcoming album. The midday show, which takes place at the start of CMA Music Festival, will feature a live performance from the CMA Award-winning singer — including No. 1 hits “No Place That Far,” “Suds In The Bucket,” “A Real Fine Place To Start, “Born To Fly” and “A Little Bit Stronger” — as well as never-before heard songs from her upcoming album, Words, set to release on July 21. Attendees will also get a meet & greet and photo with Sara following the show as well as pre-order signed copies of Words at the party. Tickets start at $30 — visit http://smarturl.it/SECWreserve for reserved seating and  http://smarturl.it/SECWstanding for standing room tickets.

 

Jimmy Wayne To Release Children’s Book In November

Jimmy Wayne helps bring awareness to the plight of foster children in the upcoming children’s book, Ruby The Foster Dog, which will release Nov. 1 via BroadStreet Publishing Group.

In the story, Ruby, a mixed-breed puppy with an underbite, was abandoned at a shelter as a puppy. Ruby wonders if she will ever be adopted by a family. After Ruby encounters Mr. James, a hiker who stops by the shelter, she joins him on his journey. Mr. James is walking halfway across America to raise awareness for thousands of foster children in need.

On their adventure, Mr. James teaches Ruby about integrity, honesty, loyalty, faith, forgiveness, and trust,  but mostly she learns how love can rescue someone and forever change lives. As they walk along historic routes and locations throughout the United States, Ruby quietly helps Mr. James overcome the issues he’s been struggling with too. By the time they get to Phoenix (from Nashville) both of their lives are changed for the better.

Lipscomb University will help preserve Nashville recording studio The Sound Emporium, as its new owner. Former Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn, who has owned the Sound Emporium since 2011, has offered Lipscomb University ownership of the studio, as part of Shinn’s recently announced $15 million gift to the university. In recognition of this gift, the college was named the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts. Lipscomb and Shinn expect that the gift of the Sound Emporium to Lipscomb will take effect before June 30, 2017.

Under Lipscomb’s ownership, Juanita Copeland will continue to serve in her role as president and general manager, overseeing the studio’s operation and managing its staff as she has done since 2005. Producer Charlie Peacock will oversee the day-to-day interactions between the studio and the university. His primary role will be to preserve the professional production capacity of the studio while looking for subtle ways for it to serve as a real-world learning lab for contemporary music students in the university’s George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts.

“For the first time ever, we will have a partner in Lipscomb University who will help us preserve the history of this iconic place that we have worked so hard to create,” said Copeland. “In the 22 years that I have been a part of the Sound Emporium team, I have seen a lot of ebb and flow in this industry. I am excited that this partnership will give us stability and a partner who shares our vision. We are honored and proud to be part of the Lipscomb family.”

The Sound Emporium, located at 3100 Belmont Blvd. in Nashville, has been a vital part of Nashville’s international claim to fame as Music City, U.S.A., for nearly 50 years. In 1969, “Cowboy Jack” Clement, who produced artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich and Johnny Cash at Memphis’ famed Sun Records, built Jack Clement Recording Studios in Nashville, the first of its kind in the city. In 1979, Clement sold the studio and the name changed to the Sound Emporium. Producer Garth Fundis purchased the studio in 1992, and in 2011 sold it to George Shinn.

Artists who have created music within Sound Emporium’s walls include Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, John Denver, Keith Whitley, New Grass Revival, REM, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Taylor Swift, Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Cyndi Lauper, Keith Urban, Merle Haggard, Cole Swindell, Jimmy Buffett, St. Paul and the Broken Bones and numerous others. In addition, film soundtracks such as O’ Brother Where Art Thou, Cold Mountain and Walk the Line have been recorded at the Sound Emporium under the guidance of Grammy-winning producer T-Bone Burnett.

“This is a significant moment in the history of Lipscomb University,” said John Lowry, Lipscomb University vice president for development and external affairs. “We are grateful to George Shinn and his commitment not only to this institution, but to our students and the music industry as a whole. We look forward to continuing the vision of the Sound Emporium to serve this community and the music industry for decades to come and to the many ways our students will thrive as they have a unique opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s leaders at Sound Emporium.”

Chris Vlahos

Chris Vlahos has joined law firm Ritholz Levy’s Nashville office.

“Ritholz Levy presents a unique opportunity to join a firm with years of expertise in in music, television, film, fashion, trademark and technology and expand my litigation practice across a diverse client base from Los Angeles to New York,” says Vlahos. “I have known both Adam Ritholz and Chip Petree for many years and am excited to be a part of the firm’s commitment to Nashville.”

Vlahos’ experience in state and federal court includes time before the American Arbitration Association, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and in concert with mediators and private arbitrators to reach favorable resolutions.

Vlahos has represented music publishers, labels, and artists in numerous copyright infringement actions; defended insurance companies in litigation, culminating with a seven-week jury trial, regarding coverage for a local mall after the 2010 Nashville flood; defended several recording and touring artists at trial in disputes with managers regarding post-term commissions; represented recording artists, music publishers, and record companies in numerous contractual disputes; represented book publishers in a variety of disputes with authors and/or other book publishers; defended a musical group’s right to trademark in litigation against similarly named band; and defended a publicly-traded company’s right to use a trademark with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

The Nashville native graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1999 and with honors from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1995. Vlahos has served on the Executive Committee for the Sports and Entertainment Section of the Tennessee Bar Association since 2008, for which he was the Chair in 2013 and 2015. Chris also actively participates on behalf of the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in representing local artists in resolving legal issues.

Adam Ritholz adds, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Chris join us. He’s been our friend and ‘go to’ litigator in Nashville for over 10 years and to now have him join the firm just completes the picture. Chris joins our litigation partners, David Boren (California) and Jonathan Plaut (Massachusetts and New York) to give our litigation practice a scope and capability that is unparalleled for an IP/Entertainment boutique of our size.”

Chip Petree also adds, “Chris is a great friend, a tremendous lawyer and passionate advocate who further enables our office to provide a comprehensive range of services to our clients. And as a native Nashvillian, Chris also brings a deep understanding and appreciation for the history, traditions and collegiality that makes our Nashville music community so unique.”