CMA Hosts “Forever Country” Viewing Party At Belcourt Theater

Pictured (L-R): Lon Helton, Joseph Kahn, Shane McAnally, Karen Fairchild. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen/CMA

Pictured (L-R): Lon Helton, Joseph Kahn, Shane McAnally, Karen Fairchild. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen/CMA

CMA unveiled the music video of “Forever Country” with key industry members on Monday night (Sept. 19) at a viewing party presented by YouTube at the Belcourt Theater in Nashville.

YouTube video

 

CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern welcomed the guests and acknowledged the dedicated work of the CMA Board of Directors – many of whom were in attendance – for spearheading the project through numerous committees and developing a global release plan over the past 18 months.

“I mean it from my heart when I say that ‘Forever Country’ would never have been possible without the industry putting aside individual interests for the opportunity to help us promote the genre around the world and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards,” said Trahern.

The evening also featured a panel with Karen Fairchild, a CMA Board member and member of CMA Award-winning act Little Big Town; Joseph Kahn, Grammy Award-winning director of “Forever Country”; and Shane McAnally, “Forever Country” producer, also a CMA Board member and CMA Award winner. The panel was moderated by Lon Helton, CMA Board member and CMA National Broadcast Award winning host of Country Countdown USA.

Thirty CMA Award-winning acts with careers that span all five decades of the CMA Awards are featured in the “Forever Country” music video, which will be featured in a special sneak peek on Tuesday night on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars (8:00-10:00 PM/ET). Fans will be able to view the full version immediately following at ForeverCountry50.com.

The music video is set to a medley of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” Denver, Nelson, and Parton are all former CMA Entertainers of the Year.

Following remarks from Trahern at the industry party, Vivien Lewit, a member of the CMA Board and YouTube Director of Music Content Partnerships, and John Esposito, CMA Board Chairman and CEO/President of Warner Music Nashville, addressed the audience. Also in attendance was CMA Award winner and 2016 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Randy Travis, who makes a special appearance in the “Forever Country” music video.

Pictured (L-R): Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment President; Vivien Lewit, YouTube Director of Music Content Partnerships; Lon Helton, host of Country Countdown USA; Terry Calonge, owner of Richards and Southern, Inc.; Mark Bright, owner of Mark Bright Productions; Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media Senior Vice President of Programming; Karen Fairchild; Deb McDermott, Media General Chief Executive Officer; Shane McAnally; Joseph Kahn; Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group President; Randy Travis; Scott Scovill, owner of Moo TV, CenterStaging, LLC, and Moo Creative Media; Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium General Manager; Sherod Robertson, MusicRow Enterprises President and owner; Victoria Shaw; Biff Watson, Biff-Bangs Productions, Inc. President; Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment President; Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation President and CEO; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Damon Whiteside, CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships; Pat Collins, SESAC Vice Chairman; and John Esposito, CEO/President of Warner Music Nashville. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment President; Vivien Lewit, YouTube Director of Music Content Partnerships; Lon Helton, host of Country Countdown USA; Terry Calonge, owner of Richards and Southern, Inc.; Mark Bright, owner of Mark Bright Productions; Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media Senior Vice President of Programming; Karen Fairchild; Deb McDermott, Media General Chief Executive Officer; Shane McAnally; Joseph Kahn; Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group President; Randy Travis; Scott Scovill, owner of Moo TV, CenterStaging, LLC, and Moo Creative Media; Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium General Manager; Sherod Robertson, MusicRow Enterprises President and owner; Victoria Shaw; Biff Watson, Biff-Bangs Productions, Inc. President; Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment President; Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation President and CEO; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Damon Whiteside, CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships; Pat Collins, SESAC Vice Chairman; and John Esposito, CEO/President of Warner Music Nashville. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen / CMA

The Valory Music Co. Signs The Church Sisters

The Church Sisters. Photo: Joseph Llanes

The Church Sisters. Photo: Joseph Llanes

The Valory Music Co. has added The Church Sisters to its artist roster. Comprised of fraternal twins Savannah and Sarah, the 20-year-old Virginia natives have been touring the country since age 14. The duo joins the roster’s artists including Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band and Tara Thompson.

“It is a dream come true getting signed to The Valory Music Co.,” shared Sarah Church. “We are thrilled to be working with Scott Borchetta and one of the best labels in Nashville. We will continue to pour our hearts and souls into the music we make with Julian Raymond, and we look forward to seeing where this journey takes us.”

The Church Sisters are in the creative phase of their debut album, while also performing select dates with Delta Rae. In the meantime, the duo has released the video for their rendition of Lukas Graham’s hit “7 Years,” which can be seen on Vevo.

“We would like to thank Sandi Borchetta and the Big Machine creative team for their belief in us, and for bringing the vision for the ‘7 Years’ music video alive,” added Savannah Church. “We are really excited with how it turned out, and we cannot wait for the world to see it.”

The duo is featured on the track “Where We’ll Never Grow Old,” on Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited, which was co-produced by Carl Jackson. The Church Sisters also appeared on another Carl Jackson-produced project, Mark Twain: Words & Music.

Industry Ink: ACM, CMHoF’s Troubadour Society, Duke FM

ACM Welcomes Tucker Beathard

Pictured (L-R): Lisa Lee, ACM; Tucker Beathard; Brooke Primero, ACM. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

Pictured (L-R): Lisa Lee, ACM; Tucker Beathard; Brooke Primero, ACM. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Big Machine Label Group artist Tucker Beathard to the office while he was in Los Angeles last week. While at the Academy, Beathard performed songs off his upcoming EP Fight Like Hell slated for release on Oct. 7, including his debut single “Rock On.”

YouTube video

 

Maggie Rose Performs For CMHoF Fifth Annual Troubadour Society Event

Pictured (L-R): Katie Cline, Mandy Gallagher, Country Music Singer Maggie Rose, Emilee Warner, Leanne Weber, Maya Akser.

Pictured (L-R): Katie Cline, Mandy Gallagher, Maggie Rose, Emilee Warner, Leanne Weber, Maya Akser

On Thursday (Sept. 15), Maggie Rose performed in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Event Hall for their fifth annual Troubadour Society event, Nightfall at the Hall. Nightfall at the Hall is a benefit to Troubadour Society members, and hundreds of young professionals gathered to enjoy original songs from Rose, as well as a few covers including Drake’s “Hotline Bling.”

 

Duke FM Teams With Webster Public Relations For Video Vault Series

duke-fm-logo

Duke FM has teamed with Webster Public Relations again to spotlight their clients as part of the second round of Duke FM’s Video Vault series.

Legacy artists including T. Graham Brown, Danny Shirley, Exile, Jimmy Fortune, Lorrie Morgan, T.G. Sheppard, and John Anderson are featured in candid, sit-down interviews on-air, online, and on Midwest Communications digital platforms.

The Video Vault series will be hosted on Duke FM’s eight stations in Knoxville, Tennessee; Appleton, Wisconsin; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Lansing, Michigan; Evansville, Indiana; Fargo, N.D.; Duluth, Minnesota; and Terre Haute, Indiana.

In Pictures: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats At The Ryman

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Photo: Chad Crawford Photography

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Photo: Chad Crawford Photography

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats played to a sold-out crowd at the Ryman Auditorium on Monday (Sept. 19). The concert served as a kickoff to the Americana Music Festival, which runs through Sunday in Nashville.

They are nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year, as well as Song of the Year for their hit single “S.O.B.,” at the 2016 Americana Honors &  Awards ceremony, set for Wednesday at the Ryman.

In August, the band played a sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre to celebrate the one-year anniversary of their breakout self-titled album.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Photo: Chad Crawford Photography

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Photo: Chad Crawford Photography

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Photo: Chad Crawford Photography

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Photo: Chad Crawford Photography

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Photo: Chad Crawford Photography

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Photo: Chad Crawford Photography

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Photo: Chad Crawford Photography

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Photo: Chad Crawford Photography

Touring Vet Chris Lisle Will Be Managed By Alpha Sports + Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Nick Harris, Alpha Sports + Entertainment; Chris Lisle, Chris Lisle Lighting Design; Adam Warren, Alpha Sports + Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Nick Harris, Alpha Sports + Entertainment; Chris Lisle, Chris Lisle Lighting Design; Adam Warren, Alpha Sports + Entertainment

Chris Lisle, one of the touring industry’s prominent lighting designers, has signed to Alpha Sports + Entertainment, LLC, for management representation.

Lisle is the first signee under the company’s new division that will provide management services for its entertainment clients, in addition to legal representation.

“We’re so excited about launching our new division and signing Chris as our first entertainment management client,” says Adam Warren, Partner Alpha Sports + Entertainment, LLC. “Chris has been a long-time client of our firm in a legal capacity so it was a smooth transition to adding the management aspect. We can’t wait to see what the future brings.”

“I’m thrilled to be working with Adam and everyone at Alpha Sports + Entertainment,” says Lisle, a 2016 graduate of Leadership Music. “I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

Artist Updates: Martina McBride, Canaan Smith, Josh Turner

Martina McBride And Friends Kickoff Fall Tour With Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute

Pictured (L-R): Dee Anna Smith, CEO Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA; Cassadee Pope; Martina McBride; and Erol R. Akdamar, FACHE, President of the HCA North Texas Division attend Band Against Cancer: The Sarah Cannon Tour. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Dee Anna Smith, CEO Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA; Cassadee Pope; Martina McBride; and Erol R. Akdamar, FACHE, President of the HCA North Texas Division attend Band Against Cancer: The Sarah Cannon Tour. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images

Martina McBride kicked off the Band Against Cancer: The Sarah Cannon Tour over the weekend in Texas, with stops in Dallas on Sept. 16 and Austin on Sept. 17. The event featured special guests Thompson Square, Cassadee Pope and Hudson Moore.

The string of dates is planned to help connect those facing cancer with community-based resources and support close to home. The tour will head to San Antonio, Texas on Sept. 21 and Denver, Colorado on Oct. 8 before culminating with a special performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Oct. 26. For more information, visit bandagainstcancer.com.

 

Canaan Smith Joins UK Tour

Canaan Smith. Photo: Mercury Nashville

Canaan Smith. Photo: Mercury Nashville

Mercury Nashville’s Canaan Smith is set to join UK country duo The Shires on a 19-date run across the pond later this year. Immediately following his fall headlining Sundown Ready Tour, Smith will be featured through Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland (full dates below). Tickets are on sale today.

The Shires UK Tour Dates with Canaan Smith:

Nov. 15: Belfast, Ireland; Limelight
Nov. 16: Dublin, Ireland; The Academy
Nov. 18: Oxford, England; O2 Academy
Nov. 20: Basingstoke, England; The Anvil
Nov. 21: Southampton, England; O2 Guildhall
Nov. 23: Northampton, England; Royal and Derngate
Nov. 24: Cardiff, Wales; St. David’s Hall
Nov. 25: Bedford, England; Corn Exchange
Nov. 27: Cambridge, England; Corn Exchange
Nov. 28: Bristol, England; Colston Hall
Nov. 29: Brighton, England; Brighton Dome
Dec. 2: Llandudno, Wales; Venue Cymru
Dec. 3: Birmingham, England; O2 Institute
Dec. 4: Manchester, England; The Bridgewater Hall
Dec. 5: Gateshead, England; Sage Gateshead
Dec. 7: Glasgow, Scotland; O2 ABC
Dec. 8: York, England; Barbican Centre
Dec. 9: Liverpool, England; O2 Academy
Dec. 11: London, England; O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

 

Josh Turner Helps Atlanta Braves Countdown Games At Turner Field

Josh Turner. Photo: Atlanta Braves

Josh Turner. Photo: Atlanta Braves

Longtime Atlanta Braves fan Josh Turner joined the organization Friday night (Sept 16) as Braves Nation continued its ceremonial countdown of the few remaining home games at Turner Field. The Braves’ new SunTrust Park will be christened in 2017.

NSAI Presents Honorary Awards, Salutes Songwriters Of No. 1 Hits

Ralph Murphy (VP of ASCAP Nashville) accepting The Maggie Cavender Award; NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison, NSAI Board Member and songwriter, Byron Hill

Ralph Murphy (VP of ASCAP Nashville) accepting The Maggie Cavender Award; NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison, NSAI Board Member and songwriter, Byron Hill

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) honored more than 20 writers whose songs topped the Billboard Airplay, Digital, Hot or Mediabase charts between April 2016 and July 2016. Songs were recognized in both country and contemporary Christian music. The recognitions took place Monday evening (Sept. 19) during a massive No. 1 party at the Music Mill, NSAI’s Music Row headquarters.

The Maggie Cavender Award (in recognition of extraordinary service to the songwriting community) was presented to Ralph Murphy, VP of ASCAP Nashville. Church Music Publishers Association President Elwyn Raymer was presented the NSAI President’s Choice Award in recognition of significant contributions to the betterment of all songwriters, chosen by NSAI President Lee Thomas Miller.

The NSAI No. 1 Party was sponsored by Klindt, Cole & Associates.

Elwyn Raymer (President of CMPA) accepting the NSAI President's Choice Award; NSAI President Lee Thomas Miller

Elwyn Raymer (President of CMPA) accepting the NSAI President’s Choice Award; NSAI President Lee Thomas Miller

Songwriters with their No. 1 plaques.

Songwriters with their No. 1 plaques.

Songs Recognized
 include:

“Drunk On Your Love”
Writers: Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman
Recorded by: Brett Eldredge

“You Should Be Here”
Writers: Cole Swindell, Ashley Gorley
Recorded by: Cole Swindell

“Trust In You”
Writers: Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury, Michael Farren
Recorded by: Lauren Daigle

“The River”
Writers: Jordan Feliz, Joshua Silverberg, Colby Wedgeworth
Recorded by: Jordan Feliz

“Confession”
Writers: Rodney Clawson, Ross Copperman, Matt Jenkins
Recorded by: Florida Georgia Line

“Think Of You”
Writers: Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Josh Hoge
Recorded by: Chris Young duet with Cassadee Pope

“Somewhere On A Beach”
Writers: Michael Tyler, Jaron Boyer, Josh Mirenda, Alexander Palmer, Dave Kuncio
Recorded by: Dierks Bentley

“Mind Reader”
Writers: Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins
Recorded by: Dustin Lynch

“Came Here To Forget”
Writers: Deric Ruttan, Craig Wiseman
Recorded by: Blake Shelton

“T-Shirt”
Writers: Ashley Gorley, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally
Recorded by: Thomas Rhett

“Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day”
Writers: Dallas Davidson, Luke Bryan, Rhett Akins
Recorded by: Luke Bryan

“Lights Come On”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Jimmy Robbins, Jordan Schmidt, Brad Warren, Brett Warren
Recorded by: Jason Aldean

“My Church”
Writers: Maren Morris, Busbee
Recorded by: Maren Morris

“Feel Invincible”
Writers: John Cooper, Seth Mosley
Recorded by: Skillet

“Slow Down”
Writers: Nichole Nordeman, Christopher Stevens
Recorded by: Nichole Nordeman

Songs Recognized from previous quarters:
“Gonna”
Writers: Luke Laird & Craig Wiseman
Recorded by: Blake Shelton

“Anything Goes”
Writers: Felix McTiegue, Chris Tompkins, & Craig Wiseman
Recorded by: Florida Georgia Line

Brad Paisley Exhibit Coming To CMHoF In November

Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley will be the subject of a career-spanning exhibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Opening Nov. 18 and running through May 14, 2017, the exhibit will detail Paisley’s rise from a child who first performed at age 13 on the renowned WWVA’s Jamboree USA to country music stardom.

The former CMA Entertainer of the Year is one of the most awarded artists of his generation, with 14 CMA awards and 14 ACM awards. Paisley has hosted the annual CMA Awards ceremony with Carrie Underwood since 2008. He has been a proud Grand Ole Opry member for 15 years and is known for collaborating with veteran country music artists, including Country Music Hall of Fame members Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens, George Jones, Buck Owens and Dolly Parton.

“There are many who pick up a guitar at a young age with the hope of turning it into a career someday. There are few who stick with it and even fewer who go on to become an award-winning artist such as Brad Paisley,” said Museum CEO Kyle Young. “We’re thrilled to tell the story of this incredibly talented musician with our latest exhibition.”

The exhibition will include musical instruments, performance clothing, manuscripts, awards, photographs, childhood mementos (including early examples of Paisley’s talent for drawings and illustrations), and other items that shed light on Paisley’s life and career. Artifacts will celebrate Paisley’s reputation as an inspired guitarist, who blends technical mastery with imagination. Artifacts in the exhibit will illustrate his connections to many of his guitar heroes, including Chet Atkins, James Burton, John Jorgenson, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and Don Rich of the Buckaroos.

Lee Brice, Justin Moore Plot Co-Headlining Tour

Lee Brice, Justin Moore.

Lee Brice, Justin Moore.

Lee Brice and Justin Moore will take to the road beginning in January with their co-headlining American Made Tour. The trek will launch Jan. 12 in Indianapolis’ Bankers Life Fieldhouse. William Michael Morgan and Brett Young round out the tour as direct support.

“It’s very exciting to get back out there as a headliner,” Moore says. “To be able to do it with my buddy Lee is even more exciting. I’ve been a fan of his for a long time. It’s gonna definitely be a party every night. I hope the fans are as jacked up about it as we are.”

“When we put this tour together we thought about the fans first,” says Brice, who headlined his own Life Off My Years Tour in 2016, and played all 50 states in 2015. “I love playing live but what’s even more fun is interacting with the amazing people in the audience. That’s what it’s all about. I can’t wait to get out there to play the songs everyone already knows but we’re also planning to give these audiences a sneak peek into a few songs off the new record!”

Lee Brice & Justin Moore’s American Made Tour dates:

Jan. 12: Indianapolis, Ind.; Bankers Life Fieldhouse (w/ William Michael Morgan)
Jan. 13: La Crosse, Wisc.; La Crosse Center (w/William Michael Morgan)
Jan. 14: Rosemont, Ill.; Rosemont Theatre (w/William Michael Morgan)
Jan. 19: Corbin, Ky.; The Arena (w/William Michael Morgan)
Jan. 20: Columbia, S.C.; Colonial Life Arena
Jan. 21: Atlanta; Fox Theatre (w/William Michael Morgan)
Jan. 26: Jacksonville, Fla.; Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena (w/William Michael Morgan)
Jan. 27: Fayetteville, N.C.; Crown Coliseum (w/William Michael Morgan)
Jan. 28: Macon, Ga.; Macon Centreplex Coliseum (w/William Michael Morgan)
Feb. 2: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Peterson Events Center- U. of Pittsburgh (w/William Michael Morgan)
Feb. 3: Fairfax, Va.; EagleBank Arena (w/William Michael Morgan)
Feb. 4: Greensboro, N.C.; Greensboro Coliseum Complex (w/William Michael Morgan)
Feb. 9: Canton, Ohio; Canton Memorial Civic Center (w/William Michael Morgan)
Feb. 10: Highland Heights, Ky.; BB&T Arena N. Kentucky +University (w/William Michael Morgan)
Feb. 11: Bloomington, Ill.; US Cellular Coliseum (w/William Michael Morgan)
Feb. 23: Murray, Ky.; CFSB Center (w/William Michael Morgan)
Feb. 24: Kalamazoo, Mich.; Wings Event Center
Feb. 25: Milwaukee, Wisc.; The Milwaukee Theater (w/William Michael Morgan)
March 2: Independence, Mo; Silverstein Eye Centers Arena (w/William Michael Morgan)
March 3: Saint Louis, Mo; Chaifetz Arena (w/William Michael Morgan)
March 16: Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Events Center (w/William Michael Morgan)
March 17: Salina, Kan.; Bicentennial Center (w/William Michael Morgan)
March 18: Loveland, Colo; Budweiser Events Center (w/William Michael Morgan)
March 23: Huntsville, Ala.; Von Braun Center (w/Brett Young)
March 24: Jackson, Miss.; Mississippi Coliseum (w/Brett Young)

Zac Brown Band, Blake Shelton, More Receive RIAA Certifications

riaagoldplatinumaugust2016Many Nashville artists made the RIAA’s August 2016 list of gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards.

Multi-Platinum and Platinum Albums
Eric Church‘s 2011 effort, Chief, has been certified 3x platinum while his 2009 project, Carolina, is now platinum. Zac Brown Band‘s 2015 Jekyll + Hyde is now platinum while the group’s 2008 record, The Foundation, has become 5x platinum. Nashville-based Cage The Elephant‘s 2009 self-titled album is now platinum.

Gold Albums
Albums achieving gold status include Church’s 2015 surprise album, Mr. Misunderstood, in addition to Blake Shelton‘s 2016 project, If I’m Honest.

Multi-Platinum Singles
Little Big Town‘s “Girl Crush” has been certified 3x platinum. The quartet’s labelmate Sam Hunt also received a slew of certifications for titles including 3x platinum for “Take Your Time” and double platinum for “House Party,” “Leave The Night On” and “Breakup In A Small Town.”

Platinum Singles
Those breaking the platinum barrier include Cole Swindell for “You Should Be Here,” Dierks Bentley with “Somewhere on a Beach,” Kelsea Ballerini for “Love Me Like You Mean It,” and Hunt’s “Miss Me.”

Gold Singles
Gold single status has been awarded to Chris Lane for “Fix,” Dan + Shay‘s “From the Ground Up,” Church’s “Record Year,” Jake Owen‘s “American Country Love Song,” Ballerini’s “Peter Pan,” and Hunt’s “Ex To See” and “Make You Miss Me.”

Gold Videos
Videos achieving gold status include Joey + Rory‘s Hymns (That Are Important To Us) and the Statler BrothersFarewell Concert.