Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Keith Urban and his band welcomed several dozen fans and industry members to a preview of his Ripcord World Tour 2016 on Wednesday (May 25) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. For about an hour and a half, Urban’s concert showed off the tour’s sophisticated lighting production and multiple stages.
Urban estimated that nine songs from his eighth studio album, Ripcord will make it into the tour’s set list. Ripcord has already spawned the hits “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” “Break On Me,” and “Wasted Time.”
Urban launched the preview with Ripcord’s album opener, “Gone Tomorrow (Here Today),” the same song he will use to open each show on the tour.
Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
“There is a huge amount of buoyant, summer songs that are just right for this kind of environment,” he told reporters. “That’s why I’m looking forward to this tour so much and I can’t wait to get these songs out in front of a live audience. We’ve never had this much of a summery, jubilant, groovy music to play before.”
The trek marks Urban’s first full-fledged, album-supporting tour in three years, and he’s anxious to bring fans a mix of previous hits and new material.
“You guys are like the real deal,” Urban told the audience. “This is like a real gig.”
Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Throughout the rehearsal, the superstar singer-songwriter also offered insights into what fans can expect. He offered a rendition of another tune from Ripcord, a much-buzzed about collaboration with Carrie Underwood, “The Fighter.” Urban noted that Underwood has recorded a special video for the tour, though only her vocal track from the album was showcased during his preview.
“It will be better when Carrie is on the screen,” said Urban.
Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Later in the set, Urban and two of his crew members reassembled on a smaller satellite stage for “You Gonna Fly.” The singer noted that tour opener Brett Eldredge will join him for a song on the satellite stage each evening, while fellow tour opener Maren Morris will handle Miranda Lambert’s vocal part on the 2013 collaboration “We Were Us.”
During the rehearsal, songs such as 1999’s “Where the Blacktop Ends” benefited from a grungier, extended guitar solo, while Urban stayed close to the center microphone, and was bathed in white lights during “Everybody,” a track from 2006’s Love, Pain and The Whole Crazy Thing.
Helping to bridge that sonic gap between the experimental, rhythmic fare found on Ripcord, and the grooves of his earlier hits is a custom bit of machinery constructed by Urban’s newest band member, Nathan Barlowe. Called “The Phantom,” the machine duplicates various musical elements from the album, but can also manipulate musical elements in real time, allowing for maximum musical flexibility.
Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
“The middle of last year when I was making Ripcord, even though I was a long way off from finishing, I could tell I was going to need a new guy in the band, but it wasn’t a role I could put a title to. I said to [band leader] Jerry Flowers, ‘We need this other person in the band. It’s not a DJ, it’s not a keyboard player, it’s not a percussionist, it’s not a utility guy, but it’s somehow all of those things wrapped up into one role. It’s not a programmer either, because everything is being done on the fly. Everything can happened in real time.’ He suggested Nathan, who started creating that thing which he calls the Phantom to do all the things we are able to do.”
Urban wrapped the preview with his current single, “Wasted Time.” His Ripcord World Tour 2016 will launch June 2 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Industry Ink: YEP, Whiskey Jam, Total Assault
/by Craig_ShelburneYEP Goes Back In Time
Photo (L-R): Bradley Collins, BMI; Maggie Rose, artist; Derek Wells, band; Lucie Silvas, artist; MaryAnn Keen, YEP Board; Andrew Cohen, YEP Exec. Director/Suit Music; Cassadee Pope, artist; Josh Tomlinson, BMI; Nina Carter, BMI. Photo: Jason Myers Photography
The Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) hosted their quarterly YEP Rewind show on Tuesday night (May 24) at The Basement East. This time, the theme was ’90’s Night” and included performances by Dave Barnes, Maren Morris, Maggie Rose, Cassadee Pope, Ryan Hurd and more. The show sold out in 23 hours and benefitted Songs Against Slavery. See recap video here.
Whiskey Jam Gets International Interest
Decca Records/UK will partner with Nashville’s Whiskey Jam on June 7 to present some of the label’s newest artists. The free show begins at 7:30 p.m. Confirmed artists are Rhys Lewis and newly formed duo Ida Mae from the United Kingdom, as well as John & Jacob of Birmingham, Alabama, and Betti, a Nashville resident.
Rebecca Allen, Managing Director, Decca Records/UK, said the label has a passion for artists that “do things differently, distinctly, excellently and defiantly.” She added, “I believe this credo explains the strength of the bond between London and Nashville’s music communities, and why we chose to have this first of its kind concert in Nashville. Our team has long had an interest in and connection with all of the types of music that come out of this area. Likewise we found a kindred sprit with the great music that can be found on any given night at a Whiskey Jam presentation.”
Total Assault Adds Nashville Office
Melissa Goldberg
Total Assault, the Los Angeles-based digital marketing agency, has opened a Nashville office. Its clients include Dolly Parton, Kiefer Sutherland and developing artists Abi Ann and Matt Gary. Agency CMO/General Manager, Melissa Goldberg, has relocated to Music City to lead the new office.
“We are very excited to have boots on the ground in Nashville. While NY and LA will always be forces in music, we feel Nashville has started to establish itself as the center of the universe for the industry and we look forward to crafting the future of Total Assault as part of that world,” Goldberg said.
Exclusive: Keith Urban Presents “Summery, Jubilant, Groovy Music” At Tour Preview
/by Jessica NicholsonKeith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Keith Urban and his band welcomed several dozen fans and industry members to a preview of his Ripcord World Tour 2016 on Wednesday (May 25) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. For about an hour and a half, Urban’s concert showed off the tour’s sophisticated lighting production and multiple stages.
Urban estimated that nine songs from his eighth studio album, Ripcord will make it into the tour’s set list. Ripcord has already spawned the hits “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” “Break On Me,” and “Wasted Time.”
Urban launched the preview with Ripcord’s album opener, “Gone Tomorrow (Here Today),” the same song he will use to open each show on the tour.
Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
“There is a huge amount of buoyant, summer songs that are just right for this kind of environment,” he told reporters. “That’s why I’m looking forward to this tour so much and I can’t wait to get these songs out in front of a live audience. We’ve never had this much of a summery, jubilant, groovy music to play before.”
The trek marks Urban’s first full-fledged, album-supporting tour in three years, and he’s anxious to bring fans a mix of previous hits and new material.
“You guys are like the real deal,” Urban told the audience. “This is like a real gig.”
Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Throughout the rehearsal, the superstar singer-songwriter also offered insights into what fans can expect. He offered a rendition of another tune from Ripcord, a much-buzzed about collaboration with Carrie Underwood, “The Fighter.” Urban noted that Underwood has recorded a special video for the tour, though only her vocal track from the album was showcased during his preview.
“It will be better when Carrie is on the screen,” said Urban.
Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Later in the set, Urban and two of his crew members reassembled on a smaller satellite stage for “You Gonna Fly.” The singer noted that tour opener Brett Eldredge will join him for a song on the satellite stage each evening, while fellow tour opener Maren Morris will handle Miranda Lambert’s vocal part on the 2013 collaboration “We Were Us.”
During the rehearsal, songs such as 1999’s “Where the Blacktop Ends” benefited from a grungier, extended guitar solo, while Urban stayed close to the center microphone, and was bathed in white lights during “Everybody,” a track from 2006’s Love, Pain and The Whole Crazy Thing.
Helping to bridge that sonic gap between the experimental, rhythmic fare found on Ripcord, and the grooves of his earlier hits is a custom bit of machinery constructed by Urban’s newest band member, Nathan Barlowe. Called “The Phantom,” the machine duplicates various musical elements from the album, but can also manipulate musical elements in real time, allowing for maximum musical flexibility.
Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
“The middle of last year when I was making Ripcord, even though I was a long way off from finishing, I could tell I was going to need a new guy in the band, but it wasn’t a role I could put a title to. I said to [band leader] Jerry Flowers, ‘We need this other person in the band. It’s not a DJ, it’s not a keyboard player, it’s not a percussionist, it’s not a utility guy, but it’s somehow all of those things wrapped up into one role. It’s not a programmer either, because everything is being done on the fly. Everything can happened in real time.’ He suggested Nathan, who started creating that thing which he calls the Phantom to do all the things we are able to do.”
Urban wrapped the preview with his current single, “Wasted Time.” His Ripcord World Tour 2016 will launch June 2 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Dierks Bentley Releases Duet, Plans Downtown Pop-Up Store
/by Craig_ShelburneDierks Bentley has released a duet with Elle King titled “Different for Girls” as the second single from his new album, Black. The single is available now at country radio. Black will be released by Capitol Records Nashville on Friday (May 27). The song was written by Shane McAnally and JT Harding.
“There is a real honesty in these lyrics, and I haven’t heard a song written this way before. The differences in how guys and girls deal with a broken heart is really interesting material to me,” shared Bentley. “Having two daughters certainly has changed the way I see the world and what they have ahead. What I love about Elle being on this record, besides her uniquely powerful but vulnerable voice, is that she’s a total badass. Having her perspective really helps tell the complete story.”
“When I got the call that Dierks wanted me to sing with him I was very honored, but I get a little shy when I’m asked to sing other people’s songs – let alone a duet with one of the biggest country stars in the world,” added King. “Our voices blended really well together. Since I often write from the male perspective, I was really excited to be a part of someone else’s story that is jumping outside of the norm for a relationship song. The lyrics are really smart and I love that he is bringing a lot of attitude to modern country music.”
In related news, Bentley will bring his Black Pop-Up shop to Nashville at the corner of 4th and Broadway through CMA Music Fest weekend, as visitors can partake in the Black listening station and have the opportunity to purchase the new album along with exclusive merchandise and “enter to win” opportunities only available at the shop.
“It’s pretty cool to have a Pop-Up shop dedicated to this album just a few doors down from the most legendary honky-tonks of all-time,” said Bentley. “It’s also the future home of my bar Whiskey Row, so it’s great to be able to use the space and give the fans a place to chill during Music Fest before we start construction in there. I may have to swing by myself at some point to check it out!”
Spirit Music Group, Josh Osborne Strike Catalog Deal
/by Craig_ShelburneJosh Osborne. Photo: Moments By Moser
Spirit Music Group has acquired Josh Osborne’s co-published interest in songs written while he was a staff writer for Black River Publishing.
The announcement was made Wednesday (May 25) by David Renzer, Chairman and CEO, Spirit Music Group and Daniel Hill, President, Spirit Music Nashville.
Osborne’s catalog features nearly 500 songs, including nine No. 1 hits, which will now be published globally by Spirit Music Group. Spirit’s deal with Osborne also encompasses a number of his unreleased songs. Black River still owns their portion of these songs.
“We’re thrilled and honored that Josh Osborne has chosen Spirit Music Nashville as the home for his incredible catalog of hits. Josh’s catalog not only contains some important #1 country hits, but with the new Sam Hunt single ‘Make You Miss Me’ and with our strong team in Nashville working the catalog we’re sure there will be more hits to come from this incredible collection of great songs,” Renzer said.
“Josh Osborne is a talented and prolific songwriter who has had amazing success in recent years. This catalog represents much hard work and inspiration, and we are proud that he has entrusted this valuable body of work to Spirit Music Nashville,” Hill said.
Among the nine No. 1 country hits included in Spirit’s acquisition of Osborne’s catalog are “Come Over” and “Wild Child” by Kenny Chesney; “Drunk Last Night” by Eli Young Band; “My Eyes” and “Sangria” by Blake Shelton; “Leave the Light On” and “Take Your Time” by Sam Hunt; “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” by Keith Urban and “We Are Tonight” by Billy Currington.
After five years with Black River Publishing, Osborne joined SMACKSongs as a partner in June 2015.
Alabama Exhibit Coming To Country Music Hall Of Fame
/by Eric T. ParkerAlabama
A new exhibit titled Alabama: Born Country will open at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on August 25. The exhibit will run through June 2017.
Coinciding, band members Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook will perform during the museum’s exclusive member concert, The Big Gig, at the CMA Theater on July 6.
The year-long exhibit will be comprised of musical instruments, performance clothing, awards, childhood mementos, tour memorabilia and photographs. A spotlight will also shine on the Country Music Hall of Famers’ humanitarian efforts, most notably the long-running June Jam in Fort Payne, Alabama. The event has raised millions of dollars for local charities.
Since signing with RCA in 1980, Alabama has scored over 40 chart-topping singles, sold more than 70 million albums worldwide and set concert attendance records. The band has been honored with three CMA Entertainer of the Year honors (1982, 1983 and 1984) and was named ACM’s Artist of the Decade for the 1980s. By 1993 the group had released 32 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including “Mountain Music,” “Dixieland Delight,” “Love in the First Degree,” “Song of the South.”
In September 2015, Alabama reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart with Southern Drawl, their first album of new material since 2001, released with BMG. On Thursday (May 26), the band will be inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in downtown Nashville.
Annie Tate Signs Two Songwriters To Ghost Hollow Music
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Tenasie Bowe, Annie Tate, Matt Keyler
Songwriter Annie Tate has signed two songwriters to Ghost Hollow Music. A new venture, the company is independently owned and operated by Tate.
The company’s two new signings, Tenasie Bowe and Matt Keyler, were discovered when Tate was judging a songwriting competition in 2015. After hearing the song they submitted, she looked them up on YouTube, contacted them and began co-writing. She signed them to Ghost Hollow Music on Friday (May 20) and refers to them as “Ghost Writers.”
Tate said, “I am so excited to start this new venture with young people who I believe in and continue to encourage and mentor because they really want to say something with their music. I came to Nashville and made a career writing songs I hoped would raise the bar on Nashville writing in the way that all the great Nashville writers who came before me had done and to whom I owe all my success. … I can only hope to encourage some part of the next generation of Nashville writers to keep reaching higher and writing songs that might possibly change the world because they ‘say something.'”
Tate’s writing credits include Rodney Atkins’ “If You’re Going Through Hell,” Emerson Drive’s “Moments,” and Reba McEntire’s “Somebody,” among many others.
Exclusive: Sammy Arriaga Blends Latin, Country On New Mixtape
/by Jessica NicholsonSammy Arriaga performs for MusicRow staff.
Newcomer Sammy Arriaga has songwriter Monty Powell, Facebook, and the boldness that accompanies musical ambition to thank for his move to Nashville.
Arriaga auditioned for American Idol during Season 10, earning a “golden ticket” to Hollywood. Though he didn’t win that season, he did discover a passion for country music.
“It inspired me to pick up a guitar and teach myself to write songs,” said Arriaga. “I fell in love with the genre and I knew that Nashville was the heart of the genre.”
Sammy Arriaga and band members perform for MusicRow staff.
Arriaga dropped out of a college program in Winter Park, Florida, to pursue music on his own. He started by sending Facebook messages to several Nashville-area songwriters and publishers. Monty Powell, a songwriter and longtime Keith Urban collaborator, responded.
“He thought I had potential and said if I ever moved to Nashville, he would be glad to help out. That was enough for me,” said Arriaga.
Arriaga immediately packed and made the nearly 1,000-mile trip to Music City.
“I had never met the guy,” said Arriaga. “I grabbed my stuff, showed up in Nashville and direct-messaged him to say, ‘I’m here.’ He asked where I was staying, and I said ‘My car.’ He was like, ‘No, you’re crazy. Come stay at my place.’ He sent me his address and he guided me from that point on.”
During a visit to MusicRow, Arriaga performed three tracks from the mixtape, including “Margarita Talk,” “Cuban,” “Cold In Miami,” and “Banjos N’ Bongos.”
Arriaga plans to bring some of his Latin-flavored style of country to the CMA Music Festival, when he performs on the Gildan Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe on June 10.
Banjos N’ Bongos is available at all digital retailers. Arriaga has signed a development deal with Sony Music Nashville and has been working with producer Dann Huff. He is booked by WME’s Kevin Neal.
Sammy Arriaga and his band with MusicRow staff.
‘Skyville Live’ Assembles Ace Guitarists Billy Gibbons, Orianthi, Frankie Ballard, Mike Henderson
/by Jessica NicholsonBilly Gibbons and Frankie Ballard. Photo: Getty Images
ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons was joined by fellow guitar slingers Frankie Ballard, Orianthi, ZZ Ward and Mike Henderson on Tuesday night (May 24) for the latest installment of Skyville Live.
Frankie Ballard. Photo: Getty Images
The intimate concert was recorded in full HD video before a studio audience in Nashville, and live-streamed via aol.com and go90.
Gibbons launched the evening, expertly performing renditions of “Treat Her Right” and “Got Love If You Want It.” Meanwhile, Ballard offered his singles “Cigarette” and “Young & Crazy,” followed by a cover of Jim Croce’s “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.”
ZZ Ward. Photo: Getty Images
Ward presented “Put the Gun Down” and a passionate rendition of the cautionary tale “Last Love Song” before settling behind the piano for “365 Days.”
Mike Henderson. Photo: Getty Images
Diverse musician and longtime Nashville player Henderson brought Gibbons back to the stage for “Pay Bo Diddley,” while Orianthi laid down plenty of tasty guitar lines on songs including a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child.”
Orianthi. Photo: Getty Images
Among the highlights were an all-star finale performance of the ZZ Top classic “Sharp Dressed Man.”
Maren Morris Makes Opry Debut, Receives Gold Plaque Backstage
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Ken Robold, EVP & COO, Sony Music Nashville; Pete Fisher, Vice President & General Manager, Grand Ole Opry; Maren Morris; Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment Group; Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville. Photo: Rachael Black/Grand Ole Opry.
Maren Morris performed “My Church” and “I Wish I Was” at her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday (May 21). Both songs are from her upcoming Columbia Nashville debut album, Hero, releasing on June 3.
Maren Morris. Photo: Rachael Black/Grand Ole Opry
Following her performance, her parents Kellie and Scott Morris presented her with a gold plaque for “My Church.” She will be a special guest on Keith Urban‘s Ripcord World Tour starting June 3 in Kansas City, Missouri. She is also scheduled to play CMA Music Festival on June 9.
Pictured (L-R): Kellie Morris, Maren Morris, Scott Morris. Photo: Rachael Black/Grand Ole Opry
Songwriter Ray Stephenson Exhibits Paintings At Bluebird Café
/by Craig_ShelburneRay Stephenson. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
The Bluebird Café has installed a new art exhibit featuring the work of Nashville songwriter Ray Stephenson. The exhibit features his paintings of legendary songwriters, both past and present.
Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
The paintings Stephenson selected – and in some instances specifically painted – for the walls of The Bluebird Café concentrate exclusively on renowned figures in songwriting history. Some of these esteemed songwriters – from Willie Nelson to John Prine – have actually played The Bluebird Café.
Pictured (L-R): Renee White, Tennessee State Museum; Ray Stephenson; Dane Gorman, speakcasting; Susan Heard and Jill Block, co-managers of Ray Stephenson. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
In addition to paintings of Nelson and Prine, the exhibit also features paintings of Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Townes Van Zandt, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Lennon & McCartney, Guy Clark and Johnny Cash.
Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Stephenson joined songwriter friends Buddy Owens and Steven Dale Jones on Friday (May 20) for an in-the-round performance and exhibit opening party.
Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
“Music and painting for me are both sides of the same coin. They both are lyrical, both involve singing, both tell stories, and reach inside and speak to others from what is coming from inside of me,” Stephenson explains. “It’s an incredible opportunity to share both sides of my creativity in one venue, The Bluebird Café, which is where I began my songwriting career many years ago.”
Ray Stephenson and Erika Wollam Nichols. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Bluebird Café GM Erika Wollam Nichols said, “These ‘heroes of song’ that Ray brings to life through his paintings represent the shoulders on which today’s songwriters stand. Having them here at The Bluebird is both an homage to musical history and an inspiration for the current generation of writers who play here today. His work not only portrays these iconic figures but also reflects their spirits and their characters, through his use of composite imagery and text, in a way that no photograph can duplicate.”
Steve Tolson and visual artist Rob Hendon. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Stephenson’s songwriting credits include the title tracks of Kenny Chesney’s Hemingway’s Whiskey and Blake Shelton’s Red River Blue.
Pictured (L-R): Tommy and Joyce Stephenson with son Ray Stephenson. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography