The Academy of Country Music has announced the partners, activities and special events taking place during the 4th ACM Party for a Cause Festival, a three-day music festival from Fri., April 1 to Sun., April 3 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. The festival will feature two stages for ongoing country music performances, interactive games, and a country marketplace.
The outdoor festival will feature more than 30 country artists performing on the Ram Trucks Main Stage and Cabela’s Stage. Attractions such as the inaugural Cause Way, Cabela’s & ACM Tic-Tac-Toe Archery Event, Cracker Barrel Content Creators Studio, MillerCoors Beer Garden, Ram Trucks Country Music Experience, and more will be popping up throughout the festival.
The ACM Party for a Cause Festival will feature RFID Wristbands for festival entry and exit. After the passes are purchased, guests will be shipped their RFID Wristbands, which can be activated online before arrival to the festival. The RFID Wristbands will also feature ACM Cashless, a program which uses RFID technology to allow attendees to link their credit card to their wristband, set a PIN for security, and then use it to purchase beverages, food and select merchandise at the event. ACM Cashless is the recommended payment method, but credit card and cash will also be accepted by vendors at the festival.
Additional details on the events, activations and partners for the 4th ACM Party for a Cause Festival can be found below and in the ACM App. The official app, available for download at the App Store and Google Play, offers fans the latest on performers, concert schedules, artist meet and greets, food, drinks and shopping at the ACM Party for a Cause Festival. New to the app this year, users can turn on bluetooth to receive location-targeted messages as well as an interactive map designed to give fans the most out of their experience at the Festival.
BIG GREEN EGG
Big Green Egg is proud to join The Academy of Country Music in their support of ACM Lifting Lives. Stop by the ACM Booth next to the Cause Way to find out more about this important philanthropic effort. And while you’re there, register to win a Big Green Egg MiniMax package that includes everything you will need to get started with The Ultimate Cooking Experience.
CABELA’S & ACM TIC-TAC-TOE ARCHERY TOURNAMENT
Luke Bryan and Justin Moore will return to host the celebrity archery tournament event taking place on Saturday, April 2 from 11 a.m. to noon. Watch country music stars and Cabela’s pro staff archers participate in an archery exhibition featuring Cabela’s state-of-the-art digital archery equipment. Team Luke and Team Justin will compete head-to-head to see whose archery skills will take home the trophy.
CABELA’S BOOTH
Visit the Cabela’s booth for a fun and interactive outdoor experience, including a green-screen photo booth, safe archery, vintage-photo kiosk, a Luke Bryan 32 Bridge display, artist appearances, camping displays, wild-game food samples and more.
THE CAUSE WAY FEATURING ACM LIFTING LIVES BOOTH
Cause Way will feature booths of the charitable beneficiaries of the 4th ACM Party for a Cause Festival. For the first time ever, festival goers will have the opportunity to learn more about each organization’s mission and impact onsite at the festival.
BASE CAMP 40
Base Camp 40 Warriors in the Wild gives back to our nation’s brave Veterans via all expenses paid outdoor adventures throughout the country and British Columbia. Come visit the booth to meet the great volunteers, find out more information on sending a veteran on a trip, view previous hunts and veterans honored, as well as enter for an opportunity to win a customized ACM and BC40 Weatherby Rifle or a signed Kurt Busch and Rusty Wallace NASCAR hood.
BEAUTYKIND
Visit the pop-up shop for demonstrations of the latest beauty tips and tricks, get free gift cards, take pictures in the photo booth, and enter to win beauty products and the grand prize of a Carrie Underwood signed guitar.
THE GIVING KEYS
The Giving Keys, a Los Angeles-based social enterprise, exists to employ those transitioning out of homelessness to make jewelry out of repurposed keys that are sold and shared around the world. Each key is unique and carries a message like HOPE, STRENGTH, DREAM or COURAGE. At their booth, The Giving Keys will sell their classic keys as well as the “POWER” key. A portion of the proceeds of all keys sold during the weekend will be donated to ACM Lifting Lives.
KENDRA SCOTT
A mystery jewelry pull with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting ACM Lifting Lives will be hosted by Kendra Scott on Friday, April 1 at the ACM Cause Way.
PROJECT 615
Visit the booth for T-shirts and apparel hand screen printed by those on a path to recovery from homelessness, addiction, and mental illness.
PURPOSE JEWELRY
Hand-crafted by young women rescued from human trafficking. All proceeds go to International Sanctuary providing holistic care for survivors. Purchase with PURPOSE and join the movement to spread hope.
STRINGS FOR HOPE
Check out the recycled guitar strings turned into one-of-a-kind jewelry. Handmade by formally incarcerated women transitioning into community life again. Proceeds support healthcare, education, and food banks.
CRACKER BARREL – CONTENT CREATOR STUDIO
Make sure to visit CrackerBarrel.com/ACMparty for exclusive videos & photos from the ACM Content Creator Studio powered by Cracker Barrel. See today’s top country acts interacting with favorite social media influencers.
BAREFOOT REFRESHER SPRITZER TENT
Guests will be able to try Barefoot Refresh Spritzers, now in a new convenient can.
MILLERCOORS BEER GARDEN
Sit down, relax and enjoy a cold one at one of the many Party Bar locations, while watching one of their many big screen TVs and listening to great country music.
RED BULL
Red Bull is proud to be the official energy drink of the ACM Party for a Cause Festival. Check out the rest and relaxation activation and make sure to grab a free Red Bull Energy Drink upon exiting the festival each night.
LAS VEGAS CONVENTION & VISITORS AUTHORITY (LVCVA)
The 4th ACM Party for a Cause Festival will be held at the all-new Las Vegas Festival Grounds from April 1- 3. The three-day outdoor music festival will feature country music all-stars such as Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley and Kenny Chesney.
MAUI JIM
Party for a Cause with aloha spirit. Visit the Maui Jim Sunglasses Flying Jimmy booth and become a part of the Maui Jim ‘ohana—check out the latest styles and experience Maui Jim’s patented PolarizedPlus2 technology.
RAM TRUCKS
Fans attending the ACM Party for a Cause Festival in Las Vegas can “Ride Country” on a free interactive Ram Ride & Drive Test Track featuring the Ram Rebel, Ram 1500 & Ram 2500 trucks. Professional drivers will guide attendees through a course of various on- and off-road obstacles and capability challenges including a hill climb providing Ram truck riders the best view of the PFAC landscape. Participants of the ride & drive will receive free gifts, be registered for a chance to win $45,000 toward a new Ram Truck, will have an opportunity to win Main Stage VIP truck bed seats to see their favorite artists perform live at the festival and have the opportunity to meet country music artists making appearances at the Ram Ride & Drive throughout the weekend. The Raminator Monster Truck Team will be on hand to entertain attendees with car crushing demos, photo opportunities and autographs. Ram Trucks is the official sponsor of the main stage at PFAC where the hottest names in country music will be performing all weekend.
ROLAND & BOSS BACKSTAGE LOUNGE
The latest from Roland and BOSS, manufacturers of the world’s leading electronic musical instruments, will be onsite and showcased in an exclusive, hands-on “petting zoo” area backstage.
ACM PARTY FOR A CAUSE “SOCIAL MOSAIC”
Fans can join the ACM Party for a Cause Festival conversation by tweeting or posting to Instagram using #ACMparty to see their posts onsite via huge Festival screens.
YETI
YETI is pleased to provide artist hospitality backstage at ACM Party for a Cause Festival. YETI coolers help keep the cold ones frosty from load in to well beyond the after party. See how YETI helps the music play on for longer with coolers, drinkware, and more.
Charity Notes: Jennifer Nettles, Chris Janson
/by Jessica NicholsonJennifer Nettles Leads BMLG’s Outnumber Hunger Campaign
Big Machine Label Group, General Mills and Feeding America have launched this year’s Outnumber Hunger campaign, a nationwide effort aimed at fighting hunger in America. Jennifer Nettles serves as this year’s campaign spokesperson.
“Being the face of this year’s Outnumber Hunger campaign is so exciting, and not just because I’ll be on the front of a cereal box!” said Nettles. “What encourages me about this partnership with Big Machine, General Mills and Feeding America is the opportunity to really affect hunger within local communities. I’m thrilled to be a part this program because my fans can conveniently go to their grocery store, pick up products already on their shopping list, and can help their neighbors, just by entering a code.”
Additional BMLG artists taking part in the campaign are: Reba McEntire, Florida Georgia Line, Justin Moore, Ronnie Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Maddie & Tae, Cassadee Pope and Nick Fradiani.
Big Machine Label Group artists will be featured on the box of more than 150 participating General Mills products including: Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Nature Valley and Old El Paso. To participate, individuals can purchase specially marked products, then enter the code found on the packaging and their zip code at outnumberhunger.com to help Feeding America secure five meals on behalf of their local food bank.
Chris Janson, ACM Lifting Lives Launch Pilot Program To Aid COPD Foundation
Chris Janson teaching harmonica to Harmonicas for Health Participants living with COPD. Photo: Helen Comer
ACM Lifting Lives has teamed with the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) Foundation to start a pilot program called Harmonicas for Health. This program is part of the COPD Foundation’s Pulmonary Education Program (PEP) and works to encourage COPD patients to exercise their lungs and improve their lives through the power of music.
Harmonicas for Health (H4H) presented by ACM Lifting Lives kicked off at the end of January in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Three-time ACM nominee Chris Janson stopped by to visit patients at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital and see the group’s progress as they have been learning to play the harmonica to treat COPD. After five weeks, the first program has come to an end and the participants have a new found hobby and remedy of treatment. The COPD Foundation’s goal is to have 25 Harmonicas for Health programs launched at various hospital PEP locations nationwide by September. Saint Thomas Rutherford was the first to launch.
“I can attest to the healing power playing the harmonica provides. As an asthmatic, harmonica playing has helped me overcome my breathing problems and make some damn good music,” says Janson.
ACM Lifting Lives is funding this program and secured Janson to come on board as a COPD National Spokesperson for the program.
Watch Janson’s visit with patients in Murfreesboro, Tennessee below:
Bobby Karl Works The Room: A Tribute To Songwriter John D. Loudermilk
/by Bobby KarlChapter 523
Nobody can stage a tribute show better than Music City.
In recent years, we’ve thrown all-star celebrations for Jack Clement, Billy Block and Kris Kristofferson. On Thursday (March 24) it was John D. Loudermilk’s turn. Like Clement and Kristofferson, Loudermilk is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The legendary tunesmith and his awesome catalog were saluted at The Franklin Theater with 30 performances during a terrific two-and-a-half hour show. Organized by Dixie Gamble, the evening was one highlight after another, whether the song was a giant standard or a little known gem. Loudermilk was lauded for his talent, his warmth, his eccentricities and his zest for life by one performer after another.
“Welcome to an auspicious evening honoring a giant among giants,” said Gamble. “I’ve waited 10 years for this. But John D., you have waited a lifetime. I want to tell you how honored we are to be standing on your broad shoulders.”
Pictured (L-R): Peter Cooper, John D. Loudermilk, Dixie Gamble
Able and glib host Peter Cooper called Loudermilk, “The bringer of laughter, the lover of life. Those of you who don’t know him, by the end of this evening, you will. We are here to thank him. We are here to cheer him.”
Sponsor Troy Tomlinson said, “John D. is the perfect example of how the American Songbook got written. I hope this is the best evening of your career. Enjoy.”
With that, Herb Pedersen kicked off the celebration with a hearty bluegrass arrangement of “It’s My Time.” The songwriter’s son, Mike Loudermilk, added deft guitar picking to his rendition of “Abilene,” then accompanied Norro Wilson’s “The Great Snowman.”
“I don’t have a better memory than you in this business,” said Wilson to the honoree. John Cowan shined brightly on “I Want to Live.” Buddy Greene was smoking hot on “Big Daddy’s Alabama Bound.” Beth Hooker did “Turn Me On,” then backed Claudia Church on “Sunglasses.”
George Hamilton V and George Hamilton VI did “A Rose and a Baby Ruth,” originally a hit for their father and grandfather. Jimmy Hall delivered a bluesy “Bad News.” Becky Hobbs had a sprightly shuffle with “Talk Back Trembling Lips.”
Bluegrass Hall of Famers Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver were thrilling on “Blue Train” and drew a huge ovation. Rosanne Cash appeared on video doing “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye.” The Americana duo Cory Chisel & Adriel Harris sang “Ebony Eyes.” Deborah Allen did a snippet of “Norman,” then a zesty version of “Sad Movies.” Harry Stinson, who sang harmony behind many of the acts, stepped into the spotlight with “Everybody Knows.”
John D. and his wife Susan appeared in a video montage while its soundtrack played him singing the love song “I Chose You.” Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel was dazzling on the Loudermilk instrumental “Windy and Warm.” Billy Burnette tore through “Sitting in the Balcony.” John McFee did a well-received “Indian Reservation.”
“How many great songs can you write in a lifetime?” marveled Beth Nielsen Chapman before sweetly singing “The Language of Love.” On video, Marty Stuart did “Katie Cline” with his Fabulous Superlatives.
Lee Roy Parnell performs with the house band.
The evening’s MVP had to be musical director John Jorgenson, who performed on multiple instruments, led the band and sang backup for several artists. His solo turn was a darkly rocking “Midnight Bus.” Bobby Braddock sang “Break My Mind” at the piano. Lee Roy Parnell gave slide-guitar licks to “Mr. Jones.” Sharon White and Cheryl White harmonized with Ricky Skaggs backing them on “Heaven Fell Last Night,” then Skaggs led the way on “Waterloo.”
“This should have been done a long time ago,” he said. “What a wonderful night.”
Rodney Crowell teamed up with Stinson for a rocking “Tobacco Road.” Kennedy Rose offered a daring a cappella arrangement of “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye.” Pam Rose and Mary Ann Kennedy remained on stage to back Emmylou Harris on an ethereal “Where Have They Gone.”
“Thank you for sharing your gift with us, with the world,” said Harris.
Emmylou Harris performs.
Loudermilk performed the touching “I Have Forgotten It All”/”All But the Flowers” on video as the evening’s last performance.
“This has been quite an evening for me,” he said. He dedicated the night to his early Nashville mentors, the late Chet Atkins and the late Boudleaux & Felice Bryant. “Nashville is on fire. And we are here in the middle of that fire. This is a special place. We know the magic, don’t we?”
The audience was packed with familiar Music Row names. Gary Nicholson, Colin Linden, Buck White, Wood Newton, John Knowles, Nancy Cardwell, Virginia Team, Amy Kurland, Erika Wollam Nichols, Jay & Lee Ann Baron, John Dorris, Jody Williams, Pete Loesch, Susan Stewart, Bonnie Garner, Woody Bomar, Garth Shaw and Tennessee Poet Laureate Maggie Vaughn were working the room. By the way, rocking attendee Jonell Mosser is performing a free show at the Pour House this Sunday, March 27, from 2-4 p.m.
Pictured (L-R): Harry Stinson, Rodney Crowell
BMI’s David Preston presented Loudermilk with certificates commemorating Triple Million-Air performance honors for “Indian Reservation” and “Indian Outlaw” and six Million-Air performance status for “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye.”
“The Nashville community, there’s no place like it,” commented Harris. “The best place and the best people in the world.” Amen, sister.
As for the honoree, John D. Loudermilk turns 82 years young next week, on Thursday, March 31.
BMLG Names Melanie Ainsworth As Controller
/by Jessica NicholsonMelanie Ainsworth
Melanie Ainsworth has been promoted to the role of Controller at Big Machine Label Group, effective immediately. In the newly-created role, Ainsworth will oversee budget compliance and financial analysis while working closely with all BMLG departments. She will also lead the finance and accounting teams throughout their support functions across BMLG’s five imprints: Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co., Republic Nashville, Dot Records and Nash Icon Records.
Ainsworth was previously Director of Finance for BMLG.
“I am very pleased that we are able to give Melanie this much-deserved promotion. She is highly competent and productive, an exceptional professional, and a valuable member of the BMLG team. Melanie is also an absolute pleasure to work with,” said SVP, Finance Mike Craft.
“I am thrilled to be part of such a forward-thinking label group, contributing in so many ways to the landscape of country music and beyond,” said Ainsworth. “Thanks to Scott, Andrew, and Mike for allowing me the opportunity to continue to grow with the company and contribute to the success of the Big Machine Label Group.”
Previously Ainsworth served as the Director of Finance for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and Senior Accountant for Bridgestone Arena and the Nashville Predators.
Ainsworth can be reached at melanie.ainsworth@bmlg.net or at 615-574-7830.
Kenny Chesney Adds Tour Dates, Sends “Noise” To Country Radio
/by Jessica NicholsonKenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney describes his new single, “Noise,” as “one of the most authentic songs I’ve been a part of.” The tune, penned with Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, and Jon Nite, is sprinkled with vignettes of the various types of “noise” that surround people daily, including cell phones, construction, and 24-hour television filled with “talking heads.”
“There’s a line in the song that says, ‘We didn’t turn it on, but we can’t turn it off,’ and that’s really true about this tidal wave of sound that is forced on us every day,” Chesney said during a live video interview on Facebook. “Sometimes, a lot of times, it gets overwhelming. We didn’t necessarily ask for all of it at once, but we are getting all of it at once.”
“Noise” was a late addition to an album Chesney and his team had thought was already completed.
“I was on my way to a marketing meeting and we actually had another single picked,” he said. “I was on my way to the meeting talking about the setup for that single. I was at the house and heard all these political candidates that are running for president acting so un-presidential. It was just loud. Now they are throwing everybody’s wives in the middle of this stuff. So that’s where it started.
“All these random people in our lives just really want to be heard,” he continued. “So what do they do? They start talking over each other, and they keep turning it up. Next thing you know, they are all screaming. It seems to get so loud that no one can hear anything and it just becomes white noise.”
Chesney began texting about the song concept with producer/songwriter McAnally, and later finished the song with Copperman and Nite. “Noise” was recorded two days later, and is the first single from his upcoming album, set for release this summer.
“The thing that got me most about ‘Noise’ is it’s such a socially relevant idea,” Chesney said. “We’re so trapped in our phones, and this addiction to information, and we’re also addicted to communicating. Once you get our of your phone, there is a whole world out there.”
See Chesney’s interview below:
The entertainer also revealed several amphitheater and festival dates that will accompany the 11 stadium dates he announced earlier this year.
“This is going to be a very high-energy, music-driven show,” Chesney said during the Facebook interview, “that only allows me to connect more with the audience. That is what I feel is my strong suit as an entertainer.”
A complete list of 2016 Spread the Love Tour dates is below:
April 23 — Auburn, Ala.; Jordan Hare Stadium
May 5 — Alberquerque, N.M.; Isleta Amphitheatre
May 7 — Phoenix, Ariz.; Chase Field
May 13-14 — Uncasville, Conn.; Mohegan Sun Casino
May 19 — Columbia, Md.; Merriweather Post Pavilion
May 20 — Charlotte, N.C.; PNC Music Pavilion
May 21 — Raleigh, N.C.; Wanut Creek Amphitheatre
May 26 — Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Blossom Music Center
May 28 — Louisville, Ky.; Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium
June 2 — Rogers, Ark.; Walmart AMP
June 4 — Arlington, Texas; AT&T Stadium
June 9 — Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
June 10 — Canandaigua, N.Y.; CMAC
June 11 — Hunter, N.Y.; Taste of Country Music Festival
June 17 — Cadott, Wis.; Country Fest
June 18 — Milwaukee, Wis.; Miller Park
June 23 — Virginia Beach, Va.; Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
June 25 — Philadelphia, Pa.; Lincoln Financial Field
July 2 — Pittsburgh, Pa.; Heinz Field
July 10 — Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada; Cavendish Beach Music Festival
July 14 — St. Louis, Mo.; Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
July 16 — Kansas City, Mo.; Arrowhead Stadium
July 23 — Seattle, Wash.; Century Link Field
July 27 — Cheyenne, Wyo.; Frontier Days
July 30 — Mountain Home, Idaho; Mountain Home Country Music Festival
July 31 — Sixes, Ore.; Cape Blanco Country Music Festival
Aug. 6 — Santa Clara, Calif.; Levi’s Stadium
Aug. 13 — Detroit, Mich.; Ford Field
Aug. 18 — Bristow, Va.; Jiffy Lube Live
Aug. 20 — East Rutherford, N.J.; MetLife Stadium
Aug. 26 — Foxborough, Mass.; Gillette Stadium
Aug. 27 — Foxborough, Mass.; Gillette Stadium
THiS Music Renews Publishing Deal With Songwriter Deric Ruttan
/by Jessica NicholsonDeric Ruttan
Songwriter Deric Ruttan has renewed his publishing agreement with THiS Music, as part of a joint venture with Warner/Chappell Music Nashville.
Ruttan is currently on the country charts with Blake Shelton’s “Came Here To Forget,” which Ruttan co-wrote with Craig Wiseman. He also penned David Nail’s current single, “Night’s On Fire,” with Jonathan Singleton.
Ruttan earned a Grammy nomination, in 2014, for his Blake Shelton No. 1 “Mine Would Be You,” and is a multiple ASCAP, CCMA, and SOCAN winner. Other cuts include “What Was I Thinkin'” and “A Lot Of Leavin’ Left To Do” (both recorded by Dierks Bentley), and “Guys Like Me” and “Hell On The Heart” (both recorded by Eric Church).
Country Music Hall Of Fame Induction Announcement Will Be Streamed
/by Craig_ShelburneThe announcement of the three next Country Music Hall of Fame inductees will be streamed live on Tues., March 29.
The program will begin at 10 a.m. and will be hosted by Brenda Lee.
In 2016, the three induction categories are Modern Era, Veterans Era, and Non-Performer.
An artist becomes eligible for induction in the Modern Era category 20 years after they first achieve national prominence. An artist becomes eligible for induction in the Veterans Era category 40 years after they first achieve national prominence.
A Non-Performer honoree is awarded every three years, as part of a rotation with the Songwriter category and the Recording and/or Touring Musician category.
The Veterans Era and Modern Era categories have separate nominating committees, each made up of 12 industry leaders who serve three-year terms. The Modern Era nominating committee also oversees the rotating categories.
Final nominations are then submitted to two separate panels of electors, made up of historians and industry professionals that have a historical perspective on country music. One panel votes for both the Modern Era and the Rotating Categories, while a second panel votes for the Veterans Era category. Both panels are updated annually by the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee. Individuals can serve on both panels. All panelists remain anonymous and are appointed by the CMA Board of Directors.
Queen Extravaganza’s Marc Martel Signs To Music City Management
/by Craig_ShelburneMarc Martel
Marc Martel, the voice of the Queen Extravaganza, the Official Queen Tribute Band produced by Queen drummer Roger Taylor, has signed with Music City Management. The announcement was made by Josh Peterson, who founded the management company in 2012.
A Nashville resident, Martel will release a new album, The Covers LP, Vol. 1, on June 17. He will perform songs from the project on Mon., March 28, at The High Watt at 8 p.m. The project will feature fan-requested songs, such as Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Josh Peterson
“Marc is a top-tier entertainer, and one of the best vocalists in the world,” says Petersen. “When you get to experience him singing live, even once, you know there is something unique and special about his talents. I could not be more thrilled to work alongside Martel to share his music with people everywhere.”
In addition to Martel, the company’s roster includes Grammy–winning multi-instrumentalist Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station.
Martel is the former lead singer of Christian pop band Downhere, which disbanded four years ago. In 2011, Martel’s cover of Queen’s “Somebody to Love” was submitted to the Queen Extravaganza competition by Martel’s wife, and then became a multi-million sensation when posted on YouTube. To this day the video has over 12 million views.
ACM Party For A Cause Festival’s Activations, Brand Partnerships Announced
/by Craig_ShelburneThe Academy of Country Music has announced the partners, activities and special events taking place during the 4th ACM Party for a Cause Festival, a three-day music festival from Fri., April 1 to Sun., April 3 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. The festival will feature two stages for ongoing country music performances, interactive games, and a country marketplace.
The outdoor festival will feature more than 30 country artists performing on the Ram Trucks Main Stage and Cabela’s Stage. Attractions such as the inaugural Cause Way, Cabela’s & ACM Tic-Tac-Toe Archery Event, Cracker Barrel Content Creators Studio, MillerCoors Beer Garden, Ram Trucks Country Music Experience, and more will be popping up throughout the festival.
The ACM Party for a Cause Festival will feature RFID Wristbands for festival entry and exit. After the passes are purchased, guests will be shipped their RFID Wristbands, which can be activated online before arrival to the festival. The RFID Wristbands will also feature ACM Cashless, a program which uses RFID technology to allow attendees to link their credit card to their wristband, set a PIN for security, and then use it to purchase beverages, food and select merchandise at the event. ACM Cashless is the recommended payment method, but credit card and cash will also be accepted by vendors at the festival.
Additional details on the events, activations and partners for the 4th ACM Party for a Cause Festival can be found below and in the ACM App. The official app, available for download at the App Store and Google Play, offers fans the latest on performers, concert schedules, artist meet and greets, food, drinks and shopping at the ACM Party for a Cause Festival. New to the app this year, users can turn on bluetooth to receive location-targeted messages as well as an interactive map designed to give fans the most out of their experience at the Festival.
BIG GREEN EGG
Big Green Egg is proud to join The Academy of Country Music in their support of ACM Lifting Lives. Stop by the ACM Booth next to the Cause Way to find out more about this important philanthropic effort. And while you’re there, register to win a Big Green Egg MiniMax package that includes everything you will need to get started with The Ultimate Cooking Experience.
CABELA’S & ACM TIC-TAC-TOE ARCHERY TOURNAMENT
Luke Bryan and Justin Moore will return to host the celebrity archery tournament event taking place on Saturday, April 2 from 11 a.m. to noon. Watch country music stars and Cabela’s pro staff archers participate in an archery exhibition featuring Cabela’s state-of-the-art digital archery equipment. Team Luke and Team Justin will compete head-to-head to see whose archery skills will take home the trophy.
CABELA’S BOOTH
Visit the Cabela’s booth for a fun and interactive outdoor experience, including a green-screen photo booth, safe archery, vintage-photo kiosk, a Luke Bryan 32 Bridge display, artist appearances, camping displays, wild-game food samples and more.
THE CAUSE WAY FEATURING ACM LIFTING LIVES BOOTH
Cause Way will feature booths of the charitable beneficiaries of the 4th ACM Party for a Cause Festival. For the first time ever, festival goers will have the opportunity to learn more about each organization’s mission and impact onsite at the festival.
BASE CAMP 40
Base Camp 40 Warriors in the Wild gives back to our nation’s brave Veterans via all expenses paid outdoor adventures throughout the country and British Columbia. Come visit the booth to meet the great volunteers, find out more information on sending a veteran on a trip, view previous hunts and veterans honored, as well as enter for an opportunity to win a customized ACM and BC40 Weatherby Rifle or a signed Kurt Busch and Rusty Wallace NASCAR hood.
BEAUTYKIND
Visit the pop-up shop for demonstrations of the latest beauty tips and tricks, get free gift cards, take pictures in the photo booth, and enter to win beauty products and the grand prize of a Carrie Underwood signed guitar.
THE GIVING KEYS
The Giving Keys, a Los Angeles-based social enterprise, exists to employ those transitioning out of homelessness to make jewelry out of repurposed keys that are sold and shared around the world. Each key is unique and carries a message like HOPE, STRENGTH, DREAM or COURAGE. At their booth, The Giving Keys will sell their classic keys as well as the “POWER” key. A portion of the proceeds of all keys sold during the weekend will be donated to ACM Lifting Lives.
KENDRA SCOTT
A mystery jewelry pull with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting ACM Lifting Lives will be hosted by Kendra Scott on Friday, April 1 at the ACM Cause Way.
PROJECT 615
Visit the booth for T-shirts and apparel hand screen printed by those on a path to recovery from homelessness, addiction, and mental illness.
PURPOSE JEWELRY
Hand-crafted by young women rescued from human trafficking. All proceeds go to International Sanctuary providing holistic care for survivors. Purchase with PURPOSE and join the movement to spread hope.
STRINGS FOR HOPE
Check out the recycled guitar strings turned into one-of-a-kind jewelry. Handmade by formally incarcerated women transitioning into community life again. Proceeds support healthcare, education, and food banks.
CRACKER BARREL – CONTENT CREATOR STUDIO
Make sure to visit CrackerBarrel.com/ACMparty for exclusive videos & photos from the ACM Content Creator Studio powered by Cracker Barrel. See today’s top country acts interacting with favorite social media influencers.
BAREFOOT REFRESHER SPRITZER TENT
Guests will be able to try Barefoot Refresh Spritzers, now in a new convenient can.
MILLERCOORS BEER GARDEN
Sit down, relax and enjoy a cold one at one of the many Party Bar locations, while watching one of their many big screen TVs and listening to great country music.
RED BULL
Red Bull is proud to be the official energy drink of the ACM Party for a Cause Festival. Check out the rest and relaxation activation and make sure to grab a free Red Bull Energy Drink upon exiting the festival each night.
LAS VEGAS CONVENTION & VISITORS AUTHORITY (LVCVA)
The 4th ACM Party for a Cause Festival will be held at the all-new Las Vegas Festival Grounds from April 1- 3. The three-day outdoor music festival will feature country music all-stars such as Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley and Kenny Chesney.
MAUI JIM
Party for a Cause with aloha spirit. Visit the Maui Jim Sunglasses Flying Jimmy booth and become a part of the Maui Jim ‘ohana—check out the latest styles and experience Maui Jim’s patented PolarizedPlus2 technology.
RAM TRUCKS
Fans attending the ACM Party for a Cause Festival in Las Vegas can “Ride Country” on a free interactive Ram Ride & Drive Test Track featuring the Ram Rebel, Ram 1500 & Ram 2500 trucks. Professional drivers will guide attendees through a course of various on- and off-road obstacles and capability challenges including a hill climb providing Ram truck riders the best view of the PFAC landscape. Participants of the ride & drive will receive free gifts, be registered for a chance to win $45,000 toward a new Ram Truck, will have an opportunity to win Main Stage VIP truck bed seats to see their favorite artists perform live at the festival and have the opportunity to meet country music artists making appearances at the Ram Ride & Drive throughout the weekend. The Raminator Monster Truck Team will be on hand to entertain attendees with car crushing demos, photo opportunities and autographs. Ram Trucks is the official sponsor of the main stage at PFAC where the hottest names in country music will be performing all weekend.
ROLAND & BOSS BACKSTAGE LOUNGE
The latest from Roland and BOSS, manufacturers of the world’s leading electronic musical instruments, will be onsite and showcased in an exclusive, hands-on “petting zoo” area backstage.
ACM PARTY FOR A CAUSE “SOCIAL MOSAIC”
Fans can join the ACM Party for a Cause Festival conversation by tweeting or posting to Instagram using #ACMparty to see their posts onsite via huge Festival screens.
YETI
YETI is pleased to provide artist hospitality backstage at ACM Party for a Cause Festival. YETI coolers help keep the cold ones frosty from load in to well beyond the after party. See how YETI helps the music play on for longer with coolers, drinkware, and more.
Weekly Chart Report (3/25/16)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Stevie Erickson Joins Red Vinyl Music, Weds Jesse Frasure
/by Jessica NicholsonJesse and Stevie Frasure
Stevie Frasure (formerly Stevie Erickson) has joined Red Vinyl Music as Sr. Creative Director.
Frasure formerly served for three years as Sr. Creative Director at Patrick Joseph Music. Prior stops have included EMI Music Publishing and ole.
“I am excited to welcome Stevie into the Red Vinyl Music family,” says VP, Creative, Eric Gallimore. “I have every confidence that her enthusiasm and passion for music, coupled with years of experience and extensive relationships, will continue to move Red Vinyl to a new level of success.”
Additionally, she wed songwriter/publisher/producer/DJ Jesse Frasure (VP of Major Bob Music) on March 12 in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
She can be reached at (615) 377-0495 and sfrasure@redvinylmusic.com.