Kacey Musgraves joined Katy Perry at the Hollywood Bowl in 2013.
has announced
Kacey Musgraves as one of three opening acts for various stops on her four-month North American
Prismatic World Tour.
Although the Perry tour hits Nashville on June 27 without the Mercury Nashville newcomer, Musgraves will join the Capitol Records star for 14 August dates extending to Canada and touching U.S. cities, including Grand Rapids, Mich.; St. Louis, and Louisville, Ky. (dates below).
Capital Cities and
Tegan and Sara will tag team the rest of the tour.
“I’m so excited that I got to hand-select some of my favorite artists to join me on this journey – I know you’ll love Capital Cities, Kacey Musgraves, and Tegan and Sara as much as I do,” Perry said.
Citi card members will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. local time. Details are forthcoming for fans’ opportunity to purchase tickets via Facebook Jan. 23.
The Prismatic World Tour is Perry’s first tour since 2011’s sold-out
California Dreams Tour, which was the subject of the 2012 feature film
Katy Perry: Part Of Me, the fifth biggest music documentary of all time.
Catch Musgraves on the road with
Lady Antebellum through April. In addition to performing, Musgraves is also nominated for four Grammy Awards at the
end of the month.
Prismatic dates including Kacey Musgraves:
Aug. 10 – Grand Rapids, Mich. – Van Andel Arena
Aug. 11 – Auburn Hills, Mich. – The Palace of Auburn Hills
Aug. 13 – Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Arena
Aug. 14 – Cleveland, Ohio – Quicken Loans Arena
Aug. 16 – Louisville, Ky. – KFC Yum! Center
Aug. 17 – St. Louis – Scottrade Center
Aug. 19 – Kansas City, Mo. – Sprint Center
Aug. 20 – Lincoln, Neb. – Pinnacle Bank Arena
Aug. 22 – Minneapolis – Target Center
Aug. 23 – Fargo, N.D. – FARGODOME
Aug. 26 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
Aug. 28 – Saskatoon, SK – Credit Union Centre
Aug. 29 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Aug. 31 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
Kacey Musgraves Signs On For Katy Perry World Tour
/by Eric T. ParkerKacey Musgraves joined Katy Perry at the Hollywood Bowl in 2013.
Katy Perry has announced Kacey Musgraves as one of three opening acts for various stops on her four-month North American Prismatic World Tour.
Although the Perry tour hits Nashville on June 27 without the Mercury Nashville newcomer, Musgraves will join the Capitol Records star for 14 August dates extending to Canada and touching U.S. cities, including Grand Rapids, Mich.; St. Louis, and Louisville, Ky. (dates below). Capital Cities and Tegan and Sara will tag team the rest of the tour.
“I’m so excited that I got to hand-select some of my favorite artists to join me on this journey – I know you’ll love Capital Cities, Kacey Musgraves, and Tegan and Sara as much as I do,” Perry said.
Citi card members will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. local time. Details are forthcoming for fans’ opportunity to purchase tickets via Facebook Jan. 23.
The Prismatic World Tour is Perry’s first tour since 2011’s sold-out California Dreams Tour, which was the subject of the 2012 feature film Katy Perry: Part Of Me, the fifth biggest music documentary of all time.
Catch Musgraves on the road with Lady Antebellum through April. In addition to performing, Musgraves is also nominated for four Grammy Awards at the end of the month.
Prismatic dates including Kacey Musgraves:
Aug. 10 – Grand Rapids, Mich. – Van Andel Arena
Aug. 11 – Auburn Hills, Mich. – The Palace of Auburn Hills
Aug. 13 – Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Arena
Aug. 14 – Cleveland, Ohio – Quicken Loans Arena
Aug. 16 – Louisville, Ky. – KFC Yum! Center
Aug. 17 – St. Louis – Scottrade Center
Aug. 19 – Kansas City, Mo. – Sprint Center
Aug. 20 – Lincoln, Neb. – Pinnacle Bank Arena
Aug. 22 – Minneapolis – Target Center
Aug. 23 – Fargo, N.D. – FARGODOME
Aug. 26 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
Aug. 28 – Saskatoon, SK – Credit Union Centre
Aug. 29 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Aug. 31 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
Tom Lord Joins Red Light Management
/by Jessica NicholsonTom Lord
Tom Lord has exited Universal Music Group Nashville to join Red Light Management, where he will handle marketing efforts for the various artists on Red Light’s roster.
Lord had been with UMG since 2000, where he managed the film/TV licensing, international marketing, and partnership marketing efforts for the Mercury, EMI and Capitol Nashville roster of artists. He most recently served as VP, Marketing of the label group.
“I am honored to have been a part of Universal Music Group Nashville and am forever grateful for the experience and friendships,” Lord says. “I am also looking forward to my new opportunity at Red Light Management to work with their amazing staff and roster of artists.”
He can be reached at tom.lord@redlightmanagement.com.
SoundExchange Extends CEO Huppe's Contract
/by Jessica NicholsonMichael Huppe
SoundExchange announced that Michael Huppe‘s contract to serve as SoundExchange’s president and CEO has been extended through 2018. Huppe will continue to be responsible for setting the strategic direction of SoundExchange, managing its day-to-day operations, and ensuring its long-term growth in service of the music industry.
“I wake up every day excited and honored to lead SoundExchange as we help shape the music industry’s future,” Huppe said. “I appreciate the board’s confidence in me, and look forward to working with them to continue to be a positive voice for both the organization and the recording artists and record labels we represent.”
SoundExchange is an independent nonprofit performance rights organization. The organization collects statutory royalties on behalf of recording artists and master rights owners for the use of their sound recordings by satellite radio, Internet radio, cable television music channels, and other services.
BMLG Promotes Kash To VP of Finance
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Kash
Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta and COO Andrew Kautz have promoted Brad Kash to Vice President of Finance.
Kash will continue to lead the finance, accounting and royalty teams throughout their support functions across BMLG’s three imprints – Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville – and publishing arm – Big Machine Music.
Kash joined the company in 2012 as Director of Finance. With a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Saint Leo University, Kash began his music industry career as Assistant Controller for Williams-Bell & Associates in 1994. He was a founding partner and CFO of Big Fish Entertainment, working directly with such legendary artists as Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. His career also includes time as Senior Manager of Corporate Accounting & Finance with Hard Rock International, and serving as Director, Finance & Administration at EMI Christian Music Group.
“Brad is the right man for the job at BMLG. Upon arriving he was immediately able to understand what we needed to do to keep up with the scale of our growth,” Borchetta said. “Adding VP stripes was an obvious and easy decision. Well done Brad!”
“Brad has done an excellent job spearheading the effort to scale our Finance team to keep pace with our continued growth. His ability to understand our vision and fine tune our finance systems while adding the right team members to keep us on pace solidified this promotion,” Kautz said. “Brad understands that our need to keep Big Machine’s laser focus requires having our Finance processes complement our company’s relationships with our partners and especially our Artists. Scott and I are very pleased with what he’s accomplished and appreciate his contribution to our continued success.”
Kash can be reached via Brad.Kash@BMLG.net.
MusicRowPics: Natalie Stovall and The Drive
/by Jessica NicholsonNatalie Stovall and The Drive artist visit
MusicRow welcomed Natalie Stovall and The Drive to its offices on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The five-piece band brought an infectious energy to the two-song performance, which included current single “Baby Come On With It” from the band’s self-titled, six-song EP on HitShop Records. “Baby Come On With It” was penned by Chris DeStefano, Jerry Flowers and Bobby Hamrick.
Lead singer and Columbia, Tenn. native Natalie Stovall has been performing professionally since the age of 10, and she made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry at the tender age of 12. The Drive includes guitarist Miguel Cancino, bassist Zach Morse, guitarist and vocalist Joel Dormer, and drummer James Bavendam, whom Stovall met in college.
The band’s easy camaraderie, both on and offstage, has been hard-earned from performing more than 200 shows per year. “We started out doing the college showcases, and found an agent at one of the conferences,” said Stovall. “He booked our college dates, and that allowed us to play clubs and festivals. The college dates are what kept us afloat to play the other shows. Within a year, we went from random house gigs to having to block time off because we were playing so many shows.”
The demanding touring schedule is the primary reason the band delayed in signing with a label until last year, when they struck a deal with HitShop. “We were so busy touring that we didn’t have time to pursue a record deal,” says Stovall.
In 2012, she won the coveted Campus Activities Magazine Entertainer of the Year Award, marking the first time a female performer has received the honor in more than 20 years. The group is managed by Red Light Management’s Tracy Gershon and booked through the Paradigm Agency and Degy Entertainment.
They followed up “Baby Come On With It” with “The Long Way Around,” a song Stovall penned before heading into the studio to work on the group’s EP. “It’s about what we’ve been going through and how we got here,” said Stovall. “It felt like a song that needed to be written.”
Last year, the group spent ample time at Nashville club Anthem to not only present a showcase for members of the music industry, but to do a photo session and shoot an EPK and a music video. “The video is a compilation of our tour shows,” Stovall says. “We did a performance at Anthem as well, just to add a different feel to the video.”
The group’s EP was produced by Paul Worley and Clark Schleicher. “Natalie Stovall and the Drive have it all,” said Worley. “The talent, the songs, the look, the entertainment chops and a live show that will blow you away. Natalie is one of the best signers I have ever worked with.”
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Tonight: 'Nashville' Returns, 'Crazy Hearts' Premieres
/by Sarah SkatesNashville is executive produced by Dee Johnson, R.J. Cutler, Callie Khouri and Steve Buchanan.
• • • •
A&E’s original series Crazy Hearts: Nashville premieres tonight (Jan. 15) at 10 p.m. CT with a replay tomorrow (Jan. 16) at 9 p.m. CT. It continues every Thursday at 9 p.m. CT. Here’s the gist of this songwriter saga: Lee Holyfield (daughter of songwriter Wayland Holyfield) was romantically involved with country rocker Leroy Powell. But Powell is more interested in recent Atlanta transplant Hannah Fairlight. Powell’s best friend is Anthony Billups, who is on-again, off-again with Amy Wilcox. Jimmy Stanley is a cowboy crooner and bartender at the Bluebird who is dating manager April Nemeth. Local personality Heather Byrd is the common thread.
Who’s behind it: Crazy Hearts: Nashville is produced by Eastern for A&E Network. Executive producers for Eastern are Toby Barraud, Stefan Springman and Mala Chapple, and co-executive producers are Angela Rae Berg and Jeff Grogan. Executive producers for A&E Network are Drew Tappon, Lily Neumeyer, Evan Lerner and Fred Grinstein.
Industry Ink (1/15/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonSimon recently signed singer-songwriter Chuck Wicks, who will release the single “Us Again” on Jan. 27.
• • •
Joe Bachman
Country singer Joe Bachman has signed with Rock Ridge Music. Rock Ridge will co-manage Bachman alongside his longtime manager Frank Annunziata of Anderson Entertainment.
President of Rock Ridge Music, Cynthia Cochrane, said, “The first time I saw Joe & the band live, I was blown away by their level of energy and the overwhelming crowd response. On top of being a huge talent, he’s as real and genuine as they come. We are all thrilled to be part of the next steps in Joe’s career.”
Bachman’s single “Lookatchu,” will hit radio in March.
• • •
SOLID’s first general assembly meeting of the year was held last night (Jan. 14) at BMI’s Nashville office. CMA CEO Sarah Trahern was the guest speaker.
“As the younger generation of the music industry, more than ever, you must work together to rise together,” Trahern told the SOLID membership, imparting some of the lessons she’s learned throughout a nearly 30-year career in television and music.
Pictured (L-R): Michelle Tigard Kammerer, SOLID Vice President; Brian O’Neil, SOLID President; Sarah Trahern; Stefany Reed, SOLID Education Committee Co-Chair; Alex Luebbert, SOLID Education Committee Chair.
• • •
• • •
Jacy Dawn
Jacy Dawn has launched the full-service media company Platinum Circle Media. Dawn’s more than 16 years of industry experience includes work in graphic design, promotions, marketing, publicity, social networking, website design and more.
Dawn recently worked as project manager for the release of Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan‘s project Dos Divas. Dawn has cover art credits on albums including Morgan’s Live and Wrapped Up in Love (2012), Kelly Lang‘s Shakes of K, Jesse Keith Whitley‘s Kentucky Thunder and more.
For more information, visit platinumcirclemedia.com
Dierks Bentley Announces '2014 Riser Tour'
/by Jessica NicholsonNot Dierks Bentley. The “I Hold On” singer “hacked” into CMT’s Twitter account to announce his forthcoming 2014 Riser Tour, and revealed via a series of tweets that Chris Young, Jon Pardi and Chase Rice will be joining the tour. The tour will launch May 9 in Charlotte, N.C.
“rule #1 — you should never leave your company’s twitter open at work. Guess I will have some fun with this.” Dierks said via Twitter.
He teased fans with a series of hints at who would be joining him on the tour.
“excited to see y’all out on the road! more info on cities and dates are coming soon. wonder if CMT will kick me off anytime soon,” he continued. The singer-songwriter later posted a photo with proof that he indeed got “kicked out,” before he could eat his Doritos.
A release with cities included on the tour arrived shortly after the tweets. Bentley’s upcoming studio album Riser releases Feb. 25.
First Announced Cities on the 2014 RISER TOUR First Leg:
Charlotte, N.C.
Raleigh, N.C.*
Virginia Beach, Va.
Washington, D.C.
Holmdel, N.J.
Bossier City, La.*
Robinsville, Miss.*
Detroit
Philadelphia
Scranton, Pa.
Hunter Mountain, N.Y.*
Thornville, Ohio*
Craven, SK*
Eau Claire, Wis.*
St. Louis
Morrison, Colo.
Los Angeles
Phoenix
San Diego
Mt. View, Calif.
Las Vegas
Sixes, Ore.*
Havelock, ON*
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Indianapolis
*Opening acts may vary, check concert listings for more details
Tritt and Stuart Preview New Music During Theater Taping
/by Eric T. ParkerTravis Tritt. Photo: Terry Wyatt
Travis Tritt welcomed Marty Stuart to the stage with an exciting announcement during the second of a two-night acoustic stint at the Franklin Theater (Jan. 13-14) celebrating the 25th anniversary of Tritt’s rise to fame. Tritt shared news that the honky-tonk outlaws have already co-produced four sides for a forthcoming album, which may be available by the end of the year. “The new project is real close to unplugged – getting back to the root of things,” he said.
The comrades previewed Tritt’s first instrumental song, “Pickin’ At It,” which is expected for inclusion on the upcoming duet project.
In addition to impromptu road stories from the ’90s, Stuart and Tritt performed their mainstay duet, “The Whiskey Ain’t Working Anymore,” for the sold-out crowd.
The theater’s Director, Dan Hays, welcomed audience members to the intimate performance, which was filmed for a yet-to-be-announced release. The evening served as a reminder of the quality catalog of songs the Georgia native retains, and his skillful guitar picking.
Leather pants and all, Tritt swung his hips for additional hits including “Where Corn Don’t Grow,” “I’m Gonna Be Somebody,” “Country Club,” “Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” “Best Of Intentions,” “Drift Off To Dream,” “Help Me Hold On,” “Anymore,” “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” and “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde.” James Otto joined him for a reprise of “Lord Have Mercy on the Working Man.”
The limited engagement offered tickets priced upwards of $100, with each ticket holder receiving a re-released, autographed copy of The Calm After… and commemorative “backstage” laminate.
'Idol' Tries To Get Back On Pitch
/by Sarah SkatesThe judging panel will be made up of Keith Urban, Harry Connick Jr. and Jennifer Lopez. Ryan Seacrest will continue as host.
In the new season, the focus will be on the contestants instead of the judges. Last year’s cat-fighting between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj stole the show—and not in a good way.
Among other changes: cringe-inducing moments will be nixed, particularly the terrible auditions. Contestants will be allowed to audition with instruments. Before meeting the judges, hopefuls will go in a confessional type room dubbed “The Chamber.” The mid-season whittling down of contestants will be drastically condensed to about two hours of programming called “Rush Week.” There is a different set and different theme music.
The show also has new leadership. David Hill, a longtime executive with a string of success at Fox sports, will helm the show for the network, replacing Mike Darnell. Also recently on board is Director Louis J. Horvitz and four new principal executive producers.