Photo credit: Bennett Farkas
Tickets for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field sold out a record-setting six weeks in advance of the 2013 CMA Music Festival. Demand for four-day ticket packages means single night tickets will not be available for the LP Field concerts, running June 6-9. Artists previously announced to perform include
Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and
Zac Brown Band. Recently added are
Kip Moore, Lee Greenwood, Tracy Lawrence, The Oak Ridge Boys and
Randy Travis. Set to perform the national anthem are
Brett Eldredge, Gloriana, Lorrie Morgan and
Pam Tillis.
“Tickets to LP Field sold faster than ever, but the good news for our fans is if you didn’t get a ticket for LP Field there are nine other entertainment and music stages, plus special events, and activities throughout downtown Nashville to enjoy,” said
Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “And with the expansion of our autograph signings, concerts, and family events into the new Music City Center – which we have dubbed Fan Fair X – local and regional residents have affordable, easy access to great entertainment with hundreds of our most popular artists.”
Attendees can find free music throughout downtown Nashville with non-stop performances. Lineups for stages including the Chevrolet™ Riverfront Park Stage, the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza, Transitions Performance Park, The Buckle Stage on Broadway, BMI Tailgate Party and more will be announced soon through CMA’s social networks.
CMA Music Festival’s newest attraction is the AT&T U-Verse Fan Fair X (FFX) at the Music City Center featuring three stages, celebrity Q&As, a red carpet, Fan Fair X Marketplace, and Country music memorabilia. It opens Thursday, June 6 with “Lady A Day at FFX” featuring
Lady Antebellum. FFX tickets are $10 a day or $25 for four days, children 12 and under will be admitted free.
In 2012, CMA Music Festival attracted more than 71,000 daily visitors. Direct visitor spending for the event totals more than $31 million annually according to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CMA Music Festival will once again be filmed for a national television special to air on the ABC Television Network and will be executive-produced by
Robert Deaton.
Visit
CMAfest.com for ticket details.
Curb Records Sues Tim McGraw For Copyright Infringement
/by Jessica Nicholson“Curb Records, the recording industry and other industries that rely on personal service contracts … will suffer broad harm if McGraw and others can ignore the provisions of such agreements, selecting which provisions they may choose to follow and refusing to acknowledge others,” the suit states.
The lawsuit asks for compensatory and punitive damages, as well as an injunction to prevent McGraw from recording material until he has fulfilled the Curb contract. In September 2012, a Tennessee Court of Appeals upheld a 2011 Chancery Court decision to deny Curb Records’ request for an injunction to bar McGraw from recording for another record label. McGraw signed with Big Machine in May 2012.
In May 2011, Curb sued McGraw for breach of contract, claiming the tracks on the Curb-released Emotional Traffic album were recorded outside of a contractually designated time period.
Industry Ink (4-30-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonTom Long and Mike Stewart are hosting a workshop titled “WordPress – Blogging, Marketing and Video Training for the Music Industry” on Saturday, May 18. The event will be at the Timothy Demonbreun House in Nashville, from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Cost is $125 per person. A writers’ night will follow at Douglas Corner with performances by Doug Johnson, Greg Hanna, Kim Tribble and Alaska’s Hobo Jim. For more information, visit thataflydigital.com.
• • •
BMI and CMT Edge recently co-sponsored a showcase entitled “Your Next Soundtrack” for the 2013 Nashville Film Festival at CMT’s Nashville headquarters. The event, which featured the music of Escondido, Dugas, Will Hoge and Johnnyswim, connected some of Nashville’s best Indie talent with film executives and music supervisors visiting Nashville for the festival.
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Penny Everhard, CMT’s Leslie Fram, Escondido, Dugas, Will Hoge, JOHNNYSWIM and CMT’s Craig Shelburne.
• • •
Songwriters Chris McClarney and Anthony Skinner were recently honored for their song “Your Love Never Fails,” which took the No. 1 chart position at Christian Hit Radio (CHR), as performed by the Newsboys.
Pictured (L-R): Mike Murray, Creative Director for Integrity Music Publishing; Chris McClarney; Anthony Skinner; Jimi Williams, Director of WorshipTogether; Matt Ewald, Creative Director for Capitol CMG Publishing.
• • •
Pictured (L-R): Sam Anderson (QCNH), Andrew Skates (QCNH), David Matsler (QCNH), Matt Runner (Paradigm), Brian Hill (Paradigm), Matt Mabe (QCNH), Patrick Adams (QCNH), Wayne Floyd (QCNH Tour Manager)
Chesney Establishes Fund For Boston
/by Sarah SkatesAll proceeds from digital single sales of “Spread The Love,” his track co-written and recorded with the Wailers, go to the foundation.
Chesney teamed with local station WKLB-FM for the effort and is donating a sizable amount of seed money to start the fund which will be used at Boston Medical Center or other area hospitals.
“It’s hard to imagine a world where taking your children to school, going to the movies or witnessing something as iconic as the Boston Marathon is a dangerous thing to do,” Chesney says. “For me, I want to help give these people as much of their lives back as possible, but I’d also like to counteract some of the negativity in the world… Remind people that there are more good people out there, and it’s up to us to ‘Spread the Love.’”
Boston Medical Center has established a dedicated link for the Spread the Love Fund at www.bmc.org/kenny.
T.J. Martell Hosts 14th Annual Nashville Best Cellars Dinner
/by Caitlin RantalaBack Row (L to R) Chef Sam Tucker, Chef Bob Waggoner, Sheryl Crow, Gary Allan, Laura Heatherly (CEO, T.J. Martell Foundation), Luke Bryan, Chef Sean Brock
Front Row (L to R) Co-chair Bill Hearn (President, EMI Christian Group), Co-chair Tom Black, Co-chair John Esposito (President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville), Founder Billy Ray Hearn (Founder, EMI Christian Music Group)
Attendees of the 14th Annual Nashville Best Cellars Dinner hosted by the T.J. Martell Foundation celebrated a night of exclusive wine and food pairings Monday night (April 29) that benefited cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Labs at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Sheryl Crow, Gary Allan and Luke Bryan were a few of the artists to take part in this year’s event.
The event paired “Best Sellers,” popular chart-topping artists including this year’s Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year winners, with “Best Cellars,” some of the top wine collectors in the United States, who shared rare wines from their collections with guests at their tables. Guests also enjoyed a gourmet four-course dinner created by Bob Waggoner, executive chef of Watermark and Sean Brock, executive chef of McCrady’s and Husk in Charleston and Husk in Nashville while featuring the world-class wines from the private collectors.
Since the event’s inaugural dinner, created by Nashville wine enthusiast and music executive Billy Ray Hearn in 1999, the Best Cellars Dinner has raised more than $1.65 million to support the foundation’s mission of funding ground-breaking leukemia, cancer and AIDS research.
LeAnn Rimes Plans 2013 Album Release
/by Eric T. ParkerRimes co-wrote nine of the 14 tracks also co-produced the project with songwriter Darrell Brown.
Special performances are featured from Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminsky, singing background vocals on “What Have I Done?” Additionally, Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) is featured on “Gasoline and Matches,” with guitar styling from Jeff Black, whom Rimes previously worked with on a Barbra Streisand tribute at the Grammys.
“Spitfire covers a range of emotions that I’ve experienced in my lifetime, from anger to love, from frustrations to letting go,” said Rimes. “I hope I’m saying things that are hard for others to express. It certainly took me a lot of work to get to this point.”
Spitfire also features multi-Grammy award-winning engineer Al Schmitt, who mixed several songs.
The physical product will launch exclusively at Walmart and is currently available for pre-order here.
Spitfire Track Listing:
1. Spitfire (LeAnn Rimes/Darrell Brown/David Baerwald)
2. What Have I Done? [feat. Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminsky] (Rimes/Brown/ Baerwald)
3. Gasoline & Matches [feat. Rob Thomas and Jeff Beck](Buddy and Julie Miller)
4. Borrowed (Rimes/Brown/Dan Wilson)
5. You Ain’t Right (Liz Rose/Chris Stapleton/Morgane Hayes)
6. I Do Now (Rimes/Brown/Wilson)
7. Where I Stood (Missy Higgins)
8. You’ve Ruined Me (Rimes/Brown/John Shanks)
9. Bottle (Christina Aldendifer/Gary Burr)
10. A Waste Is A Terrible Thing To Mind (Rimes/Baerwald/Brown)
11. Just A Girl Like You (Rimes/Brown/Nathan Chapman)
12. God Takes Care of Your Kind (Rimes/Brown/Dean Sheremet)
13. Who We Really Are (Sarah Buxton/Brown)
14. Bonus Track- Borrowed (Live)
Centricity Publishing Expands Staff
/by Jessica NicholsonDuncan will be active in song placement and writer career development for the Centricity Publishing song catalog and writer roster He has previously worked as the Creative Director at Daywind Publishing, where he attained cuts for Natalie Grant, Newsboys, Mandisa, Hawk Nelson and others. Duncan also toured with Country Music Hall of Fame member Don Williams and singer-songwriters Matthew West and Jonny Diaz.
Smyth will handle social media marketing, catalog development, worship song promotion and administrative duties. Smyth, a Belmont graduate, interned at Integrity Music with Rice. After graduation, she spent eight months in northern England working with Youth for Christ. In fall 2012, she began working part-time at Centricity Music, which led to her full-time position.
“I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to work with both Stephen and Jaime while they were students at Belmont University,” says Rice. “I was impressed immediately with each, and am happy they will be bringing their creativity and business skills to our publishing operation. I am particularly excited to have Stephen in this new role, because he proved himself to be one of the most productive songpluggers in our industry for 2012. The expansion with these two new hires happened because we have been able to grow Centricity Publishing more rapidly than I expected. This is due to the talented work of the songwriters and artists on our roster. We had great success in 2012 and I look forward to even more in the coming months with Jaime and Stephen now on our team.”
Centricity Publishing represents Aaron Shust, Downhere, Andrew Peterson, Jason Gray and others.
Duncan may be reached at stephen@centricitymusic.com and Smyth at jaimesmyth@centricitymusic.com.
Nightly Concerts at CMA Music Festival Are Sold Out
/by Sarah SkatesPhoto credit: Bennett Farkas
Tickets for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field sold out a record-setting six weeks in advance of the 2013 CMA Music Festival. Demand for four-day ticket packages means single night tickets will not be available for the LP Field concerts, running June 6-9. Artists previously announced to perform include Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band. Recently added are Kip Moore, Lee Greenwood, Tracy Lawrence, The Oak Ridge Boys and Randy Travis. Set to perform the national anthem are Brett Eldredge, Gloriana, Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis.
“Tickets to LP Field sold faster than ever, but the good news for our fans is if you didn’t get a ticket for LP Field there are nine other entertainment and music stages, plus special events, and activities throughout downtown Nashville to enjoy,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “And with the expansion of our autograph signings, concerts, and family events into the new Music City Center – which we have dubbed Fan Fair X – local and regional residents have affordable, easy access to great entertainment with hundreds of our most popular artists.”
Attendees can find free music throughout downtown Nashville with non-stop performances. Lineups for stages including the Chevrolet™ Riverfront Park Stage, the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza, Transitions Performance Park, The Buckle Stage on Broadway, BMI Tailgate Party and more will be announced soon through CMA’s social networks.
CMA Music Festival’s newest attraction is the AT&T U-Verse Fan Fair X (FFX) at the Music City Center featuring three stages, celebrity Q&As, a red carpet, Fan Fair X Marketplace, and Country music memorabilia. It opens Thursday, June 6 with “Lady A Day at FFX” featuring Lady Antebellum. FFX tickets are $10 a day or $25 for four days, children 12 and under will be admitted free.
In 2012, CMA Music Festival attracted more than 71,000 daily visitors. Direct visitor spending for the event totals more than $31 million annually according to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CMA Music Festival will once again be filmed for a national television special to air on the ABC Television Network and will be executive-produced by Robert Deaton.
Visit CMAfest.com for ticket details.
The Hard Rock Celebrates Willie Nelson with Artist Spotlight Series
/by Eric T. ParkerThe campaign will launch June 6 with a performance from the country legend at the chain’s New York restaurant. In addition, limited-edition merchandise includes a men’s t-shirt ($26), a limited edition collector pin ($12), bandanna ($10) as well as an online exclusive pin ($14).
A portion of the retail price from the program will benefit the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, which advocates for creating a better world through sustainable, community-based biodiesel and the Animal Welfare Institute dedicated to reducing animal suffering caused by people and seeking better treatment of animals everywhere.
“Willie Nelson is an American treasure and one of the most prolific, inspiring and enduring musicians of our time,” said Annie Balliro, Sr. Director of Brand Philanthropy, Hard Rock International. “We could not be more proud to partner with Willie for these important causes on this significant and happy day, his 80th Birthday.”
Since its founding in 1971, the Artist Spotlight program features the work of noted artists and performers and contributes to global and humanitarian causes worldwide.
Unique giveaways and contests are expected between April 29 and June 5.
Lady Antebellum Plans Media Appearances For 'Golden' Release
/by Jessica NicholsonOn May 8, Lady Antebellum will appear on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and at 30 Rock, with interviews and performances on May 8 and May 9.
The media blitz will continue on May 13 with a visit to Chelsea Lately and a performance on NBC’s The Voice on May 14, before the trio continues to Toronto for additional media appearances and events.
Music City Roots Offers Compilation Albums
/by Sarah SkatesThe albums, called GrassRoots, SongRoots, TwangRoots and SoulRoots, were recorded during the last year or so at the popular performance series which is held every Wednesday night at the Loveless Barn, and broadcast via radio and web.
Included are live tracks by Darrell Scott, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Tim O’Brien, Gretchen Peters, Ben Sollee, Alejandro Escovedo, The SteelDrivers, The Wood Brothers and numerous others.
Those who purchase the full albums will receive song-by-song notes by Music City Roots journalist and producer Craig Havighurst, accompanied by striking images by show photographer Anthony Scarlati.
The albums are available now at iTunes, Amazon and other digital stores.