Luke Combs plays Beaver Stadium at Penn State University in University Park. Photo: David Bergman
Country mega-star Luke Combs performed to record-breaking crowds during the first three weekends of his 2024 “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” stadium tour.
Combs achieved the highest single-night and two-night attendance at Milwaukee’s American Family Field with a combined 90,828 attendees. He earned the highest two-night attendance at Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium with 99,671 attendees and the highest-selling and highest-grossing concert at University Park, Pennsylvania’s Beaver Stadium with 73,339 attendees.
Luke Combs plays Beaver Stadium at Penn State University
“We are happy to share American Family Field has reached new attendance records with Luke Combs’ ‘Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour.’ The combined Friday and Saturday shows exceeded previous total attendance record for back-to-back concerts at the ballpark, set in 2023,” says Jason Hartlund, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer of the Milwaukee Brewers. “Moreover, Combs performance on Saturday surpassed the previous ballpark attendance record for one show, selling 44,752 tickets. It is clear that Wisconsin loves a good stadium tour and Luke Combs certainly delivered in every way possible.”
Pete Guelli, the Chief Operating Officer of the Buffalo Bills, says, “The Buffalo Bills are grateful to Luke Combs and his Bootleggers for visiting us for two incredible concerts at Highmark Stadium. As the first artist in nearly 40 years to play back-to-back nights at our stadium, Luke created magical memories for concertgoers in Buffalo as part of the second stop of his ‘Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour.’ Reminiscent of a late-season Bills game, the cool April temperatures only added to the atmosphere of Luke’s shows, as proven by the nearly 100,000 fans in attendance.”
Furthermore, Dr. Patrick Kraft, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at University Park’s Beaver Stadium, adds, “What a terrific night in Beaver Stadium with Luke Combs and his ‘Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old’ tour! The fans packed the stadium and brought great energy all night long. This record-breaking night added another storied chapter in the history of Beaver Stadium and we look forward to many more events like this in the future!”
Combs will continue his “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” tour through this summer. He also leads the nominees for the upcoming 59th Annual ACM Awards with eight nominations.
Tom Foote, Longtime Road Manager For George Strait, Passes
/by Lorie HollabaughTom Foote
Longtime road manager for George Strait, Tom Foote, has passed away. His passing tragically comes a little over a month after Strait and his band suffered two losses on the same day when his longtime manager Erv Woolsey and his fiddle and mandolin player Gene Elders both died.
Foote first met Strait back in 1975 when his band posted a flyer looking for a singer at Southwest Texas State University. Strait, an agriculture major just back from a stint serving in the Army, auditioned, and the rest is history. The band became Strait’s Ace In The Hole Band and he and Foote became lifelong friends and business partners. As former drummer for the band, Foote transitioned to Strait’s tour manager in 1983.
“We were a bunch of kids back then,” Foote told the Lexington Herald Leader in 2010. “I was 23 and I think George was 24, maybe. We were playing local beer joints and dance halls and really did that for the better part of six years until he got his record deal with MCA. In fact, until George had his record deal, we had never played outside of Texas. It was a really great time. Some of my favorite memories were when we first started.”
Foote had other ties to the music business as well. His uncle was writer Horton Foote, best known for his screenplays for To Kill A Mockingbird and Tender Mercies.
“We lost another one of our good friends and a huge part of our musical journey yesterday,” Strait wrote on Instagram about the loss of his dear friend. “Tom Foote, our one-time drummer and long-time road manager for around 48 years, suddenly passed away at his home after our rehearsal. The band and I were with him most of the afternoon and he was great. Just doing what he loved to do which was making sure we were taken care of. 2024 is taking its toll on the Ace in the Hole group. We’re all heartbroken to say the least. Rest in peace brother Tom. You will be hugely missed. I’ll see you down the road amigo.”
Funeral arrangements for Foote have not yet been announced.
Dusty Miller Launches Miller Wealth Sports & Entertainment
/by LB CantrellDusty Miller. Photo: Jason Myers
Dusty Miller has started a new wealth management firm, Miller Wealth Sports & Entertainment. With over 25 years of financial service experience, he will continue to leverage his expertise to serve the music community.
“Miller Wealth Sports & Entertainment was started so that I could meld my passions of music and sports with my love of helping families save and invest for the future,” Miller shares. “Intentionally small, our focus is high-integrity service, and always being there for sound investment advice when you need it most.”
He and his firm offer investment management, portfolio construction , financial planning, fixed income strategies, legacy and retirement planning, risk management, life insurance and more.
Before starting his own business, Miller spent 13 years with Truist Bank, formerly SunTrust, where he specialized in advising clients along the ecosystems of sports and music, focusing on high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in business marketing from Southern Illinois University in 1999, and obtained his Certificate in Accountancy from Lipscomb University in 2009. Miller holds a Series 7, 66 and Tennessee Life & Health Insurance license.
Miller can be reached at dustymiller@millerwealthse.com.
Frank Romano Signs New Deal With Reach Music Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Scott Rubin, Frank Romano and Michael Closter
Frank Romano has signed a new deal with Reach Music Publishing. The company has also acquired Romano’s back catalog, which includes his recent collaboration on Bailey Zimmerman‘s No. 1 single “Religiously”.
The Nashville-based songwriter and guitarist first signed an administration agreement with Reach Music in 2004, and has extended and expanded the publishing relationship throughout the last 20 years. With credits across multiple genres, Romano has worked with John Legend, Rob Thomas, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Jill Scott, Lainey Wilson and Zimmerman, among others.
Certified double-Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), “Religiously” has earned Romano an ASCAP Country Music Award as well as the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) No. 1 Award.
“We’re excited to expand our relationship and business with Frank Romano,” says Michael Closter, President & Owner of Reach Music Publishing. “Frank is a true hard-working talent, and we’re focused on supporting and helping him to achieve his long-term goals as a songwriter.”
“I am thrilled to continue with Reach Music,” shares Romano. “I’ve been in business with Michael Closter and Scott Rubin for 20 years, and more recently Sarah Feldman in the Nashville office, and they as well as the entire Reach staff are the perfect publishing partners for this next chapter of my career.”
SoNash Publishing Rebrands To Ace High Music & Adds Chris Poole As Partner
/by Liza AndersonChris Poole. Photo: Jonathon Sherwood
SoNash Publishing has rebranded to Ace High Music. With this change, the Nashville-based company has added Chris Poole as Partner and Vice President of Publishing & Artist Development. As the rebranding initiative unfolds, Abigail Wate Ayala will remain the company’s Creative Director.
Ace High Music aims to foster creativity, nurture songwriting skills and champion emerging talent. The new name comes from the Wild West term “Ace High,” which was considered to be the gold standard for the finest things in life.
“To me, it was never a question of whether or not Chris could lead our company—for me, it was more about who he is and [whether or not] we share similar values and philosophies in running a business,” says Travis Ray Chaney, President & Managing Partner, Ace High Music. “Chris possesses a deep understanding of the creative and business side of the industry and together, we both believe in creativity, generating results, integrity and striving for excellence.”
“When I was approached with the opportunity to lead Ace High and build a creative culture in Nashville centered around great writers, artists and songs it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” explains Poole. “My journey in town has been defined by incredible relationships within the creative community and this role allows me to continue advocating for those creating the songs that define our industry. I remain committed to the discovery of new, unique voices through which the stories of real people can be heard. We are excited to begin this new chapter as Ace High and believe that our story is only now beginning!”
Poole can be reached at poole@acehighmusic.com, and Chaney can be reached at t-ray@acehighmusic.com.
CMA Reveals Ballot Schedule For 2024 Awards
/by Madison HahnenThe Country Music Association (CMA) has revealed the 2024 CMA Awards ballot schedule. The 58th annual CMA Awards will take place in Nashville this November.
The eligibility period for all awards is July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The nomination ballot, along with instructions, will be emailed to CMA members in good standing on July 8. This ballot will close on July 17 at 6 p.m. CST.
On Aug. 6, members will receive the second ballot. Voting on this ballot will close on Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. CST. The final nominees in all 12 categories will be announced in late summer.
The final round of voting to determine the winners will take place from Oct. 1 through Oct. 29.
All voting will take place online and will be tabulated by Deloitte.
For voting eligibility, you must apply for CMA membership by June 1.
Additionally, applications for the 2024 CMA Broadcast Awards for Broadcast Personality, Station, and National Broadcast of the Year are now open through June 30 at 5 p.m. CST. Entries for these awards must reflect performances and events from June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024.
CMA Industry Honors nominations are also open now through July 14.
The MLC Seeking Publisher Candidate Suggestions For Board Of Directors & Committees
/by Madison HahnenThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) is seeking suggestions for publisher candidates for its Board of Directors. They are also seeking publisher candidates for its Unclaimed Royalties Oversight, Dispute Resolution and Operations Advisory committees.
There are two publisher representative positions on the Board of Directors. Under the MLC Bylaws, a publisher candidate qualifies as a music publisher which songwriters have assigned exclusive rights of reproduction and distribution of musical works.
Additionally, the MLC has six committee publisher seats open. Two are on the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee, where they will recommend policies and procedures to the board pertaining to the distribution of unclaimed accrued royalties. The two seats on the Dispute Resolution Committee will recommend policies and procedures to the board for the processing of royalties related to works that are subject to disputes over ownership. Lastly, the two seats on the Operations Advisor Committee will make recommendations to the board regarding the operations of The MLC.
Elections will take place this summer, and elected candidates will serve for three-year terms and are eligible for re-election. The board and committees meet regularly, with all meetings taking place virtually so travel is not required. More information on the Board of Directors and advisory committees can be found here.
Suggestions for publisher seats will be accepted until May 31.
Chris Janson Announces Summer Tour Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Janson has announced summer dates for “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get: On Tour 2024,” kicking off this Friday (May 3).
The trek will visit Bakersfield, Albuquerque, Buffalo, Oshkosh and more through Aug. 30. Tickets are available now. For more information, click here.
Additionally, the artist recently released the music video for his current single and the tour’s namesake, which features global star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Fans can also catch Janson out on the road with Cody Johnson for select dates of “The Leather Tour” as well as with his friend and CMT Crossroads partner Bret Michaels for his upcoming “Parti-Gras 2.0” journey, kicking off July 12.
Luke Combs Breaks More Attendance Records
/by LB CantrellLuke Combs plays Beaver Stadium at Penn State University in University Park. Photo: David Bergman
Country mega-star Luke Combs performed to record-breaking crowds during the first three weekends of his 2024 “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” stadium tour.
Combs achieved the highest single-night and two-night attendance at Milwaukee’s American Family Field with a combined 90,828 attendees. He earned the highest two-night attendance at Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium with 99,671 attendees and the highest-selling and highest-grossing concert at University Park, Pennsylvania’s Beaver Stadium with 73,339 attendees.
Luke Combs plays Beaver Stadium at Penn State University
“We are happy to share American Family Field has reached new attendance records with Luke Combs’ ‘Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour.’ The combined Friday and Saturday shows exceeded previous total attendance record for back-to-back concerts at the ballpark, set in 2023,” says Jason Hartlund, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer of the Milwaukee Brewers. “Moreover, Combs performance on Saturday surpassed the previous ballpark attendance record for one show, selling 44,752 tickets. It is clear that Wisconsin loves a good stadium tour and Luke Combs certainly delivered in every way possible.”
Pete Guelli, the Chief Operating Officer of the Buffalo Bills, says, “The Buffalo Bills are grateful to Luke Combs and his Bootleggers for visiting us for two incredible concerts at Highmark Stadium. As the first artist in nearly 40 years to play back-to-back nights at our stadium, Luke created magical memories for concertgoers in Buffalo as part of the second stop of his ‘Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour.’ Reminiscent of a late-season Bills game, the cool April temperatures only added to the atmosphere of Luke’s shows, as proven by the nearly 100,000 fans in attendance.”
Furthermore, Dr. Patrick Kraft, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at University Park’s Beaver Stadium, adds, “What a terrific night in Beaver Stadium with Luke Combs and his ‘Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old’ tour! The fans packed the stadium and brought great energy all night long. This record-breaking night added another storied chapter in the history of Beaver Stadium and we look forward to many more events like this in the future!”
Combs will continue his “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” tour through this summer. He also leads the nominees for the upcoming 59th Annual ACM Awards with eight nominations.
Weekly Register: Shaboozey Rises To No. 1 On Country Streaming Songs Chart
/by Liza AndersonShaboozey. Photo: Daniel Prakopcy
Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” rises to No. 1 on the country streaming songs chart this week with 20 million new streams, adding to 32 million ATD, according to Luminate data.
Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” moves down to No. 2 with 16 million streams, adding to 688 million ATD, and Beyoncé‘s “Texas Hold ‘Em” shifts to No. 3 with 12 million new streams, adding to 211 million ATD. Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” bides at No. 4 with 11.1 million streams, adding to 1.36 billion ATD, while Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night” falls to No. 5 with 11 million new streams, adding to 1.34 billion ATD.
On the country albums chart, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter remains at the top with 66K in total consumption (11K album only/68 million song streams). Wallen’s One Thing At A Time follows at No. 2 with 64K (1.3K album only/80 million song streams), and his Dangerous: The Double Album continues at No. 3 with 37K (333 album only/47 million song streams). Bryan’s self-titled project persists at No. 4 with 35K (2.8K album only/42 million song streams), while his American Heartbreak holds No. 5 with 27K (766 album only/35 million song streams).
Scotty McCreery Takes ‘Cab In A Solo’ To The Top Of Mediabase Chart
/by Lorie HollabaughScotty McCreery. Photo: Jeff Ray
Scotty McCreery has notched his sixth No. 1 hit on the Mediabase country chart with “Cab In A Solo.”
The track is the lead single from McCreery’s upcoming fifth studio album Rise & Fall, arriving May 10. Written by McCreery, Brent Anderson and Frank Rogers, “Cab In A Solo” was most added at country radio upon its debut, and marks the artist’s fastest song to reach No. 1.
The newest member of the Grand Ole Opry was in Napa Valley, California last week for in Live In The Vineyard Goes Country (LITVGC) and while in the area, he gave an intimate performance at Silver Oak Winery where attendees appropriately drank a 1998 Silver Oak cabernet sauvignon from solo cups.
“I have loved this song from the moment Brent, Frank and I started writing it,” says McCreery. “It may be all about heartbreak but it’s so fun to sing. I’m thrilled to see it reach No. 1. Thanks to the fans for supporting it and country radio for playing it!”