Nashville’s Big Bash Breaks Visitor Spending Record
Nashville’s Big Bash on Dec. 31, 2021.
According to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, the live show for Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash generated an estimated $30 million in direct visitor spending, setting a new record and marking an increase of 12% over 2019’s record-breaking $26.6 million.
The event provided a boost to the local economy with a record 29,118 hotel rooms sold on Dec. 31 in Davidson County, an increase over the 25,529 rooms sold on Dec. 31, 2019. The live show, which was the centerpiece of CBS’ five-hour New Year’s Eve broadcast, placed second among networks in viewers during primetime and earned 4.44 million viewers.
“These exceptional numbers not only point to the success of the event and the popularity of Nashville as a destination but also to our optimism for recovery as we begin to truly get out from under COVID,” comments Butch Spyridon, CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “On top of the enormous economic activity that benefits the city, being able to promote Music City for five hours on network television is the kind of advertising opportunity we could never afford.”
As previously announced, attendance was approximately 200,000 over the course of the night, according to NCVC estimates and the Metro Nashville Police Department. The show at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park was anchored by headliners Dierks Bentley and Lady A, with additional mainstage guests including Ingrid Andress and Breland.
Radio Personality Dennis Banka Elected Chairman Of Tennessee Association Of Broadcasters
Pictured (L-R): TAB President & CEO Chris Baker, WUCZ/WRKM owner and on-air personality Dennis Banka
At the Tennessee Association of Broadcaster’s Winter Board Meeting, WUCZ/WRKM owner and on-air personality Dennis Banka was elected as Chairman of the board of directors of Tennessee Association of Broadcasters. Banka, who reports to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, will serve in this position until January 2023.
The TAB is the trade association serving the local TV and radio stations across the state in the areas of advocacy, compliance, and public service.
PLA Media Adds Country-Rock Group, The Brethren, To Artist Roster
Pictured (L-R): The Brethren’s Lonnie Chapin, The Brethren’s Casey Parnell, PLA Media’s Pam Lewis, PLA Media’s Alyssa Hoffman, The Brethren’s Corey Parnell, The Brethren’s Chad Chapin, PLA Media’s Mark Logsdon, and manager Mike Kopp
PLA Media publicity firm has added emerging country-rock act, The Brethren, to its artist roster. The group is set to release their debut EP, Staring At Stars, this March.
The Brethren features two sets of brothers: Corey & Casey Parnell and Lonnie & Chad Chapin. Lonnie, the band’s Grammy and Dove award-winning bassist and Gospel Music Hall Of Fame alum, co-wrote the No. 1 hit song “If I Had To Die For Someone” for Christian rock band Petra before becoming a founding member of the Grammy-nominated band Tait with his brother Chad. Chad is a Grammy-nominated drummer, Dove award winner, twelve-time BMI Music award winner, and recipient of the BMI Song Of The Year award for his song “To Ever Live Without Me.” Lead vocalist and country songwriter Corey Parnell has shared stages with artists such as Kris Kristofferson, Trace Adkins, and Lindsay Ell, and has co-written songs for Steve Fee and Shannon Bex of Danity Kane. Casey, the lead guitarist, has recorded, written, and produced for Shannon Bex of MTV’s supergroup Danity Kane and Thunderstorm Artis of NBC’s The Voice.
“My friend Mike Kopp always has great taste in music, so, when he wanted to meet about The Brethren, I was intrigued. Undeniably tight family harmonies, well-written songs, and a confident stage presence delivered by four hunks who are just cool, nice, and grounded guys with a sense of humor… what can I say, give it a listen,” shares PLA Media owner Pam Lewis.
Country Music Success Stories Forms Distribution Partnership With CountryLine.TV
Award-winning broadcaster and podcaster Candy O’Terry and Music City Mentor founder Jacy Dawn Valeras have announced their podcast project, Country Music Success Stories, has formed a distribution partnership with UK-based CountryLine.TV.
Country Music Success Stories has featured conversations with Bobby Tomberlin, Lori McKenna, John Schneider, Collin Raye, Jamie O’Neil, Kent Blazy, and more. CountryLine.TV is a fan club app for country music fans. Available on Apple and Android devices and at CountryLine.TV, the app features exclusive interviews, sessions, playlists, podcasts, competitions, news, and more.
Season I of the podcast is available now on the CountryLine.TV app with Season II available in the near future.
“Country Music Success Stories was an obvious choice to bring to the CountryLine.TV app. It gives an intimate look behind the curtain of the real Nashville and the people that make Music City the success it is and it’s not afraid to ask the hard questions that the fans want to know the answers to,” comments CountryLine.TV Co-Founder and Creative Director, Nathalie Cox. “As a country music fan myself, it’s on my personal ‘must listen’ list!”
“CountryLine.TV is your ‘one-stop shop for all things country’ and I could not be prouder to be a part of it. Jacy and I look at every one of our interviews as treasures. Country Music Success Stories is heading straight to the UK and beyond with stories we have recorded in the living rooms, at the kitchen tables, and on the back porches of iconic country music giants. Fingers crossed that with every episode, fans are going to love these artists even more!” shares O’Terry.
“We are elated to partner with CountryLine.TV and to work with their incredible team. We are all connected through our deep love of country music and having the opportunity to bring our podcast to a wider audience through their platform, especially to our UK fans, is a dream come true!” states Valeras.
Scott McGhee’s 1º Music Entertainment Adds Live Entertainment Arm
/by Lorie HollabaughScott McGhee, President/COO, 1˚ Music Entertainment, has added a live event arm to the entertainment company’s scope of services. McGhee and his staff will work alongside brands to coordinate and produce premiere events as a preferred talent vendor.
The expansion will position the company as a top full-service, live entertainment provider. The all-encompassing “start to stage” services will include artist negotiations and contracts, orchestrating and overseeing entertainment production, on-site artist/crew/VIP relations, and show facilitation.
“I’ve found myself increasingly involved in coordinating these type of events over the last several years; securing the talent and producing the shows. The all-inclusive service saves time, money and effort for everyone involved,” says McGhee. “The concept puts my career experience to good use and it just makes sense for us to pursue this side of the entertainment business.”
McGhee has more than three decades of experience in the industry, encompassing artist/tour booking, management and concert production for acts including KISS, Bon Jovi, Hootie & the Blowfish, Blues Traveler, Darius Rucker and more.
Early service potentials include coordinating events for Pfizer, Mitsubishi and Porsche.
Industry Ink: ‘Nashville’s Big Bash,’ Dennis Banka, PLA, ‘Country Music Success Stories’
/by Lydia FarthingNashville’s Big Bash Breaks Visitor Spending Record
Nashville’s Big Bash on Dec. 31, 2021.
According to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, the live show for Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash generated an estimated $30 million in direct visitor spending, setting a new record and marking an increase of 12% over 2019’s record-breaking $26.6 million.
The event provided a boost to the local economy with a record 29,118 hotel rooms sold on Dec. 31 in Davidson County, an increase over the 25,529 rooms sold on Dec. 31, 2019. The live show, which was the centerpiece of CBS’ five-hour New Year’s Eve broadcast, placed second among networks in viewers during primetime and earned 4.44 million viewers.
“These exceptional numbers not only point to the success of the event and the popularity of Nashville as a destination but also to our optimism for recovery as we begin to truly get out from under COVID,” comments Butch Spyridon, CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “On top of the enormous economic activity that benefits the city, being able to promote Music City for five hours on network television is the kind of advertising opportunity we could never afford.”
As previously announced, attendance was approximately 200,000 over the course of the night, according to NCVC estimates and the Metro Nashville Police Department. The show at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park was anchored by headliners Dierks Bentley and Lady A, with additional mainstage guests including Ingrid Andress and Breland.
Radio Personality Dennis Banka Elected Chairman Of Tennessee Association Of Broadcasters
Pictured (L-R): TAB President & CEO Chris Baker, WUCZ/WRKM owner and on-air personality Dennis Banka
At the Tennessee Association of Broadcaster’s Winter Board Meeting, WUCZ/WRKM owner and on-air personality Dennis Banka was elected as Chairman of the board of directors of Tennessee Association of Broadcasters. Banka, who reports to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, will serve in this position until January 2023.
The TAB is the trade association serving the local TV and radio stations across the state in the areas of advocacy, compliance, and public service.
PLA Media Adds Country-Rock Group, The Brethren, To Artist Roster
Pictured (L-R): The Brethren’s Lonnie Chapin, The Brethren’s Casey Parnell, PLA Media’s Pam Lewis, PLA Media’s Alyssa Hoffman, The Brethren’s Corey Parnell, The Brethren’s Chad Chapin, PLA Media’s Mark Logsdon, and manager Mike Kopp
PLA Media publicity firm has added emerging country-rock act, The Brethren, to its artist roster. The group is set to release their debut EP, Staring At Stars, this March.
The Brethren features two sets of brothers: Corey & Casey Parnell and Lonnie & Chad Chapin. Lonnie, the band’s Grammy and Dove award-winning bassist and Gospel Music Hall Of Fame alum, co-wrote the No. 1 hit song “If I Had To Die For Someone” for Christian rock band Petra before becoming a founding member of the Grammy-nominated band Tait with his brother Chad. Chad is a Grammy-nominated drummer, Dove award winner, twelve-time BMI Music award winner, and recipient of the BMI Song Of The Year award for his song “To Ever Live Without Me.” Lead vocalist and country songwriter Corey Parnell has shared stages with artists such as Kris Kristofferson, Trace Adkins, and Lindsay Ell, and has co-written songs for Steve Fee and Shannon Bex of Danity Kane. Casey, the lead guitarist, has recorded, written, and produced for Shannon Bex of MTV’s supergroup Danity Kane and Thunderstorm Artis of NBC’s The Voice.
“My friend Mike Kopp always has great taste in music, so, when he wanted to meet about The Brethren, I was intrigued. Undeniably tight family harmonies, well-written songs, and a confident stage presence delivered by four hunks who are just cool, nice, and grounded guys with a sense of humor… what can I say, give it a listen,” shares PLA Media owner Pam Lewis.
Country Music Success Stories Forms Distribution Partnership With CountryLine.TV
Award-winning broadcaster and podcaster Candy O’Terry and Music City Mentor founder Jacy Dawn Valeras have announced their podcast project, Country Music Success Stories, has formed a distribution partnership with UK-based CountryLine.TV.
Country Music Success Stories has featured conversations with Bobby Tomberlin, Lori McKenna, John Schneider, Collin Raye, Jamie O’Neil, Kent Blazy, and more. CountryLine.TV is a fan club app for country music fans. Available on Apple and Android devices and at CountryLine.TV, the app features exclusive interviews, sessions, playlists, podcasts, competitions, news, and more.
Season I of the podcast is available now on the CountryLine.TV app with Season II available in the near future.
“Country Music Success Stories was an obvious choice to bring to the CountryLine.TV app. It gives an intimate look behind the curtain of the real Nashville and the people that make Music City the success it is and it’s not afraid to ask the hard questions that the fans want to know the answers to,” comments CountryLine.TV Co-Founder and Creative Director, Nathalie Cox. “As a country music fan myself, it’s on my personal ‘must listen’ list!”
“CountryLine.TV is your ‘one-stop shop for all things country’ and I could not be prouder to be a part of it. Jacy and I look at every one of our interviews as treasures. Country Music Success Stories is heading straight to the UK and beyond with stories we have recorded in the living rooms, at the kitchen tables, and on the back porches of iconic country music giants. Fingers crossed that with every episode, fans are going to love these artists even more!” shares O’Terry.
“We are elated to partner with CountryLine.TV and to work with their incredible team. We are all connected through our deep love of country music and having the opportunity to bring our podcast to a wider audience through their platform, especially to our UK fans, is a dream come true!” states Valeras.
McBride & The Ride To Play First Nashville Show In 20 Years
/by Lorie HollabaughMcBride & The Ride
McBride & The Ride will play their first show in Nashville in more than 20 years on Feb. 10 at 3rd & Lindsley.
The 90’s hitmakers, who reunited in 2021, will also be recording new music to be released later this year. The trio, composed of Terry McBride, Ray Herndon and Billy Thomas, are teaming up once again for the new project with producer and engineer Chuck Ainlay, who mixed and engineered their 1990 album, Burnin’ Up the Road.
Known for its three-part harmonies and honky-tonk sounds, the trio recorded four albums on MCA, racking up several top five singles and receiving CMA and ACM Nominations for Vocal Group of the Year before eventually disbanding in 1995.
In the years since, McBride has become a well-known Nashville songwriter, with more than 25 cuts from Brooks & Dunn, as well as tracks recorded by Garth Brooks, George Strait, Reba McEntire, and many more. He recently released his first solo album, Rebels & Angels, in October 2020.
Member Ray Herndon is Lyle Lovett’s longtime lead guitarist and member of his Large Band, while also being a successful songwriter, co-writing Kenny Chesney’s hit “Me and You.” Member Billy Thomas is Vince Gill’s longtime drummer, adding background vocals to many of his songs, and is also part of the revered Nashville-based Western Swing band, the Time Jumpers.
For more information on the upcoming show and to purchase tickets, click here.
Donovan Woods To Drop ‘Big Hurt Boy’ EP In March
/by Lorie HollabaughDonovan Woods. Photo: Bree Fischer
Donovan Woods is set to release his new EP, Big Hurt Boy, on March 18 via his own End Times Music. The JUNO award-winning vocalist debuted a new single from the project, “I Won’t Mention It Again” available now.
Riffing on a lyric from a Martin Simpson song (“Never Any Good”), the six-song collection explores how our failures, and our fixations on them, shape and enlighten us. Woods released a first taste of Big Hurt Boy, the tearjerker “I Hope You Change Your Mind,” co-written with David Hodges this past fall.
“I write about them again and again, just hoping people will still be interested,” Woods notes of the project. “So the title is poking fun of myself, that I’m theoretically this big sad guy who keeps getting dumped and writing songs about it,” he notes.
The release wraps a transformative year for Woods, which began with the release of a deluxe edition of his acclaimed 2020 album, Without People, which included a duet with singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan on “Iowa,” and a foray into anthemic dance pop as the featured vocalist on Dabin & Nurko’s “When This Is Over.”
Woods will head out on tour across Canada in support of the new project, with U.S. dates to be announced in the coming weeks.
01. I Won’t Mention It Again
02. Leave When You Go [feat. Ralph]
03. I Hope You Change Your Mind
04. Cheyenne
05. A Picture Of Us Smiling At A Party 5 Years Ago
06. No Time Soon
Johnny Dailey Inks Publishing Deal With Endurance Music Group
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): EMG’s Courtney Kruckeberg and Michael Martin, Johnny Dailey, and EMG’s Lauren Funk
Endurance Music Group has signed breakthrough country songwriter and artist Johnny Dailey to a global publishing agreement.
Part of the Morris Higham Management roster, Dailey landed in Nashville by way of Charleston, South Carolina, where he played original songs on the city’s infamous King Street. He signed his first publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music in 2019. The Alabama native released his debut single, “Burns Like Whiskey,” in 2021, followed by “Driving Things Around” and “24.”
Endurance Music Group President Michael Martin comments: “I first met Johnny at an ASCAP showcase at the Bluebird Cafe, and I was immediately drawn to his obvious writing talent and incredible voice. I soon learned that not only is he an impressive songwriter, he is also a dedicated family man with the kind of character and integrity that Endurance strives to represent. The EMG team welcomes Johnny, and we are thrilled to be on this creative journey with him and his management team of Clint Higham and Kyle Quigley. Country music, get ready, here comes Johnny Dailey!”
“I couldn’t be more excited to work with Michael Martin and the Endurance team,” Dailey shares. “I’ve respected Michael since the day I met him because of his passion for songwriters and a great song. I’m thankful for this team’s belief in me and my music, and I look forward to what we will create together!”
“We are delighted Johnny joins the exceptional roster at Endurance Music Group,” adds Morris Higham’s Quigley. “Michael Martin and the Endurance team bring great passion, strategic vision, and experience, creating an environment for Johnny to thrive. We look forward to the journey ahead!”
Daily was a featured performer on ASCAP’s notable 30A Songwriters Festival showcases earlier this month. His upcoming single, “Trouble,” is set for release on Feb. 4 with his debut EP, Dillashaw, to follow in early March.
Eric Church To Open 6-Story Lower Broadway Spot, Chief’s
/by LB CantrellEric Church. Photo: Joe Pugliese
Eric Church will be the next country artist with a spot on Nashville’s lower Broadway.
The multi-Platinum superstar will open Chief’s in a six-story property at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Broadway, which was formerly The Cotton Eyed Joe.
Partnering with real estate and hospitality entrepreneur Ben Weprin, the co-owners have plans to begin renovating the food, beverage and live entertainment space this year.
“I remember driving through downtown Nashville over 20 years ago with a pawn shop guitar, riding shotgun in a beat-to-hell truck just trying to chase a dream,” shares Church. “Chief’s is the culmination of catching that dream. Like everything else we do in our career, I wouldn’t even attempt a project like this if I didn’t think it would be the best, so that’s what Chief’s will be: the best.”
Rodney Scott. Photo: Angie Mosier
The North Carolina native plans to tap into his roots when it comes to the cuisine at Chief’s, with renowned Charleston pitmaster and James Beard Award winner Rodney Scott bringing his Whole Hog BBQ to Music City.
“I am beyond excited to not only bring Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ to Music City, but to also partner with my good friends Eric and Ben on this project,” says Scott. “Anyone who knows me, knows that I love music – so the opportunity to expand the brand in partnership with an award-winning musician makes this project extra special! I can’t wait to share our Carolina roots and our whole hog BBQ with the incredible people of Nashville.”
Church, who set the Nissan Stadium concert attendance record of 56,521 across the river from where Chief’s will stand, has been closely involved in the planning process for the venue. Chief’s will reflect his storied career of 30 Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum singles – from his Sinners Like Me debut through current Top 15-and-climbing single “Heart On Fire” and beyond.
With this announcement, Church will join his peers Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, and more on Nashville’s Broadway.
“Bringing a seated music venue to Lower Broadway while revitalizing and preserving a historic building is exactly the kind of investment Nashville’s entertainment sector needs,” notes Mayor John Cooper. “I thank the partners involved for keeping the character of the building while creating a new concept for locals and our visitors to enjoy.”
“Pairing Eric’s talent and passion for music and his work ethic with a new restaurant, bar, performance hall and more downtown is a recipe for success,” adds Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp CEO, Butch Spyridon. “The fact that he is doing this in a historic building that will transform the gateway to historic Second Avenue is truly a bonus as that street recovers from 2020’s unfortunate incident.”
“I am partnering with my closest friend and, in my opinion, the greatest hotel entrepreneur on earth, Ben Weprin, and the greatest barbecue chef in the world, Rodney Scott,” continues Church. “Together we will create an experience unique to Nashville and absolutely unparalleled in the world of music, food, fellowship and entertainment. This is my hometown. This is personal. This matters. Every detail of Chief’s will feel that way. I cannot wait to get started. See you in 2023.”
Keith Urban Takes Over Some Of Adele’s Caesars Palace Dates For His Las Vegas Residency
/by Lydia FarthingKeith Urban. Photo: Andy Snyder
Keith Urban has announced five new performance dates for his Las Vegas residency, “Keith Urban Live – Las Vegas.”
Hosted at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, the added shows will take place March 25, 26 and 30, and April 1 and 2. The new dates will take place ahead of the previously announced Memorial Day Weekend shows on May 27 – 29.
Some of Urban’s new dates were originally slated to host British pop singer Adele‘s residency, “Weekends With Adele.” Scheduled to perform two shows each weekend until April, the entertainer suddenly cancelled all 24 shows only 24 hours before she was due to play the first show on Jan. 21. In an Instagram post, Adele cited issues due to COVID and delivery delays as her reason for cancellation.
Packed with hit songs, showmanship and signature unpredictability, Urban’s residency shows are billed as an arena-sized production in a theater setting, up close and personal.
Tickets go on sale to the public starting Monday, Jan. 31 at 12 p.m. CT. Members of The ‘Ville, Keith Urban’s official fan club, and Citi cardholders now have access to a presale.
Urban will also be hitting the road for the North American leg of his “The Speed Of Now World Tour” on June 17 at Tampa’s MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre. Ingrid Andress will join him.
Spotify For Artists Launches New ‘Made To Be Found’ Microsite
/by Lydia FarthingSpotify for Artists has launched Made to be Found, a new website aimed to serve as a guide for artists to understand the different ways music is discovered by fans on Spotify.
Made to Be Found details how music goes from distribution and playlist pitching, to three key pathways to reaching listeners: editorial curation by Spotify (Lorem, New Music Friday), personalized algorithmic recommendations (Discover Weekly, Radio & Autoplay, Mixes, Songs to Sing in the Shower), and fan-led streaming (fan-made or artist playlists, artist profiles, catalog pages). Through the new site, Spotify will recommend actions artists can take to grow and engage their audiences on the platform.
Spotify is also rolling out a new beta feature in Spotify for Artists that provides a detailed view of the source of streams. Breaking down each track, artists will be able to see how each source is contributing to their music over the past month across their full catalog. The feature also includes engagement stats, such as streams per listener, saves, and playlist adds.
The company is also investing in tools to help artists build fanbases on the platform, outlining ways for artists to take control of their growth on Spotify. Some of these strategies include perfecting artist profiles, pitching to playlist editors, sharing music through Spotify’s social integrations, creating Promo Cards, uploading Canvases to tracks, and creating Marquee campaigns.
To learn more about the new Made to be Found website and Spotify’s new artist-focused features, click here.
MusicRow To Announce CountryBreakout Award Winners On Feb. 23
/by LB CantrellIn place of the annual Country Radio Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, MusicRow will announce the winners of the 20th annual CountryBreakout Awards virtually on Feb. 23.
Now in its 20th year, the MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards celebrate those who have dominated country radio’s secondary market. Winners in eight categories are determined by spins on the secondary market stations that report to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart panel each week.
Winners will be revealed on all MusicRow online platforms, including our website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, on Feb. 23.
Each winner will be featured in MusicRow‘s Country Radio & Streaming issue, also out Wednesday (Feb. 23).
Big Machine Label Group Elevates Three In Royalty Department
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Kimberly Baker, Amanda Duke, Kaitlyn Russell.
Big Machine Label Group has promoted Kimberly Baker to Director of Royalty Accounting and Income Analysis, as well as Amanda Duke and Kaitlyn Russell to Royalty Analysts.
As Director of Royalty Accounting and Income Analysis, Baker is responsible for overseeing contractual payments and detailed earnings reporting for all Big Machine Label Group artists, producers and publishers.
Baker is supported by Duke and Russell, who together support finance operations across BMLG’s four imprints: Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co., BMLG Records and Big Machine/John Varvatos Records.
Joining the label group in 2016 as Senior Royalty Analyst, Baker shares: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with the exceptional team at Big Machine. I look forward to expanding my role as we continue our journey together.”
Baker, Duke, and Russell can be reached at kimberly.baker@bmlg.net, amanda.duke@bmlg.net, and kaitlyn.russell@bmlg.net, respectively.