Elvie Shane. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
Rising country artist Elvie Shane took the country music industry by storm with his No. 1 hit “My Boy,” which tells the emotional story of Shane’s bond with his stepson. After the track went viral on social media in 2018, Shane caught the attention of many, earning him a publishing deal and eventually his record deal with BBR Music Group. He was also named as part of MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing Class of 2021.
Today (Oct. 29), Shane is releasing his debut album Backslider via BRR’s Wheelhouse Records.
The album features 15 songs, all of which were co-written by Shane, about his love for his family, friends and his journey thus far. The album is an authentic country record that isn’t scared to show off Shane’s other influences like southern rock, R&B and gospel.
“I started writing the record about five years ago with ‘My Boy,’ and then I signed my record deal thinking I had a whole record put together. They told me right after we signed that they only thought I had one song, and that was ‘My Boy,'” says Shane. “So every other song has been written after February of 2018. The last few years, we’ve just been digging in and trying to write some honest songs. We took a look at where I’ve been, where I come from, where I’m at now and tried to put it all in a story with some music behind it.”
Shane, a Kentucky native, enlisted songwriters Derrick Southerland, Russell Sutton, Lee Starr, Nick Columbia and many more for the project. The summer after signing his record deal, he was writing with many Nashville songwriters and was learning a lot about his craft.
“It was awesome. I went through a phase right after my deal where I just wrote with everyone in town. I was in a room with people that I shouldn’t have been in the room with, that were well above me as writers. But it was awesome to be able to be in there and learn from them about how to approach writing more efficiently.
“It was really cool to just go through the process and find the people who were really interested in what I was trying to say and help me say it in a way that was true to me. And I think we put a great team of writers together, for this project in particular. I’m excited to continue writing with those folks. But also watch that team grow throughout the years.”
The record has some familiar Shane originals like “County Roads” and “My Kinda Trouble.” But the opening track, “I Will Run,” is a fantastic showcase of Shane as a singer and gives insight on his journey. The song, written with Doug Johnson and Adam Wood, is about how Shane has always felt on the run and has never stopped moving. Now, as he gets older, he’s trying to run to the things and the people he loves. The song sets the stage for the rest of the record.
“I feel like I’m always on the go, I’m definitely born to run. There’s a lot of things in life that I have run from and now that life is better than it ever has been, there’s a lot of things I feel like I’m running to now.
“I was like, ‘Let’s start at the end. This is where we are now, but what got us here?'” Shane says of writing the song. “I went through the things that I’ve run from in my life, like the recklessness of youth, the love loss, the love found, the mistakes made, and how often we take it for granted.”
Along with writing for the album, Shane loved the creativity he and his studio band had when recording the album.
Elvie Shane. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
“I really enjoyed so many different aspects of [making the album]. I love going into my producer’s [Oscar Charles] studio, when it’s just me and him and we’re trying to figure out what we hear behind just me and a guitar. That’s always a lot of fun to create those parts together and go in and play it for the studio band,” says Shane. “I think the thing that I love most about all of it was just seeing these players have fun doing what they’re doing. They get to be that kid again that was 10 or 12 years old and decided they wanted to play an instrument. I’m super proud of the band.”
The one song that Shane is most proud of and is most excited for fans to hear is the last track on the record, “Miles (With Mama).” He originally wrote it as a tribute to his father who was a truck driver. He set out to be extremely honest when writing about his father, with his faults and all. During this process he reflected on himself and his struggle of being on the road constantly, which led to him discovering a new-found empathy for his father. What also makes the song special is he had the chance to sing it with his mother, who was the foundation for his love for music.
“For a lot of these songs, I tried to approach them with as much honesty as I possibly could. But that song in particular is 100%, from beginning to end, a very vulnerable and honest song,” says Shane. “I got to have my mother sing on that song with me, one of my very first inspirations as a singer. She sings harmonies with me. So that song is very close to my heart.”
Shane’s debut album, Backslider, is filled with honesty, great musicianship and tells his story the way he wanted to tell it.
“Throughout the record there’s an order of things that starts with my youth, my Sunday mornings, and my running around as a teenager. Then you get to ‘My Kinda Trouble,’ ‘Saturday Night Me’ and ‘My Boy.’ That’s what I like to call the Mandy years in the record, from when I met my wife and how she turned my life around. Then my Nashville years start after that, with not only stories about myself, but songs that we wrote as a tribute to country music and what I love about it,” Shane sums. “Everything [on the album] are things that I’ve ran from and ultimately led me to run right back into them, just from a different perspective.”
Music City Studios Announces Plans To Break Ground On 47+ Acre Media Complex In Hendersonville
/by Lydia FarthingRendering of Music City Studios
A new 47+ acre media complex, Music City Studios, has announced they will break ground in the Metro Nashville area by the end of the year. Located in Hendersonville, Tennessee, the studio space aims to blend multiple creative industries together on one campus, including space for content production, film, live touring, broadcast, virtual production, and technical and business support for Metaverse-based businesses.
According to a statement about the property, Music City Studios plans to offer 200,000+ square feet of state-of-the-art sound stage space and 500,000+ square feet of space dedicated to tenants for film, live music, broadcast, Metaverse, and media production.
Rendering of Music City Studios
Hendersonville Mayor, Jamie Clary, says, “Hendersonville has been the home of Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Taylor Swift, and dozens of other globally known musicians. The Oak Ridge Boys and Ricky Skaggs are current residents. Music City Studios and Monolith Studios could not select a more appropriate location. Hendersonville is a growing community of professionals who bleed creativity. The entertainment infrastructure needed for a film and music facility is already in and near Hendersonville. Music City Studios and their tenants will do well here.”
Monolith Studios, the campus’ anchor tenant and partner, is a full-service virtual production and content creation studio, specializing in proprietary LED volume architecture and content-to-display systems and services. This will be Monolith’s first Tennessee office.
“Monolith is expanding its footprint around the world and Tennessee is a critical creative hub for our business,” says Monolith CEO, Josh Furlow. “For a city and region that has been built on the entertainment industry, we look forward to creating the 21st century digital campus to help support live entertainment merging with the digital future”.
David Buttrey
The Music City Studios Campus will be led by Nashvillie native and touring industry professional David Buttrey. His extensive experience includes producing the award-winning Tortuga Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Enchant Christmas’ multi-city stadium shows, Afropunk Music Festival, and more.
“I don’t ever want another young person to feel like they can’t build a life and career here in Nashville,” Buttrey shares. “With this new campus, no Nashville-based artist or crew member will ever have to leave the metro area to rehearse for a global concert tour, produce a movie, or film a commercial. I used to have to travel to Los Angeles, New York, and overseas for global-level production work. The goal of Music City Studios is to act as a platform and catalyst for more world-class production coming to and being created out of Nashville.”
Music City Studios plans to break ground by the end of the year and will be making tenant announcements through Q1 of 2022. Construction is slated to be completed by the end of Q1 2023 with the sound stages opening Q4 of 2022.
Elvie Shane’s Debut Album ‘Backslider’ Offers An Honest Look At His Personal & Musical Journey [Interview]
/by Steven BoeroElvie Shane. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
Rising country artist Elvie Shane took the country music industry by storm with his No. 1 hit “My Boy,” which tells the emotional story of Shane’s bond with his stepson. After the track went viral on social media in 2018, Shane caught the attention of many, earning him a publishing deal and eventually his record deal with BBR Music Group. He was also named as part of MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing Class of 2021.
Today (Oct. 29), Shane is releasing his debut album Backslider via BRR’s Wheelhouse Records.
The album features 15 songs, all of which were co-written by Shane, about his love for his family, friends and his journey thus far. The album is an authentic country record that isn’t scared to show off Shane’s other influences like southern rock, R&B and gospel.
“I started writing the record about five years ago with ‘My Boy,’ and then I signed my record deal thinking I had a whole record put together. They told me right after we signed that they only thought I had one song, and that was ‘My Boy,'” says Shane. “So every other song has been written after February of 2018. The last few years, we’ve just been digging in and trying to write some honest songs. We took a look at where I’ve been, where I come from, where I’m at now and tried to put it all in a story with some music behind it.”
Shane, a Kentucky native, enlisted songwriters Derrick Southerland, Russell Sutton, Lee Starr, Nick Columbia and many more for the project. The summer after signing his record deal, he was writing with many Nashville songwriters and was learning a lot about his craft.
“It was awesome. I went through a phase right after my deal where I just wrote with everyone in town. I was in a room with people that I shouldn’t have been in the room with, that were well above me as writers. But it was awesome to be able to be in there and learn from them about how to approach writing more efficiently.
“It was really cool to just go through the process and find the people who were really interested in what I was trying to say and help me say it in a way that was true to me. And I think we put a great team of writers together, for this project in particular. I’m excited to continue writing with those folks. But also watch that team grow throughout the years.”
The record has some familiar Shane originals like “County Roads” and “My Kinda Trouble.” But the opening track, “I Will Run,” is a fantastic showcase of Shane as a singer and gives insight on his journey. The song, written with Doug Johnson and Adam Wood, is about how Shane has always felt on the run and has never stopped moving. Now, as he gets older, he’s trying to run to the things and the people he loves. The song sets the stage for the rest of the record.
“I feel like I’m always on the go, I’m definitely born to run. There’s a lot of things in life that I have run from and now that life is better than it ever has been, there’s a lot of things I feel like I’m running to now.
“I was like, ‘Let’s start at the end. This is where we are now, but what got us here?'” Shane says of writing the song. “I went through the things that I’ve run from in my life, like the recklessness of youth, the love loss, the love found, the mistakes made, and how often we take it for granted.”
Along with writing for the album, Shane loved the creativity he and his studio band had when recording the album.
Elvie Shane. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
“I really enjoyed so many different aspects of [making the album]. I love going into my producer’s [Oscar Charles] studio, when it’s just me and him and we’re trying to figure out what we hear behind just me and a guitar. That’s always a lot of fun to create those parts together and go in and play it for the studio band,” says Shane. “I think the thing that I love most about all of it was just seeing these players have fun doing what they’re doing. They get to be that kid again that was 10 or 12 years old and decided they wanted to play an instrument. I’m super proud of the band.”
The one song that Shane is most proud of and is most excited for fans to hear is the last track on the record, “Miles (With Mama).” He originally wrote it as a tribute to his father who was a truck driver. He set out to be extremely honest when writing about his father, with his faults and all. During this process he reflected on himself and his struggle of being on the road constantly, which led to him discovering a new-found empathy for his father. What also makes the song special is he had the chance to sing it with his mother, who was the foundation for his love for music.
“For a lot of these songs, I tried to approach them with as much honesty as I possibly could. But that song in particular is 100%, from beginning to end, a very vulnerable and honest song,” says Shane. “I got to have my mother sing on that song with me, one of my very first inspirations as a singer. She sings harmonies with me. So that song is very close to my heart.”
Shane’s debut album, Backslider, is filled with honesty, great musicianship and tells his story the way he wanted to tell it.
“Throughout the record there’s an order of things that starts with my youth, my Sunday mornings, and my running around as a teenager. Then you get to ‘My Kinda Trouble,’ ‘Saturday Night Me’ and ‘My Boy.’ That’s what I like to call the Mandy years in the record, from when I met my wife and how she turned my life around. Then my Nashville years start after that, with not only stories about myself, but songs that we wrote as a tribute to country music and what I love about it,” Shane sums. “Everything [on the album] are things that I’ve ran from and ultimately led me to run right back into them, just from a different perspective.”
Mark Collie Celebrates 20 Years Of Brushy Mountain Concert With Live Album, Documentary
/by Lorie HollabaughMark Collie is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his concert at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary which became his classic live album, Alive at Brushy Mountain.
A film team was on hand back then to capture the visits to the prison and his performance with an all-star band for a documentary, The Mountain. Collie finished the film by visiting with the inmates years later after they re-entered society to see how his visits and music had affected their lives.
“I believed the songs could matter. I wanted to make something that people could find hope in or redemption or restoration or forgiveness,” says Collie.
The Mountain documentary and Alive at Brushy Mountain live concert are now being re-released by Harvest Entertainment on video streaming services this fall. CD and double-vinyl copies of the live album are available at MarkCollie.com, and the album is available here.
Collie and his wife Tammy have carried on with their message of hope in prisons across the country, changing hundreds of lives before and after re-entry and impacting families and communities.
His ten-week songwriting program, My Song for Life, developed in partnership with CoreCivic and The Change Company, spans multiple facilities across the United States. Collie’s other humanitarian efforts include addiction treatment, the Mark Collie endowed Chair at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for Diabetes Research, and support for women and men in uniform and law enforcement.
Tony Brown Receives Inaugural North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award
/by Lorie HollabaughTony Brown accepts first ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
Grammy award-winning producer Tony Brown received the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame at the historic Gem Theatre in Kannapolis, North Carolina on Oct. 26.
The award recognizes Brown’s contributions in the music industry and to American music throughout his over 50-year career. The renowned producer and exec co-founded Universal South Records and is the former president of MCA Records Nashville. He has produced numerous hits for George Strait, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill and many more, winning seven ACM awards, multiple CMA awards, and earning numerous Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum album credits.
Throughout his career, he has signed artists like Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, The Mavericks, and more. Brown also produced the majority of tracks for Tuskegee, one of 2012’s highest grossing albums, with Lionel Richie. Overall, his work has yielded over 100 No. 1 singles and record sales exceeding 100 million.
“Quite simply, Tony and Tony’s work as a producer and a music executive dominated country music for the better part of two decades,” says Mike Dungan, CEO of Universal Music Nashville. “He possesses a unique ability to appeal to the common man in one moment and then turn right around and creatively challenge the hippest of the hip. Tony is the coolest cowboy I’ve ever known!”
“Tony Brown’s name has become synonymous with great recordings,” the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame shares. “His work transcends genres. His lifetime achievements will forever be recognized throughout the industry!”
Brown was honored for his lifetime achievement alongside Roberta Flack (1973’s “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and 1974’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love”).
Jordan Davis Claims No. 1 On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart
/by Alex ParryJordan Davis earns his fifth No. 1 Challenge Coin this week as his single, “Buy Dirt,” hits the top of MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio Chart. The single, which features Luke Bryan, was also certified Gold by the RIAA this week and it received a nomination for Musical Event of the Year for the upcoming 55th Annual CMA Awards, marking the first CMA nomination in Davis’ career.
“Buy Dirt” is the title track to Davis’ latest EP released in May of this year. The single was co-written by Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, and Matt Jenkins.
Davis is currently on his Buy Dirt Tour through December with support from MacKenzie Porter and Seaforth.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Garth Brooks Announces Opry House Show Following Ryman Sell-Outs
/by Lorie HollabaughGarth Brooks has added an additional Nashville show on the heels of his two back-to-back nights at the Ryman Auditorium selling in record time, which forced him to turn away 22,000 fans.
“Just Garth, The Opry House and You” has been announced for Nov. 18. All tickets for the show are $250, all fees included, and go on sale this Friday, October 29 at 10 a.m. CT at Ticketmaster.com/GarthBrooks. Tickets are limited to four per person, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test is required for entry.
“I am stunned at the number of people who showed up for this on sale, and as happy as I should be, I feel bad for the people who did not get tickets,” Brooks shares of the Ryman shows. “We spoke to the Opry House, and we want to take care of as many people as we can who did not get tickets, so we’ve added a show for the 18th. I still can’t believe it.”
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Wade Bowen, George Strait, Muscadine Bloodline
/by Robert K OermannMusic City’s major labels yield to feisty, independent artists this week.
Despite the presence of strong singles by George Strait, Jon Langston, Maddie & Tae, Kassi Ashton and The Cadillac Three, the Lone Star State’s perennially popular Wade Bowen nails down the Disc of the Day award.
Also coming from indie left field is our DISCovery Award winner, the duo Muscadine Bloodline.
MUSCADINE BLOODLINE / “Dispatch to 16th Ave.”
Writers: Charlie Muncaster/Gary Stanton; Producer: Charlie Muncaster/Gary Stanton; Label: MB
— The duo sings of a country hopeful on Music Row who fails because he wouldn’t make conformist music. The harmonies are tight, and their band sounds sprightly. Recommended.
KASSI ASHTON / “Heavyweight”
Writers: Kassi Ashton/Luke Laird/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Luke Laird/Kassi Ashton; Label: MCA Nashville/ Interscope
— Sultry and moody. She says she can take whatever heartbreak he wants to dish out. She won’t cry. She’ll fight. She’s tough. The whole thing is kinda cool, in a pop-country way.
THE CADILLAC THREE / “Devil’s Lettuce”
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason; Producer: The Cadillac Three; Label: Big Machine
— In a word, strange. Is there such a thing as country psychedelia? This choppy, wacky, rhythm-soaked ditty waxes enthusiastic about homegrown weed. It’s more spoken than sung, and the drum track is more prominent than anything else. I have no idea what to do with this.
JON LANGSTON / “When You’re Lonely”
Writers: Jon Langston/Jody Stevens; Producer: Jody Stevens; Label: EMI
— This toe-tapping country rocker rolls along righteously as Langston unspools his bitter yarn. She calls him at 3 AM when she’s got nobody else to love her…. even though she already told him they have no future together. Radio ready.
JETT HOLDEN / “Taxidermy”
Writers: Jacques Landell Holden; Producer: none listed; Label: JH
— The arty lyric meanders somewhat on this wordy, passionate, heartbreak ballad. He sings with immense, intense fire. Vocally promising, but the songwriting needs to get tighter.
GEORGE STRAIT / “The Weight of the Badge”
Writers: George Strait/Bubba Strait/Dean Dillon; Producer: Chuck Ainlay/George Strait; Label: MCA
— Today is National First Responders Day. King George has the commemorative song, a lustrous ballad in a lovely production that mixes sighing fiddles and aching steel with heartfelt singing. Meditative and memorable.
WADE BOWEN / “When Love Comes Around”
Writers: Wade Bowen/Eric Paslay/Heather Morgan; Producer: Paul Moak; Label: Thirty Tigers
— This dirt-road Texas honky-tonker can always be counted on for country excellence. What he doesn’t usually do is upbeat, happy love tunes. Well, he does that here, and the result is splendidly uplifting, joyous and clap-hands catchy. Get up and twirl around the room.
MADDIE & TAE / “Madness”
Writers: Maddie Font/Taylor Kerr/Jessie Jo Dillon/Zach Kale; Producer: Jimmy Robbins/Derek Wells; Label: Mercury
— Airy and wafting, this audio dreamscape is about the enduring power of true love. Relaxing and gentle. Caressed by their sweet, close vocal harmonies.
JIMMY YEARY / “Angeline”
Writers: Jimmy Yeary/Billy Droze/Chris Myers; Producer: none listed; Label: RBR Entertainment
— Yeary is a big hit songwriter via such accomplishments as “I Drive Your Truck” (Lee Brice), “I Called Mama” (Tim McGraw), “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” (Martina McBride), “Till It’s Gone” (Kenny Chesney) and more. He’s also the lucky devil who’s married to the divine Sonya Isaacs. As if that’s not enough, he is a dandy bluegrass record maker. This frothy, lickety-split, dobro-laced, scampering-fiddle ditty is a hillbilly delight.
RAY STEVENS / “Hoochie Coochie Dancer”
Writers: C.W. Kalb, Jr.; Producer: Ray Stevens; Label: Curb
— The master of the novelty single is back with a charming outing about getting mugged after falling for a carny gal. Loved the backup ooohs and the talking-blues delivery. Cute and amusing.
ABBY ANDERSON / “Bad Posture”
Writers: Abby Anderson/Anna Vaus; Producer: Marshall Altman; Label: AA
— She’s singing with more guts than ever on this stately saga of a survivor: “Since you’ve been gone, I stand up straight.” In the ebb-and-flow production, the rippling piano notes are gradually augmented by an echoey, marching rhythm track. Definitely ear catching.
LILLI LEWIS / “My American Heart”
Writers: Lilli Lewis; Producer: none listed; Label: Louisiana Red Hot Records
— She sings marvelously, with a pleading soprano that can dip to a throaty, chesty tone. The wordy, well-meaning song wanders around in search of a hook.
Country Fest Announces 2022 Lineup With FGL, Jason Aldean, Lee Brice, More
/by Lorie HollabaughCountry Fest 2022 has announced that Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean and Lee Brice will headline next year’s festival, set for June 23-25 in Cadott, Wisconsin. The lineup will also include Chase Rice, Gabby Barrett, LoCash and more.
“We are so excited to bring people back to live music and in 2022 we are doing it in a big way!” says festival promoter Wade Asher. “With this star-studded lineup, activations and overall experience we give the fans, we always aim to please. There’s a reason why fans call Country Fest ‘Your Happy Place’ and we can’t wait to show them all that we have in store and to see those smiles once again.”
VIP, Reserved Lawn, and General Admission ticket packages are available at this venue along with Pit Passes. Tickets are on sale now at CountryFest.com.
Country Fest 2022 Lineup:
Wednesday, June 22: *Kickoff Party exclusive to 3-day ticket holders: Phil Vassar, Alexandra Kay, Jake Stringer and Tim Hurley
Thursday, June 23: Lee Brice, LoCash, Dylan Scott, Jameson Rodgers, Little Texas, Callista Clark, Nate Barnes, Lauren Weintraub
Friday, June 24: Florida Georgia Line, Chase Rice, Mitchell Tenpenny, Sara Evans, Parmalee, Priscilla Block, Drake Milligan, Ray Fulcher
Saturday, June 25: Jason Aldean, Gabby Barrett, Michael Ray, Rodney Atkins, Lainey Wilson, Tenille Arts, Frank Ray, Dillon Carmichael
Sony Music Publishing To Administer Gregg Allman Catalog
/by LB CantrellGregg Allman. Photo: Bettmann
Sony Music Publishing has announced it has signed a global agreement with the estate of the legendary singer-songwriter Gregg Allman to administer its catalog of songs. The deal encompasses many of Allman’s compositions from his time as a member of the Allman Brothers Band, as well as songs written throughout his enduring solo career.
Widely regarded as one of the most iconic rock and roll songwriters, Allman blended elements from blues, jazz, rock and country into his sound. Some of his biggest hits include “Whipping Post,” “Melissa,” and “Midnight Rider” by the Allman Brothers Band, and his critically acclaimed solo albums such as 1973’s Laid Back, 1987’s I’m No Angel, and the Grammy nominated 2011 album Low Country Blues, produced by T-Bone Burnett.
Sony Music Publishing President & Global Chief Marketing Officer, Brian Monaco says, “Gregg Allman is without a doubt one of the greatest rock and roll songwriters of all time. On behalf of all of us at Sony Music Publishing, we are honored to partner with his estate to support his incredible catalog, and we look forward to creating new opportunities for his songs.”
Allman’s five-decade career earned him numerous accolades including the Allman Brothers Band’s 1995 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; his 2006 induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame; a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 at The 54th Annual Grammy Awards; several Grammy nominations; and multiple RIAA Platinum and Gold certifications. The iconic singer-songwriter died in 2017 due to complications from liver cancer.
Michael Lehman, Allman’s longtime manager and friend, adds, “I am very pleased to begin this partnership with Brian Monaco and the Sony Music Publishing team to build upon Gregg Allman’s legacy. I look forward to bringing his music to new generations of fans and inspiring audiences around the world.”
Ryman Hospitality Properties Announces Plans To Acquire Block 21 In Austin, Texas
/by LB CantrellBlock 21 in Austin, Texas. Photo: Courtesy of Ryman Hospitality Properties
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. announced its agreement with Stratus Properties Inc. to acquire Block 21, a mixed-use entertainment, lodging, office, and retail complex located in downtown Austin, Texas.
The Nashville lodging and hospitality real estate investment group owns many convention center resorts that operate under the Gaylord Hotels brand, including Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville. The company’s entertainment segment includes several iconic and emerging country music brands, including the Grand Ole Opry; Ryman Auditorium, WSM 650 AM; Ole Red and Circle, a country lifestyle media network the company owns in a joint venture with Gray Television.
Colin Reed, chairman and CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties, says, “We are pleased to again have the opportunity to add this one-of-a-kind asset to our growing entertainment portfolio. Much like Nashville, Austin’s leisure and hospitality industry is recovering and is well-positioned for growth in the years ahead. This acquisition allows us to have a meaningful presence in two of the most dynamic music cities in this country and presents many opportunities to showcase the unique music cultures in each city to millions of fans through our Circle TV network.”
Completed in 2010 and located on an entire city block in Austin’s 2nd Street District, Block 21 is home to the iconic ACL Live at the Moody Theater (ACL Live)—a 2,750-seat, state-of-the-art entertainment venue that serves as the filming location for the famed Austin City Limits television series. The Block 21 complex also includes the 251-room W Austin hotel, the 3TEN at ACL Live club and approximately 53,000 square feet of other Class A commercial space.
Reed adds, “We are thrilled for the long-term opportunities to grow our customer base and create quality entertainment experiences for local music lovers and the millions of tourists who visit Austin each year. We love what Beau and the entire Stratus team created with Block 21 and share their vision for the enormous potential it has to become a world-renowned, music-centric hub in the heart of this great city.”
The total purchase price of the Austin property is $260 million and includes the assumption of approximately $138 million of existing mortgage debt. In addition, Ryman will receive approximately $11 million of existing cash reserves attributable to the assets. The acquisition is expected to close near the end of the fourth quarter of 2021.
William H. Armstrong III, chairman of the board and CEO of Stratus, shares, “We have gotten to know the Ryman Hospitality Properties team very well and continue to believe they are the ideal stewards for Block 21 and ACL Live in the future.”