The American Association of Independent Music has released the full program for its annual conference, A2IM Indie Week presented by SoundExchange, which will be held virtually from June 14 through 17.
In addition to the previously announced keynote speakers, SoundExchange CEO Michael Huppe has been added to the lineup and will participate in a fireside chat with Digiday Senior Editor Max Willens on the future of the music industry in a digital-first world.
“It is a dynamic time in the world of music marked by continued transformation,” says Huppe. “It is my honor to kick off A2IM Indie Week and open up what promises to be a week of meaningful discussion to help shape the future of our industry and inspire the Indie community and beyond.”
Additionally, Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL) and legendary musician Dionne Warwick will join Huppe in a discussion, moderated by White House reporter for The Hill, Alex Gangitano. Together, they will address the strengthening movement for a performance right for artists played on AM/FM radio.
The full programming lineup will also feature talks and panels spanning through independent music advocacy, digital marketing, exporting, what a return to touring will look like, neighboring rights, streaming, and more. For the full slate of programming, click here.
On the final day of A2IM Indie Week the conference will also celebrate the 10th Anniversary A2IM Libera Awards presented by Merlin and streaming exclusively on YouTube.
This year’s Icon Award recipient will be soul and gospel icon Mavis Staples. Staples and the Staple Singers shot to stardom on Stax Records with a string of legendary hits, including “I’ll Take You There,” “Respect Yourself,” and “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me).” In more recent years, Staples has recorded critically-acclaimed music with Jeff Tweedy, Ben Harper, Run The Jewels, Arcade Fire, Hozier, and more.
Among this year’s performers will be Grammy-nominated rock and soul duo Black Pumas, Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Lecrae, breakout British artist Arlo Parks, three-time Grammy-winning Black roots music artist Fantastic Negrito, Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna, and Canadian-Colombian singer Lido Pimienta.
Fans can watch the awards show on A2IM’s official YouTube channel starting at 5 p.m. CST on June 17.
A2IM Announce More Keynote Speakers, Mavis Staples To Receive Icon Award
/by Lydia FarthingThe American Association of Independent Music has released the full program for its annual conference, A2IM Indie Week presented by SoundExchange, which will be held virtually from June 14 through 17.
In addition to the previously announced keynote speakers, SoundExchange CEO Michael Huppe has been added to the lineup and will participate in a fireside chat with Digiday Senior Editor Max Willens on the future of the music industry in a digital-first world.
“It is a dynamic time in the world of music marked by continued transformation,” says Huppe. “It is my honor to kick off A2IM Indie Week and open up what promises to be a week of meaningful discussion to help shape the future of our industry and inspire the Indie community and beyond.”
Additionally, Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL) and legendary musician Dionne Warwick will join Huppe in a discussion, moderated by White House reporter for The Hill, Alex Gangitano. Together, they will address the strengthening movement for a performance right for artists played on AM/FM radio.
The full programming lineup will also feature talks and panels spanning through independent music advocacy, digital marketing, exporting, what a return to touring will look like, neighboring rights, streaming, and more. For the full slate of programming, click here.
On the final day of A2IM Indie Week the conference will also celebrate the 10th Anniversary A2IM Libera Awards presented by Merlin and streaming exclusively on YouTube.
This year’s Icon Award recipient will be soul and gospel icon Mavis Staples. Staples and the Staple Singers shot to stardom on Stax Records with a string of legendary hits, including “I’ll Take You There,” “Respect Yourself,” and “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me).” In more recent years, Staples has recorded critically-acclaimed music with Jeff Tweedy, Ben Harper, Run The Jewels, Arcade Fire, Hozier, and more.
Among this year’s performers will be Grammy-nominated rock and soul duo Black Pumas, Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Lecrae, breakout British artist Arlo Parks, three-time Grammy-winning Black roots music artist Fantastic Negrito, Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna, and Canadian-Colombian singer Lido Pimienta.
Fans can watch the awards show on A2IM’s official YouTube channel starting at 5 p.m. CST on June 17.
CRS360’s May Webinar Series Tackles Return To The Road Post-Pandemic
/by Lorie HollabaughThe May episode of CRS360 will involve discussions with industry stakeholders and sorting out questions surrounding the return of live music in a post-pandemic environment. They will also talk about what that will mean for artists, labels, radio, promoters, booking agents, and fans. The webinar will feature panelists Jordan Davis (Artist, MCA Nashville), Katie Dean (MCA Nashville), Becky Gardenhire (WME), Bonnie Marquez (Activated Events), Zach Sutton (Red Light) and Adam Weiser (AEG), with Country Aircheck’s Chuck Aly moderating.
“CRS360 lives up to its title this month, as we take a comprehensive, sweeping look at the long-awaited and much-needed return of touring and live music in 2021. But there’s a lot to sort out on so many levels, so we’ve assembled a panel of experts to help us better understand how concerts can be successfully and safely relaunched, for artists, fans, promoters, booking agents, and radio,” says CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis.
To register for the May edition of the CRS360 webinar series, sign up here. A limited number of slots are available and are based on a first-come, first-served basis.
CRS will return in-person in 2022 and is set for February 23-25, 2022, at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Registration for next year’s event will open later this year.
Jimmie Allen’s Inaugural Bettie James Fest Slated For August
/by Lorie HollabaughThe inaugural lineup will feature Allen as the headliner and special guests DJ Jazzy Jeff, Neon Union, Hero the Band, Chuck Wicks, and Chase Martin. The festival, and Allen’s most recent star-studded project of the same name, are coined after Allen’s late grandmother, Bettie Snead, and late father, James Allen. “I’m hoping their memory lives on through this festival,” Allen says.
A proud Milton native, Allen is vocal about his deep reverence for his family, hometown, and home state. Bettie James, released in July 2020, features a wide array of artists from a variety of genres and generations including Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, Nelly, Noah Cyrus, The Oak Ridge Boys, Rita Wilson, Tauren Wells and Tim McGraw. The album has amassed nearly 150 million on-demand streams.
Tickets for Bettie James Fest go on sale Friday, May 21 at 9 a.m. CST at wickedgoodtickets.com.
RaeLynn Takes Up Residency In Nashville’s Ole Red This Summer
/by Lydia FarthingRaeLynn. Photo: Ford Fairchild
Platinum country recording artist RaeLynn has announced her first-ever honky-tonk residency in downtown Nashville with six full-band shows at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red.
“RaeLynn called me the other day completely excited about her residency at Ole Red,” Blake Shelton shares. “I always envisioned that the Ole Red stages would be a place – with top-of-the-line production – where artists can showcase what they do in the best possible way.”
Shows will run weekly from May 26 through July 7 with special guests from Nashville’s female singer-songwriter collective, the Song Suffragettes, joining each week, including Halle Kearns, SJ McDonald, Sophia Scott, and more. RaeLynn is set to feature tracks from her critically-acclaimed 2020 EP Baytown, including “Keep Up,” “Bra Off,” and “Me About Me,” as well as her fan-favorite hits like Platinum-certified “God Made Girls.”
“Since I can’t travel the world as I have been these last several years, I decided to bring my music to the world via the world-famous Broadway music scene,” RaeLynn explains. “We have visitors from all over the globe here every weekend and Blake’s place, Ole Red, was the natural fit.”
RaeLynn’s Downtown Party Live From Ole Red will benefit the CMA Foundation and ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund with three shows dedicated to each. The CMA Foundation works to improve music programs through the US and give all students the opportunity to participate in music education, while the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund was created to financially assist Nashville’s music industry workers through the pandemic.
RaeLynn’s Downtown Party Live From Ole Red Dates:
5/26 – w/ Halle Kearns and Sarabeth Taite
6/2 – w/ Carter Faith and Livy Jeanne
6/9 – w/ Kasey Tyndall and Mia Mantia
6/23 – w/ Sophia Scott and Autumn Nicholas
6/30 – w/ Erin Grand and SJ McDonald
7/8 – w/ Julie Williams and Kaylin Roberson
George Strait Reveals Rescheduled Dates For Upcoming ‘Strait To Vegas’ Series
/by LB CantrellGeorge Strait. Photo: Ethan Miller
George Strait has announced he will return to Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena for back-to-back Strait to Vegas shows on Friday, Aug. 13 and Saturday, Aug. 14. As previously announced, Caitlyn Smith will be Strait’s special guest.
“The Ace in the Hole Band and I have been looking forward to this day for a year and a half,” says Strait. “I cannot wait to see Vegas and all of my great fans once again. It’s been way too long. We will finally ride again. See you soon.”
Tickets to the original 2020 dates will be honored for the rescheduled shows: Aug. 28, 2020 tickets will apply to the Aug. 13, 2021 show, while Aug. 29, 2020 tickets will apply to the Aug. 14, 2021 show. Those unable to attend the rescheduled shows are eligible for a refund at the original point of purchase for the next 30 days.
It was also recently announced that Strait will help celebrate the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 90th anniversary celebration with a performance on the final day of festivities, March 20, 2022. This will mark his 31st Houston Rodeo performance.
Kelsea Ballerini To Join Jonas Brothers On 2021 Remember This Tour
/by Lydia FarthingKelsea Ballerini. Photo: Hannah Lux Davis
Global superstar trio Jonas Brothers have announced the dates for their upcoming Remember This tour this summer with special guest, multi-Platinum selling country artist Kelsea Ballerini.
“We couldn’t be more excited to officially announce we are going on tour this summer and bringing our friend Kelsea Ballerini!” shares the Jonas Brothers. “If this past year has taught us anything it’s that we need to remember the important moments in our lives. We hope these shows will be special moments for our fans, our friends and our families and we can’t wait to see all their faces soon!”
As one of the biggest female artists in country music, Ballerini has quickly gained a career total of eleven Gold and Platinum singles certifications and has accumulated total streams exceeding 3 billion to date. She has garnered two Grammy award nominations, won two ACM Awards, and has most recently received a 2021 ACM Award nomination for Female Artist of the Year and was also welcomed as the Grand Ole Opry’s youngest current member.
In March of 2020, she debuted her self-titled third album kelsea via Black River Entertainment. The debut single from the album, “Homecoming Queen?,” was certified Platinum, marking her fastest single to achieve this milestone yet. Her latest single from the release, “Half Of My Hometown” features a special guest vocal appearance from eight-time Entertainer of the Year and fellow East Tennessee songwriter and superstar Kenny Chesney.
Produced by Live Nation, the 44-date tour will kick off in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20, stopping at major cities across the country including San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Houston before wrapping up in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl on Oct. 27.
Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning Monday, May 24 at 10 a.m. local time until Wednesday, May 26 at 10 p.m. local time. Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Thursday, May 27, at 10 a.m. local time at JonasBrothers.com/Tour.
Blackberry Smoke Confirms Spirit Of The South Tour: A Celebration Of Southern Rock N’ Roll
/by Lorie HollabaughBlackberry Smoke. Photo: Joe Lopez
Blackberry Smoke is set to embark on their extensive Spirit of the South Tour: A Celebration of Southern Rock N’ Roll tour this summer with special guests The Allman Betts Band, The Wild Feathers and founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, Jaimoe.
Kicking off July 30 at Bridgeport, Connecticut’s Hartford Healthcare Amphitheatre, the tour will include stops at New York’s Pier 17, Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, Dallas’ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Alpharetta’s Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Boston’s Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion and Morrison’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, among many others.
Created to honor the various influences within southern music, each show will conclude with a collaborative finale including Blackberry Smoke, The Allman Betts Band, The Wild Feathers and Jaimoe as well as additional surprise guests. The Allman Brothers Band Museum At The Big House will also have a new mobile set up on-site at each show, featuring never-before-seen archival items including original hand-written lyrics, family photographs, iconic clothing and jewelry, one-of-a-kind instruments played by the band and more. All ticket holders will be granted free access to the museum with $1 of each ticket donated to The Allman Brothers Museum at the Big House to help preserve its history and heritage.
Tickets for the newly confirmed dates go on sale this Friday, May 21 at 10 a.m. local time, and details can be found at blackberrysmoke.
The Spirit of the South Tour adds to a landmark year for Blackberry Smoke, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year with the release of their new album, You Hear Georgia, out May 28 via Thirty Tigers. Ahead of the release, the band has released four album tracks: “All Rise Again” featuring Warren Haynes, “Ain’t The Same,” “Hey Delilah” and “You Hear Georgia.”
The Cadillac Three Celebrates Their Decade-Long Career With Anniversary Tour
/by Lydia FarthingThe Cadillac Three. Photo: Dylan Rucker
Celebrating a decade as The Cadillac Three, the trio is returning to the stage for their 10th Anniversary Tour running through the US, the UK, and Ireland with special guest Brent Cobb.
The Anniversary Tour will begin on June 11 in Iowa and will wrap up overseas in Belfast on Dec. 13. Tickets are on sale now.
As the pandemic halted touring in March 2020, the ACM Awards Group of the Year nominees wasted no time, releasing two albums – February’s Country Fuzz and October’s surprise Tabasco & Sweet Tea.
Throughout 2020, the band was able to provide 78,000 meals for families in need through a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee while highlighting local venues and other artists as Country Fuzz Presents took up a livestream residence at their hometown haunt, The Basement. Since then, The Cadillac Three has also joined forces with Red Bull and Music Venue Alliance Nashville to transform esteemed venue Exit/In into a private pop-up skate park for a series of socially distanced skate sessions as the band filmed a unique video “Bridges” to support independent music venues.
Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Jason Isbell, More On New ‘Ice Road’ Soundtrack
/by Lorie HollabaughThe soundtrack for The Ice Road, a new Netflix action thriller starring Liam Neeson debuting on June 25, is being released by Big Machine Records.
Written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, The Ice Road tells the story of a big-rig ice road driver (Neeson), who leads a rescue mission over a frozen ocean to save trapped miners after a remote diamond mine collapses in far northern Canada. Benjamin Walker, Amber Midthunder, Marcus Thomas and Laurence Fishburne are also a part of the cast.
Jason Isbell kicks off the dozen-song soundtrack with the Johnny Cash truckers’ anthem “All I Do Is Drive.” The project also features Tim McGraw (covering the Cars’ “Drive”), The Cadillac Three (on Dave Dudley’s 1963 No. 1 “Six Days On The Road”) and Mark Collie and Allison Moorer (“All Coming Down.”)
Miranda Lambert appears on Hank Snow’s “I’m Movin’ On” and Carly Pearce reprises the classic “Eighteen Wheels and A Dozen Roses,” Kathy Mattea’s No. 1 and 1989’s ACM/CMA Single of the Year. John Carter Cash teams with the Assassinzs for the heavy rock “Heart Made Of Steel,” while Brantley Gilbert and Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard pair for “Rubber Meets The Road” and Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox offers up “We Got Fight.”
Jackson Dean also marks his debut with “Don’t Come Lookin’” on the collection, while the L.A. Rats, comprised of Nikki Sixx (MÖTLEY CRÜE) and friends Rob Zombie, guitarist John 5 and drummer Tommy Clufetos, forge a pounding reprise of Hank Snow’s 22-week No. 1, “I’ve Been Everywhere,” (most notably re-recorded by Johnny Cash on his Rick Rubin-produced Unchained.)
“That hard-charging sense of the road is a real common ground between rock, country and Americana,” Big Machine Label Group founder and chairman Scott Borchetta says. “Musicians live the road life. They know the freedom, the speed, the gone and the get there—and every single artist on this soundtrack understands exactly why these songs have such enduring appeal.”
2. Rubber Meets The Road – Brantley Gilbert, Tyler Hubbard
3. Eighteen Wheels and A Dozen Roses – Carly Pearce
4. I’ve Been Everywhere – L.A. Rats
5. We Got Fight – Gary LeVox
6. I’m Movin’ On – Miranda Lambert
7. Six Days On The Road – The Cadillac Three
8. Don’t Come Lookin’ – Jackson Dean
9. Hurricane – Luke Combs
10. Heart Made Of Steel – The Assassinzs feat. John Carter Cash, Robin Zander
11. All Coming Down – Mark Collie, Allison Moorer
12. Drive – Tim McGraw
Houston Rodeo Announces 2022 Dates, George Strait Performance
/by LB CantrellGeorge Strait. Photo: David McClister
After being canceled in 2021, the next Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will take place Feb. 28, 2022 through March 20, 2022. The 21-day event will celebrate the Rodeo’s 90th anniversary.
Country music icon George Strait will perform on the final night, marking his 31st performance at the Rodeo. To date, Strait has entertained more than 1.7 million RODEOHOUSTON fans.
“What better way to celebrate the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s 90th anniversary than with a special, concert-only performance by the ‘King of Country’ music himself,” says Rodeo president and CEO Chris Boleman. “After a couple of particularly challenging years, our thousands of dedicated volunteers simply can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the Rodeo grounds for a Texas-sized celebration of Western heritage that will be well worth the wait.”
Individual tickets for Strait’s concert-only performance go on sale to the public Thursday, June 24. A limit of four tickets per person will be permitted. The remaining 2022 RODEOHOUSTON entertainer lineup will be announced at a later date.