Dave Matthews Band, The Black Keys, Maren Morris, and Cage The Elephant are among the heavy hitters set to perform when the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival returns to downtown Franklin, Tenn. this year on Sept. 25-26.

For its seventh year at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, the celebration of art, culture, and music will also feature performances by Khruangbin, Black Pumas, Amos Lee, Tanya Tucker, Better Than Ezra, Houndmouth, Tank and the Bangas, Valerie June, JD McPherson, Jamestown Revival, Low Cut Connie, Robert Finley, Katie Pruitt, Morgan Wade, Larry Fleet, Harlem Gospel Travelers, Hailey Whitters, Dylan LeBlanc, Anna Vaus, Blessing Offor, Natalie Madigan, and many more.

Pilgrimage will host five stages featuring 50-plus acts on the 200-acre park grounds, including main stages Fender Premium Audio Midnight Sun and Gold Record Road Stage, and local stages Shady Grove, Lil’ Pilgrims Family Stage, and the Americana Music Triangle Experience–built by Mike Wolfe from History channel’s American Pickers.

This year’s festival continues its mission in supporting the region’s makers, distillers, brewers, and food vendors by providing an all-encompassing hometown experience. In its curated VIP Village 70 booths will be stocked with handcrafted works, wares, and wearables, and the grounds will house 35 local restaurants and cafes, alongside the Farm to Turntable Food Truck Park, and the Craft Beer Hall.

Two-day GA and VIP passes go on sale tomorrow, Thursday (4/29) at 10 a.m. CT at PilgrimageFestival.com. A layaway plan option is also available to lock in passes and spread the purchase across multiple payments.

Spotify announced its first quarter results for 2021, showing 24 percent growth year-over-year in Monthly Active Users (MAU) reaching 356 million. Premium Subscribers grew 21 percent in the same time period to 158 million. Though a significant increase, it still fell short of Wall Street’s expectations.

The company’s total revenue was up 16 percent year over year, coming in at €2.147 billion, or approximately $2.59 billion.

There was a strong increase in Q1 podcast consumption hours vs. Q4, with March hitting an all-time high in podcast share of overall platform consumption hours.

Spotify CEO and founder Daniel Ek said, “I’m pleased with the continuing momentum we are seeing across many aspects of our business this quarter, including our subscriber growth. 2020 was a very strong year for Spotify and we believe Spotify is well positioned to continue to extend our leadership globally as we move forward.”

View the full earnings report or see the infographic.

Jesse Keith Whitley has announced his new album Breakin’ Ground, which will be released on May 9.

The 11-track project includes Whitley’s previously released singles “Try To Change My Ways,” “Already Been Crazy,” “Think of Me” featuring Lorrie Morgan, “Feelin’ Comin’ On,” and his upcoming single “Messin’ With the Wrong Man.” The album is produced by Whitley, Bob Etherington, and Kirk Roth, and was recorded at The Rukkus Room by Grammy-winning engineer Jamie Tate.

As the son of Lorrie Morgan and late country great, Keith Whitley, the release of this project marks the anniversary of his father’s passing. With every iTunes pre-order of the album, listeners will also be able to download an instant gratification track of Jesse’s version of “Faithful.” Whitley recorded this version as a Christmas gift for his mom to commemorate his parent’s love story.

Pre-order for Breakin’ Ground is available on iTunes now.

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced that Pat Morris has been tapped as the organization’s Executive Director. He is expected to start May 24, and will be based at the IBMA office in Nashville.

Morris brings two decades of association, international, and finance leadership experience to the position—having served as the Chief Executive Officer of ACA International, President & CEO of the Association for Corporate Growth, and the Executive Director of the Washington DC-based InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards. He is a former Marine officer, worked in the U.S. Senate, and was selected for the prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship Program. Morris holds a B.S. degree from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia and an M.P.A. from the University of Kentucky.

Growing up in Virginia, Morris became a lifelong fan of bluegrass while working at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and watching the daily performances of the Wahoo Revue, Jim Lauderdale, and the late Gene Wooten.

“Pat’s impeccable resume and love of bluegrass is the perfect combination for the next Executive Director of IBMA,” says IBMA Board Chairperson and President Ben Surratt. “I’m so happy to have Pat working alongside us for the benefit of bluegrass and the bluegrass community. Our association is in great hands.”

“I am so honored to be selected as the next Executive Director of the IBMA” says Morris. “This position combines my passion for bluegrass and pursuit of excellence as an association leader. The future of bluegrass is bright, and I look forward to learning from IBMA staff, leaders, and members and drawing upon my own experience in applying best practices, leveraging creative ideas and technology, finding strategic partners, and turning opportunities into reality to help IBMA and the bluegrass industry. I look forward to working with IBMA’s members, and helping to advance the organization’s mission and values.”

“I’m excited for the future of our association. The IBMA is fortunate to have Pat taking the helm with his extensive association leadership experience and passion for our music,” says Paul Schiminger, IBMA’s retiring Executive Director. “I hope everyone will welcome and support him in the same incredible way you did with me. Pat and the strong staff will continue to advance the IBMA’s impact by achieving even greater things with your help!”

Parmalee Teams With Kendra Scott To Surprise Frontline Workers

Parmalee recently celebrated their latest No. 1, “Just the Way” with Blanco Brown, in a unique way, opting out of a traditional No. 1 party and shifting their focus to the frontline workers that have been integral to keeping the country running during the pandemic. After receiving nominations from hospitals across the country, the band honored ten women last month, partnering with popular jewelry company Kendra Scott to surprise each one with a Zoom call, a piece of hand-selected Kendra Scott jewelry, and VIP tickets and backstage passes to a future show (watch here).

“Having ‘Just the Way’ go No. 1 was amazing,” said Parmalee frontman, Matt Thomas. “As an artist or writer, all you can hope for is that your music connects with people and makes them feel something. Since the message of the song is all about celebrating women, we wanted to do something special for a few women that truly deserve that recognition… March was also National Women’s Month, so it was really special to be able to spend some time with and gift those women that have helped keep us safe during the pandemic.”

 

Anita Cochran Pays It Forward To Opry Trust Fund With Benefit

Anita Cochran recently played the Grand Ole Opry, and the night had special meaning for her because she was “paying it back” to the place that helped her during her battle with breast cancer. Back in 2017, the Opry Trust Fund was the first charity that helped Cochran when she was going through breast cancer treatment. She vowed that when she was back on her feet, she would try to repay the organizations that helped her. Cochran launched her own charity, The Love Anchors Fund, and started a series of concerts to help raise money to pay back the grants she received, with the Opry Trust Fund being the first beneficiary. Thanks to her October 2020 benefit concert held at Twin Creeks Resort in Winchester TN, with artist Sara Evans as headliner, Cochran was able to present a $10,000 check to the Opry Trust Fund.

“Not only am I cancer free, but to be able to pay forward the help I received is an amazing feeling. Every performer knows what an honor it is to stand in the circle on the Opry stage, and I truly feel that paying back the Opry was a full circle moment,” Cochran said.

 

Alex Miller Inks With So Much Moore Media

So Much Moore Media has signed American Idol season 19 contestant Alex Miller as a publicity client. Hailing from Lancaster, Kentucky, Miller began singing for his family at age 3, before starting to sing in church. He auditioned for American Idol with his original song, and made it to Hollywood week. Judge Luke Bryan promised Miller an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry; the date has yet to be announced.

The young country traditionalist recently officially released his first radio single, “I’m Over You So Get Over Me.”