Folded Flag Foundation’s Songwriters Cafe’ To Feature Lee Brice

The Folded Flag Foundation is hosting its fourth installment of the Songwriters Café, a series of free online concerts benefiting families of our country’s fallen heroes, Feb. 15. The latest installment will be headlined by Lee Brice, with Whitney Duncan and Teddy Robb. The series is sponsored and hosted by O’Charley’s Restaurant + Bar, and O’Charley’s has raised more than $1.5 million for Folded Flag. The show will once again be hosted by Westwood One’s Elaina Smith.

“I am humbled to spend an evening playing my music and supporting Folded Flag,” said Brice. “I released “I Drive Your Truck” nine years ago and still think about its message of honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I hope the audience watching will feel as passionately as I do and get inspired to contribute to Folded Flag to help these deserving families.”

Craig Morgan and Monster Energy Team for Iron Dog Snowmobile Race

Craig Morgan. Photo: Nate Griffin

Craig Morgan is partnering with Monster Energy for the 2021 Iron Dog Snowmobile Race in Alaska, performing the National Anthem at the start of the race on Feb. 13 and joining pro class riders on Feb. 20 for the final day of the 2,600 mile trek. Known to be the longest, toughest snowmobile race in the world, the Iron Dog will continue on with COVID precautions in place. In 2013, the singer participated in Fjällräven Polar, a 200-mile, five-day dog sled race that kicks off in Sweden before making its way through three countries. The trek was showcased on Morgan’s TV show, Craig Morgan All Access Outdoors.

“As a part-time resident here in Alaska, I can’t wait to partner with Monster Energy on this longstanding tradition in the state,” said Morgan.

Laine Hardy Returns From Trip Overseas Entertaining The Troops

Photo: Staff Sgt. Miranda A. Loer

Laine Hardy recently returned from his inaugural trip overseas to entertain U.S. service members. The trip culminated in a full band performance of some of Laine’s tunes including “Ground I Grew Up On” and “Tiny Town” at Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi in the Persian Gulf. Laine, the grandson of an Army veteran, also took part in the 2020 virtual NYC Veterans Day Commemoration and was deeply impacted by the trip.

“My band and I greatly appreciate the sacrifice that each of the service members make for our country,” said Hardy. “We are thankful for everything we were able to honorably experience while here. This will be a moment in my life I will never forget.”

The lineup has been announced for the Team UMG at the Ryman luncheon, to be held during CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience.

Comprised of emerging and established artists from Universal Music Group (UMG) Nashville’s roster, the event will take place Thursday, Feb. 18 at Noon CT and feature a headline appearance by Eric Church and additional performances by Lauren Alaina, Priscilla Block, Jon Pardi, and Parker McCollum.

Royce Risser, EVP Promotion UMG Nashville comments, “While we will miss being with you all in person at the Ryman, trust me when I say you do not want to miss what we have planned. This year’s show will be from an entirely new perspective, with a couple of surprises along the way. You really don’t want to miss it.”

The Team UMG at the Ryman luncheon will only be available for viewing through CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience.

For access to this and other CRS-related events, register at CountryRadioSeminar.com.

The CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience agenda is now available for viewing on the CRS 2021 pre-event site.

MTSU is launching Bridges to Nashville: Exciting Career Opportunities in Country Music, a five-month pilot program designed to educate college students of color nationwide about the country music industry.

Beverly Keel, MTSU’s Dean of the College of Media and Entertainment, created the initiative and will host the series.

The first session will be held on Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. CT and feature a conversation between artist and hit songwriter Shy Carter and Shannon Sanders, songwriter/producer and executive director of BMI’s Nashville office.

It will be followed by a 5 p.m. panel on record labels that will be moderated by Gina Miller, Sr. VP and GM of Entertainment One, and founding board member of Nashville Music Equality.

“The goal of this program is to educate students of color about country music in hopes that they will consider country music as a viable career path after graduation,” Keel says. “The program will explore what today’s country music is, how the industry operates and what the potential career opportunities are.

“In addition, this program will introduce industry leaders to African-American students who are interested in internships and jobs. The goal is to create more diversity in all areas of the country music industry.”

The 90-minute Zoom sessions will begin at 4 p.m. CT and include a conversation with a creator of color and focus on one segment of the industry. There is no cost to students.

The other program dates are:
March 31—Publishers, Performing Rights Organizations and Songwriters;
April 21—Talent Agencies and Promoters;
May 26—Studios, Producers and Engineers;
June 23—Entrepreneurial Opportunities (Digital Marketing, Publicity, etc.).

Series sponsors are BMI, Change the Conversation, CMT, Country Music Association, Diversify the Stage, Nashville Music Equality and the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter.

Details and registration here.

Shenandoah has announced the rescheduled 2021 tour dates for their Every Road Tour. The tour will hit venues in select markets opening up with strict social distancing measures, and will kick off Feb. 19 at the Arena Theatre in Houston.

Led by frontman Marty Raybon and co-founding member Mike McGuire, Shenandoah will perform catalog favorites like “Church on Cumberland Road,” “Sunday in the South” and “Two Dozen Roses” as well as material from their latest album, Every Road on the new dates.

“It has been way too long. It’s been a ‘hard day’s night’ to quote the Beatles, but it’s time to get on the bus, run the highway and listen to the crowd. Excitement is not a big enough word for the way the Shenandoah camp feels. We’re ready to get back to the Big E – entertainment. Y’all come out and capture some of this cooped up energy,” said Raybon.

Every Road marked the group’s first album of all-new music since 1994. Shenandoah released several instant-grat tracks from the 10-song album, produced by Buddy Cannon, starting with the lead single “I’d Take Another One of Those” with Zac Brown Band. The second track, “Every Time I Look At You” with Lady A, debuted on The Kelly Clarkson Show and features a video airing now on CMT.

The Every Road Tour Dates:
Feb. 19 Arena Theatre – Houston, Texas
Feb. 20 Billy Bob’s – Ft. Worth, Texas
March 5 Private Event – Corpus Christi, Texas
March 21 Firefighters Indian River – Vero Beach, Fla.
March 27 The Stone Theater at Keestone Resort – Loretto, Tenn.
April 2 Cotton Country Club – Granger, Texas
April 3 Coyote Country Store – Gail, Texas
April 24 Private Event – Ardmore, Ala.
May 1 ValleyFest Park – Dunlap, Tenn.
May 15 Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival – Sevierville, Tenn.
May 22 Liberty Showcase Theatre – Liberty, N.C.
May 29 Harrah’s Lake Tahoe – Stateline, Nev.
May 30 Rolling Hills Casino – Corning, Calif.
June 5 Green River Live – Greensburg, Ky.
June 18 Ford County Fairgrounds – Melvin, Ill.
June 19 Winstock Country Music Festival – Winsted, Minn.
June 26 Cattle Baron’s Ball – Waco, Texas
July 2 Wild West Festival – Hays, Kan.
July 4 Freedom Celebration – Albuquerque, N.M.
July 9 Huntley Homestead – Huntley, Mont.
July 15 Gardiner Farms – Tuscumbia, Ala.
July 17 Country Jam USA – Eau Claire, Wis.
July 22 Marshall County Fair Campground – Warren, Minn.
July 29 Jackson County Junior Fair – Cottageville, W.Va.
July 30 Country Tonite Theatre – Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
July 31 Warren Sewell Field – Woodland, Ala.
Aug. 5 Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds – Elma, Wash.
Aug. 7 Crook County Fairgrounds – Prineville, Ore.
Aug. 17 State Fair of West Virginia – Lewisburg, W.Va.
Aug. 26 Minnesota State Fair – St. Paul, Minn.
Aug. 27 Minnesota State Fair – St. Paul, Minn.
Aug. 28 Callaway 200 Bicentennial Bash – Fulton, Mo.
Sept. 24 Showplace Theatre at Riverwind Casino – Norman, Okla.
Sept. 28 Brown County Fair – Georgetown, Ohio
Oct. 15 Watson Lake Park – Prescott, Ariz.
Oct. 16 Heber Valley Fest – Heber City, Utah
Oct. 23 Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo – Bryan, Texas
Oct. 30 Live Oak County Fair Grounds & Coliseum – George West, Texas

Artist manager Bruce Kalmick of WHY&HOW is launching Hazel Street Records, a joint label venture with global distributor The Orchard. Spanning various genres, the first two signings are alternative rock band Goldpark, and alt-pop duo Nox Holloway. Kalmick will serve as Hazel Street Records’ CEO.

Laura Bender, most recently General Manager of Hard 8 Management/Folsom Records, will lead the label as General Manager based in Nashville. At Hard 8, Bender worked with Dashboard Confessional, Twin Forks, and Dan Layus while overseeing the company’s team of day-to-day managers as well as digital marketing and touring personnel. Prior to Hard 8, Bender was National Dir., Promotion at Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) after more than a decade in promotion at RRP/Warner Music Group.

Lesley James and MJ Marty will serve as Directors: Radio and Streaming. James previously spent two years at East City Management (alt-J, Wolf Alice, Kodaline) as head of U.S. Radio and Streaming Promotion. Prior to that, he was on-air talent and program director WWCD in Columbus, Ohio.

Marty’s career includes time at Epic Records, Island Def Jam, Columbia Records, and most recently established Realid Records at Warner Music Group. Marty has been integral in promotion efforts and campaigns for Beyoncé, John Legend, and Fall Out Boy.

Andrew de Torres has been named Dir., Digital and Artist Marketing. He spent the last two years at Thirty Tigers (John Prine, Alanis Morissette, Jason Isbell) as digital sales manager, following time as a touring artist signed to Photo Finish Records/Atlantic Records.

Kalmick launched WHY&HOW late last year, which represents Grammy-nominated rock band KALEO, Platinum country-trap artist BRELAND, Southern rock band Whiskey Myers, and genre-bending singer-songwriter ZZ Ward.

“My vision for Hazel Street Records is to find undeveloped talent and do the hard work of building career artists,” said Kalmick. “The Orchard is the perfect partner to build this vision with us. We’ve been lucky enough to assemble a team of some of the most creative people in the industry, led by Laura, who is one of the most innovative and tenacious executives I’ve ever met.”

“When I first began talking to Bruce nearly two years ago, I was impressed by his passion for finding talent, and his track record is a testament to his long-term commitment and dedication to his artists,” said Bender. “We shared a vision of building a label from the ground up as a home to find and develop raw talent. Then 2020 hit, and we were forced to redefine artist development without the prospect of touring. Our artists, in turn, used the time to explore their creative process in new ways, and honed their craft, writing and recording incredible music that we can’t wait to share this year. Through all of it, we are grateful for the support of The Orchard, who were true partners through unprecedented times.”

The label is off to a running start with Goldpark’s first single “Beautiful Desperation,” set for release Friday, Feb. 12. Nox Holloway released “Separate Ways” last summer and is currently working on their debut album.

Bruce Kalmick will be CEO of Hazel Street Records.