Temecula’s Road Leads To ACMs
Pictured (L-R): Erick Long, ACM SVP, Events; Temecula Road’s Maddie Salute, Dawson Anderson, Emma Salute; Matt Musacchio, Champ Management. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music welcomed Buena Vista recording artists Temecula Road to the office while they were in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, the trio performed their current single, “Maybe Not” along with other songs from their upcoming project.
Gene Watson Named Honorary Kentucky Colonel
Pictured: Bill Cates and Gene Watson
Gene Watson was honored with the commission of Kentucky Colonel during his show at the Kentucky Opry. While on stage in Benton, Kentucky, Bill Cates, a longtime fan of Watson’s, presented the honor on behalf of Mayor Mathew Bevins. The Kentucky Colonels were established in 1813 and notable honorees include Winston Churchill, John Glenn, Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, J. Edgar Hoover, Elvis Presley, Roy Rogers and now Gene Watson.
The commission of Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky. It is recognition of an individual’s noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to the community, state and nation.
Craig Campbell To Be Featured On Country Outdoors Podcast
Pictured: Country Outdoors Podcast’s Mary O’Neill and artist Craig Campbell
Craig Campbell makes an appearance on this week’s episode of the Country Outdoors Podcast, from the Outdoor Sportsman Group, which offers fans a new way to connect with their favorite country music artists by discussing outdoor lifestyle topics.
Campbell discusses the influence that the outdoors has had on his music, how he got discovered in Nashville, his charity cornhole tournament, social media and how he balances everything.
Artist Updates: Temecula Road, Gene Watson, Craig Campbell
/by Jessica NicholsonTemecula’s Road Leads To ACMs
Pictured (L-R): Erick Long, ACM SVP, Events; Temecula Road’s Maddie Salute, Dawson Anderson, Emma Salute; Matt Musacchio, Champ Management. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music welcomed Buena Vista recording artists Temecula Road to the office while they were in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, the trio performed their current single, “Maybe Not” along with other songs from their upcoming project.
Gene Watson Named Honorary Kentucky Colonel
Pictured: Bill Cates and Gene Watson
Gene Watson was honored with the commission of Kentucky Colonel during his show at the Kentucky Opry. While on stage in Benton, Kentucky, Bill Cates, a longtime fan of Watson’s, presented the honor on behalf of Mayor Mathew Bevins. The Kentucky Colonels were established in 1813 and notable honorees include Winston Churchill, John Glenn, Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, J. Edgar Hoover, Elvis Presley, Roy Rogers and now Gene Watson.
The commission of Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky. It is recognition of an individual’s noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to the community, state and nation.
Craig Campbell To Be Featured On Country Outdoors Podcast
Pictured: Country Outdoors Podcast’s Mary O’Neill and artist Craig Campbell
Craig Campbell makes an appearance on this week’s episode of the Country Outdoors Podcast, from the Outdoor Sportsman Group, which offers fans a new way to connect with their favorite country music artists by discussing outdoor lifestyle topics.
Campbell discusses the influence that the outdoors has had on his music, how he got discovered in Nashville, his charity cornhole tournament, social media and how he balances everything.
Taylor Swift To Be Crowned Artist Of The Decade At AMAs
/by Lorie HollabaughTaylor Swift may be making history once again at the upcoming 2019 American Music Awards next month. The 29-year-old will receive the coveted Artist of the Decade Award and perform at the 47th annual awards ceremony. Swift is nominated for five awards at this year’s ceremonies, including Artist of the Year, Favorite Music Video, Favorite Female Artist — Pop/Rock, Favorite Album — Pop/Rock (for her latest project Lover), and Favorite Artist — Adult Contemporary.
The AMAs are going to be a big night for Swift, who has won more AMAs than any other artist this decade, and last year made history for being the female artist with the most AMAs wins, surpassing Whitney Houston. The 23-time AMAs winner has the chance this year to break Michael Jackson‘s record for most wins as well, who had 24.
“Taylor’s impact on music this decade is undeniable and her performances on the American Music Awards have been truly spectacular,” said Mark Bracco, executive vice president of programming and development at Dick Clark Productions. “We’re thrilled to honor her as our Artist of the Decade and can’t wait for her to blow everyone away with an epic, career-spanning performance unlike any other!”
The American Music Awards air live on ABC from the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles on Nov. 24.
Foundry Records Signs Shenandoah, Austin Merrill
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R, back row): ADA’s Robert Turner, Producer/Foundry Records’ Mark Bright, Foundry Records’ April Rider;(L-R, front row): Johnstone Entertainment/Foundry Records’ Cole Johnstone, Shenandoah’s Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire, Austin Merrill. Photo: Glen Rose
Country group Shenandoah and singer-songwriter Austin Merrill have been signed to Foundry Records, a full-service independent record label established recently by music industry veterans Mark Bright, Cole Johnstone and April Rider as a strategic alliance with ADA Worldwide.
“We’re excited to be able to provide industry veterans such as Mark, Cole and April with the additional resources that they need to bring both established artists such as Shenandoah, as well as up-and-comers like Austin Merrill, to a global audience,” says ADA President of A&R and Label Services Kenny Weagly. “This partnership is another example of ADA’s growing footprint in Nashville, where we are excited to support the flourishing independent music culture.”
“Shenandoah begins another chapter with great confidence in the individuals of Foundry Records,” says Marty Raybon of Shenandoah. “Cole Johnstone is one of the most motivated people I’ve ever met; he knows nothing less than the extra mile. Mark Bright’s credits speak volumes as a hit maker and we look forward to doing just that with him, April and a wonderful staff at Foundry.”
Shenandoah has garnered more than a dozen No. 1 hits, including “Two Dozen Roses,” “The Church on Cumberland Road,” “Next To You, Next to Me,” and their Grammy-winning duet with Alison Krauss, “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart.”
Oregon native Merrill’s debut EP Whiskey & Water was also produced by Bright. Merrill is currently featured as part of CMT’s Next Up Now Series.
Spotify Reaches For Younger Listeners With Spotify Kids Standalone App
/by Jessica NicholsonSpotify wants to create a “playground of sound” for younger listeners with the introduction of its new standalone app Spotify Kids, intended for children as young as 3.
The content will be licensed from brands including Nickelodeon, Disney, Discovery Kids, and Universal Pictures, as well as Sweden’s Public Service and the family-focused audio streaming service BookBeat.
The Spotify Kids app is currently in beta mode in Ireland, though the company plans to roll out the app in all markets that have Premium Family in the coming months. The initial launch includes 80 playlists and more than 6,000 songs. Content on the new app is ad-free and handpicked by a team of editors. Each child will be able to select a custom avatar and color theme.
The Spotify Kids app will include separate segments of content for children of different ages. “Audio for Younger Kids” will feature lullabies and singalong content, while “Audio for Old Kids” will include popular songs (excluding explicit content).
The Spotify Kids app will be available for Spotify Premium Family subscribers at no additional charge for iOS or Android devices.
SiriusXM Coming To Google Assistant
/by Lorie HollabaughWith the Google Assistant, SiriusXM subscribers will be able to use their voice to navigate through SiriusXM’s wide array of music and talk programming. Subscribers will be able to simply ask the Google Assistant to play a SiriusXM channel, and music lovers will be able to use the Google Assistant to enjoy SiriusXM’s hundreds of commercial-free music channels.
Later this year, subscribers with a Nest Hub or Nest Hub Max will be able to watch SiriusXM video, giving them access to a selection of video clips curated specifically for Google Assistant that will allow them to see exclusive in-studio performances, interviews and other entertaining moments at SiriusXM.
“The Google Assistant and Google Nest’s portfolio of connected home devices, including the Google Home and Nest Hub, utilize intuitive voice recognition technology that make them a great way for subscribers to experience SiriusXM’s compelling and exclusive content in the home,” said Jennifer Witz, SiriusXM’s President, Sales, Marketing and Operations. “We are excited to add Google Nest and Google Home devices to the roster of in-home listening options for our subscribers with streaming access, which now number more than 30 million. Teaming up with Google to deliver great deals on our unparalleled bundle of programming and Google’s outstanding products is a win-win for consumers this holiday season.”
George Strait Receives Bob Hope Award
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Strait Receives the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment. Pictured (L-R): Major Drew Dix, Sgt. Leroy Petry and George Strait. Photo: Ryan Johnson for the Medal of Honor Society.
George Strait was recognized last Friday, Oct. 25, at the Medal of Honor Convention’s Patriot Award Gala with the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment, which honors entertainers who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to the U.S. military through film, literature or music.
The Bob Hope Award was established in 2003 by President George W. Bush, in commemoration of Hope’s 100th birthday. Past recipients of the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment include Tom Selleck, Jon Voight, Trace Adkins, Billy Ray Cyrus, the Oak Ridge Boys, and more.
Strait’s Vaqueros del Mar Golf Tournament Raised Over $2.2 Million for Feherty’s Troops First Foundation. Pictured (L-R): Tom Cusick, David Feherty, Srgt. Major Tom Capel, Ed Garahan, George Strait. Photo: Terry Calong
Cole Swindell Celebrates Ninth Career No. 1
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Shane Tarleton (SVP, Artist Development); Matt Signore (COO); John Esposito (Chairman & CEO); Cris Lacy (EVP, A&R); Cole Swindell; Ben Kline (EVP/GM); Tom Martens (VP Radio & Streaming); Justin Luffman (VP Artist Development); Chad Schultz (VP Radio Marketing).
Cole Swindell earned his ninth career No. 1 single this week with “Love You Too Late.” He joined his Warner Music Nashville label family yesterday (Oct. 28) to celebrate the occasion.
In the five years since he released his debut record, 2014’s Cole Swindell, he has earned several No. 1 hits. “Love You Too Late” can be added to a string of chart-toppers such as “Middle of a Memory,” “You Should Be Here,” “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey,” and “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight.”
He’s also released five Down Home Sessions EPs.
‘CMT Artists of the Year’ Sees Growth Among Younger Viewers
/by Jessica NicholsonFollowing the live airing of the music special CMT Artists of the Year on Oct. 16, the show saw a 108% year-over-year growth among younger viewers, age 18-34 (live + same day).
Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett were honored as 2019’s CMT Artists of the Year, while Ashley McBryde was celebrated as Breakout Artist of the Year and Reba McEntire feted as Artist of a Lifetime.
Certain songs featured during the 90-minute special saw an uptick in sales and streaming. Chris Young‘s “Drowning” saw an increase of 103% in sales and a 24% uptick in streaming; Young dedicated his performance of the song that evening to Kane Brown’s drummer Kenny Dixon, who passed away in a car crash just days before the CMT Artists of the Year show aired.
McEntire’s “Is There Life Out There,” which Lady Antebellum performed during the show, saw a 50% uptick in sales following the show’s airing, and an 18% increase in streaming. McEntire’s “Fancy,” which Sam Hunt performed during the show, saw a streaming increase of 9%. McBryde performed her new single “One Night Standards,” earning a 9% increase in sales and a 14% increase in streaming. Fellow honoree Underwood saw sales of her hit “Blown Away” increase 31% and “Two Black Cadillacs” increase 15% (streams for “Cadillac” increased by 4%); Underwood performed a medley of both songs via livestream from a tour stop in Cleveland, Ohio, on her Cry Pretty Tour 360 that evening.
CMT Artists of the Year was also the No. 1 most social show on cable that evening (excluding sports and news), with year-over-year growth of 277% in social video views, as well as 301% growth in social engagements.
“We are thrilled this year’s celebration connected with our audience across all mediums and proud it generated the most social views and engagements on CMT channels in tentpole history!” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music Strategy & Talent at CMT. “It truly shows country music transcending age and screens, and how the healing power of music and resilience in our community continues to resonate with all.”
New Short Film From Apple Music To Take Viewers Inside Miranda Lambert’s ‘Wildcard’
/by Alex ParryShortly following the release of Miranda Lambert‘s upcoming seventh studio album Wildcard on Nov. 1, Apple Music will take music fans behind the making of the album. On Nov. 4, Apple Music will release an original short film Behind Miranda Lambert’s Wildcard. The film will include commentary from the album’s producer Jay Joyce, as well as co-writers Natalie Hemby, Ashley Monroe, Luke Dick, and The Love Junkies (comprised of hit writers Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey).
See the film’s trailer below:
Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn, Dan+Shay, More Set For CMA Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughCountry Music’s Biggest Night, hosted by Carrie Underwood with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8/7c on ABC.
Previously announced performers include Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Dolly Parton with for KING & COUNTRY and Zach Williams, P!NK and Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. Additional performers and presenters will be revealed in the coming weeks.