CRS 2020 New Faces Show Sells Out During Opening Day Of Registration

CRS officials have announced the New Faces Show is now sold out following the opening day of registration for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2020. Country Radio Seminar 2020 is set for Feb. 19-21 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Yesterday’s results for CRS 2020 registration confirm that the buzz following CRS 2019 was real, and has continued,” said CRS Executive Director, RJ Curtis. “We appreciate the support and the confidence the industry has shown us; we’re working on more exciting agenda and entertainment announcements, which we’ll share very soon… stay tuned!”

Registration is now available at the new rate of $599 through CountryRadioSeminar.comAdditional information can be obtained by calling 615-327-4487.

The CRS host hotel, Omni Nashville, is now accepting reservations starting at the $269 single rate.

Brantley Gilbert’s New Album To Feature Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss

Over the release of his previous four albums, BMLG artist Brantley Gilbert crafted a blend of heavy metal spirit-meets-country sensibilities, along with a devil may care attitude. His fifth album, Fire & Brimstone, out Oct. 4 via Valory Music Co., reflects the myriad of roles he now embodies–rocker, singer, songwriter, husband and father. He wrote or co-wrote all 15 tracks on the album, including the recently released tribute to his children, “Man That Hung The Moon.”

He brings in several top shelf collaborators, including Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson, his “Dirt Road Anthem” co-writer Colt Ford, and “Stays In A Small Town” co-hort Lindsay Ell. Producers on the album include Brandon Day, Mike Elizondo, and Dann Huff.

“I know it sounds crazy, but never did I once bring a lyric sheet into the studio with me,” Gilbert says regarding the recording process for the new album. “I feel like I am at this stage in my career where I am confident enough to let the music take me where it’s meant to go, no matter how down and dirty that might be. There is no doubt that this is the album that allowed me to grow up musically.”

In April, Gilbert released a cartoon video for the 4/20-ready track “Welcome To Hazeville,” featuring Colt Ford, Lukas Nelson and Willie Nelson.

YouTube video

FIRE & BRIMSTONE Track List:

1. “Fire’t Up” (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Brandon Day, Justin Weaver)
2. “Not Like Us” (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Rhett Akins, Brock Berryhill, Amy Wadge)
3. “Welcome To Hazeville” (featuring Colt Ford, Lukas Nelson and Willie Nelson) (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Rodney Clawson, Andrew DeRoberts, Colt Ford)
4. “What Happens In A Small Town” (featuring Lindsay Ell) (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Rhett Akins, Brock Berryhill, Josh Dunne)
5. “She Ain’t Home” (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Brian Davis, Justin Weaver)
6. “Lost Soul’s Prayer” (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Andrew DeRoberts)
7. “Tough Town” (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Blake Chaffin, Andrew DeRoberts, Josh Phillips)
8. “Fire & Brimstone” (featuring Jamey Johnson and Alison Krauss) (Written by Brantley Gilbert)
9. “Laid Back Ride” (Written by Brantley Gilbert)
10. “Bad Boy” Written by Brantley Gilbert, Andrew DeRoberts, Josh Phillips)
11. “New Money” (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Rhett Akins, Brock Berryhill, Brandon Day)
12. “Breaks Down” (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Jaida Dreyer, Josh Mirenda, Justin Weaver)
13. “Man Of Steel” (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Brock Berryhill, Cole Taylor)
14. “Never Gonna Be Alone” (Written by Brantley Gilbert, Brock Berryhill, Erik Dylan)
15. “Man That Hung The Moon” (Written by Brantley Gilbert)

 

Mark Your Calendar—August 2019

Industry Events

August 4
CMA Fest, the Music Event of Summer airs as a three-hour primetime concert special, at 7 P.M. CT on ABC

August 20
CMA Awards second ballot closes at 6 p.m. CT

August 21
13th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium

August 27
SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards at Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at the Municipal Auditorium

 

Single Add Dates

August 5
Kane Brown/Homesick/RCA Nashville
Billy Currington/Details/Mercury Nashville
The Ashley Sisters/Crush/GKM Records

August 12
Ricky Cook/(I Can’t Stand A) Woman Beatin’ Man/Imperator Records
James Dupre/Another Love Song/Fleur de Magnolia Music
Disha/Mine to Write/Disha D LLC

August 19
Rodney Atkins/Thank God For You/Curb
John King/Try Saying Goodbye/in2une Music
Amy Jack/Shake & Bake/Amy Jack Music
AJ Sanders/Chevy and Daddy/AJ Sanders Music

August 23
Stephan Hogan/Gypsy Girl

Album Releases

August 2
Tyler Childers/Country Squire/Hickman Holler Records-RCA
Eric Burgett/Pass It On [EP]/Bow To Stern Records

August 9
Matt Dylan/Keep On Keeping On/Motivated Music Group
Jeff Clayborn/Good Bar Attender/The Cabin Record Co.
Olivia Lane/The One/Big Spark Music Group
Various/The Bakersfield Sound, 1940-1974/Bear Family Records

August 15
Rodney Crowell/TEXAS

August 16
Tracy Lawrence/Made In America/LMG

August 23
Vince Gill/Okie/MCA Nashville
Midland/Let It Roll/BMLG Records
Tanya Tucker/While I’m Livin’/Fantasy Records
Ty Herndon/Got It Covered Out
Taylor Swift/Lover/UMG

August 30
Trisha Yearwood/Every Girl/Gwendolyn Records
Sheryl Crow/THREADS/The Valory Music Co.
Jedd Hughes/West
Various/Country Music – A Film By Ken Burns (The Soundtrack) [5CD deluxe box set]/Legacy Recordings-Sony Music Entertainment-Universal Music Group (UMG)

New Tracks: Luke Combs Records For ‘Angry Birds Movie 2,’ Tanya Tucker Covers Miranda Lambert Hit

Luke Combs, Tanya Tucker, The Highwomen, Midland and Cassadee Pope are among the artists releasing new tracks today (Aug. 2).

Luke Combs makes amends on his new song “Let’s Just Be Friends,” which released Friday (Aug. 2). The track is part of Angry Birds Movie 2, which releases in theaters Aug. 16.

YouTube video

 
 
Tanya Tucker offers her own take on one of Miranda Lambert’s signature hits, “The House That Built Me.” The track is from Tucker’s upcoming album While I’m Livin’, which releases Aug. 23 and was produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings.

YouTube video

 
 
She’s bringin’ back cheatin’ songs/The kind of hurt that gets you singin’ along/Something circa 1973/She’s lying with him and she’s lying to me, sing Midland‘s Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy and Mark Wystrach on their latest heartache-driven track. The trio wrote the song alongside Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. The song is from Midland’s upcoming album Let It Roll, which releases Aug. 23.

YouTube video

 
 
The HighwomenBrandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Natalie Hemby and Amanda Shires–offer a straightforward rendering of the Fleetwood Mac classic “The Chain,” released as part of the movie The Kitchen, featuring  Elisabeth Moss, Tiffany Hadish and Melissa McCarthy, which releases Aug. 9.

YouTube video

 
 
Cassadee Pope re-released the track “I’ve Been Good,” from her indie album Stages. Pope, who headlined the 2019 CMT Next Women of Country World Tour, has spent the summer performing on the fair and festival circuit.

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Weekly Chart Report (8/2/19)

Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Blanco Brown, Canaan Smith, Payton Smith Added To FGL Fest Lineup

Art Courtesy of BMLG Records

Blanco Brown, Canaan Smith and Payton Smith are the latest artists announced who will be performing at FGL Fest on Sept. 7 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They join headliners Florida Georgia Line and previously announced special guests Dan + ShayNelly and Mitchell Tenpenny.

The star-studded concert amplifies the Big Machine 400 at the Brickyard Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, which courses through the legendary 2.5-mile oval. Tickets for the concert event are on sale now.

FGL will headline their multi-year namesake event as it moves to Fourth of July weekend in 2020. FGL Fest and the Big Machine 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line will shift to a summer highlight in Indianapolis and the national sporting calendar next year.

The Lumineers Plot 2020 Tour

The Lumineers have announced their headlining North American tour of arenas and amphitheaters, set for next year. The tour will support their upcoming album III, due Sept. 13 on Dualtone (U.S./Canada) and Decca Records. Mt. Joy will open multiple dates on the tour.

The Lumineers will play Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Feb. 19, 2020.

The band will release a new song, “Leader of the Landslide,” Aug. 2, with a video clip to release Aug. 5.

2020 NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINE TOUR DATES:
Feb 1 — Asheville, NC — U.S. Cellular Center
Feb 4 — Columbus, OH — Schottenstein Arena*
Feb 5 — St. Louis, MO — Enterprise Center*
Feb 7 — Detroit, MI — Little Caesars Arena*
Feb 8 — Cleveland, OH — Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse*
Feb 11 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena*
Feb 13 — Brooklyn, NY — Barclays Center*
Feb 16 — Charlottesville, VA — John Paul Jones Arena*
Feb 18 — Indianapolis, IN — Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Feb 19 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena*
Feb 22 — Chicago, IL — Allstate Arena
Feb 25 — Pittsburgh, PA — PPG Paints Arena
Feb 26 — Buffalo, NY — Key Bank Center*
Feb 28 — Washington DC — Capital One Arena
Feb 29 — Uncasville, CT — Mohegan Sun Arena*
Mar 4 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena*
Mar 7 — Ottawa, ON — Canadian Tire Centre*
May 15 — Woodlands, TX — Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
May 16 — Dallas, TX — Dos Equis Pavilion
May 19 — Jacksonville, FL — Daily’s Place
May 22 — Tampa, FL — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
May 23 — West Palm Beach, FL — Coral Sky Amphitheatre
May 27 — Virginia Beach, VA — Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
May 29 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion
May 30 — Atlanta, GA — Cellairis Amphitheater at Lakewood
Jun 2 — Raleigh, NC — Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Jun 5 — Camden, NJ — BB&T Pavilion
Jun 6 — Saratoga Springs, NY — Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Jun 10 — Gilford, NH — Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
Jun 12 — Mansfield, MA — Xfinity Center
*w/ Mt. Joy

Kendell Marvel To Release ‘Solid Gold Sounds’ Album In October

Songwriter Kendell Marvel announced today his new record, Solid Gold Sounds, set for release on Oct. 11.

Due during a month-long run opening for Chris Stapleton, Solid Gold Sounds finds Marvel rekindling his love for artistry and traditional country music. C0-produced by Grammy winners Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) and Dave “Fergie” Ferguson (John Prine, Mac Wiseman, Del McCoury, and more), the new full-length album was an easy-going, collaborative effort for Marvel—who has written songs with and for Gary Allan, Brothers Osborne, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, Lee Ann Womack, George Strait, Chris Stapleton and more.

“He’s not craving the stage or craving the spotlight,” says Auerbach, who co-wrote nine of the 10 songs on Solid Gold Sounds. “This record comes from a humble place, which I really love.”

YouTube video

 

“As a professional songwriter, you have to get on the radio. That’s your job,” Marvel explains. “There came a time when the stuff you had to write to get on the radio, I wasn’t willing to do anymore. I’d done pretty well as a songwriter up until that point, and made a few decisions where I didn’t have to put myself in that position. So I said, ‘I think I’ll make a record.’ They brought the singer back out of me,” he says. “I’ll always be a songwriter, but I want people to see the artistic side of me.”

Solid Gold Sounds Track Listing:
“Hard Time with the Truth”
“Let It Go”
“When It’s Good”
“Blood in the Water”
“I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You”
“Cadillac’n”
“If You Know What’s Good”
“Musta Kept It for Himself”
“Easy Rider”
“Roots of My Raisin’”

Industry Ink: AIMP, The Highwomen, Cody Webb

AIMP Nashville Chapter Hosts Panel On A&R

From left: Mark Brown (Round Hill Music), Tim Hunze (Anthem Entertainment), John Ozier (Reservoir; AIMP Nashville President), Allison Jones (Big Machine Label Group), Arturo Buenahora (Little Louder Music), Sara Knabe (BBR Music Group), Brad Peterson (Regions Bank), and Dale Bobo (Big Deal Music).

AIMP’s Nashville Chapter hosted a session centering on A&R on Wednesday (July 31) at ASCAP’s Nashville office. Three of Nashville’s top A&R execs, including Little Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora, BMLG’s Allison Jones, and BBR Music Group’s Sara Knabe spoke about the strategies and challenges in the current artist development landscape and A&R process.

 

The Highwomen Make Sirius Stop

(L-R): Ed Green (Red Light), Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, JR Schumann, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby, Anna Cage (Warner), Mike Easterlin (Co-President Elektra Music Group)

The Highwomen, (Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby) recently stopped by Sirius XM to chat with Sirius’ JR Schumann. They just released their new single, “Redesigning Women,” and earlier this week made their late-night TV debut on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. They will release their self-titled EP, produced by Dave Cobb, in September.

 

Cody Webb Teams With Natural Light In South Carolina

Photo Credit: Bill Reynolds

Cody Webb has partnered with Natural Light Beer in South Carolina to become the official “face” of the popular beverage in his home state. The partnership will include appearances at South Carolina events, promotional activities and giveaways, sponsored performances, and a social media campaign.

“If you would have told me I would be the South Carolina ‘face’ of ‘Natty Light’ in college, I don’t know what my friends would have done,” says Webb. “I’m super excited to partner with my favorite beer brand!”

Promotions, New Hires At ACM

Pictured: Melissa Moldovan, Mary Pambukyan, Bridget Cirone, Jenny Dunn, Libby Gardner

The Academy of Country Music has announced a round of hirings and promotions. Melissa Moldovan has been promoted to Senior Manager, Marketing; Mary Pambukyan has been promoted to Manager, Finance & Operations; Bridget Cirone has been promoted to Coordinator, Marketing; Jenny Dunn has joined the staff as Coordinator, Strategic Partnerships and Libby Gardner has joined the staff as Coordinator, Creative & Content. All positions are based out of the Academy’s headquarters in Encino, California.

Moldovan joined the Academy in 2015, following a four-year stint at the nationally syndicated radio show The Big Time with Whitney Allen, where she worked as an assistant producer and fill-in co-host while simultaneously developing the show’s social media marketing strategy. Her work there led to the creation of a social media staff position, which Moldovan undertook in addition to her other roles. In her expanded role at the Academy, Moldovan will execute all ACM radio promotions and lead on Academy and ACM Lifting Lives press materials and marketing initiatives, to oversee ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp publicity, ACM Honors credentialing, and more. She reports to Brooke Primero, Senior Vice President, Marketing.

Pambukyan joined the Academy in 2018, following turns at both Chase and Wells Fargo, in addition to accounting and administrative experience in the health care and automotive industries. A Los Angeles native, Pambukyan graduated with a master’s degree in Business and Accounting from the University of Phoenix, with an emphasis on Finance and Risk Management. Pambukyan served as President of Birmingham Community Charter Business and Technology Senate. In her new role as Manager, Finance & Operations, Pambukyan will continue to support all ACM financial initiatives and oversee office operations. She reports to Alexa Fasheh, Vice President of Finance & Operations.

Cirone has been promoted to the newly-created position of Coordinator, Marketing. Cirone joined the Academy of Country Music’s Los Angeles team in 2018, as Assistant for both the Marketing and Creative & Content departments. Cirone graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she studied public relations and digital media and worked for both the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and WISN 12 News. After graduating, Cirone moved back to Las Vegas where she worked at Wicked Creative, an entertainment, hospitality and lifestyle public relations firm. Cirone was a volunteer for the ACM Awards and ACM Party for a Cause® events in 2017. In her new role, she will support all publicity and marketing initiatives for the Academy and ACM Lifting Lives. She reports to Brooke Primero, Senior Vice President, Marketing.

Dunn joins the Academy of Country Music as Coordinator, Strategic Partnerships, also a new Academy staff position. Dunn recently graduated from the University of Southern California where she majored in Communications and minored in Organizational Leadership and Management. During most of her time at USC, Dunn worked for USC Football in the Recruiting department where she was responsible for recruiting the top prospective athletes for the football team. She also interned at the LA Chargers in the Community Relations and Corporate Partnerships departments, following her internship at Fox Sports in the Talent Relations and Production department. In her role, she will assist the Strategic Partnerships department and report to Jen Heaton, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships.

Gardner joins the Academy of Country Music Creative & Content department full-time as a coordinator. Gardner attended Syracuse University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Television, Radio, and Film. During her time at Syracuse, Gardner interned at the Academy in the creative department and following her graduation in 2018, continued working for the Academy as a freelance field producer. Gardner has also worked as a production assistant on numerous television shows ranging from an Investigation Discovery true crime series to the talk show, The Doctors. Gardner reports to Lisa Lee, Senior Vice President, Creative & Content.