The Oak Ridge Boys Announce Upcoming Christmas Album, Tour

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The Oak Ridge Boys will release their eighth holiday album, Down Home Christmas, on Oct. 25 via Lightning Rod Records/Thirty Tigers. The project is the group’s third in collaboration with producer Dave Cobb.

The release of Down Home Christmas will be followed by their Down Home Christmas Tour, set to launch Nov. 13 in Branson, Missouri and include stops in 28 cities. The trek marks the group’s 30th Christmas tour.

“Down Home Christmas began much like the other seven Christmas albums we have recorded. But things changed. Most of the songs I had collected were put on the shelf, and we started looking for songs that addressed specific subjects related to Christmas,” says The Oaks’ Duane Allen. “Dave Cobb was the producer/coach/motivator for this project. He encouraged us to dig a little deeper into our souls, to capture the magic of each song. With very simple instrumentation, the four Oak Ridge Boys’ voices are out front, and in your face, with the awesome, huge sound of RCA Studio A wrapped around, but not over-powering it.”

“Down Home Christmas is a project that we are happy to share with the world and, rest assured, you will hear these songs on our upcoming 30th annual Christmas tour,” says Joe Bonsall. “The instrumentation is sparse, yet incredibly put together, and the vocals are rich and vibrant. Many of the songs were freshly written by a stable of Nashville’s top songwriters.”

Track Listing:
1. The Family Piano (Aaron Raitiere)
2. Angels (Aaron Raitiere)
3. Bring Daddy Home For Christmas (Channing Wilson, Aaron Raitiere)
4. Reindeer On The Roof (Jake Mitchell, Aaron Raitiere)
5. Silent Night (Franz Xaver Gruber, Joseph Mohr)
6. Hallelujah Emmanuel (Robert Jason, Paul Bradley Jr.)
7. Down Home Christmas (Mando Saenz, Aaron Raitiere)
8. South Alabama Christmas (Jamey Johnson)
9. Don’t Go Pullin’ On Santa Claus’ Beard (Anderson East, Aaron Raitiere)
10. Amazing Grace (John Newton)

 

Oak Ridge Boys Down Home Christmas Tour:
NOV 13 -The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo.
NOV 14 – The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo.
NOV 15 – Orpheum Theatre / Sioux Falls, Iowa
NOV 16 – Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel / Deadwood, S.D.
NOV 17 – Aberdeen Civic Arena / Aberdeen, S.D.
NOV 18 – Wild Rose Casino & Resort / Jefferson, Iowa
NOV 19 – Hartman Arena / Park City, Kan.
NOV 20 – The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo.
NOV 21 – The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo.
NOV 22 – Peoria Civic Center Theater / Peoria, Ill.
NOV 23 – The Vern Riffe Center For The Arts / Portsmouth, Ohio
NOV 24 – River City Casino / St. Louis, Mo.
NOV 30 – Memorial Hall / Independence, Kan.
DEC 01 – McCain Auditorium / Manhattan, Kan.
DEC 04 – UMBC Events Center / Baltimore, Md.
DEC 05 – Riviera Theatre / N. Tonawanda, N.Y.
DEC 06 – Palace Theatre / Greensburg, Pa.
DEC 07 – Roland E. Powell Convention Center / Ocean City, Md.
DEC 11 – Paramount Theater / Anderson, Ind.
DEC 14 – Honeywell Center / Wabash, Ind.
DEC 15 – Renfro Valley Entertainment Center / Renfro Valley, Ky.
DEC 18 – Mayo Civic Center Presentation / Rochester, Minn
DEC 19 – Five Flags Center / Dubuque, Iowa
DEC 20 – Shooting Star Casino Hotel / Mahnomen, Minn.
DEC 21 – Crystal Grand Music Theatre / Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
DEC 22 – Rialto Square Theatre / Joliet, Ill.

Industry Ink: WMBA, BMI, IEBA

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Pictured (L-R): Lauren Simon, Mallory Allgood, Kelsey Wise, Tali Canterbury, Dana Dickie, Mary Larimer, Emily Bukowski. (Not Pictured: Thalia Ewing & Charlene Bryant.)

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) held its July Membership Meeting this week, featuring Tali Canterbury (Founder/CEO of 50 Egg Music). WMBA members gathered at Belmont University to hear Canterbury share how her career journey led her to start her own company, 50 Egg Music, where she champions hit artists and songwriters alongside business partners Jonathan Singleton and Grammy-nominated Luke Combs. She previously worked in A&R and Publishing at Big Machine Label Group, while working to earn her Juris Doctorate in 2016.

While addressing the group, Canterbury stressed the importance of follow-through at work. She encouraged WMBA members to hold themselves to a higher standard in the music industry, and to challenge industry norms when necessary in order to effect positive change. Canterbury also challenged members to advocate for themselves by voicing their opinions and boldly asking for what they need within the workplace.

 

BMI Hosts Rooftop on the Row

Pictured: BMI’s Mason Hunter, Maddie & Tae, BMI’s Branden Bosler and Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar. Photo: Nathan Zucker

BMI presented another installation of its Rooftop on the Row series on July 23, featuring UMG Nashville duo Maddie & Tae and Warner Music artist Troy Cartwright.

Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville’s James Marsh, Troy Cartwright, BMI’s Jody Williams, Red Light Management’s Jenni Tackett and BMI’s Mason Hunter. Photo: Bryant Bural

 

IEBA’s Pam Matthews Honored With Women of Influence Award

Entertainment industry publication VenuesNow presented IEBA Executive Director Pam Matthews with a Women of Influence Award at a private reception held yesterday during IAVM’s VenueConnect conference in Chicago. The honor is given in recognition of extraordinary achievement in the live entertainment industry.

Other honorees were Maureen Anderson (International Ticketing Association), Kate McMahon (Messina Touring Group), Beth Paul (Bon Secours Wellness Arena), Michele “Mel” Raines (Pacers Sports & Entertainment), and Rena Wasserman (Nederlander Concerts). IEBA’s 49th Annual Conference will be held Oct. 27-29, 2019 at the JW Marriott Nashville.

Ingrid Andress Makes ACM Visit

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Pictured (L-R): Blythe Scokin, bluejacket; RAC Clark, Interim ACM Executive Director; Ingrid Andress; Wes Vause, Warner Music Nashville. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Warner Music Nashville recording artist Ingrid Andress to the office while she was in Los Angeles last week. While at the Academy, Andress performed her current single, “More Hearts Than Mine,” along with a few other tracks she recently debuted this year.

Nashville Lands At No. 6 On Cvent’s Top Meeting Destination List

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Nashville ranked sixth on the 2019 list of cities considered the most outstanding meeting destinations in the U.S. by Cvent, a global meetings management company. This is Nashville’s highest ranking on the list since Music City broke into the Top 10 at No. 10 in 2014.

Cvent determines top destinations around the world based on booking activity through the company’s venue sourcing sites. Over 11,000 global cities were evaluated based on activity for the 2018 calendar year, and a list of the Top 50 U.S. cities was selected from that information. The rankings are based on factors that include the number of requests for proposals cities receive and are awarded, the number of hotel room nights booked and the percentage of qualified meeting venues.

“The new Cvent ranking is further proof of Nashville’s global popularity,” Mayor David Briley said. “Our hospitality industry is a big reason for that, with top-notch hotels and venues with amazing staff that make visitors feel immediately welcome no matter where they’re from. In return, we benefit as a city from the tax revenues generated from visitor spending that goes into our neighborhoods, schools and more.”

“Nashville remains in high demand as a convention destination by continuing to offer a high-level of customer service and being friendly and authentic to visitors from around the world,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “We should all be proud of the hospitality industry’s continued momentum in bringing 15.2 million visitors last year and generating $6.5 billion in visitor spending. This kind of economic activity employs tens of thousands of Nashvillians and generates significant tax revenue for the city’s budget.”

The top ten U.S. cities, including Nashville, include:

  1. Orlando
  2. Las Vegas
  3. Chicago
  4. Atlanta
  5. Dallas
  6. Nashville
  7. San Diego
  8. New York
  9. Miami
  10. Washington, D.C

Nashville Pop Artist Lennon Stella Teams With The Chainsmokers For New Single

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Lennon Stella

Nashville pop artist and former Nashville actress Lennon Stella has teamed with The Chainsmokers and producer DJ Illenium for the new single “Takeaway,” released via Disruptor Records/Columbia Records.

Stella will join The Chainsmokers this fall on their World War Joy arena-headlining North American tour this fall. 5 Seconds of Summer will join all dates along with Stella.
The video for “Takeaway” released today, directed by Jeremiah Davis and filmed at New York City’s The Vessel at Hudson Yards.
The Chainsmokers said, “We are so lucky to have had the opportunity to be one of the first artists to create a music video with The Vessel! We are from New York so to be a part of something that will be a huge part of New York City history is incredibly special to us. We also had to run up a ton of stairs in this video all day so we hope people appreciate that hahaha…”

Nominees Announced For 2019 IBMA Awards

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The nominees for the 2019 International Bluegrass Music Awards were announced this morning (July 24) in Nashville.

Balsam Range, Sam Bush Band, The Earls of Leicester, Del McCoury Band, and Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers will vie for the Entertainer of the Year honor. Additionally, three inductees into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame have been announced, including dobro player Mike Auldridge, banjo player Bill Emerson, and band The Kentucky Colonels. Five Distinguished Achievement Award honorees include broadcaster Katy Daley, label founder Mickey Gamble, former Executive Director of IBMA Dan Hays, musician Allen Mills, and Japanese bluegrass magazine Moonshiner.

Tickets for the 30th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show are available by logging onto worldofbluegrass.org or by calling 1-800-514-3849. The show will also be broadcast live on SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction) at 7:30 p.m. EDT, streamed via Facebook Live, and will be made available for rebroadcast by radio stations worldwide, thanks to the sponsorship of Chiesi USA, Virginia Tourism, Deering Banjos, Compass Records, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, BMI, and Boston Bluegrass Union.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Sam Bush Band
The Earls of Leicester
Del McCoury Band
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
I’m With Her
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
Sister Sadie

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush Band
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
The Earls of Leicester
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
The Travelin’ McCourys

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Appalachian Road Show
Carolina Blue
High Fidelity
Mile Twelve
Billy Strings

SONG OF THE YEAR (7 nominees, due to a tie)
“Dance, Dance, Dance”
Artist: Appalachian Road Show
Writers: Brenda Cooper/Joseph Cooper/Steve Miller
Producers: Barry Abernathy, Darrell Webb, Ben Isaacs
Executive Producer: Dottie Leonard Miller
Label: Billy Blue Records

“The Girl Who Invented the Wheel”
Artist: Balsam Range
Writers: Adam Wright/Shannon Wright
Producer: Balsam Range
Executive Producer: Mickey Gamble
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

“The Guitar Song”
Artist: Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers with Del McCoury
Writers: Bill Anderson/Jamey Johnson/Vicky McGehee
Producer: Joe Mullins
Associate Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

“The Light in Carter Stanley’s Eyes”
Artist: Peter Rowan
Writer: Peter Rowan
Producer: Peter Rowan
Associate Producer: Tim O’Brien
Label: Rebel Records

“Next Train South”
Artist: The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Writer: Mac Patterson
Producers: The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Dave Maggard, Ken Irwin
Label: Rounder Records

“Take the Journey”
Artist: Molly Tuttle
Writers: Molly Tuttle/Sarah Siskind
Producer: Ryan Hewitt
Label: Compass Records

“Thunder Dan”
Artist: Sideline
Writer: Josh Manning
Producer: Tim Surrett
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
City on a Hill
Artist: Mile Twelve
Producer: Bryan Sutton
Label: Independent

Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass
Artist: Del McCoury Band
Producers: Del and Ronnie McCoury
Label: McCoury Music

For the Record
Artist: Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers
Producer: Joe Mullins
Associate Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

I Hear Bluegrass Calling Me
Artist: Carolina Blue
Producers: Bobby Powell, Tim and Lakin Jones
Executive Producers: Lonnie Lassiter and Ethan Burkhardt
Label: Pinecastle Records

Sister Sadie II
Artist: Sister Sadie
Producer: Sister Sadie
Label: Pinecastle Records

GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“Acres of Diamonds”
Artist: Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers
Producer: Joe Mullins
Associate Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

“Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout”
Artist: Claire Lynch
Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

“I Am a Pilgrim”
Artist: Roland White and Friends
Producers: Ty Gilpin, Jon Weisberger
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

“I See God”
Artist: Marty Raybon
Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

“Let My Life Be a Light”
Artist: Balsam Range
Producer: Balsam Range
Executive Producer: Mickey Gamble
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“Cotton Eyed Joe”
Artist: Sideline
Producer: Tim Surrett
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

“Darlin’ Pal(s) of Mine”
Artist: Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Mike Bub, and Todd Phillips
Producer: Alison Brown
Label: Compass Records

“Earl’s Breakdown”
Artist: The Earls of Leicester
Producer: Jerry Douglas
Label: Rounder Records

“Fried Taters and Onions”
Artist: Carolina Blue
Producers: Bobby Powell, Tim and Lakin Jones
Executive Producers: Lonnie Lassiter and Ethan Burkhardt
Label: Pinecastle Records

“Sunrise”
Artist: Sam Bush & Bela Fleck
Producers: Akira Otsuka, Ronnie Freeland
Label: Smithsonian Folkways Records

COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“Burning Georgia Down”
Artist: Balsam Range with Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble
Producer: Balsam Range
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

“Darlin’ Pal(s) of Mine”
Artist: Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Mike Bub, and Todd Phillips
Producer: Alison Brown
Label: Compass Records

“The Guitar Song”
Artist: Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers with Del McCoury
Producer: Joe Mullins
Associate Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

“Please”
Artist: Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton
Producers: Dave Cobb, John Leventhal, Frank Liddell
Label: MCA Nashville

“Soldier’s Joy/Ragtime Annie”
Artist: Roland White with Justin Hiltner, Jon Weisberger, Patrick McAvinue, and Molly Tuttle
Producers: Ty Gilpin, Jon Weisberger
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Shawn Camp
Del McCoury
Russell Moore
Tim O’Brien
Danny Paisley

FEMALE VOCALIST
Brooke Aldridge
Dale Ann Bradley
Sierra Hull
Molly Tuttle
Rhonda Vincent

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Gina Furtado
Mike Munford
Noam Pikelny
Kristin Scott Benson
Scott Vestal

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Barry Bales
Mike Bub
Beth Lawrence
Missy Raines
Mark Schatz

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Hunter Berry
Becky Buller
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan

RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas
Andy Hall
Rob Ickes
Phil Leadbetter
Justin Moses

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kenny Smith
Billy Strings
Bryan Sutton
Molly Tuttle
Josh Williams

MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Alan Bibey
Sam Bush
Sierra Hull
Ronnie McCoury
Frank Solivan

Nashville Celebrates Aaron Pritchett’s No. 1 Canadian Single

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(L-R): Invictus/Big Star Recordings artist Aaron Pritchett, songwriters Jimmy Yeary, Jessi Alexander, and Corey Crowder. (Photo Michael Weir)

Invictus Entertainment and Canadian record label Big Star Recordings hosted an event last night (July 23) in Nashville celebrating Aaron Pritchett’s No.1 single “Better When I Do.” The song, which was written by Jessi Alexander, Corey Crowder, and Jimmy Yeary, reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Nielsen BDS chart.

Number one plaques were presented by Invictus/Big Star Recordings VP Louis O’Reilly to Pritchett, the songwriters, and the publishers, including THIS Music, Tree Vibez Music, Sony/ATV, and Warner Chappell.

Pritchett has been one of Canada’s most popular country artists and a mainstay at Canadian country radio over the past two decades. He is a multiple CCMA award winner, has had 13 Top 10 radio hits, and is in the midst of his 70+ date “Out On the Town” tour.

(L-R): Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran, Warner Chappell’s Bethany Mako, THIS Music’s Anna Weisband, songwriter Jimmy Yeary, Invictus/Big Star Recordings artist Aaron Pritchett, songwriter Jessi Alexander, Tree Vibez’s Leslie DiPiero, THIS Music’s Rusty Gaston, THIS Music’s Mya Hanson, Sony/ATV’s Laura Castillo, Tree Vibez’s Emily Peacock, songwriter Corey Crowder. (Photo Michael Weir)

LOCASH Ink Co-Pub Deal With BMG

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Pictured (L-R): Chris Oglesby, VP Creative, BMG Nashville; Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville; LOCASH’s Chris Lucas, Preston Brust; Jake Gear, Sr. Creative Director, BMG Nashville; Ross Schilling, Vector Management

BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records artists LOCASH have signed a new co-publishing agreement with BMG Nashville.

The duo’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas have penned hits for other artists, including Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly” and Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah,” as well as their own chart-topping singles “I Know Somebody” and “I Love This Life.”

Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville, said “We’ve been wanting to work with these guys for years and that day is finally here!”

Jake Gear, Sr. Creative Director, BMG Nashville, “We’ve long admired Preston and Chris—both creatively as songwriters and artists. We’re excited to have these guys as part of the BMG publishing team and ready to plug in creatively to maximize their writing for both LOCASH records and to continue their success of cuts on other artist projects. Their drive and hustle are absolutely infectious…this is going to be fun.”

Pandora Voice Mode Available To All iOS And Android Users

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Pandora has announced its Voice Mode smart assistant feature for all Pandora app users on iOS and Android. Pandora’s Voice Mode was unveiled at CES in January, and has since been in beta, available to only a limited number of users.
Voice Mode allows users to control the Pandora app hands-free, and combines voice recognition and Natural Language Processing technology with Pandora’s Music Genome Project personalization technology. The feature allows listeners to request albums, playlists, stations, and songs, in addition to more general requests, such as “Hey, Pandora, play music to start my morning,” or “Hey Pandora, play sad music.”

FBMM Promotes Four

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Business and financial management firm Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. has promoted Nicole Bean, Alicia Erickson, Marcella Migneco and Adriana Navarrete to senior account assistants.

“We are fortunate to have talented employees such as Nicole, Alicia, Marcella and Adriana serving our clients,” said Mary Ann McCready, a founding partner of FBMM. “We look forward to seeing them grow as they take on more responsibilities and continue to go above and beyond for our clients.”

Bean joined FBMM in October of 2017. Prior to joining FBMM, she worked as an operations manager at Children’s Clinic East, and a house supervisor at Village Behavioral Health. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from King University in 2016.

Erickson became part of the FBMM team in November 2017. Before coming to FBMM, she worked as a marketing intern for Word Entertainment and as an events intern for Bach Weekend, where she helped organize events for over 100 people visiting Nashville. She graduated from Belmont University in 2017 with a BBA degree in entrepreneurship and music business.

Migneco began working at FBMM in November 2017. Before joining FBMM, she interned for Project Daybreak Artist Management, where she learned all aspects of a boutique artist management company. She graduated from Belmont University in 2016 with a BBA degree in music business.

Navarrete joined FBMM in May 2017. Before her time at FBMM, she worked as an accountant at Chrysafi & Associates Accounting & Tax Preparation in Astoria, N.Y., and as an ocean lifeguard at Rockaway Beach. She graduated from City University of New York Lehman College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.