Lil Nas X, Keith Urban, Billy Ray Cyrus perform “Old Town Road” during Saturday’s Nissan Stadium show at CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 623
The bottom line of the CMA Music Festival isn’t really music; it’s the fans.
No other music genre gives its consumers such reverence. And no other music fans display the loyalty and dedication that country music’s do. What we saw on Saturday (June 8) was an outstanding display of both sides of the coin.
“Tonight is the night we celebrate you,” said Miranda Lambert to the fans at Nissan Stadium on Saturday night. “Because we never take it for granted. Thank you for all your support.
“Thank y’all for standing in the rain for three days….I love country music. I love country-music fans. God bless y’all.”
Brett Young performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
“I’ll never be done thanking you guys,” said Brett Young when he addressed the stadium throng.
“This is a dream come true,” said Travis Denning.
They were addressing a massive gathering of people, all of whom were there to cheer their favorites with maximum volume and enthusiasm. This was on Day Three, mind you, yet not one ounce of stamina seemed to have ebbed.
Tens of thousands continued to crowd the streets of downtown Nashville all day long on Saturday. Light rain drizzles off and on all day were shrugged off by the attendees, who seem to get younger, more ethnically diverse and prettier every year.
Paige Altone (Sony Music Nashville), Caryl Atwood (Sony Music Nashville), Randy Goodman (Sony Music Nashville), Chris Young, Sarah Trahern (CMA), Dennis Reese (Sony Music Nashville), Rob Beckham (The AMG Management), Alaina Vehec (Sony Music Nashville), Kent Earls (Universal Music Publishing Group)
At Fan Fair X in the Music City Center, Saturday’s Artist of the Day was Chris Young. Sony’s Randy Goodman presented him with plaques commemorating his two billion career streams and 12 million singles sold. Chris was quick to credit the fans.
“This is thanks to every single person here who has bought a CD, streamed a single or come to my concerts,” he said. “I can’t thank you enough for all the support you’ve shown me.”
At his Ole Red show later in the day, Chris introduced his fans to “Town Ain’t Big Enough,” a new duet with Lauren Alaina.
Kelsea Ballerini participates in a surprise meet-and-greet with fans at Xfinity Fan Fair X inside Music City Center and receives the news that her single “Miss Me More” hit No. 1 at Country radio. Photo Credit: Kimberly Whiting/CMA
Also getting a surprise at Fan Fair X was Kelsea Ballerini. She was meeting and greeting fans when she learned that her “Miss Me More” has become a No. 1 hit.
Performing to capacity crowds that afternoon were Keifer Sutherland at the Budweiser Forever Country Stage, The Wandering Hearts at the Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage and Russell Dickerson at Riverfront.
Tracy Lawrence, T. Graham Brown, Tim Rushlow, Adam Sanders and Jeannie Seely delighted fans at the Forever Country Stage on First Avenue South. So did Eric Paslay in the HGTV Lounge. Newcomers King Calaway did the same at the Maui Jim Broadway Stage on Bridgestone Plaza. The Walk of Fame Park’s Chevy Breakout Stage featured Filmore, among others.
Runaway June performs the National Anthem during CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
That evening’s Big Show was blessed by balmy, if humid, weather. The totally talented Runaway June performed “The Star Spangled Banner” to kick things off, right on time.
The first part of the stadium concert was dedicated to the three acts of the CMT Kickstart Artist Spotlight effort. Hit songwriter Jameson Rodgers, plus Denning and the vivacious Kassi Ashton all introduced new sounds to the attendees. Based on her stage presence, Kassi did best.
TV stars Hayley Orrantia (The Goldbergs) and Chris Carmack (Nashville) co-hosted the evening, with Carmack introducing Billy Ray Cyrus as “still the King of the Dancefloor, with the No. 1 song in the nation, right now!”
Billy Ray rocked out to “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” and drew cheers when he dedicated “Some Gave All” to “all the men and women in uniform.”
Blanco Brown performs at the Radio Disney Country Stage during CMA Fest. Photo: Nathan Zucker/CMA
His guest Johnny McGuire (formerly of Walker McGuire) offered the hearty “Chevys and Fords” before the enduring star concluded his set with “Achy Breaky Heart.”
Brett Young’s sincerity shined on all five of his consecutive No. 1 hits, with “Have Mercy” drawing particularly big cheers.
I was in the Men’s Room in the CMA Hospitality Suite when I heard instantly recognizable beats and a deafening cheer. I rushed out to see rapper Lil Nas X, resplendent in a vivid orange vinyl suit.
He was joined by Billy Ray and surprise guest Keith Urban on the monster hit “Old Town Road.” He and Billy Ray have been omnipresent on pop radio for weeks with what is shaping up to be one of year’s biggest songs.
They appeared with no fanfare and no introduction. They didn’t need either one. All 70,000 attendees recognized the intro riff instantly, just as I had.
Cody Johnson headlines the Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater during CMA Fest. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA
Everyone sang along. Admittedly, that wasn’t much of a challenge, since “Old Town Road” basically has only two lines.
Even the jaded industry folks in the CMA suite stopped their schmoozing and rushed to the windows to witness the Event. The fabulons on hand included Ed Benson, R.J. Curtis, Audrey Wiggins, Edie Emery, Brett Wootcott & Lydia Lenker, Cheri Cranford & Dallas Gregory, Michael Kay, Bill Denny, Scott Stovall, Sherod Robertson and Phil May.
Dayton Duncan was there, too. He’s the writer/producer of the upcoming Ken Burns multi-part PBS documentary Country Music. Dayton has been touring the country promoting the doc. He said he tailors each presentation to whatever market he’s in.
For instance, at Belmont University, he emphasized segments featuring Minnie Pearl (a Ward-Belmont grad), Ricky Skaggs (the parent of two alums) and Trisha Yearwood (a Belmont grad). In Memphis, he screened segments featuring Sun Records acts. In California, he featured Buck, Merle and Dwight. In East Tennessee, Dolly and Acuff.
He was in town to offer the Fan Fair X attendees a preview on Sunday, alongside Marty Stuart, Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show) and Kathy Mattea.
Miranda Lambert performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Dayton appreciated the Nissan performance by Miranda and sympathized with the plight of women in today’s country music, noting that female artists provide a firm foundation throughout the Burns doc.
Miranda began her set alongside Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe as The Pistol Annies. They gave sauce and spice to “Hell on Heels” and “Sugar Daddy” before Miranda took over for a rocking solo set that included “Automatic,” “Gunpowder and Lead,” “White Liar” and “Mama’s Broken Heart.” She also introduced the fans to a new song, “Locomotive.”
Luke Combs performs during CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
Audio pandemonium broke out in the stadium as Luke Combs took the stage. This ultimate People’s Star gave the fans “She Got the Best of Me,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “Beautiful Crazy” and much more. A great guy with great songs — That’s all it takes.
Speaking of which, Cody Johnson was across the river singing to an SRO crowd at Ascend Amphitheater as the capstone of a Warner Music show at exactly this same time. That bill also included Ingrid Andress, Tucker Beathard, Ashley McBryde and Hunter Hayes.
Meanwhile, back at Nissan, Dierks Bentley peppered the fans with his expertly curated hits. His surprise guest was Tenille Townes, who saluted the women of country with covers of Trisha’s “She’s In Love With the Boy” and Deana’s “Strawberry Wine.”
Saturday’s finale artist was Tim McGraw. Another fine fellow with flawless taste in tunes, he ran through such fan favorites as “Southern Voice” and “All I Want Is a Life.” He paused in his set to introduce Country Music Hall of Fame member Randy Travis, who was seated on the front row. The crowd roared its love.
Tim also brought Luke Combs back to the stage. They shared vocals on Tim’s big hit “Real Good Man.”
We drove home, tumbled into bed and rested for one more day of merriment.
Tim McGraw welcomes Luke Combs for a collaboration on “Real Good Man” during CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
Industry Ink: Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame, Average Joes, Grayscale Marketing
/by Jessica NicholsonSarah Cates Elected NaSHOF Board Chair
Sarah Cates
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) has elected Sarah Cates as its new board chair. She is the first female to serve with that title, joining Hall of Fame songwriter Wayland Holyfield (vice-chair), Rich Hallworth (secretary) and Mike Vaden (treasurer) as officers for 2019. Cates has served on the Foundation’s board since 2015.
Directors for the organization include Hall of Fame songwriters Pat Alger, Dickey Lee, Layng Martine Jr. and Allen Shamblin, serving with Beth Seigenthaler Courtney, Celia Froehlig, Ken Paulson, John Stein and John Van Mol. Robert K. Oermann (historian) and Barry Neil Shrum, Esq. (counsel) are ex officios. Mark Ford is the nonprofit’s executive director.
“Serving an organization that celebrates world-renowned creators in one of Music City’s most iconic professions is a deep honor to me,” says Cates. “The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame exists to honor this city’s history of songwriting excellence. I will do my best to serve this mission, as we honor the legacy of our members and celebrate Nashville as home to the finest songwriters from all genres of music.”
Average Joes Adds Smo To Roster
Pictured: Forrest Latta, AJE/Director-A&R; Smo; David Ray, Producer; Nathan Thompson, AJE/Sr. Director-Business Development
Homegrown Tennessee artist and reality star SMO has signed to Average Joes Entertainment. Currently in the studio finishing his new album, Smo’s first single, “Tear Da Mud Up,” is featured on Average Joes’ compilation series, Mud Digger 10, set for release July 12, 2019.
“Everyone at the label is excited to welcome SMO to the roster,” stated Average Joes’ Forrest Latta. “His talent, authenticity, and ability to deliver resonates with a broad fan base which has been firmly established. The entire team at Average Joes Entertainment is excited for what’s to come in the next chapter of SMO.”
Grayscale Marketing Adds Four
Nashville-based advertising, PR and marketing company Grayscale Marketing has added four staffers. Liz McCormick has joined Grayscale Marketing as a Publicist working alongside the PR team for the agency’s brand and entertainment clients. Carson Greenway has joined Grayscale Marketing as a Video & Motion Graphics Designer. Greenway also leads the agency’s photography and event creative team. Bridgette McAuliffe joins Grayscale Marketing as a Copywriter & Engagement Specialist. Jordan Formosa joins Grayscale Marketing as a Copywriter & Engagement Specialist.
Tim Gray, CEO of Grayscale Marketing, says, “I’m excited to welcome the new staff to our agency family. We’ve experienced rapid growth over the last 12 months and we’re incredibly lucky to have found these superstars. Their dedication to doing things the right way, passion for our clients, and focus on the big picture is what will help us and our clients in the years to come.”
CMA Fest Pics: Jimmie Allen, Brooks & Dunn, Hunter Hayes, Tim McGraw, Ashley McBryde
/by Jessica NicholsonSeveral artists and their teams celebrated this past week during CMA Music Fest in downtown Nashville.
Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s ET Brown, SESAC affiliate Jimmie Allen, and SESAC’s Lydia Schultz kick off the first day of CMA Fest at the Chevy Riverfront Stage on Thursday, June 6.
Brooks & Dunn made a surprise appearance during the Brothers Osborne CMA Fest show at Nissan Stadium. Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s VP Digital Strategy Ed Rivadavia and Artist Team Lead Liz Cost, Maverick Management’s Marne McLyman, Kix Brooks, Ronnie Runn, Sony Music Nashville Director of National Promotion Lauren Thomas, Arista Nashville VP Promotion Josh Easler and Sony Music Nashville VP Finance Scott Stachelski. Photo: John Shearer
Pictured (L-R): John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN), Hunter Hayes and Peter Asher.
Pictured (L-R): EM.co’s Scott Siman, Sony Music Nashville Artist Team Lead Liz Cost, Sony Music Nashville COO/EVP Ken Robold, Columbia Nashville’s Tim McGraw, Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman, EM.co’s Kelly Clague, and Sony Music Nashville EVP A&R Jim Catino. Photo: John Shearer
Pictured: Ashley McBryde poses side stage with WMN Chairman & CEO John Esposito before her Riverfront performance on Saturday (June 8) during CMA Fest.
Bobby Karl Works The Room, CMA Fest Edition: Luke Bryan, Chris Janson, Maren Morris Take Center Stage
/by Bobby KarlChapter 624
The CMA Fest began the day on Sunday (June 9) with something rare at this year’s celebration, sunshine.
In fact, by noon it was hot and humid. Maybe that’s why the Fan Fair X locale in the air-conditioned Music City Center was so popular. Ordinarily, this district is rather depopulated by the last day of the festival. Not this year.
Autographing in various booths when I arrived around 2 p.m. were Ryan Hurd, Walker Hayes, T.G. Sheppard, Tenille Arts, Mickey Guyton, Dakota Danielle and Royal South. Meanwhile, the Smithfield duo was harmonizing to a capacity crowd at the Radio Disney Stage.
On the CMA Spotlight Stage, earnest Ben Rue held forth, followed by CC & The Boys. Songwriters Kristi Manna and Jon Vezner were in the Fan Fair crowd.
This area of the fest has become increasingly dominated by retail activity. Displays of boots, jeans, shirts, hats, jewelry, purses, dresses, hair accessories, makeup, keychains, wallets and more seemed to be everywhere. On the brighter side, a record store returned to Fan Fair.
Other convention-hall stations offered games and contests – drawings for prizes, roulette wheels, batting cages, hoops and dollars in a wind tunnel. But labels have also continued to sponsor booths. This year, Sony, Universal, Warner Music, Big Machine (with vodka shots!), Black River, Tree Vibez and SSM Records were all represented.
Hardly any stars had booths. Michael Martin Murphey and Randy Travis were the exceptions, rather than the rule.
Venturing outside, we encountered nouveau honky-tonker Teddy Robb on the Chevy Breakout Stage in Hall of Fame Park. He sang to a thin crowd, perhaps due to the brutal sun. This area really needs to have some shade, organizers.
On Sunday, I did find my first true discovery of the fest. This was a woman named Faren Rachels, performing on the Maui Jim Broadway Stage on the cement Bridgestone Plaza. She was full of vim, wit and feisty attitude.
“Are y’all drinkin’ on a Sunday?” Faren asked the unfortunately too-sparse crowd. “It’s the last day of CMA Fest!”
I really liked her when she delivered “Show of Hands,” a good-natured anthem for working folks. Faren is a Nashville Uber Driver, and she had a song about that, too. I am told that this artist’s song “On Paper” has been streamed over a million times. Sounds like a good start to me.
Rain, which had been around the corner throughout the festival, returned on late Sunday afternoon. The nearby thunder and lightning cancelled several outdoor shows downtown and postponed the opening of the gates at Nissan Stadium that evening.
Noting that this was the last show on the last day of the fest, stadium host Storme Warren vowed, “We’re going to end it on a really strong note, I promise.”
Jimmie Allen began the night with a terrific, a cappella rendition of the National Anthem. Then David Lee Murphy revved up the attendees with “Party Crowd,” “Dust on the Bottle” and a medley of hits he’s written for others – “Big Green Tractor,” “Anywhere With You,” “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and the like.
Chris Janson was next. He is always full of manic energy and boundless elan. But perhaps he felt an extra boost on Sunday.
“This is my first time to do a full set on the stadium stage at CMA Fest,” he told the crowd. He turned in a wild performance, featuring “Fix a Drink,” his new single “Good Vibes,” a cover of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” the powerful “Drunk Girl,” the “Truck Yeah” hit he wrote for Tim McGraw and “Buy Me a Boat.”
During his explosive set, Chris blew harmonica, played keyboards, flailed on the drum kit and exhorted the fans to scream, to clap, to wave their arms, to sing and to pump their fists.
“Come and see us on the road some time!” he shouted in his finale. “Love you to pieces!” The crowd adored him.
The next act was arguably the festival’s most charming. To illustrate the music-education beneficiary of the fest’s profits, The Andrew Jackson Elementary School Eagle Honor Choir did a song/cheer/dance routine called “I Am the Champion.”
“They just performed before 70,000 people!” exclaimed Stormie. “What were you doing in the 4th grade?”
Everyone in the CMA Hospitality Suite smiled and cheered. Dale Bobo, Scott Couch, Steve O’Brien and JoAnn Berry were there. Engaging radio man Dennis Banka was celebrating six consecutive years of hosting CMA Fest daytime stages.
And can I get a witness for Brenden Oliver, Brandi Simms, Aaron Hartley, Melissa Maynard, Mechalle Myers, Angela Strader, Amy Smart and, natch, Sarah Trahern? These suite regulars are among the CMA staffers who make this whole annual undertaking run so smoothly.
Okay, back to the concert. Surprise guest Trisha Yearwood appeared on the mid-field satellite stage to introduce her soaring new single “Every Girl in This Town.”
Old Dominion favored the fans with “Snap Back,” “No Such Thing As a Broken Heart” “Make It Sweet” and more. Lead singer Matthew Ramsey plunged into the crowd during “Hotel Key.” Brad Tursi offered an eloquent guitar solo during “Written in the Sand.” The band also introduced its new single, “One Man Band.”
In previous years, the Sunday attendance at the stadium has sometimes been lighter than Friday’s or Saturday’s. Not so at CMA Fest 2019. No sirree. That place was packed.
A big cheer greeted the arrival on stage of Maren Morris. The petite dynamo shared her career-launching “My Church” and her big pop hit “The Middle.” She also brought out Brandi Carlile to duet with her on “Common.”
Keith Urban performed a 30-minute set spanning his hit repertoire. “Never Comin’ Down,” “The Fighter,” “We Were,” “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and “Wasted Time” were energetically offered. The venue’s lights darkened during “Love Somebody Like You,” so the fans lit up the night with their cell phones. The effect was magical.
The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year closed his set by charging through the crowd on the stadium floor, performing all the way to the back of the venue. Fans reached out to touch him and cheered.
“Everything we do is about this moment right here,” Urban told them. “Singing and having a good time and celebrating this precious life that goes by so fast. I love you more than you’ll ever know. Thank you.”
By this time, the clock was ticking toward midnight. But there was more to come. Superstar Luke Bryan brought his romping style to the stage to bring this year’s CMA Fest to its conclusion. By the way, he was also last year’s finale act.
He jolted even the weariest fest goers awake with “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” “Rain Is a Good Thing,” “Knockin’ Boots,” “That’s My Kind of Night,” “Huntin’ Fishin’ Lovin’ Every Day” “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” and the rest of his party-hearty tunes. Bryan closed the fest with a cover of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” that had everyone singing along.
And that’s what it’s all about.
Weekly Register: Thomas Rhett’s ‘Center Point Road’ Makes History With Chart-Topping Debut
/by LB CantrellStep aside Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett‘s Center Point Road debuts at No. 1 on both the country album chart and is the only country album to have debuted atop the Top 200 Album chart this year, accumulating 76K (45K album only/34M song streams) according to Nielsen Soundscan. This marks the biggest streaming debut week ever for a country album.
Making way for Center Point Road, the next three slots on our report are shifted down from last week’s rankings, starting with an album released 105 weeks ago, Luke Combs‘ This One’s For You, coming in at No. 2 with 26K (3.2K album-only/28M song streams). No. 3 is Dan + Shay‘s self-titled project with 16K (1.3K album-only/18M song streams). And then Morgan Wallen takes No. 4 this week with If I Know Me, 14K (534 album-only/15M song streams). At No. 5 this week is Kane Brown‘s 2018 effort, Experiment, with 11K (2.5K album only/10M song streams).
Looking at top songs this week, we have Lil Nas X‘s “Old Town Road” at No. 1 overall, gaining another 39M streams this week for a total of over a half billion streams (530M).
Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country” tops Nashville’s on-demand streaming chart again this week, with 12M new streams (84 million RTD). Also retaining its status for another week is Wallen’s “Whiskey Glasses,” at No. 2 with 11M streams (164M RTD). Next we find “Look What God Gave Her,” from Thomas Rhett’s current chart-topping album Center Point Road, at No. 3 with almost 9.8M streams (83 million RTD). Combs’ “Beautiful Crazy” follows at No. 4 with 9.6M streams (420M) and Lee Brice‘s “Rumor” rounds out this week’s top five with 9.2M streams (155M RTD).
Gorley, Hardy, Copperman Triumph On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellAshley Gorley is at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the tenth week. Michael Hardy remains at No. 2, Ross Copperman at No. 3, Ben Burgess at No. 4 and Kevin Kadish at No. 5.
Laura Veltz moves into the Top 10 this week, with four titles boosting her, including: Dan + Shay’s “Speechless,” Maren Morris’ “The Bones,” Ryan Hurd’s “To A T” and Lady Antebellum’s “What If I Never Get Over You.”
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Florida Georgia Line Surprised With Million Sales Plaque During CMA Fest
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Sweet Talk Publicity President Jensen Sussman, Big Loud Management Partners Chief Zaruk and Seth England, Big Machine SVP of Creative Sandi Spika Borchetta, Big Machine SVP of A&R Allison Jones, FGL’s Tyler Hubbard, BMLG COO Andrew Kautz, Borchetta, FGL’s Brian Kelley, Harnen, BMLG CMO Mike Rittberg and BMLG SVP Communications Jake Basden
Florida Georgia Line celebrated their performance at CMA Music Fest with a special plaque commemorating global consumption of over 1.2 million for their current single “Talk You Out Of It.”
Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta and BMLG EVP/BMLG Records President Jimmy Harnen, along with executives from the label and Big Loud Management walked out on stage after the duo’s performance of the hit during their headlining stadium set to surprise the superstar duo with the news.
Kelsea Ballerini Earns Fifth No. 1 Country Radio Single With “Miss Me More”
/by Jessica NicholsonKelsea Ballerini participates in a surprise meet-and-greet with fans at Xfinity Fan Fair X inside Music City Center and receives the news that her single “Miss Me More” hit No. 1 at country radio. Photo: Kimberly Whiting/CMA
Black River Entertainment’s Kelsea Ballerini is celebrating her fifth No. 1 single with “Miss Me More” topping the Mediabase country singles chart, breaking the dry spell of solo female country artists at No. 1 on country radio for the first time in over 15 months. The track rose two spots this week to take the lead, up from its third place position on last week’s chart.
The previous most-recent No. 1 song from a solo female country artist was Ballerini’s own “Legends,” which topped the Country Airplay chart and the Mediabase country chart on Feb. 20, 2018.
“Miss Me More” and “Legends” are both from Ballerini’s sophomore album Unapologetically. Ballerini’s No. 1 singles count is now at five, following “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Dibs,” and “Peter Pan,” all from her debut album The First Time.
Congratulations poured in from her fellow artists, including Maren Morris, whose own single “GIRL” sits in the Top 10 on the Mediabase chart. Others chiming in included Kelly Clarkson, Cassadee Pope, Carly Pearce, and more.
Bobby Karl Works The Room: Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus, Keith Urban Take Saturday’s CMA Fest To The “Old Town Road”
/by Bobby KarlLil Nas X, Keith Urban, Billy Ray Cyrus perform “Old Town Road” during Saturday’s Nissan Stadium show at CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 623
The bottom line of the CMA Music Festival isn’t really music; it’s the fans.
No other music genre gives its consumers such reverence. And no other music fans display the loyalty and dedication that country music’s do. What we saw on Saturday (June 8) was an outstanding display of both sides of the coin.
“Tonight is the night we celebrate you,” said Miranda Lambert to the fans at Nissan Stadium on Saturday night. “Because we never take it for granted. Thank you for all your support.
“Thank y’all for standing in the rain for three days….I love country music. I love country-music fans. God bless y’all.”
Brett Young performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
“I’ll never be done thanking you guys,” said Brett Young when he addressed the stadium throng.
“This is a dream come true,” said Travis Denning.
They were addressing a massive gathering of people, all of whom were there to cheer their favorites with maximum volume and enthusiasm. This was on Day Three, mind you, yet not one ounce of stamina seemed to have ebbed.
Tens of thousands continued to crowd the streets of downtown Nashville all day long on Saturday. Light rain drizzles off and on all day were shrugged off by the attendees, who seem to get younger, more ethnically diverse and prettier every year.
Paige Altone (Sony Music Nashville), Caryl Atwood (Sony Music Nashville), Randy Goodman (Sony Music Nashville), Chris Young, Sarah Trahern (CMA), Dennis Reese (Sony Music Nashville), Rob Beckham (The AMG Management), Alaina Vehec (Sony Music Nashville), Kent Earls (Universal Music Publishing Group)
At Fan Fair X in the Music City Center, Saturday’s Artist of the Day was Chris Young. Sony’s Randy Goodman presented him with plaques commemorating his two billion career streams and 12 million singles sold. Chris was quick to credit the fans.
“This is thanks to every single person here who has bought a CD, streamed a single or come to my concerts,” he said. “I can’t thank you enough for all the support you’ve shown me.”
At his Ole Red show later in the day, Chris introduced his fans to “Town Ain’t Big Enough,” a new duet with Lauren Alaina.
Kelsea Ballerini participates in a surprise meet-and-greet with fans at Xfinity Fan Fair X inside Music City Center and receives the news that her single “Miss Me More” hit No. 1 at Country radio. Photo Credit: Kimberly Whiting/CMA
Also getting a surprise at Fan Fair X was Kelsea Ballerini. She was meeting and greeting fans when she learned that her “Miss Me More” has become a No. 1 hit.
Performing to capacity crowds that afternoon were Keifer Sutherland at the Budweiser Forever Country Stage, The Wandering Hearts at the Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage and Russell Dickerson at Riverfront.
Tracy Lawrence, T. Graham Brown, Tim Rushlow, Adam Sanders and Jeannie Seely delighted fans at the Forever Country Stage on First Avenue South. So did Eric Paslay in the HGTV Lounge. Newcomers King Calaway did the same at the Maui Jim Broadway Stage on Bridgestone Plaza. The Walk of Fame Park’s Chevy Breakout Stage featured Filmore, among others.
Runaway June performs the National Anthem during CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
That evening’s Big Show was blessed by balmy, if humid, weather. The totally talented Runaway June performed “The Star Spangled Banner” to kick things off, right on time.
The first part of the stadium concert was dedicated to the three acts of the CMT Kickstart Artist Spotlight effort. Hit songwriter Jameson Rodgers, plus Denning and the vivacious Kassi Ashton all introduced new sounds to the attendees. Based on her stage presence, Kassi did best.
TV stars Hayley Orrantia (The Goldbergs) and Chris Carmack (Nashville) co-hosted the evening, with Carmack introducing Billy Ray Cyrus as “still the King of the Dancefloor, with the No. 1 song in the nation, right now!”
Billy Ray rocked out to “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” and drew cheers when he dedicated “Some Gave All” to “all the men and women in uniform.”
Blanco Brown performs at the Radio Disney Country Stage during CMA Fest. Photo: Nathan Zucker/CMA
His guest Johnny McGuire (formerly of Walker McGuire) offered the hearty “Chevys and Fords” before the enduring star concluded his set with “Achy Breaky Heart.”
Brett Young’s sincerity shined on all five of his consecutive No. 1 hits, with “Have Mercy” drawing particularly big cheers.
I was in the Men’s Room in the CMA Hospitality Suite when I heard instantly recognizable beats and a deafening cheer. I rushed out to see rapper Lil Nas X, resplendent in a vivid orange vinyl suit.
He was joined by Billy Ray and surprise guest Keith Urban on the monster hit “Old Town Road.” He and Billy Ray have been omnipresent on pop radio for weeks with what is shaping up to be one of year’s biggest songs.
They appeared with no fanfare and no introduction. They didn’t need either one. All 70,000 attendees recognized the intro riff instantly, just as I had.
Cody Johnson headlines the Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater during CMA Fest. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA
Everyone sang along. Admittedly, that wasn’t much of a challenge, since “Old Town Road” basically has only two lines.
Even the jaded industry folks in the CMA suite stopped their schmoozing and rushed to the windows to witness the Event. The fabulons on hand included Ed Benson, R.J. Curtis, Audrey Wiggins, Edie Emery, Brett Wootcott & Lydia Lenker, Cheri Cranford & Dallas Gregory, Michael Kay, Bill Denny, Scott Stovall, Sherod Robertson and Phil May.
Dayton Duncan was there, too. He’s the writer/producer of the upcoming Ken Burns multi-part PBS documentary Country Music. Dayton has been touring the country promoting the doc. He said he tailors each presentation to whatever market he’s in.
For instance, at Belmont University, he emphasized segments featuring Minnie Pearl (a Ward-Belmont grad), Ricky Skaggs (the parent of two alums) and Trisha Yearwood (a Belmont grad). In Memphis, he screened segments featuring Sun Records acts. In California, he featured Buck, Merle and Dwight. In East Tennessee, Dolly and Acuff.
He was in town to offer the Fan Fair X attendees a preview on Sunday, alongside Marty Stuart, Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show) and Kathy Mattea.
Miranda Lambert performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Dayton appreciated the Nissan performance by Miranda and sympathized with the plight of women in today’s country music, noting that female artists provide a firm foundation throughout the Burns doc.
Miranda began her set alongside Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe as The Pistol Annies. They gave sauce and spice to “Hell on Heels” and “Sugar Daddy” before Miranda took over for a rocking solo set that included “Automatic,” “Gunpowder and Lead,” “White Liar” and “Mama’s Broken Heart.” She also introduced the fans to a new song, “Locomotive.”
Luke Combs performs during CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
Audio pandemonium broke out in the stadium as Luke Combs took the stage. This ultimate People’s Star gave the fans “She Got the Best of Me,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “Beautiful Crazy” and much more. A great guy with great songs — That’s all it takes.
Speaking of which, Cody Johnson was across the river singing to an SRO crowd at Ascend Amphitheater as the capstone of a Warner Music show at exactly this same time. That bill also included Ingrid Andress, Tucker Beathard, Ashley McBryde and Hunter Hayes.
Meanwhile, back at Nissan, Dierks Bentley peppered the fans with his expertly curated hits. His surprise guest was Tenille Townes, who saluted the women of country with covers of Trisha’s “She’s In Love With the Boy” and Deana’s “Strawberry Wine.”
Saturday’s finale artist was Tim McGraw. Another fine fellow with flawless taste in tunes, he ran through such fan favorites as “Southern Voice” and “All I Want Is a Life.” He paused in his set to introduce Country Music Hall of Fame member Randy Travis, who was seated on the front row. The crowd roared its love.
Tim also brought Luke Combs back to the stage. They shared vocals on Tim’s big hit “Real Good Man.”
We drove home, tumbled into bed and rested for one more day of merriment.
Tim McGraw welcomes Luke Combs for a collaboration on “Real Good Man” during CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
Lon Helton Receives 2019 Radio Hall Of Fame Nomination
/by Lorie HollabaughLon Helton is the only country representative among the crop of Radio Hall Of Fame nominees for 2019. Helton joins Hollywood Hamilton, the Mark & Brian Show (Mark Thompson, Brian Phelps), and Ryan Seacrest in the Music Format On-Air Personality category, which is chosen by listener voting and the Radio Hall nominating committee. The 24 nominations in six categories were determined by the organization’s Nominating Committee.
Voting for the 2019 Radio Hall of Fame Inductees began June 9 and listener voting begins July 15. Four of the categories will be voted on by a voting participant panel comprised of nearly 1,000 industry professionals. Inductees will be announced Aug. 5 and will be honored this Fall at the 31st Annual Induction Ceremony.
Helton has been host of the Country Countdown USA radio program since its inception in 1992.
Bobby Karl Works The Room, CMA Fest Edition: Carrie Underwood, Eric Church Lead Friday Lineup
/by Bobby KarlCarrie Underwood performs at CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 622
The weather played cat-and-mouse with Day Two of this year’s CMA Music Fest.
The opening of the outdoor stages on Friday (June 7) was delayed because of rain and nearby lightning. But things got underway at last around 11 a.m. The Chevy Riverfront Stage was at capacity by mid afternoon. The venue remained packed throughout the three successive performances by Jordan Davis, Morgan Wallen and Hunter Hayes.
The Chevy Riverfront Stage reached at capacity for three straight performance during CMA Fest on Friday, June 7, including during Morgan Wallen’s set. Photo Courtesy CMA
At Fan Fair X in the Music City Center, Old Dominion also appeared before a capacity crowd. They were the CMA Close-Up Stage headliners of the day. In the HGTV Lodge, fans were shoulder-to-shoulder for “A Very Brady Chat.” This starred TV celebs Maureen McCormick (Marcia), Barry Williams (Greg) and Susan Olsen (Cindy). Nostalgia abounded.
At the Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage, Blanco Brown staged one of his several CMA Fest appearances. He’s a social-media phenom with his “The Git Up” song and line dance. It’s another one of those country-rap fusions. He calls it “trailer trap.”
LOCASH had everyone singing along at the Radio Disney Country Stage. It always impresses me how well the fans seem to know every lyric to every country song.
Everything was going so well. Then storms returned about 4:30 p.m., forcing the cancellation of the late afternoon outdoor shows. Performances by Scotty McCreery and Gavin DeGraw were among those affected.
But Mother Nature smiled on the fest that night. By the time we headed for Nissan Stadium, skies were clear and dry. And they stayed that way throughout outstanding sets by the festival’s strongest evening lineup.
Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell perform. Photo: Courtesy CMA
Lindsay Ell performed an impressive National Anthem to inaugurate the eve. Jo Dee Messina turned in a hit-packed set consisting of “Heads Carolina,” “I’m Alright,” “Lesson in Leavin’” and “Bye Bye.”
“I have a really great job,” she said. “I love what I do. I love all of you.” This led to a Christian-testimonial interlude and a gospel number called “Reckless Love.”
Little Big Town followed. The foursome was awesome. “Pontoon,” “Better Man” and “Boondocks” preceded a march through the crowd to the pocket stage in mid field. The entire stadium fell silent, and phones lit up everywhere to create a breathtaking light display as the group performed its profound, potent ballad “The Daughters.”
Even the schmoozing in the CMA Hospitality Suite stopped temporarily. Beverly Keel, Mayor David Briley, Biff Watson, Pat Collins, Karen Clark, Laura Crawford, Liz Rose, Mike Craft, B.J. Hill and Nathan Pyle were up there working the room. It was quite a crowd.
The Recording Academy’s Shelly Maree was experiencing her first CMA Fest. The L.A. resident was marveling at how well it is run. Staging something like this in her town would be nearly impossible, she averred.
“We do this all the time,” I said. “NFL Draft? No problem.”
Shelly was already a country fan, and her favorite new discovery that afternoon had been the one-man-band performance of Morgan Evans.
Meanwhile at Nissan, LBT concluded its set with the huge hit “Girl Crush.” The group was succeeded on the pocket stage by Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell, doing their duet “What Happens in a Small Town.”
Dan + Shay perform at Nissan Stadium as part of CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
The capacity audience of roughly 70,000 erupted when Dan + Shay appeared. They have said that headlining in this venue last year was the first moment they felt that they’d made it. Staging their second straight appearance on the festival’s stadium stage, the duo was beaming with pleasure.
“Thank you, country-music fans for changing our lives,” said Dan Smyers. “Sing along if you know the words,” he added. They did. And how.
Dan provided spot-on harmony, guitar chops and band leadership while the spectacular voice of Shay Mooney filled the massive venue. Their set was flawless, including the wildly catchy “All to Myself,” the wedding favorite “Speechless,” the lovely waltz “From the Ground Up” and the wildly popular finale “Tequila.” Suffice it to say, the boys did good.
Thomas Rhett performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Friday, June 7. Photo: Courtesy CMA
Thomas Rhett was another big fan fave. The crowd truly came alive when he launched into “Life Changes.” He brought out surprise guest Jon Pardi to perform their new duet “Beer Can’t Fix.” Again, the stadium attendees went bonkers.
During the fest, Thomas was celebrating the release of his new CD, Center Point Road, so he featured its “Look What God Gave Her.” His set also included the unforgettable “Die a Happy Man.”
Hundreds who couldn’t get into the sold-out show gathered to listen outside the stadium gates and on the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge.
Eric Church performs at Nissan Stadium as part of CMA Fest. Photo: Courtesy CMA
Just two weeks after selling out the stadium on his own, Eric Church returned to the scene of his triumphant, three-and-a-half-hour concert. As always, his onstage intensity drove the fans wild.
This is all the more remarkable, since he did it with a solo acoustic set. He’d given his band the night off at the last minute on Friday afternoon. Working with just his guitar, he offered a stunning, 30-minute medley of bona fide smashes.
He ranged throughout his repertoire, from the early hit “Sinners Like Me” to the current “Some Of It.” By the time he got to “Springsteen,” he had every person in the stadium in the palm of his hand.
The Queen of the Night was Carrie Underwood. The concert’s finale performer not only sang her own smashes, but brought out another fabulous surprise guest. She and rock titan Joan Jett teamed up for a run-through of Jett’s immortal “Bad Reputation,” “Crimson and Clover, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” In 2013-14, Carrie sang a rewritten version of the last named as the NFL Sunday Night Football theme “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night.” So she and Jett have a connection beyond the fact that Carrie is a huge fan.
The country superstar returned to her own catalog for “Blown Away,” “Love Wins” and the concert-closing “Before He Cheats.”
When we’d driven to the site earlier in the evening, we were behind a car with West Virginia license plates reading LOVEWINS, so I know at least one group of fans was delirious with delight about Carrie’s performance. But then, so were the rest of us.
Carrie Underwood and Joan Jett. Photo: Courtesy CMA