Industry Pics: Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, Ingrid Andress

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Thomas Rhett Discusses New Album Center Point Road With SiriusXM, Pandora

Pictured (L-R): SiriusXM host Storme Warren and Thomas Rhett speak on stage during Pandora Sound On Thomas Rhett Center Point Road Powered by Marshalls on May 30, 2019 in New York City. Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Pandora Media

Last night (May 30), Pandora hosted an album listening party for Thomas Rhett in New York City where fans could hear songs from Center Point Road prior to its release today (May 31). The event was hosted by SiriusXM’s Storme Warren and Thomas Rhett was presented with a Pandora Billionaire plaque for having over 3 billion spins on Pandora.

Pictured (L-R): Pandora Head of Country Beville Dunkerley, Thomas Rhett, and Storme Warren pose on stage during Pandora Sound On Thomas Rhett Center Point Road Powered By Marshalls on May 30, 2019 in New York City. Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Pandora Media

 

Blair Garner Hosts Listening Party for Thomas Rhett Fans

Pictured (L-R): Valory’s Ashley Sidoti, Chris Palmer, Thomas Rhett, Blair Garner, WKDF/NASH FM 103.3’s John Shomby, Tyler Reese and Kelley Brock.

Blair Garner, host of The Blair Garner Show, syndicated exclusively by Westwood One, presented a private Center Point Road listening party for Thomas Rhett fans who won their way in to the special event at Cumulus Nashville’s WKDF/NASH FM 103.3 last week. Listeners got to hear Thomas Rhett’s new album before its release, and also heard him talk to Blair about life with two little girls, touring with his dad, and how his wife has become more Instagram-famous than he is.

 

Florida Georgia Line Holds Private Ryman Concert for SiriusXM Listeners

Pictured: Florida Georgia Line performs at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, May 29. Photo: John Shearer

Florida Georgia Line performed a special invitation-only event for SiriusXM listeners at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, marking the Grammy nominees’ first full concert at the legendary venue. FGL played crowd-favorites such as “Cruise,” “H.O.L.Y.,” and “Meant to Be,” plus tracks from their latest album Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, including “Talk You Out of It” and “Simple.” The private show aired live on Wednesday, May 29 on SiriusXM’s The Highway, channel.

YouTube video

 

 

Ingrid Andress Opens Warner Music Nashville’s Annual Pickin’ On The Patio Event

Pictured (L-R): Blythe Scokin, Founder & CEO, bluejacket; Clark Tedesco, Sr. Dir. Artist Development, WMN; Kristen Williams, SVP Radio & Streaming, WMN; Shane Tarleton, SVP Artist Development, WMN; Ingrid Andress; Matt Signore, COO, WMN; Cris Lacy, EVP A&R, WMN; Rohan Kohli, Dir. A&R, WMN; and Ben Kline, EVP/GM, WMN.

Warner Music Nashville kicked off its tenth season of Pickin’ on the Patio Wednesday (May 29) with a standout performance from buzzed-about newcomer Ingrid Andress. Andress performed her latest release “Both” and the ballad “More Hearts Than Mine,” and treated fans to a few unreleased tracks as well. Andress brought the evening to a close with a powerful rendition of her hit “Lady Like.”

Sponsors for the event included Austin Eastciders, Blue Chair Bay, Bud Light, Dr. Pepper, Lyft, Nada Tacos and Topo Chico.

Weekly Chart Report (5/31/19)

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Cole Swindell’s “Break Up In The End” Reaches Platinum

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(L-R): Warner Music Nashville’s Justin Luffman and Cris Lacy, Cole Swindell, Warner Music Nashville’s Shane Tarleton, KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards

Cole Swindell’s massive hit “Break Up In The End” has become his eighth song to reach the million-selling mark. The song was just certified Platinum by the RIAA, and the Jon Nite, Chase McGill and Jessie Jo Dillon-penned hit is Swindell’s eighth career No. 1 single. The Warner Music Nashville artist was surprised with the plaque presentation last night (May 30) on the set of his video shoot for his current single “Love You Too Late.”

“Break Up In The End” is also nominated for Video of the Year and Male Video of the Year at the fan-voted CMT Music Awards on Wednesday, June 5 live from Nashville. The song was the leadoff single from Swindell’s No. 1 selling third album, All of It, and received a 2019 Grammy nomination for Best Country Song, a 2019 ACM Song of the Year nomination, and was named one of the best country songs of 2018 by Amazon, Spotify, Billboard and You Tube, among others.

Swindell hits the road today (May 31) on Luke Bryan’s Sunset Repeat Tour, alongside Jon Langston and DJ Rock.

Chris King Launches King Business & Financial Management

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Chris King, who was most recently a Partner at Blue Sky Group and began his business management career at Flood, Bumstead, McCready, and McCarthy, recently launched business management firm King Business & Financial Management LLC. The company offers services to international touring artists, songwriters, producers, publishing companies, labels and more.

“My goal is to have a place where both clients and employees feel comfortable and know they’re at the right spot! Dealing with finances is such a personal relationship, and there must be a level of respect and confidence with all individuals involved.”

King can be reached at chris@kbfmgmt.com or kbfmgmt.com.

 

Industry Ink: Luke Combs, Lewispalooza 9, SESAC, Charlie Daniels

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Crocs Partners With Luke Combs For CMA Fest Crocs

Crocs has revealed a collaboration with Luke Combs for a special edition Croc shoe with unique Combs-themed Jibbitz™ charms that depict a license plate that says ‘BT LGR’ named after Combs’ fan club, a Combs guitar pick, a North Carolina sign, Combs’ face with his signature hat and red beard, and more. The Luke Combs Crocs will be sold exclusively during CMA Fest on June 6 – 9 in Nashville.

This collaboration is not the first time Crocs has partnered with a musical artist. The brand released a Croc collaboration with hip-hop artist Post Malone, as well as a KISS collection.

Fans can sign up here to receive more information about Crocs partnership with Combs.

 

Lewis Brice, Tin Roof Team Up For Lewispalooza 9

Lewis Brice and Tin Roof are teaming up again for their annual kick-off to CMA Fest, Lewispalooza 9, on June 4 outside of Tin Roof Demonbreun. The concert, headlined by Lewis, will feature performances by Lee Brice, John Wesley Satterfield, Stevie Monce, Jerrod Niemann, Paul McDonald, Curt Chambers, John Gurney and more special guests.

The all-ages event is free with a suggested donation at the door. All proceeds benefit Hope Song, a non-profit that helps the fight against cancer through the healing power of music. The VIP Experience includes side stage access, free food (provided by The Stillery), VIP bar access, private restrooms, meet & greet of select artists and access to Tito’s Airsteam Lounge. Advance VIP and general admission tickets are available online at theoriginaltinroof.com.

 

SESAC Hosts Reviver Publishing Writers Round

Pictured (L-R): Reviver’s Clay Myers, Gator Michaels; Carol-Ann Mobley; David DeVaul; Alex Kline; Aaron Goodvin; Thompson Square’s Shawna and Keifer Thompson; Reviver’s David Ross; SESAC’s Lydia Schultz, Zach Green and Shannan Hatch

SESAC hosted the Reviver Publishing artists for a writers round on Tuesday evening (May 28). The round included songs from Thompson Square’s Shawna and Keifer Thompson, David DeVaul, Alex Kline, and Aaron Goodvin.

 

Charlie Daniels’ The Journey Home Project Donates $25,000 To The Shepherd’s Men

Pictured (L-R): The Shepherd’s Men’s Nathaniel Beaver (front) and Jason Gallagher (back), The Journey Home Project’s Angela Wheeler and David Corlew, TSM’s Travis Ellis, TJHP’s Carolyn Corlew, TSM’s Walter Marques. Photo: Kaitlyn Hungerford.

Country legend Charlie Daniels‘ veterans non-profit The Journey Home Project (TJHP) recently held a special reception for The Shepherd’s Men as the team of men journeyed through Nashville during a stop on its annual Shepherd’s Run. The week-long, seven-city run raises awareness for troops with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

During the reception held at The Palm Restaurant in Nashville, Tenn. TJHP presented The Shepherd’s Men with a $25,000 check to help assist the organization with their efforts in aiding our nation’s military veterans.

“The Shepherd’s Men are relentless in their efforts to end the tragic pattern of suicide with our returning veterans,” says TJHP co-founder David Corlew. “The Journey Home Project is committed to this issue and believe we have the best possible partnership we could have to try and save precious lives, one at a time. God Bless The Shepherd’s Men and the SHARE Military Initiative and the work they continue to do.”

“Veteran suicide is something that should have been dealt with long ago by bringing awareness to the problem,” adds Daniels. “We hope to put pressure on the government to really get involved and to make sure that mainstream America is aware of this horrible tragedy.”

ASCAP Nashville Reveals Master Class Development Series

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Pictured (front L-R): Big Deal Music’s Dale Bobo, ASCAP’s Kele Currier, Dave Barnes, ASCAP’s Holly Chester with April’s ASCAP Master Class participants

ASCAP Nashville has announced a new songwriter development series, ASCAP Master Class, hosted by ASCAP’s Kele Currier and Holly Chester.

Each month the class will provide a small group of newcomer songwriters with the opportunity to hear from a hit songwriter and to receive feedback from a publisher. In April, songwriter Dave Barnes shared lessons learned during his career with the class alongside Big Deal Music’s Dale Bobo. May’s Master Class featured songwriter JT Harding with Warner Chappell Music’s BJ Hill.

Pictured: (front L-R): ASCAP’s Holly Chester, ASCAP’s Kele Currier, JT Harding (center), Warner Chappell Music’s BJ Hill (far right) with May’s ASCAP Master Class participants

DISClaimer: Randy Travis Is “Country Greatness” On Previously Unreleased Ballad

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Randy Travis. Photo: Robert Tractenberg

Politics and comebacks are in the DisClaimer mix today.

Both John Rich and J.D. & The Straight Shot are commenting on the state of our political discourse. J.D.’s song is better.

As for comebacks, can it get any better than our Disc of the Day winner, Randy Travis? Also: It’s a good day to be Buddy Jewell. He not only cowrote Randy’s single, but has a new comeback CD of his own.

Both of today’s female entries are super efforts. Clare Bowen has the stronger song, and newcomer Emily Rose goes home with a DisCovery Award.

CLARE BOWEN/Let It Rain
Writers: none listed; Producer: Josh Kaufman; Publishers: none listed; BMG
– The deep-twang production is uber cool, and the rhythmic drive is irresistible. Bowen rides atop it all with an uplifting, empowering ode for all survivors. Loved it. Can’t wait for the album.

BRETT YOUNG/Catch
Writers: Brett Young/Ross Copperman/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Super Big/Caliville/Big Machine/EMI Blackwood/Plain Jane/Rezolant/Sony-ATV/Round Hill Songs II/Combustion Engine/WB, ASCAP; BMLG (track)
– Very much in his breathy, dizzy-in-love personna that we’ve liked before.

RYAN HURD/To a T
Writers: Ryan Hurd/Laura Veltz/Nathan Spicer; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– Choppy and poppy, with a warmly sincere vocal presence. It ain’t very “country,” but it goes down smooth and easy. That’s wife Maren Morris on the harmony vocal.

EMILY ROSE/My Way Home
Writers: none listed; Producer: Donnie Skaggs; Publishers: none listed; The Growing Rose
– Very promising. The sonic bed sighs with steel guitar, and her winsome delivery of the lost-my-way lyric has loads of heart. Send more.

THOMAS RHETT & JON PARDI/Beer Can’t Fix
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Julian Bunetta/Zach Skelton/Ryan Tedder; Producers: Dann Huff/Julian Bunetta/Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Crickets on the Line/Sony-ATV/Music of Big Family/Dragon Bunny/Words & Music/Patriot Games/Write Me a Song/Downtown, BMI/ASCAP; Valory (track)
– Pleasantly disposable, breezy and jaunty, with a “beach” vibe. Your problems will all evaporate when you down a cold one, they say. “Turn your frown into a smile real quick/Ain’t nothin’ that a beer can’t fix.”

J.D. & THE STRAIGHT SHOT/The Great Divide
Writers: none listed; Producers: Marc Copley; Publishers: none listed; JD
– An acoustic, bluesy meditation on our troubled political times, embellished with hearty group harmonies on the refrains. Intriguing and atmospheric.

RANDY TRAVIS/One In A Row
Writers: Buddy Jewell/Thom McHugh; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner
– From the first note from his throat, you know you’re in the presence of country greatness. This previously unreleased ballad drips with honky-tonk pathos and drawls with authenticity as this magnificent singer is joined by poetic fiddle, steel and piano comments. An awesome listening experience.

CALE DODDS/I Like Where This Is Going
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner
– Young love, complete with dancing, hugging, kissing and shacking up. Wafting and warmly winning.

BUDDY JEWELL/Taylor Went Pop
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BAM
-This is a riot. It name drops Minnie, Roy, Hank, Elvis, Cash and Roger Miller, all in the first 45 seconds. “The one thing you can count on/Is things are gonna change/Taylor went pop/Pop went country/And we’re still feeling the twang.” You’ll find it on Jewell’s long overdue new CD, Shine On.

JOHN RICH & THE FIVE/Shut Up About Politics
Writers: John Rich/Greg Gutfeld; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Redneck Riviera
– The rocking song has basically two lines, so it wears out its welcome pretty quickly. Instead of talking, he wants you to take a shot of his Redneck Riviera whiskey.

Kristian Bush Ushers In Summer With New ‘Six Pack’

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Kristian Bush is releasing a new project to celebrate the summer with Summertime Six Pack on May 31. The six-song collection includes five new tracks that have never been released, along with “Flip Flops” which appeared on Bush’s Southern Gravity album in 2015.

Bush is joined by Dan Tyminski on one of the stand-out tracks on the project, “Everybody Needs Their Beach,” which also includes fun-filled pool-ready tracks like “Dashboard Hula Girl,” “Coppertone And Chlorine,” “Bar With A Pool In It,” and more.

Summertime Six Pack tracks:

  1. Dashboard Hula Girl
  2. Coppertone and Chlorine
  3. Bar With A Pool In It
  4. In Between Disasters
  5. Everybody Needs Their Beach (feat. Dan Tyminski)
  6. Flip Flops

 

Tanya Tucker, Jack Ingram, Lori McKenna, Brandy Clark Among Americana Fest Performers

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Tanya Tucker, Jack Ingram; (L-R, bottom row): Lori McKenna, Brandy Clark

The Americana Music Association announced today the first 115 of close to 300 acts slated to perform at their annual Americana Fest, which runs from Sept. 10-15 in Nashville, Tenn. Among the artists part of first group announced are Tanya Tucker, Jack Ingram, Lori McKenna, Brandy Clark, American Aquarium, Aubrie Sellers, Caroline Spence, The Dip, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, J.S. Ondara, The Marcus King Band, Rainbow Girls, Kelsey Waldon, and more.

2019 Americana Fest Festival Wristbands are now available online here. Festival Wristbands allow admission into all evening showcase venues and select sanctioned special events.

List of Artists and Bands Confirmed to Showcase at Americana Fest 2019:

Ken Burns, PBS Partner With Belmont University For ‘Country Music’ Educational Initiative

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(L-R): Marty Dickens, chairman of Belmont’s Board of Trustees; Ken Burns, director/producer of “Country Music”; Julie Dunfey, producer of “Country Music”; Dr. Bob Fisher, president of Belmont University; and Dayton Duncan, writer/producer of “Country Music”

Acclaimed Country Music director Ken Burns joined Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher yesterday (May 29) to unveil two Martin D-28 Guitars signed by 76 of the 101 country music artists interviewed for the highly anticipated eight-part, 16-hour film scheduled to premiere on PBS stations on September 15.

Among the signatures on the guitars, which will be on display in Belmont’s Gallery of Iconic Guitars, are: Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Kris Kristofferson, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Garth Brooks and others. Thirty-seven of those who signed the guitars are Country Music Hall of Fame members and 15 have since passed away.

In addition, Burns announced a collection of educational resources prepared by PBS and the Belmont faculty that will reach middle and high school students across the country. The materials, including video and lesson plans drawn from the research that went into the film, will explore American history through country music, illustrating the extent to which this distinctly American art form reflects the times in which it evolved. Materials will cover the musical style, the genre’s history, and the workings of the music industry. Students and teachers will be able to access the collection for free on PBS Learning Media which reaches one million users each month throughout the school year.

“As with all of our films, we work with partners to help teachers and other educators share this history with students,” said Burns. “The history of country music provides an engaging, thoughtful and often soulful way to help students understand unique parts of the American story. Perhaps most importantly, from this unique art form, which was created by so-called ordinary Americans often struggling with extraordinary hardship, we see how the ‘rub’ of American cultures gives birth to country – and really gives birth to who we are as a people.”

“Belmont’s lengthy history as a magnet for young people interested in studying music, songwriting, performance, motion pictures and the entertainment industry made our sponsorship of Country Music a perfect pairing,” added Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher. “We are honored to now be able to showcase the signed guitars that serve as such a unique and visible emblem of this project, but we’re even more excited to demonstrate the talents of our faculty to high school and middle school students across the country. These men and women are experts in their fields and can lend great insights to country music’s role within, and impact on, American history.”