Pictured: Mo Pitney, Bobby Tomberlin. Photo: Tin Pan South
Tin Pan South held its third night of shows Thursday night (March 28) across Nashville. As usual, there were plenty of options for attendees. There was also a special screening of the film It All Begins With A Song: The Story Of The Nashville Songwriter was offered in the afternoon at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Brad Clawson. Photo: Tin Pan South
The 6 p.m. slot had options from Songs From The Tape Room featuring Brad Clawson, Ben Johnson, Conner Smith and special guests at The Local to Jason Blaine, Phillip Lammonds, Wil Nance, Mo Pitney and Bobby Tomberlin at The Station Inn. Daves Barnes, Sam DeRosa, Audra Mae, Jordan Reynolds and Asia Whiteacre occupied 3rd & Lindsley, while Shy Carter, Abbey Cone, Bryan Simpson played at Analog at the Hutton Hotel.
Trea Landon, Dallas Davidson. Photo: Tin Pan South
The 9 p.m. show had several hot tickets. Dallas Davidson, Kyle Fishman, Trea Landon, Josh Mirenda and Justin Wilson played their hits over at the Listening Room. At Douglas Corner Cafe, Fred Wilhelm, Adam Doleac, Aaron Espe and Emily Reid played a show called “Hits You Know & Hits You Haven’t Heard Yet.”
Pictured: Blake Griffith, Jeffrey Steele, Adam James, Bob DiPiero, Stephen Wilson Jr. Photo: Instagram/Jeffrey Steele
Tin Pan South favorites Bob DiPiero and Jeffrey Steele led a round at the TRUE Music Room and Bar, with Blake Griffith, Adam James and a few guests. As always, the round was a hilarious jam session between the two songwriting giants and the two newcomers.
They played a medley of their hits, like “Gone” (Montgomery Gentry), DiPiero’s “Southern Voice” (Tim McGraw),”American Made” (Oak Ridge Boys), and “The Church on Cumberland Road” (Shenandoah), and Steele’s “Speed” (Montgomery Gentry), “International Harvester” (Craig Morgan), and Rascal Flatt’s “These Days” and “What Hurts The Most.”
Bob DiPiero. Photo: Tin Pan South
Stephen Wilson Jr. was a special guest stand out, playing a nostalgic, slightly dark original “Year To Be Young (1994), inspired by his upbringing in the corn fields of Indiana. Wilson Jr. was incredibly talented, and his voice and musicianship held its own against the country music heavyweights.
Pictured: Jason Blaine, Wil Nance. Photo: Tin Pan South
Jeffrey Steele. Photo: Tin Pan South
Pictured: Phillip Lammonds, Mo Pitney. Photo: Tin Pan South
Dave Barnes. Photo: Tin Pan South
Keith Stegall. Photo: Tin Pan South
Craig Campbell. Photo: Tin Pan South
Sam DeRosa. Photo: Tin Pan South
Jim Lauderdale. Photo: Tin Pan South
Maren Morris Adds Dates To Sold-Out Run Of GIRL: The World Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughMaren Morris has added some dates to the first leg of her GIRL: The World Tour, including a new L.A. show at the Greek Theatre on Sept. 14, as well as shows in San Luis Obispo and Milwaukee. The tour will make upcoming stops in Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia, New York and beyond this spring, before heading to Europe and Australia.
Tickets for the new dates go on sale this Friday, April 5 at 10 a.m. local time. Citi card members will have access to purchase presale tickets beginning Tuesday, April 2 through Thursday, April 4 through Citi’s Private Pass Program.
Morris’ latest album GIRL shattered the record for the largest-ever debut streaming week for a country album by a woman with 23.96 million streams in its first week. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It also features history-making title track which had the highest debut on Billboard’s Country Streaming Songs chart by a female artist and the highest weekly streams by a female country artist ever.
In support of the album, Morris will perform the track “The Bones” on Ellen this Friday, (April 5), following recent appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Today Show, and Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
Tin Pan South Night Three Features Bob DiPiero, Jeffrey Steele, Fred Wilhelm, Bobby Tomberlin, Dallas Davidson
/by LB CantrellPictured: Mo Pitney, Bobby Tomberlin. Photo: Tin Pan South
Tin Pan South held its third night of shows Thursday night (March 28) across Nashville. As usual, there were plenty of options for attendees. There was also a special screening of the film It All Begins With A Song: The Story Of The Nashville Songwriter was offered in the afternoon at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Brad Clawson. Photo: Tin Pan South
The 6 p.m. slot had options from Songs From The Tape Room featuring Brad Clawson, Ben Johnson, Conner Smith and special guests at The Local to Jason Blaine, Phillip Lammonds, Wil Nance, Mo Pitney and Bobby Tomberlin at The Station Inn. Daves Barnes, Sam DeRosa, Audra Mae, Jordan Reynolds and Asia Whiteacre occupied 3rd & Lindsley, while Shy Carter, Abbey Cone, Bryan Simpson played at Analog at the Hutton Hotel.
Trea Landon, Dallas Davidson. Photo: Tin Pan South
The 9 p.m. show had several hot tickets. Dallas Davidson, Kyle Fishman, Trea Landon, Josh Mirenda and Justin Wilson played their hits over at the Listening Room. At Douglas Corner Cafe, Fred Wilhelm, Adam Doleac, Aaron Espe and Emily Reid played a show called “Hits You Know & Hits You Haven’t Heard Yet.”
Pictured: Blake Griffith, Jeffrey Steele, Adam James, Bob DiPiero, Stephen Wilson Jr. Photo: Instagram/Jeffrey Steele
Tin Pan South favorites Bob DiPiero and Jeffrey Steele led a round at the TRUE Music Room and Bar, with Blake Griffith, Adam James and a few guests. As always, the round was a hilarious jam session between the two songwriting giants and the two newcomers.
They played a medley of their hits, like “Gone” (Montgomery Gentry), DiPiero’s “Southern Voice” (Tim McGraw),”American Made” (Oak Ridge Boys), and “The Church on Cumberland Road” (Shenandoah), and Steele’s “Speed” (Montgomery Gentry), “International Harvester” (Craig Morgan), and Rascal Flatt’s “These Days” and “What Hurts The Most.”
Bob DiPiero. Photo: Tin Pan South
Stephen Wilson Jr. was a special guest stand out, playing a nostalgic, slightly dark original “Year To Be Young (1994), inspired by his upbringing in the corn fields of Indiana. Wilson Jr. was incredibly talented, and his voice and musicianship held its own against the country music heavyweights.
Pictured: Jason Blaine, Wil Nance. Photo: Tin Pan South
Jeffrey Steele. Photo: Tin Pan South
Pictured: Phillip Lammonds, Mo Pitney. Photo: Tin Pan South
Dave Barnes. Photo: Tin Pan South
Keith Stegall. Photo: Tin Pan South
Craig Campbell. Photo: Tin Pan South
Sam DeRosa. Photo: Tin Pan South
Jim Lauderdale. Photo: Tin Pan South
Atema Partners Inc. Acquires OCD Labs
/by Jessica NicholsonAtema Partners, Inc. has acquired OCD Labs, which provides custom wiring and infrastructure packaging for concert touring and fixed production. Both companies are based in Franklin, Tennessee.
Tom Atema Jr. launched Atema Partners in 2008; it is the parent company of AP Live, which provides audio visual solutions, including large format video and LED support, for corporate meetings and events, festivals, concerts, and exhibits worldwide. Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, Atema Partners and its family of companies also have additional offices in Las Vegas; Denver; Birmingham, Alabama; and La Vergne, Tennessee.
“We are excited to add the type of product and service offerings that OCD Labs provides,” says Atema Partners founder and CEO Tom Atema Jr. “If you’ve been part of any live production anywhere in the country in the past couple of years, you’ve seen some of OCD Labs’ best-in-class projects at work. As a relationship company, we are looking forward to continuing the established relationships that OCD Labs has cultivated among so many valued clients.”
OCD Labs was founded in 2005 by Jeff Nolte. In the acquisition, Nolte will serve as Director of OCD Labs.
“When we started OCD Labs, we wanted to focus on solving our clients’ wiring and case challenges with their touring and production gear,” says Nolte. “Everything we do is purpose-built to solve a very specific problem that a client has. That brand mission aligns perfectly with the Atema Partners philosophy of serving clients, so this is an ideal fit.”
13th Annual ACM Honors Show Set For August
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 13th Annual ACM Honors returns to the Ryman Auditorium for the 10th consecutive year on Aug. 21, 2019.
The evening of live music and tributes celebrates recipients of the Academy of Country Music’s Special Awards, Songwriter of the Year Award, Industry Awards and Studio Recording Awards.
Additional details including this year’s winners, host, performers and event details will be announced at a later date.
Zac Brown Band Signs With WME
/by Jessica NicholsonZac Brown Band – “Owl”
WME has signed multi-Platinum, three-time Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band.
The band is only one of two acts in history to have topped both the Country Airplay and Mainstream Rock Songs charts with “Homegrown” and “Heavy is the Head” (ft. Chris Cornell), respectively, both from the 2015 album Jekyll + Hyde.
The band currently holds the record for most consecutive sold out shows at the historic Fenway Park with nine shows. The only other artist to come close to their record is Paul McCartney.
In addition, Zac Brown Band is currently on the second leg of its successful “Down the Rabbit Hole Live Tour” and will launch “The Owl Tour” in June.
Zac Brown Band has had five consecutive albums reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and four consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Country Albums chart. To date, the group has sold more than 30 million singles, nine million albums, has achieved 15 No. 1 radio singles. Additionally, Zac Brown Band has scored eight Grammy nominations and three wins, including Best Country Album (2012), Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (2010) and Best New Artist (2009).
Zac Brown Band is represented by Scooter Braun’s SB Projects and recently signed a global licensing agreement with BMG for their next studio album, set to release Summer 2019.
Newsboys New Album ‘United’ Set For May
/by Lorie HollabaughNewsboys is set to unveil their latest FairTrade Services collection on May 10. United, which brings together former members Peter Furler and Phil Joel with Michael Tait, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis, was produced by Furler and Geoff Duncan.
United is available for preorder beginning today with four instant-grat tracks. Hit single “Greatness Of Our God” as well as “Symphony” and the Furler co-penned “This I Know” are immediately accessible, while “Only The Son (Yeshua),” also co-written by Furler, will be available April 26. Furler—a driving force behind such iconic Newsboys hits as “He Reigns,” “Entertaining Angels” and “Shine”—co-wrote four of the album’s 10 selections.
The project’s lead single, “Greatness Of Our God,” is a triumphant worship celebration bridging the band’s past and present with Furler and Tait on lead vocals. Penned by Colby Wedgeworth, Bryan Fowler and Ethan Hulse, “Greatness Of Our God” is already a Top 20 hit on Billboard’s National Christian Audience chart, Mediabase’s Christian Audience chart, and the Billboard AC Monitored chart, among others.
Further highlights of United include current digital single “Symphony,” as well as “Love One Another,” co-written by Furler and featuring guest vocals from former dcTalk member Kevin Max; the worshipful “Set Me Ablaze,” written by Mia Fieldes, Bryan & Katie Torwalt and Jacob Sooter; and the Michael Tait co-penned album closer, “Never Too Far Away.”
A digital deluxe edition of United will also bow May 10, featuring Newsboys’ 2017
“Recording this Newsboys United album did so much more than just bring two eras of the band together,” said Furler. “It has made us one in spirit, purpose and love. I believe our fans will feel that unity in the music.”
“No one had a clue early last year this Newsboys United smashup would even work, and now who can deny it’s been nothing short of fantastic?” Tait adds. “I believe the United album is a classic but timely collaboration uniting two lead singers into one band and shows ‘The Greatness Of Our God’…He truly works in mysterious ways!”
IBMA Board Announces Changes To Awards Categories
/by Jessica NicholsonThe International Bluegrass Music Association has announced several changes to its annual awards.
Music Awards Changes:
The second round awards ballot will now include the 20 highest-voted write-in candidates from the first ballot. Previously, anyone earning 10 or more votes in the first round ballot appeared in the second round ballot.
The Emerging Artist of the Year category has been renamed New Artist of the Year, to recognize new artists who have, for the first time in their careers, made an impact on bluegrass audiences worldwide.
Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year replaces Dobro Player of the Year to reflect the generic name of the instrument rather than any brand name such as “Dobro.”
Three award names have been changed to more clearly define that the award recognizes any recording meeting the criteria for eligibility rather than a “performance” or “event” which may have been misconstrued as only including the recording of a live performance. Instrumental Recording of the Year replaces Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year; Gospel Recording of the Year replaces Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year; and Collaborative Recording of the Year replaces Recorded Event of the Year.
Industry Awards Changes:
The association’s “Special Awards” will now be called Industry Awards and several individual category names have been updated including: Writer of the Year (formerly Print Media Person of the Year) has been updated to include both print and online outlets. Broadcaster of the Year (formerly Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year) now includes radio, television, podcasts, web/internet, and other forms.
Graphic Designer of the Year (formerly Graphic Design of the Year) now recognizes a person with outstanding work on album artwork, promotional materials, logos, websites, social media, etc. The recipient will now be judged on at least three samples rather than one.
Event of the Year (formerly Bluegrass Event of the Year) now clarifies that it may be festivals, concerts, an event series, and other live performance productions.
The Liner Notes of the Year category now includes notes for CDs, vinyl, box sets, digital releases, etc.
The Sound Engineer of the Year category now makes submission of a recording optional, rather than required.
The Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year category is now called Songwriter of the Year.
Momentum Awards Changes:
The Momentum Awards Instrumentalists of the Year will now be awarded to two individuals instead of three. The Momentum Award for Event of the Year has been discontinued due to the unreliable number of eligible candidates every year; events previously eligible for this Momentum Award are eligible for the Industry Awards Event of the Year.
The previously specified age restrictions have been removed. These awards are now described as being given to artists and industry professionals who are in the early years of their careers, are new to bluegrass, and have been active during the eligibility period. An award continues to be presented to a mentor for his or her positive influence on new artists and industry professionals.
Kane Brown Teams With Becky G For Spanish Remix Of “Lost In The Middle Of Nowhere”
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Alex Alvga
Kane Brown has released a Spanish remix of “Lost in the Middle of Nowhere,” featuring singer/actress Becky G.
A new concept video of the remix directed by Alex Alvga and produced by Ryan Huffman has also been released that includes a Matrix-like beginning that transports the audience, Brown, and Becky G into one tropical and one rustic location (dance moves included).
“Lost in the Middle of Nowhere” has already garnered over 22 million on-demand streams and reunites Brown with Lauren Alaina, his duet partner on the 4X Platinum smash “What Ifs” as a co-writer. Alaina and Brown penned the tune with Jon Nite and Jesse Frasure.
“When I named my album Experiment, one of the things that was important to me was to not feel limited sonically in what I could do, including the types of instruments and collaborations,” said Brown. “I’m a country artist, but I have a range of influences. I didn’t feel pressured to keep it in a certain box because of the way my fans have always been there for me, which has led to some amazing chances to branch out and work with people I admire throughout a range of genres including Becky G.”
“It was so much fun to work with my friend Kane Brown on this remix, a fusion of what he and I love most; country and Reggaeton,” said Becky G.
Buddy And Julie Miller Announce First Collaborative Album In A Decade
/by LB CantrellJulie and Buddy Miller
Renowned Americana artists Buddy and Julie Miller have announced the release of their new album, Breakdown on 20th Ave. South—their first record together since 2009’s Written in Chalk. The 12-song LP will release on June 21 on New West Records.
The couple will celebrate the release of Breakdown on 20th Ave. South on June 26 at Nashville’s City Winery. Tickets are available now.
Breakdown on 20th Ave. South was named after the Miller’s studio in Nashville. The leading single, “Spittin’ on Fire,” is out now, and physical singles became available at record stores today (March 29). Release dates for more upcoming physical singles will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can pre-order Breakdown on 20th Ave. South now.
Breakdown on 20th Ave. South track listing:
1. “Breakdown on 20th Ave. South
2. “Feast of the Dead”
3. “Everything Is Your Fault”
4. “Unused Heart”
5. “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”
6. “Till the Stardust Comes Apart”
7. “Underneath the Sky”
8. “Spittin’ on Fire”
9. “Secret”
10. “War Child”
11. “Thoughts at 2am”
12. “Storm of Kisses”
Weekly Chart Report (3/29/19)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.