The Bourbon & Beyond Festival will make its anticipated return to Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 20-22, expanding to three full days of incredible music, unique culinary events, and unmatched experiences from the region’s best distilleries at the new Highland Festival Grounds At KY Expo Center. Headlined by Foo Fighters, Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters and the Zac Brown Band, the festival will also include performances by John Fogerty, Daryl Hall & John Oates, ZZ Top, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Trey Anastasio Band, Leon Bridges, The Flaming Lips, Alison Krauss, Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeroes, +LIVE+, Grace Potter, Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, among many others. In total, more than 45 artists will play on three stages, including the side-by-side Oak and Barrel main stages and a bluegrass stage that will be curated by the genre’s leading authority, The Bluegrass Situation.
Bourbon & Beyond exclusive VIP packages, general admission tickets, camping and hotel packages, as well as special event tickets, go on sale Friday, March 15.
Friday, Sept. 20:
Foo Fighters, John Fogerty, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, The Flaming Lips, +LIVE+, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, Greensky Bluegrass, Blackberry Smoke, [artist TBA], Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Pearl, Mipso, Amythyst Kiah
Saturday, Sept. 21:
Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Trey Anastasio Band, Alison Krauss, Grace Potter, Squeeze, Jenny Lewis, Del McCoury Band, Samantha Fish, The White Buffalo, Maggie Rose, Patrick Droney, The Travelin’ McCourys, Cedric Burnside, Ben Sollee
Sunday, Sept. 22:
Zac Brown Band, ZZ Top, Leon Bridges, Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros, Kurt Vile And The Violators, Margo Price, Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, White Reaper, Whiskey Myers, Southern Avenue, Caroline Jones, Dustbowl Revival, The Lil Smokies, Front Country
Third Man Records To Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary With The Raconteurs Nashville Show
/by Jessica NicholsonTo celebrate a decade in its home base of Nashville, Third Man Records will host The Raconteurs‘ first performance in eight years. The group, which includes Jack White, Brendan Benson, Patrick Keeler and Jack Lawrence, will headline the event.
The event will be held April 6, and will also include performances from Lillie Mae, Craig Brown Band, Teddy & The Rough Riders, The Dirtbombs, The Gories, Detroit Cobras, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Soledad Brothers, and Todd Albright. Special guests will include Margo Price, Joshua Hedley, Carla Azar, Dave Buick, and Alison Mosshart.
Tickets go on sale March 15, and general admission tickets earn access to more than 10 performances on two stages, as well as vendors, official merch and concessions.
Over the past decade Third Man Records has released nearly 600 records, hosted hundreds of live shows, captured thousands of recordings for store visitors, opened a pressing plant, offered schoolchildren the opportunity to make a vinyl record, and more.
Country Trio Leaving Austin Inks Co-Pub Deal With Sea Gayle Music, BMG Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Front row, L-R): Michael Stevens, Austin Machado, Davis Forney, Christina Wiltshire. (Back row, L-R): Chris Oglesby, Jake Gear, Chris DuBois, Zach Kelm, Marc Driskill
Sea Gayle Music and BMG Nashville have signed country band Leaving Austin to a co-publishing deal, which encompasses the group’s catalog and future works.
“Leaving Austin has their fingers firmly planted on the pulse of where the country format is heading,” remarked Jake Gear, Senior Creative Director, BMG Nashville. “Their songs are made for radio, and their live show for arenas. I’ve been a fan of these guys for quite some time – and thrilled to partner with them alongside Chris & Marc at Sea Gayle.”
The California trio, which comprises Austin Machado, Davis Forney and Michael Stevens and has earned more than 5.5 million streams, will release their EP Southern Gold on April 12. Their single “Nothing But You” earned more than 1 million streams and they recently released the track “She Can.”
“I have been working with the Leaving Austin guys in the writers room and the studio over the last year or more and have been blown away by their talent, artistic vision and chemistry as a band,” commented Sea Gayle’s Chris DuBois. “Sea Gayle is excited to partner with BMG and represent Leaving Austin in the publishing world. Big things are coming for this band and we are proud to be part of it.”
“Our passion for creating music together has brought us through six years of writing and recording songs at night, touring on the weekends and working on dairy farms and in coffee shops during the day,” Stevens remarks. “We recorded our first album in a bedroom and did it all on our own. We have always known, no matter how long this takes, we’re doing this, and we’re just beyond grateful to now have the folks at BMG and Sea Gayle to come along side of us and believe in us.”
Leaving Austin’s independently-released EP’s, Leaving Austin and That Feel Good, have over 3.5 million streams to date. The band has opened shows for Michael Ray, Josh Turner, Thompson Square, Parmalee, Cassadee Pope, Chris Lane, Brett Young, Joe Nichols, Eric Paslay and more.
Through these local shows, the band caught the attention of Steve Pleshe, Program Director at Fresno’s Kiss Country/KSKS, and his popular morning show duo, Gnarley Charley and Jody Jo.
“We’ve been fans of Leaving Austin from the beginning,” remarked Pleshe. “They have a great sound that is going to fit in perfectly with country radio. I can’t wait to brag about them when they get their first No. 1.”
Kix Brooks, Luke Dick Added To Music Health Alliance’s “The First And The Worst” Lineup
/by Jessica NicholsonBrooks & Dunn hitmaker, songwriter and radio personality Kix Brooks, along with hit songwriter Luke Dick, have been added to the fifth annual “The First And The Worst” musical event slated for Nashville’s City Winery on March 26. They will join previously announced performers including Desmond Child, Jamie Floyd and Laura Veltz. Each songwriter will perform the very first and the very worst songs they ever wrote, in addition to their biggest hits, all while competing for the audience-voted “Crappy” trophy.
The event supports Music Health Alliance, a music industry-based, non-profit healthcare advocate which provides free support to songwriters, artists, musicians and music industry professionals at every stage of their career to find affordable healthcare solutions and financial resources.
Additionally, an auction is now open through March 26 at 9:45 p.m. CT via 32auctions, benefitting Music Health Alliance. Among the items up for auction are a Johnny Cash framed black and white photo from the Cash Family Private Collection; concert tickets and meet-and-greet at Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden show (with two Southwest Airline roundtrip tickets), Rob Thomas’ personal, signed Gibson 2019 SJ-200 Studio Jumbo Guitar and more.
Zac Brown Band, Alison Krauss, Robert Plant Set For Bourbon & Beyond Festival In September
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Bourbon & Beyond Festival will make its anticipated return to Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 20-22, expanding to three full days of incredible music, unique culinary events, and unmatched experiences from the region’s best distilleries at the new Highland Festival Grounds At KY Expo Center. Headlined by Foo Fighters, Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters and the Zac Brown Band, the festival will also include performances by John Fogerty, Daryl Hall & John Oates, ZZ Top, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Trey Anastasio Band, Leon Bridges, The Flaming Lips, Alison Krauss, Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeroes, +LIVE+, Grace Potter, Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, among many others. In total, more than 45 artists will play on three stages, including the side-by-side Oak and Barrel main stages and a bluegrass stage that will be curated by the genre’s leading authority, The Bluegrass Situation.
Bourbon & Beyond exclusive VIP packages, general admission tickets, camping and hotel packages, as well as special event tickets, go on sale Friday, March 15.
Friday, Sept. 20:
Foo Fighters, John Fogerty, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, The Flaming Lips, +LIVE+, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, Greensky Bluegrass, Blackberry Smoke, [artist TBA], Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Pearl, Mipso, Amythyst Kiah
Saturday, Sept. 21:
Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Trey Anastasio Band, Alison Krauss, Grace Potter, Squeeze, Jenny Lewis, Del McCoury Band, Samantha Fish, The White Buffalo, Maggie Rose, Patrick Droney, The Travelin’ McCourys, Cedric Burnside, Ben Sollee
Sunday, Sept. 22:
Zac Brown Band, ZZ Top, Leon Bridges, Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros, Kurt Vile And The Violators, Margo Price, Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, White Reaper, Whiskey Myers, Southern Avenue, Caroline Jones, Dustbowl Revival, The Lil Smokies, Front Country
Song Suffragettes Celebrate Five Years, Honor Supporter Liz Rose
/by Jessica NicholsonDual-Round Celebration on Monday Evening Featured Kalie Shorr, Candi Carpenter, Tiera, Sarah DeFors, Kasey Tyndall, Savannah Keyes, Livy Jeanne, Michelle Pereira, Stevie Woodward, Caroline Watkins and Mia Morris
The all-female singer-songwriter collective Song Suffragettes celebrated its fifth anniversary on Monday (March 11), with two songwriter rounds featuring 11 talented writers, as well as a special presentation for songwriter and publisher Liz Rose.
Rose accepted the inaugural “Yellow Rose of Inspiration Award,” for her work in supporting, writing and publishing many of the songs that inspired the more than 200 females who have performed on the Song Suffragettes stage over the years.
During a sold-out show at Nashville’s The Listening Room, NPR’s Jewly Hight moderated a Q&A with Rose, discussing her journey as a publisher and songwriter.
Additionally, songwriters including Kalie Shorr, Candi Carpenter, Tiera, Sarah DeFors, Kasey Tyndall, Savannah Keyes, Livy Jeanne, Michelle Pereira, Stevie Woodward, Caroline Watkins and 14-year-old prodigy Mia Morris on cajon.
In 2018, the group released the original track and video for “Time’s Up,” in support of the female empowerment movement by the same name. The song’s sales and streaming raised $10,000 for the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund.
Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett Among Initial ACM Awards Performers
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Academy of Country Music announced today the first group of performers for the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards. Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton and George Strait will take the stage for live performances. The awards telecast, hosted by Reba McEntire, will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 8 p.m. ET / delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
As previously announced, ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award winner Jason Aldean will perform on the telecast. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for the ceremony are available for purchase now at axs.com.
Dierks Bentley To Host CMA’s Fourth Annual Music Teachers Of Excellence Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughDierks Bentley will be on hand to honor the country’s best in music education when he hosts the CMA’s fourth annual Music Teachers of Excellence Awards on Tuesday, April 30 in Nashville.
The invite-only event will honor 10 music educators from districts across the state of Tennessee, 10 from Metro Nashville Public Schools and 10 from across the country. Award recipients are selected because of their dedication to bringing a high-quality music program to their students and the impact they’ve had on their school community through music. To date, the CMA Foundation has invested over $575,000 to ensure music educators have the support and funding needed to create a thriving program within their school and community.
“These teachers have gone above and beyond in their classrooms to really bring music to life and their commitment and determination has not gone unnoticed,” said Bentley. “As a parent I have seen first-hand the importance of music in my children’s lives and its importance in school programs. Every child deserves the chance to feel the power of music and it’s not possible without supporting these teachers.”
The CMA Foundation created their Music Teachers of Excellence program in 2016 in an effort to recognize those who are having the greatest impact on their students, using music as a vehicle for change. Along with a night of celebration, the CMA Foundation will invest $2,500 into each teacher’s music program to help drive their commitment to high quality music for all children forward. Additionally, each winner will receive a $2,500 gift to use for whatever they’d like, with past winners using their award earnings for down payments, continuing education, to record their own music, and more.
“Music education has proven to be an effective and invaluable tool for academic achievement and social development, yet we consistently hear that programs are not properly supported,” said Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “Each year, when we recognize the tremendous group of music educators through our Music Teachers of Excellence program, it allows us to give back to those who have dedicated their lives to serving our next generation. These educators, who spend countless hours in the classroom, are helping to shape creative, collaborative, future leaders through the power of music.”
Weekly Register: Luke Combs Celebrates Double Platinum Status, Remains At No. 1
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Combs, who just celebrated double Platinum status for his album This One’s For You, remains atop the country albums sales chart this week, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The album moved 25K in total consumption this week.
Florida Georgia Line‘s Can’t Say I Ain’t Country remains at No. 2 with 17K. Dan + Shay‘s self-titled project moves from No. 4 to No. 3 this week, with 14K. Kacey Musgraves‘ Golden Hour falls one slot from No. 3 to No. 4 this week, with 13K. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller continues in the No. 5 slot with 13K.
Combs also continues his reign on the country song streams chart, with “Beautiful Crazy” at No. 1 with 10 million streams. This week’s top 3 slots remain the same, with Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” at No. 2 (7.5 million) and Dan + Shay’s “Tequila” at No. 3 with 7.2 million streams. Kane Brown and Dan+Shay swap the final two Top 5 slots as Brown’s “Heaven” rises to No. 4 (7.02 million), and Dan + Shay’s “Speechless” falls to No. 5 (7.01 million).
The top country debut is Thomas Rhett’s latest, “Look What God Gave Her,” with 5.6 million streams.
Garth Brooks Sets Sales Records For Five Stadium Shows
/by Jessica NicholsonGarth Brooks in St. Louis.
Garth Brooks‘ new tour has been setting new records even before he hit the stage at St. Louis’ Dome at America’s Center for the first night of this stadium tour on Saturday, March 9. He has set a record at all five of his scheduled stadium concerts.
In St. Louis, Brooks’ show set a record for the any paid event at the center. His upcoming March 23 concert at Glendale, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium has been named the largest concert attendance in the history of the venue. In Gainesville, Florida, his upcoming April 20 show will hold the largest crow of any non-athletic event at the University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
In Pittsburgh, Brooks’ upcoming May 18 show will hold the largest crowd in the history of Heinz Field, while his Minneapolis concerts on May 3-4 will boast the largest concert attendance in the history of U.S. Bank Stadium.
Back in October, Brooks sold out the first-ever concert At Notre Dame Stadium. The concert, Garth: Live At Notre Dame! was filmed for television and aired Dec. 2 on CBS. On Nov. 20, 2018, Brooks released The Anthology Part III, LIVE.
Conner Smith Signs Deals With Tape Room Music/Miller Crow Music, CAA
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Back row, L-R): Ryan Kroon & Brad Belanger of HOMESTEAD; Blain Rhodes and Kelly Bolton of Tape Room. (Front Row, L-R): Ashley Gorley, Conner Smith, Zach Crowell
High school senior Conner Smith is already making major accomplishments in the Nashville music industry.
Singer-songwriter Smith has inked his first major publishing deal with Ashley Gorley‘s Tape Room Music and Zach Crowell‘s newly-formed Miller Crow Music, in addition to signing with Creative Artist Agency (CAA) for talent booking and agency representation. His CAA rep is Darin Murphy.
The 18-year-old Tennessee native has been working with members of Nashville’s creative community for the past two years, balancing school and baseball at Brentwood Academy with opening shows for Sam Hunt, Kane Brown, and Kip Moore.
Smith has also been working alongside HOMESTEAD manager Brad Belanger, whose client roster also includes Hunt and Dustin Lynch.