Can’t Stop The Train: Luke Combs Celebrates Fourth No. 1

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Pictured (L-R): BMI Songwriters Channing Wilson, Luke Combs, and Rob Snyder with BMI’s Mason Hunter

Trains thundered by when Luke Combs and co-writers Channing Wilson and Rob Snyder gathered to celebrate Combs’ fourth No. 1 as an artist, “She Got the Best Of Me” on a cold and rainy afternoon at the Corsair Distillery on Tuesday (Feb. 19). In a party sponsored by BMI, friends and family surrounded the grateful and humbled trio.

BMI’s Mason Hunter hosted the event for the BMI writers, kicking everything off by saying, “Anytime you have a Luke Combs No. 1, it recharges your batteries on why we’re all here and why we do what we do.”

Hunter went on to tell the story of Snyder and Wilson’s meeting. “Rob moved to town seven years ago,” he said. “Right about that time, he was working the door at Losers [Bar & Grill], and who would be at Losers? Mr. Channing Wilson. A year later, Rob started the Revival [at Tin Roof] and that’s really where the song started.

“This song was written when Luke Combs was still in college,” Hunter continued. “I don’t know about y’all, but I wasn’t writing songs like this in college. From 2014 when these guys met through Revival until now, it’s been a whirlwind. Luke has surrounded himself with the right people and has fought for the right songs.”

Hunter then made it clear that Combs is the first solo artist in history for his first four songs to go No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Out of his four No. 1’s—”Hurricane,” “One Number Away,” “When It Rains It Pours” and now “She Got the Best Of Me”—10 songwriters have had their first No. 1, now including Wilson and Snyder.

Back row, (standing L-R): Big Machine’s Mike Molinar, 50 Egg’s Jonathan Singleton, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Little Extra Music’s Joe Scaife, Little Extra Music’s Lisa Ramsey-Perkins, BMI’s Mason Hunter, Sony Music Nashville’s Shane Allen. (seated, L-R): BMI Songwriters Channing Wilson, Luke Combs, and Rob Snyder. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

As is tradition, the BMI writers got a Taylor guitar to write more hits on. Pinnacle Bank made a donation to Thistle Farms on behalf of the songwriters.

Brandi Simms and Brenden Oliver from the CMA were on hand to present the songwriters with their No. 1 medallions. Wilson had to adjust his long beard to fit the medallion around his neck properly.

MusicRow‘s Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson presented the songwriters with No. 1 Challenge Coins for “She Got the Best Of Me” hitting No. 1 on the MusicRow chart.

Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn had a lot to say about Wilson.

“I’m so proud of Channing Wilson and if you’re in this room and you believe that Nashville is a place where sacrifice and hard work matter, then you too should be proud of Channing Wilson,” he said.

Vaughn went on to compare Wilson’s songwriting with the likes of Steve Earle and the late Guy Clark, bringing tears to Wilson’s eyes as he shook his head. “After we met,” Vaughn continued. “We learned that we both love Guy Clark songs, and at the time I was fortunate to represent Guy. He and Channing I’m proud to say [wrote] over 20 songs together. He’d be very proud of you,” he said to Wilson.

Vaughn let the crowd know that Wilson’s commute to work is 158 miles one way from his home and family in LaFayette, Georgia, and that he has made that commute every week for over a decade. He made sure to thank Dave Cobb for their joint publishing deal and Sony Nashville for their work with the song. Warner/Chappell presented the songwriters with plaques and custom made whiskey containers.

Vaughn also made Wilson perform a special talent, making an uncanny train whistle sound with his mouth. When a train rolled past the windows behind the men moments later, it felt like Wilson had planned it.

Little Extra Music’s Lisa Ramsey Perkins was on hand to speak about Snyder and present him with a plaque. “Rob shows up every day,” she said. “He’s the hardest working man I’ve ever know. Double writes every day. Shows up every day. Cares about what he’s doing every day.

“Luke,” Perkins continued. “You are the most loyal friend to these writers. You’re such an amazing artist, you deserve this more than anybody I know. Thank you for letting us be a part of this journey.”

Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar and 50 Egg Music’s Jonathan Singleton made their way to the stage next to talk about Combs. “For those of you who are new to the Luke Combs No. 1 parties, this is our Penn & Teller show,” Molinar quipped. “One of us speaks, the other one make fun of the guy who speaks.”

“It feels like it was yesterday we were celebrating Luke’s first No. 1 ‘Hurricane,’ because it was,” Molinar continued. “It was about a year and three quarters ago that we were celebrating the first, and now here we are on the fourth! I hear, Sony, you’re already guaranteeing the next one? Is it today, tomorrow, next week?” he joked.

Molinar made sure to recognize Combs’ team, naming: Chris Kappy (Make Wake Artist), Lynn Oliver-Cline (River House Artists), Aaron Tannenbaum (CAA), Sony Nashville and its entire promotion team, Scott Moffatt (producer), and more.

Singleton must have felt that Molinar said it all, because he had nothing to add.

Columbia Nashville’s SVP of Promotion, Shane Allen, was in attendance and let the crowd in on the stats surrounding “She Got the Best Of Me,” noting that the song was the longest-running No. 1 last year at four weeks. Allen also relayed that Combs is currently the third most-played country artist in 2019, and was the first country artist to have two songs in the top 10 at the same time since Tim McGraw did in 2000.

Channing Wilson, Luke Combs, MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Rob Snyder

When Rob Synder stepped up to the mic, a real train whistle resounded through the distillery. Everyone laughed and Wilson shrugged, slyly.

“Wilson is also a ventriloquist,” Synder joked.

“I’m just super grateful to be in this room, especially with these three guys,” Snyder continued. “You move here and you hope that you can be able to do this one day and if you don’t, you hope you’re able to at least make friends and surround yourself with good people. I love these guys more than anything.

“I know Luke fought for this song. He’s fought for everything in his career, he’s an underdog. We’re all underdogs. He said we were underdogs when he had us play on the Opry. I played on the Opry because of him. I dropped a pick and I picked it back up,” Snyder said with a smile.

An emotional Channing Wilson thanked his friend Snyder. “Rob let me sleep on his spare bed for fours years. Never really asked for a dime. Another guy that did that was Tyler Reeve,” Wilson said. “I can’t thank y’all enough. It’s not just for me, it’s for my kids.

“Luke,” Wilson continued. “I walked in and saw you at Brewhouse in Rome, Georgia. In a bar that I could put 40 people in any given night, it was your first run of shows and you had 350 people singing ‘Best Of Me’ back. I’ve never seen that before. We immediately championed Luke because the status quo isn’t friendly to people who aren’t in it, but sometimes talent deserves it and sometimes you just can’t stop it.

“You can’t stop the train,” Wilson said with a smile.

When the man of the hour stepped up to mic, he said, “I’m Luke, by the way.” He thanked his co-writers, Sony Nashville, his band and crew, his fiancé and many more.

“I’ve had some of my favorite times in Nashville with these guys because I feel like the underdog spirit really resonated with the three of us,” Combs said. “It lives in me and my team, it lives in everybody in this room. I want to thank everybody on my team. Lynn and Kappy have been champions for me from day one, underdogs right there with me.”

Combs got emotional as he thanked his entire team around him. “If you’re in this room and here, all my co-writers, the guys in my band, Ethan, my whole entire Row family, Austin, everybody that is with me, dedicating their life to me,” Combs said as he held back tears. He managed to get out a “thanks,” before the party closed with “She Got the Best Of Me” playing loud over the speakers.

Let The Music Play: Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett, Ashley Gorley Among CMA Triple Play Winners

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Pictured (L-R): Troy Tomlinson, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, Josh Kear, Nicolle Galyon, Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Jody Williams, Sarah Trahern. Photo: Electric Machine/CMA

“This one is like the Super Bowl for us,” said Jesse Frasure, one of 10 winners this year at the CMA Triple Play Awards, which honors writers for having penned three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period based on the Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The event was held Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works.

Frasure was honored for co-writing three No. 1 hits for Thomas Rhett, including “Unforgettable,” “”Marry Me,” and “Life Changes.”

“It doesn’t matter how hard you work, everything has to line up for this one to happen,” Frasure said, and it would be a familiar refrain throughout the afternoon awards ceremony.

Nicolle Galyon was also accepting her very first Triple Play Award, for penning “All The Pretty Girls,” “Tequila,” and “Coming Home.”

“I don’t even like tequila,” she quipped, before thanking her publishing home Warner/Chappell. “I want to thank [husband and fellow writer] Rodney Clawson. Now I know what it looks like. Thank you for being such a champion for me. A lot of people like to point out that I’m the only woman up here, but I was thinking today how I think the really cool story about that is that I’ve written I think with all the men who are winning this award today, and I’ve never been treated with anything but encouragement, like a sister. I’ve been empowered, and respected by all of my brothers in this business. I think that’s a story we don’t hear enough. I’m proud of this community, how we all cheer for each other, brothers and sisters alike.

“This has made me think about how when you come to Nashville and you want to be a songwriter, everyone tells you that you are going to hear the word ‘no’ a million times. But what no one told me about was this word called ‘almost,’ which to me has had more of an impact on my career and my character and my journey. Things like, ‘This almost got cut,’ or ‘It almost went No. 1.’ Here I am on the other side of a lot of ‘almosts’ that have turned into yeses, and I can’t help but think that you write 1500 songs and the difference in getting one of these and not getting one of these is 20 spins. I think in this moment, I feel like this is very fragile, because there is no amount of talent, or hard work, or hustle, that turns that ‘almost’ into a ‘yes.’ It’s God and it’s either meant to be or not and I’ll never wrap my mind around why this was meant to be for me, so thank you and congratulations to all the other winners.”

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern and Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson were also on hand to honor the writers. As each writer was feted, video clips were shown, revealing aspiring musicians covering the hit songs of the day.

Luke Combs was honored with his first CMA Triple Play award, for his work in co-writing his own chart-toppers “Hurricane,” “When It Rains It Pours,” and “One Number Away.” Dan + Shay showed up in the various covers clips shown, offering a snippet of an acoustic version of “Hurricane.”

“I’m Luke by the way,” Combs greeted the audience. “I probably look like the guy who changes your oil, but I’m not.

“This is pretty wild. This is definitely something that me and my team worked really hard to try and accomplish. So I say thanks to everybody, my songwriting buddies, everyone in this room who works with me.”

Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard was among the honorees, earning his second Triple Play Award (“Meant To Be”/”You Make It Easy”/”Simple”). He was not in attendance. Josh Kear collected his fourth Triple Play Award, for penning “God, Your Mama, and Me,” “Most People Are Good,” and “Woman, Amen.”

Shane McAnally, who was not in attendance (he is currently working as part of the upcoming television show Songland), was honored with his eighth CMA Triple Play award. He has had 38 No. 1 hits to date. He penned “Written In The Sand,” “Marry Me,” and “Get Along.”

Chase McGill collected his first Triple Play Award (“Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset”/”Break Up In The End”/”Lose It”), while Josh Osborne picked up his fourth (“Drinkin’ Problem”/”All The Pretty Girls”/” Get Along”).

Thomas Rhett was on hand to accept his second Triple Play Award, for his work in writing his own hits “Unforgettable,” “Marry Me,” and “Life Changes.”

“I’m so grateful to be part of Nashville’s country songwriting community. There are so many freakin’ talented people. This award means the world. Just like everyone on this list, I feel like we write songs about what we know. “ He thanked God, his family and his management and label teams.

Ashley Gorley, the most-awarded Triple Play recipient, collected his 12th Triple Play honor. In 2018, he had nine No. 1 songs in a 12-month period, repeating his 2017 total. This year he was honored for penning “Fix A Drink,” “Marry Me,” and “Life Changes.”

“Country music in Nashville is a unique thing…it’s not just about making up and breaking up, it’s about tequila, it’s about a body like a back road, it’s about scratch-off tickets, it can be about the way you walk, the way you talk, and there’s so much subject matter that we get to cover as writers because you’ve all been through that,” Gorley said.

In addition to the special performance, $3 of each ticket sold benefited CMA’s philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation, which is committed to improving and sustaining high-quality music education programs across the country.

 

Pictured (L-R): Josh Osborne, Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley, Sarah Trahern, Josh Kear, Chase McGill, Luke Combs. Photo: Electric Machine/CMA

 

Pictured (L-R): Nicolle Galyon, Josh Kear, Luke Combs, Josh Osborne, Chase McGill, Ashley Gorley. Photo: Electric Machine/CMA

The 10th annual CMA Triple Play Awards recipients were recognized for the following:

Luke Combs
“Hurricane”
“When It Rains It Pours”
“One Number Away”

Jesse Frasure
“Unforgettable,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Marry Me,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Life Changes,” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Nicolle Galyon
“All the Pretty Girls,” recorded by Kenny Chesney
“Tequila,” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Coming Home,” recorded by Keith Urban ft. Julia Michaels

Ashley Gorley
“Fix A Drink,” recorded by Chris Janson
“Marry Me,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Life Changes,” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Tyler Hubbard
“Meant to Be,” recorded by Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line
“You Make It Easy,” recorded by Jason Aldean
“Simple,” recorded by Florida Georgia Line

Josh Kear
“God, Your Mama, And Me,” recorded by Florida Georgia Line ft. Backstreet Boys
“Most People Are Good,” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Woman, Amen,” recorded by Dierks Bentley

Shane McAnally
“Written in the Sand,” recorded by Old Dominion
“Marry Me,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Get Along,” recorded by Kenny Chesney

Chase McGill
“Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset,” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Break Up in the End,” recorded by Cole Swindell
“Lose It,” recorded by Kane Brown

Josh Osborne
“Drinkin’ Problem,” recorded by Midland
“All the Pretty Girls,” recorded by Kenny Chesney
“Get Along,” recorded by Kenny Chesney

Thomas Rhett
“Unforgettable”
“Marry Me”
“Life Changes”

Still Working Music, Green Iris Records Sign Rachel Reinert

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Pictured (L-R): Jon Randall (SWM/Green Iris A&R), Chuck Fleckenstein (GM & COO SWM/Green Iris), Davis Naish (Producer), Alex Orbison (President SWM/Green Iris), Rachel Reinert, Emily Mueller Olson (Creative Director SWM), Sara Beal (Director of Publishing SWM), Ross duPré (Artist Manager 333 Entertainment), Scott Safford (Attorney Safford Motley PLC)

Still Working Music and Green Iris Records, the music publishing and recorded music arms of the Roy Orbison Estate, have signed singer and songwriter Rachel Reinert to exclusive songwriting and recording agreements.

“My songs come from a very personal place; it’s important to me that everything that I write and sing is real,” says Rachel, “I’m excited to join the family at Still Working/Green Iris and continue to write, record, and release new music.”

As a teenager Rachel moved to Nashville from Southern California and found near immediate success as member of the group Gloriana. Gloriana shot to the top of the charts with hits like “Wild at Heart” and the Platinum-selling “(Kissed You) Good Night.” The group went on to win the American Music Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, the ACM Award for Top New Vocal Group, and toured the globe with Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow, Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, the Zac Brown Band and numerous others.

After nearly a decade together and three albums with Warner Bros., Gloriana disbanded and Rachel commenced her career as a solo artist, soon grabbing the attention of Jon Randall, a Still Working writer and head of A&R at Green Iris Records.

“I was always impressed by Gloriana, in particular their strong harmonies, and I loved their song craft. When I heard Rachel’s first solo single, ‘Cool,’ I knew she possessed something incredibly special and would fit in perfectly with our Still Working/Green Iris family. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Rachel and feel honored to be part of her next chapter in the musical world,” says Still Working Music/Green Iris President Alex Orbison.

In addition to signing a multi-album deal with Green Iris as a recording artist, Rachel has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Still Working Music covering songs for both her own records and those of others.

Still Working Music was founded in 1990 by the late Barbara Orbison and is now run by her sons, Alex Orbison and Roy Orbison, Jr. (Co-Presidents) along with Chuck Fleckenstein (COO and General Manager). Still Working Music writers include Tommy Lee James, Gordie Sampson, Jon Randall, Chase Bryant, Dylan Altman, Dominic Scott Kay, and Lance Miller. Still Working Music proudly partners with BMG, Kobalt, and Big Deal, among others.

Industry Ink: Jim Weatherly, Conway Entertainment Group, Musicians On Call

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Hall Of Famer Jim Weatherly To Be Honored With Book Reception

ASCAP, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Universal Music Publishing Group will co-host a reception and book signing honoring Hall of Fame Songwriter Jim Weatherly on the publication of his autobiography, Midnight Train.

The reception will be held Thursday, Feb. 21 from 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. at ASCAP’s Nashville office.

 

Conway Entertainment Group Inks Deal With Joe Hott

Pictured (Back Row, L-R): JoAnn Berry, Cody Payne, Tony Conway, Marie Ratzman; (Front Row): Joe Hott

Bluegrass artist Joe Hott has signed with Conway Entertainment Group for booking representation. Hott’s latest single “West Virginia Rail” has reached number one on the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Traditional Bluegrass Song Chart and number three on Bluegrass Today‘s Weekly Airplay Chart.

 

Curb Records Artist Filmore Plays For Musicians On Call

Filmore. Photo: Dusty Barker

Musicians On Call, a nonprofit that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, welcomed Curb Records recording artist Filmore to share the healing power of music at the Nashville VA as part of National Salute to Veteran Patients Week. During this special visit, Filmore went room to room to play some well-known favorites as part of Musicians On Call’s Bedside Performance Program.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have been involved with Musicians on Call for a few years now as a musician, and am amazed by the impact it has both on patients and hospital staff. Playing for the veterans this past week – whose fight for our freedoms enable me to have the opportunity to make music for a living – was incredibly special. I’m so grateful to Musicians on Call, the volunteers, and all the caregivers that work daily to ensure a program like this exists for our veterans and patients across the country,” said Filmore.

TPAC Names Jennifer Turner As Next President And CEO

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Jennifer Turner

The nonprofit Tennessee Performing Arts Center announces Jennifer Turner will be its next President and Chief Executive Officer starting May 2019.

Turner will follow Kathleen O’Brien, who will retire from TPAC in July, ending a 14-year tenure at the head of the arts center and 31 total years at TPAC. O’Brien, the first woman to lead TPAC in its almost 39-year history, started as Public Affairs Director in 1988.

“Our Executive Search Committee did an exceptional job vetting applicants in a national search and finalizing their recommendation of Jennifer. Her experience and expertise, as well as her vision for TPAC, makes her the ideal candidate for our new President and CEO,” says Tracy Kane, TPAC Board Chair. “Kathleen and her team have put TPAC in a healthy position, growing programs and services to an all-time level, and we are proud of their work. Jennifer comes in at the perfect time to continue that momentum, and Kathleen and Jennifer have already begun working toward a smooth transition and bright future for TPAC with Jennifer at the helm.”

“I am truly honored to become the next President and CEO of TPAC and work with its dedicated Board of Directors and talented staff. In the heart of a dynamic and rapidly changing community, TPAC is a vibrant organization and among the most admired in the performing arts field,” says Turner. “It’s my great privilege to be able to succeed Kathleen O’Brien, who I deeply respect, for her incredible leadership, and I am thrilled to lead TPAC into its next chapter. I’m extremely excited about the diversity of programming that TPAC offers, both on the stage and working throughout its community. I have visited Nashville several times and love the energy and sense of commitment that pervades both TPAC and its community. I look forward to moving to the beautiful state of Tennessee and immersing myself in all that the region offers.”

“For almost 31 years, I’ve been truly blessed with an amazing career at TPAC, including 14 as President and CEO. I’m so proud of the work we’ve accomplished and the fantastic team I’ve assembled to help me,” said O’Brien. “Our financial position is much healthier, and we are virtually debt-free. We’ve become independent Broadway presenters, which has strengthened our balance sheet as well as our position within the Broadway community, allowing us to develop new work for the stage. Additionally, we’ve brought our ticketing services in-house, again contributing to a strong financial position and customer service. And the cherry on top is that we’ve expanded from four to six education programs, so we are serving more within our community and in more meaningful ways.”

Turner currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Southern California. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofits arts, Turner previously was the Chief Operating Officer for the national historic landmark Auditorium Theatre in Chicago and held roles with Michigan Opera Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company and Harper College. Turner completed her undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and has a graduate degree from Roosevelt University in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management.

Music Engineer Charlie Brocco Dies

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Music engineer Charlie John Brocco died Feb. 4 in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 64.

Brocco was born in Kingston, New York on March 1, 1954 to Charles and Angela (Perry) Brocco. He graduated from Siena College in 1976 with a Bachelor in Finance.

On Sept. 5, 1982 he married Lisa Fischer and together they have two sons. Charlie and Lisa moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a recording engineer at Village Recorder studio.

In 1998, the Brocco’s with their two young sons relocated to Hendersonville, Tennessee, and Charlie began engineering at East Iris Recording Studio. Charlie lent his talents to many studios and artists throughout his career including Barenaked Ladies, Patty Griffin, Randy Houser, Will Hoge and many more. In 2014 he won a Grammy for his work on Kacey Musgraves’ Same Trailer Different Park.

Brocco was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife Lisa Brocco, their children Jonathan and Cameron Brocco, and his sister Mary Ann Hoskins.

A celebration of life will be held at the Winery at Fontanel at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.

CMT Announces “Empowering Education” Initiative With Courtney Cole

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Courtney Cole

In an effort to increase the number of work-ready residents in the state, CMT has joined forces with TBR – The College System of Tennessee, for a free multi-city concert tour targeting rural areas of the state this spring to encourage Tennesseans to pursue higher education. The tour will begin on April 3 and travel to four community colleges across the state.

The partnership was announced last fall at the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Presidents’ Meeting in Nashville and aims to encourage more Tennesseans to attend college—whether to earn an academic degree or a technical or occupational degree or certificate. CMT’s “Empowering Education” initiative offers four community colleges across the state the opportunity to receive additional support at a local level, including a free concert at each stop featuring CMT’s Next Women of Country artist, Courtney Cole.

“As someone who graduated from college in Tennessee, I am thrilled to be working with CMT and TBR to spread the message of the potential education has to change your life,” Cole says. “I can’t wait to tour the state, put on a really fun show, and encourage people to follow their dreams.”

Among the colleges she will visit are Dyersburg Community College (April 3), Jackson State Community College (April 4), Motlow State Community College (April 9), and Pellissippi State Community College (April 10).

Zac Brown Band To Open For The Rolling Stones In Jacksonville

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The Rolling Stones have announced that Zac Brown Band will be a special guest opening their show in Jacksonville on Wednesday, April 24 at TIAA Bank Field. Their 15-city NO FILTER tour will trek across North America in 2019, and this show will be the first time The Stones play in Jacksonville in nearly 30 years.

“We are huge fans of the Stones, it’s an honor to join them in Jacksonville and share a stage with such legendary musicians,” said the Zac Brown Band.

For ticketing information, please visit rollingstones.com.

54th Annual ACM Awards Nominees: The Full List

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Chris Stapleton, Dan + Shay, and Kacey Musgraves lead the nominees for the upcoming 54th Academy of Country Music Awards, to be held Sunday, April 7 in Las Vegas.

Reigning Male Artist of the Year, Chris Stapleton received six nominations in four categories, including his second nod for Entertainer of the Year. Stapleton is also nominated twice, as both artist and producer, for his album From A Room: Volume 2 in the Album of the Year category, which he won last year for From A Room: Volume 1. Additionally, he is nominated for Song of the Year twice, as both artist and songwriter, for “Broken Halos.” Lastly, Stapleton is nominated for Male Artist of the Year.

Dan + Shay earned six nominations, including their sixth nod for Duo of the Year. They received nominations in the Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year categories for “Tequila.” Dan + Shay are also nominated for Album of the Year for Dan + Shay, and Music Event of the Year for “Keeping Score” (featuring Kelly Clarkson). Additionally, Dan Smyers received 3 individual nominations as a producer in the Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Music Event of the Year categories. He also received an individual nomination as a writer in the Song of the Year category for “Tequila.”

Kacey Musgraves earned five nominations in three categories, including a nod for Female Artist of the Year. Additionally, she is nominated in the Album of the Year Category twice, as both artist and producer, for Golden Hour, as well as in the Song of the Year category twice, as both artist and songwriter, for “Space Cowboy.” Musgraves most recently won in 2016 in the Video of the Year category for “Forever Country” and previously won in the Album of the Year category in 2013 for Same Trailer Different Park.

Earning four nominations each are Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha.

Ian Fitchuk, a first-time nominee this year, picked up six nominations including a nod for Album of the Year with Kacey Musgraves as a producer for Golden Hour. Fitchuk also received five nominations across Studio Recording Award categories, including Bass Player of the Year, Drummer of the Year, Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year, Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year and Producer of the Year.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Kenny Chesney
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Dierks Bentley
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban

DUO OF THE YEAR
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• LOCASH
• Maddie & Tae

GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Lady Antebellum
• LANCO
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion

NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Danielle Bradbery
• Lindsay Ell
• Ashley McBryde
• Carly Pearce

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Jimmie Allen
• Luke Combs
• Jordan Davis
• Michael Ray
• Mitchell Tenpenny

NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
• High Valley
• LANCO
• Runaway June

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers / Matt Dragstrem
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

• Desperate Man – Eric Church
Producers: Jay Joyce / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville

• From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb / Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Nashville

• Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk / Daniel Tashian / Kacey Musgraves
Record Label: MCA Nashville

• The Mountain – Dierks Bentley
Producers: Ross Copperman / Jon Randall Stewart / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• Down to the Honky Tonk – Jake Owen
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Big Loud Records

• Heaven – Kane Brown
Producer: Dann Huff / Polow Da Don
Record Label: RCA Nashville

• Meant To Be – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Wilshire for Rock The Soul Ent
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records

• Most People Are Good – Luke Bryan
Producers: Jeff Stevens / Jody Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

• Tequila – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• Break Up In The End – Cole Swindell
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon / Chase McGill / Jon Nite
Publishers: EMI April Music Inc. / Nite Writer Music (ASCAP) / Songs of Universal, Inc. / Plum Nelly (BMI) / Big Music Machine (BMI)/ Big Ass Pile Of Dimes Music (BMI)

• Broken Halos – Chris Stapleton
Writers: Mike Henderson / Chris Stapleton
Publishers: WB Music Corp./House of Sea Gayle Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights/Spirit Catalog Holdings, S.a.r.l. admin. by Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP); Straight Six Music (BMI)

• Meant To Be – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Writers: David Garcia / Tyler Hubbard / Joshua Miller / Bebe Rexha
Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs/Kiss Me If You Can Music (BMI) (all rights administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC) Big Loud Mountain (BMI) and T Hubb Publishing (BMI). All Rights Administered by Round Hill Works. Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. on behalf of itself and Songs of the Corn and Jack 10 Publishing. Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (ASCAP) D Soul Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)

• Space Cowboy – Kacey Musgraves
Writers: Luke Laird / Shane McAnally / Kacey Musgraves
Publishers: Smack Hits/Smack Songs, admin by Kobalt Music Group ltd. (GMR)/Universal Music Works/We Are Creative NBaSmack Hits/Smack Songs, LLC, admin. by Kobalt Music Group Ltd. (GMR); Universal Music Works/We Are Creative Nation/Jake and Mack Music, admin. by Universal Music Works; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./351 Music (BMI).

• Tequila – Dan + Shay
Writers: Nicolle Galyon / Jordan Reynolds / Dan Smyers
Publishers: Beats and Banjos (ASCAP)/ WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)/A Girl Named Charlie (BMI) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) / Buckeye26 (ASCAP) / Jreynmusic (ASCAP)

• Yours – Russell Dickerson
Writers: Casey Brown / Russell Dickerson / Parker Welling
Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs/Kailey’s Dream / So Essential Tunes / Not Just Another Song Publishing / Hillbilly Science and Research Publishing/Trailerlily Music

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
• Babe – Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift
Producer: Roger Hunt
Director: Anthony Mandler

• Burn Out – Midland
Producer: Ben Skipworth
Director: TK McKamy / Cameron Duddy

• Burning Man – Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
Producer: Nate Eggert
Director: Wes Edwards

• Drunk Girl – Chris Janson
Producer: Ben Skipworth
Director: Jeff Venable

• Shoot Me Straight – Brothers Osborne
Producer: April Kimbrell
Director: Wes Edwards / Ryan Silver

• Tequila – Dan + Shay
Producer: Christen Pinkston
Director: Patrick Tracy

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR*(Off Camera Award)
• Ross Copperman
• Ashley Gorley
• Shane McAnally
• Chase McGill
• Josh Osborne

MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• Burning Man – Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
Producers: Ross Copperman / Jon Randall Stewart / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

• Drowns the Whiskey – Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert
Producer: Michael Knox
Record Labels: Macon Music, LLC; Broken Bow Records; BBR Music Group; BMG

• Everything’s Gonna Be Alright – David Lee Murphy featuring Kenny Chesney
Producers: Buddy Cannon / Kenny Chesney / David Lee Murphy
Record Label: Reviver Records

• Keeping Score – Dan + Shay featuring Kelly Clarkson
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

• Meant To Be – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Wilshire for Rock The Soul Ent
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records

INDUSTRY AWARDS:
CASINO OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
• Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant, OK
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort – Cherokee, NC
• The Joint: Tulsa – Tulsa, OK
• Peppermill Reno – Reno, NV
• Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – Mt. Pleasant, MI

CASINO OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY
• Casino Rama – Orillia, ON
• Grand Casino Hinckley – Hinckley, MN
• Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
• Sandia Casino Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM
• WinStar Global Event Center – Thackerville, OK

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
• Boots & Hearts – Oro-Medonte, ON
• Faster Horses – Brooklyn, MI
• Stagecoach – Indio, CA
• Tortuga Music Festival – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Windy City Smokeout – Chicago, IL

NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR
• Dusty Armadillo – Rootstown, OH
• Grizzly Rose – Denver, CO
• Joe’s on Weed St – Chicago, IL
• Joe’s Live – Rosemont, IL
• Stoney’s Rockin’ Country – Las Vegas, NV

VENUE OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
• House of Blues – Anaheim, CA
• House of Blues – Boston, MA
• Floore’s – Helotes, TX
• Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
• Surf Ballroom – Clear Lake, IA

VENUE OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
• Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH
• Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, TN
• The Wharf Amphitheater – Orange Beach, AL
• The Anthem – Washington, DC

VENUE OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY
• Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
• BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
• Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON
• PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
• Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Noblesville, IN

DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
• Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions
• Billy Brill – Billy Alan Productions
• Gil Cunningham – Neste Event Marketing
• Kell Houston – Houston Productions
• Nicole More – Wilson Events, Inc.

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
• Brent Fedrizzi – AEG Presents
• Stacy Vee – Goldenvoice
• Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar
• Adam Weiser – AEG Presents
• Jason Wright – Live Nation

STUDIO RECORDING AWARDS:
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Mike Brignardello
• JT Cure
• Ian Fitchuk
• Tony Lucido
• Glenn Worf

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
• Matt Chamberlain
• Ian Fitchuk
• Evan Hutchings
• Aaron Sterling
• Nir Z

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Tom Bukovac
• Jedd Hughes
• Danny Rader
• Adam Shoenfeld
• Ilya Toshinsky
• Derek Wells

PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Dave Cohen
• David Dorn
• Ian Fitchuk
• Tony Harrell
• Charlie Judge
• Gordon Mote

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Ian Fitchuk
• Jenee Fleenor
• Carl Miner
• Mickey Raphael
• Ilya Toshinsky

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Dan Dugmore
• Steve Hinson
• Mike Johnson
• Russ Pahl
• Justin Schipper

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
• Craig Alvin
• Ryan Gore
• Jeff Juliano
• Vance Powell
• F Reid Shippen

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
• Buddy Cannon
• Ian Fitchuk
• Dann Huff
• Jay Joyce
• Michael Knox

Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives Join Steve Miller Band On Tour

/by

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives will join the Steve Miller Band for a 34-date North American tour, beginning June 13, hitting stops in Los Angeles, New York and Boston.

Stuart is also slated to perform at the “Country Music: Live at the Ryman, a Concert Celebrating The Film By Ken Burns” concert at the Ryman on March 27, along with previously announced performers, to promote the upcoming 16-hour Country Music documentary.

Select tickets are available at martystuart.net/events.

Marty Stuart tour dates:
March 2 – Stoughton, WI @ Stoughton Opera House
March 15 – Nashville, IN @ Brown County Playhouse
March 16 – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
March 22 – Macon, GA @ Hargray Capitol Theatre
March 23 – Live Oak, FL @ Suwannee Spring Reunion
March 27 – Nashville, TN @ The Ryman (Country Music: A Celebration of the Film by Ken Burns)
April 4 – Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere
April 5 – Phoenixville, PA @ Colonial Theatre
April 6 – Wheeling, WV @ The Wheeling Jamboree
April 10 – Houston, TX @ The Heights
April 11 – Waco, TX @ Waco Hippodrome Theatre
April 13 – Roswell, NM @ The Liberty
April 14 – Florence, AZ @ Country Thunder
June 1 – Franklin, NC @ Smoky Mountain Center For The Performing Arts
June 13 – Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena*
June 15 – Tulsa, OK @ River Spirit Casino – Paradise Cove Margaritaville*
June 16 – Rogers, AR @Walmart Amp*
June 21 – Alton, IL @ Liberty Bank Amphitheater Summer Concert Series*
June 22 – Dubuque, IA @ America’s River Festival*
June 24 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park “Meijer Gardens”*
June 28 – Rochester, NY @ Rochester International Jazz Festival*
June 30 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Freedom Hill*
July 12 – Prior Lake, MN @ Lakefront Music Fest*
July 14 – Duluth, MN @ Bayfront Festival Park*
July 16 – Kettering, OH @ Fraze Pavilion*
July 18 – Baltimore, MD @ MECU Pavilion*
July 21 – Twin Lakes, WI @ Country Thunder
July 20 – Lynchburg, VA @ Riverfront Park Concert Series*
July 24 – New York, NY @ Pier 17*
July 25 – Boston, MA @ Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion*
July 27 – Rangeley, ME @ Rangeley Health & Wellness Pavilion*
July 28 – Kingston, NY @ Hutton Brickyards*
July 30 – Selbyville, DE @ The Freeman Stage at Bayside*
July 31 – Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap Center for Performing Arts*
August 2 – Mashantucket, CT @ The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino*
August 3 – Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest*
August 11 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sandia Resort and Casino*
August 13 – Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom*
August 14 – Vail, CO @ Gerald R. Ford Amphitheatre*
August 16 – Billings, MT @ Cove Creek Outdoor Pavilion*
August 17 – Missoula, MT @ Big Sky Brewery*
August 19 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden*
August 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre*
August 22 – Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre*
August 24 – Stateline, NV @ Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys*
August 27 – Salem, OR @ Oregon State Fair*
August 28 – Airway Heights, WA @ Northern Quest Resort & Casino*
August 30 – Woodinville, WA @ Chateau Ste. Michelle*
August 31 – Woodinville, WA @ Chateau Ste. Michelle*
(* supporting Steve Miller Band)