Independent festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents has added a third edition to its fall festival series in Louisville, Kentucky. Hometown Rising, a country music and bourbon festival, will make its debut Saturday, Sept. 14 and Sunday, Sept. 15 at Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center, combining two of Louisville’s cultural cornerstones—music and bourbon.

Hometown Rising’s music lineup will be led by country heavyweights including Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Little Big Town with additional appearances from Dwight Yoakam, Brett Young, Lindsay Ell, Kassi Ashton, Gabby Barrett, Clare Dunn, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Jenkins, Hannah Ellis and Kendall Shaffer. In total, more than 30 artists will play on three stages, including two side-by-side main stages, over the course of the weekend.

Hometown Rising will be followed by two consecutive weekends of festivals including Bourbon & Beyond (Sept. 20-22) and Louder Than Life (Sept. 27-29). Fans can purchase a special “Trifesta” Pass for the discounted rate of only $229.00 plus fees. The pass allows General Admission weekend access to all three DWP fall festivals in Louisville—Hometown Rising, Bourbon & Beyond, and Louder Than Life.

Fred Minnick is Hometown Rising’s official spirits curator. The event’s centerpiece, the legendary Big Bourbon Bar presented by Louisville Courier Journal, will feature more than two dozen hand-selected bourbons from top distilleries, and a unique opportunity to enjoy bourbons and exclusive one-time specialty cocktails. Fred Minnick’s Mini Bar presented by The Bourbon Women Association will showcase craft selections. Louisville whiskey bar, The Silver Dollar, will operate The Hunter’s Club, where attendees can find vintage bourbons dating as far back as the 1930s, as well as contemporary collectibles. The initial list of participating bourbon brands at Hometown Rising includes Angel’s Envy, Barrell Bourbon, Boone County, Coopers’ Craft, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Larceny, Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, Four Roses Bourbon and Kentucky Peerless, with more to be announced.

The current music lineup for Hometown Rising is as follows (subject to change):

Saturday, September 14: Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Dwight Yoakam, [artist TBA], Frankie Ballard, The Cadillac Three, Jimmie Allen, Lindsay Ell, The Steel Woods, Clare Dunn, Gabby Barrett, Kassi Ashton, J.D. Shelburne, Raelyn Nelson Band, Alice Wallace, Imaj

Sunday, September 15: Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Brett Young, Jake Owen, Bret Michaels, Lauren Alaina, LoCash, Drake White and The Big Fire, The Wild Feathers, Mason Ramsey, Noah Guthrie, Everette, Lauren Jenkins, Jeffrey East, Hannah Ellis, Kendall Shaffer

Hometown Rising exclusive VIP packages, General Admission tickets, camping and hotel packages, as well as special event tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 15 at 12:00 PM EDT.

Curb Records announced today (Feb. 12) the appointment of Laurel Kittleson to the position of Vice President of Artist Development and A&R. Kittleson joins Curb Records from Big Machine Label Group where she most recently served as A&R Director.

In her new position, Kittleson will work closely with the A&R and publishing teams developing new artists, working with the current roster and cultivating new talent for the label. She will report to Jim Ed Norman and Ryan Dokke.

“We’re excited to have Laurel join our creative team. Her strong song sense combined with her artist relations skills and passion for music make her a perfect fit for the future of Curb Records,” comments Jim Ed Norman, CEO, Recorded Music and Publishing for Curb | Word Entertainment.

“Laurel’s experience and passion for artist development are exactly what we need at exactly the right time. With her addition to our team, we’re sending a signal to the community that Curb | Word Entertainment is a place open to all manner of creative partnerships.” adds Ryan Dokke, Senior Vice President / General Manager, Curb | Word Entertainment.

A Seattle native, Kittleson played a key role in the signing and development of 2018 ACM New Male Vocalist Brett Young and newcomer Dan Smalley. At BMLG her roster included Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Midland, Justin Moore, Ronnie Dunn, Eli Young Band, Carly Pearce, The Cadillac Three, and Danielle Bradbery. The Belmont University graduate also held creative positions at Toby Keith’s Show Dog-Universal Records and Elevation Music Publishing.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to grow my career at a company with as rich of a legacy as Curb Records. I am incredibly passionate about developing artists at all stages of their careers and I’m committed to building and developing the best talent possible with the incredible team at Curb!” adds Kittleson.

Kittleson is a MusiCares Ambassador, a voting member of CMA, ACM and a SOLID and Grammy Next alumni.

MusicRow is now considering candidates for its annual InCharge issue, the published directory of Nashville’s music industry decision makers. Now in its 32nd year, InCharge serves as the April/May issue of MusicRow Magazine and is slated for a late April release.

If you feel you merit inclusion in this year’s edition of InCharge, please click below to access the 2019 InCharge application form.

Also, please send a recent head shot to art@musicrow.com. (Photo specs: 2” x 2” or larger, 266+ dpi, color, jpeg).

New submissions for InCharge close on Friday, February 22, 2019. 

All new submissions will be considered for the 2019 edition. However, not every candidate will be selected, even if the applicant has been included in past editions. Individuals listed in the 2018 InCharge were solicited separately. To request the information we have on file for you, email directory@musicrow.com.

For advertising opportunities, please contact srobertson@musicrow.com.

David Boyer, a longtime business manager for Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy (FBMM), has been named Vice President and owner of the entertainment business management firm.

With 17 years of business management experience at FBMM, he joins owners and business managers Julie Boos, Frank Bumstead, Jamie Cheek, Duane Clark, Trey Dunaway, Chuck Flood, Mary Ann McCready and Carmen Romano as an owner of the firm.

“David was one of the first members of my team, and as a former recording artist, he has brought a unique perspective and a rich mix of resources to our work,” said Boos, chairman of FBMM. “He knows where all of our clients started because he was once there too. He’s skilled at helping his newer and more experienced clients understand the financial dynamics of the industry in order to make well-informed decisions. We’re thrilled to welcome David to our strong group of owners.”

“David also has a deep understanding of the touring industry and the challenges artists face when they are on the road,” said Cheek, president of FBMM. “Being away from home and loved ones for weeks or months at a time can be difficult for artists at any stage of their careers. By focusing on their finances and the logistical aspects of touring, he allows his clients to focus on what drives them.”

Originally from Huntsville, Alaabama, Boyer moved to Nashville in 2001 after spending some years writing music and touring with his band. Soon after moving to Music City, he joined the FBMM family as an entry-level employee. Since then, he has risen through the ranks of the company and proved himself invaluable to each of the firm’s owners.

“It’s a great honor to become an owner of FBMM,” Boyer said. “I love working with artists in every stage of their careers. It’s great to see young artists grow in their careers and help them navigate that growth through comprehensive financial plans. It’s also very rewarding to work with artists on the other side of a career peak. Helping them make really good decisions to arrive at a financially stable place in life gives my work meaning.”

Boyer earned his B.S. degree in accounting from the University of Mississippi in 1994. He is a Leadership Music Class of 2013 graduate and former board member of the Nashville Film Festival. He now serves as a member of the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Country Music Association (CMA), and as a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Boyer is currently serving as treasurer of the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA).

During Sunday evening’s (Feb. 10) Grammy Awards, several artists took victory laps including Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, Lady Gaga, Cardi B, and Childish Gambino, but the evening’s final ratings don’t match the creative triumphs.

According to deadline.com, the 61st annual Grammy Awards show earned a 5.6 rating in the adult 18-49 demo, creating a new all-time demo low for awards show and undercutting last year’s record low of a 5.9 final rating.

The 2019 show, which returned to Los Angeles following last year’s airing from New York, pulled in 19.9 million total viewers, staying roughly on par with the 19.8 million viewers that watched in 2018.

Though 2019’s viewership stayed steady with last year’s numbers, the 2018 Grammy ratings represented a staggering 21 percent tumble from 2017, which boasted a 7.3 rating/18-49 and 23.97 million viewers.

In 2016, which featured country-turned-pop artist Taylor Swift taking home the top Album of the Year honor for 1989, the show aired on a Monday night and drew in 24.95 million viewers, as well as a 7.7 rating.