Bill Anderson’s Longtime Companion Vickie Salas Dies

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Vickie Salas and Bill Anderson

Bill Anderson‘s longtime companion Vickie Salas died Wednesday (Jan. 16) at age 66, following a battle with cancer.

According to a Facebook post from Anderson, he and Salas first met when she was 19 and married to his guitar player. After the couple divorced, Salas moved back to Michigan, remarried and spent the next nearly 20 years in Washington, D.C.

“We didn’t stay in touch, but when that marriage collapsed, she moved back to Tennessee to be near her two sons. The day she got to town, my picture was on the front page of our local morning newspaper,” Anderson said in a Facebook post. “She saw it, and it prompted her to call me and ask how my former wife, Becky, and I were doing. She did not know that we, too, had gone our separate ways 10 years earlier.”

The two reconnected over dinner, “and that was almost 12 very short and very wonderful years ago,” he says. “We never married, we never lived together, but she became my everything from that moment forward.”

Salas was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, and began receiving hospice care earlier this month.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way. She was 15 years younger than me. The roles were supposed to have been reversed. She was supposed to be sitting at the side of MY bed feeding ME soup and ice cream, not the other way around,” Anderson said. “I have a lot of faith and I believe God’s hand is in everything that happens in this old world, BUT … The first thing I’m going to do when I get to Heaven is ask Him to explain this one to me. Because right now, I just don’t understand.”

“She was the kindest, gentlest, classiest, most compassionate, giving and loving person I have every known,” Anderson said. “Rest In Peace my sweet, wonderful, beautiful, and oh so special lady. I will miss you forever.”

Salas’ funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

ole Extends Deal With Jordan Davis

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Pictured (L-R): Alex Tamashunas, Lauren Lieu, Gilles Godard, Helen Murphy, Jordan Davis, John Ozier, Noah McPike, Zach Sutton, Randall Foster

ole has extended its exclusive publishing deal with Nashville-based hit singer-songwriter Jordan Davis. The deal renews the successful partnership between ole and Davis and includes the exclusive ownership of Davis’s publishing rights over the long-term.

“Being able to extend our deal with Jordan Davis is a huge moment for ole in Nashville. Jordan was developed and up-streamed to MCA Nashville out of the ole Nashville office, so to be able to continue to share in the future success together is incredibly special. Look for great things coming up from Jordan Davis,” commented ole’s Vice President of Creative, John Ozier.

Helen Murphy, ole’s Chief Executive Officer, added, “Jordan is a gifted artist with an incredible work ethic, and we look forward to continued success together.”

“ole believed in what I was doing since day one and couldn’t have been more supportive. I’m really excited to extend our partnership and continue to grow with my friends at ole,” said Davis.

Davis’ debut album, Home State, on which he co-wrote all of the songs, debuted at No. 6 on the US Country Album charts and reached Platinum sales status by July 2018. The album’s first single, “Singles You Up,” went to No. 1 on the country radio charts in both Canada and the US, and as of August 2018, was the most-played song on US country radio, while the video for “Singles You Up” has received over 27 million views to date on YouTube. The second single from Home State, “Take It from Me,” is in the Top 10 on the country radio charts. Most recently, Davis earned a 2019 iHeartRadio Music Award nomination for Best New Country Artist.

Maren Morris Announces New World Tour, New Single ‘GIRL’ Drops Today

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Maren Morris is launching her brand new headlining GIRL: The World Tour March 9 in Chicago. The tour will hit over 40 cities including Salt Lake City, Portland, San Francisco, Boston, Dallas, and more and includes a Nashville Ryman Auditorium date March 13. The tour also heads overseas to London, Ireland, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada through the end of August. Joining Morris for GIRL: The World Tour will be Cassadee Pope and RaeLynn. 

In conjunction with the tour announcement, Morris is releasing her brand new single “GIRL,” which she wrote with Sarah Aarons and songwriter/producer Greg Kurstin, (who produced the new song,) to radio today. Immediately following its world premiere fans will be able to stream and download the new song on all digital platforms.

Tickets for the new tour will go on sale to the public beginning Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. local time. On Jan. 18 Morris’ Fan club presales for all shows will begin at 10 a.m. Citi is the official presale credit card of the tour and Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets for the U.S. dates beginning January 18th  until  January 21st  through Citi’s Private Pass program.

Maren Morris Upcoming tour Dates

2/1/19: Riviera Maya, Mexico-Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend
2/15/19:George Town, Cayman Islands – KAABOO Festival
3/9/19:Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre+
3/13/19:Nashville, TN-Ryman Auditorium+
3/15/19:Kansas City, MO -Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland+
3/16/19:Oklahoma City, OK-The Criterion+
3/18/19:Denver, CO-Fillmore Auditorium+
3/19/19:Salt Lake City, UT-The Union+
3/21/19: Portland, OR-Crystal Ballroom+
3/23/19:Seattle, WA-Showbox SoDo+
3/26/19:San Francisco, CA-The Masonic+
3/28/19:Anaheim, CA-House of Blues Anaheim+
3/30/19:Los Angeles, CA-The Wiltern+
4/11/19:Atlanta, GA-Coca-Cola Roxy*
4/12-14/19:Fort Lauderdale, FL-Tortuga Festival
4/18/19:Houston, TX -Revention Music Center*
4/19/19: Dallas, TX-Bomb Factory*
4/20/19: New Braunfels, TX-Whitewater Amphitheatre*
4/25/19: Pittsburgh, PA-Stage AE*
4/26/19: Philadelphia, PA-The Fillmore*
4/27/19: Boston, MA-House of Blues – Boston*
5/2/19: Washington, DC- Anthem*
5/3/19: Brooklyn, NY- Brooklyn Steel*
5/4/19: New York, NY-Terminal 5*
5/9/19: Saint Louis, MO -The Pageant*
5/10/19: Indianapolis, IN-Egyptian Room at Old National Centre*
5/11/19: Detroit, MI-The Fillmore Detroit*
5/17/19: Berlin, DE-Columbia Theatre*
5/18/19: Cologne, DE-Kantine*
5/19/19: Zurich, CH-Mascotte*
5/21/19: Hamburg, DE-Gruenspan*
5/22/19: Amsterdam, NL-Paradiso*
5/24/19: Dublin, IE-The Academy*
5/25/19: Leeds, UK-O2 Academy Leeds*
5/26/19: Glasgow, UK-O2 Academy Glasgow*
5/27/19: Manchester, UK- Albert Hall*
5/29/19: Bristol, UK-O2 Academy Bristol*
5/30/19: Birmingham, UK- O2 Institute*
5/31/19: London, UK-Royal Albert Hall*
6/15/19: Manchester, TN-Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
6/21/19: Chicago, IL-LakeShake Festival
7/19/19:Brooklyn, MI –  Faster Horses
7/20/19:Eau Claire, WI-Country Jam USA
8/2/19:Merritt, BC-Merritt Rockin’ River Festival
8/3/19:Duncan, BC -Sunfest Country
8/8-11/19:Oro, ON- Boots and Hearts Music Festival
8/16/19:Auckland, NZ-The Logan Campbell Centre
8/17/19:Christchurch, NZ-Town Hall                              
8/19/19:Brisbane, AU-Brisbane City Hall                  
8/21/19: Melbourne, AU-Forum Theatre
8/22/19: Sydney, AU-Enmore Theatre                     
8/23/19: Canberra, AU-UC Refectory       
8/30/19: Grand Island, NE-Nebraska State Fair

Denotes a GIRL: THE WORLD TOUR Headlining date
+Denotes Cassadee Pope as opener
*Denotes RaeLynn as opener

Dan + Shay, Kacey Musgraves Nab Grammy Performance Slots

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The Recording Academy has announced several performers for the upcoming 61st Annual Grammy Awards, which will include performances from Nashville nominees Dan + Shay and Kacey Musgraves. Other performers announced include Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Post Malone, Shawn Mendes, and Janelle Monae.

The event will be hosted by Alicia Keys.

Musgraves, a two-time Grammy winner, is nominated this year for four honors, including Album of the Year (Golden Hour), Best Country Solo Performance (“Butterflies”), Best Country Song (“Space Cowboy”) and Best Country Album (Golden Hour). First-time honorees Dan + Shay are nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Tequila.”

Making her Grammy performance debut, Cabello received two nominations for Best Pop Solo Performance (“Havana [Live]”) and Best Pop Vocal Album (Camila). Cardi B is nominated for Record Of The Year (“I Like It”), Album Of The Year (Invasion Of Privacy), Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Maroon 5 (“Girls Like You”), Best Rap Performance (“Be Careful”), and Best Rap Album (Invasion Of Privacy). First-time Grammy nominee Post Malone received four nominations, Record Of The Year (“Rockstar” with 21 Savage), Album Of The Year (Beerbongs & Bentleys), Best Pop Solo Performance (“Better Now”), and Best Rap/Sung Performance (“Rockstar”). Mendes is nominated for Song Of The Year (“In My Blood”) and Best Pop Vocal Album (Shawn Mendes). Monáe is up for Album Of The Year (Dirty Computer) and Best Music Video (“PYNK”).

The 61st Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Republican Hair Teams With The Cadillac Three For New Tour Dates

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Nashville rock/punk group Republican Hair will join BMLG trio The Cadillac Three for several shows in 2019. Launching Feb. 28 in Detroit, the tour will include stops in Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago and more.

Republican Hair was created by songwriter Luke Dick, who has found success with songs recorded by Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, and Kacey Musgraves.

Tour dates below:

February 28 @ St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, MI *
March 1 @ The Castle Theatre in Bloomington, IL *
March 2 @ First Avenue in Iowa City, IA *
March 7 @ The Earl Restaurant and Lounge in Atlanta, GA #
March 8 @ The Nick in Birmingham, AL #
March 9 @ Exit/In in Nashville, TN #
April 5 @ Joe’s on Weed Street in Chicago, IL *
April 6 @ The Rave in Milwaukee, WI *

* w/ The Cadillac Three | # Headline

Country Radio Seminar To Spotlight Ken Burns’ ‘Country Music’ Documentary

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The upcoming Country Radio Seminar (CRS) will highlight the highly-anticipated documentary Country Music, which will premiere on PBS this fall. Writer/producer Dayton Duncan, part of the team behind the eight-part, 16-hour project, will appear as part of CRS’s 2019 keynote event, to be held Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. during CRS at Omni Hotel in Nashville.

Ken Burns, who directed and co-produced the film with long-time collaborators Duncan and Julie Dunfey, will appear via a taped intro piece, followed by Duncan discussing the film. Attendees will also get an early look at clips with rare footage and interviews conducted over the six years it took to produce the film. CRS Board President, Kurt Johnson will conclude the panel with an overview of how radio can get involved with this landmark event.

Country Music chronicles the highs and lows of country music’s early days, from southern Appalachia’s songs of struggle, heartbreak, and faith to the rollicking Western swing of Texas, California’s honky-tonks and Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. The film follows the evolution of country music throughout the 20th century as it eventually emerges to become “America’s music.”

The film explores crucial questions, “What is country music?” and “Where did it come from?” while focusing on the biographies of the fascinating trailblazers who created and shaped it — from the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe and Bob Wills to Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks and many more — as well as the times in which they lived. More than 100 interviews were conducted in conjunction with this project.

“Ken Burns’ documentary is a monumental celebration of the country music genre,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Trahern. “CMA is actively engaging our members to participate in this landmark series, and we’re delighted to share a sneak peek of the documentary with those attending CRS.”

Country Radio Seminar will be held Feb. 13 through Feb. 15 at Omni Nashville, in Music City.

Centricity Music Announces Promotions, Staff Moves

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Kory Henkel, Andrew Lambeth, John Stokes

Centricity Music is kicking off the New Year with several staff promotions and transitions.

John Stokes has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Digital Marketing. Stokes became part of the Centricity team two years ago, strenghtening its reach among streaming outlets and retail locations. He now joins the label’s leadership team and will continue to develop and lead innovative strategies to maximize each artist’s impact within and beyond the digital sector.

Andrew Lambeth moves into the marketing department as Manager of Sales and Marketing. Lambeth served as the head of imprint label Residence Music for the last four years, discovering and developing artists. Now he adds focus to furthering the reach of the label’s roster, with an emphasis on partnerships among streaming outlets and playlists.

Kory Henkel steps into the position of Director of Marketing and Communications. After two years as Manager of National Promotion, Henkel combines his understanding of radio and marketing to provide leadership among creative plans for artists and their projects.

“These promotions recognize the contributions of John, Andrew, and Kory to Centricity since joining the team,” label CEO Caren Seidle said. “In addition, the promotions demonstrate Centricity’s commitment to marketing by continuing to refine staff positions as market trends shift.”

17th Annual SOURCE Hall Of Fame Awards Set For August

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The SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards will return to Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at the Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday, Aug. 27.  The annual awards will honor and induct a select group of women into the SOURCE Awards Hall of Fame. The soon-to-be-announced inductees are all women who have made a significant impact on the Nashville entertainment industry.

In 2003, the annual SOURCE Awards were established to honor and pay respect to the women who helped shape and build upon Nashville’s entertainment industry.

Founded in 1991 by Shelia Shipley Biddy, Judy Harris and Pat Rolfe, SOURCE is the longest-running organization for females in the music industry in Nashville, and is dedicated to fostering relationships and opportunities for its members through continuous education, networking, and community service initiatives. SOURCE is a nonprofit organization supporting an exclusive community of accomplished women professionals who work in all facets of Nashville’s entertainment industry.

Partnerships and program ads will be available and information on how to purchase tickets, partnerships, and program ads will be released in the upcoming weeks, along with the names of this year’s 2019 inductees.

Jimmy Fortune Signs With Ovation Artist Group

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Jimmy Fortune

Ovation Artist Group has added Jimmy Fortune, tenor singer of The Statler Brothers, to their roster for exclusive booking representation. Known for hits including “Elizabeth,” “My Only Love” and “Too Much On My Heart,” the Virginia native is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame as well as the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Along with Fortune, Nashville-based Ovation Artist Group is home to Grand Ole Opry Members Dailey & Vincent, The Isaacs, CeCe Winans, and more.

KPM Music Library Debuts On Streaming And Download Services

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The KPM Music Library has fully digitized its catalog, which is now available to download and stream in its entirety. The move by Sony/ATV Music Publishing division EMI Production Music means every recording in KPM’s catalogue is now available for sync licensing and is also on the digital music services, including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and Amazon.

“We are proud to have taken this initiative to make KPM the first major music library to be fully digitized and available to our global broadcast clients and music lovers to enjoy,” said EMI Production Music Senior Content and Distribution Manager Paul Sandell. “There is no bigger name library music than KPM, which is reflected by its rich and diverse catalogue spanning 70 years, including some of the best-known television theme tunes. We know this launch will not be lost on the sampling community as some of the rarest gems from the EMI vaults will be available for fans to access for the first time since the original ‘60s and ‘70s vinyl pressings.”

KPM’s music library contains more than 30,000 recordings covering every genre of music from orchestral to cutting-edge indie. KPM occupies a central place in library music, (or production music) which was born before TV but boomed as TVs became household items, creating the opportunity for composers and session musicians to experiment without the pressures of writing a “hit.” Library music is simply background music used for a variety of media sources, primarily TV, film and radio.

KPM is the most established name in library music and for the past 50 years has been a division of EMI Music Publishing, now part of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Among the countless gems in the library are the themes to UK TV programs including Grandstand, ITV News At Ten, the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage and Grange Hill. It also includes the celebrated KPM 1000 series, which was launched in the mid-1960s and became known as “Greensleeves” because of its uniform dark green album covers.