Pictured (L-R): Producer Arturo Buenahora, Co-Writer/Producer Ross Copperman, Dierks Bentley, Co-Writer Josh Kear, Co-producer Jon Randall
On Thursday (Aug. 16), friends and family joined Dierks Bentley to celebrate his 17th career No. 1, “Woman, Amen,” which is the lead track to his ninth studio album, The Mountain. The party, hosted by ASCAP, BMI, Pinnacle and First Tennessee Bank, was held at Bentley’s very own Whiskey Row venue in downtown Nashville. The single was co-written by Bentley, Josh Kear, and Ross Copperman. Copperman co-produced the single with Jon Randall.
Cindy Mabe of Universal Music Group praised Brentley’s single by stating, “At a time when the world seems to want to take everything it can, people are at odds with each other for differences of opinions, and our brains are so full that we can’t see the road in front of us, ‘Woman, Amen’ cut through the noise and clutter, and it took us back to what matters most. It all starts with family.”
Family was the main theme surrounding the party. Copperman thanked his wife, his co-writers, his co-producer Randall, and mixer/engineer Reid Shippen. Kear echoed this message by thanking his wife for being his inspiration, his publisher Big Yellow Dog, Bentley, Copperman and everybody involved in the project from playing on it to those who promoted the single to radio.
Kear added, “These things never happen by themselves by any far stretch of the imagination. So thank you to everyone along the chain that enjoyed it or fought for it.”
Bentley took the industry crowd on a trip down memory lane to the title track from his second studio album, 2005’s Modern Day Drifter. He described himself as a drifter always being on the road before he met his wife, Cassidy, who gave the drifter’s heart a home, as stated in the first verse of “Woman, Amen.”
“When Josh threw this song title out, I felt like I needed this song in my life,” Bentley said. “One of the few times in my life where I had really just known, like when I [knew I] wanted to be a country singer. A very special song, a very special day; one of those days that comes along very infrequently. As much as this song is about my wife, [“Woman, Amen”] can be applied to so many different women in my life. That’s why I love this song; it recognizes how many women it takes for one male country singer to have success.”
Among those celebrating with Bentley were producer Arturo Buenahora, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Rezonant’s Tim Wipperman, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace and Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg.
In addition to his No. 1 celebration, Bentley will be honored with the Merle Haggard Spirit Award at the upcoming 12th Annual ACM Honors.
Pictured (L-R): Rezonant’s Tim Wipperman, UMG’s Cindy Mabe, Arturo Buenahora, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Ross Copperman, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Dierks Bentley, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, Josh Kear, Jon Randall, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace.
Brett Young To Headline CMT Here Tonight Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughThe tour will feature special guests Tyler Rich and Rachel Wammack, and tickets go on sale in select markets this Friday, Aug. 24 via BrettYoungMusic.com.
“This tour has got me pumped already,” said Young. “We teamed up with CMT to name it after a new song I’ve been working on. It’s all about losing track of time because you’re so wrapped up in the moment. That’s what I want it to be all about out with the fans each night, and Rachel and Tyler are going to be a great way to get it started.”
Young is currently on Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes Tour 2018 and is set to headline a sold-out show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for the first time on Oct. 10.
CMT ON TOUR: HERE TONIGHT 2018 Dates:
Nov. 16 – Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Theatre
Nov. 17 – Northfield, OH @ Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park – Hard Rock Live
Nov. 18 – Saint Louis, MO @ The Pageant
Nov. 29 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
Nov. 30 – Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium
Dec. 1 – North Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
Dec. 2 – Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
Dec. 6 – Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre
Dec. 9 – New York, NY @ Playstation Theatre
Dec. 14 – Atlanta, GA @ Coca Cola Roxy Theatre
Dec. 16 – Kansas City, MO @ Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
Kobalt, 3 Ring Circus Sign Adam James
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Darrell Franklin, 3 Ring Circus, Kevin Lane, Kobalt, Laura Alexander, Kobalt, Adam James, Casey LeVasseur, 3 Ring Circus, Jeffrey Steele, 3 Ring Circus, Jesse Willoughby, Kobalt
Kobalt has joined forces with 3 Ring Circus Music to sign singer-songwriter Adam James. The worldwide admin agreement includes James’ future works.
Kobalt General Manager, Nashville, Jesse Willoughby said, “We are really excited to be working with Adam, Jeffrey and Darrell. Adam is an incredible talent and has partnered with a great team. We look forward to the opportunity to help grow both Adam and 3 Ring Circus. Welcome to the Kobalt family!”
James was raised in central Illinois, and has been working with songwriter-publisher Jeffrey Steele and his 3 Ring Circus Music since 2014. James’ credits including “Roses and a Time Machine,” from Dierks Bentley’s Black album.
“We are really looking forward to working together with Kobalt on this next step in Adam’s journey,” Steele said.
“Adam is an extremely gifted songwriter with a respect for the past, present and future of country music,” said Darrell Franklin, GM, 3 Ring Circus. “The music he is writing is really beginning to take him to the next level and is quickly making him a rising star in the songwriting community. We are excited to continue our relationship with Adam in this next chapter.”
Kenny Chesney Breaks MetLife Stadium Attendance Record
/by Lorie HollabaughIn six plays at the stadium, the same number as Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen & the E. Street Band and Bon Jovi, Chesney’s total numbered 338,516 – 10,000 ahead of the next closest performer. Chesney became the only country artist in the Meadowlands/MetLife Top 10 concert draws of all time: joining Springsteen (30 plays), the Grateful Dead (14), Bon Jovi (14), U2 (11), the Rolling Stones (9), Dave Matthews Band (9) and Billy Joel (7).
“When they told me, I couldn’t really get my head around it,” Chesney said. “Those are big numbers. But you know, to me, when we hit that stage, and I saw all those people, soaking wet, who’d hung through the evacuation and had come for the music; to me, that was the greatest sight in the world – and it’s why we come back year after year. They rock us harder than we rock them!”
Old Dominion guitarist and “Save It For A Rainy Day” co-writer Brad Tursi was also surprised during the show with an oversized birthday margarita to celebrate his big day.
“This was the last night for Thomas and OD,” Chesney said. “It’s been an incredible summer, filled with so much incredible music, heart and great people. Tonight on stage, after all of it, you could really feel the power of what music does for and to people. You can have a ton of rainfall stop the momentum, but you can’t stop the songs. It’s why we do what we do, and I hope it’s why No Shoes Nation keeps coming back.”
The crowd at MetLife Stadium. Photo: Kenny Chesney/Instagram
The Eagles Surpass Michael Jackson For Best-Selling Album Of All Time
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Eagles‘ greatest hits album has surpassed Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the best-selling album of all-time, according to the RIAA.
The group’s 1976 album Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is certified 38x Platinum, putting it ahead of Jackson’s iconic Thriller album, which is 33x Platinum.
According to the RIAA, the Eagles’ 1977 album Hotel California is now 26x Platinum, which places it as the third best-selling album of all time.
The RIAA had previously totaled sales for the Eagles’ greatest hits album in 2006 (it was 29x Platinum at the time). Sales and streams tallies for Jackson’s Thriller were updated in 2017.
“We are grateful for our families, our management, our crew, the people at radio and, most of all, the loyal fans who have stuck with us through the ups and downs of 46 years. It’s been quite a ride,” the Eagles’ Don Henley said via a statement.
After a 2013 change in company policy, the RIAA began incorporating digital music services to ascertain song and album certifications. Currently, 1,500 album streams equal one album sale. Additionally, 10 song downloads are equal to one album sale.
The band, known for their hits including “Hotel California” and “I Can’t Tell You Why,” was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
Industry Ink: AIMP Nashville, Nashville Industry Music Awards, Dailey & Vincent
/by Jessica NicholsonAIMP Nashville: Top Music Supervisors Discuss Current Projects, Music Needs
Pictured (L-R): Mike Turner (Mike Turner Media), Rick Clark (Rick Clark Productions), Rachel Rauch (Publicis), Ben Dorenfeld (Anomaly), Carter Little (35Sound), Marina Polites (Mocean), Randall Foster (ole; Event Director), Heather Guibert (Francium Enterprises), Dale Bobo (Big Deal Music; AIMP Nashville Treasurer), Courtney Kruckeberg (HoriPro; AIMP Nashville Admin Director), Kendall Lettow (peermusic; AIMP Nashville Admin Asst.), and Ben Short (Warner/Chappell; Event Director).
AIMP Nashville’s fourth annual music supervisors panel gathered top music supervisors in film, TV, trailers, and ads — including Rick Clark of Rick Clark Productions, Ben Dorenfeld of Anomaly, Heather Guibert of Francium Enterprises, Carter Little of 35Sound, Marina Polites of Mocean, Rachel Rauch of Publicis, and Mike Turner of Mike Turner Media — for an insightful panel moderated by Randall Foster of ole in which they discussed their current projects and shared their music needs. The event also featured live performances from artists Club Danger, Gavin Slate, Kelsey K, and Striking Matches.
12th Annual NIMA Coming Aug. 26 In Nashville
The 12th annual Nashville Industry Music Awards will be held on Sunday, Aug. 26 at Nashville’s Hotel Preston. The event, hosted by former head of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter Shannon Sanders, aims to recognize Nashville musical talent in several genres, including blues, jazz, R&B, rock and more. The awards show, which includes more than 30 categories, focuses on honoring artists without major label ties. For more, visit nimadigital.com.
Dailey & Vincent Announce Concert Special Filming
Grand Ole Opry members Dailey & Vincent will film the television concert special The Sounds of Christmas, on Sept. 19 at The Franklin Theatre. During the special, which will be produced by BMG Filmed Entertainment and directed by BMG’s Joe Thomas, Dailey & Vincent will be joined by fellow entertainers, including CeCe Winans and Béla Fleck, as well as additional talent to be announced soon.
Dierks Bentley Celebrates 17th Career No. 1
/by Alex ParryPictured (L-R): Producer Arturo Buenahora, Co-Writer/Producer Ross Copperman, Dierks Bentley, Co-Writer Josh Kear, Co-producer Jon Randall
On Thursday (Aug. 16), friends and family joined Dierks Bentley to celebrate his 17th career No. 1, “Woman, Amen,” which is the lead track to his ninth studio album, The Mountain. The party, hosted by ASCAP, BMI, Pinnacle and First Tennessee Bank, was held at Bentley’s very own Whiskey Row venue in downtown Nashville. The single was co-written by Bentley, Josh Kear, and Ross Copperman. Copperman co-produced the single with Jon Randall.
Cindy Mabe of Universal Music Group praised Brentley’s single by stating, “At a time when the world seems to want to take everything it can, people are at odds with each other for differences of opinions, and our brains are so full that we can’t see the road in front of us, ‘Woman, Amen’ cut through the noise and clutter, and it took us back to what matters most. It all starts with family.”
Family was the main theme surrounding the party. Copperman thanked his wife, his co-writers, his co-producer Randall, and mixer/engineer Reid Shippen. Kear echoed this message by thanking his wife for being his inspiration, his publisher Big Yellow Dog, Bentley, Copperman and everybody involved in the project from playing on it to those who promoted the single to radio.
Kear added, “These things never happen by themselves by any far stretch of the imagination. So thank you to everyone along the chain that enjoyed it or fought for it.”
Bentley took the industry crowd on a trip down memory lane to the title track from his second studio album, 2005’s Modern Day Drifter. He described himself as a drifter always being on the road before he met his wife, Cassidy, who gave the drifter’s heart a home, as stated in the first verse of “Woman, Amen.”
“When Josh threw this song title out, I felt like I needed this song in my life,” Bentley said. “One of the few times in my life where I had really just known, like when I [knew I] wanted to be a country singer. A very special song, a very special day; one of those days that comes along very infrequently. As much as this song is about my wife, [“Woman, Amen”] can be applied to so many different women in my life. That’s why I love this song; it recognizes how many women it takes for one male country singer to have success.”
Among those celebrating with Bentley were producer Arturo Buenahora, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Rezonant’s Tim Wipperman, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace and Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg.
In addition to his No. 1 celebration, Bentley will be honored with the Merle Haggard Spirit Award at the upcoming 12th Annual ACM Honors.
Pictured (L-R): Rezonant’s Tim Wipperman, UMG’s Cindy Mabe, Arturo Buenahora, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Ross Copperman, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Dierks Bentley, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, Josh Kear, Jon Randall, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace.
Chris Tomlin Releases EP, Preps ‘Holy Roar’ Album For October
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin has launched a new radio single and a new four-song EP, both titled Nobody Loves Me Like You. The EP is a taste of Tomlin’s forthcoming full studio album, Holy Roar, slated to release Oct. 26.
“I am so energized by this new music, I couldn’t wait to share a few songs ahead of the Holy Roar album,” said Tomlin. “Holy Roar is the freedom, the experience, the wonder of worship. It is seeing the church come together, hands lifted to God, pouring out our praise with an eternal song in our hearts. It’s every voice together, changing the way we worship.”
The album was produced by Ed Cash and Bryan Fowler, and follows Tomlin’s Never Lose Sight project, which earned three No. 1 hits including “Good Good Father,” “Jesus” and “Home.”
Additionally, Tomlin and Nashville’s Church of the City pastor Darren Whitehead have partnered with Thomas Nelson to re-release their book Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change The Way You Worship. The book is due Oct. 23.
Jillian Jacqueline, Keith Urban Collaborate On New Track “If I Were You”
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I couldn’t wait to share this song. I wrote it — with Sarah Buxton and Jordan Reynolds — about meeting and falling for someone new very soon after a heartbreak and feeling unprepared to love again,” shares Jacqueline. “The song was very real to me when I wrote it, and is now one of the most special songs of my career because Keith is part of it with me. His voice and guitar playing took this song to the next level, and I am so proud of it.”
An accompanying vertical video of the introspective track is now available exclusively on Spotify’s New Boots playlist. “If I Were You” has also been added to the streaming platform’s New Music Friday collection.
Beginning next month, Jacqueline will join Kip Moore as a special guest on the After The Sunburn Tour. She’ll round out the summer by joining the bill at festivals including Bumbershoot in Seattle (Sept. 2) and Pilgrimage in Franklin, TN (Sept. 22).
JUST IN: ‘Music for Mike’ Benefit Offers Iconic Arista Nashville Performers
/by Sherod RobertsonOn Tuesday, September 25, 2018, current and former Arista Nashville artists will take to the stage of the historic War Memorial Auditorium in support of music industry veteran Mike Owens at the “Music for Mike” benefit concert.
The Music for Mike list of performers, which reads like a country music Who’s-Who, includes recent Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Alan Jackson, superstar duo Brooks & Dunn, and critically acclaimed entertainer Brad Paisley, along with Blackhawk, Diamond Rio, Lee Roy Parnell, Pam Tillis, Phil Vassar and Steve Wariner.
In total, these artists have sold over 150 million albums and racked up 99 No. 1 hits. Backing this stellar line-up is veteran touring band, Sixwire.
In 2014, Owens, a radio promotion manager with Arista Nashville throughout the 1990’s, was diagnosed with end stage renal disease and has been placed on dialysis while he awaits a donor kidney.
95.5 Nash Icon has partnered with Music for Mike, and morning show host, Marty McFly, will serve as emcee. Cumulus VP Country Format, Charlie Cook, acknowledges the artist lineup is a perfect fit for the station, but explains their reasons for supporting the show run much deeper. “Every once in a while Nashville can come together for not only a good cause but in this case, one that means something to all of us personally. 95.5 Nash Icon is proud to play a role in helping Mike and his family.”
Owens’ treatment has led to other health issues and mounting medical bills. Proceeds from the sale of tickets will go directly to the Mike Owens Family Trust. Donations can be made to Mike on his GoFundMe page. Information on how you can become a kidney donor can be found here.
Concert begins at 7:00 p.m. at War Memorial Auditorium (301 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN).
Click here to purchase tickets.
Heather Morgan’s Debut Album ‘Borrowed Heart’ Coming In October
/by Jessica NicholsonSinger-songwriter Heather Morgan, who has penned songs including Brett Eldredge‘s “Lose My Mind” and “Beat of the Music,” will release her own debut album, Borrowed Heart, on Oct. 5.
The album was produced by Paul Moak, who also co-wrote the album’s “We Were A Fire,” “A Hundred Miles” and “Paper.”
Lori McKenna offers vocals on “Arms of A Lion,” which Morgan and McKenna co-wrote. McKenna also co-wrote the album’s title track. Other co-writers on the album include Ross Copperman, Trent Dabbs, and Jonathan Singleton.
Her songwriting has earned her a BMI Country Song of the Year Award.
‘Borrowed Heart’ tracklist:
1. We Were A Fire (Paul Moak, Heather Morgan)
2. Arms of A Lion ft. Lori McKenna (Lori McKenna, Morgan)
3. Your Hurricane (Morgan)
4. Morning Light (Morgan)
5. Highway Robbery (Morgan)
6. Fall Like Rain (Ross Copperman, Morgan)
7. A Hundred Miles (Moak, Morgan)
8. Still Think About You (Trent Dabbs, Morgan)
9. Paper (Moak, Morgan)
10. Speckled Bird (Jonathan Singleton, Morgan)
11. I Always Did ft. Ross Copperman (Copperman, Morgan)
12. Borrowed Heart (McKenna, Morgan)
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