ole Song Search Challenge Offers Single Song Contracts To Four NSAI Members

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Four members of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) have been offered single song contracts by music publishing company ole, as part of NSAI’s inaugural “ole Chapter Challenge” song search. In April, every NSAI member throughout the world was able to play a song at their chapter meeting. Local members then voted for their favorite song for further consideration by ole.

“The four songs we selected for contracts were professional caliber and we are excited to pitch them to artists, for film and tv and other uses,” said ole’s Nashville Vice President John Ozier. “It is exciting to find talented songwriters from around the country whose songs deserve a chance for placement. I applaud Bart Herbison and his team at the NSAI for giving both the songwriters and ole this opportunity.”

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for unsigned songwriters to find a partner with ole’s clout to help them get a placement. It is really a chance for dreams to come true,” said NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison.

Each April NSAI will present the “ole Chapter Challenge” across its 100 plus chapters located around the globe. NSAI members vote at each chapter. The winning song is then forwarded for further consideration by ole for a possible contract. In addition, each local NSAI Regional Chapter Coordinator gets to submit a song for consideration as a reward for their service to the organization.

Songwriters who received single song contract offers from ole and their chapters were:

“Filling Space” by Selda Sahin — NSAI NYC Chapter;
“Good Things” by Josh Cottrell — NSAI Knoxville, TN Chapter;
“Insane” by Aubrey Toone — Salt Lake City, UT NSAI Chapter;
“Keep Talking Like That” by Scott Forman – coordinator, NSAI NYC Chapter

Winners pictured (L-R): Josh Cottrell. Selda Sahin (with Derek Gregor), Aubrey Toone, Scott Forman

Becky Buller, Molly Tuttle Among Top 2018 IBMA Awards Nominees

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Becky Buller and Molly Tuttle were among the top nominees with six nods apiece for the 2018 International Bluegrass Music Awards, it was announced this morning at a press conference in Nashville. Special Consensus and The Del McCoury Band/The Travelin’ McCourys also made a strong showing with five nominations each, and Darin & Brooke Aldridge, The Sam Bush Band,Michael Cleveland, The Gibson Brothers, Sierra Hull, The Infamous Stringdusters, Lonesome River Band, Mile Twelve, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Punch Brothers, Missy Raines, Sister Sadie, and Rhonda Vincent also received several noms.

Becky Buller is nominated for Song of the Year, Gospel Performance of the Year, Recorded Event of the Year (with three different nominations), Female Vocalist of the Year, and Fiddle Player of the Year, while an individual nomination goes to band member Ned Luberecki for Banjo Player of the Year. Becky is the first woman to win IBMA’s Fiddle Player of the Year, and the first to win both Female Vocalist and an Instrumentalist of the Year Award.

2017’s first-ever woman Guitar Player of the year, Molly Tuttle, is nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Recorded Event of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Guitar Player of the Year.

“Congratulations as well to the Distinguished Achievement Award recipients and all of the awards nominee finalists,” saids IBMA’s Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “From the established leaders in our music to those who are working tirelessly to become our future leaders, we celebrate your hard-earned achievements.  You inspire all of us.  I look forward to us continuing this celebration on September 27th at the biggest night in our community, the International Bluegrass Music Awards!”

Award winners will be announced at the International Bluegrass Music Awards on September 27, at the Duke Energy Performing Arts Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The IBMA Awards Show will be broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction) on September 27that 7:30 p.m. EDT, streamed via Facebook Live,and will be made available for rebroadcast by radio stations worldwide.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Del McCoury Band
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Earls of Leicester
Gibson Brothers

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Flatt Lonesome
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Gibson Brothers
I’m With Her

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Sam Bush Band
The Travelin’ McCourys
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Punch Brothers

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Tie)
Mile Twelve
Molly Tuttle
Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Billy Strings
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado
Sister Sadie

SONG OF THE YEAR
Calamity Jane – Becky Buller (artist), Becky Buller/Tim Stafford (writers)
If I’d Have Wrote That Song – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (artist), Larry Cordle/Larry Shell/James Silvers (writers)
Swept Away – Missy Raines (artist), Laurie Lewis (writer)
Way Down the River Road – Special Consensus (artist), John Hartford (writer)
You Didn’t Call My Name – Molly Tuttle (artist), Molly Tuttle (writer)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Life Is a Story – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Doyle Lawson (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Mayhayley’s House – Lonesome River Band (artist), Lonesome River Band (producers), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Rise – Molly Tuttle (artist), Kai Welch (producer), Compass Records (label)
Rivers & Roads – Special Consensus (artist), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
The Story We Tell – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (artist), Joe Mullins (producer), Rebel Records (label)

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
I’m Going Under – Darin & Brooke Aldridge (artist), Karen Taylor-Good/Bill Whyte (writers), single release, Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Little Girl – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Harley Lee Allen (writer), Life Is a Story(album), Doyle Lawson (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Speakin’ to That Mountain – Becky Buller (artist), Becky Buller/Jeff Hyde (writers), Crepe Paper Heart(album), Stephen Mougin (producer), Dark Shadow Recording (label)
Travelin’ Shoes – Special Consensus (artist), Traditional arranged by Special Consensus (writer), Rivers & Roads(album), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
When God’s in It – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (artist), Ronnie Bowman/Jerry Salley (writers), TheStory We Tell(album), Joe Mullins (producer), Rebel Records (label)

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Lynchburg Chicken Run – The Grascals (artist), Danny Roberts/Adam Haynes (writers), Before Breakfast (album), The Grascals (producer), Mountain Home Music Company (label)
Medley: Sally in the Garden/Big Country/Molly Put the Kettle On – Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn (artists), Sally in the Garden and Molly Put the Kettle On – Traditional arranged by Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Big Country – Bela Fleck (writers), Echo in the Valley (album), Bela Fleck (producer), Rounder Records (label)
Sirens – Infamous Stringdusters (artist), Infamous Stringdusters (writers), Laws of Gravity (album), Infamous Stringdusters, Billy Hume (producers), Compass Records (label)
Squirrel Hunters – Special Consensus with John Hartford, Rachel Baiman & Christian Sedelmyer (10 String Symphony), & Alison Brown (artists), Traditional arranged by Alison Brown/Special Consensus (writers), Rivers & Roads(album), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
Wickwire – Mile Twelve (artist), Mile Twelve (writers), Onwards (album), Stephen Mougin (producer), Delores the Taurus Records (label)

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
Calamity Jane – Becky Buller with Rhonda Vincent (artists), Crepe Paper Heart(album), Stephen Mougin (producer), Dark Shadow Recording (label)
I’ll Just Go Away – Dale Ann Bradley & Vince Gill (artists), Dale Ann Bradley(album), Dale Ann Bradley (producer), Pinecastle Records (label)
The Rebel and the Rose – Becky Buller with Sam Bush (artists), Crepe Paper Heart(album), Stephen Mougin (producer), Dark Shadow Recording (label)
She Took the Tennessee River – Special Consensus with Bobby Osborne (artists), Rivers & Roads(album), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
Swept Away – Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Sierra Hull, and Molly Tuttle (artists), single release, Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Shawn Camp
Buddy Melton
Del McCoury
Russell Moore
Tim O’Brien

FEMALE VOCALIST
Brooke Aldridge
Dale Ann Bradley
Becky Buller
Molly Tuttle
Rhonda Vincent

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kristin Scott Benson
Gina Clowes
Ned Luberecki
Noam Pikelny
Sammy Shelor

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Barry Bales
Mike Bub
Missy Raines
Mark Schatz
Tim Surrett

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Hunter Berry
Becky Buller
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan

DOBRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas
Andy Hall
Rob Ickes
Phil Leadbetter
Justin Moses

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kenny Smith
Billy Strings
Bryan Sutton
Molly Tuttle
Josh Williams

MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush
Jesse Brock
Sierra Hull
Ronnie McCoury
Frank Solivan

Ricky Skaggs, Paul Williams, Tom T. And Dixie Hall Are Newest Inductees Into IBMA Hall Of Fame

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The IBMA is inducting Ricky Skaggs, Paul Williams, and Tom T. Hall and Dixie Hall into the 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame. All four will be will be officially inducted on Thursday, Sept. 27 in Raleigh, North Carolina at the International Bluegrass Music Awards. The awards show will be broadcast live at 7 p.m./ET on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction (Ch. 62).

“Congratulations to Ricky Skaggs, Paul Williams, and Tom T. & Dixie Hall. For the indelible impact each of them has made on bluegrass music, they are receiving our highest honor, induction into the IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame,” says IBMA’s Executive Director Paul Schiminger.

The International Bluegrass Music Awards Show is the centerpiece of the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass week, which is brought to you by Chiesi USA. Tickets for the 29th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show are available by logging onto worldofbluegrass.org or by calling 1-800-514-3849.

Reba McEntire To Be Among 2018 Kennedy Center Honors Recipients

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Reba McEntire at the 27th Annual Kennedy Center Honors at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2014. Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images North America

Reba McEntire has been announced among the distinguished honorees at the 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors. Additional honorees include Cher, pianist Philip Glass, jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter, co-creators of Hamilton—writer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, director Thomas Kail, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, and music director Alex Lacamoire—receiving the unique Kennedy Center Honors as trailblazing creators of a transformative work that defies category.

2018 honorees will be presented at a star-studded celebration on Sun., Dec. 2. at the Washington DC Opera House, broadcast nationwide on CBS on Wed., Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. ET.

“The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes exceptional artists who have made enduring and indelible marks on our culture,” stated Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein.

“The world looks to America for its creative instincts and artistic courage,” said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter. “This year’s slate of Honorees represents the pinnacle of our nation’s originality and the rich mosaic of diverse perspectives and art forms that has come to define who we are as a people.”

Previous country music honorees include Merle Haggard, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Roy Acuff.

Final Round Of Performers Announced For AmericanaFest

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Pictured (L-R) Top: Birdtalker, Yola Carter, Brandi & the Alexanders, Charley Crockett; Bottom: Fantastic Negrito, The Lone Bellow, Neighbor Lady, Richard Thompson

Rosanne Cash, Amanda Shires, The Lone Bellow, Buddy Miller, and Paul Cauthen are among the final list of the 52 final performers announced for the upcoming annual AMERICANAFEST: The Americana Music Festival & Conference September 11-16 in Nashville. Today’s announcement joins previous performer lists.

For the 19th consecutive year, the six-day festival and conference will once again fill the city with legends, newcomers, award-winners, and buzz-worthy artists, showcasing the breadth of Americana’s influence on a global scale. Over 250 artists and bands will participate in the annual event.

2018 festival wristbands are currently on sale to the public for $75 on the website and in Nashville at Grimey’s New & Preloved Music and The Groove. Festival Wristbands allow admission into all evening showcase venues and select sanctioned parties and events.

Final Round of Artists Confirmed to Play AMERICANAFEST 2018:
Amanda Shires
Arkansas Dave
Birds of Chicago
Birdtalker
Bones Owens
Brandi & the Alexanders
Buddy Miller
Buxton
Charley Crockett
Charlie Faye & The Fayettes
Choir! Choir! Choir!
Chris Gantry
Chris Shiflett
Creamer
DADDY
Dylan Pratt
Elise Davis
Elizabeth Cook
Fantastic Negrito
Hymn For Her
Ian Moore
Janiva Magness
Jason James
Jeremy Pinnell
JP Harris
Kathy Mattea
Lee Roy Parnell
Leslie Stevens
Lilly Hiatt
Mandolin Orange
Max Gomez
Mike & The Moonpies
Neighbor Lady
New Reveille
Oliver Hazard
Paul Cauthen
Peter Bradley Adams
Rev. Sekou
Richard Thompson
Rosanne Cash
Samantha Fish
Sarah Siskind
Taylor Kingman
The Lone Bellow
Thomas Csorba
Tom Freund
Town Mountain
Tyler Childers
Walter Salas-Humara
William Fitzsimmons
Wood & Wire
Yola Carter

Craig Campbell Kicks Off Nationwide ‘See You Try’ Tour In August

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Craig Campbell is hitting the road this August on his headlining See You Try Tour.

Kicking off Aug. 3 in Providence, Kentucky, the tour will crisscross the U.S. from California to Virginia with more than a dozen stops, visiting cities like San Diego, Omaha, Knoxville and more set to be announced soon. He’ll also play a few festivals like the Red, White & Boom in Lexington, Kentucky, and will wrap his summer-long run with a homecoming show in his hometown of Lyons, Georgia on Oct. 11.

New on this tour for fans will be meet-and-greet ticket packages and special, limited-edition See You Try Tour T-shirts, which will be available at each tour stop.

Campbell’s latest single, “See You Try,” is already inside the Top 40 at country radio and rising.

Craig Campbell – See You Try Tour Dates:
August 3 – Providence, KY @ Winghaven Lodge (Tradewater Music Festival)
August 4 – Pocola, OK @ Gilley’s at Choctaw Casino & Resort
August 8 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Sioux Empire Fair
August 9 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
August 10 – Omaha, NE @ Whiskey Tango
August 11 – Watertown, WI @ Riverbend RV Resort
August 17 – New Martinsville, WV @ Town & Country Days
August 18 – Anderson, SC @ Wendell’s Dippin Branch
August 23 – Mount Morris, MI @ Genesee County Fair
August 30 – Columbus, OH @ Country Jam + Campout
September 1 – Middletown, OH @ Land of Illusion
September 2 – Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena (Red, White & Boom Music Festival)
September 6 – Indianapolis, IN @ 8 Seconds Saloon
September 8 – Clifton, TN @ Horseshoe Riverbend Festival
September 11 – Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Valley Fair
September 23 – South Bend, IN @ 24th Annual B100 Birthday Party
September 26 – Fort Collins, CO @ Sundance Steakhouse & Saloon
September 27 – San Diego, CA @ Moonshine Flats
September 28 – San Bernardino, CA @ The Brandin’ Iron Saloon
September 29 – Morenci, AZ @ Community Center
October 1 – Doswell, VA @ Meadow Event Park
October 11 – Lyons, GA @ Kerrigan’s Country

TobyMac To Embark On Intimate Theater Experience In November

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With a new track, “Everything,” released today (July 25), TobyMac and his DiverseCity Band have announced a 12-city run in November.

Having headlined 18 arenas earlier this year, the rare, intimate TobyMac & DiverseCity Band: The Theatre Tour with special guest Ryan Stevenson is set to traverse the east coast and Midwest including stops in Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and more.

Food for the Hungry is sponsoring the 12-city run, helping to provide life-changing resources such as clean water, medical aid, food, equal educational opportunities to girls and boys, vocational training and empowerment.

The 7X Grammy winner’s tune was penned by TobyMac and will go for radio adds on Aug. 10.

Tickets for TobyMac & DiverseCity Band: The Theatre Tour will go on sale Fri. Jul. 27. For more information, visit www.TobyMac.com.

TobyMac & DiverseCity Band: The Theatre Tour
Thu, Nov 1 — Roanoke, VA Berglund Arts Theatre
Fri, Nov 2 — Charleston, SC Charleston Gaillard Center
Sat, Nov 3 — Augusta, GA Miller Theatre
Sun, Nov 4 — Richmond, KY EKU Center for the Arts
Thu, Nov 8 — Akron, OH Akron Civic Theatre
Fri, Nov 9 — Reading, PA Santander PAC
Sat, Nov 10 — Providence, RI Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Sun, Nov 11 — Erie, PA Warner Theatre
Thu, Nov 15 — Lafayette, LA Heymann Auditorium
Fri, Nov 16 — Beaumont, TX Jefferson Theatre (w/o Ryan Stevenson)
Sat, Nov 17 — Midland, TX Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
Sun, Nov 18 — Shreveport, LA Shreveport Municipal Auditorium

*all dates subject to change

Mandisa Invites ‘Chewbacca Mom’ And More For 16-City ‘Girls Night Live’ Outing

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Mandisa is inviting her friends Blanca, Jasmine Murray and Candace Payne (viral sensation “Chewbacca Mom”) for Girls Night Live, a 16-city run, visiting churches, arenas and theaters for evenings aimed at strengthening female community.

With music, humor, worship and prayer, the nights will be full of women encouraging women about matters that affect women. Each evening will end with Mandisa and her friends joining the audience for a personal, encouraging “Girl Chat” and time of ministry, which will be different every night with the audience shaping the conversation.

“My friends and I hope to create a safe atmosphere where the ladies will feel comfortable getting real, and discussing the topics that affect us as women, and the timely challenges we face,” said Mandisa.

Food for the Hungry is sponsoring the outing, helping to give women the opportunity to help other women around the world.

Tickets for Girls Night Live will go on sale Fri. Jul. 27.

Girls Night Live Tour

27-Sep — Hillvue Heights Church Bowling Green, KY
28-Sep — Family Arena Saint Charles, MO
29-Sep — Upper Arlington PAC Upper Arlington, OH (Columbus)
30-Sep — New York, NY Beacon Theatre
4-Oct — Church at Rock Creek Little Rock, AR
5-Oct — First Baptist Church Jonesboro Jonesboro, GA (Atlanta)
6-Oct — Hobart Arena Troy, OH
7-Oct — Winston Salem First Winston-Salem, NC
11-Oct — Green Acres Baptist Church Tyler, TX
12-Oct — First Baptist Church Lewisville Lewisville, TX (Dallas)
13-Oct — Champion Forest Baptist Church Houston, TX
14-Oct — First Baptist Church Covington Covington, LA (New Orleans)
18-Oct — Victory Church Lakeland, FL
19-Oct — Robarts Arena Sarasota, FL
20-Oct — Countryside Christian Church Clearwater, FL
21-Oct — Grace World Outreach Brooksville, FL

* all dates subject to change

Justin Tomlinson Named Manager, Digital Strategy At Sony Music Nashville

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Justin Tomlinson

Ed Rivadavia, Vice President, Digital Strategy, Sony Music Nashville has appointed Justin Tomlinson as Manager, Digital Strategy, Sony Music Nashville. Reporting directly to Rivadavia and currently in his new capacity, Tomlinson manages day-to-day strategy for his designated artist roster, while acting as webmaster for SonyMusicNashville.com and overseeing development and content for the label group’s social media channels.

Remarks Rivadavia, “With his recent experience at RCA Inspiration, Justin brings with him a fresh perspective to digital marketing innovation. I am thrilled to welcome Justin to Sony Nashville’s Digital Strategy team.”

“It’s an honor to continue my career at Sony Music by joining the Sony Nashville team,” responds Tomlinson. “With the perpetual expansion of digital and streaming strategies, I am thrilled to implement creative initiatives all while contributing to collaborative efforts with the team, under Ed’s leadership.”

For the past five years, Tomlinson has amassed extensive experience in record label and broadcast television digital, marketing and publicity. Since June 2016, he held the position of Marketing & Digital Marketing Coordinator for RCA Inspiration, a division of Sony Music Nashville’s Provident Music Group. In this role, Tomlinson created and implemented digital marketing campaigns for such artists as Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene, The Walls Group and Koryn Hawthorne, among other RCA Inspiration artists.

From June 2015 to June 2016, Justin Tomlinson was RCA Inspiration’s Marketing & Publicity Assistant. Prior, he was Consumer Research Analyst for Sony Music Entertainment (November 2014-February 2015) and Talent Production Assistant for Viacom/BET (January 2013-June 2014).

Tomlinson is a graduate of New York’s Five Towns College in Dix Hills, Long Island, where he received his Bachelor of Professional Studies in Music Business/Business Management in 2014. He can be contacted at justin.tomlinson@sonymusic.com.

Industry Ink: Dove Awards, Busy At Play Publishing, Music Health Alliance

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Date Set for 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards

The 2018 Dove Awards will be held Oct. 16 at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville.

 

Johnny Garcia’s Busy At Play Publishing Signs JoLivi

Hawaiian singer/songwriter JoLivi has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Busy at Play Publishing, Inc. JoLivi has also tapped the founder of Busy at Play Publishing, Inc., Johnny Garcia as her new producer. Garcia who is Trisha Yearwood’s longtime Music Director and Garth Brooks’ lead guitarist, has celebrated songwriting cuts with Jason Aldean, Brett Eldredge, Trace Adkins, Parmalee and more.

“Jolivi Pedersen is an amazing, soulful and beautiful woman blessed with a voice,” says Garcia. “Nashville has patiently waited since the decade of the 90’s, that was dominated by amazing female artists, for another timeless and soulful female to take to the airwaves. Honored to be her producer and publisher– this gonna be good, so good. Stay tuned!”

JoLivi is currently celebrating the release of her new single “Vinyl” and corresponding music video which can be seen on CMT and TCN. Alongside “Vinyl,” JoLivi also released a 3-track acoustic EP featuring a stripped back version of the single and two new tracks “Thanks To All My Exes” and “Move On.”

 

Music Health Alliance To Hold Free Dental Day In August

Music Health Alliance will host a Free Dental Day on Thursday, Aug. 16. Services will include exams, cleanings, x-rays and emergency extractions. The event will be held at the Music Health Alliance office at 2737 Larmon Drive in Nashville. To request an appointment, visit musichealthalliance.com.