Pictured (L-R): Chris Stapleton, Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images/CMT
Last night (Oct. 18) CMT hosted its most exclusive honors ceremony, CMT Artists Of The Year. The special brought in more than 1.1 million viewers for the premiere telecast and the encore, up 73 percent from last year.
Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center was surrounded by tour busses and dawned in formal black as invitees proceeded to a pre-party, hosted by Variety, which dawned its Music City Industry Impact Report issue.
CMT’s Frank Tanki welcomed guests to the pre-party, reminding guests the honors would be transformed as a healing night of music for the natural and man-made devastation over the past few months. Variety’s Executive Editor Steven Gaydos then welcomed many of the guests he featured in his fifth annual industry report.
Drinks did not stop flowing after the pre-party. Hosted tables on the symphony floor were tended to by servers, with bottles of wine on each table. The likes of Lionel Richie, Nicole Kidman, Diane Warren, John Oates, Backstreet Boys, Little Big Town, Lee Ann Womack, Vince Gill and Amy Grant as the clock counted town to 7 p.m. [CT] when the show would air live.
Artists of the Year for 2017 included Luke Bryan (six-time recipient), Chris Stapleton (two-time recipient), Keith Urban (first receipt), Florida Georgia Line (five-time recipient) and Jason Aldean (six-time recipient).
Pictured (L-R): Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, CMT/TV Land GM Frank Tanki. Photo: CMT
Pictured (L-R): Keith Urban, Lionel Richie, Nicole Kidman, Common and Andra Day. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images/CMT
The five artists welcomed guests with a powerful speech, aimed at healing after the disasters in Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, Texas, Charlottesville and California. “Everything we go through, we can get through when we stick together,” said Urban, echoed by Aldean.
Artists rallied around Aldean, who was performing when tragedy in Las Vegas struck. “It could have been any one of us standing on that stage,” said Bryan in a video tribute. The evening wrapped with Stapleton and Urban joined Aldean for a performance of the late Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” with background vocals from Little Big Town. Prior to the tribute, Amy Grant ushered in an in memoriam segment, for “those taken too soon.”
Urban performed the most unique rendition of his MusicRow and AIMP Song of the Year and 2017 CMA Single/Song of the Year nominee “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” The brilliant piano-driven and muted horn version had the audience on their feet even before it ended.
Bryan was introduced by fellow 2017 American Idol judge Lionel Richie. Bryan’s success was noted particularly due to his connection with fans before a performance of his 2015 hit “Fast.”
Stapleton was introduced by music protégé’s and labelmate Brothers Osborne, with what is sure to amount to an FCC violation when they announced Stapleton as “F****** awesome.” Stapleton performed “Broken Halos” with wife Morgane.
Backstreet Boys brought a tribute for Florida Georgia Line, who noted they have been in the studio with the duo, along with recent co-headlining dates on the road. The ’90s boy band performed “H.O.L.Y.”
Additionally, the evening featured a performance of the Ram Truck Song of the Year, Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Backroad,” which has become the longest No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Hunt was in Hawaii at the last date of his tour, so Phillip Phillips stood in.
The evening began with Lee Ann Womack and Danielle Bradbery joining Andra Day and hip-hop artist Common for Day’s 2017 title “Stand Up For Something,” in addition to Day joining for another performance with Little Big Town, “Rise Up,” a song she released in 2015.
It’s especially poignant that the special performed strongest in the Las Vegas market, where it posted a 1.77 household rating, an increase of 1867 percent. Not only ratings, but the CMT special raised more than $1 million in media value across a myriad of platforms. Three public service announcements for the special leveraged media relationships for CMT One Country’s campaign. To help, visit cmtonecountry.com to find out how you can help those affected by the recent devastating hurricanes, wildfires and mass shooting in Las Vegas.
CMT’s Artists of the Year will re-telecast on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 10 p.m. CT and Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. CT.
Pictured (L-R): Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town, Danielle Bradbery, Andra Day, Lee Ann Womack, Jimi Westbrook and Philip Sweet of Little Big Town. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images/CMT
Bobby Karl Works The Room: The Listening Room Celebrates New Location
/by Bobby KarlThe Listening Room
One of my favorite nightspots has been “supersized.”
At the grand opening of the new Listening Room on Thursday (Oct. 19), I couldn’t get over how vast and cool the new space is. “It’s a lot bigger than I thought I wanted,” said owner Chris Blair. “But the building and the location were just too good to pass up.”
The old room, down the hill on Second Avenue, held 180. The new space, in the old International Harvester building at 618 4th Ave. S. has a capacity of 350. It has a balcony above the bar. It has an adjacent restaurant with 150 more seats and a spacious patio that holds another 100. Plus, there’s a private meeting room with a groovy conference table and the building’s original antique boiler.
The vibe is clean and industrial contrasted with warm, vintage-wood tables and doors, all built by Blair, himself. What’s even better is how great the place SOUNDS. Entertaining at the open house was the male-female duo Smithfield, harmonizing beautifully. The sight lines from every table are completely clear and the audio was consistently
pristine throughout the space.
A recent private event setup at The Listening Room.
In case you’re wondering, yes, Carly Pearce has been to the new venue. “She just had her CD-release party here,” Blair reported. That was two weeks ago, when the construction dust was still settling.
Carly is one of the Listening Room’s most illustrious graduates. Since 2014, the venue has been the home of the weekly Song Suffragettes showcases, where Carly got her Nashville start. She estimates that she performed at least 150 times at the old Listening Room.
Over the years, the club has also hosted then-unknowns ranging from Keith Urban to Chris Stapleton, not to mention attractions like Matraca Berg, Gretchen Peters and Suzy Bogguss. For several years, the old Listening Room hosted the annual Grammy viewing parties.
I have a feeling that the new Listening Room is poised to host even greater soirees. For one thing, it is in the heart of what could become a music-mecca neighborhood.
A recent performance at The Listening Room.
Here’s why: Head east from Music Row down Division Street past Frugal MacDoogal Liquors, and you’ll find that the new SoBro bridge drops you practically at the front door of The Listening Room, Rocketown and the new second location of the Fond Object hipster venue/record shop. Go one block further east and you’re at the doorstep of 3rd & Lindsley.
The new bridge makes all of these venues suddenly “neighbors” of Music Row. It’s also a shortcut to City Winery, if you turn left onto Lafayette when you come down off the ramp.
The divine Ronna Rubin tub thumped for the grand opening of The Listening Room. Lightning 100’s Rev. Keith Coes and Gary Kraen schmoozed. Jennifer Bohler, Lisa Konicki and Fred Pierson mingled.
So did Channel 5’s Jesse Knutson, The Recording Academy’s Nathan Pyle, singer-songwriter Electra Mustaine (daughter of Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, who is also a Nashville resident), Craig Campbell, Neal Spielberg, Tom Roland, Nikki Boon, Heather Middleton, Chase Armstrong, April Macri and Lesley Albert.
The Listening Room
While the music wafted, we snacked on pulled-pork crostini with cranberries, bacon-wrapped apple wedges, veggie skewers and flatbreads with buffalo and/or spinach-artichoke dip. There’s a smoker out back, so the restaurant menu is full of fresh, tasty stuff.
Did I mention that there’s a cheap parking lot next to the new venue? And valet service?
Weekly Chart Report 10/20/17
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Touring Career Workshop Expands Session Lineup In Wake Of Las Vegas Tragedy
/by Jessica NicholsonThe upcoming Touring Career Workshop, slated for Wednesday, Oct. 25 at Soundcheck Annex, has expanded its programming lineup in the wake of the Las Vegas tragedy. A “Situational Awareness and Safety” session with Mike McGrath (venue security director/tour accountant) will be a workshop-wide event instead of a previously-planned breakout session. The session will give tips and pointers on situational awareness on the road.
In addition to that session, the Touring Career Workshop has added “Immediate Action Medical” session with Case Jumper.
Touring Career Workshop is a free event for music industry professionals founded by Chris Lisle and Erik Parker in 2011. For more information, visit touringcareerworkshop.com.
‘Billboard’ Charts To Put Greater Emphasis On Paid Subscription Streams
/by Eric T. ParkerThe Billboard 200 is made up of sales and streaming data.
The Hot 100 is made up of radio airplay, sales data and streaming.
Read more at Billboard.com.
ACM Lifting Lives To Donate $250K To Support Las Vegas Relief Efforts
/by Jessica NicholsonThe ACM’s annual awards show has been held at various venues in Las Vegas since 2003 (not including the ACM’s 50th anniversary show, which was broadcast from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in 2015).
A $200,000 donation will be made to MGM Resorts Foundation “Victim Relief & First Responders’ Fund,” which has been established to help the Las Vegas community heal and recover by providing humanitarian aid for victims, their families and organizations that serve first responders.
The National Compassion Fund will receive a donation of $25,000, with 100 percent of the funds to be distributed directly to the Las Vegas victims. Additionally, Friends of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Foundation will receive $25,000 for providing counseling and support for the first responders, victims and the families.
“This money will go a long way in aiding the healing and recovery of people who so desperately need it,” said ACM CEO Pete Fisher. “Our sizable contribution to the MGM Resorts Foundation not only will aid victims, but will send a very special sentiment to our long-time partners in Vegas.”
Belmont University Grad Katie Pruitt Signs With Round Hill Music
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Penny Gattis, Senior Director, A&R, Round Hill Music; Katie Pruitt; Mark Brown, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Round Hill Music
Round Hill Music has added singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt to its roster, inking an exclusive co-publishing deal with the recent Belmont University graduate.
Pruitt won 2016’s inaugural Nashville Songwriting Scholarship from the BMI Foundation, and earned this year’s Holly Prize from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
“Katie is an exceptionally talented singer, songwriter, and artist,” says Round Hill Music’s Mark Brown. “I am really looking forward to working with her.”
Shania Twain Surprised By UMG Nashville Staff With ‘Now’ No. 1 Celebration
/by Haley CrowPictured (L-R): UMG Nashville CEO & Chairman Mike Dungan, Shania Twain, and Maverick Management’s Scott Rodger. Photo: Chris Hollo
While in Music City this week, Shania Twain was surprised by UMG Nashville CEO & Chairman Mike Dungan, along with the UMG Nashville staff, with a champagne toast and plaque in celebration of Twain’s long-awaited album NOW debuting No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart in the U.S. and topping the sales charts in Australia, the U.K. and in her native Canada.
Her first album in nearly 15 years, NOW is one of Twain’s most personal to date as she singlehandedly wrote every song on the 16-track collection including her latest “We Got Something They Don’t,” impacting radio Oct. 30.
Twain co-produced the critically-acclaimed album with Matthew Koma, Ron Aniello (Bruce Springsteen, Gavin DeGraw), Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes) and Jacquire King (Kings of Leon).
Shania Twain with UMG Nashville and Maverick Management celebrating her NOW No. 1 album debut. Photo: Chris Hollo
CMT ‘Artists Of The Year’ Honored Hottest Artists At Year’s Most Exclusive Event
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Chris Stapleton, Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images/CMT
Last night (Oct. 18) CMT hosted its most exclusive honors ceremony, CMT Artists Of The Year. The special brought in more than 1.1 million viewers for the premiere telecast and the encore, up 73 percent from last year.
Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center was surrounded by tour busses and dawned in formal black as invitees proceeded to a pre-party, hosted by Variety, which dawned its Music City Industry Impact Report issue.
CMT’s Frank Tanki welcomed guests to the pre-party, reminding guests the honors would be transformed as a healing night of music for the natural and man-made devastation over the past few months. Variety’s Executive Editor Steven Gaydos then welcomed many of the guests he featured in his fifth annual industry report.
Drinks did not stop flowing after the pre-party. Hosted tables on the symphony floor were tended to by servers, with bottles of wine on each table. The likes of Lionel Richie, Nicole Kidman, Diane Warren, John Oates, Backstreet Boys, Little Big Town, Lee Ann Womack, Vince Gill and Amy Grant as the clock counted town to 7 p.m. [CT] when the show would air live.
Artists of the Year for 2017 included Luke Bryan (six-time recipient), Chris Stapleton (two-time recipient), Keith Urban (first receipt), Florida Georgia Line (five-time recipient) and Jason Aldean (six-time recipient).
Pictured (L-R): Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, CMT/TV Land GM Frank Tanki. Photo: CMT
Pictured (L-R): Keith Urban, Lionel Richie, Nicole Kidman, Common and Andra Day. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images/CMT
The five artists welcomed guests with a powerful speech, aimed at healing after the disasters in Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, Texas, Charlottesville and California. “Everything we go through, we can get through when we stick together,” said Urban, echoed by Aldean.
Artists rallied around Aldean, who was performing when tragedy in Las Vegas struck. “It could have been any one of us standing on that stage,” said Bryan in a video tribute. The evening wrapped with Stapleton and Urban joined Aldean for a performance of the late Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” with background vocals from Little Big Town. Prior to the tribute, Amy Grant ushered in an in memoriam segment, for “those taken too soon.”
Urban performed the most unique rendition of his MusicRow and AIMP Song of the Year and 2017 CMA Single/Song of the Year nominee “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” The brilliant piano-driven and muted horn version had the audience on their feet even before it ended.
Bryan was introduced by fellow 2017 American Idol judge Lionel Richie. Bryan’s success was noted particularly due to his connection with fans before a performance of his 2015 hit “Fast.”
Stapleton was introduced by music protégé’s and labelmate Brothers Osborne, with what is sure to amount to an FCC violation when they announced Stapleton as “F****** awesome.” Stapleton performed “Broken Halos” with wife Morgane.
Backstreet Boys brought a tribute for Florida Georgia Line, who noted they have been in the studio with the duo, along with recent co-headlining dates on the road. The ’90s boy band performed “H.O.L.Y.”
Additionally, the evening featured a performance of the Ram Truck Song of the Year, Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Backroad,” which has become the longest No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Hunt was in Hawaii at the last date of his tour, so Phillip Phillips stood in.
The evening began with Lee Ann Womack and Danielle Bradbery joining Andra Day and hip-hop artist Common for Day’s 2017 title “Stand Up For Something,” in addition to Day joining for another performance with Little Big Town, “Rise Up,” a song she released in 2015.
It’s especially poignant that the special performed strongest in the Las Vegas market, where it posted a 1.77 household rating, an increase of 1867 percent. Not only ratings, but the CMT special raised more than $1 million in media value across a myriad of platforms. Three public service announcements for the special leveraged media relationships for CMT One Country’s campaign. To help, visit cmtonecountry.com to find out how you can help those affected by the recent devastating hurricanes, wildfires and mass shooting in Las Vegas.
CMT’s Artists of the Year will re-telecast on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 10 p.m. CT and Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. CT.
Pictured (L-R): Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town, Danielle Bradbery, Andra Day, Lee Ann Womack, Jimi Westbrook and Philip Sweet of Little Big Town. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images/CMT
Florida Georgia Line, Jerrod Niemann, Love And Theft To Play Shine For Susie ALS Benefit
/by Lorie HollabaughLove and Theft, Florida Georgia Line, Jerrod Niemann, Craig Campbell, Canaan Smith, Trent Tomlinson, The Warren Brothers, and Stevie Monce will perform at the show, which will be hosted by SiriusXM The Highway’s Storme Warren, Stephen Baker Liles from Love and Theft and Dee Jay Silver.
“I’ve had the privilege of helping with many charities through the years, but when the cause touches your life, it changes everything,” said Stephen Barker Liles. “When my mother was diagnosed with ALS, in March of this year, I was devastated. But I also felt called to make a difference to help her and others through my musical platform. I’m incredibly grateful for some of my dear friends who are joining me to shine light through our music and bring hope to millions.”
Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, the Ryman box office, ryman.com and by phone at 800.745.3000. Tickets are $125, $75 and $55.
Shine for Susie ALS Benefit Concert was formed as a partnership between The ALS Association of Tennessee and the Burchett & Liles Family to raise funds in the fight against ALS. Susie Burchett, mother of Stephen Barker Liles from Love and Theft, was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2017.
DISClaimer: Shenandoah Makes A Comeback, Ashley McBryde Makes Classic Country Debut
/by Robert K OermannReturning after a 20 year absence are both Shendandoah and the late John Denver. The reunion of Shenandoah is particularly welcome. So welcome, in fact, that the band wins the Disc of the Day award with “Noise.”
Now for the newcomers. First timers in the column today include Sabin Sharpe and Michael Lee, both of whom I sincerely hope to hear more from. Our new group entries are Gal Friday and Scooter Brown Band.
Our top debut contenders are both females, singer-songwriters Jenny Tolman and this week’s winner of the DisCovery Award, Ashley McBryde.
MICHAEL LEE/Ain’t That Just Like Jesus
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Red Hen (CDX)
-Wow. This Southern-fried baritone glows with warmth, depth and kindness. The song’s lyric is extraordinary, describing how every selfless gesture, act of compassion, thought of forgiveness and charitable effort illustrates us at our best. He avows that loving your neighbor and being color blind are the truly Christian ways to behave. A honky-tonk ballad with a message we should all take to heart.
SHENANDOAH/Noise
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Publisher: none listed; BMG
– They sound as good as ever. Marty Raybon’s torrid tenor is still packed with heart and soul, and the reunited band is cooking with gas on this simmering slab of sound. The pace is a churning, burning, stately, mid-tempo march to glory. The noise of the world outside is obliterated by the power of her love. Amen from this corner, boys.
SABIN SHARPE/Empty Bottles
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Twisted Rooster
– I like the soulful little rasp in his voice. The production adds deep bass twang, steel embellishments and steady, slow, thumping rhythm in all the right proportions. And I’ve always been a sucker for a heartsick drinkin’ song. This pushes all my buttons.
IRLENE MANDRELL/Thanks To You
Writers: none listed; Producer: Pat Holt; Publishers: none listed; Reviver (download)
– I always thought she was the non-singing Mandrell sister. This doesn’t change my mind.
ASHLEY MCBRYDE/A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Nicolette Hayford/Jesse Rice; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Songs of Song Factory / Veranda Music (SESAC) / Little Falcor Music (BMI); Warner Bros.
– Stupendously cool. The guitars echo from deep in a coal mine, the lyrics rise from the heart of blue-collar America and the voice evokes classic-country immortality. I live for musical moments like this. The woman is a stone bad-ass. Go to YouTube right now and check out her singing “Bible and a .44” on stage with Eric Church.
GAL FRIDAY/Scrapyard
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Rundies (CDX)
– It’s a female trio with a cool, bluesy “attitude” song. But the too-busy track has so much going on it’s hard to hear it.
BRAD PAISLEY/Heaven South
Writers: Brad Paisley/Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois; Producers: Luke Wooten/Brad Paisley; Publishers: New House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP) adm by ClearBox Rights., ASCAP; Arista (track)
– This lively, joyful toe-tapper celebrates the everyday pleasures of being in love in Dixie. As usual, there’s a dandy guitar break in there. A smile from beginning to end.
SCOOTER BROWN BAND & CHARLIE DANIELS/American Son
Writers:Scott Brown; Producer: Casey Wood; Publishers: VAlor Ranch, BMI; BFD/Audium
– Despite the dark, relentless, bluesy, doom-y, Southern-rock track, the lyric is meant to positive and uplifting. I think. Charlie’s participation is limited to a snarling, spoken-word passage about working-class men.
JOHN DENVER/The Blizzard
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Soundcloud
-The John Denver Estate is commemorating the 20th anniversary of his untimely passing with this previously unreleased performance. It is a somewhat arty, wintertime song, daintily embroidered with rippling piano and flute notes. It also seems to go on forever.
JENNY TOLMAN/Stripper For A Week
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Brainard; Publisher: none listed; Jennyville (track)
– When you’re so dead broke that you’re gasping to pay the bills, and you’re young and fit…..what the heck? Saucy, winking and endearing. Her debut Jennyville collection of songs will floor you — Her creativity compares favorably with Brandy Clark’s (whom Brainard also produced). A&R talent scouts, let a word to the wise be sufficient: Sign this woman before somebody else does. Even as an unknown, she’s already surpassed 100,000 streams on Spotify with this just-released gem.