Florida Georgia Line To Flaunt Their New Backstreet Moves In ‘CMT Crossroads’ Special

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Florida Georgia Line and the Backstreet Boys are the latest pairing to trade songs in an upcoming new CMT Crossroads special. The iconic pop group is currently joining the duo for select stadium dates on their The Smooth Tour 2017, and their single together, “God, Your Mama, And Me,” instantly became a smash hit, already reaching platinum status.

“Being such fans of each other, this is a really fun way for us to put our mark on our songs,” said BSB’s Brian Littrell. “It’s going to be a fun night with seven guys who really admire one another. I’m looking forward to what comes of it!”

“It’s been really cool to collaborate with BSB in so many different ways this year,” shares FGL’s Brian Kelley. “And to be able to take our friendship – and smooth new dance moves – up a notch with this full-blown concert together is going to be epic!”

“Getting us all under one roof in Nashville will be fire,” adds FGL’s Tyler Hubbard adds. “We can’t wait to jump in on each other’s songs and add our flavor to ones we grew up listening to!”

The special is set to premiere Aug. 30 on CMT.

Kelsea Ballerini Sets November Release Date For Sophomore Project

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Kelsea Ballerini performs “Legends” live on GMA. Photo: ABC/Paula Lobo

Kelsea Ballerini has announced the release date of her sophomore project, Unapologetically, which will drop right before CMA week on Nov. 3. The leadoff track from the project, “Legends” is already skyrocketing up the charts, reaching the Top 15 on the iTunes all-genre charts within the first 12 hours of its release. The tune was co-written by Ballerini along with Hillary Lindsey and Forest Glen Whitehead, who also serves as producer alongside Jason Massey.

The album is the followup to the singer-songwriter’s debut CD The First Time, which yielded three consecutive platinum and gold No. 1 singles “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Dibs” and “Peter Pan.” The project’s fourth single, “Yeah Boy,” rose to No. 3 on the charts and was certified gold.

She’ll perform on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon tonight at 10:35 p.m. CT on NBC.

Pictured (L-R): GMA Co-hosts Michael Strahan and Lara Spencer; Kelsea Ballerini; GMA Guests: Josh Avsec and Michelle Arendas; GMA Co-hosts Amy Robach and George Stephanopoulos. Photo: Paula Lobo/ABC

In Pictures: Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Brice Long

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Miranda’s NASH Nights Chat

(L-R) NASH Director of Programming, John Shomby; NASH Nights Live’s Elaina Smith; Miranda Lambert; and NASH Nights Live’s Shawn Parr

Miranda Lambert stopped by NASH Nights Live recently and chatted about everything from her song “Tin Man” to her favorite summer activity with her friends and family, “boobs and tubes.”

 

Dierks Rides Back Into Faster Horses For Its Fifth

Photo by Marc Nader

Faster Horses Festival headliner Dierks Bentley returned to the festival last Friday night (July 21) with an unforgettable set to celebrate its fifth year anniversary, having played its inaugural year. The Brooklyn, Michigan, festival also featured performances by Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, and more.

 

Brice Long Hosts 12th Annual Back 2 Back Benefit

Brice Long and Friends’ 12th Annual Benefit Concert, held Saturday (July 22) at the James E. Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville, KY, raised $80,000 for Long’s Back 2 Back Foundation.  The crowd of over 1,000 attendees was treated to music from Long and his friends and hit Nashville songwriters Kent Blazy and Don Sampson. East Kentucky native Josh Martin joined Long on the stage as a special guest. Long formed The Back 2 Back Foundation in 2005 with the intent to give back to the community that has supported him so much throughout his career.

Warner Bros. Records President Dan McCarroll Steps Down

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Warner Bros. Records president Dan McCarroll is exiting the company after four years at the label, according to Variety.

The exec, whose contract was reportedly up with the company, joined Warner as President at the end of 2013 following a similar role at Capitol working with artists like Katy Perry, Capital Cities, and others. In his early career years McCarroll worked as EVP and in A&R at EMI Publishing and was also a session and touring drummer for years.

Under Warner Bros. chairman Cameron Strang and McCarroll the label developed new acts including Lukas Graham, Andra Day, Dua Lipa and The Head & the Heart, among others. As McCarroll departs, the company is gearing up for the start of Max Lousada, its new CEO of Recorded Music, in October.

 

Weekly Register: Zac Brown Band, Sam Hunt Top Country Charts

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Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band‘s Welcome Home returns to the top of Nielsen Soundscan’s top country albums rankings this week, with 13K and a total of 242K to date.

Chris Stapleton‘s From A Room: Vol. 1 and Traveller take the No. 2 and No. 3 slots, respectively, with Room moving 12K and Traveller 7.9K. Lady Antebellum‘s Heart Break is at No. 4 this week, with 7.5K, while the compilation Now That’s Country Vol. 10 rounds out the Top 5 with 7.2K.

Mitchell Tenpenny‘s Linden Ave. is this week’s top debut at No. 12, with 2.1K.

Sam Hunt continues his domination on the country digital songs rankings, with “Body Like A Back Road” selling 46K and rising to 1.388 million to date.

Dylan Scott‘s recent radio airplay chart-topper, “My Girl,” is at No. 2 this week, with 17K. Dustin Lynch‘s “Small Town Boy” is at No. 3, with 16K, while Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know” is at No. 4, with 16K. BMLG trio Midland‘s “Drinkin’ Problem” rounds out the Top 5 with 15K.

Information courtesy Nielsen Soundscan.

Industry Ink: APA Nashville, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Darius Rucker, SiriusXM

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APA Nashville Signs Southern Rock Band

Multi-platinum heavy metal and southern metal rock band JACKYL has signed with APA Nashville, it was announced by Steve Lassiter, Partner and Head of Concerts at APA. JACKYL holds the Guinness World Record title of “The Hardest Working Band in Rock ‘N’ Roll” after more than two decades touring solo and with rock legends such as Aerosmith, KISS, ZZ Top, and Ted Nugent. The band just released its latest 25 Years album.

 

Enrico Lopez-Yañez Named Assistant Conductor With Nashville Symphony

Enrico Lopez-Yanez

The Nashville Symphony has named Enrico Lopez-Yañez as assistant conductor. Lopez-Yañez will begin a one-year term with the orchestra in September.

Most recently Assistant Conductor of the Omaha Symphony, Lopez-Yañez is familiar with the Nashville Symphony and local audiences, having conducted a pair of the organization’s free Community Concerts this summer and having led the orchestra during Nashville’s “Let Freedom Sing” Fourth of July celebration. He succeeds Vinay Parameswaran, who earlier this summer left Music City for a position with The Cleveland Orchestra.

 

Darius Rucker Announces Radio Show With SiriusXM

Darius Rucker

In addition to being a three-time Grammy winner, and a chart-topping singer-songwriter, Darius Rucker is an avid golfer (with a single-digit handicap) and passionate fan of the game. Rucker will host a new monthly show on SiriusXM’s 24/7 golf channel, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio. On Par with Darius Rucker will debut July 26 (3 p.m.-4 p.m. ET) and will feature Rucker’s perspective on the game as a devoted player and fan.

Rucker is friendly with many active players on both the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, and he is a partner at MGC Sports, a sports agency that currently represents golfers and other athletes. He will invite the game’s stars as well as other celebrities with a passion for golf on the show for conversations that will span the worlds of golf and entertainment.

 

Artist Updates: Sons Of The Palomino, Delta Rae, Brantley Gilbert, Carly Pearce

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Jeffrey Steele’s Sons of the Palomino To Make Grand Ole Opry Debut

Sons of the Palomino, led by Nashville Songwriter Hall Of Fame member Jeffrey Steele, released their self-titled debut album a month ago, and will make their Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, July 29. Sons of the Palomino is a tip of the hat to the Palomino Club in North Hollywood circa the 60’s and 70’s era, as well as the classic country music performed there. Following their performance at the Grand Ole Opry Sons of the Palomino will sign copies of their album, which includes duets with Emmylou Harris, John Anderson, Gretchen Wilson, Vince Gill and Jamey Johnson.

“This is my first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry since Boy Howdy debuted ‘She’d Give Anything’ in 1994, so to say that I’m honored and filled with pride to be back with Sons of the Palomino on the Opry stage after 23 years is an understatement – it’s an absolute thrill,” said Steele.

 

Delta Rae To Make Debut On CMT’s ‘Nashville’

Pictured: Delta Rae. Photo: Jake Giles Netter/CMT

Big Machine Label Group’s Delta Rae will bring their signature harmonies to CMT’s Nashville, appearing in an episode on Thursday, July 27.

The episode features the six-piece band performing their joyful “A Long and Happy Life” in the studio, while Nashville characters Deacon and Jessie wait to record her song.

“We were so happy to be a part of a show that combines two of our favorite things; music and story-telling. After recording our own EP, it was fun to be able to go back into the studio and play a role on the show,” expressed Delta Rae member Ian Holljes.

Added fellow Delta Rae member Liz Hopkins, “This is a dream come true! Britt and I have been watching Nashville together for 5 years. We crush on Deacon, get thrown by the twists, and always appreciate the way it features songwriting and the highs and lows of musician life. We can’t believe that we will be featured in this week’s episode, hope you will tune in with us!”

The episode airs beginning at 8 p.m. CT on CMT.

 

Big Machine Label Group Artists Celebrate At Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400

Pictured (L-R): Brantley Gilbert, Carly Pearce, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta and racing legend Jeff Gordon, who helmed Sunday’s pace car, join for the Drivers’ Meeting

When Brantley Gilbert appeared At Sunday’s (July 23) Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he performed his new single “The Ones That Like Me” on the track, before taking a lap in the pace car.

Big Machine Records newcomer Carly Pearce joined Gilbert and BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta at Victory Podium for the driver introductions, leading into her rendition of the National Anthem. Her breakthrough hit “Every Little Thing” is currently the only solo female song in the Top 20 at country radio.

BMI Renews Partnership With Music Festival Producer C3 Presents

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Broadcast Music, Inc. has renewed its long-term partnership with C3 Presents, one of the world’s largest music festival producers. The multi-year agreement solidifies BMI as the only performing rights organization with stages at Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza.

In partnership with C3 Presents, BMI has had a track record over the years of using its stages to showcase then up-and-coming talent such as Lady Gaga, Halsey and Chance the Rapper, who all made their Lollapalooza debut on the BMI stage.

“We are very excited to renew our long-standing agreement with C3,” said Mason Hunter, BMI’s Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships. “For years, C3 has been a well-respected name in the music community, and they have done an amazing job of elevating the festival experience. The BMI stages at Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza have become fan-favorites, and a hotbed of new music discovery and we are looking forward to continuing this tradition.”

“Artist discovery continues to be an essential part of the festival experience, and we are pleased to continue our successful partnership with BMI in our pursuit of delivering fans a first look at the next great musical act,” said Charlie Walker, Partner, C3 Presents.

In 2003 the BMI stage premiered at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which has featured top artists such as Miranda Lambert, Los Lonely Boys, Gary Clark, Jr., Houndmouth, Valerie June, Rayland Baxter and Shakey Graves. In the alternative rock-fueled`90s, Lollapalooza became one of the most influential rock festivals, and in 2006 the BMI stage premiered at the event. In addition to showcasing Lady Gaga, Halsey and Chance the Rapper, the BMI stage has featured other acts on their meteoric rise to fame including Cage the Elephant, Ke$ha, X Ambassadors and Elle King.

South By Southwest Reveals Keynote Speakers For 2018 Conference

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The South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference has announced some select keynotes and featured speakers for next year’s event, set for March 9-18, 2018.

Keynotes include Academy Award-winning writer and director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, Medicine for Melancholy), psychotherapist and best-selling author Esther Perel, and technology entrepreneur and quantum computing expert whurley. Featured Speakers for 2018 include space entrepreneur and futurist Bob Richards, Empowering a Billion Women by 2020 chairman and CEO Ingrid Vanderveldt, artist and poet Cleo Wade, and author and founder of the Future Today Institute Amy Webb.

Registration for SXSW 2018 opens on August 1. SXSW Conference programming is organized into 24 Tracks divided between Interactive, Film, Music, and Convergence, presented in a variety of session formats. In a move to expand access to events for all registrants, attendees will receive primary access to programming associated with their badge type but now also enjoy secondary entry to most other SXSW events.

“SXSW has become a premier destination for innovation and creative discovery,”said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer. “We’re pleased to begin our 2018 season with strong programming that represents a diverse and talented group of pioneers in the technology, social sciences, healthcare, and entertainment industries. The depth and breadth of knowledge these speakers bring to the event is an excellent indicator that this is going to be one of our best years ever.”

 

Nashville Film Festival Announces New President, Board Members

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Anastasia Brown

The Nashville Film Festival has announced its new and returning board members for the 2017-2018 year and new leadership for the ever-growing festival. Anastasia Brown of Format Entertainment has been named President of the festival and Jim Scherer of Whizbang, Inc., has been named Vice President. Adrien Good of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. has been named treasurer, and Natasha Corrieri of ServisFirst Bank will remain as secretary.

Brown possesses 25 years of experience in music supervision, television & film production, publishing, artist management, A&R and music placement.  She served as the music supervisor of the Lionsgate film, The Shack and is a co-producer of the soundtrack. As a music supervisor Brown has worked on projects with Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, Dove wins and nominations. Her credits include The Shack (Lionsgate) The Americans (FX,) The Darkest Hour (New Regency), Footloose (Paramount), August Rush (WB), It’s Complicated (Universal Pictures), documentary For the Love of Music: the Story of Nashville, Taken (Sci-Fi,)  and more. As a producer she has developed four television series and two films including I Saw The Light, a biopic on the life of Hank Williams, Sr. (Sony Classics.) Brown has placed close to 50 songs in major films and television series over the last three years.  She is currently a music curator for Reese Witherspoon’s brand and clothing line, Draper James, providing southern music for her worldwide lifestyle followers.

New members include David Haspel of Haspel Communications, Inc., Tracy Gershon of Red Light Management, Adrien Good of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc., Claude Kelly – American Singer-Songwriter, Brittany Schaffer of Loeb & Loeb, Scott Waugh – American Film Director, and Julia Bonner of Pierce Public Relations.

2017-2018 Nashville Film Festival Board 
President: Anastasia Brown
Vice President: Jim Scherer
New Members:
David Haspel
Tracy Gershon
Adrien Good
Claude Kelly
Brittany Schaffer
Scott Waugh
Julia Bonner

Returning Members:
Taryn Anderson
Anastasia Brown
Scott Borchetta
Cary Nelson-Burch
Natasha Corrieri
Shannon Casey
Steven Gaydos
Marcella Gomez
Ken Levitan
William Lowery
Bob Raines
Courtney Ross
Jim Scherer
Conrad Schuck
Dawn Soler
Stacey Widelitz

(L-R): Jim Scherer (Vice President), Ted Crockett (Executive Director), Anastasia Brown (President), Tracy Gershon (Red Light Management), William Lowery (APA)