BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 568
Levon. Photo: Levon/Twitter
Despite thousands of Bonnaroo attendees coming back into town, the CMA Fest throng and Predators fans arriving for a crucial Game Six of the Stanley Cup playoffs downtown, the Armageddon of crowd control did not occur on Sunday afternoon (June 11).
While I was there, the streets were still dominated by the CMA fans. Many were buying souvenirs on the last day of the Fest. In the Marketplace district of Fan Fair, jewelry seemed to be the most popular take-home items.
Each major label had its own strategy during the Fest. Sony set up a Pop-Up store inside the Omni Hotel lobby. It sold both LPs and CDs. You could also purchase black t-shirts bearing the logos of RCA, Columbia or Arista.
There were charming freebies, too – Luke Combs combs, sleep masks with Chris Young’s “Losing Sleep” imprinted on them, Kenny Chesney cardboard fans and the like. John Zarling was there picking up a pair of Miranda Lambert plastic “Pink Sunglasses” for his daughter. Across from the pop-up, Lanco was hosting a coffee-shop event. Kane Brown, Levon and Cam also put in appearances.
Over on Third Avenue South, Big Machine had also set up a pop-up store. The scintillating Delta Rae closed things out there with a show that delighted fans late Sunday afternoon.
The Warner strategy continued to be hosting fan-club parties at its Music Row office. On Sunday, it held events for High Valley, Charlie Worsham and Michael Ray.
UMG set up a big dome at the corner of McGavock & 8th Avenue South. The label projected music films on its 70-foot ceiling all festival long. On Sunday, the visuals were augmented with performances by Brandon Lay, Clare Dunn, Temecula Road and Eric Paslay.
The best music I heard on Sunday – and, indeed, among the best of the entire Fest – was the harmony-drenched Dailey & Vincent set at Fan Fair’s Durango Music Spot.
Over on the CMA Close-Up Stage, Danny Shirley, Terry McBride and Mark Wills were taking part in a nostalgic panel discussion about country music in the 1990s. All three have always been good talkers.
Closing out the autograph sessions at Fan Fair on Sunday were Jeff Bates, Chris Janson, Easton Corbin, Stephanie Quayle, Luke Combs, The Railers, Darryl Worley, Georgette Jones, Exile, Scotty McCreery, Rian Paige, Seth Innis and Brett Young, among others.
Pictured (L-R): DeStefano, Scott Hendricks (EVP A&R, WMN), Justin Luffman (VP Brand Management, WMN), Nick Hartley (Fitzgerald Hartley Management), Morgan Evans, Cole Swindell, Peter Strickland (CMO, WMN)
Out at the Chevy Park stage, I was stunned to see/hear hundreds of fans singing along with Morgan Evans. “It’s amazing,” said Neil Spielberg in wonderment. They knew all the words to this handsome Australian star’s “If I Didn’t Love You,” despite the fact that he’s still relatively obscure stateside. Morgan is perhaps best known for being engaged to Kelsea Ballerini.
Down at Riverfront, Maddie & Tae, Chase Bryant, Canaan Smith and Home Free were among those slated to close the daytime CMA Fest Sunday shows. Here again, Broadway was still dominated by CMA attendees.
But by the time I left at 3:30 p.m., the tide was beginning to turn. A constant parade of people wearing gold Predators jerseys was now streaming into downtown from all directions. Many were headed for a huge viewing party in Ascend Amphitheater. When the puck dropped, there were 60,000 hockey fans on the streets of Nashville.
Country fans still had plenty to cheer about. Phil Vassar booked a free concert for the viewing-party attendees in Hall of Fame Park at 5:15 p.m. Vince Gill and Dierks Bentley appeared amid the crazies on Broadway to introduce Luke Bryan’s performance to salute the playoff. Vince has held Preds season tix since Day One. Dierks and his band actually play hockey.
Luke entertained CMA folks as well as Predators fans from the roof of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge at 6 p.m. This was shown on all of the jumbo screens situated on the streets.
“It’s so inspiring to see where they [the Predators] have come from,” Luke said before the show. “A Southern team to have come this far is such a rarity. Nashville is laying a foundation. My boys are hooked [on hockey] for life.”
Tim McGraw at Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals. Photo: Faith Hill/Twitter
Mayor Megan Barry joined him at his free show. Faith Hill then rocked Bridgestone by singing the National Anthem. Tim McGraw hyped the crowd with whoop-it-up towel waving.
Over at Nissan Stadium, half of the TV monitors in the CMA Hospitality Suite were tuned to the game during the evening concert. Stormie Warren co-hosted the show with ABC-TV’s The Goldbergs star Hayley Orrantia. And weren’t we thrilled when she told us we’d be seeing Brad Paisley later on the show?
Restless Heart did The National Anthem in harmony. Tracy Lawrence unleashed a barrage of classic hits. Darius Rucker brought out Karen Fairchild to duet on “If I Told You” and Old Crow Medicine Show to perform “Wagon Wheel” with him. His reliable, blandly pleasant style went over extremely well.
Song for song, Little Big Town can hold its own with anyone in this industry. Collectively and individually they are also among our finest singers. Capping the night were the massive fan favorites Keith Urban and Brad Paisley, the latter of whom earlier hoisted a catfish at Bridgestone Arena.
Brothers Osborne perform during 2017 CMA Music Festival. Photo: Brothers Osborne/Instagram
But the act that stole the show on Sunday night was Brothers Osborne. Subbing for an injured Chris Stapleton, John and T.J. Osborne lit the stadium on fire and burned it to the ground. By the time the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year winners finished with the one-two assault of “Stay a Little Longer” and “It Ain’t My Fault,” the entire place was roaring, clapping along, dancing and screaming in ecstasy.
With their relentless, driving intensity and rousing showmanship, these guys made 50,000 converts that night. ABC is insane if it doesn’t put them on the CMA Fest TV special. We have no one else like Brothers Osborne.
Working the room in the CMA Suite were Victoria Shaw, Stuart Dill, Amy Smartt, Dennis Banka (maintaining his perfect attendance record), Aaron Hartley, Karen Clark, Melissa Maynard and Metro District 19 Councilman Freddie O’Connell.
Backstage, Tracy, Darius and LBT all commented about how jazzed this community has been about the Preds. Alas, we lost. The Pittsburgh Penguins went home with The Stanley Cup.
Tickets for next year’s CMA Music Festival will go on sale on June 27. The Fest will launch on June 7, 2018, as will Bonnaroo. To date, the CMA fest has raised $17.5 million for music education.
Industry Pics: SESAC, Sony Music Nashville, Tucker Beathard, Luke Bryan
/by Jessica NicholsonSESAC Celebrates With Paul Shaffer, Michael Tyler During CMA Music Festival
SESAC EVP of Creative and Business Affairs Dennis Lord gives Paul Shaffer a warm welcome prior to Shaffer’s (and The World’s Most Dangerous Band) performance at the Ryman Auditorium on Friday, June 9.
Pictured (L-R): Paul Shaffer, Dennis Lord
SESAC affiliate Michael Tyler performed for enthusiastic fans at the Radio Disney Stage in the Music City Center during CMA Fest. Tyler also stayed after the 5 p.m. closing time to finish his meet and greet with fans.
Michael Tyler
Sony Nashville’s Ryan Hurd Celebrates Add Day For “Love In A Bar”
Ryan Hurd stopped by the Sony Music Nashville offices on add day for his latest single, “Love In A Bar.” Hurd’s four-track, self-titled EP also includes “We Do Us,” “City Girl” and “Hold You Back,” and is a preview for Hurd’s upcoming full-length project.
Pictured (L-R): Mark Gray, Triple 8; George Courie, Triple 8; Nicole Walden, SMN; Liz Sledge, SMN; Ryan Hurd; Matt Galvin, SMN; Dennis Reese SMN
Tucker Beathard Makes Bonnaroo Debut
BMLG artist Tucker Beathard made his debut at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival’s Who Stage this year on June 11. Prior to his performance, he joined Ed Helms, Margo Price, Ethan Gruska, Philipp Bausch and Aaron Lee Tasjan for a panel discussion (hosted by Andy Langer) reflecting on playing the annual festival. Earlier in the week, Beathard took part in the first Wrecking Ball 2017 event in Nashville on June 7.
Tucker Beathard at Bonnaroo. Photo: Kevin Grace
Luke Bryan Performs Before Stanley Cup Final Game 6
Luke Bryan opened the television broadcast of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday with a performance from the rooftop of Tootsie’s World Famous Orchid Lounge on Broadway in Nashville, in front of 60,000 fans.
Luke Bryan performs atop Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Alexandria Hardy Promoted To GM At ‘MusicRow’ Reporting Station KYYK
/by Jessica NicholsonAlexandria Hardy
Alexandria Hardy has been promoted to General Manager for Palestine, Texas station KYYK, a MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart reporting station. Her duties also include overseeing operations for KYYK 98.3, KNET 1450AM/95.7 FM in Palestine, KKHA 92.5 in Bay City, and KBYC 104.5 in Bay City.
Hardy has been with Tomlinson Leis Communications for seven years. Since her hiring in 2010, she has worked as Billing Director, Traffic Director, On-Air Personality, Music Director and Office Manager. She was selected for the Rusty Walker Scholarship for the 2017 Country Radio Seminar, and attended the Texas Association of Broadcasters Annual Convention and Trade Show in 2015.
Hardy, 28, looks forward to growing her stations and bringing quality music to her community.
Craig Morgan’s ‘American Stories’ Tour To Launch This Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughThe limited-engagement tour kicks off in late September in Virginia and wraps on Veterans Day, and tickets go on sale Friday, June 16 at CraigMorgan.com. Twelve shows have been announced with additional dates and guests to be added in the coming weeks.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to play massive arenas in front of thousands upon thousands of people but there is something really special about these smaller, intimate shows where I’m sitting onstage with my guitar and sharing stories from my heart,” said Morgan. “I’m bringing out guests and we’re talking and singing and telling stories about our country and God and family and all the things that are important to us.”
As Operation FINALLY HOME’s 2017 Ambassador, Morgan has partnered with the national non-profit to provide mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families from select dates during the 2017 tour.
Operation FINALLY HOME Welcomes “American Stories Tour” Dates:
Sept. 29* Hopewell, VA The Beacon Theatre
Sept. 30* Frederick, MD^ Weinberg Center for the Arts
Oct. 6** Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre
Oct. 7 ** Louisville, KY The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts Brown Theatre
Oct. 8 ** Saint Charles, IL Arcada Theatre
Oct. 12*** Redmond, OR Bank of the Cascades Event Center
Oct. 13 *** Everett, WA The Historic Everett Theatre
Oct. 14 *** Boise, ID Revolution Center
Oct. 15 *** Red Bluff, CA^ State Theatre for the Arts
Nov. 9 **** Atlanta, GA The Buckhead Theatre
Nov. 10 **** Birmingham, AL The Lyric Theatre
Nov. 11 **** Nashville, TN City Winery
*with special guest Mac Powell and Aly Beaird
** with special guests Mac Powell, Aly Beaird and Clint Romesha
***with special guests Mac Powell, Aly Beaird, Taya Kyle and Marla Cannon-Goodman
****with special guests Aly Beaird and Phil O’Donnell
^tickets on sale at a later date
Weekly Register: Luke Combs Debuts With No. 1 Country Album
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Combs. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Luke Combs debuts at No. 1 on the Nielsen Soundscan country albums rankings with his River House/Columbia Nashville album This One’s For You, which moved 35K (43K total consumption) this week.
Chris Stapleton follows with From A Room selling 23K units.
Zac Brown Band‘s Welcome Home is at No. 3, with 14K, followed by Stapleton’s Traveller at No. 4, with 8.1K.
Wheeler Walker Jr.‘s Ol Wheeler debuts at No. 5 with 7.8K.
On the digital tracks sales chart, Sam Hunt‘s “Body Like A Back Road” is again at No. 1, with 47K. The track is now at 1.102 million sold.
Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know” is at No. 2, with 44K, followed by Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood‘s “The Fighter” at No. 3, with 26K.
Thomas Rhett (ft. Maren Morris)’s “Craving You” is at No. 4 with 20K, with Luke Combs‘ “Hurricane” rounding out the Top 5 with 17K this week.
This week’s top debut track is Kelsea Ballerini’s “Legends,” which released June 7 and lands at No. 18 on the country rankings, with 9.1K. Danielle Bradbery also debut a new track, “Sway,” which lands at No. 23 country, selling 8K.
Information provided courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.
Industry Ink: ASCAP, APA, BMI, Musicians On Call
/by Jessica NicholsonASCAP At CMA Music Festival
Post Monroe with ASCAP’s Beth Brinker and Michael Martin
ASCAP hosted a variety of hit songwriters and up-and-coming writer-artists at this year’s CMA Music Festival. On Saturday, June 10, the 4th annual ASCAP Hit Songwriters Round at the HGTV Lodge featured reigning ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley, reigning ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year Ben Glover, and hitmakers JT Harding and Brent Anderson. Later that afternoon, ASCAP presented hit writers Marc Beeson and Andy Albert on the Durango Music Spot stage at Fan Fair X inside Music City Center. On Sunday, ASCAP showcased rising songwriter-artists on the Music City Stage at the Nashville Visitor Center inside Bridgestone Arena Tower from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Featured artists included Anna Vaus, Martin McDaniel, Sarah Allison Turner, Dorado, Lucas Hoge, Brandon Ratcliff, Crooked King, Raquel Cole, Adam Hambrick and Post Monroe.
APA Signs Casey James, Holds Open House Party During CMA Music Festival
Pictured (L-R): Scott Brown, David Corlew, Stephen Sutherland and Karrigan Shields attend APA Nashville’s open house at One Nashville Place on June 6, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for APA
APA Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Casey James, who finished in third place on the ninth season of Fox’s American Idol in 2010. The Texas native independently released his album, Strip It Down, on Friday, June 9.
The agency also kicked off CMA week with their “360 Annual Pre-Fest Gathering” at their downtown Nashville headquarters on June 6. The happy hour hosted music industry managers, publicists, talent executives, brand partners, TV/film executives and producers, as well as artists including: Crystal Bowersox, Jim Brickman, Brennley Brown, Lee Greenwood, James, Josh Martin, Mee Tracy McCormick, Hudson Moore, Hailey Orrantia, Ron Pope, Royal Teeth, Jim Scholten (Sawyer Brown), Scooter Brown Band, Shenandoah, Street Corner Symphony, and Hailey Whitters.
BMI Hosts Acoustic Brunch Rooftop Performance
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, artist Ashley McBryde, Deep Eddy’s Nathan Way and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Erika Goldring
BMI hosted an acoustic brunch rooftop performance June 7 to officially kick off the CMA Fest weekend in Nashville. With CMA Fest performer Ashley McBryde and Bonnaroo veterans Boy Named Banjo, the early afternoon concert marked the start of a busy weekend in the city. An exclusive group of industry VIPs was treated to top-notch performances backed by a views of the city and a Bloody Mary bar courtesy of Deep Eddy Vodka.
Musicians On Call Celebrates Chicago Expansion
Pictured (L-R): Pete Griffin, Musicians On Call President; Lindsay Ell; Steve Stewart, iHeartRadio’s Big 95.5 Program Director and Mid-day On Air Talent; Kevin O’Toole, Musicians On Call Board Member. Photo: Troy Gueno, iHeartRadio
Musicians On Call kicked off its Chicago launch with a special celebration featuring Stoney Creek Records recording artist Lindsay Ell. The event, presented by Genentech, a member of the Roche group, was held at Joe’s Bar on Weed Street and hosted by iHeartRadio’s Big 95.5 Program Director and Mid-day On Air Talent, Steve Stewart.
Black River Entertainment Adds Dave Dame To Radio Promotions Team
/by Jessica NicholsonDave Dame
Black River Entertainment Sr. VP of Radio Promotion Mike Wilson has announced the hiring of Dave Dame as Director of Radio Promotion West Coast.
“I have known Dave for years. He has great relationships with his stations and will be a fine addition to the Black River team,” says Wilson.
Dame arrives at Black River Entertainment with 23 years of experience in radio promotion from Sony Music Entertainment, specifically with Arista Records and BNA/Columbia Records. During that time, he worked singles to radio for Kenny Chesney, Brooks and Dunn, and Alan Jackson. Most recently, Dame worked with Show Dog Nashville.
“I’m very excited to join Mike and his Black River team. I have known and worked with Mike for many years,” says Dame. “I get to play this incredible music from these exciting artists for my friends at radio. This is going to be great fun, and I can’t wait.”
Reporting to Mike Wilson, Dame is officially on board beginning today, Monday, June 12, and is based out of Yorba Linda, California. Dame joins the newly added Theresa Ford, who also begins today. Dame can be reached at Ddame@blackriverent.com and Ford at Tford@blackriverent.com.
Grand Ole Opry Adds Wednesday Night Shows To Summer Schedule
/by Alex ParryThe Grand Ole Opry will add nine weeks of Wednesday night shows to its schedule, beginning June 14 and running through Aug. 9, in addition to the Opry’s Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday performances on the show calendar.
Wednesday shows start this week with Grammy-winning Opry members Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Riders In the Sky, and Ricky Skaggs, as well as Charlie Worsham, CeCe Winans, and more. Winans, who made her Opry debut earlier this year, is scheduled to return each Wednesday throughout June as part of her celebration of Black Music Month.
Among others scheduled for Wednesday shows later in the summer are Charlie Daniels Band, Eli Young Band, Brett Eldredge, Chris Janson, Thompson Square, A Thousand Horses, Josh Turner, and Rhonda Vincent.
For more, visit opry.com.
Ty Herndon Holds Second Annual Concert For Love And Acceptance In Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughCody Alan and Ty Herndon at the Second Annual 2017 Concert for Love and Acceptance Photo Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Ty Herndon’s second annual 2017 Concert for Love and Acceptance on Thursday night (June 8) featured an evening filled with entertainment from a wide variety of musicians and celebrities that attended to support Nashville’s at-risk youth. Joining Herndon for the event, which was hosted by CMT’s Cody Alan, were Billy Gilman, Kree Harrison, Ryan Kinder, Runaway June, Michael Ray, Street Corner Symphony, Thompson Square, Trent Harmon, Mickey Guyton, comedian Dana Goldberg, Noah Guthrie, Ken Block of Sister Hazel, Kingston, former Everyday Sunday member Trey Pearson, and European pop artist Bastian Baker, who became the first international artist to participate in the event.
Michael Ray performs at the Second Annual 2017 Concert for Love and Acceptance
Billy Gilman performs at the Second Annual 2017 Concert for Love and Acceptance
Funeral Services, Celebration Of Life Set For Songwriter-Producer Norro Wilson
/by Robert K OermannNorro Wilson at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Poets and Prophets: Salute to Legendary Country Songwriter Norro Wilson on March 5, 2011. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame.
Services for the late Norro Wilson will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Thursday, June 15, at 3:30 p.m.
A celebration of life ceremony will be held immediately afterward at BMI on Music Row, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their stories and memories of Norro to share.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member, top record producer and longtime music-business executive passed away on June 8 at age 79.
He is survived by his daughter Christy Myers, son David Wilson, son-in-law Jody Myers, granddaughter Wilson Myers and “mother of his children and beloved cohort” Patsy Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Alive Hospice.
Bobby Karl Works The Room: CMA Music Fest 2017 Wraps With Superstar Performances
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 568
Levon. Photo: Levon/Twitter
Despite thousands of Bonnaroo attendees coming back into town, the CMA Fest throng and Predators fans arriving for a crucial Game Six of the Stanley Cup playoffs downtown, the Armageddon of crowd control did not occur on Sunday afternoon (June 11).
While I was there, the streets were still dominated by the CMA fans. Many were buying souvenirs on the last day of the Fest. In the Marketplace district of Fan Fair, jewelry seemed to be the most popular take-home items.
Each major label had its own strategy during the Fest. Sony set up a Pop-Up store inside the Omni Hotel lobby. It sold both LPs and CDs. You could also purchase black t-shirts bearing the logos of RCA, Columbia or Arista.
There were charming freebies, too – Luke Combs combs, sleep masks with Chris Young’s “Losing Sleep” imprinted on them, Kenny Chesney cardboard fans and the like. John Zarling was there picking up a pair of Miranda Lambert plastic “Pink Sunglasses” for his daughter. Across from the pop-up, Lanco was hosting a coffee-shop event. Kane Brown, Levon and Cam also put in appearances.
Over on Third Avenue South, Big Machine had also set up a pop-up store. The scintillating Delta Rae closed things out there with a show that delighted fans late Sunday afternoon.
The Warner strategy continued to be hosting fan-club parties at its Music Row office. On Sunday, it held events for High Valley, Charlie Worsham and Michael Ray.
UMG set up a big dome at the corner of McGavock & 8th Avenue South. The label projected music films on its 70-foot ceiling all festival long. On Sunday, the visuals were augmented with performances by Brandon Lay, Clare Dunn, Temecula Road and Eric Paslay.
The best music I heard on Sunday – and, indeed, among the best of the entire Fest – was the harmony-drenched Dailey & Vincent set at Fan Fair’s Durango Music Spot.
Over on the CMA Close-Up Stage, Danny Shirley, Terry McBride and Mark Wills were taking part in a nostalgic panel discussion about country music in the 1990s. All three have always been good talkers.
Closing out the autograph sessions at Fan Fair on Sunday were Jeff Bates, Chris Janson, Easton Corbin, Stephanie Quayle, Luke Combs, The Railers, Darryl Worley, Georgette Jones, Exile, Scotty McCreery, Rian Paige, Seth Innis and Brett Young, among others.
Pictured (L-R): DeStefano, Scott Hendricks (EVP A&R, WMN), Justin Luffman (VP Brand Management, WMN), Nick Hartley (Fitzgerald Hartley Management), Morgan Evans, Cole Swindell, Peter Strickland (CMO, WMN)
Out at the Chevy Park stage, I was stunned to see/hear hundreds of fans singing along with Morgan Evans. “It’s amazing,” said Neil Spielberg in wonderment. They knew all the words to this handsome Australian star’s “If I Didn’t Love You,” despite the fact that he’s still relatively obscure stateside. Morgan is perhaps best known for being engaged to Kelsea Ballerini.
Down at Riverfront, Maddie & Tae, Chase Bryant, Canaan Smith and Home Free were among those slated to close the daytime CMA Fest Sunday shows. Here again, Broadway was still dominated by CMA attendees.
But by the time I left at 3:30 p.m., the tide was beginning to turn. A constant parade of people wearing gold Predators jerseys was now streaming into downtown from all directions. Many were headed for a huge viewing party in Ascend Amphitheater. When the puck dropped, there were 60,000 hockey fans on the streets of Nashville.
Country fans still had plenty to cheer about. Phil Vassar booked a free concert for the viewing-party attendees in Hall of Fame Park at 5:15 p.m. Vince Gill and Dierks Bentley appeared amid the crazies on Broadway to introduce Luke Bryan’s performance to salute the playoff. Vince has held Preds season tix since Day One. Dierks and his band actually play hockey.
Luke entertained CMA folks as well as Predators fans from the roof of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge at 6 p.m. This was shown on all of the jumbo screens situated on the streets.
“It’s so inspiring to see where they [the Predators] have come from,” Luke said before the show. “A Southern team to have come this far is such a rarity. Nashville is laying a foundation. My boys are hooked [on hockey] for life.”
Tim McGraw at Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals. Photo: Faith Hill/Twitter
Mayor Megan Barry joined him at his free show. Faith Hill then rocked Bridgestone by singing the National Anthem. Tim McGraw hyped the crowd with whoop-it-up towel waving.
Over at Nissan Stadium, half of the TV monitors in the CMA Hospitality Suite were tuned to the game during the evening concert. Stormie Warren co-hosted the show with ABC-TV’s The Goldbergs star Hayley Orrantia. And weren’t we thrilled when she told us we’d be seeing Brad Paisley later on the show?
Restless Heart did The National Anthem in harmony. Tracy Lawrence unleashed a barrage of classic hits. Darius Rucker brought out Karen Fairchild to duet on “If I Told You” and Old Crow Medicine Show to perform “Wagon Wheel” with him. His reliable, blandly pleasant style went over extremely well.
Song for song, Little Big Town can hold its own with anyone in this industry. Collectively and individually they are also among our finest singers. Capping the night were the massive fan favorites Keith Urban and Brad Paisley, the latter of whom earlier hoisted a catfish at Bridgestone Arena.
Brothers Osborne perform during 2017 CMA Music Festival. Photo: Brothers Osborne/Instagram
But the act that stole the show on Sunday night was Brothers Osborne. Subbing for an injured Chris Stapleton, John and T.J. Osborne lit the stadium on fire and burned it to the ground. By the time the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year winners finished with the one-two assault of “Stay a Little Longer” and “It Ain’t My Fault,” the entire place was roaring, clapping along, dancing and screaming in ecstasy.
With their relentless, driving intensity and rousing showmanship, these guys made 50,000 converts that night. ABC is insane if it doesn’t put them on the CMA Fest TV special. We have no one else like Brothers Osborne.
Working the room in the CMA Suite were Victoria Shaw, Stuart Dill, Amy Smartt, Dennis Banka (maintaining his perfect attendance record), Aaron Hartley, Karen Clark, Melissa Maynard and Metro District 19 Councilman Freddie O’Connell.
Backstage, Tracy, Darius and LBT all commented about how jazzed this community has been about the Preds. Alas, we lost. The Pittsburgh Penguins went home with The Stanley Cup.
Tickets for next year’s CMA Music Festival will go on sale on June 27. The Fest will launch on June 7, 2018, as will Bonnaroo. To date, the CMA fest has raised $17.5 million for music education.