BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM: Daytime Shows
Chapter 565
Ashley Campbell performs on the Opry Classics stage. Photo: Ashley Campbell/Twitter
Part of Friday’s CMA Fest felt bittersweet. That date, June 9, marked the release of Adios, the final studio album by the legendary Glen Campbell. To commemorate it, daughter Ashley Campbell, who performs on the album, and Carl Jackson, who produced it, participated in a Q&A with songs on the CMA Close-Up stage at Fan Fair X in the Music City Center.
Carl recalled being discovered when he was 18 by Glen. He spent 12 years traveling the world with the Country Music Hall of Fame member. He sang the album’s “Arkansas Farmboy,” which he wrote to tell Glen’s story.
Ashley performed the CD’s title tune. She bravely and candidly updated the fans on her father’s condition. She wants people to know the reality of Alzheimer’s.
Glen is in the final stages of the disease, she told the crowd. He can no longer process language, nor speak it. He lives almost completely internally, but enjoys little things like desserts and naps. He is also unfailingly pleasant and enjoys being around people. Which is a blessing, since many patients grow angry, confused, difficult and/or anxious.
Glen’s “booth” in the exhibit hall was a van outfitted to be a listening room. His vintage album jackets lined the walls. Dubbed The Vinyl Store, it was stocked with reissued LPs and turntables, one of which was wired into the sound system and previewed Adios for prospective customers. You could buy CDs, too. I chose the vinyl.
Up until this point, I had also missed seeing the “One-Piece-at-a-Time” Johnny Cash Cadillac. It was in a booth promoting The Storytellers Museum in Bon Aqua, which is where it usually resides. You can bet there was a steady stream of picture takers to the automobile.
Just up the road from the museum in Bon Aqua is The Hideaway Farm, Cash’s rural retreat. This lovely Victorian farmhouse is also now a tourist attraction. Bon Aqua is 40 minutes west of Music City. By the way, there’s a bluegrass festival there on July 1.
Another highlight in the hall was a mini Hee Haw cornfield where you could pose for snapshots.
In addition to Ashley and Carl, Deana Carter, Bobby Bare, Ronnie McDowell, Lulu Roman, Charlie Worsham, Jake Owen, Mark Wills, Charley Pride, Scotty McCreery, Bailey James and Temecula Road were working the campus that afternoon. Not to mention such industry mavens as Ben Vaughn, Mike Dungan, Mark Logsdon, Victoria Shaw, Todd Cassety, Scott Stem, Taylor Shults and Kirt Webster.
Meanwhile, scattered around on the festival’s nine downtown stages were such scheduled greats as Josh Turner, Nora Collins, James Otto, Sylvia, Ty Herndon, Lari White, Mo Pitney, David Frizzell and Lauren Alaina.
At the Riverfront Stage Granger Smith received a Gold Record for “Backroad Song” after the ace showman riled up his so-called “Yee-Yee Nation.” He closed the show in his trademark bib-overalls-and-tank-top outfit.
At the Gilden Hard Rock stage, Dennis Banka finished his emcee duties on Friday. But no one showed up to replace him. He didn’t want to leave the venue unattended, so he wound up spending all day hosting there. He enjoyed sets by Olivia Lane, Joanna Smith, Risa Binder, Filmore, Carter Winter and more.
Over on the Chevy Park stage, Swon Brothers member Colton Swan leaped over a metal barricade to get up close and personal with the fans.
As for me, I had to hustle on up to 8th & Broadway. I needed to catch the 3:41 No. 7 Hillsboro/Green Hills bus to beat rush-hour traffic home. The rest of you suckers suffered in the congestion while I read a magazine in air-conditioned comfort.
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM: The Nissan Stadium Concerts
Chapter 566
Kelsea Ballerini on the Nissan Stadium Stage during 2017 CMA Music Festival. Photo: Kelsea Ballerini/Twitter
The beautiful fireworks at midnight over Nissan Stadium commemorated another outstanding evening of song that was Friday’s CMA Fest concert (June 9).
Brooke Eden kicked things off with an excellent, octave-jumping rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Opening artist Trace Adkins exuded effortless charisma, as always. I also dig it that he is directly and bravely addressing aging with “Watered Down.”
Rascal Flatts shouted, “Are you ready to rock?” to the massive crowd. It was. One surprise artist was Dustin Lynch, who stood on a small stage in the midst of a throng of fans. He introduced his new single/video “Small Town Boy.”
Television stars and country recording artists The Property Brothers hosted. They pronounced Sam Hunt, “the most beautiful man in country music.”
Sam was, indeed, a huge crowd favorite, giving new energy to “Take Your Time” and getting a roar of approval for “Body Like a Back Road.” Said Sam, “We’ve played for fans all over, but you guys take the cake for the most dedicated fans in music.”
The equally studly Brett Young appeared as another surprise artist. He sang his chart-topping ballad “In Case You Didn’t Know.”
Kelsea Ballerini and Rhett Akins will co-host the August ABC network TV special that will be crafted out of this whole whoop-de-doo. On Friday, she was the delightful appetizer for the headlining main course of Eric Church and Blake Shelton. Kelsea introduced a new song and (as of now) a non-single titled “I Hate Love Songs.”
Blake brought Trace back out to sing “Hillbilly Bone” with him. “That’s country, right there!” quoth Blake.
Photo ID (L-R): Matt Signore, COO, WMN; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Blake Shelton, Peter Strickland, CMO, WMN; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R, WMN; Kristen Williams, SVP Radio & Streaming, WMN; Narvel Blackstock, Starstruck Entertainment; Brandon Blackstock, Starstruck Entertainment
This was actually Blake’s second concert of the day. That afternoon, he’d staged a surprise pop-up performance at the WildHorse Saloon. It was a 90-minute journey through his hit-packed catalog of 16-years duration. Sherod Robertson, Erika Goldring, Cindy Watts, Helen Comer and Troy Gorczyca were among the lucky ones packed into the venue.
Troy is the Brand Manager of Smithworks Vodka, the title sponsor of the event. As the drink’s spokesman, Blake introduced it to the Nashville market during the CMA Music Festival. Because Blake said so, I bought a bottle. Miss Mary tasted it and pronounced it good.
Up in the CMA Hospitality Suite that night, the schmoozing reached a new plateau by the time Blake hit the stage. At times, you could hardly hear the music over the gabbing.
Attending fabulons included Charlie Cook, Chuck Aly, Dave Pahonek, David & Susana Ross, Larry McCormick, Chris Horsnell, Amy Smartt, Bill Denny, Aubrey Gilbert, Hank Adam Locklin, Bret Wolcott, Lisa Manning, and Susan Stewart.
If you couldn’t get into Nissan Stadium, or if you needed more female sounds than just lonely Kelsea could offer that night, CMA Fest offered an innovative alternative at Ascend Amphitheater.
Running simultaneously with Friday’s Nissan show was an all-female bill on the free Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage there on the other side of the Cumberland. It starred Danielle Bradbery, Kelleigh Bannen, Natalie Stovall, Ruthie Collins, Aubrie Sellers, Kellie Pickler and Sara Evans.
“Forever Country” Creators Receive RIAA Plaques During CMA Fest
/by Lorie HollabaughCMA Board Chairman and Senior Vice President of Programming and Artist Relations for Opry Entertainment and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry Sally Williams (third from left) gathers with (L-R) “Forever Country” co-arranger Josh Osborne, producer Shane McAnally, music video producers Joanna Carter and Chandra LaPlume, and CMA Chief Marketing Officer Damon Whiteside following a special panel during CMA Music Festival.
Photo Credit: Donn Jones / CMA
The success of “Forever Country” was recognized Saturday (June 10) during CMA Fest as producer Shane McAnally and co-arranger Josh Osborne received plaques celebrating RIAA Gold certification of the chart-topping, award-winning single created to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards.
The plaques were presented by Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer, and Sally Williams, CMA Board Chairman and Senior Vice President/Programming and Artist Relations for Opry Entertainment and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry, following the “Making of a Mash Up – A Close Up Look at CMA’s Forever Country” panel at XFINITY Fan Fair X during the CMA Music Festival.
The hit single, which is a medley of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” and Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” featured 30 CMA Award-winning acts. The song is one of only three songs in history to debut at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart, and soared to No. 1 on U.S. and international sales and streaming charts.
Bobby Karl Works The Room: CMA Music Fest Blends Charity, Hits For Saturday Shows
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 567
Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s Allen Brown and Jaime Marconette; CAA’s Kylen Sharpe; Sony Music Nashville’s Chairman/CEO Randy Goodman; Cam; Sony Music Nashville’s Josh Easler, Jen Way, John Zarling; Cam’s manager Lindsay Marias; and, CAA’s Rod Essig.
The most flawless weather in CMA Fest memory continued on Saturday (June 10).
Fans were treated to plenty of warmth, to be sure. But Nashville’s oppressive summer humidity was absent, and a breeze blew all day. No wonder there was a veritable armada of boats floating behind the Riverfront Stage throughout the afternoon.
They were the backdrop for the sounds of some of the finest up-and-coming talents in country music. The Riverfront lineup on Saturday included Brett Young, High Valley, Drake White, Cam and William Michael Morgan. Hot stuff.
Meanwhile, a solid lineup of talented vets populated the Budweiser Forever Country Park off Lower Broadway – John Berry, Andy Griggs, Mila Mason and Terry McBride among them.
Too hot for you outside? In the Xfinity Fan Fair X exhibit hall of the Music City Convention Center you could sit in air conditioning and take in both newcomers and established artists. In the former category were Levi Hummon, Walker Hayes, Luke Combs and Michael Tyler. Among the latter were Rex Allen Jr., Barbara Fairchild, Even Stevens and Jim Lauderdale.
Reba McEntire performs the National Anthem at the 27th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for City Of Hope
Over at First Tennessee Park, the attraction was the 27th annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game. Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe surprised fans by throwing the first pitch. Reba McEntire sang the National Anthem, followed by a performance of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” by Sara Evans. Team Captain for iHeart Media was Bobby Bones, and Team Captain for Sirius XM/Grand Ole Opry was Bill Cody. The Bones team won, 9-6, but who’s counting when it’s all for such a good cause?
Artists participating included Billy Ray Cyrus, Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Jessie James Decker and her hubbie, NFL player Eric Decker. Also Lauren Alaina, plus Lunchbox, Eddie & Ray of the Bones radio show, Drew Scott & Jonathan Scott (The Property Brothers), Aaron Watson, Trent Harmon, The Swon Brothers, Danielle Bradbury, Maggie Rose and Miss Tennessee Allee-Sutton Hethcoat. The play-by-play was called by Lee Greenwood, Jeannie Seely, Tim Rushlow and Gator Harrison.
Colton Swon, Drew Scott, Danielle Bradbery, Zach Swon, and Jonathan Scott arrive at the 27th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for City Of Hope
Went home. Put my feet up. Rested. Changed clothes. Headed back out for the Saturday evening shoe at Nissan Stadium.
Bobcat Company, the Knoxville Central High School choral group, sang The National Anthem. As the sun began to set, fans were taking their seats while the great John Anderson took the stage. He was in splendid voice as he fired off hits, blam-blam-blam.
“Black Sheep,” “Straight Tequila Night,” “Money in the Bank,” “Swingin,’” “Seminole Wind” one right after another. What a stylist that guy remains.
“CMA Fan Fest, we’re sure proud to be a part of it, as always,” he said humbly. “Have a great evening!”
At this year’s Scotty McCreery Fan Club Party, a core group of fans surprised McCreery by donating $2,100 in his honor to the CMA Foundation to support music education. Pictured (L-R): McCreery fan Sharon Jules, Scotty McCreery, CMA Foundation’s Tiffany Kerns, and McCreery fan Betty Holt.
The stage presence of Maren Morris has improved dramatically since she made her debut at the fest last year. Sporting short locks, she was snarky on “Rich,” touching on “I Could Use a Love Song” and soaring on “My Church.” A good job, all around.
Chris Young came out and ignited the crowd’s enthusiasm as he tore into “Aw Naw” He was easily the vocal powerhouse of the night, perhaps never more so than when he closed his set with the electrifying Cassadee Pope duet “Think of You.” He also introduced his new single, “Losing Sleep.”
Each night of the fest has featured a surprise guest. Saturday’s was Old Dominion, who made a brief but highly musical appearance. Lady Antebellum followed, complete with horns purloined from Justin Timberlake in Memphis.
Thomas Rhett gave the crowd “Die a Happy Man” and brought out Maren Morris to sing “Craving You” with him. But the night belonged to the showmanship and the mega hits of Florida Georgia Line as a beaming full moon shone over the stadium.
Major Megan Barry showed up to bask in it all. Also working the room were Christy Walker Watkins, David & Susana Ross, Izzie Ross, Brandi Sims, Laura Crawford, Bret Wolcott & Lydia Lenker, Steve Popovich Jr., Terry Calonge, Horton Frank and the 615 band drummer Louis Winfield.
The CMA Fest alternative to the big Nissan stadium concert was at Ascend Amphitheater on Saturday evening. That venue’s Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage presented a Warner Bros. Records bill starring Dan + Shay, Hunter Hayes, High Valley, RaeLynn, Cale Dodds, Ryan Kinder and Bailey Bryan.
Florida Georgia Line perform at Nissan Stadium during 2017 CMA Music Fest. Photo: John Shearer/FGL Instagram
Bobby Karl Works The Room: CMA Music Fest’s Friday Lineups Salute Legends, Newcomers
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM: Daytime Shows
Chapter 565
Ashley Campbell performs on the Opry Classics stage. Photo: Ashley Campbell/Twitter
Part of Friday’s CMA Fest felt bittersweet. That date, June 9, marked the release of Adios, the final studio album by the legendary Glen Campbell. To commemorate it, daughter Ashley Campbell, who performs on the album, and Carl Jackson, who produced it, participated in a Q&A with songs on the CMA Close-Up stage at Fan Fair X in the Music City Center.
Carl recalled being discovered when he was 18 by Glen. He spent 12 years traveling the world with the Country Music Hall of Fame member. He sang the album’s “Arkansas Farmboy,” which he wrote to tell Glen’s story.
Ashley performed the CD’s title tune. She bravely and candidly updated the fans on her father’s condition. She wants people to know the reality of Alzheimer’s.
Glen is in the final stages of the disease, she told the crowd. He can no longer process language, nor speak it. He lives almost completely internally, but enjoys little things like desserts and naps. He is also unfailingly pleasant and enjoys being around people. Which is a blessing, since many patients grow angry, confused, difficult and/or anxious.
Glen’s “booth” in the exhibit hall was a van outfitted to be a listening room. His vintage album jackets lined the walls. Dubbed The Vinyl Store, it was stocked with reissued LPs and turntables, one of which was wired into the sound system and previewed Adios for prospective customers. You could buy CDs, too. I chose the vinyl.
Up until this point, I had also missed seeing the “One-Piece-at-a-Time” Johnny Cash Cadillac. It was in a booth promoting The Storytellers Museum in Bon Aqua, which is where it usually resides. You can bet there was a steady stream of picture takers to the automobile.
Just up the road from the museum in Bon Aqua is The Hideaway Farm, Cash’s rural retreat. This lovely Victorian farmhouse is also now a tourist attraction. Bon Aqua is 40 minutes west of Music City. By the way, there’s a bluegrass festival there on July 1.
Another highlight in the hall was a mini Hee Haw cornfield where you could pose for snapshots.
In addition to Ashley and Carl, Deana Carter, Bobby Bare, Ronnie McDowell, Lulu Roman, Charlie Worsham, Jake Owen, Mark Wills, Charley Pride, Scotty McCreery, Bailey James and Temecula Road were working the campus that afternoon. Not to mention such industry mavens as Ben Vaughn, Mike Dungan, Mark Logsdon, Victoria Shaw, Todd Cassety, Scott Stem, Taylor Shults and Kirt Webster.
Meanwhile, scattered around on the festival’s nine downtown stages were such scheduled greats as Josh Turner, Nora Collins, James Otto, Sylvia, Ty Herndon, Lari White, Mo Pitney, David Frizzell and Lauren Alaina.
At the Riverfront Stage Granger Smith received a Gold Record for “Backroad Song” after the ace showman riled up his so-called “Yee-Yee Nation.” He closed the show in his trademark bib-overalls-and-tank-top outfit.
At the Gilden Hard Rock stage, Dennis Banka finished his emcee duties on Friday. But no one showed up to replace him. He didn’t want to leave the venue unattended, so he wound up spending all day hosting there. He enjoyed sets by Olivia Lane, Joanna Smith, Risa Binder, Filmore, Carter Winter and more.
Over on the Chevy Park stage, Swon Brothers member Colton Swan leaped over a metal barricade to get up close and personal with the fans.
As for me, I had to hustle on up to 8th & Broadway. I needed to catch the 3:41 No. 7 Hillsboro/Green Hills bus to beat rush-hour traffic home. The rest of you suckers suffered in the congestion while I read a magazine in air-conditioned comfort.
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM: The Nissan Stadium Concerts
Chapter 566
Kelsea Ballerini on the Nissan Stadium Stage during 2017 CMA Music Festival. Photo: Kelsea Ballerini/Twitter
The beautiful fireworks at midnight over Nissan Stadium commemorated another outstanding evening of song that was Friday’s CMA Fest concert (June 9).
Brooke Eden kicked things off with an excellent, octave-jumping rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Opening artist Trace Adkins exuded effortless charisma, as always. I also dig it that he is directly and bravely addressing aging with “Watered Down.”
Rascal Flatts shouted, “Are you ready to rock?” to the massive crowd. It was. One surprise artist was Dustin Lynch, who stood on a small stage in the midst of a throng of fans. He introduced his new single/video “Small Town Boy.”
Television stars and country recording artists The Property Brothers hosted. They pronounced Sam Hunt, “the most beautiful man in country music.”
Sam was, indeed, a huge crowd favorite, giving new energy to “Take Your Time” and getting a roar of approval for “Body Like a Back Road.” Said Sam, “We’ve played for fans all over, but you guys take the cake for the most dedicated fans in music.”
The equally studly Brett Young appeared as another surprise artist. He sang his chart-topping ballad “In Case You Didn’t Know.”
Kelsea Ballerini and Rhett Akins will co-host the August ABC network TV special that will be crafted out of this whole whoop-de-doo. On Friday, she was the delightful appetizer for the headlining main course of Eric Church and Blake Shelton. Kelsea introduced a new song and (as of now) a non-single titled “I Hate Love Songs.”
Blake brought Trace back out to sing “Hillbilly Bone” with him. “That’s country, right there!” quoth Blake.
Photo ID (L-R): Matt Signore, COO, WMN; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Blake Shelton, Peter Strickland, CMO, WMN; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R, WMN; Kristen Williams, SVP Radio & Streaming, WMN; Narvel Blackstock, Starstruck Entertainment; Brandon Blackstock, Starstruck Entertainment
This was actually Blake’s second concert of the day. That afternoon, he’d staged a surprise pop-up performance at the WildHorse Saloon. It was a 90-minute journey through his hit-packed catalog of 16-years duration. Sherod Robertson, Erika Goldring, Cindy Watts, Helen Comer and Troy Gorczyca were among the lucky ones packed into the venue.
Troy is the Brand Manager of Smithworks Vodka, the title sponsor of the event. As the drink’s spokesman, Blake introduced it to the Nashville market during the CMA Music Festival. Because Blake said so, I bought a bottle. Miss Mary tasted it and pronounced it good.
Up in the CMA Hospitality Suite that night, the schmoozing reached a new plateau by the time Blake hit the stage. At times, you could hardly hear the music over the gabbing.
Attending fabulons included Charlie Cook, Chuck Aly, Dave Pahonek, David & Susana Ross, Larry McCormick, Chris Horsnell, Amy Smartt, Bill Denny, Aubrey Gilbert, Hank Adam Locklin, Bret Wolcott, Lisa Manning, and Susan Stewart.
If you couldn’t get into Nissan Stadium, or if you needed more female sounds than just lonely Kelsea could offer that night, CMA Fest offered an innovative alternative at Ascend Amphitheater.
Running simultaneously with Friday’s Nissan show was an all-female bill on the free Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage there on the other side of the Cumberland. It starred Danielle Bradbery, Kelleigh Bannen, Natalie Stovall, Ruthie Collins, Aubrie Sellers, Kellie Pickler and Sara Evans.
Bobby Bones To Tour With His “Class Of 2017” Picks
/by Lorie HollabaughBones has chosen artists he believes are the next big thing for the past three years and rallies behind them to share their music as his “Class Of” artists, and former picks include Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, and Jon Pardi.
“I can’t wait to get back on the road with the Raging Idiots,” Bones said of the upcoming tour. “But I’m especially looking forward to taking out these great new artists.”
Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood To Return As Hosts For CMA Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonThis year’s CMA Awards will take place Nov. 8, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC Television Network.
Paisley and Underwood’s 10-year run is second only to Vince Gill’s 12-year run as host of the awards show, from 1992-2003.
The 2017 CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by more than 7,600 professional members of CMA, which is the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958.
Matthew West Sets All In Tour With Jordan Feliz, Leanna Crawford
/by Jessica NicholsonThe tour’s inaugural show will hit Houston on Sept. 21, with shows following in Des Moines, Iowa; Lincoln, Nebraska; San Antonio, Texas; Lakeland, Florida, and more.
He will bring Dove Award-winning newcomer Jordan Feliz and singer-songwriter Leanna Crawford as opening acts. West says he hopes to introduce fans to new music during the tour, as well as feature collaborations with his tourmates. West’s previous album, Live Forever, released in 2015. His current single is “Broken Things,” from his forthcoming album.
“I absolutely love writing songs, and I love watching those songs come to life in the recording studio,” West says. “But it’s getting on the bus, hopping on stage in city after city and carrying that music to a live audience night after night that completes the creative circle. That’s why I do this tour or any other—in hopes that people who are hurting will find a much-needed musical reminder that God loves changing lives. We’re going ‘ALL IN’ with that message this fall and I can’t wait!
“I’m also excited to tour with my friend Jordan Feliz,” West continues. “He and I wrote a song together for my new record and a friendship was forged. In addition, I’ve discovered an amazingly talented newcomer, Leanna Crawford. She’s going to join me onstage each night and will no doubt blow people away.”
Tickets for the All In Fall Tour go on sale Tuesday, June 13. For a complete list of cities and dates, visit matthewwest.com.
Radio Disney Country Launches On 99.1 FM In Los Angeles
/by Jessica NicholsonKelsea Ballerini, Hunter Hayes, Bailey Bryan, Scotty McCreery, and more joined Radio Disney Country host Betsy Spina on the stage in Nashville to celebrate the announcement.
Radio Disney Country is also available on iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Apple Music, and Spotify.
Guerini said, “As country music continues to deliver some of the biggest artists in music today, we are broadening the reach of Radio Disney Country through both terrestrial and digital extensions of its brand.”
Will Hoge Releases Debut Single From New Album ‘Anchors’
/by Lorie HollabaughWill Hoge is set to release the debut single, “Little Bit Of Rust,” from his 11 studio album Anchors, due out Aug. 11 via Thirty Tigers. The new song finds Hoge, a Franklin, Tennessee native, pairing with guest vocalist Sheryl Crow on the track, along with Fats Kaplin (Jack White, Beck) on mandolin.
“I’d always wanted a female vocal for this song because I felt like the ‘we’ in the chorus is important,” says Hoge. “Nobody fixes a relationship on their own. I felt like it deserved this strong female presence, and Sheryl’s just one of the greatest singers I’ve ever heard. Having her on the track breathed a whole new life into the song, and it’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever done.”
Hoge is gearing up for an overseas tour in Spain and the U.K. in July before the release of Anchors. The album follows 2015’s Small Town Dreams.
Eventbrite To Acquire Ticketfly
/by Jessica NicholsonAdditionally, Eventbrite and Pandora plan to enter into a future distribution agreement to extend the benefits already proven out with the Pandora and Ticketfly integration.
Ticketfly’s co-founder and CEO Andrew Dreskin will lead Eventbrite’s music efforts. “We are happy to be joining forces with our friends at Eventbrite,” said Dreskin.
“The combination of Ticketfly and Pandora proved our thesis that listeners want easy access to live events, and that we have the ability to promote and sell tickets at scale in a highly targeted way,” said Tim Westergren, CEO and founder of Pandora. “We look forward to expanding the opportunity to bring fans and artists together through our continued partnership with Eventbrite and Ticketfly.”
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and we see immense alignment and opportunity with this union, especially as we continue to expand Eventbrite’s global footprint in music,” said Julia Hartz, CEO and co-founder of Eventbrite.“Together with Ticketfly, we will focus our collective energy on further developing our unparalleled solution and superior services for indie music venues and promoters around the world.”
Eventbrite is set to process approximately 200 million tickets, worth $3 billion in gross sales in 180 countries, in 2017. Ticketfly works with over 1,800 music promoters and venues across North America, supporting 100,000 events per year which generate $600 million in gross ticket sales.
The acquisition announcement follows Eventbrite’s acquisition earlier this year of European ticketing company Ticketscript, and builds upon the traction the company has experienced in music since the launch of Eventbrite Venue, the first fully integrated booking, operations and ticketing solution for live music venues.
CMA Music Fest Kicks Off With Music, Music, And More Music
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Janson Rocks The Riverfront
(L-R): Kristen Williams, SVP, Radio & Streaming; Matt Signore, COO; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO; Chris Janson; Chris Palmer, VP, Radio & Streaming; Lisa Ray, VP, Head of Brand Management; Cris Lacy, VP, A&R; Megan Joyce, SVP, Business & Legal Affairs; Scott Hendricks, EVP, A&R
Chris Janson performed a full-throttle set for fans at CMA Music Fest at the Riverfront Stage Thursday afternoon, performing songs including his No. 1 smash “Buy Me A Boat” and his new single “Fix A Drink.” The song is the title track from his Fix A Drink EP, which is out today.
Kane Brown Performs For Music Fest Fans
(L-R): Braeden Rountree, WME; John Zarling, EVP, Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville; Tom Mackay, President, Sony Music Film & Television A&R; Kane Brown; Jim Catino, SVP, A&R, Sony Music Nashville; Martha Earls, EFG Management; Kent Earls, EVP/GM Universal Music Publishing Group; and Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville. Photo credit: Alejandro Alvarez Garcia
Kane Brown performed before a huge crowd of eager fans at CMA Music Fest’s Riverfront Stage. Among the crowd watching his anticipated Music Fest performance were label staffers including Sony Music Nashville Chairman/CEO Randy Goodman.
Levon Plays The Gildan Broadway Stage
(L-R): Levon member Jake Singleton; producer Jamie Houston, GB Productions; Tracy Baskette-Fleaner, VP, Creative Services, Sony Music Nashville; Levon member Ryan Holladay; John Zarling, EVP, Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville; EVP/COO, Sony Music Nashville; Tom Mackay, President, Sony Music Film & TV A&R; Levon member Michael David Hall; and Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management
New country group Levon performed a rousing set at CMA Music Fest’s Gildan Broadway Stage at the Hard Rock Café Thursday, making their debut at the festival.
CMA Songwriters Series Kicks Off CMA Music Fest
Barry Dean, Brett James, Jon Nite, and Don Schlitz perform at CMA Songwriters Series during the 2017 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.
Barry Dean, Brett James, Jon Nite, and 2017 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Don Schlitz shared the stories behind their hit songs to get festivities in full swing during a special performance at the CMA Theater leading into CMA Music Festival. The show was part of the CMA Songwriters Series, which since 2005 has presented more than 100 shows in 17 cities.
Jon Nite, Barry Dean, Don Schlitz and Brett James at CMA Songwriters Series.