“Willie Ain’t Dead Yet And Neither Am I,” Loretta Lynn Cancels 2017 Dates, Postpones Album

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Loretta Lynn

Country legend Loretta Lynn has canceled the last of her 2017 tour and postponed her Wouldn’t It Be Great album release until 2018 due to doctors orders.

“I am getting stronger every day and can’t wait to get back out there with all of you,” said Lynn in a post on her website and social media. “I’m just letting everybody know that Willie ain’t dead yet and neither am I, and I can’t wait to see all of you on the road!”

The news, confirmed by MusicRow, comes after the announcement this May that Lynn was recovering from a stroke just weeks after her 85th birthday. Over a dozen future outing cancellations now come on the heels of already a dozen shows missed by the recovering entertainer this year.

The forthcoming album was to be released by Legacy Recordings (a division of Sony Music Entertainment) on August 18. More news is expected about the album and tour as it becomes available.

 

Loretta Lynn Remaining 2017 Dates Cancelled

Jul 22 — Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Welch, MN
Aug 25-26 — Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Sep 02 — Loretta Lynn Ranch, Hurricane Mills, TN
Sep 08 — Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL
Sep 09 — Shipshewana Event Center, Shipshewana, IN
Sep 23 — Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC
Sep 28 — Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC
Sep 29 — The Carolina Theatre of Durham, Durham, NC
Oct 14 — Andy Williams Theatre, Branson, MO
Oct 15 — Andy Williams Theatre, Branson, MO
Oct 27 — Tower Theatre, Philadelphia, PA
Oct 28 — Seneca Allegany Casino, Salamanca, NY
Nov 03 — The Mahaffey Theater, Saint Petersburg, FL
Nov 04 — Broward Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Nov 18 — Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, Mount Vernon, KY

Industry Ink: ACM Lifting Lives, Webster PR, Third Coast Talent

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ACM Lifting Lives Gets Donation From Stoney’s Rockin’ Country

Pictured (L-R): Stoney’s Rockin’ Country Marketing Manager Jeff “Toad” Higginbotham; Academy of Country Music SVP, Operations and Events Erick Long; Academy of Country Music CEO Pete Fisher; Stoney’s Rockin’ Country Founder and Owner Chris Lowden

Reps from Stoney’s Rockin’ Country recently stopped by the Academy of Country Music office in Los Angeles with a surprise $17,819 contribution to the ACM Lifting Lives program from the ACM Party for a Cause events held in March and April in Las Vegas. Ticket proceeds from the Stoney’s Rockin’ Country events, including the ACM After Party for a Cause at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country and the ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party presented by Country Rebel, will serve ACM Lifting Lives’ ongoing mission to improve lives through the power of music.

 

Webster Public Relations Inks Deal With Frank Foster

Frank Foster has signed with Webster Public Relations for publicity representation. The Louisiana native and former oil field worker has has had two Top 10 debuting albums (“Rhythm and Whiskey,” “Boots On the Ground”) and sold over 125,000 albums, 325,000 singles and has over 7.5 million YouTube views.

“Frank has been able to build so much of his career essentially on his own,” said Kirt Webster. “I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together!”

 

Third Coast Talent Signs Dion Pride

Dion Pride, son of country legend Charley Pride, has inked with Third Coast Talent for representation. Pride began playing classical and modern piano when he was eight, drums at 10, bass at 12, and started performing at 14. He has played lead guitar for his father and entertained our troops on USO tours in Panama, Honduras, Guantanamo Bay and the island of Antigua. He has sung and performed for audiences around the world in countries like England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada and all across the U.S.

Garth, Luke, Dolly, Kenny, Toby, FGL Top ‘Forbes’ Highest-Paid Country Artist List

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Garth Brooks pulled in a pretty hefty paycheck over the past 12 months, making a whopping $60 million in pretax pay from his ongoing comeback tour which launched in 2014 and has logged 300 dates so far. That number landed him at the top of Forbes Magazine‘s Highest-Paid Country Musicians for 2017, which ranks the biggest earners in the format. Other artists making the elite list and rounding out the Top 5 include Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Dolly Parton, Toby Keith, and Florida Georgia Line.

Chesney filled his coffers with $42.5 million this year not only with touring but also with his affiliations with Apple, Corona, and his own Blue Chair Bay rum. Bryan took in his $42 million chunk from the road but also makes a bundle from his Outdoor Channel reality show Buck Commander as well. Dolly cashed in on her 63-city tour during Forbes‘ scoring period but also enjoys lucrative paychecks from publishing as well as her theme park Dollywood to make her cool $37 million. And Keith and FGL both hauled in $34.5 million from music, touring and various endeavors.

The list was evaluated by compiling touring numbers from Pollstar and record sales data from Nielsen along with independent research on outside business ventures and endorsement deals. The estimates represent pretax income from June 1, 2016 through June 1, 2017; fees for managers, agents and lawyers are not deducted.

The list reflects a slight downswing in earnings across the top ten earners, from $393 million last year to $366 million in 2017, but the difference can be attributed to some artists playing fewer shows in the scoring period this year than last. However, income is apparently more evenly distributed this year. In 2016, only five acts topped the $30 million mark, in 2017, nine topped that mark.

The list can be viewed here.

 

In Pictures: Morgan Wallen, Hunter Hayes, Luke Combs

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Morgan Wallen Makes Opry Debut

Pictured (L-R): Dan Rogers, Director of Opry Marketing, Communications, and Artist Initiatives; Dirk Hemsath, Working Group Artist Management; “Whispering” Bill Anderson; Morgan Wallen; Eddie Stubbs; Mike Bachta, Working Group Artist Management

Big Loud Records rising star Morgan Wallen left his mark during his debut appearance at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, July 7.

Hunter Hayes Visits Spotify

Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville recording artist Hunter Hayes pulled in big numbers on Spotify this week, with his brand new single “Rescue” boasting over 1.5 million streams since its release on June 29. “Rescue” was included on the streaming service’s “New Music Friday” playlists in 10 different countries and is currently charting on their “US Viral Top 50” playlist. Spotify’s Global Head of Country Music John Marks (pictured above) moderated a Q&A session with Hayes last month at CMA Music Festival’s Close Up Stage, where the singer/songwriter was featured as Artist of the Day.

 

Luke Combs Uses Georgia Show To Give Back

Sally Hale and Luke Combs

During his set in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday evening (July 8), Luke Combs paused his rowdy, energetic show to make way for a special moment on stage. Earlier this year, Combs announced his brand new VIP Meet & Greet program established to benefit Camp Sunshine, a Georgia-based retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses, which Combs first learned of through his manager, Chris Kappy, and friends who have been impacted by the organization. At Saturday night’s show, Combs invited Sally Hale, Executive Director of Camp Sunshine, to join him on stage where he presented her with a donation of $22, 235.

“Camp Sunshine offers children fighting illnesses this awesome place to do what kids do best – be kids. I love everything about that because all kids deserve the chance to run, play and be carefree,” shares Combs. “I’m so honored that my fans and I are able to give back and be a small part of the impactful work Camp Sunshine is doing in these kid’s lives. They are the real heroes.”

 

Logan Mize To Release 12-Track ‘Come Back Road’ In July

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Logan Mize will release a new 12-track album, Come Back Road, on Big Yellow Dog Music July 28. Produced by Dan Agee, the project’s first single, “Ain’t Always Pretty,” has already racked up more than 20 million streams on Spotify, where it is featured on the Hot Country and New Boots playlists. The song also made Apple Music’s “The A-List Country” and “Cool Country” playlists.

The project includes cuts by writers like Josh Kear, Ross Copperman, Matraca Berg, The Warren Brothers, Rodney Clawson, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and more.

“I’ve never put my voice behind a bigger or better group of songs. I would love to see them connect with a grand scale audience that loves them as much as I do,” said Mize about the collection, which is available for pre-sale here.

The Kansas native’s musical roots run deep: his great uncle was Billy Mize, who was largely known for crafting and evolving the legendary Bakersfield sound of musical pioneers like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens.

Come Back Road Track Listing:
1. Somebody To Thank (Josh Kear / David Frasier / Ed Hill)
2. Life’s a Party (Josh Kear / Mark Irwin / Chris Tompkins)
3. Cool Girl (Logan Mize /Daniel Tashian)
4. Come Back Road (Josh Kear / Rodney Clawson / Ross Copperman)
5. Better Off Gone (Abe Stoklasa / Donovan Woods)
6. All This Night Needs (Daniel Tashian / Matraca Berg/ Dave Berg)
7. Ain’t Always Pretty (Brett Warren / Brad Warren / Chris Stevens / Lance Miller)
8. Drinkin’ Buddies (Chris Gelbuda / Kylie Sackley)
9. Bands Make Her Dance (Logan Mize / Rodney Clawson / Luke Dick)
10. Catch a Fish (Logan Mize / Warren / Warren / Miller)
11. All Time (Luke Dick / Shane McAnally / Josh Osborne)
12. Big City (Daniel Tashian / Troy Verges)

Morning Radio Duo Tony & Kris Head To Knoxville’s WIVK

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Cumulus’ Knoxville, Tennessee station WIVK has tapped on-air radio duo Tony & Kris to helm the morning slot at the station following a nationwide search. Tony Randall and Kris Rochester will be waking up Knoxville listeners beginning July 17 as only the fourth morning show in the station’s history. The show will air weekdays from 5:30 a.m.-10 a.m. The duo will also be developing a new music-based weekend show for WIVK with details to be announced at a later date.

The new show fills the opening left by the departure of WIVK’s award-winning 20-year morning team, Andy & Alison, who announced last month that they are signing off from radio.

Tony & Kris have worked in the San Diego and Nashville markets previously and in network syndication with Premiere Radio Networks and United Stations Radio Networks. They met in 1991 after launching their radio careers in 1986 in the Gadsden-Anniston, AL, area. The two joined forces as an on-air team at country station WHMA in Anniston-Oxford, Alabama. “The Tony & Kris Show” ended its syndication run in May, marking over 25 years together as one of country radio’s longest-running success stories.

“The excitement level of the staff at the hiring of Tony & Kris speaks to their track record of success,” said Ken Salyer, Vice President/Market Manager Cumulus Media-Knoxville. WIVK and Tony & Kris are a perfect pairing for the future.”

“Andy & Alison left an indelible mark on Knoxville radio,” said Nikki Thomas, WIVK Program Director. “They will be a hard act to follow. Tony & Kris are excited to be moving to Knoxville and we’re excited to turn them into Big Orange fans, especially Kris. We’re enrolling him in “Roll Tide Rehabilitation” classes as soon as he arrives.”

“When we hung it up in May, we couldn’t have imagined this incredible opportunity would present itself,” said Tony. “Getting the band back together and working with a legendary station like WIVK and their winning team is the most exciting thing to happen to us since our first big break in San Diego 24 years ago.”

“I knew if I was going to come back to radio it would have to be to a proven winner of a station, with an amazing team involved,” added Kris about the new opportunity. “WIVK is the very definition of that. Add the fact that we’ll have the opportunity to feature and break new music on our weekend show and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Gibson Brands To Showcase Career Opportunities During Ryman Event

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Gibson Brands will offer its Experience Gibson event at the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, July 26 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will allow attendees to explore career opportunities with Gibson Brands, including meeting with Gibson employees. Gibson Brands chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz will offer opening remarks. The event will also include appetizers, beverages, and live music.

Attendees can pre-register by signing up at Gibson’s Facebook page or at gibson.com.

 

Nielsen Partners With Nashville Project Music Graduate’s Startup

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Marcus Cobb. Photo: Sonia Ulrich

Nielsen Music announced on Tuesday, July 11 an agreement with Jammber, a cloud-based platform managing and tracking the entire music production process—streamlining workflow and bringing cohesiveness to what has traditionally been a fragmented process.

Jammber is the creation of Marcus Cobb, a graduate of Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s Project Music, who has secured over $1.2 million in investor funding. Its cloud-based technology allows collaborators to digitally track credits, helping labels and artists file the proper forms in minutes to get paid. Jammber is based in Chicago, Illinois and Nashville, Tennessee.

Jammber will provide Nielsen Music with data about musical works for tools and charts, creating new views for clients. Nielsen Music will be unveiling additional information about these enhancements as the data is integrated into its systems.

“Nielsen Music is committed to providing measurement and insights across the greater music ecosystem,” said Erin Crawford, Sr. VP, Nielsen Entertainment and GM Music. “Working at the intersection of technology and music, Jammber is uniquely capable of collecting information that contributes to our overall mission.”

“The song creation data Jammber captures at the studio level will help power new charts, improve discovery on streaming platforms and will positively impact the lives of creatives all over the world by ensuring credit is given where credit is due,” said Cobb, Founder and CEO of Jammber. “Nielsen Music is best-in-class for providing insights globally through its deep understanding of industry data, which helps drive compensation for creators. With this exciting partnership, we’ll be able to take that one step further.”

For more information about Jammer, visit www.jammber.com.

Christian Lopez To Release ‘Red Arrow’ In September

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Nashville-based singer-songwriter Christian Lopez is set to release his sophomore album Red Arrow on Blaster Records on Sept. 22.

The album, produced by Marshall Altman, finds Lopez expressing his views via his own songwriting efforts, and collaborating with writers including Dylan Altman, Gabe Dixon, Dave Berg, Tofer Brown, Mindy Smith, and more. The Milk Carton Kids’ Kenneth Pattengale appears on “Caramel,” which Lopez penned solo.

“So much of the previous record was written at home in West Virginia, long before I had a record deal,” Lopez says. “I had developed into a solo writer just out of circumstance. But touring and sharing a lot of time and miles with so many other inspiring musicians just lends itself to the spirit of collaboration.”

Red Arrow Track Listing:

1. Swim The River (Christian Lopez & Jordan Lawhead)
2. 1972 (Christian Lopez, Marshall Altman & Dylan Altman)
3. Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight (Christian Lopez, Gabe Dixon & Marshall Cunningham)
4. Silver Line (Christian Lopez, Jordan Lawhead & Dave Berg)
5. Someday (Christian Lopez & Marshall Altman)
6. Say Goodbye (Christian Lopez, Marshall Altman, Liz Longley & Jabe Beyer)
7. All The Time (Christian Lopez & Billy Montana)
8. Mexico (Christian Lopez & Tofer Brown)
9. Steel On The Water (Christian Lopez)
10. Caramel (feat. Kenneth Pattengale of Milk Carton Kids) (Christian Lopez)
11. Still On Its Feet (Christian Lopez, Josh Williams & Mindy Smith)

In Pictures: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Florida Georgia Line, Lewis Brice

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Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild And Kimberly Schlapman Co-Host The Talk

Pictured (back row, L-R): Sheryl Underwood and Julie Chen; (Front row, L-R): Sara Gilbert, Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild.

Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman joined CBS’s award-winning daytime series, The Talk, as guest co-hosts on Monday (July 10) along with hosts Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert and Sheryl Underwood. Award-winning actress Edie Falco and Access Hollywood’s Natalie Morales served as the show’s guest.

 

Florida Georgia Line Rocks Sold-Out Fenway Park

Florida Georgia Line performs at Fenway Park as part of The Smooth Tour 2017. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line and Backstreet Boys celebrate their No. 1 hit “God, Your Mama, And Me.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Florida Georgia Line [click photo to enlarge]

Florida Georgia Line rocked Boston’s Fenway Park on Friday night (July 7), marking their first headlining stadium show in front of a sold-out crowd.

Backstreet Boys joined FGL onstage for their heartfelt ballad, “God, Your Mama, And Me,” which ended in a surprise plaque presentation to celebrate the song’s No. 1 on country radio airplay charts.

Two more stadium concerts are on tap for this summer, with Backstreet Boys returning for massive shows at Minneapolis’ Target Field (July 29) and Chicago’s Wrigley Field (August 12).

 

Lewis Brice Visits WSIX

Pictured (L-R): Social Pulse Media’s EJ Bernas, iHeart’s Gator Harrison, Lewis Brice, iHeart’s Ryan Mckiddy, Jessica Tigue and Zack Massey.

Lewis Brice visited WSIX in Nashville, the first stop on his “street week” radio and media tour. His debut self-titled EP is set to release on Friday, July 14.