
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has revealed details including the musical lineup, additional industry and fan events, as well as ticket on-sale dates and hotel codes for The Week Vegas Goes Country®, including the 5th Annual ACM Party for a Cause® – along with the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, which will broadcast LIVE for the first time ever from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
This year, ACM Party for a Cause will consist of industry and fan events located at different venues across Las Vegas including a new host hotel, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and several others from Thursday, March 30 – Sunday, April 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Academy of Country Music has announced additional events which will add to the all-star lineup for The Week Vegas Goes Country. These newly added festivities will kick-off on Friday, March 31 with the ACM Party for a Cause: Barnival Songwriter Showcase, continue Saturday, April 1 with an ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party presented by Country Rebel at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, and close out on Sunday, April 2 with ACM Pool Party for a Cause: Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Each of the festivities for The Week Vegas Goes Country will feature performances by some of the biggest names and hottest new talent in country music including Lauren Alaina, Drew Baldridge, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Bailey Bryan, Scooter Carusoe, Brent Cobb, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Dan + Shay, Clare Dunn, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Seth Ennis, Ryan Follese, Kenny Foster, Ashley Gorley, Walker Hayes, HISH, Ryan Hurd, Chris Janson, Ryan Kinder, Lady Antebellum, Luke Laird, LANCO, Tracy Lawrence, Jackie Lee, LOCASH, Love & Theft, Shane McAnally, Scotty McCreery, Alyssa Micaela, Midland, William Michael Morgan, Kip Moore, Jerrod Niemann, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Eric Paslay, RaeLynn, Michael Ray, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Runaway June, Dylan Scott, Aubrie Sellers, Dee Jay Silver, Chris Stapleton, Michael Tyler, Clay Walker, Aaron Watson, Hailey Whitters, Brett Young and more to be announced.
The full schedule of events, ticket on-sale dates, and hotel codes for the 5th ACM Party for a Cause with additional details can be found below. All events will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the ACM, which works to lift lives through the power of music.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017:
6:00 PM 95.5 The Bull’s 9th Annual All-Star Guitar Pull
Location: Red Rock Ballroom, Red Rock Casino Resort Spa
Performers: Lauren Alaina, Jon Pardi, Darius Rucker, Chris Stapleton
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Alyssa Micaela, Midland, Michael Ray
FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017:
7:00 PM LOCASH with Ryan Follese and Michael Tyler at House of Blues
Location: House of Blues, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: LOCASH, Ryan Follese, Michael Tyler
8:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: WME Bash at the Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Jake Owen and more to be announced
8:30 PM ACM Party for a Cause: Songwriter Showcase presented by AIMP
Location: The Pearl, Palms Casino Resort
Performers: Ashley Gorley, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and more to be announced
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
Location: Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, Harrah’s Las Vegas
Performers: Lindsay Ell, Ryan Kinder
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Virgil’s Real BBQ
Location: Virgil’s Real BBQ, The LINQ Promenade
Performers: Bailey Bryan, Kenny Foster
10:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: Barnival Songwriter Showcase
Location: Mizuya Lounge, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Scooter Carusoe, Brent Cobb, Aubrie Sellers, Hailey Whitters
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017:
12:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party presented by Country Rebel at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Love & Theft, William Michael Morgan, Runaway June, Dylan Scott, Aaron Watson and more to be announced
1:00 PM ACM Pool Party for a Cause at GO Pool
Location: GO Pool, Flamingo Las Vegas
Performers: Jackie Lee, Jerrod Niemann, Old Dominion, Dee Jay Silver
5:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause at The Joint
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Drew Baldridge, Kelsea Ballerini, Ryan Hurd, Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore, Eric Paslay, Dee Jay Silver, Brett Young
7:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause at House of Blues presented by CAA
Location: House of Blues, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Lauren Alaina, Billy Currington, Dan + Shay, Seth Ennis
8:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: WME Bash at the Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Redneck Riviera
Location: The Grand Bazaar Shops in front of Bally’s Las Vegas
Performers: John Rich, Clay Walker
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017:
12:00 PM ACM Pool Party for a Cause: REHAB
Location: REHAB, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: HISH
8:00 PM ACM Awards Official After Party at The Joint
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Kane Brown, Easton Corbin, Clare Dunn, Dee Jay Silver, Walker Hayes, LANCO, Scotty McCreery and more to be announced
8:00 PM ACM Awards Official After Party at Park Theater
Location: Park Theater, Monte Carlo Resort and Casino
Performers: Russell Dickerson, Chris Janson, Tracy Lawrence, RaeLynn, Clay Walker, HISH
Weekly Chart Report (2/10/17)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
UMG Nashville Reveals “Team UMG At The Ryman” Lineup
/by Jessica NicholsonA star-studded lineup has been revealed for Universal Music Group Nashville’s “Team UMG at the Ryman” at CRS 2017, to be held Feb. 23, 2017 at the Ryman Auditorium. This year’s performers are Lauren Alaina, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Vince Gill, Sam Hunt, Kip Moore, Jon Pardi, Darius Rucker, Chris Stapleton, Josh Tuner, and Keith Urban.
Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., and the show will start at Noon. As in previous years, seminar registrants will receive a boxed lunch prior to the event. CRS attendees will have the option to either walk or use shuttles, provided by UMG Nashville, going from the Omni Hotel to the Ryman Auditorium between 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, Mike Dungan comments, “The box lunches aren’t anything to write home about, but the show is fantastic! Always the most anticipated event at CRS, we will see you there!”
To review more of this year’s agenda, please visit countryradioseminar.com.
ASCAP Announces Songwriters Selected for 2017 GPS Project
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured, Front row (L-R): ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, GPS Project songwriters Madeleine, Emma Place, Rob Carona and Tommy Kratzert, and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. Back row (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin, GPS Project songwriters Ian Christian, Martin McDaniel, Lainey Wilson and Katie Cole, and ASCAP’s Robert Filhart. Not pictured: GPS Project songwriters Anna Vaus, Madeleine Slate, Robyn Collins and Blake Griffith, and ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe. [Click photo to enlarge]
The ASCAP GPS Project class of 2017 includes songwriters Rob Carona, Ian Christian, Katie Cole, Robyn Collins, Blake Griffith, Tommy Kratzert, Madeleine, Martin McDaniel, Emma Place, Madeleine Slate, Anna Vaus and Lainey Wilson.
The publishers participating in the 2017 ASCAP GPS Project include Writers Den, Disney Music Publishing, BMG, Big Machine, This Music, Wrensong, Black River, Big Yellow Dog, Sea Gayle, King Pen Music, Razor and Tie and Sony ATV.
Lance Carpenter Joins BMI
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Mandolin Entertainment’s Mandi Dixon, Parallel Entertainment’s Tim Hunze and BMI’s Bradley Collins. Seated: BMI songwriter Lance Carpenter.
Newly-signed BMI songwriter Lance Carpenter stopped by the company’s Nashville office to celebrate on Feb. 9. Carpenter has several cuts, including the Kelsea Ballerini chart-topper “Love Me Like You Mean It.”
The singer-songwriter is signed to Parallel Entertainment for publishing and Mandolin Entertainment for artist management.
Still Working Music, Big Deal Music Sign Dylan Altman
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Dale Bobo (Big Deal), Chuck Fleckenstein (Still Working), Sara Beal (Still Working), Alex Orbison (Still Working), Dylan Altman, Pete Robinson (Big Deal), Chelsea Kent (Still Working), Tommy Lee James (Still Working), Greg Gallo (Big Deal). [Click photo to enlarge.]
“I’ve long viewed Dylan Altman as ‘one of ours’ even when he wasn’t, just because he so often was penning great songs with our other Still Working writers. It is an honor to now add Dylan and his immense writing skill to our Still Working roster – doing so with the superb team over at Big Deal is the cherry on the top. Welcome Dylan Altman!” says Alex Orbison, President of Still Working Music.
“All of us at Big Deal are huge fans of both Dylan and the folks at Still Working. We look forward to a long, fun and successful partnership,” says Pete Robinson, SR VP/GM Big Deal Music Nashville.
Still Working Music was founded in 1990 by Barbara Orbison and is now run by her sons, Alex Orbison (President) and Roy Orbison, Jr. (Co-President). Its catalog includes hits by Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, and Lost Frequencies. Still Working Music’s extensive catalog also contains cuts by One Direction, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Easton Corbin, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Celine Dion, and Joe Walsh.
Current Still Working Music writers are Tommy Lee James, Gordie Sampson, Jon Randall, Ryan Lafferty, Chase Bryant, Derrick Southerland, Matt Nolen, and Alana Springsteen.
Big Deal Music has offices in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville.
Donovan Woods to Release New EP March 3
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Warner/Chappell writer has penned songs Tim McGraw, Billy Currington, Charlie Worsham and Charles Kelley, who recorded his song “Leaving Nashville” for his solo CD. The lead track on Woods’ new project, “What They Mean,” was penned with Kelley and is a response to a curious child in the backseat of a car who is listening carefully to the car radio.
“The songs are about coping with loss, and wholesale changes, that sort of thing,” offers Woods. “The title, I suppose, is trying to get at the temporariness of everything. Time speeds up when you get older, that’s an observable fact. It starts to feel like you’re always chasing some ineffable thing. It’s why your dad often had a slightly bewildered look in his eyes.”
In support of the release, Woods will embark on an 11-city Northeastern tour with Alan Doyle (Great Big Sea), which includes stops in Ann Arbor, Pittsburgh, New York, Richmond, and Boston, among others.
TRACKLISTING:
What They Mean
It’ll Work Itself Out
Drove Through Town
Empty Rooms
DisClaimer: Blake Shelton, Lari White Offer Top New Tracks
/by Robert K OermannThe guys and gals competed head to head this week.
The ladies were paced by the superbly diverse new collection by Lari White. And two of them tied for the DisCovery Award. That would be Arista Manning and Kristi Warner.
As for the fellows, they fielded quite a team to compete against Lari for Disc of the Day. Her challengers included Marty Stuart, Travis Rice, Kane Brown, Randy Thompson and our winner, Blake Shelton.
SOUTHERN HALO/Living Like That
Writers: Nathan Dale Stoops/Paul Taylor/Benjamin Francis Harris/Aubrey Felice Collins; Publishers: Tunes of RPM/Paul Taylor/Music of RPM, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; Producers: Cat Gravitt & Gerald O’Brien; Southern Halo (track)
-This female trio rocks out on a rapid-tempo ode to living life in the fast lane. Feisty and fun.
KEITH URBAN & CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Fighter
Writer: Keith Urban/busbee; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Mary Rose/7189 Music/BMG Rights, BMI; Producer: busbee & Keith Urban; Capitol Nashville
-This pop-music duet features electronic beats and processed vocals. It is nicely composed, with her asking questions about their love and him responding with assurances of strength, fidelity and endurance.
RANDY THOMPSON/Midnight Blue
Writers: Randy Thompson; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Sean Russell; RTB (track)
-Ringing guitars, an echoey atmosphere, a super melody and a solid, manly vocal are the calling cards here. This guy has the goods.
KANE BROWN & LAUREN ALAINA/What Ifs
Writers: Kane Brown/Matthew McGinn/Jordan Schmidt; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Producer: Dann Huff; RCA Nashville (track)
– Nicely done. The craftsmanship in the songwriting is top notch, and his baritone vocal is packed with personality. The swirling melody and the dense production are the icing on this tasty cake. The female accompanying voice belongs to Lauren Alaina.
KRISTI WARNER/Gravity
Writers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Fred Vail; KW (track)
– The title tune of this gal’s CD is a driving, forceful, uptempo tune that she delivers like a pro. I like the little falsetto soprano embellishments in her phrasing on the choruses as well as her straightforward drawl in the verses. Promising.
LARI WHITE/Moonshine
Writers: Tom Bukovac/Lari White; Publishers: SWG, BMI; Producer: Lari White; Skinny WhiteGirl Music (track)
– Lari’s first new collection in 13 years is a double CD titled Old Friends / New Loves. One disc contains imaginative reinterpretations of her 1990s hits (”Now I Know,” “That’s My Baby,” “Lead Me Not,” “That’s How You Know,” etc.). The New Loves disc showcases her new songwriting accomplishments, including this moody, multi-tracked, swampy delight. Haunting, compelling and completely captivating. The album drops tomorrow. Get it.
TRAVIS RICE/Don’t Waste The Rain
Writers: Travis Rice; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP; Producer: Noah Henson; TR
– This former DisCovery Award winner is back, this time with a sexy, romantic ballad. It’s raining. He’s horny. And he’s calling her at work with a come-on to come home. A steamy video accompanying this can be seen on his website.
BLAKE SHELTON/Every Time I Hear That Song
Writers: Aimee Mayo/Chris Lindsey/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Publisher: Warner Tamerlane/The Queen of Dot Dot Dot/Universal/Chris Lindsey’s Songs/EMI Blackwood/Sagequinnjude/Famlove, BMI/ASCAP; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Warner Bros. (track)
– The romance may be over, but a song can bring back its memory in an instant. Blake sings with heartfelt intensity and the song’s solid structure gives Scott’s production enough space to move around in. Listenable in the extreme.
ARISTA MANNING/Ride This Night
Writer: Phillip James Roselle/Andrew Rollins/Nicole Scott; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Steve Pope; AM (track)
– The title tune of her debut EP is a rushing wind of energy with some very clever audio gimmicks in the production. Her soaring delivery is a burst of brightly smiling sunshine. I just have one question: Did her parents name her after a record company?
MARTY STUART/Whole Lotta Highway
Writer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Mike Campbell; Superlatone (track)
– The advance single from Marty’s forthcoming Way Out West collection (due March 10) is a rolling, wide-open-road song that sports silvery steel work, a splendidly thumping country-rock rhythm track and smooth-groove harmony vocals by his Fabulous Superlatives. I remain an enormous fan.
ACM Reveals ‘The Week Vegas Goes Country’ Performer Lineups
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Academy of Country Music (ACM) has revealed details including the musical lineup, additional industry and fan events, as well as ticket on-sale dates and hotel codes for The Week Vegas Goes Country®, including the 5th Annual ACM Party for a Cause® – along with the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, which will broadcast LIVE for the first time ever from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
This year, ACM Party for a Cause will consist of industry and fan events located at different venues across Las Vegas including a new host hotel, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and several others from Thursday, March 30 – Sunday, April 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Academy of Country Music has announced additional events which will add to the all-star lineup for The Week Vegas Goes Country. These newly added festivities will kick-off on Friday, March 31 with the ACM Party for a Cause: Barnival Songwriter Showcase, continue Saturday, April 1 with an ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party presented by Country Rebel at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, and close out on Sunday, April 2 with ACM Pool Party for a Cause: Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Each of the festivities for The Week Vegas Goes Country will feature performances by some of the biggest names and hottest new talent in country music including Lauren Alaina, Drew Baldridge, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Bailey Bryan, Scooter Carusoe, Brent Cobb, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Dan + Shay, Clare Dunn, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Seth Ennis, Ryan Follese, Kenny Foster, Ashley Gorley, Walker Hayes, HISH, Ryan Hurd, Chris Janson, Ryan Kinder, Lady Antebellum, Luke Laird, LANCO, Tracy Lawrence, Jackie Lee, LOCASH, Love & Theft, Shane McAnally, Scotty McCreery, Alyssa Micaela, Midland, William Michael Morgan, Kip Moore, Jerrod Niemann, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Eric Paslay, RaeLynn, Michael Ray, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Runaway June, Dylan Scott, Aubrie Sellers, Dee Jay Silver, Chris Stapleton, Michael Tyler, Clay Walker, Aaron Watson, Hailey Whitters, Brett Young and more to be announced.
The full schedule of events, ticket on-sale dates, and hotel codes for the 5th ACM Party for a Cause with additional details can be found below. All events will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the ACM, which works to lift lives through the power of music.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017:
6:00 PM 95.5 The Bull’s 9th Annual All-Star Guitar Pull
Location: Red Rock Ballroom, Red Rock Casino Resort Spa
Performers: Lauren Alaina, Jon Pardi, Darius Rucker, Chris Stapleton
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Alyssa Micaela, Midland, Michael Ray
FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017:
7:00 PM LOCASH with Ryan Follese and Michael Tyler at House of Blues
Location: House of Blues, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: LOCASH, Ryan Follese, Michael Tyler
8:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: WME Bash at the Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Jake Owen and more to be announced
8:30 PM ACM Party for a Cause: Songwriter Showcase presented by AIMP
Location: The Pearl, Palms Casino Resort
Performers: Ashley Gorley, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and more to be announced
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
Location: Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, Harrah’s Las Vegas
Performers: Lindsay Ell, Ryan Kinder
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Virgil’s Real BBQ
Location: Virgil’s Real BBQ, The LINQ Promenade
Performers: Bailey Bryan, Kenny Foster
10:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: Barnival Songwriter Showcase
Location: Mizuya Lounge, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Scooter Carusoe, Brent Cobb, Aubrie Sellers, Hailey Whitters
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017:
12:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party presented by Country Rebel at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Love & Theft, William Michael Morgan, Runaway June, Dylan Scott, Aaron Watson and more to be announced
1:00 PM ACM Pool Party for a Cause at GO Pool
Location: GO Pool, Flamingo Las Vegas
Performers: Jackie Lee, Jerrod Niemann, Old Dominion, Dee Jay Silver
5:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause at The Joint
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Drew Baldridge, Kelsea Ballerini, Ryan Hurd, Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore, Eric Paslay, Dee Jay Silver, Brett Young
7:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause at House of Blues presented by CAA
Location: House of Blues, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Lauren Alaina, Billy Currington, Dan + Shay, Seth Ennis
8:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause: WME Bash at the Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause at Redneck Riviera
Location: The Grand Bazaar Shops in front of Bally’s Las Vegas
Performers: John Rich, Clay Walker
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017:
12:00 PM ACM Pool Party for a Cause: REHAB
Location: REHAB, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: HISH
8:00 PM ACM Awards Official After Party at The Joint
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Kane Brown, Easton Corbin, Clare Dunn, Dee Jay Silver, Walker Hayes, LANCO, Scotty McCreery and more to be announced
8:00 PM ACM Awards Official After Party at Park Theater
Location: Park Theater, Monte Carlo Resort and Casino
Performers: Russell Dickerson, Chris Janson, Tracy Lawrence, RaeLynn, Clay Walker, HISH
Artists Pay Tribute To Randy Travis With Emotional Evening In Song
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Randy Travis; Justin Luffman (VP Brand Management, WMN); Peter Strickland (Chief Marketing Officer, WMN); Mary Travis; Cris Lacy (VP A&R, WMN)
Photo Credit: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
Since his major label debut album, Storms of Life, released in 1986 on Warner Music Nashville, Randy Travis has become a touchstone for champions of traditional country music. His one-of-a-kind vocal stylings brought country music back to its traditionalist roots, and garnered hit song after hit song. He would translate that success into acting as well, with roles in television (Touched By An Angel, A Holiday To Remember), and movies (The Rainmaker, Black Dog, The Wager).
In the past four years, Travis has poured that same heart and work ethic into his ongoing recovery from a stroke that nearly took his life in 2013.
Last night, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Travis was the man of the evening, sitting with his wife Mary at the side of the stage as more than two dozen artists turned up to pay homage, including Alabama, Rodney Atkins, Garth Brooks, Kane Brown, Mark Chesnutt, James Dupre, Charles Esten, Jeff Foxworthy, Montgomery Gentry, Ben Haggard, Chris Janson, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Neal McCoy, Scotty McCreery, William Michael Morgan, Joe Nichols, Paul Overstreet, Shane Owens, Michael Ray, Collin Raye, Ricky Skaggs, Kenny Rogers, Daryle Singletary, Michael W. Smith, The Bellamy Brothers, The Randy Travis Band, Ricky Traywick, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Chuck Wicks, Wynonna, Chris Young.
Randy Travis leads the grand finale at 1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis at Bridgestone Arena on February 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Outback Concerts.
Each was backed by Randy Travis’ band, which included several members who have been with Travis since his days of performing in North Carolina and later at the Nashville Palace, where he was then known by his actual surname, Traywick.
Backstage during a pre-show media event, Travis’ wife Mary revealed that each artist was told to choose two songs they would like to cover, largely leaving the set list for the evening up to the artists themselves.
“It was a first-come, first-serve kind of thing,” Mary said. “The artists that we have known for a long time that may have been fond of a song, like Jamey Johnson is a song that when we were in the hospital and Randy was still in a coma, Jamey would come to the hospital and stand at the foot of his bed and sing this song. There are songs that were attached to certain artists that really were important for them to have.”
Among the highlights were indeed Johnson’s quiet yet commanding take on “Promises,” and Alison Krauss’ graceful rendition of “Deeper Than The Holler.”
Warner Music Nashville’s Peter Strickland recalled how, as a kid living in Boston, hearing Travis’ Storms of Life album in 1986 changed his career path.
“This is the reason I moved to Nashville, this record. I never thought I would have the privilege and honor to work with Randy my entire career. It’s amazing to be able to do that. On behalf of Warner Bros. Records and Warner Music Nashville, congratulations.”
Strickland reeled off an impressive list of accolades Travis has accumulated in his more than three decades in music: 25 million records sold, 22 No. 1 records, 6 No. 1 albums, 6 Grammys, 6 CMAs, 9 ACMs, 10 AMAs, 8 Dove Awards, star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and last year, a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee.
NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 08: Darrin Vincent of Dailey and Vincent; Jeannie Seely; John Conlee; Jamie Dailey of Dailey & Vincent; Jan Howard; Rudy Gatlin; and Doug Green, Fred LaBour, and Woody Paul of Riders in the Sky. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Outback Concerts. [Click to enlarge photo]
William Michael Morgan offered a spot on rendition of “Hard Rock Bottom Of Your Heart,” his voice effortlessly mimicking Travis’ signature vocal inflections.
Chris Janson livened up the heart-tugging “Look Heart, No Hands” with a harmonica solo, as cameras zoomed in on Travis and wife Mary holding hands during the performance.
“The first song I heard was ‘Diggin’ Up Bones,’” Janson recalled. “My dad would say, ‘This is the good stuff. This is the real stuff.’ I wrote my first five songs with the guy who co-wrote songs like ‘Look Heart, No Hands.’”
Chris Young offered a sterling rendition of “This Is Me,” while Josh Turner turned in a warm, understated version of Travis’ country-gospel tune, “Three Wooden Crosses,” which took the industry by surprise and topped the country charts after its release in 2002.
Though Travis’ extensive catalog held enough songs for every artist to cover, some artists opted to honor him with their own songs. Alabama welcomed a choir to the stage for “Angels Among Us,” while Kenny Rogers offered his own “The Gambler,” while video footage of his movies played in the background.
CCM artist Michael W. Smith performed the worship song “Walk With Me,” while Neal McCoy paid tribute with one of Travis’ favorite hymns, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.”
Randy Travis speaks at a press conference during 1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes & Friends Tribute. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Outback Concerts.
Travis, who was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1986, was honored by fellow Opry members for a group performance of “I’ll Fly Away,” featuring Jan Howard, Jeannie Seely, John Conlee, Riders In The Sky, Dailey & Vincent, and Rudy Gatlin.
Video tributes were sent in from Carrie Underwood and Ricky Van Shelton. Mayor Megan Barry was on hand to declare Feb. 8, 2017 as Randy Travis Day in Nashville.
Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Garth Brooks performed Travis’ perhaps best-known song, 1987’s “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
“This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done is sing one of your songs with you sitting there,” Brooks told Travis. “It’s gonna suck, but it’s all love.”
As the song wound down, Brooks offered the microphone to Travis, who seemed to bless the entire event with a final “Amen.”
Travis, his signature baritone voice still warm and sincere, then walked (with Mary’s help) to the front of the stage and led the crowd of fans and artists in a rendition of “Amazing Grace,” followed by “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”
Net proceeds from the event benefited the Randy Travis Foundation, which raises funds for stroke research and rehabilitation.
Kenny Rogers (right) greets Randy Travis (left) and Mary Davis (center) during 1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Outback Concerts
Nashville Labels Well Represented on Billboard’s Power 100 List
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured, clockwise from top left: Mike Dungan, Randy Goodman, John Esposito, Scott Borchetta, Sarah Trahern, and Rob Beckham.
Billboard has released its annual Power 100 List, and several Music City execs made the cut. Out of the impressive group of tech gurus, label heads, artist managers, and media moguls on Billboard‘s annual ranking of executive excellence this year, 41 are newcomers who haven’t made the list before.
Spotify’s Chairman Daniel Ek tops the list of power players on Billboard‘s annual ranking, with UMG Chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge coming in at No. 2, Live Nation President/CEO Michael Rapino at No. 3, Apple execs Eddy Cue, Jimmy Iovine & Robert Kondrk at No. 4, and Rob Stringer, Chairman/CEO Columbia Records rounding out the Top 5.
Nashville was well represented on the list.
Partner, WME; co-head, WME Nashville Rob Beckham came in at No. 16, along with Marc Geiger, Sara Newkirk Simon, and Kirk Sommer.
Universal Music Group head Mike Dungan coming in at No. 35. Sony Music Nashville Chairman Randy Goodman is at No. 44, while Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta lands at No. 49, and Chairman/CEO Warner Music Nashville John Esposito is at No. 62. WME Partner and WME Nashville co-head Rob Beckham was included at No. 16
The only Music City female on the list, Sarah Trahern, CEO of the CMA, lands at No. 87.
Others with strong Nashville ties included in the list are Louis Messina, of Messina Touring Group, at No. 74. Bernie Cahill, co-founder/head of the music division of ROAR, lands at No. 97.
The entire list can be viewed here.