Hillary Scott earns two Grammy honors during the Grammy Premiere ceremony.
Hillary Scott, Sturgill Simpson, Lori McKenna, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, and Joey+Rory were among the early Grammy winners on Sunday (Feb. 12) during the Premiere Ceremony.
Lady Antebellum member Hillary Scott is already a double winner this year. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song went to Hillary Scott & The Scott Family’s “Thy Will,” penned by Bernie Herms, Emily Weisband, and Hillary Scott. Publishers on the song include W.B.M. Music Corp./EKT Publishing.
The song was the lead single from Scott’s Love Remains album (EMI Records Nashville), which also earned the Grammy honor for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
Scott was joined on the Grammy stage by her parents Linda Davis and Lang Scott, and young sister Rylee. Scott thanked her Lady Antebellum bandmates Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood for their support.
The Best Country Song Grammy went to Lori McKenna, solo writer of “Humble and Kind,” from Tim McGraw’s Damn Country Music album. Publishers on the song include Songs of Universal/Hoodie Songs.
“This is such an honor,” said McKenna.“Tim McGraw made a moment out of this simple prayer I wrote for five kids.” She thanked Creative Nation and members of Tim McGraw’s industry team. McKenna also earned the Best Country Song Grammy honor last year, for penning Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” with co-writers Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose.
Sturgill Simpson’s Atlantic album A Sailor’s Guide To Earth earned Best Country Album.
Best Country Duo/Group Performance went to “Jolene,” performed by Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton.
Willie Nelson was also honored with Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, for Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin, released on Legacy Recordings.
CCM artists Lauren Daigle and For King & Country, and American roots/folk artist Sarah Jarosz served as presenters.
Jarosz was also a winner with “House of Mercy” earning a Grammy for Best American Roots Performance. She also earned Best Folk Album for Undercurrent.
William Bell’s This is Where I Live earned a Grammy for Best Americana Album.
Dave Mustaine won his first Grammy with his band Megadeth for “Dystopia,” in the Best Metal Performance category.
Giancarlo Guerrero and the Nashville Symphony earned three awards during the pre-telecast ceremony. “Daugherty: Tales Of Hemingway,” which includes Guerrero as conductor, picked up honors for Best Classical Instrumental Solo, Best Classical Compendium and Best Contemporary Classical Composition.
Within a five-minute span, it picked up wins for best classical instrumental solo, best classical compendium and best contemporary classical composition.
The winning moment was bittersweet for several winners.
Best American Roots Song went to Vince Gill for penning “Kid Sister” for The Time Jumpers. The track is the title track for Kid Sister, released on Rounder Records. Publishers for the song include Vinny Mae Music.
Gill penned “Kid Sister” to honor The Time Jumpers vocalist Dawn Sears, who died in 2014 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
“I wish you all would have had the chance to hear the voice of the woman I wrote this song about. Her name is Dawn Sears. She’s one of the best voices you will ever hear in your life. I encourage you to find her voice,” said Gill.
Joey+Rory earned a Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album, for Hymns, released on Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings. Joey Martin Feek, the female half of Joey+Rory, died March 4, 2016.
“My wife’s dream was to make a hymns album,” said Rory Feek. “She didn’t have a chance to do it until she had stage four cancer. She sang her vocals in hotel rooms while she did chemo and radiation. We watched this ceremony last year. She said, ‘If we get nominated, promise me you will come.’ I said, ‘I will.’ She said, ‘Remember, if we win, I’ll know before you will.’”
The televised portion of the 59th annual Grammy Awards will air Sunday, Feb. 12 beginning at 7 p.m. CT on CBS.
For more on Nashville winners and performers during the televised portion of the 59th annual Grammy Awards, click here.
Dolly Parton Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Debut Album
/by Lorie HollabaughFifty years ago today, Dolly Parton released her groundbreaking debut album project, Hello, I’m Dolly. The Monument Records album, which was produced by Fred Foster, reached No. 11 on the country albums chart and contained Parton’s hits “Dumb Blonde” (written by Curly Putman) and “Something Fishy” (written by Parton). Both singles reached the Top 20 on the country singles charts.
The album caught the attention of Porter Wagoner and ultimately inspired him to invite Parton to become a member of his band and appear on his popular weekly TV show. It contained Parton’s versions of three songs she penned that had already been hits for other artists: “Put it Off Until Tomorrow” (Bill Phillips), “Fuel to the Flame” (Skeeter Davis), and “I’m In No Condition” which charted by Hank Williams Jr.
“I can’t believe it’s been 50 years since I did my first album,” Parton recalls. “What a wonderful 50 years it has been. Thanks to my Uncle Bill Owens and Fred Foster for believing in me early on. And thanks to all the fans out there…I hope to have at least another 50 years!”
Winners, Performers See Post-Grammys Sales Bumps On iTunes Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto: Courtesy Sony Music Nashville
Maren Morris, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, and Lori McKenna are among the artists earning sales bumps on the iTunes charts following Sunday evening’s (Feb. 12) 59th annual Grammy Awards.
Morris picked up the Best Country Performance for “My Church,” and performed alongside Alicia Keys during the televised portion of the awards. On the iTunes chart, “My Church” rose from No. 39 to No. 11. Meanwhile, Morris’ Hero album landed at No. 8 following the Grammy Awards.
Urban and Carrie Underwood offered the debut televised performance of their new single, “The Fighter,” during the telecast. The song rose to No. 6 on the iTunes chart.
Lori McKenna, who earned a Best Country Song Grammy on Sunday for penning “Humble & Kind,” saw her own album The Bird & The Rifle land at No. 22 on the iTunes Albums chart.
Other Grammy winners and performers who saw their projects rise on the charts include Adele, whose Album of the Year Grammy-winning project, 25, jumped to No. 5.
The iTunes Songs chart includes Ed Sheeran‘s “Shape Of You” at No. 1; followed by Katy Perry‘s “Chained To The Rhythm,” featuring Skip Marley, at No. 3; and Bruno Mars‘ “That’s What I Like” at No. 4. Lady Gaga, who collaborated with Metallica, saw her own “Million Reasons” land at No. 5.
On the iTunes Albums chart, Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic is at No. 2.
Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley To Return As Co-Hosts For 2017 ACM Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will co-host the ACM Awards together for a second time at the upcoming 52nd Annual ACM Awards on April 2, according to a commercial that ran during the Sunday (Feb. 12) evening Grammy Awards ceremony on CBS. The show will mark Bryan’s fifth time hosting the awards ceremony, and the second for Bentley, who filled the spot left following Blake Shelton’s departure as show host.
This year’s nominees will be announced by Lady Antebellum during a special segment on “CBS This Morning” on Feb. 16. The awards will air live for the first time this year from the T-Mobile Arena, which opened on the Vegas strip in April.
Maren Morris Wins First Grammy, Nashville Artists Shine With Grammy Performances
/by Jessica NicholsonAlicia Keys and Maren Morris perform during the Grammy Awards. Photo: The Recording Academy/Instagram
Newcomer Maren Morris was a big winner during the televised portion of the 59th annual Grammy Awards. Morris won Best Country Solo Performance for “My Church.”
“Eleven years ago I went to Grammy camp. It was the first time I ever flown by myself on a plane. It’s crazy to be here a decade later,” she said, before thanking her fans. “Thank you for giving me the most incredible year of my life.”
Later in the evening, Morris reunited her CMT Crossroads collaborator Alicia Keys to perform “Once.”
Both country newcomers Morris and Kelsea Ballerini were nominated for Best New Artist, an honor which ultimately went to independent artist Chance the Rapper.
Ballerini got her own moment in the spotlight, joining Lukas Graham for a mashup of her own hit “Peter Pan” and Graham’s “7 Years.”
Kelsea Ballerini and Lukas Graham at the 59th annual Grammy Awards. Photo: Grammys/Instagram
Other country artists also enjoyed prime performance spots throughout the evening. Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood made the first television performance of their new single, “The Fighter.”
Little Big Town performed a snippet of “Teenage Dream” to introduce Katy Perry’s performance of her new single “Chained To The Rhythm.” They also joined Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly, and Andra Day for a performance tribute to The Bee Gees, with Little Big Town offering a harmony-soaked rendition of “How Deep Is Your Love.”
Dwight Yoakam introduced Sturgill Simpson‘s performance of “All Around You,” featuring The Dap Kings. By the time Simpson took the stage to perform, he was already a Grammy winner, having earned Best Country Album for A Sailor’s Guide To Earth during the Grammy Premiere ceremony earlier in the day.
Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Urban joined Jennifer Lopez, John Legend and more for Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” with Grammy host James Corden during an impromptu round of “Cardboard Karaoke.”
Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood perform “The Fighter” at the 59th annual Grammy Awards. Photo: The Recording Academy/Instagram
Lifetime Achievement awards went to the late Jimmie Rodgers and to Charley Pride, while talent scout and producer Ralph S. Peer, who first recorded Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family during the Bristol Sessions, was honored with The Trustees Award.
In the overall award categories, Song of the Year and Record of the Year went to Adele‘s “Hello,” penned by Adele and Greg Kursten. Adele also took home the evening’s top category, Album of the Year, for 25.
For more on Nashville winners awarded during the Grammy Premiere ceremony earlier on Feb. 12, click here.
Hillary Scott, Lori McKenna, Sturgill Simpson, Vince Gill Earn Early Grammy Honors
/by Jessica NicholsonHillary Scott earns two Grammy honors during the Grammy Premiere ceremony.
Hillary Scott, Sturgill Simpson, Lori McKenna, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, and Joey+Rory were among the early Grammy winners on Sunday (Feb. 12) during the Premiere Ceremony.
Lady Antebellum member Hillary Scott is already a double winner this year. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song went to Hillary Scott & The Scott Family’s “Thy Will,” penned by Bernie Herms, Emily Weisband, and Hillary Scott. Publishers on the song include W.B.M. Music Corp./EKT Publishing.
The song was the lead single from Scott’s Love Remains album (EMI Records Nashville), which also earned the Grammy honor for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
Scott was joined on the Grammy stage by her parents Linda Davis and Lang Scott, and young sister Rylee. Scott thanked her Lady Antebellum bandmates Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood for their support.
The Best Country Song Grammy went to Lori McKenna, solo writer of “Humble and Kind,” from Tim McGraw’s Damn Country Music album. Publishers on the song include Songs of Universal/Hoodie Songs.
“This is such an honor,” said McKenna.“Tim McGraw made a moment out of this simple prayer I wrote for five kids.” She thanked Creative Nation and members of Tim McGraw’s industry team. McKenna also earned the Best Country Song Grammy honor last year, for penning Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” with co-writers Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose.
Sturgill Simpson’s Atlantic album A Sailor’s Guide To Earth earned Best Country Album.
Best Country Duo/Group Performance went to “Jolene,” performed by Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton.
Willie Nelson was also honored with Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, for Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin, released on Legacy Recordings.
CCM artists Lauren Daigle and For King & Country, and American roots/folk artist Sarah Jarosz served as presenters.
Jarosz was also a winner with “House of Mercy” earning a Grammy for Best American Roots Performance. She also earned Best Folk Album for Undercurrent.
William Bell’s This is Where I Live earned a Grammy for Best Americana Album.
Dave Mustaine won his first Grammy with his band Megadeth for “Dystopia,” in the Best Metal Performance category.
Giancarlo Guerrero and the Nashville Symphony earned three awards during the pre-telecast ceremony. “Daugherty: Tales Of Hemingway,” which includes Guerrero as conductor, picked up honors for Best Classical Instrumental Solo, Best Classical Compendium and Best Contemporary Classical Composition.
Within a five-minute span, it picked up wins for best classical instrumental solo, best classical compendium and best contemporary classical composition.
The winning moment was bittersweet for several winners.
Best American Roots Song went to Vince Gill for penning “Kid Sister” for The Time Jumpers. The track is the title track for Kid Sister, released on Rounder Records. Publishers for the song include Vinny Mae Music.
Gill penned “Kid Sister” to honor The Time Jumpers vocalist Dawn Sears, who died in 2014 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
“I wish you all would have had the chance to hear the voice of the woman I wrote this song about. Her name is Dawn Sears. She’s one of the best voices you will ever hear in your life. I encourage you to find her voice,” said Gill.
Joey+Rory earned a Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album, for Hymns, released on Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings. Joey Martin Feek, the female half of Joey+Rory, died March 4, 2016.
“My wife’s dream was to make a hymns album,” said Rory Feek. “She didn’t have a chance to do it until she had stage four cancer. She sang her vocals in hotel rooms while she did chemo and radiation. We watched this ceremony last year. She said, ‘If we get nominated, promise me you will come.’ I said, ‘I will.’ She said, ‘Remember, if we win, I’ll know before you will.’”
The televised portion of the 59th annual Grammy Awards will air Sunday, Feb. 12 beginning at 7 p.m. CT on CBS.
For more on Nashville winners and performers during the televised portion of the 59th annual Grammy Awards, click here.
Trisha Yearwood To Perform National Anthem During CRS 2017
/by Jessica NicholsonTrisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood will perform the national anthem to launch CRS 2017’s Opening Ceremonies, sponsored by Sarah Cannon, at the Omni Nashville on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. CT.
Yearwood’s 12th album, PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit, combined both her new and iconic songs from her catalogue in 2014. On Nov. 11, the first-ever duets collaboration between Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood was released for the holiday season. Christmas Together (Pearl Records, Nov. 11) features duets, solo performances and special guest appearances.
Additionally, Yearwood has developed her own expanding lifestyle brand in recent years. The Trisha Yearwood Home Collection encompasses three New York Times Bestselling cookbooks, cookware, furniture, home accessories, area rugs and the newly launched fragrance, Trisha Yearwood. Each Saturday morning, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen on Food Network is kicked off by her Facebook Live “pre-show,” T’s Coffee Talk. On weekends, fans find her on the road as part of the Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood.
Industry Ink: Grammy Artist Of Tomorrow, Grayscale Entertainment, Provident Label Group
/by Jessica NicholsonDrake White Named 2017 Grammy Artist of Tomorrow
Drake White performs at AURORA. Photo: Rachel Giese
Drake White has been named 2017 Grammy Artist of Tomorrow from daily votes at CBS.com. Nominated by Zac Brown Band, White will be featured in Grammy Live—a live stream broadcast online across CBS.com, grammy.com and platforms through the CBS App—leading into the 59th Annual Grammy Awards telecast on Sunday, Feb. 12.
“I am beyond honored to say that I am the Grammy Artist of Tomorrow,” shared White. “A very big thank you to Zac Brown Band and the opportunities they have afforded us both on and off the road. This is a dream.”
This week, White gathered a select group of fans for an intimate performance at AURORA Studios in Nashville. The live-streamed event offered a nationwide online preview to White’s exhilarating live homecoming shows April 12 and 13 at Nashville’s Exit/In.
Grayscale Entertainment Expands
Shaker has a BA in Communication Studies from Wilkes University with focuses in public relations and Broadcast media as well as a AAS in Audio Visual Communications from Luzerne County Community College.
Andrews is a recent media and entertainment graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. While attending college, Ivan curated his own hybrid music festival called Sneakers x Speakers. This festival has been held annually in the greater Nashville area and recently celebrated its 5th anniversary.
GSM CEO, Tim Gray commented, “Maintaining company culture while balancing the level of growth the agency’s experiencing while has been imperative. Over the last six months we’ve meticulously recruited talent, not just searching for good employees, but extraordinary individuals of all experience levels that can contribute day one. I feel we’ve found that in these two young professionals.”
Provident Label Group Adds To Radio Promotions Team
Lindsay Crane
Provident Label Group is adding to its radio promotions team. Lindsay Crane joins the crew on March 6. Crane has worked at KLOVE/AIR1 where she has been leading promotions and events in Indianapolis. Prior to that, Crane worked with digital marketing clients.
PLG VP/Nat. Prom. Jeff Cruz says, “We could not be more excited about Lindsay coming on board. I have seen her passion for the listener, her hard work and dedication first hand while working in Indianapolis. I feel like her experience gives Lindsay a real understanding of radio’s needs for events and promotions that will really help us develop promotional tools and opportunities.”
Jessie James Decker Readies ‘Gold’ EP
/by Jessica NicholsonEpic Records artist Jessie James Decker is set to release her new EP Gold on Friday, Feb. 17. Produced by Daniel Agee and recorded at his studio in Nashville, the project’s lead single “Lights Down Low,” has garnered more than 6.5 million streams on Spotify, hitting No. 1 on the iTunes Country chart and Top 10 overall within 24 hours of its release.
Jessie James Decker’s Gold Tracklist:
“Lights Down Low” (Jessie James Decker, Alyssa Bonagura)
“Shoot Out The Lights” (Maren Morris, Marty Dodson, Brett Tyler)
“Girl On The Coast” ” (Jessie James Decker)
“Too Young To Know” (Maren Morris, Jesse Frasure, Tiffany Vatanyan)
“Gold” (Jeffrey Steele, Alyssa Bonagura, Brandon Hood)
Logan Mize EP ‘Ain’t Always Pretty’ Out Today
/by Lorie HollabaughLogan Mize is releasing his new EP, Ain’t Always Pretty, on Big Yellow Dog Music’s indie label Friday (Feb. 10). The EP is a followup to Mize’s two successful singles, “Can’t Get Away From A Good Time” (which sold over 100,000 downloads and has over 7 million streams), and his current single/title track, “Ain’t Always Pretty,” which gained early support from The Bobby Bones Show and has sold over 10,000 downloads in its first week with over 6 million streams.
“We are so happy to support Logan and his music on our label. He has such honesty and authenticity in his voice that truly bring these songs to life,” says Carla Wallace, co-owner of Big Yellow Dog Music.
Ain’t Always Pretty Track Listing:
Radney Foster Expanding ‘Sycamore Creek’ Album Into Book Project
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I realized that at heart, I’m a storyteller,” says Foster. “This book gives me the chance to go further than what I can say in a three minute song. If you ever wanted to know more about the characters – what they were feeling, where they came from – here is your chance.”
Fans have responded enthusiastically to the new project, fully funding the Kickstarter project in just four days. The campaign (picked by Kickstarter as a “Project We Love”) offers expanded fan-experience packages including autographed copies of the cd/book combo, VIP tickets to shows, private fly fishing trips guided by Foster, autographed guitars, and more.