Garth Brooks Added As Speaker For 2017 Country Radio Seminar

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Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks will return to this year’s Country Radio Seminar for a keynote presentation, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. CT. Titled “Inside Studio G,” the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year will give a behind-the-scenes look into his business and life.

Brooks earned his fifth CMA Entertainer of the Year honor in November 2016, and became the first artist to earn seven Diamond awards, recognizing seven albums certified by the RIAA as selling over 10 million units each. Brooks has sold more than 138 million albums, and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame (NY), the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Musicians Hall of Fame. Brooks is currently on the three-year Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood.

For more, visit countryradioseminar.com.

‘Nashville’ Stars to Tour UK in June

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The stars of Nashville are launching a second overseas tour this summer set for England, Scotland, and Ireland. Cast members Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten and Jonathan Jackson will play the shows, along with Sam Palladio on select dates.

Launching June 9 in Birmingham, England, the tour will feature songs from the series as well as artists’ original material and will hit cities including Brighton, Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin, Belfast, as well as two nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

“Our first international tour proved how tremendously popular ‘Nashville’ and its cast are beyond the U.S.,” said Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment. “We look forward to more sell-out shows this summer featuring cast members who are not only amazing actors, performers, and songwriters, but who have also become incredible ambassadors for our home state of Tennessee.”

All shows go on sale this Friday, Feb. 17. This marks the second time the cast will tour abroad: Nashville staged a sold-out tour in the UK and Ireland in 2016. Nashville airs on six continents and in more than 100 territories, including the United Kingdom.

“Nashville” International Tour Dates: 
6/9                    Birmingham         Barclaycard Arena
6/10                  London                 Royal Albert Hall
6/11                  London                 Royal Albert Hall
6/13                  Brighton               Brighton Dome
6/14                  Nottingham          Royal Concert Hall
6/16                  Glasgow               The SSE Hydro
6/17                  Manchester           Manchester Arena
6/19                  Dublin                   3 Arena
6/20                  Belfast                  SSE Arena

Blackbird Academy Student Honored at MusiCares Annual Gala

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Music student/artist David Francisco was honored at MusiCares’ Annual Gala benefitting the MusiCares Foundation on Friday, Feb. 10, for his bravery in battling his way back from a horrible accident to make music once again. The MusiCares Annual Gala, held in Los Angeles two nights before the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, also honored Tom Petty as the 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year.

Francisco’s life was altered last April when a driver ran a red light and hit him while he was riding his bike home from Nashville’s Blackbird Academy where he was studying music production. The accident landed the 24-year old singer/songwriter at The Shepherd Center in Atlanta fighting to regain his ability to walk.

After 10 months and now walking with assistive devices, Francisco has returned to Blackbird and is realizing his dream of making music. The music community has rallied around him led by Blackbird owner John McBride, and he was honored by Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick at the annual 2016 Pensado Awards in Los Angeles. MusiCares also stepped up to help the Francisco family with the mountain of medical expenses incurred since Francisco’s injury.

“David is an extraordinary young man,” said Debbie Carroll, Senior Executive Director of MusiCares. “He has faced one of the biggest challenges one could ever face:  The loss of one’s mobility.  It has been our honor to walk through this with him.”

To celebrate his triumphant return to Blackbird, Francisco is releasing a 7-song EP Colors written and recorded before his accident. A short documentary detailing Francisco’s powerful story, Back to Blackbird, is being shot which includes “It Isn’t Easy,” a song on the new EP, as its theme song.

“This EP is a celebration of my versatility as an artist and producer,” said Francisco. “I paint with many different colors, hence the name. Most of the instruments you hear were played by me. I am so grateful to be alive and be able to share my music with the world and all the wonderful people who have helped me get to this point,” he says of his EP, Colors.  “Music is the best way I know to communicate. So, I hope everyone enjoys this and the grateful spirit in which it was created.”

Music Biz Announces Full Agenda for Indie Music Forum

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The Music Business Association (Music Biz) and co-organizer Hypebot have announced the full agenda for this year’s “Indie Music Forum powered by Hypebot,” set for May 18th. The forum is part of the Music Biz 2017 convention at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville which will be held May 15-18th.

The Indie Music Forum will include a Keynote Conversation with Richard James Burgess, Ph.D., CEO of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), a trade organization representing over 400 independently-owned record labels. Burgess will share how his experiences as an artist, musician, producer, composer, manager, educator, inventor, and label executive inform his advocacy for independent labels and artists.

Other sessions include Authentic Artist Branding Bootcamp, led by Kevin Breuner, VP of Marketing, CD Baby, and Chris Robley, Editor, CD Baby’s DIY Musician Blog; and What’s Your Deal? Understanding Recording Agreements in 2017, moderated by Jamie Starling, Director of Business & Legal Affairs, Entertainment One and including Molly Shehan, Associate, Milom Horsnell Crow Rose Kelley, PLC and Chris Taylor, President, Entertainment One Music.

For more information or to register for Music Biz 2017, visit www.musicbiz2017.com. A special rate of $249 is available for first-time artists, songwriters, managers, and independent labels.

 

Chris Waters Joins Pearl Promotion Team

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Pearl Records continues expanding its staff with the addition of Chris Waters as Director, Regional Promotion. Waters comes to Pearl from his post at Show Dog Nashville, and has also previously worked for Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Cumulus Media.

“Chris is a seasoned promotion executive whose creativity, work ethic and relationships make him the perfect fit for our team.  We are thrilled to have him on board,” said Lesly Simon, General Manager.

“I’m humbled and grateful to Mandy, Lesly and Garth for trusting me with the responsibility of representing the greatest artist of all time,” said Chris Waters. “Garth Brooks has an aggressive vision and his energy is contagious. I’m very excited to join the Pearl team!”

Waters can be reached at: chriswaters@pearlrecordsinc.com.

LifeNotes: Lynda Ann Duncan, Wife of Promoter Jerry Duncan, Dies

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Pictured (L-R): Lynda Ann Duncan, Jerry Duncan

Wife to Duncan Promotions’ Jerry Duncan and and mother to Lisa Smoot, Lynda Ann Duncan, peacefully passed away at her home in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017.

In addition to her husband and daughter, Duncan is survived by son Mark Davis and grandchildren Laura Prestige, Kendall Davis, and Waylon Tolliver.

The visitation and funeral service will be held at South End United Methodist Church, located at 5042 Edmondson Pike, Nashville, Tennessee. Visitation will take place at noon with the service following at 3 p.m. CT. Burial will take place at Christ Church Memorial Gardens, located at 15354 Old Hickory Blvd in Nashville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Mountain Outreach (operated by the University of the Cumberlands), South End Methodist Church or any other charity of choice. For more information, please contact Rick Kelly at 615-269-7071 ext. 134 or email rkelly@marcopromo.com.

Weekly Register: Reba McEntire Tops Country, Christian/Gospel Albums Charts

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Reba McEntire tops the Country Albums chart (and lands at No. 4 on the overall albums chart) this week with Sing It Now: Songs of Faith and Hope, moving 52K (album only). Sing It Now: Songs of Faith and Hope also tops the Christian/Gospel charts, with 54,426 in total consumption.

Brantley Gilbert‘s The Devil Don’t Sleep lands at No. 2, with 19K. Garth Brooks‘ The Ultimate Collection lands at No. 3 with 11K. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller is at No. 4, with 7.2K, while Keith Urban‘s Ripcord rounds out the Top 5 with 6.8K.

Sam Hunt

On the Country Tracks rankings, Sam Hunt‘s “Body Like A Backroad” lands at No. 1, with 72K. The track’s two-week total is 125K.

Zac Brown Band‘s “My Old Man” takes the No. 2 position with 37K. Little Big Town‘s “Better Man” takes the No. 3 spot with 24K. Jon Pardi‘s “Dirt On My Boots” lands at No. 4, with 19K. Keith Urban‘s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” is at No. 5, with 19K.

Information courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.

Compass Records Signs Dublin-Based Band I Draw Slow

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I Draw Slow

Compass Records has signed Dublin-based roots band, I Draw Slow.

The band is fronted by siblings Dave Holden (guitar) and Louise Holden (vocals), who have been writing together for two decades. In 2008 the pair teamed up with violinist Adrian Hart, clawhammer banjo player Colin Derham, and double bassist Konrad Liddy to form I Draw Slow.

The band has played to audiences in the UK, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and performed at North American festivals including MerleFest, Pickathon, Wintergrass, RockyGrass, Grey Fox, Red Wing, Edmonton Folk Fest, Sisters Folk Festival and Mountain Stage. It was their 2014 performance at MerleFest that first put the band on the radar for Compass co-founders Garry West and Alison Brown, who were impressed with the band’s performance and the reaction from buyers in the MerleFest merch tent.

“First, we noticed how they got the crowd involved in what they were doing. Their energy is truly infectious,” says West. “Then we noticed that their CDs and merchandise were flying off the shelves in the festival store. That kind of immediate response is always going to get our attention! But more than anything we’ve been impressed with the strength of the songwriting, the sibling harmony and the musical proficiency of the band. They are truly dedicated to their craft.”

Dave says, “We are delighted to sign with Compass Records for our new album. An Irish band that plays American folk music doesn’t always make sense to everyone, but we feel right at home on their roster. Their relationships and reputation in the industry will help us tell our story and take us to the next level.”

The band crowd-funded their latest album, Turn Your Face To The Sun, which will release April 21 on Compass Records.

Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Sign With Sony Music Entertainment

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Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have each signed with Sony Music Entertainment, MusicRow has confirmed. McGraw was previously signed with Big Machine Label Group, while Hill was previously signed with Warner Bros.

Billboard reports the multiple-album deal includes solo albums from both McGraw and Hill.

They also reported the deal was orchestrated by Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris, Columbia Records Chairman and CEO Rob Stringer, Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman, as well as Hill’s manager, Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen, and McGraw’s manager Scott Siman and attorney Joel Katz, who negotiated the deal for Hill and McGraw.

Hill’s final album for Warner Bros. Records, titled Deep Tracks, released Nov. 18, 2016. The project was a compilation of album cuts from previous projects.

McGraw previously released the album Damn Country Music on Big Machine Label Group in November 2015. His song “Humble & Kind” earned songwriter Lori McKenna a Best Country Song honor at Sunday (Feb. 12)’s Grammy awards.

Plowboy Music Names General Manager, Launches New Imprint And Artist Management Services

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Ben Ewing, Shannon Pollard

Ben Ewing has been appointed as General Manager for Plowboy Records. In celebrating Plowboy’s five-year anniversary, a new imprint—Plowboy Legacy—has been created to include a roster of artists who helped shape modern country and rock music.

Additionally, the Need More Artist Management company has been launched to managed established artists, specifically those who produce their own recordings and actively tour to support their music.

“This is a great time for independent artists and labels to unite and create important, memorable music that matters,” said Plowboy Music President Shannon Pollard. “Ben understands the fine balance between art and commerce and I am excited to partner with him to reenergize our current catalog and build our future.”

“I look forward to working with Shannon in continuing the legacy of Eddy Arnold and exposing the world to great artists, past and present, of American made music,” said Ewing.

One of label’s first releases, You Don’t Know Me: Rediscovering Eddy Arnold, was a tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member and Pollard’s grandfather, Eddy Arnold. Current releases for Plowboy Records include projects by Paul Burch, Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, The Kentucky Headhunters and Blackfoot Gypsies. Plowboy Records is distributed by Select-O-Hits in the U.S. and Canada and by Proper Distribution in Australia and Europe.