Maren Morris Set For First ‘Saturday Night Live’ Appearance

maren-morris

Columbia Nashville singer/songwriter Maren Morris is set to make her first appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live as the musical guest for the Dec. 10 episode. The host of the episode will be WWE superstar John Cena.

Earlier this week Morris announced that The Hero Tour 2017 will kick off in New York City on Feb. 2, 2017 and after selling out her previously announced Nashville, Tennessee, show in only three minutes, Morris added an additional stop in her hometown for April 4.

Tonight (Dec. 2), Morris will appear on CMT Crossroads with Alicia Keys.

Musicians Team With WSMV For Gatlinburg Wildfire Fundraiser

John RIch

John Rich

Nashville’s WSMV Channel 4 has teamed up with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for a fundraiser to benefit victims of the recent wildfires in East Tennessee. The fundraiser is being held Friday (Dec. 2) from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.

The event will broadcast on WSMV Channel 4, and will feature performances and appearances from Peter Frampton, John Rich, John Oates, Kristian Bush, Ty Herndon and more. Other artists will share pre-recorded messages during the broadcast.

Funds from the event will go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Emergency Response Fund. Channel 4 will collect monetary donations online and in person (cash or check only). Those wishing to give can visit WSMV.com or visit Highland Park Church at 5710 Knob Rd. in Nashville on Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. to drop off donations.

Donations can also be made directly to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Dolly Parton has also announced the My People Fund, expected to give $1,000 a month to each family who lost their homes in the devastation. Interested parties can visit dollywoodfoundation.org to donate there, too.

Merle Haggard Project Among 2017 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Inductions

grammyhofMerle Haggard‘s 1969 Capitol Records album Okie From Muskogee is among the 25 new inductions to its distinctive GRAMMY Hall Of Fame, which recognizes both singles and album recordings over 25 years old.

The Recording Academy announced its 2017 additions, also including Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock,” Arlo Guthrie‘s “City Of New Orleans,” Bonnie Raitt‘s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” Rod Stewart‘s “Maggie May,” and the Everly Brothers‘ “Wake Up Little Susie,” among many others.

“The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame represents all genres of music, acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which The Academy has become renowned,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “Memorable and inspiring, these recordings are proudly added to our growing catalog and are an integral part of our musical, social, and cultural history.”

Recordings are reviewed by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by The Recording Academy’s National Board of Trustees. With 25 new titles, the Hall, now in its 44th year, currently totals 1,038 recordings.

Eligible recipients receive an official certificate from The Recording Academy. For a full list of recordings inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame, visit grammy.org.

Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Music Featured In Major Motion Picture ‘The Shack’

tour-bgNew music from Tim McGraw and Faith Hill is featured in upcoming movie The Shack, in which McGraw also has an acting role.

The duo penned “Keep Your Eyes On Me” with hitmakers Lori McKenna and Shane McAnally. The film will also feature music from Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley and Brett Eldredge.

Based on the New York Times best-selling novel, The Shack, the movie stars Sam Worthington as Mack Phillips, a grieving father who learns to heal after his daughter goes missing. McGraw portrays Willie, Mack’s longtime friend.

The Shack will release March 3, 2017. Watch the trailer below.

YouTube video

AIMP Nashville Announces 2017 Board During Holiday Gathering

Pictured (L-R): Linda Bloss-Baum, SoundExchange; Tim Hunze, Parallel Music; John Ozier, ole; Ree Guyer, Wrensong Music; Leslie Roberts, BMI; Dale Bobo, Big Deal Music.

Pictured (L-R): Linda Bloss-Baum, SoundExchange; Tim Hunze, Parallel Music; John Ozier, ole; Ree Guyer, Wrensong Music; Leslie Roberts, BMI; Dale Bobo, Big Deal Music.

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville and SoundExchange hosted a pre-holiday party this week at Old Glory in Nashville’s Edgehill area for members and friends.

During the shindig, AIMP announced its 2017-2018 Nashville Board Members, which include: Michael McAnally Baum (SMACKSongs), Dale Bobo (Big Deal Music), Arturo Buenahora Jr. (Little Louder Songs), Rusty Gaston (THiS Music), Ree Guyer (Wrensong Music), Tim Hunze (Parallel Music), Michael Martin (ASCAP), John Ozier (ole), Leslie Roberts (BMI), and Chris Van Belkom (Combustion Music).

The Recording Academy Urges President-elect Trump To Support Copyright Reform

The Recording Academy

The Recording Academy has sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, urging him to support copyright reform.

The letter, signed by The Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow, The Recording Academy Board Chair John Poppo and a handful of musician and producer luminaries, notes that in 2015 the U.S. music industry contributed $15 billion to the American economy.

“As your administration begins to chart its course, this is an important moment to ensure the continued viability of music as one of America’s greatest exports and as an integral part of the American innovation story, fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit of the men and women who make up the creative workforce,” the letter reads.

The letter reads in full:

Dear President-elect Trump:

We, the undersigned members of The Recording Academy’s National Advocacy Committee, write to congratulate you and to reach out to you about the current state of the music economy for creators across America. The Recording Academy is the only organization that represents the interests of all music creators: the songwriters, performers, producers and engineers who create American recordings.

As your administration begins to chart its course, this is an important moment to ensure the continued viability of music as one of America’s greatest exports and as an integral part of the American innovation story, fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit of the men and women who make up the creative workforce. In 2015, the U.S. music industry contributed $15 billion dollars to the American economy, creating jobs in every state. [readmore:7349853]

Today, music lovers have more ways to listen to music than ever before. But the laws governing the sale and distribution of music have failed to keep pace with technology, keeping music creators from receiving fair market value for their work. These outdated laws, stemming from the turn of the last century, have weakened the value of American intellectual property in foreign markets to the tune of tens of millions of dollars in unpaid royalties.

The Recording Academy and our members across the country are working with Congress to fix the broken copyright system. We hope that the 115th Congress, with support from your administration, will conclude its review of copyright and act to support creators. Copyright reform continues to enjoy bipartisan support on Capitol Hill and among a broad group of stakeholders.

We look forward to working with your administration to support the music economy. We urge you to support reform of outdated laws and oppose any regulation that would diminish the value of these creators’ hard work and property rights.

Thank you for your consideration, and we wish you great success.

Sincerely,

Brandon Bush, Musician/Songwriter
Rodney Jerkins, GRAMMY-Winning Musician/Songwriter/Producer
Ann Mincieli, GRAMMY-Winning Engineer
Kim “KEM” Owens, Musician/Songwriter
John Poppo, Producer/Engineer/Songwriter & Board Chair of The Recording Academy
Neil Portnow, President/CEO, The Recording Academy
Nile Rodgers, GRAMMY-Winning Musician/Songwriter/Producer
Dan Warner, GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-Winning Musician

Artist Updates: Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, Bill Anderson

Clive Davis Meets With Dolly Parton

dolly-parton-clive-davis-2

Pictured (L-R): Webster PR’s Kirt Webster, Harry Wayne Casey of KC & The Sunshine Band, Dolly Parton, Sony Music Entertainment’s Chief Creative Officer Clive Davis, CTK Mgmt’s Danny Nozell and Kyle McClain

Sony Music Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Clive Davis recently visited with Dolly Parton during her Pure & Simple concert in Miami, Florida.

Davis has earned five Grammys and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-member. During his legendary career, he has guided the careers of artists including Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Chicago, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Pink Floyd, Blood Sweat and Tears, Santana, Alicia Keys, and numerous others.

In 1988, Davis helped launch Arista’s Nashville division, which became home to artists including Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley and more.

In 1989, Davis teamed with L.A. Reid and Babyface to form LaFace Records, which included Usher, TLC, and Pink, among others. In 1994, Davis teamed with Sean “Puffy” Combs in a 50/50 joint venture to launch Bad Boy Records, which became home to artists Faith Evans, Puffy Combs, Notorious B.I.G. and more.

 

Keith Urban Donates Concert Tickets To New Zealand Civil Defence, Emergency Services and Defence Force Personnel

Keith Urban

Keith Urban

When Keith Urban’s ripCORD WORLD TOUR 2016 arrives at the Westpac Stadium in New Zealand this Saturday, dozens of Civil Defence, Emergency Services and Defence Force personnel will be enjoying the show, thanks to a generous ticket donation by Urban. Urban heard about the Nov. 14 Kaikoura earthquake while finishing up the North American leg of his ripCORD WORLD TOUR 2016.

“We cannot forget the incredible work of our first responders at the local Civil Defense, Emergency Services and Defense Force,” said Urban. “These courageous men and women answer the call without hesitation and represent the best of the human spirit. I’m incredibly appreciative of not only what they did to protect everyone effected by the Kaikoura quake, but of what they do each and everyday – and so to have them come see us play and show them our appreciation is an honor.”

Civil Defense, Emergency Services and Defense Personnel have worked since the earthquake to assist people in affected areas in the top of the South Island and the Wellington region.

Wellington is the only New Zealand stop on the ripCORD World Tour 2016, after which it will head to Australia for performances in Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane.

 

Bill Anderson To Guest On Steve Earle’s Outlaw Country Channel On SiriusXM

Steve Earle and Bill Anderson

Steve Earle and Bill Anderson

“Whisperin’ Bill” Anderson will be Steve Earle’s guest during his hour-long show on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country Channel 60 this Saturday, Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. ET, to promote his new autobiography Whisperin’ Bill Anderson: An Unprecedented Life In Country Music and bonus acoustic CD with previously unreleased tracks. Click here to order.

 

Industry Ink: Music Biz 2017, Silverado Records, Nashville Music Media

Music Biz 2017 Announces Spotify Leader As Keynote Speaker

Troy Carter

Troy Carter

The Music Business Association’s 2017 convention will include a keynote presentation from Troy Carter, Global Head of Creator Services At Spotify. Carter helped launch the career of Lady Gaga and has managed artists including Meghan Trainor, John Legend and more.

Music Biz 2017 is slated for May 15-18, 2017 at Nashville’s Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

 

Silverado Releases Album Plans For HISH

HISH. Photo: Ford Fairchild

HISH. Photo: Ford Fairchild

Country/EDM crossover artist HISH will release his debut project at music festival Stagecoach on April 28, 2017.

“I can’t think of a better place than Stagecoach to debut my EP,” says HISH. “The energy level there is exactly the same kind of energy I’m pouring into this music, and I know fans are going to love it!” HISH was recently announced on the lineup for the third year, his first year on the Honkytonk Dancehall Stage.

CEO of Silverado Records, Scott Thomas says, “We’re elated that HISH will rock the crowds at Stagecoach with this groundbreaking music. This is the perfect venue to do this, and we know the crowd there is going to be amazed.”

More details about the EP will be announced closer to release.

 

Nashville Music Media Adds Two To Roster

nashville-music-media

Publicity and marketing firm Nashville Music Media (NMM) has signed Dylan Schneider and Two Way Crossing to its roster.

At 17, Schneider has gained a following of over 500,000 fans on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter collectively. After the successful release of debut EP Wannabe in August, 17 was released in October, landing at No. 3 on the iTunes chart and No. 32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Schneider recently released the video to song “Two Black X’s” which currently has over 1 million views, as well as holiday single “Mistletoe.”

Two Way Crossing’s debut single “Car Trouble went top 40 on the MusicRow Country Breakout chart earlier this year. The band will release the video for current single “Deja Vu” exclusively with Whiskey Riff just after the first of the year.

Established in 2010, NMM is a Nashville-based boutique publicity and marketing firm. Other clients include Parker McKay, Renn, Adam Wakefield, Macy Martin and more.

Bobby Bones Raises Over $1.3 Million For St. Jude In One Day

Bobby Bones

Bobby Bones

iHeartMedia’s nationally syndicated The Bobby Bones Show raised over $1.3 million on Thursday (Dec. 1) as part of their St. Jude Radiothon.

Donations continue to come in for the event, which aired live and allowed listeners to donate for the first time via text.

Country superstars and friends offered their time to be a part of the broadcast, including Kelsea Ballerini and Dave Barnes singing their rendition of Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You,” and Chris Janson covering Keith Whitley’s “I’m No Stranger To The Rain.” Garth Brooks also phoned in.

“I’m honestly blown away by the generosity of our listeners this morning,” said Bobby Bones. “The amount raised is overwhelming and donations are still coming in. With the holidays coming up, money can be tight and so it means even more that our fans have chosen to contribute to such an amazing cause. I also have to thank all of our artist friends that took part in such an important broadcast, as well as our awesome group of radio station affiliates, who always go above and beyond to support us in our charitable endeavors.”

For more info or to support this event, please visit: stjude.org/thanksBobby

Weekly Chart Report (12/02/16)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.