Artist Pics: Thomas Rhett, Denny Strickland, Kip Moore, Ginny Owens

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Thomas Rhett Celebrates Sold-Out Shows Overseas

Thomas Rhett, 16 November, London. Photo: Carsten Windhorst.

Thomas Rhett, 16 November, London. Photo: Carsten Windhorst.

Thomas Rhett recently celebrated sold-out shows in Belfast, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Amsterdam.

“To hear those crowds sing-along to every song was something I will never forget,” said Thomas Rhett. “We made some great memories over there and it was really cool meet some of our biggest fans overseas. I’m already wanting to figure out when we can get back over there.”

Thomas Rhett will launch his headlining 2017 Home Team Tour in February 2017.

 

ACM Welcomes Denny Strickland

Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music® welcomed Red Star Productions recording artist Denny Strickland to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Strickland performed a few songs including his latest digitally released single, “Get A Grip.”

 

Kip Moore Joins Smokey Robinson Tribute

Pictured (L-R): Kip Moore, Samuel L. Jackson, ??

Pictured (L-R): Kip Moore, Samuel L. Jackson, Bebe Winans

Kip Moore joined Samuel L. Jackson and Bebe Winans during a recent Smokey Robinson Tribute where he received the Library of Congress Gershwin for Popular Song. Moore performed “I Second That Emotion” during the taping, which will air Feb. 10 at 9 p.m. on PBS. Other performers included Cee Lo Green, Aloe Blacc, JoJo, Corinne Bailey Rae, and more.

 

Ginny Owens Livestreams Acoustic Preview For New Project

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CCM artist Ginny Owens recently held an exclusive acoustic performance of new songs from her current album, Love Be The Loudest, which releases Friday (Nov. 18). The performance was held at the Be Music Offices in Nashville, and was livestreamed.

The album features appearances from Big Daddy Weave, Ellie Holcomb, Meredith Andrews, and All Sons & Daughters.

Americana Awards Will Air On ‘Austin City Limits’ Starting Tomorrow

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Austin City Limits (ACL) returns to Nashville for a special broadcast featuring performance highlights from this year’s Americana Honors & Awards. ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2016 premieres Saturday night (Nov. 19) on PBS at 8 p.m. CT. WNPT Nashville will also air the program Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24 at 9 p.m. Full episodes are also available online.

Recorded live at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 21, the music-filled hour features many of the night’s award-winners and honorees: George Strait, Margo Price, Jason Isbell, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Weir, Alison Krauss, Steve Earle, Parker Millsap, Dwight Yoakam, William Bell, and Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell.

Performers are backed by a first-class house band led by Nashville mainstay Buddy Miller featuring Dave Cobb with Stuart Duncan, Fred Eltringham, Steve Fishell, Matt Rollings, Chris Wood, and The McCrary Sisters.

Episode setlist:
Bob Weir “Mama Tried”
The Lumineers “Angela”
Bonnie Raitt “Gypsy In Me”
Parker Millsap “Heaven Sent”
Jason Isbell “If It Takes A Lifetime”
Steve Earle “Desperados Waiting For A Train”
Dwight Yoakam “What I Don’t Know”
Margo Price “Tennessee Song”
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats “Wasting Time”
William Bell “Three of Me” feat. Bonnie Raitt
Alison Krauss “Gloryland” feat. Stuart Duncan, Melonie Cannon & Buddy Miller
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell “Bring It On Home”
George Strait & Jim Lauderdale “King of Broken Hearts”

High Valley To Tour Netherlands, UK In 2017

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Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville duo High Valley will headline their first European tour, launching in February 2017. The Make You Mine Tour will travel to Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and the UK in the new year for 10 shows over two weeks in support of their just-released major label debut album, Dear Life.

High Valley “Make You Mine” European Tour Dates*
Feb. 4: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Feb. 5: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Feb. 7: Manchester, UK
Feb. 8: Glasgow, UK
Feb. 9: Birmingham, UK
Feb. 10: Aberdare, UK
Feb. 11: London, UK
Feb. 13: Berlin, Germany
Feb. 15: Copenhagen, Denmark
Feb. 16: Odense, Denmark
*Subject to change

Karen Clark Expands FirstBank’s Private Banking Team

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Karen Clark

Karen Clark

Longtime Nashville banker Karen Clark has joined FirstBank’s West End Avenue financial center team as a senior vice president in the bank’s private banking group, FirstBank President and CEO Chris Holmes has announced.

Clark will be working with industry veteran Steve Jaynes, who joined FirstBank in July to head up the new private banking group. She will be focusing on the medical and entertainment industries and other professional practices, as well as large and small business owners and their companies.

Previously, Clark served as a senior vice president and financial advisor for Pinnacle Financial Partners after spending 15 years at SunTrust in Nashville in a variety of positions, including manager of the Nashville Sports and Entertainment Banking Group. Most recently, she worked as director of revenue cycle and finance at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics.

“Karen is a great banker who knows the Nashville-area market well and has built relationships across the city,” said Jaynes, who worked with Clark earlier in his career. “She is a tremendous addition to our team.”

She has served on the boards of directors for the W.O. Smith School of Music, the T.J. Martell Foundation, FiftyForward, Leadership Music and Nashville Cable, a professional women’s leadership organization. She is also a volunteer research advocate for the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.

“We continue to add experience and expertise to our Middle Tennessee team of associates, and we look forward to Karen’s contribution to our strategic growth plans in this important market,” Holmes said.

Round Hill Music Signs Administration Deal With SHEL, Moraine Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): Dianna Maher, Moraine Music Group; Sarah, Hannah, Eva, and Liza Holbrook, SHEL; Matthew Beckett, Attorney; Mark Brown, Round Hill; Brent Maher, Moraine Music Group; Kevin Thompson, Round Hill; Steve Nalbert, Round Hill

Pictured (L-R): Dianna Maher, Moraine Music Group; Sarah, Hannah, Eva, and Liza Holbrook, SHEL; Matthew Beckett, Attorney; Mark Brown, Round Hill; Brent Maher, Moraine Music Group; Kevin Thompson, Round Hill; Steve Nalbert, Round Hill

Round Hill Music has signed SHEL & Moraine Music Group to a worldwide administration agreement.

The indie/folk band from Fort Collins, Colorado, is comprised of four sisters – Sarah, Hannah, Eva, and Liza Holbrook, whose names form the acronym SHEL. Their sound is filled with infectious rhythms and hypnotic vocals, which has led to their music being used in numerous TV shows, films, soundtracks and commercials.

“I am so excited to announce our new relationship with SHEL, my longtime friend and colleague Dianna Maher, and the Moraine Music team,” said Round Hill Music Nashville Sr. VP/GM Mark Brown. “Ever since I first heard SHEL, I’ve been in love with their music. I think it’s some of the most original, creative, and inventive music I’ve ever heard.”

Currently, SHEL’s music is airing in the Toys ‘R Us holiday commercial, a TBS Search Party promo and the snowboarding film, The Fourth Phase. They also have a newly released Holiday EP, Winter Fairyland.

“We are thrilled to be working with Mark and the passionate staff at Round Hill Music to further develop SHEL’s career,” said Dianna Maher, President, Moraine Music Group.

 

Industry Ink: AURORA Nashville, ASCAP, BMI

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AURORA Nashville Adds Director of Digital Entertainment & Communications

Julia Bruck

Julia Bruck

AURORA Nashville, the entertainment division of audio and technology company THIEL Audio, has hired Julia Bruck as Director of Digital Entertainment & Communications. Bruck will produce shows and content, including the weekly AURORA Live concert series. She will also oversee and create digital content for the website and lead AURORA Nashville’s communication and branding strategy.

“Julia is a great add for our team. She is an innovative, audience-minded professional with an extensive broadcast journalism background,” says THIEL Audio CEO Tom Malatesta. “She is all about communications excellence.”

Most recently, Bruck worked in Nashville at the NBC and CBS affiliates along with EXTRA.

“I’m thrilled to join a company leading the way in digital media and streaming music entertainment,” says Bruck. “4K is the future of media. Aurora Nashville by Thiel Audio provides a 4K live concert experience in the palm of the consumer’s hand.”

Bruck can be reached at bruck@auroranashville.com.

 

ASCAP Hosts Writers Round At The Country

Pictured (L-R): MTSU songwriting students Stevie Woodward, Laura Short, Morgan Redmond and Cory Fisher, ASCAP's Beth Brinker, MTSU songwriting students Kristi Hoopes and Jordan Peffley, and MTSU Commercial Songwriting Coordinator/hit ASCAP songwriter Odie Blackmon

Pictured (L-R): MTSU songwriting students Stevie Woodward, Laura Short, Morgan Redmond and Cory Fisher, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, MTSU songwriting students Kristi Hoopes and Jordan Peffley, and MTSU Commercial Songwriting Coordinator/hit ASCAP songwriter Odie Blackmon

On Monday, Nov. 14, ASCAP hosted a songwriters round at The Country, showcasing students from ASCAP hit songwriter Odie Blackmon‘s Commercial Songwriting class at MTSU in front of representatives from Nashville’s music publishing industry.

 

BMI Hosts Eastside Sounds Showcase

Pictured (L-R): BMI songwriter Kendall Morgan, BMI songwriters and members of Bassh Jimmy Brown and CJ Hardee and BMI’s Nina Carter.

Pictured (L-R): BMI songwriter Kendall Morgan; BMI songwriters and members of Bassh, Jimmy Brown and CJ Hardee; and BMI’s Nina Carter.

BMI’s latest installment of Eastside Sounds at the Basement East featured Nashville native and soulful pop singer Kendall Morgan and energetic rock duo Bassh. Morgan co-wrote Tech N9ne’s No. 1 hit “Fragile,” featuring Kendrick Lamar and Mayday!, while Bassh is a new band launched by Band of Horses’ Bill Reynolds highlighting CJ Hardee and Jimmy Brown of Matrimony.

Featuring a “happy half hour” courtesy of Jim Beam, Eastside Sounds is the place to be to catch the best up-and-coming indie rock and pop acts in Nashville while hanging in one of the city’s best venues.

Weekly Chart Report (11/18/16)

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

Final CMA Touring Awards Nominees Revealed

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Voting to determine the winners in 15 categories for the CMA Touring Awards (formerly the SRO Awards) ends Wednesday, Dec. 7 (6:00 PM/CT).

CMA members in the following categories are eligible to vote: Advertising/Public Relations/Media, Affiliated, Artist, Entertainment Services, Marketing/Digital, Musician, Personal Manager, Record Label, Talent Agent, Talent Buyer/Promoter, Touring, and Venue. The professional services firm of Deloitte & Touche, LLP tabulates the voting.

“It is an honor to recognize the hard work these men and women devote to advancing Country Music on the road from coast-to-coast,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “These touring professionals are on the frontlines with the fans and each one is an important ambassador for the format and very deserving of our applause.”

Final nominees for the 2016 CMA Touring Awards are as follows (in alphabetical order):

CATEGORY 1 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Jamie Cheek – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Cheryl Harris – O’Neil Hagaman, PLLC
Rob Taylor – Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC

CATEGORY 2 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Ron Easley – Jason Aldean
Josh Easter – Kenny Chesney
Larry Phye, Jr. – Chris Stapleton

CATEGORY 3 – FOH (FRONT OF HOUSE) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Jared Blumenberg – Florida Georgia Line
Billy Moore – Eric Church
Chris Stephens – Jason Aldean

CATEGORY 4 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Scott Cunningham – Florida Georgia Line
Philip Ealy – Kenny Chesney
Chris Reade – Dierks Bentley

CATEGORY 5 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Kerri Edwards – KP Entertainment
Clint Higham – Morris Higham Management
Clarence Spalding – Maverick

CATEGORY 6 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Tom Addison – Dierks Bentley
Todd Bunch – Eric Church
Logan Kornegay – Thomas Rhett

CATEGORY 7 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Marc Earp – Eric Church
Jordan Kolenc – Taylor Swift
Phil Wilkey – Keith Urban

CATEGORY 8 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Arthur Kemish – Taylor Swift
Ken Thomas – Florida Georgia Line
Ed Wannebo – Kenny Chesney

CATEGORY 9 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Ebie McFarland – Essential Broadcast Media, LLC
Tyne Parrish – The GreenRoom
Jessie Schmidt – Schmidt Relations

CATEGORY 10 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Rob Beckham – William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC
Kevin Neal – William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC
Jay Williams – William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC

CATEGORY 11 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Ben Farrell – Lon Varnell Enterprises
Louis Messina – The Messina Group
Brian O’Connell – Live Nation

CATEGORY 12 – TOUR CATERER OF THE YEAR
Dega Catering
HSG Catering
Mike Maxwell + Co. Motion Picture Catering

CATEGORY 13 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Wyatt Beard – Kenny Chesney (Keyboard)
David Cook – Taylor Swift (Keyboard)
Dan Hochhalter – Dierks Bentley (Fiddle)

CATEGORY 14 – VENUE OF THE YEAR
Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, Tenn.
Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook – Gilford, NH
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, Tenn.
Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tenn.

CATEGORY 15 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
John Breslin – Garth Brooks
Jay Cooper – Kenny Chesney
Milojko Dobrijevich – Jason Aldean

Artist Updates: George Strait, Phil Vassar, Charles Esten, Wynonna, Crystal Gayle, Ellie Holcomb

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George Strait Returns To Gruene Hall In Texas

Photo: Erika Goldring for MCA Nashville

Photo: Erika Goldring for MCA Nashville

Returning to where it all began, George Strait performed at New Braunfels’ Gruene Hall Wednesday night (Nov. 16), turning in a nearly two-hour set in celebration of Strait Out of the Box: Part 2, available Friday, Nov. 18 exclusively at Walmart and Walmart.com.

Flanked by his Ace In The Hole band, Strait performed hits including “Here For A Good Time,” as well as two of the previously unreleased tracks from Strait Out of the Box: Part 2, “Kicked Outta Country” and “You Gotta Go Through Hell.”

 

Music City Beer Co. Launches

Photo: Moments By Moser Photography Top (L-R): Phil Vassar, Charles Esten, Shawn Lacy. Bottom: Jeff Smith

Top (L-R): Phil Vassar, Charles Esten, Shawn Lacy. Bottom: Jeff Smith. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Charles Esten and Phil Vassar were on hand to help launch Music City Beer Co., and its flagship beer, Music City Light. Beginning Nov. 21, Music City Light can be found in honky tonks, bars and restaurants including Tootsies, Honky Tonk Central, The Stage, Legends, Wildhorse Saloon, Tin Roof, Loser’s, Winner’s, Doc Hollidays and more.

Music City Beer Co. plans to partner with the Nashville music community in the form of a monthly artist and songwriter endorsement program. Phil Vassar serves as the inaugural MCL artist, which coincides with his upcoming album release, American Soul. Music City Light will feature commemorative American Soul six-packs available to consumers for a limited time. Music City Beer will also be releasing videos to promote the city while highlighting music from some of Nashville’s greats. The first songs featured include “American Soul” (Phil Vassar & Tom Douglas), “Day Drinking” (Shawn Lacy), and “I Love You Beer” (Charles Esten).

 

Crystal Gayle, Wynonna & The Big Noise To Help Launch Country Music Hall of Fame’s Holiday Festivities
Halloffamecmhof

Crystal Gayle, who will become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry in January 2017, will kick off the Country Music Hall of Fame’s holiday festivities on Friday, Nov. 25, beginning at 4 p.m. Gayle will perform a mix of hits and holiday classics before the lighting of a 30-foot Christmas tree in the museum’s Mike Curb Conservatory. Following the performance and tree lighting, Gayle will sign copies of her CDs for purchase in the Museum store.

Wynonna & The Big Noise will perform in the museum’s CMA Theater on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. The performance will include a mix of Wynonna’s hits and holiday favorites. Tickets for the show begin at $55. To purchase tickets, visit countrymusichalloffame.org/deckthehall2016.

 

Ellie Holcomb To Release Sophomore Project

ellie-holcomb

The 2014 GMA Dove Award winning New Artist of the Year Ellie Holcomb will release her sophomore album, Red Sea Road, on Jan. 27, 2017.

This project follows her debut As Sure As The Sun, which hit No. 1 its first week on the iTunes’ Christian and Amazon Christian charts. The debut radio single, “The Broken Beautiful” hit in the Top 10 at AC Indicator. Holcomb’s debut radio single from Red Sea Road is the track “Find You Here,” which has a deeply personal story and inspiration.

She will perform at Nashville’s City Winery on Feb. 2.

Thirty Tigers Signs Ned LeDoux

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Ned LeDoux, son of country artist Chris LeDoux, has signed with Thirty Tigers to release his EP Forever A Cowboy on Dec. 2.

“I’ve been working around country music for a long time, long enough to have seen Chris LeDoux and understand how much he meant to the rodeo community,” said David Macias, President, Thirty Tigers. “He was them and became one of the most important chroniclers of that life through his music and artwork. Sometimes when a child of the truly great decides to follow in the footsteps of the parent, we hold our breath and hope for the best, but in Ned, we find something exciting, something informed by the tradition that he came from, but also very much his own. I should have known when I found out that he was working with Mac McAnally that it would be terrific, and it is. We are excited to welcome Ned into the Thirty Tigers family. I hope (and think) that this will be a long and fruitful relationship.”

Forever a Cowboy, produced by award-winning Mac McAnally, includes “We Ain’t Got It All,” the first new Chris LeDoux co-write in over two decades.

Ned took the song idea from a stack of his father’s papers that included unfinished song ideas and lyrics. He travelled to Nashville and began working with McAnally, where they fashioned one of the ideas into “We Ain’t Got It All.”

Forever a Cowboy Track Listing:
1) “We Ain’t Got It All” (Ned LeDoux, Chris LeDoux, Mac McAnally)
2) “Brother Highway” (Ned LeDoux, Mark Sissel)
3) “Forever a Cowboy” (Ned LeDoux, Chris LeDoux, Mac McAnally)
4) “Johnson County War” (Chris LeDoux)
5) “The Hawk” (Ned LeDoux)