Songwriter Session With Kristian Bush
Kristian Bush will appear at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Dec. 3.
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will present a Songwriter Session featuring Grammy-winning recording artist Kristian Bush on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 11:30 a.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater. A member of acclaimed country duo Sugarland, Bush co-wrote many of their hits, including “Baby Girl,” “Settlin’,” “Something More,” and “Want To.”
In 2014, Bush made his solo debut with Top 20 hit “Trailer Hitch.” In 2017, his songs will anchor the world premiere of Troubadour, a musical, set in 1950s Nashville, debuting at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre Center.
Seating is limited, and passes are required for admittance. Details at countrymusichalloffame.org.
CRB Rusty Walker Scholarship Recipients
The Country Radio Broadcasters have named Alexandria Hardy (General Manager, Tomlinson-Leis Communications/Palestine, TX), Joseph Pitt (Cumulus Broadcasting-Appleton/Oshkosh/Green Bay), and Matt Ramone (PM Drive DJ, KUBL/Salt Lake City, UT) as recipients of the 2017 Rusty Walker Scholarship. Each individual will receive an all-expense paid trip and attendance to CRS 2017, to be held Feb. 22-24, 2017.
The Rusty Walker Scholarship program is named in honor of Country Radio Hall of Fame member Rusty Walker, who passed away in May 2012 at the age of 59.
A2IM Seeks Input For Indie Week
The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) is asking the industry for topics and suggestions for its panels this year. In order to make sure the organization’s membership gets the most out of Indie Week 2017, they’d like to hear feedback from the industry.
A2IM is a non-profit trade organization representing 387 independent labels and one-third of the music market.
Click here to send in suggestions.
SNG Hosts Songwriting Retreat
(L-R): Kathleen Mullet, Zarni De Vette, Jimmy Thow, Daniel Ross, Abbey Cone, Chrystal Leigh, Mark Oakley, Marty Dodson, Steve Leslie, Abram Dean
Nine songwriters recently came together for a three-day retreat in Franklin, Tennessee. SNG Music Publishing hosted the retreat to focus on writing songs for their rising artist/songwriter Abbey Cone. Fellow SNG writers Steve Leslie, Gary Reamey, Marty Dodson and Zarni De Vette, were joined by other hit tunesmiths Abram Dean, Chrystal Leigh, Daniel Ross, Jimmy Thow, and Mark Oakley.
American Music Awards Ratings Slide
/by Eric T. ParkerABC’s three-hour broadcast brought in 8.16 million viewers in its 8 p.m. time slot with a 2.4 rating for adults 18-49, which was a 31 percent departure from last year’s 3.5 rating.
“It’s the lowest 18-49 rating on record for the awards, whose previous low point was a 3.4 in 2012,” analyzed the ratings site.
Nashville winners were noted in musicrow.com‘s earlier coverage.
ABC came in third among average total viewers last night, including ratings and share. Adjustments will be made for NFL coverage in some markets for the other networks, not affecting ABC. NBC took the night with an averaged 14 share (14.42 million), hosting Sunday Night Football with slightly lower numbers than last week (preliminary 5.6). CBS’ 60 Minutes, NCIS: Los Angeles, Madam Secretary and Elementary edged the network into the runner-up slot.
Kenny Chesney’s Only 2017 US Stadium Show Slated For Gillette Stadium
/by Jessica NicholsonKenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney may not be planning to tour in 2017, but even this superstar entertainer couldn’t resist playing at least one stadium show next year.
Chesney’s only 2017 US stadium show will take place at Gillette Stadium near Boston on Aug. 25, 2017. He will welcome Thomas Rhett and Old Dominion as openers. The superstar recently wrapped his Spread the Love 2016 Tour with a two-night stint at the venue, playing to 121,399 cumulative attendees.
“I can’t imagine summer without getting out there and rocking everyone at Gillette Stadium,” Chesney said via a video on social media. “From the beginning, the amount of heart and soul that came at us from the first note at Gillette was beyond intense. It’s never let up, it’s never slowed down. Every summer, every show, every song, they push us even harder than we push them. It’s kind of addicting, and something I can’t imagine a summer without. So we’re coming, Boston – and you know, this is our one shot at a big, big show, so you better get ready.”
As of now, Chesney is also scheduled for four music festivals through June 2016.
The Gillette presale begins this Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 12:00 p.m. ET on kennychesney.com. General on-sale begins Dec. 2 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Kenny Chesney’s 2016 tour wraps at Gillette Stadium. Photo: Shaun Silva
Artist Updates: Old Dominion, Chris Young, Brandy Clark
/by Jessica NicholsonOld Dominion Celebrates String Of Sold-Out Shows
Old Dominion spent the last week entertaining nearly 10,000 fans with five consecutive sold-out shows. The band ended the string of headlining performances with two nights at Joe’s Live Rosemont (Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20).
“We spent so many years wondering if anyone at all would show up to our shows,” said Old Dominion’s lead singer, Matthew Ramsey. “So, when we step out on the stage and see the people that are coming out to the Meat and Candy Tour, it’s a shock every time. The fact that these shows keep selling out too – it’s really shaping up to be a tour that we will never forget. What a way to end an incredible year for us.”
Chris Young Teams With Toys For Tots
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve members join Chris Young in Newark, DE to collect toy and gift donations for Toys For Tots. Photo: Bill Cracknell
Chris Young has teamed with Toys For Tots, to collect unwrapped toy and book donations at several of his I’m Comin’ Over Tour concerts through Dec. 10.
Nov. 18 Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Salisbury, MD
Nov. 19 Crown Coliseum Fayetteville, NC
Dec. 1 Ryan Center
Dec. 2 Cross Insurance Arena Portland, ME
Dec. 3 Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza Wilkes-Barre, PA
Dec. 8 Show Me Center Cape Girardeau, MO
Dec. 9 iWireless Center Moline, IL
Dec. 10 Thompson-Boling Arena
Brandy Clark Added As Guest For Linda Ronstadt Tribute
Brandy Clark
Brandy Clark has been tapped as a special guest for a musical tribute to icon and 11-time GRAMMY Award winner, Linda Ronstadt.
A Tribute to the Music of Linda Ronstadt, presented by The Bluegrass Situation, Goldenvoice and Red Light Management, will see respected singer/songwriters honor the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer in Los Angeles Dec. 11 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel.
Industry Ink: Kristian Bush, A2IM, CRS, SNG Music
/by Sarah SkatesSongwriter Session With Kristian Bush
Kristian Bush will appear at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Dec. 3.
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will present a Songwriter Session featuring Grammy-winning recording artist Kristian Bush on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 11:30 a.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater. A member of acclaimed country duo Sugarland, Bush co-wrote many of their hits, including “Baby Girl,” “Settlin’,” “Something More,” and “Want To.”
In 2014, Bush made his solo debut with Top 20 hit “Trailer Hitch.” In 2017, his songs will anchor the world premiere of Troubadour, a musical, set in 1950s Nashville, debuting at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre Center.
Seating is limited, and passes are required for admittance. Details at countrymusichalloffame.org.
CRB Rusty Walker Scholarship Recipients
The Country Radio Broadcasters have named Alexandria Hardy (General Manager, Tomlinson-Leis Communications/Palestine, TX), Joseph Pitt (Cumulus Broadcasting-Appleton/Oshkosh/Green Bay), and Matt Ramone (PM Drive DJ, KUBL/Salt Lake City, UT) as recipients of the 2017 Rusty Walker Scholarship. Each individual will receive an all-expense paid trip and attendance to CRS 2017, to be held Feb. 22-24, 2017.
The Rusty Walker Scholarship program is named in honor of Country Radio Hall of Fame member Rusty Walker, who passed away in May 2012 at the age of 59.
A2IM Seeks Input For Indie Week
A2IM is a non-profit trade organization representing 387 independent labels and one-third of the music market.
Click here to send in suggestions.
SNG Hosts Songwriting Retreat
(L-R): Kathleen Mullet, Zarni De Vette, Jimmy Thow, Daniel Ross, Abbey Cone, Chrystal Leigh, Mark Oakley, Marty Dodson, Steve Leslie, Abram Dean
Nine songwriters recently came together for a three-day retreat in Franklin, Tennessee. SNG Music Publishing hosted the retreat to focus on writing songs for their rising artist/songwriter Abbey Cone. Fellow SNG writers Steve Leslie, Gary Reamey, Marty Dodson and Zarni De Vette, were joined by other hit tunesmiths Abram Dean, Chrystal Leigh, Daniel Ross, Jimmy Thow, and Mark Oakley.
Lance Carpenter Signs With Mandolin Entertainment
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC, Lance Carpenter, Mandi Dixon, Mandolin Entertainment
Singer-songwriter Lance Carpenter, a co-writer on the hit song “Love Me Like You Mean It” for Kelsea Ballerini, has signed a management deal with Mandolin Entertainment.
Carpenter is recording new music that is slated to be released in 2017, as he focuses on his own artist career.
“I am so excited to be represented by Mandolin Entertainment,” Carpenter says. “They are the perfect addition to the team I’m building and together we look forward to new opportunities to grow my career as a country music artist.”
“It has been so great getting to know Lance and watching him grow this past year,” said Mandi Dixon, Owner/Founder of Mandolin Entertainment. “We have worked on a few things together and it became a natural fit. We are honored to have him become a part of the Mandolin family.”
Mandolin Entertainment was launched in 2012.
MusicRowPics: Ty Herndon Previews ‘House On Fire’
/by Jessica NicholsonTy Herndon and MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson.
Ty Herndon recently visited the MusicRow office to give staffers a preview of his latest project, House On Fire.
Herndon performed acoustic renditions of tracks including “That Kind of Night,” and “House On Fire.”
House On Fire is Herndon’s first album since coming out as a gay man in 2014, a topic he touches on in the intensely personal title track.
“This album is 18 months in the making,” Herndon said in a release. “The writing was intense at times, but we had a lot of fun throughout the process. This album is Ty Herndon to the very core of my heart, and it is without a doubt the most honest and vulnerable album I’ve ever done. It is an album about heart and soul, with songs that everyone can relate to. My hope is that anyone who hears these songs will catch a small piece of his or her life through the music and my story.”
The 12-song album follows 2013’s Lies I Told Myself, and is released on BFD via Sony/Red Distribution. House on Fire is co-produced by Herndon and Erik Halbig, while Drew Davis joins as co-producer on six songs.
Herndon scored several No. 1 country hits in the ’90s, including “What Mattered Most,” “Living In A Moment,” and “It Must Be Love.”
House On Fire debuted at No. 42 on the country albums charts this week, with 1.4K units sold.
Ty Herndon with MusicRow‘s Troy Stephenson and Sherod Robertson.
Ty Herndon with MusicRow staffers.
Weekly Register: Christmas Projects, Ronnie Dunn Top Country Albums Releases
/by Jessica NicholsonChristmas has officially made its presence on the country albums rankings this week, with Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and Home Free‘s projects taking the top two spots on the country albums chart.
Brooks & Yearwood’s Christmas Together tops the “Christmas” list for country lovers this week, moving 21K units. The project is also the No. 2 overall holiday album and No. 11 overall album this week.
Home Free’s Full of (Even More) Cheer lands at No. 2 on the country albums rankings, with 13K sold. Ronnie Dunn‘s Tattooed Heart is No. 3, with 13K sold.
Previous chart-toppers round out this week’s Top 5, with Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller at No. 4 (12K) and Kenny Chesney‘s Cosmic Hallelujah at No. 5 (11K).
Ty Herndon‘s House On Fire debuted at No. 42 and moved 1.4K.
Overall, album sales have declined 14.5 percent year to date, while overall digital album sales have declined 19.4 percent. Country album sales are down 9.4 percent year to date, while country digital album sales have declined 18.1 percent.
No debuts this week in the Top 5 country tracks. Keith Urban‘s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” retains its lead at No. 1 with 40K (472K RTD).
Little Big Town‘s “Better Man” is at No. 2, with 28K, followed by Florida Georgia Line and Tim McGraw‘s “May We All” (24K), Kenny Chesney and Pink‘s “Setting The World On Fire” (17K), and Miranda Lambert‘s “Vice” (14K).
Lambert also has the top debut this week, with “We Should Be Friends” landing at No. 24 country, with 6.4K sold.
Overall tracks are down 24.7 percent year to date, while country track sales have declined 22.9 percent.
Nashville’s Big Wins At The 2016 American Music Awards
/by Eric T. ParkerTim McGraw. Photo: theamas.com
The American Music Awards were held at Los Angeles’ last night (Nov. 20) with many Nashville wins to celebrate.
BMLG celebrated two wins with Tim McGraw and Florida Georgia Line for Favorite Song—Country (Lori McKenna‘s “Humble And Kind”) and Favorite Duo/Group—Country, respectively.
Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard. Photo: theamas.com
Though not in attendance, Carrie Underwood was selected as Favorite Female Artist—Country and Favorite Album—Country (Storyteller). Underwood was a nominee in the all-genre Artist of the Year category, which ultimately went to Ariana Grande for her own channel on SiriusXM in 2017.
Country artist Cam, nominee for favorite Female Artist—Country, was in attendance. She gave Nashville songwriter Hillary Lindsey a shoutout on Twitter during Lady Gaga‘s “Million Reasons” performance, a song which Lindsey co-penned and is featured on background vocals.
Blake Shelton was selected as Favorite Male Artist—Country.
Nominees were based on key fan interactions as reflected in Billboard, including album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, social activity and touring. Winners were selected by fan voting.
Full winners list at theamas.com.
Pictured (L-R): Maggie McGraw and Tim McGraw. Photo: Kevin Mazur/AMA2016/WireImage
Big Loud Mountain, Tree Vibez Music Sign Cameron Montgomery
/by Jessica NicholsonBack row (L-R): Joey Russ (Tree Vibez), Brian Kelley, Seth England, Craig Wiseman, Joey Moi, Chief Zaruk, Tyler Hubbard, Matt Turner (Big Loud), Dane Schmidt (Tree Vibez)
Front row (L-R): Emily Peacock (AAM), Leslie DiPiero (AAM), Cameron Montgomery, Jordan Kodloka (Big Loud), Hannah Showmaker Wilson (Big Loud)
Big Loud Mountain and Tree Vibez Music, a partnership between Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, songwriter Craig Wiseman and more, have signed songwriter and producer Cameron Montgomery.
Montgomery, a Scottsdale, Arizona native, was mentored by producer Dr. Luke (Katy Perry, Rihanna), and was part of studio teams behind the singles “Sugar” (Maroon 5) and “Only” (Nikki Minaj ft. Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown).
He is managed by Advanced Alternative Media (AAM), and co-produced Big Machine Label Group artist Ryan Follese‘s self-titled EP. He also co-wrote Follese’s singles “Float Your Boat” and “Put A Label On It.”
“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to be working with both Big Loud Mountain and Tree Vibez!” said Montgomery. “It is a dream come true to be joining a team of songwriters and producers that I have looked up to for so long. A big thanks to Seth England, Joey Moi, Craig Wiseman, Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley for bringing me on board.”
Big Loud Mountain partner Seth England noted, “Cameron Montgomery is a very special talent and a rare find in this town. I first met Cameron in the Tree Vibez bus in Columbus, Ohio and instantly knew he was someone we had to be involved with immediately. I also couldn’t be more proud to do this deal alongside BK and Tyler and their publishing company Tree Vibez Music.”
Brad Paisley Previews ‘Diary Of A Player’ Exhibit At Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Nashville Randy Goodman, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Carolyn Tate, Singer-songwriter Brad Paisley and Bill Simmons of The Fitzgerald Hartley Company. Photo: by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Celebrated three-time Grammy winner Brad Paisley visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Nov. 19 to see his exhibition Brad Paisley: Diary of a Player on display for the first time. Joined by his wife Kimberly Williams Paisley, his two sons Huck and Jasper Paisley and his parents Doug and Sandy Paisley, the family walked through the exhibit together, recounting memories of the singer-songwriter’s life and career.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young chronicled Paisley’s early career, and highlighted pieces featured in the exhibit, including Paisley’s first axe, a Sears Silvertone guitar given to him as a Christmas present from his grandfather Warren Jarvis. The collection also includes several awards from throughout Paisley’s career, as well as many of the ace guitar player’s trusty instruments.
Paisley displayed his trademark wit in his opening remarks. “I was like, ‘Who is this Brad Paisley guy? When did he die?’ That was what it felt like looking at the exhibit for the first time. It was like, ‘Well, we’re gonna miss him.’ It’s really weird to see things that should’ve meant nothing to anyone seem important when they are put behind glass in the greatest music museum in the world.”
The singer-songwriter reflected in his early touring requirements as a young performer traveling through his homestate of West Virginia and surrounding states. One blue case could carry all of it. “A cable, a cowboy hat, a couple of guitar pedals and probably some chewing gum,” he quipped. “And it’s crazy when you look back and you see these things. I remember the dreams associated with each little one of these items.”
He noted that one of the biggest benefits in his career has been the chance to not only meet, but to collaborate with, some of his biggest musical heroes, a country music tradition he hopes continues with future generations.
“I hope that some kid walks through this display and thinks to themselves, ‘I can do that,’ and not only that but, ‘Someday, I’m gonna take that guy and I’m gonna dress him in funny clothes and make him do a bit on the CMA Awards or something.’ That’s the thing about this crazy town and the chance to be part of it. Country music is unique to every other kind of music and the family nature of it.”
The career-spanning exhibition opens to the public Friday, Nov. 19 and runs through May 14, 2017.
Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams Paisley Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Brad Paisley at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Brad Paisley at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images