Rascal Flatts Perform For Patients At Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital
Rascal Flatts performed for the patients and families of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt yesterday (Nov. 7). The touching visit was streamed live to four other children’s hospitals nationwide in Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, and Washington D.C., reaching over 2,000 patients. The show marked the first time a performance has ever been broadcast from Seacrest Studios.
Brothers Osborne Adds Nashville Show For 2017
Photo credit: Reid Long
Fresh off the heels of their big CMA win for Vocal Duo, Brothers Osborne wrapped a big week with sold-out shows at New York’s Irving Plaza and in front of a hometown crowd at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland, as part of The Dirt Rich Tour. They will continue the tour through the beginning of next year with upcoming stops in Toronto, Philadelphia and Atlanta and on newly added dates in Seattle (Dec. 1), New Orleans (Jan. 5) and Houston (Jan. 6).
The duo has also added a Nashville date at Marathon Music Works on Jan. 18. Fans can purchase tickets beginning this Friday at dirtrichtour.brothersosborne.com.
The Time Jumpers Make A Time Jump For Weekly 3rd & Lindsley Residency
The Time Jumpers are shifting their start time from 9 p.m. every Monday night, to 8 p.m. The hugely popular show currently resides at 3rd & Lindsley, and the shows routinely sell out in advance and boast some of the liveliest audiences in Music City. The current edition of this four-time Grammy-nominated band includes 10 members: Vince Gill (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars), “Ranger Doug” Green (vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar), Paul Franklin(steel guitar), Brad Albin (upright bass), Larry Franklin (vocals, fiddle), Andy Reiss (electric guitar), Kenny Sears(vocals, fiddle), Joe Spivey (vocals, fiddle) Jeff Taylor (accordion, piano) and Billy Thomas (vocals, drums).
Ryan Kinder Sets Annual Kids Toy Drive for Nov. 10
Ryan Kinder will host Kinder’s Kids Annual Toy Drive, an event he spearheads each year around the holidays for families in need. This year, the “Come Close For The Holiday” toy drive kickoff concert will be held at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on Nov. 10
. Attendees are asked to please bring a toy to benefit Kinder’s Kids.
Industry Ink: Writer’s Den Music Group, Academy of Country Music
/by Jessica NicholsonWriter’s Den Music Group Hosts Second Unsigned Writer’s Retreat
Pictured (L-R): Aby Gutierrez, Betsy Lane, Anna Vaus, Brittany Kennell, Emily Hackett, and Andrew Tufano
Writer’s Den Music Group recently hosted their second Unsigned writer’s retreat at Bell Bottom Farm in Cedar Hill, Tennessee. Songwriter’s participating were Anna Vaus, Aby Gutierrez, Andrew Tufano, Betsy Lane, Brittany Kennell and Emily Hackett.
ACM Welcomes River House Artists/Columbia Nashville’s Luke Combs
Pictured (L-R): Lynn Oliver-Cline, River House Artists; Erick Long, ACM; Luke Combs; Brooke Primero, ACM. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music welcomed River House Artists/Columbia Nashville recording artist Luke Combs to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Combs previewed songs from his upcoming album This One’s For You, along with his current single, “Hurricane.”
Artist Updates: Rascal Flatts, Brothers Osborne, The Time Jumpers, Ryan Kinder
/by Lorie HollabaughRascal Flatts Perform For Patients At Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital
Rascal Flatts performed for the patients and families of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt yesterday (Nov. 7). The touching visit was streamed live to four other children’s hospitals nationwide in Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, and Washington D.C., reaching over 2,000 patients. The show marked the first time a performance has ever been broadcast from Seacrest Studios.
Brothers Osborne Adds Nashville Show For 2017
Photo credit: Reid Long
Fresh off the heels of their big CMA win for Vocal Duo, Brothers Osborne wrapped a big week with sold-out shows at New York’s Irving Plaza and in front of a hometown crowd at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland, as part of The Dirt Rich Tour. They will continue the tour through the beginning of next year with upcoming stops in Toronto, Philadelphia and Atlanta and on newly added dates in Seattle (Dec. 1), New Orleans (Jan. 5) and Houston (Jan. 6).
The duo has also added a Nashville date at Marathon Music Works on Jan. 18. Fans can purchase tickets beginning this Friday at dirtrichtour.brothersosborne.
The Time Jumpers Make A Time Jump For Weekly 3rd & Lindsley Residency
Ryan Kinder Sets Annual Kids Toy Drive for Nov. 10
Nick Donley Inks With MV2 Entertainment
/by Lorie HollabaughTop Row (L-R): Tony Harrell, Kendall Lettow, Clay Myers; Bottom Row (L-R): Nick Donley. Photo: MV2 Entertainment
Nick Donley has signed a publishing deal with MV2 Entertainment. Hailing from Oak Hill, Ohio, Donley began writing songs in college and began his career at Clear Channel Communications in Columbus, Ohio, writing commercials for radio. He moved to Nashville in 2006 to pursue a career in music.
MV2 Entertainment General Manager Tony Harrell shared, “We are so proud to have Nick on our team! He brings a unique and fresh approach with great songs.”
MV2 Entertainment publishing’s songwriting roster now includes Bart Allmand, Thomas Archer, Robert Arthur, Nora Collins, David Fanning and Terry McBride.
Garth Brooks Joins ‘The Voice’ as Mentor to Top 12
/by Lorie HollabaughGarth Brooks will be teaching the Top 12 artists on The Voice how to be gunslingers as he mentors the 12 remaining contestants on the show beginning Nov. 14. Brooks joins Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Bette Midler, Joan Jett, and Charlie Puth as an advisor on Season 11 of the top-rated show.
The legend, who just took home the Entertainer of the Year trophy at the 50th Annual CMA Awards, is set to release his latest album, Gunslinger, on Nov. 25. A 10-disc boxed set of his biggest hits is set to hit Target stores this Friday. He will also release the holiday album Christmas Together, with Trisha Yearwood, on Nov. 11.
Brooks recently celebrated his seventh Diamond certification from the RIAA with a capacity crowd at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater.
Industry Pics: William Michael Morgan, Alabama, Caitlyn Smith
/by Lorie HollabaughWilliam Michael Morgan Sings For Indiana Pacers Game
William Michael Morgan. Photo: Courtesy Indiana Pacers
William Michael Morgan performed the National Anthem at the Indiana Pacers game Saturday (Nov. 5) on the way to a tour stop at Indianapolis’s 8 Seconds Saloon. The 23-year-old Vicksburg, Mississippi, native will tour through the end of the year before kicking off 2017 with Lee Brice and Justin Moore on the American Made Tour.
Country Music Hall of Fame Honors Alabama
Pictured (L-R): Conway Entertainment’s Tony Conway; Alabama’s Randy Owen, Jeff Cook, and Teddy Gentry; Conway Entertainment’s Brandon Mauldin, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Michael Gray and Abi Tapia. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Alabama’s Randy Owen, Jeff Cook, and Teddy Gentry shared some stories from their legendary career with Country Music Hall of Fame Museum Editor Michael Gray last weekend during a special program at the Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater.
The event included stories from the band’s career and a brief performance by the trio, whose Alabama:Song of the South exhibition runs through June of 2017.
Caitlyn Smith Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
Pictured (L-R): Paul Moak, Caitlyn Smith, Connie Smith and Rollie Gaalswyk Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Caitlyn Smith made her Grand Ole Opry debut to a full house at the Ryman Auditorium last Saturday (Nov. 5). It was a bucket list moment for the singer, who had dreamed of playing the stage since she first began her musical career as a young teen. Smith was recently inducted into the 2016 class of CMT’s Next Women of Country, and her songwriting credits include Hot AC No. 1 “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” (Meghan Trainor and John Legend) and the Platinum song, “Wasting All These Tears” (Cassadee Pope).
Rezonant Music Publishing, MusInk Sign Writer Isaac Fox
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured, standing (L-R): Tim Wipperman, Rezonant; Josh Green, Raven Capital Management; Jeremy Tucker, Raven Capital Management; Denise Stevens, Loeb and Loeb; Richard Orga, MusInk. Seated: Isaac Fox
Songwriter Isaac Fox has been signed to a joint venture between MusInk and the recently-launched Rezonant Music Group. Fox, who resides in Nashville, was trained at the Royal College of Music in London (violin) while making a name for himself in the UK as a go-to multi-instrumentalist for UK-based pop/rock acts, including Irish pop artist Shane Filan.
“From the beginning, Rezonant’s plan was to be a multi genre publishing company,” Rezonant CEO Tim Wipperman said. “Our team sees great potential in Isaac. He’s a 24-year-old musical prodigy and has a great pop song sensibility. We are also excited to go into this co-venture with Richard Orga and MusInk. Partnerships such as this will help us create a strong foundation and allow us to accomplish our goals in a smart and creative way.”
Rezonant Music Publishing was established in 2016 by founding partners and music publishing veterans Wipperman (Nashville) and Garry Velletri (New York), along with financial consultant Alan Walter (Los Angeles). Within the company’s first several months of operation, it signed songwriter and producer Ross Copperman. Rezonant also acquired rights to songwriter Matt Jenkins’ catalog and will be working in conjunction with Combustion Music and Warner/Chappell to exploit those works.
Leadership Music Opens Third Annual Virtual Food Drive
/by Eric T. ParkerTo donate, click on your class and start shopping, or donate a certain amount. Friends and family can donate via the “Friends of Leadership Music” tab at the bottom of the class list.
“We are so excited to again have Leadership Music supporting our mission by participating in their 3rd annual Virtual Food Drive. This drive continues to set the bar as one of our top virtual fundraisers year after year,” says Jaynee Day, Leadership Music Class of ’12, current board member and President/CEO of Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee. “Second Harvest can provide four meals with every dollar donated.”
This year marks the fourth year of involvement with Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee. Over 177,000 meals have been delivered from a grand total of nearly $40,000 and more than 1,000 pounds of food.
Artist Updates: Cam, Blake Shelton, Jamey Johnson, Cece Winans, Mary Sarah
/by Lorie HollabaughCam To Debut “Half Broke Heart” On Live With Kelly!
Cam will perform “Half Broke Heart” for the first time on television on Live with Kelly! on Wednesday (Nov. 9.) She is currently on her first headlining tour, The Burning House Tour, which kicked off Oct. 27 in Chicago, with a sold-out show at Joe’s Bar and will visit 12 cities and conclude Dec. 10 at the Orleans Showroom in Las Vegas.
Blake Shelton To Headline Happy Valley Jam
Blake Shelton will headline the Happy Valley Jam, on the campus of Pennsylvania State University on Saturday, July 8, 2017. The concert lineup will also include Chris Young and Big & Rich. Tickets will go on sale to the general public starting Nov. 16 at HappyValleyJam.com.
Jamey Johnson and Ashley Monroe will headline Dean Dillon’s third annual Mountain High Music Festival, held Jan. 11-15, 2017, in Crested Butte, Colorado. The festival will feature world class singer/songwriters and recording artists in intimate settings.
Cece Winans Sets New Album For 2017 Release
The project was largely recorded in Nashville, where Winans now resides.
Mary Sarah Returns To NBC’s The Voice
Joseph Hudak To Lead Rolling Stone Country, Jon Freeman Joins Team
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Joseph Hudak, Jon Freeman
Joseph Hudak has been promoted to lead the Rolling Stone Country office in Nashville, retaining his current title of Senior Editor. Jon Freeman has been named Staff editor, and will report to Hudak.
Hudak has been Senior Editor at Rolling Stone Country since the site’s launch in 2014. Prior to this, he was Managing Editor at Country Weekly Magazine since 2012, the same year he moved to Nashville. Previously, he spent 12 years at TV Guide Magazine, exiting as senior editor in May 2012. Hudak is a 1996 graduate of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and a Native of Dallas, Pennsylvania. Hudak most recently was awarded the 2016 CMA Award for Media Achievement.
Before being named Staff Editor, Freeman served as a freelance writer and editor for Rolling Stone Country for the last year, as well as other outlets including RollingStone.com, NPR, Nashville Scene and Vinyl Me Please. Previously, Freeman worked at Country Weekly magazine in various roles, including deputy editor and managing editor in 2014. Prior to that, he was managing editor at local trade publication, MusicRow, where he spent seven years. Freeman graduated in 2002 from Auburn University and is an Arab, Alabama native.
“With a remarkable ability to find the social and human thread in country music, and an extensive knowledge of Nashville’s unique music business and charting systems, Jon is the perfect addition to Rolling Stone Country. I’m excited to work with him in providing insightful and educated features and criticism to fans of country music and Americana,” said Hudak.
Kings of Leon Sign With SESAC
/by Lorie HollabaughKings of Leon
The Kings of Leon have inked a deal with SESAC for representation. The band, which hails from Nashville, scored their first No. 1 album when their seventh studio album Walls entered the Billboard 200 chart last month. The album also hit the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart.
“Few rock bands have garnered a global following as extensive as Kings of Leon,” says John Josephson, SESAC’s Chairman/CEO. “The band’s musical influence, as both songwriters and performers, has spread from the United States to the U.K. and Australia and well beyond. SESAC is proud to welcome Caleb Followill, Nathan Followill, Jared Followill and Matthew Followill to our affiliate family.”
Best known for their singles “Use Somebody,” “Sex on Fire,” and “Radioactive,” the Kings have won three Grammy Awards, three NME Awards, two Brit Awards and one Juno Award and toured extensively around the world.
Kings of Leon’s affiliation is the latest in a string of prominent signings with Randy Newman, Robin Thicke, Green Day, Mariah Carey, Kesha, George Clinton and Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielson recently joining the SESAC roster.