Pictured (L-R): Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, and Chris Young attend the WME Country Music Awards After Party at Winners and Losers Bar. Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for WME
The guest list was illustrious at Wednesday’s (Nov. 2) WME post-CMA party. More than 350 people attended, including Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Big & Rich, Chris Young, Dustin Lynch, New Artist of the Year winner Maren Morris, Tae Dye from Maddie & Tae, Olivia Newton John, and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.
The party moved to a new location this year was the rooftop of The Thompson Hotel. DJ Michelle Pesce spun a mix of dance and pop songs while guests enjoyed specialty Casamigos Tequila cocktails. Budweiser was on hand to create custom engraved beer koozies, and a cigar roller was on site. Monster Energy also sponsored the party.
After the CMA Awards show, guests gathered around a live feed of the World Series. Earlier in the evening, WME held a viewing party at Winners Bar, where more than 600 guests stopped by throughout the evening.
WME clients took home 7 out of 11 awards last night, including Garth Brooks for Entertainer of the Year, Chris Stapleton (Male Vocalist and Music Video), Brothers Osborne (Vocal Duo), Dierks Bentley (Musical Event), Eric Church (Album of the Year), and Thomas Rhett (Single of the Year).
Additional guests throughout the evening included Casey Donahew, Chase Bryant, Chris Kirkpatrick, Chris Lane, Cortland Finnegan, Easton Corbin, Gretchen Wilson, Josh Dallas, Kane Brown, Mike Mularkey, Ryan Hurd, Scotty McCreery, The Swon Brothers, Todd Chrisley, Tom Newberry, Tucker Beathard, Tyler Farr, and William Michael Morgan.
Pictured (L-R): WME Nashville’s Jay Williams, Greg Oswald and Rob Beckham on the rooftop of The Thompson Hotel. Photo: Leah Puttkammer/Getty Images for WME
Pictured: Kid Rock and Megan Barry.
Dunkerley, Hudak Presented With CMA Media Achievement Award
/by Lorie HollabaughRolling Stone Country’s Beville Dunkerley and Joseph Hudak (center) receive the 2016 CMA Media Achievement Award from Country artists Cassadee Pope (l) and Tucker Beathard. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Beville Dunkerley and Joseph Hudak of Rolling Stone Country were presented the 2016 Media Achievement Award Tuesday night (Nov. 1) at “Rolling Stone Live Nashville,” an industry event. Cassadee Pope and Tucker Beathard presented the awards backstage during the evening’s festivities.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized with CMA’s Media Achievement Award. When Rolling Stone Country was founded in 2014, we wanted to provide a platform for an eclectic mix of Country Music’s finest artists, and we’re thrilled to have that acknowledged with such a prestigious honor. We also want to extend a special thank you to all of our talented contributors. This is an award for them, as well,” said Dunkerley and Hudak in a joint statement.
“Joe and Beville have done a fantastic job building the Rolling Stone Country brand and broadening attention for the format with their readers – and they accomplished that ambitious mission in two years,” said Wendy Pearl, CMA Vice President of Corporate Communications. “They are very deserving of this honor.”
Previous CMA Media Achievement Award Winners:
1982 Jack Hurst
1983 Neil Hickey
1984 Dolly Carlisle
1985 Red O’Donnell
1986 No Award
1987 David Zimmerman
1988 Robert K. Oermann
1989 Bob Claypool
1990 Dick Heard
1991 No Award
1992 Mark McEwen
1993 Lynn Lester
1994 Judy Massa
1995 Clay Smith
1996 Tisi Aylward
1997 Jay Orr
1998 Chet Flippo
1999 Hazel Smith
2000 Neil Pond
2001 Harry Chapman
2002 Jim Patterson
2003 Denise Quan
2004 Alanna Nash
2005 Mark Bracco
2006 Donna Hughes
2007 Storme Warren
2008 Monica Escobedo
2009 Cynthia Sanz
2010 Beville Darden
2011 Ashley Dvorkin
2012 Jennifer Meyer and Ray Sells
2013 Deborah Evans Price
2014 Chuck Dauphin
2015 Cindy Watts
RFD Bringing Back ‘That Nashville Music’ Series
/by Lorie HollabaughRFD-TV is bringing That Nashville Music, a half-hour syndicated series produced by WSM-TV and Opryland U.S.A., back to the airwaves, according to Broadway World. The series was on the air for 15 seasons from 1970-1985 and features rare performances from the Grand Ole Opry archives not seen in decades, from stars like George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, the Statler Brothers, and many more. The series will premiere on RFD-TV on Saturday Nov. 5 during the network’s weekly music and entertainment lineup, “Saturday Night Music Row.”
“For years the number one request from viewers has been to add programming from the Grand Ole Opry stage to RFD-TV. I’m happy to announce that we finally got it done,” stated Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of RFD-TV. “Starting in November, That Nashville Music will feature classic performances from all your favorite country artists from the ’70s and ’80s. Bye-bye repeats. Hello new programming. It’s our way of saying thank you to our fans and viewers who support RFD-TV.”
RFD-TV and the Opry also plan to collaborate on additional programming featuring the Grand Ole Opry stage in the future.
[UPDATED] Dick Clark Productions Sold to Chinese Company for $1 Billion
/by Lorie Hollabaugh[The original version of this story did not specifically indicate the Academy of Country Music Awards is a 50/50 partnership with DCP.]
Chinese company Dalian Wanda Group has purchased Dick Clark Productions for $1 billion, giving them a 100 percent stake in the TV giant that was founded in 1957.
Dick Clark Productions possesses 100 percent of TV rights for music awards shows including the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, and the New Year’s countdown celebration in New York. Additionally, DCP owns 50 percent of TV rights for the Academy of Country Music Awards, with the other 50 percent being owned by the Academy of Country Music.
DCP’s primary revenue stems from them and the long-term agreements it possesses with all the major TV stations.
Dalian Wanda is the world’s biggest owner of movie theaters, with complexes across the United States, Europe and Australia, and it has been spending billions in the entertainment industry to expand its reach. Obtaining top television production rights furthers Wanda’s current focus on the film, tourism, and sports industries.
Once the acquisition is complete, DCP’s management will remain intact and Dalian Wanda has signed a long-term operation agreement with them.
Weekly Chart Report (11/4/16)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
WME Celebrates CMA Awards With Rooftop Party
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, and Chris Young attend the WME Country Music Awards After Party at Winners and Losers Bar. Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for WME
The guest list was illustrious at Wednesday’s (Nov. 2) WME post-CMA party. More than 350 people attended, including Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Big & Rich, Chris Young, Dustin Lynch, New Artist of the Year winner Maren Morris, Tae Dye from Maddie & Tae, Olivia Newton John, and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.
The party moved to a new location this year was the rooftop of The Thompson Hotel. DJ Michelle Pesce spun a mix of dance and pop songs while guests enjoyed specialty Casamigos Tequila cocktails. Budweiser was on hand to create custom engraved beer koozies, and a cigar roller was on site. Monster Energy also sponsored the party.
After the CMA Awards show, guests gathered around a live feed of the World Series. Earlier in the evening, WME held a viewing party at Winners Bar, where more than 600 guests stopped by throughout the evening.
WME clients took home 7 out of 11 awards last night, including Garth Brooks for Entertainer of the Year, Chris Stapleton (Male Vocalist and Music Video), Brothers Osborne (Vocal Duo), Dierks Bentley (Musical Event), Eric Church (Album of the Year), and Thomas Rhett (Single of the Year).
Additional guests throughout the evening included Casey Donahew, Chase Bryant, Chris Kirkpatrick, Chris Lane, Cortland Finnegan, Easton Corbin, Gretchen Wilson, Josh Dallas, Kane Brown, Mike Mularkey, Ryan Hurd, Scotty McCreery, The Swon Brothers, Todd Chrisley, Tom Newberry, Tucker Beathard, Tyler Farr, and William Michael Morgan.
Pictured (L-R): WME Nashville’s Jay Williams, Greg Oswald and Rob Beckham on the rooftop of The Thompson Hotel. Photo: Leah Puttkammer/Getty Images for WME
Pictured: Kid Rock and Megan Barry.
Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood Slated For ‘Christmas In Rockefeller Center’
/by Jessica NicholsonOn Nov. 30, a few of country music’s biggest stars will help usher in the holiday spirit with performances as part of Christmas In Rockefeller Center.
Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood will join Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Josh Groban, Tori Kelly, Sarah McLachlan, Jordan Smith and the Radio City Rockettes. NBC’s Today anchors Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Hoda Kotb will host the broadcast from New York City’s Rockefeller Center.
As part of the 84th annual tree lighting, the event will feature a 94-foot tall, 56-foot wide Norway spruce from Oneonta, New York. Approximately 90 years old, the tree weighs approximately 14 tons and will be decorated with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights.
The NBC show will air beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT. Prior to the primetime telecast, an additional live hour of the special will be broadcast on select NBC stations (7:00-8:00 p.m. ET).
CMA Honors Broadcast Awards Winners
/by Jessica Nicholson2016 CMA Broadcast Awards winners: Back row (L-R): “Cowboy” Kyle Croft of “The Gator & StyckMan Program”; Ken Hicks, Kelley Bradshaw, and Daniel Wyatt of WUSY; Greg “StyckMan” Owens and Gator Harrison of “The Gator & Styckman Program”; Jason Statt, Chelsie Shinkle, and David Chandler of “The Big Dave Show”; Grover Collins of WUBE. Front row (L-R): Bill Hendrich and Johnny Chiang of KKBQ; Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and Jeff “Maverick” Bloen of “Chris Carr & Company; George Achaves of Country Countdown USA; Mark Grantin of KTTS; Sharon Green and Eddie Foxx of “The Eddie Foxx Show.” Photo: Donn Jones / CMA
The 2016 CMA Broadcast Awards winners were honored during The 50th Annual CMA Awards last night (Nov. 2) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, where Dan+Shay presented the honors to the Broadcast Personality and Station of the Year winners.
In October, five-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Garth Brooks personally notified each winner by calling into their respective show and station. MusicRow‘s chart reporting station, WCOW – La Crosse, Wis., was a nominee in both small market categories this year.
2016 CMA Broadcast Award winners include:
2016 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Winners
National – “Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
Major Market – “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeff “Maverick” Bolen, and Kia Becht) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
Large Market – “The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market – “The Gator & StyckMan Program” (Gator Harrison, Greg “StyckMan” Owens, and “Cowboy” Kyle Croft) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Small Market – “The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
2016 CMA Radio Station of the Year Winners
Major Market – KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas
Large Market – WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market – WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Small Market – KTTS – Springfield, Mo.
2016 ‘MusicRow’ Awards Continue Tradition of Forecasting CMA Winners
/by Sarah SkatesPictured at the 2016 MusicRow Awards (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Maren Morris, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace, and Craig Shelburne. Photo: Moments by Moser
This year’s MusicRow Awards continued the tradition of predicting who might take home a CMA trophy. The magazine’s subscriber-voted awards were celebrated June 29 during an event at BMI. MusicRow Song of the Year was presented to Lori McKenna for her solo-penned “Humble and Kind,” and Maren Morris was named Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year for achieving her first Top 10 single as a songwriter with “My Church.” At last night’s CMA Awards, McKenna again won Song of the Year, and Morris was named New Artist of the Year.
Lori McKenna’s “Humble and Kind” wins MusicRow‘s Song of the Year honor. Photo: Moments by Moser
For a decade there has been a connection between the MusicRow Awards, held each summer, and the CMA Awards presented the following November. Almost every year since 2006, MusicRow’s Breakthrough Artist winners also received the CMA New Artist/Horizon Award later the same year, including Sam Hunt (2015), Kacey Musgraves (2013), The Band Perry (2011), Zac Brown Band (2010), Lady Antebellum (2008), Taylor Swift (2007), and Carrie Underwood (2006), and Joe Nichols (2003).
Additionally, the MusicRow Awards are often a key predictor for CMA Song of the Year, with honors at both ceremonies going to “Girl Crush” (2015), “I Drive Your Truck” (2013), “If I Die Young” (2011), “The House That Built Me” (2010), “In Color” (2009), “Whiskey Lullaby” (2005), and “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning” (2002).
In Pictures: BMLG Celebrates Banner Year For 50th CMA Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Back Row: Midland’s Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy, Jess Carson, Lauren Jenkins, Trent Harmon, Ryan Follese, A Thousand Horses’ Michael Hobby, Zach Brown, Bill Satcher and Graham DeLoach, Brett Young, The Church Sisters’ Savannah and Sarah Church, Tara Thompson and Tucker Beathard. Front Row: Brantley Gilbert, Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, Thomas Rhett, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta and Sandi Spika Borchetta, Jennifer Nettles, Danielle Bradbery and Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow and Tae Dye. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMLG
Big Machine Label Group celebrated their annual CMA Awards after-party alongside roster winners, including Thomas Rhett (Single of the Year, “Die A Happy Man”), and Tim McGraw (Song of the Year, “Humble & Kind,” penned by Lori McKenna).
The event at Marathon Music Works was fueled with festive Jack Daniels cocktails. BMLG staff and industry guests – including Dan Rather, Sharon Stone, Charles Esten and Tanya Tucker – sampled late night bites including a pancake bar and hot chicken sandwiches while mingling throughout the crowd.
Thomas Rhett, BMLG CEO Scott Borchetta, and Jesse Frasure attend the Big Machine Label Group’s celebration of the 50th Annual CMA Awards. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMLG
Jennifer Nettles danced the night away with Scott Borchetta. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMLG
Industry Pics: WME, Warner/Chappell Music, CMS Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonWME Celebrates CMA Awards Week
WME Nashville co-heads Greg Oswald and Rob Beckham celebrated CMA Awards week during the pre-BMI cocktail party.
Pictured (L-R): WME Nashville co-heads Greg Oswald and Rob Beckham, Chairman & CEO Warner Music Nashville John Esposito, WME | IMG Co-CEO Patrick Whitesell and WME partner Jay Williams. Photo: Alan Poizner.
Warner/Chappell Music Toasts Wins During CMA Awards Week
Back row (L-R: Jon Platt, Alison Junker, Travis Carter, Will Overton, Ben Vaughn, BJ Hill, Matt Michiels, Phil May. Front row (L-R): Alicia Pruitt, Jessi Vaughn, Karen Harrison-Hite, Neena Wright, Patricia Ragan-Mainello, LuAnn Inman, Steve Butler
Earlier this week, Warner/Chappell Music was named ASCAP Publisher of the Year for the fourth year in a row, and its songwriters took home 38 country music awards from the three major performing rights organizations, including: 18 ASCAP “Most Performed Song” Awards, 15 BMI “Top Song” Awards, and five SESAC “Country Performance Activity” Awards.
Additionally, Ashley Gorley won ASCAP Songwriter of the Year for a third consecutive year. WCM songwriter Chris Stapleton earned ASCAP’s Vanguard Award, while Brothers Osborne earned ASCAP Song of the Year for “Stay A Little Longer.” WCM songwriter Josh Mirenda co-wrote SESAC Song of the Year “Somewhere On A Beach,” while Sean Douglas won BMI Song of the Year for Thomas Rhett‘s “Die A Happy Man.”
CMS Nashville Celebrates Top Songwriters
(Back Row, L-R): CMS Nashville Chairman and CEO Chris King; Jostens VP Curt Bruns. (Front Row, L-R): CMS Nashville Songwriter of the Year honorees Ross Copperman, Josh Hoge, and Ashley Gorley. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMS
CMS Nashville celebrated several top songwriters at its party held in Nashville last night, featuring DJ Mata and a performance from all-female country group Farewell Angelina.
Yamaha gave away a S970 keyboard to each of the Songwriter of the Year recipients as well as one lucky attendee. The highlight of the evening was the year’s top songwriter honorees — Ross Copperman/BMI, Ashley Gorley/ASCAP, Josh Hoge/SESAC — being presented Jostens Super Bowl style gold rings by CMS Nashville’s Chairman and CEO, Chris King.
Tyler Farr and Jerrod Niemann also performed, helping to raise $100,000 to benefit Folds of Honor, including $15,000 from presenting partner NRA Country.
Hitmakers Tyler Farr and Jerrod Niemann performed for the standing room only crowd in support of Folds of Honor. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMS