CMA Songwriters Series Makes Birthplace Of Country Music Museum Debut

Tracy Lawrence was joined by Barry Dean, Rick Huckaby, and Luke Laird on Thursday (Sept. 8) for the CMA Songwriters Series debut at The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Virginia. The show was one of several special events leading up to the historic rivalry football game between the University of Tennessee Volunteers and the Virginia Tech Hokies.

The CMA Songwriters Series is in its 12^th season, kicking off the first show of this year at indigo at The O2 in London during the C2C Festival. That was followed by its debut appearance at SXSW at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas, and a stop in Washington, D.C. at the renowned Library of Congress. Since 2005, the CMA Songwriters Series has presented more than 90 shows in 15 cities including Austin, Belfast, Chicago, Dublin, London, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, and Paris.

 

Americana Music Association Adds Director of Marketing and Research

The Americana Music Association has promoted Sarah Comardelle to Director of Marketing and Research. In her new role, Comardelle will oversee the implementation of marketing, social media and special event initiatives, including the Americana Music Festival & Conference. She reports directly to Executive Director Jed Hilly .

Prior to stepping into her current role at the feisty not for profit music association, the Belmont University graduate first joined the Americana Music Association as a volunteer and has served as manager of Marketing and AmericanaFest conference Coordinator.

“Sarah is one of the most dedicated and hard working individuals I have ever met,” said Hilly, “and has become an invaluable member of our community – I am thrilled to announce this deserving promotion.”

Comaardelle can be reached at sarah@americanmusic.org.

 

Will Robinson Joins Reviver Entertainment Group

Will Robinson has joined Reviver Entertainment Group as Northeast/Midwest Regional Promotion Manager. Robinson will report to Reeves.

“Will’s depth of experience as a programmer and promotion manager will provide 1608 unparalleled expertise, experience and results. We are thrilled to have Will as our boots on the ground in the Northeast and Midwest,” Bob Reeves, Sr. Vice President of Promotion for Reviver Entertainment Group, said.

Robinson previously worked as a programmer at WRBQ in Tampa and WQYK with stops at WNEW in New York, WCAT in Harrisburg and WFRE in Frederick. After 16 years in programming, he began working records with Nine North. He continued down the promotion path at RPM and I.R.S.

Robinson joins 1608 Regional Promotion Managers Clay Henderson leading the Southwest/Midwest and Ben Bieri overseeing the West Coast. Hayley Cowoski continues as Promotion Coordinator for Reviver Records and 1608.

Florida Georgia Line Wings It On The Chew

Florida Georgia Line appeared on ABC’s The Chew on Friday (Sept. 9) to help kick off the show’s “September of Surprises.” The duo put their cooking skills to the test when they hit the kitchen with host and Nashville native Carla Hall to make hot wings. Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard also played “Florida Georgia Dine,” where the pair tried to name popular foods from their home states while blindfolded.

 

Brett Eldredge Unwraps Title Of Christmas Album

Brett Eldredge has selected Glow as the title of his upcoming Christmas album, due in October. The album also shares its name with an original track he wrote to capture a warm, holiday feeling. Meghan Trainor will be featured on the album on a special duet.

“I originally had the idea for a song called ‘Glow’ as the vision of someone you love, making your whole world light up,” says Eldredge. “It captures the simplicity of sitting next to the dimly lit Christmas tree and watching her glow in the lights. There’s a line where I compare that to the image of ‘sunshine over a field of snow.’ I grew up in Illinois and there’s no mistaking the beauty of the countryside with covered in snow. And I always try and compare those beautiful things in life to love. I always had this vision of a really bright album, making your whole heart and soul glow and I just feel like I can see this album standing out, glowing, to everyone. I always use the word magic when it comes to Christmas, but that’s the feeling that Glow gives me when I hear it. So it just seemed like the perfect title for a Christmas album.”

 

Dustin Lynch Teams Up For Solitaire Game

Gaming company MavenHut has partnered with Dustin Lynch to create the Dustin Lynch Solitaire mobile app, which allows users to enjoy Solitaire with a musical twist and unique competitive edge. The game also showcases elements such as magical power-ups, synchronous real-time gaming, and various tournament options.

“I’m completely hooked! This is my new favorite way to pass time and have some friendly competition doing so when I’m traveling,” said Lynch. “I hope we get to play in tournaments together, good luck!”

“Dustin’s creativity, authenticity, and strong following on social platforms by users spanning various age, income, and cultural backgrounds make him the perfect partner for our first Solitaire celebrity-featured mobile app,” said Andreea Leonte of MavenHut.

 

The history of classic Opry performances will continue on the Ryman stage on Thursdays this fall. A new season of Opry Country Classics will be held for six-show run, from Thursday, Sept. 22 through Oct. 27.

Host and performer Larry Gatlin will welcome Spotlight Artists including Marty Stuart (Sept. 22), Charlie Daniels Band (Sept. 29), Connie Smith (Oct. 6), Crystal Gayle (Oct. 13), Lorrie Morgan (Oct. 20) and The Time Jumpers (Oct. 27).

Opry Country Classics tickets as well as money-saving ticket combos including admission to both Thursday night Opry Country Classics shows and Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday Grand Ole Opry shows are available by visiting opry.com or by calling 615-871-OPRY or 800-SEE-OPRY.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are two of a kind, but they didn’t have to work on a full house at their Ryman Auditorium show on Thursday night (Sept. 8). The filled-to-capacity venue, which Brooks often refers to as “The House,” erupted in applause when an announcer encouraged the audience to take a few photos, and then put away the phone and enjoy the music. This was clearly an audience who longed for a ‘90s concert experience.

Brooks had never performed a full set at the Ryman until this show, which served as a launching pad for his SiriusXM station, known as The Garth Channel. The show was streamed live on the new channel. At a press conference earlier in the day, he explained his programming philosophy by indicating that if he liked someone’s music, he’d play it, regardless of genre.

But for his opening number, Brooks and his guitar relied solely on the classics, mashing up a medley of songs and artists that inspired him. This ranged from Cal Smith’s “Country Bumpkin” and George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” to George Strait’s “Amarillo By Morning” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” as well as Randy Travis’ “I Told You So” and Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes.”

But the place went berserk when the curtain lifted to reveal his band and a simple set with no enormous screens. Suddenly the opening lines of “Friends in Low Places” resonated through the rows of wooden pews. From there it became one big sing-along: “Rodeo,” “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House,” “The River,” and so on. The live renditions were punctuated with fist pumps and teary eyes from the audience as well as the performer.

Brooks’ undeniable charisma was on full display all night long. After “Unanswered Prayers,” he shaped his thumbs and index fingers into the shape of a heart, a la Taylor Swift. After delivering “That Summer,” he exclaimed, “I’ve never been here before but they’re gonna have to get rid of me now!” When the rumble of “The Thunder Rolls” arrived, the singing along resumed at full volume.

Of course, it’s always refreshing to hear Yearwood sing and she graced the set list for a duet of “In Another’s Eyes” as well as a lovely rendition of “Walkaway Joe” accompanied only by Brooks on guitar. Indicating that they are in the midst of recording a duets album, they unveiled a satisfying new duet, “Whiskey to Wine,” about former lovers who have mellowed out with new partners. Brooks mentioned that the new album will be “the most Garth thing” he’s ever done.

Crowd-pleasers like “Papa Loved Mama” and “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” along with a band introduction, set up the big broadcast finale of “The Dance.” Brooks quietly introduced it by saying, “I hope you remember it,” and naturally, everyone sang along.

When the main program ended, only a smattering of people left. After a few minutes, Brooks returned for a handful of hits and rarely-heard songs, ranging from the enduring “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)” and “Every Time That It Rains,” to “In Lonesome Dove” to “Longneck Bottle.” On “Shameless,” he looked near ecstasy, an expression that carried through “Standing Outside the Fire,” and likely well past the time he exited the hallowed stage.

Brooks will rekindle his world tour on Friday (Sept. 16) in Anaheim, California.