Garth Brooks takes over Yankee Stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, 2016.
Garth Brooks took over Yankee stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, but this time Mother Nature also purchased a front row seat.
Due to pounding rain and sporadic lightening, the concert was delayed for three hours. Fans were evacuated from the field and ordered to take shelter after workers had to pull out protective tarps for the stage and equipment.
But everyone knows Garth isn’t going to leave without a show. When the rain and lightning let up and fans were allowed back in their seats, Garth, as only Garth can, took what Mother Nature dealt and created a new fantastic show on the fly.
Nashville industry guests joined superstar Garth Brooks at the second night of his two night stand (7/8 and 7/9) at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The shows at Yankee Stadium marked the first time in nearly 20 years that Brooks has played New York City. The previous time was his historic 1997 performance in Central Park, which drew nearly one million spectators. Pictured: Top row L-R: Sarah Trahern, Steve Buchanan, Ray Waddell, JR Schumann, Trisha Yearwood, Bill Mayne, Blair Garner, Robert Deaton, John Hamlin. Bottom row L-R: Sherod Robertson, Shawn Parr, Garth Brooks, Lon Helton, Charlie Cook. Photo: Ben Krebs.
As the drizzling rain continued and water pooled on stage, Garth appeared a few minutes before midnight and told the audience he wasn’t going to be able to give the same show he did the preceding night. Due to the weather, he admitted this would be a completely different show adding, “And we will play anything you want!” The bad weather gave the audience an unprecedented opportunity to give requests in a stadium show and several of those requested songs were not part of the tour’s original set list.
Garth Brooks takes over Yankee Stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, 2016.
Even Trisha Yearwood admitted, “We are off the grid!,” after joining Garth midway into the concert. However, the production and performances were so engaging with the enthusiastic crowd, other than the references to the weather’s disruption, it was easy to forget this wasn’t all part of the original plan.
The rain delay caused many fans to head home before it began, in order to make their trains back home. However, the majority remained and for them, Garth rose to the occasion, making the night one they will never forget.
The two New York City shows over the weekend in Yankee Stadium marks the first time Garth has played in New York City in nearly 20 years.
Pictured (L-R): Garth Brooks, MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, and Trisha Yearwood backstage before Garth Brooks’ Yankee Stadium show in New York City on Saturday, July 9, 2016.
Cumulus Media’s NASH Next 2016 Campaign Begins
/by Craig_ShelburneCumulus Media has launched its NASH Next 2016 contest, seeking undiscovered country artists. The winner will land a record deal with Big Machine Label Group and have the opportunity for significant radio airplay through Cumulus.
NASH/Cumulus stations in 60 markets, including Dallas, New York, Atlanta, Detroit and Nashville, will conduct local searches, with additional national participation made possible by Cumulus’ digital properties and syndicated country shows.
Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Kix Brooks, and Jay DeMarcus will serve as the competition’s final judges.
Mary G. Berner, president and CEO, Cumulus Media Inc., stated, “NASH Next 2016 is an ideal way to leverage Cumulus’ leadership position in country music. By launching this competition with record-breaking support from our stations and affiliates, we are further signaling to listeners, advertisers and business partners that Cumulus is #1 for country.”
She added, “With the continued explosion of country’s popularity, and with our programming now broadcast on 82 percent of all country radio stations nationwide, Cumulus has even more opportunities for growth, providing expanded exclusive content for fans, and an even bigger audience for America’s newest country star.”
Nielsen’s Mid-Year Report Shows Boost In Music Consumption
/by Jessica NicholsonThe country genre accounted for 11.6 percent of total album sales, 13.1 percent of physical album sales, and 9.6 percent of digital albums sales. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller album is one of 2016’s overall Top 10-selling projects (see charts below).
For the first half of 2016, more than 209 billion songs were streamed on-demand, via audio and video platforms, representing a 59 percent increase over last year. Audio on-demand streams now make up 54 percent of total streams, while video is now 46 percent of the total. Audio has grown 97 percent over the first half of 2015, while Video has grown by 29 percent. This growth contributed to overall digital consumption (sales and streams) increasing 15 percent.
However, digital tracks sales were weak, down 24 percent compared to the first half of 2015. Overall album sales are down 14 percent, including an 18 percent decline in digital album sales. Physical album sales are down 10 percent, despite continued strength in sales of vinyl LPs, which are up 12 percent to 6.2 million units.
Rock music brought in the large share of sales volume taking 26.8 percent for total album+TEA+SEA, followed by R&B/hip-hop (22.6 percent), pop (14.5), country (8.4), Latin (5.0), electronic/dance (3.8), Christian/Gospel (3.0) and the classical and jazz categories (1.2 percent each).
Chris Stapleton, Lee Ann Womack Slated for Nashville Concert
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton and special guest Lee Ann Womack will play Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville on Friday, Oct. 14.
The Ascend performance is Stapleton’s first headlining show in Nashville since his three sold-out performances at the Ryman Auditorium in February. Stapleton joined Guns N’ Roses as their special guest this past Saturday at Nissan Stadium.
Stapleton’s Traveller album has been a mainstay in the Top 5 country albums rankings since his remarkable CMA Music Awards performance with Justin Timberlake in November 2015. The project has now been certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of more than 1 million units.
Womack, known for country hits such as “I Hope You Dance” and “Little Past Little Rock,” released the project The Way I’m Livin’ on Sugar Hill Records in September 2014.
Tickets for the Ascend show will go on sale Friday, July 15 at 10 a.m. CT.
Mother Nature Attends Garth Brooks Yankee Stadium Show
/by Sherod RobertsonGarth Brooks takes over Yankee Stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, 2016.
Garth Brooks took over Yankee stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, but this time Mother Nature also purchased a front row seat.
Due to pounding rain and sporadic lightening, the concert was delayed for three hours. Fans were evacuated from the field and ordered to take shelter after workers had to pull out protective tarps for the stage and equipment.
But everyone knows Garth isn’t going to leave without a show. When the rain and lightning let up and fans were allowed back in their seats, Garth, as only Garth can, took what Mother Nature dealt and created a new fantastic show on the fly.
Nashville industry guests joined superstar Garth Brooks at the second night of his two night stand (7/8 and 7/9) at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The shows at Yankee Stadium marked the first time in nearly 20 years that Brooks has played New York City. The previous time was his historic 1997 performance in Central Park, which drew nearly one million spectators. Pictured: Top row L-R: Sarah Trahern, Steve Buchanan, Ray Waddell, JR Schumann, Trisha Yearwood, Bill Mayne, Blair Garner, Robert Deaton, John Hamlin. Bottom row L-R: Sherod Robertson, Shawn Parr, Garth Brooks, Lon Helton, Charlie Cook. Photo: Ben Krebs.
As the drizzling rain continued and water pooled on stage, Garth appeared a few minutes before midnight and told the audience he wasn’t going to be able to give the same show he did the preceding night. Due to the weather, he admitted this would be a completely different show adding, “And we will play anything you want!” The bad weather gave the audience an unprecedented opportunity to give requests in a stadium show and several of those requested songs were not part of the tour’s original set list.
Garth Brooks takes over Yankee Stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, 2016.
Even Trisha Yearwood admitted, “We are off the grid!,” after joining Garth midway into the concert. However, the production and performances were so engaging with the enthusiastic crowd, other than the references to the weather’s disruption, it was easy to forget this wasn’t all part of the original plan.
The rain delay caused many fans to head home before it began, in order to make their trains back home. However, the majority remained and for them, Garth rose to the occasion, making the night one they will never forget.
The two New York City shows over the weekend in Yankee Stadium marks the first time Garth has played in New York City in nearly 20 years.
Pictured (L-R): Garth Brooks, MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, and Trisha Yearwood backstage before Garth Brooks’ Yankee Stadium show in New York City on Saturday, July 9, 2016.
Little Extra Music’s Kelsey Waters Signs With WME
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Back row, L-R): WME’s Abby Wells-Baas, Jay Williams and Rush Davenport; Jaela Scaife, Little Extra Music. Front row (L-R): Lisa Ramsey-Perkins, Little Extra Music; Kelsey Waters; Joe Scaife, Little Extra Music.
Little Extra Music singer/songwriter Kelsey Waters has signed with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME) for representation.
Raised in the 30-A region of the Florida panhandle, Waters was playing bars before she could even drive. After signing her publishing deal with Little Extra Music, she began collaborating with writers including Lori McKenna (“Girl Crush,” “Humble & kind”) and Tia Sillers (“I Hope You Dance,” “There’s Your Trouble,” “Blue On Black”). Waters is working on her first album.
“I want my music to be relevant, honest and come straight from the heart,” Waters says. “My hope is to make a record full of songs that sound just as true as they do when they’re first recorded as a work-tape on my phone. That raw, crazy energy, when you know you’ve written something fine, when you think you’ve nailed it? That’s what I’m out to capture.”
Performers Announced For ‘CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock’
/by Jessica NicholsonElle King with Dierks Bentley. Photo: Dusty Draper/CMA
The Country Music Association has announced the performers for the upcoming ABC special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, slated for Wednesday, Aug. 3.
Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett are set to host the three-hour concert event, marking the 12th year ABC will broadcast the special. CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock launched in 2004, and is slated to air on ABC through 2021.
Taking the stage for solo performances are Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Steven Tyler, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.
In addition, several artists teamed up for unique collaborations, including Bentley performing with Elle King, Bryan with Urban, Eldredge and Rhett, Lady Antebellum with Cam, Little Big Town with Pharrell Williams, Rascal Flatts with Maren Morris, Tyler with Martina McBride, Hank Williams, Jr. with Chris Janson and Justin Moore, and Chris Young duetting with Cassadee Pope.
CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock was filmed during the 2016 CMA Music Festival, which took place June 9-12 in downtown Nashville. The annual event offered live music on 11 stages, and drew more than 600 artists/celebrities, as well as 88,500 fans.
Martina McBride performs with Steven Tyler during CMA Music Festival. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Razor & Tie Music Publishing Signs Christian Lopez
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Jen Duke, Creative Manager, RTMP; Christian Lopez; Brad Kennard, VP Creative, RTMP. Photo: Natalie Sinclaire
Razor & Tie Music Publishing has added singer-songwriter Christian Lopez to its roster.
Lopez, who is managed by Rock Ridge Music, released his debut full-length album Onward via Blaster Records in 2015. The project was produced by Dave Cobb.
Brad Kennard, VP of Creative for Razor & Tie, commented, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Christian on the RTMP team. He is a true artist, heart and soul… the whole package – incredible vocalist, songwriter, musician and performer. We’ll all be talking about him for years to come.”
Lopez added, “I’m honored to be working with such a passionate and prestigious publishing company. Not only is Razor & Tie just that, but they’re staffed with truly amazing people that I’m so glad to have on my team. I’m excited for our future together, and even more excited about the songs to come.”
Weekly Register: Luke Bryan’s ‘Kill The Lights’ Tops 1 Million
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Bryan‘s Kill The Lights has hit the 1 million sales mark this week, in its 48th week on the chart.
No new country albums debuted in the Top 10 this week, but sales for Maren Morris‘ Hero project are up 46 percent after Morris appeared on CBS’ Sunday Morning. She lands at No. 5 on the country albums rankings this week, with 7.7K.
Blake Shelton‘s If I’m Honest take the top slot on the country albums chart, with 21K. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller follows at No. 2, with 15K. Cole Swindell‘s You Should Be Here lands at No. 3 with 8.4K (with a 45 percent boost), followed by the compilation, Now That’s Country 9, at No. 4 with 8.2K.
Overall album sales have declined 14.9 percent, while overall digital album sales have declined 20.1 percent. Country album sales declined 7.6 percent year to date, while country digital album sales have declined 14.3 percent.
Florida Georgia Line
On the tracks sales rankings, the summer of Justin Timberlake continues, as “Can’t Stop The Feeling” remains at No. 1, selling 98K this week, and 1.5 million RTD.
On the country digital tracks rankings, Florida Georgia Line‘s “H.O.L.Y.” continues its reign (and at No. 2 overall), selling 69K and 798K RTD. Darius Rucker‘s “If I Told You” takes the No. 2 position (31K), followed by Kelsea Ballerini‘s “Peter Pan” (24K), Jon Pardi‘s “Head Over Boots” (22K) and Carrie Underwood‘s “Church Bells” (21K).
Several patriotic themes also made their way onto the charts over the July 4 weekend, including Lee Greenwood‘s evergreen “God Bless The U.S.A.” at No. 9, selling 19K. Home Free‘s rendition of the same track charted at No. 55. Toby Keith notched a few patriotic songs, with “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” at No. 30 and “American Soldier” at No. 62.
Overall track sales are down 24.1 percent, while country track sales have declined 19.5. percent YTD.
Bob Kingsley Named To National Radio Hall of Fame
/by Craig_ShelburneBob Kingsley. Photo: Provided by Westwood One
Bob Kingsley will be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in November.
He is the host of the country radio programs Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 and formerly American Country Countdown.
He will be inducted in the Music Format On-Air Personality category, which was voted on by the public.
The induction ceremony will take place at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, which is the home of the National Radio Hall of Fame, in downtown Chicago on Nov. 17.
See the full listing of inductees at the National Radio Hall of Fame website.
Dierks Bentley Mourns His Dog, Jake
/by Craig_ShelburneDierks Bentley and Jake at the singer’s 10th anniversary as an Opry member. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Dierks Bentley shared through social media that his beloved dog, Jake, has passed away. He posted a message on Sunday morning (June 10).
Jake has been a mainstay of Bentley’s public life since the start of his career. On the cover of his first album for Capitol Nashville, released in 2003, Bentley posed with Jake. For the 10th anniversary of his Opry membership in October 2015, Bentley brought Jake into the circle to commemorate the occasion.
Bentley also references Jake on “Can’t Be Replaced,” the closing track on his newest album, Black. Jake was undergoing chemotherapy and had gone deaf, according to an interview Bentley gave to The Tennessean in May.