Blind Boys of Alabama, Lera Lynn, Holly Williams, Robbie Fulks, Jon McLaughlin and more will be part of the Musicians Corner lineup for its Summer 2016 season, which will launch Saturday, Aug. 6. Additional summer season shows will follow on Aug. 13, 20, 27, and Sept. 3.
“We have not hosted events in August since 2010,” said John Tumminello, Executive Director. “We’re bringing back summertime music in the park with an incredible lineup of talented artists.”
Saturday, Aug. 6 will feature performances from Blind Boys of Alabama, AJ Ghent Band, Matt Brown and Dwan Hill. Aug. 13 will include a lineup of Lynn, McLaughlin, The Sisterhood (Alyssa Bonagura & Ruby Stewart), and The Daybreaks.
Williams, Tony Lucca, Christian Lopez Band and Mocha will perform Aug. 20, while Aug. 27 features the Logan’s Roadhouse Presents-ASCAP Artist Showcase, featuring Ruby Amanfu, Fulks, The Bundys and more.
Andrew Ripp and Vanderbilt Melodores are among the performers slated for Sept. 3.
Events will take place each day from noon to 5 p.m. in Musicians Corner’s permanent home in Centennial Park, and will include food trucks, Dogville activities and services, local artisans, Musicians Corner Pub, and Kidsville activities.
Musicians Corner’s Spring 2016 season continues on Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 with performances from The Jayhawks, Dom Flemons, Griffin House and more.
Toby Keith Event Raises $1.175 Million For OK Kids Korral
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson, Toby Keith
The 13th Annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic raised $1.175 million for OK Kids Korral, a housing resource in Oklahoma City for families with children in cancer treatment. The OK Kids Korral is supported by the Toby Keith Foundation.
Keith held the event on June 3-4 in Norman, Oklahoma, and hosted a gala and dinner headlined by Asleep at the Wheel, in addition to a shotgun start celebrity golf tournament.
Auction items included a golf package that visits five Irish castles, a South African rifle and bow hunt, a signed and framed piece from the estate of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and a rare signed album by Elvis Presley.
Music memorabilia from Jimmy Buffett, Ted Nugent, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Flaming Lips and Heart also earned high bids.
Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin Embark On Song/Video Series
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
Nashville songwriters Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin have begun a four-song and four-music video collaborative effort titled Shatter the Madness.
The first clip in their series uses their CMA Award-winning song, “The House That Built Me.” The remaining songs (“Legacy,” “Good Man Gone Bad” and “Shatter the Madness”) will be released every few weeks on iTunes and the music videos will follow suit, posting to tomdouglasmusic.com when each single is released.
Additional content, including interviews with the two writers, who discuss the stories behind the songs, will also become available at the site. The song “Shatter the Madness” will be released after the Republican National Convention and before the Democratic National Convention.
“Allen and I are great friends and frequent writing partners,” Douglas said. “Lately we found ourselves talking more and more about world events, the current state of politics in America and fear for the future our children and grandchildren face. Then we started writing about it, and the songs on Shatter the Madness are what came out.”
“As songwriters, by nature Tom and I do a lot of observing—we observe people, we observe what’s going on in the world and what we have observed is a lot of fear and panic,” Shamblin said. “We think people are losing hope so what we want to do with these songs is try to give them back some of that hope they’ve lost.”
Reviver Entertainment Group Launches With Key Executives
/by Craig_ShelburneDavid Ross, President and CEO of Reviver Records, has announced the launch of Reviver Entertainment Group, which encompasses Reviver Records, Reviver Label Services, 1608, Reviver Publishing, and Reviver Productions.
Gator Michaels, SVP Promotion, moves to EVP/GM for REG, reporting directly to Ross. Michaels will oversee all aspects of REG.
Bob Reeves who serves as VP/Promotion and also covers the West Coast radio promotion for 1608 becomes SVP of Promotion, overseeing promotion for both Reviver Records and 1608 Promotion. Reeves came to Reviver after six years at Warner Music Nashville, as well as a recent stint at Blaster Records.
“This is a well-deserved recognition of the proven success and creativity both Gator and Bob have shown. They both bring energy, drive and passion that showcases the capabilities of Reviver Entertainment Group,” says Ross.
Publicity for Reviver Entertainment Group will be handled by Webster Public Relations and distribution of its product continues through BDG, RED – A Division of SONY Music, LLC.
Luke Bryan’s First-Ever Farm Tour EP Arrives Sept. 23
/by Craig_ShelburneLuke Bryan will release an EP of all new music titled Farm Tour…Here’s to the Farmer on Sept. 23.
Although the upcoming shows will mark the entertainer’s eighth annual Farm Tour, this is the first time Bryan has released a Farm Tour EP.
Tickets for the Farm Tour 2016, which is presented by Bayer, go on sale to the general public on Friday (June 24).
During last year’s tour, Bryan performed for over 110,000 fans during the eight-city run. A portion of the ticket proceeds are granted for local college scholarships to students from a farming family or a student that is an agriculture major within the communities the tour plays. Additionally, Bryan and Bayer make a presentation to a local farmer onstage in each city of the Farm Tour.
Bayer Presents Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2016
October 5: Gaston, South Carolina; Culler Farms
October 6: Greenback, Tennessee; Maple Lane Farms
October 7: Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Highland Farms
October 8: Monroeville, Indiana; Spangler Farms
October 12: Batesville, Mississippi; FT Farms
October 13: Prairie Grove, Arkansas; Ogden Ranch
October 14: Centralia, Missouri; Stowers Farm
October 15: Effingham, Illinois; Mid America Motorworks
CMA Foundation, Country Artists Will Advocate For Music Education
/by Craig_ShelburneThe CMA Foundation, Kristian Bush, Charlie Worsham, and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) will discuss music education with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., on Thursday (June 23).
Representatives for the CMA Foundation will include: Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Joe Galante, CMA Foundation Chairman and CMA Board Member; and Jennie Smythe, CMA Board Member. The organizations will advocate for complete, high-quality music programs for all students as part of NafME’s annual “Hill Day” for music education.
The day’s events will begin at Hart Senate Office Building for a short morning briefing, during which Bush and Worsham will offer remarks, and an awards ceremony, honoring Senator Lamar Alexander (TN) for his work on behalf of music education.
The CMA and the CMA Foundation have contributed more than $13.6 million to support quality, sustainable music education programs across the country. The CMA Foundation set a record in 2016 with $2.6 million in charitable gifts to music education initiatives, including a $150,000 research grant to Give a Note Foundation, an affiliate of NAfME.
CMA created the nonprofit (501C3) CMA Foundation in 2011 as the charitable giving arm of CMA. Funds for the Foundation are provided by CMA on behalf of the hundreds of artists who perform and make appearances during CMA Music Festival for free.
Industry Ink: BMI, Americana Honors & Awards, Diamond Eye Music
/by Jessica NicholsonMickey Guyton Sings At Hall Communications Awards Banquet
Front row: Mickey Guyton, Hall Communications President Art Rowbotham, Hall Communications Board Chairwoman Bonnie Rowbotham, Hall Communications Executive Vice President Bill Baldwin. Back row: BMI’s Jessica Frost and Hall Communications CFO Janet Hamm.
BMI presented a special performance by Capitol Recording artist and BMI singer-songwriter Mickey Guyton at the 32nd annual Hall Communications Awards Banquet held Saturday, June 4 at the Hilton Hotel in Mystic, Connecticut. Guyton performed a number of songs including “Better Than You Left Me,” from her self-titled debut EP, as well as her newest single, “Heartbreak Song,” which was released to radio June 3. Hall Communications, Inc. is a family owned company which operates 21 AM and FM radio stations in Florida, the Mid-Atlantic and New England states.
Americana Honors & Awards Ceremony Names House Band
Buddy Miller at the 2015 Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/ Getty Images
Buddy Miller is set to return to lead the Americana All-Star House Band for the upcoming Americana Honors & Awards ceremony, which will take place Sept. 21 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The all-star band will include Dave Cobb, Stuart Duncan, Fred Eltringham, Matt Rollings, Don Was, and The McCrary Sisters to play alongside those nominated for awards this year.
SESAC Writer Matt Willis Signs With Diamond Eye Music
Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Diamond Eye Music’s Chris Burch, Willis, Diamond Eye Music’s Alyssa Adams & Callie Benjamin, and SESAC’s Liz Cost. Photo: Peyton Hoge
SESAC-affiliated artist/songwriter Matt Willis has signed with Diamond Eye Music for publishing representation. Willis moved to Nashville from Navarre, Ohio, in 2008 to pursue a full-time career in songwriting. His song “Backseat Driver” was recorded by William Michael Morgan for the singer’s debut on Warner Bros. Records.
In Pictures: Post Monroe, Kenny Chesney, Ryan Follese, Blake Shelton
/by Jessica NicholsonPost Monroe Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
Pictured (L-R): Pete Fisher (Vice President, General Manager at Grand Ole Opry) Whitney Duncan, Shelby McLeod, Lorrie Morgan, Ashlee Hewitt. Photo: Chris Hollo
Trio Post Monroe recently made their Grand Ole Opry debut on June 18. The group performed their current single, “Red Hot American Summer” on the Opry stage, and were joined backstage by Opry member Lorrie Morgan.
Kenny Chesney Spreads The Love to 41,000 Fans In Milwaukee
Pictured (L-R): Dawn Faust, Columbia’s Shane Allen, KWNR Las Vegas JoJo Turnbeaugh, Rachel Houselander, WMIL Milwaukee Kerry Wolfe, Mary Turnbeaugh, Midwest Communication’s Jeff McCarthy, Kenny Chesney, Maurice Miner, Tom Baldrica, Columbia’s Bo Martinovich, and Morris-Higham’s Scot Michaels.
Kenny Chesney’s 14-stadium Spread the Love Tour continues spreading the records. Chesney brought his music to Milwaukee’s Miller Park with 41,342 members of the No Shoes Nation in attendance for Chesney’s show with Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and Old Dominion.
BMLG’s Ryan Follese Brings New Single to SiriusXM
Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group EVP Jimmy Harnen, SiriusXM Sr. Director of Programming J.R. Schumann, Ryan Follese, SiriusXM On-Air Personality Buzz Brainard and Switched On Entertainment President & CEO John Hamlin
Newly signed Big Machine Label Group artist Ryan Follese visited SiriusXM’s The Highway to celebrate the launch of his single “Float Your Boat.” The celebration continued that day at Nashville’s Margaritaville, with a special Happy Hour live performance.
Ryan Follese getting the weekend started while performing “Float Your Boat” for the Music Row Happy Hour crowd on SiriusXM’s The Highway.
Blake Shelton Welcomes Gwen Stefani For Country Jam Performance
Gwen Stefani helps Blake Shelton celebrate his 40th Birthday at 25th Anniversary Country Jam joining him onstage to perform their song “Go Ahead And Break My Heart.” Photo: Joshua Timmermans / Country Jam
Blake Shelton celebrated his 40th birthday with a performance at the 25th Anniversary Country Jam. During his two-hour set, he welcomed pop artist Gwen Stefani to perform their song “Go Ahead and Break My Heart,” featured on Shelton’s If I’m Honest album.
Farm Aid Reveals Lineup For Concert In Bristow, Virginia
/by Craig_ShelburneWillie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Alabama Shakes and Sturgill Simpson will headline Farm Aid 2016. The music and food festival will take place at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia, on Sept. 17.
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Jamey Johnson, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Carlene Carter and Insects vs Robots are also on the bill.
Tickets go on sale to the public on Monday (June 27).
“Folks are educating themselves about where and how food is grown—they’re hungry for the truth,” said Farm Aid President and Founder Willie Nelson. “Family farmers bring us good food, protect our soil and water, and strengthen our country. The Farm Aid concert is a day for us to honor that truth and keep working for family farmers.”
“Music and food have an incredible power to bring people together,” said Farm Aid executive director Carolyn Mugar. “Farm Aid is a day that illustrates the diversity and strength of the Good Food Movement. At Farm Aid 2016, we’ll join forces and raise our voices for a farm and food system that is good for people and communities, not just for the profits of a few.”
Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid’s annual concerts raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food.
Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $50 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.
Meghan Linsey Signs Management Deal With Pennington Entertainment
/by Craig_ShelburneMeghan Linsey. Photo:
Meghan Linsey, formerly of the duo Steel Magnolia and a contestant on The Voice, has signed with artist management company Pennington Entertainment.
Led by veteran music executive and CEO Shawn Pennington, the company also represents Thompson Square, Parmalee and newcomer Casee Allen.
“Meghan’s uniquely powerful, soulful, and distinctive voice have put her in a class all her own,” says Pennington. “There is incredible new music on the horizon and a soon-to-be announced opportunity that will highlight her amazing talents and extend her brand into a whole new space! Our team is honored that she chose Pennington Entertainment for her new home. We could not be more excited!”
“I am so thrilled to be working with Shawn and the Pennington Entertainment team,” says Linsey. “I have been doing everything independently for a while now, so it’s exciting to be able to focus more on the creative side of what I do. I believe that Shawn’s experience and knowledge of the business will only make myself and my small, creative team stronger. This feels like a great partnership and I’m looking forward to doing big things together.”
Musicians Corner Announces Summer 2016 Lineup
/by Jessica NicholsonBlind Boys of Alabama, Lera Lynn, Holly Williams, Robbie Fulks, Jon McLaughlin and more will be part of the Musicians Corner lineup for its Summer 2016 season, which will launch Saturday, Aug. 6. Additional summer season shows will follow on Aug. 13, 20, 27, and Sept. 3.
“We have not hosted events in August since 2010,” said John Tumminello, Executive Director. “We’re bringing back summertime music in the park with an incredible lineup of talented artists.”
Saturday, Aug. 6 will feature performances from Blind Boys of Alabama, AJ Ghent Band, Matt Brown and Dwan Hill. Aug. 13 will include a lineup of Lynn, McLaughlin, The Sisterhood (Alyssa Bonagura & Ruby Stewart), and The Daybreaks.
Williams, Tony Lucca, Christian Lopez Band and Mocha will perform Aug. 20, while Aug. 27 features the Logan’s Roadhouse Presents-ASCAP Artist Showcase, featuring Ruby Amanfu, Fulks, The Bundys and more.
Andrew Ripp and Vanderbilt Melodores are among the performers slated for Sept. 3.
Events will take place each day from noon to 5 p.m. in Musicians Corner’s permanent home in Centennial Park, and will include food trucks, Dogville activities and services, local artisans, Musicians Corner Pub, and Kidsville activities.
Musicians Corner’s Spring 2016 season continues on Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 with performances from The Jayhawks, Dom Flemons, Griffin House and more.