CMA Music Festival today announced the addition of two new stages for this year’s event, running June 9-12. New in 2016 are the AT&T Skyview Stage and Budweiser Acoustic Stage, both located at Ascend Amphitheater. This brings the total number of stages to 11.
To celebrate the amphitheater, which opened in 2015, CMA is hosting a free Kick-Off Concert and Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, June 8 (11 a.m.). The Opening Ceremonies will be hosted by Chris Young and feature appearances by the Mayor of Nashville Megan Barry, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and Metro Nashville Public Schools students who have benefited from funds generated by the Festival.
Immediately following the Opening Ceremonies the party continues with the CMA Music Festival Kick Off Concert featuring SiriusXM Highway Finds artists including Frankie Ballard, Clare Dunn, High Valley, Steve Moakler, William Michael Morgan, Old Dominion, Michael Ray, Aubrie Sellers, and Kalie Shorr.
Scheduled to appear on the AT&T Skyview Stage as part of the festival are Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots and “The Wonderful Women of Country” (Danielle Bradbery, Lindsay Ell, Jana Kramer, Maddie & Tae, Cassadee Pope, Hillary Scott, Lucie Silvas, Natalie Stovall). Tracy Lawrence and Friends will feature John Berry, T. Graham Brown, John Michael Montgomery, Lorrie Morgan, and T.G. Sheppard. Also on the line up are Marshall Tucker Band and Friends; Sara Evans; Ashley Monroe; Music City Hit-Makers; Shenandoah; Sister Hazel; and The Oak Ridge Boys.
The Budweiser Acoustic Stage, also at Ascend Amphitheater, will offer intimate performances by Seth Alley, Carlton Anderson, Chris Bandi, Rylie Bourne, Jeston Cade, Hannah Dasher, Hannah Ellis, Lacy Green, Emily Hackett, Kree Harrison, Jillian Jacqueline, Like Strangers, Hunter Phelps, Post Monroe, Jameson Rodgers, Brent Rupard, Shelley Skidmore, CJ Solar, and Mitchell Tenpenny.
Also new to the Festival this year, the Budweiser Country Club is a three-story structure located in Fan Alley. The open-air space features two 20-foot bars.
Artists and schedule subject to change.
Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett To Host ‘CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock’
/by Jessica NicholsonBrett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett. Photo: Craig Sjodin/ABC
Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett are not only set to perform at this year’s CMA Music Festival, but the two country stars will host ABC Television Network’s CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock, which will air Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. ET.
The three-hour special will be executive-produced by Robert Deaton.
Filmed during CMA Music Festival June 9-12, the special features numerous top country artists as they perform during the four-day celebration. The CMA Music Festival features live music on 11 stages, more than 500 artists and celebrities, and a guest list of 87,000 fans.
“I’ve played my heart out on every size stage at CMA Fest, from the crowds of 20 to the big stadium, because I love the energy of the festival and the country music fans so much,” said Eldredge. “And now I get to host the whole thing with one of my best pals. You can’t beat that!”
“As a fan, CMA Music Fest was always the biggest event of the year for me. Some of my favorite memories are me and my buddies sitting in the nosebleeds watching our heroes play,” added Rhett. “It’s surreal and a huge honor to be hosting and performing on this stage.”
Watch the hosting duo test their interview skills in the video below.
Artist Updates: Big & Rich, Drew Scott, John Michael Montgomery, Kree Harrison, CJ Solar
/by Jessica NicholsonBig & Rich, Property Brothers‘ Drew Scott Team With Ally Financial
Ally Financial has teamed with artists including Big & Rich and singer/songwriter and Property Brothers‘ star Drew Scott to promote the release of the company’s new app, Splurge Alert. The app is designed to help consumers better identify and manage their spending habits, by asking users to identify stores and areas where they tend to overspend and then select friends and/or family who can help them avoid overspending pitfalls. The app uses geolocation technology to determine when users approach a “splurge zone,” and then sends an alert message to a designated buddy in hopes that they will lure the user away from the problem area.
Scott and Big & Rich have signed on to test Splurge Alert and share how they spend their money through a series of unique videos and social media posts.
John Michael Montgomery Performs During American Veterans Center’s National Memorial Day Parade
John Michael Montgomery performed his 2004 hit “Letters From Home” during the American Veterans Center’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday in Washington, D.C.
More than 1,000 active duty military personnel participated in the event, which was aired nationally on REELZ Channel and Armed Forces Radio Network.
The Shotgun Seat To Host Charity Songwriter Event Featuring Kree Harrison, CJ Solar
The event aids Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and guests are asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the organization. Tickets are $10 and available at 3rdandlindsley.com or at the door on the day of the performance.
Mark Your Calendar — June 2016
/by Eric T. ParkerSingle Add Dates
Shane Owens/Country Never Goes Out Of Style/AmeriMonte Records
Chris Young/Sober Saturday Night/RCA Nashville
Cassadee Pope/Summer/Republic Nashville
Joe Nichols/Undone/Red Bow Records
Stephanie Quayle/Drinking With Dolly/Rebel Engine
Darryl Worley/Rainmaker/Worleybird Records
Jake Gill/Cricket Serenade
June 13
Gary Allan/Do You Wish It Was Me/EMI Nashville
Mindy Miller/Lie To Me/Stanley Music Group
Thompson Square/You Make It Look So Good/Stoney Creek
Madison Station/Back In The Day/ABM Music
Cody Johnson/With You I Am/CoJo
Peyton Davis/Nowhere America/Carole Davis Music
June 20
Old Dominion/Song For Another Time/RCA Nashville
Dannie Marie/Countin’ Down Summertime
SaraBeth/You Rock My Rodeo/Circle S Records
Album Releases
The Henningsens/World’s On Fire
June 3
Maren Morris/Hero/Columbia Nashville
Dan + Shay/Obsessed/Warner Bros.-Warner Music Nashville.
Cassadee Pope/Summer [EP]/Republic Nashville
Craig Morgan/A Whole Lot More to Me/Black River Entertainment
John Berry/What I Love The Most/Mansion Entertainment-Sony RED
Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen/Watch This/Lil’ Buddy Toons
June 10
Little Big Town/Wanderlust/Capitol Records Nashville
Brandy Clark/Big Day In A Small Town/Warner Bros. Records
Frankie Ballard/El Rio/Warner Bros. Records-Warner Music Nashville
Drew Baldridge/Dirt On Us/Cold River Records
Kris Kristofferson/The Complete Monument & Columbia Album Collection/Legacy-Sony
Tara Thompson/Someone To Take Your Place [EP]/Valory Music Co.
Various/Now That’s What I Call Country Vol. 9/Universal Music Group Nashville
Dwight Yoakam/Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day [2-side single]/Third Man Records
June 17
Jon Pardi/California Sunrise/Capitol Records Nashville
Derik Hultquist/Southern Iron/Carnival Music-Thirty Tigers
Kris Kristofferson/The Cedar Creek Sessions
LOCASH/The Fighters/Reviver Records
Industry Events
54th annual Swan Ball
June 8
The 2016 CMT Music Awards air live from Bridgestone Arena at 8 p.m. ET.
June 9
June 9-12
June 13-15
Gospel Music Association IMMERSE 2016 conference at Lipscomb University
June 16
A2IM’s fifth annual Libera Awards at Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom
June 21
BMI Christian Awards
June 22
Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards ceremony at the Omni Nashville Hotel
June 23-25
Summer NAMM
June 29
MusicRow Awards at BMI (invitation only)
Country Music Hall of Fame’s Special Programming During CMA Music Fest
/by Sarah SkatesJust added signings include visits with Mark Chesnutt, Dan + Shay, Brenda Lee, Lonestar and Charley Pride. These artists join an already packed week of activity that includes an appearance by Blake Shelton in support of the new exhibition Blake Shelton: Based on a True Story, supported by SunTrust, as well as appearances by Gary Allan, Bill Anderson, Brandy Clark, Mickey Guyton, Oak Ridge Boys, RaeLynn, Aubrie Sellers and more. The museum will also host the only Nashville book signing with Scotty McCreery, who will be signing copies of Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream.
In addition, visitors will get a first look at the newest installation of the museum’s ACM Gallery, including artifacts representing today’s hottest country artists such as Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town.
Charlie Daniels, a 2016 inductee of the Country Music Hall of Fame, will share stories of his career on the Close Up Stage at Fan Fair X located in the Music City Center on June 9 at 1:15 p.m.
For a complete schedule of Music Fest at the Hall, presented by Comcast, visit countrymusichalloffame.org/musicfestatthehall.
Show Dog Nashville Signs Waterloo Revival
/by Jessica NicholsonFront Row (L-R): Waterloo Revival’s Cody Cooper, Toby Keith, Waterloo Revival’s George Birge. Back Row (L-R): TKO Artist Management’s TK Kimbrell, Show Dog Nashville General Manager George Nunes, Show Dog Nashville VP Promotion Rick Moxley
Show Dog Nashville founder Toby Keith has announced the addition of country duo Waterloo Revival to the label. Originally from Austin, Texas, the duo includes lead singer/guitarist George Birge as well as singer/guitarist Cody Cooper.
The duo was previously signed with Big Machine Records.
“I heard their music and thought man, they would be great on Show Dog,” says Keith. “I haven’t signed any bands in a long time and they inspired me to start doing that again.”
“Toby Keith has been a massive influence on both of us through his music and through his regard for others. He is the rare breed of superstar who remains grounded in his roots,” say Birge and Cooper. “The opportunity to work with and learn from him as well as his team and the entire Show Dog family is something we could not be more excited about.”
Waterloo Revival is managed by TKO Artist Management, and joins the existing Show Dog Nashville roster including Toby Keith and Krystal Keith.
Valory Music Co. Names Adam Burnes As Midwest Director, Marketing & Promotion
/by Jessica Nicholson“We’re excited to be adding Adam to the Valory team,” said Briner. “He comes to us with years of radio experience and a huge knowledge and passion for music. A great combination to enter the world of music promotion. Be prepared to Fear The Beard!”
“The Valory Music Co. has created an environment and track record that I just had to be a part of,” said Burnes. “Hit artists, #1 singles, exciting new music… I can’t wait to get started!”
Burnes has spent 22 years in radio programming for a variety of formats, including Country, Top 40, Hot AC, Rhythmic CHR and Active Rock. He will be based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and can be reached at adam.burnes@valorymail.com.
Sony/ATV, Carole-Ann Mobley Sign Josh Martin
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Attorney Scott Safford, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran, Carole-Ann Mobley, Josh Martin, Attorney Matthew Beckett, Sony/ATV’s Hannah Williams
Sony/ATV and Carole-Ann Mobley have jointly signed singer-songwriter Josh Martin to a worldwide publishing contract. Martin, a Kentucky native, moved to Nashville in 2013.
Martin said, “There was an overwhelming feeling of joy and excitement when Carole-Ann and I met with the Sony/ATV team for the first time. Now, going to work every day in Music City knowing that I have some of the most well respected and experienced professionals on my team is huge motivation for me to continue to hone in my craft and strive for great things! I’m super excited to see what the future has in store for us and am confident that with Carole-Ann and Sony/ATV working together, there will be no boundaries.”
Mobley remarked, “I’m incredibly excited to get to partner with my friends at Sony/ATV. We have had tremendous success together over the years and I am confident we will again with Josh. I wanted to create the right team that felt the immediate passion that I did when I first heard Josh sing. Not only is he an incredible musician and gifted vocalist, he also has something special to say as a songwriter. Tom, Hannah, Josh, Troy and rest of the team are the exact right fit for us.”
Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran stated, “The first time Carole-Ann played me some of Josh’s demos I was blown away. His rich tone and his unique lyrics grabbed me and never let go. I am looking forward to working with Carole-Ann on this musical journey. She adds her impressive experience and expertise to the mix for a perfect combination.”
CMA Music Festival Adds Two Stages at Ascend Amphitheater
/by Sarah SkatesTo celebrate the amphitheater, which opened in 2015, CMA is hosting a free Kick-Off Concert and Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, June 8 (11 a.m.). The Opening Ceremonies will be hosted by Chris Young and feature appearances by the Mayor of Nashville Megan Barry, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and Metro Nashville Public Schools students who have benefited from funds generated by the Festival.
Immediately following the Opening Ceremonies the party continues with the CMA Music Festival Kick Off Concert featuring SiriusXM Highway Finds artists including Frankie Ballard, Clare Dunn, High Valley, Steve Moakler, William Michael Morgan, Old Dominion, Michael Ray, Aubrie Sellers, and Kalie Shorr.
Scheduled to appear on the AT&T Skyview Stage as part of the festival are Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots and “The Wonderful Women of Country” (Danielle Bradbery, Lindsay Ell, Jana Kramer, Maddie & Tae, Cassadee Pope, Hillary Scott, Lucie Silvas, Natalie Stovall). Tracy Lawrence and Friends will feature John Berry, T. Graham Brown, John Michael Montgomery, Lorrie Morgan, and T.G. Sheppard. Also on the line up are Marshall Tucker Band and Friends; Sara Evans; Ashley Monroe; Music City Hit-Makers; Shenandoah; Sister Hazel; and The Oak Ridge Boys.
The Budweiser Acoustic Stage, also at Ascend Amphitheater, will offer intimate performances by Seth Alley, Carlton Anderson, Chris Bandi, Rylie Bourne, Jeston Cade, Hannah Dasher, Hannah Ellis, Lacy Green, Emily Hackett, Kree Harrison, Jillian Jacqueline, Like Strangers, Hunter Phelps, Post Monroe, Jameson Rodgers, Brent Rupard, Shelley Skidmore, CJ Solar, and Mitchell Tenpenny.
Also new to the Festival this year, the Budweiser Country Club is a three-story structure located in Fan Alley. The open-air space features two 20-foot bars.
Artists and schedule subject to change.
In Pictures: Carrie Underwood, Dustin Lynch, Camp NASH
/by Jessica NicholsonCarrie Underwood Wraps Spring Leg Of ‘The Storyteller Tour’
Carrie Underwood’s The Storyteller Tour. Photo: Steve Jennings
Arista Nashville artist Carrie Underwood wrapped the spring leg of The Storyteller Tour last night in London, Ontario, Canada. The tour rolled in to 47 cities as well as seven different countries, playing to nearly 600,000 people since launching Jan. 30 in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to stops in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, St. Louis, Denver, Phoenix, San Antonio, Houston, Chicago and more, Underwood traveled overseas to play in Sweden, Norway, Scotland, England, and Ireland as part of Country to Country (C2C), Europe’s biggest country music festival.
The tour will resume Aug. 31 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Carrie Underwood’s The Storyteller Tour. Photo: Jeff Johnson
Dustin Lynch Launches Clothing Line ‘Stay Country’
Dustin Lynch. Photo: Ford Fairchild
Broken Bow Records artist Dustin Lynch has launched the new clothing line Stay Country. The line features apparel for men and women, as well as hats, koozies, and flags.
“Stay Country isn’t just a brand, it’s a lifestyle,” says Lynch. “It’s where I grew up. It’s home to the rivers I’ve fished, the deer stands I’ve perched, and the dirt roads I’ve roamed. It inspired Stay Country.”
CAMP Nash Held At Fontanel Nashville
Pictured (L-R): Mike McVay, SVP Content & Programming, Cumulus/Westwood One; Blair Garner, co-host, America’s Morning Show; Kelly Ford, co-host, America’s Morning Show; Tasha Blasi, SVP Sales & Marketing, NASH; Chuck Wicks, co-host, America’s Morning Show/ Camp NASH MC and performer.
Cumulus Media/Westwood One held Camp NASH, a music festival to benefit The Special Forces Charitable Trust, at Fontanel Nashville over Memorial Day weekend. The Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater offered performances from Big & Rich, Thompson Square, Parmalee, Chuck Wicks (co-host of America’s Morning Show and MC of Camp NASH), RaeLynn, and Breaking Southwest.
RaeLynn performs at Camp NASH
Big & Rich perform at Camp NASH
Dylan Scott Sets Album Release Date, Ties The Knot
/by Sarah SkatesDylan Scott will release his self-titled debut album Aug. 12 on Curb Records. The artist recently announced the album release date, as well as his new single “My Girl,” and his wedding.
The self-titled album features 13 songs, seven of which were co-written by Scott. “All the songs on this album are me,” he says. “They are a direct reflection of my life. It’s a special time for me to launch a new single, a new album, and get married all in the same weekend!”
Scott’s most recent single was “Crazy Over Me.” It was the follow-up to his successful debut single, “Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy.”
The rising artist was an opener on Lee Brice’s Life Off My Years Tour, and was also highlighted as one of Spotify’s Spotlight on 2016 Country Artists.