Sammy Arriaga performs for MusicRow staff.
Newcomer Sammy Arriaga has songwriter Monty Powell, Facebook, and the boldness that accompanies musical ambition to thank for his move to Nashville.
Arriaga auditioned for American Idol during Season 10, earning a “golden ticket” to Hollywood. Though he didn’t win that season, he did discover a passion for country music.
“It inspired me to pick up a guitar and teach myself to write songs,” said Arriaga. “I fell in love with the genre and I knew that Nashville was the heart of the genre.”
Sammy Arriaga and band members perform for MusicRow staff.
Arriaga dropped out of a college program in Winter Park, Florida, to pursue music on his own. He started by sending Facebook messages to several Nashville-area songwriters and publishers. Monty Powell, a songwriter and longtime Keith Urban collaborator, responded.
“He thought I had potential and said if I ever moved to Nashville, he would be glad to help out. That was enough for me,” said Arriaga.
Arriaga immediately packed and made the nearly 1,000-mile trip to Music City.
“I had never met the guy,” said Arriaga. “I grabbed my stuff, showed up in Nashville and direct-messaged him to say, ‘I’m here.’ He asked where I was staying, and I said ‘My car.’ He was like, ‘No, you’re crazy. Come stay at my place.’ He sent me his address and he guided me from that point on.”
The wager has been a successful one. Arriaga has since inked a deal with Los Angeles label Latium Records, and recorded the acoustic mixtape Banjos N’ Bongos, which blends the salsa and merengue sounds of his Cuban heritage with a bedrock of country music, and a splash of the urban and Top 40 songs he grew up with. Arriaga co-wrote every track, collaborating with writers including Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Aaron Scherz, and James Slater.
During a visit to MusicRow, Arriaga performed three tracks from the mixtape, including “Margarita Talk,” “Cuban,” “Cold In Miami,” and “Banjos N’ Bongos.”
Arriaga plans to bring some of his Latin-flavored style of country to the CMA Music Festival, when he performs on the Gildan Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe on June 10.
Banjos N’ Bongos is available at all digital retailers. Arriaga has signed a development deal with Sony Music Nashville and has been working with producer Dann Huff. He is booked by WME’s Kevin Neal.
Sammy Arriaga and his band with MusicRow staff.
Exclusive: Sammy Arriaga Blends Latin, Country On New Mixtape
/by Jessica NicholsonSammy Arriaga performs for MusicRow staff.
Newcomer Sammy Arriaga has songwriter Monty Powell, Facebook, and the boldness that accompanies musical ambition to thank for his move to Nashville.
Arriaga auditioned for American Idol during Season 10, earning a “golden ticket” to Hollywood. Though he didn’t win that season, he did discover a passion for country music.
“It inspired me to pick up a guitar and teach myself to write songs,” said Arriaga. “I fell in love with the genre and I knew that Nashville was the heart of the genre.”
Sammy Arriaga and band members perform for MusicRow staff.
Arriaga dropped out of a college program in Winter Park, Florida, to pursue music on his own. He started by sending Facebook messages to several Nashville-area songwriters and publishers. Monty Powell, a songwriter and longtime Keith Urban collaborator, responded.
“He thought I had potential and said if I ever moved to Nashville, he would be glad to help out. That was enough for me,” said Arriaga.
Arriaga immediately packed and made the nearly 1,000-mile trip to Music City.
“I had never met the guy,” said Arriaga. “I grabbed my stuff, showed up in Nashville and direct-messaged him to say, ‘I’m here.’ He asked where I was staying, and I said ‘My car.’ He was like, ‘No, you’re crazy. Come stay at my place.’ He sent me his address and he guided me from that point on.”
During a visit to MusicRow, Arriaga performed three tracks from the mixtape, including “Margarita Talk,” “Cuban,” “Cold In Miami,” and “Banjos N’ Bongos.”
Arriaga plans to bring some of his Latin-flavored style of country to the CMA Music Festival, when he performs on the Gildan Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe on June 10.
Banjos N’ Bongos is available at all digital retailers. Arriaga has signed a development deal with Sony Music Nashville and has been working with producer Dann Huff. He is booked by WME’s Kevin Neal.
Sammy Arriaga and his band with MusicRow staff.
‘Skyville Live’ Assembles Ace Guitarists Billy Gibbons, Orianthi, Frankie Ballard, Mike Henderson
/by Jessica NicholsonBilly Gibbons and Frankie Ballard. Photo: Getty Images
ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons was joined by fellow guitar slingers Frankie Ballard, Orianthi, ZZ Ward and Mike Henderson on Tuesday night (May 24) for the latest installment of Skyville Live.
Frankie Ballard. Photo: Getty Images
The intimate concert was recorded in full HD video before a studio audience in Nashville, and live-streamed via aol.com and go90.
Gibbons launched the evening, expertly performing renditions of “Treat Her Right” and “Got Love If You Want It.” Meanwhile, Ballard offered his singles “Cigarette” and “Young & Crazy,” followed by a cover of Jim Croce’s “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.”
ZZ Ward. Photo: Getty Images
Ward presented “Put the Gun Down” and a passionate rendition of the cautionary tale “Last Love Song” before settling behind the piano for “365 Days.”
Mike Henderson. Photo: Getty Images
Diverse musician and longtime Nashville player Henderson brought Gibbons back to the stage for “Pay Bo Diddley,” while Orianthi laid down plenty of tasty guitar lines on songs including a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child.”
Orianthi. Photo: Getty Images
Among the highlights were an all-star finale performance of the ZZ Top classic “Sharp Dressed Man.”
Maren Morris Makes Opry Debut, Receives Gold Plaque Backstage
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Ken Robold, EVP & COO, Sony Music Nashville; Pete Fisher, Vice President & General Manager, Grand Ole Opry; Maren Morris; Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment Group; Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville. Photo: Rachael Black/Grand Ole Opry.
Maren Morris performed “My Church” and “I Wish I Was” at her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday (May 21). Both songs are from her upcoming Columbia Nashville debut album, Hero, releasing on June 3.
Maren Morris. Photo: Rachael Black/Grand Ole Opry
Following her performance, her parents Kellie and Scott Morris presented her with a gold plaque for “My Church.” She will be a special guest on Keith Urban‘s Ripcord World Tour starting June 3 in Kansas City, Missouri. She is also scheduled to play CMA Music Festival on June 9.
Pictured (L-R): Kellie Morris, Maren Morris, Scott Morris. Photo: Rachael Black/Grand Ole Opry
Songwriter Ray Stephenson Exhibits Paintings At Bluebird Café
/by Craig_ShelburneRay Stephenson. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
The Bluebird Café has installed a new art exhibit featuring the work of Nashville songwriter Ray Stephenson. The exhibit features his paintings of legendary songwriters, both past and present.
Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
The paintings Stephenson selected – and in some instances specifically painted – for the walls of The Bluebird Café concentrate exclusively on renowned figures in songwriting history. Some of these esteemed songwriters – from Willie Nelson to John Prine – have actually played The Bluebird Café.
Pictured (L-R): Renee White, Tennessee State Museum; Ray Stephenson; Dane Gorman, speakcasting; Susan Heard and Jill Block, co-managers of Ray Stephenson. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
In addition to paintings of Nelson and Prine, the exhibit also features paintings of Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Townes Van Zandt, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Lennon & McCartney, Guy Clark and Johnny Cash.
Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Stephenson joined songwriter friends Buddy Owens and Steven Dale Jones on Friday (May 20) for an in-the-round performance and exhibit opening party.
Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
“Music and painting for me are both sides of the same coin. They both are lyrical, both involve singing, both tell stories, and reach inside and speak to others from what is coming from inside of me,” Stephenson explains. “It’s an incredible opportunity to share both sides of my creativity in one venue, The Bluebird Café, which is where I began my songwriting career many years ago.”
Ray Stephenson and Erika Wollam Nichols. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Bluebird Café GM Erika Wollam Nichols said, “These ‘heroes of song’ that Ray brings to life through his paintings represent the shoulders on which today’s songwriters stand. Having them here at The Bluebird is both an homage to musical history and an inspiration for the current generation of writers who play here today. His work not only portrays these iconic figures but also reflects their spirits and their characters, through his use of composite imagery and text, in a way that no photograph can duplicate.”
Steve Tolson and visual artist Rob Hendon. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Stephenson’s songwriting credits include the title tracks of Kenny Chesney’s Hemingway’s Whiskey and Blake Shelton’s Red River Blue.
Pictured (L-R): Tommy and Joyce Stephenson with son Ray Stephenson. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
WME Signs Country Duo Cross Atlantic
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Gail Gellman, Gellman Management; Joey Lee, WME; Karli Chayne, Cross Atlantic; James Sinclair Stott, Cross Atlantic; Risha Rodgers, WME; Greg Oswald, WME.
WME has signed new country duo Cross Atlantic for representation. Cross Atlantic includes singer-songwriters Karli Chayne of Nashville and James Sinclair Stott from the United Kingdom.
Cross Atlantic is managed by Gellman Management, which also represents Jennifer Nettles, Sugarland, Jim Lauderdale, Patty Smyth and Katelyn Clampett.
CMT Music Awards Reveal Hosts, “Work From Home” Mash-Up
/by Craig_ShelburneCMT has announced that sportscaster/TV personality Erin Andrews and football star J.J. Watt will host the 2016 CMT Music Awards, live on Wednesday, June 8 at 8 pm ET/PT from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
In addition, Cam and pop group Fifth Harmony will perform a pop-country mash-up of the group’s hit single, “Work From Home.”
Newly-added presenters include Dan+Shay, Charles Kelley, Kellie Pickler and Cole Swindell, as well as actors Rob Riggle and Vince Vaughn, and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick. Joey Lauren Adams and Madison Iseman of CMT’s upcoming series Still the King will also present. The series will debut on CMT on June 12. More performers and presenters will soon be announced.
Watt is known for his defense on the field with the Houston Texans. Andrews is recognized for her role as a FOX/Sports broadcaster and host of Dancing with the Stars. This marks Watt’s first time as host, while Andrews returns for a second consecutive year.
“I’m thrilled to come back to Nashville to co-host the CMT Music Awards,” said Andrews. “I had so much fun last year, and I can’t wait to see what antics J.J. and I will get into together. Plus, there’s nothing better than seeing my favorite country artists get recognized for their great work.”
“Having presented at the CMT Awards last year, I got a first-hand look at the energy and excitement of the event and I am very excited to be involved in a much larger capacity this year as co-host,” said Watt. “There are two things that I know about the people of Nashville…they love country music and they know how to throw a party. When you put those two things together, it makes for one heck of a night. I can’t wait to host the awards with Erin and be part of such a great night, honoring the biggest stars in country music.”
Fan voting continues until Monday, June 6 at 12:01 AM ET. On Wednesday, June 1, CMT will announce a brand-new surprise awards category.
Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood Will Host 50th Annual CMA Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will return as hosts for the 50th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 2 on ABC. The awards show will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Paisley and Underwood have hosted the annual awards ceremony since 2008.
Paisley announced the news during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday night, May 24. Announcements on Paisley’s and Underwood’s respective social media accounts followed.
“So excited I am returning to host The 50th Annual CMA Awards w/ @BradPaisley Nov 2 on @abcnetwork! #CMAawards50,” Underwood wrote on Instagram.
Paisley also shared the announcement, writing, “Last year they let me pull my pants down on national tv, I wonder what they will let me do this year @CarrieUnderwood… #CMAawards50 @cma.”
In Pictures: BMI Stage At Hangout Music Festival
/by Craig_ShelburneNow in its fourth year, the BMI stage at Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, showcases some of the best up-and-coming musicians in genres ranging from rock to hip-hop to indie pop and more. The stage this year, held May 20-22, was no different, featuring 12 acts from around the Southeast, including Nashville.
Pictured (L-R): Nina Carter, BMI; Jessy Wilson and Kallie North of Muddy Magnolias; Bradley Collins, BMI. Photo: Erika Goldring
Alicia Bognanno of Bully. Photo: Erika Goldring
Pictured (L-R): Sean O’Connell, Hangout Music Festival founder; Nina Carter, BMI. Photo: Erika Goldring
Blake Shelton Joins Stars For Second Harvest Show At Ryman
/by Jessica NicholsonBlake Shelton
Blake Shelton will be this year’s headliner at the 12th annual Stars For Second Harvest benefit, slated for Tuesday, June 7 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
The event is presented by O’Charley’s and hosted by songwriter Craig Wiseman, also founder of Big Loud Records and Big Loud Shirt. Wiseman and Shelton most recently collaborated on Shelton’s single “Came Here to Forget.” Wiseman also wrote Shelton’s hit singles “Boys ’Round Here,” “Hillbilly Bone,” “Green” (with George Teren) and “100 Miles” (with Chris Stapleton).
“Blake has always been a true friend and I’m ecstatic that he’s agreed to collaborate on making a difference in the lives of those struggling with hunger in Middle Tennessee by headlining this event and making it a party that our guests will never forget,” says Wiseman.
Shelton will headline after acoustic performances from previously announced special guests Chris Lane, Kane Brown and songwriters Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.
Stars For Second Harvest has raised nearly $900,000 in 11 years, providing more than 3.5 million meals to the one in seven Middle Tennesseans at risk of hunger and benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.
Tickets are on-sale now for $35 and $55 plus applicable service charges and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, Ryman box office, Ryman.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.
‘Now That’s What I Call Country Vol. 9’ Offers 18 Hits, Bonus Track
/by Jessica NicholsonOn June 10, Universal Music Group Nashville will release Now That’s What I Call Country Vol. 9, the latest installment in the popular NOW series.
Now That’s What I Call Country Vol. 9 includes 15 No. 1 singles from today’s most popular country hits, plus a bonus track from NOW’s What’s Next artist, Clare Dunn.
The project is a joint venture from Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, and is distributed by Universal Music Group.
Track Listing For Now That’s What I Call Country Volume 9
1. Luke Bryan, “Strip It Down”
2. Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time”
3. Carrie Underwood,”Smoke Break”
4. Cam, “Burning House”
5. Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”
6. Chris Young, “I’m Comin’ Over”
7. Kenny Chesney, “Save It For a Rainy Day”
8. Brad Paisley, “Country Nation”
9. Dierks Bentley, “Drunk on a Plane”
10. Granger Smith, “Backroad Song”
11. Chris Janson, “Buy Me a Boat”
12. Maddie & Tae, “Girl in a Country Song”
13. Kelsea Ballerini, “Dibs”
14. Jana Kramer, “I Got the Boy”
15. Brothers Osborne, “Stay a Little Longer”
16. Billy Currington, “Don’t It”
17. Old Dominion, “Break Up With Him”
18. Rascal Flatts, “I Like the Sound of That”
19. Clare Dunn, “Tuxedo