Dan + Shay have revealed the 10 songs to be included on their sophomore album, Obsessed, to be released June 3 on Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville. The announcement coincides with the Obsessed pre-order date and the unveiling of the album’s cover.
The duo of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney co-wrote eight of the album’s 10 tracks with collaborators like busbee, Jesse Frasure, Nicolle Galyon, Martin Johnson, Shane McAnally, Jimmy Robbins, Liz Rose and more. They co-wrote the lead single, “From the Ground Up,” with Chris DeStefano. In addition, Smyers co-produced the bulk of the album with Scott Hendricks. Smyers also co-produced two tracks with Johnson and one with Frasure.
The studio band included Bryan Sutton and Danny Rader on acoustic guitar, Jimmie Lee Sloas on bass, Gordon Mote on keys, piano and string arrangements, Derek Wells on electric guitar, Russ Pahl on pedal steel and Jim Horn on saxophone.
“There are still nights where I spend hours online or digging through stacks of albums to study the album liner notes,” said Smyers. “There were so many moments when we had these amazing musicians in the studio and I would find myself so immersed in the note or the moment that I would honestly find my fingers on autopilot recording the takes without me even remembering I had done so. We both have the upmost respect for these players and the fact that we could convince them to come play on this record made it an even more memorable experience.”
Dan + Shay will be the special guest on Darius Rucker’s tour this summer. Singles from the duo’s 2014 debut album, Where It All Began, include “19 You + Me,” “Show You Off” and “Nothin’ Like You.”
Track Listing For Obsessed:
1. “All Nighter” (Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins, David Hodges)
2. “Road Trippin’” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Martin Johnson)*
3. “From The Ground Up” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Chris DeStefano)
4. “Already Ready” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Shane McAnally, Jimmy Robbins)
5. “How Not To” (Adam Hambrick, Paul DiGiovanni, Kevin Bard)
6. “Lipstick” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Nicolle Galyon)
7. “Round The Clock” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Jesse Frasure, David Hodges)**
8. “Lately” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Martin Johnson)*
9. “Sway” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Liz Rose, busbee)
10. “Obsessed” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Nolan Lambroza, Breyan Isaac)
Obsessed was produced by Dan Smyers and Scott Hendricks
*Produced by Dan Smyers and Martin Johnson
**Produced by Dan Smyers and Jesse Frasure
Chris Young Tour Adds Dates, Openers, Official Sponsor
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Young will come over to quite a few more cities this year, as he announces the fall run of his 2016 I’m Comin’ Over Tour. The trek adds 25 shows, running from September through the end of the year. CASE Construction Equipment joins the tour as an official sponsor.
Dan + Shay will join the tour for 12 dates in September and October, while Dustin Lynch will perform on five of the dates in November and December. Young’s “Think Of You” duet partner Cassadee Pope, who provided support for the first leg of the tour, returns for all fall dates.
“I’ve been friends with Dan + Shay and Dustin Lynch for a while now, so to have them join me on tour and to have Cassadee back out with us again, it’s going to be a blast,” says Young.
Tickets for most dates on the I’m Comin’ Over Tour, presented by AEG Live, go on sale Friday (May 6) and can be purchased at aeglive.com and ChrisYoungCountry.com. A limited number of exclusive VIP packages will be available. These packages can include premium tickets, access to a Chris Young pre-show acoustic event, limited-edition merchandise and more.
Chris Young’s I’m Comin’ Over Tour Dates
Sept. 29: Bakersfield, California, Rabobank Arena
Sept. 30: Phoenix; Grand Canyon University Arena
Oct. 6: Lubbock, Texas; United Supermarkets Arena
Oct. 7: Las Cruces, New Mexico; Pan American Center
Oct. 13: Spokane, Washington; Spokane Arena
Oct. 14: Portland, Oregon; Theater of the Clouds at Moda Center
Oct. 15: Nampa, Idaho; Ford Idaho Center
Oct. 20: Park City, Kansas; Hartman Arena
Oct. 21: Kearney, Nebraska; Viaero Event Center
Oct. 22: Brookings, South Dakota; Swiftel Center
Oct. 27: Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Cambria County War Memorial
Oct. 28: Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Memorial Coliseum Expo Center
Oct. 29: Saginaw, Michigan; Dow Event Center
Nov. 10: Orlando, Florida; CFE Arena
Nov. 11: Hollywood, Florida; Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Nov. 12: St. Augustine, Florida; St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Nov. 17: Newark, Delaware; Bob Carpenter Center
Nov. 18: Salisbury, Maryland; Wicomico Youth & Civic Center
Nov. 19: Fayetteville, North Carolina; Crown Coliseum
Dec. 1: Kingston, Rhode Island; Ryan Center
Dec. 2: Portland, Maine; Cross Insurance Arena
Dec. 3: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
Dec. 8: Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Show Me Center
Dec. 9: Moline, Illinois; iWireless Center
Dec. 10: Lexington, Kentucky; Rupp Arena
Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton, Tim McGraw, Beyoncé Top Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonRoots-flavored music rules this week’s country album rankings. Chris Stapleton continues his tight rein on the country album rankings, with Traveller selling 25K this week (1.25 million to date). Sturgill Simpson‘s A Sailor’s Guide To Earth follows at No. 2, selling just over 13K.
Joey+Rory‘s Hymns collection lands at No. 3 with just over 11K sold (and 340K to date). Sam Hunt‘s Montevallo is at No. 4, with nearly 8K moved this week. Luke Bryan‘s Kill The Lights wraps the Top 5 country albums, with 7.4K sold.
On the overall albums rankings, Beyoncé rules with her project Lemonade debuting at No. 1 and selling more than 652K (485k album only), making the sixth Beyoncé project to debut atop the all-genre album rankings. Additionally, 10 Beyoncé tracks debuted in the Top 20, totaling 825K tracks sold.
The new project is not without some Nashville connections. Music City residents Jack White and vocalist Ruby Amanfu are credited on the Lemonade track “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” while Beyoncé adds some country flavor on the track “Daddy Lessons.”
On the digital country tracks listings, Tim McGraw stays at No. 1 this week with “Humble and Kind,” selling 35K and closing in on 500K RTD. Rounding out the Top 5 this week are Dierks Bentley‘s “Somewhere on a Beach” (28K), Maren Morris‘ “My Church” (27K), Thomas Rhett‘s “T-Shirt” (25K), and the Chris Young/Cassadee Pope duet “Think of You” (22K).
Cole Swindell‘s “Remember Boys” makes a solid debut, landing at No. 10 and selling 18K. Other notable debuts include The Voice contestant Adam Wakefield‘s “Lights” (No. 18, 12K) and Hillary Scott & The Scott Family‘s “Thy Will” (No. 22, 11K).
Overall, digital tracks are down 24.2 percent from this time last year, while country digital tracks sales are down 20.9 percent.
Keith Urban Confirms Free Nashville Show On May 9
/by Craig_ShelburneKeith Urban will give a free outdoor show at the Bridgestone Arena plaza on Monday, May 9, at noon.
It’s one of three fan events he’s scheduled to promote his new album, Ripcord, to be released Friday (May 6), on Capitol Records Nashville.
The performance will be held in partnership with the City of Nashville and offer numerous local food trucks.
“Keith is an asset to this city on every level,” said Butch Spyridon of The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “His talent as a singer, songwriter and musician is unquestionable and as a citizen he is a model for others to follow. He has given back time and time again and it is truly appreciated. While he is celebrating the release of his next great record, which is already a hit in our book, he is still giving back! We can’t say enough and it is an honor to help celebrate the album release by partnering with him for this event.
Other promotional appearances surrounding the album include a release party in New York City venue Stage 48 on Wednesday night. It will be streamed live on Tidal X.
Urban will also participate in an interview and performance at the 200-seat Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday. Billed as “Keith Urban: Inside the Songs of Ripcord,” the appearance will include intimate performances and stories behind the writing, producing and recording of the new album. Scott Goldman, Vice President of the Grammy Foundation and MusiCares, will serve as moderator.
“The Grammy Museum is thrilled to host Keith in our Clive Davis Theater,” said Bob Santelli, Executive Director of the Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE. “He’s one of our industry’s most prolific songwriters, insightful producers and most electrifying performers. He’s continued to break new ground through his music and that’s never been more apparent than on his new album Ripcord. It’s our honor to be hosting this one-time only event.”
Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt Win Multiple American Country Countdown Awards
/by Craig_ShelburneLuke Bryan claimed awards for Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year at the American Country Countdown Awards on Sunday night (May 1) at the Forum in Inglewood, California. The ceremony was broadcast on FOX.
In addition, Sam Hunt picked up awards for Breakthrough Album of the Year and Digital Album of the Year, for his project Montevallo.
Other winners included: Kelsea Ballerini, Breakthrough Female of the Year; Garth Brooks, Touring Artist of the Year; Florida Georgia Line, Group/Duo of the Year; Little Big Town, Digital Song of the Year (“Girl Crush”), and Old Dominion, Breakthough Group/Duo of the Year.
Additional awards included: Thomas Rhett, Song of the Year (“Die a Happy Man”), Chris Stapleton, Album of the Year (for Traveller), and Carrie Underwood, Female Artist of the Year.
Performers included Ballerini, Brooks & Dunn, Cam, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Hunt, Chris Janson, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Rhett, Cole Swindell and Underwood.
Presenters included Paula Abdul, Chase Bryant, Terry Crews, Cat Deeley, Sara Evans, Trent Harmon, Jana Kramer, Chris Lane, Maddie & Tae, Matthew McConaughey, Scotty McCreery, Reba McEntire, Nettles, Michael Ray, Canaan Smith, Luke Wilson and Dwight Yoakam.
The 2016 American Country Countdown Awards winners list:
Artist of the Year: Luke Bryan
Male Vocalist of the Year: Luke Bryan
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
Group/Duo of the Year: Florida Georgia Line
Breakthrough Male of the Year: Sam Hunt
Breakthrough Female of the Year: Kelsea Ballerini
Breakthrough Group/Duo of the Year: Old Dominion
Song of the Year: Thomas Rhett, “Die a Happy Man”
Album of the Year: Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Digital Song of the Year: Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”
Digital Album of the Year: Sam Hunt, Montevallo
Touring Artist of the Year: Garth Brooks
Troy Tomlinson Accepts Belmont University Award Of Excellence
/by Craig_ShelburneTroy Tomlinson gives a speech after accepting the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence. Photo: Belmont University/Evan Davies
Publishing executive Troy Tomlinson was presented the 2016 Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence from Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business on Tuesday (April 26).
Tomlinson is the President/CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville. He serves as the Chairman of the Tennessee Entertainment Commission and is on the boards of the Country Music Association, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Music City Music Council and Belmont University’s Board of Trustees.
Pictured (L-R): Troy Tomlinson, President/CEO, Sony/ATV Nashville; Doug Howard, Dean, Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. Photo: Belmont University/Evan Davies
The event was held at Belmont University’s Wedgewood Academic Center and was attended by Tomlinson’s industry peers, songwriters, Belmont faculty, friends and family. Curb College Dean, Doug Howard, presided over the event.
Howard commented, “Troy has worked with an unmatchable list of legendary songwriters, recording artists and music executives throughout his three-decade career on Nashville’s Music Row. His rise to the top is a product of hard work, great musical instincts and his universal reputation for serving the business community with honesty and integrity.”
Pictured (L-R): Sylvia Tomlinson, Troy Tomlinson, Katie Douglas and Tom Douglas. Photo: Belmont University/Evan Davies
Longtime music executive Jerry Bradley and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame songwriter Tom Douglas shared stories related to Tomlinson’s career and their experiences with him. Also included were video tributes by a number of Tomlinson’s songwriters including Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Brett Eldredge,Taylor Swift and Cole Swindell.
Tomlinson accepted the award by paying tribute to his many mentors from the past 30 years.
Pictured (L-R): Joe Galante, Mentor-In- Residence, Nashville Entrepreneur Center; Troy Tomlinson. Photo: Belmont University/Evan Davies
Tomlinson remarked, “Bob Mulloy loved songwriters, artists, musicians, engineers, producers and Belmont University. To receive an award named for him brings me great pleasure. I appreciate Dr. Fisher, Dean Howard and the entire Belmont team for their desire to equip and prepare young people for careers in the entertainment industry. Nashville is a better music center because of Belmont’s presence here.”
Live Nation Taps Dierks Bentley For National Concert Day Show
/by Jessica NicholsonDierks Bentley will be among the performers for Live Nation’s second annual National Concert Day show, set for May 3 at Live Nation’s Irving Plaza in New York City.
Other performers on the lineup include Wiz Khalifa, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and Cheap Trick, as well as special appearances from Nick Jonas, AWOLNATION, Goo Goo Dolls, Corey Taylor & Shawn “Clown” Crahan of Slipknot, Simon Kirke of Bad Company, and Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional, among others. Hoda Kotb of Today will also return as host of this year’s event.
Live Nation has also announced a $20 summer concert ticket offer, running from May 13 through May 20. Live Nation will off a special $20 ticket offer for nearly 1,o00 summer concerts. According to Live Nation, artists and concerts included in this offer will be announced in coming weeks through social media.
Industry Pics: Florida Georgia Line, Eric Paslay, Trailer Choir
/by Jessica NicholsonFlorida Georgia Line Gear Up For American Country Countdown Awards
Pictured (L-R): FGL’s Tyler Hubbard; Executive Producer Richard Godfrey; FGL’s Brian Kelley; Executive Producer Tom Forrest; Executive Producer Mark Bracco.
ACM Welcomes Eric Paslay
Pictured (L-R): Amanda Good, UMGN; Eric Paslay; Bob Romeo, Academy of Country Music; Rachel Silver, Red Light Management.
Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music welcomed EMI Records Nashville recording artist Eric Paslay to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Paslay performed his current single, “High Class,” and also previewed songs from his upcoming album Dressed in Black set to be released this summer.
Trailer Choir Visits SiriusXM
Pictured (L-R): S/XM’s The Highway’s PD JR Schumann, Trailer Choir’s Big Vinny, S/XM’s Buzz Brainard, Trailer Choir’s Butter.
Dan + Shay Release Track Listing, Album Art For ‘Obsessed’
/by Craig_ShelburneDan + Shay have revealed the 10 songs to be included on their sophomore album, Obsessed, to be released June 3 on Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville. The announcement coincides with the Obsessed pre-order date and the unveiling of the album’s cover.
The duo of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney co-wrote eight of the album’s 10 tracks with collaborators like busbee, Jesse Frasure, Nicolle Galyon, Martin Johnson, Shane McAnally, Jimmy Robbins, Liz Rose and more. They co-wrote the lead single, “From the Ground Up,” with Chris DeStefano. In addition, Smyers co-produced the bulk of the album with Scott Hendricks. Smyers also co-produced two tracks with Johnson and one with Frasure.
The studio band included Bryan Sutton and Danny Rader on acoustic guitar, Jimmie Lee Sloas on bass, Gordon Mote on keys, piano and string arrangements, Derek Wells on electric guitar, Russ Pahl on pedal steel and Jim Horn on saxophone.
“There are still nights where I spend hours online or digging through stacks of albums to study the album liner notes,” said Smyers. “There were so many moments when we had these amazing musicians in the studio and I would find myself so immersed in the note or the moment that I would honestly find my fingers on autopilot recording the takes without me even remembering I had done so. We both have the upmost respect for these players and the fact that we could convince them to come play on this record made it an even more memorable experience.”
Dan + Shay will be the special guest on Darius Rucker’s tour this summer. Singles from the duo’s 2014 debut album, Where It All Began, include “19 You + Me,” “Show You Off” and “Nothin’ Like You.”
Track Listing For Obsessed:
1. “All Nighter” (Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins, David Hodges)
2. “Road Trippin’” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Martin Johnson)*
3. “From The Ground Up” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Chris DeStefano)
4. “Already Ready” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Shane McAnally, Jimmy Robbins)
5. “How Not To” (Adam Hambrick, Paul DiGiovanni, Kevin Bard)
6. “Lipstick” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Nicolle Galyon)
7. “Round The Clock” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Jesse Frasure, David Hodges)**
8. “Lately” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Martin Johnson)*
9. “Sway” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Liz Rose, busbee)
10. “Obsessed” (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Nolan Lambroza, Breyan Isaac)
Obsessed was produced by Dan Smyers and Scott Hendricks
*Produced by Dan Smyers and Martin Johnson
**Produced by Dan Smyers and Jesse Frasure
Jerrod Niemann Issues Single With Curb Labelmate Lee Brice
/by Craig_ShelburneJerrod Niemann released “A Little More Love,” a duet with Lee Brice, on iTunes on Friday (April 29). The duet will be the lead single from Niemann’s upcoming album on Curb Records, which is also Brice’s label home. Curb Records announced in March that Niemann has signed to the label.
Niemann is co-producing the album with Jimmy Lee Sloas. “A Little More Love” was written by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Natalie Hemby and Kristi Neumann.
Brice and Niemann have been friends since 2002 and written songs together, including the track “Shinin’ on Me” from Niemann’s Free The Music project, as well as “You’ll Always Be Beautiful,” recorded by Blake Shelton). However, the recording marks the first music they have released collaboratively.
“Lee and I have always talked about recording some music together,” Niemann said. “We hope this tune will have our fans smiling and singing along with their windows down and the radio up all summer long!”
IEBA Elects Jbeau Lewis To Board, Appoints David Boyer As Treasurer
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Jbeau Lewis, David Boyer
Members of the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) have elected Jbeau Lewis, Agent at United Talent Agency (UTA), to their Board of Directors.
In addition, David Boyer, Associate Business Manager at Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy, has been appointed IEBA Treasurer.
Lewis is a music agent at UTA, where he represents established and emerging recording artists. Lewis works with a broad range of UTA music and touring clients that spans multiple genres and includes Mariah Carey, Kanye West, DJ Khaled, Rachel Platten, Flo Rida, LANY, and The Smashing Pumpkins. In addition, Lewis played a key role in UTA’s 2015 acquisition of The Agency Group, the world’s largest independent music agency.
Prior to UTA, Lewis spent 11 years in the music department at CAA. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in English.
Lewis will serve the remainder of the term of outgoing director Kevin Neal of WME.
Boyer is a business manager at Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy, where he guides the business and financial affairs of The Black Keys, Eli Young Band, Sam Hunt, Scotty McCreery, and Andrew Bird, among others.
Before beginning his work at FBMM in 2001, Boyer was a signed recording artist. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy. He has served as Treasurer for the Nashville Film Festival and was a member of Leadership Music’s Class of 2013.
IEBA will host its 46th Annual Conference from Oct. 9-11 at the Omni Nashville and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.