The Nashville Symphony and the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, have ratified a new contract, completing the restoration of musicians’ salaries to their 2013 levels by early 2018. The agreement was reached three months ahead of schedule and will go into effect Aug. 1.

“Over the past three years, our institution has made tremendous strides in restoring the Nashville Symphony to fiscal vitality,” said board chair James C. Seabury III. “None of this would have been possible without the collaboration and cooperation of our orchestra musicians, who have made enormous sacrifices on behalf of the entire institution.”

The new agreement provides for a 4.5 percent increase to the musicians’ base salaries for the 2016-17 season and provides two additional increases totaling 5.3 percent for the 2017-18 season. In addition, the contract provides for restoring one second violin position to the ensemble in the second year of the agreement.

“The musicians of the Nashville Symphony have worked very hard over the past few years and continue to excel,” said AFM Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy. “This agreement is a step in the right direction as we continue to work toward getting the Nashville Symphony musicians to the pay level their artistic achievements deserve.”

Nashville Symphony President and CEO Alan Valentine said, “Together we have achieved things that many would never have thought possible: the building of a world-class concert hall, eight Grammy Awards, two critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall performances, and much more. Working with the musicians of our orchestra is one of the most gratifying parts of my job, and I am utterly thrilled about the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Laura Ross, violinist and union steward, affirmed the cooperative spirit between the orchestra musicians and management. “The cordial atmosphere during negotiations was welcome, and this agreement is validation that our hard work and continued excellence are appreciated. We are proud to represent Music City, and it is gratifying to know that our community supports our efforts.”

Florida Georgia Line released a new single titled “H.O.L.Y.” to country radio on Friday (April 29). It’s the lead single from their third album, Dig Your Roots, which is scheduled for a summer release on Big Machine Label Group.

The duo’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley once again enlisted longtime collaborator Joey Moi to produce the single, which was written by busbee, Nate Cyphert and William Larsen.

“We really put in the time making sure this song was the strongest it could be and we’re pushing ourselves on all levels: vocally, lyrically, melodically,” said Kelley. “I promise the fans, the wait was worth it.”

Hubbard added, “As we continue to grow and mature in our lives, we really wanted our music to start reflecting those changes. ‘H.O.L.Y.’ definitely lets the fans see a deeper side to us and we’re excited about this next chapter.”

Florida Georgia Line is currently on their Dig Your Roots Tour, which runs through October. In addition, the duo shot a music video for “H.O.L.Y.” on location at The Twelve Apostles, just outside of Melbourne, Australia. Their wives, Brittney Cole Kelley and Hayley Hubbard, also appear in the video. The project premiered on Vevo on Friday.

Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles and Cam will kick off the 2016 American Country Countdown Awards. The trio will take the stage together for the first time, performing McBride’s 2003 hit, “This One’s For the Girls.”

“I always look forward to singing this song because it resonates with so many different people of all different ages,” said McBride. “With Jennifer and Cam joining me for the first time, the song will be even more fun and I’m so happy we’ll be performing this together.”

The two-hour show will also feature performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Cam, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Chris Janson, Martina McBride, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, and Toby Keith’s tribute to Merle Haggard, with Haggard’s longtime band the Strangers.

The American Country Countdown Awards will air live from the Forum in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, May 1 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Jennifer Nettles Performs For Big Machine Rocks

Jennifer Nettles performed during the second installment of the Big Machine Rocks event in Nashville earlier this week, as part of a long-term collaboration between Big Machine Label Group and leading live content retailer HSN. Nettles debuted songs from Playing With Fire, due May 13 on Big Machine Records,. She treated audiences to signature hits and spoke about her career throughout the special.

 

Parmalee Meets With CMT Team

Stoney Creek Records group Parmalee met with CMT executives and staffers this week to preview their upcoming single “Roots,” the lead single from their upcoming sophomore album.

 

Native Run Member Engaged To Former Edens Edge Member

Native Run singer Rachel Beauregard is engaged to former Edens Edge member Dean Berner. “We’re so excited to share our happiness all our family, friends, and loved ones around the world and elsewhere,” said Berner via social media. “We’re so excited and are currently celebrating over our favorite and most important meal of the day, breakfast. So to sum it up…love and breakfast. But the greatest of these is LOVE!”

 

Songwriter, America’s Got Talent Performer Marty Brown Makes Ryman Auditorium Debut

Singer-songwriter Marty Brown made his debut performance at the Ryman Auditorium earlier this month.

Brown penned Tracy Byrd‘s 1998 hit “I’m From The Country,” as well as “When I Stop Loving You” for Trace Adkins. Brown also appeared on Season 8 of America’s Got Talent, where he performed a rendition of the Bob Dylan classic “Make You Feel My Love.”

Brown has worked with Keith Stegall‘s Dreamlined Entertainment to release a recording of “Make You Feel My Love.”