The lineup of performers for the series of free concerts at The Park Stage at Nashville’s Walk of Fame Park during CMA Music Festival has been revealed. More than 40 artists will perform during the free concerts on June 9-12, beginning Thursday, June 9 at 10:30 a.m. and running each day until approximately 5 p.m.
Confirmed artists include: Lauren Alaina, Keith Anderson, Drew Baldridge, Tucker Beathard, Big Smo, Kristian Bush, Ashley Campbell, Chris Carmack, Jason Michael Carroll, Russell Dickerson, Drake White and the Big Fire, Clare Dunn, Lindsay Ell, Emerson Drive, Andy Griggs, Halfway to Hazard, Ty Herndon, JT Hodges, Jack Ingram, Ryan Kinder, Natalie Stovall and The Drive, Native Run, Mo Pitney, RaeLynn, Julie Roberts, Maggie Rose, Lucie Silvas, Jamie Lynn Spears, The Swon Brothers, Josh Thompson, Tara Thompson, Chuck Wicks, Mark Wills, and Brett Young.
Also joining the lineup with their debut performances at CMA Fest are Luke Combs, Crowder, Mickey Guyton, Aubrie Sellers, and The Sheepdogs.
This year, video screens will return as part of The Park Stage experience, allowing fans a closer view of the performers.
“We consistently seek to improve the experience for fans at CMA Music Festival. This year The Park Stage will feature a new configuration to accompany the video walls and state of the art production,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The Park Stage has always been a fan favorite and with this year’s lineup we are taking it to the next level.”
James Robert Webb Releases ‘Pictures’ On Bison Creek Records
/by Jessica NicholsonCountry singer/songwriter James Robert Webb has released the Bison Creek Records project Pictures, featuring the single, “How That Feels.” The 11-track album was co-produced by Webb and songwriter/musician Daniel Kleindienst.
“When I started making this album two years ago, I had a couple of goals. I wanted to make this a full-length album with enough songs about real life so that fans can really hear who I am as an artist and writer. Above all else, I wanted the soul of this album to be and to sound country,” Webb explains.
He adds, “It has been an inspiring journey and I have to thank God, my fans and my family for it. I’m thunderstruck to think that as an indie artist, I have already debuted on Billboard and had a top 40 hit at MusicRow [CountryBreakout Chart]. To me that’s pretty astonishing. If it wasn’t for the radio stations playing and fans requesting the songs, I wouldn’t have the amazing success we’ve already been blessed with.”
The Tulsa-based singer is also a physician. He established MusicCan, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation designed to support music education among children and strengthen his longtime commitment of giving back.
Track Listing for Pictures:
1. “Party In The Barn”
2. “Makin’ Love Tonight”
3. “Absotively Posilutely”
4. “1865”
5. “Pictures”
6. “Put It In Drive”
7. “Book Of Me”
8. “All I See”
9. “Daddy Made A Million”
10. ” Know You”
11. “How That Feels”
Dan + Shay To Release Sophomore Album On June 3
/by Jessica NicholsonDan+Shay
Duo Dan + Shay will released their sophomore album, Obsessed, on June 3 via Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville.
“The idea for the album title, Obsessed, came directly from our fans,” shares Dan Smyers.
“Our fans know we live on social media both when we’re in and out of the studio, and we started noticing that hashtag ‘#obsessed’ being tagged in all our fans’ posts when we first revealed our single, ‘From The Ground Up,’” Shay Mooney adds. “So when it came time to pick a title for this album, it seemed pretty appropriate that we’re even more obsessed with making music for our fans than they are to hear it.”
“From The Ground Up,” the first single off of Obsessed, is Top 30 on country radio and climbing. Written by the pair along with Chris DeStefano and co-produced by Smyers and Scott Hendricks, the track has already accumulated more than 8 million streams.
Earlier this month, the duo earned American Country Countdown Award nominations for Group/Duo of the Year and Breakthrough Group/Duo of the Year, as well as a nod from the Radio Disney Music Awards for their No. 1 hit single, “Nothin’ Like You.” With their debut album, Where It All Began, producing three Top 40 singles, Dan + Shay have sold an excess of 1.6 million tracks, over 400,000 album equivalents and racked up more 140 million streams in addition to their 30 million YouTube views. They also earned platinum certification from the RIAA for their debut single, “19 You + Me.”
MusicRow magazine, which named the pair one of their Next Big Thing artists of 2016, declared, “Dan + Shay are equipped to be superstars, possessing the unbeatable combination of musical talent, good looks and outgoing charm.”
Dan + Shay are currently on the road and will join Darius Rucker on his Good for a Good Time Tour this summer, kicking off on June 3 in Tampa, Florida.
CMA Music Festival Reveals Lineup For Free Concerts
/by Jessica NicholsonConfirmed artists include: Lauren Alaina, Keith Anderson, Drew Baldridge, Tucker Beathard, Big Smo, Kristian Bush, Ashley Campbell, Chris Carmack, Jason Michael Carroll, Russell Dickerson, Drake White and the Big Fire, Clare Dunn, Lindsay Ell, Emerson Drive, Andy Griggs, Halfway to Hazard, Ty Herndon, JT Hodges, Jack Ingram, Ryan Kinder, Natalie Stovall and The Drive, Native Run, Mo Pitney, RaeLynn, Julie Roberts, Maggie Rose, Lucie Silvas, Jamie Lynn Spears, The Swon Brothers, Josh Thompson, Tara Thompson, Chuck Wicks, Mark Wills, and Brett Young.
Also joining the lineup with their debut performances at CMA Fest are Luke Combs, Crowder, Mickey Guyton, Aubrie Sellers, and The Sheepdogs.
This year, video screens will return as part of The Park Stage experience, allowing fans a closer view of the performers.
“We consistently seek to improve the experience for fans at CMA Music Festival. This year The Park Stage will feature a new configuration to accompany the video walls and state of the art production,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The Park Stage has always been a fan favorite and with this year’s lineup we are taking it to the next level.”
Cast Of ABC’s ‘Nashville’ Now Touring U.S.
/by Craig_ShelburneThe cast of ABC’s Nashville performs in concert. Photo: Chris Hollo
Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack and Charles Esten of ABC’s Nashville are currently touring the U.S., with fellow cast members Will Chase, Jonathan Jackson and Aubrey Peeples joining the tour in select cities.
The tour is produced by Opry Entertainment. Although no Nashville dates are on the tour, the schedule will run through May 7 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
The tour will head overseas for its first-ever international run in mid-June. Due to demand, additional London dates were added to its sold-out schedule. The international shows feature cast members Bowen, Carmack, Esten and Sam Palladio. Jackson joins for the show in Dublin.
The cast of ABC’s ‘Nashville’ performs. Photo: Chris Hollo
Nashville In Concert Tour Dates:
April 21: Tulsa, Okla.; Brady Theater
April 23: Grand Prairie, Texas; Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
April 24: Austin, Texas; The Moody Theater
April 25: Houston; Revention Music Center
April 27: Atlanta; Fox Theatre
April 28: Clearwater, Fla.; Ruth Eckerd Hall
April 30: Rosemont, Ill.; Rosemont Theatre
May 1: Detroit; Fox Theatre
May 3: Washington; DAR Constitution Hall
May 5: New York; The Theater at MSG
May 6: Boston; Wang Theatre
May 7: Uncasville, Conn.; Mohegan Sun Arena
June 13: Manchester; Bridgewater Hall
June 14: Birmingham; Birmingham Symphony
June 16: Glasgow; Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
June 17: Bristol; Bristol Colston Hall
June 18: London; London Eventim Apollo Hammersmith (matinee)
June 18: London; London Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
June 19: London; London Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
June 20: Dublin; 3Arena
YEP Announces Board Of Directors
/by Craig_ShelburneNashville’s Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP), an organization that helps cultivate professional growth in the industry, has announced its 2016 Board of Directors.
The Board includes: MaryAnn Keen (Nettwerk/Ten Ten Music), Rachel Knight (The Knight Agency/Turnipblood Entertainment), Caroline Melby (Belmont University), Katie Roth (Universal Music Group), Alina Thompson (Country Music Association), Amelia Varni (Universal Music Publishing Group), Laura Williams (Smith Wiles and Company) and Christina Wiltshire (Latigo Shore Music).
Additionally, Jaclyn Carter (Shore Fire Media) will serve as public relations representative, and Catherine Moore (Farris, Self and Moore) will fulfill the role as treasurer.
The organizations Executive Director is Andrew Cohen (Suit Music), and co-chairs are Jarrod Holley (Suit Music) and Garrison Snell (Gyrosity Projects).
YEP’s first Alumni Class includes those who served on the 2015 YEP Board of Directors & Leadership Council: Laura Alexander (Kobalt Music), Emilija Clarke (MadeIn Network), Matt Cottingham (Ritholz Levy), Chelsey Flick (Broken Bow Records), Kristen Kee (Sony Music), Lee Krabel (HoriPro), Kendall Lettow (THiS Music), Steve Mekler (L3 Entertainment), Marc Rucker (Parallel Entertainment), Shannon Saunders (WME), Josh Saxe (Roundhill Music), Jordan Stephens (CMT), Margaret Tomlin (Sony Music) and Anna Weisband (THiS Music).
This year’s premiere partners are BMI, Morris Light & Sound and City National Bank, and other supporting teams include SunTrust, Grand Ole Opry, Clair Global, Avenue Bank, Ritholz Levy and Tri-Star Sports & Entertainment Group.
Upcoming YEP Events:
May 24: YEP Rewind: 90’s Night at Basement East
May 31: BMI/YEP Present at Exit/In
June 13: YEP Writer’s Night at Basement East
August 10: YEP Rewind: Soul Night at Basement East
August 16: BMI/YEP Present at Exit/In
More dates and events will be announced on YEP’s social media.
Songwriter Caitlyn Smith Teams With Amtrak For Songwriting Documentary
/by Jessica NicholsonSongwriter Caitlyn Smith and Amtrak partnered for a six-day, cross-country train trip journey last week, which took five songwriters and a film crew from Memphis, Tennessee, to Tacoma, Washington. The project entitled #allthewaytoTacoma documents songwriting sessions and performances on the train and will be released in documentary format by Wilder Media to support Smith’s forthcoming album. Release dates for the film and the album have not yet been announced.
The album includes the song “Tacoma,” which in addition to inspiring the trip, also appeared on Garth Brooks’ 2014 release Man Against Machine. Keep up with the crew’s road adventures by searching #allthewaytoTacoma on social media platforms.
Pictured (Front row, L-R): Caitlyn Smith, Cornman’s Shea Fowler. (Back row, L-R): Amtrak’s James Ratliff, Amtrak’s John Collins, Wilder Media’s Justin Key, songwriter Bob DiPiero, songwriter/producer Paul Moak, songwriter Rollie Gaalswyk, songwriter Ruston Kelly and Amtrak’s Jerome Trahan.
Pete Wade Joins Fellow Nashville Cats At CMHoF Event
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (Back Row, L-R): Former Nashville Cats honorees Buddy Spicher, Bill Walker, Jimmy Capps, Eddie Bayers, Michael Rhodes, Steve Gibson, David Briggs, and Norbert Putnam; and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Peter Cooper; (Front Row, L-R): Former Nashville Cats honorees Paul Franklin and Hargus “Pig” Robbins, Pete Wade, and former Nashville Cats honorees Bergen White and Billy Sanford. Photo: Kelli Dirks, CK Photo
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored guitarist Pete Wade on Saturday, April 16 as part of its Nashville Cats series, which pays tribute to iconic studio musicians in country music.
Hosted by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Peter Cooper, the event featured an overview of the legendary musician’s career, as well as a performance by Wade himself.
Whether playing fluid fills, stinging electric leads, or steady rhythm, Wade was an integral element in a number of historic recordings, including George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” Charley Pride’s “Mountain of Love,” Lynn Anderson’s “Rose Garden,” and Skeeter Davis’ “The End of the World.”
Andrew Kintz Steps Down from SunTrust Bank
/by Sherod RobertsonAndrew Kintz
After 18 years with SunTrust Bank, Managing Director Andrew Kintz is stepping down from his post, MusicRow has confirmed.
With the bank since 1998, Kintz manages the SunTrust Sports & Entertainment teammates in SunTrust’s Music Division Headquarters in Nashville, which provides financial services to songwriters, performing artists and businesses in the music industry.
An active member of Nashville’s music industry and one of its biggest cheerleaders, Kintz shares, “I have this dream of turning work off and giving an entire summer to my family and going on a massive adventure.”
Kintz graduated from Washington and Lee University and is a MBA Graduate of The University of Georgia. Kintz serves on several boards including Leadership Music, Nashville Public Radio, W.O. Smith Music School and his membership include ACM, CMA, NSAI, AIMP, The Recording Academy and Hall of Fame Circle Society.
Chris York Named Sr. Director, A&R For Capitol Records
/by Jessica NicholsonChris York
Chris York has been named Senior Director of A&R for Capitol Records. He is based in Nashville.
The announcement was made Tuesday (April 19) by Ashley Newton, Capitol Music Group (CMG) President and Universal Music Group (UMG) Executive Vice President of Creative/Special Projects.
In his new position, York will recruit and develop talent for the company and continue to manage A&R for label artists Striking Matches and Judah and The Lion. He will report to Newton.
York was most recently A&R Director for CMG’s I.R.S. Nashville. He began his career with CMG’s forerunner, Capitol Christian Music Group, 19 years ago and will continue to serve in an A&R capacity for that label in addition to his new role at Capitol Records.
In Pictures: BMI, Clare Dunn, Tortuga Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonBMI, Texas Roadhouse Hang With Jake Owen
BMI’s Mason Hunter attended the Texas Roadhouse Managing Partners Conference last week at The Fontainebleau in Miami, Florida. The event celebrated the annual partnership between BMI and Texas Roadhouse. This year, Texas Roadhouse will sponsor several BMI events including Mountain High Music Festival, Key West Songwriter’s Festival, the Maui Songwriter’s Festival, a CMA Music Festival trip contest and several in-store promotions with BMI artists of the month. Jake Owen will be hitting the main stage at the Key West Songwriter’s Festival and showed up at the conference in support of BMI and Texas Roadhouse. Hunter is an executive director of strategic partnerships and business development for BMI.
Pictured (L-R): Kent Taylor, President of Texas Roadhouse; Mason Hunter, BMI; Jake Owen.
Clare Dunn Makes First NASCAR Appearance
MCA Nashville’s Clare Dunn attended her first-ever NASCAR events over the weekend, performing a full band set in the Bristol Motor Speedway infield following Saturday’s (April 16) XFINITY Series race and singing the national anthem at Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series Food City 500. While there, she met a few of NASCAR’s biggest names including Danica Patrick and Sunday’s race-winner, Carl Edwards.
Dunn is on tour with Lee Brice on the Life Off My Years Tour. The latest single from her self-titled EP is “Tuxedo.”
Clare Dunn with Food City 500 winner Carl Edwards. Photo: Red Light Management
Artists Light Up The Beach For Tortuga Music Festival
KA Entertainment has announced a record year for the fourth annual Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival, held April 15-17 at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Florida. Nearly 90,000 fans flocked to the beach for three days of performances from Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley, along with Sam Hunt, Elle King, Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kelsea Ballerini and 25 more musical acts.
“HUKA is honored to produce large-scale destination location festivals—it’s the fierce loyalty of our Tortuga fans who allow us to raise the bar each year,” said HUKA Entertainment CEO, Evan Harrison.
Pictured (L-R): A.J. Niland (Chief Experience Officer, HUKA Entertainment), Evan Harrison (CEO, HUKA Entertainment), Blake Shelton, Chris Stacey (founder, Rock The Ocean/GM, Dot Records), Bennett Drago (Co-Founder, HUKA Entertainment)
Pictured (L-R): Chris Stacey, founder, Rock The Ocean/GM, Dot Records; Evan Harrison, CEO, HUKA Entertainment; Tim McGraw; A.J. Niland, Chief Experience Officer, HUKA Entertainment
Pictured (L-R): Carla Perez, Launa Phillips (WFUS/Tampa), Sammy Cruise (WIRK/West Palm Beach), Thomas Rhett, Rob Morris (WKIS/Miami), Tim Conlon (WKIS/Miami), Ashley Sidoti