Taylor Swift 1989 Tour.
BMI will present Taylor Swift with an award bearing her name in recognition of her creative and artistic talent and influence on music lovers throughout the world. The first-ever Taylor Swift Award will be given at the 64th annual BMI Pop Awards on Tues., May 10, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The event will be hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Barbara Cane.
This is only the second time in BMI’s 76-year history that the company has presented an award in someone’s name. The first was to Michael Jackson in 1990.
“Taylor Swift has transformed pop culture through her songs, artistry and indomitable spirit,” said Cane. “She has had a profound impact, not only musically, but also through her personal conviction and commitment to create a standard that values and respects music for everyone. We felt it appropriate to award Taylor with an honor that is as unique and special as she is.”
In addition, BMI will honor songwriting visionaries Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil with the BMI Icon Award for their contributions to the craft of songwriting. As one of the world’s most esteemed and celebrated songwriting teams, Mann and Weil’s iconic partnership has spanned decades with nearly every genre of popular music included in their massively successful repertoire. Their music has transcended time, leaving a lasting impression on fans around the world and influencing aspiring songwriters to follow in their footsteps.
O’Neill added, “This evening is a true celebration of music and a tribute to the artistry of songwriting that spans generations as defined by three of the most prolific and influential music creators in the industry: Taylor Swift, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.”
The private event will also recognize the songwriters and publishers of the past year’s most-performed pop songs in the United States from BMI’s repertoire of more than 10.5 million musical works. The BMI Pop Song, Songwriter, and Publisher of the Year will be named during the ceremony.
Swift is a 10-time Grammy winner and the youngest recipient in history to receive the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and the only female to win it twice. The first artist since the Beatles (and the only female artist in history) to log six or more weeks at No. 1 with three consecutive studio albums and the only artist in history to have an album hit the one million first-week sales figure three times: 2010’s Speak Now, 2012’s RED and 2014’s 1989. She’s been named Billboard Magazine’s Woman of the Year (the only artist to receive this nod twice, and their youngest-ever honoree), and one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. She is the recipient of seven BMI Awards, including the prestigious President’s Award in 2009, Songwriter of the Year in 2014 and multiple Song of the Year honors for both pop and country.
Husband and wife team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil have written songs like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” (with Phil Spector), “On Broadway” (with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller), “Walking In the Rain,” “Kicks,” “Soul and Inspiration,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Here You Come Again,” “Never Gonna Let You Go,” “Just Once,” the Grammy-nominated “Don’t Know Much” (with Tom Snow), and the double Grammy-winning “Somewhere Out There,” among others.
Together they have amassed 112 pop, country and R&B awards from BMI and have been the recipients of the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Songwriters, The Clooney Foundation’s Award for Legendary Song Composition and the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Sean McConnell To Release Rounder Debut On July 8
/by Jessica NicholsonSinger-songwriter Sean McConnell will release his self-titled Rounder Records debut on July 8. The signing was announced in February.
McConnell’s songs have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Christina Aguilera, Buddy Miller, Rascal Flatts, Marc Broussard, Plain White T’s, Wade Bowen, Brothers Osborne, Meatloaf, Martina McBride, the Eli Young Band, David Nail and others, and featured on the ABC series, Nashville.
The project was recorded in McConnell’s adopted hometown of Nashville at Sound Emporium B and The Compound with producers Ian Fitchuk and Jason Lehning, who also contributed drums and keyboards, respectively. The album features McConnell on guitar, Tony Lucido on bass, Danny Rader on guitars, banjo, mandolin, and bouzouki, and background vocals by Alyssa Bonagura. The album was mixed by Ryan Hewitt.
McConnell has launched a set of tour dates with American Idol winner Kris Allen, including a show at Nashville’s City Winery on April 29.
1. “Holy Days”
2. “Ghost Town”
3. “Bottom of the Sea”
4. “Beautiful Rose”
5. “Hey Mary”
6. “Best We’ve Ever Been”
7. “Queen of Saint Mary’s Choir”
8. “Running Under Water”
9. “One Acre of Land”
10. “Babylon”
Taylor Swift To Be Honored By BMI With First “Taylor Swift Award”
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift 1989 Tour.
BMI will present Taylor Swift with an award bearing her name in recognition of her creative and artistic talent and influence on music lovers throughout the world. The first-ever Taylor Swift Award will be given at the 64th annual BMI Pop Awards on Tues., May 10, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The event will be hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Barbara Cane.
This is only the second time in BMI’s 76-year history that the company has presented an award in someone’s name. The first was to Michael Jackson in 1990.
“Taylor Swift has transformed pop culture through her songs, artistry and indomitable spirit,” said Cane. “She has had a profound impact, not only musically, but also through her personal conviction and commitment to create a standard that values and respects music for everyone. We felt it appropriate to award Taylor with an honor that is as unique and special as she is.”
In addition, BMI will honor songwriting visionaries Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil with the BMI Icon Award for their contributions to the craft of songwriting. As one of the world’s most esteemed and celebrated songwriting teams, Mann and Weil’s iconic partnership has spanned decades with nearly every genre of popular music included in their massively successful repertoire. Their music has transcended time, leaving a lasting impression on fans around the world and influencing aspiring songwriters to follow in their footsteps.
O’Neill added, “This evening is a true celebration of music and a tribute to the artistry of songwriting that spans generations as defined by three of the most prolific and influential music creators in the industry: Taylor Swift, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.”
The private event will also recognize the songwriters and publishers of the past year’s most-performed pop songs in the United States from BMI’s repertoire of more than 10.5 million musical works. The BMI Pop Song, Songwriter, and Publisher of the Year will be named during the ceremony.
Swift is a 10-time Grammy winner and the youngest recipient in history to receive the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and the only female to win it twice. The first artist since the Beatles (and the only female artist in history) to log six or more weeks at No. 1 with three consecutive studio albums and the only artist in history to have an album hit the one million first-week sales figure three times: 2010’s Speak Now, 2012’s RED and 2014’s 1989. She’s been named Billboard Magazine’s Woman of the Year (the only artist to receive this nod twice, and their youngest-ever honoree), and one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. She is the recipient of seven BMI Awards, including the prestigious President’s Award in 2009, Songwriter of the Year in 2014 and multiple Song of the Year honors for both pop and country.
Husband and wife team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil have written songs like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” (with Phil Spector), “On Broadway” (with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller), “Walking In the Rain,” “Kicks,” “Soul and Inspiration,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Here You Come Again,” “Never Gonna Let You Go,” “Just Once,” the Grammy-nominated “Don’t Know Much” (with Tom Snow), and the double Grammy-winning “Somewhere Out There,” among others.
Together they have amassed 112 pop, country and R&B awards from BMI and have been the recipients of the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Songwriters, The Clooney Foundation’s Award for Legendary Song Composition and the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Artist Updates: Luke Bryan, Elton John, Chris Stapleton
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Bryan, Cabela’s Expand Bridge 32 Clothing Line
Cabela’s and Luke Bryan have announced that Bryan’s 32 Bridge clothing line has expanded, offering a new apparel collection inspired by Bryan’s latest single, “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day.”
The new line, named HFE, debuted April 1 and is available exclusively at Cabela’s. The line offers men’s and women’s apparel, including short-sleeve T-shirts, long-sleeve T-shirts, caps and more.
“I grew up hunting, fishing and loving the outdoors in Lee County, Georgia,” said Bryan. “No matter where you may be from, my hope is that living the HFE lifestyle will make you feel complete. My song ‘Huntin, Fishin and Lovin Every Day’ embodies who I am as a person and an artist and I want to share that with all my fans and those who share my love for the outdoors.”
Elton John To Make ‘Nashville’ Appearance
Elton John
Elton John is slated to make an appearance on Nashville‘s May 18 episode, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He will play himself in the episode, performing alongside Sam Palladio‘s character Gunnar Scott.
Other artists slated to make appearances this season include Kesha, Kelsea Ballerini, and Thomas Rhett.
Nashville airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC.
Chris Stapleton Brings Free Concerts To Hometown High School In Paintsville, Kentucky
Chris Stapleton visits with students at his former high school in Paintsville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for RAM)
Chris Stapleton, along with Ram Trucks and ACM Lifting Lives (the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music), returned home to his former high school late last week, for a two-day whirlwind trip that saw the surprise delivery of much-needed band instruments, two free concerts and the unveiling of a Ram Nation volunteer-constructed outdoor stage.
The first day began with an early morning visit from Ram Nation volunteers (a grassroots team of Ram truck owners) who unpacked $57,000 worth of band instruments from two trucks, including sousaphones, trumpets, clarinets, tubas and flutes, donated by Lifting Lives via its partnership with the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. Once the instruments were unloaded and set-up, the schools music teacher was walked into the classroom, followed by 16 students, who were caught by surprise. Amid tears of joy, Stapleton entered the room and met with the students, who had already broken open the instruments and began to play.
“A lot of the instruments that we have are broken or put together by duct tape,” said Martina Lutz, Director Johnson Central High School music program. “It’s hard to make a really good sound on your tuba, when your tuba has air leaks. I would’ve been blessed for just one tuba, but this…this is amazing.”
Album Releases Set For Kenny Chesney, Cole Swindell, Drew Baldridge
/by Craig_ShelburneKenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney, Cole Swindell and newcomer Drew Baldridge have scheduled new album releases over the next few months.
Chesney will release Small Town Somewhere on July 8 via Blue Chair Records/Columbia Nashville. The collection will feature his new single, “Noise.” Although a track listing has not yet been announced, songwriters who are confirmed for the album are Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, David Lee Murphy, Ross Copperman and Matraca Berg, as well as Allison Moorer, Hayes Carll and John Ed Baumann. Co-producing with Buddy Cannon, Chesney recorded the album in Los Angeles and Nashville.
Cole Swindell
Swindell’s You Should Be Here will arrive on May 6 on Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville. The project takes its name from his latest No. 1 single, which he performed on the ACM Awards on Sun., April 1. Swindell’s platinum-certified, self-titled debut was released in 2014.
Drew Baldridge
Baldridge will release his new album, Dirt on Us, via Nashville-based Cold River Records on June 10. An Illinois native, Baldridge credits Josh Turner and Michael Jackson as equal influences. He co-wrote 11 of the albums’s 13 songs and worked with songwriters such as Tim Nichols, Monty Criswell, JT Harding and Josh Leo. The collection also includes the gospel standard, “It Is Well With My Soul.” He is confirmed for three performances during CMA Music Festival in June.
In Photos: SESAC ACM Awards After Party
/by Jessica NicholsonMGM Grand’s Losers Bar in Las Vegas served as the backdrop for SESAC’s festive party following the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM). The celebratory soiree attracted a diverse array of artists, songwriters, publishers and music industry executives crowning a week of performances and festivities.
Artist/songwriter Craig Campbell hangs out with SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Gabe Ginsberg
Craig Campbell, songwriter Vicky McGehee, Magic Mustang’s Juli Newton Griffith, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and songwriter Rob Hatch. Photo: Gabe Ginsberg
SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Huskins-Harris Business Management’s Becky Harris and SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Gabe Ginsberg
Pictured: Shalacy Griffin, Jeffrey East, producer/publisher Michael Knox, Michael Tyler, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, songwriter Jaron Boyer and SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Gabe Ginsberg
MusicRowLife: Kara Holmes, Ben Enos, Granger Smith, Dee Jay Silver
/by Jessica NicholsonKara Holmes, Ben Enos Wed
Kara Holmes (assistant at CAA) and Ben Enos (tour photographer for Brad Paisley) were married on Monday, March 28. The ceremony was held at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Nashville with a reception following at The Schermerhorn Symphony Center. They are currently on their honeymoon in Italy and Greece.
Photo: Al Gordon
Photo: Al Gordon
Granger Smith, Wife Expecting Third Child
Granger Smith
Dee Jay Silver, Wife Expecting First Child
Dee Jay Silver and wife Jenna are expecting their first child in September.
The Nashville-based producer will return to the road as part of Jason Aldean‘s We Were Here Tour 2016 on April 29, to entertain concertgoers between sets from Aldean, Thomas Rhett and A Thousand Horses.
He also has several festival appearances lined up for the summer, including Rock the South (June 3-4 in Cullman, AL), Carolina Country Music Festival (June 10-12 in Myrtle Beach, SC), Windy City LakeShake Music Festival (June 17-19 in Chicago, IL),Faster Horses Country Music Festival (July 15-17 in Brooklyn, MI) and WatershedMusic Festival (July 29-31 and August 5-7 in George, WA).
Mingo Photography
In Photos: ACM Party For A Cause Festival
/by Molly_HannulaThe Academy of Country Music’s 4th ACM Party For A Cause took place April 1-3 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. Headliners included Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley and Carrie Underwood.
Fri., April 1
Carrie Underwood. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Cam. Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for ACM
Jana Kramer. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM
Kelleigh Bannen. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Kellie Pickler. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Lauren Alaina. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Pictured (L-R): Madison Marlow and Taylor Dye of Maddie & Tae. Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for ACM)
Martina McBride. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for ACM
Saturday, April 2
Pictured (L-R): John Osborne and TJ Osborne of the Brothers Osborne. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM
Chase Bryant. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Chris Janson. Photo: by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Chris Lane. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Chris Young. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Courtney Cole. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Pictured (L-R): Dierks Bentley, Eric Paslay and Charles Kelley. Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for ACM
Pictured: Dierks Bentley. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Dustin Lynch. Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for ACM
Frankie Ballard. Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for ACM
Jackson Michelson. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Lee Brice. Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for ACM
Michael Hobby of A Thousand Horses. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for ACM
Sunday, April 3
Pictured: Kenny Chesney. Mark Davis/Getty Images for ACM
Sam Hunt. Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for ACM
Brett Eldredge. Photo: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for ACM
Chase Rice (on right). Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for ACM
Lindsay Ell. Photo: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for ACM
Maren Morris. Photo: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for ACM
Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion. Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for ACM
Cracker Barrel Creates Clever Original Content At ACM Party For A Cause
/by Craig_ShelburneCountry artists and social media sensations connected with Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores to share original content while backstage at the ACM Party For A Cause Festival, which was held April 1-3 in Las Vegas. The multimedia event was produced by FlyteVu, a Nashville-based company co-founded by Jeremy Holley and Laura Hutfless in October 2015.
The Content Creator Studio, part of the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Spotlight Music program, hosted several popular social media stars as they conducted exclusive interviews with country music’s top artists during the festival. Frankie Ballard, Kelsea Ballerini, Kellie Pickler, RaeLynn, Canaan Smith, Cole Swindell, The Band Perry, and Chris Young were just a few of those artists checking out the event.
Music fans and festival goers can find these exclusive interviews, photos and videos on Cracker Barrel’s website and many of the brand’s other channels, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
For three days, the four themed sections within the Content Creator Studio powered by Cracker Barrel were home to social media stars with a combined digital reach of 22 million followers. These include magician and America’s Got Talent finalist Collins Key, YouTube beauty star and The Amazing Race competitor Blair Fowler, Instagram favorite Doug the Pug, American Ultimate Disc League player and trick shot performer Brodie Smith, beatboxer and Pitch Perfect 2 star 80Fitz, and self-taught dance sensation Amymarie Gaertner. Additionally, fashion illustrator Alex Kim sketched artists as they arrive to the studio and final drawings will go up on her Instagram @KimDesigns.
Brodie Smith, host of the Man Cave, is a trick shot expert who appears on the current season of The Amazing Race. See the video of his appearance at ACM Party For a Cause, as he interacts with Chris Young and more country artists.
ACM Awards Receives 2.2 Rating, 11.18 Million Viewers
/by Jessica NicholsonDolly Parton and Katy Perry. Photo: ACM/Getty Images/Ethan Miller
The 51st ACM Awards, which aired Sunday, April 3 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, slipped in year-to-year ratings, with the show averaging 2.2 adults 18-49 rating, and 11.18 million viewers from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. ET, according to Headline Planet. This year’s show included more than 20 performers, including an extended duet performance with Dolly Parton and Katy Perry.
Last year’s ACM Awards, which saw the show celebrate its 50th year with a special (and longer) show at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas Texas, drew 15.98 million total viewers and a 3.6 rating. In 2014, the show averaged a 3.3 rating among adults 18-49 and pulled in 14.1 million viewers.
This year, the ACM Awards was pitted against another music ceremony, the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which was simulcast on TBS, TNT, and TruTV, and ran in the same 8-11 p.m. timeslot. Additionally, The Walking Dead‘s season 6 finale aired, though only in the 9-10:30 p.m. window.
Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Chris Janson, Zac Brown Band Win At iHeartRadio Music Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift (R), winner of the Best Tour award, and singer Justin Timberlake pose backstage at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Photo: iheart.com/Kevin Mazur of Getty Images for iHeartRadio / Turner
Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, and Chris Janson were announced as winners on Sunday night’s (April 3) iHeartRadio Awards.
Zac Brown Band earned Rock Song of the Year for “Heavy Is The Head,” featuring Chris Cornell.
Though Bryan was busy co-hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards with Dierks Bentley that evening, he still earned the iHeartRadio Music Awards’ trophy for Country Artist of the Year.
Janson’s “Buy Me A Boat” earned the singer-songwriter Country Song of the Year.
Brad Paisley made an appearance on electric guitar, backing up Demi Lovato‘s performance of “Stone Cold.” He also presented an award to Taylor Swift, who earned five trophies, including Best Tour, Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (1989), Most “Meme-able” Moment (for her “Blank Space” video), and Most Thumbed Up.
Chris Janson, winner of Country Song of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, posed for photos backstage at the ACM Party For a Cause Festival with TK Kimbrell (TKO Management), Peter Strickland (EVP & GM, WMN), Kelly Janson, John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), and Storme Warren.
Demi Lovato and Brad Paisley at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Photo: iheart.com/ Andrew Swartz for iHeartRadio
Bobby Bones and Amy at iHeartRadio Music Awards. Photo: iheart.com/Getty Images
Meghan Trainor on the red carpet at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Photo: iheart.com/Getty Images