Little Big Town Teams With Justin Timberlake
Following his collaboration with Chris Stapleton at the Country Music Association awards last year, it looks like pop star Justin Timberlake is back for another country alliance.
Timberlake shared recently that he was writing some tracks with Little Big Town, uploading a photo of himself with LBT members Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman.
Brooks & Dunn To Appear At Chicago’s LakeShake Festival
Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn will perform at the upcoming LakeShake Festival in Chicago. They will perform two shows, on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19.
The duo is currently part of a Las Vegas residency with Reba at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
For more information, visit lakeshakefestival.com.
Jamey Johnson, Love and Theft To Headline Buckin Wild Music Festival
The third annual Buckin Wild Music Festival will feature headliners Jamey Johnson and Love and Theft, among other performers, when it returns to Lost Creek Ranch and Arena near Erick, Oklahoma on April 15-17.
“What’s happening now continues to validate our vision for the Buckin Wild Music Fest of keeping it real,” said Donny G. Liles, the festival’s founder and producer, and Managing Partner of ALL Entertainment LLC. “In just three years, we already have a first-rate lineup of great talent to deliver fantastic entertainment. This is part of what makes Buckin Wild unique – the connection among the artists and the fans. On and off the stage, everyone has a great time.”
Tickets and detailed information about the festival are available at buckinwildmusicfest.com.
Darius Rucker Plans Seventh Annual ‘Darius and Friends’ Benefit Concert
Darius Rucker. Photo: Piper Rastello
Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Darius Rucker will host his seventh annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, June 6 at the Wildhorse Saloon, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and sponsored by A. O. Smith.
Fans will have access to a pre-sale beginning March 23 at 11:00 a.m. CT, by using the code SOUTH. A general on sale will open at 11:00 a.m. CT the following day. Prices range from $35-100 with VIP table options.
Tickets will be available through the Wildhorse Saloon box office (615-902-8200 x1), WildhorseSaloon.com, and DariusRucker.com.
Chris Carmack Stars In New Opry Americana Collection
Chris Carmack
The Grand Ole Opry and Chris Carmack of ABC’s series Nashville are ushering in the spring and summer seasons in the online shop at opry.com with a new Americana merchandise collection.
Carmack is the face of the collection in photography shot at a Nashville university ball field and found online and in the Opry’s retail stores including prominent window displays at Opry Originals on Nashville’s famed Lower Broadway.
Tracy Lawrence Honored By Association of Fundraising Professionals
Pictured (L-R): Dr. Phil Wenk (Delta Dental), Brooke Ely, Sandra Lipman, Erin Wenzel (CFRE), Tracy Lawrence. Photo: Kori Bowers
Tracy Lawrence was named Philanthropist of the Year at the Nashville’s National Philanthropy Day award ceremony Thursday, March 17. The event, put on by Nashville’s chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) recognized donors, volunteers, foundations, leaders, corporations and others engaged in philanthropy who made large, positive impacts in the community in 2015.
Lawrence has long been in partnership with the Nashville Rescue Mission, fundraising for the organization and feeding more than 75,000 in need throughout the past decade with his annual turkey fry. In addition to meals served, more than $63,000 was raised at the 10th Annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry Concert on Nov. 24, 2015 at City Winery which prompted the Rescue Mission’s submission of Lawrence for Philanthropist of the Year.
Industry Award Winners Announced For The 51st ACM Awards
/by Molly_HannulaToday, the Academy of Country Music® announced the Industry Award winners for the 51st ACM Awards. The ACM Industry Awards recognize the executives and venues who contribute to the artistry, success and longevity of country music.
Industry Award recipients will be feted this year alongside previously announced Radio Award winners during the Industry Awards Reception, hosted by Lady Antebellum member and eight-time ACM Award winner Charles Kelley, on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the MGM Grand Convention Center in Las Vegas. The ACM Industry Awards are voted on by all professional members of the Academy in the final round of voting.
Below is a complete list of the Industry Award winners for the 51st ACM Awards:
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Casino of the Year – Small Capacity: Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, Connecticut
Casino of the Year – Medium Capacity: Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, Connecticut
Festival of the Year: Stagecoach – Indio, California
Nightclub of the Year: Boondocks – Springfield, Illinois
Venue of the Year – Small Capacity: The Rave/Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Venue of the Year – Medium Capacity: Ascend Amphitheatre – Nashville, Tennessee
Venue of the Year – Large Capacity: Gorge Amphitheatre – Quincy, Washington
Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year: Gil Cunningham – Neste Event Marketing
Promoter of the Year: Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
Artist Updates: Little Big Town, Brooks & Dunn, Jamey Johnson, Darius Rucker, Chris Carmack, Tracy Lawrence
/by Jessica NicholsonLittle Big Town Teams With Justin Timberlake
Following his collaboration with Chris Stapleton at the Country Music Association awards last year, it looks like pop star Justin Timberlake is back for another country alliance.
Timberlake shared recently that he was writing some tracks with Little Big Town, uploading a photo of himself with LBT members Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman.
Brooks & Dunn To Appear At Chicago’s LakeShake Festival
Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn will perform at the upcoming LakeShake Festival in Chicago. They will perform two shows, on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19.
The duo is currently part of a Las Vegas residency with Reba at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
For more information, visit lakeshakefestival.com.
Jamey Johnson, Love and Theft To Headline Buckin Wild Music Festival
“What’s happening now continues to validate our vision for the Buckin Wild Music Fest of keeping it real,” said Donny G. Liles, the festival’s founder and producer, and Managing Partner of ALL Entertainment LLC. “In just three years, we already have a first-rate lineup of great talent to deliver fantastic entertainment. This is part of what makes Buckin Wild unique – the connection among the artists and the fans. On and off the stage, everyone has a great time.”
Tickets and detailed information about the festival are available at buckinwildmusicfest.com
Darius Rucker Plans Seventh Annual ‘Darius and Friends’ Benefit Concert
Darius Rucker. Photo: Piper Rastello
Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Darius Rucker will host his seventh annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, June 6 at the Wildhorse Saloon, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and sponsored by A. O. Smith.
Fans will have access to a pre-sale beginning March 23 at 11:00 a.m. CT, by using the code SOUTH. A general on sale will open at 11:00 a.m. CT the following day. Prices range from $35-100 with VIP table options.
Tickets will be available through the Wildhorse Saloon box office (615-902-8200 x1), WildhorseSaloon.com, and DariusRucker.com.
Chris Carmack Stars In New Opry Americana Collection
Chris Carmack
The Grand Ole Opry and Chris Carmack of ABC’s series Nashville are ushering in the spring and summer seasons in the online shop at opry.com with a new Americana merchandise collection.
Carmack is the face of the collection in photography shot at a Nashville university ball field and found online and in the Opry’s retail stores including prominent window displays at Opry Originals on Nashville’s famed Lower Broadway.
Tracy Lawrence Honored By Association of Fundraising Professionals
Pictured (L-R): Dr. Phil Wenk (Delta Dental), Brooke Ely, Sandra Lipman, Erin Wenzel (CFRE), Tracy Lawrence. Photo: Kori Bowers
Tracy Lawrence was named Philanthropist of the Year at the Nashville’s National Philanthropy Day award ceremony Thursday, March 17. The event, put on by Nashville’s chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) recognized donors, volunteers, foundations, leaders, corporations and others engaged in philanthropy who made large, positive impacts in the community in 2015.
Lawrence has long been in partnership with the Nashville Rescue Mission, fundraising for the organization and feeding more than 75,000 in need throughout the past decade with his annual turkey fry. In addition to meals served, more than $63,000 was raised at the 10th Annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry Concert on Nov. 24, 2015 at City Winery which prompted the Rescue Mission’s submission of Lawrence for Philanthropist of the Year.
Brandy Clark To Release Warner Bros. Records Album In June
/by Eric T. ParkerBrandy Clark
Brandy Clark will release her major label debut, Big Day In A Small Town, with Warner Bros. Records (Los Angeles), June 10.
Warner’s Nashville outpost will be heavily involved in the roll-out of the Jay Joyce-produced project as the album’s current single,”Girl Next Door,” was released to country radio in February with a music video released earlier this month.
The 11-track album follows the CMA and Grammy-nominated songwriter’s acclaimed 12 Stories (2013).
Clark shares writing credits on every track on the new album, excluding the solo-written “Drinkin’ Smokin’ Cheatin’.” Co-writers include Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon, Mark D. Sanders, Lori McKenna, Jeremy Spillman, and more. Kacey Musgraves join Clark for featured vocals on “Daughters.”
Ahead of the full-length release on Record Store Day (April 16), Warner Bros. Records will release a green 7″ vinyl single for “Girl Next Door” with side B featuring “Homecoming Queen,” plus the same song covered by Sheryl Crow on her own 2013 Warner Bros. Records project.
Album artwork is forthcoming.
Big Day In A Small Town Track Listing
Soap Opera – Brandy Clark/Bryan Simpson
Girl Next Door – Brandy Clark/Jessie Jo Dillon/Shane McAnally
Homecoming Queen – Brandy Clark/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally
Broke – Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne
You Can Come Over – Brandy Clark/Jessie Jo Dillon/Mark Narmore
Love Can Go To Hell – Brandy Clark/Scott Stepakoff
Big Day In A Small Town – Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally/Mark D. Sanders
Three Kids No Husband – Brandy Clark/Lori McKenna
Daughter – Brandy Clark/Jessie Jo Dillon/Jeremy Spillman
Drinkin’ Smokin’ Cheatin’ – Brandy Clark
Since You’ve Gone to Heaven – Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally
‘Don Williams In Ireland: The Gentle Giant In Concert’ Available on April 15
/by Troy_StephensonRed River Entertainment/BFD/RED will release Don Williams In Ireland: The Gentle Giant In Concert DVD and CD on April 15. Included on the project are 19 songs such as “I Believe In You,” “Lay Down Beside Me,” and “Tulsa Time.”
“It’s my sincere hope that the fans will enjoy this package,” said the 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame member. “My whole career has been about the fans, and hopefully these songs will bring them as much pleasure as I gained from performing them.”
Williams recently announced his retirement from the entertainment industry after a five-decade career that included hits in both country and pop music.
CMA Songwriters Series Debuts At SXSW Music Festival
/by Molly_HannulaCMA Songwriters Series returned to Austin to make its South by Southwest Music Festival debut at the Paramount Theatre on Saturday (March 19). 2014 CMA Song of the Year Award winners Kacey Musgraves and Shane McAnally were joined by hit songwriter and two-time CMA Awards nominee Josh Osborne to perform for a full house and share stories behind their top songs.
More than 60 CMA members and other special guests gathered at a reception in the Paramount Theatre’s Houdini Lounge before the performance.
For more information, visit CMAsongwritersseries.com.
Pictured (L-R): Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, and Josh Osborne perform during the CMA Songwriters Series Saturday at the Paramount Theatre in Austin. Photo: Mario Villeda / CMA
Pictured (L-R): Shane McAnally, CMA Board member; Kacey Musgraves; Kurt Johnson, CMA Board member and SVP of Programming, Townsquare Media; and Josh Osborne. Photo: Mario Villeda / CMA
Pictured (L-R): Julia Cole and Danielle Bradbery in the Houdini Lounge at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas during South by Southwest.
In Pictures: Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, T Bone Burnett
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley surprised concertgoers recently at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. After playing a few seconds of an 80’s country classic by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, “Houston (Means I’m Only One Day Closer to You),” Paisley announced Brothers Larry and Rudy were actually at the show and invited the two to join him onstage.
Brad Paisley with The Gatlin Brothers. Photo: Ben Enos
CMA Award winners Kacey Musgraves and Shane McAnally visited with CMA Foundation beneficiary students at the Doris Miller Auditorium in Austin, Texas prior to their CMA Songwriters Series performance at SXSW. The pair spoke to students about the songwriting process, gave insight into different careers in the music industry, and performed several acoustic songs for the group.
Shane McAnally and Kacey Musgraves perform in Austin, Texas. Photo: Mario Villeda/CMA
On the last night of his Blake Shelton 2016 Tour Presented by Gildan, Shelton posed with WMN President & CEO, John Esposito and label/tourmate Chris Janson.
Pictured (L-R): Blake Shelton, John Esposito, Chris Janson.
Berklee College of Music presented American Master Awards to record producer, songwriter and recording artist T Bone Burnett, and acclaimed roots duo Gillian Welch and David Rawlings – both Berklee alumni – at a special Tuesday night (March 8) edition of Music City Roots from the Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.
Welch and Rawlings took the stage after accepting their awards and performed songs including “The Way it Goes,” and “Look at Miss Ohio.” Burnett joined them for “Everything is Free.” Berklee alumnae Sierra Hull, Liz Longley, and Maureen Murphy also performed at the event, hosted by Jim Lauderdale.
The American Master Award is presented by Berklee to industry leaders whose openness, generosity and deep commitment to music education have made a positive impact on the lives of young musicians, providing them opportunities to grow as artists and leaders.
Pictured (L-R): Berklee songwriting professor Pat Pattison, David Rawlings, Gillian Welch, T Bone Burnett, and Berklee President Roger Brown.
I Am Second Run Set For Downtown Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonThe I Am Second Run Series will come to downtown Nashville for its inaugural Music City event on Saturday, April 2 at Public Square Park, 10 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201. Other participating cities include Dallas, San Antonio, Birmingham, Evansville, Orange County and more.
I Am Second is a movement helping people through real stories from actors, athletes, musicians, former addicts and everyday people that provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday life. These stories give hope to the hopeless and a sense of purpose to the unfulfilled. I Am Second features stories from Scott Hamilton, Mike Fisher, Brian Welch, Josh Turner, and Jeff Fisher.
The 5K/10K/ Fun Run in Nashville is open to all ages and fitness levels, from serious lifelong runners to joggers or walkers. The Fun Run starts and 8:00 a.m. and the 5K / 10K run will begin at 8:30 a.m. All timed 5K and 10K runners will receive a medal at the finish line with the award ceremony to follow for the top finishers. 5K runners will receive a long sleeve participant shirt and 10K earners will get a short sleeve tech shirt. Entry fees range from $20 – $50 depending on participant’s age and category of run.
For early registration go to iamsecondrun.com.
Dolly Parton and Katy Perry To Duet During ACM Awards
/by Sarah SkatesDolly Parton
Dolly Parton and Katy Perry have been added to the line-up of performers taking the stage at the ACM Awards, airing Sunday, April 3 at 8:00 p.m. live ET/delayed PT on CBS. The two superstars will duet, marking their first-ever live performance together.
Additionally, Parton will be honored with the ACM’s Tex Ritter Award for her television movie, Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors. The movie aired on NBC in 2015 and was watched by more than 16 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched TV movies of all time. Past recipients of the Tex Ritter Award include Country Strong, Crazy Heart, O Brother, Where Art Thou and Walk the Line, among others.
Parton and Perry join previously announced performers, including Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Cam, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Sam Hunt, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Chris Young with Cassadee Pope and Florida Georgia Line. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 51st Academy Of Country Music Awards, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
American Country Countdown Awards To Feature Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line and Thomas Rhett are set to perform on the American Country Countdown Awards, airing Sunday, May 1 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, from the Forum in Inglewood, California.
The two-hour event is the first country music awards show to air live from Los Angeles in more than 10 years. The awards show is based on 43-year radio countdown show, “American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks,” and honors artists based on album sales and radio airplay.
This year’s host, additional performers and award finalists will be announced in coming weeks.
The 2014 inaugural American Country Countdown Awards featured performances by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Hank Williams, Jr.
Tickets for the American Country Countdown Awards at the Forum go on sale to the general public Tuesday, March 22, at 10 a.m. PT at ticketmaster.com.
CMA Announces International Award Recipients
/by Sarah SkatesKacey Musgraves and Bob Harris receive CMA International Awards during the recent C2C London event. (L-R): Mark Hagen, Executive Producer, BBC; Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award recipient Bob Harris, host of “Bob Harris Country” on BBC Radio 2; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; International Artist Achievement Award recipient Kacey Musgraves; Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment President/CEO and CMA Board member. Photo: Anthony D’Angio/CMA
The Country Music Association announced today (March 21) the 2016 recipients of the organization’s International Awards.
The timing of the announcement coincided with the recent C2C London event, where more than 60,000 fans attended a weekend of live performances from the biggest names in country music, alongside emerging artists from the U.K. and Europe. CMA-sponsored activities included the sold-out CMA Songwriters Series featuring Charles Esten, Lori McKenna, Ashley Monroe, Charlie Worsham, and host Shane McAnally, with a surprise appearance by Miranda Lambert.
The CMA Talks series included “Live with Charles Esten” and “Nashville Heavy Hitters” with Susan Bank, Mike Dungan, Ali Harnell, and Randy Goodman.
During the event, Kacey Musgraves was presented the International Artist Achievement Award from BBC Radio 2 personality Bob Harris. The singer then surprised the respected broadcaster with the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award. Harris has more than four decades of experience covering music, and is currently on BBC Radio 2. He has been the recipient of three CMA International Awards.
International superstar Reba congratulated Musgraves and Harris, and notified fellow award recipients Gord Bamford and Paul McGuire of Canada via personalized email video messages. Watch Reba’s announcement.
Bamford is winning the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award. Bamford is a 22-time Canadian Country Music Award winner. His seventh studio album will be released on Sony Music Canada this month.
McGuire, host of multiple CMT radio and television shows in Canada, receives the International Country Broadcaster Award.
Jeff Walker posthumously receives the Jo Walker-Meador International Award. Walker was a CMA Board member who worked tirelessly to advance country music in foreign markets, including developing international events during CMA Music Festival. He served on the boards of prominent International Country Music associations in Canada and Australia.
CMA International Awards are voted on by CMA International Membership as well as a panel of domestic U.S.-based industry.