By the time Taylor Swift took the stage to open the 58th annual Grammy Awards, the multi-talented entertainer had already heard her name called twice in the winners category. Clad in a bedazzled bodysuit, Swift belted her latest single “Out Of The Woods.”
During the pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony, Swift earned Best Pop Vocal Album for 1989, and the clip for “Bad Blood” (ft. Kendrick Lamar) earned an honor for Best Music Video.
Swift later earned Album of the Year for her project 1989.
“I want to thank the fans for the past 10 years,” said Swift. She thanked Max Martin and all of her collaborators. She also took the opportunity to strike back at her opponents and encourage young dreamers.
“As the first woman to win Album of the Year at the Grammy’s twice, I want to say to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success, or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame. But if you just focus on the work, and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going, you’ll look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there, and that will be the greatest feeling in the world.”
Chris Stapleton’s musical momentum steamrolled right to the Grammy stage. During the show, Stapleton picked up the honor for Best Country Album for Traveller, which was co-produced by Dave Cobb. He earned a trophy earlier in the evening for Best Country Solo Performance, for the song “Traveller.”
“I’d like to thank Taylor Swift for glitter bombing me before I got up here for this,” Stapleton said during his acceptance for Best Country Album. “This is something you would never dream of and I’m so grateful for it,” said Stapleton. Newcomer and Grammy nominee Cam also made an appearance during the evening, presenting the Best Country Album honor.
“Thanks to our families for putting up with us and thanks to Chris for letting me get in the studio with him,” said Cobb.
The Grammy awards showcased two of Nashville’s most popular artists early in the show, pairing Sam Hunt and Carrie Underwood for a smoldering mashup of Hunt’s “Take Your Time,” with Underwood’s “Heartbeat.”
Meghan Trainor
Though Hunt didn’t win the all-genre Best New Artist award, another artist with Nashville ties—“All About That Bass” singer Meghan Trainor—did. Trainor is signed with Nashville publishing company Big Yellow Dog, and was a Nashville resident during the recording of her album, Title.
“Oh I’m a mess,” said Trainor through tears. “I have to thank L.A. Reid for looking at me like an artist instead of just a songwriter. My mom and dad for always believing me. I’m a mess. I have to go cry. Thank you to The Grammys. I love you so much.”
Alabama Shakes earned Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance for “Don’t Wanna Fight.” The group’s lead singer Brittany Howard has a home in Nashville. During the pre-telecast, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jason Isbell picked up Grammys for Best Americana Album (Something More Than Free) and Best American Roots Song (“24 Frames”).
Country performers graced the Grammy stage throughout the evening.
Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild more than held the crowd’s attention with her strong alto, blended with the lush harmonies of her bandmates on “Girl Crush,” complemented by a full string orchestra.
The group’s song garnered two trophies during the 48th annual Grammy awards. “Girl Crush” earned the honors of Best Country Song for the songwriters (Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Little Big Town during the pre-telecast festivities.
This is the band’s second Grammy, following a 2012 trophy for “Pontoon.”
Luke Bryan paid tribute to Lionel Richie with a rendition of “Penny Lover,” in a collaboration with Meghan Trainor, Tyrese Gibson, Demi Lovato, and John Legend. Legend led the tribute with a piano-based offering of the Commodores breezy 1977 hit “Easy,” followed by Lovato’s soulful take on “Hello.” Gibson led the crowd in a rendition of The Commodores’ classic “Brick House.”
Chris Stapleton lent his burly vocals and easygoing guitar skills to a tribute to the late blues legend B.B. King. Stapleton was joined by Bonnie Raitt, and Gary Clark Jr. on “The Thrill Is Gone.”
For Swift, Stapleton, Little Big Town and Trainor, the thrill of a Grammy win is just beginning.
Grammy Photos II: Cam, Carrie Underwood, The Mavericks
/by Jessica NicholsonFirst-time Grammy nominee/presenter Cam celebrated post-show at Sony Music Entertainment’s party on Monday night (Feb. 15).
Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris, Cam, and Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Carrie Underwood was also among the guests in attendance at Sony Music Entertainment’s post-Grammy celebration. Underwood performed on the show with Sam Hunt.
Pictured (L-R): Sony Music UK Chairman & CEO Jason Iley, Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris, Carrie Underwood, Sony Music Entertainment EVP/CFO Kevin Kelleher, and Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
BMLG artists The Mavericks appeared during the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony on Monday to perform “All Night Long,” which earned a Grammy nomination for Best American Roots Song. They also garnered a nomination in the Best Americana Album category for Mono.
Pictured (L-R): Jerry Dale McFadden, Raul Malo, Paul Deakin & Eddie Perez. Photo: Cary Baker, Conqueroo
Songwriter Brandon Kinney Signs To peermusic
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Michael Knox, VP, peermusic Nashville; Brandon Kinney; Kim Wiggins, Senior Creative Director peermusic Nashville. Photo : Shalacy Griffin
Brandon Kinney is the latest signing to peermusic’s Nashville songwriting roster, the music publishing company announced on Tuesday (Feb. 16).
His credits include Randy Houser’s “Boots On,” Lonestar’s “You’re Like Comin’ Home,” Craig Campbell’s “Outta My Head,” and several cuts on Cole Swindell’s debut album. His songs have also been recorded by Willie Nelson and Hank Williams. Jr.
A native of West Texas, Kinney lists his musical influences as Roger Miller, Don Williams and John Anderson.
“When I heard he was looking for a new home it was a no brainer for us,” said Michael Knox, V.P. peermusic Nashville.
“I’m really excited about working with Peer,” Kinney said. “I’ve always respected Kim [Wiggins] and Knox and what they have accomplished as a team. The whole crew feels like family. They also put up with my antics…even though they won’t tell me where the office is. I’ll find it.”
Viewership Holds Steady For 2016 Grammy Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonA move to Monday night (Feb. 15) and a switch to airing live across the nation didn’t hurt the viewership for the 2016 Grammy Awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That said, it didn’t help, either.
The 58th annual Grammy Awards, which aired on CBS, brought in 25.3 million viewers, and averaged a 16.1 overnight rating in Nielsen’s metered market households. That’s only slightly below last year’s overnight rating of 16.7, though last year’s rating was a six-year low for the Grammy awards viewership.
2016’s telecast averaged an 8.5 rating among adults 18-49.
Still, Nashville fared well during last night’s awards. Among this year’s top Nashville-related winners were Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton, Meghan Trainor, Little Big Town, Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, and Liz Rose. Meanwhile, Sam Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Swift, and more lit up the stage and red carpet.
Joe Don Rooney Wins $50,000 At Pebble Beach For Nashville Children’s Hospital
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Jim Nantz, CBS Sportscaster; Clint Eastwood, Chairman of the Board, Monterey Peninsula Foundation; Joe Don Rooney; Doug Mackenzie, Vice Chairman of the Board, Monterey Peninsula Foundation; Dan Rose, Vice President, Partnerships, Facebook; Gray Briggs, Chief Marketing Officer, Facebook; Steve John, Chief Executive Officer, Monterey Peninsula Foundation
Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney accepted a $50,000 check for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt after winning the inaugural Facebook Hole-In-One Challenge at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Golf Tournament near Carmel, California, on Feb. 10.
The charitable event gave 32 celebrities two shots on the par-3 seventh hole. Rooney, actor Andy Garcia, and hockey great Wayne Gretsky advanced to the finals after coming closest to the hole. With each of the three golfers getting only one shot, a hole-in-one would have earned a million dollars. Even though none of the finalists made the shot, Rooney came closest and received the generous check for the hospital.
Clint Eastwood, who posed with Rooney after the competition, is Chairman of the Board of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the 501 (c)(3) that stages the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. The organization disperses the proceeds from these two tournaments to charity.
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, held annually. Jake Owen was partnered with Jordan Spieth at the event. Other notable guests included Bill Murray, Justin Timberlake, and Mark Wahlberg.
BMI, Zanies Presenting “Off The Record: Songs For Gilda’s Club”
/by Craig_ShelburneBMI and Nashville comedy club Zanies will present Off The Record: Songs For Gilda’s Club tonight (Feb. 16) at 7:30 p.m. at Zanies. Bob DiPiero and Bobby Pinson will share some of their irreverent, humorous tracks. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Gilda’s Club Nashville.
“We’re excited to bring together our licensees and songwriters for a fun night,” says BMI’s Mark Mason, Executive Director, Writer-Publisher Relations. “Zanies is a longtime BMI licensee and we’re happy to host this entertaining evening for a worthy cause.”
Additional singer-songwriters slated to appear include Bruce Wallace, Kim Paige, Wynn Varble, Amanda Flynn, Phil Barton, Joe Denim, and Brandon Kinney. The show will be hosted by comedian and musician Andrew Dorfman.
“I am proud to be part of the ‘Off The Record’ show at Zanies for Gilda’s club. I think she would have loved the idea,” said BMI songwriter DiPiero. “This has inspired me to dig deep into the vault of my ‘THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T SING ABOUT’ collection. It’s gonna be big fun!”
“It’s an idea we’ve had for a long time. Zanies is all comedy and Nashville’s all music, so you put them together and it’s going to be really cool,” says Zanies owner Brian Dorfman. “Every musician wants to be a comedian and every comedian wants to be a musician. It’s going to be a fun night for a good cause.”
Tickets for the show are $15 and available on zanies.com or by phone at 615-269-0221. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Grammy Photos: Arrivals, Backstage, Performances
/by Eric T. ParkerThe 58th Annual Grammy Awards were held last night (Feb. 15) at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Browse a collection of photos below of Nashville stars arriving, performing and mingling backstage.
Read about early, pre-tel winners here. Read a wrap-up of the broadcast here.
Best Country Duo/Group Performance winners Little Big Town backstage. Photo: Mike Windel/WireImage.com
Luke Bryan backstage. Photo: twitter.com/lukebryanonline
Best Country Solo Performance Grammy winner Chris Stapleton backstage. Photo: Mike Windle/WireImage.com
Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt backstage. Photo: Mike Windle/WireImage.com
Cam shows off her ruffly yellow dress backstage at the 58th annual Grammy awards. Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Pictured (L-R): Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose celebrate the Grammy-winning song “Girl Crush” backstage. Photo: Becky Fluke/instagram
Pictured (L-R): Meghan Trainor, Demi Lovato, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, Tyrese Gibson, and Shayla Somer Gibson. Photo: Mark Davis/WireImage.com
Taylor Swift opens the 58th annual Grammy Awards show with “Out Of The Woods.” Photo: Kevin Winter/WireImage.com
Ashley Monroe and Lee Ann Womack. Photo: instagram.com/leeannwomack, ashleymonroe
Sam Hunt and Carrie Underwood perform a mashup of “Take Your Time” and “Heartbeat.” Photo: Kevin Winter/WireImage.com
Meghan Trainor arrives. She won the Best New Artist trophy later in the evening Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Taylor Swift arrives. Photo: John Shearer/WireImage.com
Bonnie Raitt arrives. Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage.com
Carrie Underwood on the Grammy red carpet. Photo:John Staples/WireImage/Instagram
Kacey Musgraves and Sam Hunt on the red carpet. Photo: instagram.com/thegrammys
Industry Ink: Doc McGhee, Reviver’s 1608, Demolition Music Publishing, Listening Room Cafe
/by Jessica NicholsonDoc McGhee To Be Inducted Into Personal Managers Hall of Fame
Doc McGhee
Doc McGhee is one of 12 music managers to be inducted into the Personal Managers Hall of Fame on May 12, at Morongo Casino Resort in Palm Springs, California.
McGhee helped launch the careers of Bon Jovi, Motley Crue and Skid Row, and previously managed Darius Rucker. McGhee Entertainment has offices in Nashville and Los Angeles.
Other managers to be inducted include George “Bullets” Durgom ( Merv Griffin, Jackie Gleason, Mort Sahl), Brian Epstein (The Beatles, Cilla Black, The Cyrkle, Bill J. Kramer, Dakotas and Gerry and the Pacemakers), Albert Grossman (Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Gordon Lightfoot, Odetta, and Peter, Paul and Mary), William “Bill” Loeb (Rose Marie, Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme), Rushion McDonald (Steve Harvey), Patricia “Pat” McQueeney (Harrison Ford, Teri Garr, Mackenzie Phillips, Cindy Williams), Edie Robb (Calista Flockhart, Anne Heche, Mark Indelicato, Sandra Steele, Chandra Wilson), Jack Segal (Buddy Hackett, Jackie Mason, Joan Rivers), Jerry Solomon (Jackie Joyner Kersee, Nancy Kerrigan, Ivan Lendl), Larry A. Thompson (William Shatner), and Jeff Wald (James Brolin, George Carlin, Helen Reddy, Sylvester Stallone, Flip Wilson).
Josh Abbott Band Inks Deal With Reviver Label Services’ 1608 Promotion
“If you take a look at what Josh Abbott Band has been able to do on their own – with their last two albums hitting the Top 10 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, you know that the fans really seem to register and identify with what they are doing musically. Taking that next step, and bringing their new radio single ‘Wasn’t That Drunk’ into the band’s story, is what we are going to do at Reviver,” said Reviver Label Services president David Ross.
The group’s new album, Front Row Seat, was released in November, and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart.
Demolition Music Publishing Signs Drew Smith
Pictured (L-R): Jon D’Agostino and Drew Smith.
Demolition Music Publishing has signed songwriter/artist Drew Smith to its roster. A Lawrenceburg, Tennessee native, Smith has had recent cuts with Randy Houser and Merle Haggard, and he has opened for Big & Rich, Lee Brice and others.
The Listening Room Cafe Celebrates 10 Years
Pictured (L-R): Listening Room owner Chris Blair, Craig Campbell, Keifer Thompson, Cole Taylor, and Kristian Bush. Photo: Ken Calcaterra.
One of Nashville’s favorite music rooms, The Listening Room Cafe celebrated its 10-year anniversary recently with some extra special songwriter rounds. Kristian Bush, Thompson Square’s Keifer Thompson, Craig Campbell, and Cole Taylor performed a special round to celebrate 10 years of music at The Listening Room Cafe.
Tickets Available Today! MusicRow’s 5th Annual Rising Women on the Row
/by Eric T. ParkerMusicRow is set to honor five deserving businesswomen (below) who have become substantial contributors and visionary leaders during its annual Rising Women on the Row breakfast. The fifth annual event will be held Friday, April 8, at the Omni Hotel Nashville with tickets (below) with featured speaker Ali Harnell (AEG Live). A special performance will also be given by Capitol Records Nashville rising star Mickey Guyton.
Honorees for 2016 are Abbey Adams (Sony/ATV Music Publishing), Amanda Cates (Maverick Nashville), Cris Lacy (Warner Music Nashville), Leslie Roberts (BMI), and Risha Rodgers (WME). Nominations are now closed.
READ MORE ABOUT THE 2016 RISING WOMEN
READ MORE ABOUT FEATURED SPEAKER FOR THE 2016 PROGRAM
READ MORE ABOUT SPECIAL PERFORMER MICKEY GUYTON
Tickets for the 2016 event are sold out. With any Rising Women on the Row inquiries, please contact Eric at eparker@musicrow.com.
Chase Rice Launching Back To College Tour In April
/by Craig_ShelburneChase Rice. Photo: Cody Cannon
Chase Rice got his start playing the college circuit, and he’ll revisit those roots with the Back to College Tour starting on April 14 at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida.
Other dates include: the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill (where Rice attended college) on April 16; Gannon University and Edinboro University in Erie, Pennsylvania, on April 19; Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, on April 21; Southern Illinois University in Carbondale on April 23; East Georgia State College in Swainsboro on April 29; and Western Connecticut State University in Danbury on May 6.
The concert series is presented by Campus Event Networks, an online resource for college concert programmers.
Rice just released a new single, “Whisper,” from his upcoming second album on Columbia Nashville/Dack Janiels. The single will officially go for adds on Feb. 29, with a new album to follow in 2016. His hits include “Ready, Set, Roll” and “Gonna Wanna Tonight.” He is currently nominated for ACM Top New Male Vocalist.
“We wanted to take our time with this new album and I want to put the good, the bad and all the grit in between into these songs,” Rice says. “The fans in a lot of these cities have been there for me since day one, so I’m looking forward to playing them some new music live and bringing them along on the next step of our journey.”
Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton Claim Multiple Grammys; Meghan Trainor, Little Big Town Win
/by Jessica NicholsonBy the time Taylor Swift took the stage to open the 58th annual Grammy Awards, the multi-talented entertainer had already heard her name called twice in the winners category. Clad in a bedazzled bodysuit, Swift belted her latest single “Out Of The Woods.”
During the pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony, Swift earned Best Pop Vocal Album for 1989, and the clip for “Bad Blood” (ft. Kendrick Lamar) earned an honor for Best Music Video.
Swift later earned Album of the Year for her project 1989.
“I want to thank the fans for the past 10 years,” said Swift. She thanked Max Martin and all of her collaborators. She also took the opportunity to strike back at her opponents and encourage young dreamers.
“As the first woman to win Album of the Year at the Grammy’s twice, I want to say to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success, or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame. But if you just focus on the work, and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going, you’ll look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there, and that will be the greatest feeling in the world.”
“I’d like to thank Taylor Swift for glitter bombing me before I got up here for this,” Stapleton said during his acceptance for Best Country Album. “This is something you would never dream of and I’m so grateful for it,” said Stapleton. Newcomer and Grammy nominee Cam also made an appearance during the evening, presenting the Best Country Album honor.
“Thanks to our families for putting up with us and thanks to Chris for letting me get in the studio with him,” said Cobb.
The Grammy awards showcased two of Nashville’s most popular artists early in the show, pairing Sam Hunt and Carrie Underwood for a smoldering mashup of Hunt’s “Take Your Time,” with Underwood’s “Heartbeat.”
Meghan Trainor
Though Hunt didn’t win the all-genre Best New Artist award, another artist with Nashville ties—“All About That Bass” singer Meghan Trainor—did. Trainor is signed with Nashville publishing company Big Yellow Dog, and was a Nashville resident during the recording of her album, Title.
“Oh I’m a mess,” said Trainor through tears. “I have to thank L.A. Reid for looking at me like an artist instead of just a songwriter. My mom and dad for always believing me. I’m a mess. I have to go cry. Thank you to The Grammys. I love you so much.”
Alabama Shakes earned Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance for “Don’t Wanna Fight.” The group’s lead singer Brittany Howard has a home in Nashville. During the pre-telecast, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jason Isbell picked up Grammys for Best Americana Album (Something More Than Free) and Best American Roots Song (“24 Frames”).
Country performers graced the Grammy stage throughout the evening.
Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild more than held the crowd’s attention with her strong alto, blended with the lush harmonies of her bandmates on “Girl Crush,” complemented by a full string orchestra.
The group’s song garnered two trophies during the 48th annual Grammy awards. “Girl Crush” earned the honors of Best Country Song for the songwriters (Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Little Big Town during the pre-telecast festivities.
This is the band’s second Grammy, following a 2012 trophy for “Pontoon.”
Luke Bryan paid tribute to Lionel Richie with a rendition of “Penny Lover,” in a collaboration with Meghan Trainor, Tyrese Gibson, Demi Lovato, and John Legend. Legend led the tribute with a piano-based offering of the Commodores breezy 1977 hit “Easy,” followed by Lovato’s soulful take on “Hello.” Gibson led the crowd in a rendition of The Commodores’ classic “Brick House.”
Chris Stapleton lent his burly vocals and easygoing guitar skills to a tribute to the late blues legend B.B. King. Stapleton was joined by Bonnie Raitt, and Gary Clark Jr. on “The Thrill Is Gone.”
For Swift, Stapleton, Little Big Town and Trainor, the thrill of a Grammy win is just beginning.