Brad Paisley. Photo: Chris Hollo
Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton are not only Grand Ole Opry stars. They’re now movie stars too.
Along with The Band Perry and Brett Eldredge, these famous faces are part of American Saturday Night: Live From the Grand Ole Opry, a concert film that premiered Monday night (Nov. 30) in Franklin, Tennessee.
The feature is intended to be more like a concert experience than a documentary, so it’s heavy on the music. In this version of the Opry, Paisley is the elder statesman. As a member since 2001, he’s the one who talks the most about the show’s legacy and some of its late members, including Johnny Russell and Little Jimmy Dickens. None of the older living cast members are featured in the film and the only narrative or historical perspective comes directly from the five performing artists, who all speak reverently about the Opry’s legacy.
However, for those lucky enough to go backstage at the Opry on a regular basis, the film does capture what it’s like to pop into dressing rooms or rub elbows with stars like Rucker and Shelton in the hallways, even if it’s just for a few seconds. As always, emcee Bill Cody does an admirable job of keeping the show moving, cheerfully introducing star after star while making the audience feel actively involved.
While most of the actual Saturday shows would have a segment host, the film bypasses that formality and splices in backstage footage instead. Although the film is not an exact reflection of what it’s like to attend the Grand Ole Opry, fans naturally are curious about what goes on behind the famous curtain, and this beautifully-shot film should satisfy their interest.
Brett Eldredge. Photo: Chris Hollo.
American Saturday Night: Live From the Grand Ole Opry will open nationally Friday (Dec. 4) at select Carmike Cinemas theaters, with distribution across America following in January, via a partnership between the Opry and independent distributor DigiNext (a joint venture with Carmike Cinemas Inc.).
The film is directed by George J. Flanigen IV. Executive Producers are Opry Entertainment President Steve Buchanan, video producer Robert Deaton, Opry Vice President/General Manager Pete Fisher, and Flanigen.
Blaster Records Confirms Layoffs Amid Restructuring
/by Eric T. ParkerBlaster Records has announced a downsizing this afternoon (Dec. 1) largely affecting its promotion staff. Layoffs include Promotions VP Bob Reeves in addition to regionals Glenn Noblit, Tyler Waugh, Dave Collins, and Bart Allmand.
The label will continue to operate in Nashville and Cleveland, focusing on developing new artists from the ground up where radio is not the primary focus. The enterprise will also invest energy and resources in a publishing venture, which has been in development over the past year.
President Derek Simon confirmed the announcement to MusicRow.
Blaster’s roster includes Montgomery Gentry, James Otto, Dallas Smith, Chuck Wicks, Jared Ashley and Christian Lopez Band.
Dierks Bentley Lines Up European Tour Dates For 2016
/by Troy_StephensonDierks Bentley. Photo: GreenRoom PR
Dierks Bentley has announced an overseas tour slated for April 2016 that will include shows in Dublin, London, Manchester, and Glasgow. Bentley has completed two previous European tours and has also performed a sold-out show at the O2 in Manchester.
Tucker Beathard will join the tour as the opening act. Beathard is signed to BMLG’s Dot Records and Big Machine Music.
“We’ve been coming to Europe and slowly building a fan base since 2006, but it feels like something has really clicked recently,” shares Bentley. “The volume and size of the crowd last year really blew my band and I away and we’ve been talking about coming back ever since we walked offstage. We can’t wait for this tour!”
2016 European Tour Dates:
April 21-Dublin, Ireland @ Olympia Theater
April 22-London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
April 23-Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo
April 24-Glasgow, UK @ Clyde Auditorium
Tickets will go on sale this Friday (Dec. 4) at 9 a.m. local time at dierks.com.
Mark Your Calendar — December 2015
/by Eric T. ParkerDecember 4
Johnny Cash/Johnny Cash’s Man In Black: Live in Denmark 1971/Columbia-Legacy Recordings
Jessie James Decker/This Christmas/Big Yellow Dog
December 11
Cam/Untamed/Arista Nashville-RCA Records
Chris Carmack/Pieces of You [EP]
December 1
No Shave November Beard Bash
December 2
6th annual CMT Artists of the Year from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
December 8
Songwriters Hall of Fame ballots due
December 9
ACM nomination ballot closes
December 10
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors airs at 9/8c on NBC
December 12
31st annual Symphony Ball at Schermerhorn Symphony Center
December 17
American Country Countdown’s Top 10 Stories of 2015 at 8 p.m. ET
December 31
Nashville’s Jack Daniels Bash on Broadway with Kings of Leon
December 7
David Fanning/What’s Next/Stoney Creek
Chris Lane/Fix/Big Loud Records
Drake White/Livin’ The Dream/Dot Records
Brecken Miles/The Anchor/Rhyme Partners
Crosby Lane/Crucified
December 14
Crosby Lane/Crucified/Mansion
Jeff Cook/Christmas Joy/Heartland Records-Quest
Jeff Cook/Rock N Roll Guitar/Heartland Records-Quest
Cash Creek/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Heartland Records
Magnolia Belle/Christmas In Vegas/Heartland Records
Marketing Agency FlyteVu Expands Staff
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Ryan Milby, Natalie Logan
FlyteVu, a full-service marketing agency founded in October 2015 by former CAA agent Laura Hutfless and former WMN executive Jeremy Holley, has expanded its staff. Ryan Milby has been hired to oversee Creative, while Natalie Logan has been hired to oversee publicity.
Milby’s experience includes more than a decade of work in interactive art direction and web-based design. He served as Interactive Design Manager at Warner Music Group and has produced digital platforms and creative content for artists including Blake Shelton, Hunter Hayes, Randy Travis, Brett Eldredge, as well as late night host Jimmy Fallon.
Logan was previously an Account Supervisor at Rogers & Cowan in Los Angeles where she planned and executed public relations campaigns in an array of industries. She has worked with clients such as Maserati, The Recording Academy, The Venetian Macao, Mondrian Los Angeles, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Columbia Sportswear, UPTV, and more. Additionally, she has worked on Academy Award campaigns and managed on-site activations at festivals and events including Sundance Film Festival, Zurich Film Festival, and New York Fashion Week.
“We’re excited to have Natalie and Ryan join the FlyteVu family and help further our commitment to help brands navigate the music landscape. Their individual experiences will be a valuable resource as we continue to grow our team,” said Holley.
Charity News: Blackberry Smoke, Luke Bryan, Women Rock For the Cure
/by Craig_ShelburneBlackberry Smoke Donate $15,000 at Atlanta Show
Pictured (L-R): Brandon Still and Paul Jackson, Blackberry Smoke; Scott Story, a patient’s parent; Charlie Starr, Blackberry Smoke; Karen McCarthy, CURE Childhood Cancer; Brit and Richard Turner, Blackberry Smoke. Photo: Webster PR
Blackberry Smoke performed a sold-out homecoming show at the Tabernacle in Atlanta on Friday (Nov. 27), where they donated $15,000 to CURE Childhood Cancer and $15,000 to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
The money was raised through the sale of VIP Meet & Greet packages at their 2015 shows. This latest donation brings the total given by the band to childhood cancer non-profits and research to more than $130,000 over the past three years.
Blackberry Smoke’s desire to give was inspired by Lana Turner, the daughter of drummer Brit Turner, who was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma at the age of 3. Thanks to the care she received from the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, she made a complete recovery and is now a happy and healthy 8-year-old. This year’s donations will be used to fund pediatric cancer research that will impact children throughout the Southeast region and beyond.
“We are so moved and appreciative to receive these funds from such a fantastic rock band which understands the crisis of childhood cancer after traveling the journey with the Turner family,” said Kristin Connor, Executive Director of CURE Childhood Cancer. “It means so much that Blackberry Smoke shares our mission to eradicate pediatric cancer in our lifetime.”
Luke Bryan Shakes the Salvation Army Kettle
Luke Bryan. Photo: Kelly Alexander
Luke Bryan took the stage at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) to kick off The Salvation Army’s 125th Red Kettle Campaign with a halftime performance on CBS during the Dallas Cowboys game against the Carolina Panthers.
The campaign officially began with the halftime performance and the inaugural Red Kettle donation from Jerry Jones, owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, and his family. Since teaming up in 1997, the collaboration of The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys has raised more than $2 billion for the Red Kettle campaign, which provides America’s most vulnerable with food, shelter and other support throughout the year.
Women Rock for the Cure Sets Fundraising Concert
Lucie Silvas, Nathan Barlowe, Heather Morgan and Caitlyn Smith will participate in a fundraiser for Women Rock for the Cure on Dec. 8 at 3rd & Lindsley. Billed as “A Pink Evening,” the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Women Rocks for the Cure works to build awareness and provide outreach programs through the power of the entertainment industry. All proceeds benefit the organization’s outreach efforts, including the Young Survivors Retreat, which brings together young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Grand Ole Opry Concert Film Premieres in Franklin
/by Craig_ShelburneBrad Paisley. Photo: Chris Hollo
Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton are not only Grand Ole Opry stars. They’re now movie stars too.
Along with The Band Perry and Brett Eldredge, these famous faces are part of American Saturday Night: Live From the Grand Ole Opry, a concert film that premiered Monday night (Nov. 30) in Franklin, Tennessee.
The feature is intended to be more like a concert experience than a documentary, so it’s heavy on the music. In this version of the Opry, Paisley is the elder statesman. As a member since 2001, he’s the one who talks the most about the show’s legacy and some of its late members, including Johnny Russell and Little Jimmy Dickens. None of the older living cast members are featured in the film and the only narrative or historical perspective comes directly from the five performing artists, who all speak reverently about the Opry’s legacy.
However, for those lucky enough to go backstage at the Opry on a regular basis, the film does capture what it’s like to pop into dressing rooms or rub elbows with stars like Rucker and Shelton in the hallways, even if it’s just for a few seconds. As always, emcee Bill Cody does an admirable job of keeping the show moving, cheerfully introducing star after star while making the audience feel actively involved.
While most of the actual Saturday shows would have a segment host, the film bypasses that formality and splices in backstage footage instead. Although the film is not an exact reflection of what it’s like to attend the Grand Ole Opry, fans naturally are curious about what goes on behind the famous curtain, and this beautifully-shot film should satisfy their interest.
Brett Eldredge. Photo: Chris Hollo.
American Saturday Night: Live From the Grand Ole Opry will open nationally Friday (Dec. 4) at select Carmike Cinemas theaters, with distribution across America following in January, via a partnership between the Opry and independent distributor DigiNext (a joint venture with Carmike Cinemas Inc.).
The film is directed by George J. Flanigen IV. Executive Producers are Opry Entertainment President Steve Buchanan, video producer Robert Deaton, Opry Vice President/General Manager Pete Fisher, and Flanigen.
Brian Hill Returns To CAA, Agency Expands Artist Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonBrian Hill
CAA’s Nashville office has added agent Brian Hill. This marks a return to CAA for Hill, who is a former CAA Trainee and 24-year industry veteran. He previously worked at Paradigm.
Hill represents Kevin Fowler, Jack Ingram, Eli Young Band and LOCASH, all of whom join him at CAA.
Hill’s is one of three recent additions, including Adam Brill to CAA’s Los Angeles office and Ben Buchanan to CAA’s Toronto office.
“Adam, Ben, and Brian are proven successes in discovering and nurturing the careers of emerging artists,” said Rob Light, Managing Partner and Head of CAA Music. “They will thrive within CAA’s collaborative model of client service.”
Nancy Shapiro Added As Senior Advisor in Nashville Mayor’s Office
/by Jessica NicholsonNancy Shapiro
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry has appointed Nancy Shapiro to serve as senior advisor on innovation in the Mayor’s Office in a volunteer capacity. She continues in her post as Senior Vice President, Special Projects for The Recording Academy (Grammy Awards), where she has served music education and reform since 1985.
With the Mayor’s Office, Shapiro will focus on bringing together members from the public, private, and non-for-profit sectors to guide Metro on ways to incorporate new techniques and innovative ideas into how government operates.
Shapiro’s experience includes working with the Mayor’s Office and Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) to ensure that Nashville is recognized as the nation’s most innovative public school music program. Through Music Makes Us, Shapiro has helped bring high school programs such as the student-run record label in partnership with Warner Music in addition to curriculums in hip hop, mariachi, technology, country/bluegrass, and rock, helping to elevate classical, jazz, choral, and marching band programs.
“Government is not a business and you don’t get to run it like one, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take best business practices like using data and reasoned analysis to make our government more efficient and effective for taxpayers,” said Mayor Barry. “Nancy will help us to do just that as our senior advisor on innovation, working with Metro government to rethink the way we do things and better incorporate technology and new techniques that have worked in other cities to improve city operations.”
“I am honored to be working with Mayor Barry to connect citizens with city government though civic innovation. We will engage collaborative partners in Metro, diverse community and business sectors, entrepreneurs, academics, and non-profits,” said Shapiro. “Using open data resources, we will pinpoint challenges, review successes in other cities, and present creative solutions for consideration to improve how Metro works for citizens in Nashville.”
Kacey Musgraves Extends Headlining Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonKacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves is extending her headlining tour, The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue, into 2016, kicking off in Dallas on Jan. 21.
The upcoming run will make its way through 11 cities throughout the U.S. before it wraps in Kansas City on March 5.
THE KACEY MUSGRAVES COUNTRY & WESTERN RHINESTONE REVUE – Spring 2016
Jan. 21 – Dallas, Texas / Majestic Theatre
Jan. 22 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma / Diamond Ballroom
Jan. 23 – Omaha, Nebraska / SOKOL Auditorium
Feb. 19 – Boston, Massachusetts / Orpheum Theatre
Feb. 20 – Sayreville, New Jersey / Starland Ballroom
Feb. 25 – Kalamazoo, Michigan / State Theatre
Feb. 26 – Columbus, Ohio / LC Pavilion
Feb. 27 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Stage AE
March 3 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin / Riverside Theatre
March 4 – Indianapolis, Indiana / Egyptian Room
March 5 – Kansas City, Missouri / Arvest Bank at Midland
CRS 2016 New Faces of Country Music Show Performers Revealed
/by Jessica NicholsonBrothers Osborne (EMI Nashville), Kelsea Ballerini (Black River Entertainment), Cam (Arista Nashville), Old Dominion (RCA Nashville), and Chris Janson (Warner Music Nashville) are set to perform for radio programmers during 2016’s Country Radio Seminar.
Co-sponsored by the Academy of Country Music and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the annual new artist showcase event officially closes out the seminar. Performances will be powered by Live Nation and will take place in the CRS Performance Hall. The 2016 New Faces of Country Music Show will be held Feb. 10 during Country Radio Seminar at the downtown Omni Nashville.
Dinner tickets for the 2016 New Faces show are sold out, however, New Faces of Country Music Show viewing parties are being planned to accommodate overflow attendees.