Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett Surprise St. Jude Patient With Private Concert
Pictured (L-R): Kinsee’s mother, Holly; grandmother, Sandra; Brett Eldredge; Kinsee; and Thomas Rhett. Photo: Dusty Draper / CMA
As part of the making of CMA Country Christmas, artists Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett surprised 14-year-old Kinsee with a private performance of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Kinsee has been a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since she was 8 years old. Kinsee was diagnosed with leukemia after becoming sick while on vacation with her grandparents. Her treatment included chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and radiation. Within several weeks of starting chemotherapy, Kinsee’s cancer was in remission; she has now been in remission for five years.
The performance from Eldredge and Rhett was taped for the two-hour CMA special. CMA Country Christmas offers a platform to increase awareness for the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Our industry, artists, and country radio have a strong connection to St. Jude and we are honored to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Kinsee while we also bring important recognition to the Hospital,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Kinsee’s recovery is something we can all celebrate, because she represents the hope and happy ending we desire for all children – especially during the holidays.”
Hosted for the sixth time by Jennifer Nettles, CMA Country Christmas airs Thursday, Dec. 3 on ABC. Taped at the Grand Ole Opry House, CMA Country Christmas is a celebration of the season featuring performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Jewel, Charles Kelley, Martina McBride, David Nail, Nettles, Pentatonix, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer, Michael W. Smith, and Lindsey Stirling.
Mark Wills Joins Helping A Hero National Gala
Mark Wills
Entertainer Mark Wills is slated to take part in Helping A Hero’s 2015 National Gala on Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Bayou City Events Center in Houston. Helping A Hero is a Houston-based non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides support for military personnel who are severely injured.
Wills is slated to perform during the event, which will be hosted by 60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan. Former Presidential candidate Herman Cain will receive the Patriot Award, while Houston’s Joanne King Herring will receive the Defense of Freedom Award.
Helping a Hero was created to provide specially adapted homes at a deeply discounted price for qualifying service members while engaging the community to provide services and resources for the recipients and their families. Through the HelpingaHero.org Home Program, 100 severely wounded heroes from 22 states have been awarded a specially-adapted home that addresses their physical adaptation needs.
For more information, visit helpingahero.org.
Chase Bryant To Headline Charity Concert
Brooke Eden and Carly Pearce plus hit songwriters Shane Minor, Wendell Mobley and producer/songwriter Derek George will join headliner Chase Bryant for his inaugural “Music For Mobility”concert on Sunday, Nov. 22. The event will raise money for The Arthritis Foundation and will take place at Nashville’s The Listening Room beginning at 7 p.m.
Raising awareness and monies for arthritis treatment research is a cause deeply personal to the rising star. In fact, two of Bryant’s close family members suffer from debilitating arthritis.
“A lot of people don’t realize just how painful arthritis is and that it also affects young children. My cousin Emma has suffered from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since she was two years old. She’s already had a number of surgeries and treatments because of the disease. My aunt Jenifer also suffers from arthritis. This is personal for me. My hope is to raise money for research to discover more effective treatments and – ultimately a cure — for the disease,” says Bryant.
General admission tickets are $15 in advance. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $45. Each VIP ticket includes preferred seating, a meet-and-greet with Bryant after the show and an autographed poster. VIP Table Packages are available for $500 per table. VIP Table Packages include a table for four in the front row, four meet-and-greet passes for after the show, four autographed posters and one autographed guitar.
All ticket packages are available at eventbrite.com.
NBC Previews ‘Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors’ Movie
/by Eric T. ParkerPhoto: Jeff Lipsky/NBC
NBC has unveiled a three-minute preview of the movie special, Dolly Parton‘s Coat of Many Colors.
The upcoming primetime special was inspired by a true story from Parton’s life growing up in East Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains in 1955. It is neither a biopic nor a musical about the country music legend’s whole life and performing career, but rather a family-oriented, faith-based story about the incidents in her and her family’s life around the time she was 9 years old.
Alyvia Alyn Lind will portray 9-year-old Parton, with Jennifer Nettles as Parton’s mother, Ricky Schroder as her father and Gerald McRaney as her grandfather.
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors is written by Pamela K. Long. She executive produces with Sam Haskell and Parton. The film is a production of Magnolia Hill Entertainment and DP Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Stephen Herek directs.
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors airs Dec. 10 at 9/8c on NBC.
LifeNotes: Joseph Anthony Galante, Father of Joe Galante, Passes
/by Craig_ShelburneJoseph Anthony Galante, the father of former chairman of Sony Music Nashville and Founding Council member of Leadership Music Joe Galante, passed away on Tuesday (Nov. 17) in Nashville. He was 96.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. at Cathedral of Christ the King, located at 3001 Belmont Boulevard in Nashville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Abe’s Garden, an Alzheimer’s and Memory Care center in Nashville.
Willie Nelson To Receive Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song
/by Troy_StephensonWillie Nelson. Photo: Danny Clinch
Willie Nelson will be honored by the The Library of Congress tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 18) as he has been named the 2015 recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The event will take place in Washington D.C. and will include a concert event featuring performances by Nelson himself along with Edie Brickell, Leon Bridges, Rosanne Cash, Ana Gabriel, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Cyndi Lauper, Raul Malo of The Mavericks, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Paul Simon, Neil Young and Buckwheat Zydeco. The master of ceremonies for the event will be actor Don Johnson.
“It is a great honor to be receiving the Gershwin award,” said Nelson. “I have been a fan of Ira and George Gershwins‘ music since I was a little guy and in appreciation for the award-and also I wanted to make some great music-I’ve just recorded a complete Gershwin album. It’s called Summertime.”
The two-day celebration began with a presentation yesterday (Tue. 11/17) and special display on in the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building with a group of the nation’s lawmakers, who recognized Nelson for his contributions to popular music.
“Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize” will air on PBS stations nationwide at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 15. The program also will be broadcast at a later date via the American Forces Network to U.S. Department of Defense locations around the world.
Lee Brice To Headline ‘Life Off My Years’ Tour In 2016
/by Troy_StephensonPictured (L-R): Lee Brice, Tyler Farr.
Curb Records artist Lee Brice will headline the “Life Off My Years” tour, beginning in Salisbury, Maryland, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. Columbia Nashville’s Tyler Farr will join Brice as special guest as they take shows to 21 U.S. cities.
Brice recently played his 50th state show in Rome, Georgia, becoming the first country artist to perform in all 50 states in 2015.
Performance dates for Brice’s “Life Off My Years” 2016 tour include:
2/4: Salisbury, MD
2/5: Rochester, NY
2/6: Kingston, RI
2/12: Rockford, IL
2/13: Kearney, NE
2/14: Brookings, SD
2/18: Southaven, MS
2/19: Augusta, GA
2/20: Pikeville, KY
3/17: Lowell, MA
3/18: Allentown, PA
3/19: Indiana, PA
4/7: Milwaukee, WI
4/8: Kalamazoo, MI
4/9: Chicago, IL
4/14: Saginaw, MI
4/15: Highland Heights, KY
4/16: Huntington, WV
4/21: Dayton, OH
4/22: Youngstown, OH
4/23: Toledo, OH
Artist Updates: Kimberly Schlapman, Kenny Chesney, Thompson Square, Jessie James Decker
/by Eric T. ParkerKimberly Schlapman Visits Cracker Barrel in Boise
Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman surprised fans this past Friday (Nov. 13) visiting the Cracker Barrel in Boise, Idaho, to celebrate the launch of her 50-piece home goods and kitchenware collection at the Old Country Store. Schlapman met fans, signed products from her exclusive Oh Gussie! collection, took photos, and gave away concert tickets to Little Big Town’s show that night at the Taco Bell Arena.
Kenny Chesney Adds Second Boston date for 2016
Kenny Chesney launches The Big Revival Tour 2015 in Nashville. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Kenny Chesney has added a second show at Boston’s Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 27 because pre-sale numbers were so high for the first show, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 26. Tickets for both shows will go on sale to the public on Friday, Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. ET.
This show marks Chesney’s 15th play in the home of the New England Patriots, with Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt and Old Dominion joining him for the weekend during his Spread the Love Tour.
Syndicated Online Series Reveals Thompson Square Interview
Syndicated online series, The Pickup, covers country music headlines, happenings and untold stories with its latest episode featuring an interview with Thompson Square. Keifer and Shawna Thompson welcomed host Adam Wurtzel into their tour bus to chat about what keeps them up at night.
In addition, Wurtzel travels to Toronto to celebrate the legacy of Sharon, Lois & Bram, whose music entertained a generation of young viewers via The Elephant Show on Nickelodeon and Skinnamarink TV on TLC. The episode also features Hank Williams Jr.‘s CMA Awards opening number, a preview of this year’s CMT Artists of the Year, and Tanya Tucker’s upcoming appearance at this year’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Christmas Tree Lighting.
New episodes can be viewed on the 1st and 15th of every month on major broadcasters’ websites, various online media sites and Sky TV’s CM&T program.
Jessie James Decker Tops Holiday Chart for Second Year with Big Yellow Dog
Jessie James Decker released her new single “This Christmas” with Big Yellow Dog Music last Friday (Nov. 13), and for the second consecutive year, Decker debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Holiday Chart.
The release comes on the heels of her performance of The National Anthem at Thursday’s (Nov. 12) NY Jets vs. Buffalo Bills game, shows at iPlay America in New Jersey, and a sold-out Cutting Room show in New York on Saturday night (Nov. 14).
BBR Music Group Expands Digital, Marketing Departments
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Addie Saloman, Chelsea Reynolds
BBR Music Group has expanded its team, with the additions of Addie Saloman as Director of Digital and Chelsea Reynolds as Manager of Marketing. Responsibilities for both newly-created positions will extend across all BBR Music Group entities.
Saloman comes to BBR Music Group from the Academy of Country Music in Encino, California, where she previously held the position of Manager of Membership. There, she handled the Academy’s professional memberships and outreach initiatives, oversaw annual awards balloting and maintained the academy’s awards voting research. In her new role, Saloman will support BBR Music Group’s VP of Digital, Lynette Garbonola.
“I’m so happy to have Addie on the digital team. I’m confident that she will be an incredible asset to this department and to BBR Music Group’s roster of artists,” says Garbonola.
“After interning with BBR Music Group while attending Belmont University in 2010, I’ve always known that if I moved back to Nashville, it would only be to work for this company!” says Saloman. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to reunite with Lynette and the BBR Music Group team to help grow the digital department and work with a brilliant roster of artists.”
Reynolds joins BBR Music Group from BMG Nashville where she served as Creative Assistant. Prior to that, she held the position of Executive Assistant to the President of Motion Picture Music at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles. Throughout her career, she has also worked for several of Hollywood’s leading film composers including Hans Zimmer, Henry Jackman, Ramin Djawadi, as well as various music supervisors. In her new role, Reynolds will report directly to Mary Forest Findley, VP of Marketing for BBR Music Group.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Chelsea to the BBR Music Group family. She brings the perfect balance of strategic decision-making and creative thinking to our department,” says Findley. “I can’t wait for her to put these talents to use as we head into what will be an incredibly busy and exciting 2016.”
“I am thrilled to be a part of BBR Music Group’s marketing team. Since moving to Nashville, I have had my eye on this company, and I’m very excited to assist Mary Forest and the rest of the creative team!” says Reynolds.
Both Saloman’s and Reynolds’ new positions are effective immediately.
Saloman may be reached at (615) 610-2119 and addie@bbrmusicgroup.com.
Reynolds may be reached at (615) 610-2157 and chelsea.reynolds@bbrmusicgroup.com.
Grammy Nominations Coming December 7
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Recording Academy will announce the 58th Annual Grammy Awards nominations on Monday, Dec. 7.
The first categories to be announced will be Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year, which will be revealed live on CBS This Morning at 8:15 a.m. ET. At 8:30 a.m. ET, the complete nominations list will be made available on Grammy.com.
More than 200 experts from various musical backgrounds and disciplines recently listened to and categorized all Grammy entries across 83 categories and 30 fields, during the Recording Academy’s annual screening committee meetings.
First round ballots were completed earlier this month. Final round ballots will be due Jan. 15, 2016.
“With such a high volume of entries, the awards process requires a lot of energy,” said Bill Freimuth, Senior Vice President of Awards for The Recording Academy. “But music makers put their hearts and souls into these recordings, so it’s important to respect that work by giving each entry the time and consideration it deserves to make sure it’s presented to voters in the right context on the first ballot.”
The eligibility period for the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards is Oct. 1, 2014 through Sept. 30, 2015.
The 58th Annual Grammy Awards will air live from from the Staples Center, Feb. 15 on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Music Biz Accepting Program Ideas For Nashville Convention
/by Craig_ShelburneIn advance of its May convention in Nashville, Music Biz is seeking program ideas from industry professionals. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 11.
Program ideas can be submitted by both Music Biz members and non-members. Each application will be reviewed by the Music Biz 2016 Convention Workgroup and Music Biz staff, who will judge each submission on overall quality, focus, and innovation; relevance to the issues facing the music and entertainment industry; sound research and theoretical basis (if applicable); and practical implications to the Music Biz membership. Those who are selected for inclusion will be contacted by January 15.
Submissions are being accepted in the following categories:
• Metadata & Information Technology — A high-level look at digital data issues and the ways we can work together as an industry to ensure that consumers can easily find and discover the music they want and that music product accounting is accurate and expedient.
• Startups & Developers — Labels, managers, artists and more are looking for new ideas to take their business to the next level. We are seeking presentations that demonstrate how to build viable and legal products and services for today’s music industry.
• Metrics & Sales Analysis — We are seeking presentations that give market and consumer insights on all commercial models that attendees can use to make the most informed business decisions.
• Artists, Management & Touring — As the music industry continues to evolve, so too does the role of artist managers, who now have a greater stake in artist development and commerce than ever before. We are seeking presentations that give managers the tools they need to succeed.
• Songwriting & Publishing — This program block is designed to provide expert insight into the challenges and opportunities songwriters face in the digital age. Sessions should be proposed to provide perspective about songwriter payments, consumer trends and monetization strategies for platforms like YouTube, and more.
• Entertainment & Technology Law — Discussions will merge entertainment law issues with insight on the new technology and media concerns that are at the forefront of the entertainment and technology industries.
• Advertising & Branding — Artists are turning to brands in a quest for ancillary sources of revenue. We’ll take a deeper look at how partnerships have evolved and the impact of these partnerships on both parties.
• Digital Marketing — Sessions for artists, managers and labels looking to build better strategies for marketing music. Discussions should be proposed that cover distribution, promotion, social media, SEO, playlisting and more.
• Physical Commerce — From vinyl to sales reporting to manufacturing on-demand and more, these sessions will focus on the future of the physical retail business.
• Music Business Education — Geared towards educators and/or students, these sessions aim to showcase ideas on how to take music business education to the next level.
• Breakout Sessions — 30-minute slots for general or specialized topics not covered in the tracks above.
Music Biz 2016, hosted by the Music Business Association (Music Biz), will be held from May 16-18 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
Charity News: Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett, Mark Wills, Chase Bryant
/by Jessica NicholsonBrett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett Surprise St. Jude Patient With Private Concert
Pictured (L-R): Kinsee’s mother, Holly; grandmother, Sandra; Brett Eldredge; Kinsee; and Thomas Rhett. Photo: Dusty Draper / CMA
As part of the making of CMA Country Christmas, artists Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett surprised 14-year-old Kinsee with a private performance of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Kinsee has been a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since she was 8 years old. Kinsee was diagnosed with leukemia after becoming sick while on vacation with her grandparents. Her treatment included chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and radiation. Within several weeks of starting chemotherapy, Kinsee’s cancer was in remission; she has now been in remission for five years.
The performance from Eldredge and Rhett was taped for the two-hour CMA special. CMA Country Christmas offers a platform to increase awareness for the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Our industry, artists, and country radio have a strong connection to St. Jude and we are honored to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Kinsee while we also bring important recognition to the Hospital,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Kinsee’s recovery is something we can all celebrate, because she represents the hope and happy ending we desire for all children – especially during the holidays.”
Hosted for the sixth time by Jennifer Nettles, CMA Country Christmas airs Thursday, Dec. 3 on ABC. Taped at the Grand Ole Opry House, CMA Country Christmas is a celebration of the season featuring performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Jewel, Charles Kelley, Martina McBride, David Nail, Nettles, Pentatonix, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer, Michael W. Smith, and Lindsey Stirling.
Mark Wills Joins Helping A Hero National Gala
Mark Wills
Entertainer Mark Wills is slated to take part in Helping A Hero’s 2015 National Gala on Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Bayou City Events Center in Houston. Helping A Hero is a Houston-based non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides support for military personnel who are severely injured.
Wills is slated to perform during the event, which will be hosted by 60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan. Former Presidential candidate Herman Cain will receive the Patriot Award, while Houston’s Joanne King Herring will receive the Defense of Freedom Award.
Helping a Hero was created to provide specially adapted homes at a deeply discounted price for qualifying service members while engaging the community to provide services and resources for the recipients and their families. Through the HelpingaHero.org Home Program, 100 severely wounded heroes from 22 states have been awarded a specially-adapted home that addresses their physical adaptation needs.
For more information, visit helpingahero.org.
Chase Bryant To Headline Charity Concert
Brooke Eden and Carly Pearce plus hit songwriters Shane Minor, Wendell Mobley and producer/songwriter Derek George will join headliner Chase Bryant for his inaugural “Music For Mobility”concert on Sunday, Nov. 22. The event will raise money for The Arthritis Foundation and will take place at Nashville’s The Listening Room beginning at 7 p.m.
Raising awareness and monies for arthritis treatment research is a cause deeply personal to the rising star. In fact, two of Bryant’s close family members suffer from debilitating arthritis.
“A lot of people don’t realize just how painful arthritis is and that it also affects young children. My cousin Emma has suffered from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since she was two years old. She’s already had a number of surgeries and treatments because of the disease. My aunt Jenifer also suffers from arthritis. This is personal for me. My hope is to raise money for research to discover more effective treatments and – ultimately a cure — for the disease,” says Bryant.
General admission tickets are $15 in advance. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $45. Each VIP ticket includes preferred seating, a meet-and-greet with Bryant after the show and an autographed poster. VIP Table Packages are available for $500 per table. VIP Table Packages include a table for four in the front row, four meet-and-greet passes for after the show, four autographed posters and one autographed guitar.
All ticket packages are available at eventbrite.com.
Hank Williams Jr. Achieves Sixth Decade on Country Chart
/by Craig_ShelburneHank Williams Jr. has charted for his sixth consecutive decade on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, due to his new single, “Are You Ready For the Country?”
The single is a duet with Eric Church and the first release from Williams’ first album for Nash Icon Records, a division of the Big Machine Label Group. The track enters at No. 58 on this week’s chart.
“It’s surreal to stand back and take in the fact that Hank Williams Jr. is on our artist roster,” said Scott Borchetta, President/CEO Big Machine Label Group. “His music means so much to so many and he truly defined numerous moments in country music over the last six decades. It is our true honor to be part of the next chapter as he continues to blaze his own unique musical trails. Message to ALL Hank Jr. fans–you are going to love this music–this is the good stuff.”
Nash Icon Records will release Williams’ album, It’s About Time, on Jan. 15. The country legend re-recorded “Born to Boogie” for the project with Brantley Gilbert and Justin Moore, with Brad Paisley on guitar. Williams’ debut album was released in 1964.