Kimberly 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 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).

The 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).

Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett Surprise St. Jude Patient With Private Concert

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

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.

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 517

In the fall of 1975, Reba McEntire launched her phenomenal country music career, Steve Buchanan arrived in Nashville as a freshman at Vanderbilt University and Jo Walker-Meador was at the midpoint of her long tenure as the executive director of the Country Music Association.

Exactly 40 years down the road, these three were honored by Leadership Music on Monday night (Nov. 16) at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater. Jo was presented with the inaugural Founding Council Award. Steve was given the Brian Williams Ambassador Award. Reba won the organization’s 10th Dale Franklin Leadership Award, its highest honor.

LM executive director Debbie Linn and board president Mike Craft welcomed the crowd, noting that LM is now in its 27th program year and has 1,028 alumni. Event co-chairs Erika Wollam-Nichols and Jeff Gregg explained the criteria for the three awards and thanked sponsors.

Host Hillary Scott, of Lady Antebellum, grew up in the Nashville music business as the daughter of Lang Scott and Linda Davis. “This feels a little bit like a family reunion,” she said. “No family reunion is complete without a strong woman to look up to. And that woman is Jo Walker-Meador.”

The executive took over the CMA when fewer than 100 stations were programming the genre. Today, country is a billion-dollar industry.

Alabama took the stage first. “If there’s ever been an angel in country music,” said lead singer Randy Owen, “it’s Jo Walker-Meador.” The group performed the beautifully written (by Becky Hobbs and Don Goodman) “Angels Among Us” in Jo’s honor.

Then Mac Davis offered “That’s Where Songs Come From.” Following a tribute video, Brenda Lee was endearing with her humor, candor, sincerity and drama.

“I’m here to celebrate the incredible gift to our industry that is Jo Walker-Meador,” said Brenda. “Jo literally rocked the cradle of an entire industry. She is the Matriarch of Music Row.”

Brenda said she performed her first show for the CMA in 1958 (when she was 13 years old). She delivered the emotional Sophie Tucker monologue from her old nightclub act, ending it by singing  “Unforgettable,” with customized lyrics. “Jo, thank you for making each of our lives richer.”

Garth Brooks presented the Founding Council Award. “I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful things they had to say,” said the 91-year-old Jo. “I think I’m getting far more credit than I’m due. I’m honored and flattered and pleased.”

Don Schlitz recalled his early days in Nashville working the graveyard shift as a computer operator at Vanderbilt University. Earlier in the evenings, he sang his songs at Phranks ‘n’ Steins on West End Avenue, then walked to work on campus accompanied by student fans Buchanan and Ken Levitan, then both freshmen.

The songwriter performed his newly written (with Josh Kear) “The Ryman.” Buchanan was instrumental in saving the historic venue when it was slated for the wrecking ball.

Following a tribute video, Nashville TV cast members took the stage. Buchanan is the show’s executive producer. Aubrey Peeples, Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, spokesman Chip Esten, Sam Palladio and Jonathan Jackson, backed by Colin Linden, performed “A Life That’s Good” in Buchanan’s honor. Levitan and Callie Khouri presented the Brian Williams Ambassador Award.

“Brian made a difference,” said Buchanan. “Receiving this award in his name makes me feel I am not worthy. He was charming, sincere, loving and caring. I hope all of your souls will echo the way that Brian Williams’s and Dale Franklin’s do.” Amen, brother.

Hillary began the Reba portion of the eve by singing “Does He Love You” with Martina McBride. Hillary’s mother was Reba’s original vocal foil on the song. Following Reba’s tribute video, Trisha Yearwood rocked out on “Fancy.” Ronnie Dunn sang his ballad “I Keep on Loving You.” Reba’s son, race-car driver Shelby Blackstock, presented the accolade.

“Leadership is a great organization and a great mission to be on,” Reba said in accepting. “It’s important to leave something as you go. They say this award is about leading by example. This has been a wonderful night.”

A who’s-who of Music Row was there to offer numerous standing ovations. Several attendees appeared in the tribute videos, including the video-hilarious Jeannie Seely and Pete Fisher, plus Bill Denny, Joe Galante, Randy Goodman, Mary Ann McCready & Roy Wunsch, Tony Brown, Sarah Trahern, Bob Romeo and Shane McAnally.

During the cocktail hour, we supped on shrimp-and-grits skewers, marinated vegetables, sweet-potato gnocchi, flatbreads, quinoa salad and turkey, brie and cranberry biscuit sandwiches.

Marion Kraft, Marion Williams, Jody Williams, Sally Williams, Judy Harris, Judi Turner, John Zarling, John Esposito, Mike Vaden, Michael Martin, Martin Fisher, Bob Romeo, Bobby Tomberlin, Sherod Robertson and Ken Robold plus Sylvia, Stacy Schlitz, Susan Stewart, Doug Johnson, Diane Pearson, Daniel Miller, Dennis Lord, Dale Bobo and Donna Hughes mingled.

Ben Vaughn introduced me to young singer-songwriter Cale Dodds, from whom we expect great things. Cale has an online EP called Wild and Reckless. Labels, start your bidding.

Also working the room were such fabulons as Jim Ed Norman, Julie Boos, Justin Levinson, Jewel Coburn, Gene Ward, George Briner, Allison Brown Jones, Anita Hogin, Amy Kurland, Frank Bumstead, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Patsy Bradley, Lori Badgett, Scott Borchetta, Brett Wolcott & Lydia Lenker, Terry Hemmings, Clint Higham, Tim Fink, Regina Stuve, Peggy Whittaker, Suzanne Lee, Rick Murray, Neil Spielberg, Kos Weaver, Patrick Clifford, etc. etc. etc.

After all, Leadership Music is where the elite meet.