Free iTunes Radio Stations Will Be Discontinued

iTunes Radio

 

iTunes Radio will end its free, ad-supported streaming services this month. Apple announced the shift in an email to customers dated Jan. 15.

“As a listener of ad-supported radio on Apple Music, we want you to know that it’s being discontinued starting January 28. Beats 1 will now be the premier free broadcast so you’ll continue to get all the best music and culture there with world-class DJs like Zane Lowe and specialty programming from artists like Dr. Dre, Drake, Pharrell Williams, and more.”

An Apple spokesperson told BuzzFeed News:

“We are making Beats 1 the premier free broadcast from Apple and phasing out the ad-supported stations at the end of January. Additionally, with an Apple Music membership, listeners can access dozens of radio stations curated by our team of music experts, covering a range of genres, commercial-free with unlimited skips. The free three-month trial of Apple Music includes radio.”

Launched in 2013, iTunes Radio was available in the U.S. and Australia. Once the change goes into effect, Beats 1 will Apple’s only free music offering.

 

Dierks Bentley Announces New Radio Single, Tour Cities

Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley

Following the announcement of his eighth studio album, BLACK, Dierks Bentley has introduced the project’s lead single, “Somewhere On A Beach,” as well as the cities slated as part of the U.S. leg of his 2016 Somewhere On A Beach Tour.

The trek will launch May 12 in Holmdel, New Jersey, at the PNC Bank Arts Center. Along for the ride are Randy Houser and Cam. Tickets can be purchased beginning Jan. 29 for select cities as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at megaticket.com. In addition to 34 cities in the U.S. and three in Canada, Bentley’s Somewhere On A Beach Tour will visit the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“This album is about ALL phases of a relationship, including the breakups,” said Bentley. ”’Beach’ is a pretty blunt take on that wild rebound we’ve all had or maybe imagined having. The carefree attitude is exactly the spirit we wanted to bring out on the road this year. I’ve toured with Randy before, and he’s just a great dude−on stage and backstage. And I’ve gotten to know Cam a little over the last year, and she’s fun as hell too and so talented. It’s going to be a big summer for sure.”

2016 Somewhere On A Beach Tour Cities:

Dublin, Ireland
London, UK
Manchester, UK
Glasgow, UK
Holmdel, New Jersey
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cleveland, Ohio
Chicago, Illinois
Detroit, Michigan
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Bangor, Maine
Hartford, Connecticut
Boston, Massachusetts
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Cadott, Wisconsin
Walker, Minnesota
Columbus, Ohio
Manhattan, Kansas
North Platte, Nebraska
Fort Loramie, Ohio
Charlotte, North Carolina
Atlanta, Georgia
Tampa, Florida
Raleigh, North Carolina
Bristow, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Cameras, Alberta, Canada
Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
Oro-Mendonte, Ontario, Canada
Syracuse, New York
Saint Louis, Missouri
Indianapolis, Indiana
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
Mountain View, California
Irvine, California
San Diego, California
Eugene, Oregon
Boise, Idaho
Salt Lake City, Utah

(Openers vary on festival dates)

ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO Offers Nashville Expertise

ASCAP logo

Nashville songwriters Desmond Child, Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley and Brett James will participate in the 2016 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO in Los Angeles in April.

Child will host the event’s Center Stage writers-in-the-round on April 28, as well as an attendee song feedback session. In addition, DeStefano will participate in a hands-on Hit Producer panel and perform at the conference’s closing Writers Jam.

Meanwhile, Gorley will take part in the EXPO’s Master Sessions. In addition, James will join the annual Hit Songwriters panel that features modern top hitmakers from across the charts including Dave Bassett (Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song”), Jacob “JKash” Kasher (Maroon 5’s “Sugar”), and Poo Bear (Justin Bieber’s “What Do You Mean”).

Others signing on for the EXPO are songwriters Bonnie Baker (Reba McEntire’s “My Sister”) and songwriter/producer Forest Glen Whitehead (Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It”).

The event will be held April 28-30 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

650 AM WSM’s ‘Coffee, Country & Cody’ Coming to TV

Coffee_Country_Cody_Heartland[1] (1)

Coffee, Country & Cody, the long-running morning show on Nashville’s 650 AM WSM, will be simultaneously broadcast as a television series on The Heartland Network starting on Feb. 1.

Heartland is a division of Luken Communications, which offers diverse, family-friendly programming. Its networks reach approximately 80 percent of all U.S. households through over-the-air, cable and satellite television. The Luken network portfolio also includes Rev’n, Retro TV, TUFF TV, PBJ, The Family Channel and Frost Great Outdoors (FGO).

Currently in its 22nd year, Coffee, Country & Cody is hosted by Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry emcee Bill Cody, along with his producer and sidekick, Charlie Mattos. The show broadcasts from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

“We are honored to join the Heartland Network. I believe that consumers are yearning for genuine and authentic entertainment,” said Chris Kulick, WSM General Manager. “I know that 650 AM WSM listeners and Heartland viewers will embrace the warmth of one of the most sincere personalities in the world, Bill Cody.”

Matthew Golden, Luken’s Vice President of Programming, said, “WSM and Heartland are dedicated to preserving the legacy of the legends of country music, both classic and contemporary. I can’t think of any show that would speak more directly to the core of the Heartland audience.”

Heartland officially debuted in 2013 with programming comprised of syndicated and first-run shows, as well as digitally-restored content. The program lineup includes Reflections with host Keith Bilbrey, Bluegrass Ridge, Country Fix, Country Standard Time, Music City Tonight, Texas Music Scene, Gaither Gospel Hour, classic episodes of Crook & Chase and several popular music video blocks.

New Songwriter Networking Series Begins Thursday

Hippie Chick Twang

A networking and performance series for songwriters, titled The Hippie Chick Twang Java Jam, will launch on Thursday (Jan. 21) at 6:30 p.m. Presented by Hippie Chick Twang Music Publishing and Media, the series will take place on the third Thursday of each month at Just Love Coffee at 1528 Demonbreun St.

Songwriters looking for co-writers, artists looking for songs, musicians looking for band opportunities, and studios, stylists, and any industry support looking to connect with talent should bring business cards for the organized networking segments. The event will feature hit songwriters, new writers, and reserved slots for open mic.

The inaugural Java Jam will feature Hippie Chick Twang’s Kim McLean and Jake Neumar, as well as Dean Miller and other songwriters.

Hippie Chick Twang will also be developing teams and signing songwriters for their non-profit division called Music Does Good. Networking and performances will culminate in an all-person jam to close the night.

To perform at one of the monthly events or to get more information about The Hippie Chick Twang Java Jam, contact Devon O’Day at devonoday@msn.com or call (615) 400-5140.

 

Favorite Country Dance Club Songs Of 2015 Revealed

Marco Club Connection logo

Andy Grammer’s “Honey, I’m Good.” and Blake Shelton’s “Sangria” topped the list of country dance favorites in 2015, according to Marco Club Connection’s annual ranking of country dance club songs.

Andy Grammer

Andy Grammer

“Honey, I’m Good.” was a major pop hit that received a significant boost among country fans when Eli Young Band released a collaborative version of the song with Grammer to country radio and dance venues. Shelton’s “Sangria” and Luke Bryan’s “Kick The Dust Up” ranked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.

The Nashville-based Marco Club Connection surveys a panel of nearly 250 club owners, DJs and dance instructors from across the country to compile its rankings every December. Overall votes by the panel determine each song’s placement on the list.

The list was a mixture of new and established artists with Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” placing as the sixth most popular song among dancers, while newcomers Sam Hunt, A Thousand Horses and Mo Pitney all had their first placement on the annual list.

Zac Brown Band was the only artist to be represented twice in the Top 10 with “Homegrown” and “Beautiful Drug” coming in at No. 8 and No. 10.

The results of the 2015 Top 10 Country Dance Club Hits are:
1. “Honey, I’m Good.” – Andy Grammer
2. “Sangria” – Blake Shelton
3. “Kick The Dust Up” – Luke Bryan
4. “House Party” – Sam Hunt
5. “Crash and Burn” – Thomas Rhett
6. “Girl Crush” – Little Big Town
7. “Boy & A Girl Thing” – Mo Pitney
8. “Homegrown” – Zac Brown Band
9. “Smoke” – A Thousand Horses
10. “Beautiful Drug” – Zac Brown Band

View a complete archive of Marco Club Connection’s Top 10 Country Dance Club Hits.

Reba McEntire Joins Hearts Of Hope For Nashville Rescue Mission

Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire and singer-songwriter Caroline Kole are confirmed for the Hearts of Hope event benefitting the Nashville Rescue Mission. The event will take place on Feb. 13 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Boone Convocation Center at Trevecca Nazarene University.

The lunch will celebrate homeless and hurting women in Nashville by making them the guests of honor on the day before Valentine’s Day. Tickets are available at a suggested minimum donation of $100. A meal will be provided. Purchasing information is available at the Nashville Rescue Mission website.

“I think everybody should support the Mission because folks need help,” McEntire stated at last year’s event. “It’s a part of our community, and as neighbors we need to get in there and volunteer and see how we can help them out, and get them back on their feet.”

 

George Jones’ Bandit Records Catalog Acquired By Concord Bicycle Music

George Jones, Burn Your Playhouse Down

George Jones’ recordings for his label imprint Bandit Records have been acquired by Concord Bicycle Music. The assets were obtained from Jones’ widow, Nancy Jones, according to a Concord Bicycle statement.

The master recordings included in the deal include 2001’s The Rock, 2005’s The Gospel Collection and Hits I Missed…And One I Didn’t, 2006’s Kickin’ Out The Footlights Again (with Merle Haggard), and 2008’s duets collection Burn Your Playhouse Down. The catalog also contains various Roy Acuff track masters and assorted George Jones compilations.

In a separate transaction, Concord Bicycle Music has also acquired the catalog of Americana label HighTone Records from Shout! Factory. The transaction includes master recordings from Buddy Miller, The Blasters, and many others.

“Concord Bicycle Music is proud to be the new home for these fantastic and historic recordings,” said Steven Salm, Chief Corporate Development Officer, Concord Bicycle Music. “HighTone and Bandit represent an important niche in the American independent music culture and fit perfectly within our existing catalog.”

“The HighTone and Bandit catalogs exemplify a deeply rooted and evocative part of America’s musical heritage,” added Sig Sigworth, SVP Catalog Management & Development, Concord Bicycle Music. “We’re proud to add these stellar works to Concord Bicycle Music’s already extraordinary collection of country, folk, blues and Americana master recordings.”

Thomas Rhett To Host Boot Camps In Snap Fitness Endorsement

Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett will host five exclusive boot camps to promote his I Feel Good health initiative with the gym franchise Snap Fitness. The hour-long fitness session will feature Rhett and a certified Snap Fitness trainer taking the class through a personalized health and wellness session.

The first boot camp will be held Saturday (Jan. 23) in Springfield, Missouri. That will be followed by sessions in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Feb. 19; Dallas, Texas, on May 21; Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 11; and Columbus, Ohio, on June 18. Fans will have the chance to win a spot at a boot camp through radio stations in the select markets.

“I jumped at the chance to work with Snap Fitness on this campaign. Being in good shape is a big part of being able to get on stage night after night and do what I love,” Rhett said. “It’s cool that I get to share my interest in fitness directly with fans and give them a look into how you can make it a priority no matter your lifestyle.”

In addition to the boot camps, Rhett will participate in fitness challenges on social media throughout the campaign and encourage his followers to get active. In addition, for every 30-day trial purchased prior to June 1, Snap Fitness will donate $1 to Folds of Honor, a non-profit that helps provide educational support to the families of fallen or wounded soldiers.

Chris Janson Will Perform For Oklahoma’s Hospitalized Veterans

Chris Janson

Chris Janson

Chris Janson will headline a free concert for the Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) organization at the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Friday (Jan. 22).

Area veterans, military service members and their families are invited to attend the event, also open to the public. It is presented in partnership with AMVETS, the Department of Defense Vietnam War Commemoration, Soldier’s Wish and Tulsa’s Coffee Bunker.

Help Hospitalized Veterans LogoA national, nonprofit organization, HHV was founded to provide therapeutic arts and crafts to America’s veterans and active duty military. In 2009, HHV expanded its mission to include a concert series to not only entertain, but to educate Americans about the contributions of war veterans and the military.

“Our goal is to offer therapeutic assistance to our nation’s veterans and military, to improve emotional health and ease the transition to civilian life,” said HHV’s Chairman of the Board, John (Jack) M. Meagher, Judge (Retired), a Vietnam War veteran. “At our concerts, we are able to educate the public about the tremendous sacrifices these individuals made. We look forward to hosting another big night to honor the brave men and women who risked their lives for our freedom. Every concert in this series is an experience to witness.”