Chris Stapleton. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
At this year’s CMA Awards, the predictable Entertainer, Female, Group, Duo and Musician winners were upstaged by the surprise triple triumph of Chris Stapleton.
Luke Bryan won his second Entertainer trophy. Florida Georgia Line took home its third Duo win. Little Big Town earned a well-deserved fourth statuette as Vocal Group. Miranda Lambert made history with her sixth win as Female Vocalist. Mac McAnally earned his eighth Musician honor, which ties him with the late Chet Atkins. But Stapleton was the stunner, winning the Male, Album and New Artist prizes.
“I don’t know what to say,” he blurted after winning his New Artist award. “I’ve worked a lot of years to get to do this. This is an absolute thrill.” His competition was Sam Hunt, Maddie & Tae, Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini, all of whom have had chart-topping radio hits. Stapleton has not.
“This is unbelievable,” he gasped after winning his Album honor. “I don’t know what to think; I don’t know what to say.” His Traveller CD producer Dave Cobb added, “Thank y’all for buying this record and supporting great art.”
Stapleton won his Male Vocalist award by beating Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley and Eric Church, all of whom are concert headliners. Stapleton is not.
“Well then, there’s gonna be a party tonight,” he stammered. “About two years ago, I lost my dad, and I made this record that I think he would like. He would have liked to have seen this tonight. This is an unbelievable thing to me, and I’m not gonna take it lightly. Thank you so much. I don’t know what else to say.”
After the show, he added, “I didn’t really expect to be here. If I talk about it and think about it, I’m gonna tear up.”
Stapleton also stole the spotlight by performing with pop superstar Justin Timberlake on the telecast. Their Nashville-meets-Memphis collaboration on “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Drink You Away” was very intense and soulful. It blew up on social media immediately.
Pictured (L-R): Hank Williams Jr. and Eric Church. Photo: John Russell/CMA
This was one of several pairings on the show. Hank Williams Jr. and Eric Church opened the ceremony with the Waylon Jennings hit “Are You Ready for the Country,” with backing by The McCrary Sisters. Keith Urban and John Mellencamp followed with “Little Pink Houses” and “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.”
Earlier in the day, Urban and Church won the Vocal Event award for “Raise ‘Em Up.” This was Urban’s fourth win in this category. Church also made news with his performance of “Mr. Misunderstood,” the title tune of his “surprise” album release this week.
Pictured (L-R) Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks, Reba. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Other CMA collaborative performances included Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn romping through “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” and “Play Something Country.” Fall Out Boy and Thomas Rhett were aided by prancing, dancing girls as they attempted a mashup of “Crash and Burn” and “Uma Thurman.”
Solo performance stand-outs included Sam Hunt’s smoldering “Take Your Time,” Dierks Bentley’s throbbing and inspirational “Riser,” Zac Brown Band’s spirited “Beautiful Drug,” Florida Georgia Line’s beautiful “Confession,” Blake Shelton’s romping “Gonna,” Brad Paisley’s rollicking “Country Nation” with cheerleaders and football mascots, and Luke Bryan’s romantic “Strip It Down.”
Luke Bryan. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
“What an amazing night of music,” said Bryan when he won his Entertainer award. “Thank you, Lord; thank you, Jesus; thank you everyone in Heaven for looking out for me.
“This is the best business in the world, with the best people. … Watching Chris Stapleton win was so uplifting. … Everyone in country music, I love you, baby.” Stapleton co-wrote Bryan’s hit “Drink a Beer.”
Besides Stapleton, the only other multiple winner was Little Big Town. The quartet won Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year. Plus, the group’s hit “Girl Crush” won Song of the Year for writers Lori McKenna, Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey. LBT’s performance of it got a standing ovation.
Little Big Town. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
“Seventeen years ago this very month, we became a band,” said the group’s Kimberly Schlapman. “Country music fans, you have changed our lives,” added Jimi Westbrook. “This was a 6/8 ballad about jealousy and heartbreak,” commented Karen Fairchild. “Thank you, gatekeepers, for having the guts to play it.” Phillip Sweet joined the others in thanking the songwriters.
“I needed a bright spot this year,” said Miranda Lambert in accepting her Female Vocalist award. She was presumably referring to her divorce from Blake Shelton, who is now dating his The Voice TV co-star Gwen Stefani.
Miranda Lambert. Photo: CMAPress.com
Lambert performed “Bathroom Sink.” Other performances included Jason Aldean’s “They’re Gonna Know We Were Here,” Kenny Chesney’s “Save It for a Rainy Day,” Carrie Underwood’s “Smoke Break” and Kacey Musgraves’ “Dimestore Cowgirl.”
Maddie & Tae, who won the Video award for “Girl in a Country Song” with director TK McKamy, sang it to introduce the radio winners. Kelsea Ballerini did the same with “Love Me Like You Mean It.”
Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Presenters included Cam, Jennifer Nettles, Lee Ann Womack, Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Darius Rucker, Pentatonix (singing a snippet of The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira”), Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Kiefer Sutherland and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley.
William Shatner, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog made cameo appearances, as did the late Jimmy Dickens. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley co-hosted with bantering wit. This was their eighth time as CMA telecast hosts.
Pictured (L-R): Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Converse To Launch Free ‘Pop Up’ Recording Experience For Aspiring Nashville Musicians
/by Jessica NicholsonGrand Victor Sound Nashville
Thanks to Converse, Inc., aspiring Nashville musicians will have the opportunity to record their original music alongside a team of experienced engineers in one of Nashville’s top studios, at no cost.
Converse, Inc. has will debut its first-ever Converse Rubber Tracks pop-up studio in Nashville, beginning Monday, Nov. 30, at Grand Victor Sound Nashville.
Nashville musicians of all ages and genres are invited to apply for studio time. If selected they will be given the opportunity to to record their music at Grand Victor Sound studio, at no cost to them. Each artist will retain all rights to their own music.
“As the birthplace of some of the greatest acts in music history, Nashville has a deep-rooted connection to music and we’re thrilled to bring the Converse Rubber Tracks experience to the city for the first time,” said Jed Lewis, Converse Global Music Marketing Director. “Converse is dedicated to thriving music communities world-wide, and we hope to inspire Nashville’s next generation of emerging artists by providing them valuable resources through this platform.”
Grand Victor Sound Nashville was built at the request of Chet Atkins, and first opened in 1965, when it was known as RCA Victor Nashville Sound Studios. Among the artists who have recorded at Grand Victor Sound Nashville are Dolly Parton, George Strait, George Jones, Hunter Hayes, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, and more.
Born out of the desire to give back to the global music community and encourage creativity, Converse Rubber Tracks began four years ago, and has brought the recording experience to musicians in San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, Austin, Toronto, Montreal, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Mexico City, Barcelona, and many more, giving over 1,600 emerging musicians valuable recording time at state-of-the-art studios with a team of experienced engineers, at no cost to the artists.
Following this pop-up, the series will return to Nashville with two additional, week-long pop-up studios in 2016, providing ongoing opportunities for emerging artists within the city to create music and unleash their creative spirit.
The pop-up studio will run through Friday, Dec. 4. To register to apply for studio time, visit converse.com/rubbertracks.
Leadership Music Aims for $10,000 during November Food Drive
/by Eric T. ParkerLeadership Music alums are once again asked to donate through your class until the drive ends, Nov. 23.
In 2014, more than 100,000 meals were donated because of the drive for a grand total of $25,600 raised. The monetary goal had only been $5,000.
Log in to donate, share with friends, family and social media.
In Pictures: CMA Awards After-Parties
/by Kelsey_GradySony Music Nashville, Universal Music Group Nashville, Warner Music Nashville, and Big Machine Label Group kept the celebrations going long after the CMA Awards were over last night (Nov. 4).
Sony Music Nashville
Sony Music Nashville celebrated with an after-party at The Bell Tower. The CMA telecast included performances by Sony Music Nashville artists and eight-time show hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, as well as Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert, who extended her record-setting run with a sixth consecutive win as Female Vocalist. “Burning House” singer/songwriter Cam also appeared on the CMA Awards to help present the award for New Artist of the Year.
Newly-crowned six-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert and Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman. Photo: Alan Poizner
Universal Music Group Nashville
Universal Music Group Nashville celebrated their after-party presented by Marriott Rewards at the Musicians Hall of Fame. UMGN winners include: Entertainer – Luke Bryan; Album – Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller; Male Vocalist – Chris Stapleton; New Artist – Chris Stapleton; Vocal Group – Little Big Town; Single of the Year – Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush”; Musical Event – “Raise ‘Em Up” (Keith Urban featuring Eric Church).
Pictured (L-R): Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO, UMGN; Chris Stapleton; Cindy Mabe, President, UMGN; Morgane Stapleton
Pictured (L-R): Ed Green, Red Light Management; Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO, UMGN; Coran Capshaw, Red Light Management; Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment; Luke Bryan; Cindy Mabe, President, UMGN
Pictured (L-R): Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO, UMGN; LBT’s Jimi Westbrook; LBT’s Kimberly Schlapman; Cindy Mabe, President, UMGN; Sam Hunt; LBT’s Karen Fairchild; LBT’s Phillip Sweet
Warner Music Nashville
Following Blake Shelton’s performance of his Top 10 single, “Gonna,” Warner Music Nashville artists and staff gathered to cap the evening at their yearly celebration on Music Row.
Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Warner Music Nashville
Big Machine Label Group
Artists and industry A-listers loaded into Rosewall for the annual late night Big Machine Label Group CMA Awards after-party. Amped with a surging Beats photo wall, festive Crown Royal cocktails and a Cessna partnership, the celebration was in full swing even as sunrise loomed and guests noshed on an assortment of fusion bites. Mingling were Reba, Steven Tyler, Florida Georgia Line, Ronnie Dunn, Jennifer Nettles, The Band Perry, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, Maddie & Tae, RaeLynn, Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery, Drake White, The Mavericks, A Thousand Horses, Levi Hummon, Seth Alley, Ashley Campbell, Tara Thompson and Savannah Keyes. Guests also raised a glass to honor the record label’s 10-year anniversary with President/CEO Scott Borchetta and staff.
Pictured (L-R, Back Row):- A Thousand Horses’ Graham Deloach, Levi Hummon, Seth Alley, A Thousand Horses’ Bill Satcher, Drake White, Ronnie Dunn, and A Thousand Horses’ Zach Brown. Middle Row: Tara Thompson, Reba, Ashley Campbell, Jennifer Nettles, Cassadee Pope, Steven Tyler, RaeLynn, Danielle Bradbery, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, A Thousand Horses’ Michael Hobby, Savannah Keyes, The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry, Aubrey Peeples, TBP’s Reid Perry and Neil Perry. Front Row: Maddie & Tae, BMLG SVP, Creative, Sandi Spika Borchetta, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta, FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. Photo: Getty Images for BMLG.
Ronnie Dunn and Jennifer Nettles. Photo: Getty Images for BMLG.
A Thousand Horses’ Michael Hobby, Zach Brown, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Danielle Bradbery, Sandi Spika Borchetta and A Thousand Horses’ Graham Deloach and Bill Satcher. Photo: Getty Images for BMLG.
Pictured (L-R): Jennifer Nettles, Levi Hummon, Cassadee Pope, Steven Tyler and RaeLynn. Photo: Getty Images for BMLG.
CMA Awards Wins Wednesday Evening, Despite Viewership Drop
/by Jessica NicholsonThe viewership for last night’s (Nov. 4) Country Music Association awards helped earn ABC the No. 1 network ranking in total viewers and adults. Also, the CMA Awards reigned as the most-watched TV show overall (13.6 million viewers), topping Fox’s Empire draw of 11.6 million.
During primetime, ABC (13.8 million viewers and a 3.8/12 rating) defeated Fox (8.3 million and 3.0/9) by 5.3 million viewers and by 27 percent in Adults 18-49.
Despite helping ABC win the evening, the awards show viewership was down from 2014, losing .7 ratings points in adults 18-49, along with more than 2 million viewers.
According to television ratings site zap2it.com, the 2015 CMA awards show brought in nearly 13.6 million viewers, with a 3.8 share in adults 18-49. Last year, the show drew 16.1 million total viewers, along with a 4.5 rating.
It was ABC’s third straight year to rank No. 1 on the opening Wednesday of the November Sweeps.
Last night’s big CMA winners include triple award winner Chris Stapleton, along with Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Florida Georgia Line.
For full details of the evening, see MusicRow contributor Robert Oermann’s recap.
Johnny Cash, George Jones Honored Prior to CMA Awards
/by Craig_ShelburneJohn Carter Cash. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
The legacies of Johnny Cash and George Jones were acknowledged with industry-related CMA awards last night (Nov. 4), prior to the CMA Awards telecast in Nashville.
Cash was recognized with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, accepted on his behalf.
In press materials, the award is described this way:
Willie Nelson accepted the award that bears his name in 2012, followed by Kenny Rogers in 2013.
In addition, Jones’ dedication to traditional country music was saluted with the Joe Talbot Award. This is only the fifth time since 2001 that the honor has been bestowed — and the first time since 2007. Jones’ widow, Nancy Jones, accepted the award on his behalf.
Nancy Jones. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
The Joe Talbot Award is described this way:
The awards were presented by Jana Kramer.
Cindy Watts Earns CMA Media Achievement Award
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Cindy Watts and Chris Young. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA
Cindy Watts of The Tennessean is this year’s recipient of the CMA Media Achievement Award. The Tennessee native was surprised with the distinction shortly before the CMA Awards yesterday (Nov. 4). Chris Young presented her with the trophy.
“I grew up watching the CMAs in Sevierville and remember laying on my stomach on the floor waiting to see who would win,” said Watts. “I never imagined one day I’d win an award from the same organization. It’s completely surreal. For Chris to have worked this into his crazy busy schedule means so much. It truly was the most perfect moment.”
Watts has been covering music in Middle Tennessee for 15 years. She started her career at The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro as a sophomore at MTSU where she was a Recording Industry major. She spent seven years at the DNJ covering music in Middle Tennessee including concerts, music news, and album releases before moving to The Tennessean in 2007.
The CMA Media Achievement Award was established to recognize outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to country music. Print and Internet journalists, columnists, authors, and editors; television writers, producers and bookers; and syndicated radio reporters are eligible to win this award.
MusicRow Podcast Episode 2: Chris Young & Rob Beckham
/by Craig_ShelburnePhoto: David McClister
Chris Young has taken his brand of country music around the world, although he’s still true to his country roots in Tennessee. For Episode 02 of the MusicRow Podcast, Young and his booking agent, Rob Beckham, explain how they’ve built a career on the road – and even across the ocean.
MusicRow publisher/owner Sherod Robertson sat down with Young and Beckham, who co-heads the Nashville office of William Morris Endeavor, inside the Keith Whitley Room at RCA Records’ Nashville office. Together, Young and his longtime label have celebrated six No. 1 country hits, including “Gettin’ You Home,” “Voices” and “Tomorrow.” Meanwhile, Beckham has guided Young’s career from playing small clubs to headlining a world tour. They have joined forces yet again for Young’s brand new album, I’m Comin’ Over, which is also the title of his latest hit single.
Robertson has personally known Young and his family since becoming owner and publisher of MusicRow, so their wide-ranging conversation is like catching up with an old friend. It’s also a map to Young’s interests – whether it’s walking around Berlin, Germany, before playing a show, or talking about why traditional country legends like Whitley and Conway Twitty are important to him. Along with discussing the production equipment that follows him around the globe, Young reveals what he does backstage before every show.
Sponsored by SunTrust Bank’s Sports & Entertainment Group, this episode of the MusicRow podcast is the second in a series, following an engaging interview with Merle Haggard that premiered on MusicRow.com last week. Both of the MusicRow podcasts are available on iTunes.
Click here to listen in iTunes.
Click here to listen to episodes online.
About the MusicRow podcast:
From Nashville’s leading music industry trade publication, The MusicRow Podcast features in-depth conversations with artists and the key industry members behind their music. Hosted by MusicRow Magazine Publisher Sherod Robertson, the series offers unique perspectives from iconic legends and rising talent to key decision makers and gatekeepers in the Nashville music industry.
DISClaimer: CMA Awards Week Brings Out Top-Notch Releases
/by Robert K OermannFlorida Georgia Line
It seems the stars are out in more ways than one during this Country Music Week.
They twinkle at awards shows left and right. They sparkle at free concerts. And they also blaze brightly when they time record releases to happen during this media-saturated week.
The great Eric Church dropped a “surprise” album into the mailboxes of fans and friends on Tuesday, titled Mr. Misunderstood. Tim McGraw (Damn Country Music), Old Dominion (Meat and Candy) and Hunter Hayes (The 21 Project) introduce their new collections on Friday. Chris Young’s I’m Comin’ Over is out next week. Carrie Underwood (Storyteller) made a sales splash with hers last week.
And so it is that we find new discs by Frankie Ballard, Florida Georgia Line and Ashley Monroe in today’s review column. Not to mention well-timed releases by Opry stars Charlie Daniels and John Conlee. Even former pop princess Leigh Nash is getting in on the action.
Florida Georgia Line wins the Disc of the Day. Young Californian Callie Twisselman gets a DisCovery Award.
DEBBIE COCHRAN/Before We Met The World
Writer: Debbie Cochran; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: DMC Anniston, BMI; Go Time
-This former DisCovery Award winner has a lustrous country alto and a nicely warm, conversational, plain-spoken delivery. This rolling two-step charmed me at every turn. Get up and slowly shuffle around that Texas dance floor.
FRANKIE BALLARD/It All Started With A Beer
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Marshall Altman; Publishers: Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Netwerk One B/Revelry/Nevada House/ole Red Cape Songs/Real Big Red Tunes; ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-I think this guy is a star. His relaxed, intimate delivery of this nostalgic and romantic tune certainly sounds like one. The production sways and soothes. The song is a well-written gem.
Callie Twisselman
CALLIE TWISSELMAN/Hung Me on the Line
Writers: Ford Thurston/Brynn Marie; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Sugar Cube
-Her bright soprano delivery is a wee bit sharp. The male harmony singers help, but the clippety-clop rhythm track doesn’t. Still, there is personality here, plus some nice electric-guitar work.
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Confession
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Ross Copperman/Matt Jenkins; Producer: Joey Moi: Publishers: Big Red Toe/Farm Town Songs/Big Loud Bucks/EMI Blackwood Music/Songs By Red Room/Sony/ATV Music Publishing/WB Music Corp./Who Wants To Buy My Publishing/External Combustion Music, BMI/ASCAP; Republic (track)
-Troubled and adrift, a guy stares out at highway scenery and searches for solace. His thoughts swirl and become a confession to a cold beer. The track shudders, thuds and crashes around the vocals brilliantly. The drawling lead vocal brings out the terrifically arty lyric. I’m totally into this, and definitely hear pop-crossover potential.
HAILEY WHITTERS/Black Sheep
Writers: Hailey Whitters/Adam Wright; Producer: Derek Wells; Publishers: Scrambler/Tiltawhirl/Casa de Casa, BMI; Carnival (track)
-The title tune to this gal’s CD is a brooding, thumping, moody, minor-key gem. She sings with sizzle. The track swirls around her. The lyric is packed with clever nursery-rhyme references, such as, “Go tell that Little Bo Peep, don’t come in with this black sheep.” “Who wants to be white as snow?” she asks. “There’s always a little black wool/Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.” This is the second time this writer-artist has pinned my ears back. Listen and believe.
ASHLEY MONROE/Bombshell
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Gordie Sampson/Steve McEwan; Producers: Vince Gill/Justin Niebank; Publishers:Monroe Suede/Songs of Kobalt/BMG Firefly/Dash8/EMI Blackwood/Birds With Ears/Sony ATV, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Ashley’s The Blade is one of the year’s finest country albums. On this haunting ballad she conjures a spell like a singing sorceress. The echoey production underscores every line of this doomed-relationship lyric. This Pistol Annie shoots straight and hits an emotional bulls eye here.
THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND/Southern Boy
Writers: Charlie Daniels/Travis Tritt; Producer: Bob Wright; Publishers: CDB/Wooley Swamp/Post Oak, BMI; Smith (track)
-The CDB kicks off a new live album with this blazing, mile-a-minute country rocker. You can definitely hear the influence of co-writer Travis Tritt in the song.
LEIGH NASH/Doing It Wrong
Writers: Leigh Nash/Brendan Benson; Producer: Brendan Benson; Publishers: BMG Silver/Woman Hollering/BMG/Chrysalis/Gladsad, SESAC/ASCAP; One Son/Thirty
-Leigh has enjoyed a highly successful pop career in Sixpence None the Richer, noted for “Kiss Me” (1998) and “There She Goes” (1999). She’s originally from Texas, so she endeavored to make a country record with The State I’m In. As pert and clever as this is, she isn’t really a country vocalist.
JOHN CONLEE/Walkin’ Behind The Star
Writers: Ronny Scaife/Phil Thomas; Producer: Bud Logan; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/Virgin Timber/Feel’s Hunny Hole, BMI; RCR (CDX)
-It’s a pro-police song.
ERIC CHURCH/Mr. Misunderstood
Writers: Eric Church/Casey Beathard; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree/Longer and Louder Music/Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/Six Ring Circus Songs; (BMI); EMI (track)
-Yes, I am one of the lucky few who got one. I am the envy of the office, since we are all tremendous fans. The title track of Eric’s “surprise” album is a spare outing with a terrific lyric about a boy who lives inside his favorite music and makes all kinds of left turns in life. It has a raucous, rocking charm with a speed-up, slow-down arrangement. All of the instrumentation on the collection is provided by his road band. Assorted tracks feature Joanna Cotten, Rhiannon Giddens and/or Susan Tedeschi.
Sony/ATV and Pandora Agree to Multi-Year Licensing Deal
/by Eric T. ParkerPandora and Sony/ATV Music Publishing today (Nov. 5) announced a multi-year licensing agreement for Sony/ATV’s catalog of musical works. The direct publishing deal creates business benefits for Pandora, while modernizing compensation for Sony/ATV and its songwriters in the U.S.
While specific terms of the multi-year agreement are confidential, Sony/ATV reportedly achieved its goal of delivering improved performance royalties for its songwriters while Pandora will benefit from greater rate certainty and the ability to add new flexibility to the company’s product offering over time.
The public performance royalties Pandora also pays to rights holders of master recordings are not affected by this agreement.
“We believe that this agreement with Pandora is a major step in the right direction to ensure that our songwriters are fairly compensated for the use of their music on streaming services,” said Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO. “We are pleased that our songwriters will begin to enjoy the benefit of better rates on one of the most important platforms for music consumption and discovery. It is part of our ongoing strategy to ensure that all digital music services recognize the indispensable value that the words and music of a song bring to their businesses.”
“This is a significant milestone in our long-standing effort to strengthen ties with the music maker community,” said Brian McAndrews, chief executive officer of Pandora. “Over 10 years, Pandora has built music’s most powerful marketing engine, which we put into action every day for Sony/ATV’s storied catalog. By partnering directly with Sony/ATV, we are proud to lock in our opportunity to connect an incredibly talented community of songwriters with streaming music’s largest and most passionate audience.”
CMA Awards Throw Curveballs As Chris Stapleton Wins Three Categories
/by Robert K OermannChris Stapleton. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
At this year’s CMA Awards, the predictable Entertainer, Female, Group, Duo and Musician winners were upstaged by the surprise triple triumph of Chris Stapleton.
Luke Bryan won his second Entertainer trophy. Florida Georgia Line took home its third Duo win. Little Big Town earned a well-deserved fourth statuette as Vocal Group. Miranda Lambert made history with her sixth win as Female Vocalist. Mac McAnally earned his eighth Musician honor, which ties him with the late Chet Atkins. But Stapleton was the stunner, winning the Male, Album and New Artist prizes.
“I don’t know what to say,” he blurted after winning his New Artist award. “I’ve worked a lot of years to get to do this. This is an absolute thrill.” His competition was Sam Hunt, Maddie & Tae, Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini, all of whom have had chart-topping radio hits. Stapleton has not.
“This is unbelievable,” he gasped after winning his Album honor. “I don’t know what to think; I don’t know what to say.” His Traveller CD producer Dave Cobb added, “Thank y’all for buying this record and supporting great art.”
Stapleton won his Male Vocalist award by beating Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley and Eric Church, all of whom are concert headliners. Stapleton is not.
“Well then, there’s gonna be a party tonight,” he stammered. “About two years ago, I lost my dad, and I made this record that I think he would like. He would have liked to have seen this tonight. This is an unbelievable thing to me, and I’m not gonna take it lightly. Thank you so much. I don’t know what else to say.”
After the show, he added, “I didn’t really expect to be here. If I talk about it and think about it, I’m gonna tear up.”
Stapleton also stole the spotlight by performing with pop superstar Justin Timberlake on the telecast. Their Nashville-meets-Memphis collaboration on “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Drink You Away” was very intense and soulful. It blew up on social media immediately.
Pictured (L-R): Hank Williams Jr. and Eric Church. Photo: John Russell/CMA
This was one of several pairings on the show. Hank Williams Jr. and Eric Church opened the ceremony with the Waylon Jennings hit “Are You Ready for the Country,” with backing by The McCrary Sisters. Keith Urban and John Mellencamp followed with “Little Pink Houses” and “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.”
Earlier in the day, Urban and Church won the Vocal Event award for “Raise ‘Em Up.” This was Urban’s fourth win in this category. Church also made news with his performance of “Mr. Misunderstood,” the title tune of his “surprise” album release this week.
Pictured (L-R) Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks, Reba. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Other CMA collaborative performances included Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn romping through “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” and “Play Something Country.” Fall Out Boy and Thomas Rhett were aided by prancing, dancing girls as they attempted a mashup of “Crash and Burn” and “Uma Thurman.”
Solo performance stand-outs included Sam Hunt’s smoldering “Take Your Time,” Dierks Bentley’s throbbing and inspirational “Riser,” Zac Brown Band’s spirited “Beautiful Drug,” Florida Georgia Line’s beautiful “Confession,” Blake Shelton’s romping “Gonna,” Brad Paisley’s rollicking “Country Nation” with cheerleaders and football mascots, and Luke Bryan’s romantic “Strip It Down.”
Luke Bryan. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
“What an amazing night of music,” said Bryan when he won his Entertainer award. “Thank you, Lord; thank you, Jesus; thank you everyone in Heaven for looking out for me.
“This is the best business in the world, with the best people. … Watching Chris Stapleton win was so uplifting. … Everyone in country music, I love you, baby.” Stapleton co-wrote Bryan’s hit “Drink a Beer.”
Besides Stapleton, the only other multiple winner was Little Big Town. The quartet won Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year. Plus, the group’s hit “Girl Crush” won Song of the Year for writers Lori McKenna, Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey. LBT’s performance of it got a standing ovation.
Little Big Town. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
“Seventeen years ago this very month, we became a band,” said the group’s Kimberly Schlapman. “Country music fans, you have changed our lives,” added Jimi Westbrook. “This was a 6/8 ballad about jealousy and heartbreak,” commented Karen Fairchild. “Thank you, gatekeepers, for having the guts to play it.” Phillip Sweet joined the others in thanking the songwriters.
“I needed a bright spot this year,” said Miranda Lambert in accepting her Female Vocalist award. She was presumably referring to her divorce from Blake Shelton, who is now dating his The Voice TV co-star Gwen Stefani.
Miranda Lambert. Photo: CMAPress.com
Lambert performed “Bathroom Sink.” Other performances included Jason Aldean’s “They’re Gonna Know We Were Here,” Kenny Chesney’s “Save It for a Rainy Day,” Carrie Underwood’s “Smoke Break” and Kacey Musgraves’ “Dimestore Cowgirl.”
Maddie & Tae, who won the Video award for “Girl in a Country Song” with director TK McKamy, sang it to introduce the radio winners. Kelsea Ballerini did the same with “Love Me Like You Mean It.”
Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Presenters included Cam, Jennifer Nettles, Lee Ann Womack, Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Darius Rucker, Pentatonix (singing a snippet of The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira”), Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Kiefer Sutherland and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley.
William Shatner, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog made cameo appearances, as did the late Jimmy Dickens. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley co-hosted with bantering wit. This was their eighth time as CMA telecast hosts.
Pictured (L-R): Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA