Carrie Underwood.
Carrie Underwood is bringing her stories on the road. The singer-songwriter will launch a new arena tour in 2016, titled The Storyteller Tour-Stories in the Round, in association with the cosmetics brand Almay.
The tour will launch Jan. 30 in Jacksonville, Fla., and will make 40 stops across the U.S. and Canada.
The tour’s “in-the-round” style will feature the stage in the middle of the arena floor. The 360-degree setting should allow fans on all sides of the arena to have a unique concert experience. Creative Director for the tour is Barry Lather (Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Rihanna), while Butch Allen (The Eagles, Eric Church, Metallica) serves as Production Designer. The tour will be promoted by AEG Live.
Joining Underwood will be Easton Corbin and The Swon Brothers.
“I can’t wait to play new music from Storyteller for the fans,” shares Underwood. “I am so blessed to have this career and get to do to the things I do, but there is nothing like that moment when I get to step onto the stage to sing and all the fans are singing along with me.”
Underwood has arranged for a donation of $1 from each ticket sold at the U.S. dates of The Storyteller Tour to be contributed to the C.A.T.S Foundation to help aid its causes including Checotah, Okla.’s education and literacy programs. Established in 2009, the C.A.T.S. (Checotah Animal, Town, and School) Foundation helps with general causes, needs, and services in Underwood’s hometown.
The singer-songwriterreleased her fifth studio album, Storyteller, on Oct. 23.
The Storyteller Tour Dates:
Jan. 30/Jacksonville, FL/Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
Feb. 1/Duluth, GA/Infinite Energy Arena
Feb. 3/Greensboro, NC/Greensboro Coliseum
Feb. 5/Louisville, KY/KFC Yum! Center
Feb. 17/Pittsburgh, PA/CONSOL Energy Center
Feb. 20/Hampton, VA/Hampton Coliseum
Feb. 22/Philadelphia, PA/Wells Fargo Center
Feb. 23/Boston, MA/TD Garden
Feb. 25/Washington, DC/Verizon Center
March 11/Glasgow, Scotland/C2C-Clyde Auditorium*
March 12/London, England/C2C-O2 Arena*
March 13/Dublin, Ireland/C2C/ 3 Arena*
March 17/Youngstown, OH/Covelli Centre
March 19/Allentown, PA/PPL Center
March 22/Auburn Hills, MI/The Palace of Auburn Hills
March 24/St. Louis, MO/Chaifetz Arena
March 26/Lincoln, NE/Pinnacle Bank Arena
March 29/Colorado Springs, CO/Broadmoor World Arena
March 30/Denver, CO/Pepsi Center
April 1/Las Vegas, NV/ACM Party for a Cause Festival*
April 5/Fresno, CA/Save Mart Center
April 8/Reno, NV/Reno Events Center
April 10/Oakland, CA/Oracle Arena
April 12/Stockton, CA/Stockton Arena
April 14/Phoenix, AZ/Talking Stick Resort Arena
April 16/Las Cruces, NM/Pan American Center
April 18/San Antonio, TX/AT&T Center
April 19/Houston, TX/Toyota Center
April 22/Bossier City, LA/CenturyLink Center
April 24/Lafayette, LA/Cajundome
April 27/Tulsa, OK/BOK Center
April 28/N. Little Rock, AR/Verizon Arena
April 30/Indio, CA/Stagecoach*
May 3/Madison, WI/Kohl Center
May 5/Green Bay, WI/Resch Center
May 7/Grand Forks, ND/Ralph Engelstad Arena
May 10/Casper, WY/Casper Events Center
May 12/Billings, MT/Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark
May 15/Kansas City, MO/Sprint Center
May 17/Rosemont, IL/Allstate Arena
May 18/Cleveland, OH/Quicken Loans Arena
May 24/Buffalo, NY/First Niagara Center
May 27/Ottawa, ON/Canadian Tire Centre
May 28/Toronto, ON/Air Canada Centre
May 30/London, ON/Budweiser Gardens
*festival date
Artist Pics: Josh Kelley, Krystal Keith, Jerrod Niemann, Carrie Underwood
/by contributorJosh Kelley at City Winery
Artist Josh Kelley offered a preview of his upcoming album with an afternoon showcase at Nashville’s City Winery on Monday (Oct. 26), prior to his headlining show that night. The project will be released in 2016 by the Rounder Label Group.
Pictured (L-R): Josh Hunter – Hill Entertainment Group, Greg Hill – Hill Entertainment Group, Tracy Gershon – Rounder Label Group, Josh Kelley, Leslie Fram – CMT, Cliff O’Sullivan – Rounder Label Group, David Newmark – Rounder Label Group
Krystal Keith Welcomes Daughter Hensley Jack Sandubrae
Showdog Nashville’s Krystal Keith and her husband Andrew Sandubrae welcomed their baby girl, Hensley Jack Sandubrae, on Monday October 19. She arrived weighing 6 lbs., 11 oz and 18.5 inches long, Hensley is the couple’s first child.
Mom and baby are healthy, happy, and now at home settling in with dad. Krystal Keith is the daughter of Toby Keith.
Jerrod Niemann Plays San Jose’s Club Rodeo
Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville’s Jerrod Niemann played Club Rodeo in San Jose this past weekend, where he caught up with friend’s from San Jose’s KRTY.
Pictured (L-R): Opening act Chris Giles, KRTY General Manager Nate Deaton, Niemann, and KRTY General Sales Manager Tina Ferguson.
Carrie Underwood Celebrates ‘Storyteller’ Album with iHeartRadio Release Party
On Thursday, Oct. 22, Carrie Underwood was the focus of a special iHeartRadio Album Release Party hosted by Bobby Bones at the iHeartRadio Theater in New York City, all in celebration of the Oct. 25 release of her new album, Storyteller.
Pictured (L-R): Arista Nashville VP Promotion Lesly Simon; Justin Cole, Director of Country Programming, Premiere Networks; Bobby Bones; Rod Phillips, Sr. VP Programming/Brand Manager, iHeartCountry; and Colton Bradford, WBWL Boston night show host. Photo: Todd Owyoung
Hank Williams Jr. To Release Nash Icon Project in January
/by Jessica NicholsonHank Williams Jr. will release his upcoming 37th album, It’s About Time, on Jan. 15, 2016. The project is his debut for Nash Icon Records. On Nov. 4, he will premiere his lead single, “Are You Ready for the Country” featuring Eric Church, across Cumulus stations nationwide. Hank Williams Jr. and Church will open the 49th Annual CMA Awards with the new collaboration.
The new single, penned by Neil Young and previously recorded by Waylon Jennings, will be available on Nov. 4 at digital retailers. Fans can also digitally pre-order the album on Nov. 4 and will receive four instant “grat tracks” during December and January, prior to the album’s release.
Church isn’t the only star collaboration found on the project. It features a re-recorded version of “Born to Boogie” featuring Brantley Gilbert and Justin Moore, with Brad Paisley on guitar. The collection also includes Hank Jr. originals such as “Dress Like A Icon,” “Just Call Me Hank,” and the album’s title track. Warner Music Nashville artist Chris Janson is a co-writer on “Those Days Are Gone” and “God Fearin’ Man.”
It’s About Time was produced by Julian Raymond, known for his work with Glen Campbell and Cheap Trick.
“I could not be happier to be working with Scott Borchetta and the team at BMLG,” Williams said. “The support they have shown this album has been tremendous and I am so excited for the fans to hear the new stuff.”
It’s About Time Track Listing
1. “Are You Ready for the Country” featuring Eric Church (Neil Young)
2. “Club U.S.A.” (Tony Stampley, Bonnie Swayze)
3. “God Fearin’ Man” (Chris Janson, Brandon Kinney, Kendell Marvell)
4. “Those Days Are Gone” (Chris Janson, Brice Long, Terry McBride)
5. “Dress Like An Icon” (Hank Williams Jr.)
6. “God and Guns” (Mark Stephen Jones, Travis Meadows, Bud Tower)
7. “Just Call Me Hank” (Hank Williams Jr.)
8. “Mental Revenge” (Mel Tillis)
9. “It’s About Time” (Hank Williams Jr.)
10. “The Party’s On” (Hank Williams Jr., Joe Kent, Tony Stampley)
11. “Wrapped Up, Tangled Up in Jesus (God’s Got It)” (Reverend Charlie Jackson)
12. “Born to Boogie” featuring Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore and Brad Paisley (Hank Williams Jr.)
Artist Updates: Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown, Lee Ann Womack
/by Craig_ShelburneLady Antebellum Plans Concert Film
Lady Antebellum will release a concert film via Eagle Rock Entertainment on Nov. 13. Titled Lady Antebellum: Wheels Up Tour, the set will be available on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital formats. A CD/DVD combination will also be sold exclusively at Walmart. The band filmed their concert in Irvine, Calif., on June 27 for the new collection. The project also offers behind-the-scenes footage, giving fans a look at life on the road.
Zac Brown Added to Lionel Richie Event
Previously announced country performers on the show include Luke Bryan and Lady Antebellum. Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Demi Lovato, The Roots, Usher and Stevie Wonder have also been confirmed for the event, which will take place on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles.
Lee Ann Womack Headlines LGBT Fundraiser
Lee Ann Womack
Lee Ann Womack will perform a fundraising concert for the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 8. Her set will be a part of an event called TASTE, which combines food, wine and distilleries, and music. Womack’s performance is presented by CMT. The event will take place at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $75 and $100.
Luke Bryan To Join Dallas Cowboys As Halftime Performer For Thanksgiving Day Game
/by Troy_StephensonPictured with Luke Bryan are Charlotte Jones Anderson, executive vice president and chief brand officer for the Dallas Cowboys and former national advisory chairperson for The Salvation Army, Lt. Col. Ron Busroe, and members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Luke Bryan will kick off The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign by performing live at AT&T stadium in Dallas at halftime of the Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers game on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. This will be the 19th year the Dallas Cowboys have partnered with The Salvation Army to launch the iconic annual campaign, which raises millions of dollars throughout the holiday season.
“As a football fan, I’m especially excited to be performing on Thanksgiving Day,” said Bryan. “It’s also an honor to spotlight two great organizations like Dallas Cowboys and The Salvation Army and raise awareness for all the great work they do.”
“Luke Bryan is one of the biggest names in country music, but he has an incredibly humble spirit and is always searching for ways to give back and help others. For us, it was a perfect fit for what the Red Kettle kickoff represents for our partnership with The Salvation Army,” said Charlotte Jones Anderson, executive vice president and chief brand officer for the Dallas Cowboys and former national advisory chairperson for The Salvation Army. “Millions of families and children are impacted every year by the good works of The Salvation Army, and our goal is to help spread that message and educate Americans that every penny dropped in those red kettles goes toward making a difference.”
The Red Kettle Campaign runs from Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Eve and is the largest and longest-running fundraiser of its kind.
Sam Hunt Celebrates First Year of ‘Montevallo’ With Mixtape Reissue
/by Jessica NicholsonSam Hunt‘s debut album, Montevallo, has been an undeniable hit in the past year. To celebrate the first anniversary of his debut release, the MCA Nashville artist has today (Oct. 27) released a digital reissue of his original acoustic mixtape, Between The Pines, which served as the blueprint for Montevallo.
Hunt co-wrote all 15 tracks on Between The Pines, including some songs that later became hits for other artists. The release includes Hunt’s renditions of “Cop Car,” which became a hit for Keith Urban; “We Are Tonight,” which turned into a No. 1 hit for Billy Currington; and Hunt’s first Nashville cut as as songwriter, “Come Over,” which became a signature No. 1 song for Kenny Chesney.
In addition, Hunt is hosting a free street party tomorrow night (Wednesday, Oct. 28) at 6 p.m. at a pop up stage on 5th Ave. S between Demonbreun St. and Korean Veterans Blvd. in downtown Nashville.
Between The Pines Track Listing:
1. Raised On It (Acoustic)
2. Cop Car (Acoustic)
3. Ex to See (Acoustic)
4. House Party (Acoustic)
5. Leave the Night On (Acoustic)
6. We Are Tonight (Acoustic)
7. Make You Miss Me (Acoustic)
8. I Met a Girl (Acoustic)
9. Bottle It Up (Acoustic)
10. Saturday Night (Acoustic)
11. Speakers (Acoustic)
12. Vacation (Acoustic)
13. Vandalizer (Acoustic)
14. Goodbye (Acoustic)
15. Come Over (Acoustic)
To purchase Between The Pines, visit http://umgn.us/Mixtape.
Keith Urban Announces Eighth Studio Album, ‘Ripcord’
/by Jessica NicholsonKeith Urban
Keith Urban has announced his eighth studio album will be called Ripcord. Urban’s recent radio single, “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” became his 19th No. 1, and is the first single from Ripcord. This past week Urban released the album’s second single, the melodic, mid-tempo ballad “Break On Me.”
Urban will perform on The 49th Annual CMA Awards with John Mellencamp on Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Mellencamp’s moniker, John Cougar, is actually referenced in Urban’s “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.”
Kenny Chesney Reveals 2016 Spread The Love Tour
/by Troy_StephensonKenny Chesney has announced stadium dates for his 2016 Spread The Love tour. Coming off a record-breaking 2015 with The Big Revival Tour, Chesney will add tourmates Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, and Old Dominion to next year’s shows.
The first will be held at Auburn University’s Jordan Hare Stadium on April 23. Tickets for that show are already on sale.
“People always want to know about the stadiums,” says Chesney, “because it’s a big show… a lot of music… and the kind of day people come together and celebrate friendship. We know a lot of people travel to these dates from all over, so to give them as much time as possible to get ready, I figured it’d be nice to get these out in front of our other shows! There could be a stadium date or two added, but for everyone who’s asking, let’s get next year started, right now.”
Kenny Chesney – Spread the Love Tour 2016 – Stadiums ONLY:
April 23 — Jordan Hare Stadium — Auburn, Ala.
May 7 — Chase Field — Phoenix, Ariz.
June 4 — AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Texas*
June 18 — Miller Park — Milwaukee, Wisc.*
June 25 — Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, Pa.*
July 2 — Heinz Field — Pittsburgh, Pa.
July 16 — Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas City, Mo.
July 23 — Century Link Field — Seattle, Wash.
Aug. 6 — Levi’s Stadium — Santa Clara, Calif.
Aug. 13 — Ford Field — Detroit, Mich.*
Aug. 20 — MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, N.J.
*Dates will feature a surprise guest in Sam Hunt’s slot.
& MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED…
Carrie Underwood To Bring Her Stories On The Road
/by Jessica NicholsonCarrie Underwood.
Carrie Underwood is bringing her stories on the road. The singer-songwriter will launch a new arena tour in 2016, titled The Storyteller Tour-Stories in the Round, in association with the cosmetics brand Almay.
The tour will launch Jan. 30 in Jacksonville, Fla., and will make 40 stops across the U.S. and Canada.
The tour’s “in-the-round” style will feature the stage in the middle of the arena floor. The 360-degree setting should allow fans on all sides of the arena to have a unique concert experience. Creative Director for the tour is Barry Lather (Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Rihanna), while Butch Allen (The Eagles, Eric Church, Metallica) serves as Production Designer. The tour will be promoted by AEG Live.
Joining Underwood will be Easton Corbin and The Swon Brothers.
“I can’t wait to play new music from Storyteller for the fans,” shares Underwood. “I am so blessed to have this career and get to do to the things I do, but there is nothing like that moment when I get to step onto the stage to sing and all the fans are singing along with me.”
Underwood has arranged for a donation of $1 from each ticket sold at the U.S. dates of The Storyteller Tour to be contributed to the C.A.T.S Foundation to help aid its causes including Checotah, Okla.’s education and literacy programs. Established in 2009, the C.A.T.S. (Checotah Animal, Town, and School) Foundation helps with general causes, needs, and services in Underwood’s hometown.
The singer-songwriterreleased her fifth studio album, Storyteller, on Oct. 23.
The Storyteller Tour Dates:
Jan. 30/Jacksonville, FL/Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
Feb. 1/Duluth, GA/Infinite Energy Arena
Feb. 3/Greensboro, NC/Greensboro Coliseum
Feb. 5/Louisville, KY/KFC Yum! Center
Feb. 17/Pittsburgh, PA/CONSOL Energy Center
Feb. 20/Hampton, VA/Hampton Coliseum
Feb. 22/Philadelphia, PA/Wells Fargo Center
Feb. 23/Boston, MA/TD Garden
Feb. 25/Washington, DC/Verizon Center
March 11/Glasgow, Scotland/C2C-Clyde Auditorium*
March 12/London, England/C2C-O2 Arena*
March 13/Dublin, Ireland/C2C/ 3 Arena*
March 17/Youngstown, OH/Covelli Centre
March 19/Allentown, PA/PPL Center
March 22/Auburn Hills, MI/The Palace of Auburn Hills
March 24/St. Louis, MO/Chaifetz Arena
March 26/Lincoln, NE/Pinnacle Bank Arena
March 29/Colorado Springs, CO/Broadmoor World Arena
March 30/Denver, CO/Pepsi Center
April 1/Las Vegas, NV/ACM Party for a Cause Festival*
April 5/Fresno, CA/Save Mart Center
April 8/Reno, NV/Reno Events Center
April 10/Oakland, CA/Oracle Arena
April 12/Stockton, CA/Stockton Arena
April 14/Phoenix, AZ/Talking Stick Resort Arena
April 16/Las Cruces, NM/Pan American Center
April 18/San Antonio, TX/AT&T Center
April 19/Houston, TX/Toyota Center
April 22/Bossier City, LA/CenturyLink Center
April 24/Lafayette, LA/Cajundome
April 27/Tulsa, OK/BOK Center
April 28/N. Little Rock, AR/Verizon Arena
April 30/Indio, CA/Stagecoach*
May 3/Madison, WI/Kohl Center
May 5/Green Bay, WI/Resch Center
May 7/Grand Forks, ND/Ralph Engelstad Arena
May 10/Casper, WY/Casper Events Center
May 12/Billings, MT/Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark
May 15/Kansas City, MO/Sprint Center
May 17/Rosemont, IL/Allstate Arena
May 18/Cleveland, OH/Quicken Loans Arena
May 24/Buffalo, NY/First Niagara Center
May 27/Ottawa, ON/Canadian Tire Centre
May 28/Toronto, ON/Air Canada Centre
May 30/London, ON/Budweiser Gardens
*festival date
UMPG Signs Parmalee’s Matt Thomas to Publishing Deal
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Lesley Kalish, BBR Management; Cyndi Forman, UMPG VP, Creative; Ron Stuve, UMPG VP A&R; Noah McPike, Almon McPike Law, PLLC; Matt Thomas; Kent Earls, EVP/GM, UMPG; Missy Wilson, UMPG Sr. Creative Director; Travis Gordon, UMPG Creative Director
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Nashville has signed an exclusive global publishing deal with Matt Thomas, songwriter and lead singer of the band Parmalee.
Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, UMPG Nashville, stated, “At UMPG we pride ourselves on representing some of the best songwriters and artists in country music, and Matt, along with the rest of the band Parmalee, are a part of that group. Matt is a great singer/songwriter with incredible melody instinct. We look forward to the new music Matt and Parmalee are building in the studio.”
Thomas said, “I’m really excited about signing with UMPG Nashville. I feel like it’s the perfect fit for me. Their staff and writers are great. Can’t wait to see what we do over the next few years!”
Thomas co-wrote seven songs on Parmalee’s first album, 2013’s Feels Like Carolina (Stoney Creek Records). The project launched four hit singles, including “Carolina” which became a No.1 country airplay hit and was certified gold.
In addition to the success of “Carolina,” the album also featured the singles “Musta Had a Good Time,” “Already Callin’ You Mine,” and “Close Your Eyes,” which became a Top 5 hit on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. The band is currently writing and recording the follow-up to Feels Like Carolina.
Industry Ink: Phyllis Stark, Banner Music, Nashville International Visitor Rankings
/by Jessica NicholsonStark Exits Journal Broadcast Group
Phyllis Stark
In the wake of the E.W. Scripps Company’s recent merger with Journal Broadcast Group, Nashville-based journalist Phyllis Stark will exit her position as Digital Executive Producer, National Content for Scripps effective Nov. 2.
In the role she held for the past two years, Stark oversaw NowTrending.com and the country music news and feature site NashvilleEdge.com. Both sites also fed content to the digital properties for the company’s TV and radio stations nationwide.
Stark will continue as a columnist and contributor to Billboard Country Update and Billboard.biz and is looking for new opportunities. She can be reached at 615-260-7321 or p.stark@comcast.net.
Banner Music Signs Alex Dooley
Nashville-based company Banner Music has signed songwriter Alex Dooley to its roster. The Rustburg, Va., native signed his first publishing deal with Music Mill Entertainment in 2005, where he penned songs including “Don’t Ask Me ‘Bout A Woman” (Easton Corbin), and “When She Grows Up” (Craig Campbell).
Pictured (L-R): Daniel and Camilla Kleindienst, Alex Dooley, James Robert Webb, and Karl Braun.
Nashville Gains Greatest Increase in Popularity Among International Visitors
“People all over the world are hearing about Nashville and looking at making a visit to Music City,” Nashville Mayor Megan Barry said. “Our hospitality community has worked extremely hard for many years to expand our reach beyond the United States, and having a TV show named for and set in our city has broadcast Nashville’s name far and wide. Thanks to our live music scene, the spirit of creativity that permeates the city, our parks and greenways, our growing list of first-rate restaurants and iconic attractions such as Ryman Auditorium, The Hermitage, the Nashville Zoo and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the word is out about Nashville.”
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC) estimates that five percent to seven percent of overnight visitors in Nashville are from outside the country. From 2013 to 2014, Nashville saw a 10 percent increase in international visitation, according to the Global Cities Travel report by Oxford Economics.
International visitors are also traveling to Music City to attend some of the city’s largest music-related events. At the CMA Fest this past June, 10.3 percent of attendees were international visitors. At the Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing! event earlier this year, 5.6 percent came from other countries. And the Jack Daniel’s Bash on Broadway: New Year’s Eve in Music City in 2014 saw 7.7 percent of attendees come from abroad.