The 51st Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards will bring the show back to Las Vegas’ MGM Grand on Sunday, April 3, following last year’s special 50th anniversary show in Dallas, Texas.
ACM Awards Executive Producers Barry Adelman and R.A. Clark, as well as ACM CEO Bob Romeo and Exec. VP, CBS Specials, Music, and Live Events Jack Sussman offered an inside look at some of Sunday’s don’t-miss moments during a media conference call today (March 29).
With the show to feature more than 20 performances on three stages (including five or six artists set to offer new music), this year’s lineup is ripe for some special ACM moments.
Dolly Parton
1. Dolly Parton and Katy Perry.
As previously announced, Parton will join Katy Perry for a collaboration of several of Parton’s classic songs, including “Jolene” and “Coat Of Many Colors.” For her 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat Of Many Colors, Parton will also be honored with the Tex Ritter Award.
Sussman said, “Katy Perry as well as her whole team have been fans of this show for many years. They are big fans of country music and we’ve talked with them about participating in this show. We heard about the Tex Ritter award, and went right to Katy. Literally on the phone call, she said yes. Katy’s a huge fan of Dolly, reveres her. The two of them have been working together and have come up with an unbelievable duet moment that is a mashup of some of the best songs in her repertoire. Personally, I think they are related in some fashion, but we can’t prove that. We haven’t done a DNA test on either. It will be a special moment in the show.”
Garth Brooks
2. Garth Brooks will make an appearance via satellite.
Brooks will be performing a concert on his world tour near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, but will make an appearance via satellite. The producers declined to offer further details of Brooks’ appearance on the show.
Miranda Lambert at C2C. Photo Credit: Christie Goodwin
3. Miranda Lambert Performs With Billy Gibbons and Keith Urban.
“I had a conversation about Miranda on what she wanted to do,” Clark said. “She said, ‘I do a lot of covers during my show on tour, and one that I do is [ZZ Top’s] ‘Tush.’ So I asked if I could see if Billy Gibbons was available, and he is. To supersize the moment, we asked Keith Urban to join. He’s already on the show doing his new song, ‘Wasted Time.’ Now we have a triple threat with that performance.”
Sam Hunt.
4. The “Class of 2015.”
Last year several country newcomers made great career strides, including Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Cam, Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett, and Old Dominion. Ballerini, Stapleton, and Old Dominion are already ACM winners this year, taking home the trophies for New Female Vocalist, New Male Vocalist, and New Duo/Group. All of these rising stars will perform during the upcoming ACM Awards.
It’s an uprising Romeo likened to the famous “Class of ’89,” which included Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, and more—all of whom went on to build enduring careers.
“I sit back and smile because there are a lot of new artists this year,” said Romeo. “I think we’ve really taken that to another level. I said, ‘I think we have the class of 2015 this year.’ When you look at what Sam Hunt has done, and obviously what Chris Stapleton is achieving in the last six months, and we’ve got two great females with Kelsea and Cam. Thomas Rhett and Brett Eldredge and Old Dominion. I truly think we might look back at that in 10 years and say, ‘Wow, that was a great Class of 2015.’ They represent the new blood of country music, they are all on the show, and that’s exciting.”
Kelsea Ballerini.
5. Kelsea Ballerini will perform with Nick Jonas.
“Every year, we look for ways to expand and enhance each performance,” said Adelman. “All of us on this call have done hundreds of shows together and separately. We all have relationships from shows that we have done. Nick Jonas has been a good friend to the Academy…and to CBS. He’s a perfect match to Kelsea for this song. That’s another one of those pairings we are excited about and glad we can pull off.”
Joey + Rory.
6. An honor for Joey + Rory’s Joey Martin Feek.
Producers said that though Rory Lee Feek, the husband of the late Joey Martin Feek, will not be an attendance at the ACM awards, one of his older daughters will attend and be honored during the event.
Adelman said, “They are valued members…Joey’s a valued member of our family, it’s like losing a family member, so we will make sure there is an acknowledgment in the proper way.”
Dierks Bentley.
7. New Co-Host Dierks Bentley.
Dierks Bentley joins the ACM Awards as co-host with Luke Bryan this year, stepping in for previous co-host Blake Shelton. The producers said that Bentley was their first choice for a co-host. Bentley previously hosted the ACM Honors ceremony in Nashville.
“Dierks Bentley and Luke are extremely close friends on and off stage,” said Adelman. “They go hunting and fishing together, they spend time together. Dierks is a pilot and often he gives Luke a lift to concerts they are doing together, so there is a terrific chemistry between them. We took some meetings to see how he felt about it and he’s tremendously enthused about it.”
Bobby Karl Works The Grammy Gallery Opening At Musicians Hall Of Fame
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 524
Pictured (L-R): Ray Stevens, Mike Curb, Bob Santelli, Joe Chambers, Mayor Megan Barry, Neil Portnow, Brenda Lee, Mickey Guyton, Peter Frampton, Butch Spyridon
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Grammy Gallery in the Musicians Hall of Fame turned out to be quite the gala affair.
Visitors to the museum on Tuesday afternoon (March 29) were treated to rocking music, big dignitaries and stargazing as well as a vast new interactive space.
The museum’s creator Joe Chambers introduced Mayor Megan Barry to the hundreds in attendance. The Mayor said she’s looking forward to seeing yellow school buses lined up outside the museum. “This is now going to be the coolest field trip in town,” she said. “I am so proud of this project. I believe in this project. This takes the Musicians Hall of Fame to a whole new level.”
She added that she was delighted to be sharing the stage with longtime museum supporters Brenda Lee and Peter Frampton. “Frampton Comes Alive was the first album I ever bought,” the Nashville leader shared.
Brenda was at her second gig of the day, having presided at the announcement ceremony of the next Country Music Hall of Fame members that morning. She reported that Fred Foster spilled the beans on the selections of fellow inductees Randy Travis and Charlie Daniels during his remarks. (By the way, all three are native North Carolinians).
Peter and Brenda weren’t the only celebrities in attendance at the ribbon cutting. Mingling in the crowd like everyday folks were Ray Stevens, Mickey Guyton, Garth Brooks, BR549’s Jay McDowell (who curates multimedia exhibits for the museum), hit songwriter Buddy Kalb, session aces Bobby Wood and Bruce Bouton, producer/writer Shannon Sanders and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Allen Reynolds, not to mention such major industry honchos as Rod Essig, Joe Galante, George Flanigen, Jody Williams and Jim Ed Norman.
Another such honcho was on stage. Mike Curb had the vision and the finances to bring the Grammy Gallery to Nashville. The city kicked in a million bucks, too. Grammy Museum executive director Bob Santelli made the vision a reality.
Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow said, “Visitors will experience first-hand the mysterious process of making music. We are so looking forward to sharing the recording process.”
Pictured (L-R): Ray Stevens, Joe Chambers, Mike Curb, Neil Portnow, Megan Barry, Brenda Lee, Bob Santelli, Butch Spyridon, Peter Frampton, Linda Chambers.
Individual stations in the Gallery teach various aspects of music creation via interactive videos and headphones. You can learn how to sing backup with Ray Charles & The Raelettes. You can learn to write songs with Motown legend Lamont Dozier and/or Nashville’s Desmond Child. You can learn how to produce with Mike Clink, to engineer with Manny Marroquin, to sing with producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and to mix via Garth’s “Friends in Low Places.”
There is also a space where you can to learn how to rap, as well as a performing stage with playable instruments. Want to dance with Tina Turner? You can do that, too.
One segment of the Grammy Gallery tells the history of the Grammy Awards. Another shows how a Grammy statuette is manufactured. A series of displays show how the design of the award has evolved. There is a rehearsal hall. There is a recording studio.
“It is no longer a static experience,” said Santelli. “It is an active experience.”
Music at the event was provided by the Nashville School of the Arts Pop Ensemble, who seriously rocked the joint, doing everything from Adele to Bruno Mars. “You are going to be wowed by this next generation of musicians,” commented Mayor Barry.
Working the room were Pam Lewis, Jed Hilly, Mark Miller, Butch Spyridon, Barry Mazor, Dave Paulson, Kay Smith, Terry Clements, Don Murray Grubbs, Nancy Shapiro, Diane Pearson, Debbie Carroll, Lori Badgett, Linda Chambers, Stuart Ervin, Alicia Warwick and hundreds of delighted “civilians.” All the stars hung around to pose for pictures with fans.
The Musicians Hall of Fame is located in the spacious lower level of historic Municipal Auditorium. Its exhibits salute the musicians of Detroit, Memphis, Los Angeles, Muscle Shoals, New York, Nashville and other music centers.
Its motto is, “Come see what you’ve heard.” If you haven’t been to it, make a date to go at once. It is one of the coolest attractions in town. And now it’s even cooler.
Brandi Carlile, Old Crow Medicine Show Announce Tour
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Brandi Carlile, Old Crow Medicine Show
A co-headlining tour of Old Crow Medicine Show and Brandi Carlile will launch April 30 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
Although a Nashville show has not been announced, the 16-date run will conclude at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, with highlights including a night at The Fox Theatre in Detroit and a stop at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado. The artists will collaborate on a handful of songs nightly in addition to performing separate sets.
“Old Crow found a kindred spirit in Brandi Carlile. We’re so excited to make a joyful noise together this year out on the highways and byways of America,” said Old Crow’s Ketch Secor. The Grammy-winning band was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2013.
Carlile said, “Those boys don’t put on a show, they throw a party! That’s the way I want to spend my summer—throwing a party for our crowd with all my buddies.”
Both artists issued their latest albums on ATO Records.
Tour dates are below:
April 30: Atlanta; The Fox Theatre
May 4: Chattanooga, Tenn.; Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium
May 6: Simpsonville, S.C.; Charter Spectrum Amphitheatre
May 7: Greensboro, N.C.; White Oak Amphitheatre
July 12: Cleveland, Ohio; Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
July 15: Interlochen, Michigan; Kresge Auditorium
July 16: Detroit, Michigan; The Fox Theatre
July 19: Huber Heights, Ohio; Rose Music Center at The Heights
July 22: Canandaigua, N.Y.; Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands PAC
July 23: Columbia, Md.; Merriweather Post Pavilion
July 24: Camden, N.J.; XPoNential Festival
Aug. 14: Morrison, Colo.; Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Aug. 16: Phoenix, Ariz.; Comerica Theatre
Aug. 17: Tucson, Ariz.; AVA Amphitheater
Aug. 19: San Diego, Calif.; SDSU Open Air Theatre
Aug. 20: Los Angeles; Hollywood Bowl
The Highwaymen Featured In Concert Box Set, PBS Documentary
/by Craig_ShelburneThe Highwaymen will be the subject of a new box set and documentary, both coming in May. The supergroup is composed of four towering figures in country music: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson.
The Highwaymen Live—American Outlaws is a deluxe CD/DVD (or CD/Blu-ray) box set of concert performances due May 20 via Columbia/Legacy.
The box set includes: a previously-unreleased full-length concert film recorded at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., on March 14, 1990 and transferred from the original film reels especially for this collection; two audio discs of music from that concert; and an audio disc with tracks recorded live at various Farm Aid Festivals.
As a bonus, the collection debuts a previously-unreleased recording of Bob Dylan’s “One Too Many Mornings.” A version of the song sung by Cash and Jennings appeared on their 1986 collaborative album, Heroes. Nelson and Kristofferson recorded new vocals for the track in 2014. Those vocals, produced by Mickey Raphael and remixed by Tony Castle, are now included on the recording.
The box set includes a booklet featuring new liner notes by noted music scholar and journalist Mikal Gilmore.
Meanwhile, American Masters—The Highwaymen: Friends Till The End, a new feature-length documentary, premieres on May 27 on PBS. The group’s story is told through vintage performances and new interviews about life on the road and in the studio. In addition, The Highwaymen: Live At Nassau Coliseum (a special broadcast edit of the concert film featured on the box set) will be part of special programming premiering on PBS stations as part of June Pledge 2016.
Columbia/Legacy will also release a new single-disc compilation, The Very Best of The Highwaymen, on May 20.
CMA Music Festival Announces Sunday Night Stadium Lineup
/by Troy_StephensonThey join previously announced Country Music stars Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Hank Williams, Jr., and Chris Young who will perform during the Festival’s first three nights.
The 2016 CMA Music Festival runs Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12 in downtown Nashville.
For upcoming announcements and all other info stay connected with CMA on CMAfest.com.
Luke Bryan
Photo Credit: Jim Wright
Keith Urban
Photo Credit: Courtesy PFA Media
Brett Eldredge
Photo Credit: Katherine Tyler
Little Big Town
Photo Credit: Courtesy Sandbox Entertainment
Thomas Rhett
Photo Credit: John Shearer
Keith Urban Reveals Production, Songwriting Credits Of ‘Ripcord’
/by Jessica NicholsonKeith Urban‘s eighth album, Ripcord, doesn’t release until May 6, but the project has already produced two No. 1 hits for Urban. “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” and “Break On Me” were Urban’s 19th and 20th career No. 1 songs.
The new project is the result of one of Urban’s most collaborative processes yet. He calls Ripcord his “most exhilarating album to make, both musically and creatively.”
“This album’s journey began back in January 2015 and took me to a lot of unexplored people and places,” he added. “The end result was the recording and exploring of more songs then I’ve ever done before and carving that down to what I felt constituted Ripcord.”
The 12-track album includes new collaborations with Jeff Bhasker, busbee, Greg Wells and Nile Rodgers, as well as personnel Urban has previously worked with, including Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Dann Huff and Nathan Chapman, all of whom worked with Urban on his previous album, Fuse.
“Getting to work with people like this was unlike anything I’ve envisioned before,” said Urban. “It’s the result of writing, reaching, imagining, and following the muse every step of the way.”
Urban will perform his new single, “Wasted Time,” on American Idol on Thursday night (March 31). He will also sing it on the ACM Awards on Sunday. His Ripcord World Tour 2016 will launch on June 2 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Ripcord Track Listing
“Gone Tomorrow (Here Today)”
Written by Jeff Bhasker, Samuel Tyler Johnson, Keith Urban
Co-Produced By Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson & Keith Urban
“John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16”
Written by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne
Co-Produced by Dann Huff & Keith Urban
“Wasted Time”
Written by Greg Wells, J Hart, Keith Urban
Co-Produced by Greg Wells & Keith Urban
“Habit Of You”
Written by K-Kov, Jackson Morgan
Co-Produced by K-Kov & Keith Urban
“Sun Don’t Let Me Down”
Written by Nile Rodgers, busbee, Armando Christian Perez, Keith Urban
Co-Produced by Nile Rodgers, busbee & Keith Urban
“Getting In The Way”
Written by Emily Weisband, Jordan Reynolds, David Hodges
Co-Produced by Dann Huff & Keith Urban
“Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Written by Steven Lee Olsen, Hillary Lindsey, Clint Lagerberg
Co-Produced by Dann Huff & Keith Urban
“The Fighter”
Written by busbee, Keith Urban
Co-Produced by busbee & Keith Urban
“Break On Me”
Written by Jon Nite, Ross Copperman
Co-Produced by Nathan Chapman & Keith Urban
“Your Body”
Written by busbee, Keith Urban
Co-Produced by busbee & Keith Urban
“That Could Still Be Us”
Written by Jason Duke, Jesse Lee, Jonathan Price
Co-Produced by Jonny Price & Keith Urban
“Worry ‘Bout Nothin’”
Written by Chris Tompkins, Rodney Clawson, Josh Kear
Co-Produced by Dann Huff & Keith Urban
Rob Beckham To Be Honored, Reba To Headline At Nashville’s Swan Ball
/by Jessica NicholsonRob Beckham
Rob Beckham, WME Partner and co-head of WME’s Nashville office, will be honored with the 2016 Swan Award during the 54th annual Swan Ball, slated for June 4. Additionally, Reba has been named as the musical headliner for the evening.
He was promoted to his current role, co-head of WME’s Nashville office, in 2011. In 2015, WME clients captured 10 of 11 ACM Awards, and 7 of 11 CMA Awards. He is a three-time nominee for the CMA SRO Award for Talent Agent of the Year and won the award in 2014.
In addition to his work at WME, Beckham is also active in the community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association, the TJ Martell Foundation and Make-A-Wish for Middle Tennessee. In 2014, he was named TJ Martell Ambassador of the Year and was honored by the Nashville Association of Talent Directors at its annual gala. In 2015, he edged out other Music Row executives to raise the most money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Pie in Your Face Challenge. He regularly donates his time speaking at events and participating in fundraisers for various local and national charities. A native of Montana, Rob now lives in Brentwood, Tennessee with his wife, Melissa, and his daughter, Ella.
Presented annually since 1969 at Nashville’s Swan Ball, The Swan Award is given to individuals distinguished in the arts or by their dedicated service to humanity.
Previous Swan Award recipients include Martha Rivers Ingram, Bill Ivey, Mrs. Ann Hendricks Bass, The Frist Family, Ann and Monroe Carell, Mrs. Teresa Heinz, Gerald and Florence Van de Kemp, Mr. Kip Forbes, The Honorable Walter H. Annenberg, Dr. Armand Hammer, The Duncan Phillips Family, Mrs. Carroll Petrie, and Veronica Hearst, among others.
The Doobie Brothers Sign With Azoff Music Management
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Doobie Brothers
Azoff Music Management has signed The Doobie Brothers for personal management. The Doobie Brothers are managed by Irving Azoff and Karim Karmi and represented for touring by Scott Morris at CAA.
Kate Richardson at Richlyn Marketing handles public relations.
The Doobie Brothers are founding members Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons, and longtime member John McFee. The group has sold more than 48 million albums and has garnered four Grammy awards.
The group’s hit singles include “Black Water,” “What a Fool Believes,” “Listen To The Music,” “Jesus Is Just All Right,” “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “China Grove,” “Take Me In Your Arms,” Takin’ it to the Streets,” “Minute by Minute,” “You Belong to Me,” “The Doctor” and more.
In 2014, a country tribute project to The Doobie Brothers, Southbound, was released.
Industry Ink: Meals-On-Wheels, Hill Entertainment Group, SOURCE, NATD & ACM
/by Craig_ShelburneBluebird Café Hosts Meals-On-Wheels Fundraiser
The Bluebird Café hosted a fundraiser for Mid-Cumberland Meals-on-Wheels on March 24. The event raised more than $5,000, which will provide 1,111 meals for seniors in Davidson County and 10 surrounding counties. Regions Bank’s Lisa Harless organized and emceed the event. Performers were Frank Myers, Eddy Raven, Tim Nichols and Jimmy Nichols.
Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Nichols, Frank Myers, Lisa Harless, Eddy Raven, Heather Hoilland and Tim Nichols. Photo: Celina Lunsford
Jordon Petty Joins Hill Entertainment Group
Jordon Petty is now heading the Legendary Coaches brand for Hill Entertainment Group. She started her new role on March 1. The Legendary Coaches are a group of well-known college football coaches available for speaking engagements, brand partnerships and fundraising opportunities. Petty previously worked at Marbaloo Marketing and Show Dog-Universal. Hill Entertainment Group’s client roster also includes Jana Kramer, Josh Kelley, LANco, Naomi Judd and Rodney Atkins.
Jordon Petty
SOURCE Focuses On Kelsea Ballerini’s Team
SOURCE, the Nashville music industry executive women’s organization, held its monthly luncheon on March 24 at ASCAP. A guest panel was composed of Kelsea Ballerini’s power team, including: her manager, Iconic Entertainment’s Fletcher Foster; Black River Publishing VP Celia Froehlig; CAA’s John Huie; and Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr. The panelists shared stories of her rising career. A Q&A for SOURCE members followed the panel’s discussion.
Pictured (L-R): Fletcher Foster, Iconic Entertainment; Shelia Shipley Biddy, 2016 SOURCE President; Celia Froehlig, VP Black River Publishing; Gordon Kerr, CEO Black River Entertainment. Photo Credit: Denise Fussell
NATD, ACM Plan Nashville Viewing Party
The National Association of Talent Directors (NATD) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM) have teamed up to hold the official Nashville viewing party for the 51st ACM Awards on Sunday (April 3). Tickets are $20 and the viewing party will be held at Citizen Club at Virago. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the NATD website.
Dreamlined Entertainment Signs Cyndi Thomson
/by Jessica NicholsonFormer Capitol Records Nashville artist Cyndi Thomson has joined Keith Stegall’s Dreamlined Entertainment. Her first single, “Sippin’ Wine On The Water,” will release May 16.
Thomson earned a gold album with her 2001 Capitol Records Nashville debut, My World, as well as a three-week No. 1 single with “What I Really Meant To Say.”
In 2002, she walked away from her recording career, stating, “The next step in my career would be to make a new album, thus making a commitment to see the project through with the many obligations that go along with it. I have now realized that I cannot commit to those obligations. I love music; I love the way it makes me feel, but the timing is right for me to walk away from being a recording artist.”
Thompson briefly returned to the Capitol Records Nashville label in 2006, though no music was released. Thomson continued writing and recording. In 2009, Thompson released the five-track digital EP This Time.
Producers Preview 7 Don’t-Miss Moments Of Upcoming ACM Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 51st Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards will bring the show back to Las Vegas’ MGM Grand on Sunday, April 3, following last year’s special 50th anniversary show in Dallas, Texas.
ACM Awards Executive Producers Barry Adelman and R.A. Clark, as well as ACM CEO Bob Romeo and Exec. VP, CBS Specials, Music, and Live Events Jack Sussman offered an inside look at some of Sunday’s don’t-miss moments during a media conference call today (March 29).
With the show to feature more than 20 performances on three stages (including five or six artists set to offer new music), this year’s lineup is ripe for some special ACM moments.
Dolly Parton
1. Dolly Parton and Katy Perry.
As previously announced, Parton will join Katy Perry for a collaboration of several of Parton’s classic songs, including “Jolene” and “Coat Of Many Colors.” For her 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat Of Many Colors, Parton will also be honored with the Tex Ritter Award.
Sussman said, “Katy Perry as well as her whole team have been fans of this show for many years. They are big fans of country music and we’ve talked with them about participating in this show. We heard about the Tex Ritter award, and went right to Katy. Literally on the phone call, she said yes. Katy’s a huge fan of Dolly, reveres her. The two of them have been working together and have come up with an unbelievable duet moment that is a mashup of some of the best songs in her repertoire. Personally, I think they are related in some fashion, but we can’t prove that. We haven’t done a DNA test on either. It will be a special moment in the show.”
Garth Brooks
2. Garth Brooks will make an appearance via satellite.
Brooks will be performing a concert on his world tour near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, but will make an appearance via satellite. The producers declined to offer further details of Brooks’ appearance on the show.
Miranda Lambert at C2C. Photo Credit: Christie Goodwin
3. Miranda Lambert Performs With Billy Gibbons and Keith Urban.
“I had a conversation about Miranda on what she wanted to do,” Clark said. “She said, ‘I do a lot of covers during my show on tour, and one that I do is [ZZ Top’s] ‘Tush.’ So I asked if I could see if Billy Gibbons was available, and he is. To supersize the moment, we asked Keith Urban to join. He’s already on the show doing his new song, ‘Wasted Time.’ Now we have a triple threat with that performance.”
Sam Hunt.
4. The “Class of 2015.”
Last year several country newcomers made great career strides, including Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Cam, Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett, and Old Dominion. Ballerini, Stapleton, and Old Dominion are already ACM winners this year, taking home the trophies for New Female Vocalist, New Male Vocalist, and New Duo/Group. All of these rising stars will perform during the upcoming ACM Awards.
It’s an uprising Romeo likened to the famous “Class of ’89,” which included Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, and more—all of whom went on to build enduring careers.
“I sit back and smile because there are a lot of new artists this year,” said Romeo. “I think we’ve really taken that to another level. I said, ‘I think we have the class of 2015 this year.’ When you look at what Sam Hunt has done, and obviously what Chris Stapleton is achieving in the last six months, and we’ve got two great females with Kelsea and Cam. Thomas Rhett and Brett Eldredge and Old Dominion. I truly think we might look back at that in 10 years and say, ‘Wow, that was a great Class of 2015.’ They represent the new blood of country music, they are all on the show, and that’s exciting.”
Kelsea Ballerini.
5. Kelsea Ballerini will perform with Nick Jonas.
“Every year, we look for ways to expand and enhance each performance,” said Adelman. “All of us on this call have done hundreds of shows together and separately. We all have relationships from shows that we have done. Nick Jonas has been a good friend to the Academy…and to CBS. He’s a perfect match to Kelsea for this song. That’s another one of those pairings we are excited about and glad we can pull off.”
Joey + Rory.
6. An honor for Joey + Rory’s Joey Martin Feek.
Producers said that though Rory Lee Feek, the husband of the late Joey Martin Feek, will not be an attendance at the ACM awards, one of his older daughters will attend and be honored during the event.
Adelman said, “They are valued members…Joey’s a valued member of our family, it’s like losing a family member, so we will make sure there is an acknowledgment in the proper way.”
Dierks Bentley.
7. New Co-Host Dierks Bentley.
Dierks Bentley joins the ACM Awards as co-host with Luke Bryan this year, stepping in for previous co-host Blake Shelton. The producers said that Bentley was their first choice for a co-host. Bentley previously hosted the ACM Honors ceremony in Nashville.
“Dierks Bentley and Luke are extremely close friends on and off stage,” said Adelman. “They go hunting and fishing together, they spend time together. Dierks is a pilot and often he gives Luke a lift to concerts they are doing together, so there is a terrific chemistry between them. We took some meetings to see how he felt about it and he’s tremendously enthused about it.”