Chris Young headlines hometown show at Nashville, Ascend Amphitheater on September 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
The wet weather wasn’t able to dampen spirits last night (Sept. 30) at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater as RCA Nashville Records’ Chris Young stepped out on home turf to entertain 5,000 of his closest friends. For anyone needing a strong dose of country music, this was the place to be.
Just days after returning stateside following the European leg of his I’m Comin’ Over World Tour, Young admits, “I was both excited and anxious to come home and play a show in Nashville. I knew I was going to have a lot of friends and family in the audience so I didn’t want to screw up. The audience at Ascend Amphitheater blew me away and I could have kept playing all night long.”
Chris Young headlines hometown show at Nashville, Ascend Amphitheater on September 30, 2015
In his first headlining show in Music City since 2012, Young packed his 75-minute set with such hits as “Gettin’ You Home,” “Voices,” “Tomorrow,” “You,” “The Man I Want To Be,” “Who I Am With You,” and “Lonely Eyes.” Young shared how amazing it was to be playing to a packed audience 4.8 miles from the El Chico Mexican restaurant where he used to play “for chips and free quesadillas.”
Wearing all black with perfectly coiffed hair, the Middle Tennessee native surprised the crowd midway through his set, inviting friend and country superstar Brad Paisley to join him on stage to perform Eric Clapton’s “Change The World.”
Brad Paisley joins Chris Young at show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on September 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
During his performance of “I Can Take It From There,” Young asked the cheering crowd if they knew Conway Twitty. He challenged anyone who didn’t know the legendary artist to stop watching the show and immediately download Conway’s Greatest Hits album. Young suggested couples in the audience should play Conway’s Greatest Hits in the car on the way home quipping, “If you get home and can’t close, then there’s no hope for you.”
“Thank you for the fastest-selling single of my career,” shouted Young after singing “I’m Comin’ Over,” the title track to Young’s upcoming album, slated for a Nov. 13 release. Prior to taking the stage, Sony Music Nashville presented him with a plaque celebrating the single’s recent RIAA Gold certification.
Sony Music Nashville presented Chris Young with a plaque celebrating the recent RIAA Gold certification of his current single, “I’m Comin’ Over.” Back Row (L-R): Paul Barnabee (SVP, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville), Jim Catino (VP, A&R, Sony Music Nashville), Bill Simmons (Fitzgerald Hartley), Larry Fitzgerald (Fitzgerald Hartley), Steve Hodges (EVP, Promotions & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville), Caryl Healey (VP, Sales, Sony Music Nashville), Angie Magill (VP, Legal & Business Affairs, Sony Music Nashville), Keith Gale (SVP/National Promotion, RCA) Front Row (L-R): Randy Goodman (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Young, Josh Easler (Director/National Promotion, RCA) Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
Before ending the evening with a couple of encore songs, Young proclaimed, “This has been one of the best nights of my life.”
Labelmates Jerrod Niemann and Cam joined Young earlier as openers for the Nashville show.
Niemann’s 45-minute set included noteworthy hits such as “Lover, Lover,” “What Do You Want,” “One More Drinkin’ Song,” “Drink to That All Night,” “Shinin’ on Me,” and his current single, “Blue Bandana.” Confessing this was “a bucket list moment,” Niemann surprised fans by bringing out Diamond Rio as a special guest to sing “I’m Here ‘Cause I Ain’t All There,” a song he recorded with the country group.
Jerrod Niemann performs at Chris Young’s hometown show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Sept. 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
Cam included performances of “Burning House,” which the audience gladly sang along to, and “My Mistake” in her set. Both songs are from her EP, Welcome to Cam Country.
Cam performs at Chris Young’s hometown show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Sept. 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
Industry Ink: NARAS, ACM, Nancy Cardwell Erdos, Nashville Business Hall of Fame
/by Jessica NicholsonNARAS Holds Music Industry Panel Series at Nashville’s Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School
Sony ATV’s Tom Luteran and SESAC’s Tim Fink joined The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter executive director Alicia Warwick at the Music Industry Panel Series Publishing/PRO session at Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School.
The Academy has organized a series of speakers to cover different facets of the music industry with Pearl-Cohn’s students in their music studies programs. Other topics have included intellectual property, branding, and music in film and TV.
Pictured (L-R): Sam Lorber, Pearl-Cohn; Yolanda Jackson, Pearl-Cohn; Tom Luteran Sony/ATV, Alicia Warwick, The Recording Academy; Tim Fink, SESAC and Marqo Patton, Pearl-Cohn.
ACM Welcomes Leslie Cours Mather
The Academy of Country Music welcomed singer/songwriter Leslie Cours Mather to the office in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, she performed a few songs off of her debut album including, “Countrified” and “Hell Hath No Fury.” Mather also signed up for professional ACM membership as part of the Academy’s complimentary one-year membership offered to support emerging artists.
Leslie Cours Mather
Nancy Cardwell Erdos Begins Work For Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee, Continues Freelance Writing and PR Gigs
Nancy Cardwell Erdos
Nancy Cardwell Erdos, who left the staff of the International Bluegrass Music Association last April after 20 years, announced this week that she has taken a job with Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee. In the newly-created position of Membership Specialist for the Hispanic Community, Cardwell will work to provide increased Girl Scout programming for Spanish-speaking girls in 39 counties served by the Nashville-based council.
During the 1980s in Missouri, Cardwell worked as a Field Executive and Assistant Camp Director for the Dogwood Trails Girl Scout Council and she taught high school Spanish, so the new position combines two areas of interest.
Cardwell is also working with Tom T. Hall and the team at Fox Hollow, handling publicity for future events and programs currently being planned to honor the memory of bluegrass songwriter and philanthropist Miss Dixie Hall, who passed away in January, 2015.
She continues to work as a freelance writer for Bluegrass Unlimited magazine. “Publisher Pete Kuykendall printed the first article I wrote in the early 1980s for a magazine writing class in college,” Cardwell said, “and I’m thrilled to still be writing for B.U. after all these years.”
Cardwell also recently joined the tutoring staff of Learning Matters, a Nashville-based non-profit that serves students in grades K-12, and she will be playing acoustic bass in a new local trio with Bell Buckle recording artist Valerie Smith. She is the executive producer for a new album to be recorded this fall by her younger brother, Ray Cardwell.
“At this stage of my career,” Cardwell says, “I’m enjoying the opportunity to do a combination of things that interest me greatly, and that I hope will have a positive impact in various ways. Any one of these projects may develop into something more full-time in the future, but for the present I’m enjoying the variety and freedom to pursue several interests.”
Amy Grant To Be Inducted Into Nashville Business Hall of Fame
Amy Grant
Singer-songwriter Amy Grant is set to become the first woman inducted into the Nashville Business Hall of Fame, which was established in 1991 by Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee.
“Amy Grant is a perfect selection as this year’s hall of fame laureate,” said Rob McCabe, the 2013 Nashville Business Hall of Fame laureate and chairman of Pinnacle Financial Partners. “While successful in business, Grant is also beyond generous with her talent and resources to this community. She has remained grounded and connected throughout the fame that comes with her stature in the music profession.”
“Amy is a great addition to the Business Hall of Fame because she represents the business of music and what it can do for a community,” said Trent Klingensmith, president of JA of Middle Tennessee. “Her love for music and people has brought Nashville and organizations together to triumph in an array of situations.”
The induction ceremony will be held Oct. 29 at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the ceremony at 7 p.m. Tables of 10 are available for $2,500, half-tables available for $1,250, and individual tickets are $250. For tickets, contact Kelsey Rush at kelseyr@janash.com
Nashville Business Managers Retain Top 25 Ranking with ‘THR’
/by Eric T. ParkerLou Taylor (L), Mary Ann McCready (R)
The Hollywood Reporter has named its list of top 25 business managers for 2015. Retaining their ranking again this year are Nashville business managers Mary Ann McCready (Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy), and Lou Taylor (Tri Star Sports and Entertainment), as well as Los Angeles business manager Todd Gelfand (Gelfand Rennert & Feldman).
“Meet the most trusted moneymen and women (who manage assets and help make smart investments) in Hollywood on THR‘s list of those protecting the future,” prefaces the industry magazine.
Taylor’s company was launched more than 23 years ago and now includes 55 staffers and 15 business managers servicing Steven Tyler, Florida Georgia Line, Big and Rich, Casey James, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and many more. Taylor was among MusicRow‘s 2015 Rising Women on the Row honorees.
McCready co-founded her firm in 1990 with Churck Flood and Frank Bumstead. Now, the firm services Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton (with Julie Boos), Rascal Flatts and many more. McCready was special guest at MusicRow‘s 2013 Rising Women on the Row ceremony.
Founded by Gelfand’s father, Marshall, in 1967, Gelfand Rennert & Feldman has more than 300 employees and a Nashville office when the Haber Corporation was renamed after the 2014 death of Gary Haber. Rick Fisher manages the Nashville post with clients including Carrie Underwood, Mike Fisher, and Peter Frampton.
The Earls of Leicester Win Multiple IBMA Awards
/by Craig_ShelburneThe Earls of Leicester at IBMA Awards in Raleigh, N.C. on Oct. 1, 2015. Photo: Dave Brainard
The Earls of Leicester claimed four International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards last night (Oct. 1) in Raleigh, N.C. The all-star ensemble is comprised of Jerry Douglas on Dobro, Tim O’Brien on mandolin, Shawn Camp on guitar, Johnny Warren on fiddle, Charlie Cushman on banjo, and Barry Bales on bass.
Their self-titled album pays tribute to pioneering bluegrass duo Flatt & Scruggs. The project also won a Grammy for best bluegrass album earlier this year.
The Earls of Leicester also won IBMA trophies for Album of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year. In addition, Douglas picked up Dobro Player of the Year and Camp won Male Vocalist of the Year win.
Additionally, North Carolina’s own Balsam Range took home Vocal Group of the Year and Song of the Year for “Moon Over Memphis,” and the group’s Tim Surrett earned Bass Player of the Year. Bill Keith and Larry Sparks were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Rhonda Vincent won Female Vocalist of the Year and Becky Buller won Emerging Artist of the Year, as well as Recorded Event of the Year for “Southern Flavor,” a collaboration with Peter Rowan, Michael Feagan, Buddy Spicher, Ernie Sykes, Roland White, and Blake Williams.
Hosted by The Gibson Brothers, the show featured performances by The Earls of Leicester, Flatt Lonesome, Hot Rize, The Del McCoury Band, The Gibson Brothers, and a surprise performance by Sparks and Alison Krauss.
Alison Krauss and Larry Sparks at the 2015 IBMA Awards. Photo: Dave Brainard
Winners of the 26th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards are:
Entertainer of the Year: The Earls of Leicester
Female Vocalist of the Year: Rhonda Vincent
Male Vocalist of the Year: Shawn Camp
Vocal Group of the Year: Balsam Range
Instrumental Group of the Year: The Earls of Leicester
Song of the Year: “Moon Over Memphis,” Balsam Range
Album of the Year: The Earls of Leicester, The Earls of Leicester, Jerry Douglas, producer
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year: “Who Will Sing for Me,” The Earls of Leicester
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year: “The Three Bells,” Jerry Douglas, Mike Auldridge, Rob Ickes
Emerging Artist of the Year: Becky Buller
Recorded Event of the Year: “Southern Flavor,” Becky Buller, with Peter Rowan, Michael Feagan, Buddy Spicher, Ernie Sykes, Roland White, and Blake Williams
Banjo Player of the Year: Rob McCoury
Bass Player of the Year: Tim Surrett
Dobro Player of the Year: Jerry Douglas
Fiddle Player of the Year: Michael Cleveland
Guitar Player of the Year: Bryan Sutton
Mandolin Player of the Year: Jesse Brock
Inductees into the Bluegrass HOF: Bill Keith and Larry Sparks
Distinguished Achievement Award: Alison Brown, Murphy Henry, International Bluegrass Music Museum, “Bashful Brother” Oswald Kirby, Steve Martin
Weekly Chart Report (10/2/15)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Chris Young’s Nashville Show: “One Of The Best Nights Of My Life”
/by Sherod RobertsonChris Young headlines hometown show at Nashville, Ascend Amphitheater on September 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
The wet weather wasn’t able to dampen spirits last night (Sept. 30) at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater as RCA Nashville Records’ Chris Young stepped out on home turf to entertain 5,000 of his closest friends. For anyone needing a strong dose of country music, this was the place to be.
Just days after returning stateside following the European leg of his I’m Comin’ Over World Tour, Young admits, “I was both excited and anxious to come home and play a show in Nashville. I knew I was going to have a lot of friends and family in the audience so I didn’t want to screw up. The audience at Ascend Amphitheater blew me away and I could have kept playing all night long.”
Chris Young headlines hometown show at Nashville, Ascend Amphitheater on September 30, 2015
In his first headlining show in Music City since 2012, Young packed his 75-minute set with such hits as “Gettin’ You Home,” “Voices,” “Tomorrow,” “You,” “The Man I Want To Be,” “Who I Am With You,” and “Lonely Eyes.” Young shared how amazing it was to be playing to a packed audience 4.8 miles from the El Chico Mexican restaurant where he used to play “for chips and free quesadillas.”
Wearing all black with perfectly coiffed hair, the Middle Tennessee native surprised the crowd midway through his set, inviting friend and country superstar Brad Paisley to join him on stage to perform Eric Clapton’s “Change The World.”
Brad Paisley joins Chris Young at show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on September 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
During his performance of “I Can Take It From There,” Young asked the cheering crowd if they knew Conway Twitty. He challenged anyone who didn’t know the legendary artist to stop watching the show and immediately download Conway’s Greatest Hits album. Young suggested couples in the audience should play Conway’s Greatest Hits in the car on the way home quipping, “If you get home and can’t close, then there’s no hope for you.”
“Thank you for the fastest-selling single of my career,” shouted Young after singing “I’m Comin’ Over,” the title track to Young’s upcoming album, slated for a Nov. 13 release. Prior to taking the stage, Sony Music Nashville presented him with a plaque celebrating the single’s recent RIAA Gold certification.
Sony Music Nashville presented Chris Young with a plaque celebrating the recent RIAA Gold certification of his current single, “I’m Comin’ Over.” Back Row (L-R): Paul Barnabee (SVP, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville), Jim Catino (VP, A&R, Sony Music Nashville), Bill Simmons (Fitzgerald Hartley), Larry Fitzgerald (Fitzgerald Hartley), Steve Hodges (EVP, Promotions & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville), Caryl Healey (VP, Sales, Sony Music Nashville), Angie Magill (VP, Legal & Business Affairs, Sony Music Nashville), Keith Gale (SVP/National Promotion, RCA) Front Row (L-R): Randy Goodman (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Young, Josh Easler (Director/National Promotion, RCA) Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
Before ending the evening with a couple of encore songs, Young proclaimed, “This has been one of the best nights of my life.”
Labelmates Jerrod Niemann and Cam joined Young earlier as openers for the Nashville show.
Niemann’s 45-minute set included noteworthy hits such as “Lover, Lover,” “What Do You Want,” “One More Drinkin’ Song,” “Drink to That All Night,” “Shinin’ on Me,” and his current single, “Blue Bandana.” Confessing this was “a bucket list moment,” Niemann surprised fans by bringing out Diamond Rio as a special guest to sing “I’m Here ‘Cause I Ain’t All There,” a song he recorded with the country group.
Jerrod Niemann performs at Chris Young’s hometown show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Sept. 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
Cam included performances of “Burning House,” which the audience gladly sang along to, and “My Mistake” in her set. Both songs are from her EP, Welcome to Cam Country.
Cam performs at Chris Young’s hometown show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Sept. 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
Grand Ole Opry’s Debut Feature Film To Premiere December 4
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley. Photo: Chris Hollo
As previously reported, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, and Brett Eldredge will bring their electrifying stage performances to screens across the country this December as part of the exclusive cinema event American Saturday Night: Live From The Grand Ole Opry.
The Grand Ole Opry’s debut feature film will premiere Dec. 4 at select Carmike Cinemas theaters, with distribution across America following in January 2016, via a partnership between the Opry and independent distributor DigiNext (a joint venture with Carmike Cinemas Inc.).
The project will capture onstage Opry performances and backstage moments, including Paisley performing “American Saturday Night” and “Country Nation,” Darius Rucker offering his Grammy-winning hit “Wagon Wheel,” as well as “So I Sang,” Blake Shelton’s rendering of “Boys Round Here” and “Gonna,” The Band Perry’s production of “If I Die Young,” and Brett Eldredge’s performance of his first hit, “Don’t Ya.”
“We are excited about the opportunity to take the Opry and country music into movie theaters across the country,” said Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment President. “This partnership allows us to present the Opry to fans through a previously unutilized medium and is another way for the Opry to expand its reputation as a vehicle of discovery for America’s music.”
“Everyone in the audience was swept away by each artist’s incredible performance,” said Bud Mayo, Managing Member of DigiNext and President of Carmike’s Alternative Programming and Distribution Division, who attended the live taping on Aug. 31 with Carmike CEO David Passman. “The Opry production was the best I have seen and heard in 40 years in this business. Add the personal interactions with the artists between their sets and moviegoers are in for a thoroughly immersive experience from the moment they do their virtual walk into the hallowed halls of the Opry. This kind of groundbreaking event helps to fulfill the promise of digital cinema and its importance to Carmike and the exhibition industry at large.”
American Saturday Night: Live From The Grand Ole Opry is directed by George J. Flanigen IV. Executive Producers are Buchanan, Robert Deaton, Pete Fisher, and Flanigen.
To find theaters, show times and purchase advance tickets, visit www.oprymovie.com. Tickets also available through www.fandango.com and www.MovieTickets.com.
The Opry is set to celebrate its landmark 90th birthday this weekend (October 2 – 3) in Nashville. Country superstars Little Big Town and Carrie Underwood are among those scheduled for weekend performances, while shows later this month will feature Miranda Lambert, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Loretta Lynn, and The Charlie Daniels Band, among others.
Brett Eldredge. Photo: Chris Hollo.
Signings: BMI, Cold River Records
/by Jessica NicholsonBMI Signs Singer-Songwriter Julia Cole
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mark Mason, CAA’s Blake McDaniel, Holler! Music’s Lari White, BMI songwriter Julia Cole, CAA’s Jim Butler and BMI’s Jody Williams.
Singer-songwriter Julia Cole recently visited BMI’s Nashville office to officially affiliate with the company as a BMI writer. Cole is on board with CAA, Chuck Cannon and Lari White’s Holler! Music Publishing Co., and managed by Ansel Davis of Martingale Entertainment. The 22-year-old’s latest release “Get Awesome” will hit airwaves Oct. 2. More information about Julia can be found at www.juliacolemusic.com.
Cold River Records Signs First Artist To Label
Pictured (L-R, Front Row): Cold River Records’ President Pete O’Heeron, artist Rae Solomon, and Jim Dandy, VP of Promotion. (Back Row): Cold River Management’s Marie Wapelhorst, Jennifer Johnson of Jennifer Johnson Management, Cold River Records’ Regionals Kellie Longworth and Bill Heltemes, L3 Management’s Peter Hartung and Steve Mekler.
Cold River Records has announced its first artist signing with Rae Solomon.
Solomon, a Seattle native, is co-managed by L3 Entertainment’s Peter Hartung and Jennifer Johnson Management’s Jennifer Johnson. Solomon is booked by WME.
“We are so excited about Rae and the passion she brings to her songwriting and her riveting performance. We can’t wait to share her music with our radio partners,” said Pete O’Heeron, President of Cold River Records. “There are great things on the horizon for her career!”
Solomon is the first act signed to the label after a summer-long talent search spearheaded by Cold River Records’ VP of Promotion Jim Dandy. “The Cold River team couldn’t be more excited to have her as part of our family. Rae is an electrifying performer and she is headed directly into the studio to cut music for her first album on Cold River,” shares Dandy.
“My entire life I’ve been an entertainer. I always dreamed of hearing my songs on country radio and playing my music on stage. I’m so grateful to Pete O’Heeron, and the entire Cold River Records team for believing in my vision and allowing me to continue to be a dreamer, and I look forward to those dreams becoming realities. I’m ecstatic to be a part of the incredible family they have created and I can’t wait to see what the new adventure holds,” said Rae Solomon.
Notting Hill Music Group Opens Nashville Office, Adds Four Writers
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): John Saunderson, Professional Manager (NHM), Andy McQueen, Chairman (NHM). Standing (l to r): Chris Cavanaugh, Ginny Johnson, General Manager (NHM – Nashville), Leslie Satcher, and Brad Crisler. (Not pictured: Will Robinson)
Notting Hill Music Group has launched a Nashville office, with Creative Director Ginny Johnson. Johnson’s career includes time at MCA Music, Capitol Records, and Hamstein Music.
Four writers have been added to Notting Hill’s roster: Leslie Satcher, Brad Crisler, Will Robinson, and Chris Cavanaugh.
Alabama native Crisler’s songs include Sons of the Desert’s 1997 hit “Whatever Comes First,” which earned an ASCAP “most performed country song” award, as well as “Some Things Never Change” (Tim McGraw), “Sweet Southern Comfort” (Buddy Jewell), and “Hillbilly Deluxe” (Brooks & Dunn). He has had cuts on projects by Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Alabama, and more. He co-wrote and produced two tracks on Brett Eldredge’s current project Illinois.
Satcher is known for songs including “When God Fearin’ Women Get The Blues” (Martina McBride), “Troubadour” (George Strait), “Politically Uncorrect” (Merle Haggard/Gretchen Wilson), “Tough” (Kellie Pickler) and more.
Robinson has garnered eight No. 1 songs, three top 5 songs, two Top 10 songs, and two Top 20 songs, spanning six musical genres. Those songs include “Pass It On Down” (Alabama) and “I Know How He Feels” (Reba).
Cavanaugh is a recording artist and songwriter who will join as a special guest on the Kip Moore tour to promote his EP, Country As I Wanna Be. Cavanaugh has opened shows for Thompson Square, Lee Brice, Eric Church, and others.
Group Chairman Andy McQueen says, “On a recent visit to Nashville we realized just how vibrant a music city Nashville has now become and how vital it was for us to find the right person to establish the Notting Hill brand in this wonderful city. Ginny came to us highly recommended by people we really respect and having got to know her properly I can fully understand why! She brings a passion for music and a huge amount of knowledge to the role and we are absolutely thrilled that she has chosen to join us.”
The Nashville outpost will be located at 3704 Estes Rd. in Nashville. Johnson can be reached at ginny@nottinghillmusic.com or at 615-406-7071.
Luke Bryan Will Discuss Career, Perform Acoustic Set at CMA Theater
/by Craig_ShelburneLuke Bryan performs on the CMT Music Awards. Photo: CMT.com
Luke Bryan will take part in an interview and perform a short, acoustic set at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater on Nov. 1. The interview will be moderated by Joseph Hudak, senior editor at Rolling Stone Country.
Bryan’s career is the subject of a new exhibit, titled Luke Bryan: Dirt Road Diaries, which will be on display at the museum through Nov. 8.
“I remember bringing my parents to visit the museum and dreaming of something like this one day. Now to have an exhibit about my life that my family, friends, and fans can come and see is just so cool,” said Bryan, when the exhibit was announced in March.
The program is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited; museum members may reserve via TicketFly.com beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 8. Bryan is offering access to pre-sale tickets for his Nuthouse members only, Oct. 8-14. The general public will be able to reserve tickets beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10. For assistance with reservations, please call 615-416-2001 or email reservations@countrymusichalloffame.org.
Rock the Cradle Benefit Concert to Feature Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele, Sarah Buxton
/by Craig_ShelburneThe Rock the Cradle Songwriters Night, supporting newborns in need, will take place Oct. 21 at the Loveless Barn in Nashville. Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele and Sarah Buxton are confirmed for this year’s event.
All proceeds will benefit newborns in need at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital and the Beaman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Wiseman is a 2015 inductee to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His credits include Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” Blake Shelton’s “Boys ‘Round Here” and Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe.” Steele’s hit songs include Rascal Flatts’ “These Days” and “What Hurts the Most,” and McGraw’s “The Cowboy in Me.” Buxton has written Florida Georgia Line’s “Sun Daze,” Keith Urban’s “Put You in a Song,” and ABC’s Nashville.
Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and a concert at 8 p.m. A cocktail reception and live auction will be part of the event as well.
Tickets are available on the Rock the Cradle Nashville website.