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
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.
Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley Previews Solo Project
/by Craig_ShelburneCharles Kelley
Although he insists that Lady Antebellum isn’t splitting up, singer Charles Kelley is about to go solo. He performed six songs from an upcoming project last night (Sept. 30) at Skyville Studio in Nashville.
Paul Worley produced the project, which has not yet been officially titled. An EP is expected in the first quarter of 2016. Kelley indicated that he’d like to do a club tour behind the new music in the fall and winter. His lead single, “The Driver,” chronicles the life of a traveling musician. The track features special guests Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay. Both singers made a special appearance at the end of the set.
The song is available at all digital and streaming partner. The single goes for adds at country radio on Oct. 19.
“Lady Antebellum will never break up – mark my words,” Kelley stated from the Skyville stage. “I just wanted to get out of my comfort zone.” He added that he had the blessing of his Lady A bandmates, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott. Miranda Lambert and Martina McBride were also spotted in the crowd.
Kelley said he didn’t care about who wrote the songs, so he ended up with a mix of originals and covers. One of the selections was “Southern Accent,” a Tom Petty tune re-worked with a country sound. He mentioned that Stevie Nicks would be providing harmony vocals on the song.
DISClaimer: Brantley Gilbert’s Latest Hit ‘Potent and Believable’
/by Robert K OermannBrantley Gilbert
Most of these folks are rocking their way into the fall season.
Aaron Watson, Lauren Alaina, The Band Perry, Jason Aldean, Deeann Dominy and Dianna Corcoran are all bringing forth uptempo tunes this week.
But bucking the trend and despite competition from bigger stars, it’s Brantley Gilbert who rides away with the Disc of the Day prize.
Texan Deeann Dominy and Oklahoma’s James Robert Webb duked it out for this week’s DisCovery Award. The Texas diva takes it home.
Deeann Dominy
DEEANN DOMINY/This Train Is Leaving
Writers: Deeann Dominy/Jack Harris; Producer: Anson Funderbrugh; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP/BMI; DD (track)
-This former DisCovery Award winner is back and sounding better than ever. Her raspy, blue-eyed soul voice remains truly gripping. The bass groove on this bluesy country rocker rumbles righteously, and her electric guitarist totally gets on board. Essential listening.
STONEY LARUE/Us Time
Writers: Stoney LaRue/Dean Dillon; Producers: R.S. Field/Van Fletcher; Publishers: Tiltawhirl/ACBM/Sixteen Stars/Tenorado, BMI/ASCAP; eOne (track)
-The title track of Stoney’s latest is a slow romantic ballad with a dreamy, gentle atmosphere and a softly winning vocal. Elsewhere on the CD, he gives us fine revivals of Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman,” Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic,” Willie Nelson’s “Seven Spanish Angels” and Gary Stewart’s “Empty Glass.” I remain a fan.
DIANNA CORCORAN/God Did Good
Writers: Dianna Corcoran/Jeff Cohen/Kristian Bush; Producer: Dianna Corcoran; Publishers: Tenyar/Silent Gate/As You Wish/Songs of the Architect, BMI; Krlan
-This Aussie chanteuse is already an award winner in her native land. Her U.S. debut is a sprightly, bright bopper with slamming Shania-style percussion and a personable, penetrating country-soprano vocal. Well done.
SAM HUNT/Break Up in a Small Town
Writers: Sam Hunt/Zach Crowell/Shane McAnally; Producers: Crowell/McAnally; Publishers: Universal/Three Mules/External Combustion/Who Wants To Buy My Pub/Atlas/Songs of Southside Independent/I Love Pizza/Smack Ink, ASCAP; MCA (CDX)
-This rocketing rookie again combines conversational spoken passages with sung choruses. Hip-hoppy, yet unmistakably country, because the subject matter is heartbreak. Another winner.
LAUREN ALAINA/Next Boyfriend
Writers:Lauren Alaina/Emily Weissband/Matt McVaney; Producer: busbee; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Lylas/WB/Thankful For This/A Frank/Song House/Kobalt, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury/19
-Cleverly written and cut with peppy personality.
AARON WATSON/Getaway Truck
Writer: Aaron Watson; Producers: Keith Stegall/Aaron Watson; Publisher: Tunes From HTK, BMI; Thirty Tigers/Big (CDX)
-A toe tapper with twang. He’s inviting her to escape onto the open road of romance. If you’re looking for tempo on your playlist, look no further.
THE BAND PERRY/Live Forever
Writers: RedOne, T.I Jakke, Kimberly Perry, Reid Perry, Neil Perry, Jenna Andrews and Karl-Ola Kjellholm; Producers: RedOne/Dann Huff; Publishers: Sony ATV / Songs of RedOne/ Songs by Team Red / Lionheart Music Group/ Sony/ATV Countryside/Pearlfeather Publishing/Sony/ATV Countryside/When I Go to the Moon Music/Sony/ATV Countryside/Famdamily Music; BMI/SESAC; Republic Nashville (ERG)
-It has a big-sounding, beefy, burly pop track, almost Queen-like at times. The siblings’ harmonies and vocal interplay are more vivid than ever. It’s a crazy-quilt of various textures and sounds, but it works in a chesty, anthemic kind of way.
JASON ALDEAN/Gonna Know We Were Here
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Broken Bow (ERG)
-They’re going crazy as young folks on a rampage. Together, they plan wild times with burning ambition. Guitars scream along.
BRANTLEY GILBERT/Stone Cold Sober
Writers: Brantley Gilbert, Brett James, Dan Layus; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. / Indiana Angel Music/External Combustion Music / WB Music Corp. / Songs Of Brett / Atlas Music Publishing/ Yawyer Three Music; ASCAP/BMI; Valory (ERG)
-I think this guy has the coolest singing voice. Here, he rides atop a throbbing electronic track as he asks for a little mercy and forgiveness in hushed, husky tones. Potent and believable.
JAMES ROBERT WEBB/Makin’ Love Tonight
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Bison Creek
-Earnest sounding. He doesn’t set off any explosions as a singer, but he has a solid, journeyman, countryboy delivery. Why fight when we could be loving, he asks. The country rocking instrumental support is super tasty.
Mark Your Calendar – October 2015
/by Eric T. ParkerSingle Add Dates
October 5
Eric Paslay/High Class/EMI Nashville
George Strait/Cold Beer Conversation/MCA Nashville
Granger Smith/Backroad Song/Wheelhouse Records
Tyler Dial/Damn Good Time/Star Farm Nashville
Presley & Taylor/While You We’re Gone/SMG-Nashville
Amber Hayes/Hero’s Heart/AOK-GMV Nashville
October 12
Makenna & Brock/Burnin’ The Night Down/Soundbyte Records
Curtis Braly/Sooner Or Later/Studio Gold Nashville
October 19
Dylan Scott/Crazy Over Me/Curb
Lindsay Ell/By The Way/Stoney Creek
Chris Janson/Power Of Positive Drinkin’/Warner Bros.-WAR
Adrian Duffy & The Mayo Brothers/Let Somebody Love You/SR Records
Charles Kelley/The Driver/Capitol Nashville
October 26
Home Free feat. Oak Ridge Boys/Elvira/Columbia
Album Releases
October 2
Hailey Whitters/Black Sheep/Carnival Music
Bart Crow/The Parade/Thirty Tigers
Lauren Alaina/Lauren Alaina [EP]/Mercury Nashville-19-Interscope Records
October 9
Toby Keith/35 mph Town/Show Dog Nashville
Josh Thompson/Change: The Lost Record, Volume One [EP]/ole Digital-The Orchard
October 16
Stoney LaRue/Us Time/eOne Music
October 23
Carrie Underwood/Storyteller/19 Recordings-Arista Nashville
Blake Shelton/Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits/Warner Music Nashville
Colt Ford/Answer To No One: The Colt Ford Classics/Average Joes Entertainment
October 30
Chris Janson/Buy Me A Boat/Warner Bros. Records-Warner Music Nashville
Various/We Love Disney/Verve Records-Walt Disney Records
Rhonda Vincent/Christmas Time/Upper Management Music
Industry Events
IBMA Business Conference and the Bluegrass Ramble in Raleigh, N.C.
October 1
October 2-3
Wide Open Bluegrass in Raleigh, N.C.
October 6
Miranda Lambert ceremony at Nashville’s Walk of Fame Park
October 10-13
IEBA Conference at the Omni Nashville
October 11
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame’s 45th Anniversary Dinner and Induction Ceremony at Nashville’s Music City Center
October 13
46th Annual GMA Dove Awards at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville at 6:30 p.m.
October 16
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame ceremony and concert at the Muskogee Civic Center
October 21
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge’s free 55th birthday bash on Broadway
October 25
CMHoF Medallion Ceremony
October 27
CMA Awards final ballot ends 6:00 p.m. CT
News Correspondent Hunter Kelly Joins Rare Country
/by Sarah SkatesHunter Kelly
Rare Country, the newly-launched country music and lifestyle website, has tapped longtime entertainment producer and music news correspondent, Hunter Kelly as Senior Correspondent. Based in Nashville, he will assume the new role on Oct. 10. Rare Country is a subsidiary of Cox Media Group’s Rare.us.
Kelly has been with ABC Radio since 2006, working as a correspondent and also as producer of the country music specials. His content was distributed across radio, as well as ABC News’ digital and television outlets. His prior stops include Premiere Radio Networks.
Laurissa Phillips, Chief Creative Officer and General Manager of Rare Country said, “Hunter is a brilliant, highly-respected member of the country music community and we’re thrilled to have him join the Rare Country team. With his distinct personality and depth of experience, Hunter is uniquely positioned to help define and direct Rare Country’s voice as we expand our editorial coverage in new and exciting ways.”
Kelly added, “Country fans are extremely passionate about their favorite artists, and Rare Country is the outlet bringing original and artist-driven social content directly to those fans. Rare’s digital and social audience numbers speak for themselves, offering the country music industry an unprecedented platform for engaging country fans. I am so excited to join the creative and innovative Rare Country team.”
Kelly graduated from the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Nashville’s Belmont University. He is originally from Birmingham, Ala.