Grand Ole Opry To Celebrate 90th Birthday Bash in October
Carrie Underwood. Photo: Chris Hollo
The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Humana® is set to celebrate its 90th birthday on Oct. 2 & 3 with a weekend full of Opry shows, plus the Opry’s birthday cake, a special birthday concert, backstage tours, Free Opry Plaza Parties, and more. Little Big Town, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Joe Diffie, Lorrie Morgan, Old Crow Medicine Show, and more will appear Friday night followed by Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins, Charles Esten, The Oak Ridge Boys, and more Saturday.
The Oak Ridge Boys will perform during a special Opry Birthday Concert at 1:00 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Grand Ole Opry House.
The Plaza in front of the Opry House will be bustling with food, fun, and a free music stage throughout the weekend, with JT Hodges scheduled to play the stage Friday evening. NASHVILLE is scheduled to salute the Opry Saturday when stars of ABC’s Nashville– Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Chris Carmack, and Aubrey Peeples—celebrate with Plaza performances, headlining a day full of free music in the Plaza.
Recently, the Grand Ole Opry celebrated the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® during a special show last night as part of this month’s “Cause For Applause.” Performers included Martina McBride, Randy Owen, Steve Wariner, Chris Janson, Del McCoury Band, Henry Cho, Love and Theft and Bill Anderson.
Grand Ole Opry Shows That Country Cares
The Grand Ole Opry® celebrated the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® during a special show last night as part of this month’s “Cause For Applause.” Performers included Martina McBride, Randy Owen, Steve Wariner, Chris Janson, Del McCoury Band, Henry Cho, Love and Theft and Bill Anderson.
Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® co-founder Randy Owen and Opry announcer Bill Cody with St. Jude patients Ally, Mack and Harper (l to r) onstage at the Opry’s celebration of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids.
Seth Alley Makes Opry Debut
Seth Alley took the stage for his Grand Ole Opry debut Saturday night (9/12). Legendary Opry member Bill Anderson introduced the Sparta, TN native, sharing a bit of trivia with the crowd: Seth is the great, great nephew of fellow Opry member Benny Martin.
“I grew up about an hour and a half away and I always dreamt of doing music for a living. My grandfather would say, ‘Wake up boy you ain’t playing the Opry any time soon.’ Now he’s sitting back here behind me – what do you think of this, Pa?” laughed Seth. “It is really a dream come true for me to be up here on this stage.”
Pictured (L-R): Maverick’s Clarence Spalding, Seth Alley and Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo
Waterloo Revival Makes Opry Debut
Waterloo Revival shared a milestone moment as they made their Grand Ole Opry debut (9/8). The rising duo – comprised of George Birge and Cody Cooper – introduced themselves to the audience opening with their debut single “Hit The Road,” which details their musical journey from their hometown of Austin to Music City. They also performed heart-wrenching ballad “That Damn I Didn’t Give” as well as their latest Big Machine Records offering “Bad For You,” which is currently climbing the charts at Country radio.
Pictured (L-R): TKO Artist Management’s TK Kimbrell, Waterloo Revival’s Cody Cooper and George Birge, Grand Ole Opry’s Bill Cody, TKO Artist Management’s Mark Sissel and Big Machine Records’ Jack Purcell. Photo: Chris Hollo
Music City Walk of Fame To Induct Lambert, Cropper, Wendell, and Cash
/by Jessica NicholsonMiranda Lambert, Steve Cropper and E.W. “Bud” Wendell will receive stars on the Music City Walk of Fame during a ceremony on Oct. 6, 2015 at 2 p.m. in Nashville’s Walk of Fame Park. The late Johnny Cash will also be honored with a star during the induction ceremony.
“These inductees to the Music City Walk of Fame represent the best of Nashville’s music industry, from the gritty and soulful guitar work of Steve Cropper to Miranda Lambert’s powerful singing and songwriting and Bud Wendell’s visionary leadership of the Grand Ole Opry and Gaylord Entertainment,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “And of course Johnny Cash was and still is nothing short of an icon, one of the very finest artists ever to grace our city’s studios and stages. The city of Nashville is proud and honored to be able to recognize each of them for their many accomplishments.”
The newest group of inductees will receive the 67th, 68th, 69th and 70th stars, following the induction last week of award-winning recording artists Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks, along with Mayor Dean. Inductees are recognized for their significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song or other industry collaboration.
“Thank you so much to the City of Nashville and Music City Walk of Fame for this honor and privilege,” Lambert said. “I am proud to join a heritage of other female inductees, such as Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris and Martina McBride. This is a milestone moment that I will cherish forever. I want to congratulate my fellow inductees, Steve Cropper, E.W. “Bud” Wendell and the legendary Johnny Cash – just saying his name alongside mine, takes my breath away.”
Cropper has co-written classics including “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” with friend Otis Redding. He is also an accomplished producer, working with the likes of Wilson Pickett, John Mellencamp and John Prine. As a guitar player, he toured with Neil Young and Jimmy Buffett. He was also an original member of the Blues Brothers Band. Cropper has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Wendell has served as vice president of WSM and general manager of the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland theme park. He ultimately served as president and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, overseeing the launch of the Nashville Network, acquisition of Country Music Television, expansion of the Opryland Hotel, renovation of the Ryman Auditorium and opening of the Wildhorse Saloon.
Cash is among the few artists to sell more than 90 million records. The country music icon is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has earned 17 Grammy awards, including in 2004 for Best Short Form Video for his cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.” Cash’s induction is special recognition by the Music City, Inc. foundation to include Music City legends in the Walk of Fame who have made monumental contributions to the music industry in Nashville.
“This group of inductees represents the diverse genres of music that are thriving in Nashville, plus a hospitality executive in Bud Wendell who had the vision for what Nashville could become as a destination built around the great music that is made here,” said Ken Levitan, Chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp Board of Directors. “You have country music’s reigning Female Vocalist of the Year in Miranda Lambert to a songwriter and guitar man like Steve Cropper whose contributions to soul music in the 1960s are timeless works to the incomparable Johnny Cash.”
Opry News: 90th Birthday Bash, Country Cares For St. Jude Kids, Opry Debuts
/by Kelsey_GradyGrand Ole Opry To Celebrate 90th Birthday Bash in October
Carrie Underwood. Photo: Chris Hollo
The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Humana® is set to celebrate its 90th birthday on Oct. 2 & 3 with a weekend full of Opry shows, plus the Opry’s birthday cake, a special birthday concert, backstage tours, Free Opry Plaza Parties, and more. Little Big Town, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Joe Diffie, Lorrie Morgan, Old Crow Medicine Show, and more will appear Friday night followed by Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins, Charles Esten, The Oak Ridge Boys, and more Saturday.
The Oak Ridge Boys will perform during a special Opry Birthday Concert at 1:00 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Grand Ole Opry House.
The Plaza in front of the Opry House will be bustling with food, fun, and a free music stage throughout the weekend, with JT Hodges scheduled to play the stage Friday evening. NASHVILLE is scheduled to salute the Opry Saturday when stars of ABC’s Nashville– Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Chris Carmack, and Aubrey Peeples—celebrate with Plaza performances, headlining a day full of free music in the Plaza.
Recently, the Grand Ole Opry celebrated the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® during a special show last night as part of this month’s “Cause For Applause.” Performers included Martina McBride, Randy Owen, Steve Wariner, Chris Janson, Del McCoury Band, Henry Cho, Love and Theft and Bill Anderson.
Grand Ole Opry Shows That Country Cares
The Grand Ole Opry® celebrated the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® during a special show last night as part of this month’s “Cause For Applause.” Performers included Martina McBride, Randy Owen, Steve Wariner, Chris Janson, Del McCoury Band, Henry Cho, Love and Theft and Bill Anderson.
Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® co-founder Randy Owen and Opry announcer Bill Cody with St. Jude patients Ally, Mack and Harper (l to r) onstage at the Opry’s celebration of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids.
Seth Alley Makes Opry Debut
Seth Alley took the stage for his Grand Ole Opry debut Saturday night (9/12). Legendary Opry member Bill Anderson introduced the Sparta, TN native, sharing a bit of trivia with the crowd: Seth is the great, great nephew of fellow Opry member Benny Martin.
“I grew up about an hour and a half away and I always dreamt of doing music for a living. My grandfather would say, ‘Wake up boy you ain’t playing the Opry any time soon.’ Now he’s sitting back here behind me – what do you think of this, Pa?” laughed Seth. “It is really a dream come true for me to be up here on this stage.”
Pictured (L-R): Maverick’s Clarence Spalding, Seth Alley and Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo
Waterloo Revival Makes Opry Debut
Waterloo Revival shared a milestone moment as they made their Grand Ole Opry debut (9/8). The rising duo – comprised of George Birge and Cody Cooper – introduced themselves to the audience opening with their debut single “Hit The Road,” which details their musical journey from their hometown of Austin to Music City. They also performed heart-wrenching ballad “That Damn I Didn’t Give” as well as their latest Big Machine Records offering “Bad For You,” which is currently climbing the charts at Country radio.
Pictured (L-R): TKO Artist Management’s TK Kimbrell, Waterloo Revival’s Cody Cooper and George Birge, Grand Ole Opry’s Bill Cody, TKO Artist Management’s Mark Sissel and Big Machine Records’ Jack Purcell. Photo: Chris Hollo
RIAA Divvies Gold & Platinum Awards for August 2015
/by Eric T. ParkerThe RIAA has certified 64 Digital Single Awards and 6 Album Awards for the month of August 2015.
Of those that hit the million-mark, Sam Hunt‘s single “Take Your Time” has reached double platinum, while his “House Party” has reached platinum. Carrie Underwood‘s “Blown Away” has reached triple platinum while her 2005 and 2007 singles, “All American Girl” and “Before He Cheats,” have reached double and five times platinum, respectively. Her 2012 single “See You Again” and 2005 single “Wasted” both hit platinum sales.
Maddie & Tae have touched the million mark with “Girl In A Country Song.” Tim McGraw has reached platinum status for “Shotgun Rider” and “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s.” Cole Swindell has touched a million with “You Ain’t Worth The Whiskey.”
Maddie & Tae celebrate the platinum single status at their album release party in Nashville in 2015. Pictured (L-R): Back: Dot Records’ Michelle Kammerer, Kris Lamb, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Dot Records’ Chris Stacey, Bernadette Gibbons; Front: Dot Records’ Mallory Allgood, Maddie Marlow, Tae Dye, Dot Records’ Brooke Nixon. Photo: Getty Images for Dot Records
Taylor Swift‘s 2008 album Fearless has touched seven times platinum while her recent singles “Bad Blood” and “Blank Space” have reached a respective three and seven times platinum. Meghan Trainor‘s “All About That Bass” has hit nine times platinum while her “Dear Future Husband” reached double platinum.
AdShare Names Selby As President, Opens Music Row Office
/by Jessica NicholsonJim Selby
Global social media monetization service AdShare has named Jim Selby as president of the Los Angeles-based company.
Selby is a former CEO of Naxos and ole exec, and will be based in AdShare’s new Music Row office in Nashville. AdShare is located at 1102 17th Ave. S., Suite 401.
Part of Selby’s duties at AdShare will include overseeing the recently launched VidaPrimo with co-founders Seth Ingram and Brian Kupchik.
AdShare’s offerings include providing full service YouTube monetization for existing YouTube Partners. Over 150 major media clients employ AdShare to monetize their brands and more than two million of their copyrights online.
AdShare is an autonomous subsidiary of GoDigital Media Group (GDMG).
MSO To Launch Social Media Division
/by Jessica Nicholson“This year marks the 20th anniversary of MSO–we just want to keep evolving,” says Mitch Schneider, President of MSO. “We became aware of Michael Brandvold via some mutual clientsand we admire the social digital strategies for his clients. We’re all excited about this union and how it will strengthen the profiles of our artists, events and brands.”
“I am excited to be providing the social media services to the Mitch Schneider Organization,” says Brandvold. “MSO’s history stands on its own.”
The social media services provided will include, but aren’t limited to: creating a digital strategy that encompasses social media networks; coordinating with and supporting PR, radio, merchandise/e-commerce, record label and tour promotion efforts; the creation of content strategies and management of social networks; and developing a plan to engage with existing fans and acquiring new fans.
David Friedman Joins UMG Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesDavid Friedman
Universal Music Group Nashville announced today that David Friedman has joined the company as Vice President of Promotion. He fills the role previously held by Katie Dean, who was recently named VP of Promotion for MCA Nashville. Friedman will help facilitate national radio promotion for all four label imprints which includes Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville.
“For as long as I can remember I have wanted to work with David,” says Royce Risser, UMG Nashville SVP of Promotion. “His experience and relationships with country radio make him the perfect fit for our team at UMG. I am absolutely ecstatic to have him join us.”
“I can’t begin to describe how excited I am to join such an all-star team at UMG Nashville and to work with their amazing artist roster,” exclaims Friedman. “Capitol Nashville is where I got my start in promotion sixteen years ago so it’s a bit of a homecoming for me. Many thanks to Royce and the entire promotion staff for this wonderful opportunity!”
After starting his career at Capitol Records Nashville, Friedman spent the last 15 years at Sony Music Nashville, first with Arista Nashville and most recently with Columbia Nashville.
A graduate of Emory University, the Pennsylvania native lives in Nashville with his wife, Amy, and their two children.
David can be reached at David.Friedman@umusic.com.
Artist Pics: Chris Young, Brad Paisley, Cassadee Pope
/by Kelsey_GradyChris Young Headlines Sold-Out Show
RCA Records Nashville artist Chris Young headlined a sold-out show at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire Monday (9/14). His I’m Comin’ Over World Tour is sold-out for the duration of the European run, including nine headlining shows in England, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden and Switzerland.
Pictured (L-R): Rob Beckham/WME, Chris Young, Steve Homer/Live Nation UK, Anna-Sophie Mertens/Live Nation UK. Photo: Monarch Publicity
Brad Paisley’s Country Nation College Tour Plays To Over 65,000 Fans
This past weekend Brad Paisley continued his celebration of the 2015 college football season by taking his Country Nation College Tour presented by Zaxby’s to IMG College partner universities and providing free entertainment for the campus community. He played to capacity crowds at the University of Texas, Baylor University and the University of Arkansas for a total of over 65,000 for the tour – so far.
Photos: Ben Enos
Cassadee Pope Brings “Invincible” To Ohio
Scoring the most added single at Country radio last week with “I Am Invincible,” Cassadee Pope continues to introduce her new music. During her show in Ohio on Thursday night (9/10) at W.O. Wrights Grill & Pub, Pope encouraged her fans to join in the fun on stage with WHKO Dayton Morning Show’s Frye Guy.
Pictured (L-R): Cassadee Pope poses with WHKO Dayton Morning Show’s Frye Guy with and some “invincible” fans at W.O. Wrights Grill & Pub. Photo: WHKO
Nielsen: 75 Percent Listen Online, Radio Still Leads Discovery
/by Sarah Skates75% of Americans listen to music online in a typical week, up nearly 12% from last year. While Americans streamed more than 164 billion on-demand tracks across audio and video platforms in 2014, they streamed 135 billion in the first half of 2015 alone, up more than 90% from the same period last year.
Music listening is becoming more mobile, with 44% report using smartphones to listen to music in a typical week, a 7% increase over last year. Listening on desktop computers decreased.
Radio continues to be the No. 1 source of music discovery in the U.S, with 61%. Word of mouth is also important, particularly for teens (65%).
Twelve percent of respondents say they discover music through live events, up more than 70% from last year. Americans spend more than half of their music related expenditures on events each year, and 50% of Americans say they’ve attended a live event in the last year.
Eleven percent of Americans have attended a music festival in the past 12 months, with Millennials comprising 44% of all festival goers.
More from Nielsen here.
Lionel Richie’s Las Vegas Residency To Begin In 2016
/by Troy_StephensonLionel Richie
Lionel Richie will begin his Las Vegas residency show, “Lionel Richie—All the Hits,” inside The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Wednesday, April 27, 2016.
In recent years, Richie had country music success when he teamed with country stars to recreate his hits for the top-selling album, Tuskegee, released in 2012 by UMG Nashville.
“I’m so excited to begin my residency at Planet Hollywood,” said Lionel, “I can’t wait to share ‘All the Hits, All Night Long’ with all of my fans—it’s a high energy show that is a perfect match for such a vibrant city!”
Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. PT. An exclusive pre-sale for Ticketmaster, Live Nation and Total Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, will also be available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. PT on Thursday, Sept. 17.
“Lionel Richie—All the Hits” dates
April 2016: 27, 30
May 2016: 1, 4, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 18
September 2016: 21, 24, 25, 28
October 2016: 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 12
For more information on the show and tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com/lionel.
SSM Entertainment Names President
/by Eric T. ParkerPatti Olsen-Garafola (c) pictured with SSM Entertainment act Branch and Dean.
Nashville-based label, SSM Entertainment, has appointed Patti Olsen-Garafola as president, according to SSM CEO and Chairman Dean Scallan.
“Patti’s experience and skills will aid the growth of the label both economically and from an artist management perspective,” said Scallan. “Patti reflects our goals of maintaining a family atmosphere with close attention to relationships, the heart and soul of our business. She has the kind of vision and sharp focus that we felt we needed right now. We are confident that she is exactly the right person to guide SSM into the future.”
Olsen-Garafola’s experience includes promotion for MCA, Mercury, Atlantic and RCA Records where she helped build the careers of such artists as Reba McEntire, George Strait, Billy Ray Cyrus, Toby Keith, Shania Twain, Martina McBride, John Michael Montgomery and Neal McCoy.
SSM artists include country duo Branch & Dean and rising star Kayla Adams.