Lady Antebellum in Nashville. Photo: Lady Antebellum Twitter
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 504
Friday was homecoming night in downtown Nashville.
The fabulons gathered at Bridgestone that evening (Sept. 11) to greet Lady Antebellum at the group’s first Nashville arena show as headliners. It had been pouring rain earlier, but the skies cleared, just for us.
“It feels good to be home; we’ve waited a long time for this,” said the group’s Hillary Scott.
“This is our first sold-out Bridgestone show,” added Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “You don’t know what this means to us. This is going to be a great night.”
The occasion was the Music City stop on the group’s “Wheels Up 2015” tour. Its pre-show reception was staged at the “Pre-Flight V.I.P. Lounge,” a room off the AT&T Information Center, previously unknown to me. I love finding new places to party.
The room was bedecked, floor to ceiling, in billowy white drapes. A small stage was backed by a glowing, pale-blue tour logo. Alas, the party space was too small for the number of people invited, so we sweltered in there.
The trio took the stage and favored us with acoustic renditions of its hits, interspersed with Q&A with its fans. For the opening tunes, Lady A was joined by Hunter Hayes (on mandolin!). “We Own the Night” was followed by Hunter’s “Wanted,” embellished with Lady A vocal harmonies.
“Give Hunter a big ol’ hand,” exclaimed Charles. “Give it up for Lady Antebellum,” responded Hunter. We did.
Excerpts of “American Honey,” “I Run to You,” “Downtown” and “Need You Now” ensued. As usual, the trio’s performances became stellar whenever Dave Haywood added his elusive third-harmony voice. He also provided the acoustic-guitar accompaniment.
“It’s my birthday,” said Charles. “I’m 34 years old: Life is just getting started.” The backstage fans sang “Happy Birthday,” and one of them gave him a wrapped birthday present.
“Your life is going to change in a very few months,” Hillary told him. “It will never be the same.” Charles and his wife are expecting their first child. Band mates Hillary and Dave already have their first babies in the touring entourage.
“We have an exciting announcement to make tonight,” Hillary continued. “A couple of years ago, we formed a Foundation. We want a portion of every concert ticket sold to go to children’s charities.”
The Lady A Foundation funds are administered by Nashville’s Community Foundation. That organization’s Ellen Lehman was brought to the stage and presented with a jumbo check for $400,000.
Fans held their devices high to capture all the party moments. The rest of us schmoozed.
Charlie Cook, R.J. Curtis, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Amy Kurland, Bob Paxman, Ashley Gorley, Lori Badgett, Doug & Linda Edell Howard, Jay Frank, Karen Clark, Julie Boos, Eric Parker, Debbie Carroll, Diane Pearson, Lon Helton, Bobby Young, Chuck Dauphin, Chandra LaPlume, Tom Douglas, Tom Roland and fabulous hosts Donna Hughes and Royce Risser worked the room.
Then Sam Hunt opened for Hunter Hayes and Lady A. This was many fans’ introduction to tunes from the group’s new 747 CD.
Earlier in the day (9/11), the luckiest of the lucky went to RCA Studio A for a “secret” So There album-release party by Ben Folds. Only a few dozen were invited, but Lightning 100 did broadcast the hour-long show.
Ben Folds performs at his secret show.
The Nashville-based piano popster celebrated his 49th birthday on Saturday, so he was another one serenaded by fans with “Happy Birthday.” Juli Thanki, Dave Paulson and Jae S. Lee documented the doings.
Another homecoming, album release event was the sold-out Blue Sky Riders show at City Winery that night (Sept. 11). Well, it was a homecoming for two of trio’s members, anyway, Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman. Their partner Kenny Loggins remains West Coast based.
What a team they are. Georgia’s effervescent showmanship, plus Gary’s angelic voice and witty repartee bolster Kenny’s star power for an outstanding combination. Their breath-taking song craftsmanship and awesome vocal harmonies complete the stunning package.
The new, Nashville-recorded, self-produced CD is titled Why Not, and you could buy a “limited pre-release” copy of it at the gig. The trio favored us with “The Rodeo,” “Nothing Matters More Than Love,” “No Fool Like an Old Fool,” the audience-participation tune “I’m Lucky Like That” and other instantly catchy songs from it.
During an acoustic segment, Kenny sang his evergreen “House at Pooh Corners” and “Danny’s Song.” Everyone sang along with both.
Victoria Shaw, Bob Locknar and Rob Simbeck were among those applauding enthusiastically.
I highly recommend City Winery’s chicken fricassee. The Lady A event was surprisingly foodless, so we were starved.
Meanwhile, the late-night crowd was up on the Metro Courthouse lawn, boogie-ing in the dark with the rocking Passion Pit. Nashville’s own Turbo Fruits, Smooth Hound Smith, Colony House and The Vespers entertained earlier in the evening.
This free, “Live on the Green” 2015 concert series concluded on Saturday with an afternoon and evening lineup including such Nashvillians as Lennon & Maisy, Mr. Steve, Steelism, Anderson East, Future Thieves, Elle King, All Them Witches and aforementioned headliner Ben Folds.
Industry Ink: CRS, Bobby Braddock, Change The Conversation, SOLID, Musicians Corner
/by Jessica NicholsonNominations Open For Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2016
Submissions received after the Nov. 17 deadline will be placed under consideration for the Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2017.
The inductees for 2016 will be announced at CRS 2016, which will take place Feb. 8-10 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville. More information regarding the event will be made available in coming months.
The Country Radio Hall of Fame was founded in 1974 to recognize outstanding individuals working in the broadcast industry, who are promoting the country music format. The Hall of Fame has two categories: Radio and On-Air Personality. The CRB President’s Award and the Artist Career Achievement are also recognized during the event.
Bobby Braddock To Share Stories From New Memoir
Hosted by museum staff member Jay Orr, Braddock will share some of the colorful stories that fill the pages of his second memoir—this one chronicling his remarkable songwriting career. Braddock will read selections from his book, and he will have a piano nearby, to illustrate the talk with music.
Change The Conversation To Hold Next Meeting on Sept. 17
Change the Conversation is the coalition formed in 2014 by music industry veterans Leslie Fram, Tracy Gershon and Beverly Keel to increase the opportunities for females in the country music industry by commissioning research, raising awareness and providing networking and mentoring opportunities for women.
The event, which will be held at the venue Ruby at 6 p.m., is free and has limited seats available. Seats must be reserved in advance by contacting eileentilson@me.com.
SOLID Accepting New Membership Applications
A party for potential New Members is set at Sambuca on Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 6-8pm. Everyone who is interested in getting involved next year is encouraged to meet and mingle with current members and board members.
Musicians Corner To Hold Les Paul Tribute Sept. 19
Bassist and President of the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, Dave Pomeroy, is the musical
director and bandleader of the show, which will feature many of Nashville’s guitarists playing the
music of Les Paul, music inspired by Les Paul, and music played on Les Paul guitars.
Performers include Duane Eddy, John Jorgenson, Guthrie Trapp, Emily West, Derek Wells and Ryan Wariner. The backing band will include Pomeroy, Charlie Morgan, Jimmy Wallace, and Jim Hoke. For more information, visit musicianscorner.com.
Lady Antebellum Owns The Night During Nashville Show
/by Kelsey_GradyLady Antebellum brings their headlining show to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Lady Antebellum owned the night Friday (Sept 11), as they played their first-ever headlining show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena as part of their Wheels Up Tour. Taking off with dramatic smoke and lasers to complement the Fleetwood Mac–like energy of “Long Stretch Of Love,” Lady A members Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood flawlessly flowed through a set that took the crowd on an emotional ride through the past nine years they’ve been together.
Cruising into a crowd (and beer vendor) favorite, “Hey Bartender,” the trio had the crowd drinking and dancing in full swing throughout the arena before slowing it down with their No. 1 hit “American Honey.” The Capitol Nashville group gave a nod to the writers on this song, specifically Cary Barlowe, who was present.
They continued full speed with “Freestyle” and “Our Kind Of Love,” only to pull on the emotional strings once again as everything went silent, except for Haywood in the spotlight playing the piano opening to “Just A Kiss.” As the song continued with a night-themed backdrop of a full moon and stars, Scott took time to humbly thank the crowd, saying, “Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, this is such a bucket list moment for us, thank you!”
Running through the crowd during “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” and onto a center platform, Lady A broke it down to a special acoustic performance of “One Great Mystery,” as well as “Dancing Away With My Heart,” and a cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.” In honor of Sept. 11, dedicated a special a cappella version of “Hello World” to all servicemen and women. As Haywood came slowly in with the guitar and Kelley took a strong vocal lead, he exclaimed, “It’s a special day and it’s also my birthday. This means the world to us.”
The show continued back onto the main stage as they moved from anthem “Downtown” into a fierce rendition of Shania Twain’s “Any Man Of Mine,” which brought everyone to their feet as Scott strutted down the runway. During the Nathan Chapman-produced “Compass,” show opener Hunter Hayes joined on banjo, with Chapman on guitar. Hayes soon after reappeared, sporting a Preds jersey, along with fellow show opener Sam Hunt in an American flag tank, to help close the show as Lady A rocked Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”
The trio returned for an encore with smoke and silhouette lighting to capture a powerful version of their title track “747.” Continuing with fan favorites “Need You Now,” and “We Owned The Night,” the Wheels Up Tour touched down with dramatic close, a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.”
Opener Hunt started off the show with a high-energy set, moving around the premise of the floor seats and hugging fans along the way. Hayes kept the energy alive playing up and down the stage and engaging the audience to sing and dance to Walk The Moon’s “Shut Up And Dance.”
Weekly Register: Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt Own Tracks, Album Charts
/by Sarah SkatesCOUNTRY CHARTS
Luke Bryan’s Kill The Lights is the No. 1 country album in its fifth week of release. It moved 34K this week, and has sold 530K RTD. Sam Hunt’s Montevallo is at No. 2 with 11K TW/746K RTD. The UMG Nashville labelmates also have the No. 1 and 2 country track slots with Bryan’s “Strip It Down” 41K TW/260K RTD, and Hunt’s “House Party” 33.2K TW/785 K RTD.
Rounding out the top 5 country albums are Maddie & Tae at 7K/31K, Zac Brown Band 6K/521K, and Eric Church 6K/1.071 million. There were no notable country album debuts this week.
Rounding out the top 5 country tracks are Chris Janson “Buy Me A Boat” 33.1K TW/645K RTD, Cam “Burning House” 32.7K TW/305K RTD, and Keith Urban “John Cougar…” 31K TW/430K RTD.
Year to date, total country album sales are down -3.1 percent, and country digital albums sales are up +4.5 percent. Country album marketshare is at 12 percent. Country digital album sales make up 36.5 percent of total country album sales.
OVERALL CHARTS
The top all-genre album is The Weeknd’s Beauty Behind the Madness with 144K total activity (77K album only).
Justin Bieber has the top overall track with “What Do You Mean?” moving 159K TW and 497K RTD, in its second week out.
TOP YEAR-TO-DATE TRACK EQUIVALENT ALBUMS
Taylor Swift’s 1989 is the top album YTD with TEA with 2.280 million.
Sam Hunt’s Montevallo is the top country album YTD with TEA with 864K.
Newsboys Ink Recording Agreement With FairTrade Services
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): FairTrade Services vice president of A&R James Rueger and FairTrade Services president/founder Jeff Moseley; Newsboys’ Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips and Michael Tait.
CCM band Newsboys have signed an exclusive recording agreement with FairTrade Services. The band is working on their FairTrade Services debut project, which is slated to release in March 2016.
“It’s great to be reunited with Wes Campbell and the Newsboys again,” said Jeff Moseley, president/founder, FairTrade Services. “Our association goes back a long way and I am excited to be working alongside this iconic band and team again. The music is fantastic and we are working diligently on a promotion plan that will match the outstanding music.”
“The Newsboys have had a long relationship with Jeff Moseley and his team,” said Campbell, president/founder, First Company Management. “FairTrade’s commitment to the artist, their passion for helping challenge artists’ musical talents and creativity, and their out-of-the-box marketing and distribution concepts are exciting to us, and we look forward to continuing to push the envelope together for many years to come.”
Comprised of lead vocalist Michael Tait, Jody Davis (guitar), Jeff Frankenstein (keys) and Duncan Phillips (drums), Newsboys will launch their We Believe…God’s Not Dead 2015 Fall Tour on Sept. 18, and will travel to more than 40 markets across the country.
FairTrade Services, LLC launched in June 2011 by music industry veteran Jeff Moseley. Located in Brentwood, Tenn., FairTrade’s roster includes MercyMe, Laura Story, Audio Adrenaline, The Afters, Hawk Nelson, Shane & Shane, Sara Groves, Phil Wickham, and more. FairTrade Services is distributed by Provident Distribution and Sony Music.
Canaan Smith Announces Fall Outing on ‘TODAY Show’
/by Eric T. ParkerCanaan Smith
Mercury recording artist Canaan Smith will head out on his Stompin’ Grounds Tour this November, hitting 11 dates throughout the midwest and south, including Nashville’s Exit/In.
Three dates will be part of Townsquare Media’s Taste of Country Christmas Tour. Emerging artist Russell Dickerson will open Smith’s fall outing, which kicks off in Charlotte, N.C. on Nov. 6.
The announcement was made during his national television debut this morning (Sept. 14) on NBC’s TODAY Show where he also performed his new single, “Hole In A Bottle.”
A brand ambassador for Dickies new denim collection, Smith has been out with Dierks Bentley‘s Sounds of Summer Tour for the past three months. Earlier this year, Smith released his debut album Bronco. The album contained his first No. 1 single “Love You Like That,” for which he will celebrate the chart achievement in a private ceremony this week.
Tickets and additional information can be found at canaansmith.com.
Stompin’ Grounds Tour Dates:
Nov. 6 Charlotte, NC Coyote Joe’s
Nov. 12 Nashville, TN Exit/In
Nov. 13 Greenville, SC Blind Horse Saloon
Nov. 14 Winston Salem, NC Johnny & June’s Ultra Saloon
Nov. 19 Wichita Falls, TX Denim & Diamonds*
Nov. 20 Lubbock, TX Wild West*
Nov. 21 Lawton, OK C W Shooters*
Dec. 3 Springfield, IL Boondocks
Dec. 4 Chicago, IL Joe’s Sports Bar
Dec. 5 Rootstown, OH Dusty Armadillo
Dec. 11 Little Rock, AR Revolution Music Room
*Part of Townsquare Media’s Taste of Country Christmas Tour
2015 Canadian Country Music Assoc. Award Winners
/by Sarah SkatesGord Bamford (left) presented ole Chairman and CEO Robert Ott with the Leonard T. Rambeau International Award at the 2015 Canadian Country Music Awards.
Canadian Country Music Week culminated last night (Sept. 13) with the 2015 CCMA Awards Show at the Scotiabank Centre. Hosted by Jessi Cruickshank, the show was broadcast on CBC-TV with an encore airing on CMT (Canada). See the list of winners below.
Additionally, music publisher ole was named Publisher of the Year for the ninth consecutive year, making ole the first publishing company to take home the honor for nine years running.
As previously reported, the Industry Awards were handed out last week.
2015 CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
ARTIST INDUCTEE Dianne Leigh
STAN KLEES BUILDER AWARD – BUILDER INDUCTEE Elizabeth “Ma” Henning
CCMA AWARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT
2015 SLAIGHT MUSIC HUMANITARIAN AWARD MusiCounts
LEONARD T. RAMBEAU INTERNATIONAL AWARD Robert Ott
ARTIST AWARDS
FANS’ CHOICE AWARD Johnny Reid
ALBUM OF THE YEAR Lifted – Dallas Smith
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Jess Moskaluke
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Gord Bamford
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR High Valley
SINGLE OF THE YEAR “Where A Farm Used To Be” – Gord Bamford
VIDEO OF THE YEAR “Upside Down” – Dean Brody
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
“Where A Farm Used To Be”
(Written By: Gord Bamford, Buddy Owens, Phil O’Donnell, Performed By: Gord Bamford)
ROOTS ARTIST OF THE YEAR Lindi Ortega
INTERACTIVE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR Brett Kissel
RISING STAR Madeline Merlo
CCMA DISCOVERY AWARD Raquel Cole
MUSICIAN AWARDS
BASS Lisa Dodd
DRUMS Chad Melchert
FIDDLE Denis Dufresne
GUITAR Ryan Davidson
KEYBOARDS Tie: Mike Little/Bart McKay
SPECIAL INSTRUMENT Robin Pelletier (Mandolin)
STEEL GUITAR Ed (Peewee Charles) Ringwald
RADIO AWARDS
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
Scott Phillips – CKRY – FM, Calgary, AB/CISN-FM, Edmonton, AB
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM OR SMALL MARKET
Paul Ferguson – CHCQ – FM, Belleville, ON
ON-AIR PERSONALITY(S) OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
CISN in the Mornings with Chris, Jack & Matt – CISN Country 103.9
ON-AIR PERSONALITY(S) OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM OR SMALL MARKET
The Casey Clarke Show with Roo Phelps – CIGV-FM, Country 100.7
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
KX 94.7, New Country FM – Hamilton, ON
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM OR SMALL MARKET
CKGY 95.5, KG Country – Red Deer, AB
Artist Updates: LOCASH, Dierks Bentley, Rosanne Cash, ‘Nightfall at the Hall,’ Lauren Alaina
/by Jessica NicholsonLOCASH’s Preston Brust Weds Kristen White
Preston Brust and Kristen White. Photo: Jake Harsh
LOCASH’s Preston Brust married Kristen White in a private ceremony among friends and family on the rooftop of the George Jones Museum on Labor Day, Sept. 7. The singer of the Top 30 smash hit “I Love This Life” said, “She’s my ‘soul on fire,’ my ‘song,’ my ‘person.’”
“They say when you know, you know. I understood it all in a matter of seconds,” said White via Instagram.
Dierks Bentley To Expand Whiskey Row To Second Location
Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley alongside Riot Hospitality (RHG) will debut the new Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row in Tempe, Ariz., on Sept. 17. The second of the Whiskey Row restaurant concepts is located in the heart of Tempe’s Mill Avenue District at 6th Street and Mill Avenue.
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row in Tempe will showcase some of the restaurant’s original favorites with daring new additions from Chef Samantha Roberts. Standout menu items include the Kale & Quinoa Salad, Mac & Cheese Burger, Southern Fries, Salmon BLT, Turkey Pretzel Melt and brunch offerings, along with more than 50 beers on tap and a unique selection of signature “cocktails on tap,” craft cocktails from the tap that are then customized with a mixer of guest’s choice.
Johnny Cash Museum To Hold Rosanne Cash Book, CD Signing
Rosanne Cash
Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash will be signing her CDs and books at The Johnny Cash Museum on Friday, Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. The event, which is free and open to the general public, is just one of many new offerings at the attraction that Conde Nast’s Traveler lists as the “#1 Must Visit Museum for Music Lovers.”
CMHoF Troubadour Society Hosts ‘Nightfall at the Hall’
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated its fourth annual Troubadour Society event Nightfall at the Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 8 in the Museum’s Event Hall. The evening included performances from Big Machine Label Group artists Seth Alley (Big Machine Records) and Levi Hummon (The Valory Music Co.). During Levi’s performance, his singer/songwriter father Marcus Hummon made a surprise appearance and the two performed together.
The event concluded with a performance from surprise guest Canaan Smith who just had his first No. 1 Gold certified single selling over 700,000 tracks with “Love You Like That.” Nightfall at the Hall is the signature event for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Troubadour Society.
Pictured (L-R): The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Lisa Purcell, Seth Alley, Levi Hummon, Canaan Smith, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Amanda Richard. Photo: CK Photo
Lauren Alaina Teams With My Country Nation
Lauren Alaina
Mercury Nashville / 19 / Interscope Records’ Lauren Alaina has teamed up with multi-platform, digital country lifestyle channel My Country Nation for its latest weekly web series, “SWAK” – or “Sealed With A Kiss.”
The “SWAK” webisodes cover a wide variety of relatable, awkward life experiences. In 2-3 minutes, Lauren tackles each topic with good humor, lighthearted anecdotes and ‘advice’ for viewers. Fans can expect a new “SWAK” video everyTuesday posted on Lauren’s official Facebook page (Facebook.com/LaurenAlaina) and www.MyCountryNation.com.
Bobby Karl Works Nashville Shows From Lady Antebellum, Blue Sky Riders, Ben Folds
/by Bobby KarlLady Antebellum in Nashville. Photo: Lady Antebellum Twitter
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 504
Friday was homecoming night in downtown Nashville.
The fabulons gathered at Bridgestone that evening (Sept. 11) to greet Lady Antebellum at the group’s first Nashville arena show as headliners. It had been pouring rain earlier, but the skies cleared, just for us.
“It feels good to be home; we’ve waited a long time for this,” said the group’s Hillary Scott.
“This is our first sold-out Bridgestone show,” added Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “You don’t know what this means to us. This is going to be a great night.”
The occasion was the Music City stop on the group’s “Wheels Up 2015” tour. Its pre-show reception was staged at the “Pre-Flight V.I.P. Lounge,” a room off the AT&T Information Center, previously unknown to me. I love finding new places to party.
The room was bedecked, floor to ceiling, in billowy white drapes. A small stage was backed by a glowing, pale-blue tour logo. Alas, the party space was too small for the number of people invited, so we sweltered in there.
The trio took the stage and favored us with acoustic renditions of its hits, interspersed with Q&A with its fans. For the opening tunes, Lady A was joined by Hunter Hayes (on mandolin!). “We Own the Night” was followed by Hunter’s “Wanted,” embellished with Lady A vocal harmonies.
“Give Hunter a big ol’ hand,” exclaimed Charles. “Give it up for Lady Antebellum,” responded Hunter. We did.
Excerpts of “American Honey,” “I Run to You,” “Downtown” and “Need You Now” ensued. As usual, the trio’s performances became stellar whenever Dave Haywood added his elusive third-harmony voice. He also provided the acoustic-guitar accompaniment.
“It’s my birthday,” said Charles. “I’m 34 years old: Life is just getting started.” The backstage fans sang “Happy Birthday,” and one of them gave him a wrapped birthday present.
“Your life is going to change in a very few months,” Hillary told him. “It will never be the same.” Charles and his wife are expecting their first child. Band mates Hillary and Dave already have their first babies in the touring entourage.
“We have an exciting announcement to make tonight,” Hillary continued. “A couple of years ago, we formed a Foundation. We want a portion of every concert ticket sold to go to children’s charities.”
The Lady A Foundation funds are administered by Nashville’s Community Foundation. That organization’s Ellen Lehman was brought to the stage and presented with a jumbo check for $400,000.
Fans held their devices high to capture all the party moments. The rest of us schmoozed.
Charlie Cook, R.J. Curtis, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Amy Kurland, Bob Paxman, Ashley Gorley, Lori Badgett, Doug & Linda Edell Howard, Jay Frank, Karen Clark, Julie Boos, Eric Parker, Debbie Carroll, Diane Pearson, Lon Helton, Bobby Young, Chuck Dauphin, Chandra LaPlume, Tom Douglas, Tom Roland and fabulous hosts Donna Hughes and Royce Risser worked the room.
Then Sam Hunt opened for Hunter Hayes and Lady A. This was many fans’ introduction to tunes from the group’s new 747 CD.
Earlier in the day (9/11), the luckiest of the lucky went to RCA Studio A for a “secret” So There album-release party by Ben Folds. Only a few dozen were invited, but Lightning 100 did broadcast the hour-long show.
Ben Folds performs at his secret show.
The Nashville-based piano popster celebrated his 49th birthday on Saturday, so he was another one serenaded by fans with “Happy Birthday.” Juli Thanki, Dave Paulson and Jae S. Lee documented the doings.
Another homecoming, album release event was the sold-out Blue Sky Riders show at City Winery that night (Sept. 11). Well, it was a homecoming for two of trio’s members, anyway, Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman. Their partner Kenny Loggins remains West Coast based.
What a team they are. Georgia’s effervescent showmanship, plus Gary’s angelic voice and witty repartee bolster Kenny’s star power for an outstanding combination. Their breath-taking song craftsmanship and awesome vocal harmonies complete the stunning package.
The new, Nashville-recorded, self-produced CD is titled Why Not, and you could buy a “limited pre-release” copy of it at the gig. The trio favored us with “The Rodeo,” “Nothing Matters More Than Love,” “No Fool Like an Old Fool,” the audience-participation tune “I’m Lucky Like That” and other instantly catchy songs from it.
During an acoustic segment, Kenny sang his evergreen “House at Pooh Corners” and “Danny’s Song.” Everyone sang along with both.
Victoria Shaw, Bob Locknar and Rob Simbeck were among those applauding enthusiastically.
I highly recommend City Winery’s chicken fricassee. The Lady A event was surprisingly foodless, so we were starved.
Meanwhile, the late-night crowd was up on the Metro Courthouse lawn, boogie-ing in the dark with the rocking Passion Pit. Nashville’s own Turbo Fruits, Smooth Hound Smith, Colony House and The Vespers entertained earlier in the evening.
This free, “Live on the Green” 2015 concert series concluded on Saturday with an afternoon and evening lineup including such Nashvillians as Lennon & Maisy, Mr. Steve, Steelism, Anderson East, Future Thieves, Elle King, All Them Witches and aforementioned headliner Ben Folds.
Top Industry Execs Take Part In “Pie In Your Face Challenge” For LLS
/by Jessica NicholsonSome of Nashville’s top industry execs are stepping up to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Tennessee, and are willing to take a pie to the face to aid the cause. The fundraiser will take place in advance of the ‘Light The Night Walk,’ which is slated for Friday, Oct. 9 in Nashville.
Beginning Monday (Sept. 14) and running through 12 p.m. CT on Monday, Oct. 2, industry professionals will have the chance to donate funds in the name of the executive they would most like to see rank No. 1 in the “Pie in Your Face Challenge.” Weekly rankings will be available at pieinyourface.net and published each week in an ad in Billboard Country Update.
Donations made in the name of “Team Walkin’ Row’s 2015 Top Executives” will be donated to fund research and patient care for fellow Tennesseans fighting leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, Hodgkins’s Lymphoma, and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Team Walkin’ Row is also launching a national silent auction via Charity Buzz on Monday, Sept. 21. To donate items by Friday, Sept. 18, click here.
TEAM WALKIN’ ROW TOP EXECS – LLS’ PIE IN YOUR FACE CHALLENGE
· Scott Borchetta – BMLG
· Rob Beckham – WME
· Curt Motley – Paradigm
· Troy Tomlinson – Sony ATV
· Ben Vaughn – Warner Chappell
· Kos Weaver – BMG Music
· Jason Owen – Sandbox
· Fletcher Foster – Iconic Entertainment
· Mary Ann McCready – FBMM
· John Huie – CAA
· Pete Fisher – Grand Ole Opry
Chase Rice Extends His ‘JD And Jesus Tour’ Into 2016
/by Troy_StephensonChase Rice has announced that he is extending his JD And Jesus Tour into 2016. In addition to already announced opening acts Kelsea Ballerini and The Cadillac Three, Rice has tapped Dot Records’ Tucker Beathard, Arista Nashville’s Cam, EMI Records Nashville’s Haley Georgia and up-and-coming singer/songwriters Luke Combs, Jordan Davis and Cole Taylor to join him for select shows.
“There’s something really cool and different about every one of these artists that’s come out on tour with me,” said Rice. “Every one of them has their own sound, their own style that they’ve built and stuck with even as they’ve grown. We’ve built our show the same way – the people who come out and support us night after night know every word to every song. They know me, and they know they better come prepared to have a good time!”
Fans will have the opportunity to win a round trip and VIP admission for two to Rice’s Nov. 12 show at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Ga. courtesy of Shazam and Head Down Eyes Up. For more details or to enter the sweepstakes, click here.
Upcoming dates for the JD and Jesus Tour are as follows:
Friday, Oct. 2 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, Pa.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Lifestyle Communities Pavilion – Columbus, Ohio
Sunday, Oct. 4 – Route 91 Harvest Festival – Las Vegas, Nev.
Thursday, Oct. 8 – Hard Rock Live – Orlando, Fla.
Friday, Oct. 9 – 440 Foundry Pavilion – Athens, Ga.
Saturday, Oct. 10 – Track 29 – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Thursday, Oct. 15 – The Egyptian Room at Old National Centre – Indianapolis, Ind.
Friday, Oct. 16 – Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, Ill.
Saturday, Oct. 17 – Masonic Auditorium – Cleveland, Oh.
Wednesday, Oct. 21 – Handy Park – Memphis, Tenn.
Thursday, Oct. 22 – Nutty Brown Café – Austin, Texas
Friday, Oct. 23 – Cowboys Dancehall – San Antonio, Texas
Thursday, Oct. 29 – 7 Flags Event Center – Clive, Iowa
Friday, Oct. 30 – Sokol Auditorium – Omaha, Neb.
Saturday, Oct. 31 – Freakfest – Madison, Wis.
Thursday, Nov. 5 – Myth Live Event Center – St. Paul, Minn.
Friday, Nov. 6 – The Rave – Milwaukee, Wis.
Saturday, Nov. 7 – The Fillmore – Detroit, Mich.
Thursday, Nov. 12 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, Ga.
Friday, Nov. 13 – Iron City – Birmingham, Ala.
Saturday, Nov. 14 – The Ritz – Raleigh, N.C.
Sunday, Nov. 15 – Ribfest – St. Petersburg, Fla.
Wednesday, Nov. 18 – The Emporium – Patchogue, N.Y.
Thursday, Nov. 19 – Lowell Memorial Auditorium – Boston, Mass.
Friday, Nov. 20 – Terminal 5 – New York, N.Y.
Thursday, Dec. 3 – Comerica Theatre – Phoenix, Ariz.
Friday, Dec. 4 – Grizzly Rose – Denver, Colo.
Saturday, Dec. 5 – Grizzly Rose – Denver, Colo.
Friday, Dec. 18 – La Hacienda – Midland, Texas
Saturday, Dec. 19 – Midnight Rodeo – Amarillo, Texas
Thursday, Jan. 7 – The NorVa – Norfolk, Va.
Friday, Jan. 8 – The Fillmore – Philadelphia, Pa.
Saturday, Jan. 9 – Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, Ontario
Thursday, Jan. 14 – Fox Theatre – Oakland, Calif.
Friday, Jan. 15 – Riverside Municipal Auditorium- Riverside, Calif.
Saturday, Jan. 16 – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, Calif.
Monday, Jan. 18 – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, Ore.
Thursday, Jan. 21- Revolution Room – Boise, Idaho
Friday, Jan. 22 – The Paramount Theatre – Seattle, Wash.
Sunday, Jan. 24 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, B.C.