ASCAP To Honor Trisha Yearwood at 2015 Country Awards

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Trisha Yearwood at the ASCAP Country Awards.

Trisha Yearwood will be honored at the ASCAP Country Awards.

ASCAP has set Monday, Nov. 2 for its 53rd annual black-tie ASCAP Country Music Awards. The invitation-only ceremony will be held at the Omni Nashville.

At the event Trisha Yearwood will receive the ASCAP Voice of Music Award, presented to songwriters and artists whose music gives voice to the spirit of a generation. Past recipients include George Strait, Amy Grant, and Kenny Chesney.

The ASCAP gala will also honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed country songs from April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015. There will be live performances of the top five most performed songs by the award-winning songwriters and the artists who recorded them.

Yearwood has sold more than 12 million albums, and is a multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM Award-winning recording artist. Her chart-topping hits include “She’s In Love With The Boy,” “XXX’s and OOO’s (An American Girl),” and “How Do I Live.” Since 2007, the superstar has written three New York Times best-selling cookbooks, hosted six seasons of her Emmy Award-winning Food Network show, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, and debuted a line of cookware and her own home furnishings line.

Yearwood is currently in the running to be nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year as well as Vocal Event of the Year for PrizeFighter at the 49th annual CMA Awards, to be held Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, two nights after the ASCAP event.

Randy Houser to Hit Arenas This Fall on New Tour

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Randy Houser

Randy Houser

Randy Houser has announced he will headline an arena tour with openers Frankie Ballard and Craig Campbell. The We Went Tour will kick off Nov. 20 in Corbin, KY and run through Dec. 18. Houser’s new single, “We Went,” from his forthcoming Stoney Creek Records album, is currently climbing the charts.

“We’ve had a blast touring with Luke [Bryan] this summer, and it’s been an incredible opportunity to play to some people we might not have played to before,” said Houser. “We’re really looking forward to building our show this fall, playing the arenas and getting to play some new music. Frankie and Craig are both great performers, and we’re ready to get out there and show people what we’re all about!”

Ticket information and additional shows will be announced in the coming weeks.

Randy Houser We Went Tour Dates:
Friday, Nov. 20 – The Arena – Corbin, Ky.
Saturday, Nov. 21 – Hobart Arena – Troy, Ohio
Friday, Nov. 27 – Dow Events Center – Saginaw, Mich.
Saturday, Nov. 28 – Old National Events Plaza – Evansville, Ind.
Friday, Dec. 4 – La Crosse Center Arena – La Crosse, Wis.
Saturday, Dec. 12 – Choctaw Events Center – Durant, Okla.
Thursday, Dec. 17 – The Rave – Milwaukee, Wis.
Friday, Dec. 18 – Akron Civic Center – Akron, Ohio

Terry McBride Inks Publishing Deal With MV2

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Pictured: (L-R): Clay Myers, Tony Harrell, Terry McBride, Chip Petree/Terry's attorney & Kendra Poling/MV2 Office Manager photo credit- MV2 Entertainment

Pictured: (L-R): MV2’s Clay Myers and Tony Harrell, Terry McBride, attorney Chip Petree, MV2’s Kendra Poling

Terry McBride has signed an exclusive long-term publishing agreement with MV2 Entertainment. McBride has had cuts by Trace Adkins, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, George Strait and many more including over 25 songs recorded by Brooks & Dunn, which led to 13 singles and 12 BMI Million Airplay awards.

“It is exciting to be representing Terry and his music again,” said Clay Myers, MV2 Creative Director. “He and I had a tremendously successful eight year run before and I’m looking forward to another successful eight years with him starting now!”

“After moving to Nashville almost 25 years ago I feel fortunate that I’m still having success and extremely proud to have people like Clay Myers, Tony Harrell and MV2 excited about partnering with me for the future,” said McBride.

Tony Harrell, MV2 General Manager shared, “Terry is an awesome talent combined with great energy and I am excited to have this fellow native Texan at MV2!”

McBride hails from a small town outside of Austin, Texas and made the move to Nashville in 1989. Soon thereafter he signed a recording deal with MCA Records with his band McBride & The Ride. The group went on to record four albums for the label, racking up several top five hit singles and many nominations as Vocal Group of the Year. When the group disbanded in 1995, McBride turned his focus to songwriting.

MV2 was formed by Myers and Harrell along with CEO and President James Archer and the executive team of Blake Gage and Harold Johnson.

Nominations for 2015 International Bluegrass Music Awards

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Bill Keith (L) and Larry Sparks (R) will be inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

Bill Keith (L) and Larry Sparks (R) will be inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

Nominees for the 2015 International Bluegrass Music Awards were announced today (Aug. 12) during an event at the Sirius XM Theater inside Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

The awards ceremony will be Thursday, Oct. 1 in Raleigh, NC with hosts The Gibson Brothers.

IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event in Raleigh also consists of the IBMA Business Conference (Sept. 29 – Oct. 1), Wide Open Bluegrass presented by PNC (Oct. 2-3) and the Bluegrass Ramble showcases (Sept. 29 – Oct. 1).

Special Awards, including the Distinguished Achievement Awards, will be presented at a luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 1. The Momentum Awards will be presented at a luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

2015  HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Bill Keith
Larry Sparks

2015 DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
Alison Brown
Murphy Henry
International Bluegrass Music Museum
“Bashful Brother” Oswald Kirby
Steve Martin

2015 INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Hot Rize
The Earls of Leicester
The Gibson Brothers
The Del McCoury Band

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Balsam Rangeibma1111
Blue Highway
Flatt Lonesome
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Gibson Brothers

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Punch Brothers
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
The Earls of Leicester

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Big Black Train” – Earls of Leicester (artist), Stanley Johnson, George Sherry (writers)
“Fiddlin’ Joe” – Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (artist), Mark Brinkman (writer)
“Her Love Won’t Turn On A Dime” – Lonesome River Band (artist), Bart Butler, Timothy Johnson, Shane Minor (writers)
“Moon Over Memphis” – Balsam Range (artist), Mark W. Winchester (writer)
“Southern Flavor” – Becky Buller (artist), Bill Monroe, Guy Stevenson, DeWayne Mize (writers)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Brotherhood – The Gibson Brothers (artist), Eric Gibson, Leigh Gibson, Mike Barber (producers), Rounder
Five – Balsam Range (artist), Balsam Range (producer), Mountain Home Music Company
The Earls of Leicester – The Earls of Leicester (artist) Jerry Douglas (producer), Rounder
Too – Flatt Lonesome (artist), Andrea Roberts, Tim Surrett (producers), Mountain Home Music Company
When I’m Free – Hot Rize (artist), Hot Rize (producer), Ten In Hand Records
 
GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Holding To The Right Hand” – Lonesome River Band (artist), Turn On A Dime (album), Marvin Clark (writer), Sammy Shelor (producer), Mountain Home Music Company
“Insured Beyond The Grave” – J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson & Paul Williams (artist), Standing Tall and Tough (album), Ira Louvin, Charlie Louvin (writers), Doyle Lawson (producer), Mountain Home Music Company
“Stacking Up the Rocks” – Balsam Range (artist), Five (album), Buddy Melton (writer), Balsam Range (producers), Mountain Home Music Company
“What a Wonderful Savior Is He” – The Gibson Brothers (artist), Brotherhood (album), William G. Brewster (writer), Eric Gibson, Leigh Gibson, Mike Barber (producer), Rounder Records
“Who Will Sing for Me” – The Earls of Leicester (artist), The Earls of Leicester (album), Carter Stanley, Ralph Stanley (writer), Jerry Douglas (producers), Rounder Records

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Backdraft (You Light It, You Fight It” – Balsam Range (artist), Five (album), Buddy Metlon, Marc Pruett, Tim Surrett, Darren Nicholson, Caleb B. Smith (writer), Balsam Range (producer), Mountain Home Music Company
“Come Along Jody” – Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper (artist), On Down the Line (album), Benjamin F.”Tex” Logan (writer), Jeff White, Michael Cleveland (producers), Compass Records
“Cumberland Gap” – Lonesome River Band (artist), Turn On A Dime (album), Sammy Shelor (arrangement), Sammy Shelor  (producer), Mountain Home Music Company
“The Three Bells” – Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes (artists), The Three Bells (album), Jean Villard, Bert Reisfeld (writers), Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes (producer), Rounder Records
“Yeah Man” – Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen (artist), Cold Spell (album), Michael Munford (writer), Frank Solivan (producer), Compass Records 

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
“Against The Grain”- Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, featuring Garth Brooks (artists), Larry Cordle (producer), MightyCord Records
“Blue Memories” – J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson & Paul Williams (artists), Doyle Lawson  (producer), Mountain Home Music Company
“For Buddy” – Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes (artists), Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes (producers), Rounder Records
“Test of Time” – Steep Canyon Rangers & Edie Brickell (artists), Carl Jackson (producer)
“TheThree Bells” – Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes (artists), Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes (producers) Rounder Records
“Southern Flavor” – Becky Buller, with Peter Rowan, Michael Feagan, Buddy Spicher, Ernie Sykes, Roland White and Blake Williams (artists), Stephen Mougin (producer) Dark Shadow Recording

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Adkins & Loudermilk
Band of Ruhks
Becky Buller
Mountain Faith
Snyder Family Band
The Earls of Leicester
Volume Five

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Shawn Camp
Del McCoury
Buddy Melton
Russell Moore
Tim O’Brien

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley
Becky Buller
Claire Lynch
Amanda Smith
Rhonda Vincent

BLUEGRASS SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Mark ‘Brink’ Brinkman
Becky Buller
Bill Castle
Shawn Lane
Donna Ulisse

See complete list here.

Awards are voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), the trade association for the bluegrass music industry.

The IBMA Awards Show will be broadcast live on SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction) and syndicated to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks, thanks to the sponsorship of BMI, Deering Banjos, the International Bluegrass Music Museum and Mountain Home Music Company.

 

No. 1 Party: “Love Me Like You Mean It”

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Pictured (l-r): Black River Entertainment's Gordon Kerr and Celia Froelig, Kerr, Whitehead, Ballerini, Carpenter, Parallel Music Publishing's Tim Hunze and ASCAP's Mike Sistad. Photo by Ed Rode.

Pictured (l-r): Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr and Celia Froehlig, Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead, Kelsea Ballerini, Lance Carpenter, Parallel Music Publishing’s Tim Hunze and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. Photo: Ed Rode

It was a celebration of “firsts” at the ASCAP building in Nashville on Monday, Aug. 10. Black River Entertainment’s Kelsea Ballerini scored her first No. 1 as an artist and songwriter with her hit “Love Me Like You Mean It.” It is the debut single from Ballerini’s first album titled, The First Time.

The three other co-writers on the song, Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead, and Lance Carpenter, were also recognized as No. 1 songwriters for the first time.

Additionally, Whitehead was credited for his first No. 1 as a producer.

Black River Entertainment’s label team can also now say they have a No. 1 single.

“Love Me Like You Mean It” also marks Ballerini as the first solo female to take her debut single to No. 1 since Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” in 2006.

During the event, Michael Martin and Mike Sistad of ASCAP welcomed the crowd and introduced the song’s publishers to honor their writers. Taking to the mic were Parallel Entertainment’s Tim Hunze and Black River’s Celia Froehlig.

Also on hand to speak were CRB’s Bill Mayne, Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton, and Brandi Simms of the CMA.

Lance Carpenter encouraged everyone to “Get your tissues out because I got mine.” He remembered the writing session for the song as a “fun night” and was “thankful to be standing up here today.”

Josh Kerr also shed proud tears as he described that day as a dream come true and simply unbelievable. Kerr is also a co-writer on Ballerini’s current single “Dibs,” and two other songs on the album.

Forest Glen Whitehead thanked Ballerini for allowing him to produce the song.

As Bellerini spoke to the crowd, she said that it’s important to always look forward, and added that it is equally important to not forget to look back. “I look back and remember that this song wasn’t supposed to work, but it did,” she said. “Looking back is so beautiful. I love you all and I mean it.”

Ballerini and ASCAP EVP of Membership John Titta

Ballerini and ASCAP EVP of Membership John Titta.

Lecrae Leads GMA Dove Nominations

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lecrae 2015

Lecrae heads into the Dove Awards as the leading nominee.

Lecrae leads the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award nominations with seven, as announced today (Aug. 12) in Nashville. Following with five nominations are for KING & COUNTRY, and with four each, Crowder, Matt Maher and Chris Tomlin.

The 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015 at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville at 6:30 p.m. CT. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the awards show on Sunday, Oct. 18.

On hand for today’s nominations announcement at Lipscomb were Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, GMA executive director Jackie Patillo and artists Audio Adrenaline, Jason Crabb, Colton Dixon, Joseph Habedank, Casey J and RED.

Nominees for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year will be made in a special announcement in coming weeks.

Select categories are below. See full list here.

Artist of the Year
for KING & COUNTRY
Francesca Battistelli
Kari Jobe
Lecrae
Mercy Me

New Artist of the Year
About A Mile
Danny Gokey
I Am They
Lauren Daigle
NF

Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year
Chris Tomlin
for KING & COUNTRY
Hillsong UNITED
Lecrae
MercyMe

Southern Gospel Artist of the Year
Booth Brothers
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Gaither Vocal Band
Collingsworth Family
The Isaacs

Gospel Artist of the Year
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Israel & New Breed
Jonathan McReynolds
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs

Dove Award nominees are determined by over 1,500 professional GMA members. Winners will be voted on by the entire GMA membership of nearly 2,500. Voting for the final winners will run Aug. 20 – 27.

Tickets to the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards are now on sale at the Allen Arena box office in Nashville or at www.doveawards.com. Ticket prices range from $35 to $200.

for king and country.

for KING & COUNTRY

Clare Dunn To Release Self-Titled EP Next Month

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claredunn2015MCA’s Clare Dunn announced the release date for her self-titled EP will be Sept. 18. It will include her major label debut single, “Move On.” Dunn co-wrote and co-produced all five songs on her EP and also plays lead guitar on every track both in the studio and in her live show. She has drawn comparisons to Bonnie Raitt and Keith Urban while out on tour with rock icon Bob Seger this year.

Dunn has been tapped to join Miranda Lambert on the Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour as well as Chris Young on the I’m Comin’ Over Tour this fall.

Clare Dunn EP Track Listing:

1. Ferrari (Clare Dunn, Jennifer Decilveo)
2. Move On** (Clare Dunn, Jesse Frasure)
3. Tuxedo* (Clare Dunn, Ben West, Brett James)
4. Old Hat * (Clare Dunn, Tom Douglas)
5. Cowboy Side Of You*** (Clare Dunn, Terry McBride, Brandon Hood)

Produced by Clare Dunn
*Produced by Clare Dunn and Ben West
**Produced by Clare Dunn and Jesse Frasure
***Produced by Clare Dunn and Terry McBride

Granger Smith Signs With BBR Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): Top Row: BBR Music Group’s Rick Shedd and Teddi Bonadies; Tyler Smith, Manager, TS Management, LLC, BBR Music Group’s Carson James. Bottom Row: BBR Music Group’s Benny Brown; Granger Smith; BBR Music Group’s Jon Loba)

Pictured (L-R): Top Row: BBR Music Group’s Rick Shedd and Teddi Bonadies; Tyler Smith, Manager, TS Management, LLC; BBR Music Group’s Carson James. Bottom Row: BBR Music Group’s Benny Brown; Granger Smith; BBR Music Group’s Jon Loba

Granger Smith has joined the artist roster at Broken Bow Records Music Group. Smith has cultivated a huge social media following of nearly four million fans and consistently sells out headlining tours and breaks attendance and merchandise records. His brand new single, “Backroad Song,” is already making waves at country radio, and his full-length debut for the label will be produced by Frank Rogers. 

“I tell unsigned acts looking for deals all the time to create demand—prove to labels you can connect with an audience,” says BBR Music Group’s Executive Vice President Jon Loba. “Granger is the epitome of doing just that and is doing it nationally—not just regionally. His touring and merch business is already out-performing many signed acts with multiple hits. We are so excited to add Granger to the BBR Music Group family and look forward to amplifying the rabid demand he has created for himself and his alter ego Earl Dibbles Jr.” 

Gloria Gaynor Recording New Project in Nashville

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Gloria GaynorGloria Gaynor, best known for her power anthem “I Will Survive,” is recording a new CD in Nashville produced by Capitol CMG writer Chris Stevens. The pop star is also collaborating with producer/engineer F. Reid Shippen and American Idol alum Melinda Doolittle on the new project, which will feature a collection of Christian songs with positive energy and an uplifting spirit.

Gaynor penned a book, We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration, and the Power of Song, in 2013 about the ways “I Will Survive,” has touched people from all walks of life. On top of her concert schedule, she also appears at motivational speaking engagements around the country, recently appearing at SXSW in Texas, the CCU Women in Philanthropy & Leadership Conference in South Carolina, and GRAMMY’s on the Hill in Washington, DC.

“’I Will Survive,’ should remind us to be proactive in this world,” explains Gaynor about the enduring popularity of the song. “In trying times, people are always looking for answers and direction of what to do and where to go next. So is it really so hard to believe that ‘I Will Survive’ has more relevance now than it did in 1979? Through this song we can relate to a person who has faced the same struggles and summoned the strength to rise above and survive. When you are knocked down you get back up, shrug off the hit and survive—don’t be afraid of the future!”

Jennifer Nettles Joins Dolly Parton Flick

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Nettles in "Chicago."

Jennifer Nettles in “Chicago.”

Jennifer Nettles has been cast in NBC’s upcoming Dolly Parton movie, Coat of Many Colors. Nettles will play Parton’s mother, Avie Lee Parton.

Nettles’ acting resume includes starring in the Broadway production of Chicago. Her television resume lists time as a coach on ABC’s Duets.

Parton is exec producer of the movie set in 1955 in east Tennessee. NBC describes the project as “a family-oriented faith-based story… [about overcoming tragedy to] discover the healing power of love, faith, and a raggedy patchwork coat that helped make Parton who she is today.”

Pamela K. Long penned the film and executive produces with Parton and Sam Haskell. Magnolia Hill Entertainment and DP Productions produce in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Also joining the cast are Gerald McRaney (Longmire) and Ricky Schroder (NYPD Blue, Scrubs, Silver Spoons). Schroder’s country music connections include work on the music video for Brad Paisley’s “Whiskey Lullaby.”

McRaney will play Grandpa Jake Owens; and Schroder will play Dolly’s father, Lee Parton. They join previously announced Alyvia Lind, who will portray the young Parton.