Pictured at the inductees announcement at Columbia Studio A are (L-R): Mark Ford, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation; inductees Craig Wiseman, Even Stevens and Mark James and Pat Alger, chair of the organization’s board. The cake acknowledges the organization’s 45th anniversary. Photo: Bev Moser
Rosanne Cash, Mark James, Even Stevens and Craig Wiseman will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame at a gala event on Oct. 11.
Cash popularized many of her own compositions, including “Seven Year Ache,” “Blue Moon With Heartache” and “Hold On.” James’ songwriter credits include “Hooked On A Feeling” (B.J. Thomas, Blue Swede), “Suspicious Minds” (Elvis Presley) and “Always On My Mind” (Willie Nelson). Stevens is the tunesmith behind “Suspicions” and “Drivin’ My Life Away” (Eddie Rabbitt) and “Crazy In Love” (Conway Twitty). Wiseman’s resume is known for “Live Like You Were Dying” (Tim McGraw), “Believe” (Brooks & Dunn) and “The Good Stuff” (Kenny Chesney).
Pictured clockwise from top left: Rosanne Cash, Mark James, Even Stevens, Craig Wiseman
“Nashville remains the primary destination for anyone with an appreciation of songwriters and the art of songwriting,” said Pat Alger, a past inductee and chair of the organization’s board of directors. “Since 1970, the legacy of those great songwriters has been celebrated and preserved by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Each year only a few are elected to this high honor, and this year we are proud to welcome the class of 2015: Mark James and Craig Wiseman in the songwriter category; Even Stevens in the veteran songwriter category and Rosanne Cash as our songwriter/artist.”
The four new inductees will join the 196 existing members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the 45th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Music City Center. The evening will feature tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. In recent years artists such as Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift have participated in the event. Fellow songwriters’ organization the Nashville Songwriters Association International also presents its annual awards for Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written” as determined by their professional songwriters division.
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Gala are $250 each. Select seating is available to the public and may be purchased as available by contacting Executive Director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com or 615-460-6556.
Prior inductees include Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Johnny Cash, Don & Phil Everly, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker and Hank Williams.
Rosanne Cash has released 15 albums of extraordinary songs that have earned four Grammy Awards and nominations for 11 more, as well as 21 Top-40 hits, including 11 #1 singles. Born in Memphis to legendary Country artist Johnny Cash and his first wife, Vivian Liberto, Rosanne’s second album was the landmark Seven Year Ache in 1981. The self-penned song, “Seven Year Ache,” became a #1 record (her first), as did her “Blue Moon With Heartache.” Co-writer Vince Gill also hit with two of their songs during the ’80s: “If It Weren’t For Him” and “Never Alone.” From that point, Rosanne’s albums would prove worthy vehicles for her considerable songwriting talent, as evidenced by “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me,” “Second To No One,” “Hold On” (the 1987 BMI Country Song of the Year), “If You Change Your Mind,” “What We Really Want” and “The Wheel.” Her latest release, 2014’s The River and the Thread, received three Grammy Awards earlier this year. Additionally Rosanne has been selected as the 2015 artist in residence for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where she will perform three concerts in September.
Even Stevens is a noted record maker, producer and graphic artist. The Ohio native served in the U.S. Coast Guard, then settled in San Francisco to perform in the city’s nightspots as a folkie. Back in Ohio, he was working as a graphic artist when an uncle persuaded him to come to Nashville to pitch the songs he’d been writing. Hooking up with the then-unknown Eddie Rabbitt, Even began collaborating on songs that would soon make his friend a superstar: “Drivin’ My Life Away,” “I Love A Rainy Night,” “Step By Step” and “Suspicions” (BMI’s 1980 Country Song of the Year). Even’s collaborations with others resulted in hits for artists like Dr. Hook (“When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman”), Conway Twitty (“Crazy In Love”), Ricky Skaggs (“Lovin’ Only Me”), Lacy J. Dalton (“Black Coffee”) and the Oak Ridge Boys (“No Matter How High”). “Love Will Turn You Around” by Kenny Rogers was named ASCAP Country Song of the Year in 1982.
Mark James grew up in Houston, Texas, along with B.J. Thomas, who was the first to make his songs hits. By the late 1960s, Mark was signed as a staff songwriter to Memphis producer Chips Moman’s publishing company. Moman produced Thomas’ versions of “The Eyes Of A New York Woman” and “Hooked On A Feeling” in 1968-69, and these became Mark’s debut songwriting successes. He issued his own version of “Suspicious Minds” (also produced by Moman) on Scepter Records in 1968 before Elvis Presley made it a smash the following year using the same arrangement. These songs, as well as hits such as “Sunday Sunrise” (Brenda Lee) and “Moody Blue” (Elvis Presley) were all created by Mark as a solo writer. Mark also co-wrote the hits “It’s Only Love” (B.J. Thomas) and “One Hell Of A Woman” (Mac Davis). One of Mark’s biggest hits came via Willie Nelson’s 1982 recording of “Always On My Mind.” A collaboration with fellow Memphians Johnny Christopher and Wayne Carson, that song – named 1982 Song of the Year for NSAI, the ACM and the CMA – earned the writers a pair of Grammys for Best Country Song and for Best Song.
Craig Wiseman moved to Nashville in 1985 to pursue a songwriting career and by age 24 received his first cut by the legendary Roy Orbison. Since then, the Hattiesburg, Miss., native has become one of Nashville’s most celebrated songwriters. He was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 2003, 2005 & 2007 and in 2014 earned the organization’s Heritage Award as its most-performed Country music songwriter of the past century. In 2005, he received a Best Country Song Grammy for “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw. That song also earned both ACM and CMA Song of the Year honors, as did his “Believe” by Brooks & Dunn the following year. Other hits from Craig’s catalog include “Summertime” and “The Good Stuff” by Kenny Chesney (2003 ASCAP Country Song of the Year), “Where The Green Grass Grows” by Tim McGraw, “Love Me If You Can” by Toby Keith, the AC hit “A Baby Changes Everything” by Faith Hill, “Hillbilly Bone” by Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins, “Boys ’Round Here” by Blake Shelton & The Pistol Annies and the rock hit “Chalk Outline” by Three Days Grace. To date, Craig has had well over 300 cuts, 100 singles and 21 #1s.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Announces 2015 Inductees
/by Sarah SkatesPictured at the inductees announcement at Columbia Studio A are (L-R): Mark Ford, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation; inductees Craig Wiseman, Even Stevens and Mark James and Pat Alger, chair of the organization’s board. The cake acknowledges the organization’s 45th anniversary. Photo: Bev Moser
Rosanne Cash, Mark James, Even Stevens and Craig Wiseman will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame at a gala event on Oct. 11.
Cash popularized many of her own compositions, including “Seven Year Ache,” “Blue Moon With Heartache” and “Hold On.” James’ songwriter credits include “Hooked On A Feeling” (B.J. Thomas, Blue Swede), “Suspicious Minds” (Elvis Presley) and “Always On My Mind” (Willie Nelson). Stevens is the tunesmith behind “Suspicions” and “Drivin’ My Life Away” (Eddie Rabbitt) and “Crazy In Love” (Conway Twitty). Wiseman’s resume is known for “Live Like You Were Dying” (Tim McGraw), “Believe” (Brooks & Dunn) and “The Good Stuff” (Kenny Chesney).
Pictured clockwise from top left: Rosanne Cash, Mark James, Even Stevens, Craig Wiseman
“Nashville remains the primary destination for anyone with an appreciation of songwriters and the art of songwriting,” said Pat Alger, a past inductee and chair of the organization’s board of directors. “Since 1970, the legacy of those great songwriters has been celebrated and preserved by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Each year only a few are elected to this high honor, and this year we are proud to welcome the class of 2015: Mark James and Craig Wiseman in the songwriter category; Even Stevens in the veteran songwriter category and Rosanne Cash as our songwriter/artist.”
The four new inductees will join the 196 existing members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the 45th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Music City Center. The evening will feature tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. In recent years artists such as Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift have participated in the event. Fellow songwriters’ organization the Nashville Songwriters Association International also presents its annual awards for Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written” as determined by their professional songwriters division.
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Gala are $250 each. Select seating is available to the public and may be purchased as available by contacting Executive Director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com or 615-460-6556.
Prior inductees include Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Johnny Cash, Don & Phil Everly, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker and Hank Williams.
CMA Sponsors Project Music Accelerator for Second Year
/by Lorie HollabaughSix to eight applicants will be chosen to participate in the program, and each startup will be awarded a $30,000 stake to launch their business in exchange for equity.
“As the trade organization for Country Music we are focused on the strength and expansion of our industry and format,” states John Esposito, CMA Board President and President/CEO of Warner Music Nashville. “We at CMA are proud of our partnership on the inaugural year of Project Music and expect another bright class of startups to emerge from the 2016 class.”
Applications for the program open Sept. 1 and more information can be found here.
MusicRowPics: Sarah Ross
/by Troy_StephensonThe title track is the first single, which Ross performed along with the songs “Lovin’ This Beat” and “All About That.” Ross co-wrote five of the six songs on the EP.
She is breaking ground as a female artist blending singing with rap and spoken word.
Ross was featured on Season 12 of American Idol where she left early due to laryngitis. She went back home to her blueberry farm in New Jersey and got a call from a local radio station DJ. She learned that Colt Ford saw her on American Idol and wanted to meet her.
Now she is signed to Ford’s Average Joes label.
Ross been out on tour with labelmates The Lacs while also securing solo dates around the country.
MusicRow staff with Sarah Ross (L-R): Troy Stephenson, Eric Parker, Sarah Skates, Sarah Ross, Sherod Robertson and Kelsey Grady.
Chefs to Reveal Best Meals, Road Experiences at Music City Food + Wine
/by Lorie HollabaughThe event was founded by the Kings of Leon and has strong music connections, including a Saturday night concert.
Saturday’s “What’s Playing In Your Kitchen” panel will feature moderator Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster Harlem, Ginny’s Supper Club, Streetbird Rotisserie) with panelists Sarah Gavigan (Otaku South), Graham Elliot (Graham Elliot Bistro) and Karl Worley (Biscuit Love Brunch).
Also on Saturday is “The Best Meal I Ever Ate,” a panel moderated by Carla Hall (Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen) with panelists Carey Bringle (Peg Leg Porker), Hal M. Holden-Bache (Lockeland Table) and Linton Hopkins (Restaurant Eugene, Holeman & Finch Public House, and H&F Bottle Shop).
Sunday’s panels kick off with a unique discussion about wild game led by moderator Tim Love (LoveShack, The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Woodshed Smokehouse, White Elephant Saloon) and featuring panelists Matt Bolus (The 404 Kitchen), Jason McConnell (Red Pony, 55 South, McConnell House, Cork & Cow) and Levon Wallace (Cochon Butcher Nashville).
The final panel discussion, “Bites from the Road,” will be moderated by Andrew Zimmern (Chef & TV Personality) and include panelists Lisa Donovan (Buttermilk Road & Husk Nashville), Michael Schwartz (The Genuine Hospitality Group) and Tandy Wilson (City House), who will share their experiences on the road, exploring culinary traditions from different cities.
The tasting sessions will provide an interactive sampling of spirits and cocktails from experts, and will include “Grilling And Chilling With Sake,” “Tequila Patrón Presents: Handcrafted—From Agave Fields to Craft Cocktails” with cocktails by David Alan (aka the Tipsy Texan), Hendricks Gin’s “A Most Curious & Peculiar Cocktail Academy,” and Angostura Bitters’ “Not So Old-Fashioned” look at the versatility of bitters in cooking and cocktails.
The musical lineup for Saturday, Sept. 19’s Harvest Night celebration is expected later this summer but will again be curated by the Kings of Leon.
For additional information or tickets, go to www.
DisClaimer: Veterans and Youngsters Duke It Out
/by Robert K OermannMitchell Tenpenny
The veterans and the youngsters duked it out today.
The kids with winning sounds included Striking Matches, Boone, Kayla Adams, Waterloo Revival and our DisCovery Award winner, Mitchell Tenpenny.
But several established stars showed the newbies how to do it right. The late, legendary Ray Price, six-years hit maker Easton Corbin and the enduringly great Alan Jackson all hit home runs. Alan rules with the Disc of the Day.
ALAN JACKSON/Jim and Jack and Hank
Writer: Alan Jackson; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: EMI April/Tin Angels, ASCAP; ACR/EMI
—Go on and leave him, lady. He doesn’t need you, because he’s got Jim Beam, Jack Daniels and Hank Williams. This super-clever toe-tapper is one big grin from start to finish. Somebody get the name of that electric guitarist. Stay tuned for Alan’s ad libs at the fadeout.
LONNIE SPIKER/Love Would Have Wanted It That Way
Writer: Curt Ryle; Producer: Curt Ryle; Publisher: Big Matador, BMI; Megalith
—It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from this guy. His new CD is titled In Another Life, and its kick-off single is a slow, slow ballad about a recovering alcoholic begging for forgiveness from the love who left him. It’s old-school country, and he sings it that way.
BOONE/Summer Girls
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Supergroup/Nine North
—Jaunty and sunny, with a loping, easy-going, groovy rhythm track. Very pleasant. The ending is rather abrupt.
EASTON CORBIN/Yup
Writer: Shane Minor/Phil O’Donnell/Wade Kirby; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Code Six Charles/Sixteen Stars/Rooster Pecked/HoriPro/Round Hill Works/Kirbtone, BMI; Mercury
—Oh go ahead and have another. You know tomorrow’s gonna hurt, but she’s too fetching to think about that now. This is a single with loads of personality and a track that is ultra charming. A winner.
WATERLOO REVIVAL/Bad For You
Writer: George Birge/Cody Cooper/Ross Copperman/Jon Nite; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publisher: Raincreek/C.R. Cooper/EMI Blackwood/Songs By Red Room/EMI April/Jon Mark Nite/Sony-ATV, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine
—The song isn’t much, but the track rocks, and they sing with oomph.
STRIKING MATCHES/Miss Me More
Writer: Justin Davis/Sarah Zimmerman/Melissa Peirce; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Publisher: Universal/Justin Davis/Sarahzimm/Nashvistaville/Platinum Molly/East Pass, ASCAP/BMI; I.R.S.
—Sparkling vocals, catchy tune, crunchy track, ear tickling instrumental touches, crystalline production. Thoroughly refreshing.
BUCKY COVINGTON/I Feel Ya
Writer: Eric Mallon/Ruben Estevez/Jason Afable; Producer: Dale Oliver/Bucky Covington; Publisher: Mallonation/Red Mango, ASCAP/BMI; Bare Footin
—Good natured and well intentioned. I have always liked his husky, slight-rasp vocal style. Even though he always seems to be teetering on the edge of the pitch.
MITCHELL TENPENNY/Love & Rock N’ Roll
Writer: Mitchell Tenpenny/Brad Clawson; Producer: Chris McCollum & Michael Everett; Publisher: Creation Lab, BMI; Creation Lab
—He has a whispery, airy delivery that inexorably draws you in. The pinpoint production is pristinely perfect. These guys definitely have something here.
KAYLA ADAMS/Burn a Little Colder
Writer: Billy Atherholt/Pete Nanney/Kayla Adams/Alex Dooley; Producer: Marlon Dean Scallan; Publisher: Straight Shooter, BMI; SSM
—He is just too alluring, she complains. Methinks she doth protest too much. Especially since the track swirls so sensuously.
RAY PRICE/It Will Always Be
Writer: Willie Nelson; Producer: Fred Foster; Publisher: Warnger-Tamerlane/Act Five, BMI; Amerimonte
—As I have said before, Ray’s final album, Beauty Is, is an audio jewel. The Hall of Famer’s resonant baritone was a thing of wonder right up to the end. His wistful delivery of this Willie love lyric is accompanied by poetically sighing steel, a string section that breathes with him and a pan flute solo. Utterly lovely.
Artist Pics: Lee Brice, Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood
/by Kelsey_GradyLee Brice: From Proposals To Periscope
Lee Brice closed Chicago’s third annual Windy City Smokeout on Sunday, July 12, with a 90-minute set capped off by the on-stage proposal of a young couple while Brice sang “I Don’t Dance.”
Randy Rogers Band and Brett Young were among the numerous other artists who took the stage during the Smokeout, and Wade Bowen played the official after party at Joe’s.
Pictured (L-R): Enzo DeVincenzo, Red Light/377 Management; Brett Young, Artist, Universal Republic;
Risha Rodgers, William Morris Entertainment; Lee Brice; Ed Warm, Windy City Smokeout;
Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers. Photo: Chase Lauer, The Lookout Collective
Taylor Swift With Four No. 1 Radio Airplay Plaques
Before Taylor Swift took the stage on Saturday night at MetLife Stadium on The 1989 World Tour, she was honored for chart accolades for her 1989 Big Machine album from her label President/CEO Scott Borchetta. The critically acclaimed album has produced four No. 1 hit singles on the Billboard Radio Airplay charts for songs “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” “Style” and “Bad Blood.”
Pictured (L-R): BMLG’s David Nathan, Republic Records’ Monte Lipman, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Taylor Swift, Republic Records’ Charlie Walk and Republic Records’ Gary Spangler. Photo: Big Machine Records
Trisha Yearwood At CMHoF
On Thursday, July 9, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHoF) presented a special afternoon program featuring Trisha Yearwood. During an intimate and casual Q&A with the CMHoF’s Peter Cooper, Yearwood discussed her career, legacy, former job as a CMHoF tour guide, and her current exhibit. After the conversation, Yearwood treated a packed CMA Theater to a performance of some of her hits as well and some fan favorites, requested by audience members.
Pictured (L-R): Vector Management’s Ken Levitan, producer Garth Fundis, Trisha Yearwood, musician Johnny Garcia, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Peter Cooper, and musician Steve Cox. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images
Round Up: BMI, Metro Arts, Chorus Auditions, Belmont
/by Sarah SkatesBMI Welcomes Singer-Songwriter Lindsey Ray
Broadcast Music, Inc. is proud to welcome Lindsey Ray, who signed with the company July 13. Lindsey is an artist and songwriter whose music has been licensed worldwide to film and TV since 2008. Her songs have been heard on TV shows on major networks such as NBC, ABC, CBS, ABC Family, USA, Lifetime, E!, MTV, and Showtime, as well as commercials for brands such as Target, JC Penney, T-Mobile, Applebee’s, McDonald’s, Yoplait and Kohl’s.
She also found success in writing for other artists, beginning in 2011 when her song “In Real Life” was included on Demi Lovato’s Unbroken. In 2013, Lindsey co-write “Almost Home,” the end title song in Disney’s blockbuster film Oz: The Great and Powerful, recorded by megastar Mariah Carey.
Lindsey currently resides in Nashville, TN and balances writing music for herself and her bands FARMDALE and Mary Jane Fonda, as well as continuing to write for and with a variety of artists/bands.
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, BMI singer-songwriter Lindsey Ray and BMI’s Penny Gattis.
Calling All Songwriters
The Metro Nashville Arts Commission (Metro Arts) seeks to commission writers, poets, authors, songwriters, musicians or sound artists to compose a new and original work inspired by a public artwork. The initiative is supported by the Bonnaroo Works Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
Details here.
Belmont Teams With AIMP For Survey
The Association of Independent Music Publishers is currently exploring the needs and vision of the independent music publishing community regarding recent recommendations by the Copyright Office to update US Copyright Law and the possible restructuring of the PRO Consent Decrees by the Department of Justice.
Belmont University’s Pipeline Project 5.0 team is working with AIMP to gather the opinions of independent music publishers and songwriters in order to provide a voice for them and a smooth transition into new systems that may be created subsequent to any changes in these areas. Participate in the survey.
Nashville Symphony Chorus Auditions
The Nashville Symphony Chorus will hold its next round of auditions in August for singers interested in joining the ensemble.
Auditions will be held at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Aug. 1 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Aug. 2 from 1-4 p.m. under the direction of Chorus director Kelly Corcoran. Details here.
Gord Bamford, Dean Brody Lead CCMA Noms With Six Apiece
/by Lorie HollabaughBrett Kissel and Dallas Smith each racked up an impressive four noms. Kissel is up for Male Artist of the Year, Single, Video, and Interactive Artist of the Year, while Smith received nods for Fans Choice, Male, Album, and Single of the Year. Jason Blaine is up for Songwriter, Video, and Producer of the Year, while Tim Hicks received nods for Album, Male Artist, and Interactive Artist of the Year. Duo High Valley also landed noms for Album, Group or Duo, and Interactive Artist of the Year, and Jess Moskaluke is up for Female Artist, Album, and Single of the Year.
Eight out of the 34 awards will be presented on the CCMA broadcast, which will air Sunday, Sept. 13 on CBC-TV at 8 p.m. NT with an encore airing on CMT (Canada) at 10 p.m. ET. The event is part of Canadian Country Music Week, taking place Sept. 10-13 in Halifax, NS.
Carole-Ann Mobley Launches CAM Creative Services
/by Sarah SkatesCarole-Ann Mobley. Photo: Keith Thomas
With more than 25 years of music industry experience, former A&R executive Carole-Ann Mobley has formed CAM Creative Services to meet the artist development needs of independent and emerging artists in Nashville. She is working with singers, musicians and songwriters, offering customized A&R, artist development and writer management services.
Mobley’s impressive resume includes Vice President A&R at Warner Music Nashville, where she signed standouts Brett Eldredge and Frankie Ballard, and Senior Director A&R at Sony Music Nashville, as well as stops at Starstruck Entertainment, Beckett Productions and Austin City Limits.
She has worked with Nashville’s emerging stars from companies including Red Light Management, Shackelford, Bowen, Zumwalt and Hayes, and Butler Snow LLP.
Mobley has also founded Girls On The Row with award winning writer and former BNA recording artist Rachel Proctor. The quarterly workshops develop branding, positivity, self-confidence and healthy lifestyle skills for young girls.
For more information about CAM Creative Services and Girls On The Row, reach Mobley at 615-473-6840 or caroleannmobley@gmail.com.
Kings of Leon to Headline New Year’s Eve Bash Downtown
/by Lorie HollabaughKings of Leon
The Kings of Leon will help Nashville ring in the New Year in a big way by headlining the free Jack Daniels Bash on Broadway.
The event has continuously grown since it began seven years ago and last year drew a record crowd of over 130,000, resulting in $17 million in direct visitor spending, 22,000 hotel rooms booked, and national exposure for the city on ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast.
“The purpose of this event is to bring in significant direct visitor spending to Nashville and to market the brand of Music City, and it has been increasingly successful each year on those fronts,” said Ken Levitan, chair of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Center board of directors and president of Vector Management, home to the Kings. “With the Kings headlining this year, our opportunity to grow both of those areas—particularly with an international audience—is significant.”
The NCVC is logistically planning for 150,000 fans on Broadway, the largest crowd size ever for a Nashville concert and the largest Music City New Year’s Eve event to date.
“I can think of no place I’d rather play New Year’s Eve than at home with 100,000 of my closest friends,” said Kings of Leon’s Nathan Followill about the burgeoning event.