Kacey Musgraves’ highly-touted sophomore release Pageant Material hits retailers today (June 23), and she’s celebrating release day with appearances on Good Morning America, and an in-store signing and performance at Brooklyn’s Rough Trade, followed by an appearance on The View tomorrow (June 24).
Today she also revealed dates for The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue, beginning in Atlanta Aug. 27 and wrapping in Amsterdam Nov. 22. The tour will visit iconic venues including The Wiltern, Ryman Auditorium, The Apollo Theatre, and Royal Albert Hall. See a complete listing of dates below.
Musgraves co-wrote every song on the Mercury Nashville project and co-produced it with cowriters Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. The Texan says she wanted the music to really represent who she is. “I really wanted this album to have a classic feel, like a lot of the records I know and love” says Musgraves. “I intended on it having a laid-back yet lush, slightly kitschy, western vibe. And most of all, I wanted it to feel like me.”
Musgraves helped industry members get into the pageant spirit for the release of her album earlier this month at a fun-filled bash at PLAY in Nashville, where she handed out tiaras and sashes to partygoers, and drag queens lip synched songs from Pageant Material on a runway.
Pageant Material track listing:
1. High Time (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
2. Dime Store Cowgirl (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
3. Late To The Party (Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Josh Osborne)
4. Pageant Material (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
5. This Town (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Brandy Clark)
6. Biscuits (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark)
7. Somebody To Love (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
8. Miserable (Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, Brandy Clark)
9. Die Fun (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
10. Family Is Family (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
11. Good Ol’ Boys Club (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby)
12. Cup Of Tea (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
13. Fine (Kacey Musgraves, Ashley Arrison, Shane McAnally)
The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue:
8/27 – Atlanta, GA / The Buckhead Theatre
9/11 – Los Angeles, CA / The Wiltern
9/18 – St. Louis, MO / The Pageant
9/23 – Nashville, TN / Ryman Auditorium
10/1 – Detroit, MI / Royal Oak Music Theatre
10/3 – Philadelphia, PA / The Trocadero Theatre
10/9 – New Orleans, LA / The Howlin’ Wolf
10/11 – Tulsa, OK / Cains Ballroom
10/15 – Charlottesville, VA / Paramount Theater
10/16 – Washington, DC / Lincoln Theatre
10/23 – New Haven, CT / College Street Music Hall
10/24 – New York, NY / Apollo Theater
11/9 – Gateshead, UK / Sage Gateshead
11/10 – Birmingham, UK / The Institute
11/12 – Dublin, Ireland / Dublin Academy
11/15 – Glasgow, UK / Glasgow ABC
11/16 – Manchester, UK / Albert Hall
11/18 – London, UK / Royal Albert Hall
11/20 – Hamburg, Germany / Knust
11/22 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Melkweg
Visit www.kaceymusgraves.com for the most updated pre-sale information, tickets, and VIP packages. Public on-sale tickets for The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue go on sale Friday, June 26.
Luke Bryan’s ‘Kick The Dust Up’ Tour Continues To Sell Out Stadiums
/by Troy_StephensonThe tour will continue to run through October. He is set to play back-to-back shows this week in Virginia Beach, VA and Washington, D.C.
Bryan’s fifth studio album, Kill The Lights, is set to be released on Friday, Aug. 7.
2015 “Kick The Dust Up Tour”:
6-24 Virginia Beach, VA Farm Bureau Live
6-25 Virginia Beach, VA Farm Bureau Live
6-26 Washington, D.C. Jiffy Lube Live
6-27 Washington, D.C. Jiffy Lube Live
6-28 *New York, NY FarmBorough Festival
7-9 *Durant, OK Choctaw Events Center
7-11 Nashville, TN Vanderbilt Stadium
7-16 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7-17 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7-18 Cincinnati, OH Paul Brown Stadium
7-20 Gilford, NH Bank of NH Pavilion at Meadowbrook
7-21 Gilford, NH Bank of NH Pavilion at Meadowbrook
7-22 Gilford, NH Bank of NH Pavilion at Meadowbrook
7-24 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center
7-25 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center
7-26 *Twin Lakes, WI Country Thunder Festival
7-30 Scranton, PA The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
7-31 Pittsburgh, PA First Niagara Pavilion
8-1 Pittsburgh, PA First Niagara Pavilion
8-15 *Brownsville, OR Bi-Mart Willamette Country Music Festival
8-21 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
8-22 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
8-26 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
8-27 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
8-29 San Francisco, CA Levi’s Stadium
9-3 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
9-4 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
9-5 Cleveland, OH FirstEnergy Stadium
9-11 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
9-12 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
9-17 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
9-18 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
9-19 West Palm Beach, FL Coral Sky Amphitheatre
9-20 West Palm Beach, FL Coral Sky Amphitheatre
9-24 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
9-25 Raleigh, NC Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
9-26 Raleigh, NC Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
10-15 Sacramento, CA Toyota Amphitheatre
10-16 San Diego, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre
10-17 Irvine, CA Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
10-18 Irvine, CA Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
10-22 San Antonio, TX Alamodome
10-23 Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion
10-24 Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion
10-28 Chicago, IL United Center
10-29 Chicago, IL United Center
10-30 Detroit, MI Ford Field
*Festival / event dates (not “Kick The Dust Up Tour” date / line up)
‘CBS Sunday Morning’ Highlights Little Big Town
/by Sarah SkatesLittle Big Town on CBS Sunday Morning.
Little Big Town was the subject of a profile airing Sunday (June 21) on the award-winning news show, CBS Sunday Morning With Charles Osgood.
Recorded in late 2014 and 2015 in Nashville, the episode features an exclusive sit-down interview with the band and Anthony Mason. It focuses on the full story of Little Big Town and their 16 years together, including the recent success of platinum-selling single, “Girl Crush.”
The segment, titled ‘Little Big Town: A walking, breathing, living country song,’ also captures iconic moments from the foursome’s career including their induction into the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium as well as a visit to Wayne Kirkpatrick’s studio, where they first got their start together.
Click to see the program.
Kacey Musgraves Launches Album, Announces Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughToday she also revealed dates for The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue, beginning in Atlanta Aug. 27 and wrapping in Amsterdam Nov. 22. The tour will visit iconic venues including The Wiltern, Ryman Auditorium, The Apollo Theatre, and Royal Albert Hall. See a complete listing of dates below.
Musgraves co-wrote every song on the Mercury Nashville project and co-produced it with cowriters Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. The Texan says she wanted the music to really represent who she is. “I really wanted this album to have a classic feel, like a lot of the records I know and love” says Musgraves. “I intended on it having a laid-back yet lush, slightly kitschy, western vibe. And most of all, I wanted it to feel like me.”
Musgraves helped industry members get into the pageant spirit for the release of her album earlier this month at a fun-filled bash at PLAY in Nashville, where she handed out tiaras and sashes to partygoers, and drag queens lip synched songs from Pageant Material on a runway.
Pageant Material track listing:
1. High Time (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
2. Dime Store Cowgirl (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
3. Late To The Party (Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Josh Osborne)
4. Pageant Material (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
5. This Town (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Brandy Clark)
6. Biscuits (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark)
7. Somebody To Love (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
8. Miserable (Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, Brandy Clark)
9. Die Fun (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
10. Family Is Family (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
11. Good Ol’ Boys Club (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby)
12. Cup Of Tea (Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
13. Fine (Kacey Musgraves, Ashley Arrison, Shane McAnally)
The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue:
8/27 – Atlanta, GA / The Buckhead Theatre
9/11 – Los Angeles, CA / The Wiltern
9/18 – St. Louis, MO / The Pageant
9/23 – Nashville, TN / Ryman Auditorium
10/1 – Detroit, MI / Royal Oak Music Theatre
10/3 – Philadelphia, PA / The Trocadero Theatre
10/9 – New Orleans, LA / The Howlin’ Wolf
10/11 – Tulsa, OK / Cains Ballroom
10/15 – Charlottesville, VA / Paramount Theater
10/16 – Washington, DC / Lincoln Theatre
10/23 – New Haven, CT / College Street Music Hall
10/24 – New York, NY / Apollo Theater
11/9 – Gateshead, UK / Sage Gateshead
11/10 – Birmingham, UK / The Institute
11/12 – Dublin, Ireland / Dublin Academy
11/15 – Glasgow, UK / Glasgow ABC
11/16 – Manchester, UK / Albert Hall
11/18 – London, UK / Royal Albert Hall
11/20 – Hamburg, Germany / Knust
11/22 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Melkweg
Visit www.kaceymusgraves.com for the most updated pre-sale information, tickets, and VIP packages. Public on-sale tickets for The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue go on sale Friday, June 26.
Kelsea Ballerini Celebrates No. 1 Debut, Receives ‘MusicRow’ Challenge Coin
/by Sarah SkatesKelsea Ballerini and her cowriters Forest Glen Whitehead, Josh Kerr and Lance Carpenter receive MusicRow Challenge Coins yesterday (June 22) at the Black River offices. Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s Troy Stephenson, Carpenter, Kerr, Whitehead, Black River’s Celia Froehlig, MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Ballerini and Black River’s Gordon Kerr.
Black River Entertainment recording artist Kelsea Ballerini is celebrating her first No. 1, with debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It.” This week the song tops both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay Charts. It hit top of MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart on June 4.
Written by Ballerini, Forest Glen Whitehead, Josh Kerr and Lance Carpenter, “Love Me Like You Mean It” is featured on Ballerini’s debut album The First Time, produced by Whitehead and Jason Massey.
“It’s a very exciting time for all of us at Black River,” said Vice President of Promotion Mike Wilson. “It’s an honor to lead this promotion team in taking Kelsea to country radio. Her music is great and radio has really embraced her. I’m so proud of our team and all of their efforts. This is a huge accomplishment!”
Crowned one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, Ballerini will be hitting the road this summer playing shows nationwide including major festivals, select stops on Lady Antebellum’s Wheels Up Tour and headline club dates—her first New York City show at The Gramercy Theatre was announced yesterday (June 22).
“Going into this, my goal with this first single was to introduce myself,” said Ballerini. “I believed in this song from the minute we wrote it and I always thought it would be the right first single and a great introduction of me. But there’s a fear that comes with that, because it’s the first impression with radio, with fans and with media. It’s so cool to know that the peace that I had when I wrote this song and picked it as the single has led me all the way to it being a No. 1. To be in a group with artists like Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill and Deana Carter that have had debut No. 1s and then had brilliant careers after that, makes me so excited for what’s to come. Today, I just want to celebrate with my team because it’s a big victory for all of us, we’ve all worked really hard. Thank you country radio for making this huge milestone happen and making one of my biggest dreams come true.”
According to Ballerini’s team, only 10 other solo females in country music have had their debut country singles go No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart.
2006 – Carrie Underwood “Jesus Take The Wheel” *
2004 – Gretchen Wilson “Redneck Woman”
2001 – Jamie O’Neal “There is No Arizona”
2001 – Cyndi Thomson “What I Really Meant To Say”
1996 – Deana Carter “Strawberry Wine”
1993 – Faith Hill “Wild One”
1992 – Wynonna “She Is His Only Need”
1990 – Trisha Yearwood “She’s In Love With The Boy”
1973 – Marie Osmond “Paper Roses”
1964 – Connie Smith “Once A Day”
* Underwood’s debut single and No. 1 pop hit “Inside Your Heaven,” was not released to country radio, but peaked at No. 52 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart
Kelsea Ballerini and team celebrate.
TV Personality Larry Black Hospitalized After ATV Accident
/by Sarah SkatesLarry Black
Larry Black, host of RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner and creator/producer of Country’s Family Reunion, is in the hospital following a serious ATV accident. He underwent successful back surgery, and remains on a ventilator due to two punctured lungs. His status is being updated on the Larry’s Country Diner Facebook page.
Randy Little, owner of PFI/Bootdaddy, was also involved in the accident. He was hospitalized for head injuries but is being released today (June 22).
Larry’s Country Diner is a down-home variety show that features country stars along with Black, Keith Bilbrey and others. It is taped live in front of a studio audience in an old-fashioned diner setting. Since its initial airing on August 3, 2009, Larry’s Country Diner has produced over 100 episodes and become one of the most popular shows on RFD-TV, garnering 1.5 million viewers monthly.
Black, a longtime disc jockey, previously hosted the Larry Black Show which aired on 125 radio stations. As an actor, he has appeared in the films and TV movies Ernest Goes to Camp, Ernest Scared Stupid, October Sky and Pure Country 2: The Gift, and in the TV series I’ll Fly Away and In the Heat of the Night.
Sam Hunt Teams With Bose For ‘House Party’ Contest
/by Troy_StephensonSam Hunt Photo: Chase Lauer
MCA Nashville’s Sam Hunt has announced the House Party Promotion powered by Bose. The contest runs through July 19 and includes a grand prize VIP trip for two to Nashville to attend a backyard house party where Hunt will perform hits from his gold-certified debut album, Montevallo.
Those who enter the contest will also qualify to win an exclusive Bose Wireless Prize Package that includes Bose Bluetooth speakers and headphones.
Hunt recently released the music video for “House Party” which gives a virtual backstage pass and a glimpse of life on the road.
The rising star is on tour with Lady Antebellum‘s Wheels Up Tour 2015.
To enter the contest, click here.
Music Health Alliance Announces Board Of Directors
/by Troy_StephensonJay Williams (William Morris Endeavor Entertainment) will serve as President, with Earle Simmons (SunTrust Bank) serving as Treasurer and Dr. Michael Allsep (US Department of Defense) as Secretary. Other new members of the board are Todd Cayce (Richards & Southern), Christie Hauck (The Christie Retail Group), Sandy Knox (Wrinkled Records), Linda Edell Howard (Adams and Reese, LLP), DJ Smith (CIV Digital), Rebecca Strang (Harry Norman Realtors), Jennie Smythe (Girlilla Marketing) and Dr. Herman Williams (RegionalCare Hospital Partners).
“Music Health Alliance made a pledge to recruit the best and most talented leaders in music, healthcare and business to lead this organization,” says Tatum Allsep. “We are thrilled to announce these outstanding individuals who are 100 percent committed to the mission and long-term growth of MHA.”
The mission of Music Health Alliance is to “Heal the Music” by providing access to healthcare through services that protect, direct, and connect music professionals with medical and financial solutions. In two short years, they have saved over $5.5 million in insurance premiums, reduction of medical bills, and prescription costs.
For more information on Music Health Alliance, visit www.musichealthalliance.com.
Crazy Pitches Hosts ‘Dress Up For St. Jude’ Fundraiser
/by Lorie HollabaughNashville publishers Chelsea Kent of Still Working Music, Hannah Showmaker of Parallel Entertainment, Ciara Gardner of Disney Music Publishing, and Sarah Feldman of Writer’s Den Music came up with the fundraising idea after visiting the hospital.
“The trip really put on our hearts to come up with a way to give back to this great organization,” said Gardner. “St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is extremely close to Music Row’s heart, and it’s easy to see why.”
Organizers of the event are asking artists and industry execs to clean out their closets of formal wear dresses, jewelry, shoes, hanging racks, hangers, and other accessories for donation that will be sold at the Sept. 10 event at Still Working Music at 1625 Broadway in Nashville.
The following dropoff dates have been set below and anyone wishing to donate outside of these dates can contact crazypitches1@gmail.com to schedule an alternate pick up or drop off.
Dropoff dates
• June 23, 12-2 p.m. at Writer’s Den Music Group: 1604 17th Ave S. Nashville, TN 37212
• July 1, 12-2 p.m. at Disney Music Publishing, Nashville: 54 Music Sq. E., Ste. 390 Nashville, TN 37203
• Aug. 31, 12-2 p.m. at Parallel Entertainment: 1505 16th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37212
• Sept. 1, 12-2 p.m. at Still Working Music Group: 1625 Broadway Nashville, TN 37203
Proceeds will go directly to the St. Jude music therapy program, which helps patients learn to express themselves and cope with their illnesses by writing and performing songs and discussing song lyrics.
Katie Dean Fills MCA Promo VP Role
/by Eric T. ParkerKatie Dean.
Katie Dean has been named Vice President, Promotion for MCA Records Nashville, replacing Van Haze who recently vacated the post.
Dean has dedicated the past ten years to UMG Nashville, with her most recent role being Vice President of Radio Marketing. She brings over two decades of experience, having held prior positions with AristoMedia, the CMA, Lyric Street Records and MediaBase.
“For 10 years now, Katie has established herself a critical part of our daily operations and strategy,” said Royce Risser UMG Nashville’s Senior Vice President of Promotion. “She has proven over and over that she is a fierce competitor, a tireless worker, and most importantly, a class act. I am thrilled to be handing her the reigns of MCA Promotion. I am more than confident that she will make an immediate impact and lead this staff into a great new era.”
“This roster is stacked with both country music legends and future superstars of the format, and I’m excited to continue MCA’s legacy of excellence with our team,” said Dean.
MCA Nashville is label home to Gary Allan, Clare Dunn, Vince Gill, Sam Hunt, Kip Moore, David Nail, George Strait and Josh Turner.
Marty Dodson Extends Deal with ole
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R) standing: Randall Foster (ole, Sr. Director, Creative Licensing), Emily Mueller (ole, Creative Manager), and Ben Strain (ole, Creative Director). Front (L-R): ole songwriter Marty Dodson and John Ozier (ole, GM Creative)
Marty Dodson has extended his publishing agreement with ole. Dodson signed with the company in 2010 as part of ole’s acquisition of the Blacktop Music Group and has penned several chart-toppers, including Billy Currington’s “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” (which spent two weeks at the top) and “Let Me Down Easy,” as well as Kenny Chesney’s “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven.”
The new agreement includes worldwide co-publishing rights for Dodson’s future songs and exclusive administration of his digital video rights.
“Marty has been an invaluable member of ole’s songwriting team since he came onboard with Blacktop Music, and we’re happy to continue that relationship,” said John Ozier, GM, Creative/Nashville for ole. “ole is dedicated to expanding our robust, worldwide catalog of top-shelf music, and songwriters like Marty who can both write great songs and provide guidance for our newer artists are crucial to the completion of that goal. We look forward to hearing what he comes up with next.”
“ole and Robert Ott are among the most visionary publishers in the world, and I’m excited to be a part of such a dynamic company,” said Dodson. “There is no place I would trust more to promote my music.”
Current ole writers include Rush, Timbaland, Tyler Farr, Josh Dorr, Gord Bamford, Brett Jones, Dave Turnbull, Jeremy Stover, and Dodson.