Among the events surrounding CMA Fest is Clay Walker’s annual Chords of Hope Benefit concert, which took place last night, June 10, at 3rd & Lindsley, to raise money for the Vanderbilt MS Center.
Photos: Bev Moser
Chapter 491
CHRIS YOUNG HOSTS FANS AT THE OPRY HOUSE
The CMA festival is a boat-load of fun, but you’ll put in some seriously long hours trying to take it all in.
On Wednesday (6/10), I began my day early, at the morning Chris Young fan-club gathering. More than 16 hours later, the post-CMT Awards events could keep you rocking into the night, if you let them.
Fan-club celebrations take place at just about every venue in Music City. Copying Carrie Underwood’s event for her faithful followers on Tuesday, Chris brought his fans to the Opry House.
“It’ll be hard to top this,” he told the attendees about the location. Chris probably could have filled the place, but he limited the crowd to 500. I’m told that’s how many he can meet and greet in two hours. Really? I’m impressed.
Before the party started, we gabbed with Cindy Hunt, Cindy Watts, Jim Catino, proud mama and Music Row businesswoman Becky Harris, George Walker IV, Tori Mason and Chris’s grandpa Richard Yates. Richard was a major influence, since he was a picker and singer who performed on The Louisiana Hayride and palled around with such stars as Marty Robbins. I loved listening to his stories.
Chris bantered with his band and chatted easily with the fans as he ran through a set that included a jaw-dropping, a capella rendition of the 1963 Marty Robbins classic “Begging to You.” Thanks to his grandfather, he’s known it all his life.
More surprising was a flawless interpretation of the 1962 Tony Bennett pop immortal “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” performed with simple piano accompaniment. Counterbalancing that was a sublimely country reading of Keith Whitley’s 1988 chart topper “When You Say Nothing At All.” Fear not, Chris also gave the fans “Getting’ You Home,” “Neon,” “Voices,” “Aw Naw,” “Lonely Eyes” and other hits of his own.
Next, organizers took fans in groups of 50 to get snapshots and autographs with Chris. Robert K. Oermann told Music Row stories to those remaining in the house to keep them engaged while they waited to meet their idol.
As you might expect, Chris’s fan club is dominantly female. During the Q&A session, one woman asked Oermann about radio not playing female artists. It was as if a bomb had been detonated. Suddenly, 400 ladies were loudly speaking out about this: These women are seriously pissed off. I wish every country radio programmer in America had been there. This is a major, major issue with the fans. I was stunned at vehemence of their opinions. They deeply resent radio assuming that they don’t want to hear female voices. I felt thoroughly validated, since I have always thought that to be the case.
Sam Hunt, RaeLynn and The Shires performed at the Country Weekly Kick-Off Party Powered by NASH in Nashville Tuesday (June 9) night at the Cannery Ballroom. The sold-out event benefited Musicians On Call. Pictured (L-R): Lisa Konicki (Editor-In-Chief, NASH Country Weekly), Jeff Meltesen (Pubisher, NASH Country Weekly), RaeLynn, Sam Hunt and Pete Griffin (President, Musicians On Call).
DOWN ON THE RIVERFRONT
Meanwhile, at Pinewood Social, the CMA’s Sarah Trahern was conferring with the Metro Nashville police force. Did you know that she also treats the street cops to a big breakfast the week before the fest to thank them for their tireless overtime work during the week?
Onward we went. We hit the Riverfront Stage downtown just in time to see and hear Canaan Smith be the inaugural artist of the fest. His hearty and soaring set baptised the stage’s all-afternoon show at 12:30 p.m.
The way this series of performances worked is with half-hour sets alternating with 15-minute acoustic segments on a mini-platform in front of the stage. So after Canaan finished, Jason Michelson turned in a soulful, intense set. You have to be a mighty man to take charge of a crowd with just your voice and guitar, and Jason rocked the joint.
Next, Parmalee was boistrous and raucous, with audio effects and a party-hearty attitude. “It’s CMA week: Are you guys ready to get this party started?!” exclaimed lead singer Matt Thomas. “Have a good time! When I say, ‘Good,’ you say, ‘Time.’” They did, and this led into the band’s stomping “Musta Had a Good Time” (which incorporated a snippet of Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country”).
The band concluded its set with its career-launching “Carolina.” This cleared the way for the clever songwriting of Annie Bosko. “You Look Like I Need a Drink” was a charmer. Again, I so admired these acoustic players who had to amuse and arouse the crowd without being up on the main stage.
I took in some of this action during lunch at the George Jones Museum. You see, its restaurant has big open windows that look directly out above the Riverfront stage. I ran into Patrick Clifford and Nancy Jones there, as well as some of the Chris Young fan-club folks.
The menu includes healthy salad fare and “normal” food, but I went with a totally-festival diet by ordering the bacon-wrapped hot dog covered in cheese sauce, plus crinkle-cut french fries. For those of you keeping score, this is my second straight day of weenie for lunch.
The Riverfront Stage rocked on into the afternoon. Among those booked for the fest’s first big show were Clare Dunn, Logan Mize, Blackjack Billy, Dallas Smith, Sundy Best and Old Dominion.
Emily Luxen, Jimmy Carter, Stephanie Langston, Big & Rich, Cowboy Troy, Cole Swindell, Hunter Hayes and The General Jackson showboat glided through.
After the CMT Awards at Bridgestone Arena, the Wildhorse Saloon hosted genial Johhny Lee and David Frizzell, at the “A Night With the Legends” concert. Also booked were Eddy Raven, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mickey Gilley, The Bellamy Brothers, Exile, Larry Gatlin, T. Graham Brown, Lee Greenwood, Larry Stewart, Marty Raybon and Tim Rushlow. So don’t come crying to me about not being able to find classic country sounds at this festival.
Also surrounding CMA Fest is the Stars For Second Harvest benefit at The Ryman. Pictured (L-R): Chris Carmack and Charles Esten at the show on June 9.
Abbey Adams Adds Senior Director Stripes At Sony/ATV
/by Lorie HollabaughAbbey Adams
Abbey Adams has been promoted to Senior Director/Creative at Sony/ATV. Adams joined the company in 2006 and began her publishing career at Blacktop Music in 2002. She is a graduate of MTSU.
“Abbey has proven to be a valuable asset both to our writers and our company,” said Troy Tomlinson, President/CEO of Sony/ATV Nashville. “Her love of songwriters and her passion for music make her an inspiring leader on our team.”
Bobby Karl Works CMA Fest: Chris Young Party, Riverfront Concerts
/by Bobby KarlAmong the events surrounding CMA Fest is Clay Walker’s annual Chords of Hope Benefit concert, which took place last night, June 10, at 3rd & Lindsley, to raise money for the Vanderbilt MS Center.
Photos: Bev Moser
Chapter 491
CHRIS YOUNG HOSTS FANS AT THE OPRY HOUSE
The CMA festival is a boat-load of fun, but you’ll put in some seriously long hours trying to take it all in.
On Wednesday (6/10), I began my day early, at the morning Chris Young fan-club gathering. More than 16 hours later, the post-CMT Awards events could keep you rocking into the night, if you let them.
Fan-club celebrations take place at just about every venue in Music City. Copying Carrie Underwood’s event for her faithful followers on Tuesday, Chris brought his fans to the Opry House.
“It’ll be hard to top this,” he told the attendees about the location. Chris probably could have filled the place, but he limited the crowd to 500. I’m told that’s how many he can meet and greet in two hours. Really? I’m impressed.
Before the party started, we gabbed with Cindy Hunt, Cindy Watts, Jim Catino, proud mama and Music Row businesswoman Becky Harris, George Walker IV, Tori Mason and Chris’s grandpa Richard Yates. Richard was a major influence, since he was a picker and singer who performed on The Louisiana Hayride and palled around with such stars as Marty Robbins. I loved listening to his stories.
Chris bantered with his band and chatted easily with the fans as he ran through a set that included a jaw-dropping, a capella rendition of the 1963 Marty Robbins classic “Begging to You.” Thanks to his grandfather, he’s known it all his life.
More surprising was a flawless interpretation of the 1962 Tony Bennett pop immortal “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” performed with simple piano accompaniment. Counterbalancing that was a sublimely country reading of Keith Whitley’s 1988 chart topper “When You Say Nothing At All.” Fear not, Chris also gave the fans “Getting’ You Home,” “Neon,” “Voices,” “Aw Naw,” “Lonely Eyes” and other hits of his own.
Next, organizers took fans in groups of 50 to get snapshots and autographs with Chris. Robert K. Oermann told Music Row stories to those remaining in the house to keep them engaged while they waited to meet their idol.
As you might expect, Chris’s fan club is dominantly female. During the Q&A session, one woman asked Oermann about radio not playing female artists. It was as if a bomb had been detonated. Suddenly, 400 ladies were loudly speaking out about this: These women are seriously pissed off. I wish every country radio programmer in America had been there. This is a major, major issue with the fans. I was stunned at vehemence of their opinions. They deeply resent radio assuming that they don’t want to hear female voices. I felt thoroughly validated, since I have always thought that to be the case.
Sam Hunt, RaeLynn and The Shires performed at the Country Weekly Kick-Off Party Powered by NASH in Nashville Tuesday (June 9) night at the Cannery Ballroom. The sold-out event benefited Musicians On Call. Pictured (L-R): Lisa Konicki (Editor-In-Chief, NASH Country Weekly), Jeff Meltesen (Pubisher, NASH Country Weekly), RaeLynn, Sam Hunt and Pete Griffin (President, Musicians On Call).
DOWN ON THE RIVERFRONT
Meanwhile, at Pinewood Social, the CMA’s Sarah Trahern was conferring with the Metro Nashville police force. Did you know that she also treats the street cops to a big breakfast the week before the fest to thank them for their tireless overtime work during the week?
Onward we went. We hit the Riverfront Stage downtown just in time to see and hear Canaan Smith be the inaugural artist of the fest. His hearty and soaring set baptised the stage’s all-afternoon show at 12:30 p.m.
The way this series of performances worked is with half-hour sets alternating with 15-minute acoustic segments on a mini-platform in front of the stage. So after Canaan finished, Jason Michelson turned in a soulful, intense set. You have to be a mighty man to take charge of a crowd with just your voice and guitar, and Jason rocked the joint.
Next, Parmalee was boistrous and raucous, with audio effects and a party-hearty attitude. “It’s CMA week: Are you guys ready to get this party started?!” exclaimed lead singer Matt Thomas. “Have a good time! When I say, ‘Good,’ you say, ‘Time.’” They did, and this led into the band’s stomping “Musta Had a Good Time” (which incorporated a snippet of Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country”).
The band concluded its set with its career-launching “Carolina.” This cleared the way for the clever songwriting of Annie Bosko. “You Look Like I Need a Drink” was a charmer. Again, I so admired these acoustic players who had to amuse and arouse the crowd without being up on the main stage.
I took in some of this action during lunch at the George Jones Museum. You see, its restaurant has big open windows that look directly out above the Riverfront stage. I ran into Patrick Clifford and Nancy Jones there, as well as some of the Chris Young fan-club folks.
The menu includes healthy salad fare and “normal” food, but I went with a totally-festival diet by ordering the bacon-wrapped hot dog covered in cheese sauce, plus crinkle-cut french fries. For those of you keeping score, this is my second straight day of weenie for lunch.
The Riverfront Stage rocked on into the afternoon. Among those booked for the fest’s first big show were Clare Dunn, Logan Mize, Blackjack Billy, Dallas Smith, Sundy Best and Old Dominion.
Emily Luxen, Jimmy Carter, Stephanie Langston, Big & Rich, Cowboy Troy, Cole Swindell, Hunter Hayes and The General Jackson showboat glided through.
After the CMT Awards at Bridgestone Arena, the Wildhorse Saloon hosted genial Johhny Lee and David Frizzell, at the “A Night With the Legends” concert. Also booked were Eddy Raven, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mickey Gilley, The Bellamy Brothers, Exile, Larry Gatlin, T. Graham Brown, Lee Greenwood, Larry Stewart, Marty Raybon and Tim Rushlow. So don’t come crying to me about not being able to find classic country sounds at this festival.
Also surrounding CMA Fest is the Stars For Second Harvest benefit at The Ryman. Pictured (L-R): Chris Carmack and Charles Esten at the show on June 9.
Carrie Underwood Is Big Winner At 2015 CMT Music Awards
/by Sarah SkatesCarrie Underwood at the CMT Music Awards. Photo: Bev Moser
The CMT Music Awards were presented tonight (June 10) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, airing live on CMT. Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow hosted the event.
Carrie Underwood was the leading nominee with five nominations. With her wins tonight, she has earned 13 CMT belt buckles throughout her career, more than any other artist in the show’s history.
Winners are determined by fan voting at CMT.com. Voting for most categories closed on Monday, June 8. Voting for Video of the Year was conducted throughout the live telecast (ET/CT only) to select the night’s big winner.
Read MusicRow‘s full coverage of the live event here.
Winners below in RED.
Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood, “Something In The Water,” Directed by Raj Kapoor
Dierks Bentley, “Drunk On A Plane,” Directed by Wes Edwards
Florida Georgia Line, “Dirt,” Directed by Nigel Dick
Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down,” Directed by Wes Edwards
Luke Bryan, “Play It Again,” Directed by Michael Monaco
Miranda Lambert w/ Carrie Underwood, “Somethin’ Bad,” Directed by Trey Fanjoy
Male Video of the Year
Dierks Bentley, “Drunk On A Plane”
Eric Church, “Talladega”
Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down”
Keith Urban, “Somewhere In My Car”
Kenny Chesney, “American Kids”
Luke Bryan, “Play It Again”
Female Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood, “Little Toy Guns”
Carrie Underwood, “Something In The Water”
Lee Ann Womack, “The Way I’m Livin'”
Miranda Lambert, “Little Red Wagon”
RaeLynn, “God Made Girls”
Reba, “Going Out Like That”
Group Video of the Year
A Thousand Horses, “Smoke”
Eli Young Band, “Dust”
Lady Antebellum, “Bartender”
Little Big Town, “Day Drinking”
The Band Perry, “Chainsaw”
Zac Brown Band, “All Alright”
Duo Video of the Year
Big & Rich, “Look At You”
Brothers Osborne, “Rum”
Florida Georgia Line, “Dirt”
Florida Georgia Line, “Sun Daze”
Maddie & Tae, “Girl In A Country Song”
The Swon Brothers, “Later On”
Breakthrough Video of the Year
Chase Rice, “Gonna Wanna Tonight”
Frankie Ballard, “Sunshine & Whiskey”
Kelsea Ballerini, “Love Me Like You Mean It”
Maddie & Tae, “Girl In A Country Song”
RaeLynn, “God Made Girls”
Sam Hunt, “Leave The Night On”
Collaborative Video of the Year
Blake Shelton Featuring Ashley Monroe, “Lonely Tonight”
Brantley Gilbert Featuring Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett, “Small Town Throwdown”
Jennifer Nettles Featuring Brandy Clark, “His Hands”
Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter, “Wild Child”
Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood, “Somethin’ Bad”
Tim McGraw Featuring Faith Hill, “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s”
CMT Performance of the Year
Bob Seger and Jason Aldean, “Turn The Page” (from CMT Crossroads)
Brett Eldredge, “Beat of the Music” (from CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party)
John Legend with Lee Ann Womack, “You and I (Nobody in the World)” (from CMT Crossroads)
Katy Perry with Kacey Musgraves, “Roar” (from CMT Crossroads)
Keith Urban, “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” (from CMT Artists of the Year)
Kenny Chesney, “American Kids” (from CMT Instant Jam)
Lady Antebellum and Aloe Blacc, “Wake Me Up” (from CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party)
Lady Antebellum and Chris Stapleton, “Drink A Beer” (from CMT Artists of the Year)
All Eyes (And Ears) On Tonight’s CMT Music Awards
/by Troy_StephensoniHeartMedia personalities and shows recently participated in exclusive radio remote broadcasts in Nashville. The Bobby Bones Show, CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, The Michael J Show, The Boxer Show, and The Crook & Chase Countdown interviewed award nominees and stars including Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, and more.
The show will be hosted by Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow and will include performances by Eric Church, Jake Owen, Sam Hunt, Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum and Luke Bryan.
TeliaSonera Invests $115 Million In Spotify
/by Troy_Stephenson“We have a long and great relationship with TeliaSonera and I’m pleased we’re able to take this to the next level together with this strategic partnership”, said Daniel Ek, CEO and Founder, Spotify.
Reports indicate the investment was part of a $526-million fundraising round, allowing Spotify to top $1 billion collected since its creation in 2008.
This deal follows the recent announcement that Apple will be launching a music streaming service expected to compete with Spotify.
Mutt Lang-Produced: Ashley Clark’s ‘Greyhound’ Leaves Station
/by Eric T. ParkerThe five-song collection is a taste of the upcoming full-length debut, produced by Mutt Lange over a two-year period.
Clark made his Grand Ole Opry debut last month (May 15) singing his single “Greyhound.” Co-written with brother Austin Clark, the official music video was shot in Los Angeles.
The Virginia-native is one of 11 children who previously toured as the Clark Family Experience. Ashley’s fiddle playing set him apart, finding him touring in Carrie Underwood‘s band before stepping out on his own with manager Simon Fuller (XIX Entertainment).
Ashley Clark – Upcoming Performances
6/18 – Fresno, CA @ KISS Country Summer Concert @ Rotary Amphitheatre
6/21 -Denver, CO @ Jackson’s All American Sports Grill – KWOF
7/4 – Greeley, CO @ Greeley Stampede (w/ Gary Allan and Jerrod Niemann)
7/5 – Los Angeles, CA @ Go Country 105 new artist series @ JW Marriott
Publishing Roundup: ole, Eleven Eleven, Big Loud Shirt, Music Row Admin Group
/by Lorie Hollabaughole Signs Geesbreght
ole has signed songwriter April Geesbreght to a worldwide publishing deal. Geesbreght penned Aaron Shust’s “My Hope Is in You,” which spent 14 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Christian chart. She has also penned pop, country, and children’s songs in addition to tracks for TV and film. She is currently writing with Lauren Alaina and Cassadee Pope and several other artists for their upcoming projects.
(L-R): Back: Randall Foster (ole Sr. Director, Creative Licensing), John Ozier (ole GM, Creative), Shellien Kinsey (ole Creative Coordinator), and Ben Strain (ole Creative Director). Front: ole songwriter April Geesbreght and Emily Mueller (ole Creative Manager)
Max T. Barnes Inks With Eleven Eleven
Max T. Barnes has inked an exclusive agreement with Eleven Eleven Publishing. Barnes’ penned tunes include Collin Raye’s “Love, Me,” Diamond Rio’s “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” Randy Travis’ “Before You Kill Us All,” and many others. Barnes joins a stable of writers at Eleven Eleven that includes Nathan Bell, Doug Gill, Angela Kaset, Charley Stefl and Wendy Waldman.
(L-R): Eleven Eleven’s Jason Morris and Jewel Coburn, Max T. Barnes and BMI’s Perry Howard
Big Loud Shirt celebrates Rodney Clawson Milestone
With a spread that included party favors and a large gold cake, Big Loud Shirt celebrated writer Rodney Clawson’s 20th #1 single, “Sippin’ On Fire” this Monday (6/8).
Music Row Administrators Celebrates Sixteen Years
The Music Row Administrators Group is celebrating its 16th anniversary June 18 at 1:00 p.m. with a luncheon in the ASCAP First Floor Conference Room. Attendees should bring their own lunch for the party, (brown bag or take-out), but drinks and an anniversary cake will be provided for the celebration.
Founded in 1999 by Shirley Hutchins and the late Peggy Bradley, the group began as an informal, monthly, brown bag lunch meeting to discuss new use license requests, complicated changing royalty issues and assist the small band of indie publishers and administrators with questions.
Opry Kicks Off CMA Fest With Stars… And Schwarzenegger
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Grand Ole Opry kicked off CMA Fest week with a packed Tuesday night show. Grand Ole Opry members Carrie Underwood, Bill Anderson, and Del McCoury along with Billy Currington, Easton Corbin, Scotty McCreery, Mickey Guyton, and Mo Pitney all hit the historic stage during the evening, with surprise backstage guests Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Arnold watching from the wings.
The music kicked off early in the afternoon with a free Opry Plaza Party featuring Tyler Farr and Mo Pitney. Underwood launched her CMA Music Festival week of appearances with a return to the Opry stage, and had her official fan club party at the Opry as well. Scheduled artists on the Opry stage later this week include Charles Esten, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Mickey Gilley, Chris Janson, Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, Mel Tillis, Josh Turner, Clay Walker.
In addition to Friday and Saturday night performances, the Opry will offer a special matinee at the Ryman Auditorium Saturday at 3 p.m. Additionally, Opry artists including Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, and members of ABC’s Nashville cast are scheduled for autograph signings downtown at Opry Originals and the Ryman Auditorium.
Photos: Chris Hollo.
Carrie Underwood
Tyler Farr
Mickey Guyton
Tom Arnold and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Weekly Register: Debuts By Willie & Merle, Billy Currington, Gloriana
/by Sarah SkatesAlso on the country album chart, Billy Currington’s Summer Forever debuted at No. 3 with 21K. Gloriana entered at No. 13 with Three selling 4.5K.
Willie and Merle 31K
Zac Brown Band 23K
Billy Currington 21K
Sam Hunt 14K
Brantley Gilbert 9.9K
Top 5 Country Tracks this week
Little Big Town “Girl Crush” 71K
Luke Bryan “Kick The Dust Up” 58K
Sam Hunt “Take Your Time” 51K
Blake Shelton “Sangria” 44K
Eric Church “Like A Wrecking Ball” 31K
On the overall albums chart, Florence & The Machine debuted at No. 1 with How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful selling 137K (128k album only). And on the overall tracks chart, Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” holds onto the No. 1 spot, selling 161K.
Overall -3.6%
Country -9.8%
YTD Singles
Overall -10.3%
Country -16.2%
*according to Nielsen Soundscan
Ashley Monroe Slays Hearts During Live Album Preview
/by Eric T. ParkerAshley Monroe and band. Photo: Yahoo!
With a cream pantsuit jacket contrasting the steel and mahogany strapped around her shoulder last night (June 9), Ashley Monroe broke a few hearts at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley.
Her wedding diamond sparkled on her hand, cautioning too affectionate admirers, while her songs told a similar story of heartache and desire.
With an easy saunter in snakeskin ankle boots, she took the mic and introduced “I Buried Your Love Alive,” a song from her forthcoming Vince Gill and Justin Niebank produced sophomore effort, available July 24 via Warner Bros.
“I love sad songs,” proclaimed Monroe. “Makes you feel stuff, don’t it?”
She toured through her Pistol Annies days, performing “Unhappily Married” and the No. 1 “Heart Like Mine,” co-written with best friend Miranda Lambert.
A five-member band, complete with stand-up bass, backed her on new material including “If The Devil Don’t Want Me,” “Bombshell,” “Winning Streak,” and “Mayflowers.”
“Here’s a fast song, get ready,” teased the 28-year-old talent, introducing her upbeat single “On To Something Good.” She continued with outstanding new titles, including the easy ride of “If Love Was Fair,” and “The Blade,” a freshly-written perspective on a broken heart.
Longtime manager John Grady ushered Monroe back to the stage for an encore of “Weed Instead of Roses” and an acoustic finale of “Hickory Wind.”
The evening was professionally recorded, and broadcast live by Yahoo!