At CMA World GlobaLive! trophies were presented to event host Morgan Evans, who received the CMA Global Country Artist Award, and CMA Board member and CEO of Big Machine Label Group Scott Borchetta, who received the Jo Walker-Meador International Award. (L-R): Frank Bumstead, Chairman Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy, Inc. and CMA Board Chairman; Scott Borchetta; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Rob Potts, CEO and Manager Director of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, and CMA International Committee Vice Chairman; Jeff Walker, CEO/Founder of AristoMedia, CMA World GlobaLive! Executive Producer, and CMA Board member; David Ross, President of BossRoss Media and CMA Board member; and Morgan Evans. Photo: John Russell / CMA
Chapter 490
Day Two of the CMA Music Festival week echoed Day One with its even mix of industry schmoozathons and fan events.
NATD PICNIC
The Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) launched a new Fan Fair tradition by staging a picnic in the pavilion at Fannie Mae Dees Park (you probably call it “Dragon Park,” like the rest of us). At noon on Tuesday (6/9), its members and their guests gathered to share traditional fixin’s such as hot dogs, coleslaw, baked beans, barbecue, potato salad, pickles, chips and cookies.
Several artists were there, including singer-songwriter Randi Perkins, Saturday Night Live alumnus Victoria Jackson, Moore & Moore (agents as well as singers) and Opryland veterans Russ & Becky Jeffers, who now work for Hemphill Coaches.
“We are artists as well as professional hot-dog cookers,” proclaimed the bespectacled duo The Professor & The Bull. They were, indeed, the picnic’s frankfurter preparers. And are highly entertaining as an act.
Bonnie Sugarman, Dick Beecham, Ray Shelide, Bob Battle, Shelly Mullins, Dave Barton, Marge Bell, Travis Wolf, Annette Clark, Rod Harris, Dan Wunsch, Robert Williams and Fred Vail were among those working the room.
Attendee Ed Salamon has a new book, Pittsburgh’s Golden Age of Rock & Roll. So does NATD member Dean Unkefer of Special Promotions. His is a novel titled 90 Church: The True Story of the Narcotics Squad From Hell. Universal Pictures has picked up the movie rights for it. Wow—from the Colgate Country Showdown to Hollywood in one easy step.
NATD president Steve Tolman announced that the 57-year-old organization’s annual gala will be held on Nov. 10 this year. During the next 30 days, the group will be choosing its honorees. So if you have any suggestions, give Tolman a ring at LogiCom.
Past banquets have saluted Charlie Daniels, George Jones, TV’s Demetria Kalodimos, the Symphony’s Alan Valentine, Martina McBride, Alabama, Michael W. Smith, top agents and managers, sports figures, politicians and more. This year will be the fifth annual NATD Honors gala.
CMA WORLD GLOBALIVE
Meanwhile, downtown, the Festival fans gathered at Walk of Fame Park for a Tuesday afternoon of music. This was the rescheduled “CMA World GlobaLive!” concert. It had been rained out on Monday.
Above the stage hung the flags of the participating countries—Australia, Brazil, Ireland, The Netherlands, Britain, New Zealand and Canada. I heard a spirited set by the rockin’ Dutch outlaw-bluegrass band Stringcaster.
The sun was shining brightly. The humidity was at the usual CMA Fest level. A respectably sized crowd of a couple hundred lounged on the grass, on hammocks scattered throughout the lawn, on the walls flanking the park and on comfortable lawn furniture beneath a large green shade tent.
These artists, who have come so far to participate in CMA Fest, were greeted with enthusiastic applause. It must be quite an experience for them.
The Netherlands sent us Femke as well as Stringcaster. Brazil’s entry was a group called Indiana. From Canada came MacKenzie Porter and The Lovelocks. The Shires and Ward-Thomas represented the U.K. and Ireland. The New Zealand and Australian acts were The Adam Eckersley Band, Cam Luxton, Mickey Pye and show host Morgan Evans.
In the evening, the industry reclaimed the spotlight. Warner Bros. Records took over 3rd & Lindsley to showcase the forthcoming second album by the divine Ashley Monroe. She topped the charts dueting with Blake Shelton on “Lonely Tonight.” Now, please, let it be her turn to shine as a solo female country star.
On Lower Broadway later that night, Kenny Chesney and Florida Georgia Line delighted fans with their outdoor rehearsals for the CMT Awards. These superstar soundchecks were totally free. So are their televised performances from the Broadway stage on Wednesday night during the awards. The rest of the CMT stars will be performing in front of a sold-out audience in Bridgestone Arena.
Sammy Kershaw Releases First New Country Album In 5 Years
/by Troy_StephensonSammy Kershaw has released his first album of new country material in five years called, I Won’t Back Down. It was released through Cleopatra Records and produced by Kershaw.
The Louisiana native’s career spans three decades and includes a list of radio hits in the ’90s.
“The fans have waited for a while. Hell, I’ve waited for a while,” says Kershaw. “At our shows, or wherever we go, people keep asking for new music. I’m glad to have a new record coming their way.”
Track list for I Won’t Back Down:
1. Take A Letter Maria
2. Lay Back Down
3. Grillin’ and Chillin’
4. Fixer Upper
5. Groove
6. I Won’t Back Down
7. I Had To Give That Up Too
8. I Can’t Wait To Waste A Little Time
9. Send In The Rodeo Clowns
10. Don’t Move
11. Why You Wanna Do Me This Way
12. Let’s Lay Here Forever
Bobby Karl Works Music Fest: CMA World GlobaLive! And NATD Picnic
/by Bobby KarlAt CMA World GlobaLive! trophies were presented to event host Morgan Evans, who received the CMA Global Country Artist Award, and CMA Board member and CEO of Big Machine Label Group Scott Borchetta, who received the Jo Walker-Meador International Award. (L-R): Frank Bumstead, Chairman Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy, Inc. and CMA Board Chairman; Scott Borchetta; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Rob Potts, CEO and Manager Director of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, and CMA International Committee Vice Chairman; Jeff Walker, CEO/Founder of AristoMedia, CMA World GlobaLive! Executive Producer, and CMA Board member; David Ross, President of BossRoss Media and CMA Board member; and Morgan Evans. Photo: John Russell / CMA
Chapter 490
Day Two of the CMA Music Festival week echoed Day One with its even mix of industry schmoozathons and fan events.
NATD PICNIC
The Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) launched a new Fan Fair tradition by staging a picnic in the pavilion at Fannie Mae Dees Park (you probably call it “Dragon Park,” like the rest of us). At noon on Tuesday (6/9), its members and their guests gathered to share traditional fixin’s such as hot dogs, coleslaw, baked beans, barbecue, potato salad, pickles, chips and cookies.
Several artists were there, including singer-songwriter Randi Perkins, Saturday Night Live alumnus Victoria Jackson, Moore & Moore (agents as well as singers) and Opryland veterans Russ & Becky Jeffers, who now work for Hemphill Coaches.
“We are artists as well as professional hot-dog cookers,” proclaimed the bespectacled duo The Professor & The Bull. They were, indeed, the picnic’s frankfurter preparers. And are highly entertaining as an act.
Bonnie Sugarman, Dick Beecham, Ray Shelide, Bob Battle, Shelly Mullins, Dave Barton, Marge Bell, Travis Wolf, Annette Clark, Rod Harris, Dan Wunsch, Robert Williams and Fred Vail were among those working the room.
Attendee Ed Salamon has a new book, Pittsburgh’s Golden Age of Rock & Roll. So does NATD member Dean Unkefer of Special Promotions. His is a novel titled 90 Church: The True Story of the Narcotics Squad From Hell. Universal Pictures has picked up the movie rights for it. Wow—from the Colgate Country Showdown to Hollywood in one easy step.
NATD president Steve Tolman announced that the 57-year-old organization’s annual gala will be held on Nov. 10 this year. During the next 30 days, the group will be choosing its honorees. So if you have any suggestions, give Tolman a ring at LogiCom.
Past banquets have saluted Charlie Daniels, George Jones, TV’s Demetria Kalodimos, the Symphony’s Alan Valentine, Martina McBride, Alabama, Michael W. Smith, top agents and managers, sports figures, politicians and more. This year will be the fifth annual NATD Honors gala.
CMA WORLD GLOBALIVE
Meanwhile, downtown, the Festival fans gathered at Walk of Fame Park for a Tuesday afternoon of music. This was the rescheduled “CMA World GlobaLive!” concert. It had been rained out on Monday.
Above the stage hung the flags of the participating countries—Australia, Brazil, Ireland, The Netherlands, Britain, New Zealand and Canada. I heard a spirited set by the rockin’ Dutch outlaw-bluegrass band Stringcaster.
The sun was shining brightly. The humidity was at the usual CMA Fest level. A respectably sized crowd of a couple hundred lounged on the grass, on hammocks scattered throughout the lawn, on the walls flanking the park and on comfortable lawn furniture beneath a large green shade tent.
These artists, who have come so far to participate in CMA Fest, were greeted with enthusiastic applause. It must be quite an experience for them.
The Netherlands sent us Femke as well as Stringcaster. Brazil’s entry was a group called Indiana. From Canada came MacKenzie Porter and The Lovelocks. The Shires and Ward-Thomas represented the U.K. and Ireland. The New Zealand and Australian acts were The Adam Eckersley Band, Cam Luxton, Mickey Pye and show host Morgan Evans.
In the evening, the industry reclaimed the spotlight. Warner Bros. Records took over 3rd & Lindsley to showcase the forthcoming second album by the divine Ashley Monroe. She topped the charts dueting with Blake Shelton on “Lonely Tonight.” Now, please, let it be her turn to shine as a solo female country star.
On Lower Broadway later that night, Kenny Chesney and Florida Georgia Line delighted fans with their outdoor rehearsals for the CMT Awards. These superstar soundchecks were totally free. So are their televised performances from the Broadway stage on Wednesday night during the awards. The rest of the CMT stars will be performing in front of a sold-out audience in Bridgestone Arena.
Kicking Off Summer Tours: Toby Keith, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley
/by Lorie HollabaughToby Keith Shares Good Times In Phoenix
Toby Keith kicked off his Good Times and Pickup Lines Tour last weekend in Phoenix, where he visited with some radio and industry friends. Keith’s latest single “35 mph Town,” was just released, and Keith will be honored for his songwriting at his upcoming induction into the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame June 18 in New York City.
Pictutred (L-R) Front row: KTOM/Jim Pearson, Show Dog Nashville’s Lisa Owen, KTOM/Sam Segovia, KSJO/Mac Daniels, KRTY/Jamie Jackson, KRTY/Tina Ferguson, her friend, Apple/iTunes Madison Hanten & friend
(L-R) Back row: Show Dog Nashville Rick Moxley, iTunes/Beats Music Ken Tucker, Toby Keith, KRTY/Nate Deaton, manager TK Kimbrell, UMG friend, UMG’s Jerry Suarez
Luke Bryan Kicks Up Some Denver Dust
Luke Bryan kicked up plenty of dust at the first of his seven stadium concerts last Saturday night at Denver’s Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Bryan performed for a crowd of 50,000 at the sold-out opener of his Kick Up The Dust Tour, where he was joined by Randy Houser, Dustin Lynch, Florida Georgia Line, and Thomas Rhett.
Pictured (L-R) Randy Houser, Dustin Lynch, Luke Bryan, Tyler Hubbard & Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line, and Thomas Rhett
Dierks Celebrates The Sounds Of Summer On New Tour
Dierks Bentley launched his Sounds Of Summer Tour last weekend to capacity crowds at amphitheaters in Raleigh on June 5 and Cleveland on June 6. Bentley is celebrating summer in a big way on the new tour with fireworks, crowd surfing, beer shotgunning, a satellite stage jutting out into the audience, a custom-built, wave-shaped video wall, and performances by openers Kip Moore, Canaan Smith, and Maddie and Tae.
Dierks Bentley
CMT Premieres Five Original Documentaries, Airing As Soon As Saturday
/by Eric T. ParkerThree will premiere throughout the year including Saturday’s (June 13) Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley’s. Details below for additional titles including Morgan Spurlock Presents Freedom! The Movie and Johnny Cash: American Rebel. Next year, CMT will release American Bandit: The Birth of Southern Cool and Chicken People.
“CMT has assembled an eclectic mix of award-winning and critically acclaimed filmmakers to develop original documentaries spanning a wide array of subjects that will instantly resonate with our core audience and beyond,” said Jayson Dinsmore, EVP Development and Programming, CMT.
CMT’s Original Documentary Film Slate:
From the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy nominated producers and directors of the ESPN 30 for 30 film Pony Excess which debuted as the highest-rated documentary in network history and the Emmy-nominated The Marinovich Project, comes Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley’s. The two-hour documentary delves into the phenomenon sparked by the 1980 film Urban Cowboy—when country music found itself in vogue nationally for the first time in history and features new interviews with John Travolta, Mickey Gilley and Scott Glenn. The documentary, which coincides with the 35th anniversary of the release of the iconic film Urban Cowboy, tells the boom and bust story of the Texas-sized phenomenon and the honky-tonk that inspired it. Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley’s is produced by ten100 Productions, with John Dorsey and Andrew Stephan as executive producers and John Dorsey as director. Jayson Dinsmore, Lewis Bogach and John Miller-Monzon executive produce for CMT.
Billy Wayne Davis
Morgan Spurlock Presents Freedom! The Movie (July 11 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT)
From Academy Award and Emmy-nominated filmmaker/executive producer Morgan Spurlock comes Freedom! The Movie. This epic two-hour film explores the idea of independence and whether we’re all still truly liberated in today’s America. Equal parts comedic and irreverent, intrepid hero and freedom-loving host comedian Billy Wayne Davis traverses the country on a quest to find Americans exercising their God-given freedoms, no matter the cost. Because freedom isn’t free, even with a Groupon. Freedom! The Movie is produced by Warrior Poets, with Morgan Spurlock, Jeremy Chilnick and Ethan Goldman as executive producers. Jayson Dinsmore, Lewis Bogach and John Miller-Monzon executive produce for CMT.
Johnny Cash: American Rebel (September 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT)
The two hour documentary is a celebration of the larger-than-life Johnny Cash from the unique perspective of the Man in Black’s greatest songs, with the film being built around the 10 greatest Johnny Cash tracks, the “essentials”. Each song brings to life a chapter in the story of America from the 1950s to modern day, as we tour the life of music and artistic expression of one of music’s most storied talents. Through his music, Cash was ahead of his time in fighting against war, injustice, racism and prejudice. Johnny Cash: American Rebel will deliver the passion, musicality and messages of Cash’s 10 most iconic songs, recorded over four decades. Combining cinematically filmed original interviews with Johnny Cash’s family and friends including John Carter Cash, Rosanne Cash, Eric Church, Rodney Crowell, Sheryl Crow, Merle Haggard, Johnny Western and Clive Davis, and a broad array of international superstars from the music and entertainment industries, along with a soundtrack of Cash’s most famous songs, archival concert footage, classic photographs, family snapshots and personal artifacts from the Cash family, Johnny Cash: American Rebel is an epic tribute to this gifted artist, fighter of causes, and legendary entertainer. Derik Murray and Paul Gertz from Network Entertainment executive produce. Jayson Dinsmore, Lewis Bogach and John Miller-Monzon executive produce for CMT.
American Bandit: The Birth of Southern Cool (Released 2016)
A buddy movie about a buddy movie, American Bandit: The Birth of Southern Cool
tells the inside story of the making of one of the most iconic and influential films of the 1970s, Smokey & the Bandit. The documentary explores how two friends, Hal Needham, a legendary stuntman turned first-time director, and Burt Reynolds, the biggest movie star in the world, found blockbuster success with an unlikely story about a truck full of beer, shattered cinematic stereotypes and redefined Southern pride. New interviews include Reynolds, Ron White and Tony Stewart. The two-hour documentary is produced by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine. Jayson Dinsmore, Lewis Bogach and John Miller-Monzon executive produce for CMT
Chicken People (Released 2016)
CMT is teaming up with Emmy Award-winning Motto Pictures and Emmy nominated director Nicole Lucas Haimes for Chicken People, a two-hour documentary takes a look at the colorful and hugely competitive world of champion show chicken breeders. A real life “Best in Show” but about chickens, the film follows the struggles and triumphs of both humans and their chickens on the road to compete at the Ohio National Poultry Show, considered the Westminster of Chickens. Chicken People is produced by Motto Pictures and Haimes Film, with Julie Goldman, Caroline Kaplan, Chris Clements, and Terry Leonard producing. Nicole Lucas Haimes executive produces and Jayson Dinsmore, Lewis Bogach and John Miller-Monzon executive produce for CMT.
Montgomery Gentry Releases First Album In Three Years
/by Troy_StephensonMontgomery Gentry latest album, Folks Like Us, was released today (June 9). The Michael Knox produced album is the first for the duo in over three years and the first with Blaster Records.
“I know every artist thinks their latest album is the best thing they’ve ever done, but Eddie and I really feel that this might be our best work,” offers Gentry. “It immediately feels like a Montgomery Gentry record, but I don’t think we’ve ever had this many truly incredible songs to work with. We know each other so well at this point and Michael Knox just understands us. Every song is something we can relate to on some level, big or small. Maybe that’s what makes this record so strong to us.”
The title track is also the first single and the video can be seen on CMT, CMT Pure Country and GAC.
The duo will be in Nashville this week for CMA Fest. On Wednesday, they will join Sirius XM’s The Highway host Storme Warren in studio and then will sign copies of their new CD, at the Opry Originals store and Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville.
On Thursday, they will perform on the CMA Music Festival Riverfront Stage in downtown Nashville and will then host the MG Underground Fan Club Party.
Gibson Marks Les Paul’s 100th Birthday With $100,000 Initiative At Belmont University
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): Henry Juszkiewicz and Les Paul
Gibson Brands is providing a $100,000 fund to Belmont University in honor of Les Paul, whose 100th birthday would have been today, June 9. “The Les Paul Music Innovation Award” (powered by Gibson) salutes the life and contributions of Les Paul by providing annual funds to students and faculty of Belmont’s Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.
“Les’ life and name are synonymous with talent, quality and creativity,” commented Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman/CEO, Gibson Brands. “To honor his legacy of being one of the best music innovators of all time, we are assisting the future generations of Belmont music students and faculty with their dreams.”
Les Paul was born on June 9, 1915 and became an internationally celebrated jazz, country and blues guitarist, songwriter, luthier and inventor. He is widely considered to be the single most important figure in the mass popularization of the solid-body electric guitar and is perhaps best known today for the iconic instrument he designed, the Gibson Les Paul electric guitar. He is also credited with developing many modern-day recording innovations including overdubbing, tape delay, phasing effects and multitrack recording and his innovative talents in design, songwriting and guitar playing continue to influence modern day guitarists across the world in nearly every genre of music. Among his many honors, Paul is the only person to be included in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Laura Bell Bundy Releases ‘Another Piece Of Me’ Today
/by Lorie HollabaughBundy will celebrate the release this week with an appearance at tomorrow’s CMT Awards and a performance at the CMA Music Festival Belk Stage Park on Friday, June 12.
Bundy has been writing since the age of 14, and co-wrote or co-produced more than half the songs on the album.
TRACK LISTING:
1. “Love Me Like A Lady” – Laura Bell Bundy, Jerry Flowers, Chris DeStefano
2. “Two Step (ft. Colt Ford)” – Laura Bell Bundy, Andy Davis, Colt Ford, Lance Kotara, Adam McInnis, Bryan Ray
3. “Happy Yet” – David Frasier, Craig Wiseman
4. “She Only Wants To Dance” – Jerry Flowers, Ashley Gorley
5. “China And Wine” – Laura Bell Bundy, Leah Crutchfield, Natalie Hemby
6. “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” – Laura Bell Bundy, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
7. “I Am What I Am” – Caitlyn Smith, Gordie Sampson, Troy Verges
8. “That’s What Angels Do” – Michael Dulaney, John Mabe, Jason Sellers
9. “Making Me Feel” – Laura Bell Bundy, Patrick Davis, Jerry Flowers
10. “Kentucky Dirty” – busbee, Barry Dean, Laura Bell Bundy
11. “Give My Broken Heart A Break” – Laura Bell Bundy, Jay DeMarcus, Jason Sellers
12. “Maps Out The Window” – Sarah Buxton, Nathan Chapman, Blair Daly
13. “Missin’ Me Yet” – Laura Bell Bundy, Derek George, Tim Owens
14. “Another Piece Of Me” – Laura Bell Bundy, Kristian Bush, Blair Daly
15. “Wait Until The Sun Goes Down” – Angelo Petraglia, Hillary Lindsey, Ashley Monroe
Free Beer, Courtesy of Blake Shelton
/by Lorie HollabaughShelton has teamed with Bud Light to offer “Beers On Blake!” at more than a dozen downtown bars where a limited supply of cold ones will be on ice and koozies and T-shirts will also be handed out.
“I’m sorry I’m not able to make it to the festival this year but I will be with you in spirits,” said Shelton.
Fans will still have plenty of opportunities to see Shelton at fairs and festivals this summer and hear him sing the praises of another libation, “Sangria,” as his single races toward the top of the charts. In the meantime fans can share a virtual cheers with Blake by uploading pics of the festivities with the hashtag #YourVoiceofChoice and tag Shelton.
TIDAL To Host Jason Aldean Acoustic Show At Acme
/by Lorie HollabaughJason Aldean
Music streaming service TIDAL is hosting a rare, intimate Jason Aldean acoustic show Thursday, June 11 at 4 p.m. for fans at Acme Feed & Seed on Broadway. Users of the service helmed by Jay Z had the opportunity to enter to win tickets to attend the event.
“TIDAL X: Jason Aldean” will be live-streamed on www.tidal.com for TIDAL members. Non-members wishing to view the performance can sign up for a free one-month trial. Video footage will be available on demand following the concert.
TIDAL is the first high fidelity, lossless music streaming service with 30 million tracks, 75,000 music videos, and expert editorial from music journalists. The platform is available in over 40 countries in two monthly pricing tiers, the premium tier at $9.99 and the HiFi tier at $19.99.
WMN Teams With Uber For CMA Fest Experience
/by Sarah SkatesClick to see everything Warner has planned this week.
Warner Music Nashville and Uber have teamed up to create a unique experience for fans attending CMA Fest. “UberCOUNTRY,” an in-app option within the Uber platform, will appear in the app slider when fans request pick up in downtown Nashville.
UberCOUNTRY, in partnership with Warner Music Nashville and My Country Nation, will give fans access to sold out events, exclusive merch, playlists, and maybe even the opportunity to ride with a special VIP guest.
“We’re excited to provide CMAfest fans with surprise experiences and access to our artists events through this partnership,” said Jeremy Holley, SVP Consumer & Interactive Marketing at WMN.
Follow the hashtags #UberCOUNTRY and #WMNUber throughout the week.