NEWS - Page 2914 of 4482

Dixie Chicks Return to Road for European Tour

June 18, 2015/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Dixie Chicks

The Dixie Chicks are launching a European tour next year that will hit six venues in Amsterdam, the UK, and Scotland running from April 20-May 4. Ironically the tour will bring the trio back together in London just down the road from Shepherd’s Bush, the site of Maines’ polarizing remarks against former President Bush and the Iraq war 12 years ago.

On their first tour since 2013’s Long Time Gone Tour, the Chicks will play the Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall, Birmingham Barclaycard Arena, Manchester Arena, London The 02, Glasgow The SSE Hydro, and the Dublin 3 Arena.

The band’s last project, Taking The Long Way, was released in 2006, and earned five Grammys, including Album of the Year. They have since released separate projects with Natalie Maines releasing a solo rock effort in 2013 and sisters Emily Robison Strayer and Martie McGuire releasing several CDs as the Court Yard Hounds.

DIXIE CHICKS TOUR DATES
April 20, 2016 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Heineken Music Hall
April 29, 2016 – Birmingham, United Kingdom – Barclaycard Arena
April 30, 2016 – Manchester, United Kingdom – Arena
May 1, 2016 – London, United Kingdom – The 02
May 3, 2016 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – The SSE Hydro
May 4, 2016 – Dublin, Ireland – 3 Arena

The Cadillac Three’s Debut: A ‘White Lightning’ Experience

June 18, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Pictured (L-R): Kelby Ray, Neil Mason and Jaren Johnston

Big Machine’s The Cadillac Three debuted the video for “White Lightning” this week at Nashville’s Adventure Science Center. The video was shot in Nashville and directed by David McClister.

Singer/songwriter and TC3 lead vocalist Jaren Johnston decided to feature his wife, Evyn Johnston, as the leading lady in the video.

In addition to the video debut, radio winners and industry guests were treated to a short set of live music from Johnston and bandmates Kelby Ray and Neil Mason. Taking advantage of being in a science center, they were appropriately accompanied by “a thunderstorm and flashes of lightning.”

To watch the video for “White Lightning,” click here.

Pictured (L-R): Director David McClister, TC3’s Neil Mason, Kelby Ray, Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta, TC3’s Jaren Johnston, Evyn Johnston, WSIX’s Kimsey Kerr and
Big Machine Records SVP Promotion Jack Purcell
Photo: Seth Hellman

Warner/Chappell Signs Lady Antebellum

June 18, 2015/by Kelsey_Grady

Picture (L-R): Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley

Warner/Chappell Music announced today that it has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Grammy Award-winning group Lady Antebellum. The deal brings all three hit songwriters, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, and Hillary Scott to Warner/Chappell, which will represent the majority of the Lady Antebellum catalog.

The trio has co-written the vast majority of Lady Antebellum’s songs, including “I Run to You,” “Need You Now,” and “Bartender.” Beyond their own material, Haywood and Kelley have co-written songs for a number of notable recording artists, including Luke Bryan’s “Do I,” which landed at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, as well as Miranda Lambert’s “Love Song” and Hunter Hayes’ “Better Than This.” Kelly also co-wrote Darius Rucker’s No. 1 hit, “Homegrown Honey.” Scott co-wrote Sara Evans’ No. 1, “A Little Bit Stronger.”

Collectively, the members of Lady Antebellum have earned an extraordinary number of accolades, including seven Grammy Awards, seven CMA Awards, four American Music Awards and eight ACM Awards, among many others. They have earned nine No. 1 singles on the Billboard charts and sold more than 11 million albums worldwide.

“The first charted hit written by Dave, Charles, and Hillary was in 2007 and just a few short years later their body of work is impressive on a global scale,” said Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. “Their music touches fans all over the world and besides their impressive work as Lady Antebellum they have received numerous songwriting awards including being recognized as NMPA’s Songwriter Icon Award winner this year. The W/C family takes great pride welcoming back these amazing songwriters and people.”

“We’ve worked with Warner/Chappell before and are so happy to have them on our team once again,” said Kelley. “Ben and the entire Nashville group are a talented bunch of publishers, and we’re grateful for the care and attention that they pay to our music.”

NASH TV Coming To Smart TVs, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast

June 18, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Cumulus Media is expanding NASH TV through a partnership with Qello Concerts, the worldwide leader in streaming long-form concert films on demand.

Qello Concerts will feature NASH TV’s original content across its worldwide OTT streaming platform. It will be available via web access, smart TVs (Samsung, Sony), Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, PlayStation, XBOX, Google Chromecast, and mobile devices (iOS, Android, Windows).

NASH TV features original content based on the country lifestyle including NASH Nights Live, Grits & Hits, America’s Morning Show, and Real Live Performances. Many of this content is recorded at the NASH campus in Nashville.

The growing NASH brand includes dozens of country radio stations, NASH Country Weekly magazine, concerts/events, online and TV content, the NASH Icon joint venture with Big Machine Label Group and the upcoming NASH Next talent competition.

Dolly Parton Plans First Nashville Concert in More Than A Decade

June 18, 2015/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton will perform a benefit concert on July 31 at the Ryman Auditorium. The show will be the first full concert she has headlined in Nashville in 12 years.

Proceeds will go to the Dustin Wells Foundation to benefit the W.O. Smith Music School. Wells was killed in a car accident in 2005 and his family set up a foundation in his memory to help enrich the lives of other youngsters.

Tickets to the Gift Of Music concert, “Dolly Parton: Pure and Simple,” are $55 and $85 and will be available beginning June 20 online at www.ryman.com. A limited selection of VIP packages will also be available at www.dustinwellsgiftofmusic.com.

“The ‘Gift of Music’ is something that runs deep within my kin folks,” says Parton. “I love and cherish The Ryman and I am really excited to perform there to help raise money for the Dustin Wells Foundation. This goes to help many young kids that are part of the W.O. Smith School of Music. Through all of us working together we can make a difference in helping a child feel the magic in making music.”

Previous artists who have performed and donated their time to the Dustin Wells Foundation include Ronnie Dunn, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Peter Cetera, Peter Frampton, and many more.

Parton is also scheduled to perform four sold-out shows at Dollywood on Aug. 8 and 9 to benefit her own Imagination Library.

DisClaimer: ‘Riser’ Has Inspiration And Uplift In Every Note

June 18, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

All it takes is one record to turn that frown upside down.

This was an extremely lackluster listening session. Until I heard a real sound. For me, today, that one record was/is “Riser” by Dierks Bentley. It sounded as good to me, if not better, than it did when I first listened to his album. This is unquestionably the Disc of the Day.

This week’s DisCovery Award goes to a Wisconsin-based country performer named Jerry Schmitt. If his single is any indication of what his songwriting is like, I am more than eager to hear more. It says on his website that his debut album is titled 100 Miles and that it only costs ten bucks. Sounds like a bargain to me.

BRET MICHAELS/Girls on Bars
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Michaels Entertainment Group/Star Farm (ERG)
—What a complete and utter piece of crap. Poison was never exactly a thinking person’s band, but this is beyond stupid.

DisCovery winner Jerry Schmitt

JERRY SCHMITT/With a Bottle and a Can
Writer: Jerry Schmitt; Producer: Jerry Schmitt; Publisher: Jerry Schmitt, BMI; Colt (CDX) (www.thejerryschmittband.com)
—It’s a super, stone-country weeper about a man who is killing himself “with a bottle and a can.” His brilliantly understated performance throws the spotlight on the simple beauty of the songwriting. Extremely well done.

CRAIG CAMPBELL/Tomorrow Tonight
Writer: Craig Campbell, Justin Wilson, Vicky McGehee; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Legends of Magic Mustang (SESAC) admin by W.B.M. Music Corp., Skabetti Bowl of Songs (SESAC) admin by W.B.M. Music Corp., Nineteen64 Music (BMI); Red Bow (ERG)
—He soars vocally on this one. Supporting harmony singing and screaming guitars add to the undeniable excitement. Play this.

CHRIS CHITSEY/Superstitious Heart
Writer: Steve Darling/Chris Chitsey; Producer: D. Scott Miller; Publisher: Chris Chitsey, BMI; Premier (CDX) (www.chrischitseymusic.com)
—It barely has a melody, which is just as well since he can barely sing.

RANDY HOUSER/We Went
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek (ERG)
—Urgent, passionate and uptempo. This guy is a hoss.

JAKE DODDS/Slow
Writer: Jon D’Agostino/A.J. Egstrom/Kylie Rothfield/Chris Sayers; Producer: Peter Young; Publisher: Shore Hits/KRJ/Ajegstrom, BMI/ASCAP; Jake Dodds (CDX) (www.jakedodds.com)
—Ordinary to the point of boredom.

DIERKS BENTLEY/Riser
Writer: Steven Moakler/Travis Meadows; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publisher: Songs of Kobalt/Nan Jan/Songs of Mighty Isis/She and I/It’s Killer, BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The goosebump-raising title tune of Bentley’s current CD is the song I have wanted to be a single all along. Now it is, and I’m a happy camper. This has inspiration and uplift in every note. Copperman’s track is packed with echoey tension and chiming chills.

CURTIS BRALY/Living on Sunshine
Writer: Lauren Taylor Bachofer/Maryland Welch Francis/Brandon M. Maddox; Producer: Kenny Royster; Publisher: Music of Studio Gold/Brandon Maddox, SESAC/BMI; Studio Gold (CDX) (615-432-2895)
—He has a clear tenor voice and a relentlessly upbeat attitude. It’s all a bit too bright and poppy and smiley for my taste.

KENNY CHESNEY/Save It For a Rainy Day
Writer: Andrew Dorff/Matt Ramsey/Brad Tursi; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: none listed; Columbia/Blue Chair (track)
—The weather’s too nice to have the blues, so he’s going to save his heartbreak for a rainy day. Very catchy.

MARKET JUNCTION/Give It Time
Writer: Matt Parrish/Justin Lofton/Richard Barrow; Producer: Richard Barrow; Publisher: none listed; MJ
—The recording quality isn’t the greatest. Despite the muffled sound, the talent comes through. The group’s harmonies are excellent, the track has energy and the songwriting is top notch.

Little Big Town Tour Halted Due To Jimi Westbrook’s Vocal Cord Surgery

June 17, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Little Big Town backstage at LP Field following their performance at CMA Music Festival last weekend. Photo: Bev Moser

This afternoon, Little Big Town shared news of member Jimi Westbrook’s upcoming surgery on its Facebook page. The band is canceling or rescheduling its concerts through the end of July.

Little Big Town posted:

With heavy hearts we want to let you guys know that Jimi will have to undergo surgery next week to remove a polyp on his vocal cord. As a result, doctors have ordered him to rest his voice and completely recuperate before we continue touring. All shows through July 30th will be cancelled or rescheduled.

It breaks our hearts to let you guys down, but Jimi’s health is the most important thing and he is expected to make a full recovery with rest and treatment. We will keep everyone updated on Jimi’s progress. Thanks for your understanding and support. – K,K,J & P

BMI Tailgate Party Hosts Rising Stars, Hit Songwriters

June 17, 2015/by Kelsey_Grady

Every night of CMA Music Festival, prior to the concerts at LP Field, BMI warmed up the massive crowd by hosting a Tailgate Party in the venue’s parking lot. The stage featured some of Nashville’s most talented up-and-comers and best known songwriters.

BMI’s Jody Williams and Clay Bradley pose with BMI singer/songwriters Kallie North and Jessy Wilson of Muddy Magnolias backstage at the BMI Tailgate party.

BMI singer/songwriter Sonia Leigh performs at the BMI Tailgate stage at CMA Fest. Leigh has been produced by John Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band and has toured with the likes of Jason Mraz, The Marshall Tucker Band and Blackberry Smoke, bringing her hits such as “When We Are Alone” and “Put It In My Pocket” around the U.S.

BMI singer/songwriter Rhett Akins performs on the BMI Tailgate stage at CMA Fest. Akins has written a slew of country hits, including “Hey Girl,” “Parking Lot Party” and “Young & Crazy.” BMI’s Jody Williams and Leslie Roberts present Rhett Akins with a custom Bohemian Guitar in celebration of the multiple Million Air awards he received that night, celebrating more than 25 titles with millions of spins.

BMI singer-songwriter Chris Lane rocks the crowd from the BMI Tailgate stage during CMA Fest. Fans can check him out on tour this summer while he works on an upcoming album.

[Updated] Weekly Register: CMT Awards Track Boost, A Thousand Horses Debut

June 17, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Luke Bryan performs on the CMT Music Awards. Photo: CMT.com

The CMT Music Awards gave a track sales boost to many of the artists who performed on the show. After his performance on the show, Keith Urban reeled in the top country single debut, with “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” selling 36K and entering at No. 7.

Among those in the top 10 country tracks who saw sales gains are:

No. 1 Luke Bryan “Kick the Dust Up” 72K TW, up 24 percent
No. 5 Eric Church “Like A Wrecking Ball” 42K, up 34 percent
No. 6 Chris Janson “Buy Me A Boat” 38K, up 33 percent
No. 7 Keith Urban “John Cougar…” 36K, debut
No. 9 Sam Hunt “House Party” 34K, up 52 percent
No. 10 Jason Aldean “Tonight Looks Good On You” 27K, up 29 percent

On the country albums chart, the Now Country 8 compilation is the top country debut, entering at No. 1 with sales of 19K.

BMLG band A Thousand Horses debuted at No. 3 with 17K copies of Southernality, produced by Dave Cobb. In addition, the lead single “Smoke” has been certified Gold by the RIAA. Michael Hobby, Bill Satcher, Graham DeLoach and Zach Brown will make their late-night television debut June 24 on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, where they will perform new single, “(This Ain’t No) Drunk Dial.”

Elsewhere on the country albums chart, Montgomery Gentry delivered Folks Like Us (4.6K) and Cam’s EP Welcome to Cam Country geared up with 2K. In its second week of release, the duet project from Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard fell to No. 5 with 14K.

On the overall chart, Muse’s Drones debuted at No. 1 with 84K (79K album only). Coming in at No. 5 is the Rolling Stones reissue of Sticky Fingers 36K (34K album only), just in time for tonight’s Nashville concert at LP Field.

Info according to Soundscan.

CMT Awards Ratings Hold Steady

June 17, 2015/by Lorie Hollabaugh

The 2015 CMT Music Awards telecast was watched by a cumulative 17 million viewers, who tuned in for the live premiere or one of the subsequent 12 airings, according to the Nielsen ratings. The numbers are on par with the 2014 show and up nearly 10 percent from the 2013 awards telecast.

The telecast was available on more platforms than at any time in CMT history, with streams across all of the network’s digital and social platforms, a simulcast on fellow Viacom networks TV Land and TeenNick, as well as the first-ever radio simulcast across 120 iHeartMedia country music stations.

The awards hashtag #CMTawards trended worldwide on Twitter from the start of the live telecast throughout the show, and the program ranked as the most social telecast of the day with over 18 million impressions, according to Nielsen’s Twitter TV ratings. It also ranked as the second most social non-sports telecast of the week trailing only Game of Thrones. CMT.com also saw double-digit gains for awards show content, with unique visitors up 33 percent from 2014.