The 2015 Billboard Music Awards aired last night (May 17) on ABC-TV from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas with Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor facing off in eight categories. The 3-hour program averaged 11.1-million viewers for live and same-day earnings, with a 3.7 adults 18-49 rating, a year-over-year improvement.
Additional Nashville-affiliated nominees and winners included Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, The Black Keys, Luke Bryan, Brantley Gilbert, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, and Florida Georgia Line (full list below).
Swift took home eight awards including the fan voted Billboard Chart Achievement Award. She also opened the show with the debut of her highly promoted music video for new single “Bad Blood.” Directed by Joseph Kahn and produced by Swift, the video included cameos from Jessica Alba, Lily Aldridge, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lena Dunham, Selena Gomez, Ellie Goulding, Gigi Hadid, Mariska Hargitay, Martha Hunt, Karlie Kloss, Kendrick Lamar, Ellen Pompeo, Serayah, Hailee Steinfeld, Hayley Williams, and Zendaya.
Pictured (L-R): Hayley Stommel, Tyler Hubbard, Scott Borchetta, Brian Kelley, Brittney Marie Cole. Photo: Twitter.
FGL took home Top Country Artist while Underwood took home Top Christian Song for “Something In The Water.”
With two trophies, Aldean was honored for his Old Boots, New Dirt album (2014) and its FGL-written lead single, “Burnin’ It Down.” Performance duo Trainor and John Legend also received a pair of trophies and debuted a new song, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” written by Trainor, Caitlyn Smith and Justin Weaver and produced by Trainor and her Big Yellow Dog mate Chris Gelbuda.
Kelly Clarkson (L) performs. John Legend (C) takes the stage with Meghan Trainor (R). Photos: BBMA.
Additional top performances included the much anticipated performance of “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town and Faith Hill. Kelly Clarkson also took the stage with her Sia-written ballad “Invincible.”
Presenters throughout the broadcast included Brett Eldredge, Swift and FGL.
Categories are based on album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring and social-media interactions tracked year-round (March 10, 2014, through March 8, 2015) by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The only fan-voted award was the Swift-received Billboard Chart Achievement Award.
Faith Hill (L) performs “Girl Crush” with Little Big Town, pictured with Karen Fairchild. Photo: BBMA.
Full list of 2015 Billboard winners
Top Artist
Ariana Grande
One Direction
Katy Perry
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift
Top New Artist
5 Seconds of Summer
Iggy Azalea
Hozier
**Sam Smith
Meghan Trainor
Top Male Artist
Drake
Pharrell Williams
Ed Sheeran
**Sam Smith
Justin Timberlake
Top Female Artist
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Katy Perry
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Top Duo/Group
5 Seconds of Summer
Florida Georgia Line
MAGIC!
Maroon 5
**One Direction
Top Billboard 200 Artist
One Direction
Pentatonix
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Top Digital Songs Artist
Iggy Azalea
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Top Radio Songs Artist
John Legend
Maroon 5
Ed Sheeran
**Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
Top Touring Artist
Lady Gaga
**One Direction
Katy Perry
The Rolling Stones
Justin Timberlake
Top Social Artist
**Justin Bieber
Miley Cyrus
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Taylor Swift
Top Streaming Artist
** Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Nicki Minaj
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Top R&B Artist
Beyonce
Chris Brown
John Legend
Trey Songz
**Pharrell Williams
Top Rap Artist
**Iggy Azalea
Cole
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Rae Sremmurd
Top Country Artist
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
**Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert
Blake Shelton
Top Rock Artist
Bastille
Coldplay
Fall Out Boy
**Hozier
Lorde
Top Latin Artist
J Balvin
Juan Gabriel
Enrique Iglesias
Prince Royce
**Romeo Santos
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
Avicii
Clean Bandit
Disclosure
**Calvin Harris
Lindsey Stirling
Top Christian Artist
Casting Crowns
**Hillsong
Lecrae
MercyMe
Newsboys
Top Billboard 200 Album
Maroon 5 V
Pentatonix That’s Christmas To Me
Ed Sheeran x
Sam Smith In the Lonely Hour
**Taylor Swift 1989
Top Soundtrack
The Fault in Our Stars
Fifty Shades of Grey
**Frozen
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix: Vol. 1
Into the Woods
Top R&B Album
Beyonce Beyonce
Chris Brown X
Michael Jackson Xscape
John Legend Love in the Future
**Pharrell G I R L
Top Rap Album
**J. Cole 2014 Forest Hill Drive
Drake If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Nicki Minaj The Pinkprint
Iggy Azalea The New Classic
Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2
Top Country Album
**Jason Aldean Old Boots, New Dirt
Garth Brooks Man Against Machine
Luke Bryan Crash My Party
Brantley Gilbert Just As I Am
Miranda Lambert Platinum
Top Rock Album
AC/DC Rock or Bust
The Black Keys Turn Blue
**Coldplay Ghost Stories
Hozier Hozier
Lorde Pure Heroine
Top Latin Album
Juan Gabriel Los Duo
**Enrique Iglesias Sex and Love
Romeo Santos Formula: Vol. 2
Santana Corazon
Marc Anthony 3.0
Top Dance/Electronic Album
Avicii True
Disclosure Settle
Calvin Harris Motion
Skrillex Recess
** Lindsey Stirling Shatter Me
Top Christian Album
**Lecrae Anomaly
Casting Crowns Thrive
MercyMe Welcome to the New
NEEDTOBREATHE Rivers in the Wasteland
Chris Tomlin Love Ran Red
Top Hot 100 Song
Iggy Azalea Feat. Charli XCX “Fancy”
John Legend “All of Me”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Taylor Swift “Shake It Off”
**Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass”
Top Digital Song
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Taylor Swift “Shake It Off”
** Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass”
Pharrell Williams “Happy
Top Radio Song
**John Legend “All of Me”
MAGIC! “Rude”
Nico & Vinz “Am I Wrong”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Pharrell Williams “Happy
Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Iggy Azalea Feat. Charli XCX “Fancy”
Hozier “Take Me to Church”
**John Legend “All of Me”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Tove Lo “Habits (Stay High)”
Top Streaming Song (Video)
Idina Menzel “Let It Go”
Bobby Shmurda “Hot Boy”
Taylor Swift “Blank Space”
**Taylor Swift “Shake It Off”
Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass”
Top R&B Song
Chris Brown Featuring Lil Wayne, French Montana, Too $hort & Tyga “Loyal”
Jason Derulo Feat. 2 Chainz “Talk Dirty”
Jeremih Featuring YG “Don’t Tell ‘Em”
John Legend “All of Me”
**Pharrell “Happy”
Top Rap Song
**Iggy Azalea Feat. Charli XCX “Fancy”
Iggy Azalea Feat. Rita Ora “Black Widow”
Big Sean Featuring E-40 “I Don’t F**k With You”
Nicki Minaj “Anaconda”
Bobby Shmurda “Hot Boy”
Top Country Song
**Jason Aldean “Burnin’ It Down”
Luke Bryan “Play It Again”
Sam Hunt “Leave the Light On”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Luke Bryan “This Is How We Roll”
Florida Georgia Line “Dirt”
Top Rock Song
Bastille “Pompeii”
Coldplay “A Sky Full of Stars”
Fall Out Boy “Centuries”
**Hozier “Take Me to Church”
Paramore “Ain’t It Fun”
Top Latin Song
J Balvin Featuring Farruko “6 AM”
**Enrique Iglesias Featuring Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona “Bailando”
Romeo Santos “Eres Mia”
Romeo Santos Featuring Drake “Odio”
Romeo Santos “Propuesta Indecente”
Top Dance/Electronic Song
Clean Bandit Featuring Jess Glynne “Rather Be”
Disclosure Featuring Sam Smith “Latch”
**DJ Snake & Lil Jon “Turn Down For What”
Ariana Grande Featuring Zedd “Break Free”
Calvin Harris “Summer”
Top Christian Song
Francesca Battistelli “He Knows My Name”
Hillsong “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”
MercyMe “Greater”
newsboys “We Believe”
**Carrie Underwood “Something In The Water”
Billboard Chart Achievement Award
Iggy Azalea
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Brad Paisley’s ‘Crushin’ It World Tour’ Kicks Off Over The Weekend
/by Troy_StephensonPhoto: Ben Enos
Brad Paisley launched his Crushin’ It World Tour last weekend, playing to over 50,000 fans in Philadelphia, Raleigh and the Shaky Boots Festival in Atlanta. Supporting acts included Justin Moore and Mickey Guyton.
Fans that have seen Paisley in concert know that his show often includes videos on stage that keep his audience entertained. This tour includes a version of the “Crushin’ It” video that was completely hand-drawn by Paisley and was released last week. It depicts several country music stars as super-heroes and can be viewed here.
Disney, PJM Re-Sign Songwriter Melissa Peirce
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (back row): Patrick Clifford, VP Disney Music Group Nashville; Ciara Gardner, A&R Coordinator; Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC; Pat Higdon, President/Owner, Patrick Joseph Music; Stevie Erickson, Sr. Creative Director, Patrick Joseph Music (seated): Melissa Peirce
Disney Music Publishing and Patrick Joseph Music have re-signed hit songwriter Melissa Peirce, who is celebrating her first No. 1 hit, “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” recorded by Tyler Farr. The Pennsylvania native also has two cuts on Garth Brooks’ recently released Platinum-selling Man Against Machine album.
“The partnership between Patrick Joseph Music and Disney Music Publishing has been a dream publishing home for the last three years and I am thrilled to get the opportunity to continue this roll that we’re on together,” said Peirce. “I have the best publishing team in the business and am honored to work with them.”
Disney Music Group Nashville, VP Patrick Clifford added, “All of us here at DMG could not be more thrilled about our continued relationship with Melissa Peirce. She is a force to be reckoned with. She is the real Melly P.”
Pat Higdon said, “On behalf of PJM, I’m so excited to be extending our co-pub agreement with Melissa Peirce and Disney. Melissa is a triple threat in that she is versatile, talented, and hard working. We’re looking forward to sharing many hits with her.”
2015 Billboard Music Awards Give Nod To Nashville
/by Eric T. ParkerAdditional Nashville-affiliated nominees and winners included Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, The Black Keys, Luke Bryan, Brantley Gilbert, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, and Florida Georgia Line (full list below).
Swift took home eight awards including the fan voted Billboard Chart Achievement Award. She also opened the show with the debut of her highly promoted music video for new single “Bad Blood.” Directed by Joseph Kahn and produced by Swift, the video included cameos from Jessica Alba, Lily Aldridge, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lena Dunham, Selena Gomez, Ellie Goulding, Gigi Hadid, Mariska Hargitay, Martha Hunt, Karlie Kloss, Kendrick Lamar, Ellen Pompeo, Serayah, Hailee Steinfeld, Hayley Williams, and Zendaya.
Pictured (L-R): Hayley Stommel, Tyler Hubbard, Scott Borchetta, Brian Kelley, Brittney Marie Cole. Photo: Twitter.
FGL took home Top Country Artist while Underwood took home Top Christian Song for “Something In The Water.”
With two trophies, Aldean was honored for his Old Boots, New Dirt album (2014) and its FGL-written lead single, “Burnin’ It Down.” Performance duo Trainor and John Legend also received a pair of trophies and debuted a new song, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” written by Trainor, Caitlyn Smith and Justin Weaver and produced by Trainor and her Big Yellow Dog mate Chris Gelbuda.
Kelly Clarkson (L) performs. John Legend (C) takes the stage with Meghan Trainor (R). Photos: BBMA.
Additional top performances included the much anticipated performance of “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town and Faith Hill. Kelly Clarkson also took the stage with her Sia-written ballad “Invincible.”
Presenters throughout the broadcast included Brett Eldredge, Swift and FGL.
Categories are based on album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring and social-media interactions tracked year-round (March 10, 2014, through March 8, 2015) by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The only fan-voted award was the Swift-received Billboard Chart Achievement Award.
Faith Hill (L) performs “Girl Crush” with Little Big Town, pictured with Karen Fairchild. Photo: BBMA.
Full list of 2015 Billboard winners
Top Artist
Ariana Grande
One Direction
Katy Perry
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift
Top New Artist
5 Seconds of Summer
Iggy Azalea
Hozier
**Sam Smith
Meghan Trainor
Top Male Artist
Drake
Pharrell Williams
Ed Sheeran
**Sam Smith
Justin Timberlake
Top Female Artist
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Katy Perry
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Top Duo/Group
5 Seconds of Summer
Florida Georgia Line
MAGIC!
Maroon 5
**One Direction
Top Billboard 200 Artist
One Direction
Pentatonix
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Top Digital Songs Artist
Iggy Azalea
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Top Radio Songs Artist
John Legend
Maroon 5
Ed Sheeran
**Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
Top Touring Artist
Lady Gaga
**One Direction
Katy Perry
The Rolling Stones
Justin Timberlake
Top Social Artist
**Justin Bieber
Miley Cyrus
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Taylor Swift
Top Streaming Artist
** Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Nicki Minaj
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Top R&B Artist
Beyonce
Chris Brown
John Legend
Trey Songz
**Pharrell Williams
Top Rap Artist
**Iggy Azalea
Cole
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Rae Sremmurd
Top Country Artist
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
**Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert
Blake Shelton
Top Rock Artist
Bastille
Coldplay
Fall Out Boy
**Hozier
Lorde
Top Latin Artist
J Balvin
Juan Gabriel
Enrique Iglesias
Prince Royce
**Romeo Santos
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
Avicii
Clean Bandit
Disclosure
**Calvin Harris
Lindsey Stirling
Top Christian Artist
Casting Crowns
**Hillsong
Lecrae
MercyMe
Newsboys
Top Billboard 200 Album
Maroon 5 V
Pentatonix That’s Christmas To Me
Ed Sheeran x
Sam Smith In the Lonely Hour
**Taylor Swift 1989
Top Soundtrack
The Fault in Our Stars
Fifty Shades of Grey
**Frozen
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix: Vol. 1
Into the Woods
Top R&B Album
Beyonce Beyonce
Chris Brown X
Michael Jackson Xscape
John Legend Love in the Future
**Pharrell G I R L
Top Rap Album
**J. Cole 2014 Forest Hill Drive
Drake If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Nicki Minaj The Pinkprint
Iggy Azalea The New Classic
Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2
Top Country Album
**Jason Aldean Old Boots, New Dirt
Garth Brooks Man Against Machine
Luke Bryan Crash My Party
Brantley Gilbert Just As I Am
Miranda Lambert Platinum
Top Rock Album
AC/DC Rock or Bust
The Black Keys Turn Blue
**Coldplay Ghost Stories
Hozier Hozier
Lorde Pure Heroine
Top Latin Album
Juan Gabriel Los Duo
**Enrique Iglesias Sex and Love
Romeo Santos Formula: Vol. 2
Santana Corazon
Marc Anthony 3.0
Top Dance/Electronic Album
Avicii True
Disclosure Settle
Calvin Harris Motion
Skrillex Recess
** Lindsey Stirling Shatter Me
Top Christian Album
**Lecrae Anomaly
Casting Crowns Thrive
MercyMe Welcome to the New
NEEDTOBREATHE Rivers in the Wasteland
Chris Tomlin Love Ran Red
Top Hot 100 Song
Iggy Azalea Feat. Charli XCX “Fancy”
John Legend “All of Me”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Taylor Swift “Shake It Off”
**Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass”
Top Digital Song
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Taylor Swift “Shake It Off”
** Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass”
Pharrell Williams “Happy
Top Radio Song
**John Legend “All of Me”
MAGIC! “Rude”
Nico & Vinz “Am I Wrong”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Pharrell Williams “Happy
Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Iggy Azalea Feat. Charli XCX “Fancy”
Hozier “Take Me to Church”
**John Legend “All of Me”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Tove Lo “Habits (Stay High)”
Top Streaming Song (Video)
Idina Menzel “Let It Go”
Bobby Shmurda “Hot Boy”
Taylor Swift “Blank Space”
**Taylor Swift “Shake It Off”
Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass”
Top R&B Song
Chris Brown Featuring Lil Wayne, French Montana, Too $hort & Tyga “Loyal”
Jason Derulo Feat. 2 Chainz “Talk Dirty”
Jeremih Featuring YG “Don’t Tell ‘Em”
John Legend “All of Me”
**Pharrell “Happy”
Top Rap Song
**Iggy Azalea Feat. Charli XCX “Fancy”
Iggy Azalea Feat. Rita Ora “Black Widow”
Big Sean Featuring E-40 “I Don’t F**k With You”
Nicki Minaj “Anaconda”
Bobby Shmurda “Hot Boy”
Top Country Song
**Jason Aldean “Burnin’ It Down”
Luke Bryan “Play It Again”
Sam Hunt “Leave the Light On”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Luke Bryan “This Is How We Roll”
Florida Georgia Line “Dirt”
Top Rock Song
Bastille “Pompeii”
Coldplay “A Sky Full of Stars”
Fall Out Boy “Centuries”
**Hozier “Take Me to Church”
Paramore “Ain’t It Fun”
Top Latin Song
J Balvin Featuring Farruko “6 AM”
**Enrique Iglesias Featuring Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona “Bailando”
Romeo Santos “Eres Mia”
Romeo Santos Featuring Drake “Odio”
Romeo Santos “Propuesta Indecente”
Top Dance/Electronic Song
Clean Bandit Featuring Jess Glynne “Rather Be”
Disclosure Featuring Sam Smith “Latch”
**DJ Snake & Lil Jon “Turn Down For What”
Ariana Grande Featuring Zedd “Break Free”
Calvin Harris “Summer”
Top Christian Song
Francesca Battistelli “He Knows My Name”
Hillsong “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”
MercyMe “Greater”
newsboys “We Believe”
**Carrie Underwood “Something In The Water”
Billboard Chart Achievement Award
Iggy Azalea
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Music Executives Lead MTSU Student Workshop
/by Kelsey_GradyMusic industry executives with MTSU recording industry chair Beverly Keel, second from left, after a special “New Artist Consultation” workshop for student singers, songwriters and musicians. Pictured (L-R): Shelby Kennedy, VP of Executive Relations, TuneCore; Keel; publisher/artist manager Scott Gunter; Courtney Gregg, GM of Carnival Music; and Chris Oglesby, VP Creative for BMG/Chrysalis. Photo: J. Intintoli
Shelby Kennedy, TuneCore vice president of executive relations, brought in Chris Oglesby of BMG/Chrysalis, Carnival Music GM Courtney Gregg and publisher/artist manager Scott Gunter to MTSU’s Bragg Mass Communication Building for a recent workshop for students. The “New Artist Consultation” workshop inspired the school’s singers, songwriters, musicians and future executives.
“With MTSU having so much talent on campus and TuneCore’s passion to educate, equip and empower today’s recording artists and songwriters, I wanted to take the opportunity to assemble generous professional executives to provide industry expertise and feedback for the university’s artists in development,” Kennedy said. “The exchange was personal in addressing the specific concerns and questions of each artist that often go unanswered. It was a special event where executives shared information as ‘catalysts’ more than ‘gatekeepers.’”
Cumulus Unveils Talent Competition: NASH Next
/by Sherod RobertsonNASH Next features a nationwide talent search through online submissions, which will be promoted on more than 200 Cumulus radio stations. The grand prize winner will be signed to the new NASH Next record label, with each of the top 10 recipients participating in a 2016 NASH Next concert tour.
Online engagement between fans and artists/bands will be measured and counted in the talent competition. “Country is firmly established as the most popular music format and through NASH Next we are connecting directly with the fans and talent who are most engaged with the Country lifestyle,” said John Dickey, Executive VP of Content and Programming for Cumulus.
Beginning June 15, the NASH Next website will open for registration to artists and bands, as well as the fans who will judge them through a series of challenges that run through November. The winners will be decided based on a combination of three music industry judges, a “Spin Index” of social media activity and voting on the NASH Next website.
NASH Next will be based at the NASH Campus in Nashville.
Maddie & Tae Host Disney Musicals In Schools on Behalf of CMA
/by Troy_Stephenson(l-r) Roberta Ciuffio-West, TPAC Exec. VP for Education and Outreach; Maddie Marlow; Tae Dye; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; and Tiffany Kerns, CMA Community Outreach Manager.
Dot Records recording artists Maddie & Tae hosted the Disney Musicals in Schools Student Share on Monday, May 18, 2015 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville.
The duo was there on behalf of the CMA Foundation, which funds Disney Musicals in Schools. The organization grants public schools performance rights to some of Disney’s most well-loved musicals. More than 300 students from six Metro Nashville Public Schools hit the stage, showing off numbers from “The Lion King KIDS,” “The Jungle Book KIDS,” “Aladdin KIDS,” and “Alice in Wonderland JR.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to be here today,” said the duo’s Maddie Marlow. “Tae and I both express ourselves through music, so it’s amazing to highlight how music is a good way for kids to express themselves and find out who they are.”
Nashville was only the second metro area outside of New York City to have the program. To date, the CMA Foundation has donated $68,000 to fund the project through grants made on behalf of artists who perform each year for free during the CMA Music Festival.
Maddie & Tae will perform on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage and at LP Field during this year’s Festival.
ACM Superstar Duets Averages 5 Million Viewers
/by Sarah SkatesThe special started at 9 PM/ET, and earned a 0.7 adults 18-49 rating. It averaged 4.97 million viewers, according to Zap2it.com, landing in third place behind ABC’s Beyond The Tank (a Shark Tank spin-off), and Dateline NBC.
The concert was recorded during the 3rd Annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival on April 17-18, 2015 at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX.
The two-hour show featured performances by John Anderson & Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley & Ashley Monroe & Kip Moore, Clint Black & Joe Nichols, Luke Bryan & Ronnie Milsap, Deana Carter & The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum & Brandy Clark, Brett Eldredge & Hunter Hayes, Sara Evans & Darius Rucker, Dwight Yoakam & Sam Hunt, Alan Jackson & Cole Swindell, Miranda Lambert & Patty Loveless, Reba & Brooks & Dunn and Alabama & Eli Young Band. There was also a tribute to George Jones by Kenny Chesney, an ACM Lifting Lives military tribute performance by Brantley Gilbert, and an ACM Lifting Lives performance by Jake Owen dedicated to Stand Up to Cancer.
MusicRowPics: Ashley Clark Preps Solo Debut With Mutt Lange
/by Jessica NicholsonAshley Clark MusicRow artist visit.
Multi-talented singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and performer Ashley Clark has had a long affiliation with the Nashville music industry. In 2000, he and his brothers formed the Clark Family Experience, which notched a Top 20 single with “Meanwhile Back at the Ranch.” Adding to his multi-faceted career, he has performed as a band member for Carrie Underwood, SheDaisy, James Otto, and others. Clark and brothers Adam and Austin formed trio The Clark Brothers (later renamed Sons of Sylvia) and won Fox’s The Next Great American Band. The trio joined Underwood’s Play On Tour in 2010.
Now, freshly signed as a solo artist to John Grady’s I.R.S. Records, Clark has been spending time, not in a Nashville studio, but in the Caribbean, working on his latest project with reclusive rock producer Mutt Lange, best known for his astronomical success with bands and artists including AC/DC, Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, Billy Ocean, Muse and Shania Twain. Clark’s upcoming album marks the first country artist and first new artist Lange has worked with since Twain.
During a visit with MusicRow staffers, Clark previewed songs such as the soulful country-pop confection “To The Moon.” The album version features vocals from Lange. “Before he was a producer, Mutt did radio jingles,” said Clark. “So he can mimic anyone’s voice. When he worked on my record, sometimes I thought it was me [singing], because he could copy me.”
Ashley Clark MusicRow artist visit.
His wistful and breezy first solo single, “Greyhound,” was co-written with his brother Austin Clark several years ago. “You just never know when you write a song, what it’s going to do,” said Clark. “It’s been a crazy ride for this song to become my first solo single.”
Switching from guitar to fiddle, he performed “Heaven Would Hurt.” Clark, who plays several instruments, says he’s thankful for the time he spent learning music as a child, growing up in a Pentecostal family with 11 siblings. “When I was younger, I never wanted to practice,” he said. “But now, music’s taken me around the world.” He finished with the energetic “So Sexy It Hurts.”
Though Clark has often performed on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, backing Underwood, Otto, and others, he will make his solo debut on the Grand Ole Opry Friday evening (May 15). “I’m excited. It’s the first time I’ve done it on my own.”
Ashley Clark MusicRow artist visit.
Nashvillians Bring Home BMI Pop Awards
/by Sarah SkatesTrent Dabbs and Barry Dean accept BMI Pop Awards along with their publishers and teams. (L-R): UMPG’s Evan Lamberg and Jody Gerson, Creative Nation’s Jeff Skaggs and Beth Laird, Barry Dean, Pulse’s Maria Egan, BMI’s Barbara Cane, Trent Dabbs, Kristen Dabbs, Sarah Lai
BMI honored the year’s most-performed pop songs at the organization’s 63rd annual Pop Awards, held May 12 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Nashville-based songwriters Barry Dean (Creative Nation) and Trent Dabbs (Ready Set) were among the honorees, for co-writing the Top 40 hit “Girls Chase Boys,” performed by Ingrid Michaelson.
Dynamic singer-songwriter P!nk received the BMI President’s Award for her outstanding achievement in songwriting and global impact on pop culture and the entertainment industry.
Taylor Swift, Tim Bergling a.k.a. Avicii, Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran and Noel Zancanella all earned the coveted BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year title. Each penned three songs on the most-performed list.
John Legend clinched the BMI Pop Song of the Year honor for co-writing “All of Me.”
With 27 songs among the year’s most-performed, Sony/ATV Publishing claimed the prestigious BMI Pop Publisher of the Year crystal.
Trent Dabbs and BMI’s Jody Williams
City Winery Hosts Nepal Benefit Concert Tomorrow
/by Sarah SkatesTomorrow’s concert (May 16) will feature Keb’ Mo’, Jack Pearson, Phil Keaggy, John Oates and more.
On May 23, City Winery welcomes Kathy Mattea, Leigh Nash, Melanie, Jim Lauderdale, Peter Bradley Adams and other special guests.
All net proceeds from ticket sales of these events will benefit Revolutions Per Minute’s When Disaster Strikes Fund. RPM is a nonprofit agency that provides artists with strategy and support for their activism and philanthropy. RPM was founded in 2005 by musicians, managers, and advisors from bands including Pearl Jam, The Beastie Boys, and R.E.M.
In past years, City Winery has raised $200,000+ to aid in disaster relief for crises including 2013 Hurricane Sandy, 2011 Tsunami in Japan and 2010 Earthquake in Haiti with the power of awareness through live music.
For more information, visit citywinery.com.