Gary Allan films his cameo in the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage lineup reveal video near LP Field in Nashville. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
Fan favorite Gary Allan is set to launch this year’s set of Chevrolet Riverfront Stage shows during the 2015 CMA Music Festival. The singer-songwriter will jump start four days of music on Thursday, June 11 at 10 a.m. CT.The free Riverfront shows will take place from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day of the festival, which runs Thursday, June 11 through Sunday, June 14 in Nashville.
“Gary is extremely popular with our fans and I can’t think of a better artist to jump-start four days of non-stop, free music,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We have an amazing lineup and when you consider that admission is free, there is no reason not to come down and enjoy everything this Festival has to offer.”
Katie Armiger will perform the National Anthem on opening day.
Full Riverfront Lineup Schedule:
June 11, 2015
10:00 am, Gary Allan
11:15 am, Montgomery Gentry
12:00 pm, The Cadillac Three
12:45 pm, Ashley Monroe
01:30 pm, Maddie & Tae
02:15 pm, Craig Campbell
03:00 pm, Dan + Shay
03:45 pm, Scotty McCreery
04:30 pm, Rodney Atkins
June 12, 2015
10:00 am, Clay Walker
11:15 am, Darryl Worley
12:00 pm, Restless Heart
12:45 pm, Kellie Pickler
01:30 pm, Eric Paslay
02:15 pm, RaeLynn
03:00 pm, Charles Esten
03:45 pm, Chase Rice
04:30 pm, Lorrie Morgan
June 13, 2015
10:00 am, Kristian Bush
11:15 am, Maggie Rose
12:00 pm, Cassadee Pope
12:45 pm, Aaron Watson
01:30 pm, Jason Michael Carroll
02:15 pm, The Swon Brothers
03:00 pm, Parmalee
03:45 pm, Corey Smith
04:30 pm, Tanya Tucker
June 14, 2015
10:00 am, Jack Ingram
11:15 am, Lonestar
12:00 pm, Big Smo
12:45 pm, Dustin Lynch
01:30 pm, Thompson Square
02:15 pm, Canaan Smith
03:00 pm, Craig Wayne Boyd
03:45 pm, Phil Vassar
04:30 pm, Diamond Rio
Billy Currington To Release ‘Summer Forever’ in June
/by Jessica NicholsonWith producer Dann Huff at the helm, the project features song from writers including Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Cole Swindell, Florida Georgia Line and Jimmy Robbins.
“Making this album was such a blast for me. I put a lot of love into this project and couldn’t be more excited for fans to hear the new music,” shares Currington. “Summer Forever for me represents a positive, happy, good time lifestyle and that’s what I hope the fans feel when they hear this record.”
Currington will no doubt include songs from his forthcoming album when he joins Tim McGraw‘s Shotgun Rider Tour this summer. The tour launches in Little Rock, Ark., on June 5 and includes a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Aug. 15.
Summer Forever Track Listing:
1. Don’t It
Written by Jaren Johnston, Ashley Gorley and Ross Copperman
2. Drinkin’ Town With A Football Problem
Written by Aaron Henningsen, Brian Henningsen, Clara Henningsen, Elizabeth McDavid Elkins and Vanessa Ann Olivarez
3. Wake Me Up
Written by Josh Osborne, Jimmy Robbins and Ashley Gorley
4. Good Night (Featuring Jessie James)
Written by Daniel Tashian, Claire Guerreso and Rosi Golan
5. Jonesin’
Written by Shane McAnally, Jimmy Robbins and Hillary Lindsey
6. Give It To Me Straight
Written by Abe Stoklasa and Mark Trussell
7. It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To
Written by Billy Currington, Cary Barlowe and Shy Carter
8. Nowhere Town
Written by Aimee Mayo-Lindsey, Chris Lindsey and Josh Osborne
9. Do I Make You Wanna
Written by Ashley Gorley, Zach Crowell, Matt Jenkins and Jerry Flowers
10. Sweet Love
Written by Donovan Woods, Madeleine Slate and Dan Swinimer
11. Soundtrack
Written by Bobby Huff and Ben Burgess
12. Summer Forever*
Written by Cole Swindell, Jaren Johnston, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard and Jesse Frasure
Produced by Dann Huff
*Produced by Dann Huff and Jesse Frasure
Schedule Set For CMA Music Fest’s Nightly Concerts
/by Sarah SkatesThe event will be held June 11-14. Four-day tickets, which include access to the nightly concerts, are sold out.
LP Field Schedule
Thursday, June 11: Alan Jackson, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean
Friday, June 12: The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Brice, Maddie & Tae, Randy Houser, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan
Saturday, June 13: Wynonna & The Big Noise, Chris Young, Thomas Rhett, Brett Eldredge, Little Big Town
Sunday, June 14: Neal McCoy, Cole Swindell, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley
3 Ring Circus Adds Welling To Writer Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): 3 Ring Circus Music Director of A&R/Artist Management Casey LeVasseur, 3 Ring Circus Music GM Darrell Franklin, Parker Welling, 3 Ring Circus Music President Jeffrey Steele, BMI Director, Writer/Publisher Relations Leslie Roberts. Photo: 3 Ring Circus Music
“Parker is a great new talent way beyond her years. I’m thrilled to work with her and can’t wait to see what the future holds,” Steele.
Welling will join the rest of her 3 Ring Circus Music Family down in Key West for BMI’s Key West Songwriter’s Festival May 6 – 10.
SESAC Sponsors 2015 GRAMMYS On The Hill Awards
/by Eric T. ParkerAlicia Keys and SESAC’s Pat Collins.
SESAC was the lead sponsor of The Recording Academy’s GRAMMYS On The Hill Awards last week, Wednesday, April 15, at the Hamilton Live in Washington D.C.
First Lady Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance to present Alicia Keys with the Recording Artists’ Coalition Award while House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) were honored for their support and understanding of music creators’ unique role in American life.
SESAC artist/songwriter/producer Angela Hunte, who penned the chart-topping “Empire State of Mind,” a hit for Keys and Jay-Z, helped honor Keys by joining in for a few verses in closing out the evening. SESAC’s American Authors were on hand to perform and were joined on-stage with some two dozen members of Congress in a spirited rendition of the group’s hit song “Best Day of My Life.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Grammy Foundation’s Grammy Signature Schools program, which provides support for underserved music programs throughout the country.
The Recording Academy’s Neil Portnow, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and SESAC’s Pat Collins.
Picture (L-R): SESAC’s Pat Collins, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Rep. Bob Goodlatte and the Recording Academy’s Neil Portnow.
American Authors perform “Best Day of My Life.”
Mike Reid And Phil Vassar To Perform Dueling Pianos For Waves Inc.
/by Troy_StephensonAward-winning singer/songwriters Mike Reid and Phil Vassar will perform at the inaugural Dueling Pianos for Waves event at BA Properties in Franklin, Tenn., on Thursday, May 14, 2015.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Waves, Inc., a local nonprofit in Williamson County providing services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A collection of classic and exotic cars will be on display. Food and drinks will be provided.
“We are so excited to have artists the caliber of Mike Reid and Phil Vassar donating their time to what we’re anticipating to be a fantastic annual event,” said Shannon Nehus, Executive Director of Waves. “We really appreciate BA Properties opening their facility, and want to thank our event sponsors – Artisan Landscaping, Buerger, Moseley & Carson, Capital Bank, First Farmers, and Franklin Realtors – for their support of Waves and this inaugural event.”
Tickets are $75.00 in advance at www.wavesinc.com or $90.00 at the door. Admission includes valet parking, a self-guided tour of the car collection, food, two drink tickets, and entertainment. For questions, contact Emily Layton at elayton@wavesinc.com.
Gary Allan To Launch CMA Music Fest’s Riverfront Shows
/by Jessica NicholsonGary Allan films his cameo in the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage lineup reveal video near LP Field in Nashville. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
Fan favorite Gary Allan is set to launch this year’s set of Chevrolet Riverfront Stage shows during the 2015 CMA Music Festival. The singer-songwriter will jump start four days of music on Thursday, June 11 at 10 a.m. CT.The free Riverfront shows will take place from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day of the festival, which runs Thursday, June 11 through Sunday, June 14 in Nashville.
“Gary is extremely popular with our fans and I can’t think of a better artist to jump-start four days of non-stop, free music,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We have an amazing lineup and when you consider that admission is free, there is no reason not to come down and enjoy everything this Festival has to offer.”
Katie Armiger will perform the National Anthem on opening day.
Full Riverfront Lineup Schedule:
June 11, 2015
10:00 am, Gary Allan
11:15 am, Montgomery Gentry
12:00 pm, The Cadillac Three
12:45 pm, Ashley Monroe
01:30 pm, Maddie & Tae
02:15 pm, Craig Campbell
03:00 pm, Dan + Shay
03:45 pm, Scotty McCreery
04:30 pm, Rodney Atkins
June 12, 2015
10:00 am, Clay Walker
11:15 am, Darryl Worley
12:00 pm, Restless Heart
12:45 pm, Kellie Pickler
01:30 pm, Eric Paslay
02:15 pm, RaeLynn
03:00 pm, Charles Esten
03:45 pm, Chase Rice
04:30 pm, Lorrie Morgan
June 13, 2015
10:00 am, Kristian Bush
11:15 am, Maggie Rose
12:00 pm, Cassadee Pope
12:45 pm, Aaron Watson
01:30 pm, Jason Michael Carroll
02:15 pm, The Swon Brothers
03:00 pm, Parmalee
03:45 pm, Corey Smith
04:30 pm, Tanya Tucker
June 14, 2015
10:00 am, Jack Ingram
11:15 am, Lonestar
12:00 pm, Big Smo
12:45 pm, Dustin Lynch
01:30 pm, Thompson Square
02:15 pm, Canaan Smith
03:00 pm, Craig Wayne Boyd
03:45 pm, Phil Vassar
04:30 pm, Diamond Rio
Grammy Museum Extends Taylor Swift Exhibit Through October
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Taylor Swift Experience at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Photo: Grammy Museum
Music fans have flocked to Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum to view its current exhibit, The Taylor Swift Experience, since the exhibit opened on the singer-songwriter’s 25th birthday on Dec. 13, 2014. Attendance has been so high that the museum has agreed to extend the exhibit through Oct. 4, 2015. The Taylor Swift Experience, which was originally slated to close in May 2015, is located in the Grammy Museum’s Special Exhibits Gallery, where temporary exhibits are showcased on a rotating basis.
“Since debuting in December 2014, The Taylor Swift Experience has become one of our most popular exhibits yet,” said Bob Santelli, Executive Director of the Grammy Museum. “We’re excited to continue to showcase Taylor’s impressive timeline of success, especially as we welcome her back to STAPLES Center, at our home, L.A. LIVE, this August, for her sold-out The 1989 World Tour.”
Items on display in the exhibit, which was visited by Swift during Grammy Week in February, include:
-Early childhood reading books
-Never-before-seen family and childhood photos
-Tour costumes from Swift’s RED Tour
-Handwritten lyrics for the singer/songwriter’s hit “22”
-Swift’s 2009 GRAMMY Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “White Horse”
-Official props used in the music video for “Shake It Off”
-Dresses worn by Swift in her music video for “Mean”
-The dress Swift wore in the music video for “Teardrops On My Guitar”
-Swift’s banjo used during her performance at the 54th GRAMMY Awards in 2012
The Grammy Museum is located at 800 West Olympic Blvd. in Los Angeles.
Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge and More Set for 16th Annual Best Cellars Dinner
/by Jessica NicholsonCo-chairs for the evening’s event include WMN’s John Esposito, Capitol CMG’s Bill Hearn, and Tom Black.
The exclusive annual food-and-wine event pairs some of country music’s “Best Sellers” (2015 Grammy Award nominees and a CMA New Artist of the Year winner among this year’s featured artists) with “Best Cellars” (wine from some of the U.S. top collectors) to help the T.J. Martell Foundation fund research for leukemia, cancer and AIDS at the Frances Williams Preston Labs at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
“The Best Cellars Dinner is one of the best events that we feature in the Nashville market,” said Laura Heatherly, CEO of the T.J. Martell Foundation. “We always have great food, world class wine, wonderful celebrities and fun! We owe so much to Billy Ray Hearn, a wonderful friend to the Foundation and wine connoisseur who started the event years ago.”
Hearn, a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and a forefather of modern-day Christian music labels, passed away on April 15 of this year. He will be recognized at this year’s dinner for his invaluable contributions to the TJ Martell and the Best Cellars Dinner. The dinner has raised more than $3 million since Hearn founded the event in 1999.
Credited with bringing his California sensibilities to New York, Waxman introduced the practices of using seasonal foods and local ingredients in a gourmet setting. He recently helped found Kings of Leon’s Nashville Music & Wine Festival and opened Nashville restaurant Adele’s.
The reception begins at 6:30 p.m., with dinner beginning at 7:15 p.m. Attire is black tie.
Limited seating is available, and tickets are $1,200. To purchase, visit tjmartell.org.
Weekly Register: Reba’s Back With No. 1 Debut
/by Sarah SkatesReba had plenty of visibility during release week, including winning an ACM Milestone Award.
Reba’s first new studio album in five years sailed to the top of the country charts; Love Somebody debuted at No. 1 with sales of 58K/total activity of 62K. The Nash Icon artist had momentum from lead single “Going Out Like That,” which has already sold more than 100K downloads. She also scored with a sassy performance on Sunday night’s (April 19) ACM Awards, blending the single with her modern-classic hits “Fancy,” “Is There Life Out There,” and “The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia.”
Also scoring a solid debut is Dwight Yoakam’s Second Hand Heart (WBR) coming in at No. 2 country with sales of 21K. These debuts helped give country album sales a 33 percent bump week-over-week.
Rounding out the top five country albums are No. 3 Sam Hunt (18K), No. 4 Florida Georgia Line (13K) and No. 5 Now That’s What I Call ACM Awards 50 Years (12K).
Little Big Town gave a stellar performance of “Girl Crush” on the ACM Awards, reeling in 97K downloads and landing at No. 1 on the country tracks this week, pushing the song past the gold goalposts with 522K RTD. This is the best one-week sales tally for a country track in 2015.
Interestingly, Meghan Linsey’s cover of the same song from The Voice is this week’s top country debut, coming in at No. 3 with 44K. George Strait, who also had a notable ACM performance, debuts single “Let It Go” at No. 9 country, selling 27K. Hanging in the top 5 are: Sam Hunt “Take Your Time” (58K), Zac Brown Band “Homegrown” (39K) and Florida Georgia Line “Sippin’ On Fire” (35K).
“Girl Crush” earned the best one-week sales tally for a country track in 2015.
Kaleidoscope Media Relocates, Hires Two
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Robert Hamm, Scott Adkins.
Kaleidoscope Media, a PR/publicity/events company representing Bonnaroo among other clients, has hired additional leadership and relocated its headquarters to a 6,500-square-foot space in Nashville’s Charlotte Corridor (3808 Park Avenue).
Scott Adkins has joined the firm as Director of Publicity/PR after working more than 10 years in television broadcasting, most recently as an Anchor/Reporter at the NBC affiliate in Louisville, Ky.
Robert Hamm will lead Kaleidoscope’s new business and events division as Director of Operations & Events. Hamm previously ran his own events management and production firm.
“Scott and Robert bring a wealth of experience, energy and knowledge to Kaleidoscope Media,” said Angie Gore, founder of the firm, which she established in 1997. “Their dedication to clients, vision for the future and enthusiasm for their work is contagious. I’m confident they’ll lead our firm to new ventures and opportunities, and I’m proud to work alongside both of them.
“Our new location is part of our commitment to Nashville and the revitalization of the Charlotte corridor. We’re thrilled to be part of the fabric of this neighborhood and intend to be active initiators and supporters of the creative and healthy growth of our new community.”
The facility–originally constructed and occupied by the Salvation Army in 1972–includes a commercial kitchen, several offices, community space, an outdoor green space, and event space–perfect for yoga or artist showcases.
Kaleidoscope Media’s phone number remains the same, 615-321-3211.
Kaleidoscope Media’s new 3808 Park Avenue headquarters.