
Pictured (L-R): Zoe McCadams and Emily Davis from the Nashville School of the Arts Guitar Quartet; Sally Williams, Vice President of Business and Partnership Development of Ryman Auditorium and CMA Board President-Elect; Nashville Mayor Karl Dean; Hunter Hayes; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Butch Spyridon, President, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.; Frank Bumstead, Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy and CMA Board Chairman; Sophie Allison and Rachel Hambridge from the Nashville School of the Arts Guitar Quartet. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA
During a press conference held Friday morning (March 13) at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe, The Country Music Association’s CEO Sarah Trahern revealed several enhancements to the upcoming CMA Music Festival for 2015.
In 2014, the event drew daily attendance of more than 80,000 fans, bringing in attendees from every state, as well as more than two dozen foreign countries. According to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., the direct visitor spending generated by the event was $39.3 million, and an estimated 150,000 hotel room nights. The average length of stay for attendees was up to 5.6 days in 2014, vs. 5.2 days in 2013.
“Three months from today, we will be in the middle of CMA Music Festival,” said Trahern. “It will be our 15th Music Fest downtown. The event celebrates the undeniable between the artists and their fans, and this year looks to be better than ever.”
Artist Hunter Hayes was on hand to discuss the role that music has played in his life. “For me, one of the coolest things that CMA does is artists getting to connect with fans, that one-on-one connection that you really don’t have anything quite like anywhere else,” said Hayes. Hayes will be one of four Artists of the Day at the AT&T U-Verse Fan Fair X, located the Music City Center. Hayes will make an appearance on Friday, June 12.
Also on hand for the announcements were Nashville mayor Karl Dean, and Butch Spyridon, President of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

Hunter Hayes speaks during the CMA Music Festival press conference. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
CMA Music Festival aids the work of the CMA Foundation; since 2006, CMA and CMA Foundation have donated more than $11 million to support music education initiatives across the country. Highlighted during the press conference was the musical talent of several Nashville students, by way of a performance from the Nashville School of the Arts Guitar Quartet, under the direction of Dr. James Satterwhite. Additionally, Hume-Fogg Academic High School senior Dana Gipson discussed the personal impact that the CMA Foundation has made in her life, by allowing her to attain a solid musical education on top-quality instruments.
Updates for the 2015 CMA Music Festival include:
- An expanded apparel line created by Nashville-based A3 Merchandise. Items can be pre-ordered at cmafest.com.
- Updated CMA Music Fest app for iPhone and Android, offering schedules, maps, parking information, artist performance lineups and more. Last year, more than 38,000 users downloaded the CMA Music Festival mobile app.
- Returning for its fifth year as a CMA Music Festival partner, Gildan will sponsor The Gildan Broadway Stage at the Hard Rock Cafe, with daily music performances.
- The Belk Park Stage at Walk of Fame Park will feature the addition of video walls.
- The CMA Music Festival Kick Of Concert will be held on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage on Wednesday, June 10 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. This is a free stage.
- Given the popularity of the international showcase, known as CMA World GlobaLive!, the annual free concert will move venues to Walk of Fame Park, and will feature international food and beverage vendors. GlobaLive! will take place Monday, June 8 from 4 p.m.-11 p.m.
- The popular CMA Close Up Stage, housed at Fan Fair X in the Music City Center, will grow from 600 to 800 seats (with additional standing room), due to the popularity of the stage last year. Programming will again be streamed on CMAfest.com. Last year, more than 27,000 fans watched the shows online.
Tickets for the nightly concerts at LP Field sold out in November, months before the talent lineup was revealed. However, there are abundant opportunities for music fans to hear new music from their favorite artists, with the CMA Music Festival boasting 11 music stages, including seven stages that will offer free music around downtown Nashville.
Performance lineups will soon be announced for the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage, Bridgestone Arena Plaza Stage, Belk Park Stage, HGTV Lodge, Gildan Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe, Chevrolet Roadhouse Stage, and BMI Tailgate Party in coming weeks.
The Nightly Concerts will be taped for a three-hour prime time special airing later this summer on the ABC Television Network.
CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday-Sunday, June 11-14 in downtown Nashville.
Artist Updates: Brad Paisley, Streamsound Records, Dualtone Music
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley To Appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday (March 16), broadcasting from Austin, Texas, during music festival South By Southwest (SXSW). Kimmel will bring his late-night talk show to SXSW for a week of broadcasts, and has invited Paisley to join as one of the performers. Paisley will perform his current single, “Crushin’ It.”
Others slated to appear during that week include Kevin Hart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Romo and Matthew McConaughey, as well as blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr., who will sit in with Kimmel’s house band Cleto and the Cletones.
Streamsound Artist Partners with Country Outfitter
“Country Outfitter is a proven leader in its industry; interacting with millions of country fans daily,” says Streamsound Records CEO/President Steve Richardson. “Through this strategic partnership, country fans will have a new way to connect and get to know Austin Webb.”
“We’re excited to introduce Austin Webb’s personality, style, and music to millions of Country Outfitter fans,” says TJ McDaniel, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Country Outfitter. “The campaign with Streamsound Records combines a product giveaway with an extensive content marketing campaign to create a perfect storm of promotion at this critical point in Webb’s career. We look forward to watching him take off and claim his place in the genre.”
Dualtone Music’s Ivan & Alyosha Gears Up For Tour, Album Launch
Ivan & Alyosha
Nashville’s Dualtone Music has released tour dates for the label’s duo Ivan & Alyosha, in support of their sophomore album, It’s All Just Pretend, available May 4. The tour will include stops in Nashville (June 2 at the High Watt), as well as Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Chicago and other cities.
It’s All Just Pretend features 11 new songs, and was produced/engineered by Ryan Carbary, Joe Chiccarelli (U2, My Morning Jacket), and Chad Copelin.
For a full list of tour dates, visit www.ivanandalyosha.com.
Dallas Davidson, Austin Marshall Launch Music Publishing Venture
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Top): Bradley Collins (BMI), Brian Kolb, Hannah Montgomery, Dallas Davidson, Austin Marshall, Megan Pool, Jody Williams (BMI). (Bottom): Houston Phillips, Maggie Rose, Kyle Fishman.
Hit singer-songwriter Dallas Davidson has founded Play It Again Publishing with Executive Vice President Austin Marshall. Marshall has worked with Davidson for several years as Executive VP of 2 Chord Georgia Music.
The new venture launches with the addition of four songwriters to the roster, including Maggie Rose, Houston Phillips, Brian Kolb, and Kyle Fishman.
“We feel like we’re all a family here and we’re all after the same goal, and that goal is to make an impact on music,” said Davidson, who serves as Play It Again’s president and CEO. “We don’t have fences around this company. I don’t care if they write a rap song, a pop song or a country song. This is all about music at Play It Again. We’re not focused on one certain genre. I want our writers to feel as creative as they can.”
Davidson has garnered more than 250 cuts for artists including Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, and Jason Aldean.
Additional Play It Again staffers include Creative Director and song plugger Hannah Montgomery, Chief Financial Officer Megan Pool, and Director of External Affairs Taylor Lightcap.
“Maggie Rose has gotten several cuts, including a Selena Gomez cut, and we’ve really just cut the ribbon, so to speak,” Davidson says. “So she’s already making an impact. Brian Kolb I’ve known for 11 years. Everybody knows Brian as an engineer and a producer. Well, I know him as a writer. He was my first writing partner when I moved to Nashville, so it only makes sense to sign Brian. It’s time for him to be on the map as a writer where he deserves to be. Houston is Tyler Farr’s tour manager and Tyler called me about Houston and told me about all the great songs he was writing. Kyle coming from L.A. was a fish out of water. He was into country music and what he wanted to do didn’t really fit with the stuff going on out there. He can do anything, but his forte is country. The first song I wrote with Kyle is about to be cut by a major label artist. I can’t say what it is yet, but Kyle is just a natural fit here. He brings a little bit of swagger with his style of doing his tracks, and it’s so fun to write with them.”
Luke Bryan Plays Final Spring Break Concerts To Record Crowds
/by Troy_StephensonLuke Bryan performs at Spinnaker Beach Club in Panama City Beach, Fla.
Luke Bryan wrapped his seventh and final year of two-day Spring Break concerts at the Spinnaker Beach Club in Panama City Beach, Fla., last week. Local officials estimated over 200,000 fans gathered each day.
The spring break albums and concerts began in 2009 as a way to get new music out to Luke’s fans between studio releases. This year’s release, Spring Break…Checkin’ Out, is available now and contains five new songs all co-written by Bryan, plus all six songs from last year’s EP. All six previous Spring Break releases combined have over 1.1 million sales to date.
Today’s Jenna Bush was on hand to cover the final event with a story airing this coming Monday, March 16. CMT’s HOT 20 show was also on tap with Katie Cook. Fans can tune-in to watch the fun on CMT on March 21-22.
In the past two-weeks, Bryan played his first-ever shows in Europe, and on May 22 the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will open a summer exhibit “Luke Bryan: Dirt Road Diary.” On May 8, Luke will kick-off his “Kick The Dust Up Tour.” He is the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year and will co-host the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards with Blake Shelton for a third consecutive year on April 19, 2015.
Billy Block Funeral To Be Held at Ryman Auditorium March 23
/by Jessica NicholsonFuneral arrangements have been set for Nashville’s beloved Americana music stalwart Billy Block. As previously reported, Block died Wednesday, March 11 at age 59.
The funeral will be held Monday, March 23 at the Ryman Auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation will be held at Downtown Presbyterian Church (154 5th Ave. N.) on Sunday, March 22 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Burial and a graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 24 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery (1001 Lebanon Road).
All services are open to the public, though seating is limited.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Billy Block Fund. The fund was created in 2013 to aid the Block family after Billy Block’s diagnosis. The fund will not only aid in providing for the family during this time, but will aid others by way of contributions to MusiCares, the Opry Trust Fund, Music Health Alliance, and Meals 2 Heal.
Donations can be made via PayPal using the email address billyblockfamilyfund@gmail.com, or by check, payable to the Billy Block Family Fund and mailed to Wells Fargo Private Bank, attention Bradley Gallimore, 3100 West End Ave., One American Center, Ste. 530, Nashville, TN 37203.
Best known as the creator and host of the weekly “Billy Block Show”/”Western Beat Barn Dance” in Nashville, Block’s career included time as a promoter, a songwriter, a record producer, an artist manager, a session drummer, a record-label entrepreneur, a bandleader, a recording artist, a music journalist and more.
An online guestbook is available for fans and friends at crawfordservices.com. Crawford Mortuary & Crematory can be reached at 615-254-8200.
Nashville Clothing Store Katy K Designs To Close in May
/by Jessica NicholsonKaty K Designs Western Wear and Ranch Dressing, a boutique clothing shop and 15-year Nashville staple located at 2407 12th Ave. S., is set to close May 22, according to the Nashville Scene.
According to Katy K Designs Western Wear and Ranch Dressing owner Katy Kattelman, the decision to close Katy K came when she learned her rent would double if she renewed her lease after April 30. Kattelman asked for a three-month extension (due to heavy customer traffic during the summer months), but was denied the extension. She was allowed to stay until May 30, though Kattelman says she will pay a higher rent that month.
Kattelman states that the building’s owners, Martha Thompson and Mary McMillen, have been approached several times by parties interested taking up space in the 12South neighborhood. She further states that she dealt directly with Robin Realty as a tenant, though the building’s owners had final say. Thompson and McMillen also own other properties in the area.
Kattelman came to Nashville from New York City. After finding a solid demand for her designs in Nashville, she made the move to Music City. The store features an eclectic mix of clothing for men and women, as well as vintage items and gifts. Among the artists who have worn Katy K designs are Jack White, Porter Waggoner, Lenny Kravtz, and Chelsea Clinton.
Visit nashvillescene.com to read more details and an interview with Kattelman.
Sam Hunt Releases Dramatic Video For “Take Your Time”
/by Troy_StephensonSam Hunt
MCA Nashville’s Sam Hunt released the music video today (Friday March 13) for his current single “Take Your Time.” The video was directed by Tim Mattia and is described as a “multi-layered, cinematic piece” that highlights the issue of domestic violence. The video reveals the life of a struggling mother in a vulnerable relationship. Meanwhile Hunt, as the narrator, portrays a bystander who decides to take charge of the situation.
“Take Your Time” is currently at No. 8 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart and has sold over 500,000 in single sales. This makes it Hunt’s second consecutive RIAA-certified Gold single as an artist following the now Platinum-selling No. 1 smash, “Leave the Night On,” off his debut album, Montevallo.
Hunt is currently out on his sold-out Lipstick Graffiti Tour before he joins Lady Antebellum and Hunter Hayes on this summer’s Wheels Up 2015 Tour. In addition to his upcoming tour dates, he is also an ACM New Artist of the Year nominee, and will be also performing on the 50th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards airing live on CBS April 19.
View the music video below.
Artists, Songwriters React to ‘Blurred’ Verdict
/by Eric T. ParkerMusicRow recently featured an exclusive interview with Richard Busch, a Nashville-based lawyer for the Gaye family, regarding the verdict. Meanwhile, “Blurred Lines” song creators, Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke and T.I. released a statement to Rolling Stone on Tuesday (Mar. 10).
Jason Isbell, Chely Wright. Photo: Twitter
Other artists to weigh in on the subject include Chely Wright, and Jason Isbell. Buzzfeed quoted songwriter for “Stay With Me” (Sam Smith) Jimmy Naples, “Talk Dirty” (Jason DeRulo) producer (in addition to Florida Georgia Line and Tim McGraw releases) Ricky Reed, and songwriter for “Single Ladies” (Beyonce), “Umbrella” (Rihanna) and “Baby” (Justin Bieber) Terius (The-Dream) Nash.
Nashville Songwriters Team To Benefit NOTES For Education
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Chris Tompkins, Chris DeStefano, Pat Alger, Tony Arata, and NOTES for Education’s Julie Meirick and Debi Cali. Photo: ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski.
Music, wine, and advocacy for music education blended beautifully during a songwriters round presented by ASCAP on Wednesday, March 11 at Nashville’s City Winery, to benefit nonprofit organization NOTES for Education.
Songwriters Chris Tompkins, Pat Alger, Tony Arata, and Chris DeStefano took part in a writers round, performing many of their well-known hits. The evening also featured a silent auction of framed, handwritten lyrics of one of each of the writers’ most popular songs, including Arata’s “The Dance” and Alger’s “Unanswered Prayers” (both recorded by Garth Brooks), Tompkins’ “Dirt” (Florida Georgia Line), and DeStefano’s “Just Gettin’ Started” (Jason Aldean).
Bidding for the lyrics is open to the public through March 21. The lyrics will be auctioned individually, and bidding starts at $50 each. Bids can be sent to bids@notesforeducation.org.
NOTES for Education was co-founded in Nashville and Napa, and supports music education in schools throughout the two communities.
Industry Ink: BMI, 650 AM WSM, Dreamcatcher Management, Chris Keaton Presents
/by Jessica NicholsonNatalie Hemby Previews Puxico Documentary
BMI Nashville held a special screening for family and friends recently for songwriter Natalie Hemby‘s documentary, Puxico. The film is about Puxico, Mo. (Hemby’s grandparents’ hometown) and the town’s annual Homecoming event. The documentary originally debuted at Puxico’s Homecoming last August. Hemby co-wrote each song specifically for the film with the help of her songwriter friends Kelly Archer, Lindsay Chapman, Trent Dabbs, Jonathan and Cassandra Lawson, Jon Randall and Jen Schott. Producer Mike Wrucke led music supervision for the film.
At the event, Hemby noted, “This film isn’t just about Puxico. It’s about you and me and our hometowns. I hope this film inspires you to go back and visit and listen to the amazing stories around you.”
From (L-R): Jody Williams (BMI VP, Writer/Publisher Relations), Ryan Silver (“Puxico” Producer), Natalie Hemby (“Puxico” Executive Producer), Scott Murphy (“Puxico” Producer), Beth Laird (Creative Nation, Co-Owner) Mark Mason (BMI Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations).
Photo: Katherine Hardin, BMI
Aubrie Layne Signs with Chris Keaton Presents
Artist Aubrie Layne has signed a management agreement with Chris Keaton Presents. She also recently signed a publishing deal with UMPG in Los Angeles with Bo Goldsen.
Pictured: Chris Keaton, Aubrie Layne, Kent Earls (Executive VP/GM UMPG-Nashville) and Bo Goldsen, Atlantic Music/UMPG-Los Angeles.
Chelsea Bain Signs with Dreamcatcher Management
Pictured (L-R): Jim Mazza, Chelsea Bain, Peter Keiser.
7th Annual 650 AM WSM Springer Mountain Farms 5K Slated for March 14
Members of the Nashville and surrounding communities can take part in the 7th Annual 650 AM WSM Springer Mountain Farms 5K Run and Walk on Saturday, March 14. The 5K will take place at the Grand Ole Opry Complex. Registration begins at 6 a.m., and the race begins at 7 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 9:30 a.m.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit The Journey Home Project.
Charlie Daniels is Chairman of the Board, and his long-time manager David Corlew is a co-founder, of The Journey Home Project, which connects donors to veterans’ organizations that aid military members and their families in receiving quality healthcare, access to education programs, and connection to job opportunities.
“At 650 AM WSM we are proud and honored to support The Journey Home Project through a portion of the funds raised at our 7th Annual Springer Mountain Farms 5K Run & Walk. My father was an Army Sergeant who did tours in Korea and Vietnam. For me, this cause is essential and very personal,” said Randy Bush, WSM General Manager.
Attendees can register to participate on-site at the Grand Ole Opry Plaza (2804 Opryland Drive) the morning of the race for $35.
WSM AM 650 Springer Mountain Farms 5K. Photo by: Robin Roberts Ladisa
CMA Music Festival Preps For Added Growth in 2015
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Zoe McCadams and Emily Davis from the Nashville School of the Arts Guitar Quartet; Sally Williams, Vice President of Business and Partnership Development of Ryman Auditorium and CMA Board President-Elect; Nashville Mayor Karl Dean; Hunter Hayes; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Butch Spyridon, President, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.; Frank Bumstead, Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy and CMA Board Chairman; Sophie Allison and Rachel Hambridge from the Nashville School of the Arts Guitar Quartet. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA
During a press conference held Friday morning (March 13) at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe, The Country Music Association’s CEO Sarah Trahern revealed several enhancements to the upcoming CMA Music Festival for 2015.
In 2014, the event drew daily attendance of more than 80,000 fans, bringing in attendees from every state, as well as more than two dozen foreign countries. According to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., the direct visitor spending generated by the event was $39.3 million, and an estimated 150,000 hotel room nights. The average length of stay for attendees was up to 5.6 days in 2014, vs. 5.2 days in 2013.
“Three months from today, we will be in the middle of CMA Music Festival,” said Trahern. “It will be our 15th Music Fest downtown. The event celebrates the undeniable between the artists and their fans, and this year looks to be better than ever.”
Artist Hunter Hayes was on hand to discuss the role that music has played in his life. “For me, one of the coolest things that CMA does is artists getting to connect with fans, that one-on-one connection that you really don’t have anything quite like anywhere else,” said Hayes. Hayes will be one of four Artists of the Day at the AT&T U-Verse Fan Fair X, located the Music City Center. Hayes will make an appearance on Friday, June 12.
Also on hand for the announcements were Nashville mayor Karl Dean, and Butch Spyridon, President of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
Hunter Hayes speaks during the CMA Music Festival press conference. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
CMA Music Festival aids the work of the CMA Foundation; since 2006, CMA and CMA Foundation have donated more than $11 million to support music education initiatives across the country. Highlighted during the press conference was the musical talent of several Nashville students, by way of a performance from the Nashville School of the Arts Guitar Quartet, under the direction of Dr. James Satterwhite. Additionally, Hume-Fogg Academic High School senior Dana Gipson discussed the personal impact that the CMA Foundation has made in her life, by allowing her to attain a solid musical education on top-quality instruments.
Updates for the 2015 CMA Music Festival include:
Tickets for the nightly concerts at LP Field sold out in November, months before the talent lineup was revealed. However, there are abundant opportunities for music fans to hear new music from their favorite artists, with the CMA Music Festival boasting 11 music stages, including seven stages that will offer free music around downtown Nashville.
Performance lineups will soon be announced for the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage, Bridgestone Arena Plaza Stage, Belk Park Stage, HGTV Lodge, Gildan Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe, Chevrolet Roadhouse Stage, and BMI Tailgate Party in coming weeks.
The Nightly Concerts will be taped for a three-hour prime time special airing later this summer on the ABC Television Network.
CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday-Sunday, June 11-14 in downtown Nashville.