CMA Songwriters Series on Friday, March 6, 2015 at indigo at The O2 in London as part of C2C (L-R): Butch Spyridon, Pres. of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corps.; Milly Olykan, Sr. Event Producer of AEG London and CMA Board member; Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA; Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmermann of Striking Matches; Sam Palladio; Jon Randall; Jessi Alexander; Kix Brooks; and John Esposito, Pres./CEO of Warner Music Nashville and CMA Board President.
The 2015 C2C, Country 2 Country Festival, the U.K.’s largest country music festival, was a success again this year. Concerts were held Feb. 28 and March 1 in Oslo and Stockholm, and March 7 and 8 in London and Dublin, featuring performances from the biggest names in country music, alongside emerging artists from the U.K. and Europe.
The third C2C London event, presented by AEG Europe and SJM Concerts in association with the Country Music Association, attracted more than 30,000 fans.
C2C featured performances by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Brandy Clark, Florida Georgia Line, Brantley Gilbert, Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore, Lee Ann Womack and many others.
The London events kicked off with a special presentation of the CMA Songwriters Series Friday night at indigo at The O2. Presented in partnership with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. (NCVC), the evening was hosted by Kix Brooks with Jessi Alexander, Clark, Nashville cast member Sam Palladio, and Jon Randall. Due to their overwhelming success at last year’s CMA Songwriters Series at C2C, Striking Matches was invited to join the show as special surprise guests.
CMA also hosted meetings and receptions that brought together international executives to discuss all things country music, including a CMA Executive Strategy Session with the CMA U.K. Advisory Council.
Photos: Anthony D’Angio / CMA
BBC Radio’s Mark Hagen (R) interviews Sam Palladio during a “CMA Talk” during C2C Festival Saturday at indigo at The O2 in London.
CMA Songwriters Series on Friday, March 6, 2015 at indigo at The O2 in London as part of C2C. (L-R): Kix Brooks, Brandy Clark, Sam Palladio, Jessi Alexander, and Jon Randall perform during the CMA Songwriters Series at indigo at The O2 Friday in London.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Announces Dates for Luke Bryan Exhibition
/by Troy_Stephenson“I remember bringing my parents to visit the museum and dreaming of something like this one day. Now to have an exhibit about my life that my family, friends, and fans can come and see is just so cool,” said Bryan.
“In one of Luke Bryan’s songs,” said Museum Director Kyle Young, “he says: ‘If you want to know the real me / Just turn the page in my dirt road diary.'” In this exhibition, Luke is an open book, sharing insights into his life and music with museum visitors. He joins Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert in the list of contemporary artists featured in special summer exhibits that look at country music stardom in the twenty-first century.”
Bryan recently released his final spring break album, Spring Break…Checkin’ Out. The Georgia native embarks in May on a new tour, the Kick the Dust Up Tour.
The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Bryan will co-host the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards with Blake Shelton on April 19.
Artist Pics: Road to Bonnaroo, Point of Grace, Robby Johnson
/by Jessica NicholsonBMI Celebrates Road to Bonnaroo Round 2 Winners
Broadcast Music, Inc. celebrates Future Unlimited, the electro-pop band who took the title of winner of Road to Bonnaroo round 2. The Nashville-based band will perform at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, to be held June 11-14, in Manchester, Tenn., joining the winner of round 1, Sol Cat, and the winner of the third show. Another round of competition will be held April 6 at the Mercy Lounge and High Watt venues, giving 10 more bands a chance to compete for a slot at the festival.
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Penny Gattis, Future Unlimited’s Matt McCord, Jim O’Shea and David Miller, The Agency Group’s Justin Bridgewater, Future Unlimited’s Samuel D’Amelio, BMI’s Brooke Ivey, Future Unlimited’s Gabe Pigg, BMI’s Clay Bradley and BMI writer Chancellor Warhol.
Point of Grace Perform at Grand Ole Opry
Last Friday, March 6, Word Records Artist and two-time GRAMMY nominees Point of Grace performed at the Grand Ole Opry. With multiple Opry appearances to their credit, they shared music from their forthcoming album, Directions Home (Songs We Love, Songs You Know), which releases April 7, and includes duets with music icons Vince Gill (“Directions Home”) and Ricky Skaggs (“Two Roads”). Skaggs joined Point of Grace on-stage at the Opry for a special performance of their duet, “Two Roads.”
Pictured (L-R): Leigh Cappillino; Pete Fisher, Vice President/General Manager Grand Ole Opry; Shelley Breen; Denise Jones. Photo: Stuart Dill
Singer-songwriter Robby Johnson Returns To The Studio
Country singer/songwriter Robby Johnson isn’t wasting any time as the new year gets under way. Starting 2015 off with the resolution to “find the best country songs out there” for his forthcoming release, he spent the last few weeks meeting with the genre’s top songwriters and working with the award-winning producer James Stroud (Tim McGraw, Shelby Lynne) for his debut album. This month, the Nashville-based artist entered the studio to get new recordings laid down.
Pictured (L-R): engineer Julian King. producer James Stroud, assistant engineer Jake Burns, acoustic guitar player Biff Watson, piano player Steve Nathan, Robby Johnson, bass player Mike Brignardello, electric guitar player Brent Mason, drummer Wes Little, and background vocalist Wes Hightower.
NMPA To Celebrate Lady Antebellum with Icon Award
/by Jessica Nicholson“It doesn’t get any bigger or any better than Lady Antebellum when it comes to songwriting, singing and caring about the future of creators,” said David Israelite, President and CEO of NMPA. “Hillary, Charles and Dave are all songwriters in their own right, and what’s more, they have not forgotten where they came from and what it took to get where they are. They continue to stand up for creators who struggle to make a living under the streaming regime, and we are thrilled to honor them with our Songwriter Icon Award.”
NMPA’s Spring Songwriter Showcase will take place at 101 Constitution’s rooftop terrace where Brooklyn-based songwriter Grace Weber will open for Lady Antebellum. After a performance, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood will be presented with NMPA Songwriter Icon Awards and NMPA Gold & Platinum Awards for writing their certified hits including “Bartender,” “Need You Now,” and “I Run to You.” Past recipients of the Icon Award include Jon Bon Jovi and Steven Tyler.
Lady Antebellum recently released their fifth studio album, 747, which follows over 11 million albums sold worldwide, nine trips to No. 1 on the country radio charts and six Platinum singles.
Platinum and Gold Marks For BMLG and Carrie Underwood
/by Eric T. ParkerThe Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has released 54 Digital Single Awards and Six Album Awards, up to February 2015.
Gold & Platinum’s month-end graduation highlights include 3x Platinum for Florida Georgia Line (feat. Luke Bryan)’s “This Is How We Roll,” 5x Platinum for Taylor Swift‘s “Blank Space” and 1x Platinum for Carrie Underwood‘s “Something In The Water.”
Gold graduations include Brantley Gilbert‘s “More Than Miles,” Swift’s “Style,” and Thomas Rhett‘s “Make Me Wanna.”
‘NOW That’s What I Call ACM Awards 50 Years’ Track Listing Released
/by Troy_StephensonThe collection of recordings will celebrate the ACM Awards’ 50-year history and will feature two discs as well as a digital collection of ACM award-winning songs. The first disc will feature recent contemporary hits while the second will include timeless classics.
The 50th Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast LIVE on Sunday, April 19 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Television Network. All of the Academy’s proceeds from sales of the album will go to ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.
The complete track listing for NOW That’s What I Call ACM Awards 50 Years includes:
DISC ONE (1990-2015)
1. Jason Aldean (with Luke Bryan & Eric Church) “The Only Way I Know” (2012)
2. Lee Brice “I Drive Your Truck” (2012)
3. Luke Bryan “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” (2011)
4. Blake Shelton “Honey Bee” (2011)
5. Taylor Swift “Mean” (2010)
6. Lady Antebellum “Need You Now” (2010)
7. Miranda Lambert “The House That Built Me” (2009)
8. Brad Paisley & Keith Urban “Start A Band” (2008)
9. Reba & Kelly Clarkson “Because of You” (2007)
10. George Strait “Give It Away” (2006)
11. Carrie Underwood “Jesus, Take the Wheel” (2005)
12. Tim McGraw “Live Like You Were Dying” (2004)
13. Kenny Chesney “The Good Stuff” (2002)
14. Lee Ann Womack “I Hope You Dance” (2000)
15. Faith Hill “This Kiss” (1998)
16. Alan Jackson “Chattahoochee” (1993)
17. Brooks & Dunn “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” (1991)
DISC TWO (1965-1989)
1. Clint Black “Better Man” (1989)
2. Hank Williams Jr. “There’s a Tear in My Beer” (1989)
3. Randy Travis “Forever and Ever Amen” (1987)
4. The Highwaymen “Highwayman” (1985)
5. The Judds “Why Not Me” (1984)
6. Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers “Islands in the Stream” (1983)
7. Willie Nelson “Always on My Mind” (1982)
8. Alabama “Love in the First Degree” (1981)
9. The Oak Ridge Boys “Elvira” (1981)
10. David Frizzell & Shelly West “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma” (1980)
11. George Jones “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (1980)
12. Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Bros. “All the Gold in California” (1979)
13. Don Williams “Tulsa Time” (1978)
14. Glen Campbell “Rhinestone Cowboy” (1975)
15. Charlie Rich “Behind Closed Doors” (1973)
16. Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty “Lead Me On” (1971)
17. Merle Haggard “Okie From Muskogee” (1969)
Meghan Trainor To Be Honored During Music Biz 2015 Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonMeghan Trainor
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) will honor pop singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor with the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award at the Music Biz 2015 Awards Luncheon on May 14 at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel in Nashville.
Prior to achieving success with her album Title, and its singles “All About That Bass” and “Lips Are Movin,” Trainor came to Nashville after scoring a publishing deal at the age of 17. While there, she co-wrote tracks for major acts such as Rascal Flatts and Hunter Hayes before breaking through on her own after deciding to record “All About That Bass” herself.
“Many people think Meghan was an overnight success, but she has actually been working in the music business for several years, a lot of that time in Nashville,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “Now, we’re thrilled to recognize her incredible talent in the city where her songwriting kicked into high gear.”
Music Biz 2015 will be held in Nashville for the first time on May 12-14. The event allows the industry’s commerce and content sectors a place to network with trading partners, learn about new trends and products impacting the business, and to network with new companies.
For more information, visit musicbiz2015.com.
Apple To Replace Radios in 40+ Car Models By 2016
/by Eric T. ParkerEvery major automaker is expected to deliver the infotainment center, which would be capable of projecting Apple CarPlay software from an iOS device to a car’s dashboard screen, or a Google-user’s home screen with Android Auto software.
Expectedly, apps potentially hazardous to driving are unavailable. Those available include audio (and streaming services), messages (read out loud), Siri, Apple Maps on iOS (Google Map will reportedly not be compatible with Siri). Aftermarket receivers (g.e. Pioneer and Alpine) are currently on the market to upgrade many current models.
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is expected to be one of the first models to adopt the technologies, although not available as of yet. In the company’s beta iOS 8.3 release for developers yesterday, CarPlay is said to be the most pronounced upgrade.
Additionally, Apple’s spring reveal included two sizes of Apple Watches (available April 24), an unbundled HBO subscription (exclusive to Apple, available early April), a 12-inch retina display MacBook, and an update for ApplePay (2,500 card-issuing banks now accepting, with a triple in businesses where accepted).
Apple stock peaked yesterday around $129 per share after opening at $127 and closing around $125, where it is currently trading.
MusicRowLife: Songwriter Dallas Davidson, Wife Natalia Welcome Son
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Natalia, Dallas and their son Dallas Gerald Davidson, Jr.
Courtesy: Davidson family
Hit songwriter Dallas Davidson and wife Natalia welcomed their first child, son Dallas Gerald Davidson, Jr., on Wednesday, Feb 25.
Davidson, Jr., weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces.
“I’ve always wanted children,” says Davidson. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wanted a son. I have the greatest wife – and now mother – and a beautiful healthy boy. This is what life is all about. I feel like I’m floating on clouds right now. I’m as happy as I’ve ever been. God is great. I’m blessed beyond my wildest dreams.”
Davidson has earned numerous chart-topping songs for artists including Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Billy Currington, Randy Houser, Luke Bryan, and others.
He married Australian singer-songwriter Natalia Starzynski in 2014. Starzynski also signed with Warner/Chappell Music Nashville in early 2014, and was a member of ASCAP’s GPS Class of 2013, a program intended to develop Nashville’s most promising unsigned writers alongside members of the publishing community.
Country2Country Festival Wraps Another Successful Year
/by Sarah SkatesCMA Songwriters Series on Friday, March 6, 2015 at indigo at The O2 in London as part of C2C (L-R): Butch Spyridon, Pres. of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corps.; Milly Olykan, Sr. Event Producer of AEG London and CMA Board member; Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA; Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmermann of Striking Matches; Sam Palladio; Jon Randall; Jessi Alexander; Kix Brooks; and John Esposito, Pres./CEO of Warner Music Nashville and CMA Board President.
The 2015 C2C, Country 2 Country Festival, the U.K.’s largest country music festival, was a success again this year. Concerts were held Feb. 28 and March 1 in Oslo and Stockholm, and March 7 and 8 in London and Dublin, featuring performances from the biggest names in country music, alongside emerging artists from the U.K. and Europe.
The third C2C London event, presented by AEG Europe and SJM Concerts in association with the Country Music Association, attracted more than 30,000 fans.
C2C featured performances by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Brandy Clark, Florida Georgia Line, Brantley Gilbert, Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore, Lee Ann Womack and many others.
The London events kicked off with a special presentation of the CMA Songwriters Series Friday night at indigo at The O2. Presented in partnership with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. (NCVC), the evening was hosted by Kix Brooks with Jessi Alexander, Clark, Nashville cast member Sam Palladio, and Jon Randall. Due to their overwhelming success at last year’s CMA Songwriters Series at C2C, Striking Matches was invited to join the show as special surprise guests.
CMA also hosted meetings and receptions that brought together international executives to discuss all things country music, including a CMA Executive Strategy Session with the CMA U.K. Advisory Council.
Photos: Anthony D’Angio / CMA
BBC Radio’s Mark Hagen (R) interviews Sam Palladio during a “CMA Talk” during C2C Festival Saturday at indigo at The O2 in London.
CMA Songwriters Series on Friday, March 6, 2015 at indigo at The O2 in London as part of C2C. (L-R): Kix Brooks, Brandy Clark, Sam Palladio, Jessi Alexander, and Jon Randall perform during the CMA Songwriters Series at indigo at The O2 Friday in London.
‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ Lands New Lead Music Booker
/by Jessica NicholsonJulie Gurovitsch
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon will soon get a new lead music booker, MusicRow has confirmed. Julie Gurovitsch, coordinating music producer for NBC’s Today, will begin her new role as lead music booker next month.
The Tonight Show role was previously held by Jonathan Cohen, who left last month.
After starting at Today in 2014, Gurovitsch oversaw 24 bookings for Today‘s Toyota Summer Concert series. The program included artists Rascal Flatts, Hunter Hayes, Kenny Chesney, and Lady Antebellum, alongside artists including Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea, Counting Crows, Usher, and more.