Reed Robertson
Although the Robertson name may be known best for A&E’s Duck Dynasty, Jase and Missy‘s son Reed Robertson is stepping forward with a music career of his own.
“Nobody really cared how we sounded during Duck the Halls,” recalled Missy of the family’s 2013 UMG Nashville Christmas project during a recent visit to MusicRow. “We kept saying, ‘We really do have some talent in our family.’ We want the talent to be forefront instead of just Duck Dynasty [brand] to sell some records.”
Twenty-year-old Reed brought his guitar for a two-song performance of original material for MusicRow.
He penned “Catching Light” and “I’ll Be The One” around a year ago during a month-long stay in Nashville. Recorded with Buddy Cannon—who also produced Duck the Halls, which featured Reed on “Camouflage and Christmas Lights”—Reed released an EP of his own on iTunes in early June.
“My mom was a huge influence,” said Reed. “I grew up singing, and started playing the guitar because my dad pushed me to and to write songs. I can play piano, guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin now. I fell in love with trying to figure out [how to play] and put songs together—I think it’s the most beautiful thing ever.”
Pictured (L-R): Kelsey Grady, Troy Stephenson, Reed Robertson, Sherod Robertson, Sarah Skates, Eric Parker
His first public performance was on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium of all places. The young hopeful recalled how his parents hosting the K-LOVE Awards accelerated his learning of just three chords for the performance. But his guitar neck snapped during an accident right before showtime.
“We were on the bus and the guitar fell over somehow,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is terrible, I’m going to do horrible.’ And Rhett Walker offered his guitar but said it was tuned a half-step down. I didn’t know what that meant but he and I ended up becoming really good friends.
“I didn’t realize the significance of the stage until later on. One of my buddies said, ‘You know how long the list is of people that have played their first show at the Ryman? Probably one.’ It’s really humbling.”
Reed expects to be back in Nashville soon, writing and recording with Cannon.
ACM Lifting Lives: Hunter Hayes, Kristian Bush
/by Lorie HollabaughHunter Hayes performs with the ACM Lifting Lives campers
Hunter Hayes performed with 10 ACM Lifting Lives Music Campers in front of 5000 Special Olympics athletes and family members in Los Angeles, Calif. on Tuesday, July 28.
Presented by L.A. County in conjunction with the Santa Monica Farmers Market, Family’s Picnic in the Park brought California farmers and 11 West Coast chefs for meal preparation. The private reception was held during the 2015 Special Olympics World Games (July 25 – August 2).
The ACM’s weeklong residential program for musically talented individuals with Williams Syndrome is a partnership between ACM Lifting Lives and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
“It was an honor to support such a fantastic cause and get to perform for all of these athletes and their families,” said Hayes. “I had the opportunity to meet the ACM Lifting Lives music campers earlier this summer, and it reminded me how pure and powerful music can be. Being part of this event tonight and getting to perform with them again was an experience I won’t forget.”
Kristian Bush
Kristian Bush To Perform Benefit with Rita Wilson
Kristian Bush and Rita Wilson will team to support that same organization, the ACM Lifting Lives. The two will host a special concert at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, Calif. August 27. The show kicks off at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the benefit can be purchased online for $15 at troubadour.com.
Steel Guitar Pioneer Buddy Emmons Dies At 78
/by Eric T. ParkerBuddy Emmons.
Steel guitar pioneer Buddy Emmons died Wednesday, July 29 at the age of 78.
Emmons played with such musical legends as Ray Price, Ernest Tubb, Linda Ronstadt, Willie Nelson, Gram Parsons, Ray Charles, Roger Miller, George Strait, Faron Young, Judy Collins, The Carpenters, The Everly Brothers, Nancy Sinatra and Emmylou Harris. His songwriting can be heard on Kacey Musgraves‘ latest album on the bonus track “Are You Sure.”
Born in Mishawaka, Ind., Buddie Gene Emmons (nicknamed The Big E) began playing a lap steel at the age of 11. He was professional by the age of 16. His move to Nashville in 1955 led to his joining Little Jimmy Dickens‘ band at the age of 18. He also lived in California.
He led a new style in playing, credited with the “split pedal” sound, which divided one of the instrument’s pedals in two and added strings for modified tuning.
He recorded a 1963 album with that trademark instrument titled, Steel Guitar Jazz in addition to releasing DVDs and seasonal albums. A tribute album was organized in 2013 by steel guitarist Steve Fishell featuring Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Dan Dugmore, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell.
Emmons has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion and events at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
He is preceded in death by his wife Peggy. Arrangements were not immediately available.
[Video] ‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Reed Robertson Recalls First Performance at Ryman
/by Eric T. ParkerReed Robertson
Although the Robertson name may be known best for A&E’s Duck Dynasty, Jase and Missy‘s son Reed Robertson is stepping forward with a music career of his own.
“Nobody really cared how we sounded during Duck the Halls,” recalled Missy of the family’s 2013 UMG Nashville Christmas project during a recent visit to MusicRow. “We kept saying, ‘We really do have some talent in our family.’ We want the talent to be forefront instead of just Duck Dynasty [brand] to sell some records.”
Twenty-year-old Reed brought his guitar for a two-song performance of original material for MusicRow.
He penned “Catching Light” and “I’ll Be The One” around a year ago during a month-long stay in Nashville. Recorded with Buddy Cannon—who also produced Duck the Halls, which featured Reed on “Camouflage and Christmas Lights”—Reed released an EP of his own on iTunes in early June.
“My mom was a huge influence,” said Reed. “I grew up singing, and started playing the guitar because my dad pushed me to and to write songs. I can play piano, guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin now. I fell in love with trying to figure out [how to play] and put songs together—I think it’s the most beautiful thing ever.”
Pictured (L-R): Kelsey Grady, Troy Stephenson, Reed Robertson, Sherod Robertson, Sarah Skates, Eric Parker
His first public performance was on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium of all places. The young hopeful recalled how his parents hosting the K-LOVE Awards accelerated his learning of just three chords for the performance. But his guitar neck snapped during an accident right before showtime.
“We were on the bus and the guitar fell over somehow,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is terrible, I’m going to do horrible.’ And Rhett Walker offered his guitar but said it was tuned a half-step down. I didn’t know what that meant but he and I ended up becoming really good friends.
“I didn’t realize the significance of the stage until later on. One of my buddies said, ‘You know how long the list is of people that have played their first show at the Ryman? Probably one.’ It’s really humbling.”
Reed expects to be back in Nashville soon, writing and recording with Cannon.
CMHoF To License Historical Photos With Getty
/by Eric T. ParkerA young Brenda Lee performs in Nashville’s Centennial Park. Photo: CMHoF/Elmer Williams Collection
In an effort to raise money for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum‘s ongoing digitization efforts, the Nashville museum has partnered with Getty Images to make images from its archives available for global licensing.
The museum’s Elmer Williams Collection launches the collaboration, with 3,000 images, most previously unpublished. From 1952-62, Williams was one of the busiest country music photographers in Nashville, using his Busch Pressman 4×5 inch camera to capture candid photos at music industry events and backstage at the Grand Ole Opry.
This is the first collaboration of its kind for the museum, which is dedicated to preserving and teaching the evolving history of country music.
“The Elmer Williams Collection offers a right-place, right-time view into the sweet spot of country music’s classic period from the early ’50s to the early ’60s,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. “The photos were added to the museum’s collection in the 1990s, and we’re excited to finally share these images as part of an ongoing effort to provide access to the unduplicated collection and to fund the museum’s massive archival digitization project.”
Minnie Pearl performs on the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: CMHoF/Elmer Williams Collection
The digitization project was kick-started by over $600,000 in grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services and the GRAMMY Foundation, among others. This funding allows five full-time staff members to work on the analog-to-digital conversion, creating preservation and access files and metadata to create an online searchable database for scholars. The project aims to digitize more than 100,000 items in the collection by 2024.
The CMHoF’s Elmer Williams Collection is available can be viewed here.
iHeartRadio Annouces Shelton, Chesney For Fifth Music Festival
/by Eric T. ParkerThe Daytime Village returns to the MGM Resorts Village on Saturday, Sept. 19 with performances, fan zones and interactive experiences.
The line up also includes Kanye West, Sam Smith, The Who, Coldplay, Demi Lovato, David Guetta, The Weeknd, Tove Lo, Lil Wayne, Fall Out Boy, Disclosure, Hozier, Jason Derulo, Duran Duran, Prince Royce, Diplo, Trey Songz, The Killers, Nick Jonas, Janet Jackson and surprise guests.
“What makes this show unlike all others is that every artist is a massive star and could easily headline the MGM Arena on their own,” said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms, iHeartMedia.
The iHeartRadio Music Festival will broadcast live on iHeartMedia radio stations for fans throughout the country across 150 markets and will stream live on Yahoo Screen each night at 7:30 p.m. PT. The iHeartRadio Music Festival will also return to The CW Network as an exclusive two-night special on Sept. 29-30 from 8:00-10:00 p.m.
A pre-sale for MasterCard customers began July 30. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT via iHeartRadio.com/buytickets. Tickets for the Daytime Village can be purchased via iHeartRadio.com/village. iHeartMedia station listeners will have the chance to win all-expense-paid trips. One grand prize winner will be chosen to receive a fantasy all-access experience.
The iHeartRadio Music Festival is co-produced by John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises and Tom Poleman.
Schermerhorn To Celebrate Hank, Cash for One-Night Theatrical Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughHank and Cash Legacy Cast
Studio Tenn Theatre Company and the Nashville Symphony have partnered to present The Hank and Cash Legacy, a one-night-only theatrical concert celebrating Hank Williams Sr. and Johnny Cash at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on August 14 at 7:30 PM.
“We are proud to partner with Studio Tenn to bring an all-new production to the Schermerhorn stage,” said Nashville Symphony President & CEO Alan D. Valentine. “Like so much of the programming we do here, ‘The Hank and Cash Legacy’ is both world-class and uniquely local—the kind of experience you can only have here in Music City. Great music touches everyone, and the legendary songs of Hank Williams and Johnny Cash resonate strongly with music lovers of all kinds.”
Modeled after Studio Tenn’s original productions 2013 The Hank Legacy and the 2015 The Cash Legacy (below), this combination show features singers and musicians putting stylistic spins on timeless hits. From Hank’s “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey, Good Lookin’” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” to Cash’s “I Walk the Line,” “Man in Black,” “Ring of Fire” and dozens more.
Tickets are on sale at StudioTenn.com.
Chris Young Named Title Sponsor of Music Row Ladies Golf Tourney
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Young. Photo: ACM/Getty
The 29th annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament has added Chris Young as the title sponsor of this year’s event on August 17.
The tournament will once again benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee and be held at Old Natchez Country Club in Franklin, Tenn. Tim McGraw, ASCAP, City National Bank are also sponsors of the event.
“I’ve been part of the tournament for the last several years, caddying when I’m not on the road or sponsoring when I couldn’t be there in person,” Young commented. “I’m glad to support this fun event which helps benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee.”
Registration is now open and sells out quickly. To register, please contact Suzanne Lee at slee@ascap.com.
Luke Bryan to Perform Special Show for Citi Card Holders in NYC
/by Lorie HollabaughTickets for the special Big Apple show will be available for purchase for Citi cardmembers beginning Aug. 5. Fans can tune in to stream the concert live online on Aug. 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET here and will also be able to stream the show wherever they are through the Yahoo Screen App on mobile devices (iOS, Android) and connected devices (Apple TV, Roku and Xbox).
“Luke Bryan’s last album solidified his superstar status and we are thrilled to celebrate the release of Kill The Lights,” said Jennifer Breithaupt, Global Head of Entertainment Marketing for Citi. “Country music is a favorite among Citi cardmembers. We’ve enjoyed working with Luke on his previous tours and know this intimate concert will be a night to remember.”
“I am so excited to be getting this new music out to my fans and cannot wait to be on stage and enjoy the album release night with them!” adds Bryan about the special event.
Country Stars Reveal Film Faves on Fandango Web Series
/by Lorie HollabaughPaisley’s choice is the Jimmy Stewart holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life. “There is a similarity between Country songs and the movies, maybe more so than any other art form,” said Paisley about the power of films. “Country songs, when done in a story form, are the closest thing to a Hollywood script you’ll find.”
McCreery found parallels between his favorite film Miracle, about the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team victory over the Soviet Union, and his own life story unfolding. “If you could read my mind when Ryan Seacrest said the winner of American Idol is Scotty McCreery, you could almost hear those lines ‘Do you believe in miracles?’ It was incredible for me out of nowhere, small town USA, to be getting up there and doing that in front of all those people.”
The 2008 horror thriller, The Strangers, left a lasting impression on Maddie & Tae, while Old Dominion’s members were so influenced by their favorite, Back To The Future, that it inspired their new video for “Break Up With Him.”
The episodes were filmed at the CMA Music Festival this summer and are available for viewing on Fandango Movieclips on YouTube and Fandango.com.
Industry Ink: Jerrod Niemann, Mickey Jack Cones, Renegade Radio, Songwriters For Second Harvest
/by Lorie HollabaughNiemann’s “Blue Bandana”
Jerrod Niemann’s “Blue Bandana” was the most-added song at country radio this week, with a career high of 83 first-week stations added on Billboard and Country Aircheck. The Sony staff bandana-ed up in tribute and gathered with Niemann to celebrate the feat at the label.
Pictured: (L-R): Front– Arista Nashville Regional Promotion Managers Lauren Thomas and Rusty Sherrill; Jenny Shearin, Promotion Specialist, Arista Nashville; Center – Andy Elliott, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville; Lesly Tyson, VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville; Christy Garbinski, Promotion Representative, Sony Music Nashville; R.G. Jones, Director, Promotion/Strategy & Analysis; and, Back – Steve Hodges, EVP, Promotion & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville; Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Jerrod Nieman; Ken Robold, EVP & COO, Sony Music Nashville; and, John Sigler, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville
Cones Wedding in Mexico
Producer Mickey Jack Cones (Joe Nichols. Trace Adkins, Dustin Lynch) married Shannon Danielle Harvey July 25 on the Mexican island of Isla Mujeres where they are also honeymooning. The guests of the ocean front wedding included 24 of their immediate family members from Texas and Alabama, and friends.
Shannon Danielle Harvey and Micky Jack Cones
Robby Lynn has joined Renegade Radio Nashville as host of the morning show from 8-12 noon Monday-Fridays. Lynn will continue his Sunday’s Kind Of Country show, which he has hosted for the past 20 years, from Music City, and will also host a special show on Tuesdays, Hometown Check-In, where calls will be made back to his hometown of Vidor, Texas to check out what is happening in and around the city. He will also host a writer’s rounds show where he will interview a new songwriter each week.
Local songwriters will take to the stage to help the hungry at “For The Love Of Tomatoes,” a food drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee Aug. 10. Leah Turner, SaraBeth, Jordyn Stoddard, Sandra Lynn, Colby Dee, Sasha McVeigh, Lindsey Highlander, April Kry, and Mary Sarah will perform at the benefit at Dan McGuinness Irish Pub at 6 p.m., and canned goods will be accepted at the door for admission. All proceeds will go directly to Second Harvest.