Cover art for LBT’s new album.
Today (Aug. 25)
Little Big Town announced an upcoming tour and revealed the cover of their new album, due out Oct. 21.
The Pain Killer Tour, with special guests
Brett Eldredge and
Brothers Osborne, will launch Nov. 8, 2014 in Youngstown, OH. The journey will wrap Dec. 13 in Rockford, IL, with all dates except Mt. Pleasant, MI being produced by AEG LIVE/The Messina Group. For the first time, the band is offering a VIP experience including meet and greets, pre-show soundcheck, exclusive merchandise, and more. For details on VIP packages and pre-sale tickets visit
www.littlebigtown.com.
The foursome also unveiled the cover of their sixth studio album
Pain Killer on their
Instagram page.
Pain Killer includes current hit single, “Day Drinking.”
The Pain Killer Tour
11/8 Youngstown, OH, Covelli Centre
11/9 Cincinnati, OH, Bank of Kentucky Center
11/13 Roanoke, VA, Salem Civic Center
11/14 Knoxville, TN, Knoxville Civic Coliseum
11/15 Atlanta, GA, Fox Theatre
11/20 Denver, CO, 1st Bank Center
11/21 Wichita, KS, Hartman Arena
11/22 Dallas, TX, Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
12/4 Detroit, MI, Masonic Temple Detroit
12/5 Chicago, IL, Rosemont Theatre
12/6 Mt. Pleasant, MI, Soaring Eagle (Brett Eldredge Only)
12/12 Rochester, MN, Mayo Civic Center Arena
12/13 Rockford, IL, BMO Harris Bank Center
Valory Music Co. Signs Levi Hummon
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Back Row – Iconic Entertainment’s Brian O’Neil, BMLG’s Malcolm Mimms, Allison Jones, Andrew Kautz and Iconic Entertainment’s Ally Rodriguez; Front Row – BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Levi Hummon & Iconic Entertainment’s Fletcher Foster. Photo: Seth Hellman for The Valory Music Co.
The Valory Music Co. has signed Levi Hummon, a Nashville native who is working on his debut album, due out next year.
Hummon is managed by Fletcher Foster’s Iconic Entertainment Group. The 23-year-old is the son of Grammy winning songwriter Marcus Hummon (“God Bless The Broken Road”) and Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of the Thistle Farms philanthropy. Hit songwriter Desmond Child has also been a key part of Levi Hummon’s development.
“As our Country format ebbs and flows, it’s always so important from an A&R perspective to look past what’s happening now and make some moves on the future direction,” said BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta. “Levi’s unique vision and incredible artistry is exactly the kind of musical move we want to make now. This is a very significant artist signing.”
“It really feels like a dream come true to be a part of the Valory/BMLG family! I’ve gotten to know a lot of the staff already, and it feels like one big family,” said Levi. “This label home already feels so supportive and is a perfect fit for my music. I also want to give a special shout out to my dad, who has been both a friend and mentor to me through this process, and a huge thank you to Desmond Child and Fletcher Foster for their belief in me.”
Levi Hummon has collaborated with Shane MacAnally, Andrew Dorff, Josh Osborne, Jonathan Singleton, Nathan Barlowe, Brandy Clark and Trevor Rosen among others.
The Valory roster includes superstar Reba, chart-topping stars Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett as well as legendary band The Mavericks and newcomer RaeLynn.
Martina McBride Adds 'Everlasting Tour' Dates
/by Jessica Nicholson“We’ve worked hard to put together a show that is visually entertaining as well as very rich musically,” shares McBride. “There’s so much for the audience to see and experience. I feel like this show really takes the audience on a musical journey. The songs from Everlasting and my hits blend seamlessly together throughout the night.”
Seven dates on the fall leg have already sold-out, including Meridian, Miss; Forrest City, Ark.; Lake Charles, La.; two dates in Nashville; Midland, TX; and Dayton, OH.
*8/28 Meridian, MS MSU Riley Center for The Performing Arts
*8/29 Forrest City, AR East Arkansas Community College Fine Arts Center
*8/30 Lake Charles, LA L’Auberge Casino and Hotel
*8/31 Nashville, TN 3rd and Lindsley
9/5 Carmel, IN The Palladium
9/6 Wabash, IN Honeywell Center
9/11 Deadwood, SD Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center
9/12 Mahnomen, MN Shooting Star Casino
9/13 Waukegan, IL Genesee Theater
9/18 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
9/19 Lincoln, CA Thunder Valley Casino Resort
9/20 Pomona, CA Los Angeles County Fair
9/22 San Diego, CA House of Blues
*9/25 Midland, TX Wagner Noel PAC
9/26 Durant, OK Choctaw Event Center
9/27 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
10/2 Dartmouth, NS Dartmouth Sportsplex
10/3 Moncton, NB The Center at Casino New Brunswick
10/4 St Johns, NL Canada Mile One Centre
10/9 Westbury, NY Theatre at Westbury
10/10 Albany, NY Palace Theatre
10/11 Waterbury, CT Palace Theatre
10/16 Sarasota, FL Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
10/17 Melbourne, FL King Center for the Performing Arts
10/18 Niceville, FL Mullett Festival
10/24 Athens, GA Classic Center Theater
*11/1 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
11/7 Dearborn, MI Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
*11/8 Dayton, OH Schuster Center
11/13 Jim Thorpe, PA Penn’s Peak
11/14 Utica, NY The Stanley
11/15 Lynn, MA Lynn Auditorium
11/21 Brookings, SD Swiftel Center
11/29 Kansas City, MO Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
12/3 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre
12/4 Northfield, OH Hard Rock Live
12/5 Red Bank, NJ Count Basie Theatre
12/11 Milwaukee, WI Northern Lights Theatre
12/12 Milwaukee, WI Northern Lights Theatre
12/13 Omaha, NE Orpheum Theatre
*Indicates sold out
Artist Pics: Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Chase Rice
/by Kelsey_GradyMontgomery Gentry is back in the studio with producer Michael Knox putting the finishing touches on their brand new album, which is expected to release on Blaster Records in early 2015. The duo’s debut single, “Headlights,” written by hit tunesmiths Wendell Mobley, Bob DiPiero, and Tony Martin, will be available for fans to download digitally on Sept. 2.
Pictured (L-R): Michael Knox, Eddie Montgomery, Troy Gentry Photo: Eddie Kilgallon
• • •
Saturday night, Starwood Preferred Guest hosted a special intimate concert for SPG members with Kellie Pickler at Four Points By Sheraton Nashville-Brentwood as part of the SPG Hear The Music, See The World concert series. Nashville’s Connie Britton and newcomer Laura Benanti showed up to enjoy Pickler’s VIP performance, who also guest starred on the TV show’s popular second season.
Pictured (L-R): Laura Benanti, Kellie Pickler, Connie Britton Photo: Getty/WireImage
• • •
Chase Rice stopped by to chat with Crook & Chase recently about his album Ignite the Night, which was released earlier this week.
Pictured (L-R): Charlie Chase, Chase Rice, Lorianne Crook
Industry Ink: Vector Management, Integrity Music, Nashville Entertainment Law Symposium
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
Stu G and Mike Murray, Creative Director at Integrity Music Publishing
Integrity Music Publishing has signed Stu G as an exclusive songwriter. He is a member of One Sonic Society and a founder of worship band Delirious?. Integrity Music is home to songwriters including Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche, Israel Houghton and more.
Stu G’s songwriting credits include “The Greatness of Our God” (Natalie Grant/One Sonic Society), “Majesty” (Delirious?), and more.
• • •
Speakers will include Nashville Forum Committee members Jeffrey Brabec (Beverly Hills), Todd Brabec (Los Angeles), Henry Root (Los Angeles) Kirt Schroder (Richmond, Va.), Judy Tint (New York), Michael Milom (Nashville), James Zumwalt (Nashville), as well as Nashville guests John Beiter, Stephanie Taylor, John Strohm, Nicolas Beaudoing, Kent Marcus, Denise Stevens, Jeremy Brook, JD Connell, Megan Joyce and others.
To register, visit eventbrite.com. Registration deadline is Aug. 29.
Merle Haggard Taps Chris Janson For Ryman Concerts
/by Sarah SkatesChris Janson performs at the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza during the 2014 CMA Music Festival.
Merle Haggard is performing at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium tonight (Aug. 25) and tomorrow (Aug. 26), with Chris Janson set to open both sold-out dates.
“It’s an incredible honor to play on this show and I’m humbled. It’s hard to even find words to describe…this is a career milestone for me and I’m beyond grateful,” shares Janson. “It’s just a few shorts steps from the back door of Tootsie’s where I had my first gig and a lot of hard work later to make it to the Ryman with Merle. A dream come true!”
Janson, who played more than 100 shows last year, has opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd, Florida Georgia Line, and Hank Williams Jr. This summer he played at major festivals Country Thunder, We Fest and Creekfest. Since Janson’s Grand Ole Opry debut last year, he has been asked to perform on the coveted stage over 50 times.
The talented songwriter began writing at 18-years-old, and has scored cuts by Tim McGraw (“Truck Yeah”), Justin Moore (“Off The Beaten Path”) and Parmalee (“Back In The Day”).
Merle Haggard will play the Ryman tonight.
Warner/Chappell Extends Pub Deal With James, Cornman Music
/by Jessica NicholsonBen Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville, said, “Whether it’s the writing room, the office, the studio, or the board room, Brett James operates at the highest level as a songwriter, producer, talent developer, and publisher. It’s a real pleasure for Warner/Chappell to represent Brett and work with his team of Nate Lowery and Shea Fowler at Cornman Music. There is so much great music coming from Brett and Cornman—watch out world.”
James added, “Warner/Chappell is the perfect partner for me and my Cornman Music family. They combine a peerless creative culture with a worldwide administrative juggernaut to provide us with an amazing platform for success. I truly enjoy working and playing with them on a daily basis and am thrilled to continue our relationship.”
James has had over four hundred of his songs recorded, 17 of which were No. 1 hits, and has worked on albums with combined sales of more than 100 million copies.
Florida Georgia Line To Headline Tailgate Concert
/by Troy_StephensonPictured (L-R): Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley
Florida Georgia Line has teamed up with Coors Light to headline the “Anything Goes Tailgate” concert at the Shipyards in Jacksonville, Fla. on Oct. 31, 2014.
The event will kick off the Georgia-Florida Weekend where the University of Georgia and University of Florida will play on Saturday Nov. 1, 2014. The event serves double-duty as a release party for their new album Anything Goes, which will be released on Oct. 14.
“How can you get any more relevant than Florida Georgia Line at the Georgia Florida game?” said Billy Catlin, Principal of Orange Peel Entertainment. “Eight bands with FGL headlining on a forty-four acre riverfront property … it can’t get much better than this for locals, as well as Florida and Georgia fans.”
The event sponsored by Your Southern Chevy Dealers, Monster Energy Drink and Costa Sunglasses will also feature openers Cole Swindell, The Cadillac Three, Clare Dunn, John King, Michael Ray and more.
Fans can get a ticket to the concert and an exclusive t-shirt with a digital copy of the new album by visiting www.jaxtailgate.com. Ticket bundles start at $23 (plus applicable fees) and go on-sale Saturday Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. ET.
Second Annual ASCAP Music City Retreat
/by Kelsey_GradyPictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Evan Trindl, Dan+Shay’s Dan Smyers, Brett James, Dan+Shay’s Shay Mooney, Robopop and Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ryan Beuschel
Photo: Ed Rode
ASCAP’s Nashville office recently hosted the second annual ASCAP Music City Retreat three-day songwriting event, held at Blackbird Studios in Berry Hill. The retreat served to highlight the unique talents of the ASCAP songwriting community in country and pop music, and combined some of the hottest ASCAP songwriters and songwriter-artists based in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles and across the country, hand-selected by ASCAP membership staff representing each genre.
The purpose of the event is to provide an intimate and focused setting for hit songs to be created, and ultimately recorded and released while developing long-lasting relationships between the songwriters involved for future collaborations.
Songwriter-artist participants included Dan+Shay, Tom and Mike Gossin of Gloriana, Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three, Love and Theft, Mickey G, Priscilla and David Nail. Country music songwriter participants included Jessi Alexander, JT Harding, Brett James, Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, as well as songwriter-producers Chris DeStefano and Jimmy Robbins. Pop songwriters and producers who participated in the retreat included AC, DJ Whiteshadow, Robopop and Kyle Shearer.
Their combined songwriting and production credits include huge hits recorded by a diverse list of artists such as Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Lady Gaga, Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney, Kesha, Lady Antebellum, Lana Del Ray, Luke Bryan, Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Lambert, Pitbull, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and more.
Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Robbins and Gloriana’s Tom Gossin. Photo: Ed Rode
Pictured (L-R): Jessi Alexander, Kyle Shearer and Gloriana’s Mike Gossin. Photo: Ed Rode
Pictured (L-R): Chris Tompkins, Priscilla and Jaren Johnston. Photo: Ed Rode
Pictured (L-R): Josh Kear, Jimmy Robbins, Love and Theft’s Eric Gunderson, AC, (front row) ASCAP Nashville Creative Department co-head LeAnn Phelan and ASCAP Los Angeles Creative Director Evan Trindl. Photo: Ed Rode
Artist Updates: Stephen Barker Liles, Luke Bryan, Emily West
/by Jessica NicholsonLove and Theft’s Stephen Barker Liles
Love and Theft’s Stephen Barker Liles married Jenna Michelle Kennedy on Sunday (Aug. 24) at Ruby Nashville. The ceremony included a dedication for their son Jett Barker Liles.
Among the guests were Liles’ fellow Love and Theft member Eric Gunderson, his wife Emily and their son Camden.
• • •
Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan has been added to the all-star lineup for Fashion Rocks, which airs from Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday, Sept 9.
Bryan will join Afrojack, Duran Duran, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, KISS, MAGIC!, Miranda Lambert, The Band Perry, Nico & Vinz, Pitbull, Rita Ora, and Usher. Ryan Seacrest will host the event.
• • •
Country music made a great showing on Saturday, Aug. 23, prior to the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, as drivers walked out to the music of hand-picked songs. Kevin Harvick chose Jake Owen‘s “Pass A Beer,” Casey Mears walked out to Kenny Chesney‘s “American Kids,” Jeff Gordon chose pal Brad Paisley‘s “Moonshine In The Trunk,” Martin Truex, Jr. selected Eric Church‘s “The Outsiders.” David Stremme hand-picked the appropriate “Ready Set Roll” from Chase Rice.
Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and David Gilliland all opted for songs featuring Justin Moore, choosing “Let The Night Roll,” “Outlaws Like Me,” and “Small Town Throwdown” (Brantley Gilbert, featuring Moore and Thomas Rhett), respectively.
• • •
Emily West from America’s Got Talent dropped by singer-songwriter Risa Binder‘s album release party for her Nashville EP on Aug. 5 at Nashville restaurant Cabana.
Pictured (L-R): Emily West, Risa Binder
Little Big Town Reveals Tour Dates, Album Cover
/by Sarah SkatesCover art for LBT’s new album.
Today (Aug. 25) Little Big Town announced an upcoming tour and revealed the cover of their new album, due out Oct. 21.
The Pain Killer Tour, with special guests Brett Eldredge and Brothers Osborne, will launch Nov. 8, 2014 in Youngstown, OH. The journey will wrap Dec. 13 in Rockford, IL, with all dates except Mt. Pleasant, MI being produced by AEG LIVE/The Messina Group. For the first time, the band is offering a VIP experience including meet and greets, pre-show soundcheck, exclusive merchandise, and more. For details on VIP packages and pre-sale tickets visit www.littlebigtown.com.
The foursome also unveiled the cover of their sixth studio album Pain Killer on their Instagram page. Pain Killer includes current hit single, “Day Drinking.”
The Pain Killer Tour
11/8 Youngstown, OH, Covelli Centre
11/9 Cincinnati, OH, Bank of Kentucky Center
11/13 Roanoke, VA, Salem Civic Center
11/14 Knoxville, TN, Knoxville Civic Coliseum
11/15 Atlanta, GA, Fox Theatre
11/20 Denver, CO, 1st Bank Center
11/21 Wichita, KS, Hartman Arena
11/22 Dallas, TX, Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
12/4 Detroit, MI, Masonic Temple Detroit
12/5 Chicago, IL, Rosemont Theatre
12/6 Mt. Pleasant, MI, Soaring Eagle (Brett Eldredge Only)
12/12 Rochester, MN, Mayo Civic Center Arena
12/13 Rockford, IL, BMO Harris Bank Center