Garth Brooks addresses the press. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser
announced his long awaited return to the road today (July 10), as well as a new studio album to be promoted and marketed via a partnership between his own Pearl Records and Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Records Nashville. Brooks and his team gathered at Marathon Music Works in Nashville to share the news at a media event and luncheon. The entertainer called this the “second half” of his career.
With 134 million albums sold, Brooks is the best selling solo artist of all time. He has long held out from making his music available to digital outlets, and today revealed plans to release his music digitally within the next two or three weeks. “When it is used right, [digital] can do wonders for the artists and the songwriters,” said Brooks, adding, “we play our own way.” Therefore, the music will be exclusively at GarthBrooks.com. Currently the site features a four-day
countdown until his music is available. For a limited window it will be available at what he said is a “stupid” low price. He also alluded to a possible digital music deal with Ticketmaster.
Brooks hasn’t mounted a full-scale tour since 2001, though he has performed various one-off concerts and a long-term gig in Las Vegas. He didn’t reveal the location of the opening concert of the upcoming tour today. Instead, he will fulfill a promise to a fan named Andy, who he met at one of his concerts in Las Vegas, and call Andy on July 14 to reveal the opening city. Brooks said he is proud of the low ticket price for the upcoming run, but didn’t give details, which will be made public in the next ten days.
Ben Farrell of Lon Varnell Enterprises is promoting the outing. “I hope we give you a show that makes you forget the ones in the ’90’s,” Brooks said. The entertainer also said that wife and singer
Trisha Yearwood will be joining him on the tour.
Garth Brooks. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
The new album is being produced by
Mark Miller, who engineered under Brooks’ longtime producer
Allen Reynolds, who is now retired.
Matt Allen is engineering the new project which features Brooks’ longtime studio musicians. “My job at this point is to create,” said Brooks, adding that he is writing and searching for songs, though much of his own material is being overshadowed by the quality of outside songs. No release date has been set, but he expects the first track to be available within the next two months. The singer also discussed how he feels a responsibility to spread the message about his music after he creates it.
His music won’t sound like what is currently spinning on Country radio. “My music is not bro-country, or hick-hop, it’s Garth Brooks,” he said. “I was the guy who ‘wasn’t the Country guy’ in the ’90’s, so it feels a bit weird to be the guy who is now the older Country guy. Garth music is ever evolving and stands the test of time.”
Whereas his recent albums via Pearl Records—mostly repacked versions of older hits—were sold exclusively at Walmart, the new music will be available at all retailers.
Brooks released the box set
Blame It All On My Roots in 2013, but has not put out an album of original material since
2001’s
Scarecrow. However, he continued releasing singles to radio, including the hits “Good Ride Cowboy” and “More Than A Memory.”
Sony Music Entertainment chairman and CEO Doug Morris. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser
, CEO Sony Music Entertainment, sought out Brooks to make the deal. “When you have the opportunity to sign one of the best selling artists of all time to your roster, you jump at it,” he said today.
News of the upcoming tour follows this week’s cancellation of the superstar’s five-night comeback run in Dublin, Ireland due to city permit issues. Brooks addressed the situation saying, “[Today is] a day of joy, but it is also under a cloud.” Earlier this week he stated in a
letter that his crew and equipment are still en route to Dublin in hopes of a last minute revival of the shows. However, Ticketmaster has already
outlined the ticket refund process. Two of the first three questions asked by media at today’s event were from members of the Irish press, but there was no news of an agreement.
News personality
Harry Chapman hosted the press conference and Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO
Gary Overton also appeared.
LeAnn Rimes Preps For Christmas Tour, EP
/by Jessica NicholsonLeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes will spend December 2014 spreading Christmas cheer during a holiday-themed tour titled ONE Christmas in select cities. The tour will run Dec. 5 through Dec. 19.
A coinciding six-song Christmas EP, titled ONE Christmas—Chapter 1, will be released during the holiday season. The project will be produced by Rimes and Darrell Brown, and it marks the first of three Christmas albums Rimes will release over consecutive holiday seasons. ONE Christmas—Chapter 2 will be released in 2015, and ONE Christmas—Chapter 3 will be released in 2016.
“I love EVERYTHING about the holidays,” said Rimes, “and want to share the magic and joy of the season with my fans. I look forward to playing some of my favorite Christmas classics for music lovers in an intimate, cozy setting.”
Rimes announced the tour via a YouTube video, which also hinted at an upcoming special event in New York City.
ONE Christmas Track Listing:
Silent Night Holy Night
I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas
Blue Christmas
Someday at Christmas
Hard Candy Christmas
White Christmas
ONE Christmas tour dates are as follows:
Friday, Dec. 5 Rutland, VT at Paramount Theatre
Sunday, Dec. 7 Bethlehem, PA at Sands Center
Thursday, Dec. 11 Elmira, NY at Clemens Center
Friday, Dec. 12 Poughkeepsie, NY at Mid-Hudson Civic Center
Saturday, Dec. 13 Englewood, NJ at Bergen Pacific Arts Center
Tuesday, Dec. 16 Manhattan, KS at McCain Auditorium
Thursday, Dec. 18 Chicago, IL at Arcada Theatre
Friday, Dec. 19 Manistee, MI at Little River Casino
FGL Launches Dirt Campaign to Benefit Habitat For Humanity
/by Sarah SkatesFlorida Georgia Line performed new single “Dirt” on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on July 8.
Inspired by their new hit “Dirt,” Florida Georgia Line has launched the Dirt Campaign to benefit Habitat for Humanity.
“Dirt” is the lead single from FGL’s sophomore album, due out on Republic Nashville this fall. The project was produced by Joey Moi.
Teaming up with Omaze and WarpSpeed, FGL has set out to raise at least $100,000 for the Dirt Campaign.
Fans are asked to donate when they enter for the chance to win a trip for two on FGL’s “This Is How We Cruise.” The 4-day cruise will set sail from Miami, Florida on November 8, 2014. For various donation levels, campaign supporters will receive fun items, including autographed merchandise.
To donate and join the Dirt Campaign, visit www.omaze.com/fgl.
FGL is currently on the road as direct support for Jason Aldean’s Burn It Down Tour.
'Artist Roster' Coming Soon
/by Eric T. Parker2013-14 Artist Roster Issue
MusicRow Magazine has begun production of its annual Artist Roster print magazine, slated for a mid-August release. The Artist Roster publication is the August/September issue of MusicRow.
Applications will be accepted online through Thursday, July 17, 2014. All listings are FREE.
MusicRow is proud to curate a list of Nashville labels, managers, publicists, business managers, agents, radio promoters and more who are responsible for the successful careers of today’s biggest artists. The quick-to-use reference guide is known for its Artist Grid, neatly outlining the teams behind each star.
For advertising inquiries about the Artist Roster issue, email sales@musicrow.com or contact Publisher/Owner, Sherod Robertson at (615) 499-5418.
Dillon, Varble to Perform at Island Hopper Songwriter Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonAdditional performers include Jeff Cohen, Kristen Kelly, Ruth Collins, Danny Myrick with Megan Linville, George Ducas, Billy Montana, Frank Myers and Loving Mary.
Complimentary trolley transportation will be provided to and from venues, including a special performance at the private home of American painter and graphic artist Robert Rauschenberg on Captiva Island, which will open its doors to the public for the first time exclusively for the festival.
“We are so pleased to welcome so much talent to the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest and offer up close access to these storytellers,” said Dan Spears, vice president, industry relations at BMI. “We are delighted to partner with such a beautiful destination to celebrate American music.”
Guests interested in attending the festival can visit islandhopperfest.com for more information.
Garth Brooks Is Back! World Tour, New Music In The Works
/by Sarah SkatesGarth Brooks addresses the press. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser
Garth Brooks announced his long awaited return to the road today (July 10), as well as a new studio album to be promoted and marketed via a partnership between his own Pearl Records and Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Records Nashville. Brooks and his team gathered at Marathon Music Works in Nashville to share the news at a media event and luncheon. The entertainer called this the “second half” of his career.
With 134 million albums sold, Brooks is the best selling solo artist of all time. He has long held out from making his music available to digital outlets, and today revealed plans to release his music digitally within the next two or three weeks. “When it is used right, [digital] can do wonders for the artists and the songwriters,” said Brooks, adding, “we play our own way.” Therefore, the music will be exclusively at GarthBrooks.com. Currently the site features a four-day countdown until his music is available. For a limited window it will be available at what he said is a “stupid” low price. He also alluded to a possible digital music deal with Ticketmaster.
Brooks hasn’t mounted a full-scale tour since 2001, though he has performed various one-off concerts and a long-term gig in Las Vegas. He didn’t reveal the location of the opening concert of the upcoming tour today. Instead, he will fulfill a promise to a fan named Andy, who he met at one of his concerts in Las Vegas, and call Andy on July 14 to reveal the opening city. Brooks said he is proud of the low ticket price for the upcoming run, but didn’t give details, which will be made public in the next ten days. Ben Farrell of Lon Varnell Enterprises is promoting the outing. “I hope we give you a show that makes you forget the ones in the ’90’s,” Brooks said. The entertainer also said that wife and singer Trisha Yearwood will be joining him on the tour.
Garth Brooks. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
The new album is being produced by Mark Miller, who engineered under Brooks’ longtime producer Allen Reynolds, who is now retired. Matt Allen is engineering the new project which features Brooks’ longtime studio musicians. “My job at this point is to create,” said Brooks, adding that he is writing and searching for songs, though much of his own material is being overshadowed by the quality of outside songs. No release date has been set, but he expects the first track to be available within the next two months. The singer also discussed how he feels a responsibility to spread the message about his music after he creates it.
His music won’t sound like what is currently spinning on Country radio. “My music is not bro-country, or hick-hop, it’s Garth Brooks,” he said. “I was the guy who ‘wasn’t the Country guy’ in the ’90’s, so it feels a bit weird to be the guy who is now the older Country guy. Garth music is ever evolving and stands the test of time.”
Whereas his recent albums via Pearl Records—mostly repacked versions of older hits—were sold exclusively at Walmart, the new music will be available at all retailers.
Brooks released the box set Blame It All On My Roots in 2013, but has not put out an album of original material since 2001’s Scarecrow. However, he continued releasing singles to radio, including the hits “Good Ride Cowboy” and “More Than A Memory.”
Sony Music Entertainment chairman and CEO Doug Morris. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser
Doug Morris, CEO Sony Music Entertainment, sought out Brooks to make the deal. “When you have the opportunity to sign one of the best selling artists of all time to your roster, you jump at it,” he said today.
News of the upcoming tour follows this week’s cancellation of the superstar’s five-night comeback run in Dublin, Ireland due to city permit issues. Brooks addressed the situation saying, “[Today is] a day of joy, but it is also under a cloud.” Earlier this week he stated in a letter that his crew and equipment are still en route to Dublin in hopes of a last minute revival of the shows. However, Ticketmaster has already outlined the ticket refund process. Two of the first three questions asked by media at today’s event were from members of the Irish press, but there was no news of an agreement.
News personality Harry Chapman hosted the press conference and Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Gary Overton also appeared.
Outlaws Benefit Charity For Lost Friend
/by Eric T. ParkerJamey Johnson led the bill, offering songs from Jennings and Hank Cochran, who passed in 2010 from the disease. Also taking the stage were Shooter Jennings, Jessi Colter, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Hayes, Jerrod Niemann, Julie Roberts, Josh Abbott and Carter’s Chord. Serving as the house band were Waylon Jennings’ touring musicians Richie Albright, Jerry Bridges, Fred Newell, Tommy Townsend and Carter Robertson, mother of the members of Carter’s Chord.
Nine board members formed the Nikki Mitchell Foundation to raise money for pancreatic cancer research, which has a six percent survival rate five years from diagnosis. The first fundraising show was held in May 2013 in Austin, Texas. Nashville will host the annual event, Full Moon Full Life.
The sold out crowd participated in live and silent auctions, where Brooks and Dunn’s “Red Dirt Road” lyrics went for $800, duck hunting sold for $1,100, and Waylon’s double platinum plaque for $5,700. Additional auction items included tickets to Dollywood, Cheekwood, Nashville Zoo, Nashville Shores, a Tennessee Titans game and restaurants Puckett’s, White’s Mercantile and Sunflower Café.
Estimates report the Nashville event raised $50,000, all in honor of a friend. Information on the charity can be found here.
Artist Updates (7/10/14)
/by Jessica Nicholson“What I love about what Brandy brings to this is song,” explains Nettles, “is that her voice has a sweet vulnerability to it that I think makes the character in the second verse that much more believable and that much more authentic.”
• • •
For King and Country
For King and Country will launch the 40-city fall tour, titled You Matter—The Tour, beginning Sept. 14 at The People’s Church in Franklin, Tenn. The tour will wrap in New York City on Nov. 23, and is sponsored by Compassion International. The tour supports their sophomore release, Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.
For more information, visit forkingandcountry.com.
• • •
The album was recorded in three sessions: the first two in Los Angeles and Nashville and, lastly, one at the Cash Cabin, in Cash’s hometown of Hendersonville, Tenn. Providing the instrumental backing for most of the album are Greg Leisz (steel guitar, guitars), Keefus Ciancia (keyboards), Patrick Warren (keyboards for the L.A. sessions), Jay Bellerose (drums) and Dave Piltch (bass).
• • •
Rory Partin
A recording with Jimmy C. Newman is on the self-titled album from Rory Partin. Newman added his contribution to “Jambalaya (On The Bayou)” prior to his death in June 2014. For more information, visit rorypartin.com.
YEP Announces Leadership Council
/by Troy_StephensonThe new YEP Leadership Council consists of Emilija Clark (Made In Network), Kristen Kee (Sony Music Nashville), Caroline Melby (Sea Gayle Music), Katie Roth (Crush Music/I.R.S. Records Nashville), Shannon Saunders (WME), Josh Saxe (BMG Chrysalis), Alina Thompson (CMT), Anna Weisband (THiS Music), Laura Williams (Regions Bank), and Jamie Younger (Warner Music Nashville).
“We have some incredibly exciting education initiatives coming down the pipeline for YEP so this was a great time to bring some really talented newcomers into the leadership fold of YEP as our executive board takes on new initiatives to be announced shortly,” stated Executive Director Andrew Cohen.
YEP is made up of people from multiple aspects of the industry and has grown to nearly 6,700 members in the three years since it’s formation in Nashville.
The YEP network creates a platform for the entertainment industry to thrive in a supportive and creative environment for the betterment of its members as well as the industry as a whole.
For more information on YEP, click yepnashville.com.
Shania Twain Hints at New Tour
/by Jessica Nicholson“I think I’m going to do more,” she says. “I guess it’s just something I’m enjoying more now than I have in a long time. Vegas has been a really good transition for me to get back onstage again, and I guess I’m enjoying it. So why not do more?”
Twain says that touring will not necessarily coincide with a new album project, though she says she has plans to return to the studio this year.
“It’s my priority this year and I will be in the studio as soon as I can get in, get my ducks in a row—I’m working on it all the time right now,” she says. “I’ve been writing for it for a long time now, I’ve got lots of things so it’s really about putting the puzzle together now.”
New Renderings Of Proposed Nashville Convention Center Site Released
/by Jessica NicholsonFollowing the opening of the Music City Center, Nashville has plans for its previously existing Nashville Convention Center. In December 2013, a plan was proposed to replace the structure with a one-million-square-foot, mixed-use development. New renderings of the project, designed by Gresham, Smith & Partners, have been released.
As previously reported, the new building will also include underground parking and entertainment complexes. A plaza-like setting along Fifth Avenue will provide a new showcase for the Ryman Auditorium.
The structure will include 840,000-square-feet of office space, a 673-room Nashville Renaissance hotel, along with 244,000 square feet of retail space, and a 50,000 square foot National Museum of African American Music. The latest renderings showcase a multi-story retail space with glass towers.
Construction is estimated to begin in 2017, with an opening tentatively slated for 2019.
Updated rendering of the new NCC construction
Updated rendering of the NCC location