Country singer Sarah Darling is one of the first performers named as a competitor on ABC’s new musical reality competition “Rising Star,” which debuts Sunday, June 22 at 9 p.m. ET. Brad Paisley, Josh Groban, Kesha and Ludacris has signed on to take part as experts in the competition.
“I am so excited to be a contestant on RISING STAR!!!,” says Darling. “It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to perform before the entire country LIVE! The fans at home can make a difference for me, and I hope they all download the Rising Star app and raise the wall for me!”
• • •
Sony Music Nashville recording artists Tyler Farr, Jerrod Niemann and Chris Young performed for industry executives and Country Radio Broadcasters board members at Nashville-based event venue, Ruby, on Wednesday (June 19). All three appeared in conjunction with the annual CRB board and CRS agenda committee meetings, held to plan Country Radio Seminar 2015. CRS 2015 will be held Feb. 25-27, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.
Pictured (L-R): CRB/CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne, CRB/CRS President/WLHK Charlie Morgan, WXTU’s Shelly Easton, Tyler Farr, Chairman & CEO Sony Music Nashville Gary Overton, Chris Young, KKBQ’s Johnny Chiang, and Jerrod Niemann. Photo: Alan Poizner
• • •
Love and Theft‘s Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles performed at Pandora presents Love and Theft at StubHub’s Next Stage Series at Cannery Ballroom on Tuesday (June 17) in Nashville.
Photo: Ed Rode
• • •
Craig Morgan
will join
Craig Morgan for Morgan’s eighth annual charity event on July 20, benefitting the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation.
The event will launch at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 20 at Paul Allen Farm, located at 1286 Bell Hollow Rd in Vanleer, Tenn. The event will include a motocross exhibition, followed by a group trail ride and lunch. Participants this year include
Kevin Windham, Malcolm Stewart, Destry Abbott, Fred Andrews, Randy Hawkins, Andrew Short, and
Larry Ward.
Later that night, fans can catch performances from Morgan and Lawrence on the Dickson War Memorial Lawn. A live and silent auction will also take place at the concert. Tickets are available at
craigmorgan.com and all Dickson Tri-Star Bank locations.
• • •
Brandon Chase
season 5 Team Blake contestant
Brandon Chase recently revealed the video for his debut single, “One,” to seventeen.com. The clip was featured in conjunction with their “Crush of the Week” and CMA Music Festival. The video was shot in his home state of Texas.
The Arlington, Texas native graduated high school at age 15, and completed a masters certificate in songwriting from Berklee College of Music at age 17. He taught himself to play piano and guitar, and has been writing original music since age 14.
• • •
Actor Tom Hiddleston
English actor
Tom Hiddleston, 33, perhaps best known for his role of Loki in
The Avengers franchise, will portray the late Country legend
Hank Williams, Sr., in the upcoming Hank Williams biopic.
I Saw The Light will begin shooting in Louisiana in October, and will tell the story of Williams’ rise to stardom.
Alabama native Hiram King “Hank” Williams died at age 29 on Jan. 1, 1953, and is responsible for the classic hits “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Move It On Over,” “I’m A Long Gone Daddy,” “Cold, Cold Heart,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Hey Good Lookin’,” and numerous others.
Luke Bryan Sets Attendance Record At Pittsburgh's Heinz Field
/by Troy_StephensonLuke Bryan headlined his first stadium concert at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Saturday, June 21. With more than 50,000 people at the show, it marked the largest number of tickets sold for a Country event at the stadium.
The night included openers Cole Swindell, Lee Brice, and Dierks Bentley.
“I want to thank you so much for selling Heinz Field out,” said Bryan. “As long as I live I will remember the great city of Pittsburgh.”
The That’s My Kind of Night Tour continues through the fall with three more stadium dates planned this summer: Aug. 10 in Boston at Gillette Stadium, Aug. 15 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and Aug. 31 in Chicago at Soldier Field.
Additionally, Bryan made recent Billboard chart history when he reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with “Play It Again,” while “This Is How We Roll” with Florida Georgia Line claimed the No. 2 spot. Bryan becomes the first artist to ever hold the two top positions since the chart began in 1990.
LifeNotes: Opry Star Jimmy C. Newman Dies
/by Jessica NicholsonJimmy C. Newman
Grand Ole Opry star Jimmy C. Newman died Saturday night (June 21) in Nashville after a brief illness. He was 86.
A public service will be held Wednesday, June 25 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium at 10 a.m., followed by a private visitation and a memorial service for close friends and family. Contributions can be made to the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund.
Newman joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1956; his final performance at the Opry was Friday, June 6, 2014.
Newman was born in Mamou, La., in 1927. As children, he and his brother Walter helped support the family farm. Later, Newman formed a band and hosted a show on KPLC-TV (Lake Charles) and joined the Louisiana Hayride.
Newman’s first Nashville deal was a publishing contract with Acuff-Rose Music, which led to a recording deal with Dot Records. His hits included “A Fallen Star,” “Cry, Cry Darling,” and the Cajun-laced singles “Diggy Liggy Lo,” “Alligator Man,” and “Bayou Talk.” He was later inducted into the Cajun Hall of Fame, Cajun Music Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
In his later years, he enjoyed spending time on his ranch in Rutherford County with his wife, Mae.
BMLG's Dot Records Signs Drake White
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Back Row – Vector Management’s Ross Schilling, Ken Levitan, Trey Wilson;
Front Row – BMLG SVP A&R Allison Jones, Dot Records GM Chris Stacey, Dot Records artist Drake White, BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta. Photo: Seth Hellman for Dot Records
Big Machine Label Group’s Dot Records has added soulful singer-songwriter Drake White to its artist roster. BMLG revived the Dot Records brand earlier this year.
“Drake White is one of the most dynamic live performers I have ever seen,” shared General Manager Chris Stacey. “He is a phenomenal songwriter and a powerhouse vocalist. I believe he can be a force in today’s musical landscape and I welcome him to the Dot Records’ family.”
White has toured with artists including Willie Nelson, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Blackberry Smoke, Toby Keith, and Kid Rock. White was previously signed to MCA Nashville, where he released the single “The Simple Life.”
White comments, “All an artist could ever ask for is at Dot. Excitement surrounds the revitalization of this nostalgic name and the band and I are ecstatic to be working with this team! I want to be around dreamers, people that are not afraid to push boundaries. It’s gonna be a great ride with this diverse, talented family. Scott is a doer and Chris has great ears and a straight shooting gun. I’m so blessed to be working with these great folks.”
MusicRowPics: Blackhawk Brings The Harmonies
/by Jessica NicholsonBlackhawk performs for MusicRow staff.
Blackhawk, one of Country music’s premier harmony groups of the ’90s, has returned with its latest single, “Brothers of the Southland,” the title track from Blackhawk’s first project in 12 years, due out in early July.
Now signed with Loud & Proud Records, Blackhawk’s Henry Paul, Dave Robbins and Randy Threet showcased pitch perfect harmonies on “Brothers of the Southland,” as well as classic Blackhawk singles “Every Once In A While” and “That’s Just About Right” during a performance for MusicRow staff.
The group originally comprised Henry Paul, Van Stephenson and Dave Robbins, and signed with Arista Nashville in 1993. The band’s debut single, “Goodbye Says It All,” reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks, and their self-titled debut album went double platinum. The album’s four additional singles, “I Sure Can Smell The Rain,” “Every Once In A While,” “Down In Flames,” and “That’s Just About Right,” all made the Top 10. The follow-up project, 1995’s Strong Enough, went on to be certified Gold and produced the hit songs “I’m Not Strong Enough To Say No,” and “Like There Ain’t No Yesterday.”
“We were very lucky to be in the right place at the right time,” says lead singer Paul. “Our sound was just left of center, and now, promoting our new single, it reminds me so much of when were started, visiting all of the radio stations across the country.”
In 2001, Stephenson lost his battle with skin cancer. Brothers of the Southland features a few demo songs recorded with Stephenson during the early days of Blackhawk. The first single and title track first appeared on Blackhawk’s 2002 album Spirit Dancer, the first project the group recorded after Stephenson’s death.
The group currently plays approximately 100 dates per year. For more information, visit blackhawklive.com.
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Zac Brown Band Adds Sturgill Simpson to Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonKentucky native Sturgill released his debut independent album, High Top Mountain, in 2013, followed by 2014’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music. The May 13 release opened at No. 11 on the Billboard Top Country albums chart.
Great American Road Trip Tour Dates:
6/19 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
6/20 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
6/21 – Forest Hills, NY – Forest Hills Stadium
6/22 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
6/27 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
6/28 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
7/03 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest – Marcus Amphitheater
7/10 – PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ)*
7/12 – First Niagara Pavilion (Burgettstown, PA)*
7/13 – Noblesville, IN – Klipsch Music Center
7/16 – Paso Robles, CA – Midstate Fair
7/20 – Lake Tahoe, NV – Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena
8/02 – Camrose, Alberta – Big Valley Jamboree
8/04 – Sturgis, SD – Buffalo Chip
8/09 – Detroit Lakes, MN – WE Fest
8/15 – Endicott, NY – Dick’s Sporting Goods Open
8/16 – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion (Gilford, NH)*
8/21 – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre (Toronto, ON)*
8/23 – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center (Darien Center, NY)*
8/24 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center (Saratoga Springs, NY)*
8/29 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (Bethel, NY)*
8/30 – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater (Wantagh, NY)*
9/13 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field
* With Sturgill Simpson
The Avett Brothers To Headline AmericanaFest
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Avett Brothers. Photo: Crackerfarm
The Avett Brothers have signed on for a headlining spot Saturday, Sept. 20 at Nashville’s Riverfront Park as part of Americana Music Association’s 15th Annual Festival and Conference. Admission to the Avett Brothers’ Riverfront show, co-sponsored by WRLT Lightning 100, will be included in Americana’s Music Festival & Conference registration, and tickets for the general public will go on sale Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. at ticketfly.com.
Lee Ann Womack, Suzy Bogguss, Rodney Crowell, Marty Stuart, Allison Moorer, Angaleena Presley, Buddy Miller, Carlene Carter, and The Fairfield Four are among the many additional performers slated for this year’s AmericanaFest.
160 artists will perform in 11 venues including 3rd & Lindsley, The Basement, City Winery, High Watt, Cannery, Mercy Lounge, The Rutledge, Station Inn, Music City Roots, Downtown Presbyterian Church and Musicians Corner.
The 15th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, presented by Nissan will take place Sept. 17-21, 2014 in Nashville, Tenn. The festival is anchored by the 13th Annual Honors & Awards Show, to be held Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. For more information, visit americanamusic.org.
The first half of Americanafest’s performance lineup includes:
Artist Updates (6/20/14)
/by Jessica Nicholson“I am so excited to be a contestant on RISING STAR!!!,” says Darling. “It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to perform before the entire country LIVE! The fans at home can make a difference for me, and I hope they all download the Rising Star app and raise the wall for me!”
• • •
Sony Music Nashville recording artists Tyler Farr, Jerrod Niemann and Chris Young performed for industry executives and Country Radio Broadcasters board members at Nashville-based event venue, Ruby, on Wednesday (June 19). All three appeared in conjunction with the annual CRB board and CRS agenda committee meetings, held to plan Country Radio Seminar 2015. CRS 2015 will be held Feb. 25-27, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.
Pictured (L-R): CRB/CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne, CRB/CRS President/WLHK Charlie Morgan, WXTU’s Shelly Easton, Tyler Farr, Chairman & CEO Sony Music Nashville Gary Overton, Chris Young, KKBQ’s Johnny Chiang, and Jerrod Niemann. Photo: Alan Poizner
• • •
Love and Theft‘s Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles performed at Pandora presents Love and Theft at StubHub’s Next Stage Series at Cannery Ballroom on Tuesday (June 17) in Nashville.
Photo: Ed Rode
• • •
Craig Morgan
Tracy Lawrence will join Craig Morgan for Morgan’s eighth annual charity event on July 20, benefitting the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation.
The event will launch at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 20 at Paul Allen Farm, located at 1286 Bell Hollow Rd in Vanleer, Tenn. The event will include a motocross exhibition, followed by a group trail ride and lunch. Participants this year include Kevin Windham, Malcolm Stewart, Destry Abbott, Fred Andrews, Randy Hawkins, Andrew Short, and Larry Ward.
Later that night, fans can catch performances from Morgan and Lawrence on the Dickson War Memorial Lawn. A live and silent auction will also take place at the concert. Tickets are available at craigmorgan.com and all Dickson Tri-Star Bank locations.
• • •
Brandon Chase
The Voice season 5 Team Blake contestant Brandon Chase recently revealed the video for his debut single, “One,” to seventeen.com. The clip was featured in conjunction with their “Crush of the Week” and CMA Music Festival. The video was shot in his home state of Texas.
The Arlington, Texas native graduated high school at age 15, and completed a masters certificate in songwriting from Berklee College of Music at age 17. He taught himself to play piano and guitar, and has been writing original music since age 14.
• • •
Actor Tom Hiddleston
English actor Tom Hiddleston, 33, perhaps best known for his role of Loki in The Avengers franchise, will portray the late Country legend Hank Williams, Sr., in the upcoming Hank Williams biopic.
I Saw The Light will begin shooting in Louisiana in October, and will tell the story of Williams’ rise to stardom.
Alabama native Hiram King “Hank” Williams died at age 29 on Jan. 1, 1953, and is responsible for the classic hits “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Move It On Over,” “I’m A Long Gone Daddy,” “Cold, Cold Heart,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Hey Good Lookin’,” and numerous others.
BMLG Promotes Three, Hires 14
/by Jessica NicholsonBecky Reiser has been promoted to Graphic Design Art Director. Reiser can be reached at 615.325.4523 or at becky.reiser@bmlg.net.
Jimmy Chapin has been promoted to International Manager, and can be reached at 615.324.7063 or at jimmy.chapin@bmlg.net.
Seth Hellman has been promoted to Creative Coordinator and Asset Manager, and can be contacted at 615.325.4524 or at seth.hellman@bmlg.net
New BMLG employees include:
Brandon Hardy, Senior Manager of Royalty Accounting & Income Analysis – 615.324.8358 / brandon.hardy@bmlg.net
Shea Windley, Brand & Product Manager – 615.846.7753 / shea.windley@bmlg.net
Kristen Etlzer, Production Manager – 615.324.7783 / kristen.etlzer@bmlg.net
Ashley Collier-Medley, Admin. & Licensing Manager – 615.846.7673 / ashley.collier@bmlg.net
Allan Geiger, Graphic Designer – 615.324.7918 / allan.geiger@bmlg.net
Katie Rose, Publicity Coordinator – 615.846.7670 / katie.rose@bmlg.net
Abbey Bennett, Graphic Design Coordinator – 615.846.7672 / abbey.bennett@bmlg.net
Ellen Mundy, Valory Music Co. Promotion Coordinator – 615.324.7787 / ellen.mundy@bmlg.net
Lauren Baggett, Video Editor/Production Assistant – 615.846.7671 / lauren.baggett@bmlg.net
Sarah Champion, Licensing Coordinator – 615.345.4532 / sarah.champion@bmlg.net
Andrew Thoen, Traffic Coordinator – 615.846.7700 / andrew.thoen@bmlg.net
Ryne Hambright, Administrative Assistant to Scott Borchetta – 615.324.7933 / ryne.hambright@bmlg.net
Hunter Claire Rogers, Assistant to Sandi Spika Borchetta – 615.345.4538 / hunterclaire.rogers@bmlg.net
Sarah Boddie, A&R Assistant – 615.846.7674 / sarah.boddie@bmlg.net
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BMI Nashville To Host Sync THIS! In August
/by Jessica NicholsonThe private event will also include panel discussions and dinners Nashville eateries Miel, Barista Parlour, Rumours East and performance venue High Watt. The event was created last year by BMI Associate Director of Writer/Publisher Relations Penny Everhard, and Capitol CMG Director of Film/TV Music Jeremy Ash, to create opportunities for sync revenue for Nashville songwriters and publishers, while exposing music supervisors to the variety of music Nashville has to offer.
“Sync THIS! was founded to cultivate a unique experience in which genuine relationships are created between our BMI talent and the top gatekeepers in film and TV,” says Everhard. “We specifically focus on showcasing the ‘New Nashville’ and our city’s diverse talent, venues and cuisine.”
“The boutique element of the event provides distinct settings each night for people to make a personal and memorable connection that leads to lasting & productive relationships by combining art, innovation and excellence,” adds Ash.
While the majority of the Sync THIS! events will be private, the performance on Aug. 6 at the High Watt are open to the public. Sync THIS! is presented in conjunction with Capitol CMG Publishing, City National Bank, Downtown Music Publishing and the Tennessee Film Commission.
For more information, visit syncthisnashville.com.
SoundExchange Pays Artists, Labels $162.4 Million
/by Jessica NicholsonOther statistics shared within the Digital Radio report include:
The Digital Radio Report will share payments statistics, as well as a quarterly state of digital radio streaming for artists and labels.