Catch Native Run, and Natalie Stovall And The Drive at ‘MusicRow’s’ CRS party.
Ready. Set. GO!!! Country Radio Seminar opens today (Tues., Feb. 18) with a bang.
MusicRow’s 12th annual CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, the unofficial kick off to CRS, will be today at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville, featuring performances by
Native Run and
Natalie Stovall & The Drive.
Details here.
The jam-packed week will keep artists, industry and radio programmers hopping until the wee hours. Below are a few highlights from the
official schedule, while tons of other invitation-only parties are also on attendees’ dockets.
All events are at the Renaissance Hotel/Nashville Convention Center unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
6:00 PM – 8:15 PM: Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner & Ceremony. Honorees include Radio Inductees
Larry Wilson and
Mike Brophey; On-Air Personalities
Paul Schadt and
Jim Denny; Career Achievement Award winner
Vince Gill; and President’s Award recipient
Ed Hardy.
8:30 PM: Official Hall of Fame After Party featuring
Rachele Lynae, sponsored by Momentum Label Group. Plus Millstar Entertainment artists
Outshyne and a special guest appearance by
Jamie O’Neal.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
9:30 AM:
Brett Eldredge will kick off the seminar with the national anthem at the opening ceremonies, followed by the presentation of Scholarship and the Artist Humanitarian Awards.
Carrie Underwood is this year’s Artist Humanitarian Award recipient.
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM: Keynote Address: 11 Reasons Why Social Media Could Save The Radio Business Featuring
Gavin McGarry Sponsored by Folds of Honor.
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM:
Little Big Town “Perseverance” Sponsored by Folds of Honor.
Bob Kingsley will conduct an interview with the CMA Vocal Group of the Year about perseverance in the country music industry.
12:00 PM – 2:20 PM: Team UMG at the Ryman Auditorium. This year’s performers are
Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Scotty McCreery, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, David Nail, Jon Pardi, Eric Paslay, Darius Rucker and
Josh Turner. Lunch served at NCC, Level 2, lobby near Ryman exit.
2:30 PM – 3:50 PM: CRS Research Presentation. Country Radio Seminar has commissioned a comprehensive Country music research study for presentation, with data on the increased popularity country music is seeing with the 12-34 year-old age group.
Panelists:
Larry Rosin, Jayne Charneski.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM:
Muscle Shoals: The Magic in the Music Sponsored by Muscle Shoals to Music Row Live and Alabama Tourism. These legendary producers and musicians are featured in a new award-winning documentary,
Muscle Shoals. Panelists:
Rick Hall, Jimmie Johnson, Spooner Oldham, Mac McAnnally, and
David Hood. Moderator:
Charlie Morgan.
9:30 PM – 11:30 PM:
Muscle Shoals film screening.
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM: The Grand Ole Opry Presented by My Well Being Powered by Humana. Performances by
Carrie Underwood,
Rascal Flatts and
Old Crow Medicine Show, along with
Thompson Square,
Chris Young,
Charles Esten (
Nashville),
Love & Theft,
Brandy Clark,
Will Hoge and
Eric Paslay.
Bill Cody will host the event.
Thursday, Feb. 20
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM: CMA Presentation: Building a Strong Brand No Matter What Technology Does. Presenters:
Mark Ramsey, Mark Ramsey Media; and
Karen Stump, Senior Research Director, Country Music Association.
12:00 PM – 1:50 PM: UMG Nashville Lunch and Performance, Ryman Auditorium, with performers
Jennifer Nettles,
Brothers Osborne and
Kalleigh Bannen.
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM: Why Choosy Brands Choose Country. Major brands are jumping on the country bandwagon. Moderator:
Erica Farber, RAB. Panelists:
Julie Craig, Retail Marketing Manager, Cracker Barrel;
Shari Lewin, William Morris Entertainment;
Darcie Law, Vice President, Account Director, Chevrolet, Jack Morton Worldwide; and
Mike Weidman, Chevrolet National Promotions Manager.
7:00 PM: Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley Sponsored by Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 and Co-Sponsored by Suntrust Bank, Beverage Bar Sponsored by ASCAP. Performers:
Ben Hayslip, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley, Rodney Clawson, Brett James, Matt Jenkins, Rhett Akins and
Dallas Davidson.
Friday, Feb. 21
12:00 PM – 1:50 PM: Black River Entertainment Lunch and Performance with
Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan and
John King.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: BMI Legends Featuring
John Oates Sponsored by BMI. Oates discusses his career and performs a couple of acoustic songs.
John Esposito, President of Warner Music Nashville, will moderate.
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM: New Faces of Country Music® Dinner and Performance Co-Sponsored by MDA and ACM, with performers
Brett Eldredge, Tyler Farr, Cassadee Pope, Thomas Rhett and
Charlie Worsham, followed by the Official After Party of the New Faces Show Presented by TNT’s
Private Lives of Nashville Wives.
Artists, Industry Toast Bob Kingsley's 40th Anniversary
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Wade Jessen, ‘Billboard;’ Teddy Gentry; Blair Garner-NASH/America’s Morning Show; Bob Kingsley; Randy Owen; Steve Wariner; Lon Helton, ‘Country Aircheck;’ Trisha Yearwood; Garth Brooks; Pete Fisher, VP & General Manager, Grand Ole Opry
WestwoodOne syndicated host and Country Radio Hall of Famer Bob Kingsley was honored last night (2/17) for 40 years in national radio syndication as part of American Country Countdown (1974-2006) and as host and owner of Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 (2006-present). Kingsley walked into the Grand Ole Opry House believing he was there to pay tribute to the Opry’s 89th birthday, when in reality it was an event to celebrate him.
“I could not have been more surprised,” said a visibly moved Kingsley, “and I could not feel more honored. I have made a career of country music radio because I love it, and to have my friends in the business, from artists and songwriters to industry executives, tell me my work has made a difference, well it means the world to me. And to have the people I work with day in and day out here to celebrate with me makes it all the more special.”
Nearly 50 artists participated in the evening, which included 25-plus taped video messages, along with in-person appearances or performances by Rhett Akins and Thomas Rhett, Alabama, Lynn Anderson, Garth Brooks, Eli Young Band, Radney Foster, Janie Fricke, Jack Ingram, Jewel, Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Will Robinson, Tom Schuyler, Red Stegall, Jeffrey Steele, Tanya Tucker, Steve Wariner, Lee Ann Womack, Wynonna, Trisha Yearwood, and Chris Young. Many of the artists who paid tribute commented not only on their professional relationships with Kingsley but also on their personal friendships.
He won CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year in 2001 and 2003, and the Academy of Country Music award for On-Air Personality-National in 2006. Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 can be heard on more than 350 radio stations around the world. He is also an ardent supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project.
MusicRowLife (2/18/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonRory Feek and newborn daughter Indiana Boone
Husband and wife duo Joey+Rory (comprised of Rory Feek and Joey Martin Feek) welcomed daughter Indiana Boone on Feb. 17 at 12:03 pm. She weighs 8 lbs 2 oz. This is the couple’s first child together. Rory has two daughters from a previous marriage, including daughter Heidi Feek, who just released her own album.
On Oct. 8, 2013, the duo released their fifth studio album, Made To Last, on their own Farmhouse Recordings record label. Made to Last debuted No. 44 on the Top Country Albums chart.
• • •
Greg Bates
“Did It For The Girl” singer Greg Bates is engaged to girlfriend Shelley Skidmore. Bates was formerly signed to the Republic Nashville label; the Nashville native graduated in 2010 from Belmont University.
Bates co-wrote “Did It For The Girl” with Lynn Hutton and Rodney Clawson.
Jason Aldean Adds Two Atlanta Shows To 'Burn It Down Tour'
/by Jessica NicholsonJason Aldean simultaneously sold out two nights at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, where he’s slated to play for the first time on Sept. 17 and 18. He also sold out his May 17 show in Atlanta, which prompted the addition of two dates at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, which will go on sale at 10 a.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 21 at ticketmaster.
Aldean’s 2014 Burn It Down Tour launches May 1 in Roanoke, Va. The 45-city trek includes Florida Georgia Line, Tyler Farr and Miranda Lambert on select stadium dates.
Cumulus Expected To Announce Nash Brand Expansion Plans
/by Jessica NicholsonLew Dickey said of the agreement, “We are excited to be partnering with AMI as we bring the NASH brand to life in print. We look forward to leveraging both brands to create an unparalleled experience for Country music fans and another important point of engagement for our clients.”
“This agreement is a transforming event for Country Weekly,” said AMI Chairman, President, and CEO David J. Pecker. “Partnering with Cumulus Media and combining their reach and voice with our expertise in print media will deliver an extraordinary consumer experience that is unmatched in the industry.”
Cumulus Media CEO and Chairman Dickey is expected to announce this week a plan to further expand his Nash-FM brand of Country music stations and stretch it across television, print, streaming audio, concerts and more, according to the New York Post. The website states the first step is an expected announcement that Cumulus is buying a 50 percent interest in American Media’s 20-year-old magazine, Country Weekly. The Nashville-based publication will be re-branded as Nash magazine.
The five-point plan for the company, after buying Dial-Global and its NFL, NCAA and Nascar rights last summer, is as follows:
• Form a dedicated Nash channel on digital radio service Rdio, which Cumulus recently purchased a major stake
• Launch a Nash Bash concert series
• Team with a cable channel to form the Nash Network
• Establish a home-goods line including furniture, paint and clothing.
• Explore a partnership with Dick Clark Productions to create a new Country awards show for radio.
According to the NY Post article, Dickey is reaching out to several television content companies which already possess Country-branded assets to explore partnership opportunities.
41st Annual Willie Nelson's Picnic To Return to Fort Worth
/by Jessica NicholsonWillie Nelson, September 9-14, 2011
Willie Nelson will once again host his Fourth of July Picnic on Friday, July 4, 2014 in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards. The Fort Worth Stockyards “North Forty” will be the site of the highly-anticipated all-day outdoor concert.
“Beginning in 1973 in Dripping Springs, Texas, Willie’s Fourth of July Picnic has become a Texas tradition unlike any other. We are thrilled to play a part in the 41-year history of the picnic and do it in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The artist lineup and festival environment this year will be the best in Picnic history. When you see it you will agree,” said Concho Minick, President of Billy Bob’s Texas.
Two stages will provide non-stop entertainment from noon until night. Special areas including a VIP Tent and Sky Box will add to the concert-going experience and provide guests with a place to stay cool.
This year ticket prices range from $20-$250 and can be purchased at billybobstexas.com, williespicnic.com or by calling 817-624-7117. Willie’s Picnic enthusiasts will have the option to purchase a $20 General Admission ticket before any of the headliners are announced.
WMG Settles Royalty Lawsuit
/by Jessica NicholsonPeople who have received royalties from contracts dated prior to Jan. 1, 2002 with a WMG U.S. label, paying on a royalty rate basis or penny rate basis, could be eligible for payments on past royalties, and/or an increase in future download and/or mastertone royalties. The increased future royalties give artists an increase in five percentage points in their royalty rate on U.S. mastertones and downloads (possibly more, if necessary to reach a floor of 10 percent and a cap at 14 percent), as well as 2.5 percentage point increase in foreign exploitations.
Valid claims must be submitted by May 31, 2014.
Persons electing to retain the right to sue the label group are required to exclude themselves from the settlement by May 31, 2014. Those who stay in the settlement may object to it by May 31, 2014. The court hearing will be held Oct. 2, 2014, to determine approval of the settlement and a request for attorneys’ fees of up to $2,875,000, plus reimbursement of costs and expenses.
For more information regarding the settlement, visit wmgdownloadsettlement.com.
CRS Starts Today
/by Sarah SkatesCatch Native Run, and Natalie Stovall And The Drive at ‘MusicRow’s’ CRS party.
Ready. Set. GO!!! Country Radio Seminar opens today (Tues., Feb. 18) with a bang.
MusicRow’s 12th annual CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, the unofficial kick off to CRS, will be today at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville, featuring performances by Native Run and Natalie Stovall & The Drive. Details here.
The jam-packed week will keep artists, industry and radio programmers hopping until the wee hours. Below are a few highlights from the official schedule, while tons of other invitation-only parties are also on attendees’ dockets.
All events are at the Renaissance Hotel/Nashville Convention Center unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
6:00 PM – 8:15 PM: Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner & Ceremony. Honorees include Radio Inductees Larry Wilson and Mike Brophey; On-Air Personalities Paul Schadt and Jim Denny; Career Achievement Award winner Vince Gill; and President’s Award recipient Ed Hardy.
8:30 PM: Official Hall of Fame After Party featuring Rachele Lynae, sponsored by Momentum Label Group. Plus Millstar Entertainment artists Outshyne and a special guest appearance by Jamie O’Neal.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
9:30 AM: Brett Eldredge will kick off the seminar with the national anthem at the opening ceremonies, followed by the presentation of Scholarship and the Artist Humanitarian Awards. Carrie Underwood is this year’s Artist Humanitarian Award recipient.
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM: Keynote Address: 11 Reasons Why Social Media Could Save The Radio Business Featuring Gavin McGarry Sponsored by Folds of Honor.
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM: Little Big Town “Perseverance” Sponsored by Folds of Honor. Bob Kingsley will conduct an interview with the CMA Vocal Group of the Year about perseverance in the country music industry.
12:00 PM – 2:20 PM: Team UMG at the Ryman Auditorium. This year’s performers are Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Scotty McCreery, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, David Nail, Jon Pardi, Eric Paslay, Darius Rucker and Josh Turner. Lunch served at NCC, Level 2, lobby near Ryman exit.
2:30 PM – 3:50 PM: CRS Research Presentation. Country Radio Seminar has commissioned a comprehensive Country music research study for presentation, with data on the increased popularity country music is seeing with the 12-34 year-old age group. Panelists: Larry Rosin, Jayne Charneski.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Muscle Shoals: The Magic in the Music Sponsored by Muscle Shoals to Music Row Live and Alabama Tourism. These legendary producers and musicians are featured in a new award-winning documentary, Muscle Shoals. Panelists: Rick Hall, Jimmie Johnson, Spooner Oldham, Mac McAnnally, and David Hood. Moderator: Charlie Morgan.
9:30 PM – 11:30 PM: Muscle Shoals film screening.
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM: The Grand Ole Opry Presented by My Well Being Powered by Humana. Performances by Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Old Crow Medicine Show, along with Thompson Square, Chris Young, Charles Esten (Nashville), Love & Theft, Brandy Clark, Will Hoge and Eric Paslay. Bill Cody will host the event.
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM: CMA Presentation: Building a Strong Brand No Matter What Technology Does. Presenters: Mark Ramsey, Mark Ramsey Media; and Karen Stump, Senior Research Director, Country Music Association.
12:00 PM – 1:50 PM: UMG Nashville Lunch and Performance, Ryman Auditorium, with performers Jennifer Nettles, Brothers Osborne and Kalleigh Bannen.
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM: Why Choosy Brands Choose Country. Major brands are jumping on the country bandwagon. Moderator: Erica Farber, RAB. Panelists: Julie Craig, Retail Marketing Manager, Cracker Barrel;
Shari Lewin, William Morris Entertainment; Darcie Law, Vice President, Account Director, Chevrolet, Jack Morton Worldwide; and Mike Weidman, Chevrolet National Promotions Manager.
7:00 PM: Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley Sponsored by Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 and Co-Sponsored by Suntrust Bank, Beverage Bar Sponsored by ASCAP. Performers: Ben Hayslip, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley, Rodney Clawson, Brett James, Matt Jenkins, Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson.
Friday, Feb. 21
12:00 PM – 1:50 PM: Black River Entertainment Lunch and Performance with Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan and John King.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: BMI Legends Featuring John Oates Sponsored by BMI. Oates discusses his career and performs a couple of acoustic songs. John Esposito, President of Warner Music Nashville, will moderate.
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM: New Faces of Country Music® Dinner and Performance Co-Sponsored by MDA and ACM, with performers Brett Eldredge, Tyler Farr, Cassadee Pope, Thomas Rhett and Charlie Worsham, followed by the Official After Party of the New Faces Show Presented by TNT’s Private Lives of Nashville Wives.
Music City Roots To Visit Ireland
/by Michael_Smith“As part of our global vision, we’re very excited to be planting our first flag in the U.K.,” said Music City Roots co-founder and executive producer John Walker. “It’s important to acknowledge the roots of our roots. Also, it’s giving us the opportunity to interface with the BBC, something that we’ve wanted to do for quite some time.”
Music City Roots went international last year with its trip to the Tamworth Country Music Festival in Australia. Jim Lauderdale will host and perform in this year’s event, which will also feature Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Donovan, American songwriter Chip Taylor and Belfast songwriter Gareth Dunlop. BBC Radio Ulster host Ralph McLean will emcee the event, and Music City Roots co-host and journalist Craig Havighurst will report on the event and interview artists.
The show will visit Nashville with an Irish artistry event on March 19. For more information, visit musiccityroots.com.
Craig Morgan Teams With Kidde Fire Safety On Latest Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonCountry singer Craig Morgan (third from left) joins Kidde Fire Safety and leaders from the Tennessee State Division of Fire Prevention and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to announce the first group of fire departments to receive Kidde smoke alarms during the singer’s VA Mortgage Leader Presents Craig Morgan The Journey Tour.
Photo credit: Ed Rode
Craig Morgan, along with the Tennessee State Division of Fire Prevention, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and Kidde Fire Safety, has announced the first group of fire departments to receive Kidde smoke alarms during the singer’s VA Mortgage Leader Presents Craig Morgan The Journey Tour. The donations are part of Kidde’s “Be a Safety Hero” initiative, which highlights five simple steps to fire safety with support from Morgan, who is a spokesperson. Kidde, a leading manufacturer of residential fire safety products, is a part of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp.
The donation kicked off at Dickson City Fire Department in Morgan’s hometown. In all, Kidde will donate 5,000 of its new Worry-Free 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms to fire departments at stops during Morgan’s 2014 tour – a $125,000 retail value. The alarms will then be installed in homes in need throughout each community.
“As a former first responder, I’ve seen the damage home fires can cause. Many home fire deaths are preventable, and I want to do what I can to help keep families safe,” said the Black River Entertainment artist. Before embarking on his music career, the country music star worked as an emergency medical technician and assistant sheriff’s deputy in Dickson County. In 2011, Morgan put his EMT training to use and rescued two children from a burning house in his home state.
The National Fire Protection Association reports approximately 3,000 people die in home fires in the U.S. every year, with most fires happening during the winter. Two-thirds of residential fire deaths occur in homes with either no smoke alarm or no working alarm.
Country Artists Play Valentines Veterans Concert
/by Michael_SmithPictured (L-R): Diane Hartmann (CEO/Help Hospitalized Veterans) Darryl Worley, Susan D. Wiseman (The Tribute Lady/Bugles Across America), Aaron Tippin, Larry Wiseman (National Coordinator/Bugles Across America), Lee Greenwood, Honorable Jack Meagher (Chairman of the Board/Help Hospitalized Veterans), Frank Cimorelli (National Special Events Liaison/Valentines For Veterans)
Country artists Aaron Tippin, Darryl Worley, Lucas Hoge, and special guest Lee Greenwood teamed up to support veterans and America’s Gold Star Families at the Valentines For Veterans Salute To America’s Gold Star Families concert on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Nashville’s CMA Theater.
The event featured performances by the aforementioned artists, and presentations held by Bugles Across America and Soldier’s Wish. Additionally, veterans received handmade Valentines cards from students at several schools, including George Whitten Elementary (Hendersonville, Tenn.) and Warren East High School (Bowling Green, Ky).
Plans for future Valentines For Veterans events are underway. For more information, visit hhv.org.