Photo: Ben Enos
Brad Paisley brought fans into his musical wheel house for his Beat This Winter Tour; the tour’s title was all too appropriate. “Tonight we take winter and bury it as far deep as we can. Then we’ll take that Pennsylvania groundhog and fill him full of buckshot.” No doubt that statement got beachlovers and hunters a little giddy.
Danielle Bradbery, the sweet voiced teen singer that won viewers’ hearts on NBC’s The Voice, captivated the Nashville crowd with relatable camaraderie rather than forced swagger. Her natural stage presence and charisma was undeniable on songs including her single “Heart of Dixie” and “Wild Boy” (previously recorded by artist Maggie Sajak). The newcomer also signed for fans after the show.
Between sets, Dee Jay Silver served up dance remix versions of Country hits, though the crowd seemed more intent on catching a beer or bathroom break before the next act.
It was as close as you can get to a hometown gig for Murfreesboro, Tenn. native Chris Young, who launched into his 45-minute portion of the PM show with “AM,” followed by several selections from the solid roster of hit songs he has built up since his debut. The louder the better seems to be the going motto at concerts over the past decade, and unfortunately that din of sound can drown out even the heartiest voices, as was the case in several sections of “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song),” Young’s breakthrough hit from 2009.
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. Photo: Ben Enos
His golden voice finally took center stage on the wholesome “Voices,” followed by “Lonely Eyes,” an album cut from Young’s latest project
AM. His versatile, textbook Country voice easily bounced from the soul-tinged Country of “You” (complete with a falsetto at the end that completely charmed the nearly sold-out crowd), to party-rock songs such as “Save Water, Drink Beer” and the evening’s biggest crowd pleaser, “Aw Naw.”
“We’ve covered the fallin’ in love songs, and we’ve done a few drinkin’ songs, so this is our pickup line for the evening,” he called “I Can Take It From There.” He worked the stage looking every bit the professional, though his tendency overall to stay center stage might make one guess his influences lean more George Strait than Garth Brooks. The power ballad “Tomorrow” garnered another superb crowd response; Young has one of those classic voices and an ear for solid material that Country singers decades from now would be wise to emulate.
“I’ve always wanted to visit Nashville,” quipped headliner (and longtime Nashville resident)
Brad Paisley early in the show. “I’ve seen it on
Nashville—is it like the TV show?” Paisley should know; he’s made two guest appearances on the popular ABC drama. He sailed through a long string of hits and album cuts, including “Saturday Night,” “Mud On The Tires” (“This is for all those Tennessee rednecks who can’t keep their trucks clean”), “Outstanding In Our Field” (Young joined Paisley for this one), “Old Alabama,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Then,” and “This Is Country Music,” an unofficial Country music anthem for this Nashville crowd.
The singer-songwriter walked around the arena to greet fans, landing at a small stage at the back of the arena, where he performed a shortened acoustic set that included “Online,” “Still A Guy,” and “Waitin’ On A Woman” (complete with snippets of the music video that featured Andy Griffith).
Far and away the highlight of the evening was
Carrie Underwood‘s surprise appearance for “Remind Me,” which sent the crowd into a fit of hysterical screaming. The crowd response was considerable enough that even Underwood’s powerful voice was slightly overtaken. The longtime friends and CMA Awards show co-hosts shared a close camaraderie during the ballad, as Paisley accented the song with tasteful guitar picking.
Paisley sailed through additional warm weather-appropriate material, including “Water,” “Ticks,” and “Beat This Summer,” before ending the set with the appropriate, unofficial concert anthem, “Alcohol,” complete with a sidestage bar and a crowd of his buddies, crew, tourmates and fellow artists, including Young,
Chuck Wicks, Terri Clark, Charlie Worsham and a host of others.
Brad Paisley and Chris Young. Photo: Ben Enos
Industry Ink (2/25/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonAlison Rose
SESAC has promoted Alison Rose to Associate Director, Business Affairs. In the new position, Rose will be responsible for the daily administration task of the Business Affairs department, as well as assist the Senior Director of Business Affairs.
A graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., Rose joined SESAC four years ago following an internship at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. During her tenure at SESAC, she has worked in the Business Affairs department as a full-time administrator, reviewing and processing various agreements, processing statements and serving as a liaison for songwriter and publisher affiliate correspondence.
• • •
Third Floor Records artist Mitch Goudy recently became one of the newest members of the Country Music Association. While on a radio tour to promote his debut single, “Blow These Speakers Out,” Goudy stopped by the CMA office to become an official member.
Pictured (L-R): Carrie Tekautz, Membership & Balloting Assistant; Mitch Goudy; and Brenden Oliver, Coordinator of Membership & Balloting. Photo credit: Christian Bottorff.
• • •
The camps are open to U.S. high school students, and provide seven tracks of study, including Audio Engineering; Electronic Music Production; Music Business; Music Journalism; a performance track for drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, vocal, and wind & string instruments; video production; and songwriting.
For more information, visit grammyintheschools.com.
Belmont University To Honor Gordon Kennedy
/by Jessica NicholsonGordon Kennedy
Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business will honor Gordon Kennedy with the sixth annual Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence on March 29. The award presentation, which will occur during the University’s 2014 Best of the Best Showcase at Belmont’s Curb Event Center, will feature special performances by Belmont students as well as Kennedy colleagues Peter Frampton and Ricky Skaggs. “Best of the Best” begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
In the spring of 2008, the Curb College established the Award of Excellence in memory of program founder Bob Mulloy to annually recognize an individual who has achieved a level of excellence in the music business and entertainment industries with notable service to Belmont University and the Nashville community.
Kennedy, a Shreveport, La., native, was raised in Nashville. His parents are Jerry Kennedy and singer Linda Brannon. While attending Belmont, Gordon Kennedy played guitar for Reba on several cuts including “Today All Over Again” and her first No. 1 song, “Can’t Even Get The Blues.” Kennedy became nationally recognized when he won a Grammy for Song of the Year in 1997 for Eric Clapton’s “Change The World,” which Kennedy co-wrote with Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims.
Kennedy has also spent time as a member of the bands WhiteHeart and Dogs of Peace, and has had songs recorded by Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, George Strait and Martina McBride. He has also played for Peter Frampton, Jewel, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town, and Amy Grant.
Past recipients of the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence include Donna Hilley, the International Entertainment Buyers Association, Vince Gill, Mike Curb, Clair Audio and Bandit Lites.
Napa In Nashville Brings Songwriters Round, Wine Tastings
/by Jessica NicholsonSongwriters confirmed for the event include Jonathan Singleton (David Nail’s “Let It Rain” and “Red Light,” Gary Allan’s “Watching Airplanes,” Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance”), David Lee Murphy (“Jason Aldean’s “Big Green Tractor,” Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”), Jon Randall Stewart (Brad Paisley’s “Whiskey Lullabye”), Ray Stephenson (Kenny Chesney’s “Hemingway’s Whiskey,” Blake Shelton’s “Red River Blue”), and Striking Matches (ABC Nashville‘s “When The Right One Comes Along”).
Featured winemakers will include Michael Baldacci (Baldacci Family Vineyards), Rolando Herrera (Mi Sueno Winery), Dana and Don Gallagher (Trespass Vineyard), Suzanne Phifer Pavitt (Date Night-Phifer Pavitt Wines), Debi Cali (Harmony for NOTES), Ca’Momi, and BNA Wine Group.
For more information and tickets, visit notesforeducation.org. $85 includes wine tasting, heavy hors’ d’oeuvres, and two sets of live music.
Artist Updates (2/25/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonSwift performs in Nashville in 2013.
Taylor Swift is nominated for two 2014 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, including Favorite Female Singer and Favorite Song.
In the Favorite Female Singer category, Swift is nominated alongside Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez and Katy Perry. Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” is nominated for Favorite Song along with Perry’s “Roar,” One Direction‘s “Story Of My Life” and Miley Cyrus‘ “Wrecking Ball.”
The 2014 Kid’s Choice Awards are coming to your screen on March 29 at 8 p.m. ET. Voting begins Monday, Feb. 24, on Nick.com.
• • •
The celebrity event, co-hosted by Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, is an exclusive VIP evening where Carter, professional athletes, country music artists and other various celebrities take over The Palm as servers before they head over to Honky Tonk Central for the Official After-Party – Jam with Jay DeMarcus & Friends.
After Party tickets are $85 and available online only in advance of the event at waitingforwishes.com. Tickets are limited, and the event is expected to sell out. Proceeds benefit The Kevin Carter Foundation, Make-A-Wish® Middle Tennessee and the YWCA.
• • •
For nearly a decade, Vero Beach-native Jake Owen has been delivering chart-topping country hits, including four consecutive No. 1 singles since 2011. Owen earned GRAMMY and CMA nominations in 2008 with his revival of “Life in A Northern Town” with Sugarland and Little Big Town, and in 2009 he was named Top New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. Owen’s first headlining tour, CMT On Tour Jake Owen: The Summer Never Ends 2012, made CMT history for the most sold-out shows in a row for the annual nationwide tour. Owen is launching his second headlining tour in March 2014 – Jake Owen’s Days of Gold. The 55-city plus tour also stars Eli Young Band* along with Parmalee*, Thomas Rhett* and The Cadillac Three. (*select dates).
• • •
TobyMac
TobyMac, Skillet and LeCrae, are joining forces to thrill crowds on a summer shed tour.
Tickets go on sale to the mass public on March 1, with a special presale for artist fan clubs at 10 a.m. local venue time on Feb. 27 through 10 p.m. on Feb. 28. For more information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Industry Pics: Natalie Stovall, Swon Brothers, Danielle Bradbery
/by Sarah SkatesClay Hunnicutt, newly named Exec. VP/GM of National Programming Platforms at Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, visited the HitShop Records suite during the Country Radio Seminar 2014 to a catch a special Natalie Stovall and the Drive performance which included the band’s new single, “Baby Come On With It.”
(L-R): Clay Hunnicutt, Natalie Stovall and HitShop President Skip Bishop
• • •
BMI recently welcomed Big Machine Records artist and The Voice season four winner Danielle Bradbery to its family of songwriters. Bradbery released her self-titled, debut album in November 2013 and is currently on Brad Paisley’s nationwide Beat This Winter Tour 2014.
Pictured (L-R) standing: BMI’s Mark Mason, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls, G Major Management’s Samantha Thornton, and BMI’s Mike O’Neill and Jody Williams; (seated): Gloria Martinez, Danielle Bradbery, and G Major Management’s Virginia Davis. Photo: Drew Maynard
• • •
Taking in the fun aboard last week’s Sony Music Nashville Boat Show were performers The Swon Brothers, together with Bobby Bones and Amy of the ACM Award-winning Bobby Bones Show. The Swon Brothers’ debut single “Later On” officially impacts radio March 3.
Pictured (L-R): Colton Swon, Amy, Bobby Bones, and Zach Swon
• • •
Brett Eldredge, Justin Moore, and Kip Moore, nominees for ACM New Artist of the Year Presented by Kohl’s Department Store, gathered in Nashville to tape ACM New Artist of the Year – a new concert special premiering Monday, March 24, 8 p.m./ET on Great American Country. In the special, hosted by reigning ACM New Artist of the Year winners Florida Georgia Line, viewers will be treated to interviews and special performances by each nominee.
Pictured (L-R): Justin Moore; Suzanne Gordon, vice president of programming, Great American Country; Brett Eldredge, and Kip Moore. (Credit: Ed Rode)
Florida Georgia Line To Headline 10th Annual Stars for Second Harvest
/by Eric T. ParkerPresented by O’Charley’s as a benefit for the Middle Tennessee food bank, songwriter Craig Wiseman will again serve as host for the show, which features unplugged acoustic style performances by acclaimed country music songwriters and performers.
Fifty “VIP Experience” tickets will be offered this year for $250 each, including premium seating, a meet and greet with FGL and other performers, as well as a special 10th anniversary gift bag.
“We’ve been so incredibly blessed this past year and have always wanted to make it bigger than the music,” says Kelley. “To have the opportunity to give back and help feed the hungry in our community is an honor.”
To purchase a “VIP Experience” ticket please visit ticketmaster.com. General admission tickets are available from $35.00 via Ticketmaster outlets, Ryman box office, Ryman.com, or 800-745-3000. For $50.00 preferred seating tickets, please contact Second Harvest Food Bank at 615-329-3491.
The Mavericks To Launch Twenty-Five Live Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonCelebrating more than two decades of performing together, The Mavericks will embark on the Twenty-Five Live Tour Feb. 27.
“While the band was formed in the summer of 1989, our first show wasn’t until months later … making 2014 our twenty-fifth year together and we’re very excited to get back out on the road,” says guitarist Robert Reynolds. “In many ways, our fans have become de facto members of the group and it seems high time we throw a party!”
Last February, Cuban-American frontman Raul Malo and vivacious musicians Paul Deakin, Reynolds, Eddie Perez and Jerry Dale McFadden reconnected to release a new album, In Time (The Valory Music Co.).
The Mavericks’ music has most recently been featured in the movie Grudge Match and ABC’s new TV drama Killer Women, in which the band also made a cameo appearance performing “Dance in the Moonlight.”
TWENTY-FIVE LIVE TOUR DATES:
Thurs., Feb. 27 Charleston, SC Charleston Music Hall
Fri., Feb. 28 Durham, NC Carolina Theatre
Sat., March 1 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theater
Sun., March 2 Alexandria, VA The Birchmere
Fri., March 7 Milwaukee, WI Northern Lights Theater
Sat., March 8 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre
Sun., March 9 Minneapolis, MN Pantages Theatre
Thurs., March 13 Saskatoon, Canada O’Brian’s Event Centre
Fri., March 14 Regina, Canada Casino Regina
Sat., March 15 Swift Current, Canada Living Sky Casino
Sun., March 16 Winnipeg, Canada Burton Cummings Theatre
Tues., March 18 Brandon Manitoba, Canada West Manitoba Centennial Theatre
Wed., March 19 Sherwood Park, Canada Festival Place
Thurs., March 20 Sherwood Park, Canada Festival Place
Fri., March 21 Athabasca, Canada Athabasca Regional Multiplex
Sat., March 22 Calgary, Canada Flames Central
Sat., March 29 Reno, NV Silver Legacy Resort & Casino
Sun., March 30 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Tues., April 1 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern
Thurs., April 3 Los Angeles, CA The Fonda Theatre
Sat., April 5 Scottsdale, AZ Talking Stick Resort Showroom
Thurs., April 10 Houston, TX House of Blues
Fri., April 11 Austin, TX ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Sat., April 12 Ft. Worth, TX Main Street Arts Festival
Sun., April 13 Helotes, TX Floores Country Store
Fri., April 18 Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads Saloon
Fri., April 25 Atlanta, GA Center Stage
Sat., April 26 New Orleans, LA JazzFest
Thurs., May 1 Fort Lauderdale, FL Parker Playhouse
Fri., May 2 Clearwater, FL Capitol Theatre
Sat., May 3 Live Oak, FL Suwannee River Jam
Thurs., May 8 Northampton, MA Calvin Theatre
Fri., May 9 Portland, ME State Theatre
Sat., May 10 Concord, NH Capitol Center for the Arts
Sun., May 11 Boston, MA The Wilbur Theatre
Thurs., May 15 South Orange, NJ SOPAC
Fri., May 16 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre
Sat., May 17 Munhall, PA Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead
Mon., June 7 Manistee, MI Little River Casino Resort
Sat., June 19 Red Bank, NJ Count Basie Theatre
Sun., June 20 Westbury, NY The Space at Westbury
Tues., June 22 Morristown, NJ Mayo Performing Arts Center
For additional tour information, visit themavericksband.com.
Harnen Re-Ups Contract with BMLG
/by Michael_Smith“The leadership and musical vision that Jimmy has brought to the Big Machine Label Group has helped propel us to heights I honestly hadn’t imagined,” said Borchetta. “What he has done with Republic Nashville is historic and many of his initiatives have spread across the entire BMLG platform to make the Machine run even smoother and faster. I’m thrilled that he has made a long-term commitment to continue his great work with the BMLG!”
Harnen has demonstrated success in developing the careers of Florida Georgia Line, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band and Cassadee Pope. With Harnen’s guidance, Republic Nashville has achieved eleven No.1s, seventeen Top 10 singles and sales exceeding five million albums and thirty-three million tracks.
“BMLG continues to create and deliver historic accomplishments in the music business on all levels,” said Harnen. “It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of such a ground breaking company and to have so much fun in the process!”
'Private Lives Of Nashville Wives' Premieres Tonight
/by Michael_SmithPictured (L-R): Erika, Sarah, Ana, Cassie, Betty and Jenny
Tonight, Feb. 24, TNT will premiere its latest reality series Private Lives of Nashville Wives, starring six women with ties to the music industry. TNT’s imitation of Bravo’s Real Housewives Franchise stars Erika Page White, Jenny Terrell, Sarah Davidson, Cassie Chapman, Betty Malo and Ana Margarita Fernandez.
White previously appeared on daytime soaps One Life to Live and Days Of Our Lives. She is married to 90’s Country singer Bryan White. Terrell serves as VP at a major internet company and is married to event and party producer JT Terrell. Davidson is a singer-songwriter, who is married to singer-songwriter Dallas Davidson. Chapman is a former model who is married to Christian singer-songwriter Gary Chapman. Malo is married to Raul Malo, lead singer of veteran Country band The Mavericks. The show also features Malo’s twin sister, Fernandez.
Private Lives will air on TNT tonight at 9 p.m. CST.
Paisley Brings 'Beat This Winter Tour' To Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto: Ben Enos
Brad Paisley brought fans into his musical wheel house for his Beat This Winter Tour; the tour’s title was all too appropriate. “Tonight we take winter and bury it as far deep as we can. Then we’ll take that Pennsylvania groundhog and fill him full of buckshot.” No doubt that statement got beachlovers and hunters a little giddy.
Danielle Bradbery, the sweet voiced teen singer that won viewers’ hearts on NBC’s The Voice, captivated the Nashville crowd with relatable camaraderie rather than forced swagger. Her natural stage presence and charisma was undeniable on songs including her single “Heart of Dixie” and “Wild Boy” (previously recorded by artist Maggie Sajak). The newcomer also signed for fans after the show.
Between sets, Dee Jay Silver served up dance remix versions of Country hits, though the crowd seemed more intent on catching a beer or bathroom break before the next act.
It was as close as you can get to a hometown gig for Murfreesboro, Tenn. native Chris Young, who launched into his 45-minute portion of the PM show with “AM,” followed by several selections from the solid roster of hit songs he has built up since his debut. The louder the better seems to be the going motto at concerts over the past decade, and unfortunately that din of sound can drown out even the heartiest voices, as was the case in several sections of “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song),” Young’s breakthrough hit from 2009.
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. Photo: Ben Enos
His golden voice finally took center stage on the wholesome “Voices,” followed by “Lonely Eyes,” an album cut from Young’s latest project AM. His versatile, textbook Country voice easily bounced from the soul-tinged Country of “You” (complete with a falsetto at the end that completely charmed the nearly sold-out crowd), to party-rock songs such as “Save Water, Drink Beer” and the evening’s biggest crowd pleaser, “Aw Naw.”
“We’ve covered the fallin’ in love songs, and we’ve done a few drinkin’ songs, so this is our pickup line for the evening,” he called “I Can Take It From There.” He worked the stage looking every bit the professional, though his tendency overall to stay center stage might make one guess his influences lean more George Strait than Garth Brooks. The power ballad “Tomorrow” garnered another superb crowd response; Young has one of those classic voices and an ear for solid material that Country singers decades from now would be wise to emulate.
“I’ve always wanted to visit Nashville,” quipped headliner (and longtime Nashville resident) Brad Paisley early in the show. “I’ve seen it on Nashville—is it like the TV show?” Paisley should know; he’s made two guest appearances on the popular ABC drama. He sailed through a long string of hits and album cuts, including “Saturday Night,” “Mud On The Tires” (“This is for all those Tennessee rednecks who can’t keep their trucks clean”), “Outstanding In Our Field” (Young joined Paisley for this one), “Old Alabama,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Then,” and “This Is Country Music,” an unofficial Country music anthem for this Nashville crowd.
The singer-songwriter walked around the arena to greet fans, landing at a small stage at the back of the arena, where he performed a shortened acoustic set that included “Online,” “Still A Guy,” and “Waitin’ On A Woman” (complete with snippets of the music video that featured Andy Griffith).
Far and away the highlight of the evening was Carrie Underwood‘s surprise appearance for “Remind Me,” which sent the crowd into a fit of hysterical screaming. The crowd response was considerable enough that even Underwood’s powerful voice was slightly overtaken. The longtime friends and CMA Awards show co-hosts shared a close camaraderie during the ballad, as Paisley accented the song with tasteful guitar picking.
Paisley sailed through additional warm weather-appropriate material, including “Water,” “Ticks,” and “Beat This Summer,” before ending the set with the appropriate, unofficial concert anthem, “Alcohol,” complete with a sidestage bar and a crowd of his buddies, crew, tourmates and fellow artists, including Young, Chuck Wicks, Terri Clark, Charlie Worsham and a host of others.
Brad Paisley and Chris Young. Photo: Ben Enos