Grammy In The Schools Program Announces Deadline For 2014 Camps

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grammyThe Grammy Foundation is accepting applications for its 2014 Grammy Camps, including its Jazz Session and Signature Schools programs for high school students, through Oct. 22. The programs are part of the Foundation’s Grammy In The Schools projects.
The Jazz Session awards students who are selected will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles for Grammy week, Jan. 17-27, 2014. Students will perform at high-profile Grammy week events and recording sessions and will attend the 56th Annual Grammy Awards telecast on Jan. 26, 2014.
The Grammys signature schools program recognizes top public high schools across the country for outstanding commitment to their music education programs. Each of the Grammy signature schools will receive an award and a monetary grant to benefit its music program. Grammy signature schools recipients are determined by a panel of top music educators and professionals. A Grammy Signature Schools Community Award, an extension of the Grammy signature schools program, has also been established. Through this alliance, the Grammy Foundation identifies deserving public high school music programs to receive the award and a $2,000 grant. To date, 350 schools have received approximately $700,000 in grants through the program.
“Grammy Camp and Grammy Camp Jazz Session are immersive programs that afford high school students opportunities to get hands-on experience with a variety of music industry careers, and our Grammy signature schools program provides recognition and much-needed resources to high schools to benefit their music programs,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation. “These initiatives, along with our other Grammy in the Schools programs, are instructing and inspiring music’s next generation.”
Students and schools interested in participating in the 2014 Grammy Camp Jazz Session and Grammy signature schools programs can apply at grammyintheschools.com. Oct. 22 is also the early decision deadline for students interested in attending the 10th annual Grammy Camp to be held in summer 2014.

Luke Bryan To Launch Fifth “Farm Tour” In October

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Farm-Tour
Luke Bryan will launch his fifth Farm Tour 2013 next week with eight shows from Oct. 2 to Oct. 12. The tour will feature guest performances by Chancie Neal, Cole Swindell and the Peach Pickers, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip.
The tour’s Oct. 4 and 5 dates are sold out. In 2012 the tour played for 100,000 fans and gave out eight scholarships to students within farming families. The “Luke Bryan Farm Tour Scholarship” will continue this year.
Bryan started the Farm Tour concerts as a way to give back to local farming communities, celebrate the American farmer and offer people a good time.
For more information, visit lukebryan.com/farmtour.
The Farm Tour 2013 dates and locations:
Oct. 2    Statesboro, Ga.-Perry’s Field
Oct. 3    Athens, Ga.-Wild Winds Farms
Oct. 4    Columbia, S.C.-Culler Farms (SOLD OUT)
Oct. 5    Macon, Ga.-Midway at Central City Park (SOLD OUT)
Oct. 9    Villa Rica, Ga.-V-Plex
Oct. 10   Auburn, Ala.-Ingram Farms
Oct. 11   Tallahassee, Fla.-Tallahassee Automobile Museum
Oct. 12   Valdosta, Ga.-Valdosta Wake Compound
(dates & cities subject to change)

Martina And Pandora Bring Joy Of Christmas To Fans This Season

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martina christmas11Martina McBride will help fans get into the Christmas spirit once again this year as she takes to the road through mid-December on her upcoming Joy Of Christmas Tour, presented by Pandora Jewelry.
The holiday tour will hit 12 cities, kicking off in Huntington, W.Va. on Nov. 29 and wrapping in Chicago on Dec. 21. A 12-piece band with a string section will back Martina as she offers up yuletide standards like “O Holy Night,” and “O Come All Ye Faithful,” along with fun classics like “Let It Snow” during this year’s tour, and she will also include a celebrity reading of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” once again this holiday season. At each stop on last year’s tour a local athlete, radio personality or celebrity read the Dr. Seuss classic for the crowd while Martina performed “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch.” Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, Green Bay Packer Jordy Nelson, Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel, and hockey player Jim Dowd were among the guests who got their Grinch on during last year’s tour.
“This is such a fun and special tour to do,” said McBride. “I love bringing Christmas to life on stage and putting everyone in the Christmas spirit. My favorite part of the show is the Q&A where I go into the audience. You never know what is going to happen, and the spontaneity is something I really enjoy.”
For ticket information on the tour, visit martinamcbride.com.
Pandora Jewelry Presents Martina McBride Joy of Christmas 2013 Tour Dates: 
Nov. 29 – Huntington, W.Va.
Nov. 30 – Louisville, Ky.
Dec. 4 – Nashville, Tenn.
Dec. 6 – Minneapolis, Minn.
Dec. 7 – La Crosse, Wis.
Dec. 8 – Sioux City, Iowa
Dec. 11 – Knoxville, Tenn.
Dec. 12 – Muncie, Ind.
Dec. 13 – St. Louis, Mo.
Dec. 19 – Green Bay, Wis.
Dec. 20 – Bloomington, Ill.
Dec. 21 – Chicago (Rosemont), Ill.

Artists, Chef Grace Ryman Stage For 'Sing For Your Supper'

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sing for your supper1Music and food grace the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in a current series airing on Public Television stations.
Sing For Your Supper with Bob Waggoner premiered earlier this month on Public Television stations; the fall season’s 13 episodes feature Chef Bob Waggoner preparing a gourmet meal with several top performers. But, there is no such thing as a free lunch, so Chef Bob will make each entertainer “sing for their supper” on the Ryman stage. Artists appearing on the series include Lauren Alaina, Kelleigh Bannen, Dailey & Vincent, Sarah Darling, Brett Eldredge, Escondido, Amy Grant, Brandon Heath, Jana Kramer, The Mavericks, Erin McCarley and Craig Morgan.
The first episode, which debuted Sept. 7 in most markets, featured Waggoner and Grant preparing a Seared Foie Gras & Beef Tenderloin.
Waggoner was one of the first chefs to bring farm-to-table cuisine from Europe to the US. The Southern California native began working at Trumps in West Hollywood, followed by his first position as chef (at age 23) at Members, a private club in Caracas, Venezuela. He became the first American to own his own restaurant in France (at age 26), and then returned to the United States to join The Wild Boar in Nashville, where he helped earn the restaurant the AAA Five-Diamond award as well as the Grand Award from Wine Spectator. He went on to helm the Charleston Grill in Charleston Place for 12 years. He earned an Emmy for his television show “Off The Menu” with Turner South. He has also helmed Nashville restaurant Watermark.
Mike Kirk serves as executive producer for the series, with Anastasia Brown as producer and talent booker.
Upcoming menus and artists include Waggoner making a Duck Breast Salad and Lobster Tempura with Jana Kramer, and creating Wild Shrimp and Elk with Craig Morgan (for this episode, sportsman and entertainer Morgan brought in elk he hunted).
For more information, visit singforyoursupperusa.com.

No. 1 Celebration: Brett Eldredge’s “Don’t Ya”

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg, co-writer Chris DeStefano, Brett Eldredge, co-writer Ashley Gorley, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito and RLB Artist Management, LLC’s Rob Baker. Photo: Erika Goldring

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg, co-writer Chris DeStefano, Brett Eldredge, co-writer Ashley Gorley, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito and RLB Artist Management, LLC’s Rob Baker. Photo: Erika Goldring

Monday afternoon (Sept. 23) BMI and ASCAP celebrated Brett Eldredge’s No. 1 hit “Don’t Ya” in Nashville restaurant Cabana’s stylish back room. Written by Eldredge, Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley, “Don’t Ya” is published by Out of the Taperoom Music, Sugar Glider Music Publishing, Combustion Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music and Paris Not France Music.

BMI’s Bradley Collins welcomed the standing room-only crowd, congratulating the writers and presenting Eldredge with a coveted No. 1 guitar. Collins listed the singer’s numerous accomplishments, including his stint on Taylor Swift’s RED Tour and his bold decision to skydive when “Don’t Ya” reached No. 1.
ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel came onstage to honor the three writers, calling DeStefano and Gorley “one of the hottest songwriting duos” in the business today, with songs recorded by Carrie Underwood, Billy Currington, Luke Bryan and more. Beuschel also prophesied that Gorley will be named ASCAP’s 2014 Songwriter of the Year.
Combustion Music Publishing’s Chris Farren and Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg took the stage to present awards and celebrate each writer. Van Valkenburg commented on DeStefano’s tireless work ethic before turning to Eldredge and saying, “If the time ever comes when you don’t want to be an artist, you’ll have a lifelong career as a songwriter.” Warner/Chappell Music Publishing also paid tribute to the writers with special plaques.
The party included presentations from Country Radio Broadcasters’ Michelle Kammerer and CMA’s Brandi Simms. Avenue Bank’s Cooper Samuel was also present to announce that a donation had been made by Avenue Bank in the writers’ names to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Warner Music Nashville President and CEO John Esposito showered praise on Eldredge, the first artist he signed upon moving to Nashville, saying, “He has that unbelievable unique style of phrasing that makes the song his. I’m blessed to have one of the greatest vocalists I’ve ever heard on our roster.”
DeStefano and Gorley took the stage to express their gratitude and thank their families. “Thanks for never thinking that songwriting isn’t a real gig and asking me to get a real job,” said Gorley, who was celebrating his eleventh No. 1.
Finally, Eldredge boomed his appreciation through the microphone, saying, “Let’s tell some stories. This is very surreal to me right now.” He shared stories from his early days, like sleeping on the roof of a parking garage before an audition and dropping off demo CDs with his family. He also commented on Nashville’s community, saying “This town sticks together like a family and I hope it never changes.” The singer will kick off his Bring You Back tour on Oct. 3 in Oxford, Ohio.
As the celebration died down, partygoers snacked on pizza and drinks while late afternoon turned to early evening.

Toby Keith To Embark On First Australian Tour in 2014

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toby keith1

Toby Keith


Toby Keith is set to party Down Under next year, bringing his Hammer Down Under Tour to Australia for a series of arena concerts beginning in March 2014. Keith will also headline the 2014 CMC Rocks the Hunter festival at the Hope Estate in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley. Joining Keith on the arena tour dates will be Eli Young Band and Kellie Pickler.
The current lineup of concerts includes:
Friday, March 14, 2014: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD
Sunday, March 16, 2014: CMC Rocks The Hunter Festival, Hope Estate, Pokolbin, NSW
Tuesday, March 18, 2014: Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW
Wednesday, March 19, 2014: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
For more information, visit tobykeith.com.

Opry, Southwest Bringing Pope, Farr, Love and Theft to NYC

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Nashville New York backdrop111In celebration of the Grand Ole Opry’s Birthday and Country Music Month, the Opry and Southwest Airlines® are set to fly three Nashville newcomers to New York City for a series of free acoustic performances at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park. To set the tone, the Opry’s signature microphone stand and a replica of the famed circle of wood from center stage at the Opry House will also be making the trip.
Tyler Farr will perform Sept. 30, followed by Love and Theft on Oct. 3 and Cassadee Pope on Oct. 7. On-air personalities from New York’s NASH FM 94.7 will host each event. Each performance is open to the public and admittance will be based on a first-come first-served basis.
“We’re looking forward to presenting to our friends and fans in New York some of the artists who’ve really excited our audiences during recent Opry performances,” said Pete Fisher, Opry VP and general manager. “It’ll be great to extend our birthday party and Country Music Month beyond Music City to New York City.”
Full schedule details, as well as a chance to win a VIP trip to Nashville including airfare on Southwest Airlines and admission to numerous Nashville attractions, can be found at opry.com/nyc.

ACM Announces New Board for 2013-2014 Term

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acmThe Academy of Country Music has announced its new Board of Directors for the 2013-2014 term. Six qualifying professional categories were elected by the membership this year, and director-at-large positions were also appointed by Chairman Ken Robold, President Darin Murphy, and VP Paul Barnabee. Directors are elected from each category based on its number of members, and each director serves staggered two-year terms, with half the board membership changing each year.
New Members to The Academy of Country Music’s Board of Directors 2013-2014:
Chuck Aly, Country Aircheck
Enzo DeVincenzo, 377 Management
Michael Knox, Music Knox/peermusic Nashville
Betsy McHugh, Martingale Entertainment
Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management
Chris Parr, Spalding Entertainment
LeAnn Phelan, ASCAP
Dave Pomeroy,Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257
Sally Seitz, iTunes
Peter Strickland, Warner Music Nashville 
“I’m excited to see what these 10 terrific new members, with their original perspectives, will bring to the already energetic group of dedicated professionals on the Board,” said Robold.  “We’re blessed to have true commitment from so many hard working industry heavyweights to deliver the mission of the Academy, as we gear up for what will be key years in ACM history.”
The 2013-2014 ACM Board of Directors: 
OFFICERS
Chairman-Ken Robold, Southern Ground Artists
President- Darin Murphy, CAA
Vice President-Paul Barnabee, Sony Music Nashville
Treasurer-Duane Clark, FBMM
Parliamentarian-Paul Moore, WME
Secretary-Tiffany Moon, Academy of Country Music
AFFILIATED
Tony Brown, TBE
Buddy Cannon, Buddy Cannon Productions
Tim DuBois, Artist Management Partners
Michael Knox, Music Knox / peermusic Nashville
Neal Spielberg, Spielberg Entertainment
ARTIST/ENTERTAINER/MBI
Luke Bryan
Craig Morgan
Kimberly Perry, The Band Perry
Dave Pomeroy, Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257
CLUB/CASINO/VENUE OPERATOR
Roger Gearhart, Graham Brothers Entertainment
Jerry Hufford, Buck Owens’ Enterprises
COMPOSER
Don Schlitz
MANAGER
Enzo DeVincenzo, 377 Management
Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment/Red Light Management
Marion Kraft, Shopkeeper Management
Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management
MEDIA/PR
Mary Hilliard Harrington, The GREENROOM
MUSIC PUBLISHER/PRO
Frank Liddell, Carnival Music
LeAnn Phelan, ASCAP
ON-AIR PERSONALITY
Bob Kingsley, Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40
RADIO
Charlie Cook, West Virginia Radio Corporation
RECORD COMPANY
Tom Baldrica, Show Dog-Universal Music
Mike Dungan, Universal Music Group
Greg McCarn, Black River Entertainment
Peter Strickland, Warner Music Nashville
TALENT AGENT
Greg Oswald, WME
TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER
Brad Garrett, Police Productions
TV/MOTION PICTURE
Sherman Halsey, Halsey Productions
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Robert Allen, 13 Management
Chuck Aly, Country Aircheck
Clay Bradley, BMI
Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group
George Couri, Triple 8 Management
Mike Culotta, Streamsound Records
Dallas Davidson, 2 Chord Georgia Music
Chris Farren, Combustion Music
Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry
Leslie Fram, CMT
Brandon Gill, Morris Artists Management
Gary Haber, Haber Corporation
Pat Higdon, Patrick Joseph Music
Gayle Holcomb, WME
T.K. Kimbrell, T.K.O. Artist Management
Mike Kraski, Tenacity Management Group
Jon Loba, BBR Music Group
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
Doc McGhee, McGhee Entertainment
Betsy McHugh, Martingale Entertainment
Dan Mason, CBS Radio
Curt Motley, PARADIGM
Brian O’Connell, Live Nation
Chris Parr, Spalding Entertainment
Glenn Peoples, Billboard Magazine
Fran Romeo, Romeo Entertainment Group
Kimberly Schlapman, Little Big Town
Sally Seitz, iTunes
Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ken Tucker, Beats Music
Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell Nashville
Ed Warm, Joe’s Bar
PAST CHAIRS
Butch Waugh
Sarah Trahern, Great American Country
Bill Mayne, Country Radio Broadcasters
Rod Essig, CAA
John Grady, Crush Management
Mark Hartley, Fitzgerald Hartley Co.

Artist Updates (9-24-13)

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Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks


• Garth Brooks will return to Las Vegas for eight shows in October and November. The shows are slated for Oct. 18 (7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.), Oct. 19 (7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.), Nov. 8 (7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.), Nov. 9 (7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.). Tickets are on sale at wynnlasvegas.com.
Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler


• Kellie Picker was hospitalized and forced to delay a concert on Saturday (Sept. 21), after a suspected bout with food poisoning. Pickler received an IV at the show and went on to perform a 90-minute set.  “Many thanks to everyone who came to my show tonight,” Pickler tweeted. “Again, I’m so sorry I had to delay my show…thank you for your grace & understanding.”
Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton


• Calling all beards! Chris Stapleton is calling on his fans to submit photos of their facial hair via social media for the chance to win a place on his guest list at one of his shows, beginning with Joe’s Bar in Chicago on Sept. 27. The ongoing campaign, “Get Cleared With Your Beard,” launched today and encourages fans to get creative with their submissions.
“It’s funny, I get a lot of questions right off the bat from fans about my beard, which always makes for a great conversation starter…we just get straight down to the personal stuff,” laughed Stapleton. “I decided to have some fun with it and celebrate the beard…women too! If your husband or boyfriend or brother, or even your grandma has a beard and you are proud of it, then send in your photos!”
Fans can submit photos of their beard with the hashtag #GetClearedWithYourBeard to Stapleton’s Facebook,  Twitter or Instagram.
Pictured (L-R): Roger Murrah, Al Jarreau. Photo by Mark Ciampa.

Pictured (L-R): Roger Murrah, Al Jarreau. Photo by Mark Ciampa.


• Songwriters Hall of Fame songwriter, Roger Murrah, welcomed jazz great, Al Jarreau, back to Nashville Sunday (Sept. 22). The two friends enjoyed some laughs following Jarreau’s sold out performance with the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Murrah and Keith Stegall wrote one of Jarreau’s most successful songs of his career, “We’re In This Love Together.” Murrah will soon be in the studio recording his own ‘songwriter album’ planned for release in the Spring of 2014.
•  Sibling trio Taylor Made recently performed in support of the Wounded Warrior Walkers, who are making the cross-country trek to raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. Together with station WTNJ, the band supplied live music at a show in West Virginia during a meet-and-greet with the Wounded Warrior Walkers.

Country trio Taylor Made perform for the Wounded Warrior Walkers in West Virginia.

Country trio Taylor Made perform for the Wounded Warrior Walkers in West Virginia.

War Memorial Auditorium Gets Sound Upgrade For 88th Birthday

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Pictured above, Mumford & Sons perform to a packed house at WMA.

Pictured above, Mumford & Sons perform to a packed house at WMA.


Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium, which celebrates its 88th birthday this month, has been outfitted with a state-of-the-art sound system by Brantley. The new upgrades were designed to accentuate the venue’s natural acoustics and provide an optimum listening experience for concert-goers.
“War Memorial Auditorium was built at a time when there were not a lot of amplification devices available, so the walls and hard surfaces were designed acoustically and architecturally to carry the sound naturally,” said Brent Hyams, chief operating officer for War Memorial Auditorium. “With the new technology, we can augment the natural acoustics, amplify the sound and make sure that every corner of the room–from the balcony to the floor seats–provides an incredible concert experience.”
The venue’s sound system upgrade includes permanent rigging points to fly the sound system, a line array speaker system that provides directional sound, stage drapery to eliminate sound reflection, and absorption panels all around the venue and on the ceiling. Additional upgrades will roll out over the next few months.
The War Memorial Auditorium was originally built to honor the 3400 Tennesseans who died in World War I and has been the performance home for the Nashville Symphony and the Grand Ole Opry. Performers like Ray Charles, KISS, David Bowie, and the Eagles have all crossed its stage at one point or another over the past eight decades, and Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers recently filmed the video for their new song, “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” at the concert hall. It was host to the Music City Eats Festival’s Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Petty Fest tribute concert last weekend, and the upcoming feature film The Identical, which stars Ashley Judd and Ray Liotta, also shot scenes at the legendary venue.
War Memorial Auditorium was given the Gold Medal Award, the highest honor bestowed by the American Institute of Architecture.

War Memorial Auditorium was given the Gold Medal Award, the highest honor bestowed by the American Institute of Architecture.


Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium has rocked audiences for years, bringing performances by legendary music artists from Ray Charles, Roy Acuff and Elvis Costello to Hollywood starlets and presidential candidates Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson and John F. Kennedy, who gave speeches on the courtyard steps.

Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium has rocked audiences for years, bringing performances by music artists from Ray Charles, Roy Acuff and Elvis Costello to Hollywood starlets and presidential candidates Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson and John F. Kennedy, who gave speeches on the courtyard steps.