CMA Entertainer of the Year Nominee Jason Aldean continued his whirlwind album release week yesterday (10/18) with surprise announcements of his first stadium dates planned for his 2013 Night Train Tour.
Aldean kicked off the day at Boston’s Fenway Park with Red Sox EVP/COO Sam Kennedy on hand to announce his July 13, 2013 concert, making history as the first country artist to ever play the famed stadium. He then traveled to Chicago’s Wrigley Field in the afternoon and was joined by Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts to reveal that his long history of record-breaking Chicago area shows helped catapult him to stadium level headliner for the July 20 tour stop.
“It takes a lot to make me nervous, but walking out of the dugout at Fenway this morning to announce our show definitely did it,” said Aldean. “It’s the kind of moment you dream about your whole career, so I tried to take a minute to soak it up, but it’s pretty overwhelming.”
Jason Aldean's surprise performance for a packed pep rally at UGA, Oct. 18, 2012
The Macon, GA native and lifelong Georgia Bulldogs fan ended the day in Athens, GA by surprising a crowd of UGA students who thought they were attending a pep rally. When the curtain dropped behind the cheerleaders, Aldean and his band were revealed to a thunderous, enthusiastic crowd. Aldean announced that he will hold the first ever concert at Sanford Stadium on April 13, 2013. He was welcomed by football head coach Mark Richt and followed the surprise announcement with a special performance for fans.
“It was an incredible day as we went on to Wrigley for that announcement and then finished it up tonight with a surprise performance for the fans at University of Georgia, “said Aldean. “It’s a day that I’m never going to forget.”
Despite efforts to keep the surprise appearance in Athens top secret, there were unconfirmed rumors that fans had identified Aldean’s plane earlier that day and were tracking its route. Even media members were given UGA laminates to avoid giving away any hints to inquisitive students. But by the time Aldean appeared behind the curtain, the hyped-up energetic crowd seemed to have been in on the secret the whole time. But of course, that’s the way all Aldean fans act, so who really knows.
After the performance, we had a chance to visit with Aldean and ask about the day’s events. Speaking of his desire to add stadium dates to his next tour, Aldean said, “Brian O’Connell from Live Nation and I talked a lot about it. One thing I didn’t want to do was to pick a handful of stadiums just to say we were playing stadiums. I wanted to play places that were special to me and places I really admired such as iconic ballparks like Fenway and Wrigley.”
Jason Aldean's surprised performance for a packed pep rally at UGA, Oct. 18, 2012
“Being from Georgia and being a big Georgia fan, Sanford Stadium was number one on my list to play but they’ve never had a show here. This is probably the most excited I’ve been about any of my shows.” He then praised O’Connell and his management team Chris Parr and Clarence Spalding for getting the ball rolling and getting the University of Georgia on board.
Giving us a glimpse into his day, Aldean shared, “I got up at 9 o’clock, drove over to Fenway, announced that show at 10am, drove to the airport, got on a plane, flew to Chicago, drove an hour to Wrigley Field, announced that show, drove an hour back to the airport, got on the plane, flew here, and 20 minutes after arriving, I was on this stage. It was an exhausting day but one of the coolest things I’ve done in my career.”
Aldean’s fifth studio album for Broken Bow Records, Night Train, was released on Tuesday (Oct. 16) and has already produced a multi-week No. 1 single “Take A Little Ride.” Aldean recently earned three CMA Awards nominations for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for “Dirt Road Anthem.”
Stadium Details:
Boston, MA – July, 13, 2013
Fenway Park
Support: Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett
On Sale: Oct. 26, 2012 at 10am ET
Chicago, IL – July 20, 2013
Wrigley Field
Support: Kelly Clarkson, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett
On Sale: Nov. 3, 2012 at 10am CT
Athens, GA – April 13, 2013
Sanford Stadium
Support: Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett
On Sale: Nov. 2, 2012 at 10am ET
Tickets will be available at livenation.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. For a full list of appearances visit www.jasonaldean.com.
University of Georgia students gather for the pep rally before Aldean's surprise announcement and special performance.
Brittany Perlin Joins Dashboard Media
/by MichellePhoto: Chris Mastalia
Dashboard Media has announced the addition of Brittany Perlin in the role of Associate Publicist. Dashboard Media was officially launched in Oct. 2011 by publicist Natalie Kilgore.
“Brittany’s work ethic, passion for music and zest for life perfectly embodies the spirit of Dashboard Media and its artists,” says Natalie Kilgore, President of Dashboard Media. “She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and a unique perspective to the team coupled with a natural instinct and drive that can’t be taught. She’s the perfect yin to my yang and to say I’m ‘over the moon’ to welcome her to the Dashboard Media team would be a vast understatement.”
Most recently the music booker at The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in Los Angeles, Perlin began her career as an intern at Cosmopolitan magazine in Santa Monica, CA, where she served for a full year while completing her degree at California State University–Dominguez Hills.
Perlin’s new role is effective immediately. Reach her at Brittany.Perlin@dashboardmedia.biz .
Little Big Town’s “Tornado” Storms Country Sales
/by Caitlin RantalaThe vocal group is set to perform on Live! With Kelly And Michael on Oct. 24 and on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars on Oct. 29. As previously announced, the band will also perform on the 46th Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 1, where they are nominated for three awards – Vocal Group Of The Year, Single Of The Year and Video Of The Year for “Pontoon.”
For more information, visit www.littlebigtown.com.
Songwriter Ryan Beaver Inks With HoriPro
/by MichelleRyan Beaver has entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with HoriPro Entertainment Group, Inc. The Austin-based artist has been busy touring the South to promote his two independently released albums, Under the Neons and the most recent Constant.
“Ryan is the best artist/writer I have seen in years. It was a no-brainer for us to want to be involved with him,” says HoriPro’s Butch Baker. “Nobody sings like him, and he is a great young songwriter that completely gets it. He’ll be singing and writing for a long, long time.”
This is Beaver’s first publishing deal. “I’m glad to be part of such a great team and I’m looking forward to our future accomplishments together.”
(L-R): Bradley Collins (BMI), Butch Baker (HoriPro), Ryan Beaver, Jonathan Motley (Safford Motley PLC), Laura McKinley (Clover Management), Lee Krabel (HoriPro), Tim Stehli (HoriPro), and Clay Bradley (BMI)
Florida Georgia Line Plans Debut Album
/by FreemanTitled Here’s to the Good Times, the album hits stores Dec. 4 and contains “Cruise” as well as 10 other tracks including “Get Your Shine On,” “It’z Just What We Do,” and “Tip It Back.” Full track listing is included below. In addition, the duo will be touring with Luke Bryan’s Dirt Road Diaries Tour in 2013.
“Releasing our debut album is a dream come true! We can’t wait to share our lives through music with our amazing fans,” said FGL’s Brian Kelley.
FGL’s Tyler Hubbard added, “There truly is something for everyone on this album and we could not be more proud of it!”
Check back to musicrow.com on Monday (10/22) for a look at the story behind FGL’s rapid rise.
Here’s to the Good Times track listing:
1. Cruise (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Joey Moi, Chase Rice, Jesse Rice)
2. Round Here (Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Thomas Rhett)
3. Get Your Shine On (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins)
4. Here’s To The Good Times (Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Lynn Hutton)
5. It’z Just What We Do (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Rodney Clawson)
6. Stay (Joey Moi, John Fred Young, Chris Robertson, Jon Lawhon, Ben Wells)
7. Hell Raisin’ Heat Of The Summer (Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman)
8. Tell Me How You Like It (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Chris Tompkins)
9. Tip it Back (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Rodney Clawson)
10. Damn, Baby (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Rodney Clawson, David Lee Murphy)
11. Party People (Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, J.T. Harding)
(L-R): Front Row – Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard (Georgia) and Brian Kelley (Florida); Back Row – Country Music Hall of Fame’s Sharon Burns (Vice President, Sales and Marketing); Kyle Young (Museum Director); Rachel Weingartner (Membership Manager) and Jay Orr (Vice President, Museum Programs) Photo Courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame
Gill Wins Big at ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards
/by Caitlin RantalaVince Gill was a big winner of the night, taking home two awards—Mainstream Inspirational Country Song and Mainstream Country Artist. Other winners included Chuck Day for Entertainer of the Year, Joyful Noise for Faith, Family and Country Movie and The Roys for Inspirational Bluegrass Artist.
Mac Powell performed music from his new country album, alongside performances from Andy Griggs, John Berry, Doyle Lawson, Quicksilver and Crawford Crossing.
Dr. Johnny Lee Cook received this year’s Living Legend Award. Ronald McDonald was on-hand representing Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville—a portion of the proceeds from the week-long event were donated to the charity.
In addition to being aired on Total Living Network, Golden Eagle Broadcasting, TCT Television Network and NRB Network, Nashville’s WKRN-TV will be airing the awards this year for the first time on Dec. 23, 1-3 pm.
Full list of The 18th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards Winners:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
Chuck Day
MALE VOCALIST:
Chuck Hancock
FEMALE VOCALIST:
Laura Dodd
VOCAL DUO / VOCAL DUO PERFORMANCE:
Branded
VOCAL GROUP OR BAND:
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
MAINSTREAM INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG:
“Threaten Me With Heaven” Vince Gill
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY ARTIST:
Vince Gill
CHRISTIAN COUNTRY SONG:
“Jesus Is Enough” Russ Murphy
SONGWRITER:
Chuck Hancock
NEW ARTIST:
Larissa
VIDEO:
“Loves Gotta Go Somewhere” Steve Richard
MUSICIAN:
Greg McDougal
COMEDIAN:
Johnny Lee Cook
RADIO PERSONALITY:
Rich Miller
RADIO STATION/NETWORK:
WSM AM 650
INSPIRATIONAL BLUEGRASS ARTIST:
The Roys
YOUTH IN MUSIC AWARD:
Isaac Cole
MUSIC EVANGELIST OF THE YEAR:
Tommy Brandt
FAITH, FAMILY, & COUNTRY MOVIE:
Joyful Noise
TELEVISION NETWORK:
Gospel Music Channel
Jason Aldean Makes History With Stadium Announcements
/by Sherod RobertsonCMA Entertainer of the Year Nominee Jason Aldean continued his whirlwind album release week yesterday (10/18) with surprise announcements of his first stadium dates planned for his 2013 Night Train Tour.
“It takes a lot to make me nervous, but walking out of the dugout at Fenway this morning to announce our show definitely did it,” said Aldean. “It’s the kind of moment you dream about your whole career, so I tried to take a minute to soak it up, but it’s pretty overwhelming.”
Jason Aldean's surprise performance for a packed pep rally at UGA, Oct. 18, 2012
The Macon, GA native and lifelong Georgia Bulldogs fan ended the day in Athens, GA by surprising a crowd of UGA students who thought they were attending a pep rally. When the curtain dropped behind the cheerleaders, Aldean and his band were revealed to a thunderous, enthusiastic crowd. Aldean announced that he will hold the first ever concert at Sanford Stadium on April 13, 2013. He was welcomed by football head coach Mark Richt and followed the surprise announcement with a special performance for fans.
“It was an incredible day as we went on to Wrigley for that announcement and then finished it up tonight with a surprise performance for the fans at University of Georgia, “said Aldean. “It’s a day that I’m never going to forget.”
Despite efforts to keep the surprise appearance in Athens top secret, there were unconfirmed rumors that fans had identified Aldean’s plane earlier that day and were tracking its route. Even media members were given UGA laminates to avoid giving away any hints to inquisitive students. But by the time Aldean appeared behind the curtain, the hyped-up energetic crowd seemed to have been in on the secret the whole time. But of course, that’s the way all Aldean fans act, so who really knows.
After the performance, we had a chance to visit with Aldean and ask about the day’s events. Speaking of his desire to add stadium dates to his next tour, Aldean said, “Brian O’Connell from Live Nation and I talked a lot about it. One thing I didn’t want to do was to pick a handful of stadiums just to say we were playing stadiums. I wanted to play places that were special to me and places I really admired such as iconic ballparks like Fenway and Wrigley.”
Jason Aldean's surprised performance for a packed pep rally at UGA, Oct. 18, 2012
“Being from Georgia and being a big Georgia fan, Sanford Stadium was number one on my list to play but they’ve never had a show here. This is probably the most excited I’ve been about any of my shows.” He then praised O’Connell and his management team Chris Parr and Clarence Spalding for getting the ball rolling and getting the University of Georgia on board.
Giving us a glimpse into his day, Aldean shared, “I got up at 9 o’clock, drove over to Fenway, announced that show at 10am, drove to the airport, got on a plane, flew to Chicago, drove an hour to Wrigley Field, announced that show, drove an hour back to the airport, got on the plane, flew here, and 20 minutes after arriving, I was on this stage. It was an exhausting day but one of the coolest things I’ve done in my career.”
Aldean’s fifth studio album for Broken Bow Records, Night Train, was released on Tuesday (Oct. 16) and has already produced a multi-week No. 1 single “Take A Little Ride.” Aldean recently earned three CMA Awards nominations for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for “Dirt Road Anthem.”
Stadium Details:
Boston, MA – July, 13, 2013
Fenway Park
Support: Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett
On Sale: Oct. 26, 2012 at 10am ET
Chicago, IL – July 20, 2013
Wrigley Field
Support: Kelly Clarkson, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett
On Sale: Nov. 3, 2012 at 10am CT
Athens, GA – April 13, 2013
Sanford Stadium
Support: Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett
On Sale: Nov. 2, 2012 at 10am ET
Tickets will be available at livenation.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. For a full list of appearances visit www.jasonaldean.com.
University of Georgia students gather for the pep rally before Aldean's surprise announcement and special performance.
BMLG Names New Canadian Promotion Director
/by Eric T. ParkerRon Harwood
Promotion veteran Ron Harwood has been appointed to Big Machine Label Group’s National Promotion Director for Canada, it was recently announced by label President and CEO Scott Borchetta.
“Ron is the best of the best and he completely aligns with our vision to continue to build the Big Machine Label Group into a force in Canada,” said Borchetta.
In his new role, Harwood will oversee all of Big Machine’s national Canadian radio promotions, based in the Universal Music Canada offices in Toronto effective November 1. He replaces previous Canadian Director Angela Borchetta.
Harwood spent 17 years with Universal Music Canada. In 2007, he joined EMI Music where he held the position of Manager, National Promotions.
Kobalt Signs David Hodges
/by Sarah SkatesDavid Hodges
Multiple Grammy and BMI award-winning songwriter and producer, David Hodges, has signed an exclusive worldwide agreement with Kobalt Music Group to administer all new and forthcoming works via his publishing company, 3 Weddings Music. Formerly a member of the band Evanescence, Hodges co-wrote its worldwide hits “Bring Me to Life” and “My Immortal.” He has won several BMI Pop Awards, which include awards for his No. 1 singles “Because Of You” by Kelly Clarkson, “Crush” by David Archuleta, and “What About Now” by Daughtry, among others. His songs have also been recorded by major artists such as Celine Dion, Backstreet Boys, Carrie Underwood, Christina Perri, Train and David Cook.
Hodges is currently collaborating with Avril Lavigne, Natasha Bedingfield, Sara Evans, and Christina Perri for their new albums. As an active film and TV composer, Hodges most recently penned end title, “Thousand Years,” for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, as well as the title song, “There’s a Place for Us,” for The Chronicles Of Narnia, which garnered him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Song.
In more Kobalt news, the company plans to invest up to 100 million USD in the next 12 months in music royalties. Willard Ahdritz, CEO and Founder of Kobalt Music Group, explained, “In order to respond to existing and new clients’ needs for bigger advances, or part or whole acquisitions, Kobalt formed an investment advisory company in 2011 which now has substantial capital resources backed by blue chip family office and other institutional investors.” Kobalt has already made a number of investments with more to follow. The company manages more than 300,000 copyrights worldwide on behalf of over 1000 content holders.
Weekly Chart Report (10/19/12)
/by FreemanAfter MidNite host and Dale Franklin Awards emcee Blair Garner (L) recently sat down with Darius Rucker to talk about his forthcoming CD and his recent Grand Ole Opry induction.
SPIN ZONE
The girl may have gotten away, but Jake Owen finishes first in the latest MusicRow chart. “The One That Got Away” is the latest in a string of hit singles for the RCA Nashville star, and its journey up the chart took a steady 24 weeks. He’s followed by Eric Church’s “Creepin’,” Lee Brice’s “Hard to Love,” Rascal Flatts’ “Come Wake Me Up,” and Greg Bates’ “Did It For the Girl.” Also on the rise: Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” at No. 6, Toby Keith’s “I Like Girls That Drink Beer” at No. 7, Dierks Bentley’s “Tip It On Back” at No. 9, and Kip Moore’s “Beer Money” at No. 10. That’s a lot of drinking in the top 10.
Josh Turner (L) dropped by the KKGO/Los Angeles studios and chatted with Shawn Parr. Turner’s rising single “Find Me A Baby” lands “On Deck” this week.
Elsewhere we’ve got a few strong female singles on the way, led by Taylor Swift’s “Begin Again” at No. 21. Newcomer Kacey Musgraves has also got quite a buzz going with “Merry Go Round,” which moves to No. 26. One slot behind her at No. 27 is Kelleigh Bannen’s “Sorry on the Rocks,” which was recently played to enthusiastic response at the annual Capitol Street Party.
After a couple weeks of molasses-slow movement on the chart, there are a whole boatload of new singles. Chris Young is first among them with “I Can Take It From There” at No. 59. Joanna Mosca’s “Dream On Savannah” pops in at No. 71, followed by LiveWire’s “Lies” at No. 73, and Hunter Hayes’ “Somebody’s Heartbreak” at No. 75 poised to make a big impact next week. Additionally, there are first appearances by Michelle Cupit’s “I Know You’re Lying (Your Lips Are Moving),” One Night Rodeo’s “Real Good,” Lucky Ned Pepper’s “I Remember the Music,” and Tracy Lawrence’s “Stop Drop & Roll.”
Frozen Playlists: KGMN, KVVP, KZTL, WAKG, WBYZ, WXMM
Upcoming Singles
October 22
Hunter Hayes/Somebody’s Heartbreak/Atlantic-WMN
Josh Abbott Band/I’ll Sing About Mine/PDT-Atlantic-WMN
Sarah Darling/Home To Me/Black River
Sweetwater Rain/Starshine/Curb
Bill Gentry/Hell and Half of Georgia/Tenacity Records
October 25
Lathan Moore/Forever Man/Render
October 29
Thompson Square/If I Didn’t Have You/Stoney Creek
Jerrod Niemann/Only God Could Love You More/Sea Gayle-Arista
Hayden Panettiere/Telescope/Big Machine
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Chris Young/I Can Take It From There/RCA Nashville – 59
Joanna Mosca/Dream On Savannah/Dolce Diva Music – 71
LiveWire/Lies/Way Out West — 73
Hunter Hayes/Somebody’s Heartbreak/Atlantic-WMN – 75
Michelle Cupit/I Know You’re Lying (Your Lips Are Moving)/Cupit – 77
One Night Rodeo/Real Good/Fox Hill Records – 78
Lucky Ned Pepper/I Remember The Music/Nine North – 79
Tracy Lawrence/Stop, Drop, & Roll/Lawrence Music Group – 80
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Hunter Hayes/Somebody’s Heartbreak/Atlantic-WMN – 17
Tracy Lawrence/Stop, Drop, & Roll/Lawrence Music Group – 16
Brantley Gilbert/More Than Miles/The Valory Music Co. – 15
Chris Young/I Can Take It From There/RCA Nashville – 15
Gary Allan/Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)/MCA – 15
Montgomery Gentry/I’ll Keep The Kids/Average Joes – 14
Michael Dean Church/Still Not Over You/MDC – 12
Tyler Farr/Hello Goodbye/Columbia Nashville – 12
Uncle Kracker/Nobody’s Sad On A Saturday Night/EMI Nashville/Sugar Hill – 11
Eric Lee Beddingfield/That Ol’ Outlaw Song/Rebel Dawg – 11
Kacey Musgraves/Merry Go Round/Mercury – 11
Taylor Swift/Begin Again/Big Machine – 11
Faith Hill/American Heart/Warner Bros. – 10
Little Big Town/Tornado/Capitol – 10
Love & Theft/Running Out Of Air/RCA Nashville – 10
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Taylor Swift/Begin Again/Big Machine – 463
Brad Paisley/Southern Comfort Zone/Arista Nashville – 404
Zac Brown Band/Goodbye In Her Eyes/Southern Ground-Atlantic – 380
Gary Allan/Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)/MCA – 358
Little Big Town/Tornado/Capitol – 339
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Randy Rogers Band/One More Sad Song/MCA Nashville – 171
Logan Mize/Good Life/Big Yellow Dog – 170
Brantley Gilbert/More Than Miles/Valory – 165
Brinn Black/That Should Have Been Us/SMG – 154
Craig Campbell/Outta My Head/Bigger Picture – 151
Josh Turner/Find Me A Baby/MCA – 144
Casey James recently stopped by Philadelphia’s WXTU before his show at XFinity Live. His “Crying On A Suitcase” takes the MusicRow Chart's No. 16 spot this week. Pictured (L-R): Casey; WXTU APD/MD Mark Razz and Columbia’s David Friedman and the wonderfully pink "Skully."
Maggie Rose, Jana Kramer and Lauren Alaina recently appeared at WQMX/Akron’s “Chicks with Picks” event to benefit Muffins for Mammograms. (L-R): Jody Wheatley (WQMX MD), Maggie Rose, Sue Wilson (WQMX AM show/PD), Jana Kramer, Lauren Alaina
Fairfield Four Gospel Great Passes
/by Robert K OermannA member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and a Grammy Award winner, Freeman had been in declining health for several years. He passed away on Tuesday, October 16.
He was born in Alabama and raised in Ohio. In the 1940s, he began his singing career in the gospel groups The Golden Tones and The Kings of Harmony.
Freeman first joined the long-established Fairfield Four in 1948. One of gospel music’s oldest and most influential harmony quartets, the group was founded in 1925 at Nashville’s Fairfield Baptist Church. When Freeman joined, the group was already recording for Bullet Records and broadcasting its own show on WLAC radio. The program had national distribution via the CBS radio network.
In 1950, Freeman left Nashville to sing in the Alabama-based Skylarks. He moved back to Music City in 1962. After a period of dormancy, The Fairfield Four was reconstituted in 1980. During the next few years, the group resumed recording and sang with such stars as Amy Grant, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, John Fogerty and Lyle Lovett.
The group’s 1999 album I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray won a Grammy Award. The following year, Freeman and his musical partners were featured in the movie O Brother Where Art Thou as well as on its multi-million selling soundtrack album.
Over the years, The Fairfield Four also recorded for Bullet, Dot, Delta, Champion, Old Town, Nashboro, Dead Reckoning, Blue Plate and Warner Bros. Records.
Freeman issued his first solo album in 2002. Titled Beautiful Stars, it was produced by Kieran Kane and featured Mike Henderson’s band The Blue Bloods as well as The McCrary Sisters. The McCrarys’ father, Sam McCrary, was The Fairfield Four’s anchor tenor vocalist and most enduring member. After he died in 1989, Freeman became the group’s cornerstone and musical director.
Funeral arrangements for Isaac Freeman have not been announced.