If musical talent and food weren’t enough to lure attendees to Nashville’s Riverfront Park for the eclectic Southern Ground Music and Food Festival this past Friday (9/21) and Saturday (9/22), perhaps the beautiful weekend weather was.
The ‘No Re-entry’ tickets locked in guests for the music and food festival where the Zac Brown Band served as the late night main stage house band. The group shuffled through signature tunes with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Gregg Allman, Alan Jackson and Dwight Yoakam.
Playing before the headliner guests were some of music’s finest artists including David Gray, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, and Amos Lee. Perhaps the one transcendent aspect about the diverse lineup was a common support for Zac Brown’s Camp Southern Ground designed for children with neurobehavioral disorders, for which the festival was a benefit.
Food aspects of the event offered credentialed VIP or Pit access for price premiums, while Stage Box seats treated the elite to stage-side four course meals with beverages. For the general masses, food trucks including Cookie, Zac Brown Band’s mobile kitchen, were available for additional charges alongside beverages from sponsors LandShark and Jack Daniel’s.
Highlights included Mayer, the last minute roster addition, who rested his voice throughout both evening appearances. Instead, he relied on guitar skills while Brown sang a mashup between Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” and Mayer’s “Neon,” among others. Mayer also accompanied Yoakam, who delivered two hits “Fast As You,” and “Guitars, Cadillacs,” for his Saturday evening performance with the band.
Additional artists on the bill included The Wheeler Boys, Vintage Trouble, Holly Williams, Los Lonely Boys, Dugas, The Lumineers, Levi Lowrey, Clay Cook, Blackberry Smoke,The Jerry Douglas Band, John Driskell Hopkins & Brighter Shade, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Nic Cowan.
Southern Ground Takes Nashville
/by Eric T. ParkerThe ‘No Re-entry’ tickets locked in guests for the music and food festival where the Zac Brown Band served as the late night main stage house band. The group shuffled through signature tunes with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Gregg Allman, Alan Jackson and Dwight Yoakam.
Playing before the headliner guests were some of music’s finest artists including David Gray, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, and Amos Lee. Perhaps the one transcendent aspect about the diverse lineup was a common support for Zac Brown’s Camp Southern Ground designed for children with neurobehavioral disorders, for which the festival was a benefit.
Food aspects of the event offered credentialed VIP or Pit access for price premiums, while Stage Box seats treated the elite to stage-side four course meals with beverages. For the general masses, food trucks including Cookie, Zac Brown Band’s mobile kitchen, were available for additional charges alongside beverages from sponsors LandShark and Jack Daniel’s.
Highlights included Mayer, the last minute roster addition, who rested his voice throughout both evening appearances. Instead, he relied on guitar skills while Brown sang a mashup between Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” and Mayer’s “Neon,” among others. Mayer also accompanied Yoakam, who delivered two hits “Fast As You,” and “Guitars, Cadillacs,” for his Saturday evening performance with the band.
Additional artists on the bill included The Wheeler Boys, Vintage Trouble, Holly Williams, Los Lonely Boys, Dugas, The Lumineers, Levi Lowrey, Clay Cook, Blackberry Smoke,The Jerry Douglas Band, John Driskell Hopkins & Brighter Shade, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Nic Cowan.
Aldean Announces “Concert For the Cure”
/by Freeman“This is one of the nights I look forward to most every year,” said Aldean. “I’m really proud of the money we’ve raised so far, and it feels great to be able to honor our friend who passed away at such an early age from breast cancer. Everyone has been affected by this disease at some point, and I want to do my part to help find a cure before my daughters grow up. I know Dallas is ready to help us!”
Less than two weeks before the Concert For the Cure, Aldean will release his new Broken Bow Records album Night Train on Oct. 16. It is currently available for pre-order on Aldean’s website, and its lead single “Take a Little Ride” is accelerating for the top of the charts. Aldean also has CMA Awards nominations for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Single of the Year for “Dirt Road Anthem.” His My Kinda Party Tour has sold over 1.9 million tickets since it launched.
Loretta Lynn’s 50 Years With Opry; Waylon Jennings’ Last Recordings
/by Sarah SkatesFans are invited to post their favorite memories of Lynn via Twitter using #Love4Loretta, and some of the Tweets will be compiled on opry.com and shared at tomorrow night’s show.
Opry flagship station 650 AM-WSM is scheduled to play a Lynn song every hour tomorrow, while other artists call in with congratulations for the iconic artist.
Also, opry.com will stream a press conference featuring Lynn and other artists on tomorrow night’s show live from backstage at the Opry House at 6:30 p.m.
The Opry show can be heard live on 650 AM WSM and opry.com.
• • • •
A new album from outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings is filled with recordings made during the years preceding his death in 2002. Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings will be released tomorrow (9/25) via Saguaro Road Records. No one has ever heard these performances, they are Waylon’s last gift to his fans.
Jennings and his longtime accompanist Robby Turner laid down twelve tracks using Jennings’ guitar/vocals and Turner’s bass. Ten years after the artist’s passing, Turner finished each song to honor Jennings’ vision and brought in some of his favorite sidemen including Reggie Young, Richie Albright and tour mate Tony Joe White.
CRS Previews 2013 Agenda
/by FreemanThe daily speaker initiative will offer attendees a different presentation every morning of CRS 2013, which runs Feb. 27-March 1 in Nashville. Each guest speaker will be given a priority time slot when no other events or panels are being held. The CRS 2013 keynote speaker and daily speakers will be revealed in the coming weeks.
With a focus on technology, social media, and adaptation to market challenges, CRS 2013 will also include its usual mix of expert panelists, research, and industry leaders. Early confirmed speakers include talent coach Valerie Geller (Geller Media International), brand management and social media marketer Jeff James, and talent experts Beth and Matt Sunshine (The Center For Sales Strategy). Check out the agenda and a select panel descriptions at www.countryradioseminar.com.
Legislation Seeks To Lower Online Radio Royalty Rates
/by Sarah SkatesUnder current circumstances, a high percentage of company income goes to pay artist and songwriter royalties. These royalty rates are based on individual song plays, and though they are fractions of a cent, can add up very quickly to large sums. In Pandora’s case, the artists’ share alone cost the service half of last year’s revenue, according to CEO Tim Westergren.
By comparison, SiriusXM pays about 8 percent of its revenue for artist performance royalties.
Terrestrial radio stations only pay songwriters and publishers, not artists. The recent exception to this rule is the deals made by Big Machine Label Group with terrestrial radio broadcasters Clear Channel and Entercom. The model has BMLG and its artists being paid terrestrial performance royalties in exchange for a lower rate for digital performance royalties, which will distribute the royalty cost more evenly between both kinds of radio.
The Internet Radio Fairness Act was introduced in the House by Jason Chaffetz (Rep.-Utah), and Jared Polis (Dem.- Col.), and in the Senate by Ron Wyden (Dem.-Oregon).
More from the New York Times.
Hall of Fame Breaks Summer Attendance Record
/by FreemanFrom the Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 197,938 people visited the museum, a 15% increase over the previous record of 172,100 set in 2011.
“We are gratified that so many local, national and international visitors have chosen to visit us this summer, and we’d like to thank them for such strong support,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “There are a number of factors that contributed to our record-setting attendance: Foremost, we’ve offered a powerful trifecta of exhibitions spotlighting the Bakersfield Sound, superstar Taylor Swift and Country Music Hall of Fame member Patsy Cline, and strong live programs to accompany them. Taylor’s exhibition marks the first time we’ve mounted a major display on a contemporary artist, and our visitors have responded very positively—our youth and family attendance is up 23% over last year.”
Coming up soon at the Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Allen Reynolds (“Five O’Clock World,” “Dreaming My Dreams With You”) will be honored as the latest subject of the quarterly series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters. The 90-minute event takes place October 6, at 1:30 pm and will be hosted by museum editor Michael Gray. Museum passes are required for attendance.
Singles Only Hosts Oktoberfest Benefit
/by Caitlin RantalaPerformers for the evening include Eric Paslay, Dave Barnes, Liz Rose, Jaron Boyer, Jeff Middleton, Erik Dylan, Jeff Coplan, Steve Pasch, Brian White, Dylan Altman, Jim McCormick and Ben Daniel.
Tickets at $5 at the door. More on The Raining Season here.
Brantley Gilbert Launches Headlining Tour
/by Eric T. ParkerBrantley Gilbert
Brantley Gilbert will set out on his first headlining tour, The Hell on Wheels Tour, this Thursday (9/27) in West Lafayette, IN with special guests Uncle Kracker, Brian Davis, and his BMLG labelmate Greg Bates.
“We’re doing something a little bit different with our music, there’s a little bit of rock in our country,” said Gilbert on choosing Uncle Kracker as a tourmate. “I don’t think that’s a secret. We’re not hiding it! There’s a different aspect to it.”
“I feel like I’m writing my best stuff right now with him,” Gilbert said of choosing songwriter Davis. “He’s basically part of the family. So him coming on the road with us will be a great chance for me to write even more than I’m writing right now. I couldn’t happier with the line-up, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Hell on Wheels Tour:
9/27– West Lafayette, IN
9/28– Poplar Bluff, MO
9/29– Oklahoma City, OK
10/4– Missoula, MT
10/5– Bozeman, MT
10/6– Boise, ID
10/11– Dodge City, KS
10/12– Fayetteville, AR
10/13– Jackson, MS
10/14– Nashville, TN *Miles and Music for Kids (with Dierks Bentley)
10/18– Amarillo, TX
10/19– Las Cruces, NM
10/20– San Antonio, TX
10/26– Ames, IA
10/27– Rockford, IL
10/28– Lexington, KY
11/8– Clemson, SC
11/9– Huntington, WV
11/10– Johnson City, TN
11/16– Baton Rouge, LA
Snapshots (9/24/12)
/by FreemanNashville Mayor Karl Dean and the Music City Music Council (MC2) have named Kings of Leon as recipients of the second annual Music City Ambassador Award. The honor was presented on Friday (9/21) at Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame, where the band was also honored with a commemorative star.
Kings of Leon with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean
• • • • •
Gloriana recently stopped by ASCAP Nashville’s offices to present the organization with a plaque for the Gold single “Kissed You Good Night.” The song was penned by ASCAP members Josh Kear and Tom Gossin and is the group’s first top 5 hit.
Pictured with Gloriana (front) are ASCAP staff members (L-R): Mike Sistad, Evyn Mustoe, Ryan Beuschel and Michael Martin
• • • • •
Sarah Darling recently visited Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends Weekend, where she played her upcoming single “Home To Me.” She also stuck around to perform her song “Old T-Shirt” during the After The Show Show. Check out Darling singing “Home to Me” here.
(L-R): Fox & Friends Co-Host, Alisyn Camerota, Fox & Friends Co-Host, Dave Briggs; and Sarah Darling
Songwriters to Play Benefit Show at Lucy’s Country Cafe
/by FreemanPerformers at the benefit include Jessica Andrews, Marc Beeson, Lisa Carver, Sarah Davidson, David Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Danny Myrick, Randy Owen, Bobby Pinson, DJ Silver, Jon Stone, Adley Stump, Bridgette Tatum, Chad Warrix, Trent Willmon and more.
The show begins at 7 pm at Lucy’s, located at 1911 Broadway inside the Blue Bar. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at charleyfoundation.org. Food tickets will also be available for $10.