Brantley 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
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
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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
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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.
Toby Keith Releases Track Listing and Cover Art
/by Eric T. ParkerThe collection’s first single, “I Like Girls That Drink Beer” (music video below), has climbed to No. 11 on the MusicRow Chart.
Hope On The Rocks (Deluxe Edition)
1. Hope On The Rocks
2. The Size I Wear
3. Scat Cat
4. I Like Girls That Drink Beer
5. Get Got
6. Haven’t Had A Drink All Day
7. Haven’t Seen The Last of You
8. Cold Beer Country
9. Missed You Just Right
10. You Ain’t Alone
Bonus Tracks:
11. Red Solo Cup – Johnny Mac Remix
12. Beers Ago – Jason Nevins Remix
13. Whiskey Girl (Live)
14. Get Out Of My Car (Live)
Lauren Alaina Kicks Off “Inch-by-Inch” Tour
/by Caitlin RantalaShe is also teaming up with local charities and the Special Olympics to donate a portion of each sale of her limited edition Inch-By-Inch Tour t-shirt. Fans who cannot make it to one of these shows can still do their part and purchase the t-shirt from www.laurenalainaofficial.com.
“Eighteen Inches,” co-written by Carrie Underwood, Kelley Lovelace and Ashley Gorley, has hit the Top 40 on the country singles chart and is steadily rising.
For a full list of tour dates click here.
Artist Snapshots (9/21/12)
/by FreemanThe Lucchese boot company celebrated the grand opening of its flagship store in Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood on Wednesday night (9/19). Performers at the event included RCA Nashville’s Love and Theft and guitar wizard Lee Roy Parnell, who is a huge Lucchese fan. Guests attending included Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, Lucchese president Doug Kindy, Kings of Leon’s Jared Followill and fiance Martha Patterson, Neal McCoy, Nashville Predators Nick Spaling, Roman Josi, and Matt Halischuk, MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Goose Gossage, and World Champion Bull Rider Tuff Hedeman, among many others. The new store offers 4,000 square feet of retail space, including a working design center for custom boots.
Left: Love and Theft's Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson. Photo: Randi Radcliff; Right: Model Martha Patterson with fiance Jared Followill of Kings of Leon. Photo: Mike Willett
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Easton Corbin recently made his first appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America to support his sophomore album All Over The Road. He performed his current his “Lovin’ You Is Fun” and was interviewed by anchor Elizabeth Vargas. Check out the interview here.
(L-R): George Stephanopoulos, Easton Corbin, Elizabeth Vargas, Amy Robach, Sam Champion
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The Academy of Country Music recently welcomed ACM Award winning group The Mavericks to the office while they were visiting California. The band performed its latest single “Born To Be Blue,” from new EP Suited Up and Ready, and classic the hit “Dance The Night Away.” The Mavericks’ Valory Music Co. full length album is due in January 2013.
(L-R): Michael Guerra, Michelle Goble, ACM Senior Vice President Membership & Industry Relations; Raul Malo; Lisa Lee, ACM Senior Vice President Creative, PR & Production, Eddie Perez. Photo: Nina Prommer/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Charlie Daniels to Host Veterans Benefit
/by Eric T. ParkerHosted at The Nashville Palm, the event will include guests Sal Gonzales, Aaron Lewis, and honoree Mark Green, MD FACEP, who penned “A Night with Saddam” – A Special Ops Flight Surgeon’s Interview with Saddam Hussein on the night of his capture. Storme Warren will emcee the event, which includes a VIP cocktail reception, silent auction, and dinner to precede the program and live auction at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets are $250 per person. Tables of 8 are available for $1,800, with a VIP option at $5,000. Contact Paige Dixon for tickets.
FTC Approves UMG Acquisition of EMI
/by Freeman“Today, the Commission voted to close its investigation of the proposed acquisition by Vivendi, S.A., parent company of Universal Music Group (“Universal”), of EMI Recorded Music (“EMI”),” said Bureau of Competition Director Richard A. Feinstein in a statement. “After a thorough investigation into the likely competitive effects of the merger, Commission staff did not find sufficient evidence that the acquisition would substantially lessen competition.”
As reported earlier, UMG will be selling off one-third of EMI’s assets to satisfy the European regulatory board. The FTC will not require any additional divestitures for the deal, valued at $1.9 billion, to pass in the United States.
“Although the Commission did not conclude that a remedy was needed to protect competition in the United States, we note that the remedy obtained by the European Commission to address the different market conditions in Europe will reduce concentration in the market in the United States as well,” noted Feinstein in the statement.
It remains unclear exactly what this will mean for Nashville, but expect some changes as the labels begin to combine resources. Former Capitol Nashville/EMI Records Nashville President Mike Dungan previously made the switch to head up Universal Music Group Nashville in May 2012, so it is likely his some of associates and artists from Capitol/EMI will once again be back under his leadership.