Big & Rich teamed up with After MidNite’s Blair Garner to co-host a commercial-free, three-hour Fourth of July radio special. Pictured in the After MidNite studio in Nashville.
MUSIC CITY 4th of JULY
Nashville’s 4th of July celebration has a new location this year. The “Let Freedom Sing!” free concert and fireworks show on July 3 and July 4 will be held at The Lawn at Riverfront Park (the grassy field south of the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge).
July 3—festivities begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by live music at 5:30 p.m. Set to perform are Ayla Brown, and Ten out of Tenn singer-songwriters Erin McCarley, k.s. Rhoads, Andy Davis, Matthew Perryman Jones, Tyler James, Gabe Dixon and Griffin House. Sirius XM/GAC’s Storme Warren will emcee. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:00 p.m.
July 4—the main show begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes Barry Scott, Ayla Brown, Sarah Darling, Craig Morgan, The Mavericks, and Music City Hitmakers Hillary Lindsey and Brett James with the Nashville Symphony with orchestral scores by Charles Judge. The McDonald’s Free Family Fun Zone will open at noon on Second Avenue and Broadway. From noon – 5 p.m. entertainers include Madison Cain, Jason Eskridge, Tyme, Striking Matches and This is She. The fireworks show is supposed to be the longest and biggest in Nashville history and will be choreographed to music from the Nashville Symphony beginning at 9:45 p.m.
• • • Randy Travis will host the holiday special, Red, White, and Randy 4th on Sirius XM. The program is set to air throughout July 4 on Prime Country (Channel 58).
• • • Alan Jackson will kick off the Fourth of July celebration early for members of the military and their families at Fort Sill, Okla. On Sat., June 30 Jackson will perform at the base and the show is open to the public. Special guests include Easton Corbin and Gloriana.
• • • Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic will be held at the Historic Ft. Worth Stockyards. Set to perform are Nelson, Lukas Nelson, Corey Smith, Jamey Johnson, Stoney LaRue and Bill Anderson, who was tapped to fill in for Ray Price who cancelled due to health issues.
• • • A Capitol Fourth will be broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on PBS, Wed., July 4 from 8 – 9:30 p.m. ET. Set to perform are Josh Turner, American Idol winner Phillip Phillips, Matthew Broderick, Javier Colon (winner of The Voice), Kool & The Gang and more. Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno and legendary composer John Williams will lead a patriotic send off to Team USA.
• • • The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will be air at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. Television icon Regis Philbin will host the all-star line-up of performances, including superstars Kenny Chesney and Katy Perry.
• • • Kix Brooks is set to headline the Summer OilPatch Festival in Drumright, Okla. on July 4. Also performing will be Shawna Russell, LiveWire and more.
• • • Jennifer Hudson will join the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra for the Fourth of July celebration, broadcast on CBS.
• • • Lee Greenwood will perform his signature song “God Bless the USA” on Tuesday (7/3) on the nationally syndicated midday show Daytime, and is set for an appearance that night on Fox News Channel’s Hannity. Also, an exclusive interview with CNN.com’s “The Red Chair” spotlights Greenwood’s book, Does God Still Bless the USA: A Plea for a Better America.
Ray Scott Inks Management/Booking Agreement
/by Sarah SkatesTrace Adkins recorded Scott’s tune “If The Sun Comes Up” for the Act Of Valor film soundtrack, released in February.
Frank Lena is CEO of AStar Promotions, which has offices in Nashville, Chicago, and Lake Geneva, WI. “We believe Ray is a perfect match with his creativity, unique writing style and performances that engage audiences from all walks of life,” says Lena. “He connects with people because he is ‘real’ and it’s a natural complement to AStar’s business model.”
Scott is set for a Fri., Sept. 14 performance at Nashville’s Hard Rock Café to kick off the Ray Scott & Friends Country @ the Rock Concert Series.
Best know for his 2005 Warner Bros. album My Kind of Music, Scott has since released Crazy Like Me and Rayality.
For information on booking contact Joey Adams at 615-618-7646 or joey@astarnow.com.
New B.o.B. Video Features Taylor Swift
/by Sarah SkatesTaylor Swift sings the hooky chorus in the new song by rapper B.o.B. The video for “Both of Us” premiered yesterday (6/27) on MTV.
Among the Nashville locations used in the video are Melrose Billiards and Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish. Director Jake Nava shot the video showcasing everyday triumphs and struggles of the working class. See the “Behind the Video” clip posted below.
The track is the third single from B.o.B.‘s Atlantic Records release Strange Clouds. The underdog championing lyric features Swift singing, “I wish I was strong enough to lift not one, but both of us.”
Swift and the rapper first met in October 2011 when he was a surprise guest at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium stop on her Speak Now tour. They dueted on his hit “Airplane.”
Warner Nashville Hosts “Pickin’ on the Patio”
/by Caitlin RantalaDoors open at 5:00 pm and show starts at 5:30 pm. Food and drinks will be served during performances. Pickin’ On The Patio is held the fourth Thursday of every month, from May to October, on the WMN Patio. Mark your calendars for the next one on July 26.
Photo Show: City National Salutes SOURCE, Creative Nation, WMBA
/by Sarah SkatesCreative Nation Showcase at The Basement
Monday night (6/25) Creative Nation songwriters Luke Laird and Barry Dean rounded up co-writers Rhett Akins, Brett Eldredge, Ashley Gorley, Natalie Hemby, Matt Jenkins, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves and Jonathan Singleton for a performance at The Basement. The group debuted 10 songs to an industry crowd during the event that marked Creative Nation’s first show since the company announced its grand opening last month.
Pictured (L-R): Beth Laird, Creative Nation Co-Owner and General Manager; Luke Laird, Creative Nation Co-Owner and Songwriter/Producer; Kacey Musgraves; Natalie Hemby; Shane McAnally; Brett Eldredge; and Barry Dean, Creative Nation Songwriter. Photo: Thomas Gentry
City National Salutes SOURCE Honorees
City National Bank celebrated this year’s SOURCE Award recipients with a fun Nash Trash tour of Music City followed by dinner at Virago. The awards, honoring pioneering females in the music business, will salute Shelia Shipley Biddy, Connie Bradley, Karen Conrad, Judy Harris, Pat Rolfe, Kay Smith and Judy Wray. All of this year’s honorees are founding members of the organization. The 10th annual SOURCE Awards will be held Aug. 23 at the new home of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at Municipal Auditorium.
Pictured (L-R) Back Row: Sarah Brosmer, Bebe Evans, Debbie Linn, Betty Sanders, Lisa Palas, Linda Payne, Judi Turner, Martha Henderson, Susan Myers, Karen Morgan, Kay Clary, Sally Williams, Holly Bell, Lainie Allbee, Trina Smith, Sherri Lynn - Jugg Sister, Courtney Crist, Pamela Johnson, Erika Wollam Nichols, Diane Pearson; Front Row: Mary Unobsky, Lori Badgett, Jessica Rogers, Brenda Kay - Jugg Sister, Shelia Shipley Biddy, Karen Conrad, Judy Harris, Kay Smith, Judy Wray, Pat Rolfe, Laurie Hughes, Katie Plauche Morris and Mandy Gallagher.
WMBA Meeting Welcomes Cindy Heath
The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) welcomed Monarch Publicity’s Cindy Heath as the guest speaker for the organization’s monthly membership meeting at NSAI last week. Heath, who also serves on WMBA’s Board of Directors, shared her experience of navigating the music business and gave insight on being a female entrepreneur.
Pictured (L-R): Front Row: Amery Fridenstine, Trina Lloyd-Weidner, Becky McIntosh; Middle Row: Brandi Simms, Cindy Heath, Becky Lynn Street; and Back Row: Kama Upton, Leona Edwards
Walker to Host 5th Annual Charity Classic Golf Tournament
/by FreemanCelebrity participants will include former NBA players Clifford Robinson and John Starks, WFAN’s Ann Liguori, T Bone Burnett, singer/songwriter Sarah Marince, and actor Anthony Anderson. Proceeds from the event will go toward Walker’s Band Against MS initiative, to raise awareness of the disease.
“This is going to be an incredible few days and Pebble Beach is one of the most beautiful places in the world!” says Walker. “I am thrilled and grateful to be able to raise awareness and funds for a disease that affects so many by combining two of my favorite things, golf and music.”
More info here.
Dustin Lynch Plans Debut Album
/by FreemanProduced by Brett Beavers and Luke Wooten, Dustin Lynch will feature 13 tracks, 10 of which were written or co-written by Lynch himself. A full track listing is included below.
Lynch’s debut single “Cowboys and Angels,” which the artist co-wrote with Tim Nichols and Josh Leo, is currently climbing all the charts. In MusicRow’s most recent CountryBreakout Chart, it gained 103 spins and hit No. 21, and the video has already surpassed one million views on YouTube. Additionally, the track has sold over 250,000 downloads since its release.
For Dustin’s tour dates, visit dustinlynchmusic.com.
Dustin Lynch track listing:
1. “She Cranks My Tractor” — (Dustin Lynch, Brett Beavers, Tim Nichols)
2. “Waiting” — (Justin Weaver, Dustin Lynch, Kelly Archer)
3. “Cowboys and Angels” — (Dustin Lynch, Josh Leo, Tim Nichols)
4. “Wild in Your Smile” — (Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Marv Green)
5. “Last Lap” — (Dustin Lynch, Kelly Archer, Justin Weaver)
6. “Sittin’ Pretty” — (John Edwards, Jason Sever, Steve Bogard)
7. “Yeah Yeah Yeah” — (Phil Barton, Jaron Boyer, Rodney Clawson)
8. “Rock You Sweet” — (Dustin Lynch, Jason Sever, Tim Nichols, Brett Beavers)
9. “Unwind It” — (Dustin Lynch, Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers)
10. “Hurricane” — (Steve Bogard, Dustin Lynch, Jason Sever, Will Doughty)
11. “Dancing in the Headlights” — (Josh Leo, Tim Nichols, Dustin Lynch)
12. “Name On It” — (Dustin Lynch, Justin Weaver, Kelly Archer)
BONUS TRACK: “Your Plan” — (Dustin Lynch)
Forbes Names Nashville One of Best Places for Business
/by Sarah SkatesNashville ranks No. 10 on Forbes’ list of Best Places for Business and Careers, released this week. One major factor in Nashville’s favor is that business costs here are 18 percent below the national average. Music City also benefits from a projected annual job growth rate of 2 percent.
The 200 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. are considered for the rankings. Nashville’s metro population is 1,620,600. Ranking factors include job growth, costs (business and living), income growth, educational attainment, projected economic growth, crime rates, cultural and recreational opportunities, migration patterns, and the number of highly ranked colleges in an area.
Topping the 14th annual list is Provo, Utah with a $16 billion economy boosted largely by Brigham Young University. Most of the top-ranked cities were from America’s heartland, not the coasts.
Roots Three/ole Sign Hit Producer/Writer Jeff Coplan
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Gilles Godard, Chief Creative Officer/ole; Ron Kitchener, President Roots Three Music; Jeff Coplan and Denny Carr, Director of A&R, Roots Three Music
Roots Three Music and ole have entered a worldwide co-publishing deal with hit songwriter/producer Jeff Coplan. The deal also includes a futures component.
Coplan has helped develop and produce RCA recording artists Love and Theft, and co-wrote the band’s current hit “Angel Eyes.” It is the lead single from the band’s upcoming release. Coplan is also working with BlackjackBilly, who is busy touring and finishing its first album.
Coplan, a Montreal native living in Nashville, is a songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. With international hits on the pop, rock, dance, and country charts, he has written and/or produced songs that have collectively sold over 6 million copies. Coplan has worked with The Moffatts, The Bahamen, Amber, Lindsay Lohan, Bowling for Soup, Nick Carter, and She Moves.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be signing with Roots Three Music/ole,” says Coplan. “Their passion for songs, multi-genre approach and international reach make them the perfect fit for me.”
Director of A&R for Roots Three Music/ole Denny Carr states, “I’m overjoyed to welcome Jeff Coplan into the Roots Three/ole family. The synergies between his artist development skills, songwriting and producing chops are perfect for our model moving forward.”
Music City Fourth of July Festivities
/by Sarah SkatesBig & Rich teamed up with After MidNite’s Blair Garner to co-host a commercial-free, three-hour Fourth of July radio special. Pictured in the After MidNite studio in Nashville.
MUSIC CITY 4th of JULY
Nashville’s 4th of July celebration has a new location this year. The “Let Freedom Sing!” free concert and fireworks show on July 3 and July 4 will be held at The Lawn at Riverfront Park (the grassy field south of the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge).
July 3—festivities begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by live music at 5:30 p.m. Set to perform are Ayla Brown, and Ten out of Tenn singer-songwriters Erin McCarley, k.s. Rhoads, Andy Davis, Matthew Perryman Jones, Tyler James, Gabe Dixon and Griffin House. Sirius XM/GAC’s Storme Warren will emcee. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:00 p.m.
July 4—the main show begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes Barry Scott, Ayla Brown, Sarah Darling, Craig Morgan, The Mavericks, and Music City Hitmakers Hillary Lindsey and Brett James with the Nashville Symphony with orchestral scores by Charles Judge. The McDonald’s Free Family Fun Zone will open at noon on Second Avenue and Broadway. From noon – 5 p.m. entertainers include Madison Cain, Jason Eskridge, Tyme, Striking Matches and This is She. The fireworks show is supposed to be the longest and biggest in Nashville history and will be choreographed to music from the Nashville Symphony beginning at 9:45 p.m.
• • • Randy Travis will host the holiday special, Red, White, and Randy 4th on Sirius XM. The program is set to air throughout July 4 on Prime Country (Channel 58).
• • • Alan Jackson will kick off the Fourth of July celebration early for members of the military and their families at Fort Sill, Okla. On Sat., June 30 Jackson will perform at the base and the show is open to the public. Special guests include Easton Corbin and Gloriana.
• • • Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic will be held at the Historic Ft. Worth Stockyards. Set to perform are Nelson, Lukas Nelson, Corey Smith, Jamey Johnson, Stoney LaRue and Bill Anderson, who was tapped to fill in for Ray Price who cancelled due to health issues.
• • • A Capitol Fourth will be broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on PBS, Wed., July 4 from 8 – 9:30 p.m. ET. Set to perform are Josh Turner, American Idol winner Phillip Phillips, Matthew Broderick, Javier Colon (winner of The Voice), Kool & The Gang and more. Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno and legendary composer John Williams will lead a patriotic send off to Team USA.
• • • The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will be air at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. Television icon Regis Philbin will host the all-star line-up of performances, including superstars Kenny Chesney and Katy Perry.
• • • Kix Brooks is set to headline the Summer OilPatch Festival in Drumright, Okla. on July 4. Also performing will be Shawna Russell, LiveWire and more.
• • • Jennifer Hudson will join the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra for the Fourth of July celebration, broadcast on CBS.
• • • Lee Greenwood will perform his signature song “God Bless the USA” on Tuesday (7/3) on the nationally syndicated midday show Daytime, and is set for an appearance that night on Fox News Channel’s Hannity. Also, an exclusive interview with CNN.com’s “The Red Chair” spotlights Greenwood’s book, Does God Still Bless the USA: A Plea for a Better America.
Blaster Signs Jared Ashley
/by Freeman(L-R): Jim Rosenberg (President of Epiphone), Grady Saxman (Drums), Jared Ashley, Dave Berryman (President of Gibson) and Michael Elsner (Guitar).
Up-and-coming country artist Jared Ashley has signed an exclusive management agreement with Ohio-based Blaster Entertainment, and landed endorsement deals with Epiphone Guitar and Hick Stuff Apparel.
“Jared Ashley is an incredibly talented writer and performer,” said Blaster Entertainment CEO Tom Porter. “We are thrilled to have such a hard-working young artist on our roster.”
Ashley got his start as a finalist on Nashville Star, and has since built up a following through steady touring. A native of Newnan, Georgia, Ashley was recently nominated as Country Male Artist of the Year at the Georgia Music Awards.
Blaster Entertainment comprises four divisions including music, sports, media & marketing, and merchandise. Artists signed to Blaster’s record label division include Hank Williams Jr., Neal McCoy, Aaron Lewis, and Brother Trouble.