(L-R): Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney wrap up a week of rehearsals in Nashville for their "Brothers of the Sun Tour."
The Brothers of the Sun Tour, with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, kicks off its 21-stadium outing on June 2 in Tampa, FL. By the time it wraps up in Foxboro, MA on Aug. 25, the run will have traveled more than 19,000 miles over 88 days with 20 buses and more than 80 tractor trailers.
The tour will also feature guests Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Jake Owen.
“It doesn’t seem that long ago when it was just 14 of us crammed into a 12-bunk bus we called ‘the iron lung,’ ’cause it leaked diesel fumes inside the bus,” said Chesney. “There weren’t enough bunks for everybody so we took turns sleeping on the couch and floor, but we were living our dream and having fun. And even though we have a lot more stuff now, we’re still having a blast and just as passionate about playing music and taking it out to the fans, whether it be in a club or stadium.”
“It’s been a lot of fun rehearsing in Nashville, but rehearsals are over. It’s time to pack the trucks and head to Tampa,” added McGraw. “I’m pretty sure there are towns in Louisiana with smaller populations than we have on our road crew. It takes a village and a lot of hard work by a lot of people, but I’m just excited for the fans because we’ve got one hell of a show planned for them!”
The 283-member tour crew will be fed by a traveling catering staff that will serve three meals a day. Almost 3,200 meals will be prepared for the tour in the five days surrounding the opening show in Tampa. Show day also includes the “Stage Bar & Grill,” which serves hamburgers and hot dogs on stage from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm. Grill chefs include the stage manager, truck drivers and members of Chesney’s band. Over the course of the tour, the production team will consume more than 50,000 bottles of water.
Having stadium shows on both Saturdays and Sundays requires two teams to build and tear down the massive staging. From start to finish, each team will spend 91 hours at each stadium. Staging for both Chesney and McGraw’s set includes an LED video wall with nearly 2,400,000 pixels. Lighting for Chesney’s set includes 80 strobes and 48 Syncrolites that are placed throughout the stadium to send five foot diameter beams of light criss-crossing the night sky.
“I use the word ‘passion’ a lot because it takes a lot of passionate and dedicated people to make this happen day in and day out,” said Chesney. “And most of the people that were with us a decade ago are still here. We’re a family.”
Industry folks, Chesney, and more industry folks at his rehearsal Monday (5/21) at Bridgestone Arena
This week, Chesney invited members of the industry to his final rehearsal to get a sneak peak of the performance. It was pretty obvious from the opening minutes of the show this is going to be a must-see tour for 2012.
A really cool feature is the 12-panel video wall which opens up to reveal 80 strobes of power that would surely send “Tanning Mom” into euphoria. The set list is a perfect mix of Chesney’s chart-toppers, older songs, and new material from his upcoming 13th studio album, Welcome To The Fishbowl.
(L-R): GAC President Ed Hardy and Chesney
Chesney told the guests he will also be joined on tour by the 245lb Blue Marlin he caught himself (see photo above) as, “a reminder not to take myself too seriously.”
The show is full of fun and energy, packed with hits and a powerful light show, but when Chesney strips it all down and performs “You And Tequila” with only his guitar, absolutely nothing is lost and proves to be one of the most intimate yet powerful performances of the show.
When the headliners join together to perform their duet, “Feel Like A Rock Star,” at the end of the show, the audience is sure to be feeling like rock stars right along with them.
Great American Country serves as media sponsors of the tour. “GAC is excited and proud to be the media partner for the Brothers of the Sun tour,” said GAC President Ed Hardy. “We’ve had many opportunities to work with Kenny over the years and are honored that he is allowing us to be a part of his team. To have Tim on the bill with him makes this the killer tour of the year.”
McGraw Launches Initiative To Aid Military Service Members
/by FreemanTo launch the HomeFront program, McGraw will perform a special Memorial Day concert at New York City’s Beacon Theatre during Fleet Week in partnership with Chase and USO. The show will be streamed live at livefromthehomefront.com, youtube.com/countrynow, and pentagonchannel.mil.
“My sister’s a veteran of the first Gulf War. My uncle was a Vietnam veteran and my grandfather was a World War II veteran. I’ve always felt a deep sense of respect and obligation to our troops,” says McGraw. “Being able to reward them for their dedicated work with a new home will be even more rewarding for us. It feels so good to give back to them, and to have the opportunity to entertain them on Memorial Day is something I’m honored to do.”
Additionally, McGraw will be on hand for the Tug McGraw Foundation’s inaugural Celebrity Sporting Clay Shootout presented by DeltaSports.TV taking place June 5 at Nashville Gun Club. Proceeds from the event will beneft the Tug McGraw Foundation’s efforts to improve the lives of military service members suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Joining McGraw for the Shootout will be Keith Anderson, Luke Bryan, Craig Campbell, Troy Gentry, Brantley Gilbert, Josh Gracin, JT Hodges, Steve Holy, Jeff McMahon, Eddie Montgomery, Jon Pardi, Josh Thompson, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, and the Nashville Predators’ Mike Fisher. Several sporting clay professionals will also be present to add their expertise to the 15 competing teams. More info here.
McGraw’s co-headlining Brothers of the Sun Tour with Kenny Chesney kicks off June 2 in Tampa and will be filling stadiums all summer. Dates here.
Momentum Partners with GrassRoots
/by MichelleBacked by award-winning country star and now producer, Jamie O’Neal, Momentum Label Group launched earlier this year, along with the help of her managing partner and father, Jimmy Murphy. The first music from the label comes from its flagship artist Rachele Lynae.
Led by industry veterans Teresa Johnston and Nancy Tunick, GrassRoots Promotion has worked with numerous superstar artists and major labels, as well as many of the leading independent artists and companies since forming in 1997.
JEFF The Brotherhood Signs With Warner Bros. Records
/by Sherod Robertson(L-R): Jamin and Jake Orrall of JEFF The Brotherhood
Nashville’s JEFF The Brotherhood, featuring Jake and Jamin Orrall, have been signed to Warner Bros. Records in CA.
The duo is known for its musical talents, relentless work and touring schedule, as well as its family-owned, vinyl-centered record label, Infinity Cat Recordings. Jake and Jamin, sons of successful producer/singer/songwriter Robert Ellis Orrall, formed JEFF The Brotherhood in 2001 while still in high school.
They have released five original LPs on the label Infinity Cat Recordings and one live album on Third Man Records.
JEFF The Brotherhood’s first release for Warner Bros. Records is Hypnotic Knights EP. All four songs are taken from the band’s upcoming album Hypnotic Nights, slated for a July 17 release and co-produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach and JEFF The Brotherhood. It was recorded at Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound Studio in Nashville.
The band will celebrate release day with a performance on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Track list of Hypnotic Knights EP
“Sixpack”
“Mystic Portal II”
“Hypnotic Mind”
“Leave Me Out”
Track list of Hypnotic Nights
“Country Life”
“Sixpack”
“Mystic Portal II”
“Hypnotic Mind”
“Wood Ox”
“Staring At The Wall”
“Leave Me Out”
“Region Of Fire”
“Hypnotic Winter”
“Dark Energy”
“Changes”
Tour
With Best Coast:
05/24 / Salt Lake City, UT / Kilby Court Gallery
05/25 / Aspen, CO / Belly Up Aspen
05/26 / Boulder, CO / Fox Theatre
05/27 / Lawrence, KS / Granada Theater
05/29 / Omaha, NE / Slowdown
05/30 / St. Louis, MO / The Firebird
06/01 / Dallas, TX / Granada Theatre
06/02 / Houston, TX / Free Press Summer Fest
Headlining Dates
06/13 / Raleigh, NC / Berkeley Café
06/14 / Richmond, VA / Strange Matter
06/15 / Washington, DC / Red Palace
06/16 / Philadelphia, PA / First Unitarian
06/17 / New York, NY / Bowery Ballroom
06/18 / Hoboken, NJ / Maxwell’s
06/20 / New Haven, CT / Café Nine
06/21 / Boston, MA / TT The Bears
06/22 / Montreal, QC / Il Motore
06/23 / Toronto, ON / Wrong Bar
06/24 / Detroit, MI / Small’s
06/25 / Indianapolis, IN / Radio Radio
07/13 / Louisville, KY / Forecastle Festival
07/27 / Rock Land, IL / Rock Island Brewing Co.
07/28 / Somerset, WI / SoundTown Festival
07/29 / Des Moines, IA / Vaudeville Mews
08/01 / Columbus, OH / The Basement
08/02 / Cleveland, OH / Grog Shop
08/05 / Chicago, IL / Lollapalooza
jeffthebrotherhood.com
Rodney Crowell Opens Frist Fridays on Eve of Album Release
/by Sarah SkatesFor his latest project, Crowell teamed with best selling poet and author Mary Karr (Cherry, The Liar’s Club, Lit). The Vanguard Records release, Kin, was produced by Joe Henry and features a stellar lineup of guest vocalists including Norah Jones, Vince Gill, Lucinda Williams, Lee Ann Womack, Rosanne Cash, Chely Wright, Kris Kristofferson, and Emmylou Harris.
Frist Fridays runs May through August on the last Friday of each month from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Later this summer:
June 29—Sam Bush with special guest Lera Lynn
July 27—The Band of Heathens with special guest Humming House
Aug. 31—The Dynamites & Charles Walker
Musicians Jimmy Capps, Bob Babbitt To Be Honored
/by Sarah SkatesJimmy Capps
Separate events will highlight the achievements of renowned studio musicians Jimmy Capps and Bob Babbitt.
Acclaimed guitarist Jimmy Capps will take a seat on Sat., June 16 in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s popular series “Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians.” A first-call session guitarist for over five decades, Capps has contributed to classic hits and contemporary favorites by John Denver, Alan Jackson, George Jones, the Louvin Brothers, Barbara Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, the Oak Ridge Boys, George Strait and Tammy Wynette.
Hosted by Bill Lloyd, the program will include a brief performance and an interview illustrated with vintage recordings, photos and film clips.
The program will be held in the museum’s Ford Theater, and is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited, and program passes are required for admittance. Immediately following, Capps will sign limited edition, commemorative Hatch Show Print posters. Visit the museum’s website for admission and signing details. The program will be streamed live at www.countrymusichalloffame.org.
• • • •
Bob Babbitt
Music City, Inc. will unveil its 60th commemorative sidewalk marker when bassist icon Bob Babbitt is inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame. Babbitt will join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Steve Winwood for the induction ceremony on Tues., June 5 at 12:30 p.m. in Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville.
Babbitt is most famous for his work as a member of Motown Records’ studio band, the Funk Brothers, from 1966-1972. The group has received three Grammy Awards and played on hit songs including “My Girl,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Separately, Babbitt contributed bass licks to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder, “Mercy Mercy Me” by Marvin Gaye, and “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight and the Pips.
The induction ceremony, which is sponsored by GAC, is free and open to the public. Durango Boot Company and Black River Entertainment are also supporting sponsors of the event.
CMA’s SRO Awards Nominees Announced
/by Sarah SkatesBallots will be sent to CMA members in the following categories: Affiliated, Artist, Engineer, Entertainment Services, Musician, Personal Manager, Publicist, Record Label, Talent Agent, Talent Buyer/Promoter, TV/Video/Media, and Venue. Final voting for the SRO Awards will take place online from May 25-June 11. Ballots will be tabulated by the international accounting firm Deloitte & Touche, LLP.
Finalists were determined during the first step of the balloting process when voters submitted nominations in each category.
CMA’s SRO Awards 2012 Final Nominees are as follows (in alphabetical order):
Business Manager of the Year
Coach/Truck Driver of the Year
FOH (Front of House) Engineer
Lighting Director of the Year
Manager of the Year
Monitor Engineer of the Year
Production Manager of the Year
Publicist of the Year
Talent Agent of the Year
Tour Caterer of the Year
Tour Manager of the Year
Touring Musician of the Year
Venue of the Year
Video Director of the Year
An individual or company cannot win two consecutive years in the same category.
“Brothers of the Sun Tour” Readies for Kick Off
/by Sherod Robertson(L-R): Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney wrap up a week of rehearsals in Nashville for their "Brothers of the Sun Tour."
The Brothers of the Sun Tour, with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, kicks off its 21-stadium outing on June 2 in Tampa, FL. By the time it wraps up in Foxboro, MA on Aug. 25, the run will have traveled more than 19,000 miles over 88 days with 20 buses and more than 80 tractor trailers.
The tour will also feature guests Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Jake Owen.
“It doesn’t seem that long ago when it was just 14 of us crammed into a 12-bunk bus we called ‘the iron lung,’ ’cause it leaked diesel fumes inside the bus,” said Chesney. “There weren’t enough bunks for everybody so we took turns sleeping on the couch and floor, but we were living our dream and having fun. And even though we have a lot more stuff now, we’re still having a blast and just as passionate about playing music and taking it out to the fans, whether it be in a club or stadium.”
“It’s been a lot of fun rehearsing in Nashville, but rehearsals are over. It’s time to pack the trucks and head to Tampa,” added McGraw. “I’m pretty sure there are towns in Louisiana with smaller populations than we have on our road crew. It takes a village and a lot of hard work by a lot of people, but I’m just excited for the fans because we’ve got one hell of a show planned for them!”
The 283-member tour crew will be fed by a traveling catering staff that will serve three meals a day. Almost 3,200 meals will be prepared for the tour in the five days surrounding the opening show in Tampa. Show day also includes the “Stage Bar & Grill,” which serves hamburgers and hot dogs on stage from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm. Grill chefs include the stage manager, truck drivers and members of Chesney’s band. Over the course of the tour, the production team will consume more than 50,000 bottles of water.
Having stadium shows on both Saturdays and Sundays requires two teams to build and tear down the massive staging. From start to finish, each team will spend 91 hours at each stadium. Staging for both Chesney and McGraw’s set includes an LED video wall with nearly 2,400,000 pixels. Lighting for Chesney’s set includes 80 strobes and 48 Syncrolites that are placed throughout the stadium to send five foot diameter beams of light criss-crossing the night sky.
“I use the word ‘passion’ a lot because it takes a lot of passionate and dedicated people to make this happen day in and day out,” said Chesney. “And most of the people that were with us a decade ago are still here. We’re a family.”
Industry folks, Chesney, and more industry folks at his rehearsal Monday (5/21) at Bridgestone Arena
This week, Chesney invited members of the industry to his final rehearsal to get a sneak peak of the performance. It was pretty obvious from the opening minutes of the show this is going to be a must-see tour for 2012.
A really cool feature is the 12-panel video wall which opens up to reveal 80 strobes of power that would surely send “Tanning Mom” into euphoria. The set list is a perfect mix of Chesney’s chart-toppers, older songs, and new material from his upcoming 13th studio album, Welcome To The Fishbowl.
(L-R): GAC President Ed Hardy and Chesney
Chesney told the guests he will also be joined on tour by the 245lb Blue Marlin he caught himself (see photo above) as, “a reminder not to take myself too seriously.”
The show is full of fun and energy, packed with hits and a powerful light show, but when Chesney strips it all down and performs “You And Tequila” with only his guitar, absolutely nothing is lost and proves to be one of the most intimate yet powerful performances of the show.
When the headliners join together to perform their duet, “Feel Like A Rock Star,” at the end of the show, the audience is sure to be feeling like rock stars right along with them.
Great American Country serves as media sponsors of the tour. “GAC is excited and proud to be the media partner for the Brothers of the Sun tour,” said GAC President Ed Hardy. “We’ve had many opportunities to work with Kenny over the years and are honored that he is allowing us to be a part of his team. To have Tim on the bill with him makes this the killer tour of the year.”
Americana Awards Nominees Coming Next Week
/by Sarah SkatesThe Americana Honors & Awards will be presented Sept. 12 at the Ryman Auditorium, where Bonnie Raitt will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
CMA Supports W.O. Smith School
/by MichelleThe CMA Foundation is donating $50,000 to benefit summer music education programs for 170 low-income students at the W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School. The donation is part of CMA’s Keep the Music Playing initiative, which supports music education on behalf of the hundreds of artists who perform for free during CMA Music Festival.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to bridge the school year by making music education available for these low-income children during the summer,” said Kitty Moon Emery, Chair of The CMA Foundation Board of Directors. “Supporting music education is an investment in the future of our city. Statistics demonstrate that students involved in arts programs have higher graduation rates and the benefits of music education translate to their other core curriculum.”
To date, CMA and The CMA Foundation have provided more than $6.1 million to support the initiative, purchasing more than 4,000 instruments for 80 Metro Nashville Public Schools and providing the tools and incentives to help keep students engaged in school. The figure also includes a $1 million endowment gift to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s “Words & Music” program, which assists language arts and music teachers with classroom instruction in the basics of songwriting.
For information about the school visit www.wosmith.org.
Photo courtesy of W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School
Rascal Flatts’ “Changed” Goes Gold
/by Caitlin RantalaChanged was produced by Dann Huff and Rascal Flatts. It features five songs written by the members of the band and has garnered praise from the Associated Press, New York Times, NPR, USA Today and more.
Rascal Flatts is currently nominated for the 2012 CMT Music Award for Group of the Year for the “Banjo” video. Fans can vote through June 4 at www.cmt.com and the results will be revealed at the June 6 show.
The group is also nominated for a Teen Choice Award in the category of Choice Country Group. The awards will air on FOX on July 22. Fans can vote at www.TeenChoiceAwards.com.