Photo: Erick Anderson
The CMA Music Festival will open with a free Kick-Off Parade and Block Party beginning at 2 PM on Wed., June 10. Hosted by Grand Marshal Rodney Atkins, “The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” will feature artists riding in Chevy vehicles, including Deborah Allen, Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Mandy Barnett, Bo Bice, Bomshel, NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, Caitlin & Will, Carter Twins, Jeff Cook, Brad Cotter, Sarah Darling, Due West, The Biggest Loser’s Dan Evans, Colt Ford, The Grascals, Halfway to Hazard, Heartland, Ty Herndon, Steve Holy, Jypsi, Kate & Kacey, Sammy Kershaw, Brenda Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, The Lost Trailers, Justin Moore, Megan Munroe, Oak Ridge Boys, One Flew South, Michael Peterson, Collin Raye, NASCAR driver Robert Richardson, Ricochet, Rio Grand, Brady Seals, Sunny Sweeney, Trent Tomlinson, Trent Willmon, and Chris Young.
The parade will begin at the corner of Broadway and Sixth Avenue North and end at the Sommet Center where “The Fourth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party” will take place on the Sommet Center Plaza Stage with a lineup running from 3:05 until 7:50 and including (in order of appearance) Trent Tomlinson, LoCash Cowboys, Jason Michael Carroll, The Lost Trailers, James Otto, Emerson Drive, Eric Church and Atkins. The Block Party is just the start of four days of live music on the Sommet Center Plaza Stage.
Performing Songwriter Ceases Publication
/by bossross“As sad as change and letting go are, it feels like a celebration of accomplishment more than anything else,” said Hutchinson. “There was a moment of clarity after we signed off on this June issue, telling me that now is indeed the time to let go and end at its peak. This publication started with no funding 16 years ago out of my guest bedroom and has never taken one penny of investment money. It’s been completely supported by advertisers, subscribers and the community it represents. Performing Songwriter has always had a big heart, and our job was to take care of it so it could do its magic. By ceasing publication now we know the magazine will never risk losing its integrity and or its quality. All of us here are grateful for this journey, and feel like we’ve crossed the finish line with our heads held high.”
In an open letter to readers, advertisers and staff Hutchinson wrote, “We know there’s a train coming in the form of an uncertain economy. We know there are changes that need to be made due to the nature of both the print and music industries that will affect the essential spirit of the magazine and take it in a direction that’s not really true to itself. And we know the only thing we have control over is this moment and our decision to lay the magazine down on our terms. It will be with dignity and pride, knowing the quality will never be sacrificed, its debts will be fully paid, our hearts will remain filled with gratitude, and we can stand tall knowing that we did it and it was a job well done. I can’t think of a more beautiful way to end this chapter of a most incredible journey.”
Dierks and CMT Partner For Charity Events
/by Sarah SkatesThe series of events will take place in Phoenix (Bentley’s hometown), Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and, of course, Nashville. Each fundraiser will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in that area. The 2009 kick off fundraiser will be held at Nashville’s Riverfront Park on Sunday, October 11 and, as always, will benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, which is part of the Children’s Miracle Network.
“Miles & Music For Kids” began in 2006 in Nashville and since that time has raised more than half a million dollars for Vanderbilt’s Children’s Hospital.
Chesney Hits Louisville; Houser & Johnson Benefit Opry; Caitlin & Will Opry Debut
/by LB CantrellWith Kenny Chesney’s Sun City Carnival Tour taking over Louisville’s Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, some of Nashville’s music industry folks headed north for the festivities. (L-R): CMT Pres. and CMA Board Member Brian Philips, Chesney, Sony Nashville Chairman Joe Galante and CMA CEO Tammy Genovese.
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Co-headliners Randy Houser and Jamey Johnson filled the Ryman Auditorium Thursday night (5/28) as the Traler Park Revival was officially unveiled. The concert, which also featured singer/songwriter Jerrod Niemann, was a benefit for the Opry Trust Fund. (L-R): Houser and Johnson.
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Caitlin & Will made their debut on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage on May 22. They performed their current single “Address In The Stars.” (L-R): Will Snyder, Caitlin Lynn and Little Jimmy Dickens.
Paisley Starts American Saturday Night Tour
/by Sarah SkatesHis new album, also titled American Saturday Night, will be released June 30 by longtime label home Sony.
Free Events Mark Music Festival Opening
/by Sarah SkatesPhoto: Erick Anderson
The CMA Music Festival will open with a free Kick-Off Parade and Block Party beginning at 2 PM on Wed., June 10. Hosted by Grand Marshal Rodney Atkins, “The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” will feature artists riding in Chevy vehicles, including Deborah Allen, Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Mandy Barnett, Bo Bice, Bomshel, NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, Caitlin & Will, Carter Twins, Jeff Cook, Brad Cotter, Sarah Darling, Due West, The Biggest Loser’s Dan Evans, Colt Ford, The Grascals, Halfway to Hazard, Heartland, Ty Herndon, Steve Holy, Jypsi, Kate & Kacey, Sammy Kershaw, Brenda Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, The Lost Trailers, Justin Moore, Megan Munroe, Oak Ridge Boys, One Flew South, Michael Peterson, Collin Raye, NASCAR driver Robert Richardson, Ricochet, Rio Grand, Brady Seals, Sunny Sweeney, Trent Tomlinson, Trent Willmon, and Chris Young.
The parade will begin at the corner of Broadway and Sixth Avenue North and end at the Sommet Center where “The Fourth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party” will take place on the Sommet Center Plaza Stage with a lineup running from 3:05 until 7:50 and including (in order of appearance) Trent Tomlinson, LoCash Cowboys, Jason Michael Carroll, The Lost Trailers, James Otto, Emerson Drive, Eric Church and Atkins. The Block Party is just the start of four days of live music on the Sommet Center Plaza Stage.
Jackson To Give Free 20th Anniversary Concert
/by Sarah SkatesJackson signed his recording deal with Arista Nashville 20 years ago this month and has since amassed albums sales in excess of 50 million. From his debut Here In The Real World (1990), which produced four Top 5 hits, to his most recent album Good Time, which has produced three No. 1 hits, Jackson’s career hasn’t slowed. His latest, “Sissy’s Song,” is still climbing the charts.
Flatts Make Most of Sponsorships
/by Sarah SkatesIn conjunction with the sponsorship, Rascal Flatts has written a song to be used in American Living commercials and which will be available only on a special version of the band’s new CD Unstoppable sold at JCPenney. Net proceeds from the sale of albums will be donated to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, which provides children in need with access to life-enriching after school programs.
Bruce Rodgers created the new set for the tour, with lighting design by Bob Peterson. The outing requires 55 crew members traveling in 13 trucks and 10 buses.
Happy Birthday Bluebird Cafe
/by Sarah SkatesThe Bluebird Café is celebrating its 27th year in business tonight with a Birthday Bash featuring The Jay Patten Band and special guests Jonell Mosser, Cowboy Jack Clement, Deborah Allen, Shawn Camp, and more. The 9:00 PM event benefits Happy Endings Animal Rescue (H.E.A.R.). The cost is $15.00.
Wilson To Open CMA Music Festival
/by Sarah SkatesGretchen Wilson will kick off 2009 CMA Music Festival on the Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park on
Thursday, June 11 (10:00 AM/CT). The performance by the Sony Nashville recording artist will open the four-day event which runs through Sunday, June 14.
Love and Theft, John Michael Montgomery, and Craig Morgan have also been added to the Riverfront lineup. In addition, One Flew South will sing the national anthem on Thursday, June 11, and Peter McWhirter, winner of Australia’s Telstra competition, will perform on Friday, June 12 as part of his grand prize. Montgomery will close the daytime party as the last performer at Riverfront Park on Sunday, June 14.
Admittance to the Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park is free, but four-day ticket holders have early entrance privileges.
Lambert Hosts Hit Event For Humane Society
/by Sarah SkatesMiranda and Delilah, a Humane Society of East Texas alumnus.
Miranda Lambert’s second annual “Cause for the Paws” event raised $120,000 for the Humane Society of East Texas. Joining her in concert at the Tyler, Texas fundraiser were Blake Shelton, Kasey Musgraves and Adam Hood. The event also included a silent and live auction, food and wine tasting, and a cocktail reception for sponsors.
Lambert is spending the summer on Kenny Chesney’s Sun City Carnival Tour. Her new record is due out in September, with lead single “Dead Flowers” already working its way up the charts.