Opry’s 99th Birthday Celebration To Feature Shows, Special Events

/by

The Grand Ole Opry is gearing up for its big 99th birthday celebration with three nights of Opry shows plus daytime and evening special events on Oct. 10-13.

Performers helping celebrate the occasion will be Opry members Dailey & Vincent, The Gatlin Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Lorrie Morgan and Rhonda Vincent, along with Riley Green, Chapel Hart, Gretchen Wilson and the Opry debut of singer/actress Katharine McPhee.

Fans are also invited to the Opry Plaza for free live music and family-friendly activities, presented by Country Financial, to celebrate the Opry’s birthday on Friday (Oct. 11) evening and all-day Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 12-13).

Ticketed events during the weekend also include a Karaoke Fundraiser with Chapel Hart in Studio A on Friday night following the Opry show, with proceeds supporting the Opry Trust Fund, which offers financial assistance to those in the country industry during times of crisis or emergency.

There will also be a Rhett Akins Birthday Tailgate Party in Studio A on Saturday at 2 p.m. The songwriter will perform some of his No. 1 hits along with fan-favorite country classics. Attendees can enjoy birthday cake and join in on the Opry’s 99th birthday festivities. Ticket add-ons and packages are available at Opry.com.

The Opry’s 99th Birthday Week celebration will conclude on Sunday (Oct. 13) with the third annual Opry Community Day, where Tennessee locals can enjoy the Opry’s backstage tour free of charge. Guests will get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at where country’s biggest stars and legends create history each week. Complimentary tours will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a valid Tennessee state ID. Guests can also enjoy live music, food and drinks and family-friendly fun on the Opry Plaza.

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary

/by

Lady A’s Charles Kelley performing with Better Than Ezra during Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2024. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Rain didn’t stop Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival’s 10th anniversary return to The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee this past weekend (Sept. 28–29).

Allison Russell performing with Hozier during Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2024. Photo: Alive Coverage

Despite the two-hour opening delay on Saturday (Sept. 28), a sea of attendees lined the fences to enter the festival grounds. To ensure all artists were able to perform, organizers worked to restructure the schedule, with Chance Peña leading the charge on the Gold Record Road stage. Allison Russell also took that platform, where Saturday night’s headliner and her tourmate for the last 10 weeks, Hozier, made a guest appearance for a duet of “Requiem.” Returning the favor, Russell graced the Gold Record Road stage again in the evening to sing “Work Song” during Hozier’s set. The first day closed with a Dave Matthews Band performance on the Midnight Sun Stage. They invited out friend and festival co-billing act Trombone Shorty back on the stage to rock out, ending with a bang.

Produced by Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin, W. Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan, the event also highlighted the work of various chefs, artisans, jewelers and brewers, among others.

Better Than Ezra’s fiery set continued a decade-long tradition on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 29). President & CEO of Gibson Cesar Gueikian jammed out during “Mystified” and Elton John’s “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” before gifting the guitar to a lucky winner. Charles Kelley of Lady A also popped up to join the band for a rendition of Bryan Adams’ “Summer Of ‘69.” Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion accompanied headliner NeedToBreathe for their song “Wasting Time.” The group also brought out Judah & The Lion members Judah Akers and Brian Macdonald for their hit “Brother.” Fans then migrated over to the Midnight Sun Stage to catch Noah Kahan. Marking the last performance of the weekend, Kahan stacked his set with tunes and a guest appearance from Ashe.

Additionally, the crowd experienced the musical stylings of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Lukas Nelson, The Brook & The Bluff, Coin, Stephen Sanchez, Myles Smith, Sierra Hull and more.

Noah Kahan headlining Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2024. Photo: Alive Coverage

New West Records Announces Promotions & New Hire

/by

Pictured (L–R): Tommy Robinson, Brooke Nixon, Brady Brock, Katie Keller and Meg Barron. Photo: Scott Schleiff

New West Records has announced four promotions and a new staff hire. Tommy Robinson has been elevated to General Manager & Vice President of Sales, while Brady Brock takes the role of Senior Vice President of Media & Reissues Producer. Katie Keller has been promoted to Vice President of Project Management, and Meg Barron steps into the role of Director of A&R and Publishing. Additionally, Brooke Nixon has joined the label as Vice President of Digital Marketing.

“Since 2011, Tommy has shown a steadfast dedication and solid work ethic to consistently support our artists, partners, and colleagues. A very well deserved promotion,” says John Allen, New West Records President. Of Brock, Allen adds, “Brady is a top flight publicist and astute reissue producer. For the past eight years he has been an indispensable part of our team at New West. I look forward to even more growth with Brady in the mix.”

Speaking of Keller, Allen notes, “Over the years, Katie has shown great skill and efficiency with the ever increasing demands of project management on album campaigns, label branding and event planning, while overseeing the various digital marketing and design needs of all our artists and the New West label.” He also praises Barron saying, “From her early days as an intern here until now, Meg has been a devoted advocate for New West’s artists. Her ear for new music is excellent. Meg is simply rad.”

Nixon previously held the position of Director of Streaming at The Valory Music Co, a division of the Big Machine Label Group, for a decade. “We are all very excited for Brooke to join our team. Her skill set, dedication, and enthusiasm are a perfect fit and she’s hitting the ground running,” says Allen.

UMG Nashville & Timbaland’s Mosley Music Sign Colt Graves

/by

Pictured (L-R, front row): UMGN’s Cindy Mabe, Mosley Music Founder Timbaland, Colt Graves and UMGN’s Charlene Bryant; (L-R, back row): Graves’ Manager Gary Marella, UMGN’s Lori Christian, Bluestone Publishing’s Eric Spence, UMGN’s Rob Femia and UMGN’s Chelsea Blythe. Photo: Courtesy of UMG Nashville

Singer-songwriter Colt Graves is the first artist signed under the newly-created partnership between UMG Nashville and Timbaland’s Mosley Music.

A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Graves honed his craft under the guiding influence of his legendary grandfather, Bluegrass Hall of Fame Member Josh Graves. His passion for songwriting was ignited at a young age, and he started his genre-crossing solo career in 2021. His music is a fusion of folk, country and a blend of modern influences drawn from the realms of pop and hip-hop.

“Colt Graves is the perfect artist for our first collaboration with Timbaland’s Mosley Music,” shares UMGN Chair & CEO, Cindy Mabe. “He’s simply electric and speaks from a unique and overlooked musical fusion growing up in the bluegrass heartland and taught by his legendary bluegrass hall of fame grandfather Josh Graves. Colt is a gifted storyteller who mixes the backdrop and musical influences of his Owensboro, Kentucky lifestyle with a gritty fusion of country, hip-hop, rock and folk. His edgy vocals and musical fusion is magnetic and I’m so excited to share his musical vision with the world. He’s really a special artist.”

Timbaland adds, “From the moment I heard Colt, I knew he was special. He crosses the boundaries of a specific format of music which I believe is what makes him stand out as an artist.”

Graves’ first release for the label, “Burning House,” will come out on Friday, Oct. 18.

“It’s been a hell of a journey to get to this point and I’m so grateful to Timbaland, my team, and the UMG Nashville team for believing in me and being part of this journey,” he shares. “Thank you, Cindy, Chelsea [Blythe] and team.”

Academy Of Country Music Opens 2025 Membership For Applicants & Renewals

/by

The Academy of Country Music has opened the membership window for new applicants and renewals as the organization looks forward to the 60th anniversary of the ACM Awards.

The application period is open today (Oct. 1) through Friday, Nov. 15 at 10:00 a.m. Applicants must submit a form online during this time in order to gain or retain voting privileges for the 60th ACM Awards in 2025. Along with voting eligibility, membership benefits include early ticket access to ACM events, discounts on partner events, data insights, educational and networking events and more.

“The upcoming year for the Academy of Country Music is sure to be one of the most exciting and important in the Academy’s history with the landmark 60th ACM Awards and celebrations surrounding and celebrating the 60th all year long. This will also mark sixty years of our members influencing, impacting, and steering the future of Country Music,” says Annie Ortmeier, Chair of the ACM Membership Committee. “On behalf of the ACM Membership Committee, I can’t wait to see what the next year brings, and I hope this membership class will be the most engaged, excited, and diverse membership class yet.”

Members will also gain access to an impressive programming and development lineup which includes exclusive events, panels and initiatives along with the quarterly magazine Tempo. The Academy invites applicants to join the organization in its commitment towards creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in the country music industry. ACM will kick off an awareness campaign sporting the tagline “The Academy is Me” in the weeks ahead.

You can apply for a membership with the Academy of Country Music online, at the ACM Membership platform: https://www.acmcountry.com/become-a-member.

Luke Combs Spends Over A Year Atop Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart

/by

Luke Combs. Photo: Zack Massey

Luke Combs has officially spent over a year (53 cumulative weeks) atop Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, as his current single, “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma,” reaches No. 1 for a second week.

With the milestone achievement, Combs joins an esteemed group of artists who have also reached this landmark, including George Strait, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton and Toby Keith. Since “Hurricane” marked his first No. 1 in 2016, the superstar has continued to achieve historic success at country radio, with 18 No. 1s on the Billboard chart, and 19 consecutive No. 1s on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.

“[I’m] speechless honestly,” says Combs of the achievement. “I was unaware of this until my team told me and I’m really blown away. The support from country radio for my music and fans has always been more than I ever could have imagined. I’ve always known they were huge supporters of my music, but this proves it in more ways than one. I never thought I would get one week at No. 1 but when I did, I felt like I had won the lottery. So for my songs to have spent a full year at No. 1 with guys I grew up listening to and admiring is more than I could have ever dreamed of. Thank you, country radio, for letting this young man from North Carolina, who most had never heard of when y’all started playing my music, live out his dreams and do what he loves.”

Additionally, the hitmaker took home three trophies for Male Artist of 2024, Male Song of 2024 (“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma”) and Album of 2024 (Fathers & Sons) at the People’s Country Choice Awards last Thursday (Sept. 26), and is currently up for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (Fathers & Sons) at this year’s CMA Awards. Additionally, he is set to headline Washington State’s Gorge Amphitheatre this week ahead of his Category 10 venue opening next month.

Big Loud Rock Adds Zach Siegal-Eisman As VP Of Digital & Viral Marketing

/by

Zach Siegal-Eisman. Photo: Annie Noelker

Big Loud Rock has added Zach Siegal-Eisman as VP of Digital & Viral Marketing.

Reporting directly to President Greg Thompson and SVP Lloyd Norman, Siegal-Eisman will oversee the imprint’s digital marketing strategy and execution as well as artist growth and the digital presence of both upcoming and catalog record releases. His digital marketing experience, rooted in social media and digital activations, dates back to his high school years. Siegal-Eisman has elevated the social media presence of various brands and entertainers, including Syracuse University women’s basketball and tennis teams, while developing a music discovery site focused on emerging artists.

In 2017, he joined Artist Network Management as a Junior Manager for Dirty Heads, Sublime with Rome and Rome Ramirez. Spearheading the company’s recording and marketing budgets for their joint label venture with The Orchard, Five Music Inc., eventually led him to the role of Account Manager at social media agency Crowd Surf in 2019, where he rose to Senior Account Manager and later VP of Marketing. There, Siegal-Eisman worked on projects for Nickelback, John Fogerty, Jeff Dunham, Warner Chappell Music, Universal Music Group, Classic Motown, The Temptations, Eric Clapton, Steve Miller Band, Neil Diamond, Iron Maiden and more.

Earlier this year, Siegal-Eisman launched Amplify Legacy, a marketing consultancy centered around audience growth and digital partnerships, where he worked with clients like Immediate Family, Songfluencer and Exploration, among others.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Zach to the Big Loud Rock family. His passion for music, dedication to building community and vision for expanding our artists’ reach bring the right energy at the perfect time,” says Thompson. “We’re excited to see the impact he’ll make!”

“I am thrilled to join the Big Loud Rock team, where the passion, dedication and collaboration of Greg Thompson, Lloyd Norman and the entire team have been pivotal in the growth of the label and its impressive, diverse roster of artists,” shares Siegal-Eisman. “I look forward to focusing on innovative digital marketing strategies that will help our artists forge authentic connections with their fans.”

Ella Langley Is ‘Still Hungover’ On Deluxe Edition Of Debut Album

/by

Photo: Caylee Robillard

Ella Langley will release Still Hungover, the deluxe version of her debut album, on Nov. 1 via SAWGOD/Columbia Records. The first of its four new tracks, “Weren’t For The Wind,” will be available this Friday (Oct. 4).

With the additional tunes sequenced at the end, the expanded version seeks to continue the story of the initial Hungover collection, which includes hit “You Look Like You Love Me (feat. Riley Green).” The single has garnered more than 170 million global streams to date, has soared to No. 13 at country radio and recently earned a CMA Award nomination for Musical Event of the Year as well as a nod for Collaboration Song of 2024 at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

To celebrate the deluxe unveiling, Langley has two sold-out shows slated for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Nashville’s Exit/In as a part of “The Hungover Tour,” her sold-out, first-ever North American headlining run, presented by Happenstance Whiskey. She also plans to support Green’s “Damn Country Music Tour” next year.

Still Hungover Track Listing:
1. “Hungover” (Ella Langley, Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins)
2. “I Blame The Bar” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Chris LaCorte, Meg McRee)
3. “You Look Like You Love Me (feat. Riley Green)” (Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere, Riley Green)
4. “Nicotine” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Zachary Kale, Jon Nite)
5. “Love You Tonight” (Ella Langley, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
6. “Better Be Tough” (Ella Langley, Will Bundy, Brett James, Erik Dylan)
7. “Paint The Town Blue” (Ella Langley, Will Bundy, Rhett Akins, Travis Wood)
8. “Cowboy Friends” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Lydia Vaughan, Austin Goodloe)
9. “Girl Who Drank Wine” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Johnny Clawson)
10. “Monsters” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Tristyn Hunter Wolkonowski)
11. “People Change” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Laura Veltz, Austin Goodloe)
12. “Closest To Heaven” (Ella Langley, Smith Ahnquist, Johnny Clawson)
13. “Cowgirl Don’t Cry (Acoustic)” (Ella Langley, Jordan Fletcher)
14. “Broken In (Acoustic)” (Ella Langley, Ian Christian, Jordan Fletcher)
15. “Girl You’re Taking Home” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Jon Nite, Zachary Kale)
16. “Weren’t For The Wind” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Johnny Clawson)
17. “20-20” (Ella Langley, Zach Kale, Jordan Schmidt, Johnny Clawson)
18. “Made It Out Of Mexico (Acoustic)” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Natalie Hemby)
19. “Monologue” (Ella Langley, Heather Langley)

BMI & SCL Host Nashville Music Creators Conference

/by

Pictured (L to R ): Carlos Rafael Rivera, SCL’s Ashley Irwin, BMI’s VP Film, TV & Visual Media Tracy McKnight, Rob Simonsen and Ryan Lott of Son Lux. Photo: Aubrey Wise for BMI.

Last Friday (Sept. 27), BMI hosted the Society of Composers and Lyricists’ second annual Nashville Music Creators Conference, dedicated to spotlighting music for visual media while teaching aspiring composers and songwriters. The “Composer Conversations” at the conference featured discussions with three renowned composers sharing insight into their craft, careers and the inspiration behind their most recent scores.

Held at the BMI office on Music Row, BMI’s VP of Creative, Film, TV & Visual Media Tracy McKnight hosted a discussion with Ryan Lott of Son Lux. They dove into the creative process of Lott’s work on acclaimed projects such as Everything Everywhere All At Once and his latest film score in The Greatest Hits.

McKnight also moderated a conversation with composer Rob Simonsen, known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine and It Ends With Us, both premiering earlier this year. The audience heard about Simonsen’s contributions to film music and his work on Postcard from Earth, which was the first film to debut in the Las Vegas Sphere.

SCL’s President Ashley Irwin held a discussion with Carlos Rafael Rivera, a three-time Emmy Award-winning composer behind Lessons in Chemistry and Netflix’s Griselda. The conversation discussed Rivera’s career and music, featuring video clips and sound bites from his various projects to show his creative process.

Industry Ink: Chris Stapleton, Triple Tigers, Locash, More

/by

Chris Stapleton Appears On TODAY, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

YouTube video

Chris Stapleton was featured on NBC’s Today show last week performing four songs as part of their Citi Concert Series. Stapleton also appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he performed “What Am I Gonna Do” and spoke with Colbert, and joined Howard Stern for an in-depth interview earlier in the week. Stapleton is nominated for five awards at this year’s 58th Annual CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year.

 

Triple Tigers Christens New Office With Jordan Fletcher Showcase

Pictured (L-R): Co-President Kevin Herring, Co-President Annie Ortmeier, Jordan Fletcher and Triple 8 Manager/Managing Partner of Triple Tigers, George Couri. Photo: Liz Scherff

Triple Tigers Records celebrated their brand-new office space in the growing art district of Wedgewood Houston in Nashville on Sept. 26 with friends and family. The team held a special showcase for rising country star Jordan Fletcher on the eve of the release of his latest EP, Classic, out now. Guests were treated to an intimate set from Fletcher who was joined in discussion by friend and producer, Austin Niveral, about the creative process for Classic.

 

Locash Jam Share Good Vibrations With The Beach Boys At Ryman Show

Pictured (L-R): Locash’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas celebrate another successful show on stage at Ryman Auditorium with The Beach Boys’ Mike Love, and manager, Skip Bishop, Studio2Bee Entertainment. Photo: Bigred

Locash was the special guest at The Beach Boys concert at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 23. The duo popped up to do a three-song encore featuring their fan-favorite collab with the group called “Beach Boys” along with the iconic band’s classics “Kokomo” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.”

 

Sixpence None The Richer Celebrates Gold & Platinum Certs

Pictured (L-R): Curb’s John Clore; Deep South Entertainment’s Dave Rose; Justin Cary; Leigh Nash; RIAA’s Jackie Jones; Matt Slocum; Dale Baker; “Kiss Me” Producer Steve Taylor; Curb’s Benson Curb; Curb’s Bryan Stewart; Deep South Entertainment’s Jeff Foxworth and Curb’s Jessie Lowe

Sixpence None The Richer recently celebrated the RIAA Gold certification of “There She Goes,” as well as the RIAA triple Platinum certification of “Kiss Me.” “It is an absolute honor and thrill to receive these beautiful plaques as markers of the great work done by so many folks! It makes me feel even more excited for what’s to come,” says Sixpence None The Richer’s Leigh Nash.

Across the globe, “Kiss Me,” has been certified double Platinum in the UK, Platinum in Australia, and Gold in Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Japan and New Zealand. The song has also made regular appearances on Shazam’s Top 200 over the past year, indicating that a new generation of fans is discovering it for the first time. “Kiss Me” has earned countless TV and film placements, including Dawson’s Creek, She’s All That and How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. To date, “Kiss Me” has accumulated more than 290 million streams, while Sixpence None The Richer has tallied 385 million-plus career streams and more than 46 million total unique listeners in the last two years alone.

 

Harmony For Hope Gala Raises Nearly $1.2 Million For ALS

Photo: Jolie Loren Photography

Hop On A Cure hosted its Harmony For Hope Gala in Atlanta on Sept. 14, breaking past records and raising nearly $1.2 million for ALS research. The evening included a silent auction, live auction, a sit-down meal curated by celebrated Atlanta-area chefs, speeches from members of the Hop On A Cure Team (including co-founder and Zac Brown Band founding member John Driskell Hopkins), and performances by Zac Brown, Rhett Akins, Shawn Mullins, Hopkins, Angie K, Clay Cook, Matt Mangano, Lilith, Faye Petree, Daniel de los Reyes, Coy Bowles and Chris Fryar.