Summerfest 2023 Lineup Announced

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Eric Church, Brett Young, Mitchell Tenpenny and more are among the lineup for Milwaukee’s Summerfest 2023 presented by American Family Insurance, set to take place over three weekends: June 22-24, June 29-July 1, and July 6-8.

Over 100 artists are set to perform during the festival’s 55th anniversary, including Dave Matthews Band, Odesza, Zach Bryan, Imagine Dragons, Santa Fe Klan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Noah Kahan, Ava Max, The Pretty Reckless, Sean Paul, Coi Leray, Japanese Breakfast, Yellowcard, Smokey Robinson, Fleet Foxes and more.

“Celebrating 55 years of live music is a true testament to this festival. Together with the City of Milwaukee, we look forward to hosting music fans from across the globe at Summerfest and delivering a world-class lineup with hundreds of artists during our nine-day run” says Don Smiley, CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.

Tickets for Summerfest are on sale now at Summerfest.com with single day general admission starting at $26. In celebration of the 55th anniversary, the UScellular Power Pass is available for $55 and includes admission for all nine days of the festival, and is available now through Wednesday, March 29.

Boy Named Banjo Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

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Boy Named Banjo during their Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo

Mercury Nashville band Boy Named Banjo made their Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday, March 21.

The Nashville-born quintet of Barton Davies, Ford Garrard, Sam McCullough, Willard Logan and William Reames stepped into the legendary Opry circle for the first time for a special performance of “Go Out Dancing” and “Heart In Motion.”

Boy Named Banjo released their latest track, “Whiskey Dreams,” last week. A vinyl reprint of the band’s major label debut EP, Circles, is available now for pre-order in an exclusive “whiskey smoke” color and will be released this Friday, March 31. The band is currently prepping its next project, out later this year.

“Tonight was such an amazing night! Growing up in Nashville, making our debut at the Grand Ole Opry is such an important milestone for us,” said Davies. “Stepping into that historic circle, playing our original music as a band that’s known each other for years, was an incredible experience I don’t think any of us will forget. And we are all so happy that we got to share this special night with our families and friends who came out to support us.”

Scott Borchetta Involved In Racing Accident

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Scott Borchetta. Photo: Nathan Morgan for BMLG

Big Machine Label Group Chairman & CEO Scott Borchetta was left injured after a crash while he was racing at the Trans Am2 Series at Road Atlanta on Sunday (March 26). According to BMLG, he is currently in stable condition.

Borchetta is also the team owner for the Big Machine Racing team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He crashed on lap 24 of Sunday’s race and was transported to a local hospital.

“We ask everyone to please respect the Borchetta family’s privacy during this time,” the label shared in a statement.

Well wishes for Borchetta can sent to wellwishes@bmlg.net.

On Tuesday (March 28), Sandi Borchetta shared the below statement:

Dear Friends,

I’d like to share with you that my husband, Scott Borchetta, was hospitalized Sunday, March 26 after his race accident during the Trans Am TA2 Race Series event. I would like to thank everyone for their love and concern during this time. We feel your support from near and far. Scott is tough and he will be okay.

Thank you for your prayers and support on his road to recovery.

In addition, our hearts are completely broken by what occurred in Nashville on Monday. We send our love to our neighbors and those families who are enduring so much pain and loss.

Love,
Sandi Borchetta

More updates regarding Borchetta will be published as they come out.

Whiskey Myers Partners With SoundWaves Creative To Launch Collectible Art Line

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Sample Proof of the Waylon Jennings Art to Come from SoundWaves Creative

Multi-Platinum band Whiskey Myers has partnered with exclusive art creator SoundWaves Creative to release limited-edition prints and merchandise. These works will celebrate their own live shows and the works of other musicians, namely award-winning singer-songwriter Waylon Jennings. This collaboration will be the exclusive art provider for the Jennings estate, and the inaugural Jennings poster will release this week.

Founded by John Fosco in 2021, SoundWaves Creative is a music-based collectible company that offers music-inspired art with an emphasis on print variants specific to individual live shows and musicians. Limited in number, each creation is hand embossed, authenticated, archived, and custom made.

“We’re so excited to be working with SoundWaves Creative to create some really cool Waylon posters,” shares Shooter Jennings, son of the late Jennings and an accomplished artist. “They create great art and are great folks. The Whiskey Myers guys are old friends of mine from way back and have now collaborated with SoundWaves to allow for some really cool designs for other artists as well, and I’m excited to bring Waylon into the fold!”

“Visual art has always been really important to us as a band,” reflects John Jeffers, Whiskey Myers’ guitarist and designer of the cover art for their self-titled album as well as various tour art for the band. “Whether that’s the design on our album covers or the items at our merch booth, we see art as a way to tell even more of our music’s story. We loved what SoundWaves brought to the table for our own shows, and we’re excited to partner with them to help create art for even more artists.”

“I’m a collector of all things music, and since the inception of SoundWaves we have implemented an archiving system highlighting supply, collaboration and year produced,” notes Fosco. “This system was designed to effectively communicate with the mind of a collector. We create media; we don’t create posters. Our media is created by a team of directors, producers, illustrators, applicators… This creative process was put in place to raise the bar on collectible music-based art.”

Craig Campbell Signs With The Kinkead Entertainment Agency

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Pictured (L-R): Kinkead Entertainment’s Greg Scott, Julie Devereux, Craig Campbell, Kinkead Entertainment’s Bob Kinkead, Michelle Barnett, Ben Costello and Nathan Brewer.

Craig Campbell has signed with The Kinkead Entertainment Agency for booking representation.

Campbell released his new album, The Lost Files – Exhibit A on his Grindstone Recordings label last month, his first full-length album in 10 years. He has been on the road promoting the album and first single, “Tractor Songs,” written by Walker Hayes.

“Craig Campbell is everything that I look for when representing an artist,” says Kinkead Entertainment Agency CEO Bob Kinkead. “One hell of a country singer and a great seasoned live performer that is at the top of his game. My team and I are so excited to be part of Craig’s team as his agents. We had the opportunity to hear his new project The Lost Files at his cool Grindstone Cowboy coffee shop, and I’m sure there are classic hit country songs in the making in that project. I believe we are going to have a very successful 2023 and beyond with Craig and his manager Maddy Grossl, and we’re looking forward to great things to come!”

“I am so looking forward to working with the Kinkead team!” says Campbell. “From the first time I met Bob, I knew he was gonna do great things for me and it feels good!”

Music Industry Entrepreneur Bob ‘Norton’ Thompson Passes

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Bob ‘Norton’ Thompson

Bob Thompson, or “Norton” as he was known to many, passed away March 24 following a brief illness. He had also suffered from dementia for the last several years of his life. He was 80.

Thompson, alongside his wife Toni, owned the renowned Nashville rehearsal studio Soundcheck. The space was often utilized by stars such as Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, the Eagles, 38 Special, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Peter Frampton, and many more, to work out their stage shows before touring. He was beloved by the many performers and crew members who walked through the doors, and was very likely to be the first one to greet them and offer to lend a hand carrying equipment.

Thompson also worked on tours in the early days of his career as a roadie, stage manager and personal assistant alongside bands and artists including the Eagles, Ozzy Osbourne, Glenn Frey, Dan Fogelberg, Chicago, Jimmy Buffet, Fool’s Gold, and The Bellamy Brothers. His life and times on the road are described in his recent book Last Encore: My Time with Glenn Frey, the Eagles and other Hit Artists.

After spending much of his career on the road, Thompson and his wife opened Third Encore rehearsal studios in the San Fernando Valley in California in 1989 and later moved to Nashville, opening Soundcheck in 1993.

Thompson was a devoted father, grandfather, husband, protector, dog lover and a friend to all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, daughter Summer Naylor, and grandson Carter Naylor. A private service will be scheduled, and a Go Fund Me account has been arranged to help the family with medical bills.

Lauren Daigle Announces ‘The Kaleidoscope Tour’ For Fall

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Lauren Daigle. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Lauren Daigle has announced that she will launch her 30-city “Kaleidoscope Tour” this fall.

The new tour kicks off on Sept. 6 in Memphis and will take Daigle cross-country from New Jersey to Los Angeles with stops in Boston, Atlanta, Seattle and more, including cities where Daigle hasn’t performed in nearly four years like Baton Rouge, Baltimore and Tulsa.

The shows will feature many of Daigle’s No. 1s, including her groundbreaking smash “You Say,” “Rescue,” “Look Up Child,” her new single “Thank God I Do,” as well as music from her forthcoming self-titled album, which will include 20 songs released in two parts this spring and later this year.

Ticket presale begins Tuesday, March 28, and Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Wednesday, March 29 – Thursday, March 30 through the Citi Entertainment program. General ticket sales start Friday, March 31.

Daigle will perform “Thank God I Do” on the Today Show on Thursday, March 30, marking the song’s network television premiere. “Thank God I Do” is Daigle’s biggest first-week streaming song across all DSPs, has been added to a record breaking 120+ radio stations across multi-formats in just its first week, and is her strongest single launch at radio to date.

“The Kaledioscope Tour” Dates:
*Not Part of Kaleidoscope Tour
Thu. July 13, 2023 Philadelphia, PA TD Pavilion at the Mann*
Fri. July 14, 2023 Lewiston, NY Artpark Amphitheater*
Wed. Sept. 6, 2023 Memphis, TN FedExForum
Thu. Sept. 7, 2023 Bossier City, LA Brookshire Grocery Arena
Fri. Sept. 8, 2023 Baton Rouge, LA Raising Cane’s River Center
Thu. Sept. 14, 2023 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
Fri. Sept. 15, 2023 Indianapolis, IN Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Sat. Sept. 16, 2023 Hoffman Estates, IL NOW Arena
Thu. Sept. 28, 2023 Wichita, KS INTRUST Bank Arena
Fri. Sept. 29, 2023 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
Sat. Sept. 30, 2023 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
Wed. Oct. 4, 2023 Charleston, WV Charleston Coliseum
Thu. Oct. 5, 2023 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
Fri. Oct. 6, 2023 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
Thu. Oct. 19, 2023 Boston, MA Agganis Arena
Fri. Oct. 20, 2023 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
Sat. Oct. 21, 2023 Baltimore, MD CFG Bank Arena
Thu. Oct. 26, 2023 Kansas City, MO T-Mobile Center
Fri. Oct. 27, 2023 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center
Sat. Oct. 28, 2023 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center
Fri. Nov. 10, 2023 Los Angeles, CA Crypto.com Arena
Sat. Nov. 11, 2023 Phoenix, AZ Desert Diamond Arena
Tue. Nov. 14, 2023 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center
Thu. Nov. 16, 2023 Portland, OR Moda Center
Fri. Nov. 17, 2023 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena
Sat. Nov. 18, 2023 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena
Thu. Nov. 30, 2023 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
Fri. Dec. 1, 2023 Ft Worth, TX Dickies Arena
Sat. Dec. 2, 2023 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
Thu. Dec. 7, 2023 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
Fri. Dec. 8, 2023 Knoxville, TN Thompson-Boling Arena
Sat. Dec. 9, 2023 Greenville, SC Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Lady Luck Songs Signs Josh London

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Pictured (L-R): Lady Luck Songs’ Kim Penz, Josh London, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, SESAC’s Lydia Schultz

Lady Luck Songs has signed Kentucky-born songwriter Josh London to its roster.

London co-wrote “Like You Do” and “Best Shot,” featured on Jimmie Allen’s debut album.  His other cuts include “That’s How I Grew Up” by Joe Nichols and “Tipping Point” by Drake Milligan, as well as tracks by Kyle Park, Jordan Rager, Brandon Ray and more.

While London pursued his degree at University of Kentucky, he played the local college bars to financially support himself. Six months after his graduation, he moved to Nashville where he started a landscaping business, attended writers rounds and networked throughout the music business.

In 2016, London signed his first publishing deal with Major Bob Music.

Brandy Clark Releases New Track ‘Buried’ From Upcoming Project

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Brandy Clark. Photo: Victoria Stevens

Brandy Clark has released “Buried,” the first single from of her forthcoming self-titled album, out May 19 on Warner Records.

Produced by Brandi Carlile, the collection features eleven songs recorded at the famed Shangri-La studio in Malibu, and also includes special guests Derek Trucks and Lucius.

“This album is a return home to me in many ways,” says Clark. “Musically it’s the rawest I’ve been since 12 Stories and maybe even rawer. When Brandi and I sat down and talked about working together, one thing that really intrigued me was her saying ‘I see it as your return to the northwest’ (Since the two of us are both from Washington state). That comment inspired so much for me. It took me back to where and how I grew up.

“‘Northwest’ and ‘She Smoked In The House’ were both a result of that early conversation,” she continues. “Working with another recording artist on this project was such a gift that I didn’t even know I needed, and changed the way I want to write songs and make records moving forward. My hope is that anyone who hears this album will feel the heart that I put into every note of it.”

“Brandy is one of the greatest songwriters I’ve ever known,” says Carlile. “And I feel like I now know exactly who Brandy Clark is through the portal of this singular brilliantly written album. When I heard the songs for this album, they took me back to the first time I heard Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. I was thinking about Tom Petty, The Pretenders, Kim Richey, Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne and the soul of 90s Americana before it had a name. Brandy’s voice is like a friend you’ve had your whole life the second you hear it. I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. This is her moment. This is the one. Sometimes an artist only gets one shot at an album like this in their life. This is the time Brandy has chosen to reveal herself to the world as an artist and a woman, and I was blessed beyond measure to be the person she trusted to support and facilitate that swan dive.”

Brandy Clark Track Listing:
1. “Ain’t Enough Rocks (feat. Derek Trucks)”
2. “Buried”
3. “Tell Her You Don’t Love Her (feat. Lucius)”
4. “Dear Insecurity (feat. Brandi Carlile)”
5. “Come Back To Me”
6. “Northwest”
7. “She Smoked In The House”
8. “Up Above The Clouds – Cecilia’s Song”
9. “All Over Again”
10. “Best Ones”
11. “Take Mine”

Dolly Parton’s ‘Life In Rhinestones’ Explored In New Fashion Book

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Dolly Parton is sharing her lifelong passion for fashion in a brand new book, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, available on Oct. 17 through Penguin Random House.

Written by Parton alongside Holly George-Warren and curated by Rebecca Seaver, the book features behind-the-scenes stories from Parton’s life and career, including the largest reveal of her private costume archive, and spotlights her iconic looks from the 1960s to now, from sky-high heels and famous wigs to bold makeup and eye-catching stage clothes.

Along the way, she discusses memorable outfits from her past, from the clothes her mother would sew out of feed sacks (including her “Coat of Many Colors”) and the bold dresses and hairdos that shook up Nashville, to the bunny suit on the cover of Playboy, evening wear at Studio 54, costumes from her most famous film and TV roles, and the styles that continue to entertain and inspire today.

“I am happy, proud, and excited to present my book Behind the Seams to the public,” says Parton. “It is my hope that you will enjoy a look at my life in costume and hair, and get to know some of the great people who have helped shape my life and my look. Enjoy!”

Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones is the second book in a trilogy that began with the 2020 bestseller Songteller: My Life in Lyrics. The book will also be available as an audiobook read by Parton from Penguin Random House Audio, including archival audio and music.