‘Keith Urban: The Las Vegas Residency’ Premieres at Zappos Theater

International star Keith Urban premiered his Las Vegas residency this past weekend at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

“Keith Urban: The Las Vegas Residency” is a new show custom designed for Zappos Theater. The production is a musical journey through Urban’s trove of hits, and runs over two hours in length.

Urban’s performance showcased why he is named one of the best live shows of any musical genre. With a host of No. 1s to choose from, he played “Somewhere in My Car,” “Somebody Like You,” “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” and “Wasted Time.” His set also included never-before-heard songs, as well as timeless favorites dating back a decade. The immersive experience show also highlighted Urban’s stellar guitar chops.

Tickets to shows through July 1 are on sale now.

CMHOF and Museum Celebrates ‘American Currents: State of the Music’

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the opening of the newest exhibition, American Currents: State of the Music. Presented annually, the exhibition looks back at the genre over the previous year to explore the developments, achievements and events. American Currents will run through February 2024.

Artists, musicians, songwriters, and institutions that prominently impacted country music in 2022 are featured in this year’s American Currents. Luke Combs, Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell and Rhiannon Giddens are on display alongside Ashley Gorley, Hardy, Cody Johnson, Wynonna Judd, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Scotty McCreery, Reba McEntire, Amanda Shires, Billy Strings, Sunny Sweeney, Molly Tuttle, Shania Twain, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson.

American Currents: State of the Music highlights the musical connections of artists and organizations in “Unbroken Circle.” Featured pairings include the Black Opry and the Black Country Music Association, Jordan Davis and Bob McDill, Miko Marks and Loretta Lynn and Morgan Wade and Elvis Presley.

The exhibit also includes a video compilation of the past year’s most important country music moments, and a recap of the chart-topping country albums and singles and the highest grossing tours. An upcoming Songwriter Session with Marks and Sweeney is set for Saturday, March 11 in celebration of the exhibition opening.

 

Dave Clark Celebrates 28th No. 1 of Five-Decade Career

Some of Christian music’s major players gathered at BMI Nashville to celebrate multi-award winning songwriter Dave Clark and his remarkable achievement of numerous No. 1 songs across five decades.

His most recent chart-topping song, “Child of the King,” with Joseph Habedank marked the 28th No. 1 of his career in CCM, inspirational and southern gospel. His hit with Larnelle Harris, “The Father Hath Provided,” released in 1987 and started his career, leading him to Daywind Music Publishing.

Overwhelmed by the love and support of those who came to celebrate him, Clark shares, “I know that, for some, to leave home at 17 with no money and a bad car would seem like a pretty big limb to jump off of, and yet for me the greater risk was always if I had stayed. Make no mistake, if it weren’t for a call, we wouldn’t be standing here. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate something like this than in a roomful of people who have written a story. I’ve been overwhelmed today. Yes, we celebrate the decades, but I’m a guy who’s always measured the journey by the moments, and all the moments are in this room. Everybody in this room represents a different season of what God has let us do all these years. There’s so many memories, so many stories. There’s a line in a Larry Gatlin song that says, ‘I’m just standing here trying to matter.’ By your presence here today, I feel like I do. Thank you.”

 

CMA Hosts Future-Focused ‘MemberSIPS’ Event

The Country Music Association welcomed its members to its Nashville headquarters for a MemberSIPS event. Young leaders gathered to discuss the future of the music industry.

CMA Senior Director, Business Strategy & Insights Michael Farris moderated the conversation about the challenges and opportunities the industry is facing, including country music’s share in the marketplace and obstacles the genre is facing. CMA created the MemberSIPS to meet its members’ professional development needs. The program offers presentations, discussions, and gatherings to provide networking opportunities while enjoying a beverage with one another.

The next MemberSIPS event, “The Power of Women and Connection,” is set for March 23

 

The Zak Kuhn Show Launches Third Season and Announces Live Tour

Nashville Briefing founder Zak Kuhn launched the third season of his podcast The Zak Kuhn Show on March 7 with the four-date “Hits The Road Tour” to celebrate.

Since the show’s inception in early 2020, Kuhn has recorded over 125 episodes with music leaders and legends including Bobby Bones, Billy Gibbons, Dan Smyers, and more. In its third season, Kuhn continues to highlight leaders in Nashville and will expand his reach to international guests.

The “Hits The Road Tour” is a live podcast event series that takes Kuhn across the country to interview different guests in four cities. Kuhn starts in Boston with Sofar Sounds CEO Jim Lucchese before a stop in Nashville with YouTuber Grady Smith. His tour takes him to Austin’s SXSW with Rachel Whitney (Spotify), Vipin Reddy (Director, Streaming Marketing, Universal Music Group), and Charlene Bryant (Founder, Riveter Management). The tour ends in Chicago with a stop at The Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music

“When I started this podcast 3 years ago, I had no idea how many adventures it would take me on,” says Kuhn. “From interviewing lifelong idols like Billy Gibbons, to renting a billboard to book a legendary guest, this podcast has helped me cross off some massive bucket list moments. Out of the gate, we are raising the bar this season by hitting the road and bringing the show directly to the listeners. I also can’t wait to reveal the guests we have already booked for this upcoming season. This year will feature conversations with some of the biggest CEOs and most legendary artists we have ever had on the show. It’s going to blow your mind!”

 

The Springboard Music Podcast Launches, Announces Season 1 Lineup

The Springboard Music Podcast, hosted by Rachael Hession (former Manager of National Promotion, Capitol Christian Music Group), launched with its first four episodes and peaked at No. 12 in Apple Music Podcast’s Music Interviews category within its first 24 hours.

Featuring Andrew Brown (Bass Player, Morgan Evans), Shannon Woodworth (Director of Digital Partnerships and Revenue, Universal Music Group), Alex Quattlebaum (Senior Manager of Touring at futureshirts) and Lauren Hungate (Songwriter, Concord and Chromatic Music Publishing), the show debuted on February 7. New episodes will drop every other Tuesday going forward.

The podcast is geared toward an audience who dreams of working in the music industry but does not know where to start through interviews with music industry professionals. Each guest provides insight on how to gain experience and answer whether or not they are “living the dream.” The Springboard Music Podcast will help listeners realize there is space for them at the “music industry table,” no matter what their skills or passions are.

“I hope young professionals won’t feel so alone and lost in their dreams after listening, that they will reach out to the guests, and take steps to gaining experience now to heart,” says Hession. “I also hope that in 10 years, I run into them and hear about their successful careers, making it happen, and still doing what they love.”

Hannah Babitt, Founder & CEO of the management company Babz, has opened Babz Nashville, a second home for the boutique firm that launched in Los Angeles in 2020.

Since January 2022, Babz has consulted for Big Machine Music, and worked with crossover songwriters Laura Veltz, Sara Davis and Geoff Warburton, among others. BABZ also consults with Barry Weiss on his Records label, a Sony Music venture.

Prior to launching Babz, Babitt managed producers at This Is Noise Mgmt. She has also held positions at Pulse Music Group and began her career at The Artists Organization.

“As we celebrate the third anniversary of Babz, we’re thrilled to be a hub for the creation of pop music in both L.A. and Nashville with our immensely talented songwriters, producers and the community around us,” says Babitt. “As fierce advocates for music creators, the Babz team has immense respect for the Nashville songwriting community and looks forward to continuing to forge relationships between L.A. and  Music City. It is a crucial moment for Babz to contribute to the pop marketplace via the collaborations between the Nashville talent and our relationships in L.A.’s pop artist and songwriting community as we simultaneously expand our producer and songwriter roster.”

Babz’s roster of songwriters and producers has expanded over the past three years, and includes Nashville-based songwriter and producer Alex Hope, Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Nick Monson, producer and songwriter Leroy Clampitt, songwriter Madi Yanofsky, Nashville-based songwriter Konrad Snyder and L.A.-based Jesse Fink. Babitt will oversee the company in both Los Angeles and Nashville, with Jacklyn Figueiredo and Eden Lytle based in Los Angeles.

Entertainment business management firm Flood, Bumstead, McCready and McCarthy Inc. (FBMM) has promoted Jason Leiss to Business Manager.

Leiss joined the firm directly out of college as an office administrative team member in 2010. Since then, he has worked his way up to his new role as Business Manager, the highest position at FBMM, and earned his Certified Financial Planner certification this year. Passionate about supporting artists and creatives, Leiss’ prior experience as a musician has influenced how he helps his clients today, allowing him to better serve and relate to them.

“Jason has a proven track record of serving his clients well and is highly regarded by his colleagues,” says David Boyer, FBMM Owner & Business Manager. “His strong relationships and industry knowledge make him more than deserving of this promotion.”

In his new position, Leiss will continue to lead a team of five and oversee all business and personal financial facets for his clients, giving them the tools needed to make sound financial decisions for the present and the future. His team often collaborates with clients’ other professional advisers and utilizes FBMM’s range of resources and knowledge to provide fully comprehensive service.

“Jason is the embodiment of our core tenets at FBMM. He always puts his clients first and is committed to their financial well-being,” says Julie Boos, FBMM Owner & Business Manager. “He is a true team player and leverages all the expertise and assets we provide at FBMM to best serve his clients’ needs.”