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T.J. Martell Foundation Nashville Honors Gala Offers Inspiration

March 1, 2016/by Sherod Robertson

Pictured (L to R): Brian Philips, Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., Kenny Rogers, Aubrey Harwell, FedEx CEO Frederick W. Smith; Back row (L to R): Jackie Wilson, Laura Heatherly, Dave Berryman, Scott Borchetta, Joe Walsh, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Leslie Fram, Chris Young, Charles Esten

Pictured (L -R): Brian Philips, Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., Kenny Rogers, Aubrey Harwell, FedEx CEO Frederick W. Smith; Back row (L-R): Jackie Wilson, Laura Heatherly, Dave Berryman, Scott Borchetta, Joe Walsh, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Leslie Fram, Chris Young, Charles Esten. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell)

The T.J. Martell Foundation raised $500,000 to benefit leukemia, cancer and AIDS research at last night’s (Monday, Feb. 29) 8th annual Nashville Honors Gala, for a total of nearly $3 million raised since 2009.

Hosted by Charles Esten, the gala brought an array of outstanding performances and tributes to recognize the efforts of dedicated individuals who have provided inspiring leadership to our community.

Ronnie Milsap performs onstage at the T.J. Martell Foundation 8th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Nashville Hotel on February 29, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell)

Ronnie Milsap performs onstage at the T.J. Martell Foundation 8th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Nashville Hotel on Feb. 29, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell)

Honorees were treated to performances by Esten, Don Henley, Ronnie Milsap, Joe Walsh, Jackie Wilson and Chris Young and special presentations were made by Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Hal Moses, Ph.D. and industry executive Scott Borchetta.

This year’s honorees included Aubrey Harwell, Co-Founding Partner of Neal and Harwell receiving the Spirit of Nashville Award, while Brian Philips, President of CMT, received the Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award. Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., Director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, received the Medical Research Advancement Award, and Grammy award-winning Kenny Rogers received the Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award. Fred W. Smith, founder, chairman, president, and CEO of Fedex Corporation, was also in attendance to accept the Outstanding Global Citizenship Award on behalf of more than 350,000 team members around the world.

Don Henley performs at the T.J. Martell Foundation 8th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Nashville Hotel on February 29, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell)

Don Henley performs at the T.J. Martell Foundation 8th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Nashville Hotel on Feb. 29, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell)

Honoring Aubrey Harwell, highlights included Milsap’s performance of Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart” before peforming his hit, “Smoky Mountain Rain,” one of Tennessee’s state songs, both which greatly pleased the enthusiastic crowd.

Young delivered an acoustic version of his hit “Voices” to honor Dr. Pietenpol while Walsh honored Brian Philips with “A Life of Illusion,” a favorite song of Brian’s children. Rounding out the performances, Henley performed the first song he ever wrote with the late Glenn Frey, “Desperado” to honor Kenny Rogers. The rendition brought everyone to a standing ovation.

Joe Walsh peforms at the T.J. Martell Foundation 8th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Nashville Hotel on February 29, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell)

Joe Walsh performs at the T.J. Martell Foundation 8th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Nashville Hotel on Feb. 29, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell)

Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta (right) presents Brian Phillips with the Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award at the T.J. Martell Foundation 8th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Nashville Hotel on Feb. 29, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell)

Chris Young, T.J. Martell Foundation’s Tinti Moffat, and WME’s Rob Beckham attend the T.J. Martell Foundation 8th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Nashville Hotel on Feb. 29, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell)

Weekly Register: Maren Morris’ “My Church” Tops Country Digital Tracks

February 29, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

In its 16th week on the country digital tracks chart, Maren Morris’ “My Church” has risen to No. 1, with 34.5K sold this week and 180K overall. She’s at No. 16 on the overall digital tracks chart.

Morris places just ahead of longtime leader Thomas Rhett’s “Die a Happy Man,” which moves 31K units this week, for a No. 2 position. Overall sales for that single are approaching 1.2 million.

The Top 5 is rounded out by Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here” (30K), Carrie Underwood’s “Heartbeat” (25K) and Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind.” (24K).

Morgane & Chris Stapleton enjoy the week’s highest debut with “You Are My Sunshine,” entering at No. 41, with 5K. The track comes from an upcoming project by producer Dave Cobb titled Southern Family, out March 18.

Speaking of Stapleton, he’s hanging tough at No. 1 on the country album chart. Traveller picks up 44K units this week, with 958K overall. He’s followed by Joey + Rory’s Hymns (37K) and Sam Hunt’s Montevallo (12K).

Sister Hazel makes an unexpected appearance at No. 4 with Lighter Than the Dark, their first set of new material in five years. Released on Croakin’ Poets Records, the album was produced by Chip Matthews. The band’s new single, “That Kind of Beautiful,” was written by Hillary Lindsay, Gordie Sampson, and Luke Laird. Sister Hazel scored a pop hit in 1997 with “All For You.” Nashville label Average Joes manages the band and the album is distributed through Selecto Hits.

Vince Gill’s Down To My Last Bad Habit ranks at No. 5 with 7.5K units.

Info provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

Weekly Chart Report (2/26/16)

February 26, 2016/by Troy_Stephenson

Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Choreographed Fountains Coming To Music Row Roundabout

February 25, 2016/by Eric T. Parker

Image Used Courtesy of Wet Design / Nashville Mayor’s Office.

The Music Row roundabout and Owen Bradley Park will be enhanced with three choreographed fountains by November 2017.

Plans for the project were revealed at a press conference on Thursday (Feb. 25) at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP Nashville office, in the Roundabout Plaza, overlooking the Musica statue.

The water features will include fountains that encircle Musica, an interactive fountain for children in adjacent Owen Bradley Park, and a fountain built into the median strip cascading along 17th Avenue. No musical interaction is planned.

Southern California company WET Design has been enlisted for the project. WET Design’s work include the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, the Sochi Winter Olympic Games’ Olympic Cauldron in Russia, The Dubai Fountain and the fountain at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Designed by local artist Alan LeQuire, Musica was revealed in 2003. Its nine bronze statues, topping 38 feet, represent muses of the arts and creativity. It is considered to be the largest bronze figure group in the United States. However, at the time it was unveiled, funding was not available for the fountains that were incorporated into the original design.

Image Used Courtesy of Wet Design / Nashville Mayor’s Office.

The announcement coincides with a fundraising initiative from The Fountains of Musica Foundation, led by songwriter Desmond Child and board president Andrée LeQuire.

“An important part of the project is taking care of its ongoing maintenance, so as a nonprofit board, we are seeking community support to build the fountains and create a maintenance fund,” Andrée LeQuire said. “The estimated total for the entire project of three fountains and ongoing maintenance is $10 million and we are working in cooperation with multiple Metro departments for its installation. Generous private contributions have made the procurement of WET’s design possible. Now our website has an easy donation process; donations big and small are essential to complete this exciting project.”

Teresa Powell-Caldwell, senior vice president at WET said, “WET unleashes the magic of water and nature’s other elements to create shared experiences of movement, light, and emotion that reconnect us with our world, our senses, and each other. Collaborating with the board and Alan LeQuire to transform his magnificent sculpture into an evocative kinetic experience based on our expertise in this area was a rewarding artistic endeavor for WET, which we hope in turn will enrich the lives of those who experience the Fountains of Musica. We thank you all for trusting us achieve your vision in designing an experience that further evokes the creativity bursting from Nashville’s historic Music Row.”

Caldwell also explained the reasoning behind using Owen Bradley Park in the plans. “We know that people are going to be drawn to this feature,” she said. “So we needed to provide a place for them to look at it that is not in the street or crowded around for a photo opportunity.”

“This journey began a little over two years ago when I met the LeQuires, who were parents at our kids’ school,” recalled Child. “That’s when I found out that it wasn’t finished. It was missing these gushing, gorgeous waters. Then the whole thing made sense to me, and it was one of those things that I had to try to make it happen. This city so deserves it.”

“It was one of our first pieces of public art here in Nashville,” said Mayor Megan Barry. “When public and private come together, this is what we can do that is really special.”

“In all of the world, people go towards the location that has motion and activity,” said Andrée LeQuire. “These three fountains with water and lights will put a pulse in the entire neighborhood.”

An official website with links to donate is available at fountainsofmusica.org.

Quick Facts

$10 million, including maintenance endowment
Design and engineering promises “not one drop of water will fall on a car”
Lighting will enable 24/7 viewing
Fountain will scale down depending on wind, weather conditions, traffic and viewership
Owen Bradley Park will provide viewers a photo opportunity
Mayor Barry has stated, “My goal is to make sure traffic is always flowing” through construction
Opening expected in November 2017

DISClaimer: Gretchen Peters, Woody Pines Top Americana Offerings

February 25, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

Gretchen Peters

Americana alert: Some of the genre’s top names are in today’s overview of current product — Buddy Miller, The Kennedys, Kate Campbell and Sierra Hull, for instance.

As good as their efforts are, the Disc of the Day unquestionably belongs to the divine Gretchen Peters.

The busker-style, good-time jazz of Woody Pines earns him a DisCovery Award. Cool billing. Cool music.

GRETCHEN PETERS/On A Bus To St. Cloud
Writers: Gretchen Peters; Producers:Doug Lancio, Gretchen Peters & Barry Walsh; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tunes/Purple Crayon, ASCAP: Scarlet Letter
-This Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member simply does not know how to make a sub-par recording. Her new one is even more breathtaking than usual. Titled The Essential Gretchen Peters, it is a double CD that is both a retrospective of her past work and a collection of formerly unreleased performances. The first CD includes this heart-stopping new rendition of a prayer-at-midnight tune previously popularized by Trisha Yearwood. Other highlights include the songwriter’s demo of “The Chill of an Early Fall,” an acoustic arrangement of “Independence Day,” her own versions of “The Secret of Life” and “If Heaven,” a Bryan Adams duet on “When You Love Someone” and a trio rendition of “Wild Horses” featuring Matraca Berg and Suzy Bogguss. Not to mention “When You Are Old,” “Blackbirds,” “Sunday Morning” and “When You Wish Upon a Star.” The woman is a goddess, people.

STONE CUPID/The Cardinal
Writer: Julie Christensen; Producers: Julie Christensen & Jeff Turmes; Publisher: Stone Cupid, BMI; Stone Cupid
-Stone Cupid is a five-piece East Nashville band that’s a vehicle for the songs of its leader, Julie Christensen. The CD’s title tune is a fascinating, dark slab of rock balladry with shuddering electric guitar and vocals that wail and snarl. Her punk roots are showing. Other writers on the collection include David Olney, Kevin Gordon and Leonard Cohen.

DAVID G. SMITH/First Love
Writer: none listed; Producer: Blue Miller; Publisher: none listed; DGS (track)
-This Nashville Americana veteran can always be counted on for excellent song craftsmanship. The new CD’s title tune is a hushed, aching meditation on a dying love. To put it bluntly, it’s a devastating minor masterpiece of grief. Elsewhere on the CD, you’ll find “In the Silence,” a ballad that tackles the tragedy of Alzheimer’s. The album’s cast includes such greats as Keb Mo, Jelly Roll Johnson, Mary Gauthier and Buddy Mondlock. Heartily recommended.

KATE CAMPBELL/Greensboro
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kate Campbell; Publisher: none listed; Large River (track)
-Campbell’s latest is titled The K.O.A. Tapes (Vol. 1). These are simple, living-room recordings, but her singular talent makes them eloquently listenable. Paul Simon’s “America,” Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee” and Skynyrd’s “Freebird” are here in unvarnished folk arrangements. Of her original songs, this portrait of the Civil Rights era stands out prominently. Lend her your ears, she’ll steal them away. I remain a committed fan.

WOODY PINES/Black Rat Swing
Writer: Ernest Lawlars; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Muddy Roots
-Bopping, boogie swinging, with deft guitar picking, slapped bass and spare percussion. These viper jazzbos are utterly charming, in a jaunty, busker kinda way.

Woody Pines on the set of “Black Rat Swing” video.

SIERRA HULL/Weighted Mind
Writers: none listed; Producer Bela Fleck; Publishers: none listed; Rounder (track)
-The title tune of the mandolin virtuoso’s new CD has a choppy avant-garde rhythm and an unusual atonal melody. Her straightforward soprano singing keeps the jazzy outing grounded. Adventurous listening.

BUDDY MILLER & NIKKI LANE/Just Someone I Used To Know
Writer: Jack Clement; Producer: Buddy Miller; Publishers: Glad/Songs of PolyGram, BMI, New West (track)
–Cayamo Sessions at Sea is billed as by “Buddy Miller and Friends.” His duet partners on the collection of classic country tunes include Lee Ann Womack, Kacey Musgraves, Lucinda Williams, Elizabeth Cook, Kris Kristofferson and Richard Thompson. He tackles this vintage Porter & Dolly hit with Nikki Lane, but his harmony vocal sounds a little tentative and unconfident to these ears.

TAMMY JONES ROBINETTE & THE DRIVE/To Be A Kid Again
Writer: Tammy Jones Robinette; Producer: Mark Fain; Publishers: MJ&8, BMI; Rural Rhythm
-Enchanting, with a vocal performance straight from Southern Appalachia. The band includes such instrumental luminaries as Sam Bush, Rob Ickes, Ron Block and Aubrey Haynie, and you’ll find vocal support from the likes of Dale Ann Bradley, Jamie Dailey and Jimmy Fortune. Country with a bluegrass bent.

JIMMY AND THE MUSTANGS/Roll The Dice
Writer: Jimmy Haddox; Producers: Jimmy Haddox & Mark Youngersmith; Publishers: Mad Horse, ASCAP; JH (track)
-This roots rock ‘n’ roll band kicks off its Another Round CD with this horn-punctuated blues romp with more than a little rockabilly punch. Jitterbug music.

PETE KENNEDY/Union Square
Writer: Pete Kennedy; Producer: Pete Kennedy; Publisher: Parade of Echoes, BMI; The Kennedys
-Pete and his wife Maura comprise the enduring, 20th-anniversary Americana act The Kennedys. In the past year, they’ve issued a bonanza of music. There’s their group project, West (enthusiastically reviewed in this column last April) plus Maura’s highly recommended solo set titled Villanelle and, most recently, his song-cycle, extended love letter to New York City, Heart of Gotham. Pete leads his collection with this country rocker. It crackles to life with his soulful, hoarse vocal accompanied by jangling electric guitar and driving drumming (Pete plays all the instruments on the CD). By mid-song, you’re completely hooked. This set is a keeper.

Jim Ed Norman Receives Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award

February 25, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Pictured (L-R): Bob Kingsley; Kenny Rogers; Pete Fisher, VP/GM, Grand Ole Opry;
Jim Ed Norman; Don Henley

Music industry veteran Jim Ed Norman was honored with the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award for his impact on country music during an event held Wednesday night (Feb. 24) at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

The honor was a well-kept surprise for Norman, who was recognized both as the leader of successful record companies and for his leadership in the industry. As president of Warner Bros. Nashville for more than two decades, Norman played a key role in the careers of Faith Hill, Blake Shelton, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, and Dwight Yoakam, among many others. He is now CEO of The Curb Group, overseeing the careers of Lee Brice, Wynonna, Natalie Grant and more.

Lee Brice

The evening benefitted the Opry Trust Fund, which for 50 years has supported members of the country music community in need.

Among the artists who participated in the evening through performances, appearances and taped messages were Big & Rich, Lee Brice, Crystal Gayle, Mickey Gilley, Jeff Hanna, Don Henley, Gary Morris, Michael Martin Murphey, Pinkard & Bowden, Mo Pitney, Kenny Rogers, TG Sheppard and a special surprise appearance by Randy Travis.

Pictured (L-R): Jim Ed Norman, Randy Travis, Kyle Lehning

The inaugural celebration honored Bob Kingsley in 2014. Due to the overwhelming response of that evening, the night’s beneficiary opted to make it an annual event wherein one individual would be honored on the stage of the Opry. The award, given to Joe Galante in 2015, recognizes the most deserving individuals across the country music industry, including record labels, radio, and media.

Crystal Gayle

Norman moved to Nashville in 1983 to run A&R for Warner Bros. & Reprise Records. A year later, he became the label group’s president. He stayed with the label group through 2004. He is a founding member of Leadership Music; was President of Nashville’s W.O. Smith School; was instrumental in launching a music business program at the University of Hawaii in conjunction with the Curb School of Music Business at Belmont University; and is a Senior Fellow at The Curb Center at Vanderbilt University.

Big & Rich

Sony Music Nashville Restructures Promotion And Marketing Teams

February 24, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Pictured (L-R, Clockwise): Person 1 Person 2 Person 3,

Pictured (Clockwise from top left): Bob Foglia, Josh Easler, Lauren Thomas, Lyssa Wheaton

Sony Music Nashville has restructured its promotion and marketing staff and their related functions.

“We are pleased to announce a number of new appointments and positions in our promotion and marketing areas,” said Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman. “We believe these changes further solidify our team and allow us to better serve our artists.”

Under the new alignment, the following roles are announced for the Promotion team reporting to Steve Hodges, Executive Vice President, Promotion & Artist Development:

Josh Easler is named VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville. Previously, Director, National Promotion, RCA Nashville, Easler will be responsible for the development, implementation and supervision of the strategic and tactical radio promotional plans for artists on the Arista Nashville roster.

Lauren Thomas is named to the newly created position of Director, National Promotion, Sony Music Nashville. Thomas, who previously held the post of Manager, Regional Promotion, Arista Nashville, will work directly with the promotion staffs of all three imprints–Arista, Columbia and RCA Nashville. In tandem with Hodges and those at the helm of the three label promotion teams, she will focus on national strategies to achieve Sony Music Nashville’s airplay goals.

Keith Gale continues to serve as Senior Vice President, Promotion, RCA Nashville.

Hodges will lead the Columbia Nashville promotion team until a new VP is announced.

In addition, the following newly-created positions have been announced for the Marketing team reporting to Paul Barnabee, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Sony Music Nashville.

Bob Foglia is named Manager, Strategic Marketing, Sony Music Nashville. In this new role, Foglia will focus on strategic partnerships and brand development for the label group and its roster.

Lyssa Wheaton is named Manager, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville. Wheaton will oversee all media and marketing events planning and serve as the label group’s point person for international media and marketing efforts.

In December, Barnabee announced an additional new marketing post, Vice President, Digital Strategy, Sony Music Nashville. Sarah Westbrook was promoted to that position.

As part of the restructuring, among the exiting staff are: Arista/VP Promotion Lesly Simon; Columbia Nashville VP/Promotion Norbert Nix; Arista Dir./National Promotion Andy Elliott; Columbia Dir./National Promotion RJ Meacham; and Director, Media Content Chris Melancon.

ACM Announces Nominees For Industry Awards, Studio Recording Awards

February 23, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

The Academy of Country Music has announced the Industry Award and Studio Recording Award nominees for the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards.

Although these trophies will not be presented during the ACM Awards in Las Vegas on April 3, the Industry Award and Studio Recording Award honorees will be formally recognized at the 10th Annual ACM Honors event at the Ryman Auditorium this fall.

INDUSTRY AWARD NOMINEES:

NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR
• Boondocks – Springfield, Illinois
• Bub City – Chicago, Illinois
• The Bluestone – Columbus, Ohio
• The Pageant – St. Louis, Missouri
• 8 Seconds Saloon – Indianapolis, Indiana

CASINO OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
• Beau Rivage Resort & Casino – Biloxi, Mississippi
• Inn of The Mountain Gods –Mescalero, New Mexico
• Riverwind Casino – Norman, Oklahoma
• Turning Stone Showroom – Verona, New York
• Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, Connecticut

CASINO OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
• Casino Rama – Rama, Ontario, Canada
• Choctaw Casino Event Center – Durant, Oklahoma
• Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, Connecticut
• The Colosseum at Caesars Palace – Las Vegas, Nevada
• The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada

VENUE OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
• Georgia Theatre – Athens, Georgia
• House of Blues – Anaheim, California
• House of Blues – Boston, Massachusetts
• Terminal 5 – New York, New York
• The Rave/Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

VENUE OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
• Ascend Amphitheatre – Nashville, Tennessee
• Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook – Gilford, New Hampshire
• Denny Sanford Premier Center – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Huntington Center – Toledo, Ohio
• Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie – Grand Prairie, Texas

VENUE OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY
• Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
• Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion – Bangor, Maine
• Gorge Amphitheatre – Quincy, Washington
• Klipsch Music Center – Noblesville, Indiana
• Xfinity Center – Mansfield, Massachusetts

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
• Boots and Hearts Music Festival – Toronto, Canada
• Faster Horses – Brooklyn, Michigan
• Stagecoach – Indio, California
• Watershed – Quincy, Washington
• Windy City Smokeout – Chicago, Illinois

DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
• Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions
• Gil Cunningham – Neste Event Marketing
• Fran Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group
• John Valentino – AEG Live
• Stacey Vee – Goldenvoice

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
• Brent Fedrizzi –AEG Live
• Darin Lashinsky – National Shows 2
• Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
• Jason Wright – Live Nation
• Michael Yerke – House of Blues

STUDIO RECORDING AWARD NOMINEES:

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Mark Hill
• Tully Kennedy
• Tony Lucido
• Michael Rhodes
• Jimmie Lee Sloas

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
• Chad Cromwell
• Fred Eltringham
• Shannon Forrest
• Chris McHugh
• Nir Zidkyahu

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• JT Corenflos
• Kenny Greenberg
• Jerry McPherson
• Danny Rader
• Derek Wells

PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Jim ‘Moose’ Brown
• Charlie Judge
• Gordon Mote
• Steve Nathan
• Matt Rollings

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Dan Dugmore
• Glen Duncan
• Larry Franklin
• Aubrey Haney
• Danny Rader

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Steve Fishell
• Paul Franklin
• Steve Hinson
• Mike Johnson
• Russ Pahl

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
• Derek Bason
• Steve Marcantonio
• Justin Niebank
• Vance Powell
• Reid Shippen

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
• Nathan Chapman
• Dave Cobb
• Ross Copperman
• Dann Huff
• Michael Knox

Chris Young and Cassadee Pope Provide In-flight Entertainment on Southwest

February 23, 2016/by Sherod Robertson

RCA Records’ Chris Young along with duet partner, Republic Nashville’s Cassadee Pope, give surprise Live at 35® inflight performance on Southwest Airlines’ inaugural flight of Tennessee One.

RCA Records’ Chris Young along with duet partner, Republic Nashville’s Cassadee Pope, took to the skies yesterday (Feb. 22) to give a surprise performance to a packed ‘house’ on Southwest Airlines’ inaugural flight of Tennessee One–a Boeing 737-700, emblazoned with an artist’s rendition of the Tennessee State Flag.

Celebrating being in the state of Tennessee for 30 years, Southwest hosted a reception before the flight where guests enjoyed an acoustic performance by Columbia Recording Artist Maren Morris. Guests were then led outside for an unveiling of the airline’s newest specialty aircraft with Republic Nashville’s A Thousand Horses performing in front of the airliner. Nashville mayor Megan Barry was also on hand for the celebration offering a proclamation from the city.

Republic Nashville’s Cassadee Pope and RCA Records’ Chris Young in front of Southwest Airlines’ Tennessee One.

Once in the air, Young entertained the Southwest employees, customers and community leaders in a surprise Live at 35® inflight performance by singing his latest No. 1 hit, “I’m Comin’ Over.” Pope, who is currently touring with Young, joined him for an acoustic version of their duet single, “Think Of You.”

During the flight, Young told MusicRow, “You are up 35,000 feet in the air and performing. Not a lot of people get to check that off a bucket list. It’s an experience unlike anything else.”

“I was so excited to be invited,” added Pope. “There’s always that joke when you carry your guitar on the plane about whether you’re going to play, and today– we finally did!”

The flight arrived in Memphis with a water arch salute and fanfare before heading back to Music City.

RCA Records’ Chris Young gives surprise Live at 35® inflight performance on Southwest Airlines’ inaugural flight of Tennessee One.

Weekly Register: Joey + Rory Earn No. 1 Country Debut

February 22, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Joey + Rory didn’t win a Grammy last week, but they can claim a No. 1 spot on the country album chart this week with Hymns. Due to some early sales ahead of its Feb. 12 street date, the project technically debuted on the chart last week, but it grabs No. 1 thanks to sales of 68K. It’s at No. 4 on the overall chart.

Chris Stapleton’s Traveller got a sales boost from the Grammys. After winning Best Country Album and Best Country Solo Performance (for the title track), sales surged 60 percent, with 51K sold last week, and rising to 914K overall. Sam Hunt, another Grammy nominee, lands at No. 3 with Montevallo, with 20K sold last week.

Among the new arrivals are Vince Gill’s Down to My Last Bad Habit (No. 4, 17K), dirty country comedian Wheeler Walker Jr.’s Redneck S— (No. 8, 5.8K), and Wynonna & the Big Noise’s self-titled release (4.7K).

Meanwhile, new Big Machine Label Group artist Brett Young lands at No. 35 with his self-titled EP, and Lorrie Morgan’s Letting Go…Slow enters at No. 47.

Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” crashed the country digital tracks sales following their performance on the Grammys. The group won Best Country Duo/Group Performance, and the song’s writers picked up Best Country Song statuettes. Last week, the track surpassed 2 million units. This week, they add 48.5K to the grand total.

Thomas Rhett’s “Die a Happy Man” lands at No. 2 (40K), trailed by Carrie Underwood’s “Heartbeat” (37K), Maren Morris’ “My Church” (35K) and Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here.”

Sam Hunt

Hunt holds down the No. 6 and 7 positions with “Break Up in a Small Town” (28.5K) and “Take Your Time” (24K). Hunt and Underwood performed the latter track on the Grammys as part of a mashup with “Heartbeat.” Overall sales of “Take Your Time” should surpass two million units by the end of the month.

Brett Eldredge’s “Drunk on Your Love” (24K), Luke Bryan and Karen Fairchild’s “Home Alone Tonight” (23K) and Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” (20K) round out the Top 10.

Adele’s 25 jumps back to No. 1 on the overall album chart with 151K units (125K albums only). Flo Rida’s “My House” stays lodged at No. 1 on the overall digital tracks chart with 125K.

Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

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