Pictured: GRAMMY® Nominees Shay Mooney (Dan + Shay), Pistol Annies members Miranda Lambert, Angeleena Presley, and Ashley Monroe, and Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020

Chapter 641

The annual Music Row social calendar always begins with the fabulous Grammy-nominees party, so that’s what transpired on Tuesday eve (Jan. 7) as we welcomed a new year, a new 365 days of schmoozing.

There was actually a lot “new” to celebrate. This is the first year of a new decade. The party was held at a new venue, The Hutton Hotel’s elegant Vista Ballroom. And the event celebrated a newly impressive and seldom-equaled diversity of Music City nominees.

Several attendees lined up to take selfies with enduring star Billy Ray Cyrus, nominated for his Lil Nas X phenomenon. Walking the red carpet and doing press were such other nominated greats as Miranda Lambert, Jerry Salley, Keb Mo, Matthew West, Dan + Shay, for KING & COUNTRY, Tim Menzies and Steven Curtis Chapman.

Pictured: for King & Country’s Luke Smallbone, Steven Curtis Chapman, for King & Country’s Joel Smallbone with wife Moriah Peters. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020

The CCM world was out in force, as illustrated by the presence of nominees Andrew Ripp, Chris Stevens, Colby Wedgeworth and Ethan Hulse. Our bluegrass community was represented by nominees Doyle Lawson, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Missy Raines and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys.

Nashville has an unprecedented number of blues nominees this year, which is why Delbert McClinton, Lenesha Randolph and Larkin Poe members Rebecca & Megan Lovell were there, as well as Keb Mo. Our children’s-music nominee Daniel Tashian attended, as did rock nominees The Rival Sons (but alas not fellow Nashville rock nominees Cage the Elephant).

Among the country attendees were Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley of the nominated Pistol Annies, plus their compatriot Miranda, Dan +Shay and the other country folks mentioned above. That genre’s top nominee is Tanya Tucker, who was a disappointing no-show.

Pictured: Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick, GRAMMY® Nominees Sam Ashworth and Ruby Amanfu. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020

One of the Song of the Year nominees is H.E.R.’s “Hard Place,” co-written by our own Ruby Amanfu and Sam Ashworth. Nominated engineer John Baldwin also attended, as did such stellar secular songwriting nominees as Liz Rose, Bobby Pinson and Hillary Lindsey.

“We are proud that our nominees this year are so diverse,” said chapter executive director Alicia Warwick. “Our chapter leads,” added Nashville board president Jennifer Hanson, pointing out that Nashvillians have 118 nominees spread across 34 Grammy categories. By the way, Jennifer is our third female NARAS chapter prez; Katie Gillon served in the role from 1994-1996, while Trey Fanjoy held the role from 2017-2019.

“A Grammy nomination is a true symbol of dedication to your craft,” quoth Jen. “We are so excited to have so many of these nominees with us here tonight.”

Pictured (L-R): GRAMMY® Nominees Matthew West, Liz Rose, Billy Ray Cyrus and Hillary Lindsey. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020

This party is always a great way to wish a “Happy New Year” to your pals. Fabulons working the room included Mark Bright, Mark Brown, Chris Keaton, Chris Farren, Christy Walker Watkins, Dan Hill, Dan Rogers, Daniel Miller, Leslie Fram, Leslie DiPiero, Leslie Roberts, David Macias, David Preston, Pat McMakin, Pat Higdon, Terry Hemmings, Terry Wakefield, Fletcher Foster, Troy Tomlinson, Ronna Rubin and Susan Stewart.

Oh, I’m just getting started, gentle readers. Also grooving at the gig were such industry women as Chandra LaPlume, Tracy Gershon, Lisa Harless, Kris Wilkinson, Allison Jones, Marion Kraft, Diane Pearson, Cyndi Forman, Debbie Carroll, Whitney Daane, Susan Niles, Joanna Carter, Carol Ann Ford and Claire Ratliff.

Men of valor working the room included Mason Hunter, Joe Baldridge, Shane Tarleton, Earle Simmons, Frank Liddell, Rod Essig, B.J. Hill, Ed Morris, James Elliott (who has a song on the nominated Steven Curtis Chapman CD), Brad Kennard, Wes Vause, Kos Weaver, Tom Roland, Scott Robinson, Kerry O’Neill and Lightning 100’s Gary Kraen.

Pictured: Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick, GRAMMY® Nominees Rival Sons, Nashville Chapter President Jennifer Hanson. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020

“It would be easier to have a list of everybody in the industry and cross off the names that AREN’T here,” Mark Ford sagely observed.

How about adding some power couples to the mix? Like Erika Wollam & Roger Nichols, Trey Fanjoy & Eddie Perez, Joe & Linda Chambers and Ron & Regina Stuve.

I met Lij Shaw. He’s the guy notable for activism on behalf of home recording studios. Alan Valentine introduced me to the Nashville Symphony’s new CEO Steve Brosvik. Steve was behind the “Violins of Hope” exhibit at the Library, and now those Holocaust instruments are becoming a Symphony recording.

Pictured: Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Board President Jennifer Hanson, Pistol Annies members Angeleena Presley, Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert and
Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020

I greeted Sister Sadie’s Tina Adair, who says that she and bluegrass queen (and fellow bandmember) Dale Ann Bradley are recording a guitar-mandolin “sister duet” album. Can’t wait.

Alecia asked for a round of applause for John Prine, who was not in attendance. Prine is this year’s Lifetime Achievement honoree from Music City.

The Hutton proved more than up to the challenge of feeding the throng. The cocktail-party fare included sliced pork loin, pimento-cheese croquettes, lump crabcakes, a charcuterie spread, mushroom-and-goat-cheese torts and assorted cheeses and veggies. Not to mention sweets.

We were serenaded throughout the gala by the smooth jazz stylings of The Birdsong Trio. Breezy and tasteful, this ensemble was the perfect accompaniment to a luscious event.

Gigantic golden Grammy statues flanked the stage. Guests merrily posed for snapshots with them, as well as in front of the Grammy backdrop in the ballroom lobby. We all got souvenir Grammy posters.

Circle, a new country music and lifestyle television network, will launch Jan. 1, 2020, with 16 original shows.

Circle will be available in 56 markets via Gray Television, as well as in markets including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Tampa and Detroit through a separate agreement with CBS Television, ultimately reaching 50% of U.S. television households. The Nashville market will be one of several additional markets and distribution that are in the works, with more announcements to be released. Circle enjoys a partnership with Opry Entertainment Group.

The original programming slate is designed to offer viewers a look into the music and lives of their favorite country performers in a way that has both depth and breadth.

Craig Morgan will host Craig’s World, which will offer insight into his life as both a music artist and a family man, both on the road and at home.

“We feel we are a platform that is by the artist and for the fan. We want to be a platform that facilitates that and connects artists with fans,” Circle Media’s General Manager Drew Reifenberger tells MusicRow. “Craig’s story—his military career, professional music career and outdoor pursuits—just immediately lent itself to offering an amazing experience for a fan. The episodes we’ve done and are planning are just good television. He’s a great guy and has the biggest heart in the world, and the world needs more shows like that. It’s a very collaborative process.”

Phil Vassar, Elizabeth Cook, Natalie Stovall, and bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent will also host programs.

Drew Reifenberger

As previously announced, Circle will feature segments of Grand Ole Opry performances, via the program Opry Live, which will begin in February 2020 as a compilation of new live-recorded Grand Ole Opry performances to be released each week.

“Today’s audience is passionate about authenticity and transparency and the Opry is the most authentic, real thing I’ve been a part of,” Reifenberger says. “So we get to be part of telling that story. One defining moment for country music fans is the live Opry experience, but there are a lot of nights where people can’t be there live and that’s where we get to help bring that to people.

“We think it comes down to really understanding the artist and audience, and that relationship. The fan just wants to get closer to the artists they love. They love experiences, we live in an experience economy, and those experiences also include access to their favorite artist’s stories—stories about their families, stories about their hobbies, their lives. We find the artist wants the same thing—they want that one-to-one relationship with their fans to help build their brand.”

A couple of segments that previously lived as digital features on the Grand Ole Opry’s official site have been expanded as part of Circle’s programming. The Write Stuff features the songwriters behind several of country music’s recent hits, while Opry Debut takes viewers inside artists’ very first performances on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

With the January launch, Circle will also bring older episodes of Hee Haw, which aired from 1971-1993, and 1996-1997, and was led by Buck Owens and Roy Clark.

In addition to artist-focused programming, other shows will be dedicated to delving into some of country music’s most loyal fan bases (Fandom), acoustic songwriter rounds at Nashville’s Bluebird Café (Bluebird Café Sessions), and a look inside the lives of the spouses of some of country music’s most-loved artists (Better Half). Nan Kelley and husband Charlie Kelley will host Authentic America, which explores some of America’s backroads, and rural routes, spotlighting some of America’s lesser-known attractions.

According to Reifenberger, the programming will also include a live morning show.

“We are doing a three-hour live morning show, hosted by Bill Cody. There will be other co-hosts, correspondents involved. That will be a great laboratory to do some fun things. Of course we will do interviews and things, but we hope it will be way more than that, where artists can have regular sessions and bring their interests in. The beauty of live is it lends itself so well to social. Things can start off on-air and pay off in the social sphere.”

Ultimately, Circle aims to be a fun, encouraging experience for both fans and artists.

“The world is a divisive place, and you won’t find that here. There won’t be politics and ‘gotcha interviews,’ that kind of stuff. This is a fun, friendly place where you come to escape all that kind of stuff,” he sums. “We have at least another dozen developments and we are already starting to plot out next summer, so it just gets started on Jan. 1.”

Original programs at launch include:

Opry Live: Beginning in February, Opry Live is a compilation of new live-recorded Grand Ole Opry performances that will be released each week. In the Opry tradition, this show will be a mix of today’s top stars, up-and-comers and all-time greats.

Fandom: The artist-fan relationship is unlike any other. Fandom is a series that explores the impact and intimacy of the artist-fan relationship from the perspective of fans as well as some of country music’s biggest stars, like Eric Church and Zac Brown.

Bluebird Café Sessions: Each year, thousands of fans flock to see artists and songwriters at the world-famous Bluebird Café. The Bluebird Café Sessions is a viewer’s ticket in – without the line! In this series, viewers will enjoy performances and storytelling from one of Nashville’s most iconic venues.

Southern Weekend: Hosted by singer and musician Natalie Stovall, each episode will highlight the best in southern living by visiting all the great attractions of the South including restaurants, museums, unique stores, and music venues. Country music artists will join in along the journey and share some of their favorite places.

Backstage at the Opry: Peek behind-the-scenes of the Grand Ole Opry, alongside artists as they go from rehearsals to the stage – and everything in between.

Craig’s World: Follow Opry member and Army Veteran Craig Morgan at home and on the road as he and his tight-knit family navigate triumphs and challenges while developing businesses, writing hit songs and balancing a country music career.

Authentic America: Hosted by veteran TV host Nan Kelley and her Grammy- nominated husband Charlie Kelley, Authentic America takes viewers on a two-wheeled version of the classic American road trip by way of backroads and rural routes exploring some of the country’s best kept secrets – including lesser known attractions, off-the-beaten path eateries, and most interesting of all, the people who make America one of the most colorful and eclectic nations in the world. Guests include Blake Shelton and Alabama.

Upstream: Join Elizabeth Cook as she invites artist guests to a new fishing location each episode. While the fishing may be good, the real catch is the conversation. Early guests include Cam and Shooter Jennings.

Opry Debut: Enjoy mini follow-documentaries that chronicle the moments and emotions that artists experience leading up to the memorable career milestone every country music artist dreams of achieving – their Grand Ole Opry debut. Debuts include Opry NextStage 2019 picks Tennille Townes, Travis Denning and Riley Green as well as the Opry debut of Ashley McBryde.

The Write Stuff: Viewers get a peek inside the inspiration and creation of some of country music’s greatest songs. Join country music hit makers as they walk step-by-step – from the initial concept to the final chord – and share the key licks and lyrics that brought their stories to life. Episodes feature Little Big Town, Old Crow Medicine Show and Travis Tritt.

Opry Docs: Hosted by contemporary artists like Brad Paisley, Charlie Daniels and Amy Grant, Opry Docs is a series of documentaries on country greats like Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, George Jones and Minnie Pearl.

Better Half: Meet the larger-than-life spouses of some of today’s brightest stars and find out what gives them their own star power. Featured spouses include Samantha Busch (wife of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch), Kate Moore (wife of Justin Moore) and Christine Ballard (wife of Frankie Ballard).

Dailey & Vincent: Join Dailey & Vincent – the world-renowned bluegrass, country and gospel duo – as they host and perform in front of a live audience along with some notable friends like Vince Gill and the Oak Ridge Boys.

Stand Up Nashville!: Shot before a live audience at Nashville’s legendary Zanies Comedy Club, each episode of Stand Up Nashville! features a well-known comedian host as well as four up-and-coming comedians. Laugh along with a packed Zanies’ house and the most brilliant comics the South has to offer.

Family Traditions: Follow the next generation of country’s legendary families as they honor their roots while forging their own path. Episodes include Sam Williams (grandson of Hank Williams and son of Hank Williams Jr.) and Ashley Campbell (daughter of Glen Campbell).

Phil Vassar’s Songs from the Cellar: Join country music hit-maker, Phil Vassar, as he welcomes artists, songwriters, entertainers, athletes, and wine enthusiasts into his favorite place to write songs – his wine cellar! Each episode will feature conversation and collaboration along with a shared drink. Simple in concept yet rich in content, Phil’s laid-back style and quick-witted personality brings out the best in his guests as they share entertaining stories about their interesting lives. Guests include Kelsea Ballerini, Charles Esten, Mike Tyson and Hunter Hayes.