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CMA Launches New International Touring Series ‘Introducing Nashville’

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The CMA is releasing a new international touring series, “Introducing Nashville,” which launches in March in Australia and New Zealand featuring Brandy Clark, Devin Dawson, Lindsay Ell and Tenille Townes (Australia leg only), followed by an industry event in Tokyo including Frankie Ballard.

The shows will help introduce current artists to international audiences for the first time, and each tour stop will replicate a Nashville writers round, with artists appearing together in an acoustic lineup, performing and talking about their careers and personal stories.

Since 2012, CMA has invited more than 40 songwriters and artists overseas to familiarize audiences with the breadth and heritage of the country genre. The CMA Songwriters Series will continue to present songwriters to international fans with a focus on the importance of the craft of songwriting.

“We are excited to invest in artists who are building international careers and to help place them in front of fans in multiple cities who seldom experience Nashville artists live,” said Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. “Launching the first Introducing Nashville tour with these distinct artists, each of which occupy such different lanes musically, illustrates the broad range of sounds coming out of Nashville and the country genre.”

Introducing Nashville 2019: 
March 18: Lismore, Australia – Lismore City Hall
March 19: Brisbane, Australia – The Old Museum
March 21: Sydney, Australia – The Factory Theatre
March 22: Canberra, Australia – The Abbey
March 23: Melbourne, Australia – Athenaeum Theatre
March 26: Auckland, New Zealand – Tuning Fork

Alabama Announces 50th Anniversary Tour

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Country Music Hall of Fame group Alabama will celebrate five decades of music next year with a 50th Anniversary Tour. With nearly 30 live concerts already on the books, the first leg of the tour will sweep the United States.

“We never thought playing for tips at The Bowery in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, that 50 years later we would still playing arenas, stadiums and festivals,” said Alabama frontman Randy Owen. “Teddy, Jeff and I are humbled at the amount of fans that are coming out to see us. We are finding out that we are playing to three generations of fans who have followed us and our music from day one. The fans are the ones responsible for our continued success on the road and we love them.”

“Randy, Teddy and I have loved making music, touring and being with our fans night after night,” said Jeff Cook. “It’s truly an experience that has created a bond between us and them that cannot be broken. The 50th Anniversary Tour will be full of surprises and great memories.”

Teddy Gentry added, “The group Alabama has become ‘America’s Country Band,’ we are told. We are proud to have been performing, writing songs and recording for 50 years. Come celebrate the music with us on our 50th Anniversary Tour in 2019. Each show will be a night to remember for us. We’ll be there to thank our loyal legions of fans for supporting three boys from Fort Payne, Alabama through thick and thin.”

The 50th Anniversary Tour kicks off on Jan. 10 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. Additional dates will be announced soon.

Alabama 50th Anniversary Tour 2019 concert dates:
Jan 10: Detroit, MI – The Fox Theatre (w/ Chris Janson)
Jan 11: Indianapolis, IN – Bankers Life Fieldhouse (w/ Restless Heart)
Jan 19: Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Jan 20: Albany, NY – Times Union Center (w/ Exile)
Feb 14: San Antonio, TX – San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
Feb 15: New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center (w/ Tracy Lawrence)
Feb 28: Plant City, FL – Florida Strawberry Festival
March 1: St. Augustine, FL – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre
March 14:  Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center (w/ The Oak Ridge Boys)
March 15: Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena (w/ Tracy Lawrence)
March 22: Springfield, MO – JQH Arena (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
March 23: North Little Rock, AR – Verizon Arena (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
April 5: Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
April 6: Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
April 12: Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mohegan Sun Arena (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
April 13: Hartford, CT – XL Center (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
April 26: Providence, RI – Dunkin’ Donuts Center (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
April 27: State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
May 31: Cedar Rapids, IA – U.S. Cellular Center
June 1: La Cygne, KS – Tumbleweed
June 6: Myrtle Beach, SC – Carolina Country Music Festival
June 7: Macon, GA – Macon Centreplex Coliseum (w/ The Marshall Tucker Band)
June 13 -16: Grand Junction, CO – Country Jam (performance date TBA)
June 15: Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
June 26: Minneapolis, MN – Target Center (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
June 27: Oshkosh, WI – Country USA
Sept 14: Peoria, IL – Tailgate N’ Tallboys

Weekly Chart Report (12/14/18)

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

Kristen Ashley Forms 11/10 Management, Signs Longtime Client Mitchell Tenpenny

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Pictured (L-R): Haley McLemore, 377/RLM, 11/10 Management’s Kristen Ashley, Mitchell Tenpenny, and RLM’s Coran Capshaw (not pictured are Enzo DeVincenzo 377/RLM and 11/10 Management’s JT Pratt)

Music manager Kristen Ashley has launched 11/10 Management, signing longtime client Mitchell Tenpenny and adding team member JT Pratt. Simultaneously, 11/10 Management has partnered with 377 Management/Red Light. Ashley previously worked at Riser House, where Tenpenny was the flagship artist.

Riser House was founded by Matt Swanson, Jennifer Johnson and Tenpenny. Tenpenny’s publishing remains with Riser House and his upcoming debut major label project, Telling All My Secrets, will be released as a joint venture on Riser House/Columbia Nashville on Dec. 14. The album features Tenpenny’s chart-topping first single “Drunk Me,” which he co-wrote with Jordan Schmidt and Justin Wilson.

“It’s a dream to work with a team like this,” shares Tenpenny. “I’m just excited about the future as the sky is the limit with this group.”

Ashley can be reached at (615) 321-0377 and [email protected], while Pratt can be reached at (615) 321-0377 and [email protected].

Zac Brown Launches Zac Brown Collective, Expanding Portfolio Of Brands

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Zac Brown, frontman of the Zac Brown Band, is launching a new entertainment and lifestyle-branded parent company, Zac Brown Collective, to house his many brands and businesses. Formerly known as Southern Ground, the re-imagined company expands its portfolio of brands and will act as a parent company to Brown’s growing interests in music, food, fashion, film, and merchandise.

The Collective brings together the best and brightest minds in all of those areas to form a company filled with brands that are fully grounded in the “American experience.”

  • Music – In the coming months, Zac Brown Collective will begin rolling out an expansion of its artist services aimed at aiding in the business and career growth of musicians. ZBC will offer its industry knowledge to other artists through this new venture, and available services will include, fan experience and fan club management, merchandise management, and artist management.
  • Food – Brown has had stakes in the food service industry for over a decade, starting with his original Zac’s Place restaurant at the start of his career to serving fans with his famous Eat & Greet while on tour. ZBC will build on these successes with ventures ranging from the newly-opened Zac Brown’s Social Club inside the brand new State Farm Arena, to its Remedy Bakeshop line of gluten free cookies and snacks, to its Z. Alexander Brown wine brand.
  • Fashion & Apparel – Zac has been designing and creating all tour merchandise in-house since the beginning of the Zac Brown Band and now, through ZBC, is building and expanding his reach into the broader men’s fashion category through the acquisition of LA-based Sheehan and Company – a made-in-the-USA, vintage inspired, men’s fashion line.
  • Film – Zac Brown’s film production company Southern Reel, led by director Diego Pernia, has produced many videos for Zac over the years, and recently worked with Cirque de Soleil to create a unique stage and video show for Zac’s southern-pop music project, Sir Rosevelt. ZBC is now expanding further into the feature film, TV and digital video realm with plans to move further beyond its work with the band.
  • Custom Design – Zac Brown’s in-house custom design company, ZB Customs, works with wood, metal and leather to design everything from custom cars, motorcycles, and trucks to one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, and more. ZB Customs’ vehicles have been presented at auction by top vehicle auctioneer, Barrett Jackson, and most recently, the team completed a massive custom project for Mack Trucks, bringing Brown’s design to a Mack Anthem truck.
  • Gear – Zac Brown’s affinity for the outdoors has gravitated him toward brands that create products aligned with his rugged aesthetic including his premium knife company, Southern Grind, and his audio company, DemerBox – makers of the indestructible, water-proof, bluetooth speakers capable of storing valuables.

“We’ve been working towards this development for years. My team and I are more than ready to roll out our roster of unique brands that embody our latest vision of delivering consumers a genuine American experience. It’s an exciting time for us and we can’t wait to show the world what we have to offer,” said Zac Brown. “I am also so proud that our work with Zac Brown Collective will aid in building a stronger future for Camp Southern Ground and its amazing mission.”

Zac Brown Collective will remain unwavering in its commitment to Brown’s biggest passion, Camp Southern Ground, by continuing to allocate funds and resources to the camp. Founded by Brown, the camp supports military and veteran families; further serving children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, social or emotional challenges and typically developing children.

Songwriter-Producer Busbee Launches Development Company Altadena

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busbee

Songwriter-producer busbee, known for his work with artists including Maren Morris and Keith Urban, has launched music company Altadena, aimed at developing new artists and writers. The company launches as a joint venture with Warner Bros. Records to provide a range of services to the label’s recording artists.

Additionally, Altadena has entered into a publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Music to provide support to its roster of writers, and has inked a creative partnership with Red Light Management. Overseeing operations for Altadena will be GM and VP of Creative Daniel Lee, Nashville Creative Director Noreen Prunier, and L.A. Creative Director Kelly Benini.

busbee, Founder and CEO, Altadena said, “I have taken steps throughout my career to pursue meaningful music and strong relationships. With the launch of Altadena, I’m excited to continue this pursuit in partnership with the incredible teams at Warner Bros. Records, Warner/Chappell and Red Light.”

Aaron Bay-Schuck, Co-Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Records said, “At Warner Bros., we constantly seek to do business with the best and brightest creative minds and risk takers. busbee not only has an impressive track record of artist development but also of producing as well as writing top hits across multiple genres. He has the passion for spotting new talent and the vision to fuse the worlds of country, pop, and alternative in truly refreshing ways. We look forward to collaborating with him on this new venture.”

Carianne Marshall, COO, Warner/Chappell Music said, “busbee’s inventive and experimental approach to songwriting makes him an incredible talent, and we are happy to expand our relationship with him as he continues to grow, now as an entrepreneur, with the start of his new company Altadena.”

Grammy Awards Nominees Revealed

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Country female artists earned top nominations during Friday morning’s Grammy nominations announcement.

Kacey Musgraves and Maren Morris earned nominations in top categories, with Musgraves’ Golden Hour earning a nod in the overall Album of the Year category, and Morris’ collaboration on “The Middle” with Zedd and Grey earning nods in the Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories. “The Middle” was also nominated for Best Pop Group/Duo Performance.

Female country artists took three of the five Best Country Album nominations, with Kelsea Ballerini’s Unapologetically, Ashley McBryde‘s Girl Going Nowhere, and Musgraves’ Golden Hour nominated alongside Chris Stapleton‘s From A Room: Vol. 2 and Brothers Osborne‘s Port Saint Joe.

Female artists also took three of the five Best Country Solo Performance slots, with Loretta Lynn‘s “Wouldn’t It Be Great?”, Morris’ “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters,” and Musgraves’ “Butterflies” soaring alongside Stapleton’s “Millionaire” and Keith Urban‘s “Parallel Line.”

Margo Price was nominated for the overall Best New Artist category, as was sales juggernaut Luke Combs.

In The Best Country Duo/Group Performance category, Brothers Osborne’s “Shoot Me Straight,” Dan+Shay’s “Tequila,” the Maren Morris/Vince Gill collab “Dear Hate,” Little Big Town‘s “When Someone Stops Loving You” and the Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line collaboration “Meant To Be” earned honors.

The Best Country Song honor, which is awarded to the songwriters, includes nominations for Cole Swindell‘s “Break Up In The End,” Maren Morris’ “Dear Hate,” Blake Shelton‘s “I Lived It,” Musgraves’ “Space Cowboy,” Dan+Shay’s “Tequila,” and Little Big Town’s “When Someone Stops Loving You.”

There were 21,000 submitted recordings for this year’s honors.

A full list of nominees is below:

Record Of The Year
Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.

I LIKE IT
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
Invincible, JWhiteDidIt, Craig Kallman & Tainy, producers; Leslie Brathwaite & Evan LaRay, engineers/mixers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile
Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Tom Elmhirst & Eddie Spear, engineers/mixers; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer

THIS IS AMERICA
Childish Gambino
Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, producers; Derek “MixedByAli” Ali & Riley Mackin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

GOD’S PLAN
Drake
Boi-1Da, Cardo & Young Exclusive, producers; Noel Cadastre, Noel “Gadget” Campbell & Noah Shebib, engineers/mixers; Chris Athens, mastering engineer

SHALLOW
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
Lady Gaga & Benjamin Rice, producers; Tom Elmhirst, engineer/mixer; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer

ALL THE STARS
Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Al Shux & Sounwave, producers; Sam Ricci & Matt Schaeffer, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

ROCKSTAR
Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
Louis Bell & Tank God, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

THE MIDDLE
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
Grey, Monsters & Strangerz & Zedd, producers; Grey, Tom Morris, Ryan Shanahan & Zedd, engineers/mixers; Mike Marsh, mastering engineer

Album Of The Year
Award to Artist(s) and to Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s), Mixer(s) and Mastering Engineer(s) credited with at least 33% playing time of the album, if other than Artist.

INVASION OF PRIVACY
Cardi B
Leslie Brathwaite & Evan LaRay, engineers/mixers; Belcalis Almanzar & Jorden Thorpe, songwriters; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

BY THE WAY, I FORGIVE YOU
Brandi Carlile
Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Dave Cobb & Eddie Spear, engineers/mixers; Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer

SCORPION
Drake
Noel Cadastre, Noel “Gadget” Campbell & Noah Shebib, engineers/mixers; Aubrey Graham & Noah Shebib, songwriters; Chris Athens, mastering engineer

H.E.R.
H.E.R.
Darhyl “Hey DJ” Camper Jr, H.E.R. & Jeff Robinson, producers; Miki Tsutsumi, engineer/mixer; Darhyl Camper Jr & H.E.R., songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer

BEERBONGS & BENTLEYS
Post Malone
Louis Bell & Post Malone, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Louis Bell & Austin Post, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

DIRTY COMPUTER
Janelle Monáe
Chuck Lightning & Janelle Monáe Robinson & Nate “Rocket” Wonder, producers; Mick Guzauski, Janelle Monáe Robinson & Nate “Rocket” Wonder, engineers/mixers; Nathaniel Irvin III, Charles Joseph II, Taylor Parks & Janelle Monáe Robinson, songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer

GOLDEN HOUR
Kacey Musgraves
Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, producers; Craig Alvin & Shawn Everett, engineers/mixers; Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, songwriters; Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone, mastering engineers

BLACK PANTHER: THE ALBUM, MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY
(Various Artists)
Kendrick Lamar, featured artist; Kendrick Duckworth & Sounwave, producers; Matt Schaeffer, engineer/mixer; Kendrick Duckworth & Mark Spears, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

Song Of The Year
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

ALL THE STARS
Kendrick Duckworth, Solána Rowe, Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears & Anthony Tiffith, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar & SZA)

BOO’D UP
Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane, songwriters (Ella Mai)

GOD’S PLAN
Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib, songwriters (Drake)

IN MY BLOOD
Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes & Geoffrey Warburton, songwriters (Shawn Mendes)

THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)

THE MIDDLE
Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha & Anton Zaslavski, songwriters (Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey)

SHALLOW
Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper)

THIS IS AMERICA
Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, songwriters (Childish Gambino)

Best New Artist
An artist will be considered for Best New Artist if their eligibility year release/s achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.

CHLOE X HALLE

LUKE COMBS

GRETA VAN FLEET

H.E.R.

DUA LIPA

MARGO PRICE

BEBE REXHA

JORJA SMITH

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.

FALL IN LINE
Christina Aguilera Featuring Demi Lovato

DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART
Backstreet Boys

‘S WONDERFUL
Tony Bennett & Diana Krall

SHALLOW
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

GIRLS LIKE YOU
Maroon 5 Featuring Cardi B

SAY SOMETHING
Justin Timberlake Featuring Chris Stapleton

THE MIDDLE
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new traditional pop recordings.

LOVE IS HERE TO STAY
Tony Bennett & Diana Krall

MY WAY
Willie Nelson

NAT “KING” COLE & ME
Gregory Porter

STANDARDS (DELUXE)
Seal

THE MUSIC…THE MEM’RIES…THE MAGIC!
Barbra Streisand

Best Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal pop recordings.

CAMILA
Camila Cabello

MEANING OF LIFE
Kelly Clarkson

SWEETENER
Ariana Grande

SHAWN MENDES
Shawn Mendes

BEAUTIFUL TRAUMA
P!nk

REPUTATION
Taylor Swift

Best Country Solo Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo country recordings.

WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT?
Loretta Lynn

MONA LISAS AND MAD HATTERS
Maren Morris

BUTTERFLIES
Kacey Musgraves

MILLIONAIRE
Chris Stapleton

PARALLEL LINE
Keith Urban

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative country recordings.

SHOOT ME STRAIGHT
Brothers Osborne

TEQUILA
Dan + Shay

WHEN SOMEONE STOPS LOVING YOU
Little Big Town

DEAR HATE
Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill

MEANT TO BE
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line

Best Country Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

BREAK UP IN THE END
Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill & Jon Nite, songwriters (Cole Swindell)

DEAR HATE
Tom Douglas, David Hodges & Maren Morris, songwriters (Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill)

I LIVED IT
Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley & Ben Hayslip, songwriters (Blake Shelton)

SPACE COWBOY
Luke Laird, Shane McAnally & Kacey Musgraves, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves)

TEQUILA
Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds & Dan Smyers, songwriters (Dan + Shay)

WHEN SOMEONE STOPS LOVING YOU
Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Little Big Town)

Best Country Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new country recordings.

UNAPOLOGETICALLY
Kelsea Ballerini

PORT SAINT JOE
Brothers Osborne

GIRL GOING NOWHERE
Ashley McBryde

GOLDEN HOUR
Kacey Musgraves

FROM A ROOM: VOLUME 2
Chris Stapleton

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best contemporary Christian pop, Christian rap/hip-hop, or Christian rock single or track.

RECKLESS LOVE
Cory Asbury; Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver & Ran Jackson, songwriters

YOU SAY
Lauren Daigle; Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram & Paul Mabury, songwriters

JOY.
for KING & COUNTRY; Ben Glover, Matt Hales, Stephen Blake Kanicka, Seth Moslely, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone & Tedd Tjornhom, songwriters

GRACE GOT YOU
MercyMe Featuring John Reuben; David Garcia, Ben Glover, MercyMe, Solomon Olds & John Reuben, songwriters

KNOWN
Tauren Wells; Ethan Hulse, Jordan Sapp & Tauren Wells, songwriters
38. Best Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional or contemporary/R&B gospel music recordings.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD
Jekalyn Carr

HIDING PLACE
Tori Kelly

MAKE ROOM
Jonathan McReynolds

THE OTHER SIDE
The Walls Group

A GREAT WORK
Brian Courtney Wilson

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, contemporary Christian music, including pop, rap/hip hop, or rock recordings.

LOOK UP CHILD
Lauren Daigle

HALLELUJAH HERE BELOW
Elevation Worship

LIVING WITH A FIRE
Jesus Culture

SURROUNDED
Michael W. Smith

SURVIVOR: LIVE FROM HARDING PRISON
Zach Williams

Best Roots Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional/roots gospel music, including country, Southern gospel, bluegrass, and Americana recordings.

UNEXPECTED
Jason Crabb

CLEAR SKIES
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

FAVORITES: REVISITED BY REQUEST
The Isaacs

STILL STANDING
The Martins

LOVE LOVE LOVE
Gordon Mote

Best American Roots Performance
For new vocal or instrumental American Roots recordings. This is for performances in the style of any of the subgenres encompassed in the American Roots Music field including Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk or regional roots. Award to the artist(s).

KICK ROCKS
Sean Ardoin

SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY BLUES
Jon Batiste

THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile

ALL ON MY MIND
Anderson East

LAST MAN STANDING
Willie Nelson

Best American Roots Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Americana, bluegrass, traditional blues, contemporary blues, folk or regional roots songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

ALL THE TROUBLE
Waylon Payne, Lee Ann Womack & Adam Wright, songwriters (Lee Ann Womack)

BUILD A BRIDGE
Jeff Tweedy, songwriter (Mavis Staples)

THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)

KNOCKIN’ ON YOUR SCREEN DOOR
Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)

SUMMER’S END
Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)

Best Americana Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental Americana recordings.

BY THE WAY, I FORGIVE YOU
Brandi Carlile

THINGS HAVE CHANGED
Bettye LaVette

THE TREE OF FORGIVENESS
John Prine

THE LONELY, THE LONESOME & THE GONE
Lee Ann Womack

ONE DROP OF TRUTH
The Wood Brothers

Best Bluegrass Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental bluegrass recordings.

PORTRAITS IN FIDDLES
Mike Barnett

SISTER SADIE II
Sister Sadie

RIVERS AND ROADS
Special Consensus

THE TRAVELIN’ MCCOURYS
The Travelin’ McCourys

NORTH OF DESPAIR
Wood & Wire

 

CMA Touring Awards To Honor Louis Messina For Lifetime Achievement

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Louis Messina

The Country Music Association (CMA) will honor the Messina Touring Group’s CEO Louis Messina with this year’s CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award.

The announcement comes ahead of the CMA Touring Awards event, taking place Monday, Jan. 28 at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, highlighting vital, behind-the-scenes members of the touring industry. Voting in final categories (below) closes Thursday, Dec. 13.

Country legend George Strait made a surprise phone call last Friday morning to his longtime promoter, Messina to deliver news of the forthcoming honor.

“I’m incredibly humbled by this honor from CMA and its membership,” said Messina. “Having George Strait call and tell me the news was so powerful, so meaningful, so special and a moment I will always cherish. I’m especially proud of the team we’ve built and the clients we work for, and this distinction caps off an incredible year for us all. I remain thankful to so many people. You have now rendered me speechless.”

“The touring industry is a vibrant part of our business and Louis is very deserving of this recognition,” said Brandi Simms, CMA Senior Director of Awards & Industry Relations. “His vision and passion for the artists and the touring community is an inspiration to those fortunate enough to have worked with him. He is a world-class promoter and it’s no surprise to me that he was chosen to receive the honor of CMA’s Touring Lifetime Achievement Award.”

As CEO of Messina Touring Group, Messina promotes the tours of heavy-hitters such as Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (Soul2Soul), Shawn Mendes, Ed Sheeran, Blake Shelton, Strait, Taylor Swift, and The Lumineers. Over his 50-year career, he has promoted a variety of acts including the Dixie Chicks, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, and Nickelback.

Messina began booking small shows as a high school student. Building a solid reputation, he moved onto club and theatre acts in and around New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. In 1975 Messina moved to Houston and (with longtime friend and mentor, Allen Becker) co-founded PACE Concerts. Under his direction, PACE Concerts gained regional and national acclaim among artists, agents, artist management and competing promoters. As the company evolved from PACE Concerts to SFX then to Clear Channel Entertainment, Messina established himself as one of the country’s preeminent promoters. In addition to promoting club, arena and stadium acts, Messina conceived and created the George Strait Country Music Festival, Ozzfest (along with Sharon Osborne), Texxas Jam, Van Halen’s Monsters of Rock and the Fleetwood Mac reunion tours. Since establishing The Messina Group, Messina has been the exclusive concert promoter for Chesney, Strait and Swift.

Messina is known for special events and record-setting stadium concerts such as the Jimmy Buffett—George Strait—Alan Jackson triple headliner at Texas Stadium and the opening event at Cowboys Stadium featuring Strait. Strait’s final sellout show at AT&T Stadium, The Cowboy Rides Away, set record numbers with over 104,000 tickets sold in 2014. Swift’s 1989 World Tour saw five sold-out shows at Staples Center, setting a record for the artist with the most sold-out shows at the venue (16) and all of them sold out instantly. Chesney has played 135 stadiums during his career and is ranked in the Top Ticket Sellers of the past 25 years, while only headlining the last 14. Messina has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career from the Academy of Country Music, Billboard, International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), Performance Magazine, Pollstar, the T.J. Martell Foundation, and Venues Today.

The CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award is for an individual who has accomplished the highest level in the country music field of touring. The award was established to recognize an individual who has achieved both prominence and stature at the highest level. The individual receiving this Award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of touring throughout a course of years that have proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on country music fans and the industry alike, and whose presence will have a long-term positive impact on country music and CMA for generations to come. The CMA Touring Awards, originally called the SRO Awards, were created by the CMA Board of Directors in 1990 to honor outstanding professional achievement within the touring industry. The SRO Awards were renamed the CMA Touring Awards in 2016.

Jerrod Niemann will return to host the CMA Touring Awards ceremony in January.

Final nominees for the 2018 CMA Touring Awards are as follows (in alphabetical order):

CATEGORY 1 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Renee Allen – Arnie Barn, Inc.
Julie Boos – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Legina Chaudoin – O’Neil Hagaman, PLLC
Jamie Cheek – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Dwight Wiles – Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC

CATEGORY 2 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Ron Easley – Jason Aldean
Caleb Garrett – Luke Bryan
Larry “Big” Garten – Lee Brice
Larry Phye, Jr. – Chris Stapleton
John Stalder – Kenny Chesney

CATEGORY 3 – FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Kirk Kelsey – Keith Urban
Billy Moore – Eric Church
Chris Rabold – Kenny Chesney
Chris Stephens – Jason Aldean
Ian Zorbaugh – Old Dominion

CATEGORY 4 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Philip Ealy – Kenny Chesney
Justin Kitchenman – Luke Bryan
Gavin Lake – Eric Church
Will Lowdermilk – Darius Rucker
Mac Mosier – Chris Stapleton

CATEGORY 5 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Virginia Davis – G-Major Management
Kerri Edwards – KP Entertainment
Clint Higham – Morris Higham Management
Jason Owen – Sandbox Entertainment
Chris Parr – Maverick
John Peets – Q Prime South

CATEGORY 6 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Steve Bryan – Florida Georgia Line
David Farmer – Kenny Chesney
Jason Hecht – Chris Stapleton
Jake LaGrone – Jason Aldean
Jan Volz – Rascal Flatts

CATEGORY 7 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Bryan Baxley – Kenny Chesney
Cam Beachley – Miranda Lambert
Johnnie Branham – Chris Stapleton
Joel Stickrod – Darius Rucker
Phil Wilkey – Keith Urban

CATEGORY 8 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Jay Ballinger – Dierks Bentley
Randy “Baja” Fletcher – Keith Urban
Todd Ortmeier – Florida Georgia Line
Jay Schwartz – Rascal Flatts
Ed Wannebo – Kenny Chesney

CATEGORY 9 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Erin Burr – Big Machine Label Group
Ebie McFarland – Essential Broadcast Media
Tyne Parrish – The GreenRoom
Jensen Sussman – Sweet Talk Publicity
Wes Vause – Warner Music Group

CATEGORY 10 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Becky Gardenhire – WME
Kevin Neal – WME
Nate Ritches – Paradigm
Risha Rodgers – WME
Jay Williams – WME

CATEGORY 11 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Ben Farrell – Lon Varnell Enterprises
Ali Harnell – AEG Presents
Patrick McDill – Live Nation Nashville
Brian O’Connell – Live Nation Nashville
Stacy Vee – Goldenvoice

CATEGORY 12 – TOUR CATERER OF THE YEAR
Dega Catering
Concert Kitchen
Hightopps Backstage Grille
HSG Catering
Taste Events Catering

CATEGORY 13 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Wyatt Beard – Kenny Chesney
Dan Hochhalter – Dierks Bentley
Mike Kennedy – George Strait
Tully Kennedy – Jason Aldean
Travis Toy – Rascal Flatts

CATEGORY 14 – VENUE OF THE YEAR
Alabama Theatre – North Myrtle Beach, SC
Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, TN
Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH
Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN

CATEGORY 15 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Zack Clevenger – Rascal Flatts
Jay Cooper – Kenny Chesney
Houston Creswell – Dierks Bentley
Ryan Rushing – Luke Bryan
Mark Willcox – Chris Stapleton

Dolly Parton Earns Golden Globe Nomination For “Girl In The Movies”

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Dolly Parton has earned a Golden Globe nomination for her original song “Girl In The Movies,” featured in the movie Dumplin’, starring Jennifer Aniston and releases Friday, Dec. 7. The track is nominated for Best Original Song-Motion Picture at the upcoming 76th awards show, slated to air Jan. 6 on NBC.

Other tracks nominated in the category include “All The Stars” (Black Panther), “Requiem for a Private War” (A Private War), “Revelation” (Boy Erased), and “Shallow” (A Star Is Born).

Parton has previously earned five Golden Globe nominations. In 1981, her track “9 To 5” was nominated for Best Original Song, while Parton was nominated in the categories New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture and Best Motion Picture Actress–Musical/Comedy, for her work in Nine To Five. In 1983, she was nominate for Best Actress In A Motion Picture—Musical/Comedy for her work in The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. In 2006, her song “Travelin’ Thru” (Transamerica) was nominated for Best Original Song.

‘MusicRow’ Magazine Reveals 2019 Next Big Thing Honorees

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MusicRow proudly announces its Next Big Thing (NBT) Class of 2019. Now in its fifth year, the Next Big Thing honor celebrates 11 artists who are making strides early in their careers, whether through touring, streaming, radio or songwriting success. Each artist is profiled as part of MusicRow‘s 2019 Touring Issue print magazine, which releases today, Dec. 4.

“It’s a privilege to bestow MusicRow’s 2018 Next Big Thing title to these talented artists who are set to excel to higher prominence in the coming year,” says MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “There’s no doubt these deserving artists will have a significant impact in 2018 and we look forward to following them every step of the way.”

Among the hit artists who have previously been honored as members of MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing are Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Dan+Shay, Brett Eldredge, Sam Hunt, Midland, Maren Morris, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, and Brett Young.

Copies of the 2019 MusicRow Touring Issue print magazine can be purchased here, or received with the purchase of a yearly MusicRow Magazine subscription.

MusicRow‘s 2019 Next Big Thing Honorees:

(NBT edit by: Sarah Skates)

Jimmie Allen

BBR Music Group (Stoney Creek Records)/Wide Open Music management/UTA/Wide Open Music publishing/SESAC

Jimmie Allen crosses boundaries in country music simply by being himself. We ain’t got to be just alike, not everything is black or white, he sings on “All Tractors Ain’t Green,” adding a progressive slant to a classic topic. It’s a common thread on his debut album, which makes his appeal two-fold: smooth, polished, pop-heavy production balanced by traditional subject matter.

As a songwriter and artist, this Milton, Delaware native frequently revisits his roots for inspiration, even naming his album Mercury Lane after the street where he grew up. Allen says it’s where he learned to dream, work hard and take chances. His current success is the fruition of his unwavering pursuit of that dream, yielding the No. 1 single “Best Shot.” Inspired by advice from his grandmother, the message of perseverance during the ups and downs of a journey continues to resonate with fans as Allen gears up for tours with Kane Brown and Scotty McCreery in 2019.

Abby Anderson

Black River Entertainment (Black River Records)/CAA/Black River Publishing/BMI

With a vibrant personality and determination that belies her age, it’s no surprise rising star Abby Anderson left home to move to Nashville at 17 years old. Since then this talented singer-songwriter has rarely slowed down.

Her debut EP, I’m Good, is an aptly named showcase of sass and confidence. The album bops along on “Dance Away My Broken Heart,” and beats with driving rhythm on “Naked Truth.” When Anderson slows the tempo, the result is equally captivating. Her piano-ballad debut single, “Make Him Wait,” delivers the important and timely message of self-worth. It’s a reflection of the strong foundation cultivated by Anderson’s family in her hometown Dallas, Texas, where she grew up with five sisters and one brother.

This sense of empowerment made her an ideal performer for MusicRow Magazine’s 2018 Rising Women on the Row event, which champions leading industry females. Her Grand Ole Opry debut happened in September, just before she embarked on Brett Eldredge’s The Long Way Tour with Devin Dawson.

Kassi Ashton

Universal Music Group (MCA Records/Interscope Nashville)/Creative Nation publishing/WME/Creative Nation management/BMI

Having officially released just two songs, Kassi Ashton’s upcoming album is a tantalizing enigma. With awe-inspiring vocals and a unique point of view, this Belmont University graduate appears destined for the pop-music stratosphere.

Like most people, Ashton is a beautiful paradox; what sets her apart is her embrace of these differences. On one hand she’s country—a small-town escapee who learned to shoot guns on her dad’s farm in Missouri, and was influenced by her mom’s love of traditional music.

On the other hand, Ashton is as potent as the arsenic pictured in the video for her single “Taxidermy” (which is what you’ll become if you ever her hurt again). With a personality as colorful as her fashion choices, look for this rising star to reveal an ocean of depth and heart on her upcoming album.

Tyler Childers

Hickman Holler Records/Thirty Tigers/WhizzbangBAM!/Paradigm Nashville/Hickman Holler Songs c/o Do Write Music/BMI

Tyler Childers is a prodigious talent birthed in the sounds of Appalachia and baptized in the rural tradition of raw, confessional lyrics. People, landmarks and moments from his home in Lawrence County, Kentucky populate the songs on his album Purgatory. Produced by Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson, the project combines lyrics representative of present-day circumstances and a sound as ancient as the mountains where the stories unfold.

Childers’ lyrical style is a sophisticated complement to his roughhewn vocals. He doesn’t back down from fiddle twang or bluegrass stylings, and the songs come together with an overarching intimacy. He’s the country artist you won’t hear on country radio. Instead, he won the 2018 Americana Music Association Award for Emerging Artist of the Year—today’s umbrella for rootsy offerings. He’s already selling out multiple nights in clubs across America, and in 2019 will tour Australia and New Zealand with one of his heroes, John Prine.

Jordan Davis

Universal Music Group (MCA Records)/Red Light Management/WME/ole publishing/ASCAP

Jordan Davis already has a major No. 1 in his back pocket with the ear-candy hit “Singles You Up.” Earning Platinum certification and gathering 200 million streams along the way, the track is proof of his highly marketable sound.

After graduating from Louisiana State University, the Shreveport native moved to Nashville to break into the music scene. He worked hard to develop his songwriting and performance craft. The result is an ideal mix of commercial viability and professional songwriting skills.

Davis teamed with producer Paul DiGiovanni for his debut album, Home State, which is primed with more singles, including currently rising “Take It From Me,” and the ace-in-the-hole hit “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot.”

Morgan Evans

Warner Music Nashville / Warner Bros. Records/Fitzgerald Hartley Company/WME/Warner/Chappell publishing/BMI/APRA

Morgan Evans has been charming audiences with fun songs and laid-back vibes since signing with Warner Music Australia in 2012. Now he’s gone global, taking his first U.S. single “Kiss Somebody” to No. 1. Along the way, he also charmed and married fellow artist Kelsea Ballerini.

Evans is multi-talented. Onstage he’s a groovy one-man show, keenly adopting a loop-pedal in place of his former bandmates who didn’t make the move from Australia.

For his album, Evans co-wrote all the tracks and played multiple instruments alongside producer and co-writer, Chris DeStefano. Titled Things That We Drink To, the project is inspired by Evans’ very eventful last few years, including moving, marriage, and loss. In the midst of more serious subjects, he’s still up for a good time as proved by sunny current single “Day Drunk.”

Riley Green

Big Machine Label Group (BMLG Records)/Rogue Management/WME/Warner/Chappell publishing/BMI

Riley Green’s youth in Jacksonville, Alabama, is relatable to country music fans far and wide: running backroads in a truck with a beer and a girl. It’s not a cliché; it’s a snapshot of real life. It’s also the reason Green’s debut single “There Was This Girl” from his In A Truck Right Now EP is already a hit. He worked with producer extraordinaire Dann Huff to create songs of small-town nostalgia, mixing in a touch of feel-good ‘90s country flavor.

Growing up, Green learned to hunt and enjoyed hanging with his grandfather at the local music hall. It’s an ideal backdrop for country stardom. Now he’s headlining venues on his debut Outlaws Like Us Tour. With his inevitable career growth, look to see if his interests also evolve.

Cody Johnson

CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville/Durango Artist Management/Red 11/Cori’s Daddy’s Publishing c/o Me Gusta Music/BMI

Cody Johnson’s self-built brand is hard won—and much deserved—after years of heavy touring and sharpening his sound and stage presence. Now he’s ready to take CoJoNation to the next level through a new partnership with Warner Music Nashville.

Johnson has released six independent albums and in 2018 became the first independent artist to sell out the Houston Rodeo at NRG stadium with over 75,000 tickets.

Johnson has a knack for picking excellent material to record, and his upcoming album Ain’t Nothin’ To It, produced by Trent Willmon, is Texas-bred country music at its newest and finest. What separates Johnson from some of his rebel-rousing peers is a sense of maturity in the subject matter of his songs, from marriage to Christianity. Take for example the power ballad drama of lead single “On My Way To You,” and Johnson’s self-penned insight about leaving his former bull-riding career on the reflective “Dear Rodeo.”

Mitchell Tenpenny

Riser House/Sony Music Nashville (Columbia Nashville)/Riser House Management/WME/Sony/ATV publishing/BMI

Look for Mitchell Tenpenny to dominate playlists in 2019, as the trend has already begun with debut hit single “Drunk Me” earning Gold certification. There are multiple layers of appeal for this singer-songwriter. His smoky voice is wrapped in R&B soul and can sink low or soar high. The sound created with producer Jordan Schmidt is unique enough to catch ears but not so left-of-center that it alienates listeners.

And while Tenpenny doesn’t sugar-coat his feelings (see the song titled “Bitches”), his brazen honesty is likely part of the attraction for fans. Polarizing the brash exterior is honesty and heart, such as the song about his late father “Walk Like Him” and the fun of “Truck I Drove In High School.” Meanwhile, the title track of his debut major-label album, Telling All My Secrets, seems destined for No. 1— something his late grandmother, former Sony/ATV leader Donna Hilley, could be proud of.

Rachel Wammack

Sony Music Nashville (RCA Nashville)/Maverick (Clarence Spalding)/WME/UMPG/ASCAP

Rachel Wammack will quietly grow on you. Easing her way into your world with soulful songs filled with meaning, like her piano ballad debut single “Damage,” a weighty song about how “love can do some damage.”

Growing up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, she absorbed classic influences from FAME Studios (Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett). Sony Music Nashville’s Jim Catino discovered Wammack when she was 17, during a performance in her hometown.

Now Wammack is 24, and has sensitivity beyond her years. Accordingly, she doesn’t take the responsibility of making music lightly. She tapped award-winning producer Dann Huff to guide her in the studio and the result is a lovely self-titled EP, which shows an artist ripe with potential.

Morgan Wallen

Big Loud Records/Maverick (Big Loud)/WME/Big Loud/BMI

Morgan Wallen is country music’s coolest new redneck, but the authentic twang of this east Tennessee preacher’s son is only part of the package. Wallen is a talented artist and songwriter on the rise.

His first major single, “Up Down,” was a load of summertime fun that went straight to No. 1 and was certified Platinum. Now the follow-up “Whiskey Glasses” is on a fast climb. His album If I Know Me is a buzz-worthy collection full of catchy, quality songs focusing on everyman themes, including his honest, “The Way I Talk.”

In addition to writing many of his own songs, Wallen has penned songs for Dustin Lynch, Kane Brown, and Jason Aldean’s No. 1 hit, “You Make It Easy.”