Kenny Rogers is going all in for one more hand with an all-star, once-in-a-lifetime concert taping to celebrate his legendary 60-year career, “All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration.” The Bridgestone Arena tribute concert in Nashville on Oct. 25 will include performances by Rogers,Dolly Parton, Little Big Town, Alison Krauss, The Flaming Lips, Idina Menzel, Jamey Johnson, Elle King and many other special guests that will be announced in the coming weeks.
This once-in-a-lifetime event will also feature the final performance together by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, singing one of pop music’s most beloved duets of all time.
“As I’m bringing this chapter of my career to a close, this will be an unforgettable way to celebrate with my talented friends, who I’m so grateful to have crossed paths with,” says Kenny Rogers. “It means so much that they would feel compelled to do this for me. Of course, the night would not be the same without Dolly Parton being part of it. We’ve enjoyed a special friendship for decades, and I’ll forever look back fondly on the many collaborations, performances, and laughs we’ve shared as some of the most extraordinary moments of my career. I know it will be a moving experience for us standing on that stage together for one last time.”
Tickets for the Blackbird Presents show go on sale July 21 at 10 a.m. CT online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster locations and the Bridgestone Arena box office. A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation and the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center.
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10161143/Kenny-featured.png259389Lorie Hollabaughhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngLorie Hollabaugh2017-07-18 10:51:332017-07-18 10:51:33The Gambler Sits In For One More Deal: Kenny Rogers Announces Farewell Concert Celebration In Nashville
SiriusXM radio personality Storme Warren and artist Joe Denim are set to host Nashville House Concerts, a 10-month concert series to be held at the historic War Memorial Auditorium. The series begins Thursday, Sept. 7, and continues the first Thursday of every month through June 2018.
The Sept. 7 line-up includes Martina McBride; songwriter Josh Osborne; singer, songwriter, and record producer Shane McAnally; Ryan Kinder, and Denim.
Tickets for all 10 shows in the Nashville House Concerts series are $25 each and go on sale today at 10 a.m. at WMArocks.com, by phone at 615-782-4030, and at the TPAC Box Office, 505 Deaderick St., in downtown Nashville. For groups of 10 or more, call 615-782-4060.
“We are really excited to work with Storme and Joe in presenting a show that celebrates the Nashville music community in such an intimate format,” said Brent Hyams, Chief Operating Officer for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and War Memorial Auditorium. “This is going to be fun.”
The live musical variety show is a uniquely Nashville experience to showcase a diverse blend of talent from chart-topping artists, music legends, rising stars and accomplished songwriters. Every show promises musical performances, imaginative interviews, surprise guests and unpredictably funny experiences.
“This is about Nashville, its music and the moment. And no two moments will ever be the same. Rising stars, established legends, songwriters and entertainers of all types will share this iconic space together with the audience,” Warren said. “And the audience will always play a key role in each show. Joe and I will more than likely embarrass ourselves on a regular basis. We’re kind of like the weird uncles you only have over for holiday dinners – fun to be around for a while but you’re not real sorry when we leave.”
“Imagine the coolest living room you’ve never been to,” continues Denim. “There is a bar, comfy couches, an all-star band and a denim-wrapped baby grand piano. Musical guests and comedians from across all genres drop in to tell stories, sing songs and make jokes. All the while, Storme and I make the audience feel like companions at home, in between two plants, on a Thursday night live!”
Sponsored by Coca-Cola, the series’ concerts will take place on the first Thursday of each month, from Sept. 2017 to June 2018. Each runs from 7-9 p.m.
Dates for the 10-show, monthly series include:
Sept. 7, 2017
Oct. 5, 2017
Nov. 2, 2017
Dec. 7, 2017
Jan. 4, 2018
Feb. 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
April 5, 2018
May 3, 2018
June 7, 2018
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10161144/War-Memorial-Concert-Series-featured.jpg258391Jessica Nicholsonhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngJessica Nicholson2017-07-18 09:29:542017-07-18 09:29:54War Memorial Auditorium To Launch ‘House Concerts’ Series
Nick Di Fruscia has been named Vice President, Awards & Membership at the Academy of Country Music. In the newly created role, Di Fruscia will oversee all Awards voting and processes and lead membership initiatives, while also contributing to the Academy’s artist and industry relations efforts both in Nashville and on the West Coast. The position is based out of the Academy’s headquarters in Encino and reports to Pete Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of the Academy of Country Music.
Di Fruscia joins the Academy’s membership team from The Recording Academy, where he was Director/Awards and served for nearly a decade overseeing the pop and country categories for The Grammy Awards.
An L.A. native, Di Fruscia attended San Diego State University, where he studied Business Administration. He moved to Los Angeles in 2000 where he began his career at Chalkboard Music, Inc. as Creative Director and Manager. In his position Di Fruscia worked on a variety of projects with artists including Cher, Donna Summer, Elton John, Diane Warren, and many more. Previous career stops also include his own consultancy, 33 Music Consulting, where he advised and managed artists, producers and television/film composers, and Director of Music Licensing at MySpace.
“As the Academy charts its future course, we enthusiastically welcome Nick to lead this vital area of our organization,” said Pete Fisher, CEO of the Academy. “Through his tenure at The Recording Academy, I, along with many members of our country music industry, have had the opportunity to see Nick’s talents, observing first-hand the passion, integrity and attention to detail he brings to every facet of his work.”
“I am so excited to be a part of an organization that I have so much respect for. Country music has been such a big part of my career and one of my true passions. I look forward to working with Pete and the ACM Board and staff to continue the proud legacy of the ACM Award and what it means to the country music community,” said Di Fruscia.
Steel Guitar Hall of Fame member Kayton Roberts has died at age 83.
He is perhaps best known as a key member of Hank Snow’s band, The Rainbow Ranch Boys, for more than 30 years, but Roberts also backed many others.
Among the many stars he worked with during his long career were John Fogerty, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Riders in the Sky, Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, Marty Stuart and Aaron Tippin. With Snow and others, he was often seen on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Roberts died on July 13 in White House, Tennessee.
Kayton Roberts is survived by his children Louis Roberts, Jan Roberts-Williams and Martin Roberts, as well as by five grandchildren.
Visitation will be on July 23 from 4-5 p.m. at The Church at Grace Park, 506 Hester Drive, in White House, TN. A celebration of the life of Kayton Roberts will follow.
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10150710/523744_289531401141882_503720700_n.jpg400400Robert K Oermannhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngRobert K Oermann2017-07-17 09:45:122019-03-22 15:13:43LifeNotes: Steel Guitar Great Kayton Roberts Passes
It’s time for a smooch from country’s “kissin’ cousin,” bluegrass music.
This is a genre that’s hard to find on radio, but which thrives at 500+ bluegrass festivals a year. And, as we see today, on records, too.
I have no newcomers in this stack of platters, so there’s no DisCovery Award this week.
However, I do have two winners of the Disc of the Day prize. Much awarded bluegrass superstars Dailey & Vincent claim one of them.
The other goes to the enduringly great Claire Lynch. She’s no slouch in the awards department, either, having been the IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1997, 2010 and 2013. Her Grammy nominations have been for her Moonlighter CD of 1995, as well as for her current North By South, which competed for Best Bluegrass Album last February.
BALSAM RANGE/Blue Collar Dreams Writers: Adam Bibelhauser; Producer: Balsam Range; Publisher: none listed, BMI
– Perched at No. 1 on this month’s Bluegrass Unlimited chart is this uptempo working-class lament of being trapped in a daily grind, deep in debt and struggling to survive. The lickety-split picking is super hot and the flawless vocal harmony this group is noted for is firmly in place. You’ll find it on the group’s fifth CD, Mountain Voodoo.
BLUE HIGHWAY/Don’t Weep for Me Writers: Shawn Lane/Buddy Brock/Gerald Ellenberg; Producer: Blue Highway; Publisher: Cat Town/Wadako/Buddy Brock/Pop Batson, BMI
– Snapping at Balsam Range’s heels on the chart is the red-hot bluegrass supergroup Blue Highway at No. 2. Its hit track is a minor-key murder saga. He finds her in another’s arms, sees red and is now facing a death sentence. The twist is that the man he found in her arms turned out to be her long-lost brother, so his jealous rage was utterly unfounded. Dig those mournful, regret-filled vocals. These veterans have never sounded better than they do on Original Traditional, their 11th studio album.
EDDY RAVEN & CAROLINA ROAD/All Grassed Up Writers: Eddy Raven/David Stewart; Producer: Josh Goforth, Lorraine Jordan & Eddy Raven; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Dingo Daze/In the Wings, BMI
– The title tune of country veteran Raven’s collaboration with bluegrass stars Carolina Road ripples along as a smoothly rolling “road” tune. Along the way, he disses mainstream Music Row for forgetting country’s traditions.
DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE/Someday Soon Writers: Ian Tyson; Producer: Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Publisher: Warner Bros., ASCAP
– This evergreen Ian & Sylvia folk classic has been revived by everyone from Judy Collins and The Kingston Trio to Suzy Bogguss, Lynn Anderson, Glen Campbell, Crystal Gayle and Moe Bandy. Brooke’s heart-in-throat version simply sparkles. It rises to No. 7 on this month’s Bluegrass Unlimited chart and can be found on the Aldridges’ Faster & Farther collection.
THE GIBSON BROTHERS/Highway Writers: Eric Gibson; Producer: Eric Gibson, Leigh Gibson & Mike Barber; Publisher: Brown Bird, BMI
– The fastest rising song in the top-10 on this month’s chart is “Highway,” which leaps eight spots to No. 8. I admit that I’m a sucker for brother harmonies, and few acts today are as good at that as these guys. Especially on a jaunty traveling song that is so downright jolly sounding. The album is called In the Ground. It’s a keeper.
LARRY STEPHENSON BAND/Yesterday’s Gone Writers: Chad Stuart/Wendy Kidd; Producer: Ben Surratt & Larry Stephenson; Publisher: EMI Unart, BMI
– Rounding out the top 10 in the 10th spot is this remake of the Chad & Jeremy “British Invasion” pop hit of 1964. It works surprisingly well as a bluegrass tune, easily as well as Manfred Mann’s “Fox on the Run” did. The hillbilly quartet harmonies here are spectacular. A must listen.
NU-BLU, JIMMY FORTUNE & BEN ISAACS/Still Small Voice Writers: Tony Lopacinski/Devin Belle/Jimmy Fortune; Producer: Nu-Blu; Publisher: Big Mouth/Little Igloo/Jimmy Fortune, BMI
– This North Carolina group is anchored by the warm soprano lead singing of Carolyn Routh. On this upbeat lyric about finding inner strength, she is joined by former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune and the Isaacs’ exemplary harmony man Ben. The result is a track that is as good as progressive bluegrass can be. In its third month on the chart, this track from the Vagabonds CD lands at No. 19. The collection also includes imaginative rearrangements of Waylon & Willie’s “Good Hearted Woman,” Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” the late Norro Wilson’s Charly McClain oldie “Surround Me with Love” and the Sawyer Brown tune “Gypsies on Parade.”
CLAIRE LYNCH/Black Flowers Writers: Lynn Miles; Producer: Alison Brown; Publisher: Cold Girl, SOCAN
– The sublime bluegrass diva Claire Lynch went northward on a song quest, fell in love with a community of songwriters and now has an entire CD containing almost all Canadian tunes. Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn and Ron Sexsmith are here, but so are a lot of other gifted tunesmiths you might not know. Her current single/video is a haunting, hushed, bluesy lament of death and mourning penned by Ottawa’s Lynn Miles. Instrumental support on her North By South album comes via such stellar names as Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Kenny Malone, Alison Brown, David Grier and Stuart Duncan. You’d be a fool to overlook this perfect audio jewel.
DAILEY & VINCENT/Gimme All the Love You Got Writers: Jaimie S. Dailey/Karen Staley/Darrin Vincent; Producer: Dailey & Vincent; Publisher: Bluegrass Ambassador/Hobo Lizard/Julieann, BMI
– Stand back or face the force of nature that is this astounding ensemble. Their new Patriots & Poets CD kicks off with this fiery jolt of energy. It blasted onto this month’s Bluegrass Unlimited hit parade at No. 20 as the genre’s highest charting new tune, doubtless en route to No. 1. If you’ve never seen these great showmen, head to The Ryman Auditorium tonight (July 13). I promise you will be royally entertained. Take it from me, there’s a reason they’ve earned three Grammy nominations, won four Dove Awards, claimed an astounding 35 IBMA honors (including three as Entertainers of the Year) and landed their own TV show on RFD.
CHRIS JONES & THE NIGHT DRIVERS/I’m a Wanderer Writers: Thom Jutz/Charley Stefl/Jon Weissberger; Producer: Chris Jones & Tim Surrett; Publisher: Thom Songs/Maddy Dog/Use Your Words, SESAC/BMI
– Mellow. It’s an easy-going ode about marching to the beat of your own drummer. The melody is a lilting, gentle thing, perfect for a lazy summer afternoon. It’s at No. 23 this month and comes from the band’s Made to Move CD.
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/10170059/DV-Press-Photo1.jpg380570Robert K Oermannhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngRobert K Oermann2017-07-13 10:40:342017-07-13 10:40:34DisClaimer: Dailey & Vincent, Claire Lynch Shine On New Grass Tracks
Pictured (L-R): “Hurricane” co-writers Thomas Archer, Luke Combs and Taylor Phillips. Photo: Steve Lowry
On Tuesday (July 11) River House Artists/Columbia Nashville breakout singer/songwriter Luke Combs joined his BMI co-writers Thomas Archer and Taylor Phillips at downtown Nashville’s ACME Feed and Seed to celebrate their two-week No. 1 and Platinum-certified hit single, “Hurricane.” The momentous occasion marked the very first No. 1 at country radio for all three writers.
BMI’s Bradley Collins welcomed an overflowing crowd of friends, family and industry members to commemorate the success of “Hurricane” as the first debut artist single to top the country radio charts for multiple weeks since Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” and the first debut solo male to accomplish the task since Darius Rucker in 2008. To date, “Hurricane” boasts more than 134 million streams and is the lead single from Combs’ debut album This One’s For You.
“I came out here in September of 2014 and had made some connections and started writing with some people and a lot of those people are in this room today. Obviously it’s super special to have your first No. 1 song and to be able to share it with all these people in this room,” Combs shared.
BMG’s Chris Oglesby honored Archer, while InTune Entertainment’s Jeff Catton and Warner/Chappell’s Will Overton took the stage to honor Phillips.
“Nashville’s one of those towns where you write a bunch of songs and you get told ‘no’ day in and day out. So it just makes that one ‘yes’ a whole lot sweeter,” Archer said. “It’s not an individual sport, it’s a team sport. Both of these guys have put teams around them, as all of us have, and I think that was the catalyst for the whole song…surrounding ourselves with good people.”
“I met this guy named Jeff Catton and Jeff took a chance on me. I didn’t know what I was doing, I just told you I’d do something,” Phillips said. “Warner/Chappell thank y’all for letting me be a part of y’all’s family and BMI and anybody else I forgot. From the bottom of my heart thank y’all for everything and God bless every one of you.”
Pictured (Back row L-R): Shane Allen, VP Promotion, Columbia Nashville; Steve Hodges, EVP Promotion, Sony Music Nashville; Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Ken Robold, COO, Sony Music Nashville; Jim Catino, SVP A&R, Sony Music Nashville; (Front row, L-R): Thomas Archer, Luke Combs and Taylor Phillips. Photo: Steve Lowry
Joint publishers Jonathan Singleton, 50 Egg Music, and Mike Molinar, Big Machine Music, congratulated Combs and his co-writers and honored each of them with their first No.1 plaques. Molinar also presented plaques to Lynn Oliver-Cline, who signed Combs to a deal with her newly-established River House Artists last year, and Combs’ manager Chris Kappy of Make Wake Management.
David Smith honored the songwriters on behalf of Pinnacle Bank with a donation to Camp Sunshine. Country Radio Broadcasters’ Holly Lane was on hand to celebrate the chart-topping hit with another plaque for each writer. Other presenters included Country Aircheck’s Chuck Aly, MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, and Carolyn Tate andLisa Davis Purcell from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Pictured (back row L-R): Chris Kappy, Make Wake Management; Bradley Collins, BMI; Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Music; Jonathan Singleton, 50 Egg Music Publishing; Chris Oglesby, BMG Music Publishing; Mike Molinar, Big Machine Music; Jeff Catton, InTune Entertainment; Will Overton, Warner Chappell; Lynn Oliver-Cline, River House Artists; Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville. (Front row, L-R): Thomas Archer, Luke Combs and Taylor Phillips. Photo: Steve Lowry
Oliver-Cline took the stage again to congratulate Combs and thank the industry before Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman introduced Columbia Nashville Senior Vice President of Promotions Shane Allen. Allen remarked, “Every No. 1 is special, but there are certain No. 1’s that you just know it’s the start of something so much bigger.”
Combs closed the event by thanking his co-writers, team, and family. “I just really thank you guys for being here today and not only believing in me but believing in yourselves and believing in this song. Thank you guys so much, let’s have some drinks!”
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10161214/Hurricane-CoWriters.jpg380570Haley Crowhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngHaley Crow2017-07-12 16:26:532017-07-12 16:26:53Luke Combs, Thomas Archer, Taylor Phillips Celebrate First No. 1 Song “Hurricane”
Sony Music Nashville VP of Media Fount Lynch has announced the promotion of Mary Catherine Kinney to Associate Director, Media, Sony Music Nashville.
“It’s a great pleasure for me to announce Mary Catherine Kinney’s much deserved promotion to Associate Director of Media,” Lynch says. “Her excitement, vision and tireless effort have proven invaluable to our Sony Music Nashville artist roster and media/marketing team.” He continues, “Mary Catherine’s expertise in the media campaigns and roll out of artists such as Maren Morris and Luke Combs among others are just a few examples of her many important contributions to our label group.”
“It’s an honor to be a part of Sony Nashville’s dynamic team where innovation, growth and creativity are foundations,” Kinney says. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to propel our incredible artists’ music and stories forward in this new role.”
First joining the Sony Music Nashville media department as Manager in November of 2015, Mary Catherine Kinney began her public relations career at Georgia-based firm See.Spark.Go representing brands Nike, General Mills and Catalyst. Upon moving to Nashville, Kinney joined Capitol Records in 2011, later merging with Universal Music Group, where she held roles in the marketing department and media department through fall of 2015.
(L-R): Back Row – Tree Vibez Music’s Emily Peacock, Adam Romaine, Leslie DiPiero and Tyler Hubbard, BMM’s Mike Molinar, Michelle Attardi, Jillian Whitefield and Alex Heddle; Front Row – Daniel Ross. Photo: Seth Hellman for Big Machine Music
Big Machine Music and Tree Vibez Music have signed songwriter/producer Daniel Ross to a publishing deal in a joint publishing venture.
Ross moved to Nashville after graduating from Western Carolina University in 2015 and quickly immersed himself into the songwriting scene. The Hope Mills, North Carolina native spent his formative years playing in and producing local bands around the Southeast.
“Daniel’s music is current, commercial and shows an immense respect for the craft of songwriting,” says Mike Molinar, BMM General Manager. “I am incredibly honored to have him join our team of uniquely talented songwriters and equally excited to collaborate with our friends at Tree Vibez Music on this partnership.”
“BK and I knew from our first writing session that Tree Vibez Music would sign Daniel one day,” said FGL’s Tyler Hubbard. “There was energy and flow to his songwriting that we knew was fresh. And, to team up with Big Machine from the publishing side is different and really exciting for us!
“We are thrilled to welcome Daniel into the family – and to further extend our family to this new partnership with the Big Machine Music team,” said TVM General Manager Leslie DiPiero. This is going to be an incredible journey!”
“This is a dream crew to work with and I’m blown away that this is a reality for me,” says Ross about the new partnership. “I’ve never been more excited about creating music.”
Pictured (L-R): Back Row – Tree Vibez Music’s Leslie DiPiero and Tyler Hubbard, BMM’s Mike Molinar and Michelle Attardi; Front Row – Daniel Ross. Photo: Seth Hellman for Big Machine Music
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10161234/Daniel-Ross-Featured.jpg260390Lorie Hollabaughhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngLorie Hollabaugh2017-07-10 09:54:202017-07-10 09:54:20Tree Vibez Music, Big Machine Music Sign Joint Venture With Daniel Ross
Kenny Rogers is going all in for one more hand with an all-star, once-in-a-lifetime concert taping to celebrate his legendary 60-year career, “All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration.” The Bridgestone Arena tribute concert in Nashville on Oct. 25 will include performances by Rogers, Dolly Parton, Little Big Town, Alison Krauss, The Flaming Lips, Idina Menzel, Jamey Johnson, Elle King and many other special guests that will be announced in the coming weeks.
SiriusXM radio personality Storme Warren and artist Joe Denim are set to host Nashville House Concerts, a 10-month concert series to be held at the historic War Memorial Auditorium. The series begins Thursday, Sept. 7, and continues the first Thursday of every month through June 2018.
