NEWS - Page 2021 of 3897 - MusicRow.com (2024)

After releasing his 2014 project Man Against Machine via RCA Nashville/Pearl Records, Garth Brooks has exited RCA Nashville, reports The Tennessean.

Brooks has two projects in the works, including a Christmas duets project with wife Trisha Yearwood as well as a solo project, with plans to release them via Pearl Records.

Brooks has also hired former BMLG Director/Promotion Strategy Mandy McCormack to oversee selecting a staff of radio promoters to work his upcoming music.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced Townes Van Zandt, Bob Morrison, Aaron Barker, and Beth Nielsen Chapman will be inducted as its newest members.

The four new members will join the current 199 existing members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame when they are inducted during the 46th annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala, slated for Oct. 9 at Nashville’s Music City Center.

“The strength and power of the Nashville Songwriting Community is legendary all over the world,” says Alger. “The legacy of the creative forebears of the songwriters currently making the noise in our town is annually recognized by the induction of a few of those great writers into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. This year we are extremely proud to welcome the class of 2016: Aaron Barker and Beth Nielsen Chapman in the songwriter category; Bob Morrison in the veteran songwriter category and the late Townes Van Zandt as our songwriter/artist.”

Texas native Van Zandt took up his folk music career in 1965. By 1968, his music had been heard by Mickey Newbury, who brought him to Nashville. A lengthy list of critically acclaimed songs followed, including “No Place To Fall,” “To Live Is To Fly,” and others. He died on Jan. 1, 1997 at age 52. In 2012, he was inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Mississippi native Morrison began writing songs while studying nuclear engineering at Mississippi State University. In 1973, Morrison moved to Nashville and signed with Combine Music. In 1980, he garnered a Best Country Song Grammy honor for “You Decorated My Life,” recorded by Kenny Rogers. That same year, the film Urban Cowboy featured two Morrison songs, including “Lookin’ For Love,” recorded by Johnny Lee and “Love The World Away,” recorded by Kenny Rogers. Morrison earned other cuts including “You’re The One” (The Oak Ridge Boys), “Don’t Call Him A Cowboy” (Conway Twitty), and Tonight The Heartache’s On Me” (The Dixie Chicks). Morrison was named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1978, and 1980-1982. He was also named NSAI’s Songwriter of the Year in 1980.

Barker honed his musical abilities during his nearly two decades performing in a band that played military bases and public events. His first attempt at songwriting, titled “Baby Blue,” became a No. 1 hit for George Strait. “Baby Blue” was the genesis of a string of hits for Strait, including “Love Without End, Amen,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” and more. Barker also penned and recorded many radio and television commercials for the Blue Bell Ice Cream Company, including “Have Yourself A Blue Bell Country Day,” and “The Good Ol’ Days.” He was inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007.

Beth Nielsen Chapman spent the majority of her childhood growing up on military bases from New England to Germany. She signed her first song contract in 1979, followed by the recording of her debut solo LP in 1980. She moved to Nashville in 1985 and found work as a session singer. She would go on to pen songs including “Down On My Knees,” recorded by Trisha Yearwood, “Five Minutes,” (Lorrie Morgan), “Here We Are” (Alabama), “This Kiss,” (Faith Hill) and more. “This Kiss” earned the 1999 Song of the Year honor from both ASCAP and the CMA.

Tech company Ticketfly, a subsidiary of Pandora, hassigned 12 new venues, three festivals, and one promoter to its roster, including three Nashville venues.Mercy Lounge, Cannery Ballroom and the High Watt have been added, as well as Memphis venue High Tone Cafe.

Pandora-Ticketfly already works with Nashville venues Marathon Music Works and Exit/In, while Pandora has produced recent Nashville concerts including Pandora Presents Florida Georgia Line and Pandora Presents Country.

Concert tickets may be obtained viaticketfly.com or on itsiOS app.

“We are thrilled and honored to welcome so many great new venues and promoters down in the South to the Pandora-Ticketfly platform,” said Ticketfly CEO and co-founder Andrew Dreskin. “This announcement is another proof point that a sea change is happening relative to how promoters will market shows in the future.”

In 2015, it was announced that Pandora would acquire Ticketfly for $450 million.

Mel Tillis was surprised with a video reel from friends wishing him a happy birthday on Monday (Aug. 8), when he turned 84.

Tillis, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, is currently in an assisted living facility. He has been under medical care since undergoing a colon surgery in January.

“Thank you all for making this day so special for Daddy,” said his daughter, Pam Tillis. “This year has been tough for him but we continue to see improvements as the days go by. Right now, he’s in assisted living since he needs special wound care and rehabilitation. We hope to have him home soon. Our family thanks you all for the outpouring of love. We’ve been truly touched. Continued prayers for Daddy are appreciated.”

The footage includes birthday wishes from Dolly Parton, Larry Gatlin, Ray Stevens, Charlie Daniels, Bobby Bare, Aaron Tippin, Darryl Worley, TG Sheppard, Lorrie Morgan, Billy Dean, Tracy Lawrence, Steve Wariner, Sammy Kershaw, Doug Gray of The Marshall Tucker Band, John Berry, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, Daryle Singletary, Restless Heart, T. Graham Brown, Mark Wills, Leroy Van Dyke, Sarah Trahern, Kyle Young, Crook & Chase and the Statesiders, Mel’s band.

He also received special birthday messages from Grand Ole Opry General Manager Pete Fisher, the Academy of Country Music, Rhonda Vincent, Neal McCoy, Buddy Cannon, Maggie Rose, Chuck Wicks and more.

Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bentley are prepping to help NBC launch the new NFL season.

Underwood revealed a preview of the new opening theme song she recorded for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. The track, titled “Oh, Sunday Night,” is set to the music of her2014 hit duet with Miranda Lambert, “Somethin’ Bad,” which was penned by Chris DeStefano, Brett James, and Priscilla Renea. Underwood and the trio of co-writer reworked the lyrics for Sunday Night Football. “Oh, Sunday Night” was produced by Mark Bright and DeStefano.

A sneak preview of the new song debuted this past Friday (Aug. 5) during the opening of the 2016 Rio Olympics on NBC and will continue to air throughout the Olympics (Aug. 5-21). The full theme song, “Oh, Sunday Night,” will debut on the first SNF telecast – Patriots at Cardinals on Sept. 11.

Meanwhile, Bentley will celebrate the start of the NFL season with a live performance during the first 2016 NFL Kick Off Presented by Hyundai, which will air on NBC and on NFL Network on Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Bentley will be featured throughout the 60-minute pre game show along with One Republic from Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, as he helps launch the season opener between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, in a rematch of Super Bowl 50.

Open Casting For ‘Troubadour’ Play Set For Aug. 15 At TPAC

An open talent casting call for a new play, Troubadour, will take place Aug. 15 at TPAC in Nashville. Written by Janece Shaffer, the play will have its world premiere on Jan. 18 and run through Feb. 12 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.

A romantic comedy set in 1950s Nashville, Troubadour follows the son of a country music legend who joins forces with a singer-songwriter and a rodeo tailor to carry on his father’s legacy. Kristian Bush has penned a set of original, period-accurate tunes for the production and will be onsite for the auditions to weigh in on the casting.

BBR Music Group Adds Promotion Coordinator

Lexi Willson has been added asthe new Promotion Coordinator for RED BOW andWheelhouse Records, effective immediately.

While studying Communications and Public Relations at Sacramento State University, Willson worked as a promotions assistant at KNTY/Sacramento for three years and was a social media intern at Make-A-Wish Foundation for Northeastern California and Northern Nevada. Following her graduation in December 2015, she made the cross-country trip to Nashville to further her career in the music industry.

“Wheelhouseis proud to add another Sacramento radio alumni to our team!!!” says Teddi Bonadies, VP/Promotion of Wheelhouse Records.

“Lexi’s excitement about the industry and passion for promotion, make me very excited about adding her to Team RED BOW! She will make our family complete!” adds Shelley Hargis Gaines, VP/Promotion of RED BOW Records.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the BBR Music Group family!” says Willson. “I learned a lot about radio promotions at KNTY, and I’m excited for the challenge to learn all things promotion on the label side. I could not be more excited to embark on this new adventure!”

Willson will report directly to Gaines and toBonadies.Willson can be reached at615-610-2127 and at lexi@bbrmusicgroup.com.

Rascal Flatts Tour Hosts Songs For Sound Project

Nashville-based organization Songs for Sound was on-site at a Rascal Flatts concert on Sunday (Aug. 7) in Chicago to provide free hearing screenings for fans as well as crew members.

The organization’s founder is Jaime Vernon, who is married to the younger brother of Rascal Flatts singer Gary LeVox. The Vernons’ 8-year-old daughter, Lexi, received bilateral cochlear implants at 18 months old.

“As a musician I live and breathe music and can’t imagine a world without being able to hear,” says LeVox. “This is a cause that really hits home for me. I know Lexi lives life to the fullest, including a gift we all need – music. I’m so glad to have the Hear the Music Project come and teach our fans about the importance of healthy ears, and I’m so proud that it’s from my family.”

Kacey Musgraves, Joe Walsh Added To All For The Hall Los Angeles

Kacey Musgraves and Joe Walsh have been added to the lineup for the Country Music Hall of Fameand Museum’s All for the Hall Los Angeles benefit concert. On Tuesday, Sept. 27, at The Novo by Microsoft, Musgraves and Walsh will joinChris Stapleton, James Taylor andVince Gill in an intimate, guitar-pull format performance.

Concert tickets for balcony seating for the performance will go on sale on Friday(Aug.12) at 10 a.m. PDT. Tickets are priced at $125, $95, $65, and $49.50 and can be purchased at axs.com. A limited number of VIP tables are on sale now and available for purchase at $5,000 and $10,000 levels. More details on balcony tickets and VIP tickets and benefits can be found a www.countrymusichalloffame.org/afthla.

To purchase VIP tickets or for more information, contact Rachel Shapiro at 615-416-2069 or rshapiro@countrymusichalloffame.org.

Florida Georgia Line Launches Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey

Florida Georgia Line has officially launched its brand ofOld Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey. The smooth whiskey was created by FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard,and is blended using American whiskey aged for a minimum of two years, with a No. 3 char and infused with peach and pecan flavors.

Now available at select retailers nationwide, Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey is 70 proof (35% alcohol by volume) with a suggested retail price of $19.99 for a 750ml bottle.

“We love to have a good time and we love whiskey, always have,” saidKelley. “It’s a ritual we’ve had since our first shows, toasting and celebrating with our camp before taking the stage.”

Hubbard added, “This ritual is a huge part of FGL and we wanted to develop a drink that feels true to who we are, our roots and the vibes we like to create. We can’t wait for y’all to try it!”

Wynonna ToPerform ForWomen That Soar Awards

Wynonna Judd will perform during the 2016 Women That Soar Awards, to be held on Sunday, Nov.13 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas.

“Wynonna exemplifies strength. She is a woman who has overcome personal and professional obstacles. Her story and journey lines up with what Women That Soar is all about,” says Gina Grant, founder, CEO and creator of the awards. “In addition to being an incredibly talented singer and songwriter, Judd is a bestselling author and acclaimed actor. Her work on behalf of organizations like the USO, Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross and YouthAIDS has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. We are proud to have her grace our stage as both a performer and as the recipient of the Women That Soar Legend Award.”

TheBusiness Award will be presented to Nina Vaca, CEO of Pinnacle Technology.The show will be televised on Dec.11, 2016 in Dallas; Miami, Florida; Atlanta; and Los Angeles.

Meghan Trainor’s Untouchable Tour blew into Nashville’s outdoor Ascend Amphitheater on Saturday (Aug. 6) on the heels of a late afternoon storm which delayed her powerful 90-minute set by about an hour.

“I miss Nashville so much,” Trainor gushed to the crowd. “It’s my second home. I miss the people, my friends, the food and the woman that signed me, who is here tonight, Miss Carla Wallace. I’m just a little songwriter who started in her bedroom and got all the way to Best New Artist at the Grammys. Thanks so much for allowing me to do what I love so much.”

Trainor’s show featured four dancers who hugged her like shadows, a seven-piece band perched on a large rear riser and three large video screens. The musicians rolled through her music like an 18-wheeler in the left lane, aided and abetted by two horn players that added some snarky musical articulations.

The retro/pop show was chock full of flavorful ingredients—savored by both her super fans, the Megatrons—and those in the audience just discovering her talents. The artist’s energy was infectious and the self-empowering, pro-family message in songs like “Me Too,” “Mom” and many others explain why a large number of young girls were in the crowd, many accompanied by parents who obviously approve of Trainor as a role model.

The Nantucket, Massachusetts, native told Billboard in a July 23 interview, “I always say I sh*t hits because they come out so quick I can’t even keep up with myself.” Not many new artists could make that boast and avoid being challenged, but when one studies the tunes already stacked up from the artist’s first two albums, plus a few likely chart climbers still remaining on the current album, then you just laugh and say, “Yeah, she writes her ass off!”

Songs like “All About That Bass,” “Lips Are Movin,” “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” “Me Too,” and of course the current monster smash “No” easily prove the point, plus she has written successfully for other artists too. (One example: Rascal Flatts’ “I Like the Sound of That,” written with Jesse Frasure and Shay Mooney.)

Trainor’s verve and effort sparkled and turned her into a pied piper as she tagged along with her dancers and enticed the audience down varied musical pathways. Special high points included a cameo from her father, Gary Trainor, who danced and sang during his daughter’s ode to dad, “Dance Like Yo Daddy;” a surprise duet with guest, producer and co-writer Chris Gelbuda (guitar/ukulele) on “Just a Friend to You”; the quiet dynamic of “Hopeless Romantic”; and of course the moments near the show’s end when Trainor brought a few of her younger fans into the spotlight during “Thank You.” Actually, the major hits almost all felt like special moments, because everyone in the audience knew all the words and sang loudly.

NASHVILLE WAS SO AMAZING!!! Just got off stage and saw this pic and my heart exploded with joy haha! Thank you @garytrainor for dancin with me and thank you @marissamullen for taking this sick pic❤️?? #untouchabletour

A photo posted by Meghan Trainor (@meghan_trainor) on Aug 6, 2016 at 9:15pm PDT

Staging a first headline tour is a massive undertaking and The Untouchable Tour proves conclusively that Trainor is up to the challenge. The vocal problems which prompted a cancellation of her tour last summer were nowhere to be heard. Her voice was strong and dynamic throughout the set.

And then the final anticipated moment arrived. The outdoor venue was on its feet, wildly waving lit cell phones and glow sticks, cheering after a series of energy upticks. The stage went dark and the crowd redoubled its applause demanding one more musical crown jewel. Suddenly, the intro they were expecting began and Trainor stepped out in a bright red dress (her fifth costume change of the evening) and launched into a blistering rendition of “No.” The song was “No,” but for the crowd, it was easy to see it was “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, saw 150,000 cumulative attendeesfor Townsquare Media’s34th Annual WE Fest, held atSoo Pass RanchAug.4-6.

The lineup included Eric Church, Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, Steven Tyler with The Loving Mary Band, Lee Brice, Billy Currington, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, Montgomery Gentry, Granger Smith feat. Earl Dibbles Jr., LOCASH, Amanda Watkins, Halfway to Hazard, William Michael Morgan and High Valley.

“We are so grateful for the continued support of our ticket buyers that, year in and year out, make WE Fest the biggest and best country music and camping festival in the world,” said Dhruv Prasad, EVP,Live Events, Townsquare Media, Inc. “As we approach the 35th anniversary event, we are planning to deliver our best lineup ever, as well as working on continued operational improvements to the attendee experience. We can’t wait to see everyone again next August!”

Events will continue in 2017 withLuke Bryan and Zac Brown Band already announced astwo headliners. The 35th Annual WE Fest will be held August 3-5, 2017.

EMI Nashville’s Brothers Osborne will headlineThe Dirt Rich Tour starting on Sept. 22 inRosemont, Illinois.

The tourwill hit almost 30 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Vancouver, British Columbia. Fans can purchase tickets beginning onFriday(Aug.12) on the band’s website. Their debut album, Pawn Shop, includes the hits “Stay a Little Longer,” “21 Summer,” “Rum” and more.

“‘Dirt Rich’ is a song on the record that makes a statement about who we are and where we come from,” says John Osborne. “We felt it was an appropriate title for the tour because it really defines who we are.”

TJ Osborne adds, “We have been fortunate to be a part of some really great tours but this one is especially exciting because we’ve been building towards this for a while. We can’t wait to perform more of our material in an intimate setting with the fans out there. It’s going to be a blast.”

Joining the Maryland natives for select dates is LANco, composed ofBrandon Lancaster, Tripp Howell, Eric Steedly, Jared Hampton and Chandler Baldwin. LANco recently impacted country radio with their debut single “Love Live Tonight” from their four-song, self-titled EP produced by Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town). Just wrapping up an extensive festival appearance schedule this spring and summer, the five man band has previously toured with Dwight Yoakam, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band and more.

In addition, British-born singer/songwriter Lucie Silvas will join Brothers Osborne for the remaining tour dates. Silvas has sold over a million albums in Europe and toured with acts such as Little Big Town, Elton John, Chris Stapleton, James Bay, Macy Gray and Jamiroquai. She recently released the critically- acclaimed album, Letters to Ghosts, on her own imprint label through Caroline Records. Silvasco-wrote and co-produced the entire album.

Brothers Osborne’s The Dirt Rich TourDates:
Sep. 22: Rosemont, IL; Joe’s Live
Oct. 13: Asbury Park, NJ; The Stone Pony*
Oct. 14: Rochester, NY; Anthology*
Oct. 15: Buffalo, NY; University of Buffalo*
Oct. 19: Madison, WI; Orpheum Theatre*
Oct. 20: Minneapolis, MN; Cabooze*
Oct. 21: Milwaukee, WI; The Rave*
Oct. 22: Detroit, MI; St. Andrews Hall*
Oct. 26: Columbia, MO; The Blue Note*
Oct. 27: Kansas City, MO; Uptown Theater*
Oct. 28: Indianapolis, IN; Deluxe*
Nov. 4: New York, NY; Irving Plaza*
Nov. 10: Philadelphia, PA; TLA*
Nov. 11: Cleveland, OH; House of Blues*
Nov. 12: Louisville, KY; Mercury Ballroom*
Nov. 17: Atlanta, GA; Terminal West*
Nov. 18: Greensboro, NC; Cone Denim Entertainment Center*
Nov. 19: N. Myrtle Beach, SC; House of Blues*
Nov. 25: Denver, CO; Summit Music Hall**
Nov. 26: Lewiston, ID; Clearwater River Casino**
Nov. 27: Boise, ID; Egyptian Theatre**
Nov. 30: Vancouver, BC, Canada; Commodore Ballroom**
Dec. 2: Portland, OR; Roseland Theater**
Dec. 3: Chico, CA; Senator Theater**
Dec. 7: San Francisco, CA; The Fillmore**
Dec. 9: Sacramento, CA; Ace of Spades**
Dec. 10: Riverside, CA; Riverside Municipal Auditorium**
Dec. 15: Los Angeles, CA; Belasco**
Dec. 16: San Diego, CA; House of Blues**
Dec. 17: Las Vegas, NV; House of Blues**
Jan. 7: Dallas, TX; House of Blues*
Jan. 14: Orlando, FL; House of Blues*

*Featuring LANco
**Featuring Lucie Silvas