Well, I’ll just go ahead and toss out my predictions of who I think is going to win at the upcoming CMT Music Awards this Wednesday in Nashville. Now, if I only end up getting 1 of them right, don’t hold it against me, ok?!? This is just for the fun of it. Since I will be right there ON the Red Carpet in the thick of things, I might as well make a prediction or two or three, right?!? Continue Reading →
Archive | May, 2014
My Predictions For The 2014 CMT Music Awards
Sweetwater Rain Makes Generous Contribution To ACM Lifting Lives®
Rising Country music trio Sweetwater Rain recently presented ACM Lifting Lives® with a generous $10,000 donation – the second $10,000 donation the band has given to the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music in the past year. ACM Lifting Lives President, Lori Badgett, accepted the gift on behalf of the charity.
“ACM Lifting Lives brings the power and impact of music to people who need it through amazing programs,” said Sweetwater Rain’s lead singer, Danny Rivera. “We are so happy to be able to help in their efforts.”
Following their Top 50 Billboard hit “Starshine,” Sweetwater Rain is currently promoting their sophomore Country single “Tailspin” to radio. This catchy, up-tempo song is already receiving rave reviews from Country radio and media alike:
“The rockin’ tune samples Rascal Flatts and a little bit of that Hunter Hayes charm, but is neatly wrapped in the trio’s own groovy style. This new radio-friendly pop-leaning tune is sure to get Music Row’s undivided attention.”– Jason Scott, Reporter at Nashville Gab
“Tailspin” is now available on iTunes HERE along with all other respected online retailers.
About Sweetwater Rain
Curb recording group Sweetwater Rain is made-up of lead vocalist and guitarist Danny Rivera, lead guitarist and vocalist Fred Stallcup, and Thomas Hewlett, who completes the trio on bass guitar and vocals. Together they have opened for celebrated music artists such as ZZ Top, Kenny Chesney, The Band Perry, Little Big Town and most recently were on the fall 2013 leg of the Rascal Flatts Live & Loud Tour. Sweetwater Rain made their national television debut on GAC’s Great American Playlist in promotion of their debut single, “Starshine” in the fall of 2013. For more information on the rising country music group and to stay up to date with tour dates, visit www.SweetwaterRain.com.
About ACM Lifting Lives
ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music. Each year, ACM Lifting Lives provides funding to music-related therapy and education programs, including the organization’s flagship ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp, a partnership since 2010 with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in Nashville, TN. ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp is a week-long residential program open to individuals with Williams syndrome, talented in music from around the nation, and has a dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome while providing music enrichment through performance and education. Other Lifting Lives giving includes serving members of the country music community who face unexpected financial hardship through the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, and partnering with music artists to improve lives. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.
Kenny Chesney Joins Stones, Springsteen, U2 and More In Top Ten Live Acts from 1990-2014
Billboard released their list of the Top Live Acts of the past quarter century (1990-2014), and only one country artist made the Top 10: Kenny Chesney. Topped by the Rolling Stones, U2 and Bruce Springsteen, the songwriter from Luttrell, Tennessee arrived at #9 on the list – in spite of taking 2010 and 2014 off the road – with 12,681,629 tickets sold.
“You look at a list like this… with so many iconic rock acts, people like Madonna, or Elton John, and you think, ‘Man…’.” says the 4-time Country Music Association and 4 consecutive Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year. “When you get on the bus for the first time, you’re just hoping people will come. You never expect to be in this kind of company, unless you’re buying a ticket.”
Lots of people bought tickets for Chesney’s high energy shows. Since becoming a full-fledged headliner in 2002, playing a homecoming show at Knoxville’s Neyland Stadium, then into NFL Stadiums in decidedly uncountry Boston, Pittsburgh and Washington, DC in 2005, his tours have become rites of summer for over a million people each tour and a breaking ground for many of today’s biggest headliners.
“Knowing people work hard, have stress whether its their family or their job or their friends, you strive to create a place where they can forget all that for a few hours,” Chesney offers, “They’ll come out, and they come back with their friends. Just like when you sing songs that speak to how they really live, they listen. They listen and they hang onto those songs like it’s their life – because it is.”
Though taking 2014 off to focus on the follow-up to 2013’s deeply personal Life On A Rock, Chesney is anxious to get back out there. As he says, “The fans feed me as much as I feed them… And that’s why I wanted to step back, really think about this record and give them something as hardcore as they are! These songs are gonna rock live; but more importantly, they say a whole lot about how the fans live. I can’t wait to play’em onstage.”
BRANTLEY GILBERT’S JUST AS I AM BECOMES ONE OF THE YEAR’S BIGGEST MUSIC DEBUTS
Brantley Gilbert believes his albums are the chapters of his life and each continues the story where the last left off. With his third studio album JUST AS I AM (The Valory Music Co.), Brantley adds “best seller” to his growing list of accolades upon selling over 211,000 copies in the first week, owning the Billboard Country Albums chart with a #1 debut and becoming the second highest Country debut this year. Brantley’s first new music in over four years also scored a spot at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 chart, just behind Coldplay.
JUST AS I AM has received much critical acclaim from top critics at high-profile media outlets:
New York Times: “Mr. Gilbert is a unique sort of brute. In a country era where hardness isn’t valorized in the least, he’s unapologetically rough, singing with the tenderness of a chain saw. And on this strong album — his third in a row — he betrays no shame about his creatine-fueled version of country music…”
Associated Press: “Everybody in Nashville has been predicting Brantley Gilbert will be the next big thing in country music for a couple of years now. His new album, the long-awaited “Just as I Am,” is engineered to make that little bit of soothsaying a reality.”
To launch the highly-anticipated record, Brantley combined his passions – music, motorcycles and military – partnering with Harley-Davidson and Folds of Honor for a six-day trek from Athens, GA, to Arlington, VA. To help honor some of our nation’s heroes, names of fallen soldiers adorned a tour bus that also made the journey. Brantley started the celebration with a sold-out concert at the Georgia Theatre, a venue the Georgia native had always dreamed of selling out, and did early in his career. The Georgia native made stops along the way to perform acoustic sets and sign autographs at various Best Buy, Harley-Davidson and Walmart retail locations. The ride culminated on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery where Brantley had the honor of laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with Folds of Honor scholarship recipient Sarah White. See highlights from the week here.
The album’s lead single, “Bottoms Up,” previously scored the #1 spot on both Country radio charts and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales exceeding 1 million digital downloads.
Featuring labelmates Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett, Brantley’s next single “Small Town Throwdown” was the “most added” at Country radio last week with nearly 80 stations on.
JUST AS I AM follows Brantley’s previous Platinum-certified album HALFWAY TO HEAVEN.
Fans can catch Brantley at select festivals this summer. To see full performance dates, visit BrantleyGilbert.com.
SOLID Announces Partnership With MDA
The Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) announced today that a portion of the proceeds for the group’s annual CMA Fest Yard Sale & Auction will benefit the local Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) chapter. The event will be held on June 7th, beginning at 8am at the Bridgestone Arena. Nine-year-old Aiden Atkins, MDA Local Goodwill Ambassador, and other local MDA families will be attending to greet customers and represent MDA.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with SOLID on one of their biggest events of the year,” said Amanda Spiehler, Executive Director of MDA in Central Tennessee. “The proceeds shared with MDA for this event will go directly to provide services for families in the Nashville area.”
SOLID’s Yard Sale & Auction is open to the public and includes autographed merchandise, tickets, guitars and meet & greet opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else.
About SOLID
Founded in 1997 by music industry professionals, the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The members of SOLID are developing music business professionals dedicated to improving the future of the music industry by strengthening its professional relationships and educating its future executives while serving the community. Members participate in ongoing leadership activities including community volunteerism, educational events, university outreach programs, and networking functions that serve to strengthen their role within the music industry and Nashville community.
For more information on SOLID, visit www.solidnashville.com. Like SOLID on Facebook at www.facebook.com/solidnashville and follow @SOLIDnashville on Twitter.
About MDA
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement. Visit mda.org and follow us at facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews.
Album Review: Miranda Lambert | ‘Platinum’
With this brand new 16-track album entitled ‘Platinum’, Miranda Lambert’s 5th album seems both contemplative and playful rather than singing the revenge anthems like “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and “Kerosene” that she’s been known for. This is a Miranda who is having fun with a little self-effacing humor about aging (“Gravity’s a Bitch”), talks about life from the female perspective (“Girls”), the demands of beauty (“Bathroom Sink”), some really traditional and throwback country that I could imagine being played in the honky tonks on Broadway in the 60s (“All That’s Left” featuring the Time Jumpers), rip-roaring, rocking songs (“Somethin’ Bad” with Carrie Underwood), and tender ballads (“Holding On To You”). Overall, Miranda seems to be in a very contemplative place in her life for this album and wanting to share a less serious side of herself taking chances throughout the entire album. Continue Reading →
Clay Walker Prepares for Fifth Annual “Chords of Hope” Concert Tuesday, June 3rd
Critically acclaimed recording artist, Clay Walker is gearing up to host the fifth annual Chords of Hope benefit concert on Tuesday, June 3rd at 3rd & Lindsley. The concert, presented by The Big 98 WSIX, sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners, and produced by Clay’s charity, Band Against MS (BAMS), will help raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS) research with proceeds going to the MS Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Clay will be joined by Country hitmakers including Blaster Records duo, Montgomery Gentry and Broken Bow Records artist, Dustin Lynch. Doors open at 6:00 PM and the show will kick-off at 7:00 PM with Mrs. Tennessee, Bethany Sharp, as the host. Tickets are still available through Eventbriteand www.bandagainstms.org.
Clay established BAMS in February of 2003 because he wanted to help others living with the same disease he has battled since 1996. To date, BAMS has raised more than 2 million dollars and increased MS awareness worldwide. Band Against MS, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3), or not-for-profit, public charity committed to providing educational information for those living with Multiple Sclerosis, funding programs researching a cure for Multiple Sclerosis, and funding programs helping those living with the disease.
As a true fan favorite with a devoted legion of followers across the country, Clay Walker has sold over 11 million albums; had 11 No. 1 hit singles, four RIAA Platinum and two Gold certified albums under his belt. His most recent ninth studio album, She Won’t Be Lonely Long,received critical praise from fans and media alike and he recently went back into the studio to work on new music for release later this year. He returned as the host of TROPHY HUNTERS TV on the Outdoor Channel for the 2014 season and can be seen in select theatres in the family-friendly drama movie, Alone Yet Not Alone. Walker also released his first self-penned book entitled Jesus Was A Country Boy (Howard Books/Simon & Schuster) in April 2013.
For show information and to learn more about BAMS, please visit www.bandagainstms.org.
To learn more about Clay Walker, visit www.claywalker.com.
17 Artists Part of First-of-Its-Kind Morning Concert Series at CMA Music Festival – ‘Great American Country Breakfast Series’ – June 5-8
Popular stars of Great American Country hit original series Junk Gypsies and Farm Kings are set to appear at the 2014 CMA Music Festival June 5-8, in Nashville, to preview all-new upcoming seasons of both series. Junk Gypsies sisters Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes, and Farm Kingsbrothers Dan King and Pete King will appear throughout the weekend, with stops inside the AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X, and co-hosting theFriday-night concert at LP Field featuring performances by country music artists Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Eric Church, and more.
The Farm Kings and Junk Gypsies will also help introduce the Great American Country Breakfast Series. The first-of-its-kind morning concert series, hosted by social media maven and creator of #CMchat Jessica Northey, takes place inside the Music City Center, the home of the AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X venue, and kicks off each day’s festivities inside the popular destination. Daily lineups for the Great American Country Breakfast Series include:
- Thursday, June 5: Canaan Smith, Lauren Alaina, Dustin Lynch, and Neal McCoy
- Friday, June 6: Native Run, Brothers Osborne, Corey Smith, and Scotty McCreery
- Saturday, June 7: Natalie Stovall and The Drive, The Henningsens, Laura Bell Bundy, and RaeLynn
- Sunday, June 8: Rose Falcon, Leah Turner, Jamie O’Neal, and Kristian Bush
In addition, new country boy band Chasin’ Crazy, will appear at the #GreatAmericanBreakfast to premiere its seasonal anthem, “That’s How We Do Summertime,” which will be filmed as part of the band’s recently-green lit Great American Country special chronicling the launch of their country music career.
With daily Great American Country Breakfast series shows capped at only 250 guests per day, the Thursday show is already sold out. Limited ticket quantities remain for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows. Tickets are priced $50 each per day, and include:
- All-star performances
- Buffet-style breakfast with assorted beverages
- Autographed photos
- Ticket to a photo meet-and-greet with the daily performers
- Entrance into the CMA Music Festival AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X venue
- Special gifts from Great American Country
Attendees gain early admittance to the Music City Center, with doors opening for the Great American Country Breakfast Series daily at 7:15 a.m., followed by the performance program from 8:00-10:00 a.m., and the photo meet-and-greets immediately thereafter.
For information about Junk Gypsies and Farm Kings, visit www.GACTV.com. For information about the Great American Country Breakfast Series, including details on how to order tickets to these exclusive, intimate events, visit www.GACTV.com/breakfast.
About Great American Country
From Main Street USA to the biggest coastal cities and everywhere in between, Great American Country celebrates the best of American living with original lifestyle entertainment. Distributed in more than 62 million U.S. households, Great American Country honors America with series profiling families, exploring top U.S. destinations, and highlighting country music’s biggest stars and events. Learn more at GACTV.com. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Great American Country is wholly owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI).
About Scripps Networks Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) is one of the leading developers of engaging lifestyle content in the home, food and travel categories for television, the Internet and emerging platforms. The company’s lifestyle media portfolio comprises popular television and Internet brands HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country, which collectively reach more than 170 million consumers each month. Companion websites complement on-air programming with video and social media that inform and inspire. The company’s global networks reach millions of consumers across North and South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. For more information, please visitscrippsnetworksinteractive.com.
Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Reveals 2014 Lineup
The second annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is set for Labor Day weekend in Panama City Beach, FL. This year’s lineup will feature Country music’s biggest superstars including Big & Rich, Randy Houser, Love and Theft, Cassadee Pope, Lonestar and many more. The previously announced all-star headlining acts include Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and Dierks Bentley.
Also on the bill are Country music hit-makers Jon Pardi, John Michael Montgomery, Casey James, Laura Bell Bundy, Trick Pony, Neal McCoy, BlackJack Billy, the 2013 Pepsi Southern Original winner, Andrew Salgado and Kirstie Lovelady.
“It’s the perfect location with the perfect artists to build the perfect festival,” said Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam’s Executive Producer Rendy Lovelady. “Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is an annual event now with a permanent destination.”
Festival goers can enjoy a complimentary shuttle service to and from most preferred lodging partner locations throughout the day. The day stage performances will take place on the beach at M.B. Miller County Pier and the nighttime headline performances will return to Frank Brown Park. Preferred lodging packages are still available at numerous locations in Panama City Beach which include access to a special viewing area at the main headline stage between General Admission and the VIP Pit, as well as General Admission ticket benefits. General Admission, Military tickets, Preferred Lodging, VIP Pit tickets and Side Stage VIP tickets are all still available to purchase HERE.
Here are the daily line-ups:
Carrie Underwood (Headliner)
Randy Houser
Love and Theft
Jon Pardi
Andrew Salgado
John Michael Montgomery (Day Stage Headliner)
Saturday, August, 30th:
Dierks Bentley (Headliner)
Big & Rich
Lonestar
Casey James
Laura Bell Bundy
Trick Pony (Day Stage Headliner)
Blake Shelton (Headliner)
Cassadee Pope
Neal McCoy
Kirstie Lovelady
Blackjack Billy (Day Stage Headliner)
The highly anticipated Country music festival is already selling out lodging packages and tickets are set to increase on June 2nd. Last week, Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam launched another unique social media campaign to reveal the lineup, inspired by the 57,000 square foot gaming floor and 1,600 electronic gaming machines at the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Atmore, AL, one of the festivals leading sponsors. The faux “Jamble Machine” revealed clues about the artists in the lineup and the campaign encouraged festival goers to unscramble jambled phrases by sharing, liking, commenting and retweeting the posts on their social platforms.
The search is underway for Pepsi’s 2014 Southern Original who will win a Main Stage performance slot, opening for Blake Shelton on Sunday, August 31st. Applications are open through midnight on June 25th and can be found HERE.
About Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam 2014
Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam 2014 will provide the best of today’s country music for an audience of more than 20,000 people on the coast August 29-31, 2014 during Labor Day Weekend. For more information about Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam’s lineup, VIP & General Admission Tickets, lodging partners, directions, partnership opportunities, parking, and vendors, please visitwww.gulfcoastjam.com. Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is a production of PCB Entertainment, LLC.
BMI Offers Two Stages Of Amazing Music During The 2014 CMA Music Festival
Now in its third year, the BMI Tailgate Party is conveniently located at LP Field on the south lawn between the stadium’s south gate and the pedestrian bridge. Free and open to the public, fans can catch performances from country music’s next big stars each evening of the fest before the nightly concerts at LP Field. Past performers include Florida Georgia Line and Thomas Rhett.
The lineup for BMI’s Tailgate Party is:
Thursday, June 5
5:15-5:45pm: Sara Haze
6-6:40pm: David Fanning
6:50-7:30pm: Josh Thompson
Friday, June 6
5:15-5:45pm: Michael Ray
6-6:40pm: Chase Bryant
6:50-7:30pm: Blackjack Billy
Saturday, June 7
5:15-5:45pm: Whiskey Jam
6-6:40pm: Chris Lane
6:50-7:30pm: Brett Eldredge
Sunday, June 8
5:15-5:45pm: Adam Craig
6-6:40pm: A Thousand Horses
6:50-7:30pm: Natalie Stovall & The Drive
The BMI/AT&T Songwriter Stage will host performances from some of Country music’s most talented songwriters. Located in Fan Fair X at the Music City Center, the BMI/AT&T Songwriter Stage will air on AT&T U-Verse’s Country Deep channel and The Buzz and will also be available on demand, showcasing songwriter performances and interviews.
The lineup for the BMI/AT&T Songwriter Stage is:
Thursday, June 5th
1pm – 3pm: Ruth Collins, Levi Hummon, Emily Earle, Josh Dorr
Friday, June 6th
1pm – 3pm: Caitlyn Smith, Muddy Magnolias, Brooke Eden, Sonia Leigh
Saturday, June 7th
1pm – 3pm: Caroline Kole, Justin Adams, The Shuggah Pies, Danika Portz
Sunday, June 8th
1pm – 3pm: Sophie Rose, Haley & Michaels, Elizabeth Lyons, Gracie Schramm
As an initial point of contact for up-and-coming artists, BMI serves as a fundamental bridge, connecting promising talent with industry decision-makers, as well as invaluable opportunities, including performance slots on stages at CMA Music Festival, SXSW, the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Lollapalooza, the Hangout Music Festival, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and more.
For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on Twitter @BMI or stay connected through Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) Facebook page.
