FOCUS on the 615
Nashville's premier entertainment blog including album, song and show reviews and exclusive artist interviews.
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Pictured L to R: Travis Tritt with wife, Theresa Tritt, and Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi.
Award-winning Country artist Travis Tritt attended the 2014 Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky this past weekend. During the derby weekend, Tritt performed alongside Richie Sambora, Johnny Gill, Mary Wilson and many others at The Barnstable Brown Gala. Tritt and his wife are long-time attendees of the derby and have attended the Kentucky Derby every year for the last 16 years.
“IF I DIE YOUNG” CERTIFIED QUINTUPLE PLATINUMTHE BAND PERRY received two nominations yesterday for the 2014 CMT Music Awards. The superstar sibling trio is nominated for “CMT Performance of the Year” for their explosive performance of “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark” with Fall Out Boy from CMT Crossroads, as well as for “Group Video of the Year” for their Number One smash, “DONE.” The 2014 CMT Music Awards will air LIVE from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
“We were so thrilled to hear about our CMT Music Award nominations yesterday,” said The Band Perry. “The ‘CMT Crossroads’ performance with Fall Out Boy was without question one of the highlights of 2013 for us, and it’s really exciting for a video like ‘DONE.’ to be nominated, where we feel like we pushed the creative envelope to a new level for the band. It’s great to see the video and its amazing director recognized.”
The recently crowned 2014 ACM “Vocal Group of the Year” also received another accolade this past week when their Number One single “If I Die Young” was certified quintuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for its sales of more than five million units. The song has been a staple in their live set throughout their career and on the WE ARE PIONEERS WORLD TOUR, with devoted fans often singing along to every word.
The Band Perry will continue their own tour throughout the year and will also join Blake Shelton this summer on his Ten Times Crazier Tour 2014. A full list of tour dates can be found by visiting: https://www.thefansperry.com/tour
Free music and entertainment are hallmarks of CMA Music Festival and the 2014 Fest is shaping up to present a lineup that is destined to please fans and create numerous opportunities for music discovery during the Festival, happeningThursday through Sunday, June 5-8, in downtown Nashville.
“The fans tell us they want music and we have plenty of options for them this year with multiple free stages, and a full lineup of artists from industry hitmakers to singers on the verge of making it big,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.
Tickets for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field sold out a record-setting 15 weeks in advance of the 2014 Festival, but fans will still have innumerable opportunities to watch Country Music’s best and brightest perform at CMA Music Festival. The performance lineup for the previously announced Chevrolet Riverfront Stage is available atCMAfest.com, but that schedule merely scratches the surface of what fans can experience throughout the four-day event.
Downtown Nashville will be full of unique fan experiences, including free outdoor areas offering everything from product demonstrations to giveaways and more. All outdoor spaces are free and open to the public.
Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza
With more than 40 artists confirmed, the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza will be rockin’ with an eclectic mix of back-to-back free concertsfrom 10:30 AM-5:00 PM/CT each day (artists and schedule subject to change).
“The location of the Bud Light Stage is perfectly situated to provide a place to discover new talent and reconnect with well-known stars,” said Trahern. “This stage was one of the Festival’s most popular destinations in 2013 and I’m expecting the same level of enthusiasm and attendance again this year.”
Artists performing on the Bud Light Stage at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza include: Lauren Alaina, Keith Anderson, Katie Armiger, Kelleigh Bannen, Jeff Bates, Big Smo, BlackHawk, Brothers Osborne, Mark Collie, Bucky Covington, Joel Crouse, Sarah Darling, Clare Dunn, Morgan Frazier, JT Hodges, Will Hoge, Home Free, Sam Hunt, Chris Janson, Joshua Scott Jones, Krystal Keith, Meghan Linsey, Robin Meade, Granger Smith, Jamie Lynn Spears, Chris Stapleton, Striking Matches, Sundy Best, The Henningsens, Leah Turner, Trick Pony, Aaron Watson, Austin Webb, Drake White, Chuck Wicks, and Holly Williams.
With numerous stages and many free lifestyle exhibits to explore throughout the Festival footprint in Nashville, CMA Music Festival is a great, family-friendly entertainment value. The concerts at the Bud Light Stage are fun in the sun and within easy walking distance of all the Festival event sites, including the AT&T® U-verse® Fan Fair X with autograph signings, concerts, lifestyle exhibits, marketplace, live broadcasts, demonstrations, and more in the state-of-the-art Music City Center.
Walk of Fame Park featuring the Samsung Galaxy Stage
New in 2014, Samsung Galaxy presents the Samsung Galaxy Stage in Walk of Fame Park, where fans can experience great music and activities.
Artists participating in the daily concerts include (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change): Robby Armstrong, Rob Baird, Ty Bates, Dakota Bradley, David Bradley, Laura Bell Bundy, Cam, Brandon Chase, Cowboy Troy and DJ Sinister, Heath Haynes & the High Dollars, Sam Hollyman, Joey Hyde, Jukebox Mafia, John Karl, Ryan Kinder, John King, Jenny Leigh, Cheryl LuQuire, Rachele Lynae, Brian Milson, Danielle Peck, Pierce Avenue, Stephanie Quayle, Raven Cliff, Julie Roberts, Gwen Sebastian, Canaan Smith, Phoenix Stone, The Brothers Road, The Nelsons, The Railers, The Stickers, Chad Warrix, Ryan Weaver, Jesse Keith Whitley, and Zane Williams.
Walk of Fame Park is located on Demonbreun between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. The park is free and open to the public from 10:00 AM–6:00 PMThursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7 andfrom 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sunday, June 8.
The Buckle
Covering three bustling blocks of Broadway, legions of dedicated fans know that The Buckle is where the excitement and thrills of CMA Music Festival come together. The Buckle Stage will host a variety of free performances and activities beginning with concerts presented by ASCAP onThursday, June 5 and Sunday, June 8 from 11:00 AM–4:30 PM.
ASCAP songwriter artists include (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change):Carlton Anderson, Kelsea Ballerini, Bonner Black, Misty Rae Carson, Karli Chayne, Steven Clawson, Courtney Cole, Hannah Dasher, Jacob Davis, GirlBilly, Ryan Griffin, Curtis Grimes, Adam Hambrick, Brett Kissell, Ryan Lafferty, Brandon Lay, Josh London, Daisy Mallory, Michaelis, Oklahoma, Carly Pearce, David Ray, Jameson Rodgers, Smithfield, Walker County, and Hailey Whitters.
On Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, the ABC Television Network returns to the CMA Music Festival with the ABC Summer Block Party with special appearances by ABC fan favorites, musical performances, games, photos, free giveaways, and much more!
The Buckle is located on Broadway from First to Fourth Avenues. The area is open to the publicfrom 10:00 AM–6:00 PM Thursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7 and from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM onSunday, June 8.
Fan Alley
If CMA Music Festival is the Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience, then Fan Alley is where that experience gets cranked up to the maximum level!
Tucked into the area in front of the magical Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Fan Alley welcomes its namesake (the fans!) into a warm community where memories will be shared and friendships made.
The Chevrolet Roadhouse Stage in Fan Alley features concerts with Country Music’s best rising talent from Noon–3:00 PM each day.
Performers (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change) include: Ballie and the Boys, Brinn Black, Cast of “Crazy Hearts Nashville,” Cerrito, Jaida Dreyer, Jordan Grassi, Marty Haggard, Lyndsey Highlander, Rachel Holder, Levi Hummon, Angie Johnson, Stevens Layne, Matt Mason, Walker McGuire, Randy Montana, Music City Doughboys, Aaron Parker, Jacob Powell, Brent Rupard, Lizzie Sider, The Danberrys, Keni Thomas, andWhiskey Rose.
Fan Alley is located in front of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Fourth Avenue South. The area is open from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM Thursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7 and from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sunday, June 8.
BMI Tailgate Party
Returning to the CMA Music Festival for the third time is the BMI Tailgate Party. Located right off the Cumberland River outside LP Field, the stage will feature a strong selection of BMI’s songwriters and artists warming up the audience before they enter LP Field for the Nightly Concerts beginning at 4:30 PM.
Performers (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change) include: A Thousand Horses, Blackjack Billy, Chase Bryant, Adam Craig, DJ Du, Brett Eldredge, David Fanning, Sara Haze, Chris Lane, Natalie Stovall and The Drive, Michael Ray, Josh Thompson, andWhiskey Jam.
The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, bringing 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. More than 40 years later, the now legendary Festival has become the city’s signature music event. In 2014, CMA Music Festival will host visitors from every state and 21 foreign countries.
For all the latest info on CMA Music Festival visitCMAfest.com. To stay connected with CMA visitFacebook.com/CMA, Twitter.com/CountryMusic, and Instagram.com/CMA or text FESTIVAL to 66937.
CMA Music Festival will once again be filmed for a national television special to air on the ABC Television Network. This is the 11th consecutive year that the event has been filmed for a network television special, a feat no other music festival has achieved. “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” will be executive-produced by Robert Deaton.
CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA. Chevrolet™ is the Official Ride of Country Music. Bud Light is the Official Beer of the CMA Music Festival. Pepsi is the Official Soft Drink of the CMA Music Festival. Bad Boy Buggies are the Official UTV of the CMA Music Festival.
Chasin’ Crazy, the five-member group (Jimmy James Hunter, Forest Miller, Landon Parker, Creigh Riepe and Travis Fincher) whose organic vocal harmonies have some people comparing the band’s sound to that of The Eagles, Little Big Town and Zac Brown Band, will release their debut single this week. “That’s How We Do Summertime,” written by Matt Ramsey (currently on the Country Single Chart with “Chainsaw”/The Band Perry and “Wake Up Lovin’ You/Craig Morgan) and Tommy Karlas (Montgomery Gentry’s #1 Country song “Roll With Me”), is an up-tempo, infectious, feel-good summer track about being with your friends and enjoying everything summer has to offer. The single, which is now available for purchase at iTuneshttp://tinyurl.com/ChasinCrazy, is already one of the most Added singles at country radio this week receiving 20 first-week Adds in 15 Major Markets.
“We were blown away the first time we heard this demo,” said Chasin’ Crazy Lead Guitarist and Vocalist Jimmy James Hunter. “It had a vibe and an energy that fit perfectly with our band’s craziness that comes with summer.”
“It’s such a fun tune,” said Drummer and Vocalist Travis Fincher. “I love watching how people react to the hook when we play the song live.”
Added Creigh Riepe (Vocals/Keyboards/Guitar), “I remember the first time we heard the song, we were pumped to get into the studio to record it and make it our own. Here’s hoping that people that hear the song for the first time will feel the same way we did.”
“That’s How We Do Summertime” was recorded at Westwood Studios in Nashville and was produced by Marti Frederiksen and Blake Chancey, who are in the studio working on Chasin’ Crazy’s debut EP that will come later this summer. “These producers, who are from different worlds, have never worked together,” said Miller, the bands Bass Player and Vocalist, who also adds fiddle, guitar and mandolin to his repertoire. “We wanted to find something unique on the production side and we love working with these guys.” Frederiksen has worked with such acts as Aerosmith, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, and Gavin Rossdale and Chancey has worked with some of country music’s biggest successes including Dixie Chicks, Montgomery Gentry, Little Big Town and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Chasin’ Crazy is comprised of Landon Parker (acoustic guitar/vocals), Travis Fincher, (drums/vocals), Jimmy James Hunter (lead guitarist, vocals), Creigh Riepe (keyboards/ guitar and vocals) and Forest Miller (bass, vocals). The band first took shape in 2012 when Hunter and Miller met in Nashville and through a mutual fan met Parker and by way of the Nashville club scene met and recruited Fischer and Riepe.
The band has spent the past two years honing their craft touring and writing songs. Its name, the title of a song written by Hunter, captures the essence of the band at this time in their lives. Each sites the ‘crazy’ that we all pursue, but in particular the band’s unflinching and focused desire to establish themselves as an elite Country talent.
For more official Chasin’ Crazy news and information go to http://chasincrazy.com/ or follow them on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/ChasinCrazyOfficial, Twitter https://twitter.com/chasincrazy, Instagram at http://instagram.com/chasincrazy/ or on Spotify at http://open.spotify.com/artist/3TFdNqo5q26ihfk9pcskxw.
Joshua Scott Jones, best known as one half of the country duo Steel Magnolia, will release his debut solo album, The Healing, on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. The 11-track project is a collection of songs, which candidly retells the singer’s personal struggles and emotional journey over the last couple of years. Each track exposes the raw emotions he experienced since he started working on his solo material last year. “This has been a long time coming for me,” he said. “I feel like it’s really a chance for my voice to be heard.”
Jones opened up about his struggles with addiction and how the recording of The Healing was instrumental in his recovery exclusively to PEOPLE Magazine. Jones felt it was time to publicly tell his story for the first time, explaining, “I feel like at this point in my life I don’t want to be anything but candid. This record certainly reflects my headspace over the last few years and tells the story of what I’ve gone through, especially the title track of the record, ‘The Healing.’ Although I’ve been near the top before in my career, I’m looking forward to experiencing it all again; this time clean, clear and healthy.”
The Healing kicks off with the catchy male anthem, “Honk (If You’re Tonky),” a fun introduction for the tracks that follow including the groove-infused “Tennessee Blue,” the candid throwback “Lover Let Me Show You My Heart,” and the carefree “Whiskey Anthem.” On many of the tracks found on The Healing, Jones opens up and tells a story that begs to be heard. One notable track, “Just How A Heart Breaks,” was written on the piano at Cumberland Heights in Nashville, Tennessee where Jones completed his 30-day stay in rehab. The album closes with the title track that is powerful and raw with honest lyrics that cut straight through your heart (that spark in our eyes/ that God was revealing/ may the hurt that we’re feeling / lead to the healing.)
In anticipation of the release, fans can pre-order The Healing on iTunes and receive instant downloads of “Honk (If You’re Tonky),” “Tennessee House,” and “The Healing.” Click HERE to pre-order or visit, http://bit.ly/JSJhealing
A free download of the title track, “The Healing,” is available by picking up the current issue of PEOPLE Country on newsstands now.
The Healing Track Listing:
1. “Honk (If You’re Tonky)”
(Josh Alford / Joshua Scott Jones)
2. “DUI”
(Joshua Scott Jones / Leland Grant)
3. “Tennessee Blue”
(Joshua Scott Jones)
4. “City Of Angels”
(Joshua Scott Jones)
5. “Rearview”
(Joshua Scott Jones / Lady Goodman)
6. “Whiskey Anthem”
(Jeffrey Steele / Joshua Scott Jones / Meghan Moore)
7. “You & I”
(James Farrell / Joshua Scott Jones)
8. “Tennessee House”
(Joshua Scott Jones)
9. “Lover Let Me Show You My Heart “
(Joshua Scott Jones)
10. “Just How A Heart Breaks”
(Joshua Scott Jones)
11. “The Healing”
(Joshua Scott Jones / Lady Goodman)
For more information on Joshua Scott Jones, http://www.joshuascottjones.com
MAY 5th RELEASE OF “SHOULD’VE RUN” TO FEATURE COUNTRY NOW PREMIERE OF SIX-PART ONLINE SERIES AND MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE LEGENDARY BLACKBIRD STUDIO/ACADEMY
Country Now, the first original country music-dedicated YouTube channel, today announced that it has inked an exclusive partnership with YouTube phenomenon Julia Sheer, whose 450,000+ subscribers and 72 million views ranks her as one of YouTube’s best know and most followed artists. The partnership will incorporate a 6-part daily online series, Blackbird Sings and music video premiere, produced by Country Now in association with The Blackbird Studio/Academy. “Should’ve Run” is be available at at all digital retailers and at URL. For a preview of Blackbird Sings go tohttp://bit.ly/1eyOnYC and to purchase a copy of “Should’ve Run” visit URL.
“With this unique content partnership with one of YouTube’s biggest artists, Country Now is looking to change the paradigm in how country music gets created and marketed. In Blackbird Sings we’re combining the best of the Nashville’s hit making abilities with YouTube’s growing power to create new stars by reaching untapped audiences.” said Dominic Sandifer, President Country Now/Greenlight Media & Marketing, LLC. “Working at Blackbird Studios with legendary insiders like studio owner John McBride and record exec Butch Waugh allowed Country Now and Julia Sheer the incredible chance to produce a new single while documenting the process.
The campaign will launch with the Monday, May 5th premiere, of Blackbird Sings, which was filmed by Country Now, at McBride’s iconic Blackbird Studio in Nashville. The series, which can be seen at URL, chronicles the creative collaboration involved with the making of “Should’ve Run”, which was driven by 30 students attending the post-secondary, mentor-based program, the Blackbird Academy at Blackbird Studio.
“This was an incredible experience from top to bottom,” said Julia Sheer. “The whole creative process, being able to work with so many talented people and at Blackbird Studio – it was almost overwhelming. Country Now and its team, couldn’t have been more professional, nurturing and creative in the making of Blackbird Sings, my music video and in their planning for this release. I cannot thank them enough.”
Blackbird Sings can be seen nightly Monday, May 5th through Saturday, May 10th at TIME at URL and will include the Friday, May 9thdebut of “Should’ve Run” and its music video.
About Country Now:
Country Now, a YouTube/Greenlight Media & Marketing partnership, is the first original country music and lifestyle-dedicated YouTube channel. Its programming features artist news, music videos, live performance and lifestyle programming showcasing fashion, comedy and culture. Country Now is the home of the highly acclaimed series Live From Blackbird Studio, whose intimate performances have featured some of Country music’s best including Eli Young Band, Love and Theft, Dakota Bradley, Parmelee, Joe Nichols and countless others.
About The Blackbird Academy:
The Blackbird Academy Professional School of Audio is a post-secondary, mentor-based educational facility, offering Studio Engineering & Live Sound Engineering Programs taught by professional instructors and award winning guest lecturers. Each of the programs is six months in length, with four start dates per year. Maximum enrollment is 30 students per class. The Blackbird Academy is built on the foundation of Blackbird Studio, the Nashville home to a community of engineers, producers, musicians and technical staff who over the years have taken the art of audio recording to new heights.
Blackbird Studio, under the ownership/leadership of John and Martina McBride, has become the leading recording studio in the country. John’s love for Audio and Education led him to create The Blackbird Academy in 2013. The principles and beliefs that guide the Academy’s programs are simple: Challenge and educate students by presenting them with real life scenarios that an engineer/producer would encounter on a daily basis and train students in studios and labs that are professionally designed for engineers to hone their craft.
About Julia Sheer: 461,078 subscribers/72,498,501 views
https://www.youtube.com/juliasheer
Julia Sheer calls Golden, Colorado home, but she doesn’t spend much time there anymore. She recently moved to Nashville and after building her YouTube page at 16, Julia’s career took off. Doing features with other YouTube stars such as Tyler Ward, Alex Goot and Matty B allowed her to breakout on her own and develop her own voice as one of the worlds biggest followings on YouTube. Sparking one album of original material and a second original album under her duo Caroline County to go along with her catalog of countless pop cover songs, that have put her sales among the top independent artists on the iTunes charts.
A short stint with singer/songwriter Matthew McGinn under the moniker Caroline County opened up Julia to the country music world and the success has continued since working on publishing deals with country superstars such as Clay Walker. With her fans continued support, her Facebook page boasts over 200,000 fans and her YouTube Channel reaches over 450K subscribers driving her recording, merchandising, and touring business. This has turned the heads of brands such as Oreo who have endorsed her. Since recently moving to Nashville she has began putting the pieces in place to put out her debut country album this fall all the while releasing covers on YouTube and hitting the road for fairs and festivals this summer.
WHO: BIG & RICH and others
WHAT: ESPN GAME DAY OPENING
WEEKLY GAME DAY THEME OPENINGS
WHERE & WHEN:
Wednesday, May 7th noon – 8 pm
– Location: The Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel
– Scene: Big & Rich with full band in concert setting; huge stage production with live audience.
EXTRAS NEEDED:
Will be a fun event for Nashville. For more information : https://www.habanaavenue.com/espnbigandrich/
Providing a soundtrack for summer, “Tonight Tonight,” the debut single by Black River Entertainment recording artist, John King, is at Country Radio. Making a strong debut as one of the most added records this week as reported by Country Aircheck, the single is also playing on Sirius/XM’s The Highway and is digitally available.
“John King is the real thing – genuine, talented and country. If you haven’t already, check him out! – Tonight, Tonight!” – Stoney Richards, WDSY Pittsburgh
Produced by Marshall Altman and Doug Johnson, “Tonight Tonight” was written by Marshall Altman, Dylan Altman and Andy Cortes. The single is set to become an emotional bookmark for millions as they celebrate Prom, a Friday night out, a wedding or a graduation, sound tracking life’s celebrations and milestones.
“Working for a paycheck, but looking forward to nighttime fun. EVERYBODY can relate to this. Especially since it is ridiculously hooky and completely ebullient.”
– Robert K. Oermann, Music Row Magazine
“…A quintessential summer country anthem.” – #CMChatLive
Fans of John King can purchase “Tonight Tonight” digitally and view the Official Song Stream featuring behind-the-scenes footage and Official Lyric Video on www.johnkingcountry.com.
For tour schedules and more information, visit www.johnkingcountry.com. Follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/johnkingcountry, Twitter @johnkingcountry and Instagram johnkingcountry.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
05/01/14 – Knoxville, TN – Cotton Eyed Joe
05/02/14 – Spartanburg, SC – Spring Fling Main Stage
05/08/14 – Davie, FL – Round Up w/Parmalee
05/09/14 – Sarasota, FL – White Buffalo Saloon w/Parmalee
05/10/14 – Lakeland, FL – Boots N Buckles w/Parmalee
05/16/14 – Suwannee, GA – Wild Wing Café
05/17/14 – Rock Hill, SC – City Limits South
05/23/14 – Tunica, MS – Delta Country Jam
05/24/14 – Helen, GA – Big Daddy’s
05/25/14 – Watertown, WI – Riverbend RV Resort
06/04/14 – Akron, OH – WQMX Charity Show
06/07/14 – Nashville, TN – CMA Festival
06/13/14 – Kernersville, NC – Bucked Up Super Saloon
06/20/14 – Washington D.C. – Pony To Go Festival
06/21/14 – Boston – Country Fest
06/24/14 – Melvin, IL – Ford County Fair
06/27/14 – Pittsburgh, PA – Lernerville Speedway
07/05/14 – Idaho Falls, ID – Hawk Fest
07/12/14 – Roanoke, VA – Sidewinders
07/17/14 – Memphis, TN – Smokin’ Summer Showcase
07/26/14 – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park
ABOUT JOHN KING:
Hailing from Demorest, GA, singer/songwriter John King graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Marketing/Music Business. John leveraged the skills he learned there to play more than 150 dates a year, prior to having a booking agent. In 2013, John signed with Black River Entertainment and the first single on his forthcoming album, “Tonight Tonight” is digitally available now.
ABOUT BLACK RIVER ENTERTAINMENT:
Black River Entertainment is based in Nashville, Tenn., and is the home to country music entertainers Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Glen Templeton, John King and Kelsea Ballerini. The company also owns and operates the premiere recording studios Sound Stage and Ronnie’s Place, as well as Black River Records, Black River Publishing and Black River Management. For more information about Black River Entertainment, please visit www.blackriverent.com.
Multi-platinum-selling country group BLACKHAWK has teamed with USA Today for the premiere of their new single “Brothers Of The Southland,” the band’s anthemic tribute to some of Southern music’s most iconic figures, among them Duane Allman and Ronnie Van Zant.
The song can be heard here: http://usat.ly/1mV2VY5.
“Brothers Of The Southland” is also the title track of BlackHawk’s new album, which arrives July 8 via Loud & Proud Records. Co-produced by the band (guitarist/vocalist Henry Paul and keyboardist/vocalist Dave Robbins) and Dale Oliver (Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman), Brothers Of The Southland is BlackHawk’s first studio release in 12 years.
About the single, Henry Paul says he set out to “pay respects to a collection of people that were large in my life, like the Marshall Tucker Band and Ronnie Van Zant. I talk about Ronnie’s ‘angel’s voice and devil’s smile,’ contrasting the mischievous and highly principled parts of his personality. And while I didn’t know Duane Allman, we certainly grew up revering him and losing him and Barry Oakley from the Allman Brothers was tragic. The song pulls from my childhood, too, with Southern imagery like gospel tents.”
The song “really embodies Henry’s past with these other people,” says Dave Robbins. “We’re not just paying homage to a genre of music or a geographical topic. When Henry sings about the guys from Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers and the Marshall Tucker Band, he’s talking about people he worked with and grew up with.”
Players on the track include Lynyrd Skynyrd’s original guitarist Ed King (the co-writer of “Sweet Home Alabama”); Paul Riddle, the original drumer for the Marshall Tucker Band; and original Outlaws drummer Monte Yoho and current Outlaws guitarist Chris Anderson. Paul and Robbins penned the tune with Survivor’s Jim Peterik, who has some experience with anthems, having co-written “Eye of the Tiger,” one of the best-selling singles of all time.
The album also includes tribute to BlackHawk’s own early-‘90s roots in the form of three unearthed demos that Paul and Robbins recorded with the band’s late co-founder, Van Stephenson. “Heart With A View,” Wide Open Spaces,” and “Baby, The Rain Must Fall.” Robbins predicts that fans are “going to be ecstatic when they hear three little jewels featuring Van singing with us. It’s the three of us playing and singing live, with an acoustic guitar, mandolin and a piano and not a bunch of edits. We’re so excited to be able to include Van’s amazing voice on these songs. It makes the album that much more special.”
Paul, Robbins and Stephenson exploded onto the country music landscape in 1993 with their self-titled album and top 10 hit single “Goodbye Says It All.” Three more hit singles followed (“Every Once In A While,” “I Sure Can Smell The Rain” and “That’s Just About Right”), propelling the album to platinum status. They maintained that pace in the years that followed, scoring a dozen top ten hits, including two number ones, while selling more than seven million records. Tragedy struck in 1999 when Van was diagnosed with melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. After a long and courageous fight, Van tragically lost his battle in 2001.
Making an artistic and commercial comeback wasn’t the only motivation for firing up the band again. “Van’s dying requests were ‘Keep BlackHawk going, because there’s a lot of great music left in the band… and do what you can do to try and help find a cure for cancer,” says Henry. To that end, he and Dave founded the Van Stephenson Memorial Fund, which raises funds for organizations like the Vanderbilt Women’s Cancer Research Center in Nashville.
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Over the years, BlackHawk’s songs have touched people young and old and their unique musical character has been a catalyst in bringing non-country music fans to the genre. Though they haven’t recorded until now, BlackHawk has continued to tour and play to packed-house audiences across the country. “Our band was always different than many or most of the other groups in our sort of category,” says Henry. “We had a little bit more of a pop lyrical sensibility that brought a lot of people that weren’t necessarily country music fans into the fold of BlackHawk fans.”
That fresh attitude toward the making of their music is certainly appreciated by the twentysomething-year-old fans (affectionately dubbed “wingnuts”) who make up much of BlackHawk’s improbably youthful audience. But it doesn’t matter which demographic they fit into: BlackHawk fans aren’t sons, uncles, dads, or nephews of the Southland, but in the end, as the title says, brothers.
For tour dates, please visit blackhawklive.com
www.blackhawklive.com
About Loud & Proud Records
Loud & Proud Records is an independent record label founded in 2007 by Tom Lipsky whose mission is to provide a true and transparent partnership between artists and their record label. Labels under Lipsky’s direction in the past (CMC International, Sanctuary Records Group) have been among the market leaders in the veteran artist space with releases by Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, KISS, Robert Plant, Morrissey, Earth Wind & Fire, The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Bad Company and more. In a previous joint-venture with Roadrunner Records, Loud & Proud was responsible for new albums by Rush, Lenny Kravitz, Rob Zombie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, KISS, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and The Steve Miller Band. Loud & Proud’s current roster includes five-time Emmy Award winning actor and musician Jonathan Jackson and his band Enation, supergroup rock band The Winery Dogs, renowned jam band The String Cheese Incident, multi-platinum country artists BlackHawk, Seattle’s alternative Walking Papers, critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Willie Nile, powerhouse rockers KIX and the classic Starship featuring Mickey Thomas. Loud & Proud Records is a registered trademark of Lipsky Music, LLC, and is distributed in the U.S. and Canada by RED and in the rest of the world by earMUSIC/Edel AG.
Country music band The Lost Trailers are joining forces with CMT’s music discovery platform, CMT Artists, this summer to give fans nationwide an exclusive multi-media experience on the group’s forthcoming 2014 Tour.
Fans will have the chance to appear in a music video at every tour date and showcase their hometowns. These unique videos will be live on The Lost Trailers exclusive site on Artists.CMT and on the CMT Artists App.
“One of my favorite parts of touring is learning about the great regions of America that I’ve never been to before, or haven’t had the chance to really experience,” shares front-man Stokes Nielson. “This allows not only us, but the whole country music community, to have access to these heartland stories and local lore.”
At every tour stop, The Lost Trailers’ show will be filmed with state-of-the-art video production highlighting the night’s crowd participation. An interactive “Fan-Filmed” area will also be on-site to collect video footage captured from fans, including content that showcases the local community, the before-during-and-after experiences around the show and local up-and-coming acts. The footage will then be combined to create a new music video for every show.
“CMT Artists was designed to unite artists and fans across the digital landscape, and The Lost Trailers are taking an unprecedented approach that taps the full creative potential of the platform,” said Brian Bayley, Manager of Music Strategy for CMT. “The fan-filmed channel allows everyone to share their experiences well after the concert has ended. We encourage Lost Trailer fans to login and see themselves online, stay current on tour dates and tickets and download the CMT Artists App (http://www.cmt.com/artists/apps/) to share with fellow fans.”
Discovered by Willie Nelson, The Lost Trailers broke onto the country music scene and delivered five Top 40 singles including the breakout Top 10, Gold-certified anthem “Holler Back.” They have earned multiple ACM nominations and continue to tour nationwide with their energetic live show. Fronting the group is award-winning songwriter Stokes Nielson, who is also a new media entrepreneur and a producer for Google/YouTube’s Country Now TV.
This summer, The Lost Trailers will feature Nielson and longtime fixture guitar-slinger Charles Longoria, TLT bassist Jimmy Lykens, and guitarist/vocalist Jeff Dane, as well as support on certain dates from artists Jason Wyatt, California native Ry Bradley, and Houston-based Arabella Jones.
For tour dates and more information, please visit www.thelosttrailers.com
