About Alanna Massey

Alanna Massey went to a lot of concerts, but she rarely sat in the audience. Tour buses and dressing rooms were her playground. Her dad worked in the music industry, so she was raised with southern rock in her blood and a quick wit to hold her own with the guys. The Florida girl grew up on a cattle ranch near the beach but made her way to Nashville the first chance she got. Upon graduating from the University of Florida in May 2015, Alanna made the move to Music City. She served on the board of directors for UF’s chapters of CMA EDU and Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) to bring music industry professionals to The Swamp. Alanna is passionate about performing. She was Hernando de Soto Princess, serving as an ambassador for her hometown of Bradenton, Fla., as she traveled to Spain and throughout the U.S. You can find her representing different brands at events around Nashville. Claim to fame: “Hey, are you that girl from the ‘Second Chance’ by Shinedown video?” Chips and guac junkie. Expect a Tweet about margaritas every Monday. Alanna is thrilled to call Nashville her new home! Twitter & Instagram: @alanna_massey Contact: alannamassey.pr@gmail.com

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“Love Can Go To Hell” – Ashley Gearing

By on April 14, 2016 in Album & Song Reviews, artist spotlight

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Ashley Gearing’s “Love Can Go To Hell” is honest and speaks about real relationships.

“I wanted to record that song for me and all my girlfriends – twenty somethings,” the 24-year-old said. “Love happens to everyone. Sometimes it’s really great and sometimes and it’s really bad.”

Gearing and her team added “Love Can Go To Hell” to her 6-song, self-titled EP at the last minute.

“We just knew we had to put that song on there,” Gearing said. “It really represented a different side of me as an artist. It’s kind of a jarring title. And then you listen to the song and it represents something totally different than you thought it would.”

Gearing signed to Curb Records at 16. She pursued college and graduated from Belmont University 2 years ago with a major in Entertainment Business and minor in Public Relations.

“I was really anxious to get started on this new EP,” she said. “It was a really long process because I really wanted these songs to represent who I am as a 24-year-old.”

Gearing was inspired by female artists who were great storytellers like Celine Dion, Martina McBride, Carol King, Shania Twain and Faith Hill. She’s also a fan of Motown and soul artists infused with a country background.

“I was born in the time when songs were so meaningful,” she said. “That was one of our requirements when we started looking for songs. We want them to be fun songs that you can sing in your car but also meaningful.”

Gearing is writing a lot right now, building her artistry in the Nashville community and developing relationships within the music industry. She said both the competition and support can be overwhelming as a young person in the music scene.

“My advice to anyone just coming in is to keep your head down and focus on what you’re doing rather than getting distracted by everyone else’s timeline,” she said.

Ashley Gearing is just scratching the surface.

“The great part about Nashville is there are a lot of people who want to help you and succeed with you,” she said. “I think we can all succeed at the same time doing a lot of different things.”

Ashely Gearing’s signature black roses were a popular gift in February for Valentine’s Day and a perfect representation of her latest single.

Among the recipients was Bobby Bones of the Bobby Bones Show. He made a “Making a Murderer” style documentary about the anonymous roses, complete with a guessing game that finally led him to discover they were from Gearing.

Check out “Love Can Go To Hell” and the rest of Gearing’s EP on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon. Keep up with her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Love and Theft – “Whiskey On My Breath,” Aliens and Drinking with Pets

By on March 8, 2016 in artist spotlight, Interviews, Special Events
Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of Love and Theft with Alanna Massey of Focus on the 615

Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of Love and Theft with Alanna Massey of Focus on the 615

Love and Theft is making a stand about addiction with their latest single “Whiskey On My Breath.” The duo, comprised of Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles, has dealt with losing family members to alcoholism.

“It’s a pretty heavy topic,” Stephen said. “But it’s not all about drinking. It’s just about addictions in general. Almost everyone has their own addiction. It doesn’t have to be alcohol. It could be social media.”

GUILTY 🙋🏼

The single skyrocketed from #200 to #2 on iTunes with a little support from the Bobby Bones Show.

“Bobby heard ‘Whiskey On My Breath’ and really related to it,” Eric said. “His mother died of alcoholism at 46.”

Eric struggled with alcoholism and was proudly 311 days sober at the time of our interview.

“Singing about it every night when I was still drinking was almost like I was giving myself a guilt trip in a way,” Eric said. “I was getting up there singing about the one thing that scared me to death more than anything – whiskey on my breath. It’s been good to get away from it and change my lifestyle.”

Eric’s new go-to drink is soda water or Diet Coke with a few limes. Stephen still enjoys an adult beverage every now and then.

“I drink vodka and water pretty much because you’re hydrating while you’re drinking.”

Good strategy, Stephen! That’s not his only advice about drinking.

Stephen, since you’re a year older and so much wiser than Eric, give us your words of wisdom. This is your legacy!

Eric: Give us like half of a tweet – so you get like 13 characters or something. Make this count, this is it. This will live on forever. Ladies and gentlemen, Stephen Barker Liles’ words to live by.

Stephen: You’re not drinking alone if your pet is with you.

Eric: Wow.

Stephen: It’s for all the pet lovers out there.

Eric, what’s the deal with your Twitter bio: “Life coach, alien expert, ceiling fan collector…follow me”?

Eric: Oh just two things I’m really passionate about. I’m really obsessed with aliens and area 51. No I’m kidding… I just put it on there as a joke. And then I watched an episode of something on TV where this guy collected oriental fans, and I thought it was so weird and strange. So I thought I’d put it on there, too. None of that’s true.

Stephen: CMA Fest we could get Love and Theft fans… for the fans.

Eric: Oh yeah the ones where you mist yourself!

OK guys… back to the important stuff. What do you have going on this year?

Stephen: We’re traveling all year playing tons of shows. We’ve been doing about 100 shows a year for 6 or 7 years. Some years we’re gone 200 days. There’s no telling how many shows we’re gonna do this year. We’re on pace for a lot.

Eric: It’s been the busiest beginning of a year for us as far as acoustic shows go.

Stephen: I’m gonna have a Companion Pass at the end of the year if I keep flying Southwest!

“Whiskey On My Breath” soaring to the top of the charts, drinking with pets, aliens and a busy year ahead. There ya have it, folks – Love and Theft!

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Darryl Worley – Embracing Change

By on February 24, 2016 in artist spotlight, Interviews, Special Events

 

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Darryl Worley and Alanna Massey at Country Radio Seminar

Change is in the air, and Darryl Worley is embracing it.

“Country radio has been so inundated with things that I really don’t understand, like music that doesn’t speak to me on many levels,” Worley said. “I got a little bit of a hope and a hint that may change.”

Worley has a big year ahead of him – a greatest hits album, his first Christian album and a documentary of his travels to war zones.

“If that change is in the air, this would be the right time for me to try to get back on the radio,” he said. “It sounds like a good place to almost start over.”

He has spent a lot of time in Muscle Shoals, Ala., preparing to release his 2-volume greatest hits album.

“That’s kinda like home away from home for me,” Worley said. “It’s where I started out as a songwriter, so it’s sorta been like a homecoming to go down there with a bunch of folks I used to hang out with. We’re having a blast.”

Worley’s Christian album will release later this year, but don’t expect it to sound anything like his country music. He said it’s very uplifting, yet it has a nature of the blues.

“It’s coming from life’s lessons I’m passing on that could help people through tough times or situations,” he said. “It’s gonna speak to people I think on a whole different level, and we’re excited about that.”

As the 15th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Worley’s documentary “Unsung Heroes: Music and Memories” will illustrate his experiences entertaining soldiers, seamen, airmen and marines all over the world. Worley said he wanted to do something to uplift them. The raw and real footage spanning 5 years will shine a light on what American troops do for our country.

“It’s a powerful piece, and I can’t wait for people to see it,” he said. “I’m very proud of it.”

Worley left us with a little advice for upcoming musicians:

“Figure out who you are musically and don’t let anybody change that. If you know who you are, if you really know who you are, they’re not gonna want to change you anyway. They’re gonna go, ‘Man, that’s just what we were lookin’ for.’ That’s the most important thing. I believe it with all my heart.”

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2015 Leadership Music Dale Franklin Awards

By on December 5, 2015 in Special Events
Photo credit: Moments by Moser

Photo credit: Moments by Moser

Presented by Big Machine Label Group

Founding Council Award: Jo Walker-Meador
Brian William Ambassador Award: Steve Buchanan
Dale Franklin Award: Reba McEntire

Glitz, glam and a country music fam. The Leadership Music Dale Franklin Awards red carpet brought to light the closeness of the country music community. It is an annual event to recognize a music industry leader who exemplifies the highest quality of leadership and leading by example. This year’s recipient is country music’s fiery hot pistol – Reba McEntire.

Jo Walker-Meador, longtime executive director of the Country Music Association was awarded the Founding Council Award and President of the Opry, Steve Buchanan, was awarded the Brian William Ambassador Award.

More photos from the #LeadershipMusic #DaleFranklin Red Carpet tonight! A photo posted by FOCUS on the 615 (@focus_on_the_615) on

Reba: “To everybody in the industry, I’ve been in the business now 40 years this month. I have so many people to thank who have paved the way for me. What do you do in the business? You do say you entertain, that’s your number 1 job. It’s also very important to leave something as you go. I’ve always thought it was really good idea to teach by example.

See the video below for Red Carpet interviews and musical highlights from the night:

Fellow country musicians and industry leaders shared their favorite memories of Reba. From shots and conga lines through a restaurant in Cancun to squirting Bean-O on her dinner because “I love eggplant but eggplant doesn’t love me,” Reba is always the life of the party.

“There are so many people I’d love to thank, but I’m about dying to use the bathroom right now so bad,” Reba said.

The common thread in every message to Reba was how much her friends and coworkers have learned from her over the years No doubt about it – everyone in the CMA Theater that night loves “Red.”

“Yes I do like my brown liquor. I do like that very much, and I have a great time. I love life, and I’m gonna continue loving life,” Reba said.

Check out the video below for full performances to honor Reba by Hillary Scott, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, and Ronnie Dunn. Includes the full speech from Reba.

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Kendra Scott Brings Bling to Green Hills, Nashville

By on October 13, 2015 in Community, Special Events

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Personalized jewelry, yummy cocktails, country artist Cam and fashion designer Kendra Scott — these are the makings of an amazing Grand Opening celebration! The 28th Kendra Scott store launched in the Green Hills area of Nashville this spring, so naturally an exclusive party was in order. The best part about it? While guests mingled and shopped, a portion of the proceeds went to the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Lifting Live Charity to improve lives through the power of music.

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9th Annual ACM Honors

By on September 10, 2015 in Special Events
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Photo credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM

The 9th Annual ACM Honors was an intimate evening at the Ryman Auditorium to recognize special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 50th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

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40th Annual Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam

By on September 5, 2015 in Special Events
Photo credit: Provided by Webster & Associates.

Photo credit: Provided by Webster & Associates.

Charlie Daniels invited a few of his closest friends to jam at War Memorial Auditorium with him during a live-recording session for his Fire on the Mountain album. 40 years later, country and southern rock musicians still gather at the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam in Nashville to raise money for the Journey Home Project and The Predators Foundation. Continue Reading →

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Clay Walker | 6th Annual “Chords of Hope” Benefit

By on July 23, 2015 in Special Events

 

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Clay Walker playing “6th Annual Chords of Hope.” Photo Credit: Alanna Massey

A curveball is flying toward you. You have two options — let it knock you down, or catch and return it to the world as something positive.

Clay Walker sent it soaring back into the world, leaving a trail of hope and inspiration.

He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at age 26, only a few years after bursting into the mainstream country music scene. Instead of letting the news knock him down, Clay pursued his career and founded a non-profit organization called Band Against MS.

He also established an annual benefit in Nashville called “Chords of Hope.” This is the 6th year the event has raised money for MS education and research at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

“I think the loyalty and commitment has grown from the community, and therefore I could see us very easily doing another six years,” Clay said.

Clay took time to meet with friends and supporters before the night kicked off. Tim Dugger took the stage, followed by Clay. There were 400 people united by a great cause at the sold-out show.

“We love doing it at this quaint place, at 3rd and Lindsley, because it’s just more personal,” Clay said. 

Clay Walker performing while streamer pop into the audience during "Live Laugh Love."

Clay Walker performing while streamer pop into the audience during “Live Laugh Love.”

Clay spread his own laughter and love by popping streamers into the audience during “Live Laugh Love.” Fans twirled and threw the paper ribbons into the air as Clay rocked the stage. It was truly inspiring to feel the joy and energy within the audience, especially for those also living with MS.

Clay is a spokesman for Stick With It, an organization that encourages MS patients to stick with a normal routine.

“It’s real important to me to always make sure that I take medication three times a week, exercise and eat somewhat healthy,” Clay said.

Touring provides an unpredictable environment and makes it difficult to maintain a normal routine. He might be on the bus one night and in a hotel the next, but when it comes to his health routine he’s sure to “stick with it.”

Clay Walker and Alanna Massey backstage at "Chords of Hope."

Clay Walker and Alanna Massey backstage at “Chords of Hope.”

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First CMA Fest Media Experience

By on June 25, 2015 in Special Events

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The last time I rose with the sun was for a deep-sea fishing trip when I lived in Florida. Now, three weeks into my new Nashville life, I was up at 5:30 a.m. twice in one week to live the dream of covering CMA Fest. With a media pass around my neck, I ventured into the chaos of downtown Nashville and surrounded myself with artists, fans and four days of country music.

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Tortuga Music Festival

By on May 26, 2015 in Show Review

Sun, sand and a drink in my hand. Tortuga Music Festival was a collision of my two favorite worlds — country music and island life. Festival-goers left the cowboy boots at home and went barefoot in the Florida sand to watch a lineup of 25 bands in two days. Continue Reading →

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