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“Next Big Thing” Bailey Bryan’s Debut EP “So Far” Available Today

By on April 14, 2017 in In The Press

Since “next big thing” (Perez Hilton) Bailey Bryan first arrived on the scene with her debut single “Own It,” critics have prepared the world to “fall in love” (People) with the singer/songwriter. Touted by Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly as an “artist you need to know,” Bryan is “ready to show the world her confident side” (Taste Of Country) with her EP SO FAR (300 Entertainment/Warner Music Nashville) that “runs the emotional gamut” (Billboard), available digitally now.

 
Produced by GRAMMY award-winner Dennis Matkosky, Bryan co-wrote each of the songs on the “deliciously infectious” (Building Our Own Nashville) collection, packed with “relatable songs that instantly grab the listener’s attention” (Sounds Like Nashville). The EP features four brand new tracks along with lead single “Own It,” which has been featured on Apple’s “Hot Tracks” and the “Breaking Country” and “Cool Country” playlists. “Hard Drive Home” has been hand-picked to be featured on Spotify’s “New Music Friday” playlist. Click here to watch a live performance video for the track, which premiered exclusively on Billboard today as the first of five installments of her “SO FAR Sessions.”
 

“All of the songs represent something I’ve learned and something that has impacted me and made me who I am thus far,” Bryan said of the EP. “I’m so excited to finally get to share these songs with everyone. Seriously, somebody pinch me.”

 
Bryan was recently selected as one of 15 artists to take part in “Next Wave April” through Musical.ly. Fans can tune in to catch her on a Live.ly stream this Sunday, April 16 at 2:00P CT.

Bryan is continuing to introduce her new music to live audiences across the country, currently on tour with Kane Brown after wrapping up a run earlier this year with Dan + Shay. On May 6, Bryan will take to the world-famous Grand Ole Opry stage to make her Opry debut. She has also been added to the MainStage lineup for several festivals this spring and summer, including Stagecoach (4/28) and Watershed (6/28). For additional information and a full list of tour dates, visit baileybryan.com.

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Ty Herndon’s Concert For Love And Acceptance Set To Return June 8th

By on April 13, 2017 in In The Press

Award-winning recording artist Ty Herndon has confirmed his second Concert for Love & Acceptance, a benefit supporting at-risk youth, for June 8th at Wildhorse Saloon (120 2nd Ave. North) in Nashville, Tenn. The concert will bring together musicians and celebrities for a night of entertainment and a good cause. The doors will open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

 

“I’m very excited to announce our 2nd Concert For Love & Acceptance.  We had so much fun the first time that we had to do it again,” comments Ty Herndon, “We have some amazing artists and celebrities that are coming together to celebrate love and acceptance in Nashville, and we want to be a shining beacon to the rest of this world we are living in.”

 

Cody Alan, host of CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown, producer of iHeartRadio’s CMT After Midnite and CMT Radio Live, will serve as host for the event that will feature performances from renowned artists who will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Grammy-nominated and Dove Award winning artist Ty Herndon created the Concert for Love & Acceptance, when his 20th anniversary fan club party turned into a coalition of artists gathering in support of Nashville’s at-risk youth. The driving force behind the benefit is Herndon’s desire to foster positive cultural change and encourage Nashville’s youth to live to their fullest potential.

 

In November of 2014, Ty Herndon became the first major male country artist to publicly come out as gay.  Shortly after, he made history when he hosted this first-of-its-kind event, The Concert for Love & Acceptance. The event received national attention from Boston Globe, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Tonight, People Magazine and more.  A philanthropist at heart, Herndon has also donated his time to organizations such as the Trevor Project, Make A Wish, St. Jude, GLAAD, HRC and Feed the Children.

 

For more information on Concert for Love & Acceptance or to purchase tickets, please visit www.TyHerndon.com.

 

 

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Caitlyn Smith Finds Destiny In Tacoma; Film Premieres At Nashville Film Festival

By on April 13, 2017 in In The Press

Courtesy of CornMGMT

Singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith debuts All the Way to Tacoma, a documentary which follows her 3,000-mile train trip from Memphis to Tacoma, during the Nashville Film Festival Friday, April 21 (8:30 PM/CT) and Tuesday, April 25 (8:30 PM/CT).

 

Shot last spring by director/cinematographer Justin Key the documentary follows Smith on a cross-country trip on an Amtrak train joined by fellow Nashville-based writers Ruston Kelly, Bob DiPiero, Paul Moak whose work has appeared on numerous Platinum and Gold albums and been featured on hit T.V. shows such as, “Nashville,” “One Tree Hill” and “Pretty Little Liars” and Rollie Gaalswyk.

 

“Working with Caitlyn on this project was an incredible moment in my life,” said Key, who edited the documentary and produced the work with Shea Fowler. “Piecing together this film can only scratch the surface of how amazingly talented she is.”

 

The inspiration for the trip stemmed from a song Smith co-wrote that was that would ultimately appear on her critically acclaimed 2016 five-song release Starfire, called “Tacoma.” It was a song title inspired by the day she had her first write with DiPiero.

 

“I was trying to come up with something on the way to [the writing session], and I had never written with Bob before,” Smith said of how the song came to be. “I put in the address of his office, and my Google Maps took me to Tacoma, Washington. I saw the word Tacoma and I thought, ‘Man, that’s such a great song title. I just love that idea: how you hurt so badly you drive as far as you can to try to take your mind off the pain.’”

 

She walked in having never met the Hall of Fame Songwriter who has 15 No. 1 songs to his credit, but she knew what she wanted to write about.

 

That single word sparked a melody. “It just fell out of the air,” said Smith. “When I got to the write I said, ‘Bob, what do you think about this?’ And we started singing and wrote the song so quickly. It was the first time we had ever written [together], and it is one of my favorite songs that I’ve ever been a part of.”

 

That’s saying something when you consider that Smith’s catalog of songs includes cuts by such high-profile artists as Meghan Trainor (“Like I’m Gonna Lose You”).

Courtesy of CornMGMT

Smith and the cast of accomplished Nashville tunesmiths composed songs and stories written over the course of the 3,000-mile Amtrak journey that started in Memphis and passed through Chicago and Seattle before ending in Tacoma, known as the “City of Destiny” as the area was chosen to be the western end of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The excursion ended up revealing a woman on the verge of musical and personal discovery as she prepares to release her full-length debut album on Monument Records.

 

To learn more about All the Way to Tacoma and purchase tickets visit here.

 

About Justin Key

A native Nashvillian, Key is originally a photographer by trade and the former Creative Director for Taylor Swift and various other country music artists. After spending eight years overseeing the creative for Swift and Big Machine Records he opened his own production house and content agency situated just south of downtown. His current roster of work includes music videos from every major record label as well as commercial series for various trade organizations and clients.

 

His first project at the helm of Wilder Media was an independent documentary film entitled North of Everything. The film was a personal journey across Iceland speaking with strangers and developing lasting friendships through a unique travelogue.

 

His current project All the Way to Tacoma allowed him to dive deep into the Nashville tradition of songwriting and tell a the story of one deeply rooted songwriter in Caitlyn Smith.

 

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CMA Music Festival Announces “Forever Country” And “Music City Stage”

By on April 13, 2017 in In The Press

With nearly 150 acts already set to perform at the 2017 CMA Music Festival across four stages, CMA announced lineups for two additional free stages today: The brand new Budweiser “Forever Country” Park Stage in the park space behind Ascend Amphitheater, which will feature some of the biggest names in Country Music from recent decades; and the Music City Stage, located in the Nashville Visitor Center at Bridgestone Arena, a cool spot to enjoy some of Country’s hottest rising stars. CMA Music Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 8-11, in downtown Nashville.

 

“We focus on programming unforgettable performances on every stage and thank our returning partners for helping us to do that, while also offering unique activities and experiences for fans,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern.

 

Performances on the Budweiser “Forever Country” Park Stage will take place from 11:00 AM-4:45 PM/CT daily during the Festival. The lineup includes Jeff Bates, Bellamy Brothers, John Berry, Mark Chesnutt, Confederate Railroad, George Ducas, Emerson Drive, Exile, Andy Griggs, Ty Herndon, “Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence and Friends”, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Little Texas, Lonestar, Mila Mason, Terry McBride, Rick Monroe, Jamie O’Neal, James Otto, Danielle Peck, Trick Pony, Collin Raye, Restless Heart, Julie Roberts, Ray Scott, Shenandoah, Doug Supernaw, Rhonda Vincent and Daryle Singletary, Lari White, Mark Wills, and Darryl Worley.

Fans will enjoy rewinding the clock with many of Country’s most established acts from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s.  Bellamy Brothers, Exile, and Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers debuted at CMA Music Festival in the early to mid-‘80s. While this marks McBride’s first solo appearance at the Festival, he made his CMA Fest debut with McBride & The Ride in 1990. White and Supernaw last appeared at CMA Fest in ’95 and ’96, respectively.

 

Festival attendees often enjoy hours of jam-packed fun in the sun, but the Nashville Visitor Center inside Bridgestone Arena will be the coolest place to take in performances during the Festival. As the location of the Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp’s Music City Stage, it’s the only FREE, air-conditioned, indoor Festival stage, offering fans a convenient place to escape the June heat while still catching the entertainment CMA Music Festival is known for.

 

Performances on the Music City Stage will take place from 11:00 AM-4:40 PM/CT daily during the Festival. The lineup for Thursday through Saturday includes Jimmie Allen, Sammy Arriaga, Kassi Ashton, Maggie Baugh, Brennley Brown, Brian Callihan, Dallas Caroline, Jessie Chris, Julia Cole, Nora Collins, Dalton & the Sheriffs, Shelly Fairchild, Kenny Foster, Livy Jeanne, Jessie Key, Colm Kirwan, McCoy, Tristan McIntosh, Megan & Liz, Native Run, Camille Rae, Mary Sarah, Zach Seabaugh, CJ Solar, Scott Stevens, Sweet Tea Trio, Mitchell Tenpenny, The Hootz, Kasey Tyndall, and James Robert Webb.

On Sunday, ASCAP Presents at the Music City Stage will showcase artists ranging from fresh-faced new talent to emerging songwriter-artists boasting publishing or record deals and recent tours with major label acts. Performers include Raquel Cole, Crooked King, Dorado, Adam Hambrick, Lucas Hoge, Martin McDaniel, Post Monroe, Brandon Ratcliff, Sarah Allison Turner, and Anna Vaus.

 

Artist lineups subject to change.

 

A limited number of tickets for the Nightly Concerts at Nissan Stadium are still available at CMAfest.com or through the CMA Box Office at 1-800-CMA-FEST. Outdoor daytime stages including Chevrolet Riverfront and Park Stages, as well as the Gildan Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe, are free and open to the public.

 

Funds generated through CMA Music Festival ticket sales benefit music education. Since 2006, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $17.5 million to support quality, sustainable music education initiatives across the country on behalf of the artists who participate in the event for free, touching the lives of one million students. For more information, visit CMAfoundation.org.

 

Additional stage lineups, Fan Fair X activities, and more will be announced soon. Don’t miss a beat by staying connected with CMA on CMAfest.com, the Official CMA Fest App, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and sign up for CMA Country Connection emails to receive the latest news as soon as it’s announced.

 

CMA Music Festival will once again be filmed for a national television special to air on the ABC Television Network. This is the 13th consecutive year 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 WSM, Incorporated and is used by permission.

 

 

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“Stubborn Hearts” A Night Of Music Benefiting The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society On April 18th

By on April 12, 2017 in In The Press

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Tickets On Sale Today For “Stars For Second Harvest” On June 6th

By on April 7, 2017 in In The Press

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is gearing up for the 13th Annual Stars for Second Harvest concert on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 7:30pm at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Presented by O’Charley’s and hosted by Craig Wiseman, acclaimed hit songwriter and founder of Big Loud Records and Big Loud Shirt, this concert features an unplugged acoustic style performance by some of country music’s brightest stars.

 

“This show is one of my favorite events every year because of the great artists that participate and the money we raise for a worthwhile cause,” said Wiseman. “I am thrilled to have O’Charley’s return as presenting sponsor and for Nissan North America to join this year as our stage sponsor.”

 

Concert tickets are on-sale now for reserved seating $35 plus applicable service charges, preferred seating $55 tickets and a select number of premium seats which include a seat and limited edition show poster for $125 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, Ryman box office, Ryman.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Proceeds from the concert benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee in their efforts to feed hungry people and work to solve hunger issues in our community. For more information, visit secondharvestmidtn.org.

 

Previous years have featured incredible performances by Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw and Bon Jovi.

 

Thanks to the generosity and help from everyone in country music and its fans, the show to date has raised ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000) and provided FOUR MILLION MEALS (4,000,000) for Middle Tennesseans at risk of hunger.

 

About Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee

Organized in 1978, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is a private, not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization.  Second Harvest’s mission is to feed hungry people and work to solve hunger issues in our community. Second Harvest distributes food and other products to 490 Partner Agencies in 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee. Our partners include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, childcare facilities, senior centers, group homes, and youth enrichment programs. For more information on Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and its programs, please visit secondharvestmidtn.org.

 

About Craig Wiseman

Founder of Big Loud Shirt Industries and Big Loud Records, Craig Wiseman is one of today’s most celebrated songwriters and has played a significant role in shaping country music. To date, Wiseman has had well over 300 cuts, 100 singles, 26 #1’s and has had songs on over 80 million records sold.  He has also received countless awards, including a Grammy for Tim McGraw’s 10-week #1, “Live Like You Were Dying,” and CMA & ACM Awards for Song of the Year for consecutive years. Additionally, he was named three times ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year.   In 2014, Wiseman was presented with the ASCAP Heritage Award for being the most-performed country music songwriter of the past century. The following year, Wiseman was voted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Amongst many others, he has penned songs for Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Beverly Knight, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn and Tim McGraw.

 

About O’Charley’s

O’Charley’s was born in Nashville, Tennessee and has been a quintessential American Restaurant with Southern Hospitality since its beginning in Nashville over 40 years ago. Famous for its unsliceably soft rolls, Prime Rib Lovers’ Weekend for Two, Sunday Brunch and fresh baked pie, O’Charley’s operates 207 restaurants in 20 states in the Southeast and Midwest, including 201 company-owned and operated O’Charley’s restaurants and six restaurants operated by franchises and joint venture partners. To find an O’Charley’s location near you, visit www.ocharleys.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Merle Haggard Post-Tribute Show Takeover Confirmed For Nudie’s Honky Tonk Tonight

By on April 6, 2017 in In The Press

Following the All-Star Concert Celebration Sing Me Back Home The Music of Merle Haggard at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, April 6, Nudie’s Honky Tonk is encouraging fans to join them for a Merle Haggard Takeover at 11:30 PM CT featuring performances by Merle’s son Ben Haggard and Merle’s band The Strangers. The event, which is free and open to the public, proves once again why Nudie’s Honky Tonk is quickly becoming a “must-visit” stop on Broadway.

 

“We’re honored that Nudie’s is the official venue for the Merle Haggard tribute concert after-party,” says Nudie’s Honky Tonk Owner and Icon Entertainment President Bill Miller. “In addition to members of Merle’s family and friends, son Ben Haggard will be performing with his dad’s band, The Strangers.”

 

About Nudie’s Honky Tonk

 

The world famous Nudie’s Honky Tonk on Broadway resides in a 100-year-old, historic, three-story building housing millions of dollars of rare country music memorabilia, costumes, multiple bars, two stages featuring live music and Southern style comfort food for guests. Open daily 11 AM – 3 AM CT, visitors can see pop culture, iconic designs by designer Nudie Cohn like Elvis Presley’s $10,000 gold lame’ suit. Nudie’s Rodeo Tailor fashions were donned by the hottest in film and music including Gene Autry, Johnny Cash, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Robert Redford, Porter Wagner and John Wayne, among many others. Nudie didn’t stop at clothing. He also customized automobiles often installing silver-dollar dashboards, pistol door handles and gear shifts, extending rear bumpers and trimming vehicles with longhorn steer horns as hood ornaments. To date, there are 9 surviving “Nudie Mobiles” with his $400,000 1975 Cadillac El Dorado finding a permanent home on the wall at Nudie’s Honky Tonk. Located at 409 Broadway, this attraction features the longest bar in Music City at over 100 feet.

 

 

 

Website: www.nudieshonkytonk.com

 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NudiesHonkyTonk/

 

Twitter: @NudiesHonkyTonk

 

 

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Rascal Flatts Debut “Yours If You Want It” Video At Nashville Haunt The Hermitage Cafe

By on March 18, 2017 in In The Press

Photo 1 (L-R): Scott Borchetta – Big Machine Records, Jay DeMarcus, Charlie Cook – Cumulus, Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney

ACM Awards Vocal Group Of The Year nominee Rascal Flatts shared the new music video for their single “Yours If You Want It” with industry and media friends at The Hermitage Cafe in Nashville this week.  Guests were treated to a taste of the trio’s highly-anticipated May 19 release of their tenth studio album BACK TO US (Big Machine Records). During an intimate breakfast, the guys recounted the hilarious video shoot, career memories and recording the new music.

 

 

A force to be reckoned with in any genre, the upcoming release of BACK TO US comes hot on the heels of the success of Rascal Flatts’ 16th No. 1 hit “I Like The Sound Of That,” from REWIND. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, making them one of only four acts during the SoundScan era to have eight consecutive studio albums debut in the top spot. As the best-selling country vocal group of the past decade, Rascal Flatts has sold over 23.4 million albums, over 33.7 million digital downloads worldwide, as well as earning over 40 trophies from the ACA, ACM, AMA, CMA, People’s Choice and more, also making them the most awarded country group of the past decade. Known as one of the hottest-selling touring acts in any genre, the trio also recently celebrated a major milestone of 10 million tickets sold, following a rousing year stacked of headlining shows. To pre-order BACK TO US and more, visit RascalFlatts.com.

 

 

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The Swon Brothers Release Their New EP “Pretty Cool Scars”

By on March 18, 2017 in In The Press

Zach and Colton, The Swon Brothers deliver their new EP PRETTY COOL SCARS yesterday. Click HERE to download.

 

Zach and Colton will perform tonight at The Grand Ole Opry and sign autographs for fans at the Opry Store immediately following the show.  Tomorrow they will celebrate the new release with a FREE show for fans at Nashville’s ACME Feed and Seed.

 

The brothers spent the majority of 2016 on Carrie Underwood’s STORYTELLER Tour and had the opportunity to showcase new music to fans all over the United States, before going into the studio to record their new EP with producer Brad Hill. (Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne).

 

The BUZZ on PRETTY COOL SCARS and THE SWON BROTHERS

 

“Pretty Cool Scars unveils a brand-new side to the Swon Brothers.” says THE BOOT

 

“The Swon Brothers are one of our favorite country music duos.  We’ve seen them on stage; we’ve listened to their music; we’ve written about them; we’ve talked about them; we’ve met them; we talked to them … and we just can’t get enough of these guys.”  COUNTRYS CHATTER

 

“The Voice alums from Team Blake can expect their coach to be proud of his fellow Okies.” COUNTRY COMMON

 

 

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Farewell Angelina Visits WSM’s COFFEE, COUNTRY & CODY

By on March 15, 2017 in In The Press

Pictured at the studio are: (l. to r.) – Farewell Angelina’s Andrea Young and Nicole Witt; Coffee, Country & Cody host Bill Cody; Farewell Angelina’s Lauren Lucas; Coffee, Country & Cody producer Charlie Mattos; and Farewell Angelina’s Lisa Torres.

Dreamlined Entertainment’s Farewell Angelina dropped by WSM’s Coffee, Country & Cody to chat up their “If It Ain’t With You” single, their self-titled EP, being named one of the 2017 Taste of Country RISERS and more.

Farewell Angelina was recently announced as the winner of the Taste of Country RISERS “Hot Seat” poll. Organizers revealed the band, named by Rolling Stone as one of the “10 New Country Artists You Need To Know,” won the coveted slot by over 20,000 votes.
The Dreamlined Entertainment group’s “If It Ain’t With You” single continues to hit radio playlists across the country.

About Farewell Angelina: Farewell Angelina is an all-female country group. Nicole Witt and Andrea Young teamed up with noted Nashville harmony singer and solo artist Lisa Torres in late 2014. Their clear writing chemistry, creative drive and incendiary performance soon caught the ears and eyes of producers Jen Ketner and Keith Stegall, and recording commenced in 2015. This year celebrated the release of their debut EP on Stegall’s Dreamlined Entertainment and appearances at the ACM All-Star Jam, CMA Music Fest, a 75-city radio tour and festival dates at Creek Fest and Trails West. In late summer 2016 they added ACM and Tony Award nominee Lauren Lucas, adding yet another lead vocalist and stellar guitarist to the mix.

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