After inaugural success with Ashley Gorley, Cassadee Pope, Matt Jenkins and Jon Nite, ASCAP Previews Creator Conference for Nashville
(Nashville, TN) ASCAP will take over The Bluebird Cafe on January 14th, 2020 for their second annual Nashville ASCAP Experience “In the Round” concert, previewing the conference (April 1-3 in LA) For the Nashville community. At last year’s inaugural event, ASCAP Experience alumni (formerly ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO) talked about what they learned and the connections they made at the conference, in between trading hit songs. The night was hosted by seven-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley and featured chart-topping country artist Cassadee Pope, multi-time #1 songwriter Matt Jenkins (Florida Georgia Line, Dustin Lynch, Blake Shelton) and CMA/ACM award-winner Jon Nite. The special evening of music and stories will return in January with another can’t-miss host of A-listers sharing their ASCAP “Experiences.”
This year’s ASCAP Experience takes place April 1-3, 2020 in Downtown LA at the Intercontinental Hotel. Previous keynote speakers and panelists have included Billie Eilish and FINNEAS, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Justin Timberlake, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Katy Perry, and Tom Petty.
(Nashville, Tenn. – Dec. 9, 2019) Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has announced the lineup for the CRS 2020 New Faces of Country Music® Show. The final list of performers includes Ingrid Andress (Atlantic/WMN), Morgan Evans (Warner/WEA), Riley Green (BMLGR), Runaway June (Wheelhouse), and Mitchell Tenpenny (Riser House/Columbia Nashville).
CRB/CRS President of the Board, Kurt Johnson, comments, “This is an outstanding class of New Faces, representing some of the most exciting up-and-coming artists in our format. It’s truly one the best moments of the year for Country Radio—careers are made on the spot. Not to be missed!”
The five emerging artists set to perform were selected based on votes submitted by full-time radio station employees during the voting period, held Nov. 18 through Nov. 22.
The New Faces of Country Music® Show is one of the most anticipated events at Country Radio Seminar. The show has played a pivotal role in the careers of almost every major Country star. The annual showcase was formed in 1970, making CRS 2020’s New Faces event the 50th Anniversary show. For the upcoming year, the show will be held during CRS 2020 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. The show is co-sponsored by the Academy of Country Music and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Country Radio Seminar and Country Aircheck sponsor the evening’s annual industry awards presentation.
Dinner tickets for the 2020 New Faces of Country Music® Show are sold out. The $649 registration rate for Country Radio Seminar 2020, held Wednesday, Feb. 19 through Friday, Feb. 21 at the Omni hotel, is available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.
About Country Radio Seminar: Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country Radio. Country Radio Seminar 2020 is set for Feb. 19-21 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Registration for Country Radio Seminar is currently $649 per person and is available for purchase at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com. Additionally, the CRS host hotel, Omni Nashville, is accepting reservations. For more information, visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com, and follow CRS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Additional information can be obtained by calling 615-327-4487.
Artist Jake Owen poses for photos in Nashville, Tenn, on Monday, November 11, 2019.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019) — The third annual This Shirt Saves Lives campaign will launch nationallytomorrow, Dec. 5, with a new charcoal gray shirt worn by hundreds of celebrities, influencers and more to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. The giving movement, which became a social media sensation through its 2017 launch, has notched more than one billion impressions online. More than 250,000 shirts have been distributed to monthly donors, as well as celebrity ambassadors to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.®
This year, celebrity supporters such as Jennifer Aniston, Michael Strahan, Sofia Vergara, Luis Fonsi, Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Thomas Rhett, Doug the Pug and hundreds more will join the This Shirt Saves Lives campaign. The movement has grown to encompass thousands of supporters who took to their social channels sharing social images and messages with #ThisShirtSavesLives. Supporters like these help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
“Throughout our career we have been fortunate enough to see firsthand the positive impact St. Jude has had and continues have for so many children and their families,” Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum said. “As a band and as parents, this organization is near and dear to our hearts and we will continue to advocate for them any chance we can.”
More than 300 radio station partners will support the campaign by asking listeners to become monthly donors, or Partners In Hope, and nationally syndicated personality Bobby Bones will lead the way with a live on-air event on December 5 and 6. The on-air push will coincide with a social push as artists and influencers share their This Shirt Saves Lives photos.
“Any time I’ve been to St. Jude, and been around those kids, I always leave with a new perspective,” said Cole Swindell. “St. Jude does so many great things and it’s humbling to see it firsthand. I am always proud to wear my This Shirt Saves Lives t-shirt and I’m so thankful for the awareness it raises for such a great organization. It’s all about the kids.”
The This Shirt Saves Lives t-shirt is available exclusively to those who join the lifesaving mission of St. Jude by becoming a monthly supporter. To join the This Shirt Saves Lives movement, visit thisshirtsaveslives.org.
About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, sharing stories and videos from St. Jude Inspire, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter and Instagram and subscribing to its YouTube channel.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 25: (L-R) Geoff Sprung, Trevor Rosen, Matthew Ramsey, Brad Tursi and Whit Sellers of musical group Old Dominion perform onstage during Pandora Live at Marathon Music Works on November 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Pandora Media)
Nashville’s Marathon Music Works hosted the final Pandora Live country event of 2019 on November 25 with Old Dominion, Carly Pearce & Ryan Griffin.
SiriusXM’s The Highway broadcasted the sets from Carly Pearce and Old Dominion live and the event was hosted by Pandora’s Beville Dunkerley and SiriusXM’s Storme Warren.
NASHVILLE – Country music superstar Dolly Parton celebrates 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry with a two-hour television special “Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Opry” which airs Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT on NBC Television.
The special highlights the global superstar’s 50 years as a member of the iconic show and features performances from Parton and some of her superstar friends performing in her honor– Dierks Bentley, Emmylou Harris, Chris Janson, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Margo Price, Hank Williams Jr. and others. The special also includes archival footage of Parton’s most colorful and exciting moments through 50 years on the Opry stage as well as interviews with the superstar and artists she’s influenced.
Justin Gorman, Matthew Hickling and Hannah Dodson are executive producers and producer is Man Alive Entertainment. ABOUT DOLLY PARTON Dolly Parton is the most honored and revered female country singer-songwriter of all time. Achieving 25 RIAA-certified gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards, she has had 26 songs reach #1 on the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. Parton recently became the first country artist honored as Grammy MusiCares Person of the Year given out by NARAS. She has 41 career Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and 110 career-charted singles over the past 40 years. In 2014 the RIAA recognized her impact on recorded music with a plaque commemorating more than 100 million units sold worldwide. Her 2016 #1 album, “Pure & Simple,” which topped the Billboard Top Country Albums and Americana/Folk Albums charts and debuted at No. 1 in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Australia, added to that massive tally. She has garnered eight Grammy Awards, including a 2017 win with Pentatonix for their collaboration on her iconic 1974 hit “Jolene”; 10 Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year; five Academy of Country Music Awards, also including a nod for Entertainer of the Year; four People’s Choice Awards; and three American Music Awards. In 1999, Parton was inducted as a member of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame. ABOUT THE GRAND OLE OPRY What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today a live entertainment phenomenon. Dedicated to honoring country music’s rich history and dynamic present, the Grand Ole Opry showcases a mix of country legends and the contemporary chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps. The Opry, an American icon and Nashville’s #1 attraction, is world famous for creating one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences for audiences of all ages. It’s been called the “home of American music” and “the show that made country music famous.” Through the years the Opry has welcomed iconic artists such as Patsy Clineh George Jones and Dolly Parton as members. The tradition continues today with recent inductees that include Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini and Chris Janson, among others. The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®and performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, with Tuesday night shows through Dec. 11 plus seasonal Wednesday and Thursday Opry Country Classics performances. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com. Celebrating nine decades of entertainment, the Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.
Dolly Parton Photo credit: Chris Hollo for the Opry
November 10, 2019 (Nashville, TN) – Two-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated multiplatinum songstress Kelsea Ballerini has debuted new track “club” and isset to perform the song live TONIGHT at E! People’s Choice Awards across the cable networks of NBCUniversal, including Bravo, E!, SYFY and USA Network from 9:00-11:00pm ET/PT. E! is also set to showcase an exclusive first look of the song’s new music video, directed by Blythe Thomas, today both on television and online before the Awards this evening. Click HEREto listen to “club” Click HERE to view “club” Kelsea’s current single “homecoming queen?” debuted #32 on the Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and secured 107 total adds, marking the highest debut of her career. The single is currently Top 25 on both Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and Mediabase chart, and continues to be her fastest climbing single to date.
About Kelsea Ballerini As an undeniable vocalist, songwriter, and performer, Kelsea Ballerini elevates country for a new era with emotional songcraft, poignant honesty, and classic grace. Since her gold-certified 2015 full-length debut The First Time, she has consistently made history. By 2019, she became the only female country artist to achieve three consecutive #1 songs from a debut album, notched a total of five number ones with the platinum “Miss Me More,” and the Grand Ole Opry welcomed her as their youngest current member. Not to mention, she garnered two GRAMMY® Award nominations, won two ACM Awards, and took home the iHeartRadio Music Awards honor for “Best New Artist.” 2017’s Unapologetically marked her second Top 5 debut on the Billboard Top 200. With multiple platinum singles, her total streams exceed two billion to date. In addition to touring alongside everyone from Kelly Clarkson to Keith Urban, she ascended to an arena headliner on the Miss Me More Tour. Ballerini’s recently released new single “homecoming queen?” marked her highest debut of her career on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with 107 total adds. The single also debuted at No. 32 on the chart – also marking her HIGHEST debut to date. This has all paved the way for her third full-length, to be released in 2020, which promises to be her most personal yet. Follow Kelsea:Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
NASHVILLE – November 7, 2019 – Today CMT revealed that GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and performer Brandi Carlile will be honored with the 2019 CMT Next Women of Country “Impact Award” at this year’s celebration recognizing the next class of rising female country stars. The 7th annual celebration, co-hosted by Martina McBride and CMT’s Leslie Fram will take place in Nashville on November 12 at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.
Carlile will be the fourth recipient of CMT’s “Impact Award,” joining the ranks alongside previous recipients including Maren Morris (2018), Kelsea Ballerini (2017) and Brandy Clark (2016). The illustrious award is presented to a female artist for outstanding achievements and contributions to women in the industry, while impacting songwriting, recording, radio airplay, record sales, streams, media impressions, awards and touring in country music over the past year. The honor will be presented by singer-songwriter Lucie Silvas and Change the Conversation co-founder, Tracy Gershon.
“Not only is she one of the greatest performers of our time, she’s an incredible advocate and champion for her fellow female artists, lending her support and starpower to up-and-coming artists in the genre,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music Strategy & Talent. “We are truly thrilled to celebrate her monumental achievements, both as a solo artist, producer, and as a member of the groundbreaking group The Highwomen, with this Impact Award.”
A staunch advocate for country music’s female artists, CMT first launched its “Next Women of Country” campaign in 2013 in an effort to support and expose developing female talent, both signed and unsigned, in a male-dominated format. The campaign showcases emerging female artists across all CMT screens throughout the year, and in si years since its launch, CMT has expanded the initiative to include six CMT NEXT WOMEN OF COUNTRY Tours, anchored by superstar acts including Jennifer Nettles, Martina McBride and Sara Evans, a CMT.com digital series, NEXT WOMEN OF COUNTRY LIVE, and more.
For updates and to join the conversation, visit NextWomenCMT.com, follow @CMT on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and use #CMTNextWomen to join the conversation.
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ABOUT BRANDI CARLILE
Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter, performer and producer Brandi Carlile is in the midst of a monumental year following the release of her GRAMMY Award winning album, By The Way, I Forgive You. Produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings and recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, the album includes ten new songs written by Carlile and longtime collaborators and bandmates Tim and Phil Hanseroth, including “The Joke.” Of her performance of the song on the GRAMMY broadcast, The New York Times proclaimed, “Carlile’s vocals were robust, ragged, full of sneer and hope. On a night curiously light on impressive singing, it was an uncomplicated, genuine, cleansing thrill.”
Following her breakthrough success at the GRAMMYs, Carlile recently debuted the acclaimed collaborative movement, The Highwomen, with fellow members Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby. Of their acclaimed self-titled album, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chartoLow Country Sound/Elektra Records, Stereogum declares, “The Highwomen are the country supergroup this moment demands…the album is a creative triumph and a meaningful cultural artifact; the joy and resilience emanating off it is worth a fortune,” while Rolling Stone praises, “a country album for the ages, filled with joy, laughter, tears, pain, and shit-kicking honky-tonk soul.” Adding to her monumental year, Carlile also co-produced Tanya Tucker’s critically acclaimed new album While I’m Livin’ with Shooter Jennings.
In September, Carlile made her sold-out headline debut at Madison Square Garden and, in January, will perform six sold-out shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium as well as return to Mexico for her second-annual “Girls Just Wanna Weekend” all-female festival.
ABOUT CMT
CMT is the leading authority on country music and lifestyle, offering a mix of original series, music events and specials. CMT is everywhere its fans are including two cable channels (CMT and the 24-hour music channel, CMT Music), radio (CMT Radio), digital (CMT.com) and social (CMT on Facebook, CMT on Instagram and CMT on Twitter). CMT is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB). For more information, please visit CMTPress.com.
“The 53rd Annual CMA Awards” hosted by Carrie Underwood with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, airs live Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8/7c on ABC.
Photo Credit: Mark Seliger/ABC
NASHVILLE— Women in Country Music will unite for a historic, not-to-be-missed opening performance at “The 53rd Annual CMA Awards.” The groundbreaking number led by Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton will also feature Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Crystal Gayle, The Highwomen (comprised of Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires), Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Tanya Tucker and Gretchen Wilson, each performing iconic Country songs for a monumental decades-spanning medley never before seen.
Country Music’s Biggest Night™ will also feature an additional performance from Kelsea Ballerini, joined by fellow breakthrough artists Lindsay Ell, Maddie &Tae, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce and Runaway June. Coming together for an epic performance of an iconic CMA Song of the Year and CMA Single of the Year featuring a special appearance by Little Big Town, this will be one of the night’s most talked-about performances.
“The 53rd Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Carrie Underwood with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, celebrates legendary women in Country Music throughout the broadcast, airing live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8/7c on the ABC Television Network.
Previously announced performances include Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley with Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson and John Osborne, Brooks & Dunn with Brothers Osborne, Garth Brooks with Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Lady Antebellum and Halsey, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves with Willie Nelson, Old Dominion, Dolly Parton with for KING &COUNTRY and Zach Williams, P!NK and Chris Stapleton, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.
Previously announced presenters include Bobby Bones, Blanco Brown, Hannah Brown, Deana Carter, Kristin Chenoweth, Janie Fricke, JimGaffigan, KathyMattea, Martina McBride, Craig Morgan, Jennifer Nettles, Madelaine Petsch, Midland, J.B. Smoove, Pam Tillis, Morgan Wallen, and Trisha Yearwood.
“The 53rd Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Alex Rudzinski is the Director, and David Wild is the Head Writer.
For more information on “The 53rd Annual CMA Awards,” please visit CMAawards.com and follow CMA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans can listen to music featuring the CMA Awards nominees and performers, on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, Vevo and YouTube. To celebrate “The 53rd Annual CMA Awards,” the official merchandise line featuring tees, sweatshirts and other gifts is now available online. Merchandise will also be sold on-site at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
About CMA Awards The first “CMA Awards Banquet and Show” was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast for the first time – making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The CMA Awards have aired on ABC since 2006. ABC is the network home of the CMA Awards and CMA’s other two television properties, “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas.”
(Nashville, Tennessee…) – November 8, 2019 — Ned LeDoux’s sophomore collection of 13 songs called Next In Line is available today, Friday, November 8, 2019. Produced by Mac McAnally, fans can check out the album and download music HERE. Following the most challenging month of his life, LeDoux hopes to honor his daughter by continuing to play shows, write songs and record albums. “Haven is the perfect example of what love is about. Remember her smile and the love she had for everyone. She will always be with us…From my family to yours, thank you all so very much for your support. God Bless – Ned” The compelling songs on Next In Line possess the kind of power to take the listener to a place they’d rather be, songs that carry someone back in time to a treasured memory. The album is populated with songs that reflect his roots and honor the hard-working characters who have influenced his life. His first single, “Old Fashioned,” is a nod to his roots and describes where he came from and the lessons he learned growing up that he still carries on to this day. Massive Facebook music site SCENES Media hosted a launch party for Next In Line, posting Ned’s intimate acoustic performances of “Old Fashioned,” “Path of Broken Dreams,” “Dance With Your Spurs On” and the title cut. Ned LeDoux Next In Line Track Listing 1. Old Fashioned (Ned LeDoux/Mac McAnally) 2. Worth It (Ned LeDoux/Mac McAnally) 3. Dance With Your Spurs On (Ned LeDoux/Corb Lund) 4. Next In Line (Ned LeDoux/Mac McAnally/Terry Moylan) 5. A Cowboy Is All (Ned LeDoux) 6. Where You Belong (Ned LeDoux) 7. Travel Alone (Ned LeDoux) 8. Path of Broken Dreams (Ned LeDoux) 9. Just A Little Bit Better (feat. Mac McAnally) (Mac McAnally/Chris Stapleton) 10. Almost Saturday Night (John Fogerty) 11. Great Plains (Ned LeDoux/Mark Sissel) 12. Chris LeDoux Intro (Chris LeDoux) 13. Homegrown Western Saturday Night (Chris LeDoux) Ned LeDoux’s Dance With Your Spurs On Tour presented by Just LeDoux It Whiskey dates: “Dance With Your Spurs On” Tour 12/5 & 6 – Las Vegas, NV – Silverton Hotel & Casino 1/25/2020 – Denver, CO – The Grizzly Rose 1/30 – 2/1 – Western Folklife Center – Elko, NV More dates coming soon.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – MCA Nashville’s Jordan Davis has teamed up with GRAMMY-nominated artist Julia Michaels for a new collaboration titled “Cool Anymore.” Written by Jordan and Julia along with Nicolle Galyon, Ross Copperman and Emily Weisband, the track encourages listeners to let their guard down and just be themselves. Jordan and Julia also premiered a special video for “Cool Anymore” with YouTube today, Nov. 8; watch HERE. The video was directed by Eric Ryan Anderson, who shot Jordan’s previous videos for his back-to-back No.1 Platinum hits “Singles You Up” and “Take It From Me.”
“‘Cool Anymore’ is a song about not taking things too seriously,” says Jordan. “We spend a lot of time playing shows and it’s easy to get caught up in it, but this song is just a reminder to leave work at work. It’s a job. Enjoy it, go out to do the music thing but then come back and be a husband and a friend.”
Jordan’s current single “Slow Dance In A Parking Lot” is approaching the Top 20 at country radio and is featured on his debut album, Home State, which has accumulated almost 1 billion streams worldwide. The Louisiana native recently announced his headlining Trouble Town Tour, which will kick off in Milwaukee, Wisc. on Jan. 10 before hiting over 20 additional markets including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Denver withup-and-comers Kassi Ashton and Hailey Whitters on select dates. The tour earns its moniker from Jordan’s new song also titled “Trouble Town;” listen HERE.
Since bursting onto the scene, Jordan continues to impress critics and fans alike. Billboard notes, “from the looks and sounds of it, Jordan Davis is here for the long haul” while All Access says, “Jordan Davis is proving to us that he has no plans to slow down.” Jordan just wrapped opening for Old Dominion on their European tour following a direct support slot on their Make It Sweet Tour earlier this year.
GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels continues to transform the pop music landscape through her identifiably honest lyrics exemplified by her triple-Platinum selling debut single “Issues.” As a songwriter, Julia has co-written 22 titles that have charted on the Billboard Hot 100, including two that rose to No. 1 and twelve that have hit the Top 40. Earlier this year, Julia released Inner Monologue Part 1 and Inner Monologue Part 2, a series of critically acclaimed EPs. Michaels just embarked on her first-ever headlining tour, The Inner Monologue Tour, which follows previous tours with the likes of Maroon 5, Shawn Mendes, Niall Horan and P!NK.
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