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Thomas Rhett Notches 11th Career No. 1 Hit + Announces LIFE CHANGES DELUXE, Out 9/21

By on September 4, 2018 in In The Press

Photo courtesy of the Valory Music Co.

Just days before its one year anniversary, current multi-CMA Awards nominee Thomas Rhett’s PLATINUM-certified album LIFE CHANGES earns its fourth consecutive chart-topping hit with the title track, notching his 11th career No. 1. Living up to his title as “a man with no boundaries” (Billboard), Thomas Rhett simultaneously announces the release of LIFE CHANGES DELUXE out September 21, which features three new tracks: “Country Gold,” “Cardboard Heart” and “When We’re 80.” The digital version will also include three remixes of “Leave Right Now” and a track with updated lyrics for “Life Changes.”

“There’s no way for me to explain how it feels to have 11 number ones,” Thomas Rhett said. “This was the song that inspired the name of the album and is so special for me because it’s my family’s story. It’s amazing that so many people have also been able to connect it to their own stories.”

LIFE CHANGES DELUXE TRACK LIST
1. “Craving You” (featuring Maren Morris) | Dave Barnes, Julian Bunetta
2. “Unforgettable” | Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally
3. “Sixteen” | Thomas Rhett, Sean Douglas, Joe Spargur
4. “Drink A Little Beer” (featuring Rhett Akins) | Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ben Hayslip
5. “Marry Me” | Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally
6. “Leave Right Now” | Thomas Rhett, Julian Bunetta, Edward Drewett, John Henry Ryan
7. “Smooth Like The Summer” | Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
8. “Life Changes” | Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley
9. “When You Look Like That” | Jessi Alexander, Matt Dragstrem, David Lee Murphy
10. “Sweetheart” | Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Sean Douglas, Joe Spargur
11. “Kiss Me Like A Stranger” | Thomas Rhett, Dave Barnes, Jordan Reynolds
12. “Renegades” | Thomas Rhett, Julian Bunetta, John Henry Ryan
13. “Gateway Love” | Thomas Rhett, Sean Douglas, Sam Ellis, Emily Weisband
14. “Grave” | Chris DeStefano, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Miller
15. “Country Gold” | Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley
16. “Cardboard Heart” | Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Sean Douglas, Jesse Frasure
17. “When We’re 80” | Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
18. “Life Changes” (Radio Edit)**
19. “Leave Right Now” (Martin Jensen Mix)**
20. “Leave Right Now” (Nashville Mix)**
21. “Leave Right Now” (Radio Edit)**

**Digital Version Only

Thomas Rhett’s PLATINUM-certified third album LIFE CHANGES (The Valory Music Co.) is the biggest, boldest-sounding record of his career, filled with a diverse batch of songs as he stretches his sound to new limits. Emphasizing his “detailed style of songwriting” (Rolling Stone), LIFE CHANGES was an instant hit upon its 2017 release, debuting at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, marking the first Country release to take the top spot last year. The release also drew a 2018 GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album and has been streamed more than 850 million times. Thomas Rhett is currently nominated for three CMA Awards including Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for LIFE CHANGES and Music Video of the Year for “Marry Me.” He was also recently named iHeartRadio’s Country Artist of the Year for the second year in a row, following a CMA Triple Play award for penning three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period (“Die A Happy Man,” “Star of the Show” and Michael Ray’s “Think A Little Less”), adding to his collection of trophies from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Billboard Music Awards, CMT Music Awards and more. After a run of sell-outs this year, Thomas Rhett is set to continue on his headlining LIFE CHANGES TOUR, kicking off the fall leg September 13 in Bangor, ME with special guests Brett Young and Midland. For more information, visit www.ThomasRhett.com.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd Rock Hometown Stadium Show In Jacksonville, Florida

By on September 3, 2018 in In The Press

(L to R): Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Mark ‘Sparky’ Martejka (guitar), Rickey Medlocke (guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar) and Keith Christopher (bass guitar) Photo Credit: Rick Diamond

Southern Rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd wrapped the first leg of their two-year Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour Sunday night with a packed homecoming stadium show presented by The NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s were joined by friends Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, The Charlie Daniels Band, Blackberry Smoke and the Marshall Tucker Band at Jacksonville’s TIAA Bank Field, home of the Jaguars.

“There are a lot of people who thought this was going to be our last show, forever, here in Jacksonville,” lead singer Johnny Van Zant told the Times-Union. “That’s not true. We still have places that we need to do.” Added Rickey Medlocke, “We’ve got fans all over the world…You can’t just say we’re only going to do the United States and then shut it down. Those people would be so upset.”

No one left TIAA Bank Field upset — even after a weather delay in the middle of Kid Rock’s set — as Skynyrd’s 90+ minute show featuring classic hits such as “Simple Man,” “Gimme Three Steps,” and “What’s Your Name,” as well as deep cuts such as “The Ballad of Curtis Lowe” kept fans on their feet the entire show. The evening included a moving tribute of “Sweet Home Alabama” to the song’s co-writer and original Skynyrd band member Ed King. The show’s finale ended with a stadium-sized sing-along of “Free Bird.” The evening left no doubt why Rolling Stone magazine calls them one of the 100 Greatest Bands of All Time. The unforgettable homecoming was filmed for future release. Details will be announced soon.

Earlier this year Skynyrd announced that after a career that has spanned more than 40 years and includes a catalog of more than 60 albums with more than 30 million units sold, they would embark on their final tour. Produced by Live Nation, the career-concluding two-year farewell tour will have logged over 50 stops by the end of 2018.

The band returns to the road for the second leg of 2018 dates on Saturday, Sept. 22 for this year’s two-day iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. The band are part of a star-studded lineup at T-Mobile Arena that includes Justin Timberlake, Jack White, Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, Jason Aldean, Sam Smith, Luke Bryan and more. Fans can visit iHeartRadio.com/Tickets to purchase tickets. For those unable to attend, the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival will be broadcast live on iHeartMedia Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) stations across the country that weekend including the iconic Z100 in New York, KIIS-FM in Los Angeles, Y100 in Miami, KISS FM in Dallas, Chicago and Boston, as well as many more. The CW Network will exclusively live stream the mega-concert via CWTV.com and The CW App and broadcast the two-day, televised special on October 7 and October 8.

The tour derives its name from the band’s “The Last of the Street Survivors” and their fifth studio album Street Survivors that is certified multi-Platinum by the RIAA and includes the Platinum-certified single, “What’s Your Name.”

The Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour marks a big moment for generations of fans, as Lynyrd Skynyrd has been touring consistently since the 90s. The band, that USA Today called the “whiskey-soaked genre’s most popular and influential crew,” is ready to rock one last time. The farewell tour will take original member Gary Rossington joined by Van Zant, Medlocke, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Keith Christopher, Peter Keys, Dale Krantz Rossington, Carol Chase and special guest Jim Horn across the country over the next two years.

Tickets for the second leg of 2018 shows are sale now at LiveNation.com. The farewell tour will continue to take the band across the country through the remainder of this year and all of next year, giving fans one last unforgettable night of classic American Rock-and-Roll. Skynyrd’s 2019 tour dates including stops in Europe and South America will be announced soon.

Lynyrd Skynyrd on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018 in Jacksonville for their Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour stop at TIAA Bank Field
Photo Credit: Dotlyn Snedden

Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour Second Leg of 2018 Dates:
Saturday, September 22 – T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV+
Friday, September 28 – Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion, Rogers, AR
Saturday, September 29 – Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita, KS
Friday, October 05 – Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
Saturday, October 06 – Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE
Friday, October 12 –  Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls, SD
Saturday, October 13 – US Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Friday, October 19 – Resch Center, Green Bay, WI
Saturday, October 20 – Huntington Center, Toledo, OH
Friday, October 26 – Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Saturday, October 27 – The Ford Center, Evansville, IN
Friday, November 02 – Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
Saturday, November 03 – Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, IL
Friday, November 09 – Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI
Saturday, November 10 – KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
Friday, November 16 – Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore, MD
Saturday, November 17 – Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Huntington, WV
Friday, November 30 – Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township, PA
Saturday, December 01 – Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
Friday, December 07 – Raising Cane’s River Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Saturday, December 08 – Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, MS
+ Part of the iHeartRadio Music Festival

VIP packages are available for all dates.  Details available at lynyrdskynyrd.com.

About Lynyrd Skynyrd
Original members Ronnie Van Zant, Bob Burns, Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, and Larry Junstrom formed the band in 1964, originally known as My Backyard, the band changed to its famous name in the early 1970s, and became popular in the Jacksonville, Florida area, where the original members were from. They signed with Sounds of the South Records in 1972, and released their self-titled disc the following year. The album that featured “Free Bird,” arguably the most-recognized single in the Southern Rock genre, has sold more than 2 million units since its release. Later down the road the band recorded iconic tracks “Sweet Home Alabama” and “What’s Your Name.”

The band’s story took a tragic turn in October 1977 when a plane crash took the lives of Van Zant, Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines, and several of their road crew. The band took a decade-long hiatus before reuniting for a tour and live album, Southern by the Grace of God. Since then, the band has toured and recorded extensively, with their most recent release being Last Of A Dyin’ Breed. The band’s current line-up includes original member Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Keith Christopher, Peter Keys, Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

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Big Machine Vodka 400 At The Brickyard Taps Florida Georgia Line As Grand Marshals + Scott Borchetta To Wave The Green Flag

By on August 31, 2018 in In The Press

Global superstars Florida Georgia Line were already slated to have a huge presence as race namesake and festival headliners at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway next weekend. Now, they have also been tapped as the grand marshals of the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line on Sunday, September 9.

The chart-topping and history-making duo, made up of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, will headline the first annual FGL Fest concert on Saturday, September 8 at IMS, leading a revved-up lineup that also includes Cole Swindell, Nelly, Raelynn, Jillian Jacqueline, Mason Ramsey, Riley Green and Stephanie Quayle.

“Our growing relationship with Big Machine and Scott Borchetta has helped create an exciting new era for the NASCAR weekend at IMS this year with a new September date, exciting lineup of five days of on-track action and such a great collection of music superstars at FGL Fest,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Scott, Tyler and Brian have been such strong supporters of this event, so it’s fitting they receive these prestigious roles on Race Day.”

Big Machine Label Group Founder, President and CEO Scott Borchetta will wave the green flag to start the 25th Running of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, which starts at 2:00P ET on the 2.5-mile IMS oval.

“We’re about to open a giant bottle of full-throttle entertainment from the first note of FGL Fest on Saturday all the way through to the checkered flag of the Big Machine Vodka 400 on Sunday!” expressed Borchetta. “Our partnership with IMS has grown bigger each year and FGL Fest is going to take it to the next level. On Saturday, in addition to our great concert line-up, we will have the Monster Motocross Stunt Riders and the Monster Girls, NASCAR Heat Video Game Championships, amazing food and drink, and surprise appearances from some of the best race drivers in the world… start your engines!”

Billboard’s first-ever “Trailblazer Award” recipients continue to build their ever-expanding empire of innovative artistry and entrepreneurial endeavors. Currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their fourth studio album (BMLG Records), FGL have given fans an early taste with No. 1 best-selling lead single “Simple,” as well as already-released tracks “Colorado,” “Talk You Out of It,” and “Sittin’ Pretty” all of which hit No. 1 on iTunes best-selling Country Songs Chart.

The kings of superstar collaborations have also shattered records with the certified 3X Platinum No. 1 single “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha (FGL’s 15th No. 1 single).  The single continues to lead the way atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for a history-making 39th week. With more than 4.2 billion streams, 31 million tracks and more than 4.3 million albums sold worldwide, the BMLG Records’ duo remains the first country act to achieve RIAA’s Diamond certification (10 million copies sold) for their breakout “Cruise,” which is the best-selling digital country single of all time.

Since 2012, FGL has earned prestigious honors from the AMAs, ACM Awards, CMA Awards, Billboard Music Awards and CMT Music Awards, plus left their mark on several chart-crushing songs as writers. As announced earlier this week, the six-time CMA Vocal Duo of the Year nominees will vie for the acclaimed title, plus Single of the Year and Musical Event of the Year for “Meant to Be” at the 52nd Annual CMA Awards, airing live from Nashville on November 14 at 8/7c on ABC.

The bonafide visionaries have launched their Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey, as well as thriving businesses: FGL HOUSE, meet + greet, Tree Vibez Music and Tribe Kelley. They will further elevate their revolutionary status with a limited residency, FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, inside Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino beginning December 1.

Borchetta founded Big Machine Label Group in September 2005. The Nashville-based company is the No. 1 independent record label in the world and encompasses Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co., BMLG Records, Big Machine Records/John Varvatos Records, publishing company Big Machine Music and a digital radio station Big Machine Radio.

The BMLG artist roster also includes international phenomena Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, Cheap Trick and Sugarland as well as chart-topping acts Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Brett Young, Aaron Lewis, Midland, Carly Pearce, Danielle Bradberry and Trent Harmon.

Big Machine artists have received multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, AMA, CMT, Teen Choice, MTV, Billboard, People’s Choice and Brit Awards.

The Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line event week also will include the Lilly Diabetes 250 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Saturday, September 8 and the Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by NOS Energy Drink for the USAC P1 Insurance Midget National Championship September 5-6 on the new The Dirt Track at IMS inside Turn 3 of the IMS oval.

Visit IMS.com for tickets and more information about the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line.

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Breakthrough Artist/Songwriter Ryan Hurd Releases “To A T” Today

By on August 31, 2018 in In The Press

With more than 90 million career streams worldwide, the appetite for new music from breakout artist/songwriter Ryan Hurd is ferocious. He delivers Friday, Aug. 31 with the perfect fit in “To A T.” The song captures Hurd’s trademark powerful lyrics and melodies woven around a sexy, imploring vocal.  “To A T” is available to stream and download HERE.

The song has caught the attention of men’s lifestyle playbook, Esquire Instagram Live, which will feature a live performance of the song by the RCA Nashville artist at noon/ET on Friday, Aug. 31.

Esquire isn’t the only media gatekeeper paying attention to the Kalamazoo, MI native. Hurd was named an “Artist To Watch” by VEVO, Pandora, CMT, Huffington Post and Rolling Stone Country, which lauded him for “generating major buzz” and “making waves online.”

The praise is earned. Hurd is one of Nashville’s most multi-dimensional young songwriters. He has had co-pen credits on some of the format’s biggest chart-topping hits including “Lonely Tonight” (Blake Shelton), “You Look Good” (Lady Antebellum), and “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” (Luke Bryan). Now with the release of his own music, fans are discovering the fuel that drives Hurd is often love with all its avatars.

Prolific in the writing room, studio, and via social media, Hurd released his self-titled debut EP in 2017 which featured “Love In A Bar,” “We Do Us,” “City Girl” and “Hold You Back,” each track released over a four-month period. Attracting fans eager to embrace the soulful country artist’s new sound, his EP to date has garnered over 11 million streams.

In March, Hurd released “Diamonds Or Twine” as a present for his then soon-to-be wife Maren Morris after secretly recording the track with his long-time producer Aaron Essuis.

Hurd has been on the road with Thomas Rhett, Morris, and Florida Georgia Line. For more information on Ryan Hurd, visit RyanHurd.com.

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Luke Bryan Throwing A Free Grand Opening Celebration On September 10th

By on August 31, 2018 in In The Press

Four-time Entertainer of the Year and Superstar Luke Bryan is planning a FREE Nashville concert in the heart of downtown on Monday, September 10th as the grand opening celebration of his new multi-level venue, LUKE’S 32 BRIDGE FOOD + DRINK.  Luke’s performance will take place just outside the bar at 301 Broadway. Party begins at 6:30pm. Special guests include Jon Langston, Chelsea Field and DJ Rock.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for some time,” shared Luke.  “Couldn’t think of a better way to kick this place off than to have a big party right on the streets of Broadway!”

Last summer, Luke performed in downtown Nashville as part of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final Game 6 drawing 60,000 fans.

LUKE’S 32 BRIDGE FOOD + DRINK name was inspired by Luke’s childhood home near Route 32 Bridge in Lee County, Georgia and is housed in Nashville’s iconic American National Bank Building.

“The reason why we named it 32 Bridge is that 32 Bridge is the bridge that goes over the Flint River, and that’s just a special place for me and it tells my story,” explains Luke. “So, we wanted to do pictures, we wanted to do outdoor type scenes and we wanted to have the food and the drinks.

The facility, in partnership with TC Restaurant Group, opened last month. LUKE’S 32 BRIDGE FOOD + DRINK is a 30,000 square foot venue featuring six levels of entertainment space with eight bars, four stages of live music and two restaurants. It includes Nashville’s only rooftop Sushi Bar as well as a menu inspired by some of Luke’s favorite dishes and one-of-a-kind drinks.

It’s not just the Georgia native’s name on the bar. He definitely wants everything to be just right for the patrons of 32 Bridge Food + Drink. “I tell all my family and all my friends and now my fans, if something isn’t right, if you’ve got a complaint, hit me up, let me know, and I’ll get it fixed,” he says. “I want it to be an amazing experience for everybody that walks in the door.”

Go to www.lukes32bridge.com to learn more about LUKE’S 32 BRIDGE FOOD + DRINK.

Dedicated parking for the event will be at Nissan Stadium.

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Miranda Lambert + Little Big Town’s Bandwagon Caravan Comes To An End

By on August 30, 2018 in In The Press

Photo credit: Reid Long

For songwriters, an idea for a song may be nothing more than a notion — a scribble on a notepad for years before the timing, message and hook come together. So, it’s not surprising that Country superstars Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town dreamt about a co-headlining tour for years before finally pulling the trigger on their 17-city The Bandwagon Tour.

Saturday’s show at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Chicago marked the tour’s final destination, but not before giving fans one last night of high-energy hits and powerful collaborations unique to the show.

The Sun-Chronicle described the show as “an evening of country music at its best,” and CMT recalled how “everyone stayed until the ugly lights came on…It was almost as if the fans knew that this was the end, and no one wanted it to be over.”

The troupe traversed across the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest regions, playing to at-capacity crowds almost every night and treating them to a once-in-a-lifetime performance of some of the group’s greatest hits—including an hour-long encore that CMT described as feeling “as perfected as it did spontaneous.”

As Pollstar commended Lambert for “her command of the stage and the momentum build of her songs” while declaring that “Lambert at her core is a vocalist committed to the music,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offered that “[Little Big Town’s] four voices coming together are some of the best harmonies that country has to offer” and Pollstar noted that “they are perhaps modern country’s most diverse and musically intelligent act.”

Opening for the quintet was Sony recording artist and country newcomer Tenille Townes, and other special guests included Natalie Hemby, The Steel Woods and Turnpike Troubadours.

Both critically acclaimed artists, Lambert and Little Big Town combine for a total of thirty-six ACM Award wins, twenty-one CMA Award wins and four GRAMMYs. Lambert, who made ACM history when she was named the ACM Female Vocalist of the Year for the ninth consecutive year, was recently announced as the Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum’s 15th artist-in-residence and is preparing for the release this fall of her third project with fellow Pistol Annies Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe.

Little Big Town recently hosted a sold-out, year-long residency at Ryman Auditorium and on July 26, the Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum launched their new, yearlong exhibit called LITTLE BIG TOWN: THE POWER OF FOUR showcasing the bands’ storied and powerful 20-year history within the country music community.

About Miranda Lambert: 
Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert is the most decorated artist in ACM history as well as the reigning ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, having been bestowed this honor for nine consecutive years. Her accolades include 2 Grammy Awards, 13 (CMA) Country Music Associations Awards, and 32 (ACM) Academy of Country Music Awards as well as many other honors, including the prestigious Harmony Award from the Nashville Symphony.

The Texas native released her most recent effort, a double album titled The Weight of These Wings in November 2016, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. She touts six studio albums to her repertoire; Kerosene (2005), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2007), Revolution (2009), Four The Record (2011) and Platinum (2014), the latter earning Lambert a GRAMMY Award for Best Country Album, in addition to her previous GRAMMY win for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2010 for “The House That Built Me.”  The first song released from The Weight Of These Wings, “Vice,” received multiple Grammy and ACM Award nominations. Lambert’s previous country radio single, “Tin Man”, which she debuted at the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards last year (2017) and was awarded Song Of The Year at the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards. www.Mirandalambert.com.

About Little Big Town:
GRAMMY, ACM, CMA, and AMA Award-winning group, Little Big Town — consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook — first entered the music scene over 19 years ago with hit songs “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and the GRAMMY-nominated “Little White Church.” Their breakthrough albums Tornado and Pain Killer produced multiple #1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” and “Day Drinking,” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of the year (2015) “Girl Crush.”  Released February 24, 2017, Little Big Town’s last studio album, The Breaker, debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Charts and Top 10 (No.4) on the Billboard 200 to critical acclaim, marking the group’s fourth Top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 chart. The album features their GRAMMY-winning, multi-week #1 single, “Better Man,” as well as “When Someone Stops Loving You.” Current single “Summer Fever” is out now and climbing the charts at country radio.

Little Big Town has earned more than 40 award show nominations and in the past five years has taken home nearly 20 awards, including multiple GRAMMY, AMA, People’s Choice, CMA, ACM awards, and an Emmy award. Currently the reigning CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year, the Country Music Hall of Fame inductees (2014) went onto receive their star on the Nashville Walk of Fame in 2017. Also in 2017, Little Big Town hosted a sold-out, year-long artist residency at the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville — marking the venue’s first-ever, year-long residency in its 125-year history. The band also recently launched 4 Cellars wine, their first non-musical project as a band, with Browne Family Vineyards. On July 26th The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville launched their new, yearlong exhibit called LITTLE BIG TOWN: THE POWER OF FOUR showcasing the bands powerful and storied 20-year history within the country music community.

For more information on Little Big Town visit LittleBigTown.com or follow them @littlebigtown.

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Florida Georgia Line Stacks Three CMA Awards Nods + Tapped to Headline World’s Biggest USO Tour

By on August 30, 2018 in In The Press

Photo credit: Ryan Smith

Six-time CMA Awards Vocal Duo of the Year nominees FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE will vie for the acclaimed title, plus Single of the Year and Musical Event of the Year for their history-making, No. 1 collaboration “Meant to Be” with BEBE REXHA. The 52nd Annual CMA Awards air live from Nashville on November 14 at 8/7c on ABC.

“’Meant to Be’ is bigger than us,” shares FGL’s Tyler Hubbard. “To see how this song has connected to fans has been nothing short of a blessing and having these CMA nominations makes it that much more special.”

FGL’s Brian Kelley agrees, “‘Meant to Be’ has been reaching people worldwide for almost a full year now and it just keeps getting better. We’re proud to be on this journey with Bebe and so excited for her first CMA nominations too.”

Hot off their first iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards win for Best Collaboration (“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & FGL), their record-shattering “Meant to Be” reign on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart rules for the 39th week straight (FGL triumphs for the most weeks at 95 total since the chart launched in 1958). Exceeding 1 billion total streams globally, the 3X PLATINUM-certified smash is FGL’s 15th No. 1 overall as artists.

Billboard’s Trailblazer Award recipients continue to break new ground as headliners during the World’s Biggest USO Tour on September 12 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. Joining USO tour alums: actor-comedian Adam Devine and celebrity chef Robert Irvine for a first-of-its-kind entertainment event, the one-night-only concert will honor service members. Uniting watch parties at select USO centers from around the globe with the Washington, D.C. home base, fans are welcome to join FGL and friends via the worldwide livestream, as well as on social media via #USOTour2018.

Watch Florida Georgia Line share their personal connection to the USO in anticipation of the World’s Biggest USO Tour here.

Their landmark event schedule also finds the superstar duo leading the first-ever FGL Fest next Saturday (9/8) at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a multi-act lineup that includes COLE SWINDELL, NELLY, RAELYNN, JILLIAN JACQUELINE, MASON RAMSEY, RILEY GREEN, and STEPHANIE QUAYLE. Revving excitement outside of the track, the inaugural outdoor music event under Live Nation coincides with the Big Machine 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line race at IMS the next day (9/9). Limited tickets remain at Ticketmaster.com, LiveNation.com and IMS.com.

Bold in both their artistry and entrepreneurial endeavors, the cutting-edge business owners will join Ashton Kutcher, Guy Oseary (Kutcher’s Sounds Investments partner) and Dia Simms (President of Combs Enterprises) on the innovative panel for WeWork’s Nashville Creator Awards at Marathon Music Works on September 13. Invited finalists from across the eastern United States, Puerto Rico, and Ontario, will pitch their business ideas before a live audience and compete for funding with prizes ranging from $18,000 to $360,000. FGL’s Hubbard and Kelley first created Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey together, before expanding their growing empire to include Music City staples FGL HOUSE and a compound housing meet + greet, Tree Vibez Music, and Tribe Kelley Trading Post. Kelley also has a second Tribe Kelley store location, Tribe Kelley Surf Post, located in Grayton Beach, FL, with his wife Brittney.

The MULTI-PLATINUM sensations will keep venturing into uncharted territory this winter as they make their Sin City debut with FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS. For the five-night (12/1, 12/5, 12/7, 12/8 and 12/11) residency, FGL will take their chart-topping hits to new heights as they craft an enhanced anything-goes setlist. Guests can also expect to hear fresh tracks from their awaited fourth studio album (BMLG Records), including Top-5-and-rising lead single “Simple,” as well as already-released “Colorado,” “Talk You Out of It” and “Sittin’ Pretty.”

As pioneers in the genre, FGL became the first Country act to achieve RIAA’s DIAMOND certification (10 million copies sold), as their colossal career has surpassed 4.2 billion streams, 31 million tracks, and more than 4.3 million albums sold worldwide in total.

For more information about Florida Georgia Line, please visit floridageorgialine.com and reach out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Tauren Wells, Jason Crabb w/Rascal Flatts And More To Perform At 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards, Oct. 16

By on August 30, 2018 in In The Press

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced the first round of all star performers for the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards, set for October 16 at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville. The event will feature performances by CCM standouts Big Daddy Weave, Cory Asbury and Tauren Wells and rising gospel star Koryn Hawthorne. There will also be a special collaboration by Dove Award winner Jason Crabb and superstar vocal group Rascal Flatts. 

“We are thrilled to announce the first round of performers for this year’s show and can’t wait to reveal the rest of the lineup,” GMA President Jackie Patillo said. “It is going to be a memorable night as we honor God’s people and share His message of hope around the world through music.” 

Fans will have the chance to take part in one of the GMA Dove Awards Fan Experiences. New this year, the Front Row Experience is already sold out. Limited spots are still available for the Choir Experience that includes a backstage tour, pre-telecast access, red carpet photo opportunity and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to sing with Big Daddy Weave during the telecast. The Red Carpet Experience gives fans a red carpet photo opportunity as well as special access and VIP perks. For complete details, visit www.doveawards.com/fan-experience.

Tauren Wells leads artist nominations with eight, followed by Zach Williams with six and Cory Asbury, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and TobyMac with five nods each. Top nominated writer/producer Colby Wedgeworth scored eight nominations. View the full list of nominees here: http://bit.ly/DoveNominees2018. 

The GMA Dove Awards celebrate the contributions of artists from every style of Christian/Gospel music. Nominees are determined by GMA’s professional members, and winners will be voted on by the entire GMA membership. For more information or to purchase tickets to the show, visit www.doveawards.com.

About GMA:

Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country, Latin and more. The GMA community includes agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards and IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.  

About the Trinity Broadcasting Network:

Trinity Broadcasting Network is the world’s largest and most watched faith-and-family broadcaster, reaching over 175 nations across the earth with inspirational and entertaining programming 24 hours a day in 14 languages and on 32 global networks. As the world’s most influential non-profit religious broadcaster, TBN has led the way in expanding the impact of faith-based television across the earth through the creation of innovative content designed to reach every viewer demographic with the life-changing message of hope and grace. To find out more about the TBN Networks, visit us at tbn.org.

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“CMT Crossroads” Featuring Meghan Trainor And Brett Eldredge Premieres Monday, September 3 At 10pm ET/PT

By on August 30, 2018 in In The Press

NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 24: CMT Crossroads Meghan Trainor And Brett Eldredge at The Factory on April 24, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

CMT closes out its summer of electrifying music when an all new “CMT Crossroads” premieres this Monday, September 3 at 10 PM ET/PT.

 

Taped earlier this year, the one-hour show features popular hits including Trainor’s “All About That Bass,” “No Excuses” and current single “Let You Be Right,” from her upcoming album, Treat Myself. The two friends also collaborate on Eldredge’s “Drunk on Your Love,” “Wanna Be That Song,” “Haven’t Met You” and the classic Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton duet, “Islands in the Stream.” Embeddable performance videos of “Let You Be Right” and “No Excuses” are available now.

 

Grammy-Award winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Meghan Trainor emerged with her 2014 breakout single “All About That Bass” and disrupted contemporary music with nostalgic pop beats and powerhouse vocals that delivered a worldwide anthem for female empowerment. Trainor cemented her rising status as one of the most prominent artists in popular music by charting seven multi-platinum singles, releasing two platinum albums, selling out three headline tours, writing multi-platinum hits for top pop and country artists, and receiving countless industry awards and nominations worldwide.  She is one of only five female artists to receive a diamond certification for her hit single “All About That Bass” which shares the RIAA Gold & Platinum Awards top honor with only 15 other singles in history. After wrapping up her first season as a panelist on FOX’s hit series THE FOUR: Battle for Stardom, Trainor released her first single “No Excuses” from her highly-anticipated third-studio album, Treat Myself. She followed that up with the irresistible summer smash “Let You Be Right” and returned to television on the second season of THE FOUR.  

 

Platinum-selling singer/songwriter Brett Eldredge recently released his brand new single “Love Someone” from his self-titled record, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and the all-genre Top Album Sales chart.  The album has yielded the Gold-certified hits “Somethin’ I’m Good At” and most recently “The Long Way,” which also lends its name to his critically acclaimed and first ever sold-out headlining tour. The Paris, IL native released his Christmas album Glow in October of 2016 and earned a No. 1 song on the Holiday Music and Adult Contemporary charts with “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” a duet with GRAMMY-winner Meghan Trainor. Eldredge has seven chart-topping singles to his credit including 2014’s most played country song of the year, “Beat Of The Music.”

 

“CMT Crossroads” debuted January 13, 2002 with Elvis Costello and Lucinda Williams and since has showcased dream musical partnerships including Kid Rock and Hank Williams, Jr.; Ray Charles and Travis Tritt; Dave Matthews and Emmylou Harris; Bon Jovi and Sugarland; Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire; Def Leppard and Taylor Swift; Sting and Vince Gill; John Mayer and Keith Urban; Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood; Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum; Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves; and Backstreet Boys and Florida Georgia Line to name a few.

 

“CMT Crossroads” is produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin.

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Martin Guitar & Strings Partners With Nashville Songwriters Association And CMT To Present The 19th Annual NSAI Song Contest

By on August 29, 2018 in In The Press

MARTIN GUITAR & STRINGS PARTNERS WITH NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS ASSOCIATION AND CMT TO PRESENT THE 19TH ANNUAL NSAI SONG CONTEST

Grand Prize Award includes $5,000 Cash, a Martin Guitar, Mentoring Session with Legendary Songwriter
Craig Wiseman, Single Song Contract with ole and More!

Contest Begins Friday, August 31 at 12:00pm CDST

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), CMT, and newest partner, C. F. Martin & Co. (Martin Guitar & Strings) are proud to present the 19th Annual NSAI Song Contest!

Pictured L-R: Bart Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI), Chris Martin IV (Chairman and CEO, C.F. Martin & Co.), Leslie Fram (Senior Vice President of Music Strategy, CMT)

Kicking off Friday August 31, 2018 at 12:00pm CDST, entries will be accepted online or by mail through October 31, 2018 at 12:00pm CDST. With two categories, SONG and LYRIC-ONLY, the contest provides an opportunity for songwriters of all genres to have their song(s) judged by an all-star music industry panel for a chance at winning one of the twenty-three prizes available.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive $5,000 CASH, a mentoring session with legendary hit songwriter CRAIG WISEMAN, a MARTIN GUITAR and Strings (winner’s choice of either a stage-ready Martin D-42 or 000-42 Reimagined Standard Series guitar),a one-year SINGLE SONG CONTRACT WITH ole, and many additional prizes, including: two (2) tickets to the 2019 CMT Music Awards show, a three (3) day trip to Nashville including two (2) nights of hotel accommodations and round trip flight, (excluding predetermined blackout dates and limited to travel within the 48 contiguous states anywhere Southwest Airlines® flies), a live performance opportunity at the 2019 Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival as well as a performance slot at The Bluebird Cafe in 2019, a NSAI residency package including a membership (one year), access to one (1) NSAI premium event, winning song inclusion in one (1) of the quarterly Pitch to Publisher meetings, and more! 10 Grand Prize Runners-Up will also each receive a prize pack including a Martin Dreadnought Junior Acoustic Electric guitar, Martin Acoustic Strings, and more.
Craig Wiseman - Grand Prize Mentor
Lori McKenna - Lyric-Only Mentor

The Lyric-Only winner will receive a mentoring session with hit songwriter LORI McKENNA, a Martin Sustainable Wood OME cherry Acoustic Electric guitar and strings, access to one (1) NSAI premium event, a pass to the 2019 Music Biz Conference in Nashville, TN, along with additional prizes. All entrants will receive a personalized score sheet.

To determine the winner for the Grand Prize, all eligible submissions received by NSAI will be judged by music industry professionals, who in Round three (3) judging, will select the top eleven (11) finalists and ten (10) honorable mentions. In February of 2019, the finalist submissions will be judged during a live-streamed event where an elite music industry-based panel will score each submission, with the highest score receiving the Grand Prize, and the other ten (10) finalist submissions will receive Runners-Up awards. The Lyric-Only judging will follow the same process until Round three (3) judging where two (2) submissions will be selected, one as the Lyric-Only award recipient and the other as the Lyric-Only Runner-Up.

Beginning August 31, 2018 at 12:00pm CDST, entries can be submitted online at nsai.cmt.com or they can be mailed to the NSAI office (NSAI–ATTN: Song Contest, 1710 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN 37203). All entries mailed in must include the submission form, entry fee, printed lyric sheet, and one (1) audio CD (unless a Lyric-Only entry). Entry fees are $35 per song for current NSAI members and $45 per song for non-NSAI members. There is no limit to the number of songs that songwriters can submit, and all submissions must be post-marked by 12:00pm CDST on October 31, 2018.

For further details, including additional information on submitting songs, an official list of prizes, the Terms and Conditions and contest updates, visit nsai.cmt.com beginning August 31. Updates will also be posted periodically at www.nashvillesongwriters.com and NSAI’s Official Facebook and Twitter pages (@NSAIOfficial).

Sponsors: Special thanks to ASCAP, BMI, CMT, Martin Guitar and Strings, ole, SESAC, Southwest Airlines®, and We Make Tapes & Discs.

• This contest is open to amateur songwriters only.
• All genres of music are accepted and encouraged.
• The entry cost is $35 per song for NSAI members and $45 per song for all non-NSAI members.
• Multiple entries are accepted.
• All entries must be postmarked by the CONTEST DEADLINE: 12:00 pm CDST October 31, 2018 (6:00pm UK time on October 31, 2018).
• Judges are comprised of Music Industry Professionals and Professional Songwriters. Songs are judged based on lyrics, melody and composition. Performance and production will not be evaluated on Song category submissions.
• Prizes are awarded to one (1 Grand Prize Winner, one (1) Lyric-Only Winner, one (1) Lyric-Only Runner Up, ten (10) Runners-Up, and ten (10) Honorable Mentions. All songs entered receive a personalized score sheet.

ABOUT CRAIG WISEMAN
From Craig Wiseman’s early days of writing and drumming in Hattiesburg, MS to being crowned Songwriter of the Century by ASCAP, he has created for himself a monumental platform in country music. As the writer of songs including Brooks and Dunn’s “Believe” to Blake Shelton’s “Boys ‘Round Here”, Wiseman has amassed over 300 cuts, 100 singles, and 27 #1’s.

After moving to Nashville in 1985, he received his first chart success after having co-written Roy Orbison’s “The Only One”. In 1990, Wiseman signed his first publishing deal with Almo/Irving Music then later signed with BMG Music Publishing. In 2003, Wiseman opened his own publishing company, and within the first year of its operation, Wiseman experienced the first single of the catalog; “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw not only peaked at the top of the charts for ten weeks, but it also was named NSAI Song of the Year, CMA Song of the Year, ACM Song of the Year and won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song.

Not only was Wiseman proclaimed ASCAP’s “Songwriter of the Year” in 2003, 2005, and 2007 and “Writer of the Year” by NSAI and Music Row in 1997, but he was named NSAI’s “Songwriter of the Decade” in 2009 and won the 2014 Heritage Award from ASCAP as the most performed country songwriter of the century. In 2017, Wiseman was awarded with his first CMA Triple Play Award for having three #1 hits within a year time frame.

For the past 14 years, Wiseman has hosted The Stars of Second Harvest Showat the Ryman; to date, this event has raised $1,200,000 for Second Harvest Food Band Of Middle Tennessee.  After years of success, accomplishments and hard work, Wiseman was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October 2015.

ABOUT LORI McKENNA
Home and the people who make it have captivated Lori McKenna for years. Over the last three decades, as she became a wife and mother of five, she has also emerged as one of the most respected, prolific singer-songwriters in popular music. Her 2016 release The Bird and the Rifle netted three Grammy nominations, along with Americana Music Association nods––all firsts for McKenna as an artist. Then, she made history: In 2016, she became the first woman ever to win the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year two years in a row thanks to co-writing Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush”and penning Tim McGraw’s no. 1 “Humble and Kind”solo. Both songs also clinched back-to-back Grammy wins for Best Country Song. In 2017, she became the Academy of Country Music’s first female Songwriter of the Year. The Tree is her much-anticipated eleventh studio album. Produced by Dave Cobb, The Tree takes one of McKenna’s signature themes––family––and builds a tapestry of experiences she has lived and overheard, been told and dreamed up, to create a stunning ode to life’s defining relationships.

ABOUT CMT
CMT, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 92 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.

ABOUT C.F. MARTIN & CO.
C.F. Martin & Co.® (Martin Guitar and Strings) has been inspiring musicians worldwide for 185 years with their superior guitar and string products. Martin Guitar & Strings remain the choice for musicians around the world for their unrivaled quality, craftsmanship, and tone. Throughout the company’s long history, Martin products can be seen and heard across all genres of music and in all segments of pop culture, from concert and theater stages to television and movies.

With an unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices, Martin continually drives the acoustic guitar market forward, introducing innovative features that have become standards across the industry. These groundbreaking innovations include the introduction of X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar, and the “Dreadnought” size guitar.

Martin has also led innovations in strings, such as introducing the first high-tensile strength steel-string core wire, the first nickel acoustic strings (Martin Retro), and the proprietary Titanium Core strings.

Connect with Martin Guitar & Strings on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube and via www.martinguitar.com.

ABOUT NSAI
Established in 1967, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization and has a membership of more than 5,000 spanning the United States and eight (8) foreign countries. Consisting of a body of creative minds, including songwriters from all genres of music, professional and amateur, NSAI has been committed to protecting the rights and future of the profession of songwriting, as well as carrying a commitment to educate, elevate, and celebrate the songwriter, acting as a unifying force within the music community and the community at large.

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