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QUOTE OF THE MONTH: If I am chasing your dream faster than you, then I am in the wrong dream – Preshias ©
ALBUM NEWS: Brandy Clark’s “Hold My Hand” has been nominated as a GRAMMY contender for Country Song of the Year. The song, written by Clark and Mark Stephen Jones, is from Clark’s debut album “12 Stories” which was originally released by Slate Creek Records before being re-released by Warner Bros. Clark is currently on the road with Jennifer Nettles on the CMT Next Women of Country Tour after opening for Alan Jackson on his “25th Anniversary Tour.” “Girl Next Door,” Clark’s new single (the first from her second album due out later this year), hits country radio February 16. She won the CMA Song of the Year Award last year for “Follow Your Arrow,” which she co-wrote with Shane McAnally and Kacey Musgraves. Info and tour dates at facebook/TheBrandyClark
ARTIST NEWS: Ronnie McDowell will continue to tour well into the New Year having announced his first set of dates for 2016. With tour dates booked through April, the new year promises to be another great touring year for McDowell who got his start with the tribute hit “The King Is Gone” following the death of Elvis Presley. The single has gone on to sell five million copies worldwide. His impressive vocals, often compared to that of Presley’s, got him spots in the 1979 biopic “Elvis” as well as “Elvis and Me.” For more information on Ronnie McDowell follow him on Facebook and Twitter or visit ronniemcdowell.com.
BENEFIT NEWS: Some of Nashville’s most talented songwriters will perform their chart-topping hits, February 5 at Douglas Corner Cafe (2106 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN) to benefit Kacey Jones who is battling stage-3 colorectal cancer with alternative medicine and treatments not covered by insurance. Door cover charge is only $10 per person. Jones, a professional singer/songwriter/musician, and a contestant last year on America's Got Talent, was diagnosed in January 2014. Scheduled to perform: Kent Blazy, Alan Rhody, Cory Batten, Rafe Van Hoy, Roger Cook, Wood Newton, Doug Gill, Jim Parker, Lynn Langham, Jim Sales, and Jonmark Stone (all of whom have hits and cuts with major label artists). To support Kacey Jones, visit her GoFundMe page, visit www.kaceyjones.com or send aCD NEWS: The Grascals’ new album ‘and then there’s this…’ made its debut on the Billboard Magazine Bluegrass Album Chart in the top spot. The project had already been named one of the most highly anticipated albums of the new year by entertainment news site, The Boot. A reader poll to determine The Boot's first Album of the Month for 2016 pitted the multi-award-winning acoustic band against The Brothers Osborne, The Randy Rogers Band, and Hank Williams Jr., resulted in a resounding win for The Grascals with nearly 50% of the popular vote. The album was released January 8th on the Mountain Home Music Company label. The Grascals are three-time GRAMMY® nominees and have twice been named International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainer of the Year. More at grascals.com.
CRB NEWS: (Country Radio Broadcasters) Country Aircheck reported these nine additions to the Country Radio Hall of Fame: America's Morning Show host Blair Garner; former Midland, TX morning team Mike and Dana Schuff; WUSN/Chicago morning host Lisa Dent, former CBS Radio/Minneapolis SVP/MM Mick Anselmo; Keymarket Communications founder Kerby Confer; former WLW/Cincinnati host Jack Reno; WYCD/Detroit OM/PD Tim Roberts; and former KIIM/Tucson (among others) owner Jim Slone will be recognized by Luke Bryan as the next inductees to the Country Radio Hall of Fame during CRS 2016 opening ceremonies Feb. 8. The four On-Air inductees – Garner, Dent and the Schuffs – and the five Radio category honorees will be celebrated during the annual Induction Dinner and Awards Ceremony later this year in Nashville.
CONCERT NEWS: RCA’s Nashville’s Old Dominion kicked off their highly-anticipated Meat and Candy Tour by selling out Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on January 14 Playing to an enthusiastic crowd of 1500, the show followed the ceremony for their debut multi-week No. 1 “Break Up With Him” earlier that day, where they celebrated their ten-year journey with friends and fans. The single from the Shane McAnally-produced debut album, “Meat And Candy”, is unique in several ways. The song was written by all five members of the band and also broke unconventionally, getting its start on SiriusXM’s The Highway, where it was voted the Number One song of 2015 by fans. More at olddominionband.com and Facebook.
INT’L NEWS: Kip Moore will be crossing the pond once more to play a string of headlining dates in the UK and Ireland as part of the second leg of his WILD ONES TOUR. Kicking off on 4/22 in Dublin, Moore's return to Europe follows a triumphant visit last year where he stunned crowds at the O2 Arena in London ending his set with a poignant cover of native band Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back In Anger.” Moore’s shows in Europe will come hot on the heels of his first dates scheduled in Australia. For a full list of tour dates and more information visit www.kipmoore.net.
INDIE NEWS: Pop country duo Dave & Whitney (Chelsea Creek Entertainment) bid adieu to a successful 2015 with an aggressive radio tour that crisscrossed the country. The pair initially entered the country music sector with the release of its debut EP (titled ALIBI) in July. Without the aid or assistance of a record label or promotions team, Dave & Whitney embarked on their own radio promotion tour (coinciding with their summer show tour) “popping-in” to stations - Loretta Lynn style - one by one along the way, to introduce themselves and their new single. The track independently entered the Music Row Breakout Chart at no. 179. More at www.daveandwhitney.com.
INDUSTRY NEWS: Joe Kelly, VP/GM of CDX Nashville, spoke recently at the Nashville Bar Association Committee Meeting for IP and Entertainment Lawyers. Kelly shared his vast insider knowledge with the group about the radio industry, including airplay reports, station manager and listener behavior, and how artists can leverage monitored radio airplay to maximize concert profits. He also informed the group about TrAction, the revolutionary airplay monitoring system that CDX will be rolling out in the coming weeks. CDX was recently nominated as Finalist for the Innovator of the Year Award for 2015 by the Nashville Technology Council for its TrAction software. More on CDX and TrAction at www.cdxnashville.com.
LABEL NEWS: (UMG) For PLATINUM selling singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley, it seems the most personal songs are also the ones most universally relatable to his fans. On his upcoming release, he raises the bar on that idea as he candidly explores the farthest corners of his own heart. His eighth studio album, BLACK, is set for release in early 2016. Fans can pre-order the collection now on www.dierks.com and have access to extra tracks, bonus videos, special merchandise and VIP Black Card member experiences with Bentley on his 2016 tour. “It’s a relationship album, “said Bentley. “And to do it right, I had to dig deep as a writer, dig into the Nashville songwriting community, and record songs that explore the shadows and edges of the heart.”
MORE LABEL NEWS: (Broken Bow) Already dubbed one of "2016’s Hottest Tours” by Rolling Stone for fans "looking to have the night of their lives," three-time and reigning ACM Male Vocalist of the Year Jason Aldean's WE WERE HERE 2016 TOUR is making its opening run after a string of sold-out shows. With bigger-than-ever production, a new set list and history-making attendance records, he’s putting his mark on the "record books as the first time a solo music performer has headlined a pair of sold-out two night stands in succession" (The Pantagraph) at the US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, IN. Check out tour dates and buy tix at www.jasonaldean.com.
(VALORY Records) artist Thomas Rhett continued to dominate the radio charts again in mid-January, spending a fourth consecutive week at No. One on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his PLATINUM certified hit “Die A Happy Man.” Since the beginning of 2012, only Florida Georgia Line’s “Stay” and Luke Bryan’s “Play It Again” have accomplished the same long-standing reign. The track also maintained a third week at the top of the Mediabase radio chart and continues to be the best-selling country digital track for a 10th week – and probably more by the time you read this. Additionally, Rhett has teamed with Snap Fitness for a year-long partnership as the health and wellness brand’s spokesperson, where he will host boot camps in select tour markets and social media challenges throughout the year. More info and upcoming tour dates, visit www.thomasrhett.com.
LEGEND NEWS: Gene Watson blends traditional, organic country that appeals to purists on his new album, Real.Country.Music, available for preorder now and at digital retailers February 26. After five decades in the music business and more than 75 charting singles, Watson continues to deliver an authentic, soulful album with this new project. It is Watson’s 33rd studio album, which includes a gospel rendition of “Help Me,” a song penned by Larry Gatlin and recorded by Elvis Presley, “Enough For You,” written by Kris Kristofferson, and “When A Man Can’t Get A Woman Off His Mind” a co-write by Bill Anderson and Sharon Vaughn. The 13-track album showcases Watson’s powerful voice and multi-octave range. More info & tour dates a www.GeneWatsonMusic.com.
MEDIA NEWS: Multi-PLATINUM singer/songwriter Thomas Rhett declares the top spot once again on the Billboard Country Airplay chart as his megahit “Die A Happy Man" spends its sixth consecutive week at No. One. The last artist to hold the same reign over the chart was Taylor Swift exactly eight years ago with “Our Song.” The song continues to serve as the best-selling country digital track and simultaneously tops Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for an 11th week. Rhett continues to tour as direct support for Jason Aldean’s WE WERE HERE 2016 TOUR. A full list of upcoming tour dates is at www.thomasrhett.com.
MUSIC NEWS: Just one year after making his return to music, country chart-topper, my long time friend and one of my favorite artists, T. Graham Brown continues to capitalize on his current momentum with multiple upcoming television appearances, including an appearance on RFD-TV’s Joey Canyon show, February 5. The 30-minute series was shot on-location in scenic Denver, Colo. and will feature Brown performing two of his biggest hits. Brown’s latest Grammy-nominated project, ‘Forever Changed,’ features collaborations with Vince Gill, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jimmy Fortune, Leon Russell, Steve Cropper, Jason Crabb, Sonya Isaacs and others. More at www.tgrahambrown.com.
NASHVILLE CLUB NEWS: Time flies when you’re having fun! Hard to believe it’s been a decade, but The Listening Room Café will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in February. Recognized as one of Nashville’s premier venues to hear local and national acts (and for good eats that go beyond your ordinary bar food), The Listening Room will be celebrating all weekend long, February 5 – 7. More at www.listeningroomcafe.com
RADIO NEWS: Old Dominion’s new single “Snapback” hit the country radio airwaves in mid-January with a thunderous pop. 126 first week chart-reporting Country radio stations across the country are now spinning the new single that is the follow-up to the band’s debut, GOLD-certified, two week No. 1 hit song, “Break Up With Him,” the first single off the band’s debut album Meat and Candy, produced by GRAMMY Award winning songwriter/producer Shane McAnally. The band will be joining Kenny Chesney’s 2016 tour. “Picking a second single was kind of nerve-wracking,” says Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey. “We felt like ‘Snapback’ was the right choice, but it's really just a guess. You never know what's going to connect.” News and tour info at facebook and www.olddominionband.com.
RED BEET RECORDS NEWS: The album ‘C&O Canal’ is Eric Brace and Peter Cooper's homage to the Washington DC folk and bluegrass and acoustic music scenes over the past decades. With songs by Mary Chapin Carpenter, the Seldom Scene's John Starling, Emmylou Harris and many more, it's a window into the musical worlds that twisted the brains of poor young Eric & Peter. Recorded in Thomm Jutz's Nashville studio, Eric and Peter were joined by Thomm (guitar and vocals), Andrea Zonn (violin and vocals), Justin Moses (dobro, banjo, mandolin), Mark Fain (bass), Jeff Taylor (accordion), and Lynn Williams (drums). More at www.redbeetrecords.com.
SPBGMA NEWS: The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) has announced that “Bluegrass Music’s Youngest Old Timer,” Ronnie Reno, will be inducted into the Preservation Hall of Greats at the upcoming 42nd Annual Bluegrass Music Awards on February 7 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville. The award is the highest honor presented by SPBGMA, a trade organization formed over 40 years ago to preserve the traditional spirit and art form of Bluegrass music. Reno has enjoyed a diverse and distinguished career in the music industry, one that spans over 60 years, alongside some of the most legendary entertainers in Bluegrass and Country music. He has penned many hit songs, including Conway Twitty’s 1978 hit "Boogie Grass Band" and produced successful albums for Merle Haggard, Mac Wiseman and his own recently released album, ‘Lessons Learned.‘ More at www.ronniereno.com.
TOUR NEWS: Darius Rucker will kick off his 2016 Good for a Good Time Tour in Tampa, Fla. on June 3rd. The tour will feature opening acts Dan + Shay, who are celebrating their first No. 1 single with “Nothin’ Like You” and rising country singer Michael Ray, who was the only new male country artist of 2015 to have a No. 1 single in 2015, with "Kiss You in the Morning." Over 30 stops across the country have been announced so far with more to come. Fans can purchase tickets for select cities as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at www.Megaticket.com. Rucker plans to once again provide his concerts as a platform to honor and present homes to our nation’s combat wounded heroes and Gold Star spouses, in conjunction with Project Rebuild. Info and tour dates at www.DariusRucker.com.
VIDEO NEWS: Tammy Jones Robinette & The Drive have released a lyric video for their second single, "I Think I'll Let You Drive." Produced by Sammy3 Productions of the Passamano Brothers, the video is a complementary companion of Robinette's second single and the follow-up to “To Be a Kid Again,” which reached #6 on Bluegrass Today’s Weekly Airplay Chart/Top-20 on the monthly chart, from the 12-track, self-titled album TAMMY JONES ROBINETTE & THE DRIVE on Rural Rhythm Records. The new single is available at iTunes, Amazon and in select stores. More at TammyJonesRobinetteandTheDrive.com.
WWWEBSITES TO CHECK OUT: www.bouldercreekguitars.com / www.ascap.com / www.sesac.com / www.globalsongwriters.com / www.bmi.com.
WHO'S LOOKING * WHO'S CUTTING: Allison Bray, Borrowed Blue, Ryan Kinder, Cassadee Pope Martina McBride and Chase Rice.
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