In Pictures: 10th Annual ACM Honors At The Ryman

Lady Antebellum. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Lady Antebellum. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Now in its 10th year, the ACM Honors show still finds that balance of recognizing historical achievements and bringing out modern country superstars.

That was particularly true on Tuesday night (Aug. 30) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. For the first time, the event was filmed for a CBS network special, which will air on Sept. 9. The national spotlight enticed a number of A-list artists to appear.

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 30: Musicial artisits Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Bierks Bentley and Toby Keith perform onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Shannon Campbell (son of Glen Campbell), Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

The impressive list of performers, presenters and honorees included: Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Cam and duet partner Alicia Keys, Dan + Shay, Crystal Gayle, Emmylou Harris, Toby Keith, hosts Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, The Statler Brothers, Cole Swindell, Tanya Tucker, Keith Urban, and Chris Young.

Pictured (L-R): Kelsea Ballerini, Crystal Gayle, ACM EVP, Managing Director Tiffany Moon. Photo: Getty Images for ACM

Pictured (L-R): Kelsea Ballerini; Crystal Gayle; Tiffany Moon, EVP/Managing Director, Interim CEO, ACM. Photo: Getty Images for ACM

Prior to the musical performances, the Studio Recording Awards were presented to the following: Michael Rhodes, bass player of the year; Derek Wells, guitar player of the year; Jim “Moose” Brown, piano/keyboards player of the year; Danny Rader, specialty instrument(s) player of the year; Justin Niebank, audio engineer of the year; Dave Cobb, producer of the year; Shannon Forrest, drummer of the year; and Paul Franklin, steel guitar player of the year.

Thomas Rhett. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Thomas Rhett. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Once the performances kicked in at 7 p.m., the night moved quickly—even though that part of the show lasted about three hours. Thomas Rhett introduced Jason Aldean as the winner of the ACM Triple Crown Award, indicating that he has won trophies as a new artist, male vocalist and entertainer. In addition to an acceptance speech, Aldean delivered a medley of “Dirt Road Anthem,” “Tattoos on This Town” and a new single, “A Little More Summertime.”

Jason Aldean. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Jason Aldean. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Introduced by Little Big Town, Keith Urban sang “Blue Ain’t Your Color” to commemorate the acceptance of his ACM Mae Boren Axton Award.

Keith Urban. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Keith Urban. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Stepping out of the ACM world for a few minutes, Urban, Little Big Town and Dierks Bentley covered David Bowie’s “Heroes” for a separate Stand Up to Cancer network special.

Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town's Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild; Dierks Bentley; Keith Urban; Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild; Dierks Bentley; Keith Urban; Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Maren Morris treated ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award winner Tanya Tucker to a spot-on version of “Delta Dawn.”

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 30: Musicial artists Maren Morris presents an award to Tanya Tucker onstage at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Pictured (L-R): Maren Morris, Tanya Tucker. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

In the next stretch of performances, The Band Perry sang “MacArthur Park” for ACM Poet’s Award winner Jimmy Webb, who was presented the trophy by Toby Keith.

The Band Perry. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

The Band Perry. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Songwriter Jimmy Webb recieves an award onstage from singer-songwriter Toby Keith, musical artists Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry from musicial group The Band Perry at the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Webb, Toby Keith, The Band Perry. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Martina McBride brought out Chris Young and Dan + Shay to sing “Flowers on the Wall” before giving the ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award to Don Reid and Jimmy Fortune, two members of The Statler Brothers.

Martina McBride. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Martina McBride. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Dan Smyers from Dan + Shay, Chris Young, Shay Mooney from Dan+ Shay. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Dan Smyers from Dan + Shay, Chris Young, Shay Mooney from Dan+ Shay. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Jimmy Fortune and Don Reid of The Statler Brothers. Photo: Jhn Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Jimmy Fortune and Don Reid of The Statler Brothers. Photo: Jhn Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Kelsea Ballerini submitted a marvelous version of “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” before Crystal Gayle came up to accept her ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award.

Kelsea Ballerini .Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Crystal Gayle receives an award onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Crystal Gayle. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Emmylou Harris was given the honor of presenting Miranda Lambert the first-ever ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award. Lambert, who sang “Misery and Gin” in homage to Haggard, was visibly thrilled to receive an award named for one hero, and hand-delivered by another.

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 30: Emmylou Harris (R) presents Miranda Lambert (L) with an award onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Pictured (L-R): Miranda Lambert, Emmylou Harris. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Dierks Bentley returned to the stage to sing “Freedom” to salute his friend Ross Copperman, named ACM Songwriter of the Year.

Dierks Bentley. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Dierks Bentley. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Ross Copperman. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Ross Copperman. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell teamed up for “I Love a Rainy Night” in tribute to ACM Poet’s Award recipient Eddie Rabbitt, who died in 1998. Rabbitt’s daughter Demelza accepted in his honor.

Singer-songwriters Cole Swindell and Luke Bryan perform onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Pictured (L-R): Cole Swindell, Luke Bryan. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Terri Walker, the widow of beloved industry figure Jeff Walker, spoke eloquently while receiving his ACM Jim Reeves International Award. Their children Christy Walker-Watkins and Jon Walker stood with their mother during her speech.

Nashville Predators Mike Fisher presents an award onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Nashville Predators Mike Fisher presents an award onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Mike Fisher spoke highly of his wife, Carrie Underwood, who was unable to accept her ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award in person. A concert performance of “Temporary Home” emphasized the positive outlook that the award embodies.

Alicia Keys and Cam.

Alicia Keys and Cam.

Alicia Keys and Cam provided one of the highlights of the evening with their rendition of Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush.” Little Big Town were honored with the Crystal Milestone Award.

Little Big Town. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Little Big Town. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

A tribute to Glen Campbell roused the crowd, as Shelton sang “Southern Nights,” Bentley offered “Gentle on My Mind,” Urban performed “Wichita Lineman” and Keith covered “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” They united for a terrific take on “Rhinestone Cowboy,” the 1975 ACM Single and Song of the Year, and a positive speech from Campbell’s wife Kim — who indicated that Campbell would have been overjoyed to hear such a tribute — concluded the evening on an uplifting note.

Cal Campbell, Kimberly Campbell, Ashley Campbell, and Shannon Campbell. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Cal Campbell, Kimberly Campbell, Ashley Campbell, and Shannon Campbell. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

 

Industry Ink: BMI, Buddy Lee Attractions, Foundation For Bluegrass Music

BMI, Cam, Skye Claire Celebrate Women In Radio

camandskye

Pictured (L-R): Joe D’Angelo, SVP of HD Radio; Erica Farber, President/CEO of the Radio Advertising Bureau; Cam; Skye Claire; Dan Spears, Vice President, Industry Relations, BMI.

Sony Music Nashville artist Cam and Mandolin Entertainment’s Skye Claire performed for the ninth annual Rising Through The Ranks Seminar at a private dinner in Nashville on Aug. 24.

The annual event, presented by The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), in conjunction with BMI and the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group (MIW), welcomed over 20 scholarship recipients.

The two-day seminar, held each year at BMI Nashville’s offices, focuses on motivating women in the radio industry and providing them with the tools and management techniques to help them carry out their role to the best of their ability.

 

John Berry Joins BLA

Pictured (L-R): Absolute Publicity's Don Murry Grubbs, BLA's Mike Meade (VP), Kat Boggs, Joe Lee, John Berry, BLA's Derek Shampine, Donna Lee (CEO/Co-owner), Aura Guadagno, Amy Aylward, John Roberson, David Kiswiney (Sr VP), Leadership Artists' Brian Smith

Pictured (L-R): Absolute Publicity’s Don Murry Grubbs, BLA’s Mike Meade (VP), Kat Boggs, Joe Lee, John Berry, BLA’s Derek Shampine, Donna Lee (CEO/Co-owner), Aura Guadagno, Amy Aylward, John Roberson, David Kiswiney (Sr VP), Leadership Artists’ Brian Smith

John Berry has joined Buddy Lee Attractions for live booking representation. Berry released his first album in three years, What I Love The Most, in June.

“We are proud to welcome John Berry to the BLA family,” says BLA Vice President, Mike Meade.  “He is an artist who consistently delivers great music with an incredible stage presence.”

“We are thrilled to be joining the BLA family of artists and agents and that’s really what it feels like… family,” adds Berry’s manager, Brian Smith. “John is very close friends with several of their artists and Donna, Mike, David and the entire staff have just made us feel so genuinely welcome. I knew when John and I left a meeting with them last week that this was the final piece to the puzzle we had been searching for. We are ready to dig in and work!”

 

Nancy Cardwell Joins Foundation For Bluegrass Music

Nancy Cardwell

Nancy Cardwell

Longtime bluegrass music industry member Nancy Cardwell has joined the Foundation for Bluegrass Music as its administrator. Cardwell served as Special Projects Director for the IBMA from 1994-2012. She also served as the trade association’s executive director from 2012-2015.

“The Foundation is delighted to have one of the architects of the highly effective Bluegrass in the Schools program back on board,” said Foundation Board chairperson Mark Panfil. “Nancy Cardwell is a highly organized individual with a real passion for the mission of the Foundation and the future of Bluegrass Music.”

The Foundation For Bluegrass Music launched in 2007 by IBMA to support bluegrass music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

“If bluegrass music were a town, we would be your community foundation,” Cardwell explains. “We’re the ‘United Way’ of bluegrass music—a place to donate funds and set up endowments that will be used for bluegrass-related programs and projects that will keep the genre alive and growing for decades to come. As Mr. Monroe said, this music is powerful. We want to save the world with bluegrass music.”

Blake Shelton Celebrates Gold Album, No. 1 Song At ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): Songwriter Deric Ruttan, Blake Shelton, songwriter Craig Wiseman. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): Songwriter Deric Ruttan, Blake Shelton, songwriter Craig Wiseman. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

“It’s good to be in the Blake Shelton business,” said Matt Turner, Creative Director of Big Loud Shirt, as industry members gathered to honor Shelton’s  No. 1 song, “Came Here To Forget.”

ASCAP’s Nashville office hosted the celebration, led by ASCAP’s Beth Brinker and Michael Martin, on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 30).

“Came Here To Forget” marks Shelton’s 22nd No. 1 song and 17th consecutive chart-topper. Deric Ruttan and three-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year honoree Craig Wiseman co-wrote “Came Here to Forget,” the lead single from Shelton’s If I’m Honest album.

The song marks Ruttan’s third No. 1 and Wiseman’s 26th.

Shelton was surprised with more heavy metal when presented with a plaque commemorating the gold certification of his If I’m Honest project.

“I’m always looking for a song I can relate to,” said Shelton told Ruttan and Wiseman of “Came Here To Forget.” “I have to be careful about shit I say because it ends up everywhere. I don’t think I’ve ever had a more perfect song at the perfect time in my life. Thank you guys for nailing it way better than I ever could. I’m like a puppet up here, if it wasn’t for you writers.”

Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Michael Martin, songwriter Deric Ruttan, Big Loud Shirt's Matt Turner, Round Hill Songs' Penny Gattis, Blake Shelton, THiS Music's Rusty Gaston, songwriter Craig Wiseman, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing's Ben Vaughn, ASCAP's Beth Brinker

Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Michael Martin, songwriter Deric Ruttan, Big Loud Shirt’s Matt Turner, Round Hill Songs’ Penny Gattis, Blake Shelton, THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, songwriter Craig Wiseman, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, Round Hill Music’s Penny Gattis, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, Peter Strickland, and Scott Hendricks, Starstruck Management Group’s Narvel Blackstock and Brandon Blackstock, iHeartRadio’s Rod Phillips (on behalf of the Country Radio Broadcasters), and the Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms were on hand to honor the writers.

“As writers we are blessed to do what we do and I’m particularly blessed to write for a company like THiS Music,” said Ruttan. “THiS Music and Warner/Chappell is such a great home where we can feel creative and it’s a very nurturing environment.”

Gattis also surprised the songwriters by making a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank large enough to feed 2,000 people. Earlier this year, Shelton performed at Wiseman’s 12th annual Stars For Second Harvest charity event, held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. To date, the event has raised more than $1 million to aid Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

Additionally, Wiseman and Shelton were congratulated for “Gonna,” which was the fourth single from Shelton’s previous album Bringing Back The Sunshine.

Pictured (L-R): Producer Scott Hendricks, Warner Music Nashville CMO Peter Strickland, Blake Shelton, Starstruck Management Group's Narvel Blackstock, Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, Starstruck Management Group's Brandon Blackstock. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): Producer Scott Hendricks, Warner Music Nashville CMO Peter Strickland, Blake Shelton, Starstruck Management Group’s Narvel Blackstock, Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, Starstruck Management Group’s Brandon Blackstock. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

“When ‘Gonna’ went No. 1, it was my 16th No. 1 song in a row, and I got a text from Earl Thomas Conley and he said, ‘Man you tied me.’” Shelton recalled. “I tied his personal record for consecutive No. 1s. I didn’t hear from me on this one. He must be pissed off that I flew past him,” Shelton quipped, just before giving thanks to the Warner Bros. promotion staff.

The celebration couldn’t last long, as Shelton and many others in attendance made their way to the Ryman Auditorium to take part in the ACM Honors, where Shelton paid tribute to Glen Campbell as part of an all-star moment featuring Keith Urban, Toby Keith, and Dierks Bentley.

Pictured (L-R): Blake Shelton and RaeLynn

Pictured (L-R): Blake Shelton and RaeLynn

Texas Governor Objects To DOJ Ruling On Fractionalized Licensing

Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has formally asked the Department of Justice to reconsider its recent decision regarding consent decrees and fractional licensing.

In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch dated Aug. 29, Gov. Abbott wrote to express his disagreement.

He wrote, in part, “The Texas Music Office is housed within my office and is charged by law with promoting the Texas music industry. As the head of that office, I must object to the DOJ’s position in these cases, which is both legally flawed and threatens to harm the music industry in Texas. I respectfully request that the DOJ reconsider its position.”

In June, the music publishing community responded with disappointment, shock and surprise when the Department of Justice unexpectedly introduced a 100 percent licensing model involving PROs.

The decision on 100 percent licensing means that a song co-written by an ASCAP songwriter and a BMI songwriter would be available to license with approval from just one PRO. It also means that if a songwriter owns only a portion of the song, he or she can license the full song, as long as that songwriter ensures the other credited writers are getting paid. Under the current system, known as fractionalized licensing, each copyright owner in the song takes care of licensing their portion.

Later in his letter, Gov. Abbott wrote, “This drastic change in course will have severe consequences for music artists and the music industry as a whole. Specifically, the DOJ’s conclusion will inhibit collaboration between music artists, upend longstanding practices within the music industry and further reduce royalty payments to music artists.”

Abe Stoklasa Accepts MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin For “Fix”

Pictured (L-R): Carla Wallace, Abe Stoklasa and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula

Pictured (L-R): Big Yellow Dog CEO/Partner Carla Wallace, Abe Stoklasa and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula

Big Yellow Dog songwriter Abe Stoklasa earned his first MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin for “Fix,” a chart-topping single for Big Loud Records recording artist Chris Lane. The title reached the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart on July 21, 2016 after a 30-week climb.

“Fix” was written with Sarah Buxton and Jesse Frasure, who each earned a coin as a writer on the song. Publishers include Round Hill Works, Big Loud Proud Crowd, Bux Tone Music, Rio Bravo Music, Telemitry Productions, and Year Of The Dog Music. As the performer, Lane accepted his coin in July, just days after the song topped the chart.

“If it wasn’t for Carla, I don’t know where I’d be,” Stoklasa told MusicRow of his Big Yellow Dog publisher Carla Wallace. “Any opportunity she got, she would introduce me. She had faith early on and was unabashed about it.”

Referencing his “Fix” co-writers, he added, “Sarah and I have had a lot of success together and it’s hard to get in Jesse’s room lately because he’s been so in-demand.”

He continued, “I definitely spent a lot of time trying to write Dallas Davidson songs or Craig Wiseman songs and there’s a reason I failed at that—I’m not them. I needed to find what I’m good at and more importantly what nobody else was doing. I’ve found my skill-set and how it can be new to the marketplace.”

Big Yellow Dog CEO/Partner Carla Wallace (L) with "Fix" songwriter Abe Stoklasa (R). Photo: Molly Hannula

Carla Wallace (L) with “Fix” songwriter Abe Stoklasa (R). Photo: Molly Hannula

Noah Dewey Joins Magic Mustang Music

Noah Dewey

Noah Dewey

BBR Music Group’s Magic Mustang Music has hired Noah Dewey as Sr. Creative Director of the publishing company.

Dewey has more than 20 years experience in the music industry as a music publisher, recording engineer and producer. He previously worked for Warner Bros., Still Working Music and Disney Music Publishing.

Most recently, Dewey owned independent publishing company Sonic Ark Publishing, which spawned three No. 1 records last year.

“I’m elated to be working with Juli and the amazing writers on the Magic Mustang team! It’s a fantastic opportunity to be a part of the BBR Music Group,” says Dewey.

“I have known Noah for over 20 years. I am so happy to have him as part of our family,” says Juli Newton-Griffith, VP of Magic Mustang Music. “His knowledge of publishing will be invaluable to the future of our company!”

Dewey reports directly to Newton-Griffith and is already on the job.

Americana Music Association Names Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees

Jim Lauderdale

Jim Lauderdale

The Americana Music Association has revealed its 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees. The six recipients are William Bell, Billy Bragg, Shawn Colvin, Woody Guthrie, Jim Lauderdale and Bob Weir.

The honorees will be celebrated at Americana’s 15th Annual Honors & Awards held at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 21. The show is part of the 17th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, held Sept. 20-25 in Nashville.

“These artists have not only influenced the Americana community, but the musical landscape as a whole,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “They all have been an inspiration to our community and we are humbled they will honor us in song at the Ryman this fall.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting goes to singer and songwriter William Bell. Billy Bragg is this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award. Shawn Colvin has been named the Trailblazer honoree.

The President’s Award is posthumously awarded to Woody Guthrie. Jim Lauderdale is this year’s WagonMaster recipient. Bob Weir will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement honor in the category of Performer.

CMA Broadcast Awards Finalists Revealed

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase; Lon Helton; Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase; Lon Helton; Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks.

The Country Music Association revealed the finalists for its Broadcast Awards on Wednesday morning (Aug. 31).

Cam, who is a first-time CMA Award nominee this year with nods in the Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year categories (both for “Burning House”) notified the CMA Broadcast Awards finalists for Personality and Radio Station of the Year with personalized video messages.

In the Broadcast Personality of the Year category (National), Cumulus’ America’s Morning Show (Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks) was nominated as well as Westwood One’s Country Countdown USA (Lon Helton), and iHeartMedia’s The Crook and Chase Countdown (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase).

Major Market finalists include KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas, KWJJ – Portland, Oregon, WKLB – Boston, WMZQ – Washington, D.C., and WSOC – Charlotte-Gastonia, North Carolina/Rock Hill, South Carolina.

“My friends in radio have been supportive of my career from the very beginning,” said Cam. “They are the ones getting our music out there and helping us reach new fans. I’m so happy I get to deliver the good news about their CMA Broadcast Award nominations – it’s so important to take the time and celebrate all the hard work put in.”

The winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at The 50th Annual CMA Awards to be held Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and broadcast live by the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host.

“Much of the sustained success of our format and rise of country’s newest stars can be attributed to the passion and drive of these key radio professionals,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “They pioneer the grassroots efforts in communities across the nation to keep Country Music listeners excited and engaged with the genre.”

The categories are established by market size based on population as ranked by Arbitron. Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement, and biographical information. Candidates for Station of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings history, community involvement, and format leadership.

CMA members who are full-time, on-air personalities, and CMA member radio stations in the United States and Canada were eligible to enter. The entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions.

CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:

National
“America’s Morning Show” (Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks) – Cumulus
“Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
“The Crook and Chase Countdown” (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) – iHeartMedia

Major Market
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeff “Maverick” Bolen, and Kia Becht) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
“Dave and Veronica Morning Show” (the late Dave McKay and Veronica Alfaro) – WQYK, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla.
“The Michael J Show” (Michael J. Stuehler) – WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
“The Q Morning Zoo” (Tim Tuttle, Kevin Kline, and Erica Rico) – KKBQ, Houston-Galveston, Texas
“Tanner in the Morning” (“Rob Tanner” Lamb, Willa Hamrick “Catherine Lane”, and “Chris Allen” Gordon) – WSOC, Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.

Large Market
“AJ & Ashley In The Morning” (AJ Maguire and Ashley Stegbauer) – WWKA, Orlando, Fla.
“The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“The Boxer Show” (“Boxer” Brandon Nasby) – WCOL, Columbus, Ohio
“The Randy, Jamie, and Jojo Show” (Randy Carroll, Jamie Martin, and JoJo Meza) – KAJA, San Antonio, Texas
“Woody and the Wake-UP Call” (Woody Johnson, Dan E. Zuko, and Kayla Hanley) – WCOL, Columbus, Ohio

Medium Market
Brent Michaels – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
“The Gator & StyckMan Program” (Gator Harrison, Greg “StyckMan” Owens, and “Cowboy” Kyle Croft) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Ken, Kelley, and Daniel” (Ken Hicks, Kelley Bradshaw, and Daniel Wyatt) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Maverick and Lulu in the Morning” (Maverick Johnson and Luanne “Lulu” Krysz) – WCTQ, Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.
“Tom and Becky” (Tom Owens and Becky Palmer) – WBBS, Syracuse, N.Y.

Small Market
“Afternoons with Cash” (Cash Williams) – KTTS, Springfield, Mo.
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
“Ben and Arnie” (Arnie Andrews and Ben Butler) – WCOW, La Crosse, Wis.
“The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
“Scotty & Cara in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Cara Denis) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.

CMA RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

Major Market
KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas
KWJJ – Portland, Ore.
WKLB – Boston, Mass.
WMZQ – Washington, D.C.
WSOC – Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.

Large Market
WCOL – Columbus, Ohio
WCTK – Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, R.I.
WQDR – Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
WWKA – Orlando, Fla.

Medium Market
KATM – Stockton, Calif.
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WBBS – Syracuse, N.Y.
WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
WYRK – Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Small Market
KORA – Bryan-College Station, Texas
KTTS – Springfield, Mo.
WCOW – La Crosse, Wis.
WKML – Fayetteville, N.C.
WKSF – Asheville, N.C.

Toby Keith Receives Multiple BMI Million-Air Certifications

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Phil Graham and Leslie Roberts, BMI singer-songwriter Toby Keith, BMI’s David Preston, BMI songwriter Scotty Emerick, BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Phil Graham and Leslie Roberts, BMI singer-songwriter Toby Keith, BMI’s David Preston, BMI songwriter Scotty Emerick, BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Toby Keith was awarded BMI Million-Air certificates for seven hit songs on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 30) at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville. The songs awarded totaled 23 million radio plays.

BMI executive David Preston presented Keith with the following certificates signifying the number of spins at country radio:

“How Do You Like Me Now” – 5 million performances
“Beer For My Horses”- 4 million performances
“You Ain’t Much Fun” with 4 million
“American Soldier” – 3 million performances
“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” – 3 million performances
“God Love Her” – 2 million performances
“You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This”- 2 million performances

Toby Keith. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Toby Keith. Photo: Nathan Zucker

During his remarks, Keith told the crowd, “Going into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City [in 2015] was the pinnacle reward I’ve been given. Songwriters, keep on writing songs because it’s the lifeblood of this industry and things like this can happen. Dreams can come true.”

Keith is a three time BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, with Million-Air certificates for many tracks, including “I Love This Bar” and “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.”

Pictured (L-R): Toby Keith and BMI's Jody Williams. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Pictured (L-R): Toby Keith and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Plans 50th Anniversary Live CD/DVD Set

nitty gritty dirt band 2016

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will issue a CD and a CD/DVD set on Sept. 30 to commemorate their 50th year as a band.

Credited to Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends and titled Circlin’ Back: Celebrating 50 Years, the project will be released on the band’s own NGDB Records, LLC, and distributed by Warner Music Nashville.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album coverRecorded live at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, the collection features guests such as John Prine, Sam Bush, Vince Gill, Jerry Jeff Walker, Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, Byron House, and Jerry Douglas. Jackson Browne, an early member of the Dirt Band, and former member Jimmy Ibbotson, also joined the lineup.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s current members are Jeff Hanna (guitars/vocals), Jimmie Fadden (drums/harmonica/vocals), Bob Carpenter (keyboards/accordion/vocals) and John McEuen (banjo/fiddle/guitar/mandolin).

The band will return to Nashville on Oct. 4 for a show with the Nashville Symphony.