BANDSINTOWN, CMT Partner During CMT Music Awards Week

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CMT and Bandsintown are partnering up to help fans discover the best rising artists who are taking the industry by storm this week for CMA Music Fest. CMT will be hosting free performances throughout the city by artists and showcasing the best up-and-coming artists in country, with shows by Walker Hayes, The Sisterhood, Bailey Bryan, who has been tipped as a Bandsintown Big Break artist, and more.

Bandsintown will host a bespoke in-app CMT Music Awards Week guide this week to keep fans in-the-know on the best country music offerings in Nashville throughout awards week.

“Music is the core of everything we do at CMT, and we’re excited to grow our biggest event of the year into a multi-day festival with CMT Music Awards week,” said Adam Steingart, SVP of Partnerships, CMT, TV Land and Paramount Network. “We share Bandsintown’s commitment to helping fans discover emerging artists and are thrilled to have Bailey Bryan – a Bandsintown Big Break artist – be part of the CMT experience this week.”

“We’re thrilled to team up with CMT in promoting artist discovery in Nashville.” said Fabrice Sergent, Bandsintown Managing Partner. “The Music Awards week is a great opportunity for fans to discovery their next favorite country artist –  and we’re always eager to help make those connections. We’re also delighted that CMT Music Awards Weeks will feature Bailey Bryan, who has been part of our emerging artists program Big Break, since January.”

Confederate Railroad Founding Member Passes

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Bass player Wayne Secrest, a mainstay of the hit country band Confederate Railroad, died on Saturday, June 2, at age 68.

Secrest formed the group with lead singer Danny Shirley and band mates Michael Lamb, Gates Nichols, Chris McDaniel and Mark Dufresne in 1967. Confederate Railroad became a local headlining nightclub attraction in the region encompassing Atlanta, northern Alabama and Chattanooga in the 1970s.

During the following decade, the group was the backing band on the road for both David Allan Coe and Johnny Paycheck. Its enthusiastic regional following led to a recording contract with Atlantic Records in 1992. Confederate Railroad’s debut album for the label included six top-40 singles, including the top-10 successes “Jesus and Mama,” “Queen of Memphis” and “Trashy Women,” plus such memorable tunes as “When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back,” “She Never Cried” and “She Took It Like a Man.”

As a result, the Confederate Railroad album was certified a Double Platinum seller. Secrest and the other band members were cited in the liner notes, but did not play on this disc. Nevertheless, Confederate Railroad was named Best New Group at the 1993 ACM Awards.

The band’s second Atlantic CD, 1994’s Notorious, included a return to the country top-10 with “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind.” Other memorable tracks included “Elvis and Andy,” “I Am Just a Rebel” and “Three Verses.”

This time, Secrest and the other Confederate Railroaders played on the album. Notorious was certified Platinum for a million in sales. The group’s third Atlantic CD was 1995’s When and Where. The title tune became the collection’s biggest success. But the charting track “When He Was My Age” was an early songwriting credit for future star Kenny Chesney.

Keep On Rockin’ became the band’s final Atlantic CD in 1998. The label repackaged its hits on 2000’s Rockin’ Country Party Pack. Confederate Railroad reappeared via the Unleashed CD on Audium/Koch in 2001.

Cheap Thrills was issued by Shanachie in 2007. Secrest and the rest of the band were showcased on the 2010 CD Live: Back to the Barrooms.

The group’s final album with Secrest as a member was 2016’s Lucky to Be Alive. He withdrew from the group last year due to ill health.

Wayne Secrest passed away in Lexington, Kentucky. Survivors include son Ricci Stassi, granddaughter Isabella Stassi Secrest, companion Pam Stacy Simons, stepmother Virginia Secrest and stepbrothers David Nagel, Paul Nagel and John Nagel.

At Secrest’s request, no services will be held. He will be cremated and his ashes scattered at his favorite fly-fishing spot on the Snake River in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Jack White To Play iHeartRadio Music Festival

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Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake, Jack White, Mariah Carey, Imagine Dragons, Sam Smith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Panic! At The Disco, Shawn Mendes, and more will perform at this year’s 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival, set for Sept. 21-22 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

The iHeartRadio Music Festival will also include a performance from this year’s Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star winner, to be announced on July 6. The festival’s Daytime Stage will take place at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on Saturday, Sept. 22 with performances by Logic, Dua Lipa, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lil Uzi Vert, Dustin Lynch, Bazzi, Belly, Bobby Bones and the Raging Idiots and Greta Van Fleet, with more to be announced. In addition to live performances from today’s emerging artists, the Daytime Stage will also feature fan zones and interactive experiences by iHeartRadio’s brand partners.

“There’s no other concert with a lineup as diverse at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.  We pride ourselves on inviting the most eclectic lineup of headliners you’ll ever see on one stage,” said Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia.  “This Festival has the best artists from every style of music heard on iHeartRadio stations across America, giving both artists and our listeners a once-in a lifetime experience.”

Each night, the iHeartRadio Music Festival will broadcast live for fans via iHeartMedia radio stations throughout the country across more than 150 markets. The CW Network will also exclusively live stream both nights of the festival via CWTV.com and The CW App, and broadcast a two-night television special on Oct. 7 -8.

Garth Brooks Added To CMA Fest

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Garth Brooks will make an appearance during this year’s CMA Fest on Saturday, June 9. He will take the stage at the CMA Close Up Stage at Xfinity Fan Fair X from 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m., where he will participate in a Q&A hosted by SiriusXM’s Storme Warren and answer fan questions.

Brooks, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, made history at Fan Fair more than 20 years ago, when he led a marathon autograph session, signing for 23 straight hours with no breaks. Last summer, Brooks made a surprise return to CMA Fest, performing a medley of his classic songs at Nissan Stadium. The performance marked Brooks’ first CMA Fest performance since 1998.

Tickets for Xfinity Fan Fair X are available for $10 each day, Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10, or $25 for a four-day pass. A limited number of four-day tickets for the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium, which also includes four-day access to Xfinity Fan Fair X, are still available at CMAfest.com/tickets or through the CMA Box Office at 1-800-CMA-FEST.

Cumulus Media Completes Financial Restructuring

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Cumulus Media Inc. has completed its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 having reduced its debt by more than $1 billion. The company plans to utilize its enhanced financial flexibility to continue its ongoing business transformation and drive value creation on behalf of all its stakeholders.

The company’s debt was reduced from $2.34 billion to $1.3 billion, entirely in a term loan at LIBOR plus 450 basis points due May 15, 2022. Equity in the pre-bankruptcy company has been cancelled. Former stakeholders are being issued 11,052,211 shares of the company’s Class A common stock, 5,218,209 shares of the company’s Class B common stock and warrants to purchase 3,729,589 shares of common stock in exchange for their prior claims.

Mary Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cumulus Media, said, “Over the last two years, we have been relentlessly focused on our plans to turn the Company around, and the completion of our financial restructuring process is a monumental step forward on our turnaround path. We emerge today as a stronger and more competitive company, with the financial foundation that we need to move forward decisively with the initiatives that will produce the greatest benefits for the company. With this financial restructuring now behind us, we are excited about what we will be able to accomplish with all of our resources and energy fully focused on our operating business.”

Berner continued, “I want to thank our exceptional team at Cumulus Media for their dedication and tremendous efforts through this process. Looking ahead, our employees will remain the true force driving our success as we continue to deliver premium content choices to the 245 million people we reach every week across our collection of stations and Westwood One. We are also grateful for the support of our vendors and affiliates during this process, and we look forward to working together well into the future.”

 

Industry Pics: Jason Aldean, Ricky Skaggs, Rascal Flatts

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Jason Aldean Celebrates Album Success During BMG’s Town Hall Meeting

Pictured (L-R): Jon Loba (EVP, BBR Music Group), Jason Aldean, Zach Katz (President, Repertoire & Marketing, BMG US), and Chris Parr (Manager, Maverick).

During BMG’s recent US-wide Town Hall meeting held in Nashville, Zach Katz (President, Repertoire & Marketing, BMG US) and Jon Loba (EVP, BBR Music Group) took time out to highlight and talk about the success of Broken Bow Records’ Jason Aldean and his new album Rearview Town, which recently debuted at No. 1 across all genres.

Aldean took everyone by surprise when he made a special visit to speak to the BMG US teams in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and Portland about his journey before Katz and Loba presented him with a plaque to commemorate the recent milestone.

 

Ricky Skaggs At The Country Music Hall Of Fame

Back row: Ben Hall, Director of Major Gifts; Nando Rodriguez, Senior Director of Events and Culinary; Peter Cooper, Senior Director, Producer and Writer; Mark DeLelys, Senior Director of Museum Sales and Retail; Carolyn Tate; Kyle Young, CEO; Warren Denney, Senior Creative Director; Brenda Colladay, VP of Museum Services; Nina Burghard, SVP Financial Services and Operations; Lisa Purcell, VP of Development, Education, and Community Outreach; Jay Orr, Executive Senior Director of Research, Editorial, and Content. Seated (L-R): Sharon Brawner, SVP of Sales and Marketing; Charlotte Scott, RS Entertainment; Ricky Skaggs; Don Murry Grubbs, Absolute Publicity. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum

Ricky Skaggs was recently invited to spend some quality time with Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum staffers at a private luncheon held in the CMA Theatre in Nashville. The event was organized by museum officials to celebrate Skaggs’ upcoming induction into the famed institution.

“It was so kind of the Hall of Fame to have a luncheon in my honor,” says Skaggs. “We had such a good time. I started telling them old Bill Monroe stories, one after the other, and they went for over an hour. I’m so honored to be the newest living inductee into this hallowed Hall. It’s a dream come true for me.”

Later this year, Skaggs will be formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, alongside the late Dottie West and the late Johnny Gimble.

 

Rascal Flatts Return To The Grand Ole Opry

Pictured (L-R): Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney and Dan Smyers, Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, Rudy Gatlin, Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney, Grand Ole Opry’s Sally Williams, Larry Gatlin, Maverick’s Clarence Spalding, Rudy Gatlin, Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox, Carly Pearce, Longshot Management’s Rob Baker. Photo: 2018 Grand Ole Opry | Chris Hollo [click photo to enlarge]

The Grand Ole Opry hosted another star-powered Tuesday night show on May 29, including welcoming Opry members Rascal Flatts with their Back To Us Tourspecial guests Dan + Shay and Carly Pearce. Rascal Flatts will kick off the group’s headlining Back To Us Tour this weekend.

Sony/ATV Inks Publishing Deal With Levi Hummon

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Pictured (L-R): Brian Coleman, Deston Entertainment; Josh Van Valkenburg, Senior Vice President of A&R, Sony/ATV; Terry Wakefield, Senior Vice President, Sony/ATV; Katie Kerkhover, Creative Manager, Sony/ATV; Troy Tomlinson, President/CEO, Sony/ATV; JC Monterrosa, Deston Entertainment; Desmond Child, Deston Entertainment; Levi Hummon; Fletcher Foster, Iconic Entertainment Group; Halle Pinkham, Iconic Entertainment Group; Tom Luteran, Vice President Creative, Sony/ATV; Stephen Denninger, Creative Coordinator, Sony/ATV; Hannah Williams, Creative Manager, Sony/ATV. Photo: Lee Swartz, Sony/ATV. [CLICK TO ENLARGE]

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed singer/songwriter Levi Hummon.

The Nashville native and son of songwriter Marcus Hummon, has written songs with some of Music City’s most notable writers, including Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Jonathan Singleton, Brandy Clark, Trevor Rosen and more. Desmond Child‘s Deston Entertainment handles administration. Hummon was previously signed with BMLG’s Valory Music Co. imprint as an artist.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the Sony/ATV family,” Hummon says. “My dad loved his time spent over there, and I’m looking forward to continuing his legacy while building my own unique catalog. You can really feel a great energy the second you walk through their doors.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with Levi and Desmond [Child, of Deston Entertainment],” says Josh Van Valkenburg, Senior Vice President of A&R, Sony/ATV. “Both men bring the highest level of talent, character, and determination to our team. This will be a fantastic partnership.”

Hummon’s current single “Songs We Sang” has earned over 1.3 million streams since its release in March and is currently spinning on SiriusXM’s The Highway.

Jedd Hughes Joins ASCAP

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, Jedd Hughes, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston

Carnival Music songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Jedd Hughes has joined ASCAP as a writer member.

ASCAP Creative Director Robert Filhart said, “​Jedd and I first met in 2006, when I started working for the publishing company where Jedd was signed. We have been friends ever since and have always talked about working together, and I could not be more excited to have the opportunity to work with Jedd now. Along with his playing, producing and writing for other artists, Jedd has incredible new music that will be coming out this summer. The entire Nashville team is honored to welcome him to the ASCAP family.”

Hughes is a bridge between giants of various generations and musical persuasions, having collaborated with legends including Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Patty Loveless, and the late Guy Clark, as well as current hitmakers Dierks Bentley, Sarah Jarosz and Ryan Bingham. He co-wrote Jarosz’s “House of Mercy,” which earned the 2017 Grammy for Best Americana Roots Performance, and he has co-penned hits including Keith Urban’s “Put You in a Song” and tracks for Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Charles Kelley, Josh Gracin and more.

Innovation In Music Awards Honors An Industry Adapting To Change

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Pictured (L-R) back: John Ettinger, Monica Escobedo, Coran Capshaw, Sally Williams, Pete O’Heeron; (front): John Marks, and Nate Deaton. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Innovation In Music

The IMA’s (Innovation In Music Awards) were held the evening of Sunday, June 3, for the second year at Nashville’s Westin hotel.

Three of the eight honorees sent video remarks with regrets of previous commitments. Among them was Joe Galante, who received the Impact In Innovation Award for his former leadership of Sony Nashville and efforts to boost the notoriety of country music with Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Alabama and Ronnie Milsap.

“You couldn’t get a conversation with your distribution company to be able to work the product and push it out [because nobody cared],” said Gallante of the early days in Nashville. “I got pissed off and started directing our people to bypass the distribution company—so we had major battles. But it was about controlling your destiny, or someone else will. The term ‘innovation’ for us was really about survival.”

Carried throughout the evening was a common theme of adapting to change—what seemed to spark the innovation achievements that were recognized. Among those were Coran Capshaw.

“I remember putting up flyers, selling tickets pre-internet, putting things on a Greyhound bus to ship them last minute, fax machines, the offers went in by Western Union,” said Capshaw, who accepted Innovator of the Year from his artist and radio personality Bobby Bones. “I feel grateful. At my age, I don’t feel innovative, but it can come in many ways. I believe in building teams, letting everyone play to their strengths and listening to people that have ideas.”

Pictured (L-R): Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley, Spotify’s John Marks, and Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard. Photo: Mickey Bernal/Getty Images for Innovation In Music Awards

Florida Georgia Line was on hand to deliver congrats to Spotify’s John Marks for the Innovation in Music, Digital Media/Marketing award, crediting him entirely for their career when he added them on SiriusXM. The duo played acoustic versions of that first hit, “Cruise” and a love song, recognizing Marks’ love story with wife Colleen, “H.O.L.Y.”

“Was that six years ago?” Marks commented of his first meeting FGL. “It’s exposure, no doubt, but it’s also [FGL’s] hard work. What they did to lay the groundwork in their business and brand before it even got to me is part and parcel to what everyone can learn…It has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with fans.”

Marks thanked Spotify among guests at his table, noting his lesson in the genreless possibilities of programming music and inspiration to teach him the music business.

Set to retire this month as Executive Vice President of Ryman Hospitality Properties and President of Opry Entertainment, Steve Buchanan introduced his friend and co-worker for over twenty years, Opry Entertainment Senior Vice President Programming & Artist Relations/General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry Sally Williams for the Innovation in Music, Executive award.

“Innovation is almost meaningless without execution,” said Buchanan. “[Sally] is diligent, pragmatic and passionate. She doesn’t settle for the status quo. She is an agent for change, and not just change, but to ensure the longevity and prosperity of these great American institutions.”

“My parents have always been very tolerant of my interest in doing things and going places that were different from anything they experienced,” said Williams. “My guiding principal is to ensure what we’re doing today, resonates with people in 50-100 years as strongly as what was happening at the Opry/Ryman 50-100 years ago resonates with us today. It’s essential to evolve and innovate.”

ABC’s Monica Esobedo (L) and artist Kelsea Ballerini (R). Photo: Mickey Bernal/Getty Images for Innovation In Music Awards

New York’s Good Morning America producer Monica Escobedo was honored with the Innovation in Music, Broadcast award by Kelsea Ballerini.

“Music can be so powerful and healing, and I want to continue to find new ways, with all of you, to make a difference,” said Escobedo. “I always follow my gut and I like taking chances. Like the time I took a chance and started booking country artists.

“One of the most rewarding parts of my career is discovering new talent and giving them a chance,” she continued. “Growing with an artist is just as rewarding. We collaborate, challenge each other, bounce ideas off each other and ultimately produce one-of-a-kind TV moments that reflects each artist’s vision.”

Nate Deaton (L) and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum (R). Photo: Mickey Bernal/Getty Images for Innovation In Music Awards

Innovation in Music, Radio Programming award recipient, Nate Deaton, accepted from Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley for his work as General Manager, KRTY San Jose.

“No one needs our product, it’s old and tired,” said Deaton. “The only chance we have is to win our audience. We win our audience by playing new artists. It’s a lot better to make them fans of you, then they become fans of who you promote. We sell tickets, we sell shows, we sell music—that’s what we do. Some people think we sell advertising. [Radio] can survive and thrive in 2018.”

Kenny Chesney received the Innovation in Music, Creative/Artist award.

Ed Warm, owner of Joes in Chicago received the Innovation in Music, Live Performance.

Previous awards recipient and 2018 Awards Committee person David Macias offered a 10 minute TED Talk-esque guide to his thoughts on the future of the music business, which included autonomous cars.

YEP Nashville’s Andrew Cohen was surprised with the Make Shit Happen Award, along with iHeart Nashville’s Coordinator/Artist Content Jackie Tigue and Charlie Worham’s mother Sherry Worsham, a veteran teacher who works with Project Lead The Way, pushing for arts education.

Lucie Silvas, Striking Matches and Worsham also offered performances.

BMI Hosts Maui Jim Broadway Stage At Hard Rock During CMA Fest

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BMI will return to downtown Nashville and CMA Fest with a special takeover of the Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe on Thursday, June 7 from 2:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Fans and industry tastemakers alike are invited to kick off Country’s quintessential weekend of live music with a parking lot party featuring performances from some of the format’s hottest rising talent. BMI’s CMA Fest stages over the years has featured stars like Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Kane Brown, Jon Pardi, Chris Lane, Michael Ray and more.
“Our history at CMA Fest speaks for itself. For years, our BMI Tailgate Party served as a hub for up-and-coming country talent at the festival,” said Mason Hunter, Assistant Vice President, Creative. “We’re excited to be back at CMA Fest and proud to continue to be a launching pad for the careers of our genre’s breakout singer-songwriters.”
Full lineup of performers:
2:45 p.m. – Payton Smith
3:25 p.m. – Drew Parker
4:05 p.m. – Faren Rachels
4:45 p.m. – Ray Fulcher
5:25 p.m. – Trea Landon
6:05 p.m. – Adam Craig