NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME TO INDUCT VERN GOSDIN, JIM MCBRIDE, WALT ALDRIDGE AND TIM NICHOLS

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 2017 Inductees

Vern Gosdin, Jim McBride, Walt Aldridge and Tim Nichols will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October, according to an announcement made today by Hall of Fame member Pat Alger, chair of the organization’s board of directors. The four new inductees will join the 203 existing members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the 47th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, October 23, at the Music City Center. “The quality of the songs that emanate from the legendary Nashville Songwriting community is most often the standard by which songwriters measure their success,” says Alger. “Iconic songs from its eminent songwriters help make this town the musical sanctuary it has become and in turn, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates the illustrious careers of those songwriters each year by inducting four new members, the highest honor that any Nashville songwriter can hope for. This year we are extremely proud to welcome the class of 2017: Walt Aldridge and Tim Nichols in the songwriter category; Jim McBride in the veteran songwriter category and the late Vern Gosdin as our songwriter/artist.” Walt Aldridge’s songwriter credits include “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me” (Ronnie Milsap), “Holding Her And Loving You” (Earl Thomas Conley) and “Modern Day Bonnie And Clyde” (Travis Tritt).  Tim Nichols’ resume is known for “I’m Over You” (Keith Whitley), “Heads Carolina, Tails California” (Jo Dee Messina) and “Live Like You Were Dying” (Tim McGraw).  Jim McBride is the tunesmith behind “Rose In Paradise” (Waylon Jennings), “Chasing That Neon Rainbow” (Alan Jackson) and “Chattahoochee” (Alan Jackson).  Vern Gosdin popularized many of his own compositions, including “Set ’Em Up Joe,” “I’m Still Crazy” and “Chiseled In Stone.” The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala is one of the music industry’s premier events of the year.  The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists.  In recent years artists such as Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Ronnie Dunn, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner and Trisha Yearwood have performed at or participated in the event.  Fellow songwriter organization the Nashville Songwriters Association International also participates in the evening by presenting its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written” as determined by their professional songwriters division. Tickets for the Hall of Fame Gala are $250 each and benefit the nonprofit Nashville Songwriters Foundation. Select seating is available to the public and may be purchased as available by contacting Executive Director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com or 615-460-6556. About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame: Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is one of the nation’s most highly prized songwriting achievements.  Since 1970, the Hall has enshrined more than 200 of the greatest writers from all genres of music ever to put words to music in Music City, including such luminaries as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Continue reading NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME TO INDUCT VERN GOSDIN, JIM MCBRIDE, WALT ALDRIDGE AND TIM NICHOLS

Terry McBride Releases New Music Video for Hotels & Highways!

Terry McBride news on Country Music News Blog

Country music staple Terry McBride is back in the forefront of the industry with his latest release and official music video “Hotels & Highways”. The track is a cautionary tale about life on the road, and certainly has the air of a story told straight from personal experience. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLGZDWoBo6k[/embedyt] Terry McBride is one of the most accomplished songwriters and performers in Country music for the past three decades. He first came to Nashville from Texas in 1989 and quickly signed a recording contract with MCA Records. From then until 1994, he performed with his band McBride & The Ride releasing four studio albums which charted multiple Billboard Top 5 hits including “Sacred Ground” which went to #1 in 1992. The group also received nominations for CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year before disbanding in 1995. Afterwards, McBride turned his attention to songwriting with over 25 songs recorded by Brooks & Dunn including “If You See Him/If You See Her” (recorded with Reba McEntire,) and “Play Something Country”. He has also written songs for a multitude for other well known artists including Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, Kenny Rogers, and many others. His latest EP “Hotels & Highways” was released this past February and the music video for the title track is now available! I hope you choose to share this video with your audience and I’ve also attached lyrics and press shots to this email if you would like to use those as well. Save

Billy Ray Cyrus to be Inducted into Kentucky Music Hall of Fame

Billy Ray Cyrus will soon be honored by his beloved home state of Kentucky as he is inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2018. “It’s been a long journey since those days of growing up in Flatwoods, Kentucky,” said Cyrus. “For me, getting the chance to be inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame just brings it all full circle.” The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum honors Kentucky performers, songwriters, publishers, promoters, managers, broadcasters, comedians and other music professionals who have made significant contributions to the music industry in Kentucky and around the world. Cyrus will join the ranks of artists such as Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe and the Osborne Brothers. Cyrus was born in Flatwoods Kentucky where he first picked a six-string guitar and developed a passion for music. After getting his big break opening for Reba McEntire in Louisville, Kentucky, Cyrus landed his first record deal. Twenty-five ‘Achy Breaky’ years and 16 top-40 hits later, the rest has been history. The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame is excited to announce of new group of inductees from all across the state and represent a wide array of talents. Cyrus will be honored alongside Jason Crabb, Jackie DeShannon, Dale Ann Bradley, Bobby Lewis and David “Stringbean” Akeman. The induction ceremony will be held May 11, 2018 at the Center For Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky. Cyrus is currently on tour, starring in CMT’s “Still The King” and will be releasing a new album titled Set the Record Straight on November 11. For more information, visit billyraycyrus.com. BILLY RAY CYRUS ON TOUR: Aug. 12 Edgewater Hotel Casino Resort – Laughlin, Nev. Aug. 19 Mill Town Music Hall – Bremen, Ga. Sept. 08 Rockin’ Country Music Festival – Taylor, Mich. Sept. 09 Hard Rock Live – Northfield, Ohio Sept. 22 Lancaster Performing Arts Center – Lancaster, Calif. Sept. 23 Lewis Family Playhouse – Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Oct. 12 Coeur d’Alene Casino – Worley, Idaho Oct. 13 Snoqualmie Casino – Snoqualmie, Wash. Oct. 14 Spirit Mountain Casino – Grand Ronde, Ore. Oct. 21 Crystal Grand Theatre – Wisconsin Dells, Wis. RECOMMENDED TWEET: .@billyraycyrus announced as a 2018 inductee to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame! ABOUT BILLY RAY CYRUS: Billy Ray Cyrus continues captivating audiences with his distinctive vocal style and charismatic stage presence. Throughout the course of nearly three decades, Cyrus has achieved worldwide success as a singer, songwriter, actor and producer. The Flatwoods, Kentucky native exploded onto the music scene when his first album, Some Gave All, debuted on the all-genre Billboard album charts at No. 1 and stayed there for a record-breaking 17 weeks in 1992. The lead single, “Achy Breaky Heart,” became a phenomenon as the single went multi-platinum. Some Gave All also went on to sell 9 million copies. Along the way, Cyrus charted 35 singles, 16 of which are Top 40 hits, including “Could’ve Been Me,” “Where’m Gonna Live When I Get Home,” “She’s Not Cryin,” “Some Gave All,” “Ready, Set, Continue reading Billy Ray Cyrus to be Inducted into Kentucky Music Hall of Fame

Goodbye Glen Campbell

Glen Campbell News on Country Music News Blog

We’ve just received the news that the music world has sadly lost another icon. Glen Campbell has passed at the age of 81 from complications relating to his long battle with Alzheimers. Glen’s legacy will carry him forward in our hearts and in the industry as we look back and appreciate all of his contributions to the soundtrack of our lives. Rest well Glen. As listed by our friends at TMZ: The musician released more than 70 albums over a 50-year career, and had a series of hits in the ’60s and ’70s including “Gentle on My Mind,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” “Country Boy” and his best-selling single, “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Glen made history in 1967 by winning 4 Grammys in the country and pop categories, and took home CMA’s Entertainer of the Year award in 1968. Glen was attended by family until his passing, and is survived by his loving wife Kim, as well as 8 children. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F13AslSXg7w[/embedyt] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=RDEM5Z7LdAQhPpaGVhL0qnTCQw&v=8kAU3B9Pi_U[/embedyt]  

George Strait’s “Pure Country” to be released on vinyl for first time

George Strait News on Country Music News Blog

When George Strait walks the 60-steps from the gauntlet to the center stage at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 1 and 2, he will do so knowing countless fans of his 6x Platinum-selling Pure Country will be in the crowd as they celebrate its silver anniversary alongside the King of Country. In honor of the anniversary, the Pure Country soundtrack will appear for the first time on vinyl with a limited-edition pressing made available in conjunction with September shows (released-wide 25 years to-the-day since it initially hit shelves, Sept. 15). Strait will pay special tribute to the film’s impact on his music for a not-to-be missed set of shows. In a rare interview and iconic nearly-8,000-word profile in The New Yorker, Strait divulged that he was initially reluctant to star as the lead in the feature film. In the profile (link here; The New Yorker Radio Hour “On the Record with Kelefa Sanneh” conversation here; podcast available beginning Tuesday, Aug. 1), Strait revealed he “was persuaded by the producer Jerry Weintraub, and by Colonel Tom Parker, the former manager of Elvis Presley… After a concert in Las Vegas, Parker told Strait how important Hollywood had been to Presley. ‘Elvis hated making those movies,’ he said—but they transformed him from a pop star to an icon.’” Serendipitously, from his Las Vegas shows this weekend at T-Mobile Arena, Strait revealed his plans to honor the motion picture’s connection to fans over the last 25 years with a special spotlight on the music and stories behind some of the soundtrack’s most beloved songs. In observance of the release of the vinyl and the film’s silver anniversary, the Alamo Drafthouse, an independent movie theater chain founded in Austin, Texas with 28 locations nationwide, will host special screenings of Pure Country throughout the month of August. Known for a completely immersive experience, providing food and beverages during their showings along with a strict no talking/no cell phone policy, it’s the perfect way for fans, old and new, to relive their favorite moments and songs while experiencing Dusty on the big screen once again. What’s equally as impressive is that even though Pure Country is Strait’s highest-selling single album RIAA 6x Platinum Certification, his 50 Number Ones and Strait Out of the Box have sold 7 and 8 million copies respectively, with Sanneh noting, “One of the things that really makes George Strait unusual is longevity and consistency… He’s become the defining voice of country music.” George Strait’s Final Four Shows of 2017 are as follows: Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017 Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017

Music Choice App Adds CMA Fest Content To Platform

Music Choice extends its strategic partnership for the fourth year with The Country Music Association for 2017. The promotion kicks off July 31st with CMA Music Festival content across all Music Choice properties including Music Choice On Demand, Music Channels, the Music Choice App and digital properties. As part of the collaboration, Music Choice will continue to feature CMA content through 2017 for marquee events including “The 51st Annual CMA Awards” and “CMA Country Christmas.” “CMA Fest” airs August 16th (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Starting today, Music Choice On Demand will highlight interviews, music videos and playlists from “CMA Fest” hosts Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini, plus many more artists appearing on The Music Event of Summer. (Directional: MC Music Choice > Country Hits) “CMA Fest” artist facts and images will appear across Music Choice’s Today’s Country, Pop & Country, and Country Hits Music Channels.  “CMA Fest” programming will also take over the Today’s Country Video Channel (available via the app or MusicChoice.com) featuring music videos and original content from “CMA Fest” artists. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8E9TH0C4vo[/embedyt] Get Music Choice on all your devices, and find out more at app.musicchoice.com. About CMA Music Festival: The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, bringing 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Now 46 years later, the legendary Festival has become the city’s signature music event hosting tens of thousands of fans from every state and two dozen foreign countries. The 2017 CMA Music Festival featured 11 stages with more than 300 acts and 100 hours of music, all to benefit music education. CMA Music Festival was filmed for a national television special that airs on the ABC Television Network. This is the 14th consecutive year the event will be broadcast on national television, a feat no other music festival has achieved. “CMA Fest” is executive-produced by Robert Deaton and co-hosted by Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini. About Music Choice: Music Choice, the multi-platform video and music network, delivers its music programming to millions of consumers nationwide through their televisions, online, and mobile devices. Music Choice programs dozens of uninterrupted music channels; produces originals that feature today’s hottest established and emerging artists; offers thousands of music videos; and launched Music Choice Play, the music video, lifestyle, and entertainment network for Millennials. For additional information log on to MusicChoice.com | Twitter: @MusicChoice | Facebook: facebook.com/MusicChoice.

Jason Derulo Tells TMZ There’s Another Country Collab in The Works

Jason Derulo is going to be doing a lot more rhyming with “drinkin’” and “thinkin’” because he’s got a big country music project in the works. Derulo’s already got several country music collabs in the can. He won a CMT Music Award this year for his crossover duet, “Want to Want Me,” with Luke Bryan, and is working with Hank Williams Jr. and Florida Georgia Line on the new “Monday Night Football” opening theme. Those are some big projects but, when we got Derulo at LAX Monday, he teased something even bigger. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6NirCdNgpI[/embedyt]

Florida Georgia Line Official Video for “Smooth”

Florida Georgia Line on Country Music News Blog

Florida Georgia Line cruised into Las Vegas styling in a Caddy for their new “Smooth” music video, which premiered exclusively on ETonline.com today (7/31) and across Entertainment Tonight this week. Penned by Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Nicolle Galyon and Jordan Schmidt, “Smooth” is the fourth buzzworthy release from FGL’s chart-topping DIG YOUR ROOTS album (BMLG Records) and is now spinning on Country radio. The Superstar pair have been on a career hot-streak since their history-making “Cruise” introduced them to a global following. The lively “Smooth” video pays homage to those days and showcases Kelley’s directorial debut, alongside co-director TK McKamy. Following today’s launch, the cinematic excitement will be available across multiple media platforms. “I’m really excited about this ‘Smooth’ video; it’s my first time co-directing,” shared Kelley on set. “It’s been really cool to write the treatment and see this thing slowly come to life.” Acting the part of two stranded Old Camp Whiskey workers looking for a good time, Kelley and Hubbard quickly become a part of the ultimate “Sin City” bachelor party after “Elvis” and “Cat Daddy” (award-winning songwriter Craig Wiseman) offer them a ride-of-a-lifetime in a bubblegum pink Cadillac en route to the iconic A Little White Wedding Chapel. As the newly-tricked out Kelley and Hubbard prepare to be Cat Daddy’s “witnesses of love,” uncanny lookalikes of the superstar duo (“circa 2012,” according to Kelley) make sure the rambunctious crew are on time to the world-famous “Tunnel of Love” drive-thru. Little do the guys know, Cat Daddy’s future wife – Wiseman’s real-life wife, KK – is orchestrating their arrival from behind the scenes. “KK and Craig actually just renewed their vows,” Hubbard shared post-shoot. “Cat Daddy surprised her with an awesome custom-made diamond ring. It’s a really special moment here on set, so it was really cool to experience that.” From rolling down the glitzy Vegas strip and taking over a penthouse, to late-night grooving under fireworks in the electric “Neon Boneyard,” ETonline.com offers never-before-seen footage. Watch here. Hubbard added, “We’ve learned a lot of dance moves, had a great time – TK and BK, they crushed it. It’s been an amazing experience here in Vegas. It’s been a party.” FGL will keep the party going as they’re next slated to appear on ABC’s CMA Fest: The Music Event of Summer, airing August 16 at 8 p.m. ET. They’ll also be welcoming THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017 special guests, Pop idols Backstreet Boys, to Nashville for CMT Crossroads. Hot on the heels of hitting #1 with PLATINUM-certified “God, Your Mama, And Me,” they will trade-off on each other’s smash-hit songs for the must-see genre-jumping episode airing August 30 at 10 p.m. ET. FGL and Backstreet Boys, alongside Hip-Hop icon Nelly and breakout Country star Chris Lane, have one more SOLD-OUT stadium concert set for Chicago’s Wrigley Field on August 12 for a trifecta of capacity dates. For more information on Florida Georgia Line and THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017, visit floridageorgialine.com.

Lauren Alaina Releases Lyric Video for “Doin Fine”

Lauren Alaina on Country Music News Blog!

American Idol alumni Lauren Alaina is back in the spotlight with the release of an official lyric video for the heart wrenching song “Doin Fine” from her recent album “Road Less Traveled“. The track is a great reminder that no matter how strong someone looks on the outside, we’re all waging some kind of war in the inside. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HQT3TgprmM[/embedyt]  

Joel Madison Blount to Release “Our New Moon” September 29th

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Birmingham, AL-based Americana/folk singer-songwriter Joel Madison Blount is set to release his new album, Our New Moon, on September 29, 2017.  Merging the influence of Southern literary authors with a musical response to the rhythm and melody of life, Blount writes songs about the human experience, meant to offer hope and inspire the listener. The songs appearing on Our New Moon were written in response to the birth of Blount’s first child and represent a new beginning for his growing family, and a new phase of life for Blount and his artistic career. “A new moon marks the start of the first phase of Earth’s moon during the course of the lunar cycle,” says Blount, “and it also alludes to the mystery surrounding what we will encounter on our journey ahead, as neither are visible from our perspective.” Themes on the album wind their way through a time of sorrow and brokenness, but ultimately lead the listener to witness redemption and an outpouring of grace. “This is a record in favor of the quiet life,” Blount says about his forthcoming album, “best savored while winding down in the peace and calm of the evening.” Get a taste of Joel Madison Blount here: [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC8H955cPSo[/embedyt] Standout tracks on the album include “Beauty that Remains” (which calls upon the listener to reflect upon the beauty of life in spite of personal shortcomings and failures), “Arms Open Wide” (written as a letter to his son after learning he would become a father), and “Inner Monologue” (written as a response to fear and anxiety – with the refrain “just let it go” sung as a reminder for us to let go of the things we can’t control). Changing the way he usually approached the guitar, through the use of unfamiliar tunings, Blount challenged his songwriting sensibilities, breaking what had become rote in search of new perspectives. Limiting reliance on routine chord progressions allowed him to simplify song structures, discover new melodies, and focus on crafting more pointed lyrical content. He also invited others to collaborate with him in the studio, including producer Brian T. Murphy (The Lone Bellow, Sandra McCracken, Greg Holden, Drew & Ellie Holcomb), guitarist Josh Vigneulle, bassist Will Weir, and drummer Alex Hinson. Production in the studio was intentionally limited to a four-piece band in order to ensure the songs were presented in a simple, yet elegant manner. The album was mixed by Chris Steffen (Damien Rice, Beck, John Mayer, Joshua Radin) and mastered by Harris Newman. Our New Moon follows on the heels of his first full-length album, Taming the Wind, which released in early 2014, and two EPs (Joel Madison Blount in 2010 and I Believe in Love in 2011); Blount has pursued music professionally as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer since 2010. In a previous life, Blount worked as a CPA in public accounting before refocusing his endeavors solely toward artistic pursuits. In addition to his work as a solo artist, Blount runs a music production studio Continue reading Joel Madison Blount to Release “Our New Moon” September 29th