MUSICROW MAGAZINE: Bobby Karl Works CMA Fest: SunTrust HOT Dog Day, Fan Fair X, LP Field

Bobby Karl • June 12, 2015 • 

 

Elektra Records artist Jana Kramer helped kick off CMA Music Festival on Thursday at the Bud Light Stage where she performed new single “I Got The Boy.” After the show, she met backstage with (L-R): Warner Music Nashville President & CEO John Esposito, Kramer, WMN EVP of A&R Scott Hendricks, and manager Greg Hill.

Chapter 492
Despite the endless walking, walking, walking downtown, I never lose weight at the CMA Music Festival.
Do you think it might have something to do with my all-weenie lunch diet? That’s right, for the third straight day, I chowed down on hot dogs. That’s more than I normally eat in a year.
On Thursday (June 11), the reason was the 17th annual Hot Dog Day, presented on Music Row by SunTrust Bank and the Country Music Hall of Fame. A large tent full of tables and chairs was erected on the bank’s parking lot. There were air-circulating fans, but there was no getting away from the scorching temperature.

SunTrust Sports & Entertainment staff at the company’s 17th Annual Hot Dog Day.

I felt sorry for weenie chef Earle Simmons, who was turning pink behind the blazing frankfurter cooker. That is, until I got a load of poor Andrew Kintz sweltering in a full-length, polyester hot-dog costume. He was on stage, greeting everyone and introducing the music being made by such Warner-Chappell writers as Lance Miller and Derek George.
Pat Higdon, Linda Edell-Howard, Bobby Rymer, Doak Turner, Ben Vaughn, Jim Zumwalt, Sherrill Blackman, Bill Stevens, Becky Harris and Leslie Roberts were working the room. MusicRow staged a triple attack with Sherod Robertson, Eric Parker and Troy Stephenson all on the scene.
Tatum Hauck Allsep was manning her informative Music Health Alliance booth at the rear of the tent. Randi Perkins now has a perfect attendance record for showing up at key events on all four days of the week thus far.
After that simmering, sizzling event, air conditioning sounded pretty good. So I headed for the Music City Center for the first day of Fan Fair X. This is the portion of the CMA fest about promotional booths and indoor stages. As I entered, Katie Ohh was dong her original songs on the AT&T U-Verse Stage. The Swon Brothers were meeting and greeting in the Belk Lounge. Jeannie Seely was emoting on the Durango Music Spot Stage.

Ashton Shepherd performs. Photo: Bev Moser

Are you seeing the trend of brand placement here? In days of yore, the booths were mainly put together by stars’ fan clubs. Now just about every place in the exhibit hall is occupied by someone trying to sell you something.
The hall also suggests that there are now several different CMA Music Festivals going on. Inside the Music City Center are the older, fatter and more infirm fans. Down at Riverfront and on the streets of Lower Broadway are hard-partying young people. In the evening at LP Field, the ticket holders appear to be fresh and unsullied by the afternoon heat. I suspect that their agenda features more conventional tourist activities during the day with the night concerts serving as their only attachment to the fest.
Autographing at the Music City Center for that first festival sub-audience were Kayla Adams, Ashton Shepherd, Chase Tyler, Branch & Dean, The Kentucky HeadHunters, The Springs, Florida Georgia Line, Gwen Sebastian, Ali Dee, Dustin Craig, Ray Scott, Little Big Town, Macy Martin, Chris Young and Hannah Belle. Troupers Lynn Anderson, The Oak Ridge Boys and Bill Anderson maintained their nearly perfect records of having shown up at almost all of the 43 CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair celebrations.
Over on the Close-Up Stage, Aaron Tippin was telling stories behind such hits as “Kiss This” and singing them splendidly. Wife Thea Tippin and son Teddy sang backup and interjected their own witticisms. “Kiss This” co-writer Philip Douglas was in the audience, by the way.

Jordyn Stoddard performs. Photo: Bev Moser

Lee Roy Parnell took over from Seely on the Durango stage. Carissa Leigh warbled with an acoustic trio at the AT&T U-Verse spot. I headed back out into the heat.
After a saunter through the Country Music Hall of Fame’s shops, I hit the Belk Stage in the Walkway of Stars park. By this point, I felt the weather was amost unbearable.
The medics confirmed this. They had their busiest opening day in fest history, treating more than 100 people for heat-related issues and sending nine to the hospital.
On stage was Lucas Hoge, who has just returned from entertaining our troops in the Middle East. “You think it’s hot here?” he asked the crowd. “Over there, it’s 110 in the shade.” Forget I ever complained.
And just think of how hot it is for all of those hippies at Bonnaroo, which kicked off its music at 5:30 on Thursday. More than 80,000 are expected at the site near Manchester, Tenn.
Among my personal favorites booked at the CMA Fest that afternoon were Ashley Monroe, Dan + Shay, Drake White & The Big Fire, Exile, Rose Falcon & The Van Lears, Teea Goans, Eric Paslay, Kristian Bush and Kip Moore.

UMGN’s Cindy Mabe and Tom Becci honor Alan Jackson’s 25 years in music backstage at LP Field. Photo: Bev Moser

Next we hit the Don Henley listening party (more on that here and the full review here), and it would have been lovely to stay and bask in that atmosphere, but duty called.
We arrived back at the CMA fest just in time to catch Alan Jackson’s opening set at LP Field. After performing a spirited “Good Time,” he thanked the fans for his 25 years in the biz. This was the perfect segue into the poignant “Here in the Real World,” the song that kicked off his amazing hit string in 1990.
He also sang a bit of “Pop A Top,” the 1967 Jim Ed Brown hit that Jackson revived in 1999. Grand Ole Opry great Brown, who is among this year’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees, died of cancer on Thursday. “We’re going to miss you, Jim Ed Brown,” said Jackson. “God bless you.”

Dierks Bentley at LP Field. Photo: Bev Moser

If the fans didn’t know who Sam Hunt was when he took the stage, they did when he left it, still vibrating from his turn in the spotlight. Rascal Flatts sang hit after hit – “Riot,” “Bless the Broken Road,” “Banjo” and the like – to the crowd’s delight. Dierks Bentley, Florida Geogia Line and Jason Aldean rocked the stadium into the night.
Working the VIP Lounge were such dignitaries as Troy Tomlinson, Brandi Simms, Ron Stuve, Joanne Berry, Dennis Banka, David & Susana Ross, Randall Himes, Hank Adam Locklin, Aaron Hartley, Tim McFadden, Bill Wence, Karen Tallier, Frank Myers, Rudy Gatlin (The Gatlin Brothers sang the national anthem to christen the evening).
Plus Frank Bumstead, Mayor Karl Dean & Anne Davis, Steve Lassiter, Ron Cox, Anthony Martin, Charles Dorris, Dan Eckbaak, Melissa Maynard, Moore & Moore, Jeff Walker, Jeff Stevens, Paul Barnabee and Paul Zamick.
British music manager Peter Conway was experiencing his first visit to Nashville. “You picked the perfect week,” I said.

Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and wife Brittney presented their “bohemian chic” Tribe Kelley collection of clothes and accessories Thursday at a pop-up shop inside the Lucchese Bootmaker store in Nashville. Brian wore pieces he designed from the upcoming Tribe Kelley men’s collection, out later this month, and handmade Lucchese eastern diamond rattle snake boots. Brittney wore Tribe Kelley designs with handmade Lucchese sable python booties. Photo: Ed Rode

MUSICROW MAGAZINE: Bobby Karl Works The Celebrity Softball Game And Saturday Night at LP Field

Bobby Karl • June 15, 2015 • 

 

 

City of Hope Celebrity Softball game. Photo: Bev Moser

Chapter 494
CITY OF HOPE CELEBRITY SOFTBALL GAME
Saturday’s CMA Music Fest had it all: sports antics, extreme eating, a two-ton trophy, a Gold Record, you name it.
To begin the day, there were two good reasons to attend the annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game this year. It was the 25th anniversary of this fun-filled, fan-favorite  charity event. Plus, it was being held at the new First Tennessee Park, the just-completed home of our Nashville Sounds baseball team.
Ideal reasons, right? Then Cindy Hunt told me that the call time for the event was 7:15 a.m. What? But a promise is a promise, so I dragged myself out of bed on a Saturday morning (June 13) at the crack of dawn.
“It’s a great day for baseball,” as the late Ernie Banks used to say. The temperature was balmy. A breeze was blowing. The sun was shining. More fans than ever filled the stands.
“We have a great day for a great cause; we’ve sold more tickets than ever: I think it’s a wonderful thing,” said smiling Bucky Covington. “I feel like a winner: Team Opry, come on,” crowed J.T. Hodges. Team Opry, coached by Pete Fisher, is the usual winner of the contest. The opposing squad was Team iHeart, headed by Bobby Bones. “They always win because they always cheat,” groused Bones. “I played baseball in college, and I’m super competitive,” he added.
Vince Gill, who was pitching for Team Opry, had the opposite attitude. “I’m not competitive like I used to be,” he said. “I’m a new man. When I pitch, I want the player to get a hit.”
Also playing ball on Team Opry were Covington, Hodges, Aaron Watson, Charles Esten, Deana Carter, Phil Vassar and former Miss America Rachel Smith. In addition to Bones, Team iHeart’s roster included Eddie & Lunchbox, Lauren Alaina, Doug McCormick and Lindsay Ell, sporting full makeup and false eyelashes, no less.
Personable player SaraBeth was the StageIt winner this year. “You do a home-based concert online,” she explained. “And people click to contribute [to City of Hope]. I raised $4,000, and it was easy.” A lot of her fan base has been built via social media, she added.
I thought it was cute that the Love & Theft members were placed on opposing teams. Stephen Barker Liles played for Team iHeart, while Eric Gunderson was on Team Opry. The same was supposed to be true for the married Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook, but Little Big Town cancelled. I suspect it’s because they were too busy with their hosting duties for the ABC-TV special that’s being made about the fest.
Team iHeart member Angie Johnson, the artist who is a former Voice competitor and a U.S. Air Force vet, sang the national anthem. Which is no easy task at that hour in the a.m.
Another pre-game event involved her fellow player, Nashville native Stephen Bess. He spoke to the crowd about his leukemia and the lifesaving treatment he received at City of Hope. He said, “I think I cried myself to sleep every night,” waiting for a stem-cell donor who was a genetic match. The donor, Jonas Baade, was found in Germany. The two men met for the first time at the game. They enfolded one another in a bear hug on the pitcher’s mound while the crowd cheered.
“This is why we’re all here today,” said co-host Cody Alan. By the way, Bess is the step-grandson of Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess, the founder of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.
Alan’s play-by-play with co-host Lorianne Crook didn’t have much excitement for the first three scoreless innings. After that, the underdog iHeart team took a commanding lead. Then slugger Chuck Wicks batted Team Opry into the lead. Team iHeart rallied and made it a 5-5 tie game. Then Bret Michaels of Poison drove in the winning run for Team iHeart. Crossing home plate as the winning runner was, appropriately, Jonas Baade.
As usual, there were plenty of hi-jinks. Many of them were provided by Booster the Rooster, the Sounds mascot, or by Gnash, the Predators mascot.
The game raised $200,000 for City of Hope. Another plus: Some of the fans signed up to become bone-marrow donors.
Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in bone-marrow transplantation and genetic research to combat cancer and other diseases. Its main hospital is northeast of L.A. in Duarte, CA.
After we did our duties on the red carpet, we made our way to the park’s boxes on the upper deck. Hallelujah: scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits, sausage and life-saving coffee awaited.
First Tennessee Park has flawless turf, spacious dugouts, comfortable spectator seats and excellent sight lines, as well as a groovy V.I.P. area. Instead of routine junk food, it offers Pepperfire Hot Chicken, Smokehouse Barbecue and soft-serve ice cream. There is even a real restaurant beyond the right-field wall.
Hacks and flacks were out in abundance. Kay West, Katherine Cook, Terry Bumgarner, Craig Campbell, omnipresent GettyImages photographer Rick Diamond, Susan Niles, Chuck Dauphin, Jaclyn Carter, Allison Auerbach and Jackie Marushka all worked the gig.
By the time the game ended around noon, and everyone headed downtown, the heat was at microwave levels. Nevertheless plucky stars like The Swon Brothers, Mandy Barnett, Tanya Tucker and Chris Janson signed up to perform. Even warmer were the red-clad Rebel Stomp dance troupe, who pranced tirelessly during the J.T. Hodges performance.
By mid Saturday afternoon, downtown was wall-to-wall people. It got more than a little claustrophobic. As the Riverftont Stage crowd swelled beyond capacity, the CMA took the unprecedented step of closing off admission.
Lucky T. Graham Brown, David Ball and Mark Wills were among those scoring air-conditioned indoor gigs at Fan Fair X. Also indoors were Trisha Yearwood and Will Hoge. They signed autographs in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Saturday afternoon also featured the Nathan’s hot dog competive eating contest. The winner swallowed 33 of them in 10 minutes, which qualified him for the national championships on July 4 in—where else?—Coney Island, NY. That does it: No more weenies for me, fest or no fest.

(L-R): Charles Esten, Deana Carter and Bucky Covington showed of their softball skills for charity at City of Hope’s 25th Annual Celebrity Softball Game at the new First Tennessee Park during CMA Music Festival in Nashville. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for City Of Hope

SATURDAY NIGHT AT LP FIELD

Little Big Town at LP Field at CMA Music Festival 2015. Photo: Bev Moser

As we headed for LP Field that evening (June 13), we caught part of a fine set by pop-country stylist Chris Lane at the BMI Tailgate Party outside the venue. Kellie Pickler sang “The Star Spangled Banner” to christen the nightly stadium concert. The 2013 Dancing with the Stars champion has her own home-furnishings line and will star in a CMT reality-TV series this fall.
The honchos of Operation Troop Aid addressed the crowd. The organization has sent $7 million in CARE packages to overseas troops. It also gives out an annual Patriot Award. Past winners have included The Charlie Daniels Band, Hank Williams Jr., Darryl Worley, Kid Rock, Kiss, Aaron Tippin, Mark Wills, Gary Sinese and Toby Keith. The honor goes to “an entertainer who goes above and beyond in support of our troops.”
The award was renamed this year to honor the late American Sniper Navy Seal Chris Kyle. Parents Wayne and Deby Kyle, who were celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary that day, made the presentation. “Don’t ever, ever forget that we have boots on the ground,” said Wayne. “We have to support them in every way. We try to cover the troops who come home and try to adjust to civilian life.”

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Bev Moser

In recognition of her eight tours of service overseas and countless visits to veterans’ hospitals, Kellie Pickler became the first woman to win the honor. It is a massive, yard-high metal trophy topped by an eagle. “I should have worked out,” quipped Pickler as she lifted it. “Oh my goodness. God bless you. I’m so honored,” she continued, getting weepy. Remember: “If you don’t stand behind every service man and woman in the military, please feel free to stand in front of them.”
Wynonna & The Big Noise kicked off the concert. “I’m a proud woman in country music, and I’ve been doing this for 30 years, thanks to you,” she told the audience. With bluesy rearrangements of Judds and solo hits, she turned in a highly aggressive set. Husband Cactus Moser sang backup and rocked out on the drum kit.
Chris Young came out guns blazing on “Aw Naw.” “I’ve been coming to CMA Fest since I was a little, bitty kid,” said the Murfreesboro native. “It’s so cool that you’re here.” He added that he’d been given a Gold Album backstage, “which is hard to do these days.” For his finale, he tore into the stone-country ballad “Tomorrow.” The crowd went nuts, rewarding him with a long, loud standing ovation. This was Young’s second appearance on the fest’s mains stage. It will not be his last.
At this point, more and more people were streaming into the stadium. While Thomas Rhett entertained, they headed for their seats in time to catch the headliners, starting with new-to-LP-Field Brett Eldredge. “It’s very surreal…that people know my name,” said the freshly minted star. The sensational Little Big Town was next, followed by superstar Carrie Underwood.
“I feel like I’m in a really good place,” said new mom Underwood, who was celebrating her 10th anniversary at the fest. “I don’t know what to expect for the next 10 years. As long as I enjoy what I’m doing, I consider that winning.”
V.I.P. schmoozers in attendance included Mark Bright, Allen Brown, Michelle Myers, Karen Tollier, Sirius XM’s John Marks, Forrest Sanders, Bob DiPiero & Leslie Tomasina DiPiero, Paul Barnabee and Victoria Shaw. The indefatigable Jeff Walker was again on the scene. He attended his first Fan Fair in Municipal Auditorium in 1977, and is still going strong.

Kellie Picker. Photo: Bev Moser

MUSICROW MAGAZINE: Bobby Karl Works Music Fest: Concert For Love And Acceptance, Friday Night at LP Field

Bobby Karl • June 15, 2015 • 

 

Ty Herndon and family at the Concert For Love and Acceptance at City Winery. Photo: Herndon’s Facebook page

Chapter 493
Friday at the CMA Music Festival (June 12) was a rainbow of activities.
In the morning, superstar Luke Bryan staged his fan-club party at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Which was totally appropriate, since he has a brand-new “Dirt Road Diary” exhibit in the museum. The 700 attendees got free passes to see it. Bryan also favored them with a stripped-down, acoustic concert of hits.
Romping on various stages around the festival campus were Charles Esten, Lorrie Morgan, Eric Paslay, Brothers Osborne, Deana Carter, The Cleverlys, Randy Montana, Rhett Akins, Paulette Carlson, Doug Stone, Angaleena Presley and Lauren Alaina.
Broadway belter Laura Bell Bundy was everywhere on Friday. The Kentucky-born Bundy sang in Hall of Fame Park, autographed at Fan Fair X in the Music City Center and even appeared on the 6:00 o’clock news on Channel 4. Yes, she released a new country album, too. Dennis Banka calls it her “Popeye” record, I Am What I Am.
“Trailer Hitch” singer Kristian Bush was determined to make the best of his day at the fest as well. He appeared on stages, at autograph sessions and in an afternoon Opry panel discussion. His witty fellow panelist Jeannie Seely wore a “Tomato” t-shirt, by the way. She was among many female performers sassing country radio’s deliberate exclusion of women from playlists.
A mid-day shower cancelled or postponed some activiities, but didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm. It also didn’t lessen the humidity.
Perhaps the most newsworthy event of the day was the multi-artist “Concert for Love and Acceptance” at City Winery. This was the first gay celebrity event ever scheduled during the week of country hoopla.
With the Supreme Court set to rule on gay marriage this month, Catholic Ireland becoming the unlikely first nation to legalize it via a popular vote, the publication of an LGBT issue of Entertainment Weekly and the Caitlyn Jenner transgender media frenzy, the concert was certainly timely. Still, it was a gutsy move for the generally conservative country community.
“We are making history today,” said participant Deborah Allen. “In Tennessee, things are slowly changing,” added Jamie O’Neal.
“I’m proud to be here today,” said Billy Gilman, who came out as gay last November. “This is the first time I’ve come to Nashville that I’m totally me.” He added that it was not planned that Ty Herndon came out on the same day that he did.
“Ten years ago, I couldn’t imagine myself standing here,” said Jennifer Knapp, who came out as a Christian-music artist in 2010. “I’m excited that Nashville is becoming LGBT friendly,” said Meghan Linsey, who competed so memorably on The Voice this year. “Nashville is becoming an increasingly diverse city,” agreed Mayor Karl Dean. “We continue to make great strides. We’re all in this together.”
Chris Carmack, who portrays gay artist “Will Lexington” on the Nashville TV show and is releasing “Being Alone” as his debut country single, added his support. So did Crystal Gayle, Melinda Doolittle, Shelly Fairchild, Tiffany, Sarah Potenza (another Voice competitor), Stella Parton, Stephanie Quayle, Levi Hummon and more. Supportive video greetings were screened during the three-hour concert from Reba McEntire, Lance Bass and Chely Wright.
Herndon, who co-hosted with Meghan McCain, received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd when he first took the stage. “I am here to tell you from the bottom of my heart, I have never in my life…” said Herndon, pausing to choke back tears, “…felt more love and acceptance.”
“He’s a very courageous man to come out [in country music],” commented superstar songwriter Desmond Child. “I spent years when I was an artist hiding my sexuality, and it hurt me….I think people are coming to their senses. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“I’m looking forward to the next 10 years, seeing this event grow and seeing the country-music community grow in supporting the LGBT community,” added Herndon. The show was a sell-out, filling the venue with more than 400 fans.
FRIDAY NIGHT AT LP FIELD

Lady A backstage at LP Field on Friday. Photo: Bev Moser

We headed back to the mainstream action at CMA Music Festival. That evening, we arrived at LP Field in time to hear a stirring version of “The Star Spangled Banner” by Restless Heart.
The Oak Ridge Boys are celebrating a new Rock of Ages gospel CD, the publication of the book On the Road with The Oak Ridge Boys and their 2015 election as members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. They rolled through renditions of their hits for the crowd.
“We’ve lost a great artist, our fellow inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame,” said the group’s tenor Joe Bonsall. “Jim Ed Brown died on Thursday. If you’re still in town Monday, come by the Ryman [for Brown’s memorial service]. We’re gonna sing. Lady A’s gonna sing, for a great country-music artist.”
In the middle of “Elvira,” the Oaks suddenly stopped. The group brought out surprise guests Little Big Town, who have worked up a blues arrangement of the song. Both quartets sang it, which sounded pretty dang cool.
The Band Perry came out bouncing and dancing. They unleashed a highly energetic set, punctuated with ‘80s pop funk. “This is always our favorite night of the whole year,” said lead singer Kimberly Perry, “seeing your beautiful faces under a beautiful Nashville sky.”

Luke Bryan visits media at LP Field. Photo: Bev Moser

In just a few short months, the showmanship of youngsters Maddie & Tae has improved dramatically. The duo was charming. Earlier in the day, the gals joined Kelsea Ballerini and Hunter Hayes in announcing the launch of Radio Disney Country, a new radio outlet that will commence during CMA Week this fall.
The fun was only beginning. As the night continued, the hits of Randy Houser, The Zac Brown Band and Lady Antebellum poured forth. During his performance, Luke Bryan got a jolt when he got too close to one of his stage effects. A CO2 smoke blaster erupted between his legs and into his face, with no damage done except to his dignity. Bryan began the day singing for 700 and ended it by singing for 50,000.
This sun-up to sundown schedule of the artists is matched by many in the industry. In short, this is not a week for sleeping.
Throughout Friday, I encountered such tireless festival folks as Jon Freeman, Cindy Watts, Ed Morris, Christy Watkins, Michelle Myers, Suzanne Gordon, George Walker IV, Brett Wolcott, Dale Bobo, Greg Hill, Tracy Kornet, Larry McCormick, Jimmy Carter, Bill Denny, Chuck Dauphin, Adam Tamburin and The Boston Globe’s visiting Sarah Rodman.
Friday festival returning appearances were staged by such folks as Jeff Walker, David & Susana Ross, Paul Zamek (spelled correctly this time), Aaron Hartley, Melissa Maynard, Karen Tallier, Brandi Simms and Butch Spyridon, all of whom have been mentioned as faithful followers on one or more earlier days of the 2015 fest. So hooray for them.
On the Bobby Karl hot-dog monitor, for the first time this week, I did not have a weenie for lunch on Friday. So I made up for it by having one for dinner.

Maddie & Tae backstage at LP Field on Friday. Photo: Bev Moser

MusicRow Magazine: Bobby Karl Works CMA Fest: Chris Young Party, Riverfront Concerts

Bobby Karl • June 11, 2015 • 

Among the events surrounding CMA Fest is Clay Walker’s annual Chords of Hope Benefit concert, which took place last night, June 10, at 3rd & Lindsley, to raise money for the Vanderbilt MS Center.

Photos: Bev Moser

Chapter 491
CHRIS YOUNG HOSTS FANS AT THE OPRY HOUSE
The CMA festival is a boat-load of fun, but you’ll put in some seriously long hours trying to take it all in.
On Wednesday (6/10), I began my day early, at the morning Chris Young fan-club gathering. More than 16 hours later, the post-CMT Awards events could keep you rocking into the night, if you let them.
Fan-club celebrations take place at just about every venue in Music City. Copying Carrie Underwood’s event for her faithful followers on Tuesday, Chris brought his fans to the Opry House.
“It’ll be hard to top this,” he told the attendees about the location. Chris probably could have filled the place, but he limited the crowd to 500. I’m told that’s how many he can meet and greet in two hours. Really? I’m impressed.
Before the party started, we gabbed with Cindy Hunt, Cindy Watts, Jim Catino, proud mama and Music Row businesswoman Becky Harris, George Walker IV, Tori Mason and Chris’s grandpa Richard Yates. Richard was a major influence, since he was a picker and singer who performed on The Louisiana Hayride and palled around with such stars as Marty Robbins. I loved listening to his stories.
Chris bantered with his band and chatted easily with the fans as he ran through a set that included a jaw-dropping, a capella rendition of the 1963 Marty Robbins classic “Begging to You.” Thanks to his grandfather, he’s known it all his life.
More surprising was a flawless interpretation of the 1962 Tony Bennett pop immortal “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” performed with simple piano accompaniment. Counterbalancing that was a sublimely country reading of Keith Whitley’s 1988 chart topper “When You Say Nothing At All.” Fear not, Chris also gave the fans “Getting’ You Home,” “Neon,” “Voices,” “Aw Naw,” “Lonely Eyes” and other hits of his own.
Next, organizers took fans in groups of 50 to get snapshots and autographs with Chris. Robert K. Oermann told Music Row stories to those remaining in the house to keep them engaged while they waited to meet their idol.
As you might expect, Chris’s fan club is dominantly female. During the Q&A session, one woman asked Oermann about radio not playing female artists. It was as if a bomb had been detonated. Suddenly, 400 ladies were loudly speaking out about this: These women are seriously pissed off. I wish every country radio programmer in America had been there. This is a major, major issue with the fans. I was stunned at vehemence of their opinions. They deeply resent radio assuming that they don’t want to hear female voices. I felt thoroughly validated, since I have always thought that to be the case.

Sam Hunt, RaeLynn and The Shires performed at the Country Weekly Kick-Off Party Powered by NASH in Nashville Tuesday (June 9) night at the Cannery Ballroom. The sold-out event benefited Musicians On Call. Pictured (L-R): Lisa Konicki (Editor-In-Chief, NASH Country Weekly), Jeff Meltesen (Pubisher, NASH Country Weekly), RaeLynn, Sam Hunt and Pete Griffin (President, Musicians On Call).

DOWN ON THE RIVERFRONT
Meanwhile, at Pinewood Social, the CMA’s Sarah Trahern was conferring with the Metro Nashville police force. Did you know that she also treats the street cops to a big breakfast the week before the fest to thank them for their tireless overtime work during the week?
Onward we went. We hit the Riverfront Stage downtown just in time to see and hear Canaan Smith be the inaugural artist of the fest. His hearty and soaring set baptised the stage’s all-afternoon show at 12:30 p.m.
The way this series of performances worked is with half-hour sets alternating with 15-minute acoustic segments on a mini-platform in front of the stage. So after Canaan finished, Jason Michelson turned in a soulful, intense set. You have to be a mighty man to take charge of a crowd with just your voice and guitar, and Jason rocked the joint.
Next, Parmalee was boistrous and raucous, with audio effects and a party-hearty attitude. “It’s CMA week: Are you guys ready to get this party started?!” exclaimed lead singer Matt Thomas. “Have a good time! When I say, ‘Good,’ you say, ‘Time.’” They did, and this led into the band’s stomping “Musta Had a Good Time” (which incorporated a snippet of Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country”).
The band concluded its set with its career-launching “Carolina.” This cleared the way for the clever songwriting of Annie Bosko. “You Look Like I Need a Drink” was a charmer. Again, I so admired these acoustic players who had to amuse and arouse the crowd without being up on the main stage.
I took in some of this action during lunch at the George Jones Museum. You see, its restaurant has big open windows that look directly out above the Riverfront stage. I ran into Patrick Clifford and Nancy Jones there, as well as some of the Chris Young fan-club folks.
The menu includes healthy salad fare and “normal” food, but I went with a totally-festival diet by ordering the bacon-wrapped hot dog covered in cheese sauce, plus crinkle-cut french fries. For those of you keeping score, this is my second straight day of weenie for lunch.
The Riverfront Stage rocked on into the afternoon. Among those booked for the fest’s first big show were Clare Dunn, Logan Mize, Blackjack Billy, Dallas Smith, Sundy Best and Old Dominion.
Emily Luxen, Jimmy Carter, Stephanie Langston, Big & Rich, Cowboy Troy, Cole Swindell, Hunter Hayes and The General Jackson showboat glided through.
After the CMT Awards at Bridgestone Arena, the Wildhorse Saloon hosted genial Johhny Lee and David Frizzell, at the “A Night With the Legends” concert. Also booked were Eddy Raven, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mickey Gilley, The Bellamy Brothers, Exile, Larry Gatlin, T. Graham Brown, Lee Greenwood, Larry Stewart, Marty Raybon and Tim Rushlow. So don’t come crying to me about not being able to find classic country sounds at this festival.

Also surrounding CMA Fest is the Stars For Second Harvest benefit at The Ryman. Pictured (L-R): Chris Carmack and Charles Esten at the show on June 9.

MusicRow Magazine: 2015 CMT Awards Welcome Underwood Back To The Fold

Eric T. Parker • June 11, 2015 • 

 

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Bev Moser.

Carrie Underwood has returned from her maternity break with a bang, if last night’s (June 10) CMT Music Awards is any indication.
The idol was the lead nominee and recipient at the video awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, taking home Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year, and Collaborative Video of the Year (with Miranda Lambert).
“This is my first awards show since little Isaiah has been in the world,” beamed Underwood as she accepted Female Video of the Year. “I’m sure he’s napping on the bus right now, but I should definitely say he’s inspired me so much.”
Underwood performed “Little Toy Guns” to close the evening’s events, displaying powerful vocals and raw believability that rivaled an earlier performance by queen Reba (“Goin’ Out Like That”), who returned to the CMT stage after a 10-year hiatus.
Lady Antebellum kicked off the evening with their unrelenting “Long Stretch of Love” before transitioning into EDM keyboardist, Zedd’s “Beautiful Now.”

Pictured (L-R): Dave Haywood, Kelli Haywood, Chris Tyrell, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, Cassie McConnell. Photo: Bev Moser.

Brittney Marie Cole, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, Hayley Stommel. Photo: Bev Moser.

David Spade as Joe Dirt. Photo: CMT

Since the show began at 7:00 p.m. CT, some of the outdoor performances were illuminated by daylight, including Florida Georgia Line’s (“Anything Goes”) and Darius Rucker’s (“Homegrown Honey”). The former of which saw Brian Kelley rivaling Underwood for the night’s most frizzy hair. Later, Kenny Chesney took advantage of the night sky and performed before a backdrop of full-scale fireworks on Nashville’s lower Broadway.
Speaking of hair, David Spade took the stage in “Joe Dirt” form: sporting a mullet and sideburns. His sketch introduced Keith Urban: “He’s so close to having a mullet, why don’t you just do it, man?” The Aussie made his television debut of new single “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16), written by Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. The three tunesmiths plus Ashley Gorley are also behind Jake Owen’s “Real Life.” Last night Owen’s performance of the song included crowd surfing to the CMT stage.
A production highlight of the evening was a pre-filmed sketch of “Guuber,” Nashville’s fictitious car service. The star-studded piece included show hosts Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow, Kristen Bell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steven Tyler, Alan Jackson, Tom Arnold, Hunter Hayes, James Corden, Justin Bieber, Big & Rich and Rick Springfield.

Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Sam Hunt and Eric Church also performed. Newcomers took to the Nationwide side stage with their current singles as the show went to commercial break. To keep the tune fresh in viewer’s minds, a riff of the single ushered viewers back from break too. Rising artists who performed during these spots included Frankie Ballard (“Sunshine & Whiskey”), Maddie & Tae (“Girl In A Country Song”), Chris Janson (“Buy Me A Boat”), Kelsea Ballerini (“Love Me Like You Mean It”), and RaeLynn (“God Made Girls”).

Pictured (L-R) Kelly Lynn Janson, Chris Janson. Photo: Bev Moser.

With a slew of new programming coming to CMT, including new series from Kellie Pickler (I Love Kellie Pickler) and Billy Ray Cyrus (Still The King), comedian Ron White said, “Go ahead and bust the nobs off your TV because there’s no reason to ever change the channel again.” White is hosting his Fifth Annual Salute To The Troops event on CMT, Friday, June 12.
In addition to viewing the show online, additional CMT broadcasts include Thursday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m.; Saturday, June 13 at 12 a.m.; Sunday, June 14 at 6:30 a.m.; Sunday, June 14 at 8:00 p.m. Teen Nick will run an encore on Sunday June 14 at 10:30 p.m.
See a full list of winners here.

Pictured (L-R): Laura Bell Bundy, Danielle Bradbery, Lee Ann Womack, RaeLynn, Maddie & Tae, Ashley Monroe. Photo: Bev Moser.

Pictured (L-R): Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt. Photo: Bev Moser

Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett. Photo: Bev Moser.

Pictured (L-R): Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs. Photo: Bev Moser.

Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook. Photo: Bev Moser.

Pictured (L-R): Jason Aldean, Brittney Kerr. Photo: Bev Moser.

Pictured (L-R): Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. Photo: Bev Moser.

Pictured (L-R): The Band Perry’s Neil, Kimberly, Reid. Photo: Bev Moser.

Pictured (L-R): Michael Caussin, Jana Kramer. Photo: Bev Moser.

MusicRow Magazine : Carrie Underwood Is Big Winner At 2015 CMT Music Awards

Sarah Skates • June 10, 2015 • 

Carrie Underwood at the CMT Music Awards. Photo: Bev Moser

The CMT Music Awards were presented tonight (June 10) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, airing live on CMT. Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow hosted the event.
Carrie Underwood was the leading nominee with five nominations. With her wins tonight, she has earned 13 CMT belt buckles throughout her career, more than any other artist in the show’s history.
Winners are determined by fan voting at CMT.com. Voting for most categories closed on Monday, June 8. Voting for Video of the Year was conducted throughout the live telecast (ET/CT only) to select the night’s big winner.
Read MusicRow‘s full coverage of the live event here.
Winners below in RED.
Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood, “Something In The Water,” Directed by Raj Kapoor
Dierks Bentley, “Drunk On A Plane,” Directed by Wes Edwards
Florida Georgia Line, “Dirt,” Directed by Nigel Dick
Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down,” Directed by Wes Edwards
Luke Bryan, “Play It Again,” Directed by Michael Monaco
Miranda Lambert w/ Carrie Underwood, “Somethin’ Bad,” Directed by Trey Fanjoy
Male Video of the Year
Dierks Bentley, “Drunk On A Plane”
Eric Church, “Talladega”
Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down”
Keith Urban, “Somewhere In My Car”
Kenny Chesney, “American Kids”
Luke Bryan, “Play It Again”
Female Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood, “Little Toy Guns”
Carrie Underwood, “Something In The Water”
Lee Ann Womack, “The Way I’m Livin’”
Miranda Lambert, “Little Red Wagon”
RaeLynn, “God Made Girls”
Reba, “Going Out Like That”
Group Video of the Year
A Thousand Horses, “Smoke”
Eli Young Band, “Dust”
Lady Antebellum, “Bartender”
Little Big Town, “Day Drinking”
The Band Perry, “Chainsaw”
Zac Brown Band, “All Alright”
Duo Video of the Year
Big & Rich, “Look At You”
Brothers Osborne, “Rum”
Florida Georgia Line, “Dirt”
Florida Georgia Line, “Sun Daze”
Maddie & Tae, “Girl In A Country Song”
The Swon Brothers, “Later On”
Breakthrough Video of the Year
Chase Rice, “Gonna Wanna Tonight”
Frankie Ballard, “Sunshine & Whiskey”
Kelsea Ballerini, “Love Me Like You Mean It”
Maddie & Tae, “Girl In A Country Song”
RaeLynn, “God Made Girls”
Sam Hunt, “Leave The Night On”
Collaborative Video of the Year
Blake Shelton Featuring Ashley Monroe, “Lonely Tonight”
Brantley Gilbert Featuring Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett, “Small Town Throwdown”
Jennifer Nettles Featuring Brandy Clark, “His Hands”
Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter, “Wild Child”
Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood, “Somethin’ Bad”
Tim McGraw Featuring Faith Hill, “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s”
CMT Performance of the Year
Bob Seger and Jason Aldean, “Turn The Page” (from CMT Crossroads)
Brett Eldredge, “Beat of the Music” (from CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party)
John Legend with Lee Ann Womack, “You and I (Nobody in the World)” (from CMT Crossroads)
Katy Perry with Kacey Musgraves, “Roar” (from CMT Crossroads)
Keith Urban, “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” (from CMT Artists of the Year)
Kenny Chesney, “American Kids” (from CMT Instant Jam)
Lady Antebellum and Aloe Blacc, “Wake Me Up” (from CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party)
Lady Antebellum and Chris Stapleton, “Drink A Beer” (from CMT Artists of the Year)

AristoMedia: Digital Rodeo Wraps Second DRX Showcase for May 2015

Online social network and country lifestyle portal Digital Rodeo wrapped the second of two May 2015 DRX Artist Showcases on Tues. May 26 at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley.

The May 26 showcase featured performances by Katie Bernard, Crystal Day, Courtney Dickinson, David Shelby, Two Way Crossing and host, James House. To learn more about these artists, please visit their artist profiles on www.DigitalRodeo.com.

Special guest Natalie Noone joined James House on a song penned by the two of them, titled “Over Getting Over You”. Natalie is daughter of Peter Noone, English singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist and actor, best known as Herman of the successful 1960s pop group Herman’s Hermits.

The DRX monthly showcases highlight Digital Rodeo’s most promising up-and-coming Country artists. Each act performed two songs compacted into a one-hour show, which is backed by A-list band members, consisting of members Tim Horsley (drums), Robbie Emerson (bass, vocals), Erik Halbig (guitar), Steve King (keys), and Scotty Huff (guitar, vocals, music director). The DRX monthly showcases are free to the public.

The date for the June DRX showcase will be announced soon. Fans can visit the DRX Showcase booth at CMA Music Fest’s Fan Fair X in Nashville, Tenn., June 11-14.

Digital Rodeo is now offering a variety of sponsorship opportunities for their DRX Artist Showcases. For sponsorship information and inquiries, please contact John Pyne at john.pyne@digitalrodeo.com or bev.moser@digitalrodeo.com.

Pictured above L to R: Back Row: (band members of Two Way Crossing) Benjamin Picker, Jaron Mossman, Clint Reynolds, Kevin Smith.
Front Row: Blake Marvin, Jenny Marvin, Katie Bernard, James House, Crystal Day, Natalie Noone, David Shelby, Courtney Dickinson.