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.

MuiscRow Magazine: Artist/Songwriter Pics: Kelsea Ballerini, John Anderson, Adam Searan

Adam Searan Signs With SESAC

Singer/songwriter Adam Searan recently inked a deal with SESAC and stopped by the PRO to mark the occasion. The artist, who won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for his song, “Last,” has also signed with Demolition Music for publishing.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Adam Searan and Demolition Music Publishing’s Jon D’Agostino 

PhotoCredit: Bev Moser * Moments By Moser

Kelsea Ballerini Appears on NBC’s TODAY

Black River‘s Kelsea Ballerini made her national TV debut May 21 on NBC’s TODAY. During her appearance on the show the budding star performed her Top 10 hit “Love Me Like You Mean It.”
She racked up another first for her career as well when she scored her first-ever award show nomination for the 2015 CMT Music Awards Breakthrough Video of the Year for the single.

Pictured (L-R): Hoda Kotb, Kelsea Ballerini and Kathie Lee Gifford

John Anderson Tapes “Artist Confidential” With Jamey Johnson, Elizabeth Cook

John Anderson recently taped an episode of Sirius XM’s Artist Confidential. The show airs on Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country and is hosted by Elizabeth Cook. Anderson performed music from his new album, Goldmine, which is his first studio album in nine years, as well as some of his greatest hits during the taping. Jamey Johnson also made a special appearance and collaborated with Anderson on his classic hit, “Swingin’.”

Pictured (L-R): John Anderson, Elizabeth Cook, and Jamey Johnson

AristoMedia: Digital Rodeo Wraps First of Two May DRX Showcases

Online social network and country lifestyle portal Digital Rodeo wrapped the first of two May, 2015 DRX Artist Showcases on Wed. May 6 at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley. To stream the showcase, click here.

The DRX monthly showcases highlight some of the platform’s most promising Country artists and help to promote some of Digital Rodeo’s featured unsigned acts. The May 6 showcase featured performances by Dave & Julia, Jericho Woods, Kristen Merlin, Jenny Tolman, Karli Whetstone and host, Richie McDonald. To learn more about these artists, please visit their artist profiles on www.DigitalRodeo.com.
Each act performed two songs compacted into a one-hour show, which is backed by the 3rd and Lindsley house band, consisting of members Tim Horsley (drums), Robbie Emerson (bass, vocals), Erik Halbig (guitar), Mike Webb (keys), and Scotty Huff (guitar, vocals, music director). The DRX monthly showcases are free and available to stream live through the Digital Rodeo website, here. The next DRX showcase is set for May 26, 2015 at 3rd and Lindsley.
For sponsorship information and inquiries, please contact John Pyne at john.pyne@digitalrodeo.com.

Pictured above L to R: Back Row: Jericho Woods, John Pyne Front Row: Dave & Julia, Karli Whetstone, Richie McDonald and Michael Britt from Lonestar, Kristen Merlin, Jenny Tolman

MUSICROW MAGAZINE: Photos: Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame; Art Crawl

Sarah Skates • May 13, 2015 • 

 

Photos: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Benefit

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members Mac Davis, Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin performed at the organization’s inaugural “Hits From The Hall” show on Tuesday, April 14, at City Winery Nashville, with proceeds benefitting the Hall of Fame.

Pictured (L-R): Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Executive Director Mark Ford, Hall of Fame members Mac Davis, Allen Shamblin, Tom Douglas and Pat Alger, who is also the organization’s Board Chair.

Songwriters At The Art Crawl

The Songwriters Singing For Coffee series participated in this month’s First Saturday Art Crawl Downtown. On Saturday, May 2, Live at Fifth Third Center—The Downtown Art Crawl featured Ella Mae Bowen, Marcus Hummon, Chris Roberts, and Autumn McEntire, along with Scott Reeves, Jeff Cohen, Pete Sallis and Greg Friia.
The free Art Crawl is held the first Saturday of every month, when galleries host receptions and openings to present work from local and world-renowned artists.

Pictured (L-R): Marcus Hummon, Autumn McEntire, Ella Mae Bowen, Eddie Bush and Chris Roberts

MUSICROW MAGAZINE: Teen Cancer America Partners With The Band Perry, Vanderbilt

Sarah Skates • May 12, 2015 • 

 

Photo Credit: Bev Moser * Moments By Moser

 

Teen Cancer America national ambassadors The Band Perry.

The Band Perry are acting as national ambassadors for the organization Teen Cancer America. Roger Daltrey, founder of the non-profit, shared the news at a press event yesterday (May 11) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, prior to his band The Who’s concert there.
Daltrey also welcomed the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt as the newest hospital to partner with Teen Cancer America (TCA). Daltrey noted the special emotional and social needs of teens with cancer, and how they sometimes fall through the cracks at hospitals. “They’re too old to be children and too young to be adults,” he said.
Three young cancer patients and former patients were part of the program. One boy explained what he wanted when he was undergoing treatment: a mini fridge, a place to play Legos and a DVR. That’s not too much to ask.
Daltrey shared a recent experience where he visited a hospital and was surprised to find that three teen boys were being treated there but hadn’t met each other. “They just want a room where they can do the things that teenagers do… have a bit of fun and talk to each other,” said the rock star. “The best therapy is to talk to each other.”
Kimberly Perry said, “We’ve noticed that teens and young adults still struggle with the same fears and anxieties (as younger children), that’s why we were so excited that TCA has a specific focus on catering to their needs. That’s programs, that’s environments, that’s mini fridges. And we are so excited to be in discussion with Vanderbilt to bring a wing here as our hometown community. This is near and dear to The Band Perry’s heart because so many of our fans at the shows night after night are teens and young adults… We’ve been looking for a long time for a non-profit to be involved with.”
Also on hand were TCA chair Rebecca Rothstein, and CEO Simon Davies; as well as Dr. Scott Borinstein, Vanderbilt Asst. Professor/director, Sarcoma Program.
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have been patrons of Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK, the forerunner to TCA, for over 20 years. Based on its success in bringing the issues facing teens and young adults with cancer to the forefront, they expanded their efforts by founding Teen Cancer America in 2012. Vanderbilt is the eleventh hospital to join TCA; the organization is in talks with dozens of others to create more specialized facilities and programs to serve this age group.
Throughout The Who Hits 50! North America Tour, Teen Cancer America will be in attendance on each stop and will host fan fundraising events. The Who are donating $1.00 from every ticket sold to Teen Cancer America and fundraising through text donations (text WHO to 20222).

Photos: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser.

The Band Perry with Roger Daltrey and Reece, a former cancer patient.