June 2019 - Nashville Music Line

CMA Fest 2019 wrapped up with a great Day Four

Four straight days of sold-out shows and capacity crowds

The fourth and final night at the 48th annual CMA Fest came to a close with a crowd-pleasing performance by Luke Bryan as he cranked up the fans in Nissan Stadium with his cover version of Jon Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

Keith Urban, Chris Janson and Maren Morris were also on hand to make sure thousands of country music fans went home happy with four days of musical memories.

RaeLynn on stage on Day 4. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Many fans went home wet, too, as the 2019 CMA Fest was memorable for several sudden rainstorms.

Walker Hayes performs during Day 4 at CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

“Despite some weather challenges, this year’s CMA Fest was truly one to remember,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, who noted that the annual festival is a great event for fans to see their favorites and discover new artists. “The feedback I received from artists is how much they enjoy the more intimate interactions with fans that CMA Fest offers,” Trahern added.

“We managed to integrate the CMA Foundation and our music education efforts throughout the festival, which culminated with the Eagle Honor Choir belting out Carrie Underwood’s ‘The Champion’ to a packed house at Nissan Stadium Sunday night. It was certainly one of the highlights of the festival.”

Among this year’s memorable highlights:

Continue reading “CMA Fest 2019 wrapped up with a great Day Four”

Billy Ray Cyrus, Lil Nas X, take “Old Town Road” to CMA Fest with Keith Urban

Kelsey Ballerini gets surprise No. 1 news during Day Three

Day Three of the 2019 CMA Fest saw a trio of stars that had never before taken the festival stage together. Fans were surprised and delighted to see Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus and reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban take the Nissan Stadium stage to perform the No. 1 song in the country, “Old Town Road.”

Billy Ray Cyrus, Lil Nas X, Keith Urban at CMA Fest. Photo CMA

The surprised crowd roared as Cyrus, Nas X and Urban played the hit song, standing, dancing and singing along with the stars.

Backstage at Nissan Stadium, Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson presented Cyrus with a 2019 MNPD coin commemorating Metro Nashville’s new headquarters building and acknowledging the sacrifices made by their officers. The coin bears Cyrus’ song “All Gave Some, Some Gave All.”

Luke Combs joins “Real Good Man” McGraw

Continue reading “Billy Ray Cyrus, Lil Nas X, take “Old Town Road” to CMA Fest with Keith Urban”

Stars thrill crowds at Day Two of CMA Fest

Thomas Rhett, Eric Church, Carrie Underwood and more bring their best

Rain didn’t stop the music

Jordan Davis entertains at the Chevy Riverfront Stage. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

The Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater was packed with fans at a sold-out show headlined by Brett Young. Meanwhile, Chevy Riverfront Stage was filled with capacity crowds for three back-to-back performances. These included Jordan Davis, The Voice alumni Morgan Wallen and Hunter Hayes’ set.

Elvie Shane performs at the Chevy Riverfront Stage. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

More Enthusiastic fans were cheering on Elvie Shane (BBR’s newest signee) and former American Idol alumni and country sweetheart Lauren Alaina. Fans were singing along to their favorite songs throughout the sets.

LOCASH also had the crowd singing along at the Radio Disney Country Stage and CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipient Travis Denning brought the energy to the Chevy Breakout Stage at Walk of Fame Park.

“Beer Can’t Fix” Thomas Rhett, Jon Pardi

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CMA Fest 2019 brings Country artists up close and personal with fans

Day One of CMA Fest in review

When the 2019 CMA Fest got under way on Thursday, June 06, country music fans were fired up and ready for almost 100 performances on eleven stages across downtown Nashville.

Jimmie Allen performs at CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Now in its 48th year, the annual CMA Fest began as Fan Fair in 1972, initially staged at the Municipal Auditorium. the festival moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982. Fan Fair became the extravaganza we know it today when it was officially renamed the CMA Music Festival in 2004 and by then it was expanding to more venues including Bridgestone Arena, Riverfront Park and what is now Nissan Stadium. The name was later shortened to CMA Fest, attracting fans from 40+ countries every year.

Trisha Yearwood show featured songwriters

On Day One of the festival, fans were treated to performances from many of their favorite artists with music from morning to night. Trisha Yearwood opened the CMA Close Up Stage for Thursday’s special Artist of the Day session at Xfinity Fan Fair X (an event named to honor the festival’s original title) with songwriters featured on her forthcoming album including Ashley McBryde, Karyn Rochelle and Lucie Silvas. The venue also featured ‘meet and greets’ and prize giveaways.

Michael Ray on stage during Day One of CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Randy Houser and Chase Rice headlined the Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music Group. Also on stage were Warner Brothers artist Michael Ray and BBR Music Group’s Jimmie Allen and super guitarist and talent Lindsey Ell.

Lindsay Ell shreds during CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Miranda’s MuttNation finds homes for 61 dogs

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“Eyes On You” puts Chase Rice in party mood

Fortieth No. 1 for co-writer Ashley Gorley

Tuesday, June 11, 2019 is a date that Chase Rice will remember for a long time. It was the date of his first Number One party. Chase celebrated the success of “Eyes On You” with co-writers Ashley Gorley and Chris DeStafano at The Tin Roof in Nashville.

Left to right: Ashley Gorley, Chase Rice and Chris DeStefano talk with the media at the Tun Roof. Photo: Preshias Harris

Chase, Ashley and Chris met with members of the music media before the awards presentation and recalled the day that they wrote “Eyes On You.”

“That day was pretty pivotal because it was not good in my career the day we wrote that,” admitted Chase. “I was on my way out of Sony. I think I had, like, a week left in my contract. It was a scary time for me, even though, looking back, I probably wasn’t acknowledging that as much, but it was a tough time. Like, ‘if we don’t get something going big right now, this could go south real quick.’”

Signed a bottle of Jack Daniel’s

Continue reading ““Eyes On You” puts Chase Rice in party mood”

Speak Up for Music Row

Tell legislators: Music Row destruction must stop

Sad but true: Music Row is disappearing, one historic building at a time.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has now designated Music Row as one of “America’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places for 2019.” Sign the petition here.

Those modest little houses along Sixteenth and Seventeenth Avenue are where so many of Country music’s best-known songs were written or recorded. Some of the buildings had signs outside, identifying the name of the music publishing company or the recording studio that was hidden inside. But many remained anonymous, their identity known only to the session musicians, sound engineers, songwriters and recording artists that could be seen entering or leaving at all hours of the day and night. Continue reading “Speak Up for Music Row”

June ‘Inside Track’ ready to read

Vince Gill, Brett Young, Garth, Chris Young and more in June column

The June edition of my column, “Inside Track on Music Row,” is now available! The column is published monthly at Nashville Music Guide’s website. You can find copies of the print edition of June’s NMG at many music venues throughout Nashville.

You can read a free PDF version of the entire print edition of the magazine here. NMG is full of music news, reviews and info. My column appears on pages 29 through 36.

Inside Track is the longest-running monthly country music column in America. The June column features dozens of news items about new releases, upcoming tours and more.

Among this month’s music news items…

New Vince Album set to drop in August
Brett Young launches Acoustic Sessions videos
John Paul White is The Hurting Kind
Zach Stone offers “Hands On” track
and much more in my seven page column of music news at Nashville Music Guide

New Vince Album set to drop in August

ALBUM NEWS: Vince Gill is set to release his new album, ‘Okie,’ on Aug. 23. The word ‘Okie’ was once a derogatory term to refer to inhabitants of Oklahoma who migrated to the west coast as a result of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Gill is an Oklahoma native and has proudly appropriated the term for the upcoming album that embraces his Oklahoma roots. Gill wrote or co-wrote all 12 tracks on the album. “I thought this was going to be a songwriter record, not a concept album,” Gill says. “It wound up being more information than I’d envisioned.” Continue reading “June ‘Inside Track’ ready to read”

John Rich says “Shut Up About Politics!”

Granny inspires new Redneck Riviera whiskey

When does John Rich find time to sleep? He is currently running numerous parallel ventures, any one of which would be a full-time career for most people.

A solo recording career, his association with Big Kenny as the hit-making duo Big and Rich, rolling out the Redneck Riviera brand (including his restaurant on Nashville’s Lower Broad), fundraising for the charity Folds of Honor, starting up the all-American-made Redneck Riviera Whiskey, and now a Special Reserve blend named for his dear old Granny… But wait, there’s more, as they say in the informercials. John also has the No. 1 song on the Country download charts with a quirky story behind it.

“A blank sheet of paper is the most boundless thing you can ever look at. The Declaration of Independence started out as a blank sheet of paper. The Bible started out as blank sheets of paper. Songs are blank sheets of paper before you turn them into something.” – John Rich

We sat down to catch up with John at his unique Nashville home, aptly named Mount Richmore, and we were joined by John’s 87-year-old grandmother who is affectionally known as Granny Rich.

Granny Rich inspires strong work ethic

Yes, the same Granny Rich who is the inspiration for Redneck Riviera Granny Rich Reserve, the new addition to John’s line of whiskey. John admitted that your grandmother wouldn’t be the first person you’d normally go to when you’re thinking about launching a new whiskey. But as he pointed out, Granny Rich isn’t your normal grandmother. Continue reading “John Rich says “Shut Up About Politics!””