May 2014

Several years ago, Stella Parton, envisioned an event that would empower women from all walks of life – with the theme ‘Renew – Restore – Revive’. That dream became reality this month at the DoubleTree Hotel in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The inaugural Stella Parton’s Red Tent Women’s Conference was comprised of a Friday night concert, Saturday speakers and a Sunday brunch. On Friday evening, famed announcer and television host, Keith Bilbrey brought the dazzling and radiant Red Tent Founder/CEO, Stella Parton to the stage where the attendees welcomed her with enthusiasm and appreciation. She proceeded to rock the excited audience with her anthem, “Tell It Sister, Tell It,” which is also the title of her inspirational memoir. Following her dynamic performance, Stella brought to the stage an all-star female band featuring Robin Ruddy (steel guitar/utility), Anita Cochran (guitar/vocals), Nancy Gardner (drums), Michelle Poe (bass/vocals), Catherine Marx (keys), Jonelle Mosser (vocals), and Odessa Settles (vocals). From there, country torch singer, Mandy Barnett charmed the crowd; after which, Stella welcomed her sister and keynote speaker, Dolly Parton, to the stage. After Dolly’s rousing performance and keynote address, Stella rejoined Dolly on stage along with their sisters, Rachel and Laura as well as niece, Hannah to perform a song co-penned by Stella and Dolly entitled “More Power To Ya.” That was only the beginning with Saturday featuring renowned speakers Patricia R. Miller (Vera Bradley), Genie James, Sherry Deutschmann (LetterLogic), Kate O’Neill, Julee Jones, Marcela Gomez, Lisa Quigley, Shayna Humphrey, Pat Shea, Gretchen Peters, and Chef Margot McCormack. These illustrious and successful women shared their personal experiences with messages geared toward inspiring other women. A diverse group, the lecturers covered a range of topics from business, politics, and finance to entertainment and spirituality. The celebration ended with a beautiful and delicious Easter Sunday brunch. Stella addressed the audience with sincerity and appreciation – inviting all back for the next Red Tent Women’s Conference, for which plans have already begun. “The weekend was magical,” Stella comments. “This event was a dream come true for me and to see and hear how this conference impacted women makes all the struggles to get here worthwhile. Plus having the support of my family means the world to me. It truly was a weekend to Renew – Restore – Revive!”

Fans of Americana music may debate on various topics, but are undoubtedly in agreement regarding one point: The only thing better than a single great musician, is two great musicians. That’s certainly the case with hey Harley, a brand-new collaboration between acclaimed singer-songwriters Lizanne Knott and Bill Reveles whose respective strengths are poised to shine in their configuration as a new powerhouse on the Americana scene. Knott is best known for her award-winning songwriting and infectious, smoky vocals, championed overseas by London’s famed Bob Harris who has been a staunch supporter since first hearing her debut release in early 2002. Reveles has received four songwriting and artist awards, including Best Male Artist at the Southern California Music Awards and Best Adult Contemporary Artist from the prestigious Los Angeles Music Awards. He has over 50 placements in both TV and film including hit series such as ‘Beverly Hills 90210,’ ‘Melrose Place,’ ‘Party Of Five,’ and Paramount Films’ ‘Nobody’s Fool’ starring Paul Newman, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, and the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Both artists have multiple solo albums under their belts (Knott’s latest, STANDING IN THE ENGLISH RAIN, earned a spot on the 2013 Top Folk Albums list); and have graced some of the U.K. and U.S.’s most famed stages and festivals; sharing the stage with notable names including Shawn Colvin, Joan Osborne, Jimmy Webb, JD Souther and many others. The newly formed duo plans to release its label (Proper Music Group) debut record at the top of 2015. Radio singles will be available by August before they embark on a fall tour in the U.K. The strength of hey Harley by reputation alone impressed Taylor Guitars enough to offer a coveted artist partnership to the duo for their upcoming treks on the road. The two musicians are planning to relocate from their home bases of Philadelphia (Knott) and Los Angeles (Reveles) to live and work in Nashville’s vibrant artist community, before heading overseas for a six-week run to include England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. That tour will be followed up by appearances throughout the U.S. and Europe; and will include radio and TV appearances with Bob Harris, BBC2 and more.

The 2014 CMA Music Festival has announced the performers for the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage. The lineup for the free daily concerts is packed with more than 50 artists, from country music legends to the brightest up-and-coming stars. CMA Award nominees Big & Rich will officially kick off the Festival when they take the stage on Thursday, June 5. This will mark the first time the duo will hit the Riverfront stage together, setting the pace for the music-filled days to follow. “Big & Rich will bring a great energy to the official start of the Festival, and I know our fans will not want to miss their performance,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. Performers scheduled to hit the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage include Frankie Ballard, Big & Rich, Danielle Bradbery, Kristian Bush, Craig Campbell, Jason Michael Carroll, Terri Clark, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dan + Shay, Tyler Farr, Colt Ford, Gloriana, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Love and Theft, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis, David Nail, Jon Pardi, Parmalee, Eric Paslay, Kellie Pickler, Cassadee Pope, Collin Raye, Chase Rice, Maggie Rose, Corey Smith, Cole Swindell, The Cadillac Three, The Swon Brothers, Uncle Kracker, Clay Walker, Darryl Worley, Charlie Worsham, and Wynonna. The official lineup was announced via CMA social networks with a video directed by Ben Boutwell showing Chevrolet vehicles taking Country Music fans to historic locations in downtown Nashville for the reveal. Fans can follow the conversation and share their thoughts on the lineup with #ChevyCMA 2014’s lineup includes six CMA Award winners and 15 CMA Award nominees. 12 artists will be making their Riverfront debut, including four Festival newcomers, making the daily shows a must-see for attendees during the four-day event, happening Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8, in downtown Nashville. “This outstanding lineup, paired with the artists performing at the Nightly Concerts at LP Field, represent the best in Country Music from past to present to future,” said Trahern. “The Riverfront shows are always a highlight of CMA Music Festival, and with the caliber of talent, this year is sure to be no exception.”

Joe Brown, one of the headline acts scheduled to appear at this year’s Village Pump Folk Festival, has had to withdraw from the bill owing to medical reasons. Speaking this week, Festival Director, John Alderslade, said: “Everyone is disappointed that he won’t be able to play at this year’s Festival but Joe hopes this will be only a postponement and we are all looking forward to seeing him in 2015. He’s a hard performer to replace, so we have gone for a completely different kind of act and we’re delighted to have Peatbog Faeries – one of the top Scottish bands – headlining on the Village Pump Stage on the Friday night. They are great favourites on the Festival circuit and should bring the first night of our festival to a rousing climax.” Peatbog Faeries were nominated as Best Live Act in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2012 and have twice won Best Live Act in the Scottish Traditional Music Awards. With a line-up of fiddle, keyboards, pipes, drums, bass and guitar they combine traditional – sounding Scottish tunes with a hard rock edge, making them the perfect party band so Pump fans should be rocking and reeling the night away. Be a Steward at the Festival For anyone who’d like to get in free and become involved with the Festival, there are still some opportunities to be a steward over the weekend. In return for a few hours’ work each day, you can earn a free weekend ticket, worth £120. Details are on the web-site as below. The Village Pump Folk Festival takes place at the White Horse Country Park, Westbury from July 25 -27.

With a total of six nominations, Miranda Lambert leads the field for the 2014 CMT Music Awards. The nominees were revealed Monday morning (May 5) across CMT’s digital platforms by the cast of the network’s Party Down South through short video vignettes filmed at the house where the cast has been living while taping the second season of the hit series. The new season of Party Down South premieres June 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Voting is now underway at CMT.com and continues until June 1 at midnight ET. Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan follow Lambert with five nominations each, while Keith Urban and Taylor Swift are tied with four each. Blake Shelton and Hunter Hayes each pulled in three nominations, and two each went to Carrie Underwood, Cassadee Pope, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Lady Antebellum, Pistol Annies, The Band Perry, Thomas Rhett and Tim McGraw. Other nominees include Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, the Eli Young Band, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Randy Houser, Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow, Thompson Square, Tyler Farr, Willie Nelson and the Zac Brown Band. Additionally, nominations also went to Fall Out Boy, Jason Mraz, Lionel Richie, Neil Young, Nelly and OneRepublic for their collaborations with country artists. Now in its 13th year, the 2014 CMT Music Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on June 4 at 8 p.m. ET. Performers, presenters and this year’s host will all be announced in the coming weeks. The full nominations are as follows: VIDEO OF THE YEAR
 Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies and Friends – “Boys ’Round Here” Carrie Underwood – “See You Again” Eric Church – “Give Me Back My Hometown” Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan – “This Is How We Roll” Hunter Hayes – “I Want Crazy” Kacey Musgraves – “Follow Your Arrow” Keith Urban with Miranda Lambert – “We Were Us” Luke Bryan – “That’s My Kind of Night” Miranda Lambert – “Automatic” Taylor Swift – “Red” Thomas Rhett – “It Goes Like This” Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban – “Highway Don’t Care” MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
 Blake Shelton – “Doin’ What She Likes” Eric Church – “Give Me Back My Hometown” Hunter Hayes – “I Want Crazy” Jason Aldean – “Night Train” Luke Bryan – “Crash My Party” Randy Houser – “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Carrie Underwood – “See You Again” Cassadee Pope – “Wasting All These Tears” Kacey Musgraves – “Follow Your Arrow” Miranda Lambert – “Automatic” Sheryl Crow – “Easy” Taylor Swift – “Red” GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR Eli Young Band – “Drunk Last Night” Lady Antebellum – “Compass” Little Big Town – “Your Side of the Bed” Rascal Flatts – “Rewind” The Band Perry – “DONE.” Zac Brown Band – “Sweet Annie” DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR Dan + Shay – “19 You + Me” Florida Georgia Line – “Round Here” Florida Georgia Line – “Stay” Thompson Square – “Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About” BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR Brett Eldredge – “Beat of the Music” Cassadee Pope – “Wasting All These Tears” Cole Swindell – “Chillin’ It” David Nail – “Whatever She’s Got” Thomas Rhett – “It Goes Like This” Tyler Farr – “Redneck Crazy” COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
 Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies and Friends – “Boys ’Round Here” Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan – “This Is How We Roll Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly – “Cruise (Remix)” Hunter Hayes featuring Jason Mraz – “Everybody’s Got Somebody but Me” Keith Urban with Miranda Lambert – “We Were Us” Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban – “Highway Don’t Care CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
 Dierks Bentley and OneRepublic – “Counting Stars” from CMT CROSSROADS: ONEREPUBLIC AND DIERKS BENTLEY Jake Owen – “Days Of Gold” from CMT HOT 20 COUNTDOWN Lady Antebellum and Stevie Nicks – “Rhiannon” from CMT CROSSROADS: STEVIE NICKS AND LADY ANTEBELLUM Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie – “Oh No/All Night Long” from 2013 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR The Band Perry and Fall Out Boy – “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark” from CMT CROSSROADS: FALL OUT BOY AND THE BAND PERRY Willie Nelson and Neil Young – “Long May You Run” from CMT CROSSROADS: WILLIE NELSON & FRIENDS FROM THIRD MAN RECORDS