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Happy Birthday to Sony Music Nashville’s Lauren Longbine
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Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Jimmie Allen, LANCO & Dylan Scott closed out the 50th Anniversary of CRS with the “New Faces of Country Music” show. Each artist gets 20 minutes to perform – so roughly 4-5 songs in all. I’ll apologize in advance to LANCO fans – long-story short, my phone died and I missed their performance as I ran back to my room to get a portable charger. Really, it’s Rachel Whitney’s fault as I lent her my portable charge. That said, I really think this was one of the most important New Faces lineups in recent memory. We have highlights from the entire evening on our #InstaStory
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The night began with a surprise appearance from Tim McGraw, re-living the CRS appearance he made 25 years ago!
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Russell Dickerson kicked-off the New Faces Show with one of the most energetic and fun performances of the entire CRS week.
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Next up is one of the most talented artists in the entire format and my personal favorite female performer Lindsay Ell. She was awesome no the guitar, but also pushed her vocals to a new level I hadn’t previously heard. She played a brand new song that not even her label had heard yet and I am so excited for what 2019 has in store for Lindsay. She really is poised to take it to the next level.
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I think the most raw, emotional and brave performance of #CRS2019 was Jimmie Allen’s. His charisma and personality are unrivaled but he closed his set with a moment I think we will be talking about for years to come. Addressing what it’s like to be a black man in a predominately white format via the song “All Tractors Ain’t Green,” Jimmie brought on stage a Gospel Choir and was hit with emotion during the performance that earned him a standing ovation. Everything that is good about country music was on display through Jimmie’s performance.
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Dylan Scott closed out the night in roaring fashion. If you read the Morning Hangover, you already know I’m a huge Dylan Scott supporter. What stood out to me about his CRS performance though was the creative decision to play both a brand new song (“Nobody”) and to cover a Keith Whitley song. At first glance, I can see some in the country music format labeling Dylan as more pop-country, but the truth is, he was raised on classic country music and that is very much a part of the fabric of his artistry. I like that Dylan choose this moment to amplify that part of his music DNA.
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- Brett Young will perform “Here Tonight” on Monday’s episode of The Bachelor. Filmed at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, Colorado, fans can tune-in at 8/7c on ABC
- REBA will unveil the nominees for the 54th ACM Awards on CBS This Morning on Wednesday & will appear that evening on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She’ll also appear on BRAVO’s Watch What Happens Live! on Thursday night.
- FGL performs on ELLEN on Thursday!
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WITH YOUR HAIR-OF-THE-DOG
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I just want to say how much it has meant to be that so many of you in the country radio community have made a point to say hi to me this week and shared how you’ve made my little email tipsheet a part of your show’s prep! I never imagined this would ever gain this type of traction. I remember going to my first CRS in 2016 and not knowing anybody at all. It’s so rewarding to have an experience like this just a few short years later. You’ll never know how profoundly you have changed my life so thank you so much!
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The Big Machine Label Group hosted their annual BMLG Luncheon, hosted by Scott Borchetta, to kick-off Day 3 of CRS and as always, delivered a great mix of superstar talent, one-of-a-kind moments, and a look at the future of country music. Some things are timeless, Rascal Flatts harmonies are one of those! The most awarded band in country music history received a very warm reception. No doubt Gary, Jay & Joe have plenty of gas in their tanks!
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A really neat moment was Brantley Gilbert & Lindsay Ell performing their new collaboration “What Happens In A Small Town” together for the very first time live. Truly special what those two have created together. I’ll also say, watching the rest of BG’s set, I really think he is under-appreciated and with his new music coming out in 2019, I hope he gets the respect he deserves
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The real highlight of this event for me is getting to see new talents like Riley Green, Lauren Jenkins & Noah Schnacky perform. If you like the country music style of a Jon Pardi and early Jason Aldean, you need to get on the Riley Green train. Lauren Jenkins is one of the most interesting talents to enter the scene that I can remember. Her storytelling ability using different medians like short-films is incredibly compelling. If you like songs like “In Case You Didn’t Know,” you need to listen to some Noah Schnacky. This kid has “IT.”
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Pictured (L-R): Back Row – Big Machine Records GM Jim Weatherson, Riley Green, CRB Board President Kurt Johnson, Rascal Flatts Jay DeMarcus, CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis, The Valory Music Co. GM George Briner Front Row – BMLG EVP & BMLG Records President Jimmy Harnen, Rascal Flatts Joe Don Rooney & Gary LeVox, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Lauren Jenkins, Brantley Gilbert, Stoney Creek’s Lindsay Ell & Noah Schnacky
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Universal Music Group Nashville held their 10th Annual “Team UMG at the Ryman” luncheon at the historic Ryman Auditorium during CRS 2019. The show featured performances by Kassi Ashton, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Travis Denning, Vince Gill, Adam Hambrick, Caylee Hammack, Brandon Lay, Hootie & the Blowfish, Little Big Town, Maddie & Tae, Chris Stapleton, and Keith Urban.
1st Row L to R: Jeannie Sullivan, Jill Burnett, Mike Dungan, Royce Risser, Sally Green, Anna Johnson, Summer Harlow 2nd Row L to R: Ashley Laws, Mara Sidweber, Katie Dean, Donna Passuntino, Jack Christopher 3rd Row L to R: Charlie Dean, Darius Rucker, John Trapane, Michelle Tyrrell, Mike Krinik, Annie Sandor, Katelyn Lester, Connor Brock 4th Row L to R: Dean Felber, Chris Schuler, Donna Hughes, Brent Jones, Trudie Daniell, Kaileen Mangan, Miranda McDonald, David Friedman, Jackie Stevens, Megan Youngblood, Jimmy Rector 5th Row L to R: Cindy Mabe, Jordan Davis, Kassi Ashton, Caylee Hammack, Adam Hambrick, Brandon Lay, Chris Fabiani 6th Row L to R: Mark Bryan, Briana Galluccio, Nick Kaper, Travis Denning, Jim Sonefeld, Chris Stapleton, Vince Gill
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