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NEAR TRUTHS: KINGDOMS
File under: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. (3/26a)
ONE SHINING HITS LIST
She shoots, she scores! (3/26a)
YTD MARKET SHARE
Zeroing in on the elite teams (3/27a)
BEST IN THE WEST:
STEVE BERMAN
High time for another Eminem skit (3/26a)
MUSIC REVENUE TOPPED $17B IN 2023: RIAA
Streaming subscriptions lead the charge. (3/27a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
Music City
THE ROAD WARRIORS: MARC DENNIS
7/13/16

Co-Head of CAA Music’s Nashville Operations

The co-head of CAA Music’s Nashville operations oversees the Nashville division that includes Sam Hunt, Zac Brown Band and red-hot up-and-comer Jon Pardi in its impressive roster.

With all the touring options out there—festivals, sheds, sponsored runs like CMT’s Women of Country, radio shows and fighting it out on your own—what’s the best way to develop these artists’ careers for the long haul? It’s not one size fits all, but what are the indicators for the best path?

Hopping on a major tour as an opening act is still a popular idea in the format, but not all opening slots are equally valued. The festival market is also a good way to expand an artist’s touring base, and there are some great ones out there now. Headlining is still the truest indicator, of course, of where a career is now and where’s it going.

Who are three acts we should be paying attention to from a live standpoint, and why?

Brantley Gilbert continues to outpace his peers in terms of ticket sales. He’s headlining an amphitheater tour this summer. His touring business is really phenomenal. Sam Hunt is only playing a few festivals this summer, but next summer we’ll see massive growth with him on the road as well. At the club level, Jon Pardi is really making some noise. He’s touring with Kip Moore this fall, and that should do very well. And obviously Zac Brown Band is just a touring behemoth, a legitimate stadium headliner.

Once again, country acts are out on the road year after year after year, while rock and pop acts often go years between touring. How do the country acts sustain that level of demand? And as country becomes more pop, will that change?

We have to be particularly sensitive to ticket prices due to the frequency of return engagements. The mega-ticket program that Brian O’Connell and Live Nation have created really helps fans be able to afford to go to several shows every summer. I do think you’ll see artists slow down more when they are off-cycle, however.