Three-time Grammy-winning duo Dan + Shay is expanding their 2024 Heartbreak on the Map Tour due to fan demand.
Named for the pair’s single from their fifth album, Bigger Houses (Warner Nashville), the Live Nation-produced trek will now include 30 new dates that will feature support from Jake Owen and Dylan Marlowe.
Sandbox-managed, CAA-repped Dan + Shay will kick off the first leg of their tour on 2/29 in Greenville, S.C. with support from singer-songwriters Ben Rector and Hailey Whitters.
Tickets to the newly announced stops will be available starting 2/23 at 10am local time, with presales beginning on today.
For tickets and tour dates, click here.
During his sold-out show at L.A.’s El Rey on 2/15, RCA Nashville’s Nate Smith learned that his single “World on Fire” has now held the #1 spot at Country radio for 10 consecutive weeks, tying Morgan Wallen’s “You Proof” for the longest run atop the chart. What’s more, Smith is the first artist to achieve a consecutive-week run with a second single at the format.
To celebrate his "World on Fire" accomplishment, the country powerhouse closed his set by popping open a bottle of bubbly and toasting with the crowd. Seen post-show doing their Marcel Marceau impressions are Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman of The Core Entertainment flanking Smith.
For over three decades, PRG has been providing the technical and production expertise for global entertainment events like the Super Bowl halftime show and concert tours for the likes of Coldplay, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish and Drake. Since the 2022 launch of its state-of-the-art, 10,000 sq ft rehearsal space Starwood Rehearsals, PRG has quickly established itself as a premier one-stop shop for artists like Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Leon Bridges, Dan + Shay, Blake Shelton and more to hone live performances and refine production elements in advance of tours and festival performances.
Located within PRG’s Nashville Super Depot, Starwood Rehearsals was envisioned as a creative incubator for music acts looking to flex their artistic muscle and fine-tune high-end production elements. In addition to the sophisticated, turnkey rehearsal space, clients of Starwood Rehearsals also benefit from direct access to PRG’s entire suite of state-of-the-art lighting, audio, video, rigging, crews, digital services, proprietary equipment and industry expertise before taking their shows on the road. With touring continuing to flourish as a key source of artist revenue, streamlining and perfecting live production elements can reduce workloads for crews, trim budgets and curate a more impactful fan experience—all while reducing fixed costs for the artists.
Like its namesake, the legendary Starwood Amphitheatre, PRG conceptualized Starwood Rehearsals as an homage to Nashville’s rich history of live music performances and it’s quickly becoming a key asset in Nashville for savvy musicians looking to make the most out of performing live. Much like Music City itself, Starwood Rehearsals is a home for both big country stars and developing artists across all genres.
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has announced six key hires across multiple departments: Ben Carter is the new VP, live events and production, Matt Brum-Taylor is director, digital marketing, Lexi Cothran is senior manager, communications and strategic initiatives, Kendra Williams is coordinator, finance, Brooke Boyd is assistant, ACM Lifting Lives and Heather Howard is assistant, marketing.
Carter previously served as senior director of event production for the Television Academy (Emmys). He'll report to ACM EVP/CBO Gil Beverly.
Brum-Taylor began his career at iHeart Nashville and further honed his chops at the Grand Ole Opry, where he was the famed venue's social media manager. He later spent seven years at Big Machine Label Group as its digital marketing director. He'll report to ACM VP President, Marketing and Digital Strategy & Engagement Rory Levine.
Cothran, meanwhile, comes from Shore Fire Media, where she was an account executive. In her new role, she'll handle publicity and PR for the ACM. She'll report to ACM Senior Manager, Publicity & Media Relations Jesse Knutson.
As for Williams, she was a CPA before joining the ACM. She'll handle finances for the company and report to Office Manager Michael Stern. Boyd interned at the ACM before transitioning into her role as assistant for ACM Lifting Lives. She'll report to ACM Senior Manager Taylor Wolf.
Finally, Howard served as digital marketing coordinator at UMG Nashville and held internships at Collective Artist Management and Live Nation, among others, before joining ACM. She'll report to Levine. As for us, we're just waiting to see how long it will take for them to send us to spam.
Pictured below blissfully unaware of how annoying we will be are (l-r) Williams, Boyd and Howard. Above (l-r) are Carter, Brum-Taylor and Cothran.
UMG Nashville has launched Silver Wings Records, a new distribution arm and independent artist services. Powered by Virgin Music Group’s global distribution network, the label will create custom campaign services for independent artists.
Artist-writer-producer Hueston is the first signing for the label. Previously the frontman for indie/alternative duo The Blancos, Hueston is set to release new music in the coming weeks via his own label, Young Hueston, LLC, with distribution by Silver Wings Records.
UMGN’s SVP of business development and strategy, Charlene Bryant, will oversee the staff dedicated to Silver Wings Records. With her track record of success spanning genres like Country, hip-Hop and Christian music, Bryant and her team will help merge worlds and cultures, while building on UMGN’s commitment to growth and expansion.
“The independent artist community has rapidly grown and been a driving force in expanding the creative growth culture in Nashville’s music and entertainment,” said UMG Nashville Chair/CEO, Cindy Mabe. “Like Hueston’s music, Silver Wings Records is intended to bridge and open the world of creativity to Nashville collaborators and country music artists.”
“I’m looking forward to starting this next chapter of my career with the team at UMG Nashville,” added Hueston. “Cindy, Charlene, Chelsea and Hannah saw the vision from the very first meeting and I automatically knew it was going to be a great fit.”
Seen before celebrating with some silver wings of their own are (front row, l-r) UMGN’s Rob Femia, Mike Harris, Mabe; Hueston; UMGN’s Bryant; RYCA Music’s Ryan Casassa; (front row, l-r) UMGN’s Lori Christian; Lackey McDonald’s Aaron Rice; and UMGN’s Chelsea Blythe.
Photo Credit: Chris Hollo
Trafalgar Releasing, Gimme Sugar Productions and Submarine Entertainment are bringing Hate to Love: Nickelback to cinemas worldwide on 3/27 and 3/30.
The 90-minute documentary premiered last September at the Toronto International Film Festival and dives into the band’s beginnings, global success, plus more.
Directed by Leigh Brooks and produced by Ben Jones, the film will be distributed to 1350 locations across 30 countries and also features never-before-seen archival footage, concert footage and interviews. It also expands on rock band’s decision to return after a five-year break with a new record and a sold-out tour.
“Nickelback has been such an influence on our music culture throughout the years. We are thrilled to bring the story of their journey to stardom and the importance of their passionate fans’ support through the decades to cinemas worldwide,” said Kymberli Frueh, Trafalgar Releasing SVP of programming and content acquisitions.
“It’s been a long road to get this project across the finish line and we must thank Ben Jones and Leigh Brooks for all of their hard work. We hope everyone enjoys our story, fans, friends or otherwise,” shared Nickelback.
Tickets for the theatrical release of Hate to Love: Nickelback go on sale 2/22 at 10am here.
Nickelback is repped by The Core Entertainment’s Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman. Peep the clip below.
BMLG Chairman/CEO Scott Borchetta has taken a new leadership role for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, overseeing operations for Nashville’s annual NTT IndyCar Series race.
After weeks of reviewing, Borchetta has announced to move the 9/15 season finale from the downtown streets to Nashville Superspeedway amid NFL construction.
“With the significant challenges of the proposed new layout and unknowns with the new stadium construction, which has been the center of operations for the first three years of the Grand Prix, the decision has been made to move the 2024 race to the Nashville Superspeedway,” said Borchetta.
“This has no bearing on our great relationship with the Tennessee Titans. The team’s management has been nothing but supportive regarding the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix and we fully intend to continue conversations with them and the city of Nashville as to when the right time will be to return to the streets of Nashville,” he added.
"The Music City Grand Prix has been more than a race. It's a festival that celebrates both Nashville and racing. We appreciate Scott Borchetta and Big Machine's vision and partnership and look forward to the race returning to downtown Nashville in the future,” stated Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell.
“Nashville Superspeedway is ideally suited to our highly competitive and extremely intense style of racing, and we look forward to adding a Speedway Motorsports track to our schedule,” said Penske Entertainment President/CEOMark Miles.
INDY NXT by Firestone, the developmental series for the NTT IndyCar Series, will also shift their 2024 championship finale to Nashville Superspeedway.
More details on weekend festivities, schedule and ticket options are to be announced. The IndyCar Series season finale takes place 9/15 on NBC.
Coming off the success of this year’s Grammys, Raj Kapoor is set to return as executive producer and showrunner—with Patrick Menton as co-executive producer—for the 59th ACM Awards, which takes place May 2024 from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Tex. on Prime Video.
"We have a true love for country music and its continued expansion and recognition around the world,” said Kapoor and Menton. “It’s an absolute privilege to create a show that celebrates the astounding talents that bring our country music family together to honor their remarkable achievements.”
“We’re thrilled to have Raj back at the helm of May’s 59th Academy of Country Music Awards, following his stellar work on last year’s show, the #1 most watched Country Music awards show of 2023,” said ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. “We can’t wait to see all that Raj and Patrick have in mind for 2024, and I am sure it will continue to raise the bar!”
The ACM Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions with Barry Adelman serving as executive producer for DCP and Whiteside serving as executive producer for the ACM. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional details, including hosts, nominees, performers and ticket info, will be announced in the coming months.
Photo credit: Michael Higgins; Courtesy of: Menton
