WASHINGTON, April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last night SoundExchange launched The SoundExchange Influencers Series to a packed house at the Bluebird Café, in Nashville, TN.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member and founder of bands Buffalo Springfield and Poco, Richie Furay; 20-time GRAMMY-Award winner and country music superstar Vince Gill; and up-and-coming country/folk music duo, Striking Matches put on a wonderful show filled with excitement, nostalgia and high-energy from the crowd. The artists showcased the value of music from the past, present and future.

Check out the SoundExchange blog for photos from the event recap!

The artists shared stories about what influenced their music and Richie Furay managed to capture the feelings of each performer when he said, "[It's] really great to live your dream… because not everyone has the chance to do it."

The show was a representation of how artists today are influenced by the legends they grew up listening to. The classic Bluebird Café "in the round" structure blended the sounds of the three different musical generations performing at last night's debut of the Influencers Series. A total of six "rounds" were completed last night. A "round" is typically when each artist performs one of their songs with another artist participating to some extent (i.e. playing along on guitar, singing back-up vocals, etc.).

SoundExchange appreciates the support of those who attended the event and look forward to sharing the experience with more people throughout the series. The SoundExchange Influencers Series will take place three more times during 2014 so stay tuned for more details.

The SoundExchange Influencers Series seeks to bring music legends and rising stars together to demonstrate the impact that one artist or band's music has on future generations, revealing the connections and continuity among music creators. Read the full press release for more details.

About SoundExchange
SoundExchange is the independent nonprofit performance rights organization representing the entire recorded music industry. The organization collects statutory royalties on behalf of recording artists and master rights owners for the use of their content from satellite radio, Internet radio, cable TV music channels and other services that stream sound recordings. The Copyright Royalty Board, created by Congress, has entrusted SoundExchange as the only entity in the United States to collect and distribute these digital performance royalties from more than 2,000 services. SoundExchange has paid out more than $2 billion in royalties since its inception. For more information, visit www.SoundExchange.com or www.facebook.com/soundexchange.

About Bluebird Cafe
The Bluebird Cafe is one of the world's preeminent listening rooms and the venue has gained worldwide recognition as a songwriter's performance space where the "heroes behind the hits" perform their own songs; song that have been recorded by chart-topping artists in all genres of music.  Located in a small strip mall outside of downtown Nashville, the 90-seat venue is unassuming in appearance but some of the most significant songwriters and artists have performed on this stage.  The Bluebird's reputation as a listening room is based on the acoustic music that is their signature style.  For more information, visit www.bluebirdcafe.com.  

The Grand Ole Opry has revealed the performances for the week of CMA Fest. Opry members Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Terri Clark will perform. In addition, Jennifer Nettles and Charlie Worsham will stand in the circle on Tuesday, June 3. There will be 7pm and 930pm shows.

Charlie Worsham and Chris Janson will be featured earlier in the evening on June 3rd during the Opry Plaza Party which will be presented by Humana. Charlie Worsham will perform songs from his album Rubberband, and Chris Janson will perform songs from his EP Take It To The Bank.

Friday, June 6th will have performances by Sara Evans, Rascal Flatts, Lorrie Morgan, Charley Pride and Mel Tillis.

Saturday, June 7th there will be an Opry at the Ryman matinee with artists to be announced.

Tickets and information are available at 800-SEE-OPRY and opry.com.

Nashville, TN - April 22, 2014 - It’s a big day for rising country star, Sandra Lynn, as she premieres her video "You Belong" on CMT.com and CMT Pure, in addition to releasing her debut EP to iTunes. 

"You Belong," written by Lori McKenna, Travis Meadows and Jeremy Spillman, is the first track on Sandra's debut EP, produced by Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts. The EP also features "Stones" and "Hangin' Witchu", two songs that showcase Sandra's powerful vocals.  

The talented Trey Fanjoy (Miranda Lambert’s “Over You” and “Mama’s Broken Heart", and Keith Urban’s “Long Hot Summer,” to name a few) directed the stunning video for "You Belong”. Trey worked hand in hand with Sandra on the story and visual concept. Sandra shares, "‘You Belong’ is an inspiring song that encourages us all to escape negativity and recognize our self-worth, but most importantly to follow our dreams — a message I can really relate to”. 

Sandra Lynn invited friends to play a role in her debut music video as well. Daneel Ackles (One Tree Hill) and Colin Egglesfield (Something Borrowed, The Client List) help to bring Sandra's vision to life. 

You can watch the video for "You Belong" on Sandra Lynn's CMT artist page as well as CMT Pure. Sandra Lynn's self- titled EP available now on iTunes. 

Find Sandra Lynn:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Country music newcomer Dakota Bradley has released a new single to Country radio, titled “Won’t Be Young Forever.” Co-written by Bradley, along with Lance Miller, Brad Warren and Brett Warren, this up-tempo single explains how life goes by all too fast, and while Bradley ‘won’t be young forever,’ he will ‘be forever young.’ The single is now available on iTunes and other major digital retailers. 

Bradley comments about the song, “Life on earth is short, so it is up to us to determine how we spend our time here. I have my entire life in front of me to reach for my dreams, while probably making some mistakes along the way. Life is all about the JOURNEY!”

The new single follows Bradley’s debut single release, “Somethin’ Like Somethin,’” which garnered Dakota his first Top 50 on Billboard. Bradley has been in the studio working on his forthcoming album, which is co-produced by Grammy award-winning producer Byron Gallimore and Country music superstar Tim McGraw.

“Dakota is the real deal,” said McGraw. “He is a great young artist who defies the trends and lives for his music. His voice is unique and instantly recognizable, and his ability to convey pure emotion in his music draws the listener in from the very first word of every song.”

To Download, “Won’t Be Young Forever,” visit http://bit.ly/1i8mqdE

For more information visit www.DakotaBradley.com and follow him onTwitter and Facebook.

Dierks Bentley launched the "Drunk On A Plane" interactive photo booth to celebrate the release of his newest single, "Drunk On A Plane." 
Using UrTurn, fans can upload and customize their photos with various aviation and party themed stickers. Bentley will feature two of his favorites on his Facebook and Twitter pages each week. 

Be sure to add the hashtag I got #DrunkOnAPlane with @DierksBentley to your tweets!
To find our more visit here.

Grand Union Gig Concert is the fastest growing country concert guide in the world. Their aim is simple: to provide you with the best place to find country concerts near you, anywhere in the world.



The website was started one year ago by Becky Alldis to help people spread the word about country music in the UK. Over the course of that year, they have successfully accumulated a great customer base and started building what you see today. They now have a team of developers, SEO advisers and marketeers all aiming to provide you with the best experience to keep you coming back time and time again!

Due to their success in the UK market, they have now made their website available to the rest of the world.

 Saving the best ‘till last... venues and artists can sign up free! A dedicated admin area means artists can promote themselves with a profile and post gigs themselves. With exposure like this, fans will never miss a gig again! All artists that post their gigs will feature on the homepage, for increased exposure all day, every day. 

With new features added to the site daily, Grand Union are a site that stays on top of the game:




·         Zip code search – Find gigs near you just by entering your zip code — it’s a great way to find new artists!

·         Map view – Be in the know about gigs around the world by viewing them in ‘list view’ or ‘map view’.

·         Social submit - This one’s for you artists! When you add a gig, it will automatically be submitted to your                                                Facebook page and Twitter account so your fans are always the first to know!

New features are being added all the time, but if you have an idea you think they’d love, drop them a line and it could be your suggestion drawing more users to the site! 


Check out the site at  www.countrygigguide.com and be part of the ultimate country concert guide!

Nashville To New York is an evening of hit songs and the stories behind them. Patterned after the famous “In The Round” writer's nights at the Bluebird Café in Nashville, Nashville To New York is hosted by Hall of Fame songwriter Gary Burr and hit songwriter Georgia Middleman. Every Nashville to New York show features Gary and Georgia, along with two of their amazing friends, telling stories and playing songs. If you love songs and songwriting this is a show for you! 
The next show will be June 10th at The Cutting Room in NYC. It will feature Georgia, Gary, Gretchen Peters and Dave Berg. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
We recently had the opportunity to chat with Georgia Middleman, look for our interview with her soon!

GARY BURR
Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member. ASCAP, Billboard and NSAI Country Songwriter of the Year. Fifteen #1 hits. Songs recorded by Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Carole King, Ringo Starr, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Christina Aguilara and Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson and many more. Gary is a member of the group Blue Sky Riders with Georgia Middleman and Kenny Loggins.

GEORGIA MIDDLEMAN 
Songs recorded by Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Joe Nichols, Martina McBride, Sheila E., Radney Foster, Maia Sharp, Mark Chestnutt, Sarah Buxton, Terri Clark and many others. She recently had her song “When The Right One Comes Along” featured on the ABC hit TV show “Nashville.” Georgia is one third of the new trio, Blue Sky Riders with Kenny Loggins and Gary Burr. 

DAVE BERG
Songs recorded by Keith Urban, Bake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Jewel, Jimmy Buffett, Reba McEntire, Meatloaf, Trisha Yearwood and many others. Dave’s songs have reached the top of the country charts five times including the most played country song of the year in 2008, “If You’re Going Through Hell.” He was named Billboard’s Country Songwriter of the Year, as well as ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year. Dave has released three independent singer/songwriter records of his own.

GRETCHEN PETERS
Twice Grammy-nominated, CMA Song Of The Year winner for the groundbreaking “Independence Day”, Gretchen has had songs recorded by Etta James, Trisha Yearwood, Bonnie Raitt, The Neville Brothers, George Strait, Bryan Adams and Faith Hill among many others. Of her music, the Associated Press said, “this is not jukebox music - the stuff that exists to fill in the pauses in conversation. This IS the conversation.” She has released nine critically acclaimed albums along the way.

Adam Craig's current single, "Little Bit More of You" can be heard on Sirius XM's The Highway, where listeners are loving it! He recently released a video where he talks about writing the song and plays an acoustic version of the tune. Take a look and listen below.
You can read our interview with Adam here.
For more information visit his official website.

If you read this site, you know Whiskey Myers is one of our favorite bands. Their third album Early Morning Shakes was released back in February of this year. Their current single from the album is "Dogwood." Watch the guys discuss the making of the record in the video below. Read our interview with the band here.

EMI Records Nashville recording artist Eric Church will release a double gatefold vinyl version of his album The Outsiders on Saturday, April 19, in recognition of National Record Store Day. The package will also include an exclusive album poster. The Outsiders originally debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and the Billboard Top Country Albums chart when it was released earlier this year in February. The album features his top-five-and-rising hit “Give Me Back My Hometown” as well as the raucous debut title track. This is the second vinyl project he has done in honor of National Record Store Day; last year, he released a vinyl version of his live album, Caught in the Act: Live. 
We'll definitely be picking up a copy....or two.

 

The Outsiders (vinyl version) track listing:

Side 1
1.  “The Outsiders”
2.  “A Man Who Was Gonna Die Young”
3.  “Cold One”
4.  “Roller Coaster Ride”

Side 2
1.  “Talladega”
2.  “Broke Record”
3.  “Like a Wrecking Ball”
4.  “That’s Damn Rock & Roll”

Side 3
1.  “Dark Side”
2.  “Devil, Devil (Prelude: Princess of Darkness)”

Side 4
1.  “Give Me Back My Hometown”
2.  “The Joint”
3.  “The Outsiders (Extended Version)” – bonus track
4.  “Come Together” – bonus track

Entertainment Weekly called The Outsiders “the still-rising star’s most brazen, brilliant disc yet, and the first great album of this year.” “ … this is the kind of record critics imagine Kanye keeps making: a freakish statement of confidence and power from an artist in full command of his gifts,” said Spin Magazine, before continuing, “Church can turn from consummate studio pro to unruly rebel rouser on a midnight-train-whine-thin dime. Nashville has the deepest grab-bag in contemporary pop right now, but nothing else comes together like Eric Church in the wild.” People just named The Outsiders one of 2014’s Ten Best Albums of the Year (so far).  

Church recently announced the launch of The Outsiders World Tour, beginning on Sept. 11 in Bossier City, Louisiana. Special guest for the entire tour is Dwight Yoakam, with Brothers Osborne, Brandy Clark, and Halestorm alternating as opening act. The first tour dates will go on sale this Friday, Apr. 18, with more on-sale dates to be announced soon. For tour updates and more information or to purchase The Outsiders on vinyl, visit www.EricChurch.com.