CANADA COUNTRY AIRCHECK ISSUE 5 In This Issue of Canada Country Aircheck the Digital Magazine.
Brett Kissel is our cover story and he won four CCMA Awards including the coveted Fan Choice Award. He has had an amazing year working with Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Garth Brooks plus playing dates across the country to sellout crowds. Find out one of the most important things to Brett and see what is coming up this winter.
From Opening Day Country Music Week was a big success. We take you to the seminars, live performances and of course the Awards all captured in photos. A picture is worth a 1000 words. Did we catch you check it out and see.
We have our DMDS weekly report where we show you the top downloads for the past week.
We have all the news from Music City. This week we hear from Kenny Chesney who had a special guest at a concert in his hometown. George Strait is back in Vegas. We will see who is going out on the road with Luke Bryan and his Farm Tour. Craig Morgan is back on the road after the tragic death of his son this summer, Leann Rimes announces a Christmas Tour. Keith Urban is in Canada and Dallas Smith is touring with him and much more.
We have radio news for you including a list of new music arrivals. We have programming ideas and we have something new for your station earn more revenue and keep listeners on your web site for longer periods of time.
BRETT KISSEL GOES HOME WITH FOUR CCMA AWARDS!
On a sunny day in May 1990 in Flat Lake Alberta a baby boy was born to Brenda and Gordon Kissel. They named him Brett. It was a tough birth because Brett was born with a guitar in his hands. Well that’s not true but six years later Brett’s Grandmother Irene ordered a guitar for him in a Sears Catalogue for Christmas in 1996. He has not looked back since. Growing up on a cattle ranch in northeastern Alberta (in the Flat Lake region) played a big role in Kissel's music. His family operates a successful cattle ranch with Angus and Speckle Park-cross cattle. Kissel's ranching background garnered him attention in the agricultural and rodeo communities across Canada. Kissel took lessons only for one year in his hometown of St. Paul. Following that year, he never took formal lessons again. Kissel often attended the Freddie Pelletier Guitar Camp, whom he credits for his guitar playing style. During a chance meeting in 1995, Kissel met Alberta country star, philanthropist, and fundraising auctioneer - Danny Hooper - during a school fundraiser in St. Paul, Alberta. According to multiple interviews, this was Kissel's first public performance, as Hooper called the youngster onstage to perform his local hit "The John Deere Tractor Keys" in front of a sold out audience. This sparked a friendship between Kissel and Hooper that led to their professional management relationship that started in 2005. At age 12, yes 12 he released his first indie album “Keepin' It Country” He released three additional independent albums, “By Request” in 2004, “Tried and True – A Canadian Tribute” in 2006 and “My Roots Run Deep” in 2008. Tried and True – A Canadian Tribute and My Roots Run Deep sold a combined 70,000 copies in 2006.
Kissel was nominated for the Chevy Trucks Rising Star Award at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Kissel was 16 years old at the time, making him the youngest CCMA nominee in the history of the awards show. It was a young Brett Kissel that got up the nerve to ask Carolyn Dawn Johnson for a dance at a CCMA event that year even though he was underage for this event he attended anyway. Who’d of thought that in 2016 Brett would release a new single featuring Carolyn Dawn Johnson called “I Didn’t Fall In Love With Your Hair” which is the Top download this week so far.
After multiple trips to Nashville since the age of 13, in late 2012, Kissel met with legendary manager Bob Doyle. Doyle immediately signed Kissel to a co-management contract with Louis O'Reilly. Doyle is credited for the discovery of country mega-star Garth Brooks, and still manages Garth to this day. On May 10, 2013, Kissel signed a record deal with Warner Music Canada, His debut single, "Started with a Song", was released on June 17. It became the most added song at Canadian country radio in its first week, surpassing a record set by Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" It debuted at number 87 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 for the week of July 27, 2013.The music video for the song premiered on CMT Canada on June 27. Kissel's first album for Warner, also titled Started with a Song, was released on October 1, 2013. Kissel co-produced the album with Ted Hewitt and Bart McKay. "Started with a Song" peaked at the Number One position on CMT Canada's Chevrolet Top 20 Countdown. The album's second single, "Raise Your Glass", was released to Canadian country radio on October 7. The music video was produced by Margaret Malandruccolo.
On January 25, 2014, Brett Kissel was nominated for four Association of Country Music in Alberta Awards (ACMAs), winning two awards for Rising Star and Single of the Year for Started with a Song. Following his two award wins, Kissel toured across Canada with his first national co-headlining tour called The Young Guns Tour. The tour had nineteen concerts from Vancouver to Charlottetown with co-headliners One More Girl. Kissel and One More Girl performed in front of thousands of fans across Canada. I worked with Brett in 2014 where he hosted our A Country Christmas radio Special. It was during this time I realized how important family is to Brett. He related a story of how he had performed on Canada day that year and was invited back to the Prime Minister’s home in Meech Lake. He said “ I looked across the lawn and saw my Dad talking with the Prime Minister probably about the cattle business.”
To Brett it is family first and music second. On January 19th 2016 Brett Kissel, and wife Cecilia welcomed a healthy baby girl named Mila Elizabeth Kissel into the world. Brett is constantly posting pictures of him and Mila and wife Cecilia on his social media outlets.
In fact on Sunday night he posted this picture with the following caption “This bombshell though... Stunning. Gorgeous. She's a rocket. And my rock. Come what may tonight at the CCMA awards, I'm a winner with her.”
The first award that Brett won this week was INTERACTIVE ARTIST OF THE YEAR and there is a good reason for this because he shares his whole life with his fans. Not only does he talk to them via video he shows pictures and talks about his family whether they are on vacation or traveling to a performance somewhere. The second award that Brett won was RECORD PRODUCERS OF THE YEAR with Mickey Jack Cones, Brett Kissel, Bart McKay, Album: Pick Me Up (Artist: Brett Kissel). I used Mickey’s studio here in Nashville to produce a radio special for Exile a few years ago. Mickey is a nice guy and produces Joe Nichols and Trace Akins as well as Brett. Brett’s album “Pick Me Up” was released in September 2015 peaking at number 7 on the charts. There have been three singles released from this album between September of 2015 and the spring of 2016. Airawaves was the first single reaching number 1 on the charts followed by Pick Me Up which reached number 6 and Cool With That peaking at 8. Brett just last Friday released his latest single featuring Carolyn Dawn Johnson called “I Didn’t Fall In Love With Your Hair” Brett has had a great year with performances with Brad Paisley & Chris Young as well as opening Ottawa shows for Garth Brooks.
Brett has also sold out shows across the country and the cool thing is he always picks someone out of the audience that catches his eye and brings them on stage and gives them a Gibson Guitar. Fans love this as you can see from this little girl.
This past summer Brett traveled back home to St Paul to put on a Hometown Concert to an overflow crowd. Brett played a special concert for a local school.
Brett wrote the following: “Giving back to the community is an important thing to do - no matter what you do for a living. As an artist, one of the best ways I can give back, is through my music, and yesterday I got the thrill of a lifetime performing for some amazing kids at the Leo Nickerson School in St. Albert. These elementary kids raised over $46,000 for the Hair Massacure fundraiser - which proceeds go to the Make A Wish Foundation and the Stollery Children's Hospital. So, since they were the school that raised the most money, CISN Country and I put on a special concert for
them in their gym. I've never seen such bright smiles and I've never heard such loud screams. It was an amazing experience, and I'm so grateful to have been able to perform for them.� Brett won four CCMA Awards this past week including the coveted Fan Choice Award, Male Artist of the Year, Interactive Artist of the Year and Record Producers of the Year along with Mickey Jack Cones and Bart McKay What is next for Brett? How about heating up Canadians with a winter tour called Ice, Snow & 30 Below. The tour runs from January 12th in Sault Ste Marie and ends February 4th in Georgetown PE. We bet it is going to be some warm place!
Check out Brett Kissel online at http://www.brettkissel.com/ Follow him on Social Media!
Top DMDS Downloads for September 6th to September 12th SEPTEMBER 6TH SEPTEMBER 12TH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Eric Church f. Rhiannon Giddens “Kill A Word” (Universal) Lauren Alaina “Road Less Traveled” (19/Universal) High Valley “Every Week’s Got A Friday” (Warner) The Dungarees “I’m Down” (Road Angel/RPMpromo) Hunter Brothers “Long Way To Love You” (Open Road)
SEPTEMBER 7TH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Eric Church f. Rhiannon Giddens “Kill A Word” (Universal) Bobby Wills “Tougher Than Love” (MDM/Dale Speaking Promo) Lauren Alaina “Road Less Traveled” (19/Universal) Dallas Smith “Autograph” (604/Sony/A. Wilson Promo) The Rifle & The Writer “Gig & Colour” (Ribbon & Shell)
SEPTEMBER 8TH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Bobby Wills “Tougher Than Love” (MDM/Dale Speaking Promo) Eric Church f. Rhiannon Giddens “Kill A Word” (Universal) The Dungarees “I’m Down” (Road Angel/RPMpromo) Hunter Brothers “Long Way To Love You” (Open Road) Lauren Alaina “Road Less Traveled” (19/Universal)
SEPTEMBER 9TH 1.
Bobby Wills “Tougher Than Love” (MDM/Dale Speaking Promo) 2. High Valley “Every Week’s Got A Friday” (Warner) 3. Eric Church f. Rhiannon Giddens “Kill A Word” (Universal) 4. Larry Berrio “Boots or Hearts” (Indie/B. Martineau Promo) 5. The Dungarees “I’m Down” (Road Angel/RPMpromo)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Brett Kissel f. Carolyn Dawn Johnson “I Didn’t Fall In Love With Your Hair” (Warner) Bobby Wills “Tougher Than Love” (MDM/Dale Speaking Promo) Eric Church f. Rhiannon Giddens “Kill A Word” (Universal) High Valley “Every Week’s Got A Friday” (Warner) Larry Berrio “Boots or Hearts” (Indie/B. Martineau Promo)
Most Added This Week High Valley “Every Weeks Goy A Friday” Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color” Dallas Smith “Autograph” Locash “I Know Somebody” Cold Creek County “Still That Way” Dierks Bentley holds on to the number 1 spot for the fourth week with “Different For Girls” Top Canadian on the Charts is James Barker Band with “Lawn Chair Lazy” at # 6 but is sliding down Dallas Smith Soars to 34 First Week on the chart with “Autograph”
COUNTRY MUSIC WEEK SEMINARS Here are a few of the seminars that were of big benefit to those attending!
RDR ROUND TABLE A BIG SUCCESS! The informative and intimate CCMA Round Table sessions with the industry's best in a variety of business avenues. With multiple tables and discussion points, featuring inspiring industry professionals like Raplh Murphy, Randy Owen. Shilo Bellis, Jody Seeley and CCMA Award winners. Bart MCKay. and Jason Barry. Those that attended this year walked out with lots of advice from the experts.
RALPH MURPHY RDR ROUNDTABLE
Some of Radio's Best Randy Owen, Shilo Bellis and Jody Seeley
CCMA Award winners. Bart MCKay. and Jason Barry
This was well attended and informative Roundtable that covered many topics that as an artist you need to know. A big thankyou goes out to RDR and Joe wood who works hard all year to make sure that you are getting valuable information each year.
YOUR VOICE, YOUR STORY, YOUR BRAND: A VOICE AND PERFORMANCE MASTERCLASS WITH TAMARA BEATTY
Big turnout for the Principle Projects Radio Tracking & Label Services Sponsored Seminar for YOUR VOICE, YOUR STORY, YOUR BRAND: A VOICE AND PERFORMANCE MASTERCLASS WITH TAMARA BEATTY on Thursday held at the London Convention Centre,
MURPHY'S LAWS OF SONGWRITING WITH RALPH MURPHY
If any aspiring songwriter begins the process of breaking into the Nashville circuit, it doesn't take long for the name of Ralph Murphy to pop up. Murphy, songwriter and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee, has been successful for five decades. Consistently charting songs in an ever-changing musical environment makes him a member of that very small group of professionals who make a living doing what they love to do. Add to that the platinum records as a producer, the widely acclaimed Murphy's Laws of Songwriting articles used as part of curriculum at colleges, universities and by songwriter organizations, his success as the publisher and co-owner of the extremely successful Pic-a-lic Group of Companies, and you see a pattern of achievement based on more than just luck.If you attended this seminar you walked away with a lot of great information.
HOW ARE CANADIANS CONNECTING WITH TODAY’S COUNTRY MUSIC? Presented By: Principle Projects Label Services The growth in country music’s popularity over the past few years is undeniable. Key to this growth is the fan base we reach. What do we know about this audience and key targets? The Country Music Association (CMA) shared results of their 2016 “Canada’s Country Music Audience and Key Consumption Trends” in this exclusive presentation. Very interesting seminar that shows Canadians are big consumers of country music.
LIVE MUSIC METHOD – AN EXTREME MAKEOVER APPROACH WITH TOM JACKSON
Shae Dupuy At Tom Jackson’s Seminar At the core of every great artist is the ability to put on a great performance. The most intricate of details can have the biggest of impacts on an artist’s delivery and the impression they leave on those in their audience. Tom Jackson, and his Live Music Method – An Extreme Makeover Approach, is known for his ability to transform an artist’s live show into a magical experience for the audience. Jackson has worked with an impressive array of artists in nearly every genre, including major acts like Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, and Shawn Mendes, among others, giving them a foundation and direction to define their unique voices and styles to showcase their talent. The Country Music Week Performance Workshop, presented by Tom Jackson Productions, will feature an artist or group who will deliver a raw song “rehearsal” before Jackson tweaks their performance until it becomes a captivating “moment” in front of a live audience.
LIVE PERFORMANCES It is cool to look back and see how the week was when you consider all the live performances that fans got to experience. It was a great week for Emerging Artists to showcase their talents as well as our established Canadian Country Stars. We don’t have enough room in this section to show you everything that happened but it was a week full of great talent. We use pictures to tell the story of live performances. Country Music Week Launch Event Every year, a tradition of the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) is to stage a launch event for Country Music Week that speaks to the host city’s community, and joins the visiting country music industry and media with local citizens and fans. On Thursday, September 8, at 12:00 p.m., at Talbot Street and Covent Garden Market Square a team of CCMA artists and acts faced off against the London Knights in a street game of ball hockey!
CCMA Team (coached by Today’s Country BX93): The Abrams (James and John) Genevieve Fisher JoJo Mason Jess Moskaluke Aaron Pritchett From River Town Saints: Jeremy Bortot, Chris Labelle, Chris McComb Dan Swinimer Bobby Wills
The Diamonds in the Rough is a great place for Emerging artists to showcase their talents and this year they had a stellar line-up. A big shout out to Angie Morris along with her sponsors work hard all year long to make this an event not to be missed. Here are just a few pictures from the event. Richard Cloke Opened Diamonds in The Rough with a great set !
Shae Dupuy brought the house down with her performance. Shae is one to watch.
Jamie Woodfin another super performer who appeared at Diamonds In The Rough
A Great job by Dani Lynn showing why Diamonds in the Rough is such a popular event
Lauren Mayell brought her high energy to London from Calgary and showed why she is on her way to stardom
There were a over 40 artists that showcased at Diamonds in the Rough. Other events around town had showcases as well but we were unable to get any pictures. Events like Country Future Showcase who showcased performances by Genevieve Fisher, Brad Battle, Chadley Chase, Chelsea Crites, Sarah Wickett, Nicole Rayy, Marshall Dane, Anthony Tullo, Kate Todd, Amanda Jordan, Megan Morrison, Krista Earle, John C Ford, Tianna Woods, Kansas Stone. We should be proud as we have a lot of great talent in Canada.
The Jack Daniels Kick Off Party was a great event with a huge crowd and featured: Amy Nelson, James Barker Band, PETRIC, Meghan Patrick, JoJo Mason, Cold Creek County, Aaron Pritchett Tim Hicks
\ Amy Nelson
James Barker Band
Petric
Meghan Patrick
Aaron Pritchett
JoJo Mason
Cold Creek County
Tim Hicks
The Songwriters Series is always a favourite during Country Music Week. Here are just some of the pictures from the Songwriters series. Nothing like hearing the Story Behind The Song
The Legends Shine Without the Legend’s country music would not be where it is today. Here are just some shots from the night.
Johnny Burke
George Canyon
Jessica Mitchell & Michelle Wright
The Wilkinsons
Bobby Wills
Donna & Leroy Anderson
Marie Botrell
Murray McLauchlan
HUNRON COUNTRY FANFEST Here are just a few shots from the show
RADIO AWARDS WINNERS
ON-AIR PERSONALITIES OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET) *TIE* Leanne Cater (Boss Lady Leanne Cater) QX104 – CFQX-FM – Winnipeg, MB Chris Scheetz, Jacqueline Sweeney, Matt DeBeurs (CISN in the Mornings with Chris, Jack & Matt) 103.9 Country – CISN-FM – Edmonton, AB
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET) Amanda Kingsland – CKBY FM – Ottawa, ON
ON-AIR PERSONALITY(IES) OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM OR SMALL MARKET) Jack Latimer and Carey Moran (Jack & Carey) 105.9 KICX 106 – CICX-FM – Orillia, ON RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET) 103.9 Country – CISN-FM – Edmonton, AB
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM OR SMALL MARKET) Paul Ferguson – CHCQ FM – Belleville, ON
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM OR SMALL MARKET) KG Country 95.5 – CKGY-FM – Red Deer, AB
Congratulations to all of the winners and to all country radio for all the support you give our Canadian Artists!
Radio Row Was a Busy Place
Steve Rivers and Craig Fox
Brett Kissel Hangin with Chatham’s Country 92.9
Petric with Cool 100 Belleville
Gord Bamford With Halifax’s Country 103.5
We had camera’s everywhere!
Randy Owen, Shilo Bellis and Jody Seeley Donna Henry with Artist Shantaia Poulin and Joe Wood
Tim Hicks having some fun with BX 93 Lauren Tutty & Jen Dalen PD of KG Country 95.5
Here is a complete list of winners starting with the Artists Awards ARTIST AWARDS
FANS’ CHOICE AWARD presented by SiriusXM Brett Kissel
ALBUM OF THE YEAR presented by Jack Daniel’s Tin Roof – Gord Bamford
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Jess Moskaluke MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Brett Kissel
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR High Valley
SINGLE OF THE YEAR Bring Down The House – Dean Brody CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR presented by Coors Banquet Bring Down The House – Dean Brody SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR presented by ole Dean Brody Song: Bring Down The House (Performed By: Dean Brody) ROOTS ARTIST OF THE YEAR The Washboard Union INTERACTIVE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Brett Kissel
RISING STAR The Washboard Union CCMA DISCOVERY AWARD presented by Country 107.3 Eric Ethridge MUSICIAN AWARDS BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR Travis Switzer DRUMMER OF THE YEAR Chad Melchert FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Shane Guse GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jason Barry* KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR Mike Little SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR Shane Guse – Mandolin STEEL GUITER PLAYER OF THE YEAR Ed "Pee Wee Charles" Ringwald* *This is Jason and Ed’s fifth win in their respective musician categories. As such, they are now entered into the All-Star Band Hall of Honour. The Hall of Honour is reserved for musicians who have been awarded the same CCMA Musician Award five (5) or more times. Upon achieving their fifth award, their name is entered into the Hall in celebration of their great contribution to Canadian country music.
INDUSTRY AWARDS BOOKING AGENCY OF THE YEAR Invictus Entertainment Group COUNTRY CLUB OF THE YEAR Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall – Calgary, AB COUNTRY FESTIVAL, FAIR OR EXHIBITION OF THE YEAR Boots and Hearts Music Festival – Oro-Medonte, ON COUNTRY MUSIC PROGRAM OR SPECIAL OF THE YEAR Chevy Top 20 Countdown – CMT Canada MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR Invictus Entertainment Group MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY OF THE YEAR ole RECORD COMPANY OF THE YEAR MDM Recordings Inc. RECORD COMPANY PERSON OF THE YEAR Steve Coady – Warner Music Canada RECORD PRODUCERS OF THE YEAR Mickey Jack Cones, Brett Kissel, Bart McKay Album: Pick Me Up (Artist: Brett Kissel) RECORDING PACKAGE OF THE YEAR Pick Me Up Design Team: Patrick Duffy [Attention]; Photography: Juan Pont Lezica (Artist: Brett Kissel) RECORDING STUDIO OF THE YEAR presented by Fanshawe College Barrytone Studios – St. Clements, ON RETAILER OF THE YEAR iTunes Canada RON SAKAMOTO TALENT BUYER OR PROMOTER OF THE YEAR Jim Cressman – Invictus Entertainment Group
TOP SELLING ALBUM OF THE YEAR presented by Arts & Entertainment Health Insurance Plan Kill The Lights – Luke Bryan
TOP SELLING CANADIAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR presented by Music Canada Yoan – Yoan
TOP SELLING CANADIAN SINGLE OF THE YEAR Bring Down The House – Dean Brody VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Stephano Barberis Video: Cheap Seats (Artist: Dallas Smith), Video: Don’t Let Her Be Gone (Artist: Gord Bamford), Video: Hearts On Fire (Artist: Chad Brownlee), Video: So Much For Taking It Slow (Artist: Bobby Wills)
CMA ANNOUNCES “FOREVER COUNTRY” SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO IN HONOR OF “THE 50TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS”
In celebration of “The 50th Annual CMA Awards,” CMA has created the biggest music video in Country Music history. Titled “Forever Country,” the single and accompanying music video features 30 CMA Awardwinning acts. This single was produced by CMA Board member and CMA Award winner Shane McAnally and the video was directed by Grammy Award-winning director Joseph Kahn. The music video is set to an intricate medley of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” All are former CMA Entertainers of the Year. “'Forever Country' is a moving tribute to Country Music, Country Music fans, and the artists who have built this format into what it is today,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This music video is the product of the CMA Board of Directors who came together in support of this project as a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards, a statement on the heritage and future of the Country Music industry, and a reflection of this year’s Awards theme — 'Then. Now. Forever Country.'”
KELSEA BALLERINI MAKES COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY WITH THIRD CONSECUTIVE #1 SINGLE “PETER PAN"
With her third #1 hit “Peter Pan,” Kelsea Ballerini is the only female artist in country music history, including female duos and groups, to go #1 with her first three consecutive singles from a debut album. Topping both Country Aircheck and Billboard Country Airplay charts this week, “Peter Pan” earns double #1's on Billboard by also landing atop the Hot Country Songs chart. Following Florida Georgia Line’s impressive 18-week reign at #1 with “H.O.L.Y.,” Ballerini is the first woman to reach #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts simultaneously. Additionally, “Peter Pan” also reached its highest selling singles week at 26,652 units according to Nielsen Soundscan. The excitement around these #1's come on the heels of her breathtaking performance of “Peter Pan” on the Canadian Country Music Awards last night (9/11). The festivities will continue today as the Black River Entertainment artist returns to Nashville to celebrate both her 23rd birthday and third #1 single on country radio with family, friends, and team.
Artistry and Songwriting Spotlighted at First of Two September Strait to Vegas Shows
“Mama Tried,” “Workin’ Man Blues” and “My Life’s Been Grand.” Next, Strait pulled up two wooden stools and invited the man with whom he shares 55 songs with, Dillon, up to the stage, only insisting he sit adjacent to him this time and share the spotlight and tales. The pair swapped memories – and praise for each other – while the crowd relished in their storied exchange.
Early Friday afternoon, before the doors opened at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena for only its second pair of Strait to Vegas shows of 2016, George Strait stood in the nearly-empty arena thumbing his Merle Haggard Signature Telecaster, contemplating his setlist for the night. As his Ace in the Hole Band ran through selections from the man the Dallas Morning News dubbed as “the most influential genre artist of the last 30 years,” BMI Icon Award winner and longtime collaborator and friend of Strait's, Dean Dillon, sat in for the rehearsal, almost as if an extension of the tight-knit, 11-piece backing band for the King of Country. For those few witnesses in the soon-to-be-at-capacity, less-than-a-year-old arena, it was a sign of what was to come – a night where Strait's smooth vocals spotlighted the poignant writing and influencers that have contributed to his storied career – one that has amassed 60 No. 1 singles and counting. As the arena filled to capacity, the energy was palpable. With nearly five months since his last show, Strait’s fans were brimming with anticipation. Seemingly appropriate, he met their excitement and kicked off the night with “Here For A Good Time,” a song Strait penned with Dillon his son Bubba that became Strait’s first No. 1 as a songwriter. “You have no idea how good your voices sound tonight,” Strait commented before taking a detour just a few songs in to pay tribute to one of his biggest influences, Merle Haggard, again enlisting the telecaster he teased in rehearsal. “I’m going to play a few songs from someone who was my musical hero and probably the reason I’m standing on this stage right now…” Strait shared before playing a medley of
“I’ll never forget. A buddy of mine pulled his car up on the sidewalk on Music Row one day playing George Strait [in the car stereo] and asked, ‘who does he sound like?’,” shared Dillon. “I said, ‘well, I think he's got his own thing.’ We had this thing; we just wrote and was gonna pitch to Johnny Paycheck, but he was in jail, and so instead we pitched it to George. And that song was ‘Unwound,’” Dillon continued, candidly revealing the song’s origin while grinning. “I don't get nervous [saying that] until I'm sitting up here with the King of Country Music.” Strait was quick to return the admiration, “That's nice of you to say that, but I'm a bit nervous up here with you! I’ve been really fortunate to write some songs with Dean, and hopefully we'll do that some more,” he said while smiling at his friend. With that, they traded verses while performing “Honky Tonk Crazy” and “Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her” before Dillon left the stage to a standing ovation. Strait retired the stools after those two songs with Dillon and went into the latter part of his 30+ song set before reinvigorating the crowd with a four-song encore that closed with his hit from 1984, “The Cowboy Rides Away.” For an artist with so many celebrated successes and hits, it was clear from tonight’s show that Strait’s focus right now is on the craft, the songs and the stories. For the fivetime Entertainer of the Year, it was a chance to celebrate his influences as well as look ahead to some things he’s yet to say. For the 17,000+ crowd, it was a night they won’t soon forget.
where it all started for me.”
Kenny Chesney Kicks Off “Battle at Bristol”
During a particularly poignant “Boys of Fall,” Chesney waved the recently retired, current Super Bowl champion out of the wings, deepening the significance of the moment. The good friends stood before the roaring crowd, taking it in and signing an acoustic guitar to give to one young fan to remember the night that would be hard for anyone in the area to forget. “When you grow up in East Tennessee, football, family, church and friends are everything,” explains the man who has played over 145 stadiums across his past 10 tours. “Those are the things that bond you together, that lift you up, that bring you out. For everyone out there tonight, ‘Boys of Fall’ was truly the song of the weekend.”
When Kenny Chesney took the stage on the eve of the University of Tennessee/Virginia Tech football game, he was in many ways returning to the roots of his raising. As he said midway through the high-energy set, he came into Bristol Motor Speedway with one goal in mind: “to celebrate music and to celebrate football.” From the first moment of his set until bringing longtime friend and former University of Tennessee star quarterback Peyton Manning out during the celebration of high school football, “The Boys of Fall,” it was all hits and the kind of connection that prompted The Dallas Morning News to write the 8-time Entertainer of the Year is “two parts Mick Jagger, one part Bruce Springsteen and one part Billy Graham.” “The people from that part of the country are all heart – and all soul,” Chesney said after the show. “When they show up, they bring everything they’ve got. I was raised that way, and I understand how much they care about football – and music.” For Chesney, who attended East Tennessee State University, Bristol was the place he started on his own dream of chasing music. He talked of playing gigs at the El Chico Restaurant to make money to cut an independent album across the state line in Bristow, Virginia and learning the first lessons in how to connect with people through song. “Music and sports bring people together like nothing else,” Chesney enthused. “What a thrill it was to be part of this historic weekend, combining both – and to come play music
With the man The Los Angeles Times called “The People’s Superstar” just wrapping his Spread the Love Tour in Boston with 121,000+ fans over two shows, bringing it all back home was a fitting finish to a very special summer. What began as a crazy dream became a very real moment playing his songs to kick-off what is being billed as “the biggest football game ever” with over 150,000 tickets being sold.
INDIE RELEASES
Stevie Jewel “Bad Habit”
Dan Washburn "Miles on a Rocking Chair”
Chris Ising “Got The Girl”
Tia McGraff “Wing Walker”
Shae Dupuy Dungarees “I’m Down” “Good For Me”
Elly Thorn
Lauren Mayell
Ray Mattie
“Sweet Millie”
“Better Believe”
JUST ANOTHER SMILE
STEVIE JEWEL HAS A “BAD HABIT”
AVAILABLE NOW ON DMDS!