June 18, 2018, Issue 606
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June 18, 2018, Issue 606 Inside View: CMT Music Awards Two weeks ago, CMT GM Frank Tanki noted the network’s larger CMA Fest footprint (CAW 6/4) – one that CMT Music Awards viewers may have noticed extended to the show itself. With multiple offsite performances and a venue home unaffected (sadly) by the hockey playoffs, this year’s event focused on new music and earned stable audience numbers (CAT 6/7). CMT VP/Music Events Margaret Comeaux walked Country Aircheck through putting the show together. CA: What was the adjustment, if any, to doing the first CMTMA’s since the departure of longtime network presi- dent Brian Philips? MC: Obviously he’d been here quite a few years, and under his leadership or Frank Tanki’s, our team does what it does. We rally, do our part and just come together to get the job done. When did the planning process for this show start and how did it evolve? Alright, Alright, Alright: Reviver’s David Lee Murphy and his Things always start for the next show the label team celebrate his No. 1 single “Everything’s Gonna moment we’re done with the current one. Cre- Be Alright,” his first since 1995, at the Columbus, OH stop of ativity tends to spark more creativity, so when the Trip Around The Sun Tour Saturday (6/16). Pictured (back, you’re in that mode you’re already thinking l-r) are Gator Michaels, Bob Reeves, Murphy, David Ross, Ben about new things you can do. But what drives Bieri and Dave Collins; (front, l-r) Paul Williams, Rick Hughes, it every year is the music. As releases come Kelly Ziegenfuss, Clay Henderson and Hayley Cowoski. Margaret out you begin to see the landscape of the year. Comeaux And it influences everything from the open, which we always want to keep timely, funny Tour Open: Writing On The Wall and innovative, to the individual performances. Keith Urban’s Graffiti U World Tour This happened to be a year where a lot of new music led us, and launched Friday (6/15) in St. Louis at the Hol- that isn’t always the case. lywood Casino Amphitheatre, bringing a crew What was the jumping off point for the open? of 93 people and 22 trailers with him on the We always try to find that thing in pop culture and this year North American leg of the 58-city tour. it seemed obvious. The world was watching the royal wedding “The show kicked off with the chorus of or talking about it – everything from gathering for watch parties ‘Meet Me in St. Louis,’ which of course was to people who stayed outside of it but still found themselves fitting, then he went into ‘Never Coming looking in a little bit. Down,’” reports KSD APD/MD Dusty Pan- Dusty horst. “With all of the lights and screens you Panhorst (continued on page 1) ©2018 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] June 18, 2018 Page 5 MY TUNES: MUSIC THAT SHAPED MY LIFE Fourward Founder Will Ward discusses his most influential music: 1. R.E.M.’s Murmur: I discovered it around 1985 as a freshman in high school. I was hooked on that band for decades. I may have even cried when they broke up because I knew it was for good, which made me feel like I had lost a part of my childhood. 2. Garth Brooks’ “The Dance”: I didn’t Will Ward grow up as a huge country fan. But when I moved back to Nashville, my first job was working at CAA, so I started listening to country like a mad man. I heard “The Dance” and realized good music is good music. It doesn’t matter what genre. 3. Grateful Dead at Madison Square Garden: I was in college, it was my first time to NYC and I loved it. I couldn’t believe how music could create such a culture. I still go to Dead shows today when I can. 4. Zac Brown: When I first met Zac and soon after signed him and the band for management, I saw them play at a little bar in WIL’s Danny Montana, Daphne Broadway (wife of morning co-host Jerry Broadway), Urban and Cook. Birmingham and knew they would do well. But when I sat with Zac and had a beer and a chat, I knew he was going to be a massive star. He had this fire in his eyes and a humble fearlessness. would try and figure out where he was going to appear, then the 5. Gerry Rafferty’s “Right Down The Line”: When I screen raised up and he was standing right in the middle of the was seven, I was at summer camp at Ensworth School in stage. The crowd went nuts!” Nashville. The counselors were playing it over these huge WIL Dir./Marketing & Promotions Rachel Cook describes speakers in the gym. Many years later when I heard it again, I Urban’s stage as having a “very clean, high-tech feel. There were knew it had gotten in my soul. three massive video boards as part of the stage backdrop. The main one was a giant 3-D shaped diamond that tilted out towards • Highly regarded music you’ve actually never heard: I still the crowd. The other two made a V shape above the diamond need to check out Jason Isbell’s The Nashville Sound. I keep hearing and ran parallel to the stage. All three served as a backdrop with how good it is, and I think he is amazing! video of Keith’s performance throughout the evening. • “Important” music you just don’t get: I was never into ‘80s “Keith’s fan engagement throughout the night was a huge part hair bands, but I did love their videos on MTV. The crazy Sunset Strip of the show,” says Cook. “A few songs in, Keith stopped to read a world in which these guys lived seemed so far away, but now I live sign that said, ‘My wife is making me hold this dumb sign. Please here … unfortunately or fortunately, not quite the lifestyle they did. get her onstage so I can sit down.’ Keith did just that. In what • An album you listened to incessantly: I loved Emmylou was a pretty good stretch of time, they called the lady’s friend but Harris’ Wrecking Ball. It always made me feel relaxed. I also used to there was a busy signal. So they recorded a video and then Keith told the husband, ‘Good job, Wade, now you can sit down.’ Fans play the soundtrack to Almost Famous a lot. loved it and started chanting Wade’s name. There was also a • An obscure or non-country song everyone should moment on the secondary stage where Keith brought a young girl listen to right now: Childish Gambino’s “This is America.” up and gave her his guitar.” Watch the video. Love it or hate it, you will be pretty stunned. Duet partners, while not in the flesh, were still represented, • Music you’d rather not admit to enjoying: Disco. Come with a video of Julia Michaels during “Coming Home” and a on, who can’t dance to a little Donna Summer or ABBA after a virtual Carrie Underwood singing “The Fighter.” Urban brought few drinks? Shhh! sister duo Larkin Poe (whom he discovered via Russell Crowe) onstage during “Where The Blacktop Ends.” He closed the show ©2018 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] June 18, 2018 Page 7 with “Wasted Time,” then encored with “For The Grace Of God” and “Horses.” “The set list was packed with songs from Graffiti U and Ripcord, but Keith made sure to also include fan favorites,” says Cook. “The production was flawless from start to finish, even though he admitted to changing the set list less than 24 hours be- fore show time. It was clear that Keith (and Kelsea) were genuinely happy and excited to finally be onstage.” “I’m always a huge fan of Keith’s shows,” says Panhorst. “He had a great balance of storytelling and songs, not to mention the guitar slaying that was happening. It was one of the hottest days we have had in St. Louis this year and it didn’t stop a person. The venue was packed from the first note to the last. He played many new songs but the crowd loved it. It was around 25 songs and two hours of pure awesomeness!” Earlier, a setting sun put a hot spotlight on opener Kelsea Bal- lerini, but Cook says Ballerini “took it in stride and performed her hits sandwiched between a few lesser-known tunes. She seemed very comfortable and confident and the crowd sang along as she closed with ‘Peter Pan,’ which she described as the song that ‘changed their lives.’” “She was fantastic,” adds Panhorst. “She had the crowd singing with her from the very first note. The only time she wasn’t moving onstage was when she broke it down acoustic for a song. If anyone there was not a fan of hers when they got there, I guar- antee they were when they left.” –Wendy Newcomer Dope, Pope: Cassadee Pope stops by Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital during ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp to perform for campers and participate in an Chart Chat on-air Q&A Friday (6/15).