June 22 2015, Issue 453 Inside The CMT Music Awards CMT SVP/Music Events & Talent John Hamlin gives the backstory on the 2015 CMT Music Awards including which team ponied up for a big production, who improvised their skit and why overnight ratings aren’t applicable anymore. CA: What was the vision for this year and how well did you meet it? JH: The vision Lady Antebellum is for a show that and Zedd feels like anything could happen and you don’t want to miss it. The general admission floor gives it a distinct and unique personality. State Of The Reunion: Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together In Vegas Other shows try to opens at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace Friday (6/19). put a pit of fans up Pictured (l-r) are Ronnie Dunn, Colleen Marks, Reba, Bob Kingsley, SiriusXM’s John Marks, Kix Brooks, Kinglsey’s wife against the stage, Nan and Premiere’s Robin Rhodes. but no one else does what we do in seeking that European rock festival feel. Opening with Lady Antebellum and Zedd, we were really going for that B&D, Reba: Caesar’s Pals, Us jumping-at-the-same-time Euro-rock feel. “I remember being in Mexico and having a lot of tequila,” You seemed to have a larger presence outside the Ronnie Dunn said to Kix Brooks and Reba early in Friday’s Bridgestone. show (6/19) in Las Vegas. “At breakfast the next day – about two The footprint was slightly bigger and we moved it 70 yards in the afternoon – you all said we’re going to Caesars.” That’s one down Broadway toward the water. Last year we also had a stage explanation for Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together In Vegas, which on the Bridgestone plaza, but it looks rolled out officially to media after Wednesday’s launch. “We’re so much better on Broadway that we Brooks and Dunn and ‘Tire,” Reba said, contracting her last name. just did one this time. The trio rose from a large riser at the center of the You can’t buy lighting like that. Colosseum’s stage – an immense expanse Brooks quipped was Darius Rucker played at the top of the built for Celine Dion’s cast of 70. Moving arches on each side show and the sun had just gone down shifted throughout the show for more intimate framing, while a behind the Renaissance Hotel. The light massive screen behind set visual context to the songs. was very even and shaded. An hour Alternating between B&D and Reba stretches, the well-paced later we had Florida Georgia Line at show opened with all three on “Play Something Country” and “Why Darius dusk and it looked great with their fire Haven’t I Heard From You.” The duo’s “Little Miss Honky Tonk” kicked Rucker pots going off. (continued on page 6) off the night’s first medley. Reba exited the stage as “Red Dirt Road” ©2015 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] June 22, 2015 Page 4 opened a run for B&D. She returned with “The Night The PAGE THREE PIC Lights Went Out In Georgia,” her current single “Going Out Like That” and “Whoever’s In New England.” Prior to “Hillbilly Deluxe,” Brooks & Dunn copped Reba with Brooks & Dunn to trying to bring a hound onstage during the first show. “First night and last night,” Dunn lamented of the stubborn beast, that apparently had to be dragged onstage despite being well- rehearsed. “Never work with dogs and children,” Brooks said. “First rule of show business.” All three took to stools for an acoustic breakdown that included “If You See Him, If You See Her” and “Fear Of Being Alone.” Later, “I Believe” brought the crowd to its feet, and seats went equally unused on “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “My Maria” and “Fancy.” The show closed with “Only In America” and a star spangled confetti shower. Confirmed dates remain in June, July and December (details here), but don’t be Segue Party: Managing somehow to look exactly surprised if more are added. –Chuck Aly the same as he does today, then-Atlantic artist Neal McCoy (r) has some studio fun with then-KNIX/ Phoenix morning-teamers (l-r) Tim Hattrick and Willy Chart Chat D. Loon of the Tim & Willy show. McCoy was touring Congrats to Kelsea Ballerini, Mike radio in support of his 1999 album The Life Of The Wilson, Bill Macky, Steve Pleshe, Jane Party. How well have you held up over the years? O’Malia, Joe Carroll, Megan Boardman Let us know by sending your pics to pagethreepic@ and Taylor Weil on landing this week’s No. countryaircheck.com. 1 with “Love Me Like You Mean It.” The song is Ballerini’s and Black River’s first chart-topper, Kudos as well to Keith Gale and the RCA crew for landing and the first debut Country single from a 33 adds on Miranda Lambert’s “Smokin’ And Drinkin’” to top woman to reach the chart pinnacle since Carrie this week’s board. Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel” in 2006. Kelsea Ballerini ©2015 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] June 22, 2015 Page 6 News & Notes MY TUNES: MUSIC THAT SHAPED MY LIFE The FCC has accepted for filing an application allowing Radio 7 Media to acquire Hot AC WDXE/Loretto, TN and Classic WPOC/Baltimore MD/morning Country WDXE-AM/Lawrenceburg, TN from Lakewood. R7M has co-host Jeff St. Pierre discusses his most operated the stations via LMA since April. As part of the deal, R7M influential music. will also acquire sister Pulaski Country simulcast WKSR & WKSR- 1. Brad Paisley/Online: This was AM/Pulaski, TN. The agreement is pending FCC approval. the first song I heard as I was driving to WME Entertainment’s Jay Williams has been named WPOC on my first day. I thought, “What President of the Music Health Alliance 2015-16 Board of am I getting myself into?” But it grew on me and I fell in love with it. Directors. Newly appointed members include Wrinkled Records’ 2. Jimmy Eat World, Clarity: This album Sandy Knox and Girlilla Marketing’s Jennie Smythe. See the was unlike anything I had ever heard and full list here. inspired me in so many different ways. It is Singer/songwriter Lori McKenna has signed with Creative Jeff St. Pierre hands down my favorite album of all time Nation for publishing and management. and they are my favorite band. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will honor 3. Bryan Adams/Everything I Do, I Do It For You: When Sun Records founder Sam Phillips with the exhibition Flyin’ Saucers I was 10 years old I heard this on the radio. I had no idea who Rock & Roll: The Cosmic Genius of Sam Phillips, opening Aug. 28. sang it or what it was called but I needed to know. So I listened to The George Jones White Lightning signature brand of Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 the following Sunday. I woke up moonshine received highest honors in the 2015 SIP Awards, with at 6am and listened to every minute – only to find that it was the White Lightning Apple Pie taking home a Platinum Medal for No. 1 song that week. Unaged Flavor Infused Whiskey/Moonshine. 4. David Nail, I’m About To Come Alive: He has one of most The cast of Opry Entertainment’s and Fox Theatricals’ incredible voices in country music. Every song is fantastic. It’s so Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical features Justin Guarini, rare for me to find an album I can listen to from start to finish Rose Hemingway, Ken Clark, Ryah Nixon, Rob Morrison, without wanting to skip a track. Kevin Cahoon and PJ Benjamin. The musical runs Sept. 5. The Beastie Boys, Hello Nasty Tour: It was my first major 2-Oct. 11 at Dallas Theater Center. concert. I’d see local bands all the time, but the Beastie Boys Charlie Daniels’ 40th Anniversary Volunteer Jam happens concert showed me what being a performer was all about. It really Aug. 12 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Proceeds will benefit pushed my love of music to the next level. •Highly regarded music you’ve never heard: Garth Brooks’ The Journey Home Project and The Predators Foundation. self-titled and No Fences albums. I’ll be honest, prior to joining the Ted Nugent, Trace Adkins, Alabama and Montgomery Country world in 2008 I had very little interest in country music. There Gentry are among the guests. More here. are so many classics I haven’t gotten into yet. I’m working on it. Gloriana, Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Jana Kramer, •An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: Don Bucky Covington and Maggie Rose will perform at the McLean’s “American Pie.” But when I was working for a classic Northwoods Music Festival in Minong, WI in August. More here. rock station, it gave me plenty of time to run to the bathroom. •An album you played incessantly: Wade Bowen’s The Inside The CMT Music Awards Given. I would annoy my PD to no end trying to convince him to (continued from page 1) add songs to our playlist. He’s an incredible artist. •One obscure or non-country song everyone should And 45 minutes later we had Kenny Chesney in the pitch dark with listen to right now: All Time Low’s latest, Future Hearts.