Nashville, TN (February 9, 2016) – Big Machine Label Group burned the midnight oil with Country radio and industry executives at aVenue in downtown Nashville last night (2/8), capping off the first official day of Country Radio Seminar (CRS). Noise ordinances be damned, the exceptional talent – STEVEN TYLER, A THOUSAND HORSES, THE CADILLAC THREE and DRAKE WHITE – performed testosterone-fueled sets into early this morning, a fitting start to Mardi Gras and the annual festivities.
Other BMLG artists RaeLynn and Tara Thompson showed their support, singing along from the crowd and visiting with attendees. BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta rocked alongside imprint leaders George Briner (The Valory Music Co. SVP Promotion), Jimmy Harnen (BMLG EVP & Republic Nashville President), Jack Purcell (Big Machine Records SVP Promotion) and Chris Stacey (Dot Records GM).
A Thousand Horses amped up the crowded room with their nine-piece ensemble, performing songs from their Republic Nashville debut album Southernality such as the title track, “(This Ain’t No) Drunk Dial” and their GOLD-certified, #1 debut single “Smoke.” They made Country Aircheck history as the highest debut for a new artist’s first single and became the first band (with at least three members) to send a debut single to #1 on Billboard Country Airplay Chart this decade. With principles Michael Hobby leading vocals, Bill Satcher and Zach Brown on guitar and Graham DeLoach on bass, they initially gained momentum playing clubs across the South. Since, A Thousand Horses has toured with Darius Rucker and is currently on the road with Jason Aldean’s WE WERE HERE TOUR.
Less than 48 hours after playing sold-out dates on their headline Night Life Religion Tour in the UK, Nashville natives The Cadillac Three returned to their hometown for a gritty after-hours set. The raucous trio cranked out booming Big Machine Records’ tracks like “The South” and their latest release “Graffiti,” penned by drummer Neil Mason. The musical co-conspirators’ distinctive sound organically builds around Mason’s thundering percussion and the sinewy intertwining of GRAMMY-nominated frontman and chart-topping songwriter Jaren Johnston’s gruff vocals with Kelby Ray’s lap steel, all ready to explode at a moments notice. TC3, 2014 UK Classic Rock Roll of Honour: Best New Band, became the most played new band on Planet Rock in 2015 and head out in the US this year with Kip Moore and Florida Georgia Line.
Drake White continued the Monday night mania backed by his band The Big Fire. The set featured “It Feels Good,” “Back to Free,” and his latest Dot Records’ single “Livin’ The Dream,” which TC3’s Johnston co-wrote. Drake has been named to Rolling Stone Country’s Top 10 Country Artists to Watch and Huffington Post’s Top Country Artists to Watch. Drake’s rock-infused Country soul and signature foot-stomp have previously earned him a spot on tours with Willie Nelson, Eric Church, Zac Brown Band and Little Big Town.
Headliner Steven Tyler took the stage just before midnight with his band Loving Mary, performing his Dot Records’ singles “Red, White & You” and “Love Is Your Name,” as well as signature Aerosmith hits like “Walk This Way” and “Cryin’” and a well-received cover of “Piece of My Heart.” He recently took over national television and radio airwaves, appearing on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and The Howard Stern Show, in addition to partnering with Skittles as the first celebrity to appear in its Taste the Rainbow TV campaign during the Super Bowl 50 broadcast. A longtime fan of the genre, Tyler has received a warm welcome from the format, earning invitations from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music in 2015. The prolific voice of the best-selling American rock band Aerosmith is considered one of music’s most recognizable, dynamic frontmen and has been cited by Rolling Stone as “one of the greatest singers of all time.” The iconic songwriter will release his first solo project on Dot Records later this year.
As guests departed, BMLG toasted to another successful CRS and thanked the many radio partners for their continued support.
