Artist Action: Rhiannon Giddens, Randy Rogers, Hudson Moore, Becca Mancari, Charles Esten

Rhiannon Giddens To Give Keynote At IBMA Business Conference

Rhiannon Giddens, co-founder of Carolina Chocolate Drops, 2016 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo recipient and Grammy nominee, will deliver the Keynote Address at this year’s IBMA Business Conference Sept. 26 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Giddens’ album Freedom Highway was released earlier. She also has a recurring role on the television drama Nashville. 

“We are thrilled and honored that Rhiannon Giddens will be this year’s Keynote Speaker to kick off the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass,” notes IBMA executive director Paul Schiminger. “Rhiannon has embodied this year’s Business Conference theme of Community and Connection throughout her life and musical career. Her passion for American roots music, along with her thoughtful and purposeful career, provides each of us a lens through which we can see beyond our own barriers.”

Randy Rogers Band Auctioning Salt Lick BBQ Hangout For MusicCares

The Randy Rogers Band has launched a two-week online auction in support of The MusiCares Foundation. The highest bidder will receive an ultimate prize pack to hang out and have lunch from Salt Lick BBQ with the band. They’ll also receive two tickets and meet and greets to the Randy Rogers Band show at the Nutty Brown Amphitheater on July 29 in Austin, Texas and an autographed merch package. Fans can bid on the “Hang Out and Have Lunch” package here.

Hudson Moore Becomes GIVN Brand Ambassador

Hudson Moore has signed on as a brand ambassador with GIVN Water. Recognized as a 2016 Best for the World Honoree, GIVN Goods provides one day of clean drinking water from each bottle sold, having provided over 850,000 days of clean water thus far. As a brand ambassador, Hudson will support GIVN Water and their inspirational work via social media and at his live performances. 

“I couldn’t be happier to be teaming up with GIVN Water!” shares Hudson, “Their product is amazing and they’re making a huge impact by providing clean water to those in need. I’m honored to be part of such a meaningful and forward-thinking organization!” 

 

Becca Mancari’s ‘Good Woman’ CD Slated For October Release

Becca Mancari will release her debut album Good Woman via Sunshine and Happiness, due out Oct. 6. The album’s nine songs include seven Mancari solo writes, in addition to “Summertime Mama” (Becca Mancari & Hannah Lusk) & “Dirty Dishes” (Becca Mancari & Carl Anderson). She recently teamed with Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard and Jesse Lafser to form the trio Bermuda Triangle, which made their live debut at The Basement East on July 12.

Born in Staten Island, NY, to an Italian-Irish preacher father and a Puerto Rican mother, Mancari has spent time working as a janitor in South Florida, writing songs with train hoppers in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and traveling to India seeking spirituality, before relocating to Nashville.

 Good Woman Tracklist:

 1) Arizona Fire

2) Waiting So Long

3) Summertime Mama

4) Golden

5) Long Way Down

6) Dirty Dishes

7) Devil’s Mouth

8) Kitchen Dancing

9) Good Woman

 

Charles Esten Celebrates One Year Of #EverySingleFriday

Charles Esten performs on stage for his #OneSingleYear Celebration Concert at CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Charles Esten celebrated his #EverySingleFriday music milestone with a concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater. The two-hour musical experience, called “One Single Year,” was attended by industry and fans alike.

Introduced by CMT’s Cody Alan, Charles and his band Sixwire (Steve Mandile, Andy Childs, John Howard, Chuck Tilley and Steve Hornbeak, with Steve Hinson on steel guitar) were welcomed to the stage with a rousing standing ovation after which they played, “This Town Is Ours.” The concert ended with an encore that kept fans on their feet. Esten recently spoke with MusicRow about the craft of songwriting the creative freedom and challenges of #EverySingleFriday.