Clockwise from prime left: Gill, Paisley, Hubbard and Rucker (Pictures: Charese Fruge’)
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP NASHVILLE’s COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR luncheon on the RYMAN AUDITORIUM TODAY (3/14) served up an A-Record of artists and performances for attendees. Hosted as at all times by EVP/Promotion ROYCE RISSER, who roasted as many artists on his roster as he may, a spotlight of the occasion was when he launched PARKER McCOLLUM, and whereas itemizing his accolades talked about McCOLLUM’s spouse’s identify.
The artist got here screaming from the aspect stage yelling, “Preserve my spouse’s identify out of your ‘effing’ mouth!” and proceeded to re-enact WILL SMITH’s OSCAR slap of CHRIS ROCK, with RISSER as his goal. After a number of seconds of awkwardness adopted by large viewers laughter, McCOLLUM bashfully admitted that RISSER “pressured him to do it.” He then begged the viewers to please not put it on TIKTOK, as a result of his mother makes use of the platform.
McCOLLUM continued to allure the viewers, admitting that label-mate VINCE GILL was sitting aspect stage watching the present, and the way star struck he was as a result of he had by no means met GILL, although they have been a number of ft away from one another. At that time, GILL bought up from his stool and walked to middle stage to shake McCOLLUM’s hand.
In between the laugher pushed principally by RISSER, UMG artists SAM HUNT, BRAD PAISLEY, DARIUS RUCKER, KASSI ASHTON, BOY NAMED BANJO, DALTON DOVER, CAYLEE HAMMACK, TYLER HUBBARD, GILL, McCOLLUM, KYLIE MORGAN, CATIE OFFERMAN, BROTHERS OSBORNE, and JOSH ROSS carried out. PAISLEY, who just lately signed with UMG (NET NEWS 2/22), took a very powerful “roasting” from RISSER, however dealt with it like a professional and revealed we would be listening to new music from him quickly. He carried out a track from his upcoming album, which addressed the opioid disaster in his house city of GLEN DALE, WV.
Earlier than wrapping up the showcase, RISSER honored UMG Chairman/CEO MIKE DUNGAN, who just lately introduced his upcoming retirement (NET NEWS 1/10). After a standing ovation, RISSER then had the viewers sing “Happy Birthday” to DUNGAN in honor of his massive day TOMORROW (3/15).
The showcase ended with a efficiency of PRINCE’s “Purple Rain” by GILL, PAISLEY, and RUCKER.
