CMA Returns To C2C: Country To Country Festival With Introducing Nashville And CMA Songwriters Series

The CMA Songwriters Series Will Feature Performances by Shy Carter, Luke Dick, Russell Dickerson, Caitlyn Smith and Special Guests

Introducing Nashville Will Feature Performances by Priscilla Block, Tiera Kennedy and Morgan Wade at C2C London, Glasgow and Dublin

CMA will return to C2C: Country to Country festival with its critically acclaimed CMA Songwriters Series and international artist-focused touring series Introducing Nashville next month. A special CMA Songwriters Series performance will kick off C2C weekend at London’s Indigo at The O2 Thursday, March 10 featuring Shy Carter, Luke Dick, Russell Dickerson, Caitlyn Smith and special guests. This performance marks the seventh London appearance and third consecutive sold-out CMA Songwriters Series during C2C. For more information visit AXS.com and gigsandtours.com.

CMA’s Introducing Nashville will take a main stage opening slot at C2C Festival visiting all three cities including London, Glasgow and Dublin Friday through Sunday, March 11 – 13. These shows will feature performances by Priscilla Block, Tiera Kennedy and Morgan Wade, which marks the first time each of these artists will perform in the U.K. Tickets for C2C, which includes the Introducing Nashville performance, are on sale now at C2C-CountrytoCountry.com. For more information, please visit IntroducingNashville.com.

As the Country industry has seen international consumption continue to climb over the last several years, with artists like Gabby Barrett, Luke Combs and Chris Stapleton seeing significant increases in streaming numbers, CMA is excited to return to C2C after a two-year hiatus to further its mission to expand Country Music internationally and support Country’s industry community around the world.

“As a partner of C2C since its inception, we are thrilled to be back with our industry friends and the U.K. fans who make our artists feel so welcome,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. “Both of our events, CMA Songwriters Series and Introducing Nashville, will feel extra special this year. CMA Songwriters Series is sure to continue its reputation for delivering not-to-be-missed, magic moments on the eve of C2C each year, while Introducing Nashville will take the mainstage slot for the first time, introducing fans to artists we’re proud to be presenting for the first time in the U.K.”

Priscilla Block

Country artist Priscilla Block draws listeners in with her unfiltered, relatable songwriting and catchy melodies. Pegged as a 2021 Artist to Watch by Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, CMT, The Boot, MusicRow, Sounds Like Nashville, Country Now, Music Mayhem and more, Block’s honest and upfront approach promotes self-love, empowerment, and acceptance through her own blend of Country pop and southern rock, dubbed the Block Party sound. In early 2020, Block was struggling to make ends meet after losing her job and her apartment. Unable to get out and play in person due to COVID-19, Priscilla began experimenting on TikTok and quickly developed a rabid fanbase with songs like “Thick Thighs,” “PMS” and “Just About Over You.” Fans rallied together to independently fund Block’s recording and since then, “Just About Over You” has peaked on both the iTunes Country and All-Genre song charts and the song was named one of The New York Times’ Best Songs of 2020. Originally from Raleigh, NC, Priscilla moved to Nashville to pursue music shortly after high school. In Nashville, the affable, hardworking, student of life worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, then a chance encounter with her idol – Taylor Swift – was the sign she needed to dive all the way in on her music. Block is a seasoned performer, sharing the stage and opening for many artists including Jon Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Rodney Atkins and Dierks Bentley. Block recently announced her headlining “Welcome To The Block Party Tour” which kicked off Feb. 10 in Las Vegas, NV. Read more at PriscillaBlock.com

Shy Carter

Artist, songwriter, and producer Shy Carter has reached all corners of the industry with his early success. With credits that span Kane Brown’s “Heaven” to Charlie Puth’s “One Call Away,” Carter is one of the most formidable up-and-coming talents in Nashville and beyond. He is among the writers behind Billy Currington’s “It Don’t Hurt Like it Used To,” Sugarland’s smash hit “Stuck Like Glue” and Rob Thomas’ single “Someday.” In addition to his feature on Tim McGraw’s “Way Down,” Carter has collaborated with Keith Urban on both “Never Comin’ Down” and “My Wave.” Named to Variety’s 2018 Hitmakers list, he has also worked with Jason Derulo, Meghan Trainor, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Lopez, Nelly and more. His roots in gospel, jazz, R&B and soul developed into an early career in hip-hop, but his gift for storytelling and love of organic instrumentation led to a natural transition into Country Music. Now, with a transcendent style perfectly suited to the times, he’s ready to stand on his own as a Country artist. His soul-infused sound spans the eight tracks of his debut EP, The Rest of Us. Released last fall, the introductory EP ties a thread from the earthy groove and unflagging spirit of “Good Love” to raucous Country anthem “Beer With My Friends” (feat. Cole Swindell and David Lee Murphy). The born entertainer made his TODAY debut last spring and was named a 2021 Artist to Watch by Amazon Music, MusicRow, Pandora, Sounds Like Nashville and more. Read more at ShyCarterOfficial.com.

 

Luke Dick

Luke Dick was raised in a topless bar and grew up to be a philosophy professor; now he’s a songwriter, filmmaker, a producer, and alternative rock bandleader, in no particular order. He has been profiled in Rolling Stone and has written chart-topping and award-winning hits such as Miranda Lambert’s “Bluebird,” Dierks Bentley’s “Burning Man,” and Eric Church’s “Kill A Word,” among many others. He also spent some time in New York City writing jingles for HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” and Hilton hotels. His documentary film “Red Dog” premiered at SXSW Film Festival. When he isn’t songwriting or making film, he is the front man for post-punk indie rock band Hey Steve. Read more at LukeDick.org.

Russell Dickerson

Multi-platinum Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Russell Dickerson has established himself a prolific songwriter and powerhouse showman through memorable high-energy performances and eloquent songcraft spiked with spirit. His Gold-certified full-length debut album, Yours, bowed at No. 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 1 on the Emerging Artists chart. Ultimately, it yielded three consecutive No. 1 smashes, including the triple-Platinum “Yours” (christened “one of the hottest wedding songs of the year” by The Knot), Platinum “Blue Tacoma,” and Platinum “Every Little Thing.” Nominations piled in from the Academy of Country Music Awards, CMT Music Awards and iHeartRadio Music Awards. Among his 2020 highlights, he received an ACM nod in the category of Best New Male Artist of the Year. He has electrified audiences on tour with Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, Darius Rucker, Lady A and Kane Brown, in addition to headlining sold out venues everywhere. Sustaining a fervent following on social media (fondly referred to as his “RD Fam”), he launched his YouTube show, “This Is Russ,” taking fans deeper into his world. In 2020, he released his second full-length album, Southern Symphony (Triple Tigers Records), a long-awaited masterful compilation, layered with hummable Country anthems and pop flare. Led by the Platinum-certified No. 1 single “Love You Like I Used To,” which spent a record-breaking 21 weeks on Billboard Country Airplay’s Top 10, his sophomore release tells his story like never before. The record’s eloquent songcraft and airtight playing showcases all sides of his beloved personality and the evolution of Russell Dickerson— doting husband, self-proclaimed “regular dude,” rad dad, and bonafide Country Music superstar. Read more at RussellDickerson.com.

Tiera Kennedy

With a self-described R&B Country sound, rising singer/songwriter Tiera Kennedy is emerging as one of the most exciting voices in the format. Lighting a fire with the release of her debut self-titled EP early last year, the Alabama native is paving her own path with standout tracks “Found It In You” and “Shut It Down.” Named an Artist to Watch by Teen Vogue, Nashville Lifestyles, CMT, Spotify’s Hot Country, Country Now and Sounds Like Nashville, Kennedy has also earned critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Billboard, American Songwriter, PEOPLE, E! News and Nashville Scene. Kennedy was inducted into CMT’s Next Women of Country and Listen Up Class of 2020 as well as AIMP’s Rising Songwriters Class of 2020. When not in the writer’s room or recording studio, she hosts a daily radio show on Apple Music Country called “The Tiera Show.” Kennedy is currently working on new music for her debut release via The Valory Music Co. Read more at Tiera.com.

Caitlyn Smith

After winning a Critics Choice Award for Best Song and writing songs for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Meghan Trainor and John Legend, Garth Brooks and Jason Aldean, Caitlyn Smith has established herself as one of Nashville’s brightest rising stars. Undeniably one of the best vocalists the city has ever seen, Smith’s 2018 Starfire and 2020 Supernova saw her in the pages of TIME Magazine and The New York Times and had her named to Rolling Stone’s 10 Country artists to know and Paste’s 10 Country artists to watch. Smith’s current single “High” was co-written by Miley Cyrus and Jennifer Erin Decilveo and was originally recorded by Cyrus for her Plastic Hearts album in 2020 prior to Smith releasing her own version. Read more at CaitlynSmith.com.

Morgan Wade

Morgan Wade has never sounded like anybody else, and for a long time, she thought that meant her songs were just for her. Thankfully, Wade figured out that when you grow up in Floyd, VA, where bluegrass sustains everyone like the Blue Ridge Mountain air, but you hear other sounds like pop and punk in your own head, singing for yourself is the way to become the artist you were always meant to be. Produced by Paul Ebersold and Sadler Vaden––Jason Isbell’s longtime guitarist and an acclaimed solo artist in his own right––Wade’s full-length debut Reckless, available now via Thirty Tigers, is a confident rock-and-roll record that introduces a young singer-songwriter who is embracing her strengths and quirks as she continues to ask questions about who she is––and who she wants to be. “This is different than anything I’ve ever done before,” she says of the record. “It’s opened up a bunch of different lanes––and I’m proud of it. A lot of the songs are about figuring out what the hell I’m doing.” Wade pauses and grins. “Maybe record number two will be a little bit more about knowing who I am.” Read more at MorganWadeMusic.com.