Music and Entertainment News Roundup — August 2016
Hallmark Announces Licensing Agreement with the Country Music Association
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 4, 2016 — Hallmark Cards, Inc. announced a new licensing agreement with the Country Music Association (CMA) that will bring country music into greeting card offerings. Under this agreement, Hallmark will use the CMA Awards brand and licensed recordings from CMA-member artists to enhance its product line in greeting card aisles.
The licensed collection features performances or short sound clips from a roster of prominent country artists, including Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Craig Morgan, Brad Paisley, and Carrie Underwood. The initial release includes 12 music-enabled cards, each priced at $4.99 and featuring a 15-second audio excerpt of well-known songs. Among the highlighted tracks are chart-topping singles such as Carrie Underwood’s “All-American Girl” and Brad Paisley’s “Mud On the Tires.”
This collaboration marks a convergence of greeting card merchandise and popular country music branding, intended to attract buyers seeking celebratory cards that include recognizable music. Read more at PRNewsWire.com (source reference).
“2016 American Music Awards” to Broadcast Live on ABC
Los Angeles, CA (August 4, 2016) — ABC and dick clark productions announced that the 2016 American Music Awards, a fan-voted awards show, would air live on Sunday, November 20, 2016, from 8:00–11:00 p.m. EST on ABC. The American Music Awards are known for showcasing performances by leading artists and for honoring fan favorites across multiple genres.
The live broadcast date and network confirmation were issued as part of the show’s promotional rollout. This annual event typically features high-profile live performances, fan-driven voting categories, and industry recognition that together attract a broad television and online audience.
American Idol Winner Signing Album in Milford
A recent American Idol winner planned an in-person album signing event in Milford. The artist was set to sign copies of his new album, “Hurricane,” at the local mall on Saturday between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. Fans purchasing the album at the F.Y.E. store on the lower level could meet the artist and pose for photos. The appearance gives local fans a chance to obtain a signed copy and meet the performer in person.
This type of in-store signing is a common promotional activity for newly released albums and provides a direct way for artists to engage with their audience while supporting retail partners. Read more at CTPost.com (source reference).
Taylor Hicks and Alex Boye to Perform Free Concerts
Former American Idol winner Taylor Hicks was scheduled to perform alongside Alex Boye in free concerts on August 5 and 6. Reflecting on the opportunities that came after winning a national talent competition, Hicks noted that such a victory provided the break he needed to expand his career into many different performance avenues. He expressed gratitude for the doors opening and for the chance to reach new audiences through live shows.
Free concerts like these offer communities access to live entertainment and allow artists to connect with fans in an intimate setting. Read more at Deseret Family (source reference).
Mia Z. Withdraws From Sawyer Fredericks’ “A Good Storm” Tour Dates
We regret to announce that Mia Zanotti will no longer join us on the #AGoodStormTour. More information was shared by the tour organizers on August 5, 2016.
The touring act revised its lineup shortly before certain shows, confirming that Mia Z. would not be joining the forthcoming dates on Sawyer Fredericks’ “A Good Storm” tour. Tour updates like this are typically communicated directly through artist channels and reflect scheduling or logistical changes that can arise in advance of live performances.
Kelly Clarkson Responds to Clickbait Article
Kelly Clarkson publicly criticized a writer from Zap2 for a piece she described as demeaning and clickbait. The article in question, framed as a listicle about female celebrities and feminism, prompted a direct response from Clarkson clarifying her support for gender equality and rejecting the article’s characterization.
“Lindsay, thanks for the demeaning jabs in your article. To clarify, I do support equality for women. Even insulting women like you…”
Clarkson’s response underscores how public figures often address media coverage directly on social platforms when they feel misrepresented. The exchange highlights ongoing conversations about feminism, media framing, and respectful discourse in celebrity coverage.
This roundup brings together several short developments in music and entertainment from early August 2016, spanning licensing deals, television broadcast announcements, in-person fan events, tour lineup changes, and artist-media interactions. These items reflect the range of activities that keep the music industry and entertainment press in motion during a busy promotional season.