Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort and Offshore Island welcomed country music fans to the Caribbean December 8-11 for its second Story Behind the Songs concert event. In partnership with Big Machine Label Group, this installment of Story Behind the Songs featured top country music artists Eli Young Band and Tucker Beathard. As part of Sandals Resorts International’s new LIV+ Events program, offering vacationers unique limited-edition events, Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts teamed up with Premier Networks to host Story Behind the Songs, a new concert series showcasing a collection of intimate acoustic performances with top country artists.
First Image: (L-R) Recording artists Jon Jones, Chris Thompson, Mike Eli, and James Young of Eli Young Band perform onstage during CMT Story Behind The Songs LIV + Weekend at Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island; Second Image: Recording artist Tucker Beathard performs onstage during CMT Story Behind The Songs LIV + Weekend at Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island (Photos by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Sandals Royal Bahamian)
The second stop in the Caribbean for the Story Behind the Songs series was in the beautiful Nassau, Bahamas. The four-day getaway included live performances on Friday night with Grammy-nominated and ACM Award-winning chart-toppers, Eli Young Band, and a rocking opening performance by breakout singer/songwriter, Tucker Beathard. The musical events included backstories of each song told first-hand by the artists, from memories on the road to the inspiration behind the songs. This once in a lifetime opportunity was enjoyed by Sandals LIV+ vacationers, along with 30 lucky radio listeners who won their way to paradise by tuning into their favorite local country station or the nationwide contest on CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, CMT All Access with Cody Alan, and CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan.
Host Cody Alan interviews recording artists Jon Jones, Mike Eli, Chris Thompson, and James Young of Eli Young Band during CMT Story Behind the Songs LIV + Weekend at Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island (Photos by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Sandals Royal Bahamian)
The music carried from The Bahamas to the airwaves throughout the weekend as the artists met with 17 radio stations garnered by MicnE Productions. DJs and radio hosts caught up with the artists on air as the stations broadcasted live from the tropical Sandals Royal Bahamian Luxury Included® resort. As the official event host, award-winning country music personality Cody Alan also sat down with the Eli Young Band and Tucker Beathard as they shared their Story Behind the Songs experiences, including a red carpet Meet & Greet with fans, a VIP LIV+ Official Wrap Party with DeeJay Static and special presentation by the Sandals Foundation, the non-profit arm of Sandals Resorts International.
In an effort to improve the lives of those in the Caribbean, proceeds from Story Behind the Songs t-shirt sales, silent auction and a portion of LIV+ package sales were donated to the Sandals Foundation’s Holiday effort. As a special thank you for the donations and in- kind Holiday Toys that will go to local children in The Bahamas, the local Rake & Scrape Band and school choir from Gerald Cash Primary School prepared a surprise musical performance, singing Eli Young Bands’ hit single, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”
In total, the Story Behind the Songs event raised US $7,894 for the Sandals Foundation, of which 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit local community programs in the Caribbean.
First Image: Mike Eli, and James Young of Eli Young Band sing along with school choir from Gerald Cash Primary school during the Welcome Cocktail Party; Second Image: Vocal performance by Rake & Scrape Band and school choir from Gerald Cash Primary school during the Welcome Cocktail Party (Photos by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Sandals Royal Bahamian)
Future musical events facilitated by Alliance Connection and other Sandals LIV+ events will soon be announced at www.sandals.com/liv-plus/. To follow the events festivities, follow hashtag #SandalsAllAccess on social channels and to access images of the event, click here. To book a luxury Included® stay at any Sandals Resort, visit www.sandals.com.
About Sandals Resorts:
Sandals Resorts offers two people in love with the most romantic, Luxury-Included® vacation experience in the Caribbean. With 15 stunning beachfront settings in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados and Grenada, Sandals Resorts offers more quality inclusions than any other resort company on the planet. Signature Love Nest® Dream suites for the ultimate in privacy and service; butlers trained by the English Guild of Professional Butlers; Red Lane® Spa; 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining, ensuring top-shelf liquor, premium wines and gourmet specialty restaurants; Aqua Centers with expert PADI® certification and training; fast Wi-Fi from beach to bedroom and WeddingMoons®, for dream destination weddings are all Sandals Resorts exclusives. Sandals Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI), which includes Beaches Resorts and is the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive resort company. For more information about the Sandals Resorts Luxury Included® difference, visit www.sandals.com.
About Premiere Networks: Premiere Networks, a subsidiary of iHeartMedia, syndicates 90 radio programs and services to more than 5,500 radio affiliations and reaches a quarter billion listeners monthly. Premiere offers the best in talk, entertainment and sports programming featuring the following personalities: Rush Limbaugh, Ryan Seacrest, Glenn Beck, Delilah, Steve Harvey, George Noory, John Boy and Billy, Sean Hannity, Elvis Duran, Dan Patrick, Nikki Sixx, Kane, Mario Lopez, Bobby Bones, Cody Alan, Johnjay and Rich, Jay Mohr, Rich Eisen, Meghan McCain, Colin Cowherd, Big Boy, Brooke & Jubal and others. For more information, please visit www.PremiereNetworks.com.
About Big Machine Label Group: Led by Founder, President and CEO Scott Borchetta, the Big Machine Label Group encompasses Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co., BMLG Records, Dot Records, Nash Icon Records and publishing company Big Machine Music. BMLG artists include superstars Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Florida Georgia Line, Martina McBride, Hank Williams Jr., Ronnie Dunn, Steven Tyler, Cheap Trick, Jennifer Nettles and Brantley Gilbert; chart-topping acts Thomas Rhett, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Maddie & Tae, A Thousand Horses, Aaron Lewis, The Voice winners Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery; up-and-comers The Cadillac Three, Drake White, Ashley Campbell, Tucker Beathard, Brett Young, Tara Thompson, as well as soundtracks for the hit TV show "NASHVILLE." Borchetta served as the mentoron American Idol and proudly added Season 14 winner Nick Fradiani and Season 15 champ Trent Harmon to the Big Machine Records' roster. BMLG artists have received multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, AMA, CMT, Teen Choice, MTV, Billboard, People's Choice and Brit Awards. Big Machine is the first-ever American label to align with terrestrial radio for performance royalty rights for its artists and is an industry leader in fighting for artist, songwriter, publisher and record company rights. Visit BigMachineLabelGroup.com for more information.
About Eli Young Band: Eli Young Band marked their first single on The Valory music Co. with “Saltwater Gospel,” a refreshing track with soul-cleansing lyrics and a catchy melodic flow. EYB’s impressive trajectory boasts PLATINUM and MULTI-PLATINUM chart-toppers: "Drunk Last Night,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Crazy Girl.” Their last album 10,000 TOWNS ranked #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, landed a coveted Top 5 spot on the Billboard 200 and claimed the top spot on the iTunes Country Albums chart. EYB’s hit singles have been awarded Billboard’s #1 Country Song of the Year and ACM Song of the Year, in addition to garnering EYB numerous nominations from GRAMMY, CMA, CMT, ACA and Teen Choice Awards. They have performed on NBC'S TODAY, Conan, Late Show With David Letterman, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and FOX & Friends. The talented foursome has toured with Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker and Dave Matthews Band. They are currently debuting music for fans at shows across the country and recording a new album with producers Ross Copperman and Jeremy Stover in Nashville. For tour dates and more, visit EliYoungBand.com.
About Tucker Beathard: Growing up in a family that excelled at both music and sports — his father is a hit songwriter; his brothers, star quarterbacks — Big Machine Label Group recording artist Tucker Beathard has an unrelenting competitive spirit: He wakes up every day trying to write the perfect song. Beathard’s determination is unwavering as he continues to drive his "meteoric rise" (MSN/Wonderwall) with the release of his FIGHT LIKE HELL EP, available now, that also includes his debut breakout single "Rock On. Beathard co-wrote every track on the EP, and played both lead guitar and drums on the release that showcases his diversity and depth as a musician. Billboard calls attention to the "smart pieces from a singular mind, the kind of material that comes from someone who marches to his own drum and mines that perspective for his worldview.” Taken from the EP, Beathard recently released the defiant and electrifying "Momma And Jesus" as his second single to country radio. Co-written with Deric Ruttan and Jonathan Singleton, Beathard plays a stand-out guitar riff on the track that is influenced by his instinctive drumming ability. Beathard headlined ROCK ON COLLEGE TOUR earlier this year, continuing a stint that will see him etch close to almost 200 performances for this year. Joined by special guest Aubrie Sellers, and with a family history steeped in football, the string of dates will hit “Big Ten Conference” towns. Beathard also returned to Europe for the second time this year to headline a string of shows. For the latest updates, follow Beathard on Instagram and visit TuckerBeathard.com.
About Cody Alan: As the host and executive producer of CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan and CMT All Access with Cody Alan, Cody Alan is undoubtedly one of the most recognized names in radio. Broadcast on radio stations across America and originating from the CMT studio in Nashville, his shows feature the biggest names in Country music and entertainment. With live interaction, Alan connects fans with their favorite stars, from the red carpet to backstage. Combining his passion for entertainment with television, he also serves as host of CMT’s signature music show, Hot 20 Countdown, seen Saturday and Sunday mornings at 9/8c. Follow Cody on Twitter @CMTCody or visit www.CMTCody.com or www.AfterMidNite.com for more information.
About Alliance Connection: As the leading strategic partnership marketing firm with over 600 world-class companies in their portfolio, Alliance Connection has cultivated a fan following of marketing enthusiast that have come together to change the game on how to market to today’s consumer. With a history of success within the hospitality, entertainment and retail industries, Alliance Connection specializes in creating stronger bonds between consumers, companies and brands through promotional partnerships. Alliance Connection Productions, a branch of the company, produces experiential marketing solutions for clients in the hospitality industry. www.allianceconnection.com
Sandra Kemp
Dianne Philip & Associates
