Zac Brown Band Adds Sturgill Simpson to Tour

/by

sturgill simpson11Sturgill Simpson has been added to Zac Brown Band‘s ‘Great American Road Trip’ as support on select East Coast dates this summer. The tour has already featured artists including Kacey Musgraves and Keb’ Mo’, as well as new Zac Brown Band member Matt Mangano.
Kentucky native Sturgill released his debut independent album, High Top Mountain, in 2013, followed by 2014’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music. The May 13 release opened at No. 11 on the Billboard Top Country albums chart.
Great American Road Trip Tour Dates:
6/19 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
6/20 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
6/21 – Forest Hills, NY – Forest Hills Stadium
6/22 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
6/27 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
6/28 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
7/03 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest – Marcus Amphitheater
7/10 – PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ)*
7/12 – First Niagara Pavilion (Burgettstown, PA)*
7/13 – Noblesville, IN – Klipsch Music Center
7/16 – Paso Robles, CA – Midstate Fair
7/20 – Lake Tahoe, NV – Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena
8/02 – Camrose, Alberta – Big Valley Jamboree
8/04 – Sturgis, SD – Buffalo Chip
8/09 – Detroit Lakes, MN – WE Fest
8/15 – Endicott, NY – Dick’s Sporting Goods Open
8/16 – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion (Gilford, NH)*
8/21 – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre (Toronto, ON)*
8/23 – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center (Darien Center, NY)*
8/24 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center (Saratoga Springs, NY)*
8/29 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (Bethel, NY)*
8/30 – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater (Wantagh, NY)*
9/13 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field
* With Sturgill Simpson

The Avett Brothers To Headline AmericanaFest

/by

Avett Brothers. Photo credit: Crackerfarm

The Avett Brothers. Photo: Crackerfarm


The Avett Brothers have signed on for a headlining spot Saturday, Sept. 20 at Nashville’s Riverfront Park as part of Americana Music Association’s 15th Annual Festival and Conference. Admission to the Avett Brothers’ Riverfront show, co-sponsored by WRLT Lightning 100, will be included in Americana’s Music Festival & Conference registration, and tickets for the general public will go on sale Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. at ticketfly.com.
Lee Ann Womack, Suzy Bogguss, Rodney Crowell, Marty Stuart, Allison Moorer, Angaleena Presley, Buddy Miller, Carlene Carter, and The Fairfield Four are among the many additional performers slated for this year’s AmericanaFest.
160 artists will perform in 11 venues including 3rd & Lindsley, The Basement, City Winery, High Watt, Cannery, Mercy Lounge, The Rutledge, Station Inn, Music City Roots, Downtown Presbyterian Church and Musicians Corner.
The 15th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, presented by Nissan will take place Sept. 17-21, 2014 in Nashville, Tenn. The festival is anchored by the 13th Annual Honors & Awards Show, to be held Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. For more information, visit americanamusic.org.
The first half of Americanafest’s performance lineup includes:

Screen shot 2014-06-20 at 12.13.38 PM1

Artist Updates (6/20/14)

/by

Sarah Darling 287_finalCountry singer Sarah Darling is one of the first performers named as a competitor on ABC’s new musical reality competition “Rising Star,” which debuts Sunday, June 22 at 9 p.m. ET. Brad Paisley, Josh Groban, Kesha and Ludacris has signed on to take part as experts in the competition.

“I am so excited to be a contestant on RISING STAR!!!,” says Darling. “It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to perform before the entire country LIVE! The fans at home can make a difference for me, and I hope they all download the Rising Star app and raise the wall for me!”

 • • •

Sony Music Nashville recording artists Tyler Farr, Jerrod Niemann and Chris Young performed for industry executives and Country Radio Broadcasters board members at Nashville-based event venue, Ruby, on Wednesday (June 19). All three appeared in conjunction with the annual CRB board and CRS agenda committee meetings, held to plan Country Radio Seminar 2015. CRS 2015 will be held Feb. 25-27, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.

Pictured (L-R): CRB/CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne, CRB/CRS President/WLHK Charlie Morgan, WXTU's Shelly Easton, Tyler Farr, Chairman & CEO Sony Music Nashville Gary Overton, Chris Young, KKBQ's Johnny Chiang, and Jerrod Niemann.Photo: Alan Poizner

Pictured (L-R): CRB/CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne, CRB/CRS President/WLHK Charlie Morgan, WXTU’s Shelly Easton, Tyler Farr, Chairman & CEO Sony Music Nashville Gary Overton, Chris Young, KKBQ’s Johnny Chiang, and Jerrod Niemann. Photo: Alan Poizner

 • • •

Love and Theft‘s Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles performed at Pandora presents Love and Theft at StubHub’s Next Stage Series at Cannery Ballroom on Tuesday (June 17) in Nashville.

Photo: Ed Rode

Photo: Ed Rode

• • •

Craig Morgan

Craig Morgan


Tracy Lawrence will join Craig Morgan for Morgan’s eighth annual charity event on July 20, benefitting the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation.
The event will launch at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 20 at Paul Allen Farm, located at 1286 Bell Hollow Rd in Vanleer, Tenn. The event will include a motocross exhibition, followed by a group trail ride and lunch. Participants this year include Kevin Windham, Malcolm Stewart, Destry Abbott, Fred Andrews, Randy Hawkins, Andrew Short, and Larry Ward.
Later that night, fans can catch performances from Morgan and Lawrence on the Dickson War Memorial Lawn. A live and silent auction will also take place at the concert. Tickets are available at craigmorgan.com and all Dickson Tri-Star Bank locations.

                                                              • • •

Brandon Chase

Brandon Chase


The Voice season 5 Team Blake contestant Brandon Chase recently revealed the video for his debut single, “One,” to seventeen.com. The clip was featured in conjunction with their “Crush of the Week” and CMA Music Festival. The video was shot in his home state of Texas.
The Arlington, Texas native graduated high school at age 15, and completed a masters certificate in songwriting from Berklee College of Music at age 17. He taught himself to play piano and guitar, and has been writing original music since age 14.

• • •

Actor Tom Hiddleston

Actor Tom Hiddleston


English actor Tom Hiddleston, 33, perhaps best known for his role of Loki in The Avengers franchise, will portray the late Country legend Hank Williams, Sr., in the upcoming Hank Williams biopic.
I Saw The Light will begin shooting in Louisiana in October, and will tell the story of Williams’ rise to stardom.
Alabama native Hiram King “Hank” Williams died at age 29 on Jan. 1, 1953, and is responsible for the classic hits “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Move It On Over,” “I’m A Long Gone Daddy,” “Cold, Cold Heart,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Hey Good Lookin’,” and numerous others.

BMLG Promotes Three, Hires 14

/by

BMLG1Following the recent addition of two new imprints, Dot Records and NASH Icons, Big Machine Label Group has announced three promotions and 14 new hires.
Becky Reiser has been promoted to Graphic Design Art Director. Reiser can be reached at 615.325.4523 or at [email protected].
Jimmy Chapin has been promoted to International Manager, and can be reached at 615.324.7063 or at [email protected].
Seth Hellman has been promoted to Creative Coordinator and Asset Manager, and can be contacted at 615.325.4524 or at [email protected]
New BMLG employees include:
Brandon Hardy, Senior Manager of Royalty Accounting & Income Analysis – 615.324.8358 / [email protected]
Shea Windley, Brand & Product Manager – 615.846.7753 / [email protected]
Kristen Etlzer, Production Manager – 615.324.7783 / [email protected]
Ashley Collier-Medley, Admin. & Licensing Manager – 615.846.7673 / [email protected]
Allan Geiger, Graphic Designer – 615.324.7918 / [email protected]
Katie Rose, Publicity Coordinator – 615.846.7670 / [email protected]
Abbey Bennett, Graphic Design Coordinator – 615.846.7672 / [email protected]
Ellen Mundy, Valory Music Co. Promotion Coordinator – 615.324.7787 / [email protected]
Lauren Baggett, Video Editor/Production Assistant – 615.846.7671 / [email protected]
Sarah Champion, Licensing Coordinator – 615.345.4532 / [email protected]
Andrew Thoen, Traffic Coordinator – 615.846.7700 / [email protected]
Ryne Hambright, Administrative Assistant to Scott Borchetta – 615.324.7933 / [email protected]
Hunter Claire Rogers, Assistant to Sandi Spika Borchetta – 615.345.4538 / [email protected]
Sarah Boddie, A&R Assistant – 615.846.7674 / [email protected]
[slide]

BMI Nashville To Host Sync THIS! In August

/by

Sync this nashvilleOn Aug. 5-6, BMI will host Sync THIS!, an exclusive two-day event aimed at connecting six top music supervisors from television and film with some of Nashville’s new musical talent. The forum, now in its second year, will feature performances from BMI talent Zeke Duhon, Sea Ghouls, firekid, Baby Bee, Colony House and Coin.
The private event will also include panel discussions and dinners Nashville eateries Miel, Barista Parlour, Rumours East and performance venue High Watt. The event was created last year by BMI Associate Director of Writer/Publisher Relations Penny Everhard, and Capitol CMG Director of Film/TV Music Jeremy Ash, to create opportunities for sync revenue for Nashville songwriters and publishers, while exposing music supervisors to the variety of music Nashville has to offer.
“Sync THIS! was founded to cultivate a unique experience in which genuine relationships are created between our BMI talent and the top gatekeepers in film and TV,” says Everhard. “We specifically focus on showcasing the ‘New Nashville’ and our city’s diverse talent, venues and cuisine.”
“The boutique element of the event provides distinct settings each night for people to make a personal and memorable connection that leads to lasting & productive relationships by combining art, innovation and excellence,” adds Ash.
While the majority of the Sync THIS! events will be private, the performance on Aug. 6 at the High Watt are open to the public. Sync THIS! is presented in conjunction with Capitol CMG Publishing, City National Bank, Downtown Music Publishing and the Tennessee Film Commission.
For more information, visit syncthisnashville.com.

SoundExchange Pays Artists, Labels $162.4 Million

/by

soundexchangeAccording to figures released yesterday (June 19) from SoundExchange‘s first Digital Radio Report, SoundExchange paid $162.4 million in royalties to artists and record labels in the first quarter of 2014. This marks SoundExchange’s largest Q1 payment to artists and labels to date, and a 38 percent increase from Q1 2013 to Q1 2014.
Other statistics shared within the Digital Radio report include:

  • The U.S. recorded music industry earned a total revenue of $7 billion in 2013.
  • SoundExchange accounts for 8.4 percent of the U.S. recorded music revenue, as well as 41.3 percent of total U.S. music streaming revenue in 2013.
  • Twenty-eight percent of music revenues in 2013 came from streaming.
  • SoundExchange claims 2,500 digital radio providers now use the statutory license that SoundExchange administers, up from 2,200 in 2012.

The Digital Radio Report will share payments statistics, as well as a quarterly state of digital radio streaming for artists and labels.

Weekly Chart Report (6/20/14)

/by

Screen Shot 2014-06-20 at 9.08.52 AMClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report

RobbyJohnson-ProgrammerPlaylist.JPG
VeronicaBallestrini-Programmer Playlist.jpg
KaylaAdams-PP.jpg

Teen Choice Awards Nominees for 2014 Revealed

/by

TEEN CHOUCE 2014: Logo.Taylor Swift, Lucy Hale, Luke Bryan, Hunter Hayes, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Jana Kramer, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Parmalee, The Band Perry, The Black Keys, and Zac Brown Band are all nominated for the 2014 Teen Choice Awards.
The Teen Choice Awards will air Sunday, Aug. 10 on Fox, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Fans ages 13-19 can vote once per day per category for their favorite Teen Choice 2014 “Wave One” nominees at teenchoiceawards.com. Hosts, performers, presenters, and additional nominees have yet to be announced.
Among the categories featuring Nashville entertainers are:
Choice TV Actress: Drama
Troian Bellisario, “Pretty Little Liars”
Rachel Bilson, “Hart of Dixie”
Lucy Hale, “Pretty Little Liars”
Maddie Hasson, “Twisted”
Maia Mitchell, “The Fosters”
Choice Female Artist
Beyoncé
Miley Cyrus
Ariana Grande
Lorde
Katy Perry
Taylor Swift
Choice Rock Group
Coldplay
Imagine Dragons
One Republic
Paramore
The Black Keys
Choice Male Country Artist
Luke Bryan
Hunter Hayes
Jake Owen
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Choice Female Country Artist
Jana Kramer
Kacey Musgraves
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Choice Country Group
Florida Georgia Line
Lady Antebellum
Parmalee
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
For a full list of nominees and categories, visit teenchoiceawards.com.

Edison Study: AM/FM Comprises 52 Percent of All Listening Sources

/by

share of ear111

Edison Research‘s new “Share of Ear” study has found that Americans spend an average of four hours and five minutes per day listening to various audio sources. More than 52 percent of that time goes to broadcast radio on all its various platforms. New sources of audio, such as Pandora and Spotify, Satellite Radio and television music channels including Music Choice account for nearly a quarter of all listening.  A listener’s personal music collection receives more than 20 percent “share of ear.”

The results come from a representative sample of 2,096 Americans, age 13 and older, who completed a 24-hour audio listening diary during May 2014.
The study provides the first consistent measurement of all audio consumption, including AM/FM radio stations, online radio stations, podcasts and listeners’ own music collections. The Edison Research “Share of Ear” study allowed users to consider audio usage across various parameters, including location of listening, the devices on which audio is consumed, listening by time of day, audio content type (music, news, sports, or talk) and also across individual brands within the online radio space.
“Edison’s Share of Ear study is a response to the many requests from all corners of the audio industry and investment community for ‘total share of everything’ figures that did not previously exist,” says Edison President Larry Rosin. “Edison reported last September that America is in a ‘golden age of audio consumption.’ Seeing that Americans spend roughly a fourth of their waking day listening to some sort of audio confirms it.”

Eddie DeGarmo To Retire From CCMPG

/by

Eddie DeGarmo

Eddie DeGarmo


President of Capitol CMG Publishing (CCMGP) Eddie DeGarmo will retire effective July 31, 2014, Bill Hearn, President/CEO of Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) and Evan Lamberg, President, North America, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) announced today. Throughout the remainder of the year, DeGarmo will serve in an exclusive advisory role to Hearn, who will oversee, on an interim basis, day-to-day operations of the publishing company with CCMGP SVP Casey McGinty and Brentwood Benson Music Publications SVP Johnathan Crumpton.
“I’ve had the privilege and honor of working alongside and learning from Eddie for more than 20 years,” said Hearn. “Eddie is one of those extraordinary talents in the music industry with an uncanny ability to combine his gifted creative skills as an artist and writer with those of a strong business leader and developer of people. I will certainly miss working with him on a day-to-day basis but more importantly our industry will never be the same without his presence. He is truly one of a kind and his footprint on our community can never be filled.”
“Eddie DeGarmo is a rare and special music publishing executive who has helped build the single greatest Christian music publishing catalog our industry has ever seen. Not only does he understand the business incredibly well, but he connects with songwriters and artists at a very unique level. We will miss Eddie dearly and on a personal note, I have loved working with him over the last 20 years,” said Lamberg.
“My years at EMI and now Capitol CMG Publishing have been the capstone of a truly wonderful journey with music,” said DeGarmo. “I can’t imagine a better scenario and group of people to work alongside. I’ve had the honor of dreaming with most of the best songwriters in the business, coupled with the very ‘best in class’ staff and organization. I can’t thank Bill Hearn enough for his belief in me to build Capitol CMG Publishing. Bill is a true visionary as well as my dear friend. I also thank my longtime friend Evan Lamberg for his support. He has been instrumental in creating Capitol CMG Publishing, investing the strength of Universal Music Publishing Group fully into the Christian music genre.”
Throughout his over forty years in music, DeGarmo has had a storied career with success as an artist, songwriter, producer and businessman. He was one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music as part of rock duo DeGarmo & Key, which was recently inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. DeGarmo has sold millions of albums and garnered numerous Grammy and Dove Award nominations. He co-founded ForeFront Records, where he developed multi-platinum and Grammy winning artists dc Talk, Stacie Orrico, Audio Adrenaline and Rebecca St. James. DeGarmo eventually sold ForeFront to EMI Christian Music Group to focus on his new venture, Meaux Music Publishing. In 2002, he rejoined EMI CMG as President of Publishing, and Meaux was subsequently acquired by EMI CMG in 2005. Under DeGarmo’s leadership, EMI CMG Publishing was named Christian Music Publisher of the Year every year since 2004 by both Billboard and ASCAP. In 2013, DeGarmo led the merger of EMI CMG Publishing with Brentwood Benson Music Publishing to create Capitol CMG Publishing, which holds the 2014 Christian Music Publisher of the Year title with BMI, ASCAP and Billboard.
Capitol CMG Publishing’s roster includes many of the industry’s top songwriters, such as TobyMac, Michael W. Smith, Kirk Franklin, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Third Day, Mandisa, Jeremy Camp, David Crowder, Matt Redman, Ben Glover, Chris Stevens, Aaron Lindsey, David Garcia, Tim Hughes, Jamie Grace, Brenton Brown and Leeland. CCMGP also encompasses many of the world’s most prominent Christian music catalogs, including sixsteps, Thankyou Music, Integrity, Hillsong, Gaither, Maranatha! Music, Emack (the publishing catalog of Gotee Records), the Lorenz Creative Services catalogs, Reunion Music (including the Eric Clapton hit “Change The World”) and the evergreen Sparrow catalogs. Songs from these historic catalogs have been recorded by music legends including Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, Amy Grant, Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson.