The Swon Brothers To Release Debut Album Oct. 14

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unnamedAfter reaching No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart with “Later On,” The Swon Brothers are set to release their self-titled debut album on Oct. 14. The Arista Nashville project was produced by Zach and Colton Swon along with Mark Bright and can be pre-ordered by visiting http://smarturl.it/swonbrothersamz.
The Oklahoma duo was featured on Season 4 of NBC’s The Voice and quickly became fan favorites as part of Team Blake (Shelton).
The Swon Brothers are touring festivals, fairs and and clubs throughout the summer.

ACM Lifting Lives Gets $650,000 Contribution

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Pictured (L-R): ACM Lifting Lives President Bill Mayne, ACM Treasurer Duane Clark, ACM Parliamentarian Paul Moore, ACM President Darin Murphy, ACM Chairman of the Board Ken Robold, ACM Vice President Paul Barnabee

Pictured (L-R): ACM Lifting Lives President Bill Mayne, ACM Treasurer Duane Clark, ACM Parliamentarian Paul Moore, ACM President Darin Murphy, ACM Chairman of the Board Ken Robold, ACM Vice President Paul Barnabee


The Academy of Country Music has made a contribution of $650,000 to ACM Lifting Lives, on behalf of artists who participated in the taping of ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops, which taped in April 2014 in Las Vegas. Ticket proceeds from the event went to ACM Lifting Lives.
Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Luke Bryan, Merle Haggard, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Eli  Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, and The Band Perry all took park in the event. The two-hour show was co-hosted by LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell, and aired in May on CBS.
“We are so thankful to the fans, artists, and military troops that made this special possible,” ACM Chairman of the Board Ken Robold said. “We are grateful to have been able to give more than $4.5 million to support the good work of ACM Lifting Lives through out televised specials such as this.”

Industry Ink: Nickel Creek, Music Row Administrators Group, Live Nation

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Following their sound check at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on Saturday (Aug. 23), Nickel Creek was presented with the band’s first platinum album for its Sugar Hill Records debut, Nickel Creek. On hand to present the honor were Sugar Hill GM Cliff O’Sullivan, Sugar Hill VP of A&R Gary Paczosa (who also engineered Nickel Creek), Austin City Limits producer Terry Lickona, Waterloo Records owner John Kunz and more.

Pictured (L-R): Cliff O’Sullivan, John Kunz, Terry Lickona, Sara Watkins, Chris Thile, Sean Watkins and Gary Paczosa

Pictured (L-R): Cliff O’Sullivan, John Kunz, Terry Lickona, Sara Watkins, Chris Thile, Sean Watkins and Gary Paczosa

 • • •

Linda Edell HowardThe Music Row Administrators Group will launch its fall series on Sept. 18, at the 6th floor theater at BMI Nashville. Linda Edell Howard of Adams and Reese will be the featured speaker on the topic ‘Heirs/Estates-Wills-Trusts-Pre-Planning: What Will You Leave To Your Heirs?’
She joined Adams and Reese in 2001 and opened the firm’s Music Row office. She has more than 25 years of experience in entertainment, new media and technology, domestic and international intellectual property law and is the leader of the Entertainment/New Media team. She is also passionate about representing the family members of deceased creators. This meeting will include guests who have recently “crossed the mine field” of settling a loved one’s estate/affairs.
The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Seating is limited to 50. To RSVP, send name, company name, and email address to [email protected].

 • • •

LiveNation250Live Nation is helping artists such as Jason Aldean and Billy Joel cut back on stadium show production costs by splitting costs between non-competing acts who perform back-to-back concerts at the same venue. According to Billboard, the strategy is saving $500,000 to $700,000 per artist–a considerable savings when production costs can reach $1.8 million.
The move also integrates hirings for staging the set. One stagehand crew, video crew and audio crew oversee the shared stage production, including video and sound components, and leave it in place for both shows. According to Chris Parr, part of Aldean’s mangement team, sharing production costs can be one of the deciding factors when considering playing a stadium show or several shows at a smaller venue.

Artist Updates: Colt Ford, Glen Campbell, Granger Smith

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Colt Ford

Colt Ford


Average Joes Entertainment’s Colt Ford will host his third annual “Colt Ford & Friends Celebrity Golf Classic” Sept. 15, 2014 at Chåteau ´Elan Winery & Resort in Atlanta. An All-Star Jam, open to the public, will follow that evening at Wild Bill’s in Atlanta at 8 p.m. Both events will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and the newly established “Colt Ford Foundation.”
Ford, a former professional golfer, said, “I’m proud to be able to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital again this year, and do what I can for the kids and their families. I’m looking forward to having a great day of golf, and jamming later with my friends at Wild Bill’s.”
Joining Ford on the green will be pro golfers Billy Horschel, Boo Weekly, Jay McLuen, Scott Brown, Tommy Gainey, Will Mcgirt, among others. In addition, supporting celebrities include Jamey Johnson, Tyler Farr, Craig Campbell, John Michael Montgomery, Walker Hayes, Austin Dillon (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver), Kracken and Capt. Clint (The Dreadknots from The History Channel’s Ax Men), Ajay Popoff and Jeremy Popoff (rock band LIT).
Tickets to the All-Star Jam are available here.
• • •
Glen Campbell

Glen Campbell

Glen Campbell’s documentary Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me is set for release on Oct. 24 in New York and Nashville, with a nationwide release of over 50 cities to follow. Filmed during Campbell’s final Goodbye Tour after he was diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer’s, I’ll Be Me features footage from Campbell’s Goodbye Tour mixed with stories from artists and celebrities who know and love him, including Blake Shelton, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Vince Gill, Steve Martin, Bruce Springsteen, Bill Clinton, the Edge, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Webb, and Jay Leno.

The documentary took home the Gibson Music City/Music City Films Grand Jury Prize at the 2014 Nashville Film Festival, where it premiered. To see the newly released trailer, click here.
 • • •

Country music couple Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White will release their first-ever studio album, Hearts Like Ours, on Sept. 30, 2014. 
Hearts Like Ours is a dream come true for Sharon and I,” says Skaggs. “Being married for 33 years, you really get to know someone’s heart. I know hers and she knows mine, and you can hear that on this CD. I loved getting to work with her. She knows what she wants.”The 13-track album, releasing on Skaggs Family Records, is produced by Skaggs and White, and features the couple dueting on handpicked country love songs. The album includes the Connie Smith- and Marty Stuart-penned tunes, “Hearts Like Ours” and “I Run To You,” Bob DiPiero and Keith Sewell’s “Forever’s Not Long Enough,” Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz’s “Hold On Tight (Let It Go),” Leslie Satcher and Buddy Jewell’s “When I’m Good And Gone” and the late Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Needed You,” among others.
Hearts Like Ours will be available in-stores and digitally. Album pre-sales are available now here.
• • •
Granger Smith

Granger Smith


Granger Smith announced plans for an extensive 65-city headlining fall tour today. The Yee Yee Nation 2014 Tour will officially kick off tomorrow in Fargo, N.D. and will bring Granger to all corners of the U.S. Special guests Logan Mize and Jeff Allen will appear in various cities.
Smith has also released a new full-length documentary providing a behind-the-scenes look at his experience on the road. To see the trailer, click here.
• • •
Pictured (L-R): Jody Van Alin, Kent Wells, Erica Nicole, Marvin Baker

Pictured (L-R): Jody Van Alin, Kent Wells, Erica Nicole, Marvin Baker


Following her first Top 20 single “I Listen To My Bad Girl,” Erica Nicole landed a top honor Sunday at the 2014 NIMA awards in Nashville where she took home Best Country Female Artist.
Nicole says, “I am so honored to receive this award and humbled by the love and support of NIMA, my fans and Country Radio!”
With Grammy nominated record producer, Kent Wells, at the helm, Erica Nicole made an impact on Country Radio this year. This Georgia songstress and vocal powerhouse, found success on the charts with her single “I Listen To My Bad Girl.” The release led Nicole to a Top 20 single on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart, making her the highest ranked female independent artist for six straight weeks.

HQ Nashville Co-Working Suites Cater To Entertainment Industry

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unnamed

HQ Nashville


A new co-working and office suite building is set to open in SoBro in early 2015. HQ Nashville will be three floors and 11,000 square feet that will include a café area, songwriting rooms, conference rooms and office suites. Located at 632 Fogg St., it is just one block south of the City Winery and Third Man Records.
HQ Nashville will offer various levels of membership for the co-working space. The top floor will feature the private suites and provide a panoramic view of the Nashville Skyline.
Entrepreneurs John and Katharine Richardson are opening the new space. Richlyn Marketing, which is co-owned by Katherine, will relocate into HQ.
“With over 9,000 professionals in the music industry working from home offices and executives from Los Angeles and New York traveling to Nashville, there is a tremendous need for creative co-working space,” says Katherine Richardson. “HQ will be a brilliant alternative to meetings at coffee shops. Our goal is to provide the perfect incubation space for the entertainment industry.”
For more info visit HQNashville.com 
 

DISClaimer: Country Music Stages A Comeback

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sturgill simpson11Country music stages a comeback this week.
Apparently, there are still a few record makers out there who cherish our honky-tonk traditions. One of them is our DisCovery Award winner, James Carothers. His CD is titled, of course, Honky Tonk Land.
There’s also an Ernest Tubb tribute album in this stack of platters. How could it be anything but country, country, country?
The trio of big stars on tap today are solidly country, too, albeit in modern ways. My applause goes to all three, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley and Lee Brice. Deciding among them for a Disc of the Day award was simply impossible. So I am giving it to a guy who marries tradition to electronics with striking results, Sturgill Simpson.
SARA BETH/Nowhere With You
Writers: Ashley Hewitt/Dean Sams/SaraBeth Swagerty; Producer: Dean Sams; Publishers: Onjarose/Last Song Standing/Clear Box/Delta Pearl, ASCAP/BMI; Circle S (track)
-This sweet and pleasant, languidly paced ditty goes down smoothly.
STURGILL SIMPSON/The Promise
Writers: Farrington/Mann/Floreale; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Songs of Kobalt, BMI; High Top Mountain
-Many in the media are hailing this Nashvillian as a “savior” of country music. His resonant baritone has echoes of Waylon, but his extraordinary style is all his own. If you know this song from its days as a 1988 pop hit for the British dance act When In Rome, you’ll be stunned at how he transforms it into an earthy, yearning country love ballad. Esquire, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post and other elite commentators are calling Simpson’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music CD the country album of the year. You’ll get no argument from me. The singer-songwriter is nominated as Emerging Artist of the Year at next month’s Americana Music Awards.
BLAKE SHELTON/Neon Light
Writers: Andrew Dorff/Josh Kear/Mark Irwin; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Moreendorffin/Global Dog/Book of Spells/Green Vinyl, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Honky-tonk heartbreak brought right up to date with a sensational groove and brilliantly clever lyrics. Absolutely irresistible.

James Carothers

James Carothers


JAMES CAROTHERS/New Country Singers
Writers: James Carothers; Producer: none listed; Publisher: James Carothers; BMI; JC (track)
-If this doesn’t make you smile, you must not be listening. It seems that the depressing drinking in his hang-dog life doesn’t quite match up to the beer-and-babes lyrics he hears today’s country singers warbling. This boy is a stone-country singer, and his song is as catchy as can be. Play it.
BRAD PAISLEY/Perfect Storm
Writers: Brad Paisley/Lee Thomas Miller; Producers: Luke Wooten/Brad Paisley; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Words & Music/Warner-Tamerlane/The Country and Western, ASCAP/BMI; Arista (track)
-The echoey guitar flourishes are heavenly, as Brad continues to dazzle as a player. Beyond that, the song is a melodic dream of being lost in love. In a word, wonderful.
AL BRAKE/Hot Pink Lady
Writers: Al Brake; Producer: Bob Bullock; Publishers: none listed; AB (track)
-This Canadian came to Nashville to record his self-titled CD. But all the professional surroundings in the world can’t disguise his thin, too-sharp, breath-challenged voice.
LEE BRICE/Drinkin’ Class
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Curb (track)
-If this isn’t a monster hit, I’ve never heard one. Every nine-to-fiver in America is going to raise a glass to this anthem. Apparently, it is already a sensation with audiences at Lee’s shows. I can certainly hear why.
QUENTIN REDDY/Moonlight Ride
Writers: Rob Crosby/Brice Long/Quentin Reddy/Darren Crow; Producer: Bart McKay; Publishers: Golden Vault/Wadmalaw/The Song Factory/Wordspring/Blongsongs/Q Factor, BMI/SESAC/SOCAN; On Ramp (track)
-This fellow has already achieved a measure of notoriety by competing on CMT’s “Big in a Small Town” TV competition in Canada. To translate that into U.S. radio prominence, I think it’s going to take a song that’s a little less generic than this.
TONY BOOTH/Walking The Floor Over You
Writers: Earnest Tubb; Producers: Jim Loessberg/Justin Trevino; Publishers: Unichappell, BMI; Heart of Country
-I love this Lone Star State label. Its latest CD is a tribute to Ernest Tubb called Thanks a Lot Texas Troubadour. Country vet Tony Booth kicks it off with a sprightly, bopping rendition of ET’s signature song. Other participants on this thoroughly enjoyable and totally country package include Johnny Bush, the late George Jones, Dottsy, Darrell McCall, Dolly Parton, Norma Jean and Georgette Jones.
JIM PHOTOGLO/Halls of My Heart
Writers: Jim Photoglo; Producer: Jim Photoglo; Publishers: Griffin Pie/Haber; ASCAP; Grifftone (track)
-Photoglo’s songwriting catalog includes such evergreens as “Fishin’ in the Dark” (The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), “Hometown Honeymoon” (Alabama) and “Honky Tonk Heart” (Highway 101). This is the title tune of his latest solo CD. It is a heartwarming salute to Elvis, The Beach Boys and The Beatles that wafts with nostalgia and stardust. His evocative, tender, tenor voice sounds younger than yesterday. Recommended without reservation, especially if you’re looking for songs with true class. Also, it is exquisitely produced.

Weekly Register: Debuts From Taylor Swift, Chase Rice

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Swift shakes off the "haters" in new hit.

Swift shakes off the “haters” in new hit.

chase ricealbum1“Shake It Off” the lead single from Taylor Swift’s upcoming album 1989 sold and impressive 544K downloads its first week out, debuting at No. 1 overall.

However, this marks a sales tally slip from the 2012 debut of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” the lead single from her mega blockbuster Red album. “Never Ever…” sold 623,000 units, marking the biggest digital sales week ever for a female. In the two years since the release of “Never Ever…” streaming has grown in popularity, while simultaneously decreasing sales.

On the Country album chart, Chase Rice debuted at No. 1 selling 44K copies of Ignite the Night. Following at No. 2 is Nashville Outlaws—A Tribute to Motley Crue, selling 31K.

Rounding out the Top 5 Country albums are Luke Bryan (16K this week), Brantley Gilbert (10K) and Miranda Lambert (10K).

Tracking Tracks

Jason Aldean is still smoldering at the top of the Country tracks chart with “Burnin’ It Down” scoring 83K clicks to cross the 500K mark. Making notable debuts are Blake Shelton’s “Neon Light” with 28K, and Lee Brice’s “Girls In Bikinis” with 18K.

The Top 5 Country tracks this week are “Burnin’…” (83K), FGL “Dirt” (62K), Kenny Chesney “American Kids” (61K), Sam Hunt “Leave The Night On” (50K) and Lady A “Bartender” (42K).

All numbers based on Nielsen Soundscan.
WeeklyReg082714

Q Management Group Signs Colton Dixon

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Colton Dixon. Photo: David Molnar

Colton Dixon. Photo: David Molnar


Q Management Group, headed by owner and president Zachary Kelm, has signed 19 Recordings artist and American Idol Season 11 finalist Colton Dixon. The Franklin, Tenn.-based Q Management Group also represents the bands Skillet and We As Human.
“We are incredibly excited to be working with Colton,” Kelm said. “He has great talent, passion, drive and integrity. We are looking forward to getting this new music from Anchor out there in every facet possible and building a partnership that propels his already burgeoning career.”
Last week, Dixon released his sophomore album, Anchor, which climbed the iTunes overall albums chart to No. 4.

Natalie Hemby Joins Creative Nation, Pulse Music

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Pictured (L-R): Jeff Skaggs (Creative Nation), Beth Laird (Creative Nation), Natalie Hemby, Scott Cutler (Pulse), Luke Laird (Creative Nation)

Pictured (L-R): Jeff Skaggs (Creative Nation), Beth Laird (Creative Nation), Natalie Hemby, Scott Cutler (Pulse), Luke Laird (Creative Nation)


Songwriter Natalie Hemby has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Creative Nation and Pulse Music Publishing. The signing once again unites Nashville-based Creative Nation with LA-based Pulse, both publishing and management companies. With the signing, Hemby joins Creative Nation’s roster of songwriters, which includes frequent collaborators, Luke Laird and Barry Dean.
“I am very pleased that this partnership with Creative Nation has led to such a monumental signing,” said Scott Cutler, CEO of Pulse. “I am a super fan of Natalie Hemby and am reminded daily of what an honor it is to have such great partners in Beth and Luke Laird and the whole Creative Nation team.”
Beth Laird, Creative Nation’s Co-Owner and General Manager adds, “Having Natalie join the Creative Nation team has always been a dream of mine. She is a female trailblazer who continually brings a creative freshness to everything she does. We are honored to represent her with an amazing partner like Pulse.”

CRS Reveals Core Panel for Seminar

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Pictured (L-R) top: Gregg Lindahl, Erica Farber; bottom: Lon Helton, Dan Halyburton, Beverlee Brannigan.

Pictured (L-R) top: Gregg Lindahl, Erica Farber; bottom: Lon Helton, Dan Halyburton, Beverlee Brannigan.


Country Radio Seminar has revealed core panel moderators for 2015, overseeing and directing the bulk of the educational panels throughout the annual seminar Feb. 25-27.
The core panel will include Beverlee Brannigan (VP of Programming for Journal Broadcast Group, 2012 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee), Erica Farber (Pres./CEO of Radio Advertising Bureau/New York), Dan Halyburton (Falls Media Group, Country Radio Hall of Fame and Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductee), Lon Helton (Editor/Publisher, Country Aircheck, 2006 Country Music DJ Hall of Fame inductee) and Gregg Lindahl (40-year radio veteran, past SVP Digital and Strategy for Cox Media Group).
“Our development of the core panel of moderators has led to exceptional panel discussions over the past four years,” stated CRS Executive Director, Bill Mayne. “These individuals have been gracious and giving in sharing their talents of facilitation in delivering meaningful panel ‘take away’ results for all attendees!”
Registration for this year’s Nashville Convention Center event is currently $399 at CountryRadioSeminar.com.