No. 1 Party: Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert's "We Were Us"

keith urban11

Pictured (L-R): Jon Nite, Keith Urban, Nicolle Galyon, and Jimmy Robbins.


Members of the Country music industry gathered for a lunchtime celebration for Keith Urban‘s 16th No. 1 single Monday (Aug. 25) at Nashville restaurant The Tippler. Urban recorded “We Were Us” as a duet with Miranda Lambert.
ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan and BMI’s Jody Williams were on hand to honor the song’s writers, Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins, and Jon Nite. Though Galyon and Nite have celebrated No. 1 singles with other No. 1 parties in recent months, “We Were Us” is technically the first No. 1 single for both writers. It marks Robbins’ fifth chart-topper.
Though the jaunty tune featured two superstar vocalists, the song wasn’t a lock for a radio single, due to scheduling conflicts.
Urban recalled that upon hearing the song, “Miranda’s voice and face immediately came to mind.” The duo were able to record the song together in the studio. “So many times with duets, it’s like, ‘Well, send me the thing and I’ll sing it into my computer and send it back to you.’ It was so nice to be at the studio at the same time at the microphone singing it together. To me it felt really special the first time we heard it with her voice.”
Still, the song’s journey from recording to radio single was challenging. “The song went through this strange journey,” said Urban. “Trying to get the timing for singles is very complicated at the best of times. We had great support but timing was not on our side to get the single right. The discussion came up that maybe we should get another girl for the song. These poor songwriters went through a period of hell because I made the decision that I would rather have Miranda on the track and have to let it just live as an album track than put someone else on it, just to have a radio single. I’m of the belief that when a song is right, it’s right,” he said, while thanking his Capitol Nashville team, Lambert and her Sony Nashville team, and the songwriters for all making the hit happen.
Lambert couldn’t attend the celebration, but did offer her thanks to Urban and the songwriters, publishers and labels via a video message. “I’m so thrilled about this song going No.1 and I loved being a part of it. It should be celebrated and I’m thrilled to have a little piece of it,” she said.
Pictured, Seated: Jon Nite, Keith Urban, Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins. Standing: UMG's Royce Risser,  Sony/ATV Tree's Josh VanValkenburg,  ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Producer Nathan Chapman, BMI's Jody Williams, UMG's Joe Fisher, Warner/Chappell's BJ HIll, ASCAP's Mike                  Sistad, Universal Publishing's Kent Earls, BMI's Bradley Collins and UMG's Cindy Mabe. Photo: Rick Diamond

Pictured, Seated: Jon Nite, Keith Urban, Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins. Standing: UMG’s Royce Risser, Sony/ATV Tree’s Josh VanValkenburg, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Producer Nathan Chapman, BMI’s Jody Williams, UMG’s Joe Fisher, Warner/Chappell’s BJ HIll, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Universal Publishing’s Kent Earls, BMI’s Bradley Collins and UMG’s Cindy Mabe. Photo: Rick Diamond


“A lot of people pray to have a publishing deal and very few get one who fights for you,” said Galyon, who recognized the staff at Warner/Chappell, her publishing home for the past several years. “Now we have Ben Vaughn on our team and I think everyone in this town knows he’s not afraid to be the first person to believe in something. I’m so honored to work with both of them day in and day out.” She also recognized those in publishing administration. “I get to wake up every morning and just figure out how to rhyme, because they are pushing all the paper that I don’t have to worry about, and they never get thanked. All I’ve ever wanted to do is write songs and this song has bought me the creative freedom to do that.”
Northwestern Mutual and Avenue Bank sponsored the event to celebrate the song’s success. Warner/Chappell and Avenue Bank both made donations on behalf of the songwriters to Thistle Farms.
Urban took home plenty of hardware of his own. The singer-songwriter received plaques honoring the platinum-selling success of two of his singles, “We Were Us” and “Cop Car.” “My dad said to me very early on, ‘If you can, try to work with people who you would have dinner with when there is no work to discuss.’ I feel so fortunate since I’ve moved to this town, I would have dinner with everyone that I work with when there is no work to discuss, except ‘How are you doing and how is your family?’ That is a huge blessing because this is a short life. No matter how long you live, it’s a short life—unless you are standing in line in the DMV,” he quipped.
The party ended on another high note, as Urban performed an acoustic take on the single with Galyon, Nite, and Robbins.

Chris Young Celebrates Chart-Topper "Who I Am With You"

508690309_RD_5322_455CD418E25C8CEEA6C7A2BB65850773

Pictured (L-R): Marv Green, Chris Young, Paul Jenkins, Jason Sellers. Photo: Rick Diamond


It’s been about two years since Chris Young last topped the charts, but his latest single “Who I Am With You” ended the drought, becoming his sixth No. 1 song.  A party was held at the CMA building on Music Row in Nashville to honor Young and the writers Marv Green, Paul Jenkins and Jason Sellers. Bradley Collins with BMI recognized both Green and Jenkins for their co-write on the song, which is Green’s sixth No. 1 and Jenkins’ fifth.
“Songs go where they belong,” says Green. “And this song belonged to Chris Young.”
This also marks the sixth No. 1 song penned by Sellers, who has also written hits recorded by Randy Houser, Jason Aldean, Joe Nichols, Brooks & Dunn and more. ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan was on hand to honor Sellers.
Producer James Stroud was also recognized during the event and congratulated for his work on 133 No. 1 songs. He humbly acknowledged Young as a “true artist” and one of the purest voices in Country Music.
Young took his time to thank everyone involved with writing and producing the song, and those who worked to get it to No. 1.
“It’s been a while since our last No. 1, but I am thankful to have another one,” he said.
Others speaking at the event included representatives from CMA, CRS, Avenue Bank (who made a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on behalf of the songwriters), Sony/ATV, ASCAP, and THiS Music.
Picured, Standing (L-R):  BMI's Bradley Collins, CMA's Brenden Oliver, ASCAP's Mike Sistad, This Music's Rusty Gaston, RCA Nashville's Josh Easler, Warner/Chappell's Ben Vaughn, Sony Music Nashville Chairman/CEO Gary Overton, Sony/ATV Tree's Troy Tomlinson, ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Producer James Stroud, BMI's Jody Williams, CMA's Damon Whiteside Seated (L-R): Marv Green, Chris Young, Paul Jenkins, Jason Sellers

Picured, Standing (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, CMA’s Brenden Oliver, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, This Music’s Rusty Gaston, RCA Nashville’s Josh Easler, Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Sony Music Nashville Chairman/CEO Gary Overton, Sony/ATV Tree’s Troy Tomlinson, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Producer James Stroud, BMI’s Jody Williams, CMA’s Damon Whiteside. Seated (L-R): Marv Green, Chris Young, Paul Jenkins, Jason Sellers

ole Signs Jeremy Stover and Acquires Catalog

Back, from left: Shellien Kinsey (ole, Creative Coordinator), Emily Mueller (ole, Creative Mananger), Gilles Godard ( ole, VP Business Development), Austen Adams (Dickinson Wright, PLLC), and Ben Strain (ole, Creative Director). Front, from left:  John Ozier (ole, GM Creative Nashville), Songwriter/Producer Jeremy Stover.

Back (L-R): Shellien Kinsey (ole, Creative Coordinator), Emily Mueller (ole, Creative Mananger), Gilles Godard (ole, VP Business Development), Austen Adams (Dickinson Wright, PLLC), and Ben Strain (ole, Creative Director). Front (L-R):  John Ozier (ole, GM Creative Nashville), Songwriter/Producer Jeremy Stover

ole has signed hit songwriter/producer Jeremy Stover and acquired his song catalog, which contains several chart-topping hits.

Stover teamed with Justin Moore and others to co-write the No. 1s “Lettin’ the Night Roll” and “Small Town USA,” which Stover also produced. The Moore/Stover collaboration also yielded the Top 20 hits “Backwoods,” “Till My Last Day,” and “How I Got to Be This Way.” He also wrote and produced the No. 1 Country hit “Wherever You Are” for Jack Ingram, and cowrote the Top 20 track “Wildflower” by The JaneDear Girls.  

Stover’s catalog includes more than 575 compositions, including songs recorded by Scotty McCreery, Hunter Hayes, Jake Owen, Drake White, JJ Lawhorn, Cole Swindell, Easton Corbin, and Dallas Smith. As a producer, Stover has also worked with Drake White, Jordan Rager, and JJ Lawhorn.

“Jeremy Stover has already achieved a great deal of success on his own, and we’re looking forward to taking his career to the next level,” said John Ozier, ole General Manager of Creative in Nashville. “He is a great addition to the ole team, and we’re proud to represent him.”

“It’s great to have the support of a company like ole that understands the needs of songwriters and producers while offering a huge reach,” said Stover. “I currently have a few projects in the works that I’m really excited about, and I look forward to the future successes that we’ll share together.”

Current ole writers include Tyler Farr, Josh Dorr, Gord Bamford, Brett Jones, Dave Turnbull, Marty Dodson, Rush, Timbaland and Steven Tyler.

YouTube Preps Paid Service, Google Play Rebranding

YouTube-Music-KeyAccording to reports, Google is preparing to launch YouTube Music Key and rebrand its existing music streaming service, Google Play Music All Access, to Google Play Music Key.
This news comes after the July departure of YouTube Music’s head, Chris LaRosa, after reported frustrations about the final design in addition to the licensing and pricing structure of the forthcoming music subscription service.
YouTube Music Key has added over 20 million high quality tracks. Music discographies will be offered with unlimited skipping and uninterrupted listening while using other mobile apps, when screens are off, or when phones are offline. Video of derivative content like live concert material, covers and remixes can be collected for offline playback. Improvements are planned for Google Music’s discoverability and curation.
No word on when the service will be announced, but reports note that YouTube Music Key and Google Play Music Key will be offered together at $9.99 after a 30-day free trial. Current Google Play subscribers ($9.99/month) could receive the new service automatically.
Using conversion rates from Pandora and Spotify, Billboard estimates YouTube Music Key could get between 6.7 million and 30.7 million subscribers. Estimated annual revenue could reach $804 million in the United States alone.

SAG-AFTRA Approves TV/Theatrical Contracts

imgresMembers of SAG-AFTRA have voted to approve the 2014 TV/Theatrical Contracts. New, three-year contracts were approved to cover theatrical, prime-time, and basic cable television production under the 2014 SAG-AFTRA Codified Basic Agreement and the 2014 SAG-AFTRA Television Agreement.
The new television contract establishes the first industry wide agreement covering performers in both prime-time television and basic cable productions. SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached a tentative agreement in July on the deal that provides gains of $200 million in wages, an 8.5 percent wage increase compounding to 8.7 percent, advances in Subscription Video on Demand coverage, reduction of unpaid online streaming windows for most shows and an increased contribution rate percentage to our benefits plans and a mechanism to facilitate the merger of the health plans.
SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard said, “Once again, we have made history. With the approval of the first-ever SAG-AFTRA Television Agreement, we have reached yet another of the goals we set when we merged. I am thankful to all members who participated throughout this process and the dedicated staff of SAG-AFTRA who worked to insure our new contract would usher us into the next generation of entertainment and new media production.”
The agreement becomes effective retroactive to July 1, 2014 and will remain in force through June 30, 2017.

Sturgill Simpson, Rosanne Cash, Jason Isbell Added as Americana Awards Performers

americanaRosanne Cash, Marty Stuart, Sturgill Simpson, Buddy Miller, Rodney Crowell, Jason Isbell, Jim Lauderdale, Buddy Miller, Cassandra Wilson, Hard Working Americans, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Parker Millsap, Patty Griffin, Robert Ellis, Ry Cooder, Sarah Jarosz, St. Paul & Broken Bones, The Devil Makes Three, The McCrary Sisters, The Milk Carton Kids, and Valerie June will all perform on the historic stage at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium as part of the Americana Music Association’s 13th annual Honors & Awards show.
They will join previously announced performers Loretta Lynn, Flaco Jimenez, Taj Mahal, and Jackson Browne. Presenters will include Vince Gill, Keb Mo, Amy Ray, Carlene Carter, Elizabeth Cook, JD Souther, Todd Snider, Rhett Miller, John Ritter, John Paul White, Joe Henry and more.
The event will be held Wednesday, Sept. 17, and will be hosted by Lauderdale. Miller will lead the house band, which includes Don Was, Joachim Cooder, Tim Lauer, The McCrary Sisters, and Ry Cooder.
The 13th annual Honors & Awards show will air on SiriusXM “Outlaw Country” and online at NPR’s Folk Alley. PBS will air the show Nov. 22 in the Austin City Limits time slot. For the first time, the show will also air on Australia’s CMC (Country Music Channel).

Music Biz Attorneys Make 'Best Lawyers' List

best lawyersTwenty local attorneys have been named to The Best Lawyers in America 2015 list, in the Entertainment Law—Music category. According to BestLawyers.com, there are only 117 lawyers in the nation to hold this distinction.
Inclusion in the 21st Edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2015) is based on more than 5.5 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by their peers within the legal community. Adding to the list’s reliability, lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to appear in the rankings. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become a definitive guide to legal excellence.
Adams and Reese—Linda Edell Howard, Philip M. Kirkpatrick, Lynn Morrow
Almon Law—Orville Almon, Jr.
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings—Samuel D. Lipshie
Dickinson Wright—Derek C. Crownover
Hall Booth Smith—Karl Braun
Harris Martin Jones—James H. Harris III
Loeb & Loeb—Tiffany Dunn, Denise M. Stevens
McInteer & O’Rear—Howell O’Rear
Milom Horsnell Crow Rose Kelley—David Crow, Christian A. Horsnell, D. Page Kelley, W. Michael Milom
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough—Kevin M. Doherty
Riley Warnock & Jacobson—Chris Vlahos, Timothy L. Warnock
Shackelford, Zumwalt & Hayes—John C. Beiter
Watkins & McNeilly—R. Horton Frank III

Valory Music Co. Signs Levi Hummon

Pictured (L-R): Back Row – Iconic Entertainment’s Brian O’Neil, BMLG’s Malcolm Mimms, Allison Jones, Andrew Kautz & Iconic Entertainment’s Ally Rodriguez Front Row – BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Levi Hummon & Iconic Entertainment’s Fletcher Foster. Photo: Seth Hellman for The Valory Music Co.

Pictured (L-R): Back Row – Iconic Entertainment’s Brian O’Neil, BMLG’s Malcolm Mimms, Allison Jones, Andrew Kautz and Iconic Entertainment’s Ally Rodriguez; Front Row – BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Levi Hummon & Iconic Entertainment’s Fletcher Foster. Photo: Seth Hellman for The Valory Music Co.

The Valory Music Co. has signed Levi Hummon, a Nashville native who is working on his debut album, due out next year.

Hummon is managed by Fletcher Foster’s Iconic Entertainment Group. The 23-year-old is the son of Grammy winning songwriter Marcus Hummon (“God Bless The Broken Road”) and Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of the Thistle Farms philanthropy. Hit songwriter Desmond Child has also been a key part of Levi Hummon’s development.

“As our Country format ebbs and flows, it’s always so important from an A&R perspective to look past what’s happening now and make some moves on the future direction,” said BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta. “Levi’s unique vision and incredible artistry is exactly the kind of musical move we want to make now. This is a very significant artist signing.”

“It really feels like a dream come true to be a part of the Valory/BMLG family! I’ve gotten to know a lot of the staff already, and it feels like one big family,” said Levi. “This label home already feels so supportive and is a perfect fit for my music. I also want to give a special shout out to my dad, who has been both a friend and mentor to me through this process, and a huge thank you to Desmond Child and Fletcher Foster for their belief in me.”
Levi Hummon has collaborated with Shane MacAnally, Andrew Dorff, Josh Osborne, Jonathan Singleton, Nathan Barlowe, Brandy Clark and Trevor Rosen among others.

The Valory roster includes superstar Reba, chart-topping stars Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett as well as legendary band The Mavericks and newcomer RaeLynn.

Martina McBride Adds 'Everlasting Tour' Dates

martina mcbride111Martina McBride has added 40 dates to her Everlasting Tour. Backed by an 11-piece band, McBride is touring in support of her chart-topping Everlasting project, which finds the powerful vocalist putting her own artistic spin on classic soul records such as “Wild Night” (Van Morrison), “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” (Otis Redding) and others.
“We’ve worked hard to put together a show that is visually entertaining as well as very rich musically,” shares McBride. “There’s so much for the audience to see and experience. I feel like this show really takes the audience on a musical journey. The songs from Everlasting and my hits blend seamlessly together throughout the night.”
Seven dates on the fall leg have already sold-out, including Meridian, Miss; Forrest City, Ark.; Lake Charles, La.; two dates in Nashville; Midland, TX; and Dayton, OH.
*8/28         Meridian, MS         MSU Riley Center for The Performing Arts
*8/29         Forrest City, AR         East Arkansas Community College Fine Arts Center
*8/30         Lake Charles, LA         L’Auberge Casino and Hotel
*8/31         Nashville, TN         3rd and Lindsley
9/5         Carmel, IN         The Palladium
9/6         Wabash, IN         Honeywell Center
9/11         Deadwood, SD         Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center
9/12         Mahnomen, MN         Shooting Star Casino
9/13         Waukegan, IL         Genesee Theater
9/18         Saratoga, CA         The Mountain Winery
9/19         Lincoln, CA         Thunder Valley Casino Resort
9/20         Pomona, CA         Los Angeles County Fair
9/22         San Diego, CA         House of Blues
*9/25         Midland, TX         Wagner Noel PAC
9/26         Durant, OK         Choctaw Event Center
9/27         San Antonio, TX         Majestic Theatre
10/2         Dartmouth, NS         Dartmouth Sportsplex
10/3         Moncton, NB         The Center at Casino New Brunswick
10/4         St Johns, NL Canada         Mile One Centre
10/9         Westbury, NY         Theatre at Westbury
10/10         Albany, NY         Palace Theatre
10/11         Waterbury, CT         Palace Theatre
10/16         Sarasota, FL         Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
10/17         Melbourne, FL         King Center for the Performing Arts
10/18         Niceville, FL         Mullett Festival
10/24         Athens, GA         Classic Center Theater
*11/1         Nashville, TN         Ryman Auditorium
11/7         Dearborn, MI         Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
*11/8         Dayton, OH         Schuster Center
11/13         Jim Thorpe, PA         Penn’s Peak
11/14         Utica, NY         The Stanley
11/15         Lynn, MA         Lynn Auditorium
11/21         Brookings, SD         Swiftel Center
11/29         Kansas City, MO         Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
12/3         Glenside, PA         Keswick Theatre
12/4         Northfield, OH         Hard Rock Live
12/5         Red Bank, NJ         Count Basie Theatre
12/11         Milwaukee, WI         Northern Lights Theatre
12/12         Milwaukee, WI         Northern Lights Theatre
12/13         Omaha, NE         Orpheum Theatre
*Indicates sold out

Artist Pics: Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Chase Rice

Montgomery Gentry is back in the studio with producer Michael Knox putting the finishing touches on their brand new album, which is expected to release on Blaster Records in early 2015. The duo’s debut single,  “Headlights,” written by hit tunesmiths Wendell MobleyBob DiPiero, and Tony Martin, will be available for fans to download digitally on Sept. 2.

Pictured (L-R): Michael Knox, Eddie Montgomery, Troy Gentry Photo: Eddie Kilgallon

Pictured (L-R): Michael Knox, Eddie Montgomery, Troy Gentry Photo: Eddie Kilgallon

 • • •

Saturday night, Starwood Preferred Guest hosted a special intimate concert for SPG members with Kellie Pickler at Four Points By Sheraton Nashville-Brentwood as part of the SPG Hear The Music, See The World concert series. Nashville’s Connie Britton and newcomer Laura Benanti showed up to enjoy Pickler’s VIP performance, who also guest starred on the TV show’s popular second season.

Pictured (L-R):  Laura Benanti, Kellie Pickler, Connie Britton  Photo: Getty/WireImage

Pictured (L-R): Laura Benanti, Kellie Pickler, Connie Britton Photo: Getty/WireImage

 • • •

Chase Rice stopped by to chat with Crook & Chase recently about his album Ignite the Night, which was released earlier this week.

Pictured (L-R): Charlie Chase, Chase Rice, Lorianne Crook

Pictured (L-R): Charlie Chase, Chase Rice, Lorianne Crook