No. 1 Party: Thomas Rhett's "Get Me Some of That"

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Back Row (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, BMI’s Bradley Collins, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, producer Luke Laird, Luke Bryan, Kerri Edwards, Tom Luteran, Scott Borchetta, George Briner, Virginia Davis and BMI’s Jody Williams. First Row (L-R): Rhett Akins, Michael Carter, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett. Photo: Steve Lowry

Back Row (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, BMI’s Bradley Collins, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, producer Luke Laird, Luke Bryan, Kerri Edwards, Tom Luteran, Scott Borchetta, George Briner, Virginia Davis and BMI’s Jody Williams.
First Row (L-R): Rhett Akins, Michael Carter, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett. Photo: Steve Lowry


BMI and ASCAP hosted a gathering at Nashville venue The Sutler yesterday (Sept. 30) to celebrate CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Thomas Rhett‘s chart-topping single “Get Me Some of That.” Penned by fellow CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Cole Swindell, as well as Rhett Akins and Michael Carter, the songs is Thomas Rhett’s second consecutive chart-topper from his debut album.
MusicRow‘s June/July 2014 issue, featuring Thomas Rhett and father Rhett Akins, was prominently featured during the celebration. “How cool that a father and son celebrate success together,” said BMI’s Jody Williams.
It marked the first No. 1 for songwriter (and Luke Bryan’s bandleader) Michael Carter. It was also the first No. 1 for Luke Laird as a producer.
Kerri Edwards gifted Swindell a painting of the guitar that Swindell’s father used to play. She also gifted Carter with a painting of one of his favorite guitars.
Luke Bryan, a co-publisher on “Get Me Some of That,” joined to celebrate the song’s success, as did producer Laird and BMLG president/owner Scott Borchetta.
“When you believe for many years that someone can do something, then they go out to do it,” marveled Bryan. “It’s amazing when you follow your heart and your heart is right. [Carter] takes a lot of things on himself to take care of our backs. We tour like 140 days a year. Then he comes home and writes like 180 days, to the point I can’t get him to go fishing with me,” Bryan quipped. “We all grew up on country music and didn’t know anything else, and it’s cool that now we are driving the needle.”
Ron Cox of Avenue Bank presented a donation from Avenue Bank on behalf of the songwriters to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Shelia Shipley Biddy Introduces Life Story In New Autobiography

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unnamedLongtime music industry professional and current Director of Operations of Music Health Alliance, Shelia Shipley Biddy, has released her self-published autobiography entitled The Music In My Rearview Mirror: My 30 Years In Music & More.
Shipley Biddy highlights her career experiences in the music and entertainment industry and the hurdles presented before her as a woman who became one of the first females seated at the helm of a major label.
Shipley Biddy landed her first music industry job as a receptionist at Monument Records. She made her way up the ranks to become a leader in radio promotion (at RCA and MCA) and eventually became the first female to head-up a Nashville record label—Decca Records.
She was instrumental to the success of artists including Mark Chesnutt, Gary Allan and Lee Ann Womack.
The Music In My Rearview Mirror is now available on amazon.com and via Kindle. It will be available on the Kindle as an exclusive release through Dec. 31, 2014.  Five percent of the proceeds from orders placed via Amazon Smile will be donated to Music Health Alliance, a nonprofit organization established to create a safe and confidential place for the nationwide music community to gain the best healthcare and insurance solutions through defined and transparent advocacy services.

Industry Ink: Leadership Music, Stoney Creek Records, Outback Concerts

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Leadership Music’s Off the Record series recently welcomed two pioneering female A&R VPs, Martha Sharp and Mary Martin. Sharp spent the majority of her career at Warner Bros., while Martin worked at RCA and at Mercury. The event, a joint lunch with members of SOURCE, took place Sept. 30 at Nashville’s Sambuca restaurant, and was moderated by MTSU’s Beverly Keel.

Pictured (L-R): are Leadership Music Executive Director Debbie Schwartz Linn, Martin, Keel and Sharp.

Pictured (L-R): are Leadership Music Executive Director Debbie Schwartz Linn, Martin, Keel and Sharp.

• • •

Derek Gunn

Derek Gunn


BBR Music Group has hired Derek Gunn as Director of Regional Promotion/West Coast for Stoney Creek Records.
Gunn spent the past 15 years at KBUL in Reno, most recently as Program Director.
He can be reached at [email protected] or at 775-287-1722. The job is based in Reno, Nev.

                                                                   • • •

outback concerts1Outback Concerts has hired Kama Upton as talent buyer. She will continue to focus on comedy.
Upton has been heavily involved in the Nashville community. She is the current Alumni Chair in the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID), and a past president of the WMBA, among other honors.
Upton can be reached at [email protected] or at 615-242-3323.

Photo Roundup: IEBA Conference 2014

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Show Dog-Universal duo Native Run took to the stage Sept. 29th at CAA’s IEBA Showcase during IEBA’s 44th Annual Conference in Nashville. Native Run’s Bryan Dawley and Rachel Beauregard played a four-song set, including songs from their recently released self-titled EP, inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Event Hall high atop Music City. Native Run is currently on the road with David Nail on the singer’s I’m A Fire Tour. Their first single, “Good On You,” recently impacted country radio and is currently at No. 50 and climbing on MusicRow‘s CountryBreak Radio Chart.

(L-R): Bryan Dawley (Native Run), Darin Murphy (CAA), Rachel Beauregard (Native Run), John Marks (Sirius XM), Jeff Gregg (CAA) Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

(L-R): Bryan Dawley (Native Run), Darin Murphy (CAA), Rachel Beauregard (Native Run), John Marks (Sirius XM), Jeff Gregg (CAA) Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images


Angaleena Presley kicked off the 2014 IEBA Conference in Nashville, TN on Saturday, Sept. 27 with a performance at SiriusXM’s Media Mixer Party showcasing songs from her Oct. 14 solo debut, American Middle Class.
Angaleena Presley kicked off the 2014 IEBA Conference in Nashville, TN on Saturday, Sept. 27 with a performance at SiriusXM's Media Mixer Party showcasing songs from her Oct. 14 solo debut, American Middle Class. (L-R): John Marks, SiriusXM Sr. Director of Country Programming; Gil Cunningham, Neste Event Marketing President; Angaleena Presley; Buzz Brainard, SiriusXM Host; and Nicole More, Neste Event Marketing VP of Sales/Entertainment Producer

(L-R): John Marks, SiriusXM Sr. Director of Country Programming; Gil Cunningham, Neste Event Marketing President; Angaleena Presley; Buzz Brainard, SiriusXM Host; and Nicole More, Neste Event Marketing VP of Sales/Entertainment Producer. Photo: Getty Images

 • • •

Chase Bryant, LoCash Cowboys, Phil Vassar and Chris Young were among the attendees/performers during this year’s IEBA.

IEBA 2014 Conference - Day 3

Chase Bryant, Jeff Gregg and guests during IEBA. Photo: Getty Images


IEBA 2014 Conference - Day 2

Phil Vassar performs during the annual IEBA Conference. Photo: Getty Images


IEBA 2014 Conference - Day 2

LoCash Cowboys perform during the IEBA conference. Photo: Getty Images


Pictured (L-R): Greg Oswald (co-head, William Morris Endeavor Nashville), Chris Young, Rob Beckham (co-head, William Morris Endeavor Nashville). Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Greg Oswald (co-head, William Morris Endeavor Nashville), Chris Young, Rob Beckham (co-head, William Morris Endeavor Nashville). Photo: Getty Images

Mark Your Calendar – October 2014

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Eric-PaslaySingle Add Dates

October 6
Carrie Underwood/Something In The Water/Arista Nashville-19
Dierks Bentley/Say You Do/Capitol Nashville
The Railers/Kinda Dig The Feeling/Warner Bros-WMN
October 13
Kenny Chesney/Til It’s Gone/Blue Chair-Columbia Nashville
The Band Perry/Gentle On My Mind/Republic Nashville
Eric Paslay/She Don’t Love You/EMI Nashville
Lo-Fi/When You’re Over Me/Gasoline Records
Andy Ross/What We Do For Fun Around Here/Buckshot Collective
Crab Apple Lane/Hit The Ground Runnin’/Chevelle Records
David Aldo/Got It All Right Here/Render
October 20
Chris Chitsey/Lonely In Tucson/Premier Nashville
Josh Abbott Band/Hangin’ Around/Atlantic-WMN
Lady Antebellum/Freestyle/Capitol
October 27
Jo Dee Messina/He’s Messed Up/Dreambound Records


Florida-Georgia-Line-Anything-Goes-Deluxe-Target-AlbumAlbum Release Dates

October 7
Jason Aldean/Old Boots, New Dirt/Broken Bow Records
Hal Ketchum/I’m The Troubadour/Music Road Records
Various/The Best of Me [Soundtrack]/EMI Nashville-Relativity Music
Old Dominion/Old Dominion [EP]/ReeSmack-Thirty Tigers
Doug Seegers/Going Down To The River/Rounder Records
Brian Collins/Healing Highway/Blue Light Entertainment
October 14
Florida Georgia Line/Anything Goes/Republic Nashville
The Swon Brothers/The Swon Brothers/Arista Nashville
October 21
Little Big Town/Pain Killer/Capitol Records Nashville
October 24
Angaleena Presley/American Middle Class/Slate Creek Records
October 27
Taylor Swift/1989/Big Machine
Sam Hunt/MONTEVALLO/MCA Records Nashville
Darius Rucker/Home For The Holidays/Capitol Records Nashville
Gretchen Wilson/Still Here For The Party/Redneck Records
October 28
BlackHawk/Greatest Hits & More/Loud & Proud Records
Caitlyn Smith/Everything to You [EP]

NSAI-Song-Contest-Presented-By-CMT-Submission-SubmitIndustry Events

September 30-October 4
IBMA World of Bluegrass 2014 and Film Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina
October 2
IBMA’s 25th annual Awards at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts
October 3
Island Hopper Songwriter Festival on Fort Myers Beach
October 7
45th annual Dove Award at Lipscomb University in Nashville
October 21
T.J. Martell Foundation 39th New York Honors Gala, to be held at Cipriani in New York
October 27
CMA final ballot due 5pm CT
October 31
Deadline to enter the 15th Annual NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT

Nettles Returns To Host 'CMA Country Christmas'

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Jennifer Nettles

Jennifer Nettles


Jennifer Nettles returns to host this year’s CMA Country Christmas, which will tape before a live audience on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The program will air on ABC.
Artists slated to perform include Dan+Shay, Brett Eldredge, Sara Evans, Lucy Hale, Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town, Idina Menzel, Nettles, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, and Carrie Underwood.
“After being the host of ‘CMA Country Christmas’ for five years now, it is hard to pick one thing I love about it. There are so many fun moments,” Nettles said. “Whether it is the performances or duets, getting to perform Christmas songs with great artists is really fun for me. It’s really a fun show all around.”
CMA Country Christmas is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton serves as Exec. Producer, while Paul Miller is Director and David Wild is the writer.
“The taping for ‘CMA Country Christmas’ is a jump-start for the holiday season and has become a family tradition for many Nashville residents,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Adding to the celebration is our annual toy drive, which provides new toys for children in need, shining a spotlight on a worthy endeavor in a way that reflects the values and giving nature of our artists, the industry, and this city.”
For the third year, audience members are being encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to the taping. Nashville-based non-profit group Generosity will have volunteers onsite with specially marked bins to collect toys beginning at 5 p.m. CT on Nov. 7. Last year, the group collected more than 5,000 toys.

Kenny Rogers, Linda Davis To Embark on Christmas Tour

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kenny rogers11Kenny Rogers will be performing holiday favorites and his classic hits across the U.S. and Canada when his 33rd Christmas tour – Christmas & Hits Through The Years with Special Guest Linda Davis – launches this November. The 25-date run begins Nov. 12 in Niagara Falls, Ontario and wraps Dec. 23 in Westbury, New York.

2014 KENNY ROGERS // CHRISTMAS & HITS THROUGH THE YEARS TOUR  
With Special Guest Linda Davis 

Nov. 12 ,Niagara Falls, ON, Canada,Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort – The Avalon Ballroom Theatre
Nov. 13, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada,Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort – The Avalon Ballroom Theatre
Nov. 14, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada,Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort – The Avalon Ballroom Theatre
Nov. 15, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada,Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort – The Avalon Ballroom Theatre
Nov. 20, Moncton, NB, Canada, Casino New Brunswick
Nov. 21, Halifax, NS, Canada, Halifax Metro Centre
Nov. 22, Sydney, NS, Canada, Centre 200
Nov. 28, Fort Pierce, FL, Sunrise Theatre
Nov. 29,  Sarasota, FL, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Nov. 30, Saint Petersburg, FL, Mahaffey Theater
Dec. 2, Florence, SC, Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center
Dec. 5, New Buffalo, MI, Four Winds Casino Resort – Silver Creek Event Center
Dec. 6, Detroit, MI, Fox Theatre
Dec. 7, Evansville, IN, Ford Center
Dec. 11, Wheeling, WV, Capitol Theatre
Dec. 12, Van Wert, OH, Niswonger Performing Arts Center
Dec. 13, Wabash, IN, Honeywell Center
Dec. 14, Zanesville, OH, Secrest Auditorium
Dec. 16, Greenville, SC, Peace Center For The Performing Arts
Dec. 17, Richmond, VA,  Altria Theater
Dec. 18, Verona, NY, Turning Stone Resort & Casino – Event Center
Dec. 19, Uncasville, CT, Mohegan Sun Arena
Dec. 20, Jim Thorpe, PA, Penn’s Peak
Dec. 21, Norfolk, VA, Chrysler Hall
Dec. 23, Westbury, NY, NYCB Theatre at Westbury
 

Baby News: Clawson, Williams, Henningsen

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henningsen

Clara Henningsen


The Henningsens’ Clara Henningsen and husband Jacob Calaway are expecting their first child.
The Henningsens consists of family members Brian Henningsen, his son Aaron, and daughter Clara.
The social media post proclaims, “Adding a new band member in March 2015!!”
Clara married Calaway last year at the family’s 143 year old Illinois farm house.

• • •

Holly Williams and husband Chris Coleman welcomed their first child, daughter Stella June Coleman, on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 1:45 p.m. in Nashville, reports people.com.
Williams, 33, is the granddaughter of Hank Williams, and daughter of Hank Williams, Jr.

 • • •

nicolle galyon11

Nicolle Galyon


Songwriters Rodney Clawson and Nicolle Galyon are expecting their second child in spring 2015.
Their daughter, Charlie Jo Clawson, was born May 29, 2013.
 
 

Weekly Register: Chesney Dukes It Out In Three-Way Chart Battle

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kenny chesney11This week’s albums chart featured a three-way battle for No. 1, as Kenny Chesney‘s The Big Revival, Barbra Streisand‘s duets album Partners, and Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga‘s Cheek To Cheek fought for the top position.
Bennett and Gaga came out on top, selling 131k, followed by Chesney at No. 2 with 130k, and Streisand and her leading men at No. 3 with 127k units moved.
And there’s always a Nashville connection: The Streisand/Blake Shelton duet featured on Partners, titled “I’d Want It To Be You,” was written by Bobby Tomberlin, Steve Dorff and Jay Landers.
The top 5 selling Country albums this week were Chesney, followed by Tim McGraw‘s Sundown Heaven Town with 23k, George Strait‘s The Cowboy Rides Away: Live From AT&T Stadium with 22k, Luke Bryan‘s Crash My Party at 8.8k, and Lee Brice‘s I Don’t Dance with 8.8k.
There were several additional worthy debuts this week. Lee Ann Womack‘s The Way That I’m Livin‘ moved 3.4k units, while Big & Rich‘s Gravity moved 6.6k, and Josh Abbott Band‘s EP Tuesday Night moved 5.5k.
Overall album sales are down 14.3 percent YTD, while overall digital sales are down 11.5 percent. Country sales are down 18.8 percent YTD, while Country digital sales are down 12 percent.
Next week’s Weekly Register will include numbers for Blake Shelton‘s Bringing Back The Sunshine, Lady Antebellum‘s 747, and Chase Bryant‘s digital EP.
Tracking Tracks
jaosn aldean11Megan Trainor‘s “All About That Bass” shakes off Taylor Swift‘s “Shake It Off” this week to become the top selling track, with 253k. Swift moves to No. 3, with 224k this week, cracking the 2 million in sales mark for “Shake It Off.”
The top debut track overall, coming in at No. 4 is Jason Aldean‘s “Tonight Looks Good On You,” which moved 90k. That also makes it the No. 1 Country track this week.
Aldean also take the No. 2 best-selling Country track this week, with “Burnin’ It Down” at 77k. Florida Georgia Line‘s “Dirt” moved 62k, while their “Anything Goes” debuted with 58k sold. Blake Shelton‘s “Neon Light” is the fifth best-selling Country track this week, with 39k sold.
Overall track sales are down 12.9 percent from last year, while Country track sales are down 17.8 percent from this time last year.
WeeklyReg10011411Numbers according to Nielsen Soundscan.
Special Note: MusicRow sends our condolences to Spielberg Entertainment’s Neal Spielberg on the passing of his Uncle Dave Benjamin. Spielberg shared, “I lost a very dear relative and inspiration in my life. He is the reason I do what I do when it comes to the music business.” Benjamin was the first WEA Florida sales manager in 1971, after years working for Henry Stone at Tone Distributors.

DISClaimer: An Industry In Need of More Second Chances

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shotgun rider1If you ask me, the country-music industry could use a lot more second chances. Take Tim McGraw. He is experiencing a welcome career-uptick now that he has been energized by a new record label. He also has this week’s Disc of the Day with the irresistible “Shotgun Rider.”
If Brian Pounds sounds a little familiar, maybe you were watching Season 5 of The Voice in 2013. He was on Team Blake, but was eliminated. His just-released CD gives him a new lease on life and earns him a DisCovery Award.
BRIAN POUNDS/Somewhere, Maybe Carolina
Writers: Brian Pounds; Producer: Brian Douglas Phillips; Publisher: none listed; BPSG (track)
-Now here’s an outstanding find. Not only does this guy sing like a bird, his lilting, melodic composition soars right into your heart and, for a change, his Texas record production sounds as fully realized as anything Nashville has to offer. Pounds’ five-song EP is titled Strikes and Gutters. Be the first on your block to own a copy.
ALABAMA/The Last Altar Call
Writers: Jeff Cook/Tony Nichols; Producer: Alabama; Publishers: Whispering Cougar, BMI; Cracker Barrel
-Alabama’s new gospel collection contains three tracks that are exclusive to Cracker Barrel. This waltz is the most ear opening, for it has a heartfelt lead vocal by Jeff instead of Randy. Refreshingly different.
WADE BOWEN/When I Woke Up Today
Writers: none listed; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publishers: none listed; AMP (track)
-The album doesn’t come out until Oct. 28, but this jangly, jaunty country-rock single is out now. It is sung with enormous verve. Just as important, it boasts an excellent lyric as well as a catchy tempo. Recommended.

Brian Pounds

Brian Pounds


TIM McGRAW/Shotgun Rider
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Marv Green/Troy Verges; Producers: Byron Gallimore/Tim McGraw; Publishers: Hillarody Rathbone/BMG/Warner-Tamerlane/The Good The Bad The Ugly/Goes Something Like This/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine (track)
-Summer might be coming to an end, but this is still a perfect roll-the-top-down and take-to-the-highway song. A single with its own built-in breeze. The electric guitar leads and fills by Michael Landau, David Lavita and producer Byron Gallimore are delightfully ear tickling.
DERIK HULTQUIST/For The Good of the Rose
Writers: Derik Hultquist; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Scrambler/Carnival; ASCAP
-Subtle, poetic, artistic and a little verbose, with just the tiniest hint of a chorus. He definitely has troubadour blood in his veins.
JASON ALDEAN/Burnin’ It Down
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins/Brian Kelley/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: Michael Knox; Publishers: none listed; Broken Bow (ERG)
-It has more production layers than most of his singles. Which would be okay if the song was comparably complex instead of monotonous.
NATALIE STOVALL & THE DRIVE/Mason Jar
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; HitShop (ERG)
-Youthful and rocking. They have sometimes sounded a little over the top, but this time out, the merry, sunny tone is pitched just right.
JON BYRD/In The Back of Your Mind
Writers: Mando Saenz/Will Kimbrough; Producer: Jon Byrd/Thomm Jutz; Publishers: none listed; Longleaf Pine
-I have liked the work of this plainspoken, down-home country stylist in the past. His new CD, Route 41, contains songs by writers he has encountered in both Atlanta and in Nashville. This moody, downbeat ballad has a definite Music City pedigree.
KELLEIGH BANNEN/You Are What You Love
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; EMI (ERG)
-Sprightly and enjoyable. It won’t exactly change your life, but it might make you smile for three minutes and 16 seconds.
LOUISIANA SWAMP DONKY/Redneck Revival
Writers: none listed; Producer: Richard Young; Publishers: Bugmusic, ASCAP; LSD (track)
-Produced by Richard Young of The Kentucky HeadHunters, these four dudes attack a song like whiskey-ripped barroom brawlers. As you might expect by the title, there’s plenty of electric guitar screaming, drum pounding and growling Bocephus/Dixie vocal attitude. And, yes, that is the way they spell “donky.”