Apple Music To Launch June 30

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appleApple Music, offering streaming, online radio and an artist connection component, will be available starting June 30 in over 100 countries. The tech company revealed the long-rumored initiative today (June 8) at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco.

Initially, Apple Music will be available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and PC. It will come to Apple TV and Android phones this fall. The streaming service and app includes the entire 30 million songs in the Apple Music catalog, and users can also listen to their own uploaded music.

Beats 1, Apple’s first live radio station, is a 24-hour listening experience led by influential DJs Zane Lowe in Los Angeles, Ebro Darden in New York and Julie Adenuga in London. It will broadcast live to over 100 countries with listeners around the globe hearing the same programming at the same time, including exclusive interviews, guest hosts and more.

Additionally, Apple Music Radio will offer curated stations across all genres. Members can skip as many songs as they like.

The “For You” section of Apple Music is curated with a personalized mix of albums, new releases and playlists.

In addition to human curation, users can ask Siri to, “Play me the best songs from 1994,” or “What was the number one song in February 2011?”

In Apple Music with Connect, artists can share lyrics, backstage photos, videos or release their latest song directly to fans directly from their iPhone. Fans can comment on or like anything an artist has posted, and share it via Messages, Facebook, Twitter and email. And the artist can respond directly to the user.

A 3-month free membership will be available June 30, after which a $9.99/month subscription fee will apply. There will also be a family plan providing service for up to six family members for $14.99/month.

Blaster Records Inks James Otto

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james ottoJames Otto has signed with Blaster Records and the label has taken over promotion and marketing of his current single, “Somewhere Tonight.” The impact date for the song is set for July 13.

“We’d been watching what was happening with ‘Somewhere Tonight’ and were impressed,” said Blaster Records President Derek Simon. “There are a lot of alliances between our camp and James’ team, so one conversation kept leading to another. Both sides were able to be really be creative in quickly structuring a deal that supports what James is trying to do. We’re really excited about how this has all come together.”

Otto is a Grammy Award-nominated songwriter. He had a No. 1 song in 2007 with “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” and was a co-writer of the 2009 CMA and ACM Song Of The Year, Jamey Johnson’s “In Color.”

“I’m so excited about this new partnership with Blaster,” adds Otto. “I’d taken some time off to reflect on my life and my career and it gave me some great perspective and inspiration. I know a bunch of those guys and I knew it was the right fit for me. I’m more focused and committed now than I ever have been in my life. I’m really excited about the future.”

Curb Taps Lori Hartigan For West Coast Promo

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Lori Hartigan

Lori Hartigan

Industry vet Lori Hartigan has been added as West Coast Promotion Rep for Curb Records. She will succeed Joe O’Donnell, who recently announced his retirement.

“I’m excited to be on the front lines with an amazing team of professionals at Curb, led by (Curb VP of Radio Promotion) Ryan Dokke,” said Hartigan. “This position offers me the opportunity to continue what we started with Dylan Scott and Ruthie Collins, jump into promoting extraordinary developing artists like Mo Pitney, as well as work with hugely talented artists in Lee Brice and Rodney Atkins. Promoting artists that I truly believe in makes this job for me.”

Dokke added, “There isn’t anyone more passionate, committed, and capable of handling the west coast promotion of Curb Records’ artists than Lori Hartigan. She brings a wealth of experience and an unmatched determination to this role! We are very excited to have her and her skills joining our team.”

Lori Hartigan can be reached at [email protected] and (760) 929-1019.

Ryman Reveals $14 Million Expansion

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ryman renovation 2015The $14 million expansion of the Ryman Auditorium will be unveiled today (June 8). Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Ryman Hospitality Properties chairman and CEO Colin Reed, and Ryman Auditorium general manager Sally Williams are set for the afternoon press event.

The expansion of the National Historic Landmark includes a new state-of-the-art theater home to the film Soul of Nashville, five new exhibits, and a cafe. The original 1892 auditorium remained untouched during the renovation. Nashville- based firms Hastings Architecture Associates and R.C. Mathews Contractor headed up the project.

Soul of Nashville will kick off the reimagined Ryman daytime tour experience in a new 100-seat theater custom built for the show. Created by BRC Imagination Arts of California, Soul of Nashville utilizes cutting edge technology to surround the audience with moving images on multiple projector planes which puts them in the center of the show. Through special effects, archival images and footage, performers from the Ryman’s past become multidimensional right before the viewer’s eyes. Darius Rucker, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill appear in the film. The attraction is hosted by a virtual Lula C. Naff, the Ryman’s longtime promoter and manager (1904-1955.) She brought the greatest performers and Broadway plays of the day to the venue and ushered the Grand Ole Opry into the Ryman in 1943, where it resided until 1974.

Cafe Lula is a nod to Lula Naff. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows on three sides and a covered patio, the cafe located outside the Ryman’s main entrance, will offer both dine-in and grab-and-go service. There will be an emphasis on rotisserie cooking, as well as an espresso bar and full service bar.

Visitors will enjoy five new exhibits including videos and artifacts:

“Workin’ on a Building”: Video host Trisha Yearwood tells of the famed meeting between Thomas Green Ryman and Samuel Porter Jones, and the inspiration that led to the construction of the Union Gospel Tabernacle.

“Showplace of the South”: Video host Nicole Kidman shares the fascinating story of the Ryman’s transition from a revival hall into a premier performing arts venue, all under the helm of longtime manager Lula C. Naff.

“Mother Church of Country Music”: The Ryman acquired a new identity when the Grand Ole Opry radio program found itself in search of a new home, and began broadcasting from the stage of the old “Mother Church.” Hear firsthand accounts from Opry members Marty Stuart and Ricky Skaggs.

“Ryman Stage to Screen”: Visitors will see clips from the concert tapings, television episodes and major motion pictures (Coal Miner’s Daughter, Nashville, American Idol, etc.) that have used the Ryman as their setting during a video hosted by Charles Esten.

“Ryman Renaissance”: An exhibit dedicated to the ongoing legacy of the Ryman. Video host Robin Roberts shares recent Ryman history and relates the importance of its continued tradition. Today, the Ryman hosts 200-250 events annually.

Kobalt To Launch Global Collection Society

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kobaltKobalt has created a global, direct, digital mechanical and performing rights society. According to the company, this is the first global society of its kind. It is expected to debut this summer.

Following last year’s acquisition of AMRA (American Music Rights Association), Kobalt is combining AMRA’s music rights administration framework with its own advanced royalty processing platform, KORE, to provide fast, efficient royalty distribution with total transparency. Through continued partnerships with major digital service providers (DSPs) around the world, AMRA will broaden the direct-collection capabilities across the globe for its members.

This is designed to bypass the numerous collection societies around the world, so that digital music outlets can work with the one service, which would streamline the process and result in more accurate, timely payments to rights holders.

AMRA will offer two services: (i) licensing of AMRA publisher members’ Anglo-American repertoire to DSPs operating in multiple territories and (ii) collection of writer’s share of public performance monies on behalf of AMRA writer members. Single territory digital music services will continue to be licensed by the local collection societies.

Willard Ahdritz, founder and CEO of Kobalt said, “With AMRA, we are now able to fully execute our original Kobalt vision of trust and technology for creators and rights owners on a global scale. AMRA allows us to offer service unlike anything ever seen before in royalty collections. The industry can no longer afford to spend $5 collecting $1—the efficiency and transparency of AMRA is the future.”

The New York Times has a lengthy article on this initiative, and reports AMRA’s administration fee would be 7.5 percent.

A Thousand Horses’ ‘Southernality’ Out Tomorrow

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unnamed-11A Thousand Horses is set to release debut album Southernality tomorrow (June 9). The band came out of the gate at breakneck speed, racing up the charts with debut single, “Smoke,” which went straight to No. 1. The tune set a record for highest charting debut on the Mediabase chart and the band also became the first group to take their debut single to the top of the Billboard chart since 2008.

A Thousand Horses will celebrate the release of their Dave Cobb-produced album with a number of appearances, including performing on the CMT Awards June 10, where they are nominated for Group Video of the Year, at the CMA Music Festival June 11, and at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on June 14. Fittingly, the band is also out on the road with Darius Rucker’s Southern Style Tour this summer.

The band’s next single, “(This Ain’t No) Drunk Dial,” will impact country radio on June 29. A complete track listing of the new project is below.

Southernality Track Listing:
1.     “First Time” (Michael Hobby, Bill Satcher and Patrick Davis)
2.     “Sunday Morning” (Michael Hobby, Bill Satcher, Graham DeLoach, Zach Brown, Rich Robinson)
3.     “Smoke” (Michael Hobby, Ross Copperman and John Knight)
4.     “(This Ain’t No) Drunk Dial” (Michael Hobby, Corey Crowder, Neil Mason, Cale Dodds)
5.     “Heaven is Close” (Michael Hobby, Bill Satcher and Graham DeLoach)
6.     “Travelin’ Man” (Michael Hobby, Bill Satcher, Jaren Johnston)
7.     “Back to Me” (Michael Hobby, Bill Satcher, Graham DeLoach and Westin Davis)
8.     “Southernality” (Michael Hobby, Corey Crowder and Neil Mason)
9.     “Tennessee Whiskey” (Michael Hobby and Bill Satcher)
10.    “Hell on My Heart” (Michael Hobby, Bill Satcher, Graham DeLoach and Zach Brown)
11.    “Trailer Trashed” (Graham DeLoach)
12.    “Landslide” (Michael Hobby, Bill Satcher and Zach Brown)
13.    “Where I’m Going” (Michael Hobby, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)

Peter York Named President CCMG Label Group

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Peter York

Peter York

Peter York has been promoted to President of Capitol Christian Music Group, it was announced today by CCMG CEO Bill Hearn, to whom York will continue to report.

York has more than 30 years’ experience with the company. In his expanded role, York will oversee the creative direction of CCMG’s publishing and distribution divisions along with his current responsibilities of managing the label group, which includes Sparrow, Forefront, sixsteps, Hillsong, and Jesus Culture, among others.

In his early years with Sparrow, York worked directly with label founder Billy Ray Hearn, first in copyright development and A&R, and later as VP/A&R and then partnering with Hearn’s son, Bill Hearn, to run the label. During his time with Sparrow, York was instrumental in the development of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Britt Nicole, Mandisa, TobyMac, Matthew West and others. He began his career in music more than 40 years ago as a musician, writer, and producer, playing guitar and recording with artists 2nd Chapter Of Acts, Phil Keaggy, and others.

Bill Hearn

Bill Hearn

“There is no music executive in the business more capable than Peter, and our company and I have greatly benefited from his outstanding contributions during our 30 years together,” said Hearn. “He possesses a unique combination of creative intelligence and commercial understanding, as well as an exceptional ability to develop strong leaders. I’m confident our new structure will increase growth opportunities and long-term stability for CCMG, and make us even more effective in serving our artists, songwriters and business partners as we move forward.”

York stated, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the implementation of this new structure, which is designed to meet the changing needs of our artists, writers and music fans while putting more emphasis on developing the future leaders within our organization and industry. We plan to operate the Label Group, Publishing and Distribution units even more collaboratively, with seamless connectivity, improved efficiencies and creative synergies, while improving results and positioning the organization for continued success in the future.”        

With York’s rise, CCMG’s Publishing EVP Casey McGinty and its Distribution EVP Greg Bays will now report directly to York and continue to direct and manage day-to-day operations within their respective divisions.

CCMG Label Group SVP of A&R Brad O’Donnell and newly appointed SVP of Marketing Hudson Plachy will continue to report to York. O’Donnell will assume increased responsibility for the label group’s overall A&R strategy, creative direction and roster development. Plachy will assume expanded responsibilities for guiding all marketing and revenue growth strategies for the labels and their rosters of more than 25 artists.

Rick Horne, CCMG EVP and CFO, will continue to report to Hearn and partner with York in overseeing the day-to-day operations and financial aspects of the company. Chris Koon has been promoted to SVP of Finance and will continue to report to Horne and expand his responsibilities to include oversight of royalties and product management in addition to accounting and finance. CCMG’s Senior Vice President of Information Technology, Bonnie Campbell, will exit the company at the end of this year after more than 25 years of service. During this transitional period, AJ Rhodes will serve as acting Director of IT.

CCMG owned labels are home to artists Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, TobyMac, Jeremy Camp, Hillsong United, Smokie Norful, Tasha Cobbs, Britt Nicole, Newsboys, Matt Redman, Colton Dixon, Mandisa, Tye Tribbett and many others.

Capitol CMG Publishing, in addition to publishing most of the CCMG labels’ premier artist/writers, represents many of the leading writers in Christian/Gospel including Ben Glover, Matt Maher, Kirk Franklin, Mark Hall, Chris Stevens, Laura Story, Aaron Lindsey, David Garcia and many more. 

Pandora Heats Up Nashville with Thompson Square, Kelsea Ballerini, Dustin Lynch

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Thompson Square. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for Pandora Media

Thompson Square

Photos: Jason Davis/Getty Images for Pandora Media

Crowds lined up outside Marathon Music Works Friday night (June 5) for Pandora’s third free Pandora Country event, featuring Thompson Square with BBR labelmate Dustin Lynch and rising star Kelsea Ballerini (Black River).

Ballerini kicked off the event with a set list of Taylor Swift-approved songs including her debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “Yeah Boy,” a track from her full-length debut. The 21-year-old sensation covered influential songs from her youth like Sarah Buxton‘s and Keith Urban’s “Stupid Boy.”

Recognizing today’s genre-blending audiences, Ballerini treated the eager crowd to pop-favorites including Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time,” “Oops I Did It Again,” Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody,” N’Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye,” Christina Aguilera’s “Genie In A Bottle,” Destiny’s Child “Bootylicious,” and Rihanna’s “Take A Bow.”

Kelsea Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini

The perspiring performers received a warm reciprocation from the lively audience, which included Pandora listeners, media, sponsors and VIP guests. Next up for those slick-faced entertainers was Lynch, a true “urban cowboy” who proudly sported the film tee-shirt and his signature cowboy hat.

Lynch tipped that hat to cowboy superstars that came before him, performing Joe Diffie’s “John Deere Green,” Diamond Rio’s “Meet In The Middle,” Brooks and Dunn’s “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” and Garth Brooks’ “Rodeo.” Not to be outdone by Ballerini’s treatment of pop music, Lynch covered Drake’s “Hold On We’re Goin’ Home,” to top off his set.

Many of the Tullahoma-native’s family was in the crowd, including his grandmother, who was celebrating a birthday. Lynch serenaded her with his first No. 1 single (and a song dedicated to his grandparents), “Cowboys And Angels.”

Dustin Lynch. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for Pandora Media

Dustin Lynch

Benny Brown, Broken Bow Music Group’s Owner/CEO, has a secret. His key to success is great songs. Building a repertoire with those outstanding titles is Thompson Square.

The husband-wife duo wrapped the event on a well-equipped stage with reinforced lighting and props. Shawna’s eye contact was mesmerizing. Together with Keifer, the tension and chemistry compounded the quality songs like “I Got You,” “Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About,” “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” “If I Didn’t Have You” and “Glass.” New music is being prepared with producers Dann Huff and Mickey Jack Cones. A preview of the driving tune “Stuck In My Head” was delivered.

The evening included many corporate sponsors, including Kingsford charcoal, Bud Light Lime Rita, Folgers Iced Café, and Velveeta’s new Jalapeño and Chipotle mac & cheese.

From time to time Pandora curates events from its unique ability to determine which artists will resonate best with local listeners by analyzing musical preferences, stations created, and thumbed-up songs. Invitations to events are then extended to Pandora listeners who have demonstrated an affinity for the identified artists.

thompson square at pandora event

Thompson Square

Additional events have been hosted with Trace Adkins, Love & Theft, Jack White, Fall Out Boy, Imagine Dragons, Wyclef Jean, Earlsweatshirt, Chromeo, Celine Dion, Trey Songz, Diplo, Charli XCX, Neko Case, Bleachers, Tegan & Sara, Aloe Blacc, Cold War Kids, Estelle, J Balvin, The Hold Stead, Iggy Azalea and more.

Keith Urban To Debut Single From Next Album

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unnamed-3Keith Urban is rolling out a new single tomorrow (June 9), just in time for Wednesday’s CMT Awards, where he’ll debut the track live onstage. “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” is the first song from his upcoming album, the first in two years since the release of Fuse, which yielded four chart-topping singles.

The uptempo track was co-produced by Dann Huff and Urban, and instantly resonated with Urban when he heard it.

“It’s the poetic use of the three John’s and what each represents to me,” says Urban. “‘John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16’ was sent to me a few months ago by one of the songwriters and I loved it immediately—loved it so much that right before I walked out on stage at the Ryman Auditorium for CRS a few months back, I thought I’d play the song solo acoustic to see what the audience thought. Flash forward and there’s no doubt that their response that day helped make it the first single from what will be my next album. It’s a great feeling to be back in the studio shaping a new album.”

The Shane McAnally/Ross Copperman/Josh Osborne–penned song will be digitally delivered to radio tomorrow morning and will become available for purchase and streaming at midnight tomorrow.

Hit Writer Josh Osborne Signs With SMACKSongs As Partner

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L to R: SMACKSongs Creative ManagerRobert Carlton, Kobalt Music Group Senior VP Whitney Daane, Josh Osborne, SMACKSongs Creative Director Robin Palmer, Shane McAnally, Attorney Jason Turner, ASCAP Nashville VP Michael Martin& Attorney Jordan Keller Photo: Jason Krupek

(L-R): SMACKSongs Creative Manager Robert Carlton, Kobalt Music Group Senior VP Whitney Daane, Josh Osborne, SMACKSongs Creative Director Robin Palmer, Shane McAnally, attorney Jason Turner, ASCAP Nashville VP Michael Martin and attorney Jordan Keller. Photo: Jason Krupek

SMACKSongs President and CEO Shane McAnally announced the signing of songwriter Josh Osborne as a full partner of the music publisher today (June 8).

Osborne’s No. 1 songs include Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over,” Billy Currington’s “We Are Tonight,” Eli Young Band’s “Drunk Last Night” and Blake Shelton’s “My Eyes.” He is a frequent collaborator of Sam Hunt (co-writing his No. 1s “Leave the Night On” and “Take Your Time”) and Kacey Musgraves (co-writing the GRAMMY-winning “Merry Go Round”). Osborne currently has three songs on the charts: Chesney’s “Wild Child,” Jake Owen’s “Real Life” and Shelton’s “Sangria.”

Kobalt, an independent music publishing and global music rights management services company, will serve as the exclusive worldwide administrator for SMACKSongs.

“Since the first time working with Josh, we always knew we wanted to someday build a partnership beyond just writing songs together,” said McAnally. “This partnership marks a new beginning for SMACKSongs and we are excited to welcome him to the SMACK family.”

“Becoming a partner at SMACK is an incredible opportunity,” said Osborne. “To get to be a part of so many projects I believe in professionally, and so many people that I believe in personally, is more than anyone in our business could ask for.”

“The addition of Josh Osborne to the SMACKSongs family further solidifies its position as one of the hottest indie publishers on Music Row,” said Kobalt Senior Vice President of Creative (Nashville), Whitney Daane. “Kobalt is proud and privileged to be a part of the team!”

Founded in 2012 by McAnally, SMACKSongs represents the songwriting catalogs of McAnally, Osborne, Matthew McGinn and Jo Eldridge (nee’ Joanna Smith). It also represents the works of Matthew Ramsey and Trevor Rosen, members of Sony/RCA’s Old Dominion. The creative team consists of music publishing veterans Robin Palmer and Robert Carlton, with Michael Baum in business affairs and Tiffany Young running operations. SMACKSongs currently has 10 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Osborne was previously signed to Black River Publishing, which he joined in 2010.