No. 1 Party: “Love Me Like You Mean It”

Pictured (l-r): Black River Entertainment's Gordon Kerr and Celia Froelig, Kerr, Whitehead, Ballerini, Carpenter, Parallel Music Publishing's Tim Hunze and ASCAP's Mike Sistad. Photo by Ed Rode.

Pictured (l-r): Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr and Celia Froehlig, Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead, Kelsea Ballerini, Lance Carpenter, Parallel Music Publishing’s Tim Hunze and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. Photo: Ed Rode

It was a celebration of “firsts” at the ASCAP building in Nashville on Monday, Aug. 10. Black River Entertainment’s Kelsea Ballerini scored her first No. 1 as an artist and songwriter with her hit “Love Me Like You Mean It.” It is the debut single from Ballerini’s first album titled, The First Time.

The three other co-writers on the song, Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead, and Lance Carpenter, were also recognized as No. 1 songwriters for the first time.

Additionally, Whitehead was credited for his first No. 1 as a producer.

Black River Entertainment’s label team can also now say they have a No. 1 single.

“Love Me Like You Mean It” also marks Ballerini as the first solo female to take her debut single to No. 1 since Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” in 2006.

During the event, Michael Martin and Mike Sistad of ASCAP welcomed the crowd and introduced the song’s publishers to honor their writers. Taking to the mic were Parallel Entertainment’s Tim Hunze and Black River’s Celia Froehlig.

Also on hand to speak were CRB’s Bill Mayne, Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton, and Brandi Simms of the CMA.

Lance Carpenter encouraged everyone to “Get your tissues out because I got mine.” He remembered the writing session for the song as a “fun night” and was “thankful to be standing up here today.”

Josh Kerr also shed proud tears as he described that day as a dream come true and simply unbelievable. Kerr is also a co-writer on Ballerini’s current single “Dibs,” and two other songs on the album.

Forest Glen Whitehead thanked Ballerini for allowing him to produce the song.

As Bellerini spoke to the crowd, she said that it’s important to always look forward, and added that it is equally important to not forget to look back. “I look back and remember that this song wasn’t supposed to work, but it did,” she said. “Looking back is so beautiful. I love you all and I mean it.”

Ballerini and ASCAP EVP of Membership John Titta

Ballerini and ASCAP EVP of Membership John Titta.

Lecrae Leads GMA Dove Nominations

lecrae 2015

Lecrae heads into the Dove Awards as the leading nominee.

Lecrae leads the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award nominations with seven, as announced today (Aug. 12) in Nashville. Following with five nominations are for KING & COUNTRY, and with four each, Crowder, Matt Maher and Chris Tomlin.

The 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015 at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville at 6:30 p.m. CT. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the awards show on Sunday, Oct. 18.

On hand for today’s nominations announcement at Lipscomb were Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, GMA executive director Jackie Patillo and artists Audio Adrenaline, Jason Crabb, Colton Dixon, Joseph Habedank, Casey J and RED.

Nominees for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year will be made in a special announcement in coming weeks.

Select categories are below. See full list here.

Artist of the Year
for KING & COUNTRY
Francesca Battistelli
Kari Jobe
Lecrae
Mercy Me

New Artist of the Year
About A Mile
Danny Gokey
I Am They
Lauren Daigle
NF

Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year
Chris Tomlin
for KING & COUNTRY
Hillsong UNITED
Lecrae
MercyMe

Southern Gospel Artist of the Year
Booth Brothers
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Gaither Vocal Band
Collingsworth Family
The Isaacs

Gospel Artist of the Year
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Israel & New Breed
Jonathan McReynolds
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs

Dove Award nominees are determined by over 1,500 professional GMA members. Winners will be voted on by the entire GMA membership of nearly 2,500. Voting for the final winners will run Aug. 20 – 27.

Tickets to the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards are now on sale at the Allen Arena box office in Nashville or at www.doveawards.com. Ticket prices range from $35 to $200.

for king and country.

for KING & COUNTRY

Clare Dunn To Release Self-Titled EP Next Month

claredunn2015MCA’s Clare Dunn announced the release date for her self-titled EP will be Sept. 18. It will include her major label debut single, “Move On.” Dunn co-wrote and co-produced all five songs on her EP and also plays lead guitar on every track both in the studio and in her live show. She has drawn comparisons to Bonnie Raitt and Keith Urban while out on tour with rock icon Bob Seger this year.

Dunn has been tapped to join Miranda Lambert on the Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour as well as Chris Young on the I’m Comin’ Over Tour this fall.

Clare Dunn EP Track Listing:

1. Ferrari (Clare Dunn, Jennifer Decilveo)
2. Move On** (Clare Dunn, Jesse Frasure)
3. Tuxedo* (Clare Dunn, Ben West, Brett James)
4. Old Hat * (Clare Dunn, Tom Douglas)
5. Cowboy Side Of You*** (Clare Dunn, Terry McBride, Brandon Hood)

Produced by Clare Dunn
*Produced by Clare Dunn and Ben West
**Produced by Clare Dunn and Jesse Frasure
***Produced by Clare Dunn and Terry McBride

Granger Smith Signs With BBR Music Group

 

Pictured (L-R):  Top Row:  BBR Music Group’s Rick Shedd and Teddi Bonadies; Tyler Smith, Manager, TS Management, LLC, BBR Music Group’s Carson James.  Bottom Row: BBR Music Group’s Benny Brown; Granger Smith; BBR Music Group’s Jon Loba)

Pictured (L-R): Top Row: BBR Music Group’s Rick Shedd and Teddi Bonadies; Tyler Smith, Manager, TS Management, LLC; BBR Music Group’s Carson James. Bottom Row: BBR Music Group’s Benny Brown; Granger Smith; BBR Music Group’s Jon Loba

Granger Smith has joined the artist roster at Broken Bow Records Music Group. Smith has cultivated a huge social media following of nearly four million fans and consistently sells out headlining tours and breaks attendance and merchandise records. His brand new single, “Backroad Song,” is already making waves at country radio, and his full-length debut for the label will be produced by Frank Rogers

“I tell unsigned acts looking for deals all the time to create demand—prove to labels you can connect with an audience,” says BBR Music Group’s Executive Vice President Jon Loba. “Granger is the epitome of doing just that and is doing it nationally—not just regionally. His touring and merch business is already out-performing many signed acts with multiple hits. We are so excited to add Granger to the BBR Music Group family and look forward to amplifying the rabid demand he has created for himself and his alter ego Earl Dibbles Jr.” 

Gloria Gaynor Recording New Project in Nashville

Gloria GaynorGloria Gaynor, best known for her power anthem “I Will Survive,” is recording a new CD in Nashville produced by Capitol CMG writer Chris Stevens. The pop star is also collaborating with producer/engineer F. Reid Shippen and American Idol alum Melinda Doolittle on the new project, which will feature a collection of Christian songs with positive energy and an uplifting spirit.

Gaynor penned a book, We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration, and the Power of Song, in 2013 about the ways “I Will Survive,” has touched people from all walks of life. On top of her concert schedule, she also appears at motivational speaking engagements around the country, recently appearing at SXSW in Texas, the CCU Women in Philanthropy & Leadership Conference in South Carolina, and GRAMMY’s on the Hill in Washington, DC.

“’I Will Survive,’ should remind us to be proactive in this world,” explains Gaynor about the enduring popularity of the song. “In trying times, people are always looking for answers and direction of what to do and where to go next. So is it really so hard to believe that ‘I Will Survive’ has more relevance now than it did in 1979? Through this song we can relate to a person who has faced the same struggles and summoned the strength to rise above and survive. When you are knocked down you get back up, shrug off the hit and survive—don’t be afraid of the future!”

Jennifer Nettles Joins Dolly Parton Flick

Nettles in "Chicago."

Jennifer Nettles in “Chicago.”

Jennifer Nettles has been cast in NBC’s upcoming Dolly Parton movie, Coat of Many Colors. Nettles will play Parton’s mother, Avie Lee Parton.

Nettles’ acting resume includes starring in the Broadway production of Chicago. Her television resume lists time as a coach on ABC’s Duets.

Parton is exec producer of the movie set in 1955 in east Tennessee. NBC describes the project as “a family-oriented faith-based story… [about overcoming tragedy to] discover the healing power of love, faith, and a raggedy patchwork coat that helped make Parton who she is today.”

Pamela K. Long penned the film and executive produces with Parton and Sam Haskell. Magnolia Hill Entertainment and DP Productions produce in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Also joining the cast are Gerald McRaney (Longmire) and Ricky Schroder (NYPD Blue, Scrubs, Silver Spoons). Schroder’s country music connections include work on the music video for Brad Paisley’s “Whiskey Lullaby.”

McRaney will play Grandpa Jake Owens; and Schroder will play Dolly’s father, Lee Parton. They join previously announced Alyvia Lind, who will portray the young Parton.

Nashville Walk of Fame To Induct Trisha and Garth

©2015 Grand Ole Opry Photo: Chris Hollo

Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks. Photo: Chris Hollo

Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks will receive the 64th and 65th stars on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame on Sept. 10. The induction ceremony is free and open to the public at 2:00 p.m. in Walk of Fame Park.

“Trisha and Garth are two great artists who represent what makes Nashville special,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “They are musicians. They are entrepreneurs. And they are generous community advocates. The way they care about Nashville is as inspiring as their music. Garth stood strong with the city during the 2010 flood recovery, and we will never forget that. The city of Nashville is proud to recognize their accomplishments as individuals through inducting them into the Walk of Fame, and we are thrilled they will be our first husband-wife team to receive this honor.”

Brooks is the number one selling solo artist in US history with more than 136 million albums sold. He has been inducted into the International Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Yearwood is a platinum-selling, New York Times best-seller and Grammy and Emmy Award-winning maven. She has debuted a line of cookware, cutlery and home furnishings line. The couple married in 2005 and recently relocated back to Nashville. They are both currently performing in the three-year Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood.

“Their impact individually and collectively on Nashville’s musical heritage is immeasurable and has spanned decades,” said Ken Levitan, Yearwood’s manager and Chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. (NCVC) Board of Directors. “Their worldwide success has helped shine a spotlight on Music City and been a catalyst for millions of fans to come here.”

Established in 2006, the permanent sidewalk medallions are aimed to tribute musicians from all genres who have made significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration. Nominations are open to the public and are accepted in the categories of Artist, Musician, Songwriter, and Producer/Music Industry Executive. Application forms are reviewed by the Music City Walk of Fame anonymous selection committee.

The Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City, the charitable foundation of NCVC and is produced with the support of founding sponsor Gibson Guitar and sponsors Durango Boot, Hard Rock Café, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks.

NASH Launches Film Division

nash tv films logo 2015Cumulus is launching NASH TV Films, which will produce and distribute original feature-length films, with its debut film Walk Tall: The Journey of Sugarland’s Kristian Bush.

The original one-hour documentary will air over the first two weekends of September across more than 80 markets, reaching 53 percent of the country via the established platforms of Sinclair Broadcast Group, the largest television broadcaster in the country, and other broadcasters.  The film will be available on TV stations in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Seattle, Indianapolis, and Nashville. To view the trailer and see a list of airdates and times visit www.nashtv.com.

The Executive Producers of Walk Tall are Cumulus executives John Dickey, Executive Vice President of Content and Programming, and Stokes Nielson, Director of Video Content, Strategy & Production. Nielson is also the director of the film.

Walk Tall represents NASH’s expansion of original content into long-form films and documentaries, giving our audience incredible one-of-a-kind access into the lives and legacies of their favorite artists,” said Dickey. “We are partnering with Sinclair Broadcast Group for the first of a powerful line of films that capture the heart and spirit of Country music as seen through the eyes of fans and the artists.”

“This is the story of my life and my career over the past twenty years—from my mother passing away to my divorce to the tragedy in Indiana—and the bands and the songs that came from those experiences,” said Bush. “I’m excited to be here at the start of this promising partnership, experiencing firsthand the way Cumulus and Sinclair are dreaming up the future of how stories will be told in the music business and helping artists like me share music with more people than ever.”

In addition to country radio stations, the NASH brand includes NASH Country Weekly magazine, live concerts/events, online content, television programming and now original feature-length films.

Carnival To Release Hailey Whitters’ Debut Album

HaileyWhitters15

Hailey Whitters

Carnival Music will release Hailey Whitters‘ debut album, Black Sheep, on Oct. 2. An album release party will be held Sept. 29 at Nashville’s The Basement with her backing band of the studio musicians from the record.

This 10 song collection, produced by Derek Wells, features three solo-writes as well as co-written titles with Matraca Berg, Adam Wright and Stephanie Lambring (full list below). In March 2014, MusicRow‘s Robert K. Oermann reviewed a sample of Whitters’ material saying, “Very, very promising. Keep your ears on this newcomer…Send more.” A behind-the-scenes video of the full-length project can be seen here.

Whitters moved from Shueyville, Iowa, population just shy of 600, and signed a publishing deal with Carnival Music in 2012. Martina McBride recorded Whitters’ solo-written “Low All Afternoon,” although the track listing for McBride’s Nash Icon project is not finalized, Whitters’ version is included on her own album.

Whitters also signed with APA for booking in May 2015, opening for Randy Houser, Leon Russell, Chris Knight, and Corey Smith. She will play her home state, as well as Texas, North Carolina, and Kentucky before October when she hits Joe’s Bar in Chicago.

Album pre-orders will be available Friday, August 14. More information at haileywhitters.com.

HaileyWhittersBlackSheep15Black Sheep Track Listing:
1. Long Come To Jesus (Hailey Whitters/Matraca Berg)
2. City Girl (Adam Wright/Shannon Wright)
3. Late Bloomer (Whitters)
4. Black Sheep (Whitters/Wright)
5. Low All Afternoon (Whitters)
6. One More Hell (Whitters)
7. Heartbreaker (Whitters/Wright)
8. People Like You (Whitters/Kelsey Anna)
9. Pocket Change (Mando Saenz/Shelly Colvin)
10. Get Around (Whitters/Stephanie Lambring)

Big Kenny’s Home Life To Be Featured On TLC

"Big Kenny" Alphin

“Big Kenny” Alphin

Kenny Alphin, aka “Big Kenny” of Big & Rich, will be featured in a one-hour special on TLC called Big Kenny and Family. The show will follow the home life of Kenny, his wife Christiev, and their sons, Dakota, Lincoln, Christopher and Cameron, during a break from touring as one half of Big & Rich.

Big Kenny And Family will premiere on Wed., Sept. 2 at 9:00 p.m. CT on TLC. It is produced by Pilgrim Studios, in association with Boomboombooya, Inc. for TLC. The executive producers are Craig Piligian, Yanne Debonne, Aaron Semmel, and Clay Vandiver. Kenny Alphin serves as producer on the program.