Industry Pics: Sony/ATV, SOURCE, Music Pub Works

/by

Sony/ATV Signs Andy Wills

Sony/ATV has signed songwriter Andy Wills to an exclusive publishing agreement.

Wills is also affiliated with Torrez Music Group. 

He is an accomplishede writer who penned Jerrod Niemann’s current single “Blue Bandana” which is rocketing up the country charts. “Blue Bandana” has set a new benchmark for Neimann, earning him the best country radio impact week of his career.

Pictured (L-R) Nathan J. Drake, Dickinson Wright PLLC; Alex Torrez, Torrez Music Group; Andy Wills; Terry Wakefield, Sony ATV Music Publishing; Derek Crownover, Dickinson Wright PLLC

Pictured (L-R) Nathan J. Drake, Dickinson Wright PLLC; Alex Torrez, Torrez Music Group; Andy Wills; Terry Wakefield, Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Derek Crownover, Dickinson Wright PLLC.

Change The Conversation Visits SOURCE

SOURCE, an organization of women music executives in Nashville, held its monthly members luncheon at ASCAP on July 23, 2015, and welcomed the founders of Change the Conversation as guest speakers.

On hand to speak were CMT Sr. VP Music Strategy Leslie Fram, Rounder Records VP A&R Tracy Gershon and MTSU Recording Industry Department Chair and journalist Beverly Keel. They started Change the Conversation to advocate the factual feminine advantages inside the entertainment community through information, shared successes and exposing misconceptions.

(L-R): Tracy Gershon, Leslie Fram and Beverly Keel

(L-R): Tracy Gershon, Leslie Fram and Beverly Keel

Music Pub Works Visits Washington DC

Music Pub Works senior executives Denise Zavitson and Jill Napier recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to present the company’s proprietary publishing software to the United States Copyright Office.

MPW, a subsidiary of Zavitson Music Group, is a cloud-based web application that provides a streamlined approach to managing all aspects of cataloging, registering, pitching, and revenue collection for songs.

Zavitson and Napier demonstrated the software’s capability of tracking copyrighted material from artistic inception to the point of revenue generation, as well as its Application Program Interface (API) capabilities. While in D.C., Zavitson and Napier also had meetings with Representative Marsha Blackburn’s office, the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Music Publishers Association.

Michelle Choe, Denise Zavitson, Sarang Damle, Steve Ruwe, Jill Napier, Rick Marshall, and John Riley

Pictured at the U.S. Copyright office (L-R): Michelle Choe, Denise Zavitson, Sarang Damle, Steve Ruwe, Jill Napier, Rick Marshall, and John Riley

‘MusicRow’ Exclusive: Pete Fisher Leads Opry’s 90 Year Tradition

/by
Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo.

In 1999 Pete Fisher joined the Opry’s leadership team with a focus on maintaining the brand’s cultural significance. Sixteen years later, his efforts have paid off.

MusicRow outlines those achievements in an in-depth print piece, found in the 2015 Artist Roster. The Opry Vice President/General Manager goes into further detail about star inductions and the memories he treasures most from his experiences.

“During my tenure here, we’ve inducted Mel Tillis, Charlie Daniels, the Del McCoury Band, Ralph Stanley, The Oak Ridge Boys,” recalls Fisher to MusicRow during a recent visit to his Opryland offices. “Contemporary-wise it’s been Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, and Old Crow Medicine Show, whose music ties back to the late ‘20s on the Opry.

“Opry membership has always been determined by the management of the time. I believe I’m the seventh manager in the Opry’s history. With that comes varying philosophies from the way it might have been done previously.

“It’s basically a decision Steve Buchanan and I make. The factors we considers are divided into two pieces. One is career accomplishment: artists who have achieved and sustained a respectable level of success. We almost have to think what a name will mean 20 years down the road in country music. The other piece is more the intangible: the emotional or relationship. When the artist is here as a guest performer, do we really see a genuine emotional connection to what the Opry is and what it stands for? It’s not about who’s the biggest name in country music, or who loves the Opry the most or how many times they have performed as a guest artist. It’s kind of a combination.”

Surviving over a decade and a half of time backstage saw Fisher literally paddling through murky waters, during the 2010 Nashville flood, and helming the reemergence of the now 90 year old institution.

“The memories I’ll treasure the most are probably the one-on-one interactions with people like Jimmy Dickens or Porter Wagoner and Jim Ed Brown,” he sums. “Nothing touches that for me. Those are precious memories.”

Pick up your copy of the MusicRow Artist Roster to read more on the Opry’s 90th Anniversary celebration and what to expect in the future.

Stork Watch: Jana Kramer, Cassie and Charles Kelley

/by
Charles Kelley and Cassie McConnell Kelley

Charles Kelley and Cassie McConnell Kelley

Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and wife Cassie McConnell Kelley are expecting their first child in February, McConnell Kelley announced on her womanista.com website Friday morning.

The couple had been trying to conceive for years and visited a fertility specialist who found they had a one percent chance of conceiving a child naturally. “We are so happy we can hardly stand it,” she wrote. “Like, ecstatic and I’m crying even as I type those words! (It’s) a journey that I want to share here at Womanista because I know there are a lot of women out there who have walked the road of a fertility struggle and we can all grow, heal, and understand each other better through our shared experience,” she said.

• • • •

Pictured (L-R): Michael Caussin, Jana Kramer Photo: Bev Moser

Pictured (L-R): Michael Caussin, Jana Kramer Photo: Bev Moser

Jana Kramer and husband Michael Caussin are expecting a baby early next year.

The happy couple announced the news to People magazine today, with Kramer saying, “Being a mom will be the greatest job I’ll ever have. I feel like the luckiest girl alive to be on this journey with the love of my life. We are beyond thrilled to be entering the path of parenthood together. Words cannot describe how happy and blessed we feel to become parents.” The two got engaged last December and were married in Charlottesville VA on May 22.

Carrie Underwood Makes RIAA History With 28 Million Mark

/by
Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman, Underwood, and Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Chairman & CEO Cary Sherman (Photo by Alan Poizner)

Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman, Underwood, and RIAA Chairman & CEO Cary Sherman. Photo: Alan Poizner

Carrie Underwood’s latest Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) gold and platinum certifications for her new single, “Little Toy Guns” (gold digital certification) and “Before He Cheats” (quintuple platinum) have put her in some impressive company. The new certifications make her the current top country artist on the RIAA’s Digital Single Ranking, with certifications of 28 million across 20 songs, and place her among the top 5 females in the history of the digital single program, alongside superstars Rihanna and Katy Perry.

With her smash “Before He Cheats” selling 5 million downloads, Underwood becomes one of only five country artists in RIAA history to achieve that sales level with a digital single.

Two singles from Underwood’s latest CD Greatest Hits: Decade #1, have achieved heavy metal status already, with “Little Toy Guns” going gold and “Something In The Water” reaching platinum status earlier this year.

Luke Bryan Takes Manhattan on ‘Kill The Lights’ Media Blitz

/by
Luke Bryan in New York

Luke Bryan performs an exclusive event for Citi cardmembers in New York.

Luke Bryan kicked off a bevy of media appearances in the Big Apple last week to help launch his latest CD Kill The Lights. Last Thursday night (Aug. 6) he began his New York City media blitz with an exclusive iHeartRadio album release party live from the iHeartRadio Theater with host Bobby Bones that was broadcast on-air to iHeartMedia country stations and streamed online across station websites and iHeartRadio.com.

On Thursday Bryan also partnered with Target on the #LukeBox project, where fans and celebrities including Lionel Richie, Little Big Town, and Willie Robertson submitted over 40,000 song requests on Twitter using #LukeBox. In turn, Bryan and songwriters Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Jody Stevens wrote 25 original songs on the spot. For the finale, Bryan performed an acoustic version of “Way Way Back” from his new CD. Fans who purchase the album at Target stores and at Target.com will receive an exclusive deluxe edition with three bonus tracks.

On release day, Friday, Aug. 7, he performed for Good Morning America’s 2015 Summer Concert Series in Central Park where he debuted new single “Strip It Down.” Bryan wrapped up the day with a sold-out concert for Citi cardmembers and fans at Irving Plaza which was streamed live on the Live Nation Channel on Yahoo. (For more on Citi’s music initiatives, pick up the new issue of MusicRow, featuring Bryan on the cover.)

To round out the weekend coverage, on Sunday, Bryan’s Kill The Lights CD cover appeared on the hood of Brad Keselowski’s Miller Lite #2 car at the Watkins Glen race. He’ll appear on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon tonight to perform his new single and chat about the album.

Target #LukeBox

Bryan partners with Target for #LukeBox.

Luke Bryan and fans at the Citi concert

Bryan and fans at the Citi concert.

Borchetta To Ride ‘Idol’ To Finish

/by
Scott Borchetta

Scott Borchetta

For the second year Big Machine Label Group founder/pres./CEO Scott Borchetta will join FOX’s American Idol as mentor, MusicRow has confirmed. This will be the 15th and final season of the program.

“I have every intention of working with the team to develop a great new talent to land on Big Machine Records/Universal,” notes Borchetta to USA Today.

Keith Urban is also slated to return for the fourth year as a judge on Idol, in addition to Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. Ryan Seacrest will serve as host, a role he has filled throughout the duration of the enterprise.

In addition to searching for the final Idol, FOX notes the January 2016 farewell events will pay tribute to the past 14 seasons of contestants and the millions of fans who tweeted, texted and championed their Idols.

Big Machine signed season 14 winner Nick Fradiani.

Borchetta is repped by CAA.

Connie Smith Celebrates Golden Anniversary With Opry Family

/by
Pictured: (L-R): Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher, Connie Smith, and Marty Stuart

Pictured (L-R): Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher, Connie Smith, and Marty Stuart

Connie Smith celebrated her 50th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member Saturday night (Aug. 8) in a big way, surrounded by plenty of friends and Opry family. Jeannie Seely, The Whites, Alison Krauss, Del McCoury, and Mel Tillis were all on hand to help her mark the momentous occasion, and husband Marty Stuart hosted a special hour-long segment of tribute performances during which he joined Smith on a duet of “Til I Found You.” She also performed favorites “You’ve Got Me (Right Where You Want Me)” and “Satisfied” during the special evening as well.

Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher presented Smith with an inscribed gold bangle to commemorate the evening, proclaiming Smith “the very essence of the Opry.”

“I am so proud to be here tonight. It’s hard to believe that I actually get a chance to be here at all. Much less to have been here 50 years,” said Smith. “I got to be here in the era of Roy Acuff, Ms. Kitty Wells, Minnie Pearl, Grandpa Jones, Marty Robbins, Dottie West and so many wonderful folks. The Opry is one of the great loves of my life and has been since I was five years old. I said ‘someday I’m going to sing on the Grand Ole Opry.’ Dreams do come true. I have presented all five of my children and all eight of my grandchildren on this stage or on the Ryman stage. It’s such a big part of my heart.”

For more on the Grand Ole Opry and its evolving history, pick up a copy of the latest issue of MusicRow, featuring an exclusive interview with Pete Fisher.

Connie Smith and Marty Stuart share a laugh during her 50th anniversary celebration

Connie Smith and Marty Stuart

Weekly Register: Country Vs. Compton Race to the Top

/by

duo-slider-weekly-registerIt’s country versus Compton on the music sales charts, as the latest albums from Luke Bryan and Dr. Dre vie for the top overall spot. Final numbers won’t be in until next Monday, Aug. 17, but early estimates predict Bryan will sell about 340-355K (total consumption). His previous project debuted with 528K (albums only).

Meanwhile, Dre’s Straight Outta Compton soundtrack is predicted to sell about 290-305K, but that number could rise due to the film’s release this week.

On this week’s chart, Bryan has the top country track debut with “Huntin,’ Fishin,’ and Lovin’ Every Day” selling 10K to reel in the No. 27 country spot.

Top 5 Country Albums this week
Sam Hunt 13K
Alan Jackson 12K
Zac Brown Band Greatest Hits 9.8K
Zac Brown Band Jekyll + Hyde 9.7K
Jason Isbell 8.7K

Top 5 Country Tracks this week
Sam Hunt “House Party” 48K
Little Big Town “Girl Crush” 44K
Thomas Rhett “Crash and Burn” 41K
Keith Urban “John Cougar…” 40K
Luke Bryan “Kick The Dust Up” 39K

YTD Albums
Overall -3.5%
Country -5%

YTD Tracks
Overall -9.4%
Country -15%

Chris Young Reveals Tour Details, Cover Art

/by

chris young i'm comin' overChris Young has announced details for his I’m Comin’ Over fall tour and also unveiled the cover art for his new CD, due out later this year. Young will launch the tour Oct. 22 in Savannah, Ga. and hit 14 markets through Dec. 5.

Eric Paslay and Clare Dunn will open for Young.

Tickets for the tour go on sale Friday (Aug. 14) and can be purchased at aeglive.com and ChrisYoungCountry.com. A limited number of VIP packages, including premium seats, a preshow acoustic event, limited edition merch and more will also be available for sale.

I’m Comin’ Over Tour Dates
Oct 22 –  Savannah Civic Center, Savannah, GA
Oct. 23 –  Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, GA
Oct. 24 –  Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga, TN
Oct. 29 –  Santander Arena, Reading, PA**
Oct. 30 –  Erie Insurance Arena, Erie, PA
Oct. 31 –   Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Huntington, WV
Nov. 13 –  Emens Auditorium, Muncie, IN
Nov. 14 –  Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo, MI
Nov. 19 –  1STBANK Center, Broomfield, CO***
Nov. 20 – Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark, Billings, MT**
Nov. 21 – Bismark Event Center Arena, Bismarck, ND
Dec. 3 –  AMSOIL Arena, Duluth, MN
Dec. 4 –  Mayo Civic Center Arena, Rochester, MN
Dec. 5 –  Resch Center Theatre, Green Bay, WI

Industry Pics: CMA, ASCAP, Lindi Ortega, CMT

/by

CMA Films With CMT Canada

For the first time, CMA partnered with CMT Canada to film a special CMA Songwriters Series presentation on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Artists and songwriters Kristian Bush, Deric Ruttan, Ron Sexsmith, and Josh Turner performed during the celebration of songs and scribes, which was filmed in front of an exclusive invite-only audience of industry movers and Country Music super fans. The one-hour broadcast will air this fall.

Pictured (L-R): Ron Sexsmith, Kristian Bush, Josh Turner, and Deric Ruttan at the CMA Songwriters Series Wednesday night at The Great Hall in Toronto. Photo: Brian B. Bettcourt/CMA

Pictured (L-R): Ron Sexsmith, Kristian Bush, Josh Turner, and Deric Ruttan at the CMA Songwriters Series Wednesday night at The Great Hall in Toronto. Photo: Brian B. Bettcourt/CMA

ASCAP and Students Prep Release

ASCAP released the first music video “The World’s On Fire,” from their upcoming ASCAP Songwriter Residency: Volume 7 compilation, compiled of seven tracks free to stream and download Friday, Sept. 25. The song was co-written and performed by Felix McTeigue (“Anything Goes,” FGL) with songwriters Ellie Buckland, Isa Burke and 30 America SCORES students of Boston Teachers Union School. The after-school program is an annual mentorship program that enables songwriters to engage and inspire elementary and middle school students in under-resourced neighborhoods around the country. Click here to watch the video.

ASCAP

SESAC, ole Celebrate John Paul White-Produced Album

Lindi Ortega, SESAC, ole and Last Gang Records gathered Thursday, Aug. 6 at the Nashville-headquarted PRO to celebrate the release of Faded Gloryville. Ortega’s 10-track album was produced by Dave Cobb, Colin Linden, Ben Tanner and John Paul White. Lindi will play Nashville’s Ink N Iron festival on Sunday, Aug. 9.

Pictured (L-R): ole General Manager John Ozier, ole Vice President Gilles Godard, Lindi Ortega, Last Gang Management Partner Chris Taylor and SESAC Vice President Tim Fink. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Pictured (L-R): ole General Manager John Ozier, ole Vice President Gilles Godard, Lindi Ortega, Last Gang Management Partner Chris Taylor and SESAC Vice President Tim Fink. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Corey Smith Visits CMT

Sugar Hill Records artist Corey Smith stopped by CMT on Thursday (August 6) to play a few songs from his new release, While The Gettin’ Is Good, including his new single “Feet Wet.” CMT is currently playing the video for the single on CMT Pure.

Pictured (L-R): Cass Scripps - APA Booking, Brinson Strickland - The Collective Stacey Cato (Manager, Music Strategy) - CMT, Corey Smith Leslie Fram ( SVP, Music Strategy) - CMT, Cliff O'Sullivan - Rounder Label Group, David Newmark – Rounder Label Group. Front Row (L-R) - Donna Duncan (Manager, Talent Relations) - CMT, Rachel Cunningham - The Collective, Jordan Stephens (Coordinator, Music Strategy) - CMT, Jen Morrison (Sr. Manager, Social Media) - CMT, Claire Heinichen (Coordinator, Social Media) - CMT, Katie Roth (Social Media) - CMT, Jennifer Dichiara (Consumer Marketing) - CMT

Pictured (L-R): Cass Scripps – APA Booking, Brinson Strickland – The Collective, Stacey Cato (Manager, Music Strategy) – CMT, Corey Smith, Leslie Fram (SVP, Music Strategy) – CMT, Cliff O’Sullivan – Rounder Label Group, David Newmark – Rounder Label Group. Front Row (L-R) – Donna Duncan (Manager, Talent Relations) – CMT, Rachel Cunningham – The Collective, Jordan Stephens (Coordinator, Music Strategy) – CMT, Jen Morrison (Sr. Manager, Social Media) – CMT, Claire Heinichen (Coordinator, Social Media) – CMT, Katie Roth (Social Media) – CMT, Jennifer Dichiara (Consumer Marketing) – CMT