Nashville Celebrates “Day Drinking” and “Girl Crush”

 The people behind “Girl Crush,” including Liz Rose Music’s Scott Ponce, BMG’s Kos Weaver, BMI songwriter Lori McKenna, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, songwriter Hillary Lindsey, BMI songwriter Liz Rose, members of LBT Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls and BMI’s Leslie Roberts.

The people behind “Girl Crush,” including Liz Rose Music’s Scott Ponce, BMG’s Kos Weaver, BMI songwriter Lori McKenna, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, songwriter Hillary Lindsey, BMI songwriter Liz Rose, members of LBT Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls and BMI’s Leslie Roberts.

 The people behind the track “Day Drinking,” including LBT member Kimberly Schlapman, Universal Record’s Shane Allen, BMI songwriters Barry Dean and Troy Verges, Creative Nation/Pulse’s Beth Laird, BMI songwriter and LBT members Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls, BMI’s Leslie Roberts and David Preston.

The people behind the track “Day Drinking,” including LBT member Kimberly Schlapman, Universal Record’s Shane Allen, BMI songwriters Barry Dean and Troy Verges, Creative Nation/Pulse’s Beth Laird, BMI songwriter and LBT members Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls, BMI’s Leslie Roberts and David Preston.

Members of Nashville’s music industry elite packed into venue Ruby yesterday (Aug. 20) to celebrate the back-to-back successes of “platinum-selling badasses” (to quote UMG Nashville’s Shane Allen) Little Big Town, thanks to “Day Drinking” and “Girl Crush,” both tracks from their latest album Painkiller.

The shindig began by celebrating the jaunty No. 1 single “Day Drinking,” penned by Little Big Town members Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet, with UMPG writer Troy Verges and Creative Nation writer Barry Dean. All are BMI writers.

“Day Drinking” marked Dean’s second No. 1 single (his first was another LBT mega-hit, “Pontoon”), and Verges’ eighth chart-topper.

“This is the first song we wrote for the record,” Fairchild commented.

BMI’s David Preston and Leslie Roberts were on hand to honor Fairchild, Westbrook, and Sweet with custom Gibson guitars to honor their first No. 1 song as writers. Preston also presented Little Big Town with BMI’s Million-Air award, certifying 1 million spins of “Day Drinking.”

Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn called the celebration “the feel-good party of the year.”

Among those celebrating included Little Big Town’s manager Jason Owen and members of his team, along with UMPG’s Kent Earls, the CRB’s Holly Lane, and Creative Nation’s Luke Laird and Beth Laird, who continued their tradition of out-of-the-box ways of honoring the songwriters, this time with wooden coolers emblazoned with “Day Drinking.”

The Love Junkies and Little Big Town

Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose (the Love Junkies) with Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet.

Next up, honors for the attention-grabbing, sultry ballad “Girl Crush,” penned by the Love Junkies, a.k.a. top-notch songwriting trio Lori McKenna (BMI), Hillary Lindsey (ASCAP), and Liz Rose (BMI). “Girl Crush” notched a record-breaking 13 weeks at No. 1 on the all-encompassing (including streams, sales and airplay) Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. “Girl Crush” was honored earlier this year as Song of the Year at the 2015 MusicRow Awards.

“There are songs that are game changers, and this is one of them,” said Fairchild, sharing that the band all but begged the writers to not play the song for any other artists upon hearing it for the first time.

“Thank you for trusting us with this amazing song,” Schlapman added, thanking Rose, McKenna, and Lindsey.

Massachusetts resident McKenna recalled how the song was penned during one of the trio’s writing sessions while she was in town. “We decided we would stay at Liz’s house and write every spare moment for three days,” said McKenna. “Liz can literally write a song in her sleep. I’ve seen it happen.” She also shared that Lindsey penned “Girl Crush”‘s first four verses on the spot.

Kos Weaver of BMG noted that the party marked Lindsey’s third No. 1 party in less than a week (she was previously honored at parties celebrating Tim McGraw’s “Shotgun Rider” and Carrie Underwood’s “Little Toy Guns”). “Hillary is a national treasure,” said Weaver, adding, “This song will go down in history.”

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad was also on hand to celebrate Lindsey as a contributor on “Girl Crush.”

Additional honors included Cooper Samuels of Avenue Bank announcing donations to Blood:Water and MusiCares on behalf of the songwriters of “Girl Crush” and “Day Drinking.” Meanwhile, UMG Nashville’s Royce Risser presented Little Big Town with plaques commemorating the platinum sales of “Girl Crush.”

That’s definitely worth a celebratory day drink or two.

Artist Updates: Reba, JT Hodges, Maddie & Tae, Hank Williams Jr.

Reba To Contribute To The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave

Reba McEntire performing in Together in Vegas. Photo: Caesars Palace.

Reba McEntire performing in Together in Vegas. Photo: Caesars Palace.

Nash Icon’s Reba McEntire is adding another film to her resume. “I just finished recording the voice of Etta, a new character in the Land Before Time movies!” she posted on FacebookThe Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave will be out in early 2016.

 

JT Hodges Preps Nashville Performance

JT Hodges Locks on DoorsJT Hodges is set for a performance at Nashville’s City Winery on Monday, Sept. 7. The show will begin at 7 p.m., with Sony artist Josh Dorr.

Hodges’ set will feature the single “Ray-Bans,” the first song from his EP Locks On Doors. Hodges is also featured on Opry 9.0, Vol 1: Discoveries from the Circle alongside Chase Bryant and Drake White.

Tickets for the set can be purchased at citywinery.com.

Maddie & Tae Featured on NPR’s First Listen Series

Maddie & Tae Start Here 2015Dot Records duo Maddie & Tae‘s debut album Start Here has been selected as part of NPR’s “First Listen” series, and is now being live-streamed.

Start Here releases Aug. 28, and includes the Platinum-certified hit “Girl In A Country Song.” The duo recently celebrated the song’s success and their upcoming album with an exclusive party in Nashville.

 

Hank Williams, Jr. Adds Dates to Fall Leg of Tour

unnamedHank Williams Jr. is prepping for the fall leg of his 2015 tour while putting the final touches on his forthcoming Nash Icon Records album. Stops on the tour include shows in New York, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.

“2015 has been a great year for Bocephus,” Williams said. “I signed a new record contract and am making one of the best albums in many years. I am testing a few songs on the crowds at the shows, and the fans are reacting to them, which is a good sign in this business. With these upcoming shows, the fans can expect to hear lots of the hits, a few new things and more importantly, should be prepared to boogie woogie.”

Josh Abbott Band Gives Fans A ‘Front Row Seat’

josh abbott band 2015Josh Abbott Band is prepping a new album to be released Nov. 6 via Thirty Tigers. The first single “Amnesia” debuted on Sirius XM The Highway yesterday and is available everywhere today (Aug. 21).

Produced by Dwight A. Baker (The Wind & The Wave), Front Row Seat was recorded at Matchbox Studios in Austin. The album features collaborations with heavy-hitting songwriters including Grammy winner Shane McAnally and Zac Brown Band collaborator Wyatt Durette. Josh Abbott Band also brought in rising stars Macy Maloy and Carly Pearce to lend their voices.

The band sold 741,590 concert tickets in the past two years alone and is out now on the Where’s The Party? tour, their biggest to date.

Josh Abbott Band’s 2014 album Tuesday Night was released by Atlantic, and followed their three independent projects which sold over 175,000 copies total and 1.4 million singles.

Front Row Seat tells the story of a romantic relationship from beginning to end, over the course of 15 songs arranged in five dramatic acts (see below).

Front Row Seat tracklist:

Act 1 – Exposition
1. While I’m Young
2. I’ve Been Known
3. Live It While You Got It

Act 2 – Incitation
4. Wasn’t That Drunk (w/ Carly Pearce)
5. Kiss You Good
6. If It Makes You Feel Good

Act 3 – Intimacy
7. Crazy Things
8. Front Row Seat
9. Kisses We Steal

Act 4 – Dissolution
10. Ghosts
11. Born To Break Your Heart
12. This Isn’t Easy

Act 5 – Dénouement
13. Intro – A Loss Of Memory
14. Amnesia
15. Autumn
16. Anonymity

Mel Tillis Enlists BLA For Booking

Pictured (L-R): Amy Aylward (BLA), Mel Tillis, Donna Lee (BLA), Mike Meade (BLA), Angela Roland (BLA),  Aura Guadagno (BLA), Don Murry Grubbs (Absolute Publicity, Inc.)

Pictured (L-R): Amy Aylward (BLA), Mel Tillis, Donna Lee (BLA), Mike Meade (BLA), Angela Roland (BLA),
Aura Guadagno (BLA), Don Murry Grubbs (Absolute Publicity, Inc.)

Mel Tillis has inked an exclusive booking agreement with Nashville-based agency, Buddy Lee Attractions (BLA).

“The longevity of Mel Tillis’ career proves the market is alive and well for Country Music’s legacy acts,” says BLA Vice President Mike Meade. “We are honored to be working with Mel. He is the perfect addition to the BLA roster.”

Tillis, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a CMA Entertainer of the Year recipient, has notched 35 Top Ten singles during his 50+ years in the music industry. As a songwriter, he’s has penned classics for Kenny Rogers (“Ruby, Don’t You Take Your Love To Town”), Ricky Skaggs (“Honey, Open That Door”), and George Strait (“Thoughts Of A Fool”). He was BMI’s Songwriter of the Decade for two decades, and was honored with a National Medal of Arts in 2012.

Weekly Chart Report (8/21/15)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

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Carrie Underwood Releases New Single From Upcoming Project, ‘Storyteller’

CarrieUnderwoodSmokeBreak

Carrie Underwood has revealed the cover art and title of her new single from her upcoming album, Storyteller. The lead single “Smoke Break” will be available at 11:00 p.m. CT tonight (August 20) after being delivered digitally to country radio today with an official airplay impact date of August 24. The Randee St. Nicholas-directed music video for the new single will exclusively premiere Monday, August 24, on Entertainment Tonight and ETonline.com.

The 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville superstar will release the new full-length project October 23, from producers Jay Joyce, Mark Bright, and Zach Crowell.

She took part in an online chat today on her official Facebook page, where the seven-time GRAMMY winner revealed the project will not contain any duets and is more traditional/twangy than anything she’s released so far.

“Smoke Break” was produced by Joyce and written by Underwood, Hillary Lindsey, and Chris DeStefano.

“[The single is] basically an anthem for every hard-working person,” said Underwood. “We all wear many hats and are spread thin, so we can all relate to being tired and needing a break. This song is about having that moment to be able to escape from whatever it is that’s stressing you out and have some time for yourself.”

A clip of “Smoke Break” is streaming online now at carrieunderwoodofficial.com.

Underwood has sold more than 56 million records worldwide since winning American Idol in 2005.

To celebrate her new single "Smoke Break," Underwood sent over cupcakes from Ivey Cake to the MusicRow office with a message that reads, "Happy Friday! Take a BREAK and enjoy a cupcake on me!!"

To celebrate her new single “Smoke Break,” Carrie Underwood sent cupcakes from Ivey Cake to the MusicRow office on Friday (Aug. 21) with a message that reads, “Happy Friday! Take a BREAK and enjoy a cupcake on me!!”

ASCAP Centralizes Customer Service Support Functions

ASCAP logo 2015ASCAP‘s Nashville songwriters and publishers will benefit from the centralization of the performing rights organization’s Writer & Publisher customer service functions, under its new Global Customer Service team initiative. Ryan O’Grady heads the Writer & Publisher Customer service team in Music City. Also part of the Nashville staff are Mary Self, Paul Harrigan, Stephanie Reeder and Kenyon Glenn-Nelson.

The centralization of all global customer service support functions allows ASCAP to deliver top-shelf customer service and rapid resolution response for publishers and songwriters.

ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews commented: “ASCAP’s goal is to establish a new standard for exceptional customer service support for songwriters, composers, music publishers and performing rights societies globally. The music rights business is more complex than ever and, as a result, we are working to proactively transform our operations and organizational structure in order to simplify the experience of working with ASCAP. We want key ASCAP customers – writers, publishers, global PRO partners and licensees – to have the most efficient and responsive customer service team available in order to enhance the customer experience.”

DeDe Burns has been appointed to the newly created role of Vice President, Global Customer Services and will lead the Global Customer Service Team. She will report to ASCAP COO Brian Roberts, recently hired by Matthews in March.

Charlie Daniels and Friends’ 40th Anniversary Volunteer Jam Raises More than $300K

Charlie Daniels

Charlie Daniels

For four decades, Charlie Daniels has brought together musician friends and fans to raise funds to aid U.S. veterans, military members and their families. This year’s 40th Anniversary Volunteer Jam, held Aug. 12 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, raised in excess of $300,000 for The Journey Home Project.

Fans enjoyed performances from The Charlie Daniels Band, Ted Nugent, Trace Adkins, Alabama, Terri Clark, Billy Ray Cyrus, Colt Ford, The Grascals, Lee Greenwood, The Kentucky Headhunters, Tracy Lawrence, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ryan Weaver, Wynonna, Craig Morgan, Lee Roy Parnell, Billy Dean, Michael W. Smith, Travis Tritt, Phil Vassar, Montgomery Gentry, Blackberry, Bonnie Bramlett, Jimmy Hall, Tucker Yochim, Jeannie Seely, Eric Church, Billy Crain, Natalie Stovall, Jamey Johnson and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others.

“Before we all continue on with our hectic lives, it’s important to stop and reflect on the fact that freedom is not free. We are so grateful to Charlie Daniels, his team, all of the phenomenal artists who donated their time and talent, and fans who came out to support The Journey Home Project,” said Mercedez Longever, managing director of The Journey Home project.

“It was good to see an old Tennessee Tradition come back to life, all for this great cause,” Daniels said.

UTA Acquires The Agency Group

UTA logoUnited Talent Agency has acquired The Agency Group, home to numerous country artists including Dolly Parton, Chris Janson, Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard.

This is a significant move by UTA to boost its music division, to go along with its established film and television roster representing Johnny Depp, John Cusack, Kevin Hart, Sigourney Weaver, Seth Rogen, and Will Ferrell among others.

The Agency Group has more than 95 agents operating from offices in London, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Toronto and Malmo, Sweden. It represents Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Muse, The Black Keys, Paramore, Foster the People, Nickelback, Guns ‘N Roses, David Gilmour, Ringo Starr, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jeff Bridges, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Hanson, Boy George, Deep Purple, and Rush, among others.

The Agency Group founder and president Neil Warnock will become head of worldwide music for UTA, reporting to the managing directors David Kramer, Jay Sures and Jeremy Zimmer. The Agency Group CEO Gavin O’Reilly will depart the company.

In 2014 The Agency Group beefed up its country roster with the acquisition of The Bobby Roberts Company. Today TAG’s Nashville office is headed by Nick Meinema and works with Janson, Stuart, Haggard, Aaron Tippin, Aubrie Sellers, Austin Webb, Benton Blount, Bill Anderson, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, BJ Thomas, Blackjack Billy, Bobby Bare, Casey Jamerson, Collin Raye, Confederate Railroad, Connie Smith, Cowboy Troy, Dallas Smith, Dean Brody, Deana Carter, High Valley, Jaida Dreyer, James Otto, John Anderson, John Conlee, John Michael Montgomery, Kentucky Headhunters, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Lenny Cooper, The Lacs, Logan Brill, Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis, Pauly Shore, Restless Heart, Sam Lewis, Sammy Kershaw, Sarah Ross, Sundy Best, Taylor Hicks, and Walker McGuire. 

UTA is purchasing TAG with money from a minority investment from Jeffrey Ubben, founder and CEO of ValueAct Capital, which has significant investments in Microsoft, 21st Century Fox, Adobe and CB Richard Ellis. This gives Ubben a minority share of UTA and a non-voting seat on the agency’s Board of Directors, whose members are Peter Benedek, Jim Berkus, Tracey Jacobs, Matt Rice, Kramer, Sures and Zimmer.

UTA’s recent growth also includes hiring 20 new agents and expanding its services. In early 2014, it acquired Bienstock, the leading talent agency in broadcast news and reality programming, and also developed divisions focusing on fine arts, branding strategy and venture funding.

Artist Updates: Baby News, Stars Sing for Disney, Clint Black in Nashville

Baby News: Kelly Clarkson

iheartradio awards clarkson

Kelly Clarkson

Singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson announced during a recent concert at Los Angeles’ Staples Center that she and husband Brandon Blackstock are expecting Baby No. 2.

“I’m totally pregnant again,” Kelly told the crowd. After sharing the news, she said, “That was not planned. I just didn’t want you to think I was crazy. Honestly I’m just hormonal today. Nothing’s wrong I’m OK. I haven’t vomited yet!”

In July 2014, Clarkson and Blackstock welcomed daughter River Rose Blackstock.

 

Country Stars Sing For Disney

we love disneyKacey Musgraves and Rascal Flatts are two of the many artists who have signed on to take part in the new compilation album We Love Disney, which will release Oct. 30. Produced by Verve Music Chairman David Foster, the compilation features 12 artists delivering interpretations of classic Disney songs.

Rascal Flatts, accompanied by artist and actress Lucy Hale, will duet on “Let It Go,” from the 2013 movie Frozen. Musgraves will offer her take on “A Spoonful of Sugar” from the 1964 film Mary Poppins.

Other artists taking part include Ne-Yo, Jason Derulo, Gwen Stefani, Ariana Grande, Charles Perry, Fall Out Boy, and more.

 

Clint Black To Host Concert for a Cause in Nashville

Clint Black

Clint Black

Clint Black is set to host Concert for a Cause on Sept. 9 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s James K. Polk Theater. As part of Chideo’s Clint Black Dream Recording Session Contest, Black will perform with the contest’s four finalists, including Blake Esse, Jefferson Clay, Julie McCloud, and Sasha Aaron.

The concert will raise funds to aid research to cure Rett Syndrome. Tickets are available for purchase at patron.tpac.org.