Sam Hunt Notches 2x Platinum Single

Sam Hunt BillboardMCA Nashville artist Sam Hunt‘s chart-topping hit “Take Your Time” has been certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA, for sales topping 2 million. “Take Your Time” is from Hunt’s Gold-selling debut album Montevallo.

The singer-songwriter, who is on the current cover of Billboard, recently performed his latest single “House Party” on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

 

In Pictures: DMP, Kenny Chesney, FGL, Brett Eldredge, Delaware Junction Festival

Downtown Music Publishing Takes Over Bluebird

Downtown Music Publishing recently hosted a songwriting round with some of its rising Nashville songwriters at the Bluebird. The lineup included Sam Ashworth, Sara Haze, Andy Albert, Jillian Jacqueline, and Marc Beeson.

One of the highlights of the night included Beeson’s performance of Ashley Monroe’s titled track, “The Blade,” which he co-wrote with Allen Shamblin and Jamie Floyd.

DowntownMusicPub

Pictured (L-R): Sam Ashworth, Sara Haze, Andy Albert, Jillian Jacqueline, and Marc Beeson

 

Kenny Chesney To End The Big Revival 2015 In Boston

Kenny Chesney will end The Big Revival 2015 with two sold-out nights in Boston on Aug. 28 and 29. “There are no fans like Boston fans,” Chesney says. “Boston was one of the first cities to really embrace this music, to bring an intensity that equaled what we were trying to do – and when you know it’s the last shows you’re playing for a while, you want to take as much of that energy with you when you’re done. In a summer where every show seems to top the one before it, there was only one city we knew could close this down, and close it down with the passion we’ve been building all summer!”

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Kenny Chesney has a surprise for one young fan. Photo: Jill Trunnell

 

CMT’S Cody Alan Hangs With Florida Georgia Line

CMT’s Cody Alan hung out with Florida Georgia Line this past weekend at the Charlotte, N.C. stop of their Anything Goes summer tour. Florida Georgia Line will appear on CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan this Friday, Aug. 21.

Cody Alan-FGL

Florida Georgia Line with Cody Alan.

 

Brett Eldredge Celebrates With Warner Music Nashville

Brett Eldredge and Warner Music Nashville celebrated the upcoming release of his new album Illinois, releasing Sept 11. Eldredge played the full album and talked about about each of the songs, which he co-wrote. The night also included a toast to WMN President & CEO John Esposito who celebrates a birthday this week.

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Brett Eldredge with WMN staffers.

 

Delaware Junction Festival Becomes Fan-Favorite

The inaugural Delaware Junction, a three-day, two-stage country music and camping festival, took place this past weekend in Harrington, Del. A partnership between Live Nation, the creators of mega country music festivals Watershed, Faster Horses, Route 91 Harvest, FarmBorough, Windy City LakeShake and Highway One, the festival was lead by a strong lineup including Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Toby Keith, Lee Brice, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett and more.

JasonAldean

Jason Aldean

Black River’s Kelsea Ballerini Goes Gold

Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Brad Lovell – Courtesy of Iconic Entertainment

Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Brad Lovell – Courtesy of Iconic Entertainment

On the heels of her first No. 1 song, Black River Entertainment artist Kelsea Ballerini has notched her first Gold single. Her debut chart-topper “Love Me Like You Mean It” has been certified Gold by the RIAA for sales and streams of more than 500,000 in the United States.

While Ballerini might be basking in her newfound success, she isn’t slowing down. Her follow-up single, “Dibs,” has sold more than 66,000 units and is impacting country radio. The tune was co-written by Ballerini along with Josh Kerr, Ryan Griffin and Jason Duke.

Ballerini’s tour schedule is packed with festivals, headlining club dates, and slots opening for Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. She will join Dan+Shay‘s Just The Right Kind of Crazy Tour this fall.

 

 

ACM Lifting Lives 2015 Accepting Submissions For Grant Cycle

acm lifting lives

ACM Lifting Lives has announced a call for submissions for the 2015 Grant Cycle. Submissions will be taken for the 2015 Grant Cycle beginning Sept. 1, 2015 and ending on Sept. 30, 2015 at www.acmliftinglives.org. Funding decisions will be made and programs will be notified in November 2015.

ACM Lifting Lives, the Academy of Country Music’s philanthropic arm, is dedicated to improving lives through the power of music. Through grant cycles, it is able to provide funding to programs that promote education and healing with a musical connection.

Among the organizations that have received funding previously are Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN, Bridges Academy in Nashville, TN, CreatiVets in Washburn, IL, Free Arts for Abused Children in Los Angeles, CA, LiveBeyond in Nashville, TN, Music National Service Initiative in the Bay Area, CA, Musicians on Call in Nashville, TN, Notes for Notes in Nashville, TN, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, CA, Peace thru Music in Ventura, CA, Porter’s Call in Franklin, TN, Possibilities! in Cumberland Furnace, TN, Rochelle Center in Nashville, TN, Rock for Kids in Chicago, IL, Shepherd Center Music Therapy for Veterans in Atlanta, GA, Tapping Individual Potential (T.I.P.) in Nashville, TN, The Art of Elysium in Los Angeles, CA, The Quest Center for Arts & Community Development in Dickson, TN, Vanderbilt Music Therapy Program in Nashville, TN, W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School in Nashville, TN and Youth for Tomorrow – New Life Center, Inc in Bristow, VA.

Marbaloo Marketing Bulks Publicity, Appoints Six

Brandon Chamberlain

Marbaloo Marketing has promoted two and hired four, bulking its publicity division in an announcement made today (Aug. 20) by Managing Partner/Founder Faithe Parker.

Providing digital integration marketing for clients including UMG Nashville, Sony Music Nashville, Dot Records, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, and Tim McGraw, Marbaloo now employs over 20 people since beginning in 2010 in Nashville, Tenn.

Brandon Chamberlain has joined Marbaloo as Director of Editorial Marketing & Branding. The Los Angeles transplant spent the previous 10 years in the entertainment space at Virgin Records, UMGD and a myriad of publicity posts.

Anthony Langone has been promoted to junior publicist for Marbaloo. He is Queens, New York native who was a music blogger prior to joining Marbaloo as a publicity coordinator in November of last year.

Delaney Brannigan has been hired full time as a Publicity & Branding Coordinator. She is a Belmont graduate who worked for Marbaloo in a plethora roles while in school and upon graduation this year.

Dave Goldhahn has been promoted to Creative Manager and oversees a department of content generators including copywriting, photography and graphic design. He is a Pennsylvania native.

Hunter Airheart has joined Marbaloo as a content collector with experience as an “Instagram Influencer” from Arkansas.

Kathryn Parker has also joined Marbaloo as Finance & Operations Manager.

Pictured (L-R):

Pictured (L-R): Anthony Langone, Delaney Brannigan, Dave Goldhahn, Hunter Airheart, Kathryn Parker

DISCLAIMER: Big Stars and Fresh Newcomers Abound

Little Big Town

Little Big Town

Big stars and talented newcomers mix well in today’s DisClaimer.

In the latter category are such fresh finds as Josh Fuller, Justin Pecina and proven hit writer Joe Doyle. It might seem a little odd, but I’m giving the DisCovery Award to a white-bearded, 60-year-old music vet named Frank Martin Gilligan. His debut solo CD is captivating.

It will come as no surprise to many of you that the Disc of the Day honor is going to Little Big Town. Again. The title tune of the group’s current CD is as masterful as the rest of it. Ain’t it great when fantastic music is so commercially successful, too?

JUSTIN PECINA/Cooler Radio
Writer: Justin Pecina; Producer: Greg White; Publisher: none listed; JP
-It’s very, very country, has a dandy beat, sports a catchy tune and certainly has a subject that hasn’t been written about before. But is a cooler with a built-in radio really worth a song?

JEWEL & DOLLY PARTON/My Father’s Daughter
Writers: Jewel Murray/Lisa Carver; Producer: Jewel; Publishers: none listed; Sugar Hill (track)
-Jewel’s Picking Up the Pieces CD doesn’t come out until next month, but you can find this teaser tune on her Facebook page now. It’s a folk-flavored story song sung with heart-tugging sincerity by both of these lovely sopranos. Highly recommended listening.

MIKE RYAN/Girls I Date
Writers: Ryan/Anderson/DuBois; Producers: Brent Anderson/Ben Phillips; Publishers: none listed; Rock & Soul (track)
-Last week’s DisCovery Award winner is already back with a new single. His drawling, everyday-guy delivery is backed by a chugging beat, some rocking guitar work and a bouncing banjo. A winner.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Pain Killer
Writers: Karen Fairchild/Jimi Westbrook/Blair Daly/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Little Big Town/Southside Independent/Internal Combustion/Kickin’ Grids/HillarodyRathbone/BMG Rights, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
-Reggae country with irresistible rhythm and their usual flawless vocal harmonies. Crazy-good hooks that deserve massive airplay.

JOSH FULLER/On The Radio
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jason Rooks; Publishers: none listed; IndieExtreme
-Breakfast got ruined. The truck has a flat. Rush hour was awful. Work is a drag. But they’re playing his favorite song, so he’s tossing his troubles aside. Very groovy.

BRAD PAISLEY/Country Nation
Writers: Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Kelley Lovelace; Producers: Luke Wooten/Brad Paisley; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Words & Music/Making the Turn/Do Write, ASCAP; Arista (track)
-This is a shout-out to working-class America that comes armed with pride and goodwill, not to mention the names of your sports-team favorites. A celebration for all of us.

Frank Martin Gulligan

Frank Martin Gilligan

FRANK MARTIN GILLIGAN/Silver Dollar
Writers: Frank Martin Gilligan; Producer: Joe Gavito; Publishers: none listed; FMG (track)
– An 1890 coin tells of the people and places it has seen during its journeys. Terrific songwriting, delivered with a hearty, folksy voice that glows with warmth. This one’s a charmer. Gilligan was formerly in the 1980s country band Mason Dixon. His solo comeback has earned him a Best Newcomer accolade at the Kerrville Folk Festival. I can certainly hear why.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Might As Well Get Stoned
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Jimmy Stewart; Producers: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (track)
-Stapleton showcased this on Late Night with Seth Meyers this week on NBC. It is on his widely and deservedly acclaimed album Traveller. His fierce, impassioned delivery of this blues growler will raise the hair on the back of your head. If you don’t already own this collection, drop what you are doing and go buy a copy NOW.

JOE DOYLE/Tackle Box
Writers: J. Doyle/L. Bryan; Producer: Joe Doyle/Lisa Bradley; Publishers: Joe Doyle Songs, BMI; Poplar Creek
-Doyle is the songwriter behind Alabama’s “In Pictures” and Rhett Akins’ “She Said Yes,” among many other cuts. His new Songs For Sammie CD collects compositions recorded by such stars as Jason Aldean and Tim McGraw. This one was on Luke Bryan’s debut album. The songwriter’s version is in a tender tenor voice backed by twinkling mandolin and guitar notes. This brings out every nuance of its nostalgic lines. I love songwriter albums.

DALLAS SMITH/Kids With Cars
Writers: Jesse Frasure/Brad Tursi/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Rio Bravo/Telemitry/Songs of Big Deal/BMG Rights/Universal/Lake Allegan, BMI/ASCAP; Blaster
-The track rocks loudly but cleanly. The performance has a hip-hop vibe. The party-hearty chorus is relentless. It’s sure not your daddy’s country music, but will doubtless play well with today’s audience.

29th Annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament Raises $65K

Team Vaden Group, 1st place costume contest winners (l-r): Vaden Group's Vicki Cherry, Jennifer Lane and Trisha Adams, Avenue Bank's Ellen May and Vaden Group's Caleb Dugger - Photo: Bev Moser

Team Vaden Group, 1st place costume contest winners (L-R): Vaden Group’s Vicki Cherry, Jennifer Lane and Trisha Adams, Avenue Bank’s Ellen May and Vaden Group’s Caleb Dugger – Photo: Bev Moser

Pictured (L-R): Scott Siman and Herky Williams

Pictured (L-R): Scott Siman and Herky Williams

Members of the Nashville music industry’s creative community offered their best golf games (and costume ideas) during the 29th annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament (MRLGT), which was held Aug. 17 at Franklin, Tenn.’s Old Natchez Country Club.

The event raised approximately $65,000 to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee, and counted ASCAP, City National Bank, Tim McGraw, Chris Young and McGhee Entertainment as sponsors. McGhee Entertainment was also named the 2015 MRLGT Director’s Award honoree. Meanwhile, McGraw was honored with a special award from the MRLGT in recognition of his years of support (the honor was accepted by McGraw’s manager Scott Siman).

The MRLGT’s 2015 Contributing Sponsors also included Big Machine Label Group, Country Music Association, Maverick, Tim Perryman, Reba, Allen Reynolds, Joe Don and Tiffany Rooney, Blake Shelton, Slo & Low BBQ, SunTrust Bank and UMG Nashville.

Since its inception in 1987, the tournament has raised almost $1.9 million to date for United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee.

Tournament Founder/Director Herky Williams said, “Even after 29 years, we still continue to pick up momentum. This will be our biggest year since we switched to having only one tee time, and next year’s 30th anniversary will be our best tournament yet. Once again our planning committee stepped up and did an outstanding job.”

Team City National Bank (l-r): Warner Music Nashville's Rebekah Gordon, Starstruck's Penny Chubb, Universal Music Publishing Group's Travis Gordon, City National Bank's Diane Pearson and Starstruck's Kelli Haywood - Photo: Bev Moser

Team City National Bank (L-R): Warner Music Nashville’s Rebekah Gordon, Starstruck’s Penny Chubb, Universal Music Publishing Group’s Travis Gordon, City National Bank’s Diane Pearson and Starstruck’s Kelli Haywood – Photo: Bev Moser

Team ASCAP on the green (l-r): ASCAP's Ryan O'Grady, Holly Chester, Beth Brinker, Alison Toczylowski, Evyn Mustoe and Corsair Distillery's Andrew Webber - Photo: Ed Rode

Team ASCAP on the green (L-R): ASCAP’s Ryan O’Grady, Holly Chester, Beth Brinker, Alison Toczylowski, Evyn Mustoe and Corsair Distillery’s Andrew Webber – Photo: Ed Rode

Sponsors The Primacy Firm at Tent City: (l-r) Primacy's Denise Nichols and Fifth Third Bank's Kari Barnhart - Photo: Ed Rode

Sponsors The Primacy Firm at Tent City:(L-R): Primacy’s Denise Nichols and Fifth Third Bank’s Kari Barnhart – Photo: Ed Rode

 

Atlantic’s Stevo Robertson Sets Up Shop In Nashville

Steve Robertson

Steve Robertson

In addition to being home to some of country music’s talented artists, the Warner Music Nashville office is now a base for discovering burgeoning rock/pop talents in Music City.

Steve “Stevo” Robertson, Atlantic Senior Vice President of A&R, has relocated from his previous base in Orlando to Nashville. The long-time Atlantic A&R exec will continue to focus on the signing and development of rock and pop artists. The move comes as Atlantic continues to expand its A&R presence in music centers across the globe.

“Stevo has been an invaluable member of our A&R team for nearly two decades, consistently bringing in outstanding artists, from Shinedown to Paramore,” said Atlantic Chairman & CEO Craig Kallman and Executive Vice President/Head of A&R Pete Ganbarg. “As the incredibly vibrant Nashville scene continues to diversify, Stevo’s roots in the South make him the perfect guy to be Atlantic’s eyes and ears in the city’s rich and expanding world outside of country music. Special thanks to Warner Music Nashville President and CEO John Esposito for welcoming him so warmly into his family.”

“I’m very excited about becoming inspired and stimulated by all the great music being created in this amazing city,” said Robertson. “There are so many fantastic artists, producers, and songwriters working and developing their own sounds and styles in the community, and I can’t wait to jump into it all. I, too, want to thank Espo and his terrific team for graciously allowing me to share their knowledge and work alongside them as we continue to look for the best talent to join the Atlantic team.”

Prior to joining Atlantic in 1997, Robertson spent four years as Assistant Program Director/Music Director at Orlando, Fla., radio station WJRR, the state’s first commercial Alternative station. While there, he brought several future chart-toppers to the attention of Atlantic, including Collective Soul, Seven Mary Three, and a band called Tabitha’s Secret that became known as Matchbox Twenty.

Since officially joining Atlantic, Robertson’s signings include platinum rockers Shinedown and Tennessee-based Paramore, along with emerging artists such as Meg Myers and Vinyl Theatre. His first post at the label was Director of A&R, and he was named Senior Director in 2000 and upped to Vice President in 2007. Robertson was promoted to Senior Vice President of A&R in 2010.

Robertson began his career in the mid-‘80s working at Rock station WZTA (ZETA 4) in Miami and at community Alternative station WKPX in Ft. Lauderdale.

InDo Nashville Offers Modern Workspaces For Entertainment Industry Professionals

InDo Nashville bar

InDo Nashville bar

As Nashville’s economic growth continues, InDo Nashville offers modern working spaces for creative professionals in Music City’s entertainment industry. Founded by Kate and John Richardson, InDo Nashville is located at 632 Fogg Street in Nashville. The area encompasses three floors and 11,000 sq. ft. of space, including co-working spaces, songwriting rooms, conference rooms, a concierge, a hanging pod-chair room, and an 1500 sq. ft. event space. The interior features reclaimed wood, high ceilings, natural light, warm colors and inspirational artwork. “This place is definitely a departure from the beige walls and cubes in the typical corporate world, and we invite everyone to come in and visit,” John Richardson says.

InDo Nashville is already home to companies including Richlyn Marketing, Wonderful Union, ONErpm, Acklen Avenue, ADAM Audio, Jump Goat Media, as well as Hill Productions & Media Group. “We have built an environment in which creative entrepreneurs will thrive, and the perfect hub for networking,” says Kate, who also leads Richlyn Marketing.

Membership levels range from full-time co-working memberships to songwriter memberships and meeting room memberships. Part-time memberships are available for executives based in other cities, who desire to keep an office space in Nashville without the overhead of an office lease. Walk-in rates are also available, including a co-working day pass ($40) and a songwriting session pass ($45).

Interested parties can set up a tour of InDo Nashville by contacting john@indonashville.com, or by visiting Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. MusicRow subscribers can receive a free day pass for mentioning this feature.

For more information, visit www.indonashville.com.

InDoNashvilleinterior

InDo Nashville interior

InDoNashville lobby

InDo Nashville Lobby

InDo_Nashville_Pod_Chair_room

InDo Nashville Pod Chair Room

InDo NashvilleFront-View

InDo Nashville Front View

Rucker, Dunn, Eldredge Tapped To Play CMA Songwriter Series

Pictured: Ronnie Dunn, Darius Rucker, Brett Eldredge

Pictured: Ronnie Dunn, Darius Rucker, Brett Eldredge

Some of country music’s most soulful male vocalists will take the stage on Aug. 24 in Nashville. Darius Rucker, Ronnie Dunn, and Brett Eldredge are all slated to perform as part of the upcoming CMA Songwriter Series, which will be taped beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works. Rucker will be joined on stage by songwriters including Casey Beathard, Nathan Chapman, Chris Dubois, Ashley Gorley, Tim James, Charles Kelley, Clay Mills, Frank Rogers, and Rivers Rutherford. Collectively, they are responsible for some of Rucker’s biggest hits including “Come Back Song,” “This,” “Alright,” “It Won’t Be Like This For Long,” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.”

At 9:30 p.m. CT, Dunn and Eldredge will take the stage with appearances by songwriters Tony Martin, Wendall Mobley, Neil Thrasher, and Craig Wiseman. Eldredge will also welcome Ross Copperman, Tom Douglas, Travis Hill, and Heather Morgan.

Limited tickets are available to the public at here for the Darius Rucker performance and here for the Ronnie Dunn and Brett Eldredge show.

“Front and Center” is an original one-hour concert series that airs commercial-free on public television. Now in its sixth season, the show has presented artists including Dierks Bentley, Counting Crows, Goo Goo Dolls, Jack Johnson, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, The Fray, Train, Keith Urban, and more. It is a production of Front and Center Entertainment, LLC in association with WLIW21 for WNET, and distributed by American Public Television.