Hayes Carll’s New Album Arrives In April

Hayes Carll will release a new album titled Lovers and Leavers via Thirty Tigers on April 8. It’s his first new album in five years.

Carll recorded the project with producer Joe Henry over five days in Los Angeles in the winter of 2015. He is currently Grammy-nominated in the category of Best Country Song for writing “Chances Are,” recorded by Lee Ann Womack.

“I didn’t have one song that I knew would be a sing along or would make people dance. I felt vulnerable in a way that I hadn’t in a long time. But I got what I wanted—a record with space, nuance, and room to breathe. It felt right for my art. It felt right for my life,” he said. “Lovers and Leavers isn’t funny or raucous. There are very few hoots and almost no hollers. But it is joyous, and it makes me smile. No, it’s not my Blood on the Tracks, nor is it any kind of opus. It’s my fifth record—a reflection of a specific time and place. It is quiet, like I wanted it to be.”

 

Brooke Antonakos Hired as VP at RED Creative Group

RED Creative Group has announced Brooke Antonakos as the Vice President of Creative Services for the Nashville-based publishing company. Antonakos will be in charge of all day-to-day creative responsibilities.

“We are extremely excited to have Brooke join our team. The combination of her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for our songwriters will make her a true advocate for our songs and our business going forward,“ says Jeremy Stover, songwriter-producer and owner of RED Creative Group.

“I am thrilled to join RED Creative Group,” says Antonakos. “Jeremy has some of the best writers in town and I couldn’t be more excited to represent their catalog. I look forward to expanding the careers of these dynamic writers. ”

Previously, Antonakos held creative positions at Big Yellow Dog Music and Byron Gallimore’s Red Vinyl Music.

 

 Bart Allmand Signs Co-Publishing Deal at MV2

MV2 Entertainment has signed Bart Allmand to an exclusive co-publishing agreement. Allman’s songwriting credits include Brooks & Dunn’s “You Can’t Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl” and Steve Holy’s “Brand New Girlfriend.” The native of Holdredge, Nebraska, moved to Nashville in 1987 to attend Belmont University. He pursued a songwriting career after a period in radio promotion at Monument Records in the 1990s.

“Having been in the business for over 20 years, I can honestly say that Tony Harrell (General Manager, MV2), Clay Myers (Creative Director, MV2), and James Archer (CEO/President, MV2) have made me feel like I have a new family and a new home at MV2. I’m so excited and thankful for this opportunity,” Allmand said.

 

Webster PR Will Represent Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has enlisted Webster PR to promote their 50th anniversary of recording music and touring. Formed in California in 1966, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band consists of Jeff Hanna (guitars/vocals), Jimmie Fadden (drums/harmonica/vocals), John McEuen (banjo/fiddle/guitar/mandolin), and Bob Carpenter (keyboards/accordion/vocals).

“It’s an honor to work with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and celebrate their milestone anniversary of five spectacular decades,” said Kirt Webster, President/CEO. “They’re one of very few musical acts to achieve such longevity and this level of success—a testament to their talent and authenticity.”

Valory Music Co.’s Justin Moore braved the snow to visit MusicRow offices on Wednesday afternoon (January 20). The “You Look Like I Need a Drink” singer accepted a long overdue MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin for his 2014 single, “Lettin’ The Night Roll.” Moore not only recorded the title but also shares writing credit alongside Jeremy Stover and Rodney Clawson. Since 2014, every artist and songwriter who earns a No. 1 song on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart receives a No. 1 Challenge Coin.

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Carnival Music/Thirty Tigers artist Aubrie Sellers stopped by MusicRow on Tuesday (January 19) to preview music from her January 29 release, New City Blues. The 14-track album showcases Sellers’ pristine vocals, not unlike her parents, Lee Ann Womack and Jason Sellers. She has been writing for three years, contributing a credit on each track on the Frank Liddell-produced project. Sellers said she chose Liddell, who is her stepfather, to produce the project because he helps every artist he works with to find their own voice. Sellers is currently out on dates with Chris Stapleton. Her Opry performance last weekend offered CDs in advance of the release date. Listen to the tracks on NPR’s First Listen now.

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Memphis native Ben Bradford stopped in to MusicRow last week (January 12) to share some new music, including a single he recently filmed a video for, titled “Just A Little Bit.” The track was written by Dustin Lynch, Shane McAnally and Jimmy Robbins. Bradford’s six-track EP was sent to retailers on December 4. The project was produced with MusicRow‘s six-time guitarist of the year Ilya Toshinsky and Greg Archilla (Collective Soul, Matchbox Twenty, Jonathan Jackson).

January 2016 marks Michael Knox‘s 25th year working in the country music industry.

Knox is most noted for his production work with country superstar Jason Aldean. He celebrates
17 No. 1s, over 27 million singles and 12 million albums sold during his career. Knox’s production credits have also extended to Thomas Rhett, Trace Adkins, Kelly Clarkson, Ludacris, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, the hit TV series Nashville as well as the late, great Buddy Knox, who is also his father.

In 2011, Michael Knox was awarded the CMA Award for producer of Album of the Year, My Kinda Party (Aldean).

He has also earned three ACM Awards during his career, including two in 2012 for ACM Single Record of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year “Don’t You Wanna Stay” (Aldean/Kelly Clarkson) and one in 2013 for ACM Musical Event of the Year “The Only Way I Know” (Aldean/Bryan/Church).

Knox now serves as Vice President for peermusic Nashville while managing singer, songwriter Michael Tyler through his production/management company, Music Knox. He also serves on the ACM Board of Directors, CMA Board of Directors and GRAMMY® Special Committees.

Knox’s resume includes opening Nashville’s first song plugging company, Hit Pluggers, and leaving his stamp on more than 150 million records as Warner/Chappell’s VP responsible for writer and artist development (1992-2002).

MusicRow congratulates Knox on his impressive 25 years in the music industry and looks forward to reporting his continued successes.