Chuck Dauphin, CeCe Dawson, Debbye Scroggins Join Hedley Entertainment

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Pictured (L-R): CeCe Dawson, Chuck Dauphin, Debbye Scroggins

Pictured (L-R): CeCe Dawson, Chuck Dauphin, Debbye Scroggins

Hedley Entertainment has added three to its staff. Based in Nashville and New York City, Hedley Entertainment’s marketing/management/PR roster includes Curb Records, Dean Dillon, The Wild West Songwriter’s Festival and The Texas Jamm Band Featuring Members of George Strait’s Ace in the Hole Band.

Chuck Dauphin joins as Senior Publicist. He celebrates 25 years in the entertainment industry in 2016, and has worked for Tennessee radio stations WNKX/Centerville and WDKN/Dickson, as well the Interstate Radio Network. His writings have appeared in Billboard, Rolling Stone, Taste of Country, and Sounds Like Nashville. He won the Media Achievement Award from the Country Music Association in 2014. “I am very excited for this career opportunity,” he said. “Powell Hedley has assembled a very talented roster of clients, and I am proud to be a part of the team to help them get to the next level on the career ladder.” Dauphin will continue freelance work as well.

CeCe Dawson joins as Creative Director, overseeing web design, social media design, and the design of PR and Marketing collateral for Hedley Entertainment, as well as the company’s artists.

Additionally, Debbye Scroggins joins as office coordinator. A graduate of Oklahoma State University and the University of Tulsa College of Law, she began her music business career working for the Jim Halsey Company, where she worked with many of the agency’s clients, including Super Bowl-winning coach Barry Switzer. She has also served internships with the Law Offices of Bruce Phillips and Davis-Dirickson in Nashville.

“I am thrilled to work alongside these three super talented individuals as Hedley Entertainment continues to flourish,” says Hedley Entertainment Co-founder/President Powell Hedley. “I co-founded this company with Erika Durst—one of the most passionate, morally grounded and creative visionaries I have ever known. Jeff Tuerff, VP of Marketing at Curb Records, believed in us from day one. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to expand as Curb announces new signings and remarkable advancement in artist development.”

Dauphin can be reached at [email protected]. Dawson can be reached at [email protected], and Scroggins can be reached at [email protected].

Industry Ink: Deluge Music, Silverado Records, AXS TV

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Deluge Music Signs Christine Connolly

Deluge Music has signed writer/artist Christine Connolly. Connolly has written “Bad Girlfriend” and “Lowlife” for  Theory Of A Deadman, as well as Halestorm‘s hit “I Miss The Misery.” She is also lead singer for punk-rock group Knee High Fox.

Deluge Music President Mark Friedman says, “I’ve published Christine for several years now and there isn’t a genre of music she can’t do and Nashville is going to be blown away by what she brings to the table!”

Christine Connolly signing photo.

Christine Connolly signing photo.

 

Silverado Records Adds Marketing Director

Nashville-based Silverado Records has hired Heather Cramsie in the role of marketing director, overseeing radio promotions, artist marketing plans, and overall label branding and marketing. Cramsie was most recently manager of Southeast promotions at Sidewalk/Curb Records.

“Heather’s radio and marketing experience made her a perfect choice for our team. She’s got great ideas, a passion for music, and a budding network of Nashville connections. We’re very excited to have her on the team,” said Silverado CEO Scott Thomas.

“Cramsie can be reached at [email protected]. Silverado Records recently announced artist Nick Smith as the label’s initial signing.

Heather Cramsie

Heather Cramsie


 

AXS TV Announces Spring Music Festival Broadcast Lineup

Continuing its spring tradition for live broadcasts of music festivals, AXS TV brings viewers inside four of the country’s largest festivals. AXS will broadcast Zac Brown Band’s Southern Ground Music & Food Festival in Charleston, S.C. (April 16-17); New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April 23-24, April 29-May 1); Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion (May 6-8) and Hangout Festival (May 20-22).

The Network will present a combined 13 days of music coverage during this special event, airing at least four hours of footage each day, and headlined by artists including Zac Brown Band, Nick Jonas, Flo Rida, ZZ Top, The Weeknd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alice Cooper, and more.

 AXS TV launched in July 2012 by entrepreneur Mark Cuban.

Zac Brown Band performs during the Southern Ground Music & Food Festival.

Zac Brown Band performs during the Southern Ground Music & Food Festival.

CMA Music Festival Adds Performers To Nightly Concerts

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Charlie Daniels Band 2016

Charlie Daniels Band

CMA Music Festival’s Nightly Concerts at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium just got a little more star-studded. Frankie Ballard, Clint Black, Charlie Daniels Band, Exile, Marshall Tucker Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ray Stevens, and The Oak Ridge Boys have all been announced as performers.

They join previously-announced Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Steven Tyler, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Hank Williams, Jr., and Chris Young. Artists and schedules are subject to change.

Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys will sing the national anthem on Thursday, the opening night of the Festival. Ballard will take national anthem duties on Friday, followed by Marshall Tucker Band on Saturday and Stevens on Sunday.

Clint Black. Photo: Kevin Mazur

Clint Black. Photo: Kevin Mazur

Daniels, who was announced March 29 as a 2016 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, will open the concerts with the first set on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Black will join Nitty Gritty Dirt Band during the Saturday night lineup. Exile will appear on Sunday.

The 2016 CMA Music Festival runs Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12 in downtown Nashville. As one of the most highly-anticipated portions of the festival, the Nightly Concerts at Nissan Stadium sold out before talent was announced.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 2016 Photo Credit: Courtesy Webster Public Relations

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 2016 Photo Credit: Courtesy Webster Public Relations

Exile 2016 Photo Credit: Courtesy Webster Public Relations

Exile 2016 Photo Credit: Courtesy Webster Public Relations

Luke Bryan Leads Finalists For American Country Countdown Awards

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ACCA logo

Luke Bryan dominates this year’s American Country Countdown Awards finalists list, with seven category nods, including Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, two titles in for Song of the Year (“Home Alone Tonight” and “Strip It Down”), Album of the Year (for Kick The Dust Up), Digital Song of the Year (“Kick the Dust Up”) and Touring Artist of the Year.

The nominations were revealed Wednesday morning (April 6).

Sam Hunt follows with five, Thomas Rhett and Zac Brown Band each with four, and Florida Georgia Line with three.

Additionally Carrie Underwood has been added as a performer. Underwood is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (for Storyteller). She joins previously-announced performers Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett and more.

The 2016 American Country Countdown Awards will air live from the Forum in Los Angeles on Sun., May 1 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. The two-hour event is the first country music awards show to air live from Los Angeles in more than 10 years.

The American Country Countdown Awards are based on country music’s longest-running radio countdown show, American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks. This year’s host and additional performers and presenters will be announced soon.

Finalists and winners for all categories are based on radio airplay charts, sales and streaming data from April 1, 2015 to March 28, 2016 provided by BuzzAngle Music. Touring data is from Pollstar. The NASH Icon Award is chosen by The American Country Countdown.

The awards show is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro (CEO, dick clark productions), Mike Mahan (President, dick clark productions), Mark Bracco (Executive Vice President, Programming and Development, dick clark productions), Kix Brooks, Richard Godfrey and Tom Forrest are executive producers.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Blake Shelton
Florida Georgia Line
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Sam Hunt

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Cam
Carrie Underwood
Jana Kramer
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert

GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
A Thousand Horses
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band

BREAKTHROUGH MALE OF THE YEAR
Chris Janson
Michael Ray
Sam Hunt

BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE OF THE YEAR
Cam
Jana Kramer
Kelsea Ballerini

BREAKTHROUGH GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
A Thousand Horses
Dan + Shay
Old Dominion

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Stay A Little Longer” – Brothers Osborne
“Home Alone Tonight” – Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild
“Strip It Down” – Luke Bryan
“Die A Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett
“Homegrown” – Zac Brown Band

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Storyteller” – Carrie Underwood
“Traveller” – Chris Stapleton
“Kick The Dust Up” – Luke Bryan
“Montevallo” – Sam Hunt
“Jekyll + Hyde” – Zac Brown Band

DIGITAL SONG OF THE YEAR
“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town
“Kick The Dust Up” – Luke Bryan
“Die A Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett

DIGITAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Anything Goes” – Florida Georgia Line
“Montevallo” – Sam Hunt
“Tangled Up” – Thomas Rhett

TOURING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Garth Brooks
Kenny Chesney
Luke Bryan
Shania Twain
Zac Brown Band

 

SESAC Signs Drew and Jonathan Scott Of HGTV’s ‘Property Brothers’

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SESAC Jonathan and Drew Scott

Pictured (L-R): Jonathan Scott; Ellen Truley, Sr. VP, Corporate Relations; Dennis Lord, Exec. VP, Creative and Business Affairs; Drew Scott. Photo: Conduit Media

SESAC has signed Drew and Jonathan Scott to its roster. The brothers have released two original compositions, “Hold On,” and “Let The Night Shine In,” both penned with SESAC’s Victoria Shaw, who also produced the music.

Drew and Jonathan Scott, stars of HGTV’s shows including Property Brothers, Property Brothers At Home, and Brother vs. Brother, grew up playing music with their family. As teenagers, Drew and Jonathan, along with brother JD, formed the band Western Union, performing for family and friends.

In 2015 they headed to Nashville, and teamed with Shaw and Chad Carlson on “Hold On” and “Let The Night Shine In.”  The tracks were included on the brothers’ hit HGTV special, Property Brothers At Home On The Ranch.

The video for “Hold On” can be seen below.

Nashville Band Roots Of A Rebellion Wins BMI’s Road To Roo

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ROAR-Roots of a Rebellion backstage before their winning Road to Roo show at Mercy Lounge. (photo by Jake Giles Netter)

Roots of a Rebellion backstage before their winning Road to Roo show at Mercy Lounge. (photo by Jake Giles Netter)

Nashville reggae group Roots of a Rebellion won a slot to perform at Bonnaroo after being crowned state champs at the Road to Roo competition on Mon., April 4.

Sponsored by Lightning 100, MillerCoors and BMI, the competition began with more than 350 state submissions, and was narrowed down to one winner in a six-week concert competition.

The Knoxville city winner, Josiah and the Greater Good, traveled to Nashville for the state finals at Mercy Lounge, and came in second place.

Roots of a Rebellion will travel to Manchester, Tennessee, to perform at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in June.

ROAR-Roots of a Rebellion tears through their set at Road to Roo to clinch a performance spot at Bonnaroo. (photo by Jakes Giles Netter)

ROAR-Roots of a Rebellion tears through their set at Road to Roo to clinch a performance spot at Bonnaroo. (photo by Jakes Giles Netter)

 

ROAR-Knoxville-based Josiah and the Greater Good, Road to Roo runners-up, perform at Mercy Lounge for the state finals. (photo by Jake Giles Netter)

Knoxville-based Josiah and the Greater Good, Road to Roo runners-up, perform at Mercy Lounge for the state finals. (photo by Jake Giles Netter)

 

BMG Signs Emily Reid To Roster

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Pictured (Back row, L-R): Morgan Kenney, WME; Mark Noel, Longshot Management; Chris Oglesby, BMG; Rob Beckham, WME. (Front row, L-R): Kevin Lane, WME; Emily Reid; Sara Knabe, BMG; Kos Weaver, BMG; Daniel Lee, BMG. (Not pictured: Rob Baker, Longshot Management)

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Morgan Kenney, WME; Mark Noel, Longshot Management; Chris Oglesby, BMG; Rob Beckham, WME. (Front row, L-R): Kevin Lane, WME; Emily Reid; Sara Knabe, BMG; Kos Weaver, BMG; Daniel Lee, BMG. (Not pictured: Rob Baker, Longshot Management)

Emily Reid, a Belmont University graduate and recent transplant from Toronto, Canada, has signed an exclusive publishing deal with BMG. Reid is managed by Rob Baker and Mark Noel of Longshot Management. Rob Beckham and Morgan Kenney of WME complete the team.

“To use Emily’s favorite adjective, we think she’s ‘outrageous’ and look forward to walking alongside her on this musical journey. She brings big vocal talent, fresh perspective, killer songs and an upbeat outlook and work ethic that is impossible to ignore,” says BMG’s Sara Knabe.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Emily join the Longshot family. Emily is an exceptional talent and an even better human being – we can’t wait for the world to find out what we already know,” says Longshot’s Baker.

WME Nashville co-head Beckham adds, “Emily brings a unique sound to our country roster. Not only is she incredibly talented, but she’s surrounded by a fantastic team of industry executives and we expect her to accomplish great things.”

Reid is a CCMA Discovery Finalist who has opened for artists including Dierks Bentley and Charlie Worsham. She cowrote “Two in a Million” which was the series finale duet for Disney’s Austin & Ally. Reid was also a featured artist for the Canadian clothing company, Roots.

PledgeMusic Names Dominic Pandiscia As CEO

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Dominic Pandiscia

Dominic Pandiscia

PledgeMusic, the digital platform that helps raise funds for independent artists, has announced Dominic Pandiscia as its new Chief Executive Officer. Meanwhile, company founder Benji Rogers will continue to serve as a member of the company’s Board of Directors and will now lead innovation and outreach to the creative community in the newly-created position of Chief Strategy Officer.

Pandiscia is an accomplished music and media executive who brings more than 20 years of experience to his new role. He previously served as President of Caroline, Capitol Music Group’s independent services division, where he led the company to three straight years of record market share growth.

His tenure ushered in the company’s first No. 1 album debuts in its 33-year history—achieved in partnership with each artist’s respective label and across four different musical genres— with 2015’s Alabama Shakes, All Time Low, Five Finger Death Punch and Tyrese releases.

Pandiscia’s appointment follows significant expansion for the company. The March 2016 acquisition of NoiseTrade and Set.fm expanded PledgeMusic’s user base to more than 3 million highly-active music fans engaging with over 50,000 artists and musicians.

“PledgeMusic holds a truly unique position in the increasingly crowded digital music landscape and I feel privileged to take the helm for its next chapter,” Pandiscia said. “Our user base was radically expanded with the recent acquisitions of NoiseTrade and Set.fm and we look forward to further empowering artists to attract passionate new audiences while deepening the relationship with their current fan base. I am eager to dig in and work with Benji Rogers and the entire PledgeMusic team to best serve our communities and create new ways to market and connect to fans.”

“It has been a great honor to lead the PledgeMusic family up to this point and I could not be more proud of all that we have achieved together,” Rogers added. “Dominic is exactly the type of artist-first executive that PledgeMusic needs as we grow and scale and I am excited to work alongside him in this new growth phase for the company.”

Benji Rogers

Benji Rogers

 

UMPG Nashville Signs Songwriter Mark Fuhrer Through Joint Venture With Droptine Music

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PHOTO: Pictured L to R, back row – Cyndi Forman, UMPG Nashville VP, Creative; Missy Wilson, UMPG Nashville Sr. Creative Director; Kent Earls, EVP/GM, UMPG Nashville; Ron Stuve, UMPG Nashville VP A&R; L to R, front row – Travis Gordon, UMPG Nashville Sr. Creative Director; Mark Fuhrer; Rachel Winston, Droptine A&R Manager

Pictured (L-R, Back Row): Cyndi Forman, UMPG Nashville VP, Creative; Missy Wilson, UMPG Nashville Sr. Creative Director; Kent Earls, EVP/GM, UMPG Nashville; Ron Stuve, UMPG Nashville VP A&R; (L-R, Front Row) Travis Gordon, UMPG Nashville Sr. Creative Director; Mark Fuhrer; Rachel Winston, Droptine A&R Manager

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Nashville has signed an exclusive, global publishing deal with songwriter Mark Fuhrer via the company’s joint venture with Droptine Music. The announcement was made Wednesday (April 6) by Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, UMPG Nashville.

“We’re excited to add Mark and Droptine to our family. We think his future is limitless with his craft of songwriting,” said Earls.

“I couldn’t be more honored and humbled to be working with Universal and Droptine. I am looking forward to all the musical endeavors this opportunity will bring,” added Fuhrer.

Born and raised on Long Island, Fuhrer came to Nashville to pursue a career in country music and earned a Bachelors of Science in Songwriting from Belmont University.

Continuing to develop his talent and versatility, Furhrer is currently spending as much time in the studio as possible, collaborating with some of the best writers in Nashville including the band Levon, Chris Young, Chris Lindsey, Tim James, Matt Warren, Jay Clementi and Dave Berg.

Carrie Underwood Celebrates 23 No. 1 Videos On CMT

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Pictured (L-R): CMT personality Katie Cook, Carrie Underwood, and CMT SVP Music Strategy and Talent Leslie Fram.

Pictured (L-R): CMT personality Katie Cook, Carrie Underwood, CMT Sr. VP Music & Talent Leslie Fram.

CMT personality Katie Cook and Sr. VP Music & Talent Leslie Fram presented Carrie Underwood with a plaque celebrating her outstanding number of top-ranking music videos on CMT. The plaque was presented during events surrounding the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards this past weekend in Las Vegas.

Underwood’s “Heartbeat” video hit No. 1 on the CMT Hot 20 Countdown on Sat., April 2, marking it as her 23rd video at the top spot. Signed to 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville, Underwood has had 21 solo No. 1 videos, as well as one with Brad Paisley (“Remind Me”) and one with Miranda Lambert (“Somethin’ Bad”).