Weekly Register: Keith Urban, Cole Swindell, Cyndi Lauper Make Top Country Debuts

Keith Urban Ripcord

Keith Urban‘s Ripcord debuted atop this week’s country albums chart with 93K sold. It ranked No. 4 overall with 106K units including albums sales, streaming and song sales. The project features two No. 1 songs, including “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” and “Break on Me,” as well as Urban’s current single,  “Wasted Time.”

Cole Swindell‘s newest project, You Should Be Here, debuts at No. 2, selling 65K , and enters at No. 6 overall with 75.5K combined units.

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Other notable country chart debuts include Cyndi Lauper‘s Detour, which lands at No. 4 selling 15.5K. Mary Chapin Carpenter‘s Things That We Are Made Of lands at No. 8 on the country albums chart, with 6.2K. Tony Brown produced Lauper’s project, while Dave Cobb took the helm of Carpenter’s set.

Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller lands at No. 3, with 24K sold, while Joey + Rory’s Hymns collection is at No. 5, with 13K sold.

On the overall sales chart, Drake and Beyoncé hold the top spots, with Drake’s Views at No. 1 (313K) and Beyoncé’s Lemonade at No. 2 (202K). Radiohead makes the top debut this week, with A Moon Shaped Pool landing at No. 3 with 181K (173K album only).

Overall, album sales are down 13.5 percent from this time last year, while overall country album sales are down 7.6 percent. Overall digital album sales are down 17.8 percent TYD, while country digital album sales are down 16.3 percent.

Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line

On the tracks charts, Florida Georgia Line‘s “H.O.L.Y.” retains the pinnacle of the country track sales chart, with 90K.

However, Blake Shelton takes two of the Top 5 spots on the country tracks charts. Shelton and Gwen Stefani debut at No. 2 with “Go Ahead and Break My Heart” with 58K. Shelton’s solo single, “Came Here To Forget,” lands at No. 4 with 31K.

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton

Finishing out the Top 5 are Tim McGraw‘s “Humble and Kind” at No. 3 this week with 35.5K, and Maren Morris‘ “My Church” at No. 5 with 27.5K. Morris’ single officially surpassed the 500K mark this week.

Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood‘s “The Fighter” also debuts in the Top 10 on the country track sales chart, at No. 7, selling 25K. Urban promoted the song last week via a fun social media video featuring his wife Nicole Kidman.

Justin Timberlake‘s “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” from Dreamworks Animation’s Trolls, debuts at No. 1 on the overall track sales chart, with 379K.

Overall track sales are down 23.7 percent year to date, while country track sales are down 20.6 percent.

Information courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.

 

Pandora Country Event Confirms Tyler Farr, Kip Moore, Cam

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Pandora has announced the second annual Pandora Country event in Nashville. The free concert will feature performances from Tyler Farr, Kip Moore, Cam, and Brent Cobb.

The event will take place at Marathon Music Works on June 7.

Fans can RSVP now for free event admission at Marathon Music Works. Admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis with RSVP

“Pandora is deeply committed to country music and so is our audience,” said Lars Murray, SVP Music Makers Group, Pandora. “Today’s Country is the second most played station on Pandora. We’re happy to bring Pandora Country back to Nashville, and can’t wait to work with Tyler, Kip, Cam, and Brent, who combined have over a BILLION spins on Pandora. After the success of the first Pandora Country concert last year with Kelsea Ballerini, Dustin Lynch and Thompson Square, we knew we needed to do it again.”

Pandora Country attendees will be treated to custom activations from sponsors including: Astellas Pharma, Ram Trucks, White Castle and XFINITY.

Still Working Music Adds Gordie Sampson To Roster

Pictured (L-R): Chuck Fleckenstein (GM and COO, Still Working Music), Chelsea Kent (Creative Director, Still Working Music), Alex Orbison (President, Still Working Music), Gordie Sampson, Derek Crownover (Gordie Sampson’s attorney, Dickinson Wright), Tommy Lee James (CCO, Still Working Music)

Pictured (L-R): Chuck Fleckenstein (GM and COO, Still Working Music), Chelsea Kent (Creative Director, Still Working Music), Alex Orbison (President, Still Working Music), Gordie Sampson, Derek Crownover (Gordie Sampson’s attorney, Dickinson Wright), Tommy Lee James (CCO, Still Working Music)

Nashville publisher Still Working Music has signed songwriter Gordie Sampson to an exclusive global publishing agreement.

Sampson’s hits include Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” Hunter Hayes’ “Storm Warning,” and Eric Paslay’s “Song About a Girl.” His songs have been recorded by Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton and more.

Sampson moved to Nashville from his native Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 2005.

“At Still Working Music we always strive to sign great and special writers. We also equally look for great and special people. With these criteria in mind, signing Gordie Sampson was one of the easiest decisions we’ve ever made — a simply wonderful addition to our team. Welcome Gordie and keep the goodness (and hits!) coming,” said Alex Orbison, President of Still Working Music.

“I’ve been a huge fan of this company ever since I landed in Nashville and it is truly a dream come true to now be a Still Working writer. Aside from being an obvious world-class publisher they are genuine, passionate about music, and most importantly made up of great people. I feel extremely lucky to be part of Still Working Music and look forward to years of great music and shared successes,” Sampson said.

Still Working Music was founded in 1990 by Barbara Orbison and is now run by her son, Alex. Its catalog includes hits by Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, and Lost Frequencies. Still Working Music’s extensive catalog also contains cuts by One Direction, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Easton Corbin, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Celine Dion, and Joe Walsh.

Current Still Working Music writers are Tommy Lee James, Jon Randall, Ryan Lafferty, Chase Bryant, Derrick Southerland, Matt Nolen, Skip Black, and Alana Springsteen.

Pictured (L-R): Gordie Sampson, Alex Orbison

Pictured (L-R): Alex Orbison, Gordie Sampson

Carter Vintage Guitars Acquires Rare Cherry Sunburst Les Paul

Les Paul Burst Model Guitar

Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville has acquired one of only two early examples of Gibson’s cherry sunburst Les Paul model.

The Les Paul Model, as it was originally called, had been introduced in 1952 with a gold finish on the top, but in 1958 Gibson began experimenting with cherry-stain finishes. After several trial runs, two guitars were shipped on May 28, 1958, to Gibson’s parent company, Chicago Musical Instrument, for approval. In Gibson’s daily shipping ledger, they were described as “LP Spec. Finish.” They featured the yellow-to-red “sunburst” that became the standard finish on the model.

One of the guitars in the shipping entry, serial number 8 3096, has been known to Les Paul aficionados for more than a decade and is currently owned by Slash, former guitarist for the group Guns N’ Roses. The guitar that now resides at Carter Vintage is serial number 8 3087. It went to the O.K. Houck music store in Memphis, where the father of the current owner bought it in 1958 as a Christmas present for his son.

Pictured (L-R): Walter and Christie Carter

Pictured (L-R): Walter and Christie Carter

“The original owner, who still lives in Memphis, sent us photos with the serial number, 8 3087,” said Walter Carter, proprietor of Carter Vintage and former historian for Gibson Guitar Corp. “I had found an entry 20 years ago in Gibson’s shipping ledgers that I thought might be the first ’burst, and the serial number rang a bell. The owner also had snapshots of himself at age 14, taken just months after he bought it. It’s the kind of discovery that vintage guitar collectors dream about.”

The guitar has a three-piece maple top, which is different from the two-piece top that subsequent sunburst Les Pauls sported—an indication that it was intended to be a “goldtop” and was pulled off the production line for the experimental finish.

Gibson made an estimated 1,500 cherry sunburst Les Paul Standards before changing the body shape and finish color in 1961. The cherry sunburst Les Paul is one of the most highly sought vintage guitar models and has been the subject of several books.

Carter Vintage Guitars was established in Nashville in 2013 by Walter and Christie Carter and is an internationally known dealer of vintage fretted instruments.

 

John Esposito Elevated To Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville

John Esposito

John Esposito has been promoted to Chairman & CEO of Warner Music Nashville (WMN). The announcement was made Monday morning (May 16) by Warner Music Group (WMG).

Esposito has been President & CEO of Warner Music Nashville since 2009, when the division was established to expand WMG’s presence in Music City. WMN’s labels include Warner Bros. Nashville, Elektra Nashville, Atlantic Nashville, and Loudmouth Records. In his new post, Esposito will continue to report to WMG CEO Steve Cooper.

Alongside his post at WMN, Esposito serves as Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors and is a Governor on the Nashville Chapter Board of the Recording Academy. He is a board member of the T.J. Martell Foundation, Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB), and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. and was also appointed by Nashville’s Mayor to the Music Makes Us council.

“Since taking over our Nashville operations nearly seven years ago, Espo has done a stellar job in making us a major force in country music,” said Steve Cooper. “Driven by his innovative thinking, inspiring leadership, and infectious enthusiasm, WMN has attracted and developed a fresh roster of amazing artists, built a world-class executive team, and delivered exceptional results. With Espo at the helm, we are expanding our commitment to Nashville and country music at large.”

“Nashville’s music community has an energy and creativity that are mind-blowing, and I’m proud to be a part of it,” said John Esposito. “Warner Music Nashville is blessed to work with brilliant artists who make tremendously exciting music, and are supported by the best A&R, marketing, and promotion teams in the business. We strive every day to create the most nurturing environment for our artists to do their best work, and we are thrilled to see our efforts bear fruit with a constant flow of hit records and industry awards. I look forward to the next chapter in building this great company.”

During Esposito’s tenure at WMN, the company has enjoyed a three-fold increase in its share of the country singles charts, with seven artists achieving their first No. 1 under his leadership, including Hunter Hayes, Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Frankie Ballard, Michael Ray, Chris Janson, and Dan + Shay.

Other highlights include Blake Shelton achieving a record-setting 16 consecutive No.1 singles and winning five CMA Male Vocalist of the Year awards, as well as Hayes winning CMA New Artist of the Year in 2012, Eldredge winning CMA New Artist of the Year in 2015, and Swindell winning ACM New Artist of the Year in 2015.

Over the same period, WMN artists have produced seven platinum albums and 16 platinum singles. Other artists on the WMN roster include Jana Kramer, Ashley Monroe, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Charlie Worsham, Big Smo, Ryan Kinder, William Michael Morgan, The Railers, Walker County, The Last Bandoleros, High Valley and Jimmy Fallon.

Prior to moving to Nashville, Esposito served as President and CEO of WEA Corp., WMG’s sales and marketing division. He joined WMG in 2002 from The Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ) where, as General Manager/Executive Vice President, he managed the company’s day-to-day operational activities.

Prior to IDJ, Esposito held a variety of executive positions at PolyGram, Inc. Before joining PolyGram, from 1993 to 1994 he was Chief Operating Officer of Music & Movies at The Wiz retail chain. From 1986 to 1993, Esposito was Regional Vice President of Mitsubishi Electronics America, where he managed the sales and operations staff.

A passionate environmentalist, Esposito created the WMG initiative WMGreen, for which he was awarded the “Forces for Nature” honor from the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), as well as the inaugural Green Award for Environmental Responsibility from NARM (now Music Biz). He also sits on the Global Leadership Council of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Coinciding with his promotion to WMN Chairman, Esposito will be honored on Tuesday, May 17, when he will receive the prestigious Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement from the Music Business Association (Music Biz). The presentation will take place during the Music Biz 2016 convention, held this year in Nashville.

In announcing the award, Music Biz President James Donio noted, “John has devoted his considerable talents to our industry for more than 30 years to advance the growth and vitality of the music business.” Esposito will join the ranks of previous recipients include including Frank Sinatra, Dick Clark, Walter Yetnikoff, Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun, and Clive Davis, among others.

In Pictures: Old Crow Medicine Show, Kelsea Ballerini, Florida Georgia Line, Kristian Bush

Old Crow Medicine Show Performs Bob Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde

Pictured (L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum editor Peter Cooper, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Joe Andrews, Critter Fuqua, Cory Younts, Chance McCoy, Nashville Cat and session player on Blonde on Blonde Mac Gayden, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Nashville Cat and session player on Blonde on Blonde Wayne Moss, Old Crow Medicine Show's Ketch Secor, Kevin Hayes and Morgan Jahnig

Pictured (L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum editor Peter Cooper, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Joe Andrews, Critter Fuqua, Cory Younts, Chance McCoy, Nashville Cat and session player on Blonde on Blonde Mac Gayden, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Nashville Cat and session player on Blonde on Blonde Wayne Moss, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor, Kevin Hayes and Morgan Jahnig

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bob Dylan’s classic album Blonde on Blonde, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted Old Crow Medicine Show for the first of two sold-out concerts in the museum’s CMA Theater. During Thursday night’s (May 12) performance the band offered their own unique spin on Dylan’s creation which was recorded in Nashville.

In support of the exhibit Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City, presented by Citi, the band performed the seminal album in its entirety. The band will present an encore of the performance on Friday night to another sold-out crowd.

Old Crow Blonde On Blonde 2016

 

Kelsea Ballerini Lights Up LIVE With Kelly and Michael

Photo: David M. Russell, Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and TV Distribution

Photo: David M. Russell, Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and TV Distribution

Black River Entertainment artist Kelsea Ballerini made her debut performance on LIVE With Kelly and Michael on Thursday, May 12, when she performed her new single, “Peter Pan.” The song was penned by Ballerini, Jesse Lee, and Forest Glen Whitehead. While in New York City she attended Mary Kay’s Global Day of Beauty to help create awareness of domestic violence and dating abuse.

 

Florida Georgia Line Launches Dig Your Roots Tour In Mississippi

Florida Georgia Line performs in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Florida Georgia Line performs in Tupelo, Mississippi. Photo: Justin Mrusek

Republic Nashville artist Florida Georgia Line had an exciting opening night for their Dig Your Roots Tour. The show kicked off to a sold out crowd in Tupelo, Mississippi, on Thursday (May 12). The duo’s Tyler Hubbard said, “We love to throw a great party and see everyone having the time of their lives. Getting to share that experience is one of the highlights of being a musician.” Brian Kelley added, “Tyler [Hubbard] and I are thrilled to be back on the road, bringing our music directly to the fans.”

 

Kristian Bush Performs During Live Wedding On NBC’s Today

Pictured (L-R): Lane Stowe, Kristian Bush and Jenn Mendez

Pictured (L-R): Lane Stowe, Kristian Bush and Jenn Mendez. Photo courtesy of the artist

BBR Music/Wheelhouse Records artist Kristian Bush made a couple’s wedding day extra special with a performance of his song “Forever Now (Say Yes),” which is the theme for TLC’s TV series Say Yes To The Dress, on NBC’s Today during a live wedding special on May 12. Bush will make a special cameo appearance on Say Yes To The Dress during Friday’s episode, which airs at 8 p.m. CT. In the episode, he helps his guitar tech’s fiancee Evyn find her perfect dress.

ACM CEO Bob Romeo Stepping Down

Bob Romeo

Bob Romeo

The Academy of Country Music announced today that CEO Bob Romeo is stepping down after 12 years as the head of the organization.

“Working at the Academy has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career in the music business,” Romeo commented. “We’ve accomplished more than I could have ever dreamed — between our success celebrating the 50th anniversary in Texas and returning to our longtime home in Las Vegas, to the monies donated through ACM Lifting Lives — the organization is recognized as a leader in the business and that was my main goal when I joined the company. There is so much pride in how far we have moved the puck. That said, I’m looking forward to planning my next endeavor.”

“We are thankful for Bob’s leadership and dedication to the organization, and wish him the best in the next phase of his career,” said ACM Board Chairman Paul Barnabee.

EVP/Managing Director Tiffany Moon will serve as interim CEO.

“The officers are committed to working closely with Tiffany and the ACM staff to continue the outstanding work of the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives,” Barnabee added.

Industry Ink: ASCAP, SOLID, Pete Huttlinger, ONErpm

ASCAP, Bluebird Café Present New Talent

The May 4 edition of ASCAP’s long-running showcase series, ASCAP Presents at the Bluebird Café, featured songwriter-artist Summer Overstreet, songwriter Rick Tiger, songwriter-artists Jill & Kate, and songwriter Paul Sikes.

Pictured (L-R): Summer Overstreet, Rick Tiger, Jill & Kate, Paul Sikes.

Pictured (L-R): Summer Overstreet, Rick Tiger, Jill & Kate, Paul Sikes.

In addition, ASCAP presented a benefit for Musicians Corner that featured songwriter-producers Kevin Kadish and Jimmy Robbins, Big Machine Music/Prescription Songs artist-songwriter Fancy, and touring songwriter-artist Joshua Davis, who was a finalist on Season 8 of The Voice.

Pictured (L-R): John Tumminello, Musicians Corner Executive Director; Kevin Kadish; Fancy; Davis; Jimmy Robbins; Alison Webber, ASCAP Director of Marketing + Communications

Pictured (L-R): John Tumminello, Musicians Corner Executive Director; Kevin Kadish; Fancy; Joshua Davis; Jimmy Robbins; Alison Webber, ASCAP Director of Marketing + Communications

 

SOLID Announces 19th Annual Crawfish Boil

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The Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) will host their 19th Annual Crawfish Boil on Tuesday, May 17 starting at 5:30 pm.

The event will take place at the Sony/ATV parking lot on Music Row and will offer the community free food, free beer, and music. The organization will also provide activities such as a dunk tank, a photo booth, and corn hole.

 

Musician Pete Huttlinger Memorialized By Texas A&M

Pictured (L-R): Erin Huttlinger; Brian Gavron, MD, host and series coordinator; Dr. Lori Wick and Americana artist Sam Baker, the latest guest speaker at the Pete and Erin Huttlinger Series on Humanities in Medicine. Photo: Susan Roads

Pictured (L-R): Erin Huttlinger; Brian Gavron, MD, host and series coordinator; Dr. Lori Wick and Americana artist Sam Baker, the latest guest speaker at the Pete and Erin Huttlinger Series on Humanities in Medicine. Photo: Susan Roads

The Texas A&M College of Medicine chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) is honored to announce that the new annual speaker series on humanism and compassion in medicine has been officially named The Pete & Erin Huttlinger Series on Humanities in Medicine.

Huttlinger, who was the inaugural speaker for the series in November 2015, was an accomplished guitarist who released albums such as Fingerpicking Wonder: The Music Of Stevie Wonder and Things Are Looking Up. His presentation, titled “Don’t Just Live, Live Well,” was an inspiring exploration of how Pete and his wife, Erin Huttlinger, strived together to live a life of resiliency as they faced years of life threatening complications from his congenital health problems.

Huttlinger experienced a major stroke in November 2010 that left him temporarily paralyzed on his right side and without speech. Just four months later he experienced end-stage heart failure resulting in the implantation of a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD). Through determination, love and laughter, Huttlinger was able to relearn to play guitar and resume a rigorous touring and recording schedule and even walk a half-marathon just 12 months later. He died from a stroke on Jan. 15.

 

ONErpm Announces Free Distribution Services

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ONErpm has announced the elimination of upfront costs to their global distribution platform, allowing any content user to have their music published on several music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube at no charge. In addition to locations around the world, ONErpm maintains an office in Nashville.

Emmanuel Zunz, CEO of ONErpm says, “With free distribution ONErpm has completely shifted its focus to marketing artists and their releases to help them expand their audiences and poise them for long term success. ONErpm’s incentives are 100% aligned with our clients so that together with our content owners and our partner platforms we can build a stronger future for music.”

In Pictures: Jake Owen And Randy Owen, Michael Ray, Dolly Parton, Scotty McCreery

Jake Owen Greets Randy Owen At Symphony

Pictured (L-R): Jake Owen, Randy Owen. Photo: Keith Gale

Pictured (L-R): Jake Owen, Randy Owen. Photo: Keith Gale

RCA Nashville artist Jake Owen visited with Randy Owen, frontman for Alabama, during the band’s show with the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Thursday night (May 12). Jake Owen sported his vintage RCA T-shirt for the occasion. Alabama formerly recorded for RCA, earning 51 Top 10 hits.

 

Atlantic/WMN Newcomer Michael Ray Visits ACM

Photo (L-R): Bob Romeo, ACM; Michael Ray; Katie Conway, Ontourage Management; Tiffany Moon, ACM. Photo: Michel Bourquard/ACM

Photo (L-R): Bob Romeo, ACM; Michael Ray; Katie Conway, Ontourage Management; Tiffany Moon, ACM. Photo: Michel Bourquard/ACM

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) welcomed Atlantic Records Nashville/Warner Music Nashville recording artist Michael Ray to its Los Angeles office. While at the ACM offices, Ray performed songs off his self-titled album including his current single, “Think a Little Less.” Click here to watch a video from Ray’s visit.

 

Dolly Parton Chats With Andy Cohen At Dollywood

Pictured (L-R): Andy Cohen, Dolly Parton. Photo: Rick Diamond

Pictured (L-R): Andy Cohen, Dolly Parton. Photo: Rick Diamond

Dolly Parton sat down for a Town Hall special in Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Town Hall, hosted by Andy Cohen, will air exclusive on Cohen’s Radio Andy at SiriusXM channel 102 (and SiriusXM app) on Friday, May 13 at 4:00 pm ET. During the interview, the two played a game of “Dollywood or Dollywoodn’t.” Other highlights include her date nights, renewing her vows to Carl Dean, and details of her NBC deal.

 

Scotty McCreery Drops By Storme Warren’s Show

Pictured (L-R): SiriusXM's Storme Warren; Scotty McCreery; and McCreery's publicist Scott Stem from Essential Broadcast Media.

Pictured (L-R): SiriusXM’s Storme Warren; Scotty McCreery; and McCreery’s publicist Scott Stem from Essential Broadcast Media.

After flying into Nashville from Chicago this week, Scotty McCreery stopped by SiriusXM on Thursday morning (May 12) for an interview on The Storme Warren Morning Show about his new book, Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream. McCreery is in the midst of a 14-city book signing tour.

Black River Publishing Signs Jacob Davis

Pictured (L-R): Attorney Lauren Kilgore; Black River Publishing's Celia Froehlig; ASCAP's Robert Filhart; Jacob Davis; Black River Publishing's Kelly Bolton; Black River Publishing's Dave Pacula; Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr; attorney T.D. Ruth.

Pictured (L-R): Attorney Lauren Kilgore; Black River Publishing’s Celia Froehlig; ASCAP’s Robert Filhart; Jacob Davis; Black River Publishing’s Kelly Bolton; Black River Publishing’s Dave Pacula; Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr; attorney T.D. Ruth.

Black River Publishing has signed Jacob Davis to its songwriting roster.

“I have been a Jacob Davis fan since meeting him soon after he came to Nashville,” said Black River Publishing’s VP Celia Froehlig. “I am thrilled to now be working together. He is a great talent and the perfect addition to our BRE family. Get ready to hear some great new music from Jacob Davis in the not too distant future!”

“The energy pours out the doors of this place and it’s infectious. I love it,” says Davis. “I felt that the very first time I walked into the building. It made me want to instantly be a part of something I knew was going to be huge. To become a part of the Black River family means exactly that for me…family. It may sound cheesy, but I feel like I’m coming home. I couldn’t be more excited to start this journey with such an insanely talented group of people. My FAMILY!”

The Shreveport, Louisiana, native began performing while in college at LSU. After graduating with a degree in environmental science, Davis spent a year working in that field before moving to Nashville to pursue music.

Davis resides in Nashville with his wife Whitney, daughter Percy and their yellow lab Topaz.

Black River Publishing’s roster also includes Doug Johnson, Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead, Josh Okeefe, Scott Stepakoff, Ben Caver, Kelsea Ballerini and John King.