Nashville’s Big Wins At The 2016 American Music Awards

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Tim McGraw. Photo: theamas.com

Tim McGraw. Photo: theamas.com

The American Music Awards were held at Los Angeles’ last night (Nov. 20) with many Nashville wins to celebrate.

BMLG celebrated two wins with Tim McGraw and Florida Georgia Line for Favorite Song—Country (Lori McKenna‘s “Humble And Kind”) and Favorite Duo/Group—Country, respectively.

Florida Georgia Line's Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard. Photo: theamas.com

Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard. Photo: theamas.com

Though not in attendance, Carrie Underwood was selected as Favorite Female Artist—Country and Favorite Album—Country (Storyteller). Underwood was a nominee in the all-genre Artist of the Year category, which ultimately went to Ariana Grande for her own channel on SiriusXM in 2017.

Country artist Cam, nominee for favorite Female Artist—Country, was in attendance. She gave Nashville songwriter Hillary Lindsey a shoutout on Twitter during Lady Gaga‘s “Million Reasons” performance, a song which Lindsey co-penned and is featured on background vocals.

Blake Shelton was selected as Favorite Male Artist—Country.

Nominees were based on key fan interactions as reflected in Billboard, including album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, social activity and touring. Winners were selected by fan voting.

Full winners list at theamas.com.

Pictured (L-R): Maggie McGraw and Tim McGraw. Photo: Kevin Mazur/AMA2016/WireImage

Pictured (L-R): Maggie McGraw and Tim McGraw. Photo: Kevin Mazur/AMA2016/WireImage

Big Loud Mountain, Tree Vibez Music Sign Cameron Montgomery

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Back row (L-R): Joey Russ (Tree Vibez), Brian Kelley, Seth England, Craig Wiseman, Joey Moi, Chief Zaruk, Tyler Hubbard, Matt Turner (Big Loud), Dane Schmidt (Tree Vibez) Front row (L to R): Emily Peacock (AAM), Leslie DiPiero (AAM), Cameron Montgomery, Jordan Kodloka (Big Loud), Hannah Showmaker Wilson (Big Loud)

Back row (L-R): Joey Russ (Tree Vibez), Brian Kelley, Seth England, Craig Wiseman, Joey Moi, Chief Zaruk, Tyler Hubbard, Matt Turner (Big Loud), Dane Schmidt (Tree Vibez)
Front row (L-R): Emily Peacock (AAM), Leslie DiPiero (AAM), Cameron Montgomery, Jordan Kodloka (Big Loud), Hannah Showmaker Wilson (Big Loud)

Big Loud Mountain and Tree Vibez Music, a partnership between Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, songwriter Craig Wiseman and more, have signed songwriter and producer Cameron Montgomery.

Montgomery, a Scottsdale, Arizona native, was mentored by producer Dr. Luke (Katy Perry, Rihanna), and was part of studio teams behind the singles “Sugar” (Maroon 5) and “Only” (Nikki Minaj ft. Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown).

He is managed by Advanced Alternative Media (AAM), and co-produced Big Machine Label Group artist Ryan Follese‘s self-titled EP. He also co-wrote Follese’s singles “Float Your Boat” and “Put A Label On It.”

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to be working with both Big Loud Mountain and Tree Vibez!” said Montgomery. “It is a dream come true to be joining a team of songwriters and producers that I have looked up to for so long. A big thanks to Seth England, Joey Moi, Craig Wiseman, Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley for bringing me on board.”

Big Loud Mountain partner Seth England noted, “Cameron Montgomery is a very special talent and a rare find in this town. I first met Cameron in the Tree Vibez bus in Columbus, Ohio and instantly knew he was someone we had to be involved with immediately. I also couldn’t be more proud to do this deal alongside BK and Tyler and their publishing company Tree Vibez Music.”

 

Brad Paisley Previews ‘Diary Of A Player’ Exhibit At Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

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Pictured (L-R): Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Nashville Randy Goodman, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Carolyn Tate, Singer-songwriter Brad Paisley and Bill Simmons of The Fitzgerald Hartley Company. Photo: by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Pictured (L-R): Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Nashville Randy Goodman, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Carolyn Tate, Singer-songwriter Brad Paisley and Bill Simmons of The Fitzgerald Hartley Company. Photo: by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Celebrated three-time Grammy winner Brad Paisley visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Nov. 19 to see his exhibition Brad Paisley: Diary of a Player on display for the first time. Joined by his wife Kimberly Williams Paisley, his two sons Huck and Jasper Paisley and his parents Doug and Sandy Paisley, the family walked through the exhibit together, recounting memories of the singer-songwriter’s life and career.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young chronicled Paisley’s early career, and highlighted pieces featured in the exhibit, including Paisley’s first axe, a Sears Silvertone guitar given to him as a Christmas present from his grandfather Warren Jarvis. The collection also includes several awards from throughout Paisley’s career, as well as many of the ace guitar player’s trusty instruments.

Paisley displayed his trademark wit in his opening remarks. “I was like, ‘Who is this Brad Paisley guy? When did he die?’ That was what it felt like looking at the exhibit for the first time. It was like, ‘Well, we’re gonna miss him.’ It’s really weird to see things that should’ve meant nothing to anyone seem important when they are put behind glass in the greatest music museum in the world.”

The singer-songwriter reflected in his early touring requirements as a young performer traveling through his homestate of West Virginia and surrounding states. One blue case could carry all of it. “A cable, a cowboy hat, a couple of guitar pedals and probably some chewing gum,” he quipped. “And it’s crazy when you look back and you see these things. I remember the dreams associated with each little one of these items.”

He noted that one of the biggest benefits in his career has been the chance to not only meet, but to collaborate with, some of his biggest musical heroes, a country music tradition he hopes continues with future generations.

“I hope that some kid walks through this display and thinks to themselves, ‘I can do that,’ and not only that but, ‘Someday, I’m gonna take that guy and I’m gonna dress him in funny clothes and make him do a bit on the CMA Awards or something.’ That’s the thing about this crazy town and the chance to be part of it. Country music is unique to every other kind of music and the family nature of it.”

The career-spanning exhibition opens to the public Friday, Nov. 19 and runs through May 14, 2017.

Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams Paisley Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams Paisley Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Brad Paisley at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Brad Paisley at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Brad Paisley at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Brad Paisley at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

RCA Inspiration Adds To Staff

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After moving offices to Nashville, RCA Inspiration has restructured staff at the imprint.

“I am delighted to welcome a wonderful team of talent to RCAI as we move forward to bring you an extensive new collection of music, incredible talent, with more to be announced in the coming year,” Sr. VP/GM Phil Thornton said. “Inspirational entertainment impacts billions of people across the world, from longtime faithful churchgoers to reaching out to faith-seekers. We remain committed to honoring RCAI’s legacy of diverse entertainment and forging a journey together with projects and artists that cross boundaries and move the needle.”

Tamar Rand joins as VP/Radio Promotions & Strategy, reporting directly to Thornton. Rand was previously Sr. Dir./Promotions at Light Records/Entertainment One Music Nashville.

Cathy Carroll is named Sr. Director/ Radio Promotions & Strategy, based in Chicago. She brings over 25 years of radio promotions experience and will report directly to Rand.

Jarrett Dyson is the new Dir./A&R. Previously, Dyson was the A&R manager for Motown Gospel and will report to Thornton.

Jeremy Castro is promoted to A&R Manager and relocates to Nashville from New York, reporting to Dyson.

Chris Anderson is upped from marketing manager to Dir./Marketing, and will be based in New York, reporting to Thornton.

Gabby Jones is tapped as marketing manager. He was marketing coordinator at Entertainment One music Nashville, and will report to Anderson.

Charlene Bryant, former manager for Capitol Christian Music Group, joins as Sales Manager.

Justin Tomlinson is promoted to marketing coordinator and relocates to Nashville.

Tamone Bacon has been named label assistant.

 

In Pictures: Frankie Ballard Showcases Hits At Nashville Show

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Frankie Ballard

Frankie Ballard. Photo: Shore Fire Media

Frankie Ballard played to a sold-out crowd at Nashville’s Exit/In on Thursday, Nov. 17. Ballard played hits from his current Warner Bros album El Rio including “LA Woman,” “It All Started With A Beer,” “El Camino,” and his current single “Cigarette.” Fans also got to hear past No. 1 hits including “Helluva Life,” “Young & Crazy,” and “Sunshine & Whiskey.”

Red Bow Records’ Brooke Eden opened the show.

Pictured (L-R): Chris Palmer (VP Radio & Streaming), Lisa Ray (VP, Head of Brand Management), Wes Vause (SVP Publicity), Kristen Williams (SVP Radio & Streaming), Frankie Ballard, Tom Martens (National Director, Radio & Streaming), Cris Lacy (VP A&R), Chad Schultz (VP Original Content & Radio Marketing)

Pictured (L-R): Chris Palmer (VP Radio & Streaming), Lisa Ray (VP, Head of Brand Management), Wes Vause (SVP Publicity), Kristen Williams (SVP Radio & Streaming), Frankie Ballard, Tom Martens (National Director, Radio & Streaming), Cris Lacy (VP A&R), Chad Schultz (VP Original Content & Radio Marketing). Photo: Warner Bros. Nashville

Frankie Ballard

Frankie Ballard. Photo: Shore Fire Media

Frankie Ballard

Frankie Ballard. Photo: Shore Fire Media

Artist Pics: Thomas Rhett, Denny Strickland, Kip Moore, Ginny Owens

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Thomas Rhett Celebrates Sold-Out Shows Overseas

Thomas Rhett, 16 November, London. Photo: Carsten Windhorst.

Thomas Rhett, 16 November, London. Photo: Carsten Windhorst.

Thomas Rhett recently celebrated sold-out shows in Belfast, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Amsterdam.

“To hear those crowds sing-along to every song was something I will never forget,” said Thomas Rhett. “We made some great memories over there and it was really cool meet some of our biggest fans overseas. I’m already wanting to figure out when we can get back over there.”

Thomas Rhett will launch his headlining 2017 Home Team Tour in February 2017.

 

ACM Welcomes Denny Strickland

Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music® welcomed Red Star Productions recording artist Denny Strickland to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Strickland performed a few songs including his latest digitally released single, “Get A Grip.”

 

Kip Moore Joins Smokey Robinson Tribute

Pictured (L-R): Kip Moore, Samuel L. Jackson, ??

Pictured (L-R): Kip Moore, Samuel L. Jackson, Bebe Winans

Kip Moore joined Samuel L. Jackson and Bebe Winans during a recent Smokey Robinson Tribute where he received the Library of Congress Gershwin for Popular Song. Moore performed “I Second That Emotion” during the taping, which will air Feb. 10 at 9 p.m. on PBS. Other performers included Cee Lo Green, Aloe Blacc, JoJo, Corinne Bailey Rae, and more.

 

Ginny Owens Livestreams Acoustic Preview For New Project

ginny-owens

CCM artist Ginny Owens recently held an exclusive acoustic performance of new songs from her current album, Love Be The Loudest, which releases Friday (Nov. 18). The performance was held at the Be Music Offices in Nashville, and was livestreamed.

The album features appearances from Big Daddy Weave, Ellie Holcomb, Meredith Andrews, and All Sons & Daughters.

Americana Awards Will Air On ‘Austin City Limits’ Starting Tomorrow

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americana-on-acl

Austin City Limits (ACL) returns to Nashville for a special broadcast featuring performance highlights from this year’s Americana Honors & Awards. ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2016 premieres Saturday night (Nov. 19) on PBS at 8 p.m. CT. WNPT Nashville will also air the program Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24 at 9 p.m. Full episodes are also available online.

Recorded live at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 21, the music-filled hour features many of the night’s award-winners and honorees: George Strait, Margo Price, Jason Isbell, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Weir, Alison Krauss, Steve Earle, Parker Millsap, Dwight Yoakam, William Bell, and Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell.

Performers are backed by a first-class house band led by Nashville mainstay Buddy Miller featuring Dave Cobb with Stuart Duncan, Fred Eltringham, Steve Fishell, Matt Rollings, Chris Wood, and The McCrary Sisters.

Episode setlist:
Bob Weir “Mama Tried”
The Lumineers “Angela”
Bonnie Raitt “Gypsy In Me”
Parker Millsap “Heaven Sent”
Jason Isbell “If It Takes A Lifetime”
Steve Earle “Desperados Waiting For A Train”
Dwight Yoakam “What I Don’t Know”
Margo Price “Tennessee Song”
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats “Wasting Time”
William Bell “Three of Me” feat. Bonnie Raitt
Alison Krauss “Gloryland” feat. Stuart Duncan, Melonie Cannon & Buddy Miller
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell “Bring It On Home”
George Strait & Jim Lauderdale “King of Broken Hearts”

High Valley To Tour Netherlands, UK In 2017

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Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville duo High Valley will headline their first European tour, launching in February 2017. The Make You Mine Tour will travel to Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and the UK in the new year for 10 shows over two weeks in support of their just-released major label debut album, Dear Life.

High Valley “Make You Mine” European Tour Dates*
Feb. 4: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Feb. 5: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Feb. 7: Manchester, UK
Feb. 8: Glasgow, UK
Feb. 9: Birmingham, UK
Feb. 10: Aberdare, UK
Feb. 11: London, UK
Feb. 13: Berlin, Germany
Feb. 15: Copenhagen, Denmark
Feb. 16: Odense, Denmark
*Subject to change

Karen Clark Expands FirstBank’s Private Banking Team

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Karen Clark

Karen Clark

Longtime Nashville banker Karen Clark has joined FirstBank’s West End Avenue financial center team as a senior vice president in the bank’s private banking group, FirstBank President and CEO Chris Holmes has announced.

Clark will be working with industry veteran Steve Jaynes, who joined FirstBank in July to head up the new private banking group. She will be focusing on the medical and entertainment industries and other professional practices, as well as large and small business owners and their companies.

Previously, Clark served as a senior vice president and financial advisor for Pinnacle Financial Partners after spending 15 years at SunTrust in Nashville in a variety of positions, including manager of the Nashville Sports and Entertainment Banking Group. Most recently, she worked as director of revenue cycle and finance at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics.

“Karen is a great banker who knows the Nashville-area market well and has built relationships across the city,” said Jaynes, who worked with Clark earlier in his career. “She is a tremendous addition to our team.”

She has served on the boards of directors for the W.O. Smith School of Music, the T.J. Martell Foundation, FiftyForward, Leadership Music and Nashville Cable, a professional women’s leadership organization. She is also a volunteer research advocate for the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.

“We continue to add experience and expertise to our Middle Tennessee team of associates, and we look forward to Karen’s contribution to our strategic growth plans in this important market,” Holmes said.

Round Hill Music Signs Administration Deal With SHEL, Moraine Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): Dianna Maher, Moraine Music Group; Sarah, Hannah, Eva, and Liza Holbrook, SHEL; Matthew Beckett, Attorney; Mark Brown, Round Hill; Brent Maher, Moraine Music Group; Kevin Thompson, Round Hill; Steve Nalbert, Round Hill

Pictured (L-R): Dianna Maher, Moraine Music Group; Sarah, Hannah, Eva, and Liza Holbrook, SHEL; Matthew Beckett, Attorney; Mark Brown, Round Hill; Brent Maher, Moraine Music Group; Kevin Thompson, Round Hill; Steve Nalbert, Round Hill

Round Hill Music has signed SHEL & Moraine Music Group to a worldwide administration agreement.

The indie/folk band from Fort Collins, Colorado, is comprised of four sisters – Sarah, Hannah, Eva, and Liza Holbrook, whose names form the acronym SHEL. Their sound is filled with infectious rhythms and hypnotic vocals, which has led to their music being used in numerous TV shows, films, soundtracks and commercials.

“I am so excited to announce our new relationship with SHEL, my longtime friend and colleague Dianna Maher, and the Moraine Music team,” said Round Hill Music Nashville Sr. VP/GM Mark Brown. “Ever since I first heard SHEL, I’ve been in love with their music. I think it’s some of the most original, creative, and inventive music I’ve ever heard.”

Currently, SHEL’s music is airing in the Toys ‘R Us holiday commercial, a TBS Search Party promo and the snowboarding film, The Fourth Phase. They also have a newly released Holiday EP, Winter Fairyland.

“We are thrilled to be working with Mark and the passionate staff at Round Hill Music to further develop SHEL’s career,” said Dianna Maher, President, Moraine Music Group.