Industry Ink: Suit Music, Casting Crowns, William Michael Morgan Visits CMA

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Suit Music Relocates

suit-musicSuit Music, which manages Jackie Lee, Jason Nix and producer Aaron Eshuis, has relocated to 33 Music Square West, Ste. 100B in Nashville.

Andrew Cohen and Jarrod Holley launched Suit Music management in 2015.

 

 

Casting Crowns Earns RIAA Platinum Certification

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CCM band Casting Crowns has earned RIAA Platinum certification for the Christmas project Peace On Earth. The certification marks their fifth career Platinum certification, in addition to a 2x multi-Platinum album, two Platinum DVDs, seven Gold albums, one Platinum single, and five Gold digital singles.

“We are so thankful our songs are being heard and that we can be a small part of keeping Christ in Christmas around the world through our music,” said Casting Crowns frontman Mark Hall.

 

 

William Michael Morgan Stops By CMA

Pictured (L-R): Angela Roland, Awards & Industry Relations Assistant,CMA; Brandi Simms, Sr. Director of Awards & Industry Relations, CMA; William Michael Morgan; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Brenden Oliver, Manager of Awards & Industry Relations, CMA

Pictured (L-R): Angela Roland, Awards & Industry Relations Assistant,CMA; Brandi Simms, Sr. Director of Awards & Industry Relations, CMA; William Michael Morgan; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Brenden Oliver, Manager of Awards & Industry Relations, CMA. Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA

William Michael Morgan stopped by to perform for the staff at CMA earlier this week. His “Live @ CMA” acoustic set included his No. 1 hit “I Met A Girl,” the title track to his critically acclaimed debut album Vinyl, current single “Missing,” and holiday favorite “White Christmas.”

Cole Swindell Celebrates A Year Filled With Musical Milestones

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Cole Swindell and Ashley Gorley celebrate the success of "You Should Be Here." Photo: Steve Lowry

Cole Swindell and Ashley Gorley celebrate the success of “You Should Be Here.” Photo: Steve Lowry

As Cole Swindell prepares to wrap his third annual sold-out headlining Down Home Tour this weekend, he also looks back on a year of accomplishments including his sixth consecutive No. 1 single (“Middle of a Memory”), being named the NSAI Songwriter/Artist of the Year and celebrating the biggest song of his career so far with the title track of his sophomore album released in May, “You Should Be Here.” The track was certified Platinum and has more than 70 million streams, 1.3 million tracks sold, and nearly 35 million YouTube views.

He toured with Florida Georgia Line’s Dig Your Roots tour, and will tour with Dierks Bentley’s What The Hell tour in 2017.

Cole was able to celebrate this year with his radio promotion team at Warner Music Nashville for the three of the six No. 1 singles they helped take to the top of the charts ("Let Me See Ya Girl," Hope You Get Lonely Tonight," Ain't Worth The Whiskey") (L to R): Chad Schultz (VP Radio Marketing & Promotion), Katie Bright (Director, National Promotion), writer/producer Michael Carter, Kristen Williams (VP Promotion), Cole Swindell, John Esposito (Chairman & CEO), Mallory Opheim (Regional Promotion Manager), Branden Bosler (Promotion Coordinator) // Photo credit: Steve Lowry

Pictured (L-R): WMN’s Justin Luffman, Peter Strickland, KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, Swindell, WMN’s John Esposito, WMN’s Cris Lacy, producer Michael Carter. Photo: Steve Lowry

“I look back on this year and am just overwhelmed with emotion,” said Swindell. “I knew that music was powerful but I never ever could have imagined what impact my music could truly have on other people and more importantly in turn what it has done for me. I wrote a song as a way to help myself through the grief of losing my Dad. But it quickly became bigger than me as people began writing to me with the most incredible stories about how the song helped them through extraordinary life events. I knew then it wasn’t about me anymore. I hope my fans know they have helped ME with every story, every ticket they have bought this year, every call to radio, and just showing up at my shows. ‘You Should Be Here’ has truly changed my life. I am truly truly blessed with a great team around me, great friends, great songwriting buddies, encouraging support from my friends at radio and media and most importantly blessed with the greatest fans in the world. 2016 was pretty amazing and it’s going to be really hard to top … but I’m up for the challenge!”

Cole partnered with CMT this year for his sold-out third annual Down Home Tour- CMT On Tour Presents the Cole Swindell Down Home Tour

CMT On Tour Presents the Cole Swindell Down Home Tour was a sold-out success in 2016.

BOTS Act Becomes Law

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ticketmaster-ticketsPresident Obama has signed into law the BOTS (Better Online Ticket Sales) Act of 2016, which fights online scalpers. The law should make it easier for fans to buy tickets at face value.

The BOTS Act states:

This bill prohibits the circumvention of a security measure, access control system, or other technological measure on an Internet website or online service of a ticket issuer that is used to enforce posted event ticket purchasing limits or to maintain the integrity of posted online ticket purchasing order rules for a public event with an attendance capacity exceeding 200 persons.

The bill also prohibits the sale of or offers to sell an event ticket in interstate commerce obtained through such a circumvention violation if the seller participated in, had the ability to control, or should have known about the violation.

Billboard reports that the bill was introduced in February 2015 by U.S. Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

Weekly Chart Report (12/16/16)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Reba To Release 2-Disc Gospel Album Before First Complete Ryman Concert

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Reba McEntire announced via Facebook Live that the multi-talented entertainer will release a gospel album with BMLG/Cumulus’ Nash Icon and Capitol Christian Music Group on February 3, 2017.

Pairing with the release will be McEntire’s first complete show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, held on Feb. 15. The program is set to feature some of the new gospel music, as well as her greatest hits and attendees will receive a copy of the new album with ticket purchases.

Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope will be the title of the double album, featuring 10 hymns, 10 brand new songs and a hidden track. The announcement was made at East Nashville’s Tulip Street United Methodist Church, where McEntire was shooting the video for the project’s new single, “Back To God.”

“Softly and Tenderly,” a song recorded with Trisha Yearwood and Kelly Clarkson, will be released on iTunes on Friday, Feb 16. McEntire co-produced the album with Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts in his home studio and her band leader/musical director Doug Sisemore.

Writers on various tracks on the project include Jessi Alexander, Sarah Buxton, Steve Moakler, Dave Barnes, Lucie Silvas, Jeremy Spillman, Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Michael Dulaney, Jason Sellers and Neil Thrasher. “I Got The Lord On My Side” is a song written by McEntire and her mother Jackie McEntire.

“I’ve been wanting to do a gospel album forever,” said McEntire. “Sing It Now was the perfect title for this album because the message and melody throughout the song connects the dots between the traditional hymns I grew up on and new music that has been uplifting for me in challenging times.

“Music conjures up great memories and goes hand and hand with us McEntires,” she continued. “Mama, Susie and Alice even came into the studio with me to record ‘I’ll Fly Away,’ all of us gathered around an old hymnal straight from the Chockie church.”

Fans who pre-order the album can download a new track from the project on iTunes every Friday now through Feb. 3. Tickets for McEntire’s Ryman show will be available Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. CT at ryman.com.

Sing It Now: Songs Of Faith & Hope Track Listing:

CD 1

1. Jesus Loves Me | Written by William Batchelder Bradbury | Arrangement by Reba McEntire
2. Oh, How I Love Jesus* | Written by Frederick Whitfield | Arrangement by Jay DeMarcus, Tim Akers
3. When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder | Written by James Milton Black | Arrangement by Reba McEntire, Catherine Marx, Doug Sisemore
4. Oh Happy Day* | Written by Edward Francis Rimbault | Arrangement by Jay DeMarcus, Tim Akers
5. Amazing Grace | Written by John Newton | Arrangement by Reba McEntire, Doug Sisemore
6. I’ll Fly Away | Written by Albert E. Brumley | Arrangement by Reba McEntire, Doug Sisemore
7. In The Garden / Wonderful Peace (Medley) (featuring The Isaacs)* | “In The Garden” written by Austin C. Miles | “Wonderful Peace” written by Warren D. Cornell | Medley Arrangement by Jay DeMarcus, Tim Akers
8. Swing Low Sweet Chariot / Swing Down Chariot (Medley) | Written by Wallace Willis | Arrangement by Reba McEntire, Doug Sisemore
9. How Great Thou Art | Written by Stuart K. Hine | Arrangement by Doug Sisemore
10. Softly And Tenderly (feat. Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood) | Written by Will Lamartine Thompson | Arrangement by Doug Sisemore

CD 2
1. Sing It Now* | Written by Michael Farren, Joseph Habedank, Tony Wood
2. Angels Singin’ | Written by Jessi Alexander, Sarah Buxton, Steve Moakler
3. God And My Girlfriends | Written by Patricia Conroy, Lisa Hentrich, Marcia Ramirez
4. Hallelujah, Amen | Written by Dave Barnes, Lucie Silvas, Jeremy Spillman
5. There Is A God* | Written by Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley
6. I Got The Lord On My Side | Written by Reba McEntire, Jackie McEntire
7. Back To God | Written by Dallas Davidson, Randy Houser
8. Angel On My Shoulder* | Written by Leigh Reynolds, Amber White, Philip White
9. From The Inside Out | Written by Amy Fletcher
10. Say A Prayer* | Written by Michael Dulaney, Jason Sellers, Neil Thrasher
11. HIDDEN TRACK (physical only): Jesus Loves Me (Reprise) | Written by William Batchelder Bradbury | Arrangement by Reba McEntire

*McEntire co-produced with DeMarcus

Jenny Gill To Release ‘The House Sessions’ On Feb. 17

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Singer-songwriter Jenny Gill is set to release her debut EP, The House Sessions, on Feb. 17, and she will welcome several top-notch musicians for the project, including Sheryl Crow, Willie Weeks, Jack Pearson and Jon Randall.

Gill had a hand in writing five of the six tracks on the project, which incorporates a range of influences, from blues, Americana and country.

“Every song on this project takes me to somewhere in my past,” she says.  “My favorite songs to write are those that reflect personal experiences instead of just telling a story.”

Gill is the daughter of Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill and Sweethearts of the Rodeo’s Janis Oliver. Gill has spent the past six years touring as a backup singer for her step-mother, Christian artist Amy Grant.

“People have a preconceived perception of me because of my name, that I am country or that my talent should be at a certain place because of my parents’ accomplishments,” she says. “It’s hard to get people to notice you on your own and not for being a plus-one. So that is what The House Sessions is attempting to do. I am done waiting in the wings wondering what could happen.  I’m ready to try and build something all on my own.”

The House Sessions Track Listing

  1. Lonely Lost Me (Jenny Gill, Briana Tyson, Jonathan Hamby)
  2. Look Where Loving You Landed Me (Jenny Gill, Andi Zack)
  3. Whiskey Words (Jenny Gill, Andi Zack)
  4. Lean On Love (Jenny Gill, Deanna Walker, Rick Beresford)
  5. Your Shadow  (Jenny Gill, Deanna Walker, Rick Beresford)
  6. The Letter (Wayne Carson)

 

ASCAP, RMLC Ink Five-Year Agreement

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The Radio Music License Committee and ASCAP have announced a new five-year agreement through 2021 that sets the rates payable by over 10,000 of America’s commercial terrestrial radio stations to publicly perform more than 10.5 million musical works in the ASCAP repertory. The rates have not been announced publicly.

The agreement covers the five-year period 2017 to 2021. It provides for increases in the rates paid by radio stations to perform music by ASCAP members via terrestrial, over-the-air broadcasts as well as certain digital transmissions.

ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews commented: “We are confident that our new agreement will provide enhanced financial benefits to ASCAP songwriters, composers and music publishers at a time of tremendous disruption in the music industry. Reaching a voluntary agreement with the terrestrial radio industry enables ASCAP to stabilize and grow revenues for our members while continuing to aggressively advocate for regulatory reform to modernize the music licensing system.”

RMLC Chairman Ed Christian commented: “This agreement demonstrates how the creative and music user communities can work together in good faith to produce an outcome that is positive for both sides. The increase in ASCAP fees is consistent with ASCAP’s established spin share on radio. We are pleased to close this deal ensuring that there will be no interruption in ASCAP music being performed on American radio at a time when the music licensing landscape has become increasingly complex.”

Rev. Becca Stevens Receives CNN Hero Award At New York Ceremony

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Becca Stevens accepts CNN Hero award.

Becca Stevens accepts CNN Hero award.

Rev. Becca Stevens was honored as a CNN Hero at New York’s American Museum of Natural History on Sunday (Dec. 11). The award celebrates the Nashvillian’s remarkable work with Thistle Farms, which rescues women from prostitution and helps them mend their bodies and souls by making bath and body products. See CNN’s story here.

See a clip from the ceremony which discusses Stevens’ perseverance through her own abusive childhood, and features testimonies from the women she has helped. The video includes Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer presenting the award to Stevens, who accepted barefoot, as a show of “compassion and solidarity for the women who are still walking the streets.” She said, “You cannot kill hope in them. Love is the most powerful force for change. And we have a lot more work to do.”

Stevens is a priest, wife to hit songwriter Marcus Hummon, and mother to Levi, Caney and Moses.

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WME Nashville Heading Into 2017 With New Offices, New Agents

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Pictured (L-R): WME Nashville Co-head Rob Beckham; new agents Nick Miller, Alex Luebbert and Shannon Saunders; WME | IMG Co-CEO Patrick Whitesell; WME | IMG COO Jason Lublin; WME Nashville Co-head Greg Oswald; new agent Austin Neal; and digital marketing exec Sloane Logue.

Pictured (L-R): WME Nashville Co-head Rob Beckham; new agents Nick Miller, Alex Luebbert and Shannon Saunders; WME | IMG Co-CEO Patrick Whitesell; WME | IMG COO Jason Lublin; WME Nashville Co-head Greg Oswald; new agent Austin Neal; and digital marketing exec Sloane Logue.

WME Nashville Co-Heads Rob Beckham and Greg Oswald gave employees a surprise preview of their new office space on Tuesday (Dec. 13), and also announced several promotions and new hires. In 2017, WME Nashville will begin conducting business from 1201 Demonbreun Street, 14th & 15th floors.

WME | IMG Co-CEO Patrick Whitesell and WME | IMG COO Jason Lublin were in attendance for the unveiling, and the company holiday party later that night at Pinewood Social.

Promoted to Agent were Shannon Saunders, Nick Miller and Alex Luebbert. Saunders began her career with WME in 2010, and most recently worked as a Booker for clubs in Texas and Oklahoma. She will join the Fair & Festival Department.

Miller began his career with WME in 2011, and most recently assisted in booking large venues in the South Central territory. Miller will join the Developmental department as a booking agent in the West.

Luebbert began his career with WME in 2011, and most recently assisted in booking large venues in the North Central territory. Luebbert will join the Developmental department as a booking agent in the North.

WME also added Austin Neal as an Agent, booking medium venues in the Southeast territory. Before joining WME, Neal worked most recently at Triple 8 management, and prior to that as day-to-day manager for Big & Rich, and a territorial agent at Buddy Lee Attractions.

Sloane Logue has joined WME and will head Digital and Marketing Initiatives. She previously served as the Client Relations Manager at Ticketmaster, and also spent over 7 years as the Director of Digital Marketing at Show Dog-Universal Music.

These announcements from WME come on the heels of last week’s news that Shari Lewin has been named Partner by the agency.

Still Working Music, Kobalt Sign Gordie Sampson

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Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Kimberly Holcombe (Kobalt), Stephanie Cox (Kobalt), Brooke Yancey (Kobalt); (Front Row L to R): Sara Beal (Still Working Music), Chuck Fleckenstein (Still Working Music), Jesse Willoughby (Kobalt), Gordie Sampson, Laura Alexander (Kobalt), Chelsea Kent (Still Working Music), Tommy Lee James (Still Working Music) Not Pictured: Alex Orbison (Still Working Music)

Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Kimberly Holcombe (Kobalt), Stephanie Cox (Kobalt), Brooke Yancey (Kobalt); (Front Row, L-R): Sara Beal (Still Working Music), Chuck Fleckenstein (Still Working Music), Jesse Willoughby (Kobalt), Gordie Sampson, Laura Alexander (Kobalt), Chelsea Kent (Still Working Music), Tommy Lee James (Still Working Music) Not Pictured: Alex Orbison (Still Working Music)

Nashville publishers Still Working Music and Kobalt have 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.

“Gordie Sampson is a perfect fit here at Still Working and we are equally excited about partnering with Kobalt to make this signing double sweet. Gordie brings a total pro writing ethic, immense talent, and spot-on sense of the song—there simply isn’t better. Welcome Gordie!” said Alex Orbison, President of Still Working Music.

“We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with Still Working and working with a writer of the caliber of Gordie Sampson. We’ve been a big fan of his for a long time and excited to be creatively working with Gordie and helping him build on his already successful career. Looking forward to what we can achieve together with the whole Still Working team—Alex, Chuck, Tommy and Chelsea,” said Jesse Willoughby, GM Kobalt, Nashville.

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