CAA Adds Michael Bryan In Artist Development, Brand Strategy Role

/by

Michael Bryan. Photo: Zach Massey

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has added radio veteran Michael Bryan in a newly-created position within the music department to focus on artist development and artist brand strategy. Based in Nashville, Bryan will work in collaboration with client teams across the agency’s roster to help cultivate the careers of emerging artists, from curating an act’s brand and developing their social and media marketing platforms, to liaising with managers, labels and radio programmers in support of album launches. Bryan will also identify and create new touring models with radio-based properties, expanding on CAA’s success with creating/packaging branded lifestyle tours, including 2016’s Ticket To Rock and the Vans Warped Tour.

Bryan most recently served as Senior Vice President, Programming for iHeartMedia’s Nashville market, overseeing the on-air and online programming for the market’s six broadcast stations, branded digital sites, and helping to program live properties, including Guitar-B-Que for St. Jude, Battle for The Bones, and others. While at iHeartMedia, he helped break such artists as Ed Sheeran, Cam, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, and Hozier through early radio exposure, and served as Executive Program Director for the top-rated nationally syndicated The Bobby Bones Show and The Tige & Daniel show.

Industry Ink: Florida Georgia Line, LeAnn Rimes, Josh Kear, Brad Paisley

/by

Florida Georgia Line Reignite Dig Your Roots Tour

Pictured (L-R): Big Loud Mountain Partner and Record Producer Joey Moi, Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell, Big Loud Mountain Partner and Artist Manager Seth England, Chris Lane, FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, Dustin Lynch, Big Loud Mountain’s Partner and Artist Manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, and Partner and Songwriter Craig Wiseman

Florida Georgia Line reignited their Dig Your Roots Tour this past weekend, thrilling Tallahassee, Orlando and Miami, Florida, fans in a sold-out homecoming weekend for the duo’s Brian Kelley.

Drawing 40,000 plus people over three nights, Kelley and Georgia native Tyler Hubbard picked up right where they left off in 2016, which found them breaking attendance records and playing to over one million fans for the second year in a row.

The 2017 tour features Dustin Lynch and Chris Lane as supporting artists, as well as Seth Ennis, Ryan Follese and Morgan Wallen on select dates.

 

LeAnn Rimes To Be Honored By Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced that LeAnn Rimes will be honored with the Ally for Equality Award at the HRC Nashville Equality Dinner on Saturday, March 25, 2017.

“LeAnn Rimes is boldly using her influence in the music world to empower people to accept and be their true selves,” said Blake Brockway, co-chair of the HRC Nashville Equality Dinner. “An outspoken advocate for LGBTQ equality, she is also making a difference in the lives of countless young people across the country by standing up for LGBTQ youth and speaking out against bullying. We are thrilled to welcome LeAnn Rimes to the HRC Nashville Equality Dinner and honor her with the HRC Ally for Equality Award.”

The HRC Ally for Equality Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of those outside of the LGBTQ community who use their voice to publicly stand-up for equality for all Americans.

Rimes recently inked a worldwide deal with RCA UK, who will be releasing her 16th studio album, Remnants, on Feb. 3, 2017, along with her first U.S. single “Long Live Love.”

 

Josh Kear Performs During Troubadour Society Kickoff Event

Pictured (L-R): Troubadour Society Advisory Committee members Emilee Warner, Katie Cline, Songwriter Josh Kear, Troubadour Society Advisory Committee members Mandy Gallagher, and Leanne Weber

On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the Country Music Hall of Fame®and Museum hosted its annual Troubadour Society kickoff event for its members with a performance by award-winning songwriter Josh Kear in the museum’s rotunda.

Kear is a four-time Grammy nominated songwriter and recipient of the ACM Song of the Year for Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now.” Kear boasts a total of 11 No. 1 songs, with dozens of cuts by artists including Dierks Bentley, Labrinth, Charlie Puth, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.

The Troubadour Society is the museum’s community of young leaders ages 21 to 40, who help to sustain the museum and its mission to preserve country music’s history for future generations. For more information about the Troubadour Society, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.

 

Top Songwriters Team For Brad Paisley Writers’ Round At CMHoF

Pictured (L-R): Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Kelley Lovelace, Lee Thomas Miller

Hit songwriters Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Kelley Lovelace and Lee Thomas Miller will be part of a special program, Writers’ Round: The Songs of Brad Paisley, at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater.

Paisley has remained loyal to this quartet of writers throughout his career. They, in turn, have helped him achieve a consistent sound and a distinct, authentic voice. As longtime friends and collaborators with Paisley, the writers will share personal stories and offer insights into some of Paisley’s biggest hits.

Writers’ Round: The Songs of Brad Paisley is included with museum admission and is free to museum members. Limited seating is available, and a program pass is required. The program will be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org/streaming.

The program is presented in support of the exhibit Brad Paisley: Diary of a Player, at the museum through May 14, 2017.

Good Company Entertainment Teams With Red Light Management

/by

Good Company Entertainment, the management company recently formed by RCA Nashville recording artist Jake Owen and music industry veteran Keith Gale, has entered a partnership with Red Light Management.

“We are excited about the opportunity to work with Jake and his new team, and we’re looking forward to being a part of this next chapter,” says Red Light founder Coran Capshaw.

“With the great team of people surrounding me right now, I feel really positive about the future,” says Owen. “I’m honored that an incredible global businessman like Coran Capshaw wants to be in business with us. I am truly looking forward to 2017. Here’s to new beginnings!”

Good Company Entertainment partner Gale adds, “The ability to align Good Company Entertainment with Red Light Management is a major strategic alliance for us. Coran Capshaw and his entire Red Light team are a veritable knowledge, experience, and information factory. The systems and worldwide reach they offer will better position Jake and Good Company Entertainment for tremendous success.”

‘Forbes’ Names Nashville Artists Among World’s Highest-Paid Musicians

/by

Forbes Magazine recently released its list of the World’s Highest-Paid Musicians, and country was well-represented among the impressive list.  Garth Brooks ranked at the top of the country stack at No. 6 with a whopping $70 million for the year, thanks to a lucrative comeback tour, which kicked off in 2014 and extends into 2017 and has now grossed well into the nine-figure territory.

Kenny Chesney lands on the list at No. 13, tying Justin Bieber with $56 million for the year thanks to his ability to sell out stadiums across the country repeatedly and his new Blue Chair Bay Rum enterprise.

Luke Bryan comes in at No. 19 on the list at $53 million, raking in tons on his Kill The Lights Tour along with endorsement deals with Miller Lite and Cabela’s, among others.

Toby Keith also makes the list at No. 22 with $47.5 million from his tour, Ford Truck spokesman cash, and his Wild Shot Mezcal and I Love This Bar And Grill enterprises.

The Top 5 Highest-Paid Artists in ascending order include Rihanna ($75 million), Madonna ($76.5 million), Adele ($80.5 million), One Direction ($110 million), and the drumroll please…country’s own now pop-superstar Taylor Swift, who pulled down a cool $170 million, smashing the Rolling Stones’ previous touring record with a gross of over $200 million in North America alone, not counting her endorsement dollars. She was not only the highest-paid musician on the list, but ranks as the highest-paid celebrity of any type according to the magazine.

Forbes compiled the list by measuring pre-tax income from June 1, 2015-June 1, 2016 before management fees. Numbers are based on data from Pollstar, Nielsen, and the RIAA, and interviews with managers, agents, attorneys, and some stars themselves.

Warner Music Nashville Signs Cale Dodds

/by

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Megan Joyce, VP, Head of Business and Legal Affairs, WMN; Kelli Haywood, Starstruck Entertainment; Scott Safford, Safford Motley; Travis Carter, Warner Chappell; Narvel Blackstock, Starstruck Entertainment. (Front row, L-R): John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Cale Dodds; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R, WMN.

Warner Music Nashville has signed rising artist and songwriter Cale Dodds. Dodds, who signed to Warner/Chappell Music in August 2015, has already established his talent as a songwriter.

A Thousand Horses featured his co-written track “(This Ain’t No) Drunk Dial” as their second single. Dodds’ own, independently-released songs have also racked up success with streams on Spotify succeeding over 8 million streams.

Managed by Starstruck Entertainment and represented by CAA, the Columbus, Georgia, native is set to release new music later this year.

Keith Urban And Dolly Parton Support Partners At SAG Awards

/by

Keith Urban and Dolly Parton were on hand at Sunday’s (Jan. 29) Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in support of their respective offscreen and onscreen partners.

Urban attended the 23rd annual ceremony in support of his wife Nicole Kidman, who was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Lion (2016).

Well-deserved, Lily Tomlin. The 53rd Annual SAG Life Achievement Award Recipient. #sagawards

A photo posted by SAG Awards (@sagawards) on

For the 53rd SAG Life Achievement Award, Parton presented the legendary actress/comedian Lily Tomlin in honor of her encouraging, exemplary values. Both stars appeared in the 1980 film 9 to 5 and have been profoundly involved in literacy programs. A reunion of all 9 to 5 co-stars was cut short when the film’s production company owner Jane Fonda became ill and had to cancel.

Tomlin recently honored Parton during her receipt of the CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the association’s 50th annual program in November. Tomlin’s country roots extend to Reba McEntire, whom she partnered with for a season of Malibu Country (ABC).

The SAG Awards, which were broadcast live on TBS and TNT, has begun an auction including many ceremony items among experiences in a benefit for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BP3xcU1DLOB/

Artist Updates: Scotty McCreery, Thomas Rhett, Randy Travis, Ryan Kinder, Aubrie Sellers

/by

McCreery Gets Billy Bob’s Surprise

Pictured (L-R): Randy Travis, Scotty McCreery, and Mary Travis

Scotty McCreery got a big surprise during his show Friday night (Jan. 27) at Billy Bob’s Texas when Randy Travis, wife Mary and family showed up to cheer him on from the sidelines. McCreery had recently put “Forever and Ever Amen” into his set list, and experienced an ultra-cool career moment getting to sing that song for the first time ever live with Travis watching from the side of the stage.

“Definitely one of the coolest moments of my career to date is singing that song live, and looking over to my right and seeing him smiling ear-to-ear, dancing, and singing along with us!,” said McCreery.

 

Thomas Rhett Wows Thoroughbred Crowd

Photo: World Red Eye

Thomas Rhett performed at the inaugural $12 Million Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Saturday (Jan. 28) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The new race is the world’s richest Thoroughbred horse race and featured over 10,000 guests, including Vanessa Hudgens, Aaron Paul, Bobby Flay, Jon Lovitz, and more. 

Photo: World Red Eye

 

Chris Young, William Michael Morgan, More Join Travis Tribute

Randy Travis. Photo: Robert Tractenberg

Chris Young, Chuck Wicks, Paul Overstreet, Shane Owens and William Michael Morgan are the latest artists to join the lineup for the Randy Travis tribute, “1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes and Friends Tribute to Randy Travis.” The concert special set for Feb. 8 will include plenty of special moments, including a duet with Mark Chesnutt and Daryle Singletary.

 

Ryan Kinder Relishes Ryman Debut

Ryan Kinder made his Ryman Auditorium debut last week performing his current single “Close” at the historic venue. Kinder then wowed the Opry audience and fulfilled a lifelong dream when he stepped out from behind the mic and performed a capella on the hallowed stage.

“I have now crossed two things off the bucket list: playing guitar with my brother at The Gorge and now singing a capella at The Ryman,” said Kinder. “It’s an unreal feeling.”

 

Aubrie Sellers Doing Double Road Duty

Aubrie Sellers headed out on her first dates of Miranda Lambert’s 2017 Highway Vagabond Tour last week, playing Evansville, Indiana; Springfield, Missouri; and Kearney, Nebraska. Sellers is also simultaneously out on the road with The Cadillac Three for their Black Roses Tour on dates through February. 

Rosanne Cash Signs With SESAC

/by

Rosanne Cash. Photo: Clay Patrick McBride

Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame member Rosanne Cash, known for hits including “Seven Year Ache,” “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me,” and “Blue Moon With Heartache,” has signed with SESAC for representation.

“Rosanne Cash is in a category of her own,” said John Josephson, Chairman and CEO, SESAC. “As a songwriter, her songs resonate with our souls. As a recording artist, she creates timeless music. Her creativity spans across not only musical genres, but also mediums, garnering accolades as both a musician and an author. She has built a career and a legacy that makes her an American treasure. We could not be more proud that Rosanne is now a part of the SESAC family.”

“I am thrilled to join SESAC,” Cash said. “I have long respected SESAC’s advocacy for the creative community, on Capitol Hill and in every realm in which songwriters work, and I value SESAC’s role as an innovator in music rights. This is an exciting time for SESAC, and I’m delighted to join the family.”

Cash’s recording career began in 1978, with an album released by the German label Ariola. One year later, Columbia Records signed Cash and released Right or Wrong, an album that produced the Top 20 single, “No Memories Hangin’ Around,” a duet with country music legend Bobby Bare. Two years later, Cash released Seven Year Ache, with the title track going to No. 1. From there, Cash has released 15 albums, earning four Grammy Awards and 11 Grammy nominations. She has released 21 Top 40 singles, including 11 No. 1 songs. Cash’s album, The List, won the Americana Music Album of the Year award in 2009.

Cash’s most recent project, The River and the Thread, a collaboration with co-writer, producer and husband John Leventhal, received three Grammys in 2015.

In addition to her musical achievements, Cash has authored three books, including her best-selling memoir, Composed. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, the Oxford-American and The Nation.

Cash’s affiliation is the latest in a string of prominent signings, with Kings of Leon, Randy Newman, Axl Rose, Robin Thicke, Green Day, George Clinton, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielson recently joining the SESAC roster.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Reception and Tour Experience Returns for CRS 2017

/by

 

Country Radio Seminar (CRS) and the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will partner for the second consecutive year to offer CRS 2017 attendees a private cocktail reception and free access to the museum during CRS 2017.

The cocktail reception, which will take place Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will be held in the museum’s Hall of Fame Rotunda.

Following the opening remarks and the welcoming of radio and industry attendees at the reception, museum galleries will be open for viewing.
Credentialed CRS registrants also have the opportunity to tour the museum Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., prior to the CRS Opening Ceremony.

“Much like the exhibitions in our galleries, country radio tells the story of country music every day,” said Sharon Brawner, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing for the museum. “We are thrilled to welcome Country Radio Seminar attendees to the home of country music history for the second year in a row.”

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum representatives will also be on site daily at CRS 2017, and invite country radio to visit their booth to learn about year-round partnership opportunities.

Country Radio Seminar 2017 is set for Feb. 22-24, 2017 at the Omni Hotel in Nashville.

RCA Studio A To Get $500K Renovation

/by

RCA Studio A Complex. Photo: Save Studio A/ Facebook

Nashville’s Historic RCA Studio A is set to receive a $500,000 renovation that will capture the glory of its 1960s heyday. According to The Tennessean, Nashville-based Anderson Design Studio will restore the retro feel to the studio’s offices, a smaller recording studio and work space. The building’s recording studio will remain mostly unaltered.

In 2014, a trio of entrepreneurs, including Mike Curb, Aubrey Preston, and Chuck Elcan, stepped in to purchase the studio, which is located at 30 Music Square West. RCA Studio A would also be named to the National Register of Historic Places.

In April 2016, producer Dave Cobb, known for his work with artists including Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson, took up working residence in the studio.

Plans include hanging a replica of the RCA Victor sign, which will be visible from the front of the building. The sign used to be on the building’s exterior for several years. Other changes include replacing tile flooring in the entrance on the front of the building with a late ’60s terrazzo style flooring. The lobby will also have two womb chairs in the same RCA red. Large photos displaying the covers of albums that have been recorded there will line walls throughout the building. Furniture will also be replaced in producer Chet Atkins’ old office, which currently serves as Aubrey Preston’s office.

Among the artists who have recorded in the building are Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Charley Pride.