Nashville Film Festival Announces 2017 Music Committee

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Pictured (L-R): Jeremy Ash, Capitol CMG Publishing; Randall Foster, Ole – Committee Chair; Andy Moats, Avenue Bank; Ciara Shortridge, Disney Music Group Nashville; Anastasia Brown, Format Entertainment; Jake Basden, Big Machine Label Group; Liz Rogers, Anacrusis; ET Brown, SESAS; Katie Jelen, Secret Road Music Services (Committee Co-Chair); Mackenzie Robert, Nashville Film Festival; Jennifer Wolczyk, Whizbang, Inc.

The Nashville Film Festival has announced the members of its Music Committee for 2017. The committee strives to connect the Nashville music industry with the global film and TV business. This year’s festival is April April 20-29, and the slate of films to be shown at this year’s festival will be announced in the next few weeks.

This year’s committee members include Jeremy Ash, Capitol CMG Publishing; Randall Foster, Ole (Committee Chair); Andy Moats, Avenue Bank; Ciara Shortridge, Disney Music Group Nashville; Anastasia Brown, Format Entertainment; Jake Basden, Big Machine Label Group; Liz Rogers, Anacrusis; ET Brown, SESAS; Katie Jelen, Secret Road Music Services (Committee Co-Chair); Mackenzie Robert, Nashville Film Festival;Jennifer Wolczyk, Whizbang, Inc.; Leslie Fram, CMT; Jim Scherer, Whizbang, Inc.; Aaron Mercer, Wool & Tusk; Joel Timen, Word Entertainment; Stacey Widlitz, Songwriter; Devon Devries, Big Yellow Dog Music; Evyn Mustoe, ASCAP; Craig Currier, Peer Music; Josh Collum, Sorted Noise; Shannan Hatch, SESAC; Ali Harnell, AEG TMG; Kristen Dabbs, Ready Set Management; Shea Fowler, Cornman Music; Jeff Gordon, Carlin Nashville.

On The Cover – Little Big Town (Feb./Mar. 2017)

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Little Big Town is featured as the cover artist for MusicRow Magazine’s 2017 CountryBreakout Awards Issue.

Consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook, the Grammy award-winning group Little Big Town releases The Breaker Feb. 24 on Capitol Records Nashville. The band’s seventh studio album features its fastest-rising single to date, the No. 1 song “Better Man,” written by Taylor Swift. The Breaker’s release coincides with the “Little Big Town at the Mother Church” Ryman Auditorium residency, the first ever in the celebrated venue’s 125-year history.

MusicRow Magazine’s 2017 CountryBreakout Awards Issue honors the artists, label imprint, and songwriter who have garnered the most spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart over the past year. This issue also features interviews with Pandora’s Tim Westergren, NPR Music/World Cafe’s Ann Powers, Radio Disney’s Phil Guerini, The Johnny Cash Museum founder Bill Miller, and delves into the world of radio tours with newcomers Chris Lane and LoCash.

Single copies of MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Awards Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $10, and are included with yearly subscriptions at no additional cost.

Jimmy Chapin Upped to Big Machine Label Group Director, International

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Jimmy Chapin has been promoted to Big Machine Label Group Director, International. Chapin joined the label in 2011 and has served in several roles, most recently as Sr. Manager, International. In 2015, he played a key role within BMLG’s expansion into the UK, liaising with the London-based team and contributing to the worldwide success of artists like Thomas Rhett, The Cadillac Three and Maddie & Tae.

Chapin’s elevated duties will enable him to further develop album and tour campaigns in over 20 countries outside the US including Japan, Australia, UK, Ireland, Germany, Holland and China. During his tenure, BMLG’s International department has secured exclusive deluxe album releases in Japan for Cheap Trick and Steven Tyler, a Brazilian duet between Florida Georgia Line and Luan Santana as well as top-selling album releases for artists across the label group’s five imprints.

“Jimmy has a great understanding and know-how in our key ex-US territories and has truly become the glue for our global strategies,” said BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta.

“I couldn’t be more excited to continue furthering BMLG’s expansion outside of the US and to be part of such an innovative company,” shared Chapin. “It is a true honor to work with Scott, Andrew, and the amazing International team here at BMLG.”

Chapin is based in BMLG’s Nashville headquarters and can be reached at [email protected] and 615-324-7063.

ACM Radio Award Winners Announced

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The Academy of Country Music announced Wednesday (Feb. 22) the full list of radio award winners for the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year®.

This is the fourth ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year win for Lon Helton of Country Countdown USA. The show previously won the award in 2013.

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR WINNERS:
NATIONAL Lon Helton – Country Countdown USA
MAJOR MARKET (TIE) George, Mo & Cowboy Dave ­– KILT-FM – Houston, TX
Rob & Linda Show – Rob Stone & Linda Lee – WYCD-FM – Southfield, MI
LARGE MARKET Q Morning Crew – Mike, Marty and Janie – WQDR-FM – Raleigh, NC
MEDIUM MARKET Steve & Gina in the Morning on Kat 103.7 – KXKT-FM – Omaha, NE
SMALL MARKET Scotty Cox & Cara Denis – KCLR-FM – Columbia, MO

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR WINNERS:
MAJOR MARKET KKBQ-FM – Houston, TX
LARGE MARKET WUBE-FM – Cincinnati, OH
MEDIUM MARKET WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
SMALL MARKET KKNU-FM – Eugene, OR

Radio award winners are not televised due to time constraints during the live telecast of the 52nd ACM Awards. Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will return to host for the second consecutive year. The ACM Awards® are produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

Winners in radio categories will be invited to accept their award onstage at ACM Party for a Cause® at The Joint in Las Vegas during a fan-filled concert as part of The Week Vegas Goes Country® the day prior to the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards.

Bonnaroo Releases 2017 Daily Schedule

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The daily schedule for Bonnaroo 2017, slated for June 8-11 in Manchester, Tennessee, has been announced.

Over 100 artists will appear at the event, headlined by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weeknd, and, in an exclusive, first-ever Bonnaroo headline performance, U2 performing a set that will include a 30th anniversary celebration of their career-defining 1987 album, The Joshua Tree.

Cam and Margo Price are set to perform on the Sunday shows at Great Stage Park, while Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real are part of the Saturday lineup and newcomer Luke Combs performs during the Thursday set. Other artists performing throughout the four-day event include Lorde, Chance The Rapper, Dua Lipa, and dozens more.

Tickets including General Admission, VIP, and the brand new Platinum Pass are on sale now exclusively via bonnaroo.com.

 

NSAI Hosts Huge No. 1 Bash

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The Nashville Songwriters Association International honored 35 Nashville-associated writers Monday night (Feb. 21) at a huge No. 1 party at its headquarters at the Music Mill on Music Row. The event recognized songwriters who contributed to songs that topped the Billboard Airplay, Digital, Hot or Mediabase charts from August 2016 to November 2016.

The Stephen Foster Award (in recognition of extraordinary service to the songwriting community) was also presented to John A. Hardaway, Senior Sales and Marketing Executive for Brown-Forman Corporation. The party was sponsored by Klindt, Cole & Associates with drinks provided by Jack Daniels.

NSAI No. 1 Songs Recognized:
“Peter Pan”
Writers: Kelsea Ballerini, Jesse Lee and Forest Glen Whitehead
Recorded by: Kelsea Ballerini

“Head Over Boots”
Writers: Luke Laird and Jon Pardi
Recorded by: Jon Pardi

“From The Ground Up”
Writers: Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney and Chris DeStefano
Recorded by: Dan + Shay

“American Country Love Song”
Writers: Ross Copperman, Jaren Johnston and Ashley Gorley
Recorded by: Jake Owen

“Eye Of The Storm”
Writers: Ryan Stevenson and Bryan Fowler
Recorded by: Ryan Stevenson featuring GabeReal

“Different For Girls”
Writers: JT Harding and Shane McAnally
Recorded by: Dierks Bentley featuring Elle King

“Middle Of A Memory”
Writers: Cole Swindell, Ashley Gorley and Zach Crowell
Recorded by: Cole Swindell

“You Look Like I Need A Drink”
Writers: Rodney Clawson, Natalie Hemby and Matt Dragstrem
Recorded by: Justin Moore

“I Know Somebody”
Writers: Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman and Jeremy Stover
Recorded by: LoCash

“Thy Will”
Writers: Bernie Herms, Hillary Scott and Emily Weisband
Recorded by: Hillary Scott & The Scott Family

“Today”
Writers: Ashley Gorley, Chris DuBois and Brad Paisley
Recorded by: Brad Paisley

“Move”
Writers: Luke Bryan, Michael Carter and Jay Clementi
Recorded by: Luke Bryan

Pictured (L-R): NSAI Executive Director, Bart Herbison with John A. Hardaway and Lee Thomas Miller

Florida Georgia Line, Nelly, Chris Lane Announce Smooth Tour

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Florida Georgia Line, Nelly, and Chris Lane are launching the Smooth Tour 2017, presented by Old Camp Whiskey and sponsored by Advance Auto Parts, June 2 in Austin. Promising a night of crossover hits and collaborations, the tour will hit Dallas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Denver, and dozens of other cities across the country.

Tickets are on sale now as part of Live Nation’s Megaticket at Megaticket.com, and remaining dates go on sale Feb. 24.

“It’s good to be back out on tour with some of our best friends, Nelly and Chris Lane,” exclaims FGL’s Brian Kelley. “If it’s any indication of our ballpark tour a couple years ago, this should be the party of the year! We are excited to see and connect with all of our fans, and make as many memories as we can.”

FGL and Nelly have a long history together, with the three collaborating on their smash remix of the duo’s 2012 debut single, “Cruise,” a Diamond-certified hit that reached #4 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart, and making numerous concert and award show appearances together.

THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017 to date:
June 2 – Austin, TX @ Austin360 Amphitheater
June 3 – Dallas, TX @ Starplex Pavilion
June 15 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
June 16 – Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
June 17 – Philadelphia, PA @ BB&T Pavilion
June 24 – Indianapolis, IN @ Klipsch Music Center
June 25 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
July 21 – Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
July 22 – Hershey, PA @ Hershey Park Stadium
July 23 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
July 27 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
August 3 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
August 4 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
August 5 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
August 10 – Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
August 11 – Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Music Center
August 17 – Holmdel, NJ @ P.N.C. Bank Arts Center
August 18 – Hartford, CT @ Xfinity Theater
August 19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ KeyBank Pavilion
September 7 – Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center
September 8 – San Bernardino, CA @ Glen Helen Amphitheater (formerly San Manuel Amphitheater)
September 9 – San Diego, CA @ Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
September 10 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion
September 14 – Wheatland, CA @ Toyota Amphitheatre
September 15 – Concord, CA @ Concord Pavilion
September 16 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
September 21 – Kennewick, WA @ Toyota Center
September 22 – Missoula, MT @ Adams Center
September 23 – Bozeman, MT @ Brick Breeden Fieldhouse
September 29 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre
September 30 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
October 1 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
October 6 – Seattle, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
October 7 – Portland, OR @ Sunlight Supply Amphitheater
October 12 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
October 13 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
October 14 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Perfect Vodka Amphitheater
October 19 – Birmingham, AL @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
October 20 – Alpharetta, GA @ Verizon Amphitheater
October 21 – Alpharetta, GA @ Verizon Amphitheater

Warner/Chappell Nashville Extends Partnership With THiS Music

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Warner/Chappell Nashville has extended its worldwide co-publishing partnership with Nashville-based music publishing company, THiS Music. Under the agreement, Warner/Chappell will continue to publish and administer THiS Music’s repertoire. THiS Music was formed in 2006 by owners Rusty Gaston, Tim Nichols, and Connie Harrington, and was launched in partnership with Warner/Chappell Music.

“Rusty Gaston is a force of nature,” said Ben Vaughn, President, Warner/Chappell Nashville. “His relentless drive and passion for growing songwriters’ careers is legendary on Music Row and beyond. The company that he, Tim Nichols, and Connie Harrington built together just celebrated its 11th year of success – an incredible achievement – and everyone at Warner/Chappell is thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship and looking forward to making more great music together.”

Rusty Gaston, Owner, THiS Music, added, “We’re thankful to have Warner/Chappell as a partner who understands, believes, and empowers the philosophy of THiS Music. They have expertly helped fuel our success for more than a decade, and we’re very happy to keep growing together.”

THiS Music’s roster includes Deric Ruttan, who co-wrote Jason Aldean’s current rising single “Any Ol’ Bar Stool”; Emily Weisband, who recently won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for “Thy Will”; and two-time ASCAP Country Songwriter Of The Year, Ben Hayslip, who co-wrote Thomas Rhett’s No. 1 hit “Star of the Show,” as well as Nichols, Harrington, Jessi Alexander, Marv Green, JT Harding, Molly Reed, Chris Yarber, and country artist Drew Baldridge.

Parallel Music Publishing Nashville Signs Michael Lotten

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Seated, L-R: Tim Hunze, Parallel Music Publishing; Michael Lotten; Travis Myatt, Parallel Music Publishing. Standing, L-R: Denise Stevens, Partner, Loeb & Loeb; Matt Cottingham, Ritholz Levy.

Parallel Music Publishing Nashville has signed songwriter Michael Lotten. He joins a roster that includes Alex Hall, Blake Chaffin, Lance Carpenter, Jesse Lee, Jennifer Schott and Michael White.

Born in Indiana and raised in Missouri, Lotten moved to Nashville in 2007. He has toured as a guitarist and background vocalist, which led him to signing two consecutive development deals as a pop artist. Lotten has focused solely on writing for the past two years.

“I knew when Travis played me some of Michael’s music that he had something special.” says Tim Hunze, “Lotten is a triple threat as a writer, guitar player and producer. He’s a perfect match for our roster here at Parallel.”

“I’ve been a huge fan of the team at Parallel.” Says Lotten, “it’s such a blessing to now call it home!”

Founded in 2011 by J.P. Williams and Tim Hunze, Parallel Music Publishing has had five No. 1 singles, including Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It,” Michael Ray’s “Kiss You In The Morning” and the Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two.”

Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase Honored With Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award

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Pictured (L-R): Trisha Yearwood, Charlie Chase, Bob Kingsley, Lorianne Crook, Garth Brooks. Photo: Chris Hollo

“You guys made country music famous,” Garth Brooks told Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase, as Brooks and his fellow superstar entertainer and wife Trisha Yearwood stood onstage at the Grand Ole Opry.

Powerhouse duo Crook & Chase have helped promote country music via country music news, interviews and artist performances for 34 years, via television, radio and online formats.

Brooks and Yearwood were on hand to honor Crook & Chase with the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award, during an event held on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry on Monday evening (Feb. 20).

“You can’t imagine having anything to do with this business and not walking through those doors,” Yearwood said. “You guys made us look cool. If you get to be on Crook & Chase, people see you. I don’t know how many homes we got to be in because of you guys.”

Legendary radio host Bob Kingsley earned the inaugural honor in 2014, then decided to make the honor an annual event for members of the industry to be honored on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Joe Galante earned the honor in 2015, as did Jim Ed Norman in 2016.

Among the artists who participated in the evening with performances, appearances and taped messages were Trace Adkins, Moe Bandy, John Conlee, Billy Dean, Tareva Henderson, Tracy Lawrence, John Michael Montgomery, Jeannie Seely, Ricky Skaggs, T.G. Sheppard, Doug Stone, Tanya Tucker, The Whites and Mark Wills.

More congratulatory words came from music industry members including Steve Buchanan, Robert K. Oermann, Kip Kirby, Kathy Martingale, Chuck Long, Burt Dubrow, Katie Haas, Kelly Sutton, Terri Bumgarner, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern and more.

Video tributes were sent from Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Chris Young, Charlie Daniels, Blake Shelton, Clint Black, Toby Keith, Reba, Ricky Van Shelton, Darius Rucker, and Dolly Parton.

The evening benefitted the Opry Trust Fund, which has supported the Nashville music community for 50 years. Approximately 50 industry members are aided each year through the organization.

“We feel like we’ve grown up in the business with you guys,” Crook said. “Thank you for trusting us with your artists. It’s been a beautiful, life changing dance.”

Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase accept the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

In 1982, Crook was hosting her own show in Nashville, while Chase was also hosting his own show at another Nashville station, when producer Jim Owens saw them and put them together to form Crook & Chase in 1983. They began on the newly-founded network TNN (The Nashville Network) in 1983, under the banner This Week In Country Music. In 1986, the show became known as Crook & Chase, country music’s first national news and entertainment show, and ran until 1993, when it became known as Music City Tonight, when Crook & Chase replaced Ralph Emery’s Nashville Now.

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern noted that at one point, TNN had nearly 23 hours of Crook & Chase per week, on either TNN or in syndication. One year, seven of the Top 10 shows on TNN were attributed to Crook & Chase.

“Virtually every country star in the last 30 years has appeared on one of the many iterations of Crook & Chase on radio or on television,” Trahern said.

After 554 episodes, Music City Tonight signed off in 1995 at the height of country’s boom and the duo morphed Crook & Chase into a nationally syndicated talk show.

In the 2000s, Crook & Chase would return to television on RFD-TV. Lorianne hosted 180 episodes of Celebrity Kitchen on GAC-TV in 2003-2004.

Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase are members of the Country Radio Hall of Fame. Their radio show, The Crook & Chase Countdown, is now in its 27th year.

Chase brought his trademark humor in accepting the honor, saying, “The biggest reward about this award is it has Garth and Trisha’s fingerprints on it!”