Jackie Campbell Exits Big Machine, Launches Brand Strategy Startup

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Jackie Campbell

Jackie Campbell, who most recently served as Director of Partnership Marketing for the Big Machine Label Group for nearly six years, has launched a new brand strategy start-up called 615 Leverage. The new company is focused on strategically connecting brands with Nashville’s rapidly expanding and diverse community of music and artists.

“There comes a point when you are ready for the next phase of the adventure called ‘life in the music industry,’ and for me, that time is now,” Campbell says. “Opening up my own venture is something I’ve dreamt of for quite some time. I love what I do and I want to be able to help companies and artists realize their business goals and design mutually beneficial strategies to achieve those goals through marketing and partnerships. I am so grateful to Scott Borchetta and the entire team at Big Machine for their support and encouragement as I pursue this next step in my career.”

Prior to Big Machine, Campbell spent almost 10 years working for CBS Radio in Chicago. As manager of Integrated Programs and Event Marketing, she spearheaded the business development strategies for WUSN, while also working closely with the chain’s five other local stations.

Campbell can be reached at [email protected] or 773-220-2633.

Eric Church Adds Eight Dates To 2017 Schedule

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Eric Church has added eight more shows to his 2017 tour schedule, and he’s bringing some special guests out with him on the stops. The first guests announced for his Alabama dates (Sept. 15-16) are Brothers Osborne, and singer/songwriter Ashley McBryde. More guests will be announced soon. The first of the eight new shows will go on sale May 12 at 10 a.m.

Church’s current Holdin’ My Own Tour, which features him performing two solo sets, wraps May 26-27 in Nashville.

“This tour has been so special musically; I can honestly say I’m really gonna miss it,” Church says referring to not only the journey but seeing fans on their feet night after night. “That being said, I’m looking forward to sharing the bill with some artists I enjoy. It’s gonna be a fun challenge to turn a three-hour show into a shorter one that can vary drastically night-to-night.”

Eric Church Tour Dates:
June 23 Cadott, WI at Country Fest+
Sept. 2 and 3 Stateline, NV at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys**
Sept 7, 2017 Austin, TX at Austin 360 Amphitheater**
Sept. 8, 2017 Houston, TX at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion**
Sept 15, 2017 Tuscaloosa, AL at Tuscaloosa Amphitheater*
Sept 16, 2017 Orange Beach, AL at The Wharf Amphitheater*
Sept 21 and 22 Gilford, NH at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion**
Oct. 29 Las Vegas, NV at Route 91 Festival+

*With special guests Brothers Osborne and Ashley McBryde; on sale May 12 at 10 a.m.
**Special guests announced soon
+Previously announced

 

 

Angel Snow To Release ‘Magnetic’ Via Nettwerk

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Nashville-based artist Angel Snow will release her first album for new label home Nettwerk this Friday (May 5). Magnetic, helmed by Lee Groves (Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode), is a showcase of atmospheric pop, cinematic lyrics and hypnotic delivery. With more than 7 millions Spotify streams, Snow was discovered on the digital outlet by Nettwerk CEO Terry McBride.

Magnetic offers a new sound, yet natural evolution, from the songstress’s folk roots which previously yielded cuts by Alison Krauss.

Snow gave fans a taste of her new direction with the release of 2016’s “Secret,” earning praise from MusicRow’s Robert K. Oermann, who crowned her “Nashville’s next stealth pop weapon.”

This is Snow’s first full-length album in four years, following 2012’s self-titled release.

Lifehouse Signs With Webster PR

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Rockers Lifehouse have signed with Webster Public Relations for publicity representation.

The band has sold over 15 million records worldwide, and their most recent album project was 2015’s Out Of The Wasteland. Lifehouse will embark on a multi-city “Looking For Summer” tour with fellow rockers Switchfoot kicking off July 23 in Denver and running through the Fall.

“In their almost two decades together, Lifehouse has set the bar high with a successful catalog of music that has kept fans entertained for years,” said Kirt Webster. “I’m excited for what lies ahead in the future and to be a part of the Lifehouse story.”

 

Warner Music Nashville Promotes Megan Joyce To Sr. VP, Business and Legal Affairs

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Megan Joyce

Warner Music Nashville (WMN) has promoted Megan Joyce to Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs. Formerly serving as VP, Joyce will continue to oversee artist signings and label partnerships. The position will report to WMN Chairman & CEO John Esposito.

In making the announcement, Esposito said, “Megan has been a critical part of the Warner Music Nashville family since the day she started, and we are thrilled to be able to welcome her into our senior management team. Her expertise and tireless commitment are tremendous assets and will help her continue to thrive in this role.”

Joyce said, “I’m so grateful to Espo for welcoming me into the WMN family three years ago. I am proud to be a part of the most artist-friendly label in town, and I look forward to working with Espo, Matt Signore and the entire team to take us to the next level. I can’t wait to see what my next decade at Warner will bring.”

Prior to her role in Nashville, Joyce acted as VP, Business and Legal Affairs at Atlantic Records in New York. She began her music career in sales and marketing at EMI Music Distribution before joining the Warner team at WEA.

Industry Ink: Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum, Demolition Music Publishing, ole

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CMHoF Names Sr. Director/ Events and Culinary

Nando Rodriguez has been named Senior Director/Events and Culinary for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Prior to joining the museum he served as General Manager for Gaylord Opryland Attractions, where he oversaw both the Wildhorse Saloon and the General Jackson Showboat in Nashville. He joined Gaylord Opryland in December 2007 as the General Manager of Old Hickory Steakhouse and was promoted to Assistant Director/Food and Beverage in 2011. He previously held management positions at Sam & Harry’s Prime Steakhouse and Big Steaks Management which operates Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Blue Sea Grill, Babalu Grill and Havana Club.

Demolition Music Publishing Names Creative Manager

Michael August has been named Creative Manager of Demolition Music Publishing, effective June 1. A New Jersey native who moved to Nashville three years ago, August has been a writer on the Demolition team for the past two years.

“Michael is one of those quality people who has everything we need in a creative manager,” said Demolition President, Jon D’Agostino. “He’s well-liked, smart, organized, a hard worker, and a hell of a songwriter himself. He’s going to help make some great things happen for our Demolition team.”

ole, Jingle Punks Team With Convergent

ole is collaborating with its production music division Jingle Punks to partner with Convergent, an award-winning leader in delivering digital, location-based experiences, in a music distribution and in-store music service agreement. Leveraging its patented technology, Jingle Punks will curate playlists utilizing the combined ole and Jingle Punks production catalog of over 750,000 music files.

Combining mood-based music with Convergent’s hyper-targeted digital marketing solution provides a sensory-rich experience, all on a single platform.

 

In Pictures: Shania Twain, Amy Grant, ASCAP

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Shania Twain Rocks Stagecoach, Debuts New Single

Pictured (L-R): Shania Twain and Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Brantley Gutierrez

Pictured (L-R):Nick Jonas and Shania Twain. Photo: Brantley Gutierrez

Global superstar and five-time Grammy award-winner Shania Twain rocked Stagecoach Saturday night (April 29), thrilling 75,000 music fans who made their way to Indio, California. Headlining and performing at the festival for the first time, Twain opened with fan-favorite, “Rock This Country,” setting the scene for a performance which had the audience packed into any available space in front of the Mane stage.

Filled with hit after hit, her 90-minute set included surprise performances from Nick Jonas, who came out to join Twain for a version of Twain’s hit “Party For Two,” and Kelsea Ballerini, who accompanied Twain for “Any Man of Mine.” Twain also debuted her brand new single, “Life’s About To Get Good,” due out in June. Twain is set to release her first new album in 15 years later this year.

 

Amy Grant Inducted Into Music City Walk Of Fame

Photo: Donn Jones

Pictured (L-R): John Huie, Amy Grant, Bart Millard and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry. Photo: Donn Jones

In recognition of her significant contributions to Nashville and its musical heritage, six-time Grammy award-winner Amy Grant was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame on Thursday, April 27. Joining Grant were longtime friend and CAA agent John Huie, and Bart Millard from MercyMe, who gave a moving and heartfelt introduction to Grant. Also inducted was Nashville philanthropist and businesswoman Martha R. Ingram.

 

ASCAP Showcases Unsigned Artists at The Basement

Pictured (L-R): Anna Tivel, Maybe April, Seaforth and ASCAP’s Beth Brinker (second from right). Photo: Courtesy ASCAP

ASCAP hosted the spring installment of its long-running showcase series at The Basement in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday, April 26, which featured unsigned songwriter-artists Anna Tivel, Maybe April and Australian duo Seaforth. The next ASCAP Presents showcase at The Basement will be held on Wednesday, May 17 and will feature Donovan Woods and more to be announced.

More Innovation In Music Awards Winners Announced, Ceremony Set For June 6

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The Innovation in Music Awards has announced the 2017 Class of Innovation in Music Awards recipients and nominees. The winners will accept their honors during the inaugural ceremony on June 6 at the Westin Hotel in Nashville. The awards were created to celebrate those who have played a critical role in the development and advancement of the music industry, and will recognize a number of leaders who are distinguished in the discovery and innovative strategy of driving forward the direction of today’s musical landscape.

The 2017 Class of Innovation in Music Awards:
Heritage Award: Mike McVay, McVay Media/McVay Syndication/ Listener Driven Radio
Innovation in Music, Executive: David Macias, Thirty Tigers
Innovation in Music, Artist & Creative: Shane McAnally, SMACKSongs
Innovation in Music, Live/Touring: Brian O’Connell, Live Nation
Innovation in Music, National Media: Leslie Fram, CMT
Innovation in Music, National Radio: Bobby Bones, iHeartMedia
Innovation in Music, Digital Media: Gogi Gupta, Gupta Media
Innovation in Music, Digital Broadcast: J.R. Schumann, SiriusXM

The previously announced 2017 Major Market Radio nominees for the Innovation in Music Award are Mark Anderson, WDSY/Pittsburgh; Johnny Chiang, KKBQ/Houston; Lauren MacLeash, KMNB/Minneapolis; Tim Roberts, WYCD/Detroit; Gregg Swedberg, KEEY/Minneapolis. The Medium Market Radio nominees are Bev Rainey, KBQI/Albuquerque; Jon Reilly, WKLI/Albany; John Thomas, WRNX/Springfield; Sue Wilson, WQMX/Akron. The nominees for the Innovation in Music Award recognizing Small Market Radio are Scott Donato, WGTY/York; Kory James, KPLM/Palm Springs;Rik McNeil, KJUG/Visalia; Dave Michaels, WQHK/Ft. Wayne.

The winners of all three Country Radio awards will be revealed during the inaugural ceremony. Information on how to purchase awards show tickets will be released in the coming weeks.

Country Group OSMR Releases EP ‘Sweet Life’

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Country group OSMR‘s EP Sweet Life has been released on all digital outlets.

The EP’s title track, and current single, “Sweet Life” was recently featured on SiriusXM’s The Highway On The Horizon. The band is gearing up for a series of tour dates that include a Nashville stop at Whiskey Jam on May 15 and multiple shows with The Cadillac Three.

The group recently stopped by the MusicRow office to preview tracks from Sweet Life.

Sweet Life EP Track Listing:
1. Lookin’ At You (Marcus Kiser/Danny Myrick/Jimmy Robbins)
2. Sweet Life (Marcus Kiser/Danny Myrick/Jimmy Robbins)
3. Back Pocket (Aaron Eshuis/Ryan Hurd/Neil Mason)
4. Book of Waylon (Marcus Kiser/Neil Mason)
5. Pontiac (Marcus Kiser/Neil Mason)
6. Little Miss Rock ‘n’ Roll (Marcus Kiser/Danny Myrick/Randy Montana)

 

Charles Esten To Host 2017 CMT Music Awards

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Charles Esten

Nashville star Charles Esten will host the fan-voted 2017 CMT Music Awards live from Nashville on Wednesday, June 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The announcement was made by Esten on Instagram.

The news comes as the music drama preps to return with new episodes on Thursday, June 1 at 9 p.m., ET/PT. Recently topping ratings and viewership for CMT, a new season is slated to premiere early next year.

Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett are set to perform with additional artists, presenters and special guests being announced soon.