CMHoF Reveals New Details For Shania Twain Exhibit

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has revealed new details on its latest exhibit, Shania Twain: Rock This Country, which opens June 30.

The exhibit chronicles Twain’s life and career, from singing in Canadian bars through her 2017 performance at Stagecoach Festival. The singer-songwriter became one of music’s superstars, on the strength of albums including Come On Over, which is the top-selling album in history by a female country artist, and Twain’s third diamond-selling album.

Walking through the exhibit, fans will see the hooded leather coat and fur-trimmed boots from the cover of Twain’s 1993 self-titled debut album. Marc Bouwer-created outfits from Twain’s Come On Over Tour (1998-1999) and her Super Bowl XXXVII halftime performance in 2003 will be included, as well as her complete ensemble, including top hat, from her 1999 “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” music video.

Twain’s Best Country Song Grammy honors for “Come On Over” and “You’re Still The One,” as well as her Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” will also be on display.

On Sept. 29, Twain will release Now, her fifth full-length album on Mercury Nashville, and her first since 2002.

“Shania Twain’s impact on country music is undeniable,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. “Her message of female empowerment and dynamic pop sound electrified country music. Her continued influence is evidenced by artists like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Kelsea Ballerini. We are pleased to feature Ms. Twain in this career-spanning exhibit.”

 

Weekly Chart Report 6/16/17

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

AXS, Spotify To Offer Tailored Event Recommendations Via Mobile And Desktop Apps

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AXS and Spotify have partnered on a new global arrangement, where listeners will get personalized recommendations for live shows and events in their area through the live events AXS tickets annually. More than 100 million active Spotify users will be able to buy AXS tickets through the Spotify desktop or mobile app now, and personalized event recommendations will be based on listening behavior, artist preferences, user location and will be delivered to the listener in various ways. Spotify users will gain access to the more than 25,000 annual music events ticketed by AXS globally now through the new partnership.

Directly integrated through the AXS API for a real time user experience, Spotify’s Concerts Section now surfaces personalized events and events will also appear on the Artist Pages under the Concert tabs on Desktop, the Artist Pages on mobile under On Tour, and in the concert recommendation emails Spotify sends out on a bi-weekly basis.

“This integration enables a direct connection between the 100 Million Spotify users and seeing their favorite bands live,” said Dean DeWulf, SVP, Music for AXS. “Fans, Artists, promoters and our venue clients all benefit from this aligned technology — it’s a natural fit that extends the reach of the AXS platform into the Spotify ecosystem.”

Venues including the Staples Center, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Sprint Center, Target Center, Verizon Theatre, Forest Hills Stadium and Infinite Energy Center in the US, and The O2, the SSE Arena Wembley and Hyde Park in the UK are all included in the new partnership.

BMG To Open Full-Service Music Facility In Former CMA Location

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Rendering of ‘The BMG Building.’ Photo: Courtesy BMG

Jason Aldean, Hillary Lindsey and Dustin Lynch are set for a new home on Music Row as BMG announces it has concluded a deal to begin development of a new full-service music facility. The new space will consolidate the publishing and recording teams from BMG’s two local Nashville offices with the newly-acquired BBR Music Group.

The location is a soon-to-be-constructed state-of-the-art, 120,000-square-foot building to be named ‘The BMG Building’ on the one-acre lot of 1 Music Circle South, site of the former CMA building.

Zach Katz, BMG U.S. President, Repertoire & Marketing, said, “Nashville has a history of reinventing itself, and we are very proud to bring BMG’s new artist-friendly approach to the business to the heart of Music Row.”

The announcement comes four months after BMG acquired BBR Music Group, along with its imprints Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, Red Bow Records and Wheelhouse Records.

BMG’s 80-strong team in Nashville includes A&R, Accounting, Administration, Income Tracking, Marketing, Publicity, Radio Promotions, Royalties, and Sync Licensing. The proposed BMG office space will include songwriter/recording rooms and performance spaces, a collaborative floor plan, A/V meeting spaces and conference rooms, as well as a large communal outside area and terrace to be utilized for live events.

Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group, said, “The importance of staying on Music Row and honoring the ideal of a supportive, tight knit and collaborative community was a priority to us all. Reflective of our shared philosophy and approach, this will maximize our team’s and our partners’ connectivity.”

“Music publishing and recording have traditionally been viewed and operated as separate businesses, in separate offices, often in separate cities,” added Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Nashville. “The value of having the entire BMG Nashville staff in one locale is immeasurable and enables us to utilize the expertise across all our departments, with open lines of communication, creating a distinct edge for our artists and songwriters.”

The new BMG launched in 2008, in the same week as Spotify with a commitment to create the world’s first digital-age music company. BMG’s initial team of three people shared an office. By early 2017 that team had grown to more than 600 employees across 14 offices in 12 countries. In the first eight years BMG concluded more than 100 major acquisitions and signed more than 1,000 clients directly. In the process BMG has become fourth-largest player in the industry.

BMG’s diverse recording roster includes blink-182, Fergie, Andy Grammer, Danny Gokey, PVRIS, Alabama, Nickelback and LP, with a global team having delivered No. 1 chart success around the world for artists including Janet Jackson, You Me At Six, Rick Astley, and blink-182. Recent signings include 311, A Perfect Circle, AJR, Avril Lavigne, Blondie, and Nickelback alongside a burgeoning catalog producing releases by iconic artists such as Iron Maiden, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, and The Kinks among others.

Founded in 1997, BBR Music Group grew from a fledgling independent label into one of the largest independent country label groups, with imprints including Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, Red Bow Records and Wheelhouse Records.

Broken Bow Records, BBR Music Group’s original imprint, features a roster of artists including Jason Aldean and Dustin Lynch. Stoney Creek Records’ roster includes Thompson Square, Randy Houser, Parmalee, Lindsay Ell and Adam Craig. Red Bow Records’ artist roster boasts Joe Nichols, Craig Campbell, Chase Bryant and Brooke Eden. Wheelhouse Records is BBR Music Group’s newest imprint, anchored by Trace Adkins, Granger Smith, Kristian Bush, Runaway June and Walker McGuire.

Franklin Theatre’s ‘The Second Story’ Reimagines Traditional Songwriter Rounds

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Pictured (L-R): Ruby Amanfu, Peter Cooper, Bob DiPiero, Dennis Matkosky

A musical event at the Franklin Theatre will put a new spin on the traditional songwriter rounds popular in Nashville. New series “The Second Story”  will showcase not only songwriters’ creative works, but incorporate the works of other types of writers, including poets, authors and playwrights, into the show. The evening opens in a more traditional “songwriter round” style.

“The Second Story is a writer’s night ‘reimagined,'” says Franklin Theatre executive director Dan Hays. “We invite an author to take at least one song from the three featured songwriters that evening and to reimagine the music and words and weave the song from each of them into an entirely new short story. In short, they come up with a ‘second’ story inspired by the songs. The author then tells that story – on stage – and the selected songs are performed and woven into the presentation for the audience.”

The third presentation in this series will take place Friday, July 21, with Ruby Amanfu, Bob DiPiero, Dennis Matkosky and Peter Cooper. Cooper, who has spent time as an author, journalist, songwriter and musician throughout his career, will be the storyteller for the evening, presenting an original story inspired by songs performed by the songwriters.

“Our first two presentations of this concept have been magical evenings. The music has been stellar from the songwriters and the stories created by the authors have mesmerized audiences with wonderful tales and laughter and some wonderful unexpected twists,” says Hays.

Angie Magill Named Sony Music Nashville’s Sr. VP, Legal & Business Affairs

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Sony Music Nashville’s Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Ken Robold has announced the promotion of Angie Magill to Senior Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs, Sony Music Nashville.

As counsel to all Sony Music Nashville departments, Magill will continue to handle contract negotiations and asset clearances and oversee the A&R Administration and Release Planning & Production departments.

Robold says, “In the nearly two years we have been working together as a new team, Angie has been a central figure in helping create the new storyline at Sony Music Nashville. From the transition of our artist roster, to the ever-evolving challenges facing our industry with respect to our content, Angie has been at the forefront.”

He continues, “It is with great pleasure we promote her to SVP of Legal & Business Affairs.”

“I am grateful to be a part of this exceptional team and I am honored and humbled by their confidence in me,” remarks Magill.

Magill, who joined the label group 10 years ago, was previously Vice President, Legal & Business affairs for Sony Music Nashville including its three imprints of Arista Nashville, Columbia Nashville, and RCA Nashville.

Magill is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, as well as the University of Tennessee College of Law, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Tennessee Law Review.

Preshias Harris Releases Songwriter Handbook

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Preshias Harris will release educational handbook The College Of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need-To-Know Reference Handbook.

The book, aimed at aspiring singer-songwriters, outlines areas of interest to songwriters, including performing rights organizations, song publishing, recording demos, licensing, and more. The book also includes ‘workbook’ segments to allow readers to make notes of their accomplishments and to apply their personal songwriter business plan.

“My mission in life is to help aspiring singers and songwriters to be the best that they can be. The College of Songology 101 covers ‘the basics’ to enable the inspiring songwriter to launch his or her career successfully,” said Harris. “My experience and tenure in the music business has enabled me the knowledge to protect songwriter hopefuls from making financial mistakes and to help them earn money from their craft as they follow their dream to become an independent songwriter. The handbook outlines necessary tools to enable the music writer to elevate his or her dream from a hobby to a successful career.”

Harris has spent nearly 30 years in the music industry, and currently works as a music career development consultant for rising singer-songwriters.

Harris is the author of Inside Track On Music Row, which appears in Nashville Music Guide and on various websites. She is also the author of I Know Country!, a collection of over 350 Q&As with country artists. She has handled promotion and media relations for the New York Times best-seller Chicken Soup For The Country Soul, and served as song plugger and A&R assistant to a local songwriter, in addition to her role as Promotions Coordinator for George Jones University. Harris serves as Artist Relations/Nashville Division for Boulder Creek Guitars and for Country Rewind Records. She is a member of ASCAP (as a publisher), BMI, CMA, The Recording Academy, NATD and NSAI.

The College of Songology 101 is available now in print and via Kindle. Both versions can be ordered direct from the author at collegeofsongology.com. For a limited time, purchasers of the print version can download the e-book for free.

2017 Country Radio Hall Of Fame Induction Dinner And Awards Ceremony Sold Out

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Tickets for the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Awards Ceremony are officially sold out.

This year’s event will honor the Country Radio Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017, including off-air broadcasters Tim Closson, Charlie Ochs, Mel Owens, and radio personalities – Joe Wade Formicola, Linda Lee, Jim Mantel, and The Good Morning Guys (KUAD/Ft. Collins, CO).

Martina McBride will accept the 2017 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award, alongside Mike Dungan who is being honored as the recipient of the 2017 President’s Award.

The event will take place Wednesday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame was founded in 1974 and is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the Country format.

Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer Team Up For New Album, Tour

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Making it a family affair this time around, sisters Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer are hitting the road together on select dates in support of their upcoming release Not Dark Yet. The new album, due out Aug. 18 (Silver Cross/Thirty Tigers), was produced by Teddy Thompson and marks the first time the siblings have recorded an album together. 

The shows will kick off in New York City with two nights at City Winery, followed by stops in Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Nashville, and a few other cities. This marks the first time the sisters have toured together since 2010.

NPR has unveiled an exclusive preview of the album’s title track/Bob Dylan cover, “Not Dark Yet” today here. The collection, which was recorded in Los Angeles last summer, also includes an array of songs by writers ranging from the Louvin Brothers and Nick Cave, to Kurt Cobain and Jessie Colter.

SHELBY LYNNE & ALLISON MOORER 2017 TOUR DATES:
Aug. 19 – New York, NY –  City Winery 
Aug. 20 – New York, NY –  City Winery
Aug. 22 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair 
Aug. 25 – Philadelphia, PA – World Café – Upstairs Live 
Aug. 26 – Annapolis, MD – Ram’s Head Live 
Aug. 27 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere 
Aug. 30 – Chicago, IL – City Winery 
Aug. 31 – Chicago, IL – City Winery 
Sept. 1 – Nashville, TN – City Winery 
Sept. 2 – Atlanta, GA – City Winery

Signings & Hirings: Fiona Culley, Lord & Thorn Music Publishing, So Much Moore Media

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Fiona Culley Inks Deals With WME, in2une, C2 Media Relations

Pictured from (L-R): Carly Caramanna (C2 Media), Jamice Jennings (in2une), Fiona Culley, Brian Jones (WME), Chelsea Dartez (C2 Media)

Marro Records’ British country artist Fiona Culley has signed with William Morris Endeavor exclusively for worldwide representation. The vocal powerhouse has also partnered with in2une Music for radio promotion and C2 Media Relations for PR representation.

Culley is traveling the country visiting stations in advance of the release of her debut radio single “Act Like A Lady” due out in late July. Culley recently recorded a duet with Darius Rucker, “Life On The Line.” Co-written by Culley, Rucker, Tyler Cain and Meghan Linsey, “Life On The Line” is the theme song of a Lionsgate film of the same name starring John Travolta, Kate Bosworth and Sharon Stone.

 

Lord & Thorn Music Publishing Signs Bobby McLamb

Back Row (standing): Preshias Harris/Lord & Thorn Songwriter Services & Coordinator; Daryl Price/President & CEO Lord & Thorn Music Publishing.
Front Row (seated): Larry Alderman, Bobby McLamb

Daryl Price, President and CEO of the Music Row publishing company, Lord & Thorn Music Publishing, is pleased to announce the exclusive representation of Bobby McLamb as its newly signed, frontrunner staff writer.

The Beaufort, South Carolina native has written alongside Brent Stenzel, Bernie Nelson, Frank Myers, and Ray Fulcher. McLamb has enjoyed collaborative endeavors with recording/touring artists including Chris Bandi, Grassroots Revival, Garret Speer, Nick Alligood, Sugar & Steel and many more.

 

Mountain Home Music Company Hires So Much Moore Media

Martha Moore

Mountain Home Music Company has hired Martha Moore of So Much Moore Media to handle publicity for the upcoming Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Life Is A Story CD.  Moore has handled previous label artist projects for Darin & Brooke Aldridge and NewTown.