Lorrie Morgan Joins Agency33

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Pictured (L-R): Ontourage Management’s Drew Blakeley, Lorrie Morgan, Ontourage Management’s Tony Conway, Agency33’s Joey Amato – © 2017 Grand Ole Opry / Photo by Chris Hollo

Lorrie Morgan has signed on as the flagship artist of the newly-formed Agency33 Tour Press division. Morgan has sold more than 12 million albums worldwide, earned 14 top ten hits, released more than a dozen full length albums (including three consecutive Platinum albums) and earned four Female Vocalist of the Year awards. Morgan was previously with Webster PR.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Joey again,” states Morgan. “I’m at a point in my career where I have the freedom to be as artistic as I want and step out of the box a bit. Nowadays, the only people I’m trying to please are my fans. It’s rare to find people that understand and nurture that; Joey fits right in with me and my team and I look forward to seeing what we come up with next!”

“I am so honored to welcome Lorrie to Agency33. We have been working together for the past year and for her and her team to put their trust in me, means so much. I look forward to being a part of the next stage in her illustrious career,” states Joey Amato, President of Agency33.

Morgan continues to record and tour extensively. Her latest solo project, “Letting Go…Slow” was released in early 2016 to critical acclaim. The collection includes brand new material along with Morgan’s take on classics such as “Ode to Billie Jo,” and the Larry Gatlin-penned “I’ve Done Enough Dying Today.” She recently finished recording a second duets album with longtime friend, collaborator and touring partner, Pam Tillis. The project is set for release this fall. Lorrie’s 2017 tour has her visiting every corner of the United States, multiple trips to Canada, as well as stops in Finland and Norway.

Sony Music Nashville Promotes Mary Catherine Kinney

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Mary Catherine Kinney

Sony Music Nashville VP of Media Fount Lynch has announced the promotion of Mary Catherine Kinney to Associate Director, Media, Sony Music Nashville.

“It’s a great pleasure for me to announce Mary Catherine Kinney’s much deserved promotion to Associate Director of Media,” Lynch says. “Her excitement, vision and tireless effort have proven invaluable to our Sony Music Nashville artist roster and media/marketing team.” He continues, “Mary Catherine’s expertise in the media campaigns and roll out of artists such as Maren Morris and Luke Combs among others are just a few examples of her many important contributions to our label group.”

“It’s an honor to be a part of Sony Nashville’s dynamic team where innovation, growth and creativity are foundations,” Kinney says. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to propel our incredible artists’ music and stories forward in this new role.”

First joining the Sony Music Nashville media department as Manager in November of 2015, Mary Catherine Kinney began her public relations career at Georgia-based firm See.Spark.Go representing brands Nike, General Mills and Catalyst. Upon moving to Nashville, Kinney joined Capitol Records in 2011, later merging with Universal Music Group, where she held roles in the marketing department and media department through fall of 2015.

Kinney can be reached at [email protected].

Brad Paisley To Unveil New Signature Fender At Summer NAMM Show

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Fender and Brad Paisley have teamed up to create a new Paisley signature guitar: the Brad Paisley Road Worn Telecaster. The guitar is designed to resemble one of the prized guitars in his personal collection, his silver sparkle Telecaster. The collaboration will be officially revealed during NAMM’s show this summer in Nashville.

“The best thing about having a Fender Signature Telecaster is the unwavering quality associated with the brand’s legacy and confidence that I’m introducing a great guitar at an incredible price point,” says Paisley. “I set out to create a guitar that was accessible for the vast majority of young people out there, who I hope to inspire to change the world with musical dreams.”

The guitar body is custom-made from a resonant paulownia center core with spruce top and back, with a custom wound ’64 Tele Bridge Pickup, an enhanced “V”-neck shape, and medium jumbo frets perfect for quick picking and bluesy over-the-neck bends. The roadworn silver sparkle finish, aged hardware, and paisley pickguard add the perfect rock star touch to the new Telecaster.

“Brad’s influence has reached every corner of modern guitar playing realm and music at large across all genres – not just country,” adds Justin Norvell, Senior Vice President, Fender Products. “Not only is it a beautiful guitar, but it has some amazing, unique features that we developed directly with him, namely the lightweight body and hot pickups. We amalgamated features from several of his favorite guitars, resulting in a truly compelling instrument we hope will empower players everywhere.”

Jonathan Brown Named President For Integrity Music

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Jonathan Brown

Integrity Music recently announced leadership transitions with label President Ryan Dunham stepping down to pursue other interests. Jonathan Brown, Vice President and Managing Director of Integrity Music’s European operation based in Eastbourne, U.K., will assume the role of label President effective immediately. Brown and his family have relocated from their home in Hellingly, England, to the Nashville area where he will lead the Integrity Music team from its corporate headquarters in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Dunham has led the label since its 2011 acquisition by parent organization David C Cook, a 142-year-old non-profit dedicated to publishing and distributing leadership and discipleship resources. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Cook. During a successful tenure with the label, Dunham led Integrity through a merger with Cook’s England-based Kingsway Music and executed the relocation of the company’s Colorado-based operations to Nashville. Notably, Dunham oversaw the release of over 180 projects originating from Integrity’s U.S. and U.K. teams and helped restore the organization to financial health under some of the music industry’s most challenging circumstances.

“Ryan came to me over a year ago to discuss a transition in leadership for Integrity and we have been working to put a plan in place since that time,” said Cris Doornbos, CEO of David C Cook. “I have known Ryan for over 25 years and when it came time to find someone to lead Integrity after the acquisition and to turn it around, there was no other person I trusted to make this happen… I, and the Board of Trustees for David C Cook, express our sincerest gratitude for Ryan’s leadership, dedication and service to the ministry of both Integrity and Cook.”

“Serving as President for Integrity Music over the last six years has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” says Dunham. “To be able to serve the needs of the local church with worship music, build relationships with Integrity’s artists and songwriters, is something that I will always cherish… but now is the time to turn the leadership over to someone whom I believe can take it to the next level.”

Brown, known as “JB,” is a 25-year music industry veteran who began his career at Word Records in the U.K. before taking roles with Furious Records and Fierce Distribution where he was part of the teams responsible for building and establishing global platforms for artists like Delirous?.

“JB is a focused, passionate and highly energized marketing creative with a heart to curate and amplify worship songs and artistry,” adds Doornbos. “His heart’s desire is to facilitate the creation of highways throughout the world on which songs can travel beyond borders and language barriers. I am thrilled to have JB lead Integrity Music into the future and I am looking forward to what God will do through his leadership and the people of Integrity Music in the months and years to come.”

Industry Ink: Triple 8 Management, APA, David Corlew & Associates, Iron Mountain

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Triple 8 Management Acquires Good Time Inc.

Triple 8 Management has acquired Nashville-based artist management, marketing agency and independent label, Good Time Inc. Good Time Inc.’s CEO and Founder, Paul Steele, and team of seven will join Triple 8 Management’s 30-plus full-time staff with offices in Nashville, Tennessee and Austin, Texas.

Good Time Inc. clients Judah and the Lion, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Ellie Holcomb, Kris Allen, Penny and Sparrow, and Wilder join Triple 8’s roster that currently includes Eli Young Band, Kaleo, Chase Rice, Joe Nichols, Josh Abbott Band, Ryan Hurd, The Cadillac Three, MISSIO, Scotty McCreery, Wheeler Walker, Jr., among others. The first joint signing under the new partnership is a new project from Universal Nashville recording artist Dan Tyminski.

 

Southern Rock Group Scooter Brown Band Assembles Industry Team

Scooter Brown Band

Southern-rock revivalists, the Scooter Brown Band, have teamed up with APA, BFD, David Corlew & Associates and 117 Entertainment Group for the release of their latest project this fall. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I am excited for what the future holds with this strong team in place,” said Scooter Brown, adding, “we have some of the most passionate and experienced people in place working with us now. The new music is going to make a major impact.”

“We’re very excited about Scooter Brown Band’s new record. The SBB is a great band that translated the essence of their live show into this project. We have very high expectations for there first record for BFD,” said David Corlew of David Corlew & Associates.

 

Iron Mountain Project Manager To Serve As Panelist For Summer NAMM

Personnel from Iron Mountain Incorporated Entertainment Services will participate in a panel at the upcoming Summer NAMM show in Nashville.

Barry Cardinael, Project Manager, Iron Mountain Film & Sound Archives, will serve as panelist. 

The panel will take place Thursday, July 13 at 2 p.m. at the Summer NAAM Show’s TEC Tracks booth at the Nashville Convention Center.

For more on Iron Mountain’s services purchase a copy of MusicRow‘s recently released MusicRow Awards issue, or read more of MusicRow’s Bonus Q&A online.

Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton, Sam Hunt Continue To Dominate Country Sales Charts

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Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton commands two spots again this week on the Nielsen country albums sales chart with his From A Room Vol 1 coming in at No. 1 with 13K sold and 2015’s Traveller landing at No. 4 with 7.6 K sold. Top-selling albums rounding out the Top five for the week include the Now Country 10 compilation at No. 2 with 10K, Lady A‘s Heart Break in third with 8.9K,  and Jason Isbell and his 400 Unit‘s The Nashville Sound in fifth place with 7.1K sold.

On the digital side Sam Hunt continues riding that back road into multi-platinum territory with his mega-smash “Body Like A Back Road,” which remains at the top of the chart this week with 50K sold, bringing the song to a total of 1.296 million RTD. Following the July 4th holiday, Lee Greenwood‘s perennial patriotic favorite, “God Bless The U.S.A.,” land at No. 2 with 23K, while Thomas Rhett‘s “Craving You,” (ft. Maren Morris) lands at No. 3 with 19K. Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know” is at No. 4 with 18K, and Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood‘s “The Fighter” rounds out the Top 5with  17K.

Curb Records artist Dylan Scott’s “Hooked” is the top country single debut this week, entering at No. 28 country and selling 6.5K.

Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

Lineup Revealed For Fourth Annual AmericanaFest NYC

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Lincoln Center Out of Doors and the Americana Music Association have revealed the lineup for the Roots of American Music Weekend, highlighted for the fourth year by AMERICANAFEST NYC, and taking place Aug. 12-13.

The artist lineup includes performances by Bonnie Raitt, The Jayhawks, Don Bryant, Traveller, Flaco Jiménez, Amanda Shires, and Low Cut Connie. The weekend also features a special “Celebration of Chuck Berry,” with music director Vernon Reid.

The 47th edition of the Out of Doors festival runs July 26–Aug. 13, filling the Lincoln Center campus with a diverse range of music, dance, spoken word, and family events featuring dozens of artists from across the city, country, and world all completely free and open to the public. Lincoln Center has also joined forces with renowned restaurants and notable chefs to offer a broad range of culinary offerings to accompany its outdoor summer programming.

ANNUAL ROOTS OF AMERICAN MUSIC WEEKEND AMERICANAFEST NYC
Saturday, Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. Hearst Plaza:
Traveller
Flaco Jiménez
Amanda Shires

Saturday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. Damrosch Park Bandshell:
The Jayhawks
A Celebration of Chuck Berry with musical director Vernon Reid Low Cut Connie

Sunday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. Damrosch Park Bandshell:
Bonnie Raitt
Don Bryant

All events are free with no tickets required. Events take place on Lincoln Center’s plazas between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, from West 62nd Street to West 65th Street (except where noted).

For more information, please visit americanamusic.org or LCOutOfDoors.org.

Cumulus Names John Kaufman Sr. VP, Revenue Strategy & Operations

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Cumulus Media has appointed John Kaufman as Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy and Operations. In the newly-created position, Kaufman will lead the optimization of revenue at Cumulus with a focus on pricing and inventory management across the network and radio station groups.

Kaufman joined Cumulus after 20-plus years in revenue management positions in the travel and hospitality industry, including Executive Vice President of Revenue Management and Electronic Marketing at Extended Stay Hotels, and Vice President of Global Revenue Management at Starwood Hotels and Resorts. He joined iHeartMedia/Clear Channel in 2009 as Senior Vice President, Revenue Management, and advanced to President of Business Operations for the company. In 2014, he started his consultancy, JK Steele Consulting, LLC, and helped launch the start-up company Spaces (ParcMate) in 2015 as President and Chief Operating Officer. Kaufman holds a BA degree from Cornell University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

“John’s strategic and operational expertise and deep understanding of the critical function that pricing and inventory management plays in maximizing revenue will be a tremendous asset to our operations,” said Mary Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cumulus Media, “In this new leadership role, he will increase the company’s revenue management capabilities through intelligent and attractive pricing strategies and systems. John will also support our team of more than 900 sales professionals in 90 U.S. markets as they serve our advertisers with local impact and national reach.”

“Seeing all the great change underway at Cumulus, I am so pleased to be joining Mary and her leadership team at this exciting time, and look forward to helping the company continue in its evolution,” said Kaufman of the new role.

He will be based in New York and will report to Berner.

Miranda Lambert’s ‘Wings’ Reaches Platinum Heights

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Miranda Lambert’s latest album The Weight of These Wings has reached another peak, as it has just been certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Released on Nov. 18, 2016, The Weight Of These Wings is Lambert’s sixth studio album and debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart with 122,000 albums sold and No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 all genre chart. The project included the hit single “Vice,” and was awarded the Album of the Year trophy at the Academy of Country Music Awards in April.

The 24-song collection was produced by Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, and Eric Masse and includes tracks penned by Gwen Sebastian, Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, Anderson East, Liz Rose, Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Monroe and more.

CMA Opens First Round Of Voting Today For ’51st Annual CMA Awards’

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The Country Music Association (CMA) opens the first round of voting today (July 10) for this year’s CMA Awards. Current members will be emailed the official ballot today. Polls for the first round of voting will close at 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, July 20.

Categories eligible for voting include Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, Musician of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and New Artist of the Year.

The second ballot voting period will run from Aug. 14-24, while the final ballot voting period will run from Oct. 2-24.

The 51st Annual CMA Awards airs live Wednesday, Nov. 8 on ABC-TV. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will return as hosts for the 10th consecutive year.