Country Radio Broadcasters Announce 2017-2018 Board Of Directors

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The Country Radio Broadcasters have completed their elections for Board of Directors.

This year’s CRB Board President is Kurt Johnson (Townsquare Media). R.J. Curtis (All Access Music Group) will return as Vice President and Beverlee Brannigan (E.W. Scripps) will serve as Secretary.

Serving on this year’s Board of Directors are: Chuck Aly (Country Aircheck), Beverlee Brannigan (E.W. Scripps), Becky Brenner (Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Consulting), Johnny Chiang (KKBQ-FM), George Couri (Triple 8 Management), Andy Denemark (United Stations), Ryan Dokke (Curb), Mike Dungan (UMG), John Esposito (Warner), Randy Goodman (Sony Nashville), Dan Halyburton (Falls Media), Tom Hanrahan (iHeart), Clay Hunnicutt (Big Loud Records), Scott Huskey (Rusty Walker Programming Consultants, Inc.), Jeff Kapugi (iHeart), Dave Kelly (Big Machine Label Group), Jon Loba (BBR/BMG), Charlie Morgan (Emmis Communications), Rod Phillips (iHeartCountry), Tim Roberts (WYCD), Royce Risser (UMG), Bob Richards (Emmis Radio/WLHK), John Shomby (NASH), Matt Sunshine (CFSS), Joel Raab (Joel Raab Country Radio/Media), Ryan Redington (Amazon Music), Kristen Williams (Warner).

Charlie Monk continues as a Lifetime Director Emeritus.

Incoming CRS President Johnson stated “I’m honored to serve as Board President as we head towards our historic 50th year [CRS 2019]. Under Executive Director Bill Mayne‘s leadership, CRB’s tremendous staff is putting together a CRS that promises to be the best ever, and will continue to thrive as the country music industry’s gathering.”

Registration for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2018, to be held Feb. 5-7 at the Omni Nashville, will open July 10 at the early bird rate of $499. Registrations will be available for purchase at countryradioseminar.com.

Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton And Sam Hunt Top Sales Charts

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Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, and Lady Antebellum all make appearances in Nielsen Soundscan’s top country album rankings this week, with Stapleton’s From A Room logging 14K to top this week’s chart, Isbell’s Nashville Sound dropping from his No. 1 debut to No. 2 this week with 13K sold, and Lady A’s Heart Break selling 11K.

Rounding out the top five sellers for the week are the Now Country 10 compilation with 9.8 K sold, and Stapleton’s Traveller, with 6.6 K.

On the digital tracks side, Sam Hunt continues his back road ride to the top with “Body Like A Back Road” remaining at No. 1 for yet another week, selling 49K this week. The white hot track is now at 1.25 million RTD. The top five digital sales leaders behind Hunt included Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know” with 21K, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood‘s “The Fighter” at 18K, Florida Georgia Line with the Backstreet Boys‘ “God, Your Mama, and Me” at 16K, and Thomas Rhett (ft. Maren Morris)’s “Craving You” at 15K.

Toby Keith‘s “Wacky Tobaccy” debut landed at No. 43 country.

Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

Mac McAnally Announces Debut Orchestral Album

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Mac McAnally is set to release Southbound, the first of his 14 albums to present all-original material in McAnally’s newly-arranged orchestral context. The album, which releases Aug. 25 on Mailboat Records, features 16 tunes from his catalog, each one spotlighting members of Hattiesburg, Mississippi’s FestivalSouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jay Dean, accompanying McAnally’s performances.

“This pile of songs runs across more than my entire career,” McAnnally notes. “My relationship with music has been around as long as I have. I am blessed to call my passion my ‘job’ and even more blessed to be in a position to play music and benefit not only my family, but many folks from my home state.”

McAnally has played on sessions with George Strait, Brad Paisley, George Jones, Dolly Parton and many other well-known artists, earning him an unprecedented eight consecutive CMA Musician Of the Year Awards (2008-2015). As a songwriter, he has penned chart-toppers including “Old Flame” for Alabama and Kenny Chesney’s “Down The Road,” with McAnally on guest vocals.

The Belmont, Mississippi native McAnally will donate proceeds from sales of Southbound to the University Of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra as well as the Extra Table charity, dedicated to combatting hunger throughout his home state.

“Sometimes I feel a little guilty about being overly appreciated and awarded compared to some of my heroes and peers. This project hopefully can divert a little spotlight to people and places and situations that deserve more. I’m proud of the music and to have my work done with an orchestra is a dream come true. The fact that the project benefits these two wonderful causes brings it full circle.”

Currently in the midst of a concert tour, McAnally will deliver a special performance of music from Southbound with live orchestra at a date and location yet to be announced.

Southbound‘s Track Listing
1. On The Line
2. Back Where I Come From
3. It’s My Job
4. Crazy World
5. Miracle
6. Junk Cars
7. On Account of You
8. The Opposite of Love
9. Southbound
10. Dark Ages
11. Blame it on New Orleans
12. Working Prayer
13. When Trouble Comes Around
14. Zanzibar
15. All These Years
16. It’s Easy

 

Industry Ink: Ryan Kinder, Chris Young, 117 Entertainment, So Much Moore Media

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Ryan Kinder Picks On The WB Patio

Pictured (L-R): Stephanie Davenport (Director, A&R), Matt Signore (COO), Ryan Kinder, Kristen Williams (SVP Radio & Streaming), Lisa Ray (VP, Head of Brand Management)

Ryan Kinder hosted Warner Music Nashville’s second Pickin’ on the Patio party of the season last week on June 28, bringing his guitar-driven sound to Music Row for a packed show.

 

Chris Young Makes Sirius Visit

Pictured (L-R): Sirius XM’s Storme Warren, CY, Fitzgerald Hartley’s Larry Fitzgerald

Chris Young visited Sirius XM The Highway last week before his anticipated hometown Fourth Of July show in downtown Nashville.

 

Jerry Lee Lewis Inks With 117 Entertainment Group

Jerry Lee Lewis has signed with Nashville-based 117 Entertainment Group for public relations and media representation. Lewis is also represented by CAA for booking. 2017 marks the 60th Anniversary of his mega-hits “Whole Lotta Shakin’” and “Great Balls of Fire,” both of which were recorded at Sam Phillips’ Memphis-based Sun Records.

 

The Grascals Sign With Martha Moore For PR

Mountain Home Music Company has hired Martha Moore of so much MOORE media to handle publicity for The Grascals’ upcoming Before Breakfast CD.  Moore is also currently working with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and was publicist on previous projects for Darin & Brooke Aldridge and NewTown.

Paige Elliott Joins Columbia Nashville As Director, West Coast Promotion

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Paige Elliott

Columbia Nashville Promotion Sr. Vice President Shane Allen has appointed Paige Elliott as Director, West Coast Promotion, Columbia Nashville. Based in Denver, Colorado, where she has lived since 2013, Elliott begins her new role immediately.

Allen says, “Our entire Columbia family is extremely excited to have a promotion veteran of Paige’s stature join the team. Her extensive radio relationships and diverse skill set make her the perfect addition at a very exciting time for our imprint and Sony Music Nashville as a whole.”

“I’m thrilled to work with the world-class staff and roster at Columbia Nashville,” says Paige Elliott. “Thank you to Randy Goodman, Steve Hodges and Shane Allen for this incredible opportunity.”

Prior to joining Sony Music Nashville’s Columbia Promotion team, Elliott was Director of Regional Promotion, West Coast for Capitol Records Nashville from 2010 to 2017. From 2007 to 2010, she was Director of Regional Promotion, Northwest, Capitol Music Group.

Paige Elliott can be reached at [email protected].

Newsboys Team With Premier Productions, Pandora For Big Church Night Out Tour

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Newsboys has teamed with Premier Productions, Pandora and CCM Magazine for the nearly 50-city Big Church Night Out Tour. The tour will feature performances from Sidewalk Prophets, 7eventh Time Down, Derek Minor, Blanca, Adam Agee (Audio Adrenaline), illusionist Brock Gill, Jamison Strain, and Jeremy Willet.

“When families, friends, and neighbors take time out of their busy lives to come together and join as one in worship, that is the church,” says Newsboys Michael Tait. “That is the makings of one BIG night, and we could not be more thrilled to be a part of it.”

Leading up to the tour, Big Church Night Out will be taking over Pandora’s Christian Contemporary station from July 5 to July 13, offering a pre-sale to listeners as well as interviews from Newsboys front man, Michael Tait.

Big Church Night Out Tour
*All dates subject to change. More dates to be added.
9/21 Montgomery, AL
9/22 Chattanooga, TN
9/23 Raleigh, NC
9/24 Florence, SC
9/28 Topeka, KS
9/29 Tulsa, OK
9/30 Beaumont, TX
10/1 Hidalgo, TX
10/5 Colorado Springs, CO
10/6 Amarillo, TX
10/7 Wichita Falls, TX
10/8 Austin, TX
10/13 Kalamazoo, MI
10/14 Bloomington, IN
10/15 Champaign, IL
10/19 Corinth, MS
10/20 Atlanta, GA
10/21 Pikeville, KY
10/22 Highland Heights, KY
10/26 Monroe, LA
10/27 New Orleans, LA
10/28 Tallahassee, FL
10/29 Estero, FL
11/9 Augusta, ME
11/10 Danbury, CT
11/11 Amherst, MA
11/12 Erie, PA
11/16 Cleveland, OH
11/17 Toledo, OH
11/18 Rochester, NY
11/19 Utica, NY
11/30 Shreveport, LA
12/1 Springfield, MO
12/2 Cape Girardeau, MO
12/3 North Little Rock, AR
12/7 Owensboro, KY
12/8 Rockford, IL
12/10 Moline, IL
12/14 Johnstown, PA
12/15 Bethlehem, PA
12/16 Baltimore, MD
12/17 Charlotte, NC
*Artists may vary by date.

Emmylou, Ricky Skaggs, Rodney Crowell, More Offer Voices To John D. Loudermilk Tribute Album

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The songs of legendary songwriter John D. Loudermilk will be spotlighted on a new upcoming album, A Tribute to John D. Loudermilk. The Vector Recordings project, due out September 15, contains more than two dozen Loudermilk tunes including “Tobacco Road,” “Abilene,” and “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” performed by Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Rodney Crowell, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and more. 

The album was recorded live on March 24, 2016 during an evening at the Franklin Theater hosted by songwriter Peter Cooper. Although ill at the time, Loudermilk was on hand to see the outpouring of love and respect during the tribute show, and sadly passed away in September at the age of 82. The concert was also filmed for a PBS special, which will be released at a later date. John Jorgenson produced the tribute album and was musical director for the concert, and Dixie Gamble co-produced the album and is overseeing production of the PBS special. 

Throughout his career, Loudermilk had songs recorded by the Allman Brothers, Edgar Winter, Jefferson Airplane, the Animals, Johnny Winter, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, Petula Clark, Perry Como, Brenda Lee, Roy Orbison, the Box Tops, Rick Nelson, Barbara Mandrell, George Jones, Bobbie Gentry, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Doc Watson, Anne Murray, Conway Twitty, Willie Nelson, James Brown, Solomon Burke, Nina Simone, Norah Jones, Jay Z, Kanye West, and many more.

A Tribute to John D. Loudermilk:
1.   Everybody Knows – Harry Stinson
2.   Tobacco Road – Rodney Crowell
3.   Where Have They Gone – Emmylou Harris
4.   Blue Train – Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver
5.   Windy and Warm – Tommy Emmanuel
6.   Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye – Rosanne Cash
7.   Midnight Bus – John Jorgenson
8.   Heaven Fell Last Night – The Whites with Ricky Skaggs
9.   It’s My Time – Herb Pedersen
10. Ebony Eyes – Cory Chisel and Adriel Danae
11. Bad News – Jimmy Hall             
12. Abilene – Mike Loudermilk
13. Waterloo – Ricky Skaggs with The Whites
14. Sad Movies – Deborah Allen
15. Language of Love – Beth Nielsen Chapman
16. Mr. Jones – Lee Roy Parnell
17. Break My Mind – Bobby Braddock
18. Big Daddy’s Alabama Bound – Buddy Greene
19. Indian Reservation – John McFee
20. Turn Me On – Beth Hooker
21. Talk Back Trembling Lips – Becky Hobbs
22. Sunglasses – Claudia Church
23. The Great Snowman – Norro Wilson
24. I Wanna Live – John Cowan

Dylan Scott To Release Deluxe Edition of Selt-Titled Debut

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Dylan Scott is releasing a deluxe edition of his self-titled debut Curb Records album on, August 4. The deluxe version will feature three new tracks, including the song “Hooked,” which includes a new video filmed live during a concert in Charlotte, North Carolina that is being featured on Scott’s social media platforms and YouTube. Also included on the deluxe album is “Sleeping Beauty,” a song Scott co-wrote with Lee Brice, and “Can’t Take Her Anywhere.”

Scott will celebrate the album release with his first headlining show in New York City at the Gramercy Theatre on August 1. The collection also includes his smash hit “My Girl,” which has already been certified Gold. Scott has already amassed a total of 100 million radio plays on Pandora and surpassed 170 million on-demand streams since the release of his self-titled debut last year.

Track listing for Dylan Scott Deluxe Edition:
1.   “My Girl” (Dylan Scott, Josh Kerr)
2.   “Crazy Over Me” (Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman)
3.   “Lay It On Me” (Dylan Scott, Josh Kerr)
4.   “Ball Cap” (Dylan Scott, Cassidy Lynn Alexander, Forest Glen Whitehead)
5.   “Hooked” (Lindsay Rimes, Seth Ennis, Morgan Evans) *
6.   “Sleeping Beauty” (Dylan Scott, Lee Brice, Matt Alderman) *
7.   “My Town” (Matt Alderman, Curt Gibbs, David Fanning)
8.   “Beer Buddies” (Dylan Scott, Forest Glen Whitehead)
9.   “Passenger Seat” (Dylan Scott, Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead)
10. “Can’t Take Her Anywhere” (Dylan Scott, Josh Kerr, Mike Krompass) *
11. “I Lost You” (Matt Alderman, Sarah Davidson, Ty Graham)
12. “Do You Think About Me” (Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman, Tommy Cecil)
13. “Living Room” (Brian Callihan, Matt Rogers, Wynn Varble)
14. “Freak Show” (Matt Alderman, Curt Gibbs, Mike Eli, Jon Jones)
15. “Back” (Josh Osborne, Scott Stepakoff, Jimmy Robbins)
16. “Rules” (Steph Jones, Jeston Cade, Jordan Reynolds)

* Previously unreleased tracks

Submissions Now Open For 2017 ‘MusicRow’ Artist Roster Issue

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Submissions for the upcoming MusicRow Artist Roster issue are now being accepted. The issue includes company listings and rosters for Nashville record labels, publicists, lawyers, managers, talent agencies and artist services.

The deadline for entries is Friday, July 7.

To submit, complete the new submission form and send to [email protected].

Advertising: To reserve Artist Roster ad space, email [email protected]. Rate card information is available here.

Hunter Hayes And Zappos Pair Music With Charity For “Rescue”

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Hunter Hayes

Hunter Hayes has released his first new music of 2017, with the soaring and electric guitar-driven track “Rescue.” Additionally, he partnered with Zappos.com to create shoes that give back. “The Rescue Collection” is a limited line that features artwork inspired by the song’s accompanying music video.

All profits from “The Rescue Collection” will be donated to Zappos for Good, the charity team at Zappos.com, and benefit a number of charitable initiatives including the CMA Foundation for music education and Zappos’ annual Pawlidayz pet adoption drive.

The shoes will be available starting December 2017 exclusively on Zappos.com. All shoes will be accompanied by a digital download code for “Rescue” and a personalized lyric sheet from Hayes.

“I’ve always loved what music and charity organizations can do together, and I think the tie in with this song is undeniable,” said Hayes. “We’ve had the opportunity to work with so many awesome charities over the years and I realized that, to me, they are exactly that: rescues. They are places of refuge for so many people who need a friend to help them through something or to be there for them. We’ve seen the power of music in so many ways and I wanted ‘Rescue’ to be a song that we used for good.”

Hunter Hayes Summer Tour Dates
Jul 01 – Provo, UT – Stadium of Fire America’s Freedom Festival
Jul 04 – Houston, TX – Freedom Over Texas
Jul 14 – Choctaw, MS – 68th Annual Choctaw Indian Fair
Jul 15 – Baton Rouge, LA – Dixie Landin’ Summer Concert Series
Jul 25 – Paso Robles, CA – California Mid-State Fair
Jul 27 – Bethlehem, PA – Levitt Pavilion Steelstacks
Jul 28 – Shelbyville, DE – The Freeman Stage at Bayside
Jul 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park
Aug 11 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
Aug 12 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
Aug 17 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Aug 18 – Jordan, NY – Kegs Canalside Event Center
Aug 19 – Webster, MA – Indian Ranch Amphitheatre
Aug 25 – Toledo, OH – Centennial Terrace
Aug 26 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field
Sep 02 – Pomona, CA – Los Angeles County Fair
Sep 03 – Pueblo, CO – Colorado State Fair