Warner Bros. Records President Dan McCarroll Steps Down

Warner Bros. Records president Dan McCarroll is exiting the company after four years at the label, according to Variety.

The exec, whose contract was reportedly up with the company, joined Warner as President at the end of 2013 following a similar role at Capitol working with artists like Katy Perry, Capital Cities, and others. In his early career years McCarroll worked as EVP and in A&R at EMI Publishing and was also a session and touring drummer for years.

Under Warner Bros. chairman Cameron Strang and McCarroll the label developed new acts including Lukas Graham, Andra Day, Dua Lipa and The Head & the Heart, among others. As McCarroll departs, the company is gearing up for the start of Max Lousada, its new CEO of Recorded Music, in October.

 

Weekly Register: Zac Brown Band, Sam Hunt Top Country Charts

Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band‘s Welcome Home returns to the top of Nielsen Soundscan’s top country albums rankings this week, with 13K and a total of 242K to date.

Chris Stapleton‘s From A Room: Vol. 1 and Traveller take the No. 2 and No. 3 slots, respectively, with Room moving 12K and Traveller 7.9K. Lady Antebellum‘s Heart Break is at No. 4 this week, with 7.5K, while the compilation Now That’s Country Vol. 10 rounds out the Top 5 with 7.2K.

Mitchell Tenpenny‘s Linden Ave. is this week’s top debut at No. 12, with 2.1K.

Sam Hunt continues his domination on the country digital songs rankings, with “Body Like A Back Road” selling 46K and rising to 1.388 million to date.

Dylan Scott‘s recent radio airplay chart-topper, “My Girl,” is at No. 2 this week, with 17K. Dustin Lynch‘s “Small Town Boy” is at No. 3, with 16K, while Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know” is at No. 4, with 16K. BMLG trio Midland‘s “Drinkin’ Problem” rounds out the Top 5 with 15K.

Information courtesy Nielsen Soundscan.

Industry Ink: APA Nashville, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Darius Rucker, SiriusXM

APA Nashville Signs Southern Rock Band

Multi-platinum heavy metal and southern metal rock band JACKYL has signed with APA Nashville, it was announced by Steve Lassiter, Partner and Head of Concerts at APA. JACKYL holds the Guinness World Record title of “The Hardest Working Band in Rock ‘N’ Roll” after more than two decades touring solo and with rock legends such as Aerosmith, KISS, ZZ Top, and Ted Nugent. The band just released its latest 25 Years album.

 

Enrico Lopez-Yañez Named Assistant Conductor With Nashville Symphony

Enrico Lopez-Yanez

The Nashville Symphony has named Enrico Lopez-Yañez as assistant conductor. Lopez-Yañez will begin a one-year term with the orchestra in September.

Most recently Assistant Conductor of the Omaha Symphony, Lopez-Yañez is familiar with the Nashville Symphony and local audiences, having conducted a pair of the organization’s free Community Concerts this summer and having led the orchestra during Nashville’s “Let Freedom Sing” Fourth of July celebration. He succeeds Vinay Parameswaran, who earlier this summer left Music City for a position with The Cleveland Orchestra.

 

Darius Rucker Announces Radio Show With SiriusXM

Darius Rucker

In addition to being a three-time Grammy winner, and a chart-topping singer-songwriter, Darius Rucker is an avid golfer (with a single-digit handicap) and passionate fan of the game. Rucker will host a new monthly show on SiriusXM’s 24/7 golf channel, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio. On Par with Darius Rucker will debut July 26 (3 p.m.-4 p.m. ET) and will feature Rucker’s perspective on the game as a devoted player and fan.

Rucker is friendly with many active players on both the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, and he is a partner at MGC Sports, a sports agency that currently represents golfers and other athletes. He will invite the game’s stars as well as other celebrities with a passion for golf on the show for conversations that will span the worlds of golf and entertainment.

 

Artist Updates: Sons Of The Palomino, Delta Rae, Brantley Gilbert, Carly Pearce

Jeffrey Steele’s Sons of the Palomino To Make Grand Ole Opry Debut

Sons of the Palomino, led by Nashville Songwriter Hall Of Fame member Jeffrey Steele, released their self-titled debut album a month ago, and will make their Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, July 29. Sons of the Palomino is a tip of the hat to the Palomino Club in North Hollywood circa the 60’s and 70’s era, as well as the classic country music performed there. Following their performance at the Grand Ole Opry Sons of the Palomino will sign copies of their album, which includes duets with Emmylou Harris, John Anderson, Gretchen Wilson, Vince Gill and Jamey Johnson.

“This is my first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry since Boy Howdy debuted ‘She’d Give Anything’ in 1994, so to say that I’m honored and filled with pride to be back with Sons of the Palomino on the Opry stage after 23 years is an understatement – it’s an absolute thrill,” said Steele.

 

Delta Rae To Make Debut On CMT’s ‘Nashville’

Pictured: Delta Rae. Photo: Jake Giles Netter/CMT

Big Machine Label Group’s Delta Rae will bring their signature harmonies to CMT’s Nashville, appearing in an episode on Thursday, July 27.

The episode features the six-piece band performing their joyful “A Long and Happy Life” in the studio, while Nashville characters Deacon and Jessie wait to record her song.

“We were so happy to be a part of a show that combines two of our favorite things; music and story-telling. After recording our own EP, it was fun to be able to go back into the studio and play a role on the show,” expressed Delta Rae member Ian Holljes.

Added fellow Delta Rae member Liz Hopkins, “This is a dream come true! Britt and I have been watching Nashville together for 5 years. We crush on Deacon, get thrown by the twists, and always appreciate the way it features songwriting and the highs and lows of musician life. We can’t believe that we will be featured in this week’s episode, hope you will tune in with us!”

The episode airs beginning at 8 p.m. CT on CMT.

 

Big Machine Label Group Artists Celebrate At Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400

Pictured (L-R): Brantley Gilbert, Carly Pearce, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta and racing legend Jeff Gordon, who helmed Sunday’s pace car, join for the Drivers’ Meeting

When Brantley Gilbert appeared At Sunday’s (July 23) Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he performed his new single “The Ones That Like Me” on the track, before taking a lap in the pace car.

Big Machine Records newcomer Carly Pearce joined Gilbert and BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta at Victory Podium for the driver introductions, leading into her rendition of the National Anthem. Her breakthrough hit “Every Little Thing” is currently the only solo female song in the Top 20 at country radio.

BMI Renews Partnership With Music Festival Producer C3 Presents

Broadcast Music, Inc. has renewed its long-term partnership with C3 Presents, one of the world’s largest music festival producers. The multi-year agreement solidifies BMI as the only performing rights organization with stages at Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza.

In partnership with C3 Presents, BMI has had a track record over the years of using its stages to showcase then up-and-coming talent such as Lady Gaga, Halsey and Chance the Rapper, who all made their Lollapalooza debut on the BMI stage.

“We are very excited to renew our long-standing agreement with C3,” said Mason Hunter, BMI’s Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships. “For years, C3 has been a well-respected name in the music community, and they have done an amazing job of elevating the festival experience. The BMI stages at Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza have become fan-favorites, and a hotbed of new music discovery and we are looking forward to continuing this tradition.”

“Artist discovery continues to be an essential part of the festival experience, and we are pleased to continue our successful partnership with BMI in our pursuit of delivering fans a first look at the next great musical act,” said Charlie Walker, Partner, C3 Presents.

In 2003 the BMI stage premiered at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which has featured top artists such as Miranda Lambert, Los Lonely Boys, Gary Clark, Jr., Houndmouth, Valerie June, Rayland Baxter and Shakey Graves. In the alternative rock-fueled`90s, Lollapalooza became one of the most influential rock festivals, and in 2006 the BMI stage premiered at the event. In addition to showcasing Lady Gaga, Halsey and Chance the Rapper, the BMI stage has featured other acts on their meteoric rise to fame including Cage the Elephant, Ke$ha, X Ambassadors and Elle King.

South By Southwest Reveals Keynote Speakers For 2018 Conference

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference has announced some select keynotes and featured speakers for next year’s event, set for March 9-18, 2018.

Keynotes include Academy Award-winning writer and director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, Medicine for Melancholy), psychotherapist and best-selling author Esther Perel, and technology entrepreneur and quantum computing expert whurley. Featured Speakers for 2018 include space entrepreneur and futurist Bob Richards, Empowering a Billion Women by 2020 chairman and CEO Ingrid Vanderveldt, artist and poet Cleo Wade, and author and founder of the Future Today Institute Amy Webb.

Registration for SXSW 2018 opens on August 1. SXSW Conference programming is organized into 24 Tracks divided between Interactive, Film, Music, and Convergence, presented in a variety of session formats. In a move to expand access to events for all registrants, attendees will receive primary access to programming associated with their badge type but now also enjoy secondary entry to most other SXSW events.

“SXSW has become a premier destination for innovation and creative discovery,”said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer. “We’re pleased to begin our 2018 season with strong programming that represents a diverse and talented group of pioneers in the technology, social sciences, healthcare, and entertainment industries. The depth and breadth of knowledge these speakers bring to the event is an excellent indicator that this is going to be one of our best years ever.”

 

Nashville Film Festival Announces New President, Board Members

Anastasia Brown

The Nashville Film Festival has announced its new and returning board members for the 2017-2018 year and new leadership for the ever-growing festival. Anastasia Brown of Format Entertainment has been named President of the festival and Jim Scherer of Whizbang, Inc., has been named Vice President. Adrien Good of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. has been named treasurer, and Natasha Corrieri of ServisFirst Bank will remain as secretary.

Brown possesses 25 years of experience in music supervision, television & film production, publishing, artist management, A&R and music placement.  She served as the music supervisor of the Lionsgate film, The Shack and is a co-producer of the soundtrack. As a music supervisor Brown has worked on projects with Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, Dove wins and nominations. Her credits include The Shack (Lionsgate) The Americans (FX,) The Darkest Hour (New Regency), Footloose (Paramount), August Rush (WB), It’s Complicated (Universal Pictures), documentary For the Love of Music: the Story of Nashville, Taken (Sci-Fi,)  and more. As a producer she has developed four television series and two films including I Saw The Light, a biopic on the life of Hank Williams, Sr. (Sony Classics.) Brown has placed close to 50 songs in major films and television series over the last three years.  She is currently a music curator for Reese Witherspoon’s brand and clothing line, Draper James, providing southern music for her worldwide lifestyle followers.

New members include David Haspel of Haspel Communications, Inc., Tracy Gershon of Red Light Management, Adrien Good of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc., Claude Kelly – American Singer-Songwriter, Brittany Schaffer of Loeb & Loeb, Scott Waugh – American Film Director, and Julia Bonner of Pierce Public Relations.

2017-2018 Nashville Film Festival Board 
President: Anastasia Brown
Vice President: Jim Scherer
New Members:
David Haspel
Tracy Gershon
Adrien Good
Claude Kelly
Brittany Schaffer
Scott Waugh
Julia Bonner

Returning Members:
Taryn Anderson
Anastasia Brown
Scott Borchetta
Cary Nelson-Burch
Natasha Corrieri
Shannon Casey
Steven Gaydos
Marcella Gomez
Ken Levitan
William Lowery
Bob Raines
Courtney Ross
Jim Scherer
Conrad Schuck
Dawn Soler
Stacey Widelitz

(L-R): Jim Scherer (Vice President), Ted Crockett (Executive Director), Anastasia Brown (President), Tracy Gershon (Red Light Management), William Lowery (APA)

Sara Knabe Named VP/A&R At BBR Music Group

BBR Music Group has appointed Sara Knabe to the newly-created position of VP/A&R. In hew new role, she will be responsible for BBR Music Group’s roster of artists across imprints Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, Red Bow Records, and Wheelhouse Records, as well as scouting, signing, and developing new talent for the roster.  She will report directly to Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group and Zach Katz, BMG US President Repertoire & Marketing.

Knabe comes to BBR from BMG, where she started as Sr. Director, Creative and was elevated to VP, Creative in 2016.  She has worked with an impressive list of songwriters and artists including Jay DeMarcus, Ruston Kelly, Tony Lane, Jim Lauderdale, Gordie Sampson, Lucie Silvas, Wynn Varble, and many others. During her time at BMG she and her team secured an abundance of placements for BMG writers and chart-topping songs include “God, Your Mama, And Me” and platinum-certified “H.O.L.Y.” by Florida Georgia Line, as well as songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, and others.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Sara take on this new role at BBR Music Group, a move that truly illustrates the strategic alignment between BBR and BMG,” said Loba. “Her extensive experience, proven track record of success, and impeccable reputation within the creative community ensures that we’ll continue to develop and grow our artists careers. Stay tuned for some amazing artistry.”

Lifenotes: Elvis Presley Associate Red West Passes

Robert Gene “Red” West was an actor, a bodyguard, a hit songwriter, a karate instructor, an author, a Hollywood stunt man and a boxer, but will be forever remembered as a founder of Elvis Presley’s “Memphis Mafia” of inner-circle buddies.

West died on July 18 at age 81 in Memphis. He reportedly suffered an aortic aneurism while at Baptist Memorial Hospital there.

The athletic, 6’2” West first befriended Presley when both were students at Humes High School in Memphis. The football player protected the future star from bullies, which prefigured his later role as Presley’s bodyguard. In 1955-56 he drove the emerging recording artist to his show dates, beginning their long professional relationship.

Red West was an ex-Marine, a Golden Gloves competitive boxer and a karate instructor who spent 20 years with Presley. Along with his cousin Sonny West, plus Junior Smith, Cliff Gleaves, Charlie Hodge, Lamar Fike, Joe Esposito, Gene Smith, David Hebler, Jerry Schilling, Alan Fortas, Billy Smith and Marty Lacker, he was one of the superstar’s constant companions.

Many other relatives, friends, employees, confidantes and assorted “yes” men were also part of this entourage over the years. They served as bodyguards, girl-procurers, chauffeurs, drug sources, car buyers, sports-team members, road managers, juvenile pranksters and foils for Presley’s whims. Although few of them were actually paid salaries, they were rewarded with many lavish gifts. The press dubbed them “The Memphis Mafia” in 1962.

Unlike many of the others, Red West displayed other talents. He became a stunt man on the Nick Adams TV series The Rebel in 1959-61 and appeared in the 1965 Robert Conrad series The Wild, Wild West.

On the big screen, Red West took roles in Two for the Seesaw (1962), The Americanization of Emily (1964) and Walking Tall (1973). He also had small parts in many Presley films, such as Flaming Star (1960), Blue Hawaii (1961), Viva Las Vegas (1964) and Live a Little, Love a Little (1968).

In addition, West co-wrote several of the star’s songs, including “Separate Ways” (1973), “If Every Day Was Like Christmas” (1966), “If You Think I Don’t Need You” (1972), “That’s Someone You Never Forget” (1967) and “If You Talk in Your Sleep” (1974).

West’s co-written “I’m a Fool” was recorded by both Rick Nelson and Dino, Desi & Billy, for whom it became a 1965 hit. His songs were also recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis (“Set My Mind at Ease”), Pat Boone (“A Thousand Years”), Little Milton (“If You Talk in Your Sleep”), Johnny Burnette (“Big, Big World”) and others.

Presley’s father, Vernon Presley, fired Red West in 1976, supposedly as a cost-cutting measure. The following year, West co-wrote the first of the Presley “tell-all” books, Elvis: What Happened. This was the memoir that unveiled the superstar’s drug abuse. Presley died of drug complications two weeks after the book’s publication.

Red West’s acting career thrived in subsequent years. His later movie credits include the memorable Patrick Swayze feature Road House (1989), plus The Legend of Grizzly Adams (1990), Natural Born Killers (1994), I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998), Cookie’s Fortune (1999), Glory Road (2006), The Rainmaker (1997), Forty Shades of Blue (2005) and the critically acclaimed Goodbye Solo (2008).

He also had recurring roles in the TV series “Black Sheep Squadron” (1976) and “The Duke” (1979). Over the years, West appeared on such TV shows as “The A-Team,” “Knight Rider,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Bonanza,” “Get Smart,”
“The Six Million Dollar Man” and “The Fall Guy.”

Red West’s survivors include his wife of 56 years, Pat — who was one of Presley’s secretaries — and sons John and Brent.

MusicRowRecess: Lady Antebellum Takes On Sam Hunt In Latest Parody Video

Lady Antebellum members Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood get silly in their latest video, parodying Sam Hunt‘s smash hit “Body Like A Back Road,” with the tune and video “Party In A Bathrobe.”

The good times roll in this spoof video, shot aboard a tour bus. Kelley and Haywood groove to a backing track of Hunt’s song, adding a new set of lyrics to the song, championing the benefits of living the bathrobe life on the road. The video includes two hashtags for the parody, including #2Blessed2bDressed and #ROBElife.

Past hits that Lady A has given the parody treatment include Easton Corbin’s “A Little More Country Than That,” and Lee Brice’s “Love Like Crazy.”