Former Those Darlins Frontwoman Jessi Zazu Dies At 28

Jessi Zazu. Photo: Daniel Meigs

Jessi “Zazu” Wariner, former frontwoman for Nashville rock band Those Darlins, has lost her battle with cancer. She was 28.

Those Darlins, which formed in 2006 out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, also included Nikki Kvarnes and Linwood Regensburg and rotating players after Kelley Anderson left the band in 2012. The band would release three albums, including a self-titled project in 2009, followed by Screws Get Loose in 2011 and Blur The Line in 2013. The band broke up in early 2016 shortly before Wariner announced that she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer.

A talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Wariner was also a gifted visual artist and graphic designer, who designed the book jacket and illustrations for the recent book Good Booty, from music critic and NPR correspondent Ann Powers. Her recent art exhibition, Undefeated, ran at Nashville’s Julia Martin Gallery from June 17 – 28. As a philanthropist, Wariner was heavily involved in volunteering and raising funds for Middle Tennessee’s rock camps for youth, which she attended in her own youth.

Wariner’s uncle is country artist and musician Steve Wariner. Jessi Wariner is survived by her mother Kathy, father David, and brothers Emmett and Oakley.

Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line To Headline Stagecoach Festival

Stagecoach is rolling into Indio, California, next Spring with a trio of superstars anchoring its lineup: Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, and Florida Georgia Line. Brooks will close out the three-day festival scheduled for April 27-29, with Florida Georgia Line set to perform Friday and Urban lighting up the stage on Saturday night.

“Everyone knows Stagecoach is the biggest country festival in the world, and we are coming with the sole purpose of making it the biggest party on the planet!” said Brooks.

Now in its 12th year, the festival will also include performances by Kacey Musgraves, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Young, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Chris Lane, Ronnie Milsap, Midland and more.

New to the festival will be the SiriusXM Spotlight Stage featuring up-and-comers like Carly Pearce, Seth Ennis, Jordan Davis and more, and the updated HonkyTonk Dance Hall is set to feature even more DJs. SiriusXM will also broadcast live performances and interviews on site from the festival’s Empire Polo Club location.

Festival passes go on sale Friday, September 22 at stagecoachfestival.com.

The STAGECOACH 2018 line-up (as of Sept. 13):
Aaron Watson
Ashley McBryde
Banditos
Brett Young
Brothers Osborne
Carly Pearce
Chris Janson
Chris Lane
Cody Jinks
Colter Wall
Dwight Yoakam
Florida Georgia Line
Garth Brooks
Gordon Lightfoot
Granger Smith
Jade Bird
Jade Jackson
Jake Owen
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Jillian Jacqueline
Jordan Davis
Joshua Hedley
Kacey Musgraves
Keith Urban
Kelsea Ballerini
Kenny Rogers
Lee Brice
Lillie Mae
Lindsay Ell
Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real
Midland
Molly Hatchet
Morgan Wallen
Muscadine Bloodline
Paul Cauthen
Ronnie Milsap
Runaway June
Seth Ennis
Tanya Tucker
Temecula Road
The Georgia Satellites
Tyler Childers
Walker Hayes
Walker McGuire

 

 

NSAI Honors Chart-Topping Writers At Special Event

(L-R): Brett Warren, Dave Barnes, Brad Warren, Tyler Reeve, Trent Tomlinson, Matt Jenkins, Josh Kerr, Marc Beeson, Ashley Gorley, Jon Nite, Thomas Archer, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Adam Hambrick, Daniel Tashian, Lee Thomas Miller, Shelby Yoder

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) honored 36 Nashville-associated writers whose songs topped the charts between April 2017 and July 2017 during an event Monday night (Sept. 11) at the Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville. Writers in attendance at the special event were presented their awards by NSAI President, Lee Thomas Miller and NSAI Director of Professional Membership and Events, Shelby Yoder.

 Songs Recognized
 from April-July 2017:
“Black” – Writers: Ashley Gorley, Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman
Recorded by: Dierks Bentley
“If I Told You” – Writers: Jon Nite, Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally
Recorded by: Darius Rucker
“Setting the World On Fire” – Writers: Josh Osborne, Matt Jenkins, Ross Copperman
Recorded by: Kenny Chesney featuring P!nk
“Song For Another Time” – Writers: Brad Tursi, Matt Jenkins, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen
Recorded by: Old Dominion
“Hometown Girl” – Writers: Daniel Tashian, Marc Beeson
Recorded by: Josh Turner
“Hurricane” – Writers: Luke Combs, Taylor Phillips, Thomas Archer
Recorded by: Luke Combs
 “Fast” – Writers: Luke Bryan, Luke Laird, Rodney Clawson
Recorded by: Luke Bryan
“How Not To” – Writers: Adam Hambrick, Kevin Bard, Paul DiGiovanni
Recorded by: Dan + Shay
“Every Time I Hear That Song” – Writers: Aimee Mayo, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Chris Lindsey
Recorded by: Blake Shelton
“Craving You” – Writers: Dave Barnes, Julian Bunetta
Recorded by: Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris
“My Girl” – Writers: Dylan Scott, Josh Kerr
Recorded by: Dylan Scott
“God, Your Mama, and Me” – Writers: Gordie Sampson, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear
Recorded by: Florida Georgia Line featuring Backstreet Boys
“In Case You Didn’t Know” – Writers: Brett Young, Kyle Schlienger, Trent Tomlinson, Tyler Reeve
Recorded by: Brett Young

Studio Bank Lays Groundwork To Enter Nashville Market

Pictured (L-R): Aaron Dorn, Studio Bank’s Chairman, President, CEO and Ron Cox, Studio Bank’s Executive VP overseeing Music, Arts, & Entertainment Division.

The team behind Studio Bank recently filed notice with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions of its intent to apply for a banking charter. This is the first regulatory filing in the process of becoming a bank and, upon approval, will allow organizers to begin raising the bank’s main round of capital as early as next month.

Among those heading the initiative are former Avenue Bank leaders with a strong presence in Nashville’s creative sector and close ties to the music industry. They also have plans to extend beyond the music community to the city’s diverse industries encompassing healthcare, residential construction and development, small to mid-size businesses and the local freelance economy, as well as retail, mortgage and private banking.

The executive team includes Aaron Dorn, Chairman, President, CEO; Larry Dorris, Chief Operating Officer; Richard Bynum, Chief Credit Officer; April Britt, Chief Experience Officer; and Greg Barron, Chief Financial Officer.

Ron Cox, who serves as co-founder of Studio Bank, and was previously co-founder of Avenue Bank, will serve as Executive VP of Studio Bank and oversee the music, arts, and entertainment division.

Dorn has music industry experience and previously served as co-founder and senior leader with Avenue Bank, while also heading marketing and branding initiatives. “I am honored to represent such a phenomenal and growing coalition of community and business leaders who share a passion for this endeavor,” said Dorn. “The company we are creating will reflect the soul of Nashville, which is beloved for its creativity, innovation and collaborative spirit. Imagine a boutique bank that is hyper-local, sophisticated and nimble, with an amazing client experience, tech-savvy products, and bankers who are highly engaged in serving our city—a bank that is social and enjoys making connections, bringing together a diverse community of clients and friends.”

The Nashville music industry is well represented on the bank’s board of directors by CAA’s Rod Essig and THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, alongside others on the distinguished list (see below).

The team is also assembling a board of advisors who represent Nashville’s signature industries and civic organizations. Additionally, John Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Content Group, has been reported as an investor in the bank by the Nashville Business Journal.

Board of Directors:
• Howard C. Bluver, former President, CEO, and Director, Suffolk County National Bank (NY); former Director, Bank of Georgetown (Washington D.C.)
• Ronald L. Corbin, Principal, RBBC Holdings; former head of All-State Insurance Company’s Southern Region
• Aaron J. Dorn, President & CEO, SFH Pursuit Company, Inc.
• Josh Deutsch, Chairman & CEO, Downtown Records (NYC)
• Patrick G. Emery, President, Spectrum|Emery
• Rodney A. (Rod) Essig, Co-Head & Agent, Creative Arts Agency (CAA), Nashville
• Sara J. Finley, Principal, Threshold Corporate Consulting, LLC; former General Counsel, CVS Caremark Corporation
• John R. (Rusty) Gaston, General Manager & Partner, THiS Music
• Lawson H. (Mike) Hardwick, III, Founder & CEO, Churchill Mortgage Corporation
• Matthew H. Kisber, CEO, Silicon Ranch Corporation; former Commissioner of Economic Development for the State of Tennessee
• Tara Scarlett, President & CEO, Scarlett Family Foundation
• Patricia G. Shea, Founder & Chair, Womens Presidents’ Organization, Nashville; former President & CEO, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee
• Kent D. Wood, Entrepreneur and Investor, ImageQuest, PTS of America, Latitude, Healthcare TTU

Breaking: Warner Music Nashville’s Peter Strickland To Exit Label

Peter Strickland

Warner Music Nashville Chief Marketing Officer Peter Strickland will exit Warner Music Nashville in November. He will stay on in a consulting role for the label through October.

“After many years and successes achieved together, Peter Strickland and WMN have agreed to part with Mr. Strickland continuing to consult with WMN through October and thereafter pursuing other opportunities,” reads an official statement.

Strickland can be reached at pbstrickland@me.com.

Strickland was elevated to the CMO role in July 2016. He joined WEA in 1988 as a field representative based in Boston. He moved to Nashville in 1995, becoming sales manager for Warner Bros. Records, and went on to serve as Vice President of Sales/Marketing for Warner/Reprise Nashville. He was upped to SVP, Brand Management & Sales before being named WMN’s EVP/GM in 2013.

Industry Pics: Charlie Worsham, Clint Black, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett

Charlie Worsham Performs For CMHoF Troubadour Society

Pictured (L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Vice President for Development Lisa Purcell, Chairman of the Troubadour Advisory Committee Leanne Weber, Charlie Worsham, Chairman of the Board Steve Turner, and CEO Kyle Young. Photo: Donn Jones

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Troubadours, the Museum’s membership group for young professionals, hosted its 6th annual Nightfall at The Hall concert on Sept. 7. The evening brought together over 300 of Music City’s young leaders and featured a performance by Warner Music Nashville recording artist Charlie Worsham.

 

Clint Black, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, John Rich Take Part In CMA Songwriters Series

Pictured (L-R): Don Maggi, “Front and Center” Executive Producer; Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer; Clint Black; and Dan Bernert, U.S. Bank Corporate Sponsorships, gather following a taping for “Front and Center” CMA Songwriters Series presented by U.S. Bank Tuesday at the Franklin Theatre. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA

CMA Songwriters Series presented by U.S. Bank reunited with the public television music series “Front and Center” for two special tapings at the Franklin Theatre Tuesday, Sept. 5. The episodes, one of which includes Clint Black (with special guest John Rich) and the other a twin bill including Kane Brown (with Tom Douglas and Josh Hoge) and Luke Combs (with Thomas ArcherRay Fulcher, and Rob Williford), highlight the artists performing and sharing stories behind their biggest hits with some of the genre’s most successful songwriters. The episodes will air early 2018.

Pictured (L-R): Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO; Kane Brown; Luke Combs; Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer; and Dan Bernert, U.S. Bank Corporate Sponsorships, gather at the taping for “Front and Center” CMA Songwriters Series presented by U.S. Bank Tuesday at the Franklin Theatre. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA

 

Thomas Rhett Celebrates Life Changes Release Day With Three Shows

Thomas Rhett at The Fillmore in Philadelphia. Photo: Valory Music Co.

ACM Awards Male Vocalist of the Year Thomas Rhett celebrated the debut of his third studio album Life Changes (The Valory Music Co.) on Friday (Sept. 8) with LIVE FROM THE B-STAGE, a special album release experience for fans. All in one day, he returned to Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, offering acoustic performances of the new music, while taking requests from the crowd. He started the day at Boston’s House of Blues, and then played at Philadelphia’s The Fillmore (where he welcomed special guest Brett Eldredge), and then wrapped at Joe’s Rosemont in Chicago.

Thomas Rhett with Brett Eldredge. Photo: Valory Music Co.

Thomas Rhett hugs a fan while playing a show in Boston. Photo: Valory Music Co.

 

Jayson Dinsmore Exits CMT

Jayson Dinsmore

CMT VP, Programming Jayson Dinsmore is set to exit the Viacom-owned cable channel after six years, MusicRow has confirmed. Keith Cox, president of programming and development for Paramount Network and TV Land, has taken over development for CMT.

Dinsmore joined CMT in 2011, from his role as VP, alternative development at NBC. Under Dinsmore’s leadership, CMT incorporated more original shows, starting with reality shows including Party Down South, before moving to scripted series in conjunction with CMT’s acquisition Nashville in 2016. The channel added series including Billy Ray Cyrus’ Still The King, and the miniseries Sun Records.

The development follows the departure of CMT president Brian Philips, who stepped down in June. Frank Tanki was named as General Manager at that time.

Music Biz AudienceNet/LOOP Report Offers Insight Into Changing Music Consumption

The competition among platforms and services is impacting music consumption and changing the way people engage with their favorite artists and songs, according to new data from AudienceNet/LOOP provided to the Music Business Association (Music Biz). The new report, titled “Music Consumption: The Overall Landscape 2017,” will be released on Sept. 14, via Music Biz Consumer Insights, the interactive, member-exclusive research portal hosted on musicbiz.org. The findings are based on a June 2017 national survey of of 3,006 U.S. respondents aged 16 and up.

YouTube had the biggest weekly reach of any individual listening platform, with nearly half (49 percent) saying they had used it to listen to music, double that of its closest competitor, Pandora, with 24 percent of the general population using it. YouTube’s reach was predominantly driven by younger generations, rising to 68 percent amongst 16-to-24 year olds and 59 percent amongst 25-to-34 year olds.

There were also milestones in consumer adoption of digital music as well. Spotify’s weekly reach (21 percent) surpassed CDs (19 percent) for the first time this year, and Facebook emerged as a viable source for music. The social network saw seven percent growth from 2016, upping its weekly reach to 19 percent to overtake Apple’s iTunes (15 percent) as the fourth most-accessed audio platform. Amazon Prime Music also reached parity with Apple’s iTunes, achieving a weekly reach of 15 percent.

A free Music Biz webinar “Music Consumption: The Overall Landscape 2017” will be held on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. (ET), during which AudienceNet/LOOP representatives will provide a deep look into the report’s findings. To register, click here.

“We’re happy to work with AudienceNet/LOOP once again to bring the most up-to-date consumer data to Music Biz members,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “Now that the industry has reached a period of growth, it is even more crucial to obtain in-depth data that paints a full picture of listeners of all ages. Only by listening to our audience and adapting to their needs can we bring the entire music business to new heights.”

Huskins-Harris Business Management Adds Debbie Randle

Pictured (L-R): Becky Harris, Debbie Randle, Donna Huskins. Photo: John Huelsman.

Huskins-Harris Business Management has named Debbie Randle to its staff. Randle will serve as Office Manager for the firm’s growing daily operations.

Most recently, Randle served as Director of Operations and Executive Assistant at Webster & Associates Public Relations. During her career, Randle has worked as a personal and executive assistant for artists such as Ronnie Dunn and Tracy Lawrence, among others.

“I’ve known Debbie Randle for years and have always wanted to work with her,” says Becky Harris. “I’ve waited a long time for circumstances to allow for that to happen, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that they have. Debbie will be a great asset to me, my partner Donna Huskins, and our entire team.”

“I look forward to supporting the great work that everyone at Huskins-Harris is doing for their clients and for the Nashville music community,” says Randle. “I can’t wait to embark on this new opportunity.”

Randle can be reached via email at drandle@huskins-harris.com and by phone at 615-256-1207.

Lisa Konicki Joins OneCountry.com as Content Editor

OneCountry.com has hired Lisa Konicki as content editor. Konicki is the former editor-in-chief of Country Weekly Magazine. In her new role, Konicki will create and help shape content for the popular website that celebrates the country lifestyle through fashion, food, music and more. She will be based in Nashville.

“I am pleased to join the One Country team as they continue to celebrate amazing growth,” said Konicki. “I look forward to being a part of such a creative team and using my experience to help build on the company’s success.”

“We are thrilled to have Lisa Konicki as a part of the One Country team,” said One Country CEO Patrick Harris. “The addition of Lisa allows us to bring even greater content to our One Country audience. Her experience and notoriety further positions One Country as a leader in country music news and entertainment.”

Konicki can be reached at lkonicki@onecountry.com.