Darius Rucker Headlines The Apollo Theater For October Album Release

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Darius Rucker is set to perform at New York’s Apollo Theater on Oct. 19, the same day his upcoming fifth studio country album, When Was The Last Time, hits stores.

“I have so much respect and awe for the history and traditions this stage represents,” explains Rucker. “To perform at the Apollo as I prepare to release this album which means so much tome, feels like the perfect way to commemorate this album.”

Seeing their name on the Harlem concert hall’s iconic marquee has been a milestone for generations of African-American music legends, from Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington to Gladys Knight, James Brown and Lauryn Hill.  Rucker joins their ranks as one of only a handful of country artists to ever grace the historic stage.

The milestone is one of many Rucker has attained in his career, including becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry, earning both country and pop Grammy honors, and touring with sold-out shows at the O2 and Red Rocks.

Tickets to Darius Rucker at the Apollo Theater go on sale Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. ET.

Darius Rucker Celebrates Eighth Chart-Topper “If I Told You”

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Pictured (L-R): Shane McAnally (GMR), Jon Nite (ASCAP), Darius Rucker, Ross Copperman (BMI). Photo: Steve Lowry

Darius Rucker celebrated the chart-topping success of his eighth No. 1 single, “If I Told You,” along with the song’s writers Jon Nite (ASCAP), Ross Copperman (BMI) and Shane McAnally (GMR) during an event at the newly-opened Nashville entertainment complex TopGolf.

Among those celebrating the song’s trek to the top of the charts were ASCAP’s Sr. Creative Director Mike Sistad, BMI Associate Creative Director Josh Tomlinson, GMR COO Sean O’Malley, SMACKSongs Sr. Creative Director Lee Krabel, Sony/ATV SR. VP, Nashville A&R Josh Van Valkenburg, and Rezonant Music Publishing CEO Tim Wipperman.

“It is truly an honor to represent you every day,” Universal Music Group Nashville CEO Mike Dungan told Rucker. “I want to be in business with you for the rest of my life. I want to tell you how fulfilling it is to work records that are not only great records but also great songs.”

Copperman, who also produced the track, offered praise to Rucker and to his fellow songwriters as well as his publisher. “Thanks to Jon for being the first guy to ever write with me in town. Shane for even letting me be in the room with you. Both of these guys are titan and just poets of our time. I was in the room with the two of these guys today and there’s not much room for any other words to be thrown in with the two of these guys going at it.”

McAnally said of Rucker, “He is the humblest, realest, the best. It’s an honor to have him sing any of my songs, especially one that was a single. Finally.”

McAnally went on to praise his fellow writers and the track. “Darius and I were talking about the length of time this record took. These days, we can have everything so fast on our phones, we get through the verse of a song before we switch it and the melody and the track of this song and his vocal performance sort of gave you the impression that you didn’t even need to listen to the words because it sounds so catchy. So the song had like a six-month life before people started going, ‘Have you listened to what this song says?’ It’s this strange combination of ear candy and hard core lyrics. You get the opportunity to write real lyrics and real stories.”

Rucker said, “When [“If I Told You”] was brought to me, it moved me the minute I heard it. It was a song that I felt the God of the universe or whatever you want to call it was sending it to me. It was like, ‘This is for you,’ and I’m blessed to get to sing that song for the rest of my life. To Ross, changing producers is always a hard thing to do, but this was one of the first songs we cut. We had to change the key because Jon sings too damn good and higher than me, so we changed the key. We recorded it and he played it back and I instantly thought, ‘This is exactly what I want to sound like.’

He also thanked Brian Wright, Mike Dungan and the rest of the Capitol Nashville staff. “I love being with a label that cares about me so much and lets me be the artist I want to be. Thank you for working as hard as you did to get this song to No. 1.”

Top row, (L-R): ASCAP Senior Creative Director Mike Sistad, Global Music Rights COO Sean O’Malley, SMACKSongs Senior Creative Director Lee Krabel, Sony/ATV Senior Vice President of Nashville A&R Josh Van Valkenburg, BMI Associate Creative Director Josh Tomlinson, UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan, and Rezonant Music Publishing CEO Tim Wipperman. Bottom row, (L-R): Shane McAnally (GMR), Jon Nite (ASCAP), Darius Rucker, Ross Copperman (BMI). Photo: Steve Lowry

Rucker also offered attendees a brief set to preview music from his upcoming fifth studio country album, When Was The Last Time, which will be released via Capitol Records Nashville on Oct. 20. He performed the fan-favorite “Don’t,” and the earnest “Another Night With You.”

“Ross and I were doing our first day of recording and we’d cut like five songs. I played this song and his face just blew up,” Rucker says of hearing “Another Night With You.” “The guys were packing up their stuff and he was like, ‘Hey, guys you’ve got time for one more song?’ We cut the song and this is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever recorded as a singer. “

“I love writing songs, but sometimes you get outside songs that you just have to record,” he said of another album cut “Twenty Something.” ” This song had something for everybody and it’s what life is all about.”

He also offered up the sensual “Hands On Me,” before wrapping with a rendition of his hit single “Wagon Wheel.”

Complete track listing for When Was The Last Time:
1. “For the First Time” (Darius Rucker, Derek George, Scooter Carusoe)
2. “Bring It On” (Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson)
3. “Life’s Too Short” (Copperman, Jon Nite, Jaren Johnston)
4. “If I Told You” (Copperman, Shane McAnally, Nite)
5. “Don’t” (Adam Doleac, A.J. Babcock, Pete Good)
6. “Twenty Something” (McAnally, Nite, Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne)
7. “Straight to Hell” with Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Charles Kelley (Kevin Kinney)
8. “Count the Beers” (Rucker, Dean Dillon, Josh Thompson)
9. “Another Night With You” (Rucker, Dillon, Josh Thompson)
10. “Hands On Me” (Copperman, McAnally, J.T. Harding)
11. “She” (Chris Tompkins, Rodney Clawson)
12. “Story to Tell” (Copperman, Gorley, Rucker)

Brett Young Adds Caliville Tour Dates

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Brett Young has added seven new cities to his debut headlining Caliville Tour, which kicks off Oct. 14 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The tour, which also features rising singer/songwriter Carly Pearce, will include a stop at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on Nov. 17.

Young has earned a gold-selling album with his self-titled debut on BMLG Records, as well as a 2x platinum single with “In Case You Didn’t Know,” and a platinum-selling single with “Sleep Without You.” Young was recently on Lady Antebellum’s You Look Good World Tour.

CALIVILLE TOUR
10/14 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
10/21 – Kansas City, MO – The Truman
10/28 – Sarasota, FL – White Buffalo Saloon
11/2 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
11/3 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live
11/4 – Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s
11/5 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva *
11/11 – Knoxville, TN – Cotton Eyed Joe’s
11/16 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues *
11/17 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works *
11/18 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
11/29 – Oxford, OH – Brick Street Bar-Miami U
11/30 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection *
12/1 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
12/2 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater
12/7 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues *
12/9 – Baton Rouge, LA – Texas Club
12/13 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
12/14 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s Sports Bar *
12/15 – Rosemont, IL – Joe’s Live *
12/16 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
*Newly announced dates

In Pictures: 3rd Annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

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Co-producers of Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival Brandt Wood, Justin Timberlake, Michael Whelan, and Kevin Griffin at the third annual festival in Franklin, TN on Saturday, Sept 23, 2017. Photo: Mark Nguyen/Justin Timberlake

The third annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival was held over the weekend (Sept. 23 and 24) at The Park at Harlinsdale in Franklin, Tennessee.

Launched in 2015 by Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin, the festival featured performances by top-name headliners including Justin Timberlake, whose performance on Saturday night included special guests Chris Stapleton and his wife Morgane, and Eddie Vedder who closed out the festival on Sunday night.

Other artists who took to one of five stages included Ryan Adams, The Avett Brothers, Mavis Staples, Gary Clark Jr., Better Than Ezra, Walk The Moon, Fitz and The Tantrums, among others. For the full 2017 lineup click here.

MusicRow recently discussed this year’s Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival with festival co-producers Kevin Griffin and Michael Whelan.

Eddie Vedder. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Gary Clark, Jr. Photo: Mickey Bernal/Getty Images

Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra. Photo: Mickey Bernal/Getty Images

Mavis Staples. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Bob Crawford, Scott Avett, and Seth Avett of the Avett Brothers. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Marty Stuart. Photo: Mickey Bernal/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Eli Maiman and Nicholas Petricca of Walk the Moon. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

 

TobyMac Announces Dates For 2018 HITS DEEP Tour

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Seven-time Grammy® winner TobyMac will once again bring his dynamic HITS DEEP Tour to 29 markets next year, alongside a talent-packed line up including Danny Gokey, Mandisa, Ryan Stevenson and Finding Favour. The 2018 HITS DEEP Tour is a partnership with K-LOVE, Air1, Awakening Events and Food for the Hungry. Kicking off at Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena in late January, the HITS DEEP Tour will wrap in mid-March after stops in San Diego, Denver, Seattle, Minneapolis, San Antonio, Birmingham and more. Tickets for the 2018 tour go on sale Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. local venue time.

2018 HITS DEEP Tour Dates:
Jan. 30: Oklahoma City; Chesapeake Energy Arena
Feb. 1: Rio Rancho, N.M.; Santa Ana Star Center
Feb 2: Glendale, Ariz.; Gila River Arena
Feb. 3: Salt Lake City; Vivint Arena
Feb. 8: San Diego; Viejas Arena
Feb. 9: Ontario, Calif.; Citizens Business Bank Arena
Feb. 10: Reno, Nev.; Reno Events Center
Feb. 11: Sacramento, Calif.; Golden 1 Center
Feb. 13: Fresno, Calif.; Save Mart Center
Feb. 15: Kennewick, Washington; Toyota Center
Feb. 16: Seattle; Key Arena
Feb. 17: Portland, Ore.; Moda Center
Feb. 18: Spokane, Washington; Spokane Arena
Feb. 22: Denver; Denver Coliseum
Feb. 23: Kansas City, Mo.; Sprint Center
Feb. 24: Moline, Ill.; iWireless Center
Feb. 25: Minneapolis; Target Center
March 1: Milwaukee; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
March 2: Omaha, Neb.; Baxter Arena
March 3: Saint Charles, Mo.; Family Arena
March 4: Grand Rapids, Mich.; The Van Andel Arena
March 8: Belton, Texas; Bell County Expo Center
March 9: Lubbock, Texas; United Super Market Arena
March 10: El Paso, Texas; Don Haskins Center
March 11: San Antonio; AT&T Center
March 15: Jonesboro, Ark.; ASU Convocation Center
March 16: Baton Rouge, La.; Raising Cane’s River Center
March 17: Birmingham, Ala.; BJCC Arena
March 18: Pensacola, Fla.; Pensacola Bay Center

NMPA To Hold Inaugural Gold and Platinum Gala Oct. 19 in Nashville

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The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has long advocated for and recognized songwriters and publishers for their achievements, most notably with the NMPA’s Gold & Platinum Program, which launched 10 years ago.

On Oct. 19, the NMPA will further recognize songwriters whose songs have reached Gold and/or Platinum status, with the inaugural Gold and Platinum Gala, to be held in Nashville on Oct. 19.

The exclusive, invitation-only event will honor the creators behind the songs that have earned Gold and/or Platinum certifications from the RIAA over the past year, from June 2016 through July 2017.

“About 10 years ago I came up with the idea that there should be a parallel program to the RIAA’s Gold and Platinum program, that would honor the contributions of songwriters on Gold and Platinum records,” NMPA CEO David Israelite tells MusicRow. “For the last 10 years, whenever the RIAA designates a single as a Gold or Platinum song, we follow that three weeks later with a certification that the songwriters on that song get their own distinctive award. The program has picked up steam, so this year for the first time we decided to host a gala to honor songwriters who have reached Gold or Platinum in the past year.”

Kelsea Ballerini with NMPA’s David Israelite. Photo: David O’Donohue

Among those songwriters who will be recognized for multi-Platinum achievements include Kenny Alphin, Lee Brice, Luke Bryan, Jim Collins, Zach Crowell, Dallas Davidson, Sean Douglas, Jerry Flowers, Ashley Gorley, Rob Hatch, Tyler Hubbard, Sam Hunt, Jeffery Hyde, Brian Kelley, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, David Lee Murphy, Josh Osborne, Thomas Rhett, John Rich, Liz Rose, Joseph Spargur, Cole Swindell and Ryan Tyndell.

“For those writers that reach multi-Platinum status, we will actually present them with a Gold and Platinum plaque and all other writers will be recognized as well,” Israelite said. “For writers who are not artists, this is the only recognition they get for their contribution on a Gold or Platinum song, and for the artists that are also the writers, this recognizes them for their contribution not just as an artist, but as a songwriter, which for many artists, is the most important part of their creative process.”

The RIAA counts both sales and on-demand streams toward its Gold (500K), Platinum (1 million) and multi-Platinum (2 million+) thresholds. In coordination with the RIAA, the NMPA maintains a database of all awards and certifications, also notifying songwriters and music publishers that they have been certified.

Thomas Rhett with NMPA’s David Israelite. Photo: NMPA

Richlyn Marketing Rebrands As Richlynn Group, Adds Three To Staff

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Pictured (L-R): Shane Stewart, Olivia Baker, Cat Denton, Kate Richardson, Nicole Cochran, Lynn Tinsey, Craig Shelburne, Lane Latimer

Richlyn Marketing has rebranded as Richlynn Group, and has announced three new staff members.

Business partners Kate Richardson and Lynn Tinsey have hired Olivia Baker and Lane Latimer as account managers and Shane Stewart as a digital marketing specialist. The expansion provides a stronger focus on social media, playlist promotion, and artist management. As part of the rebranding, Richlynn Group is proud to announce their first management client, guitarist/songwriter Paul Childers.

“We have been steadily growing over the last 11 years and feel that the time is right to announce our rebranding, which reflects our work beyond marketing and PR,” said Tinsey.

Richardson adds, “We have been fortunate to work with many amazing artists on the development of their careers and felt that management was a natural progression for our team.”

Richlynn Group’s staff also includes: Nicole Cochran, publicist; Cat Denton, account director; and Craig Shelburne, vice president. Founded in 2007, the firm will continue to offer publicity and public relations services for its roster.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member John Oates has been part of the firm’s roster since 2012. Richlynn Group also represents musicians such as The Doobie Brothers, David Starr, Stranger Friends, Button, Lara Johnston and Paul Childers. Other music-related clients include songwriter-author Steve Dorff, Ear Trumpet Labs microphones, the Folk Music Hall of Fame, the Don Gibson American Music Foundation, and Quarto Valley Records. Personalities represented by Richlynn Group include Nashville financial planner/radio host David Adams, best-selling author Sharon Draper, and author Rhonda Gayle Nelson (A Different Life).

Richlynn Group staff may be reached by email using first name followed by “at” richlynngroup.com.

Eric Church Releases Next 30 Live Songs On ’61 Days In Church’ Collection

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Eric Church has released the next 30 recordings of his collection, 61 Days in Church, again initially with Apple Music.

The first 30 Holdin’ My Own Tour live recordings were released as Volume 1 on Sept. 1 on Apple Music. Other streaming services received the package two weeks later; Volume 1’s digital date was Sept. 15.

The collection includes a variety of catalogue cuts and singles as well as cover songs inspired by each tour stop with unique, individual tour posters from each tour stop serving as the artwork for each of the songs’ releases.

Subsequent releases will total more than 100 tracks throughout the year in chronological order of the tour. A double disc collectible boxed set and vinyl version of the project is slated for release via EMI Records Nashville on Record Store Day, April 21 2018.

Church’s Holdin’ My Own Tour sold 930,000 tickets at the end of its run notching the top music tour in the first quarter of 2017 (Pollstar). Fans can catch Church on the road as he continues touring throughout 2017. Full tour dates at ericchurch.com/events.

The 30 songs released Friday (Sept. 22) include the following tracks performed at shows in different cities:

Like a Wrecking Ball
Two Pink Lines
Mixed Drinks About Feelings (featuring Joanna Cotten)
Lotta Boot Left To Fill
Over When It’s Over (featuring Joanna Cotten)
Ain’t Killed Me Yet
Sinners Like Me
The Ballad of Curtis Loew
Record Year
Knives of New Orleans
Without You Here
The Weight (featuring Joanna Cotten)
Three Year Old
Dark Side
Cold One
Homeboy
Jack Daniels
How ‘Bout You
That’s Damn Rock & Roll (featuring Joanna Cotten)
Before She Does
Where She Told Me To Go
Country Music Jesus
Round Here Buzz
Screw You, We’re From Texas (featuring Ray Wylie Hubbard)
Lightning (Acoustic)
Longer Gone
Faster Than My Angels Can Fly
Oh Atlanta (featuring Joanna Cotten)
Talladega
The World Needs A Drink
Kill A Word (featuring Joanna Cotten)
Memphis Medley (How I Got To Memphis/Walking in Memphis)
The Hard Way
Ophelia
Livin’ Part of Life
My Town
Creepin’
Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man
Pledge Allegiance to the Hag
Up on Cripple Creek
Like Jesus Does (featuring Joanna Cotten)
Don’t Do It
Young and Wild
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Hell on the Heart
The Shape I’m In
Mr. Misunderstood
Get Up Jake
Chattanooga Lucy (featuring Joanna Cotten)
Sundown
Smoke A Little Smoke (Acoustic)
Alberta
Drink In My Hand
It Makes No Difference
I’m Gettin’ Stoned
Portland, Oregon (featuring Joanna Cotten)
Can’t Take It With You
Jolene
Better Man

ole Nashville Celebrates New Office Location Opening

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Pictured (L-R): ole Senior Creative Director Ben Strain, ole Senior Creative Director Mike Whelan, ole vice President Corporate Affairs and Development Gilles Godard, ole Creative Director Emily Mueller-Olson, ole Founder & CEO Robert Ott, ole VP Creative John Ozier, ole SVP Finance & Administration Chris Giansante, ole Senior Director, Creative Sync & Licensing Randal Foster

Independent music publishing and rights management company ole recently moved its Nashville outpost to a new office in the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood of Nashville. The new office is located at 462 Humphreys Street.

Led by John Ozier, Vice President Creative, this year ole secured hit singles by top artists like Dan + Shay, Justin Moore, Chris Janson, Tim McGraw, Craig Campbell, James Barker Band, Dallas Smith and many more. Currently, ole has singles on the country charts by Chris Janson, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, Brett Eldredge, Michael Ray, Lindsay Ell, and Colt Ford. Additionally, ole controls songs by Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, Reba, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, LOCASH, Jon Pardi on their current albums.

ole Nashville was also honored with multiple awards from the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) this year. The company was named Music Publishing Company of the Year, continuing its unprecedented streak of 11 consecutive wins in the category, while ole songwriter Meghan Patrick received the Female Artist of the Year Award and Rising Star Award.

“2017 is shaping up to be an incredible year for ole Nashville,” says Ozier. “I’m extremely proud of the Creative staff and am beyond appreciative of the support of ole’s Chairman and CEO, Robert Ott. We look forward to building on the momentum and finishing the year on a strong note.”

Jillian Jacqueline Releases New EP ‘SIDE A’ Today

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Jillian Jacqueline is releasing her debut EP, SIDE A today. The new project features nine tracks penned alongside hitmakers like Lori McKenna, Sarah Buxton, and Trent Dabbs, and introduces Jacqueline’s progressive but organic sound as she opens up a musical diary of striking, no-holds-barred storytelling.

The project is now available for download and worldwide streaming via all digital platforms.

“I’m so proud and ready to share SIDE A, the first collection of songs off of my debut full-length album. I hope that anyone who’s listened and loved my music so far feels as excited about this release as I do,” shares Jacqueline. “I don’t take it lightly that I get to share my stories with you guys, and these songs in all of their transparency, heartache, pride, humor, growth, and ‘humanness’ are just the beginning.”

Over the summer Jacqueline offered a sneak peek at the project by unleashing four tracks including “Reasons,” which has already been streamed over 11 million times on Spotify alone, and three more, “Hate Me,” “Bleachers,” and “God Bless This Mess,” which all have one million plays.

She’ll perform some of the new tunes during her appearance at the Pilgrimage Music and Arts Festival in Franklin, Tennessee this weekend.