Buster Phillips Joins WME’s Nashville Office

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Buster Phillips

WME’s Nashville office has added Buster Phillips as a rock agent, a move that follows last week’s announcements that Scott Clayton and Matthew Morgan have joined the agency. Phillips, Clayton and Morgan all join WME from CAA.

At CAA, Phillips led the college booking group and later became Co-Head of their festival booking group. Phillips is currently a member of Leadership Music.

During his career, Phillips has worked with Gov’t Mule, Iron & Wine, Third Eye Blind, The Wallflowers, Kathleen Edwards, Lori McKenna, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, Low Cut Connie, Savannah Conley, The Record Company, Devon Gilfillian, The War and Treaty, Amasa Hines, and Marlon Williams, among others.

CRB Releases Agenda Preview For 2018 Country Radio Seminar

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Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. has revealed an early version of its agenda for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2018, to be held Feb. 5-7, 2018, at the Omni Nashville. The preliminary agenda details were released in advance of the CRS 2018 regular rate registration deadline, which is Dec. 5.

Every year, Country Radio Seminar serves as host to experts in technology, social media, imaging, talent and programming. The three-day event will once again feature educational seminars, numerous performances, networking opportunities and panels that cover all areas of the radio and records industry.

Greg Frey, VP/Programming Operations of Cumulus Media, Inc. and CRS Agenda Committee Chairman commented, “I’m proud of the work done by the Agenda Committee who has put together a seminar full of innovative and powerful panels, speakers and workshops. CRS continues to stand as the premier event for the radio industry and provides quality, actionable information to our attendees that they can utilize to improve ratings and revenue. Highlights of CRS 2018 include two research studies, presented by CMA and Edison Research, and a ground-breaking talk from Cumulus Media’s CEO, Mary Berner. Plus, familiar favorites like the PD Mentoring Breakfast are back along with a few awesome surprises that are yet to be announced. Most notably, in light of recent events, a ‘sea change’ is taking place. We have an obligation to our industry to speak on the areas of personal responsibility, sexual harassment, and treating others with dignity and respect. This hot topic discussion is one of today’s biggest issues that is currently shaking the foundation of our industry and will be addressed in this year’s agenda.”

The CRS 2018 Agenda-At-A-Glance includes: (subject to change)
Monday, Feb. 5
3:00- 3:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies, Sponsored by Sarah Cannon
3:30- 4:00 p.m. Artist Humanitarian Award & Tom Rivers Award Presentation
4:00-5:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception, Sponsored by CMA and Live Nation
7:00 – 9:30 p.m. CRS Monday Night Musical Event
9:45 p.m. CRS After Hours

Tuesday, Feb. 6
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Programming Mentoring Breakfast
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Label Mentoring Breakfast
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Sales Mentoring Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Miles Adcox: Intentional Thinking, How to Take Control of Your Life
9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Edison Research Presentation
11:30 – 1:50 p.m. UMG Nashville Lunch and Performance
2:30 – 3:20 p.m. Small Market 101: Raising Your Bottom Line, One Strategy at a Time
2:30 – 3:20 p.m. Facebook: Like It, Love it, Share It!
3:30 – 4:20 p.m. Radio Today with Cumulus Media’s CEO, Mary Berner
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. On-Air Talent Mentoring Happy Hour
7:00 – 11:00 p.m. CRS After Hours

Wednesday, Feb. 7
7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Women’s Mentoring Breakfast, Sponsored by NuVoodoo Media
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Digital & Tech Breakfast
9:00-9:50 a.m. Daily Featured Speaker
10:00 – 10:50 a.m. CMA Research Presentation
10:00 – 10:50 a.m. No Artists, No Problem: Revenue Generating Ideas
11:00 -11:50 a.m. Podcasting: Where the Passion Pays Off
11:00 -11:50 a.m. The Matrix of the Metrics
Noon – 1:50 p.m. Big Machine Label Group Lunch and Performance
2:00 – 2:50 p.m. Radio 2025
2:00 – 2:50 p.m. You Are A Brand: How to Build a Fan Base You Can Monetize
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Surprise Artist Interview, Sponsored by BMI
5:30 – 6:15 p.m. New Faces Cocktail Reception, Sponsored by Riser House Entertainment
6:30 – 10:00 p.m. New Faces of Country Music Dinner and Performance, Sponsored by ACM & St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital -*Performances Powered by Live Nation
10:00 p.m. CRS After Hours

Weekly Register: Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Top Albums Charts

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BMLG artist Taylor Swift retains her hold atop the Nielsen Soundscan overall albums chart, with reputation bringing in 256K in its second week. The album moved 1.238 million units in its first week just in the US.

Sony Music Nashville’s Tim McGraw and Faith Hill‘s first collaboration album, The Rest Of Our Life, debuts at No. 2 on the overall albums rankings, and at No. 1 on the country albums rankings, with 104K units moved in its debut week.

Garth Brooks‘ Anthology Part 1: The First Five Years debuts at No. 2 on the country albums chart (No. 4 overall) with 53K. Warner artist Blake Shelton‘s Texoma Shore is at No. 3 this week (No. 2 last week), with 33K. Sony artist Kane Brown‘s self-titled project is at No. 4 again this week, with 16K, followed by BMLG artist Thomas Rhett‘s Life Changes at No. 5, with 15K.

Other debuts this week include BBR artist Chase Rice‘s Lambs and Lions, debuting at No. 6 on the country albums chart with 15K. The BMG Tribute to Dan Fogelberg lands at No. 12 on the country charts, moving 7.9K.

On the country digital songs chart, LANCO’s “Greatest Love Story” tops the chart, rising from No. 3 last week to No. 1, with 16K sold this week (notching 391K to date). Tim McGraw and Faith Hill‘s album title track “The Rest of Our Life” is at No. 2 this week, with 14K. Chris Stapleton‘s “Broken Halos” lands at No. 3 (No. 2 last week) with 12K. Kane Brown‘s “What Ifs” (ft. Lauren Alaina) remains at No. 4 this week, with 11.9K.

Taylor Swift‘s “New Year’s Day” debuts at No. 5 on the country digital songs chart, with 11.4K.

Other notable debuts include Stapleton’s “Tryin’ To Untangle My Mind” which lands at No. 21 country with 6.1K. Meanwhile, Neal McCoy‘s “Take A Knee, My A**” jumps to No. 19 on the country digital songs chart, with 6.7K sold this week.

Information courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.

LANCO To Drop Debut Album, ‘Hallelujah Nights,’ In January

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Arista Nashville group LANCO will release its debut major label album, Hallelujah Nights, on Jan. 19. The project, produced by Jay Joyce, will include the band’s recent No. 1 single, the Gold-certified “Greatest Love Story.”

LANCO includes lead singer/writer Brandon Lancaster, bassist Chandler Baldwin, multi-instrumentalist Jared Hampton, drummer Tripp Howell and lead guitarist Eric Steedly.

“We all go through more of the same experiences than we realize and songwriting is a process of observing those moments,” said Lancaster. “Our stories have different people, different names, different places, but they all have the same emotions attached to them. It’s not fantasy-related. To me, this album is about glorifying the reality of life.”

The project features co-writing credit from such Nashville hitmakers as Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, Josh Osborne, Jeremy Spillman and Joyce.

Hallelujah Nights Track List:

1. Born to Love You (Brandon Lancaster/Ross Copperman/Ashley Gorley/Josh Osborne)
2. Long Live Tonight (Brandon Lancaster/Jason Reeves)
3. Pick You Up (Brandon Lancaster/Jeremy Spillman/Ben West)
4. Greatest Love Story (Brandon Lancaster)
5. We Do (Brandon Lancaster)
6. Trouble Maker (Brandon Lancaster/Jay Joyce/Jeremy Spillman)
7. Singin’ at the Stars (Brandon Lancaster/Jeremy Spillman)
8. Win You Over (Brandon Lancaster)
9. So Long (I Do) (Brandon Lancaster/Melissa Fuller/Jay Joyce)
10. Middle of the Night (Brandon Lancaster)
11. Hallelujah Nights (Brandon Lancaster/Jay Joyce/Jeremy Spillman)

BMI To Deck The Halls At Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means it’s time for the 23rd annual BMI Christmas Tree Lighting, set for Thursday, Dec. 7, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the BMI Nashville offices. 

BMI will be collecting new, unused and unwrapped gifts benefitting Toys for Tots for children up to age 14 at the holiday event, so attendees are encouraged to bring a donated gift to support this worthy cause.

 

Madame Tussauds To Unveil Randy Travis Figure In December

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Madame Tussauds Nashville in Opry Mills Mall is unveiling Randy Travis‘ wax figure to the public in a ceremony on Dec. 1. Travis’ figure will be added to a collection of over 50 celebrity images at the Nashville attraction, which features artists from all genres of music including country, rock, jazz, blues and pop.

Each Madame Tussauds figure is a work of art, involving teams of professional artists and sculptors who spend months on extensive research and take more than 300 measurements to recreate world-famous icons and achieve the kind of realism that has been at the heart of the 250-year Madam Tussauds legacy. The immersive experience in the museum takes guests through different eras in America’s musical history as guests enjoy a historical walk through America’s musical past and present with vivid scenes supporting the colorful cast of figures. 

 

Cole Swindell To Launch ‘Reason To Drink’ Headlining Tour In 2018

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Cole Swindell has no plans to slow down after he wraps his fourth annual Down Home Tour in January. Instead, Swindell will embark on his first career headlining tour, the Reason To Drink Tour, on Feb. 15 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Joining Swindell for each of the dates on his first headlining tour are two of country music’s biggest rising stars Chris Janson and Lauren Alaina.

Pre-sale tickets for the Reason To Drink Tour launch Nov. 28 and will go on sale to the public in most markets on Dec. 1. The tour is promoted by Live Nation.

Since he launched his career in 2014, the Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville recording artist previously opened tours for Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line and Dierks Bentley.

“I am excited to be able to take everything I have learned while on the road the last four years watching all that Luke, Jason, Kenny, Dierks, Tyler and Brian did as headliners.” said Swindell. “Everything from how they treat their fans, their high-energy performances, to how they treated EVERYONE on the tour. They were great examples of how much work it takes for a successful tour. I can honestly say I’ve learned from the very best in the business. I’m ready to get out there with two of my friends, Chris Janson and Lauren Alaina. Start to finish, it’s going to be an amazing show and we’re ready to share it with you all.”

Cole Swindell’s Reason To Drink Tour Dates:

Feb. 15: Allentown, Pa.; PPL Center
Feb. 16 Manchester, N.H.; SNHU Arena
Feb. 17: Uncasville, Conn.; Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb. 22: Brookings, Sd. Swiftel Center*
Feb. 23: Madison, Wis.; The Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center
Feb: 24: Columbia, Mo.; Mizzou Arena*
March 2: Hershey, Pa.; Giant Center
March 3: Kingston, R.I.; Ryan Center
March 8: Asheville, N.C.; Asheville Civic Center*
March 9: Fayetteville, N.C.; Crown Coliseum*
March 10: Columbia, S.C.; Colonial Life Arena*
March 15: Saginaw, Mich.; Dow Event Center
March 16: Kalamazoo, Mich.; Wings Event Center
March 17: Bloomington, Ill.; Grossinger Motors Arena*
March 22: Huntington, W. Va.; The Big Sandy Superstore Arena
March 23: Roanoke, Va.; Berglund Center
March 24: Corbin, Ky.; The Arena
April 6: Temecula, Calif.; The Summit at Pechango Casino
April 7: Los Angeles; Greek Theater

* tickets onsale Dec 8

Rezonant Music Publishing And Wrensong Publishing Enter Into Joint Venture Deal

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Rezonant Music Publishing and Wrensong Publishing have joined forces to partner in a co-publishing joint venture deal. The announcement was made today by Rezonant CEO Tim Wipperman and Wrensong Owner/President Ree Guyer.

Rezonant Music Publishing was established in 2016 by founding partners and publishing veterans Wipperman (Nashville) and Garry Velletri (New York), along with financial consultant Alan Walter (Los Angeles). The company’s roster includes Ross Copperman, Kevin Kadish, Hillary Lindsey (in partnership with BMG,) Jake Scherer and Isaac Fox, and Matt Jenkins’ catalog (in conjunction with Combustion Music).

“I have great respect for Ree and the publishing company she and her father Reyn created in 1983,” Wipperman said. “Ree has guided the careers of many talented songwriters who have written some of country music’s most memorable songs. We can’t wait to see what additional milestones we can accomplish together.”

Wrensong/Reynsong/ReHits was established by father/daughter team Reyn and Ree Guyer. Ree Guyer moved to Nashville in 1985 after celebrating her first No. 1 song, “Little Things,” written by Billy Barber and recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys. The catalog has had three CMA/Grammy songs of the year: “Where’ve You Been,” “Whiskey Lullaby” and “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye,” and has also had 24 No. 1’s.

“Working with Tim and his incredible team at Rezonant will be the next great story for Wrensong,” Guyer said.  “While we will remain in our current location, and will continue to operate as a small boutique publisher, partnering with Rezonant will give our current roster and those writers we sign in the future a deeper reach.”

Garth, Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, More Pay Tribute To Dan Fogelberg On New Album

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The BMG album honoring the legacy of Dan Fogelberg, A Tribute to Dan Fogelberg, is now available on CD, digital and streaming platforms. The project, which released Nov. 21 after nearly eight years in the making, includes a star-studded lineup featuring Garth Brooks, Zac Brown, Jimmy Buffett, Joe Walsh and the Eagles, Michael McDonald, Train, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, Boz Scaggs, Casey James, Dobie Gray, Donna Summer, Fool’s Gold’s Denny Henson and Tom Kelly, Randy Owen, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Richie Furay.

Sales from the album will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation, a cause near and dear to Dan’s wife, Jean Fogelberg. In 2008, a year after Fogelberg passed away from prostate cancer, Jean released “Sometimes A Song,” a Valentine’s Day gift to her from Dan, and donated the proceeds to PCF. Each year since then she has designed the annual PCF Holiday Cards to help raise money and awareness for the cause.

“I will be forever grateful to these amazing artists for giving their time and talents to honor Dan and to help fund the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s research programs to find a cure for prostate cancer,” said Jean Fogelberg about the new album.

“We are blessed and grateful to Jean for her steadfast and devotional support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and our work to defeat this cancer that continues to take the life of a man every 20 minutes,” said Jonathan Simons, MD, president and chief executive officer, PCF. “With her help and the support of all of Dan’s fans who purchase this beautiful tribute album, research gets that much closer to the day when loved ones are no longer lost to prostate cancer.”

A Tribute to Dan Fogelberg track listing:
1. Phoenix performed by Garth Brooks
2. Nether Lands performed by Donna Summer
3. Better Change performed by Michael McDonald
4. Longer performed by Amy Grant/Vince Gill
5. Same Old Lang Syne performed by Train
6. Don’t Lose Heart performed by Dobie Gray
7. Old Tennessee performed by Fool’s Gold/Denny Henson and Tom Kelly
8. As the Raven Flies performed by Casey James
9. Sutters Mill performed by Randy Owen
10. Run for the Roses performed by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Richie Furay
11. Hard to Say performed by Boz Scaggs
12. Part of the Plan performed by Eagles
13. There’s a Place in the World for a Gambler performed by Jimmy Buffett
14. Leader of the Band performed by Zac Brown

Big Deal Songwriter Ross Ellis Finds Momentum

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Ross Ellis

Country music singer and Big Deal Music Group songwriter Ross Ellis heads towards the new year with a new EP and industry spotlight, gaining momentum with every step.

As evidence of this momentum, Ellis was recently named a Highway Finds artist by SiriusXM. “Being the next Highway Finds is such an honor,” says Ellis. “I’m excited to get my music out and am so grateful to the fans and their incredible support!” He was also recently added to the Spotify New Boots playlist.

Ellis has been developing his songwriting and artistry for the last three years since his move to Nashville. Among his recent accomplishments, he was selected to be in the Association of Independent Music Publishers Songwriter’s Class of 2017 with SiriusXM’s Highway Finds alum Ashley McBryde.

Ellis debuted his first single, “Home For The Weekend” on SiriusXM’s The Highway channel with Buzz Brainard from his new EP Home For The Weekend and performed an unreleased version of his song “Ghosts.” The EP was produced by Brad Tursi, songwriter and lead guitarist in Old Dominion. Booked by WME, Ellis has been touring and opening for acts such as Big Machine’s Brett Young.

 

His new EP, comprised of two sides, “Home For The Weekend” (Ross Ellis/Scott Stepakoff/Jason Gantt) and “Good Old Days” (Ross Ellis/Allison Veltz/Lindsey Jackson), serves as an introduction to the newcomer.

Ellis was born and raised in the small town of Monterey, Louisiana. At fifteen he started the band, Wayside, with his cousin and some high school friends. The band gained a strong following through his college years playing venues across Louisiana and Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Ellis moved to Nashville. In less than a year of working part time jobs and playing writers rounds, he caught the attention of BMI’s Bradley Collins. Soon after, Ellis signed a publishing deal with Big Deal Music Group.

Stream “Home For The Weekend” via Spotify.