CMA Touring Awards To Honor Brian O’Connell

Brian O’Connell

The Country Music Association (CMA) will honor Live Nation’s President of Country Music Touring Brian O’Connell as this year’s recipient of the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award. The CMA Touring Awards, which highlights vital behind-the-scenes members of the industry, will take place Monday, Jan. 22 at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works. Sugarland member and CMA winner Kristian Bush will host the ceremony.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this award from the CMA,” O’Connell said. “This is absolutely not a reflection of anything I have done on my own, rather my incredible team in Nashville, Michael Rapino, Bob Roux and the rest of Live Nation giving us the latitude and guidance to achieve lofty goals, and most importantly the artist community, including the agents, managers and road warriors who make it all possible.”

“CMA is proud to have Brian as such an instrumental and influential voice on the CMA Board,” said CMA Senior Director of Awards and Industry Relations Brandi Simms. “His ability to think outside the box with touring while also expanding festivals in country music is inspiring, and he has no doubt made an impact on the genre that will live on for generations to come. He represents his artists with passion, commitment and insight, and we are all proud to know him.”

For more than 25 years, O’Connell has revolutionized country touring while contributing to some of the most successful careers in country music. His growing legacy includes tours with artists Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban. O’Connell developed the hugely successful Country Megaticket, a season ticket to country shows at Live Nation venues across the country, and continues to grow a vibrant festival division within the company including Watershed, Faster Horses, LakeShake and more.

Troy Cartwright Joins Warner/Chappell Music

Pictured (L-R): Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Alison Junker (Warner/Chappell), Troy Cartwright, Jenni Tackett (Red Light Management), Will Overton (Warner/Chappell)

Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Troy Cartwright.

“From the minute I started talking with Warner/Chappell, I knew it was home for me,” said Cartwright. “Alison, Will, Ben, and the rest of the team are all so supportive of my vision and what I want to accomplish as a songwriter and an artist.”

The Berklee-trained musician was the recipient of the 2014 Rising Star Texas Music Award. The following year, he put out a self-titled debut album, and in 2016, he released his latest EP, Don’t Fade.

Cartwright divides his time between songwriting and performing, having toured with Rob Baird, Stoney LaRue, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and others. These days, the Dallas native calls Nashville home.

Cartwright is managed by Shawn McSpadden and Jenni Tacket at Red Light Management and represented by Austin Neal at WME. His attorney is Chip Petree.

Peter York Named Chairman/CEO To Lead Capitol Christian’s Label, Publishing Divisions

Peter York

Peter York has been promoted to Chairman & CEO of Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG), it was announced today by Capitol Music Group Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett, to whom York will report. In his expanded role, York will drive CCMG’s strategic direction, business development initiatives and key partner relationships while continuing to manage the company’s market-leading Label Group – which includes prominent Christian Music labels Sparrow, Forefront, sixsteps, Hillsong and Jesus Culture, among others – as well as the market-leading Capitol Christian Publishing division. York is based at the company’s headquarters in Nashville.

Peter York has served with CCMG for more than 33 years, the last 22 of those as President of its Label Group. He added Commercial Partnerships and Publishing to his portfolio of responsibilities in 2015. York’s early years with Sparrow Records were spent working directly with label founder Billy Ray Hearn, first in copyright development and A&R, and later rising to Senior Vice President of A&R and partnering with Hearn’s son, Bill Hearn, to run the label.

During his time with the company, York played an instrumental role in the creative development of a diverse array of artists, including Steven Curtis Chapman, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Switchfoot, Chris Tomlin, TobyMac, Amy Grant and dozens of others. He began his career in music more than 40 years ago as a musician, songwriter and Grammy-Award winning producer, playing guitar and recording with Phil Keaggy, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Michael and Stormie Omartian and countless others. York has A&R’d more than 100 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums.

According to CMG Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett, “Peter is one of our industry’s most highly-regarded and accomplished executives. He has been instrumental in achieving CCMG’s market-leading stature and the development and support of so many important Christian Music artists. Having worked closely with Bill Hearn for more than three decades, he is uniquely qualified to take the full reins of CCMG as its Chairman & CEO and lead the company into the future. Everyone at CMG joins me in congratulating Peter on this well-deserved promotion.”

York said, “It was an honor to work with Bill Hearn, my close friend and colleague, for more than 33 years. I learned so much from him, and I’m humbled to take on the responsibility of running the best company in the Christian Music world. I thank Steve Barnett for his continuing confidence and belief in me, and the talented team at CCMG for working with me to help our artists and songwriters reach new heights and expand the audience for their music and songs throughout the world.”

Jake Kennedy Joins UTA Nashville

Jake Kennedy

Jake Kennedy has exited CAA to join UTA Nashville, and started in his new role last week. With more than a decade of music experience, Kennedy has represented and worked with Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Walker County, Michael Tyler, Colin Hay, Steve Holy, Jason Michael Carroll, and more.

“We’re excited to have Jake join our team in Nashville,” said David Zedeck, Global Head of UTA Music. “Jake’s experience working with developing and superstar artists makes him a great addition to UTA.”

“I’ve been watching the momentum at UTA continue to progress, which fueled my decision to join the agency,” said Jake Kennedy. “It’s an innovative space for artists to thrive and I’m looking forward to working with the team in Nashville.”

ACM Membership Renewal Deadline Approaches

A reminder to ACM members: New membership applications and existing membership renewals must be completed by 5 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. PM CT on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 for members to be eligible to vote during the 2018 Awards cycle.

In addition, Awards voting in every category has been synchronized. The ballot timeline for members for the 2018 ACM Awards cycle is:

 First Round: January 22, 2018 – January 31, 2018
 Second Round:  February 12, 2018 – February 21, 2018
 Final Round:   March 7, 2018 – March 14, 2018

Radio Award categories and Video of the Year Award submissions period will be January 3, 2018 – January 15, 2018.

Industry Ink: RPM Entertainment Group, Adkins Publicity, Berklee Online

April Rider Exits RPM

April Rider

April Rider has exited RPM Entertainment Group. Rider joined RPM in 2012 as Sr. VP of Promotion then rose to General Manager and finally President filling the shoes of former President Scott Siman who exited RPM in 2015.

Her resume stops also include UMG Regional, Curb Records Regional, National and Vice President of Promotion and BBR Music Group’s General Manager of Stoney Creek Records. “I am now pretty well schooled in more than just record label promotion, marketing and management. Now I can add artist development and artist management to my skill set. I have a lot to offer and I am confident the right team is out there for me,” says Rider.

During her time at RPM Entertainment Group, Rider led the charge for the development, marketing and launch of country music artist Maggie Rose. Rider co-managed Rose, Trent Tomlinson and Cody Webb and oversaw radio promotion efforts for singles by Rose, Tomlinson, Chase Rice, Uncle Kracker and Tate Stevens.

Rider can be reached at aprilriderhelm@me.com or (615) 714-1749.

 

Shenandoah Joins Adkins Publicity

Shenandoah has joined the Adkins Publicity roster for national and Nashville representation in advance of their new album set for release this March via BMG.

Shenandoah, which includes founding members Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire, continues captivating audiences nationwide with their high-energy show packed with hits, including their new single “Noise,” which is currently No. 43 on the chart and rising fast. The group is known for their country hits including “Two Dozen Roses,” “Church on Cumberland Road,” “Next to You, Next to Me,” “I Want to be Loved Like That,” “Sunday In The South,” “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart” and many more.

 

Berklee Online Launches Master’s Degrees For Music Production, Music Business

Berklee Online, which launched from Berklee College of Music in Boston, has announced their first online Master’s Degree programs for music production and music business. The programs will begin in September 2018 and will include 12 courses (36 credit hours) that can be completed in one year. The cost is $33,695 (tuition and fees included).

For more, visit online.berklee.edu.

Bonnaroo 2018 Lineup Includes Grand Ole Opry, Eminem, The Killers, Midland

The lineup for the 2018 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which will take place June 7-10 on “The Farm” in Manchester, will include a dose of country heritage as the Grand Ole Opry comes to the renowned rock festival. Artists scheduled to appear on the Opry’s Bonnaroo show will be announced in the coming weeks.

This year’s edition of the four-day multi-stage camping festival will showcase over 150 artists, and the lineup includes Eminem, The Killers, Muse, Future, Sturgill Simpson, Bon Iver, Khalid, Paramore, Dua Lipa, Sheryl Crow, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Rebelution, The Revivalists, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Alison Wonderland, Moon Taxi, Old Crow Medicine Show, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Thundercat, Mavis Staples, Midland, SuperJam, T-Pain and many more.

Bonnaroo has several new improvements this year to the festival experience. For the first time, this year the communal areas, formerly known as pods, will be called Plazas. The Plazas are well-lit public places throughout the campgrounds that will include shade, free public WiFi, showers, activities and art, charging stations, Clean Vibes Trading Post redemption centers, misting stations, medical, safety stations, information and portable restrooms. Several permanent “Barns” are being installed in various locations onsite including VIP that are being designed to create more vibrant scenes in the campgrounds similar to the legendary ones at The Grind and The Garage. Another pristine wooded hangout similar to The Grove is also being installed.

All tickets go on sale this Friday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. ET, exclusively at bonnaroo.com. A complete lineup for this year’s festival can be found here

Sugarland Announces ‘Still The Same’ Tour

Sugarland fans will be happy to know the duo is returning to the road with a brand new tour, the Still The Same 2018 Tour, which will kick off this Spring. The pair’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush will bring their new live show to 48 cities, including Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Nashville.

The Nashville date at Bridgestone Arena is set for Aug. 2, and will feature Frankie Ballard and Lindsay Ell as openers.

The first leg of the tour will feature opening acts Brandy Clark and Clare Bowen, while Ballard and Ell will accompany them for the second half.

“We are thrilled to head back out on the road together as this has been a long time coming for the both of us!” said Nettles. “And to have Brandy, Clare, Frankie and Lindsay join us will make our return really special.”

“Can’t wait to get back out there and share our new music with the best fans on earth!” Bush continued. “It will be great to hear everyone singing the old favorites along with us all summer.”

Tickets will go on sale starting Friday, Jan. 12, and beginning Tuesday (Jan. 9), fans in select cities will have the opportunity to purchase VIP packages which include a meet and greet, attending a pre-show VIP sound check, access to exclusive tour lithographs, and more.

The two recently reunited and released “Still The Same,” their first new music in seven years, in a joint venture with Big Machine Records and UMG Nashville.

STILL THE SAME 2018 TOUR DATES:
May 4 / Choctaw Grand Theatre / Durant, OK
May 25 / James Brown Arena / Augusta, GA*
May 26 / PNC Arena / Raleigh, NC*
May 27 / Country 500 Festival / Daytona Beach, FL*
May 31 / Gila River Arena / Phoenix, AZ*
Jun 1 / Honda Center / Anaheim, CA*
Jun 2 / San Diego County Fair / Del Mar, CA*
Jun 7 / accesso ShoWare Center / Kent, WA*
Jun 8 / Spokane Arena / Spokane WA*
Jun 9 / MODA Center / Portland, OR*
Jun 12 / Santa Barbara Bowl / Santa Barbara, CA*
Jun 14 / Greek Theatre / Los Angeles, CA*
Jun 15 / Rabobank Arena / Bakersfield, CA*
Jun 16 / Mandalay Bay / Las Vegas, NV*
Jun 21 / Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre / Denver, CO*
Jun 22 / Rushmore Plaza Civic Center / Rapid City, SD*
Jun 23 / Bismarck Event Center / Bismarck, ND*
Jun 28 / CenturyLink Center Omaha / Omaha, NE*
Jun 29 / TaxSlayer Center / Moline, IL*
Jun 30 / Chaifetz Arena / St. Louis, MO*
Jul 6 / Fallsview Casino / Niagara Fall, ONT***
Jul 7 / Fallsview Casino / Niagara Falls, ONT***
Jul 8 / Turning Stone Resort / Verona, NY***
Jul 12 / Schottenstein Center / Columbus, OH*
Jul 13 / Covelli Centre / Youngstown, OH*
Jul 14 / Merriweather Post Pavilion / Columbia, MD*
Jul 19 / BOK Center / Tulsa, OK**
Jul 20 / Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie / Grand Prairie, TX**
Jul 21 / Smart Financial Centre / Sugar Land, TX**
Jul 26 / Pensacola Bay Center / Pensacola, FL**
Jul 27 / Von Braun Center / Huntsville, AL**
Jul 28 / KFC Yum Center / Louisville, KY**
Aug 2 / Bridgestone Arena / Nashville, TN**
Aug 3 / Infinite Energy Arena / Atlanta, GA**
Aug 4 / Bon Secours Wellness Arena / Greenville, SC**
Aug 9 / Huntington Center / Toledo, OH**
Aug 10 / Van Andel Arena / Grand Rapids, MI**
Aug 11 / Resch Center / Green Bay, WI**
Aug 16 / Denny Sanford PREMIER Center / Sioux Falls, SD**
Aug 17 / Iowa State Fair / Des Moines, IA**
Aug 18 / INTRUST Bank Arena / Wichita, KS**
Aug 23 / Ravinia Festival / Chicago, IL**
Aug 24 / Minnesota State Fair / St. Paul, MN**
Aug 25 / Nebraska State Fair / Grand Island, NE****
Aug 30 / Mohegan Sun Arena / Uncasville, CT**
Aug 31 / Allentown Fair/ Allentown, PA**
Sep 1 / Bank of NH Pavillion / Gilford, NH**
Sep 7 / DCU Center / Worcester, MA**
Sep 8 / Prudential Center / Newark, NJ**

*with Brandy Clark and Clare Bowen
**with Frankie Ballard and Lindsay Ell
***with Brandy Clark only
****with Frankie Ballard only

Breaking News: MusicRow Announces Performers For 16th Annual Country Radio Meet & Greet And CountryBreakout Awards

Pictured (L-R): Denny Strickland (Photo: Carson Nicely); Michael Tyler (Photo: Courtesy of Reviver Records)

MusicRow Magazine, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, is proud to reveal rising country newcomers Michael Tyler (Reviver Records) and Denny Strickland (Red Star Label Group) as performers for the 2018 MusicRow Country Radio Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards.

The industry-only event will be held in February for subscribed members of MusicRow, country radio broadcasters, and magazine affiliates ahead of the 2018 Country Radio Seminar (CRS). Invitations will be distributed in the afternoon on January 9.

“We are thrilled to announce two outstanding performers in Michael Tyler and Denny Strickland for our annual CountryBreakout Awards this year,” says MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “The MusicRow reporting panel represents the best country stations in secondary markets and MusicRow subscribers are invited to have a front row seat to see which artists were most-played on the CountryBreakout Chart for the previous year, in addition to honoring an exemplary MusicRow Chart reporter and giving nods to the songwriter with the most No.1s.”

The gathering will reveal the 2018 CountryBreakout Awards winners, tallied from chart performance on the MusicRow Chart in 2017. Those categories include Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Group/Duo of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Independent Artist of the Year, Label of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and the selected Reporter of the Year.

Additionally, MusicRow will reveal its 2018 Country Radio print issue, which will also highlight the CountryBreakout Awards winners among other exclusive radio-pertinent edit. Complementary copies of MusicRow‘s Country Radio print issue will be available at the Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards and throughout the CRS conference. Subscribers will receive their print copies by mail. Additional issues will be available for purchase at musicrow.com or at the publication’s 17th Avenue headquarters in Nashville.

To receive your invitation to the 2018 MusicRow Country Radio Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, subscribe at musicrow.com.

ABOUT THE 2018 MUSICROW COUNTRY RADIO MEET & GREET AND COUNTRYBREAKOUT AWARDS PERFORMERS

Denny Strickland (Red Star Label Group): Denny Strickland’s love for West Coast culture uniquely blends with his Arkansas country roots to create music that feels like a throwback and an examination of modern romantic expression. On the road from the age of five years old showing horses, Strickland taught himself to play the guitar and write songs after studying at Arkansas State University. With the same veracity that made him a champion rider, he soon began to play regional gigs and caught the eye of The Statler Brothers’ longtime manager (and Bass player for Johnny Cash), Marshall Grant. Grant’s passing in 2011 set the wheels in motion for Strickland’s move to Nashville, reigniting his music career on the MusicRowCountryBreakout Chart with the debut hits “Swerve On” and most recent hit “We Don’t Sleep,” featuring a video co-produced by Strickland. Strickland has hosted the syndicated television show Country Fix, enjoyed sold-out shows during CMA Music Festival week and featured in multiple online video series that have broken through to over one million views. Strickland co-produced and has writing credits on seven of the 10 tracks on his debut album, California Dreamin, which was released August. 1 with Red Star Label Group. Look for his next single in 2018.

Michael Tyler (Reviver Records): Since the fifth grade Michael “MT” Tyler has been influenced by music. He made his first major industry connection at age 13 with powerhouse producer Michael Knox (Jason Aldean). Just a few years later he would earn several notches on his songwriter belt, including Jason Aldean’s “Laid Back” and Dierks Bentley’s Platinum-selling “Somewhere On A Beach.” Influenced by Johnny Cash, Alabama, Mel McDaniel and similar singers while living at home in Thayer, Missouri, Tyler began learning the guitar and contributing to family jam sessions while memorizing writers credits watching videos on CMT. He wrote his first song at age 12 and relocated to Nashville at age 17 after heeding advice from Knox to write at least one song a month. Tyler earned a nomination for Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year at the 2017 MusicRow Awards and has writing credits on all 11 tracks on his debut album for Reviver Records, 317. With the 2017 project, Tyler stepped forward with variety and depth, offering stirring small-town memories over thundering backbeats. His debut single, “They Can’t See,” opened the door toward romance while his endearing, current single “Hey Mama,” plants the first seeds of lifelong love.

pfa Entertainment Media & Marketing Launches Nashville Division

Regina Stuve

pfa Entertainment Media and Marketing has named music industry veteran Regina Stuve to the position of VP/General Manager of its new Nashville division.

As VP/General Manager, Stuve will oversee pfa’s Nashville business development and serve as part of the pfa team providing a vast array of public relations and marketing expertise and services. Stuve will continue working with longtime client Jake Owen at pfa, as well as with author Farrell Mason.

pfa Entertainment Media and Marketing, headquartered in New York, counts Keith Urban, for King & Country and Skillet among its roster clients.

“Regina is a top notch, highly-respected publicist,” said pfa Entertainment Media and Marketing’s Paul Freundlich. “Her unparalleled dedication and professionalism precede her reputation and her strategic approach to her craft will serve our clients most of all. I’m so proud to have someone with her experience running our new Nashville division.”

“2018 brings a new chapter for me, an incredibly exciting opportunity to work with Paul to establish what I believe is a long overdue Nashville division,” said Stuve. “pfa has not only worked in country music for more than a decade, but has represented some of Nashville’s best-known artists and brands. We intend to build upon that reputation and tradition.”

Prior to pfa, Stuve worked as an independent publicist, as well as in-house publicity, at Capitol Nashville, Universal Music Group, and Sony. She played a key role in the set up and launch of debut records from Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, and Sugarland. In addition, she has represented artists including Reba McEntire, George Strait and Vince Gill, as well as singer/songwriters Jamey Johnson, Josh Turner, Ryan Hurd, and Jake Owen. Stuve has been very active in supporting several charities, including the T.J. Martell Foundation and the Onsite Foundation.

Stuve can be reached at rstuve@pfamedia.net.