Weekly Register: Kane Brown Tops Country Albums Chart

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Three artists take this week’s top 5 country albums spots (total consumption), according to Nielsen Soundscan. Kane Brown‘s self-titled album is at No. 1, with 15K. Brown recently celebrated his latest No. 1 single, “What Ifs,” during an industry party in Nashville.

Chris Stapleton takes the No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 spots this week, with Traveller (13K), From A Room: Vol. 1 (12K), and From A Room: Vol. 2 (11K), respectively.

Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes holds the No. 3 spot this week, with 13K.

On the digital country songs sales rankings, Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line‘s “Meant To Be” earned 41K to top this week’s chart, bringing the song’s digital sales to more than 648K to date.

Jason Aldean‘s “You Make It Easy” is at No. 2, with 26K, followed by Thomas Rhett‘s “Marry Me” at No. 3 with 17K. Kane Brown‘s “Heaven” is at No. 4 with 16K, and Chris Stapleton‘s “Broken Halos” is at No. 5 with 14K.

 

 

Mitchell Tenpenny’s Self-Titled EP Released

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Mitchell Tenpenny has released his self-titled EP and debut single, “Drunk Me,” on Riser House/Columbia Nashville. The EP, which includes new and previously released music, showcases Tenpenny’s rich, gritty, soul-infused sound.

Co-written by Tenpenny, Jordan M. Schmidt and Justin Wilson,“Drunk Me,” ships to radio today and will officially impact March 26. Currently on a national radio promotion tour, Tenpenny was recently the opening act on Dustin Lynch’s Ride or Die Tour and has also performed with Jake Owen, Brett Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more.

Mitchell Tenpenny EP Track Listing*:
1. “Truck I Drove in High School” – Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan M. Schmidt/Andrew Albert/Devin Dawson (BMI/ASCAP)
2. “Drunk Me” – Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan M. Schmidt/Justin Wilson (BMI/ASCAP/SESAC)
3. “Alcohol You Later” – Mitchell Tenpenny/Sam Sumser/Michael Lotten (BMI/ASCAP)
4. “Mixed Drinks” – Mitchell Tenpenny/Andrew Albert/Jordan Walker (BMI/ASCAP)
5. “Bitches” – Mitchell Tenpenny/Dallas Wilson (BMI)

*Produced by Jordan M. Schmidt, co-produced by Mitchell Tenpenny, except track 3 produced by Sam Sumser.

Reba McEntire To Reveal ACM Nominees On ‘CBS This Morning’

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Reba McEntire is set to appear live on CBS This Morning on Thursday (March 1) to announce the nominees for the 53rd Academy Of Country Music Awards in the 8 a.m. ET hour. Prior to her appearance, Reba will go live on Facebook to reveal the nominees for ACM Song of the Year.

Entertainment Tonight host Nancy O’Dell will announce additional nominees on ETonline.com at 8:50 a.m. ET. The full list of nominations will be released immediately following the ETonline.com announcement on ACMcountry.com.

The 53rd ACM Awards will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

MV2 Entertainment Signs Jimmie Deeghan

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Jimmie Deeghan is welcomed to MV2 Entertainment. (Seated L-R) Deeghan and MV2 Entertainment General Manager Tony Harrell; (Standing L-R) MV2 Entertainment Artist Manager & Contract Administrator Lauren Davis, MV2 Entertainment Digital Marketing Manager Lindsey Parrish, and MV2 Entertainment Creative Director Nicole Sherrill.

Jimmie Deeghan has joined MV2 Entertainment’s songwriter roster in Nashville, which also includes Thomas Archer, Clay Mills and Terry McBride.

Born in Eaton Rapids Michigan, Deeghan found an early interest in punk rock and years spent touring the globe with his pop/punk band Every Avenue. He eventually shifted his focus to songwriting and moved to Nashville.

“It’s an exciting time for music because people are writing with new ideas and breaking molds and genres,” Deeghan explained. “They are crossing lines, and that is what gave me a place in country music.”

While honing his craft, Deeghan first took a job as a guitar tech with Thompson Square before being offered the same gig with then opening act Florida Georgia Line. He joined the FGL band and also toured with Ryan Hurd before being named band leader for Kane Brown. Deeghan recently left the road to focus full-time on songwriting.

Deeghan explained that performing in some of the biggest arenas in the country has had an impact on his songwriting. “It gives me an inside look at how a crowd reacts to a song and how certain topics hit people harder than others,” he said.

“Jimmie is an all-in guy,” said MV2 Entertainment General Manger Tony Harrell. “I love his honesty and direct approach. It’s great to have Jimmie on our roster and help him grow his success as a producer and writer. “

Sony Pictures Television To Handle Worldwide Distribution Of CTV’s ‘The Launch’

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Bell Media, Big Machine Label Group, and Sony Pictures Television announced today that Sony has secured international distribution rights to the new music TV format The Launch. As Bell Media and BMLG’s exclusive partner, Sony Pictures Television will distribute The Launch worldwide, excluding Canada, and its production company, Electric Ray, is set to produce the format in the U.K.

The historic deal represents the first time a Bell Media original television format for CTV has been sold for international distribution. In addition, SPT will also distribute the Canadian series, which wrapped up its inaugural season on CTV last week, for sale outside of Canada.

In Canada, the show’s inaugural season debuted No. 1 in its time slot on CTV and delivered a series of consecutive No. 1 hits. The series’ original songs have already surpassed 4 million streams worldwide and continue to grow.

“We are delighted to have The Launch as our first acquisition under our newly formed Future Formats Team,” said Sarah Edwards, Creative Director of Global Formats, Sony Pictures Television.  “As soon as we saw it we knew it was the music talent show we had been looking for. It is a unique and authentic look into what it takes to be a successful performer and recording artist in today’s music business and we are confident that audiences around the world will embrace it.”

“With Sony now on board, this is another huge milestone to the already resounding success The Launch has received for its inaugural season,” said Randy Lennox, President, Bell Media. “This partnership reconfirms Bell Media’s commitment to producing high-calibre and innovative programming and a new TV format that we are sure will resonate with viewers around the world.”

“Season 1 of CTV’s The Launch exceeded our wildest expectations!” said Scott Borchetta, Founder, President, and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group. “We are fired up to announce a worldwide format agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Wow! I’m so grateful to Randy Lennox and all at Bell Media for sharing The Launch vision from the onset and I’m beyond thrilled to see the format earning the opportunity to travel the world with SPT. The goal from the beginning was to give artists a real-life and real-time opportunity like no other and we appear to have achieved that goal. A huge thanks to all of our Season 1 superstar producers and mentors, our great artists, and the millions of fans who tuned in.”

The Launch was based on a concept by Borchetta and co-created by him in association with Randy Lennox and Bell Media and Paul Franklin of Eureka in partnership with John Brunton and Lindsay Cox of Insight Productions.

Industry Ink: Kinkead, Warner/Chappell, Music Health Alliance, Smashville Entertainment

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Bobby Bare Signs With Kinkead Entertainment Agency

Bobby Bare

Country Music Hall of Fame member Bobby Bare has joined the Kinkead Entertainment Agency roster for exclusive booking representation. Bare released his most recent studio album, Things Change, in 2017 along with two music videos, “Things Change” and, most recently, “I Drink.”

Bare continues to play select dates throughout the United States and internationally celebrating his 60th Anniversary in the music business. Tour dates will be announced at bobbybare.com.

Bare joins fellow Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson at Kinkead Entertainment Agency along with Billy Ray Cyrus, Lorrie Morgan, Bill Engvall, Artimus Pyle, Josh Gracin, Craig Wayne Boyd, Tony Jackson, The Swon Brothers and more.

 

Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel Tapped As Ring Announcer For Ringside: A Fight For Kids Gala

Ryan Beuschel

Ryan Beuschel, VP A&R for Warner/Chappell Music, has been tapped as Ring Announcer for the 14th Annual Ringside: A Fight For Kids event happening Friday, March 2 at Liberty Hall in Franklin.

The gala event’s “Rumble on the Row” bouts include: Bennett Beckner (CAA) vs. Bryan Vastano (UTA); Luke Cahill (Aloompa) vs. Brian O’Neil (Artist Manager); and Tiffany Goss (Curb) vs. Elyse McKenna (Thiel Audio).

Ringside: A Fight For Kids is an action-packed evening of gourmet dining, music, surprise celebrity guests, a silent auction with numerous one-of-a-kind items, and boxing. The annual event supports The Charley Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

For tables and tickets, please visit charleyfoundation.org.

 

Music Health Alliance Celebrates Five Years, New Location

Pictured (L-R): MHA Board President Chris Wiatr, Andrea Davidson, Tatum Hauck Allsep, Rodney Crowell, Office of the Mayor & Executive Director of the Music City Music Council Justine Avila, songwriter/musician Rory Feek, and Board Member Jay Williams at the first annual “Heal The Music Day.”

More than 8,000 members of our nation’s music community have received over $30 million in lifesaving health care and insurance premium savings thanks to the dedication of Music Health Alliance (MHA)—all in the organization’s first five years of service.

In 2017 alone, MHA raised over $789,759.47. The first annual “Heal The Music Day,” held on Oct. 20, raised close to $250,000 of that amount thanks to a coalition of 70-plus performing artists who pledged 5 percent of their net earnings for one day, and the generous donations given by the music business community.

As the Nashville-based non-profit begins its sixth year, the seven-person team at MHA continues to advocate on behalf of songwriters, producers, audio  engineers, musicians, recording artists, publishers and more across the country.

Effective March 12, MHA will move to a new office located at 2737 Larmon Avenue.

To read more about MHA’s first 5 years click here.

 

Tammy Hyler Forms Smashville Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Tammy Hyler and Alexis Ebert.

Songwriter and film/television producer Tammy Hyler has announced the formation of Smashville Entertainment, a Nashville-based music management and publishing company located in the Gulch.

As owner and CEO, Hyler will be hands-on to oversee day-to-day operations as well as lend her experience and expertise in the fields of artist development, songwriting, licensing, branding, television and film placement, touring and commerce.

Instrumental in the signing and management of songwriters and artists, she is also seated as a staff songwriter and producer under the company’s publishing division. As first course of business, Hyler signed Alexis Ebert under the management umbrella as Smashville Entertainment’s flagship songwriter/recording artist.

‘Songs Of Johnny And June’ Kick Off Opry Country Classics Series

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© Grand Ole Opry

The annual spring run of the Opry Country Classics series will take place on Thursdays March 1 – May 31. Larry Gatlin returns as host of the popular series, which kicks off March 1 with a spotlight on “The Songs of Johnny and June” on what would have been the 50th wedding anniversary of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Among those performing on the special show will be the couple’s son John Carter Cash and numerous artists befriended and influenced by the legendary couple.

Each subsequent Opry Country Classics performance will feature a number of special guests, including a Spotlight Artist sharing several greatest hits and country classics. Spotlight Artists scheduled for the spring include Craig Morgan (March 8); Tracy Lawrence (March 15); Chris Young (March 22); Oak Ridge Boys (April 12);Brenda Lee (April 19); Tanya Tucker (May 3); Marty Stuart (May 10); Charlie Daniels Band (May 24).

A special Saturday afternoon edition of Opry Country Classics is scheduled for CMA Music Fest Week on June 9 at 3 p.m. Opry Country Classics tickets as well as money-saving ticket combos including admission to both Thursday night Opry Country Classics shows and Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday Grand Ole Opry shows are available by visiting opry.com or by calling 615-871-OPRY or 800-SEE-OPRY.  

Garth Brooks Makes Surprise Appearance At Belmont’s Homecoming In The Round Concert

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Homecoming in the Round at Belmont University Nashville, Tennessee, February 23, 2018.

Garth Brooks shocked a thrilled Belmont University crowd Friday night (Feb. 23) at its Homecoming 2018 celebration with his surprise appearance at the 6th annual Homecoming in the Round concert, an event hosted each year by songwriter/Belmont alum Gordon Kennedy. The concert recognizes decades of talented Belmont songwriters, and this year offered special recognition to the 10th anniversary of Belmont’s Curb College songwriting major.

The show opened with performances featuring several No. 1 hits from alumni Matt Dragstrem (’08), Sawyer (a duo comprised of 2017 graduates Kel Taylor and Emma Harvey), Justin Wilson (’07), Sarah Peacock (’05) and a trio performance from recent Grammy winner Dwan Hill (’08) along with Marcus Hill (’09) and Nate Dugger (’08).

Kennedy (’81) then took the stage and offered a tribute song to the late Billy Graham and a rendition of his 1997 Grammy-winning Song of the Year, “Change the World.” He then introduced his surprise special guest and long-time friend Brooks by telling stories of his generosity and servant spirit while Kennedy toured with him on the road.

Brooks took the stage with just a guitar and spent 90 minutes sharing stories of the music he grew up with and how it shaped who he became as a songwriter and musician. The proud parent of a Belmont student and the husband of a Belmont alumna, he then opened the floor to questions from members of the Belmont community in attendance. When asked how you know a song is finally finished, the superstar offered up this wisdom: “For me, if I didn’t have a deadline I’d never finish anything…Don’t be lazy. You are not writers, you are re-writers. Write it, then back up the truck and run over it. Keep doing that until it’s smooth as glass.”

Florida Georgia Line, Lauren Alaina Help Celebrate Kane Brown’s First No. 1

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Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s Randy Goodman, BMI’s Bradley Collins, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls, Martha Earls, Lauren Alaina, Kane Brown, Matt McGinn, SMACK’s Robin Palmer, Jordan Schmidt, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, SMACK’s Shane McAnally, Tree Vibez Music’s Brian Kelley, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad and Dann Huff. (Photo: Jason Kempin) [Click photo to enlarge]

It was an all-star party at the BMI Nashville office this week to celebrate RCA Nashville/Zone 4 artist Kane Brown’s No. 1 hit “What Ifs,” featuring guest vocals from Lauren Alaina.

Alaina, as well as Florida Georgia Line members Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, were on hand to help celebrate the chart-topper, which was penned by Brown along with SESAC writer Matt McGinn and ASCAP writer Jordan Schmidt.

The track marked the first No. 1 as songwriters for Brown and McGinn. Tree Vibez Music owners Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard were on hand to support Tree Vibez writer Jordan Schmidt.

Also celebrating were ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, BMI’s Bradley Collins, Sony Music Nashville’s Randy Goodman, RCA Nashville’s Dennis Reese, SMACKSongs’ Shane McAnally and Robin Palmer, UMPG’s Kent Earls, Brown’s manager Martha Earls, and producer Dann Huff. Also presenting honors were MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson and CMA’s Brandi Simms.

Billboard’s Jim Asker was on hand to recognize Brown for being the first artist in Billboard history to top all five Billboard Country charts simultaneously.

The No. 1 was extra special for Brown and Alaina, who were former middle school choir classmates. They were surprised during the No. 1 party with a visit from their former middle school choir teacher, Mr. Lamar Gillespie (Mr. G). Pinnacle Bank also presented a donation on behalf of Kane Brown to the CMA Foundation to support music education.

Dwight Yoakam Launches Exclusive Channel With SiriusXM

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Dwight Yoakam has teamed with SiriusXM to launch an exclusive channel, Dwight Yoakam and The Bakersfield Beat “Where Country Went Mod.” The channel, curated by Yoakam, will launch in the spring.

Yoakam’s SiriusXM channel will celebrate the Bakersfield sound and those whom it has inspired including Buck Owens, Wynn Stewart, Tommy Collins, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Eagles, The Blasters, Lucinda Williams and more.

The channel will encompass all that is California country and country rock, in all of its various and varietal hybrid forms, from Ricky Nelson to Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt and will also include artists from the movement in LA in the early to middle 80s that Yoakam broke out of, and will feature bands as diverse as X, Lone Justice and Los Lobos. This movement was encapsulated on the series of albums titled, A Town South of Bakersfield, and has led variations over time to the current continuing country scene in LA, all of which Yoakam has dubbed as a segment for his channel entitled “That Town South of Bakersfield: “From Cow Punks To Now Punks.”

Music fans can get a preview of the new channel as it takes over SiriusXM’s Prime Country beginning Friday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. ET through Monday, Feb. 26 at 3 am. ET on channel 58.

“Dwight’s musical career was so heavily influenced by the Bakersfield sound and he returned the compliment by producing decades of critically acclaimed music,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Office of SiriusXM. “A full-time channel of Dwight Yoakam and The Bakersfield Beat added to our already powerful and diverse country music lineup is a potent addition SiriusXM country music fans will love.”