Paramore Announces After Laughter Summer Tour Dates

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Paramore is heading out on a Summer Amphitheater and Arena Tour beginning June 12. The 2018 North American After Laughter Summer Tour (Tour 5) will include Foster The People and will make stops across the U.S. and Canada including Toronto, Brooklyn, Chicago, New Orleans, and more. The 26-city trek will wrap on July 24 in Denver, Colorado, at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. A special guest will also be added to the tour and announced soon.

The tour is in celebration of their acclaimed fifth studio album After Laughter, which was released May 2017 through Fueled by Ramen. Produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen and Paramore’s own Taylor York, After Laughter hit number one on Billboard’s U.S. Top Alternative Albums chart and the U.S. Top Rock Albums chart. The album featured the hits “Hard Times,” “Told You So,” “Fake Happy” and most recently, “Rose-Colored Boy” which was released on Feb. 5 along with their retro morning-news themed music video, which currently has over 3.7 million views.

Registration for Paramore’s fan pre-sale powered by Ticketmaster Verified Fan will begin today through Sunday, March 11 at 10 p.m. ET. Pre-sale tickets for registered fans will go on sale beginning March 14 through March 15 while supplies last.

Paramore After Laughter Summer Tour (Tour 5) with Foster The People 2018 Dates:

June 8: Manchester, TN, BONNAROO FESTIVAL+
June 12: St. Augustine, FL, St. Augustine Amphitheatre
June 14: Simpsonville, SC, Heritage Park Amphitheater
June 15: Raleigh, NC*, Red Hat Amphitheater*
June 17: Syracuse, NY, Lakeview Amphitheater
June 18: Toronto, ON, Budweiser Stage
June 20: Gilford, NH, Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
June 21: Bangor, ME, Darlings Waterfront Pavilion
June 23: Columbia, MD, Merriweather Post Pavilion
June 24: Philadelphia, PA, Festival Pier
June 26: Brooklyn, NY, Barclays Center
June 28: Columbus, OH, Express Live!
June 29: Detroit, MI, DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 1: Indianapolis, IN*, Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park*
July 2: Chicago, IL, Huntington Beach Pavilion at Northerly Park
July 5: Minneapolis, MN, The Armory
July 7: Kansas City, MO, Starlight Amphitheatre
July 8: Oklahoma City, OK, Zoo Amphitheatre
July 10: New Orleans, LA, Bold Sphere Music at Champions Square
July 11: Corpus Christi, TX, Concrete Street Amphitheater
July 13: Houston, TX, Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavilion
July 14: Irving, TX, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Wed July 18: Inglewood, CA, The Forum
July 19: San Diego, CA, Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
July 21: Mountain View, CA, Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 23: Salt Lake City, UT, USANA Amphitheatre
July 24: Denver, CO, Red Rocks Amphitheatre
*Foster The People not performing
+Festival date, not part of After Laughter Summer Tour

Ann Powers, Rose Palermo, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Tracy Gershon To Speak At 2018 Rising Women On The Row

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MusicRow Magazine will highlight several of the music industry’s top female executives and contributors during the 2018 Rising Women On The Row breakfast, slated for Tuesday, March 27 at Omni Hotel Nashville.

The event, now in its seventh year, will feature a four-speaker panel, including Tracy Gershon (Co-founder of Change The Conversation, Manager, Consultant), Mary Hilliard Harrington (Manager, Red Light Management), Rose Palermo (Attorney), and Ann Powers (NPR Music Critic and Correspondent). Special performer Abby Anderson will deliver a two-song performance.

The panel will be moderated by MusicRow Magazine owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Sponsors for the 2018 Rising Women On The Row event include City National Bank, Loeb & Loeb LLP, and Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group.

“I’m thrilled to announce this year’s event will feature a panel discussion from four accomplished stalwarts in the entertainment industry,” says Robertson. “Tracy Gershon, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Rose Palermo, and Ann Powers are tremendous experts in their fields and well known for their outstanding strength, success and fearlessness. I have no doubt their conversation will be both insightful and empowering as we honor the women in our industry.”

The previously-announced Rising Women On The Row honorees for 2018 include Faithe Dillman (Founder/CEO, Marbaloo), Leslie DiPiero (General Manager, Tree Vibez Music), Becky Gardenhire (Partner, WME), Lynn Oliver-Cline (President/Founder, River House Artists), Annie Ortmeier (VP, Marketing-Digital Accounts, UMG Nashville), and Janet Weir (President/42 Entertainment; Manager, Red Light Management).

Click Here For More Details About Rising Women On The Row 2018

Read more about this year’s panelists below:

Tracy Gershon (Manager, Consultant, Co-founder of Change The Conversation):

Tracy Gershon

Gershon has discovered and developed a wide range of talent during her multi-faceted career as an A&R executive, music publishing VP and artist manager, including Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves and The Mavericks. In association with Red Light Management, she represents singer Natalie Stovall and serves as an independent publishing and A&R consultant. In 2014 she co-founded “Change The Conversation,” a coalition addressing music industry gender bias. Gershon has received numerous awards, including the Nashville Business Journal’s “Woman in Music City” award and Nashville Lifestyles Magazine’s Top 10 “Women In Business.” She is currently a Trustee at the Recording Academy.

Mary Hilliard Harrington (Manager, Red Light Management):

Mary Hilliard Harrington

Harrington is a leader in Red Light Management’s Nashville office where she is also personal manager for Dierks Bentley, Tucker Beathard, LANCO, Aubrie Sellers, and Caylee Hammack. Additionally, the publicity firm she started in 2006, The GreenRoom, represents Jason Aldean, Tucker Beathard, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett, Bobby Bones, Bailey Bryan, Brett Young, and Live Nation’s country music festivals including: Country Lakeshake, Faster Horses, Watershed, Tortuga, and Rt. 91 Harvest Festival. Harrington is a three-time CMA Publicist of the Year and was honored as one of MusicRow‘s inaugural Rising Women on the Row.

Rose Palermo (Attorney):

Rose Palermo

Palermo earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1968 from Vanderbilt University School of Law. In 1973, she entered into private practice on Music Row with her partner and husband, Denty Cheatham, where they have continued to practice for 45 years. Before being widely known for her work on domestic relations cases, Palermo represented many iconic country music entertainers and high profile executives in their business affairs. Those clients have included such notables as Mel Tillis, his wife Judy Tillis, Conway Twitty (and later, the Conway Twitty estate), Rodney Crowell, Jerry Reed, Billy Joe Shaver, Lucinda Williams and many others including her personal friend, Brenda Lee. Palermo has also been featured on a 60 Minutes segment dedicated to fraudulent activities in the music industry.

Ann Powers (Critic and Correspondent, NPR Music):

Ann Powers

Powers is one of the nation’s most notable music critics. Powers was formerly the chief pop critic at the Los Angeles Times and a critic for the New York Times, among other publications. Her writing extends beyond blogs, magazines and newspapers. She has published three books and edited two anthologies, including (with Evelyn McDonnell) Rock She Wrote: Women Write About Rock, Pop and Rap. Her latest book, Good Booty: Sex and Love, Black and White, Body and Soul in American Music, was published in August 2017 and was called a “classic” by USA Today.

Michael Farren Releases New Single ‘Fighting For Us’ From Forthcoming Debut Solo Project

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Michael Farren is releasing a new single, “Fighting For Us,” on March 9. The Grammy-nominated songwriter will release the song as part of his forthcoming new album and first-ever solo project via Integrity Music due out this summer.

The worship pastor for Gateway Franklin and former frontman of the band Pocket Full Of Rocks, Farren is the writer behind some of Christian music’s biggest songs, from Lauren Daigle’s “Trust In You” to Reba McEntire’s “Sing It Now.”  On “Fighting For Us,” Farren partnered with Dove Award-winning writer Krissy Nordhoff (“Your Great Name”) to pen the vertical anthem of praise.

“We wrote ‘Fighting For Us’ while I was weeping at my desk,” shares Farren. “Krissy and I were supposed to be working on another song but all I could get out that day was that… and I’ve never needed a song more. I’d been through a season where I was struggling, trying to follow what I believed God was asking me to do but getting nowhere and feeling defeated,” he continues. “In 25 years of writing songs, I have never clung onto a song as my own… but this was different. This song was the thing that kept me believing that He loved me. I kept singing it until I believed it. I hope it’s a lifeline for others…to anyone who has ever wondered if they are seen or known by God,” he adds. “It may come from a place of desperation, but we don’t need to stay there.”

Farren chose the single’s distinctive cover, noting the image represents the “fiercely protective, family-driven” nature of the wolf. “Wolves howl to protect their territory, their pack and to call to lost wolves,” he said. “For me, it’s a visual reminder of the furious, protective love of the Father.”

The new single will be available through digital and streaming platforms beginning March 9. 

 

 

DISClaimer: Sir Rosevelt, Southern Halo Offer Top Performances

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There’s strength in numbers.

Both of today’s award winners come from groups. We have strong solo performances here from Jillian Jacqueline, Luke Bryan and Shane Owens. But threesomes rule the roost in this listening session.

The Disc of the Day belongs to those three studs fronting Sir Rosevelt.

The DisCovery Award goes to those three blonde lovelies in Southern Halo.

JILLIAN JACQUELINE/Reasons
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud (ERG)
It has a very “thick,’ heavily produced sound and is admirably “different.” Penetrating through the sonic rumbling is a true, clear, personable vocalist with a winning song about a turbulent relationship.

SIR ROSEVELT/Something ‘Bout You
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– Hearty and masculine, with some very cool, pulsing rhythmic undertows. Sensuous and romantic and highly listenable.

 

SOUTHERN HALO/Anything Is Possible
Writers: Catt Gravitt/Carl Falk; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Razor & Tie/Ink Pen Mama/BMG, SESAC/ASCAP; SH
– The brightly rocking production is first rate, and so is this female trio’s superbly harmonized performance. Turn it up and twirl around the room.

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS/Brand New Star
Writers: Adam Raitiere/Mando Saenz; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Super LCS/Warner-Tamerlane/Scrambler/Carnival, BMI/ASCAP; Lightning Rod
– Hand clapping, toe tapping gospel. Of course, the quartet harmonies are splendid. A veteran act returns to its roots.

 

MICHELLE LEBLANC/Loving A Hurricane
Writers: Michelle LeBlanc/Amy Gerhartz; Producer: Nick Buda; Publishers: none listed; BMI/SESAC; MLP
– The tempo plods like it’s having an opioid overdose. Her pitch wanders and warbles every whichaway.

SHANE OWENS/Lie
Writers: Brian Callihan/Trent Tomlinson/Wayne Underwood; Producers: Steve Popovich Jr./Joe Kelly; Publishers: none listed; Amerimonte
– MusicRow’s 2017 Indie Artist of the Year kicks off 2018 with a lively country rocker. The totally cute lyric offers winking advice on how to get the best out of a weekend pickup.

 

WHISKEY WOLVES OF THE WEST/Lay That Needle Down
Writers: Jones/Powell/Ward Gunther; Producer: Leroy Powell; Publishers: none listed; Rock Ridge (track)
– This has a rootsy, bar-band country-rock approach. The lead singer has a kinda greasy, earthy sound. The lyric attempts to use nostalgic images to woo his gal, but doesn’t quite work.

LUKE BRYAN/Most People Are Good
Writers: David Frasier/Ed Hill/Josh Kear; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Publishers: SB21/Purdy Beard/Bluewater/Songs of Amylase/Five Hills/Do Write/Year of the Dog/Champaghe Whiskey/Downtown DLI, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
– I’m way into this. Wise and tender sentiments, delivered with smooth sincerity and backed by a wafting, breezy production. His strongest single in quite some time is already a well-deserved hit.

 

VINCE YOUNG/My Turn
Writers: Bernie Faulkner/Keith Harling; Producer: Bernie Faulkner; Publishers: Fancy Pants/Harling, BMI
– He’s trying awfully hard, but all the shouting in the world can’t save this overly rocking earache.

DOM WIER/Doses
Writers: none listed; Producers: Matthew Miller/Dom Wier; Publishers: none listed; DW (track)
– This rolls along with a steady beat. He sings well. Alas, the song is a muddled dud.

Industry Ink: Sony Music Nashville, The AristoMedia Group, BMI, Dan Hodges Music

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Sony Music Nashville Adds Content Producer

Adam Davis

Lauren Thomas, Director, National Promotion, Sony Music Nashville announces the appointment of Adam Davis to the position of Content Producer for Sony Music Nashville. Davis comes to Sony with a background in freelance audio and video opportunities, most recently working on the USA Network show Chrisley Knows Best. As Content Producer for the label group, he will create and compile audio and video promotional and marketing content to be used on a variety of platforms.

 

The AristoMedia Group Adds Digital Marketing Coordinator

Madison Broussard

The AristoMedia Group has added Madison Broussard to its digital marketing division AristoDigital, in the role of Digital Marketing Coordinator. Broussard can be reached at [email protected].

 

BMI Honors Sonny LeMaire, J.P. Pennington With ‘Million-Air Awards’

Pictured (L-R): Exile’s Steve Goetzman, Maverick’s Clarence Spalding, Exile’s Sonny LeMaire and Marlon Hargis, BMI’s David Preston, Exile’s J.P. Pennington, BMI’s Jody Williams and Exile’s Les Taylor. Photo: Bev Moser

BMI executives Jody Williams and David Preston presented seven ‘Million-Air Awards’ to Sonny LeMaire and J.P. Pennington of Exile, in recognition of the success of major songs penned by the two writers and long-time band members. The awards totaled 11 million broadcast performances (radio spins) between four songs; “The Closer You Get,” “She’s A Miracle,” “Give Me One More Chance,” and “Beautiful Mess.”

 

Jamie Meyer signs with Roasting House Music and Dan Hodges Music, LLC.

Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Mattingly, Producer/Musician; Dan Hodges; Jamie Meyer; Karl Braun – Attorney; Lisa Howe

Jamie Meyer has signed an exclusive songwriter agreement with Swedish-based Roasting House Music AB and Nashville-based Dan Hodges Music LLC.

Anders “Theo” Theander, owner at Roasting House Music AB, welcomes Meyer to the co-venture, “I’m very proud to make this happen for Jamie. He really deserves this on all levels and we have put together a network of great music industry people including ‘my man on ground’ and great friend, Dan Hodges. We share the belief that a successful career in this industry is not only a job, but a way of life.”

Jamie Meyer is currently living, performing and writing in Nashville.

CMT To Host ‘All Female Music Takeover’ On March 8

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CMT will celebrate International Women’s Day with its first-ever all female music takeover on Thursday, March 8. CMT and CMT Music will feature music videos from some of the most beloved voices in the genre, spanning decades and vocal styles to include Kelsea Ballerini, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Maren Morris, Dolly Parton, Reba, Shania, Carrie Underwood and more.

In addition, the day will showcase CMT’s “Next Women of Country” roster, a campaign that spotlights emerging female voices and helps grow their fan-base on-air, socially and through an all-female tour. The unprecedented full day of female-fueled video hours kicks off at 4 a.m. ET on CMT, and 6 a.m. ET on CMT Music.

“Now, more than ever, we have to stand together in support of these powerful voices in our genre that simply are not getting enough attention,” said Leslie Fram, SVP of Music and Talent. “It’s our mission at CMT to continue fostering opportunities that create a stage for the female voices of our genre to be heard.”

First launched in 2013, CMT’s “Next Women of Country” campaign emphasizes undiscovered female artists and several alumnae – Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Cassadee Pope and Kelsea Ballerini included – have achieved both commercial and critical acclaim. Since 2015, the franchise has promoted female-fueled tours at more than 50 dates across the country with Kelsea Ballerini, Brandy Clark, Lindsay Ell, Sara Evans, Jana Kramer, Jennifer Nettles, RaeLynn, Kalie Shorr and Tara Thompson.

 

The Other Nashville Society Connects Music City’s Diverse Creative Community

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Pictured (L-R): Josh Collum, Katie Fagan, Holley Mayer, Ally Venable, Mark Abramowitz. Photo: Blythe Thomas

Over the past several years, Nashville has slowly become known to outsiders as more than just the capital of country music, thanks to pop/rock artists such as Jack White, Meghan Trainor, Ben Folds, Dan Auerbach, Paramore, Moon Taxi, and more recently, Justin Timberlake, who have either moved to Music City or developed their craft here.

The Other Nashville Society (TONS) aims to build a trade organization that caters to the business needs of the non-country music community as well as trade organizations such as the Country Music Association that cater to the country music industry.

Established in 2017, TONS serves as a connection point for Nashville music executives and musicians who are primarily involved in genres including pop, rock, singer/songwriter, soul, emo, hip-hop, EDM, R&B, jazz, orchestral, Christian, electronic and more.

Josh Collum, who runs music licensing company Sorted Noise, teamed with Ally Venable, Holley Maher, Mark Abramowitz and Prescription Songs’ Katie Fagan to co-found the venture.

“We say TONS is part social club, part trade organization,” Collum says. “This is about connecting and making cool stuff happen. We want an attorney to find their next client, or a producer to find their next artist, through this organization.”

The group quickly found a following; two days after its launch, TONS’ membership grew to 250 members. Today, the society’s membership stands at nearly 550 members, all personally approved for membership by the group’s founders.

“Every week, we get together and go over applications for the week, and accept or decline,” Collum says. “Primarily, we want to include people who make a living through non-country genres of music. When we throw an event or hold a mixer, we want everyone to walk out of there feeling like everyone they talked to was a great connection.”

Among those members are recent Nashville transplant Jim Jonsin (producer for Pitbull, Beyonce), as well as Boots Ottestad (writer/producer for Backstreet Boys, Robbie Williams), ET Brown (SESAC), Rachael Lampa (Dove award-winning musician), Bryan Mead (PledgeMusic), and Daniel Wise (writer/producer for Ani DiFranco). The organization has facilitated those connections with an array of educational events, called TONS Talk, and mixers. In February, the organization held an open house to share its mission with potential new members.

To further facilitate the organization’s mission, The Other Nashville Society recently moved its offices to the co-working space HOME in East Nashville.

Collum originated the idea for The Other Nashville Society after spending time in California and New York for his job.

“I was fighting a lot of perception that comes along with being from Nashville, though we don’t represent country artists. I was always sensitive that there wasn’t a gathering point for us, the non-country folks. The country music is such a community and does community so well, and we hadn’t. Three years ago, everyone started moving here. “You saw Roc Nation open an office here, and Mark and Katie coming here. Songwriters are coming to Nashville to do more sessions and an infrastructure is being built. It just takes time and we hope to play a part in that.”

Collum says new Nashvillians such as Jonsin and BORNS producer Tommy English are steadily adding to the non-country music industry’s infrastructure.

“The last piece of the puzzle, which I think will take a long time, is making rock, hip-hop and pop records in Nashville,” Collum says. “I mean big records, because obviously there are indie artists. To make a pop record, you are going to go to LA. Even the big artists who live here go to LA. Our hope is that the next big unknown pop producer comes from Nashville.

“Great artists live here, great songwriters live here, great music is being made here that is outside of country music. Hopefully, another piece of The Other Nashville Society will help tell that story.”

For more, visit theothernashvillesociety.com.

Chris Janson Celebrates Second Chart-Topper, “Fix A Drink”

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Pictured (L-R): Ashley Gorley, Chris Janson, Chris DuBois and producer Brent Anderson.

Warner Music Nashville artist Chris Janson celebrated his second No. 1 song, “Fix A Drink,” with a celebration at BMI’s Nashville office on Tuesday (March 6). Janson co-wrote the track with Ashley Gorley and Chris DuBois. The track marks Gorley and DuBois’ 36th and 17th No. 1s, respectively

“I cry at these things,” said Janson, who will soon be inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He thanked BMI’s David Preston for believing in him early on in his career. “When I was still singing at Tootsie’s, they told me to go over to BMI. David Preston signed me on over there, and I thought I was famous,” he said. “I wasn’t then, but when you do get success, you find out the benefits of it.”

He also praised Warner Music’s Cris Lacy for pulling off a risky radio promotion move. “Cris called me up the evening before we were going to send a different song to radio, and she said, ‘We are going with “Fix A Drink” instead.’ Thank you for that.”

Among those celebrating were ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Preston, Warner Music Nashville president/CEO John Esposito, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, and Sea Gayle Music’s Jake Gear and Christina Wiltshire. ole’s John Ozier, who represents Chris Janson for publishing, presented Janson with a new iPad to commemorate the chart-topping hit.

Others on hand to celebrate included the Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms, and Country Radio Broadcasters’ Kurt Johnson. MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson honored the songwriters with No. 1 Challenge Coins, to commemorate their success on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart.

“There are two components of success–incredible talent and an incredible work ethic,” said Robertson. “You set such a great example to all of us in the business.”

Top (L-R): BMI’s David Preston, Sea Gayle’s Christina Wiltshire, Warner Bros.’ John Esposito, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Sea Gayle’s Jake Gear, Combustion’s Chris Farren, Ole’s John Ozier and Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel. Bottom (L-R): Ashley Gorley, Chris Janson, Chris DuBois and Brent Anderson

Pinnacle Bank announced a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on behalf of the songwriters.

“Thank God for putting these men in my life and it’s an honor to share this with them,” DuBois said of his fellow songwriters. He also thanked producer Brent Anderson. “I’ve heard him harmonize to a car alarm, and to a phone ringing. There is no end to what he can do,” DuBois quipped.

Gorley praised Janson for not only his commitment to his career, but his commitment to wife Kelly and to their kids. “Chris and Kelly are a great example of mixing life and career, and keeping their family first,” Gorley said. “Chris Janson is one of those few artists that you really can’t wait to see how he pulls off a song in his live show. Nobody pulls off songs better live.”

Janson not only praised everyone on his team, from publisher to manager to label execs, but he brought everyone on stage for a group photo to celebrate the occasion.

“One of my radio regionals Ray Vaughn always says ‘team work makes the dream work,’ and I truly believe that,” said Janson. “I have a fantastic team behind me, from my label to my management, my agency, my publisher and beyond – not to mention my wife Kelly. I am so grateful to have people who believe in my music and fight for my songs. I am proud to share this No. 1 with each and every one of them as well as my fellow songwriters Ashley and Chris.”

 

 

Project Music Portfolio Announces 13 Tech Startup Participants

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The Nashville Entrepreneur Center and the Country Music Association have announced 13 new tech startups that will participate in the 2018 Project Music Portfolio program. Project Music Portfolio is a year-round entrepreneurship program designed to accelerate the success of growth-oriented, music-minded startups.

These 13 diverse startups will receive on-demand support and music industry immersion, connecting them to industry leaders and experts, as well as superior startup curriculum. Based in various cities, the entrepreneurs will make multiple visits to Music City for programming and networking events. The program kicks off the first week of April, with the teams traveling to Nashville for the first time, where they will connect with the Project Music community to jumpstart the personal connections they will receive throughout the next year.

“It’s exciting for CMA to directly support innovation for our music industry through Project Music,” says CMA Chief Marketing Officer Damon Whiteside. “Our mission is to expand country music globally, and these inventive and forward-thinking individuals are a key to the future of our business.”

“Expanding the cohort in Project Music Portfolio has allowed the EC to support more exciting startups than ever before,” says Stephen Linn, Project Music Advisor. “Taken together, this group really has the potential to innovate with their new technology and ideas and move our industry forward.”

2018 Participants (in alphabetical order):
AndMe.tv: Cori Banyon (Charleston, South Carolina)
AudioDrops: Seth Hillinger (New York City, New York)
Ciari Guitars: Jonathan Spangler (San Diego, California)
Cleerkut, Inc: Cheryl Potts (Washington, D.C.)
Fretish: Sam Tharp (Boston, Massachusetts)
Hookist: Meredith Collins (New York City, New York)
JamFeed: Cameron Gibson (Austin, Texas)
NFCSound: Daniel Waiss (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
OnlyInVR (OIVR): Michael Hodson (Austin, Texas)
Project Decibel: Jenny Paley (Chicago, Illinois)
Rootnote: Jason Burchard (Nashville, Tennessee)
Smashmouse: Robb Dillon (Atlanta, Georgia)
SoulSence: Naveen Sridhar (San Francisco, California)

 

 

Chris Young Counts Down His 10 No. 1s At “Losing Sleep” Celebration

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Pictured (L-R): Corey Crowder, Chris Destafano, Chris Young, and Josh Hoge. Photo: Steve Lowry

“We have no idea if we’ll ever get to stand with a microphone in front of people at a No. 1 party again,” said a heartfelt Chris Young at his latest No. 1 party for “Losing Sleep,” which marked his 10th chart-topping single. “I didn’t think I’d get to do my first one, and I had two No. 37s in there, and a No. 52 with an Ashley Gorley song—that takes talent with an Ashley Gorley song.

“Being able to do something different, get out there and take a leap [with ‘Losing Sleep’], is great. We left the studio thinking we had a great song. All of the other stuff from that process to standing on this stage tonight is because of [everyone in the audience], so thank you very much.”

BMI’s Bradley Collins hosted Young’s event at the Tin Roof (nicknamed the “Ten” Roof for the 10th No. 1 song) for his writer Young.

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, who’s No. 1 parties are sponsored by First Tennessee Bank, offered remarks on songwriter Chris DeStefano’s 15th No. 1 song and producer Corey Crowder’s fourth No. 1 as a producer.

“I respect the heck out of all you guys,” said DeStefano to his co-writers and producer, and to Sony Nashville staff. “There is nothing small about achievements like this and we don’t take it for granted for a second.”

SESAC’s Shannan Hatch thanked Bose for backing the music rights organization’s No. 1 parties before congratulating her 2016 Songwriter of the Year Josh Hoge on his latest No. 1.

“I’d like to thank Randy Goodman and his entire [Sony] staff,” said Hoge. “You guys have completely changed my life and my son’s life. I think we’re going to do this a lot…I live and breathe music and I get to make music with my best friends.”

Sony/ATV publisher Josh Van Valkenburg noted that Sony/ATV controlled 100 percent of the writers’ share for “Losing Sleep,” and poignantly offered comments on Young, who has had so many cuts on his own catalog.

“So often artists have a hard time cutting a song written by another artist,” said Van Valkenburg of Young. “This guy is getting cuts not only on himself but on other artists—his peers in music. That shows the respect he has as a songwriter as well as an artist.”

Producer Crowder said, “This does not get old. Thanks to my wife for putting up long hours; we put in a lot of hours in the studio for this.”

Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville staff Matt Galvin, John Zarling, Ken Robold, Paige Altone, Liz Sledge, Nicole Walden, Chris Young, Steve Hodges, RG Curtis, Lauren Thomas, Randy Goodman, Dennis Reese, Jim Catino. Photo: Steve Lowry

MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson offered No. 1 Challenge Coins for the writers and artist for the top achievement on his CountryBreakout Chart. The CMA’s Brandi Simms offered the creators their CMA Medallions and CRB’s Kurt Johnson noted the title has achieved 9.64 million in total audience impressions to date.

Young, who is a brand new member of the Grand Ole Opry and a headliner with 18 sold-out consecutive shows on the first leg of his 2018 world tour (coming to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 18), is also a nominee for the final voting for ACM Male Vocalist of the Year through Wednesday (March 14).

Chairman/CEO of Sony Music Nashville Randy Goodman then took the stage to introduce a slew of his staff to bestow surprise awards to Young, who he touted as the top nominee for ACM Male Vocalist of the Year.

“Chris is so deserving of this [ACM Male Vocalist] nomination and award,” said Goodman. “He has patiently—year by year—put one foot in front of the other, putting his heart in his work. I covet your votes for Male Vocalist of the Year for Chris Young because he deserves it, damn it!”

To wrap the ceremony RCA Nashville’s Ken Robold, Dennis Reese, Liz Sledge and Matt Galvin offered remarks. The latter two promo reps were involved in every No. 1 Young has charted, and joked about those two No. 37s. Plaques were presented for “Losing Sleep,” in addition to a surprise for Young: a 10 No. 1 plaque and a plaque commemorating the double Platinum sales of one of those, “I’m Comin’ Over.”

“Thank you to Corey,” said Young of his producer as he thanked his writer friends, label, manager at Fitzgerald Hartley and business management offices at Huskins Harris. “Thank you for going to find new sounds when I’m on the road, spending hours looking through files. A lot of people don’t think that’s a big deal, but sometimes it’s all those pieces that add up—it’s the fine tuning.

“We wanted to do something different for this No. 1,” said Young in conclusion as he welcomed his band on stage. “It’s not fun if you can’t tell the story…We’re going to do something we’ve never done and play all the No. 1’s start to finish, so get ready!”

Chris Young No. 1 Singles
“Getting’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)”*
“The Man I Want To Be”
“Voices”*
“Tomorrow”*
“You”*
“Who I Am With You”
“I’m Comin’ Over”*
“Think Of You” with Cassadee Pope*
“Sober Saturday Night” featuring Vince Gill*
“Losing Sleep”*
*co-written by Chris Young

Pictured (L-R): Front Row: Sony Music Nashville’s Randy Goodman, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Chris DeStefano, Chris Young, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg; Middle Row: Corey Crowder, BMI’s Bradley Collins; Back Row: Sony Music Nashville’s Ken Robold, Sony Music Nashville’s Steve Hodges, Josh Hoge, Sony Music Nashville’s Dennis Reese. Photo: Steve Lowry