Industry Ink: Jenny Shearin, Collin Raye, Lecrae, Andy Mineo

/by

Jenny Shearin Joins Monument Records

Jenny Shearin has been named Associate Director of Marketing at Monument Records, the label relaunched in 2017 by Co-Presidents Jason Owen and Shane McAnally. In her role, Shearin will oversee marketing initiatives and serve as the project manager for Monument’s roster, reporting to SVP, Marketing & Label Operations, Katie McCartney.

Shearin’s label background began in 2010 at Sony Music Nashville where she started in label operations and then moved to promotions for Arista Nashville Promotion. Most recently, she served as the key liaison between Marketing and Promotion as Manager, Promotion and Artist Development. Originally from Washington, D.C., Shearin moved to Nashville in 2009 to obtain an MBA from Belmont University.

 

Collin Raye Debuts TV Show on WhereverTV Network

Collin Raye will debut his TV show, That’s My Story, on Collin Raye TV, the subscriber-based television channel available on the WhereverTV network this Wednesday, July 11 at 8 p.m./CT. The show, broadcast live from Nashville, will feature performances by Raye and many to-be-announced guests who he will sit down with each week to explore their lives, careers, and what country music means to them. His first special guest will be fellow ’90s country singer Billy Dean. 

“I am beyond excited about the debut of my new TV show, That’s My Story,” explains Raye. “Our goal is to bring back country music talk and music to TV with a deep emphasis on the music, and the stories behind it. It’s a show that the real music lovers will enjoy!”

 

Lecrae And Andy Mineo Bring Better Late Than Never Tour To Music City

Hip hop artist Lecrae and Christian rapper Andy Mineo bring their Better Late Than Never tour to Nashville this fall with a one-night-only performance at the War Memorial Auditorium on Oct. 25. Tickets go on sale on Friday, July 13, at 10 a.m. at WMArocks.com, by phone at 615-782-4030, and in person at the TPAC Box Office. Wordsplayed, nobigdyl & WHATUPRG will also perform on the Music City date.

Music City Roots Halts Production After Nashville Deal Falls Through

/by

Music City Roots, a popular Americana-centric musical variety show, has halted production after previously-announced plans for a downtown Nashville venue partnership have fallen through. The show had planned to move its production into a dedicated facility at the 6th & Peabody development in Nashville’s SoBro area, with plans to open in late 2018. The space would have also included a broadcast suite for WMOT Roots radio.

“We deeply appreciate the team behind the new 6th & Peabody project working hard to finalize a win-win situation with us, but unforeseen complexities have made it impossible to present MCR there as we’d hoped,” a statement from the Music City Roots team read.

Organizers expect the halt in Music City Roots’ production, as well as its distribution to radio affiliates, will be short-term, as they make new arrangements. The pause at Music City Roots does not affect WMOT Roots Radio, which is operated by Middle Tennessee State University.

“Our dream, and our plan, is to develop a free-standing home in Nashville where we can continue to be the signature radio and public television presenter of authentic roots and Americana music from Music City,” the statement continued. “The company is healthy and our team is as passionate as ever about our mission. To the tens of thousands of fans who’ve visited our show or watched our worldwide webcast or YouTube channel—and to the hundreds of artists who’ve made countless magic moments—we say thank you. We love you. And we’ll be back.”

Music City Roots left its home at the Loveless Barn in 2014, relocating to Liberty Hall inside The Factory at Franklin. The final Music City Roots show at The Factory in Franklin came in late 2017. Music City Roots began broadcasting on WSM 650-AM in 2009, before growing in syndication on other stations. It would later be streamed online and add shows on PBS Stations.

Save The Date: ASCAP Country Music Awards Set For Nov. 12

/by

The date has been announced for the upcoming 56th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards. The awards will be held on Monday, Nov. 12 in the newly-renovated Renaissance Nashville Hotel’s Grand Ballroom (located at 611 Commerce Street), and will feature live performances of some of the top five most performed songs by the award-winning songwriters and/or the artists who recorded them.

The evening will recognize the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Publisher of the Year and more. 

Luke Bryan’s Six-Floor Entertainment Complex To Open This Month In Nashville

/by

More details have emerged regarding the previously announced new food and entertainment complex that Luke Bryan and TC Restaurant Group are planning for downtown Nashville.

Dubbed Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink, the 30,000-square-foot complex at 301 Broadway will feature six levels of entertainment space with eight bars, including Broadway’s only multi-level rooftop bars with sushi menu, four stages of live music and two restaurants. The facility, in partnership with TC Restaurant Group, is scheduled to open this month.

The venue’s name was inspired by Bryan’s childhood home near Route 32 Bridge in Lee County, Georgia and is housed in Nashville’s iconic American National Bank Building.

“When I first moved to Nashville I played several of the bars on the ionic Broadway Street,” Bryan said. “I never would have dreamt that I would one day be a part of a place that could offer the same dream to others. Because of Music City and the fans all across the country, the reality of this amazing venue has become possible.”

Visitors to Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink rooftop Sushi Bar will feature offerings from Chef Nick Phrommala. Chef Tomasz Wosiak helms the Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink signature restaurant where he has created a menu inspired by some of Luke’s favorites with special twists on Southern and American cuisine. Offerings will include Hometown Pulled Pork with Kettle BBQ chips, Black & Blue Salmon Salad, Nashville Hot Chicken to Luke’s Elk Burger with Red Dragon Cheese. Burger fans are set-to-go with the Farmers Burger, featuring locally-sourced, all natural beef with over easy egg, maple bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and signature sauce. Other go-to dishes include Beet Mixed Green Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette & hand-tossed oven-baked margarita and pepperoni pizza.

Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink will offer one-of-a-kind drinks including some of Luke’s personal choices like “Backstage” (vodka, grapefruit, with or without salt), “Play It Again” (cherries, vanilla bourbon, lemon juice, sugar), “Luke’s Old Fashioned” (muddled cherries and oranges, cubed sugar and bitters, ice, whiskey and water), plus more.

Sony/ATV’s Sam Reas Promoted To Manager, A&R

/by

Pictured (L-R): Sony/ATV Co-President, U.S. Danny Strick, Sony/ATV Manager, A&R Danielle Middleton, Sony/ATV Manager, A&R Sam Reas and Sony/ATV SVP, Head of East Coast A&R Rich Christina.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has promoted Sam Reas to the role of Manager, A&R, based in the company’s New York office.

In her new role, Reas will liaise with the Nashville music community on behalf of Sony/ATV’s non-country writers while continuing to work with talent including JR Rotem (Fall Out Boy, Gwen Stefani, Keith Urban), Sam Fischer (Clean Bandit, Jennifer Hudson), Brett McLaughlin a.ka. Leland (Kelsea Ballerini, Daya, Selena Gomez, Troye Sivan), Geoff Warburton (Shawn Mendes) and newer signings.

The move follows the previously-announced transition of Mark Abramowitz from Sony/ATV to Kobalt.

Reas’ most recent signing was Nashville-based pop artist Stela Cole, whose first single was recently released by RCA. Reas joined Sony/ATV in New York in 2015 as Creative Assistant to Sr. VP, Head of East Coast A&R Rich Christina. She has spent the last three years working closely with his roster and has been imperative to the team’s success.

Industry Ink: ACM, Cumulus, Adkins Publicity

/by

ACM Welcomes Carly Pearce

Pictured (L-R): Aaron Kinssies, Longshot Management; Jim Weatherson, BMR GM; Carly Pearce; Pete Fisher, ACM CEO. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Big Machine Records recording artist Carly Pearce to the office while she was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Pearce performed her latest single, “Hide the Wine,” and several other songs from her debut album, Every Little Thing.

 

Cumulus’ NASH Prep Sr. Producer Nancy Brooks Exits

After seven years of creating and writing Cumulus’ NASH Prep, senior producer Nancy Brooks has left Westwood One / Cumulus. Brooks has provided news, audio and prep materials to radio nationwide for two decades. In addition, she worked on special projects for Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Big Machine and has written for several print and online publications. She is currently looking for her next opportunity and she can be reached at 615.497.0311 or at [email protected].

 

Makenzie Clayburg Joins Adkins Publicity

Makenzie Clayburg

Makenzie Clayburg has joined Adkins Publicity as Publicity Manager. Clayburg will work in tandem with company President Scott Adkins and VP, Publicity Kelli Wasilauski on all levels of service for the company’s artist roster and events. Adkins Publicity represents Tanya Tucker, Naomi Judd, Kiefer Sutherland, Phil Vassar, Bellamy Brothers, Billy Ray Cyrus, Bill Anderson, Gene Watson, Lucas Hoge, Ray Scott, Adam Rutledge, Dustin Collins, Olivia Ooms, Glen Templeton, Frank Foster and Stella Parton as well as Music City Light, Idaho Rockfest, City of Hope 28th Annual Celebrity Softball Game and Silverado Records.

Dennis And Jesse Matkosky Form Relative Music Group, Celebrate Chart-Topping Hit

/by

Pictured (L-R): Dennis Matkosky, Michael Hardy, Jesse Matkosky

Dennis Matkosky and son Jesse Matkosky have formed publishing and artist development company Relative Music Group. Relative’s roster includes Michael Hardy, Bailey Bryan, JAMRA and The720. The announcement follows writer Hardy’s first No. 1 hit for “Up Down,” co-written with Brad Clawson and CJ Solar, and recorded by Big Loud artist Morgan Wallen.

Dennis Matkosky says, “I am so excited to be working with my son and the incredible writers that we get to help.”

Jesse adds, “It’s hard to put my excitement for this venture into words. We named this company Relative Music Group for a reason. Not only do we get to work with family, which is a privilege I do not take lightly, but we are committed to treating all our writers as such. This year is off to a amazing start and I’m excited for the future.”

 

Big Loud Records Names Ali Matkosky As National Director, Promotion

/by

Ali Matkosky

Big Loud Records has named Ali Matkosky as National Director of Promotion. Starting July 16, Matkosky will report to Vice President of Promotion Stacy Blythe and label President Clay Hunnicutt as she works to expand Big Loud Records’ footprint at country radio.

Matkosky, who comes to Big Loud after serving as Director of National Promotion and Strategy at Black River Christian, previously spent four years in regional and national promotion at Word Entertainment, home to artists like Francesca Battistelli, for King & Country, NeedToBreathe, Skillet and Big Daddy Weave.

A native of Western New York, Matkosky is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and began her career in promotions at Sony Music’s Provident Label Group, where she coordinated high-profile campaigns for Third Day, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman and more.

“We’re excited to have Ali join the Big Loud family,” says Hunnicutt of the new hire. “She is widely respected, does the job the right way, brings an incredible skill set to our team, and will really help the staff and artists of Big Loud grow for years to come. We can’t wait for her to start and jump on this moving train.”

“It’s an incredible honor to be given this opportunity by Craig, Seth, Chief, Joey, Clay and Stacy,” Matkosky adds. “I’ll continue to hold dear the friendships I’ve made in my years working with Christian radio, and I look forward to making many new ones as I come alongside the team to deliver top-notch music to country radio. I can’t wait to learn from Stacy and I am beyond grateful for the team’s vote of confidence.”

Big Loud Records was founded as a partnership between four industry veterans – Craig Wiseman, Seth England, Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Joey Moi – with a vision to bring artist development, management, production, and promotion under one roof. Led by Hunnicutt, the label scored its first win with Chris Lane, whose debut single, “Fix,” became a Gold-certified No. 1 hit in 2015.

Since then the label has gone on to expand its talented roster with the addition of Jake Owen, while scoring more Gold-certified hits with Lane (“For Her,” “Take Back Home Girl” featuring Tori Kelly) and another No. 1 at country radio with Morgan Wallen. The Big Loud lineup also includes Jillian Jacqueline and  Mason Ramsey.

Matkosky can be reached via email at [email protected].

Josh Rouse And Grant-Lee Phillips Announce Co-Headlining Fall Tour

/by

Josh Rouse and Grant-Lee Phillips will kick off a co-headlining tour on Oct. 5 at Nashville’s City Winery. Playing together for the first time, the Yep Roc Records labelmates are touring in support of their newest albums, Rouse’s Love in the Modern Age and Phillips’ Widdershins. The tour will hit Boston, Washington, Chicago, and several other cities through Oct. 20, with additional dates being added.

“I’ve admired Josh Rouse’s music for a long while,” says Phillips. “I love that he’s always taking his songs to new places, making new discoveries. On a road-trip like this, you find yourselves sharing notes, bouncing ideas off each other, trading guitar chords, keeping each other awake on the highway. It’s a full-on mobile summit.“

“I have admired Grant since my early 20’s,” says Rouse. “When Mighty Joe Moon came out my friends and I thought it was the best record we’d ever heard. I actually sent fan mail! So sharing the stage with him will be a dream come true.”

JOSH ROUSE & GRANT-LEE PHILLIPS TOUR DATES:
Oct. 5: City Winery – Nashville, TN
Oct. 6: Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA
Oct. 10: City Winery – Boston, MA
Oct. 12: Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA
Oct. 13: Pearl Street – Washington, DC
Oct. 17: City Winery – Chicago, IL
Oct. 18: Opera House – Stoughton, WI
Oct. 20: Cedar Cultural Center – Minneapolis, MN

Red Bow Imprint Folds Following BBR/BBRMG Restructuring

/by

BBR Music Group (BBRMG) and BMG have restructured, resulting in the folding of imprint Red Bow Records into BBRMG’s core three imprints, Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records and Wheelhouse Records. All current promotional activities for Red Bow Records artists will be handled by Wheelhouse Records staff in the interim. Additional information on Red Bow Records personnel is forthcoming.

Red Bow Records’ artist roster includes Kid Rock, Joe Nichols, Craig Campbell, Chase Bryant and Brooke Eden. Their promotion staff includes VP/Promotion Shelley Hargis Gaines, Dir./National Promotion Neda Tobin, Dir./Southeast Promotion Caitlyn Gordon, Dir./Northeast Promotion Jeff Davis, Dir./West Coast Promotion Kendra Whitehead, and Coord./Promotion Matt Holmberg.

BMG’s long-term growth plan for its Nashville operations will involve strengthening its Nashville team by 20 percent throughout 2018, with a focus on the three core labels.

“We have come a long way, but this is really only the beginning,” said BMG Nashville’s Kos Weaver. “BMG’s distinctive approach and commitment to service seams to have a particular resonance with Nashville writers.”

Added BBRMG EVP Jon Loba, “2018 is proving to be a very strong year for the company. The restructuring of our team allows us to focus and allocate the resources in order to achieve the results we are targeting and continue developing the opportunities and growth of our artists’ careers both in the U.S. and internationally.”

So far in 2018, BBR Music Group earned a No. 1 album with Jason Aldean’s Rearview Town; the album has stayed atop the country albums chart for eight of the past 12 weeks since its release.

As previously announced, construction is currently underway on the new BMG office building designed to bring all Nashville-based employees – comprising its Nashville music publishing business, its Nashville operations hub and BBR Music Group – under one roof at One Music Circle South in early 2019.

Zach Katz, President, Repertoire & Marketing, BMG US, said, “Nashville is at the core of our plan to grow BMG in North America. In two short years, we have gone from just under 20 people dedicated to publishing to nearly 100 staffers evenly split across publishing and recordings. We are investing heavily in the market and are committed to championing our songwriters and artists inside and outside of Nashville.”