Industry Pics: The Sisterhood Band, Brice Long, Rachel Wammack

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The Sisterhood Band Joins Rod Stewart’s Nashville Show

Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s EVP Marketing & New Business John Zarling and Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman; The Sisterhood Band’s Ruby Stewart, the headliner’s daughter, and Alyssa Bonagura; Sony Music Nashville’s SVP A&R Jim Catino, EVP/COO Ken Robold, VP A&R  Taylor Lindsey and The Sisterhood Band Marketing Lead Liz Cost. Photo: Adam Davis

Sony Music Nashville’s The Sisterhood Band made a special appearance at global superstar Rod Stewart‘s Bridgestone Arena concert in Nashville Wednesday evening before a capacity crowd. The duo is comprised of headliner Stewart’s daughter Ruby and Alyssa Bonagura, who is the daughter of Kathie Baillie and Michael Bonagura, who fronted RCA country band Baillie and the Boys in the late 1980s and early ’90s.

 

Brice Long And Friends Benefit Concert Raises More than $91K

Pictured (L-R): Mark Nesler, Brice Long, Casey James

More than 1,200 people packed the James E. Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, for the 13th annual Brice Long and Friends Back to Back Foundation Benefit concert. Foundation Chairman Brent Gilkey announced the concert, which is the primary fundraiser for the foundation. The event broke last year’s total, by bringing in $91,900.

 

Rachel Wammack Makes Surprise Performance In Nashville

Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville EVP Marketing & New Business John Zarling; RCA Nashville Promotion’s Nicole Walden, Matt Galvin, and Liz Sledge; SMN’s VP A&R Taylor Lindsey, Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman, Director National Promotion Lauren Thomas; Rachel Wammack; SMN VP Creative Services Tracy Fleaner; “Damage” co-writer Tom Douglas; SMN A&R Manager Margaret Tomlin, Maverick Management’s Halie Hampton, SMN A&R Representative Jillian Whitefield, RCA Nashville Promotion’s Mallory Opheim; SMN’s Wammack Marketing Lead Liz Cost, Coordinator Marketing Chloe Doyle, Manager Partership Marketing Jamie Alberici, SVP A&R Jim Catino and Associate Director Digital Strategy Jaime Marconette. Photo: Adam Davis

RCA Nashville’s Rachel Wammack performed a surprise pop-up show earlier this week at Green Hill’s Courtyard by Marriott, where she was a bartender when she first moved to Nashville from Alabama. Wammack’s 20-minute set included her single “Damage,” penned with Tom Douglas and David Hodges, as well as other tracks from her self-titled EP.

Pop Artist Melanie Pfirrman Releases Debut EP

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Melanie Pfirrman

Curb Records has welcomed new pop artist Melanie Pfirrman to its roster as she releases her debut EP, I Don’t Wanna Love, available now across all digital platforms worldwide. I Don’t Wanna Love was produced by David Garcia, Sean Cook, Andreas Moss & David Thulin and features three pop tracks including the upbeat title track, current single, “Go Steady” and the gorgeous duet “Lonely” featuring Andreas Moss.

“Working with Curb Records has been nothing short of a dream come true,” says Pfirrman. “They understand me as an artist and my vision. I want to make music that is relatable, honest and true to my heart. I am incredibly proud of I Don’t Wanna Love and I can’t wait for people to hear it!”

It was earlier this year when music fans caught wind of the California native when she was featured on Andreas Moss’ breakout single “Lonely”. Since then the breakthrough artist has already garnered a strong following attracting over 1 million on-demand streams to date.

“We are extremely excited about Melanie Pfirrman and the release of her debut EP, I Don’t Wanna Love,” shares Curb | Word Entertainment SVP/General Manager, Ryan Dokke. “Melanie’s voice and overall energy is absolutely undeniable. She is an important part of our company’s future, and we are honored to be a part of her team and to share her talents with the world.”

 

Sugarland’s Nashville Stop Reveals Full Narrative Of Nettles/Bush Writing

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Sugarland. Photo: Shearer Photography

With seven No. 1 singles together, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have officially reunited as Sugarland after more than half a decade apart.

“Some people think Jennifer and I took a vacation for the last five years. No, we did not. These next two songs are from our solo albums,” said Bush before performing his “Trailer Hitch” during the Still The Same Tour stop in Nashville on Thursday (Aug. 2).

Having launched earlier this year, Sugarland’s outing is approaching the halfway mark of its second leg, in support of the 11-track album Bigger, a first in a collaboration between Big Machine Label Group and the duo’s original home, Mercury Nashville. With each ticket sale, audience members received a complimentary album from the ticket provider.

The time spent apart yielded substantial solo efforts from both Bush and Nettles, though. Bush introduced Southern Gravity with the now-defunct Streamsound Records. Meanwhile, Nettles joined Big Machine for the majority of her three notable solo releases, in addition to starring in Dolly Parton’s NBC made-for-television movies. She also moved to New York for a period to star in the Broadway musical Chicago.

While theatrics have always been detected in Nettles’ work, Sugarland’s return experiments with bolder stagecraft and bravado. The Nashville outing served not only to solidify her confidence in such performance, but the duo’s reprisal welcomes audiences from those extracurricular endeavors with open arms.

During a cover of Patty Griffin’s “Tony,” Nettles stood boldly before video walls, in solidarity with LGBT youth. The duo’s message was aimed at saving lives, as well as challenging churches and families with suicide rate statistics among that marginalized community, which are more than double. Sugarland reached out, displaying resources of support, including the Trevor Project. The band displayed branding SUGARL&, which explained: “&=Everyone Belongs Here.”

 

The Sugarland 2.0 return has shown revitalized energy, primed for today’s social climate—not just on stage but on record. Perhaps though, it’s only taken time to unfold the full complexities of the Bush/Nettles collective writing narrative. Hits like, “It Happens,” give a nod of confidence to handling life’s hardships while “Something More” empowers listeners to pursue ambitions beyond their current circumstances. Sugarland’s 2003 debut hit, “Baby Girl” shares a successful attempt at achieving aspirations, and was tearfully delivered by Nettles’ during the Nashville show, following the introduction of her parents in the audience. Collectively, those lyrics of Sugarland validate those seeking distraction or relief from the present, and befriend those country music fans with a voice of kindness.

This fresh confidence was again on full display for Sugarland’s delivery of additional stellar hits “Want To,” “Settlin’,” “Stay” and with climactic energy, Nettles incorporated her own “Unlove You.” Although Taylor Swift did not make an appearance at the Sugarland Nashville tour stop, her presence was felt with the lyrics and video display on the single she wrote and cameo’d on for the duo, titled “Babe.”

A variety of special guests, many with personal connections, were welcomed to the tour. Brandy Clark—who appeared in earlier dates—co-wrote a significant portion of Nettle’s solo project, including the remarkable “Salvation Works.” Nashville openers Lindsay Ell’s debut The Project was produced by Bush, and Frankie Ballard co-wrote a rocking groovy track from his opening set with Bush, called “Try Try Try.”

Industry Ink: Cassadee Pope, Easton Corbin, Grayscale Marketing

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Cassadee Pope Adds Some Country To Warped Tour

Photo Credit: Jeremy Harris

Cassadee Pope performed two nights on the final Warped Tour: July 30 in Charlotte, North Carolina and July 31 in Atlanta. Prior to the performances, Pope said, “I still had my jacked up Converse and felt like it was only right to bring them out again! I was honored to accept the invitation to return to the last tour and reconnect with some of the bands I met years ago and have crossed paths with since then. But most of all, I love seeing the same faces from the country festivals we play enjoying the variety in genres.”

 

Easton Corbin Becomes Diamond Celebrity Ambassador

Easton Corbin has signed on as Diamond Resort’s newest Diamond Celebrity ambassador. Diamond Resorts members will have exclusive opportunities this year to enjoy intimate, private shows with Corbin and only a few hundred of their fellow members and guests. “Easton is a world-class country artist and we are thrilled to have him join our team of Diamond Celebrity ambassadors,” said Mike Flaskey, Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Resorts. “We can’t wait for our members to meet him and know his shows will be a hit across generations.” Corbin is slated to perform several concerts this year at select Diamond Resorts destinations across North America.
 

Grayscale Marketing Moves Into New Nashville Offices

Grayscale Marketing has announced the opening of their new Nashville office located in historic Wedgewood Houston. For the past two years, Grayscale Marketing has been operating out of offices located in Germantown. “We loved Germantown, however with the growth we’ve experienced in staff and clients we needed to find a place that allows us to scale comfortably,” says CEO, Tim Gray.

Riley Clemmons Blends Infectious Pop Hooks, Authentic Lyrics On Debut Project

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Riley Clemmons

Newcomer Riley Clemmons’ professional music career began with an “only in Nashville” moment.

Clemmons, a Nashville native, was performing as part of an eighth grade choir, when a music industry executive noticed her talent and introduced himself.

“It was so totally random,” Clemmons says. “He came up to me after the show, shook my hand, and asked where my parents were. Being in middle school, at first I thought I was in trouble or something.”

That manager was Mitchell Solarek, whose Maximum Artist Management represents artists including Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms, Danny Gokey, Tauren Wells, Social Club Misfits, and more. Earlier in his career, Solarek also managed Christian boy band Plus One, as well as sister duo Mary Mary (“Shackles”).

Clemmons went on to sign with Maximum Artist Management, and later with CCM powerhouse label Capitol CMG. Now at 18, she releases her self-titled debut project today (Friday, Aug. 3).

“From the first moment we met Riley it was clear that she was a special artist with incredible drive and commitment,” says Capitol CMG Chief Creative Officer Brad O’Donnell. “She was passionate about what she wanted to say to her generation and we love artists that have a message. The record is stacked with great songs and high energy. She’s put an enormous amount of effort and care into her debut project and we can’t wait for people to hear it.”

Clemmons spent the past few years balancing time in a high school classroom with time in the writing room, penning tracks alongside writers such as Ben Glover, Josh Kerr, and Emily Weisband.

“I remember the first write I had with Emily, I was so nervous because she had just had the hit ‘Thy Will’ for Hillary Scott,” Clemmons says. “But walking in we had a unique connection and I just felt comfortable and she’s so talented.”

“I think that writing with Ben it was such an understanding of what I tried to express as an 18-year-old girl,” Clemmons says, noting that she penned close to 100 songs during the process of making her debut. “Some days I would come from school directly into the writing room and I would tell him what I was going through.”

“She is some much-needed oxygen for our industry,” Glover says of Clemmons. “She is a passionate talent with a tireless desire to create art that’s not only excellent but authentic.”

Infectious grooves and spacious pop sounds are equal partners with uplifting, transparent lyrics on the album. Syncopated rhythms and handclaps envelop Clemmons’ smooth vocals on “Better For It,” while she employs shadings of Adele-esque soul on the hit “Broken Prayers.”

She co-wrote “Broken Prayers” with Weisband, Kerr, Glover, and Tedd Tjornhom.

“I walked into the session and I was incredibly frustrated. I had written song after song and I felt like I was in a creative rut,” Clemmons recalls. “I had a journal that was full of these broken thoughts and I told them that and we came up with the concept of Broken Prayers. It was a quick write but I think that was because of the vulnerability. We were just being honest. That song was essential to helping me find my voice as an artist.”

Finding the courage to be open and vulnerable in the writing room has paid off handsomely. “Broken Prayers” has earned more than 12 million global streams, and 95K in global consumption.

Outside the writing room, several of Solarek’s management clients are playing key roles in Clemmons’ career so far.

This Fall, she will join Danny Gokey and Tauren Wells on the Hope Encounter Tour. Though a newcomer, Clemmons has put in the work to develop her live show, in large part thanks to a former opening slot on Social Club Misfits’ Into the Night Tour earlier this year.

“You learn how to live on a bus and take care of yourself and you learn how to engage with an audience every night,” she says of her time opening for the group.

She hopes the Hope Encounter Tour will offer a chance to perform with her tourmates.

“I would love to collaborate with them,” she says, her voice filled with youthful enthusiasm. “I fan girl so hard over both of them. Getting that call was one of the best moments of my life.”

Though still a teenager, Clemmons is soaking up wisdom and experience from those around her, and says a piece of advice she gleaned from Solarek early on has been key.

“Entering the music industry at 13, it’s a young fragile age and being under that pressure could be difficult. One thing he has always stressed to me is that it matters to be myself. He’s always told me to ask myself every day, ‘What would you rather be doing?’ If the answer is, ‘Nothing else,’ then I know I’m in the right place.”

CMA Songwriter Series Heads Back To Europe And The U.K. This Fall

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The CMA Songwriter Series is returning to the U.K. and Europe this Fall following a successful tour last year. The series will head back overseas Oct. 8-22 with Kassi Ashton, Ashley Campbell, Chris DeStefano, Tenille Townes, Drake White and Charlie Worsham. The upcoming dates introduce Ashton, DeStefano and Townes to international audiences, while Campbell, White and Worsham will return following previous successful international tours and appearances at London’s C2C: Country to Country festival.

With Sweden known for its rich tradition of songwriting, the tour will also feature Sweden’s Platinum-selling country artist Jill Johnson, who joins the lineup in Stockholm and Oslo. Johnson is host of the Sveriges Television award-winning documentary series “Jills Veranda Nashville,” which invites Swedish artists to explore Nashville with Johnson.

“Presenting this very Nashville experience in an international setting not only makes for a magical evening, but it truly forges a deeper connection to the music for new audiences,” said Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. “The artists on this tour represent a true cross section of country music and we’re honored to be part of their journey as they build their international base.”

European Tour:
Featuring Ashley Campbell, Chris DeStefano, Drake White (excluding Stockholm), Charlie Worsham with special appearance by Jill Johnson (Stockholm and Oslo)
Oct. 8 – Stockholm, Sweden – Nalen
Oct. 9 – Oslo, Norway – Oslo Konserthus
Oct. 11 – Hamburg, Germany – Laeiszhalle
Oct. 12 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Zonnehuis

U.K. Tour:
Featuring Kassi Ashton, Ashley Campbell, Chris DeStefano, Tenille Townes
Oct. 16 – Glasgow, Scotland – St. Luke’s
Oct. 17 – Liverpool, England – St. George’s Hall
Oct. 18 – Gateshead, England – Sage Two
Oct. 20 – Manchester, England – RNCM
Oct. 22 – London, England – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Jerry Lee Lewis To Rock Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center

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Rock ‘n’ roll’s original wild man and country music stylist, Jerry Lee Lewis, will return to Nashville for the first time since 2014, when he performs at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Dec. 10.

“We are honored that Jerry Lee Lewis has chosen the Schermerhorn for his triumphant return to Music City,” said Alan D. Valentine, Symphony President and CEO. “His appearance promises to be one of the highlights of our entire season lineup, and we are thrilled to add ‘The Killer’ to the long list of musical icons who have graced our stage.”

Few artists in music history can boast a résumé as impressive as that of Lewis, now in his seventh decade of a career that includes numerous Grammy wins, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s inaugural class, the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and being an influence on countless rock and country artists.

Tickets are available for presale here and will go on sale to the general public on Aug. 10 at 10 a.m.

NEEDTOBREATHE To Release Acoustic Live Album In November

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NEEDTOBREATHE is coming out with the band’s first acoustic live album, Acoustic Live Vol. 1, on Nov. 16 via Atlantic Records. The project will include some tracks recorded during one of their concerts at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The album was recorded last year during the band’s first fully-acoustic tour, and features tracks recorded at 14 of the band’s favorite theaters across the country, over the course of 16 shows.

The 12-song collection, which was produced by NEEDTOBREATHE and mixed and mastered by band member Seth Bolt at his Plantation Studios in Charleston, represents over a decade of music from the band, with songs spanning across five of their six studio albums. The project includes tracks like the RIAA Gold-certified “Brother,” “TESTIFY,” “White Fences,” and “Washed By The Water,” and functions as a compilation of some of the band’s greatest hits.

“Last fall, we got to do something we’ve never done before… a fully acoustic tour. It was something we had wanted to do for a while, and was one of the most consistent requests we got from fans over the years,” said NEEDTOBREATHE. “We record every show that we play, so we went through the archives and decided that there were too many incredible moments that we didn’t want to forget, and we felt like they all had to be shared with our fans. Acoustic Live Vol. 1 features songs from almost every era of our band, so there’s a little something for everyone.”

The band is kicking off a 37-city headlining tour Aug. 10 in New Braunfels, Texas, that will take them across the country with stops at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, Los Angeles’ Greek Theater and a likely fourth consecutive sellout at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Acoustic Live Vol. 1 Track Listing:
“LET’S STAY HOME TONIGHT (Acoustic Live)”
“Drive All Night (Acoustic Live)”
“NO EXCUSES (Acoustic Live)”
“State I’m In (Acoustic Live)”
“Washed By The Water (Acoustic Live)”
“TESTIFY (Acoustic Live)”
“Oh, Carolina (Acoustic Live)”
“Stand By Me (Acoustic Live)”
“Stones Under Rushing Water (feat. Drew & Ellie Holcomb) (Acoustic Live)”
“White Fences (Acoustic Live)”
“CAGES (Acoustic Live)”
“Brother (Acoustic Live)”

Weekly Chart Report (8/3/18)

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UMPG To Represent Lionsgate’s Music Publishing Properties

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Content leader Lionsgate and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) have announced an exclusive long-term agreement under which UMPG will represent Lionsgate’s music publishing properties worldwide, including musical compositions and scores. Under the administration agreement, UMPG will also administer Lionsgate’s music rights, including licensing, revenue collection and accounting.

Additionally, the companies will work together to create in-house opportunities by leveraging UMPG’s global roster of songwriters and expansive catalog of songs for creative use in Lionsgate’s vast portfolio of film, television and digital content.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Universal Music Publishing Group, a best-in-class powerhouse, to represent our music properties,” said Lionsgate GM & EVP of Music & Publishing Lenny Wohl. “We also look forward to tapping into UMPG’s impressive music and songwriter pool, and connecting it with Lionsgate’s world-class content to create innovative projects together.”

“At UMPG, we pride ourselves on our partnerships and providing the best service in the industry. As an innovator across film, television and digital mediums, Lionsgate has been a long sought-after partner for us and we are thrilled to be in business together,” said Marc Cimino, COO of UMPG.