Charley Pride Named To Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience Hall Of Fame

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Photo: Ron Blaylock, courtesy of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience

Country Music Hall of Fame member and Mississippi native Charley Pride, was honored with another industry accolade recently, as a member of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience Hall of Fame class of 2018.

On Aug. 25 in Meridian, Mississippi, Pride was honored along with four other recipients; singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, photographer William Eggleston, writer and editor Willie Morris, and blues musician Howlin’ Wolf. Pride also received a “Walk of Fame’ star as part of the ceremony.

“I’m very humbled to be part of this Hall of Fame class along with these other accomplished Mississippians,” said Pride. “This honor means a lot to me because it comes from my home state. I am so proud to be from Mississippi!”

Pride was born in Sledge, Mississippi. By age 14, Pride had spent nearly a year saving his money to purchase his first guitar—a Silvertone model from Sears & Roebuck.

In 1966, Pride was signed by Chet Atkins to RCA Records. To date, Pride has received three Grammys, three Country Music Association awards, an Academy of Country Music Pioneer Award, Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry inductions and a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.

His 52 Top 10 hits include “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone,” “Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town,” “Burgers and Fries,” “Roll On Mississippi” and others.

The 18 other Mississippi artists inducted into the Hall are: painter Walter Inglis Anderson, writer William Faulkner, actor Morgan Freeman, writer John Grisham, puppeteer Jim Henson, bluesman Robert Johnson, actor James Earl Jones, bluesman B.B.King, potter George Ohr, entertainer Elvis Presley, opera singer Leontyne Price, musician Jimmie Rodgers, bluesman Muddy Waters, actor Sela Ward, writer Eudora Welty, playwright Tennessee Williams, entertainer Oprah Winfrey, and writer Richard Wright.

Corner Music Relocates From 12 South Location After 40 Years

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Corner Music, a longtime Nashville music equipment retailer, is moving in late September to a new, larger Dickerson Road storefront. The new store will open on Sept. 29.

For more than 40 years, the music instrument and recording equipment supplier has catered to Nashville’s professional musicians at its convenient-to-Music Row location. But the uptick in the number of home-based recording studios across the city, combined with 12 South’s heavy tourist traffic and limited parking, prompted owner Larry Garris to reconsider offers he had been receiving for the current property.

The new location at the site of a former CVS drugstore at 3048 Dickerson Pike will offer more display area, additional warehouse space and a significant increase in available parking, and will also house Corner Audio & Video, the company’s sound and light installation division.

“We love 12 South and we’re happy to see the way it’s grown,” Garris said. “But sometimes our customers can’t even find a parking spot. As much as we appreciate all our visitors, we’re looking forward to being a pro shop again.”

Big Daddy Weave Celebrates RIAA Platinum Certification For Hit “Redeemed”

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(L-R:) Jen Smith-Wolczyk, Whizbang, Inc.; Joe Shirk and Brian Beihl of Big Daddy Weave; Jim Scherer, Whizbang, Inc.; Jay Weaver and Jeremy Redmon of Big Daddy Weave; Josh Bailey, Curb | Word Entertainment; Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave; Mike Curb, Chairman, Curb | Word Entertainment; Ryan Dokke, SVP/General Manager, Curb | Word Entertainment

Big Daddy Weave celebrated the Platinum certification of their hit “Redeemed” at an event earlier this week in Nashville where the band was presented plaques while being joined by their label, family and friends. During the event World Vision also celebrated its 13-year relationship with Big Daddy Weave and the band’s partnership with the Christian humanitarian organization helping more than 31,000 children in poverty receive life-changing support through sponsorships. 

“It is such an honor to celebrate the many achievements of Big Daddy Weave,” said Mike Curb, Chairman, Curb|Word Entertainment and Ryan Dokke, Sr. VP/General Manager, Curb|Word Entertainment. “The band has been together for an astounding 20 years, and has been part of our label family for nearly as long. We are thrilled to be able to share the news that their No. 1 single ‘Redeemed’ has reached platinum status. We also join with World Vision in celebrating the band helping more than 31,000 children get sponsored through their Artist Sponsorship Program. On behalf of all of us at Curb|Word Entertainment, we could not be more proud of the members of Big Daddy Weave. We know this is just the beginning of many more great things to come from the band!”

The band has worked with World Vision for more than a decade, traveling the world to see poverty firsthand and World Vision’s transformational work in Ecuador, Tanzania, Cambodia, and Armenia. In their travels they’ve witnessed a wide variety of work and experiences, from the horror of human trafficking to the triumph of a family being able to support themselves for the first time.

“Big Daddy Weave’s commitment to be the hands and feet of Christ through the work of World Vision has impacted more than 155,000 children in the most vulnerable places around the world,” said Sarah Beth Hallada, Executive Director World Vision Artists. “We are honored to partner with Big Daddy Weave, and we value their dedication to share Christ’s love to concert-goers and to children and families around the globe. Their example of service inspires us!”

Big Daddy Weave plans to release a new album next year, and their Jesus I Believe 2018 Fall tour kicks off Sept. 9.

Hit Songwriter Ronnie Samoset Passes

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By Robert K. Oermann

Friends and family gathered in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday (Aug. 26) to celebrate the life of hit songwriter Ronnie Samoset.

The veteran Nashville music man died at age 71 on July 29. His death was announced in The Bradenton Herald on Aug. 19. During the acceptance of her ACM Poet’s Award last Wednesday, Matraca Berg memorialized her frequent collaborator from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium.

Samoset’s songs were recorded by Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Linda Ronstadt, Ricky Van Shelton, Tanya Tucker, Diamond Rio, Emmylou Harris, Tom Wopat, Dusty Springfield and Highway 101, among many others.

Among his best known titles are “I’m That Kind of Girl” (Patty Loveless, 1991), “A Jukebox With a Country Song” (Doug Stone, 1992), “(This Thing Called) Wantin’ and Havin’ It All” (Sawyer Brown, 1995), “On Your Way Home” (Patty Loveless, 2003) and the Matraca Berg singles “Baby Walk On” (1990), “The Things You Left Undone” (1990) and “I Must Have Been Crazy” (1991).

The Berg/Samoset song “Lying to the Moon” has been recorded by Robin & Linda Williams, Trisha Yearwood, Purely Wild, Lauren Kennedy and others, in addition to Berg.

His dozens of recorded songs also include cuts by Sammy Kershaw, The Woodys, Johnny Rodriguez, Daron Norwood, Neal McCoy, Michelle Wright, Charlie Floyd, Little Texas, Davis Daniel and Ricochet.

Besides Berg, Samoset’s songwriting collaborators in Nashville included Craig Wiseman, Dave Loggins, Chuck Cannon, Judy Rodman and Gene Nelson. He also wrote solo.

The songwriter’s real name was Ronald A. Santaniello. He is survived by his three children, Corey, Joseph and Anthony Santaniello; by brothers Michael, Andrew, Douglas and Raymond Santaniello; by sisters Diane and Linda and by numerous nieces and nephews.

His memorial gathering was held yesterday at the clubhouse of his residence, the Perico Apartments in Bradenton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ronnie’s memory to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be made to [email protected].

Eric Ethridge Wins 2018 Unsigned Only Music Competition

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The Unsigned Only Music Competition has announced its 2018 winners, and its 2018 Grand Prize was awarded to country artist Eric Ethridge from Sarnia, ON, Canada for his song “Girl On Fire.” Ethridge’s win marks the third time a country artist has taken home the Grand Prize since the competition’s inception only six years ago.

In addition to winning $20,000 in cash and $20,000 in merchandise and services, Ethridge also receives one-on-one mentoring from a group of music industry executives including: Dan Chertoff (VP of A&R, RCA Records); Riggs Morales (VP of A&R and Artist Development, Atlantic Records); Nick Haussling (Sr, Director of A&R, Concord Music); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment); Zoe Young (VP of A&R, Epic Records); Doug Johnson (VP of A&R, Black River Entertainment); and Allison Jones (Sr. VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group).

“Being named the Grand Prize winner of the 2018 Unsigned Only Music Competition has truly been an incredibly humbling and life changing experience.” said Ethridge. “This opportunity has truly given me the chance to take my career to the next level and live my passion, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.”

Canadian native Eric Ethridge won the CCMA Discovery Program, charted on the Canadian Country charts, and most recently debuted on SiriusXM’s The Highway. His debut EP was released in July, 2018 and peaked at No.1 on the iTunes Country chart and No. 3 on the all-genres chart. A doctor-turned-country-artist, Ethridge has a strong connection with fans, evidenced by his songs being streamed over three million times in the short time since the EP’s release.

Established in 2012, Unsigned Only is open to all artists who are unsigned to a major record label, and over the years has become an important source for discovering new talent. Winners in 13 categories were selected from 6,000 entries submitted by entrants in 95 countries throughout the world.

The complete list of 2018 Country winners includes:
Grand Prize – Eric Ethridge (Sarnia, ON, Canada) – “Girl On Fire”
First Place – Kaylee Bell (Waimate, New Zealand) – “Getting Closer”
Second Place – Virginia Creek (Chincoteague, VA, USA) – “Kiss Me When You’re Sober”
Honorable Mention:
Breaking Southwest (Dallas, TX, USA) – “Put Up A Fight”
Chris Bullard (Ardmore, OK, USA) – “Red Lights”
Eric Ethridge (Sarnia, ON, Canada) – “Liquor’s Callin’ The Shots”
Gabe Marshall (Jacksonville, IL, USA) – “Burning The Sand”
Hasting and Co (New Carlisle, OH, USA) – “Can’t Get Enough”
Jesse Labelle (Nashville, TN, USA) – “Two Hearts And A Diamond”
Kyle Daigle (Belle River, LA, USA) – “Gone”
Sarah Miles (Princeton, NJ, USA) – “Stay”
Sweet Tea Trio (Wilsonville, AL, USA) – “Needle In A Haystack”

Nominees For CMA Broadcast Awards Announced

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The final nominees for the 52nd Annual CMA Broadcast Awards were announced Tuesday morning (Aug. 28).

FINAL NOMINEES FOR BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (by market size):

NATIONAL
“American Country Countdown” (Kix Brooks) – Westwood One
“Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40” (Bob Kingsley) – Westwood One
“Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
“The Mayor of Music Row” (Charlie Monk) – Sirius XM Satellite Radio
“The Music Row Happy Hour” (Buzz Brainard) – Sirius XM Satellite Radio

MAJOR MARKET
“Bud and Broadway” (Bud Ford, Jerry Broadway, Kelly Rebal, “Captain Mac Douglas” Gregory Paul Ford, “T.Wall” Tom Wall, and “Sweet Becca” Walls) – WIL, St. Louis, Mo.
“Double-L” (Lois Lewis) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“Hawkeye in the Morning” (“Hawkeye” Mark Louis Rybczyk, Jasmine Sadry, and “Connected K” Katelyn Maida) – KSCS, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
“KYGO Morning Show” (Tracy Dixon, Guy David, and Patrick Knight) – KYGO, Denver-Boulder, Colo.
“Tim, Ben and Brooke” (Tim Hattrick, Ben Campbell, and Brooke Hoover) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.

LARGE MARKET
“Jim, Deb & Kevin” (Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt, and Kevin Freeman) – WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind.
“Obie & Ashley In The Morning” (Obie Diaz and Ashley Stegbauer) – WWKA, Orlando, Fla.
“Q Morning Crew” (Mike Wheless and Janie Carothers) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
“The Randy, Jamie, and Jojo Show” (Randy Carroll, Jamie Martin, and Jojo Meza) – KAJA, San Antonio, Texas
“Ridder, Scott and Shannen” (“Ridder” Shaun Ridderbush, Scott Dolphin, and Shannen Oesterreich) – WMIL, Milwaukee-Racine, WI

MEDIUM MARKET
“The 97.5 WPCV Breakfast Club” (Roger Todd, “Julie K.” Kansy, and “D.J. Thee Trucker” Dale Sellers) – WPCV, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.
Brent Michaels – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
“Ken, Kelley, and Daniel” (Ken Hicks, Kelley Bradshaw, and Daniel Wyatt) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“The Odd Squad” (Roger Rhodes, Robyn Adair, and Dan Carson) – CKRY, Calgary, Alta.
“Scott and Sarah in the Morning” (Scott Wynn and Sarah Kay) – WQMX, Akron, Ohio

SMALL MARKET
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
“The Cat Pak Morning Show” (Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton) – WYCT, Pensacola, Fla.
“The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
“The Good Morning Guys” (Todd Harding, Susan Moore, and Brian Gary) – KUAD, Ft. Collins-Greeley, Colo.
“Steve and Jessica Mornings” (Steve Waters and Jessica Cash) – WFLS, Fredericksburg, Va.

“THE 52ND ANNUAL CMA AWARDS” – FINAL NOMINEES FOR RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (by market size):

MAJOR MARKET
KKBQ– Houston-Galveston, Texas
KNIX – Phoenix, Ariz.
KUPL – Portland, Ore.
WKKT – Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, N.C.-S.C.
WSOC – Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, N.C.-S.C.

LARGE MARKET
KCYY – San Antonio, Texas
KUBL – Salt Lake City-Ogden-Provo, Utah
WQIK – Jacksonville, Fla.
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
WWKA – Orlando, Fla.

MEDIUM MARKET
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WBBS – Syracuse, N.Y.
WHKO – Dayton, Ohio
WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
WYRK – Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.

SMALL MARKET
KCLR – Columbia, Mo.
KKNU – Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
KTTS – Springfield, Mo.
WCOW – La Crosse, Wis.
WKSF – Asheville, N.C.

CMA Awards Nominations Announced

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The nominees for the 52nd annual CMA Awards were announced Tuesday morning (Aug. 28) on Good Morning America.

Chris Stapleton tops the list of finalists with five nominations. Producer and musician Dann Huff receives four nominations, the second most nominations this year, while nine artists garner three each—Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Janson, Miranda Lambert, Midland, Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban.

Luke Bryan, Dan + Shay and Sugarland appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” today, live from Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink, Bryan’s new restaurant and bar in downtown Nashville, to reveal six of the 12 categories on air. Immediately following the broadcast, Dan + Shay and Sugarland announced the remaining six categories in addition to the CMA Broadcast Awards nominees on GoodMorningAmerica.com as well as “Good Morning America’s” Facebook Live and simulcast on the top-rated show’s YouTube channel. The livestream was also viewed on CMA’s Facebook page.

“Today kicks off CMA Awards season where we get to honor the best of the best in our outstanding format,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “There were some great breakout performances this year and the diversity of the nominations honors new faces and some favorite returning names.”

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return for an 11th year to host “The 52nd Annual CMA Awards,” Country Music’s Biggest Night™, broadcasting live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 8/7c on the ABC Television Network.

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

New Artist of the Year
Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs
Chris Janson
Midland
Brett Young

Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist, Producer(s), and Mix Engineer(s))

“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell

“Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank

“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
Producer: Michael Knox
Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun

“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Willshire
Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea

“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks, Dan Smyers
Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan+Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Sugarland

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Album of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton

Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, Kacey Musgraves

Graffiti U – Keith Urban
Producers: Keith Urban, Dan McCarroll, J.R. Rotem, Josh Kerr, Jason Evigan, Greg Wells, Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Jesse Shatkin, Jimmy Robbins, Oscar Holter, Matt Rad, Eric Valentine, Ian Kirkpatrick, Mike Elizondo, Captain Cuts, Ross Copperman, Dann Huff, Peter Karlsson

Life Changes – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett

The Mountain – Dierks Bentley
Producers: Ross Copperman, Jon Randall Stewart, Arturo Buenahora Jr.

Song of the Year
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))

“Body Like A Back Road”
Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

“Broken Halos”
Songwriters: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton

“Drowns the Whiskey”
Songwriters: Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson

“Drunk Girl”
Songwriters: Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas, Chris Janson

“Tequila”
Songwriters: Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion

Musical Event of the Year
“Burning Man,” Dierks Bentley ft. Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate,” Maren Morris ft. Vince Gill
“Drowns The Whiskey,” Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney
“Meant To Be,” Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line

Music Video of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Director(s))

“Babe” – Sugarland (Featuring Taylor Swift)
Director: Anthony Mandler

“Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood
Director: Randee St. Nicholas

“Drunk Girl” – Chris Janson
Director: Jeff Venable

“Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Director: TK McKamy

“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Director: Patrick Tracy

Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dann Huff – Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar

Michael W. Smith Talks Free Bridgestone Arena Show, ‘Surrounded’ Album

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Last fall, CCM legend and three-time Grammy winner Michael W. Smith sat at a piano in the middle of a throng of worshippers at The Factory In Franklin. There, Smith performed the dozen songs that would become the live worship album Surrounded, which released earlier this year.

On Thursday (Aug. 30), Smith will bring the essence of that album to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for Surrounded, a worship concert which is free and open to the public.

“It was just about capturing the spirit in the room and not be invasive and we did,” Smith tells MusicRow of the album. “Everybody there was all in. You can feel it when you hear the record.”

He hopes to keep that same feeling in the upcoming concert at Bridgestone Arena, which he says will also feature an in-the-round format. Smith may be leading the event, but he is adamant that the he not be the focus of the evening.

“We’ve worked really hard to make it kind of nameless and faceless,” he says. “I’ve worked really hard to even take my name and picture off of it, but I lost that battle. And I get it, that’s fine. I think my job is to kind of disappear and hold that place of leadership real lightly.”

Though there is a set list, Smith expects that to change throughout the evening.

“I’ve got a first draft and I have a feeling there will be 10 drafts before it’s over and I know I won’t stick to the set list. I have to be careful about something spontaneous happening too, because everyone has their notes and then it’s like, ‘Oh, there goes Smitty throwing us a curveball. But my team’s used to that. Everybody is going to just ebb and flow and watch me the whole time to make sure they stay on board.”

Earlier this year, Smith released two albums in two weeks–Surrounded, as well as the pop-leaning album A Million Lights. He also announced his first children’s album and book.

“A Million Lights was inspired by the election—not really politics, but how awful people were to each other on both sides of the aisle. That really spurred on the pop record.”

Now, 27 years after Smith’s signature Adult Contemporary hit “A Place In This World,” he says some pop radio stations have begun playing “A Million Lights.”

“I released the record and CCM radio didn’t really play the music a lot and that’s ok, but pop radio started picking it up. So you got a 60-year-old—I don’t feel 60—who is back on pop radio and that’s just crazy. People just love the song and I’ve always felt like it had pop potential.”

Surrounded begins Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Industry Ink: Big Loud, BMI, Warner/Chappell, Crowd Surf

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Marc Rucker Joins Big Loud

Marc Rucker

Marc Rucker has joined Big Loud as Day to Day Manager for Chris Lane. Rucker’s career includes time working with Parallel Entertainment, and as a consultant for CrossHair Music.

He can be reached at [email protected].

 

BMI, Warner/Chappell Honor Rhett Akins

Pictured Front: (L-R): Kasey Akins, Warner Chappell’s Jessi Vaughn, BMI’s Jody Williams, Sonya Akins, Rhett Akins, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Lisa Boullt, Pam Akins. Back Row: Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, BMI’s Mason Hunter and BMI’s David Preston (Photo: Steve Lowry)

Leading up to last week’s ACM Honors, BMI and Warner/Chappell Nashville honored ACM Songwriter of the Year Rhett Akins with a special dinner at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse. Akins was presented a series of BMI Million-Air Awards totaling over 35 million spins. If played back-to-back, these tracks would total over 240 years of continuous airplay.
“Quite a week for Rhett,” said President, Warner/Chappell Nashville, Ben Vaughn. “He was given more Million-Air Awards than I’ve ever seen given out in one sitting. Everyone in the Warner/Chappell family is so proud – it’s a great feeling to see him being recognized for his exceptional talent.”

The 19 Million-Air awards recognized some of Rhett’s greatest hits, including “Take A Back Road,” “Gimme That Girl,” “Dirt on My Boots,” “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” “That Ain’t My Truck,” and many more. Akins was recognized the following evening at the ACM Honors as this year’s ACM Songwriter of the Year.

Crowd Surf Promotes H. Read Davis

Read Davis

Crowd Surf co-founders, Cassie Petrey and Jade Driver, announce the newly created role for Nashville team member H. Read Davis as Director of Creative Operations.

Davis will be responsible for managing all video/graphic/web/photo productions, overseeing all asset delivery on independent releases and all Content I.D. and Facebook Rights Manager initiatives. He will also handle playlisting placement for the company’s independent artists in platforms such as Spotify and YouTube, as well as oversee recruiting and training responsibilities for the company’s staff.

Before he started at Crowd Surf in 2014, Davis was a founding member of Nashville-based group The Westbound Rangers. In October 2016, he was promoted to Marketing Director at the company. Davis can be reached at [email protected].

Weekly Register: Cole Swindell Notches No. 1 Country Album

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Cole Swindell

Cole Swindell has the No. 1 album this week, with the debut of All Of It. The Warner Music Nashville (Warner Bros. Records) project moved 50K in total consumption according to Nielsen Soundscan.

The Top 5 Country albums:
Cole Swindell, All Of It:  50K/39K/10M
Luke Combs, This One’s For You:  25K/5K/25M
Jason Aldean, Rearview Town: 14K/5.1K/10M
Dan + Shay, Dan + Shay: 14K/2.1K/14M
Kane Brown, Kane Brown: 13K/2.5K/12.5M
Meanwhile, Florida Georgia Line‘s “Simple” tops the best-selling digital country songs this week, with 14K. The song’s total digital sales are now at 244K to date. Swindell also makes a showing on the chart, as “Dad’s Old Number” debuts at No. 5 on the country digital sales chart, with 9.6K.
The Top 5 Country Digital Song sales:
Florida Georgia Line, “Simple”: 14K
Brett Young, “Mercy”: 12K
Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert, “Drowns the Whiskey”: 10K
Dan + Shay, “Tequila”: 9.6K
Cole Swindell, “Dad’s Old Number”: 9.6K