Sea Gayle Music Signs Jordan Fletcher

/by

Pictured Front Row (L-R): Matt Wallace, War Dog Management; Fletcher; Sea Gayle’s Chris DuBois; Middle Row (L-R): Sea Gayle’s Driskill and Christina Wiltshire; Mike Sistad, ASCAP; Back Row (L-R):  Sea Gayle’s Brandon Gregg and JD Groover

Sea Gayle Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer-songwriter Jordan Fletcher. Fletcher—a Jacksonville, Florida native—cut his teeth singing in dive bars and honky tonks, before moving to Nashville two years ago. Fletcher will be opening more than 20 shows for Muscadine Bloodline this fall.

“I can’t begin to tell you how proud we are to add Jordan to our roster at Sea Gayle,” says Sea Gayle EVP/GM Marc Driskill. “He’s such an impressive songwriter and combines that talent with a great voice, work ethic and vision to make him so much fun to work with. We are so excited to see the impact he is going to have with his music.”

Fletcher commented, “Sea Gayle has felt like home from the moment I first walked in. It’s an incredible blessing I get to call it that now.”

Industry Ink: Deluge Music, Kobalt Music, CMA, ASCAP, David Corlew, Exit Realty Music Row

/by

Deluge Music Inks Admin Deal With Kobalt

Deluge Music announced a worldwide admin deal with Kobalt Music yesterday (Aug. 22).

“We decided the best way to celebrate was to have some beer and play ping pong!” says Deluge Music president Mark Friedman.

 

Josh Kerr, Maddie & Tae, Jon Nite Set for Houston CMA Songwriters Series Show

Pictured (L-R): Josh Kerr, Maddie & Tae, Jon Nite

The Country Music Association’s critically acclaimed CMA Songwriters Series Presented by U.S. Bank will host a performance at The Heights Theater in Houston on Monday, Sept. 17 featuring Josh Kerr, Maddie & Tae and Jon Nite.

Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow (from Sugarland, Texas) and Tae Dye have a strong connection to Texas, with the two first meeting during a music showcase in Dallas prior to becoming a Platinum-selling duo, while Nite was born in Amarillo, Texas. Tickets for the performance cost $25 and are on sale now at CMAsongwritersseries.com.

 

Applications For The ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop Due Sept. 17

Applications for the ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop are due Monday, Sept. 17. Industry veteran Stacy Willbur will lead the workshop over two sessions at the ASCAP offices in Nashville on Oct. 2-3.

The workshop is part of an ongoing series designed to focus on the development and education of promising new songwriters. Sessions include intensives on the craft of songwriting, developing objectivity about your songs, expanding your sources of inspiration, nurturing a creative community, marketing your songs and an overview of music publishing. For information on how to apply, click here.

 

David Corlew Named Honorary Member Of 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment

On Thursday, Aug. 16, Nashville music industry veteran David Corlew was honored by U.S. military personnel at Fort Campbell, KY where he was named an Honorary Member of the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment (also known as the “Rakkasans”).

“Being designated as an Honorary 187th Airborne ‘Rakkasan’ is an accolade I never expected, not in my lifetime. I am honored beyond words,” notes Corlew. “Serving those who serve, and have served, has become a life mission for me. The transition from military life, to civilian life, truly is and will continue to be a difficult journey. Some more than others. I plan to assist in that process as long as God gives me the strength to do so. It is the least I can do for those who signed up to protect us from the evil tyranny that faces our great nation.”

 

Corrie Rich Joins EXIT REALTY MUSIC ROW

Corrie Rich

EXIT REALTY MUSIC ROW welcomes Corrie Rich to its office on 16th Avenue S. in the heart of Music Row in Nashville. Rich, originally from Alaska, is a Licensed Realtor with experience buying and selling properties in multiple states.

A former Buyer at Vanderbilt University, Rich is known on campus for her outstanding customer service while coordinating professional contracts with local, national, and international specialists and businesses. “I enjoy helping people,” said Rich. “It’s exciting to be in the creative atmosphere of Music Row, near Vanderbilt. As a Realtor, I get to live out my passion for serving others.

“In addition to building and developing, I believe it’s equally important and wise to preserve parks as well as buildings of weighty historical significance whenever possible,” Rich adds.

Cass Scripps Joins UTA’s Nashville Office

/by

Cass Scripps

United Talent Agency (UTA) has hired agent Cass Scripps in its Nashville office. Scripps was previously Vice President of APA’s Nashville office and joins UTA with nearly 25 years of experience. His background includes time spent at Buddy Lee Attractions as an agent and founding successful businesses of his own with Metro Talent Group and Consolidated Booking Services. Scripps has been the responsible agent for numerous artists including Clint Black, Edwin McCain and Corey Smith. He is also an alumnus of Leadership Music Class of 2018.

“We are very excited to welcome Cass to the UTA team,” said David Zedeck, Global Head of UTA Music. “He is well-respected in the community and his deep relationships make him a great asset to our expanding office in Nashville.”

“Having spent over two decades in the industry, I was drawn to UTA because of the incredible opportunities they’ve created for artists,” said Cass. “I look forward to working with the team and continuing to grow their dynamic business in Nashville.”

Buddy Miller-Produced Duo The War And Treaty Announce Fall Tour

/by

The War and Treaty’s Tanya Blount-Trotter and Michael Trotter Jr.

Nashville-based duo The War and Treaty (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount-Trotter) will head out on an extensive headline tour this fall with stops at Los Angeles’ Hotel Café, Louisville’s Headliners Music Hall, Pittsburgh’s Rex Theater, Boston’s Great Scott, Chicago’s Lincoln Hall and two nights at Ann Arbor’s The Ark. Tickets go on-sale Friday (Aug. 24) at 10 a.m. local time.

The tour supports their recently-released album, Healing Tide, which was produced by Buddy Miller and released on Strong World/Thirty Tigers.

Healing Tide includes 11 songs written solely by The War and Treaty’s Michael Trotter Jr. and features Miller (guitars, banjo) Russ Pahl (pedal steel, banjo), Sam Bush (fiddle) and special guest vocalist Emmylou Harris on “Here Is Where the Loving Is At.”

All dates after September will go on sale Friday, Aug. 24 at 10 a.m.

THE WAR AND TREATY CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
August 24—Florence, AL—Billy Reid Shindig 10
August 25-26—Fayetteville, AR—Fayetteville Roots Festival
September 7—Las Vegas, NV—Big Blues Bender
September 9—Chattanooga, TN—Moon River Music Festival
September 12-15—Nashville, TN—AmericanaFest
September 22—Bristol, TN—Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
September 28—Dana Point, CA—Ohana Festival
October 2—Los Angeles, CA—Hotel Café
October 16—Asbury Park, NJ—Asbury Lanes
October 17—Charlottesville, VA—Jefferson Theater
October 19—Asheville, NC—The Orange Peel
October 29—Louisville, KY—Headliners Music Hall
October 30—Pittsburgh, PA—Rex Theater
November 1—Uncasville, CT—Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun
November 2—Allston, MA—Great Scott
November 3—Fall River, MA—Narrows Center For The Arts
November 5—Cleveland, OH—Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
November 6—Chicago, IL—Lincoln Hall
November 7—Ann Arbor, MI—The Ark
November 8—Ann Arbor, MI—The Ark
November 12—Milwaukee, WI—Turner Hall Ballroom
November 13—Minneapolis, MN—Cedar Cultural Center
November 15—Sun Valley, ID—Sun Valley Opera House
November 17—Indianapolis, IN—Hi-Fi Indy
February 10-17—Tampa, FL—Cayamo Cruise

Nashville Indie Label The Creak Music Aligns With Integrity Music

/by

Pictured (L-R): The Creak Music’s David Leonard, Seth Talley, Brad King and Noelle and Ben Kilgore.

Newly-launched independent label The Creak Music has inked an agreement for the collaboration and global release of projects through Integrity Music, beginning with The Creak’s debut artists, Ben & Noelle Kilgore.

Based in Franklin, Tennessee, and co-owned by Brad King, Seth Talley and David Leonard (formerly of All Sons & Daughters), The Creak Music is also a full-service studio and production team whose credits include NEEDTOBREATHE, I Am They, Brandon Heath, JJ Heller, All Sons & Daughters and Ben & Noelle Kilgore.

The Creak trio has been working together for five years, including production for All Sons & Daughters’ Grammy Award-nominated Poets & Saints album in addition to Jaci Velasquez’s Dove Award-winning Spanish language album, Confío, both released through Integrity.

The Creak and Integrity will release the Kilgores’ debut single, “Grace, Grace,” featuring guest vocals from Leonard, on Aug. 24, followed by the single “Oh My Soul” on Sept. 21. The Kilgores’ debut EP, A Resting Place, releases in October.

Delta Rae’s ‘Revival’ Kicks Off Sept. 5

/by

Delta Rae is holding a weekly musical “revival” this Fall with dozens of their musical friends for 16 weeks beginning September 5 at The Basement in Nashville. The six-piece band today announced the initial round of openers for the residency, which will include Austin Jenckes, Adam Wakefield, Baylor Wilson, Carolina Story, Caroline Glaser, Carrie Welling, Chloe Gilligan, Dallas Caroline, Emma Hern, Hannah Dasher, Jaden Michaels, Jillette Johnson, Josh Jenkins, Joel Levi, Kalie Shorr, Katie Cole, Kitty Hawk, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Jenkins, Levon, Liz Longley, Payton Smith, Sarahbeth Taite, Southern Avenue, The Last Bandoleros and The Redhill Valleys.

The Delta Rae Revival will offer a new immersive experience from the parking lot to the stage as audiences assemble every Wednesday from Sept. 5 through Dec. 19. Tickets are $10 with a limited amount available online and are on sale now at DeltaRae.com with the remainder sold first-come-first-served at the door. Special guests will be announced throughout the next few months over the band’s social media.

“Since finding our home here in Nashville we’ve become friends with many artists we have long admired. We’re beyond excited and honored that this level of talent will share the stage with us every night for The Revival. Some of them are hidden gems, some are dominating the Music City scene, all are incredible, and we are thrilled to combine forces to create a musical experience unlike anything this town has ever seen. Country fans deserve a show like this, southern magic and music for the soul,” expresses Brittany Holljes.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: 2018 ACM Honors

/by

Chris Stapleton performs onstage during the 12th Annual ACM Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for AMC

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 601

This year’s ACM Honors show at Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday (Aug. 22) was a collection of musical delights, interspersed with lots of blah-blah, horribly-lit video interviews and borderline-incompetent hosting.

Things began promisingly with Jon Pardi — splendidly attired in a rhinestone-festooned, black bolero jacket – delivering a spot-on rendition of honoree Alan Jackson’s “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow.” In mid-song, his co-host Lauren Alaina joined him. They drove the song home together with elan.

“We’re honored to be in the presence of people who have inspired us all of our lives,” said Jon. It was among the few coherent comments he made all evening. I love this guy’s music, but he was embarrassing as a host, consistently misreading the Tele-Prompter screen and mispronouncing names.

Co-host Lauren tried to compensate by being ebullient, charming, honest and fluent throughout.

In marked contrast to Jon, Jordan Davis was a total pro in presenting the live-performance honors. The winners were The Greek Theater (Los Angeles), the MGM Grand Arena (Las Vegas), the Cotton-Eyed Joe nightclub (Knoxville), the Country Thunder festival (Arizona), R.J. Romeo (talent buyer), Brian O’Connell (promoter, Live Nation) and the absent Venetian Resort Hotel (Las Vegas).

Jon Pardi and Lauren Alaina speak onstage during the 12th Annual ACM Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for AMC

“We love music, and we love what we do for a living,” said Brian O’Connell. “This is the coolest thing in the world.”

Lindsay Ell was up next. Clad in striped slacks and a matching, midriff-baring top, she presented the Studio Recording Awards. The winners were Jim “Moose” Brown (keyboards), Jimmie Lee Sloas (bass), Fred Eltringham (drums), Rob McNeeley (guitar), Danny Rader (specialty instrument) and Dave Cobb (producer). Not present were Justin Niebank (his eighth win as engineer) and Paul Franklin (his 12th win for steel guitar).

Masterful honky-tonk stylist Joe Diffie sang “The Grand Tour” to salute the first Poet’s Award honoree, the late Norro Wilson. Norro’s son and daughter accepted.

The Gene Weed Milestone Award went to Sam Hunt. Newcomer Kassi Ashton made the most of her performance moment. She was loaded with stage presence as she delivered “Body Like a Back Road” garbed in a billowing, full-length, pink lame evening coat and matching trousers. Bobby Bones presented the statuette.

“I appreciate everybody involved,” said Sam, “especially my co-writers Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally. Country radio, you made all the difference. ACM, thank-you for having me.”

Kassi Ashton performs onstage during the 12th Annual ACM Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for AMC

The Mae Boren Axton Service Award went to the late ACM co-founders Eddie Miller and Mickey & Chris Christensen. Their children accepted.

In their honor, Cam sang the Buck Owens classic “Crying Time.” Her rendition was absolutely eloquent. The house band’s understated arrangement was a marvel. Frank Liddell was the gig’s musical director, and the band included James Mitchell, Nick Buda, Lex Price, Bobby Terry, Liana Manis and John Wesley Ryles.

The Jim Reeves International Award went to the recently deceased Rob Potts. Rob was a mainstay of the Aussie country scene and was a particular booster of Morgan Evans. The new chart topper stunned the crowd with his super creative, multi-textured performance of “The Things That We Drink To.”

Storme Warren presented the award. Rob’s son Jeremy accepted.

The audience went wild for Old Crow Medicine Show’s performance of “Wagon Wheel.” The group brought up the house lights so that the attendees could sing along, loudly and lustily.

Dierks Bentley speaks onstage during the 12th Annual ACM Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for AMC

This standing-ovation moment was because widely beloved Darius Rucker was being given the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award for his community service. Kip Moore presented the honor to his friend.

“I don’t do what I do for awards,” said Darius. “I do it because anytime you can do something for somebody less fortunate than you, that’s what you’re supposed to do.”

Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip and Dustin Lynch sang a medley in honor of Songwriter of the Year winner Rhett Akins. Lynch, by the way, was invited to join the Opry cast this week.

“How cool to have your best buddies sing your songs,” said Rhett. “I want to dedicate this to all the dreamers out there. This CAN happen, for sure. In 1991, I came to Nashville, just as a tourist. I came here to the Ryman and had my picture taken on this stage. I wondered what it would be like to sing on this stage.”

He recalled that he next went into a Lower Broadway bar and encountered a performer singing to an empty room. It was a then-unknown Kenny Chesney. Today, Rhett’s son Thomas Rhett is on tour with superstar Kenny.

Pictured (L-R): Lauren Alaina, Matraca Berg, Deana Carter, and Ashley McBryde perform onstage during the 12th Annual ACM Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for AMC)

Jon Pardi returned to sing a riveting “I Hold On.” This was for Merle Haggard Spirit Award honoree Dierks Bentley.

By this time, the winner evidently had heard enough. “Thank you for that, Jon,” said Dierks. “Stick to singing, by the way — Left to right, top to bottom, makes a paragraph.”

Dierks’ hero Ricky Skaggs presented the honor. Said Dierks in accepting, “It’s always gonna be easy if you love what you do. And I love country music.”

The second Poet Award went to Matraca Berg. Vocal greats Lauren Alaina (“You and Tequila”), Ashley McBryde (“Wrong Side of Memphis”) and Deana Carter (“Strawberry Wine”) performed in Matraca’s honor, fabulously. Lauren changed into classy evening slacks for the number, perhaps to keep up with the evening’s female fashion trend and/or to match Ashley, Deana and Matraca.

“Girls rule!” exclaimed the teary eyed winner. “To get one along with the great Norro Wilson is just so special….Thank you so much. This means the world.”

Honoree Sam Hunt speaks onstage during the 12th Annual ACM Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for AMC)

Chris Stapleton provided the final musical highlight with his heartfelt delivery of “Here in the Real World.” This was for Alan Jackson’s winning the Cliffie Stone Icon Award. Alan’s daughter Mattie accepted eloquently, since the superstar was reportedly ill.

Martha Moore, Lori Badgett, Buddy Cannon, Stuart Dill, Earle Simmons, Bob Romeo, Diane Pearson, Mark Moffatt, Adam Wright, John Clore, Chris Oglesby and many other industry fabulons attended. Not to mention the ACM’s Pete Fisher, Nick DiFruscia, Lisa Lee and more.

But the balcony crowd was dominated by fans. This is cool, because it lets them feel like they are at an industry “insider” event. Plus, they take their seats on time instead of schmoozing endlessly.

Morgan Evans (L) and Kelsea Ballerini take photos during the 12th Annual ACM Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for AMC)

Brett Young Joins Stella Maxwell As William Rast Brand Ambassador

/by

Country fans might spot a familiar face in ads for clothing line William Rast this fall, as Brett Young will serve as a Brand Ambassador for the campaign for William Rast’s Fall 2018 collection. Young will join model Stella Maxwell as an ambassador.  The national advertising campaign featuring Young and Maxwell will launch in select traditional and digital media outlets and in select retail stores across the country, including Macy’s, Dilliard’s, Belk, Lord & Taylor, and more.

Shot by fashion photographer Boo George and styled by Deborah Watson, the campaign embraces the collection’s Americana styled clothing.

“I’m so excited to work with both William Rast and Stella for this campaign,” Young said. “This is the first time I’ve done anything like this, and it’s been an absolute blast.”

Grounded in the iconography of biker culture, William Rast’s designs combine the origins of American denim with modern and sophisticated fits, premium fabrics, washes and techniques.

The fashion brand alignment is the latest career development from Young, who has been headlining his own Caliville Tour, and opening for Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes Tour 2018. Young also recently announced he will headline the CMT On Tour: Here Tonight beginning Nov. 16. Young has earned a platinum-selling debut album with his self-titled BMLG Records effort, spearheaded by hits including “In Case You Didn’t Know,” “Like I Loved You,” and his latest No. 1 “Mercy.”

 

DISClaimer: Morgan Evans, Cole Bradley Top New Tracks

/by

Pictured (L-R): Cole Bradley, Morgan Evans

We have three handsome young men who are new the column this week.

Actually, almost four, since it has been five years since we’ve heard from the still promising Justin Adams. Anyhow, the three vying for the DisCovery Award are Cash Campbell, Chance McKinney and our winner, Cole Bradley.

There’s no question about who ruled the listening session. Morgan Evans continues to impress, every time I see or hear him in performance. Give this former DisCovery Award winner his first Disc of the Day award.

JUSTIN ADAMS/How It Rolls
Writers: none listed; Producer: Derek Wells; Publisher: none listed; Flycatcher (track)
– He has a pleasant, earnest tenor. The song is country-love generic. The rocking track rumbles along nicely. Easy on the ears, if not exactly life changing.

SOUTHERN HALO/I Think Too Much
Writers: Natalia Morris/Roxie Dean; Producers: Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Publishers: Southern Halo/Sweet 202, BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo
– Jaunty, sunny and sweetly harmonized. I have liked everything I have heard by this trio. Give ‘em a shot.

CHANCE McKINNEY/Take It Back
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kevin Ray Lawson; Publisher: none listed; CM (track)
– Deeply masculine sounding. The steady rocking tempo draws you in at the same time as his throaty baritone. Hale and hearty and well worth a listen.

CHERISH LEE/Ones You Leave Behind
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CL
– The daughter of Johnny Lee and Charlene Tilton continues to make her own mark in Music City. Her new single is a trembling, shakily sung ballad about loss, addressed to her brother who died of a heroin overdose. Considering our national opioid abuse crisis, it’s quite timely.

KEITH URBAN/Never Comin’ Down
Writers: Keith Urban/Josh Kerr/James Abrahart/Shy Carter; Producer: Josh Kerr/Keith Urban; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Maroma/Songs of Black River/Whistlepig Winners/James Abrahart/Artist 101/Songs of Kobalt/You Want How Much of What/BMG Rights, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville
– This ain’t country.

HARPER GRAE/Monster
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Jennifer Hanson/Nick Brophy; Grae Area
– Fearsome memories haunt her sleeping hours in this torrid tempo tune. The video makes it explicit that the “monster” was her mother’s alcoholism.

KATHY MATTEA/St. Teresa
Writers: None listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Captain Potato
-Mattea’s forthcoming Pretty Bird comeback album is heralded by this spooky, ethereal and utterly cool cover of a Joan Osborne gem. Lotsa crunchy, acoustic textures.

CASH CAMPBELL/Cannon Ball
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CC
– Extremely well produced in a Euro-pop kinda way, but melodically repetitive and lyrically dull.

MORGAN EVANS/Young Again
Writers: Morgan Evans/Chris DeStefano/Josh Kear; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– I dig this guy a lot, and he seems to be on his way. This extremely catchy, bopping anthem is another big step forward. Sing along and shout for joy. It needs to become huge.

COLE BRADLEY/Happy Hour
Writers: Cole Bradley/Sandy Chila/Michael Fitzgerald/Alex Dezen; Producer: Sandy Chila; Publishers: Warner-Chappell/Kala, no performance rights listed; Kala
– Summer fun beats, cute barroom lyrics and groovy spoken passages. The drinks are on Cole Bradley.

Lee Brice To Welcome Maddie & Tae, Victoria Shaw, Liz Rose To Benefit Thistle Farms

/by

Lee Brice‘s second in a series of three shows at the Analog at Hutton Hotel is set for Aug. 27. Maddie & Tae, Victoria Shaw, and Liz Rose will pay tribute to the women of country at the show, which will benefit Nashville’s Thistle Farms, whose mission is to heal, empower and employ women survivors of trafficking, prostitution and addiction.

Tickets are $20 for VIP seating and $15 for General Admission. Ticket packages covering all three shows are $55 for VIP and $40 for General Admission. Space is limited at the all-age shows which are open to the public.

On Oct. 1, Brice will focus on Route 91 Festival’s one-year anniversary. The lineup for that show will be announced in coming weeks and tickets are available at eventbrite.com/e/lee-brice-presents-the-analog-series-tickets-47519820061.

Brice’s first Analog show on July 16 was sold out and featured performances by Jake Owen, Rob Hatch, Dallas Davidson and Tyler Farr. The evening honored the military and first-responders and raised more than $3,500 for Folds of Honor.