Americana Gala Honors Tried And True

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Pictured (L-R): Brandi Carlile, Irma Thomas, Courtney Marie Andrews, Tanya Blount and Michael Trotter, Jr. of The War and Treaty, Ann McCrary of The McCrary Sisters. (Photo credit: Getty Images for the Americana Music Association)

The 2018 Americana Music Honors & Awards celebration at the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday night (Sept. 12) honored the genre’s established favorites while giving special recognition to legendary music figures.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit took home the Duo/Group honors and the Album of the Year prize for its collection The Nashville Sound. Isbell’s “If We Were Vampires” was named Song of the Year. He previously won the Americana Album award in 2014 and 2016. His songs earned additional top honors from the organization in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

John Prine repeated as Artist of the Year, an award he also claimed at the last Americana ceremony.

“I believe I got this last year – it’s Groundhog Day,” Prine quipped. “Every year, it gets better and better. I’d like to thank the whole Nashville music community for all the support over the years.”

Prine won yet another Artist of the Year accolade in 2005, and he was given an Americana Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting in 2003.

Molly Tuttle won Guitarist of the Year at the 2017 IBMA Awards for bluegrass music. Last night, the Americana Music Association (AMA) echoed that by giving her its Instrumentalist of the Year honor.

Singer-songwriter Tyler Childers was named the AMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year.

“Best I can tell, you left the back door open and now there is a stark, raving ‘hill-jack’ in your living room,” said the hard-core country stylist. “I’m an Appalachian artist, and I play country music,” he added, defiantly.

All of the winners performed outstanding music. They were matched by the veterans who garnered Lifetime Achievement honors – Buddy Guy, Irma Thomas, k.d. lang and Rosanne Cash. In the Industry/Executive category, Cris Williamson and Judy Dlugacz were saluted for their Olivia Records label.

The three-hour-plus ceremony was marked by standing ovations for performances in a variety of styles.

Fantastic Negrito, Nathaniel Rateliff and Lukas Nelson kicked off the show with a torrid performance of “Fortunate Son,” in honor of the 50th anniversary of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

During their opening monologue, show hosts The Milk Carton Kids delivered a funny, wry tune called “What Even Is Americana,” which poked good-natured fun at Isbell’s awards dominance. The Kids – Kenny Pattengale and Joey Ryan – were dryly humorous throughout the ceremony, somewhat in the manner of The Smothers Brothers of the ‘60s. They were also adept ad libbers.

John Hiatt introduced his daughter, Emerging Artist nominee Lilly Hiatt, who delivered the frothing rocker “Trinity Lane.” Jerry Douglas presented the Instrumentalist honor to Tuttle.

Mary Gauthier and Beth Nielsen Chapman harmonized on the topical “The War After the War,” which they co-wrote with military spouses. It is from Gauthier’s nominated CD Rifles & Rosary Beads. Its songs are all co-written with military personnel.

Emerging nominee Anderson East was soulful on “King for a Day.” Texas songwriting royal Robert Earl Keen is another Americana towering wordsmith. His “Feelin’ Good Again” was lilting and sweet. Emerging nominee Courtney Marie Andrews lifted the roof with her plaintive, gospel-styled wail of “May Your Kindness Remain.”

MTSU’s Ken Paulson introduced Don Was, who presented Rosanne Cash with the Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award. Her acceptance drew cheers and repeated standing ovations.

Cash’s remarks made three main points. First, “We are the premier service industry for the heart and soul. Music creates community. Look at us here.” Second, “Women are not small, inferior versions of men. We deserve respect. We deserve equal representation in government and equal pay.” Third, “Children are more important than the right to own a personal arsenal of military-style weapons. The killing of children in schools should not be collateral damage for the Second Amendment.

“Today is the 15th anniversary of the day my dad left this planet. He left it a better place than he found it. And that’s what we all hope for.

“This award will give me the courage to speak up more. I didn’t give up my First Amendment rights when I picked up my guitar. I learned that from the first person to get this award [Johnny Cash, 17 years ago].”

The capper was her delivery of a new, riveting, heartfelt ballad, “Everyone But Me.”

Anti-establishment country parodist Wheeler Walker Jr. introduced Emerging nominee Tyler Childers. Tyler transfixed the crowd sitting alone on stage and delivering a searing “Nose on the Grindstone.”

Artist, Song and Album nominee Margo Price offered the country rocker “A Little Pain.” Her fellow Artist, Song and Album contender Brandi Carlile blasted out her survival power ballad “The Joke.”

The War & Treaty presented the AMA Lifetime Achievement Performance award to Irma Thomas, “The Soul Queen of New Orleans.”

“I’m never at a loss for words, but tonight I have to think before I speak,” said Thomas. “I feel very honored, because I’m among country stars, and I’m an r&b singer. I’m going to sing a song that I’ve really learned to appreciate, because Time has really been on my side.”

But her performance of “Time Is On My Side,” was sabotaged by a complete sound-system failure. “Bring her back!” screamed the crowd. So she was given a do-over.

Elizabeth Cook and Tyler Mahan Coe presented Isbell with his Song honor. “This is an exciting thing for me,” said the winner. “Everybody in this category had beautiful stories to tell and beautiful songs.”

Duo/Group nominees Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats ripped the Ryman to shreds with their “Hey Mama.” This was easily the best performance by any of the nominees in their category.

AMA executive director Jed Hilly appeared to cite his genre’s growth. When he took his post 12 years ago, there were 800 AMA members, and there are now 3,000. This year’s convention has attendees from 49 states and 14 countries. More than 250 artists are showcasing. The awards show has added CMT, which will air it on Nov. 18, in addition to its usual PBS home (airing in February).

Duo/Group nominees Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real were an audio revelation on “Forget About Georgia,” giving the tune a faintly Latin tinge, crisply forceful tenor vocals and tasteful electric-guitar filigrees.

Their fellow nominees I’m With Her embellished “Overland” with flawless trio harmonies.

“Women making music changed my life,” said NPR’s Ann Powers. “Their music spoke different truths.” Thus began her presentation of the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement for Executive to the Olivia Records founders. This was the first 100% female-run record label and also the first to embrace LGBTQ people.

“We helped change the way women were seen in the music industry,” observed Dlugacz. “This is the first time we’ve been acknowledged,” added Williamson. “An honor like this makes me feel like I made a difference in the world.”

Big winner Isbell offered a swirling, lush “White Man’s World.” The Lone Bellow said of Prine, “No one has been a bigger influence on us….He’s responsible for this community. He still leads this community.” Proving their point, Prine brought his laconic drawl to “Come on Home” with wistful, acoustic accompaniment.

Nicki Bluhm and Candi Staton teamed up to present the Album of the Year award. “It’s such an amazing opportunity to work with this family,” said producer Dave Cobb of The 400 Unit. “And it’s an honor to be part of this music community, the best community in the world.” Added Isbell, “I’m very grateful for this, and I believe in all of the work that all of us are doing together.”

Keb Mo presented the Lifetime Achievement Instrumentalist award to Buddy Guy. “Better late than never, especially if you’re a blues player,” said the honoree. “They quit playing the blues because the lyrics came too close to what you thought. But after hip-hop came out, I can say what I want. Don’t be the best in town, be the best around. Thank-you very much.”

Guy then plugged in and showed ‘em how it’s done with “Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues.” Like many of the others who performed, he was rewarded with a standing ovation.

After Alejandro Escovedo and Fantastic Negrito presented Prine with his big award, Brandy Clark gave the Trailblazer Award to k.d. lang.

“I am honored to be in this temple of music,” said lang of the Ryman. She then filled the hall with her swaying and dreamy “Trail of Broken Hearts.”

In honor of the late Aretha Franklin, the show’s finale was “Chain of Fools” with Brandi, Irma, Courtney and The War & Treaty trading verses. Buddy Miller and the house band, plus the always fabulous McCrary Sisters pumped out the power.

 

Exclusive: Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley Talk Joining Thomas Rhett’s Tour As DJ Duo “ADHD”

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ADHD. Pictured (L-R): Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley

For the next few weeks, songwriters Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley are adding an interesting “side gig” to their status as hitmakers.

Under the moniker ADHD, Frasure and Gorley have joined the fall leg of Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes Tour, serving as DJs—spinning tunes to amp up the crowd before the show and to keep the party going between sets.

“Hang out on the bus with us for a few hours and you know why we called it ADHD,” Frasure laughs.

“We’ll be midway through a verse and we’ll see a squirrel out the window and get distracted,” chimes Gorley.

As songwriters, Gorley and Frasure have penned over 50 No. 1 songs including several chart-topping favorites from Thomas Rhett’s catalog including “Crash & Burn,” “T-Shirt,” “Unforgettable,” “Marry Me” and most recent No. 1, “Life Changes.”

Early in his career, Frasure booked DJ gigs under the moniker Telemitry to make income alongside a growing career in publishing and songwriting. His popularity grew and was booked for gigs with Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Alyssa Milano, Todd English, Jeremy Pivens, Kim Zolciak, Cee Lo among others. Meanwhile, Gorley was behind the turntables by the time he was 12, and continued spinning tracks for parties during high school and college.

“Thomas Rhett asked us about DJing on his tour,” Frasure recalls. “I did a run with him on the first leg of the Life Changes Tour and he said, ‘You should come do it again.’ I said, ‘I will if Ashley comes and does it with me.’ It was a joke, but it kind of evolved…”

Gorley adds, “Thomas Rhett was like, ‘Ashley won’t do that.’ I’ve always loved hip-hop and that was how I cut my teeth learning songs and tempos and keys. I learned a lot about songwriting through learning how to match up songs. Jesse did, too, so when Thomas Rhett said he didn’t think I would do that, I was like, ‘When’s the first show?’”

Each night, ADHD will set up four turntables in the middle of the arena. Frasure says having two DJs ups the challenge and the fun.

“Nowadays with technology, you can automatically beat match, so [having two DJs] forces you to get back to an old-school thing…beat matching by ear and trading songs back and forth,” says Frasure.

“It’s a little bit of a challenge.” Gorley agrees. “Jesse will play a song and I’ll immediately be like, ‘Oh man, what should follow this?’ So it becomes a bit of a game. It will be fun going back and forth.”

By day, they will be collaborating on new music (including co-writes with Thomas Rhett) on the tour bus booked for the outings. Fans may hear a few some snippets of the tunes they pen during those morning writing sessions.

“It’s a fun tester,” Frasure says. “We will plant little easter eggs, some things that might never be released or some things that might be released down the line—just different remixes.”

Tackling the turntables at night also serves as a refresher when they return to the writing room.

“When you are getting to spin songs you love, it becomes a way of reminding yourself, ‘What is it about this song that I always love hearing?’” Gorley says, “and then you can check the songs you are writing against the songs you love, that you are getting to spin, to see if you’re feeling those same kinds of gut reactions to them.”

“DJing has always taught me the difference between a smash and a popular song,” Frasure says. “Our job is just to keep the culture of fun going, so the fun thing about a great DJ experience is when they check the ego at the door. We know [songs] we love or favorite remixes we’ve done. So you can plan some things ahead of time, but you have to also be able to read the fans and every town is a little different.”

The fall run of Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes Tour will visit Bangor, Maine on Thursday, Sept. 13 and stretch through October.

Dolly Parton And Sia Duet To Release At Midnight, From Forthcoming Netflix Movie Dumplin’

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Prior to the Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out program at Music Biz 2018 on May 15.
Pictured (L-R): John Zarling, EVP, Marketing and New Business, Sony Music Nashville; Caryl Healey Atwood, VP, Sales and Streaming, Sony Music Nashville; Linda Perry; Danny Nozell, CTK Management; Dolly Parton; Darren Stupak, Executive VP/GM Sales, Sony Music Entertainment; Alaina Vehec, Director, Digital Sales and Streaming, Sony Music Nashville; and James Donio, President, Music Business Association. Photo: Courtesy of Music Biz

Dolly Parton has been working on original music for an upcoming motion picture titled Dumplin’.

Today (Sept. 12) it was announced a newly recorded collaboration of Parton’s 1971 track “Here I Am” will release for download and streaming after midnight ET with pop star Sia, which is off of the officially titled Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Additionally, Parton contributed six new compositions for the soundtrack, co-written and produced with Grammy nominee Linda Perry along with newly-recorded collaborations of some of Parton’s most popular songs. A partial list of official guests on the project includes Miranda Lambert, Mavis Staples, Elle King, Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent and the film stars Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Aniston. Miley Cyrus was revealed to also appear on the soundtrack during the Music Biz 2018 conference. Produced by Perry and Executive Produced by Parton, the soundtrack is set to release worldwide on Nov. 30 on Dolly Records/RCA Nashville (Sony Music). 

It was also announced today that Netflix has acquired the film Dumplin’, directed by Anne Fletcher (The Proposal, 27 Dresses), based on Julie Murphy‘s bestselling novel about a plus-size, teenage daughter (Macdonald) of a former beauty queen (Aniston), who signs up for her mom’s pageant as a protest.

The film will be released later this year on Netflix in the U.S. and select international territories, and in select theaters in the U.S. Executive producers are Aniston and Parton’s manager Danny Nozell.

Parton is no stranger to motion picture work, not only starring herself in many films, her co-founded Sandollar Productions produced such films as Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride II. It was announced in June that Netflix is set to carry a series of television films in 2019 based on a different Parton classic songs, with Parton’s Dixie Pixie Productions and Warner Bros. Television. This follows Parton’s successful NBC Christmas specials that aired in 2015-16.

Justin Adams Signs With Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music Revolution

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Pictured (front row L-R): Justin Adams; (middle row L-R): Brian Bradford (Sr. Director of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville), AJ Burton (VP, Fluid Music Revolution), Frank Rogers (President/Founder, Fluid Music Revolution) and Daniel Hill (President, Spirit Music Nashville); (back row L-R): Billy Lynn (VP, Creative, Spirit Music Nashville), Freeman Wizer (Sr. Director of Creative, Spirit Music Nashville) and Scott Safford (Safford Motley PLC).

Spirit/Fluid, the Nashville-based joint venture between Spirit Music Group and Frank Rogers’ Fluid Music Revolution has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Justin Adams.

“Justin is an extremely talented singer, songwriter, musician and performer,” said Frank Rogers. “The sky is the limit for his career and we are excited to be a part of the journey. This is going to be fun!”

“I am beyond thrilled to be working with Frank and AJ and the Spirit/Fluid Music family,” said Adams. “Their passion and drive for creating great music is felt throughout their entire companies. They are building something really special over there and I’m blessed to be a part of the team.”

Adams recently released his sophomore EP Horizon recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville. The project was produced by MusicRow 2018 Musician All-Star Award recipient Derek Wells. Adams also co-wrote the single “You’re In It” for Granger Smith, which is currently in the Top 40 on the singles charts.

All Them Witches Announce New Video, Album, Tour

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Nashville rock band All Them Witches released a new music video today (Sept. 12) for the track “Diamond.” Directed by All Them Witches drummer Robby Staebler, “Diamond” heralds All Them Witches’ fifth studio album, ATW, out Sept. 28 via New West Records.

“Visually I wanted to present the song in a cinematic and contemplative way,” says Staebler, “something that people enjoy re-watching and finding new details in. I wanted a lush landscape and a peaceful and patient environment to work in. Something that would bleed its own blood into the final product by simply existing in the place. I shot the video on 16mm film on location and in studio. Film bleeds its own blood too and I think this video holds the real feelings of the song, the environment and the medium.”

“I wanted ‘Diamond’ to show two sides of a common problem I have with my ego and personality,” adds All Them Witches singer-bassist Charles Michael Parks, Jr. “The first is being content with where I am, physically and mentally, and the second being a constant drive to leave, to go anywhere other than where I am, to let my scattered thoughts draw me to a comparable scattered lifestyle. If forced to go to town, I seem to develop the city equivalent of allergies and slowly take note as my windpipe or nasal cavities shut down. I don’t get sick at home and I seem to always get sick on tour. Music does not exist in the country though. I can’t get on stage in the cow pasture and let my aggression out, so I go on tour to satiate a lust for a non-sedentary lifestyle and stay home to drown out the sensory Hellscape of the city. Both personalities can and do appear at random, and both can take the wheel and lead me anywhere.”

All Them Witches will hit the road for their North American headlining tour, kicking off Friday, Oct. 12 at Lake Perris, California’s Desert Daze alongside artists Tame Impala, Warpaint, Connan Mockasin, and more. Then, they will cross the Atlantic next year for a European tour, set to begin April 11 in Helsinki, Finland.

 

All Them Witches World Tour 2018-19
October 12 – Lake Perris CA – Desert Daze Festival
October 14 – Sacramento, CA – Monster Energy Aftershock Festival
October 31 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn
November 1 – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks
November 2 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall: Upstairs
November 3 – Austin, TX – Antone’s
November 4 – Dallas, TX – Club Dada
November 7 – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge
November 8 – Las Vegas, NV – Beauty Bar
November 9 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
November 10 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah
November 13 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
November 15 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
November 16 – Seattle, WA – Freakout Festival
November 17 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
November 19 – Boise, ID – Neurolux
November 20 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
November 21 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
November 23 – Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
November 24 – St. Louis, MO – Blueberry Hill Duck Room
April 11 – Helsinki, FIN – On The Rocks
April 13 – Oslo, NOR – John Dee
April 14 – Stockholm, SWE – Debaser
April 15 – Copenhagen, DK – Hotel Cecil
April 17 – Leffinge, BE – De Zwerver
April 18 – Sint-Niklaas, BE – De Casino
April 19 – Hasselt, BE – MOD
April 22 – Paris, FR – Maroquinerie
April 24 – Madrid, ESP – Caracol
April 25 – Barcelona, ESP – Razzmatazz 2
April 26 – Nimes, FR – Paloma Club
April 27 – Milan, ITA – Bloom
April 29 – Vienna, AT – Arena
April 30 – Prague, CZ – Rock Cafe
May 1 – Poznan, POL – U Bazyla
May 2 – Warsaw, POL – Hydrozagadka (Noebo*)
May 4 – Nijmegen, NL – Sonic Whip Festival @ Doornroosje
May 6 – Brighton, UK – The Haunt
May 8 – Manchester, UK – Band On The Wall
May 9 – Cardiff, UK – Clwb Ifor Bach

Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown Earn Multiple American Music Awards Nominations

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The nominations for the American Music Awards were revealed Wednesday morning (Sept. 12), with several artists with Nashville ties competing in top categories.

Taylor Swift earned nods in several categories, including Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year, Album of the Year, Pop/Rock (reputation), and Favorite Female Artist, Pop/Rock.

Florida Georgia Line earned three nominations, including Favorite Duo or Group (Country), while their hit “Meant To Be” earned them nominations in the all-genre Collaboration of the Year category as well as the Favorite Song (Country) category.

Kane Brown also earned three nominations, for Favorite Male Artist (Country) and Favorite Album (Country) for his self-titled project, and Favorite Song (Country) for “Heaven.”

Maren Morris earned a nomination in the Favorite Female Artist (Country) category, alongside Kelsea Ballerini and Carrie Underwood. Morris’ hit “The Middle,” with Zedd and Grey, also earned a nom in the all-genre Collaboration of the Year category.

Thomas Rhett earned two country nominations for Favorite Male Artist (Country) and Favorite Album (Country), for Life Changes. Dan+Shay earned nods in the Favorite Duo or Group (Country) category, while their hit “Tequila” landed a spot in the Favorite Song category.

Fans can vote once per day at VoteAMAs.com and on Twitter.

The show will take place Tuesday, Oct. 9 beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Favorite Male Artist (Country):
Thomas Rhett
Luke Bryan
Kane Brown

Favorite Duo or Group (Country):
Florida Georgia Line
Dan + Shay
LANCO

Favorite Album (Country):
Thomas Rhett, Life Changes
Luke Combs, This One’s For You
Kane Brown, Kane Brown

Favorite Song (Country)
“Tequila,” Dan + Shay
“Heaven,” Kane Brown
“Meant To Be,” Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line

Favorite Female Artist (Country):
Kelsea Ballerini
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood

Collaboration Of The Year
“Meant To Be,” Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line
“The Middle,” Maren Morris, Zedd and Grey
“Havana,” Camila Cabello and Young Thug
“Rockstar,” Post Malone and Saint Laurent Don
“Finesse,” Bruno Mars and Cardi B

Favorite Female Artist (Pop/Rock):
Taylor Swift
Camila Cabello
Cardi B

Favorite Album (Pop/Rock):
Taylor Swift, reputation
Ed Sheeran, Divide
Drake, Scorpion

Favorite Artist (Contemporary Inspirational):
Lauren Daigle
MercyMe
Zach Williams

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Tony Joe White, The War & Treaty Help Launch AmericanaFest 2018

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BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 603

The Americana Music convention got a whomper-stomper kick-off on Tuesday evening (Sept. 11).

The great Tony Joe White riled up a crowd of conventioneers on the roof of the BMI building on Music Row. Then, The War & Treaty ripped it up on the same stage. Rocking song poet Israel Nash closed the cocktail party.

This “Official Americanafest Kickoff Party” took place as breezes gently wafted in the first fall temperatures that Music City has felt. The sponsoring George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey offered libations. I sampled the pleasingly light chardonnay provided by the Daou Winery of Paso Robles, CA. The vineyard offers tours, by the way.

When I arrived, Martha Moore, Jon Freeman, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Barry Corbin were already working the room. So were Jill Block, Grady Block and Rocky Block, the last of whom had signed as a songwriter for Bob DiPiero’s company earlier that very day. His late papa Billy would be so proud.

Holly George-Warren, Patrick Clifford & Toni the Tiger, Geoff Himes, Brad Paul, Patrine Day Mitchum (the daughter of movie great Robert), Earle Simmons, James Hand, James Inveld, Pat DiPuccio (of Flipside fanzine fame), Robyn Hitchcock, Robbie Fulks, Jim Lauderdale, Maurice Miner and more engaged in early convention schmoozing.

Tim McFadden turns out to be a major Americana maven. He introduced me to Deana McCloud, the executive director of the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa. Judging by her description, this sounds like a must visit. Mark Lourie of New England’s Skyline Artist Agency was another Tim introduction. That biz handles acts like Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and Poco.

Tim also knows Anya Siglin. She’s the program director of the acclaimed non-profit roots-music venue The Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I am told this is one of the world’s great listening rooms.

Although this was the kick-off cocktail party, it wasn’t overly crowded. That’s because the convention was already in full swing with competing music showcases by Llllie Mae, Arkansas Dave, The Ruen Brothers, John Prine, I’m With Her, Neighbor Lady, Caleb Caudel and Fantastic Negrito at the more than 40 venues that are participating in Music City.

Onward into the week we go.

 

Music Expo Nashville Announces Additional Panelists

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Music Expo Nashville, set for Sept. 22, has announced some additional speakers to its lineup of Grammy award-winning producers, engineers, songwriters, artists and industry leaders. Newly added speakers include Keynote Speaker and Producer F. Reid Shippen (Kenny Chesney, Cage The Elephant, OneRepublic), Nashville’s first-ever female record Producer Gail Davies (George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson), Forest Fire Gospel Choir Band Drummer Dan Closser, Film Director Jessica Fenton, Producer Jordan Brooke Hamlin (Indigo Girls, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Rachael Yamagata), Mastering Engineer Pete Lyman (Chris Stapleton, Fall Out Boy, Weezer), Producer Daniel Tashian (Kacey Musgraves, Josh Turner, Martina McBride) and Artist Hanna Duff.

Panelists will offer in-depth discussions about everything from songwriting, developing a vocal identity, and breaking into the music industry to fine-tuning a production mix and how to brand and market a creative project and distribute it to the masses. Newly added program highlights include:

Music Creation in Pro Tools – Electronic Music Producer/Avid Pro Audio Team Leader Greg “Stryke” Chin will discuss music creation workflows using Pro Tools 2018.

Women In The Music Industry – Coined as Nashville’s first female record producer, Gail Davies will share personal experience as a backup singer, record producer and songwriter. The discussion will be opened up for questions, and she will later sign autobiography The Last of The Outlaws.

Huge Drums, Tiny Room – Discover the tools, tricks, tips and techniques behind crafting larger-than-life drum sounds when working in a small room. The Tracking Room’s Head Engineer, Matt Leigh will cover topics from selecting the right gear to signal processing and mixing without the need for sample replacement. Forest Fire Gospel Choir’s Dan Closser will share an in-studio demonstration.

Artist Development From the Producer Perspective – Producer and Songwriter Femke Weidema will discuss sourcing talent on the web, finding a budget with limited resources, developing and nurturing an artist, and pulling a team together.

Behind the Scenes of the Proof In Music Video Series – Jessica Fenton will share why this all-women, music production series was started, who’s being featured, and why it’s so important in today’s recording studio culture.

Mastering Audio: From Recording Studio to Pressing Plant – Mastering Engineer Pete Lyman (Chris Stapleton, Fall Out Boy, Weezer) will discuss the creative process behind digital mastering, and the process of vinyl record production.

The Skill of Wonder – The elements which cause us to be most (wonderfully) self-forgetful and temporarily transfixed are, arguably, a foundational part of making/recording music. From EQing a vocal, to marketing a record, to not being miserable in our lives and work, we’ll consider the question of, “Is there anything to be learned or benefited from “training” in this way as much as any other skill used in the creative process?

The Producer In The Writing Room – Nashville’s newest generation of Producer/Writers; SE Berrios, Tony Esterly, Dave Pittenger and Daniel Tashian will discuss the evolution of songwriting and producing, and how the craft is being redefined in Music City. The panel will be moderated by Producer Femke Weidema

The initial round of speakers were announced previously and can be found here.

BMI Sets Record With Nearly $1.2 Billion In Revenues

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BMI has announced the performance rights organization has generated $1.199 billion in revenues for the fiscal year ending June 30. The total represents a 6.1 percent increase over the previous fiscal year’s $1.13 billion in revenue.

The company also distributed and administered a record $1.118 billion in royalties to its songwriters, composers and publishers, marking a nine percent increase over the previous year.

Mike O’Neill, President and CEO, BMI, stated, “Thanks to the incredible creativity of our songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI was once again able to generate record revenue and distributions on their behalf. While we are proud of achieving these results, we will always strive to do better. BMI will continue to advocate for our affiliates, ensuring that all songwriters and composers can continue to earn a living creating the music that is loved all over the world.”

Total domestic revenue, which is comprised of digital media, traditional television and radio, cable and satellite, and general licensing, grew to a record $880 million, up five percent over the prior year. Revenue from cable and satellite sources once again generated the largest portion of BMI’s domestic revenue at 33 percent, while traditional television and radio revenue accounted for 25 percent of the overall domestic total.

Notably, BMI’s international revenue grew $25 million to $319 million, up nine percent over the previous year.

BMI processed nearly 1.7 trillion performances in FY ‘18, a 23 percent increase over last year. Of this total, 1.67 trillion were digital performances, or 97.7 percent of all performances processed.

The $1.118 billion in total distributions includes domestic and international royalties, as well as royalties from direct deals that BMI administers on behalf of its publishers. Distributions from these direct deals totaled $53 million, a $17 million increase over the previous year, representing approximately five percent of BMI’s total distribution.

When factoring the impact of direct deal administration, the company reports it now distributes nearly 90 cents of every dollar directly back to its songwriters, composers and publishers.

BMI’s domestic revenue growth over the past year was driven strongly by gains in the digital sector, which grew 32 percent to $215 million due to new deals made with Amazon, Apple Music, Hulu Netflix, YouTube, Sound Cloud, Spotify and expansion into new digital markets including social media with Facebook. Digital now represents 24 percent of the company’s total domestic revenue.

General licensing, which encompasses 18 percent of BMI’s total domestic revenue and is generated from businesses like bars and restaurants, hotels and fitness centers, along with other income, posted record results of $156 million, a 5 percent gain year-to-year. The company added 15,000 new businesses to its growing portfolio.

Miranda Lambert Launches New Boot Barn Idyllwind Collection

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Miranda Lambert and Boot Barn have teamed up to present Idyllwind – Fueled by Miranda Lambert, a new apparel, accessories, and boot brand. The company just launched the new line, which is inspired by vintage and retro looks with a modern fashion edge and a focus on comfort, fit, and quality.

The products are available at all 233 Boot Barn stores nationwide and on bootbarn.com.

“Miranda Lambert’s creativity and authenticity have fueled the assortment for Idyllwind. Her involvement and passion for this brand are evident in every item created. I am extremely pleased and grateful for the partnership that has been created with Miranda and her team.  Our customers have been enthusiastic with the initial Idyllwind trunk shows we launched during the holiday and starting today they will now have access to the full Idyllwind collection across the country,” said Jim Conroy, Boot Barn CEO.

“Idyllwind is a true expression of my style, created for the everyday girl who is also a badass. A brand based on being who you are and being comfortable in your skin and celebrating yourself whatever your size or age. Created around comfortable, affordable, great fitting clothes and boots that I call my trusties,” said Lambert. “I am very excited to work with the Boot Barn team and continue our amazing journey to building this brand together.”