New Spotify Beta Feature Allows Artists To Directly Upload Music For Free

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On Thursday (Sept. 20), Spotify introduced a new feature that allows independent artists to upload music directly to Spotify, without the need for a label or third party. Spotify will allow artists to upload their content for free, with no fees or commissions no matter how frequent you release music.

The new method would effectively allow independent, copyright-owning artists to bypass distributors to put their music on the platform. Previously, artists were required to use distributors, such as CD Baby, TuneCore, AWAL, or others.

The new feature is currently in Beta through Spotify For Artists, and is an invite-only feature for a few hundred US-based independent artists, but aims to allow more artists and teams to upload music in the future. Additionally, Spotify’s listening data will be available directly to the artists by way of their own dashboard.

Artists will see a preview of exactly how things will appear to listeners before hitting submit. After the music goes live, artists will be able to control the metadata with fast edits.

A blog on Spotify.com clarifies:

Just like releasing through any other partner, you’ll get paid when fans stream your music on Spotify. Your recording royalties will hit your bank account automatically each month, and you’ll see a clear report of how much your streams are earning right next to the other insights you already get from Spotify for Artists.

Promotions, Hirings at Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem

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Pictured (L-R): Dustin Kovacic, Sarah Smith

Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC has announced a round of promotions and hirings. Sarah Smith has been promoted to Sr. Counsel, where she will continue to serve in the Entertainment Practice Group on the transactional side.

Dustin Kovacic has been hired an associate in its Entertainment Practice Group. Dovacic will assist with various transactional and litigation matters for the firm’s clients. He is a 2015 graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, a member of the Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations, as well as SOLID and Copyright Society of the South.

“Having worked with many of the lawyers at Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem over the last few years, I am excited to join the team and looking forward to being a part of the firm’s continued success and rapid growth,” Kovacic says.

“We are thrilled to add Dustin to our growing team,” says Jason Turner. “As our clients’ needs expand, so do our resources as a law firm and Dustin fits that need perfectly.”

Attorney T.D. Ruth has exited the company for another venture to be announced at a later time.

All email addresses for the firm have been updated. Turner can be reached at [email protected], while Dovacic can be reached at [email protected].

 

Warner/Chappell Production Music Receives Eight Mark Award Nominations

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Warner/Chappell Production Music and its partner catalogs have been nominated for eight Mark Awards at the 5th Annual 2018 Production Music Conference. The Mark Awards will be held on Sept. 26 in Los Angeles, at the Loews Hollywood’s Hollywood Ballroom.

The Production Music Association, a nonprofit and leading advocate of the production music community with over 670 music publishing members ranging from major labels to independent boutiques, hosts the annual Production Music Conference in Los Angeles, California.

Warner/Chappell Production Music nominations include:

Best Production Music Library Folk Artist:
Jay William Henderson
Library Catalog: Non-Stop Producer Series
Production Library: Warner/Chappell Production Music

Best Production Music Library Hip Hop-Urban Artist:
“Accent”
Library Catalog: VALO Artists
Production Library: Warner/Chappell Production Music

Best Production Music Track – Ambient:
“Introspective & Emotive Adagio”
Composers: Glenn Cartier, Brandon Mancuso
Library Catalog: Fragile Atmospheres
Production Library: CosMind Production Music

Best Production Music Track – Dark/Mysterious/Investigative:
“Massive Dark Forces”
Composer: Jurek Zimmermann
Library Catalog: CosMind Production Music
Production Library: CosMind Production Music

Best Production Music Track – Folk:
“Wild Wind”
Composer: Marcus Bentley
Library Catalog: VALO Artists
Production Library: Warner/Chappell Production Music

Best Production Music Library Country Artist:
Jay William Henderson
Library Catalog: Non-Stop Producer Series
Production Library: Warner/Chappell Production Music

Best Production Music Track – World:
“Waltz Happiness”
Composer: Kim Collins
Library Catalog: 615 Platinum Series
Production Library: Warner/Chappell Production Music

Best Production Music Track – Pop/Rock:
“In My Head”
Composers: Glenn Eddie Meul, Vince Peersman
Library Catalog: Sprint Edge
Production Library: Studio Fontána

Old Dominion Charity Show Welcomes Kenny Chesney, Sam Hunt, Kelsea Ballerini, Michael Ray

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Pictured (L-R): Sam Hunt, Matthew Ramsey. Photo: Mason Allen

Billed “An Evening With Friends,” Old Dominion raised a total of $40K for charity on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Half of the proceeds benefited the Opry Trust Fund and the other half benefited the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

Surprise guests of the show included Kenny Chesney (“Save It For A Rainy Day,” which was penned by Old Dominion band members Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi), Kelsea Ballerini (“Written In The Sand” and “I Hate Love Songs” which was co-written by band member Trevor Rosen), Sam Hunt (“Make You Miss Me,” “Ex To See,” both co-written with Ramsey), and Michael Ray (“The One That Got Away,” which was penned by Ramsey and Rosen).

Picture (L-R): Whit Sellers, Brad Tursi, Matthew Ramsey, SVP of Programming and Artist Relations for Opry Entertainment and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry Sally Williams, Trevor Rosen, Geoff Sprung. Photo: Mason Allen

Old Dominion with representatives of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Leach, Whit Sellers, Brad Tursi, Mamie Shephard, Matthew Ramsey, Meredith Seacrest, Trevor Rosen, Katie Klochany, Geoff Sprung. Photo: Mason Allen

Old Dominion also performed 19 additional songs during their 120-minute set, including “Hotel Key,” which is currently No. 3 on the country charts and two brand new unreleased songs: the youthfully, energetic “Make It Sweet” and the sentimental and spiritual “Smooth Sailing.”

“What an unforgettable night,” said Ramsey. “The Nashville community has given so much to us. Our lives have changed in ways we could never have—so we felt like this show at the Ryman was a great way to start giving back. There was so much love and music and history swirling around. We are beyond proud to be able to raise money and help those who need it – along with help from our friends!”

The band will pick back up on the fall leg of their arena tour, Oct. 4 in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Knoxville Coliseum.

HAPPY ENDINGS WORLD TOUR FALL 2018 DATES
Oct. 4 Knoxville, TN Knoxville Coliseum
Oct. 5 Glen Allen, VA Innsbrook After Hours
Oct. 6 Rochester, NY Main Street Armory
Oct. 11 Amarillo, TX Amarillo Civic Center
Oct. 12 Las Cruces, NM Pan American Center
Oct. 13 Albuquerque, NM Balloon Fiesta Park
Oct. 25 Atlantic City, NJ Hard Rock Atlantic City
Oct. 26 University Park, PA Bryce Jordan Center
Oct. 27 Roanoke, VA Berglund Center
Oct. 31 Dublin, IE Whelans
Nov. 1 Belfast, IE Empire Music Hall
Nov. 3 Liverpool, ENG O2 Academy 2
Nov. 4 London, ENG O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Nov. 5 Bristol, ENG Trinity
Nov. 6 Manchester, ENG Academy 2
Nov. 8 Birmingham, ENG O2 Institute
Nov. 9-10 Glasglow, SCT Queen Maragaret Union
Nov. 29 Estero, FL Germain Arena
Nov. 30 St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Dec. 1 Winston-Salem, NC Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Dec. 6 Toledo, OH Huntington Center
Dec. 7 Huntington , WV Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Dec. 8 Grand Rapids, MI DeltaPlex Arena
Dec. 13 Bismarck, ND Bismarck Event Center
Dec. 14 Fargo, ND Scheels Arena
Dec. 15 Duluth, MN AMSOIL Arena

Pictured (L-R): Matthew Ramsey, Kenny Chesney, Geoff Sprung (back), Trevor Rosen. Photo: Mason Allen

Pictured (L-R): Matthew Ramsey, Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Mason Allen

Pictured (L-R): Michael Ray, Matthew Ramsey. Photo: Mason Allen

Florida Georgia Line To Perform At Special CMA Songwriters Series Show

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Florida Georgia Line, Corey Crowder, HARDY, and Tree Vibez Music special guests will perform at a special CMA Songwriters Series show at The Novo in Los Angeles Wednesday, Oct. 10. Tickets for the performance go on sale Friday, Sept. 21 at 12 p.m. CT at CMAsongwritersseries.com.

While in Los Angeles, the CMA Foundation, CMA’s philanthropic arm, and U.S. Bank will visit with students at Harmony Project, an organization that provides comprehensive, tuition-free music education and social support and serves 3,500 youth across Los Angeles, Southern California and beyond. More than 90 percent of students in the program, which begins in elementary school, go on to graduate high school and enter college. The CMA Foundation has committed to providing a $50,000 grant to Harmony Project through a five-year partnership. Additionally, U.S. Bank will provide a grant of $25,000 to Harmony Project as part of its Community Possible giving platform and its Places to Play partnership with the CMA Foundation.

CMA Songwriters Series has previously hosted performances in Chicago, Cincinnati and Houston and will visit Seattle later this year.

Drew Southwell’s Electro-Pop Project TROVE Signs Sony Deal

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Trove has signed a global recording contract with Sony Music’s European dance label disco:wax. Disco:wax is home to Martin Garrix, Benny Benassi, Pitbull, Chris Brown, and many others in the pop and electronic world.  

Trove is the electro pop project of writer-producer Drew Southwell, signed with Nashville-based Anacrusis to a publishing deal. Earlier this year, Anacrusis announced signing a global admin deal with Kobalt, with Southwell being the focus of the partnership.

This year, Southwell has had over 20 releases, has collaborated with major artists worldwide, and garnered the attention of David Guetta and Timbaland. 

“We’re thrilled to join forces with Sony disco:wax on this project, and for Trove to have an official home overseas!” says Anacrusis’ Liz Rogers.

Grand Ole Opry Tribute To Ray Charles To Be Filmed For PBS Special

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The Grand Ole Opry® will celebrate the songs of Ray Charles as well as the influence the iconic artist had on not only country music, but all of music on a special Monday Night Opry, “An Opry Salute to Ray Charles,” on Oct. 8.

“An Opry Salute to Ray Charles” will be hosted by Opry member Darius Rucker and will feature unique collaborations and special performances of Charles’s music, performed by Boyz II Men, Cam, Brett Eldredge, Leela James, Lukas Nelson, Allen Stone, Travis Tritt, Chris Young and more.

The show will be filmed for a PBS television special to air in November 2018. The special will also feature behind the scenes footage, a visit to the Ray Charles Library and iconic footage courtesy of the Ray Charles Foundation.

“When you think of musical legends, you think of Ray Charles,” says Rucker. “To host this great event celebrating his legacy at the Opry makes it even more special. Being asked to join the Opry six years ago was one of the greatest highlights of my career and it’s an honor any time I get to step onto that stage, especially for a night like this.”

Tickets for “An Opry Salute to Ray Charles” will go on sale Thursday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. at (615) 871-OPRY and opry.com.

“An Opry Salute to Ray Charles” is produced by Opry Entertainment Group, Black & White TV, Inc. and The Content Farm in association with The Ray Charles Foundation.

Industry Ink: Billy Currington, APA, So Much Moore Media, KORE PR

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Warner/Chappell, Tape Room Music, Combustion Celebrate Multi-Week No. 1

Pictured (L-R): Jerry Flowers, Zach Crowell, Matt Jenkins, Ashley Gorley. Back (L-R) – Travis Carter, Kenley Flynn, Ben Vaughn, Blain Rhodes, Kelly Bolton

Three Nashville music publishers recently celebrated the multi-week No. 1 success of Billy Currington’s “Do I Make Ya Wanna.”
 

Crawford & Power Sign To APA

Crawford & Power 9-17-18 © Moments By Moser Photography

Crawford & Power have signed exclusive booking representation with APA. The duo’s debut EP and single of the same name “Play A Hank Jr. Song” was released to all digital platforms in June 2018 and has been added to Spotify’s 90’s Country (and some 80’s) playlist. Their unique approach to a fading genre has been lauded as a breath of fresh air amidst the  commercialization of sacred American music genres. The two Virginia natives have been on the road opening for Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, Drake White, Joe Diffie, Luke Combs, Jerry Douglas, Cody Johnson and Chris Knight.

 

So Much MOORE Media Signs American Idol‘s Jimmy Charles

Jimmy Charles

Jimmy Charles, who appeared on Season 9 of American Idol, has inked with so much MOORE media for publicity representation. A national spokesman for ZERO Cancer since 2014, Jimmy was named Outstanding Young Tennessean (2017) for his work against the disease and is nominated for the Ten Outstanding Young Americans honor this year.He recently formed his own non-profit to focus on the strength and well-being of all cancer survivors. His new single, “I Am Not Alone,” was co-written with C.J. Garton and Rich Fehle, and produced by Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell.

 

Big Smo Signs with KORE PR

Big Smo

Big Smo has joined KORE Public Relations. Big Smo has issued seven full-length album releases, including We The People (2016) and Special Reserve (2018).

Warehouse West Entertainment Signs Publishing, Development Deals With Jordan Brooker

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Jordan Brooker

Singer-songwriter Jordan Brooker has signed a publishing and artist development deal with recently launched Warehouse West Entertainment in Nashville.

Brooker, a native of Spencerville, Indiana, has been focused on his songwriting and working in the studio with Warehouse West’s Luke Wooten for his first project, which is scheduled for release later this Fall. Brooker is releasing his debut song “You Are” off of his first project on Sept. 21.

He was recently named one of AIMP’s Songwriter Class of 2018 and will be performing his final show in a series of club dates at Whiskey Row in Nashville on Sept. 20.

“I couldn’t be prouder of an artist’s music and vision than that of Jordan’s,” Wooten says. “His signing being our first as a company is a dream come true. I can’t wait to share his music and for all that will follow.”

“I could not be more ecstatic about working with Warehouse West,” Brooker adds. “Working with people and for people that you love is a blessing and I definitely have that here. I am looking forward to what the future has in store for this company and its writers/artists.”

Dustin Lynch Becomes Grand Ole Opry Member

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Photos courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC by Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry officially welcomed Dustin Lynch as a member last night (Sept. 18) with the help of one of his mentors, Opry member Reba McEntire. Following his performance, McEntire surprised Lynch onstage with the welcome, saying “We’re paving the way like Minnie, Roy, Porter, and all the greats before us paved the way for us. Congratulations and welcome to one of the best families in the world.”

“I told everybody before I came out here I’m a crybaby, and I get it from my dad,” said a visibly moved Lynch, who thanked his friends, family, bandmates, and others who play a part in helping make his dreams come true.“This is one of those dreams right now. … Thank you for allowing us to live the dream.”

Backstage, Executive Vice President, BBR Music Group Jon Loba surprised Lynch with the recognition of another career milestone, presenting him with a plaque certifying streams in excess of one billion.

“We are truly delighted to officially welcome Dustin into the Opry family,” said Opry General Manager Sally Williams. “Since making his Opry debut, Dustin has forged a genuine, lasting relationship with the Opry’s members, staff, and audiences. He’s debuted would-be hits on our stage, while backstage he’s gotten to know some of his music heroes and helped welcome newcomers into the country music fold. As Dustin becomes our newest member tonight, we look forward to that relationship growing even stronger, and—as Trace Adkins noted when inviting Dustin to join the family last month—to Dustin carrying on the Opry’s proud tradition for decades to come.”

Lynch made his Opry debut in 2012.

Jon Loba and Dustin Lynch

Pictured (L-R): Jay Jones (VP of Publicity), Chris Loss (VP of Digital Strategy & Analytics), Scotty O’Brien (Southeast Regional), Jon Loba (EVP), JoJamie Hahr (VP of Marketing), Lee Adams (VP of Promotion, BBR), Dustin Lynch, Shelley Hargis (VP of Promotion, BBR), Andrea Knipp (Promotion Coordinator), Rick Shedd (General Manager), Addie Saloman (Director of Digital Marketing), Chelsey Block (Director of Marketing)