Tenille Arts Showcases Array Of Finest Country Songwriting During MusicRow Visit

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Tenille Arts. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Two Tenille’s breaking on country radio at once? Not to be confused: there’s Tenille Townes and the “I Hate This” Reviver Records charmer Tenille Arts.

“I was named after Captain & Tennille, most people probably haven’t really heard that name since,” Arts told MusicRow during a recent visit. “And Arts is my real last name. When my parents named me, they gave me two middle names for other options just in case…so my whole name’s Tenille Jade Dakota Arts.”

Nearly three years to the day the Weyburn, Saskatchewan native’s Visa cleared, Arts took time to reflect on her journey to Music City with MusicRow. “Everyone I really wanted to work with was in Nashville. So being able to move here was a big deal.”

During one writing trip, Adam Wheeler introduced Arts to who would become her other co-producer, Matt Rovey, in addition to music publisher Hal Oven. “That was a really good writing session,” recalled Arts. “He just said, ‘Hold up, I’ve gotta bring some other people in the room.’”

Oven eventually created an indie label to release 17 of Arts’ songs over two projects. Those releases earned consecutive Album of the Year at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards in addition to Arts’ receipt of two nominations at the country’s larger CCMA Awards.

Arts wrote her striking single “I Hate This,” with Wheeler, about a friend’s relationship, but came to find a deeper meaning in her debut title a month ago. “My boyfriend and I were together since I was 15,” shared Arts. “We did the long distance thing and just broke up. Now I relate to this song a whole lot more.”

 

For her MusicRow performance, Arts brought out “Call You Names,” a fresh, reflective track written with a country lyrical twist about an angsty mother-daughter relationship during teenage years that matures to now constant phone calls. Arts surprised her mother, who drove 10 hours to see her daughter open for Reba McEntire in Minnesota.

“Normally I send her all the songs I write right away, but I wanted to play this one for her in person,” recalled Arts. “It was just like waterworks. I don’t know how I got through that. I guess it was kinda my way of saying sorry for all those teenage years.”

Reviver Records signed Arts after the viewing party for an episode of The Bachelor she appeared on, performing “Moment of Weakness.”

“There have been so many new doors opening after signing with Reviver Records,” said Arts. “We just released ‘Mad Crazy Love’ as my first single in Canada. So we’ve got two singles going on right now.” “I Hate This” was a Top 6 debut on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart three weeks ago and has a brand new music video.

Arts has been writing since her last album’s release for a Reviver Records debut, expected by mid 2019.

Pictured (L-R): Tenille Arts, MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Pictured (L-R): Lorie Hollabaugh, Eric T. Parker, Sarah Skates, Tenille Arts, Sherod Robertson, Alex Kobrick, Haley Crow. Photo: MusicRow

Robert K. Oermann Honored At Third Annual Music Row Storytellers Event

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Robert K. Oermann. Photo: Haley Crow, MusicRow

Music journalist Robert K. Oermann was honored Monday, October 29 at the third annual Music Row Storytellers event, benefiting Music Health Alliance.

Storme Warren hosted the festivities, which were held at the Wellspire Center in Nashville’s Gulch area.

Several executives and artists including Larry Gatlin, music industry executive Tim DuBois, journalist and Oermann’s former Tennessean colleague Sandy Neese, and MusicRow Magazine founder David M. Ross were on hand to honor “The Notorious RKO,” as MusicRow Magazine owner/publisher Sherod Robertson described him.

As a child growing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Oermann served as a clerk in his grandmother’s record store, and began to amass what would become a staggering 300,000-piece record collection.

During his 40-year career, Oermann has written for Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Esquire and TV Guide. In the 1980s he became the first country music reporter and critic for USA Today, and spent 12 years with The Tennessean. MusicRow Magazine has featured Oermann’s entertaining—and often acerbic—song reviews since its inception in 1981.

Pictured (L-R): Music Row Storytellers participants Larry Gatlin / Sandy Neese, former VP/Media Relations, Mercury Nashville / honoree Robert K. Oermann / Jeannie Seely / Sherod Robertson, Publisher-Owner, MusicRow magazine / David Ross, MusicRow magazine founder and President, BossRoss Media. Photo: Haley Crow, MusicRow

Jeannie Seely and Robertson started off the evening by sharing some of Oermann’s reviews, among them glowing early reviews of Miranda Lambert, Reba and Garth Brooks, before each had hit superstar status.

Seely said, “Having a new piece of work that you’ve spent hours on and then you hear that Robert K. Oermann has reviewed it, you go, ‘Oh, wow,’ then you go, ‘Oh, hell.’

“But you’ve always been very kind to me. It takes a lot of courage and guts to write some of those bad reviews he’s written.”

“Your single reviews can be brutal, funny, informative, poignant, all of the above,” Warren said. “Every songwriter and artist wants their song reviewed by Robert Oermann—until they don’t. But he didn’t play favorites and he was honest in every one of his reviews.”

Over the past 40 years, Oermann has authored eight books (some in collaboration with his wife Mary A. Bufwack), hosted the podcast Children of Song, and penned liner notes and bios for numerous artists. He also offers his expertise to organizations including The Recording Academy, CMA, Nashville Public Library, Leadership Music and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Among those sending in video messages of heartfelt congratulations included Charlie Daniels, Pam Tillis, UMG Nashville president/CEO Mike Dungan, KT Oslin, Chris Young, Trisha Yearwood, and Dolly Parton, who sang a special rendition of her signature hit “I Will Always Love You,” with some of the verse changed to honor Oermann.

Previous Music Row Storytellers honorees include Charlie Monk and the late Hazel Smith.

Tim DuBois and Robert K. Oermann

Pictured (L-R): Grand Ole Opry stars Jeannie Seely and Larry Gatlin
Photo: Haley Crow, MusicRow

Pictured (L-R): Denise Nichols, event co-chair and Attorney, The Primacy Firm / John Zarling, event co-chair and EVP/Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville / Sherod Robertson, Publisher-Owner, MusicRow Magazine / Robert K. Oermann’s wife, Mary Bufwack / Music Row Storytellers honoree Robert K. Oermann / Shelia Shipley Biddy, COO, Music Health Alliance / Heather McBee, event co-chair and VP/Operations, Nashville Entrepreneur Center / Maurice Miner, event co-chair and President, Maurice Miner Media & Marketing. Photo: Haley Crow, MusicRow

Florida Georgia Line Officially Open The Compound In Hillsboro Village

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Pictured (L-R): FGL’s Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for FGL

Florida Georgia Line welcomed the Nashville community on Tuesday (Oct. 30) to celebrate the grand opening of their Music City-based creative compound, which includes meeting space Meet+Greet, music publishing venture Tree Vibez Music, and clothing/accessories store Tribe Kelley Trading Post.

At the compound, located on 21st Avenue in Nashville’s Hillsboro Village, the duo’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard welcomed guests. “We wanted to create a place in Nashville that brings together music, fashion, business … even coffee, all under one roof, and we couldn’t be more excited,” shared Hubbard.

Kelley added, “Tyler and I are always creating, doing, and to be able to open up this space and share all of its creative energy and good vibes with our Nashville community is special.”

FGL’s liquor line, Old Camp Whiskey, restaurant venue FGL HOUSE, as well as Cambria, and WME sponsored the festivities.

Florida Georgia Line hosts grand opening of their Nashville creative compound on October 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Pictured (L-R): Daniel Ross, James McNair, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, RaeLynn, Corey Crowder, Canaan Smith, Leslie T. DiPiero and Adam Romaine. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Florida Georgia Line

Nashville Street Closures, Traffic Adjustments Announced Ahead Of CMA Awards

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There will be several upcoming traffic adjustments in downtown Nashville as the city prepares for The 52nd Annual CMA Awards, airing live from Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. CT on the ABC Television Network. Production set-up and clean-up for the show will require special traffic patterns that are in effect beginning Sunday, Nov. 4 and continue through Tuesday, Nov. 20. All times Central.

From 6:00 AM Sunday, Nov. 4 until 6:00 PM Thursday, Nov. 15, the northbound sidewalks along Sixth Avenue from Broadway to Demonbreun Street will be closed.

Daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM beginning Monday, Nov. 5, Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Broadway will be closed until Saturday, Nov. 10.

Daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM beginning Monday, Nov. 5, the east sidewalk on Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Broadway will be closed until Saturday, Nov. 10, leaving northbound lane open after Hilton Drive for Hilton exit only.

Daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM beginning Monday, Nov. 5, the west driving lane on Demonbreun Street from Fourth Street to Fifth Street will be closed until Sunday, Nov. 11.

Daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM beginning Monday, Nov. 5, the north sidewalk by Walk of Fame Park on Demonbreun Street from Fourth Street to Fifth Street will be closed until Sunday, Nov. 11.

From 3:00 PM Saturday, Nov. 10 until 6:00 AM Thursday, Nov. 15, Sixth Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Broadway will be closed. Sunday Church parking and daily daycare drop-off will be allowed.

From 6:00 AM Sunday, Nov. 11 until 6:00 AM Thursday Nov. 15, the eastbound parking lane of Broadway from Fourth Avenue to Eighth Avenue will be closed (red bags over meters).

Beginning 6:00 AM Sunday, Nov. 11 until 6:00 PM Thursday, Nov. 15, Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Broadway will be closed.

From 6:00 AM Sunday, Nov. 11 until 6:00 AM Thursday, Nov. 15, two eastbound lanes and one Westbound lane on Demonbreun Street from Fifth Avenue to Sixth Avenue will be closed.

From 1:00 PM Sunday, Nov. 11 until 6:00 AM Thursday Nov. 15, the west sidewalk on Sixth Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Broadway will be closed.

Beginning at 5:00 AM Monday, Nov. 12, there will be no parking allowed on Broadway from Fourth Avenue to Fifth Avenue in front of Rippy’s until 5:00 AM Thursday, Nov. 15 (red bags over meters).

From 3:00 PM Tuesday, Nov. 13 until 6:00 AM Wednesday, Nov. 14, the eastbound lane on Demonbreun Street from Fourth Avenue to Fifth Avenue will be closed.

From 6:00 AM Wednesday, Nov. 14 to 2:00 AM Thursday, Nov. 15, the following streets will be closed:
Sixth Avenue from Korean Veterans Boulevard to Demonbreun Street (No cut through traffic – Music City Center parking and exit only)
Fifth Avenue from Korean Veterans Boulevard to Demonbreun Street
Demonbreun Street from Fourth Avenue to Eighth Avenue, including all sidewalks
Seventh Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Broadway (No cut through traffic – Music City Center parking only)
McGavock Street from Seventh Avenue to Eighth Avenue (No cut through traffic – Music City Center parking only)

From 6:00 AM Wednesday, Nov. 14 until 2:00 AM Friday, Nov. 16, no parking will be allowed on Fourth Avenue from Broadway to Demonbreun. The parking lane will be reserved for rideshare and tour bus drop off and pickup.

Daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM beginning Friday, Nov. 16, the westbound driving lane on Demonbreun Street from Fourth Avenue to Fifth Avenue will be closed until Monday, Nov. 19.

Daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM beginning Friday, Nov. 16, the north sidewalk by Walk of Fame Park on Demonbreun Street from Fourth Avenue to Fifth Avenue will be closed until Monday, Nov. 19.

Daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM beginning Friday, Nov. 16, Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Broadway will be closed until Monday, Nov. 19. The Northbound lane after Hilton Drive will remain open for Hilton exit only.

Daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM beginning Friday, Nov. 16, the east sidewalk on Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Broadway will be closed until Monday, Nov. 19.

CMA Makes New Hires

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Pictured: Kate Kaltenbach, Devin Samuel, Katie Storey.

The Country Music Association has announced the addition of three new hires. Kate Kaltenbach joins as CMA EDU Coordinator, Devin Samuel joins as Social Marketing Coordinator, and Katie Storey joins as Live Events Coordinator.

Kaltenbach comes to CMA from Klein’s Entertainment, where she was a talent buyer and social media consultant. Her responsibilities included managing social media activity, consulting with clients and overseeing event coordination. She interned with CMA in the Community Outreach department where she assisted in implementing CMA EDU and CMA Foundation initiatives, working with several teams to ensure a consistent brand message for the department. Kaltenbach’s responsibilities at CMA now include overseeing development for CMA EDU chapters, executing expansion efforts and membership outreach. She graduated from Ohio State University with a BS in Business Administration. Kaltenbach reports to CMA Foundation Executive Director, Tiffany Kerns.

Prior to her new role, Samuel provided support to CMA’s Creative Services and Marketing teams since 2015, managing photographers and editors for CMA events including the CMA Awards and CMA Fest. She also provided media and street marketing assistance for the Pilgrimage Music Festival. Samuel’s position as Social Marketing Coordinator at CMA includes analyzing and monitoring campaigns, strategically growing engagement for CMA’s social networks, and content management. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a BS in Music Business. Samuel reports to CMA Senior Marketing Manager, Mary Overend.

Storey previously provided event production assistance for the CMA Awards, CMA Fest and the Pilgrimage Music Festival, in addition to serving as a production assistant for artists including Barenaked Ladies and Kris Kristofferson. In her new role, Storey is instrumental in the success of CMA’s live events, which includes ticketing and credentials management, overseeing vendor contracts and providing logistics for the CMA Songwriters Series. Storey is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a BS in Music Business. She reports to CMA Senior Director of Live Events, Chris Crawford.

In addition, Lindsey Jones has been named Project Manager of the CMA Foundation, while Katherine Wong moves from Marketing and Social Coordinator to a new role as Marketing Coordinator.

Big Machine Music’s Brett Young To Be Honored As ASCAP Country Songwriter-Artist Of The Year

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Brett Young. Photo: Riker Brothers

Following a platinum debut album and four consecutive No. 1 singles, Brett Young has now been named the 2018 ASCAP Country Songwriter-Artist of the Year. Young will be celebrated at the 56th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, to be held Monday, Nov. 12 in Nashville.

The Songwriter-Artist of the Year Award is earned by the songwriter who has written and recorded at least two songs that, collectively, have amassed the greatest airplay during a predetermined time period. The Big Machine Music writer’s chart-topping singles, “In Case You Didn’t Know” (triple Platinum) and “Like I Loved You” (Platinum) will be among the most-performed songs honored at the awards event.

Young commented of the impressive accolade: “I have been with ASCAP from the very beginning, and they have always made me feel like a part of the family, especially ASCAP’s Michael Martin and Robert Filhart. I also want to give a huge thank you to everyone in the songwriting community and in country music who welcomed me right away. I moved to Nashville to be a songwriter and it was a happy accident that I also became an artist. I’ve gotten better because I am lucky enough to get into rooms with incredible writers, and I do not take that for granted.”

ASCAP Executive Vice President of Membership John Titta said, “We knew from day one that Brett Young was something special. His talent for songwriting, heartfelt artistry and extraordinary work ethic were undeniable from the start. We are proud and happy to honor him with this milestone achievement so early in his career.”

The only country act on Billboard’s Top New Artists list, Young has captured the hearts of fans everywhere through his honest lyrics and West Coast meets Southern sound, aptly dubbed “Caliville” style. He is currently nominated for the CMA Awards New Artist of the Year, following his 2018 ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year win and multiple nominations from Billboard, CMT and Teen Choice Awards. Bolstering his 1 billion-plus song streams, Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know” music video has surpassed 200 million views. He will launch the “CMT ON TOUR: Here Tonight” headline run next month after recently wrapping up a stint on Thomas Rhett’s “Life Changes” tour. His jet-setting schedule and bicoastal roots intersect with a 13-track collection of songs he penned for Ticket To L.A, Young’s sophomore album due December 7 on BMLG Records.

Give A Note Foundation Appoints New CEO And Strategic Development Director

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PIctured: Beth Slusher and Juliana Lee

The Give A Note Foundation, which is newly independent after seven years under the direction of the National Association for Music Education, has announced two new leadership appointments.

Music industry executive Beth Slusher has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Slusher previously served as one of GAN’s founding board members (2012) and also worked as Give A Note’s Board Chair & President (2014-2018). An experienced entrepreneur and Owner/CEO of Rivar’s, Inc., an apparel manufacturer for the music performance industry, Slusher brings her knowledge and commitment to growing and strengthening music education opportunities throughout the country.

“We are strategically focused on our mission because music education matters,” says Slusher. “Empowering music educators through financial support for innovative and sustainable music programs creates positive impact for students, schools and communities, and I am truly honored to have the opportunity to lead the GAN organization into this exciting next phase of growth and development.”

As part of the expansion, Juliana Lee has been named Strategic Development Director to further grow the organization and expand its financial reach. With six years’ prior experience growing the national non-profit Notes for Notes, Lee is spearheading communication for GAN with key partners including teachers, corporations, foundations as well as the entertainment and media industries. She will be based in Nashville.

“With limited resources, our teachers connect with and celebrate their students’ unique cultures through the common language of music,” said Lee. “I’m thrilled for this opportunity to help identify, fund and elevate the superb music education innovators at the forefront of this important work.”

CMA Foundation Accepting Applications For Music Teachers Of Excellence Awards

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The CMA Foundation is now accepting applications for its fourth annual Music Teachers of Excellence Awards. For the first time ever this year, the foundation will accept applications from music educators nationwide.

The Music Teachers of Excellence program was created in 2016 to recognize the best and brightest music teachers from Nashville and beyond. Award recipients are selected because of their dedication to offering a quality music program to their students and the impact they’ve had on their school community through music.

“Research and data continue to show us the positive impact a quality music education can have on a child’s life today, and in the future. We know that without the commitment, passion and support of music educators, our children would not have a program to help them thrive,” said Tiffany Kerns, executive director, CMA Foundation. “Our Music Teachers of Excellence program is designed to celebrate those making a difference in their music classroom every single day — getting kids to show up to school and helping to shape them into being creative leaders in their communities.”

In addition to a night of celebration, this year, the CMA Foundation will also invest a combined $150,000 to support both personal and professional expenses related to recipients’ music programs in an effort to help drive their commitment  forward. To date, the CMA Foundation has invested over $21 million into music education programs with $575,000 specifically in support of music educators through Music Teachers of Excellence.

Submissions for nominees can be made here. The application process closes Jan. 4, 2019.

Blake Shelton To Team With Lauren Alaina, Trace Adkins, John Anderson, The Bellamy Brothers For 2019 Tour

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Blake Shelton will welcome his heroes and friends as he takes to the road in 2019. Shelton announced his Friends and Heroes 2019 tour on Tuesday evening (Oct. 30). The trek will feature Lauren Alaina, Trace Adkins, John Anderson and the Bellamy Brothers.

The tour will launch Feb. 14 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and will run through March 23 in Albany, New York. Along the way, the tour will visit Pittsburgh; Indianapolis; Buffalo, New York, and more. Watch his tour announcement video below.

Blake Shelton’s Friends and Heroes 2019 Tour

Feb. 14: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Feb. 15: Kansas City, Missouri
Feb. 16: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Feb. 21: Indianapolis, Indiana
Feb. 22: Buffalo, New York
Feb. 23: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Feb. 28: Peoria, Illinois
March 1: Louisville, Kentucky
March 2: Evansville, Indiana
March 7: Jacksonville, Florida
March 8: Tampa, Florida
March 9: Sunrise, Florida
March 14: Des Moines, Iowa
March 15: St. Paul, Minnesota
March 16: Green Bay, Wisconsin
March 21-22: Uncasville, Connecticut
March 23: Albany, New York

Industry Ink: Music City Artists, Touring Career Workshop, Grayscale Marketing

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Steve Dorff Signs With Music City Artists

Songwriters Hall of Famer Steve Dorff has signed with Music City Artists for booking, following his recent signing with Leadership Artists for management. Dorff continues his partnership with Richlynn Group for publicity.

Dorff is known for writing songs for iconic artists such as Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Anne Murray, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Whitney Houston, Cher, Ringo Starr, George Straight, Garth Brooks, Ray Charles and many more. He is also a successful film and TV composer known for writing the theme songs to Reba, Growing Pains, Murphy Brown, Murder She Wrote, Columbo, Spenser: For Hire and songs and scores for Pure Country, Bronco Billy, Rocky IV, Tin Cup, Every Which Way But Loose, and Honky Tonk Man.

 

Touring Career Workshop To Be Held In November

Chris Lisle and Erik Parker, touring industry veterans, created Touring Career Workshop (TCW) to continuously give “roadies” a great place to learn, grow and network. TCW’S eighth annual event will take place on Nov. 13 at Soundcheck Annex.

Areas of expertise covered this year include mental health on the road, healthcare options, and the ever-changing and tremendously important situational awareness. Mike Cruce, President and Owner of Media Visions who will celebrate their 25th anniversary this year, will present the Keynote address.

Registration is open now for the event here.

 

New Hires, Promotions At Grayscale Marketing

Pictured: L – R: Top – Rasha Shaker, Matt Alese, Dakota Davis
Center – Alexis Cason, Katharine Duckworth, Amy Raidel
Lower – Samantha Volpe, Richard Roberts, Conner Chrisman

Nashville-based Grayscale Marketing, led by CEO Tim Gray, has announced a round of promotions and hirings to support the agency’s newly formed Brand Division. The company, which launched in 2015, has included clients such as Warner/Chappell Production Music, Sony Music Nashville, Pilgrimage Festival, and more.

Rasha Shaker has been promoted to Research and Engagement Supervisor. Matt Alese has been elevated to Lead Project Manager for the Arts & Entertainment Division. Dakota Davis has been promoted to Project Manager overseeing the newly launched Brand Division for the agency. Alexis Cason has been elevated to Associate Project Manager. Katharine Duckworth has joined Grayscale Marketing as a Graphic Designer for the Arts & Entertainment Division. Amy Raidel has joined Grayscale Marketing as a Graphic Designer for the newly formed Brand Division. Samantha Volpe has joined Grayscale Marketing as a Graphic Designer for the newly formed Brand Division. Richard Roberts has joined Grayscale Marketing as a Video & Motion Graphics Designer for the Arts & Entertainment Division. Conner Chrisman has joined the Grayscale Marketing team as a Research and Engagement specialist for the Arts & Entertainment Division.