Bobby Bones Joins ‘American Idol’ As Official In-House Mentor

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Bobby Bones will join American Idol this season as the show’s in-house mentor, it was announced during Monday night’s (Nov. 5) telecast of Dancing With The Stars. Bones appeared on Idol last season, joining the top 24 hopefuls as they prepared to take the stage with their all-star celebrity duet partners. This season, his role has expanded and he will offer his expertise throughout the competition, helping contenders reach the next level of their artistry and performances.

With a nationally syndicated radio show The Bobby Bones Show reaching millions of listeners that recently garnered its third ACM Award for National On-Air Personality of the Year, Bones also earned a 2017 CMA award for National Broadcast Personality of the Year. His popular podcast, “BobbyCast,” recently surpassed 100 episodes and has been downloaded more than 6 million times, and he is also a two-time New York Times No. 1 best-selling author, touring stand-up comedian, philanthropist and chart-topping comedy artist.

American Idol is returning to ABC for the 2018-2019 season, after its inaugural season on the network during 2017-2018 with all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Ryan Seacrest will also return as host.

CMA Foundation Grant Program Invests $3.5 Million Toward Student Success In 2019

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The CMA Foundation announced today that it will invest $3.5 million in financial resources over the course of 2019 to support those working to create positive change in the lives of children through music, bringing total foundation contributions to over $25 million.
The CMA Foundation focuses on five areas of revitalization—youth development through music, in-school music education, professional development for teachers, capacity building and research. Since its inception in 2006, the CMA Foundation has continued their mission to ensure every child has access to a quality music education.
“National trends show us that students who study the arts—specifically music, are more likely to see postsecondary success, however, the research concludes most music education programs are still not properly supported through funding and resources,” said Tiffany Kerns, executive director, CMA Foundation. “Our mission is not just to provide funding for music programs, but to also provide resources and support that can be used to create models for success in establishing and sustaining thriving music education programs in communities across the country.”
In 2018, more than 350 artists performed for free at CMA Fest, allowing ticket proceeds to help fund grants distributed by the CMA Foundation. Those funds have helped enrich programs throughout national public school systems, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations.

A full list of the CMA Foundation’s 2019 grantees can be found here.

Weekly Register: Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Dan+Shay Continue To Top Country Charts

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Country Albums Sales

Luke Combs

Luke Combs continues his lead in country album sales this week, with This One’s For You moving 21K in total consumption (3.5K albums only), according to Nielsen Soundscan. Josh Turner debuts at No. 2 with his faith-based I Serve A Savior moving 15K in total consumption (14K album only).

Dan+Shay land at No. 3 with their self-titled album moving 13K (1.3K album only), while Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller is at No. 4 with 12K (3K album only). Kane Brown‘s self-titled album is at No. 5 with 10.5K (1.8K album only) as he preps his Nov. 9 sophomore release.

Country Streaming Chart

Kane Brown. Photo: Apple Music

Kane Brown continues to hold the top spot with “Heaven,” which streamed over 7.2 million this week, and now has over 443 million streams to date. Chris Stapleton‘s “Tennessee Whiskey” is at No. 2, with 7.1 million streams this week (nearly 575 million to date). Dan+Shay‘s “Speechless” is at No. 3 with 6.8 million streams this week (106 million to date). The duo’s “Tequila” is at No. 4 with 6.5 million streams this week, and 291 million to date. Combs rounds out the Top 5 this week with “She Got The Best Of Me,” with 5.8 million streams this week and 120 million streams to date.

Country Song Sales Chart

Dan+Shay. Photo: Patrick Tracy

Dan+Shay‘s “Speechless” is at No. 1 this week, with 10K (159K to date), followed by Luke Combs‘ “She Got The Best Of Me” at No. 2 with 7.5K. Jimmie Allen‘s “Best Shot” is at No. 3 with 6.7K, followed by Mitchell Tenpenny‘s “Drunk Me” at No. 4 with 6.5K. Stapleton’s version of “Tennessee Whiskey” follows at No. 5 with 5.5K, and 1.693 million in sales to date.

Cody Johnson has the top debut this week, with “Dear Rodeo” coming in at No. 11 country, with 4.2K.

“Millionaire” Brings Kevin Welch To The Top Of Songwriter Chart

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MusicRow Songwriter Chart

Kevin Welch demonstrated the power of a solo-write as his wholly-penned song “Millionaire” takes him to No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. With all of the points going entirely to Welch from the Chris Stapleton hit, this week marks a rare occurrence that the No. 1 slot has featured a songwriter with only one song on the MusicRow songwriter chart.

Kane Brown soared from No. 27 to No. 7 with the help from “Homesick,” “Good As You” and “Lose It.” Brown’s co-writer for the latter two, Tape Room Music and Warner/Chappell’s Will Weatherly, moves up into the top 10 from No. 36.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive recent addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Robert Filhart Joins Morris Higham Management

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Robert Filhart. Photo: Ed Rode

Morris Higham Management has announced the addition of music industry veteran Robert Filhart to their team. With nearly 15 years of experience, Filhart brings a background in artist management as well as nearly a decade as Creative Director at ASCAP to his new role. In his role at Morris Higham, Filhart will oversee management for new artist Carlton Anderson, whom he met during his tenure at ASCAP.

“I have known Robert for over a decade now and I’ve always admired his unwavering support of our music, songs and artists,” shares Morris Higham president Clint Higham. “Robert possesses that innate natural talent and heart to become one of the greats as a manager in our business.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented artists over the years,” shared Filhart, “and there is something so incredibly special about Carlton. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to make his promising career my focus. The team at Morris Higham is remarkable and I know we’re going to accomplish great things together.”

Filhart has both signed and worked closely with a number of artists throughout his career thus far, including Brandy Clark, Jordan Davis, Ryan Hurd, Tenille Townes, Brett Young and countless others.

Filhart can be reached at [email protected] or at 615-585-2057.

Brent Cobb To Launch Sucker For A Good Time Tour In January

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Brent Cobb will start off 2019 with his Sucker For a Good Time Tour, beginning Jan. 17 at Atlanta’s Terminal West. The headlining tour will run through March 30 and visit Asheville, Charleston, Austin, Memphis, Birmingham, Louisville and more, plus a performance supporting the Tedeschi Trucks Band at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Jan. 31.

The new tour follows Cobb’s extensive run as part of Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show and supports the release of his new album, Providence Canyon, which was produced by Dave Cobb and is out now on Low Country Sound/Elektra Records.

BRENT COBB TOUR DATES:

January 17—Atlanta, GA—Terminal West
January 18—Athens, GA—Georgia Theatre
January 19—Macon, GA—Hargray Capitol Theatre
January 25—Raleigh, NC—Lincoln Theatre*
January 26—Charlotte, NC—Neighborhood Theatre
January 31—Nashville, TN—Ryman Auditorium†
February 1—Asheville, NC—Grey Eagle
February 7—Charleston, SC—Charleston Pour House
February 8—West Columbia, SC—New Brookland Tavern
February 9—Greenville, SC—Radio Room
February 13—Austin, TX—Stubbs Jr.
February 14—Dallas, TX—Trees
February 15—Pocola, OK—Gilley’s at Choctaw Casino
February 16—Memphis, TN—1884 Lounge
February 21—Kansas City, MO—Knucklehead’s
February 22—St. Louis, MO—Off Broadway‡
February 23—Wilson, AR—The Grange at Wilson
February 28—Birmingham, AL—Saturn
March 1—Waverly, AL—Little House at Standard Deluxe
March 2—Tifton, GA—Rhythm & Ribs Festival
March 21—Oxford, MS—Proud Larry’s
March 22—Jackson, MS—Duling Hall
March 23—New Orleans, LA—Gasa Gasa
March 24—Mobile, AL—Callaghan’s Irish Social Club
March 29—Lexington, KY—Cosmic Charlie’s
March 30—Louisville, KY—Zanzabar
* with American Aquarium and Courtney Marie Andrews
† supporting Tedeschi Trucks Band
‡ with William Clark Green

Nomination Period Now Open For Songwriter-Member Seats Of Music Licensing Collective Board/Committees

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Nominations are now open for songwriter members of the Board of Directors, Unclaimed Funds Committee and Dispute Resolution Committee of the Music Licensing Collective (MLC) to be submitted to the US Copyright Office for approval as established by the recently passed Music Modernization Act.

Prospective nominees can be submitted at mlcsongwriters.com through 11:59 p.m. CST, Dec. 5, 2018.

Per the statutory requirements of the Music Modernization Act, a new digital music mechanical licensing entity is being formed called the Music Licensing Collective (MLC). By statute, there will be songwriter representatives on the Board of Directors of the Music Licensing Collective (MLC) as well as the Unclaimed Funds Committee and Dispute Resolution Committee.

Four (4) self-published songwriters will be selected for the Board of Directors; these positions require that an individual be a professional songwriter who currently controls his/her own publishing. Additionally, five (5) professional songwriters will be selected for the Unclaimed Funds Committee and three (3) professional songwriters will be selected for the Dispute Resolution Committee. The only requirement for these positions is that a songwriter be eligible to collect royalties in the US.

American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Songwriter’s Guild of America (SGA) and Songwriters of North America (SONA) have each named two songwriters to a 10-person selection committee to review nominations, evaluate candidates through a multi-step process and ultimately select songwriters for service to the original Board and Committees of the Music Licensing Collective (MLC) that will then be submitted to the US Copyright Office.

The selection committee members are Steve Bogard (NSAI), Rick Carnes (SGA), Lynn Gillespie Chater (SGA), Dallas Davidson (BMI), Chris DeStefano (NSAI), Bob DiPiero (BMI), Dan Foliart (ASCAP), Adam Gorgoni (SONA), Michelle Lewis (SONA) and Paul Williams (ASCAP).

New Townes Van Zandt Memoir Released

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A new memoir on Townes Van Zandt, My Years with Townes Van Zandt:  Music, Genius, and Rage, by Harold F. Eggers, Jr. and L.E. McCullough, released in October on the Hal Leonard Backbeat Books imprint.

Eggers’ own personal journey of loss and redemption through music was entwined with that of his friend and business partner, Van Zandt. A veteran music industry executive in Nashville and Austin, Eggers worked with Van Zandt for 20 years as road manager and co-producer, helping bring the songwriter’s music to live audiences across Europe and North America.

A longtime musician and music journalist with a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology, L.E. McCullough has penned hundreds of articles on music and the music industry. While serving as country music columnist for the Austin American-Statesman in the 1980’s, he met Van Zandt and recorded with him on a Texas music anthology CD.

In a little over three decades, Van Zandt wrote  over 130 songs, recorded 22 albums and toured constantly around the globe. His songs have been recorded by nearly 500 performers in over 40 countries worldwide, including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Don Williams, Ricky Skaggs, Cowboy Junkies, Guy Clark, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Norah Jones and more. In 2017, his “Buckskin Stallion Blues” was featured in the Oscar-winning film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

“The story of Townes and Harold is glorious, tragic and ultimately uplifting,” says L.E. McCullough. “It’s the story of a generation of American Romantics and the price they paid for holding on to their ideals and never letting go.”

“Townes often stated that his main musical mission was to write the perfect song that would save someone’s life,” says Eggers. “Like the master song craftsman he was, he was never truly satisfied with the final product but always kept giving it one more shot, one extra tweak, one last effort.”

 

peermusic Nashville Signs Rock Group The Weeks

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The Weeks

Rock group The Weeks have signed an exclusive publishing and administration agreement with peermusic Nashville, as announced today by Kathy Spanberger, President/Chief Operating Office – Peermusic Anglo American Region and Craig Currier, Vice President, Director of Advertising Markets, peermusic.

The group, who was previously signed by Kings of Leon to their label Serpents and Snakes, are currently working on new material and plan to release a new album in 2019. The company’s creative team is working closely with The Weeks and have made the album one of their major priorities.

“We’re thrilled to have The Weeks join the peermusic family. They are probably one of the hardest working bands I’ve seen and their energy and passion both in their live shows and their records is simply contagious. They’re a band that knows how to rock and have fun doing it and it shows in the passionate fan base they have developed both in the US and across Europe. We’re excited to be able to be part of this next chapter in their already stellar career,” said Currier.

“We’re excited to announce our new partnership with peermusic. We have gotten to know the Nashville team over the past six months and this feels like a great next step for the band. peermusic has a strong global presence and reputation, and we’re excited to be part of the family,” said The Weeks.

The Weeks was formed in Jackson, Mississippi by twin brothers Cyle and Cain Barnes, Samuel Williams, and Damien Bone. Soon after they began playing together they signed to Esperanza Plantation and released their debut Cadillac Comeback in 2008 followed by the EP Rumspringa a year later. After self-released a second album, The Weeks relocated to Nashville and signed a deal with Serpents and Snakes label, where they released the albums Gutter Gaunt Gangster and Dear Bo Jackson. After leaving Serpents and Snakes the band released the Buttons EP, the album Easy, and this year’s live album Inside the Pines.

Allen Shamblin Set For Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum’s Poets and Prophets Series

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Songwriter Allen Shamblin, whose compositions include the award-winning songs “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and “The House That Built Me,” will be the next subject in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s interview series exploring and documenting the work of songwriters, Poets and Prophets.

Set for Saturday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater, the program will feature an in-depth interview with Shamblin, conducted by Senior Museum Editor Michael Gray. The interview will incorporate vintage photos, film, and recordings from the museum’s collection. Following the program, Shamblin will sign commemorative posters from Hatch Show Print, available for purchase in the Museum Store.

Though he was born in Tennessee, Shamblin grew up in Huffman, Texas, near Houston. He worked for a time as a real estate appraiser in Austin, but moved from Texas to Nashville in 1987 to pursue a career as a songwriter. In 1990, he had his first hit, “He Walked on Water,” sung by Randy Travis. He has gone on to write impactful hits including “Thinkin’ Problem” (David Ball), “Life’s a Dance” (John Michael Montgomery), “We Were in Love” (Toby Keith), “Don’t Laugh at Me” (Mark Wills), “Where the Blacktop Ends” (Keith Urban) and “The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert). Some of Shamblin’s most notable work is in collaboration with Mike Reid. They wrote Reid’s No. 1 hit “Walk on Faith,” Collin Raye’s “In This Life,” and Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” which is in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Admission to Poets and Prophets is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited and program passes are required for admittance. The program will also be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org.

This Poets and Prophets program is presented by SunTrust. “SunTrust is proud to support the legacy of songwriters here in Nashville and beyond and to partner with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to honor Allen Shamblin for his outsized contribution to our music and culture,” said Ashleigh Overly, managing director, sports & entertainment group for SunTrust.