Joseph Llanes Launches New Design Company Greyland

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Pictured (L-R): Joseph Llanes, Christo Collins, Jenny Llanes, Annette Morgan. Photo: Greyland

Joseph Llanes, photographer for outlets including Billboard, New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, Spin and numerous album covers and musicians, is launching Greyland, a new media outlet/merchandising/design company based in Nashville. The new venture is bringing together a group of artists from the Music City area to benefit MusiCares this holiday season in what will be referred to as “12 Days of Greyland.”

Through Greyland, fans will be able to commemorate their concert experiences with magazine quality photography, graphic design and illustrations from around the world designed on an item of the artist’s choice. Every limited-edition item that goes to the fans comes from an elite photographer working hand in hand with the top artists, and all items are limited edition and limited quantity. Five percent of profits go to charity of the artist choice.

“We started Greyland with the intention of being able to grant the access I’ve had for the past several decades in the music industry, to the fans,” explains Llanes. “I’ve worked with Rolling Stone and Billboard, to name a few, a lot in my career and I’ve noticed a change in the industry, and I wanted to be a part of that change. I wanted to be able to spotlight new artists and musicians on my own terms and give fans an entire experience while doing so. From photo, to design, to editorial, to actual art pieces fans can buy on merch items.”

Artists participating in the “12 Days” record a holiday song for Greyland. Additionally, Llanes and video director TK McKamy will produce exclusive holiday webisodes and images to coincide with each track, all benefiting MusiCares, the organization which provides support and community services to musicians in need of medical, personal & financial assistance.

The project launches on Dec. 13 at greyland.com with merchandise proceeds going directly to MusiCares.

Greyland staffers include Llanes (Head Curator/Owner), Jenny Llanes (Producer), Annette Morgan (Creative Director), and Christo Collins (Art Director)

Dolly Parton Earns Golden Globe Nomination For “Girl In The Movies”

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Dolly Parton has earned a Golden Globe nomination for her original song “Girl In The Movies,” featured in the movie Dumplin’, starring Jennifer Aniston and releases Friday, Dec. 7. The track is nominated for Best Original Song-Motion Picture at the upcoming 76th awards show, slated to air Jan. 6 on NBC.

Other tracks nominated in the category include “All The Stars” (Black Panther), “Requiem for a Private War” (A Private War), “Revelation” (Boy Erased), and “Shallow” (A Star Is Born).

Parton has previously earned five Golden Globe nominations. In 1981, her track “9 To 5” was nominated for Best Original Song, while Parton was nominated in the categories New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture and Best Motion Picture Actress–Musical/Comedy, for her work in Nine To Five. In 1983, she was nominate for Best Actress In A Motion Picture—Musical/Comedy for her work in The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. In 2006, her song “Travelin’ Thru” (Transamerica) was nominated for Best Original Song.

MTSU’s WMOT Roots Radio Launches Pop-Up Live Music Series

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MTSU’s WMOT Roots Radio 89.5 will host their first show of a Pop-Up Live Music Series this Friday (Dec. 7) at the Walnut House in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, featuring New Reveille and Sean McConnell.

The Pop-Up Show series is part of WMOT’s efforts to provide even more unique live music experiences to a larger audience.

“Our team at WMOT is excited about sharing this new series of WMOT Pop-Up Shows with our listeners in Murfreesboro and throughout our 40-county listening area,” said Val Hoeppner, executive director of WMOT. “This new series will be part of the celebration of our 50th year on the air, but more importantly it’s our way of bringing even more amazing live Americana music to our members, listeners and community.”

The intimate event venue is located at 116 N. Walnut St. in Murfreesboro and the show will be streamed live on 89.5 FM and wmot.org.

WMOT members are encouraged to reserve spots via an email invitation, and the general public is invited to attend and will be admitted at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 4 p.m. Friday and the show runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Beverages will be available for purchase.

Listeners who are interested in becoming a WMOT member may contact Development Director Abby White at [email protected] or join online at wmot.org.

Monument Records Signs Teddy Robb

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Pictured (L-R): Aaron Kinssies (Longshot Management), Jason Owen (Monument Records), Katie McCartney (Monument Records), Teddy Robb, Shane McAnally (Monument Records), and Rob Baker (Longshot Management). Photo: Susan Berry

On Tuesday night (Dec. 4) singer/songwriter and Ohio native Teddy Robb was surprised on stage during a show at Nashville’s Douglas Corner Cafe with an official offer to sign with Monument Records.

Robb has been working alongside Monument on a developmental basis for the last year, releasing his debut track “Lead Me On,” which Robb co-wrote alongside Ryan Beaver, Matt McGinn and Aaron Eshuis. The track was produced by Shane McAnally, McGinn, and Ben Fowler and has earned more than 6 million streams.

Tuesday evening’s show, part of the Teddy Robb and Friends series, included appearances from Monument co-president McAnally and songwriter/producer McGinn.

McAnally stopped the show midway to announce an offer for Robb to officially sign as a Monument Records artist.

“I have seen firsthand over this past year that Jason and Shane have built one of the best teams around. It’s both humbling and an honor that they have chosen me to be their next artist to build. With them as partners, I have no doubts we will be able to accomplish great things!” Robb said about joining the Monument team.

“It has been so amazing to watch Teddy’s growth over the last year of working together. The things we’ve done in the studio are magic, and his voice connects instantly,” said McAnally.

“We are thrilled to have Teddy on the roster,” continued label co-president Jason Owen, “he’s an incredible artist and we can’t wait to get his music to the world.”

Songwriter Smith Ahnquist Renews Deal With Sea Gayle Music

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Pictured (L-R): Christina Wiltshire, Ahnquist, Chris DuBois; Middle: Marc Driskill, Molly Shehan; Back Row: Brandon Gregg, JD Groover

Sea Gayle Music has renewed its deal with songwriter Smith Ahnquist. The Danville, Kentucky native signed his initial worldwide publishing deal with Sea Gayle a few years ago. “Sea Gayle is my home. There is no where else I’d rather write. These past few years have been amazing, and I’m excited for what’s next,” says Ahnquist.

Ahnquist has had songs recorded by artists like Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, Jameson Rogers, Justin Moore, including the recent top 20 hit “Last Time For Everything” by Brad Paisley.

“Smith is such a talented songwriter, a genius with developing ideas and lyrics. We’re thrilled to be extending our partnership with Smith and can’t wait to be his partner in the great things that are going to happen for him over the next several years,” says Executive Vice President/General Manager, Marc Driskill.

Sea Gayle Music, established in 1999 and co-owned by Chris DuBois and Brad Paisley, is an independent music publisher and artist development company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Sea Gayle has 48 No. 1 songs in its catalog and has earned ASCAP Country Publisher of the Year twice out of the past six years.

Zach Katz To Exit BMG, Company Splits US Repertoire Team

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Zach Katz

BMG US Pres./Repertoire & Marketing Zach Katz will exit the company at the end of the year to take on a new role.

“Zach has made a substantial contribution to BMG over the past six years,” says CEO Hartwig Masuch, “most notably in helping our US operation make the transition from an acquisition-driven start-up to an organically-driven music publishing and recordings company which genuinely delivers on its core values to its clients. I have immense respect for the commitment he has given BMG and salute his multitude of achievements.”

Katz says, “I would like to express my utmost gratitude to Hartwig, for believing in me over the years and believing in the US team. Under his management, BMG has grown exponentially and achieved more in the past 10 years than most companies could ever dream possible. I am positive the greatest years of BMG still lie ahead with the company’s new US leadership group at the helm.”

Katz’s departure comes as BMG reveals its new structure, effective Jan. 1, 2019. The move splits BMG into three key US offices: Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York, will effectively have the same status as countries such as the UK and Germany, reporting directly to worldwide CEO Masuch.

BMG Nashville’s Kos Weaver, BBR Music Group’s Jon Loba

In Nashville, the new organization finds Jon Loba (EVP, BBR Music Group) and Kos Weaver (EVP BMG Nashville) formally taking joint control of BMG’s repertoire operation in Music City, overseeing the office and leading the publishing and recording music teams.

Weaver joined BMG to run its Nashville publishing operation in 2013. Loba joined BMG in January 2017 following the company’s acquisition of BBR Music Group. The new joint management structure comes ahead of BMG moving its publishing and recorded music teams together into a new Nashville location in 2019. Weaver’s team recently wrapped Nashville’s awards week with record-setting honors at the SESAC, ASCAP, and BMI Country Awards, and represent a roster of country music’s elite songwriters including Hillary Lindsey, Carly Pearce, Scooter Carusoe, and many others. Loba has been an influential figure in the careers of chart-topping country music artists including Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, and Randy Houser, alongside newcomers Jimmie Allen, Lindsay Ell, and Runaway June. He will continue to oversee BBR Music Group’s associated labels Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, and Wheelhouse Records.

In Los Angeles, Thomas Scherer has been promoted to EVP, Rep. & Marketing, Los Angeles. John Loeffler as been appointed EVP, Repertoire & Marketing, New York.

Masuch said, “The US represents more than 50% of BMG’s business. To give you a sense of scale, if it was a country, our Los Angeles operation would be our biggest territory some way ahead of the UK, Nashville would be our third biggest territory just ahead of Germany and New York would be sixth biggest, just behind France. Putting this new structure in place will empower local management and enable us to better deliver our mission of offering artists and songwriters a genuine alternative to the established companies.

“In a fast-growing company like BMG, one of the great challenges is to ensure you have the optimum structure for each stage of development. This structure prepares the ground for BMG’s next phase of the growth in the US and I would like to congratulate Thomas, John, Kos and Jon as they take on these exciting new roles.”

Lineup Revealed For CRS’ Annual Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley

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On Feb. 14, 2019, twelve hit songwriters will take the spotlight during one of Country Radio Seminar’s (CRS 2019) most anticipated after-hour events, the annual “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley.”

This lineup of song crafters has earned numerous No. 1 singles, CMA Awards, ACMs, Grammys, and millions in sales. Set to perform are Rhett Akins (Warner/Chappell), Chris DeStefano (Sony/ATV), Chase McGill (Universal), Laura Veltz (Big Machine Music), JT Harding (THiS Music), Luke Laird (Creative Nation), Lori McKenna (Creative Nation), Brett James (Cornman Music/Warner Chappell), Lee Thomas Miller (Warner/Chappell), Wendell Mobley (Warner/Chappell), Scooter Carusoe (BMG) and Heather Morgan (Sony/ATV).

Legendary radio personality and host of the event, Bob Kingsley comments, “For me, Acoustic Alley is a magical place where those of us who play the hits get a good look behind the curtain—to that place where inspiration becomes song. There’s nothing like spending an evening with the world’s best songwriters as they share the joy and hard work that goes into their craft, then play the songs as they first came into the world! Join us, won’t you?”

CRS Executive Director, Bill Mayne adds, “We are beyond thrilled to announce this high caliber lineup. Having the opportunity to witness this level of talent in such an up-close and intimate setting makes this event so special and unforgettable.”

Sponsored by Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40, with support from First Tennessee Bank and ASCAP, “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley” will be held on Thursday. Feb. 14 from 7 p.m. until midnight in the Legends Ballroom (level 2) at The Omni in Nashville, Tenn. A CRS badge will be required for admittance.

Registration for Country Radio Seminar 2019 is available for $599 at countryradioseminar.com. Only a limited number of Omni Hotel rooms are still available. To book a room, please call 1-800-THE-OMNI (1-800-843-6664) or reserve online.

Country Music Association, CMA Foundation Elect New Board Of Directors

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The Country Music Association has today announced its new Board of Directors for both CMA and the CMA Foundation. The appointments are effective on Jan. 1, 2019.

Bill Simmons, Partner at The Fitzgerald Hartley Company, completes his term as Chairman of the CMA Board, while current CMA Board President Jody Williams, Vice President, Creative, Nashville at BMI, assumes that post. CMA President Elect Kurt Johnson, Senior Vice President of Programming at Townsquare Media, will become CMA Board President. Mary Hilliard Harrington, Senior Manager at Red Light Management, has been named CMA Board President Elect, while Clay Hunnicutt, President of Big Loud Records, has been named Secretary/Treasurer of the CMA Board.

Jennie Smythe, CEO of Girlilla Marketing, assumes the post of CMA Foundation Chairperson, while current Chair Joe Galante, CEO of Galante Entertainment Organization, becomes CMA Foundation Vice Chair in 2019.

“Serving on the CMA Board as Chairman has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Simmons. “I’m thankful for everyone, including past Chairs, who encouraged and helped me in this role. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Sarah Trahern is such a gift to CMA, and it’s thanks to her leadership and the CMA staff that the Board’s vision is executed. I congratulate Jody Williams on becoming the Board’s new Chair.”

“Our community has so much to celebrate from 2018, and I am excited to step into the role of Chairman in 2019,” said Williams. “I’d like to thank Bill Simmons for his dedication to the board throughout this past year. And I look forward to working with officers Kurt Johnson, Mary Hilliard Harrington, and CMA leader Sarah Trahern in the coming year.”

“This year, the CMA Foundation celebrated a milestone investment of $25 million. The work the organization does to help enrich music education programs across the country is essential to our future generations, and I’m incredibly honored to be named the incoming Chair,” said Smythe. “Joe Galante has been an invaluable voice on this board, and I’m eager to continue working alongside him and the path he’s paved through this next year and beyond.”

As Vice President, Creative, Nashville, Williams directs all songwriter and publisher relations activities in BMI’s Nashville office. Williams joined BMI in May of 2006 after leading Jody Williams Music, a joint publishing venture with Sony Tree, where he successfully placed songs with major label country artists and discovered and managed MCA Nashville artist Josh Turner. Williams began his career at BMI in the late 1970s before holding creative positions for several major publishing firms. In 1987, he returned to BMI and rose to Assistant Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. Soon after, Williams was lured into the publishing world again, this time as President of the Nashville division of MCA Music Publishing, which flourished under his leadership, emerging as one of Nashville’s most awarded publishers. During his most recent tenure at BMI, Williams has led his team to capturing an extremely high country market share percentage not seen in over 30 years. Presently his team oversees the active Nashville music scene for all genres, providing service as well as performance and networking opportunities. A Nashville native, Williams attended the University of Denver. In addition to serving on the CMA Board of Directors, he also serves on the board of The Country Music Foundation.

Johnson is Senior Vice President of Programming at Townsquare, a leading media, entertainment and digital marketing solutions company, operating 312 radio stations, 325 local websites, 15 national lifestyle and music websites, and presenting over 500 live events annually. Before joining Townsquare he created and managed top-ranked radio stations in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas. Across his more than 30-year career he has worked with RKO Radio, Viacom, CBS Radio, Clear Channel, and AM/FM. Johnson currently serves as President Elect of the CMA Board of Directors, President of Country Radio Broadcasters, and executive board member for St. Jude Country Cares Radiothon. He is an active contributor to American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Launchability Dallas and actively participates on several community boards. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin where he studied Civil Engineering and Communications.

Smythe began her career in the mid-1990s working for Elektra Entertainment, Spivak-Sobol Entertainment, Disney’s Hollywood Records and more. In the early 2000s, she jumped ship to YAHOO! Music as Director of Marketing and Promotion, which eventually led her to move to Nashville to work for Warner Bros. Records’ New Media Department and then as Clear Channel’s Senior Director of Content and Marketing. In January of 2008, Smythe launched Girlilla Marketing, which is celebrating its 10 year anniversary in 2018. Smythe is honored to be an active Country Music Association & CMA Foundation board member, a proud supporter of St. Jude, Music Health Alliance and is the recipient of Nashville Business Journal’s 2017 & 2018 Women in Music City Awards.

Following is a list of 2019 CMA Directors and Directors at Large, and CMA Foundation Directors.

2019 CMA DIRECTORS BY MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY
Carryover Directors, who are serving the second year of a two-year term, are listed below along with newly-elected Directors, indicated in bold.

Advertising/Public Relations/Media
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media, LLC
Tyne Parrish, The Greenroom

Affiliated
Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization
Beverly Keel, MTSU

Artist
Kix Brooks, Brooks & Dunn
Darius Rucker

Composer
Lori McKenna, Creative Nation Music
Liz Rose, Liz Rose Music

Entertainment Services
Frank Bumstead, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Stacey Schlitz, SchlitzLAW

International
Maria Molin Ljunggren, Freebird Entertainment AB
Bob Shennan, BBC

Marketing/Digital
Jay Liepis, Apple Music
Jennie Smythe, Girlilla Marketing

Musician
Kenny Greenberg, Greenberg Music
Derek Wells

Personal Manager
Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment
Clarence Spalding, Maverick

Producer/Engineer/Studio
Dann Huff, Dann Huff Productions

Publisher/PRO
Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Kos Weaver, BMG Publishing

Radio
Becky Brenner, Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Country Radio Specialists
Mike Moore, Entercom Communications

Record Company
Mike Dungan, Universal Music Group Nashville
Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville

Talent Agent
John Huie, Creative Artists Agency

Talent Buyer/Promoter
Gil Cunningham, Neste Event Marketing
Brian O’Connell, Live Nation Nashville

Touring Personnel
David Haskell, Morris Light & Sound
Scott Scovill, Moo TV, Centerstaging, and Moo Creative Media

Venue
John Bolton, SMG
Ed Warm, Joe’s Bar

Lifetime Directors
J. William Denny, Denny Properties
Ralph Peer II, peermusic

Directors At Large:
Marcie Allen, MAC Presents
Allen Anders, AEG Presents
Chris Baldizan, MGM Resorts
Jim Beavers, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Rob Beckham
Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group
Steve Blatter, Sirius XM
Stephen Bryan, YouTube Music
Steve Buchanan
Terry Calonge, Richards & Southern
Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group
Virginia Davis, G-Major Entertainment
Bob DiPiero, Being Bob Music
Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle Music
Ann Edelblute, The HQ
Brett Eldredge
Ted Ellis, Creator Brand Management Co.
John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville
Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town
Mary Hilliard Harrington, Red Light Management
Lon Helton, Country Aircheck
Clay Hunnicutt, Big Loud Records
Brett James, Cornman Music and Management
Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media
Marion Kraft, ShopKeeper Management
Luke Laird, Creative Nation
Jon Loba, BBR Music Group/BMG
Matthew Lazarus-Hall, Uncommon Cord
Jonathan Levine, Paradigm
John Marks, Spotify
Michael Martin, ASCAP
Shane McAnally, SMACK
Deb McDermott, McDermott Media Group
Mike McVay, Cumulus Media-Westwood One
Charlie Morgan, Emmis Communications
Rod Phillips, iHeartMedia
Ryan Redington, Amazon Music
Bill Simmons, The Fitzgerald Hartley Company
Jeff Stevens, Jeff Stevens Music
Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell Music
Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production Company
Carla Wallace, Big Yellow Dog Music
Biff Watson, Biff-Bangs Productions
Dwight Wiles, Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC
Jay Williams, WME
Jody Williams, BMI
Sally Williams, Opry Entertainment
Chris Young

Ex-Officio Members:
Jim Free, The Smith-Free Group, LLC
Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation
Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Legal Counsel:
R. Horton Frank, Watkins & McNeilly, PLLC
Joel Katz, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

2019 CMA FOUNDATION DIRECTORS
Kix Brooks, Brooks & Dunn
Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town
Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization – Vice Chairperson
Blair Garner, Cumulus Media
Ed Hardy, Hardy Media and Entertainment Group
Lon Helton, Country Aircheck
John Huie, Creative Artists Agency
Ron Samuels, Pinnacle Bank
Jennie Smythe, Girlilla Marketing – Chairperson
Jody Williams, BMI
Chris Young

Maggie Rose To Open For Kelly Clarkson On The Meaning Of Life Tour

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Photo Credit: Ford Fairchild

Maggie Rose is gearing up for a busy 2019 already, with plenty of dates on the books including several as direct support for Kelly Clarkson’s The Meaning Of Life Tour in the Spring of 2019. The tour will also feature fellow Nashville artist Kelsea Ballerini.

Rose will also perform on the Cayamo cruise, which sets sail in February with roots-music performers including Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Dawes, Emmylou Harris among others. Touring in support of her critically-acclaimed album Change The Whole Thing, she has also been tapped to join O.A.R. for a performance close to her hometown in Washington, D.C. on December 15.

Rose has been named a YouTube Emerging Artist, a Pandora Artist To Watch and is currently being featured in the National Land O’Lakes ad campaign focused on women’s empowerment.

Maggie Rose Tour Dates 2019:
12/6: Dallas, TX; The Granada Theater
12/7: Houston, TX; The Green Room at Warehouse Live
12/8: Nachitoches, LA; Downtown Riverbank
12/15: Washington, D.C.; Anthem***
12/22: Bethesda, MD; Bethesda Blues & Jazz
12/27: Uncasville, CT; Mohegan Sun – Wolf Den
1/11: St. Louis, MO; Old Rock House
2/10: Tampa, FL; Cayamo Cruise^^
2/18-23: Isla Mujeres, MX; Island Time Music Festival
3/7: Lexington, KY; The Burl
3/8: Cleveland, OH; Grog Shop
3/9: Allentown, PA; PPL Center**
3/14: Uncasville, CT; Mohegan Sun Arena**
3/15: Uncasville, CT; Mohegan Sun Arena**
3/21: Baltimore, MD; Baltimore Soundstage
3/28: Columbus, OH; A&R Music Bar
3/29: Louisville, KY;Zanzabar
3/30: Chicago, IL; S.P.A.C.E.
**Kelly Clarkson Direct Support
***O.A.R.
^^Jason Isbell, Emmylou Harris, Dawes + more

Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival 2019 Set For March 26-30

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The 27th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival has been set for March 26-30, 2019. Regions Bank returns for the 12th year as the presenting sponsor of the event, which will be held at 10 Nashville-area music venues featuring hit-makers from all genres of music.

Performer submissions are being accepted now through Jan. 11, 2019 at tinpansouth.com or by contacting Lindsay Gum at lindsay@nashvillesongwriters.com or 615-256-3354.

The popular week-long Fast Access passes for the songwriters extravaganza are scheduled to go on sale Feb. 26, 2019.