Devin Dawson has released Dark Horse – Songs In the Key of F – LIVE, a live version of his debut album Dark Horse. Each song on the album was recorded in the rooms where he originally wrote the song, with the songwriters.

In 2017, Dawson began telling the story behind each song on Dark Horse in a 12-part video playlist on YouTube called Songs In the Key of F (watch here). Each new installment occurred in the location where he wrote the track, sharing the stories alongside his co-writers.

“Every track on this album was recorded IN THE ROOM we originally wrote each song in, WITH THE SONGWRITERS I wrote them with,” wrote Dawson on Instagram. “The songwriting community in Nashville is something that is very sacred to me, and I wanted to shed some light on the magic of it – while sharing the inspiration and details on how this album came to life. I hope y’all enjoy these stripped-down versions as much as I do.”

Originally the 12 tracks were set for a Spotify-exclusive as Dark Horse (Songs In The Key of F). Friday (Dec. 14), the project was unexpectedly released to all music retailers.

Additionally, Dawson recorded and released his first holiday song, “Christmas Time is Here,” featured exclusively on the “Spotify Singles: Christmas Collection” playlist (listen here).

Pictured: Rob Femia, Dawn Gates

Universal Music Group Nashville (UMGN) has announced two promotions. Rob Femia has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs and Dawn Gates has been named Senior Vice President of Digital Business & Creative Development for the label group consisting of Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, Mercury Nashville and MCA Nashville.

With over a decade of experience practicing entertainment law, Femia joined UMG Nashville in 2013 following his years at Sony BMG, Virgin Records/Capitol Music Group/EMI Music North America, and Atlantic Records.

“It’s been an incredible journey since getting the call in late-2012 from [UMGN Chairman & CEO] Mike Dungan asking me to come work for UMG Nashville,” says Femia. “Being part of such a top-notch team, led by Dungan, [UMGN President] Cindy Mabe and [UMGN COO] Mike Harris, who run this label group better than anyone else in the business, while always ensuring that we put our artists and their extraordinary talent first, has been an honor. I’m grateful for this recognition and excited to see what’s next.”

“Rob’s knowledge of the music business is second to none. This vast knowledge is evident in his deal-making and the way he works with UMG Nashville artists, managers and associated attorneys,” notes Harris. “Over my career, I have had the honor of working with some of the best attorneys in the business and I put Rob Femia right up there at the top of the list. Mike [Dungan], Cindy and I could not be more proud to acknowledge all of Rob’s hard work with this well-deserved promotion.”

Gates, in a newly created role, will function as a core liaison with UMG global on digital business, integration strategies, commercial growth, and television/film development, as well as overseeing UMG Nashville’s content strategy, execution, and syndication for marketing initiatives.

“The opportunity to expand and grow our business and change the way we partner with digital partners, sponsors, producers and artists is extremely exciting,” shares Gates. “I look forward to amplifying the assets we have, developing original creative content, exploring new opportunities with tv and film, and driving different forms of monetization for our business.”

“Dawn has one of the greatest forward-thinking minds I know,” says Mabe. “Her ability to look ahead and develop the business of the next 5 to 10 years as both a music and media company is critical to our artists growth and has been key to our success as a label group. I am so proud to recognize Dawn in this newly created position of Senior Vice President of Digital Business and Creative Development.”

Gates has served as UMGN’s Vice President of Digital Marketing for the past five years. Previously, she spent seven years with Capitol Records Nashville and eight years with Word Label Group, a division of Word Entertainment, LLC, where she established New Media departments for both labels.

Miranda Lambert has been added to the lineup for the 2019 Cheyenne Frontier Days festival, with a performance slated on Wednesday, July 24. She joins a lineup that includes Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum and more.

Tickets for Miranda Lambert’s concert at Cheyenne Frontier Days will go on sale Saturday, Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. MST at cfdrodeo.com, the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Ticket Office and by calling (307) 778-7222.

Lambert is the reigning ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, and recently teamed with her fellow Pistol Annies members Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley to release the chart-topping album Interstate Gospel.

Richard Storms and Alayna Alderman, owners of Rochester, New York-based indie music store Record Archive, will receive the 2019 Music Biz Independent Spirit Award. With their out-of-the-box thinking and love for all things music, the pair have grown Record Archive into an iconic brick-and-mortar destination.

Since its start in 1975 the Rochester, New York store has ballooned into a 13,000 square foot treasure trove of vinyl, CDs, used movies, gifts, furniture, and clothing. It also houses a live music space with a bar for shows.

The Music Business Association will present the 2019 Independent Spirit Award to Storms and Alderman during the Music Biz Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner set to take place on Tuesday, May 7 during the Music Biz 2019 Annual Conference at the JW Marriott Nashville.

“I could not be more proud to present Richard and Alayna with our 2019 Independent Spirit Award, a well-deserved honor for two individuals who have kept the flame of independent music retailers and creators burning at 33 ⅓ Rockwood Street,” commented Music Business Association President James Donio. “Thanks to their undying dedication, Record Archive has stood the test of time to become a must-see music landmark for music fans and serious collectors alike.”