Kevin Welch At Top Spot Followed By Gorley, McAnally And Osborne On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Kevin Welch has been No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for an impressive 6 weeks. Even more impressive, he sits at the top from the leverage of only one 16-year-old song. His independently-written “Millionaire,” which earned its performer Chris Stapleton a Grammy nomination last week, has kept Welch on top, personifying the value of a solo write.

“Co-writing is a time honored tradition in Nashville,” Welch said. “A lot of my best songs are co-writes, and usually my co-writer wrote the best parts. But I’ve always believed that it’s not healthy to only co-write. Sometimes its a good idea to just sit there by yourself and dig, because a lot of the good stuff is buried deep. ”

Kevin Welch

Ashley Gorley moves in No. 2 this week, Shane McAnally into No. 3 and Josh Osborne to No. 4. On a bleaker note, there is not a female songwriter until No. 38 this week with Jessi Alexander.

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.

Newsboys United And Michael W. Smith Team For Spring Tour

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Newsboys United and Michael W. Smith are joining forces this Spring for the first-ever Surrounded & United Tour. Each show on the 10-city outing will feature hits spanning both artists’ careers.

“Surrounded & United: The Tour” kicks off April 12 in Baton Rouge, LA, and will make stops in Chicago, West Palm Beach, and several other cities before wrapping May 11 in Bismarck, North Dakota.

“We’re so excited to join our friend Michael W. Smith on the road next spring,” said Newsboys’ Michael Tait. “Over the years worship has become central to both our identities as artists, so having the chance to worship together will be such a special experience.”

“I’ve been friends with the guys in Newsboys for years, but for whatever reason, we’ve never had the opportunity to tour together,” Smith says. “The time finally seems right, and I’m really looking forward to this—great guys, great music, great worship. This is going to be fun!”

Frank Foster Signs With APA Nashville

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Frank Foster has signed with APA Nashville for booking representation.

Foster released his seventh studio album this year, ‘Til I’m Gone, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Album Sales chart, and No. 4 on Billboard’s Independent Album chart. He began his musical journey in 2011 with the release of his first album, Rowdy Reputation, and has sold over 125,000 albums and 325,000 singles over the course of his career.

Foster has toured with artists including Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jake Owen, Justin Moore, Randy Houser, Lee Brice and Gary Allan, and sold nearly 94,000 tickets over 46 shows during his 2017 tour. Foster’s music has garnered over 66.8 million streams on Pandora, 20 million spins on Spotify, and his videos have earned over 12 million views on YouTube.

“Frank Foster is true country original and he’s got the numbers to prove it,” said APA’s Matt McGuire.  “He’s as authentic as it gets and we’re really excited to join him on the next phase of his amazing journey.”

The Music Heats Up At Fourth Annual BMI Maui Songwriters Festival

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Pictured Top Row (L-R): Lukas Nelson, Brett Warren, Jon Randall, Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley, Miranda Lambert, BMI’s Jody Williams, Claudia Goodfellow and Danny Goodfellow. Bottom Row (L-R): Jessi Alexander, Brad Warren, Ray Benson, Randy Houser, Luke Combs and Lily Meola

It may be chilly in Nashville this week, but several of Nashville’s top BMI-affiliated singer-songwriters recently spent time in sunny Maui as part of the fourth annual BMI Maui Songwriters Festival, held Nov. 29-Dec. 1.

Country hitmaker Miranda Lambert headlined the festival, and brought fellow ace singer-songwriters Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley for a special Pistol Annies performance.

Other performers included Luke Combs, who took home the CMA’s Best New Artist honor last month and has just been nominated for Best New Artist honor at the upcoming Grammy Awards, along with Randy Houser, The Warren Brothers, Jessi Alexander, Steven Tyler, Jon Randall, Monroe, Ray Benson, Maui native Lily Meola, Lukas Nelson, and a surprise guest appearance from Willie Nelson.

Pictured: Willie Nelson (center) with son Lukas Nelson (right).

Shows were held at venues across the island including Fleetwood’s on Front Street, “How I Wrote That Song” at Grand Waliea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, and concluded with a packed house at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

In addition to being presented by BMI, the fourth annual Maui Songwriters Festival is supported by Goodfellow Family Foundation, HD Radio, SunTrust Bank, Texas Roadhouse and wine partner Daou Vineyards. Delta Air Lines is the official airline of the festival, with additional support provided by Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Additional community sponsors include Pacific Home Loans and Wailea Resort Association.

Luke Combs

Miranda Lambert

Pistol Annies

Songwriter-Producer Busbee Launches Development Company Altadena

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busbee

Songwriter-producer busbee, known for his work with artists including Maren Morris and Keith Urban, has launched music company Altadena, aimed at developing new artists and writers. The company launches as a joint venture with Warner Bros. Records to provide a range of services to the label’s recording artists.

Additionally, Altadena has entered into a publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Music to provide support to its roster of writers, and has inked a creative partnership with Red Light Management. Overseeing operations for Altadena will be GM and VP of Creative Daniel Lee, Nashville Creative Director Noreen Prunier, and L.A. Creative Director Kelly Benini.

busbee, Founder and CEO, Altadena said, “I have taken steps throughout my career to pursue meaningful music and strong relationships. With the launch of Altadena, I’m excited to continue this pursuit in partnership with the incredible teams at Warner Bros. Records, Warner/Chappell and Red Light.”

Aaron Bay-Schuck, Co-Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Records said, “At Warner Bros., we constantly seek to do business with the best and brightest creative minds and risk takers. busbee not only has an impressive track record of artist development but also of producing as well as writing top hits across multiple genres. He has the passion for spotting new talent and the vision to fuse the worlds of country, pop, and alternative in truly refreshing ways. We look forward to collaborating with him on this new venture.”

Carianne Marshall, COO, Warner/Chappell Music said, “busbee’s inventive and experimental approach to songwriting makes him an incredible talent, and we are happy to expand our relationship with him as he continues to grow, now as an entrepreneur, with the start of his new company Altadena.”

Kane Brown, Lauren Alaina Added To Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Show

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Lauren Alaina and Kane Brown are among the artists who have been added to the lineup for the West Coast celebration of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2019. The show will air Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

They will join recently-added artists including Camila Cabello, Halsey, Shawn Mendes, and Weezer, along with previously announced West Coast host Ciara and performers Kelsea Ballerini, The Chainsmokers, Foster the People, Dua Lipa, Ella Mai and Charlie Puth, as well as a performance by Macklemore with Skylar Grey and a special collaboration from The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini.

The 47th anniversary of America’s biggest celebration of the year will include over five hours of special performances and reports on New Year’s celebrations from around the globe. Ryan Seacrest will host the primetime festivities and lead the traditional countdown to midnight from Times Square in New York City, as he has for the last 13 years, with live onsite reporting from actress and comedian Jenny McCarthy.

Justin Wilson Signs Co-Venture Deal With BMG and Play It Again Music

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Front Row (L-R): PIA’s COO/Owner Dallas Davidson, Wilson, BMG’s EVP Kos Weaver, BBR Music Group’s EVP Jon Loba; Back Row L-R: BMG’s Sr. Creative Director Noah Dewey, BMG’s Sr. Creative Director Jake Gear, Pia’s President Juli Griffith and Creative Manager Cade Price

Justin Wilson has signed a joint publishing deal with BMG and Play It Again Music.

Wilson has had chart-topping singles with Michael Ray (“Kiss You In The Morning”) and Randy Houser (“We Went”), and is currently celebrating his hit “Drunk Me” with Mitchell Tenpenny. He has also had cuts by Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and more.

“I look forward to this partnership with such creative people,” BMG’s EVP  Kos Weaver said. “I’m proud of what Justin has already accomplished and I’m excited for the future.”

“Justin can write music, melody, lyrics and can crush a hook,” said PIA’s COO/Owner-Dallas Davidson. “I’ve known Kos and Loba for a long time and have a ton of respect for them both.  This is gonna be a fun and productive partnership.”

Artists Bring Seasons Greetings With New Holiday Music

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Several artists are helping to usher in the holiday season with new albums and songs released over the past several weeks. See a sampling of available new music below:

Albums/EPs

Aaron Watson: An Aaron Watson Family Christmas 

Rodney Crowell: Christmas Everywhere

Martina McBride: It’s The Holiday Season

Brett Eldredge, Glow (Deluxe Edition)

Jessie James Decker, On This Holiday

Chely Wright, Santa Will Find You (EP)

Dailey & Vincent, The Sounds of Christmas

Tracy Lawrence, Frozen in Time

Spencer’s Own, One Christmas Eve (EP)

Michael McDonald, Season of Peace: The Christmas Collection 

Clint Black, The Clint Black Christmas Collection 

Erica Nicole, Merry Christmas To You (EP)

Songs

Mallary Hope: “Christmas Is All About You”

Abby Anderson: “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays”

Chris Janson: “It Is Christmas”

Trace Adkins: “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”

Runaway June: “Sleigh Ride”

Essex County (formerly known as the Bass Brothers): “Last Christmas” 

Mason Ramsey: “White Christmas”

Phil Vassar and Lonestar: “Not So Silent Night”

Pentatonix (with Maren Morris): “When You Believe”

Larry Stewart: “Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day”

Sandra Lynn: “My Christmas Wish for You” 

John Schneider: “Who Da Baby Daddy”

Jessica Lynn: “Santa You Can Skip Our House” 

Krystal Keith: “O’ Holy Night”

Mags: “I Never Believed in Santa Claus (Until You Came to Town)”

Bailey James: “But if It Snows” 

Tracy Lawrence: “Frozen In Time”

T.J. Sparks: “What Would Christmas Be” 

Ty Herndon feat. Crystal Lewis” “O’ Holy Night”

Rachel Wammack, “This Christmas,” “O’ Holy Night”

Top Nashville Female Executives Honored As Part Of ‘Billboard’ Women In Music Event

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Billboard recently honored more than 120 female music industry executives as part of their Women In Music 2018 initiative. Among the female executives honored as part of Women In Music were several in the Nashville music industry, including:

Allison Jones, Sr. VP A&R, Big Machine Label Group

Cris Lacy, Sr. VP A&R, Warner Music Nashville

Taylor Lindsey, VP A&R, Sony Music Nashville

Cindy Mabe, President, Universal Music Group Nashville

Carla Wallace,  Co-owner/CEO, Big Yellow Dog Music

Virginia Bunetta, Managing Partner, G-Major Management

Martha Earls, Owner, EFG Management

Ann Edelblute, Owner, The HQ

Kerri Edwards, President, KP Entertainment

Jackie Nalpant, Co-Head, Paradigm Talent Agency’s Nashville Office

Kelli Turner, President/COO, SESAC

Marcie Allen, Founder/President, MAC Presents

Julie Boos, Co-owner/Chairman/Business Manager, FBMM

Lou Taylor, Owner, Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group

Sarah Trahern, CEO, Country Music Association

Brittany Schaffer, Head of Artist and Label Marketing, Nashville; Spotify

On Thursday (Dec. 6) during the 2018 Women In Music event held in New York City, female performers including Kacey Musgraves, Janelle Monae, Cyndi Lauper and Ariana Grande were honored.

 

 

 

Rascal Flatts Share Tour Medley Of Most-Loved Songs On New EP

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Rascal Flatts has put their spin on a few of their favorite cover songs and are sharing the tunes on a fun new EP, Jukebox, which is out today (Dec. 7).

Inspired by a standout moment during the group’s live set where they perform a medley of their most-loved songs, Jukebox features special spins on Foreigner’s iconic 1977 rock anthem “Feels Like The First Time,” the soulful 1980 hit “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates, and Kenny Loggins’ classic “Heart To Heart.” A fourth bonus track, “Do You Believe In Love” by Huey Lewis and the News, will be available exclusively to Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers.

“We always enjoy songs that resonate with each of us individually, ones that we can all connect to,” said the Flatts’ Gary LeVox. “These four tracks are just that, the handpicked, personal favorites and the ones we love collectively with our own fingerprint on them.”

JUKEBOX EP TRACK LIST:
1. Feels Like The First Time                                                                      
2. Do You Believe In Love**                                                              
3. You Make My Dreams                                                                                    
4. Heart To Heart
**Amazon Music Exclusive Track