Bobby Karl Works The Room: The 2019 AIMP Awards

Pictured: Leslie Roberts, Mike Molinar, Shannan Hatch, Robert Carlton, Ree Guyer, John Ozier. Photo: Katie Kauss

If you’re looking for the soul of Nashville music, you might find it at the AIMP awards.

Those initials stand for Association of Independent Music Publishers, the group that staged its fourth honors ceremony at the Ryman on Tuesday evening (April 30). This event captures a lot of the warmth, camaraderie and mutual support that are the hallmarks of the Music City community.

For you younger readers, there was a time when Music Row consisted of independent entrepreneurs and folks who operated tiny outposts of national firms. This was before conglomerates arrived, demanding “class A office space,” which meant constructing big, modern buildings and destroying bungalows.

The AIMP event feels a lot like the way Music Row used to be.

Or, as attendee Paul Worley dubbed it, “The REAL Nashville music awards.”

What he meant was, people with acoustic instruments singing songs with heart, rather than flashy production numbers. Also, friends congratulating friends.

Colleagues in attendance included Mike Molinar, Michael McAnally Baum, Michael Martin, Beth Laird, Luke Laird, David Preston, Dave Pacula, Gilles Godard, Butch Baker, Woody Bomar, B.J. Hill, Walter Campbell, Alicia Warwick and Barry Dean.

The show’s host was TV personality and former Miss Tennessee Ashley Eicher. She proclaimed, “I fell in love with the songwriting community and the stories behind the songs.”

Celia Froehlig. Photo: Katie Kauss

Ashley McBryde presented the Rising Writer/Artist Award to HARDY. “This is cool,” he said. “I think this is the first thing I’ve ever won in my life. I want to thank the Nashville community. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better family.”

Josh Thompson presented the Rising Songwriter of the Year to Aaron Eshuis. This was also the first award of Aaron’s career.

The Song Champion Award went to BMI’s gracious Leslie Roberts. The Publisher’s Pick Award was “Made for You,” written by Benjy Davis, Joey Hyde and Neil Medley.

The newly named Jeff Carlton Strong Song Award — presented with the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center — was given to “Love Wins.” Singer and co-writer Carrie Underwood accepted via video.

Matt Jenkins and Chris Van Belkom honored an absent Luke Combs with the Artist/Writer of the Year award. Jeffrey Steele presented the AIMP Songwriter of the Year honor to Jessie Jo Dillon. “I’m gonna get emotional up here,” she said. “I don’t even know what to say. I just want to thank independent publishers as a whole, for being the lifeblood in this town. I’m shocked. I was really not expecting this at all.” She was up against the arguably more prominent Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman and Shane McAnally.

Perhaps the segment that crystallized the communal vibe of the show was the presentation of the Independent Spirit Award to Celia Froehlig. “She didn’t turn my career around,” said Josh Osborne. “She GAVE me a career.”

“I can’t imagine not having her as my mentor,” said Robin Palmer. “You are what this award personifies,” co-presenter Pat Rolfe said to Celia.

A parade of video testimonials ensued. Testifying were Allen Shamblin, Dale Bobo, Pat Higdon, Steve Bogard, Allison Jones, Frank Liddell, Blake Chancey, Marc Beeson, Kelly Bolton, Forest Whitehead and Kelsea Ballerini, many of whom were “in the house” as well.

“I really don’t know what I have done to deserve this,” said the honoree. “It’s a privilege and an honor for me to be part of this community. I appreciate this more than you guys can ever know.”

HARDY. Photo: Katie Kauss

Ree Guyer and John Ozier presented the Publisher of the Year award to SMACKsongs. Co-owner Shane McAnally took the stage with the firm’s other top execs.

“I don’t feel worthy of being the spokesperson,” he said, referring to the company’s staff. “This is my favorite night, because these are my people, my favorite people.”

Scattered throughout the ceremony, the six AIMP Nashville Song of the Year nominees were performed.

Jimmie Allen sang “Take It From Me” as a soulful ballad, accompanying himself on piano. Travis Denning performed an exciting, acoustic rendition of “Burning Man.” Adam Hambrick delivered “I Lived It.” Teddy Robb offered a hearty “Drowns the Whiskey.” HARDY returned to the stage to perform “Break Up In the End.” Natalie Hemby and her adorable daughter sang “Rainbow,” which she cowrote with McAnally and Kacey MusgravesDallas Davidson announced that “Rainbow” was the winner.

“We wrote ‘Rainbow’ in 2013, when we were all going through a rough time,” commented Natalie. “It just kinda fell out of the sky….If you’re ever going through a rough time, it’s time to let the rainbow shine.”

Doug Johnson, Janie West, Jody Williams, Tim Wipperman, Tracy Gershon, Jon Nite, Luke Dick, Courtney Crist, show producer Tim Fink, Juli Griffith, Abbe Nameche, Jeff Skaggs, Robert Carlton, Ben Hayslip, Stephanie Cox and Steve O’Brien were cheering. Sherod Robertson led a contingent of enthusiastic MusicRow attendees including Alex Kobrick, Haley Crow and LB Rogers.

Here’s another AIMP delight. We headed for home at the divinely early hour of 9:00 p.m.

Jessie Jo Dillon. Photo: Katie Kauss

Bobby Karl Works The Room: The 2019 AIMP Awards

Pictured: Leslie Roberts, Mike Molinar, Shannan Hatch, Robert Carlton, Ree Guyer, John Ozier. Photo: Katie Kauss

If you’re looking for the soul of Nashville music, you might find it at the AIMP awards.

Those initials stand for Association of Independent Music Publishers, the group that staged its fourth honors ceremony at the Ryman on Tuesday evening (April 30). This event captures a lot of the warmth, camaraderie and mutual support that are the hallmarks of the Music City community.

For you younger readers, there was a time when Music Row consisted of independent entrepreneurs and folks who operated tiny outposts of national firms. This was before conglomerates arrived, demanding “class A office space,” which meant constructing big, modern buildings and destroying bungalows.

The AIMP event feels a lot like the way Music Row used to be.

Or, as attendee Paul Worley dubbed it, “The REAL Nashville music awards.”

What he meant was, people with acoustic instruments singing songs with heart, rather than flashy production numbers. Also, friends congratulating friends.

Colleagues in attendance included Mike Molinar, Michael McAnally Baum, Michael Martin, Beth Laird, Luke Laird, David Preston, Dave Pacula, Gilles Godard, Butch Baker, Woody Bomar, B.J. Hill, Walter Campbell, Alicia Warwick and Barry Dean.

The show’s host was TV personality and former Miss Tennessee Ashley Eicher. She proclaimed, “I fell in love with the songwriting community and the stories behind the songs.”

Celia Froehlig. Photo: Katie Kauss

Ashley McBryde presented the Rising Writer/Artist Award to HARDY. “This is cool,” he said. “I think this is the first thing I’ve ever won in my life. I want to thank the Nashville community. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better family.”

Josh Thompson presented the Rising Songwriter of the Year to Aaron Eshuis. This was also the first award of Aaron’s career.

The Song Champion Award went to BMI’s gracious Leslie Roberts. The Publisher’s Pick Award was “Made for You,” written by Benjy Davis, Joey Hyde and Neil Medley.

The newly named Jeff Carlton Strong Song Award — presented with the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center — was given to “Love Wins.” Singer and co-writer Carrie Underwood accepted via video.

Matt Jenkins and Chris Van Belkom honored an absent Luke Combs with the Artist/Writer of the Year award. Jeffrey Steele presented the AIMP Songwriter of the Year honor to Jessie Jo Dillon. “I’m gonna get emotional up here,” she said. “I don’t even know what to say. I just want to thank independent publishers as a whole, for being the lifeblood in this town. I’m shocked. I was really not expecting this at all.” She was up against the arguably more prominent Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman and Shane McAnally.

Perhaps the segment that crystallized the communal vibe of the show was the presentation of the Independent Spirit Award to Celia Froehlig. “She didn’t turn my career around,” said Josh Osborne. “She GAVE me a career.”

“I can’t imagine not having her as my mentor,” said Robin Palmer. “You are what this award personifies,” co-presenter Pat Rolfe said to Celia.

A parade of video testimonials ensued. Testifying were Allen Shamblin, Dale Bobo, Pat Higdon, Steve Bogard, Allison Jones, Frank Liddell, Blake Chancey, Marc Beeson, Kelly Bolton, Forest Whitehead and Kelsea Ballerini, many of whom were “in the house” as well.

“I really don’t know what I have done to deserve this,” said the honoree. “It’s a privilege and an honor for me to be part of this community. I appreciate this more than you guys can ever know.”

HARDY. Photo: Katie Kauss

Ree Guyer and John Ozier presented the Publisher of the Year award to SMACKsongs. Co-owner Shane McAnally took the stage with the firm’s other top execs.

“I don’t feel worthy of being the spokesperson,” he said, referring to the company’s staff. “This is my favorite night, because these are my people, my favorite people.”

Scattered throughout the ceremony, the six AIMP Nashville Song of the Year nominees were performed.

Jimmie Allen sang “Take It From Me” as a soulful ballad, accompanying himself on piano. Travis Denning performed an exciting, acoustic rendition of “Burning Man.” Adam Hambrick delivered “I Lived It.” Teddy Robb offered a hearty “Drowns the Whiskey.” HARDY returned to the stage to perform “Break Up In the End.” Natalie Hemby and her adorable daughter sang “Rainbow,” which she cowrote with McAnally and Kacey MusgravesDallas Davidson announced that “Rainbow” was the winner.

“We wrote ‘Rainbow’ in 2013, when we were all going through a rough time,” commented Natalie. “It just kinda fell out of the sky….If you’re ever going through a rough time, it’s time to let the rainbow shine.”

Doug Johnson, Janie West, Jody Williams, Tim Wipperman, Tracy Gershon, Jon Nite, Luke Dick, Courtney Crist, show producer Tim Fink, Juli Griffith, Abbe Nameche, Jeff Skaggs, Robert Carlton, Ben Hayslip, Stephanie Cox and Steve O’Brien were cheering. Sherod Robertson led a contingent of enthusiastic MusicRow attendees including Alex Kobrick, Haley Crow and LB Rogers.

Here’s another AIMP delight. We headed for home at the divinely early hour of 9:00 p.m.

Jessie Jo Dillon. Photo: Katie Kauss

On The Row: Love And Theft Play Some Tunes From A Fresh Era

Love and Theft. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Country duo Love and Theft stopped by the MusicRow offices to play some new tunes from a fresh era and partnership at Curb Records.

The first tune the pair played, a Jon Nite and Brock Berryhill co-write, was a Big & Rich-esque jam called “Need To Breathe.”

The two then went into the ironically bouncy “You Didn’t Want Me.” “We wrote this song a while back and kind of held onto it,” said Stephen Barker Liles, who takes the lead on the track. “We recorded it at Sony and when we went over to Curb, we talked them into buying the rights to it. That was one of the things that was cool about Curb.”

The stand-out tune of Love and Theft’s visit was their yearning, catchy new single “Gimme Tonight.”

Love and Theft are preparing to go out on the road with Charlie Daniels and Travis Tritt, and are trickling out music for their fans via streaming services. “Hopefully we will be going to radio soon, but if not we’re still able to tour off streaming stuff, so that’s pretty good,” Liles said.

The visit was a full-circle moment for the duo. “The only music magazine cover we’ve ever been on is yours,” Eric Gunderson said. “I still have it in my studio.”

Pictured: Love and Theft with MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

On The Row: Love And Theft Play Some Tunes From A Fresh Era

Love and Theft. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Country duo Love and Theft stopped by the MusicRow offices to play some new tunes from a fresh era and partnership at Curb Records.

The first tune the pair played, a Jon Nite and Brock Berryhill co-write, was a Big & Rich-esque jam called “Need To Breathe.”

The two then went into the ironically bouncy “You Didn’t Want Me.” “We wrote this song a while back and kind of held onto it,” said Stephen Barker Liles, who takes the lead on the track. “We recorded it at Sony and when we went over to Curb, we talked them into buying the rights to it. That was one of the things that was cool about Curb.”

The stand-out tune of Love and Theft’s visit was their yearning, catchy new single “Gimme Tonight.”

 

Love and Theft are preparing to go out on the road with Charlie Daniels and Travis Tritt, and are trickling out music for their fans via streaming services. “Hopefully we will be going to radio soon, but if not we’re still able to tour off streaming stuff, so that’s pretty good,” Liles said.

The visit was a full-circle moment for the duo. “The only music magazine cover we’ve ever been on is yours,” Eric Gunderson said. “I still have it in my studio.”

Pictured: Love and Theft with MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Industry Ink: CMA Kixstart, FBMM, IVPR

CMA Opens Submissions For Second Annual KixStart Program

Pictured (L-R): Garth Brooks met with KixStart artists Jameson Rodgers,Travis Denning and Kassi Ashton in January during a music business education day at CMA that also included a lunch with Kix Brooks and one-on-one round robin-style meetings to learn more from leaders at companies such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, Spotify and YouTube. Photo Credit: Caitlin Alexander/CMA

The CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship is currently accepting submissions for its second class of recipients. The year-long program is designed to provide emerging artists with unique professional and educational opportunities to help build a solid business foundation in the country music industry. Artists can visit CMAworld.com/KixStart to view the application and eligibility requirements. Deadline for application submissions is Friday, May 31 at 11:59 PM/CT. The program for the second class of KixStart scholarship recipients will begin in October.

Since being selected in the fall of 2018, the inaugural CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipients—Kassi AshtonTravis Denning and Jameson Rodgers—have had the opportunity to perform around the world and gain a knowledge of the music business by meeting with some of the industry’s top professionals.

 

Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy Promotes Three

Business management firm FBMM (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.) has promoted Keri Fulks and McCall Johnson to senior account assistant and Laramie Lomanto to account executive.

“We are proud to have talented, skilled people like Keri, McCall and Laramie as a part of the FBMM family,” said Jamie Cheek, president and owner of FBMM. “These women are stellar examples of what it looks like to be committed to serving our clients with excellence and integrity. Our leadership team is proud to recognize their hard work and watch them continue to excel in their careers at FBMM.”

 

IVPR Adds Senior Publicist

Sarah Bennett

Sarah Bennett has joined IVPR as a senior publicist in Nashville. As a University of Georgia alumni with degrees in both Journalism and Music Business, Bennett moved to Nashville in 2017. She has helped plan and run media for festivals and conferences across the country. She also works as a freelance journalist, and has been published in outlets including Paste, Vinyl Mag, and Ampersand Magazine.

Nashville-based artist and festival PR firm IVPR boasts a client list that includes Luck Reunion, MerleFest, DelFest, High Sierra Music Festival, Sam Bush, Del McCoury Band, Sierra Hull, Anders Osborne, Jackie Greene, Griffin House, Radney Foster, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kelsey Waldon, Rising Appalachia, The Travelin’ McCourys, and more.

Bennett can be reached at Sarah@ivpr.co.

Industry Ink: CMA Kixstart, FBMM, IVPR

CMA Opens Submissions For Second Annual KixStart Program

Pictured (L-R): Garth Brooks met with KixStart artists Jameson Rodgers,Travis Denning and Kassi Ashton in January during a music business education day at CMA that also included a lunch with Kix Brooks and one-on-one round robin-style meetings to learn more from leaders at companies such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, Spotify and YouTube. Photo Credit: Caitlin Alexander/CMA

The CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship is currently accepting submissions for its second class of recipients. The year-long program is designed to provide emerging artists with unique professional and educational opportunities to help build a solid business foundation in the country music industry. Artists can visit CMAworld.com/KixStart to view the application and eligibility requirements. Deadline for application submissions is Friday, May 31 at 11:59 PM/CT. The program for the second class of KixStart scholarship recipients will begin in October.

Since being selected in the fall of 2018, the inaugural CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipients—Kassi AshtonTravis Denning and Jameson Rodgers—have had the opportunity to perform around the world and gain a knowledge of the music business by meeting with some of the industry’s top professionals.

 

Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy Promotes Three

Business management firm FBMM (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.) has promoted Keri Fulks and McCall Johnson to senior account assistant and Laramie Lomanto to account executive.

“We are proud to have talented, skilled people like Keri, McCall and Laramie as a part of the FBMM family,” said Jamie Cheek, president and owner of FBMM. “These women are stellar examples of what it looks like to be committed to serving our clients with excellence and integrity. Our leadership team is proud to recognize their hard work and watch them continue to excel in their careers at FBMM.”

 

IVPR Adds Senior Publicist

Sarah Bennett

Sarah Bennett has joined IVPR as a senior publicist in Nashville. As a University of Georgia alumni with degrees in both Journalism and Music Business, Bennett moved to Nashville in 2017. She has helped plan and run media for festivals and conferences across the country. She also works as a freelance journalist, and has been published in outlets including Paste, Vinyl Mag, and Ampersand Magazine.

Nashville-based artist and festival PR firm IVPR boasts a client list that includes Luck Reunion, MerleFest, DelFest, High Sierra Music Festival, Sam Bush, Del McCoury Band, Sierra Hull, Anders Osborne, Jackie Greene, Griffin House, Radney Foster, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kelsey Waldon, Rising Appalachia, The Travelin’ McCourys, and more.

Bennett can be reached at Sarah@ivpr.co.

Colt Ford Signs With TKO Artist Management

Colt Ford has signed with Nashville-based TKO Artist Management for management and brand representation.

Ford has written No. 1 songs including Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” and Brantley Gilbert’s “Country Must Be Country Wide” as well as his own hits “Ride Through The Country” and “Answer To No One.” Ford has also notched several No. 1, Top 5, and Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 albums chart and Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Ford’s career accomplishments also include being an ex-pro golfer and an entrepreneur as well as a partner in Average Joes Entertainment. He is currently in the studio working on new music.

“Colt and I have been great friends for many years. He is a tremendous singer/songwriter, performer, and entertainer. We have big things in store for Colt, the world needs to see his huge personality.” TK Kimbrell, President/TKO Artist Management.

Ford joins TKO’s existing client roster which includes Toby Keith, The Bacon Brothers, Ashley Campbell, Glen Campbell, Krystal Keith, Chris LeDoux, Ned LeDoux, Mac McAnally, and Waterloo Revival.

Colt Ford Signs With TKO Artist Management

Colt Ford has signed with Nashville-based TKO Artist Management for management and brand representation.

Ford has written No. 1 songs including Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” and Brantley Gilbert’s “Country Must Be Country Wide” as well as his own hits “Ride Through The Country” and “Answer To No One.” Ford has also notched several No. 1, Top 5, and Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 albums chart and Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Ford’s career accomplishments also include being an ex-pro golfer and an entrepreneur as well as a partner in Average Joes Entertainment. He is currently in the studio working on new music.

“Colt and I have been great friends for many years. He is a tremendous singer/songwriter, performer, and entertainer. We have big things in store for Colt, the world needs to see his huge personality.” TK Kimbrell, President/TKO Artist Management.

Ford joins TKO’s existing client roster which includes Toby Keith, The Bacon Brothers, Ashley Campbell, Glen Campbell, Krystal Keith, Chris LeDoux, Ned LeDoux, Mac McAnally, and Waterloo Revival.

Mark Your Calendar—May 2019

Single Add Dates

May 6
Tucker Beathard/Better Than Me/Warner Music Nashville
Maddie & Tae/Die From A Broken Heart/Mercury Nashville
Tenille Arts/Call You Names/Reviver Records
Chance McKinney/Backyard/Studio 2Bee Entertainment/Star Farm Nashville
Heartland/I Loved Her First/Permian Records

May 7
Thomas Mac/Float/Big Catch Records

May 9
Pearl Clarkin/Girls of Summer/BarFrog Music

May 13
Michael Ray/Her World Or Mine/Warner Bros./Atlantic Records
LOCASH/One Big Country Song/Wheelhouse Records
Tyler Rich/Leave Her Wild/The Valory Music Co.
Nick Brennan/It’s A Good Time To Fall In Love/MC1 Nashville

May 17
Lauren Davidson/Live Laugh Love

May 20
Lady Antebellum/What If I Never Get Over You/BMLGR
Seaforth/Love That/RCA Nashville
Casey Donahew/Let’s Make A Love Song/Almost Country Entertainment

May 27
Raleigh Keegan/Don’t Take Time/CreekHouse Entertainment/Star Farm Nashville

May 28
Alyssa Lynn/Do It For A Boy/Nine North Label Group

 

Album Release Dates

May 3
Joy Williams/Front Porch/Sensibility-Thirty Tigers
Sam Grow/Love And Whiskey/Average Joes

May 10
Rodney Atkins/Caught Up In The Country/Curb
Newsboys/United

May 17
Marty Brown/American Highway/Plowboy Records

May 24
Billy Ray Cyrus/The SnakeDoctor Circus/BMG
Jimmy Fortune/God & Country/Gaither Music Group

May 31
Thomas Rhett/Center Point Road/The Valory Music Co.

 

Industry Events

May 1
2019 Billboard Music Awards from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on NBC

May 2-4
ASCAP’s 14th annual “I Create Music” EXPO at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles

May 4

  • 2019 iHeartCountry Festival at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas
  • 145th Kentucky Derby

May 5-8
Music Biz 2019 annual conference at the JW Marriott Nashville

May 30-June 1
International Country Music Conference at Belmont University in Nashville

Mark Your Calendar—May 2019

Single Add Dates

May 6
Tucker Beathard/Better Than Me/Warner Music Nashville
Maddie & Tae/Die From A Broken Heart/Mercury Nashville
Tenille Arts/Call You Names/Reviver Records
Chance McKinney/Backyard/Studio 2Bee Entertainment/Star Farm Nashville
Heartland/I Loved Her First/Permian Records

May 7
Thomas Mac/Float/Big Catch Records

May 9
Pearl Clarkin/Girls of Summer/BarFrog Music

May 13
Michael Ray/Her World Or Mine/Warner Bros./Atlantic Records
LOCASH/One Big Country Song/Wheelhouse Records
Tyler Rich/Leave Her Wild/The Valory Music Co.
Nick Brennan/It’s A Good Time To Fall In Love/MC1 Nashville

May 17
Lauren Davidson/Live Laugh Love

May 20
Lady Antebellum/What If I Never Get Over You/BMLGR
Seaforth/Love That/RCA Nashville
Casey Donahew/Let’s Make A Love Song/Almost Country Entertainment

May 27
Raleigh Keegan/Don’t Take Time/CreekHouse Entertainment/Star Farm Nashville

May 28
Alyssa Lynn/Do It For A Boy/Nine North Label Group

 

Album Release Dates

May 3
Joy Williams/Front Porch/Sensibility-Thirty Tigers
Sam Grow/Love And Whiskey/Average Joes

May 10
Rodney Atkins/Caught Up In The Country/Curb
Newsboys/United

May 17
Marty Brown/American Highway/Plowboy Records

May 24
Billy Ray Cyrus/The SnakeDoctor Circus/BMG
Jimmy Fortune/God & Country/Gaither Music Group

May 31
Thomas Rhett/Center Point Road/The Valory Music Co.

 

Industry Events

May 1
2019 Billboard Music Awards from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on NBC

May 2-4
ASCAP’s 14th annual “I Create Music” EXPO at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles

May 4

  • 2019 iHeartCountry Festival at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas
  • 145th Kentucky Derby

May 5-8
Music Biz 2019 annual conference at the JW Marriott Nashville

May 30-June 1
International Country Music Conference at Belmont University in Nashville