Big Loud/Maverick Adds Lex Lipsitz To Management Team

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Lex Lipsitz

Big Loud/Maverick has welcomed Lex Lipsitz to its management team, to handle day-to-day management for country artist Sean Stemaly.

A Texas native and Belmont University graduate, Lipsitz began his career as a touring drummer, before he began managing producers including Kid Ink and Toby Wright, alongside artists including Shooter Jennings.

Lipsitz later led the music department at Relativity Music, where he oversaw strategy for Jennings’ Put The ‘O’ Back In Country.  Lipsitz later moved to Nashville and became head of A&R for Average Joe’s Entertainment (Montgomery Gentry, Colt Ford), and a marketing consultant for Sony Music Nashville and Big Machine Label Group. Over the last decade he’s cultivated and grown his own management roster under LEX Music Group (Lit, Jon Wolfe, Sean Stemaly, Stoney Banks, Joedi Silvers and more), while running a real estate investment company and stepping into the tech world to build the event dating app, WillCalled.

“We are always looking to expand our team with talented, forward-thinking managers, which makes Lex the perfect fit for Big Loud,” says Big Loud partner/manager Chief Zaruk. “With an already proven skill set, we’re excited for the new ideas and opportunities he’ll bring, as well as work with the fresh artists coming along with him.”

“I’m beyond excited to be joining Big Loud / Maverick,” says Lipsitz. “I wanted to partner with a like-minded company that sets itself apart, fosters teamwork, and genuinely cares about making a difference in our ever-changing entertainment industry. I had no hesitation and am grateful for the opportunity to be on this progressive team.”

Big Loud was founded as a partnership between Craig Wiseman, Seth England, Zaruk, and Joey Moi, with song publishing, artist development, management, production, and promotion under one roof. The organization scored its first win when it helped launch the career of Florida Georgia Line, and in 2015 the partners expanded their firm with the creation of Big Loud Records, led by Clay Hunnicutt.

Big Loud’s management division has gone on to introduce breakout country talent Morgan Wallen, a new-school superstar whose first three singles have all gone Gold or Platinum, including back-to-back No. 1s “Up Down” (featuring Florida Georgia Line) and “Whiskey Glasses.” Big Loud also counts Chris Lane (“Fix”) on its management roster, along with HARDY, Dallas Smith and MacKenzie Porter.

Weekly Register: Blanco Brown, Luke Combs Charge Ahead

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Blanco Brown‘s “The Git Up” continues charging ahead, leading this week’s top on-demand country streaming tracks rankings again this week, with 18 million streams, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Blake Shelton‘s “God’s Country” follows at No. 2 with 11.4 million streams, while Morgan Wallen‘s “Whiskey Glasses” at No. 3 with 10.9 million streams. Lee Brice‘s “Rumor” is at No. 4 with 9.9 million streams and Luke Combs‘ “Beer Never Broke My Heart” rounds out the Top 5 with 9.6 million streams.

Combs extends his reign atop the country albums chart, with This One’s For You earning 24K in total consumption, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Willie Nelson debuts at No. 2 country with Ride Me Back Home moving 19K in total consumption. Combs’ The Prequel EP is at No. 3 with 16K, while Dan + Shay‘s self-titled album is at No. 4 with 15.6K in total consumption. Thomas Rhett‘s Center Point Road rounds out the Top 5 with 15K.

J. Patrick Named Program Director For 650 AM WSM

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J. Patrick

Radio veteran and area native J. Patrick has been named Program Director of Nashville’s iconic 650 AM WSM radio station and its digital counterpart wsmonline.com.

Patrick will assume a unique leadership role at the globally known, all-encompassing country lifestyle platform and brand. In addition to the station’s historic signal, the WSM brand now includes direct-to-consumer entertainment with its new podcast, Building Nashville, and streaming channels like Route 650 or Opry Nashville. Patrick will be instrumental in guiding WSM’s next moves into emerging channels and markets, continuing the WSM tradition of bringing country music to audiences around the world.

With over 23 years in radio broadcasting, Patrick began his radio career at WDKN in Dickson, Tenn., and has served in numerous capacities at stations throughout Nashville, most recently as the Digital Program Director at WSM.  Prior to that, Patrick held broadcasting positions at Cumulus Media, Clear Channel Media+Entertainment, and served as producer for multiple nationally syndicated shows.

“It’s an amazing time to be part of the Opry Entertainment family and it’s humbling to be at the helm of programming one of the most important radio brands in history,” said Patrick. “I look forward to continuing my work with the incredible WSM team as we continue to expand and enrich the WSM listener experience.”

“I’m delighted to expand J. Patrick’s role here at WSM,” said Chris Kulick, WSM General Manager. “He brings with him the experience, creativity, and passion needed to succeed in one of the most unique positions anywhere in country radio. J Patrick sees a world of opportunity at WSM and he is excited about continuing the station’s great legacy.”

WSM Radio’s programming includes listener-favorite shows such as Coffee, Country, and Cody and The Eddie Stubbs Show, hosted by Country Radio Hall of Fame personalities Bill Cody and Eddie Stubbs, respectively. Additional programming features Route 650, Opry Nashville, and more, including the Grand Ole Opry.

Michael Hardy On Top, Bobby Pinson Moves Into Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Michael Hardy spends his third week at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with Ashley Gorley following closely behind. Luke Combs slides down one slot this week to No. 3, and Hillary Lindsey moves up one into No. 4.

Sea Gayle writer Bobby Pinson rounds out the top five this week, with titles propelling him including: Eric Church’s “Some Of It,” Jason Aldean’s “Rearview Town” and Jake Owen’s “Homemade.” Blanco Brown moves up three slots to No. 9 this week with the chart success of his catchy viral hit, “The Git Up.”

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

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Mark Your Calendar—July 2019

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Industry Events

July 4
Nashville’s July 4th celebration on Lower Broadway, Let Freedom Sing!

July 17
CMA Awards first ballot closes at 6 p.m. CT

Single Add Dates

July 1
Chase Rice/Lonely If You Are/Broken Bow Records
Jason Pritchett/American Made/SRM Productions

July 8
Ingrid Andress/More Hearts Than Mine/Warner Music Nashville
Eric Burgett/Swing Low, Sweet Old Cadillac/Bow To Stern Records

July 11
Wilson Brothers Band/It All Looks Good From Here/Full Circle Records

July 15
Thomas Rhett/Remember You Young/Valory
Kiefer Sutherland/Something You Love/BMG-in2une
Teddy Robb/Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You/Arista Nashville-Monument Records
Gone West/What Could’ve Been/Triple Tigers
Red Clay Union/Homegrown/Dirt Hill
Wilson Brothers Band/It All Looks Good From Here/Full Circle
Jeff Clayborn/I Reckon/The Cabin Record Co.
Joe Lasher/That’s Gonna Get You Kissed/Joe Lasher Music, LLC

July 22
Cody Johnson/Nothin’ On You/CoJo Music-WMN Radio & Streaming
Thompson Square/Masterpiece/DavMo Records
Jon Langston/Now You Know/EMI Records Nashville
Mac Powell and the Family Reunion/Back Again/Thirty Tigers-MPR

Album Releases

July 12
Clare Bowen/Clare Bowen/BMG
Pretty Vicious/Beauty of Youth/Big Machine-John Varvatos Records

July 24
Lori McKenna/Bittertown [15th anniversary re-release]/CN Records

July 26
Casey Donahew/One Light Town
Justin Moore/Late Nights And Longnecks/The Valory Music Co.
Mac Powell and The Family Reunion/Back Again/Thirty Tigers

Matt Kennon Signs With Stevens Management Group

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Matt Kennon has signed with the Stevens Management Group.

Kennon released his emotional new single, “Love Is Stronger” to radio earlier this month.

“I’m excited to be working with Matt Kennon again. I’ve always been a fan of his songs, his musical vision, and his work ethic,” said Stevens Management Group President, Matthew Stevens. “He’s a true artist that understands this business and always puts his heart in everything he does. I believe that his music can touch the hearts of everyone.”

“I sure am glad things came around full circle and I am honored to be working with Matthew again,” said Kennon. “His knowledge, resume and experience speaks for itself. Having worked with him when I had ‘The Call’ out, it just made sense.”

Brandon Lake Makes Bethel Music Debut With ‘This Is A Move’

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Brandon Lake is releasing his new single, “This Is A Move,” today as the newest member of the Bethel Music family. The track was co-written with Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tony Brown and Nate Moore. The songs is personal to Lake as it stems from his friend Micah’s miraculous healing from a rare form of multiple sclerosis.

Lake heard countless stories of healing on Bethel Music’s well-attended “Victory Tour” with Tasha Cobbs-Leonard and Housefires, which sold out markets in Seattle, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, Birmingham, Houston, Tulsa, Vancouver and more. The second leg will embark this fall.

“By the grace of God, this small idea turned into a song for this season; the soundtrack to what I believe is a movement in my local church, and maybe, just maybe, some language to what I believe God is doing all around the world,” said Lake. “I’m convinced that when we take on our true identity as sons and daughters of God, courageously live by the Spirit, and feel the compassion of Jesus towards every person—we become a dangerous force to reckoned with. We begin to meet every sickness, disease, and demon with the reality that it has to bow at the name of Jesus; and we will see God do more than we ever thought was possible.”

Apple Music will exclusively premiere a live component of the song on July 5.

Kenny Chesney To Release New Single “Tip Of My Tongue,” Co-Written With Ed Sheeran

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Kenny Chesney. Photo: Danny Clinch

Following last year’s Songs for the Saints album, Kenny Chesney is preparing for the release of his first proper Blue Chair/Warner Music Nashville project, led by the release of his new single “Tip of My Tongue.” Chesney, who has earned 30 country No. 1 hits, will release the track on July 12 at 5 a.m. CT.

Chesney co-wrote the track with pop artist/writer and “Shape Of You” hitmaker Ed Sheeran and hit songwriter/producer Ross Copperman.

“It’s funny how a figure of speech can lead you to all kinds of places,” Chesney says via a statement. “You start talking, and words fall out, and anything can happen. When you go in and write on any given day, the chemistry is what it is. When the idea fell out, we all just laughed and went, ‘Well, what can we do with that?’

“I’ve written so much with Ross (Copperman), that’s always easy. He brought Ed (Sheeran) in, and he is such a great writer… The way creativity works in creative people is so different, but it’s always exciting. As a co-write with a new writer, it’s one of the most fun sessions I’ve done in a long time. I get why people love working with him.

“With all the great songs that have been written in this town, I think you always want to do something a little different,” Chesney explains. “I think there’s this moment when you look at someone and you know they contain everything. You want to know everything, consume everything about them. It’s why we say ‘It’s a long way down,’ because you want to know it all. And the best part: we got a melody that feels like what’s going on lyrically. The music matches the words, and you can just drift in it.”

Chesney is currently in the studio with longtime co-producer Buddy Cannon working on his upcoming full-length album.

 

 

The Raconteurs Earn First No. 1 Debut With New Album ‘Help Us Stranger’

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The Raconteurs‘ latest album Help Us Stranger (Third Man Records), has debuted at No. 1 on this week’s SoundScan/Billboard 200, marking the band’s first-ever No. 1 and their third trip to the top 10. The acclaimed third studio album from Jack White, Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence, and Patrick Keeler also sits at the top of the physical albums chart, as well as the vinyl chart.

Help Us Stranger garnered the sixth-highest, first week vinyl sales in the SoundScan era (with Jack White holding the No. 1 and No. 4 spots for Lazaretto and Boarding House Reach, respectively), and is the first No. 1 for an independent record company in 2019, and the fourth consecutive Billboard No. 1 for Jack White as an artist.

During release week, the band helped usher in the new album with two appearances on CBS’ Late Show with Stephen Colbert for two nights in a row, performing “Help Me Stranger” on June 20 and “Bored and Razed” June 21. The Raconteurs took to the streets in both New York City and Los Angeles last week playing special in-store performances and also played a series of intimate club shows in both cities including Baby’s All Right on Saturday, June 22, Coney Island Baby on Sunday, June 23, and Jewel’s Catch One in LA on Thursday, June 27.

The Raconteurs are heralding the new album with a world tour, with North American dates getting underway July 4 and 5 with a two-night-stand at Aspen, CO’s Belly Up Tavern. Due to popular demand, additional dates have been added in a number of major markets, including Detroit, Vancouver, New York, and Nashville.

In addition to its chart-topping achievements here in the United States, Help Us Stranger has also debuted at No. 1 on the album sales chart in Canada and No.2 on the overall Canadian album chart. The success continues in the UK where the album took the top spot on the UK vinyl chart, along with being the No. 3 independent album and No.8 on the Official UK Albums chart.