Nashville Pop Artist Lennon Stella Teams With The Chainsmokers For New Single

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Lennon Stella

Nashville pop artist and former Nashville actress Lennon Stella has teamed with The Chainsmokers and producer DJ Illenium for the new single “Takeaway,” released via Disruptor Records/Columbia Records.

Stella will join The Chainsmokers this fall on their World War Joy arena-headlining North American tour this fall. 5 Seconds of Summer will join all dates along with Stella.
The video for “Takeaway” released today, directed by Jeremiah Davis and filmed at New York City’s The Vessel at Hudson Yards.
The Chainsmokers said, “We are so lucky to have had the opportunity to be one of the first artists to create a music video with The Vessel! We are from New York so to be a part of something that will be a huge part of New York City history is incredibly special to us. We also had to run up a ton of stairs in this video all day so we hope people appreciate that hahaha…”

Nominees Announced For 2019 IBMA Awards

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The nominees for the 2019 International Bluegrass Music Awards were announced this morning (July 24) in Nashville.

Balsam Range, Sam Bush Band, The Earls of Leicester, Del McCoury Band, and Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers will vie for the Entertainer of the Year honor. Additionally, three inductees into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame have been announced, including dobro player Mike Auldridge, banjo player Bill Emerson, and band The Kentucky Colonels. Five Distinguished Achievement Award honorees include broadcaster Katy Daley, label founder Mickey Gamble, former Executive Director of IBMA Dan Hays, musician Allen Mills, and Japanese bluegrass magazine Moonshiner.

Tickets for the 30th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show are available by logging onto worldofbluegrass.org or by calling 1-800-514-3849. The show will also be broadcast live on SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction) at 7:30 p.m. EDT, streamed via Facebook Live, and will be made available for rebroadcast by radio stations worldwide, thanks to the sponsorship of Chiesi USA, Virginia Tourism, Deering Banjos, Compass Records, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, BMI, and Boston Bluegrass Union.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Sam Bush Band
The Earls of Leicester
Del McCoury Band
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
I’m With Her
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
Sister Sadie

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush Band
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
The Earls of Leicester
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
The Travelin’ McCourys

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Appalachian Road Show
Carolina Blue
High Fidelity
Mile Twelve
Billy Strings

SONG OF THE YEAR (7 nominees, due to a tie)
“Dance, Dance, Dance”
Artist: Appalachian Road Show
Writers: Brenda Cooper/Joseph Cooper/Steve Miller
Producers: Barry Abernathy, Darrell Webb, Ben Isaacs
Executive Producer: Dottie Leonard Miller
Label: Billy Blue Records

“The Girl Who Invented the Wheel”
Artist: Balsam Range
Writers: Adam Wright/Shannon Wright
Producer: Balsam Range
Executive Producer: Mickey Gamble
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

“The Guitar Song”
Artist: Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers with Del McCoury
Writers: Bill Anderson/Jamey Johnson/Vicky McGehee
Producer: Joe Mullins
Associate Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

“The Light in Carter Stanley’s Eyes”
Artist: Peter Rowan
Writer: Peter Rowan
Producer: Peter Rowan
Associate Producer: Tim O’Brien
Label: Rebel Records

“Next Train South”
Artist: The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Writer: Mac Patterson
Producers: The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Dave Maggard, Ken Irwin
Label: Rounder Records

“Take the Journey”
Artist: Molly Tuttle
Writers: Molly Tuttle/Sarah Siskind
Producer: Ryan Hewitt
Label: Compass Records

“Thunder Dan”
Artist: Sideline
Writer: Josh Manning
Producer: Tim Surrett
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
City on a Hill
Artist: Mile Twelve
Producer: Bryan Sutton
Label: Independent

Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass
Artist: Del McCoury Band
Producers: Del and Ronnie McCoury
Label: McCoury Music

For the Record
Artist: Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers
Producer: Joe Mullins
Associate Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

I Hear Bluegrass Calling Me
Artist: Carolina Blue
Producers: Bobby Powell, Tim and Lakin Jones
Executive Producers: Lonnie Lassiter and Ethan Burkhardt
Label: Pinecastle Records

Sister Sadie II
Artist: Sister Sadie
Producer: Sister Sadie
Label: Pinecastle Records

GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“Acres of Diamonds”
Artist: Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers
Producer: Joe Mullins
Associate Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

“Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout”
Artist: Claire Lynch
Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

“I Am a Pilgrim”
Artist: Roland White and Friends
Producers: Ty Gilpin, Jon Weisberger
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

“I See God”
Artist: Marty Raybon
Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

“Let My Life Be a Light”
Artist: Balsam Range
Producer: Balsam Range
Executive Producer: Mickey Gamble
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“Cotton Eyed Joe”
Artist: Sideline
Producer: Tim Surrett
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

“Darlin’ Pal(s) of Mine”
Artist: Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Mike Bub, and Todd Phillips
Producer: Alison Brown
Label: Compass Records

“Earl’s Breakdown”
Artist: The Earls of Leicester
Producer: Jerry Douglas
Label: Rounder Records

“Fried Taters and Onions”
Artist: Carolina Blue
Producers: Bobby Powell, Tim and Lakin Jones
Executive Producers: Lonnie Lassiter and Ethan Burkhardt
Label: Pinecastle Records

“Sunrise”
Artist: Sam Bush & Bela Fleck
Producers: Akira Otsuka, Ronnie Freeland
Label: Smithsonian Folkways Records

COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“Burning Georgia Down”
Artist: Balsam Range with Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble
Producer: Balsam Range
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

“Darlin’ Pal(s) of Mine”
Artist: Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Mike Bub, and Todd Phillips
Producer: Alison Brown
Label: Compass Records

“The Guitar Song”
Artist: Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers with Del McCoury
Producer: Joe Mullins
Associate Producer: Jerry Salley
Label: Billy Blue Records

“Please”
Artist: Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton
Producers: Dave Cobb, John Leventhal, Frank Liddell
Label: MCA Nashville

“Soldier’s Joy/Ragtime Annie”
Artist: Roland White with Justin Hiltner, Jon Weisberger, Patrick McAvinue, and Molly Tuttle
Producers: Ty Gilpin, Jon Weisberger
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Shawn Camp
Del McCoury
Russell Moore
Tim O’Brien
Danny Paisley

FEMALE VOCALIST
Brooke Aldridge
Dale Ann Bradley
Sierra Hull
Molly Tuttle
Rhonda Vincent

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Gina Furtado
Mike Munford
Noam Pikelny
Kristin Scott Benson
Scott Vestal

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Barry Bales
Mike Bub
Beth Lawrence
Missy Raines
Mark Schatz

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Hunter Berry
Becky Buller
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan

RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas
Andy Hall
Rob Ickes
Phil Leadbetter
Justin Moses

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kenny Smith
Billy Strings
Bryan Sutton
Molly Tuttle
Josh Williams

MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Alan Bibey
Sam Bush
Sierra Hull
Ronnie McCoury
Frank Solivan

Nashville Celebrates Aaron Pritchett’s No. 1 Canadian Single

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(L-R): Invictus/Big Star Recordings artist Aaron Pritchett, songwriters Jimmy Yeary, Jessi Alexander, and Corey Crowder. (Photo Michael Weir)

Invictus Entertainment and Canadian record label Big Star Recordings hosted an event last night (July 23) in Nashville celebrating Aaron Pritchett’s No.1 single “Better When I Do.” The song, which was written by Jessi Alexander, Corey Crowder, and Jimmy Yeary, reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Nielsen BDS chart.

Number one plaques were presented by Invictus/Big Star Recordings VP Louis O’Reilly to Pritchett, the songwriters, and the publishers, including THIS Music, Tree Vibez Music, Sony/ATV, and Warner Chappell.

Pritchett has been one of Canada’s most popular country artists and a mainstay at Canadian country radio over the past two decades. He is a multiple CCMA award winner, has had 13 Top 10 radio hits, and is in the midst of his 70+ date “Out On the Town” tour.

(L-R): Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran, Warner Chappell’s Bethany Mako, THIS Music’s Anna Weisband, songwriter Jimmy Yeary, Invictus/Big Star Recordings artist Aaron Pritchett, songwriter Jessi Alexander, Tree Vibez’s Leslie DiPiero, THIS Music’s Rusty Gaston, THIS Music’s Mya Hanson, Sony/ATV’s Laura Castillo, Tree Vibez’s Emily Peacock, songwriter Corey Crowder. (Photo Michael Weir)

LOCASH Ink Co-Pub Deal With BMG

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Pictured (L-R): Chris Oglesby, VP Creative, BMG Nashville; Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville; LOCASH’s Chris Lucas, Preston Brust; Jake Gear, Sr. Creative Director, BMG Nashville; Ross Schilling, Vector Management

BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records artists LOCASH have signed a new co-publishing agreement with BMG Nashville.

The duo’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas have penned hits for other artists, including Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly” and Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah,” as well as their own chart-topping singles “I Know Somebody” and “I Love This Life.”

Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville, said “We’ve been wanting to work with these guys for years and that day is finally here!”

Jake Gear, Sr. Creative Director, BMG Nashville, “We’ve long admired Preston and Chris—both creatively as songwriters and artists. We’re excited to have these guys as part of the BMG publishing team and ready to plug in creatively to maximize their writing for both LOCASH records and to continue their success of cuts on other artist projects. Their drive and hustle are absolutely infectious…this is going to be fun.”

Pandora Voice Mode Available To All iOS And Android Users

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Pandora has announced its Voice Mode smart assistant feature for all Pandora app users on iOS and Android. Pandora’s Voice Mode was unveiled at CES in January, and has since been in beta, available to only a limited number of users.
Voice Mode allows users to control the Pandora app hands-free, and combines voice recognition and Natural Language Processing technology with Pandora’s Music Genome Project personalization technology. The feature allows listeners to request albums, playlists, stations, and songs, in addition to more general requests, such as “Hey, Pandora, play music to start my morning,” or “Hey Pandora, play sad music.”

FBMM Promotes Four

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Business and financial management firm Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. has promoted Nicole Bean, Alicia Erickson, Marcella Migneco and Adriana Navarrete to senior account assistants.

“We are fortunate to have talented employees such as Nicole, Alicia, Marcella and Adriana serving our clients,” said Mary Ann McCready, a founding partner of FBMM. “We look forward to seeing them grow as they take on more responsibilities and continue to go above and beyond for our clients.”

Bean joined FBMM in October of 2017. Prior to joining FBMM, she worked as an operations manager at Children’s Clinic East, and a house supervisor at Village Behavioral Health. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from King University in 2016.

Erickson became part of the FBMM team in November 2017. Before coming to FBMM, she worked as a marketing intern for Word Entertainment and as an events intern for Bach Weekend, where she helped organize events for over 100 people visiting Nashville. She graduated from Belmont University in 2017 with a BBA degree in entrepreneurship and music business.

Migneco began working at FBMM in November 2017. Before joining FBMM, she interned for Project Daybreak Artist Management, where she learned all aspects of a boutique artist management company. She graduated from Belmont University in 2016 with a BBA degree in music business.

Navarrete joined FBMM in May 2017. Before her time at FBMM, she worked as an accountant at Chrysafi & Associates Accounting & Tax Preparation in Astoria, N.Y., and as an ocean lifeguard at Rockaway Beach. She graduated from City University of New York Lehman College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

Big Loud Records Partners With Nicolle Galyon For Female-Focused Label, Signs Madison Kozak

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Pictured (L-R): Michelle Szeto (Artist Manager, Paquin Entertainment Group), Craig Wiseman (Partner, Big Loud), Stacy Blythe (VP Of Promotion, Big Loud Records), Candice Watkins (VP Of Marketing, Big Loud Records), Nicolle Galyon (President, Songs & Daughters), Madison Kozak, Patch Culbertson (VP Of A&R, Big Loud Records), Samantha Jervey (Senior Creative Director, Big Loud Publishing), Seth England (Partner, Big Loud), Tori Johnson (Senior Director Of Creative & Digital, Big Loud), Joey Moi (Partner, Big Loud). Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for Songs & Daughters

Big Loud Records has announced Songs & Daughters, a new, female-focused label partnership with songwriter Nicolle Galyon. Galyon will serve as President of Songs & Daughters, and the label’s flagship artist is singer-songwriter Madison Kozak.

Galyon created the company to provide the mentorship and strong female leadership she wished she had when she first moved to Nashville 17 years ago.

“The heart behind Songs & Daughters is to be rooted and liberated at the same time,” shared Galyon. “For me, this role is an extension of something I already am—and that’s a mother. I hope to nurture the song, I hope to nurture the daughter, and I hope that the artists matter just as much as the music that we’re making. Songs & Daughters is a bigger way to tell young female creatives, ‘yes you can’.”

Pictured: Nicolle Galyon speaking at the Songs & Daughters launch event. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Songs & Daughters

“Nicolle Galyon has become a beacon to what this community is all about. I’ve watched first-hand how she has encouraged young artists to be confident, to be themselves, and—most importantly—never be afraid to speak their truth,” praised Big Loud partner Seth England. “It’s been our vision to eventually create unique and strategic partnerships with like-minded professionals. Nicolle is ready to take the next step in her professional journey, and Big Loud couldn’t be more thankful she chose us to be her partner.”

Kozak will relesase her first track under Songs & Daughters across all digital platforms this Friday (July 26) titled “First Last Name.” Inspired by her close relationship with her father, the song was co-penned by Kozak with Claire Douglas and James Slater. A 22-year-old native of Ontario, Canada, Kozak attended Belmont University and is currently signed to Big Loud’s hitmaking publishing arm.

“It feels full circle with my background to come from a big family, small town, and then to connect with Nicolle who has the same upbringing,” Kozak says. “It feels like a very natural step to take with Big Loud. They have been watching from a distance the past year, letting me grow on my own with their help. I’m so grateful for their support and that it’s such a natural flow.”

Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for Songs & Daughters

Songs & Daughters hosted a pop-up celebration at Nashville’s Ruby event space last night (July 22). England first took the stage to introduce Galyon, who articulated her vision for the company before introducing Kozak and revealing her as the first signee.

Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert Added To Country Radio Seminar 2020 Lineup

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Country Radio Seminar has announced some of the speakers and events for next year’s conference. Miranda Lambert will be among the opening day speakers on Wednesday, Feb. 19, while Carrie Underwood will take the stage for the annual “CRS Artist Interview” on Friday, Feb. 21.

Warner Music Nashville will once again officially launch CRS, with its kickoff luncheon at 12 p.m. CT, on Feb 19. “Team UMG at the Ryman” will host Thursday’s (Feb. 20) lunch at the Ryman Auditorium, while Big Machine Label Group will lead Friday’s (Feb. 21) luncheon.

Educational panels are already in place and will feature the annual CRS-commissioned research project examining a soon-to-be announced topic; “Maximizing Metrics,” tracking vital consumption data; and “What Leadership Looks Like,” led by RAB CEO Erica Farber. Additionally, “All The Singles Ladies,” and “Separate But Not Equal,” will discuss airplay gender imbalance, and how to better establish career development with female artists.

Early bird registration for CRS 2020 opens Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. CT.

Keith Urban, Chris Janson, Trisha Yearwood, Ashley McBryde To Appear At 13th Annual ACM Honors

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Keith Urban, Chris Janson, Maddie & Tae, Barbara Mandrell, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes and Trisha Yearwood are the first round of artists announced who will be participating in the upcoming 13th Annual ACM Honors August 21 at the Ryman Auditorium.

The evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards. Previously announced Special Award recipients to be celebrated at the 13th Annual ACM Honors include Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride (ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award),Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming and Billy Joe Shaver (ACM Poet’s Award), Gayle Holcomb (ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award), Miranda Lambert (ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award), Kacey Musgraves (ACM Jim Reeves International Award), and A Star Is Born (ACM Tex Ritter Film Award). The evening will also honor winners of the Industry and Studio Recording Awards, along with Songwriter of the Year Award winner, Shane McAnally.

More talent will be announced in the coming weeks, and tickets are available to the public at ticketmaster.com.

The Music Playground To Expand With New Nashville Creative Complex

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The Music Playground is partnering with Grammy award-winning producer/mixer F. Reid Shippen and bringing him on as Chief Creative Officer to oversee and lead the company’s new Nashville expansion.

Scheduled to fully open later this year, the new 4,000 square foot Playground complex located in Berry Hill will feature Rupert Neve Designs and Fix Audio consoles, Shippen’s own collection of vintage microphones and gear, analog synths, vintage instruments and more. The studios will also feature client hangout space and writing rooms for composers, producers and mixing engineers.

“We wanted to build the Disneyland for music production,” said Andy Hong, Co-Founder of The Music Playground, “A special place and world-class studio that would be a true destination for music production and draw people from all across the country to come and experience what it’s like making music in Nashville and collaborating with the amazing talent that lives here.”

Shippen will be working out of his current studio, Robot Lemon, until the new studios are completed. With numerous production, engineering and mixing awards to his name and having worked on over one hundred Billboard No.1 hits and many Grammy Award-winning albums, Shippen’s credits include Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Brett Eldredge, Darius Rucker, Ingrid Michaelson and many others.

“This is about creating experiences that help clients tap into their passions again.  Original music production has changed dramatically over the past decade and something important has truly been lost for brands and creative agencies,” said Drew Stein, Co-founder of The Music Playground, “We want to bring back that magic where clients can come to a special place, collaborate with incredible talent, and immerse themselves in the experience and process of making amazing music again – from composition through final mix.”

“The music scene in Nashville has grown to encompass more than just country music and its singer/songwriter roots,” said Shippen. “From rock to pop, to EDM and hip-hop – the amount of talent in this city is absolutely unmatched. We have orchestral composers and arrangers, well-known artists and indie bands – and the best musicians and songwriters on Earth – who call this city their home.  Bringing together that unrivaled community, sharing it with clients and bringing the highest levels of production quality for advertising, film and television is something I’m excited to bring to The Music Playground and their incredible team.”

F. Reid Shippen