BMI Sets Revenue Records with $1.283 Billion

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BMI has announced record-breaking revenues of $1.283 billion for its fiscal year, ending June 30, marking a 7% increase over the previous year. BMI distributed and administered $1.196 billion to its songwriters, composers and publishers, the company’s highest distributions ever. That number includes domestic and international royalties, as well as royalties from direct deals BMI administers on behalf of its publishers.

Distributions from direct deals grew $9 million during fiscal year 2019, for a total of $62 million, bringing in 5% of BMI’s total distributions.

BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill, said, “BMI values the trust our affiliates place in us, and we are gratified to once again generate record revenues on their behalf. Our achievements are a direct result of the unrivaled creativity of the songwriters and composers we represent and the worldwide popularity of their music. We always strive to do better, and we will continue to work hard to champion the rights of our creators and protect the value of their copyrights.”

BMI’s total domestic revenue, encompassing digital, media and general licensing, topped out at $943 million, a $63 million, or 7%, increase. That growth was driven by a $47 million increase in digital revenue, up 22% year-to-year for a total of $262 million. New deals with the growing video-on-demand streaming market, including Twitch and Amazon Channels, as well as new licensees in the eFitness market, such as Peloton and Flywheel, helped drive that success.

General licensing, which is generated from businesses like bars and restaurants, hotels and fitness centers, along with other income, also posted record results of $169 million, an 8% gain year-to-year, representing 18% of BMI’s domestic revenue pie. The company added approximately 16,500 new businesses to its growing portfolio in this sector.

Revenue from cable and satellite sources once again generated the largest portion of BMI’s domestic revenue at 30%, while traditional radio and television accounted for 24% of the overall domestic total. Notably, BMI’s digital revenue has now grown to encompass 28% of the company’s total domestic revenue portfolio and is now the second biggest contributor to that total.

BMI’s international revenue also reached an all-time high of $340 million, an increase of $21 million, or 7% over the previous year. The strength of BMI’s repertoire of film, television and songs helped the company achieve these record results in spite of a negative foreign exchange hit of $23 million caused by the strengthening dollar overseas.

In addition, BMI saw its affiliate membership surpass one million for the first time ever, with over 90,000 new songwriters, composers and publishers joining the organization this year. Notable new signings included Lil Nas X, Kendrick Lamar, Brandi Carlile, Willie Colón, and Sarah Schachner, among others, while agreements were extended with Imagine Dragons, Eminem, Shakira, John Legend, Harry Gregson-Williams, Eric Church, P!nk, Rihanna, Ben Decter, J Balvin, Hozier, Halsey, Horacio Palencia, and many more.

Little Big Town Sets New Album ‘Nightfall,’ Headlining Tour For January

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Little Big Town will release its ninth studio album, Nightfall, on Jan. 17, 2020, following a once-in-a-lifetime performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Jan. 16. The performance marks the first mainstream country performance at Carnegie Hall since Alan Jackson in 2013.

The show launches their accompanying 30+ date headlining The Nightfall Tour, which follows the Carnegie Hall show with two stops at The Apollo on Jan. 17-18. Caitlyn Smith will open each show, with the exception of Carnegie Hall.

Pre-sales for the tour launch at Noon EST today (Sept. 9) and run through Thursday evening. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets in select markets before the general public beginning Wednesday, September 11 at 10am local time through Thursday, September 12 at 10pm local time. Tickets go on sale everywhere Friday, September 13th at 10am local time. Carnegie Hall will follow an hour later at 11am EST.

The quartet released its new song, “Over Drinking,” to all DSPs last night. The song, penned by Jesse Frasure, Cary Barlowe, Hillary Lindsey, Ashley Gorley, and Steph Jones is the first official single off of Nightfall. The group will be performing the song for the first time, this Thursday in the 8am hour on NBC’s TODAY.

Jason Aldean To Release New Album ‘9’ In November

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Jason Aldean will release his upcoming ninth album, aptly titled 9, on Nov. 22, via Broken Bow Records.

“Early on I always thought if we ever got to make nine albums, I’m going to call it ‘9.’ It was my baseball number growing up, and it’s just kind of always been my lucky number,” says Aldean, the reigning ACM Artist of the Decade. “I remember cutting the first album and thinking ‘that’s forever away,’ and now here we are. I don’t know, it’s really special we made it this far – so, it’s more for me than anybody else – but, it means a lot.”

Along the way, this three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year has earned 23 No. 1 singles. He’s earned more than15 billion streams and sold more than 18 million albums. His 2019 Ride All Night Tour will conclude on Oct. 11, before he returns to Las Vegas Dec. 6-8 for Jason Aldean: Ride All Night Vegas at Park Theater at Park MGM.

Aldean has previewed the album today (Sept. 9) via four tracks, including “Blame It On You,” “I Don’t Drink Anymore,” “Keep It Small Town,” and the album’s lead single “We Back,” which was released to both digital platforms and radio today.

“When I came into country music and made my mark, it was with a banger,” Aldean adds. “But we haven’t put out a lot of that stuff over the last couple years. So we got this song and to me it just says what it says: ‘Thought we were gone, but you’re wrong – now it’s on.’”

Industry Pics: ASCAP, BMI, Vince Gill, Grand Ole Opry

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ASCAP Debuts “East Of Center” Showcase Series

Pictured (L-R): Kimberly Kelly, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Mercy Bell

East of Center, a new eclectic eastside songwriter showcase series presented by ASCAP, launched Wednesday, Sept. 4th at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge and featured emerging songwriter-artists Mercy Bell and Kimberly Kelly.

“Paying homage to the old East Nashville that served as home to Townes Van Zandt, Guy and Susannah Clark and so many other legendary ASCAP songwriters, this showcase series is designed to feature the unique storytelling of Americana, indie, folk and traditional country and western singer-songwriters and troubadours. We are excited to create an outlet that celebrates that history while also spotlighting up-and-coming artists,” said ASCAP Associate Director of Membership Beth Brinker.

 

BMI Partners With SynchBig!

Pictured: Michael August (Demolition), Spencer Nohe (BMI), Alissa Moreno (BAAM Collective), Keelan Donovan, Jamie Dryburgh (Demolition), Gatlin, Jason Walker, Anna Mae, Ashleigh Ellis (BAAM Collective).  Not pictured: Maylyn, Tim Halperin, Eric Daigle (Purplebeat)

On Wednesday, Aug. 28 at The Back Corner, BMI partnered for the first time on SynchBig!, a showcase series which was designed to highlight some of Nashville’s top synching artists. The highly anticipated event brought together songwriters, producers, artists, publishers, labels, licensing companies and others, with performers including Keelan Donovan (Big Yellow Dog), MAYLYN (Purplebeat), Jason Walker (Curb|Word), Anna Mae (Prescription Songs), and BMI artists Gatlin and Tim Halperin.

Kicking off the evening, BMI’s Spencer Nohe told the crowd, “Music for sync is such an important part of the livelihoods of many of our songwriters and publishers in Nashville. Our hope for this showcase series is to help support and elevate the community.”

Other partners of the event include Demolition Music, BAAM Collective, and Purplebeat.

 

Vince Gill Offers Fans Listening Party For New Album OKIE

Vince Gill. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill performed on the Opry on both Friday and Saturday nights this weekend. After his Friday performance, Gill invited fans to an exclusive album listening event held in the Opry House’s Studio A where he played recorded tracks and shared stories behind the songs of his new album OKIE.

The event was hosted by WSM’s Bill Cody and will air on 650 AM and WSMonline.com on Friday, Sept. 13 at 12pm/CT. WSM will feature a re-aired playback on Sept. 14 at 4pm/CT and September 15 at 7pm//CT.

 

Brantley Gilbert Gets “Fire’t Up” For New Tour

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It won’t be too long before Brantley Gilbert brings the music from his recently announced upcoming fifth studio album, Fire & Brimstone (Oct. 4) to the masses. Gilbert has announced his upcoming Fire’t Up Tour, which will launch in January and is named after the first track on his upcoming 15-song project.

Chase Rice, Dylan Scott and Brandon Lay have signed on as openers for the tour.

“I truly feel like we’re at the point that we can let the music take us where it is meant to go, so with every new album we like to change up our show and make it something that plays to those stories and characters,” shares Gilbert. “We’ll of course still do the hits our fans love, but we are looking at this as an opportunity to turn up the heat a bit and give the songs on Fire & Brimstone a chance to really rock.”

Fire & Brimstone features collaborations with Lindsay Ell, Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson and Colt Ford.

Shortly after the album’s October release, Gilbert will set sail for his Second Annual Kick It in the Ship cruise. He will be joined by Rice, LANCO, Diamond Rio, Tyler Farr, Danielle Bradbery, Jon Langston, Colt Ford, Tyler Rich, SixForty1, Trea Landon, Sam Grow, Tyler Braden, Brian Davis, Tyler Booth and more as they rock the high-seas from Miami to Cozumel this November.

2020 “Fire’t Up Tour” dates are as follows:
Thu 1/23/2020 -London, ON Budweiser Gardens
Fri 1/24/2020- Oshawa, ON Tribute Communities Centre
Sat 1/25/2020- Mashantucket, Conn. Foxwoods Resort
Thu 1/30/2020- Moline, Ill. TaxSlayer Center
Fri 1/31/2020- Highland Heights, Ky. BB&T Arena
Sat 2/1/2020- Salem, Va. Salem Civic Center
Thu 2/6/2020- Green Bay, Wis. Resch Center
Fri 2/7/2020- Minneapolis, Minn. Target Center
Sat 2/8/2020- Milwaukee, Wis. Fiserv Forum
Thu 2/13/2020- Greensboro, N.C. Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Fri 2/14/2020- Louisville, Ky. KFC Yum! Center
Sat 2/15/2020- Chattanooga, Tenn. McKenzie Arena at UTC
Thu 2/20/2020- Evansville, Ind. The Ford Center
Fri 2/21/2020- North Little Rock, Ark. Verizon Arena
Sat 2/22/2020- Tulsa, Okla. BOK Center
Thu 2/27/2020- Toledo, Ohio Huntington Center
Fri 2/28/2020- Youngstown, Ohio Covelli Centre
Sat 2/29/2020- Pikeville, Ky. Appalachian Wireless Arena
Thu 3/19/2020- Nampa, Idaho Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
Fri 3/20/2020- Portland, Ore. Moda Center
Sat 3/21/2020- Tacoma, Wash. Tacoma Dome
Thu 3/26/2020- Ontario, Calif. Citizens Business Bank Arena
Fri 3/27/2020- Fresno, Calif. Save Mart Center
Sat 3/28/2020- Las Vegas, Nev. The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan
Thu 4/16/2020- Greenville, S.C.^ Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Fri 4/17/2020- Tuscaloosa, Ala.^ Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
Sat 4/18/2020- Orange Beach, Ala.^ The Wharf Amphitheater
Thu 4/23/2020- Florence, S.C.^ Florence Civic Center
Fri 4/24/2020- Charleston, W. Va.^ Charleston Civic Center
Sat 4/25/2020- Knoxville, Tenn.^ Knoxville Coliseum
Thu 4/30/2020- Lincoln, Neb. ^ Pinnacle Bank Arena
Fri 5/1/2020 -Sioux Falls, S.D.^ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
Sat 5/2/2020- Grand Forks, N.D.^ Alerus Center
Fri 5/8/2020- Morrison, Colo.^ Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Features opener Chase Rice (^): All other dates feature Dylan Scott

Maddie & Tae Plot New EP Release For October

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Maddie & Tae are releasing part two of their album on Oct. 18 with the new EP Everywhere I’m Goin’. The new EP was produced by Jimmy Robbins and Derek Wells, and is anchored by the new single “Bathroom Floor,” written by Maddie & Tae along with Josh Kerr.

The duo’s current single “Die From A Broken Heart,” continues to strike a deep connection, tallying over 75 million global streams, helping to propel the pair as the Best Streaming Country Female Duo of all time with 686 million streams worldwide. Meanwhile, “Die From A Broken Heart’s” videos have mounted over 17.4 million views total, catapulting Maddie & Tae as the top video streaming female artist(s) on Billboard’s Top 200 Streaming Chart for current tracks for multiple weeks.

The EP follows the album’s first part released earlier this year, and is a continuation of stories of love, loss and redemption. The project features the title track and “Trying On Rings,” a true-to-life reflection for Marlow and her fiancé. The two also reunite with former tourmate Dierks Bentley on a vocal firepower duet, “Lay Here With Me,” and rounding out the project is “Ain’t There Yet,” an honest interpretation of healing after heartbreak.

“We are so excited to keep telling our story through this next collection of songs,” said Marlow. “We are so proud to have co-written all of these songs as well. This project as a whole is super personal, but these five songs in particular take you on an even deeper dive into our lives.”

“We were absolutely blown away by the reaction to the first part of the album,” adds Dye. “Hearing our fans relate to our stories is something that will never get old. We can’t wait to continue to show more of our hearts and journey through this next chapter of music.”

Ruston Kelly’s ‘Dirt Emo Vol. 1’ Coming In October

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Ruston Kelly will release his new album, Dirt Emo Vol. 1, on Oct. 11 via Rounder Records. The eight-track project consists of Kelly’s favorite emo songs, including a rendition of Dashboard Confessional’s “Screaming Infidelities,” featuring the band’s lead singer Chris Carrabba, which is premiering today.

“I don’t play country, this stuff is dirt emo. It’s like crying in a barn or angsting in your room with a banjo,” said Kelly of the new music.

In addition to “Screaming Infidelities,” the project also includes Kelly’s previously released versions of The Carter Family’s “Weeping Willow” and Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well.”

The release of Dirt Emo Vol. 1 adds to a landmark year for Kelly, whose full-length debut album, Dying Star, was released last fall on Rounder. A track from the album, “Mockingbird,” is nominated for Song of the Year at the upcoming 2019 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards.

In celebration of the new release, Kelly will continue his extensive Brightly Burst headline tour this fall including stops at Atlanta’s Terminal West, Austin’s Scoot Inn, Los Angeles’ Troubadour (two nights), New York’s Bowery Ballroom, Boston’s Brighton Music Hall and several others.

Guitar Center Research Study Highlights Positives Of Music Lessons For Kids

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Guitar Center has released a new research study it commissioned through an independent researcher on the effects of music lessons on children.

The new study explores the effects of supplemental music lessons on the development of children ages 7 to 17 that could be the key to their ongoing success. The online study, commissioned in July 2019, surveyed a total of 2,323 parents of adolescent children ages 7-17 who were currently participating in private music lessons through either a national music store, local independent music store, music institute, or with a private independent music instructor.

The study finds that students participating in supplemental music lessons enjoy a variety of positive effects and healthy habits including self-imposed limitation of screen time, increased problem-solving skills, time management and prioritization, increased self-awareness and social skills, and more.

“A growing number of parents, researchers and technology advocates acknowledge that limiting screen time in favor of other pursuits such as music aids in the healthy development of children,” said Donny Gruendler, Guitar Center Vice President of Education. “In this study, we found that students in outside of school supplemental music lessons are far more likely to balance their own screen time rather than doing it simply because they are made to do so by a parent or caregiver. That is, regularly scheduled music lessons can help build healthy after-school habits and time-management skills that students may otherwise forgo in favor of other leisure pursuits. Altogether, such habits result is a number of additional beneficial life skills and reinforces what we’ve known for some time: studying and playing music has benefits far beyond the mere learning of playing a musical instrument, and its ripple effects result in happier, healthier, more balanced children.”

DISClaimer: Ashley McBryde, Little Big Town, Alex Hall Lead New Releases

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Is it just me or is the country industry in the midst of a huge, new-talent drive?

There are a number of stars-in-waiting on tap today, including Parker McCollum, Adam Hambrick, new hitmaker Morgan Wallen and our DisCovery Award winner, Alex Hall.

There is only one female solo record in this week’s column. It’s by Ashley McBryde, and it wins the Disc of the Day award.

ADAM HAMBRICK/Forever Ain’t Long Enough
Writers: Adam Hambrick/Joe Ginsberg/Kelly Archer; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Capitol/Buena Vista
– It ain’t all that “country.” But it has a teeny-bopper, cutesy-poo charm.

 

OLD DOMINION/Young
Writers: Katelyn Tarver/Shane McAnally/Old Dominion; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– Love the throbbing rhythm track and the celebratory, joyous melody. Matthew’s lead vocal soars with sincerity and heart. Song was a product of the TV songwriting-contest show Songland and is now featured in a national Jeep commercial.

THOMAS WESLEY/DIPLO & MORGAN WALLEN/Heartless
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Columbia
– The song is completely disposable, but Morgan’s excellent country voice is in fine form. He is one groovy dude.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Over Drinking
Writers: Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure/Ashley Gorley/Steph Jones/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Little Big Town; Publishers: W.C.M./Songs of Rhythm House Black/Bennett’s Dad’s/Roc Nation US Music/Warner-Tamerlane/Telemitry/Round Hill/Caleb’s College Fund/Vistaville/Steph Jones Who/Big Deal Hits/410/BMG Rights Management, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville
-This solid, stompin’ honky tonker is a super change of pace for these folks. As heartache country as it gets. Turn it up. Make it a smash.

ALEX HALL/Half Past You
Writers: Alex Hall/Shane McAnally/Pete Good/AJ Babcock; Producers: Alex Hall/Shane McAnally/Pete Good/AJ Babcock; Publishers: none listed; Monument
– The bopping. processed track has a slight ‘80s vibe. But his confident, clear performance is right up to date. Super tuneful, irresistibly rhythmic and highly listenable. Sign me up. Send more soon.

 

RANDY TRAVIS/Lead Me Home
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
– The Warner archives continue to unearth previously unreleased performances by this Hall of Famer. The dobro-fiddle-steel-mandolin acoustic track creates a magical mood, and then his awesome voice sweeps your heart away. A love song — and a performance — for the ages.

PARKER McCOLLUM/Pretty Heart
Writers: Parker McCollum/Randy Montana; Producer: Jon Randall; Publishers: none listed; MCA Nashville
– The crisp, dynamic production draws you in. Parker’s cry-at-midnight vocal is a pristine piece of brilliance. The accusatory song is superbly written. Everything about this works for me. I loved him when he was an indie Texas act, and I love him even more now.

 

THE MAVERICKS/Swingin’
Writers: none listed; Producers: Niko Bolas/Raul Malo; Publishers: none listed; Mondo Mundo/Thirty Tigers
-The Mavericks take this 1983 John Anderson classic out for a spin, applying their trademark, churnin’-burnin’ rhythm might to the tune. A groove-soaked delight.

WATERLOO REVIVAL/Like I Miss You
Writers: George Birge/Cody Cooper/Scotty Emerick/Casey Beathard; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Show Dog
– The duo switches gears here, adopting a softly wistful tone on this lovelorn ballad. Lulling and lovely.

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/One Night Standards
Writers: Nicollette Hayford/Ashley McBryde/Shane McAnally; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
-She is such a special artist. This stunning song accepts the reality of a one-night stand with a shrug and a willing heart. The track drives forward relentlessly while her penetrating delivery delivers the superbly written lyric with effortless finesse.

 

King Calaway Reveals Track Listing, Songwriters For Debut Album ‘Rivers,’ Due In October

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King Calaway will release their debut full-length album Rivers on Oct. 4 via BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records. The album builds on the group’s eponymous EP that released in January, adding seven new songs. The project was executive produced by Robert Deaton and Ross Copperman.

The album features songs crafted by Paul DiGiovanni, Devin Dawson, Mitchell Tenpenny, Steven Lee Olsen, Dave Barnes, Josh Hoge, Jordan Reynolds and more.

“We’re so excited to announce the release of a record we’ve worked so hard on this past year. Everyone who worked on this album shared a similar vision of creating an authentic, original sound while spreading a message of positivity through the lyrics and melodies,” singer and guitarist Chad Michael Jervis says of album. “With our love and passion for making music, the title track mirrors who we want to be as a group. ‘I know where we belong, I know where we feel free. And it goes on and on, like rivers to the sea.’ We hope our debut album inspires others the way our favorite albums have inspired us.”

The band has recently performed with Ricky Skaggs on the Grand Ole Opry, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and opened for one of Garth Brooks’ tour dates. Meanwhile, the band’s current single “World For Two” was the most-added song at country radio during its first week at U.S. radio.

Rivers Track Listing:
1. No Matter What – (Andy Albert, Paul DiGiovanni, Jordan Schmidt, Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson)
2. More Than I Do – (Nate Cyphert, Ben West, Laura Veltz)
3. Rivers –  (RuthAnne Cunningham, Teddy Geiger, Bruce Fielder, Tom Parker, ØJM)
4. Obvious – (Steven Lee Olsen, Nolan Sipe, Brandon Day)
5. Missing You – (Dave Barnes, Jordan Reynolds)
6. Driver’s Seat – (Josh Hoge, David Ryan Harris,  David Hodges)
7. Grow Old – (RuthAnne Cunningham, Tom Parker, ØJM)
8. I Do – (Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
9. Picture of the Way You Are – (Barry Dean, William Rinehart, Jimmy Robbins)
10. World For Two – (Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne, James Abrahart)
11. Love the One You’re With – (Stephen Stills)
12. I Did – (Logan Turner)