Industry Pics: Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, Scott Borchetta, Andrew Combs

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Miranda Lambert Celebrates ‘Wildcard’ With Label Team

Miranda Lambert celebrated with her Sony Music Nashville team at Nashville’s Exit/In, following a private preview performance of tracks from her upcoming seventh solo project Wildcard, which releases Nov. 1.

Pictured: Miranda Lambert (front row). Back row (L-R): RCA Nashville SVP Promotion Dennis Reese, Sr. Director Marketing Jennifer Way, Director Sales/Streaming Alaina Vehec, VP Creative Services Tracy Fleaner and SVP Sales/Streaming Caryl Atwood.

 

Sheryl Crow, Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta Celebrate Sold-Out Ryman Shows

Sheryl Crow and Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta celebrated Crow’s two sold-out consecutive shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium this week. Crow’s latest album Threads (Big Machine) entered at No. 1 on the Americana/Folk albums chart. Crow surprised the Ryman audience with guest appearances from Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby, Jason Isbell and Emmylou Harris.

Scott Borchetta and Sheryl Crow. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

 

Andrew Combs Celebrates Album Release Party

SESAC’s ET Brown celebrated with SESAC affiliate Andrew Combs at Fort Houston in Nashville on Friday (Sept. 20), as Combs feted the release of his fourth album, Ideal Man (New West Records).

Combs will launch a headlining tour in his hometown of Dallas on Oct. 9, with his five-piece band. He will also co-headline a European tour with fellow Nashville artist Erin Rae.

SESAC’s ET Brown and artist-writer Andrew Combs

 

 

Big Loud Records Signs Ernest

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Pictured (L-R): Scott Safford (Safford Motley, PLC), Seth England (Partner, Big Loud), Lloyd Aur Norman (Vp Of Special Projects & Strategic Management, Big Loud), Patch Culbertson (VP of A&R, Big Loud), Ernest, Blue (Ernest’s Puppy), Ryan Kroon (Artist Manager, Big Loud), Kevin “Chief” Zaruk (Partner, Big Loud), Candice Watkins (VP of Marketing, Big Loud Records), Austen Adams (COO, Big Loud)

Big Loud Records has signed singer-songwriter Ernest to its roster.

The Nashville native has had songs recorded by Jake Owen, Chris Lane and Florida Georgia Line, who chose “Dig Your Roots” as the title track of their 2016 project.

Ernest will also be managed by Big Loud, with Ryan Kroon overseeing day-to-day management. Ernest is working on his debut project, which will be produced by Joey Moi and will release the track “I Think I Love You” on Oct. 4.

“I’m super blessed to call Big Loud my team. They’re like family to me, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” shares Ernest of the signing. “We share the same vision, and most importantly, they let me be ME. I’m a very eccentric person and they encourage me to really dig in to everything that makes me unique.”

“We are longtime fans of Ernest and his songwriting. Over the past few years, we’ve watched him develop his vision and channel his creative flow,” says Big Loud partner Kevin “Chief” Zaruk. “He’s truly a one-of-a-kind artist and we cannot wait to introduce the world to Ernest and his music.”

Ernest will be part of two tours this fall and winter, including Mason Ramsey’s How’s UR Girl & How’s UR Family Pt. 2, which launches Oct 2 in Athen, Georgia. He will also be on Chris Lane’s Big, Big Plans Tour, launching Nov. 7 in Morgantown, West Virginia.

 

 

Average Joes Entertainment’s Sam Grow Inks With Brad Austin Management

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(L-R:) Sam Grow, Brad Austin, Manager/Brad Austin Management; Joe Barrick, Tour Manager

Average Joes Entertainment artist Sam Grow has signed a management deal with Brad Austin Management. Grow is booked by WME in Nashville.

Austin launched his new management venture after departing his position last month as Forever Media Corporate Dir./Programming, where he was responsible for overseeing 11 stations in Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey including WXCY in Wilmington, Delaware. He spent over 27 years in radio and media, and had also served as PD at Cumulus Country WTNR/Grand Rapids.

“We’re looking to take a fresh management approach with Sam,” said Austin. “When I first met Sam four years ago, I instantly knew there was something special about him – a rare mix of incredible vocal, writing and performance. Nobody can out hustle Sam and his crew, and they love every minute of it. We’ve quite literally only scratched the surface of Sam Grow and his music, and he’s got a new champion now who will work as hard for him as he does for himself and his team.”

Brad Austin can be contacted at [email protected].

ASCAP Launches New Advanced Research & Innovation Initiative

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ASCAP is launching a new initiative to explore how advanced technologies, new business approaches and creative collaborations can drive value for its music creator members and music users. The ASCAP Advanced Research & Innovation Initiative will help to identify and develop new areas of growth and efficiency through a series of efforts including external participation in technology accelerators, prototyping research projects, cross-pollination with the startup community and knowledge-sharing through a speaker series to inspire ASCAP members and employees.

To kick off the program, ASCAP has partnered with the NYC Media Lab, a public/private partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation that connects media and technology companies with New York City’s universities to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and talent development.

ASCAP will launch the Advanced Research & Innovation Initiative at today’s NYCML Summit, where it will lead a workshop, “How Emerging Technology is Changing the Music Industry” at New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn. As part of the NYCML partnership, ASCAP will conduct research in collaboration with a faculty-led research team on ways to better serve ASCAP members by leveraging applied technologies in areas such as machine intelligence, extended reality and other emerging disciplines. The music organization will also take part in NYCML’s Combine Startup Accelerator, which helps NYC’s university ecosystem extend and commercialize new technologies.

The program will also include a bi-monthly speaker series that will feature motivating and educational speakers on a broad range of innovation topics held at ASCAP offices in New York City, Los Angeles and Nashville.

“To realize our future, we are broadening our lens to envision it. With the Advanced Research & Innovation Initiative, we are looking further into the technology horizon to seek out what may be possible to super-serve and support our songwriter and publisher communities for years to come,” said Nick Lehman, ASCAP Chief Strategy & Digital Officer. “We are pursuing this program as a deliberate way to provide a funnel for the deep passion that ASCAP employees already bring to their work, in order to harness innovation that matters to our members. By exploring new technology, talent, business approaches, and partnerships, we can create new value as ASCAP evolves into the next century.”

 

Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney Signs Publishing Deal With Reservoir (Exclusive)

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Pictured (L-R): Mike Sistad (ASCAP – VP Nashville Membership), Greg Gallo (Reservoir – VP Creative), Joe Don Rooney, Beth Brinker (ASCAP – Associate Creative Director), John Ozier (Reservoir – EVP Creative), Chandler Cunningham (Reservoir – Creative Coordinator)

Reservoir has signed Joe Don Rooney, lead guitarist for hit country music group Rascal Flatts, to a worldwide publishing deal. The deal includes future works for the accomplished songwriter including upcoming Rascal Flatts co-writes, plus titles written for other artists.

Outside of his catalog with Rascal Flatts, Rooney is an accomplished songwriter, having collaborated with Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, Lee Brice, The Vamps, and more. He is currently developing several emerging artists including Dylan Brady, signed to Barry Weiss’ RECORDS, plus Chase Martin and Josh Dorr, among others.

“I’m constantly writing and creating, whether it’s for Rascal Flatts or other artists,” shared Rooney. “And getting to work with John and the whole Reservoir team, felt like the perfect creative fit. I’m really looking forward to this next chapter.”

“While Joe Don’s past success speaks for itself, we’re really excited about what lies ahead,” adds Reservoir EVP of Creative John Ozier. “His ability to work across genres and knack for developing talent, coupled with the fact that he is one of the best guys in the business made him a great match with Reservoir and we’re honored to welcome him to the family.”

Rascal Flatts have sold over 23 million albums, 35 million digital downloads, and amassed more than 2 billion streams worldwide. They have 17 No. 1 hits under their belt, and two dozen RIAA-certified Gold, Platinum, or Multi-Platinum releases. As the most awarded country music group of the past decade, the trio have over 40 awards to their name, including a Grammy for Best Country Song and a number of top accolades from the ACMs, CMAs, AMAs, CMTs, and more. In 2012, Rascal Flatts received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The group is currently on a six-month U.S. and Canadian tour. To date, the band has sold over 10 million tickets worldwide.

New York City-based Reservoir has offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, and London. Founded in 2007, the company has grown to represent more than 110,000 copyrights and 20,000 master recordings, including hundreds of No.1 releases. Among those are songs written and performed by John Denver, Billy Strayhorn, and Hoagy Carmichael, as well as catalogs of Sheryl Crow and Phantogram, and current hits performed by Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars, Cardi B and more. The company’s collection of film music includes rights to scores from composer-producer Hans Zimmer, as heard in The Lion King, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Dark Knight Trilogy and more. Reservoir also represents recorded music through Chrysalis Records and Philly Groove Records, and manages artists via its venture with Big Life Management.

London-Based TNAG Acquires Nashville’s Cotten Music Center

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Pictured (L-R): Kim Sherman, Ben Montague, Robert J. Montague.

London, England-based company The North American Guitar (TNAG) has acquired Nashville’s Cotten Music Center, making it their primary location in the United States. Founded by Richard Cotten, Cotten Music Center has been in the Nashville music community since the early 1960s.

Cotten Music Center is located at 434 Houston Street, Ste. 131, in Nashville. Kim Sherman, who has been co-owner of the shop for the past 23 years, approached the father and son owners of TNAG Ben and Robert Montague in February of this year. The Montagues founded TNAG in 2010.

“I have admired the way The North American Guitar has grown to be such a well-respected shop worldwide in just under a decade. Cotten Music reached a point in our business where we needed additional support, and Ben’s passion for our preservation, in combination with the reputation that he and his father have built with TNAG, made for a wonderful friendship and partnership, which also made the transition easier” said Sherman, now managing partner of TNAG Nashville. “We are so grateful for Ben’s understanding of Cotten Music’s legacy and are happy to be operating business as usual at The North American Guitar.”

“As our online presence grew and sales steadily increased in the American market, we knew that opening a second location in the States would be necessary and timely, but that finding the right partner would be a challenge,” said Ben Montague, CEO of The North American Guitar. “When we learned that Cotten Music Center was seeking the support and alignment of a larger brand, we were elated because we’ve admired and supported the brand from afar for years. We feel privileged to assume ownership and approval from our dear friend Kim.”

July 2019 marked the official change in ownership and name of Cotten Music Center to The North American Guitar + Cotten. Sherman continues to run and advise the brand from the brick and mortar location in Nashville, Tennessee, which has since been updated to reflect the look and feel of the brand’s flagship location in London.

Warner Chappell Production Music Brings Home Four Mark Awards

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Warner Chappell Production Music has been awarded four Mark Awards by the Production Music Association (PMA). The Mark Awards honor the achievements of the production music community and were presented during the PMA’s annual Production Music Conference yesterday (Sept. 24) at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.

“Receiving these awards is a testament to the exceptional talents of the musicians and composers who help make our repertoire a standout, and we are honored,” said Pat Weaver, Head of Production for Warner Chappell Production Music.

Warner Chappell Production Music and its partner catalogs won the following Mark Awards:
– Best Use of Production Music in Commercial Advertisement: “Night Drive” by The Adventurists from IndieSonics for RED Digital Cinema Dragon-X Official Introduction
– Best Use of Production Music in Online/Digital Advertising: “Delight in the Unexpected” by Tom Haines from WCPM’s CPM Catalog for Jo Malone London
– Best Production Music Artist: Folk/Americana: Matthew Schwanke and Chris Hanson from MidCoast Music Artist Songs
– Best Production Music Track: Folk: “Yesterday, Today” by Chris Hanson and Matthew Schwanke, MidCoast Music Artist Songs.

The Production Music Association, a non-profit and leading advocate of the production music community with over 670 music publishing members, ranging from major labels to independent boutiques, hosted the sixth annual Production Music Conference this year including the fifth annual Mark Awards, an awards ceremony dedicated to honoring excellence in the production music community. Named in honor of the late Andy Mark, who was a library owner and founding member of the PMA, the Mark Awards recognizes the very best in production music in 30 categories.

Touring Career Workshop Coming In November

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The eighth annual Touring Career Workshop (TCW) is set for Nov. 6, 2019 at the Soundcheck Annex Building in Nashville.

The workshop aims to educate road crew members who are rising through the ranks on various issues to help them in making smart career decisions. Last year’s event welcomed more than 350 attendees.

Chris Lisle, owner of Chris Lisle Lighting Design (CLLD), co-founded the workshop alongside CLLD production designer Erik Parker. Chris Lisle’s company has worked on concerts, events, and tours for Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Robert Plant, the NFL draft, and more.

“We organized this to give back to our industry with the hope that people will walk away from the workshop with the tools needed to enjoy the best career possible,” said Lisle.

Although free, registration is required to attend TCW. Registration opens Tuesday, Oct. 1 at touringcareerworkshop.com. The Soundcheck Annex is located at 740 Cowan Street, Nashville, TN 37207.

This year’s sessions will look at healthcare, workplace safety, investments, mental health, and more. A networking session will also follow the workshops.

The Vendor Side of Touring
Health Insurance Options
Taxes: Freelance vs. Employee
Situational Awareness/Work Safety

The Staff Side of Touring
Personal Investments: Planning for the Future
All Access: Mental Health Panel
It’s Your Life: You Got This—a motivational session with Erik Parker

Venue Side of Touring
Navigating the Touring Life
Real Estate: Purchasing, Renting, Investing

In addition to the free workshop, Lisle and Parker created the All Access Program which offers—at no cost—four counseling sessions from one of several pre-approved therapists and life coaches. It’s handled in a completely confidential way with individual names known only by that person’s therapist.

“We firmly believe that seeking the advice of a professional can help get you through difficult times and do not want one’s ability to pay to keep them from getting help,” said Parker.

Gold sponsors for the 2019 TCW include 4Wall Lighting, ACT Lighting, Bandit Lites, Chauvet Lighting, Clair Brothers Audio, Crew One, DCR, Elation Lighting, GLP Lighting, JBL by Harman, Martin by Harman, and Master Tour by Even.

Black River Announces Publishing Promotions

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Pictured: Barolak, Skvorak

Black River has announced two promotions, including Katie Barolak to Creative Director and Rachael Skvorak to Creative Coordinator.

“I have been so impressed by Katie and Rachael’s professionalism and passion for music,” says Black River’s VP, Publishing Rebekah Gordon. “Their depth of knowledge for our catalog and our talented roster of writers, along with the relationships they have created in this industry, is a huge asset. I’m consistently blown away by their creative intuition and the effort to be true champions for our writers.”

Barolak, a Clemson University alumna, joined Black River Entertainment in 2016 as Catalog Manager before transitioning to Creative Manager in May 2018. In her new role, Barolak continues to generate opportunities for Black River’s catalog and manage the day to day creative for Black River’s writer roster.

Beginning her career with Black River Entertainment as an intern in 2017, while attending Middle Tennessee State University, Skvorak transitioned to a full-time role as Catalog Manager in May 2018. Now serving as the Creative Coordinator, the Maryland native continues to assist with operations of the department, as well as pitching songs, booking writes and managing the catalog.

Black River Publishing’s writer roster includes Bobby Huff, Josh Kerr, Eddie Garcia, Willie Jones, Nikita Karmen, Anna Vaus, Nick Wayne, Ben Caver, Jacob Davis, Abby Anderson, Carolina Story, Hannah Kerr, Josh Wilson, and catalogs of Black River Recording artist Kelsea Ballerini, Doug Johnson, Forest Glen Whitehead and Josh Osborne.

Eric Church Celebrates Two Chart-Toppers At Double Down No. 1 Party

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Pictured (L-R, back row): BMI’s Jody Williams, Sea Gayle Music’s JD Groover, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Little Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora; (L-R, front row): co-writers Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson, Eric Church, Clint Daniels and Luke Dick. Photo: Anthony D’Angio

A very loved and revered Eric Church celebrated two No. 1 songs yesterday (Sept. 24) with his co-writers, industry friends and admirers at the Nashville airport. Presented by BMI and his label EMI Nashville, the chart-toppers commemorated were his “Round Here Buzz,” off his 2015 album Mr. Misunderstood and co-written with Jeff Hyde and Luke Dick, as well as his “Some Of It,” off his 2018 Desperate Man record, co-written with Hyde, Clint Daniels and Bobby Pinson. Producer Arturo Buenahora, Jr. was also in attendance, while Jay Joyce was not able to be there.

Church greeted an industry crowd flanked by two jets and Desperate Man road cases at an aircraft hangar on the outskirts of Nashville, a nod to both the film location of his “Desperate Man” music video as well as the cover image on the album.

BMI’s MaryAnn Keen served as the host for the event, and Jody Williams was the first to speak.

“Back in 2006, the sound of country music was starting to shift,” Williams said. “And the writers and the artists who were moving to town were a little more influenced by hip-hop music than they were by Haggard and Jones. But something else happened in 2006, just as radio was embracing the emerging wave of the new sound of country music, Eric Church sends up a flare with his first single ‘How ‘Bout You.’ And it barely cracked the Top 10, there was no one that remotely sounded like Eric.

“But it was the perfect time for this non-conformist to plant his flag and get about the business of not conforming to the current trend. Over time, Eric attracted a few like-minded songwriters, all in some way non-conformists themselves, who were perfect collaborators. Over the past 14 years, Eric has carved out his place in American music culture by being true to himself and surrounding himself with songwriters who are, like Eric, independent thinkers,” Williams praised.

Williams announced that Dick was celebrating his first of three No. 1 songs, Hyde’s fourth, Daniels’ third, and Pinson’s tenth; and that Church is up for Video, Album and Entertainer of the Year at this year’s CMA Awards. “I wouldn’t dare bet against Eric at the CMA’s this year,” Williams said.

Pinnacle Bank’s David Smith spoke, and announced that they had made a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in honor of the songs.

Buenahora made sure to thank Perry Howard, who Buenahora says connected him to Church. “That’s what a good PRO will do, is they will fight for a writer to get a shot,” he said. Buenahora also thanked Sony/ATV’s future leader, Rusty Gaston, and let him know that Little Louder was for sale for $54 million.

“But this day is not about any of that,” Buenahora said with a smile. “It’s about the songwriters. While I don’t publish all these guys, I’m really excited for all of them. Our company is a six year-old company now, and we’ve got a long ways to go, but we are doing big things. We’ve tried to establish our reputation as having good songs, maybe not songs for everyone, but I wouldn’t trade my guys for any other roster in town. We are the freaks and geeks, and that’s how we like it.

“Lastly, I’ve got to say to my partner Eric Church, the journey has been amazing, we’re still climbing. These things are hard. Eric Church does not deliver easy radio songs. Royce [Risser], Jimmy [Rector], I know you guys know that, so let me say thank you for all that you do getting Eric Church songs on the radio,” Buenahora concluded.

SeaGayle’s newly promoted JD Groover was honored that his first No. 1 party he has spoken at was an Eric Church celebration. “Eric is one of the best songwriters this town has ever seen. Sea Gayle is honored to be a part of this song.

“I got Bobby Pinson right here,” said Groover. “Ten No. 1s, third one this year. Bobby’s one of the most talented humans I’ve gotten to work with. At the show at Nissan, I got to watch Clint and Bobby hug each other while ‘Some Of It’ was being played. That was some the coolest shit I’ve ever seen.”

Groover made sure to thank Church and the UMG Nashville radio promotion staff.

Pictured (L-R): Sea Gayle Music’s Brandon Gregg, Emily Witters and Marc Driskill; co-writers Bobby Pinson, Eric Church and Clint Daniels; Sea Gayle Music’s JD Groover and Kim Wiggins. Photo: Anthony D’Angio

Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg repeated the praises of Church. “It’s such a special thing when you get to work with a once in a generational talent like Eric Church. He’s a man that does not come around very often.

“As an entertainer, you continue to change the world. You’re out there doing things that nobody else is even thinking about doing until you get out there and do it. And then as a songwriter, which is why we’re here to celebrate you today, I think you’re transcendent. I don’t care when these songs were written, I think they’d be special. I think they’d matter,” Van Valkenburg said to Church.

Van Valkenburg thanked the Universal Nashville team, Church’s management at Q Prime South, the publishers and the songwriters.

UMG’s Mike Dungan recognized his passionate UMG team. “I’ve never seen a team love an artist more than these guys love Eric Church,” he said.

“This is usually where I talk about how much we love you,” the label head said to Church. “I can say it again, but we’ve done it. The only thing I can say that is pretty consistent is the music is pretty shitty out there right now; and all of us wake up every day very grateful that we have Eric Church on the team because we’re always going to have good stuff.”

Dungan introduced a special video of artists paying tribute to Church. The video included appearances from Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Ray Wylie Hubbard and more.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson; co-writers Jeff Hyde and Bobby Pinson with their No. 1 Challenge Coins; UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan; Eric Church; Clint Daniels; Luke Dick; MusicRow‘s LB Rogers. Photo: Steve Lowry

When the songwriters stepped up to speak, they each were honored to have worked with the revered Church.

“I just want to see thank you very much to Eric, Luke, Bobby and Clint. It’s a real privilege for me to be able to do what I do for a living,” Hyde said. “A lot of talented people have helped me along the way.”

Hyde gave a shout out to Church’s band and crew, the promotion staff, and his wife and three-month-old son. “I feel like any good idea I’ve ever been a part of, or that I’ve had has been a gift from God.”

“I just want to thank Eric, I really feel grateful dude,” said Daniels. “You’re the closest thing to Merle Haggard we will ever know.” Church threw his head back at that comment.

Pinson proved to be a hilarious and proficient speaker, as he told stories about his relationships with each of his co-writers and thanked those involved in the success.

“Before I say anything else, I want to thank God for his grace, his sense of humor, and his extremely short memory,” Pinson said with a grin. “And for blessing me with a gift that is definitely not of me, but of God.

“I wrote one of my favorite songs with two of my favorite people, and that’s not easy to do in this town. At the end of the day, you don’t write your biggest songs with the biggest writers. You write songs you love with people you love,” Pinson said.

“When I was in New York this writer showed me this track that was ‘Smoke A Little Smoke.’ And I said, ‘Is this what Nashville is doing now? Because if this is what Nashville is doing, then I want to be a part of it.’ I came back to Nashville with stars in my eyes and it turns out that’s not what Nashville was doing, it was what Eric was doing,” Dick said.

Dick said he and Church wrote “Kill A Word” and “Round Here Buzz” on the same day. “It was the luckiest day of my life,” he said.

When it came time for the man of the hour to speak, everyone in the room leaned in.

Church thanked his wife and kids, who were in attendance, and made sure to thank Howard. “Perry was my hail mary,” Church said. “He was somebody that I went to when I was trying to get something going at the time and just couldn’t get anybody to meet with me to hear my songs—and I had some pretty good songs. I think I played Perry ‘Sinners Like Me,’ ‘Lightning,’ ‘Pledge Allegiance To The Hag,’ and ‘Guys Like Me.’ He was a guy that took that meeting.”

Church thanked his band and crew, his promotion team, the label and John Peets and Q Prime Management.

“That video was something I’m not ready to address yet,” said Church with emotion in his voice. “That was one of the coolest things—no, that’s about the coolest thing I’ve been a part of… My intention was always just to try to make great music, write great songs. And to see it matter is really something.

“But I will say this after seeing the video; I’m not done. I’m not retiring. I’m not dying… I look forward to kicking their asses every night on stage,” he concluded with a smirk.