Grayscale Marketing Announces New Hire, Promotion

/by

(L-R) Katharine Duckworth and Ashley Rosser

Ashley Rosser has joined Grayscale Marketing as Digital Advertising Specialist, and Graphic Designer Katharine Duckworth has been promoted to Design Supervisor at the company.

In her new position, Rosser will assist in implementing innovative long-term digital strategies, and will be responsible for developing, optimizing and reporting on digital advertising campaigns for Grayscale’s clients.

“I’m thrilled to join such an innovative, creative team of employees,” said Rosser. “The culture at Grayscale is special and I know what lies ahead is going to be incredible.”

Duckworth joined the agency in 2018 as an intern, and has played a key role in the success of Grayscale’s marketing campaigns. As the Design Supervisor, she will be responsible for the overall visual aspects of the agency’s media campaigns, as well as leading the creative team and coordinating the work of the design staff.

“I’m beyond excited about our growth as an agency,” said Tim Gray, CEO and Founder of Grayscale Marketing. “The rate at which we have scaled can only be accomplished by having dedicated and talented teammates—like Katharine and Ashley—that are focused on providing real impact for our clients. They are what makes this place special.”

Grayscale clients include Country Jam Colorado, Empire Records, Warner Chappell Production Music, Heartland Stampede, SunFest, Pilgrimage Festival, Forecastle, Hendrick’s Gin, Milagro Tequila, Jack Daniel’s, Old Settler’s Music Festival, Kessler Presents, and many more.

Altadena, Warner Chappell Sign Liv Miraldi

/by

Pictured: Daniel Lee, Katy Wolaver, Liv Miraldi, Noreen Prunier, Julia Keefe

Altadena and Warner Chappell Music have signed Liv Miraldi.

The Belmont University graduate has already penned the Canadian Top 40 hit “Wish You Well” for Sony artist Famba.

Miraldi’s previous releases have been featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday US, MTV’s The Hills: New Beginnings Reboot, VH1’s Black Ink Crew, Elle, E! Online, Marie Claire, InStyle, and many more. She will have an upcoming cut on Modsun’s latest album.

Her circle of collaborators includes Nina Nesbitt, the late writer/producer and Altadena founder busbee, Mark Nilan Jr., Carlos Vara (WBR), 7715 (RCA), Stela Cole (RCA), Quinn Lewis (Arista Records), Sarah Reeves (Curb Records), Rozes (Photo Finish Records), Brigetta, Liz Longley, Rynn, Bryce Drew, Pink Slip, Chantry Johnson, Royal Z, JP Clark, Ryan Daly, The Orphanage, Sarah Barrios, Jackie Young, Grant Averill, Larzz, Tushar Apte, Eric Olson, Micah Gordon and more.

Apple Music For Business Allows Companies To Curate In-Store Music

/by

PlayNetwork has collaborated with Apple Music on a new business music service, Apple Music for Business. The new service allows businesses to play a curated mix of Apple Music and custom playlists. The service also ensures artists and creators are compensated for their work.

Harrods, Levi’s, PizzaExpress, Everyman Cinema and Apple’s own retail stores have already signed on to use the service. Tools including the Apple Music for Business app allow for easy scheduling of music, and a flexible technology platform built for enterprise environments provides the reliability, scalability and control businesses need. Apple Music for Business is currently available in 15 countries.

Customers can discover the songs that they hear in-venue on Apple Music, thanks to a marketing program that combines in-store and digital marketing tools. This empowers businesses to add music-based content to the marketing channels they already use and extend their reach across new touch-points.

UMG Launches Analytics App For Artist Teams

/by

Universal Music Group has launched a new analytics app, titled Universal Music Artists (UMA), which will provide UMG artists and their teams with data from Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, and YouTube. The app will also serve as a one-stop shop for insights from Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, tracking an artist’s followers and audience interactions such as comments and shares.

The app’s dashboard will display information regarding an artist’s total streams and audience numbers, as well as performance data from an artist’s top 40 most-popular songs. Data for each track can be viewed using different metrics, such as by country or by platform. A music tab will also offer data on YouTube video views, both globally and by country. The UMA app will update data every half hour and will allow users to see audience demographics.

Analytics from Deezer are set to be added next year. The new UMA offering follows similar analytics apps from Spotify and Apple Music.

Tim McGraw, Judah & The Lion, Lauren Daigle To Perform During College Football Playoffs

/by

Tim McGraw is among the artists who will perform during the college football playoffs at AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! on Jan. 11-12 and the Capital One Stage at Allstate Championship Tailgate Plaza on Jan. 13. McGraw will headline the Capital One Stage at Allstate Championship Plaza January 13 performing along with Judah & the Lion, and Lauren Daigle will perform the national anthem prior to kickoff of the national championship game.

The free concerts will take place in New Orleans’ Woldenberg Park leading up to the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship, set for Monday, Jan. 13, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. For the first time in the six-year history of the College Football Playoff National Championship, three of the weekend’s musical acts hail from the host region, with Louisiana natives McGraw, Daigle, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue all performing.

The weekend’s initial needle-drop takes place on the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! stage on Saturday, Jan. 11 with performances by H.E.R., Nas and MAX. The music continues Sunday, Jan. 12, with Meghan Trainor, Bastille and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Gates for AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will open at 4 p.m. CT each day, and fans will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can also watch live stream performances online via AT&T Twitter.

The 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship will take place on Monday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ESPN.

CMA Presents Industry Honors

/by

Bill Simmons (The AMG Co-Founder and CMA Board member) and Ann Edelblute (The HQ Owner and CMA Board member) receive the CMA Chairman’s Award during an intimate CMA Board reception at the Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville Tuesday, Nov. 19. Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA

The Country Music Association honored seven of Nashville’s music industry members recently, during the 53rd Annual CMA Awards, as well as during the CMA Board reception, held Nov. 19 at the Analog at Hutton Hotel.

During the CMA Board reception, The HQ owner and CMA Board member Ann Edelblute, along with The AMG Co-Founder and CMA Board member Bill Simmons, received the CMA Chairman’s Award from BMI’s Jody Williams.

“Ann Edelblute and Bill Simmons spent countless hours year-round helping to guide the vision of the CMA Awards with their clients Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley,” said Williams, CMA Board Chairman. “Ann is one of the dearest people in our music community and I’ve learned so much from Bill about people and management.”

Nine-time CMA Award-winning artist and Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Owen of the group Alabama was honored with the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award.

Country Aircheck Publisher and CEO (and CMA Board member) Lon Helton was honored with the J. William Denny Award. Dale Morris (Dale Morris & Associates Owner) received the Irving Waugh Award of Excellence, presented by Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey.

In addition, the CMA’s CEO Sarah Trahern presented mementos to Williams and Kurt Johnson (Townsquare Media Senior Vice President and CMA Board President). The CMA Foundation’s Exec. Director Tiffany Kerns presented to Girlilla Marketing Founder/CEO and CMA Foundation Chair Jennie Smythe.

The reception also featured performances from the new class of the CMA Kixstart Artist Scholarship recipients—Angie K, Everette and Kylie Morgan, followed by a Q&A led by Rod Phillips (iHeartMedia Executive Vice President of Country Programming Strategy and CMA Board member).

Journalist and HITS Magazine Nashville Editor Holly Gleason was honored with the CMA Media Achievement Award, which was presented by Miranda Lambert during a backstage press conference during the CMA Awards broadcast. Prior to the broadcast, CAA Nashville Partner and CMA Board member John Huie presented Bell Media Head of Content, Strategy, and iHeartRadio Rob Farina with the CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award.

Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams (BMI Vice President of Creative, Nashville and CMA Board Chairman), Randy Owen, Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer) and Lon Helton (Country Aircheck Publisher/CEO and CMA Board member). Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA

Pictured (L-R): Miranda Lambert, Holly Gleason (Journalist and HITS Magazine Nashville Editor), Todd Hensley (HITS Magazine President). Photo: Leah Puttkammer/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): John Huie (CAA Nashville Partner and CMA Board member), Marion Kraft (Shopkeeper Management Owner and CMA Board member), Rob Farina (Bell Media Head of Content, Strategy and iHeartRadio), Scott Borchetta (Big Machine Label Group Founder, President and CEO and CMA Board member). Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA

Pictured (L-R): J. William Denny (Denny Properties Owner and CMA Board member), Lon Helton (Country Aircheck Publisher and CEO and CMA Board member). Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA

Pictured (L-R): Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey, Dale Morris (Dale Morris & Associates Owner), Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer), Jody Williams (BMI Vice President of Creative, Nashville and CMA Board Chairman). Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA

Matt Stell, Ash Bowers, Allison Veltz Cruz Celebrate First No. 1 Hit

/by

“Prayed For You” songwriter Ash Bowers (BMI), songwriter-artist Matt Stell (ASCAP), and songwriter Allison Veltz Cruz (SESAC). Photo: Ed Rode.

RECORDS/Arista Nashville artist Matt Stell, and his co-writers Ash Bowers and Allison Veltz Cruz, celebrated their very first No. 1 country song, “Prayed For You,” during a party at Nashville venue The Sutler on Tuesday (Nov. 19).

Performing rights organizations ASCAP, BMI and SESAC hosted the event, and there were several milestones to celebrate. Stell’s “Prayed For You” is the only debut artist single to top the Country Airplay chart in 2019, and it held the top slot for two weeks. The song has earned more than 125 million streams to date, and has been certified Gold (and is well on its way to a Platinum cert).

Stell, an ASCAP writer, was honored by ASCAP exec Mike Sistad. BMI’s MaryAnn Keen celebrated Ash Bowers, while SESAC’s Lydia Schultz honored Allison Veltz Cruz.

Among those honoring the writers were Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Big Deal Music’s Pete Robinson, Arista Nashville’s Josh Easler and Steve Hodges, Porterfied Music’s Derek Simon, and Country Aircheck’s Chuck Aly. Pinnacle Bank announced a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in honor of the songwriters.

MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson also presented MusicRow Challenge Coins to Matt Stell, Ash Bowers and Allison Veltz Cruz to commemorate their chart-topping hit.

MusicRow Magazine owner/publisher Sherod Robertson presents Ash Bowers, Matt Stell and Allison Veltz Cruz with MusicRow Challenge Coins to commemorate their chart-topping hit “Prayed For You.” Photo: Ed Rode

“This day writing this song was really special,” Veltz Cruz said, recalling that the song is centered on her story of meeting her now-husband, Kyle. “For me, it showcases what was looking out for me that day. I was new to faith, October 2016 I started praying and I started praying for a lot of things…a husband, an awesome dude was one of them. I was baptized May 1, 2017 and I was set up to sing along with someone I didn’t know—who is now my husband—on May 5 in Atlanta. On May 11, he decided to drive up from Atlanta and take me out. That morning I had a writing session with these guys and I was looking through my journals. I looked through what I had been praying about and I just knew….I knew I would marry you the day I met you,” she said to her husband Kyle, as the audience cheered. “I want to thank all of my co-writers out there. You help me be a better writer. The people who make you better in this town, I’m just so thankful for Nashville. I couldn’t think of a better room to be in that day.”

“Nobody does this alone. I’m so grateful for the opportunity and people who believed in me, starting with Steve Williams. He’s believed in me more than I believed in myself,” Bowers said, growing emotional. “Sorry, I’m going to be like Jimmie Allen, up here crying,” he quipped. In addition to being a hit songwriter, Bowers also manages artists Jimmie Allen and Stell via his company Wide Open Music.

“To have people around me that have supported me is incredible. I met Matt a little over two years ago. He played three or four songs he had written and I was so impressed by Matt. Every day, Matt does something that shows me the kind of guy he is. I’ve seen him, over and over again, do things that put people before money and that’s rare in this town. Allison Veltz is an unbelievable songwriter. It’s truly awesome to see how God has worked in this thing. It’s amazing how Arista came into the fold. We released a video for ‘Prayed For You’ and [RECORDS exec] Barry Weiss called me up…and said he wanted to give Matt a record deal. Keith [Gale] had been introduced to me a month or so ago, and was one of the first believers outside of our little camp. He came on board and against all odds, it’s amazing the story of this because every time me and Matt would agree to make a move, it was the most unlikely move for success. We signed with a label out of New York that had no record in country music, but we knew we would be able to find a way because we believed in the song so much. I can’t say enough about the Sony Nashville team. They have so much pride in their work and deliver every day. Cindy Hunt and team for publicity, then Brendan Rich and Victoria Goodvin…we are a lean team at Wide Open, but they come into the office every day and there is no job they won’t do and they slug it out. It’s always so impressive to me,” Bowers summed.

Sony Music Nashville’s Josh Easler and Steve Hodges, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Ash Bowers, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Matt Stell, Big Deal Music’s Pete Robinson, Allison Veltz Cruz, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, SESAC’s Lydia Schultz, Porterfied Music’s Derek Simon. Photo: Ed Rode.

Stell concluded the day with emotional speech. He thanked Veltz Cruz and Bowers, as well as Sony, Keith Gale and Good Company Entertainment, his band, booking agency UTA, and more. “With me this went through a lot of transitions to get to where it is now,” he said. “A lot of people have a lot of ownership in this and I’m very fortunate for that.”

He grew emotional as the time came to thank his family, especially his mom.

“My mom has believed in me more than any person on the face of the planet,” he said, before offering a simple, heartfelt, “Thanks.”

“This song has changed my life in every way and the best part is getting to do it with people that I love,” Stell concluded.

Stell recently announced his first headlining tour, the Matt Stell Everywhere But On Tour, which launches Jan. 24 in San Diego.

Music Artists’ Rights Groups File Joint Brief On Royalty Rates

/by

The Music Artists Coalition (MAC) and the Songwriters of North America (SONA) have filed a joint amicus brief with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on the determination of royalty rates to be paid by interactive streaming services. The brief urges the court to affirm the decision of the Copyright Royalty Judges, which increases the royalty rates payable to music copyright owners.

Highlights from the brief include:

  • For over a century, songwriters have been subject to a compulsory license, now embodied in section 115 of the Copyright Act, that determines the price to be paid for reproduction and distribution of the musical works they create. There is no comparable example of a profession where the government sets the price for one’s labors.”
  • “After carefully weighing all of the evidence, the CRJs determined that songwriters should be paid more, and increased the rate for interactive streaming under section 115. Songwriters deserved that raise. Indeed, for some, the added income will be a critical factor in their ability to continue in their careers as professional songwriters.”
  • “In contrast to music publishers and songwriters, record companies are able to engage in free market negotiations to license their separate copyright interests in the sound recordings in which musical works are embodied. Without the constraint of a compulsory license, record labels are able to achieve greater relative value in licensing their recordings.”
  • “Under the updated formula adopted by the CRJs, if the record labels negotiate a better rate in the marketplace, songwriters may benefit even though they are otherwise living under the ‘ghost in the attic.’ Far from being unreasonable, as the Services suggest, the revised rate formula represents an important corrective to properly value the work of songwriters and ensure a fair return for their creative contributions.”

“I struggled for over a decade to make my living as a songwriter. I know how hard it is. Writers don’t sell tickets or t-shirts. They rely on publishing royalties for their income. Developing songwriters today have an especially difficult time since we can no longer rely on traditional record sales. Thank you to the CRJs for giving songwriters the raise they deserve. I hope the Court of Appeals will affirm this balanced and fair rate increase for songwriters,” said MAC Board member, Shane McAnally.

“It all starts with a song. The foundation of the music business is the songwriter and they deserve to be compensated fairly for their work. MAC felt it was important to let the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals know how vital it is that songwriters are paid a fair wage and that the rate increases should be upheld,” said MAC board member, Coran Capshaw.

“If I were trying to make it as a songwriter today dependent on digital royalties, I wouldn’t be able to sustain a livelihood the way I once did from the income of physical sales. Without sharing in master royalties, merchandising or touring revenue, most songwriters now have to consider holding down a second job. I sincerely hope the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirms the CRJs’ decision and takes the industry in the direction it desperately needs to go. Songwriters are counting on it,” said SONA co-founder and board member, songwriter Shelly Peiken.

Opry Entertainment Group Elevates Dolly Chandler To Senior Talent Buyer

/by

Dolly Chandler has been promoted to Senior Talent Buyer on the Opry Entertainment Group’s Artist Relations & Programming Team. In her elevated role, Chandler will oversee the programming strategy for Ole Red Nashville as well as working to further develop cross-network and special programming initiatives across the Ole Red brand.

Since joining the company as Talent Buyer in early 2017, Chandler has executed the programming strategy for Ole Red, booking nearly 10,000 hours of music and 175 different artists among the brand’s three locations. She has also played an instrumental role in the development of Ole Red’s new “Neon Light Program,” which supports up-and-coming artists by hosting artist performance residencies across the Ole Red network. The platform also boosts these artists’ goals by providing promotional and content creation support.

Opry Entertainment Group has also hired Mallorie McRea as Talent Buyer on its Artist Relations & Programming team. Reporting to Chandler, she manages the day-to-day live music schedule for Ole Red Gatlinburg as well as the forthcoming Ole Red Orlando, which is expected to open at ICON Park in Orlando in late spring 2020. She also will be assisting with programming needs for Ole Red Tishomingo.

McRea joins the company from Outback Presents where she worked as Show Coordinator, overseeing the buying and promotional efforts for each of the venue’s music and comedy shows. Prior to that, she was a Junior Agent at Atomic Music Group, assisting with tour management for the group’s acts. McRea has also spent time with The Family Wash, Tennessee Brew Works and City Winery Nashville where she worked on various artist relations initiatives.

As part of the Artist Relations & Programming team, both Chandler and McRea will collaborate with Jordan Pettit, Director of Artist Relations & Programming Strategy in working to maintain strong industry relationships and continue developing artist friendly initiatives across Opry Entertainment’s business.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: NATD Honors Celebrate Nine Industry Legends

/by

Pictured: Bonnie Sugarman, Troy Vollhoffer, Charlie Monk, CeCe Winans, Butch Spyridon and Bob Skoney. Photo: Photo Credit: Rick Diamond for NATD

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 640

Don’t change a thing.

That was the message that attendees of this year’s NATD Honors banquet conveyed on Tuesday (Nov. 19). Here are the things we love about this event: (1) It is warm and intimate. (2) It salutes people who don’t usually get recognized. (3) It raises money for charities. (4) It is held at the fabulously elegant, gorgeous and historic Hermitage Hotel.

PIctured: Rod Harris, Bonnie Sugarman and Tony Conway. Photo: Rick Diamond for NATD

“When you ever change from holding it here, is when I will stop coming,” said John Huie.

“This is my first time to come to this,” said Erika Wollam-Nichols. “I love it – I’m seeing people I don’t usually get to see.”

Amen to both of them. I go every year, just because the schmoozing is so great. Plus, anytime I get to go to the Hermitage, I am thrilled.

Pictured: CeCe Winans and Jackie Patillo. Photo: Rick Diamond for NATD

Okay, there were an unprecedented nine honorees, which made this year’s gig way too long. Okay, the ballroom was freezing cold. Okay, the food was routine. It was still a lovely evening.

NATD prez Steve Tolman offered welcoming remarks, noting that this event was originated by Outback Concerts exec Mike Smardak 10 years ago (the NATD is 30 years old). Then hosts Stephanie Langston and Shawn Parr took the stage.

The organization evidently had its gala all planned when Keith Case passed away on Sept. 3 at age 79. The most important booker of acoustic music in the history of Music Row was added to the program and given a special award.

Pictured: Penny Case and Denise Stiff. Photo: Photo: Rick Diamond for NATD

“Keith shared his expertise freely with others,” said presenter Denise Stiff, noting that Keith represented more than 60 singer-songwriters, bluegrass bands and creative instrumentalists during his career. Penny Case accepted on behalf of her late husband.

Blake McDaniel and Zach Farnum presented a surprise award to co-host Langston, a $2,500 donation to her Project NENA. This will buy Christmas presents and backpacks to children in Northeast Nashville. In addition, Blake announced that the NATD is giving a washer-dryer to the Cohn Learning Center. Zach announced that the NATD will be launching a new event next March, The Rising Industry Professional Awards.

In addition to Keith Case, the other posthumous honoree was CCM leader Bill Hearn (1929-2015), John Huie presented, commenting, “Bill is saying, ‘Thank you, but live your earth journey well.’ He was a great model of all of us to learn from and to live by.” Holly, Bill’s sister, accepted.

Pictured: Todd Hunt and Bob Skoney. Photo: Rick Diamond for NATD

Honoree Bob Skoney spent 45 years as the general manager of Municipal Auditorium. Todd Hunt presented his award.

“This is kind of a highlight of my career,” Bob said.

Presenter Dave Nichols said that honoree Charlie Monk, is “relentlessly positive and a constant encourager, truly the Mayor of Music Row.” Charlie remarked, “I’ve had a wonderful, rewarding career.”

Jackie Patillo presented an NATD honor to CeCe Winans, the most awarded and best selling female gospel artist of all time. “Every time I’m honored, it brings humility,” said CeCe. “We don’t stand up here alone – It takes a lot of people to do what we do. Thank you for allowing me to be here.”

Pictured: Butch Spyridon and Ken Levitan. Photo: Rick Diamond for NATD

Honoree Butch Spyridon, “helped lead the charge to change the face of Nashville,” said presenter Ken Levitan, citing the New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July parties downtown, as well as the NFL Draft. Nashville sees 15.8 million visitors a year and employs 71,000 people in its hospitality industry.

“I should be acknowledging you,” said Butch to the music-biz crowd, “because without you, we don’t have a product; we don’t have a brand….we don’t have music.”

The Col Tom Parker Award is the NATD’s highest honor. Tony Conway presented it to Bonnie Sugarman, noting that she is the first woman to be given this accolade. “I’m very humbled by this,” said Bonnie. “NATD has been a part of my life since I moved here 25 years ago.”

Pictured: Williams & Ree with Troy Vollhoffer. Photo: Rick Diamond for NATD

Williams & Ree presented the night’s final honor to staging & lighting exec Troy Vollhoffer, who also created the Country Thunder festivals. “He is a true People Person,” said Bruce Williams. “He has my love, my heart,” added Terry Ree.

“I’m so proud to be a Nashvillian,” said Troy. “I’m so proud to be an American,” added the native Canadian.

Sprinkled throughout the ballroom were fabulons galore, including Bob Romeo, Bob Kinkead, Rod Essig, Ray Shelide, Preshius Harris, Rod Harris, Charles Dorris, Bart Herbison, Moore & Moore, Paula & Marty Szeigis, Randi Perkins, Steve Lassiter, John Marks, Ed Bazel and Bebe Evans.

Pictured: Holly Hearn Whaley and John Huie. Photo: Rick Diamond for NATD

Pictured: Dave Nichols and Charlie Monk. Photo: Rick Diamond for NATD