DISClaimer: Battle of the Bands

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It’s a Battle of the Bands.

With new tracks by High Valley, Home Free, the Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town and Midland, this edition of “DisClaimer” is dominated by groups. Even Teddy Robb has found strength in numbers, by re-imagining his fine “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You” as a duet.

At the end of the day, we have a dead heat between Home Free and the Zac Brown Band for the Disc of the Day award. Both are heart-stopping listening experiences.

As we had no room for newcomers today, there is no DisCovery Award winner.

SAM GROW/Drink About That
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Average Joes
– Superb. Guitars moan and sigh and crash around him as he aches for a lost love. His solidly country delivery is perfect. The song is a total gem. This is the lovesick blues for a modern generation. Also check out the video with its powerful, don’t-text-and-drive message.

LINDSAY ELL/I Don’t Love You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek
– Her most expressive vocal to date. The downcast ballad finds her musing amid memories. The contrast between the intimate, hushed verses and the open-throated choruses is terrific. As usual, her searing guitar work adds zest. Very involving.

HIGH VALLEY/Your Mama
Writers: Ben West/Josh Miller/Troy Verges/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: none listed; Warner
-Mellow family values.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Bluebird
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA/Vanner
– She sounds strikingly winsome, touching and youthful here. The tune has verve and hooks a-plenty. The track is at once spare and deeply complex. The lyric has a lovely, self-portrait quality that’s poetic, introspective and hopeful. All in all, a highly addictive listening experience.

TEDDY ROBB & MEGHAN PATRICK/Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You
Writers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Shane McAnally/Ben Fowler/Matt McGinn; Monument
– The groove is great, and both vocals are loaded with warmth and personality. The lyrics are packed with cool little lines — “gin and platonic,” “gettin’ back to where we left the past at,” “wine is gonna turn into why-not.” I have liked Teddy in the past, and I remain a fan. Canadian-country award winner Meghan is a worthy duet foil for him. In short, this sounds an awful lot like a hit record.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Leaving Love Behind
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Wheelhouse/BBR
– Soulful, heartfelt and richly satisfying. The uplifting ballad production is gorgeous yet understated. As always, the vocal harmonies are thrilling. They are a one-of-a-kind group, and I love them so much for that.

MORGAN EVANS/Diamonds
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– “I love you like a diamond, and diamonds are forever.” There you have it, complete with one-man-band burbles, beats and loops.

MIDLAND/Cheatin’ Songs
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– These guys need to come up with melodies that are a little more original sounding.

HOME FREE/Love Me Like That
Writers: Austin Brown/Jeffrey Joseph East/Stephen Martinez; Producers: Darren Rust/Home Free; Publishers: Calhoun Enterprise/peermusic; Home Free
– One thing’s for certain, these guys can sure ‘nuff sing. Tenor lead vocalist Austin Brown turns in an absolutely stunning, sky-high performance here. The group’s a cappella roots are still showing, but there’s a rhythm track, too. And that drives this thing straight into the stratosphere. My ears were definitely pinned back.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Sugar Coat
Writers: Josh Kerr/Jordyn Shellhart/Lori McKenna; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol
– Intense and heartbreaking. Smiling through betrayal and infidelity burns with pain. The track is pretty much a Karen Fairchild solo, but the all-consuming female lyric is so brilliant that maybe that was the best choice. The ‘60s retro video starring Kate Bosworth is a dynamite mini movie.

Warner Chappell Music Names Rich Christina Sr. VP, A&R

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Rich Christina

Warner Chappell Music, the global publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has announced Rich Christina will join the company as Sr. VP, A&R. Christina was previously Sr. VP and Head of East Coast A&R for Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

New York-based Christina will report to Ryan Press, Warner Chappell Music’s President, A&R, U.S.

“Rich and I have known each other for nearly 30 years, and I’m thrilled to reunite with him in his new post at WCM,” said Warner Chappell Co-Chair & CEO Guy Moot. “His track record as both an established record exec and a publisher has been one of the most exceptional and consistent in the industry. He’s been a creative force behind countless hit songwriters, artists, and producers, driven by great ears, instinct, and taste. As we continue to transform the Warner Chappell culture, we’re all thrilled to welcome him on board.”

“Rich is one of the most well-respected A&R execs in the business, with strong relationships throughout the songwriter community,” said Press. “Major artists and developing talent alike have relied on him to help guide and grow their careers, and we look forward to having him join our growing A&R team.”

“This is a fantastic time to be joining Warner Chappell,” said Christina. “Guy, Carianne, and Ryan are spearheading a dynamic approach to publishing that is hugely inspiring. They’ve made some outstanding signings in the last few months, and set a clear direction for the company. I’m beyond excited to join them on the journey and help nurture an environment where the focus is on songwriters and their art.”

Christina launched his career in 1991 at Atlantic Records as a Mix Show Coordinator, working with Big Beat label founder (and current Atlantic Chairman/CEO) Craig Kallman. He moved into A&R after bringing Robin S’s No. 1 record, “Show Me Love,” to the company. He soon began working with Everything But The Girl, Brandy, Changing Faces, Craig David, Mark Morrison, and the Space Jam and Dr. Doolittle soundtracks.

After 12 years at Atlantic, in 2004 Christina joined Sony/ATV, serving first as Senior Director and later as Vice President of A&R. In 2009, he moved to EMI Music Publishing as Senior Vice President of Creative, returning to Sony/ATV three years later when the latter acquired EMI. While at Sony/ATV, he signed and/or developed artists, writers, and producers such as RedOne, Jessie J, Stargate, The Neighbourhood, Shep Goodman, Charlie XCX, and Gaslight Anthem.

Christina has most recently worked with songwriters such as Boi-1da (Drake, Ed Sheeran, Eminem, G Eazy, Lana Del Rey), Ricky Reed (Lizzo, Halsey, Leon Bridges, Maroon 5, Bomba Estero), Sam Hollander (Panic! At The Disco, Fitz and the Tantrums, Blink 182), Billy Walsh (Post Malone), and Vinylz (Drake, Chris Brown, Travis Scott, J Cole, G Eazy), along with a roster of artists including Charli XCX, Nomani Kordei, and Shaed. He’s helped develop such smash singles as “God’s Plan” by Drake, “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo, “Señorita” by Camilla Cabello & Shawn Mendes, “No Guidance” by Chris Brown featuring Drake, “Trampoline” by Shaed, and many more.

Music Business Association Adds Five Board Members

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The Music Business Association (Music Biz) has added five new members to its Board of Directors, with the aim of diversifying the Board to align with the makeup of the Association’s evolving membership. The newly-appointed members include: Bob Bruderman, EVP of Global Digital Partnerships at Kobalt Music Group; Ghazi, CEO & Founder of EMPIRE; Cameo Carlson, President of mtheory Nashville; Louis Posen, Founder and President of Hopeless Records; and Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood, President of UnitedMasters.

“I am extremely fortunate and pleased to welcome Bob, Ghazi, Cameo, Louis, and Lauren to Music Biz’s board — five important, trendsetting leaders from across the label, distribution, indie music, publishing segments and beyond,” said Music Biz President Portia Sabin. “This new group perfectly complements the dedicated members already serving on our Board. I feel that our collective work — both to support our membership year-round and in planning our Annual Music Biz Conference in May — will be informed by a modern perspective on where we are as an industry and where we are headed next.”

Noted Songwriter/Guitarist Billy Ray Reynolds Passes

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Hit songwriter Billy Ray Reynolds, 79, died Friday (Nov. 29) at his home in Olive, Mississippi.

His biggest hits were “Working Man,” a 1985 hit for Opry star John Conlee and “Don’t Believe My Heart Can Stand Another You,” which was a big success for Tanya Tucker in 1975.

Reynolds’ most recorded song was “It’ll Be Her,” which has appeared on albums by Johnny Cash, Jack Clement, Waylon Jennings, Eddy Arnold, David Rogers, Debbie Boone and The Gibson Brothers, among others. Its biggest rendition was by Tompall Glaser, who made it a top-20 hit in 1982.

Southern rocker Dickey Betts popularized the songwriter’s “Atlanta’s Burning Down” and “Dealin’ With the Devil.” West Coast country star David Frizzell charted with Reynolds’ “Country Music Love Affair” in 1985.

Other stars who recorded Reynolds’ songs include Bobby Bare (“Cold Day in Hell”), Conway Twitty (“For All the Right Reasons”), Alison Krauss (“Cloudy Days”), Tom Jones (“Love Sweet Love”), Rodney Lay (“I Wish I Had a Job to Shove”), Gary Stewart (“How Could We Come to This”) and Barbara Fairchild (“Devil on the Run”).

Born in 1940, the Mississippi native was initially inspired to take up music after seeing a Grand Ole Opry show starring Hank Williams in 1949. He formed a band called Yankee Dollar, which recorded an LP for Dot Records in 1968.

He began his Nashville career in the 1970s as the guitarist in Waylon Jennings’ band The Waylors. The star recorded his “High Time (You Quit Your Lowdown Ways)” (1975) and “Sandy Sends Her Best” (1973), as well as introducing “It’ll Be Her” (1974).

Beginning with his collaborations with Jennings, Reynolds was closely associated with country’s “outlaw” movement. He played guitar on such key Jennings LPs as Ladies Love Outlaws, Honky Tonk Heroes, Dreaming My Dreams and The Ramblin’ Man.

He later signed on as a guitarist for Jennings’ supergroup The Highwaymen with Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. Reyolds also worked with John Hartford, Johnny Rodriguez, Jessi Colter, Billy Joe Shaver and Ian Tyson.

Following songwriting success in the 1970s and 1980s, Reynolds found work as an actor. Usually portraying villains, he appeared in small roles in such films as Rainmaker, Roots and The Journey of August King. His TV-series credits include In the Heat of the Night and I’ll Fly Away.

After years behind the scenes, Reynolds issued his debut solo CD in 2002. Titled Whole Lot of Memories, the album was produced by Dan Tyler and Lou Bradley, and included duets with Merle Haggard and Bonnie Bramlett.

He returned to his native Mississippi in 2006. Reynolds issued a second CD in 2018, Country Music Love Affair. In November, he appeared at the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival at the Flora-Bama Lounge in Gulf Shores.

Visitation will be held at 5 p.m. Friday (Dec. 6) at the Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Mt. Olive, MS. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday (Dec. 8) at the Calvary Baptist Church in Mt. Olive. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the National Kidney Foundation or to the church or charity of your choice.

BMG Partners With Shelter Music Group Management

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BMG has partnered with Carl Stubner, manager of Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, Crowded House, and Neil Finn, among others, in a move into artist management. BMG is backing Stubner’s new Shelter Music Group, which will be a music management company with a global presence. Stubner serves as Chairman of Shelter Music Group, with Dino Paredes as President.

The label group already works with Shelter artists including ZZ Top, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle. Shelter will retain full independence under the arrangement to sign artists to other labels and music publishers. As part of the deal, Shelter has already relocated its Nashville operation into BMG’s new Music City office.

BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch said, “Carl Stubner is a force of nature and we are delighted to partner with him. As the lines blur between the services provided by labels and those provided by managers, it is inevitable that these previously separate parts of the business will come together. Ultimately we are both in the business of serving artists and have complementary interests. We believe that combining resources and expertise on certain projects will benefit artists.”

“BMG has created the first new music major of the streaming age,” said Carl Stubner. “This is an opportunity not just to work more closely with the most innovative company in music, but also to build a new kind of management company with a presence in every significant music market. We have ambitions to move into both records and publishing with BMG and are already in advanced discussions to recruit other managers to join us.”

BMG and Shelter are already collaborating on Mick Fleetwood’s forthcoming sold-out tribute to Peter Green and the early years of Fleetwood Mac due to take place on Feb. 25 2020 at the London Palladium, with guests including Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, Jonny Lang, Andy Fairweather Low, John Mayall, Christine McVie, Zak Starkey, Steven Tyler and Bill Wyman.

CMA Announces Board of Directors

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The Country Music Association has announced its new Board of Directors for both CMA and the CMA Foundation. The appointments are effective on Jan. 1, 2020.

Jody Williams (Vice President, Creative, Nashville at BMI) completes his term as Chairman of the CMA Board, while current CMA Board President Kurt Johnson (Senior Vice President of Programming at Townsquare Media) assumes that post.

CMA President Elect Mary Hilliard Harrington (Senior Manager at Red Light Management) will become CMA Board President. Jim Beavers (Songwriter at Big Yellow Dog Music) has been named CMA Board President Elect, while Virginia Bunetta (Artist Manager/Founder and Managing Partner at G-Major Management) has been named Secretary/Treasurer of the CMA Board.

Joe Galante (CEO at Galante Entertainment Organization) assumes the post of CMA Foundation Chair, while Ron Samuels (Vice Chairman at Pinnacle Bank) becomes CMA Foundation Vice Chair in 2020.

“I count my time spent in CMA Board leadership as one of the most fulfilling appointments of my career,” says Williams. “I highly value the deeper relationships with Board members and staff that developed during my tenure. The CMA is the primary pillar of strength that keeps our music community connected and supportive of each other. It was a pleasure to serve.”

“This is an especially exciting time for Country Music,” says Johnson. “In the year ahead we’ll build on the work we’ve done to make new voices heard and to honor our great legends in important ways. That’s what CMA does, and it’s why I’m deeply honored to serve as Chairman of the Board.”

“It has been incredible to be part of a team whose passion and dedication to ensuring that the Foundation’s mission of improving and sustaining music education across the country is fulfilled,” says Galante. “Since its inception in 2011, the CMA Foundation has invested more than $27 million in our nation’s children, and in 2020 we have even bigger plans to impact the lives of more students and educators than ever before.”

Kurt Johnson is Senior Vice President of Programming at Townsquare, a leading media, entertainment and digital marketing solutions company, operating 321 radio stations in 68 markets, 325 local websites, 15 national lifestyle and music websites, and presenting over 500 live events annually. Before joining Townsquare he created and managed top-ranked radio stations in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas. Across his more than 30-year career he has worked with RKO Radio, Viacom, CBS Radio, Clear Channel, and AM/FM. Johnson is the incoming Chairman of the Country Music Association’s Board of Directors and is in his third term as the President of Country Radio Broadcasters, which has presented Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in Nashville for the last 50 years. He is also an active board member of the National Radio Hall of Fame and the St. Jude Country Cares Radiothon. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin where he studied Civil Engineering and Communications.

Mary Hilliard Harrington has had a hand in shaping the careers of some of music’s biggest stars. With a focus on artist development, the careers of Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, Kip Moore, Elle King and LANCO, are some that have benefitted from her unique ability to build artist brands from the ground up. Harrington is currently a senior manager in Red Light Management’s Nashville office, and she also remains a partner in The GreenRoom, a publicity company she formed in 2006. Harrington is the incoming President of the Country Music Association’s Board of Directors and is the Secretary of the Riser Foundation, which has raised over $8 million dollars for children’s charities to date.

Joe Galante began his career in the music business with RCA Records in New York in 1971 as Manager of Financial Analysis. He arrived in Nashville three years later as Manager of Administration. During the next several years he held jobs as Vice President of Promotion and Vice President of Marketing and Operations. Galante’s rise saw him become the youngest man to lead a major Nashville label when he took over as head of RCA Nashville in 1981. In 1990, he was named President of RCA Records in New York, returning to Nashville four years later as Chairman of RCA Label Group/Nashville, encompassing the RCA and BNA labels and adding the Arista Nashville imprint in 2000. In 2002 he also added Provident label group, the leader in Christian music. Four years later, welcoming Columbia Nashville as its fourth imprint, the label group became Sony BMG Nashville, adopting the Sony Music Nashville name in 2009. In April of 2010, after 40 years within the same label family, Galante announced his decision to step down from his post as Chairman of Sony Music Nashville. Across a remarkable tenure, Galante helped launch the careers of Alabama, Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Dave Matthews, Wu-Tang Clan, SWV, The Judds, Lonestar, Martina McBride, K.T. Oslin, Kellie Pickler, Carrie Underwood, Keith Whitley, Chris Young and many more, while his leadership bolstered the careers of such superstars as Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley. Galante is a board member of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Cumberland Pharma, Fishbowl Spirits, LLC, and Made In Network, LLC. He is an advisor to Flo, Empirical Capital, member of the Mayors Music Council and mentor in residence at the Entrepreneur Center.

Following is a list of 2020 CMA Directors and Directors at Large, and CMA Foundation Directors.

2020 CMA DIRECTORS BY MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY
Carryover Directors, who are serving the second year of a two-year term, are listed below along with newly-elected Directors, indicated in bold.

Advertising/Public Relations/Media
Tyne Parrish, The GreenRoom
Lon Helton, Country Aircheck

Affiliated
Beverly Keel, Middle Tennessee State University
Steve Buchanan, SteadiBeat Media

Artist
Kix Brooks, Brooks & Dunn
Chris Young

Composer
Lori McKenna, Creative Nation Music
Shane McAnally, SMACKSongs

Entertainment Services
Frank Bumstead, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Kella Farris, Farris, Self & Moore, LLC

International
Maria Molin Ljunggren, Freebird Entertainment AB
Anna-Sophie Mertens, Live Nation UK

Marketing/Digital
Jay Liepis, Apple Music
John Marks, Spotify

Musician
Derek Wells, Spirit Music Nashville
Biff Watson, Biff-Bangs Productions, Inc.

Personal Manager
Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment
Marion Kraft, ShopKeeper Management

Producer/Engineer/Studio
Dann Huff, Dann Huff Productions

Publisher/PRO
Kos Weaver
Jody Williams, BMI

Radio
Becky Brenner, Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Country Radio Specialists
Tim Roberts, Entercom

Record Company
Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville
John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville

Talent Agent
Jay Williams, WME

Talent Buyer/Promoter
Gil Cunningham, Neste Live!
Stacy Vee, The Messina Group

Touring Personnel
David Haskell, Morris Light & Sound
Terry Calonge, Richards & Southern, Inc.

Venue
John Bolton, SMG
Sally Williams, Live Nation Nashville

Lifetime Directors
J. William Denny, Denny Properties
Ralph Peer II, peermusic

Directors At Large
Marcie Allen, MAC Presents
Allen Anders, AEG Presents
Chris Baldizan, MGM Resorts International
Jim Beavers, Big Yellow Dog Music
Steve Blatter, SiriusXM
Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group
Stephen Bryan, YouTube
Virginia Bunetta, G-Major Management
Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group
Marc Dennis, CAA
Bob DiPiero, Being Bob Music
Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle Music
Mike Dungan, Universal Music Group Nashville
Lindsay Ell
Ted Ellis, Creator Brand Management Company
Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town
Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization
Mary Hilliard Harrington, Red Light Management/Wild Hearts LLC
Laura Hutfless, FlyteVu
David Israelite, National Music Publishers’ Association
Brett James, Cornman Music and Management
Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media
Luke Laird, Creative Nation Music
Matthew Lazarus-Hall, CMC Rocks
Jonathan Levine, Paradigm
Deb McDermott, McDermott Media Group LLC
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
Charlie Morgan, Emmis Communications
Brian O’Connell, Live Nation Nashville
Brian Philips, Cumulus Media/Westwood One Radio Networks
Rod Phillips, iHeartMedia
Danny Rader
Ryan Redington, Amazon Music
Liz Rose, Liz Rose Music
Scott Scovill, Moo TV/Centerstaging/Moo Creative Media/The Steel Mill
Bob Shennan, BBC
Bill Simmons, The AMG
Jennie Smythe, Girlilla Marketing
Clarence Spalding, Maverick
Jeff Stevens, Jeff Stevens Music
Troy Tomlinson, Universal Music Group Publishing
Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell Music
Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Productions
Carla Wallace, Big Yellow Dog Music
Ed Warm, Joe’s Bar
Dwight Wiles, Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC

Ex-Officio Members
Jim Free, The Smith-Free Group, LLC
Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation
Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Legal Counsel
R. Horton Frank, Watkins & McNeilly, PLLC
Joel Katz, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

2020 CMA FOUNDATION DIRECTORS
Kix Brooks, Brooks & Dunn
Mike Dungan, Universal Music Group Nashville
Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town
Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization
Blair Garner, Cumulus Media
Mendell Grinter, Education Reform Consultant
Ed Hardy, Hardy Media and Entertainment Group
Lon Helton, Country Aircheck
John Huie, CAA
Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media
Ron Samuels, Pinnacle Bank
Jennie Smythe, Girlilla Marketing
Chris Young

ASCAP Debuts New Podcast VERSED

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ASCAP’s new podcast, VERSED: The ASCAP Podcast, is debuting today (Dec. 5) on all major listening services. The podcast features interviews with some of the greatest music creators from all genres about the struggles, hard work, breakthroughs and triumphs of the creative life and the wisdom they’ve earned along the way.

Initial guests include award-winning songwriter and ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams, who discusses the unforeseen events that led him to thrive in his career, and how other creators can be prepared for opportunities as they arise; rising star Carly Pearce on balancing the personal and professional while building a name for herself in Nashville and beyond; and Emmy Award-winning composer Nicholas Britell on collaborating with some of today’s most accomplished and provocative film directors such as Barry Jenkins, Steve McQueen, Adam McKay and more.

“VERSED helps to illuminate the heart, soul and power of music with the songwriters and composers who create it,” said ASCAP Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Matthews. “It allows us to bring insight and guidance on navigating a modern music career to our members and all music creators who are hungry for more information. Music fans who listen will also deepen their appreciation for the art and craft of the people creating the music they love.”

Experts on the ASCAP team will discuss key topics that affect all music creators such as copyright, music publishing, songwriting splits, advocacy, tech innovations, music streaming services, health and wellness and more. ASCAP Vice President and Creative Director Erik Philbrook co-hosts each episode along with other ASCAP executives and creator members. Philbrook has interviewed many of today’s leading songwriters and composers in his role at ASCAP, including Tom Petty, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi, Salt-N-Pepa, Trent Reznor, ELO’s Jeff Lynne, Beastie Boys, Ingrid Michaelson, St. Vincent, Wyclef Jean, Usher, and legendary U2 producer Steve Lillywhite.

Each season of the podcast will feature theme music by a different ASCAP member. The inaugural season’s theme was written by The Midnight Hour’s Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

The debut episode of VERSED: The ASCAP Podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms, or at ascap.com/versed.

Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett To Headline Trailblazer Festival

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Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett have been announced as the headliners of the TrailBlazer Country Music and Camping Festival, (formerly known as Taste of Country Music Festival), as the eighth-annual event returns to Hunter, New York, at Hunter Mountain Resort on June 12-14.

The lineup also includes Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Blanco Brown, Clare Dunn, HARDY, Jon Langston, Dylan Scott, Matt Stell, Cole Swindell, and The Cadillac Three, with more to be revealed in the coming weeks. The 2020 edition of the festival joins Live Nation’s family of country festivals which includes Watershed in George, Washington; Faster Horses in Brooklyn, Michigan; Seven Peaks in Buena Vista, Colorado, and Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Passes for TrailBlazer Festival go on sale Dec. 13 at TrailBlazerFest.com.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome TrailBlazer into our family of world class country music festivals in 2020,” said Brian O’Connell, President of Live Nation Country Touring. “Our team has been working for months getting to know this festival, and we are looking forward to showing the great country music fans in New York what we have up our sleeves!”

Entertainment One Inks Deal With Kalie Shorr

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Pictured (L-R): Jamie Starling, eOne Business Affairs; Chris Taylor, eOne Global President Music; Kalie Shorr; Aaron Pearce, Vintern Songs CEO; Todd Roberts, eOne VP of A&R Music Publishing

Entertainment One has signed Kalie Shorr to a publishing deal via a joint venture with Vintern Songs. Earlier this year, Shorr released the album Open Book, and was a writer on each of the project’s 13 tracks.

“I definitely thought about the album like an essay of what my last year was like,” she told MusicRow shortly after the album’s release in September. “I thought well, if I was writing this like an essay of what my last year was like, ‘Too Much to Say’ is the thesis statement, ‘Escape’ is my background and my childhood, and then the breakup happens and you see how that all plays out, and then ‘The World Keeps Spinning’ brings me back into the family stuff and ‘Angry Butterfly’ is like the concluding paragraph.”

In addition to the deeply personal music she has contributed to her own album, Shorr has had songs featured in Paramount’s Yellowstone, CMT’s Nashville and the NFL, as well as recent singles from Honey County, Miranda Glory, and Will Jay.

eOne’s Global President, Music, Chris Taylor, says, “We are blown away with the depth of Kalie’s songwriting ability and are already integrating her talent with our teams in Nashville and Los Angeles. Not only is she a fantastic artist, but we can’t wait to utilize her work and take her work into new realms like TV and film.”

Aaron Pearce, CEO of Vintern Songs, added, “Kalie is an amazing triple threat singer/songwriter/musician. She is a true artist, a fabulous writer, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be in business with her.”

Shorr says, “Songwriting is my passion, both to tell my own story and help other artists articulate theirs. As someone who writes in several different genres, eOne and Vintern are the perfect partners to help me take big steps in multiple directions. I feel so supported by them, both as an artist and as a songwriter, and I’m excited to see the doors we will open together. ”

Shorr is currently on tour with LeAnn Rimes for her You and Me and Christmas Tour and will be playing Nashville’s New Year’s Eve concert, Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight, with Keith Urban, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, The Struts, Amanda Shires, Bren Joy and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Brad Paisley Proves He’s Special With Big Ratings For ABC

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Brad Paisley‘s first-ever network variety show, Brad Paisley Thinks He’s Special, won the night for ABC Tuesday night (Dec. 3) with  6.3 million viewers tuning in to the TV special. The show was the most-watched show on ABC for the evening, according to Nielsen.

Viewers also engaged heavily on social media in support of the show, with over 390,000 social interactions across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, according to Nielsen Social Content Ratings.

Executive produced by Paisley, the hour-long program showcased the energy of Music City from Nashville’s historic War Memorial Auditorium through Paisley’s signature humor, unexpected surprises, heartfelt moments and plenty of musical performances. Special guests on the show included Kelsea Ballerini, Darius Rucker and Hootie & The Blowfish, Jonas Brothers, host of ABC’s The Bachelor franchise Chris Harrison, NFL legend Peyton Manning, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood and more.

“Brad Paisley Thinks He’s Special” was produced by Sony Pictures Television. Paisley, Jane Mun, RAC Clark, Bill Simmons and Kendal Marcy served as executive producers.