Industry Ink: Jimmy Wheeler, Robby Turner, The Steeles

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Jimmy Wheeler Feted At Provident Goodbye Luncheon

Pictured (L-R): Terry Hemmings, Jimmy Wheeler.

Jimmy Wheeler was celebrated at a goodbye luncheon hosted by Provident Label President Terry Hemmings and the Provident Team, to celebrate Wheeler’s 30 years with Provident/Sony Music. His career with the label included positions ranging from Sales, Radio, Marketing, and Distribution, and the luncheon was heavily attended with over 100 guests including colleagues, artists, managers and others. Wheeler’s official last day with the company was Dec. 31, 2019. Wheeler can be reached at [email protected] or 615-210-7772.

 

Robby Turner Recovering From Auto Accident

Robby Turner. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Pedal steel player Robby Turner has been hospitalized after a serious auto accident last Tuesday (Dec. 31, 2019). His truck was totaled in the accident in Nashville as he was driving home from a gig.

Turner has recorded with artists including the Dixie Chicks, Jamey Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Randy Travis. He has also recorded and toured with the Highwaymen. In July 2019, Turner was celebrated as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Nashville Cats series.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up for those wanting to help pitch in for Robby’s medical expenses.

 

The Steeles Ink With StowTown Records

(L-R): Nate Goble (StowTown co-owner), Jeff Steele, Ernie Haase (StowTown co-founder), Brad Steele, Wayne Haun (StowTown co-founder)

The Steeles, comprised of Jeff and Sherry Steele and their son Brad, have signed with StowTown Records. The Steeles’ first StowTown project will release in Spring 2020, and the first single will ship to radio later this month.

“I worked with The Steeles 25 years ago,” said Stowtown co-owner and producer Wayne Haun. “Most gospel music fans know our rich history together. It’s been at least 10 years since I last got to work with them and this just feels like going back home. Not much has changed – except Brad has grown up to be a powerhouse musician and songwriter in his own right!”

Concord Names Amanda Molter As Deputy General Counsel

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Amanda Molter

Concord has named Amanda Molter as Deputy General Counsel. Molter will be based in Concord’s Nashville office, and will report to Chief Business Affairs Officer and General Counsel Larry Blake.

Molter was previously Assistant General Counsel and Director for Barings, LLC, where she advised Barings’ global real estate, private equity and real assets platform Alternative Investments Group. Molter also practiced at Latham & Watkins LLP for a decade as a member of the Investment Funds group. She holds a B.S. from the University of California, Davis and a J.D. from UCLA School of Law, where she served on Law Review and graduated as a member of the Order of the Coif.

“Amanda brings a brilliant intellect and a wealth of experience in corporate and financial matters that will be invaluable as Concord continues to grow and expand and as the business environment in which we operate becomes more and more complex,” Blake said.  “We are thrilled to have her on the Concord team.”

Molter stated, “I am excited to join the Concord family and look forward to working with Larry and the rest of the talented leadership team to support the company’s strong growth trajectory with integrity and efficiency.”

Concord has offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, London, and Miami, and includes Concord Recorded Music, Concord Music Publishing, and Concord Theatricals.

Lady Antebellum Welcomes Jake Owen, Maddie & Tae For Ocean 2020 Tour

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Following the release of Ocean, Lady Antebellum‘s first album for BMLG Records, the trio will launch their Ocean 2020 Tour on May 21 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They will welcome openers Jake Owen and Maddie & Tae on the new tour.

The Ocean 2020 Tour will visit Los Angeles, Phoenix, Indianapolis, and more, before concluding at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 12.

“After our Vegas residency and working on this record for the past year we are itching to get back out on the road and see how the fans gravitate to some of the deeper cuts off of Ocean,” Lady Antebellum member Charles Kelley said. “We’ve missed those huge crowd sing-alongs and we are looking forward to having Jake Owen and Maddie & Tae light up the stage every night. May can’t come fast enough.”

The trio joined Owen and Maddie & Tae at Santa’s Pub in Nashville recently to try out a few songs. See the video, as well as tour dates, below:

Ocean 2020 Tour Dates:

5/21/2020  Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
5/22/2020  Phoenix, AZ – Ak- Chin Pavilion
5/23/2020  San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
5/28/2020  Sacramento, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
5/29/2020  Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
5/30/2020  Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
6/13/2020  Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
6/14/2020  Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre
6/18/2020  Gilford, NH – Bank of NH Pavilion
6/19/2020  Bangor, ME – Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
6/20/2020  Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
6/25/2020  Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
6/26/2020  Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
6/27/2020  Atlanta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
7/10/2020  Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center Omaha
7/16/2020  Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
7/17/2020  Pittsburgh, PA
7/18/2020  Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
7/23/2020  Birmingham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
7/24/2020  Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
7/25/2020  Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park @ Walnut Creek
7/31/2020  Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
8/01/2020  Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amp
8/02/2020  West Palm Beach, FL – Coral Sky Amphitheater
8/06/2020  Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
8/07/2020  Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
8/08/2020  Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
8/15/2020  St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/16/2020  Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/21/2020  Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
8/22/2020  Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
8/27/2020  Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
8/28/2020  Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
8/29/2020  Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
9/04/2020  Philadelphia, PA – BB&T Pavilion
9/05/2020  Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
9/06/2020  Syracuse,NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
9/10/2020  Knoxville, TN – Thompson – Bowling Arena
9/11/2020  Southaven, MS – Landers Center
9/12/2020  Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

FBMM Promotes Abby Middlemas

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Business management firm FBMM has promoted Abby Middlemas to account manager.

“Abby has been a valuable asset to our team for the past four years,” said FBMM owner Duane Clark. “She has proved herself a reliable resource to her clients, and has shown the depth of her financial management knowledge throughout her time here. We’re proud to have her on our team.”

Middlemas joined the company in 2015, and previously worked in management and fashion. She served as an independent stylist for The Block Agency, and as a department manager at Nordstrom in California. Middlemas also worked for over a year as an underwriter at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.

Lauren Daigle, Orville Peck, Lil Nas X Join Coachella Lineup

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After dropping hints on social media last night (Jan. 2), The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival revealed its full performer lineup for 2020, set for April 10-12 and 17-19 in Indio, California.

A few artists with Nashville ties are on the bill. Lil Nas X, who with Billy Ray Cyrus broke the record earlier this year for the most weeks atop Billboard’s Hot 100 with his inescapable hit “Old Town Road,” will join the lineup on April 12 and 19.

CCM-to-pop crossover star Lauren Daigle has also been added to the lineup for April 12 and 19. Last year, Daigle made history with her album Look Up Child, which earned the longest reign on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, with 39 weeks at No. 1, surpassing 38-week record set by Switchfoot’s The Beautiful Letdown in 2004-2005. On Jan. 18, Daigle will launch her World Tour, beginning in Melbourne, Australia. Following shows in Sydney, Brisbane, and in New Zealand, the tour will return stateside for shows in New York, Nashville, Dallas, Boston and more.

Masked country singer Orville Peck will join Coachella on April 11 and 18. He has garnered press coverage in publications including GQ Style, Los Angeles Times, Vice, and The Guardian. He recently released the video for his song “Nothing Fades Like The Light,” from his debut album Pony. The song was recently featured on the HBO show Watchmen. This year, he is also set to perform at the Stagecoach and Shaky Knees festivals.

Rage Against The Machine will reunite for the first time since 2011 to headline Coachella’s lineup on April 10 and 17, while Travis Scott will headline on April 11 and 18, with Frank Ocean leading on April 12 and 19.

Last year, Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande and Tame Impala headlined Coachella, which also featured country star Kacey Musgraves and Nashville pop artist Soccer Mommy as part of the lineup.

Mark Your Calendar—January 2020

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Industry Events

January 3, 2020
Final round voting ends for 62nd Grammy Awards

January 21, 2020
CMA Touring Awards

January 26, 2020
62nd Grammy Awards Air Live

 

Single Add Dates

January 6, 2020
Thomas Rhett feat. Jon Pardi/Beer Can’t Fix/The Valory Music Co.

January 13, 2020
Zac Brown Band/Leaving Love Behind/ZB Collective/BMG/Wheelhouse
Adam Doleac/Famous/Arista Nashville
Tenille Arts/Somebody Like That/Reviver Records
Rayne Johnson/Front Seat/Studio2Bee/Legend

January 20, 2020
Midland/Cheatin’ Songs/Big Machine Records
Richard Schroder/We All Start Somewhere/Amplifier Nashville

 

Album Releases

January 10, 2020
Tenille Arts/Love, Heartbreak, & Everything in Between/Reviver Records/19th & Grand Records
Ronnie Dunn/Re-Dunn

January 17, 2020
Dustin Lynch/Tullahoma/Broken Bow Records
Little Big Town/Nightfall/UMG Nashville

MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters Of 2019

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Ashley Gorley. Photo: Josh Ulmer

2019 proved to be a prosperous year for these elite songwriters who saw the most chart success on the weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Using algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams, these 100 songwriters were on top in 2019.

There are 13 female songwriters within the top 100—which is made up of 115 songwriters because of tied scores—including: Hillary Lindsey (No. 5), Laura Veltz (No. 6), Maren Morris (No. 21), Nicolle Galyon (No. 32), Carrie Underwood (No. 38), Kelsea Ballerini (No. 40), Parker Welling (No. 57), Allison Veltz Cruz (No. 58), Sarah Aarons (No. 59), Natalie Hemby (No. 62), Alysa Vanderheym (No. 78), Heather Morgan (No. 80) and Connie Harrington (No. 90).

While maintaining the pinnacle position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for 39 out of 49 charts, and being in the top 3 all year, Ashley Gorley comes out of 2019 the MusicRow Top Songwriter of the year. Aggregating chart data from each weekly MusicRow Top Songwriters Charts of 2019, Gorley had the most credits from the co-written songs that charted in 2019.

Songs that made Gorley the No. 1 Top Songwriter of 2019 were Luke Bryan’s “What Makes You Country,” Chase Rice’s “Eyes On You,” Eli Young Band’s “Love Ain’t,” Dierks Bentley’s “Living,” Chris Janson’s “Good Vibes,” Lee Brice’s “Rumor,” Thomas Rhett’s “Remember You Young,” and more. Gorley also won his seventh ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award in November.

HARDY. Photo: Robby Klein

Michael Hardy—otherwise known as HARDY—takes the No. 2 slot on the list of 2019 hit-makers. The artist-writer had a stellar year, being nominated for MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year and winning AIMP’s Rising Writer/Artist Award. Songs that propelled HARDY were Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Talk You Out Of It,” Chris Lane’s “I Don’t Know About You,” LoCash’s “One Big Country Song,” his own “Rednecker,” and more.

Luke Combs. Photo: Jim Wright

Chart-champion Luke Combs is at No. 3 in the top 100 songwriters, with writer credits on songs including his own “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “What You See Is What You Get,” “Refrigerator Door,” and “Even Though I’m Leaving,” as well as the Carly Pearce and Lee Brice duet, “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” Combs took home two honors at the annual CMA Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Beautiful Crazy,” which he wrote alongside Wyatt Durrette (No. 25) and Robert Williford (No. 60).

Ross Copperman. Photo: Kelly Taylor

Ross Copperman takes the No. 4 slot this year, with songs like Dierks Bentley’s “Living,” Eli Young Band’s “Love Ain’t,” Brett Young’s “Catch,” and Kenny Chesney’s “Tip Of My Tongue” and “Get Along” propelling him. Copperman was honored with BMI’s 2019 Songwriter of the Year, tied with Nicolle Galyon (No. 32).

Hillary Lindsey. Photo: Becky Fluke

Hillary Lindsey rounds out the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriters of 2019. Lindsey is nominated with her co-writers Natalie Hemby (No. 62), Lady Gaga and Lori McKenna for their song on the A Star Is Born film, “Always Remember Us This Way,” at the upcoming Grammy Awards. Lindsey is also nominated for Best Country Song (“It All Comes Out In The Wash”), and for Best Song Written For Visual Media (“I’ll Never Love Again”).

Lindsey also won MusicRow‘s Female Songwriter of the Year at the 31st annual MusicRow Awards and was awarded the ASCAP Global Impact Award at the 2019 ASCAP Awards.

MusicRow‘s Top 100 Songwriters of 2019:
1. Ashley Gorley
2. Michael Hardy
3. Luke Combs
4. Ross Copperman
5. Hillary Lindsey
6. Laura Veltz
7. Shane McAnally
8. Jordan M. Schmidt
9. Ben Burgess
10. Kevin Kadish
11. Jon Nite
12. Shay Mooney
13. David Garcia
14. Bobby Pinson
15. Brock Berryhill
16. Josh Osborne
17. Zach Crowell
18. Blanco Brown
19. Brett James
20. Jeffery Hyde
21. Maren Morris
22. Eric Church
23. Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers
24. Jesse Frasure
25. Wyatt Durrette
26. Hunter Phelps
27. Rhett Akins
28. Jameson Rodgers
29. Kevin Welch
30. Gordie Sampson
31. Thomas Rhett
32. Nicolle Galyon
33. Trevor Rosen
34. Kane Brown
35. Matthew Ramsey
36. Jonathan Singleton
37. Ryan Hurd
38. Carrie Underwood
39. Cary Barlowe
40. Kelsea Ballerini
41. Chris DeStefano
42. Devin Dawson
43. Randy Montana
44. Riley Green
45. Tony Lane
46. Sam Ellis
47. Jimmy Robbins
48. Erik Dylan
49. Corey Crowder
50. Jordan Davis
51. Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs
52. Cole Swindell, Brandon Kinney
53. Barry Dean
54. Josh Miller
55. Ryan Tyndell
56. Brad Tursi
57. Russell Dickerson, Parker Welling, Casey Brown
58. Matt Stell, Ash Bowers, Allison Veltz Cruz
59. Sarah Aarons, Greg Kurstin
60. Robert Williford
61. Brantley Gilbert
62. Natalie Hemby
63. Chris Young
64. Josh Dunne
65. Brett Warren, Brad Warren
66. Luke Laird
67. David Hodges, Brett McLaughlin
68. Brett Young
69. Kelley Lovelace
70. Neil Thrasher
71. Chase Rice
72. Taylor Phillips
73. Chris Janson
74. Chase McGill
75. Dustin Lynch
76. Ray Fulcher
77. Justin Ebach
78. Alysa Vanderheym
79. Kenny Chesney, Ed Sheeran
80. Heather Morgan
81. Brett Eldredge
82. Jimmie Allen
83. Justin Moore, Jeremy Stover
84. Paul DiGiovanni
85. Jon Green
86. Tyler Hubbard
87. Tofer Brown
88. Shy Carter
89. Billy Montana, Phillip LaRue
90. Connie Harrington
91. Scotty McCreery
92. Will Weatherly
93. Matthew McGinn
94. Michael Ray
95. Lee Thomas Miller
96. Jon Pardi
97. Andy Albert
98. Dierks Bentley
99. Lonnie Lee Fowler
100. Bryan Kennedy, Garth Brooks, Mitch Rossell

Tencent-Led Consortium, Vivendi Sign UMG Investment Agreement

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(PRNewsfoto/Universal Music Group,Tencent)

Tencent Holdings Limited have announced that a Tencent-led consortium and Vivendi S.A. signed a share purchase agreement for the Consortium to acquire a 10% equity stake in Universal Music Group from Vivendi.

Until Jan. 15, 2021, the Consortium has the option to acquire up to an additional 10% equity stake in UMG at the same enterprise value. Prior to the closing of the Consortium-UMG Transaction, TME and UMG also intend to enter into a second agreement that grants TME an option to acquire a minority equity stake in UMG’s Greater China business.

Through this investment together with Vivendi, Tencent and TME will work to broaden the opportunities for artists and to enrich experiences for fans, further promoting a thriving music and entertainment industry.

Industry Ink: ‘Country Music’ Documentary, Copyright Society Of The South, Redbird Common

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PBS To Re-Air Ken Burns’ Country Music Doc

Ken Burns‘ documentary Country Music will be rebroadcast on PBS on Friday nights at 9 p.m. ET, beginning Jan. 3, 2020. Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has created a Country Music Passport to help Tennessee visitors discover 22 Tennessee destinations featured as part of the documentary. The passport will be included in the 2020 Tennessee Vacation Guide to be released Jan. 8, and is available at any of the 16 Tennessee Welcome Centers; commemorative prizes to travelers who visit five, 15 or all 22 sites will be included in the Passport. Passports expire Oct. 18, 2022.

When Country Music aired nationally Sept. 15-23, 2019 on PBS, it reached 34.5 million unique viewers.

 

New Board of Directors, Officers For Copyright Society Of The South

The Copyright Society of the South has revealed its 2020 Board of Directors, including Tara Aaron, Janice Bane, Kari Barnhart, Brian Buchanan, Kent Draughon, Marghie Evans, Aaron Hartley, Sam Powers, Christy Robinson and Tim Wipperman. Draughon has been named Chairman for 2020, while Evans has been named Vice Chair, Bane has been named Secretary, and Powers has been named Treasurer.

The Nashville-based organization was formed in 1988, and includes music publishers, attorneys, business people and academicians interested in the field of copyright law. The Society provides seminars, speakers, presentations, and the opportunity to present various points of view on subjects of interest to the membership, as well as a scholarship awards program for students majoring in copyright-related fields.

 

Redbird Common Showcase To Feature Blanca Callahan, Dan Haseltine, Matthews Ntlele, Mikey Howard

Redbird Common, a showcase series launched in 2017 by CCM executive and First Company Management’s Rebecca S. Jones, will return with its first showcase of the year, to be held at LabeLive in Franklin, Tennessee, on Jan. 7, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The lineup will include Blanca Callahan (Blanca), Dan Haseltine (frontman of Jars of Clay), Matthews Ntlele (formerly of Elevation Worship), and Mikey Howard (frontman for 7eventh Time Down). Complimentary coffee and snacks from The Well Coffeehouse will be provided. Tickets are $10 per person, and all attendees must have an advance ticket to enter. LabeLive is located at 416 Mary Lindsay Polk Drive, Ste. 503, in Franklin.

Dierks Bentley’s Hot Country Knights Ink Deal With UMG Nashville

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Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Cindy Mabe (UMG Nashville President), Douglas “Doug” Douglason, Mike Dungan (UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO); (Back Row, L-R): Brian Wright (UMG Nashville Exec. VP of A&R), Mary Hilliard Harrington (Red Light Management), Terotej “Terry” Dvoraczekynski, Marty Ray “Rayro” Roburn, Barry Van Ricky, Monte Montgomery, Royce Risser (UMG Nashville Exec. VP of Promotions), Trevor Travis, Jay Williams (WME Nashville Co-Head). Photo: Zach Belcher

Dierks Bentley‘s incognito band, the ’90s-inspired Hot Country Knights, have inked a deal with Bentley’s label home, Universal Music Group Nashville.

The group includes lead singer Douglas “Doug” Douglason (a.k.a. Bentley), as well as lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery. 

“Some artists out there tried to put the ‘O’ back in country, that was a thing for a while…. but what it’s really missing is the ‘T,’” band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason said. “Country music has Low-T right now…it could use a pick me up, if you know what I mean. Those record label people over at Universal finally realized that only the Knights could be up to a task this big and hard.”

The group debuted in 2015 with a performance at Nashville’s Country Radio Seminar and has since opened for Bentley’s own concerts, offering cover versions of ’90s country classics from Alan Jackson, Tracy Lawrence, and more. Hot Country Knights recently made a stop at the Universal Music Group Nashville offices to celebrate the signing.