Sony Music Entertainment, IT City Entertainment Ink Development Deal

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Sony Music Entertainment and Nashville-based IT City Entertainment are developing a new scripted TV series, The Muse, which showcases the creative inspiration behind some of music’s biggest songs. Acclaimed producer and writer Mark Steilen (Tag, Shameless, Divorce) will be the showrunner in development.

The Muse will draw from Sony Music’s recorded music library to tell the emotional and creative stories behind these songs. The show was created by IT City Entertainment’s co-founders Brian Williams and Keith Hayman.

“With so many legendary artists in their amazing repertoire, Sony Music is an ideal partner to help bring The Muse to life,” says Hayman. “The show will take a deeper dive into the emotional drivers behind some of the most iconic songs to provide fans with behind-the-scenes access to the song development process.”

“We are excited to work with IT City Entertainment to develop this creative show concept,” says Jim Catino, Executive Vice President of A&R, Sony Music Nashville. “The Muse is a celebration of our historic catalog of songs and we hope it will serve as inspiration for aspiring artists.”

“IT City Entertainment was formed to bridge the gap between Nashville’s deep talent pool and the distribution pipelines on the West Coast,” says Williams. “The company is positioned to develop talent and projects across the spectrum of entertainment, and these kind of partnerships perfectly fit within our mission.”

Based in Nashville, IT City Entertainment develops and produces a variety of live events, and film, television, music, and comedy specials.

Maddie & Tae Detail Release Date, Track Listing For Upcoming Sophomore Project

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Maddie & Tae revealed details today of their upcoming full-length sophomore album The Way It Feels on Mercury Nashville, due out April 10. Produced by Jimmy Robbins and Derek Wells, the album features songs and stories from their previous two EPs shared last year, which helped propel the pair as the Best Streaming Female Country Duo of All Time with over 812 million streams.

The Way It Feels is rounded out with five brand new tracks all co-written by Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow and Taylor Dye, culminating in the duo’s winding journey of love, loss and redemption. Writers contributing to the new project along with Maddie & Tae include Jonathan Singleton, Josh Kerr, Laura Veltz, Jesse Frasure, and more. Tracks include “Everywhere I’m Goin,” their current single “Die From A Broken Heart,” the ballad “Lay Here With Me” featuring Dierks Bentley, “Trying On Rings,” “My Man,” “Write A Book,” and more. 

 “It has been four years since we’ve released an album. For us, this is a lot more than just an album release,” said Marlow. “This sophomore album will always be a reminder that no matter the setbacks and struggles, we will come out stronger and better. We are so proud of this 15-song story. We wrote these songs during the most vulnerable times and our hope is that people hear that and connect.”

The duo are looking ahead to commanding their own stage on their headlining Tourist In This Town Tour, which kicks off in April, then setting out with Lady Antebellum all Summer on their nationwide Ocean Tour.

The Way It Feels Track Listing:
1. “Everywhere I’m Goin’” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Josh Thompson, Jimmy Robbins)
2. “Bathroom Floor” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Josh Kerr)
3. “My Man” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Dave Barnes, Jordan Reynolds)
4. “Tourist In This Town” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Barry Dean, Jimmy Robbins)
5. “Drunk Or Lonely” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Deric Ruttan, Forrest Whitehead)
6. “One Heart To Another” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jonathan Singleton, Deric Ruttan)
7. “Trying On Rings” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Laura Veltz, Jimmy Robbins)
8. “Write A Book” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Laura Veltz, Josh Kerr)
9. “Water In His Wine Glass” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jon Nite)
10. “Ain’t There Yet” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Dave Barnes, Ben West)
11. “Lay Here With Me” (feat. Dierks Bentley) (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Josh Kerr, Dave Barnes)
12. “Friends Don’t” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jon Nite, Justin Ebach)
13. “Die From A Broken Heart” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jonathan Singleton, Deric Ruttan)
14. “I Don’t Need To Know” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Adam Hambrick)
15. “New Dog Old Tricks” (Laura Veltz, Jesse Frasure, Emily Weisband)

Singer-Songwriter Collective Song Suffragettes Set First International Tour

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Nashville-based singer-songwriter collective Song Suffragettes will head out on their first international tour in April, featuring Kalie Shorr and Candie Carpenter from the United States, as well as Vic Allen and Bellah Mae in the U.K. Each show will feature an additional, local singer-songwriter on the bill.

The five-city tour will launch April 26 in Glasgow, Scotland and will wrap April 30 in London, England. Presenting sponsors for the tour include Radio Disney Country and C2C: Country to Country, as well as promoter AEG Europe. Additionally, the LSSW Group at J.P. Morgan Securities supports Song Suffragettes year-round. Throughout the U.K. tour, Radio Disney Country will allow fans to follow along on socials and via their “Let The Girls Play” feature, which offers weekly spotlights for Song Suffragettes members.

Over the past five years, the Song Suffragettes have become known for supporting female artists and songwriters and for fighting against gender disparity in all areas of the music community. The group’s weekly showcase at Nashville’s The Listening Room Café has highlighted music from more than 250 female artists and writers, with 16 of those going on to earn record deals and more than 40 landing publishing deals.

Tickets for the tour will go on sale Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. GMT.

Song Suffragettes Tour Dates:
April 26 – Glasgow, Scotland – Òran Mór
April 27 – Nottingham, England – Glee Club
April 28 – Birmingham, England – Glee Club
April 29 – Manchester, England – Band On The Wall
April 30 – London, England – Bush Hall

Ingrid Andress Plans ‘Lady Like’ Release For March

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Ingrid Andress has set the release of her major label debut, Lady Like, for March 27. The project includes the title track she performed on Late Night with Seth Meyers shortly following its release, along with her current hit single “More Hearts Than Mine,” which made history as the only debut from a solo female to crack the Country Airplay Top 20 in 2019.

The Warner Music Nashville/Atlantic Records artist is gearing up for a busy 2020 with her nomination to the elite New Faces of Country Music Class of 2020, where she will perform during CRS in a few weeks, her performance at Keith Urban’s All for the Hall benefit in Nashville next Monday (Feb. 10) alongside Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton and Tanya Tucker, and her upcoming dates this Spring on Dan + Shay’s North American arena tour. She will also help Thomas Rhett kick off his Center Point Road tour in May before heading out with Tim McGraw for his massive Here On Earth stadium tour this Summer.

CMT To Host Broadcast Premiere For Bluebird Cafe Documentary

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Craig Wiseman and special guest Taylor Swift perform onstage at Bluebird Cafe on March 31, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for 13 Management/Courtesy CMT

CMT is set to air the exclusive broadcast premiere of the feature film Bluebird, which documents the 35-year history of The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. The documentary will make its CMT premiere Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. CT.

Bluebird tells the story of the modest, 90-seat strip-mall performance venue that became an iconic setting for songwriters. The documentary features interviews and performances from artists who got their start at The Bluebird Cafe, such as Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, and Faith Hill. Among those appearing in the documentary are Maren Morris, Steve Earle, Charles Esten (of the hit TV show Nashville), Vince Gill, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, Pam Tillis and Trisha Yearwood.

The film is produced by Riverside Entertainment and directed by Brian A. Loschiavo, who also co-produced with The Bluebird Cafe’s President/GM Erika Wollman Nichols. CMT’s Shanna Strassberg also served as Talent Producer.

Luke Preston Signs With Anthem Entertainment

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(L-R): Tim Hunze, Noah Dewey, Lauren Lieu, Luke Preston, Alex Tamashunas, Tim Wipperman, Gilles Goddard

Luke Preston has signed a publishing deal with Anthem Entertainment.

Preston, a Florida native, picked up his first guitar at 7 years old. Learning to play by listening to The Beatles and Bruce Springsteen, he eventually started to gravitate towards country music through his mother’s love for Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Garth Brooks and Eric Church. He moved to Nashville in 2011, where he attended Belmont University. Graduating with a Music Business Degree in 2014, he quickly found his home on the road with the likes of Walker McGuire, Cale Dodds and Caroline Spence as their bass player.

“Luke’s lyrical and melodic sensibilities are wonderful, and he brings a great work ethic to boot,” said Tim Wipperman, President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville. “He will be a top writer in Nashville and adds a unique flavor to our writing crew.”

“When I met the Anthem team, I knew I had found kindred spirits. I’m so grateful that Lauren Lieu and the Anthem team have given me the opportunity to write songs for a living,” said Preston. “I couldn’t have found a better team of champions and I’m so stoked for what the future holds.”

Industry Pics: Kane Brown, AIMP, YNOT Wednesdays Concert Series

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Kane Brown Celebrates 5x Platinum Certifications

Pictured (L-R): Sony’s Jim Catino and Randy Goodman, Kane Brown, Martha Earls. Photo: Alan Poizner

Kane Brown recently launched his first headlining international tour, The Worldwide Beautiful Tour, with a sold-out show Sunday night (Feb. 2) in Dublin, Ireland. Brown also celebrated his latest RIAA certifications, including 5x multi-Platinum certs for his “What Ifs” (ft. Lauren Alaina) and “Heaven.”

Kane Brown with members of management and the Sony Music Nashville team. Photo: Alan Poizner

 

AIMP Nashville Hosts Membership Drive

Pictured (L-R): Brad Peterson (Regions), John Ozier (Reservoir Media, AIMP Nashville President), Tim Hunze (Anthem Entertainment), Courtney Crist (Mojo Music & Media), Michael Martin (Endurance Music Group), Kari Barnhart (Regions), Dale Bobo (Big Deal Music Group, AIMP Nashville Treasurer), and Mike Molinar (Big Machine Music Publishing).

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville hosted a free event for indie songwriters, publishers, and various music industry players to meet with AIMP Nashville leaders and membership on Jan. 29. The event, held at Nashville’s Barcelona Wine Bar, offered information on AIMP and its various benefits.

 

YNOT Wednesdays Concert Series Celebrates Four Years

Pictured: Lainey Wilson, Jimmie Allen, Abby Anderson. Photo: Acacia Evans

YNOT Wednesdays celebrated a four-year anniversary with a concert at Live Oak on Wednesday (Jan. 29). The round, hosted by SiriusXM The Highway’s MC Callahan, featured performances from Jimmie Allen, Abby Anderson, Lainey Wilson, Ross Ellis, Mike Ryan, Kameron Marlowe, Teddy Robb, Tenille Arts, and Tyler Rich.

River House Artists Director of Creative/A&R Zebb Luster created the series, which has become a popular go-to spot. YNOT Wednesdays have included more than 150 shows and performances by songwriters with No. 1 hits including Ray Fulcher, Cole Taylor, Randy Montana and Adam Sanders. Artists/writers Luke Combs, Mitchell Tenpenny, Ashley McBryde and Jimmie Allen have also performed.

Laura Veltz Maintains Pinnacle Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Laura Veltz spends her second week at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with Ashley Gorley holding the No. 2 position. Veltz has a hand in three hits, including Maren Morris’ “The Bones,” Lady Antebellum’s “What If I Never Get Over You,” and Ryan Hurd’s “To A T.”

Ross Copperman moves up three slots to No. 3, with “What She Wants Tonight” (Luke Bryan), “Catch” (Brett Young) and “Nobody But You” (Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani) fueling his rise. Luke Combs (No. 4) and Jimmy Robbins (No. 5) round out the top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Nomination Period For MusicRow’s Rising Women On The Row Ending Soon

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Nominations for MusicRow‘s 9th annual Rising Women on the Row will close on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. CT.

The breakfast event, slated for March 25, 2020 at the Omni Nashville Hotel, will honor a select group of deserving professionals who have become substantial contributors and visionary leaders in Nashville’s music industry.

Nominations for the 2020 class of Rising Women on the Row are now closed.

Past honorees include—2019: Janine Ebach, Kelly Janson, Meredith Jones, Lenore Kinder, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Jennifer Turnbow; 2018: Faithe Dillman, Leslie DiPiero, Becky Gardenhire, Lynn Oliver-Cline, Annie Ortmeier, Janet Weir; 2017: Tatum Allsep, Virginia Davis, Kerri Edwards, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, Juli Newton-Griffith; 2016: Abbey Adams, Amanda Cates, Cris Lacy, Leslie Roberts, Risha Rodgers; 2015: Kele Currier, Tiffany Dunn, Dawn Gates, Jensen Sussman, Lou Taylor; 2014: Julie Boos, Caryl Healey, Ebie McFarland, Alicia Pruitt, Kelly Rich; 2013: Cyndi Forman, Cindy Hunt, Beth Laird, Cindy Mabe, Brandi Simms; 2012: Shannan Hatch, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens, Carla Wallace.

Tickets to Rising Women on the Row are available for purchase here.

Kelsea Ballerini To Headline Amazon’s ‘Country Heat At CRS’ Showcase

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Kelsea Ballerini, Niko Moon, Gabby Barrett, Jon Langston, and The Cadillac Three have been announced as the performers on the upcoming third annual “Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat at CRS” on Feb. 19.

“Country music continues to be one of the top-performing genres on our service,” said Kelly Rich, Country Lead for Amazon Music in Nashville. “Country Heat represents the biggest and best in country music right now, and we’re thrilled to bring one of our most popular playlists to life for the third year in a row. We’re ecstatic to bring such a dynamic group of today’s established and rising stars, who are defining modern country music, on stage during CRS.”

The showcase will take place from 6-8 p.m. in Omni Nashville Hotel’s Broadway Ballroom and will close out the first day of Country Radio Seminar 2020.