President Trump Releases Coronavirus Guidelines For Next 15 Days To Slow Spread


President Trump released national guidelines for the next 15 days to slow the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States.

Among the guidelines are directives to pay attention to and abide by state and local authorities, stay home if you feel sick, keep your children home if they are sick, if someone in your home tests positive for the Coronavirus, keep the entire household home, and more. President Trump also advices elderly Americans and those with serious underlying health conditions to stay home and away from other people, as well.

“Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus,” the guidelines say.

Further, President Trump advises those who engage in work or schooling to stay home whenever possible; avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people; avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts and opt for drive-thru, pickup or delivery options instead; avoid discretionary travel; do not visit nursing homes or other long-term care facilities; and practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, sneeze/cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow, and disinfect frequently used items as much as possible.

 

The President also recommended state and local government to close schools; and that starts and localities that close schools need to address possible childcare needs of critical responders, and as well as the nutritional needs of children.

View President Trump’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America here. For more information, visit coronavirus.gov.

Josh Thompson Signs Publishing Deal With MV2 Entertainment

(L-R): Nicole Sherrill – Creative Director; Tony Harrell – General Manager; Josh Thompson; Mike Whelan – Senior Creative Director; Ben Strain – Creative Director; Lauren Davis – Artist Management and Contract Services.

Hit songwriter Josh Thompson has signed an exclusive publishing deal with MV2 Entertainment. Thompson is a co-writer on Jon Pardi’s current single “Ain’t Always The Cowboy,” as well as Tyler Farr’s “Only Truck In Town,” and has cuts on upcoming albums from Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Florida Georgia Line, and Morgan Wallen. He also co-wrote recent hits including Blake Shelton’s “I’ll Name The Dogs,” Aldean’s “Any Ol’ Barstool,” and Aldean’s hit collaboration with Miranda Lambert, “Drowns The Whiskey.”

He has co-written more than 35 major label placements since 2016, with songs recorded by  Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Luke Combs, Brett Young, Jake Owen, Justin Moore, Chris Lane, Michael Ray, Maddie and Tae, and more.

Thompson also had his own hits as an artist earlier in his career, including the Top 20 songs “Beer on the Table” and “Cold Beer with Your Name On It,” as well as the Gold-certified “Way Out Here.”
“Josh Thompson is a true journeyman hitmaker, and our entire team is ecstatic about having him here at MV2,” says MV2 General Manager Tony Harrell.

“Writing and creating songs with my buddies is the best job in the world. I’m truly honored to live this life and be in this special industry. I’m excited to start the next chapter of my music row story with the passionate team at MV2. I genuinely look forward to further building on what James, Tony, Mike, and Ben have started,” says Josh Thompson.

MV2 Entertainment’s roster includes Thomas Archer, Nora Collins, Nick Donley, Forrest Finn, David Frasier, and Houston Phillips.

Hannah Ellis Signs With Curb Records

Pictured (back row, L-R): Curb Records National Director, Country Promotion Mike Rogers; Curb Records VP, Country Publishing & Creative Colt Murski; Safford-Motley’s Scott Safford; Curb Records SVP, Revenue & New Business Benson Curb; Curb Records SVP, A&R & Finance Bryan Stewart; CAA’s Emily Van Allsburg; Curb Records VP, Country Promotion RJ Meacham; Curb Records VP, Legal Affairs John Nemoy. Front row: Curb Records VP, Artist Development & A&R Laurel Kittleson; Hannah Ellis; Curb Records Chairman Mike Curb

Hannah Ellis has signed with Curb Records.

The singer/songwriter signed a publishing deal with Curb Publishing in 2015, where she has penned songs recorded by Russell Dickerson, Carly Pearce, Emily Weisband, Cassadee Pope, Sidewalk Prophets and Filmore. The Kentucky native has toured with Gavin DeGraw, Dwight Yoakam, Devin Dawson, and many others.

“We are proud to continue our very successful relationship with Hannah Ellis as a songwriter, and even more excited to welcome her as a recording artist to Curb Records,” said Curb Records Chairman Mike Curb.

Laurel Kittleson, VP, Artist Development & A&R at Curb Records adds, “Years ago when she was my intern, I saw Hannah’s incredible work ethic and passion for her craft. It’s been amazing to continually experience her growth as a songwriter and artist over the past few years. I speak for myself and the entire Curb Records team when I say that we are beyond excited to welcome her to the family!”

Tortuga Music Festival Rescheduled For October

Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival, which features headliners Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw, has been rescheduled for Oct. 2-4, 2020 at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Florida. All passes already purchased for the festival’s former dates (April 17-19) will be honored in October.

Other artists on the performer lineup include Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Barenaked LadiesGabby BarrettLee Brice, Blanco Brown, Billy Currington, Jordan Davis, Gone West ft. Colbie Caillat, Riley Green, Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Hirie, Jon Pardi, Jon Langston, Tracy Lawrence, LOCASH, Pitbull, Runaway June, Cole Swindell, Toots and the Maytals, Vanilla Ice, Morgan Wallen, Ya’boys and additional artist Michael Ray will also take the Main Stage and Sunset Stage.

 

Tenille Arts, Tyler Booth, Ashland Craft, Cale Dodds, Angie K, Trea Landon, Kendell MarvelWalker MontgomeryNiko Moon, Kylie MorganMeghan Patrick, Brandon Ratcliff, Tyler Rich, Sean Stemaly and Hailey Whitters are also set to perform on the festival’s third “Next From Nashville” stage.

Weekly Register: Luke Combs Holds Top Two Country Albums Spots

Luke Combs. Photo: Jim Wright

Luke Combs continues to top the country albums chart this week, according to Nielsen Soundscan. He holds on to the top two spots, this week. The top five country albums this week are:

Top Country Albums (total consumption)
1. Luke Combs, What You See Is What You Get: 24K
2. Luke Combs, This One’s For You: 19K
3. Morgan Wallen, If I Know Me: 15.7K
4. Blake Shelton, Fully Loaded: God’s Country: 15.5K
5. Kane Brown, Experiment: 11.5K

On The Row: Adam Doleac

Adam Doleac. Photo: Haley Crow for MusicRow

For the protection of MusicRow staffers and visitors, all visits were suspended last week after this artist visit. 

Sony Music Nashville’s Adam Doleac has explored many interests in his lifetime before becoming an Arista Nashville recording artist, from playing golf in high school and being offered a full-ride scholarship, to trying out for baseball and playing his first game on the same day during his senior year, and being offered another scholarship for baseball.

Doleac took the baseball offer and ended up playing at the University of Southern Mississippi. During that time, his housemates encouraged him to pursue yet another passion that he was a natural at: singing and performing.

In a recent visit to the MusicRow Magazine offices, Doleac talked about his journey to making country music.

“I was thinking I was going to play professional baseball, that was my new game plan and I got offers to do that my junior and senior year, but somewhere in the middle there I started playing guitar,” Doleac says. “My roommates and teammates all played guitar to try to get girls, like baseball players do. I would just kind of pick theirs up and teach myself—I’ve still never had a lesson. They were the ones that heard me singing around the house and tried to push me into singing in front of other people. They said, ‘You need to sing in front of people,’ and I said, ‘Absolutely not.’

“They actually found these little horrible bars in my home town and said, ‘So-and-so is playing Saturday at 6 p.m.,’ so I’d have to show up. That was kind of my introduction to playing for people. When it came time to either decide to go play minor league baseball or move to Nashville, I ended up moving to Nashville, leaving baseball behind.”

Pictured (L-R): Adam Doleac and MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow for MusicRow

The singer/songwriter has been in Nashville for about seven years, and has had some success as a songwriter writing for Sony/ATV with cuts including Darius Rucker’s “Don’t,” Hootie & The Blowfish’s “Rollin,” Kane Brown’s “Pull It Off,” and Gabby Barrett’s “Hall of Fame.”

Doleac performed his debut major label single, “Famous,” which he co-wrote with Andy Skib and Bobby Hamrick, as well as a fan-favorite “Whiskey’s Fine.”

Doleac has been touring with Scotty McCreery, Ryan Hurd and Mitchell Tenpenny, and will do some headlining dates this spring. He also has an upcoming EP on the horizon.

 

Pictured: Adam Doleac with MusicRow staff members. Photo: Woody Bomar

CMA Commits $100,000 To Middle Tennessee Tornado Relief

The CMA has pledged to give $100,000 for tornado relief through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Emergency Response Fund, which supports affected communities and nonprofits helping victims address ongoing needs. The pledge was made Wednesday, March 11 with strong support from the CMA Board on behalf of its members.

“All of us at CMA hurt for our friends and neighbors and our hearts are with those who are suffering,” says Kurt Johnson, CMA Board Chairman and Town Square Media Senior Vice President, Programming. “We always want to be there to help in times of need.”

Along with the funds pledged, the CMA also partnered with SESAC to host a week-long supply drive at their Music Row offices March 6-13. Receiving donations from more than 100 individuals, the drive resulted in over 20 truckloads of supplies being sent to seven local churches and nonprofits who service affected areas in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties. Items collected for tornado victims include bottled water, personal hygiene items, first aid kits, clothes, shoes, diapers, canned food, flashlights, batteries, trash bags, bedding and more.

Dave Barnes To Release New Album ‘Dreaming In Electric Blue’

Dave Barnes

Dave Barnes has set the release date of his upcoming tenth album, Dreaming in Electric Blue, for April 3. Barnes is the sole writer for every song on the album.

“This album is my first album that I’ve produced and written everything by myself, which I’m really excited about!” said Barnes. “I also think it’s a great snapshot of the variety of the kinds of music I like to make – a little of bit of a lot of things.”

Barnes has penned songs for Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Marc Broussard, Billy Currington, Hunter Hayes, Ben Rector and many others, and received Grammy and CMA nominations for Blake Shelton’s cut of his song “God Gave Me You.”

In support of the new project Barnes will also be kicking off a string of intimate tour dates beginning April 23 in Houston and running through May 24.

Dave Barnes Dreaming In Electric Blue Track Listing:
Be Without You
Dreaming In Electric Blue
Sorry’s So Hard To Say
Love Somebody
Hard Feelings
Take Me Back To Nashville
You’ve Always Been Good To Me
Dave Barnes Tour Dates:
April 23 – The Heights Theater – Houston
April 24 – The 04 Center – Austin
April 25 – Common Grounds – Waco
April 26 – Kessler Theater – Dallas
May 21 –  City Winery – Boston
May 22 –  City Winery – New York
May 23 –  City Winery – Philadelphia
May 24 –  Birchmere Music Hall – Alexandria, VA

Concord Adds Duff Berschback As Exec. VP, Legal and Business Affairs

Duff Berschback

Concord has added Duff Berschback as Exec. VP, Legal and Business Affairs, Concord Music Publishing, where he will report to Concord Chief Business Affairs Officer and General Counsel Larry Blake. Berschback will be based at Concord’s Nashville headquarters.

Berschback most recently served as Sr. VP, Legal Affairs and Business Development for Sony/ATV Nashville for 13 years, under Troy Tomlinson. Prior to his work with Sony/ATV, he spent seven years in private practice representing songwriters, artists, producers and managers.

“Duff fits squarely into Concord’s vision for a global, full-service, Nashville-based music publishing company, operating across all genres and territories,” says Jake Wisely. “Duff also signals our intention to build a world class frontline country music roster and catalog. I’m thrilled to welcome an old friend to our growing business.”

Berschback will provide leadership to and oversight of Concord Music Publishing’s worldwide legal and business affairs operations negotiating all songwriter, co-publishing, administration and catalog acquisition agreements as well as outbound licensing and publishing litigation. Interfacing with Wisely, Concord’s management and Concord Music Publishing A&R, Berschback will also support the creative, strategic and business development priorities of Concord’s substantial and rapidly growing music publishing business. He will additionally provide insight and industry leadership with respect to Concord’s legislative and judicial advocacy agenda.

Blake comments, “Duff comes to us with a wealth of experience in all aspects of the publishing business and a well-deserved reputation as a consummate dealmaker with deep roots in the Nashville publishing community and beyond. We are very fortunate to have him join the Concord team.”

“I am beyond thrilled to join Concord, a company dedicated to aggressively growing a roster already stacked with phenomenal songwriters,” states Berschback. “Scott, Jake, Larry and the entire leadership team are passionate about music and are committed to discovering, developing and providing the highest level of service to the talented people who create it.”

Berschback can be reached at duff.berschback@concord.com.

Synchtank, peermusic Reveal New Platform on Royalty Accounting System IRIS

Synchtank software and peermusic have unveiled the latest platform to IRIS, (International Repertoire Information System,) the accounting system for collecting, distributing, and reporting on music royalties. Aimed at rights owners, rights holders and administrators, IRIS dramatically improves on past software by maximizing automation and bringing clarity to increasingly complex processes, and can speed ease of tasks, increase efficiencies, and help reduce costs. The system was originally developed by global independent music publisher, peermusic.

“Synchtank has a strong track record of changing the way technology is used in the music, movie and media businesses,” said Chris Cass, Synchtank’s Chief Business Officer. “We realized there was a gap in the market for high-performance royalty systems in this increasingly data-driven and complex environment. We discovered that peermusic had developed a system for their 30 worldwide offices based on these principals, and we worked directly with them to perfect the IRIS platform. It’s already handled more than $1 billion revenues and incorporates peermusic’s experience in markets around the world and our tech knowhow.”

“We built IRIS to allow us to best serve our clients in the digital era,” said Mary Megan Peer, Deputy CEO, peermusic. “For us this meant having a secure system with the ability to deal with significant amounts of data and with regularly changing CMO statement formats, but with quick processing time. IRIS has allowed our global royalties departments to become more efficient, allowing them more time to spend on income tracking. Our songwriters and their representatives appreciate the transparency, detailed information and ability to drill down into specific song details.”
Thanks to its origins in peermusic, IRIS has been running globally for over 10 years and is already fully integrated with over 60 Collective Management Organizations and has over 1,000 formats for statements.

“Besides providing a much-needed modern alternative in the market, IRIS has a great deal of potential in catalog evaluation,” a hot topic in this age of catalog acquisition and publishing investment, Cass explains. “As catalogs become important investment vehicles, this type of analysis and value estimation provides a key tool for potential investors, adding clarity to business decisions. Synchtank is providing the picks and shovels to prospects mining their next goldmine.”