Christy McDonald’s Debut ‘Proud’ Out Today

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Christy McDonald is celebrating the release her debut EP with Big Yellow Dog Music today (May 8). The new three-song EP Proud includes the title track, a message to her late mother, along with the infectious soul grabber “Are You With Somebody,” that claimed a spot on last month’s Brand New Music playlist on Amazon.

McDonald’s first cut “HaLELouYa” which she co-wrote with producer Nathan Chapman and Danny Radar, landed on DJ Robin Schulz’s album release.  The album debuted at No. 4 on the iTunes World Chart, and received major airplay on KISS FM-L.A. and SIRIUS XM’s No. 1 Hits channel, eventually surpassing over 12 million spins. “HaLehLouYa” just landed a global branding campaign for Nivea which has aired in Germany, Belgium and France, and the Middle East.

“Her song “Proud” speaks to all the moments in life when you wish somebody was there to see you succeed,” said Big Yellow Dog co-owner Carla Wallace. “Christy’s voice is a true original and is as captivating as her personality.”

Maren Morris Teams With Amazon Music For Live EP

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Maren Morris has released a live EP via Amazon Music today (May 8).

The project, Maren Morris Live From Chicago, captures Morris’ inaugural performance from her GIRL: The World Tour on March 9, 2019, which was livestreamed globally by Amazon Music.
“Feeling so nostalgic for shows lately so here’s a few tracks from opening night of GIRL: The World Tour,” Morris says.

In March, Morris’ album GIRL was certified Gold by the RIAA; the album broke the record for the largest-ever debut streaming week for a country album by a woman, locking down more than 23.96 million streams in its debut week. Morris is the leading nominee at this year’s ACM Awards, where she is up for accolades including Album of the Year and Female Artist of the Year. Her latest single, “To Hell & Back,” was the second most-added at country radio, with 41 first-week station adds.

The new single follows her country radio chart-topping “The Bones,” which marked the first time time since 2016 that a solo female country artist earned two No. 1 singles from the same album. “The Bones” also entered the Top 20 on Top 40 radio, and reached No. 1 Mediabase Hot A.C. and on Billboard’s Adult Pop Songs chart.

Weekly Radio Report (5/8/20)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.

‘Taylor Swift City of Lover’ Special Coming To ABC May 17

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Taylor Swift. Photo: David Hogan/TAS Management

Taylor Swift may not be holding her much-anticipated Lover Fests this year—all of the superstar’s tour dates for 2020 were canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic—but she is still bringing the music from her recent album Lover to her fans. Swift announced the ABC television special Taylor Swift City of Lover will air May 17 at 10 p.m. ET.

After its TV broadcast, the concert will be available on demand on Hulu and Disney+ the following day.

“Hope everybody is happy and healthy and staying safe,” Swift said as she announced the concert on Good Morning America on Friday (May 8). “So I played this concert in September called ‘The City of Lover’ show and it was in Paris. It was so much fun. It was actually a show we put together just to celebrate the Lover album coming out and we filmed it.”

According to a release, the concert was filmed in September 2019 at L’Olympia Theater in Paris, France. Swift performed songs from her multi-platinum album Lover before an intimate crowd of fans from 37 countries. The television special will also include behind-the-scenes moments with Swift.

“While we are all home, Taylor Swift and her family of fans will be able to have a moment together and experience a never-before-seen, intimate performance, and we are so thrilled to be able to offer this to our own family of viewers on ABC,” added Eric Avram, Vice President, Talent and Booking, ABC Entertainment.

 

Agriculture Company Rantizo To Offer Drones To Help Sanitize Large-Scale Venues

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Agricultural technology company Rantizo is set to use its drone spraying technology to help fight COVID-19 in large-scale venues this spring.

Rantizo, based in Iowa City, Iowa, is in discussions to use its drone spraying platform to help sanitize open areas and seating for spectator events that have been shuttered as a result of COVID-19. The company is set to roll out its SaaS (sanitization as a service) this week, to spray stadiums as a one-time service, or to spray repeatedly between games or events, depending on venue needs once restrictions lift and sports/events spectators begin again utilizing large open-air venues.

Users would be charged an initial setup fee as well as a per unit price determined by area or number of seats.

Rantizo CEO Michael Ott said, “To sanitize stadiums at this magnitude, traditionally would require dozens of workers and hours or days. That simply isn’t practical right now. With our drone sprayers, we can get into the stadiums, spray the seats quickly, efficiently, and accurately, with minimal exposure or need for human effort. Once we map out the field, it’s really easy to repeat. So many people rely on sports for an unquantifiable number of reasons. I think now, more than ever, they would represent a state of normalcy that we are all desperately searching for. When situations arise like these…unprecedented times, innovation is key to overcoming them. I’m very pleased that the Rantizo platform is a means for doing that and that we are able to help protect our communities and hopefully help facilitate some normalcy in the near future.”

“We had a MLB organization reach out to us a few weeks back looking to use our drone sprayers as a way to sanitize their stadium,” Rantizo Director of Sales, David Pieper explained. “From there, we reached out to a few local organizations who confirmed the need and interest as well. We completed some initial autonomous testing with them just last week and it went very well.”

DISClaimer Singles Reviews: Tim McGraw, Brett Young, The Highwomen, And More

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Don’t forget Mom this weekend, because the country stars sure aren’t.

Our “mama” songs in today’s stack of tracks includes our Disc of the Day winner from Tim McGraw, as well as worthy entries by Brett Young, Martina McBride, Southern Halo and The Highwomen.

Not to mention the extraordinary “God Made a Woman” by our DisCovery Award winner, Lauren Mascitti.

THE HIGHWOMEN/Crowded Table
Writers: Natalie Hemby/Lori McKenna/Brandi Carlile; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Elektra/Low Country Sound
– Heart warming. It’s a slow, dreamy melody with an uplifting lyric about seeking community, love and reassurance. A healing song for our troubled times. This is also the centerpiece of a comforting, quarantine-themed Campbell’s soup campaign.

MANDY BARNETT/Help Me Make It Through The Night
Writer: Kris Kristofferson; Producer: Fred Molin; Publisher: none listed; MB
– One of contemporary music’s most lustrous voices meets one of the all-time great compositional masterpieces. Mandy’s takes it slow, throws in some cool key changes and soars above a sonic bed softly made with flannel sheets of gentle acoustic guitar, sighing strings and elegant piano. Exquisite.

SOUTHERN HALO/Don’t Let Another Day Go By
Writers: Natalia Morris/Cliff Downs; Producer: Cliff Downs; Publisher: Halo Baby/4 My Girls, BMI/ASCAP; Southern Halo
– One sister has left, so now the act is Nata & Tinka Morris, a duo. This breezy single still sounds like three voices to me. It’s uplifting message is to be grateful for the here and now. I could have done without the cheer-leading interjections toward the end.

WATERLOO REVIVAL/Something You Ain’t Ever Had
Writers: Brendan Cooney/Heath Warren/Rob Grimaldi; Producer: Lalo Guzman; Publisher: none listed; Show Dog
– He sez she should ditch her current guy and hook up with him instead. Country vocal and song married to screaming electric guitars. In other words, their usual schtick.

INGRID ANDRESS/The Stranger
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Ryan Lafferty; Producer: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Nicely done. The oomphy, echoey production gives her power ballad plenty of juice. It’s all about rekindling romance and reconnecting a relationship.

LAUREN MASCITTI/God Made A Woman
Writer: Lauren Mascitti; Producer: Shawn Camp; Publisher: none listed; LM
– She had the guts to premiere original material on American Idol instead of being a singing jukebox. Not only that, her “God Made a Woman” has a terrific, empowering, heart-in-throat lyric and a country-to-the-core musicality. Love it. If she has more songs like this one, this woman is really going places.

TIM MCGRAW/I Called Mama
Writers: Lance Miller/Marv Green/Jimmy Yeary; Producers: Tim McGraw/Byron Gallimore; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine
– Just in time for Mother’s Day. It is poignant and loving and tender and all of those good things. Don’t wait another minute. Call her right now.

BRETT YOUNG/Lady
Writers: Brett Young/Ross Copperman/Jon Nite; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
– It’s addressed to his daughter, but it celebrates her mama. This guy has six No. 1 hits in a row, and I see no reason why this lovely outing shouldn’t continue that streak.

MARTINA MCBRIDE/Girls Like Me
Writers: Martina McBride/Halie Woodridge/Michael Tyler/Dan Swank/Lexi Lauren/Ester Dean/Shane McAnally/Stephanie Chapman/Ryan Tedder; Producer: Martina McBride/Nathan Chapman; Publisher: none listed; Vinyl
– Swirling and enchanting. It’s a toast to every gal who’s ever had a broken heart and survived. As usual, Martina sings with great empathy and heart. The multiplicity of writers is because the song was cobbled together by a committee on the TV show Songland.

MITCHELL TENPENNY/Someone You Loved
Writers: Benjamin Kohn/Pete Kelleher/Tom Barnes/Lewis Capaldi/Sam Roman; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Riser House/Columbia
– It’s a cover of a 2019 Lewis Capaldi pop hit. Even though he sings it well, I don’t hear it as “country” in the slightest.

Phil Vassar To Host Virtual Fan Club Party

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Phil Vassar isn’t letting the COVID-19 pandemic get in the way of his connection with fans, and he’s decided to celebrate his annual fan club party this year virtually. Vassar is hosting his first-ever virtual fan club party using new technology from Single Music on May 9 at 7 p.m. CST, with the event benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Tickets are available with any size donation to Second Harvest, and can be purchased here.

This year marks the 20th fan club party hosted by the multi-platinum singer-songwriter and just like his fan club parties in the past, fans will have a chance to ask Vassar questions and see him perform fan favorites including “Carlene,” “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “Bye Bye” and more.

“Since we could not get together in person this year, I thought a virtual fan club party was the next best thing! I’m thrilled to still be able to connect with my fans and have some fun singing and chatting, “ said Vassar.

Single Music’s player allows fans to watch from their mobile phones, computers, and cast/share the stream to their TVs over Apple TV or Chromecast for an even better viewing and listening experience. The concert is streamed in a branded environment very similar to the look and feel of a live Phil Vassar concert. Viewers can chat with other fans, view merchandise, and buy music during the show just like they would normally do at an in-person concert.

Fans can also watch Vassar perform live on Fox Nation and streamed on Fox News Digital and all Fox News social media platforms Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. ET for a virtual concert series.

The Sisterhood Band Among 2019 International Songwriting Competition Winners

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The Sisterhood Band

The International Songwriting Competition has revealed its 2019 winners. Among this year’s honored writers are Hannah Bethel in the Americana category, Rachel Wilson, Dominic Schryvers, Laura Schryvers (The Sations) in the Christian genre, and Alyssa Bonagura and Ruby Stewart of The Sisterhood Band in the country category.

Judges in the competition included Coldplay, Tom Waits, Kevin Gates, Cam, American Authors,  Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Avery Lipman (Founder/President, Republic Records), and more. A complete list of 2019 winners and their winning songs can be found at songwritingcompetition.com/winners.

Previous ISC winners have included Illenium; Vance Joy; Bastille; Gotye; Lindsey Stirling; Kimbra; The Band Perry; Kehlani; Faouzia; Gregory Porter; Fantastic Negrito; Passenger; Lupe Fiasco; Gin Wigmore; Missy Higgins; for King and Country; Dean Lewis; and more.

Established in 2002, ISC is the world’s largest international songwriting competition, receiving over 18,000 entries from 140 countries in 2019. More than $150,000 in cash and merchandise is awarded to 71 winners in 23 categories covering all genres of music.

Warner Music Group Releases Second Quarter Fiscal Numbers

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Warner Music Group released its earning report for the end of the second quarter and while total revenue was down compared to the same quarter last year, streaming and digital revenues were up.

“We had a tough comparison with an especially strong Q2 in 2019, so I’m pleased that we’ve matched our excellent performance in the prior-year quarter, due in large part to an 11% increase in Recorded Music streaming revenue and a 17% increase in Music Publishing digital revenue. That’s a tremendous achievement, especially coming on the heels of Q1, when we achieved the highest quarterly revenue in our sixteen-year history as a standalone company,” said Steve Cooper, Warner Music Group’s CEO. “In these unprecedented times, we’re determined to protect the livelihoods of our artists, our songwriters and our people. We’re confident that our distinctive combination of creative innovation and financial discipline will help us weather this storm and emerge stronger, better and more agile than ever.”

Points from the report included:

  • Digital revenue grew 5.7% (or 7.4% in constant currency)
  • Total revenue was down 1.7% compared to the prior year-quarter (or flat in constant currency)
  • Net loss was $74 million versus net income of $67 million in the prior-year quarter
  • OIBDA was $12 million versus $191 million in the prior-year quarter

Growth in Recorded Music digital revenue and Music Publishing digital, synchronization and mechanical revenue was more than offset by a decline in Recorded Music physical and artist services and expanded-rights revenue and in Music Publishing performance revenue.  Recorded Music licensing revenue was flat.  The revenue decline was primarily due to a lighter release schedule, some COVID-related business disruption and foreign exchange rates in the current quarter and one-time impact of a digital streaming license in the prior-year quarter.  Digital revenue grew 5.7% (or 7.4% in constant currency), and represented 65.3% of total revenue, compared to 60.6% in the prior-year quarter.

The company showed an operating loss at $49 million compared to operating income of $122 million in the prior-year quarter. Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) was $12 million, down 93.7% from $191 million in the prior-year quarter and OIBDA margin decreased 16.4 percentage points to 1.1% from 17.5% in the prior-year quarter.  The decrease in operating income, OIBDA and OIBDA margin was primarily the result of higher variable compensation expense of $164 million related to the Company’s long-term incentive plan, as well as the margin impact of COVID-related business disruption and one-time non-cash charges of $13 million, partially offset by revenue mix.  Adjusted OIBDA decreased 78.4% to $43 million and Adjusted OIBDA margin decreased 14.3 percentage points to 4.0% from 18.3% due to higher variable compensation expense and the margin impact of COVID-related business disruption, partially offset by revenue mix.

Recorded Music revenue was down 2.8% (or 1.5% in constant currency).  The revenue decline was primarily due to a lighter release schedule, some COVID-related business disruption and foreign exchange rates in the current quarter and the one-time impact of a digital streaming license in the prior-year quarter.  Growth in digital revenue was more than offset by declines in physical and artist services and expanded-rights revenue.  Licensing revenue was flat.  Digital revenue growth reflects the continuing shift to streaming and was impacted by a one-time digital streaming license in the prior year-quarter.  The decline in artist services and expanded-rights revenue was due to the timing of tour schedules compared to the prior-year quarter, tour postponements and lower merchandise revenue resulting from COVID.  The decline in physical revenue reflects industry trends and a lighter release schedule as well as lower physical sales due to the impact of COVID.

Jordan Davis Self-Titled EP Coming May 22

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Jordan Davis is set to release his self-titled EP on May 22, he announced via social media on Thursday (May 7).

His forthcoming EP toes the line between commercial relatability and intricate songwriting. From the reflective to the feel-good, both exist simultaneously in Davis and his self-titled EP, produced by Paul DiGiovanni.

“Almost Maybes” follows Davis’ recent releases like the deeply personal “Detours,” a collaboration with popstar Julia Michaels for “Cool Anymore” and tour title-track “Trouble Town.” And as Forbes recently noted, “the hits just keep coming” with recent single “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot” hitting No. 1 on the Country radio charts after back-to-back No.1 hits “Singles You Up” and “Take It From Me.”

Jordan Davis EP Track-list:
1. “Almost Maybes”
2. “Church In A Chevy”
3. “Ruin My Weekend”
4. “Little Lime”
5. “Detours”
6. “Cool Anymore” (ft. Julia Michaels)

The project follows his 2018 full-length MCA Nashville debut Home State, which included the singles “Singles You Up,” “Take It From Me,” and “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot.” “Singles You Up” was certified 2x multi-Platinum by the RIAA, while “Take It From Me” has been certified Platinum.