Maren Morris, Keb’ Mo’ To Receive 2020 Harmony Award At Televised Nashville Symphony Ball

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Maren Morris and Keb’ Mo’ are the recipients of this year’s Nashville Symphony Harmony Award. Each year, the Nashville Symphony presents the award to individuals who embody the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s musical community. Morris and Keb’ Mo’ will be presented the award and perform during the 36th annual Symphony Ball.

In response to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s ball will not take place at Schermerhorn Symphony Center and will instead be televised for the first time ever, in a taped broadcast airing at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, on WSMV-News 4. Nashville Symphony Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez and News 4 Anchor Tracy Kornet will serve as co-hosts.

The Symphony Ball telecast, An Evening in Harmony, will provide viewers with an opportunity to donate to the Nashville Symphony via text. Symphony Ball 2020 will also host a virtual Patron Party, with food and drink options to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home. For more information, email [email protected].

“Like so many other organizations and individuals in our community, the Nashville Symphony has been dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said co-chair Susan Holmes. “All concert activity has ground to a halt, and all of the musicians and a majority of the staff have been furloughed. We feel truly honored for this opportunity to support our beloved orchestra during this unprecedented time. The public’s support and participation in the Symphony Ball will provide a critical source of funding as an extremely limited staff works tirelessly to develop a plan to bring the musicians back to the stage.”

The Harmony Award exemplifies the unique harmony that exists among many worlds of music in Nashville. Past recipients include Chet Atkins, Mike and Linda Curb, Rascal Flatts, Béla Fleck, Crystal Gayle, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Martha Ingram, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Lyle Lovett, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Marty Stuart, Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Steve Winwood and Trisha Yearwood.

Quartz Hill Records Signs Flagship Artist Nate Barnes

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Pictured, Top row: Paul Brown, Quartz Hill Records VP of Promotion & Marketing April Rider. Bottom row: Jason Sellers, Nate Barnes, Benny Brown

Quartz Hill Records, a newly-launched label from Benny Brown, Paul Brown and Jason Sellers, in a joint partnership with The Orchard, has signed its flagship artist, Nate Barnes.

Barnes’s debut single, “You Ain’t Pretty,” which he co-wrote with Sellers and Jimmy Yeary, will release Friday, Oct. 30.

Michigan native Barnes is a former power plant worker who spent years playing small clubs, festivals, bars and more around his hometown. One day, he met songwriter Sellers while passing through Nashville. That encounter led to a meeting with Brown (known for founding BBR Music Group) and a deal with Quartz Hill.

“I knew there was something special about Nate the moment I met him,” says Brown. “His voice, his songwriting, his personality and his whole presence. Nate’s a hard worker and has spent his whole life doing manual labor. His music is honest and about real, hardworking people. He hasn’t been through the music industry machine – he IS who he sings about and for. Quartz Hill is ‘all in’ for Nate Barnes.”

“I can’t express how excited I am to be working with Benny, Jason, Paul, April and the entire team at Quartz Hill,” says Nate. “I’ve always gone after what’s in my heart, working hard and never giving up on it, no matter what. To finally see this lifelong dream come true. . .I’m just humbled and I can’t wait to get going!”

BMI Presents Kane Brown With Three “Million-Air” Awards

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BMI’s Clay Bradley, Kane Brown, and EFG Management’s Martha Earls.

BMI recently honored Kane Brown with three of its coveted “Million-Air” certificates, recognizing three of his songs for logging over one million broadcast performances each. “Good As You” received a certificate for one million, “Lose It” was recognized for two million, and “What Ifs” reached three million performances.

Brown will appear on The Late Late Show with James Corden for an interview and performance of “Worship You” tomorrow, Oct. 27. Recently joining Taylor Swift and Luke Bryan as the only artists to achieve multiple 6x multi-Platinum certifications with his songs “Heaven” and “What Ifs,” which have also achieved billion stream milestones, Brown made the television debut of “Worship You” at the 2020 CMT Music Awards last Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Thomas Archer Enters Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Newly-signed Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Madfun Music writer Thomas Archer enters the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with co-writer credit on Jason Aldean’s most recent No. 1 “Got What I Got” and Luke Combs’s “Lovin’ On You.”

HARDY remains at No. 1 for the sixth consecutive week. Likewise, Josh Osborne remains at No. 2 and Jake Mitchell at No. 3. Hillary Lindsey moves up one slot to No. 4, with the songs “Almost Maybes” (Jordan Davis), “Hole In The Bottle” (Kelsea Ballerini), and “One Beer” (HARDY) fueling her climb.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download 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.

Lady A To Release ‘On This Winter’s Night Deluxe’ Holiday Collection On Friday

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Lady A has expanded its timeless holiday album to create On This Winter’s Night Deluxe, set for release Oct. 30.

The country trio’s holiday project initially landed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart and now features 16 songs, including four newly-added tracks produced by Dann Huff: “Wonderful Christmastime,” “Christmas Through Your Eyes,” “Little Saint Nick” and “That Spirit Of Christmas.”

“We’ve always loved the holiday season, but it has become even more magical now that we’re parents,” the trio’s Hillary Scott said. “So, we thought we’d add on a new, original song that was inspired by our kids and our take on a few of our favorites, which has brought us so much joy.  I think we could all use a little extra holiday cheer this year!”

On This Winter’s Night Deluxe Track List:
1. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (Johnny Marks)
2. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector)
3. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Walter Afanasieff, Mariah Carey)
4. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, Buck Ram)
5. “This Christmas” (Donny Hathaway, Nadine McKinnor)
6. “The First Noel” (Traditional – Arranged by Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott)
7. “On This Winter’s Night” (Tom Douglas, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott)
8. “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne)
9. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin)
10. “Silent Night (Lord Of My Life)” (Traditional – Arranged by Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott)
11. “Blue Christmas” (Bill Hayes, Jay Johnson)
12. “Silver Bells” (Ray Evans, Jay Livingston)
13. “Wonderful Christmastime” ** (Paul James McCartney)
14. “Christmas Through Your Eyes” ** (Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott)
15. “Little Saint Nick” ** (Mike E. Love, Brian Douglas Wilson)
16. “That Spirit Of Christmas” ** (Parnell Davidson, Mable John, Joel Webster)

**New Tracks

Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus Teams With Former Journey, Chicago Bandmembers For New Group

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Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts is joining forces with Deen Castronovo of Journey, Jason Scheff of Chicago, and Chris Rodriguez and Tom Yankton to form a new supergroup The Rise Above.

The group is playing a show in Nashville on Oct. 28 at Marathon Music Works to benefit The ACM Lifting Lives COVID Relief Fund.

The band formed in the beginning of 2020 with the intent of bringing ’80s rock and classic music back to life, and has spent the past nine months in the studio working on their debut album, set to release in 2021. The band’s set list reads like your favorite guilty pleasure night with hits including “Any Way You Want It,” “Separate Ways” and “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey, “Stay The Night” and “Will You Still Love Me” by Chicago, and “These Days” And “Life Is A Highway” from Rascal Flatts.

Tickets for the limited capacity, socially-distanced Marathon Music Works show can be purchased here.

 

Songwriter Bryan Wayne Galentine Dies

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Bryan Wayne Galentine records his album While You Wait.

Songwriter Bryan Wayne Galentine died Oct. 22 at age 53, following a battle with ALS. He was the sole writer for Tommy Shane Steiner’s debut single “What If She’s An Angel,” which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart in 2002.

He also earned a Top 25 single as a writer with Chris Cagle’s “Country By The Grace of God” and his song “Kick My Ass” was included on Big & Rich’s 3x multi-Platinum debut album. Galentine also earned cuts with Clay Walker, Emerson Drive, and more.

Galentine was diagnosed with terminal ALS in 2017. Faced with the possibility of losing his ability to speak or sing, he went into the studio to make his debut full-length project While You Wait. The album included the single “Simplify,” which featured Big & Rich, James Otto, Shannon Lawson and Joanna Janet. The album was recorded in the home studio of Big & Rich member Big Kenny Alphin, as well as Starstruck Studios and Dave Brainard’s deciBel. The project released in 2018 and included Bryan’s own version of “What If She’s An Angel.”

Lauren Duski Signs With Warner Chappell Music

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(L-R): Ben Vaughn (WCM), Lauren Duski, Christina Wiltshire (WCM), Scott Safford (Safford & Motley)

Lauren Duski has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

The Michigan native’s first EP, Midwestern Girl, landed at No. 2 on the iTunes Country chart and No. 12 on the all-genre chart. Duski co-wrote all five songs on the EP, and has followed it up with her latest single, “The Broken Kind.” She has toured with acts like Lewis Capaldi and Bobby Bones, and most recently, as direct and sole support for Lukas Graham on his 2019 North American tour.

“We were first introduced to Lauren through ‘The Weather’ – a song which I suggest everyone takes the time to listen to. It showcases her talent and depth as both a songwriter and an artist. There are no doubt big things to come and we’re so glad to be a part of Lauren’s team,” said Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

 

Weekly Register: Sturgill Simpson’s ‘Cuttin’ Grass’ Earns Top Country Debut

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On this week’s country albums chart, Sturgill Simpson‘s latest project, Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1—The Butcher Shoppe Sessions (High Top Mountain Records) is the top debut, entering the chart at No. 2 with 20K in total consumption, according to Nielsen.

River House/Columbia Nashville artist Luke Combs‘s juggernaut What You See Is What You Get remains at No. 1 with 22K in total consumption, while Combs’s debut album This One’s For You sits at No. 3 with 19K. Big Loud artist Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me follows at No. 4 with 18K, while Kane Brown‘s Mixtape Vol. 1 (RCA Nashville) rounds out the Top 5 with 12K.

Other debuts this week include MCA’s Parker McCollum, who enters the chart at No. 10 with Hollywood Gold (8.9K in total consumption). Matt Stell‘s Better Than That EP, via RECORDS/Arista Nashville, enters at No. 61 with 3.7k in total consumption.

This weeks’ top country on-demand streaming song is Broken Bow artist Jason Aldean‘s “Got What I Got” with 8 million streams this week. Lee Brice‘s “One Of Them Girls” (Curb) is at No. 2 with 7.8 million streams, followed by Gabby Barrett‘s “I Hope” (Warner Music Nashville) with 7.7 million. Wallen takes the two final spots in the Top 5 this week, with “More Than My Name” at No. 4 with 6.1 million and “7 Summers” at No. 5 with 6.1 million streams.

Brice also has this week’s top country on-demand streaming songs debut with “Memory I Don’t Mess With” debuting at No. 75 with 1.8 million streams.

Music Industry Exec Joe Meador Dies At 73

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Joe Meador

Joe Meador, best known for his work with Ronnie McDowell and Killen Entertainment Group, died Oct. 21 at age 73. Funeral services were held Oct. 25 in Hendersonville, TN.

Meador, a Kentucky native, graduated from Draughon’s Business College in Nashville, TN, and began working for the Federal Reserve Bank in Nashville, where he met his future wife, Sally Wise. Meador also worked at Hewgley’s Music Shop, and then teamed with co-owner Jim Vantrease to launch Sumner County Music Center in Gallatin. He also joined the group Glass Hammer, which opened for Ricky Nelson, as well as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

Meador later became a road manager, and later manager, for Ronnie McDowell. McDowell, Meador, and Buddy Killen formed Killen Entertainment Group, which managed McDowell and Six Shooter. Later, Meador became CEO/President of Grand Entertainment Group and launched three publishing companies.

He co-wrote the George Strait-recorded song “Under These Conditions,” and songs including “All Tied Up” and “I’m Still Missing You” for McDowell.

Meador also co-produced the documentary Dixie Rose, which earned Best SXSW Documentary at the Telluride, Colorado Indie Festival. Meador also co-authored the book The Genuine Elvis: Photos and Untold Stories about the King.

Meador is preceded in death by his grandmother, Mamie Meador, of Adolphus, KY and his father Ralph Meador and mother Beatrice (Rather) Meador.

Joe Meador is survived by wife Sally (Wise) Meador and daughter, Laura Kathryn Meador, brother-in-law Mike Wise, sister-in-law Kathleen Wise, brother-in-law Sam Alfano and sister-in-law Jo Alfano, along with three nephews and two nieces. Joe is also survived by his cousin Patti (Graves) Pearson and her husband Wendell Pearson, along with their two children, Bradley Pearson and Shelley Pearson.