Diane Warren Teams With Darius Rucker For New Song, Sets Debut Album For 2021

/by

As one of music’s most prolific songwriters, Diane Warren has notched nine No. 1 songs and 32 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Her songs have been featured in more than 100 films and she has earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early next year, she will release her own album, Diane Warren: The Cave Sessions Vol. 1, via BMG. The album will feature an all-star lineup including John Legend, Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, Jason Derulo, and more.

“A lot of people have done this kind of project—Mark Ronson or Calvin Harris or DJ Khaled—but no one who is just a songwriter has,” says Warren. “So why not me? I thought it would be a chance to work with artists I love and other artists I want to work with, and create a cool body of work that shows the diversity of what I do.”

The album’s first single, “Times Like This,” features Darius Rucker and releases Nov. 10.

“It’s more of a story than I’m used to writing, more of a country song, but it’s also more of an anthem, because at times like these we really could all use an angel,” Warren says of “Times Like This.” “I think this song is going to speak to everybody. It gives you hope and it puts you in the fighting spirit.” And of Rucker’s performance, she said “He has that comfort food voice, and we kind of grew up with him. He loved the song, and when he sent back his vocal, it was fifty times better than I expected. I was jumping around the room, I was so excited.”

Rucker adds, “Diane is such a legend, so I was absolutely honored when she called saying that she had me in mind for a song. It’s one of those things that just being asked to be part of her record — and especially such a great song like this — is just amazing. Then to actually go through the process with a legend like her and to see it all come to life has been a really cool experience.”

Among Warren’s smash hits are “Because You Loved Me” (Celine Dion), “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” (LeAnn Rimes), “How Do I Live” (by both LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood), “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” (Whitney Houston), “I Learned From The Best” (Whitney Houston), “Love Can Move Mountains” (Celine Dion), “Can’t Take That Away” (Mariah Carey), “Look Away” (Chicago), “Have You Ever” (Brandy), “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” (Aerosmith), and dozens more.

WSIX’s Amy Paige Steps Down

/by

Country radio personality Amy Paige has resigned from her position at WSIX. Paige  previously took a leave of absence in August to focus on her family.

“I’ve made a career of doing what I love for 25 years, but it’s time to hang up my headphones,” she announced via Twitter. “My family needs me more than I need a Marconi. No regrets, only gratitude.”

Paige joined WSIX in 2011, and has worked in radio for more than two decades, including roles at SiriusXM’s The Highway and Prime Country. She also previously worked mornings and middays for Washington D.C’s Hot AC WRQX and served as an on-air radio personality for Washington D.C.’s WMZQ and New York’s WYNY.

Jay Allen Signs With The Kinkead Agency

/by

Jay Allen

Jay Allen has signed with the Kinkead Agency for booking.

The Iowa native moved to Nashville in 2013 and signed his first publishing deal a year later, teaming with Sony/ATV in 2016. The following year he was chosen as a “The Highway Find” on Sirius XM for his song “Sounds Good To Me.” In 2018, Allen penned a song for his mother who recently passed away from Alzheimer’s at only age 54, titled “Blank Stares.” A video of him performing the song live went viral with over 300 million views. Allen has since helped raise $35 million to fight the disease, and continues to perform at charity events across the country for the Alzheimer’s Association.

In 2019, Mickey Jack Cones partnered with Emmanuel Zunz (ONErpm) and formed Verge Records, and the two signed Allen as their flagship artist and have begun to release new music from him.

“Jay is a powerhouse – beautiful voice, heart of gold, incredible story, and a work ethic like I’ve never seen. I look forward to showing the world what this artist is made of, and I can confidently say that Jay is the future of country music,” said Cones.

Industry Ink: Aimee Mayo, Tracy Lawrence, Jeannie Seely

/by

Songwriter Aimee Mayo To Release Memoir Talking To The Sky Dec. 1

Aimee Mayo. Photo: Kristin Barlowe

Song crafter Aimee Mayo will release her upcoming memoir Talking To The Sky on Dec. 1. She is one of the few female songwriters to earn both BMI’s Country Song of the Year and BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year. Her songs, such as “Amazed,” recorded by Lonestar, have spent 26 weeks at No. 1 on the country radio charts.

Mayo wrote “Amazed” with Marv Green and her future husband Chris Lindsey, as she and Lindsey were falling in love. The eight-week No. 1 hit earned a BMI Eight Million Plays Award, and ACM Song of the Year nod, and was named NSAI’s Song of the Year. The track also reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot 100.

“I’ve gone from small town Alabama girl to Nashville songwriter, and my memoir details ALL THE CRAZY that happened in between,” Mayo says. “It is my heart on paper. As a kid, when I felt powerless and alone, I loved to climb a tree or lay on a towel in the yard and stare up at the clouds and dream. The sky was kinda like my imaginary friend. In the daytime, I liked to pretend she had on her favorite faded jeans and a white cotton T-shirt, then at night she wore a little black dress and all her bling.” She adds, “ I’m not sure who I’m talking to — God, the Universe, angels, my dad. But, I believe something, somewhere is listening to our prayers.”

 

Tracy Lawrence’s Annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry Plans Virtual Event For 2020

Tracy Lawrence, has announced the return of his charity event, the 15th Annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert. Since the event’s conception in 2006, it has helped to raise nearly $1 million and prepared approximately 93,000 meals. This year, the two-part event will take place on Nov. 24 in Nashville with the turkey fry kicking off the day in the parking lot of Nashville Rescue Mission.

Due to current health and safety guidelines, this year’s concert portion will be a virtual livestream event from the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville via streaming platform, Talk Shop Live. The star-studded benefit concert will feature Lawrence alongside special guest performers, to be announced at a later date.

 

Jeannie Seely Honored With Love From Music City Bill Anderson Icon Award

Pictured (L-R): Sonny LeMaire and Marlon Hargis of Exile, Jeannie Seely, Steve Dorff and John Berry. Photo: Moments By Moser

Grammy winner and Grand Ole Opry member, Jeannie Seely was honored with the Love From Music City Bill Anderson Icon Award on Oct. 29 at the Grand Inheritance in Gallatin, Tennessee. The gala serves as a fundraiser to bring businesses and people of the community together to help reach those in our local community and bring hope to those suffering abroad. It is committed to providing for the physical, emotional and educational needs for children, Foster Kids, poverty-stricken families, and Veterans in need.

For more information or get involved with With Love From Music City visit lovefrommusiccity.org.

Seely has long been an advocate for charitable organizations. Through a special invitation from the White House she was named a Goodwill Ambassador at the annual United Nations Concert. She was first recipient of the Standing Ovation Award, which is now called the Jeannie Seely Standing Ovation Award, recognizing a woman who has created influence and significance in the entertainment industry and has shown the advocacy of other women in her field by mentoring and supporting them in their professional success. Seely has served on the Board of Directors for both the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce and as a longtime spokesperson for the Humane Society. She is also actively involved in the Opry Trust Fund which provides financial assistance to those in need in the country music industry.

Mark Your Calendar—November 2020

/by

Single Add Dates

November 2
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood/Shallow/Pearl Records
Lee Brice/Memory I Don’t Mess With/Curb
Caleb Kelley/River Bent/River Bend Entertainment
Paige King Johnson/Just Like You/PCG Artist Development
Joe Hanson/Head Over Wheels

November 6
Stephan Hogan /So Long California

November 9
Eric Church/Hell Of A View/EMI Nashville
Jason Aldean/Blame It On You/Macon Music/BBR

November 11
Scooter Brown Band/Something Waylon Would Sing/117 Music
Scooter Brown Band/Don’t You Think This Outlaw Bit’s Done Got Out of Hand/117 Music

November 13
Kalie Shorr/Lying to Myself/tmwrk records

November 16
Troy Cartwright/Hung Up On You/Warner Music Nashville
Adam Doleac/Whiskey’s Fine/Arista
Ward Davis/Ain’t Gonna Be Today/Thirty Tigers
Stephanie Nash/Time Changes

 

Album Releases

November 6
Sean Harrison/Halfway From Nashville/Arky Blue Productions
Donovan Woods/Without People

November 13
Chris Stapleton/Starting Over/Mercury Records Nashville
The Brummies/Automatic World/Sandbox Entertainment
Josh Abbott Band/The Highway Kind/Pretty Damn Tough
Shenandoah/Every Road/Foundry Records
Ben Rector/A Ben Rector Christmas/OK Kid Recordings, LLC
The LACS/Nothing In Particular II/Average Joes Entertainment
Roman Alexander/Between You and Me/Twelve6 Entertainment

November 20
Garth Brooks/FUN/Pearl Records
Lee Brice/Hey World/Curb Records
Collin Raye/Scars/BFD/Audium Nashville
The Wild Feathers/Medium Rarities/The Wild Feathers
Paul Bogart/Won’t Have Far To Go/117 Music
Margie Singleton/NEVER MIND/aintquittin music
Larkin Poe/Kindred Spirits/Tricki-Woo Records
Sarah Buxton/Signs Of Life/Big Dolphin Energy
Stephan Hogan/So Long California
Clayton Smalley/Dirt Road Therapy

November 27
Granger Smith/Country Things Vol. 2/Wheelhouse Records/BBR Music Group
Ty Herndon/Regifted/BFD/The Orchard

 

Industry Events

November 11
54th Annual CMA Awards

November 9 – 12
ASCAP Country Music Awards (Virtual Roll-Out)

Abbey Adams, Red Light Management, Warner Chappell Launch Red Door Music Group

/by

Pictured: Red Door Music Group’s Gina Venier, Abbey Adams, and Rian Ball.

Music publishing veteran Abbey Adams has teamed with Red Light Management to launch boutique music publishing company Red Door Music Group, in a joint venture partnership with Warner Chappell Music Publishing.

Red Door Music Group operates as a publishing arm for major music management company Red Light Management, and is based in Red Light Management’s Nashville office.

Adams’ career path includes over a decade at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which she joined in 2006, and rose to the role of Sr. Director, Creative in 2015. Along the way, she pitched and placed several hits, and had cuts by artists including Keith Urban (“You Gonna Fly” and “Raise ‘Em Up”), Billy Currington (“Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right”), Lady A (“I Run To You,” “Hello World”) and more songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, and more. She also placed songs in Grey’s Anatomy, Nashville, and the film Country Strong. In 2015, she teamed with Creative Nation’s Beth Laird to co-found Nurturing Outstanding Women (NOW), a mentoring organization for women in Nashville’s music industry. She then joined Centric Entertainment in 2017.

Adams says a conversation with longtime industry colleague, Red Light’s Shawn McSpadden, sparked the idea for Red Door.

“We first met when I had signed Joey Hyde at Sony/ATV. Joey got his deal at Universal and Shawn was managing him. Through that process we worked together a lot on songs and shows and his touring. Over time, we built that respect and trust that has to be your foundation for a team.

“Last year, I was looking at some options and told Shawn that I was interested in building a company,” Adams recalls. “He asked if I wanted to start a publishing company with Red Light and Warner Chappell.”

Red Door’s first two signings include new artist Gina Venier and writer-producer Rian Ball. The two signings reflect Adams’ and McSpadden’s shared philosophy of focusing on serving a small roster as a boutique company.

“We’ve never really been a publishing entity. As the company grew, we realized one missing part of this was to have a boutique entity that we could develop talent through,” says McSpadden. “And we can sign some writers to put with our various artists and managers. As managers, we are in the middle of a lot of the creative process on these records. They involve us from an A&R standpoint because we’re so closely tied so we thought if we can put together the right boutique company, it could be powerful. It feeds in to what we are already doing at Red Light and is a sister company.”

Adams met Ball through ASCAP’s GPS program, and brought him to Red Door as the publisher’s first signing. The multi-genre writer-producer has had several independent releases, working in pop, hip-hop and more recently, country.

“I love the opportunity he has with Red Light and Warner Chappell and those connections outside of Nashville,” Adams says.

Illinois-native Venier has released a batch of songs including “50 Bucks,” followed by “Good For You.”

“The way she approaches her songwriting and artistry, she has this swagger that is undeniable,” Adams says. “’Good For You’ is a fun vibe, but it’s also very personal and it shows more depth writing-wise. With each release, we go a little deeper into her story.”

Currently, the Red Door Music Group team is focused on building a small, solid writer roster, though the support from Warner Chappell also means catalog acquisitions could be an option in the future.

“The opportunity to work with an industry veteran like Abbey and to think about a company that sits between the largest management company in country music and the leading publishing company in country music, and the opportunities that could be there for those writers seemed like a complete no-brainer,” says Warner Chappell Music Nashville President/CEO Ben Vaughn.” Abbey’s the key because she has such a long and successful history in music publishing. Red Door is a very attractive destination for songwriters.”

“It’s been great working with Red Light and Warner Chappell through this process. They are champions. Creatively, Ben is a great partner,” Adams adds. “When these songs came up and we were ready to share with DSPs, he helped make connections that I didn’t have, so when you have a team like that, it’s a huge benefit.”

Margie Singleton Sets New EP For Nov. 20

/by

Margie Singleton has released a new single, “Never Mind,” which premiered on Americana Highways and is the title track for Singleton’s upcoming five-song EP, which was produced by Stephen Shelby Singleton and Derrick Dexter Mathis. The physical disc will release Nov. 20 via Margie Singleton’s website.

The single, which reflects the 85-year old’s irrepressible spirit, kicks off the EP collection, Never Mind, which highlights her songwriting skills (she wrote four of the five songs).

Singleton admits that each track is vastly different. “It just turned out that way,” she reflects. “But three of these songs are brand new, and the song goes where it will.” She included “Lie To Me,” a tune she and Brook Benton wrote, on the collection as well. “He took it to the Billboard Top 20 in 1962,” she recalls. “Folks always asked why I never recorded it and the time was just never right. I think it is now.”

During Singleton’s seven decades in music, she has recorded duets with George Jones (“Did I Ever Tell You,” “Waltz of the Angels”), Faron Young (“Keeping Up With The Joneses,” “Another Woman’s Man, Another Man’s Woman”), Leon Ashley and more, and performed on nine Top 40 country hits.

She wrote or co-wrote hits including “Lie to Me” (recorded by Brook Benton), “She Understands Me” (a pop hit for Johnny Tillotson) and Leon Ashley’s country hit, “Laura (What’s He Got That I Ain’t Got)?” Additionally, her songs were recorded by Tammy Wynette, Claude King, Charley Pride, Lynn Anderson, Trini Lopez, Jerry Lee Lewis, and more. She has performed as a backup vocalist on hundreds of recording sessions, sung on the Grand Ole Opry and appeared in the movie Road to Nashville.

In 2017, she was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame, the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame, and honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Academy of Local Musicians. In 2018, she was inducted into the North American Country Music Hall of Fame. She’s also earned four BMI airplay achievement honors (1962, 1967, 1968, 1969).

Track List:

1. Never Mind (M. Singleton, S.S. Singleton)
2. Who’s Gonna Love You (Too Late For Sorry) (M. Singleton, S.S. Singleton)
3. Wonder What She’s Doing (M. Singleton, S.S. Singleton)
4. Missing You (S.S. Singleton)
5. Lie To Me (M. Singleton, Brook Benton)

Ashley McBryde Named CMA Foundation’s Inaugural Artist Ambassador

/by

Ashley McBryde. Photo: Daniel Meigs

Ashley McBryde has partnered with the CMA Foundation to launch its inaugural Artist Ambassador program as part of its Unified Voices for Music Education initiative. The program expands on the organization’s awareness and advocacy efforts in support of music educators, students and teachers as they continue to face challenges amidst the current global health pandemic.

As the first UVfME Artist Ambassador, McBryde will use her voice to advocate for music education throughout the month of November. McBryde will work with music educators in a variety of ways including creating an original band-specific video lesson plan, meeting virtually with music educators to discuss challenges they are facing during this time and sharing how music education led to her career in country music. Before pursuing a career as an artist, McBryde attended college with her sights set on becoming a band director, knowing firsthand the importance of music education in students’ lives.

“I am so excited to be the CMA Foundation’s first Unified Voices for Music Education Artist Ambassador,” says McBryde. “Music education has always been a big part of my life and has had an enormous impact on the musician and writer I am today. It is a career highlight to be a small part of a program that will better allow teachers and students a chance to engage with music education during such unprecedented times.”

The CMA Foundation launched UVfME in July in response to a need for resources, stemming from COVID-19’s impact on music education. The online collective serves as a place where music educators can interface through lesson plans and other creative methods, as they find innovative ways to teach and connect with students during this unprecedented school year. UVfME is a collaborative effort guided and executed by a network of music education professionals from across the country in partnership with the CMA Foundation.

“The CMA Foundation is thrilled to have Ashley McBryde as our first Unified Voices for Music Education Artist Ambassador,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “Ashley’s passion for music is evident in her career as a Country artist and her enthusiasm for music education is unmatched. We are excited for her to be involved with the UVfME initiative throughout November, as she finds creative ways to encourage music educators during this time and develops resources for students to access nationwide.”

Anthem Music Publishing, Wrensong Entertainment, Old Gringo Music Sign Daniel Herr

/by

Daniel Herr. Photo: Taylor Ann A Bogner

Daniel Herr has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Anthem Music Publishing, Wrensong Entertainment and Old Gringo Music.

Born in Zurich, Switzerland and raised in Paris, Herr taught himself piano and guitar and sang lead vocals in the contemporary worship band of the American Church in Paris, which inspired him to start writing songs. Wanting to secure a more “reliable” future, Daniel earned his BA in Philosophy and French literature from Oxford University before working for an international law firm, only to realize that neither a life of academia or legal practice would make him happy. Turning his full focus to music, he moved to Nashville in late 2018 to strengthen his songwriting craft.

“Daniel’s American lyric sensibilities blended with his French melodic twist truly makes him stand out,” said Tim Wipperman, President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville. “He is an artist that is wonderfully unique in the best way, and we’re very excited to have him join the team.”

“Daniel is an amazing singer, but his songwriting is exceptional,” said Ree Guyer, President and Owner of Wrensong Entertainment. “We’re so excited to be working with Daniel and venturing together into the pop world.”

Old Gringo Music’s Chris Hunter, who discovered Daniel and brought him to Anthem/Wrensong, added, “Daniel is one of those rare and special combinations. He is a talented writer and vocalist, a hard worker and a really good person. I’m excited to be able to be a part of this journey with Ree and her team and the great folks at Anthem. We are going to be hearing a lot of great music from Daniel!”

Charlie Worsham To Welcome Tenille Townes, Jillian Jacqueline For ‘Every Damn Monday’ Anniversary Livestream

/by

Charlie Worsham is celebrating the fifth anniversary of his Every Damn Monday concert series with a special livestream show from Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on Nov. 18.

Dubbed Every Damn Five Years, the show will feature special guests including Devin Dawson, Morgan Evans, Jillian Jacqueline, Wendy Moten, Ketch Secor, Tenille Townes, Molly Tuttle and more. A portion of all proceeds will benefit Worsham’s own Follow Your Heart Scholarship Fund. For tickets, visit fans.live.

“2020 marks what would’ve been five years of summer Mondays sweating, singing and strumming my way through favorite songs with favorite people,” said Worsham. “The pandemic may have kept us from celebrating Every Damn Monday as usual, but I couldn’t let the clock run out without celebrating five years of my favorite Nashville tradition!”

Worsham hasn’t let a pandemic slow him down in 2020. In July, he launched “Air Castle Community Hour,” a monthly show on WSM radio, celebrating the diverse community of creative spirits that reside in the 615. He continues to broadcast the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. CT.