Industry Ink: Geoff Warburton, Flat River Band, CMA, PLA, Ashleigh Graham
Range Publishing & Big Machine Celebrate No. 1 Hit “Back Then Right Now”
Pictured (L-R): Anna and Alex Heddle, Casey Robison, Sam Drake, Samantha Warburton, Geoff Warburton, Mike Molinar, Michelle Attardi, Lizzy Gallatin, Katherine Godwin, Tim Hunze Photo: Courtesy of Grandstand Media
Range Publishing and Big Machine recently honored Geoff Warburton and his No. 1 hit with Tyler Hubbard, “Back Then Right Now.” The track, written by Warburton, Jessie Jo Dillon, Hubbard, David Garcia and produced by Jordan Smith, marks Range Publishing’s inaugural No. 1 hit on country radio.
Flat River Band Signs With ASCAP & Moves Catalog
Pictured (L-R): Emilia James, Dennijo Sitze, Duane Hobson, Mary Self, Andy Sitze and Chad Sitze Photo: Courtesy of Adkins Publicity
The Flat River Band has signed with ASCAP and moved their catalog. The news comes as the group gears up for their performance at this year’s CMA Fest at the Hard Rock Stage on Sunday, June 9, shortly before they release their new vinyl record, God Bless the Radio, on June 28.
Anna-Sophie Mertens Honored With CMA Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award
Anna-Sophia Mertens Photo: Centreline Films
The Country Music Association awarded Anna-Sophie Mertens with the Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award during the Highways Festival in London on Saturday, May 18.
The award, presented Brett Young during the CMA Reception at Highways Festival, honors outstanding achievements made by an individual who has made important contributions to the live music industry by building live audiences for Country Music outside of the United States.
Mertens is the Vice President of Touring for Live Nation U.K. and has worked to bring talent to the forefront of the U.K. live music industry. Mertens established the first ever Country & Americana Festival at the Royal Albert Hall in London, was named “Tomorrow’s New Boss” at ILMC’s 2019 Arthur Awards, was featured on Billboard’s 2019 International Power Players List and was nominated for International Promoter of the Year in 2023’s Pollstar Awards. In 2020, Mertens joined the CMA Board of Directors and has served on their U.K. Task Force since 2018.
PLA Media Adds Abby Turner As Publicity & Social Media Coordinator
Abby Turner Photo: Courtesy of PLA Media
PLA Media has hired Abby Turner as Publicity and Social Media Coordinator. Turner joins the team with valuable industry experience at Arcade Management, Average Joe’s Entertainment and Neon Coast.
“Abby possesses a work ethic and integrity too rarely seen these days. I would venture to say that she is an old soul,” remarks PLA Media President Pam Lewis.
“The opportunity to join PLA Media was something I was thrilled to jump at,” explains Turner. “To gain experience at a company with an extensive history in the music industry is the perfect place to grow my career.”
Ashleigh Graham Signs With Pinecastle Records
Bluegrass artist Ashleigh Graham has signed with Pinecastle Records and released her debut single, “Bless Your Little Heart,” to commemorate the announcement. The track, produced by Stephen Burwell, features musicians such as Eli Johnston, John Meador and Kameron Keller.
“‘Bless Your Little Heart’ was just an idea on a blank page in my song book. It had been there at least a couple of years without any lyrics. I had heard that saying so many times from people who loved to gossip,” explains Graham. “In 2020, I wanted to write a fun song that would make me and my audience laugh, so I leafed through my book and found the empty page. In 2021, I finally finished it by developing the melody and adding the chorus. There are about 5 extra verses of fun that can be enjoyed during live performances.”
