Rapper Smo Will Release New Album Via Elektra Nashville

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Smo will release his new album, We the People, on Elektra Nashville (an imprint of Warner Bros. Records) on July 22.

Produced by Jason Mater and Dan Nelson, the project features 11 songs all co-written by the rapper. Guest performers include Casey Beathard, Haden Carpenter, Corey Crowder, Josie Dunne, William Michael Morgan, Todd Nielsen and Michael Ray.

Using the name Big Smo, the rapper released the album Kuntry Livin’ on the label in 2014. That same year, he appeared in an A&E television series titled Big Smo.

“I didn’t plan, I just sat down with a pen and a pad to tell a story and share my vision. Evolving from who I have been, to who I am now, led me here,” Smo said. “Love it. Live it. Buy it. Share it. Just know that you’re going to say my name and when the smoke clears, we the people shall stand together.”

Track List For Smo’s We The People

  1. “We The People” feat. Casey Beathard (Smo, Casey Beathard, Todd Nielsen, Jason Mater)
  2. “Say My Name” (Smo, Todd Nielsen, Jason Mater)
  3. “Retox” feat. Todd Nielsen (Smo, Todd Nielsen, Jason Mater)
  4. “Never Get Old” feat. Josie Dunne (Smo, Benj, Natalie Dunn, Jason Mater)
  5. “Movin’ On Up” (Smo, Benj, Jason Mater)
  6. “Struttin’ In The Stix” feat. Haden Carpenter (Smo, Dan Nelson, Haden Carpenter, Eric Flores, Jason Mater)
  7. “Rollin’” feat. Michael Ray (Smo, Dan Nelson, Haden Carpenter, Jason Mater)
  8. “I Made This Road” (Smo, Jimmy Burney II, Jason Mater)
  9. “Good Ole Days” feat. Corey Crowder (Smo, Ben Burgess, Jason Mater)
  10. “Thing For You” feat. William Michael Morgan (Smo, Sno, Casey Harshbarger, Travis Moore)
  11. “My Kind America” (Smo, Hookman, Jason Mater)

RIAA Gold and Platinum Awards: June 2016

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Old Dominion

Several Nashville artists earned gold and platinum status during the month of June by the RIAA.

Old Dominion earned two RIAA honors, including a digital platinum single, for “Break Up With Him,” and digital gold status for “Snapback.”

Chris Young‘s duet with Cassadee Pope, “Think of You,” earned digital gold status, as did LOCASH‘s “I Love This Life.”

On the album RIAA honors, Garth Brooks earned 9x platinum status for the compilation project The Ultimate Hits. Meanwhile, Christian group Hillsong United‘s Zion was awarded gold status.

BMG Names Zach Katz As President Of U.S. Operations

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Zach Katz

Zach Katz

BMG has elevated Zach Katz to president of its U.S operations. He will oversee offices in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as Rise Records in Portland, Oregon. He will head the label and the music publishing divisions of BMG in the U.S.

Laurent Hubert, who served in that capacity since 2009, has stepped down effective immediately. The announcement was made Thursday (July 7).

Kos Weaver, Executive Vice President of BMG Nashville, told MusicRow, “I know I speak for Zach when I say, Laurent is one of our greatest friends and mentors, our accomplishments were made possible by his intellect and guidance. In my three years at BMG, it is clear that Zach is world-class executive talent with a heart for championing the efforts of creators. I am fortunate to have had both Laurent and Zach as a boss. Zach and I look forward to our continued growth with a sincere appreciation for the pathway that Laurent created for us.”

In February, Katz was promoted to president of music publishing after serving as chief creative officer. His new title will be president, U.S. repertoire and marketing. Katz will report to BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch and will be part of BMG’s international leadership team.

Caitlyn Smith Previews ‘Starfire’ Album With Five-Song EP

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Caitlyn Smith

Caitlyn Smith

Caitlyn Smith, an in-demand songwriter who has penned tunes for Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Cassadee Pope, Kenny Rogers and Meghan Trainor, is set to release her own music.

Caitlyn SmithThe singer-songwriter released five tracks on Friday (July 8) from her Paul Moak-produced, full-length debut album, Starfire, expected early next year. The tracks include the breakup ballad “Do You Think About Me,” the title track, and her rendition of “Tacoma,” which was also recorded by Garth Brooks for his 2014 project Man Against Machine.

Her catalog also includes Jason Aldean’s “It Ain’t Easy,” “You Can’t Make Old Friends” by Parton and Rogers, “Wasting All These Tears” by Pope, and “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” by Trainor and John Legend.

“I’ve been writing and working hard for the last couple years on this project, and am so excited to finally be getting this music out there. It was extremely fulfilling to create this new music without boundaries or any agenda other than making music that I love,” Smith says. “It also feels quite magical to be releasing a handful of these new songs the same month as having my first child. A time of life I will never forget.”

“Before You Called Me Baby” from the EP is part of Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist. CMT will premiere the music video for “Tacoma” on Tuesday, July 12. Smith co-wrote the track with Bob DiPiero.

Caitlyn Smith performs "This Town Is Killing Me" at a listening party for her new EP Starfire, available July 8. Industry guests were invited to a sneak peek of the EP at her publishing firm, Cornman Music on Thursday, July 7 in Nashville.

Caitlyn Smith performs “This Town Is Killing Me” at a listening party for her new EP, Starfire. Industry guests were invited to a sneak peek of the EP at her publishing firm, Cornman Music on Thursday, July 7 in Nashville.

Weekly Chart Report (7/8/16)

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

Big Spark Music Group To Release Olivia Lane EP July 29

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OLIVIA EP

Photo: Amanda Van Sandt

Country newcomer Olivia Lane will release a self-titled EP on July 29 via Big Spark Music Group. The seven-track compilation includes her current single, “Make My Own Sunshine,” in addition to six new tracks (listing below).

The positive single has spawned the #SunshineMovement via videos and social media, encouraging others to spread joy, pay it forward and make their own sunshine.

“I’m over the moon excited to put out my new EP!” said Lane.“Over the last year and a half, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredible songwriters on these seven songs and I’m very proud of them. Each song is near and dear to my heart and represents exactly who I am right now in my life.”

Produced by Grammy-nominated musician and 2015 ACM Studio Recording Award recipient Ilya Toshinskiy, Lane collaborated with songwriters Jim Beavers, David Frasier, Danny Myrick and Aaron Scherz, among others.

Selected for iTunes Country New Artist Spotlight, Lane has previously released an acoustic version of “Make My Own Sunshine” on a 13-track mixtape Heart Unlocked (2015), in addition to releasing a 2015 EP, Steal Me Away and a 2014 EP, Love Thing.

On the road, Lane has opened select dates for Cam, Wynonna Judd, Kip Moore and Randy Houser. She can be seen at various venues throughout the U.S. and Canada this summer.

Olivia Lane Track Listing:

1. “Lightning” (Olivia Lane, Danny Myrick, Leland Grant, Ilya Toshinskiy)
2. “Quarter Life Crisis” (Lane, Aaron Scherz, David Frasier)
3. “Make My Own Sunshine” (Lane, Jim Beavers, Toshinskiy)
4. “She Fits” (Lane, Beavers, Toshinskiy)
5. “My Heartache” (Leland Grant, Toshinskiy, Shaye Smith, Tammy Hyler)
6. “There’s A Guy” (Lane, Aaron Scherz, David Frasier)
7. “Keychain” (Lane, Scherz, Bobby Hamrick)

Big Loud Shirt/Round Hill Extend Deal With Songwriter Chris Tompkins

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Chris Tompkins

Chris Tompkins

Big Loud Shirt Industries/Round Hill Music has extended its publishing deal with songwriter Chris Tompkins.

“This fall will be 10 years of Big Loud Shirt with Chris; 15 No. 1s, two Grammys, and a thousand beats thumping through the wall,” said Big Loud Shirt owner and hit songwriter Craig Wiseman. “It has been a fun, crazy, magical, maddening, meaningful, miraculous mayhem from the first day. And, I thank God for every day since and every day yet to come.”

Tompkins said of the continued partnership, “I’m looking forward to many more dice rolling, beer drinking, story-telling, cliff jumping, offensive, first-class moon shining and corn dog-converting good times … roll tide!”

With over 15 No. 1 singles to date, Tompkins’ hits also include Tyler Farr’s “Redneck Crazy,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Dirt,” The Band Perry’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely,” Chris Young’s “Voices,” Luke Bryan’s “Drunk on You,” Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away,” Frankie Ballard’s “Helluva Life,” and Blake Shelton’s “Sure Be Cool If You Did.”

“Blown Away” was awarded the 2013 Grammy for Country Song Of The Year nod, and “Drunk on a Plane” was proclaimed one of the “Songs I Wish I’d Written” at the 2014 NSAI Awards. In 2007, Tompkins tied with Josh Kear for the honor of MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Songwriter honor.

 

Garth Brooks Teams With The GreenRoom PR

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Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks has added The GreenRoom PR for publicity, MusicRow has confirmed.

The GreenRoom PR will work with Brooks’ existing publicity team, Nancy Seltzer & Associates, which is based in Los Angeles.

The GreenRoom is led by Tyne Parrish and Kristie Sloan. The GreenRoom was founded by Mary Hilliard Harrington, who retains ownership of The GreenRoom, alongside Parrish and Sloan.

The GreenRoom’s clients include Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, and more.

Voting Open For NSAI’s “Song I Wish I’d Written” Awards

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NSAI logo

Voting has begun for the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s (NSAI) 10 “Song I Wish I’d Written” awards.

The ballot is comprised of Nashville-associated singles that charted in the Top 20 on Billboard’s Airplay charts in the following genres: Alternative, Christian, Country, Pop and Rock. Eligible songs charted between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 and must not have been awarded the previous year. The song that receives the highest number of votes will be NSAI’s Song of the Year.

Professional songwriters that are current members of NSAI during the ballot period are eligible to vote. Voting is open now through Wednesday, July 20.

NSAI will recognize 10 “Song I Wish I’d Written” awards, NSAI Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Songwriter-Artist of the Year at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Dinner and Induction Ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 9.

Ashley Gearing Exits Curb Records

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Ashley Gearing

Ashley Gearing

Ashley Gearing has exited Curb Records, MusicRow has confirmed. The singer-songwriter decided to forgo the renewal of her contract, ending their nine-year working relationship. She signed to the label in 2007 at age 16 and released a self-titled EP for the label in September 2015.

Between 2008 and 2011, Gearing charted three country singles for Curb, but none of them rose above No. 55. She graduated with a degree in entertainment industry studies from Belmont University in 2013.

“I am grateful to have worked with the Curb organization for the past nine years but have decided to explore new opportunities that will enhance my musical journey at this time,” said Gearing in a statement. “I would like to thank all of the people who I have worked with at Curb for their love, commitment and all they have done to assist me during my time there. Each of them has a very special place in my heart…really looking forward to exploring new partnerships for my next adventure.”

“We have enjoyed our relationship with Ashley and appreciate her hard work. We most certainly wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors,” Curb Records said in a prepared statement.

Gearing first found success at the age of 11 with the Top 40 country single, “Can You Hear Me When I Talk To You?” co-written by Jimmy Harnen and Rick Manwiller. At the time, she became the youngest solo artist to enter the country charts, breaking a record held by Brenda Lee. That success led to signing a record deal with Lyric Street Records at age 12 but she did not chart any other singles for the label.