Sturgill Simpson Releases Second Surprise Bluegrass Album

Sturgill Simpson thrilled fans by dropping his second surprise bluegrass album in two months: Cuttin’ Grass’ Vol 2 – The Cowboy Arms Sessions, on the heels of Vol 1, which released in October. The project was produced by David Ferguson and is out now digitally on High Top Mountain Records via Thirty Tigers/The Orchard. A vinyl pre-order is available now for release April 2, 2021.

Simpson reunited with an A Team of acoustic musicians, now dubbed “The Hillbilly Avengers,” for Cuttin’ Grass, Volume 2: The Cowboy Arms Sessions to once again revisit and reinterpret his catalogue.

Pictured (L-R): Stuart Duncan (Fiddle, Vocals); Tim O’Brien (Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Vocals); Sierra Hull (Mandolin, Vocals); Scott Vestal (Banjo, Vocals); Sturgill Simpson; Miles Miller (Percussion, Vocals); Mike Bub (Bass); Mark Howard (Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Vocals). Photo: Semi Song

“On Volume 2, we recorded everything I was too afraid to do on Volume 1,” said Simpson. “It’s hard to deny that this is a much more personal record. I was thinking about my kids, my grandfather, my wife.”

Cuttin’ Grass Vol 2 – The Cowboy Arms Sessions Track List:
Call to Arms
Brace for Impact (Live a Little)
Oh Sarah
Sea Stories
Hero
Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)
Jesus Boogie
Keep It Between the Lines
You Can Have the Crown
Tennessee
Some Days
Hobo Cartoon

*All songs written by Sturgill Simpson, with the exception of “Hobo Cartoon” which is written by Simpson and Merle Haggard

Ralph Peer II To Become Executive Chair of peermusic, Mary Megan Peer Appointed CEO

Pictured (L-R): Ralph Peer II. Photo: Michael Baca; Mary Megan Peer. Photo: Sally Peterson

Ralph Peer II, current Chief Executive Officer of peermusic, is transitioning into the position of Executive Chair of the company, transforming his role within the company that he’s led for the past 37 years. Mary Megan Peer, former Deputy CEO, has been appointed to succeed him as Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective January 2021. The announcement marks a generational shift for the privately-owned company that has been led by the Peer family since its inception over 90 years ago.

As Executive Chair, Ralph Peer will retain corporate board responsibilities at the company and continue to provide his expertise. He will also continue to serve as a member of several industry boards, including the National Music Publishers’ Association and International Confederation of Music Publishers.

Mary Megan Peer came to music publishing with a multi-year investment banking background. In recent years she has become the youngest member on ASCAP’s Board, and been named to Billboard’s Power 100, Women in Music and International Power Players lists. She has helped the company land in Billboard’s Top 10 Publishers market share for both Radio Airplay and Hot 100 Songs for the last four consecutive quarters. She also led the acquisition of the largest independent K-pop publisher in South Korea, adding 40,000 Korean copyrights and works to peermusic’s catalogue as K-pop was bursting onto the international scene. peermusic Korea is now the third largest territory in the peermusic network in terms of revenue. She previously led the opening of peermusic’s first fully controlled office in mainland China, becoming the first global independent music publisher to do so.

In October 2020, she spearheaded the blockbuster deal that helped establish peermusic neighboring rights, an international partnership comprised of peermusic, Global Master Rights, Premier Muzik, and All Right Music. Its client roster encompasses 300+ record labels and 2,500+ performers whose recordings were in 24% of Billboard’s 2019 Year-End Hot 100 songs and 40% of the 2019 Year-End Top 20 songs.

Mary Megan Peer’s elevation to Chief Executive Officer marks the third generation of Peer family leadership at the company, which was founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1927. With his passing in 1960, his wife Monique Peer took on the role of peermusic’s CEO and guided the company for the next 20 years. Ralph Peer II took over leadership of the company in the early 1980’s. Under his leadership, peermusic has developed a global network of music publishing companies operating in 32 countries, with well over a half million titles in the company’s catalogue. During his tenure, peermusic has seen steady business growth, and over the past five years it enjoyed annual increases of 12% in receipts and 10% in NPS.

“It’s been a very satisfying challenge to have stewarded peermusic’s heritage repertoire made possible through the genius of my father and the savoir faire of my mother while simultaneously keeping our firm active and successfully engaged with contemporary repertoire and global music publishing policy,” said Ralph Peer II. “I feel privileged to engage with global cultures and intellectual property issues on a daily basis. In short, I love my job and relish the intellectual environment it provides. Now is the time for the next generation to step into this leadership role. Nothing could make me prouder or more pleased than to announce Mary Megan’s appointment as CEO. The entire family joins me in wishing Mary Megan and her team continued success in serving our valued artists and composers. As Executive Chair, I look forward to contributing to peermusic’s future for many years to come.”

“I’m honored to be named peermusic’s fourth CEO by my father at such a strong time in the company’s history. His principled leadership is reflected in peermusic’s client-centric ethos and the respect our colleagues have for writers and for each other. Like many in the company and within the industry, I have learned a great deal from him and am thankful to have the opportunity to continue to do so as he starts the next chapter of his career at peermusic. I look forward to continuing to work with the very strong senior management team he has created around the globe,” said Mary Megan Peer.

TriScore Music Inks Deal With Tim Mcgraw’s TMP Publishing Company, Signs Rob Williford

Pictured (L-R, back row): Blake Chancey, Steve Broome, Juli Griffith, Ben Vaughn, Scott Siman; (L-R, front row): Brad Warren, Rob Williford, Brett Warren

Nashville based music publisher, TriScore Music, has entered into a co-publishing agreement with Tim McGraw’s new publishing company, TMP. As part of the new deal, they also announced the signing of Rob Williford to the new co-publishing venture, in association with the Warren Brothers (Brad and Brett Warren).

Williford won the 2019 CMA Song of the Year award for “Beautiful Crazy,” and is a co-writer on two of Luke Combs’ most recent releases, “Forever After All” and “The Other Guy.” Warner Chappell Music will handle world-wide administration.

“We are really honored to partner with Tim McGraw on the publishing front,” said TriScore Principal, Steve Broome. “Obviously he is one of the greatest artists of all-time but there is nobody better at songs than Tim. I can’t think of a better publishing partner.”

“When Tim and the Warren’s approached us about signing Rob Williford to kick this thing off, it made perfect sense,” said TriScore VP, Juli Griffith. “Rob has established himself as one of the premier writers in Nashville and we look forward to many hits together.”

“We had met Rob a few years back and we encouraged him to go for it,” said the Warren’s. “We are glad we did! And now we are in business together and are excited to not only help find homes for his songs but writing together as well.”

“My passion has always been songwriting,” said Williford. “I met the Warrens when I arrived in Nashville 15 years ago, and I’m excited to be working together with two guys I’ve admired and respected for so long in this industry. I’m humbled and grateful to be a part of the TriScore team.”

“Being in the room with Rob and the Warren Brothers is really something special—the creative sparks fly and great music is a guarantee,” said Ben Vaughn, president/CEO Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “We appreciate the trust that Rob, the Warren Brothers, and TriScore have placed in us to take care of their copyrights”

Luke Bryan Jumps To No. 1 On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart

Luke Bryan’s single moves up three positions from No. 4 to No. 1 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. The single was written by Dallas Davidson, Justin Ebach, and Kyle Fishman.

“Down To One” appears on Bryan’s latest album Born Here Live Here Die Here which released in August of this year after a postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to his album postponement, his Proud To Be Right Here Tour was rescheduled for May of 2021.

This year, Bryan and his wife Caroline signed on as brand ambassadors for Jockey International, Inc. and are featured in their new campaign “There’s Only One Jockey.”

Click here or above the view The MusicRow Weekly.

Jimmie Allen Named CMA Foundation’s Artist Ambassador For December

Jimmie Allen. Photo: John Shearer

The CMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association, has announced Jimmie Allen as the Unified Voices for Music Education (UVfME) Artist Ambassador for the month of December. As this month’s Artist Ambassador, Allen will participate in a variety of virtual activities, using his unique musical experience to share the organization’s awareness and advocacy efforts in support of music educators, students and parents as they continue to encounter challenges due to the impact of COVID-19.

Allen is the second artist to participate as a Unified Voices for Music Education Artist Ambassador. CMA Award-winning artist Ashley McBryde served as the inaugural Artist Ambassador throughout November, meeting virtually with music educators to discuss obstacles they are currently facing and sharing how music education led to her career in country music. As an Artist Ambassador, McBryde also created a music lesson on building the major scale for teachers and students to utilize in both their in-person and virtual classrooms. To watch the webinar discussion and music lesson visit the CMA Foundation’s YouTube channel.

“We are excited to have Jimmie as the CMA Foundation’s December Unified Voices for Music Education Artist Ambassador,” says CMA Foundation Executive Director, Tiffany Kerns. “For many artists, like Jimmie, music has played a significant role in their lives. Whether making music, performing, or purely listening for enjoyment—it is something they cannot live without. Because of this, artists are incredible advocates for ensuring music has a place in a student’s well-rounded education. We look forward to amplifying Jimmie’s voice on behalf of students and teachers everywhere.”

“Music played such a huge role in my life growing up and I can’t imagine my childhood without it,” says Allen. “I have learned so many life skills through music. I’m looking forward to getting involved with the CMA Foundation’s Unified Voices for Music Education program and sharing the impact that music has had on my life with students across the country.”

Applications Open Now For The IBMA Foundation’s Arnold Shultz Fund

Drawing of Arnold Shultz. Photo: Courtesy The IBMA Foundation

The International Bluegrass Music Association’s philanthropic organization, The IBMA Foundation, has announced that Arnold Shultz Fund applications for grants to qualified activities, scholarships, or programs are open now through Jan. 31, 2021. In June 2020, the IBMA Foundation established the Arnold Shultz Fund using donations contributed specifically to support activities that increase participation in bluegrass music by people of color. The application may be downloaded here.

For fiscal year 2021 (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021), the Arnold Shultz Fund will be awarding up to $5,000 in total for one or more qualified activities that increase participation in bluegrass music by people of color. Qualifying activities may include but are not limited to:

  • Programs designed to encourage participation in bluegrass music by people of color of any age (e.g. producing or distributing an educational bluegrass video, creating an online bluegrass workshop designed for people of color, bluegrass mentor program, etc.).
  • Bluegrass performance outreach programs to populations that are underrepresented in bluegrass.
  • Scholarship or expense reimbursement for people of color to attend a bluegrass music camp, take bluegrass music lessons, attend a school or program focused on bluegrass music or the bluegrass industry (e.g., music business), etc.
  • Funding for an instrument or instrument lending program, particularly if it benefits people of color with economic challenges that keep them from being able to own an instrument and play bluegrass music.

Priority will be given to programs or activities that demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and serving diverse, underrepresented populations in bluegrass music. Applicants may be an individual, school, group, organization, or government entity. People of color are people who are of racial/ethnic backgrounds that are underrepresented in bluegrass (Black; Asian; Hispanic/Latinx; Indigenous First Peoples; Indigenous Pacific Islander).

Arnold Schultz with Pen Vandiver. Photo: Courtesy The IBMA Foundation

Arnold Shultz was a legendary African American musician from western Kentucky. Best known as an extraordinary guitarist and fiddle player, he often played guitar with Bill Monroe’s fiddle-playing uncle, Pendleton (“Pen”) Vandiver. It was at these gigs that Monroe met Shultz and began to emulate Shultz’s backup guitar style. Shultz was impressed enough with Monroe’s progress that he hired Monroe to play guitar with him at dances, thereby giving Monroe his first professional music jobs.

Troye Sivan, Kacey Musgraves Release Collab Song “Easy”

Today (Dec. 10), Troye Sivan and Kacey Musgraves released “Easy” featuring Mark Ronson via Capitol Records. Troye and Kacey collaborate on this new version of the song, weaving in a bittersweet perspective with Mark adding trademark energetic melancholy and adding Kacey as co-writer.

In the official video, which premiered via YouTube Premiere, Troye and Kacey embark on a dark, aching journey with the grittier side of Nashville as the backdrop. As dawn breaks, they leave Music City as quickly as they came, with the next town in their sights. Bardia Zeinali, who helmed Troye’s video for “Dance to This” featuring Ariana Grande, directed.

Troye’s original version of the song appears on his new EP, In A Dream. The song has amassed over 72 million combined global streams, while combined streams of the EP have surpassed 243 million. The collaboration marks the second time the two have worked together. Troye joined Kacey on her 2019 special, The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show, for “Glittery.”

Michael W. Smith Christmas Special Set To Premiere Friday

Point of Grace, Michael W. Smith, The Katinas. Photo: Courtesy of TBN

Michael W. Smith is helping fans feel a little merrier this holiday season with his upcoming Christmas with Michael W. Smith & Friends TV special. The show premieres on TBN on Friday, Dec. 11 and will feature guests including The Katinas, Marc Martel, Point of Grace and Jordan Smith. The special will air back-to-back at 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 10 p.m., and 11 p.m. ET on the network.

Viewers will ring in the holiday season enjoying classics such as “Silver Bells,” “O Holy Night,” “Jesus, What a Wonderful Child,” “Christmastime” and many more. Fans can also catch Smith’s Christmas show in person on three exclusive dates, with the first stop at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Dec. 18. Following Nashville, Smith will head to Jacksonville, Florida (Dec. 19) and Clearwater, Florida (Dec. 20).

“As everyone knows Christmas time is my favorite, so to be able to host a special this year is such an honor,” said Smith. “And to be able to bring my past tourmates The Katinas, Marc Martel, Point of Grace and Jordan Smith along…well it doesn’t get better than that!”

Thomas Rhett To Headline Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley At CRS 2021

Thomas Rhett is headlining this year’s annual “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley,” on Wednesday, Feb. 17 during CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience. Rhett’s special guests who will be joining the lineup will be announced at a later date.

“Every year this event brings together such special songwriters in our community and it’s an honor to help keep that tradition going on behalf of Bob,” Rhett said. “Even though it may look a little different this year, I can’t wait to share what we have planned with y’all!”

Rhett’s most recent release, his Grammy-nominated fourth studio album Center Point Road, has spawned three No. 1 hits including its Platinum lead single, “Look What God Gave Her,” which was first introduced on SNL. He has scored nearly 10 billion total career streams, and received two CMA Triple Play awards for penning three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period, adding to his collection of trophies from the CMA, ACM, Billboard Music Awards, CMT Music Awards and more.

This year’s “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley” is sponsored by Skyview Networks. CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16-19. Registration for CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience is $199 per person. All registrations include access to the 2021 New Faces of Country Music­­ Show and are available for purchase at CountryRadioSeminar.com.

Austin Tolliver Signs With Average Joes Entertainment

Austin Tolliver

Average Joes Entertainment continues its artist roster expansion with the latest signing of songwriter/singer/rapper, Austin Tolliver. Tolliver’s debut single for the label, “Tip My Hat,” co-written by Tolliver and Aaron Lamont, is set for release this Friday (Dec. 11).

Previously a star athlete who played college football and baseball at New Mexico State University and Texas Tech University, Tolliver changed career paths and moved to Nashville to pursue music in 2015. The son of former NFL/CFL quarterback, Billy Joe Tolliver, Tolliver grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana. Describing his music as a ‘melting pot of genres,’ “Tip My Hat” portrays the central theme of a country boy not backing down in the city.

Pictured (L-R, top row): AJE VP A&R, Forrest Latta; AJE Creative Director, Bryn Person; AJE Sr. Director Bus. Development, Nathan Thompson; AJE Sr. Marketing Manager, Andrew Davis. (L-R, bottom row): Manager, Jordan Simmons; Austin Tolliver; Business Manager, Jeff Price.

“I’m pumped to join the team at Average Joes and have my first single released right away. ‘Tip My Hat’ is such a badass song. It’s got the vibe of the old west. It’s the perfect example of what ‘outlaw’ is to me,” said Tolliver.

“Austin’s enthusiasm and unique sound make him a perfect fit with our roster,” said Forrest Latta, Average Joes’ V.P./A&R. “His unrelenting drive and positivity, coupled with his talent, position him for success. We’re excited to be a part of taking his career to the next level.”

The “Tip My Hat” lyric video can be previewed on Tolliver’s YouTube page available here.