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Magic Mustang Music Publishing Adds ASCAP Songwriter

November 9, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Pictured (front row L-R): Colton McGee, BBR Music Group; Magic Mustang Music’s Lydia Schultz, Keithan Melton, Juli Newton-Griffith; Matt Cottingham, Ritholz Levy; Robert Filhart, ASCAP. (Bottom row L-R): Taylor Davis; Benny Brown, BBR Music Group President/CEO. Photo: BBR Music Group

Pictured (front row L-R): Colton McGee, BBR Music Group; Lydia Schultz, Magic Mustang; Keithan Melton, Magic Mustang; Juli Newton-Griffith, Magic Mustang; Matt Cottingham, Ritholz Levy; Robert Filhart, ASCAP. (Bottom row L-R): Taylor Davis; Benny Brown, BBR Music Group President/CEO. Photo: BBR Music Group

Magic Mustang Music has signed ASCAP songwriter Taylor Davis to its publishing roster.

A native of Menomonee Falls, Wis., Davis has been in Nashville for the past few years honing his songwriting craft.

“The moment I heard his music, I knew I wanted to sign Taylor,” says VP Publishing for Magic Mustang Music, Juli Newton-Griffith. “His vocal and unique songwriting instantly stood out to me.”

“I’m very blessed and excited to join Magic Mustang Music and to be part of the BBR Music Group family,” says Davis. “Songwriting is my passion, and I can’t wait to get to work!”

Founded by President/CEO Benny Brown in 1997, the BBR Music Group has grown from a fledgling independent label into one of the largest independent country label groups in the United States whose umbrella now includes publishing company Magic Mustang Music and management company BBR Management in addition to four label imprints: Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, RED BOW Records, Wheelhouse Records.

Industry Ink: Sony Music Nashville, The Recording Academy, Skyville Live

November 9, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Sony Music Nashville’s Vessio Exits

Jennifer Vessio

Director of Media Jennifer Vessio departed Sony Music Nashville’s publicity department last Friday (Nov. 6) after three years at the company, MusicRow has confirmed. Vessio oversaw publicity efforts across the RCA Nashville and Columbia Nashville rosters.

Prior to her time at Sony, she worked at NBCUniversal’s worldwide headquarters in New York in corporate communications, television/entertainment and digital publicity.

She is looking for her next opportunity and can be reached at Jennifer.g.vessio@gmail.com or 347-924-7001.

The Recording Academy Teams With Finn Partners

The Recording Academy has teamed with independent public relations and public affairs agency Finn Partners, to help increase its music advocacy presence on Capitol Hill.

“As an organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of music creators, The Recording Academy works to ensure that policymakers understand how their decisions in D.C., impact the lives of music makers across the country,” said Neda Azarfar, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, The Recording Academy. “This partnership comes at a crucial time for the music industry as we address key issues resulting from the fast pace at which both the creation and distribution of music are evolving. By tapping into Finn Partners’ expertise in grassroots activism, we further our commitment to our members — enabling all creators to become more effective as music advocates.”

Finn Partners helped The Recording Academy grow its annual Grammys In My District Day, which activated nearly 1650 music creators to have face-to-face conversations with congressmen regarding creators’ rights, copyright review, and the impact of current regulations on the music community.

Skyville Live Launches New Season With Little Big Town

Skyville Live will return with a new season, featuring an all-star homage to Gregg Allman. Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town will join blues performer Taj Mahal to honor Allman during a live-streamed performance on Dec. 11.

The event will stream on SkyvilleLive.com at 7 p.m. CT.

“We’re about ready to light the fuse on this rocket,” says Wally Wilson, Creator and Executive Producer for Skyville Live. “We have an incredible season of shows planned. The first one out of the box celebrates the legacy of Gregg Allman, who will be joined on stage by one of the hottest groups in country music, Little Big Town, with the amazing Taj Mahal, and a band of the greatest musicians in the world.”

Skyville Live debuted in January, with performances from Gladys Knight, Martina McBride, and Estelle. In April, the show featured an evening of collaborations from Kris Kristofferson, Lady Antebellum, Jason Isbell, and Brandy Clark.

Blake Shelton Will Host 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards on Nickelodeon

November 9, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

Blake Shelton, host of Nickelodeon's 2016 Kids' Choice Awards. Photo: James White/Nickelodeon. © 2015 Viacom International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Showing the slimy side of television, Blake Shelton will host Nickelodeon’s 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards. The ceremony will air live on March 12.

The awards are presented to kids’ favorite celebrities from film, music, and television. The show will be seen around the globe on Nickelodeon channels in more than 180 countries and territories.

“I’ve been on countless stages throughout my life, but none have promised the madness, excitement and endless slime as Nick’s Kids’ Choice Awards, which is undoubtedly the ultimate party for kids,” said Shelton. “There is only one team here, and it’s Team Kids’ Choice so bring it on Nickelodeon!”

Nickelodeon’s 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards is produced by Nickelodeon Productions. Elizabeth Kelly, Michael Dempsey, Shelly Sumpter Gillyard and Jay Schmalholz are executive producers.

Big Deal Music and BMG Extend Publishing Agreement

November 9, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Big Deal Music and BMG have extended their ex-North American relationship for an additional three years.

Under the agreement, BMG will continue to provide global administration and pro-active exploitation services for the Big Deal catalog in Germany, UK, Scandinavia, France, Benelux, Spain and Italy. The deal allows two companies to continue jointly signing talent. Previous signings have included songwriters John Ryan and Brett Beavers.

“We look forward to continuing our very successful and fulfilling relationship with BMG,” remarked Big Deal’s Kenny MacPherson. “It’s been a great partnership so far, and we look forward to many more successes to come.”

Laurent Hubert, President of Creative & Marketing at BMG, added, “BMG has enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Kenny and the all-star team at Big Deal for the last few years. With our unique status as a new model music company with integrated platforms throughout the world, we have provided the roster with expanded opportunities. Of course, extending the relationship was a natural next step and we are on track for more accomplishments in the near future.”

Founded in September 2012, Big Deal Music has expanded to have offices in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville.

Chris Young Announces 2016 ‘I’m Comin’ Over’ Headlining Dates

November 9, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Chris Young has announced extended dates for his headlining I’m Comin’ Over tour, presented by AEG Live. The singer-songwriter has invited Cassadee Pope to join as special guest to open the 13 shows. Pope is also featured on Young’s new album as a duet partner on the song, “Think Of You.”

“We’re kicking off the new year really big, and I’m excited to have Cassadee Pope join me starting in January,” said Young. “When I heard her sing live I knew she would be the perfect person to sing on ‘Think Of You’ and I was hoping too that we could hit the road together at some point once the new record releases.”

The new album, I’m Comin’ Over, will be available on Nov. 13, the same day tickets go on sale for the tour.

Concert tickets can be purchased starting at 10 a.m. local time at aeglive.com and ChrisYoungCountry.com. A limited number of exclusive VIP Packages will also be available for sale.

2016 I’m Comin’ Over Tour*
Jan. 21-Lowell, MA-Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Jan. 22-Philadelphia, PA-Electric Factory
Jan. 23-Pittsburgh, PA-Stage AE
Jan. 28-Cleveland, OH-Connor Place
Jan. 29-Cincinnati, OH-Aronoff Center for the Arts
Feb. 3-Minneapolis, MN-Northrop
Feb. 4-Rosemont, IL-Rosemont Theatre
Feb. 5-Royal Oak, MI-Royal Oak Music Theatre
Feb. 14-Estero, FL-Germain Arena
Feb. 18-Kansas City, MO-Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
Feb. 19-Tulsa, OK-Brady Theater
Feb. 25-New York, NY-PlayStation Theater
Feb. 26-Baltimore,MD-The Lyric

*Dates subject to change, please check chrisyoungcountry.com for the latest information

Weekly Register: Country Claims Top 3 Spots on Overall Albums Chart

November 9, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

Six months after its release, Chris Stapleton’s Traveller rockets to No. 1 on the country album chart – and the overall album chart. Thanks to a boost from the CMA Awards, country artists hold the first three positions on this week’s overall album chart.

Following three victories at the CMA Awards last week and an incredible performance with Justin Timberlake during the show, Stapleton sold 153K albums – way, way up from 2.3K last week. With a combined total of 177K units, he also leads the overall chart, which accounts for single sales and streaming.

Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller drops one spot on the country album chart, landing at No. 2 with 73K sold. Eric Church’s unexpected Mr. Misunderstood makes a bow at No. 3 with 71K. They land in the same positions on the overall chart.

Eric Church’s Mr. Misunderstood album.

Chris Janson’s Buy Me a Boat sails into the No. 4 slot on the country album chart in its first week with 18.5K sold.

Other debuts include LoCash’s I Love This Life (No. 38), Now Country Christmas (No. 59), Josh Ward’s Holding Me Together (No. 60), and Rhonda Vincent’s Christmas Time (No. 64).

On the overall digital singles chart, Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” (which he performed on the CMA Awards) arrives at No. 2 with 131K sold. Meanwhile, Adele’s “Hello” is still crushing the competition with 635K singles sold.

Thomas Rhett maintains the No. 2 spot on the country digital single sales chart with “Die a Happy Man” (62K). Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” races to No. 3 with a 604 percent increase in sales and 48K singles sold. “Girl Crush” won CMA Awards for Single and Song of the Year, while Little Big Town picked up the Vocal Group award.

Other new faces in the Top 10 singles tally are Cole Swindell’s “Should’ve Ran After You” (No. 7, 30K), Kane Brown’s “Last Minute Late Night” (No. 9, 26K) and Stapleton’s “Traveller” (No. 10, 25K). Six other Stapleton songs land among the top 100 digital country singles chart.

Also new to the chart are Justin Moore’s “You Look Like I Need a Drink” (No. 14, 20K), Eric Church’s “Mr. Misunderstood” (No. 16, 18K), and CMA vocal duo winners Florida Georgia Line’s “Confession” (No. 31, 11K).

Information provided by Neilsen Soundscan.

CMA Foundation Grants $1 Million To Metro Nashville Public Schools

November 9, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (L-R): Nashville Mayor Megan Barry; Joe Galante, CMA Foundation Board Vice Chairman; Darius Rucker; Greg Burns, Nashville Public Education Foundation Board member; Anna Shepherd, MNPS Board Vice Chair; Chris Henson, MNPS Interim Director of Schools; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; John Esposito, CMA Board President and Warner Music Nashville CEO and President; John Huie, CMA Board member and Agent at CAA. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

The CMA Foundation has continued its steadfast dedication to keeping music in public schools, with a recent $1 million grant to aid teachers in Nashville’s music classrooms.

The grant will go toward several initiatives, including providing instruments and music education for more than 85,000 students in Davidson County. It will also support Music Teachers at the Core, which will recognize up to 50 exceptional Metro Nashville Public School teachers with a $2,000 cash award. Additionally, the grant will support side-by-side coaching and expanded professional development opportunities to strengthen music education teachers in Davidson County.

Darius Rucker was on hand alongside Nashville Mayor Megan Barry to announce the donation. Also in attendance were students from Nashville School of the Arts, Hume-Fogg Magnet High School, and the W.O. Smith Music School.

“Having access to an instrument in an environment that encourages creative expression is such a powerful thing,” said Rucker. “A defining moment in my life was when my mother gave me my first guitar – I can honestly say it completely changed my life. In that moment, a newfound passion and creativity were born where skills like writing and poetry took on a new role. So, to know that we, as artists with CMA, are helping kids get the option for that kind of discovery is really incredible.”

Darius Rucker announces a $1 million grant to Metro Nashville Public Schools on behalf of the CMA Foundation at the National League of Cities annual conference Friday in Nashville. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

“When this program began, it was important to fund the purchase of instruments, which hadn’t been purchased in decades,” said Joe Galante, Vice Chairman of the CMA Foundation and a member of the CMA Board of Directors. “Now that we have instruments in every Metro school, the CMA Foundation has expanded its support to include teacher education, which is critical in developing and maintaining strong, sustainable music programs.”

“I am grateful for the CMA Foundation’s deep commitment to our city,” Barry said. “It is a shining example of what is possible through strong public–private partnerships, and it is showing the country the value and importance of music education. Nashville is proud to be Music City, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a strong investment from the music industry.”

Funds for the 2015 grant were raised through the CMA Music Festival. For 2016, the CMA Foundation has earmarked $2.6 million to in- and after-school music education programs across the country, bringing the foundation’s total contributions, including the Metro grants, to $13.6 million. CMA and the CMA Foundation have invested $10 million in 10 years in a public–private partnership to strengthen and improve music education in Nashville schools.

CMA International Reception Honors Jeff Walker

November 6, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

CMA Board member Milly Olykan and Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern gather with late Board member Jeff Walker's family after the CMA International Reception Wednesday in Nashville ahead of "The 49th Annual CMA Awards." (l-r) Olykan; Trahern; Christy Walker Watkins, Walker's daughter and Vice President of Publicity at AristoMedia Group; Walker's widow Terri; Walker's father, Bill; Walker's stepmother, Jeanine; and Walker's son-in-law Matt Watkins, Vice President of Marketing and Operations at AristoMedia Group. Photo Credit: John Russell / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Milly Olykan; Sarah Trahern; Christy Walker Watkins, Walker’s daughter and Vice President of Publicity at AristoMedia Group; Walker’s widow Terri; Walker’s father, Bill; Walker’s stepmother, Jeanine; and Walker’s son-in-law Matt Watkins, Vice President of Marketing and Operations at AristoMedia Group.
Photo Credit: John Russell / CMA

The Country Music Association hosted more than 90 international media and music executives at the CMA International Reception in Nashville Wednesday ahead of “The 49th Annual CMA Awards.”

The Awards ceremony was simultaneously broadcast around the globe on CMC Australia and City TV in Canada. BBC Radio 2 will broadcast a live two-hour program hosted by Bob Harris on Saturday, Nov. 7 in the U.K. with Awards highlights.

Notable reception attendees included Laura Allen, Head of Artist & Media Relations at Universal Music Ireland; Aidan Butler, Senior Music Producer at RTE Radio; Sandy Harsch, Presenter of RTE Radio’s “Country Time”; CMA Board member Milly Olykan, Festival and Events Director at The O2; and Iain Snodgrass, Vice President of International Marketing at Universal Music Group International.

It was also announced at the reception that the CMA Global Artist Award will now be named the Jeff Walker Global Artist Award to honor late CMA Board member Jeff Walker, who passed away in August.

Walker was passionate about the international scope of Country Music. During his 21-year tenure on the CMA Board he was instrumental in distribution of CMA’s international honors and the creation of the CMA World GlobaLive! international artist showcase that takes place each year during CMA Music Festival. Walker’s family were in attendance.

Jason Aldean Returns ‘Old Boots, New Dirt’ To Spotify

November 6, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean’s Old Boots, New Dirt is back on Spotify, nearly a year after it was pulled from the streaming service.

Although the project did appear on Spotify when it was released in October 2014, Aldean and Broken Bow Records decided to take it down after about a month, feeling that the streaming service did not provide enough compensation for publishers, songwriters and other members of the music industry. At the time, Aldean said he wanted to make sure that the creative community would be paid fairly for their work.

However, this week on his Facebook page, he posted the following message:

Everyone in the music business is trying to figure out how to make the streaming work financially, so that the creative community gets paid fairly. I’m happy to have been part of that dialog and will continue to be as it all unfolds.

I’ve heard from you, the fans, all summer on the road and online that you really miss being able to stream my music. I definitely want you to be able to find it easily, so we’ve decided to make it available again. – JA

Hits from the album include “Burnin’ It Down,” “Just Gettin’ Started,” “Tonight Looks Good on You” and “Gonna Know We Were Here.”

Nine Country Releases Impact Retail This Week

November 6, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Following the surprise release of Eric Church‘s EMI Nashville album Mr. Misunderstood after his performance on the CMA Awards on Wednesday (Nov. 4), eight more country albums hit the market today (Nov. 6). These anticipated releases will help boost fourth quarter sales for various Nashville labels, alongside others expected over the next few weeks.

November 6th Album Releases

Tim McGraw/Damn Country Music/Big Machine
Old Dominion/Meat and Candy/RCA Nashville
Alan Jackson/Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story/Legacy Recordings-Arista Nashville
Hunter Hayes/The 21 Project [three-discs featuring same seven songs with the different variations]/Atlantic-Warner Music Nashville
Cole Swindell/Down Home Sessions [EP No. 2]/Warner Bros.-Warner Music Nashville
Maren Morris/Maren Morris [EP]/Columbia Nashville
Josh Abbott Band/Front Row Seat/Thirty Tigers
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers/The Gospel According to Gatlin/Curb Records

– – –

Tim McGraw released his 14th studio album, Damn Country Music, on Big Machine Records. The project was produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore. The first single, “Top of the World,” is at radio now. The deluxe version features three bonus tracks. The star is also acting in an upcoming film, The Shack, based on the best-selling book by the same name.

RCA Nashville’s Old Dominion releases their highly anticipated debut album Meat and Candy, produced by award-winning, Shane McAnally. The album that features the gold single, “Break Up With Him,” which is currently the No. 1 song on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

The five members of Old Dominion have written hit songs for other artists such as Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Tyler Farr and The Band Perry, so it comes as no surprise that they wrote every song on Meat and Candy.

To kick off a weeklong celebration of the release of Meat and Candy, Old Dominion will take their tour tonight to Tuscaloosa, Ala. By the end of 2015 Old Dominion will have performed over 170 shows which includes 18 stadium dates opening up for Chesney, whom they will also join in 2016. Read more about the formation of the group in an exclusive MusicRow interview.

Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story, a definitive three-CD career-defining anthology of music including eight previously unreleased recordings was released through Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, and Arista Nashville.

Walmart will exclusively stock Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story. The project debuts a live version of The Eagles‘ hit “Seven Bridges Road,” recorded 18 years ago this week (Nov. 1, 1997 in Birmingham, Ala.), and a rare live rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” recorded in 2001.

A 58-page booklet filled with photos from Jackson’s personal collection provides glimpses of his early life in rural Georgia, revisits some of his most-memorable career highlights, and also features tributes from Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, George Strait, Steven Tyler, Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack, and the late George Jones.

Jackson recently celebrated his 25th anniversary as a recording artist with a special 25-date tour and was honored with Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country, a retrospective exhibit at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In July 2015, Jackson released his 15th studio album, Angels and Alcohol, through Alan’s Country Records/EMI Nashville.

Five-time Grammy nominee Hunter Hayes unveiled his latest collection, The 21 Project. The limited edition, three-disc set explores features only seven songs in acoustic, studio, and live variations of each track. Hayes co-produced the project with Dann Huff and co-wrote every song.

Earlier this week, Hayes performed to a packed plaza outside of Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, kicking off the CMA Awards festivities with his second annual street jam in partnership with the USO. He continues on his 21 Tour tomorrow (Nov. 7) with a stop at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.

Cole Swindell released his second Down Home Sessions EP on Nov. 6. It follows the original Down Home Sessions EP as well as his self-titled, full-length debut album, both released in 2014 by Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville. Swindell received a gold plaque for his debut album this week.

Swindell will begin his five-week fall tour at the PlayStation Theatre in New York City on Wednesday (Nov. 11). His special guest on the tour is Adam Sanders, who co-wrote Swindell’s “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey.” Swindell’s latest hit single is “Let Me See Ya Girl.”

After inclusion in CMT’s 2015 Next Women of Country program, Columbia Nashville has released a 5-song EP of singer/songwriter Maren Morris. The digital EP follows a Spotify exclusive of the 5-song album, which generated in excess of six million worldwide streams in less than two months, with three songs hitting Spotify’s U.S. and Global Viral 50 lists.

Big Yellow Dog released the EP to Spotify in August before it became available at digital retailers. She has been featured on tour opening for Sam Hunt, Little Big Town, Chris Stapleton, and Loretta Lynn, and can be seen next opening for Charles Kelley’s The Driver tour, kicking off Nov. 28 in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition, she has placed cuts with Tim McGraw and Kelly Clarkson.

Josh Abbott Band released Front Row Seat via Thirty Tigers. The project tells the story of a romantic relationship from beginning to end, over the course of 15 songs arranged in five acts.

The first single “Amnesia” debuted on Sirius XM The Highway in August and was produced by Dwight A. Baker (The Wind & The Wave). The album features collaborations with Shane McAnally and Zac Brown Band collaborator Wyatt Durette. Josh Abbott Band also brought in rising stars Macy Maloy and Carly Pearce to lend their voices.

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers celebrate 60 years of singing together with a new album, The Gospel According to Gatlin, on Curb Records. The 11-track project is the trio’s first new album in seven years and was produced by the Gatlins.

Guests include Charlie Daniels and Gaither Vocal Band. In addition, Larry Gatlin and Billy Dean co-wrote the album’s closing track, “An American With a Remington.”