The CMA is hosting an informational webinar on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 12:30 p.m. CT to further outline resources and services that are available to the industry affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through its Music Industry Covid Support initiative. Panelists for Thursday’s webinar include CMA CEO, Sarah Trahern; CMA VP of Community Outreach, Tiffany Kerns; and CMA Board of Directors Incoming Chairperson, Mary Hilliard Harrington.

Since March, the Nashville-based trade organization has taken action to support not only its membership, country music base, and those in the music business at large affected by the ongoing health crisis, and is hosting the webinar as a next step to further aid members of the industry during this challenging time. To register for the webinar, and to learn more about the CMA’s COVID-19 resources, visit cmaworld.com.

CMA is prioritizing three critical needs at this time, which include offering numerous mental health resources, aiding those who are food insecure, and providing human services guidance on career and financial direction. Recent efforts include providing Thanksgiving meals and additional food supplies direct to families in need through Second Harvest and Musically Fed, confirming the addition of music industry families to Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree program and job opportunities around the Red Kettle campaign, as well as offering career support for music professionals through annual memberships to FlexJobs. Additional companies and organizations CMA has funded include The Store, Music Health Alliance, MusiCares, Pinnacle Financial and Career Spa.

The organization is also currently leading the Music Industry Alliance, a group of more than 20 music organizations and associations each involved in efforts to support music professionals. CMA operates as a connector and facilitator to bring these groups together and maintain structure and organization among all individual recovery efforts as the industry begins to reopen.

“The music industry has been silenced, and our people are currently facing something that no one could have ever anticipated having to deal with,” says Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “What we want most is to communicate to any of our colleagues in need that they can reach out to us for direction and support. The music community, regardless of genre, is in this together, and we are ready and willing to help anyone currently struggling.”

Georgia-born Andrew Jannakos is among the recent group of viral TikTok stars who are garnering the attention of Nashville labels. Sony Music Nashville announced in November the signing of the talented singer-songwriter to its RCA Nashville imprint, after Jannakos’ breakout single “Gone Too Soon” went viral, at the time having over 10 million views across social media.

Many of Jannakos’ early followers knew him for his run on NBC’s The Voice, but after his girlfriend (now wife), Katie Jannakos, posted a video of him cooking dinner while singing along to “Gone Too Soon” to his TikTok in July 2020, the video racked up 250,000 likes by the next morning, and ultimately earned him more than 700,000 followers on the platform.

@ajannakosI guess cooking and singing have become my thing? ##cooking ##popcountry ##country ##sing ##originalmusic ##burritobowl ##fyp ##foryou ##xyzbca ##GreekFreakOut♬ original sound – Andrew Jannakos

Upon the official release of “Gone Too Soon” to streaming platforms and digital retailers in September, Jannakos debuted at No.1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artist Chart, while the track debuted at No. 12 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart. Now, with a viral hit and a label deal obtained, Jannakos is focused on building on his momentum.

Jannakos grew up in Flowery Branch, Georgia, surrounded by music. His grandfather was a bluegrass player that spent some time playing music with another Georgian, Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson. Although Jannakos grew up loving music, he didn’t decide to pursue it until his girlfriend encouraged him.

“I was in chorus all through high school, which was amazing because I love to sing, but I was terrified of singing in front of people,” Jannakos said in a recent Zoom visit with MusicRow. “You get out of high school and you kind of have two choices: you can do college or you can just start working. College just wasn’t calling my name, so I just started working as much as I could. I’ve done everything under the dadgum moon. I did restaurant work, construction, landscaping, remodeling homes, and more. But no matter what I was doing, I was listening to music.

“I met my wife four or five years ago, we just got married in September. I never had really done any Instagram stuff until I met her. She was like, ‘I’m not going to let you waste your talent. You’re really good, and I don’t want to see this happen.’ So I listened to her. I started posting covers on Instagram, and soon after, The Voice reached out.”

Jannakos auditioned for season 16 of NBC’s The Voice and was selected to be on Team Adam. When his time at The Voice came to an end, he decided to use the momentum he earned from the show to start building a social media following.

“At the end of it, here comes TikTok,” said Jannakos. “We were doing covers and then we posted a video of ‘Gone Too Soon.’ I was just cooking dinner, listening to a master of the song I had gotten from my producer. My wife was like, ‘I’m going to do a TikTok of this.’ I’m not even going to lie, I fought her on it. I was like ‘No, I don’t think people will like this. I’m just cooking.’ Needless to say, no pun intended, people ate it up.”

Jannakos is now working to fill out his team, taking meetings with publishers, agencies, and more. Andrew Cohen and Anthony Stone of Cohencidence Projects are managing Jannakos. For now, he is focused on writing, making content for his social media community, and eventually moving from Georgia to Nashville.

“It took one post!” Jannakos said. “It’s gotten me to where I am now. We’ve got some songs in the works that we’re really excited about. From here on forward, it’s just time to work. I’m just excited to get to Nashville and meet my people in Nashville and just get to work and see what we can do.”

Paul Schiminger, Executive Director of the International Bluegrass Music Association, is retiring from the organization when his contract ends on May 31, 2021.

Board Chairman Ben Surratt informed IBMA board members of Schiminger’s retirement this week and announced that he would assemble a search committee and engage an executive search firm to assist in finding a new Executive Director.

“When Paul was selected to be our Executive Director in 2015, the organization was in a time of transition,” said Surratt. “He hit the ground running, and brought much-needed, systemic change to many areas of IBMA. There’s no doubt that the organization has flourished under Paul’s leadership; the list of the organization’s accomplishments during his tenure is long. Paul has been a steady hand at the helm for the last 5 and a half years. Paul’s commitment to our music is strong; I know we will benefit from his expertise in many ways in the years to come. Though Paul will be retiring from our organization, I don’t expect to see him disappear from bluegrass. I hope you all will join me in thanking Paul for the tremendous work he has done for IBMA, the IBMA Trust Fund, and the IBMA Foundation.”

During the nearly six years that Schiminger oversaw the organization, the team’s many accomplishments included converting the IBMA to a 501(c)(3) organization; creating greater awareness for IBMA’s Trust Fund and Foundation; increasing awareness of, and programming for, greater diversity and inclusion in bluegrass music; continuing to work with the city of Raleigh, North Carolina to improve and build on IBMA World of Bluegrass; improving IBMA’s visibility and communication through greater online reach; a new website; new e-newsletter; a new membership portal, and more cohesive branding for all events during IBMA World of Bluegrass. Also under his leadership, the organization quickly adapted to COVID-19 by creating an online resource page and streaming calendar for the bluegrass community, mobilizing the IBMA Trust Fund to help those in need during the crisis, and moving the full IBMA World of Bluegrass event onto a virtual platform for the first time, with over 120 sessions, meetings, and performances.

“I was honored and humbled by my selection in early 2015, and I feel more so today knowing the true weight of the responsibilities in my role,” said Schiminger. “It was impossible to foresee the incredible experiences and friendships I have gained throughout this time. I arrived embracing the challenges facing all of us to build upon the IBMA’s successes and make impactful progress to strengthen and move the association forward for even greater future success.  I could not be more proud of the achievements we have all made together. This was a difficult decision, but one I feel is best for my family and me. I also feel this is excellent timing for the IBMA to make a transition to a new Executive Director. I want to make this process a smooth and successful one, so I am offering a six-month notice and will assist in any way possible with the coordination of the search and transition.”

“IBMA World of Bluegrass gives Raleigh the opportunity to host many of the best and most talented bluegrass musicians, fans and industry trailblazers each year, and that is thanks in large part to Paul Schiminger,” said Executive Vice President of Visit Raleigh, Loren Gold. “We will truly miss his strategic vision, collaboration and leadership in planning next year’s conference and festival but wish him the best in his retirement and are confident in the foundation he has set for IBMA’s future success.”

Symphonic Distribution Expands Nashville Offices

 

Nearly two years after opening up business in Nashville, Symphonic Distribution has announced the expansion of its offices to the historic Orbison building just steps off of Music Row. Named after the legendary Roy Orbison, this iconic building will serve as the new home of the evolving Symphonic Distribution team. The independent music distributor that operates out of Tampa, Florida—with offices in Brooklyn, New York; Denver, Colorado; Bogota, Colombia; and Nashville—will be committing to making Nashville their 2nd headquarters for the company.

Symphonic has increased the headcount in its Nashville office to six team members, with multiple new hires including Melissa Barber, formerly of ole/Anthem, has joined as Sr. Manager, Rights Administration & Business Affairs, and Wyatt Thomas, whose former posts include Sandbox Entertainment and a recent partnership with his own House Creative and Thinkswell, has also joined as Client Marketing and Streaming Promotions Manager.

“We are thrilled to share these announcements as they represent our further commitment to the Nashville music community and growing our business in Music City. Additionally, we are so excited to have Melissa and Wyatt join our ranks as the two of them individually bring a wealth of knowledge in their respective lanes to Symphonic and our clients. Onward and Upward!” says Randall Foster, Symphonic’s Vice President, Business Development & GM, Nashville.

Gary Morris Signs With Fusion Touring

Gary Morris has signed with Fusion Touring. Morris used his time in quarantine to launch the first season of the Gary Morris Podcast available now on all major streaming platforms.

“As an agent for 25 years, I have always followed Gary’s career and had the utmost respect for him as a multi-talented singer, writer, musician, publisher, Broadway and TV actor and entrepreneur. He is the complete package and I am thrilled that the timing is right to invite him to join our Fusion Touring roster of talent,” said Fusion Touring VP Mike Meade.

 

Darrell Rae Inks With Mixtape Music Group

Singer-songwriter Darrell Rae has signed with Mixtape Music Group. Rae moved to Nashville from Jacksonville, Florida to pursue his dreams in Music City. His latest single, “Proofs in the Bourbon,” has over 1.2 million spins on Spotify.

Rae joins Mixtape Music Group as the third staff writer, alongside Landon Magee and Bobby McLamb. A new independent music publisher, Mixtape Music Group has celebrated many singles this year and their catalogue includes recent songs written in collaboration with Liz Rose Music, Lady Luck, Riser House, Endurance, Sony, and more.