EMPIRE Nashville Adds Heather Vassar To VP Role

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Heather Vassar

Independent music label, distributor and publisher EMPIRE has added Heather Vassar as VP, Marketing to its Nashville team. She joins from Universal Music Group Nashville, where she most recently led Strategy and Research.

Vassar will oversee day-to-day artist strategies and development, marketing and digital initiatives, as well as partner relationships with sales and streaming services for EMPIRE’s Nashville roster. She will work with EMPIRE’s VP, A&R in Nashville, Eric Hurt, to develop EMPIRE’s country roster. She will report to EMPIRE CEO/founder Ghazi Shami at the company’s San Francisco headquarters.

Ghazi said, “Heather brings a wealth of expertise across marketing and strategy that’ll cement EMPIRE’s growth and footing in the Nashville market. She’s a perfect fit for EMPIRE’s culture—and will help elevate our presence in country.”

“I am beyond excited to join the EMPIRE team and build our foundation from the ground up in Nashville,” said Vassar. “With the expertise, support and influence of Ghazi, Eric and the team, we are poised to break some incredible artists and disrupt the Nashville landscape. It’s what this business is all about.”

“Adding Heather to our team is a big step in growing EMPIRE’s Nashville division,” said Hurt. “Her strategic artist development and marketing background will round-out our office and I couldn’t be happier to have her on board.”

Founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami, EMPIRE has been instrumental in launching artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, DRAM and Anderson. Paak. In 2020, the independent EMPIRE continues to make a major impact, with its global expansion and new music from Young Dolph, Mozzy, Afro B and more.

Marty Stuart Releasing Book Behind Making Of His Legendary Project ‘The Pilgrim’

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Marty Stuart will release a coffee table book, The Pilgrim: A Wall-to-Wall Odyssey, that details the making of his legendary album The Pilgrim. Included in The Pilgrim: A Wall-to-Wall Odyssey is a newly remastered CD of the original album, along with 10 bonus tracks that feature guest performances by Ralph Stanley, Emmylou Harris, Uncle Josh Graves, Earl Scruggs, and Stuart’s wife, Connie Smith and a foreword by Billy Bob Thornton.

“Going into my archives to search out Pilgrim-related material for this release was like reaching into a dusty old treasure chest,” Stuart recalls. “I found songs that I’d written and forgotten, photographs I never got around to looking at, unfinished recordings from The Pilgrim sessions, and a string of archival recordings … So many life lessons were offered in the creative process of making The Pilgrim. Perhaps the toughest of them all was letting go when the record was considered unsuccessful. However, in letting go, I learned that some things do, in fact, come back around.”

A concept project, The Pilgrim was originally released in 1999 and was based on true events that transpired in Stuart’s hometown. The album represents a rediscovery of Stuart’s roots and a creative rebirth, but the hardcover book is about much more than the album, it’s about spiritual discovery, artistic integrity, and a vision that set Stuart on an enlightened path. Originally available in limited release during the 20th anniversary celebration of the album in the fall, The Pilgrim book is now available as a wide-release title via BMG.

The pages of the book feature intimate photographs of Marty making music with Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Rick Nelson, Bill Monroe, Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, B.B. King, The Staple Singers, Tom Petty, John Lee Hooker, Willie Nelson, Keith Richards, George Jones, Dolly Parton, and others. A celebrated photographer in his own right, Stuart himself captured the truck stops, county fairs, gospel singers, backwoods circus performers, South Dakota Native American Indians, and eclectic cast of characters that he encountered on his journey to reconnect with his musical roots and forge new paths forward.

Jessie James Decker Lands New Label Deal

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Jessie James Decker

Jessie James Decker has inked a new record deal with Atlantic/Warner, she announced via social media on Jan. 15.

“My face hurts from smiling so much today! It’s official y’all! I just signed a record deal with Atlantic/Warner music !!!! Get ready 2020!!!! #musicontheway,” she said via Instagram.

Decker closed out 2019 as part of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, and back in June, she released a cover of Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ record-breaking smash “Old Town Road.” To date, she has released three full-length albums, including 2009’s Jessie James, 2017’s Southern Girl City Lights, and 2018’s On This Holiday, as well as four EPs.

Anthem Entertainment Hires Lindsay Hyslop As Manager, Marketing For Anthem Records

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Lindsay Hyslop

Anthem Entertainment has hired Lindsay Hyslop as Manager, Marketing to its label division, Anthem Records. Hyslop, who is based in Nashville, will report to Anthem Records’ Head of Label Allison Hamaura and will oversee all aspects of marketing strategy and execution for Anthem Records’ label roster.

Hyslop has worked in label and management positions in Nashville and Toronto, most recently managing marketing, brand partnerships and streaming for RGK Entertainment Group. Prior to RGK, Hyslop worked in Digital Marketing for Universal Music Canada.

Hamamura said, “Lindsay comes to us with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Her natural affinity for music, creative capabilities and spirit make her a welcome addition to Anthem Records.”

Anthem Records was founded in 1977, with a rich history of artists including the legendary band Rush.

Guy And Susanna Clark, Townes Van Zandt Documentary To Premiere At SXSW

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Without Getting Killed or Caught, a documentary about the complicated relationship among legendary songwriters Guy Clark, Susanna Clark and Townes Van Zandt and the art it inspired, will world premiere this March at the South By Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival.

The film, by author, filmmaker and producer Tamara Saviano and co-producer/co-director Paul Whitfield, features narration by Sissy Spacek (as Susanna Clark) as well as interviews with Guy Clark and his closest friends and musical allies Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Vince Gill, Jo Harvey Allen, Terry Allen and Verlon Thompson.

The film makes use of Clark’s songs, family photographs and archives, vintage film footage and radio talk shows to tell its story as Guy struggles to establish himself, Susanna pens hit songs and paints album covers for top artists, and Townes spirals in self-destruction after writing some of Americana music’s most enduring and influential ballads. It also draws from Susanna’s pained remembrances from her private journals and secret audio diaries and taped conversations she made of the trio.

“Guy and I were friends for 18 years and spent the last eight of those years working together on his biography and then the documentary,” said Saviano. “It is bittersweet that after all of that, Guy did not survive to see this documentary come to fruition. It is an honor to continue to work on his legacy. I hope the documentary will give fans new insights into the extraordinary artistic life Guy shared with his wife Susanna and best friend Townes Van Zandt.”

In early December, Saviano and Whitfield recorded Spacek’s narration in Austin and Whitfield spent the rest of the month laying in the voice track and making tweaks to wrap the film at the end of 2019. The pair will premiere the 95-minute documentary, funded in part by a Kickstarter campaign, at SXSW, while also looking for a distributor.

Longtime Curb Records CEO Dick Whitehouse Passes

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Dick Whitehouse. Photo: Courtesy Curb Records

Longtime Curb Records CEO Dick Whitehouse died Jan. 14 in California. He served for 55 years with the company, including 35 years as CEO. He served as a board member and trustee for Curb Records until his passing.

Curb Records Chairman Mike Curb said via a statement: “No one has ever done more for Curb Records than Dick Whitehouse. He was there from our start in 1964 and was responsible for some of the greatest artist signings in the history of our company. Dick was that rare record executive who understood the totality of our complicated industry. Dick played a major role in signing The Judds, Lyle Lovett, Junior Brown, Sawyer Brown, The Desert Rose Band and many others. I’m happy to say that Dick was surrounded by his wife Joan, his two daughters, Shelley and Debbie, and all of his grandchildren, sharing in what the family referred to as a living memorial.

“The family does not plan for a funeral service, however if anyone has any tributes to Dick, please send them to mcurb@curb.com and we will put those together as a tribute to him and pass them along to the family. Please keep Dick’s family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Eli Young Band Sets 2020 Tour

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Eli Young Band are hitting the road on a new headlining tour in February. The new tour kicks off Valentine’s Day in Denver, and crisscrosses the country before wrapping on April 11 in Cleveland. High Valley has been tapped to open several dates on the tour.

“After taking some time off over the holidays to regroup and reset, we’re so ready to get back to rockin’ on the road,” shares EYB frontman Mike Eli. “We’ve been rehearsing a new show and new songs, and we can’t wait to share all of it with our fans!”

Pre-sales have begun for Citi cardmembers and venues will hold pre-sales on Thursday (1/16) before public on sale Friday (1/17).

The band capped off 2019 by releasing the nostalgic video for their introspective single, “Break It In.” The clip serves as a sort of time capsule for the band’s trajectory, featuring everything from career highlights to more intimate moments, like saying “I do” and watching their families grow.

Eli Young Band 2020 Tour Dates:
February
14 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium*
15 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
16 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe at Old National Centre*
22 – Murray, KY – CFSB Center
29 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Casino & Resort
March
6 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal
7 – Miramar Beach, FL – The Village Door Music Hall
8 – Plant City, FL – Florida Strawberry Festival
13 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues Dallas*
14 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge
15 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge
19 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
20 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live*
21 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s*
April
11 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Cleveland*

*with High Valley

The Lacs Kick Up Some Faves On New Compilation

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A collection of The LACS’ most popular genre-blending hits and field party anthems, Kickin’ Up Mud: The Hits, is set for release Jan. 31. The 12-song collection is dropping on the heels of the duo’s first RIAA Gold-certified single for the title track “Kickin’ Up Mud,” which was released in 2010.

The album includes defining songs like the raucous title track, “Kickin’ Up Mud,” “Country Road,” and The LACS’ rowdy signature song, “Keep It Redneck.” This essential playlist also includes “Jack In My Coke,” featuring Montgomery Gentry.

“Kickin’ Up Mud: The Hits” Track List:
1. Kickin’ Up Mud
2. Country Road
3. 190 Proof
4. Country Boy Fresh
5. Keep it Redneck
6. Smokestack
7. Kick Dust f/Noah Gordon
8. Let Your Country Hang Out
9. All Weekend Long
10. God Bless A Country Girl
11. Make The Rooster Crow
12. Jack In My Coke f/Montgomery Gentry

Chris DeStefano, J.T. Harding, Brett James, Cassadee Pope Preview ASCAP Experience At Bluebird Cafe

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP VP of Membership Mike Sistad, Bluebird Cafe GM Erika Wollam Nichols, Cassadee Pope, Brett James, ASCAP Membership Manager Holly Chester, ASCAP VP of Marketing Erik Philbrook, J.T. Harding, ASCAP Sr. Director of Marketing Alison Toczylowski Webber, Chris DeStefano. Photo: Ed Rode

ASCAP songwriters Chris DeStefano, J.T. Harding, Brett James and Cassadee Pope shared songs and stories last night (Jan. 14) at the 2nd annual ASCAP Experience in the Round at the Bluebird Cafe. The hit songwriters were previewing the 15th annual ASCAP Experience—previously called the “I Create Music” EXPO—in Los Angeles April 1-3, 2020.

For tickets and more information about the 15th annual ASCAP Experience visit ascapexperience.com. In celebration of Nashville’s creator community, the promo code “BLUEBIRD” can be used for 10% off non-member pricing through Jan. 22.

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad kicked everything off by talking about the ASCAP Experience conference, which the songwriters gushed about all evening.

“We’ve had some amazing people out there, we’ve had Chris Stapleton, Justin Timberlake, Tom Petty has done it, Stevie Wonder, Meghan Trainor, Quincy Jones. It’s pretty awesome,” Sistad said. “Thank you for being here and thank you for supporting songwriters.”

Pictured (L-R): Brett James, Cassadee Pope, Chris DeStefano, J.T. Harding. Photo: Ed Rode

Pope kicked off the round with a song she had written about her sister, appropriately called “Sis.” She later played a few more new tunes, including a stunner called “I Just Do,” and a break-up song called “Best Worst Thing.” Pope also showed off her incredible tone and range on her career-starting hit, “Wasting All These Tears,” as well as a single off her last project, “Take You Home.”

James announced that he would be putting out a record in 2020, and played a sampling of songs from the project. “I hadn’t make a record in 25 years, so I decided to make a record,” he said.

James played several new songs, including a tune about telling the people you love how you feel about them, the upcoming first single from the project called “True Believer,” another song he wrote with Harding and DeStefano called “I Am Now,” and a stand-out bluesy tune called “Lonely.” James also played one of the biggest hits under his belt, “Jesus, Take The Wheel.”

Harding was extremely entertaining, playing his monster hits “Bar At The End Of The World” (Kenny Chesney), “Different For Girls” (Dierks Bentley and Elle King) and “Smile” (Uncle Kracker). “There’s no better songwriter showman in town,” DeStefano said of Harding.

Harding also played a clever new tune called “Y’allsome,” and a song that was inspired by a hotel he had stayed at on his way to the ASCAP Experience, which ended up being “Sangria” (Blake Shelton).

DeStefano wasn’t left behind as a songwriter showman, showing off his vocal skill on his cuts “Good Girl” (Carrie Underwood), “From The Ground Up” (Dan + Shay) and “Don’t It” (Billy Currington). He also played his Tyler Rich co-write “Leave Her Wild,” and killed his performance of Underwood’s “The Champion,” including Ludacris’ rap verse, which closed the epic round.

Pictured (L-R):Cassadee Pope, Brett James, J.T. Harding, Chris DeStefano. Photo: Ed Rode

SMACKSongs Signs Josh Dorr

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Pictured (L-R): SMACKSongs’ Robin Palmer, Shane McAnally, Josh Dorr and Lee Krabel. Photo Credit: Cece Dawson

SMACKSongs, the music publishing company led by Grammy winners Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, has inked an exclusive publishing deal with Josh Dorr.

Dorr’s songs have been recorded by artists including Jordan Davis, Dylan Brady, Sister Hazel, Emerson Hart and Cameran Nelson. He has released two EPs as an artist and is in the studio working on a new project to be released later this year.

“I’m honored and beyond excited to be part of such a talented roster of writers/artists and creative staff,” said Dorr. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and I can’t wait to start 2020 with my amazing new team at Smack”

SMACKSongs Senior Creative Director, Lee Krabel, shares, “I’ve been a fan of Josh’s for years. He is one of the best vocalists in our format and an incredible songwriter. From day one he has fit right in with the staff of writers at SMACK. We are so excited to be a part of his future and help take his career to new heights.”

SMACKSongs was named AIMP Publisher of the Year in 2018 and 2019, as well as SESAC’s Publisher of the Year in 2018.