Sugarland Signs With Big Machine Records

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Sugarland. Photo: Shervin Lainez

Award-winning country duo Sugarland officially announced today (Dec. 17) that they have signed with Big Machine Records. Previously signed as a joint venture with Big Machine/Universal Music Nashville for their critically acclaimed album Bigger, Big Machine Records becomes their exclusive label home as Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush embark on their next chapter.

“I am so proud to continue my association with Scott Borchetta and Big Machine Records,” said Nettles. “Scott has been there for Sugarland since our very first release, ‘Baby Girl,’ and continues to be our biggest champion when it comes to our records. We are so excited about all that’s ahead!”

“Sugarland has always been a band with a mission to spread our message as far as we can into every corner of the world and I can imagine no better partner or bigger machine than Scott Borchetta and BMLG,” said Bush.

“The music that Jennifer and Kristian make and perform together is nothing short of magical and I’m honored that they now call Big Machine Records their exclusive home,” said Borchetta.

Since the band’s inception in 2002, Sugarland has sold nearly 10 million albums domestically, have earned seven No. 1 singles to date and amassed nearly 400 million on-demand streams. Their albums The Incredible Machine is Platinum-certified, Love On The Inside is 2x multi-Platinum and Twice The Speed Of Life as well as Enjoy The Ride are 3x multi-Platinum.

James McNair Tees It Back Up With Sony/ATV

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(L-R:) Tom Luteran, Sony/ATV VP A&R; Josh Van Valkenburg, Sony/ATV SVP A&R; James McNair; Katie Kerkhover, Sony/ATV Mgr. A&R; Dane Schmidt, Sony/ATV Dir. A&R

James McNair has re-upped with Sony/ATV in an extension of his exclusive worldwide publishing deal.

Since signing with the company in 2015, McNair has landed over 45 major label cuts with artists like Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Scotty McCreery, Chris Janson, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Chase Rice, HARDY, The Cadillac Three, Tyler Farr, Chris Lane, and more.

“From day one, McNair has gone above and beyond to outwork his peers,” said Dane Schmidt, Director of Creative at Sony/ATV. “His perseverance & positive attitude inspire me every single day, and I look forward to watching him reap the benefits of the hard work he’s put into his craft.”

“I’m pumped to continue my career with my Sony/ATV family! I’d like to thank Dane, Big Tom, Josh and Katie for continuing to believe in me,” said McNair. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and I’m excited for the future!”

Music Row Businessman And Songwriter Robert “Bob” James Mather Passes

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Robert “Bob” James Mather

Music Row songwriter and businessman Robert “Bob” James Mather, passed away at his home in Franklin, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. He was 68.

Bob enjoyed a 35-year career with EMI Publishing, where he retired as Vice President of Administration. He was a member of the CMA, the Recording Academy, and the Copyright Society of the South. The Springfield, Mo. native was a BMI award-winning songwriter, having co-written the Gold-certified hit “Sexy Eyes,” recorded by Dr. Hook.

Bob was also involved in the early years with the Country Radio Seminar, assisting in the production of the New Faces Show, and was one of the first program directors with WMOT Campus Radio at Middle Tennessee State University.

An avid gardener, Bob served as President of the Davidson County Master Gardeners and was on the Board of Directors of the Nashville City Cemetery Association.

Memorials in memory of Bob can be made to the Master Gardener’s of Davidson County or to the Nashville City Cemetery Association.

Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 20 at Woodfin Memorial Chapel from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a Graveside Service at Roselawn Cemetery at 1:00 p.m..

Industry Pics: Lauren Daigle, Steve Wariner, Tucker Beathard

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Lauren Daigle’s “The Price Fund” Gives The Gift Of Music To New Orleans Charities

Photo: Garrett Lobaugh

This past weekend Lauren Daigle spread some holiday cheer by giving more than $270,000 through her charity The Price Fund to the Ellis Marsalis Center, Young Audiences of Louisiana, Roots of Music and KID smART. The funds, presented after each organization had an opportunity to perform at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, will be used to enhance music education programs in underserved communities located throughout Louisiana.

“Thanks to everyone’s generosity, through The Price Fund we were able to give the children of New Orleans much needed funds this weekend,” shares Daigle. “Seeing children have hope and a future is something I care so much about. When we surprised these kids, their faces lit up and I knew, we’re doing something good here!”

 

Steve Wariner Performs Special Holiday Set at Historic RCA Studio B

Pictured (L-R): Abi Tapia, Director of Public Programs, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Steve Wariner; Justin Croft, Manager of Studio B; Brinson Strickland, President, Collective Artist Management. Photo: Erin Lee Allender for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Steve Wariner performed original songs, holiday tunes and re-interpretations of classic hits recorded at Historic RCA Studio B at the studio on Friday, Dec. 13 as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Deck the Hall.

Wariner has multiple ties to Studio B. He was mentored by Country Music Hall of Fame members Dottie West, who recorded many hits in the room, and Chet Atkins, who managed RCA’s Nashville operation and produced hundreds of songs in Studio B. West encouraged Wariner to move to Nashville and play bass in her band, while Atkins signed Wariner to his first recording contract and eventually named him a “C.G.P.,” or “Certified Guitar Player,” a distinction given to only five musicians.

 

Tucker Beathard Wraps Headlining Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Tucker Beathard

Photo: Courtesy The Green Room

Tucker Beathard wrapped the last weekend of his headlining Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Tucker Beathard with high-energy sets through Chicago, Illinois (Dec. 11), Grand Rapids, Michigan (Dec. 12), Indianapolis, Indiana (Dec. 13) and West Peoria, Illinois (Dec. 14).

Following in the footsteps of Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Alumni including Macklemore, The Chainsmokers, Post Malone, Kane Brown and more, Beathard brought the tastemaker concert series across the Midwestern U.S., offering fans a sneak peek of new music from his forthcoming second installment of his debut double album.

Kenny Chesney Adds Amphitheater Shows To 2020 Tour

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Kenny Chesney is mixing it up on his upcoming Chillaxification Tour this summer, playing 22 previously announced stadium shows but also dialing it back a bit and adding in 18 amphitheater shows as well. On the amphitheater shows, he’ll be joined by good friend Michael Franti & Spearhead.

“As crazy and awesome as the stadium shows are—and there’s nothing like them—there is a vibe to the amphitheater shows that only happens in those places,” Chesney says. “You look out at the lawn, you see everybody coming together, singing the songs—and it’s this community that feels so close. I think everyone likes when we change things up. The shows are different. We make sure we play all the same songs, but there’s a looseness in the amphitheaters—and with only two acts, there’s also a different kind of intensity. Bringing Michael Franti & Spearhead is going to keep the energy up in a big way, and No Shoes Nation is going to really love them.”

Chesney will visit amphitheaters in West Palm Beach, Phoenix, Boise, Syracuse, Virginia Beach and more from May 7-August 26th on this portion of the tour. Fans can first purchase tickets beginning Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 for select cities as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket, and other markets will announce on-sale details individually.

Kenny Chesney’s Chillaxification 2020 Amphitheater Dates:
May 7 – Coral Sky Amphitheater – West Palm Beach, Fla.
May 13 – BankPlus Amphitheater – Southaven, Miss.
May 14 – Brandon Amphitheater – Brandon, Miss.
May 28 – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
June 4 – Coastal Credit Union Music Park – Raleigh, N.C.
June 11 – Walmart AMP – Rogers, Ark.
June 17 – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater – Virginia Beach, Va.
June 18 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, Va.
June 25 – PNC Music Pavilion – Charlotte, N.C.
July 2 – Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys – Lake Tahoe, Calif.
July 3 – Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys – Lake Tahoe, Calif.
July 23 – Ruoff Music Center – Noblesville, Ind.
July 29 – Isleta Amphitheater – Albuquerque, N.M.
July 30 – Ak-Chin Pavilion – Phoenix, Ariz.
August 5 – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater – Boise, Idaho
August 6 – USANA Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, Utah
August 20 – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview – Syracuse, N.Y.
August 26 – Merriweather Post Pavilion – Columbia, Md

Industry Ink: All Access, NSAI, Grayscale Marketing

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Leslie Armstrong Exits All Access

Leslie Armstrong has exited All Access to pursue new career opportunities; she joined All Access as Associate Editor in February. Armstrong previously worked as Manager/Social Media for B! Noticed PR. She has also spent time in radio promotion for HMG, and spent 10 years in a digital media role creating content for Bullseye Marketing’s consumer site, Nashville Country Club. Armstrong can be reached at lesinnash@gmail.com.

 

NSAI Announces ‘Artists & The Songwriters They Love’ Concert

NSAI’s performance series, Artists & The Songwriters They Love, returns to City Winery Nashville on Feb. 4, 2020 and will feature ACM Award-winner Justin Moore, alongside songwriting powerhouses Jeremy Stover, Rhett Akins and Chase McGill.  Tickets go on sale Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. CST at citywinery.com/Nashville and prices range from $30-$45.

 

Grayscale Marketing Adds Three

Grayscale Marketing, a Nashville-based, full-service entertainment agency, has hired Jack Carlisle as Graphic Designer and Video Production Specialist; Anna Kate Draper as Copywriter and Engagement Specialist; and Caroline Harwood as a Graphic Design and Illustration Specialist.

Founded in 2015, Grayscale Marketing offers marketing, public relations and advertising; the company’s clients have included Sixthman, Warner Chappell Production Music, Pilgrimage Music Festival and more.

Shawn Parr To Exit ‘NASH Nights Live,’ Elaina Smith To Continue Hosting Duties

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Elaina Smith

Beginning next year, Elaina Smith will take on solo hosting duties for the Westwood One-syndicated radio show NASH Nights Live, as her co-host Shawn Parr will exit.

“Shawn Parr’s last show will be Dec. 31, 2019. Elaina Smith will continue to host NASH Nights Live,” a spokesperson for Cumulus tells MusicRow.

Parr and Smith launched NASH Nights Live in 2014; Smith also hosts the weekend radio show With Elaina, as well as the podcast Breaking Thru With Elaina. Smith, a Gracie Award winner, previously hosted shows in Florida and San Diego and also worked at The Insider in Los Angeles, as well as Entertainment Tonight.

Parr previously worked at Los Angeles radio stations KZLA and KKGO; he has also served as the voice of Dick Clark Productions for nearly three decades and will continue to voice the Golden Globe Awards and ACM Awards.

Ashley Gorley Finishes 2019 On Top Of MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, Remains In Top 3 All Year

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For the last MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart of 2019, Ashley Gorley maintains his reign. Gorley has been at the pinnacle of the chart for 39 out of 49 charts, and has been in the top 3 all year. Songs that helped maintain Gorley’s positioning are Luke Bryan’s “What Makes You Country,” Chase Rice’s “Eyes On You,” Eli Young Band’s “Love Ain’t,” Dierks Bentley’s “Living,” Chris Janson’s “Good Vibes,” Lee Brice’s “Rumor,” Thomas Rhett’s “Remember You Young,” and more.

Following Gorley on this week’s chart are Laura Veltz (No. 2), Ross Copperman (No. 3), Luke Combs (No. 4) and Jesse Frasure (No. 5) in the Top 5.

The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the first songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Big Machine Label Group CRS Luncheon Lineup Announced

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The Big Machine Label Group luncheon lineup for Country Radio Seminar 2020 has been revealed and will include performances by Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Danielle Bradbery, Payton Smith, and Avenue Beat.

The luncheon is set for Friday, Feb. 21 in the Broadway Ballroom (CRS Performance Hall powered by Live Nation) at Omni Nashville, beginning at Noon. Country Radio Seminar 2020 is set for Feb. 19-21.

Registrations for CRS 2020 can be obtained at CountryRadioSeminar.com. The rate of $649 is now in effect.

Bobby Rymer Acquires Writer’s Den Music Group

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Bobby Rymer has acquired the entire Writer’s Den Music Group catalog.

Rymer, who was previously the general manager for Writer’s Den, has formed a new venture, Company 318, but will still be doing business as Writer’s Den.

Some of the artists who have recorded songs out of the catalog include Alan Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Stapleton, Rodney Crowell, LANCO, Alabama, Patrick Droney, and Ricky Skaggs, as well as Lindsay Ell’s current single “I Don’t Love You.” Former catalog writers include Adam Wright, Bonnie Bishop, Drew Kennedy, Jerry Salley, Melissa Fuller, Tami Hinesh, Thom Schuyler and Trent Jeffcoat. Active writers currently on the roster include Gordon Kennedy, Brennen Leigh, and Noel McKay.

Rymer can be contacted at bobby@writersdenmusicgroup.com.