ASCAP Launches Comprehensive Wellness Program TuneUp

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ASCAP is launching ASCAP TuneUp, a member program to meet the evolving wellness needs of music creators. With TuneUp, ASCAP becomes the first US performing rights organization to focus heavily on its members’ physical and mental well-being to support their creativity, life balance and longevity.

ASCAP members will receive a range of benefits including access to and significant discounts on innovative services that support mental health, mindfulness, exercise and nutrition. Key strategic partners in TuneUp include: Aaptiv: music-powered, coach-guided digital audio workouts, BetterHelp: easy, affordable, anywhere access to therapists and mental health resources via your digital devices, Daily Burn: access to thousands of workout videos available from your home, Motiv: a fitness and sleep tracker housed in a ring, and Shine: Shine: a self-care app with easy exercises and a supportive community. 

ASCAP TuneUp also announces a strategic partnership with MusiCares, the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, that provides critical assistance to music people in times of need. Together with ASCAP, MusiCares will launch recovery-focused support groups in multiple cities as well as a digital support group that offers services to creators in any location. MusiCares will also serve as an official advisor on ASCAP’s recovery and mental health programs.

The ASCAP TuneUp program will also host wellness events for ASCAP members throughout the year in multiple cities. ASCAP TuneUp wellness events will launch at the organization’s New York City headquarters on Jan. 6 with a “sound bath,” an immersive group meditation experience that utilizes sound from a range of instruments to benefit a participant’s mind, body and spirit. Similar events in Los Angeles and Nashville will follow.

Additionally, the organization is planning a dedicated wellness programming track at the upcoming 2020 ASCAP Experience in Los Angeles, April 1 – 3. It has also hosted a number of other activities over the past month to preview the TuneUp program, including a post-ASCAP Country Music Awards high intensity interval training workout in Nashville (featuring an all-ASCAP playlist), and “Mind Your Business: Mental Health in the Music Industry,” an ASCAP Urban panel discussion in LA.

“Creating music is an all-consuming passion and a labor of love, but you’ve got to take care of your instrument — in the case of music creators, your body, mind and spirit,” said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. “ASCAP has a long commitment to supporting the livelihoods of its songwriters and composers. With TuneUp, we’re taking that one step further. If creating music is your life, we are here to provide the resources you need to be at your creative best. This is just the beginning, and we will roll out more services in the months to come.”

UMPG Nashville, 50 Egg Ink Deal With Shane Minor

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Pictured (L-R): Troy Tomlinson, Missy Roberts, Shane Minor, Tali Canterbury, Cyndi Forman, Jonathan Singleton, Joey Harris

Universal Music Publishing Nashville has partnered with 50 Egg Music to ink an exclusive global publishing agreement with Shane Minor.

Minor has penned hits including “Chillin’ It” (Cole Swindell), “Live A Little” (Kenny Chesney), “Beautiful Mess” (Diamond Rio), and “International Harvester” (Craig Morgan), as well as songs recorded by Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Chris Young, Rascal Flatts, and more.

Missy Roberts, Senior Creative Director at UMPG Nashville said, “I have long admired Shane Minor as a songwriter and human. He is a true pro and incredible asset to our roster. We are thrilled to partner with Shane and our friends at 50 Egg Music!”

Minor added, ”I’m so excited to be working with the two great teams of UMPG and 50 Egg Music. Having a joint venture with these incredible companies is both humbling and an honor.”

50 Egg’s Jonathan Singleton and Tali Canterbury added: “We couldn’t be happier to officially welcome Shane into our 50 Egg Music family. He is a fantastic writer who has the right personality to get in the room with other writers as well as artists and come out with a hit song. Working with Shane and Universal Music Publishing will be a valuable partnership for our company.”

Canterbury, Singleton and Luke Combs launched the music publishing and A&R venture 50 Egg Music earlier this year.

Rodney Crowell Signs Co-Publishing/Admin Deal With Sheltered Music

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Rodney Crowell has signed a co-publishing and administration deal with Sheltered Music, a division of Blackbird Music Publishing Group, with a joint venture to develop new artist writers. 

With more than 40 years of American roots music under his belt, Crowell has a rich history of songwriting excellence and has written hits for Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and more. The Texas native is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, has written 15 number one hits, won two Grammys, and is the author of the acclaimed memoir, Chinaberry Sidewalks. In addition, he is the co-author of the New York Times best-selling book, Kin: Songs by Mary Karr and Rodney Crowell. Beyond working with some of the biggest names in country, he has also penned songs for Bob Seger, the Grateful Dead, Etta James, John Denver, and Jimmy Buffett, among others. In 2017, Crowell was honored with ASCAP’s prestigious Founder’s Award.

“It’s a privilege to get to work with Rodney, as writing great songs has always been a major part of his legacy,” commented SVP Darrel Franklin. “It is our goal to add to that iconic resume of success by creating strategic songwriting collaborations and placements for Rodney with major country artists. In addition, we will also be supporting his creative vision in developing new artist talent.” 

“It is my good fortune to collaborate with Lance Freed and Darrell Franklin in a new song publishing venture with Sheltered Music,” said Crowell. “I’m anticipating a thoroughly enjoyable ride.”

Sheltered Music, founded by The Raine Group, Keith Wortman and Blackbird Presents, formed in July 2019 and recently announced an A&R Partnership and creative development deal with producer Dann Huff.

CAA Promotes Julie Greenberg To Touring Agent

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CAA’s Julie Greenberg has been promoted to Touring Agent and will be based in the Nashville office.

Greenberg’s promotion was announced alongside a slate of additional promotions, including Natalie Moran in CAA’s motion pictures department, Yale Jesser and Erin O’Brien in the commercial endorsements department, David Kipke in the sports division, and Casey Sunderland and Travis Tammero in media finance. O’Brien and Kipke will be based in New York, while the others will be located in Los Angeles.

Greenberg joined CAA in 2015 and previously worked for JOOX Music and completed internships at Red Light Management and Thirty Tigers.

NSAI Honors Chart-Topping Songs With Nashville Celebration

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The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) recently celebrated several songwriters by partnering with event sponsor SunTrust for a party to honor writers of songs that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Airplay, Digital, Hot or Mediabase charts during the period of July-October 2019. NSAI President Steve Bogard and NSAI Exec. Director Bart Herbison presented attending writers with their honors.

The 20 songs recognized during the event were:

“Alive” 
Writers: Jason Ingram, Zach Williams, Jonathan Smith
Recorded by: Big Daddy Weave

“All To Myself” 
Writers: Nicolle Galyon, Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers
Recorded by: Dan + Shay

“Beer Never Broke My Heart” 
Writers: Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton
Recorded by: Luke Combs

“GIRL” 
Writers: Sarah Aarons, Greg Kurstin, Maren Morris
Recorded by: Maren Morris

“God’s Country” 
Writers: Devin Dawson, Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt
Recorded by: Blake Shelton

“Good Vibes” 
Writers: Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, Chris Janson
Recorded by: Chris Janson

“Haven’t Seen It Yet” 
Writers: Danny Gokey, Ethan Hulse, Colby Wedgeworth
Recorded by: Danny Gokey

“I Don’t Know About You” 
Writers: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jameson Rodgers
Recorded by: Chris Lane

“Knockin’ Boots” 
Writers: Gordie Sampson, Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite
Recorded by: Luke Bryan

“Living”
Writers: Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, Jon Nite
Recorded by: Dierks Bentley

“Love You Too Late” 
Writers: Michael Carter, Brandon Kinney, Cole Swindell
Recorded by: Cole Swindell

“Nobody” 
Writers: Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, Matthew West
Recorded by: Casting Crowns feat. Matthew West

“Old Town Road” 
Writers: Billy Ray Cyrus, Jocelyn Donald, Lil Nas X, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, YoungKio
Recorded by: Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus

“Prayed For You” 
Writers: Ash Bowers, Allison Veltz-Cruz, Matt Stell
Recorded by: Matt Stell

“Rearview Town” 
Writers: Bobby Pinson, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher
Recorded by: Jason Aldean

“Reason” 
Writers: Jonathan Lowry, Chad Mattson, Chris Stevens
Recorded by: Unspoken

“Rumor”
Writers: Lee Brice, Ashley Gorley, Kyle Jacobs
Recorded by: Lee Brice

“Some Of It” 
Writers: Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson
Recorded by: Eric Church

“Southbound” 
Writers: David Garcia, Josh Miller, Carrie Underwood
Recorded by: Carrie Underwood

“The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” 
Writers: Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Justin Moore, Jeremy Stover
Recorded by: Justin Moore

Mitchell Tenpenny To Extend Anything She Says Tour

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Mitchell Tenpenny is extending his headlining Anything She Says Tour into the New Year. The tour resumes Jan. 17 in St. Louis, Missouri, and visits Tuscaloosa, Detroit, Fort Worth, Columbus, and more through March 7. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 13 with a pre-sale open to Mitchell’s “Night Owls” fan club members tomorrow (Dec. 10).

Country duo Seaforth and Adam Doleac will open the shows; Tenpenny’s current single, “Anything She Says,” features Seaforth and reached No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway.

“One of the greatest things about this particular tour is the reception of the music from the fans,” said Tenpenny. “There is nothing more satisfying and humbling then when your fans are singing back lyrics to your own songs. This happened the first night in Nashville and I actually forgot a lyric because I was so moved. I’m so thrilled to be continuing this tour!”

Mitchell Tenpenny “Anything She Says” Tour Dates:

Jan. 17 St. Louis, MO *
Jan. 24 Ft. Worth, TX *
Jan.25 Tuscaloosa, AL
Jan. 29 Detroit, MI
Jan. 30 Springfield, IL
Jan. 31 Grand Rapids, MI *++
Feb. 1 Bloomington, IN
Feb. 28 Oxford, MS
Feb. 29 Starkville, MS
Mar. 5 Columbus, OH++
Mar.7 Rootstown, OH++
* on sale now
++Adam
Seaforth on all dates except++

YouTube video

Gorley, Veltz, Copperman Take Top Three On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley remains at No. 1 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, while Laura Veltz moves up into the No. 2 position and Ross Copperman moves into No. 3.

Luke Combs occupies the No. 4 position, and Jesse Frasure rounds out the top five at No. 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.

Save The Date: MusicRow’s 2020 Rising Women On The Row

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MusicRow‘s 9th annual Rising Women on the Row breakfast has been set to take place Wednesday, March 25 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Nominations for the 2020 honorees will open, and tickets for the event will go on sale, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020.

The Rising Women on the Row breakfast honors six deserving female executives in the Nashville music industry community alongside a featured speaker and performers, and is hosted by MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson.

Past honorees include—2019: Janine Ebach, Kelly Janson, Meredith Jones, Lenore Kinder, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Jennifer Turnbow; 2018: Faithe Dillman, Leslie DiPiero, Becky Gardenhire, Lynn Oliver-Cline, Annie Ortmeier, Janet Weir; 2017: Tatum Allsep, Virginia Davis, Kerri Edwards, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, Juli Newton-Griffith; 2016: Abbey Adams, Amanda Cates, Cris Lacy, Leslie Roberts, Risha Rodgers; 2015: Kele Currier, Tiffany Dunn, Dawn Gates, Jensen Sussman, Lou Taylor; 2014: Julie Boos, Caryl Healey, Ebie McFarland, Alicia Pruitt, Kelly Rich; 2013: Cyndi Forman, Cindy Hunt, Beth Laird, Cindy Mabe, Brandi Simms; 2012: Shannan Hatch, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens, Carla Wallace.

Read more about 2019’s Rising Women on the Row event: Bobby Karl Works The Room: MusicRow’s Annual Rising Women On The Row Celebrates Top Industry Execs.

Academy Of Country Music Appoints Damon Whiteside As CEO

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Damon Whiteside

The Academy of Country Music has named its new Chief Executive Officer. Damon Whiteside will take the helm beginning Jan. 6, as the Academy’s third CEO in its 55-year history. Whiteside will split his time between Nashville and Los Angeles.

Whiteside previously spent six years as the Country Music Association’s Sr. VP, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, prior to being promoted to his current role as Chief Marketing Officer. He has 23 years of career experience in the music and entertainment industries.

“I am extremely proud of the monumental accomplishments that our dedicated team at CMA has been able to achieve these last six years thanks to the support and guidance of the CMA Board and Sarah Trahern,” Whiteside said. “It has been an honor to help shape the successes of this rich genre, and to be part of a respected organization like CMA and its mission to grow country music globally while shaping positive perceptions about the industry and its artists.

“I am honored and humbled to now be given the responsibility to shape the future of the Academy. I am excited to draw upon my deep passion, unique experience and important relationships across the country music and mainstream entertainment media industries to reinforce the organization’s mission, rejuvenate its influence, and redefine its purpose to benefit the entire country music ecosystem.”

“We are fortunate to welcome Damon as the Academy’s new CEO,” shares Ed Warm, chairman of the ACM Board of Directors. “His experience, commitment and enthusiasm in the country music world are well documented and we are confident that he will enhance the Academy’s ability to bring together fans, artists and the industry while enabling the organization’s charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives, to impact more lives than ever before.”

“Damon joining the ACM is exactly what the Academy needs right now,” adds RAC Clark, the executive producer of the ACM CBS broadcast and interim executive director for the Academy. “I’ve been part of the ACM Awards since 1979, and I can’t wait to pass along everything I can to Damon from my experience as an ACM board member, Interim Executive Director and Executive Producer of the telecast.”

In his time at CMA, Whiteside has been responsible for overseeing the development of multi-million-dollar marketing and media campaigns for CMA’s three annual television properties and strengthening the partnership with CMA’s exclusive broadcast partner ABC Television Network and The Walt Disney Company. Additionally, Whiteside dedicated efforts to identify and build strategic partnerships with multi-platform media partners, digital companies, and Fortune 500 brands. Notable accomplishments include increased ratings for the 53rd Annual CMA Awards in November 2019, his leadership role in the year-long campaign for The 50th Annual CMA Awards and the groundbreaking “Forever Country” single and music video campaign; serving as the lead country strategist for the release of the Ken Burns Country Music documentary; award-winning creative campaigns positioning the CMA Awards as the leader in music awards shows; the launch of CMA Brand Marketing Summits in New York, Toronto and London; dramatic growth across CMA digital platforms; the launch of CMA’s content creation efforts; integrated media partnerships with top digital/DSPs, radio, and cable television partners; re-branding of CMA Music Festival and Fan Fair X; 40% increase in annual sponsorship revenue; supporting the CMA Board of Directors’ expansion of international efforts; and the overall re-tooling of the CMA marketing, research, communications and strategic partnerships teams to better serve the needs of the country music industry.

Whiteside launched his career in 1996 at The Walt Disney Company, where he was responsible for award-winning marketing, creative productions, live events, and digital partnership programs for various Disney-owned companies including Disney Music Group, The Walt Disney Studios, Disney Channel, and Disney Consumer Products.

He led marketing and partnership campaigns that earned more than 100 No. 1 films, TV series, album releases and/or concert tours. He also helped develop strategies for film and television programs including Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Cars, Toy Story, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mickey Mouse, Disney Princess and more, with each producing more than $3 billion in retail sales. Whiteside secured more than $100 million annually in media value via brand partnerships with networks including ABC, ABC Family, CMT, MTV, VH-1, Disney Channel, ESPN, HGTV, GAC, PBS, VH1 and more. Whiteside was part of Disney’s Corporate Brand Management and Synergy Executive Committees, which determined strategies for the top franchise as well as company-wide marketing focuses. He also represented the three Disney Music Group labels, including Walt Disney Records, Hollywood Records and Lyric Street Records, to integrate artists into initiatives throughout the company.

In 2011, Whiteside formed Nomad Entertainment Group to represent an array of music artists, producers and songwriters and to develop marketing and digital campaigns and strategies for clients.

Whiteside has been part of Leadership Music, The Recording Academy, Music Business Association, Digital LA, CMO Club, LA Office, American Marketing Association and Promotion Marketing Association. He serves on the boards of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Nashville Cares and the T.J. Martell Foundation. In 2013, he completed the Executive Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Heath Sanders Joins The Valory Music Co. Roster

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Pictured (L-R): Back Row – L3 Entertainment’s Cody Villalobos, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones, L3 Entertainment’s Pete Hartung, Tour Manager Ricky Crawford, Big Machine Label Group’s Andrew Kautz; Front Row – The Valory Music Co.’s George Briner, Heath Sanders, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta. Photo Credit: Seth Hellman

Heath Sanders has signed with The Valory Music Co. The former oilfield worker turned singer/songwriter has performed alongside artists including Justin Moore, Drake White and Chase Rice.

“Heath Sanders has the talent and voice that people will be talking about from the very first time they hear him,” said The Valory Music Co. President George Briner. “And this boy is country, through and through.”

“A friend of mine once told me, ‘don’t just make music, make history,’ and that goal just became much more attainable,” said Sanders. “After watching the Big Machine Label Group build the careers of some of my heroes, it’s an honor to experience firsthand the welcoming spirit, work ethic and love for music that is the driving force behind the team at The Valory Music Co. This is life changing and I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity.”

The Arkansas native joins the Big Machine Label Group imprint which features Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, Sheryl Crow, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Aaron Lewis, Tyler Rich, Avenue Beat and Conner Smith. Sanders is managed by L3 Entertainment in Nashville.