Industry Ink: AIMP, The Highwomen, Cody Webb

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AIMP Nashville Chapter Hosts Panel On A&R

From left: Mark Brown (Round Hill Music), Tim Hunze (Anthem Entertainment), John Ozier (Reservoir; AIMP Nashville President), Allison Jones (Big Machine Label Group), Arturo Buenahora (Little Louder Music), Sara Knabe (BBR Music Group), Brad Peterson (Regions Bank), and Dale Bobo (Big Deal Music).

AIMP’s Nashville Chapter hosted a session centering on A&R on Wednesday (July 31) at ASCAP’s Nashville office. Three of Nashville’s top A&R execs, including Little Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora, BMLG’s Allison Jones, and BBR Music Group’s Sara Knabe spoke about the strategies and challenges in the current artist development landscape and A&R process.

 

The Highwomen Make Sirius Stop

(L-R): Ed Green (Red Light), Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, JR Schumann, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby, Anna Cage (Warner), Mike Easterlin (Co-President Elektra Music Group)

The Highwomen, (Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby) recently stopped by Sirius XM to chat with Sirius’ JR Schumann. They just released their new single, “Redesigning Women,” and earlier this week made their late-night TV debut on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. They will release their self-titled EP, produced by Dave Cobb, in September.

 

Cody Webb Teams With Natural Light In South Carolina

Photo Credit: Bill Reynolds

Cody Webb has partnered with Natural Light Beer in South Carolina to become the official “face” of the popular beverage in his home state. The partnership will include appearances at South Carolina events, promotional activities and giveaways, sponsored performances, and a social media campaign.

“If you would have told me I would be the South Carolina ‘face’ of ‘Natty Light’ in college, I don’t know what my friends would have done,” says Webb. “I’m super excited to partner with my favorite beer brand!”

Promotions, New Hires At ACM

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Pictured: Melissa Moldovan, Mary Pambukyan, Bridget Cirone, Jenny Dunn, Libby Gardner

The Academy of Country Music has announced a round of hirings and promotions. Melissa Moldovan has been promoted to Senior Manager, Marketing; Mary Pambukyan has been promoted to Manager, Finance & Operations; Bridget Cirone has been promoted to Coordinator, Marketing; Jenny Dunn has joined the staff as Coordinator, Strategic Partnerships and Libby Gardner has joined the staff as Coordinator, Creative & Content. All positions are based out of the Academy’s headquarters in Encino, California.

Moldovan joined the Academy in 2015, following a four-year stint at the nationally syndicated radio show The Big Time with Whitney Allen, where she worked as an assistant producer and fill-in co-host while simultaneously developing the show’s social media marketing strategy. Her work there led to the creation of a social media staff position, which Moldovan undertook in addition to her other roles. In her expanded role at the Academy, Moldovan will execute all ACM radio promotions and lead on Academy and ACM Lifting Lives press materials and marketing initiatives, to oversee ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp publicity, ACM Honors credentialing, and more. She reports to Brooke Primero, Senior Vice President, Marketing.

Pambukyan joined the Academy in 2018, following turns at both Chase and Wells Fargo, in addition to accounting and administrative experience in the health care and automotive industries. A Los Angeles native, Pambukyan graduated with a master’s degree in Business and Accounting from the University of Phoenix, with an emphasis on Finance and Risk Management. Pambukyan served as President of Birmingham Community Charter Business and Technology Senate. In her new role as Manager, Finance & Operations, Pambukyan will continue to support all ACM financial initiatives and oversee office operations. She reports to Alexa Fasheh, Vice President of Finance & Operations.

Cirone has been promoted to the newly-created position of Coordinator, Marketing. Cirone joined the Academy of Country Music’s Los Angeles team in 2018, as Assistant for both the Marketing and Creative & Content departments. Cirone graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she studied public relations and digital media and worked for both the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and WISN 12 News. After graduating, Cirone moved back to Las Vegas where she worked at Wicked Creative, an entertainment, hospitality and lifestyle public relations firm. Cirone was a volunteer for the ACM Awards and ACM Party for a Cause® events in 2017. In her new role, she will support all publicity and marketing initiatives for the Academy and ACM Lifting Lives. She reports to Brooke Primero, Senior Vice President, Marketing.

Dunn joins the Academy of Country Music as Coordinator, Strategic Partnerships, also a new Academy staff position. Dunn recently graduated from the University of Southern California where she majored in Communications and minored in Organizational Leadership and Management. During most of her time at USC, Dunn worked for USC Football in the Recruiting department where she was responsible for recruiting the top prospective athletes for the football team. She also interned at the LA Chargers in the Community Relations and Corporate Partnerships departments, following her internship at Fox Sports in the Talent Relations and Production department. In her role, she will assist the Strategic Partnerships department and report to Jen Heaton, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships.

Gardner joins the Academy of Country Music Creative & Content department full-time as a coordinator. Gardner attended Syracuse University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Television, Radio, and Film. During her time at Syracuse, Gardner interned at the Academy in the creative department and following her graduation in 2018, continued working for the Academy as a freelance field producer. Gardner has also worked as a production assistant on numerous television shows ranging from an Investigation Discovery true crime series to the talk show, The Doctors. Gardner reports to Lisa Lee, Senior Vice President, Creative & Content.

Submissions Now Open For MusicRow’s 2019 ‘Publisher Issue’ Print Magazine

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New submissions for the upcoming MusicRow Publisher Issue print magazine are now being accepted through Aug. 16.

The issue includes a publisher directory with contact information in addition to exclusive editorial pertaining to Nashville music publishers. To submit your company for consideration, complete and submit this form. For questions, please contact LB Rogers at lbrogers@musicrow.com or 615-349-2171.

To reserve ad space in the 2019 Publisher issue, contact srobertson@musicrow.com. Rate card information is available here.

Subscribe to MusicRow here to make sure you don’t miss the annual Publisher Issue.

Toby Keith Celebrates Show Dog Years On New Greatest Hits Collection

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Toby Keith is releasing a collection of his biggest hits from his Show Dog label this Fall on Toby Keith Greatest Hits: The Show Dog Years.

Out Oct. 25, the collection features more than a dozen hits and four new tracks including “Don’t Let The Old Man In,” his current single “That’s Country Bro,” (which he recently performed live on NBC’s Today, the CMT Music Awards and The Voice finale), “American Ride (Official Remix)” featuring DJ KO, and “Back In The 405,” a co-write with Colt Ford that celebrates a hometown girl’s return.

From the viral smash “Red Solo Cup” and rousing “Made In America,” to the wrenching “She Never Cried In Front Of Me” and mournful “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song),” to “Hope On The Rocks” and “Don’t Let The Old Man In” (from the soundtrack of the Clint Eastwood film The Mule), the album is a chronicle of Keith’s self-directed creativity over the past decade.

“Well, folks, here it is,” Keith remarks in the album liner notes. “The Show Dog years’ biggest hits. I know it’s long overdue, but we put them all in one big pile. Twenty-five years went by fast, but I’m very blessed to have this wonderful career. Still kickin’ it, too. See ya out there on the road.”

Toby Keith Greatest Hits, The Show Dog Years Track listing:
1. That’s Country Bro*
2. Made In America
3. Beers Ago
4. Red Solo Cup
5. American Ride
6. Don’t Let the Old Man In*
7. God Love Her
8. Hope On The Rocks
9. Trailerhood
10. Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song)
11. She Never Cried In Front Of Me
12.  High Maintenance Woman
13. Love Me If You Can
14. Lost You Anyway
15. Back In The 405*
16. American Ride (Official Remix)*
* Newly recorded songs

DISClaimer: The Highwomen, Hailey Whitters Top New Tracks

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We have kids, veterans and everyone in between on today’s DISClaimer playlist.

The juveniles are Mason Ramsey and Gabby Barrett. The vets are Tanya Tucker, Billy Currington and the Randy Rogers Band.

In the catbird seat as the easy DISCovery Award winners are The Highwomen. I don’t know whether this is a one-off collaboration or something more permanent, but whatever it is, I’m in.

Two Big Loud artists go head to head for the Disc of the Day prize, Morgan Wallen and Hardy. But in another blow for country female empowerment, both are bested by Hailey Whitters.

BILLY CURRINGTON/Details
Writers: Mark Trussell/Nicolle Galyon/Stephen Lee Olsen; Producer: Mark Trussell; Publishers: WB/Future Heartbeat/Mark Trussell/Warner-Tamerlane/A Boy Named Ford/Slo Circus/Roc Nation/Songs of Rhythm House Red, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury Nashville
– Pleasant and craftily worded, but in one ear and out the other.

MORGAN WALLEN/Chasin’ You
Writers: Morgan Wallen/Craig Wiseman/Jamie Moore; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
– The “Whiskey Glasses” man confirms his stardom with this softly aching performance of a love memory that continues to haunt him. This guy is way cool.

HAILEY WHITTERS/The Days
Writers: Hailey Whitters/Hillary Lindsey/Ben West; Producer: Jake Gear; Publisher: Carnival Music; HW
– The slappin’ beats and echoey audio atmosphere are superb, and the song craftsmanship is even more so. “Instead of counting up the days/I just wanna make them count.” Amen, sister. This brilliant artist/writer is being criminally overlooked by the mainstream country industry. Can I get another amen?

BILLY RAY CYRUS & JOHNNY MCGUIRE/Chevys and Fords
Writers: Johnny McGuire/Jordan Walker/Rodney Clawson/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Publishers: none listed; BBR
– Formerly of the duo Walker McGuire, Johnny has a terrific country-rock voice with an ear-catching “edge.” The blue-collar lyric is a dandy. And it sure doesn’t hurt his cause that he’s collaborating with America’s No. 1 artist.

HARDY/Rednecker
Writers: Andy Albert/Jordan Schmidt/Michael Wilson Hardy; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Kobalt/Downtown/Warner Chappell, no performance rights listed; Big Loud
– Pretty dang funny. This pushes every bro-country trope over the edge of parody and into the realm of delightful wackiness. Also: The first country song with the masterpiece lyric, “I piss where I want.”

TANYA TUCKER/Hard Luck
Writers: none listed; Producers: Brandi Carlile/Shooter Jennings; Publishers: none listed; Fantasy
– As spicy and saucy as tabasco, this takes a page or two from her bad-girl-image book. The track rumbles along like chugging steam engine and The Texas Tornado turns in a personality-packed vocal performance. Love this. Love her.

MASON RAMSEY/Twang
Writers: Brian Kelley/Jordan Schmidt/Hunter Phelps/Ernest K. Smith; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud/Atlantic
– From Walmart to the “Old Town Road,” this 12-year-old is on his way to …. someplace.

THE HIGHWOMEN/Redesigning Women
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Elektra/Low Country Sound
– There’s strength in numbers. Just ask Natalie Hemby, Amanda Shires, Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile, collectively recording under this billing. Their fun-loving, girl-power tune has a video featuring everyone from Wynonna to Tanya Tucker. The more the merrier. Proved it again with Dolly at the Newport Folk Festival last Saturday.

RANDY ROGERS BAND/I’ll Never Get Over You
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: noen listed; Thirty Tigers
– A Texas two-stepper with a decided bounce in the beat. As always, tuneful and accomplished, but I’d shop around for a stronger song.

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope
Writers: none listed; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publishers: none listed; Warner Music
– She’s a teenager, but sounds strikingly mature as a vocalist on this torrid, vengeful tale. Next time, try producing this former American Idol competitor with a lot less pop gloss and echoey audio compression.

Jordan Davis Celebrates Second No. 1 Single, “Take It From Me”

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Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, and Jason Gantt perform “Take It From Me.” Photo: Ed Rode.

Jordan Davis celebrated his second No. 1 hit, “Take It From Me,” during a party hosted by ASCAP and BMI at Nashville venue Ruby on July 30. Jordan penned the track alongside his brother and fellow singer-songwriter Jacob Davis, as well as Jason Gantt. The song marked the first No. 1 single as a writer for both Jacob Davis and Gantt.

“Take It From Me,” produced by Paul DiGiovanni, is from Davis’ debut album Home State, released via MCA Nashville.

ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston celebrated ASCAP writers Jacob Davis and Jordan Davis, while BMI’s MaryAnn Keen feted BMI writer Jason Gantt.

Gantt thanked Bob DiPiero for teaching him when he first moved to Nashville in 2000. “I got a job as an assistant engineer on a Bob DiPiero tracking session and a few months later, the main engineer just bailed and I became the main engineer. I’ve loved learning from you by being around you. During that time, I never told him I wanted to be a songwriter or that I write songs, because I was too scared to do that. In walks Leslie DiPiero one day and I guess she saw something in me. She started setting me up on co-writes, and I got to know everyone at Sony. Everyone there treats me so well. In 2014, I met Jacob Davis and we started writing songs. I love anytime I get to write with you because I love teaching you things all the time when we write,” he joked.

Jacob Davis thanked his family, publishers, and supporters, before offering gratitude to his co-writers. “I’m going to say something about my brother. I remember growing up and being five or six years old and my parents always told me, ‘Watch baby Jordan. Keep an eye on baby Jordan.’ I always had baby Jordan’s back and I always took pride in that. It’s come full circle and it’s a sweet thing. I can honestly say that I’ve never taken more pride than to watch baby Jordan have this success.…this is the best, dude.”

Pictured (L-R): Producer Paul DiGiovanni, Anthem Entertainment’s Gilles Godard, Wrensong Entertainment’s Abbe Nameche, ASCAP songwriter Jacob Davis, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, ASCAP songwriter and MCA Nashville recording artist Jordan Davis, Anthem Entertainment’s Tim Hunze, Rezonant Music’s Tim Wipperman, BMI songwriter Jason Gantt, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Love Monkey Music’s Bob DiPiero, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg, and UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan. Photo: Ed Rode.

CMA’s Brandi Simms, Anthem Entertainment’s Gilles Godard, Wrensong Entertainment’s Abbe Nameche, Anthem Entertainment’s Tim Hunze, Rezonant Music’s Tim Wipperman, Love Monkey Music’s Bob DiPiero, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg and UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan were in attendance. First Tennessee Bank was also on hand to celebrate.

“I never dreamed about any of this stuff,” Jordan Davis told the crowd of industry well wishers. “But I had people who got behind me and pushed me. I needed that at the time, to show what we could do and what could be done. And writers in this town accepted me when I wasn’t writing good songs like this. They continued to stick with me, instead of throwing me out and sticking someone else in that third slot, which I know happens.

“Thank you Brian Wright and Stephanie Wright for bringing me into the best damn record label in Nashville. They took a chance on a guy who had no business signing a record deal. I didn’t, and they took a shot. I’m grateful for that and I’ve worked very hard to show that I am worthy of it, but that starts with y’all believing in me. I didn’t think it would happen, but everybody believed in me and I can’t think you enough for that.

“Jason and Jacob, this was a goal of ours to have this and it’s unreal. Paul, thank you so much for making this record sound a whole lot better than it should. This song was a fight, a gloves off, fist brawl [to reach the No. 1 slot]. We were at No. 2, and I knew were going to celebrate the song either way. There were too many people who worked their butts off. Whether it was a No. 1, a No. 2, or honestly even if it was a No. 8, there were people who knew how special this song was to me and I can’t explain how people got behind it and wanted this for me and knew it was so special to me and my brother and my family.”

Brett Young’s New Caliville Collection To Debut At Kohls In October

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Photo Credit: Kohl’s

Brett Young is teaming up with Kohls for a new Caliville clothing collection and will also help highlight Levi’s denim styles during the back-to-school season, spotlighting his favorite go-to jeans and Levi’s fits in a multi-dimensional new marketing campaign. Brett Young’s Caliville collection will debut at Kohl’s beginning in October 2019.

Inspired by Young’s California roots and career in Nashville, the Caliville collection will feature a selection of short sleeve and long sleeve graphic tees, fleece, flannels, and joggers, ranging from $25 to $60. Caliville apparel will be available in more than 750 Kohl’s stores and on Kohls.com.

“Bringing Caliville apparel exclusively to Kohl’s is a dream come true,” said Young. “To me, Caliville represents taking risks and chasing your dreams without letting anyone discourage you, and seeing this message and clothing line come full circle in so many ways is so much fun. I’m so happy this partnership will allow us to keep spreading that message.”

Exclusive: Maren Morris Signs With UMPG For Publishing Admin Deal

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Global music publisher Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has entered into a worldwide administration deal with superstar Maren Morris. Morris is currently self-published.

Morris said, “I have loved working with the staff at UMPG for a while just through the past years of writing with their songwriters, so to officially be in the UMPG family feels like coming home in a way. I am so looking forward to our partnership together and can’t wait for the songs to come!”

UMPG Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson said, “Maren is an extremely talented songwriter, artist and producer whose songs have the world singing along to every hit. Even more exceptional, she has successfully crossed genres, moving seamlessly between beloved country music superstar and topping pop charts. Maren has a bright and exciting future ahead, and we are thrilled to welcome her to UMPG’s creative global home.”

Added Troy Tomlinson, UMPG Nashville Chairman and CEO: “Maren displays fearlessness and energy in every lyric, every melody and every performance. UMPG is so happy to have the opportunity to represent a talent of her caliber and look forward to delivering outstanding creative opportunities.”

Morris’ recently-released sophomore album GIRL broke the record for the largest-ever debut streaming week for a country album by a female artist, with 23.96 million streams in its first week. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, while the Gold-certified title track—which is No. 1 on this week’s Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts—achieved the highest debut on the Billboard Country Streaming Songs Chart by a female artist and the highest weekly streams ever by a female country artist.

Her debut single “My Church” is RIAA-certified double Platinum and earned Morris a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance. Her Platinum-certified debut album HERO is also home to Platinum hits “80s Mercedes” and “I Could Use A Love Song,” as well as Gold-certified “Rich.”

Morris’ collaboration with fellow UMPG songwriters Zedd and Grey, “The Middle,” earned multiple Grammy nominations, reached No. 5 on Billboard Hot 100, spent six weeks at No. 1 at Top 40 Radio and five weeks at No. 1 at Hot AC radio.

Icon Entertainment Group Celebrates Opening Of Johnny Cash’s Kitchen & Saloon

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Icon Entertainment Group Founder Bill Miller was joined by members of both the Cash and Carter families, including John Carter Cash, Tommy Cash, Joanne Cash and Carlene Carter, on Wednesday morning (July 31) for the grand opening of Johnny Cash’s Kitchen & Saloon in downtown Nashville.

The restaurant is located at 121 Third Ave. S.,  and features food from longtime Nashville institution Swett’s, which has been in operation since 1954.

“We are thrilled and honored to introduce Johnny Cash’s Kitchen & Saloon to the world,” says Icon Entertainment Group Founder Bill Miller. “It’s one of the most unique venues anywhere, anchored by one of the biggest and most beloved personalities in the history of entertainment. Johnny’s legions of fans from around the world will be immersed in the hospitality and ambience they’d find if they had been to Johnny and June’s home for dinner.”

“I am thrilled about the new restaurant, Johnny Cash‘s Kitchen & Saloon,” says John Carter Cash. “Dad‘s favorite foods in the world are exactly what you will find on the menu. I remember my father and mother bringing me to Swett’s when I was but a small boy. Southern cooking was my father’s very life blood and tradition, and I firmly believe it does not get any better than this.”

“It has been a pleasure working with Bill and his team to train the staff at Johnny Cash’s Kitchen & Saloon,” says Swett’s owner David Swett. “We have enjoyed helping to put this restaurant together and know it will be a success for downtown Nashville.”

Icon Entertainment Group owns and operates the Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum, Nudie’s Honky Tonk, Music City Threads, House of Cards and Skull’s Rainbow Room in Nashville, Tenn. Coming in 2020 is the Sinatra Bar and Lounge to the Southern Turf building.

Tech Company FUGA Acquires Nashville-Based Platform Songspace

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Technology company FUGA has acquired Nashville-based rights management and workflow platform Songspace. Songspace will continue to operate as a standalone platform, and leadership for the company will remain in place, as FUGA invests in the company over the next two years to build out the offering.

Songspace’s software centralizes publishing assets including metadata, audio files, writer contacts, agreements and more, as well as identifying data gaps such as lyrics and accreditation.

Songspace works with over 250 publishers and labels including Kobalt, Reservoir Media, Downtown Music Publishing, Big Deal Music and Sentric, while FUGA’s 500+ clients including Ultra, Mom+Pop, and mtheory. The acquisition also grows FUGA’s presence in North America through Songspace’s base in Nashville, one of the three music capitals of the USA, alongside their existing office in New York.

Songspace CIO/CTO Darren Briggs said, “The combined strength and capabilities of the Songspace and FUGA teams and technologies position us to expand and enrich our agnostic products and services across the entire music IP and rights lifecycle.”

Songspace co-founder and Director of Engineering Christopher Igoe added, “I’m personally excited to deliver new features and improvements even faster while improving music metadata for all of our current and future clients.”

FUGA CEO Pieter van Rijn said, “New technology has the potential to revolutionize digital rights management for rightsholders, streamlining the ecosystem in a way which makes businesses more efficient and profitable. We are looking forward to significantly investing in Songspace’s excellent platform and creating synergies in the field of data transparency and matching, which will ultimately enable our clients to manage all rights data under one roof.”