Nashville Celebrates Aaron Pritchett’s No. 1 Canadian Single

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(L-R): Invictus/Big Star Recordings artist Aaron Pritchett, songwriters Jimmy Yeary, Jessi Alexander, and Corey Crowder. (Photo Michael Weir)

Invictus Entertainment and Canadian record label Big Star Recordings hosted an event last night (July 23) in Nashville celebrating Aaron Pritchett’s No.1 single “Better When I Do.” The song, which was written by Jessi Alexander, Corey Crowder, and Jimmy Yeary, reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Nielsen BDS chart.

Number one plaques were presented by Invictus/Big Star Recordings VP Louis O’Reilly to Pritchett, the songwriters, and the publishers, including THIS Music, Tree Vibez Music, Sony/ATV, and Warner Chappell.

Pritchett has been one of Canada’s most popular country artists and a mainstay at Canadian country radio over the past two decades. He is a multiple CCMA award winner, has had 13 Top 10 radio hits, and is in the midst of his 70+ date “Out On the Town” tour.

(L-R): Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran, Warner Chappell’s Bethany Mako, THIS Music’s Anna Weisband, songwriter Jimmy Yeary, Invictus/Big Star Recordings artist Aaron Pritchett, songwriter Jessi Alexander, Tree Vibez’s Leslie DiPiero, THIS Music’s Rusty Gaston, THIS Music’s Mya Hanson, Sony/ATV’s Laura Castillo, Tree Vibez’s Emily Peacock, songwriter Corey Crowder. (Photo Michael Weir)

LOCASH Ink Co-Pub Deal With BMG

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Pictured (L-R): Chris Oglesby, VP Creative, BMG Nashville; Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville; LOCASH’s Chris Lucas, Preston Brust; Jake Gear, Sr. Creative Director, BMG Nashville; Ross Schilling, Vector Management

BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records artists LOCASH have signed a new co-publishing agreement with BMG Nashville.

The duo’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas have penned hits for other artists, including Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly” and Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah,” as well as their own chart-topping singles “I Know Somebody” and “I Love This Life.”

Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville, said “We’ve been wanting to work with these guys for years and that day is finally here!”

Jake Gear, Sr. Creative Director, BMG Nashville, “We’ve long admired Preston and Chris—both creatively as songwriters and artists. We’re excited to have these guys as part of the BMG publishing team and ready to plug in creatively to maximize their writing for both LOCASH records and to continue their success of cuts on other artist projects. Their drive and hustle are absolutely infectious…this is going to be fun.”

Pandora Voice Mode Available To All iOS And Android Users

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Pandora has announced its Voice Mode smart assistant feature for all Pandora app users on iOS and Android. Pandora’s Voice Mode was unveiled at CES in January, and has since been in beta, available to only a limited number of users.
Voice Mode allows users to control the Pandora app hands-free, and combines voice recognition and Natural Language Processing technology with Pandora’s Music Genome Project personalization technology. The feature allows listeners to request albums, playlists, stations, and songs, in addition to more general requests, such as “Hey, Pandora, play music to start my morning,” or “Hey Pandora, play sad music.”

FBMM Promotes Four

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Business and financial management firm Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. has promoted Nicole Bean, Alicia Erickson, Marcella Migneco and Adriana Navarrete to senior account assistants.

“We are fortunate to have talented employees such as Nicole, Alicia, Marcella and Adriana serving our clients,” said Mary Ann McCready, a founding partner of FBMM. “We look forward to seeing them grow as they take on more responsibilities and continue to go above and beyond for our clients.”

Bean joined FBMM in October of 2017. Prior to joining FBMM, she worked as an operations manager at Children’s Clinic East, and a house supervisor at Village Behavioral Health. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from King University in 2016.

Erickson became part of the FBMM team in November 2017. Before coming to FBMM, she worked as a marketing intern for Word Entertainment and as an events intern for Bach Weekend, where she helped organize events for over 100 people visiting Nashville. She graduated from Belmont University in 2017 with a BBA degree in entrepreneurship and music business.

Migneco began working at FBMM in November 2017. Before joining FBMM, she interned for Project Daybreak Artist Management, where she learned all aspects of a boutique artist management company. She graduated from Belmont University in 2016 with a BBA degree in music business.

Navarrete joined FBMM in May 2017. Before her time at FBMM, she worked as an accountant at Chrysafi & Associates Accounting & Tax Preparation in Astoria, N.Y., and as an ocean lifeguard at Rockaway Beach. She graduated from City University of New York Lehman College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

Big Loud Records Partners With Nicolle Galyon For Female-Focused Label, Signs Madison Kozak

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Pictured (L-R): Michelle Szeto (Artist Manager, Paquin Entertainment Group), Craig Wiseman (Partner, Big Loud), Stacy Blythe (VP Of Promotion, Big Loud Records), Candice Watkins (VP Of Marketing, Big Loud Records), Nicolle Galyon (President, Songs & Daughters), Madison Kozak, Patch Culbertson (VP Of A&R, Big Loud Records), Samantha Jervey (Senior Creative Director, Big Loud Publishing), Seth England (Partner, Big Loud), Tori Johnson (Senior Director Of Creative & Digital, Big Loud), Joey Moi (Partner, Big Loud). Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for Songs & Daughters

Big Loud Records has announced Songs & Daughters, a new, female-focused label partnership with songwriter Nicolle Galyon. Galyon will serve as President of Songs & Daughters, and the label’s flagship artist is singer-songwriter Madison Kozak.

Galyon created the company to provide the mentorship and strong female leadership she wished she had when she first moved to Nashville 17 years ago.

“The heart behind Songs & Daughters is to be rooted and liberated at the same time,” shared Galyon. “For me, this role is an extension of something I already am—and that’s a mother. I hope to nurture the song, I hope to nurture the daughter, and I hope that the artists matter just as much as the music that we’re making. Songs & Daughters is a bigger way to tell young female creatives, ‘yes you can’.”

Pictured: Nicolle Galyon speaking at the Songs & Daughters launch event. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Songs & Daughters

“Nicolle Galyon has become a beacon to what this community is all about. I’ve watched first-hand how she has encouraged young artists to be confident, to be themselves, and—most importantly—never be afraid to speak their truth,” praised Big Loud partner Seth England. “It’s been our vision to eventually create unique and strategic partnerships with like-minded professionals. Nicolle is ready to take the next step in her professional journey, and Big Loud couldn’t be more thankful she chose us to be her partner.”

Kozak will relesase her first track under Songs & Daughters across all digital platforms this Friday (July 26) titled “First Last Name.” Inspired by her close relationship with her father, the song was co-penned by Kozak with Claire Douglas and James Slater. A 22-year-old native of Ontario, Canada, Kozak attended Belmont University and is currently signed to Big Loud’s hitmaking publishing arm.

“It feels full circle with my background to come from a big family, small town, and then to connect with Nicolle who has the same upbringing,” Kozak says. “It feels like a very natural step to take with Big Loud. They have been watching from a distance the past year, letting me grow on my own with their help. I’m so grateful for their support and that it’s such a natural flow.”

Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for Songs & Daughters

Songs & Daughters hosted a pop-up celebration at Nashville’s Ruby event space last night (July 22). England first took the stage to introduce Galyon, who articulated her vision for the company before introducing Kozak and revealing her as the first signee.

Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert Added To Country Radio Seminar 2020 Lineup

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Country Radio Seminar has announced some of the speakers and events for next year’s conference. Miranda Lambert will be among the opening day speakers on Wednesday, Feb. 19, while Carrie Underwood will take the stage for the annual “CRS Artist Interview” on Friday, Feb. 21.

Warner Music Nashville will once again officially launch CRS, with its kickoff luncheon at 12 p.m. CT, on Feb 19. “Team UMG at the Ryman” will host Thursday’s (Feb. 20) lunch at the Ryman Auditorium, while Big Machine Label Group will lead Friday’s (Feb. 21) luncheon.

Educational panels are already in place and will feature the annual CRS-commissioned research project examining a soon-to-be announced topic; “Maximizing Metrics,” tracking vital consumption data; and “What Leadership Looks Like,” led by RAB CEO Erica Farber. Additionally, “All The Singles Ladies,” and “Separate But Not Equal,” will discuss airplay gender imbalance, and how to better establish career development with female artists.

Early bird registration for CRS 2020 opens Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. CT.

Keith Urban, Chris Janson, Trisha Yearwood, Ashley McBryde To Appear At 13th Annual ACM Honors

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Keith Urban, Chris Janson, Maddie & Tae, Barbara Mandrell, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes and Trisha Yearwood are the first round of artists announced who will be participating in the upcoming 13th Annual ACM Honors August 21 at the Ryman Auditorium.

The evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards. Previously announced Special Award recipients to be celebrated at the 13th Annual ACM Honors include Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride (ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award),Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming and Billy Joe Shaver (ACM Poet’s Award), Gayle Holcomb (ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award), Miranda Lambert (ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award), Kacey Musgraves (ACM Jim Reeves International Award), and A Star Is Born (ACM Tex Ritter Film Award). The evening will also honor winners of the Industry and Studio Recording Awards, along with Songwriter of the Year Award winner, Shane McAnally.

More talent will be announced in the coming weeks, and tickets are available to the public at ticketmaster.com.

The Music Playground To Expand With New Nashville Creative Complex

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The Music Playground is partnering with Grammy award-winning producer/mixer F. Reid Shippen and bringing him on as Chief Creative Officer to oversee and lead the company’s new Nashville expansion.

Scheduled to fully open later this year, the new 4,000 square foot Playground complex located in Berry Hill will feature Rupert Neve Designs and Fix Audio consoles, Shippen’s own collection of vintage microphones and gear, analog synths, vintage instruments and more. The studios will also feature client hangout space and writing rooms for composers, producers and mixing engineers.

“We wanted to build the Disneyland for music production,” said Andy Hong, Co-Founder of The Music Playground, “A special place and world-class studio that would be a true destination for music production and draw people from all across the country to come and experience what it’s like making music in Nashville and collaborating with the amazing talent that lives here.”

Shippen will be working out of his current studio, Robot Lemon, until the new studios are completed. With numerous production, engineering and mixing awards to his name and having worked on over one hundred Billboard No.1 hits and many Grammy Award-winning albums, Shippen’s credits include Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Brett Eldredge, Darius Rucker, Ingrid Michaelson and many others.

“This is about creating experiences that help clients tap into their passions again.  Original music production has changed dramatically over the past decade and something important has truly been lost for brands and creative agencies,” said Drew Stein, Co-founder of The Music Playground, “We want to bring back that magic where clients can come to a special place, collaborate with incredible talent, and immerse themselves in the experience and process of making amazing music again – from composition through final mix.”

“The music scene in Nashville has grown to encompass more than just country music and its singer/songwriter roots,” said Shippen. “From rock to pop, to EDM and hip-hop – the amount of talent in this city is absolutely unmatched. We have orchestral composers and arrangers, well-known artists and indie bands – and the best musicians and songwriters on Earth – who call this city their home.  Bringing together that unrivaled community, sharing it with clients and bringing the highest levels of production quality for advertising, film and television is something I’m excited to bring to The Music Playground and their incredible team.”

F. Reid Shippen

Songwriter Jason Sever Joins Amped Entertainment

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Pictured (back row, L-R): Lewis Thomason’s Christian Barker, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem’s Jason Turner. (front row, L-R): Amped Entertainment’s Breanna Sill and Eric Gallimore, and Jason Sever

ASCAP songwriter Jason Sever has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Missi Gallimore’s Amped Entertainment. Sever, who penned Dustin Lynch’s “Seein’ Red,” joins a roster that includes Chris Lindsey, KK Johnson, and Bryan Simpson.
“We’re thrilled to have Jason on board to join the Amped roster. We feel his work is very viable in today’s market and we are so excited to help to him reach the next level,” commented Amped Entertainment’s Eric Gallimore.

Average Joes Appoints Jamie Reeder Head Of New Arcade Management Division

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Simone Chretien, Jamie Reeder

Average Joes Entertainment is launching Arcade Management, a full-service, entertainment management firm based in Nashville. 

Jamie Reeder, who previously handled day-to-day management for Sister Hazel, has been promoted to head up the new company, overseeing all management facets for the client roster. Reeder has held various positions over the past decade at Average Joes Entertainment including day-to-day management responsibilities for Colt Ford, Josh Gracin, and others, as well as marketing efforts for the Average Joes’ label roster. Reeder graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a B.A. in Finance.

Simone Chretien also joins Arcade Management as Management/Marketing Assistant. Chretian graduated with a BA in Music Business from Middle Tennessee State University. Chretian previously interned at Borman Entertainment and Average Joes Entertainment.

Sister Hazel and Irish celtic band Gaelic Storm are the first artists signed to the new company, which also provides in-house digital marketing.