Ashley McBryde Named CMA Foundation’s Inaugural Artist Ambassador

/by

Ashley McBryde. Photo: Daniel Meigs

Ashley McBryde has partnered with the CMA Foundation to launch its inaugural Artist Ambassador program as part of its Unified Voices for Music Education initiative. The program expands on the organization’s awareness and advocacy efforts in support of music educators, students and teachers as they continue to face challenges amidst the current global health pandemic.

As the first UVfME Artist Ambassador, McBryde will use her voice to advocate for music education throughout the month of November. McBryde will work with music educators in a variety of ways including creating an original band-specific video lesson plan, meeting virtually with music educators to discuss challenges they are facing during this time and sharing how music education led to her career in country music. Before pursuing a career as an artist, McBryde attended college with her sights set on becoming a band director, knowing firsthand the importance of music education in students’ lives.

“I am so excited to be the CMA Foundation’s first Unified Voices for Music Education Artist Ambassador,” says McBryde. “Music education has always been a big part of my life and has had an enormous impact on the musician and writer I am today. It is a career highlight to be a small part of a program that will better allow teachers and students a chance to engage with music education during such unprecedented times.”

The CMA Foundation launched UVfME in July in response to a need for resources, stemming from COVID-19’s impact on music education. The online collective serves as a place where music educators can interface through lesson plans and other creative methods, as they find innovative ways to teach and connect with students during this unprecedented school year. UVfME is a collaborative effort guided and executed by a network of music education professionals from across the country in partnership with the CMA Foundation.

“The CMA Foundation is thrilled to have Ashley McBryde as our first Unified Voices for Music Education Artist Ambassador,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “Ashley’s passion for music is evident in her career as a Country artist and her enthusiasm for music education is unmatched. We are excited for her to be involved with the UVfME initiative throughout November, as she finds creative ways to encourage music educators during this time and develops resources for students to access nationwide.”

Anthem Music Publishing, Wrensong Entertainment, Old Gringo Music Sign Daniel Herr

/by

Daniel Herr. Photo: Taylor Ann A Bogner

Daniel Herr has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Anthem Music Publishing, Wrensong Entertainment and Old Gringo Music.

Born in Zurich, Switzerland and raised in Paris, Herr taught himself piano and guitar and sang lead vocals in the contemporary worship band of the American Church in Paris, which inspired him to start writing songs. Wanting to secure a more “reliable” future, Daniel earned his BA in Philosophy and French literature from Oxford University before working for an international law firm, only to realize that neither a life of academia or legal practice would make him happy. Turning his full focus to music, he moved to Nashville in late 2018 to strengthen his songwriting craft.

“Daniel’s American lyric sensibilities blended with his French melodic twist truly makes him stand out,” said Tim Wipperman, President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville. “He is an artist that is wonderfully unique in the best way, and we’re very excited to have him join the team.”

“Daniel is an amazing singer, but his songwriting is exceptional,” said Ree Guyer, President and Owner of Wrensong Entertainment. “We’re so excited to be working with Daniel and venturing together into the pop world.”

Old Gringo Music’s Chris Hunter, who discovered Daniel and brought him to Anthem/Wrensong, added, “Daniel is one of those rare and special combinations. He is a talented writer and vocalist, a hard worker and a really good person. I’m excited to be able to be a part of this journey with Ree and her team and the great folks at Anthem. We are going to be hearing a lot of great music from Daniel!”

Charlie Worsham To Welcome Tenille Townes, Jillian Jacqueline For ‘Every Damn Monday’ Anniversary Livestream

/by

Charlie Worsham is celebrating the fifth anniversary of his Every Damn Monday concert series with a special livestream show from Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on Nov. 18.

Dubbed Every Damn Five Years, the show will feature special guests including Devin Dawson, Morgan Evans, Jillian Jacqueline, Wendy Moten, Ketch Secor, Tenille Townes, Molly Tuttle and more. A portion of all proceeds will benefit Worsham’s own Follow Your Heart Scholarship Fund. For tickets, visit fans.live.

“2020 marks what would’ve been five years of summer Mondays sweating, singing and strumming my way through favorite songs with favorite people,” said Worsham. “The pandemic may have kept us from celebrating Every Damn Monday as usual, but I couldn’t let the clock run out without celebrating five years of my favorite Nashville tradition!”

Worsham hasn’t let a pandemic slow him down in 2020. In July, he launched “Air Castle Community Hour,” a monthly show on WSM radio, celebrating the diverse community of creative spirits that reside in the 615. He continues to broadcast the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. CT.

Country Radio Broadcasters Unveils Agenda Preview For CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience

/by

Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has revealed details surrounding six sessions scheduled as part of CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience, set for Tuesday, Feb. 16-19. The six panels cover topics including mental health, post-pandemic radio station operations strategies, branding, and talent coaching.

“The CRS Agenda Committee has been working hard to create educational, timely content for CRS attendees regardless of their section of the industry, market size, or employment status,” said CRS 2020-2021 Agenda Committee Chair, Brent Michaels. “Since the last CRS, our world and industry has changed, and we hope to provide anyone who makes the investment in the 2021 seminar, tools to face the consistent challenges of our industry, and to provide content that will lead to success with what we face on the horizon.”

More details on the sessions is below:

‘Til The Wellness Runs Dry: How to Handle the Anxiety of the Music Business: Elizabeth Porter, Founder and President of Entertainment Health Services, explains how anxiety affects us, offering clues to identify workplace triggers while providing tips on how to be the best you for yourself, and others.

PPP: Post-Pandemic Playbook: An examination of how COVID-19 has affected operations, programming, labels, marketing, and sales, which now requires advanced best-practices for working remotely, revenue strategies, organizational structures, and more.

21 Promotions in ’21: Attendees will receive 21 immediately executable promotions they can utilize to accomplish ratings and revenue goals in the face of reduced personnel, social-distancing, and fewer events.

Talk Data to Me: The authenticity and application of multiple radio callout, consumer research, and streaming data points will be probed, with a tutorial on the merits of each and how to apply all types of data to programming decisions.

Your 24/7 Brand: Radio in 2021 goes far beyond the dial. This session will discuss digital strategies for stations and talent in all market sizes to capitalize on branding, distribution, and content ROI.

TLC: Talent Loving Coaching: How do PDs and management coach on-air talent in a way that fosters creative freedom, with structure for growth and improvement? Successful PD/Talent combos discuss working relationships and how to accomplish mutual goals.

The expanded, four-day CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience agenda will offer attendees over 14 educational sessions, four morning networking events, three lunchtime performances, four interactive workshops, all-day networking, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley, and, for the first time in CRS history, a New Faces of Country Music ticket with every registration. More details surrounding the virtual agenda, including the newly launched Streaming Summit, will be released in the coming weeks and months leading up to CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience.

Early Bird Registration for CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience is now open at $149 per person and will be offered through Nov. 4. The registration rate will increase to $199 on Nov. 5. Registrations are available for purchase at countryradioseminar.com.

Academy Of Country Music Researching Office Space Options For “Primary Or Secondary Home” In Nashville

/by

In September, the Academy of Country Music hosted its 55th annual ACM Awards in Nashville, marking the first time the ACM Awards have been held in Nashville in the organization’s history. The show spotlighted not only many of country music’s top artists, but iconic Music City venues including the Grand Ole Opry House, Bluebird Cafe, and Ryman Auditorium.

Now, the Los Angeles-based organization is researching office space in Nashville “as an option for a primary or secondary home” over the next year or two, a spokesperson for the ACM confirmed to MusicRow, adding, “nothing has been determined as of yet. We were proud to bring our 55th ACM Awards show to Music City this year.” The news was first reported by Nashville Business Journal.

In December 2019, the ACM appointed Damon Whiteside as its new CEO. Whiteside had previously spent six years as Sr. VP, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships for the Country Music Association before being promoted to the CMA’s Chief Marketing Officer. He continues to split his time between Nashville and Los Angeles.

The ACM was founded as The Country and Western Music Academy in 1964 in Los Angeles, aimed at promoting country music in western US states. The organization underwent a few name changes, shifting to the Academy of Country and Western Music, and finally to the Academy of Country Music.

Though formed six years after the Country Music Association, the ACM held its first ceremony in 1966—the first country music awards program held by a major organization, and predating the CMA awards show by one year. In 1972, the ACM Awards were broadcast for the first time in national syndication on ABC. The ACM Awards moved to NBC and then to CBS, where it is broadcast today.

Due to the pandemic, this year’s ACM Awards took place for the first time in Nashville, six months after the show was originally set to take place on April 5 in Las Vegas. Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett tied as winners for the evening’s top honor, Entertainer of the Year. Luke Combs was named Male Artist of the Year, and earned Album of the Year for What You See Is What You Get. Maren Morris was named Female Artist of the Year, while Old Dominion took home both the Group of the Year honor, as well as Song of the Year for “One Man Band.”

Cumulus Media Adds Toni-Marie To Afternoons On Nashville’s WKDF

/by

Toni-Marie

Country radio personality Toni-Marie will helm afternoons on Cumulus Media’s 103.3 Country/WKDF-FM, from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Toni-Marie rounds out the WKDF weekday programming, which also includes Morning Koffy with Paul Koffy and Jasmine Sadry (5 a.m.-10 a.m.), Tyler Reese (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), Nights With Elaina’s Elaina Smith (7 p.m.-midnight), and Later With Lia’s Lia Knight from 12 a.m.-5 a.m.

Toni-Marie joins Cumulus Nashville from Entercom Country station KWJJ 99.5 The Wolf in Portland, OR, where she was Assistant Program Director and On-Air Host, Middays. Prior to that, she was Music Director and On-Air Host for Buck Owens Production Company Country stations KUZZ and The Bull 97.3/KRJK-FM in Bakersfield, CA. She was also Assistant Program Director and Music Director at KWNR in Las Vegas, NV.

Paul Williams, Program Director, 103.3 Country/WKDF-FM, said: “Toni cut her teeth at Buck Owens’ legendary KUZZ in Bakersfield and sharpened them at the WOLF in Portland. We’re thrilled to have her on our 103.3 Country team here in Tennessee.”

Toni-Marie commented: “I have never been happier inside of a Walmart than the day that Paul Williams called to offer me this position! I’ve had the opportunity to do country radio in some amazing markets, but getting to work with Paul and the team at 103-3 in Nashville is a dream come true!”

BMLG Records’ Matthew Hargis Elevated To Sr. VP

/by

Matthew Hargis.

Big Machine Label Group has elevated Matthew Hargis to Senior Vice President, Promotion and Marketing for BMLG Records, effective immediately. Hargis will continue leading radio promotion efforts for BMLG Records’ current singles “Long Live” (Florida Georgia Line), “Champagne Night” (Lady A), “Lady” (Brett Young), and “If It Wasn’t For Trucks” (Riley Green).

BMLG Records President/CEO Jimmy Harnen said, “Promoting Matthew Hargis to SVP, Promotion and Marketing is a reflection of his outstanding leadership and performance over the last 10 years. He has driven a total of 34 No.1 singles, averaging 3.4 a year, with 29 of those coming from brand new artists.”

Since joining the label in 2011, Hargis has been a driving force behind chart-topping singles including FGL’s breakthrough debut (and 11x multi-Platinum hit) “Cruise,” Lady A’s Platinum-certified single “What If I Never Get Over You,” Brett Young’s six consecutive No. 1 hits and ACM New Male Artist of the Year Riley Green’s first No. 1 with debut single “There Was This Girl.”

Hargis’ previous stops include positions at All Access and Capitol Records Nashville.

“First and foremost, I want to thank Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen for continuing to believe in my being a part of such an amazing team and company,” said Hargis. “The past 10 years have been filled with irreplaceable memories and milestones. I know the next 10 will have even more. This year has shown me that being aligned with people who share the same passion and vision for music and what we do is where success will continue to be. Thank you to all of the artists and my BMLG team for your drive and tireless efforts as we continue to write pages in the history books!”

In addition to Hargis, Big Machine Label Group also announced promotions and an addition to its finance team. Mitch Beard and Megan Bragg have been elevated to Senior Accountant roles while Carolyn Szymanski joins the team as Accounting Coordinator.

Ross Copperman Hits Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

/by

With Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s “Happy Anywhere,” Darius Rucker’s “Beers And Sunshine,” Brett Young’s “Lady,” and Runaway June’s “We Were Rich,” Ross Copperman enters the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week.

HARDY remains at No. 1, with Jameson Rodgers’ “Some Girls,” Morgan Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown,” Cole Swindell’s “Single Saturday Night,” Robert Counts’ “What Do I Know,” and his own “Give Heaven Some Hell” and “One Beer.” Josh Osborne remains at No. 2, Jake Mitchell at No. 3 and Hillary Lindsey at No. 4.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Weekly Register: Luke Combs Bows At No. 1 With Latest Project

/by

Luke Combs. Photo: David Bergman

Luke Combs’ new deluxe album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get, debuts at No. 1 this week on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart with 109K equivalent units sold. It also set the new weekly streaming record for a country album with 102.26 million on-demand streams, breaking his’ own record, which he set last November when he released What You See Is What You Get.

Combs’ new song, “Forever After All,” also made history this week debuting at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart—the highest entrance ever for a male country solo artist.

What You See Ain’t Always What You Get also tops this week’s country albums chart, with Combs’ debut album from 2017, This One’s For You, ranking at No. 2 with 20K. Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me lands at No. 3 this week, with 17K, followed by Kane Brown‘s Mixtape Vol. 1 at No. 4, with 11K. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller rounds out the Top 5 with 11K.

Elsewhere on the chart, The Cadillac Three‘s Tabasco & Sweet Tea debuts at No. 78 with 2.8K in total consumption.

Combs also holds the top two slots on the On-Demand Country Streaming Songs Chart, with “Forever After All” at No. 1 with 26 million streams, followed by “Better Together” at No. 2 with 9.1 million streams. Jason Aldean‘s “Got What I Got” is at No. 3 with 8.5 million streams, while Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown” is at No. 4 with 8.2 million. Gabby Barrett‘s “I Hope” is at No. 5 with 7.5 million streams.

Steve Dorff Heads To Demolition Music Publishing

/by

Pictured (First Row, L-R): Jon D’Agostino, President of Demolition Music/Staff Writer; Michael August, General Manager/Staff Writer; Lauren Spahn, Attorney at Shackelford Law; Jordin Wentworth, Assistant to Bruce Phillips; (Second Row, L-R): Adam Epstein, Head of A&R; Brian Smith, Management, Leadership Artists; Amanda Cooksey, A&R and Head of PR; Steve Dorff, Staff Writer; (Third Row, L-R): Jamie Dryburgh, Creative Director; Bruce Phillips, Law Office of Bruce H. Phillips; Shane Barrett, Song Plugger/Creative Consultant; Steve Bloch, Creative Consultant; (Fourth Row): Jessica Dock, Assistant to Steve Dorff.

Songwriter Steve Dorff has inked an exclusive deal with Demolition Music Publishing.

Previously based in Los Angeles, Dorff was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018 and has earned more than 40 BMI honors during his career.

“I’ve been coming to work in Nashville for the better part of 25 years and feel this is a great new beginning. Having been here for over a year, I realize how important it is to have a team who loves and appreciates songs,” says Dorff.

A three-time Grammy-nominee, Dorff has had more than 400 songs recorded by artists including Barbra Streisand (“Higher Ground,” “It Must Be You”), Whitney Houston (“Take Good Care of My Heart” ft. Jermaine Jackson), George Strait (“I Cross My Heart,” “The Man In Love With You”), Garth Brooks (“Baby, Let’s Lay Down and Dance”), Ronnie Milsap (“Cowboys and Clowns”), Celine Dion (“Miracle”), Kenny Rogers (“Through The Years”), and more. He has had 14 No. 1 hits, and an American Music Award win.

“In addition to my catalog, I’m especially excited about bringing Latigo Shore Music into the deal, which showcases some of Andrew Dorff’s early works. Some of the songs written in this catalog were written with some of Nashville’s greatest songwriters including Josh Osborne, Rodney Clawson, and Eric Church. A lot of these songs, in addition to songs by Jeston Cade, are ‘hits waiting to happen’ and I’m thrilled that they will get a new lease on life,” says Dorff.

“I’ve had a great relationship with Steve for years and adding him to our Demolition team takes me back to when the Yankees added Reggie Jackson to their lineup. He’s a hall of fame songwriter who has proven time and time again that no matter the genre, he plays to win,” says Jon D’Agostino, President of Demolition Music.

“Jon and I have been good friends, and I think the Demolition team is a great place to call home,” says Dorff. “I’m looking forward to working with the creative team at Demolition, and am currently working on a lot of exciting projects including records, films, and other productions,” says Dorff.