Carly Pearce Signs With Morris Higham Management

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Pictured: Kyle Quigley, Carly Pearce, Clint Higham. Photo: Dustin Stout

Carly Pearce has signed with Morris Higham Management, working with Clint Higham and Kyle Quigley. The Kentucky native is expected to release her sophomore album on Big Machine Records following the success of Every Little Thing. Her latest offering, “Closer To You,” is already Top 30-and-rising at country radio.

“Building the right team is just as important as making the right music,” said Pearce. “I look at the way Clint and his team build artist’s careers and couldn’t think of anyone else that I would want to work alongside to take my career to the next level. I can’t wait to see where we go together!”

“Carly has the ability to connect with audiences in the same way iconic artists like Reba and Dolly have done for decades,” stated Higham. “She represents everything that’s great about country music—strong vocals, vivid stories and an honest heart. We are honored to have the opportunity to help Carly build her own legacy.”

Already in 2019, Carly has been nominated for ACM Awards New Female Artist of the Year and iHeartRadio Music Awards Best New Country Artist after winning both 2018 CMT Music Awards Breakthrough Video of the Year and Radio Disney Music Award The Freshest!—Radio Disney Country Best New Artist. She is currently on Jason Aldean’s Ride All Night Tour, amplifying a co-headline run earlier this year and major stints with Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts and Thomas Rhett.

Morris Higham Management oversees the careers of artists including Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, Ryan Griffin, Brandon Lay, Carlton Anderson, and Michael Ray.

Gorley, Hardy, Copperman Top MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley is at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart with nine titles this week, including Thomas Rhett’s “Remember You Young,” Chase Rice’s “Eyes On You,” Eli Young Band’s “Love Ain’t,” Lee Brice’s “Rumor,” Chris Lane’s “I Don’t Know About You,” Dierks Bentley’s “Living,” Chris Janson’s “Good Vibes,” Dustin Lynch’s “Ridin’ Roads” and LOCASH’s “One Big Country Song.”

Michael Hardy is just behind Gorley at No. 2, Ross Copperman at No. 3, Jordan M. Schmidt at No. 4 and Shane McAnally at No. 5.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded 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.

Gorley, Hardy, Copperman Top MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley is at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart with nine titles this week, including Thomas Rhett’s “Remember You Young,” Chase Rice’s “Eyes On You,” Eli Young Band’s “Love Ain’t,” Lee Brice’s “Rumor,” Chris Lane’s “I Don’t Know About You,” Dierks Bentley’s “Living,” Chris Janson’s “Good Vibes,” Dustin Lynch’s “Ridin’ Roads” and LOCASH’s “One Big Country Song.”

Michael Hardy is just behind Gorley at No. 2, Ross Copperman at No. 3, Jordan M. Schmidt at No. 4 and Shane McAnally at No. 5.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded 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.

Rob Beckham, Bill Simmons Form Management Company The AMG

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Chris Young. Photo: John Shearer

Industry vets Rob Beckham and Bill Simmons have formed “the AMG,” an artist management group. Beckham, former partner and co-head of WME Nashville and Simmons, partner of Fitzgerald-Hartley (who announced its dissolvement earlier this morning) will continue to manage Simmons’ long-time management clients Brad Paisley and Chris Young.

More details on the new venture will be available soon.

Rob Beckham, Bill Simmons Form Management Company The AMG

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Chris Young. Photo: John Shearer

Industry vets Rob Beckham and Bill Simmons have formed “the AMG,” an artist management group. Beckham, former partner and co-head of WME Nashville and Simmons, partner of Fitzgerald-Hartley (who announced its dissolvement earlier this morning) will continue to manage Simmons’ long-time management clients Brad Paisley and Chris Young.

More details on the new venture will be available soon.

Susan Nadler, Evelyn Shriver To Launch “Shady Ladies Of Music City” Podcast

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Music industry veterans Susan Nadler and Evelyn Shriver have both broken glass ceilings for female executives during their four decades in the Nashville music industry, most notably with Shriver earning the title of the first female president of a major country label when she took over Asylum Records in 1998; Nadler served as Asylum’s Exec. VP/A&R. During their time at the label, they released the critically-lauded projects Cold Hard Truth (George Jones) and Trio II (Emmylou Harris/Dolly Parton/Linda Ronstadt).

After Asylum was folded into Nashville-based Warner Bros. Records in 2002 (now Warner Music Nashville), Shriver and Nadler continued working together. They formed Bandit Records in 2003, adding Jones on the roster. In 2009, they launched Country Crossings Records, with artists John Anderson and Lorrie Morgan. By 2015, Nadler was serving as a talent manager for the TV show Soundstage.

Now, they will bring their stories of “infiltrating the boys’ club” to their new roles as hosts for an upcoming podcast, Shady Ladies of Music City.

Launching June 4 via Monument Records, the podcast will feature Nadler and Shriver sharing stories from their four decades in the music industry. Episodes from the first season will post each week through early August.

“These two have been making us laugh for years. They have always deserved an audience to share their self-proclaimed brilliance with,” said Monument Records co-president Jason Owen.

“You will not be disappointed,” added Monument co-president Shane McAnally.

The podcast will be available on Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, Apple, Overcast and more. Nadler and Shriver will also be part of a session at this week’s Music Biz conference in Nashville on Wednesday, May 8, moderated by Hunter Kelly.

Susan Nadler, Evelyn Shriver To Launch “Shady Ladies Of Music City” Podcast

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Music industry veterans Susan Nadler and Evelyn Shriver have both broken glass ceilings for female executives during their four decades in the Nashville music industry, most notably with Shriver earning the title of the first female president of a major country label when she took over Asylum Records in 1998; Nadler served as Asylum’s Exec. VP/A&R. During their time at the label, they released the critically-lauded projects Cold Hard Truth (George Jones) and Trio II (Emmylou Harris/Dolly Parton/Linda Ronstadt).

After Asylum was folded into Nashville-based Warner Bros. Records in 2002 (now Warner Music Nashville), Shriver and Nadler continued working together. They formed Bandit Records in 2003, adding Jones on the roster. In 2009, they launched Country Crossings Records, with artists John Anderson and Lorrie Morgan. By 2015, Nadler was serving as a talent manager for the TV show Soundstage.

Now, they will bring their stories of “infiltrating the boys’ club” to their new roles as hosts for an upcoming podcast, Shady Ladies of Music City.

Launching June 4 via Monument Records, the podcast will feature Nadler and Shriver sharing stories from their four decades in the music industry. Episodes from the first season will post each week through early August.

“These two have been making us laugh for years. They have always deserved an audience to share their self-proclaimed brilliance with,” said Monument Records co-president Jason Owen.

“You will not be disappointed,” added Monument co-president Shane McAnally.

The podcast will be available on Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, Apple, Overcast and more. Nadler and Shriver will also be part of a session at this week’s Music Biz conference in Nashville on Wednesday, May 8, moderated by Hunter Kelly.

Industry Pics: Nashville At ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP Membership Director Beth Brinker, songwriter Ashley Gorley and ASCAP Senior Director Strategic Services Kele Currier attend the 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 2, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Nashville songwriters and publishers took part in the 14th annual ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO in Hollywood, California, recently.

Ashley Gorley, the six-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year and a writer of 40 No. 1 hits, led a Master Session with ASCAP Membership Director Beth Brinker. The hit songwriter shared the secrets that have made him a go-to collaborator for Nashville’s biggest stars (Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean).
“I’ve always loved to mentor and coach songwriters, to offer advice that may help them cut the time it takes to succeed,” said Gorley. Gorley also joined fellow songwriters Steven Battey (Luke Combs Justin Bieber, Madonna), Dave Kuncio (Dierks Bentley, Selena Gomez, Ty Dolla $ign), Tommee Profitt (NF, Migos) and Chris Farren (Rascal Flatts, Greg Alman, Michael McDonald), on a “Nashville Goes Global” panel. The group discussed Music City’s growing embrace of music from outside genres—pop, hip-hop, dance music—and the effect on contemporary country’s sound.

Pictured (L-R): Combustion Music President and songwriter Chris Farren, Songwriter/Producer Steven Battey, songwriter Ashley Gorley, songwriter Dave Kuncio, and producer/songwriter Tommee Profitt speak on-stage at the ‘Nashville Goes Global’ panel during the 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 2, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Battey stuck around for a “Limitless Songwriting” multi-genre panel, joined by fellow country/pop crossover songwriters Priscilla Renea (Miranda Lambert, Ke$ha, Rihanna) and Leland (Kelsea Ballerini, Troye Sivan, Lauv), with ASCAP’s Jason Silberman, to discuss what it takes to pen hits in a range of sounds and styles.

Lee Ann Womack was on hand representing the genre at the “We Create Music” panel, for a discussion with Oscar-winning “Shallow” co-writer Anthony Rossomando, Drake producer Nineteen85 and Captain Marvel composer Pinar Toprak, led by Billboard‘s West Coast and Nashville editor Melinda Newman. Womack also performed selections from her new record The Lonely, the Lonesome & the Gone at the EXPO’s nighttime “Center Stage” event alongside Wyclef Jean, Songwriters Hall of Famer Jack Tempchin and songwriter Stephen Bishop.

Lee Ann Womack performs. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Songwriter Priscilla Renea speaks onstage during the “Limitless Songwriting” panel at The 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO – Day 3 at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 4, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Lee Ann Womack performs on-stage at the “Center Stage” Showcase during the 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 2, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Industry Pics: Nashville At ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP Membership Director Beth Brinker, songwriter Ashley Gorley and ASCAP Senior Director Strategic Services Kele Currier attend the 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 2, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Nashville songwriters and publishers took part in the 14th annual ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO in Hollywood, California, recently.

Ashley Gorley, the six-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year and a writer of 40 No. 1 hits, led a Master Session with ASCAP Membership Director Beth Brinker. The hit songwriter shared the secrets that have made him a go-to collaborator for Nashville’s biggest stars (Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean).
“I’ve always loved to mentor and coach songwriters, to offer advice that may help them cut the time it takes to succeed,” said Gorley. Gorley also joined fellow songwriters Steven Battey (Luke Combs Justin Bieber, Madonna), Dave Kuncio (Dierks Bentley, Selena Gomez, Ty Dolla $ign), Tommee Profitt (NF, Migos) and Chris Farren (Rascal Flatts, Greg Alman, Michael McDonald), on a “Nashville Goes Global” panel. The group discussed Music City’s growing embrace of music from outside genres—pop, hip-hop, dance music—and the effect on contemporary country’s sound.

Pictured (L-R): Combustion Music President and songwriter Chris Farren, Songwriter/Producer Steven Battey, songwriter Ashley Gorley, songwriter Dave Kuncio, and producer/songwriter Tommee Profitt speak on-stage at the ‘Nashville Goes Global’ panel during the 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 2, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Battey stuck around for a “Limitless Songwriting” multi-genre panel, joined by fellow country/pop crossover songwriters Priscilla Renea (Miranda Lambert, Ke$ha, Rihanna) and Leland (Kelsea Ballerini, Troye Sivan, Lauv), with ASCAP’s Jason Silberman, to discuss what it takes to pen hits in a range of sounds and styles.

Lee Ann Womack was on hand representing the genre at the “We Create Music” panel, for a discussion with Oscar-winning “Shallow” co-writer Anthony Rossomando, Drake producer Nineteen85 and Captain Marvel composer Pinar Toprak, led by Billboard‘s West Coast and Nashville editor Melinda Newman. Womack also performed selections from her new record The Lonely, the Lonesome & the Gone at the EXPO’s nighttime “Center Stage” event alongside Wyclef Jean, Songwriters Hall of Famer Jack Tempchin and songwriter Stephen Bishop.

Lee Ann Womack performs. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Songwriter Priscilla Renea speaks onstage during the “Limitless Songwriting” panel at The 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO – Day 3 at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 4, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Lee Ann Womack performs on-stage at the “Center Stage” Showcase during the 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 2, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Opry Hosts Special Birthday Tribute For Randy Travis

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Ricky Skaggs, Mary & Randy Travis, Don Schlitz and more perform during the Opry Randy Travis Birthday Tribute  Photo By: Chris Hollo

Randy Travis made a special appearance on the Opry stage Saturday night (May 4) to celebrate his 60th birthday. In honor of the big day, Travis fans Charles Esten, Josh Turner, and Charlie Worsham all performed on the Opry singing some of their favorite Travis songs, along with fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Don Schlitz, who wrote or co-wrote a number of Travis’ biggest hits.

At the end of the special evening, Travis joined Schlitz, other performers on the show, and a number of friends and family members to sing his classic, “Forever and Ever, Amen.” Following that, the sold-out audience joined in a singalong of “Happy Birthday” to the legend.

Travis signed a Nashville record deal in 1985, became a country sensation with the release of his landmark album Storms Of Life, and joined the Opry in 1986. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

Mary & Randy Travis. Photo By: Chris Hollo