Vince Gill, Amy Grant Unleash Spectacular Talent During Ryman Christmas Tradition

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Amy Grant and Vince Gill. Photo: Hallmark

What most artists would promote as a residency, Amy Grant and Vince Gill call a holiday tradition.

Twelve shows for 2018 count down the 12 days of Christmas for the superstar husband and wife duo, which has added two dates from the previous year to meet demand of their Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium outing.

If you’ve forgot just how talented the hometown stars actually are, enter Grant’s songwriting and Gill’s mesmerizing tenor.

Sharing the stage as a couple nearly the whole night, the two sang individually for a majority of the set, including Grant’s co-written powerhouse holiday tunes, “Tennessee Christmas” “Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song)” and “Christmas Hymn.” With grace, Grant ushered the audience through the evening with Gill a few feet away.

By himself, Gill performing the appropriately registered soul master tune from Donny Hathaway, “This Christmas,” and a reconfigured evening highlight in “Do You Hear What I Hear.” He also stunned the crowd with an original, heartfelt non-holiday song he expects to release with his longtime recording home, MCA Nashville, titled “When My Amy Prays.” Gill debuted the song at CRS in 2017.

A family affair saw Gill’s daughter Jenny singing among the five-part background, highlighted prominently during Gill’s version of “O Holy Night.” Gill’s longtime friend and collaborator Rodney Crowell opened the show.

The final night of the engagement, Dec. 23, is sold out. Grant’s Hallmark holiday special, Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas, is airing throughout the season featuring the two, in addition to collaborator Michael W. Smith, Kellie Pickler and more.

Rodney Crowell Amy Grant, Vince Gill perform their 10 of 12 days of Christmas show the Ryman Auditorium on Dec. 19. Photo: Eric T. Parker/MusicRow

IBMA Announces 2019 Leadership Bluegrass Class

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The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the 2019 class of Leadership Bluegrass, an intensive three-day program of interactive learning experiences designed to build commitment, motivate talents, and instill enthusiasm for addressing the future of the bluegrass music industry. Leadership Bluegrass 2019 takes place March 4-6 at BMI in Nashville, and this will be its 20th year since its inception in 2000. Leadership Bluegrass boasts more than 400 graduates, and each year 25 individuals are invited to take part.

“Leadership Bluegrass has become one of the most impactful programs in the bluegrass music industry to connect and develop professionals who have made a strong commitment to advance both their careers and the ongoing efforts of the IBMA,” says IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “This year’s class has an impressive collective resumé and demonstrated ability to lead across a broad cross-section of our music. Congratulations to the Class of 2019 for being selected out of such a strong group of candidates!”

The members of the class of 2019 are:
Anni Beach – Jam Pak Blues ‘N’ Grass Neighborhood Band
Chandler, AZ

David Benedict – Mile Twelve
Cambridge, MA

Andrea Berman – Pacific Pickin’, CiTR (101.9 FM)
West Vancouver, BC

Sam Blumenthal – Charlotte, NC

Philip Chorney – Charm City Bluegrass / Baltimore Management Agency
Rosedale, MD

Michelle Conceison – Market Monkeys
Nashville, TN

Deborah Fillman – Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Owensboro, KY

Sophie Galep – Minnesota Bluegrass
Elizabethton, TN

Michele Gourley – Durham, NC

Philip Graham – Ear Trumpet Labs
Portland, OR

Rick Greene – SamJam Bluegrass Festival
Waverly, OH

Katie Hogue – John Hartford Enterprises
Nashville, TN

John Lowell – John Lowell Music
Livingston, MT

Alex Mallett – Folk Alliance International
Kansas City, MO

Mary Beth Martin – Earl Scruggs Center
Shelby, NC

Jana Mougin – Dark Shadow Recording
Goodlettsville, TN

Kali Nowakowski – Straight Up Strings
Atascadero, CA

Forrest O’Connor – The O’Connor Band / Kate Lee & Forrest O’Connor
Nashville, TN

Thomas Pritchard – Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance
East Greenwich, RI

Gregory Reish – MTSU Center for Popular Music
Murfreesboro, TN

Kim Robins – Kim Robins and 40 Years Late
Worthington, IN

Matt Royles – Man About a Horse / Philly Bluegrass
Philadelphia, PA

John Strohm – Rounder Records
Nashville, TN

Maria Wallace – True North Music
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK

Melanie Wilson – Wilson Pickins Promotions
Westminster, SC

 

Brett Eldredge Joins Q Prime South For Management

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Brett Eldredge

Country crooner and Warner Music Nashville artist Brett Eldredge has joined Q Prime South’s Nashville management roster, led by artist manager John Peets, MusicRow has confirmed.

Q Prime South also represents artists including Eric Church, Brothers Osborne, The Black Keys, The Wild Feathers, Ashley McBryde, Marty Stuart, Dan Auerbach and more.

Eldredge was previously with Robert L. Baker’s Longshot Management.

Eldredge, known for hits including “Wanna Be That Song,” “Drunk On Your Love,” and “The Long Way,” has the new single “Love Someone” at country radio, and has been making the TV rounds for the holiday season, including appearances on Today, CMA Country Christmas, and the upcoming Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (Dec. 25). In October, he released the 18-song Glow Deluxe package, filled with classic holiday tracks including “Silver Bells” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas.”

Jared Mullins Inks Publishing Deal With Tree Vibez Music

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(L-R): Tyler Hubbard, Jared Mullins, Brian Kelley, and Adam Romaine.

Jared Mullins has signed a publishing deal with Tree Vibez Music.

The Baltimore native has scored cuts by Jake Owen, Granger Smith, Justin Moore, Chase Rice, Cassadee Pope, Parmalee, and Cale Dodds already plus Kane Brown’s Gold-certified “Found You,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart in 2017.

“We are happy to bring Jared home to Tree Vibez,” exclaims TVM Founder and FGL’s Tyler Hubbard. “We are excited about everything he brings to the table as a songwriter and a person.”

TVM Founder and FGL’s Brian Kelley adds, “Jared is a chameleon, a great lyricist and idea guy – he can win in any room.”

“Jared has something that can’t be taught … the intuitive grasp on how to write a great song,” shares TVM General Manager Leslie T. DiPiero.

Mullins joins a roster of TVM writers that already includes Corey Crowder, Jordan Schmidt, James McNair, RaeLynn, Canaan Smith, Daniel Ross and Ernest K. Smith.

UMG Nashville Promotes Stephanie Wright, Brad Clark

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Pictured (L-R): Stephanie Wright, Brad Clark

Universal Music Group Nashville, the label group consisting of Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville, has announced two promotions. Stephanie Wright has been promoted to Senior Vice President of A&R and Brad Clark has been elevated to Vice President of Commercial Development.

Wright, who joined Universal Music Group Nashville almost 20 years ago, previously served as Vice President of A&R and she will continue to handle A&R initiatives for UMG Nashville artists including Adam Hambrick, Billy Currington, Brandon Lay, CB30, Clare Dunn, Gary Allan, Jordan Davis, Kacey Musgraves, Kassi Ashton, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Sam Hunt and more. A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Wright came to the music business through her cousins, the Platinum-selling sibling trio SHeDAISY. Since then, Wright has been instrumental in critically-acclaimed albums including Lee Ann Womack’s Call Me Crazy, Kacey Musgraves’ Same Trailer Different Park and Sam Hunt’s Montevallo. A 2017 and 2018 Nashville Business Journal Woman of the Year honoree, Wright recently became a member of the TJ Martell Foundation’s southern Region Board of Governors.

“When I arrived at UMG six years ago,” says Mike Dungan, UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO, “I was pleasantly surprised to witness the ‘quality ears,’ the professionalism and the full grasp of all things A&R that came from Stephanie. Since then she has proven that she is top of class and I am very happy to recognize her many contributions with this promotion.”

“Nashville’s music community is unparalleled when it comes to collaboration and creativity, and as a result, the artists, writers, songs and ultimately the formats are better for it,” adds Wright. “I am so honored to work with our artists and an incredible team – Mike, Cindy, Brian and the rest of the UMGN staff – who dig into this process, invest time and energy to create the best paths for our roster.”

Originally from a small town in North Carolina, Clark started his career at Capitol Records in 2003 after graduating from Belmont University with a degree in Music Business and Marketing. In his new role, Clark will continue to handle sales and retail strategy for the entire roster of UMG Nashville artists. Some recent notable campaigns include ticket bundles for Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, in addition to Eric Church’s 61 Days in Church live recordings with Apple Music.

“Brad has worked his way up through the ranks of UMG Nashville with hard work and a very strategic approach to the business,” notes Mike Harris, COO of Universal Music Group Nashville. “He has the keen ability to break down data and translate this information to the overall UMG Nashville retail strategy. Brad is a big reason why we have enjoyed amazing retail success over the past years as well as great relationships with our accounts.”

“With such a talented roster of artists and executives, I’m honored to be a part of the UMG Nashville family,” says Clark. “Each day brings the opportunity to learn, to grow and to adopt as we navigate our business for the future. I’m thankful for this role and the support of the entire team; especially from Mike Harris, Cindy Mabe and Mike Dungan.”

Tencent Music, “Chinese Spotify,” Goes Public After Interest From Warner, Sony, Spotify

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Yahoo Screen Shot as of Dec. 20, 2018 before 10 a.m. CT

Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME/TME.N), what many refer to as the “Chinese Spotify,” went public in the US last week (Dec. 12), raising $1.1 billion in its IPO, to value the music arm of the Chinese gaming, technology and internet-related conglomerate at $21 billion.

Having raised $7.9 billion before its debut, according to Refinitiv data, TME is reported to have experienced the effects of an uncertain market and trade war, as shares were priced at the bottom end of its $13-$15 target range.

Compounding the uncertainty are reports skeptical of Tencent’s 880 million monthly average user-base, citing only 800 million internet users in the entire country. Creative or double accounting methods is speculated as it operates karaoke and live-streaming apps QQ Music, Kugou and Kuwo, and WeSing (parent company Tencent controls WeChat and QQ messaging platform, boasting a cumulative 1.8 billion users).

Tencent’s paid monthly subscribers were reported to the tune of 23 million. By comparison, Spotify reports 191 million users and 87 million subscribers across 78 markets, but has not yet launched in China. Though Spotify is still shy of turning a profit, TME reports profits since 2016—70 percent form in micropayments, where fans tip their favorite stars through virtual gifts online, according to reports.

In a unique share swap, Spotify is said to hold 9 percent of the shares TME, while Tencent and TME holds a 7.5 per cent stake in Spotify, making them the third-biggest stakeholder after founders Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. Warner Music and Sony Music bought $200m worth of TME stock in October.

Matthew Ramsey Signs With Warner/Chappell Music Nashville

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Pictured (Front row, L-R): Alison Junker, Travis Carter, Matthew Ramsey, Ben Vaughn. (Back Row, L-R): BJ Hill, Will Overton, Katie Jelen, Jessi Vaughn, Phil May. Photo: Bree Fish

Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Music.

Ramsey has penned nine No 1. hits for both Old Dominion and other artists, including Kenny Chesney (“Save It for a Rainy Day”), Sam Hunt (“Make You Miss Me”), Dierks Bentley (“Say You Do”), Luke Bryan (“Goodbye Girl”), and Tim McGraw (“Kiss A Girl”), among others.

“We’re pumped to welcome Matt to the Warner/Chappell family,” said Ben Vaughn, President of Warner/Chappell Nashville. “Watching him grow in the community as a successful songwriter and now as a top artist has been incredible. He has the ability to make music that is uniquely identifiable, like the life observations in ‘No Such Thing as a Broken Heart’ or the commercial depth of ‘Written in the Sand.’”

“Matt is one of a kind,” echoed Travis Carter, Vice President, A&R at Warner/Chappell Nashville. “I’ve known him for years, and I’m constantly impressed with the fresh perspective he brings to songwriting.”

“Some of the people at Warner/Chappell are among the very first people I met when I moved to Nashville,” said Ramsey. “We’ve sort of risen through the ranks together, but the opportunity to work directly with each other never quite lined up until now. I’m excited to work with a group of people that know how important songwriting is to me, and have cheered me on for over a decade.”

Ramsey is currently on the road with Old Dominion for their Happy Endings World Tour. Happy Endings, the band’s sophomore album, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and produced three No. 1s co-written by Ramsey, “Written in the Sand,” “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart,” and “Hotel Key.” The two-time CMA Triple Play Award winner was also named last year’s ASCAP Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and in 2018, he won the Association of Independent Music Publishers Artists Writers of the Year award. As a part of Old Dominion, he also won the Academy of Country Music Award for New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year, the American Country Countdown Award for Breakthrough Group/Duo of the Year and the 2018 ACM Award for Vocal Group of the Year.

Ramsey was represented by Morris Higham Management and Jess Rosen of Greenberg/Traurig in this deal.

DISClaimer: Sister Sadie, Appalachian Road Show Top Bluegrass Offerings

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Let’s have a quick look today at what’s going on in the bluegrass world.

The stack of platters boasts two excellent live collections, one from Hot Rize and one from The Earls of Leicester. NewTown and Balsam Range have both returned with dandy sets.

The Disc of the Day award goes to the all-female group Sister Sadie, now marketing its second collection.

One of the most consistently enjoyable discs came from Appalachian Road Show, which earns it a DisCovery Award.

LORRAINE JORDAN & CAROLINA ROAD/True Grass
Writers: David Stewart; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Pinecastle (track)
– This has been sitting at No. 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart for months. It is unadulterated ‘grass, stacked with high-lonesome harmonies and stately picking. The head-scratching premise of the song is that “Murder on Music Row” now extends to the bluegrass sound. You see, they’ve killed country music, and now they’re killing bluegrass, too. That’s news to me.

HIGH FIDELITY/The Hills and Home
Writer: John Duffy; Producers: Jeremy Stephens, Corrina Rose Logston Stephens and Brad Benge; Publisher: Fort Knox/Trio;BMI; Rebel
– This band’s debut CD has yielded a tune that’s at No. 5 on the bluegrass chart this month and is rising fast. The highlights are splendid runs on mandolin, fiddle, acoustic guitar and banjo. The group’s vocal blend is smooth and a trifle bland. More excitement, please.

SISTER SADIE/Losing You Blues
Writers: Tina Adair/Doug Barlett; Producer: Sister Sadie; Publisher: Tina Adair, BMI; Pinecastle
-This band has an all-star female lineup — Dale Ann Bradley, Deanie Richardson, Tina Adair, Gena Britt and Beth Lawrence. Tina takes a fiery lead vocal on the CD’s lead-off tune, which is rising rapidly on the bluegrass chart at No. 12. Deanie’s fiddle sizzles throughout this minor-key gem about rising above a heartbreak. Essential.

LARRY CORDLE/Yardbird
Writers: L. Cordle/L. Shell; Producer: Larry Cordle; Publisher: Wandachord/Not Her Money, BMI; Mighty Cord (track)
– This Nashville songwriting treasure has just entered the Bluegrass Unlimited top-20 with this lively ode to pecking chickens. The album is titled Tales From East Kentucky. Like everything Cordle does, it’s a keeper.

APPALACHIAN ROAD SHOW/Dance, Dance, Dance
Writers: B. Cooper/J. Cooper/S. Miller; Producers: Barry Abernathy, Darrell Webb, Ben Isaacs; Billy Blue
– Clocking in at No. 20 on the bluegrass hit parade is this scampering, ear-opening acoustic treatment of a Steve Miller Band rock tune. The cornerstones of this group are lead singers Barry Abernathy (banjo in Mountain Heart, Doyle Lawson’s Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out) and Darrell Webb (mandolin in Lonesome River Band, J.D. Crowe’s New South, Rhonda Vincent’s Rage). Also doing outstanding work here is fiddler Jim VanCleve. The track comes from a highly diverse and immensely enjoyable collection. Buy and believe.

BALSAM RANGE/Get Me Gone
Writers: Walt Wilkins/Jim McBride/Jon Randall Stewart; Producer: Balsam Range; Publishers: Curb Congregation/Reynsong/Rightfield/Songs of Daniel/Tanasi Island/Wha Ya Say/Rezemblance, SESAC/BMI; Mountain Home
– Entering the bluegrass chart this month at No. 25 is this travelin’-man ditty. The lickety-split tempo and ultra cool song craftsmanship are the calling cards here. Balsam Range is the reigning IBMA Entertainer of the Year, and its new Aeonic CD is a clear demonstration why. The set, due on Jan. 4, also includes its proven hit, “The Girl Who Invented the Wheel” and a breakneck-speed cover of The Beatles’ “If I Needed Someone.”

THE EARLS OF LEICESTER/Long Journey Home
Writers: traditional; Producer: Jerry Douglas; Publisher: public domain; Rounder
– This all-star band’s goal is to keep the classic sound of Flatt & Scruggs alive. Its debut in-concert CD is Live at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame, recorded over a two-night stand last February. Its lead single gives Jerry Douglas’s dobro, Charlie Cushman’s banjo and Johnny Warren’s fiddle room to dazzle the ears. Shawn Camp’s guitar and voice set the pace. This band totally rules.

NEWTOWN/Heart of Stone
Writer: Tyler Childers; Producer: Barry Bales; Publishers: Hickman Holler/BMI; Mountain HOme
-NewTown prides itself in painting a little outside the bluegrass lines. Drawing from the catalog of Americana/country sensation Tyler Childers for three of the tunes on its Old World CD is one illustration of this. The tart/sweet lead voice of fiddler Kati Penn takes us through the haunting melody of his hillbilly heartache lament about a wicked temptress. Highly listenable, as is the entire collection.

HOT RIZE/Wichita Lineman
Writer: Jimmy Webb: Producer: none listed; Publisher: Universal PolyGram International, ASCAP; Ten In Hand
– The band celebrated its 40th anniversary this year with a bash in Boulder that featured such celeb guests as Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan and Jerry Douglas. For a bluegrass group (heck, any group) to endure that long is practically unheard of. Even more impressive is the fact that Hot Rize still sounds so scintillating. This cover of the 1968 Glen Campbell classic is just one of many super moments on this outstanding, 26-track live recording. Amazing band. Enduring love from this longtime listener.

TELLICO/Courage For The Morning
Writers: Anya Hinkle; Producer: John Doyle; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Organic
– Released last month, this group’s Woven Waters CD leads off with this inspirational tune about perseverance and strength of character. Anya Hinkle’s slightly bluesy, behind-the-beat phrasing is quite ear catching. The dobro accents by the group’s Aaron Ballance are nifty, too. Don’t have a cow, but there’s an electric guitar in the mix.

Inaugural Reviver Fest 2018 Wraps Up Year On High Note

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Pictured: David Lee Murphy headlines inaugural Reviver Fest 2018 at St. Petersburg’s Jannus Live outdoor concert venue on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.

Reviver Entertainment Group invited radio industry members and special guests last weekend (Dec. 14 – 16) for a trip of gratitude and relaxation in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Appropriately named Reviver Fest 2018, the outing offered attendees exclusive hotel amenities as the label commandeered the entire Hotel Zamora for its guests for the waterfront excursion. Led by President/CEO David Ross and Executive VP/GM Gator Michaels, Reviver created this trip to thank industry reps for their support by offering a fun getaway as the year comes to a close. The gathering also gave attendees the change to hang with Reviver’s artists and songwriters and hear their music.

Pictured (L-R): Singer-songwriter David DeVaul, Reviver Executive VP/GM Gator Michaels, singer-songwriters Alex Kline, Aaron Goodvin and Michael Tyler, Reviver President/CEO David Ross.

Courtesy of Reviver’s record label and related publishing and label services companies, guests were welcomed with cocktails and dinner on Friday evening, followed by an acoustic show at the hotel featuring Reviver Records artist singer-songwriter Michael Tyler and songwriters Alex Kline, David DeVaul and Aaron Goodvin.

1608 Regional Promotion Manager Roger Fregoso and fishing guide “Roy” in Tampa Bay.

On Saturday, guests enjoyed a variety of offerings including spending time relaxing by the hotel pool, golf at The Mainland Golf Course, fishing in Tampa Bay, spa treatments at Spa Oceana, yoga on the hotel rooftop and kayaking in the hotel’s intra-coastal waterway.

Saturday night had plenty to offer as well with Reviver’s veteran hit-maker and No.1 singer-songwriter David Lee Murphy headlining the popular St. Petersburg’s outdoor venue, Jannus Live.

The free show also featured Reviver artists Tenille Arts, Josh Gracin, and Haley & Michaels. After the show, Reviver’s Regional Promotion Manager Dave Collins shared his gaming skills by offering a poker tournament for guests back at the hotel which lasted long into the night.

Pictured (L-R): Program and music director Mike Thomas (KFAV/Warrenton, MO), singer-songwriter Aaron Goodvin, Mike Thomas’ wife Donna, MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson.

Other Reviver executives and management that were in attendance, among all of the company’s staff, included Bob Reeves (Senior VP of Promotion), Jim Malito (VP of Promotion), Paul Williams (VP of Marketing & Artist Development), Hayley Cowoski (Manager of Marketing & Artist Development), Clay Myers and Carole Ann Mobley (Reviver Publishing) and Mark Ziegenfuss (Partner).

Singer-songwriter Tenille Arts demonstrates impressive rowing technique kayaking down the McPherson Bayou behind Hotel Zamora.

Attendees came home with gift bags which included elevated swag items including audio gear from Kicker Performance Audio. Other sponsors of the three-day weekend gathering included MySky, Eskimo Joe’s and Vineyard Vines.

Haley & Michaels perform at inaugural Reviver Fest 2018 at St. Petersburg’s Jannus Live outdoor concert venue on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.

Josh Gracin performs at inaugural Reviver Fest 2018 at St. Petersburg’s Jannus Live outdoor concert venue on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.

Tenille Arts performs at inaugural Reviver Fest 2018 at St. Petersburg’s Jannus Live outdoor concert venue on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.

Aaron Watson’s Night Of Texas At Ryman To Feature Rodney Clawson, Liz Rose, Tom Douglas

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Aaron Watson is set to return to the Ryman Auditorium on Jan. 24, and he’s invited some of the Lonestar state’s hitmakers to open the show for him. The opening songwriter in-the-round lineup for “A Night Of Texas At The Ryman” will include stories and songs by Rodney Clawson, Liz Rose, and Tom Douglas.

Hailing from Gruver, Texas, Clawson’s 24 No. 1 hits include “I Saw God Today” (George Strait), “Amarillo Sky” (Jason Aldean) and “American Kids” (Kenny Chesney). Rose, born in Dallas, had her first hit with Gary Allan’s “Songs About Rain” and went on to co-write 16 songs with Taylor Swift, including “Teardrops on My Guitar,” “You Belong With Me,” and “Tim McGraw,” plus Little Big Town’s mega-hit “Girl Crush.”  Douglas, who previously called Texas home before moving to Nashville, has penned numerous hits, including “The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert), “I Got A Car” (George Strait), and “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s” (Tim McGraw).

Tickets to “A Night of Texas” at the Ryman start at $25 and may be purchased here.