Brad Paisley, Chris Young Set For Second Nashville “Dance Party To End Alz”

/by

Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Blair Garner will host the second Nashville “Dance Party to End Alz” to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, set for June 3, beginning at 6 p.m. at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon.

This year’s event will include Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Charles Esten, Lindsay Ell and more top country artists performing hits from the 1980’s.

Tickets for the event will be available for pre-sale on Wednesday, April 18 at 11 a.m. CDT via alz.org/danceparty. Ticket sales will be open to the general public starting Friday, April 20 at 11 a.m. CDT via alz.org/danceparty.

“We were thrilled by the success of last year’s Dance Party to End Alz, where we grooved to hits from the ’70s. We’re excited to make this an annual event and bring the ’80s to Nashville this year,” said Kimberly Williams-Paisley. “It is so inspiring to see the country music community rally around the Alzheimer’s cause, which is very important to our family and millions across the country. We are more motivated than ever to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research that will ultimately change the course of this disease for so many.”

 

 

Seventh Day Slumber’s Joseph Rojas Launches Nashville Label Group

/by

Joseph Rojas, founding member of Dove Award-winning Christian rock band Seventh Day Slumber, has formed the Nashville Label Group. The new company will house dual imprints RockFest Records, featuring Seventh Day Slumber, hitmakers Random Hero, Indiana-based melodic rockers The Protest, female solo rocker Zahna, Nashville-based rock/metal band The Persuaded; and metalcore trio Amongst the Giants.

The Nashville Label Group will also house Burtonwood Records. The label’s roster features singer/songwriter Brooke Robertson, and pop vocalist Nathan Sheridan, whose debut single, “Loves Like That,” was recently released to Christian Hot AC formats. Both RockFest Records and Burtonwood Records will be distributed by New Day Christian Distribution, with digital distribution facilitated by The Orchard (Sony).

“After two decades in Christian music, the time is right for me to bring together the experience and relationships I have been blessed with to provide a platform for supporting and launching other artists I love and believe in,” said Rojas, president, Nashville Label Group. “I couldn’t be prouder of the artists we are partnering with out of the gate, many of them being friends we have traveled with on our City RockFest Tour.”

“Joseph Rojas has long been a driving force in Christian rock, through both Seventh Day Slumber and the City RockFest Tour,” said Ed Leonard, president, New Day Christian Distribution. “Our new partnership with Nashville Label Group brings many of the leading names in the Christian rock genre, as well as significant new voices in Christian pop, to the New Day family. We are honored to be able to support artists who reflect the same commitment to ministry Joseph has represented for more than two decades.”

Anderson East, Others Set For 2018 Hangout Festival’s BMI Stage

/by

BMI artists are hitting the beach for the sixth consecutive year at Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, May 18-20. The weekend’s diverse lineup includes hand-curated up-and-comers who are already making waves within the industry, including singer-songwriter Anderson East, R&B sensation R.LUM.R,  alt-rock artist Caroline Rose, female rock-duo BONES of the UK, hip-hop/rapper Leikeli47, classic rock quartet Greta Van Fleet, and many more.

“BMI has a longstanding history of identifying and showcasing super-star talent early on and this lineup is no exception,” says Mason Hunter, AVP Creative, Nashville. “Our stage is stacked with rising stars and BMI’s focus on elevating younger talent fits perfectly with the vibe of this growing festival.”

Since 2013, BMI has hosted a number of rising stars on the BMI Hangout stage, including artists like Halsey, (who will return to Hangout this year on a festival main stage,) The Revivalists, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Daya, A R I Z O N A, Elle King, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, and Shakey Graves.

BMI Artists Hangout Music Festival Schedule:
Friday, May 18:
Welshley Arms
Ron Gallo
Caroline Rose
BONES
Luthi
 Saturday, May 19:
Noname
Bahamas
R.LUM.R
Leikeli47
The Wrecks
 Sunday, May 20:
Greta Van Fleet
Sunflower Bean
Anderson East
MAX
Mobley

ACM Pics: WME, Sony Music Nashville, Bob Kingsley, Musicians On Call

/by

WME Holds Second Annual Bash at the Beach

Pictured Erick Long (ACM), Becky Gardenhire (WME), Paul Barnabee (ACM Lifting Lives), Gayle Holcomb (WME and Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund), Chris Young, Catherine Hernandez-Blades (Aflac), Rob Beckham (WME), Pete Griffin (Musicians On Call). Photo: Rick Diamond

WME held its second Bash at the Beach, a two-day concert event at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on April 13-14. The event featured performances from Chris Young, Chris Janson, Cam, Dee Jay Silver, Granger Smith, Jordan Davis, LANCO, Lindsay Ell, Morgan Evans, Morgan Wallen, Parmalee, RaeLynn and Scotty McCreery. Young also helped present a check for $100,000 to ACM Lifting Lives.

 

Sony Music Nashville Celebrates Latest Artist Signing

Pictured (L-R): Ken Robold, EVP/COO, Sony Music Nashville; Steve Hodges, EVP Promotion/Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville; Marion Kraft, Shopkeeper Management; Crystal Dishmon, Shopkeeper Management; Tenille Townes; Randy Goodman, Chairman/CEO, Sony Music Nashville; John Zarling, EVP Marketing/New Business, Sony Music Nashville; Jim Catino, SVP A&R, Sony Music Nashville

Sony Music Nashville and Shopkeeper Management celebrated the signing of the newest Columbia Nashville artist, Tenille Townes, during the Sony ACM Awards After Party. On Friday, April 13, the 24 year-old singer-songwriter, joined Columbia Nashville’s star-studded roster and simultaneously released her acoustic introductory EP Living Room Worktapes. Townes joined Devin Dawson and Maren Morris on the road last week and has been tapped by Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town for their cross-country The Bandwagon Tour, launching July 2018.

 

Bob Kingsley: Texas Heads To ACMs

Pictured (L-R): Bob Kingsley, Aaron Watson, Jack Ingram.

The state of Texas was well represented in Las Vegas on Sunday, as Bob Kingsley, Aaron Watson, and Jack Ingram pose for a quick pic at the ACM Awards.

 

ACM Lifting Lives/Musicians On Call

Pictured (L-R): Pete Griffin, Musicians On Call President; Todd P. Sklamberg, Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center CEO; Michael Ray, Warner Music Nashville Artist; Debbie Carroll, ACM Lifting Lives Chairman; Shane Tarleton, Warner Music Nashville Senior Vice President, Creative Services [Click to enlarge]

Musicians On Call, a nonprofit that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, officially launched its latest weekly Bedside Performance Programs at Sunrise Health System hospitals today in Las Vegas. The programs are made possible through a $150,000 endowment from ACM Lifting Lives®, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music.

The launch event, which took place at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, included a special performance by Warner Music Nashville artist Michael Ray for the hospital’s patients and caregivers.

Kelsea Ballerini Added To Music Biz 2018

/by

Kelsea Ballerini will perform during the upcoming Music Biz 2018 conference’s Awards Breakfast & Presentations. The CMA-sponsored event will honor RIAA CEO Cary Sherman, as well as Dimple Records’ Radakovitz Family.

“Kelsea is an incredible talent, and we’re thrilled to have her perform at our Awards Breakfast,” said Music Biz President James Donio. “Her career got off to a meteoric start, with multiple award nominations and wins, sold-out concert tours, and even making country music history… and she continues her stellar momentum.”

The Awards Breakfast will also feature Music Biz President James Donio’s President’s Address, updating attendees on the state of the industry, highlighting Music Biz’s top initiatives of the past year, and detailing what to expect from the Association in 2018 and beyond. Music Biz Board Chairman Fred Beteille of Facebook will recognize the 2018-2019 Music Biz Board of Directors and announce the Scholarship Foundation Class of 2018.

 

Chris Stapleton, Sam Hunt Among Billboard Music Awards Nomination Leaders

/by

UMG Nashville artists Sam Hunt and Chris Stapleton have garnered the most country nominations for the upcoming Billboard Music Awards, as the nominations were announced this morning at billboard.com.

Sam Hunt was nominated for five honors, including the all-genre Billboard Chart Achievement Award, all-genre Top Selling Song (“Body Like A Back Road”), as well as Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, and Top Country Song (“Body Like A Back Road”).

Chris Stapleton was also nominated for five honors, including the all-genre Top Selling Album (From A Room: Vol. 1), Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, and Top Country Album (From A Room: Vol. 1).

Sony Music Nashville’s Kane Brown was nominated for three honors, including Top Country Artist, Top Country Song (“What Ifs,” ft. Lauren Alaina), and Top Country Album (Kane Brown).

Big Machine Label Group’s Thomas Rhett was nominated for three honors, including Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, and Top Country Album (Life Changes). Fellow BMLG duo Florida Georgia Line garnered three nominations for Top Country Tour, Top Country Duo/Group Artist, and Top Country Song (“Meant To Be”).

Notably, there were no female artists nominated for the Top Country Artist category. Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, and Maren Morris will vie for Top Country Female Artist.

UMG Nashville’s Alan Jackson earned a nomination for Top Christian Album, for his Precious Memories Collection. Also nominated in the category are MercyMe, Elevation Worship, Hillsong United and Hillsong Worship.

Big Machine Label Group artist Taylor Swift earned five nominations this year, including Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album (reputation) and Top Selling Album (reputation).

Kendrick Lamar and Ed Sheeran lead this year’s nominees, with 15 Billboard Music Awards nominations each.

2018 Billboard Music Awards Country And Christian Nominees:

Billboard Chart Achievement Award:
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Drake
Sam Hunt
Ed Sheeran

Top Selling Album:
Kendrick Lamar, DAMN.
P!nk, Beautiful Trauma
Ed Sheeran, ÷ (Divide)
Chris Stapleton, From A Room: Volume 1
Taylor Swift, reputation

Top Selling Song:
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, “Despacito”
Sam Hunt “Body Like A Back Road”
Imagine Dragons “Believer”
Imagine Dragons “Thunder”
Ed Sheeran “Perfect”

Top Country Artist:
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

Top Country Male Artist:
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

Top Country Female Artist:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris

Top Country Duo/Group Artist:
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band

Top Country Tour:
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

Top Country Song:
Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina, “What Ifs”
Sam Hunt, “Body Like A Back Road”
Dustin Lynch, “Small Town Boy”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”
Brett Young, “In Case You Didn’t Know”

Top Country Album:
Kane Brown, Kane Brown
Luke Combs, This One’s For You
Thomas Rhett, Life Changes
Chris Stapleton, From A Room: Volume 1
Brett Young, Brett Young

Top Christian Artist:
Elevation Worship
Hillsong UNITED
Hillsong Worship
MercyMe
Zach Williams

Top Gospel Artist:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy
Travis Greene
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Tamela Mann

Top Christian Song:
Elevation Worship, “O Come To The Altar”
Hillsong Worship, “What A Beautiful Name”
Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly, “I’ll Find You”
MercyMe, “Even If”
Zach Williams, “Old Church Choir”

Top Gospel Song:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy, “Trust In You”
Travis Greene, “You Waited”
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, “You Deserve It”
Tamela Mann, “Change Me”
Charlie Wilson, “I’m Blessed”

Top Christian Album:
Elevation Worship, There Is A Cloud
Hillsong UNITED, Wonder
Hillsong Worship, Let There Be Light
Alan Jackson, Precious Memories Collection
MercyMe, Lifer

Top Gospel Album:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy, A Long Way From Sunday
Travis Greene, Crossover: Live From Music City
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, You Deserve It
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Heart. Passion. Pursuit
Marvin Sapp, Close

Change The Conversation Panel To Feature Nielsen Music’s Erin Crawford

/by

“The Power of Female Country Artists” will be presented by Erin Crawford, Senior Vice President of Nielsen Entertainment/General Manager of Nielsen Music at the Change the Conversation event on April 23 at 6 p.m. at the Country Music Association. The free event, which is open to the public, is co-sponsored by SESAC and MTSU.

Crawford will discuss the marketability and endorsement potential of female country artists, and where they are being undervalued in the industry using Nielsen Music data and consumer insights. She will also demonstrate how streaming playlists, social media and live performances can be leveraged to advance female country artists’ careers.

“The mission of Change the Conversation is personally important to me, and I am honored to share Nielsen data and insights to bring attention to the issues facing women in Country music and provide guidance and inspiration on how to break down barriers,” said Crawford.

In addition to leading business strategy for Nielsen Music, Crawford serves on the advisory board of the Women in Music organization and is an advisor at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. She is a two-time Women in Music City honoree by the Nashville Business Journal and has served as a co-leader of the global Women in Nielsen employee resource group.

“In a world that revolves around data, Change the Conversation is thrilled to present Nielsen’s research on the power of women in the marketplace,” says Tracy Gershon, co-founder of Change the Conversation. “This presentation goes hand and hand with our mission to dispel myths about the impact of female artists in our industry.”

Meghan Linsey Joins Mount Music Group

/by

Pictured: David Mount, Meghan Linsey

Los Angeles-based newcomer Mount Music Group has just closed a long-term management deal with Meghan Linsey. David Mount founded Mount Music Group in 2017. His career has included time at Warner Music Group.

Linsey started her career in country music as one half of the chart-topping duo Steel Magnolia and made a shift to pop music on NBC’s The Voice. Her most recent album, Bold Like a Lion was produced by Tyler Cain and released late last year. It includes collaborations with Aloe Blacc and Fred Schneider.

Linsey’s Bold Like a Lion tour kicks off on April 19 at The Mint in Los Angeles, California.

 

Warner Music Nashville Adds VP, Finance

/by

Warner Music Nashville has welcomed a new VP, Finance, with industry veteran Danny Bess. Bess will report directly to COO Matt Signore.

Bess will oversee deal analysis and the execution of business strategy for the entire roster of artists. As VP Finance he will evaluate operations, systems and processes, making continuous efforts to increase effectiveness and control costs. Additionally, Bess will direct quarterly budgeting and forecasting, maintain internal policy compliance and manage the functions and professional development of the WMN finance team.

“Danny has the experience, insight and spirit to be a strong business partner to our entire team,” said Signore.

Bess transitions over to WMN after nearly 25 years at Universal Music Group, most recently as VP Finance of its Nashville division. A Vanderbilt University graduate with an M.B.A. from Tulane, Bess began his career at Sony BMG in 1989.

ACM Week In Pictures: UTA, SESAC, Play It Again Music, Change The Conversation

/by

SESAC and Play It Again Music Team Up for ACM Lifting Lives

Photo (L-R): Play It Again owner/publisher Dallas Davidson; SESAC singer/songwriter Lee Brice; SESAC VP of Creative Services Shannan Hatch; SESAC songwriter Rob Hatch; PIA VP of A&R Alex Torrez; PIA President Juli Newton Griffith; and Mike “Frog” Griffith.

Play It Again Music and SESAC were all smiles during Saturday’s (April 14) ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-off. ACM Lifting Lives is the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music. Through partnerships within the music industry, ACM Lifting Lives develops and funds music-related therapy and education programs for those who have faced unexpected hardships.

 

United Talent Agency Celebrates ACMs

Pictured (L-R): Curt Motley, Brian Nossokoff, Troy Vollhoffer (Premier Global Production), Nick Meinema, Lance Roberts, Nick Barnes

The United Talent Agency team met with Troy Volhoffer of Premier Global Production at Sunday evening’s (April 15) Academy of Country Music Awards.

 

Cam Joins Change The Conversation Panel During ACM Week In Las Vegas

Pictured (L-R): Leslie Fram, Cam, Tracy Gershon, Beverly Keel.

Singer-songwriter Cam joined MTSU Recording Industry Chair Beverly Keel, as well as CMT’s Leslie Fram and industry executive Tracy Gershon for a Change the Conversation panel on Saturday (April 14) at Academy of Country Music’s pre-awards festivities.

 

YouTube video