DISClaimer: Carrie Underwood Returns With “Powerful” New Track

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Spring is in the air, and country comes alive with some fresh sounds for the season.

Good things come in “threes” this week. We have three promising newcomers that deserve your attention — Mason Lively, Szlachetka and our DisCovery Award winner, Vince Moreno.

We also have three contenders for the week’s top prize — Chris Stapleton, RaeLynn and our Disc of the Day winner, Carrie Underwood.

Happy listening.

VINCE MORENO/You Live In This House
Writers: Vince Morena/Mary Welch Francis; Producers: none listed; Publishers: Bluwaboo, ASCAP; VM
– It has a dark, bluesy groove. His macho baritone drawls and spits and moans as he delivers the goods in this lyric of a haunted, lonely heartache. Promising in the extreme.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Millionaire
Writer: Kevin Welch; Producers: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (track)
– Searing and soulful. Wife Morgane shadows him on high harmony throughout this ballad’s ode to enriching romance. A home run.

MASON LIVELY/Lonely Comes Back Around
Writer: Mason Lively; Producer: Pat Manske; Publishers: none listed; ML (track)
– This is a lively country rocker about escaping from a broken heart by running, running, running. For a young newcomer (Lively is just 20 years old), he displays great vocal confidence and quite adept songwriting skills. You’re on the right path, son.

RAELYNN/Queens Don’t
Writers: RaeLynn/Corey Crowder/James Abrahart; Producer: Josh Kerr; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
-Delightful. It’s a terrific female empowerment anthem that builds from gently produced verses to layered, cool, echoey choruses. This sounds decidedly like a big breakthrough record.

 

ANTHONY POWER/The Photographer
Writer: Anthony Power; Producers: Power/Agostino; Publishers: none listed; AP (track)
– He’s an Australian singer-songwriter who accompanies himself on ukulele. This title track from his current CD has a simple, sing-songy melody. It’s more folk ditty than country.

THOMAS RHETT/Life Changes
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins/Jesse Frasure/Ashley Gorley; Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure & Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Sony-ATV/Warner-Tamerlane/Ritten By Rhettro/Telemitry Rhythm House/Songs of Roc Nation/WB/Sadie’s Favorite/Combustion Engine, BMI/ASCAP; Valory (track)
– I love how he’s used the facts of his own life story to craft this. And it sure doesn’t hurt that it is ridiculously catchy.

SZLACHETKA/Heart Of My Hometown
Writers: Matthew Szlachetka/Jamie Kent; Producer: David Blanco; Publishers: Francis Marie/Lama TuMama, SESAC/ASCAP; MS (track)
– He used to be in a Los Angeles band called The Northstar Session that made some noise in Americana music with five albums. His solo outing takes a turn toward mainstream country. This title tune rolls along with admirable country-rock energy and a highly engaging melody. Think Jackson Browne meets Nashville.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Cry Pretty
Writers: Carrie Underwood/Hillary Lindsey/Lori McKenna/Liz Rose; Producers: David Garcia/Underwood; Publishers: Carrie-Okie/BIRB/BMG Rights/Maps An Records/Creative Pulse/These Are Pulse/Warner-Tamerlane/Songs of Crazy Girl, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (download)
– Powerful stuff. Her vocal goes from a quiet, delicately phrased intro into a soprano-shout crescendo. It’s a power ballad with a pounding heart. Listen and believe.

 

JEFF CLAYBORN/Good Bar Attender
Writers: Jeff Clayborn/Doug Wright/Chuck Ebert; Producer: Chuck Ebert; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Axon
– A honky tonker that should have been better, but is dragged down by a muffled production and a thin-sounding vocalist.

SCOTTY McCREERY/This Is It
Writers: Scotty McCreery/Aaron Eshuis/Frank Rogers; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Triple Tigers
– Cool, sparkly production touches. The song is an extremely well written invitation to romance that could easily become an enduring wedding favorite. The ex American Idol winner grows up, and how.

Live In The Vineyard Plans Inaugural Country Event

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Live In The Vineyard, the private music festival held annually in Napa Valley, is partnering with the Academy of Country Music for the inaugural Live In The Vineyard Goes Country. Taking place May 15-17, it will give attendees exclusive performances and access to top tier wine makers and world-renowned chefs. There will be a headlining performance by Carrie Underwood and acoustic performances by Hunter Hayes, Old Dominion, Parmalee, Ashley McBryde, Jerrod Niemann, Maddie & Tae, Eric Paslay, Maggie Rose, Lindsay Ell, Mitchell Tenpenny, Cale Dodds and Cash Campbell.

The Opening Reception on Tuesday, May 15 will feature Old Dominion and Mitchell Tenpenny.

On Wednesday, May 16 Live In The Vineyard Goes Country attendees will enjoy a Nashville style in-the-round guitar pull featuring Maddie & Tae, Jerrod Niemann, Eric Paslay and Cale Dodds at Regusci Winery.

That evening, superstar Carrie Underwood will headline the main event at the Blue Note Napa. The all-star Wednesday night line-up will also feature Hunter Hayes, Parmalee and Ashley McBryde.

To round out Live In The Vineyard Goes Country, there will be a send off brunch on Thursday, May 17 with acoustic performances by Maggie Rose and Lindsay Ell.

The VIP event will feature Cash Campbell.

Fans can check out more information about Live In The Vineyard Goes Country and enter for a chance to attend at www.liveinthevineyardgoescountry.com, as well as enter to win onsite in Las Vegas at select ACM Party for a Cause events April 12-15, leading up to the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards™ on Sunday, April 15.

Tickets are available through special radio station promotions with iHeart Radio, Cumulus, Entercom, Westwood One, the Bobby Bones Show, local participating stations, as well as exclusive sweepstakes and offerings with official airline partner, Southwest Airlines.

CMA Foundation And U.S. Bank Partner For Music Education

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The Country Music Association has expanded its partnership with U.S. Bank. Already a presenting partner for the critically acclaimed CMA Songwriters Series, U.S. Bank will broaden its support by providing resources to music education.

Specifically, the CMA Foundation will partner with U.S. Bank’s existing Places to Play initiative, which creates quality, accessible play spaces in low- to moderate-income communities. In 2018, the new partnership will focus on bolstering music education programs in Cincinnati, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle.

The CMA Songwriters Series Presented by U.S. Bank will visit these four cities. The Cincinnati show on May 2 will feature Sara Evans, Trent Harmon, Rob Hatch and Eric Paslay performing at Memorial Hall.

Concert details for the other cities will be announced soon.

Spotify Acquires Loudr

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Spotify has acquired Loudr, a company which offers products and services designed to streamline royalty payments to music publishers. Founded in 2013, Loudr caters to clients including content creators, aggregators and digital music services.

The Loudr team of publishing specialists and technologists will join Spotify’s New York offices. In addition to integrating with Spotify, Loudr will continue to provide select services to its publishing and aggregator partners.

Dierks Bentley Details New Album, ‘The Mountain’

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Dierks Bentley’s ninth studio album will be released June 8. The Mountain is inspired by his many trips to Telluride, Colorado, where songs for the project were mostly written and recorded. Among the guests on the album are Brothers Osborne and Brandi Carlile.

Bentley performed at Telluride’s famed bluegrass festival in 2017, and was compelled to return that August with six of his most trusted songwriting collaborators, aka his “Telluwriters.”

In November, Bentley and his production team of Ross Copperman, Jon Randall Stewart and Arturo Buenahora Jr. ventured back to the Rocky Mountain town to record at Studio in the Clouds.

“For me it’s the best of both worlds, and it feels like something new,” says Bentley. “It’s powerful but also happy, with acoustic sensibility mixed in with the big sounds I like to have for the road.”

The Mountain Track Listing:

1. Burning Man (Feat. Brothers Osborne)
2. The Mountain
3. Living
4. Woman, Amen
5. You Can’t Bring Me Down
6. Nothing On But The Stars
7. Goodbye In Telluride
8. My Religion
9. One Way
10. Son Of The Sun
11. Stranger To Myself
12. Travelin’ Light (Feat. Brandi Carlile)
13. How I’m Going Out

Sony Music Nashville Names Paige Altone As Director, Marketing

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Paige Altone

Paige Altone has been promoted to Director, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville. Altone is responsible for the strategy, development and execution of marketing plans for her portion of the label group’s roster.

Sony Nashville EVP, Marketing and New Business John Zarling on the promotion, “Paige’s work ethic mixed with passion for her artists has been essential as Sony Music Nashville has turned the page—pardon the pun—in breaking new acts. From Kane Brown to Luke Combs to Old Dominion to Chris Young and many others, Paige’s roster of artists have excelled with her as their marketing quarterback. I am thrilled to be able to recognize her growth and accomplishments with this promotion.”

Altone says, “Since my first day at Sony Music Nashville, it seems that each day our company and roster have moved forward and upward. I am honored by this promotion, and, I am so appreciative of our leadership and all team members who empower me with their inspiration and camaraderie, and, our artists and music we all have a part in sharing with the world.”

First joining the Sony Music Nashville marketing department as Manager in May of 2016, Altone started her music business career in the promotions department of Atlanta’s WKHX. In 2011, she was hired by Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists and worked with the Zac Brown Band, Blackberry Smoke and The Wood Brothers. While still with Southern Ground Artists, she moved to Nashville. In 2014, Altone worked for AEG Presents, handling tour marketing for Kacey Musgraves, Mumford & Sons and Imagine Dragons, among other acts.

RJ Meacham Elevated To VP, Promotion At Curb

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RJ Meacham

RJ Meacham has been named VP, Promotion for Curb Records, following the recent elevation of Ryan Dokke to Sr. VP/GM Promotion and Marketing for Curb/Word Entertainment.

“I can’t think of a promotion executive more ready to assume this role at Curb Records. RJ has proven himself a leader and is more than capable of leading our promotion team’s efforts at radio, while continuing to personally serve our partners in radio. This is beyond a an obvious and deserving elevation.”  Dokke says.

Meacham will oversee the regional promotion staff, formulating plans for the label’s country roster, manage chart strategies and continue working with Curb’s longtime National Director of Promotion, Mike Rogers.

With over three decades of experience, Meacham has held key positions at several major labels (Monument, Asylum, BNA, Columbia, Sony) and has been influential in the set-up and execution of countless hit records, working with Kenny Chesney, Dixie Chicks, LeAnn Rimes, Hank Williams, Jr., Tyler Farr, Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan, and Maren Morris, among others.

Meacham joined Curb Records in 2016 and most recently held the position of National Director of Promotion and Chart Strategy for the label, where he has been part of the team behind the chart success of the label’s current roster, including record-breaking artist Lee Brice and the recent breakthrough success of Dylan Scott’s No. 1, RIAA-certified Gold single “My Girl.”

Meacham can be reached at [email protected] or at 615.715.2764

Morgan Wallen Releases Track Listing For ‘If I Know Me’

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Morgan Wallen is sharing new details behind his debut album If I Know Me, arriving Friday, April 27 on Big Loud Records.

Wallen co-penned six tracks on the Joey Moi-produced album, which includes his new single, “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line. The breakthrough smash has amassed over 80.5 million plays to date and continues its ascent up the charts, currently inside the Top 15. The album will be available for pre-order on all digital platforms Friday (April 13), and fans who pre-order will instantly receive “Happy Hour” that day and “Had Me By Halftime” on 4/20.

Wallen will make his late-night debut performing the track on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! alongside FGL on April 26.

IF I KNOW ME Track listing:
1. “Up Down” (Feat. Florida Georgia Line) (Brad Clawson, CJ Solar, Michael Hardy)
2. “Happy Hour” (Corey Crowder, Michael Hardy, Craig Wiseman)
3. “Had Me By Halftime” (Michael Hardy, James McNair, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross, Morgan Wallen)
4. “Whiskey Glasses” (Ben Burgess, Kevin Kadish)
5. “Whatcha Know ‘Bout That” (Michael Hardy, Cameron Montgomery, Craig Wiseman, Josh Leo, Jim Photoglo, Wendy Waldman)
6. “Redneck Love Song” (David Garcia, Michael Hardy, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Miller)
7. “Little Rain” (Matt Dragstrem, Chase McGill, Ben Hayslip)
8. “If I Know Me” (Michael Hardy, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, Morgan Wallen)
9. “Chasin’ You” (Jamie Moore, Morgan Wallen, Craig Wiseman)
10. “The Way I Talk” (Jessi Alexander, Ben Hayslip, Chase McGill)
11. “If I Ever Get You Back” (Dallas Davidson, Matt Dragstrem, Ben Hayslip)
12. “Gone Girl” (Jessi Alexander, Cameron Montgomery, Deric Ruttan, Morgan Wallen, Michael Hardy)
13. “Not Good At Not“ (Brett Tyler, Morgan Wallen, Craig Wiseman)
14. “Talkin’ Tennessee” (Jeff Hyde, Morgan Wallen, Craig Wiseman)

ACM, Change the Conversation To Present Las Vegas Forum

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The Academy of Country Music and Change the Conversation, a coalition formed in 2014 to fight gender inequality in country music, are joining forces to present Change the Conversation: ACM Edition, a special free and open-to-the-public forum to discuss women in country music. The event will feature singer/songwriter Cam, and Change the Conversation co-founders Leslie Fram, Tracy Gershon and Beverly Keel. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 14 at the David Copperfield Theater at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

“To be perfectly clear, the future financial stability and cultural relevancy of the music business depends on how we can fully incorporate women into ALL areas of the business – from creators to distributors,” said Cam. “The Academy recognizes their responsibility in the current climate, and is choosing to create space to discuss the solutions. Women’s voices need to be at the center of this discussion, and some of the key points we hope to address are first, identifying inhibitive attitudes, practices and people that prevent gender equality. Second, how to raise awareness about key areas of gender disparity and enforce accountability. And finally, engaging with allies and supporting initiatives that allow our business to flourish independently of gender. I’m so happy to be a part of this conversation and help our community progress.”

“We are grateful that the Academy of Country Music is taking a leadership role in addressing the issue of gender inequality in country music,” says Keel, who is also Chair of MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry. “By holding this event during ACM Awards weekend, they are providing a prominent platform that will offer female artists education and support, while creating a forum for industry leaders to work together to find solutions.”

BMG Appoints New Creative Directors For Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Courtney Allen, Rakiyah Marshall

BMG has appointed Courtney Allen and Rakiyah Marshall to Creative Director, based in Nashville. In their new roles, the two will be responsible for working with the diverse and accomplished existing songwriter roster and singing and developing more talent. Allen and Marshall will report to Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Nashville.

Marshall began her career in New York as part of Republic Records’ radio promotion team working with their artist roster including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, James Bay, The Weeknd, Florida Georgia Line and more. Previously she served as Creative Director at Cornman Music, working alongside artists/writers such as Brett James, Kip Moore, Caitlyn Smith, Steven Lee Olsen, Josh Miller and was instrumental in procuring the sessions that produced the new Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line single “Meant to Be.”

Allen joins BMG from Starstruck Entertainment, management firm of Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton, among others, where she was the creative director of publishing, working with developing artists on the management roster. Previously, she was a membership representative at NSAI mentoring and developing unsigned songwriters.

“Courtney and Rakiyah are a perfect fit for how we champion songwriters, they have bright minds and creative hearts with the just right instincts to make things happen on behalf of the creators that trust us with their careers and music,” says Weaver.