Official: Kenny Chesney Joins Warner Music Nashville

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L to R: President of Morris Higham Management, Clint Higham; Chairman and President Warner Music Nashville, John Esposito; Kenny Chesney; and Greenberg Traurig, LLP’s Jess Rosen

Warner Music Group and Warner Music Nashville have officially welcomed Kenny Chesney  to the Warner Music family. As part of WMN, the songwriter/superstar’s music will be released on the Blue Chair Records/Warner Bros. Records label.

“It is a big deal to change labels,” said Chesney. “But when you hear Max, Espo, and Cris Lacy talk about music, about what it means and does, when you hear that passion, you can’t help but get fired up. To me, music is only complete when it gets to the fans and becomes part of their lives. The people at Warner understand my commitment to that idea, and they’re just as committed to those ideals as I am.”

“Kenny Chesney embodies the relentless pursuit of artistic freedom and expression,” said WMN Chairman & CEO John Esposito. “An unapologetic free spirit, he has built a career on perseverance, drive, innovation, and most especially, great songs. Everything he does is inspired. It is with deep respect and honor that we welcome Kenny to Warner Music Nashville. We couldn’t be more excited to work with him and his team.”

“Kenny’s not only a country music icon, but an American superstar, who’s still hungry to write, record, and perform amazing music that moves millions of people,” said Warner Music Group CEO, Recorded Music Max Lousada. “The fact that he has chosen Warner Music as his new label home is a huge testament to the culture created by Espo and his team, who have made our Nashville operation a magnet for both emerging talent and established artists. I join Espo in welcoming Kenny into the Warner family, and we’re all looking forward to amplifying his success and taking his music to fans across the globe.”

Capitol Christian Music Group Ups Brad O’Donnell, Hudson Plachy

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Capitol Christian Music Group has promoted Brad O’Donnell to Chief Creative Officer and Hudson Plachy to Chief Marketing Officer. The promotions follow last week’s promotion of Peter York from President to Chairman & CEO.

Both O’Donnell and Plachy report directly to York and are based at the company’s headquarters in Nashville.

In his new position, Brad O’Donnell is charged with responsibility for all A&R and Creative-related strategic objectives, as well as overseeing A&R Administration and the creative staff for both the recorded music and music publishing businesses. As an integral member of the company’s senior management team, he will help identify and implement label strategy and support the ongoing development of the CCMG’s mission to impact lives with quality and compelling music.

O’Donnell has held A&R leadership positions at CCMG since joining the company in 2001, overseeing the label group roster and the production of numerous chart-topping projects at both radio and retail, as well as playing significant roles in the careers of numerous platinum and old artists, including Chris Tomlin, Mandisa, TobyMac, and many others. He was also instrumental in the development of sixstepsrecords. O’Donnell previously served as Director of A&R at Word Records and earned esteem as a musician, songwriter and producer. He also earned a Master’s degree in Music from the University of Miami, Florida in 1995.

Plachy is now responsible for all of the company’s marketing and promotion campaigns, as well as video content creation and management of Commercial Partnerships. In his newly expanded role, Plachy will also direct the creation and implementation of all music consumption and artist development growth strategies.

Plachy began his career at CCMG in 2002, when he was hired as a marketing coordinator and worked on the team handling Steven Curtis Chapman, Nichole Nordeman and many others. He was promoted to Manager of International Sales and Distribution in 2008, liaising with the company’s worldwide affiliates to achieve global objectives for the company’s artists and projects. He was promoted to Director of Product Marketing in 2011, then Vice President of Marketing in 2015, and rose to Senior Vice President of Marketing in 2016. Plachy has been integral to the success of such key Platinum and Gold artists as Hillsong United, Switchfoot, TobyMac and many others.

According to CCMG Chairman & CEO Peter York, “These promotions and strategic organizational changes are designed to enable Brad and Hudson to provide even better services to our company’s artists and songwriters in this rapidly changing recorded music and publishing business. I congratulate Brad and Hudson on their well-deserved promotions and elevated roles within our company as we empower this next generation of leaders to guide CCMG successfully and well into the future.”

‘Pickler And Ben’ Picked Up For Second Season

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Kellie Pickler and Ben Aaron‘s new talk show Pickler And Ben has been given the greenlight for a second season by the E.W. Scripps Company. The Nashville-based daytime talk show recorded in front of a live studio audience welcomed plenty of celebrity guests during its first season, including Dolly Parton, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Molly Sims, Christian Siriano, Reba McEntire, Ty Pennington, and more. The show debuted Sept. 18, 2017.

“Kellie and Ben are a breath of fresh air in the daytime space, and audiences have loved watching them bring this fun, dynamic show to life,” said Cater Lee, vice president of programming for Scripps. “The creators’ vision that a show originating from Middle America would appeal to viewers everywhere was spot on, and we are seeing that in just a few months it is already outperforming many long-established talk shows in key demos and on social media. I am delighted that we are recommitting for a second season.”

“Pickler & Ben” is produced by Faith Hill, co-founder of Happy Street Entertainment, Lisa Erspamer, and president and CEO/Sandbox Entertainment Jason Owen in partnership with Scripps. Award-winning director Joe Terry (“The Oprah Winfrey Show”) directs Pickler & Ben. Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution is distributing the show in national syndication.

Jack White Announces North American Tour Dates

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Jack White. Photo: Jo McCaughey

Jack White‘s New Year is shaping up to be pretty packed as he just announced a new North American headlining tour in support of his brand new album Boarding House Reach, which is due out March 23 on Third Man/Columbia. White will kick off the tour in Detroit April 19 and hit St. Louis, Atlanta, Boston, Salt Lake City, Santa Barbara, and even some international dates in Paris, London and Amsterdam through August.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Jan. 26, and Third Man Records Vault members will have access to the very first pre-sale starting on January 22. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance of the public on sale during the Ticketmaster Verified Fan pre-sale. Ticketmaster Verified Fan is currently open and continues until January 19 at 11:59 PM ET. Verified Fan registration is available at jackwhite.tmverifiedfan.com/. Every online ticket purchased in North America for the new shows will include a physical copy of  the new album. Fans will also have the option to upgrade their CD to the standard black vinyl LP.

Boarding House Reach includes the acclaimed new tracks, “Connected By Love” and “Respect Commander.” The project was written and conceived by White while holed up in a spartan apartment with no outside distractions, and he replicated the identical environment and used the same gear as when he was a 15 year old (a quarter-inch four-track tape recorder, a simple mixer, and the most basic of instrumentation) to pen sketches of the album’s songs.

 Jack White 2018 TOUR DATES:
April 19: Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
April 20: Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI
April 21: 20 Monroe – Grand Rapids, MI
April 23: Baxter Arena – Omaha, NE
April 24: Providence Medical Center Amphitheater – Bonner Springs, KS
April 25: Chaifetz Arena – St. Louis, MO
April 27: Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX
April 29: Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX
April 30: Revention Music Center – Houston, TX
May 1: Revention Music Center – Houston, TX
May 2: Austin360 Amphitheater – Austin, TX
May 4 – 6: Shaky Knees Music Festival – Atlanta, GA *
May 25 – 27: Boston Calling Music Festival – Boston, MA *
May 27: Brewery Ommegang – Cooperstown, NY
May 29: The Anthem – Washington, DC
June 1 – 3: Governors Ball Music Festival – New York, NY *
June 4: Express Live! Outdoor Amphitheater – Columbus, OH
June 6: Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica – Cleveland, OH
June 7: Dome Arena – Rochester, NY
June 8: Artpark Mainstage Theater – Lewiston, NY
June 9: Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON
June 27: London, UK – Hammersmith Apollo
June 28: London, UK – Hammersmith Apollo
July 2: AFAS Live – Amsterdam, NL
July 3: L’Olympia – Paris. FR
July 4: L’Olympia – Paris. FR
August 6: The Armory – Minneapolis, MN
August 8: 1st Bank Center – Broomfield, CO
August 9: SaltAir – Salt Lake City, UT
August 11: Veterans Memorial Coliseum – Portland, OR
August 12: Rogers Arena – Vancouver, BC
August 13: WAMU Theatre – Seattle, WA
August 15: Bill Graham Civic Auditorium – San Francisco, CA
August 19: Santa Barbara Bowl – Santa Barbara, CA
August 21: Viejas Arena – San Diego, CA
August 22: Comerica Theatre – Phoenix, AZ
August 23: The Chelsea @ The Cosmopolitan – Las Vegas, NV

Brad Paisley Talks ‘The Art And The Artist’ During CRS 2018 Panel

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Brad Paisley will chat about his eagerness to explore new and creative approaches to his career and art in a special panel Q&A session, Brad Paisley: The Art and The Artist, at CRS 2018. The interview will take place Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 from 3-4 p.m.

RJ Curtis of All Access Nashville and Beverlee Brannigan of E.W. Scripps Co. will conduct the interview, which will highlight how Paisley anticipates the future while honoring country tradition. Previous artist interview Q&As at CRS have included Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, and Toby Keith.

Advance CRS 2018 agendas can be viewed at CountryRadioSeminar.com or by downloading the official app, which is now available for download on iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows devices as well as laptops.  The CRS 2018 app, powered by Country Aircheck, provides attendees with an expanded CRS agenda, panel descriptions, speaker bios, integrated calendar upgrades, CRS after-hour activities, CRS TV video clips and other event news. To get the app, go to the app store and download “Crowdcompass AttendeeHub, search for “CRS 2018” and click download.  Accessing the CRS 2018 app requires opening the Crowdcompass AttendeeHub on the home screen.

MCA Nashville Newcomer Jordan Davis Announces ‘Home State’ Debut

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MCA Nashville’s Jordan Davis has announced his debut album Home State will be released March 23.

Home State includes the singer/songwriter’s current Top 20 single “Singles You Up” in addition to the previously-released tracks “Slow Dance In A Parking Lot” and “Take It From Me.” Davis co-wrote all 12 tracks on the Paul DiGiovanni-produced project with songwriters such as Blair Daly, Scooter Carusoe, Jonathan Singleton and Justin Ebach.

“Making this record has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” says Jordan. “I want to thank everyone who was involved in bringing this to life, especially to my producer Paul Digiovanni and the songwriters that helped me create these songs. I can’t wait for y’all to hear it”

Davis will embark on a 15-date run with Big Loud artist Jillian Jacqueline next month, billed as the White Wine And Whiskey Tour.

Home State Track Listing
Take It From Me (Jordan Davis, Jason Gantt, Jacob Davis)
Going ‘Round (Jordan Davis, Ben Daniel, Pavel Dovgalyuk)
More Than I Know (Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Blair Daly)
Slow Dance In A Parking Lot (Jordan Davis, Lonnie Fowler)
Singles You Up (Jordan Davis, Justin Ebach, Steven Dale Jones)
Sundowners (Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins)
Tough To Tie Down (Jordan Davis, Jeff Middleton, Seth Ennis)
Made That Way (Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Scooter Carusoe)
So Do I (Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Jamie Paulin)
Selfish (Jordan Davis, Jason Gantt, Joshua Wade Door)
Dreamed You Did (Jordan Davis, Shane Minor, Jonathan Singleton)
Leaving New Orleans (Jordan Davis, Lonnie Fowler, David Frasier)

Recording Academy Announces 2018 Grammy Hall Of Fame Inductions

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Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison, Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You,” Andy Williams‘ “Moon River,” and Nirvana‘s Nevermind are among the newest inductions into the Grammy Hall Of Fame. Each year recordings are reviewed by a special member committee comprised of professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by the Recording Academy’s National Board of Trustees. With 25 new titles, the Hall, now in its 45th year, currently totals 1,063 recordings and is on display at Grammy Museum L.A. Live.

“The Grammy Hall Of Fame strives to embody the changing climate of music throughout these past decades, always acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which the Academy has become known,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “Iconic and inspiring, these recordings are an integral part of our musical, social, and cultural history, and we are proud to have added them to our growing catalog.”

Representing a wide variety of singles and albums, the 2018 Grammy Hall Of Fame inductees range from David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” to Jimi Hendrix‘s Band Of Gypsys and also includes Gladys Knight & The Pips‘ “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” Public Enemy‘s “Fight The Power,” Queen‘s A Night At The Opera, Linda Ronstadt‘s “Heart Like A Wheel,” and Sam Cooke‘s “Bring It On Home To Me.” Other inductees include recordings by Aerosmith, Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five, Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, Dr. Dre, Thomas Alva Edison, Four Tops, Billie Holiday, the King Cole Trio, Hugh Masekela, Mike Oldfield, Parliament, Billy Paul, the Rolling Stones, and Leon Russell.

2017 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Inductees:
BAND OF GYPSYS
Jimi Hendrix
Capitol (1970)
Album

“BRING IT ON HOME TO ME”
Sam Cooke
RCA Victor (1962)
Single

THE CHRONIC
Dr. Dre
Death Row (1992)
Album

“DREAM ON”
Aerosmith
Columbia (1973)
Single

“FIGHT THE POWER”
Public Enemy
Motown (1989)
Single

“FLASH LIGHT”
Parliament
Casablanca (1978)
Single

“GRAZING IN THE GRASS”
Hugh Masekela
UNI (1968)
Single

HEART LIKE A WHEEL
Linda Ronstadt
Capitol (1974)
Album

“I CAN’T HELP MYSELF”
Four Tops
Motown (1965)
Single

“I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE”
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Soul/Motown (1967)
Single

“(I LOVE YOU) FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS”
The King Cole Trio
Capitol (1946)
Single

“I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU”
Whitney Houston
Arista (1992)
Single

JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON
Johnny Cash
Columbia (1968)
Album

“MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB”
Thomas Alva Edison
N/A (1878)
Single

“ME AND MRS. JONES”
Billy Paul
Philadelphia International (1972)
Single

“MOON RIVER”
Andy Williams
Columbia (1962)
Track from Moon River & Other Great Movie Themes

“MY MAN ”
Billie Holiday
Brunswick (1937)
Single

NEVERMIND
Nirvana
DGC (1991)
Album

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Queen
Elektra (1975)
Album

“PAINT IT, BLACK”
The Rolling Stones
London (1966)
Single

“SAVOY BLUES”
Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five
Okeh (1927)
Single

“A SONG FOR YOU”
Leon Russell
Shelter (1970)
Single

“SPACE ODDITY”
David Bowie
Mercury (1969)
Track from Space Oddity

“THAT’S ALL RIGHT”
Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup
RCA Victor (1949)
Single

TUBULAR BELLS
Mike Oldfield
Virgin (1973)
Album

 

Ryman Auditorium Names New General Manager

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Gary Levy

Opry Entertainment Group has announced the promotion of Gary Levy to General Manager of the Ryman Auditorium, reporting to Opry Entertainment Chief Operating Officer Michael Guth.

Levy previously served as the Ryman’s Director of Operations, a position he has held for the past two years. As General Manager, Levy will continue to oversee the daytime and nighttime operations of the venue. He will work closely with Opry Entertainment Sr. VP of Programming and Artist Relations Sally Williams.

Levy has been part of the Ryman team for the past 10 years, serving as the Ryman’s Facility Manager for six years, before being promoted to Sr. Facility & Events Services Manager in 2014. For the past two years, he served as the Director of Operations. He joined the Ryman after working for the Florida Marlins for nine years, during which he was part of their 2003 World Series win.

Guth, Chief Operating Officer of Opry Entertainment said, “Gary is a seasoned operator and an outstanding leader with a true passion for the Ryman’s rich history. I could not be more pleased to have his leadership at a time when more people than ever before are visiting Nashville and experiencing the Ryman for themselves.”

Hunter Hayes, Longtime Management Rep Dan Wise, Join Starstruck Entertainment

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Hunter Hayes, along with his longtime management representative Dan Wise, have joined Starstruck Entertainment, led by Narvel Blackstock.

“I have been a fan of Hunter and his talent from the beginning,” said Blackstock. “We are extremely excited to get to work with Hunter and be a part of his future.”

The CMA Award-winner who just released his track, “This Girl,” the third installment of his three-part, mini-movie music series, adds, “I am incredibly excited about joining the Starstruck team! Such a talented group of individuals who are deeply passionate about music and what they do,” shares Hayes. “I’m a huge fan of their work and a huge fan of Dan as I’ve been lucky to work with him since I started out on tour with my debut record. Our team has always been a very close family and the Starstruck team feels like part of that family. I’m thrilled and very excited about this year!”

Founded in 1988, Starstruck Entertainment manages, develops, promotes and markets entertainers, songwriters, and producers.

Wise can be contacted at dwise@starstruck.net.

Hayes will also headline the annual St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon and 1/2 Marathon on April 28. Hayes will take the stage at the Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert Series Headliner at Ascend Amphitheater. The post-race concert will begin at 7 p.m. on April 28, and will also feature newcomer Erin Kinsey.

In Pictures: ASCAP At 30A Songwriters Festival

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Pictured (front row, L-R): Austin Jenckes, Jaren Johnston, Jonathan Singleton and Craig Wiseman; (back row, L-R) ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Mark Irwin, City National Bank’s Mandy Gallagher and Diane Pearson, and ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, Beth Brinker and Mike Sistad. Photo: Rick Diamond

For the eighth consecutive year, ASCAP returned as a major sponsor of the 30A Songwriters Festival and presented three nights of songwriter rounds at The Lakehouse in WaterColor, Florida.

The shows featured performances from hit songwriters Matt Dragstrem, Mark Irwin, Jaren Johnston, Charles Kelley, Josh Osborne and Jonathan Singleton, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members Mike Reid and Craig Wiseman, songwriter-producer Blake Bollinger, and emerging songwriter-artists Jacob Davis, Adam Hambrick and Austin Jenckes.

Pictured (L-R): Josh Osborne and Charles Kelley perform during ASCAP showcases at the 30A Songwriters Festival. Photo: Rick Diamond

Pictured (L-R): Jaren Johnston, Craig Wiseman and ASCAP VP of Membership Michael Martin. Photo: Rick Diamond

For the fourth year in a row, City National Bank co-sponsored the official ASCAP after party. CNB’s Diane Pearson and Mandy Gallagher were on hand for the shows and the party, held at the Surfing Deer in Seagrove Beach.

Pictured (front row, L-R): Matt Dragstrem, Mark Irwin, Charles Kelley and Josh Osborne; ​(back row, L-R): ​ASCAP​’s Robert Filhart and Michael Martin​, City National Bank’s Mandy Gallagher and Diane Pearson, and ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, Beth Brinker and Mike Sistad. Photo: Rick Diamond

Pictured (front row, L-R): ​Matt Dragstrem, Jaren Johnston, ​Jacob Davis and ​Blake Bollinger​; ​(back row, L-R): ​ASCAP’s Robert Filhart and Michael Martin​, City National Bank’s Mandy Gallagher and Diane Pearson, and ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston and Mike Sistad. Photo: Rick Diamond

Pictured (front row, L-R): Adam Hambrick, Mike Reid, Jonathan Singleton and Josh Osborne; (back row, L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart and Michael Martin, City National Bank’s Diane Pearson and Mandy Gallagher, and ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Evyn Mustoe Johnston and Mike Sistad​. Photo: Rick Diamond