IBMA Announces 2018 Leadership Bluegrass Class

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The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the 2018 class of Leadership Bluegrass, an intensive three-day program of advanced-level interactive learning experiences designed to build commitment, motivate talents and instill enthusiasm for addressing the future of the bluegrass music industry. This will be its 19th year since the program’s inception in 2000.

Leadership Bluegrass boasts more than 400 alums and each year approximately 25 individuals are invited to take part. Leadership Bluegrass 2018 takes place March 5-7 at BMI in Nashville.

The members of the class of 2018:
Greg Blake – Greg Blake Music, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado Overland Park, KS
Stacy Chandler – No Depression – Garner, NC
Patricia Ann Eaves – Eastern Tennessee State University – Johnson City, TN
Landon Elmore – Landon Elmore Design & Marketing Raleigh, NC
Daniel Eubanks – Special Consensus – Nashville, TN
Mollie Farr – Lost Buffalo Artists – Nashville, TN
Cathy Fink – Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer – Silver Spring, MD
Jessica Grossman – Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association – Huntington, IN
Patricia Imbrogno – Artist – Pittsburgh, PA
Maria Ivey – Press House – Nashville, TN
George Jackson – Artist, Booking Agent – Madison, TN
Emma John – The Guardian – London, UK
Katie Keller – International Bluegrass Music Museum – Owensboro, KY
Adam Kirr – Charm City Bluegrass, The Bluegrass Marketer – Baltimore, MD
Kara Kundert – Bluegrass Pride – Oakland, CA
Jeffrey Ludin – Bluegrass Country Foundation – Vienna, VA
Brett Martin – Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc. – Independence, VA
Patrick McGonigle – The Lonely Heartstring Band – Brookline, MA
Matthew Miller – Rounder Records – Nashville, TN
Jeff Miller – Flashpoint Arts – Tuscaloosa, AL
Lenny Nichols – Central Texas Bluegrass Association – Round Rock, TX
Kim Robins – Kim Robins and 40 Years Late – Bloomington, IN
Ivy Sheppard – Born In The Mountain – Mount Airy, NC
Bil VornDick – Mountainside Music – Nashville, TN
Jef Walter – The Carolina PineCones – Durham, NC

Industry Ink: Absolute Publicity, Black River Entertainment, Billy Yates

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Absolute Publicity Inks Deal With Jason Morton

Pictured (L-R): Jason Morton, Don Murry Grubbs (Absolute Publicity)

Copperline Music Group’s Jason Morton has signed on with Absolute Publicity for PR representation. Absolute Publicity was founded in 2009 by Don Murry Grubbs and includes clients Aaron Tippin, Craig Wayne Boyd, John Anderson, John Berry, and more.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Absolute team,” says Morton. “The vibe of our new release fits perfectly with Don and his team. We are looking forward to a great venture together.”

Grubbs adds, “Jason and his band, The Chesapeake Sons, are a talented bunch of guys. Give his new album a listen, and I think you’ll see why. Jason has a bright future ahead of him, and we’re so pleased to welcome him to our growing roster of talent.”

Morton’s debut album, Jason Morton and The Chesapeake Sons, produced by Will Edwards, is available now.

 

Black River Entertainment’s Brian Rhodes Named Board Member For University Of New Haven

Brian Rhodes

Black River Entertainment’s Senior Director of Artist and Brand Development Brian Rhoades is a newly named board member on the Department of Music Advisory Board at the University of New Haven.

“It is both a privilege and an honor to be invited to serve on the Board,” says Rhoades. “I look forward to pulling from my career experiences in the music industry and contributing to the Department of Music and the education of its students at the University of New Haven.”

The University of New Haven’s Department of Music Advisory Board consists of 10-12 members and members serve a three-year term, with the option to renew. The Board provides guidance and expertise on issues like developing curriculums to parallel music industry trends, building relationships with music industry partners for experiential opportunities (internships, employment opportunities, etc.), and offering recommendations regarding extra-curricular/co-curricular events and experiences to enhance programs. The Board consists of emeritus professors, alumni and leaders in the music industry.

Rhoades’ career has spanned multiple genres in the industry relocating him from Atlanta, to NYC and ultimately Nashville, with stops at Virgin Records, Columbia Records, Capitol Records, EMI Records; plus serving as VP of Promotion at both Epic Records and Reprise Records. He joined Black River Entertainment in 2011.

 

Songwriter Billy Yates To Debut New Branson Show In 2018

Billy Yates

Songwriter Billy Yates will debut a new show, Billy Yates Hit Songwriters In The Round, on April 6, 2018 at the Americana Theatre at 76 Country Music Boulevard in Branson. The first three shows will feature songwriters Kerry Kurt Phillips (Joe Diffie’s “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox,” George Strait’s “She Let Herself Go”), and Wynn Varble (Darryl Worley’s “Have You Forgotten,” Brad Paisley’s “Waitin’ On A Woman”).

Other writers set to perform during 2018 include Wil Nance, Leslie Satcher, Buddy Jewel and Jeff Bates.

In addition to his own ‘Hit Songwriters in the Round’ show, Yates will continue singing some of his favorite country classics at the Starlite Theatre in Raiding the Country Vault in 2018.

Tickets for Billy Yates’ Hit Songwriters in the Round are available at the Americana Theater box office at 417-544-8700 or online at hitsongwritersintheround.com.

Lucky Bird Media Firm Launches

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Daniel Zephyr Cooper and Susan Hubbard have launched a new company, Lucky Bird Media, providing publicity, digital marketing, and artist management services.

“Lucky Bird Media is, mainly, a music publicity company,” says co-founder Daniel Zephyr Cooper. “But more than that, it’s a collection of people who love, care about, and cherish music and culture and the importance and impact it has on all of our lives.”

Toronto native Cooper, based in Minneapolis, has led national campaigns for artists like Courtney Marie Andrews, Sera Cahoone, Rev. Sekou, Joshua James, Billy Strings and many others. Hubbard, a licensed attorney based in Nashville, has been involved in the journalism side of the music industry since 2013 and runs music blogs East of 8th and Mother Church Pew. This year, she conducted release campaigns for alt-country rocker Becky Warren, Pokey LaFarge sideman /country traditionalist Ryan Koenig, and others.

Lucky Bird Media is launching with a roster of artists including Haley Heynderickx, Will Stewart, Mariel Buckley, Lilly Winwood, Becky Warren, and more.

Cooper can be reached at daniel@luckybirdmedia.com, while Hubbard can be reached at susan@luckybirdmedia.com.

CMT Announces New Listen Up Class Of 2018

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CMT has announced its new group of emerging artists for 2018 that will be part of the network’s annual Listen Up program. The “18 for 2018” Listen Up artists are Abby Anderson, Ashley McBryde, Bailey Bryan, Cale Dodds, Delta Rae, Devin Dawson, Jillian Jacqueline, Jimmie Allen, Jordan Davis, Kassi Ashton, Levon, Maggie Rose, Morgan Evans, Morgan Wallen, Russell Dickerson, Ryan Kinder, The Sisterhood Band and Tyler Rich.

The 18 up and coming artists, signed and unsigned, will be spotlighted across all platforms in the coming year including on CMT and CMT Music, the “CMT Hot 20 Countdown”, on “CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan”, on CMT.com, and on the CMT socials.

“Listen Up taps into CMT’s influence and platforms to guide fans to talented emerging artists that might not yet be on their radars,” said Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy and Talent, CMT. “This lineup represents the diversity within country music – from traditional to modern country, mixed with a little bit of soul. We look forward to sharing their passion and great music with our audience all year long.”

Since 2011, CMT’s Listen Up franchise has helped launch the careers of budding superstars including Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Dustin Lynch, Jon Pardi, Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, and RaeLynn. Last year’s class alone included breakout stars Carly Pearce, Luke Combs and Midland.

 

NSAI Names New Director Of Development

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Kasey Cleckler

Kasey Cleckler has joined the NSAI team as Director of Development. She brings with her over 14 years of experience in varied facets of the music industry – artist management, publicity, public relations and independent record label experience. Most recently, she spent nine years working in business management handling day-to-day business, contract negotiations, and multi-million dollar touring ventures for internationally-renowned pop and country artists and songwriters.

Cleckler graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Recording Industry Management. She is a MusiCares Ambassador and enthusiastic Make A Wish volunteer.

“I’m so excited about joining the team at NSAI. The work NSAI does on behalf of our songwriting community is something I am so proud to be involved with,” Cleckler said.

She can be reached at kasey@nashvillesongwriters.com.

 

Sara Evans And CMT Next Women Of Country Hit The Road In February

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Sara Evans has partnered with CMT for its 4th annual Next Women of Country Tour in 2018. “CMT Next Women of Country presents Sara Evans All The Love Tour featuring RaeLynn and Kalie Shorr” launches February 12 in New York City with 15 shows from coast to coast. Special guests on the tour include RaeLynn and Kalie Shorr, who are among the impressive roster of CMT’s “Next Women of Country” artists.

“We are thrilled to announce our 4th Annual ‘Next Women of Country’ Tour and partner with the amazing Sara Evans,” said Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy & Talent, CMT. “This tour was created to give emerging female artists a stage to play on and this year we are proud to welcome RaeLynn and Kalie Shorr.”

“I absolutely love that CMT champions female artists with the Next Women of Country Tour and am so honored to be headlining it in 2018,” said Evans.  “I can’t wait to hit the road with RaeLynn and Kalie. They are both incredible singers, songwriters, and overall artists and we’re going to have a blast!”

Tickets and VIP packages go on sale beginning Friday, December 22 at 10am (local time). Tickets can be purchased at SaraEvans.com and NextWomenTour.CMT.com.

 

Weekly Register: Luke Bryan Tops The Charts

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Luke Bryan. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson

Luke Bryan‘s What Make You Country debuts at No. 1 on both Nielsen Soundscan’s country albums rankings and the overall Top 200 albums rankings, with 108K (99K album only). Chris Stapleton‘s From ‘A’ Room, Vol. 2 lands at No. 2 on the country albums rankings, with 47K, followed by Garth Brooks‘ Anthology at No. 3 with 35K, and Chris Stapleton‘s From ‘A’ Room, Vol. 1 at No. 4 with 19K.

Walker Hayes’ boom. debuts at No. 5 with 16K this week.

On the country digital songs chart, Bebe Rexha (ft. Florida Georgia Line) is at No. 1 with 25K. Red Marlow‘s rendition of Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain” is at No. 2 with 14K, followed by Thomas Rhett‘s new single “Marry Me” at No. 3 with 12K. LANCO‘s “Greatest Love Story” is at No. 4 with 12K, followed by Walker Hayes’ “You Broke Up With Me” at No. 5 with 10K.

 

Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

Scotty McCreery Chronicles Life Changes On New Project, Due Out In March

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Scotty McCreery is set to release his third studio album, Seasons Change, on March 16 on Triple Tigers Records, his first album on the label. The project was produced by Frank Rogers, Derek Wells, and Aaron Eshuis. The album marks a first for McCreery, as it’s the first time he’s co-written all the songs on an album, and his co-writers on the project include Jessi Alexander, Monty Criswell, David Lee Murphy, and more.

Autographed copies of Seasons Change bundled with exclusive merch will be available for pre-order at ScottyMcCreery.com beginning Wednesday, December 20. The official online pre-order, including iTunes and Amazon, will begin on January 12. 

“In the last five years, I have grown from a teenager to a man, moved out on my own, lost my grandfather, proposed to the love of my life, and learned more about myself than I could have imagined,” said McCreery. “This all shows up in the 11 songs on Seasons Change, and I cannot wait to share this music with my fans after such a long time between releases. For the first time, I wrote all the songs on my album. It’s kind of my journal of the last few years: the ups and the downs. Whenever I think things are not going well, I’ve learned to just wait it out because the seasons change. If you want to know who I am and where I’m at right now, listen to this album. I feel like I’m having a conversation with everyone that listens. It’s that personal.”

Seasons Change Track Listing: 
1. “Seasons Change” (Scotty McCreery/James McNair/Tommy Cecil)
2. “Wherever You Are” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Dan Isbell)
3. “Boys From Back Home” (Scotty McCreery/Dan Isbell/Jason Gantt)
4. “Five More Minutes” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Monty Criswell)
5.  “In Between” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Jessi Alexander/Jonathan Singleton)
6.  “This Is It” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Aaron Eshuis)
7.  “Wrong Again” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Phillip White)
8.  “Move It On Out” (Scotty McCreery/Dan Isbell/Aaron Eshuis)
9.  “Barefootin’” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/David Lee Murphy
10. “Still” (Scotty McCreery/Aaron Eshuis)
11. “Home In My Mind” (Scotty McCreery/James McNair/Tommy Cecil)

 

Centricity Music Signs Caitie Hurst To Recording, Publishing Deals

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Caitie Hurst pictured with Centricity General Manager Steve Ford, VP Publishing Chad Segura, Senior VP of A&R John Mays, CEO Caren Seidle, and Director of A&R Matt Ewald

Franklin, Tennessee-based label and publisher Centricity Music has inked recording and publishing deals with newcomer Caitie Hurst.

The Hendersonville, Tennessee native got her start singing worship music at her church, Long Hollow Baptist and later attended Liberty University.

“It didn’t take long to discover not only Caitie’s incredible talent, but a heart and attitude rare to find in our work,” said Centricity Sr. VP, A&R John Mays. “We’re thrilled to support her and her music.”

Hurst is working on new music for her upcoming debut project, set to release next year.

Centricity Music is home to artists including Lauren Daigle, Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, For All Seasons, Jordan Feliz, and more.

Caitie Hurst signs her label deal with Centricity Music.

Steven Curtis Chapman Reveals SCC Solo Dates For 2018

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Steven Curtis Chapman has announced he will continue his successful tour, SCC SOLO: A Night of Hits, History, and Influences, this spring. Adding 26 dates to the tour that kicked off this fall, the 2018 leg will kick off in Dallas, Texas on Feb. 3 and will run through April, hitting historic venues like the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia and The Bijou in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“We thought we knew what to expect musically until he blew away our expectations,” states Rick Stevens, Lighthouse Radio. “But what really made the night special was how transparent and accommodating he was. We felt more like friends than fans.”

A promoter of one the shows earlier this fall also shared, “He gave us glimpses of both the successes and the challenges that he and his family have gone through. We got to hear right from his heart.”

Tickets are available now by visiting StevenCurtisChapman.com.

SCC SOLO 2018 TOUR DATES:

Feb. 3 – Dallas, TX
Feb. 17 – Muscle Shoals, AL
Feb. 22 – Cleveland, OH
Feb. 23 – Pittsburgh, PA
Feb. 24 – Shipshewana, IN
Feb. 25 – Ashland, KY
March 8 – Gainesville, FL
March 9 – Chattanooga, TN
March 10 – Atlanta, GA
March 11 – Knoxville, TN
March 16 – Washington DC
March 17 – Baltimore, MD
March 18 – Carlisle, PA
March 23 – Columbus, OH
March 24 – Manheim, PA
March 25 – Williamsport, PA
April 7 – Kernersville, NC
April 8 – Rocky Mount, NC
April 11 – Auburn, ME
April 12 – Springfield, MA
April 13 – Providence, RI
April 14 – Montgomery, NY
April 15 – Bethel, CT
April 26 – Portland, OR
April 27 – Reno, NV
April 29 – Sacramento, CA