YouTube Reportedly Taking Third Swing At Subscription Music Service

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According to Bloomberg‘s sources, YouTube is planning to introduce a paid music service in March.

Internally referred to as Remix, this will mark the third attempt by parent company Alphabet Inc. to compete with Spotify and Apple Inc. The new service is said to include Spotify-like on-demand streaming while incorporating elements from YouTube, such as video clips.

Warner Music Group has reportedly already signed on and discussions are apparently ongoing with Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group, and Merlin, a consortium of independent labels.

The feature goes on to note the optimism of its March target, as YouTube has been in negotiations new deals with Universal and Sony for more than a year while also having a talks with Universal- and Sony-owned Vevo looming early next year.

“YouTube hired former Warner Music executive Lyor Cohen last year to help oversee its music operations and serve as a liaison to the record business. Google folded much of the staff for Google Play Music into YouTube earlier this year, and Cohen announced plans to create a new paid service,” sums Bloomberg‘s Lucas Shaw.

Songwriter Steve Dorff, Actor Stephen Dorff Reveal Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Fund

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Pictured, Left Photo: Andrew Dorff. Pictured, Right Photo: Stephen Dorff, Steve Dorff

Songwriter-composer Steve Dorff and actor Stephen Dorff have announced the Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Fund in memory of their late son/brother, country music songwriter Andrew Dorff.

In the spirit of Andrew’s favorite time of year, Steve and Stephen Dorff hosted a memorial party yesterday (Dec. 7) to celebrate his life and talents within the country music community. The event will occur annually and any donations made to the memorial fund will support Andrew’s favorite causes.

The Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Fund will continue his legacy to uplift a new generation of music lovers. Donations made to the fund will support two initiatives: to help create an endowed scholarship at Belmont University in Andrew’s name that will assist students pursuing a career in songwriting, and to support Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt with its pediatric oncology initiatives.

Andrew Dorff was known in the music world for penning five No. 1 songs for country stars Blake Shelton (“My Eyes” and “Neon Lights”), Kenny Chesney (“Save it for a Rainy Day”), Hunter Hayes (“Somebody’s Heartbreak”), and Rascal Flatts (“Yours if You Want It”). He had other notable chart successes with artists such as Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Old Dominion, and Ronnie Dunn. With over 1,800 songs in his catalog, he left a legacy of many hits to come.

Contributions can be made to the Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Fund through The Community Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations can also be made on The Community Foundation website, or via mail at:

Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Fund
c/o The Community Foundation
3833 Cleghorn Avenue
Suite 400
Nashville, TN 37215

Sugarland Returns With Big Machine, UMG Nashville Joint Venture

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Sugarland has officially returned, with the new single, “Still The Same,” which will release digitally on Dec. 21. The track will be released via  joint venture between UMG Nashville and Big Machine Records. The Big Machine Records’ radio promo team will promote the track to country radio in 2018.

The duo, known for hits such as “Stuck Like Glue,” and “Stay,” is working on tour dates for 2018 and is in the studio working on a new project. They are also slated to perform on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest to ring in 2018 from New York City’s Times Square.

“We are thrilled for fans to hear our new music, especially this new single,” said Jennifer Nettles. “The title of the song is so meaningful to us as we want fans to know we are still the same Sugarland they’ve known and loved.”

Kristian Bush added, “We want to finish where we left off. We always knew were going to make music again, so this has been the best of both worlds. We were able to take time to feed our personal passions, and we’re excited to come back together to create music as a band again.”

The duo has sold nearly 10 million albums domestically, and earned platinum-certified singles including “All I Want to Do,” “Stay” and the 2x Platinum “Stuck Like Glue.” During their career, the duo has also earned several accolades including CMA Vocal Duo of the Year (2007-2011), five ACM Awards (including Song of the Year and Single of the Year) and Grammy honors for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and Best Country Song, for “Stay.”

The duo’s reunion comes after both Nettles and Bush released solo projects in recent years. Nettles released the solo album, That Girl, in 2014 via Mercury Nashville. Her second solo album, Playing With Fire, released via Big Machine in 2016. Meanwhile, Bush signed with Streamsound Records as a solo artist in 2014, and released the solo album Southern Gravity, in 2015. He also produced Lindsay Ell’s The Project, released in August on Stoney Creek Records.

In Pictures: BMI’s Third Annual Maui Songwriters Festival

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Pictured (back row, L-R): Danny Goodfellow, Woody Harrelson, BMI songwriter Micah Nelson, Steven Tyler, BMI songwriter Casey Beathard, Claudia Goodfellow, Storme Warren, BMI Icon Bob DiPiero, BMI songwriters Jon Pardi, Luke Dick, Ed Roland, and Randy Houser; (front row L-R): BMI Songwriters Lukas Nelson, Lily Meola, Maren Morris, Willie Nelson, Ashley McBryde, and Heather Morgan. Photo: Courtesy BMI [CLICK TO ENLARGE]

Several songwriters and artists escaped Nashville’s chilly temperatures to attend BMI’s third annual Maui Songwriters Festival Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Hawaii.

The three-day festival included intimate sets from an all-star lineup including headliners Eric Church, Maren Morris and Jon Pardi, and country music hitmakers Bob DiPiero, Casey Beathard, Lee Thomas Miller, Ed Roland, Ashley McBryde and Randy Houser.

The event was hosted by Storme Warren of Sirius XM’s The Highway and a portion of the proceeds benefitted Dorvin and Betty Leis Charities, Inc., the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and the BMI Foundation.

Pictured (L-R): Stan Cohen, Allison Warren, Storme Warren, BMI’s Nina Carter, and Woody Harrelson. Photo: Courtesy BMI

Pictured (L-R): Songwriters Ashley McBryde, Ed Roland, and Heather Morgan gather at BM’s Maui Songwriters Festival. Photo: Courtesy BMI

Eric Church performs at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center during BMI’s Maui Songwriters Festival. Photo: Courtesy BMI

Maren Morris performs Saturday, December 2 at the Maui Arts and Culture Center at the Eric Church and Friends show during BMI’s Maui Songwriters Festival. Photo: Courtesy BMI

CMA’s New Artist of the Year, Jon Pardi, performs during BMI’s Maui Songwriters Festival. Photo: Courtesy BMI

Legendary songwriter and BMI Icon Kris Kristofferson makes a surprise appearance with Eric Church at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center during BMI’s Maui Songwriters Festival. Photo: Courtesy BMI

Randy Houser performs during BMI’s Maui Songwriters Festival. Photo: Courtesy BMI

Pictured (L-R): Audience member brought up to play guitar with Ed Roland, Bennett Dean Lewis, and Maren Morris. Photo: Courtesy BMI

Florida Georgia Line, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley Join Cheyenne Frontier Days Lineup

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Cheyenne Frontier Days has announced the initial lineup for its 2018 Frontier Nights entertainment series in July. Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell, Charlie Daniels Band with special guest Tracy Lawrence, Eric Church, and Dierks Bentley were announced as performers live this week from Las Vegas during the National Finals Rodeo.

Tickets for the Cheyanne, Wyoming event will go on sale Sat., Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. CT at cfdrodeo.com, through the Cheyenne Frontier Days Ticket Office or by calling 307-778-7222.

“We are excited about the lineup for 2018,” Contract Acts chairman Scott Fleming said. “We are working on securing the remaining performances and will have a follow-up announcement at that time.”

2018 Cheyenne Frontier Days Entertainment Schedule:

July 20: Florida Georgia Line
July 21: Cole Swindell
July 22: Charlie Daniels Band with special guest Tracy Lawrence
July 23-24: Championship Bull Riding – World Finals 2018 – The Road to Cheyenne
July 25: Eric Church
July 26: TBA
July 27: TBA
July 28: Dierks Bentley
July 21 – 29: PRCA Rodeo action

Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs To Honor Producer Brian Ahern At Musicians Hall Of Fame Benefit

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The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum will host Emmylou Harris, several original members of The Hot Band, Ricky Skaggs and The Whites during a fundraiser December 14 that will honor famed music producer Brian Ahern.

Ahern, a Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer and an Americana Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, is known for producing acts such as Harris, Anne Murray, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Roy Orbison, Glen Campbell, Linda Ronstadt and Black Sabbath.

Proceeds from the event will go towards restoration of Ahern’s Enactron trailer, a mobile recording studio originally designed and built by Ahern in 1972 that is one of the first mobile studios used to record projects on location. The Enactron has a history of over 40 Gold and Platinum albums recorded in the trailer including Bette Midler’s The Rose and Barbra Streisand’s A Star Is Born. The new exhibit is scheduled to open this winter.

Individual tickets are available at musicianshalloffame.com/special-event. Those wishing to sponsor a table can call Tyler at 615-244-3263. If attendance is not possible, donations are appreciated and can be sent to Musicians Hall of Fame POB 23655 Nashville, TN 37202.

Weekly Chart Report 12/8/17

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Promotions And Hirings At BBR Music Group

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Lexi Willson, Devin DeToro, Matt Holmberg

BBR Music Group has made a round of promotions and hirings among its marketing and promotion staff.

Lexi Willson has been tapped as Director of Regional Promotion, West Coast for Wheelhouse Records, a position previously held by Byron Kennedy who was named VP of Promotion for Stoney Creek Records earlier this week. She has served as Promotion Coordinator for Red Bow Records and Wheelhouse Records since August 2016 following three years at KNTY/Sacramento as a Promotion Assistant.

“Lexi hit the ground running with an incredible ‘can-do’ spirit and thirst for knowledge,” said Carson James, SVP of Promotion, BBR Music Group. “She knew from the beginning that she wanted to be in promotion. Her wish has become our wish, because she has earned it!”

Willson will report to Wheelhouse Records VP of Promotion, Teddi Bonadies and can be reached at lexi@wheelhousebbrmg.com or 707-410-6617.

Matt Holmberg will succeed Willson as Promotion Coordinator for Red Bow Records and Wheelhouse Records. Holmberg has worked at BBR Music Group since April 2017 in various creative support roles and additionally as a Catalog Coordinator for Magic Mustang. He had previously interned in promotion at BBR Music Group.

Holmberg will report to the Bonadies for Wheelhouse Records and VP of Promotion for Red Bow Records, Shelley Hargis. He can be reached at matthew@bbrmusicgroup.com or 615-610-2127.

Devin DeToro has been hired as Senior Manager of Marketing. In this role she will be serve as point on coordinating marketing efforts for Red Bow and Wheelhouse Records. DeToro joins BBR following a two-year stint in Los Angeles at iHeartMedia as Manager, Activation and Account Management. Prior to iHeartMedia she served for seven years with CBS Radio, rising to Project Manager, Integrated Marketing and Events for the Chicago cluster.

DeToro will report to BBR Music Group VP of Marketing, JoJamie Hahr and can be reached at devin@bbrmusicgroup.com or 615-610-2157.

In Pictures: Spotify Hosts Nashville Open House Event

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Over the past two days, streaming service Spotify hosted a Nashville ‘Open House’ at the newly opened Analog at The Hutton Hotel. The music streaming company invited the local music community to stop by to learn more about how they can collaborate with Spotify, and also hosted a variety of intimate live performances from Maren Morris, The Shadowboxers, Russell Dickerson, and more.

Pictured (L-R): Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan and Brittany Schaffer of Spotify attend the Spotify Nashville Open House on December 6, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Spotify

Pictured (L-R): David Macias of Thirty Tigers and Rob Harvey of Spotify attend Spotify Nashville Open House on December 6, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Spotify

Pictured (L-R): Matt Lipkins, Adam Hoffman and Scott Tyler of The Shadowboxers perform onstage for Spotify Nashville Open House on December 6, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Spotify

Pictured: Special guest Maren Morris performs onstage for Spotify Nashville Open House on December 6, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Spotify

Pictured: Special guest Josie Dunn performs onstage with The Shadowboxers for Spotify Nashville Open House on December 6, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Spotify

Pictured: Russell Dickerson hit the driving range with fans before his live performance at Top Golf Nashville. Photo: Kate Cauthen

Pictured: Troy Carter, Spotify’s Global Head of Creator Services, during his Fireside Chat with CMT’s Leslie Fram held at Analog @ The Hutton Hotel. Photo: Jonathan Kingsbury

CMHoF Re-Elects Many Board And Trustee Posts

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHoF) tapped cultural arts activist Steve Turner, founder of Butler’s Run LLC., for a 10th term as chairman and re-elected its Hall of Fame member Vince Gill to a 16th consecutive term as president during the museum’s quarterly board meeting held Thursday, Dec. 7.

Ken Levitan, Ernie Williams (treasurer) and Jody Williams were re-elected trustees for three-year terms. They join remaining trustees Mark Bloom, David Conrad, Bill Denny, Rod Essig, Keel Hunt (secretary), Mary Ann McCready, David Ross and Turner.

Re-elected board members include Al Giombetti (executive vice president); and vice presidents Earl Bentz, Mike Dungan, Randy Goodman, John Grady, Lon Helton, Donna Nicely, Gary Overton, Jim Seabury, Bill Simmons, Clarence Spalding, Chris Stewart, Troy Tomlinson, Marcus Whitney and Tim Wipperman.

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern serves as an ex-officio member. Chris Horsnell and Mike Milom of Milom Horsnell, Crow, Rose, Kelley, PLC. continue as the not-for-profit educational organization’s legal counsel.