Ryan Griffin Signs Publishing/Development Deal With busbee, BMG Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Dan Franquemont (Morris Higham); Nate Ritches (Morris Higham); Jess Rosen (Greenberg Traurig, LLP); Clint Higham (Morris Higham); Will Hitchcock (Morris Higham); Ryan Griffin; Talia Griffin; busbee; Daniel Lee (BMG)

Artist/songwriter Ryan Griffin has entered into a joint publishing and development deal with songwriter/producer busbee and BMG Nashville.

A client of management firm Morris Higham, Griffin has amassed over four million streams on Spotify and was a recent Highway Find on Sirius XM’s The Highway. He has opened for Old Dominion, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady Antebellum, and more, and was the cowriter on Kelsea Ballerini’s No. 1 single “Dibs.” Ryan and busbee recently recorded his first project, which is slated for release in early 2018.

Griffin visited the MusicRow offices earlier this year to preview music from his recent EP, Sake of the Summer, which features the track, “Back Seats and Burnt CDs.”

 

Save The Date: 2018 MusicRow Awards

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MusicRow Magazine, Nashville’s leading trade publication, is proud to announce the date for its 2018 invite-only MusicRow Awards, to be held Wednesday, June 27, 2018 (evening).

The invitation-only, evening event will feature award presentations for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Producer of the Year and Breakthrough Songwriter/Artist of the Year. Winners of these categories will be determined by the votes of subscribed members to MusicRow.

In addition, the publication will announce recipients of the 2018 Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards. These honors are determined by tabulating the work of Nashville’s session players. Each player earns one credit for each instrument played on any qualifying album, making the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Album Chart during MusicRow’s eligibly period.

Invitations with time and location, in addition to ballots for the 30th Annual MusicRow Awards, will be sent to MusicRow print subscribers in 2018. To become a subscribed member to MusicRow, click here.

Read more about last year’s exciting event: Bobby Karl Works The Room: 2017 MusicRow Awards

YouTube video

Video is from 2016 event

60th Annual Grammy Nominations Announced

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Nominees were announced for the upcoming 60th Annual Grammy Awards on Tuesday morning (Nov. 28).

Chris Stapleton earned three nods, with “Either Way” up for Best Country Solo Performance and From A Room: Vol. 1 up for Best Country Album, and “Broken Halos” up for Best Country Song.

Little Big Town earned Grammy nods for Best Country Song (“Better Man”), Best Country Album (The Breaker) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Better Man”). Taylor Swift is nominated in the Best Country Song category, as the sole writer behind Little Big Town’s “Better Man.”

Midland earned two nominations, with “Drinkin’ Problem” up for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

Sam Hunt‘s “Body Like A Back Road” earned two nominations, for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance.

Lady Antebellum also earned two nominations. Heart Break is up for Best Country Album, and “You Look Good” is up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

Miranda Lambert also earned two nominations, with “Tin Man” up for Best Country SonG and Best Country Solo Performance.

“Arkansas Farmboy,” a track from the late Glen Campbell‘s final Adios album, earned a nod for Best American Roots Performance, as did “I Never Cared For You,” a track from Alison Krauss’ Windy City album.

Reba McEntire‘s Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, was also nominated for Best Roots Gospel Album.

Notably, there were no country nominees in overall categories Best New Artist and Album of the Year.

Already a 21-time GRAMMY winner, JAY-Z leads with eight nominations, followed by Kendrick Lamar (7), Bruno Mars (6), Childish Gambino (5), Khalid (5), No I.D. (5), and SZA (5). Selected from more than 22,000 submissions across 84 categories, the nominations showcase some of the most gifted music makers of the past awards year (Oct. 1, 2016–Sept. 30, 2017). As the only peer-selected music award, the GRAMMY is voted on by the Recording Academy’s membership body of music makers, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, and engineers.

“I’m inspired by this year’s nominees and the incredible talent each possesses,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “Their recordings are a true testament to how creatively alive and meaningful our music industry has become. Each nominee uses their craft to inspire, uplift, and tell stories of our world through their artistry. They provide a vibrant soundtrack that represents the highest level of excellence and continues to impact and reflect our culture.”

The final round of GRAMMY voting is Dec. 7–21, 2017. The Recording Academy will present the GRAMMY Awards® on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, live from Madison Square Garden in New York and broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 7:30–11:00 p.m. ET/4:30–8:00 p.m. PT.

Best Country Song (A songwriter’s award):
“Better Man,” Taylor Swift, songwriter (Little Big Town)
“Body Like A Back Road,” Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally & Josh Osborne, songwriters (Sam Hunt)
“Broken Halos,” Mike Henderson & Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Chris Stapleton)
“Drinkin’ Problem,” Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne & Mark Wystrach, songwriters (Midland)
“Tin Man,” Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert & Jon Randall, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)

Best Country Solo Performance:
“Body Like A Back Road,” Sam Hunt
“Losing You,” Alison Krauss
“Tin Man,” Miranda Lambert
“I Could Use A Love Song,” Maren Morris
“Either Way,” Chris Stapleton

Best Country Album:
Cosmic Hallelujah — Kenny Chesney
Heart Break — Lady Antebellum
The Breaker — Little Big Town
Life Changes — Thomas Rhett
From A Room: Volume 1 — Chris Stapleton

Best Country Duo/Group Performance:
“It Ain’t My Fault,” Brothers Osborne
“My Old Man,” Zac Brown Band
“You Look good,” Lady Antebellum
“Better Man,” Little Big Town
“Drinkin’ Problem,” Midland

Best Americana Album:
Southern Blood — Gregg Allman
Shine On Rainy Day — Brent Cobb
Beast Epic — Iron & Wine
The Nashville Sound — Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
Brand New Day — The Mavericks

Best American Roots Performance:
“Killer Diller Blues,” Alabama Shakes
“Let My Mother Live,” Blind Boys Of Alabama
“Arkansas Farmboy,” Glen Campbell
“Steer Your Way,” Leonard Cohen
“I Never Cared For You,” Alison Krauss

Best American Roots Song:
“Cumberland Gap,” David Rawlings
“I Wish You Well,” The Mavericks
“If We Were Vampires,” Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
“It Ain’t Over Yet,” Rodney Crowell Featuring Rosanne Cash & John Paul White
“My Only True Friend,” Gregg Allman

Record Of The Year:
“Redbone” — Childish Gambino
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“The Story Of O.J.” — JAY-Z
“HUMBLE.” — Kendrick Lamar
“24K Magic” — Bruno Mars

Album Of The Year:
“Awaken, My Love!” — Childish Gambino
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Melodrama — Lorde
24K Magic — Bruno Mars

Song Of The Year:
“Despacito” — Ramón Ayala, Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Erika Ender, Luis Fonsi & Marty James Garton, songwriters (Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber)
“4:44” — Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson, songwriters (JAY-Z)
“Issues” — Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Julia Michaels & Justin Drew Tranter, songwriters (Julia Michaels)
“1-800-273-8255” — Alessia Caracciolo, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, Arjun Ivatury, Khalid Robinson, songwriters (Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid)
“That’s What I Like” — Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters (Bruno Mars)

Best New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA

Best Pop Solo Performance:
“Love So Soft” — Kelly Clarkson
“Praying” — Kesha
“Million Reasons” — Lady Gaga
“What About Us” — P!nk
“Shape Of You” — Ed Sheeran

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Something Just Like This” ­— The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“Thunder” — Imagine Dragons
“Feel It Still” — Portugal. The Man
“Stay” — Zedd & Alessia Cara

Best Dance/Electronic Album:
Migration — Bonobo
3-D The Catalogue — Kraftwerk
Mura Masa — Mura Masa
A Moment Apart — Odesza
What Now — Sylvan Esso

Best Rock Performance:
“You Want It Darker” — Leonard Cohen
“The Promise” — Chris Cornell
“Run” — Foo Fighters
“No Good” — Kaleo
“Go To War” — Nothing More

Best Rap Album:
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Culture — Migos
Laila’s Wisdom — Rapsody
Flower Boy — Tyler, The Creator

Best Gospel Album:
Crossover — Travis Greene
Bigger Than Me — Le’Andria
Close — Marvin Sapp
Sunday Song — Anita Wilson
Let Them Fall In Love — Cece Winans

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album:
Rise — Danny Gokey
Echoes (Deluxe Edition) — Matt Maher
Lifer — MercyMe
Hills And Valleys — Tauren Wells
Chain Breaker — Zach Williams

Best Latin Pop Album:
Lo Único Constante — Alex Cuba
Mis Planes Son Amarte — Juanes
Amar Y Vivir En Vivo Desde La Cuidad De México, 2017 — La Santa Cecilia
Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos) — Natalia Lafourcade
El Dorado — Shakira

Best Song Written For Visual Media:
“City Of Stars” — Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, songwriters (Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone), Track from La La Land
“How Far I’ll Go” — Lin-Manuel Miranda, songwriter (Auli’i Cravalho), Track from Moana: The Songs
“I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker) — Jack Antonoff, Sam Dew & Taylor Swift, songwriters (ZAYN & Taylor Swift), Track from Fifty Shades Darker
“Never Give Up” — Sia Furler & Gregg Kurstin, songwriters (Sia), Track from Lion
“Stand Up For Something” — Common & Diane Warren, songwriters (Andra Day Featuring Common), Track from Marshall

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical:
Calvin Harris
No I.D.
Greg Kurstin
Blake Mills
The Stereotypes

For a full list of nominees, visit grammy.com.

Buster Phillips Joins WME’s Nashville Office

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Buster Phillips

WME’s Nashville office has added Buster Phillips as a rock agent, a move that follows last week’s announcements that Scott Clayton and Matthew Morgan have joined the agency. Phillips, Clayton and Morgan all join WME from CAA.

At CAA, Phillips led the college booking group and later became Co-Head of their festival booking group. Phillips is currently a member of Leadership Music.

During his career, Phillips has worked with Gov’t Mule, Iron & Wine, Third Eye Blind, The Wallflowers, Kathleen Edwards, Lori McKenna, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, Low Cut Connie, Savannah Conley, The Record Company, Devon Gilfillian, The War and Treaty, Amasa Hines, and Marlon Williams, among others.

CRB Releases Agenda Preview For 2018 Country Radio Seminar

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Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. has revealed an early version of its agenda for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2018, to be held Feb. 5-7, 2018, at the Omni Nashville. The preliminary agenda details were released in advance of the CRS 2018 regular rate registration deadline, which is Dec. 5.

Every year, Country Radio Seminar serves as host to experts in technology, social media, imaging, talent and programming. The three-day event will once again feature educational seminars, numerous performances, networking opportunities and panels that cover all areas of the radio and records industry.

Greg Frey, VP/Programming Operations of Cumulus Media, Inc. and CRS Agenda Committee Chairman commented, “I’m proud of the work done by the Agenda Committee who has put together a seminar full of innovative and powerful panels, speakers and workshops. CRS continues to stand as the premier event for the radio industry and provides quality, actionable information to our attendees that they can utilize to improve ratings and revenue. Highlights of CRS 2018 include two research studies, presented by CMA and Edison Research, and a ground-breaking talk from Cumulus Media’s CEO, Mary Berner. Plus, familiar favorites like the PD Mentoring Breakfast are back along with a few awesome surprises that are yet to be announced. Most notably, in light of recent events, a ‘sea change’ is taking place. We have an obligation to our industry to speak on the areas of personal responsibility, sexual harassment, and treating others with dignity and respect. This hot topic discussion is one of today’s biggest issues that is currently shaking the foundation of our industry and will be addressed in this year’s agenda.”

The CRS 2018 Agenda-At-A-Glance includes: (subject to change)
Monday, Feb. 5
3:00- 3:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies, Sponsored by Sarah Cannon
3:30- 4:00 p.m. Artist Humanitarian Award & Tom Rivers Award Presentation
4:00-5:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception, Sponsored by CMA and Live Nation
7:00 – 9:30 p.m. CRS Monday Night Musical Event
9:45 p.m. CRS After Hours

Tuesday, Feb. 6
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Programming Mentoring Breakfast
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Label Mentoring Breakfast
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Sales Mentoring Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Miles Adcox: Intentional Thinking, How to Take Control of Your Life
9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Edison Research Presentation
11:30 – 1:50 p.m. UMG Nashville Lunch and Performance
2:30 – 3:20 p.m. Small Market 101: Raising Your Bottom Line, One Strategy at a Time
2:30 – 3:20 p.m. Facebook: Like It, Love it, Share It!
3:30 – 4:20 p.m. Radio Today with Cumulus Media’s CEO, Mary Berner
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. On-Air Talent Mentoring Happy Hour
7:00 – 11:00 p.m. CRS After Hours

Wednesday, Feb. 7
7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Women’s Mentoring Breakfast, Sponsored by NuVoodoo Media
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Digital & Tech Breakfast
9:00-9:50 a.m. Daily Featured Speaker
10:00 – 10:50 a.m. CMA Research Presentation
10:00 – 10:50 a.m. No Artists, No Problem: Revenue Generating Ideas
11:00 -11:50 a.m. Podcasting: Where the Passion Pays Off
11:00 -11:50 a.m. The Matrix of the Metrics
Noon – 1:50 p.m. Big Machine Label Group Lunch and Performance
2:00 – 2:50 p.m. Radio 2025
2:00 – 2:50 p.m. You Are A Brand: How to Build a Fan Base You Can Monetize
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Surprise Artist Interview, Sponsored by BMI
5:30 – 6:15 p.m. New Faces Cocktail Reception, Sponsored by Riser House Entertainment
6:30 – 10:00 p.m. New Faces of Country Music Dinner and Performance, Sponsored by ACM & St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital -*Performances Powered by Live Nation
10:00 p.m. CRS After Hours

Weekly Register: Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Top Albums Charts

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BMLG artist Taylor Swift retains her hold atop the Nielsen Soundscan overall albums chart, with reputation bringing in 256K in its second week. The album moved 1.238 million units in its first week just in the US.

Sony Music Nashville’s Tim McGraw and Faith Hill‘s first collaboration album, The Rest Of Our Life, debuts at No. 2 on the overall albums rankings, and at No. 1 on the country albums rankings, with 104K units moved in its debut week.

Garth Brooks‘ Anthology Part 1: The First Five Years debuts at No. 2 on the country albums chart (No. 4 overall) with 53K. Warner artist Blake Shelton‘s Texoma Shore is at No. 3 this week (No. 2 last week), with 33K. Sony artist Kane Brown‘s self-titled project is at No. 4 again this week, with 16K, followed by BMLG artist Thomas Rhett‘s Life Changes at No. 5, with 15K.

Other debuts this week include BBR artist Chase Rice‘s Lambs and Lions, debuting at No. 6 on the country albums chart with 15K. The BMG Tribute to Dan Fogelberg lands at No. 12 on the country charts, moving 7.9K.

On the country digital songs chart, LANCO’s “Greatest Love Story” tops the chart, rising from No. 3 last week to No. 1, with 16K sold this week (notching 391K to date). Tim McGraw and Faith Hill‘s album title track “The Rest of Our Life” is at No. 2 this week, with 14K. Chris Stapleton‘s “Broken Halos” lands at No. 3 (No. 2 last week) with 12K. Kane Brown‘s “What Ifs” (ft. Lauren Alaina) remains at No. 4 this week, with 11.9K.

Taylor Swift‘s “New Year’s Day” debuts at No. 5 on the country digital songs chart, with 11.4K.

Other notable debuts include Stapleton’s “Tryin’ To Untangle My Mind” which lands at No. 21 country with 6.1K. Meanwhile, Neal McCoy‘s “Take A Knee, My A**” jumps to No. 19 on the country digital songs chart, with 6.7K sold this week.

Information courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.

LANCO To Drop Debut Album, ‘Hallelujah Nights,’ In January

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Arista Nashville group LANCO will release its debut major label album, Hallelujah Nights, on Jan. 19. The project, produced by Jay Joyce, will include the band’s recent No. 1 single, the Gold-certified “Greatest Love Story.”

LANCO includes lead singer/writer Brandon Lancaster, bassist Chandler Baldwin, multi-instrumentalist Jared Hampton, drummer Tripp Howell and lead guitarist Eric Steedly.

“We all go through more of the same experiences than we realize and songwriting is a process of observing those moments,” said Lancaster. “Our stories have different people, different names, different places, but they all have the same emotions attached to them. It’s not fantasy-related. To me, this album is about glorifying the reality of life.”

The project features co-writing credit from such Nashville hitmakers as Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, Josh Osborne, Jeremy Spillman and Joyce.

Hallelujah Nights Track List:

1. Born to Love You (Brandon Lancaster/Ross Copperman/Ashley Gorley/Josh Osborne)
2. Long Live Tonight (Brandon Lancaster/Jason Reeves)
3. Pick You Up (Brandon Lancaster/Jeremy Spillman/Ben West)
4. Greatest Love Story (Brandon Lancaster)
5. We Do (Brandon Lancaster)
6. Trouble Maker (Brandon Lancaster/Jay Joyce/Jeremy Spillman)
7. Singin’ at the Stars (Brandon Lancaster/Jeremy Spillman)
8. Win You Over (Brandon Lancaster)
9. So Long (I Do) (Brandon Lancaster/Melissa Fuller/Jay Joyce)
10. Middle of the Night (Brandon Lancaster)
11. Hallelujah Nights (Brandon Lancaster/Jay Joyce/Jeremy Spillman)

BMI To Deck The Halls At Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means it’s time for the 23rd annual BMI Christmas Tree Lighting, set for Thursday, Dec. 7, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the BMI Nashville offices. 

BMI will be collecting new, unused and unwrapped gifts benefitting Toys for Tots for children up to age 14 at the holiday event, so attendees are encouraged to bring a donated gift to support this worthy cause.

 

Madame Tussauds To Unveil Randy Travis Figure In December

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Madame Tussauds Nashville in Opry Mills Mall is unveiling Randy Travis‘ wax figure to the public in a ceremony on Dec. 1. Travis’ figure will be added to a collection of over 50 celebrity images at the Nashville attraction, which features artists from all genres of music including country, rock, jazz, blues and pop.

Each Madame Tussauds figure is a work of art, involving teams of professional artists and sculptors who spend months on extensive research and take more than 300 measurements to recreate world-famous icons and achieve the kind of realism that has been at the heart of the 250-year Madam Tussauds legacy. The immersive experience in the museum takes guests through different eras in America’s musical history as guests enjoy a historical walk through America’s musical past and present with vivid scenes supporting the colorful cast of figures. 

 

Cole Swindell To Launch ‘Reason To Drink’ Headlining Tour In 2018

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Cole Swindell has no plans to slow down after he wraps his fourth annual Down Home Tour in January. Instead, Swindell will embark on his first career headlining tour, the Reason To Drink Tour, on Feb. 15 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Joining Swindell for each of the dates on his first headlining tour are two of country music’s biggest rising stars Chris Janson and Lauren Alaina.

Pre-sale tickets for the Reason To Drink Tour launch Nov. 28 and will go on sale to the public in most markets on Dec. 1. The tour is promoted by Live Nation.

Since he launched his career in 2014, the Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville recording artist previously opened tours for Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line and Dierks Bentley.

“I am excited to be able to take everything I have learned while on the road the last four years watching all that Luke, Jason, Kenny, Dierks, Tyler and Brian did as headliners.” said Swindell. “Everything from how they treat their fans, their high-energy performances, to how they treated EVERYONE on the tour. They were great examples of how much work it takes for a successful tour. I can honestly say I’ve learned from the very best in the business. I’m ready to get out there with two of my friends, Chris Janson and Lauren Alaina. Start to finish, it’s going to be an amazing show and we’re ready to share it with you all.”

Cole Swindell’s Reason To Drink Tour Dates:

Feb. 15: Allentown, Pa.; PPL Center
Feb. 16 Manchester, N.H.; SNHU Arena
Feb. 17: Uncasville, Conn.; Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb. 22: Brookings, Sd. Swiftel Center*
Feb. 23: Madison, Wis.; The Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center
Feb: 24: Columbia, Mo.; Mizzou Arena*
March 2: Hershey, Pa.; Giant Center
March 3: Kingston, R.I.; Ryan Center
March 8: Asheville, N.C.; Asheville Civic Center*
March 9: Fayetteville, N.C.; Crown Coliseum*
March 10: Columbia, S.C.; Colonial Life Arena*
March 15: Saginaw, Mich.; Dow Event Center
March 16: Kalamazoo, Mich.; Wings Event Center
March 17: Bloomington, Ill.; Grossinger Motors Arena*
March 22: Huntington, W. Va.; The Big Sandy Superstore Arena
March 23: Roanoke, Va.; Berglund Center
March 24: Corbin, Ky.; The Arena
April 6: Temecula, Calif.; The Summit at Pechango Casino
April 7: Los Angeles; Greek Theater

* tickets onsale Dec 8