Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, Luke Combs Get RIAA Heavy Metal

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For June 2017, several country, Christian, and pop artists earned heavy metal from the RIAA.

Sam Hunt‘s sales juggernaut “Body Like A Back Road” has been certified 2x platinum, while his debut major label album Montevallo has been certified 3x platinum.

Luke Combs‘ debut single “Hurricane” has earned platinum sales, while Dylan Scott‘s “My Girl” has gone gold. “State Of Grace,” a track from Taylor Swift‘s 2012 album Red, has also gone gold.

Chris Stapleton‘s From A Room, Vol. 1, which released just over two months ago, has been certified gold. Maren Morris’ debut album Hero, which debuted in June 2016, has been certified gold. Brett Eldredge‘s second album Illinois, released in 2015, has also gone gold.

In the CCM world, For King and Country‘s “Fix My Eyes” has earned gold, as has Francesca Battistelli‘s “Holy Spirit” and Matt Redman‘s “You Never Let Go.”

Big Yellow Dog songwriter and pop superstar Meghan Trainor‘s “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” (ft. John Legend) has been certified 4x platinum.

Chris Janson Signs With WME

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Pictured (L-R): Greg Oswald (Co-Head, WME Nashville), Rob Beckham (Co-Head, WME Nashville), Brian Jones (WME), Chris Janson with wife and manager Kelly Janson, Joey Lee (WME), Tom Lord (Red Light Management)

Chris Janson has signed with WME for representation in all areas, including music, television, endorsements and more.

The Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville recording artist is known for his award-winning songs and exuberant stage presence. Janson has penned multiple top-charting hits, including his No. 1 Platinum single “Buy Me A Boat,” which received a BMI Songwriter Award and was named Country Song of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2016. His current smash, “Fix a Drink,” is rapidly climbing the charts and is available now at all digital outlets. “Fix a Drink” is the first single from Janson’s forthcoming album.

Born to entertain, Janson plays every instrument on stage, although he is best known for his signature harmonica playing. You can find him on the road this summer with Sam Hunt for the “15 in a 30” tour as well as on his own headlining dates.

Janson was previously represented by United Talent Agency.

MusicRowPics: Smith & Wesley, Jo Smith

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Smith & Wesley Visit MusicRow

Smith & Wesley recently visited the MusicRow offices to perform songs including “Sweet Life,” “You’re The One,” and “The Little Things,” the lead single from their For Better Or For Worse album.

Smith & Wesley

Jo Smith Visits MusicRow

SMACKSongs artist Jo Smith offered soulful sounds on her new track “Old School Groove” during a recent visit to the MusicRow offices. The song, penned by Smith, Ben Burgess, and Bobby Huff, is the first release from Smith’s four-song EP Introducing Jo Smith, produced by Shane McAnally and Jesse Frasure.

Smith previously went by Joanna Smith and was signed to a deal with Columbia Nashville.

Jo Smith with MusicRow staff.

Thompson Square, BBR Music Group Part Ways

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Photo: Garrett Merchant

Country music duo Thompson Square and BBR Music Group have parted ways. BBR’s imprint, Stoney Creek Records, has been the group’s label home since 2009.

“It’s bittersweet leaving our Stoney Creek Records family,” says Shawna Thompson. “So many memories have been made and so many goals have been achieved. We will be forever grateful to Benny and Carolyn Brown for their faith in our artistry. It has changed our lives forever.”

“All good things must come to an end but we look forward to the future and to new beginnings,” Keifer Thompson shares. “We are extremely excited about this new chapter of our life and what it means for our music and our fans.”

Thompson Square continue to be represented by Shawn Pennington at Pennington Entertainment and William Morris Endeavor’s Greg Oswald and Abby Wells Bass. The duo is currently in the studio recording their forthcoming album with Grammy Award-winning producer Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum).

Alan Jackson’s Honky Tonk Running Full-Throttle

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Alan Jackson has officially opened all four floors of AJ’s Good Time Bar, the first and only completely artist-owned establishment on Broadway in Nashville. Filled floor-to-ceiling with items from Jackson’s own collection of career and personal memorabilia, the honky-tonk offers visitors a unique experience, including a drink menu highlighted by “Alan’s Drink”—Jack and Water, the singer’s beverage of choice.

Each of the four floors showcase Jackson’s various interests and hobbies. “AJ’s Honky Tonk” is the first floor and prominently features live country music, while the second floor is known as the “GT Bar,” offering a sports and car-themed atmosphere, 12 big screen televisions and live, acoustic music. The “Hullbilly Bar” on the third floor is proving to be one of the venue’s biggest draws and is modeled after Jackson’s own Merritt Sportfish boat “Hullbilly,” seen in his “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “Long Way to Go” music videos. The third level’s stage also features karaoke and live music. The rooftop “Star Bar” caps AJ’s Good Time Bar, providing views of the historic Ryman Auditorium, Broadway, Nissan Stadium and all of downtown Music City.

“I always wanted to own a honky-tonk that plays real country music on Broadway that I could put my name on,” says Jackson. He purchased the building in August of 2016, opened the first two floors in October of 2016, and after intense renovations, opened the third floor and rooftop in May 2017.

Jackson is also a majority owner in ACME Feed & Seed, located just blocks away at 1st Avenue and Broadway.

For more on AJ’s Good Time Bar, visit ajsgoodtimebar.com.

CCMA Nominations Announced With Brett Kissel, High Valley Among Top Nominees

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The CCMA nominations have been announced, with Brett Kissel and High Valley among the top nominees. High Valley received three nominations including the Apple Music Fans Choice Award, Album of the Year, and Group Or Duo of the Year, and the duo is up for their third consecutive win for the Group or Duo trophy. Their latest single “She’s With Me” is quickly climbing the charts and their Top 20 hit, “Make You Mine,” was featured in a recent episode of “The Ranch” starring Ashton Kutcher.

Brett Kissel received a whopping five nods, including Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Interactive Artist of the Year. Dean Brody also received an impressive five nods, including the Apple Music Fans Choice Award, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. Lindsay Ell also received a nomination for Female Artist of the Year.

The 2017 CCMA Awards show airs live from SaskTel Centre on Sunday, Sept. 10, partnering with Canadian television network CBC-TV.

APPLE MUSIC FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
Gord Bamford
Dean Brody
Chad Brownlee
High Valley
Dallas Smith

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Beautiful Freakshow – Dean Brody
Dear Life – High Valley
Game On – James Barker Band
Grace & Grit – Meghan Patrick
Side Effects – Dallas Smith

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Alee
Lindsay Ell
Madeline Merlo
Jess Moskaluke
Meghan Patrick

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford
Chad Brownlee
Tim Hicks
Brett Kissel
Aaron Pritchett
Dallas Smith

***TIE in this category

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
Cold Creek County
High Valley
James Barker Band
The Road Hammers
The Washboard Union

ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Lovelocks
Jessica Mitchell
Lindi Ortega
JJ Shiplett
The Washboard Union

RISING STAR
Dan Davidson
Aaron Goodvin
James Barker Band
JoJo Mason
Meghan Patrick

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“Autograph” – Dallas Smith
“Cool With That” – Brett Kissel
“Lawn Chair Lazy” – James Barker Band
“Take Me Home” – Jess Moskaluke
“Time” – Dean Brody

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Chills – James Barker Band
I Didn’t Fall In Love With Your Hair – Brett Kissel
That’s When You Know – Chris Buck Band feat. Kira Isabella
Time – Dean Brody
When A Momma’s Boy Meets A Daddy’s Girl – Aaron Pritchett

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR presented by ole
James Barker, Gavin Slate, Travis Wood, Donovan Woods
Song: Chills (Performed By: James Barker Band)
Ted Hewitt, Brett Kissel, Phil O’Donnell
Song: Cool With That (Performed By: Brett Kissel)
Clayton Bellamy, Dan Davidson
Song: Found (Performed By: Dan Davidson)
Dean Brody
Song: Time (Performed By: Dean Brody)
Patricia Conroy, Jessica Mitchell, David Thomson
Song: Workin’ On Whiskey (Performed By: Jessica Mitchell)

INTERACTIVE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Shae Dupuy
Tim Hicks
Hunter Brothers
Brett Kissel
Wes Mack

MUSICIAN AWARDS
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chris Byrne
Lisa Dodd
Justin Kudding
James Murdoch
Travis Switzer

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Jimmy Boudreau
Ben Bradley
Jayson Brinkworth
Rich DaSilva
Chad Melchert

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Denis Dufresne
Shane Guse
Julie Kennedy
Mike Sanyshyn
Tyler Vollrath

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR presented by Cithara Guitars
Derek Caven
Ryan Davidson
Matt McKay
Darren Savard
Brennan Wall

KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Scott Galloway
Mike Little
Bart McKay
Carly McKillip

***Less than 5 nominees

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Denis Dufresne – Banjo
Shane Guse – Mandolin
Tyler Vollrath – Mandolin

 

DisClaimer: Dailey & Vincent, Claire Lynch Shine On New Grass Tracks

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Dailey & Vincent

It’s time for a smooch from country’s “kissin’ cousin,” bluegrass music.

This is a genre that’s hard to find on radio, but which thrives at 500+ bluegrass festivals a year. And, as we see today, on records, too.

I have no newcomers in this stack of platters, so there’s no DisCovery Award this week.

However, I do have two winners of the Disc of the Day prize. Much awarded bluegrass superstars Dailey & Vincent claim one of them.

The other goes to the enduringly great Claire Lynch. She’s no slouch in the awards department, either, having been the IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1997, 2010 and 2013. Her Grammy nominations have been for her Moonlighter CD of 1995, as well as for her current North By South, which competed for Best Bluegrass Album last February.

 

BALSAM RANGE/Blue Collar Dreams
Writers: Adam Bibelhauser; Producer: Balsam Range; Publisher: none listed, BMI
– Perched at No. 1 on this month’s Bluegrass Unlimited chart is this uptempo working-class lament of being trapped in a daily grind, deep in debt and struggling to survive. The lickety-split picking is super hot and the flawless vocal harmony this group is noted for is firmly in place. You’ll find it on the group’s fifth CD, Mountain Voodoo.

BLUE HIGHWAY/Don’t Weep for Me
Writers: Shawn Lane/Buddy Brock/Gerald Ellenberg; Producer: Blue Highway; Publisher: Cat Town/Wadako/Buddy Brock/Pop Batson, BMI
– Snapping at Balsam Range’s heels on the chart is the red-hot bluegrass supergroup Blue Highway at No. 2. Its hit track is a minor-key murder saga. He finds her in another’s arms, sees red and is now facing a death sentence. The twist is that the man he found in her arms turned out to be her long-lost brother, so his jealous rage was utterly unfounded. Dig those mournful, regret-filled vocals. These veterans have never sounded better than they do on Original Traditional, their 11th studio album.

EDDY RAVEN & CAROLINA ROAD/All Grassed Up
Writers: Eddy Raven/David Stewart; Producer: Josh Goforth, Lorraine Jordan & Eddy Raven; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Dingo Daze/In the Wings, BMI
– The title tune of country veteran Raven’s collaboration with bluegrass stars Carolina Road ripples along as a smoothly rolling “road” tune. Along the way, he disses mainstream Music Row for forgetting country’s traditions.

DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE/Someday Soon
Writers: Ian Tyson; Producer: Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Publisher: Warner Bros., ASCAP
– This evergreen Ian & Sylvia folk classic has been revived by everyone from Judy Collins and The Kingston Trio to Suzy Bogguss, Lynn Anderson, Glen Campbell, Crystal Gayle and Moe Bandy. Brooke’s heart-in-throat version simply sparkles. It rises to No. 7 on this month’s Bluegrass Unlimited chart and can be found on the Aldridges’ Faster & Farther collection.

YouTube video

 

THE GIBSON BROTHERS/Highway
Writers: Eric Gibson; Producer: Eric Gibson, Leigh Gibson & Mike Barber; Publisher: Brown Bird, BMI
– The fastest rising song in the top-10 on this month’s chart is “Highway,” which leaps eight spots to No. 8. I admit that I’m a sucker for brother harmonies, and few acts today are as good at that as these guys. Especially on a jaunty traveling song that is so downright jolly sounding. The album is called In the Ground. It’s a keeper.

LARRY STEPHENSON BAND/Yesterday’s Gone
Writers: Chad Stuart/Wendy Kidd; Producer: Ben Surratt & Larry Stephenson; Publisher: EMI Unart, BMI
– Rounding out the top 10 in the 10th spot is this remake of the Chad & Jeremy “British Invasion” pop hit of 1964. It works surprisingly well as a bluegrass tune, easily as well as Manfred Mann’s “Fox on the Run” did. The hillbilly quartet harmonies here are spectacular. A must listen.

NU-BLU, JIMMY FORTUNE & BEN ISAACS/Still Small Voice
Writers: Tony Lopacinski/Devin Belle/Jimmy Fortune; Producer: Nu-Blu; Publisher: Big Mouth/Little Igloo/Jimmy Fortune, BMI
– This North Carolina group is anchored by the warm soprano lead singing of Carolyn Routh. On this upbeat lyric about finding inner strength, she is joined by former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune and the Isaacs’ exemplary harmony man Ben. The result is a track that is as good as progressive bluegrass can be. In its third month on the chart, this track from the Vagabonds CD lands at No. 19. The collection also includes imaginative rearrangements of Waylon & Willie’s “Good Hearted Woman,” Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” the late Norro Wilson’s Charly McClain oldie “Surround Me with Love” and the Sawyer Brown tune “Gypsies on Parade.”

CLAIRE LYNCH/Black Flowers
Writers: Lynn Miles; Producer: Alison Brown; Publisher: Cold Girl, SOCAN
– The sublime bluegrass diva Claire Lynch went northward on a song quest, fell in love with a community of songwriters and now has an entire CD containing almost all Canadian tunes. Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn and Ron Sexsmith are here, but so are a lot of other gifted tunesmiths you might not know. Her current single/video is a haunting, hushed, bluesy lament of death and mourning penned by Ottawa’s Lynn Miles. Instrumental support on her North By South album comes via such stellar names as Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Kenny Malone, Alison Brown, David Grier and Stuart Duncan. You’d be a fool to overlook this perfect audio jewel.

YouTube video

 

DAILEY & VINCENT/Gimme All the Love You Got
Writers: Jaimie S. Dailey/Karen Staley/Darrin Vincent; Producer: Dailey & Vincent; Publisher: Bluegrass Ambassador/Hobo Lizard/Julieann, BMI
– Stand back or face the force of nature that is this astounding ensemble. Their new Patriots & Poets CD kicks off with this fiery jolt of energy. It blasted onto this month’s Bluegrass Unlimited hit parade at No. 20 as the genre’s highest charting new tune, doubtless en route to No. 1. If you’ve never seen these great showmen, head to The Ryman Auditorium tonight (July 13). I promise you will be royally entertained. Take it from me, there’s a reason they’ve earned three Grammy nominations, won four Dove Awards, claimed an astounding 35 IBMA honors (including three as Entertainers of the Year) and landed their own TV show on RFD.

CHRIS JONES & THE NIGHT DRIVERS/I’m a Wanderer
Writers: Thom Jutz/Charley Stefl/Jon Weissberger; Producer: Chris Jones & Tim Surrett; Publisher: Thom Songs/Maddy Dog/Use Your Words, SESAC/BMI
– Mellow. It’s an easy-going ode about marching to the beat of your own drummer. The melody is a lilting, gentle thing, perfect for a lazy summer afternoon. It’s at No. 23 this month and comes from the band’s Made to Move CD.

Music Health Alliance And Health:Further Team Up For Annual Festival

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Music Health Alliance, the music industry’s healthcare advocate, will partner with Health:Further for its annual Health:Further Festival at the Music City Center in Nashville August 22 – 25, 2017. The annual gathering brings together over 2,000 of the brightest minds in healthcare innovation focused on improving the industry and building a healthier future.

The new partnership is designed to showcase the relationship between two of Nashville’s primary industries, music and healthcare, while also expanding opportunities for the creative community to attend the Festival. MHA and Health:Further will collaborate on a scholarship to provide complimentary Festival passes to students and healthcare practitioners. MHA will also help program components of the Festival, which will include a keynote address and entertainment by Brenda Lee, headlined by Delbert McClinton, that will be staged throughout the event.

A portion of the festival’s proceeds will be donated exclusively to Music Health Alliance to continue its services for the more than 56,000 people who make a living in the music industry, 76% of whom are self-employed or part of small business.

“Music Health Alliance is thrilled to partner with Health:Further in this one-of-a-kind event,” said Music Health Alliance Founder Tatum Allsep. “The forward-thinkers in the Health:Further community are committed to developing the most accessible, affordable and quality healthcare landscape of tomorrow and at MHA we believe this kind of innovative and creative thinking is vital to ensure that the ‘Music’ in Music City stays alive and well.”

“Music Health Alliance is a remarkable organization providing critical healthcare services to the music industry, one of Nashville’s largest professional communities,” said Marcus Whitney, CEO & Co-Founder of Health:Further. “The work they do towards making health accessible to musicians aligns closely with our vision at Health:Further, and we could not be more proud to support them in this effort.”

Office Moves: Centricity Music, Renee Grant-Williams Voice Studio

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Contemporary Christian label, management and publishing company Centricity Music is moving to a larger office space, located at 4021 Hughes Crossing, Ste. 201 in Franklin, Tennessee.

Centricity Music was founded in 2005, and is home to a roster including Laren Daigle, Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, Jonny Diaz, Jordan Feliz, Grayson|Reed, and more.

Renee Grant-Williams

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Vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams has moved from her longtime studio on 2nd Avenue to a new location at 617 Palisades Court in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Grant–Williams has worked with artists including Dixie Chicks, Miley Cyrus, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Christina Aguilera, Ben Folds, Bob Weir (Grateful Dead) and Kenny Chesney. She is a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and was later on the faculty there, as well as at the University of California, Berkeley, where she served as the Director of the Division of Vocal Music. Grant–Williams may be reached at myvoicecoach.com.

 

 

SESAC Awards To Kick Off CMA Week On Nov. 5

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SESAC has announced the date for its Nashville Music Awards ceremony this year, which will kick off CMA week on Sunday, Nov. 5.

The invitation-only event which will be held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will honor the most popular songs of 2017 in the Country and Americana genres. The show will highlight the Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year, and will feature performances by some of the year’s hit songwriters and artists.

SESAC Vice President of Creative Services Shannan Hatch will host the festivities.