Artist Updates: Clint Black, Kiefer Sutherland, Sarah Dunn Band

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Clint Black Does ‘Big Interview’ With Dan Rather

Clint Black was interviewed last week at his Nashville home by legendary newsman Dan Rather for his AXS Television show The Big Interview. The two chatted about Black’s musical and personal journey, his acting career, and his marriage to actress Lisa Hartman. The episode, slated to air March 28, also features an intimate performance by Black from his home studio.

 

Kiefer Sutherland Chats With Jimmy Fallon

Photo: Beth Elliott

Kiefer Sutherland stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon tonight (March 13) to chat about his upcoming Not Enough Whiskey 2017 Tour, his debut album Down In A Hole and his ABC-TV series Designated Survivor. When Sutherland wraps up the North American leg May 27 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, he’ll jet across the pond to play more than 20 shows throughout Europe.

 

Sarah Dunn Band ‘Figures It Out’

The Sarah Dunn Band has just released the first single “Figure It Out” from their new album Unbridle Me which will be released on March 17. The new album was written entirely by Dunn.

“I chose ‘Unbridle Me’ as the title track for the album because it’s definitely a reflection of where I’m at right now. I feel as though I’m coming into my own lately, as an artist and a songwriter. That’s brought me a wonderful sense of confidence and freedom that I hope comes across in every song,” said Dunn.

Deluxe Version of Maren Morris’ ‘Hero’ Out This Friday

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Maren Morris is releasing a deluxe edition of her debut album Hero this Friday (March 17) to all digital retailers. Hero Deluxe features three tracks that did not appear on the standard version of the CD, including “Bummin’ Cigarettes,” “Space” and “Company You Keep,” all co-written by Morris.

Morris announced last week she will take her highly successful HERO Tour 2017 overseas to the UK and Ireland. Tickets for the seven-date international leg, which kicks off in Dublin on Nov. 12, go on sale March 17. The UK tour includes a stop at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on Nov. 15, and support on all dates will be singer/songwriter Ryan Hurd.

The HERO Tour 2017 UK/Ireland Tour Dates:
Nov. 12            Dublin Academy
Nov. 13            Glasgow ABC
Nov. 15            London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Nov. 17            Birmingham O2 Institute 1
Nov. 18            Bristol Anson Rooms
Nov. 20            Manchester O2 Ritz
Nov. 21            Sheffield Leadmill

Industry Ink: NSAI, AIMP, Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum, Banner Music

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NSAI Brings Streaming Royalties Fight To Congress

Pictured (L-R): NSAI Sr. Director of Operations Jennifer Turnbow; songwriter Wendell Mobley; NSAI board member-songwriter Nicolle Galyon; Jana Miller and husband, NSAI President, songwriter Lee Miller; NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison. 

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) spent time last week meeting with Members of Congress to discuss low streaming royalties for songwriters, concerns over how a new Register of Copyrights should be appointed and others issues.

 

AIMP Hosts “Maximizing Your Independent Release” Panel

Pictured (Front row, L-R): Faithe Dillman Parker, David Ross, Donica Elliott, Nate Towne. (Back row, L-R): Brad Peterson, John Ozier, Emmanuel Zunz, Beth Laird, Tim Hunze, Ree Guyer, Kari Barnhart, Chris Van Belkom

The Association of Independent Music Publishers  (AIMP) and Regions Bank welcomed Donica Elliott (All Eyes Media), Faithe Dillman Parker (Marbaloo Marketing), David Ross (Reviver Records), and Nate Towne (WME) who spoke at the AIMP “Maximizing Your Independent Release” panel on March 10 at ASCAP’s Connie Bradley Board Room. Sponsored by oneRPM and moderated by Beth Laird (Creative Nation) and Chris Van Belkom (Combustion Music), the panelists discussed the roles played by each in a project release, timelines to follow and tips for success.

 

 

CMHoF To Welcome The McCrary Sisters For Second Annual Easter Brunch Event

The McCrary Sisters

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will host its Second Annual Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 16, 2017. The McCrary Sisters, daughters of longtime Fairfield Four tenor Sam McCrary, will return to headline, while family-style dining will be offered in two seatings, 9 a.m. and noon, in the museum’s Event Hall.

For more, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.

 

Banner Music Signs Casey Kelly

Banner Music CEO Camilla Kleindienst has announced the signing of Casey Kelly as a staff songwriter.

“We are ecstatic that Casey is joining the team at Banner music, he will be a great addition to our songwriting staff” said Kleindienst.

Kelly has had multiple hit songs including “Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight” by Kenny Rogers and Dottie West, “Soon” by Tanya Tucker, “Somewhere Down the Line” by T.G. Shepherd and “The Cowboy Rides Away” by George Strait.

Banner Music launched in 2004. The company includes six staff songwriters and represents two independent music publishing catalogs.

Dailey & Vincent Become Opry Members, Sign With Dreamlined Entertainment

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Pictured (L-R): Sally Williams, Jamie Dailey, Darrin Vincent, Steve Buchanan. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Dailey & Vincent became the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday evening (March 11) at an induction ceremony by Opry members Old Crow Medicine Show and Jeannie Seely. The duo had been invited to become Opry members by Marty Stuart during their 100th appearance on the show in December. Seely, who will celebrate 50 years of Opry membership later this year, presented an Opry Member Award to Jamie Dailey, while Old Crow lead singer Ketch Secor did the same for Darrin Vincent.

“I had the honor of introducing Dailey & Vincent for their first Opry appearance,” Seely said. “I thought to myself that night, ‘I hope one day I get to see them become members of the Opry one day because they epitomize everything the Opry is on stage and off.’”

“We are very excited to welcome Dailey & Vincent into the fold,” said Opry General Manager Sally Williams. “Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have been proclaimed the best in their field across the board, winning awards and media acclaim for their songs, their musicianship, and their one-of-a-kind live performances. Over the past 10 years and more than 100 Opry visits, they’ve brought crowds to their feet both with country, bluegrass, and gospel standards as well as their brand new material. We look forward to Dailey & Vincent being active, beloved Opry members as the Opry looks toward the century mark and beyond.”

Dreamlined Entertainment Group has signed the duo and will release its new album, Patriots & Poets on March 31 via distribution through BFD/RED.  The project features collaborations with Steve Martin, Bela Fleck and more.

Pictured (L-R): BFD’s Chuck Rhodes, BFD’s Bob Frank, Dreamlined’s Keith Stegall, Jamie Dailey, Darrin Vincent, Dreamlined’s Scott Miller, Dreamlined’s Jason Campbell)

Pandora Launching New Premium Service This Week

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Pandora is rolling out its Pandora Premium on-demand streaming tier this week. Invitations for a free trial of the new premium tier will go out to select listeners March 15, and an upgrade option will be available to all listeners in the coming weeks.

The premium option for $9.99 a month offers fans Pandora’s personalized radio with the ability to search and play any track or album as well as a unique set of playlist features tailored to each person’s distinct preferences. Playlists can be easily curated through the power of Pandora’s Music Genome Project and a “thumbs up” option, and a browse section is stocked with personalized suggestions from the latest releases. Existing Pandora Plus subscribers will enjoy six months of Premium for no additional charge but trial lengths for existing Pandora ad-supported listeners and new listeners vary. Premium is available now for iOS and Android, in the car via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and on Google Chromecast, and will be available on other platforms including the web in the coming months.

“Every day tens of millions of people trust us to choose the exact right song for them. That’s why they spend more time with Pandora than any other music service,” said Tim Westergren, founder and CEO of Pandora. “With Premium, we’re leveraging our immense trove of data and everything we’ve learned about personalization to offer a listening experience that sets a new standard for what a music service should be.”

CMA Songwriters Series Returns To London For 2017 C2C Festival

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Pictured (L-R): Kristian Bush, Drake White, Maren Morris, Bennett Lewis (Morris’ guitarist), Liz Rose and Mac McAnally perform during the sold-out CMA Songwriters Series Thursday at indigo at The O2 in London. Photo: Amy Westney/CMA

The CMA Songwriters Series returned overseas Thursday (March 9) to kick-off the fifth annual Country 2 Country (C2C) Festival at London’s indigo at The O2. The highly-anticipated show featured an award-winning lineup of country music hitmakers: five-time CMA award-winner Kristian Bush, former CMA Musician of the Year Mac McAnally, reigning CMA New Artist of the Year Maren Morris, former CMA Song of the Year winner Liz Rose, and rising star Drake White. The sold-out show was the CMA Songwriters Series debut for McAnally, Morris, and White.

Kristian Bush
Photo: Amy Westney/CMA

Midway through the set, Bush made a special announcement from the stage, surprising U.K. country duo The Shires with CMA’s Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements by a country music artist originally signed outside of the United States–in both furthering the popularity of country music and bringing attention to the country music format in their foreign-based territory.

The intimate CMA Songwriters Series launched in 2005 at Joe’s Pub in New York City and made its European debut in 2012 with stops in London, Dublin, and Belfast. It has returned to London annually as part of C2C since 2014. C2C is the U.K.’s largest country music festival.

For more information, visit CMAsongwritersseries.com.

Mac MacAnally
Photo: Amy Westney/CMA

Maren Morris
Photo: Amy Westney/CMA

Liz Rose
Photo: Amy Westney/CMA

Drake White
Photo: Amy Westney/CMA

Pictured (L-R): Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer; Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp Chief Executive Officer and Ex-Officio CMA board member; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Mac McAnally; Liz Rose; The Shires’ Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle; Kristian Bush; Milly Olykan, AEG Festival and Live Events Director at The O2 and CMA board member; and Drake White gather following the CMA Songwriters Series. Photo: Amy Westney/CMA

Artist Updates: Tara Thompson, Brothers Osborne, Runaway June, Hudson Moore

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Tara Thompson Promotes Music With New Boots Line Dancing

Tara Thompson (third from left) with New Boots staff and friends. Photo: New Boots Line Dancing

Country artist Tara Thompson promoted her music at Nashville’s New Boots Line Dancing with a dance as part of her #maytagmonday Facebook Live series this week (March 6).

In addition to dancing to her debut single and EP title track, “Someone to Take Your Place,” New Boots organized an encore dance with The Valory Music Co. newcomer’s “Side Effects.” Watch Thompson’s class at facebook.com/newbootslinedancing

 

Brothers Osborne And Runaway June Play NASH Party Prior To CMA Fest

Brothers Osborne will appear with special guests Runaway June and NASH Next 2016 winner Todd O’Neill for the NASH Country Kick Off Party with NASH FM 103.3 on Tuesday, June 6 at Cannery Ballroom.

The 6 p.m. event will benefit Musicians On Call and be held prior to CMA Fest (June 8-11). Tickets for the NASH event are $35 at nashfm1033.com.

 

Nashville’s Hudson Moore Preps Spring Outing

Hudson Moore. Photo: Jay Trevino

Country guitar slinger Hudson Moore will set out on a seven-date Texas outing, kicking off March 23 at 3TEN Austin City Limits Live. Moore also plans to join Eli Young Band on the road next month at Denim & Diamonds in Wichita Falls, TX. To purchase tickets, visit hudsonmoore.net/tour

Austin Moore Spring 2017

3/23 — Austin, TX 3TEN ACL Live

3/28 — College Station, TX The Tap

4/7 — Dallas, TX Prophet Bar

4/8 — Houston, TX Firehouse Saloon

4/21 — Stephenville, TX Bostock’s Billiards & Bar

4/22 — San Antonio, TX Sam’s Burger Joint

4/28 — McAllen, TX Hillbilly’s

Acquisition Of Dick Clark Productions Officially Terminated

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A $1 billion deal announced last year for the sale of Dick Clark Productions (“DCP”) to Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin‘s Dilian Wanda Group has been called off.

MusicRow received DCP owner Eldridge Industries’ official statement on March 10.

“Eldridge Industries announced today that one of its affiliates has terminated its agreement to sell Dick Clark Productions to the Dalian Wanda Group. Wanda had agreed to acquire Dick Clark Productions in November 2016. Eldridge’s affiliate terminated the agreement this week after Wanda failed to honor its contractual obligations. Eldridge’s affiliate also has filed with the Delaware Chancery Court to compel release of the balance of escrowed funds to which it is contractually entitled given Wanda’s failure to consummate the sale.”

Billboard reports the suit seeks to recover half of a $50 million “reverse termination fee” connected to the deal.

The Academy of Country Music Awards is a 50/50 partnership with Dick Clark Productions and the academy. Additional interests of DCP include 100 percent of TV rights of the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, and the New Year’s countdown celebration in New York.

In 2015, Dick Clark Productions was sold by Guggenheim Partners—from a reported $370 million sale in 2012—to Todd Boehly, a executive at Guggenheim. Boehly formed Eldridge Industries whose assets, among others, also include The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard.

Swon Brothers, Alyssa Micaela, Ryan Griffin Celebrate March Album Releases

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Swon Brothers Debut Their ‘Scars’

The Swon Brothers are releasing a brand new EP, Pretty Cool Scars, March 17. The new six-song project, which includes their new single, “Don’t Call Me,” and the Jonathan Singleton/Ross Copperman/Heather Morgan-penned title track, was produced by Brad Hill (Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne).

“This is our first time to work with Brad, who produced records that garnered Grammy nominations and awards this year, and for good reason,” says Zach. “He’s a very talented guy.  He brought out sides of us that we didn’t even know were there, both musically and vocally.  He actually brought this song to us also, he’s got a great ear.”

Swon Brothers – Pretty Cool Scars Track Listing:

“Dwight Trashed” – Ben Stennis, Jared Mullins and Blake Bollinger
“Don’t Call Me” – Jordan Reynolds and Robyn Collins
“Pretty Cool Scars” – Heather Morgan, Ross Copperman, Jonathan Singleton
“Take Off” – Chris Roberts, Jason Gantt and John King
“About Last Night” – Zach Swon, Colton Swon, Matt McGinn, Joey Hyde
“Gold” – David Hodges, Jake Scott, David Ryan Harris

 Alyssa Micaela Shares Cowboy Songs on New EP

Alyssa Micaela‘s debut EP Cowboys Like That is out today (March 10). The EP shares music inspired by Texas cowboys and Nashville honky tonks and features the moving ballad, “Cowboys Like That,” a tribute to her grandfather and the old-school cowboy. Micaela’s song “Getaway Car” was a hit last summer upon its release, streaming more than three million times on Spotify. “Alyssa Micaela is a star,” said Liz Rose, President of Liz Rose Music, with whom Alyssa is signed. “There is no doubt about her commitment to a unique style that celebrates country music and relates to today’s strong young woman.”

Last year, Alyssa signed with Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. Ben Vaughn, President of Warner Chappell Nashville adds, “We are so excited to see Alyssa’s new music coming out and know that her fans will enjoy watching the growth of this dynamic new artist.”

Cowboys Like That Track Listing:

1. “Clean Break” (Alyssa Micaela, Corey Crowder, Emily Shackelton)
2. “Highlights” (Alyssa Micaela, Seth Ennis, Liz Rose, Corey Crowder)
3. “Cowboys Like That” (Alyssa Micaela, Liz Rose, Emily Shackelton)
4. “I’m In A Bar” (Liz Rose, Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Chris Tompkins)
5. “Getaway Car” (Alyssa Micaela, Derrick Southerland, Jesse Walker)**

** “Getaway Car” produced by Keith Follese

Ryan Griffin Releases Debut Today

Singer/songwriter Ryan Griffin is also releasing his debut EP today (March 10). The new project features his single, “Back Seats And Burnt CD’s,” which is currently being featured on Sirius XM’s Highway Finds program. Griffin, whose influences run the gamut from George Strait to Brian McKnight. is the co-writer of Kelsea Ballerini‘s no. 1 hit “Dibs.

Ryan Griffin Sake Of The Summer Track Listing:

“Backseats & Burnt CD’s” – Josh Kerr and Jordan Reynolds
“I Would Have Left Me Too” – Ryan Griffin, Lisa Carver
“Young Love”  – Ryan Griffin, Josh Kerr, Tiffany Vartanyan
“Drinkin’ To Do” – Jason Duke, Chris Gelbuda, Ryan Griffin
“Sake Of The Summer” – Ryan Griffin, Josh Kerr, Marty Dodson

MusicRowPics: Rick Monroe Previews New Music

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Rick Monroe with Matt Dyar

Singer-songwriter Rick Monroe recently previewed tracks from his upcoming EP during a visit to the MusicRow office.

Monroe performed three tracks, including “This Side Of You,” a co-write with Ryan Griffin and Jason Duke. Griffin and Duke are also the co-writers of Kelsea Ballerini’s hit “Dibs.” Monroe, along with guitarist Matt Dyar, also performed acoustic renditions of “A Moment Like This” and “Ease On Down.”

“This Side Of You” is the current single from his upcoming EP Gypsy Soul.

The title is appropriate, given that Monroe lived in several places throughout his childhood, including California, Connecticut, and North Carolina. That gypsy spirit continues as he’s taken his music to 17 countries, and nearly every state in the U.S.

Monroe currently has a sponsorship deal with Monster Energy Drink.

Rick Monroe with MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson