Jim Catino To Exit Sony Music Nashville

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Jim Catino

Executive Jim Catino will exit Sony Music Nashville when his contract ends on July 1, 2021.

In an email obtained by MusicRow, Catino shared that he will leave the company to pursue his own music venture in publishing and artist development. “This is something I have wanted to do for some time, but it’s always been hard to make that move because I love this place so much. So it is bitter sweet,” Catino writes.

Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO, Randy Goodman writes of Catino, “He has made an indelible mark on the amazing legacy of Sony Music Nashville and thus we all owe him a great debt of gratitude.”

Most recently Executive Vice President of A&R, Catino joined the label group in 2001.

Catino is a Belmont graduate whose career includes time spent at MCA Music Publishing, Giant Records and Publishing, and DreamWorks Publishing.

Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Mickey Guyton Glow On Grammy Stage

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Pictured (L-R): Maren Morris and John Mayer perform onstage during the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Photo: Getty Images for The Recording Academy

While its number of performances were few, country music shined on the Grammy stage last night (March 14) at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards.

Miranda Lambert took home the only televised country award, Best Country Album, for her seventh studio album Wildcard. This is Lambert’s second win for Best Country Album, receiving the Award for her No. 1 album Platinum in 2014. She has also previously won Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “The House That Built Me.”

Miranda Lambert. Photo: Getty Images for The Recording Academy

In the pre-telecast, Dan + Shay were awarded Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their collaboration with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours.” The duo made history with this win, becoming first artist to win three times consecutively since the category’s inception. Dan + Shay won the category for the first time in 2019 with 6x Platinum smash “Tequila,” and again in 2020 with 5x Platinum hit “Speechless.”

Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna won Best Country Song for their co-written “Crowded Table,” recorded by The Highwomen. Vince Gill was awarded his 22nd Grammy Award for his performance of “When My Amy Prays,” in the category of Best Country Solo Performance.

The awards were presented outside the Los Angeles Staples Center, with only a handful of masked, socially distanced nominees watching each presentation in an open-air tent. The majority of the performances took place inside. The indoor venue featured five stages in the round. Artists performed for each other before another set of artists replaced them after the performances wrapped.

Host Trevor Noah traveled from the outdoor presenting stage to the indoor performance stage.

The ceremony also featured music venue owners and employees from around the nation who have struggled immensely during the pandemic. Nashville’s Station Inn owner J.T. Gray presented Best Country Album to Lambert, via video. Venue employees from the Troubadour in Los Angeles and the Apollo in New York were a past of the broadcast, as well.

The In Memoriam tribute featured many artists and musical icons that we lost this past year, pulling out a few artists to feature more prominently. Lionel Richie gave tribute to Kenny Rogers by singing their iconic song, “Lady.”

Carlile did a superb job honoring John Prine. She sang “I Remember Everything,” the song that Prine posthumously won Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song for.

When it came time for the country round of performances, Mickey Guyton gave a stellar performance of her moving “Black Like Me.” With this performance, Guyton became the first Black female country artist to perform at the Grammys.

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Once Guyton was through, she turned to a beaming Lambert to introduce her next performance. Lambert performed her No. 1 smash hit “Bluebird,” from her now Grammy awarded album Wildcard, under a chandelier of flowers.

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Lambert then introduced the next country performer, Maren Morris, as “my Texas gal pal I’ve known since the honky tonk days.” Morris was joined by Joh Mayer playing guitar and singing harmonies on her pop crossover hit, “The Bones.”

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There were a few historic moments throughout the telecast. Beyoncé set a new record for most wins by a female artist. Now with 28 Grammys, she surpasses Alison Krauss’ 27 wins. Beyoncé now ties for second most awarded artist at the Grammys with record producer Quincy Jones. Orchestral and operatic conductor Georg Solti holds the record with 31 awards.

Taylor Swift became the first female artist to win Album Of The Year three times for her win with Folklore. This feat ties her with Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder as the only artist to win in that category three times.

Miranda Lambert, Dan + Shay, John Prine Among Grammy Winners

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Nashville artists were well represented at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night (March 14).

Miranda Lambert took home Best Country Album for her seventh studio album, Wildcard.

Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna won Best Country Song for their co-written “Crowded Table,” recorded by The Highwomen.

Vince Gill was awarded his 22nd Grammy Award for his performance of “When My Amy Prays,” in the category of Best Country Solo Performance.

Best Country Duo/Group Performance was awarded to Dan + Shay for their collaboration with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours.” The duo made history with this win, becoming first artist to win three times consecutively since the category’s inception. Dan + Shay won the category for the first time in 2019 with 6x Platinum smash “Tequila,” and again in 2020 with 5x Platinum hit “Speechless.”

The Fisk Jubilee Singers won in the Best Roots Gospel Album category for Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album), which marks their first ever win in their 150-year history.

The late John Prine, who was honored with a tribute by Carlile during the telecast, posthumously won Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song for “I Remember Everything.”

Sarah Jarosz won Best Americana Album for World On The Ground.

Zach Williams and Dolly Parton took home Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for “There Was Jesus,” and Kanye West won Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Jesus Is King.

In the general field, Billie Eilish took home Record Of The Year for “Everything I Wanted.” Megan Thee Stallion won Best New Artist. Song Of The Year was awarded to Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas for their song “I Can’t Breathe,” recorded by H.E.R.

Taylor Swift took home Album Of The Year for Folklore. This is her third time winning the honor, making Swift the first female artist to win the award three times, and tying her with Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder as the only artist to win in that category three times.

Below are a selection of winners:

Record Of The Year:
“Black Parade” — Beyoncé
“Colors” — Black Pumas
“Rockstar” — DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch
“Say So” — Doja Cat
“Everything I Wanted” — Billie Eilish
“Don’t Start Now” — Dua Lipa
“Circles” — Post Malone
“Savage” — Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé

Song Of The Year:
“Black Parade” — Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk & Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
“The Box” — Samuel Gloade & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)
“Cardigan” — Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
“Circles” — Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Kaan Gunesberk, Austin Post & Billy Walsh, songwriters (Post Malone)
“Don’t Start Now” — Caroline Ailin, Ian Kirkpatrick, Dua Lipa & Emily Warren, songwriters (Dua Lipa)
“Everything I Wanted” — Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
“I Can’t Breathe” — Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
“If The World Was Ending” — Julia Michaels & JP Saxe, songwriters (JP Saxe Featuring Julia Michaels)

Album Of The Year:
Chilombo — Jhené Aiko
Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition) — Black Pumas
Everyday Life — Coldplay
Djesse Vol. 3 — Jacob Collier
Women In Music Pt. III — Haim
Future Nostalgia — Dua Lipa
Hollywood’s Bleeding — Post Malone
Folklore — Taylor Swift

Best New Artist:
Ingrid Andress
Phoebe Bridgers
Chika
Noah Cyrus
D Smoke
Doja Cat
Kaytranada
Megan Thee Stallion

Best Country Album:
Lady Like — Ingrid Andress
Your Life Is A Record — Brandy Clark
Wildcard — Miranda Lambert
Nightfall — Little Big Town
Never Will — Ashley McBryde

Best Country Solo Performance:
“Stick That In Your Country Song” — Eric Church
“Who You Thought I Was” — Brandy Clark
“When My Amy Prays” — Vince Gill
“Black Like Me” — Mickey Guyton
“Bluebird” — Miranda Lambert

Best Country Duo/Group Performance:
“All Night” — Brothers Osborne
“10,000 Hours” — Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber
“Ocean” — Lady A
“Sugar Coat” — Little Big Town
“Some People Do” — Old Dominion

Best Country Song:
“Bluebird” —  Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby & Miranda Lambert, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
“The Bones” — Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins & Laura Veltz, songwriters (Maren Morris)
“Crowded Table” — Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby & Lori McKenna, songwriters (The Highwomen)
“More Hearts Than Mine” — Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis & Derrick Southerland, songwriters (Ingrid Andress)
“Some People Do” — Jesse Frasure, Shane McAnally, Matthew Ramsey & Thomas Rhett, songwriters (Old Dominion)

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Un Dia (One Day)” — J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy
“Intentions” — Justin Bieber Featuring Quavo
“Dynamite” — BTS
“Rain On Me” — Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande
“Exile” — Taylor Swift Featuring Bon Iver

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song:
“The Blessing (Live)” — Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship; Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe Carnes & Steven Furtick, songwriters
“Sunday Morning” — Lecrae Featuring Kirk Franklin; Denisia Andrews, Jones Terrence Antonio, Saint Bodhi, Brittany Coney, Kirk Franklin, Lasanna Harris, Shama Joseph, Stuart Lowery, Lecrae Moore & Nathanael Saint-Fleur, songwriters
“Holy Water” — We The Kingdom; Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash & Scott Cash, songwriters
“Famous For (I Believe)” — Tauren Wells Featuring Jenn Johnson; Chuck Butler, Krissy Nordhoff, Jordan Sapp, Alexis Slifer & Tauren Wells, songwriters
“There Was Jesus” — Zach Williams & Dolly Parton; Case Beathard, Jonathan Smith & Zach Williams, songwriters

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album:
Run to the Father —  Cody Carnes
All of My Best Friends — Hillsong Young & Free
Holy Water — We the Kingdom
Citizen of Heaven — Tauren Wells
Jesus Is King — Kanye West

Best Pop Vocal Album:
Changes — Justin Bieber
Chromatica — Lady Gaga
Future Nostalgia — Dua Lipa
Fine Line — Harry Styles
Folklore — Taylor Swift

Best Americana Album:
Old Flowers — Courtney Marie Andrews
Terms Of Surrender — Hiss Golden Messenger
World On The Ground — Sarah Jarosz
El Dorado — Marcus King
Good Souls Better Angels — Lucinda Williams

Best American Roots Performance:
“Colors” — Black Pumas
“Deep in Love” — Bonny Light Horseman
“Short and Sweet” — Brittany Howard
“I’ll Be Gone” — Norah Jones & Mavis Staples
“I Remember Everything” — John Prine

Best American Roots Song:
“Cabin” — Laura Rogers & Lydia Rogers, songwriters (The Secret Sisters)
“Ceiling to the Floor” — Sierra Hull & Kai Welch, songwriters (Sierra Hull)
“Hometown” — Sarah Jarosz, songwriter (Sarah Jarosz)
“I Remember Everything” — Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)
“Man Without a Soul” — Tom Overby & Lucina Williams, songwriters (Lucinda Williams)

Best Roots Gospel Album:
Beautiful Day —  Mark Bishop
20/20 — The Crabb Family
What Christmas Really Means — The Erwins
Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album) — Fisk Jubilee Singers
Something Beautiful — Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Best Gospel Album:
2econd Wind: Ready — Anthony Brown & group therAPy
My Tribute — Myron Butler
Choirmaster — Ricky Dillard
Gospel According to PJ — PJ Morton
Kierra — Kierra Sheard

Best Contemporary Blues Album:
Have You Lost Your Mind Yet? — Fantastic Negrito
Live At The Paramount — Ruthie Foster Big Band
The Juice — G. Love
Blackbirds — Bettye LaVette
Up And Rolling — North Mississippi Allstars

Best Bluegrass Album:
Man on Fire — Danny Barnes
To Live in Two Worlds, Vol. 1 — Thomm Jutz
North Carolina Songbook — Steep Canyon Rangers
Home — Billy Strings
The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Vol. 1 — Various Artists

Best Music Film:
Beastie Boys Story — Beastie Boys
Black Is King — Beyoncé
We Are Freestyle Love Supreme — Freestyle Love Supreme
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound Of My Voice — Linda Ronstadt
That Little Ol’ Band From Texas — ZZ Top

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

Keith Urban And P!nk Score A No. 1 On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart

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Keith Urban’s duet with P!nk, “One Too Many,” notches the top spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week. The single is nominated for Music Event of the Year at the upcoming 56th ACM Awards.

“One Too Many” was written by Cleo Tighe, Daniel Davidsen, James Norton, Mich Hansen, and Peter Wallevik. The music video has amassed over 20 million views on YouTube.

Urban was tapped to host the 56th ACM Awards alongside Mickey Guyton. CBS will present the awards live from Nashville Sunday, April 18 (8:00-11:00 p.m., live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Click here or above to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.

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DISClaimer Single Reviews: Travis Denning, Breland, Miranda Lambert, Shenandoah

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Travis Denning, BRELAND

There are a number of conflicting country forces in today’s stack of wax.

With two Shenandoah entries, there’s a hint of nostalgia in the air. Matthew West and Lathan Warlick bring a CCM flavor to the proceedings. The Wild West is an all-female band. Brett Kissel is a gust of Canadian country. Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram and Jon Randall represent the acoustic, troubadour, singer-songwriter wing of our format. Robert Counts and Hardy are Southern rock.

Wandering through this forest of diverse sounds, we emerge with a DisCovery Award for Montana’s Jonah Prill. Finishing in a dead heat for the Disc of the Day honor are Travis Denning and Breland, two thoroughly different artists who are doing superb work in their respective arenas.

JONAH PRILL / “You Remind Me”
Writers: Jonah Prill/Ryan Hayes/Justin Olmstead; Producer: none listed; Label: JP Media
— He has a resonant country baritone with a warm sincerity that suits this tune of romantic regret just fine. The track crashes around him with loads of electric guitar and rock energy. Promising.

CARLY PEARCE & MATTHEW WEST / “Truth Be Told”
Writers: Andrew Watt/Andrew Jacob Pruis/Matthew West; Producer: none listed; Label: Big Machine
— The song has been a big CCM solo hit for West. The addition of Pearce makes the already affecting lyric shimmer with new polish. It’s a lovely effort, although I wish her excellent harmony vocals were mixed louder so that their “twin” performance twirled even brighter in the spotlight.

ANDREW JANNNAKOS / “Gone Too Soon”
Writers: Andrew Jannakos/Jason Afable/Josh Bricker; Producer: none listed; Label: Sony Music Nashville
— He sings well, and the swirly production is okay, if a little too busy. The tuneless pop song does nothing for me.

SHENANDOAH & BLAKE SHELTON / “Then a Girl Walks In”
Writers: Adam Sanders/Lance Miller/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Label: Foundry
— We’ve previously reviewed the Zac Brown Band and Ashley McBryde cuts from the Shenandoah duets album. Now comes a collaboration with the mighty Blake. He and band’s Marty Raybon are a very hearty vocal match for one another. It doesn’t hurt that the song is as warm and comfy as this one is. Solid work.

SAMMY SADLER & MARTY RAYBON / “Church on the Cumberland Road”
Writers: Bob DiPiero/Dennis Robbins/John Scott Sherrill; Producer: none listed; Label: BFD/Audium
— Sadler’s album is titled 1989 because it consists of remakes of tunes from that year. In this case, it’s a Shenandoah chart topper, and the band’s Marty Raybon is along for the retro ride. Sadler doesn’t have Raybon’s vocal charisma, but he holds his own on this sprightly outing.

JACK INGRAM, MIRANDA LAMBERT & JON RANDALL / “In His Arms”
Writers: Jack Ingram/Miranda Lambert/Jon Randall; Producer: Jack Ingram/Miranda Lambert/Jon Randall; Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Label Nashville
— Recorded live outside with only Randall’s guitar for accompaniment, this airy, atmospheric performance is a like a fresh, clean breeze of authenticity. Lambert sings lead as her songwriting collaborators chime in with soft, gentle harmonies. In a word, enchanting.

BRETT KISSEL / “Make a Life, Not a Living”
Writers: Cary Barlowe/Brandon Day/Steven Lee Olsen; Producer: Brett Kissel/Bart McKay/Jesse Frasure; Label: OneRPM
— Kissel is a huge deal north of the border, the reigning Canadian country Male Vocalist of the Year with buckets of Gold Records and awards. This soaring song of positivity has one of country’s most timeless messages: Money can’t buy happiness, and life’s simple pleasures are best.

ROBERT COUNTS & HARDY / “What Do I Know”
Writers: Hardy/Robert Counts/Jake Mitchell; Producer: Dann Huff/Jimmy Ritchey; Label: Arista Nashville
— Lotsa noise—screaming guitars, pounding drums, shouted vocals. I think it’s supposed to be some kinda redneck/outlaw vibe. Both of them can do better.

TRAVIS DENNING / “ABBY”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Chase McGill/Matt Jenkins; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Label: Mercury Nashville
— “Abby” stands for “AnyBody But You,” which is how he feels about moving on from his ex and finding someone new. First of all, I love spelling songs. Second of all, this is as clever as all get out. Catchy, too. Play it.

THE WILD WEST / “Better Way”
Writers: Manda Mosher/Tawny Ellis/Heather Anne Lomax/Amilia K. Spicer/Pi Jacobs/Deb Morrison; Producer: Eric Craig/Manda Mosher; Label: Blackbird
— All six of the members of this all-female ensemble swap lead vocals, and they create choral magic when they all sing together. The song is a love-your-neighbor hippie ode with a lilting, inspirational vibe. It’s quite charming, in a homemade, under-produced kinda way.

LATHAN WARLICK & RAELYNN / “Roots”
Writers: Blake Hubbard/Jarrod Ingram/Lathan Warlick/Racheal Lynn Davis/Summer Overstreet/Zach Dyer; Producer: The720; Label: Records/Columbia
— Warlick is a singer/rapper/dancer from Jackson, TN who has made a few waves in the Christian-music field. His collaboration with country’s RaeLynn is more hip-hop than country, despite her able singing. Pass.

BRELAND / “Cross Country”
Writers: Breland/Sam Sumser/Sean Small/Will Gittens; Producer: Sam Sumser/Sean Small; Label: Bad Realm/Atlantic
— His “My Truck” collaboration with Sam Hunt was a Platinum success. Now Breland steps out with something even better, a lovely, uplifting, melodic tenor vocal performance that wafts and soars on zephyrs of sound. There’s equal parts of vulnerability and strength in his delivery of an autobiographical lyric about trying to find your place in a world where you don’t fit in. The acoustic guitar, gently shuffling rhythm and open-air atmosphere are all wondrous.

Sony Music Nashville Signs Willie Jones In Partnership With The Penthouse

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Pictured (L-R): Jonnie Forster, manager and owner of The Penthouse; Willie Jones; Jim Catino, Sony Music Nashville EVP, A&R. Photo: Sandor Torgyik

Sony Music Nashville has signed Willie Jones to an exclusive deal in partnership with The Penthouse.

“Whoa! I can’t wait to see what’s down this road,” says Jones. “I appreciate everyone who has been part of the Willie Jones story so far, and I’m truly blessed. Now, let’s get it.”

The Shreveport, Louisiana native blends hip-hop and country music. Jones has earned critical acclaim for his debut album Right Now, which features the poignant patriotic single “American Dream.” The video clip of this anthem was jointly premiered on CMT and BET, a first for the networks.

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Jones is represented by Jonnie Forster at The Penthouse for management and John Huie at CAA for booking. He is signed to a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

Keith Urban And Mickey Guyton To Host 2021 ‘ACM Awards’

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Keith Urban, Mickey Guyton

The Academy of Country Music announced today (March 11) that 15-time ACM Award winner Keith Urban, and New Female Artist of the Year nominee Mickey Guyton, will host the 56th ACM Awards.

This will mark a return for Urban as host, and Guyton’s first time with hosting duties.

“I’m beyond thrilled to be co-hosting with my friend Mickey,” says Urban. “I love that finally everyone will get to see her infectious energy and uber creative spirit in full light.”

“Last year I had the opportunity to perform at the Academy of Country Music Awards with someone I long admired, Keith Urban, and this year I am incredibly excited to share hosting duties with him,” says Guyton. “As I’ve said before ‘if you can see it, you can be it,’ and it’s such an honor to step onto the ACM stage as the first ever Black woman to host the show. Over the years, the Academy of Country Music has always been a home for me through opportunities both onstage and throughout their work on diversity and inclusion. This is a moment of great significance for me and I am so thrilled to share it with all the fans.”

“Following Mickey’s groundbreaking and emotional performance featuring Keith Urban at last September’s ACM Awards, the producers knew that they would make a perfect hosting duo,” says ACM, dick clark productions and CBS in a joint statement. “Since then, Mickey had a stratospheric rise and Keith has continued to top the charts. They will make a dynamic pairing that captures the warmth, humor, and comfort that the fans are looking for, and join a legendary list of talented artists that have hosted the ACM Awards over the years.”

Urban is nominated in the Music Event of the Year Category for his collaboration with P!nk on his latest single, “One Too Many,” for which he received an additional nomination as the song’s producer. He is also nominated for his collaboration with Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, and Chris Tomlin on “Be A Light.” To date, Urban has won 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, securing his first win in 2001.

Guyton was nominated for her first ACM Award in 2016 for New Female Vocalist. This last year, she performed her first solo ACM Awards performance of “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” with labelmate Urban’s accompaniment on piano. She is up for New Female Artist of the Year at this year’s awards.

CBS will present the 56th ACM Awards live from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe on Sunday, April 18 (8:00-11:00 p.m., live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Entertainment Companies Comment On Passage Of American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021

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On March 10, Congress passed President Joe Biden‘s American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package.

The package was proposed by President Biden to help speed up the United States’ recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is scheduled to sign the bill into law on Friday (March 12).

Several representatives of the American music and entertainment community issued the following statement on the passage of the COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus bill:

“The American Rescue Plan provides absolutely essential economic relief for workers in the American creative community who continue to face an uncertain path back to work due to the pandemic. This legislation’s extension of CARES Act and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation benefits into early September, as well as critical tax forgiveness for the first $10,200 of unemployment insurance claimed in 2020, will provide much-needed certainty for creative community workers and their families. We are also grateful for the inclusion of additional funds for shuttered venue operators and live entertainment businesses, and continued support for the Paycheck Protection Program. Businesses are in desperate need of these funds.

We are hopeful that enactment of the American Rescue Plan is one more step toward a future where music and entertainment are again at the center of our lives and communities, and where creative community workers can put the hardship of the pandemic behind them. Until then, we will continue to work as one community to advocate for greater, enhanced relief and ensure policymakers at all levels understand American creators’ outsized contribution to our economy and our culture.”

The joint statement is from the following:
Actors’ Equity Association
American Association of Independent Music (A2IM)
American Photographic Artists
Artist Rights Alliance
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston
ASCAP
The Authors Guild
BMI
CERF+ the Artists Safety Net
Copyright Alliance
CreativeFuture
Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO
Digital Media Association (DiMA)
ExtendPUA.org
Freelancers Union
Future of Music Coalition
The Graphic Artists Guild
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
Lawyers for the Creative Arts (Chicago)
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Music Artists Coalition (MAC)
Music Managers Forum – US (MMF-US)
Music Workers Alliance (MWA)
Musicians for Musicians
Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)
National Independent Talent Organization (NITO)
National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA)
National Writers Union (NWU)
Recording Academy
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
SAG-AFTRA
SESAC
Songwriters Guild of America
Songwriters of North America (SONA)
SoundExchange
St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts (VLAA)
Volunteer Lawyers for The Arts
Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA)

Sony Music Publishing Extends Global Deal With Luke Bryan

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Luke Bryan. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson

Sony Music Publishing has announced it has renewed a global deal with Luke Bryan.

The four-time Entertainer of the Year and American Idol judge has earned 26 career No. 1 singles, including 13 he co-wrote—among them “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” “Huntin’, Fishin’, And Lovin’ Every Day,” “Move,” “Fast,” “What Makes You Country” and more.

“I’ve enjoyed many years with Sony Music Publishing and I’m happy to continue our partnership. Songwriters are the backbone of country music and being included in this category with arguably the biggest company in the business is unreal. I’m so thankful,” Bryan says.

Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston says, “I am personally so excited for Luke to extend his long-standing relationship with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. His songs are genuine enough to touch the heart of the individual listener and engaging enough to bring an entire stadium to its feet.”

Bryan launched his music career as a songwriter. He first gained prominence after co-writing Billy Currington’s No. 1 single “Good Directions.” Soon to follow was Bryan’s success as an artist with his breakthrough single “All My Friends Say,” from his debut album I’ll Stay Me.

Since his debut in 2009, Bryan has earned more RIAA certified digital singles than any other country act with 54.5 million, tallied 14.6 billion streams, sold 12.5 million albums, and earned seven RIAA album certifications, 22 Platinum singles and 12 multi-Platinum singles.

Recently, Bryan announced that he plans to release a deluxe version of his seventh studio album Born Here Live Here Die Here on April 9, adding six new songs to the original 10 tracks.

CMA Announces Donation Drive, Sarah Trahern Talks Ongoing COVID Support [Interview]

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Through its Music Industry COVID Support (MICS) initiative, the Country Music Association has helped aid music industry professionals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today (March 9) the organization announced a support donation drive benefiting Musically Fed and will be accepting goods at the CMA office (35 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203) Monday, March 15 through Friday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Among the items needed are basic food items such as pasta and rice, as well as toiletries.

Food Items Needed:
Dried Pasta & Sauce
Oatmeal, Cereal
Canned Fish/Meat
Canned Fruits/Veggies
Soup, Crackers
Rice, Quinoa, Dry Beans
Peanut Butter
Nuts

Toiletries Needed:
Toothpaste
Laundry Detergent
Dish Soap
Hand Soap
Body Wash
Shaving Cream
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels

Musically Fed also has an Amazon Wish List, from which donations can be purchased before March 19. To direct your purchase to the food drive, select “Country Music Association, c/o FOOD DRIVE’s Gift registry” as the shipping address.

Sarah Trahern. Photo: Courtesy CMA

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern spoke to MusicRow about the donation drive, and about CMA’s continued efforts to help support music industry professionals who are struggling during this health crisis.

In the state of Tennessee alone, more than 50,000 music jobs have been impacted by the pandemic, and that number is estimated to be hundreds of thousands more nationwide.

“One of the people on our board drew a diagram for us one day and around this person’s artist, there were about 140 people directly on the road food chain—not to mention the manager in the office, a publicist, and a freelance staff,” Trahern says.

“We started working on ‘What can we do over the course of the year?’ Some of it is hard investment dollars.”

At the onset of the pandemic, CMA donated $1 million to The Recording Academy’s MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund in addition to a $100,000 donation to Music Health Alliance.

CMA has since outlined additional funding to six nonprofit partners—Music Health Alliance, Musically Fed, Notes for Notes, Porter’s Call, The Store and Touring Professionals Alliance Kitchen —which, along with previous nonprofit investments, are funded through CMA’s $3 million long-term COVID-19 commitment that began in early 2020.

The organization has continued to analyze and assess the specific needs of music professionals to determine the most vital resources and services to provide. Established as a portal for key resources in the categories of food supply, health and wellness, and career services, MICS helps to connect industry professionals with appropriate nonprofit partners offering critical support.

“One of the things that I was most proud of during this time was a small program that we worked on to help people with their resumes and to find temporary jobs for people who don’t have work right now. We don’t want them to leave our business, but they might need access to a job for six months.

“[The donation drive] is something easy for us to engage the people in the Nashville community and the people in the music community, the ones who are doing okay right now to say, ‘Hey, come lean in and help us. Help us help our brethren get back on their feet.”

While Trahern is hopeful that touring is on the horizon with vaccines beginning to roll out, programs like the resume workshop and the upcoming donation drive are put in place to help get touring professionals to the other side. “They’re not a population that is used to asking for help,” she says. “They’re the people in black, they’re the ones who crawl up in the rafters. Our business was one of the first businesses to close and we’ll probably be the last one to open back up in a lot of ways.”

CMA will march on to support the music industry during this hardship. “We’re going to continue to support programs around the country. We’re doing another nationwide program that will be announced in the next few weeks with six to eight markets that are music cities outside of Nashville, but that have a high density of people in the music business who are hurting right now. We’ll continue our support with groups like the Music Health Alliance, and Porter’s Call to work on creating access to mental health resources during this time.”