Reservoir Signs Brooke Eden to Worldwide Publishing Deal [Exclusive]

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Pictured (L-R): Chandler Cunningham (Reservoir Creative Coordinator), Brian O’Neil (Brooke Eden’s manager, Constellation Management), Brooke Eden, John Ozier (Reservoir EVP Creative), Greg Gallo (Reservoir VP Creative). Photo: Haley Crow

Reservoir announces the signing of country singer-songwriter Brooke Eden to a worldwide publishing deal. The deal includes Eden’s future works and most notably a trio of new singles including “No Shade,” which was released on Friday (Feb. 5).

“I had one Zoom meeting with the Reservoir team and just knew they had to be my new publishing family!” says Eden. “Working with [Reservoir VP, Creative] Greg Gallo in the past through co-writes, I knew his passion for songs and songwriters, and I knew I needed that fire from my publishing team. Then I met [Reservoir EVP, Creative] John Ozier and he put the icing on the cake. This team is fierce, and we all love what we do so much that it makes the whole creative process a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together!”

Ozier adds, “Brooke is a powerful storyteller, and it is an honor to support her creatively as she shares new music with the world. We are so happy to add her remarkable talent to the Reservoir roster.”

Eden also recently announced her partnership with Brian O’Neil‘s newly formed Constellation Management & Consulting company.

ACM Announces Radio Awards Nominees for 56th Awards

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The Academy of Country Music is announcing today (Feb. 9) its Radio Awards nominees for the 56th ACM Awards, including double nominations for KATI-FM in Jefferson City, MO, KKNU-FM in Eugene, OR; KNIX-FM in Phoenix, AZ; KSOP-FM in Salt Lake City, UT; KUZZ-AM/FM in Bakersfield, CA; KXKT-FM in Omaha, NE; WQDR-FM in Raleigh, NC; and WXBQ-FM in Bristol, VA.

The Radio Awards winners will be announced ahead of the 56th ACM Awards in April. The 56th Academy Of Country Music Awards will broadcast live on Sunday, April 18 (8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network and will stream live and on demand on CBS All Access.

Two MusicRow reporting panel stations are among the nominees, WPAP’s ‘Dr.’ Shane Collins and Tess Connell for Small Market On-Air Personality of the Year, and WCOW in Sparta, WI for Small Market Station of the Year.

The full list of 56th ACM Awards nominations will be announced in the coming weeks.

56th ACM Radio Awards nominees are:

NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Big D and Bubba – Big D and Bubba
Cody Alan – CMT After MidNite
Kix Brooks – American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks
Lorianne Crook, Charlie Chase – The Crook & Chase Countdown
Paul Koffy, Jasmine Sadry, Josh Jensen – Morning Koffy

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
Broadway – WDRQ-FM, Detroit, MI
Chris Carr & Company – Chris Carr, Kia Becht – KEEY-FM, Minneapolis, MN
McKaila Poppen Double-L – Lois Lewis – KNIX-FM, Phoenix, AZ
Tanner in the Morning – Rob Tanner – WSOC-FM, Charlotte, NC
Catherine Lane, Chris Allen, Captain Jim
The Morning Bull – George, Mo, Cowboy Dave – KILT-FM, Houston, TX

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
Dave & Deb – Dave Gunderson, Deb Turpin – KSOP-FM, Salt Lake City, UT
Lexi & Banks – Lexi Papadopoulos, Jared Banks – KUBL-FM, Salt Lake City, UT
Mad Dawg – WQDR-FM, Raleigh, NC
Obie & Ashley – Obie Diaz, Ashley Morrison – WWKA-FM, Orlando, FL
The Wake Up Call – Kelli Green, David Bugenske – KFRG-FM, Riverside/San Bernardino, CA

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
Buzz Jackson – KIIM-FM, Tucson, AZ
Geoff Emery – KUZZ AM/FM, Bakersfield, CA
Mo & StyckMan – WUSY-FM, Chattanooga, TN
Scott & Sarah in the Morning – Scott Wynn, Sarah Kay – WQMX-FM, Akron, OH
Steve Lundy & Gina Melton – KXKT-FM, Omaha, NE

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
Barrett, Fox & Berry – Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, Tracy Berry – KKNU-FM, Eugene, OR
Dr. Shane and Tess in the Morning – ‘Dr.’ Shane Collins – WPAP-FM, Panama City, FL
Tess Connell
Erin and Matt In The Morning – Erin Hart, Matt Sharp – KATI-FM, Jefferson City, MO
Steve, Ben and Nikki – Steve Stroud, Ben Walker, and Nikki Thomas – WXBQ-FM, Bristol, VA
The Philip Gibbons Show – Philip Gibbons – WGSQ-FM, Cookeville, TN

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
KKBQ-FM – Houston, TX
KNIX-FM – Phoenix, AZ
KSON-FM – San Diego, CA
WKLB-FM – Boston, MA
WXTU-FM – Philadelphia, PA

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
KSOP-FM – Salt Lake City, UT
KNCI-FM – Sacramento, CA
WDSY-FM – Pittsburgh, PA
WSIX-FM – Nashville, TN
WQDR-FM – Raleigh, NC

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
KSKS-FM – Fresno, CA
KUZZ-AM/FM – Bakersfield, CA
KXKT-FM – Omaha, NE
WHKO-FM – Dayton, OH
WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
KATI-FM – Jefferson City, MO
KCLR-FM- Columbia, MO
KKNU-FM – Eugene, OR
WCOW-FM – Sparta, WI
WXBQ-FM – Bristol, VA

Rhonda Vincent Inducted Into Grand Ole Opry

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Rhonda Vincent. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Rhonda Vincent became an official member of the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night (Feb. 6) with Opry member Dierks Bentley doing the honors. Vincent’s invitation was first delivered in February of 2020 by Opry member Jeannie Seely, and she was originally supposed to be inducted on March 24, 2020, prior to the pandemic.

“It’s been 343 days, seven hours, three minutes and five seconds,” Rhonda said laughing, sharing how many days it had been since the Opry invitation came last year. “This is a night I will never forget and will cherish the rest of my life. I am proof that dreams really do come true.”

“I’ll never forget the night that our mutual friend Marty Stuart made me an official member of the Opry and I’m so pleased to get to do the same for you tonight,” said Bentley during the induction. “Rhonda, you are now an official member of the Grand Ole Opry! I know you will carry the Opry banner proudly wherever you go.”

Rhonda Vincent performs Merle Haggard’s “Momma Tried” with Dierks Bentley. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

“It’s great to have the supremely talented and very patient Rhonda Vincent as an official Opry member,” added Dan Rogers, Vice President and Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry. “She brings with her countless fans, industry respect, and heartfelt passion for keeping the Opry vibrant and entertaining for generations to come. We look forward to Rhonda spending the rest of her career with us as part of the Opry family.”

Additional performers during the special evening included Opry members Riders In The Sky, Jeannie Seely, and Mark Wills as well as special guests Don Schlitz and Parker McCollum, who made his Grand Ole Opry debut.

Emmylou Harris Inks With Sheltered Music Publishing

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Emmylou Harris

Emmylou Harris has signed a long-term administration deal to the newly formed independent publishing company, Sheltered Music, a division of All Clear Music, LLC.

Harris has been awarded 14 Grammy awards, the Polar Music Prize, a NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award and her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

“We are honored and consider it a rare privilege to represent Emmylou Harris’ music,” said Sheltered Music’s EVP Darrell Franklin. “Her iconic contributions to country music are documented and celebrated by fans everywhere, and her songwriting has been a cornerstone to quality that continues to inspire.”

“There is no one more passionate about the song or more committed to the songwriter than Lance [Freed]” Harris said. “ I am so grateful to have him not only as my publisher, but as a longtime friend.”

Said Freed, “She is the embodiment of all things good about music and great songwriting. We all owe her a huge debt of gratitude, and we are extremely proud to represent her songs.”

Sheltered Music is the Nashville Division of All Clear Music. LLC. In its first year, the company has completed deals with music icons Burt Bacharach and Rodney Crowell, and has established a creative development partnership with superstar producer, Dann Huff.

Brett Young Peaks On CountryBreakout Radio Chart

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Brett Young’s “Lady” reaches the chart pinnacle this week, marking his 7th No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Young co-wrote the single with Ross Copperman and Jon Nite shortly before his first daughter’s birth in October 2019.

Young’s “Caliville Weekend” is slated to take place this June in Palm Springs, California. The experience will feature daily live performances, wellness activities, pool parties and more.

“Bringing us all together for a weekend in one of my favorite places in the world is definitely a dream come true for me,” Young said. “I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have planned for them next summer!”

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Are You InCharge? Applications For MusicRow’s 2021 InCharge Print Directory Now Open

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MusicRow is currently accepting applications from candidates for its annual InCharge print issue, the published directory of Nashville’s music industry decision makers. Now in its 34th year, InCharge serves as the April/May issue of MusicRow Magazine and slated for an April release.

Applications are now closed. All applications will be reviewed by committee to determine the candidates chosen for this year’s edition of InCharge.

For advertising opportunities, please contact Sherod Robertson at srobertson@musicrow.com.

For questions regarding the directory, please contact LB Cantrell at lbcantrell@musicrow.com.

Brothers Osborne Frontman T.J. Osborne: “I’m Very Comfortable Being Gay”

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T.J. Osborne (left) with bandmate and brother John Osborne.

Brothers Osborne’s T.J. Osborne sat down with TIME magazine recently to publicly discuss his sexuality for the first time. In the thoughtful article written by Sam Lansky and titled, “T.J. Osborne Is Ready to Tell His Story,” Osborne shares that he is gay, and has been out among close friends and family for years.

“I’m very comfortable being gay,” he tells TIME. “I find myself being guarded for not wanting to talk about something that I personally don’t have a problem with. That feels so strange.”

The article expresses the support of his brother and bandmate, John Osborne, despite the fact that coming out publicly could potentially have professional risks to their successful careers. “If I had to have all my money and success erased for my brother to be truly fulfilled in life,” John said, “I wouldn’t even think about it. Not for a second.”

T.J. added that he looks forward to making music without creative boundaries.

“I want to get to the height of my career being completely who I am,” T.J. tells TIME. “I mean, I am who I am, but I’ve kept a part of me muted, and it’s been stifling.”

In a video posted to his Instagram, T.J. said, “the person you know is me, now you just know more about me.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @tjosborne

Artists including Kacey Musgraves are standing with Brothers Osborne in support. “Others will now feel invited to the country music party for the first time,” Musgraves told the magazine. “Country music deserves a future even more honest than its past.”

More of T.J.’s peers have come out in support of him, including the following:

Video Surfaces of Morgan Wallen Using N-Word, Issues Apology

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer

In a video obtained by TMZ and posted late Tuesday (Feb. 2) night, Morgan Wallen is seen coming home from a night out when he uses a racial slur while speaking to his friend. The video was reportedly shot Sunday (Jan. 31) night outside Wallen’s Nashville home by neighbors and shows him yelling profanities, including the N-word.

Big Loud Records has suspended Wallen’s recording contract indefinitely. Wallen has also been dropped from WME’s talent roster.

Wallen issued an apology to TMZ, “I’m embarrassed and sorry. I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back. There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better.” MusicRow has confirmed its authenticity.

The video has surfaced following weeks of a very successful launch of his sophomore album, Dangerous: The Double Album. The Big Loud/Republic Records artist is unquestionably the biggest breakout star in the country format this year, with Dangerous garnering accolades including being the first country album to spend three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in eight years; as well as debuting at No. 1 atop the Billboard 200 Albums chart and earning the largest streaming week for a country album in history.

Wallen’s music has notably disappeared from Spotify’s Hot Country and Apple Music’s Today’s Country playlist. Variety reports that his music has been removed from Cumulus Media 400-plus stations, with a directive to the program directors from Brian Philips, EVP of programming for the chain, and John Dimick, the company’s head of programming operations. iHeartMedia has also pulled his music from their stations, MusicRow has confirmed.

The Academy of Country Music announced they will halt Wallen’s potential involvement and eligibility for this year’s ACM Awards.

On Feb. 4, BMI issued the following statement: “BMI condemns the hateful and offensive racial slur recently used by Morgan Wallen. While unacceptable, under the terms of our consent decree, BMI is mandated to accept all songwriters who want to be a part of our organization. We have asked BMI’s Advisor and Gospel legend, BeBe Winans, to reach out to Morgan to help him understand the gravity and impact of his words. Our hope is that BeBe’s outreach can help Morgan become a more inclusive and empathetic person.”

In a Tweet, CMT announced that they will be removing his appearances from all their platforms.

The CMA announced they, to, would be removing his digital content from their platform

 

Wallen’s country music peers Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Mickey Guyton, Will Hoge and more have issued early reactions about the incident.

Tyler Childers Signs With Warner Chappell Music

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Tyler Childers

Tyler Childers has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

Childers first broke onto the scene in 2017 with Purgatory, which was co-produced by Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson. The album earned Childers the title of Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Honors & Awards and was named one of the Top 50 Albums of 2017 by NPR. He followed that up in 2019 with the critically-acclaimed Country Squire, which landed him a 2020 Grammy nod for Best Country Solo for “All Your’n.”

Last year the Kentucky native released his surprise album, Long Violent History, whose title track addresses systemic racism by speaking directly to white rural voters. All proceeds from the album go to the Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund, which Childers and his wife established to raise awareness and money for philanthropic efforts in the Appalachian Region.

“Nashville is home to world-class songwriters and Tyler is undoubtedly one of the best,” said Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “His poignant words do what great music can do—move us, invite self-reflection, and spark conversations. Long Violent History is a testament to the power of his music and I’m thrilled to have him join the Warner Chappell family.”

Marathon Talent Agency Signs Presley & Taylor

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Peter Strickland with Presley & Taylor.

Marathon Talent Agency, the artist management and development company helmed by CEO Peter Strickland, has signed breakout sister duo Presley & Taylor.

“I am extremely excited to welcome Presley & Taylor to the Marathon Talent family,” said Strickland. “Their amazing harmonies and ability to pick and write relevant songs have established a solid foundation for their careers. I look forward to furthering those successes in the years to come.”

Presley & Taylor are the flagship artists signed to James Stroud’s new White Mustang Records, which is distributed by CMG via The Orchard. Stroud is also producing the duo, whose “Everybody Sees It” single has already surpassed 500,000 streams.

“We are beyond thrilled to have Peter join our team to help guide us through this next chapter of our career,” said Presley & Taylor in a joint statement. “We could not have asked for a better person to help us achieve all of our goals, and we are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us.”

Strickland was previously Chief Marketing Officer for Warner Music Nashville. He has directed successful campaigns for Blake Shelton, Big & Rich, Faith Hill, Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes, and the label’s comedy imprint.