Scotty McCreery Teams With Cracker Barrel For “Five More Minutes” Video Contest

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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Scotty McCreery are asking music fans to submit entries for their “Five More Minutes” video contest. Fans are encouraged to submit a video clip (one to three minutes in length) of them reuniting with the people in their lives they want to spend five more minutes with including their families and friends, as well as loved ones in military service.

Submitted videos will have the chance to be featured in a new music video for McCreery’s hit single “Five More Minutes,” premiering March 15, 2018 on Cracker Barrel’s YouTube channel.

“Five More Minutes” is the first single off McCreery’s upcoming third album Seasons Change, which will be available at all Cracker Barrel locations nationwide and online at shop.crackerbarrel.com beginning March 16, 2018.

Video submissions may be uploaded to crackerbarrel.com/FiveMoreMinutes between Feb. 19, 2018 and March 4, 2018. For every album sold at Cracker Barrel locations and at Cracker Barrel’s official online store from March 16, 2018-April 30, 2020, the company will donate $1 to its flagship nonprofit partner, Operation Homefront.

“I have always been impressed with the support that Cracker Barrel has given our military and their families through the years,” said McCreery. “Both of my grandfathers served in the armed forces, which instilled in me a huge respect for our military, their families, and the sacrifices they all make on our behalf. I am so proud that Cracker Barrel is stocking my new album ‘Seasons Change’ and donating $1 from each album sold to military families via Operation Homefront. I’m also looking forward to seeing the video submissions that come in from the fans as we create this new video for ‘Five More Minutes’ for Cracker Barrel’s YouTube channel.”

“Cracker Barrel has long supported military-focused programs, especially those that give back to military families,” said Cracker Barrel Senior Marketing Manager Julie Ulmer. “We share a passion for supporting America’s military with Scotty and are thrilled to give back to Operation Homefront in this way. We hope that our ‘Five More Minutes’ campaign will provide an opportunity for people to express their love and gratitude for loved ones, especially those serving in the military.”

Visit crackerbarrel.com/FiveMoreMinutes for full contest information and official rules.

 

WMA Launches Nashville Office

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Hannah Dudley

Music and entertainment agency WMA has launched its third operation in the United States with the opening of WMA Nashville. The company, which launched in 2013, also has offices in London, New York and Los Angeles.

To head the operation, Hannah Dudley joins the agency as Head of Marketing Strategy. Hannah has 10 years experience in both digital and traditional marketing roles across UK and US labels. Starting at EMI in London, Hannah led digital strategy for artists including The Beatles, David Bowie, Blur and Pink Floyd, before progressing to Head of Digital at Warner UK.

Dudley relocated to Nashville in 2015 and launched her own marketing consultancy, Dream Big Entertainment Group, helping to launch Johnny Marr’s US tour and live album Adrenalin Baby. She was offered a role at Sony Nashville as VP of Marketing Strategy and New Business, overseeing all marketing, brand partnerships and international strategy across the roster, helping to develop new artist signings and established superstars like Carrie Underwood. At Sony, Dudley oversaw album launches for Maren Morris, Kane Brown, Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert.

Hannah comments on the launch and new role, “I’m incredibly excited to join the WMA team and launch their Nashville presence. Having worked with WMA on several projects while I was at labels in the UK and here in Nashville, I’ve always loved what they do and found their offering truly sets them apart. Since first visiting Nashville in 2007 to calling it home for almost three years, it’s an absolute gift to be able to use my experience and skills to contribute to such a thriving and exciting scene and with WMA uniquely set to help position artists on a global stage, I’m thrilled to begin this next chapter with them and grateful for Seb’s on-going support.”

Seb Weller, Global CEO and Founder, comments, “I’m delighted to announce our further US expansion with the launch of WMA Nashville. A place that holds so much music history, heritage, and incredible talent. With the continued success of country music on streaming platforms we’re excited to get the chance to help support Nashville based talent and brands with their global digital ambitions. With the addition of Hannah we’re also extremely pleased to welcome another amazing and experienced executive to our 50 strong global WMA team.”

WMA now employs over 50 people across its offices in London, New York, LA and Nashville. The WMA client roster includes brands spanning various sectors such as Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music, Kobalt Music Group, Disney, Vevo, Bacardi and Adidas.

For more, visit wma.agency.

Industry Ink: 117 Entertainment, Aloompa, Average Joes Entertainment

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117 Entertainment Adds Heather Trotter

Heather Trotter

117 Entertainment President and CEO, Zach Farnum has announced the addition of Heather Trotter as Publicity Manager. A recent graduate of Baylor University, Trotter was born and raised around the music industry in Franklin, Tennessee.

“I’m so happy to be working with 117. It’s been a long time coming for me to get where I am and I couldn’t be more excited to work with this team and their amazing clients,” said Heather Trotter.

 

Aloompa Adds Sr. Director Of Business Development For Artists And Brands

Josh Baron

Aloompa, the Nashville-based industry-leading behavioral data and event utility software and innovation company, announced the hiring of Josh Baron as Senior Director of Business Development for Artists and Brands.

In this newly developed role, Baron will spearhead Aloompa’s expansion into the artist vertical with the company’s latest product offering, TourApp. An organic outgrowth from Aloompa’s core suite of festival-oriented products, TourApp produces cost-effective event engagements at scale through its ability to deliver in-venue notifications, pre- and post-event messaging, in-venue fan behavioral analytics and introduces new digital assets in the touring space that enable unique brand brand sponsorship and activation opportunities. The company will be making a more formal announcement surrounding several new products ahead of the summer concert season.

 

Average Joes Entertainment Artist Signs With Buddy Lee Attractions

Pictured (L-R): Buddy Lee Attractions’ Jimmy Dasher, Tayler Bock, Amy Aylward; Average Joes’ Andrew Davis; Cypress Spring’s Kalan Miller, Tyler Ackerman and Paul Roche; Buddy Lee Attractions Mike Meade, Aura Guadagno, David Kiswiney

Average Joes Entertainment’s Fastest Rising Band, Cypress Spring, has signed with Buddy Lee Attractions for booking representation.

 

 

Industry Exec Launches ETC: Ellen Truley Consulting

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Ellen Truley

Music industry veteran Ellen Truley has launched ETC: Ellen Truley Consulting, a full-service marketing firm specializing in branding, partnerships, digital strategy, publicity, event production, art direction and project management.

Truley recently served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations for SESAC, where she oversaw global marketing initiatives for the music rights organization. As her first client, Truley has tapped SESAC PRO to serve in an advisory role on upcoming events and projects.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be starting my new company, ETC,” says Truley. “I’m very grateful for my time at SESAC. It was wonderful to be a part of the team that elevated the organization to the leading international music rights company that it is today. To now be able to continue to work alongside the SESAC team, as well as collaborate with other progressive businesses, is truly the best of both worlds. The timing is perfect to launch ETC.”

“Ellen has been an important part of SESAC over the last 22 years. During this time, she has witnessed many changes on and around Music Row, while serving as a loyal ambassador to the company and elevating the brand of SESAC within the industry,” said John Josephson, chairman and CEO, SESAC Holdings, Inc. “I am very grateful to Ellen, her commitment, and to her countless contributions over the years and I look forward to continuing the strong working relationship in the future with her new company.”

Truley’s many industry achievements include being named as one of Billboard magazine’s Women in Music for three consecutive years (2011-2013), and most recently commemorated at Nashville Business Journal’s Women in Music City Awards in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Truley serves on the boards of the T.J. Martell Foundation and the Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Board. She is also a member of NARAS, CMA and ACM.

Truley’s career also includes roles at Billboard magazine and ad agency Acuity Marketing Communications.

Ellen Truley can be reached at ellen@ellentruley.com.

 

Weekly Register: Justin Timberlake Tops Albums Chart, Montgomery Gentry Makes Top 5 Country Debut

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Following his half-time show performance at this year’s Super Bowl, Nashville resident Justin Timberlake topped the Nielsen Soundscan Top 200 rankings this week with his new album Man of The Woods. The album moved 293K, with 242K being traditional album sales.

On the country albums chart, Montgomery Gentry has this week’s top debut, with Here’s To You at No. 3, with 14K. The album marks the first release following the death of Montgomery Gentry member Troy Gentry last year.

The only other Top 10 country debut this week was Now 65, which landed at No. 10 with 25K.

Chris Stapleton has three projects in the Top 5 on the country albums rankings again this week, with From A Room Vol. 2 leading this week’s country albums rankings with 17K. Stapleton’s Traveller is at No. 2 with 15K, and From A Room Vol. 1 sits at No. 5 with 14K.

Kane Brown‘s self-titled album is at No. 4 this week, with 14K.

On the Top 5 country digital song downloads chart, Florida Georgia Line‘s collaboration with Bebe Rexha is again at No. 1 this week, with 34K. Jason Aldean‘s new track “You Make It Easy” is at No. 2 with 26K, followed by Thomas Rhett‘s “Marry Me” at No. 3 with 17K. Stapleton’s “Broken Halos” is at No. 4 with 15K, with Brown’s “Heaven” rounding out the Top 5 with 14K.

Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

Reviver Entertainment Group Promotes Two

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Clay Henderson, Hayley Cowoski

Reviver Entertainment Group has announced two promotions, with Clay Henderson being named National Director of Strategic Marketing. Henderson, with 20 years of music industry experience, brings knowledge and experience in visual marketing, as well as regional radio promotion, syndication and streaming analysis. Prior to accepting the Reviver post, Henderson worked for Warner Music Nashville, Universal South, Broken Bow Music Group and Southern Ground Artists.

Additionally, Hayley Cowoski has been promoted to Manager, Marketing & Artist Development. Cowoski joined Reviver Records in 2015 as a Promotion Coordinator. Her newly created role and duties will include project management and creative.

Henderson will report to Reviver’s Executive VP/GM Gator Michaels and Cowoski to VP Marketing & Artist Development, Paul Williams.

“We have been fortunate in our ability to attract staff that is passionate, laser focused and driven towards a common goal – Clay and Hayley clearly fit that mold,” said Reviver Founder and President/CEO David Ross. “Our artists and their music deserve committed professionals, industry veterans like Clay, who can deliver results, not to mention the enthusiasm and talent that Hayley brings.”

Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton Takes Top Three Country Albums Sales Slots

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Following the Grammy Awards, all three of Chris Stapleton‘s solo projects earned large sales increases, earning him the top three best-selling country albums this week. From A Room Vol. 2 tops the country albums rankings, with 20K. Traveller landed at No. 2, with 17K, followed by From A Room Vol. 1 at No. 3 with 16K.

Kane Brown is at No. 4 this week with his self-titled album, while fellow Grammy nominee Thomas Rhett was at No. 5 with Life Changes moving 14K.

Jason Aldean has the top debut this week both Nielsen Soundscan’s downloads chart and country streaming chart with “You Make It Easy,” which earned overall sales of 77K, and 4.5 million streams.

On the country digital song downloads chart, Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line‘s “Meant To Be” is at No. 2 with 37K, followed by Thomas Rhett‘s “Marry Me” at No. 3 with 19K. Chris Stapleton‘s “Broken Halos” is at No. 4 with 18K, and Kane Brown‘s “Heaven” rounds out the Top 5 with 15K.

Information courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.

 

 

 

Weekly Register: LANCO, Devin Dawson Make Top Country Debuts

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It’s a good week for newcomers on the Nielsen Soundscan Country Albums rankings. Arista Nashville band LANCO‘s debut project Hallelujah Nights debuted at No. 1 this week, with 19K (total consumption). Also entering at No. 5 this week is Warner Music Nashville’s Devin Dawson, whose Dark Horse moved 11K.

Kane Brown‘s self-titled debut, which released in late 2016, is at No. 2 this week, with 16K, followed by Thomas Rhett‘s Life Changes at No. 3 with 14K. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller album is at No. 4 with 11.5K.

After garnering big wins at Sunday evening’s Grammy Awards, next week’s chart should reflect sales bumps for several artists, such as three-time winner last night Chris Stapleton and double-winner Jason Isbell.

On the Digital Songs chart, Keith Urban makes the top debut this week, with “Parallel Line” at No. 3 country, with 19K.

Florida Georgia Line‘s collaboration with Bebe Rexha, “Meant To Be,” is at No. 1 this week, with 39K (497K to date). Thomas Rhett‘s “Marry Me’ is at No. 2, with 20K. Dierks Bentley‘s new release, “Woman, Amen,” is at No. 4 with 17K, followed by Kane Brown‘s “Heaven” at No. 5, with 15K.

“It Goes On,” a track from Zac Brown‘s new Sir Rosevelt collaboration with Niko Moon and Ben Simionetti, debuts at No. 6 country with 13K.

 

FlyteVu Celebrates New Hires

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Pictured (clockwise, L-R): Dan Cadenas, Michael Hardesty, Morgan White, Liz Ivy, and Heather Hourigan.

FlyteVu, a Nashville-based full-service marketing agency, has hired five new staffers in public relations, project management, and finance.

Dan Cadenas has joined the agency as Director of Finance where he will oversee client and internal finances. Cadenas was previously at FCB and FCBX in Chicago where he was VP of Client Finance specializing in contract negotiation and relationship building for multi-national clients.

Michael Hardesty has joined FlyteVu as Project Manager and will assist in developing content and growth strategies across all clients. Hardesty previously oversaw the creative team at Made In Network, Nashville’s only YouTube multi-channel network, growing the channel to 75 million views per month.

Morgan White and Heather Hourigan have joined FlyteVu’s PR and Media Department as Public Relations Manager and Public Relations Coordinator, respectively. White was previously a Public Relations Specialist at MGM Resorts International where she specialized in entertainment and brand campaigns. Hourigan spent five years as a news anchor and reporter and received an Emmy for her work in the field.

Liz Ivy joins as Coordinator at FlyteVu. She spent the previous three years in the music and event planning field, working for Creative Artists Agency, MStreet Entertainment Group, and most recently, Rocket Experiences handling partnerships with Anheuser-Busch, Pernod Ricard, Rally Labs, Kendra Scott, and more.

“We are thrilled to have such skilled and accomplished talent join FlyteVu,” said Laura Hutfless, Partner at FlyteVu. “Dan, Michael, Morgan, Heather, and Liz are invaluable members to our team and culture.”

FlyteVu launched in 2015, led by Hutfless and former Warner Music Nashville executive Jeremy Holley.

Weekly Register: Kane Brown, Carrie Underwood, FGL Make An Impact

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Kane Brown tops the Nielsen Soundscan country albums sales chart this week, with 14.5K units of his self-titled debut sold this week (total consumption). Thomas Rhett‘s Life Changes comes in at No. 2, with 14K, followed by two Chris Stapleton entries. Stapleton’s 2015 album, Traveller, is at No. 3 this week with 11K, followed by From ‘A’ Room: Vol. 2 at No. 4 with 10K. Luke Bryan‘s What Makes You Country is at No. 5 with 9.4k.

Wheelhouse Records’ Walker McGuire had the top debut at No. 23 with 1.1K

Carrie Underwood has this week’s top singles debut, though not on the country charts. Her song “The Champion,” ft. Ludacris, debuts at No. 3 overall, moving 61K.

The top country song this week is again Bebe Rexha with Florida Georgia Line on “Meant To Be,” which moved 39K this week. Dan + Shay‘s new single is this week’s top country debut; “Tequila” is at No. 2 with 30K. Thomas Rhett‘s “Marry Me” lands at No. 3 with 20K. Kane Brown‘s “Heaven” is at No. 4 with 14K, and Walker Hayes has the No. 5 song with “You Broke Up With Me” moving 12K.

Upchurch & Colt Ford debut at No. 10 Country and No. 60 overall with “Shoulda Named It After Me,” selling 9K.

Information courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.