Safford Motley PLC Hires Associate Attorney Alyssa Johnson

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Alyssa Johnson. Photo: Courtesy of Safford Motley PLC

Safford Motley PLC has announced the addition of Associate Attorney Alyssa Johnson to the firm.

Johnson brings her experience in the areas of transactional entertainment, intellectual property, and business law to the reputable firm that represents songwriters, recording artists, record labels, publishers, executives and more.

“Alyssa is an exceptionally bright young lawyer with the moxie to put her skills to use,” says Scott Safford of Safford Motley PLC. “We are fortunate that she chose to join our team as we expand to meet the growing needs of our clients.”

Prior to joining Safford Motley PLC, Johnson served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the 21st Judicial District of Tennessee (Williamson County). Her professional experience also includes internships with the Nashville Predators, the Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts, HarperCollins Publishers, and Music Farm Productions.

The Kentucky native graduated magna cum laude from Belmont University College of Law with a J.D. and Certificate in Entertainment and Music Business Law. During law school, Johnson was a Submissions Editor for the Belmont Law Review. She earned her undergraduate degree in Sport and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina.

Warren Zeiders Signs With Warner Records

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Zarren Zeiders. Photo: Chris Phelps

Rising singer-songwriter Warren Zeiders has signed to Warner Records. Last week, he released the fiery “Burn It Down” hot on the heels of his 717 Tapes EP.

The 22-year-old Hershey, Pennsylvania, native began posting covers and original songs on social media and Spotify towards the end of 2020. His 2021 song, “Ride The Lightning,” has amassed over 72 million global streams to date and is in excess of 500 million global TikTok views. As of today, the track has now sold more thsn 500,000 units, marking his first Gold record.

“Warren is a gifted songwriter and storyteller, has the confidence and drive to work harder than anyone, understands all the modern tools at an artist’s fingertips to market and promote themselves, and is just a great human being,” says Aaron Bay-Schuck, co-Chairman & CEO, Warner Records. “We just had the best time getting to know one another and both Tom [Corson] and I felt that Warner Records was a natural fit for Warren.”

Scott McGhee’s 1º Music Entertainment Adds Live Entertainment Arm

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Scott McGhee, President/COO, 1˚ Music Entertainment, has added a live event arm to the entertainment company’s scope of services. McGhee and his staff will work alongside brands to coordinate and produce premiere events as a preferred talent vendor.

The expansion will position the company as a top full-service, live entertainment provider. The all-encompassing “start to stage” services will include artist negotiations and contracts, orchestrating and overseeing entertainment production, on-site artist/crew/VIP relations, and show facilitation.

“I’ve found myself increasingly involved in coordinating these type of events over the last several years; securing the talent and producing the shows. The all-inclusive service saves time, money and effort for everyone involved,” says McGhee. “The concept puts my career experience to good use and it just makes sense for us to pursue this side of the entertainment business.”

McGhee has more than three decades of experience in the industry, encompassing artist/tour booking, management and concert production for acts including KISS, Bon Jovi, Hootie & the Blowfish, Blues Traveler, Darius Rucker and more.

Early service potentials include coordinating events for Pfizer, Mitsubishi and Porsche.

Industry Ink: ‘Nashville’s Big Bash,’ Dennis Banka, PLA, ‘Country Music Success Stories’

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Nashville’s Big Bash Breaks Visitor Spending Record

Nashville’s Big Bash on Dec. 31, 2021.

According to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, the live show for Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash generated an estimated $30 million in direct visitor spending, setting a new record and marking an increase of 12% over 2019’s record-breaking $26.6 million.

The event provided a boost to the local economy with a record 29,118 hotel rooms sold on Dec. 31 in Davidson County, an increase over the 25,529 rooms sold on Dec. 31, 2019. The live show, which was the centerpiece of CBS’ five-hour New Year’s Eve broadcast, placed second among networks in viewers during primetime and earned 4.44 million viewers.

“These exceptional numbers not only point to the success of the event and the popularity of Nashville as a destination but also to our optimism for recovery as we begin to truly get out from under COVID,” comments Butch Spyridon, CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “On top of the enormous economic activity that benefits the city, being able to promote Music City for five hours on network television is the kind of advertising opportunity we could never afford.”

As previously announced, attendance was approximately 200,000 over the course of the night, according to NCVC estimates and the Metro Nashville Police Department. The show at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park was anchored by headliners Dierks Bentley and Lady A, with additional mainstage guests including Ingrid Andress and Breland.

 

Radio Personality Dennis Banka Elected Chairman Of Tennessee Association Of Broadcasters

Pictured (L-R): TAB President & CEO Chris Baker, WUCZ/WRKM owner and on-air personality Dennis Banka

At the Tennessee Association of Broadcaster’s Winter Board Meeting, WUCZ/WRKM owner and on-air personality Dennis Banka was elected as Chairman of the board of directors of Tennessee Association of Broadcasters. Banka, who reports to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, will serve in this position until January 2023.

The TAB is the trade association serving the local TV and radio stations across the state in the areas of advocacy, compliance, and public service.

 

PLA Media Adds Country-Rock Group, The Brethren, To Artist Roster

Pictured (L-R): The Brethren’s Lonnie Chapin, The Brethren’s Casey Parnell, PLA Media’s Pam Lewis, PLA Media’s Alyssa Hoffman, The Brethren’s Corey Parnell, The Brethren’s Chad Chapin, PLA Media’s Mark Logsdon, and manager Mike Kopp

PLA Media publicity firm has added emerging country-rock act, The Brethren, to its artist roster. The group is set to release their debut EP, Staring At Stars, this March.

The Brethren features two sets of brothers: Corey & Casey Parnell and Lonnie & Chad Chapin. Lonnie, the band’s Grammy and Dove award-winning bassist and Gospel Music Hall Of Fame alum, co-wrote the No. 1 hit song “If I Had To Die For Someone” for Christian rock band Petra before becoming a founding member of the Grammy-nominated band Tait with his brother Chad. Chad is a Grammy-nominated drummer, Dove award winner, twelve-time BMI Music award winner, and recipient of the BMI Song Of The Year award for his song “To Ever Live Without Me.” Lead vocalist and country songwriter Corey Parnell has shared stages with artists such as Kris Kristofferson, Trace Adkins, and Lindsay Ell, and has co-written songs for Steve Fee and Shannon Bex of Danity Kane. Casey, the lead guitarist, has recorded, written, and produced for Shannon Bex of MTV’s supergroup Danity Kane and Thunderstorm Artis of NBC’s The Voice.

“My friend Mike Kopp always has great taste in music, so, when he wanted to meet about The Brethren, I was intrigued. Undeniably tight family harmonies, well-written songs, and a confident stage presence delivered by four hunks who are just cool, nice, and grounded guys with a sense of humor… what can I say, give it a listen,” shares PLA Media owner Pam Lewis.

 

Country Music Success Stories Forms Distribution Partnership With CountryLine.TV

Award-winning broadcaster and podcaster Candy O’Terry and Music City Mentor founder Jacy Dawn Valeras have announced their podcast project, Country Music Success Stories, has formed a distribution partnership with UK-based CountryLine.TV.

Country Music Success Stories has featured conversations with Bobby Tomberlin, Lori McKenna, John Schneider, Collin Raye, Jamie O’Neil, Kent Blazy, and more. CountryLine.TV is a fan club app for country music fans. Available on Apple and Android devices and at CountryLine.TV, the app features exclusive interviews, sessions, playlists, podcasts, competitions, news, and more.

Season I of the podcast is available now on the CountryLine.TV app with Season II available in the near future.

“Country Music Success Stories was an obvious choice to bring to the CountryLine.TV app. It gives an intimate look behind the curtain of the real Nashville and the people that make Music City the success it is and it’s not afraid to ask the hard questions that the fans want to know the answers to,” comments CountryLine.TV Co-Founder and Creative Director, Nathalie Cox. “As a country music fan myself, it’s on my personal ‘must listen’ list!”

“CountryLine.TV is your ‘one-stop shop for all things country’ and I could not be prouder to be a part of it. Jacy and I look at every one of our interviews as treasures. Country Music Success Stories is heading straight to the UK and beyond with stories we have recorded in the living rooms, at the kitchen tables, and on the back porches of iconic country music giants. Fingers crossed that with every episode, fans are going to love these artists even more!” shares O’Terry.

“We are elated to partner with CountryLine.TV and to work with their incredible team. We are all connected through our deep love of country music and having the opportunity to bring our podcast to a wider audience through their platform, especially to our UK fans, is a dream come true!” states Valeras.

McBride & The Ride To Play First Nashville Show In 20 Years

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McBride & The Ride

McBride & The Ride will play their first show in Nashville in more than 20 years on Feb. 10 at 3rd & Lindsley.

The 90’s hitmakers, who reunited in 2021, will also be recording new music to be released later this year. The trio, composed of Terry McBride, Ray Herndon and Billy Thomas, are teaming up once again for the new project with producer and engineer Chuck Ainlay, who mixed and engineered their 1990 album, Burnin’ Up the Road.

Known for its three-part harmonies and honky-tonk sounds, the trio recorded four albums on MCA, racking up several top five singles and receiving CMA and ACM Nominations for Vocal Group of the Year before eventually disbanding in 1995.

In the years since, McBride has become a well-known Nashville songwriter, with more than 25 cuts from Brooks & Dunn, as well as tracks recorded by Garth Brooks, George Strait, Reba McEntire, and many more. He recently released his first solo album, Rebels & Angels, in October 2020.

Member Ray Herndon is Lyle Lovett’s longtime lead guitarist and member of his Large Band, while also being a successful songwriter, co-writing Kenny Chesney’s hit “Me and You.” Member Billy Thomas is Vince Gill’s longtime drummer, adding background vocals to many of his songs, and is also part of the revered Nashville-based Western Swing band, the Time Jumpers.

For more information on the upcoming show and to purchase tickets, click here.

Donovan Woods To Drop ‘Big Hurt Boy’ EP In March

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Donovan Woods. Photo: Bree Fischer

Donovan Woods is set to release his new EP, Big Hurt Boy, on March 18 via his own End Times Music. The JUNO award-winning vocalist debuted a new single from the project, “I Won’t Mention It Again” available now.

Riffing on a lyric from a Martin Simpson song (“Never Any Good”), the six-song collection explores how our failures, and our fixations on them, shape and enlighten us. Woods released a first taste of Big Hurt Boy, the tearjerker “I Hope You Change Your Mind,” co-written with David Hodges this past fall.

“I write about them again and again, just hoping people will still be interested,” Woods notes of the project. “So the title is poking fun of myself, that I’m theoretically this big sad guy who keeps getting dumped and writing songs about it,” he notes.

The release wraps a transformative year for Woods, which began with the release of a deluxe edition of his acclaimed 2020 album, Without People, which included a duet with singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan on “Iowa,” and a foray into anthemic dance pop as the featured vocalist on Dabin & Nurko’s “When This Is Over.”

Woods will head out on tour across Canada in support of the new project, with U.S. dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

Big Hurt Boy Track List:
01. I Won’t Mention It Again
02. Leave When You Go [feat. Ralph]
03. I Hope You Change Your Mind
04. Cheyenne
05. A Picture Of Us Smiling At A Party 5 Years Ago
06. No Time Soon

Johnny Dailey Inks Publishing Deal With Endurance Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): EMG’s Courtney Kruckeberg and Michael Martin, Johnny Dailey, and EMG’s Lauren Funk

Endurance Music Group has signed breakthrough country songwriter and artist Johnny Dailey to a global publishing agreement.

Part of the Morris Higham Management roster, Dailey landed in Nashville by way of Charleston, South Carolina, where he played original songs on the city’s infamous King Street. He signed his first publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music in 2019. The Alabama native released his debut single, “Burns Like Whiskey,” in 2021, followed by “Driving Things Around” and “24.”

Endurance Music Group President Michael Martin comments: “I first met Johnny at an ASCAP showcase at the Bluebird Cafe, and I was immediately drawn to his obvious writing talent and incredible voice. I soon learned that not only is he an impressive songwriter, he is also a dedicated family man with the kind of character and integrity that Endurance strives to represent. The EMG team welcomes Johnny, and we are thrilled to be on this creative journey with him and his management team of Clint Higham and Kyle Quigley. Country music, get ready, here comes Johnny Dailey!”

“I couldn’t be more excited to work with Michael Martin and the Endurance team,” Dailey shares. “I’ve respected Michael since the day I met him because of his passion for songwriters and a great song. I’m thankful for this team’s belief in me and my music, and I look forward to what we will create together!”

“We are delighted Johnny joins the exceptional roster at Endurance Music Group,” adds Morris Higham’s Quigley. “Michael Martin and the Endurance team bring great passion, strategic vision, and experience, creating an environment for Johnny to thrive. We look forward to the journey ahead!”

Daily was a featured performer on ASCAP’s notable 30A Songwriters Festival showcases earlier this month. His upcoming single, “Trouble,” is set for release on Feb. 4 with his debut EP, Dillashaw, to follow in early March.

Keith Urban Takes Over Some Of Adele’s Caesars Palace Dates For His Las Vegas Residency

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Keith Urban. Photo: Andy Snyder

Keith Urban has announced five new performance dates for his Las Vegas residency, “Keith Urban Live – Las Vegas.”

Hosted at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, the added shows will take place March 25, 26 and 30, and April 1 and 2. The new dates will take place ahead of the previously announced Memorial Day Weekend shows on May 27 – 29.

Some of Urban’s new dates were originally slated to host British pop singer Adele‘s residency, “Weekends With Adele.” Scheduled to perform two shows each weekend until April, the entertainer suddenly cancelled all 24 shows only 24 hours before she was due to play the first show on Jan. 21. In an Instagram post, Adele cited issues due to COVID and delivery delays as her reason for cancellation.

Packed with hit songs, showmanship and signature unpredictability, Urban’s residency shows are billed as an arena-sized production in a theater setting, up close and personal.

Tickets go on sale to the public starting Monday, Jan. 31 at 12 p.m. CT. Members of The ‘Ville, Keith Urban’s official fan club, and Citi cardholders now have access to a presale.

Urban will also be hitting the road for the North American leg of his “The Speed Of Now World Tour” on June 17 at Tampa’s MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre. Ingrid Andress will join him.

Spotify For Artists Launches New ‘Made To Be Found’ Microsite

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Spotify for Artists has launched Made to be Found, a new website aimed to serve as a guide for artists to understand the different ways music is discovered by fans on Spotify.

Made to Be Found details how music goes from distribution and playlist pitching, to three key pathways to reaching listeners: editorial curation by Spotify (Lorem, New Music Friday), personalized algorithmic recommendations (Discover Weekly, Radio & Autoplay, Mixes, Songs to Sing in the Shower), and fan-led streaming (fan-made or artist playlists, artist profiles, catalog pages). Through the new site, Spotify will recommend actions artists can take to grow and engage their audiences on the platform.

Spotify is also rolling out a new beta feature in Spotify for Artists that provides a detailed view of the source of streams. Breaking down each track, artists will be able to see how each source is contributing to their music over the past month across their full catalog. The feature also includes engagement stats, such as streams per listener, saves, and playlist adds.

The company is also investing in tools to help artists build fanbases on the platform, outlining ways for artists to take control of their growth on Spotify. Some of these strategies include perfecting artist profiles, pitching to playlist editors, sharing music through Spotify’s social integrations, creating Promo Cards, uploading Canvases to tracks, and creating Marquee campaigns.

To learn more about the new Made to be Found website and Spotify’s new artist-focused features, click here.

Big Machine Label Group Elevates Three In Royalty Department

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Pictured (L-R): Kimberly Baker, Amanda Duke, Kaitlyn Russell.

Big Machine Label Group has promoted Kimberly Baker to Director of Royalty Accounting and Income Analysis, as well as Amanda Duke and Kaitlyn Russell to Royalty Analysts.

As Director of Royalty Accounting and Income Analysis, Baker is responsible for overseeing contractual payments and detailed earnings reporting for all Big Machine Label Group artists, producers and publishers.

Baker is supported by Duke and Russell, who together support finance operations across BMLG’s four imprints: Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co., BMLG Records and Big Machine/John Varvatos Records.

Joining the label group in 2016 as Senior Royalty Analyst, Baker shares: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with the exceptional team at Big Machine. I look forward to expanding my role as we continue our journey together.”

Baker, Duke, and Russell can be reached at kimberly.baker@bmlg.net, amanda.duke@bmlg.net, and kaitlyn.russell@bmlg.net, respectively.