Ben Cantelon Joins Provident Entertainment As Sr. Director, A&R

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Ben Cantelon

Worship leader, songwriter, and producer Ben Cantelon has joined Provident Entertainment as Senior Director of A&R.

Cantelon has co-written songs with Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham, Matt Redman, Maverick City, Newsboys, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Matt Maher, Michael W. Smith, Passion and many more. He has released five projects as a worship artist with Survivor Records and Kingsway Music, and has also held the role of worship leader and pastor at Soul Survivor, Holy Trinity Brompton, and Worship Central in the UK.

In 2017, Cantelon and his family relocated from the UK to Nashville, where he signed a publishing deal with Capitol CMG.

“We are thrilled to have Ben join us at Provident,” says Blaine Barcus, SVP, A&R at Provident Entertainment. “His diverse background as an artist, worship leader, songwriter, and producer will be a huge benefit to our A&R team and the creatives he will serve/support. Most of all, Ben is a person who loves artists and understands their hearts.”

Nashville Songwriters Association International Recognizes BMG’s Hartwig Masuch

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Pictured (L-R): NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison and BMG Publishing’s CEO Hartwig Masuch

The Nashville Songwriters Association International’s (NSAI) 27-member songwriter Board of Directors has unanimously adopted a special resolution which recognizes BMG Publishing’s CEO Hartwig Masuch for his philosophy and actions to value songwriters.

This is the first time NSAI has recognized a publishing company CEO in this way. His philosophy, which states “BMG works for songwriters and artists. They don’t work for us,” is accompanied by a BMG mission statement that also speaks to transparency when it comes to paying their songwriter partners.

The Resolution reads as follows:

“The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) recognizes Hartwig Masuch, Chief Executive Officer of BMG, a Bertelsmann group division.

The all-songwriter NSAI Board of Directors (unanimously voted) recognizes Masuch for his many contributions, but specifically for his demonstrations of being a creator-friendly industry leader. Under his guidance the company’s stated vision is:

‘A world in which every songwriter and artist gets to achieve their potential and receives a fair reward for doing so. Music isn’t just another business. Music is created by individuals, each of them on their own creative journey taking huge risks. The fruits of that creativity need to be paid for, fairly and efficiently. BMG aligns itself with the interests of the creative community of music.’

NSAI points to Masuch eliminating the so-called Controlled Composition clause, a practice where songwriters are asked to take a reduce royalty rate to have a song placed on an album. BMG also undertook an unprecedented review of its historic recording contracts and accelerated royalty payouts, which NSAI applauds.

Other songwriters specific company philosophies under Hartwig’s watch include:

Ambition: To be the best company in music to do business with. BMG works for songwriters and artists. They don’t work for us.

Fairness: The music industry has not always been known for treating songwriters and artists fairly. For BMG it’s an article of faith running through every department in the company. Fairness means no hidden costs or deductions. Fairness means no backdoor deals designed to enrich the company at the expense of the client. Fairness is treating your clients like partners.

Be in therefore resolved that the NSAI Board of Directors recognizes, appreciates and salutes Hartwig Masuch for his leadership in valuing songwriters, artists and everyone involved in the creative process.”

Reba’s Former Estate At Cherokee Dock To Become 5-Star Event Venue & Resort

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The Estate At Cherokee Dock, the former home of country music star Reba McEntire, is under new management with plans of being transformed into a 5-star luxury event venue and resort by Nashville-based Infinity Hospitality.

Originally built in 1960, the nearly 13,000 sq. ft. Southern Colonial mansion in Lebanon, Tennessee opened as an event center in 2017. Secluded on approximately 15 acres of Old Hickory Lake waterfront property, the estate and venue accommodates up to 30 guests. The estate has hosted various celebrity events over the years with the most recent being ABC’s The Bachelor Ben Higgins’ recent wedding to Jessica Clarke.

The Estate at Cherokee Dock has various entertaining spaces, both indoors and out, including a lakeside dock, original gardens, high-end equestrian facility, paddocks, guest house, pool house, movie theater, outdoor tented pavilion and more.

“Infinity Hospitality is thrilled to provide an event and lodging experience second to none in Tennessee, with full-service event design and planning, an on-site culinary program, custom bar selections, and vendor management for all services needed to create a once-in-a-lifetime event,” says Nathaniel Beaver, CEO of Infinity Hospitality. “In addition, Cherokee Dock’s hospitality director will also coordinate additional on-site amenities such as spa treatments, boating, fishing, golf, horseback riding, corporate team building activities, and live music for any occasion.”

Mickey Guyton Celebrates The Holiday Season With New Cracker Barrel Special

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Mickey Guyton performs “O Holy Night” as part of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store’s “Sounds of the Season: Together Again” holiday special, available on the brand’s YouTube and Facebook channels beginning Dec. 15.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will present “Sounds of the Season: Together Again,” a holiday special with songs and conversations from three-time Grammy award-winning and multi-Platinum artist Pentatonix and country music entertainer Mickey Guyton.

The artists will showcase their own takes on Christmas songs while sharing their favorite holiday traditions. The 30-minute holiday feature, including new and timeless classics, such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Evergreen,” “O Holy Night,” “How Great Thou Art” and more, will be available to stream on Cracker Barrel’s YouTube and Facebook channels beginning Dec. 15.

“I’m so excited to join Cracker Barrel in spreading holiday cheer and care this holiday season,” shares Guyton. “The holiday season is a special time for families across the country to celebrate together. While we all have our own traditions, it’s been inspiring to come together with Pentatonix to celebrate our unique takes on these holiday favorites.”

“As friends and families reunite this year after spending recent holidays apart, we are excited to celebrate the season through music with Cracker Barrel’s second edition of ‘Sounds of the Season: Together Again,'” Cracker Barrel Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jennifer Tate says. “We hope the songs, new and old, as well as the meaningful discussions Pentatonix and Mickey have in this year’s holiday special inspire viewers to consider how they can welcome a diverse range of people, thoughts and traditions to their table this holiday season.”

Country Thunder Roars Back To Bristol With Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, More

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After October’s sell-out event, Country Thunder Bristol is expanding into a two-day experience next fall. Headliners Jason Aldean and Morgan Wallen will perform at the historic Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 30-Oct. 1.

Hardy, Lauren Alaina, Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Kameron Marlowe, MacKenzie Porter, and Ian Munsick, are also on the bill for the 2022 show. More artists will be added to the lineup in the coming weeks.

“The fans in Bristol, and indeed, the entire Tri-Cities area have spoken,” says Country Thunder Music Festivals CEO, Troy Vollhoffer. “We have made so many wonderful new friends in this part of the world that we can’t wait to get back. The camping culture is huge in so many Country Thunder markets, and I see it growing here now that we are a multi-day event. Add that to the history and electricity of Bristol Motor Speedway and you have one incredible event!”

General Admission, Platinum Experience, Gold Circle, Camping and all the extras are available now at countrythunder.com to purchase, or by phone at 1-866-388-0007.

Industry Ink: Nashville Cartel, The Kentucky Headhunters, Bre Kennedy

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Nashville Cartel Hosts Fundraiser Event With Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann, More

Pictured (L-R): Bigg Vinny, Jared Blake, Lee Brice, Stetson Pollard, Jessica Andrews, James Otto, Jerrod Niemann and Jimmy Wayne. Photo: Justin Hammond

Nashville Cartel hosted a fundraiser at Whiskey Room Live in Franklin, Tennessee on Sunday, Dec. 5. The night featured performances from Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann, Bigg Vinny, Jared Blake, Jessica Andrews, Jimmy Wayne, and James Otto.

The event, which included a silent auction, was emceed by Bigg Vinny and Blake and benefitted charities in the Middle Tennessee area. It also honored special guest Stetson Pollard, who was gifted a red and white Fender guitar by the Live To Be charity, signed by all of the evening’s performers.

“Stetson has sensory processing disorder. His love of music gives him peace, and Live To Be gave him a brand new guitar to help bring him more of that peace,” said Autumn Pollard, Stetson’s mother. “It was such a wonderful night for our family, and Stetson had so much fun. This charity is amazing; what they do for children is just beautiful.”

 

The Kentucky Headhunters Make Grand Ole Opry Debut, 30 Years In The Making

The Kentucky Headhunters make their Grand Ole Opry debut on Sat., Dec. 4 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Chris Hollo

Grammy award-winning southern rock, blues and country group The Kentucky Headhunters officially made their Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, Dec. 4. The evening marked the band’s first Opry performance in their 30-year career.

During their set, the Headhunters performed “Dumas Walker,” “Stumblin,'” and their new Christmas tune, “Let’s All Get Together and Fight.” They left the stage to a standing ovation.

Guitarist and vocalist Richard Young explains: “Living just north of the Grand Ole Opry in Edmonton, Kentucky, I guess we never completely understood how fortunate we were to have such a monument of American history at our back door and that folks travel worldwide to come and be a part of the Opry experience. It’s kind of like folks who live in New York City who have never visited the Statue of Liberty.”

He continues, “That all changed for The Kentucky Headhunters the moment we arrived and stepped off our bus. From the time we entered the Grand Ole Opry, everything became very electric and almost surreal! Meeting all the wonderful folks who work there and their help to make our Opry debut a one-of-a-kind experience, as well as the Opry crowd’s response to our performance, was nothing short of overwhelming. I must say the cherry on top was to see how proud our family and friends were of us to accomplish this wonderful milestone in our musical career. We kinda felt like Dorothy when she landed in Oz!”

 

Nettwerk Records Adds Bre Kennedy To Artist Roster

Bre Kennedy signs with Nettwerk Records

Singer-songwriter Bre Kennedy has signed with Nettwerk Records.

For many years, Kennedy has written with and for other artists. However, now she is letting her own music take center stage. Throughout her music, Kennedy touches on themes of life’s messy moments and self-growth. The singer has opened for artists such as Sheryl Crow, Gary Clark Jr. and Birdtalker.

In 2019, she released her Jealous of Birds EP, which was followed by her 2020 Twenty Something EP. Her debut album, Note To Self, is available everywhere now.

Kennedy is expected to release new music in the coming weeks.

Matthew West To Embark On ‘The Brand New Tour’ In 2022

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Matthew West will kick off the new year with his 34-city “The Brand New Tour,” featuring special guests Anne Wilson, CAIN, Jordan Feliz and Hannah Kerr.

The tour, promoted by Premier Productions, will launch Feb. 3 in Williamsport, Maryland. The trek will make stops in Dallas, Atlanta, Columbus, Baton Rouge, Jacksonville, Detroit and more before wrapping on May 7 in Lexington, Kentucky. Tickets are available now.

“I am so excited to hit the road this spring on ‘The Brand New Tour’ with an awesome lineup of talented artists and friends,” says West. “After the disappointment of COVID concert cancellations and postponements, I’m feeling like a kid again. I can’t believe I get to do what I do for a living, getting on a tour bus and playing live music for people. It all feels brand new again and I can’t wait!”

He continues, “Most importantly though, this world has been through a hard season like I’ve never witnessed. I’m praying that each night on this tour will be a powerful reminder for all who attend that we serve a God who promises to do a new thing! It’s a brand new year, a brand new beginning and a brand new tour! Let’s go!”

“The Brand New Tour” Dates:
Feb 3, 2022 Williamsport, MD
Feb 4, 2022 Lexington, SC
Feb 6, 2022 Naples, FL
Feb 8, 2022 Toccoa Falls, GA
Feb 10, 2022 Ashland, KY
Feb 11, 2022 Bartlett, TN
Feb 12, 2022 West Monroe, LA
Feb 13, 2022 Allen, TX
Feb 17, 2022 Mt. Vernon, IL
Feb 18, 2022 Baton Rouge, LA
Feb 19, 2022 Tupelo, MS
Feb 20, 2022 Bowling Green, KY
Mar 24, 2022 Lubbock, TX
Mar 25, 2022 Tyler, TX
Mar 26, 2022 Austin, TX
Mar 27, 2022 Beaumont TX
Mar 28, 2022 Brandon , MS
Mar 31, 2022 Meridian, MS
Apr 1, 2022 Warner Robins , GA
Apr 2, 2022 Woodstock, GA
Apr 3, 2022 Jacksonville, FL
Apr 7, 2022 Raytown, MO
Apr 8, 2022 Alma, AR
Apr 10, 2022 O'Fallon, IL
Apr 21, 2022 Camp Hill, PA
Apr 22, 2022 Mansfield, OH
Apr 24, 2022 Columbus, OH
Apr 26, 2022 Burlington, NC
Apr 28, 2022 Pensacola, FL
Apr 29, 2022 Montgomery, AL
May 1, 2022 Panama City, FL
May 5, 2022 Detroit, MI
May 6, 2022 McMurray, PA
May 7, 2022 Lexington, KY

Integrity Music Launches Integrated Music Rights Service Led By Greg Bays, Jonathan Lane

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Greg Bays  & Jonathan Lane

Integrity Music has launched its Integrated Music Rights distribution and song publishing administration service. The effort will be spearheaded by industry veterans Greg Bays, Integrity’s Vice President of Digital Business & Commercial Partnerships, and Jonathan Lane, Integrity’s Senior Director of Music Administration.

The new service will offer playlisting, full-service accounting, and royalty-processing services for independent artists and songwriters within the worship genre. This one-stop solution provides access to a team with extensive marketplace insights, and can help simplify business and infrastructure needs.

“Integrity is fiercely supportive of independent artistry in the worship community, and we are firmly committed to a belief in the biblical concept of the priesthood of all believers, and the idea that in the life of the worshiping church around the world, everybody has a part to play,” says Jonathan Brown, President of Integrity Music. “With our expanded services through Integrated Music Rights, we are putting those ideas into practice by equipping emerging and established independent worship artists and writers to find global highways that can help their songs connect with worshipers worldwide.”

“We take care of the business so our creative partners can do what they do best,” adds Bays. “Over the last ten years, the market has shifted rapidly, helping independent artists find unprecedented opportunities to reach their audience through global streaming platforms. Our team provides hands-on experience and insights to help artists maximize and accelerate their growth potential.”

Round Hill Records Adds Brian Hay As Head Of Catalog

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Brian Hay. Photo: Imani Givertz

Round Hill Records has added industry veteran Brian Hay as the company’s new Head Of Catalog. Hay will relocate from Los Angeles to Nashville, the company’s new headquarters, to develop product and marketing plans around the Round Hill Records’ growing catalog. He will also seek out catalogs acquisitions and find new ways to help artists grow their audience and revenue.

Prior to joining Round Hill, Hay was Sr. VP Commerce, Consumption & New Business at Rhino Records. Before that, he spent almost a decade as VP of Global Account Management for WEA at iTunes.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Brian to our growing Round Hill Records team given his vast experience in modernizing catalog recordings for the digital age. His leadership skills, rational demeanor, and genuine passion for music history make him an ideal fit to oversee all aspects of our catalog division. We’re also stoked that Brian will be joining us here in Nashville at our new label HQ,” says Joe Calitri, president of Round Hill Records.

“I’ve been really lucky to live in so many amazing places doing something I love: selling and marketing great music,” adds Hay. “The chance to live in a music first town like Nashville and get to work at an ambitious and rapidly growing label like Round Hill was just what I wanted as my next chapter. I worked with Joe when he was at FBR. He is a strategic leader who loves music and cares about people.”

Inside Music City’s Coolest New Venue: Brooklyn Bowl Nashville [Interview]

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Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Nick LeTellier

Nestled in the heart of downtown Nashville is one of Music City’s newest and most unique live entertainment venues: Brooklyn Bowl Nashville.

As the third location of the Brooklyn Bowl franchise, following the opening of locations in New York and Las Vegas, the multi-concept venue is the home to more than just music. In addition to its 1,200 capacity live music space, with top-grade production, Brooklyn Bowl also features 19 bowling lanes with screens displaying the shows happening in real-time. The space also offer patrons multiple bars stocked with local craft beer favorites, a full dining menu from Blue Ribbon Restaurant Group, and a scenic patio overlooking the Nashville Sounds’ First Horizon Park.

Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Nick LeTellier

“It’s unlike anything else,” Brooklyn Bowl Nashville’s General Manager, Sara Barnett, shares with MusicRow. “We want it to be a destination where you don’t just come for the show and then you leave right after the show is over. We want people to come early, eat, bowl a few games, stay for the show, and then, if they want to hang out and have a few more drinks, they can hang out on the patio. We want them to stay as long as they want and do all the things.”

Originally slated to make its grand opening on March 13, 2020, the venue and its staff has experienced their fair share of ups, downs, and adjustments as they’ve navigated their way through opening during a global pandemic.

Officially opening its doors on June 25, Brooklyn Bowl welcomed Nashville’s own Old Crow Medicine Show for two nights. Since its opening nearly six months ago, the venue has hosted performances from an eclectic range of artists such as Kip Moore, Jon Pardi, Sheryl Crow, Ingrid Andress, Leon Bridges, Moon Taxi, Madison Beer, Waterparks, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and many others. Brooklyn Bowl was also able to partner with this year’s annual AmericanaFest to host some of the conference’s events.

Barnett, a Nashville native who has worked in hospitality since she was 18 years old, has made stops as the general manager at Butchertown Hall and as assistant general manager at ACME Feed & Seed before joining the Brooklyn Bowl team. “This opportunity [with Brooklyn Bowl Nashville] came along and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. How could I not?’ I get to work in a bar, be around live music, and work for this amazing company with owners that truly care about music and people. It’s a dream job, and it really has turned out to be,” she says.

Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Nick LeTellier

Meanwhile, focused on the live entertainment side of the business, is Brooklyn Bowl’s Talent Buyer & Director of Booking Colin Keegan. He first gained experience as sales manager for the Manhattan Center in New York before joining Brooklyn Bowl’s original location in 2016 as assistant talent buyer. “I grew up in Georgia, so I’m familiar with the south. I’m excited to be back and really excited to bring an A+ music venue here and share in the fun times of all these bands, the good food, and everything else [Brooklyn Bowl offers],” he shares.

“That’s what we’re in this industry for: to share the times with the people that pay money to see this stuff,” he continues. “We’ve been really lucky to work with such incredible artists and be a vessel for these bands to be able to play in front of people who love them after a year and a half [of not being able to play].”

With so many loved and historic venues in Nashville that bring with them their own fan clubs, what sets Brooklyn Bowl apart from the rest?

Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Nick LeTellier

“The capacity that we’re at is a perfect capacity for the city. It’s between a lot of venues like Marathon and the Ryman, so we fit a nice crowd in the city,” offers Keegan. “We’re coming from New York into Nashville, but we clearly respect and love going to see shows at the Ryman, Marathon, Basement East, Exit/In, and all those places.”

He continues, “We offer something that’s different, though. The bowling aspect is really fun and the sound and lights are great here too. We try to create a space where people will come out, have a lot of fun, feel safe, and see the band that they love. We’re going to continue doing that and hopefully people will start to love us more. We’ll keep going one foot in front of the other.”

With an all-star staff that boasts over 65 years of combined music industry experience, Brooklyn Bowl Nashville has already made quite the impression in Music City, earning a nomination for Best New Concert Venue at the 33rd Annual Pollstar Awards. With such early attention and acclaim, Brooklyn Bowl Nashville is embarking on what’s sure to be a long and happy future in Music City.

“At the original location, they have a lot of regulars. It would be outstanding if we had people that just come to Brooklyn Bowl on Friday nights to hang out,” Barnett says. “Even if they don’t know the band, they know they’re going to have a great time and they’ll buy a ticket just to come for the whole experience.”

“Our goal is to continue to be a place that people love, whether it’s the 10th time they’ve been here or the first,” Keegan sums. “We want to make it a stop that not only fans and artists like to come to but, eventually, people from all over come for a weekend to see a show. My goal is to just keep doing what we’re doing and be happy doing it.”

Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Nick LeTellier