Industry Ink: Justin Morgan, SMACK, Dylan Taylor

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Justin Morgan Inks Publishing Deal With BMG, Centricity

Pictured (L-R): Justin Nicolet (Centricity), Justin Morgan, Chris Oglesby (BMG), Chad Segura (Centricity)

Justin Morgan has signed a worldwide publishing deal with BMG, in partnership with Centricity.

A native of Texas, Morgan’s cuts have amassed over 20 million on-demand streams, including with contemporary Christian artists Audio Adrenaline, Aaron Shust, Caitie Hurst, Meredith Andrews, and Lydia Laird as well as with country music acts Runaway June, Home Free, Jackson Michelson, Sykamore, DJ Silver, King Calaway, Lauren Duski and more.

“When worlds collide in a creative way, amazing things happen,” says BMG’s VP of Creative, Chris Oglesby. “Justin knows what to do with a song and a track. Privileged to lock arms with him and Centricity on raising the bar.”

“We love working with Justin and have had a very fruitful relationship thus far,” adds VP of Centricity, Chad Segura. “As we’ve watched him grow and branch out into new genres, we’ve been excited about the idea of adding the expertise of another team to the mix for this next season. BMG was the absolute perfect fit. We’re big fans of Chris Oglesby, and his team, and can’t wait to see what our combined efforts will generate in the days ahead!”

“Signing this deal feels like coming home,” says Morgan. “I’ve worked with Chad and Justin at Centricity for years and have been close with Chris and the team at BMG for a while as well. Having champions in both camps is incredible. The Lord knows what he’s doing bringing people together, and I can’t wait to see what we can make happen as a team.”

SMACK Adds Danielle Veronneau As Catalog Manager, Operations Coordinator

Danielle Veronneau

Publishing, management, and artist development company, SMACK, has added Danielle Veronneau to its team as Catalog Manager & Operations Coordinator.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Veronneau studied at Belmont University and graduated from Quinnipiac University. In her new role, she will manage all aspects of the publishing house’s song catalogue, including its more than 50 No. 1 country radio hits, and roster of more than 20 writers.

Veronneau can be reached at danielle@smacksongs.com.

 

Dylan Taylor Signs Publishing Deal With Bluewater Music

Dylan Taylor

Recording artist, songwriter and multi-media artist Dylan Taylor has signed a worldwide publishing and administration deal with Bluewater Music.

Originally from Atlanta, Taylor spent most of her formative years in Nashville, releasing her own material and collaborating with her band Hippie Speedball. Her songs have been licensed for several US television programs, including The L Word, Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Washington Heights.

As part of the publishing and administration deal, Bluewater Music will help Taylor with opportunities in the U.S. and internationally both as a writer and artist through their global creative and administrative network.

“Dylan fully embodies what Bluewater look for in songwriters and she has a fantastic work ethic,” says Liam McMellon, creative director of Bluewater Music. “We’ve been a fan of her songs for some time and we’re excited to be teaming up with Dylan for this next stage of her career.”

“I’m beyond excited to be joining forces with Bluewater Music,” adds Dylan. “I can’t think of a better place to be sending my songs and growing as a songwriter. The best is yet to come!”

Chase Rice Partners With Forward Hospitality Group To Bring New Venue To Ohio

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Chase Rice. Photo: Mike Lerner

Chase Rice is adding entertainment venue partner to his resume. The multi-Platinum artist announced his partnership with Forward Hospitality Group to bring a new venue to Cleveland, Ohio in December 2021.

The space will be called Welcome To The Farm, and will offer live music, drinks and bar food. The 5,250 sq. ft. new building is located in the the Flats East Bank entertainment district, situated directly on the Cuyahoga River as it flows into nearby Lake Erie. Forward Hospitality Group, which operates 15 total venues, also owns FWD and Good Night John Boy within the development.

“We’ve been working on this for a while and I’m excited to finally let everyone in on the secret,” shares Rice of the venture. “I’ve had a blast learning about another side of the entertainment and hospitality industry and getting to put my stamp on things at Welcome to the Farm. I can’t wait to welcome y’all in December!”

Ohio is a special place to Rice, whose late father grew up in the Columbus area and played football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

“Not only is Ohio special to me as an artist and because of my dad’s connection to the area, but Cleveland itself is also a really inspiring city as a musician,” adds Rice. “It’s awesome to know that we’ll be just a mile down the road from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which is home to people like The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana, Tom Petty and so many more who have all had a huge impact on my career.”

Appropriately, Rice’s new single, “If I Were Rock & Roll,” highlights the singer’s love for country and rock & roll.

Dan + Shay Cancel Upcoming Arena Stops In Orlando & Atlanta

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Dan + Shay performing at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Catherine Powell

Grammy-winning country duo Dan + Shay have cancelled their upcoming arena shows at Orlando, Florida’s Amway Center (Nov. 4) and Atlanta, Georgia’s State Farm Arena (Nov. 5) due to a rogue case of COVID-19 within their touring crew.

As a result of routing conflicts and previously confirmed 2022 dates, the cancelled shows are not able to be re-booked for a later date. Refunds will be available at point of purchase.

As of now, Dan + Shay are still slated to play their upcoming show at Omaha’s CHI Health Center on Nov. 12.

“A member of our immediate touring party has tested positive for COVID-19 and to protect the safety of our fans and everyone around us, we will sadly have to cancel the upcoming dates,” the pair share on social media. “We know a lot of y’all have traveled or plan to travel for these shows, and it breaks our hearts to let you down.”

They continue: “Thanks to the folks who were planning to attend the shows this week for understanding. We’ve been looking forward to them (for literally 2 years now), but promise we’ll make it up to you in a big way soon.”

Like most tours, the “Dan + Shay The (Arena) Tour” has overcome multiple setbacks since its launch in March of 2020. Only days after its opening night at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, the tour was forced to a halt due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. However, the revamped 2021 installment of the tour kicked off on Sept. 9 in South Carolina, and will wrap at Boston’s TD Garden on Dec. 7.

To offset the bad news, Dan + Shay also shared that they have big things in store this holiday season, the first of which will be unveiled on Wednesday morning (Nov. 3). The multi-Platinum selling artists will also join Kenny Chesney on his “Here And Now 2022” Tour, along with Old Dominion and Carly Pearce.

Kristian Bush Honors Southern Roots With New Album ‘Troubadour’

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Kristian Bush is diving into his Appalachian roots with his new album Troubadour, due out Nov. 19. The throwback lead single from the project, “Hunt Dog Hunt,” is set for release Nov. 5.

The 16-song collection is the soundtrack to Bush’s country music musical of the same name, which debuted at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre earlier this year. Bush is featured as a co-writer on all of the project’s tracks.

Half of the Grammy-winning country duo Sugarland, Bush grew up in East Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains surrounded by mountain music and rich bluegrass. Troubadour fittingly begins with traditional 1930’s bluegrass, progressing through the decades reflecting an Americana dynamic.

Bush assembled a group of players and recorded the album live in one room in his Atlanta studio. The group honed the blend of harmonies until they mimicked what Bush remembered hearing in church as a child.

“It’s a very spooky thing when we get it right,” Bush explains. “You don’t know where one note ends and the other begins. They all start to move together, and they’re making a color that only people from the mountains make.”

He continues, “One way or another, where you grew up is what’s in your bones. As many wonderful, crazy opportunities as I get in my life to go play music, you have to know where you’re from because otherwise, you’ll have no idea where you’re going. This record is me.”

Lee Greenwood Announces ’40 Years Of Hits’ Tour

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Lee Greenwood is launching his “40 Years of Hits Tour” in January. The country music icon will visit over 40 cities, including Orlando, Honolulu, Milwaukee, Houston, Dallas and more through September 2022.

“This announcement is only the beginning of what is shaping up to be a record year for us,” says Greenwood. “I have not done such a major tour in many years, normally it is one or two in a row and back home. This tour is going to have me performing at places from small to large, fair to festival, and everything in between.”

This year marked Greenwood’s official 40 Years of Hits celebration, recognizing his career as an artist, musician, songwriter, and philanthropist since his emergence on the national charts. With over twenty top 10 singles; garnering Grammy, CMA, and ACM awards; and his stellar rise in the wake of “God Bless the USA,” Greenwood has cemented a permanent place amidst the  legends of American music.

Last month he was honored in the All-Star Salute to Lee Greenwood, which featured top name artists in a celebration at Huntsville’s Von Braun Center. The concert footage is set for a trio of television specials to air in 2022.

2022 Lee Greenwood Tour Dates:
1/15-1/18 – Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. – Country Music Cruise
1/20-1/23 – Las Vegas, Nev. – PVT
2/4-2/15 – Honolulu, Hawaii – PVT
2/25 – Reidsville, N.C. – Showcase Theater
2/26 – Liberty, N.C. – Showcase Theater
3/4 – Newberry, S.C. – Opera House
3/5 – Columbia, Tenn. – The Mulehouse
3/7-3/8 – Orlando, Fla. – PVT
3/9 – Plant City, Fla. – Strawberry Fest
3/10 – Daytona, Fla. – Full Throttle Bike Week
3/12 – Weirsdale, Fla. – Orange Blossom Opry
3/13 – Ft Pierce, Fla. – Sunrise Theater
3/22 – Crossville, Tenn. – Palace Theater
3/31 – Wausau, Wisc. – Grand Theater
4/1 – Sheboygan, Wisc. – Weill Center
4/2 – Eau Claire, Wisc. – Pablo Center
4/8 – Watseka, Ill. – Watseka Theater
4/9 – St Charles, Ill. – Arcada Theater
4/28 – Mayetta, Kansas – Prairie Band Casino
4/29 – Mahnomen, Minn. – Shooting Star Casino
4/30 – Onamia, Minn. – Grand Casino
5/1 – Ottumwa, Iowa – Bridgeview Center
5/12 – Milwaukee, Wisc. – Pabst Theater
5/13 – Green Bay, Wisc. – Meyer Theater
5/14 – Marion, Ill. – Civic Center
5/20 – Galveston, Texas – PVT
5/28 – Houston, Texas – PVT
6/18 – Anoka, Minn. – PVT
6/24 – Fredericksburg, Texas – Rockbox Theater
6/26 – Dallas, Texas – PVT
7/4 – Clarksville, Tenn. – American Countess
7/7 – Clayton, N.Y. – Opera House
7/8 – Niagra Falls, N.Y. – Bears Den Casino
7/9 – Niagra Falls, N.Y. – Bears Den Casino
7/10 – Clarksville, Tenn. – American Queen
7/11 – Clarksville, Tenn. – American Queen
8/3 – Albert Lea, MN – Freeborn County Fair
8/5 – Waco, TX – PVT
9/16 – Fresno, CA – PVT
9/17 – Lodi, CA – Grape Fest
9/22 – Richfield, UT – RHS Theater
9/23 – Cedar City, UT – Heritage Theater
9/24 – Vernal, UT – Western Park Amp

Tyler Braden Unveils Plans For Debut EP ‘What Do They Know’

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Warner Music Nashville’s Tyler Braden will release his debut EP What Do They Know on Nov. 19.

With already released tracks “Ways To Miss You,” “Secret,” and “What Do They Know,” the rising country artist had a hand in writing every song on the 7-piece collection. Joined by other writers like Jason Nix, Mark Holman, James McNair, Brian Davis, and more, the EP was produced by Randy Montana, Holman, and Adam Wood.

“So excited to announce my debut EP What Do They Know,” says Braden. “This project is so special to me and the title track are words I live by. It’s about following the dream, whatever that may be to you, and ignoring the naysayers and proving yourself right.”

Braden will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on Jan. 8 after being invited by his former co-worker and friend Chief Brian Goss from Brentwood Fire Department at his first annual Engine Co. 18 Golf Tournament. The Alabama native spent over seven years as a firefighter and first responder until signing his major label deal.

With more than 70 million streams and a growing list of major tour credits, Braden will hit the road on Brantley Gilbert’s “The Worst Country Tour Of All Time” kicking off Nov. 18 in Knoxville, Tenn. Braden was also nominated for MusicRow‘s 2021 Discovery Artist of the Year at the 33rd Annual MusicRow Awards.

What Do They Know Track List:
1. Better Off (Tyler Braden/ Jason Nix)*
2. What I See (Tyler Braden/Mark Holman/James McNair)*
3. Ways To Miss You (Tyler Braden/Mark Holman/Michael Whitworth)**
4. Try Losing One (Tyler Braden/Adam Wood/Brian Davis)***
5. She Don’t Care (Tyler Braden/Mark Holman/James McNair)*
6. Secret (Tyler Braden)*
7. What Do They Know (Tyler Braden/Aaron Scherz)*
*produced by Randy Montana
**produced by Mark Holman and Randy Montana
*** produced by Randy Montana and Adam Wood

Needtobreathe Took Fans ‘Into The Mystery’ At Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

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Needtobreathe play Nashvilles Bridgestone Arena on Friday, Sept. 29, 2021. Photo: Lydia Farthing

Grammy-nominated rock band Needtobreathe lit up Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last Friday (Oct. 29) on their “Into The Mystery” headlining tour.

Showcasing songs from their newest studio album, Into The Mystery, and treasured throwbacks, the five-piece band got the 12,000-person crowd on their feet and jumping along as they exploded onto the stage with their high-energy performance of “Alive.” They followed it with their equally as electric “Great Night,” which seemed like a promise of sorts to the crowd, signaling that they all were, in fact, going to “have a great night.”

Frontman Bear Rinehart welcomed fans, saying: “I know y’all thought we were gonna be rusty, but you’ve got another thing coming! I brought my banjo tonight!”

Breaking out into one of their biggest hits, “The Outsiders,” the crowd roared along to the banjo and harmonica-infused tune–one of many times that the arena came to life.

Dabbling in sounds of rock, bluegrass, and country with songs full of faith and hopeful lyrics, Needtobreathe also took the crowd to church with hard-hitting songs of praise like “Washed By The Water,” “What I’m Here For,” “Who Am I,” and “Mercy’s Shore.”

Needtobreathe play Nashvilles Bridgestone Arena on Friday, Sept. 29, 2021. Photo: Lydia Farthing

The band also gave moving, acoustic performances of some of their well-known hits and fan-favorites like “Multiplied,” “Forever On Your Side,” and “Banks.”

“There was a time about a year and a half ago where we thought we maybe we would never get to do this again,” Rinehart shared from center stage. “It’s an absolute privilege to have y’all here tonight… This is kind of a big deal because this is our biggest headlining show ever.”

Throughout the nearly 30-song setlist, the band delivered a handful of guitar riffs, harmonica solos, and infectious jam sessions that demonstrated their musical prowess and bluegrass roots. Along the way, they also shared covers of The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women” and wrapped up the main part of their set with “When The Levee Breaks” by Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe McCoy.

During the group’s five-song encore, they saved their biggest songs for last, including the Platinum-certified “Brother,” which was released in 2015 on their Rivers in the Wasteland album; broke into Billboard’s Hot 100, Adult Top 40, Christian Songs, Christian AC, and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts; and earned the top spot on Billboard‘s Christian Airplay chart. The acoustic rendition was joined by a booming choir of fans singing along to every word.

Needtobreathe also surprised fans by bringing out 7x Grammy award-winning vocalist Carrie Underwood to sing their duet, “I Wanna Remember,” garnering a wave of cheers from the crowd.

The band finished on a high note with “West Texas Wind,” and then traveled on to wrap their “Into The Mystery Tour” at Georgia’s Ameris Bank Amphitheater on Saturday night (Oct. 30).

Shane Stevens Signs With Purplebeat Music

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Pictured (top row, L-R): Bob Doyle (Owner, Purplebeat), Eric Daigle (Co-Head of Creative, Purplebeat), Mike Doyle (GM Purplebeat); (bottom row, L-R): Graham Kothman (Artist Relations Coordinator, Purplebeat ), Shane Stevens and Andy Friday (Co-Head of Creative, Purplebeat)

Shane Stevens has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Purplebeat Music, a music publishing and management company owned by longtime manager Bob Doyle.

A native of Myrtle Beach, Stevens moved to Nashville in 1996 and achieved his first No. 1 with Lady A’s “American Honey,” co-written with Hillary Lindsey and Cary Barlowe. He moved to L.A. in 2014 and began writing for a multitude of artists, eventually selling a country music musical to Paramount Pictures and penning three songs for the My Little Pony soundtrack.

The Purplebeat signing comes on the heels of Stevens’ success as co-writer of the Walker Hayes smash “Fancy Like,” which is currently at the top of the Billboard Hot Country and Country Streaming Charts and top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Fancy Like” is nominated for an American Music Award in the “Favorite Country Song” category. Stevens has also had cuts by Carrie Underwood, Ariana Grande, Sara Evans, Selena Gomez, Jessie James Decker, Meghan Trainor, Ronnie Milsap, Jordin Sparks, Fifth Harmony and more.

“All of us at Purplebeat are so excited to be working with Shane,” Purplebeat shares. “He is an absolute pro and brings tremendous talent and experience to our roster. I think the success of ‘Fancy Like’ is just a glimmer of things to come.”

“I could not be more excited or feel more blessed about being back in Nashville and with my team at Purplebeat,” adds Stevens. “It’s like a homecoming for me and nothing could possibly feel more right than being with Eric [Daigle], Mike [Doyle], Andy [Friday], Graham [Kothman] and Bob. Winning with them is a dream come true. This is a solid foundation to build on.”

Purplebeat first opened its doors in Nashville in January 2017 and is building a growing presence in Nashville and Los Angeles. The company will soon announce additional signings, including synch producer MA-TIE-US and on the rise EDM/Indie Pop artist MAYLYN.

Mark Your Calendar—November 2021

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Single/Track Releases

November 1
Dillon Carmichael/Son Of A/Riser House
Tiffany Woys/About Love
Jahayla Overton/Fix Me/JDO Recordings
Jerry Edmundson/Watch This Guitar Come Alive/SAMP Records

November 5
Tim Dugger/Christmas In Dixie/Curb Records

November 8
Shannon LaBrie/Raining Hallelujah/Moraine Music Group

November 12
Rod + Rose/Mary Had A Little Lamb/Curb Records
Stephanie Ryann/What Christmas Means To Me

November 15
Brett Young/You Didn’t/BMLGR

November 19
Rod + Rose/Winter Wonderland/Curb Records

 

 

Album/EP Releases

November 5
Deana Carter/ Did I Shave My Legs For This? 25th Anniversary Edition/Capitol Nashville/UMe
LoCash/Woods & Water/BBR Music Group/BMG’s Wheelhouse Records
Chase Wright/Intertwined
Stars Go Dim/The First Noel/Curb | Word Entertainment
Tim Kelly/Ride Through The Rain

November 12
Elvis Presley/Elvis: Back In Nashville/RCA/Legacy Recordings
Ronnie Milsap/Christmas with Ronnie Milsap/Craft Recordings
Jason Aldean/Macon/BBR
Amanda Shires/For Christmas/Silver Knife/Thirty Tigers
Cody Jinks/Mercy/Late August Records
Caned By Nod/None The Wiser/Late August Records
Skip Ewing/Skip Ewing – Christmas
Sarah Reeves/More The Merrier/Curb | Word Entertainment
Caroline Jones/Aintpodes

November 16
Lucas Hoge/12.25

November 19
The Willie Nelson Family/The Willie Nelson Family/Legacy Recordings
Gabby Barrett/Goldmine (Deluxe)/Warner Music Nashville
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss/Raise The Roof/Rounder Records
Tyler Braden/What Do They Know/Warner Music Nashville
Pryor & Lee/Right Now/Black River Entertainment
Wade Bowen/Where Phones Don’t Work/Thirty Tigers

 

 

Industry Events

November 1
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala

November 3
10th Annual Touring Career Workshop

November 8-10
59th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards – Online

November 10
The 55th Annual CMA Awards

November 15
69th Annual BMI Country Music Awards – Online

November 21
The American Music Awards

Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inducts Two Classes During Special Gala

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Pictured (L-R): NaSHOF Board Chair Sarah Cates; Inductees Rhett Akins, Toby Keith, Buddy Cannon, Amy Grant and John Scott Sherrill; NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. Photo: Bev Moser

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Classes of 2020 and 2021 were officially honored Monday night (Nov. 1) during NaSHOF’s 50th and 51st Anniversary Hall of Fame Gala. The musical contributions of the 10 new inductees were celebrated through star-studded performances of some of their biggest songs for the capacity crowd at Nashville’s Music City Center.

Honored for the Class Of 2020 were Kent Blazy and Brett James in the songwriter category; Spooner Oldham in the veteran songwriter category; Steve Earle in the songwriter/artist category; and Bobbie Gentry in the veteran songwriter/artist category. Those recognized in the Class of 2021 were Rhett Akins and Buddy Cannon in the songwriter category; John Scott Sherrill in the veteran songwriter category; Toby Keith in the songwriter/artist category, and Amy Grant in the veteran songwriter/artist category.

“This year we’re belatedly celebrating our Golden Anniversary—more than 50 years of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame,” said Sarah Cates, Board Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “Though we were unable to gather last year, we’re making up for lost time by honoring two stellar classes. It’s gratifying to have these legendary songwriters join us at last!”

Pictured (L-R): NaSHOF Board Chair Sarah Cates; inductees Brett James, Kent Blazy, Steve Earle, Spooner Oldham; NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. Photo: Bev Moser

Trisha Yearwood kicked off the evening honoring inductee Bobbie Gentry in a performance of the hit “Ode To Billy Joe,” a global smash that was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Gentry did not attend the event, and instead NaSHOF member Gretchen Peters spoke on her behalf. Thomas Rhett performed his father’s signature hit “That Ain’t My Truck” as a special tribute to inductee Rhett Akins, then NaSHOF member Byron Hill presented him. Carrie Underwood performed her mega-hit “Jesus Take The Wheel” to honor inductee Brett James, accompanied by co-writers Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson. James was presented by NaSHOF member Rivers Rutherford.

Kenny Chesney honored inductee Buddy Cannon with a performance of the Cannon-penned Vern Gosdin hit, “Set ’Em Up Joe,” before NaSHOF member Bill Anderson presented Cannon. Toby Keith was honored by NaSHOF member Ronnie Dunn, who performed Keith’s 1993 No. 1 hit, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” a song that would go on to become one of the most played country song of the 1990s. Hall of Fame member Mac McAnally presented Keith.

NaSHOF member John Anderson was on hand to honor John Scott Sherrill with a performance of his 1982 Sherrill-penned hit “Wild And Blue,” before Hall of Fame Board member and industry journalist/historian Robert K. Oermann presented Sherrill. Jason Isbell honored inductee Spooner Oldham with a performance of “I’m Your Puppet,” and NaSHOF member Dickey Lee inducted him.

Emmylou Harris honored inductee Steve Earle with a performance of his song “Pilgrim.” Hall of Fame Board member and host of The Songwriters public television show Ken Paulson presented Earle.

Vince Gill also paid tribute to wife Amy Grant during the special evening with a performance of her song, “Breath of Heaven,” and Garth Brooks took the stage to honor inductee Kent Blazy and also perform their hit “If Tomorrow Never Comes” with him, which was named NSAI’s Song of the Year in 1989.

Pictured (L-R): Thomas Rhett and inductee Rhett Akins. Photo: Bev Moser

Pictured (L-R): Bill Anderson, inductee Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney. Photo: Bev Moser

Pictured (L-R): Trisha Yearwood, inductee Kent Blazy, Garth Brooks. Photo: Bev Moser

Pictured (L-R): Robert K. Oermann, inductee John Scott Sherrill, John Anderson. Photo: Bev Moser