CMA Extends Contract With Executive Producer Robert Deaton Through 2026

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Robert Deaton

The Country Music Association has extended its partnership with Executive Producer Robert Deaton. The new deal, which includes the annual CMA Awards in addition to CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas, puts Deaton in the producer’s chair through 2026.

The two-time Emmy Award-winning producer and director has overseen CMA’s television properties since 2007. Deaton’s career has evolved from launching a pioneering video production company, in which he created more than 200 music videos for a variety of chart-topping artists, to producing some of the most successful properties on network television. He produced Sports Illustrated: 50 Years of Beautiful on NBC as well as the “Soul to Soul” Las Vegas residency for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. He was executive producer of The Passion with Tyler Perry for Fox Broadcasting and currently serves as executive producer of the Billboard Music Awards on NBC.

The Nashville-based entrepreneur has expanded into film and record production, as well. He helmed the Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas collection featuring guests Vince Gill, Little Big Town, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Bono and Michael McDonald. He made his feature film directorial debut in 2018 with Benched.

“The passion Robert Deaton has for country music and the genre’s history is truly special,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Trahern. “His extraordinary vision continues to elevate the CMA Awards, CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas, providing one-of-a-kind television moments to music fans throughout the year. I love to see the music come to life through his eyes and I am incredibly grateful for another five years with such a terrific partner.”

“Any gig you have with Robert Deaton, you know, as an artist and as a viewer, it’s gonna be killer!” adds Garth Brooks, seven-time CMA Entertainer of the Year. “I have had the great fortune of sharing some magical moments throughout the years with Robert. He is a gift to all of us within country music and beyond. Congratulations my friend!”

“I could not be prouder and more honored to plant my flag long-term with my family at CMA,” shares Deaton. “This is home for me, these are my people. I’m blessed beyond measure.”

CMA also renewed its contract with network television partner ABC through 2026 earlier this year.

CDX Nashville Launches CDX Records, Adds Paulette Carlson As Flagship Artist

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Music distributor CDX Nashville has announced the launch of CDX Records, a new boutique imprint for unique custom projects. Artist Paulette Carlson—best known for being part of the ACM and CMA Award-winning band Highway 101—is the label’s flagship artist.

Joe Kelly, President of CDX Records says: “While CDX Nashville’s core business remains music distribution to radio and influencers on behalf of all labels, in today’s music business we saw an opportunity to use our collective years of relationships and experience in label operations to help artists further by actually getting their music into the hands of the consumers. We are thrilled and excited that Paulette has chosen CDX Records to be the company that will bring her new music to the world. Paulette Carlson has a proven track record of hits, an active fan base, and the track shows how she still sings amazingly… Paulette is preparing to hit the road for a 2022 tour and while crossing the country will be visiting her friends at country radio. CDX Records will be there every step of the way.”

Carlson started performing in a club band, writing music, and playing her guitar at 18. She moved to Nashville and eventually put together the band Highway 101. Within 18 months she and the band were at the top of the charts, winning Vocal Group of the Year awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

Carlson’s new release, “Branded Soul,” will be available everywhere on Oct. 29. Written by Carlson, the track was produced and mixed by Mark Capps and recorded at Soundstage Studios.

“CDX Nashville has been known for a long time to be a very reputable company. I’ve known Joe Kelly for many years, and he’s just a really good guy. I feel very confident in his new CDX Records label division and their people, and I am very happy to be working with them,” Paulette says. “I like to call this song ‘Montana Americana’ because Montana remains a beautiful bastion of outlaw country, remnants of a culture idolized and sorely missed by America’s free spirits. This Montana Americana song, ‘Branded Soul,’ will bring out the free spirit in all of us.”

Double Down Music Partners With Pump House Music To Sign Lewis Brice

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Pictured (L-R): Erin Kidd, Creative Director, Double Down Music: Lewis Brice; Dallas Davidson, Founder, PIA Music Group; Ryan Dokke, CEO, PIA Music Group

Lewis Brice has signed with Double Down Music in partnership with Pump House Music.

Brice’s debut self-titled EP, produced with brother Lee Brice, was released via Pump House Music in 2017. Tracks from the EP were featured on SiriusXM’s The Highway, CMT Music, and Spotify’s New Boots & Wild Country playlists. The project’s lead single, “Best Ex Ever,” reached the Top 40 of MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Radio Chart. His single, “It’s You,” amassed more than 18 million streams upon its release, adding to his nearly 33 million overall career streams.

“Over the years, I’ve known Lewis as a hell of a singer!” says Double Down Music Founder, Dallas Davidson. “He is also a terrific writer, and the Double Down team and I are excited that we get to work with a talented guy like Lewis.”

Industry Ink: Zac Brown Band, Cindy Watts, Paul Ebersold

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Zac Brown Band Wraps Up “The Comeback Tour” In Nashville

Pictured (L-R): Kristen Williams (SVP Radio & Streaming, Warner Music Nashville), Cris Lacy (EVP A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Zac Brown, Shane Tarleton (EVP Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), Tom Martens (VP Radio & Streaming, Warner Music Nashville), Patrick Sabatini (SVP Legal & Business Affairs, Warner Music Nashville)

CMA Awards Vocal Group of the Year 2021 nominee Zac Brown Band closed out “The Comeback Tour” at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sunday night (Oct. 17).

The band released their new album, The Comeback, via Warner Music Nashville/Home Grown Music on Friday (Oct. 15), which features their Top 10 single, “Same Boat.”

 

Journalism Veteran Cindy Watts Joins CMT.com

Cindy Watts

Nashville-based veteran journalist Cindy Watts has joined the CMT.com editorial team.

Watts joins CMT.com alongside writer Marcus Dowling, who was appointed to the editorial staff in February 2020. Both report to Melissa Goldberg, CMT’s Senior Director of Digital & Social.

She joins CMT following a 20-year career with The Tennessean where she covered country music and celebrities.

She can be reached at Cindy.Watts@cmt.com.

 

Paul Ebersold Joins Rock Ridge Music For Management

Grammy-winning producer Paul Ebersold has signed with Nashville-based management company Rock Ridge Music.

The Platinum-selling producer, mixer and songwriter got his start at Ardent Studios. His extensive list of studio credits include The Weeks, Drew Holcomb, 3 Doors Down and Third Day, among others.

Most recently, Ebersold joined long-time collaborator Sadler Vaden to co-produce Morgan Wade’s album, Reckless, on Arista Nashville, as well as co-writing three tracks on the project.

Elvie Shane Scores First No. 1 With Debut Single “My Boy”

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Wheelhouse Records artist Elvie Shane is celebrating his first No. 1 with his debut single “My Boy,” which rises to the top of both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Singles chart and Billboard’s Country Airplay chart this week.

Co-written by Shane with Russell Sutton, Nick Columbia and Lee Starr, the chart-topping track was inspired by Shane’s stepson.

“I read a quote by Walt Disney the day I signed with my record label that said ‘Whatever we accomplish belongs to our entire group, a tribute to our combined effort,’” says Shane. “That still rings true today. I’m so thankful that group has grown to include country music radio. For such a personal debut song like ‘My Boy’ to go number one means the world to me and my family. Huge thank you to all my champions out there.”

Shane’s upcoming debut full-length album Backslider, is set for release on Oct. 29.

Curb | Word Music Publishing, Pump House Anthem Publishing Sign David Tolliver

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Pictured (L-R): Lee Brice, David Tolliver, Curb | Word VP of Country Publishing Colt Murski

Curb | Word Music Publishing and Lee Brice’s Pump House Anthem Publishing have signed a joint publishing deal with songwriter David Tolliver.

The Kentucky native has had cuts by Tim McGraw, Chris Young, Brantley Gilbert, Jerrod Niemann, Wynonna & The Big Noise, Edwin McCain, Joe Diffie, Neal McCoy, and many others.

Tolliver broke into country music in 2007 as part of country-rock duo, Halfway To Hazard, with their debut Top 40 hit “Daisy.” That year, the duo hit the road opening for McGraw and Faith Hill on the “Soul2Soul Tour.” They later toured with McGraw and Jason Aldean on the “Live Your Voice Tour.”

“I have known David Tolliver since the early years and all I know is he works like no other, he cares, and he gets it done,” shares Brice. “So many intangibles separate him from so many other writers. From writing the lyrics, the guitar riffs or the melodies, he can sing it all and has every tool you could ever ask for in a writer. I am so looking forward to this new chapter.”

Curb | Word VP of Country Publishing Colt Murski says: “We are so excited to add David Tolliver to our roster of talented writers. Lee, David and I have been working together for so many years now and have always been close friends, which makes this partnership so awesome. I can’t wait to see all of the success that comes out of this team!”

“I’ve been working with the writers, artists, Colt and the publishing staff for so many years now that I’ve always felt like I was part of the family; now I really am,” adds Tolliver. “Being able to partner with my long-time friend, Lee Brice, is a blessing. I’m excited for all the opportunities that Lee and Curb can provide and I’m so happy to be a part of this team!”

Garth Brooks Announces Two Ryman Shows For November

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Garth Brooks has announced that he will play two intimate back-to-back shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 19-20.

“Just Garth, The Ryman and You” will give fans a chance to hear the stories behind the songs in a historic setting following the postponement of his Nashville Nissan Stadium show this summer due to severe thunderstorms in the area.

Brooks ultimately cancelled his remaining stadium dates this summer due to COVID concerns, and has not yet been able to reschedule the Nissan Stadium date.

Tickets for the Ryman shows go on sale this Friday (Oct. 22) at 10 a.m. CT and are limited to four per person. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test is required for entry.

Locash Renews Publishing Deal With BMG

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Pictured: Preston Brust, Chris Lucas. Photo: Cal & Aly

Chart-topping country duo Locash has extended their publishing deal with BMG.

Comprised of singer-songwriters Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, Locash has celebrated two No. 1 hits with “I Know Somebody” and “One Big Country Song,” as well as the Gold-certified “I Love This Life.” They’ve release two acclaimed albums and are now working toward new music which is set to be announced soon.

As songwriters, Brust and Lucas have penned hits for other artists including Keith Urban’s No. 1 “You Gonna Fly,” and Tim McGraw’s Top 10 “Truck Yeah.”

“Getting to know and work alongside Preston [Brust] and Chris [Lucas] over the past three years has only strengthened our belief in them as brilliant musical creators. We are proud to continue our longtime partnership with Locash and look forward to their continued success,” shares BMG’s VP, Creative Chris Oglesby and Senior Creative Director, A&R Katie Kerkhover.

Brust and Lucas add, “Turning words, feelings, and melodies into songs is a big part of our life, and we couldn’t ask for a better home for the songs we write than BMG. We’re excited to continue our partnership with [Chris] Oglesby, Katie [Kerkhover], and the entire amazing team at BMG!”

Locash is signed to BBR Music Group/BMG’s Wheelhouse Records and represented by Red Light Management.

Travis Tritt Cancels Concerts That Require COVID Vaccinations, Negative Tests, Or Masks

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Travis Tritt. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Travis Tritt announced that he has canceled his upcoming concerts at venues that require proof of COVID vaccination, mask mandates, or testing. As a result, the following Tritt shows have been canceled: Muncie, Indiana on Oct. 23; Philadelphia, Mississippi on Nov. 6; Peoria, Illinois on Nov. 11; and Louisville, Kentucky on Nov. 13.

In a statement released today (Oct. 18), Tritt says, “I’m putting my money where my mouth is and announcing that any venue or promoter mandating masks, requiring vaccinations, or pushing COVID testing protocols on my fans will not be tolerated. Any show I have booked that discriminates against concert-goers by requiring proof of vaccination, a COVID test, or a mask is being canceled immediately. Many people are taking a firm stand against these mandates around the country, and I wholeheartedly support that cause. I have been extremely vocal against mandates since the beginning. This is a sacrifice that I’m willing to make to stand up for the freedoms that generations of Americans have enjoyed for their entire lifetimes. There are plenty of promoters and venues around the country that appreciate fans and the freedom of choice in this great country, and those are the promoters and venues that I will be supporting.”

Tritt continues, “I’m sorry for any inconvenience this situation creates for anyone who had purchased tickets to these shows. We will try to reschedule unrestricted shows in these areas as soon as we can.”

Shows that do not have mandates will continue as scheduled.

Hardy Jumps Into Top 3 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Hardy. Photo: Tanner Gallagher

Hit songwriter Michael Hardy leaps from No. 11 to No. 3 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Hardy is a co-writer on “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Come Back As A Country Boy” (Blake Shelton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “That Ain’t Me No More” (Matt Stell) and his own “Give Heaven Some Hell.”

Ashley Gorley remains at No. 1 this week, while Hunter Phelps moves up to the No. 2 spot.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.