MusicRow’s Publisher Issue Features Bradley Family, Nashville Publishing State Of The Union, More

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Nashville’s leading music industry publication MusicRow Magazine has released its 2021 Publisher Issue print edition, featuring Mercury Nashville’s Lauren Alaina on the cover.

In the 2021 Publisher Issue, MusicRow does a deep dive into the First Family of Music Row—The Bradleys—chronicling their impact on the Nashville music business and beyond. Members of the Bradley family discuss their history in Nashville and the legacy that their family has created. Featuring conversation with Clay, Jerry, and Patsy Bradley, this issue highlights some of the family’s greatest achievements and showcases treasured photos from over the years.

This issue also includes a conversation between UMPG’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, and Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar as the group of publishing giants give an update on the state of Nashville publishing in 2021 and the ever-growing importance of songwriting in the world today. “I delusionally believe that music has the absolute power to change the world for a better place. That’s what attracts us to songwriters,” Gaston shares. “[We look for someone] who has that natural heart for translating a real human emotion, something that we all connect with–whether that emotion is about love or loss or about that feeling of needing to clock out on Friday and relax with a beer.”

Also on tap, Tree Vibez Music’s Leslie DiPiero and Verse 2 Music’s Kent Earls explain the process behind artist-led publishing ventures. Focusing on the work of Florida Georgia Line and Kane Brown, this issue captures their separate journeys within the publishing realm so far as they continue building their own empires, as well as what they look for in writers when adding to their rosters.

Elsewhere, the Publisher Issue offers conversations with Anthem Entertainment’s Tim Wipperman as he reflects on 35 years in the music business, while also looking forward to future success at Anthem Entertainment as he helms the ship. Additionally, Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon takes us inside the world of indie publishing as she discusses their solid roster of a dozen songwriters and her journey to becoming VP of Publishing.

MusicRow also catches up with CEO of The MLC, Kris Ahrend, to talk about the organization’s launch and first year of operation in Nashville.

The 2021 Publisher Issue also highlights the work and careers of some of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters, including Sony Music Publishing’s Michael Carter, Big Loud/UMPG’s Ernest, Warner Chappell’s Martin Johnson, Sheltered Music’s Alex Kline, UMPG’s Lee Thomas Miller, and breakout country artist Brittney Spencer, who is self-published.

This annual resource includes the 2021 Publisher Directory, listing Nashville’s top publishing companies, as well as organizations and services available for songwriters.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2021 Publisher Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow memberships.

Zac Brown Band Reach MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart Peak

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After a steady 17 week climb, Zac Brown Band graces the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “Same Boat.”

“Same Boat” was written by Brown, Ben Simonetti, and Jonathan Singleton. It appears on the band’s upcoming album, The Comeback, set for release Oct. 15 via Warner Music Nashville/Home Grown Music.

Zac Brown recently canceled several upcoming tour dates due to a positive COVID-19 test. He has since resumed the tour.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, More To Perform On 2021 ‘CMT Artists of the Year’

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Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, and many more are on tap as part of the lineup for the 2021 CMT Artists of the Year special, airing live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Oct. 13 on CMT.

Other performances slated for the special evening include Breakout Artist of the Year recipient Mickey Guyton alongside Yola; Boyz II Men with Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix for a never-before-seen collaboration to honor Chris Stapleton; Kelsea Ballerini welcoming fellow tourmates, the Jonas Brothers, for a remote performance from their “The Remember This Tour;” and Walker Hayes making his CMT Artists of the Year debut with the first award show performance of his smash hit “Fancy Like.”

“Our year-end celebration keeps growing and we’re thrilled to welcome Boyz II Men, Kevin Olusola, Jonas Brothers and Yola to the show in addition to our luminous honorees,” comments Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music Strategy & Talent, CMT. “And in honor of one of the biggest songs of summer that has exploded across social media and beyond, we look forward to having Walker Hayes join our celebration for a can’t-miss performance of his history-making hit ‘Fancy Like.’”

As previously announced, this year’s honorees include Stapleton, Barrett, Brown, Ballerini and Combs, alongside Guyton and Artist of a Lifetime Randy Travis. 

Love From Music City Hosts Star-Studded 5th Annual Gala, Honors Crystal Gayle

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Pictured (stairs, L-R): JD Shelburne, Denny Strickland, Tim Atwood, Nathan & Suzanne Young, Danica Hart, Trea Swindle, Devynn Hart (Chapel Hart), (front row, L-R): Jeff Shannon, Cherish Lee, Makenzie Phipps, Charlene Tilton, Jonny and Crystal Brown, Crystal Gayle, Shanda and Robb Tripp, Devon O’Day, LaVerne and Edith Tripp, Buddy Jewell, Melissa Luman, Nedy. Photo: Tanya Long

The 5th Annual Love From Music City Gala was held on Tuesday, Oct, 5 at The Estate at Cherokee Dock, featuring music, entertainment, surprises, and support for foster children throughout Middle Tennessee and orphans abroad.

Beginning with a VIP red carpet, the festivities continued with hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and live musical performances. The gala also included a star-studded guest list of Pam Tillis, Buddy Jewell, Marty Raybon, Devon O’Day, Cherish Lee, Charlene Tilton, JD Shelburne, Tim Atwood, Chapel Hart, Nedy, Makenzie Phipps, Denny Strickland, Billy Mason, Chris Golden, and Nathan & Suzanne Young.

As previously announced, Crystal Gayle was the recipient of the 2021 Bill Anderson Icon Award for her contributions to the community and her role as a trailblazer and performer.

“It’s an honor to be given the Bill Anderson Icon Award by Love From Music City,” shares Gayle. “And it’s an honor to be associated with Love From Music City and the great work they do helping and loving orphans and foster children.”

“The 5th Annual Love From Music City Gala was an evening of memories and heartfelt emotions as we raised money for orphans abroad and Foster Children throughout the Middle Tennessee area,” shares CEO Shanda Tripp. “We would like to thank all of the artists and sponsors who came together to make the event possible and to honor Crystal Gayle with the Bill Anderson Icon award.”

The organization fed and clothed orphans across the globe for the past 50 years, with 10 years including local, Middle Tennessee foster children.

Rod Essig, Nate Towne, Jeffrey Hasson, Adam Kornfeld Talk COVID At IEBA’s Agent Power Panel

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Pictured (L-R): CAA’s Rod Essig, AGI’s Adam Kornfeld, UTA’s Jeffrey Hasson, WME’s Nate Towne, Duggan Bertsch’s Tim Epstein. Photo: Courtesy of IEBA

Several top agents gathered at IEBA this week to discuss the future of live music in a panel moderated by Tim Epstein of Duggan Bertsch, LLC.

Participating in the Agents Power Panel were CAA’s Rod Essig, UTA’s Jeffrey Hasson, AGI’s Adam Kornfeld and WME’s Nate Towne.

Of the many points made, the agents talked a lot about how they are navigating touring in the COVID pandemic, livestreaming and new touring technology, and the differences in COVID protocols across venues.

The Past 18 Months

“Looking back, I wish I would have just told my employees to take six months and not make a phone call because it didn’t really matter. We just kept moving everything,” Essig said. “Our business was devastated with no income whatsoever.”

“Touring is a huge part of what we do, but there’s also other parts of what we do as far as artist representation,” Hasson shared. “We raise artist profiles and finances in other areas like with brand deals and streaming. We got creative because we had to. It was a drop in a bucket, it doesn’t come close to what we usually do, but it made us feel useful. We had our artists backs and were trying our hardest to come up with creative solutions on their behalf.”

Towne added, “There was a refocusing on the symbiotic relationship between agent and promoter and agent and buyer, as opposed to the adversarial relationship that it can sometimes be. It was a good reminder and a good centering place. I’m proud of how everyone reacted to what was going on, and how we were able to work together.”

Livestreaming

“[Livestreaming] exploded because of the pandemic, obviously, but the technology was always there,” Kornfeld said. “Generally speaking, bands did not see the profit that they were hoping for from livestreaming. I don’t think it’s something that a band is going to depend on like they depend on touring, but I can see it becoming a part of a tour or another thing added on… It’s an extra income, the way VIP is or the way merch is. It’s another avenue to connect with fans.”

Towne agreed. “It’s supplemental. I’m excited for where it could go with augmented reality and other creative things artists can do,” he said. “The future holds a lot of exciting things with different AR and VR type technology that could transform the entertainer experience whether you’re there or not there watching it on some other medium.”

COVID Protocols

“Hopefully by January, February or March, we need one protocol so that our fans are not totally confused,” Essig said. “You go to Ascend Amphitheater and you have to show your vaccine card or a test; you walk across the river to Nissan and you don’t have to show anything. Our fans are mixed up. We have to get back to saying ‘Here’s what it is for everybody.'”

Industry Ink: Cody Johnson, Ron Pope, Mixtape Music

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Cody Johnson Gives Industry Members A Preview Of ‘Human’

Pictured (L-R): Missy Iredell (Sr. Dir. Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), Tom Martens (VP Radio & Streaming, Warner Music Nashville), Shane Tarleton (EVP Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), Cody Johnson, Ben Kline (EVP/General Manager, Warner Music Nashville), Howie Edelman (Durango Artist Management)

Cody Johnson hosted members of the music industry community at Urban Cowboy in Nashville on Tuesday (Oct. 5) to share a preview of his upcoming sophomore COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville release, Human The Double Album.

The project is set for release this Friday (Oct. 8) on all digital platforms and features Johnson’s current single, “‘Til You Can’t,” which impacts country radio on Oct. 18.

Ron Pope’s ‘Drop In The Ocean’ Goes Platinum

Pictured (L-R): Matt Barrington, Chief Operating Officer, TuneCore; Ron Pope; Zach Berkman; Amy Lombardi, Director, Artist & Partner Relations, TuneCore

Singer-songwriter Ron Pope‘s “A Drop in the Ocean” has earned a Platinum certification, signaling over.1 million unites sold. The track, co-written by Pope and Zach Berkman, and was the first single off Pope’s Daylight album. The song was also featured in television shows The Vampire Diaries and 90210.

Pope’s career spans over a decade with nearly 500 million Spotify streams 864 million Pandora streams. His most recent project a collection of songs known The Builder, which showcase Pope’s journey through the pandemic.

Andreea Gleeson, Chief Executive Officer, TuneCore states, “Ron Pope is a prolific singer songwriter who embodies the independent spirit that TuneCore is all about. While he continues to blaze his own trail, his music has been compared to the most important musicians of our time. This RIAA platinum award is an indicator of things to come in the indie world, with Ron leading the way.”

“It seems unreal, but I am so excited. And to know that we did it completely independently is even better,” Pope shares. “It’s so amazing that so many people all around the world connected so deeply with this song and continue to share and listen to it. I just honestly have no words.”

Mixtape Music Signs Aaron Pax Taylor

Aaron Pax Taylor signs with Mixtape Music Publishing

Mixtape Music Publishing has signed Aaron Pax Taylor.

The two-time Ventura County Artist of the Year and USA Today/Ventura County Star Artist of the Year 2019 has spent years working to hone his craft as a songwriter.

“I love to write and tell stories about everyday life that connect with people. Painting pictures with your words is a rewarding and challenging process with each new song. If someone can relate to a lyric I wrote or be touched by a story, then I consider that success,” Taylor shares.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, Morgan Wade

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Luke Bryan. Photo: Jim Wright

This productive listening session perfectly mixed country newcomers and stars.

In the latter category are fresh offerings from Blake Shelton, Dustin Lynch, Justin Moore, the Zac Brown Band and Dierks Bentley (with the James Barker Band). Also, our Disc of the Day winner, Luke Bryan.

Vying for newcomer attention are Walker County (again), Georgia Webster (again), Misty River, the James Barker Band and our DisCovery Award honoree Morgan Wade. Some folks might need to get over her tats-and-piercings visual presentation, but the proof is in the listening. The gal is gifted.

GEORGIA WEBSTER / “Box of Memories”
Writers: Georgia Webster; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Sony/River House
— Audio heartbreak. Over steady, slow piano chords, she delivers a trembling, cracked, lovely ballad of loneliness and reflection. Promising.

LUKE BRYAN / “Up”
Writers: Jeremy Bussey/Taylor Phillips/Bobby Pinson; Producer: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol
—Beautifully produced, with airy, echoey space around Luke’s vocal. The melodic song holds snapshots of simple country living. Faith is the key. An endearing single with a new sonic direction for this superstar.

JAMES BARKER BAND & DIERKS BENTLEY / “New Old Trucks”
Writers: James Barker/Casey Brown/Hunter Phelps/Jordan Minton; Producer: Todd Clark; Label: Sony
—Rust, scratches, dents and debris are the patina that makes his ride special. A mid-paced country rocker with heart. Both artists sing with conviction here.

BLAKE SHELTON / “Come Back as a Country Boy”
Writers: Jordan Schmidt/Josh Thompson/Michael Hardy; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner
—This redneck rocker is a stomping manifesto in that proud-to-be-country mode. Did I miss the chapter where it says that hillbillies believe in reincarnation?

MISTY RIVER / “Rain”
Writers: Carmen Phelan; Producer: Adam Morley; Label: MR
—This U.K. singer-songwriter-fiddler sings of better days to come on this sweet-sounding ditty. Her vocal is pitched too high, making her sound childlike and frilly.

ZAC BROWN BAND / “The Comeback”
Writers: Zac Brown/Wyatt Beasley Durrette III/Ray Fulcher/Ben Simonetti/Jonathan Singleton; Producer: Zac Brown/Ben Simonetti; Label: Warner
—I love how these guys are out there in their own musical space. Their harmonies slay me every time, as does Zac’s drawled countryboy phrasing. The band is enduringly great, and this uplifting anthem is directed at our collective love of our land.

MORGAN WADE/ “Wilder Days”
Writers: Morgan Wade/Sadler Vaden; Producer: Sadler Vaden & Paul Ebersold; Label: Arista
—A force to be reckoned with. I love the smoky quality in her voice and the smoldering ember of rock in the track. I wish she wasn’t compressed and double tracked, but this is a stunning debut nonetheless. There is a lot of truth in her younger-woman-older-man relationship lyric. She definitely has the “wow” factor and totally deserves instant stardom.

DUSTIN LYNCH & RILEY GREEN / “Huntin’ Land”
Writers: Dustin Lynch/Andy Albert/Hunter Phelps/Will Weatherly; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Broken Bow
—Really? He only loves her because her daddy has thousands of acres of hunting land in Kentucky? “Humor” delivered without humor.

WALKER COUNTY / “Liar”
Writers: David Garcia/Hillary Lindsey/Ivy Walker/Sophie Walker; Producer: David Garcia; Label: Warner
—This sassy sister duo (Ivy Dene and Sophie Dawn) is feisty and fierce on this cleverly written power waltz. She’s being saucy and devil-may-care, but it’s all an act because she’s still stuck on him. I love the rousing, in-your-face choruses. This rocks.

JUSTIN MOORE / “With a Woman You Love”
Writers: Justin Moore/Paul DiGiovanni/Chase McGill/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Jeremy Stover/Scott Borchetta; Label: Valory
—Delightfully country. Singing the praises of true love with twang to spare.

Engineer Ron “Snake” Reynolds Passes

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Ron “Snake” Reynolds. Photo: Courtesy The Musicians Hall of Fame

Renowned studio engineer Ron “Snake” Reynolds has passed away on Oct. 5. He was 76.

A Nashville native, Reynolds signed as an artist with Nugget Records in 1965 but quickly decided he preferred being behind a console instead of a mic and began his journey as an engineer and producer. He joined Columbia Records in 1972 as a staff engineer and remained there until its closing a decade later when he became a freelance studio engineer. Reynolds worked on records for George Jones, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette, Charlie Rich, Keith Urban, Dave Loggins, Elvis Costello, Earl Thomas Conley, Elton John, Toby Keith and many more.

As a songwriter he’s had songs recorded by John Anderson, Johnny Cash, Earl Thomas Conley, Johnny Rodriguez, Sonny James, Levon Helm, Billy Joe Royal, Neal McCoy, Toby Keith and others. His producer credits include albums for Merle Haggard, The Marcy Brothers, Tony Joe White, and more.

Reynolds most notably engineered Shania Twain’s 12-million-selling smash album The Woman In Me. He has engineered over 100 Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum records and 60 No. 1 hits, won multiple Grammy Awards, and was named Engineer Of The Year by the ACM in 2004. He was acknowledged with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Audio Engineering Society in 2016 and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame that same year.

Details regarding memorial services have not yet been announced.

Lauren Alaina To Flip The Switch On Opry’s Signature Barn For “Opry Goes Pink”

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Lauren Alaina. Photo: Katie Kauss

Lauren Alaina will help the Opry as it once again supports the fight against breast cancer along with Susan G. Komen as the Opry Goes Pink on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Alaina will flip the switch on the Opry’s signature barn backdrop, turning it pink for the night.

$5 from every ticket sold will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the fight against breast cancer. Additional artists scheduled to perform include Dillion Carmichael, Maddie and Tae, Del McCoury Band, Victoria Shaw and Dusty Slay.

“I know first-hand how devastating cancer can be to a family,” shares Alaina. “Breast cancer in particular can be a difficult diagnosis.  I am honored to bring awareness to this cause on my favorite stage in the world.”

On Oct. 30, 2021, the Opry, the world’s longest-running radio show, will mark a historic, record-breaking milestone with its 5,000th Saturday night broadcast. Scheduled to perform on the Opry’s 5000th Saturday night broadcast are Bill Anderson, Garth Brooks, John Conlee, Terri Clark, Vince Gill, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Darius Rucker, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, The Gatlin Brothers, Chris Young, and Trisha Yearwood.

‘Old Henry’ Soundtrack Featuring Eddie Montgomery, Jeremy McComb, More Available Now

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The original soundtrack for new Western film, Old Henry, starring Tim Blake Nelson, Stephen Dorff, Trace Adkins, and more is available now through Average Joes Entertainment. The seven-track soundtrack features new music from Eddie Montgomery, Bryan Martin, Jeremy McComb, Fieldhand, and others.

Produced by Hideout Pictures, a subsidiary of Average Joes Entertainment, Old Henry premiered at the Venice Film Festival before opening theatrically on Oct. 1. The film will be available via VOD on Oct. 8. Old Henry was written and directed by Hideout’s Potsy Ponciroli and produced by Shannon Houchins.

The action-Western follows the story of a widowed farmer and son who take in a mysterious, injured man with a satchel of cash. When a posse of men claiming to be the law come for the money, the farmer must decide who to trust. Defending his homestead, he reveals a talent for gunslinging that surprises everyone, calling his true identity into question.

Old Henry Soundtrack Track List:
1. My Son – Eddie Montgomery (Eddie Montgomery, Noah Gordon)
2. Never Leave Your Guns Behind – Bryan Martin (Bryan Martin)
3. Family Name – FieldHand (David Bradley Carter)
4. Last Man Standing – Jeremy McComb (Rick Huckaby, Matt Nolen)
5. See You On The Other Side – Lloyd Carter (Brant Pickard, Henry McGill, Lloyd Carter, Gary DiBenedetto)
6. Halfway Over – (Grace Rembinski, Doug Johnson, Mark McGuinn)
7. My Son (End Credits Version) – Eddie Montgomery (Eddie Montgomery, Noah Gordon)