Cody Jinks Does Double Duty This November With Two New Albums

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Cody Jinks. Photo: Jason Deramo

Cody Jinks is doubling down this November with the release of two new albums on Nov. 12 through his own independent label, Late August Records: Mercy, a solo country record, and None The Wiser, a metal album created with his band Caned By Nod. Ahead of the releases, Jinks has released “All It Cost Me Was Everything” from Mercy and “Middle Finger” from None The Wiser.

Both produced and engineered by Edward Spear and recorded simultaneously at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, the two records vary sonically and thematically yet are tied together through Jinks’ signature songwriting.

Jinks incorporates traditional elements with soul, rock and blues through Mercy. Written entirely during quarantine, he used his time at home to further develop his songwriting skills. Working with both longtime friends and heroes, the project features collaborations with Chris Shiflett, Kendell Marvel, Adam Hood, TN Jet, Josh Morningstar, Greg C. Jones and Ward Davis, as well as Jinks’ wife, Rebecca.

Meanwhile, None The Wiser pulls from arena-caliber classic rock, thrash metal and psychedelic-tinged grunge and marks a full circle moment for Jinks, who performed in a metal band before making the shift to country. Jinks wrote all ten tracks on the record with his past bandmate Ben Heffley, with some written as recently as this year and others dating back to the early 2000s.

“It was very different recording them at the same time,” recalls Jinks of the process. “Literally, it was being in one studio and walking next door and going from this beautiful country song that we’re doing to just this really angry metal song, flipping a switch. The actual art of writing was the only thing I really had to focus on to keep myself sane… the song comes first. If I’m not writing a great song, then I’m dead in the water. I really, really focused on being a better wordsmith.”

Since the release of his 2015 breakthrough record, Adobe Sessions, which features his Platinum-certified song, “Loud and Heavy,” Jinks has released four more studio albums. He’s sold over 1.5 million equivalent units throughout his career and garnered over 2 billion streams. Jinks was recently named MusicRow’s 2020 Independent Artist of the Year after receiving the most radio spins for an independent artist and was awarded Entertainer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Single of the Year by Texas Radio in 2020.

Mercy Track List:
1. All It Cost Me Was Everything
2. Hurt You
3. Mercy
4. Feeding the Flames
5. I Don’t Trust My Memories Anymore
6. Like a Hurricane
7. How It Works
8. Nobody Knows How to Read
9. Shoulders
10. Dying Isn’t Cheap
11. Roll
12. When Whiskey Calls the Shots

None The Wiser Track List:
1. Middle Finger
2. Dying Trying
3. None the Wiser
4. Seeing Ghosts
5. Covet
6. Led Astray
7. Half a Life
8. Can’t Hide the Truth
9. Broken Wings
10. Eyes

Industry Ink: Josh Turner, SAG-AFTRA, TuneCore

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Josh Turner Celebrates Surpassing 100 Million Views, Releases 15th Anniversary Mini Documentary

Pictured (L-R): Colby, Jennifer, Marion, Josh, Hawke, and Hampton Turner. Photo: Matt Blair

Last week, multi-Platinum-selling country artist Josh Turner and his wife Jennifer were surprised by their sons after learning the news that Turner’s official music video “Your Man” surpassed 100 million views.

The video was the first that the married couple filmed together, and it comes on the heels of the country star’s June release of the Your Man Deluxe Edition. The deluxe edition celebrates 15 years of Turner’s iconic double Platinum-selling Your Man album, featuring all 11 original tracks including collaborations with country icons John Anderson, Dr. Ralph Stanley, and Diamond Rio’s Marty Roe, Gene Johnson, and Dana Williams, plus live versions of the title track “Your Man,” fan favorite “Me and God,” and multi-week No. 1 hit “Would You Go With Me.”

In celebration of the album’s anniversary, Turner has released a mini documentary Josh Turner Your Man 15th Anniversary which features Chris Stapleton, Scotty McCreery and wife Jennifer.

 

SAG-AFTRA, Industry Sound Recordings Distribution Fund Payout $18 Million

SAG-AFTRA and Industry Sound Recordings Distribution Fund (SRDF) have nearly doubled their annual payout to vocalists in 2021, totaling over $18 million, with a good portion going to Nashville singers.

Paying vocalists royalties for their interactive streaming and licensed recordings under the SAG-AFTRA Sound Recordings Agreement, the SRDF is expecting substantial growth in distributions each year as the industry’s streaming revenue continues to grow.

TuneCore Promotes Andreea Gleeson To CEO

Andreea Gleeson

Independent DIY digital music distributor TuneCore, owned by Paris-based digital music company Believe, has promoted Andreea Gleeson to Chief Executive Officer.

Gleeson was appointed Chief Revenue Officer last year and has helped transform TuneCore into one of the most dynamic companies in the independent music space. Over the last year, she has led the launch of product and technology solutions, marketing campaigns, international expansion, and artist education and support, while also prioritizing putting artists first by giving them more services, more support, more money, and more global reach.

“I’m inspired daily by the talented artists and industry leading team who make TuneCore the most innovative and forward thinking independent digital music distributor in the world,” shares Gleeson. “I truly believe in our mission–in step with our parent company Believe-to serve artists at every stage of development and will continue to build TuneCore to be the destination where artists can start, grow and manage their careers, while working to level the playing field for all independent artists.”

Eddie Montgomery Pays Tribute To The Fighters With First Single As A Solo Artist

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Eddie Montgomery is returning with his first song as a solo artist, “Alive and Well,” on Average Joes Entertainment.

Infused with a fighter’s spirit, the song is the first new music released by Montgomery in more than two years, and was penned by Montgomery with Ira Dean and Chris Wallin. Produced by Noah Gordon and Shannon Houchins, the moving track is a true-life snapshot of loss and survival inspired in part by Montgomery’s own story, including the heartbreaking sudden loss of partner Troy Gentry in 2017.

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“This was a hard song to write, but it’s one that I thought so many could relate to,” says Montgomery. “We’ve all had losses, fought the good fight, and rose to celebrate a new day. I hope friends and fans take away a renewed sense of gratefulness for the life they live when they hear this song.”

Montgomery Gentry charted over 20 singles and earned CMA, ACM, and Grammy awards and nominations with blue-collar anthems like “Hell Yeah,” “My Town,” and “Hillbilly Shoes.” They notched five No. 1 singles, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Something To Be Proud Of,” “Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll With Me,” and were inducted as Grand Ole Opry members in 2009 and into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

Eddie Montgomery and the Montgomery Gentry Band continue to tour, with dates booked through September.

Tigirlily Signs With SMACKSongs/Kobalt

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Pictured (L-R): Lee Krabel, Kendra Slaubaugh, Krista Slaubaugh, Stephanie Cox, Jesse Willoughby. Photo: Molly Bouchon

Country duo Tigirlily has signed a worldwide publishing deal with SMACKSongs and Kobalt.

Made up of sisters Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh, Tigirlily signed with Shane McAnally and Jason Owen’s record label Monument Records last year. This partnership with SMACKSongs extends the band’s relationship with McAnally.

“From the first time I saw Tigirlily play downtown, I’ve been a big fan. I am so excited SMACK gets to be a part of Kendra and Krista’s songwriting journey,” says Lee Krabel, VP of Publishing, SMACK. “We can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.”

Originally from North Dakota, Tigirlily has been touring across the mid-west since they were young teens. The duo has opened for artists including LeAnn Rimes, Kane Brown, Lee Brice, and more.

Tigirlily released their debut self-titled EP on Monument Records this year, including their song “Somebody Does,” which made it to the top of both the iTunes Country Songs chart and the iTunes All Genre songs chart upon release.

“We are so excited to find our publishing home with SMACK/Kobalt,” says Krista. “We felt like this fit was perfect for our vision as writers, artists, and creatives.”

“Over the last year we have been working with Shane McAnally on the production/label side as well as working with several writers on the SMACK roster on the first project we released with Monument Records,” continues Kendra. “SMACK feels like a family that truly believes in your vision, so we’re very thankful to be working with a team like theirs.”

GM/SVP of Creative at Kobalt, Stephanie Cox adds, “Kobalt is excited to welcome Kendra and Krista to the family and work alongside our incredible partners at SMACK on Tigirlily’s songwriting and artistic journey.”

Sophia Scott Signs With Empire Nashville

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Sophia Scott signs with Empire

Sophia Scott has signed with indie label and distributor, Empire Nashville.

The Boulder, Colorado native is best known for her viral hit, “She Ain’t Me”, which has over 15 million streams in the U.S. and was featured on the Canada Viral 50 playlist. With multiple viral videos on TikTok, and gaining over 9,000 followers each week, she currently boasts a steady following, including 200,000 TikTok followers, 1.3 million likes, 62,000 YouTube subscribers, 410,000 monthly Spotify listeners, and over 37 million overall streams to date.

Scott has received a variety of playlist placements, including on Spotify’s New Music Friday and Wild Country, Apple Music’s New in Country and What Would Dolly Do?, and her single, “White Fence,” was also featured on the U.S. Viral 50. Additionally, she can be heard on Iggy Izalea‘s new album, The End Of The Era, on her co-written track “Sex on the Beach.”

Fusion Music’s Music Row Parking Lot Burglarized

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Cars vandalized at Fusion Music. Photo: Courtesy of Daniel Miller

Several cars in management company Fusion Music’s parking lot on Music Row were burglarized early this morning (Aug. 27).

Photo: Courtesy of Daniel Miller

Artists Riley Green and Lily Rose, along with three of Rose’s band members and one Fusion Music employee, had their car windows busted out and items stolen out of their vehicles. Green and Rose’s band members had parked at the Fusion Music office for bus call, due to the shortage of available parking for bus pickups.

According to Fusion Music Managing Partner Daniel Miller, three masked individuals approached the Fusion Music / Big Machine Music office parking lot on 16th Ave S. at around 1:30 a.m. on Friday morning.

Although the activity was caught on video surveillance, the perpetuators’ faces were covered by hoodies and face masks.

Chart Action: Three Artists Duel For Most Added

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In a race to claim “Most-Added” on the country charts this week, three artists earned honorable mentions.

Kane Brown‘s single, “One Mississippi,” dominated the Billboard and Mediabase charts raking in 187 total first-week stations and an additional 24 stations on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. This is a career best for Brown who co-wrote his latest release with Jesse Frasure, Levon Gray and Ernest K. Smith.

On the MusicRow Radio Chart, Keith Urban lands at the top of the most added list receiving 28 adds this week. His latest single, “Wild Hearts,” was also the highest debut at No. 49 and had the greatest spin increase with +349 spins. Urban co-wrote “Wild Hearts” with Brad Tursi, Jennifer Wayne, and Eric Paslay.

Frank Ray also earns a nod for being the most added song on country radio by a new artist. “Country’d Look Good On You,” released via BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records, has 59 new stations playing the single this week. “It’s hard to describe the feeling of hearing your own song come on the radio—it brings all kinds of emotions to the surface—I’m grateful to my incredible fans, family, manager Oscar Chavira and my entire team,” Ray shares. “Thank you to country radio for gifting me with that incredible feeling and continuing to support me and my dream.”

Paradise Artists Agent Charlie Davis Dies At 68

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Longtime Paradise Artists agent Charlie Davis passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday (Aug. 25). He was 68.

Davis’ career in the music industry began in his early twenties as the road manager for Peter Frampton on the “Frampton Comes Alive! Tour.” He later worked as Chubby Checker’s manager for over thirty years before he joined Paradise Artists in 1996. He remained working there until his death. Davis served on the IEBA Board of Directors for over a decade.

Over his career, he has worked with a variety of artists including REO Speedwagon; Bad Company; Blood, Sweat & Tears; Steppenwolf; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts; Weird Al Yankovic Foreigner’s Lou Gramm, Tommy James & The Shondells, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap; and many more.

Pictured (L-R): Charlie Davis, Kell Houston, and Christine Barkley. Photo: Courtesy IEBA

“Charlie Davis was one-of-a-kind. He was universally loved and was a dear, dear friend. It is an understatement to say that he will be dearly missed,” says Howie Silverman, owner of Paradise Artists.

Charlie is survived by his wife Cheryl Mahoney-Davis, stepdaughter Heather Philips, and granddaughters Shannon and Sonia Philips.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Charlie’s memory to the Schuylkill Haven School District Music Department located at 501 East Main Street, Schuylkill Haven, PA, 17972.

Zac Brown Band Plots ‘The Comeback’ For October 15

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Zac Brown Band is gearing up for the release of their new Warner Music Nashville/Home Grown Music album, The Comeback, available Oct. 15. Sharing a preview of what fans can expect from the upcoming project, the band has released “Slow Burn” today (Aug. 27).

Lead singer Zac Brown co-produced the entire project alongside frequent collaborator, Ben Simonetti, while also co-writing on all of the 15 tracks. Among the writers featured on the new collection are Luke Combs, Jonathan Singleton, Ray Fulcher, Luke Dick, and more. Additionally, the album’s leadoff track, “Same Boat,” is approaching the Top 20 at country radio, having already accumulated nearly 30 million streams.

“The Comeback celebrates our collective resilience as a community,” Brown shares. “This music is about standing together and rediscovering our roots and what makes us human. We feel incredibly blessed to be back out on the road again, sharing these new songs with our fans. The only good thing about getting knocked down is The Comeback when it comes back around.”

For over a decade, the band has topped the charts, with six consecutive albums reaching the top 10 on the Billboard 200 and five consecutive albums debuting at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Country Albums chart. The group has notched three Grammy awards, sold more than 30 million singles, nine million albums, amassed nearly ten billion catalog streams, and achieved 15 No. 1 radio singles.

The band is currently out on the road for The Comeback Tour, which kicked off earlier this month and will run through October.

The Comeback Track List:
1. Slow Burn – Zac Brown, Ben Hayslip, Ben Simonetti
2. Out In The Middle – Zac Brown, Luke Combs, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
3. Wild Palomino – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
4. Us Against The World – Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
5. Same Boat – Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
6. Stubborn Pride (feat. Marcus King) – Zac Brown, Marcus King, Ben Simonetti
7. Fun Having Fun – Zac Brown, Kenny Habul, Kurt Thomas, Ben Simonetti
8. The Comeback – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ray Fulcher, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
9. Old Love Song – Zac Brown, Luke Combs, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
10. Any Day Now – Zac Brown, Clay Cook, Josh Dunne, Ray Fulcher, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
11. Paradise Lost On Me – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
12. GA Clay – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Neil Mason, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
13. Love & Sunsets – Zac Brown, Luke Dick, Ben Simonetti
14. Closer To Heaven (feat. Gregory Porter) – Zac Brown, John Driskell Hopkins, Ben Simonetti
15. Don’t Let Your Heart – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Levi Lowrey, Jimmy De Martini, Ben Simonetti

Jimmie Allen Releases Theme Song For New Netflix Series, ‘Titletown High’

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Jimmie Allen has released a new track, “Big In A Small Town” which serves as the theme song for the new Netflix series, Titletown High. The show is now streaming globally to viewers across 190 countries.

Titletown High, created by Blue Eyes Entertainment founder, Jason Sciavicco, the executive producer and creator of MTV’s Two-a-Days, features the Valdosta High Football program. The immersive series highlights the commitment of players against a backdrop of community support and school pride.

“I grew up in a small town. Whether it’s football, a dream you have… everything you do in a small town is a big thing,” Allen says of the song’s and series’ compatible natures. “Everything is the end of the world, or the start of a world. That’s what I feel like people connect to–the realness of it.”

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Further expanding his creative pursuits, Allen serves as Executive Music Producer for the series, tapping into his broad music sensibilities to curate all the music viewers hear throughout the series.

“Having an executive role behind the camera has always been a dream of mine, so I’m thrilled to be the Executive Music Producer on Titletown High,” Allen says. “I loved using music to enhance the show’s already compelling nature and can’t wait for viewers to hear incredible songs from many amazing artists. Having ‘Big In A Small Town’ serve as the show’s theme song was the cherry on top!”