WMBA Launches First Ever Silent Auction

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The Women’s Music Business Association is holding its first-ever silent auction beginning today (July 1) and running through July 15.

Items up for grabs include passes to the MusicBiz 2022 Conference, a CMT Crossroads taping, tickets to the National Museum of African American Music, signed artist memorabilia, and more. All items can be found at wmbanashville.org/event-details/wmba-silent-auction.

All proceeds from the items sold will help the organization as well as help members of WMBA who have been severely impacted by COVID-19. In addition, a percentage will be sent to MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund to help more members of the music community.

The WMBA was created as a nonprofit and is dedicated to fostering opportunities for women within the music industry through education, networking, industry involvement, and community service.

Downtown Music Services Announces New Signings, Renewals With Jason Isbell, Hunter Hayes, More

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Downtown Music Services has announced a wave of new signings and renewals across a wide array of creators for publishing administration and distribution.

DMS renewed its existing publishing deal with four-time Grammy winner, and nine-time Americana Music Awards winner Jason Isbell. Additionally, DMS has signed a distribution deal with country artist Hunter Hayes.

Along with Isbell, those who renewed their publishing deals with DMS are Grammy-nominated singer, composer, and pianist Tori Amos; two-time Academy Award nominee Marco Beltrami; global independent music publisher Kassner Music; cult rock band Ween; Hans Zimmer and Remote Control Publishing; and 14th Street Publishing.

Joining Hayes in signing new distribution deals are American rock band American Authors; Avex USA; American electronic music DJ trio Cheat Codes; distribution and DSP support platform Cima Incubadora; Middle Eastern artist and holder of 7 World Music Awards Amr Diab; Hayashi; alternative artist Hobo Johnson; regional Mexican trailblazers with 30x Platinum albums and 12 Grammy nominations Los Tucanes de Tijuana; the label arm of Mick Management, Mick Music; joint record label RAC / Goldroom / Minerva; Mexican label Rap Trap Records / Alzada Corp.; Moroccan pop artist Salma Rachid; and Egyptian singer and actor Mohamed Ramadan.

Among those who have signed administration deals are Big Indie; songwriter Samuel Dixon; Japanese composer Yuki Hayashi; songwriter Jimmy Hogarth; French-Cuban sister group Ibeyi; longtime co-writer for Gorillaz Remi Kabaka; female-fronted LA rock band Kills Birds; 3x Grammy winning blues icon Taj Mahal; actor, singer, and songwriter Anthony Newley; Scandinavian agency Tigerspring; Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree; and 45th & 3rd Music Publishing.

“I’m extremely happy with the reception Downtown Music Services has received from existing and new clients alike,” says Ben Patterson, COO, DMS. “With a truly global staff focusing entirely on serving artists and constructing the right team for each project, we’re releasing some of the most exciting music on the planet just as the world is ready to get back out and hear it in all venues and formats.”

Watershed Festival Reveals Lineup For Next From Nashville Stage

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The Watershed Music and Camping Festival has announced the artists set to perform at the Next From Nashville stage.

Included in the Next From Nashville lineup are a slew of up-and-coming artists such as Ashland Craft, Priscilla Block, Shy Carter, Callista Clark, Jackson Dean, Ross Ellis, Alex Hall, Laine Hardy, Willie Jones, Kylie Morgan, Reyna Roberts, Payton Smith, Brittney Spencer, Alana Springsteen, Temecula Road and Tiera.

As previously announced, the festival’s main stage will feature the original headliners for the 2020 festival, including Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw and Thomas Rhett. Throughout the weekend, there will also be performances from country artists such as Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Blanco Brown, Billy Currington, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Morgan Evans, Hardy, Randy Houser, Ned LeDoux, Ashley McBryde, Jon Pardi, and DeeJay Silver.

The three-day festival will be help at The Gorge Ampitheatre in George, Wash. from July 30-Aug. 1. For full ticketing and lineup details, click here.

Curb Records, Mike Curb Foundation File Lawsuit Against Governor Lee

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Independent record label Curb Records and the Mike Curb Foundation today (June 30) filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new Tennessee law, HB 1182, that requires businesses to post a notice on their premises if they have policies allowing access for transgender individuals on an equal basis to other patrons.

HB 1182 was introduced by Representative Tim Rudd of Murfreesboro, signed into law by Governor Bill Lee in May and is scheduled to go into effect on July 1. The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

“It’s outrageous to have the government come in and force me to send such a derogatory message to my employees and customers,” says Mike Curb, founder and Chairman of Curb Records and President of the Mike Curb Foundation. “My grandmother Eloisa Salazar faced incredible discrimination as she grew up on the Mexico-U.S. border, and her experience shaped my family’s and my company’s values. Our foundation has been dedicated to inclusion and nondiscrimination, including for LGBT people, from day one. It is hard to believe that our LGBT community in Tennessee is being assaulted with so much harmful legislation, much of it being signed by Governor Lee, at a time when our country needs to come together more than ever before.”

With a history in business, philanthropy and government, Curb served as Acting Governor and elected Lieutenant Governor of California and President of the California state senate. He was a leader in the fight to stop California’s 1978 Briggs Initiative which would have banned gay schoolteachers. Curb also served as co-chair of Ronald Reagan’s successful 1980 presidential campaign.

Morgan Wade Inks With UMPG Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): UMPG Director A&R Zach Lund and Singer/Songwriter Morgan Wade. Photo: Courtesy of UMPG

Morgan Wade has signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Nashville.

Wade’s first full-length album, Reckless, was released earlier this year and showcases her songwriting talent on all 10 tracks. Her current single, “Wilder Days,” is currently at country and Americana radio, and recently earned her the title of SiriusXM’s “Highway Find.” Wade will join Ashley McBryde and Jason Isbell on the road this summer, along with playing numerous festivals including Pilgrimage Music Fest and Rock the South.

“Morgan has a rare mix of authenticity and grit, accompanied with a fresh sound and pop sensibility that blew my mind the first time I heard her music,” says Director A&R, Universal Music Publishing Nashville Zach Lund. “She truly has no ceiling and the UMPG team is beyond grateful for the opportunity to work with her and join the ride.”

“It feels great to have a songwriting home with so many other artists and writers I admire,” shares Wade. “Zach and his team truly understand what I’m about, and I feel very supported by UMPG. I’m thrilled to see where we go from here.”

Industry Ink: For King & Country, Brooklyn Bowl, Big Daddy Weave, Lucas Hoge

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For King & Country Score Ninth Career No. 1 For ‘Amen’

Luke & Joel Smallbone of for King & Country

Four-time Grammy award-winning duo and Curb | Word Entertainment recording artist for King & Country are celebrating their fifth No. 1 hit from their Grammy winning, Gold-certified studio album Burn The Ships for “Amen.” The track marks the duo’s ninth career No. 1 and their sixth consecutive No. 1 since the multi-week No. 1 smash “joy.”

“The love that you all have been giving Burn The Ships is still astounding to us,” Joel and Luke Smallbone share. “We are feeling very grateful for the way you’ve supported this album and made it your own. You did this… thank you!”

“Amen” currently sits at No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay and Christian AC charts as well as Mediabase’s Christian Audience and Christian AC charts. Additionally, the song is slotting in at No. 20 on Mediabase’s AC chart showing promise for also becoming a mainstream success.

The Smallbone brothers have produced a steady stream of chart-topping tunes including “Joy.,” “Burn The Ships,” and the eleven-week cross-genre smash hit “God Only Knows,” which produced a subsequent version with a Dolly Parton collaboration.

 

 

Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl Celebrates Grand Opening

Old Crow Medicine Show perform at Brooklyn Bowl on June 25, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Erika Goldring

One of Nashville’s newest venues, the Brooklyn Bowl, recently celebrated its grand opening. To commemorate it, a slew of artists performed throughout the weekend. Included in the festivities were Old Crow Medicine Show, Keb Mo, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Molly Tuttle, Rebirth Brass Band, Eddie 9V, and more.

Located on 3rd Avenue in North Nashville, upcoming shows include Kip Moore (June 30), Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives (July 23), Phil Less & Friends (July 29-31), Madison Beer (Nov. 9), and more. For a full schedule, click here.

 

 

Bid Daddy Weave, Curb | Word Entertainment Enter New Agreement

Pictured (L-R): Brian Beihl, Jeremy Redmon, Jay Weaver, Mike Curb, Mike Weaver, Joe Shirk

Curb | Word Entertainment and Big Daddy Weave have entered into a new agreement to continue their long-term relationship.

The band, first signed to Fervent Records in 2001 which later became part of the Curb | Word family, has earned 10 career No. 11 singles, 7 career Top 5 singles, and multiple awards and nominations for the Dove Awards, K-LOVE Fan Awards, Billboard Music Awards, ASCAP, and BMI Awards. They group has also received The Rich Mullins Artist Impact Award.

“We are very excited that Big Daddy Weave is continuing their amazing career with Curb | Word Entertainment,” shares label Chairman Mike Curb. “They have accomplished many wonderful things thus far, and I look forward to a great future as we continue our partnership.”

Jim Scherer, president of WHIZBANG, Inc., the band’s management company, also shares, “The Curb | Word team has always demonstrated their passion for what Big Daddy Weave does with their actions. All of us will continue this journey together with a great expectation for the things to come.”

 

 

Lucas Hoge’s ‘Hoge Wild’ Receives Title Sponsorship From GSM Outdoors

Lucas Hoge

Lucas Hoge’s GSM’s Hoge Wild has returned for a second season on the Sportsman Channel with GSM Outdoors as the new title sponsor for the project.

GSM Outdoors has partnered with Hoge for more than three years to date, prior to his series on Sportsman Channel. Hoge will use GSM’s products in the upcoming seasons as he hunts, fishes, dives, and performs across the world. Hoge, who is the creator and executive producer, shares his passion for wildlife conservation throughout the series, changing the narrative around the hunting lifestyle. Hoge also enlists some familiar faces throughout the series, inviting along friends and country duo The Swon Brothers for a hunt and songwriter Keesy Timmer on his first deer hunt.

“GSM Outdoors is ecstatic to partner with Lucas as he travels the globe showcasing the beauty in wildlife conservation. We are not only fans of his music but also his love for the outdoors. This was a natural partnership as Lucas has been using several of our products for many years. We are so proud to partner with Lucas and his series Hoge Wild,” shares GSM Outdoors CEO Eddie Castro.

VP Of Promotion Drew Bland Exits Monument Records

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Drew Bland

Drew Bland has exited from his position as VP of Promotion at Monument Records, MusicRow has confirmed.

With over 15 years of experience working at radio stations across the country, Bland came to Monument from a post as Program Director of radio stations KKWF in Seattle and before that WWKA in Orlando. At Monument, he managed a team of four and handled the radio promotion of artists including Caitlyn Smith, Walker Hayes, Teddy Robb, Brandon Ratcliff, Alex Hall, and Tigirlily.

Bland was named to MusicRow‘s 2021 N.B.T. Industry Directory, which highlights Nashville music business professionals who are on a trajectory of excellence to successfully lead the Nashville music industry into the future.

Monument said in a statement that news about a new VP of Promotion will be made next week. “We wish Drew well in his future endeavors,” the statement reads.

Luke Combs, Chris Young, Lady A, More Help Salute America’s Heroes

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The Grand Ole Opry and Armed Forces Entertainment are partnering to honor our military across the globe with The Grand Ole Opry Salutes America’s Heroes. The virtual concert, which premiered on Armed Forces Entertainment’s Facebook and YouTube pages earlier this week, will be available to view worldwide until Dec. 31.

AFN-TV will be airing the segments worldwide in primetime on July 4. Due to COVID-19, this virtual concert is Armed Forces Entertainment’s way of honoring our men and women serving overseas and in the states on the nation’s holiday. Hosted by Natalie Stovall, the concert features performance from Luke Combs, Chris Young, Lady A, Lauren Alaina, Carly Pearce, and Lee Greenwood.

“I have had the honor of partnering with Armed Forces Entertainment for more than four decades to provide quality entertainment for the men and women serving in the military overseas,” says Judy Seale, President/CEO of Judy Seale International/Stars for Stripes. “Not being able to travel internationally has been a challenge and the AFE virtuals are providing much-needed moral support to service personnel. Based on the universal support the Opry receives from the country music industry, it seemed like a natural fit to partner with the Grand Ole Opry to bring the top entertainers in country music to the military and their families over the 4th of July holiday.”

Provident Entertainment Ups Holly Zabka, Blaine Barcus

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Holly Zabka & Blaine Barcus

Provident Entertainment has announced two new promotions within its ranks for Holly Zabka and Blaine Barcus.

Zabka was elevated to Sr. Vice President for Essential Music Publishing (EMP) in 2020, and now adds the title of Head of Creative for Provident Label Group (PLG) to her role. Zabka reports to Terry Hemmings, President/CEO of Provident Entertainment. Formerly VP of A&R, Barcus has been promoted to Sr. Vice President, A&R for PLG, joining the Provident leadership team led by Hemmings and reporting to Zabka.

Zabka was the first executive hired to run Essential Music Publishing as Sr. Director in 2018, and in 2013 she was promoted to VP. Over the last 13 years, Zabka and her team have over 17,000 copyrights and more than 70 No. 1 songs, including “You Say” recorded by Lauren Daigle, Zach Williams’ “There Was Jesus,” For King & Country‘s “Together,” Tauren Wells‘ “Famous For,” among many others. Through Zabka’s leadership, Provident’s Publishing division has received four GMA Dove Awards for Song of the Year, was named 2019 and 2020 BMI Publisher of the Year, and is a four-time SESAC Publisher of the Year.

Under Zabka’s direction, EMP has been responsible for signing and partnering with songwriters such as Jason Ingram, Ethan Hulse, Mia Fieldes, and Jonathan Smith, to name a few. They have also signed and represented Provident Label Group artist/songwriters Williams, Wells, Matt Maher, CAIN, and more. Also under her leadership, EMP developed the Essential Worship imprint and church marketing platform, representing hundreds of worship songs for the church including “Graves Into Gardens,” “Goodness of God,” “Great Are You Lord,” “Reckless Love,” “Tremble,” “Glorious Day,” as well as worship/church platforms Elevation Worship, Vertical Worship, Red Rocks Worship, and others.

“Holly joined me in starting our publishing company from the ground floor. She brought knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to the role, as well as the special understanding and care required to work with talented writers throughout a long and successful career,” Hemmings shares. “This role will allow Holly to oversee all of our creative endeavors including publishing and recording as well as new content development. She is deserving of this role in so many ways and I consider her a strong and trusted ally in our company and beyond.”

With 25 years of experience in the music industry, Barcus joined Provident Entertainment as Vice President of A&R in 2005. Previously working as an artist manager, tour manager, and musician, during Barcus’ tenure at Provident he’s signed and/or worked directly with artists such as Willliams, Maher, CAIN, Third Day, Matthew West, Steven Curtis Chapman, and many others. Under his direction, his artist roster has released three Platinum-certified albums, five Gold-certified albums, two Platinum singles, and seven Gold singles. Additionally, his roster has earned five Grammy Awards, 16 Grammy nominations, and numerous GMA Dove Awards.

Over the course of his A&R career, Barcus has signed seven artists who were GMA Dove Award New Artist of the Year nominees, with two winning the award. His roster has also been successful on the radio charts, releasing 25 No. 1 radio hits, with an additional 20 songs making it into the Top 5.

“Blaine has contributed so much to our roster with his ability to develop strong relationships with artists on his roster as well as source songs that can take them to the next level,” Hemmings comments. “In overseeing A&R, this role will allow Blaine to contribute his skills to our entire roster as well as develop new A&R talent as we work to grow the department in the coming months. I’m excited for Blaine and I look forward to what’s ahead as he moves into this new position.”

Triple 8 Management Adds Wave Of Producers To Growing Roster

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Cason Cooley, Luke Dick, Shani Gandhi, Martin Johnson; (L-R, bottom row): Brandon Paddock, Jon Randall, Danen Reed Rector, F. Reid Shippen.

Triple 8 Management has expanded their services into the producer space as they add to their growing client roster.

Triple 8 has taken a leading role in this developing trend, with a robust roster of producers including Cason Cooley (Needtobreathe, American Authors, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors); Grammy nominated songwriter and producer Luke Dick (Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore, Jackson Dean); multi-Grammy nominated mixer, engineer, and producer Shani Gandhi (Sierra Hull, The Mountain Goats, Sarah Jarosz); as well as multi-talented artist, producer, and songwriter Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls and The Night Game (Elle King, Chase Rice, Lady A) who co-wrote and produced King and Lambert’s current hit, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”

Triple 8 also added producer and songwriter Brandon Paddock (Chase Rice, Lady A, The Night Game); Grammy, ACM, and CMA Award-winning producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jon Randall (Dierks Bentley, Parker McCollum, Dwight Yoakam) who most recently collaborated with Lambert and Jack Ingram on The Marfa Tapes; producer and songwriter Danen Reed Rector (Charlotte Sands, Kyd The Band, Quinn Lewis); and multi-Grammy award winning mixer, engineer, and producer and two-time ACM Audio Engineer of the Year F. Reid Shippen (Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Ingrid Michaelson).

“It all started with Alena Moran,” notes Triple 8 Owner George Couri. “I heard from her and multiple Grammy-winning producer and mixer Reid Shippen about wanting to all work together, even though we didn’t manage producers at the time. It has gone exceedingly well to serve him, and so, with Alena and others on the team now, we look forward to continuing to grow this area of our business.”