AIMP Holds 4th Annual Global Music Publishing Summit

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The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) held its 4th annual Global Music Publishing Summit online this week (June 7 – 9).

The summit kicked off with Creator Day on June 7, followed by Business of Publishing Day on June 8, and wrapping with International Day on June 9.

Below are some highlights:

The online programming June 7’s Creator Day started with a welcome from AIMP National Chair and Nashville Chapter President John Ozier, Los Angeles Chapter President Teri Nelson Carpenter, and New York Chapter President Michael Lau, before heading into a presentation from strategic HR firm EnterGain who delved into the results of a survey of the AIMP membership conducted to create a starting point for its efforts to be a more diverse and inclusive organization that promotes equity for its members. EnterGain Senior Advisor Yuna Perry and Managing Directors James Celentano and Mikal Celentano presented the results, which can be viewed here.

RCA Nashville artist Andrew Jannakos then discussed his path from The Voice to viral TikTok star to recording artist with his manager Andrew Cohen of Cohencidence Projects, Derek Wells (Senior Director, A&R, Spirit Music Group), and moderator MaryAnn Keen (Associate Director of Writer Publisher Relations, BMI).

The Songwriter Keynote featured Craig Wiseman, songwriter and Founder of Big Loud Publishing, in conversation with John Titta, EVP of Membership at ASCAP. The two discussed Wiseman’s rise from a bar-band drummer in Mississippi to writing a song for fellow writer/drummer Don Henley to duet with Kenny Rogers, and much more.

June 8’s Business of Publishing Day included a discussion on exactly what it means to be an “indie publisher;” a keynote from U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN); a conversation amongst the leadership of the NMPA, A2IM, RIAA, NSAI, AIMP, and Music Business Association; and special presentations from The U.S. Copyright Office and The MLC.

Former AIMP President Michael Eames (President, PEN Music Group) kicked off the day’s events with a discussion of his recent op-ed for Billboard, “In 2021, How Do We Define an ‘Indie’ Publisher?” Eames then moderated the Indie Perspective panel, featuring Mike Molinar (General Manager, Big Machine), Kathy Spanberger (President and COO, Peermusic), Jim Selby (Chief Publishing Executive, Concord Music), Neil Gillis (President, Round Hill), Tony Alexander (Co-Founder, President, and Managing Director, MIME), and AIMP National Chair and Nashville Chapter President Ozier (EVP Creative, Reservoir).

U.S. Sen. Blackburn (R-TN), a key advocate of the Music Modernization Act (MMA), delivered the Business Keynote, discussing the many pieces of legislation that affect songwriters and publishers, from SBA loans, capital gains, recording expense write-offs to the HITS Act, and more; noting that she and U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) intend to reintroduce the AM-FM Act as well.

David Israelite (President & CEO, NMPA), Dr. Richard James Burgess (President & CEO, A2IM), Mitch Glazier (Chairman & CEO, RIAA), Bart Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI), AIMP LA Chapter President Carpenter (CEO, Reel Muzik Werks), and moderator Portia Sabin (President, Music Business Association) then joined forces for the U.S. Alliance panel, an annual favorite at the Global Music Publishing Summit. The MLC CEO Kris Ahrend then took the stage for a special presentation on the organization’s progress, including having held over 200 educational webinars to date.

The final day, June 9’s International Day, brought the global music publishing industry into focus, with a keynote from CISAC’s Gadi Oron, the far-ranging International Alliance panel, and much more.

The day kicked off with the AIMP/IMPF Networking Mixer, where attendees were randomly placed in 4-person Zoom rooms for 10 minutes each. Carpenter and AIMP NY Chapter Vice President Debbie Rose (President, Kokopelli Music Group/Sundae Songs) then walked conference attendees through new international initiatives being worked on at CISAC regarding Cue Sheet Standardization and Music in Commercials.

The Summit came to a close with the International Alliance panel, featuring Will Kreth (EIDR, DDEX), Margaret McGuffin (CEO, Music Publishers Canada), Dr. Kristina Janušauskaitė (Director of European Legal Affairs, IFPI), AIMP NY Chapter President Michael Lau (CEO, Laud Music/Imachew Music), and moderator Ger Hatton (Principal, Hatton.eu).

For more information about AIMP, click here.

2021 CMT Music Awards Highlights: Winners, Performances, Collaborations

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Carrie Underwood wins Video of the Year at the 2021 CMT Music Awards.

Last night (June 9) the 2021 CMT Music Awards were held live at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown, the show included its traditional array of awards and an impressive lineup of performers and collaborations.

After winning the award for Video of the Year, the biggest honor of the night, Carrie Underwood maintained her position of most decorated artist in CMT Music Awards history with a whopping 23 career wins. Curb Records recording artist Dylan Scott won Breakthrough Video Of The Year for his music video for “Nobody,” his first CMT Award.

Hosts Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown

Hosts Brown and Ballerini both walked away with CMT trophies, Ballerini for her her performance of “The Other Girl” at the 2020 CMT Music Awards with Halsey. Brown took home Male Video Of The Year for “Worship You,” as well as Collaborative Video Of The Year with Chris Young for “Famous Friends.” For a full list of winners, click here.

The CMT Equal Play Award was presented to Linda Martell. The trailblazer was honored with a reel of her story and role in music history as the first Black female solo country artist to perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage along with a slew of her additional career achievements.

Chris Stapleton and H.E.R. perform “Hold On” at the 2021 CMT Music Awards.

Among the performers who took the stage last night were impressive collaborations like country crooner Chris Stapleton and soulful singer H.E.R.’s jaw dropping rendition of “Hold On;” Underwood and Needtobreathe delivering their recent track “I Wanna Remember;” Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, and Jack Ingram teaming up to perform a stripped down version of “Tequila Does;” and Ballerini with Paul Klein (LANY) debuting their brand new song “I Quit Drinking.”

Lady A, Carly Pearce, Lindsay Ell, and a full spread of female band members opened up the show with their powerhouse anthem “Lady” while Mickey Guyton, Breland, and Gladys Knight joined forces for a medley of “Cross Country” and The Temptations 1970 song “Friendship Train.”

Ingrid Andress performs “Lady Like” at the 2021 CMT Music Awards.

Ingrid Andress performed her hit song “Lady Like,” and also lended her vocals on “Like That” with JP Saxe; Lauren Alaina and Jon Pardi took the stage to perform “Getting Over Him;” Brothers Osborne and Dierks Bentley sang “Lighten Up” from the Bonaroo Farm; and Brown and Chris Young closed out the night with “Famous Friends.” Luke Combs (“Cold As You”), Luke Bryan (“Down To One”), and Thomas Rhett (“Country Again”) also gave solo performances throughout the night.

Priscilla Block, Lilly Hiatt, Regi Wooten And Friends Join Nashville’s July 4th Lineup

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Priscilla Block, Lilly Hiatt, and Regi Wooten and Friends have been added to the lineup for Nashville’s downtown 4th of July celebration, Let Freedom Sing! presented by Dr Pepper.

As previously announced, Brad Paisley will headline the giant show on Lower Broadway, which will feature the largest fireworks show in Nashville history with the pyrotechnics synchronized to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony. Sirius XM host Storme Warren will serve as emcee on the First and Broadway stage, and Symphony Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero will be conducting for the first time in over a decade. Jason Eskridge will perform the National Anthem, and veteran support group Operation Song will kick off the lineup of live music. The Nashville Symphony will perform at Ascend Amphitheater at the conclusion of the concert. The fireworks show will be from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The free, family-friendly event has regularly drawn more than 200,000, and as many as 343,000 in 2019. This will be the 18th annual celebration produced by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and the 37th in the city’s history.

“We are proud to bring together this diverse lineup to celebrate Independence Day in a big way,” said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “The free event is a thank you to Nashvillians after the year we’ve had, as well as a way to jumpstart our tourism economy with an influx of visitors. They will find a lot of reasons for an extended visit to Nashville – from an ALABAMA concert at Bridgestone Arena to a Nashville SC match on July 5 and more.”

AIMP Presents Results Of Member Survey For Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Initiative

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To begin its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiative, the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) partnered with EnterGain to conduct a survey of its members in order to have a starting point for its efforts to be a more diverse and inclusive organization. EnterGain Senior Advisor Yuna Perry and Managing Directors James Celentano and Mikal Celentano presented the results at the AIMP Global Music Publishing Summit that took place this week.

While this was the first survey of its kind for the AIMP, it was sent to all 1,006 AIMP members with a 16% response rate. Almost 80% of respondents chose “white” as one of their ethnicities, and compared to the U.S. population, membership was underrepresented in all other ethnicities. For example, 6.6% identified as Black/African American, and 7% as Hispanic/Latinx. 82% of respondents identify as straight, 10% “preferred not to say,” and LGBTQ is represented at 8%.

80% of respondents said over 80% of their income comes from music-related activities. They work across a multiplicity of genres, and 52% are self-employed or work at companies with 5 or fewer employees. Most noted they rely on the AIMP for education and networking.

When it comes to education level, 26% of respondents have a 4-year non-music degree; an additional 25% have a 4-year music business degree; and 8% earned a 4-year music degree and 18% of respondents have a graduate degree.

While a majority (92%) said they did not have a disability, when asked about their needs at future in-person events, many had the same requests for accessibility options as respondents who did indicate they have a disability. These groups expressed interest in visual and auditory assistance, accessible restrooms, ramps/elevators, parking, and service animals. Also, approximately 40% of all respondents showed interest in continuing virtual/online events.

On a 5-point scale ranging from Not Diverse at All to Exceptionally Diverse, nearly 90% of respondents rated the independent music publishing community as at least Somewhat Diverse or better.

“Response to the survey showed that the AIMP community is ready to engage in these important topics,” said EnterGain co-founder and Managing Director Celentano. “A lot of actionable insight is coming out of the survey phase of the AIMP’s DEI initiative, and we look forward to facilitating the upcoming DEI workshops, to explore how AIMP members can foster an even more welcoming and equitable independent publishing community,” added Perry, Senior Advisor at EnterGain.

“It was so important for us to ask our members the kind of questions that don’t come up in typical day-to-day conversations, so we can see where we can help support and educate our community to be a better environment for everyone,” said John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and Nashville Chapter President. “We are already addressing some of the specific requests with the trainings, upcoming new website, an initial meeting on July 15 to gauge interest in an Atlanta chapter, and our LA Chapter has already established a DEI Committee. And we’re so pleased to be able to offer to our members a free, three-session workshop on DEI from EnterGain to help educate and empower our members around these issues.”

EnterGain will conduct a three-session workshop series at no cost to AIMP members interested in deepening their understanding of the barriers and solutions around diversity, equity, and inclusion and provide actionable takeaways that can be applied in their professional lives. The three 90-minute training sessions are scheduled for June 21, June 28, and July 6 at 1 p.m. CST. They will be co-led by two executive-level facilitators from EnterGain, with virtual session tools and interactive discussions.

Registration is now open to all AIMP members. To register, click here.

IBMA World Of Bluegrass Announces Its Return To Raleigh In September

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The IBMA World of Bluegrass is returning this year from Sept. 28-Oct. 2 in Raleigh, N.C. as a mostly in-person event, with a virtual component and adjustments to meet health and safety guidelines.

“As our community emerges from some of the most challenging times in modern memory, this year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass takes on added importance,” says Pat Morris, IBMA’s executive director. “We urge everyone who loves bluegrass to be at this fall’s event and re-engage with others, share fresh ideas, and learn innovations – some launched because of the pandemic. Most importantly, it’s the chance to get fully immersed in what we all sorely missed in 2020: live music.”

Performers for the Oct. 1-2 music festival, IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC, have been announced and will include Béla Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart featuring Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz and Bryan Sutton, The Del McCoury Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer and Odessa Settles, Sister Sadie, and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys.

The first round of official showcase artists have also been selected for the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble at select venues throughout downtown Raleigh, including Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves, Armchair Boogie, Bella White, Bowregard, East Nash Grass, Henhouse Prowlers, Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road, Lindley Creek, MohaviSoul, Rock Hearts, Starlett & Big John, Stillhouse Junkies, The Amanda Cook Band, The Arcadian Wild, The Martin Gilmore Trio, The MilBillies, The New Acoustic Collective, The Sweet Lillies, The Wooks, and Twisted Pine. Additional showcase artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the 2021 World of Bluegrass, click here.

Kylie Frey Signs Publishing Deal With Carnival Music

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Kylie Frey. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Indie recording artist Kylie Frey has inked a publishing deal with Carnival Music.

The Louisiana native has a commanding voice and has developed an authentic and true sound. Her way of turning a phrase has earned her over 1.5 million streams in just one month, and has also been resonating with radio listeners. She is currently celebrating that her latest collaborative effort “Horses In Heaven (featuring Randy Houser)” has risen to No. 1 on the Texas Regional Radio Report, marking her sixth chart-topper on the TR3 chart. The song peaked in just 9 weeks–breaking Frey’s own 11-week chart record for fastest climb for a female in the chart’s history.

“Within ten minutes of meeting Kylie, I heard a classic country voice, some serious guitar picking and a song that stopped me dead in my tracks,” says producer and Creative Head of Carnival Frank Liddell. “When I learned she was a rodeo queen headed out to a weekend goat-tying camp… and that her parents made boudin for a living, I knew she had to be a Carnival writer,” he adds. “We are honored to join her awesome team and be a part of what I know will be an adventurous ride to success.”

“I got my dream publishing deal. My name on the wall at the coolest company in town surrounded by people that push me to just be myself more than ever before,” shares Frey.

Carlene Carter Sets Livestreams With Guests Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, More

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Digital platform Mandolin will present two livestream performances this month from country and Americana recording artist Carlene Carter backed by her band The Lucky Ones on June 17 and June 24.

Filmed at legendary Cash Cabin in Hendersonville, Tennessee, the first performance emphasizes the legacy of The Carter Family and features an impressive lineup of special guests including Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, The War and Treaty, Elizabeth Cook, Carlene’s daughter, Tiffany Anastasia Lowe, and cousin Lorrie Carter Bennett. Meanwhile, the second performance focuses on Carlene’s solo material, with a few surprises planned throughout the livestream. Tickets for both shows, billed as A Meeting In The Air, are available now.

“A Meeting In The Air is named after an old Carter Family song and with so many of us interacting with each other online during the pandemic we really have been ‘meeting in the air.’ I wanted the first show to be Carter-esque, because those are my roots. I have guests who really helped jumpstart my career in a lot of ways, like Rodney and Emmylou,” Carter explains. “The second show is a set of my songs, including some I haven’t played in forty plus years, and I tell some stories I’ve never told on stage before. I got to use all of the creative energy I had pent up that I wasn’t able to apply to anything else this past year… The thing I wanted to do most of all is bring joy to the world and show people the joy I feel when I play this music.”

Carter has been releasing music for over four decades. The daughter of June Carter Cash and country music Hall of Famer Carl Smith, and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, she became a singer with The Carter Family at the age of 17. Working with producer Howie Epstein, her “I Fell In Love” topped the country singles and video charts. After the success from her album of the same name, Carter received award nominations from the Academy of Country Music in the Top New Female Vocalist category and a Grammy nomination for Best Country Female Vocal Performance.

Mac Powell Joins Capitol Christian Music Group, Announces New Album

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Mac Powell, former frontman of the four-time Grammy Award-winning band Third Day, recently joined Capitol Christian Music Group’s artist roster.

His first release on the label, “River of Life” is available now and is the first track from his forthcoming solo album due later this year. From his many years with Third Day, Powell brings his nearly three decades of experience and soulful delivery of heartfelt lyrics together for his upcoming album.

“It’s interesting that within the medical community the bloodstream is called the ‘River of Life,'” Powell shares about the new song. “We as believers know that our true life comes from the grace and mercy of Jesus–poured out from his sacrifice on the cross. In John chapter 4, Jesus shares with the woman at the well – Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. Let us all partake in this River of Life that is given by our Savior!”

Over the last year, Powell continued to share his music as part of the Drive-In Theatre tours with Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith as well as this spring with Zach Williams and CAIN.

Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Ingrid Andress, More To Play Dierks Bentley’s Seven Peaks Festival

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Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban

Dierks Bentley has revealed the list of artists performing at his upcoming Seven Peaks Festival in Buena Vista, Colorado over Labor Day Weekend.

Keith Urban will headline this year’s festival along with Bentley, and Kip Moore, Old Crow Medicine Show, Randy Houser, Hot Country Knights, Travis Denning, Ingrid Andress, Molly Tuttle, Caitlyn Smith, Hailey Whitters, Callista Clark, Ray Fulcher, Willie Jones, Caroline Jones, Rapidgrass, and more are set to perform. Payton Smith, Clay Walker, Jackson Dean, Reyna Roberts, Pam Tillis, and Aydamn are also on the bill.

“Getting the green light to book artists and plan our third annual Seven Peaks was the single best piece of news I’ve gotten in the last year,” said Bentley. “It is my favorite weekend of the year, and I know every fan and artist that has been there will tell you the same. It’s the only time my band and crew ever show up to a gig a week early too…because we can’t wait to be out there with our friends and fans soaking up the Colorado sunshine and mountain vibes.” 

Passes for the three-day camping experience go on sale beginning June 18 at 10 a.m. MT.

Artist Action: Maren Morris, Dustin Lynch, Blanco Brown, Mark Wystrach

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Maren Morris Takes Flight With U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds

Maren Morris. Photo: Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver

Maren Morris had the thrill of a lifetime on Friday, June 4 when she flew in an F-16 with the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds.

This high-flying ride came in advance of the Thunderbirds headlining demonstration at The Great Tennessee Air Show held every June in Smyrna, Tennessee. BBR Music Group’s Blanco Brown performed the National Anthem at Saturday’s show while Track45 performed it on Sunday.

 

 

Dustin Lynch Hosts Multi-Day Pool Situation In Vegas

Dustin Lynch. Photo: Powers

Broken Bow Records recording artist Dustin Lynch hosted his own “Dustin Lynch Pool Situation: Vegas” last Thursday (June 3) through Sunday (June 6).

The first country music-themed full-weekend pool party of its kind included special guests Jordan Davis, HARDY, and Brandi Cyrus, in addition to surprise appearances by MacKenzie Porter and Conner Smith throughout the Las Vegas strip.

“What a rush! Year 1 of the Pool Situation was certainly a situation – in the best way possible. We live for that connection of all being on the same wavelength to celebrate, forget about the real world, and just live in the moment,” shares Lynch. “Our mission this weekend was to give our fans the best weekend possible, and want to come back and do it again and again. It sure feels like we accomplished that, along with a bunch of ideas to make next year even bigger and better.”

Lynch kicked off the sold-out multi-day event at Drai’s with the “Where It’s At” Welcome Party on Thursday with a supercharged DJ set by Cyrus. Lynch also headlined Friday’s “Cowboys and Angels” Pool Party at Encore Beach Club. Performing for the first time this year with a full band, Lynch played some of his fan favorites, including “Ridin’ Roads,” “Good Girl,” and “Momma’s House,” plus a slew of others since his 2012 breakout.

 

 

Blanco Brown To Release First Taste Of New Music Since 2020 Life-Threatening Accident

Blanco Brown. Photo: J.Kaviar

‘TrailerTrap’ creator and mastermind behind the triple-Platinum sensation “The Git Up,”  Blanco Brown will release “Nobody’s More Country” on June 18 via BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records. This marks Brown’s first new music since his life-threatening accident in 2020.

Written by Brown, Tyler Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt, and Quintin Amey, the track reaffirms Brown’s country status as he pulls inspiration from his Georgia roots. Throughout the song, Brown also notes that while he appreciates all of the places country music has taken him—“there’s no place like home.”

“I’ve been all around the world and have seen people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds uniting over their love of country music—the music ties us together,” says Brown. “It’s the sound of home. It’s the sound of my Georgia heart. It’s hard to imagine anybody loving it more than me.”

Fans will get a sneak peek of the song as he performs the new track tonight (June 9) on the RAM Trucks Side Stage at the CMT Music Awards where he is nominated for Group Video of the Year with Parmalee for “Just the Way.”

 

 

Midland Lead Singer Mark Wystrach To Appear In New Film The Eyes Of Tammy Faye

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Midland lead singer Mark Wystrach appears in the upcoming film The Eyes of Tammy Faye which will be released by Searchlight Pictures on Sept. 17.

Directed by Michael Showalter, the film is an intimate look at the rise, fall and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. In the 1970s and 80s, Tammy Faye and her husband, Jim Bakker, created the world’s largest religious broadcasting network and theme park, and were revered for their message of love, acceptance and prosperity. Bakker was known for her indelible eyelashes, idiosyncratic singing, and eagerness to embrace people from all walks of life. However, financial improprieties, scheming rivals, and scandals toppled their carefully constructed empire.

Wystrach acts alongside Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Cherry Jones, Fredric Lehne, Louis Cancelmi, Sam Jaeger, Gabriel Olds, and Vincent D’Onofrio.