Industry Ink: Justin Moore, Black River, Bella White

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Justin Moore Receives Pandora Billionaire Plaque For 3 Billion Streams

Photo: Courtesy of SiriusXM & Pandora

Last week, SiriusXM hosts Buzz Brainard and Ania Hammer presented Justin Moore with a Pandora Billionaire Plaque which commemorates 3 billion streams on the platform.

”Wow, that’s awesome! This is really an incredible and exciting surprise,” shares Moore. “Doing the podcast, we take listener questions and I’ve done a lot of Zooms with the new album so people are often asking me what I’m most proud of. Well, it’s really moments like this—14 years after signing my record deal that we’re still here getting to play music and be supported by the fans and industry.”

The hot streak continues with “We Didn’t Have Much” appearing on the Top Spins chart for 17 straight weeks and “She Ain’t Mine No More” debuting as the No. 3 country song on Pandora’s Top Thumb Hundred Chart.

 

 

Black River Entertainment Ups Bailey White

Bailey White

Black River Entertainment’s SVP of Radio Promotion Mike Wilson has announced the promotion of Bailey White to Northeast Regional Manager.

Joining Black River’s promotion department as Promotion Coordinator in 2017, White was promoted to Promotion Manager in May of 2019. With a background in pop, country, and Christian formats, Bailey’s previous stops include Sony Music Nashville, Checkd.in, Provident Label Group, Crowd Surf, and most recently, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

“I am so incredibly thankful for the mentorship and support of the entire Black River team,” says White. “To our friends in the Northeast that Jane has introduced me to over the years, I look forward to seeing you again, and to those I haven’t met yet, I am really excited to get to know you. If anyone would like to teach this girl from Phoenix how to drive in the snow, I would greatly appreciate it.”

Reporting to Wilson, White remains based out of Nashville, and can be reached at bwhite@blackriverent.com. The position of Promotion Coordinator is now available, and applicants can reach out to Mike Wilson at mwilson@blackriverent.com.

 

 

Bella White Signs With Rounder Records, Slates Debut Album

Bella White. Photo: Morgan Mason

Canadian singer-songwriter Bella White has signed with Rounder Records. Along with this announcement, the Nashville-based artist has also released her debut album Just Like Leaving which is available everywhere now.

Produced by Patrick M’Gonigle of The Lonely Heartstring Band and mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Dave Sinko, Just Like Leaving includes songs White wrote from experiences she had in her teenage years, like leaving her hometown for Boston at the age of 18 or the intricacies of a broken heart.

“Just Like Leaving feels like a storybook of the things I went through when I was 18 and 19-each song is about a very specific feeling from my relationships during that time,” White reflects. “I’ve had a lot of younger people tell me that they relate to the experience of learning about yourself through someone else, and I’ve also had older folks tell me how it reminds them of when they were younger. I used to fear sometimes that I might run out of things to say in my songs, but I don’t feel that way after seeing how this album has affected people. It’s reminded me that there will always be a creative source for me to tap into.”

Ruston Kelly To Kick Off 29-City Shape & Destroy Tour In October

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Ruston Kelly. Photo: Alexa King.

Ruston Kelly will hit the road later this year on his just-announced Shape & Destroy North American tour, which will run from October 7 through November 21, supporting his recently-released album of the same name.

“We’ve been waiting as patiently as possible to tour this album and it’s finally time to do it,” says Kelly. “Lots of these songs were written on the road, in the back of the bus, backstage, in hotel rooms etc. The road is a large part of the energy in these songs. I think that’s a huge reason this tour will be so special, the anticipation and excitement is going to blow the roof off of every venue in every city.”

The 29-city tour will include stops in major markets throughout the U.S. and Canada including Phoenix, San Francisco, Portland, Austin, Louisville, and more. Kelly will also play two sold-out shows at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in November.

Kelly will be joined by singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy, who will play at every show except opening night. On the first night of Kelly’s sold-out Ryman show, Ruston’s father, pedal steel player Tim “TK” Kelly will open the show with a set of his own music. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 14 at 10 a.m. local time.

Shape & Destroy Tour Dates:
10/7 – Music Box, San Diego, CA
10/8 – Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ
10/9 – Ace Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
10/11 – The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
10/14 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
10/15 – Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, BC
10/16 – Neumos, Seattle, WA
10/18 – The Depot, Salt Lake City, UT
10/20 – Summit, Denver, CO
10/22 – The Bronze Peacock at House of Blues, Houston, TX
10/23 – Mohawk, Austin, TX
10/24 – HiFi, Dallas, TX
10/26 – Knuckleheads, Kansas City, MO
10/27 – Delmar Hall, St. Louis, MO
10/29 – Shelter, Detroit, MI
10/30 – Vogue, Indianapolis, IN
11/3 – Mercury Ballroom, Louisville, KY
11/5 – Terminal West, Atlanta, GA
11/6 – Workplay, Birmingham, AL
11/7 – Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
11/8 – Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
11/10 – TBA, New York, NY
11/11 – Sixth & I, Washington, DC
11/12 – Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
11/13 – Paradise, Boston, MA
11/15 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON
11/18 – A&R Bar, Columbus, OH
11/19 – Turner Hall, Milwaukee, WI
11/20 – Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL
11/21 – Amsterdam, Minneapolis, MN

Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Holds Steady At Top Of Country Albums Chart

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer

This week, Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album stays strong at the top of the country album charts with 53K streams, according to Nielsen.

Thomas Rhett‘s Country Again, Side A takes up the second spot with 30K while Luke Combs trails closely behind in third with What You See Is What You Get with 28K and in fifth with This One’s For You (18K). Taylor Swift‘s Fearless (Taylor’s Version) falls to fourth with 24K.

Warner Music Nashville’s Gabby Barrett continues her reign with “The Good Ones” at 7.5 million streams and 193 million RTD, according to Nielsen. Combs’ bumps up to the second spot at 7.3 million with “Forever After All” while Eric Church‘s “Hell Of A View” steps down a spot with 6.4 million. Wallen holds steady at fourth with “Wasted On You” at 5.4 million streams, and Jake Owen rings in the top five with “Made For You,” also at 5.4 million.

Fox Orders Country Music Drama ‘Monarch’ To Series

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Fox has handed a series order to Monarch, formerly known as the ‘Untitled Country Music Dynasty’ drama from writer Melissa London Hilfers, Deadline has reported.

Michael Rauch (Instinct, Royal Pains) will act as showrunner and executive producer for the series. Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady will executive produce alongside Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen (Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves). According to Deadline, Owen’s clients and friends are expected to be appearing and performing on the show.

Monarch, which was teased late last fall, is described as a ‘Texas-sized, multigenerational musical drama about America’s first family of country music.’ The show marks the first live-action scripted series fully owned by Fox, since the sale of 20th Television to Disney.

‘The Bones’ Wins Song Of The Year At The BMI Pop Awards

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After winning the ACM and CMA Song of the Year award, Maren Morris and her co-writers have taken home the title at the BMI Pop Awards.

The crossover hit, written by BMI affiliates Morris and Laura Veltz along with Jimmy Robbins (ASCAP), appeared on Morris’ sophomore album, Girl, and climbed to the number 12 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts.

This is the first BMI Pop Award for the Morris and Veltz, who already have a combined total of 14 BMI Country Awards between them.

The co-writers were celebrated at the 69th Annual BMI Pop Awards, held virtually today (May 10). The company recognized the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the previous year’s most-performed pop songs in the United States across radio and digital streaming platforms.

Pop star Halsey was named Songwriter of the Year for having written four of the previous year’s most performed songs including “Nightmare,” “Graveyard,” “Be Kind,” and “You Should Be Sad.” With this award, Halsey earns her tenth BMI Pop Award after receiving accolades for Song of The Year at the 2020 BMI Pop Awards.

Sony Music Publishing won Publisher of the Year for the ninth time for representing 24 of the top 50 award-winning BMI Pop songs including hits “3 Nights,” “Boyfriend,” “My Oh My,” “Roses,” and “The Man.”

BMI also honored the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the 50 most-performed pop songs of the previous year. This year’s class of recipients included a record 59 first-time Pop Award winners such as BENEE, Edgar Barrera, Doja Cat, Trevor Daniel, Metro Boomin, Noah Cyrus, Roddy Ricch, SAINt JHN, JP Saxe and more.

Hits like “10,000 Hours” co-written by Jessie Jo Dillon and Shay Mooney, “I Hope” co-written by Gabby Barrett and Zach Kale, “Bang!” written and performed by AJR, Dua Lipa’s infectious dance anthem “Don’t Start Now” co-written by Caroline Ailin and Ian Kirkpatrick, and Taylor Swift’s “Lover” were also among the songs being recognized.

Read the full list of winners from 69th Annual BMI Pop Awards here.

Peermusic Nashville Adds Lee Greenwood To Publishing Roster

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Pictured (L-R): Kendall Lettow, Creative Manager, Peermusic Nashville; Lee Greenwood; Michael Knox, SVP Peermusic Nashville; and Matt Michiels, Senior Creative Director, Peermusic Nashville. Photo: Jeremy Westby.

Peermusic Nashville has signed legendary artist and songwriter Lee Greenwood to an exclusive global music publishing deal. Greenwood has scored seven No. 1 country hits and, through this new deal, Peermusic will administer some of his most iconic songs, including the classic “God Bless The U.S.A.”

“Peermusic has had a special relationship with country music since it was founded, so adding a songwriter of Lee Greenwood’s stature to our roster is a truly special accomplishment for everyone here. Lee could obviously have his pick of publishers, so we’re thrilled he chose to sign with Peermusic,” says President & COO of Peermusic, Kathy Spanberger.

“It’s an honor to be a part of Mr. Greenwood’s legendary catalog,” says SVP Peermusic Nashville, Michael Knox. “It was exciting enough watching from the outside looking in, and now I get to be inside the circle with the real deal, a legend.”

“It’s important to me to have a publisher who will support my music and help me continue to share it with the world, and after getting to know Kathy, Michael and their team I know that they will. Peermusic has a long history with country music and I’m glad to now be a part of it,” says Greenwood.

Since beginning his career in the 1960s, Greenwood’s catalog features twenty-two studio albums and seven No. 1 hits, including “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “Going, Going, Gone,” “Dixie Road,” and “Mornin’ Ride.” He has earned multiple awards, including a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance for “I.O.U.” in 1985.

Greenwood’s stand-out hit “God Bless the U.S.A.” has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001, and 2003), making it the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It also reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 shortly after 9/11.

Brandy Clark, Jimmy Robbins To Be Honored For Their Dedication To Music Education

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The second annual Hometown To Hometown event hosted by Save The Music and SongFarm.org is set for May 11 at 5 p.m. CT. Brandy Clark and songwriter/publisher Jimmy Robbins will be virtually honored as 2021 Champions of The Year at this year’s event for their dedication to music education.

Hosted by Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy for CMT, the evening will feature performances by Maddie & Tae, Lori McKenna, Jon Nite, and more. Special guest appearances include last year’s honorees, Ross Copperman and Nicolle Galyon, as well Mark Brown and Jessie Jo Dillon.

Attendees and viewers will have the opportunity to hear directly from teachers and students who have benefited from Save The Music and SongFarm.org’s programs. Funds raised will help jumpstart music technology programs in underserved high schools in Clark’s and Robbins’ hometowns in Washington, North Carolina, and Nashville. Hometown To Hometown sponsors include CMT, Gibson Gives, Victrola, and Warner Music Group.

Visit savethemusic.org for tickets and more information.

Bobby Bones Maps Out Plans For Inaugural Bobbyfest This September

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Radio and TV personality Bobby Bones’ musical comedy band Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots has announced its inaugural Bobbyfest will take place September 4 and 5 in New Braunfels, Texas and Wichita, Kansas, respectively.

The family-friendly music festival will feature The Raging Idiots headlining both evenings with special guests Russell Dickerson and Maddie & Tae as part of the musical lineup. More event details will be revealed over the coming weeks, and tickets for both dates are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

The band’s latest project, Award Winning EP, will be available on May 14 with the lead track, “Can’t Say That (In A Country Song)” featuring Jon Pardi, is available now. Later this month, Bones’ new travel TV series Breaking Bobby Bones is slated to debut with two back-to-back episodes on May 31 on National Geographic. He is also currently the official in-house mentor on ABC’s American Idol, with new episodes airing Sundays and Mondays at 7 p.m. CST.

Kenna Turner West Extends Relationship With Curb|Word Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Curb|Word Music Publishing VP Christian A&R, Publishing Jonathan Mason; Kenna Turner West; Curb| Word Music Publishing Senior Director Publishing, A&R Trevor Mathiesen

Kenna Turner West is extending her publishing agreement with Curb|Word Music.

Over the last two decades, West has cowritten songs such as “Say Amen,” “Revival,” and “Even Me,” and has over 100 Song Of The Year nominations, 25 Song Of The Year wins, and eight BMI Awards to her credit. The multi Dove award-winning songwriter has also penned songs on projects by Jason Crabb and Lady A’s Hillary Scott. West also recently released her debut single as a Crossroads Label Group recording artist, “Calling All Prodigals,” which is currently rising on the charts. The full project, A Reason For Hope, is slated for release this summer.

“When I look back over the years and see what God has done with the songs He’s given us, it’s truly humbling. All I have wanted to do since I committed my life to Christ is to find creative ways to communicate the gospel—and He continues to allow me to do just that. Sometimes it’s through singing or teaching, and sometimes it’s through writing,” says West. “Since everything I am comes together around music, it’s a total joy for me to partner with the amazing team at Curb|Word Music Publishing. It really is a great place to call home as a songwriter.”

Curb | Word Music Publishing VP of Christian A&R and Publishing, Jonathan Mason, says, “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Kenna here at Curb | Word Music Publishing. To work with someone who has such a deep musical heritage alongside her own personal track record of success across multiple genres inspires us all.”

Zac Brown Band To Hit The Road This Summer On The Comeback Tour

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Zac Brown Band’s long-awaited return to the road has come to an end with the announcement of 2021’s The Comeback Tour, running from August 5 through October 17.

The 23-city run will bring the band to some of the nation’s most storied venues including Boston’s Fenway Park, Hersheypark Stadium in Pennsylvania, Ohio’s Riverbend Music Center, and Nashville’s famed Bridgestone Arena. Teddy Swims, Adam Doleac, Gabby Barrett, Devin Dawson and Ashland Craft will also be accompanying the band at various points along the tour.

“We couldn’t be more excited to get back out on the road and share our new music with our fans,” says Brown. “It’s been a long, difficult year for everyone and we’re fired up to be reuniting with our crew, get back on tour, and celebrate a brand new world.”

Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 14 at 12 p.m. local time at ZacBrownBand.com. Zac Brown Band fan club members will have priority pre-sale ticket access beginning Tuesday, May 11 at 12 p.m. local time.