Nate Barnes’ Debut EP ‘You Ain’t Pretty’ Slated For Summer

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Photo: Justin Mayotte

Quartz Hill Records flagship artist Nate Barnes is set to release his new EP, You Ain’t Pretty, digitally worldwide on Friday, June 4.

The five-song project features songs penned by Jason Sellers, Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley, Jimmy Yeary, and more and was produced by Mickey Jack Cones and Derek George.  

A virtual unknown when the EP’s title track “You Ain’t Pretty” was released in late 2020, Barnes has made significant inroads with the fast-rising song. In six months, the track has earned 15 million TikTok impressions, 3 million+ YouTube views, and 1.2 million streams. “You Ain’t Pretty” spent four out of its first five weeks in the top 10 most added songs at country radio (Mediabase). The single is continuing its ascent up the country charts.

“This collection of songs is near and dear to my heart. There are some up-tempo barnburners as well as some soulful ballads. Whether I wrote them or not, each song tells a story that I can personally relate to and each song is a little piece of me,” says Barnes. “We had a lot of fun making this project and I feel so fortunate to have worked with some of the best songwriters and producers in the business to craft my first-ever EP!”

You Ain’t Pretty EP Track List:

“Ain’t Got a Shot” — (Rob Hatch / Steve Moakler / Aaron Eshuis)
“Right About Me” — (Neil Thrasher / Michael Delaney /Jason Sellers)
“You Ain’t Pretty” — (Nate Barnes/ Jimmy Yeary / Jason Sellers)
“If This Ain’t Heaven” — (Taylor Davis / Wendell Mobley / Jason Sellers
“I Love You Too” — (Lance Miller / James McNair / Brandon Day / Jason Sellers)

 

Industry Ink: Parmalee, Anita Cochran, Alex Miller

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Parmalee Teams With Kendra Scott To Surprise Frontline Workers

Parmalee with Blanco Brown. Photo: Cody Heckber

Parmalee recently celebrated their latest No. 1, “Just the Way” with Blanco Brown, in a unique way, opting out of a traditional No. 1 party and shifting their focus to the frontline workers that have been integral to keeping the country running during the pandemic. After receiving nominations from hospitals across the country, the band honored ten women last month, partnering with popular jewelry company Kendra Scott to surprise each one with a Zoom call, a piece of hand-selected Kendra Scott jewelry, and VIP tickets and backstage passes to a future show (watch here).

“Having ‘Just the Way’ go No. 1 was amazing,” said Parmalee frontman, Matt Thomas. “As an artist or writer, all you can hope for is that your music connects with people and makes them feel something. Since the message of the song is all about celebrating women, we wanted to do something special for a few women that truly deserve that recognition… March was also National Women’s Month, so it was really special to be able to spend some time with and gift those women that have helped keep us safe during the pandemic.”

 

Anita Cochran Pays It Forward To Opry Trust Fund With Benefit

Pictured (L-R:) Jeff Kinney (Co-owner of Twin Creeks Resorts and Tennessee National Marina), Scott Bailey (Opry Entertainment Group President), Anita Cochran, Dan Rogers Vice President and Executive Producer Grand Ole Opry, Gina Keltner (Director of Talent Logistics and Scheduling, Grand Ole Opry), Rondal Richardson (The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee). Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Anita Cochran recently played the Grand Ole Opry, and the night had special meaning for her because she was “paying it back” to the place that helped her during her battle with breast cancer. Back in 2017, the Opry Trust Fund was the first charity that helped Cochran when she was going through breast cancer treatment. She vowed that when she was back on her feet, she would try to repay the organizations that helped her. Cochran launched her own charity, The Love Anchors Fund, and started a series of concerts to help raise money to pay back the grants she received, with the Opry Trust Fund being the first beneficiary. Thanks to her October 2020 benefit concert held at Twin Creeks Resort in Winchester TN, with artist Sara Evans as headliner, Cochran was able to present a $10,000 check to the Opry Trust Fund.

“Not only am I cancer free, but to be able to pay forward the help I received is an amazing feeling. Every performer knows what an honor it is to stand in the circle on the Opry stage, and I truly feel that paying back the Opry was a full circle moment,” Cochran said.

 

Alex Miller Inks With So Much Moore Media

Alex Miller

So Much Moore Media has signed American Idol season 19 contestant Alex Miller as a publicity client. Hailing from Lancaster, Kentucky, Miller began singing for his family at age 3, before starting to sing in church. He auditioned for American Idol with his original song, and made it to Hollywood week. Judge Luke Bryan promised Miller an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry; the date has yet to be announced.

The young country traditionalist recently officially released his first radio single, “I’m Over You So Get Over Me.”

Jameson Rodgers Celebrates ‘Some Girls,’ Establishes The Neighborhood Fund

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Pictured (L-R): Paige Altone, VP, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville; Shane Allen, SVP, Promotion, Columbia Nashville; Caryl Atwood, SVP, Sales and Streaming, Sony Music Nashville; Shawn McSpadden and JP Durant, Red Light Management; Jameson Rodgers; Chris Farren, President, Combustion Music; Steve Hodges, EVP, Promotion and Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville; Lauren Thomas, VP, National Promotion, Sony Music Nashville; Lynn Oliver-Cline, Founder/Owner, River House Artists. Photo: Katie Kauss

Jameson Rodgers is celebrating the Platinum certification of his chart-topping debut single “Some Girls,” which has reached sales of over one million units. The track has earned more than 184 million on-demand streams and ranked No. 17 on Billboard’s 2020 year-end Country Airplay Songs chart.

Label, management, and publishing executives surprised Rodgers with the news last Friday (April 23) at The Listening Room in Nashville ahead of his two sold-out Jameson Rodgers & Friends benefit performances and livestream. Rodgers celebrated the release of his new EP, In It for the Money, on Friday as well.

Rodgers recently made the first donation from his newly-established The Neighborhood Fund through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to Music Venue Alliance-Nashville, which is working to ensure no Nashville independent music venue closes its doors permanently due to COVID-19.

“2020 and 2021 have been extremely difficult for all kinds of businesses and individuals. I wanted to make sure that I was doing my part and giving back to organizations that I feel align with my principles, which is to leave this world a better place than I found it,” says Rodgers. “I’m excited to establish The Neighborhood Fund which will give me and my fans an outlet to partner with organizations that we believe in and that are helping struggling individuals and businesses. I can’t wait to see all the good work we do through this fund over the years!”

(L-R) Carly Pearce, Jimmie Allen, Jameson Rodgers, Jordan Davis, Tenille Townes. Photo: Katie Kauss

Josh Hoge Signs With Kane Brown’s Verse 2 Music

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Pictured (top row): Josh Hoge; (L-R, middle row): Rusty Gaston, Kent Earls; (bottom row): Kane Brown

Josh Hoge has signed a global publishing deal with Kane Brown‘s Verse 2 Music.

Hoge has penned chart-topping hits including Chris Young’s “I’m Comin’ Over” and “Think of You,” and Kane Brown’s “Cool Again,” “Used To Love You Sober,” and “One Thing Right” with Marshmello. He has received numerous honors for his songwriting, including SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year award in 2016; a Grammy nomination for Young’s “Think of You;” a CMA award nomination for Young’s “I’m Comin’ Over;” and several RIAA multi-Platinum certifications.

Hoge is the first songwriter to sign with the new venture, which was recently launched in partnership with Sony Music Publishing by Brown and music industry veteran Kent Earls. With the establishment of Verse 2 Music, Kane and Earls aim to discover and develop emerging country hitmakers.

“Josh is just a great guy and an incredible songwriter,” says Brown. “He is one of the first songwriters I ever wrote with in Nashville and I’m really excited he’s part of the team.”

“Josh is a proven hitmaker who is writing at the top of his game. We are so proud to partner with Verse 2 Music to wave his flag,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO, Rusty Gaston.

Earls, Partner, Verse 2 Music adds, “Josh has been involved in Kane’s writing career with great success from the beginning, and he has only scratched the surface of his career as a hitmaker. When the opportunity arose for him to become our first signed writer, the answer was a resounding YES. Welcome to the V2 family, Josh!”

“Kane and I wrote ‘Used To Love You Sober’ the first day we met back in 2015, and since then we have never stopped creating,” says Hoge. “Kent and I have also worked together, and I was hoping to get that opportunity again. I’m honored to be the first writer signed to Verse 2—I want to be known as a fearless, versatile writer, and with Kane, Kent, and Rusty, I can be myself and create exactly the way I want.”

Americana Music Association And NYU Partner On New Roots Music Education Initiatives

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Lori McKenna, Jonathan Taplin

The Americana Music Association Foundation and New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development have partnered to create programming designed to enhance the understanding of and appreciation for the origins, history, and cultural impact of Americana music.

The collaboration will begin with a high-profile guest series taking place today (April 27) at 7 p.m. ET, when Lori McKenna will visit Words & Music, an interview series hosted by Steinhardt Director of Songwriting Phil Galdston. On Thursday, May 6, Galdston will host music and film producer/intellectual property advocate Jonathan Taplin. Both events will be live streamed via Zoom and open to the public.

“We are thrilled to partner with NYU on this exciting initiative,” says Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association Foundation. “To have a relationship at one of the world’s great Liberal Arts institutions and to help educate students on the cultural impact of this art form is something we dreamed of when we first conceived of the Foundation.”

“The Americana Music Association and its foundation have done a remarkable job of bringing well-deserved recognition to the music and its creators,” says Jack Knott, dean of the Steinhardt School.

Click here to register for the series events:

Words & Music with Lori McKenna
Words & Music with Jonathan Taplin

Loeb & Loeb Expands Nashville Office With Attorneys John Rolfe, Megan Keelan

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John Rolfe, Megan Keelan

Loeb & Loeb has expanded its entertainment department in Nashville with the addition of veteran entertainment lawyer John Rolfe, as well as Megan Keelan as associate attorney.

Rolfe brings over 25 years of in-house and private practice experience in the music and entertainment industry, with previous stints at Acuff-Rose, Compendia Music, and the Bradley law firm. He has successfully negotiated lucrative publishing deals for some of Nashville’s top-tier talent, and is well-seasoned on catalog acquisitions, recording contracts and intellectual property licenses for a wide range of clients in the entertainment space, including songwriters, publishers, artists, labels, producers, managers, distributors, administrators and book authors.

Keelan joins Loeb & Loeb as a newly-licensed lawyer who previously clerked at the firm. Keelan has already been directly involved with many catalog sales and valuations, including the recent sale of Zach Crowell’s catalog to Round Hill Music.

“Loeb’s Entertainment team has remained incredibly active throughout the pandemic, and we are continuing to grow our Nashville office to keep up with client demand,” says Tiffany Dunn, partner in the firm’s entertainment department in Nashville. “John has been a friend to the lawyers in the firm for quite a few years. His extensive experience on both the business and legal sides of the industry will be instrumental as we continue to expand our team’s capabilities.”

“Megan Keelan made herself irreplaceable since joining Loeb,” says Derek Crownover, Nashville entertainment partner. “She is on the front lines with us each day on catalog sales, valuations and strategies for our key clients. John and Megan will increase not only our capacities, which we need, but also our top-end experience with both of their skillsets and personalities.”

“Loeb & Loeb’s team has an impressive track record of getting the most complicated and sophisticated deals across the finish line for a very impressive list of clients,” says Rolfe. “I am thrilled to work with such an innovative group of lawyers.”

“Loeb & Loeb is one of the premier firms in the country when it comes to entertainment law, and I am beyond excited to start and build my career with the team here in Nashville,” says Keelan.

Apple Music Unveils City Charts To Showcase Local Music Scenes

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Apple Music has unveiled their newest wave of features, including the newest addition to their chart offerings: City Charts.

While standard charts rank music based on number of plays, Apple Music’s City Charts combine plays and additional signs of local popularity to rank the top 25 songs gaining momentum with listeners locally, highlighting the local culture and individual music scenes of the over 100 cities they represent around the world.

Updated daily, City Charts are featured in Apple Music’s Charts page and are accessible via the Browse or Search pages, or by asking Siri to play a local city chart. Apple Music users will also be able to add their favorite City Charts to their library, download them, and share them with friends.

The launch also includes the release of brand new features for Apple Music subscribers, including moving images for artist detail pages, lyrics sharing, record label pages, record label searches, and “Made For You” libraries.

Apple Music’s City Charts and other new features will be available to all Apple Music subscribers beginning today (April 26). Non-subscribers can also view City Charts and preview songs via music.apple.com/browse/top-charts.

Taylor Swift Dominates MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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With a whopping 18 songs from Fearless (Taylor’s Version) charting on the country charts, Taylor Swift jumps to the No. 1 position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Liz Rose, a co-writer on Swift’s “Fearless,” “You Belong With Me,” “White Horse,” “Tell Me Why,” “We Were Happy,” and “Bye Bye Baby,” enters the chart at No. 3.

Jesse Frasure moves down one spot to the No. 2 position, with co-writer credit on Michael Ray’s “Whiskey And Rain,” Thomas Rhett’s “What’s Your Country Song,” Jordan Davis’ “Almost Maybes” and Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage.”

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Tenille Arts Celebrates Historic No. 1 At Country Radio With ‘Somebody Like That’

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Pictured (L-R): Allison Cruz, Tenille Arts, Alex Kline

Tenille Arts is celebrating a historic milestone, with her single “Somebody Like That” hitting No. 1 on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart and becoming the first song in country music that was written, performed, and produced by all females to hit No. 1.

Arts co-wrote “Somebody Like That” with Allison Cruz and Alex Kline; Kline also produced the track which makes her the first solo female producer to have a No. 1 single at country radio. The single took a record 70 weeks to hit the top spot, making it the longest chart run for a female act in the history of Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart; and Arts is the first Canadian to reach No. 1 in the U.S. since 2007, and the first Canadian female to do so since Terri Clark in 2004.

“Words cannot describe how I feel right now,” says the 19th & Grand Records artist. “Thank you country radio and the DSPs for believing in and supporting this song, thank you to everyone who wrote about this journey, thank you to all of the fans who listened, requested and streamed this song, and thank you to my amazing team who have supported me from the beginning. You’ve changed my life forever.”

This feat adds to an already exciting year for Arts, who was voted by the radio and music industry as one of the five CRS New Faces of Country Music and who celebrated an induction into the CMT Next Women of Country Class of 2021. In February, she received her first U.S. award show nomination for the ACM New Female Artist of the Year.

Country Radio Broadcasters Announces 2022 CRS Agenda Committee Members

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Country Radio Broadcasters has announced who will serve on the 2021-2022 CRS Agenda Committee under Chairman Brent Michaels (KUZZ/Bakersfield) and Vice-Chair Joey Tack (KNCI/Sacramento).

They are Jeana Adkinson (Alpha Media), Carletta Blake (WGAR/Cleveland), Zena Burns (Futuri Media), Hannah Byrom (WCTO-FM/LeHigh Valley), Maynard Cohen (iHeart), Chris Cruise (Throwback2k), Amy Dillon (Brewer Broadcasting), Shelley Hargis-Gaines (Broken Bow), Ali Matkosky (Big Loud), Billy McKim (Associate Professor, Texas A&M University), Annie Ortmeier (UMG Nashville), Jesse Tack (WUBE/Cincinnati), Michelle Tigard-Kammerer (BMLG Records), Monta Vaden (Country Aircheck), and Adam Weiser (AEG Live).

“We were grateful to have an overwhelming response to our call for participation on the CRS Agenda Committee. From so many qualified applicants, this group of industry leaders from radio, records, DSPs, and touring will create ‘can’t miss’ content for CRS 2022,” says Chairman Michaels.

The CRS Agenda Committee is made up of volunteer professionals from all sectors of the country radio, streaming, and record industries. This committee is responsible for planning sessions, panels, and events for the upcoming year’s CRS.

CRS will return in 2022 and is set for February 23 – February 25, 2022, at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Registration for next year’s event will open later this year.