Spotify Partners With Four New Virtual Event Platforms

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With virtual events at an all-time high, Spotify has announced its partnership with four new virtual events platforms: StageIt, Mandolin, NoCap, and nugs.net.

The massive streaming platform aims to streamline the experience with its new partners so that listeners can go directly from Spotify on iOS, Android, or desktop to an event. Though Spotify doesn’t sell concert tickets, they do recommend events to listeners based on their location, the music they like, and the artists they follow. Last fall, Spotify announced its integration of virtual event listings through partnerships with Songkick and Ticketmaster. By visiting the “On Tour” section of their favorite artists’ profiles or checking the listings in Spotify’s Concerts hub, fans have since been able to view scheduled virtual performances and see livestream listings in Spotify’s Concerts hub.

Because there is no way to list events directly through Spotify for Artists, artist teams should work with the ticketing partners to get their events listed.

Eric Church To Share ‘Heart & Soul’ In Exclusive Amazon Performance

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Photo: Reid Long

Eric Church will share songs from his new three-part album project and answer fan questions with a live Q&A during an exclusive event on the Amazon Music Twitch channel on April 20.

Following the release of Heart this Friday (April 16), the first album from his anticipated new three-part project, Church will perform new music, including “Rock And Roll Found Me” from Soul for the first time ever ahead of the album’s release. Starting at 8 p.m. CT on April 20, fans can watch along via the Amazon Music Twitch channel and within the Amazon Music mobile app. The performance will also be available to watch on the Amazon Music Twitch channel for four days afterwards.

Heart & Soul was created during a secluded session in rural North Carolina, where Church and his collaborators wrote and recorded a song from start to finish each day for nearly a month. The three-part, 24-song collection begins with Heart, on April 16, and concludes with Soul, out April 23. In keeping with his longtime commitment to his fans, Church created the middle album, &, specifically for the Church Choir and will make it available exclusively to those fans and only as a vinyl record on Tuesday, April 20.

To gear up for the event, fans can now explore Church’s full discography on CD and vinyl in his Amazon Music Store, featuring 22 Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum certified singles off Gold-certified Desperate Man (“Some Of It”), Platinum-certified Sinners Like Me (“How ’Bout You,” “Guys Like Me”), Carolina (“Smoke a Little Smoke,” “Love Your Love the Most”) and Mr. Misunderstood (“Record Year,” “Round Here Buzz”), Double-Platinum certified The Outsiders (“Like a Wrecking Ball,” “Talladega”) and 3x Platinum-certified Chief (“Springsteen,” “Drink In My Hand”).

In Pictures: Benefit For Songwriter Travis Meadows Raises Nearly $20,000

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Photo: Anthony Scarlati

An Evening for Travis Meadows, hosted by Jeffrey Steele and his daughter Casey Renee LeVasseur, was able to bring in nearly $20,000 to continue to support the talented songwriter’s recovery after he was seriously injured during a recent surgery.

Meadows has penned songs like Dierks Bentley’s “Riser,” Eric Church’s “Knives of New Orleans” and “Dark Side,” Jake Owen’s “What We Ain’t Got,” and Kenny Chesney’s “Better Boat,” among many others.

The sold-out event featured performances by Steele and LeVasseur, as well as Marshall & Dylan Altman, Tyler Bryant, Larkin Poe, Stephen Wilson Jr., Lee Thomas Miller, Wendell Mobley, Luke Dick, Tim Nichols, Craig Wiseman, Bob Dipiero, Casey Beathard, Chuck Cannon, and Bob & Etta Britt. It was presented by Rhythmic Rebellion, with support from BMI, Wendell & Bettina Moore and The Fullers.

Funds are still being raised to support Meadows and his family.

Casey Renee LeVasseur, Jeffrey Steele. Photo: Anthony Scarlati

Larkin Poe. Photo: Anthony Scarlati

Luke Dick. Photo: Anthony Scarlati

Craig Wiseman, Bob DiPiero, Lee Thomas Miller. Photo: Anthony Scarlati

Stephen Wilson Jr. Photo: Anthony Scarlati

Drew Baldridge Signs With Sony Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Hill Entertainment Group’s Greg Hill, Sony Music Publishing’s Cam Caldwell, Hill Entertainment Group’s Grace Jones, Sony Music Publishing’s Anna Weisband, Drew Baldridge, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing’s Mya Hansen and Sony Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran

Drew Baldridge has signed a global publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing.

Baldridge first captured attention with his breakout single “Dance With Ya” from his debut album Dirt On Us in 2016. In 2020 his viral hit “Senior Year,” which he co-wrote alongside Tim Nichols and Jordan Walker, landed on both the Billboard and Mediabase Country charts without major label support. The track became the anthem for students who missed out on the many traditions that come with graduating high school due to the ongoing pandemic. The Patoka, Illinois native is also known for fan favorites like “Middle of Nowhere Kids,” “Before You” and “It’s Your Loss.”

Baldridge kicked off 2021 with “That’s You,” written alongside Trannie Anderson and Jason Massey. The song was released following its success on TikTok and garnered over four million views on social media. This month, he released his newest single, “Beach Ain’t One,” which he wrote with Ryan Peterson and Ryan Plappert, and in March kicked off the second leg of his Baldridge and Bonfires Tour that will run through the summer with over 50 dates. Baldridge also hosts a weekly radio show on LA’s Go Country 105 airing every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.– 2 p.m. PT.

“As a songwriter, Drew has experienced a breakthrough to another level,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston. “Drawing from his years of fan engagement and building his business, his songs are rich with emotion and heart that connects with the country audience. In a time where it’s easy to make excuses, Drew is cutting his own path – be it in touring or on TikTok. We couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead in his career.”

“Rusty has been a champion of mine since I moved to Nashville,” says Baldridge. “I am so excited to be working with him and everyone at Sony Music Publishing in these next stages of my songwriting career.”

The Academy Of Country Music Announces Performances For 56th Awards

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The Academy of Country Music has announced some planned performances for the 56th ACM Awards hosted by Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton on Sunday, April 18.

This year’s show will take place at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House and the Ryman Auditorium, with performances at the Station Inn, Bridge Building, and Broadway.

Performances for this year’s award show include collaborations with Elle King and Miranda Lambert opening up the show with “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home);” Dierks Bentley performing U2’s classic “Pride (In The Name of Love)” with husband and wife duo The War and Treaty; Miranda Lambert with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall (“In His Arms”); Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd (“Chasing After You”); Chris Young and Kane Brown (“Famous Friends”); Carly Pearce and Lee Brice duetting on “I Hope You’re Happy Now”; Carrie Underwood performing a medley from her new album of gospel hymns, My Savior, which will also feature a duet with CeCe Winans; and Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney performing together for “Half Of My Hometown.”

Other performances include Brothers Osborne (“I’m Not For Everyone”); Kenny Chesney (“Knowing You”); Eric Church (“Bunch Of Nothing”); Luke Combs (“Forever After All”); Dan + Shay (“Glad You Exist”); Mickey Guyton (“Hold On”); Alan Jackson with “You’ll Always Be My Baby” and a special mashup for “Drive (For Daddy Gene);” Thomas Rhett premiering “What’s Your Country Song” and “Country Again;” Blake Shelton celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first hit single “Austin” as well as “Minimum Wage:” and Chris Stapleton (“Maggie’s Song”).

It was also announced that Lady A will join the lineup in addition to recently revealed New Male Artist of the Year, Jimmie Allen, and New Female Artist of the Year, Gabby Barrett, who will all perform on this year’s show. Previously announced performers include, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, and Keith Urban. Additional details on these performances, this year’s presenters, and more will be announced in the coming days.

The ACM Awards show will broadcast live on Sunday, April 18 at 7 p.m. CST on CBS, and will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Doyle Lawson Announces Retirement Plans For End Of 2022

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Doyle Lawson

Bluegrass great Doyle Lawson has revealed that he will step away from Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and will be retiring at the end of 2022.

Born in 1944 in Kingsport, Tennessee, Lawson grew up on the gospel music heard in his church as well as the early country music on his radio. When he heard the emerging sound of Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys, Flatt & Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers and other founders of what would eventually be known as bluegrass, Lawson saw his destiny. He’s gone on to win numerous IBMA Awards, among being inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2012. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have been nominated for 7 Grammy Awards.

As the leader of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver for over 40 years, the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame member has remained active as a touring artist, regularly playing festivals, concerts, and churches all over the U.S. He and the group have a full schedule booked for the remainder of this year, and will be playing throughout next year as well before hanging up his hat with the group. A mainstay in the business for nearly six decades, he is not retiring from the industry altogether and says he will continue to produce other acts.

Lawson has two more albums planned before he steps back, one of which is a gospel project. The next album will mark his 42nd with the group and is slated for release in June via Billy Blue Records.

Gabby Barrett Scores Second Consecutive No. 1 With ‘The Good Ones’

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Gabby Barrett. Photo: Robby Klein

Warner Music Nashville’s Gabby Barrett has scored her second consecutive No. 1 country hit with “The Good Ones.”

The ACM New Female Artist of the Year‘s Platinum-certified single marks the first time in five years a solo female artist has sent her first two radio singles to the top of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. “The Good Ones” also hit No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio Chart on March 19. The hit, written by Barrett with Zach Kale, Emily Landis and Jim McCormick, has tallied more than 245 million global streams rising to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart last week.

Barrett’s debut single “I Hope” has been Platinum-certified five times and earned her a nomination for Single of the Year at the 56th ACM Awards. She is set to perform at Sunday night’s award show which airs on CBS at 7 p.m. CST.

Shooter Jennings, Eric Church Appear In New Doc Exploring Jack Daniels Mystique

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A new documentary, Chasing Whiskey – The Untold Story Of Jack Daniel’s is available for streaming now featuring original music composed and performed by Shooter Jennings, who also appears in the full-length feature film alongside Eric Church, John Grisham, Tim Matheson, Tina Sinatra, and many more.

The film documents a cultural exploration into why people all over the world identify so deeply with one of the most distinctly American brands: Jack Daniels Whiskey. Through it all, Jack Daniel’s serves as the compass on a journey that offers a unique glimpse into humanity, shared values, differing views, dreams, and delusions. A 57,000 mile journey across five countries and 16 time zones, Chasing Whiskey – The Untold Story Of Jack Daniel’s is available now on iTunes, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and YouTube for $9.99 (HD/SD purchase) and $4.99 (HD/SD Video-On-Demand). Additional platforms will follow in the coming weeks, including VUDU, Comcast Xfinity, Dish Network, and DirecTV.

“Why is whiskey so intertwined with popular culture, and how did Jack Daniel’s become the most iconic whiskey brand in the world?,” asks filmmaker and director Greg Olliver. “These are some of the questions we were asking as we began our journey on Chasing Whiskey. Fortunately, no matter where we went, from Tennessee to Japan to Cuba to the outback of Australia – and even Scotland – we always found someone who had a compelling, personal story to tell about Jack. With unprecedented access that was given to us by Jack Daniel’s, we uncovered surprising stories that began even before Jack started making his own whiskey. We’re proud to present this insightful, whiskey-infused adventure that tells the story of Jack that’s been more than a hundred-and-fifty years in the making.”

The original music featured on the soundtrack was recorded in 2017 with Jennings providing piano and synthesizer alongside an all-star lineup of musicians that includes Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum; Michael Devin (Whitesnake, From The Earth) on bass, harmonica, and vocals; Jesse Dayton on guitar and vocals; and longtime collaborator/fiddle player Aubrey Richmond (Duff McKagen, Mustangs of the West).

Endurance Names Carrie Wilkins Vice President, Amplified Administration

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Carrie Wilkins. Photo: Ed Rode

Endurance Music Group announced that Carrie Wilkins has been named as Vice President of Administration for their administration division, Amplified Administration.

Wilkins will oversee all aspects of royalty collection, processing and distribution for the company’s clients and will report directly to EMG’s Senior Vice President Mark Ahlberg.

“Carrie’s dedication to the craft of royalty administration is second to none,” says Ahlberg. “Her expertise in the field speaks for itself, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to utilize her talents to benefit the EMG roster of songwriters, our present and future catalog, and our growing list of independent publisher, artist, and distributor clients. We’re excited to welcome Carrie to the Endurance family and confident she’ll be an incredible asset to our team.”

Wilkins, a graduate of Belmont University’s music business program, has spent more than 25 years in royalty tracking, collecting, and auditing. Most recently, she held the role of Head of Royalty Administration at HoriPro Entertainment Group/Mojo Music & Media, where she and her team utilized state of the art royalty software to provide fast and accurate payments to the company’s clients.

Reach Wilkins at carrie@amplifiedadmin.com.

Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley Among ASCAP Pop Award Winners

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Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley

ASCAP has revealed the winners of the 2021 ASCAP Pop Music Awards, which will be celebrated on ASCAP’s social media platforms through April 15.

The 2021 ASCAP Pop Music Awards recognize the songwriters and publishers of the most performed songs of the past year in pop music. Providing a look at the music creators behind 2020’s biggest hits, ASCAP will premiere exclusive winner video acceptance speeches, virtual studio tours, stories behind the songs and more on ASCAP social media platforms. Starting at 10 AM ET on April 13-15, friends, fans and peers can tune in to the festivities via ASCAP on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, using the hashtag #ASCAPAwards.

The ASCAP Pop Music Awards Song of the Year goes to Post Malone’s “Circles,” honoring ASCAP songwriters Louis Bell, Kaan Güneşberk and Billy Walsh alongside publishers Nyan King Music, Sony Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing Group. The Weeknd won the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year honor and two most-performed song awards for smash hits “Blinding Lights” and “Heartless,” making him a 13-time ASCAP Awards winner. Warner Chappell Music received Publisher of the Year.

Josh Osborne and Ashley Gorley lead the Nashville-based, ASCAP affiliates who took home awards. See the full list of Nashville ASCAP songwriters and publishers who took home awards below:

10,000 Hours
Writers: Dan Smyers, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Jordan Reynolds, Justin Bieber
Publishers: Beats And Banjos, BIEBER TIME PUBLISHING, BMG, Buckeye26, JREYNMUSIC, Poo BZ Publishing Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music

After A Few
ASCAP Writers: Justin Weaver
ASCAP Publishers: Music Of The Corn, Sound Wagon Songs, Warner Chappell Music

Chasin’ You
ASCAP Writers: Craig Wiseman, Jamie Moore
ASCAP Publishers: Big Loud Proud Songs, BMG, JMZL Music, Red Toe Rocker, Round Hill Music, Team Destiny

Die From A Broken Heart
ASCAP Writers: Deric Ruttan, Jonathan Singleton, Maddie Marlow
ASCAP Publishers: Big Machine Music, Seven Red Birds Publishing, Sony Music Publishing, Spirit Music Nashville, Warner Chappell Music

Hard To Forget
ASCAP Writers: Ashley Gorley, Josh Osborne, Sam Hunt
ASCAP Publishers: Between The Pines LLC, Caleb’s College Fund, Round Hill Music, Smackborne Music, Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

Homemade
ASCAP Writers: Ben Goldsmith
ASCAP Publishers: BMG, Go For The Goldsmith , Hipgnosis Songs Group

I Hope
ASCAP Writers:
ASCAP Publishers: Nite Writer Music, Sony Music Publishing

Kinfolks
ASCAP Writers: Jerry Flowers, Josh Osborne, Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell
ASCAP Publishers: Between The Pines LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, JFLO Records And Tapes, Miller Crow Music, Smackborne Music, Sony Music Publishing, Spirit Music Nashville, Tape Room Music, Twelve6 Dogwood, Universal Music Publishing Group

Nobody But You
ASCAP Writers: Josh Osborne
ASCAP Publishers: Smackborne Music, Sony Music Publishing

One Man Band
ASCAP Writers: Brad Tursi, Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen
ASCAP Publishers: Anthem Music Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, More Me Gusta Music, ReeHits World, Smackborne Music, SMACKSONGS, Sony Music Publishing, Twelve6 Dogwood, Unfair Entertainment, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music

One Of Them Girls
ASCAP Writers: Ashley Gorley
ASCAP Publishers: 8minute Publishing, Artist Publishing Group West, Caleb’s College Fund, Kobalt, Round Hill Music, Tape Room Music

Prayed For You
ASCAP Writers: Matt Stell
ASCAP Publishers: Endurance Music Group, Sony Music Publishing

Ridin’ Roads
ASCAP Writers: Ashley Gorley, Zach Crowell
ASCAP Publishers: Caleb’s College Fund, Miller Crow Music, Round Hill Music, Spirit Music Nashville, Tape Room Music

The Bones
ASCAP Writers: Jimmy Robbins
ASCAP Publishers: EXTRAORDINARY ALIEN PUBLISHING, Round Hill Music

Whiskey Glasses
ASCAP Writers: Kevin Kadish
ASCAP Publishers: Amplified Administration, Endurance Music Group, Shooting Moving Targets In The Dark