Industry Ink: John R. Miller, H.E.R. And Tauren Wells, EmiSunshine

/by

John R. Miller Inks With Rounder Records

John R. Miller has signed with Rounder Records and is releasing his first single for the label, “Lookin’ Over My Shoulder.” Miller, who initially attracted notice for his spare, elegant, vividly-imagined songs as the leader of indie band The Engine Lights, is working on his full-length label debut, set for release later this year.

“This song appears from the perspective of somebody who returns to a small hometown after some time away, attempting to avoid contact with an old flame while revisiting places they used to haunt together,” said Miller. “Ostensibly it was through the narrator’s own actions that the relationship soured, and he remembers it bittersweetly, if regretfully. Out of sight, out of mind, but it only works for so long, as sometimes we are inevitably drawn back to places that contain painful memories for us.”

 

Tauren Wells And H.E.R. Duet On New Single ‘Hold Us Together” (Hope Mix)’

Platinum artists Tauren Wells and H.E.R. have teamed up to release a new single “Hold Us Together (Hope Mix),” in a co-artist release by the RCA and Provident Entertainment artists. The two acclaimed singer-songwriters united their talents on H.E.R.’s song “Hold Us Together,” to create an empowering duet on this new rendition. Previously released as an original solo song by H.E.R. featured on the soundtrack of the Disney+ film Safety, the new single “Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)” will be released to radio on March 26. The fresh blend of their voices carry the words that shine a light and bring comfort to hold on through rocky times, written by H.E.R. and Josiah Bassey.

 

EmiSunshine Forms New Group Strong Armed Robbers

Strong Armed Robbers

EmiSunshine and her father, Randall Hamilton, have teamed up with singer-songwriter Fish Fisher to form new group Strong Armed Robbers. The trio’s debut single, “Judgement Day,” was recently released, with an album coming in late April. EmiSunshine appeared on American Idol on Sunday (March 21), where she made it to Hollywood week.

“The project reflects more of our ‘outlaw’ side within the Americana and country market,” Fisher says. “The song ‘Judgement Day’ is one of my favorites we’d ever written. It’s an insider’s look at the many pressures and rewards within the music industry. We gripe a little bit at first but also tap into the good things and people that keep you going in this wacky industry.”

Concord Promotes Bob Valentine to President; Kent Hoskins Steps Into CFO Role

/by

Bob Valentine, Kent Hoskins

Concord CFO Bob Valentine has been promoted to President of the company and current Concord Music Publishing CFO Kent Hoskins is rising to Concord CFO. Both Valentine and Hoskins are assuming their new responsibilities immediately and report to Concord CEO Scott Pascucci.

In his new role, Valentine will continue to work closely with Pascucci to guide the company’s overall business strategy and in tandem with the rest of the senior executive team, will lead Concord’s efforts to grow via additional acquisitions, furthering the interests of Concord’s artists, writers, composers, playwrights and partners and helping expand its reach into new markets centered around music and music-related IP.

Nashville-based, Valentine began his association with Concord in 1999, when he worked as Vice President of Business Development for Norman Lear’s Act III Entertainment. In 2001, he joined the business development department of Fox Entertainment’s television division. Four years later he returned to Concord as CFO of the newly-formed Concord Music Group, Inc. When Concord merged with Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, in 2008, he subsequently served dual roles as CFO of Concord and SVP of Business Development for Village Roadshow. Upon Village Roadshow’s decision to divest of Concord in 2013, he helped manage its sale and stayed with the company as CFO and COO. In 2015, Concord Music Group merged with Bicycle Music, and rebranded as Concord in 2019, and Valentine was named CFO of the overall group upon the merger. During his career Valentine helped deploy over $1.5 billion of equity and debt capital to acquire music and theatrical rights and was a key contributor in driving Concord’s growth from an $8 million/year jazz record label to a $500 million + revenue global company. Before joining Act III, Valentine received his M.B.A. degree from U.C.L.A.’s Anderson School of Management. He began his career as a financial analyst in investment banking at Morgan Stanley.

“Bob has been a key contributor to Concord’s evolution and growth over the better part of twenty years. He takes great pride in the history and culture of the company and understands as well as any of us the work and dedication that our entire team has invested in the dramatic evolution of Concord. This is a well-deserved promotion in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the future vision of Concord,” says Pascucci. “He will be replaced by Kent Hoskins, another extraordinary executive who has been serving as CFO of both Concord Music Publishing and Concord Theatricals. His transition to CFO of the entire company will be seamless and the entire Board looks forward to working even more closely with Kent in the coming years.”

“I’m extraordinarily proud and humbled by the growth and success of Concord, and even more thankful for the many, many people who have worked so hard to make Concord what it is today. Scott, our Board and I have developed an outstanding working partnership and I look forward to continuing our collective mission to make Concord the leading independent, worldwide leader in the music industry,” says Valentine.

A New Zealand native, Hoskins was a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He joined Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers as Group Financial Controller in 2001, working on both the public to private transaction, and the subsequent sale to the Dutch national pension fund backed Imagem in 2008. Hoskins was made Imagem UK CFO and in 2015 was promoted to the global board with the new position of Global Head of Finance. In 2017, following the acquisition of Imagem by Concord, he was promoted to CFO of Concord Music Publishing. He has successfully completed a number of catalogue and company acquisitions, including Samuel French, Pulse Music Group and Sikorski.

“Having worked in the music industry for almost 20 years, I am honored and delighted to be taking up the Concord CFO role,” says Hoskins. “The team at Concord persistently delivers the creative passion and stewardship of their artists, writers and authors with an astute and highly successful growth strategy. I look forward to Concord continuing that success and thank Scott Pascucci and Bob Valentine for their continued support.”

Thomas Rhett Continues His Chart-Topping Streak With ‘What’s Your Country Song’

/by

Thomas Rhett. Photo: Nick Rau

Thomas Rhett has earned his 17th No. 1 single with “What’s Your Country Song,” as the song rises to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart, the Billboard Country Airplay and the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Charts. “What’s Your Country Song” held the No. 1 position on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart for two weeks in January.

The smash single also previously earned the top spot at Canadian Country Radio. Rhett co-wrote the hit alongside his dad Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley and Parker Welling. The track’s summit to the top continues Rhett’s record for the most consecutive chart-toppers at country radio with 11 consecutive No. 1’s.

“I can hardly wrap my mind around seventeen… what an unreal way to kick off this new chapter of music,” Rhett says. “I’m so grateful to the fans and radio for reacting to this one right away after I played a little of it on Instagram basically a year ago—it’s crazy to see it all come full circle. I cannot wait to share the rest with y’all!”

“What’s Your Country Song” serves as the lead single from Rhett’s upcoming fifth studio double album Country Again: Side A (The Valory Music Co.), set to release on April 30. His four previous studio albums have spawned nearly 10 billion total career streams. Rhett has received two CMA Triple Play awards for penning three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period, adding to his collection of trophies from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Billboard Music Awards, CMT Music Awards and more.

Bobby Bones, Launches ‘On Time With Bobby Bones,’ On Twitch

/by

iHeartRadio host, TV personality, and best-selling author, Bobby Bones has announced his new monthly interview show On Time With Bobby Bones. Streaming exclusively on Twitch’s CTRL_MUSIC_ channel, the show will include exclusive interviews, games, audience interaction through Twitch Chat, performances, and more.

On Time With Bobby Bones will premiere today (March 23) at 8 p.m. CST and will include appearances from award-winning artists Maddie & Tae and Ryan Hurd, along with other special surprises and segments.

Bones returned to a new episode of American Idol last night as part of the season’s Hollywood week on ABC. Additionally, he recently wrapped filming National Geographic’s upcoming 16-part series Breaking Bobby Bones, which he hosted and executive produced. The show will premiere on Monday, May 31 with two back-to-back episodes.

Hits For Humanity Partners With The Nashville Sounds To Raise Funds For The Store

/by

 

Hits For Humanity is teaming up with the Nashville Sounds to help raise money for Brad Paisley‘s free grocery store The Store.

Lifelong friends Andrew Jacuzzi and Burt Lockard founded Hits For Humanity as fundraising organization that helps other nonprofits in August of 2020, in an effort to improve the lives and strengthen communities throughout the United States by financially supporting mission-centric nonprofits that address social issues such as hunger and homelessness.

Hits For Humanity’s goal is to gather corporate, group, association and individual pledges for each hit the local MLB or affiliate team—in this case the Nashville Sounds—gets during their home games for the 2021 season. There are 90 cities that have a form of MLB, Triple A or Double A baseball, each of which has a local Feeding America affiliated food bank. Hits For Humanity partners with local food banks and baseball teams to raise funds in each individual market.

“I believe that if you have the ability you should always try to help improve the lives of others. It enriches your life and the lives of those you help,” says Jacuzzi. “It strengthens the fabric of our society, builds better communities and can change lives and families for generations. My Dad, Tullio Jacuzzi, used to say, ‘always leave a place or situation better than you found it and let it be known that someone cares.’ I do this work because I care.”

“I have been blessed to the point that I have never had to experience the feeling of hopeless hunger with no idea of where my next meal is coming from,” says Lockard. “Even worse is the helplessness that must be felt if a parent has to see their children go through that very experience. That’s why the mission for Hits For Humanity is so important to me.”

“No one should ever have to go without food or shelter in America,” says Lee Willard, Hits For Humanity Board Chair, and 20 year Nashville music industry veteran. “If we all give a little, together we can make a difference and create positive changes in lives and communities across this great country.”

The Store, co-founded by Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, operates in Nashville as a year-round free grocery store allowing people to shop for their basic needs. The organization just celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Donors can participate by following their favorite team during their home games and make a pledge starting at .25 cents per hit. Donors can also make a direct one-time or monthly donation in lieu of a pledge per hit.

Jesse Frasure Tops The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

/by

Jesse Frasure has made it to the top of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. With co-writer credit on Jordan Davis’ “Almost Maybes,” Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage,” Thomas Rhett’s “What’s Your Country Song,” and Michael Ray’s “Whiskey And Rain,” Frasure moves up one spot to the pinnacle position.

Josh Osborne shifts down one spot, with credit for the songs “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s” (Sam Hunt), “How They Remember You” (Rascal Flatts), “Next Girl” (Carly Pearce), and “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen).

Corey Crowder remains at No. 3 this week, with Florida Georgia Line’s “Long Live,” Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage,” Chris Young and Kane Brown’s “Famous Friends,” and Chase Rice feat. Florida Georgia Line’s “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.”

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.

Linda Ronstadt Sells Catalog To Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group

/by

 

Linda Ronstadt has sold her recorded music assets in a partnership with Irving Azoff‘s new venture Iconic Artists Group.

Iconic will partner with Ronstadt and her team manager John Boylan and personal assistant Janet Stark, to market her catalog and preserve her legacy in the digital era. The partnership will allow Iconic to introduce Ronstadt’s timeless music to new generations of fans.

“I’m very pleased about this partnership,” says Ronstadt. “It’s extremely gratifying to be in the company of Irving Azoff, his team, and his family of great artists, many of whom have been my friends and colleagues for years. It feels like home.”

Ronstadt is a 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, having sung on over 120 albums. She has approximately 31 Gold and Platinum records and sold more than 100 million records worldwide with such hits as “You’re No Good,” “Blue Bayou,” the duet “Somewhere Out There” with James Ingram, and “Don’t Know Much” with Aaron Neville. She won her 11th Grammy for Best Music Film for her documentary Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice at the recent Awards.

“In 1972 when I arrived in Los Angeles to pursue my dreams in the music business, as fate would have it, I soon thereafter became best friends and manager to Glenn Frey and Don Henley,” says Azoff. “Without Linda Ronstadt and John Boylan, there would have never been an Eagles. We were friends and family and grew up together, and what a ride it has been. The countless tours together with the Eagles and Linda and their collaborations are the backbone of the history of Southern California music. For Linda and John to entrust us with the honor of furthering her work is one of the most satisfying moments of my career. Linda’s talent is unparalleled, but her courage and commitment to make important music of many genres is her legacy. We will preserve that legacy for her at all costs. Thank you, Linda and John. We won’t let you down.”

The deal with Ronstadt comes on the heels of Iconic’s recent announcement to purchase David Crosby’s catalog, including his publishing and recorded music rights, from his solo work and his work with The Byrds; Crosby & Nash; Crosby, Stills & Nash; and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Iconic also recently partnered with the legendary Beach Boys to purchase a controlling stake in their catalog, including sound recordings, the brand, select musical compositions, and memorabilia.

Dillon Carmichael To Release ‘Hot Beer’ EP, Out May 14

/by

Dillon Carmichael is gearing up for the release of his new Hot Beer EP, due out May 14 on Riser House Records.

The six-song collection features tracks penned by standout songwriters including Michael Hardy, Ashley Gorley, Jessi Alexander, David Lee Murphy and others. Carmichael recently shared a first track from the EP, his rendition of Montgomery Gentry’s “Lucky Man.” The song is one that’s close to his heart, not only because it was recorded by his uncle Eddie Montgomery, but also because the pandemic has allowed him to reflect on the many reasons he has to be thankful.

“Lucky Man” follows the Bakersfield-tinged title track “Hot Beer” and TikTok-viral hit “Sawin’ Logs,” both of which showcase Carmichael’s humor and were produced with the help of Jon Pardi. In “Big Truck,” Carmichael questions the motives of his girlfriend’s affection. On the more serious side, “Somewhere She Ain’t” addresses heartbreak, and “Since You’ve Been In It” is a traditional love song. Hot Beer is part one of Carmichael’s new music, and a full LP is due out later this year.

Hot Beer Track List:
1. Hot Beer (Michael Hardy, Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps, Ben Johnson)
2. Big Truck (Dillon Carmichael, Jessi Alexander, David Lee Murphy)
3. Lucky Man (David Lee, Dave Turnbull)
4. Somewhere She Ain’t (Carmichael, Alexander, Ben Hayslip)
5. Since You’ve Been In It (Carmichael, Ray Fulcher, Michael Whitworth, Daniel Ross)
6. Sawin’ Logs (Brandon Kinney, Brice Long, Wynn Varble)

*Tracks 1 – 3 produced by Pardi and Ryan Gore
**Tracks 4 and 5 produced by Dann Huff
***Track 6 produced by Pardi and Chris LaCorte

Maren Morris, Sturgill Simpson, The Mavericks, More Getting A Cassette-Only Reissue

/by

 

RecordingTheMasters, a worldwide leader in reel-to-reel tape manufacturing, is reissuing a series of critically acclaimed albums by Sturgill Simpson, Maren Morris, The Mavericks and more.

The company is teaming up with ThinkIndie Distribution to reissue Morris’ GIRL,  Simpson’s Cuttin’ Grass, Vol. 1: The Butcher Shoppe Sessions, The Mavericks’ En Español, Major Lazer’s Peace Is The Mission, Lupe Fiasco & Kaelin Ellis’ HOUSE EP (including both the original EP and instrumentals), The Story So Far’s Proper Dose and Killswitch Engage’s Atonement.

The albums will be reissued on RecordingTheMasters’ FOX C-60 high quality audio cassette tape, offering best-in-its-class sound quality in an analog cassettes. Along with the cassette release, a B-1000 Portable Cassette Player will be available for purchase in the U.S. for the first time. With electronics by RecordingTheMasters’ parent company Mulann, the cassette player features a built-in speaker, built-in microphone and direct line-in recording.

The cassettes and portable cassette player will all be available at independent record stores nationwide on April 30.

Newport Folk Festival To Release John Prine Live Album

/by

 

The Newport Folk Festival is releasing an album of John Prine‘s legendary performance at the festival in 2017 entitled, John Prine and Friends. 

The record, available for pre-order on March 23, features the late icon’s never before released performance, which features artists Justin Vernon, Jim James, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lucius, and Roger Waters.

Offered exclusively through Newport Folk and produced with the support of The Prine Family and Oh Boy Records, John Prine and Friends has been mixed from the original multi-tracks and mastered specifically for this vinyl release. This limited edition 2-record set will be pressed on premium 180-gram vinyl and housed in a deluxe Stoughton old-style tip-on gatefold jacket. Each pre-order includes an instant digital download of the entire recording.

Proceeds from the sale support the Newport Festivals Foundation’s ongoing initiatives to aid musicians in need and music programs across the country.

The festival was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic and was deeply felt as Newport Festivals Foundation relies on the revenue it makes each year at the festivals in order to carry out its work. Thanks to the support of the Newport Folk and Jazz fans and donors, NFF has been able to continue to support music programs in our own backyard of Newport, Rhode Island and all across America.