Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, More To Play New Texas Festival

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Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley and Billy Strings have been tapped to headline the inaugural Big As Texas Festival outside of Houston at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds May 10-12, 2024.

Other major performers on tap for the new Lone Star festival include Warren Zeiders, Dwight Yoakam, Los Lobos, Tracy Byrd, Clay Walker, Maddie & Tae, Breland, Anne Wilson, Drake Milligan Morgan Wade, Midland, Jamestown Revival, Amanda Shires, Buffalo Nichols, Braxton Keith and more.

The Big As Texas Festival 2024 will host more than 50,000 attendees who will enjoy over 26 hours of live music from the 35 artists billed for this year’s three-day event, spread across more than 75 acres of rolling Texas plains. Three-day GA passes are on sale now at BigAsTexasFest.com.

“We are stepping out in grand fashion for our inaugural year, and I couldn’t be more excited about the stellar music lineup we have curated for next May. It’s ultimately meant to be representative of the many facets of country and Americana music because we like to think there is something for everyone at Big As Texas Fest,” says Big As Texas’s Co-Executive Producer and Talent Buyer, Steve Said.

The three-day festival will be hosted outdoors in one of the fastest-growing counties in the country—Montgomery County—which also happens to be facing an unprecedented epidemic with rapidly rising rates of suicides. Due to these alarming statistics, organizers have decided to donate 10% of net ticket proceeds from each individual ticket sold to nonprofit organizations that promote suicide death prevention both in Montgomery County and across Texas.

Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Reclaims Top Slot On Country Albums Chart

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr

Morgan Wallen‘s One Thing At A Time reclaims the No. 1 slot on the country albums chart this week with 69K in total consumption (1.8K album only/86 million song streams), according to Luminate data.

Zach Bryan‘s self-titled album shifts down to No. 2 with 51K (4.9K album only/60 million song streams), while Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album stays at No. 3 with 36K (368 album only/46 million song streams). Taylor Swift‘s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) takes No. 4 again with 31K (7.2K album only/31 million song streams), and Bryan’s American Heartbreak holds No. 5 with 29K (1.4K album only/36 million song streams).

The top five on the country streaming songs chart is stationary this week.

Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” maintains its No. 1 status with 19 million streams, adding to 217 million ATD. Wallen’s “Last Night” continues at No. 2 with 14 million new streams, adding to 998 million ATD, with Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” following at No. 3 with 12 million streams, adding to a billion ATD. Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” rests at No. 4 with 11 million new streams, adding to 439 million ATD, and Luke Combs‘ cover of “Fast Car” sits at No. 5 with 9.4 million streams, adding to 481 million ATD.

Matt Jenkins Extends Global Deal With Warner Chappell Music & Madfun Entertainment

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Matt Jenkins. Photo: Courtesy of WCM

Matt Jenkins has extended his global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and Madfun Entertainment. WCM is also acquiring Jenkins’ music catalog as part of the deal.

A native Texan, Jenkins has penned multiple hits, including the Platinum track “Happy Anywhere” (Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani), and the triple-Platinum single “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan), which took home Song of the Year at the 2022 CMA Awards and Nashville Songwriter Awards.

In 2017, Jenkins received a CMA Triple Play Award for penning three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period: “Confession” (Florida Georgia Line), “Setting The World on Fire” (Kenny Chesney ft. P!nk) and “Song For Another Time” (Old Dominion). His other chart-topping hits include “Do I Make You Wanna” (Billy Currington), “Where It’s At” (Dustin Lynch) and “Cop Car” (Keith Urban). His songs have also appeared on ABC’s Nashville, and he’s collaborated with artists including Sam Hunt, Cole Swindell, Brett Young and Eli Young Band, among others.

“Matt has proven to be a songwriter who knows how to fish in the deep waters,” says Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “He’s a respected songwriter across so many meaningful songs in country music. We’re excited to continue with him on his journey.”

“Working with Matt Jenkins is both fun and inspiring. He is such a great human and a lyrical poet. He knows how to craft the cool and commercial song, almost better than anyone I know,” adds Alicia Pruitt, Founder, Madfun Entertainment.

CMHOF To Offer Free Admission For Veterans & Their Families On Veterans Day

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is honoring active-duty and retired armed services members with free museum admission on Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

As an additional thanks to the U.S. Armed Forces, past and present, the museum will also extend free admission for up to three immediate family members. Timed admission tickets can be reserved by calling 615-416-2001, or obtained at the museum’s box office on Nov. 11. Valid military ID is required to claim tickets. Due to limited capacity, advanced reservations are highly recommended. Active duty and retired armed services members will also receive a 10 percent discount at the Museum Store and the Hatch Show Print retail store on Nov. 11. Tours of Hatch Show Print and Historic RCA Studio B are offered for a fee, based on availability.

Visitors to the museum’s website can also listen to a selection of songs written by veterans through the museum’s partnership with CreatiVets. As a result of the collaboration — which began in 2018 — more than 115 veterans have partnered with songwriters to craft songs through the museum’s Words & Music program.

Special programming throughout the day will include:

    • Thank a Soldier: Veterans Day Postcard – To share appreciation for our military members and their families, create postcards for active-duty troops. Through A Million Thanks, a nonprofit organization that provides support to military members, cards will be mailed to those serving overseas. All ages. (Taylor Swift Education Center; 11a.m.-1 p.m.)
    • Songwriter Round with CreatiVets – In partnership with CreatiVets, a nonprofit empowering wounded veterans to heal through the arts and music, the museum provides songwriting support that fosters self-expression and allows vets to transform their stories of trauma and struggle into songs to inspire and motivate continued healing. In this songwriter round, songwriters will perform songs written by CreatiVets participants and share the stories behind them. (Ford Theater; 12-12:45 p.m.)
    • Family Program: Musical Instrument Petting Zoo – Attendees can bow a fiddle, pluck a banjo and strum a ukulele at the Musical Instrument Petting Zoo, which offers budding musicians a chance to try instruments. The program will begin with a demonstration of the instruments by a professional musician, then instructors will offer guidance as participants try their hand at all the instruments. All ages. (Taylor Swift Education Center; 2-3 p.m.)
    • Songwriter Round with Operation Song – Operation Song pairs songwriters with veterans, active-duty military members and their families to help them share their experiences through song. In this special songwriter round, professional writers will perform songs written with Operation Song participants and share the stories behind them. (Ford Theater; 2:30-3:15 p.m.)

Brian Kelley, Jason Aldean & Friends Open Papa Surf Burger Bar In Florida

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Papa Surf Burger Bar Partners Jason Aldean, Brittany Aldean, Brittney Kelley, Brian Kelley, Tom Glavine And Chris Glavine. Photo: Justin Mrusek

Brian and Brittney Kelley, Jason and Brittany Aldean and baseball Hall Of Famer Tom Glavine and his wife Chris have partnered to open a new restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, the Papa Surf Burger Bar.

The group hosted a private celebration on Sunday (Oct. 29) for the grand opening of the restaurant, which marks the second business owned by the Kelleys in the area, who also opened the brick-and-mortar location for their Tribe Kelley line, Tribe Kelley Surf Post, in 2018.

Welcoming family and close friends to an intimate menu sampling of made-to-order burgers like “The Beach Cowboy” and “Burnin’ It Down,” the 50 guests raised a toast with a signature house drink called “Papa’s Punch” and champagne. In addition, Brian treated the crowd to a full band show live from the Cortney Bishop-designed restaurant, performing songs including his new single “See You Next Summer” and “Dirt Cheap,” plus previewing some unreleased tracks from his upcoming debut album with Big Machine Records. Jason also joined Kelley for his hit “Burnin’ It Down,” which Brian co-wrote.

“My wife Brittney and I are just so fired up that the Papa Surf Burger Bar is officially open,” shares Brian. “There will be so many special moments and memories made there. The vibe is real, the energy is great, and the burgers are next level. We’re so thankful to our partners for dreaming this all up together, and our team for working so hard to bring our vision to life.”

Papa Surf Burger Bar is now open to the public.

Reservoir Inks New Deal With Multi-Platinum Writer-Producer Brent Maher [Exclusive]

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Brent Maher. Photo: Rod McGaha

Reservoir has signed a new publishing deal for the future works of seven-time Grammy Award-winning and multi-Platinum writer-producer Brent Maher. This deal builds on the company’s 2018 acquisition of rights to Maher’s full catalog.

Maher is best known for his work with The Judds, whom he discovered in 1983 and would go on to produce all 10 of their albums. He co-wrote and produced the duo’s “Why Not Me,” which topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and earned the ACM’s Song of the Year award. Maher has also worked on many of The Judds’ other hits such as “Girls Night Out,” “Rockin’ with the Rhythm of the Rain,” “I Know Where I’m Going,” “Let Me Tell You About Love” and “Born To Be Blue,” among others.

Maher was recently a part of The Judds’ 40th anniversary tribute album, collaborating on all tracks but one for the project. The album features stars from country music and beyond, including Wynonna Judd, Blake Shelton, Dolly Parton, Gwen Stefani, Jelly Roll, Reba McEntire and more.

Beyond his work with The Judds, Maher has also co-written several hits by Johnny Reid, including the CCMA Single of the Year “A Woman Like You” and Juno-nominated Single of the Year “Let’s Go Higher.” He is also an award-winning engineer, with notable credits including Ike & Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” and The 5th Dimension’s “Age of Aquarius,” plus titles by Willie Nelson, Duke Ellington, Chuck Berry, Sammy Davis Jr. Gladys Knight, Sly and the Family Stone and more.

“Brent has worked on so many iconic country records and continues to produce, write, and engineer some of the genre’s best music. His work on A Tribute To The Judds and the star-studded features on the album showcase just how meaningful his influence is to artists in country music and beyond,” shares John Ozier, Reservoir Executive Vice President of Creative. “We are honored to be working with him and look forward to supporting the legacy of his music, old and new.”

Maher adds, “I’m very happy to be in business with John and the entire staff at Reservoir on my new endeavors and back catalog.”

CMA Presents Jeannie Seely With 2023 Joe Talbot Award

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Pictured (L-R): Dan Rogers (Vice President and Executive Producer, Grand Old Opry), Seely and Kella Farris (Partner, Farris, Self & Moore, LLC and CMA Board President). Photo: Chris Hollo Photography/Grand Ole Opry

During a Grand Ole Opry performance this weekend, country legend Jeannie Seely was surprised with the Country Music Association’s Joe Talbot Award. CMA Board President Kella Farris made the special presentation, which elicited a standing ovation from the Opry house crowd.

The CMA Joe Talbot Award is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership and contributions to the preservation and advancement of country music’s values and tradition. Since its creation in 2001, the award has been presented to 12 individuals, including Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, Janette Carter, Kitty Moon Emery, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Charlie Monk, Louise Scruggs, Marty Stuart and Talbot himself.

“How wonderful to be honored for doing what you love to do and love to share with others! My surprise was obvious since I am rarely at a loss for words, but this caught me totally speechless!,” said Seely. “While country music will always, and must always evolve, we must always remember the Grand Ole Opry is the cornerstone our industry was built on with music that represented the people. My sincere appreciation to CMA and the folks who recognized how much I care, and I’m proud to be in such great company! Thank you!”

As a long-time mentor for many female artists in the genre, Seely’s influence on the format has been undeniable. She took to the stage during the inaugural Fan Fair in 1972 and has remained a devoted supporter and advocate for country music. Seely was recognized last year for having the most performances in the Grand Ole Opry’s 98-year history with over 5,000 shows. Since 2018, she has hosted her own weekly program, Sunday with Seely, on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse channel. Seely continuously strives to positively represent country music and promote its traditions to generations of fans.

Industry Ink: SMACK, Big Loud Rock, Luma Business Services, Lucas Hoge

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Jaice Cousins Named Digital Coordinator At SMACK

Jaice Cousins

Jaice Cousins has joined SMACK as Digital Coordinator. Cousins is an Ohio native and Belmont graduate with a degree in music business. She previously worked as a Product Data Management Coordinator at Warner Music Group, and in her new role, will oversee the company’s social media management across all digital platforms and contribute to marketing campaigns and strategy for SMACK clients, as well as assist on other projects such as Orange Country Podcast and SMACK Records initiatives.

“We are thrilled to be having Jaice join our growing team,” says Molly Bouchon. “Her passion for the music industry, combined with her creative vision, make her an awesome addition to the SMACK family.”

“I am so excited and honored to be joining the team at SMACK. This team has been so welcoming and I am grateful for the opportunity to be working alongside so many talented individuals and creatives. I can’t thank them enough for letting me be a part of this company’s story,” says Cousins.

 

Mercury Inks With Big Loud Rock

Mercury. Photo: Luke Rogers

Indie-rock band Mercury has signed with Big Loud Records’ alternative/rock imprint Big Loud Rock. Driven by frontwoman Maddie Kerr, the band released its label debut on Friday (Oct. 27) with the new single “Trying.”

“I am so honored to be a part of the Big Loud Rock family,” shares Kerr. “They have shown an incredible amount of support and passion toward not only my own project, but music in general. They have an incredibly genuine appreciation for music, and their drive to elevate artistic vision is unlike anything I’ve seen. They have been amazing and shown so much love and excitement toward me and my art – they put pure and powerful intentions behind everything they do, and I just couldn’t be more excited to work with them!”

“Mercury represents everything that Big Loud Rock stands for – unique, artistic expression with a one-of-a-kind sound,” shares Big Loud Rock President Greg Thompson.

 

Mallori Kirchenschlager Joins Luma Business Services As Business Manager

Pictured (L-R): Luma Business Service’s Lindsay Bost, Adrien Good, Landon Cobbs, Mallori Kirchenschlager. Photo: Kathy Thomas

Mallori Kirchenschlager has joined Nashville-based business management and bookkeeping firm, Luma Business Services, as business manager.

Kirchenschlager holds a Bachelor’s of Administration degree in Music Business and Accounting from Belmont and has held a variety of positions throughout her 15-year career including Senior Account Manager at FBMM Entertainment Business Management, Director of Strategic Alliances and Events at International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) and Music Agent Assistant at Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

“I am thrilled to have Mallori join the incredible team we have built,” shares Luma’s Founder and President Adrien Good. “Her talents and diverse experience across the industry are a huge asset to our clients and I am excited to work alongside her everyday.”

 

Lucas Hoge’s Hoge Wild Comes To Heartland Network

The first two seasons of Lucas Hoge’s TV series Hoge Wild is coming to the Heartland Network on Nov. 5. Hoge Wild follows the country singer and outdoorsman as he travels around the globe on outdoor adventures including hunting expeditions, fishing trips and more.

The series has brought Hoge around the world including travels to Puerto Vallarta, the Cayman Islands, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Canada and more as well as stops across the United States. Each episode will air on Sundays at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/Pacific (streaming at 8:30 p.m. ET) with an encore presentation the following Saturday at 2 p.m. Eastern/Pacific (streaming at 2 p.m. ET).

The MLC Notches $1.5 Billion In Total Royalties Distributed To Members

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The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) held its third annual Membership Meeting last week.

Of the key metrics highlighted during the meeting, the organization shared that, in the last two and half years since inception, The MLC has distributed over $1.5 billion in royalties. As intended by Congress in the Music Modernization Act, The MLC has effectively illuminated the “black box” for digital audio mechanicals by giving members the ability to search all the unmatched data and propose matches for their works using The MLC’s Matching Tool. To date, The MLC has received and approved more than one million proposed matches submitted by members through the Matching Tool.

The organization also highlighted that The MLC now has more than 32,000 members, having added more than 9,000 to date in 2023. It has over 33 million works in its public database, with data for more than three million new works added in 2023 alone.

“We are proud of these accomplishments, particularly in reaching the milestone of distributing over $1.5 billion in royalties,” says The MLC’s CEO, Kris Ahrend. “We have effectively illuminated the black box by empowering our members with several tools that enable them to take actions intended to eliminate the black box. We look forward to continuing our work to fulfill our mission of ensuring songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers receive their mechanical royalties from streaming & download services in the United States accurately and on time.”

During the meeting, the result of The MLC’s recent Class B Board Seat election was also announced. Alisa Coleman was re-elected by The MLC’s Class B Members to serve on The MLC’s Board of Directors for a second three-year term. The MLC’s Class A Members selected Troy Verges to fill the open seat as a Songwriter Director of the Board, which was previously held by Craig Wiseman, whose initial term expired this year. Additionally, the Class A Members selected Kevin Kadish to serve a second three-year term as a Songwriter Director of the Board.

Finally, The MLC announced that the make-up of the Class C Members will not change in 2024. More information on The MLC’s Board of Directors and Advisory Committees can be found here.

Cody Jinks Introduces New Management & Late August Records Leadership

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Cody Jinks. Photo: Tyler Stubblefield

As he prepares to release his highly anticipated new album next year, multi-Platinum artist Cody Jinks will move forward self-managed with a completely independent team. The team includes Malia Barrett (President, Late August Records), Amber Dee (Director of Tour Marketing), Joe Greenwald (VP of Radio and Streaming, Late August Records), Logan Hacker (Day-to-Day Manager), Keith Kilgore (Tour Manager) and Liz Slyman (Director of Marketing).

“As my team and I traverse the next part of this journey, it’s hard not to think that now I am truly more independent than ever. That is exciting,” Jinks shares.

Based in Texas, Jinks has made an indelible mark on country music as an independent musician. Throughout his career, he has sold over two million tickets, released 10 studio albums, sold more than two million equivalent units and garnered more than 3.5 billion streams across platforms with over a billion streams on Spotify and 1.7 billion streams on Pandora, earning him a Pandora Radio Billions Award.

Jinks was named MusicRow’s 2023 Independent Artist of the Year for the second time at the start of 2023, and earned new RIAA certifications for his songs “Loud and Heavy” (double Platinum), “Hippies & Cowboys” (Platinum), “Must Be The Whiskey” (Platinum), “Mamma Song” (Gold), “I’m Not The Devil” (Gold) and “Cast No Stones” (Gold) as well as for his acclaimed album Adobe Sessions (Gold).

Ahead of his new album, Jinks and his team gathered last week at Nashville’s Star Rover Sound for an exclusive preview event. In addition to hearing the record, which includes the newly released first single “Outlaws & Mustangs,” guests were also treated to an intimate acoustic performance as well as a conversation between Jinks and Clint Black.