Industry Ink: Ashley Cooke, Cindy Morgan, Katy Nichole, More

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Ashley Cooke Celebrates Gold During ‘Today’ Appearance

Pictured (L-R): Jenna Bush Hager, Ashley Cooke and Hoda Kotb. Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC

Big Loud artist Ashley Cooke made her morning television debut on the fourth hour of NBC’s Today last week, following the drop of her debut album, Shot in the Dark. Cooke delivered a performance of “Tastes Like,” the first track on her new record during the appearance, and to make the milestone moment even more unforgettable, hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager surprised Cooke with a plaque celebrating her first-ever RIAA Gold certification for the love song “Never Til Now (feat. Brett Young).”

Cindy Morgan’s Roho Records Teams Up With Syntax Creative

Cindy Morgan and Roho Records signing with Syntax Creative

Syntax Creative has partnered with Dove Award-winning songwriter Cindy Morgan and her recently launched Roho Records.

The Nashville-based songwriter’s upcoming project, The Sounds of Jubilee, and the next single, “Tame,” will be released Aug. 11. Tracks from the album compliment the stories and characters of her recently released novel, The Year of Jubilee. The novel is a lyrical coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the turbulent South in the early 1960s.

“Cindy is a wellspring of creativity,” says Timothy Trudeau, Syntax Creative CEO. “Her songs are like fine art. So it’s no surprise that she wrote an entire book and then wrote a soundtrack to accompany it. I look forward to watching her develop Roho for years to come.”

Katy Nichole’s ‘In Jesus Name (God Of Possible)’ Shines Gold

Centricity Music’s Caren Seidle & Katy Nichole

Centricity Music singer-songwriter Katy Nichole‘s K-Love Fan Award-winning debut single “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” became the biggest hit this decade on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, crowning the list for a record-breaking 20 weeks, and is now RIAA Gold-certified.

“In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” launched a breakout year that found Nichole nominated for an American Music Award, and realizing her second-straight No. 1 with “God Is In This Story.” Co-written and produced by Jeff Pardo, the songs spent 44 percent of 2022 at No. 1 at radio and topped six 2022 Billboard year-end radio and sales categories.

Peter Otto Joins Nashville Symphony As New Concertmaster

Peter Otto. Photo: Courtesy of the Cleveland Orchestra.

The Nashville Symphony has appointed Peter Otto as the orchestra’s new Walter Buchanan Sharp Concertmaster, beginning January 2024. Otto comes to the Nashville Symphony from the Cleveland Orchestra where he was appointed First Associate Concertmaster in September 2007 and served as Acting Concertmaster from 2018 until 2022.

He was one of three finalists selected to audition for the role. In addition to performing as Concertmaster for two subscription weeks, the candidates also performed a solo recital in front of a search committee of peers from the orchestra and Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero.

“I am thrilled that Peter Otto will be joining the Nashville Symphony as Concertmaster. He is someone with vast and wonderful experience who I had the pleasure to work with during my time with the Cleveland Orchestra,” says Guerrero. “When Peter joined us in Nashville for some concerts this spring, there was an immense and immediate chemistry with the orchestra. Attracting someone like Peter speaks to the level of the orchestra and our beautiful hall and shows that the Nashville Symphony can attract the highest caliber of artist.”

Dave Adkins Signs With Billy Blue Records & Publishing

Dave Adkins signing with Billy Blue Records and Billy Blue Publishing

Dave Adkins has signed to Billy Blue Records and Billy Blue Publishing.

The news comes during a season filled with hope and purpose for Adkins after his recent successful bout with cancer. Billy Blue Records will release Adkins’ debut single to bluegrass radio on Aug. 11, with an album release to follow in early 2024.

“I have been friends with Dave Adkins for many years now,” says Jerry Salley, Director of A&R, Billy Blue Records. “I know his powerful voice and have worked with him in the recording studio. I’ve experienced his live performances and witnessed the crowd reaction to his shows. He’s the real deal, and I’ve been hoping that when the time was right, we could work together on a full album project together for Billy Blue. Dave’s talent and personality fit our family of artists perfectly, and our entire team is excited about working with him and representing his dynamic brand of bluegrass music.”

Christian Copyright Licensing International Promotes Three

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Pictured (L-R): Gary Christensen, Nate Scott and Jay Sudarma

Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), a global rights licensing and resource company, has promoted Gary Christensen to President, Nate Scott to SVP, Operations and Jay Sudarma to Global Director of Marketing.

CCLI is a division of SESAC Music Group, and serves over 240,000 churches, schools and other organizations globally, while representing the intellectual property rights of over 5,000 church music publishers and song owners.

A 25-year veteran of the company, Christensen joined the CCLI team after a 20-year career in banking. In his previous role as Chief Intellectual Property Officer, he was responsible for the publishing and rights owner side of CCLI’s enterprise, and was actively engaged in global copyright matters including rights, publisher relations and contract development as well as repertoire and royalty management.

Scott has been with CCLI for the past nine years, beginning as an Intellectual Property Manager in 2014. As SVP, he is responsible for overseeing CCLI’s global operations in addition to developing and maintaining relationships with music publishers, labels and songwriters.

Sudarma was previously Global Marketing Manager for the company, and will continue to oversee the development of all marketing strategies, deploy growth campaigns and initiatives, and build out the global marketing team at CCLI. Since joining the company in 2016, he has driven innovation, revenue and growth across the full suite of marketing and digital operations.

“We are thrilled to have a team with such a deep expertise and understanding of this business, and who have helped us to grow in unprecedented ways,” says Malcolm Hawker, Chief Operating Officer of SESAC Music Group and former President & CEO of CCLI. “Our leadership team at CCLI is stronger than ever, and I have full confidence that Gary, Nate and Jay will continue to provide outstanding leadership and service to all our clients.”

YEP Nashville Appoints New Executive Director & Raises Funds For MusiCares

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The YEP Nashville Executive Team at the 2023 YEP Rewind event. Photo: Emi Laster

Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) Nashville has appointed Dirickson Law’s Don Clarkin as the organization’s new Executive Director. Clarkin succeeds Amelia Varni, who is moving on from the role to focus on other projects.

YEP Nashville is designed to create a supportive and creative environment for the entertainment industry and its members through networking events, showcases, mentorship and educational development.

The announcement follows the “It’s Not A Phase Mom” YEP Rewind event, which saw 20 local Nashville musicians including Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Maggie Baugh, Logan Crosby, Anna Vaus and more performing with a house band to raise money for MusiCares, the nonprofit that provides health and human services to music professionals. The annual function was held at The Basement East on July 18.

Zach Bryan Notches Longest-Charting Country Single For A Male On Billboard Hot 100

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Zach Bryan. Photo: Kristín Braga Wright

Warner Records artist Zach Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” has reached a new height, setting the record as the longest-charting country single for a male artist on Billboard’s Hot 100 at an astounding 65 consecutive weeks.

“Something In The Orange” is currently at No. 18 and surpassed Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” to become the second longest-charting country song of all time on the all-genre chart, following Leann Rimes‘ “How Do I Live,” which charted for 69 straight weeks. The track was certified four-times Platinum by the RIAA in June and continues its upward trajectory.

The evergreen single was one of the top 10 most-streamed song in the U.S. in 2022, and appears on Bryan’s chart-topping, Platinum-certified album American Heartbreak, which remained in the top 10 in the U.S. for more than a year after its initial release. Bryan has already racked up over 6.3 billion global career streams and 11 RIAA single and album certifications.

He’s currently putting the finishing touches on his upcoming new project, and will return to the road next week for his sold-out “Burn, Burn, Burn Tour,” which visits Tulsa, Las Vegas, Oakland, Wichita, Kansas City and more through the end of August.

Carrie Underwood To Star In 11th Show Open For NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Football’

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Carrie Underwood. Photo: Danny Ventrella/NBC Sports

Multi-Platinum country artist Carrie Underwood will star in the Show Open for NBC’s Sunday Night Football for the 11th consecutive season, starting Sept. 10 on NBC and Peacock as the Dallas Cowboys visit the New York Giants.

The Show Open will include an updated rendition of “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” and a concert performance interspersed with augmented reality highlights displayed across a halo scoreboard. Underwood, who performed the open from The Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, home of her ongoing residency, has also added a surprise new element this season.

“Once again, the incredible Sunday Night Football team came up with a fresh, exciting visual concept that really gave us a chance to play,” says Underwood. “I loved shooting the show open again this year at our home away from home, The Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, and can’t wait for another season of football!”

“We’re thrilled to work with Carrie to capture a new vision for this season’s show open. It sets the tone for the broadcast and pays tribute to the teams, star players and fans in a fun and dynamic way,” says Tripp Dixon, Creative Director of the Sunday Night Football Show Open.

Parmalee Slates ‘For You 2’ For September

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Parmalee. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Parmalee is releasing an extended version of their latest album For You on Sept. 22.

The expanded version, For You 2, features 18 tracks, including the two No. 1 singles double-Platinum “Just The Way (feat. Blanco Brown)” and the Platinum-certified “Take My Name” as well as current hit “Girl In Mine” from the original album. All of the songs were produced by David Fanning, with Andrew Goldstein and Kevin Bard serving as co-producers on “Greatest Hits (feat. Fitz)” and Ben Johnson co-producing “Boyfriend.”

“The support from our fans for this album has been amazing,” says lead singer Matt Thomas. “It’s been two years, almost to the date, that we released For You and we just weren’t ready to be done with it. So, we’re excited to announce that we’re gonna add ‘Girl In Mine’ and four new tracks, and For You 2 will be out Sept. 22.”

With a full slate of summer festivals and shows, Parmalee will take their set on tour with Train later this summer.

“We’re thrilled about the tour with Train, and we’ve been fans of them and their music for a long time,” adds Thomas. “They share a band mentality, just like we do, and I feel like we’re cut from the same cloth in a lot of ways. We’re excited to play our music for their fans.”

For You 2 Track Listing: 
*new tracks
1.“For You” – (Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Justin Wilson)
2. “Just the Way” – (Matt Thomas, Kevin Bard, Nolan Sipe)
3. “Backroad Girl” – (Matt Thomas, Tommy Cecil, Blake Bollinger, Brinley Addington)
4. “Take My Name” – (Matt Thomas, Ashley Gorley, David Fanning, Ben Johnson)
5. “I Do” – (Tyler Hubbard, Matt Thomas, Corey Crowder, David Fanning)
6. “Miss You” – (Michael Tyler, Matthew McGinn, David Fanning)
7. “Greatest Hits (feat. Fitz)” – (Matt Thomas, Kevin Bard, Nolan Sipe, Andrew Goldstein, Michael Fitzpatrick)
8. “Better With You” – (Matt Thomas, Ashley Gorley, David Fanning)
9. “Forget You (feat. Avery Anna)” (Matt Thomas, Shane Minor, David Fanning, Thomas Archer)
10. “Alone Like That” – (Matt Thomas, Tommy Cecil, David Fanning, James McNair)
11. “I See You” – (Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Justin Wilson, Steven McMorran)
12. “I’ll Take The Chevy” – (Matt Thomas, Josh McSwain, Barry Knox, Zachary Kale, James McNair, Josh Mirenda)
13. “For You”– (Matt Thomas, Barry Knox, Josh McSwain, Scott Thomas, David Fanning)
*14. “Girl In Mine” – (Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Ashley Gorley, Casey Brown, Travis Wood)
*15. “Gonna Love You” – (Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Abram Dean, Andy Sheridan)
*16. “Is It Just Me” – (Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson)
*17. “Boyfriend” – (Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps)
*18. “Wish I Never Loved You” – (Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Ashley Gorley, Andy Sheridan)

Cumulus Media Kicks Off Latest ‘Your Music First’ Audio Series With Dan + Shay

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Dan + Shay. Photo: Robby Klein

Cumulus Media is launching the seventh installment of its exclusive audio series, “Your Music First,” featuring Dan + Shay’s brand new single, “Save Me The Trouble.”

The multi-part series will air over the next four weeks across Cumulus country stations nationwide and will include Dan + Shay’s personal insights into how they made the single and how they have grown after 10 years in country. The series reveals behind-the-scenes stories and personal insights into newly-released music and brings additional dimension to the songs.

“’Save Me The Trouble’ by Dan + Shay is the perfect song for Cumulus’ next ‘Your Music First’ campaign at country radio,” says Greg Frey, VP of Music Partnerships, Cumulus Media. “The song features a soul-stirring melody and some of the strongest harmonies in modern country. Shay’s vocals, Dan’s production, and world-class songwriting combine to create an incredible musical moment. I thank our partners at Warner Music Nashville for this collaboration of music and exclusive artist content to bring this song to our fans in a powerful way.”

“Dan + Shay’s new album Bigger Houses is an absolute masterpiece of down-home truths set against larger-than-life music,” adds Kristen Williams, SVP, Radio, Warner Music Nashville. “Their new single ‘Save Me The Trouble’ has the explosive passion of a live performance, and it is already translating to listeners. The track has earned them the biggest add day of their careers, not to mention the biggest add day for any country single released this year. We are incredibly grateful that Cumulus has recognized its magnitude and selected it for the ‘Your Music First’ campaign.”

Cumulus Media debuted the “Your Music First” campaign in February to highlight new music in a unique way by sharing the thoughts of the biggest stars in different formats in a series of revealing and exclusive vignettes across the AC, Alternative, CHR, Country, Hot AC, Rock and Urban formats. The shows feature artist commentary on the song, with artists presenting different aspects of their song’s personal meaning, the inspiration behind the music and insights on their life and career.

Previous campaigns have featured Thomas Rhett’s “Angels (Don’t Always Have Wings), Shania Twain’s “Giddy Up!,” Darius Rucker’s “Fires Don’t Start Themselves,” Thirty Seconds To Mars’ “Stuck,” Janelle Monáe’s “Lipstick Lover” and Lainey Wilson’s “Watermelon Moonshine.” 

Brian Kelley, Michael Franti, More To Perform At Elevation Beaver Creek

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Elevation Beaver Creek, the event combining music, wine and adventure Oct. 1-3 in Beaver Creek, Colorado, has unveiled its first round of performers.

The 2023 lineup include Brian Kelley, The War And Treaty, Matt Stell, Billy Currington, Michael Franti, Dylan Schneider, Coffey Anderson, George Birge, Jordana Bryant, Liddy Clark, Alex Hall, John Hollier, HunterGirl, Ryan Larkins, Stephanie Quayle, Jobi Riccio and Josh Ross.

“Our carefully chosen artists will deliver authentic performances, while attendees immerse themselves in the beauty of Beaver Creek, making this a truly unique experience,” says Bobbii Jacobs, President of FF Entertainment. “As we reveal the first round of performers, I couldn’t be more excited about the diverse lineup that will leave a lasting impression on all attendees.”

Born from the success of Live In The Vineyard and Live In The Vineyard Goes Country (LITVGC), Elevation will also feature premier travel destinations and culinary delights, winemaker pours and uniquely curated activities. The event seeks to bring music supervisors, radio programmers, DSP curators, label executives, VIPs, corporate hospitality groups and more from all over the country together.

It strives to bring elements of Napa and transcend them to other hand-selected markets and locations where the artists and industry members can embrace the local culture. Artists’ interests and passions are a focus within the event, intertwining exploration into the programming with select artist-engaged adventures, such as hiking, skeet shooting, golf outings and more.

BBR Music Group Adds Misti Douglas & Regan Donato To Promotions Teams

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Misti Douglas & Regan Donato

BBR Music Group (BBRMG) has added Misti Douglas as Director of Midwest/Northeast Promotion for the label’s imprint Broken Bow Records, and Regan Donato as Promotions Coordinator for all three imprints–Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records and Wheelhouse Records. Both new hires are already on the job.

In her new role, Douglas reports VP of Promotion Lee Adams and works to promote the Broken Bow Records roster of Chase Rice, Craig Morgan, Dustin Lynch, Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Tyler Farr and more.

Douglas joins the label with over a decade of music industry experience from AdLarge Media, where she worked as the company’s Radio Content Producer, with previous stops at Cumulus Media, where she served as a radio personality and Social Media Manager, Blaster Records, Westwood One and All Access Music Group.

“Misti’s passion for the business and especially for BBRMG reminded me of why I’m in promotions,” says Adams. “Her exuberance is infectious, and her work ethic is strong. I look forward to her being a member of the BBR team and can’t wait for her to meet our wonderful radio partners.”

In her new position, Donato supports the promotional efforts and radio initiatives for the three imprints under SVP of Promotion Carson James.

Having developed an array of skills and a wealth of music industry knowledge from internships with Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Red Light Management and Curb Records, Donato came to straight to BBRMG following her graduation from Belmont University in May of this year.

“Regan was an obvious choice for this position,” says James. “Collectively, all of our Promotion VPs were impressed, just as I was. Her aptitude, confidence and thirst for knowledge makes her the perfect fit for us.”

Douglas can be reached at misti@brokenbowrecords.com, and Donato can be reached at regan@bbrmusicgroup.com.

Mark Your Calendar—August 2023

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Single/Track Release Dates: 

August 4 
Avery Anna/Worst In Me/Warner Music Nashville
Kelsey Hart/Country In Business/Curb Records
MaRynn Taylor/Shakin’ In My Boots/Black River Entertainment
Jillian Cardarelli/If I Could Talk to Elvis (feat. Larry Stickland)/JC Music
Caroline Kid/Whiskey Lies
Kasey Tyndall/Dirt Road to Hell
Re Mattei/Ya Got Two Wheels

August 5 
Myranda Christi/Take Me Down/MC1 Nashville

August 7
Megan Moroney/I’m Not Pretty/Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records
Mickey Guyton/Nothing Compares To You (feat. Kane Brown)/Capitol Records Nashville
Aaron Goodvin/Country Dance/Warner Music Canada/Sakamoto Music
Chance Tomke/Behind Bars/Pine Ridge Records
Teddy Robb/Question the Universe

August 11
Matt Jordan/Steering Wheel/ONErpm
Jordana Bryant/Best Friend/Riser House
Ashlie Amber/Chevy
James Robert Webb/Gentlemen Start Your Weekends
Erin Duvall/Girls Weekend

August 14 
Lukas Nelson + POTR/Sticks and Stones/6ACE Records/Thirty Tigers
Trey Lewis/Always You/River House Artists
Julianna Rankin/New Money/17th Avenue
Cutter Elliott/Come On Home/TCM Records

August 18 
Cody Hibbard/Bend/Droptine Recordings
Megan Barker/Once Upon A Miller Lite
Pamela McNeill/Give Back My Love
Rob Wolf/Destiny

August 21 
Turnpike Troubadours/Chipping Mill/Bossier City Records/Thirty Tigers
Landon Parker/Back At The Bar/Bad Ass Records
Annie Vander/He Himself & Him/VanderFire Records
Drew Baldridge/She’s Somebody’s Daughter

August 25 
Josh Mirenda/In A Beer/Average Joes Entertainment
Kendall Tucker/Dragging Me Down (feat. Jelly Roll & State of Mine)
Bryan Ruby/Centerfield

August 28 
Michael Ray/Spirits and Demons (feat. Meghan Patrick)/Warner Music Nashville
Alabama/Jesus and John Wayne (feat. The Oak Ridge Boys)/Gaither Music Group

 

Album/EP Release Dates: 

Photo: Robby Klein

August 4 
Vince Gill & Paul Franklin/Sweet Memories: The Music of Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys/MCA Nashville
Brett Young/Across The Sheets/BMLG Records
King Calaway/Tennessee’s Waiting/BBR Music Group
Hannah Dasher/The Other Damn Half

August 11 
The Darrell Scott String Band/Old Cane Back Rocker/Soundly Music
O.N.E The Duo/Blood Harmony/Visionary Media Group

August 18 
Warren Zeiders/Pretty Little Poison/Warner Records
Ricochet/Ricochet Then & Now…The Hits & More/Smith Music Group
Voth/Memories Of You

August 25
Tim McGraw/Standing Room Only/Big Machine Records
Turnpike Troubadours/A Cat in the Rain/Bossier City Records/Thirty Tigers 
Morgan Wade/Psychopath/Sony Music Nashville
Shania Twain/Come On Over (Diamond Editions)/Mercury/UMe
Various Artists/Gaither Tribute, Honoring the Songs of Bill & Gloria Gaither/Gaither Music Group
Old Crow Medicine Show/Jubilee/ATO Records
Danny Burns/Promised Land/Bonfire Music Group
Patrick Droney/Subtitles For Feelings/Warner Records
The Mizes/Hitched Up
Exile/A Million Miles Later

 

Industry Events: 

August 14 
Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament

August 23
ACM Honors

August 29
20th Anniversary SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards