Microsoft Explores Acquisition Of TikTok

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On Sunday (Aug. 2), Microsoft announced it will continue its intent to acquire popular video platform TikTok from its Chinese parent company ByteDance.

In a statement, Microsoft said the company’s CEO Satya Nadella had spoken with President Donald J. Trump, and “is prepared to continue discussions to explore a purchase of TikTok in the United States.” Over the weekend, President Trump had told reporters he planned to ban the app in the United States.

In response, Microsoft says it is “committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury,” and has said it will complete discussions with TikTok parent company ByteDance no later than Sept. 15, 2020.

ByteDance and Microsoft have provided a notice of their intent to explore a preliminary proposal that would involve a purchase of the TikTok service in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand and would result in Microsoft owning and operating TikTok in these markets.

Microsoft’s statement also says the company “would ensure that all private data of TikTok’s American users is transferred to and remains in the United States. To the extent that any such data is currently stored or backed-up outside the United States, Microsoft would ensure that this data is deleted from servers outside the country after it is transferred.”

According to a New York Times report on Monday (Aug. 3), Trump said that Microsoft can move forward to pursue the acquisition. He stated that TikTok would shut down on Sept. 15 unless Microsoft or another company purchased it.

“It can’t be controlled for security reasons by China,” Trump said according to the New York Times report, adding that he was supportive if Microsoft or another “very American” company purchased TikTok instead. “A very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States, because we’re making it possible for this deal to happen,” Trump said.

Read Microsoft’s full statement here.

Lindsay Ell, Maddie & Tae To Lead Women’s Suffrage Centennial Celebration Concerts

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Song Suffragettes has teamed up with the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which gave women the constitutional right to vote on Aug. 26, 1920.

The Commission will be sponsoring Song Suffragettes’ shows at The Listening Room Café on Aug. 3, Aug. 10, Aug. 17 and Aug. 24 along with YouTube livestreams from those shows. August shows will feature Lindsay Ell (Aug. 3), Maddie & Tae (Aug. 10), Ashley McBryde (Aug. 17) and Runaway June (Aug. 24) and special guests joining members of the Song Suffragettes’ ever-revolving and expanding roster which currently consists of over 260 female singer-songwriters.

The livestream series Live From Nashville: Song Suffragettes will be available for free via the Song Suffragettes’ YouTube channel, and a limited number of tickets are available to attend these shows in person and can be purchased at listeningroomcafe.com.

“The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission is thrilled to partner with Song Suffragettes in celebration of the congressionally designated National Women’s Suffrage Month in August 2020,” said WSCC Executive Director Anna Laymon. “Music holds an important place in the history of women’s fight for the vote — like in all social movements, music helped to inspire and unify the suffragists who were dedicated to expanding American democracy. These activists not only secured the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment, but they also broke barriers and opened up new opportunities for women for generations to come. By working to ensure talented women artists are represented and celebrated in the world of country music today, Song Suffragettes carries forward the legacy of the courageous trailblazers who fought for women’s right to vote 100 years ago. It is a privilege to join with Song Suffragettes to honor the sacrifice and courage of the suffragists.”

Based in D.C. and funded by Congress, the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission is conducting suffrage- inspired digital programming to commemorate August 2020 as National Women’s Suffrage Month. The Commission is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical federal agency with multiple initiatives.

“For over six years, Song Suffragettes has been fighting the good fight to support underrepresented female voices in music,” said Todd Cassetty, founder of Song Suffragettes. “We named Song Suffragettes as an obvious nod to the fearless women who faced a restrictive government and fought for seventy-two years to earn the right to vote. So it is a true honor to partner with the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and be the musical component of their celebration of the 19th Amendment’s centennial.”

Jeff Hoag Signs On To 650 AM WSM As Host Of ‘WSM At Night With Jeff Hoag’

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Jeff Hoag. Photo: WSM

Jeff Hoag, who has been a regular fill-in and friend of legendary radio personality Eddie Stubbs, will officially take over the night show at WSM Radio following Stubbs’ retirement. Hoag will host WSM At Night with Jeff Hoag from 7 p.m. until midnight, beginning tonight (Monday, Aug. 3).

Hoag said, “My dream in life was to work for WSM Radio and keep the tradition of classic country music alive. The fact that I get to live my dream and carry out this mission is gratifying beyond words. Thank you for the opportunity to do what I love and to spread the glorious gospel of country music across the world.”

WSM Director of Content and Programming J. Patrick Tinnell said, “WSM at Night is exactly where Jeff belongs. I along with the rest of his radio family, can’t wait to see how he develops his own live nightly show, while keeping a long-standing tradition of classic country at night on WSM. I know our audience will be as proud of Jeff as I am.”

Hoag was born in upstate New York and made his way to Nashville in 2003. His mission has always been to share his love of traditional country music with those who already appreciate it, but especially those who may have never given it a chance. An avid collector and historian of music, Hoag is also a songwriter, musician, script writer, food enthusiast and baseball fan.

Lifelong Friends Vince Gill, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris Reunite For Opry Show

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Pictured: Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell. Photo: courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Chris Hollo, photographer

Rodney Crowell,  Vince Gill, and Emmylou Harris made some Opry magic Saturday night (Aug. 1) when the three stepped into the circle together to perform on the Grand Ole Opry’s 4,935th consecutive Saturday night broadcast.

Between the three of them, the music legends have amassed a whopping 36 Grammy Awards and 109 nominations. Harris kicked off the show with “If I Could Only Win Your Love,” from her debut album Pieces of the Sky, and shared that it was the first song she ever sang on the Grand Ole Opry when she debuted in 1975. She reflected on performing it that night with Charlie Louvin, who had written and recorded the classic with his brother Ira.

The rich history and deep friendship between Crowell, Gill and Harris spans almost 50 years and was clearly evident as the three storytellers often found themselves going off their intended set lists to harmonize and collaborate on each other’s songs, including Harris’ “Out Under the Stars” and the Crowell-penned “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.”

Crowell performed “Still Learning How To Fly,” and “Bluebird Wine,” which he wrote and Harris recorded for her debut album, and together Crowell and Harris performed “You Can’t Say We Didn’t Try” from their 2015 duets album The Traveling Kind. Gill kicked off his performance with “Oklahoma Borderline,” which he co-wrote with Crowell and Guy Clark. When he performed Crowell’s “Till I Gain Control Again,” he described the tune as “the song that bonded a friendship that has lasted almost 44 years,” and he brought his friend Crowell to tears as he performed the Crowell-penned “Song For the Life” for Crowell’s upcoming birthday, with Crowell admitting, “For as long as I’ve known you, you can still make me cry.”

The three friends closed their Opry show with another Crowell-penned hit, “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight.”

BBR Music Group/Music Knox Records Sign Tim Montana

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Pictured (L-R): Michael Knox, Tim Montana. Photo: Spidey Smith

BBR Music Group has added Tim Montana to its roster. The singer-songwriter joins Music Knox Records, Michael Knox‘s partnership imprint with BBR Music Group/BMG.

“What hit me first about Tim was his music. When I found out about all the other things going on in his world, it was just icing on the cake,” said Knox. “What I love the most about Tim is that you feel his life, good or bad, through his music. It didn’t take me long to see how personal this all was to him and why he has no plan B. Tim is all in and so am I.”

“I’ve always had the objective to do things differently and out work everybody and couldn’t be more thrilled to find a label home with the same thought process. Knox brought me to a whole new level in the studio and challenged me to pull out the big guns as a writer,” Montana said. “I couldn’t be more honored to join a roster of some of the best and most diverse talent in our genre. They’ve got the rocket and I’ve got the fuel so let’s ride this sled to the moon!”

“Tim is the consummate professional who knows his brand and is building an impressive business. It’s a lifestyle, not just a music career,” said Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group. “I can’t wait to see what happens when we combine that with Knox and his vision for the music.”

Montana recently joined several friends including Charlie Sheen, Lee Brice, Chris Kirkpatrick, Michael Ray, Chase Rice and more for the video for “Quarantine,” penned by Monatna and Mat Best. Montana’s music has also been used as the theme song for World Series Championship runs, NHL games, NASCAR telecasts and action movies and has earned him spots opening for Kid Rock and performing alongside the Foo Fighter’s Dave Grohl.

In addition to his music career, Montana has his own show, “Tim Montana’s Wild Side,” on Velocity Outdoor Channel. He is also involved in products including Polaris, Black Rifle Coffee, Fender, Gerber, Giant Bicycles, Indian Motorcycles, K&N, Kicker Performance Audio, Orange Amplifiers, Snap On, Traeger Grills and more.

Mark Your Calendar—August 2020

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Single Add Dates

August 3
Martina McBride/Girls Like Me/Vinyl Recordings, LLC
Tim Dugger/You’re Gonna Love Me/Curb
Bruce Larson/What Love Can Do/Busy@Play
Drew Taylor/Wayback

August 10
Darius Rucker/Beers And Sunshine/Capitol
A Thousand Horses/A Song To Remember/Warner/WEA
Cam/Classic/Triple Tigers Records
Dylan Gerard/Simple Things/SSM Nashville

August 14
Josh Christina/Old Piano/Burning Ground Entertainment

August 17
Taylor Swift/betty/MCA Nashville

August 21
Alexandra Kay/I Kinda Don’t/Alexandra Kay Music

August 24
Lainey Wilson/Things A Man Oughta Know/Broken Bow Records

August 27
Jesse Lopez/Way Past Words

 

Album Releases

August 7
Luke Bryan/Born Here, Live Here, Die Here/Capitol Records Nashville
Mary Chapin Carpenter/The Dirt and the Stars/Lambent Light Records/Thirty Tigers
Joel Crouse/WasteLAnd/Hum Records

August 14
Mo Pitney/Ain’t Lookin’ Back/Curb Records
Caylee Hammack/If It Wasn’t For You/Capitol Nashville
Lindsay Ell/heart theory/Stoney Creek Records
Jeannie Seely/An American Classic/Curb Records
RaeLynn/Baytown/Round Here Records
Orville Peck/Show Pony/Columbia
Tori Kelly/Solitude/Capitol Music Group/School Boy Records
Eric Paslay/Nice Guy/Paso Fino Records

August 21
Mandy Barnett/A Nashville Songbook/Melody Place
Josh Turner/Country State of Mind/MCA Nashville
Tim McGraw/Here on Earth/BMLG
Tucker Beathard/King/Warner Music Nashville

August 28
Ruston Kelly/Shape & Destroy/Rounder Records
Colter Wall/Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs/La Honda Records/Thirty Tigers
Ryan Griffin/Name On It/Altadena/Warner Records/Warner Music Nashville

 

Industry Events

August 18
MusicRow Awards – Winners Announced

Taylor Swift To Release Eighth Studio Album ‘Folklore’ At Midnight

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Less than a year after the release of her project Lover, Taylor Swift will return with her eighth studio album, Folklore, which releases at midnight tonight. A music video for a new track, “Cardigan,” will release simultaneously with the album release.

“Most of the things I had planned this summer didn’t end up happening, but there is something I hadn’t planned on that DID happen,” Swift, 30, wrote in a series of Instagram posts Thursday morning. “And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore. Surprise”

In detailing the release, she said, “I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into. I wrote and recorded this music in isolation but got to collaborate with some musical heroes of mine…” She worked with Aaron Dessner, Bon Iver, William Bowery and Jack Antonoff, with engineering from Laura Sisk and Jon Low, and mixing by Serban Ghenea and Low.

Dessner shared on social media that Swift had approached him to co-write tracks in late April.

“I thought it would take a while for song ideas to come and I had no expectations as far as what we could accomplish remotely,” he said. “But a few hours after sharing music, my phone lit up with a voice memo from Taylor of a fully written version of a song.” They remotely wrote 11 songs for the project. “I’m very proud of all these songs and profoundly grateful to Taylor for inviting me into and trusting me in her process.”

The 16-track album will also be available via a physical deluxe edition that will include the bonus track “The Lakes.” There will also be eight deluxe CD editions and eight deluxe vinyl editions available for one week, with each deluxe edition including unique covers, photos and artwork.

The surprise album drop is a change from Swift’s usual modus operandi, which typically involves a long buildup to an album release, complete with blockbuster singles and attention-grabbing music videos.

“Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed,” Swift added via Instagram. “My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world. That’s the side of uncertainty I can get on board with.”

Folklore Track List:
“The 1”
“Cardigan”
“The Last Great American Dynasty”
“Exile” (featuring Bon Iver)
“My Tears Ricochet”
“Mirrorball”
“Seven”
“August”
“This is Me Trying”
“Illicit Affairs”
“Invisible String”
“Mad Woman”
“Epiphany”
“Betty”
“Peace”
“Hoax”
“The Lakes” (Bonus Track)

ReviverFest 2019 Delivers Music And Fun In San Diego

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Thompson Square perform during ReviverFest 2019 at San Diego’s Tin Roof. Photo: MusicRow.

In its second year, ReviverFest 2019 brings radio industry members and invited guests to San Diego, California for music, fun and camaraderie over the weekend (Dec. 13 – 15).

The 3-day industry excursion was held at Hotel del Coronado, which is perhaps best known for being featured in Some Like It Hot, starring Marilyn Monroe. The movie is among a dozen films that has featured the iconic hotel. Built in 1888 and known affectionally as “The Del,” it’s rich heritage also includes hosting over 15 presidents including William Howard Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and more recently, Barack Obama. Notable guests have also included everyone from Thomas Edison and Charlie Chaplin to Brad Pitt and Madonna.

Taking advantage of the coastal scenery, the weekend schedule offered attendees both action-packed activities and relaxing opportunities on the beach. Led by President/CEO David Ross and Executive VP/GM Gator Michaels, Reviver created this event in 2018 to thank industry reps for their support and to offer a fun getaway as the year comes to a close. The gathering also gave guests the chance to hang with Reviver’s artists and songwriters, and to hear both current and brand new music.

Pictured (L-R): Reviver Music’s newly signed singer/songwriter Brooke Moriber, David DeVaul, Tenille Arts and Alex Kline perform in the round. Photo: MusicRow.

Friday started the festivities with an afternoon of cocktails and beach-side noshing before moving inside to The Crown Room, fully decorated for the Christmas holiday. After cocktails and dinner, the industry members were entertained “Nashville-style” with an acoustic writers’ round. The round included Reviver Music’s David DeVaul, Alex Kline and newly signed singer/songwriter Brooke Moriber. Special guest Tenille Arts also joined the round to perform her upcoming single “Somebody Like That,” co-written and produced by Kline. The single impact date at radio is January 13, 2020 with her sophomore album, Love, Heartbreak, & Everything in Between, slated for a January 10, 2020 release.

Wrapping up the round was Reviver Music’s Aaron Goodvin who performed a powerful and gritty version of the Charles Brown 1960 hit, “Please Come Home for Christmas.”

Pictured (L-R): A&R Executive Carole-Ann Mobley, MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson, Reviver songwriter Alex Kline, Publisher Executive Clay Myers and Reviver songwriter David DeVaul. Photo: MusicRow.

Afterwards, the evening continued into the later hours with a fun poker tournament led by Reviver’s Dave Collins (National Director of Promotion) and in another room, karaoke led by Promotion Manager Roger Fregoso. Promotion Manager Kellie Longworth left the audience stunned with her karaoke performance of a Patty Loveless classic with David Ross’ wife, Jen, proclaiming “Somebody give her a [record] deal!”

On Saturday, invited guests enjoyed several options during the day to make the most of their visit to the East coast, which is just 20 miles north of the Mexican border. Options included relaxing at Hotel del Coronado or venturing into the town of Coronado Island, enjoying a round of golf at the Coronado Golf Course, testing one’s angling skills on a fishing excursion in San Diego Bay, relaxing at the hotel’s spa, or going to the world famous San Diego Zoo. That evening, everyone was debating on which excursion was the best. Spoiler alert: they all were.

Saturday night started with a wine-tasting session outside at the hotel’s Vista Walk before heading downtown to the Tin Roof (Yes! San Diego has its own Tin Roof, which was a subtle reminder of the vast impact our industry has across the country and beyond.)

Tenille Arts performs during ReviverFest 2019 at San Diego’s Tin Roof. Photo: MusicRow.

San Diego’s country radio station KSON Country and Reviver Records presented the free evening show which featured performances by Reviver artists Thompson Square, Tenille Arts and Aaron Goodvin. Donations were taken at the door benefiting Just in Time, a local charitable organization that helps transition-age foster youth, ages 18-26, achieve self-sufficiency and well-being in San Diego. A standing-room only crowd cheered on each performer while singing along.

An impromptu “after party” erupted afterwards back at the hotel allowing everyone to wind down with additional beverages. We knew the fun-filled event was coming to a close as pizza arrived for the last of the hard core celebrators, squeezing every inch of enjoyment out of the weekend and proclaiming the success of ReviverFest 2019.

Pictured (L-R): Reviver Entertainment Group President/CEO David Ross, Jen Gold Shulman, Keifer and Shawna Thompson (Thompson Square), and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: MusicRow.

Besides taking home a fun experience, attendees also came home with gift bags which included high-end head phones from KICKER Performance Audio. Both KICKER and fellow sponsor Eskimo Joe’s also offered pop-up shops for guests at the hotel.

Also attending from Reviver were Paul Williams (VP of Marketing & Artist Development), Jim Malito (VP of Promotion), Clay Henderson (National Director of Marketing), Hayley Cowoski (Manager of Marketing & Artist Development), Promotion Managers Suzanne Durham, Will Robinson, Stephanie Seiple, and Executive Assistants Kelly Ziegenfuss and Anna Bea Major. Reviver’s supporting team members Clay Myers and Carole-Ann Mobley were also in attendance.

Attendees at ReviverFest 2019 enjoy a day at the iconic San Diego Zoo. Photo: Reviver.

Aaron Goodvin performs during ReviverFest 2019 at San Diego’s Tin Roof. Photo: MusicRow.

Gabby Barrett Reaches Pinnacle Of Radio Disney Country’s Top 50 Chart

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Gabby Barrett. Photo: Taylor Kelly

Gabby Barrett has earned the No. 1 spot on Radio Disney Country’s Top 50 chart this week, with “I Hope,” which also enters the Top 3 at SiriusXM.

“I Hope,” which Barrett penned with Zachary Kale and Jon Nite, has earned more than 14 million streams globally. The tune sits at No. 50 on the latest Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

“It’s been so much fun watching Gabby’s music explode on The Highway. The reaction has been huge from the beginning and hasn’t showed any signs of slowing down. Gabby Barrett is a star…it’s that simple,” praises Sirius XM’s The Highway’s Senior Director of Programming, J.R. Schumann.

In May, Barrett will rejoin Chris Lane’s Laps Around The Sun Tour in Buffalo, New York. She is currently in the studio with producer Ross Copperman, working on her debut project.

 

Newsboys New Album ‘United’ Set For May

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Newsboys is set to unveil their latest FairTrade Services collection on May 10. United, which brings together former members Peter Furler and Phil Joel with Michael Tait, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis, was produced by Furler and Geoff Duncan. 
 
United is available for preorder beginning today with four instant-grat tracks. Hit single “Greatness Of Our God” as well as “Symphony” and the Furler co-penned “This I Know” are immediately accessible, while “Only The Son (Yeshua),” also co-written by Furler, will be available April 26. Furler—a driving force behind such iconic Newsboys hits as “He Reigns,” “Entertaining Angels” and “Shine”—co-wrote four of the album’s 10 selections. 
 
The project’s lead single, “Greatness Of Our God,” is a triumphant worship celebration bridging the band’s past and present with Furler and Tait on lead vocals. Penned by Colby Wedgeworth, Bryan Fowler and Ethan Hulse, “Greatness Of Our God” is already a Top 20 hit on Billboard’s National Christian Audience chart, Mediabase’s Christian Audience chart, and the Billboard AC Monitored chart, among others.  
 
Further highlights of United include current digital single “Symphony,” as well as “Love One Another,” co-written by Furler and featuring guest vocals from former dcTalk member Kevin Max; the worshipful “Set Me Ablaze,” written by Mia Fieldes, Bryan & Katie Torwalt and Jacob Sooter; and the Michael Tait co-penned album closer, “Never Too Far Away.” 

A digital deluxe edition of United will also bow May 10, featuring Newsboys’ 2017 anthem, “The Cross Has The Final Word,” and “Rejoice,” a new selection penned by Furler and Steve Taylor. The United deluxe edition also includes remixes of “Greatness Of Our God” and “Only The Son (Yeshua),” as well as “United: The Story Behind The Album,” an exclusive interview with Furler and Tait. 

“Recording this Newsboys United album did so much more than just bring two eras of the band together,” said Furler. “It has made us one in spirit, purpose and love. I believe our fans will feel that unity in the music.”

“No one had a clue early last year this Newsboys United smashup would even work, and now who can deny it’s been nothing short of fantastic?” Tait adds. “I believe the United album is a classic but timely collaboration uniting two lead singers into one band and shows ‘The Greatness Of Our God’…He truly works in mysterious ways!”