Thomas Rhett Sells Out International Shows

Pictured (L-R): Thomas Rhett, Niall Horan on stage at London’s O2. Photo: Luke Dyson

Thomas Rhett started the year with international shows—first, sold-out nights in Canada for the “Bring The Bar To You Tour” and then across the pond to headline three nights of C2C: Country Country, Europe’s biggest country music festival, in London, Glasgow, and Dublin.

While in the UK, Rhett surprised fans with special guests each night for one-time-only collaborations. In London on March 10, Niall Horan joined onstage for a joint performance of “Slow Hands.” Lainey Wilson joined Rhett on stage in Glasgow on March 11 where the two covered Merle Haggard’s “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink.” On March 12, Rhett’s Canadian tourmate Jordan Davis hopped on stage in Dublin for Garth Brooks’ “Friends In Low Places.”

“It’s always amazing to see how much country music is loved when we travel out of the country,” says Rhett. “Our Canadian fans bring the party every time and I’m pretty sure my ears are still ringing from the UK. I already am thinking about when we get to go back!”

Gabby Barrett Surprises CRS Audience With Pop-Up Appearance, Receives Two Career Plaques

Pictured (L-R): Kristen Williams (SVP of Radio, WMN), Tom Martens (VP of Radio Accounts, WMN), Michael Chase (National Director of Radio, WMN), Gabby Barrett, Anna Cage (VP of Radio, WMN). Photo: Kayla Schoen.

Gabby Barrett surprised the packed Omni Hotel during Country Radio Seminar 2023 with a first-time live performance of “Build A Boat,” her Christian AC collaboration with Colton Dixon. She took the stage during the Warner Music Nashville Luncheon as part of CRS 2023. As an added bonus, Barrett’s label stunned her on stage with presentations of two plaques celebrating her RIAA-certified Platinum “Pick Me Up” and her 7x Platinum “I Hope.”

“Thank you guys very, very much from the bottom of my heart,” shares Barrett onstage. “Thank you, I mean that from the biggest part of me because this would definitely not be possible without everybody in this room. We’re coming hard with new music very soon, so thank y’all very much. God bless you.”

“Tennessee Music Pathways” Marker Honoring John Rich Unveiled

Pictured: John Rich. Photo: Randall Spradlin/State of Tennessee

Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter John Rich was honored by the State of Tennessee and Dickson County with the installation of a “Tennessee Music Pathways” marker. This commemorates Rich’s contributions to Tennessee’s musical heritage.

As part of the country-rock duo Big & Rich, Rich has released four albums and 15 charting singles. He is an avid philanthropist who has raised over $1.5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In 2014, he launched his lifestyle brand Redneck Riviera.

At the marker reveal, Rich shared memories of attending Dickson County High School. Joining him at Clement Railroad Hotel Museum were Bob Rial (Dickson County Mayor), Dr. Don L. Weiss (City of Dickson Mayor), Jody Barrett (State Representative) and Melanie Beauchamp (Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development Assistant Commissioner).

Turnpike Troubadours Set Rodeo Season Record with 74,657 Fans

On March 11 Turnpike Troubadours sold the most tickets of the 2023 Rodeo Season so far and performed to an audience of 74,657, their largest audience ever. The Houston Chronicle reported that they broke the record previously held by Bun B’s Southern Takeover by 84 people.

The reunited Turnpike Troubadours have a slate of upcoming shows across the country for their eager and growing fanbase.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame’s ‘Songs For A Cause’ Raises $2,500

Pictured (L-R): Shayne Hill (Sawyer Brown), Robert Filhart (MHM), Johnny Dailey, Seth Taylor, Carol Ann Ford (NSHOF), Buddy Cannon, Gregg Hubbard (Sawyer Brown), Jamie Dailey, Mark Ford (NSHOF), Mark Miller. Photo: Morris Higham Management.

Morris Higham Management client Johnny Dailey joined Jamie Dailey (of Dailey and Vincent), Seth Taylor and Mark Miller (of Sawyer Brown), along with collaborators and bandmates, Gregg “Hobie” Hubbard and Shayne Hill (of Sawyer Brown) at the Bluebird Cafe for their “Songs For A Cause” concert.

Proceeds benefited the National Songwriters Hall of Fame (NSHOF) in honor of Buddy Cannon, a renowned songwriter, producer, and special guest and recent inductee. In total, proceeds tallied to $2,500 for the organization.

“We so appreciate Morris Higham Management, City National Bank and the Bluebird Café for honoring our nonprofit through their Songs For A Cause fundraiser on Wednesday night,” says Mark Ford, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Buddy, Jamie, Johnny and Mark truly brought their A games. Great songs. Great performances. A magical night, and we are grateful!”

John Beiter

Entertainment and intellectual property attorney John Beiter is retiring after nearly 35 years.

Beiter most recently practiced at his own Beiter Law Firm, PLLC, and has represented a diverse group of entertainment industry clients including artists, producers, labels, publishers, filmmakers, and authors. His institutional clients included SESAC, the Americana Music Association, and the International Entertainment Buyers Association.

“I hope I’ll be able to personally thank every one of the many people in the business who gave me an opportunity or helped me along on this adventure,” Beiter shares with MusicRow about his transition. “Off the top of my head, I think of Roger Cook and the late Ralph Murphy, who let me in the door to write at their legendary publishing company, Picalic, soon after I fell off the turnip truck on Music Row; Pat Collins, who took a chance on a newbie music lawyer and engaged me to represent SESAC for many years; Jed Hilly and the Americana Music Association, which I represented from early days; and Pam Matthews at IEBA. I’m going to pass it on.”

Before attending Vanderbilt Law School—where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review—Beiter was a newspaper reporter and then wrote songs for a Nashville-based music publisher. Following law school, he served as a law clerk to Honorable John T. Nixon, U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee.

He is a former Chairman and current member of the Nashville Bar Association’s Entertainment Law Committee and a former Board member and alumnus of Leadership Music. He also is a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries and the Tennessee Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Law Section.

Beiter was selected to be included in the Best Lawyers in America in the category of Entertainment-Music and in MusicRow Magazine’s annual InCharge edition for many years. He has represented clients regarding copyright-related legislation such as the Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act. He also has been a moderator and panelist at various music industry conferences and governmental roundtable discussions regarding copyright and related industry topics.

When asked what he will miss in retirement, Beiter speaks of the community. “I’ll miss the camaraderie: finding, listening to and discussing music with like-minded clients and colleagues. I got to make a great living doing what I would have been doing anyway with my Hoosier homeboys! I moved to Nashville 45 years ago to break into the music business and I got to be a legal cog in the machine that brings music and a bit of happiness and comfort to the world.”

Beiter and his wife Diane plan to relocate to the 30A area of Florida. He plans to get back into musicianship and to use his legal experience in community service.

Pictured (L-R): Nigel Hassler, Bobbi Boyce, Chris Stevens receive CMA International Awards in London during C2C on March 9. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA

The Country Music Association awarded four of its 2022 CMA International Awards and celebrated its return to C2C: Country to Country Festival in the U.K. this past weekend. These efforts are part of CMA’s mission to expand country music globally. 

“It’s been particularly rewarding over the last week celebrating C2C’s 10th year and honoring those who have made such an impact on our genre,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. “2023 is set to be a big year for country music in the U.K. with so much large-scale country touring taking place and the continual growth of streaming and radio support, which is a direct result of our industry working together. Meeting up as an industry this week has allowed us to take a moment to acknowledge together the huge strides country music has taken in a relatively short time.”

Bobbi Boyce, former and long-time CMA employee, won the Jo Walker Meador International Award for her advocacy and support of CMA’s international efforts with their partners and the Nashville Community. Olykan presented the award at the U.K. fan-filled CMA Songwriters Series on March 9.

Chris Stevens, CMA U.K. Task Force Member and CountryLine Radio (formerly Chris Country Radio) host, won the International Country Broadcaster Award for his outstanding achievements in broadcasting. Fellow host and broadcaster Baylen Leonard presented the award.

Nigel Hassler, CAA Country Initiative Leader and CMA U.K. Task Force member, won the Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award for his contribution to building country music in the live music industry over many years. CAA Music agent and co-founder of CAA Music Nashville John Huie presented the award. 

Pictured (L-R): Bob Shennan, Bob Harris during an industry reception in London on March 10. Photo Credit: Luke Dyson/CMA

During an industry reception hosted by CMA and BBC Radio 2, Bob Shennan, BBC Group Managing Director, won the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award for his contributions and influence in the media which contributed to the mainstream exposure of country music in the U.K. on BBC Radio 2. Bob Harris OBE (Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, C2C, and BBC) presented the award to Shennan, who was a former member of the CMA Board of Directors and is a current member of the CMA U.K. Task Force. 

Pictured: Ilse DeLange

Dutch recording artist Ilse DeLange won the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award recognizing an artist that has furthered the popularity of country music and brought attention to the country music format in their foreign-based territory.

All of these awards come in addition to the previously announced CMA International Artist Achievement Award, presented to Ashley McBryde in November 2022.

Pictured (L-R): Nate Smith, Dalton Dover, Lainey Wilson and Ashley Gorley during the CMA Songwriters Series show at C2C in London on March 9. Photo Credit: Luke Dyson/CMA

CMA returned to the C2C Country to Country Festival with the CMA Songwriters Series and “Introducing Nashville” lineup. Featured performances by Dalton Dover, Nate Smith, and Lainey Wilson kicked off the weekend on March 9 with acclaimed songwriter Ashley Gorley. The weekend also saw guest appearances by Tyler Braden, Caylee Hammack, and Alana Springsteen.

The sold-out crowd sang along to hits by Wilson and Gorley, and enjoyed hearing the stories behind the songs from the artists and songwriters themselves. Wilson shared memories from her first trip to the U.K. in 2018, and Dover and Smith celebrated their first U.K. appearance.

Pictured (L-R): Caylee Hammack, Milly Olykan, Alana Springsteen, Tyler Braden, and Meredith Goucher (Senior Director – International Relations & Development, CMA). Photo Credit: Luke Dyson/CMA

“Introducing Nashville,” CMA’s international touring series, featured Braden, Hammack, and Springsteen in acoustic performances during the festival’s opening set on the main stages of London’s O2, Glasgow’s OVO Hydro, and Dublin’s 3 Arena. For each of the artists, the warmly welcomed writers’ rounds marked their first U.K. experiences. 

CMA’s trip to London included hosting various industry events including a panel moderated by Anna-Sophie Mertens (VP of Touring, Live Nation U.K.) and featuring Jon Loba (BMG Nashville President), Becky Gardenhire (Co-Head, William Morris Endeavor Nashville), and Mike Rittberg (Executive VP Label Operations, Big Machine Label Group). They discussed the next steps for the growth of country music in the U.K., shared their views on the challenges of establishing artists internationally, and celebrated the huge inroads that have been made.

Songwriters in Los Angeles and Nashville can dread tax time a little bit less thanks to the National Music Publishers Association.

The NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation (Supporting Our Next Generation of Songwriters) has announced it will continue its partnership with H&R Block to provide free tax prep services to songwriters in L.A. and Nashville.

The program is part of the Foundation’s effort to provide direct assistance to working music creators. Writers wanting to take advantage of the free service or wanting more information can find it here.

“Our goal as a foundation is to help songwriters succeed at what they do best and often taxes are one of the most stressful and distracting things a creator must contend with. We hope LA and Nashville songwriters utilize this free service which should alleviate stress and free them up to create the music we love,” says NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation President, David Israelite.

Launched in 2015, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation supports songwriters through funding educational programs, direct financial assistance and services and through partnerships with organizations to enhance opportunities for music creators. The Foundation has supported She Is The Music, partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts, and provided grants and scholarships to universities including Belmont, LA College of Music, MTSU and Howard University, among other initiatives.

Country Radio Seminar kicked off Monday (March 13) at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Below are some of the highlights from yesterday’s programming.

The Digital Music Summit

Tim Foisset, Rachel Whitney, Johnny Chiang, Michelle Tigard-Kammerer

The first official day of CRS included The Digital Music Summit. With five educational sessions, the content in the programming went beyond just streaming, including informative discussions surrounding web3, NFTs, and emerging next-gen platforms.

The experts who spoke during yesterday’s Digital Music Summit included Johnny Chiang (Pandora), Rachel Whitney (Spotify), Tim Foisset (Warner Music Nashville), Michelle Tigard-Kammerer (Amazon Music), Jade Driver (Crowd Surf), Kristen Reed (UMG Nashville), Katie McCartney (Monument Records), Robert Carlton (SMACKSongs), Marissa Turk (SMACKSongs), Emily Cohen Belote (Amazon Music), Lucia Kaminsky (Sandbox), Clark Mims Tedesco (Warner Music Nashville), Doug Phillips (Q-Prime), Cameo Carlson (Mtheory), Zach Bair (VNUE), Chris McMurtry (Pex), Sean Peace (SongVest), Noah Itman (Digital Music News) and more.

Warner Music Nashville Luncheon

Pictured (L-R, back row): Cris Lacy (Co-Chair & Co-President, WMN); Gabby Barrett; Colton Dixon; Kristen Williams (SVP of Radio, WMN); (L-R, front row): Kurt Johnson (Board President, CRS/CRB); Chase Matthew; Avery Anna; Ian Munsick; RJ Curtis (Executive Director, CRB)

Warner Music Nashville celebrated the first day of CRS with performances from Avery Anna, Chase Matthew and Ian Munsick.

Gabby Barrett also made a surprise appearance and was joined onstage by Colton Dixon for a special performance of their collaboration on his hit song “Build a Boat.”

CRS Honors

Pictured (L-R): Kurt Johnson (Board President, CRS/CRB), Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Avery Anna, RJ Curtis (Executive Director, CRB)

Kelsea Ballerini joined Country Radio Hall of Fame co-chairs Joel Raab and Tim Roberts during CRS Honors at CRS 2023 to reveal the 2023 Country Radio Hall of Fame honorees. As previously reported, the honorees include six radio professionals in two categories: On-Air personality and Radio (Off-Air broadcasters). Pam Green, Charlie Morgan, Wade Jessen, and John Willyard are among the distinguished radio category honorees, while Trish Biondo and Dollar Bill Lawson are recognized for their outstanding on-air contributions.

Carly Pearce was on hand to perform during CRS Honors and Avery Anna sang the National Anthem.

Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat Showcase

Pictured: RJ Curtis, Chris Young, Avery Anna, Dalton Dover, Megan Moroney, and Dylan Schneider with the Amazon Music team

When the day drew to night, it came time for the Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat showcase. This year’s lineup included a headline performance by Chris Young, along with Avery Anna, Dalton Dover, Megan Moroney and Dylan Schneider.