Industry Ink: Erv Woolsey, CMT Crossroads, Kelly Sutton

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BMI Honors Erv Woolsey With “Million-Air” Award

Pictured (L-R): Erv Woolsey and BMI’s Mitch Ballard celebrate the remarkable achievement of “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” at Woolsey-owned Losers in Nashville on Feb. 28, 2023

BMI honored songwriter/executive Erv Woolsey for writing George Strait’s “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” which has earned more than one million broadcast performances. Co-written with Aaron Baker, the now Platinum-certified song appeared on Strait’s album, Clear Blue Sky, in 1996.

In addition to being a songwriter, Woolsey has been a Music Row player for more than 30 years when he broke into the business managing a young and determined Strait. He currently manages Strait, Lee Ann Womack (with 377 Management), Ian Munsick (with Not A Public Figure Management) and more.

 

CMT Crossroads: For King + Country & Jimmie Allen

Pictured (L-R): Heather Graffagnino, Margaret Comeaux, Joel Smallbone, Jimmie Allen, Luke Smallbone, Leslie Fram and John Hamlin pose at CMT Crossroads at The Factory on Jan. 24, 2023 in Franklin, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images

CMT Crossroads with For King + Country and Jimmie Allen premiered on Feb. 28 on CMT. The broadcast began at 10 p.m. / 9 p.m. cst, with an immediate encore during the following hour.

Filmed in front of a studio audience outside of Nashville, the special episode pairs the Christian pop duo with Allen as they swap stories and collaborate on each other’s most-loved songs, including Allen’s “Best Shot,” “Down Home” and “Freedom Was A Highway,” and For King + Country’s “God Only Knows,” “Joy” and “Relate,” as well as a special debut performance of a brand-new song. Audiences who missed the original segment can catch it on air again this week. This CMT Crossroads episode will be on CMT on March 5 and on CMT Music on March 10 and March 11.

 

Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton Airs 100th Episode

Pictured (L-R): Kelly Sutton, Lainey Wilson

Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton aired its 100th episode last weekend. Host Kelly Sutton celebrated with a fun photo with Lainey Wilson.

The show, syndicated across the country by Compass Media, features new music and lasting hits. Y’all Access highlights artist interviews during the three-hour segment.

Lindsay Rimes Renews Deal With Sony Music Publishing Nashville

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Tom Luteran, Kenley Flynn, Aubrey Rupe, Synnovea Halsel and Dale Bobo. (L-R, front row): Josh Van Valkenburg, Lindsay Rimes and Rusty Gaston.

Lindsay Rimes has renewed his worldwide publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

A native of Surry Hills, Australia, Rimes’ songs have been recorded by Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Phillip Phillips, Dylan Scott, LoCash, The Cadillac Three, Tyler Rich, Canaan Smith and The Shires. He co-penned Kane Brown‘s quadruple Platinum single “Heaven,” which reached No.1 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart and collected over a billion total streams.

Rimes has had success across other genres as well, with contributions on Troye Sivan‘s 2014 EP TRXYE, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart, as well as Kylie Minogue‘s 2018 album Golden, which entered the charts at No. 1 in the U.K and Australia.

Rimes recently co-wrote and produced Nate Smith’s “Whiskey on You,” which scored two consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

“Lindsay’s star has been steadily rising over the last few years, and it’s been amazing to watch him succeed and grow creatively beyond genres,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville EVP, Creative Josh Van Valkenburg. “He’s a very important member of our Sony team, and we are elated to continue our partnership with him.”

“I couldn’t be more excited about continuing my journey with the Sony family,” says Rimes. “I consider Josh and Rusty and the whole team to be simply the best at what they do.”

Morgan Wallen To Celebrate New Album With Free Nashville Arena Pop-Up Show

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr

Morgan Wallen surprised fans this morning with news of a free, pop-up show tomorrow night, March 3 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

The direct-with-fans celebration will commemorate the release of Wallen’s new 36-song album One Thing At A Time, which drops tomorrow as well. The hitmaker played three consecutive sold-out shows at the venue during his 2022 “Dangerous Tour,” and with the NHL’s Predators away for a game, the stars aligned for Wallen to return to the arena for one night only this weekend.

“I’m gonna do acoustic… everyone’s asking me why I’m not doing a Tennessee show. I’m doing one now. Friday, March 3. See you there,” Wallen shares.

Fans can only reserve tickets in person at downtown at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office. Tickets are capped at two per-person. The in-the-round show kicks-off at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 4:30 p.m.

Nine of the songs from One Thing At A Time are available now, and have already seen huge streaming demand. Over 1.2 million fans are set to attend Wallen’s upcoming “One Night At A Time World Tour,” which kicks off overseas March 15-24 in New Zealand and Australia with Hardy before returning stateside on April 15 in Milwaukee.

Rissi Palmer To Be Featured In ‘American Masters’ Documentary

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Rissi Palmer. Photo: Chris Charles

American Masters and Firelight Media announced the second season of the documentary short series In the Making. The premiere episode will feature Grammy-nominated country artist and radio host, Rissi Palmer.

The new season focuses on nine artists across a variety of disciplines, whose work explores and influences American culture. Tony Award-winning actor and singer Audra McDonald will host the broadcast premiere of American Masters: In the Making, and the documentary short film, Rissi Palmer: Still Here.

Palmer is one of only five African American women to ever hit the Billboard charts in the history of country music. In 2007, Palmer became the first Black woman to chart a country song since Dona Mason in 1987. She has dealt with obstacles in pursuing her career yet continues to create a spotlight for herself, other Black women, and women of color.

“No one becomes an ‘American Master’ overnight, and the idea behind In the Making is to take a behind-the-scenes look at the creative processes of artists who are on their way to becoming masters in their field,” says Michael Kantor, Executive Producer for American Masters.

In Rissi Palmer: Still Here, director Dilsey Davis focuses on Palmer’s work on her upcoming new album while managing her family life and one of her busiest professional years in a decade. She hosts her own radio show, Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer, on Apple Music Country. It is part of her work to change beliefs about people of color’s present and past involvements in country music.

In addition, Palmer has released three critically acclaimed albums independently. She also garnered two Grammy nominations in the Best Children’s Music Album category. Palmer is also Governor of the Recording Academy Nashville chapter and correspondent for CMT’s Hot 20 countdown.

Rissi Palmer: Still Here premieres Friday, March 24 at 9 p.m. est / 8 p.m. cst on PBS, pbs.org/americanmasters and the PBS App. The film is a production of Firelight Media and Café con Leche Media, in association with American Masters Pictures and Black Public Media.

Wasserman Music Promotes Chappel McCollister, Yitzi Peetluk, More

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Chappel McCollister. Photo: Stacie Huckeba

Wasserman Music has announced a series of promotions, including Nashville-based team members Chappel McCollister to SVP of Business Development and Yitzi Peetluk to Agent.

In his newly elevated role, McCollister is devoted to leveraging synergies between the company’s music, sports, film, marketing and social media divisions to build unique, high-profile and profitable campaigns for clients. In his four years with the Wasserman Music team, his campaign highlights include an award-winning brand collaboration for Kacey Musgraves with candle maker Boy Smells; a partnership between Musgraves and Chipotle featuring the brand’s short animated film that went on to win three Clio Awards and five Cannes Lions Awards; and the design of the global Blake Shelton x Land’s End collection. More recently, he helped Margo Price launch her cannabis collection with Dad Grass—branded Mom Grass—to support her latest album release, and helped launch Nashville Soccer Club’s brand-new Man in Black Kit, honoring one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time, Johnny Cash, a partnership that was spearheaded by McCollister. He is also a co-leader of Wasserman Music’s country and Americana genres.

“I have seen the future of music, sports, business development, and brand partnerships. Its name is Chappel McCollister,” says Jonathan Levine, Wasserman Music EVP & Managing Executive. “Hard pressed to find anyone who out-thinks, out-shines, or out-hustles Chappel. He’s best in class and provides tremendous service to our clients across a broad array of creative opportunities.”

Yitzi Peetluk

Peetluk began his career at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he worked at The Red Room @ Cafe 939 and interned with Bowery Presents/Boston. Upon graduation, he was hired as an Assistant Talent Buyer for Cafe 939. In 2017, he moved to Nashville to work at CAA and became the Assistant to Wasserman Music Agents Keith Levy and Matt Runner in 2018. Since 2020, Peetluk has served as Coordinator and Senior Coordinator under Levy and Lenore Kinder. He works with artists including Sierra Ferrell, Shakey Graves, Joy Oladokun, Sarah Jarosz, Langhorne Slim and Nikki Lane, among others.

Along with Peetluk, Wasserman’s newly-promoted agents include Eli Gelernter, Logan Handelsman and Lindsay McDowell. The agency has also expanded its artist service teams with Fairs & Festivals Agent Jess Bumsted and Tour Marketers Mary Kate Carragher and Kaela Ismael. Additionally, Sara Pullman rises to the executive role of VP, Operations.

“Our two biggest priorities at Wasserman Music are the ongoing efforts to super-serve our clients and the continued career growth of our staff. These well-deserved promotions help us achieve both,” says Lee Anderson, Wasserman Music EVP & Managing Executive. “We could not be prouder of each of these employees and look forward to their continued success and contributions here at Wasserman.”

John Esposito Named New T. J. Martell Foundation Chairman Of The Board

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John Esposito. Photo: Eric Brown

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer Research has named Warner Music Nashville Chairman Emeritus John “Espo” Esposito the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the organization, according to Billboard.

The announcement comes as the organization continues to rebuild following the embezzlement scandal concerning former Executive VP & GM Melissa Goodwin, who was found to have embezzled four million dollars from the music industry charity.

Esposito’s initial term will be for two years. He succeeds Universal Music Group General Counsel and Executive VP Jeffrey Harleston, who will now serve as Executive Chairman. Esposito, who departed his role as Chairman & CEO of Warner Music Nashville at the end of 2022, has served as a T.J. Martell Foundation trustee since 2006, but has supported the organization since 1997.

“We got the double whammy of the COVID pandemic and somebody being a bad actor,” says Esposito to Billboard. “I felt qualified with my knowledge of the organization and passion for them to do what I could to help get us back on track.”

Esposito and T. J. Martell CEO Lynn-Anne Huck noted that safeguards have been put in place, including a 28-page policies and procedures manual for financial transactions, to ensure more transparency in the future. “If you go to our website, you’re going to find more information than almost any other nonprofit. We are absolutely transparent with everything,” Huck tells Billboard.

The organization has also reported they are cutting down on the number of events held each year and are considering creating marathon teams to raise money for T.J. Martell, as well as increasing planned giving by individuals and estates in addition to increasing branding and sponsorship possibilities. By relying less on staffed events, Esposito and Huck hope to keep personnel numbers lower. In 2019, T.J. Martell had 25 full-time employees, but is now down to only three. They will reportedly hire more staffers as needed.

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by record executive Tony Martell in 1975 following the death of his son, T.J., from leukemia. the foundation holds multiple annual charity events and campaigns with the music communities in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Miami and more. They have raised more than $280 million in support of medical research grants and helped secure more than one billion dollars in research funding.

Grayscale Marketing Mourns Passing Of Colleague Matt Alese

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Matt Alese

Grayscale Marketing Senior Project Management and Operations Coordinator Matt Alese has passed away. He was 29.

Originally from West Islip, New York, Alese started his career at Grayscale in 2016 as an intern. In his most recent role, he helped successfully manage large projects across the country.

“I saw a drive and hunger in him even early on,” recalls Grayscale Marketing CEO, Tim Gray. “There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t or couldn’t challenge himself to do and you had to love that about him.”

Armed with his work ethic and a genuine passion for music, he quickly established himself as a fixture in the industry, regularly attending functions and serving as a member of the SOLID Board.

“Matt was an incredible colleague and friend, honest, consistently improving in his work, a committed Jiu-jitsu practitioner and avid hockey player,” remarks Gray. “He was a responsible person, a go-getter, enthusiastic, dedicated and had a sense of humor. The passion that he brought to his job, our team and this industry each and every day is something myself and others will never forget.”

A funeral mass was held Saturday, Feb. 25 in New York. Memories and condolences for the family can be left here.

Koe Wetzel Celebrates February 28 With Raising Cane’s Pop-Up Event

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Koe Wetzel at his Raising Cane’s Pop-Up Event in Nashville on Feb. 28.

Koe Wetzel and Raising Cane’s joined forces in Nashville yesterday (Feb. 28) to celebrate Wetzel’s unofficial, official day of the year.

The Texas native joined Raising Cane’s Founder & CEO Todd Graves at an exclusive food truck pop-up event at The Outfield along with some of Wetzel’s friends including Trey Lewis, Bailey Zimmerman, Caleigh Hardy, Dylan Marlowe, and Mandie and Danae. Wetzel even worked the Cane’s Food Truck, and provided a surprise when he changed the lyrics of his song, “February 28, 2016.”

Feb. 28 is a national holiday among Wetzel fans, which recalls a fan-favorite song he was inspired to write after being arrested on Feb. 28, 2016. In the song, Wetzel asks if someone will take him to Taco Bell. But to mark his friendship with Graves and his appearance at the event, Wetzel changed the lyrics and asked for someone to take him to Raising Cane’s instead.

“Koe and I have become good friends over the years, so I was stoked to celebrate Koe Wetzel Day and the start of his ‘Road to Hell Paso Tour’ with him and some of his friends on Tuesday,” Graves says. “His song, ‘February 28, 2016’ is iconic, so to have him sing new lyrics that include Raising Cane’s on the same date was amazing.”

Raising Cane’s recently signed on to sponsor Wetzel’s upcoming tour, which kicks off in Tallahassee, Florida tomorrow, March 2.

“I’m fine trading in tacos for chicken fingers and Cane’s Sauce moving forward on Feb. 28,” Wetzel says. “I had a great time hanging out with friends and learning how to man a food truck with Todd and the Cane’s Crew. I’ve been a fan of Raising Cane’s for a long time, and I appreciate Todd, his friendship and Cane’s sponsorship for my ‘Road to Hell Paso Tour.'”

Relative Music Group & Sony Music Publishing Partner To Sign Smith Ahnquist

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston and Relative Music Group’s Caroline Bouldin. (L-R, front row): Relative Music Group’s Dennis Matkosky, Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy and Relative Music Group’s Jesse Matkosky. Photo: Sarah Kohrt

Relative Music Group has signed songwriter Smith Ahnquist in partnership with Sony Music Publishing.

With a focus on publishing and artist development, Relative Music Group represents an array of songwriters, including Michael Hardy who is also a partner in the company.

Originally from Danville, Kentucky, Ahnquist moved to Nashville in 2006 and earned a degree in music business from Belmont University. He has since garnered cuts with artists such as Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, Hardy, Jameson Rogers, Justin Moore, Lainey Wilson and Matt Stell.

“I’ve always thought Smith was a great writer, and an even greater person. His attitude and presence in the room is so positive and contagious. I’ve been writing with him for years and have truly written some of my favorite songs with him. We have big plans for Smith and can’t wait to see the run he’s going to have in the future!,” shares Hardy.

“I’m so excited to be partnering with Relative Music. I’ve always admired their ability to make sure songs get heard. I’m looking forward to joining their close knit team,” says Ahnquist.

Warner Music Nashville CRS Luncheon Lineup Revealed

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Cody Johnson is slated to headline this year’s Warner Music Nashville CRS Luncheon on March 13 along with Ian Munsick and Chase Matthew.

A few special guests are also on tap for this year’s luncheon, which is set to take place at 12 p.m. in the Omni Nashville Hotel’s Broadway Ballroom. This will be one of three label lunches held during the three-day event.

“This year’s show will look and feel completely different – offering BIG performances from Cody Johnson, Ian Munsick and Chase Matthew,” says Warner Music Nashville SVP, Radio Kristen Williams. “These artists are selling out venues across the country and we’re bringing them LIVE to you!” 

Registration for CRS 2023 is open and available through CountryRadioSeminar.com. Single-day passes are also available for purchase and include access to panels, speakers, luncheons and networking destinations on the day of pass purchase, with the exception of Friday’s New Faces of Country Music Show. Day passes can be obtained through the CRS 2023 registration page and will also be available for purchase on-site.