Allison Smith Upped To VP, Promotion At Big Machine/John Varvatos Records

/by

Allison Smith

Allison Smith has been advanced to VP of Promotion at Big Machine/John Varvatos Records from her position as National Director, Promotion. Her new role will be to continue growing the relationships between rock radio and the imprint’s artist roster of Badflower, Ayron Jones, Starcrawler, The Struts, and Violet Saturn.

Chicago-based Smith joined Big Machine Label Group in 2019, after 13 years with Virgin/Capitol Records as their Midwest Regional Director of Promotion and time at London/Sire and Lava Records.

“Four years ago, I had the opportunity to join the amazing team at Big Machine/John Varvatos Records, and I am thrilled to add VP to my new responsibilities,” says Smith. “Under the amazing leadership of Scott Borchetta, Heather Luke, John Varvatos, and Mike Rittberg, we have become a force in the industry. Being a part of our small but mighty team, developing incredible artists is a privilege and a dream come true.”

“The world of rock music requires a very specialized executive that must know how to maneuver through its unique landscape to achieve success,” shares Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group’s Chairman & CEO. “What Allison Smith and Heather Luke do every day is extraordinary as they know the path that very few others do. It is with great pride that we announce and acknowledge this much deserved recognition of a job being extremely well done.”

“We’re so proud to have Allison step into her new role with us,” says Luke, Big Machine/John Varvatos Records’ General Manager. “She has an excellent track record in developing and breaking new artists. Her passion, hard work, and leadership have been instrumental in building our rock roster here at BMJV.”

Launched in 2017, Big Machine/John Varvatos Records is spearheaded by Borchetta alongside fashion mogul Varvatos.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Test The Winds With ‘Weathervanes’ This Summer

/by

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Photo: Danny Clinch

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are set to release their eighth album, Weathervanes, June 9 via Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers. The leadoff track from the project, “Death Wish,” is out now.

Weathervanes features 13 brand new tracks penned and produced by Isbell. The collection features songs about adult love, change, the danger of nostalgia and the examination of myths, cruelty and regret, and redemption. A master storyteller, Isbell observes his fellow wanderers, looking internally and trying to understand, tautly reducing a universe to four minutes.

“There is something about boundaries on this record,” shares Isbell. “As you mature, you still attempt to keep the ability to love somebody fully and completely while you’re growing into an adult and learning how to love yourself.”

Isbell and the 400 Unit will be hitting the road throughout summer with additional headline dates and festivals added to the previously released slate of shows. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 24.

Weathervanes Track List:
“Death Wish”
“King of Oklahoma”
“Strawberry Woman”
“Middle Of The Morning”
“Save The World”
“If You Insist”
“Cast Iron Skillet”
“When We Were Close”
“Volunteer”
“Vestavia Hills”
“White Beretta”
“This Ain’t It”
“Miles”

*All songs written and produced by Jason Isbell. Additional production by Matt Pence on tracks 1, 3, 5, 8 and 10.

Nickel Creek Returns With New Album & Headline Tour For Spring

/by

Nickel Creek, made up of mandolinist Chris Thile, violinist Sara Watkins and guitarist Sean Watkins, is releasing its first new album in nearly a decade, Celebrants, March 24 via Thirty Tigers. Ahead of the release, the trio recently unveiled a new song from the collection, “Strangers.”

The new album, their fifth studio project, marks a highly anticipated return for the trio and explores the dynamics of human connection. The 18 tracks on Celebrants tackle subjects like love, friendship and time as they explore bridges built, crossed, burned and rebuilt. Recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A, the album was produced by longtime collaborator Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Grace Potter, Weezer) and features Mike Elizondo on bass.

“This is a record about embracing the friction inherent in real human connections,” shares the trio. “We begin the record yearning for and pursuing harmonious connection. We end the record having realized that truly harmonious connection can only be achieved through the dissonance that we’ve spent our entire adult lives trying to avoid.”

Nickel Creek will also return to the road this spring on their first headline tour since 2014. The extensive run kicks off April 15 in Cincinnati, Ohio and includes stops in Pittsburgh, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Milwaukee and more. Additional dates will be announced soon. In addition to the new dates, the band also plans to perform three sold-out shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on April 27-29, and will make several festival appearances including a headline set at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion in September.

The group helped to revolutionize bluegrass and folk in the early 2000s and ushered in a new era of what is now recognized as Americana music. After meeting as young children and subsequently earning the respect of the bluegrass circuit for a decade, they signed with Sugar Hill Records in 2000 and quickly broke through with their Grammy-nominated, Alison Krauss-produced, self-titled LP. Since then, the trio has released three more studio albums: 2002’s This Side, which won Best Contemporary Folk Album at the 45th Grammy Awards, 2005’s Why Should the Fire Die? and 2014’s A Dotted Line. Each member has also taken part in many notable outside projects over the years.

Celebrants Track Listing:
1. Celebrants
2. Strangers
3. Water Under the Bridge, Part 1
4. The Meadow
5. Thinnest Wall
6. Going Out…
7. Holding Pattern
8. Where the Long Line Leads
9. Goddamned Saint
10. Stone’s Throw
11. Goddamned Saint, Reprise
12. From the Beach
13. To The Airport
14. …Despite the Weather
15. Hollywood Ending
16. New Blood
17. Water Under the Bridge, Part 2
18. Failure Isn’t Forever

ACM & Black Music Action Coalition Partner To Launch OnRamp Program

/by

The Academy of Country Music and the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) have teamed up to launch the OnRamp program, a guaranteed income program for 20 young Black members of the music community in Nashville, Tennessee.

The program intends to improve inclusivity and equity within Music City, while empowering the next generation of leaders early in their careers through access to professional development opportunities, community mentorship, and other resources to increase personal growth and industry exposure, including exclusive ACM membership panels and tentpole live events as well as visibility with the ACM Board and other industry leaders.

OnRamp applications will be available starting in late spring with the program starting in June, in celebration of Black Music Month and to commemorate BMAC’s third anniversary. Each participant will receive a one thousand dollar monthly stipend for one year.

The 2022 cohort of the ACM LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program will help to guide the OnRamp program as it grows. ACM LEVel Up is a Nashville-based professional development and enrichment program for rising leaders in country music, funded by ACM at no cost to participants. The two-year curriculum is designed to encourage participants to play a crucial role in expanding the horizons of the country genre to new audiences that transcend demographics and geography. In December, ACM announced the program’s 2023 cohort, representing an entirely new and unduplicated list of organizations from the 2022 inaugural class.

Last June, BMAC released a report, Three Chords & The Actual Truth, which documented opportunities for improvement in Black representation and participation in the country music space. The report called for Music Row, the city of Nashville and its companies, organizations and individuals committed to change and equity to partner with BMAC in a transformational program for Black artists in Nashville. ACM is amongst the first industry leaders to recognize and help facilitate necessary changes within the music community.

“The Academy has a rich history of fostering diversity and inclusion in the country music industry both on stage and behind-the-scenes, and we see this partnership as a particularly impactful way to continue our committed work to making the statement ‘Country Music is for Everyone’ a true reality,” says ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. “We’re excited to work with BMAC on this pivotal and transformative work for our Nashville community by increasing opportunities for young professionals from diverse backgrounds in our industry.”

“It speaks volumes for the Black Music Action Coalition and the Academy of Country Music to join forces to launch a guaranteed income program in Nashville for emerging Black artists and young professionals. I applaud Damon Whiteside, the ACM Board and the LEVel Up team for sharing our vision and becoming true partners with BMAC on a direct impact solution that will begin to address long standing racial inequalities that exist in this country,” says BMAC Co-Founder & Co-Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers.

CMA, Discovery Education Offer Students New Virtual CMA Awards Field Trip

/by

The CMA and Discovery Education have teamed up to launch a new virtual experience, “Country Music’s Biggest Night: STEAM Takes the Spotlight Virtual Field Trip,” as part of their Working In Harmony: Every Voice is Instrumental educational initiative.

“Country Music’s Biggest Night: STEAM Takes the Spotlight Virtual Field Trip” offers students in grades 6-12 an exclusive look at what it takes to produce the annual CMA Awards telecast. The first-of-its-kind experience allows students to further explore careers within country music, and  takes viewers behind the scenes of the 2022 CMA Awards, introducing them to several professionals who work to bring the show to TV audiences across the globe.

With a heavy focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), the Virtual Field Trip introduces students to several critical individuals and roles within the CMA Awards production, including Jessica Basile (Post Production Supervisor), Alana Billingsley (Art Director), Mel Black (Head of Security), Robert Deaton (Executive Producer), Tiffany Gifford (Celebrity Wardrobe Stylist), Gary Natoli (Head Stage Manager), and Risa Thomas (Production Supervisor).

Discovery Education offers an accompanying educator guide and multiple classroom activities to provide teachers with material and activities before, during and after the Virtual Field Trip. The engaging Virtual Field Trip can be viewed at CMAWorkinginHarmony.com.

“Our partnership with Discovery Education is just getting started,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Certainly, our industry knows what it takes to deliver the CMA Awards each year, and now we have the great opportunity to meet students in their classrooms and bring them along for the ride. Our hope is for students from a multitude of backgrounds to see themselves in these roles, inspiring their ambitions beyond the classroom.”

CMA Members are invited to join a special “Lunch & Learn” Feb. 21 at 12 p.m. CT at CMA’s office to hear more about the Discovery Education partnership. As part of the session, attendees will watch the Virtual Field Trip together before discussing ways to become more involved with the initiative and lunch will be provided. An additional session will be held virtually on Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. CT. Current CMA Members can RSVP to either session here.

CMA launched its multi-year partnership with Discovery Education in October of 2022. Designed to empower students to explore STEAM, the Working in Harmony educational initiative provides no-cost digital resources for students to learn the many career opportunities offered within the country music industry. CMA is the first-ever music organization to partner with Discovery Education.

Bryce Sherlow, Benji Amaefule Step Into A&R Manager Roles At Warner Chappell

/by

Pictured (L-R): Benji Amaefule, Bryce Sherlow

Bryce Sherlow has been promoted to A&R Manager at Warner Chappell Music, and Benji Amaefule joins the company as an A&R Manager as well. 

“I’m really happy to welcome passionate young publishers who love music and the writers that create it to our team,” shares Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville. “It’s been great to see Bryce grow at Warner Chappell, and she’s going to continue to charge ahead creatively on Music Row. We’re also looking forward to welcoming Benji to Music City. Many in the industry have seen his passion for songs and songwriters through his prior work in media, and we’re excited to see him make the jump over to creative as he joins our A&R team.”

Sherlow graduated from Belmont University in 2019 and interned with Scooter Braun Projects, Sony Music Entertainment, Songs Music Publishing, and Mick Management. She joined WCM Nashville in 2021 after stints at Creative Artists Agency and Collective Artists Management. As a Tour Marketing Assistant at CAA, she served as a member of The Task Force and was responsible for planning the company’s annual Young Nashville Party and all Nashville volunteer events. As Digital Coordinator at Collective Artists Management, Sherlow developed strategic plans surrounding releases and managed socials for the clients.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this promotion onto Warner Chappell Nashville’s creative team and to be working with an extremely talented roster,” says Sherlow. “Throughout my time at Warner Chappell, it has been evident to me that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. I am grateful to Ben and the entire creative staff for believing in me and entrusting me with this increased responsibility. I feel incredibly supported internally and cannot wait to continue fostering relationships and building the careers of our incredible songwriters.”

Amaefule is a new addition to WCM Nashville, relocating from Houston. He began his career in country promotions at Cox Media’s KKBQ Houston developing social media content for artists and events. He also previously served as Head of Artist and Label Partnerships at media platform Country Central. In his personal passion for country music, he cultivated his own brand, TheBenjiChord, where he interviews artists and writers and reviews new releases coming out of Music Row. Amaefule also previously worked for Apple and BMC Software and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013.

“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to work with the amazing team of writers and artists here at Warner Chappell Music,” says Amaefule. “I’m so excited to learn from Ben and the whole A&R team and know we will do great work together. This is the best time to be a creator and fan of music, and the Warner Chappell roster has an incredible track record of success. I’m grateful to be a part of this organization and look forward to contributing to the legacy of this team.”

One Country Taps Chase Locke As CEO

/by

Chase Locke

One Country, the country music media and giveaways platform, has tapped Chase Locke as CEO. He succeeds Rich Morris, who moves to become the CEO of One Country’s sister company Studio 1C.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Chase assume this role,” shares Patrick Harris, One Country President & Co-Founder. “He has been a critical part of the growth we’ve experienced this past year. More than anything we’re grateful to have someone of his character representing the company. If you know Chase, you understand that integrity and excellence are at the core of who he is and our partners experience that firsthand.”

After launching in 2012 as a country music news publisher, One Country added sweepstakes to its product offerings in 2019 before debuting a membership in 2020. Members are auto-entered every month into all new giveaways and have access through One Country’s mobile app to weekly challenges, exclusive video content, podcasts and more.

In addition to prize winners, One Country also makes financial contributions to designated nonprofit partners tied to campaigns. In the last six months, the company has executed multiple campaigns featuring Walker Hayes, Parker McCollum and Reba McEntire.

“The sweepstakes space has historically shown to be a valuable marketing channel. But it’s never had stronger promotional value than it does now. We see the win-win in strategically aligning giveaways with the brands and names consumers value in a way that drives new content creation and gives back,” Locke shares.

Harris adds, “The key is not just to execute a giveaway, but to use its attraction to tell the stories surrounding the artists and spotlight the causes they care about most.”

Joy Oladokun Announces New Album, ‘Proof of Life,’ Due Out This Spring

/by

Joy Oladokun. Photo: Brian Higbee

Nashville singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun is set to release her new album Proof of Life on April 28 via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records. To celebrate, she released a new song from the project, “Changes,” as well as the official music video.

Oladokun produced the project with Mike Elizondo, Ian Fitchuk, Dan Wilson, and Alysa Vanderheym. Proof of Life is a thirteen-track album that simply encapsulates the human experience. This project features Oladokun’s new single “Changes” and previously released tracks “Keeping The Light On” and “Sweet Symphony,” as well as a duet with Chris Stapleton. Collaborations with Manchester Orchestra, Mt. Joy, Maxo Kream, and Noah Kahan are also included, and deluxe editions on CD and vinyl will have three additional tracks.

“This album is evidence of how I live,” Oladokun says. “I hope these are helpful anthems. I started making music because I wasn’t hearing from the ‘everyday human being’ on the radio. I hope this resonates with anybody who feels normal and needs a little musical boost to get through the day. I’m average. I do this job because I love what I do. I put so much care, craft, and intention into it. I’m making music to live to.”

Oladokun is set to headline Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on May 12 and support John Mayer and Noah Kahan on their respective tours this year.

Proof of Life Track Listing
1. Keeping The Light On
2. Changes
3. Taking Things for Granted
4. Somebody Like Me
5. Friends feat. Mt. Joy
6. You At The Table feat. Manchester Orchestra
7. Sweet Symphony feat. Chris Stapleton
8. Trying
9. Pride
10. Revolution feat. Maxo Kream
11. The Hard Way
12. We’re All Gonna Die feat. Noah Kahan
13. Somehow

Billy Gilman Joins Bluegrass World With Pinecastle Records Deal

/by

Billy Gilman

Billy Gilman, two-time Grammy-nominated artist and runner-up on NBC’s The Voice, has signed a recording contract with Pinecastle Records.

Gilman recently finished recording his first bluegrass album, and the project’s first single, “Roller Coaster,” will be released to radio on March 15.

“We are so excited to have an incredible artist like Billy on our label,” says Ethan Burkhardt, President of Pinecastle. “Billy has not released an album in almost 10 years, and coming off The Voice, he has had options to release an album in almost any genre that he wants. But it is a great win for bluegrass that this is where his heart genuinely is and where he wants to release an album.”

“I am more excited about this than anything I have ever done in music,” shares Gilman. “I grew up around bluegrass music since my grandparents would play it all the time, and it just feels so natural to me.”

Gilman sold 10 million records, and has won an American Music Award and four Billboard Music Awards throughout his career, and reports he plans to do a deep dive into bluegrass.

“This record isn’t just a one-time thing,” he adds. “This is where my heart is right now. I plan to get to know everyone I can in the industry, to put the work in, and make many more bluegrass albums in the years to come.”

Kristian Bush Gears Up For Final Installment Of ’52’ Album Series In March

/by

Kristian Bush will release the final installment of his four-album collection, 52-This Year, on March 10 via Big Machine Label Group.

Bush shared the album’s lead single, “Already Yours,” today (Feb. 20) on all streaming services. The melody-driven track celebrates true and instant love, and was co-written by Bush with Andy Alberts and Andrew DeRoberts.

“It’s strange that we don’t have names for certain feelings even with all of the words we have in the English language,” Bush says. “But the feeling you get when you realize someone you have just met feels like someone you’ve known for lifetimes is the feeling this entire song is about.”

With 52-This Year, the solo artist and Sugarland founder will have completed four albums within the span of one year—the same number of albums released by Sugarland to date. Across the 52 songs (one for each year of his life) and especially in the final 14, Bush embraces the wisdom and experiences accumulated from decades spent in the music business.

The album title draws its name from the lyrics of the album’s final song, the deeply personal “New Year’s Resolution #7,” which Bush penned on New Year’s Day 2016 while both reflecting and looking to the future.

“I was making a list of the things I wanted to do, what I wanted to change, and what I thought I got right last year that I should keep up,” Bush says. “It is the truth of me, the closest you will probably ever get to knowing me, so it seems appropriate as the title to this final volume of 52.”

Along with juggling his four-album release, Bush launched and hosts his weekly podcast, 52-The Podcast, that explores the connection between his new songs and past hits, produces Megan Moroney, leads his label/publishing company Songs of the Architect, writes, records and performs with his rock band Dark Water and his folk rock duo Billy Pilgrim. He is also gearing up for Sugarland’s impending 20-year anniversary.

52- This Year Track List:
“Can’t Fix” | Kristian Bush, Connie Harrington
“Already Yours” | Kristian Bush, Andy Alberts, Andrew DeRoberts
“This Is How Love Sounds” | Kristian Bush, Jeff Cohen, Jon Nite
“The Space Between Us” | Kristian Bush, Benji Shanks
“If I Could Be” | Kristian Bush, Connie Harrington, Paul Plissey
“Let It Be Me” | Kristian Bush, Brandon Bush, JT Harding
“Love and Blue Jeans (feat. Billy Pilgrim)” | Rodney Clawson, Luke Dick, Shane McAnally
“Going Out of Business” | Kristian Bush, Jeff Trott
“Victory Lap” | Kristian Bush, Jeff Trott
“First Glass of Wine” | Kristian Bush, Benji Shanks
“Longneck with Jesus (feat. Billy Pilgrim)” | Kristian Bush, Marty Dodson, Paul Overstreet
“What Love Is” | Kristian Bush, Phil Barton, Liz Rose
“If You Gotta Go Now” | Kristian Bush, Jeff Cohen, Matt Thiessen
“New Year’s Resolution #7” | Kristian Bush