Olivia Newton-John. Photo: Michelle Day
Grammy and CMA award winning Olivia Newton-John has died at age 73, following a long struggle with cancer.
Husband John Easterling announced her passing on social media yesterday. She died at her Southern California ranch on Monday, August 8.
Olivia Newton-John had seven top-10 country hits, including “Let Me Be There” (1973) and “I Honestly Love You” (1974). Newton-John was the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1974. Her pop smash “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (1978) was drawn from the soundtrack of her much-loved movie musical Grease. “Physical” was No. 1 on the pop hit parade for 10 straight weeks in 1981. She has sold more than 50 million records worldwide.
Olivia Newton-John was born in England in 1948, but her family moved to Melbourne, Australia when she was five. Her parents divorced four years later, and she was raised by her mother. At age 14, she began singing with three female friends in folk and jazz clubs. A year later, her older sister got her a job on a local TV show.
This led to winning a national talent contest. The prize included passage to London and a recording contract. Her debut pop single appeared in 1966. In England, she formed the duo Pat & Olivia with singer Pat Carroll. When Newton-john returned to solo singing, Carroll’s husband John Farrar became her producer.
Her early singles included versions of the American folk song “Banks of the Ohio” and Bob Dylan’s country tune, “If Not for You.” The latter became the title tune of her debut LP in 1971. The record also included versions of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night.”
Executives at her record label decided to market her as a country singer. “Let Me Be There” hit the country top-10 in 1973, became a Gold Record and earned her a country-music Grammy Award. She followed it with the Gold-selling, back-to-back, top-10 country smashes “If You Love Me (Let Me Know)” and “I Honestly Love You” in 1974. The latter won the Grammy as Record of the Year, plus a pop Grammy. She was named the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year.
This created controversy in Nashville. Johnny Paycheck, Billy Walker, Jean Shepard, Bill Anderson, Barbara Mandrell and others objected to Newton-John, John Denver, Marie Osmond, Bonnie Tyler, Pia Zadora and other pop acts being embraced by country radio. Newton-John confessed that when she was told she was being marketed as “country,” she had no idea what that meant.
When the CMA voters chose her over Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and Tanya Tucker, the pot boiled over. Dissidents formed an anti-CMA organization called the Association of Country Entertainers (ACE) in protest.
“Have You Never Been Mellow” became another Gold Record country smash for the singer in 1975. Olivia Newton-John moved to the U.S. in 1976 and successfully courted Nashville when she recorded in Music City. The totally countrified “Please Mr. Please” became another Gold Record, and she recorded the works of such Nashville songwriters as Mickey Newbury, Dolly Parton, Rory Bourke and Bob Morrison. She also began to write songs, herself.
In 1976, she took Linda Hargrove’s “Let It Shine” into the country top-10. “Every Face Tells a Story” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” also became country hits that year. The latter became the title of her first Nashville-recorded album, as well as her 2018 autobiography.
She was 29 when she was reluctantly cast as teenager “Sandy” in the 1978 movie Grease. It became the most successful movie musical of all time. “You’re the One That I Want” was a duet with costar John Travolta that earned a Platinum pop record. The soundtrack’s ballad “Hopelessly Devoted to You” went Gold and became her last significant country-crossover hit.
She received the prestigious Order of the British Empire in 1979. Thus, she became Dame Olivia Newton-john.
The pop hits “Magic,” “Xanadu” (with the Electric Light Orchestra) and “Suddenly” (with Cliff Richard) emerged from the soundtrack of her 1980 film Xanadu. A year later, the Platinum-selling “Physical” became an aerobics-class staple and the biggest pop smash of her career. Olivia Newton-John’s other pop hits of the 1980s included “Make a Move on Me” (1982), “Heart Attack” (1982), “Twist of Fate” (1983) and “Soul Kiss” (1985). Elton John produced and co-wrote her 1988 single “The Rumour.”
By this time, she had racked up multiple accolades from the American Music Awards, the Academy of Country Music, ASCAP, NARM, the People’s Choice Awards, Billboard, Cashbox and Record World. She became a global touring attraction. Eight of her album earned Gold and/or Platinum certificates. She earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1983-92, she and Pat Carroll Farrar operated Koala Blue, a boutique chain selling Australian clothing and other products. She wed actor Matt Lattanzi in late 1984, and they had daughter Chloe in 1986. The couple divorced amicably in 1995.
The star’s commitment to animal welfare and ecological responsibility resulted in her 1990 appointment as the goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Program. Her 1989 LP Warm and Tender contained lullabies inspired by her daughter. The record was packaged in recycled cardboard and contained tips on how to help the environment.
Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. After successful chemo, alternative medicine, a partial mastectomy and spirituality, she became a tireless advocate for breast-cancer awareness. She founded a women’s cancer center in Australia. In 1994, she released the album Gaia: One Woman’s Journey, which chronicled her ordeal.
She resumed recording country music in Nashville in 1997. She co-wrote with Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, Annie Roboff, Chris Farren, Steve Seskin and other Music Row tunesmiths. Her resulting Back With a Heart CD was released the following year. The album’s “Love Is a Gift” won Newton-John a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song after it was featured on the soap As the World Turns.
She teamed with Shaw, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Bryan White, Billy Dean, Neal McCoy and Michael McDonald on 1998’s “One Heart at a Time.” The record was a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Tis the Season, a Christmas album with Vince Gill, was marketed by Hallmark in 2000. Her 2006 album Grace and Gratitude coincided with the marketing of her line of women’s wellness products, both by Walgreen’s. In 2008 she wed businessman John Easterling via an Inca ceremony in Peru.
Her cancer returned in 2013, but she again persevered. In 2016, she teamed up in a female trio with Nashville’s Beth Nielsen Chapman and Canada’s Amy Sky. The album was titled Liv On. All three singer-songwriters were breast-cancer survivors. Newton-John returned to Music City to sing for Chapman at the latter’s 2016 induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed again in 2018, and this time she found that the cancer had metastasized to her back. She withdrew from performing and sought alternative forms of treatment. She advocated cannabis therapy; her daughter established a marijuana farm in Oregon.
In addition to her husband, Olivia Newton-john is survived by daughter Chloe Lattanzi, sister Sarah, brother Toby and 15 nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Industry Ink: Tim McGraw, Chris Young, Alabama, PLA
/by Lydia FarthingTim McGraw Notches Another Career No. 1 With ‘7500 OBO’
Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Records’ Kris Lamb, songwriter Matt McGinn, Big Machine Records President/CEO/Founder Scott Borchetta, songwriter Jennifer Schott, McGraw, and Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt.
Before country mainstay Tim McGraw took the stage on Saturday night (Aug. 6) during the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, he took time to celebrate his latest No. 1 country radio hit “7500 OBO.”
McGraw was joined by two of the song’s co-writers, Matt McGinn and Jennifer Schott, and executives from his Big Machine Records team, including Kris Lamb, Clay Hunnicutt, and Big Machine Records President/CEO/Founder Scott Borchetta.
The single went No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in May of 2022.
Chris Young Earns Platinum Certifications For ‘Famous Friends,’ ‘Drowning’
Chris Young. Photo: Jeff Johnson
Multi-Platinum entertainer Chris Young recently scored a double-Platinum certification for his “Famous Friends” collaboration with Kane Brown.
Young’s co-writers, Corey Crowder and Cary Barlowe, joined for the celebration where Young was also surprised with a Platinum plaque for his song “Drowning,” which was co-written by Crowder and Josh Hoge.
“Any day I get to celebrate big milestones with my co-writers and friends is a good day,” says Young. “I’m really proud of how hard everyone has worked on this entire project and excited about playing all of the new music live and the rest of 2022.”
With more than 5 billion streams across his catalog, which includes twelve No. 1 singles, the RCA Records Nashville artist has earned 24 multi-Platinum, Platinum, or Gold certifications from the RIAA. His newest single, “At The End Of A Bar” with Mitchell Tenpenny, is currently approaching top 5 on the country radio charts.
Alabama Donates $25K To Kentucky Flood Aid
Alabama’s Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry
During a concert held this past Saturday (Aug. 6) in Sharpsburg, Kentucky, Country Music Hall of Fame group Alabama donated $25,000 to aid those affected by the recent flooding in the Bluegrass State.
Before a packed crowd at the Barnyard Venue, the group’s founding members Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry presented a check to The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, a non-profit organization providing financial help to eastern Kentucky families, farms and businesses that are suffering as result of the catastrophic weather event.
“With all the devastation caused by the floods in eastern Kentucky, this is a very emotional time,” says Owen. “Alabama wanted to offer help in a small way.”
“We hurt for the loss of life and destruction caused by the floods in Kentucky,” adds Gentry. “Hopefully these funds can help the families, farmers and businesses that were affected. They are in our prayers.”
The donation was made through the June Jam Foundation, Alabama’s non-profit that distributes money to other non-profit organizations and service groups.
PLA Media Adds Two To Artist Roster
Cam Allen & Branden Martin
PLA Media has added Oklahoma-based country artist Cam Allen and Kentucky-based country singer-songwriter Branden Martin to its roster.
Allen first burst onto the country music scene through a viral Twitter video of him performing. Shortly after, he earned a spot on season 19 of American Idol. Allen and his band have shared the stage alongside top country artists, including Dustin Lynch, Randy Rogers, Chris Cagle, Corey Kent and Mike Ryan. He recently released his summer smash “Lake Days” on GOAT Music Group.
“I’ve had a great track record working with Oklahoma crooners. Cam’s edgy vocals and Marc Cohn/Chris Stapleton vibe fits perfectly on the current music scene and summertime playlists,” says Pam Lewis, FRSA, Founder and President at PLA Media.
Martin was featured on NBC’s The Voice Season 12 after performing in local bars and music venues, opening for artists such as Jason Michael Carroll, RaeLynn, Mark Chesnutt, Confederate Railroad, David Allan Coe and The Steel Woods. His EP, Live at Southern Ground, won the 2021 Appalachian Arts & Entertainment Award for EP of the Year. Martin is set to release his debut album 001 on Aug. 12.
“Our team is excited to work with Branden who has an obvious natural talent for songwriting and performing raw, authentic country tunes. His dynamic stage presence is inspiring,” Lewis adds.
Round Hill Music Nashville Promotes Lindsay Will
/by LB CantrellLindsay Will. Photo: Lily Nelson
Round Hill Music Nashville has promoted Lindsay Will to Director, A&R.
Will is an Arkansas native and 2018 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. She joined Round Hill in January of 2021 after starting her career at Liv Write Play. Will’s new role will continue to see her work directly with the company’s roster of hit songwriters while also signing and developing new talent.
“Lindsay has become an invaluable member of the creative team and her promotion is well deserved,” says Round Hill’s Bob Squance. “She is a rising star on Music Row and we can’t wait to see everything she will accomplish in the future.”
Since opening its doors in 2014, Round Hill Music Nashville has celebrated over 70 No. 1 songs. The company’s roster of hit songwriters includes Zach Crowell; Kevin Griffin; 4 Horsemen Music (Blair Daly, Marti Frederiksen, Scott Stevens, Zac Maloy); Adam Sanders; Danielle Blakey; Katie Pruitt; Julia Lauren Bullock; Jake Ohlbaum; Derek Austin; Renee Blair; and Jared James Nichols.
Notable catalogs include those of Ashley Gorley, Bob DiPiero, Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman, Dallas Davidson, Danny Myrick, Josh Kear, Matt Dragstrem, Rodney Clawson, and Wade Kirby.
Landon Wall Extends Publishing Deal With Demolition
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): : Adam Epstein: Head of A&R, Jon D’Agostino: President/Staff Writer, Landon Wall: Staff Artist/Writer, Michael August: General Manager/Staff Writer, Amanda Cooksey: A&R Manager/ Head of PR, Alyssa Smeykal: A&R Manager, Shane Barrett, Song Plugger/Creative Consultant
Landon Wall has extended his worldwide publishing agreement with Demolition Music Publishing.
Wall recently landed a cut with Black River artist Josiah Siska and is set to open for Jimmie Allen on the road this October. He initially signed with Demolition in July of 2020 and has been writing and recording new music set to release later this year.
“Landon is a true blue country music triple threat who writes, performs, and sings like an artist who’s mature beyond his years. Extending our deal with him has me very excited for our company,” says President of Demolition Jon D’Agostino.
“Working with Demolition has been such an amazing experience! The team has become my family, and I’m looking forward to what the future has in store for us,” Wall adds.
Drake Milligan Gives A Nod To His Texas Roots On New Album ‘Dallas/Fort Worth’
/by Lorie HollabaughDrake Milligan. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Stoney Creek Records artist Drake Milligan is gearing up for the release of his new full-length, debut album Dallas/Fort Worth, out Sept. 15.
Named after the young Texan’s hometown, the album features 14 tracks produced by Tony Brown and songwriter/producer Brandon Hood, and includes honky-tonk hooks, Western swing two-steppers, country pop ballads and more. Writers contributing to the project include Phil O’Donnell, Brice Long, J.T. Harding, Bob DiPiero, Liz Rose, and more.
“As a lifelong country music fan, it has been my dream make a full-length record that pays homage to traditional country roots, while still bringing new sounds and energy to the genre,” shares Milligan. “As a native son of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, I’ve always been intrigued by the difference between the two cities.”
He continues, “First there’s Dallas: a city determined to prove that everything really is bigger in Texas. Then, just 30 miles to the west, there’s Fort Worth: a city that holds true to its stockyard roots with a taut rope around its cowboy brand. My goal was to bring those same distinctions to the two parts of this album. On Dallas, the songs have a little more polish on their boots. On Fort Worth, there are nods to those traditional Honky-Tonkin’, Western swingin’, cowboy culture roots that I’m based in.”
The full-length debut follows his Tony Brown/Brandon Hood-produced 2021 self-titled EP, which landed at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Album chart, and also featured the No. 1 iTunes Country Single “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” which spawned a video that topped the iTunes Video chart.
In June, Milligan appeared on America’s Got Talent, performing “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” to a standing ovation from the judges. He’ll return to the show for a live semi-final performance tonight (Aug. 9). Milligan will also return to the road with new headlining shows and festival dates during September and October.
1. “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” (Drake Milligan/Brett Beavers/Terry McBride)
2. “Kiss Goodbye All Night” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/ Josh Jenkins/Phil O’Donnell)
3. “Hating Everything She Tries On” (Drake Milligan/Brent Anderson/Lynn Hutton)
4. “She” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/John Pierce)
5. “Bad Day To Be A Beer” (Drake Milligan/Marv Green/JT Harding)
6. “Hearts Don’t Break Even” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Liz Rose)
7. “Dance Of A Lifetime” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Phil O’Donnell)
1. “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’” (Drake Milligan/Brice Long/Brett Beavers)
2. “Tipping Point” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Terry McBride/Josh London)
3. “Don’t Look Down” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/John Pierce)
4. “Goin’ Down Swingin’” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Phil O’Donnell
6. “Long Haul” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Bob DiPiero)
7. “Cowboy Kind Of Way” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Terry McBride)
Ashley Gorley Rises To The Top On The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellAshley Gorley
After seven consecutive weeks at the top, Ernest Keith Smith shifts down to No. 2 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, to be replaced by Ashley Gorley in the top spot.
Gorley currently has eight songs on the country charts, including Dierks Bentley’s “Gold,” Michael Ray’s “Holy Water,” Dylan Scott’s “New Truck,” Cole Swindell’s “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” Parmalee’s “Take My Name,” Carly Pearce’s “What He Didn’t Do,” Brett Young’s “You Didn’t” and Morgan Wallen’s “You Proof.”
Smith is a co-writer on Wallen’s “Wasted On You” and “You Proof,” as well as Jelly Roll’s “Son Of A Sinner.”
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Pop And Country Great Olivia Newton-John Passes
/by Robert K OermannOlivia Newton-John. Photo: Michelle Day
Grammy and CMA award winning Olivia Newton-John has died at age 73, following a long struggle with cancer.
Husband John Easterling announced her passing on social media yesterday. She died at her Southern California ranch on Monday, August 8.
Olivia Newton-John had seven top-10 country hits, including “Let Me Be There” (1973) and “I Honestly Love You” (1974). Newton-John was the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1974. Her pop smash “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (1978) was drawn from the soundtrack of her much-loved movie musical Grease. “Physical” was No. 1 on the pop hit parade for 10 straight weeks in 1981. She has sold more than 50 million records worldwide.
Olivia Newton-John was born in England in 1948, but her family moved to Melbourne, Australia when she was five. Her parents divorced four years later, and she was raised by her mother. At age 14, she began singing with three female friends in folk and jazz clubs. A year later, her older sister got her a job on a local TV show.
This led to winning a national talent contest. The prize included passage to London and a recording contract. Her debut pop single appeared in 1966. In England, she formed the duo Pat & Olivia with singer Pat Carroll. When Newton-john returned to solo singing, Carroll’s husband John Farrar became her producer.
Her early singles included versions of the American folk song “Banks of the Ohio” and Bob Dylan’s country tune, “If Not for You.” The latter became the title tune of her debut LP in 1971. The record also included versions of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night.”
Executives at her record label decided to market her as a country singer. “Let Me Be There” hit the country top-10 in 1973, became a Gold Record and earned her a country-music Grammy Award. She followed it with the Gold-selling, back-to-back, top-10 country smashes “If You Love Me (Let Me Know)” and “I Honestly Love You” in 1974. The latter won the Grammy as Record of the Year, plus a pop Grammy. She was named the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year.
This created controversy in Nashville. Johnny Paycheck, Billy Walker, Jean Shepard, Bill Anderson, Barbara Mandrell and others objected to Newton-John, John Denver, Marie Osmond, Bonnie Tyler, Pia Zadora and other pop acts being embraced by country radio. Newton-John confessed that when she was told she was being marketed as “country,” she had no idea what that meant.
When the CMA voters chose her over Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and Tanya Tucker, the pot boiled over. Dissidents formed an anti-CMA organization called the Association of Country Entertainers (ACE) in protest.
“Have You Never Been Mellow” became another Gold Record country smash for the singer in 1975. Olivia Newton-John moved to the U.S. in 1976 and successfully courted Nashville when she recorded in Music City. The totally countrified “Please Mr. Please” became another Gold Record, and she recorded the works of such Nashville songwriters as Mickey Newbury, Dolly Parton, Rory Bourke and Bob Morrison. She also began to write songs, herself.
In 1976, she took Linda Hargrove’s “Let It Shine” into the country top-10. “Every Face Tells a Story” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” also became country hits that year. The latter became the title of her first Nashville-recorded album, as well as her 2018 autobiography.
She was 29 when she was reluctantly cast as teenager “Sandy” in the 1978 movie Grease. It became the most successful movie musical of all time. “You’re the One That I Want” was a duet with costar John Travolta that earned a Platinum pop record. The soundtrack’s ballad “Hopelessly Devoted to You” went Gold and became her last significant country-crossover hit.
She received the prestigious Order of the British Empire in 1979. Thus, she became Dame Olivia Newton-john.
The pop hits “Magic,” “Xanadu” (with the Electric Light Orchestra) and “Suddenly” (with Cliff Richard) emerged from the soundtrack of her 1980 film Xanadu. A year later, the Platinum-selling “Physical” became an aerobics-class staple and the biggest pop smash of her career. Olivia Newton-John’s other pop hits of the 1980s included “Make a Move on Me” (1982), “Heart Attack” (1982), “Twist of Fate” (1983) and “Soul Kiss” (1985). Elton John produced and co-wrote her 1988 single “The Rumour.”
By this time, she had racked up multiple accolades from the American Music Awards, the Academy of Country Music, ASCAP, NARM, the People’s Choice Awards, Billboard, Cashbox and Record World. She became a global touring attraction. Eight of her album earned Gold and/or Platinum certificates. She earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1983-92, she and Pat Carroll Farrar operated Koala Blue, a boutique chain selling Australian clothing and other products. She wed actor Matt Lattanzi in late 1984, and they had daughter Chloe in 1986. The couple divorced amicably in 1995.
The star’s commitment to animal welfare and ecological responsibility resulted in her 1990 appointment as the goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Program. Her 1989 LP Warm and Tender contained lullabies inspired by her daughter. The record was packaged in recycled cardboard and contained tips on how to help the environment.
Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. After successful chemo, alternative medicine, a partial mastectomy and spirituality, she became a tireless advocate for breast-cancer awareness. She founded a women’s cancer center in Australia. In 1994, she released the album Gaia: One Woman’s Journey, which chronicled her ordeal.
She resumed recording country music in Nashville in 1997. She co-wrote with Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, Annie Roboff, Chris Farren, Steve Seskin and other Music Row tunesmiths. Her resulting Back With a Heart CD was released the following year. The album’s “Love Is a Gift” won Newton-John a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song after it was featured on the soap As the World Turns.
She teamed with Shaw, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Bryan White, Billy Dean, Neal McCoy and Michael McDonald on 1998’s “One Heart at a Time.” The record was a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Tis the Season, a Christmas album with Vince Gill, was marketed by Hallmark in 2000. Her 2006 album Grace and Gratitude coincided with the marketing of her line of women’s wellness products, both by Walgreen’s. In 2008 she wed businessman John Easterling via an Inca ceremony in Peru.
Her cancer returned in 2013, but she again persevered. In 2016, she teamed up in a female trio with Nashville’s Beth Nielsen Chapman and Canada’s Amy Sky. The album was titled Liv On. All three singer-songwriters were breast-cancer survivors. Newton-John returned to Music City to sing for Chapman at the latter’s 2016 induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed again in 2018, and this time she found that the cancer had metastasized to her back. She withdrew from performing and sought alternative forms of treatment. She advocated cannabis therapy; her daughter established a marijuana farm in Oregon.
In addition to her husband, Olivia Newton-john is survived by daughter Chloe Lattanzi, sister Sarah, brother Toby and 15 nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Anna Vaus Inks With Big Machine Music
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar and Lizzy Rector, Anna Vaus, Big Machine Music’s Tim Hunze, Longshot Management’s Rob Baker. Photo: Courtesy of Big Machine Music
Big Machine Music (BMM) has signed rising singer-songwriter Anna Vaus to an exclusive songwriting agreement.
A graduate of Belmont University, Vaus was the first-ever recipient of the Miranda Lambert Women’s Creator Fund. She has had songs recorded by reigning CMA/ACM Awards Female Vocalist/Artist of the Year Carly Pearce (“Lightning In A Bottle”) and Abby Anderson (“Bad Posture”), among others. Her frequent collaborators include Jessie Jo Dillon, Brandy Clark and Luke Laird.
“We have admired Anna’s unique songwriting from afar for years and are so excited for the opportunity to work together directly,” says BMM General Manager Mike Molinar.
Vaus recently penned her latest single, “Didn’t Even Date,” alongside Steve Moakler and Mark Trussell. She also co-produced the track with Laird and Trussell. Her third EP, Younger Version of Myself, is due later this year.
“Songwriting is such a foundational part of my artistry and I’m thrilled to get to work with the Big Machine Music team,” Vaus adds. “I’m incredibly excited to have Mike, Tim [Hunze] and Lizzy [Rector] and rest of the team alongside me as I continue to grow as a songwriter.”
Kenny Rogers Estate Auction To Benefit Music Health Alliance
/by Lorie HollabaughAn auction of property from Kenny Rogers‘ estate will take place live in a three-day event from Oct. 21–23 at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills and online on julienslive.com. A portion of the proceeds of the auction will benefit Music Health Alliance.
Presented by Julien’s Auctions, the unique collection features over 1,200 lots of the country and pop icon’s awards, wardrobe, equipment and memorabilia from his recordings, live performances and films, as well as furnishings, artwork, jewelry, household and personal items from his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and more.
“Kenny Rogers connected millions of people around the world with his distinctive voice, boundary transcending chart toppers, indelible performances and universally loved personality,” notes Martin Nolan, Executive Director/CFO of Julien’s Auctions. “His classic hits ‘Lucille,’ ‘Islands in the Stream,’ and ‘The Gambler’ are part of the great American music canon and serve as cornerstones of his distinguished legacy as a global superstar, pop culture icon and one of the most successful cross-over artists of all time who helped propel country music to the mainstream. We are honored to work with the Kenny Rogers Estate in offering this exclusive collection featuring hundreds of his most cherished artifacts and personal mementos amassed throughout his groundbreaking six-decade career.”
Registration is required to bid in the online auction and can be done in person at the exhibition, or online before the sale.
Weekly Register: ‘You Proof’ Continues Its Run On The Country Streaming Songs Chart
/by Lydia FarthingMorgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer
This week’s country consumption charts feature the usual suspects as of late, with Morgan Wallen continuing his charge on both the top country streaming songs and top country albums charts.
Wallen’s “You Proof” adds another week at the top of the songs chart with 11 million streams, contributing to a total of 137 million streams RTD. The Big Loud singer-songwriter also bookends the top five on the country albums chart as Dangerous: The Double Album maintains its spot at No. 1 with 49K in total consumption (1.3K album only/60 million song streams) and If I Know Me takes No. 5 with 17K.
Elsewhere on the albums chart, Zach Bryan claims the second spot as his American Heartbreak record adds 23K in total consumption. Luke Combs earns the remaining spots with Growin’ Up in third at 21K and This One’s For You in fourth at 17K, according to Luminate data.
Filling out the remaining spots on the top country streaming chart are “The Kind Of Love We Make” (Luke Combs) at No. 2 with 10.5 million streams, “Something In The Orange” (Zach Bryan) at No. 3 with 9 million streams, “Rock And A Hard Place” (Bailey Zimmerman) at 8.7 million streams, and “She Had Me At Heads Caroline” (Cole Swindell) sealing the top five with 8.5 million streams.
Inside Music Publishing Nashville & Kobalt Form Global Partnership
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, seated): Kory Caudill; Stephanie Cox, GM/SVP, Creative – Kobalt Nashville; Marc Costanzo; (L-R, standing): Matt Williams; Martin “Bucky” Seja; Morgan Brasfield; Craig Campbell. Photo: Haley Schattschneider
Inside Music Publishing Nashville President Kory Caudill and executive Craig Campbell have entered a worldwide publishing partnership with Kobalt Music.
Marc Costanzo and Matt Williams will serve as Co-Heads of creative, writer/producer development, and talent signing under the new global partnership.
The Inside Music Publishing creative team includes multi-Platinum production/writing team Bucky & Marc; producer, engineer, and mixer Nick Gibbens; songwriter and producer Steen; producer and engineer Adam Newcomb; producer, mixer and engineer Semaj Forman; engineer, mixer and producer Sean Truskowski; songwriter Craig Brooks; and songwriter Camm Hunter.
“We’re so excited to work with the whole team at Inside Music Publishing Nashville,” says Morgan Brasfield, Kobalt Creative Manager. “From the first meeting we were drawn in and can’t wait to show Music Row what they’re up to.”
“The passion Stephanie [Cox], Morgan and the entire Kobalt team have for songs, songwriters and artists is exactly what we were looking for in a partnership,” adds Campbell. “Their presence in multiple genres is perfect for our team’s country roots here in Nashville and the creative team’s pop music history in LA and the UK.”
Inside Music Publishing currently has vested interest and ownership of catalogue publishing rights totaling more than 35 million albums sold. Recent syncs and television placements for the company include Hulu’s Pam & Tommy, Amazon’s Lovestruck High, NASCAR, Love Island, South Park, Hulu’s The Dropout, America’s Got Talent, American Dad, Hampton Inn, Wild ‘N Out, CTV’s Children Ruin Everything, and more.