Clare Bowen, Brandon Robert Young Form New Duo & Chart City Winery Tour

/by

Nashville‘s Clare Bowen and Brandon Robert Young have joined forces to become a new country duo. They will be releasing two new songs – “Helpless” and “Darling Oh Darling” – on Oct. 8, available on all digital platforms.

Bowen grew up in rural Australia before landing the role of Scarlett O’Connor on the ABC/CMT/Hulu series Nashville and launching her career as a singer-songwriter. Throughout her career, she’s performed duets with artists like Zac Brown Band and Vince Gill, and has recorded with producers like T-Bone Burnett and Buddy Miller.

Young was drawn to music from an early age, moving to Nashville in 2000. He taught himself how to play guitar and spent time honing his craft, and has since spent over a decade collaborating with artists like John Hiatt, Emmylou Harris, John Carter Cash, and more. His music has been featured in shows such as Nashville, Shameless, and A Million Little Things, among others.

The two have been busy in recent years touring, writing, and performing. In 2018 they nabbed a spot on Sugarland’s “Still The Same Tour,” and Bowen set out on a headlining tour in support of the international release of her album in summer 2019. In 2020, she sang virtually in Australia’s ARIA Awards, as well as wrote and sang with Young on a song for the Johnny Cash collaborative album, Forever Words.

The newly-formed pair will be playing a series of dates at City Winery locations around the country through November and December, including a Nashville show on Dec. 15. For a full list of dates and ticketing information, click here.

John Shearer’s Iconic Madonna, Britney Spears Photo To Be Sold As NFT

/by

Britney Spears and Madonna perform at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Photo: John Shearer

Cryptograph, the luxury and celebrity NFT auction platform, will release an NFT featuring the iconic image of Britney Spears and Madonna‘s onstage kiss at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. The original image was captured by veteran photographer John Shearer, who has now partnered with Cryptograph to immortalize the moment into an exclusive NFT.

Shot at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on August 28, 2003, the kiss between Madonna and Spears was one of the most iconic moments in award show history. Spears, who was 21 at the time, opened the show by singing Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” coming out of a wedding cake, dressed just like Madonna in her 1987 VMAs performance. The image caught the attention of nearly every major publication and TV outlet around the world.

Shearer is a Nashville-based photographer who has photographed a myriad of entertainers throughout his career. He was profiled in MusicRow‘s August/September print issue, available for purchase here.

The Kiss NFT will go live Thursday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. CT for 72 hours, exclusively at www.cryptograph.co. A percentage of revenue will benefit GLAAD-a nonprofit organization devoted to countering discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.

Milestone Publicity Opens Nashville Office, Hires Two

/by

Jessica Bonner and Shania Smith

Milestone Publicity has relocated its headquarters to Nashville following the firm’s 2019 origination in L.A. The company has also hired two new Associate Publicists–Jessica Bonner and Shania Smith–to join the company’s team.

“Milestone has grown quickly and I couldn’t be more excited about Jessica and Shania joining the team,” says the company’s founder and CEO, Mike Gowen. “If someone were to tell me over eleven years ago when I started working in the music industry that one day I would be leading a team of passionate publicists representing an eclectic roster of icons, emerging artists and companies, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here we are and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the trajectory Milestone is on!”

After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, Bonner moved to Los Angeles. Bonner secured a desk within the public relations field, and built her resume with hands-on experience with festivals, tours, releases and iconic artists such as Heart, Ozzy Osbourne, and more. Detouring into restaurant and event PR, she was heavily involved in creative campaigns, planning and organizing local community events in addition to marketing and social branding.

Smith broke into the music industry in 2013 as a regional production member for major tours such as Warped Tour, Aerosmith, Slash, 5 Seconds of Summer and One Direction. She moved to Tennessee in 2016 earning a degree in Music Business from Middle Tennessee State University. Securing a position on Music Row, she took on national and regional coverage for top Nashville country artists and local venues in the heart of Nashville.

“Jessica and Shania both bring a level of drive and passion that is extremely hard to find,” adds Gowen. “I’m really excited to watch their careers further take flight and ascend to new heights.”

Milestone Publicity has over 25 years of experience executing campaigns. Since the company’s inception, notable clients have included Kiefer Sutherland, John Dolmayan of System of a Down, The Dryes and Anna Shoemaker, as well as music-focused businesses such as Ghostwriter Music Group and Songbird City.

AIMP To Host Legends Of Music Row Webinar With David Conrad, Karen Conrad, Pat Rolfe

/by

The AIMP Nashville Chapter will be hosting a Legends of Music Row webinar this Thursday (Oct. 7) at 3 p.m. CT. The online event is free with registration required via Zoom.

Moderator Leeds Levy of Leeds Music will lead a conversation with Music Row mainstays David Conrad, Karen Conrad, and Pat Rolfe. The group will discuss the days of old and how each of them made a name for themselves in Nashville’s music industry.

David Conrad’s career spans over thirty five years in the music publishing business. He has played a major role in the development of Nashville as one of the world’s primary songwriting capitals. In 1981, Conrad opened the Nashville office of Almo (ASCAP) and Irving Music (BMI), the publishing arm of A&M Records. Through his direction, the company became a leader in cultivating songwriting of all genres placing hundreds of songs not only on the country music charts but pop, adult contemporary and R&B as well.

Karen Conrad began her career in the music industry as receptionist for the Hubert Long Agency, where she quickly discovered working with creatives and joined the world of songwriting and publishing. After working in promotion at Mercury Records and handling tour coordination and publishing administration for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Music, BMG Music Publishing appointed her to head its Nashville office. After a decade at BMG and rising to Sr. Vice President, Conrad retired in 2007.

Rolfe began her career with Lamar Fike at Hill & Range songs in 1966 where she stayed through 1972. That year she was elevated to General Manager, becoming one of the first females to head a major publishing company. In 1975, Chappell Music purchased the Hill & Range companies and Rolfe joined Chappell Music where she rose to the position of Vice President. In 1987, Connie Bradley offered her the position of Director of Membership Relations and she remained with ASCAP, rising to the position of Vice President, until 2010. She co-founded SOURCE Nashville and the Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament.

President of Leeds Music, Levy serves as co-chair of ASCAP’s Survey & Distribution Committee and as a member of ASCAP’s Strategic Planning, Governance and Legislative committees. Beginning his career in music publishing at ASCAP, Levy also spent time at MCA Music Publishing as MCA’s head of creative. Later appointed President of MCA’s worldwide operations, Levy grew the firm’s revenues sixfold by opening multiple offices in key global music markets, launching three separate and successful multi-genre record labels as well as in-house record production.

Lilly Hiatt’s New Album ‘Lately’ Slated For October 15

/by

Photo by Dylan Reyes

Lilly Hiatt is releasing a new set of songs on Lately, due out Oct. 15 on New West Records. The 10-song collection was co-produced by Hiatt and her drummer Kate Haldrup at Death Ladder in East Nashville.

Lately is the follow up to Hiatt’s album Walking Proof, and was created as a bit of a balm during last year’s trying time during the pandemic. The sudden stillness forced Hiatt to take a deep look inside and inspired her to write.

“Last year was tough. That’s an understatement for certain,” admits Hiatt. “Tears were shed, lives were lost, and lonely was a way of life. I have always felt lonely, but never gone to the depths of solitude that I had in 2020. The irony of that is, I was not alone at all in that space. Everyone had lost something, and we all were trying to rebuild our lives as we knew them. As a means of keeping sane, I started to write songs. Some of them sucked. I kept doing it though, because I had nothing else to fill my cup. Depression was a big part of fall and winter. I forgot how down I could feel.” She continues, “But I also felt hope in that light that came from a memory of a past adventure or a stranger’s smile while walking down the street. Little things lifted my spirits. I missed my friends. I missed my family. I was devastated by the grief our country was facing, as well as the world. I felt unified in knowing that I was not on my own in that mentality. I realized that my heart was full of everything I loved and that would carry me forward for the time being. Eventually we would all get back to one another.”

Hiatt is launching a North American tour with Lydia Loveless on Oct. 20 that will keep the duo on the road throughout November and will feature stops in Austin, San Francisco, Seattle, and more.

Lately Track List:
1. Simple
2. Been
3. Lately
4. Stop
5. Peach
6. Ride
7. Face
8. Better
9. Gem
10. The Last Tear

Jameson Rodgers Earns Second Consecutive Chart-Topper

/by

Jameson Rodgers. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Jameson Rodgers has reached the top of the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts this week with his latest hit, “Cold Beer Calling My Name” featuring Luke Combs. The song is his second consecutive No. 1, and marks the first time Rodgers has topped the charts as an artist with a track he also co-penned.

“The only thing better than writing a No. 1 song is writing a No. 1 song with your friends,” says Rodgers, who co-wrote the track with Hunter Phelps, Brett Tyler, and Alysa Vanderheym. “I can’t believe we get to do this for a living. I’m proud of this song and this team.”

“Cold Beer Calling My Name” has earned more than 104 million on-demand streams, and follows Rodgers’ Platinum-certified debut No. 1 single “Some Girls.” Both tracks appear on his recently released debut album, Bet You’re From a Small Town.

Rodgers recently spoke to MusicRow about the new project and the journey to his debut record, saying: “The last two or thee years have been an absolute whirlwind. They call it a 10 year town, I’ve been here 11, so I hit it right on the head.” To read the full interview, click here.

Rodgers is currently crossing the country on his “Cold Beer Calling My Name” tour with upcoming stops in New York, Philadelphia, Knoxville, and more through December.

Now Open: WMBA Class Of 2022 Applications

/by

Applications for the WMBA (Women Music Business Association) Class of 2022 are now open through Nov. 19, 2021. The WMBA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to fostering opportunities for women within the music industry through education, networking, industry involvement, and community service.

Applicants must have a full year of working experience in the music industry along with two recommendation letters. In addition to that, WMBA will host an open meeting on Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. CST followed by an informational meeting on membership on Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. CST. For more information on WMBA, applicant qualifications and to apply, click here.

The WMBA Executive Board is led by Chairwoman, Brandi Simms (MooTV, Moo Creative & The Steel Mill); Lindsey Clark (DeatonFlanigen Productions); Amery Fridenstine (Above Board Consulting); Cameo Carlson (Mtheory Nashville); Mary Catherine Kinney (Spotify); and Legal Counsel, Lauren Spahn (Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley, & Norton LLP).

Jonathan Singleton Hits No. 1 On The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

/by

Jonathan Singleton

Jonathan Singleton jumps to No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, ending Ashley Gorley‘s eleven-week reign at the top.

Singleton is a co-writer on “Things A Man Oughta Know” (Lainey Wilson), “Same Boat” (Zac Brown Band), and “Cold as You” and “South On Ya” (Luke Combs).

Gorley only falls back to No. 2. He is a co-writer on “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Country Again” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay) and “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton). Hunter Phelps moves up one spot to No. 3 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week.

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.

Amazon Music Launches Country Music Month, Reveals New Streaming Data

/by

October is Country Music Month for Amazon Music. All month long Amazon Music will deliver new songs, livestream events, and more.

The digital platform also revealed some interesting data regarding country music on Amazon Music. Since the launch of the original Country Heat station in October 2016—formerly known as Top Country—the overall Country Heat brand (playlist and stations) have amassed more than 13 billion streams total in the U.S. Additionally, new data from Amazon Music details that:

  • Carly Pearce, Niko Moon, Gabby Barrett, and Tenille Arts are among the 20 most streamed artists on Country Heat in the U.S. so far this year.
  • Barrett and Moon have the top two most streamed songs on the Amazon Music country chart in 2021 with “The Good Ones” and “Good Time,” respectively.
  • Mickey Guyton’s Amazon Original cover of Beyoncé’s “If I Were a Boy” has remained one of the ten most streamed country Originals of all time on Amazon Music since it was released in February.
  • In 2020, Breland was a top-performing artist with his debut single, “My Truck,” through Amazon Music’s Launchpad program, which promotes emerging artists via programming and increased visibility across the service. Currently, Breland’s “Throw It Back (feat. Keith Urban)” is one of the most popular tracks on the Country Heat playlist this year.
  • Meanwhile, superstars such as Luke Combs, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, and more continue to top the Amazon Music charts as some of the most streamed country artists across the service.

“For us, every month could be Country Music Month, but today gives us a new opportunity to celebrate the best in the genre with so much new programming, and by giving our country music listeners even more reasons to celebrate,” says Emily Cohen, principal country music curator at Amazon Music. “We’re also celebrating 13 billion streams of our playlists and stations within the Country Heat brand… We’re thrilled to know that it’s not only fans streaming the major stars coming out of Nashville. New artists on the rise, like Niko Moon and Gabby Barrett, have been skyrocketing to the top of our charts across the past year, and it’s been so exciting to come up with new ways to introduce them, and their peers, to new audiences around the world.”

Walker Hayes & Carin Leon. Photo: Courtesy of Amazon Music

To kick off the celebrations for Country Music Month, Walker Hayes and regional Mexican icon Carin Leon’s released their reimagined version of “Fancy Like (Carin Leon Remix – Amazon Original)” last week. The new remix leads the new Whiskey & Tequila playlist—which connects regional Mexican and country music. The original version has become a smash hit, and has been one of the three most requested songs via Alexa over the last three months on Amazon Music.

On Oct. 8, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde will release an acoustic version of “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” followed by a new track from Kolby Cooper, “Storm’s Coming,” on Oct. 15. The final Amazon Original for the month will be from Ryan Hurd and will premiere on Oct. 29.

Amazon Music will also host a series of virtual events, including an Oct. 12 performance and live Q&A from Reba McEntire, following the release of her box set, Revived Remixed Revisited.

Throughout the month, the Amazon Music Twitch channel will feature live country music programming, including Group Thread, Amazon Music’s weekly live panel discussion on Fridays at 4 p.m. CT. On Oct. 5, fans can watch the new Breakthrough Country Live event to celebrate developing artists including Reyna Roberts, Sophia Scott, and Ryan Garrett.

“I’m so grateful for everyone at Amazon Music championing rising artists like myself,” Roberts shares. “They are continuously evolving and exceeding expectations; creating new opportunities for country artists to reach more fans through Amazon. I’m so excited about Breakthrough Country Live and for what’s to come! We are already doing incredible things together.”

Roots N Blues Festival Celebrates Historic All-Female Lineup, Announces 2022 Festival Date

/by

Brandi Carlile. Photo: L.G. Patterson

The Roots N Blues Festival was recently held at Stephens Lake Park in Columbia, Missouri with a historic all women-led lineup. The three-day festival featured headliners Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, Mavis Staples, Lennon Stella, Tank and the Bangas and Larkin Poe, along with 19 other female or non-binary performers, who performed on two stages.

This year’s lineup was the most diverse in the festival’s history with artists such as Latin Grammy Award winners Flor de Toloache (a mariachi band), country star Mickey Guyton, the legendary Mavis Staples, Rwandan-American singer-songwriter Sifa, singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer (who joined Brandi Carlile and Natalie Hemby for some Highwomen tunes on Saturday night), soul singer Shemekia Copeland, and Memphis band Southern Avenue, whose singer, Tierinii Jackson, performed while visibly pregnant.

Festival organizers claim that Roots N Blues us the only entirely women-owned major music festival in the United States, and co-producers Tracy Lane and Shay Jasper revealed that 60% of the 7,000 festival goers were women—which is the first time women made up a majority of the Roots N Blues audience. This year’s festival also attracted a huge number of out of state attendees, with fans traveling from California, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Tennessee and other states.

Sheryl Crow winning the Missouri Roots Songbook honor. Pictured (L-R): Tracy Lane, Sheryl Crow and Shay Jasper. Photo: L.G. Patterson

“It’s a powerful feeling to be on the other side of this event knowing that this initiative was developed two years ago out of frustration for the lack of representation in this industry,” Lane and Jasper said. “Instead of just continuing the conversation, we decided to pick up some of the weight and move the industry in the right direction, toward equitable representation for all. The 2021 event was a clear celebration of that direction and we have more work to do on the path to 2022.”

On the final night of Roots N Blues, Sheryl Crow was presented with the 2021 Missouri Roots Songbook honor, an award founded in 2018 to encourage the young people of Missouri to take pride in the incredibly rich musical heritage of their home state. Crow is the first living recipient of this honor and the first woman to receive it. Previous honorees were Chuck Berry (2018) and John “Blind” Boone (2019), one of the first composers of Ragtime music.

The Roots N Blues festival will be back at Stephens Lake Park next year Oct. 7 – 9, 2022.