Music industry veteran Nick Meinema is announcing a new venture, Action Entertainment Collaborative (AEC), and expanded roster in partnership with Greg Baker.
AEC’s worldwide talent roster includes Trace Adkins, TLC (North America only), Lonestar, Terri Clark, Dallas Smith, High Valley, James Barker Band, Hunters Brothers, Kevin Costner and Modern West, Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters and Default, with artists in development Jason Lyle Black, Jason Petty, EmiSunshine, Karen Waldrup, and Veritas in addition to comedy artists Jeff Allen, Etta May and Southern Fried Chicks. Additionally, AEC will represent acts in Canada, including Dean Brody, Sawyer Brown, Chad Brownlee, and Trailer Park Boys, as well as The Road Hammers, The Reklaws, Gord Bamford and Jojo Mason in partnership with Paquin Entertainment.
“I moved here nine years ago to open the Nashville office of The Agency Group from Toronto,” Meinema says. “Since then, the office has grown with the acquisition of The Bobby Roberts Company and when United Talent Agency purchased the company.
“These past years have given me a perspective on what I want and truly don’t want anymore. I know what has worked for my clients and have learned what I’ll be able to do better going forward,” Meinema continues. “In this partnership with Greg, I hope to combine both our experiences and talent in the best joint collaborative for our clients.”
“I am honored and excited to be partnering with Nick and his company,” Baker says. “I began working with Nick in 2017, and he quickly earned my and, more importantly, my client’s trust. As we start to navigate 2021 and beyond, I have never been more optimistic about the future.”
“I have known Greg for 20 years,” notes veteran country artist Adkins. “He has been my bass player, bandleader, tour manager and now my manager for almost four years. No matter the job title, Greg always puts my best interests at the forefront of any decision. Nick took over my touring three years ago, and I can’t imagine another agent handling my touring business.”
In addition to Meinema and Baker, agent Charles Ray and booking coordinator Ryan Moult have joined the company. Additional associates will be announced summer 2021. AEC’s office will be located at 1617 17th Avenue South in Nashville. They can be reached at (615) 208-9596.
Congratulate Meinema, Baker, Ray and Moult respectively at nick.meinema@action-ent.com, greg.baker@action-ent.com, charles.ray@action-ent.com, and ryan.moult@action-ent.com.
Billy Strings Slates Summer Solstice Shows For June
/by Lorie HollabaughBilly Strings. Photo: Jesse Faatz.
Billy Strings has announced some shows this June as part of his newly-confirmed Summer Solstice Tour. The new dates include stops at Schaumburg, Illinois’ Wintrust Field (June 11-12), Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s Ford Park Live (June 18-19) and Thornville, Ohio’s Legend Valley (June 25-26).
The June dates precede Strings’ extensive 2021 headline run kicking off this July that will visit L.A., Seattle, Portland, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, Austin, Dallas, Atlanta and Nashville, among several others. Tickets for the tour go on sale this Friday, May 7, and full details can be found at billystrings.com/tour.
The upcoming shows follow an ambitious spring run for Strings, who continued to perform throughout the past year both virtually and in-person. Most recently, he performed multiple nights at Mobile, Alabama’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium; St. Augustine, Florida’s Saint Augustine Amphitheatre; Columbia, South Carolina’s Columbia Speedway Entertainment Center; livestream concerts from venues in New Orleans and Austin; and, finally, his six-night Déjà Vu Experiment—a one-of-a-kind livestream event broadcast from The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY.
Brandy Clark To Launch Who You Thought I Was Tour This Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughBrandy Clark is returning to the stage this fall as she headlines the Who You Thought I Was tour, which kicks off October 25 in Portland, Oregon.
Running through November 21, the 16-stop tour will include shows in Seattle’s Neumos, Los Angeles’ Lodge Room, New York’s Bowery Ballroom, and close out at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on November 21. Tickets for the shows are on sale now, and full details can be found at brandyclarkmusic.com.
The newly-confirmed dates celebrate a landmark year for Clark, whose new album, Your Life is a Record (Deluxe) was released earlier this spring in celebration of the standard version’s one-year anniversary. The special extended edition features all eleven tracks from her Grammy-nominated album as well as six new songs including “Remember Me Beautiful,” which Clark wrote late last year with Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose for NPR’s Morning Edition Song Project.
Ben Gallaher’s Debut EP ‘Every Small Town’ Slated For Summer
/by Lorie HollabaughBen Gallaher. Photo: David Abbott; EP Cover Design: Glenn Sweitzer/ Fresh, LLC
Ben Gallaher is gearing up for the release of his debut Quartz Hill Records EP, Every Small Town, on Friday, June 25.
Gallaher co-penned each of the five songs on the up-tempo collection produced by Mickey Jack Cones and Derek George, and has racked up more than a million YouTube streams of the EP’s title track “Every Small Town,” which is also his first single for the label and will be released to radio later this summer. Writers contributing to the project include Ash Bowers, Jim Collins, Joey Hyde, Jared Mullins, and more.
“To me, country music is the soundtrack to everyday life. That’s what these songs are about: the American spirit, family, community, love, loss, God, hard work and being proud of who you are and where you’re from,” said Gallaher. “None of these songs would have the life they do without my co-writers, session musicians, producers, the Quartz Hill team and my fans.”
A road warrior who has crisscrossed the U.S. touring, Gallaher has opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams Jr., Blake Shelton, 3 Doors Down, Lee Brice and more. In celebration of his EP announcement, Gallaher is giving fans a taste of that full band show with the release of a live performance video of “Every Small Town.”
Every Small Town Track List:
“Every Small Town” – (Ben Gallaher, Ash Bowers, Jim Collins)
“Get On One” – (Ben Gallaher, Joey Hyde, Mike Walker)
“Never Get Old” – (Ben Gallaher, Derrick Southerland, Andrew Jacob Pruis)
“Town Ain’t Dry” — (Ben Gallaher, Mark Irwin, Shane Minor)
“Til’ It’s Yours” — (Ben Gallaher, Billy Montana, Jared Mullins)
Brantley Gilbert Presents $75K Check To ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Lorie Lytle, ACM Lifting Lives BOD Vice President; Taylor Wolf, ACM Lifting Lives Manager + BOD Secretary; Brantley Gilbert; Aaron Keiser, Morris Higham Management; Paul Barnabee, ACM Lifting Lives BOD Chair. Photo: Brian Vaughn.
Known for sharing his platform with servicemen and servicewomen; veterans and veteran farmers; and his own BG Nation, multi-Platinum recording artist Brantley Gilbert has contributed $75,000 to ACM Lifting Lives’ COVID-19 Response Fund to support those in the entertainment industry who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
On Saturday, April 17, Gilbert hosted 500 fans on three separate trail rides at Brimstone Recreation in Huntsville, Tennessee, followed by a live show presented by Whiskey Jam, with all proceeds benefiting the COVID-19 Response Fund.
“We had such a great time out on the trails in East Tennessee and it made it that much sweeter knowing we were there to help people who really need an extra hand right now,” shares Gilbert. “I’m honored to present this check to ACM Lifting Lives on behalf of BG Nation and I’m so grateful for our partners who made this such a fantastic event.”
“Brantley has been such a wonderful partner to our fund,” shares Executive Director of ACM Lifting Lives Lyndsay Cruz. “He and his team came to us at an important moment to lend their help finding ways to raise money for our colleagues who are still in immediate financial need due to the pandemic. We are grateful to be the beneficiaries of his inaugural trail ride.”
A longtime partner of Gilbert, Polaris continues to support his event, donating a RZR Trail S1000 Ultimate that will be available for auction later this summer, while Camping World will donate an off-road vehicle trailer, also available for auction later this summer. All monies raised via auction will directly benefit the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund. Additional auction details will be announced at a later date.
Since the launch of the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund, $3.5 million has been raised and distributed thanks to many sponsors and individuals. Visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org to contribute to the fund in support of ongoing relief efforts.
Ingrid Andress Featured In New Amazon Short Film ‘A Lady Like That’
/by Lorie HollabaughIngrid Andress. Photo Courtesy: Amazon Music
Ingrid Andress is the subject of a new Amazon Music short film, A Lady Like That, premiering on May 14.
A Lady Like That tracks a breakthrough year for the rising artist through never-before-seen home video footage, candid interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments including her Grammys experience where she received three nominations, including Best Country Album for her debut album Lady Like. The short film will premiere in the Amazon Music mobile app and on the Amazon Music YouTube channel.
To celebrate the release, fans can watch a trailer for a sneak peek of the film, directed by Lauren Dunn, that offers a glimpse into the story of a young artist/writer forging her own path in the music industry. Also available today to Amazon Music listeners is a new Amazon Original reimagined version of “Lady Like”, featuring an orchestral arrangement. Produced by Margot, and arranged by Margot and Juan Villacrez, Andress’ new version of “Lady Like” was recorded with an all-female orchestra in Brooklyn, New York.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Amazon Music, Breakwater Studios, and Lauren Dunn on this short film,” says Andress. “To have the opportunity to work with this stellar team to bring a chapter of my story to life has been incredible. I’m excited for more folks to learn about my journey into the country music format and I hope my story can be encouraging to anyone who feels like an outsider.”
A Lady Like That is the latest short film created by Amazon Music, diving into pivotal moments in an artist’s career. Past releases include Velocity with Kane Brown, The Making Of: “Faith” by Galantis and Dolly Parton, Breakthrough: Gabby Barrett, and more.
Nick Meinema, Greg Baker Announce Action Entertainment Collaborative
/by LB CantrellMusic industry veteran Nick Meinema is announcing a new venture, Action Entertainment Collaborative (AEC), and expanded roster in partnership with Greg Baker.
AEC’s worldwide talent roster includes Trace Adkins, TLC (North America only), Lonestar, Terri Clark, Dallas Smith, High Valley, James Barker Band, Hunters Brothers, Kevin Costner and Modern West, Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters and Default, with artists in development Jason Lyle Black, Jason Petty, EmiSunshine, Karen Waldrup, and Veritas in addition to comedy artists Jeff Allen, Etta May and Southern Fried Chicks. Additionally, AEC will represent acts in Canada, including Dean Brody, Sawyer Brown, Chad Brownlee, and Trailer Park Boys, as well as The Road Hammers, The Reklaws, Gord Bamford and Jojo Mason in partnership with Paquin Entertainment.
“I moved here nine years ago to open the Nashville office of The Agency Group from Toronto,” Meinema says. “Since then, the office has grown with the acquisition of The Bobby Roberts Company and when United Talent Agency purchased the company.
“These past years have given me a perspective on what I want and truly don’t want anymore. I know what has worked for my clients and have learned what I’ll be able to do better going forward,” Meinema continues. “In this partnership with Greg, I hope to combine both our experiences and talent in the best joint collaborative for our clients.”
“I am honored and excited to be partnering with Nick and his company,” Baker says. “I began working with Nick in 2017, and he quickly earned my and, more importantly, my client’s trust. As we start to navigate 2021 and beyond, I have never been more optimistic about the future.”
“I have known Greg for 20 years,” notes veteran country artist Adkins. “He has been my bass player, bandleader, tour manager and now my manager for almost four years. No matter the job title, Greg always puts my best interests at the forefront of any decision. Nick took over my touring three years ago, and I can’t imagine another agent handling my touring business.”
In addition to Meinema and Baker, agent Charles Ray and booking coordinator Ryan Moult have joined the company. Additional associates will be announced summer 2021. AEC’s office will be located at 1617 17th Avenue South in Nashville. They can be reached at (615) 208-9596.
Congratulate Meinema, Baker, Ray and Moult respectively at nick.meinema@action-ent.com, greg.baker@action-ent.com, charles.ray@action-ent.com, and ryan.moult@action-ent.com.
SoundExchange Ups Linda Bloss-Baum To VP, Government Relations & Public Affairs
/by Lydia FarthingLinda Bloss-Baum
SoundExchange, the leading provider of technology solutions for sound recordings and music publishing, has named Linda Bloss-Baum as Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs.
In this new role, Bloss-Baum will head up a revamped public affairs department with a focus on industry-shaping advocacy efforts in favor of the fair treatment of music creators in the digital age. She will represent SoundExchange with critical external audiences, including lawmakers, regulators and industry stakeholders. Bloss-Baum will report to Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of SoundExchange, Esther-Mireya Tejeda.
Prior to SoundExchange, Bloss-Baum served as a strategic consultant to music and entertainment companies and organizations. She is an industry veteran who ran the Warner Music Group office in Washington, D.C. and served as Vice President, Public Policy/Government Relations at Universal Music Group/NBC Universal and Time Warner, Inc.
“We are at a critical juncture of transformation that will challenge the ways in which the music industry is organized and the policies we need to ensure its long-term health,” says Tejeda. “Linda’s expertise and background spanning the creator community, Capitol Hill and other policymakers is a perfect fit as SoundExchange seeks to address the industry’s challenges.”
Prior to her appointment, Bloss-Baum spent eight years serving as a liaison between SoundExchange and artists and industry leaders, most recently in the role of Senior Director, Artist and Industry Relations. Through that experience, she will be able to effectively bring together the creator and policy worlds in search of answers to pressing music business and policy issues.
“The next five years will reshape the music industry, from where and how music is created and distributed, to the systems that make the business side easier, to how we create a just and equitable ecosystem that reflects the value of artists, labels, and other creators,” says Bloss-Baum. “With a member community of over 245,000, SoundExchange is the only organization that respects the totality of the industry, giving us an important responsibility at the intersection of the technology and music ecosystems.”
Jesse Flohr Named Director Of Marketing At Visionary Media Group [Exclusive]
/by Lydia FarthingJesse Flohr. Photo: Jeremy Harris
Visionary Media Group has announced that Jesse Flohr has joined the media and technology company as Director of Marketing.
In his new role, Flohr will oversee the company’s release schedule and corresponding campaigns. Coming from Interscope Records, he brings two decades of music industry and major record label experience and holds multiple industry certifications in music marketing and music business from the Berklee College of Music, as well as digital marketing from Columbia Business School.
Based in Nashville, Visionary Media Group aims to illuminate innovative American stories through the power of connected music, media, and technology. The company has upcoming projects featuring music industry icon Cowboy Jack Clement, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Leigh Nash, Americana mother-daughter duo O.N.E, country singer- songwriter Clayton Anderson, and The Voice breakout Cody Belew.
“I’m honored to join the incredibly talented team here at Visionary. They’ve signed an immensely talented roster of artists, and I’m excited to help bring their projects to life,” says Flohr. “I’m also looking forward to beginning this new chapter of my career here in Nashville.”
“Jesse is a wonderful addition to our expanding team at Visionary Media Group,” says Visionary Founding Partner Ron Zamber. “He brings domain expertise, exceptional business intelligence, and a terrific work ethic — which fits in perfectly with our ecosystem. Our team and our artists are very fortunate to have Jesse at Visionary.”
Flohr is based in the company’s offices on Music Row, and can be reached at (615) 762-0030 or jesseflohr@visionarymediagroup.com.
Jake Owen Earns Ninth Career No. 1 With ‘Made For You’
/by Lorie HollabaughJake Owen. Photo: Robby Klein
Jake Owen’s single “Made For You” has landed at the top of both the Billboard Country Airplay and Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts this week, marking his ninth trip to the top of the charts. The song hit the pinnacle of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart earlier this year.
The heartfelt ballad with its message of life and love was penned by Benjy Davis, Joey Hyde and Neil Medley, all of whom just earned their first songwriting No. 1.
The track was first introduced to a nationwide audience with Owen’s performance on ABC’s The Bachelorette and has gone on to rack up an impressive 135 million global streams to date. “Made For You” is the fourth single from Owen’s 2019 album Greetings From…Jake that features chart-toppers “Homemade” and “I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” plus the Top 5 hit “Down to the Honkytonk.” The album takes Owen back to his traditional country influences while nodding to his Floridian roots and has amassed 950 million global streams.
The MLC, Recording Academy Partner For New Webinar Series
/by Lydia FarthingEach of the 12 webinars will be locally tailored and hosted by representatives of The MLC, who will brief participants on the history behind mechanical licensing, why The MLC was created, how the organization fulfills its mission, the benefits of MLC Membership and more, with ample time for questions and answers.
“We are thrilled to work with the Academy on this webinar series, which builds on our ongoing efforts to reach as many potential MLC Members as possible, provide them with the information they need to join our organization and help position themselves to receive the digital audio mechanical royalties they have earned and deserve,” notes Kris Ahrend, CEO of The MLC.
“Academy members were so active in the passage of the Music Modernization Act, they should now benefit from The MLC that the Act created. We’re pleased to partner with The MLC to reach our membership of creators far and wide and ultimately get royalties into their hands,” says Chief Advocacy Officer of the Recording Academy Daryl P. Friedman.
Academy Chapter members will receive an invitation with a registration link in advance of the date of their respective webinar. The Nashville Chapter meeting will take place on May 17 at 2 p.m. CST.
For other chapter meetings time, visit themlc.com.