Through its Music Industry COVID Support (MICS) initiative, the Country Music Association has helped aid music industry professionals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today (March 9) the organization announced a support donation drive benefiting Musically Fed and will be accepting goods at the CMA office (35 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203) Monday, March 15 through Friday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Among the items needed are basic food items such as pasta and rice, as well as toiletries.
Food Items Needed:
Dried Pasta & Sauce
Oatmeal, Cereal
Canned Fish/Meat
Canned Fruits/Veggies
Soup, Crackers
Rice, Quinoa, Dry Beans
Peanut Butter
Nuts
Toiletries Needed:
Toothpaste
Laundry Detergent
Dish Soap
Hand Soap
Body Wash
Shaving Cream
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Musically Fed also has an Amazon Wish List, from which donations can be purchased before March 19. To direct your purchase to the food drive, select “Country Music Association, c/o FOOD DRIVE’s Gift registry” as the shipping address.
Sarah Trahern. Photo: Courtesy CMA
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern spoke to MusicRow about the donation drive, and about CMA’s continued efforts to help support music industry professionals who are struggling during this health crisis.
In the state of Tennessee alone, more than 50,000 music jobs have been impacted by the pandemic, and that number is estimated to be hundreds of thousands more nationwide.
“One of the people on our board drew a diagram for us one day and around this person’s artist, there were about 140 people directly on the road food chain—not to mention the manager in the office, a publicist, and a freelance staff,” Trahern says.
“We started working on ‘What can we do over the course of the year?’ Some of it is hard investment dollars.”
At the onset of the pandemic, CMA donated $1 million to The Recording Academy’s MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund in addition to a $100,000 donation to Music Health Alliance.
CMA has since outlined additional funding to six nonprofit partners—Music Health Alliance, Musically Fed, Notes for Notes, Porter’s Call, The Store and Touring Professionals Alliance Kitchen —which, along with previous nonprofit investments, are funded through CMA’s $3 million long-term COVID-19 commitment that began in early 2020.
The organization has continued to analyze and assess the specific needs of music professionals to determine the most vital resources and services to provide. Established as a portal for key resources in the categories of food supply, health and wellness, and career services, MICS helps to connect industry professionals with appropriate nonprofit partners offering critical support.
“One of the things that I was most proud of during this time was a small program that we worked on to help people with their resumes and to find temporary jobs for people who don’t have work right now. We don’t want them to leave our business, but they might need access to a job for six months.
“[The donation drive] is something easy for us to engage the people in the Nashville community and the people in the music community, the ones who are doing okay right now to say, ‘Hey, come lean in and help us. Help us help our brethren get back on their feet.”
While Trahern is hopeful that touring is on the horizon with vaccines beginning to roll out, programs like the resume workshop and the upcoming donation drive are put in place to help get touring professionals to the other side. “They’re not a population that is used to asking for help,” she says. “They’re the people in black, they’re the ones who crawl up in the rafters. Our business was one of the first businesses to close and we’ll probably be the last one to open back up in a lot of ways.”
CMA will march on to support the music industry during this hardship. “We’re going to continue to support programs around the country. We’re doing another nationwide program that will be announced in the next few weeks with six to eight markets that are music cities outside of Nashville, but that have a high density of people in the music business who are hurting right now. We’ll continue our support with groups like the Music Health Alliance, and Porter’s Call to work on creating access to mental health resources during this time.”
Industry Ink: Carly Pearce, IBMA, Ronnie McDowell
/by Lorie HollabaughCarly Pearce Celebrated At Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum Exhibit
Carly Pearce
Carly Pearce returned to her home state for an exhibit unveiling at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum. The virtual ceremony highlighted the Taylor Mill native’s journey from fronting a local bluegrass band at 11 and performing around the region in a blue sequin outfit her mom crafted, to expressing her admiration for the area with a Kentucky tattoo and a recent CMA Award win. Pearce also performed her hits “Every Little Thing” and “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” plus cautionary tale “Next Girl.”
“Going home always brings such comfort, but today, I really feel the embrace of my Kentucky roots. When I was in fourth grade, I won my school talent show singing ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ in a costume my mom made for me. As I unveiled my exhibit in the Kentucky Hall of Fame & Museum, it’s such a feeling of joy to see that costume displayed. I wish I could tell that little girl what was coming,” said Pearce.
IBMA Raises Over $310,000 In Donations In 2020
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) is extending its gratitude to those who donated to the IBMA, IBMA Trust Fund, and IBMA Foundation during 2020. Due to donors’ generosity, the three organizations were able to raise $33,592 during a year-end giving campaign, bringing the total to $310,692 in donations for 2020.
The contributions are essential to helping IBMA continue its goal of building a stronger bluegrass community through programs and resources, including the IBMA Trust Fund’s COVID-19 Relief Account to provide emergency need to people affected by the pandemic; building a brighter future for bluegrass through the IBMA Foundation’s grants, scholarships, and Arnold Shultz Fund; and the first-ever IBMA Virtual World of Bluegrass, which brought the global bluegrass community together to connect.
Ronnie McDowell’s “Older Women” Remake Gets Tik Tok Attention
Ronnie McDowell is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of his hit single, “Older Women” which reached No. 1 in 1981. Now, in 2021 “Older Women ” has gone viral on Tik Tok, reaching nearly 130 million views and counting through a cover by The Sheltons.
“I was very reluctant about recording ‘Older Women’ because I thought it would be detrimental to women but was I ever wrong,” says McDowell. “It actually made ladies over 40 feel good about themselves and it lifted them up! I never knew 40 years later I would be singing the song over 15,000 times. But you know what, every time I sing it, it’s still just as fresh as the first time.”
Niko Moon’s ‘Good Time’ Climbs To No. 1
/by Steven BoeroBreakout country artist Niko Moon earns his first No. 1 single as an artist with his Platinum-selling smash “Good Time.” Moon’s debut single topped the Mediabase/Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The song also hit No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart in February.
“I want to give a BIG, BIG thank you to everyone who has believed in me and believed in ‘Good Time,’” says Moon. “I also want to thank country radio and streaming platforms for allowing me to connect with all of their amazing country music fans. This has been a dream of mine for a really long time, and y’all have made it possible.”
“Good Time” is the first debut single to simultaneously peak on Billboard’s Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts since Sam Hunt’s “Leave The Night On” in 2014. The hit single, which has more than 197 million on-demand audio streams, is co-written by Moon, his wife Anna Moon, Jordan Minton, Joshua Murty and Mark Trussell.
Moon is currently self-producing his debut full-length project alongside Murty, a longtime collaborator and friend.
Sony Music Publishing Promotes Tom Foley
/by LB CantrellTom Foley
Sony Music Publishing has announced the promotion of Tom Foley to Senior Vice President, Worldwide Portfolio Management and Analysis. Based in the company’s Nashville office, Foley reports to Sony Music Publishing Global Chief Financial Officer, Tom Kelly.
In his new role, Foley is responsible for providing analysis on the performance of the company’s investments around the world and working with regional and local management teams to maximize investment returns.
Sony Music Publishing’s Kelly says “Tom has been a vital and dedicated member of our team since he began at EMI Music Publishing in 1998—his knowledge and expertise have helped us adapt to the industry’s ever-changing landscape and I’m confident he will create more growth opportunities for our roster in this new role.”
“I am very excited to continue working with Tom and Jon [Platt], who have guided and mentored me throughout my career. I look forward to helping them deliver for Sony Music Publishing and its songwriters the greatest value for their catalogues in an ever growing and evolving music marketplace,” says Foley.
Previously, Foley held the position of Vice President, North American Royalty Administration in Nashville, where he helped his team implement several new technologies, such as Real-Time Foreign accounting and Cash Out. He first joined Sony from EMI in 2013 as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, where he led the department during period of rapid expansion after the EMI Music Publishing acquisition. He originally began working at EMI Music Publishing in 1998, holding various roles in royalties and finance. Tom is a graduate of Georgetown University with a degree in business administration.
Reba’s ‘All The Women I Am’ Concert Special To Premiere On YouTube
/by Lorie HollabaughReba McEntire is premiering her All The Women I Am concert special exclusively on YouTube this Friday, March 12, marking the first time the concert has been available digitally and in its entirety.
The concert was filmed in 2011 at the Cajundome in Layfayette, Louisiana and features the country legend performing some of her greatest hits including “Is There Life Out There,” “Turn On The Radio” and more. The special will premiere at 7:30 p.m. CT and Reba will celebrate with fans through a chat on her YouTube channel. Last year, Reba released two additional concert specials with YouTube, 1990’s Reba In Concert and 1994’s Reba: Live, which were a huge success with over 100,000 fans viewing in just the first three days. The Country Music Hall of Fame member also re-released her legendary album, Rumor Has It, last year in celebration of the 30th Anniversary.
“2011 was the last time we got to go out and play a big arena tour, and I’m so glad we captured this show on film. I know it’s not the same as being there in person, but I hope this gives my fans something to enjoy until we can get back out there on the road safely,” says Reba.
Reba recently reprised her guest starring role on CBS’ hit comedy Young Sheldon as the fiery character June, Dale’s ex-wife. She’ll make her third appearance on the sitcom this Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m. CT.
Sony Music Publishing Extends Global Deal With Luke Bryan
/by LB CantrellLuke Bryan. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson
Sony Music Publishing has announced it has renewed a global deal with Luke Bryan.
The four-time Entertainer of the Year and American Idol judge has earned 26 career No. 1 singles, including 13 he co-wrote—among them “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” “Huntin’, Fishin’, And Lovin’ Every Day,” “Move,” “Fast,” “What Makes You Country” and more.
“I’ve enjoyed many years with Sony Music Publishing and I’m happy to continue our partnership. Songwriters are the backbone of country music and being included in this category with arguably the biggest company in the business is unreal. I’m so thankful,” Bryan says.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston says, “I am personally so excited for Luke to extend his long-standing relationship with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. His songs are genuine enough to touch the heart of the individual listener and engaging enough to bring an entire stadium to its feet.”
Bryan launched his music career as a songwriter. He first gained prominence after co-writing Billy Currington’s No. 1 single “Good Directions.” Soon to follow was Bryan’s success as an artist with his breakthrough single “All My Friends Say,” from his debut album I’ll Stay Me.
Since his debut in 2009, Bryan has earned more RIAA certified digital singles than any other country act with 54.5 million, tallied 14.6 billion streams, sold 12.5 million albums, and earned seven RIAA album certifications, 22 Platinum singles and 12 multi-Platinum singles.
Recently, Bryan announced that he plans to release a deluxe version of his seventh studio album Born Here Live Here Die Here on April 9, adding six new songs to the original 10 tracks.
CMA Announces Donation Drive, Sarah Trahern Talks Ongoing COVID Support [Interview]
/by LB CantrellThrough its Music Industry COVID Support (MICS) initiative, the Country Music Association has helped aid music industry professionals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today (March 9) the organization announced a support donation drive benefiting Musically Fed and will be accepting goods at the CMA office (35 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203) Monday, March 15 through Friday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Among the items needed are basic food items such as pasta and rice, as well as toiletries.
Food Items Needed:
Dried Pasta & Sauce
Oatmeal, Cereal
Canned Fish/Meat
Canned Fruits/Veggies
Soup, Crackers
Rice, Quinoa, Dry Beans
Peanut Butter
Nuts
Toiletries Needed:
Toothpaste
Laundry Detergent
Dish Soap
Hand Soap
Body Wash
Shaving Cream
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Musically Fed also has an Amazon Wish List, from which donations can be purchased before March 19. To direct your purchase to the food drive, select “Country Music Association, c/o FOOD DRIVE’s Gift registry” as the shipping address.
Sarah Trahern. Photo: Courtesy CMA
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern spoke to MusicRow about the donation drive, and about CMA’s continued efforts to help support music industry professionals who are struggling during this health crisis.
In the state of Tennessee alone, more than 50,000 music jobs have been impacted by the pandemic, and that number is estimated to be hundreds of thousands more nationwide.
“One of the people on our board drew a diagram for us one day and around this person’s artist, there were about 140 people directly on the road food chain—not to mention the manager in the office, a publicist, and a freelance staff,” Trahern says.
“We started working on ‘What can we do over the course of the year?’ Some of it is hard investment dollars.”
At the onset of the pandemic, CMA donated $1 million to The Recording Academy’s MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund in addition to a $100,000 donation to Music Health Alliance.
CMA has since outlined additional funding to six nonprofit partners—Music Health Alliance, Musically Fed, Notes for Notes, Porter’s Call, The Store and Touring Professionals Alliance Kitchen —which, along with previous nonprofit investments, are funded through CMA’s $3 million long-term COVID-19 commitment that began in early 2020.
The organization has continued to analyze and assess the specific needs of music professionals to determine the most vital resources and services to provide. Established as a portal for key resources in the categories of food supply, health and wellness, and career services, MICS helps to connect industry professionals with appropriate nonprofit partners offering critical support.
“One of the things that I was most proud of during this time was a small program that we worked on to help people with their resumes and to find temporary jobs for people who don’t have work right now. We don’t want them to leave our business, but they might need access to a job for six months.
“[The donation drive] is something easy for us to engage the people in the Nashville community and the people in the music community, the ones who are doing okay right now to say, ‘Hey, come lean in and help us. Help us help our brethren get back on their feet.”
While Trahern is hopeful that touring is on the horizon with vaccines beginning to roll out, programs like the resume workshop and the upcoming donation drive are put in place to help get touring professionals to the other side. “They’re not a population that is used to asking for help,” she says. “They’re the people in black, they’re the ones who crawl up in the rafters. Our business was one of the first businesses to close and we’ll probably be the last one to open back up in a lot of ways.”
CMA will march on to support the music industry during this hardship. “We’re going to continue to support programs around the country. We’re doing another nationwide program that will be announced in the next few weeks with six to eight markets that are music cities outside of Nashville, but that have a high density of people in the music business who are hurting right now. We’ll continue our support with groups like the Music Health Alliance, and Porter’s Call to work on creating access to mental health resources during this time.”
Corey Crowder Breaks Into Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellCorey Crowder. Photo: Nicola Harger
Songwriter-producer Corey Crowder makes his way into the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, as a co-writer on Florida Georgia Line’s “Long Live,” Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage,” Chris Young and Kane Brown’s “Famous Friends,” and Chase Rice feat. Florida Georgia Line’s “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.”
Josh Osborne remains at No. 1 again this week, with Morgan Wallen’s “Sand In My Boots,” Darius Rucker’s “Beers And Sunshine,” Rascal Flatts’ “How They Remember You,” Sam Hunt’s “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s,” and Carly Pearce’s “Next Girl.”
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.
Kobalt Music Signs Admin Deal With Claire Guerreso
/by LB CantrellClaire Guerreso
Singer-songwriter Claire Guerreso has signed an exclusive administrative agreement with Kobalt Music.
Combining all genres of music into a power mixture of her own song creations, Guerreso specializes in making and performing music for media outlets such as film and TV as well as writing with and for other artists.
Her ability to both write and perform in any genre has taken her music around the world. Equally apt at writing dark, ethereal songs, upbeat dance tracks and introspective ballads, her music has been featured in shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19, Reign, Lucifer, Pretty Little Liars, Shades of Blue, The Walking Dead, American Ninja Warrior and more. She has also had placements in national ad campaigns for Samsung and Ford. In total, her music has garnered an excess of 20 million streams across all platforms.
“I am very happy to be working with Kobalt and their amazing team,” says Guerreso. “It feels great to be a creative part of this company with people who are passionate about music and finding the right place for songs. I’m excited to see what we can do together!”
“I’m very excited to welcome Claire to the Kobalt family. Her ability to work across multiple genres, international markets and the tremendous success she’s had in the Sync world makes her the perfect fit for our creative roster,” says Kobalt GM, Jesse Willoughby.
Sony’s Beyond The Instrument Initiative Benefits Music Education
/by Sarah SkatesNoah Cyrus is the inaugural ambassador for Beyond The Instrument.
Sony Music Group has launched Beyond The Instrument, an annual program to advance educational resources and promote career development within the music industry.
Noah Cyrus is the inaugural program ambassador and will kick off an educational workshop series with a virtual discussion with students at Antioch High School in Nashville. The four-week series of music industry education workshops is part of a partnership between Sony and Music Forward.
Sony’s Beyond The Instrument program will also fund the Save The Music J Dilla Music Technology Grant, offering a comprehensive package of musical instruments, sound engineering equipment, and technology software which will be delivered to the school in time for the 2021-22 school year.
Cyrus said, “Music has always been such a huge part of my life and I was extremely fortunate to grow up in a family where I was constantly surrounded by music; I really experienced the benefits firsthand of learning and creating music at a very young age, providing me an emotional outlet and passion that I am still beyond thankful for everyday. This is why I am so honored and excited to be the inaugural program ambassador of Beyond The Instrument, and for the chance to give back to Nashville, a city that’s very near and dear to my heart.”
Tim McGraw To Headline Virtual Heart Strings For Hope Benefit
/by Lorie HollabaughAn all-star line-up of performers including Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Scotty McCreery, Ashley McBryde and Lauren Alaina are set for MultiCare’s Heart Strings for Hope concert. The event will be streamed across the nation on March 9 and will raise funds to support mental health care, while providing hope and healing through music.
Hosted by Bryan White, the schedule also includes Jordan Fisher, Mat Kearney, Payton Smith, Lindsay Ell, Lindsey Lomis, Matthew West, Cory Wong, Chuck Wicks, Phil Vassar, Mitch Rossell, Jimmy Wayne, Lexie Hayden, Marc Broussard, Craig Campbell, Jason Crabb, Payton Smith, Ty Herndon, Terri Clark, Music Travel Love, Troubadour 77, and Kade Puckett.
Tickets and donations made through vye.live will jointly benefit MultiCare Inland Northwest Foundation and MusiCares. The Foundation will use the proceeds to elevate and expand access to care for Behavioral Health services in the Inland Northwest. MusiCares will use the proceeds to support mental health care in the music community across the nation.
The show will be streamed live and tickets are pay what you can: $10, $25, $50 per household.