UMG Nashville Adds Boy Named Banjo To Roster

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Top Row: UMG Nashville EVP & COO Mike Harris, Barton Davies, Red Light Management’s Angie Coonrod, Ford Garrard. Second Row: William Reames, Sam McCullough, UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan, Willard Logan. Bottom Row: UMG Nashville SVP Business & Legal Affairs Rob Femia, Red Light Management’s Tom Becci, UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe, UMG Nashville EVP Promotion Royce Risser, UMG Nashville EVP A&R Brian Wright

Universal Music Group Nashville has signed Nashville-based country band Boy Named Banjo, which includes members William Reames, Willard Logan, Barton Davies, Sam McCullough, and Ford Garrard. The band members and UMG Nashville held a virtual meeting to celebrate the signing.

The band incorporates elements of country, bluegrass, alt-rock and folk-pop into their sound, anchored by an authentic lyrical perspective.

Influenced by artists such as The Steeldrivers, John Hartford, and The Infamous Stringdusters, Boy Named Banjo has crafted a sound that incorporates an energetic blend of country, bluegrass, alt-rock, and folk-pop telling their stories through an honest, emotional, roots-driven perspective.

UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO, Mike Dungan, says, “Not one boy, but five. Nashville natives, and raised far from the red dirt road, these incredibly talented young men formed their band while they were 16-year old prep school classmates. Eight years later and this band is road tested, polished just enough, and poised to deliver their own fresh and exciting thing to country music. Our staff is hooked, and we are thrilled to bring them to the mainstream!”

John Anderson’s New Album ‘Years’ Drops Today

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John Anderson’s new album, Years, is out today on Easy Eye Sound.

In celebration of the release, the official video for Anderson’s new song, “I’m Still Hangin’ On,” is debuting today as well. Produced by Dan Auerbach and David “Fergie” Ferguson, the album includes 10 new originals including “Tuesday I’ll Be Gone” featuring special guest Blake Shelton. Anderson penned all 10 songs on the album together along with help from Paul Overstreet, Pat McLaughlin, Ferguson, Dee White, Joe Allen, Bobby Wood and Larry Cordle.

“We went in the studio, and I remember saying, ‘I’m going to do this like it might be my last,’” Anderson offers, “It still could be, but now the chances of that are getting slimmer and slimmer every day. I’m doing better so I’m not hardly thinking that way anymore.” He adds, “There’s a few things that I came out of this whole deal better with. Part of it is my love for music and part of it is my appreciation for my family. But the biggest part is knowing that I might die here any minute, for who knows what reason, but I know that the good Lord already came down and touched me. There’s not a doubt in my mind.”

YEARS TRACK LIST:
1. I’m Still Hangin’ On (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Paul Overstreet)
2. Celebrate (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach)
3. Years (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Pat McLaughlin, David Ferguson)
4. Tuesday I’ll Be Gone ft. Blake Shelton (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, David Ferguson)
5. What’s a Man Got To Do (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Dee White, David Ferguson)
6. Wild and Free (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Joe Allen)
7. Slow Down (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Bobby Wood)
8. All We’re Really Looking For (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Larry Cordle)
9. Chasing Down a Dream (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, David Ferguson)
10. You’re Nearly Nothing (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach)

Bobby Bones Rolling Out New Super Easy Trivia Show

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Bobby Bones will be hosting rounds of a new game show, Super Easy Trivia, every Tuesday and Friday at 10 a.m. CT airing on his IGTV, YouTube Channel and Facebook. Featuring a mixture of celebrity guests that have included Jake Owen and Andy Roddick, The Bobby Bones Show listeners, as well as personal friends, contestants face off from their homes in multiple knock-out rounds of “easy” rapid-fire trivia with the final contestant earning a $100 prize.

Today’s new episode of Super Easy Trivia features Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, Travis Denning, sports talk show host Matt Jones and more.

“I’ve always loved game shows and thought this would be a fun way for us all to connect while we’re home and take a break from the nonstop tough news we’re constantly being given,” said Bones. “Share with your friends and join us!”

Last week, Bones surprised fans with LIVE IN LITTLE ROCK, a new album from Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots. The album features eight new tracks recorded on their most recent nationwide tour, It’s Just The Two Of Us…(Sorry).

Morris Higham Management Raises $4,000 For TJ Martell Foundation’s Phran Galante Memorial Fund

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Morris Higham Management brought “Songs for a Cause” to Joe’s Pub in New York City last month. Presented by City National Bank, the inaugural show in this year’s benefit series featured Michael Ray, Carly Pearce, Ryan Griffin, and Luke Laird. Over $4,000 was raised with proceeds benefiting TJ Martell Foundation’s Phran Galante Memorial Fund for Lung Cancer Research.

“Songs for a Cause” follows last year’s “Morris Higham Presents at The Bluebird Cafe” series which supported various industry charities including CMA Foundation, MusiCares and ACM Lifting Lives and raised over $7,000.

“We lost Phran Galante, a dear friend to me and so many others last fall. She was fiercely passionate about the work being done by a number of charities in our community and was a tireless champion for them. To be able to support TJ Martell with a gift to the fund named in Phrannie’s honor means a lot to our team,” shares Morris Higham partner and president Clint Higham.

“We started this series at the Bluebird last year as a way to give back to our incredible industry partners and support all they do to sustain the future of country music,” Higham continues. “This year we plan to continue in that spirit but wanted to take the music to New York City and spread the love. The goal remains the same though, supporting the incredible work being done by organizations like TJ Martell that provide aid to our industry family in times of crisis.”

Sound Royalties Extends $20 Million No-Cost Funding Program

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Sound Royalties has extended its $20 million, no-cost funding program application deadline to May 16. Songwriters, performing artists, producers, independent labels, distributors and publishers receiving royalty income can apply for financing on a one-year repayment schedule, with no fees or costs.

In addition to the 12-month, no-cost advance option, terms that extend beyond one-year are also available. Applicants are qualified based on verifiable royalty income of at least $5,000 per year.
Sound Royalties provides funding to music creatives without requiring copyrights to be secured as collateral. The company also offers pass-through income so a creative can still receive ongoing royalty payments.

“Based on the overwhelming response from the music community, we’re continuing our no-cost funding program and also want to emphasize that many independent labels and publishers are eligible,” says Alex Heiche, CEO and founder of Sound Royalties. “The past month has been brutal for the music industry with so many event cancellations and payment delays. With this extension to apply for a no-cost advance, we will continue our efforts to ease some of the burden caused by this unprecedented interruption in business.”

“Most musicians, songwriters, and producers, as well as many music industry entrepreneurs, are considered self-employed, independent contractors or sole proprietors of small businesses,” said Michael Bizenov, President of Sound Royalties. “These individuals, are being hit hard right now and we’re glad to be able to offer them this no-cost option.”

Sound Royalties launched in 2014 and has worked with musicians including DJ Khaled, Rich Robinson, Pitbull, Brenda K. Starr and more.

Weekly Chart Report (4/10/20)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.

Jillian Edwards’ New Project ‘Meadow’ Set For May

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Jillian Edwards is debuting the first single, “Heaven’s Eyes,” from her forthcoming EP, Meadow, today (April 10). The new project is set for release on May 15 on her label, The Deeply Co. and features a collection of songs ready-made for rest, solitude and comfort, much needed in the season the world is currently facing.Meadow includes tracks co-written with David Leonard, Jonathan Smith, Peter Groenwald, Josh Bronleewe, Tony Wood and Jessie Early, and was produced by Lucas Morton and executive-produced by Grammy-winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman, her father-in-law.

“I’ve always felt like God has given me a clear vision that music is what I’m made to do,” Edwards says. “I want to provide healing, and that for me comes in beauty. So that’s the heart of these songs. I really want them to be medicine for hurting people, and that’s everyone. If my biggest dream for Meadow comes true, it would be that someone who is walking through the worst day of their life could hear these songs and have peace take over their heart knowing that God is crazy about them, and He works all things together for good.”

Edwards resides in Nashville with her husband, Will, drummer for indie rock band Colony House, and their daughter, Willow Faye, and along with her own projects has also had songs featured in television episodes of Nashville, Pretty Little Liars and Grey’s Anatomy, and on commercials for Citibank, among other high-profile brands. In addition, a collaboration with EDM DJ Thomas Gold resulted in a surprise hit for the singer/songwriter with “Magic,” on which she is credited as a co-writer and featured vocalist.

Chris Colston To Release Debut Album ‘Bombs Away’ In June

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Singer-songwriter Chris Colston is set to release his debut full-length project, Bombs Away, on June 26.

Colston, an East Texas native, credits his stepfather with helping to spark his love of music, by signing Colston up for drum lessons at age 7. He later picked up guitar and by 17 had formed his first band and was touring around Texas.

Colston became a favorite on the Texas music scene with the release of his 2018 EP Gone. The EP’s title track earned more than a half-million streams on Spotify, and Colston has since opened shows for Casey Donahew, Whiskey Myers and Parker McCollum, among others.

His new project was produced by Philip Mosley and includes songs penned by Colston, Jameson Rogers, Randy Montana, Morgan Wallen, Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Erik Dylan and more.

Bombs Away Track Listing:
Five Beers (Jordan Walker / Brett Tyler / Bart Butler)
First Dirt Road (Josh Michael Phillips, Jessi Jo Dillon, Erik Dylan)
Bombs Away (Jameson Rodgers / Justin Lantz)
First Tattoo (AJ Pruis / Morgan Wallen)
I Hope It Hurts (Erik Dylan/Randy Montana/Hunter Phelps)
Lovin’ You’s Like (Randy Montana/Jessi Alexander/Connie Harrington)
Whiskey Sunset (Randy Montana/ Michael Dulaney)
Self Defense (Jameson Rogers, Brandon Kinney)
Stay feat. Peyton Garner (Chris Colston/Eamond Mcauley)

iHeartMedia Morning Shows Extend Airtime Due To Demand During COVID-19 Pandemic

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iHeartMedia morning shows including Nashville’s “The Bobby Bones Show,” New York’s “Elvis Duran and The Morning Show” and “The Breakfast Club,” and Los Angeles’ “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” and “Big Boy’s Neighborhood” are extending their daily airtime for an additional hour+ because of increased listener demand received through daily call-ins and social media feedback during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently more than 65 morning shows across more than 50 markets have officially extended their morning shows by at least one hour. In addition to each station’s regular programming schedules, on air personalities across the country will continue to serve and inform communities during these unprecedented times with the latest COVID 19 facts, with special local market broadcast reports on the latest news provided by iHeartRadio’s 24/7 News Network every hour.

“Given the amount of positive feedback our stations were receiving from their listeners, our on air talent began asking them if they should stay on air longer in the mornings — and the response was incredible,” said Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer of iHeartMedia. “This listener feedback, combined with the data we are seeing with our on demand shows, is a testament to the connection that our radio personalities have with their listeners, and the fact that broadcast radio still holds such a unique place in American culture especially during a time of crisis. These on-air voices are trusted friends with close emotional connections to their listeners, and they inspire their communities; and help them cope with anxiety and concern; and provide entertainment and stress relief.”

iHeartMedia also recently released data and insights on how Americans are consuming podcasts during the pandemic, noticing an uptick in the on-demand podcasts category with Top 5 on-demand shows up nine percent month-to-date. In addition, with consumers spending more time at home, iHeartRadio usage across digital platforms has seen an overall increase in smart speakers, for some as high as 57 percent, 60 percent on web, 35 percent through smart TVs and social engagement with on air personalities has increased 19 percent.

DISClaimer: Tenille Townes, The Randy Rogers Band, Tim Dugger Top New Tracks

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It’s a spread-the-love kinda day here at DISClaimer.

We have three Disc of the Day winners. The female prize goes to the always awesome Tenille Townes. Our male winner is Tim Dugger, another dependable artist. The group award belongs to veteran crowd pleasers The Randy Rogers Band. All three of these acts deserve far more radio airplay than they are currently receiving.

We have no newcomers today, and thus no DisCovery honoree.

DRAKE WHITE/Eat, Drink & Dream
Writer: Drake White/Tommy Cecil/Greylan James; Publisher: none listed; Producers: Jaren Johnston & Drake White; Reverend White Records
-Loose limbed, rhythmic and funky. It is somewhat over-produced, since it doesn’t give you a sense of what a strong singer/performer this guy is. But I remain a fan.

TENILLE TOWNES/The Most Beautiful Things
Writers: Gordie Sampson/Josh Kear/Tenille Townes; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Jay Joyce; Columbia
-She is a treasure. This touching ballad meditates about the glorious beauty that is all around us, but seldom noticed. Moving and meaningful.

JESSI ALEXANDER & RANDY HOUSER/Country Music Made Me Do It
Writers: Jessi Alexander/John Osborne/TJ Osborne; Producers: Jessi Alexander/Jon Randall Stewart/Leslie Richter; Publisher: none listed; Lost Creek
-This is a rump shaker, complete with a pumpin’ backbeat and twangin’ lead guitar. Not to mention two of our most outstanding vocalists. Tap your toes and bop along.

KAREN WALDRUP & WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Me Again
Writers: Danny Wells/Karen Waldrup/Phillip White; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; KW
-I’m not sure what Morgan is doing on this track. He murmurs along charmingly, but it’s really her performance from top to bottom. It’s a lovely ballad about love rescuing a broken spirit.

TIM DUGGER/Home Away From Home
Writers: Andrew DeRoberts/Andy Albert/Devin Dawson; Producer: Brandon Hood; Publisher: none listed; Curb
-I like it that it is a stone-country lyric married to an ultra contemporary production. He sings with warmth and charm about your favorite watering hole. It might be a dive, but it’s where everybody knows your name. I’m into this.

BRANTLEY GILBERT/Fire’t Up
Writers: Brandon Day/Brantley Gilbert/Justin Weaver; Producer: Brandon Day; Publisher: Indiana Angel Music, Songs Of Rhythm House, Songs Of Roc Nation Music, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., Songs Of Peer, Sound Wagon Songs; BMLG
– Brantley’s party invitation promises like a raucous, rocking good time. It’s kinda brainless and repetitive, but maybe that’s what makes it work.

SHERYL CROW & CITIZEN COPE/Lonely Town, Lonely Street
Writer: Bill Withers; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Steve Jordan; SC
-Sheryl is here to remind us that we lost one of the greats last week. Bill Withers created “Grandma’s Hands,” “Use Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me,” then completely dropped out of the music game more than 30 years ago. I’ve never forgotten him, and neither should you. Let this insistent R&B groover serve as a memorial.

RANDY ROGERS BAND/You, Me and a Bottle
Writers: Aaron Raitiere/Kenton Bryant/Randy Rogers; Publisher: none listed; Producers: Tommy Jackson; Thirty Tigers
-Don’t let the title mislead you. It’s really quite sweet and romantic. These guys always seem to hit emotional targets perfectly.

MACKENZIE PORTER/These Days
Writers: Mackenzie Porter/Parker Welling/Jordan Sapp; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Mackenzie Porter/Tunes By Trailerparker/Songs of Home Team, no performance rights listed; Producer: Joey Moi/Dave Cohen; Big Loud
-The nostalgia in the lyric is touching. Unfortunately, the over-produced and too-pop track makes it almost impossible to grasp.

TEDDY ROBB/ Me On You
Writers: Deric Ruttan/Ryan Beaver; Producer: Shane McAnally/Ben Fowler/Matt McGinn; Publisher: none listed; Monument
-This continues his perfect winning streak. The steady rhythm and chiming guitar work is mixed perfectly beneath his ultra cool vocal performance. A breezy, uplifting ride through springtime. Climb on board.