Pictured (L-R): Producer Jason Massey, Kobalt’s Jesse Willoughby, David Hodges (BMI), Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon, Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Leland (ASCAP), Kobalt’s Brad Beausir, Black River’s Rick Froio, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, and Producer Forest Glen Whitehead. Photo: Steve Lowry
After a 15-month drought of female artists in the top spot on the Mediabase country singles chart, Kelsea Ballerini‘s industry fans and friends gathered to celebrate the feat for the Platinum-selling, punching track “Miss Me More.”
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen led the charge for ASCAP writers Ballerini and Brett McLaughlin, as well as BMI writer David Hodges. Producers Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey were both on hand to celebrate.
“Since her Gold-certified 2015 debut, she has consistently made history,” Brinker said. “She’s the only female country artist to achieve three consecutive No. 1 songs from a debut album, the Grand Ole Opry welcomed her as its youngest current member, she has garnered two Grammy award nominations, won two ACM awards, took home iHeart Radio’s amazing honor Best New Artist. Kelsea was also the first female to top the Mediabase chart in 15 months, and earned back to back No. 1’s with ‘Legends’ and ‘Miss Me More.'”
“Girl, you are an undeniable vocalist, a singer, a songwriter, a performer, and you continue to elevate country music for a new generation, a new era,” Brinker gushed. “And here’s the thing, when you have an audience, you have to know that people are listening. It’s important that you’re not just saying something, you’re saying something. And we hear you.”
Brinker also let the crowd know that the “Miss Me More” No. 1 party was also a first No. 1 party for co-writer Brett McLaughlin—also known as Leland—an L.A.-based songwriter, producer and artist that has had hits with Daya, Selena Gomez, Tryoe Sivan, Lauv, and more.
“He was born and raised in Mississippi, he moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University. We’re so happy that with all of the success that you’ve had in Los Angeles, you’re coming home a little bit too. You’re bring your very thoughtful lyrics and your powerful messages to another format, and helping to create such meaningful anthems,” Brinker said to the beaming songwriter.
Keen stepped up to the mic to talk about co-writer David Hodges.
“David is a multi-Platinum, Grammy and BMI-award winning songwriter and producer, I think many of us are familiar with his talent. But just to reiterate, of course David was a founding member of Evanescence, as you can see,” Keen said motioning to Hodges’ tattooed covered arms while he and the crowd laughed.
“But I also have to name some of his top singles just to give you a span of his talent. ‘My Immortal’ for Evanescence, ‘A Thousand Years’ for Christina Perri, ‘Because of You’ for Kelly Clarkson song, ‘Dear Hate’ for Maren Morris and Vince Gill, and ‘See You Again’ for Carrie Underwood. He’s all over the map with talent and covering all different genres,” Keen said.
Kobalt’s Brad Beausir spoke at his first No. 1 party, “I’m like sweating and this is my first one, so if it’s terrible, sorry,” he joked.
“I started working at Kobalt like two and half months ago and largely to work with people like David Hodges,” Beausir said. “I have admired you from afar for a long time. The more that I get to know you, the more that it’s true. You are absolutely amazing. You’re everything you could ever want in a hit songwriter. When you sing a demo, I die. When you let someone else sing it, it’s not as good.
“Lately I’ve been booking a ton of people that have been coming to Nashville, and I always tell them, ‘This is a lot harder than you think.’ It’s not easy to break into this community. It’s tight-knit, people know who they love and honestly we have the best writers in the world. So if you’re gonna do it, don’t just try to do it. Do it your very best. Get to know them, meet them, have dinner with them, get to know their families, David did that. He has really invested in this place. You did it right and you’re the example that I try to tell everyone of how to do it best,” he continued.
“Kelsea, you are what our city needs. You’re honest, you’re real. In a struggling environment for women, your songs shine,” Beausir summed.
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg stepped up to the mic to speak about Brett.
“It’s so neat when you get to see people grow and become these amazing songwriters or artists or both. I was adjudicator for a Belmont showcase, and you go and you’re sitting in this empty theater and it’s quiet and awkward. And these kids are coming up one by one and hoping that you’ll vote them through to the showcase. Every kid would come up with their guitar and sing their sad, heartfelt ballad. And then here comes this guy and he gets up on stage in this snazzy suit and he’s got a full band, it’s like Prince. I was so surprised and I was so impressed, that I went to the show.
“I think the only thing that’s changed is you’re not surprising anybody, everybody knows how good you are. You continue to show it over and over, whether it’s through your artistry or your songwriting,” Van Valkenburg said.
Van Valkenburg made sure to recognize Jason Owen and the Sandbox Entertainment team.
Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon was on hand to gush about Kelsea. “I know, Kelsea, we don’t have to tell you that five No. 1 songs in four years is a big deal, but it’s a big deal. Having multiple Platinum singles and streams totaling in the billions is a big deal. I’m honored to be able to recognize and celebrate your success today.”
Gordon also made a point to recognize the Black River radio promotion staff.
“She represents what Black River is all about,” Black River’s Rick Froio said. “She’s the heart and soul of our company, we all rally around her and we all rejoice in her victories which have been many.”
Pictured: (L-R): Producer Jason Massey, David Hodges (BMI), Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), Leland(ASCAP), Producer Forest Glen Whitehead. Photo: Steve Lowry
When it came time for the creators to speak, Kelsea’s longtime collaborator—and producer on “Miss Me More”—Forest Glen Whitehead led the way.
“We’re grateful for Black River for believing in a great record, for working it hard. I’m grateful to y’all for writing an awesome song, the guitar lick that inspired it all or whatever that thing was, it’s super inspiring. We’re excited to have another one, this is amazing. Blessings on blessings,” he said.
Producer Jason Massey echoed the praises. “Thank you guys for giving us something awesome to work with from the start,” he said to the writers.
“I just first want to say thank you to Kelsea for messaging me on Twitter the day you did, and saying you were in L.A. and wanted to see if we could write,” Brett said. “I was already planning my strategy of trying to set up a session with Kelsea anyways, so that was the best moment opening my messages.
“I couldn’t be more proud to have this No. 1 be with a female country artist,” he said. “That to me is very special and very important.”
“My wife and I and our family moved here about three years ago, but for the last twelve years, I’ve been coming to Nashville mainly because I’ve always loved the respect and the level craft of the storytelling that Nashville has, that truly no other city in the world has. London makes great music and L.A. makes great music, Sydney and other places but Nashville is really, really special. It’s meant a lot to me how much this Nashville community has embraced me,” Hodges said.
Hodges thanked Kelsea and Brett, Josh Van Valkenburg, Black River, Kobalt, and his team at Milk & Honey.
“I’m a singer, not a talker, first of all,” said the woman of the hour when she was handed the mic. “My first several songs were ‘Love Me Like You Mean It’ and ‘Dibs’ and ‘Yeah, Boy,’ and that kind of stuff and the comments that I would get in meet and greets were like ‘Oh my gosh, “Dibs” is like me and my boyfriend’s song,’ and I love that. I love having those songs that are like the soundtrack to people’s love stories and their crushes and all that stuff. This was the first song where people would come up and say, ‘This helped me get through a divorce, this helped me get through an abusive relationship,’ and for me, as a songwriter, to be able to be in meet and greets and hear people give me their testimony, it’s incredible.
“I wouldn’t have had the confidence to put out ‘homecoming queen?’ if I didn’t put this out first,” Kelsea said with emotion.
“Black River, you’ve done the thing that no one can do and that’s get a song from a female up the charts,” she said.
Kelsea made sure to thank the Black River radio promo team, her co-writers, and her manager, Jason Owen.
Pictured (L-R): Black River’s Rick Froio, David Hodges (BMI), Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), Leland (ASCAP), Producer Forest Glen Whitehead, Producer Jason Massey. Photo: Steve Lowry
PR Roundup: Marushka Media, Elicity, Morris PR, Alison Auerbach PR
/by Lorie HollabaughMarushka Media Expands
Jackie Marushka has expanded her Nashville-based public relations agency, Marushka Media, with a new office in Santa Fe. In addition to news of her new office, she has signed her first New Mexico-based client: Rio Grande Studios, a state-of-the-art recording studio housed in a two-century-old adobe building in Albuquerque. Rio Grande Studios boasts an impressive client list including Walt Disney Pictures, Sony Music, Netflix and Lionsgate. Individual clients include comedian Chris D’Elia, Switchfoot, Underoath, producer/vocalist Aaron Gillespie, and recent winner of The Voice Chevel Shepard.
Nashville Music Media Rebrands Into Elicity
(L-R:) Brittany Finley, Avery King, Elise Anderson and Heather Hourigan
Photo credit: Chrissy Yoder
Boutique publicity firm Nashville Music Media has rebranded as Elicity Public Relations. The company was founded in 2011 by Owner/Publicist Elise Anderson and has recently added Brittany Finley as Senior Publicity Manager and Heather Hourigan as Publicity and Brand Partnerships Manager joining Avery King, who was recently promoted to Director of Publicity.
Bluegrass/Americana Artists Darin & Brooke Aldridge Ink Joint PR Deal
Morris Public Relations and Alison Auerbach Public Relations have jointly signed bluegrass/Americana artists Darin & Brooke Aldridge for publicity and artist development. Darin & Brooke Aldridge are signed to Rounder Records and managed by Brian Smith/Leadership Artists.
Morris Public Relations is owned by Erin Morris Huttlinger and AAPR is owned by Alison Auerbach. The two publicists have worked joint projects for nearly 25 years. Their combined rosters include Vince Gill, The Time Jumpers, Nefesh Mountain, Teea Goans, Sean Della Croce, Stephanie Urbina-Jones, Pete Huttlinger Music, Joe Robinson and others.
Weekly Register: Whiskey Myers Debuts Atop Country Albums Chart
/by Jessica NicholsonWhiskey Myers, which released their self-titled album via their own Wiggy Thump Records in partnership with Thirty Tigers, has debuted atop the country albums chart and the Americana/Folk chart, with 42K in total consumption (39K of which were in album sales), according to Nielsen Soundscan. The Texas band’s album cut “Gasoline” is at No. 38 on the Active Rock radio chart, and over the past year, they have performed at Stagecoach, opened a stadium show for The Rolling Stones, and earned sync opportunities on shows Yellowstone and What/If.
Capitol Records Nashville’s Jon Pardi debuts at No. 2 with Heartache Medication, with 34K (23K album only/12 million song streams). Sturgill Simpson‘s Sound & Fury debuts at No. 3 with 32K (26K album-only and 6.6 million song streams). Luke Combs‘ This One’s For You is at No. 4 with 19.5K (2K album only/22.6 million song streams). Dan + Shay‘s self-titled effort is at No. 5 with 13K in total consumption (620 album only/16 million song streams).
Blanco Brown continues to top the on-demand country streaming songs rankings, with “The Git Up” earning 15 million streams this week, and earning more than 330 million streams to date. At No. 2 is Morgan Wallen‘s “Whiskey Glasses” with 7.577 million song streams. Combs’ “Beautiful Crazy” is close behind at No. 3 with 7.576 million streams. Wallen is at No. 4 as a featured guest on Diplo‘s “Heartless” which earned 7.2 million streams this week. Combs rounds out the Top 5 with “Beer Never Broke My Heart” with 7 million streams.
Ross Copperman Moves Into No. 2 Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellWith co-writer credits on “Living” (Dierks Bentley), “Tip Of My Tongue” (Kenny Chesney) and “Catch” (Brett Young), Ross Copperman moves up three slots this week to the No. 2 position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Ashley Gorley stays at No. 1, a position he has been occupying for the tenth consecutive week.
The Top Five is rounded out by Jon Nite at No. 3, Blanco Brown at No. 4 and Hillary Lindsey at No. 5.
Laura Veltz moves into the No. 6 position, and Luke Combs drops down to No. 7.
The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the first songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Matt Stell’s “Prayed For You” Hits No. 1
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto Credit Matthew Berinato
Matt Stell has landed his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart with his debut single, “Prayed for You,” marking the only debut single from an artist to hit the top spot on the Country Airplay chart in 2019. The most recent debut single to hit No. 1 was Jimmie Allen’s “Best Shot,” which reached the pinnacle on Nov. 24, 2018.
Penned by Stell, Ash Bowers, and Allison Veltz, the song has amassed 99 million streams and was certified Gold by the RIAA last month. He discussed the genesis of the tune earlier this year with MusicRow.
“It’s hard to believe that ‘Prayed for You’ is Billboard’s No. 1 country song in the U.S. this week,” exclaimed Stell. “I won’t be able to ever thank my fellow writers, Ash Bowers and Allison Veltz, and my RECORDS/Arista Nashville/Wide Open/GCE team enough.”
“Prayed For You” along with “Home In A Hometown,” a collaboration with Jimmie Allen, can be found on Stell’s EP, Everywhere But On.
UMPG Signs Brad Tursi
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): UMPG’s Ron Stuve, Troy Tomlinson, Cyndi Forman, Brad Tursi, Travis Gordon, Missy Roberts, Terry Wakefield
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has signed songwriter/artist Brad Tursi to a global co-publishing deal for his future works. In addition, UMPG has acquired Tursi’s catalog of hit songs.
Tursi is a member of Old Dominion, and has written nine Country Airplay No. 1 songs, including six of Old Dominion’s seven chart-topping hits such as “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart,” “Written in the Sand,” “Make It Sweet,” and more. Tursi has also co-written multiple chart-toppers for other artists, including Luke Bryan’s “Light It Up” and Kenny Chesney’s “Save It for a Rainy Day.”
Troy Tomlinson, Chairman and CEO of UMPG Nashville, said, “Signing Brad provides that unique opportunity to work with a hit songwriter who not only writes hits for Old Dominion but also for other superstar artists. That, coupled with securing the rights to his entire back catalog, means lots of opportunities for us. We are grateful for his trust in our team.”
Said Tursi, “I’m so excited to work with a bunch of great folks that I’ve considered family for years. I am humbled and grateful to be part of the team.”
Travis Gordon, Senior A&R Director, UMPG Nashville said, “All the greats have a signature. Some have an unending well of deep lyric sensibility, some were given the gift of melody, while others have a unique sonic identity. With Brad, you get all of the above. He’s a songwriter’s songwriter and we’re so proud to officially welcome him home as part of the Universal family.”
Old Dominion’s songs have earned more than one billion streams. The band is currently headlining arenas and amphitheaters across the globe on their “Make It Sweet” tour. Their forthcoming, self-titled studio album is set for release on Oct. 25, 2019.
Symphonic Distribution Teams With Bubba Sparxxx, Alexander King For New Label [Exclusive]
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto: Elliott Kiegelis
Bubba Sparxxx, Alexander King and independent music distribution company Symphonic Distribution have partnered for a new Nashville-based indie label, 25/8 Entertainment. The label also has an office in Milwaukee.
King and Bubba Sparxxx each have their roots in southern rap, and are teaming to release new music on the label, under the title HellalujaH.
King says, “Our Vision for 25/8, HellalujaH, and all the creatives we represent is that our #1XTRADay1XTRAHour work ethic will propel and sustain us. Having a distribution partner like Symphonic who echoes our energy and ideals was the only thing we were missing for take-off.”
Randall Foster, Symphonic’s VP of Business Development and Nashville GM, says “I am so pleased to be working with King, Bubba Sparxxx, and their business partner Steve Rowe on the launch of their label, 25/8 Entertainment. They are true trailblazers in their genre and to see the fruits of their labor come into existence with 25/8 and to be a part of that story is a real honor. Expect big things from these two in the future!”
Symphonic Distribution was founded by former music producer Jorge Brea in 2006. The company is based in Tampa, Florida, with offices in Brooklyn, New York; Denver, Colorado; and Bogota, Columbia, and provides labels, managers and artists with digital music and video distribution, as well as playlist pitching, release promotion and other label services. Among the artists and labels that have utilized Symphonic Distribution are Daddy Yankee, deadmau5, Puerto Rican Latin trap singer Ozuna, and more.
The duo’s first release will be out Friday, Oct. 11.
Martina McBride Welcomes Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn For New ‘Vocal Point’ Podcast [Interview]
/by Jessica NicholsonMartina McBride’s voice and songs have sold over 18 million albums to date, earning six No. 1 hits and multiple Grammy nominations for her powerhouse signature songs such as “Independence Day” and “Blessed.”
With her new podcast, Vocal Point with Martina McBride, she is once again behind the microphone, this time interviewing her fellow artists, as well as producers and actors, including Lauren Alaina, Rosanne Cash, Sara Evans, Brenda Lee, Dustin Lynch, Loretta Lynn, actor/comedian Howie Mandel, trio Runaway June, and producer Don Was.
The podcast, from Luminary and produced by Believe Entertainment Group, launched Sept. 27.
“They approached me about doing a podcast, and at the time, I hadn’t really listened to a lot of podcasts. I just thought, ‘What can I bring that’s different?’ because lots of people have podcasts. I really just wanted it to be conversational,” she says. “I wanted to get artists out of promotional cycle, where they weren’t really promoting anything, they were just talking. It’s fascinating because their guard is down.”
Her first guest was Garth Brooks, who helped launch McBride’s own music career when he offered her an opening slot on his World Tour in 1993.
“My husband [Blackbird Studio owner John McBride] was his production manager and while I was selling T-shirts for Garth before I got a record deal. My husband’s sound equipment was overheating, it was in Arizona and it was 120 degrees. I could hear something was happening and he said, ‘The amp’s overheating.’ So I left my T-shirt position, and was dragging these bags of dry ice to help cool off the amps, and Garth saw that from the tour bus. He was like, ‘Who is that tiny girl dragging ice?’ His brother said, ‘That’s John’s wife. She sells T-shirts for you by the way.’ I had never heard the story from his perspective,” she says. “I asked Garth, ‘Why did you do that? You had never heard me sing or seen me perform. I could have been a disaster,’” But it made an impression on him, and when I got a record deal, he decided to reward that by giving me the opening slot.
Martina McBride and Garth Brooks.
“People who have listened to the first podcast with Garth have told me, ‘I felt like I was just there in the room with you.’ And that’s what I’m going for. I want it to be fun and intimate and interesting.”
On Friday (Oct. 4), the second podcast episode was released, featuring new trio Runaway June. Though McBride occasionally travels to do the interviews on location, most often she welcomes guests to Blackbird Studios, which is owned and operated by her husband John McBride and has welcomed clients ranging from Tim McGraw, Keith Urban to Daughtry, Desmond Child and Adele.
“It’s just a nice, homey feeling for me and I hope it is that way for everyone we have on the podcast,” she says. One of her personal favorite episodes is a conversation with Loretta Lynn.
“She is so sharp, and she’s had some health issues. She’s just Loretta, no filter. I wanted to get her stories in her voice. She was great and we talked about Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty and how that was touring together, and about her growing up in Butcher Hollow. “
McBride’s wish list of guests for future episodes incorporates a range of musicians, authors, actors and chefs.
“I want Don Henley, Bob Seger. Sheryl Crow has said she will do it, we are trying to find a date, Sara Bareilles, and Emeril, the OG celebrity chef. I’d want to know what it was like to do a cooking show back then because so much has changed, and how he got started cooking, what does he love about the restaurant business. I’d be curious to hear his point of view on things.”
She also welcomed producer Don Was, who produced McBride’s 2014 album Everlasting.
“He is so smart and well-spoken. He’s captivating and every time you’re around him, he draws you in. He had some very wise input for me during a time in my life where I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, musically and creatively,” she says, recalling the advice he gave her. “At a certain time in your life, we come up striving for success and we build up a lot of armor around that and when all of that starts to fall away…everybody in their life no matter what profession you have where you are not at the top of the heap anymore, whether you are a lawyer or a singer, and that armor starts to fall away. He was saying sometimes your true creative self can come out, when you aren’t doing it for any reason other than you want to.”
Most of all, McBride hopes it is those little moments of advice and wisdom that are passed along to listeners.
“I think there are so many little inspiring moments throughout the episodes, about how people have overcome challenges or their personal philosophies. I talked to Lukas Nelson—he had gone through a really dark time and his thoughts about coming out of that. I think someone out there might be listening and it can help them see a way through.”
Dan + Shay To Headline First Ever Arena Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughAmerican Express card members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning today, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. ET through Oct. 10. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting this Friday, Oct. 11, with a limited number of VIP packages available for purchase that include an incredible selection of tickets and limited-edition merchandise created exclusively for VIPs.
The tour announcement comes just days after the duo unveiled a new collaboration with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours,” as their latest single. In its first 48 hours of availability, “10,000 Hours” has already tallied more than 30 million streams globally. Ranked at No. 5 on Spotify’s Top 200 Global Chart and No. 2 on their Top 200 US Chart, it also appears on 45 global charts as well, arriving at No. 1 on China’s Netease Chart and No. 2 on China’s QQ Music Chart. The track is No. 3 on Apple Music’s Top 100: Global chart and has kept the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Top Songs chart since it was released, with the official music video reaching No. 3 on YouTube’s Trending chart, which includes all videos on YouTube.
Kelsea Ballerini Celebrates Fifth Career No. 1
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Producer Jason Massey, Kobalt’s Jesse Willoughby, David Hodges (BMI), Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon, Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Leland (ASCAP), Kobalt’s Brad Beausir, Black River’s Rick Froio, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, and Producer Forest Glen Whitehead. Photo: Steve Lowry
After a 15-month drought of female artists in the top spot on the Mediabase country singles chart, Kelsea Ballerini‘s industry fans and friends gathered to celebrate the feat for the Platinum-selling, punching track “Miss Me More.”
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen led the charge for ASCAP writers Ballerini and Brett McLaughlin, as well as BMI writer David Hodges. Producers Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey were both on hand to celebrate.
“Since her Gold-certified 2015 debut, she has consistently made history,” Brinker said. “She’s the only female country artist to achieve three consecutive No. 1 songs from a debut album, the Grand Ole Opry welcomed her as its youngest current member, she has garnered two Grammy award nominations, won two ACM awards, took home iHeart Radio’s amazing honor Best New Artist. Kelsea was also the first female to top the Mediabase chart in 15 months, and earned back to back No. 1’s with ‘Legends’ and ‘Miss Me More.'”
“Girl, you are an undeniable vocalist, a singer, a songwriter, a performer, and you continue to elevate country music for a new generation, a new era,” Brinker gushed. “And here’s the thing, when you have an audience, you have to know that people are listening. It’s important that you’re not just saying something, you’re saying something. And we hear you.”
Brinker also let the crowd know that the “Miss Me More” No. 1 party was also a first No. 1 party for co-writer Brett McLaughlin—also known as Leland—an L.A.-based songwriter, producer and artist that has had hits with Daya, Selena Gomez, Tryoe Sivan, Lauv, and more.
“He was born and raised in Mississippi, he moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University. We’re so happy that with all of the success that you’ve had in Los Angeles, you’re coming home a little bit too. You’re bring your very thoughtful lyrics and your powerful messages to another format, and helping to create such meaningful anthems,” Brinker said to the beaming songwriter.
Keen stepped up to the mic to talk about co-writer David Hodges.
“David is a multi-Platinum, Grammy and BMI-award winning songwriter and producer, I think many of us are familiar with his talent. But just to reiterate, of course David was a founding member of Evanescence, as you can see,” Keen said motioning to Hodges’ tattooed covered arms while he and the crowd laughed.
“But I also have to name some of his top singles just to give you a span of his talent. ‘My Immortal’ for Evanescence, ‘A Thousand Years’ for Christina Perri, ‘Because of You’ for Kelly Clarkson song, ‘Dear Hate’ for Maren Morris and Vince Gill, and ‘See You Again’ for Carrie Underwood. He’s all over the map with talent and covering all different genres,” Keen said.
Kobalt’s Brad Beausir spoke at his first No. 1 party, “I’m like sweating and this is my first one, so if it’s terrible, sorry,” he joked.
“I started working at Kobalt like two and half months ago and largely to work with people like David Hodges,” Beausir said. “I have admired you from afar for a long time. The more that I get to know you, the more that it’s true. You are absolutely amazing. You’re everything you could ever want in a hit songwriter. When you sing a demo, I die. When you let someone else sing it, it’s not as good.
“Lately I’ve been booking a ton of people that have been coming to Nashville, and I always tell them, ‘This is a lot harder than you think.’ It’s not easy to break into this community. It’s tight-knit, people know who they love and honestly we have the best writers in the world. So if you’re gonna do it, don’t just try to do it. Do it your very best. Get to know them, meet them, have dinner with them, get to know their families, David did that. He has really invested in this place. You did it right and you’re the example that I try to tell everyone of how to do it best,” he continued.
“Kelsea, you are what our city needs. You’re honest, you’re real. In a struggling environment for women, your songs shine,” Beausir summed.
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg stepped up to the mic to speak about Brett.
“It’s so neat when you get to see people grow and become these amazing songwriters or artists or both. I was adjudicator for a Belmont showcase, and you go and you’re sitting in this empty theater and it’s quiet and awkward. And these kids are coming up one by one and hoping that you’ll vote them through to the showcase. Every kid would come up with their guitar and sing their sad, heartfelt ballad. And then here comes this guy and he gets up on stage in this snazzy suit and he’s got a full band, it’s like Prince. I was so surprised and I was so impressed, that I went to the show.
“I think the only thing that’s changed is you’re not surprising anybody, everybody knows how good you are. You continue to show it over and over, whether it’s through your artistry or your songwriting,” Van Valkenburg said.
Van Valkenburg made sure to recognize Jason Owen and the Sandbox Entertainment team.
Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon was on hand to gush about Kelsea. “I know, Kelsea, we don’t have to tell you that five No. 1 songs in four years is a big deal, but it’s a big deal. Having multiple Platinum singles and streams totaling in the billions is a big deal. I’m honored to be able to recognize and celebrate your success today.”
Gordon also made a point to recognize the Black River radio promotion staff.
“She represents what Black River is all about,” Black River’s Rick Froio said. “She’s the heart and soul of our company, we all rally around her and we all rejoice in her victories which have been many.”
Pictured: (L-R): Producer Jason Massey, David Hodges (BMI), Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), Leland(ASCAP), Producer Forest Glen Whitehead. Photo: Steve Lowry
When it came time for the creators to speak, Kelsea’s longtime collaborator—and producer on “Miss Me More”—Forest Glen Whitehead led the way.
“We’re grateful for Black River for believing in a great record, for working it hard. I’m grateful to y’all for writing an awesome song, the guitar lick that inspired it all or whatever that thing was, it’s super inspiring. We’re excited to have another one, this is amazing. Blessings on blessings,” he said.
Producer Jason Massey echoed the praises. “Thank you guys for giving us something awesome to work with from the start,” he said to the writers.
“I just first want to say thank you to Kelsea for messaging me on Twitter the day you did, and saying you were in L.A. and wanted to see if we could write,” Brett said. “I was already planning my strategy of trying to set up a session with Kelsea anyways, so that was the best moment opening my messages.
“I couldn’t be more proud to have this No. 1 be with a female country artist,” he said. “That to me is very special and very important.”
“My wife and I and our family moved here about three years ago, but for the last twelve years, I’ve been coming to Nashville mainly because I’ve always loved the respect and the level craft of the storytelling that Nashville has, that truly no other city in the world has. London makes great music and L.A. makes great music, Sydney and other places but Nashville is really, really special. It’s meant a lot to me how much this Nashville community has embraced me,” Hodges said.
Hodges thanked Kelsea and Brett, Josh Van Valkenburg, Black River, Kobalt, and his team at Milk & Honey.
“I’m a singer, not a talker, first of all,” said the woman of the hour when she was handed the mic. “My first several songs were ‘Love Me Like You Mean It’ and ‘Dibs’ and ‘Yeah, Boy,’ and that kind of stuff and the comments that I would get in meet and greets were like ‘Oh my gosh, “Dibs” is like me and my boyfriend’s song,’ and I love that. I love having those songs that are like the soundtrack to people’s love stories and their crushes and all that stuff. This was the first song where people would come up and say, ‘This helped me get through a divorce, this helped me get through an abusive relationship,’ and for me, as a songwriter, to be able to be in meet and greets and hear people give me their testimony, it’s incredible.
“I wouldn’t have had the confidence to put out ‘homecoming queen?’ if I didn’t put this out first,” Kelsea said with emotion.
“Black River, you’ve done the thing that no one can do and that’s get a song from a female up the charts,” she said.
Kelsea made sure to thank the Black River radio promo team, her co-writers, and her manager, Jason Owen.
Pictured (L-R): Black River’s Rick Froio, David Hodges (BMI), Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), Leland (ASCAP), Producer Forest Glen Whitehead, Producer Jason Massey. Photo: Steve Lowry
Allen Henri Lesnick, Chief Operating Officer of Randi Events, Dies At 63
/by Sherod RobertsonAllen Henri Lesnick
Allen Henri Lesnick, Chief Operating Officer of Randi Events, died on October 3, 2019. He was 63 years old. Allen was born and raised in New York and was a proud graduate of Michigan State University.
Allen loved the town of Nashville, which he called home for the past 25 years, and resided in Franklin, TN. He was a beautiful friend to many and a fabulous husband and father. His greatest joys were wining, dining and smoking cigars with friends and family. He loved the cool breeze atop his paddle board on a Sunday morning.
Allen, along with his wife, Randi, of 30 years, made their mark on Nashville through the building of Randi Events. He also got so much pleasure through his work as a Financial Advisor.
In addition to being survived by his devoted wife, Randi, he is survived by their two sons, Jason and Jonathan and his two brothers Richard and Robert Gallucci.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 7 at 1:00 at Congregation Micah, located at 2001 Old Hickory Blvd in Brentwood. Shiva will be observed through Friday at 509 Green Harbor Circle in Franklin through October 10.