Pictured (L-R, back row): BMI’s Jody Williams, Sea Gayle Music’s JD Groover, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Little Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora; (L-R, front row): co-writers Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson, Eric Church, Clint Daniels and Luke Dick. Photo: Anthony D’Angio
A very loved and revered Eric Church celebrated two No. 1 songs yesterday (Sept. 24) with his co-writers, industry friends and admirers at the Nashville airport. Presented by BMI and his label EMI Nashville, the chart-toppers commemorated were his “Round Here Buzz,” off his 2015 album Mr. Misunderstood and co-written with Jeff Hyde and Luke Dick, as well as his “Some Of It,” off his 2018 Desperate Man record, co-written with Hyde, Clint Daniels and Bobby Pinson. Producer Arturo Buenahora, Jr. was also in attendance, while Jay Joyce was not able to be there.
Church greeted an industry crowd flanked by two jets and Desperate Man road cases at an aircraft hangar on the outskirts of Nashville, a nod to both the film location of his “Desperate Man” music video as well as the cover image on the album.
BMI’s MaryAnn Keen served as the host for the event, and Jody Williams was the first to speak.
“Back in 2006, the sound of country music was starting to shift,” Williams said. “And the writers and the artists who were moving to town were a little more influenced by hip-hop music than they were by Haggard and Jones. But something else happened in 2006, just as radio was embracing the emerging wave of the new sound of country music, Eric Church sends up a flare with his first single ‘How ‘Bout You.’ And it barely cracked the Top 10, there was no one that remotely sounded like Eric.
“But it was the perfect time for this non-conformist to plant his flag and get about the business of not conforming to the current trend. Over time, Eric attracted a few like-minded songwriters, all in some way non-conformists themselves, who were perfect collaborators. Over the past 14 years, Eric has carved out his place in American music culture by being true to himself and surrounding himself with songwriters who are, like Eric, independent thinkers,” Williams praised.
Williams announced that Dick was celebrating his first of three No. 1 songs, Hyde’s fourth, Daniels’ third, and Pinson’s tenth; and that Church is up for Video, Album and Entertainer of the Year at this year’s CMA Awards. “I wouldn’t dare bet against Eric at the CMA’s this year,” Williams said.
Pinnacle Bank’s David Smith spoke, and announced that they had made a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in honor of the songs.
Buenahora made sure to thank Perry Howard, who Buenahora says connected him to Church. “That’s what a good PRO will do, is they will fight for a writer to get a shot,” he said. Buenahora also thanked Sony/ATV’s future leader, Rusty Gaston, and let him know that Little Louder was for sale for $54 million.
“But this day is not about any of that,” Buenahora said with a smile. “It’s about the songwriters. While I don’t publish all these guys, I’m really excited for all of them. Our company is a six year-old company now, and we’ve got a long ways to go, but we are doing big things. We’ve tried to establish our reputation as having good songs, maybe not songs for everyone, but I wouldn’t trade my guys for any other roster in town. We are the freaks and geeks, and that’s how we like it.
“Lastly, I’ve got to say to my partner Eric Church, the journey has been amazing, we’re still climbing. These things are hard. Eric Church does not deliver easy radio songs. Royce [Risser], Jimmy [Rector], I know you guys know that, so let me say thank you for all that you do getting Eric Church songs on the radio,” Buenahora concluded.
SeaGayle’s newly promoted JD Groover was honored that his first No. 1 party he has spoken at was an Eric Church celebration. “Eric is one of the best songwriters this town has ever seen. Sea Gayle is honored to be a part of this song.
“I got Bobby Pinson right here,” said Groover. “Ten No. 1s, third one this year. Bobby’s one of the most talented humans I’ve gotten to work with. At the show at Nissan, I got to watch Clint and Bobby hug each other while ‘Some Of It’ was being played. That was some the coolest shit I’ve ever seen.”
Groover made sure to thank Church and the UMG Nashville radio promotion staff.
Pictured (L-R): Sea Gayle Music’s Brandon Gregg, Emily Witters and Marc Driskill; co-writers Bobby Pinson, Eric Church and Clint Daniels; Sea Gayle Music’s JD Groover and Kim Wiggins. Photo: Anthony D’Angio
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg repeated the praises of Church. “It’s such a special thing when you get to work with a once in a generational talent like Eric Church. He’s a man that does not come around very often.
“As an entertainer, you continue to change the world. You’re out there doing things that nobody else is even thinking about doing until you get out there and do it. And then as a songwriter, which is why we’re here to celebrate you today, I think you’re transcendent. I don’t care when these songs were written, I think they’d be special. I think they’d matter,” Van Valkenburg said to Church.
Van Valkenburg thanked the Universal Nashville team, Church’s management at Q Prime South, the publishers and the songwriters.
UMG’s Mike Dungan recognized his passionate UMG team. “I’ve never seen a team love an artist more than these guys love Eric Church,” he said.
“This is usually where I talk about how much we love you,” the label head said to Church. “I can say it again, but we’ve done it. The only thing I can say that is pretty consistent is the music is pretty shitty out there right now; and all of us wake up every day very grateful that we have Eric Church on the team because we’re always going to have good stuff.”
Dungan introduced a special video of artists paying tribute to Church. The video included appearances from Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Ray Wylie Hubbard and more.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson; co-writers Jeff Hyde and Bobby Pinson with their No. 1 Challenge Coins; UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan; Eric Church; Clint Daniels; Luke Dick; MusicRow‘s LB Rogers. Photo: Steve Lowry
When the songwriters stepped up to speak, they each were honored to have worked with the revered Church.
“I just want to see thank you very much to Eric, Luke, Bobby and Clint. It’s a real privilege for me to be able to do what I do for a living,” Hyde said. “A lot of talented people have helped me along the way.”
Hyde gave a shout out to Church’s band and crew, the promotion staff, and his wife and three-month-old son. “I feel like any good idea I’ve ever been a part of, or that I’ve had has been a gift from God.”
“I just want to thank Eric, I really feel grateful dude,” said Daniels. “You’re the closest thing to Merle Haggard we will ever know.” Church threw his head back at that comment.
Pinson proved to be a hilarious and proficient speaker, as he told stories about his relationships with each of his co-writers and thanked those involved in the success.
“Before I say anything else, I want to thank God for his grace, his sense of humor, and his extremely short memory,” Pinson said with a grin. “And for blessing me with a gift that is definitely not of me, but of God.
“I wrote one of my favorite songs with two of my favorite people, and that’s not easy to do in this town. At the end of the day, you don’t write your biggest songs with the biggest writers. You write songs you love with people you love,” Pinson said.
“When I was in New York this writer showed me this track that was ‘Smoke A Little Smoke.’ And I said, ‘Is this what Nashville is doing now? Because if this is what Nashville is doing, then I want to be a part of it.’ I came back to Nashville with stars in my eyes and it turns out that’s not what Nashville was doing, it was what Eric was doing,” Dick said.
Dick said he and Church wrote “Kill A Word” and “Round Here Buzz” on the same day. “It was the luckiest day of my life,” he said.
When it came time for the man of the hour to speak, everyone in the room leaned in.
Church thanked his wife and kids, who were in attendance, and made sure to thank Howard. “Perry was my hail mary,” Church said. “He was somebody that I went to when I was trying to get something going at the time and just couldn’t get anybody to meet with me to hear my songs—and I had some pretty good songs. I think I played Perry ‘Sinners Like Me,’ ‘Lightning,’ ‘Pledge Allegiance To The Hag,’ and ‘Guys Like Me.’ He was a guy that took that meeting.”
Church thanked his band and crew, his promotion team, the label and John Peets and Q Prime Management.
“That video was something I’m not ready to address yet,” said Church with emotion in his voice. “That was one of the coolest things—no, that’s about the coolest thing I’ve been a part of… My intention was always just to try to make great music, write great songs. And to see it matter is really something.
“But I will say this after seeing the video; I’m not done. I’m not retiring. I’m not dying… I look forward to kicking their asses every night on stage,” he concluded with a smirk.
Eric Church Celebrates Two Chart-Toppers At Double Down No. 1 Party
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): BMI’s Jody Williams, Sea Gayle Music’s JD Groover, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Little Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora; (L-R, front row): co-writers Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson, Eric Church, Clint Daniels and Luke Dick. Photo: Anthony D’Angio
A very loved and revered Eric Church celebrated two No. 1 songs yesterday (Sept. 24) with his co-writers, industry friends and admirers at the Nashville airport. Presented by BMI and his label EMI Nashville, the chart-toppers commemorated were his “Round Here Buzz,” off his 2015 album Mr. Misunderstood and co-written with Jeff Hyde and Luke Dick, as well as his “Some Of It,” off his 2018 Desperate Man record, co-written with Hyde, Clint Daniels and Bobby Pinson. Producer Arturo Buenahora, Jr. was also in attendance, while Jay Joyce was not able to be there.
Church greeted an industry crowd flanked by two jets and Desperate Man road cases at an aircraft hangar on the outskirts of Nashville, a nod to both the film location of his “Desperate Man” music video as well as the cover image on the album.
BMI’s MaryAnn Keen served as the host for the event, and Jody Williams was the first to speak.
“Back in 2006, the sound of country music was starting to shift,” Williams said. “And the writers and the artists who were moving to town were a little more influenced by hip-hop music than they were by Haggard and Jones. But something else happened in 2006, just as radio was embracing the emerging wave of the new sound of country music, Eric Church sends up a flare with his first single ‘How ‘Bout You.’ And it barely cracked the Top 10, there was no one that remotely sounded like Eric.
“But it was the perfect time for this non-conformist to plant his flag and get about the business of not conforming to the current trend. Over time, Eric attracted a few like-minded songwriters, all in some way non-conformists themselves, who were perfect collaborators. Over the past 14 years, Eric has carved out his place in American music culture by being true to himself and surrounding himself with songwriters who are, like Eric, independent thinkers,” Williams praised.
Williams announced that Dick was celebrating his first of three No. 1 songs, Hyde’s fourth, Daniels’ third, and Pinson’s tenth; and that Church is up for Video, Album and Entertainer of the Year at this year’s CMA Awards. “I wouldn’t dare bet against Eric at the CMA’s this year,” Williams said.
Pinnacle Bank’s David Smith spoke, and announced that they had made a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in honor of the songs.
Buenahora made sure to thank Perry Howard, who Buenahora says connected him to Church. “That’s what a good PRO will do, is they will fight for a writer to get a shot,” he said. Buenahora also thanked Sony/ATV’s future leader, Rusty Gaston, and let him know that Little Louder was for sale for $54 million.
“But this day is not about any of that,” Buenahora said with a smile. “It’s about the songwriters. While I don’t publish all these guys, I’m really excited for all of them. Our company is a six year-old company now, and we’ve got a long ways to go, but we are doing big things. We’ve tried to establish our reputation as having good songs, maybe not songs for everyone, but I wouldn’t trade my guys for any other roster in town. We are the freaks and geeks, and that’s how we like it.
“Lastly, I’ve got to say to my partner Eric Church, the journey has been amazing, we’re still climbing. These things are hard. Eric Church does not deliver easy radio songs. Royce [Risser], Jimmy [Rector], I know you guys know that, so let me say thank you for all that you do getting Eric Church songs on the radio,” Buenahora concluded.
SeaGayle’s newly promoted JD Groover was honored that his first No. 1 party he has spoken at was an Eric Church celebration. “Eric is one of the best songwriters this town has ever seen. Sea Gayle is honored to be a part of this song.
“I got Bobby Pinson right here,” said Groover. “Ten No. 1s, third one this year. Bobby’s one of the most talented humans I’ve gotten to work with. At the show at Nissan, I got to watch Clint and Bobby hug each other while ‘Some Of It’ was being played. That was some the coolest shit I’ve ever seen.”
Groover made sure to thank Church and the UMG Nashville radio promotion staff.
Pictured (L-R): Sea Gayle Music’s Brandon Gregg, Emily Witters and Marc Driskill; co-writers Bobby Pinson, Eric Church and Clint Daniels; Sea Gayle Music’s JD Groover and Kim Wiggins. Photo: Anthony D’Angio
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg repeated the praises of Church. “It’s such a special thing when you get to work with a once in a generational talent like Eric Church. He’s a man that does not come around very often.
“As an entertainer, you continue to change the world. You’re out there doing things that nobody else is even thinking about doing until you get out there and do it. And then as a songwriter, which is why we’re here to celebrate you today, I think you’re transcendent. I don’t care when these songs were written, I think they’d be special. I think they’d matter,” Van Valkenburg said to Church.
Van Valkenburg thanked the Universal Nashville team, Church’s management at Q Prime South, the publishers and the songwriters.
UMG’s Mike Dungan recognized his passionate UMG team. “I’ve never seen a team love an artist more than these guys love Eric Church,” he said.
“This is usually where I talk about how much we love you,” the label head said to Church. “I can say it again, but we’ve done it. The only thing I can say that is pretty consistent is the music is pretty shitty out there right now; and all of us wake up every day very grateful that we have Eric Church on the team because we’re always going to have good stuff.”
Dungan introduced a special video of artists paying tribute to Church. The video included appearances from Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Ray Wylie Hubbard and more.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson; co-writers Jeff Hyde and Bobby Pinson with their No. 1 Challenge Coins; UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan; Eric Church; Clint Daniels; Luke Dick; MusicRow‘s LB Rogers. Photo: Steve Lowry
When the songwriters stepped up to speak, they each were honored to have worked with the revered Church.
“I just want to see thank you very much to Eric, Luke, Bobby and Clint. It’s a real privilege for me to be able to do what I do for a living,” Hyde said. “A lot of talented people have helped me along the way.”
Hyde gave a shout out to Church’s band and crew, the promotion staff, and his wife and three-month-old son. “I feel like any good idea I’ve ever been a part of, or that I’ve had has been a gift from God.”
“I just want to thank Eric, I really feel grateful dude,” said Daniels. “You’re the closest thing to Merle Haggard we will ever know.” Church threw his head back at that comment.
Pinson proved to be a hilarious and proficient speaker, as he told stories about his relationships with each of his co-writers and thanked those involved in the success.
“Before I say anything else, I want to thank God for his grace, his sense of humor, and his extremely short memory,” Pinson said with a grin. “And for blessing me with a gift that is definitely not of me, but of God.
“I wrote one of my favorite songs with two of my favorite people, and that’s not easy to do in this town. At the end of the day, you don’t write your biggest songs with the biggest writers. You write songs you love with people you love,” Pinson said.
“When I was in New York this writer showed me this track that was ‘Smoke A Little Smoke.’ And I said, ‘Is this what Nashville is doing now? Because if this is what Nashville is doing, then I want to be a part of it.’ I came back to Nashville with stars in my eyes and it turns out that’s not what Nashville was doing, it was what Eric was doing,” Dick said.
Dick said he and Church wrote “Kill A Word” and “Round Here Buzz” on the same day. “It was the luckiest day of my life,” he said.
When it came time for the man of the hour to speak, everyone in the room leaned in.
Church thanked his wife and kids, who were in attendance, and made sure to thank Howard. “Perry was my hail mary,” Church said. “He was somebody that I went to when I was trying to get something going at the time and just couldn’t get anybody to meet with me to hear my songs—and I had some pretty good songs. I think I played Perry ‘Sinners Like Me,’ ‘Lightning,’ ‘Pledge Allegiance To The Hag,’ and ‘Guys Like Me.’ He was a guy that took that meeting.”
Church thanked his band and crew, his promotion team, the label and John Peets and Q Prime Management.
“That video was something I’m not ready to address yet,” said Church with emotion in his voice. “That was one of the coolest things—no, that’s about the coolest thing I’ve been a part of… My intention was always just to try to make great music, write great songs. And to see it matter is really something.
“But I will say this after seeing the video; I’m not done. I’m not retiring. I’m not dying… I look forward to kicking their asses every night on stage,” he concluded with a smirk.
Industry Ink: Music Services, Awakening Events, Tenille Arts
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic Services’ Phil Perkins Steps Down, Promotions Announced
Lynn Lowe has been elevated to President, while Alex Morris has been promoted to VP, Label & Publishing Services. Mark Hauth rises to VP, Publishing Services.
Lowe states, “We have always thought of ourselves as the administration partners to our creative clients. Through this partnership we bring stability for our label and publishing clients, enabling them and empowering them to further pursue their creativity. We truly are a team with our clients.”
Today, the company manages the catalogs, licensing and royalty accounting for more than 250 companies of all sizes and musical genres, involving over 18,000 music publishers, 34,000 writers, 450,000 songs, 210,000 products, 275,000 individual recordings, 6,700 artists, producers and arrangers and has issued over 262,000 licenses involving 18,685,000 royalty transactions.
Awakening Events Adds Chris Farnsworth
Additionally, Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based Stacey Lathe has been named Director of Touring and Milwaukee-based Greg Lathe has been named Director of Operations.
Awakening Events produces over 250 Contemporary Christian concerts and events nationwide (including tours for Michael W. Smith and TobyMac).
Tenille Arts Makes Opry Debut
Pictured (L-R): Grand Ole Opry member Jeannie Seely; Tenille Arts; Gina Keltner, Director of Opry Talent Scheduling and Logistics. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Reviver Records artist Tenille Arts recently made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday (Sept. 22). Opry member Jeannie Seely introduced Arts, who performed “Somebody Like That” and “Call You Names.”
LeAnn Rimes Releases First Live Album Of Her Career
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Making this album was so much fun,” said Rimes. “Gruene Hall is such an intimate venue and holds so much history. The crowd was so vibrant and with the response to the vinyl I am humbled by the fans for their positive feedback and make this a gift to everyone who couldn’t get the limited vinyl release.”
Rimes: Live at Gruene Hall features a collection of 10 live performances from Rimes performing at Gruene Hall. Historically known as “the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas,” Rimes celebrates her love for all music ranging from rock, pop, soul, country, gospel and blues under one roof on the project, which features re-arranged covers of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Pride and Joy,” Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind” and much more.
Later this year, Rimes will set out on her seventh annual Christmas tour, “You And Me And Christmas,” visiting 11 cities across the East Coast including Atlantic City, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, and more.
Rimes: Live at Gruene Hall Track Listing:
“Pride and Joy”
“Nothing Better To Do”
“Wasted Days And Wasted Nights”
“Streets of Bakersfield”
“Wonderwall”
“Bottle Let Me Down”
“Blue”
“San Antonio Rose”
“You Never Even Call Me By My Name”
“Always On My Mind”
IFPI 2019 Music Listening Report: 5 Takeaways
/by Jessica NicholsonA new report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) offers insights into the state of global music listening in 2019. The report is based on a survey of 34,000 people in 21 countries. The study was conducted in April and May 2019, and included music listeners from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as China and India, though results from the final two were not included in the IFPI’s ‘global’ figures.
Time spent listening to music has increased around the world, with listeners tuning an average of 18 hours per week, up from 2018’s 17.8-hour average. That equals more than 2.6 hours daily, and the equivalent of listening to 52 three-minute tracks.
Here are 5 additional takeaways from the report:
According to the report, the popularity of music streaming continues to surge globally, with 89% listening to music via on-demand streaming, with 64% indicating they had used audio streaming platforms such as Spotify, Deezer or Amazon—a 7% increase over last year.
2. Older music listeners are increasingly adopting streaming
The highest rate of growth for use of streaming services is among users ages 35-64. 54% of users age 35-64 have used a music streaming service in the past month, an 8% growth over last year.
3. Copyright infringement continues to be a threat
Though 52% of 16-24 year-olds indicated they are using paid streaming services, 23% of overall users reported that they use illegal stream ripping services in the past year.
4. YouTube Reigns With Global Music Consumers
YouTube continues to be the world’s most popular music listening service, with 77% of those surveyed indicating they used the platform. Globally, 29% of music listening time was spent on radio, followed by smartphones (27%), computer/laptop (19%), hi-fi/turntables (8%), other (6%), portable bluetooth speakers (4%) and smart speakers (3%).
5. Mexico Is Tops In Music Listening
People in Mexico listen to 25.6 hours of music a week, surpassing the global average of 18 hours.
When it comes to genres, pop and rock continue to dominate, taking the top two most popular genres slots globally. The rest of the Top 10 most-popular genres are as follows: 3.) oldies, 4.) hip-hop/rap, 5.) dance/electronic, 6.) indie/alternative, 7.) K-Pop, 8.) metal, 9.) R&B, and 10.) classical. It’s notable that music listeners ages 16-24 are four times as likely to choose hip-hop or rap as their favorite genres than any other age group.
Industry Pics: ASCAP Hosts 4th Annual Shady Grove Stage at Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
/by Haley CrowPictured (L-R): Stephen Kellogg, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Play At Pilgrimage contest winner Bre Kennedy, and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. Photo: Ed Rode
For the fourth consecutive year, ASCAP hosted and curated the Shady Grove stage at Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, held on Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22 at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee.
“For the past four years, ASCAP has curated an intimate corner of the festival featuring up-and-coming artists as well as longtime favorites,” said ASCAP’s Beth Brinker. “Our thoughtful partnership with the Pilgrimage team has been successful in supporting and cultivating talent, with several acts being featured on main stages following their ASCAP Shady Grove debut, including Devon Gillfillian, Jillian Jacqueline, Aaron Lee Tasjan and Colter Wall.”
On Saturday, Donovan Woods headlined the day-long lineup, which featured sets from Anna Shoemaker, Anna Rose, Stephen Kellogg, Kacy & Clayton, and Play At Pilgrimage contest winner Bre Kennedy.
Pictured (L-R): Clayton Linthicum (Kacy & Clayton), ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Kacy Anderson (Kacy & Clayton), and Donovan Woods. Photo: Ed Rode
Shooter Jennings. Photo: Ed Rode
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, Jill Andrews, and ASCAP’s Beth Brinker. Photo: Ed Rode
Anna Rose. Photo: Ed Rode
Vincent Neil Emerson. Photo: Ed Rode
Change the Conversation, Digital Divas Present Summit On Building An Artist Team
/by Lorie HollabaughChange the Conversation and Digital Divas Nashville have joined forces to present a one-day summit, “How to Build a Successful Artist Team,” on Saturday, Sept. 28. The event will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. Registration is $50 and available at digitaldivasnashville.com.
A highlight of the event will be an intimate conversation with songwriter/producer Nicolle Galyon about her career and discussion of her career team from an artist’s perspective. Galyon is president of Songs and Daughters, a female-focused record label. She has also written hits for Miranda Lambert (“Automatic,” “Platinum”), Keith Urban (“We Were Us,” “Female”), Lee Brice (“Boy”), Dan + Shay (“Tequila”), Kenny Chesney (“All the Pretty Girls”) and many more.
“This event was realized from the frequent questions that both Change the Conversation and Digital Divas were fielding from our membership,” says Tracy Gershon, co-founder of Change the Conversation. “The collaboration between our two organizations is a great way to educate and inspire young artists and help them on their road to putting together their team.”
The morning session will allow participants to ask questions of industry leaders including: Abbey Adams, independent publisher, writer-producer and manager; Cyndi Forman, Universal Music Publishing Group; Fletcher Foster, president/CEO of F2 Entertainment Group; Cris Lacy, executive vice president of A&R for Warner Music Nashville; Trisha McClanahan, owner of McClanahan Management; Bev Moser, owner of B! Noticed Public Relations; Tiff Shipp, owner of Tiff Shipp PR; and Stephanie Wright, senior vice president of A&R for UMG Nashville.
The luncheon panel will focus on talent agencies and feature Creative Artists Agency’s Shannon Casey and Meredith Jones, as well as William Morris Endeavor’s Abby Wells Baas and EVAmore co-founder Makenzie Stokel.
“Now more than ever, artists can take control of all aspects of their career and no longer have to rely solely on others to get their music to the public,” says Cameo Carlson, co-founder of Digital Divas Nashville. “However, it can be a mysterious maze to those who don’t understand the system, so we want to educate the participants about the online and distribution worlds.”
The afternoon’s session will feature information from distributors and digital streaming platforms, including Casey Childers, project manager/artist marketing at ONErpm; Randall Foster, Nashville Symphonic Distribution vice president of business development and general manager; Shelby Kennedy, vice president of entertainment relations at TuneCore; Mary Catherine Kinney, artist and label marketing at Spotify; Jay Liepis, Apple Music Artist and Label Relations; Kelly Rich, Amazon senior label relations manager; Janet Rubin, manager of Apple Music Artist Relations; and Alina Thompson, artist marketing and industry relations at Pandora.
“One of the biggest questions and obstacles that artists have in order to move forward is their team,” said Change the Conversation co-founder Leslie Fram. “Along with Digital Divas, we wanted to create a summit to answer these questions and learn from the best in our industry.”
Midland To Explore Country Music Mysteries With New Spotify Podcast
/by Jessica NicholsonMidland will launch a new podcast, Set It Straight with Midland, tomorrow (Sept. 25) exclusively on Spotify.
The 10 episodes in the podcast’s season will focus on the history of country music, exploring the genre’s strange and surprising stories. In each episode, Midland debates the veracity of each story and invites a guest to (hopefully) help set the story straight.
The season starts with producer/tour manager/author Phil Kaufman to discuss the truth the about the corpse of Kaufman’s former client, Gram Parsons, which was stolen from the Los Angeles airport under strange circumstances.
Others to appear on the podcast include Tanya Tucker, who was allegedly booed off the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in 1978 for dressing her all-male band in women’s clothes; songwriter Earl Bud Lee who supposedly sold the rights to his biggest song, Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places,” to settle a bar tab. Dwight Yoakam joins to discuss whether the lyrics to Buck Owens’ biggest hits “Streets of Bakersfield,” were actually written about Owens himself.
“Much of the inspiration behind Midland comes from our country music heroes and the legacy they’ve left for us to learn from,” says the band. “Their tall tales are things of lore, and we are taking on the immense challenge of uncovering the truth and setting their stories straight. You won’t believe your ears. Hope you guys enjoy our brand new podcast, Set It Straight on Spotify.”
Jon Pardi Celebrates 1 Billion Streams On Pandora
/by Jessica NicholsonJon Pardi. Photo: Katie Kauss
Jon Pardi was recognized in Atlanta last night (Sept. 23) for earning more than 1 billion streams on Pandora. Pardi was performing an exclusive Pandora LIVE show at Atlanta’s Buckhead Theatre, part of a promotion for his upcoming album Heartache Medication, which releases Friday (Sept. 27).
Pictured (L-R): Pandora’s Jeff Zuchowski and Beville Dunkerley, recording artist Jon Pardi, Redlight Management’s Melanie Wetherbee, UMG’s Annie Ortmeier and Mike Harris attend Pandora Live Jon Pardi at Buckhead Theatre on September 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: GETTY images
Lee Brice Signs With True Public Relations
/by Jessica NicholsonLee Brice has signed with Marcel Pariseau at entertainment publicity firm, True Public Relations. Brice joins True PR’s stable of artist clients including Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Clint Black, and Martina McBride among others.
Curb Records artist Brice recently earned a No. 1 country hit with the song “Rumor,” which is also finding success on the adult contemporary chart.
Industry Pics: Vince Gill, Foo Fighters, Eric Paslay, David Ross
/by Lorie HollabaughVince Gill Comes To A Crossroads For Clapton
Vince Gill and Joe Walsh Photo credit: Cooper Neill
Vince Gill returned to Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival for the fifth time this past weekend at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Gill’s power-packed set included The Notorious Cherry Bombs’ “Oklahoma Dust” and Merle Haggard’s “Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down” and he and his band also backed guitarist Albert Lee, rock legend Joe Walsh, dobro player Jerry Douglas and vocalist Bradley Walker. Gill has performed at five of Clapton’s festivals benefiting his Crossroads Centre Antiqua, a substance-abuse rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addiction.
Foo Fighters Send Pilgrimage 2019 Off In Style
Photo Credit: Erika Goldring/Getty
The Foo Fighters closed out Day 2 of the 2019 Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival with a bang Sunday night (Sept. 22). Frontman Dave Grohl declared at the top of their set, “I came here to play rock and roll music,” and they delivered on that promise as they ripped through 25 years of hits such as “The Pretender,” “Learn to Fly” and “My Hero.” Earlier in the day, the festival included performances by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, +LIVE+, Wynonna & The Big Noise, Festival co-founder Kevin Griffin with his band Better Than Ezra, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Shooter Jennings, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and more.
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