George Strait. Photo courtesy NSAI
While this year’s Nashville Songwriter Awards, held Tuesday (Sept. 17) at the Ryman Auditorium, was certainly a star-studded event, the evening focused on quality songs and the talented tunesmiths who craft them, with the night’s winners ranging from legendary songwriters to newcomers.
The 2019 Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, given to recognize a songwriter whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook, was presented to Loretta Lynn, who wrote a significant amount of her own signature songs, including “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind),” “Fist City,” and “The Pill.”
“We can bestow no greater honor on a songwriter,” NSAI Sr. Director of Operations Jennifer Turnbow said of Lynn.
Video and performance tributes followed. Reba McEntire took to the Ryman stage to offer “You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man,” her voice imbued with realness, hurt, bravery, and vocal skill.
Loretta’s granddaughter Tayla paid tribute with a rendition of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” her voice offering a close rendering of her grandmother’s full-bodied note bending and frank phrasings.
Kellie Pickler offered “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl.” “I’m no Loretta, but I’m just going to do my best,” Pickler told the crowd.
Video tributes came from songwriters including Liz Rose and Connie Harrington.
“Listeners can sniff out dishonesty. If you write true lyrics, it reaches,” Rose said.
Following the performances, Lynn, 87, was escorted to the stage by Kid Rock.
“I’m Loretta,” she greeted the crowd as they offered thunderous applause. “I want y’all to know I love you for being here tonight. Thank you all, I love you.”
Loretta Lynn accepts the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement honor. Photo courtesy NSAI
Meanwhile, songwriters overflowed with words of admiration for this year’s recipient of the President’s Keystone Award, George Strait.
“He’s the Frank Sinatra of country music.” “He’s the king of country music.” “We’ve all been trying to write George Strait songs since 1981.” Those are a few of the praises offered to Strait by songwriters who have penned some of his more than 60 No. 1 hits.
Dean Dillon, who has written for Strait for more than four decades, and counts hits including “If I Know Me,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her,” among his catalog, offered a performance “Here For A Good Time,” which he wrote with George and Bubba Strait, as well as “The Chair.”
“I’ve always had an appointment on Monday morning at 10 a.m. to play him some songs on every record he ever cut,” Dillon told the crowd. “George, I thank you for that.”
Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens performed a medley of “Carried Away” and “Carrying Your Love With Me.”
“I think songwriting is a gift from God,” Strait said told the crowd, and briefly alluded to the story of how Johnny Paycheck’s stint in jail kept him from recording the Dillon/Frank Dycus song “Unwound,” a track that Strait would go on to record, producing his first Top 10 hit.
“I’ve leaned on [songwriters] for years and they’ve been kind enough to send me some great songs to record and I really appreciate it,” Strait said.
Songwriter of the Year winner Josh Osborne. Photo courtesy NSAI
Nashville Songwriters Association International leaders hosted the event, including Turnbow, Director of Development Katie Arata, Executive Director Bart Herbison, and NSAI Board President Bogard. City National Bank was the evening’s presenting sponsor.
Luke Combs was honored as Songwriter-Artist of the Year. He was not in attendance, but accepted via video.
“This is the real cherry on top of everything we’ve gotten to do over the past year,” Combs said.
Josh Osborne, who has netted 18 No. 1 hits in his career, was named Songwriter of the Year.
Though the Nashville Songwriter Awards program book listed a performance of a new track titled “Sinning With You,” performer Sam Hunt decided at the last minute to tribute Osborne with “Come Over,” which Osborne penned alongside Hunt and Shane McAnally (who began the segment with a video tribute to Osborne) and was recorded by Kenny Chesney.
“Josh is one of the best songwriters in this town and I’m proud to be part of recognizing it,” Hunt said. Michael Ray offered a rendition of his chart-topper “One That Got Away.”
Osborne was moved by the honor, and accepted with a speech that was humble, humorous, and personal.
“[Songwriters] are insecure by nature, so to get an award on the same stage as Reba and Loretta, that will shake you down a bit,” he told the crowd.
Osborne thanked his wife Toni, letting the crowd know they are expecting their first child, a girl.
“Hopefully, Nicolle [Galyon], you can sign her to your label [the recently-launched Songs & Daughters]…verbal contract.”
He also noted that he moved to Nashville 21 years ago to write songs, and thanked all of his co-writers.
“I still wake up every day determined to prove I belong in that room with you.”
With George Strait sitting in the audience, Osborne also took the opportunity to mention an artist cut that has long been on his bucket list.
“I really, really want a George Strait cut,” he said. “I mean, really. So if anyone in this room knows how to make that happen….” As the crowd laughed and applauded.
Growing serious, Osborne noted that his father died nearly two years ago to the day. “I choose to believe he is seeing this,” Osborne said. “He would have had two questions: ‘Is Sam Hunt putting out new music?’ and ‘Are your seats better than Ashley Gorley’s?’ The answers are ‘Soon,’ and ‘Yes.’”
Senator Lamar Alexander was honored with The White Hat Award, for his work supporting the Music Modernization Act [MMA] and similar legislation that assists songwriters. Lee Brice was on hand to perform “Falling Apart Together,” a track from his 2010 Love Like Crazy album. Brice told the crowd how Alexander had supplied the title of the song; Brice then co-wrote the rest of the song with Billy Montana and Jon Stone, and gave Alexander a writer’s credit on it.
“I want to thank Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Jon Stone for teaching me a lesson in how songwriters get paid,” Alexander said, noting he earned $101.75 in royalties for an entire year from having an album cut.
“The name of this new law [the MMA] really ought to be the songwriters law, because you made it happen,” Alexander said. “So many of you came to Washington, D.C., brought your guitars, went from office to office telling your stories. You did it, you made it happen.”
The evening proved to be extra special for Dean Dillon, as he watched as his daughter, Jessie Jo Dillon, was honored alongside Chase McGill and Jon Nite for writing the 2019 Song of the Year, “Break Up In The End,” recorded by Cole Swindell.
After the three songwriters stepped on the Ryman stage, McGill thanked all of his fellow songwriters in Nashville, while Nite thanked his wife for her support.
“There was a moment I gave this up,” Nite told the crowd. “She gave me a [gift of] a [writers] weekend at NSAI. A couple of songs in, a publisher gave me a deal and here we are.”
“This is one of my favorite songs I’ve written,” said Dillon, who thanked her publisher Big Machine Music, Big Machine Label Group, and NSAI. She also offered encouragement to aspiring songwriters. “If there are songwriters who feel discouraged, worn out, or feel like you want to quit…don’t quit.”
Swindell performed the song alongside Dillon, Nite and McGill.
“Thank you for trusting me with this song,” Swindell said. “I’m just grateful you let me cut it.”
Photo: Courtesy NSAI
Also honored during the evening were the ’10 Songs I Wish I Had Written,’ which featured two songs recorded by Morgan Wallen, two written by artist-writer Michael Hardy and two written by Bobby Pinson.
Artists including Chris Janson, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay, and Jason Aldean all took the stage to perform the compositions.
This year’s 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written Include:
“Meant To Be”: written by Tyler Hubbard, David Garcia, Josh Miller and Bebe Rexa; recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“Whiskey Glasses”: written by Kevin Kadish and Ben Burgess; recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Drunk Girl”: written by Chris Janson, Tom Douglas and Scooter Carusoe; performed by Chris Janson
“God’s Country”: written by Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt and Michael Hardy; recorded by Blake Shelton
“Burning Man”: written by Luke Dick and Bobby Pinson; recorded by Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne
“Tequila”: written by Dan Smyers, Jordan Reynolds and Nicolle Galyon; recorded by Dan + Shay
“Some Of It” written by Bobby Pinson, Clint Daniels, Eric Church and Jeff Hyde; recorded by Eric Church
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”: written by Chris Stevens, David Lee Murphy and Jimmy Yeary; recorded by David Lee Murphy ft. Kenny Chesney
“Up Down”: written by Brad Clawson, CJ Solar and Michael Hardy; recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Drowns The Whiskey”: written by Brad Kinney, Jeff Middleton and Josh Thompson; recorded by Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert
MusicRow Introduces New N.B.T. Music Industry Directory, Submissions Now Open
/by LB CantrellIn our effort to recognize the industry’s up-and-coming talent, MusicRow‘s inaugural N.B.T. (Next Big Thing) Music Industry Directory will be featured in MusicRow‘s print issue that comes out the first week of December.
The N.B.T. Music Industry Directory is the first and only list of its kind, showcasing Nashville music business professionals who are rising through the ranks. This class of industry members occupy mid-level roles at their respective companies, and are on a trajectory of excellence to lead the Nashville music industry into the future. Applicants should ideally have a minimum of 5 or more years experience in the music industry.
Sherod Robertson, MusicRow Publisher/Owner says, “As leaders in the music industry, it’s important to work closely with up-and-coming professionals to help them become better, more effective leaders in the future—which not only benefits the Nashville music industry today, but helps advance the direction of our industry into the future. Recognizing these individuals is the first step and is the mission of this new MusicRow directory.”
This print edition also includes the annual Next Big Thing artists listing, with editorial features focused on the touring segment of our industry.
For you or a staff member(s) to be considered for inclusion in this year’s edition of the N.B.T. Music Industry Directory, please click here to access the application form. (Please note that not all submissions are guaranteed to be listed in the directory.)
Note: If you are submitting multiple candidates, you will need to click on SUBMIT at the bottom of the form before entering another candidate.
While you can submit more than one candidate, only those that meet the above criteria will be considered.
Please send a recent head shot to art@musicrow.com. (Photo specs: 2” x 2” or larger, 266+ dpi, color, jpeg).
New submissions for the directory close on Friday, September 27, 2019. For questions, email lbrogers@musicrow.com or call (615) 499-5420.
Bandsintown Unveils Bandsintown For Artists Platform
/by Lorie HollabaughBREAKING: Janine Appleton Ebach Resigns From Curb|Word Entertainment Role
/by LB CantrellJanine Appleton Ebach
Janine Appleton Ebach has resigned from her role as VP of Publishing for Curb|Word Entertainment, MusicRow has confirmed.
During her six year stint as what started as Word Country prior to the Curb acquisition, Ebach celebrated five No. 1 singles including Brett Young’s debut single “Sleep Without You,” Jordan Davis’ “Singles You Up,” Jon Pardi’s “Heartache on the Dance Floor,” Dustin Lynch’s “Good Girl,” and more recently Brett Young’s multi-week single “Here Tonight.”
Ebach is a 2019 honoree of MusicRow Magazine’s Rising Women on the Row as well as AIMP’s Song Champion of the Year, and an active member of the W.O. Smith Board.
She can be reached at appletonj@gmail.com.
Loretta Lynn, George Strait, Luke Combs, Josh Osborne Honored At Nashville Songwriter Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Strait. Photo courtesy NSAI
While this year’s Nashville Songwriter Awards, held Tuesday (Sept. 17) at the Ryman Auditorium, was certainly a star-studded event, the evening focused on quality songs and the talented tunesmiths who craft them, with the night’s winners ranging from legendary songwriters to newcomers.
The 2019 Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, given to recognize a songwriter whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook, was presented to Loretta Lynn, who wrote a significant amount of her own signature songs, including “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind),” “Fist City,” and “The Pill.”
“We can bestow no greater honor on a songwriter,” NSAI Sr. Director of Operations Jennifer Turnbow said of Lynn.
Video and performance tributes followed. Reba McEntire took to the Ryman stage to offer “You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man,” her voice imbued with realness, hurt, bravery, and vocal skill.
Loretta’s granddaughter Tayla paid tribute with a rendition of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” her voice offering a close rendering of her grandmother’s full-bodied note bending and frank phrasings.
Kellie Pickler offered “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl.” “I’m no Loretta, but I’m just going to do my best,” Pickler told the crowd.
Video tributes came from songwriters including Liz Rose and Connie Harrington.
“Listeners can sniff out dishonesty. If you write true lyrics, it reaches,” Rose said.
Following the performances, Lynn, 87, was escorted to the stage by Kid Rock.
“I’m Loretta,” she greeted the crowd as they offered thunderous applause. “I want y’all to know I love you for being here tonight. Thank you all, I love you.”
Loretta Lynn accepts the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement honor. Photo courtesy NSAI
Meanwhile, songwriters overflowed with words of admiration for this year’s recipient of the President’s Keystone Award, George Strait.
“He’s the Frank Sinatra of country music.” “He’s the king of country music.” “We’ve all been trying to write George Strait songs since 1981.” Those are a few of the praises offered to Strait by songwriters who have penned some of his more than 60 No. 1 hits.
Dean Dillon, who has written for Strait for more than four decades, and counts hits including “If I Know Me,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her,” among his catalog, offered a performance “Here For A Good Time,” which he wrote with George and Bubba Strait, as well as “The Chair.”
“I’ve always had an appointment on Monday morning at 10 a.m. to play him some songs on every record he ever cut,” Dillon told the crowd. “George, I thank you for that.”
Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens performed a medley of “Carried Away” and “Carrying Your Love With Me.”
“I think songwriting is a gift from God,” Strait said told the crowd, and briefly alluded to the story of how Johnny Paycheck’s stint in jail kept him from recording the Dillon/Frank Dycus song “Unwound,” a track that Strait would go on to record, producing his first Top 10 hit.
“I’ve leaned on [songwriters] for years and they’ve been kind enough to send me some great songs to record and I really appreciate it,” Strait said.
Songwriter of the Year winner Josh Osborne. Photo courtesy NSAI
Nashville Songwriters Association International leaders hosted the event, including Turnbow, Director of Development Katie Arata, Executive Director Bart Herbison, and NSAI Board President Bogard. City National Bank was the evening’s presenting sponsor.
Luke Combs was honored as Songwriter-Artist of the Year. He was not in attendance, but accepted via video.
“This is the real cherry on top of everything we’ve gotten to do over the past year,” Combs said.
Josh Osborne, who has netted 18 No. 1 hits in his career, was named Songwriter of the Year.
Though the Nashville Songwriter Awards program book listed a performance of a new track titled “Sinning With You,” performer Sam Hunt decided at the last minute to tribute Osborne with “Come Over,” which Osborne penned alongside Hunt and Shane McAnally (who began the segment with a video tribute to Osborne) and was recorded by Kenny Chesney.
“Josh is one of the best songwriters in this town and I’m proud to be part of recognizing it,” Hunt said. Michael Ray offered a rendition of his chart-topper “One That Got Away.”
Osborne was moved by the honor, and accepted with a speech that was humble, humorous, and personal.
“[Songwriters] are insecure by nature, so to get an award on the same stage as Reba and Loretta, that will shake you down a bit,” he told the crowd.
Osborne thanked his wife Toni, letting the crowd know they are expecting their first child, a girl.
“Hopefully, Nicolle [Galyon], you can sign her to your label [the recently-launched Songs & Daughters]…verbal contract.”
He also noted that he moved to Nashville 21 years ago to write songs, and thanked all of his co-writers.
“I still wake up every day determined to prove I belong in that room with you.”
With George Strait sitting in the audience, Osborne also took the opportunity to mention an artist cut that has long been on his bucket list.
“I really, really want a George Strait cut,” he said. “I mean, really. So if anyone in this room knows how to make that happen….” As the crowd laughed and applauded.
Growing serious, Osborne noted that his father died nearly two years ago to the day. “I choose to believe he is seeing this,” Osborne said. “He would have had two questions: ‘Is Sam Hunt putting out new music?’ and ‘Are your seats better than Ashley Gorley’s?’ The answers are ‘Soon,’ and ‘Yes.’”
Senator Lamar Alexander was honored with The White Hat Award, for his work supporting the Music Modernization Act [MMA] and similar legislation that assists songwriters. Lee Brice was on hand to perform “Falling Apart Together,” a track from his 2010 Love Like Crazy album. Brice told the crowd how Alexander had supplied the title of the song; Brice then co-wrote the rest of the song with Billy Montana and Jon Stone, and gave Alexander a writer’s credit on it.
“I want to thank Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Jon Stone for teaching me a lesson in how songwriters get paid,” Alexander said, noting he earned $101.75 in royalties for an entire year from having an album cut.
“The name of this new law [the MMA] really ought to be the songwriters law, because you made it happen,” Alexander said. “So many of you came to Washington, D.C., brought your guitars, went from office to office telling your stories. You did it, you made it happen.”
The evening proved to be extra special for Dean Dillon, as he watched as his daughter, Jessie Jo Dillon, was honored alongside Chase McGill and Jon Nite for writing the 2019 Song of the Year, “Break Up In The End,” recorded by Cole Swindell.
After the three songwriters stepped on the Ryman stage, McGill thanked all of his fellow songwriters in Nashville, while Nite thanked his wife for her support.
“There was a moment I gave this up,” Nite told the crowd. “She gave me a [gift of] a [writers] weekend at NSAI. A couple of songs in, a publisher gave me a deal and here we are.”
“This is one of my favorite songs I’ve written,” said Dillon, who thanked her publisher Big Machine Music, Big Machine Label Group, and NSAI. She also offered encouragement to aspiring songwriters. “If there are songwriters who feel discouraged, worn out, or feel like you want to quit…don’t quit.”
Swindell performed the song alongside Dillon, Nite and McGill.
“Thank you for trusting me with this song,” Swindell said. “I’m just grateful you let me cut it.”
Photo: Courtesy NSAI
Also honored during the evening were the ’10 Songs I Wish I Had Written,’ which featured two songs recorded by Morgan Wallen, two written by artist-writer Michael Hardy and two written by Bobby Pinson.
Artists including Chris Janson, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay, and Jason Aldean all took the stage to perform the compositions.
This year’s 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written Include:
“Meant To Be”: written by Tyler Hubbard, David Garcia, Josh Miller and Bebe Rexa; recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“Whiskey Glasses”: written by Kevin Kadish and Ben Burgess; recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Drunk Girl”: written by Chris Janson, Tom Douglas and Scooter Carusoe; performed by Chris Janson
“God’s Country”: written by Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt and Michael Hardy; recorded by Blake Shelton
“Burning Man”: written by Luke Dick and Bobby Pinson; recorded by Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne
“Tequila”: written by Dan Smyers, Jordan Reynolds and Nicolle Galyon; recorded by Dan + Shay
“Some Of It” written by Bobby Pinson, Clint Daniels, Eric Church and Jeff Hyde; recorded by Eric Church
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”: written by Chris Stevens, David Lee Murphy and Jimmy Yeary; recorded by David Lee Murphy ft. Kenny Chesney
“Up Down”: written by Brad Clawson, CJ Solar and Michael Hardy; recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Drowns The Whiskey”: written by Brad Kinney, Jeff Middleton and Josh Thompson; recorded by Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert
Alicia Mathews Joins Make Wake Team As Artist Manager
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto Credit: Jessica Amerson
Alicia Mathews is joining Make Wake Artists’ Nashville office as Artist Manager. In her new role, Mathews will oversee operations for Hailey Whitters, a recent Make Wake signee jointly managed by Chris Kappy and Make Wake and Matt Graham’s Los Angeles-based BRND Mgmt, home to Midland, Corey Harper, Desure and more.
“I knew after our first meeting that I had to bring Alicia on board the Make Wake team,” said Kappy, Make Wake Artists’ Chief Navigation Officer. “Her diverse background, passion and work ethic make her an incredible asset, and we are so happy to have her.”
A native of Chattanooga, TN, Mathews got her start in the entertainment industry in A&R at Big Machine Label Group and also worked in Business Affairs at Universal Music Group Nashville and in Label Operations for Iconic Entertainment. Mathews is a Grammy Music Cares Ambassador and SOLID alumna, and also oversees Client & Artist Relations for Nashville-based influencer marketing start-up, Songfluencer.
“I am beyond thrilled to have joined the Make Wake/BRND Mgmt team,” said Mathews. “I was immediately drawn to the positive energy and authenticity that Kappy, Matt Graham and the entire team exude. Working with an artist as talented, dedicated, and persistent as Hailey is a dream come true and I’m so excited to partner with her on this journey.”
Make Wake is home to acts Luke Combs, Jobe Fortner, Drew Parker, Niko Moon, Whitters, and more.
BREAKING: Tim Wipperman Named President At Anthem Music Publishing, Nashville [Exclusive]
/by Jessica NicholsonTim Wipperman
Tim Wipperman has been appointed President of Anthem Music Publishing, Nashville and will report to CEO Helen Murphy. The move brings Wipperman’s Rezonant Music Publishing, which was founded in 2016, under the Anthem umbrella.
Wipperman will lead the Nashville team in developing and executing Anthem’s new growth strategy for publishing worldwide, and work with key songwriters and catalogs.
“I am excited to announce that Tim Wipperman has joined the Anthem Entertainment leadership team. Tim brings a wealth of music industry experience, excellent creative relationships and a great sense of humor,” commented Anthem Entertainment CEO Murphy.
“I’m incredibly excited to join Helen Murphy and contribute to the Anthem team. It’s wonderful to be part of a real publisher’s vision, and bring Rezonant under the Anthem umbrella,” said Wipperman. “Our desire is to create a first class, encouraging environment for creative people to excel at what they do. To give people the tools and support to thrive.”
Ree Guyer, President and Owner of Wrensong Entertainment, added, “Tim Wipperman and I have been friends and business associates for many years. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue that creative and forward-thinking relationship.” Anthem recently acquired 50% of the Wrensong catalog.
Wipperman began his career in Nashville where he was hired by Chet Atkins to run Vector Music Publishing. He worked for Cedarwood Publishing as a song plugger, and at Combine Music pitching songs for writers such as Kris Kristofferson. He was tapped to lead Warner Brothers’ Nashville office shortly after it opened, and then he became the head of Warner Chappell Music for 29 years, where he was the youngest publisher to receive the ASCAP Country Music Publisher of the Year honor. He has earned ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC Publisher of the Year honors more than 10 times.
Wipperman was responsible for signings including Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean with Michael Knox, Trace Atkins, Restless Heart, David Alan Coe, and multiple Hall of Fame songwriters and producers. Wipperman then became CCO of Equity Records, and subsequently founded Rezonant Music. Rezonant had 21 of the top 100 country singles in 2018.
Anthem Entertainment is comprised of a music publishing division, recorded music label, production music division, and a leading film and television audio-visual secondary rights (AVSR) management company. Anthem Entertainment operates offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Nashville, and Toronto, with a team of approximately 200 industry professionals.
Amazon Debuts Amazon Music HD Streaming
/by Jessica NicholsonAmazon Music has launched Amazon Music HD, a new “lossless audio” tier of music with more than 50 million songs in high definition, and millions of songs in Ultra High Definition, the highest quality streaming audio available. HD streaming songs featre a bit depth of 16 bits and a sample rate of 44.1kHz (CD quality), while Ultra HD songs will feature a bit depth of 24 bits and a sample rate of up to 192 kHz.
The new service is available for $12.99/month for Prime members and $14.99/month for Amazon customers, or an additional $5/month for current subscribers to the individual or family plans. Amazon Music HD is available to stream in the US, UK, Germany, and Japan
“We spoke with many artists while developing Amazon Music HD, who were excited about the potential for fans to be able to stream their favorite music, and hear it as it was originally recorded,” said Steve Boom, VP of Amazon Music. “From rock to hip-hop to classical and pop, we believe listening to music at this level of sound will make customers fall in love again with their favorite music and artists. As we usher in a new listening experience for our customers and the industry, we’re combining the convenience of streaming with all of the emotion, power, clarity and nuance of the original recordings.”
Songs like Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” and St. Vincent’s “Digital Witness”, are also now available in Ultra HD, revealing nuances that were once flattened in files compressed for digital streaming. Legendary albums including Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors and Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue become revelatory new experiences, almost as if the listener is sitting in on these storied studio sessions.
“Earth will be changed forever when Amazon introduces high quality streaming to the masses,” said rock icon Neil Young. “This will be the biggest thing to happen in music since the introduction of digital audio 40 years ago.”
Amazon Music HD is compatible with a wide variety of devices, including desktop, mobile (iOS & Android), select Echo devices, Fire TV, and Fire Tablets. Amazon Music HD is also compatible with many third-party devices, including most products from Denon and Marantz with HEOS Built-in, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Sonos, McIntosh, Sennheiser, and more.
CMT To Honor Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown, Dan + Shay, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 90-minute special will highlight the five artists who ruled the past year in country music, including surprise musical pairings and guest performers. The show will also include a live-streamed remote performance from Underwood from her Cry Pretty Tour 360 stop in Cleveland, Ohio.
“These five, stand-out honorees have dominated country music this year and we look forward to paying tribute to each of them at the 10th year anniversary CMT Artists of the Year event,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy & Talent, CMT. “From first-time honorees Dan + Shay, Kane Brown and Luke Combs to two-time honoree Thomas Rhett and now five-time honoree Carrie Underwood, this incredible collection of talent coming together at what marks a pivotal time in each of their careers promises to be a night of incredible performances and reflection.”
Carter Winter Signs With Peter Strickland’s Marathon Talent Agency
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Carter Winter, Marathon Talent Agency’s Peter Strickland
Average Joes Entertainment artist Carter Winter has signed a management agreement with Peter Strickland of Marathon Talent Agency.
“When I first heard Carter’s voice I was taken aback by his traditional vocals and modern lyrics,” Strickland commented. “He has an incredibly unique sound that needs to be heard.”
Zach Beebe of OTRMgmt initially recognized Carter’s talent and brought him to Strickland’s attention for management.
“It’s all about finding people who truly believe in you and match your passion and vision for the art you’re creating. I’ve found that in Peter and I’m grateful for the opportunity to join forces and get to work,” Winter said.
Carter is currently in the studio finishing up a new album to be released first quarter 2020.
CMA Hosts Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductees For 16th Annual Artist Luncheon
/by LB CantrellPictured: 2019 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Jerry Bradley, Brooks & Dunn and Ray Stevens are joined by Country Music Hall of Fame members Duane Allen (Oak Ridge Boys), Ricky Skaggs and Randy Travis, as well as WSM Radio personality Bill Cody and CMA Artist members during the 16th Annual CMA Artist Luncheon at CabaRay Showroom in Nashville. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
The Country Music Association hosted its 16th Annual Artist Luncheon yesterday afternoon (Sept. 16) featuring a panel of the Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductees—Jerry Bradley, Brooks & Dunn and Ray Stevens.
The panel was hosted by WSM radio personality Bill Cody at Stevens’ CabaRay Showroom in Nashville, and members of the trade association were invited to the lunch to hear first-hand about each inductee’s journey to the Hall of Fame.
As previously announced, Bradley will be inducted in the Non-Performer category, which is awarded every third year in rotation with the Recording and/or Touring Musician and Songwriter categories. Brooks & Dunn are being inducted in the Modern Era Artist category, and Stevens will be inducted in the Veterans Era Artist category. The formal induction ceremony will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame in October.
CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with Country Music’s highest honor.
Pictured (L-R): Bill Cody (WSM Radio personality), Ray Stevens, Jerry Bradley,
Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks, Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer) and
Jody Williams (BMI Vice President, Creative, Nashville and CMA Board Chairman). Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Pictured: Bill Cody leads a panel featuring Ray Stevens, Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks and Jerry Bradley. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA