Round Hill Music and Arthouse Entertainment Host Writer Retreat
Pictured (L-R): Morgan Taylor Reid, Ben Johnson, Ashley Leone, Jeff Sojka, Penny Gattis, Steven McMorran, Taylor Gayle, Cameron Bedell, Feli Ferraro, Eric Arjes, Lauren LaRue, Josh Saxe, Kiersten Kelly, Jimmy Robbins, Rabitt, Danny Myrick, Kara DioGuardi. Photo: Annie Lukach
Round Hill Music and Arthouse Entertainment recently led The Good Write songwriter retreat at Trimble House in Nashville on Dec. 4-5. The two-day event brought together songwriters for writing collaborations, as well as an unsigned writer mentorship session, in partnership with NSAI.
Jerry Duncan Promotions Adds Laura Prestage
Laura Prestage
Record promotion company Jerry Duncan Promotions has named Laura Prestage as Promotions Coordinator. Prestage will oversee responsibilities previously held by Lisa Smoot, who was recently promoted from Director, Promotions to Vice President. Prestage will oversee office day-to-day operations and radio promotion with Music Row stations.
Prestage, an MTSU graduate and the daughter of Lisa Smoot (and granddaughter of Jerry Duncan) can be reached at laura@duncanpromo.com and 615-329-1032.
Kalie Shorr, Savannah Keyes To Host Radio Disney Country Feature
Savannah Keyes, Kalie Shorr
Artists Kalie Shorr and Savannah Keyes are set to host a new Radio Disney Country daily feature, “Let The Girls Play,” aimed at highlighting music from female country artists, both superstars and rising artists. The feature launched Dec. 5.
Radio Disney Country can be heard on the Radio Disney App, iHeartRadio App, KRDC FM/AM – Los Angeles, TuneIn, the Radio Disney Country ‘Spotlight’ on Radio Disney and SiriusXM, Apple Music and Spotify playlists.
SOLID RAISES NEARLY $5K FROM ANNUAL TURKEY BOWL
Pictured (L-R): Casey Elliott (CMS), Erin Mercer (CMT), Deanna Wantz (The Onsite Foundation) and Bailey Lathem (City National Bank). Photo: Sunshine McFarland
Music industry organization SOLID raised nearly $5,000 at their 33rd annual Turkey Bowl Flag Football Tournament for Middle Tennessee-based The Onsite Foundation. The organization also donated more than 29,000 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank.
This year’s Turkey Bowl, held at Vanderbilt University, included participation from eight industry teams: APA, CAA, CMT, FBMM, SMACK Songs, Triple8 Management, Universal and WME.
Toby Keith Celebrates 25th Anniversary With BMI Party, Opry Performances, Symphony Award
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): BMI’s David Preston, TKO Artist Management’s TK Kimbrell, Toby Keith, BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Steve Lowry
Toby Keith is closing out the year in an epic way, as he recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his classic single “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” and the re-release of his debut album at a special party at BMI on December 5. The same week he also performed twice on the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman on December 7, and then received the prestigious Harmony Award from the Nashville Symphony the following night.
Last week, Keith released a new song, “Don’t Let The Old Man In,” which is featured during the final scene and closing credits of Clint Eastwood’s upcoming film The Mule. The story tells the tale of an older man who becomes an unwitting drug courier, and the song was inspired by a conversation Keith had with Eastwood during his golf tournament in Carmel, CA, where the two shared a cart. The busy month follows the release of Toby Keith – Should’ve Been A Cowboy [25th Anniversary Edition], which celebrates Keith’s debut album that spawned four hit singles including his No. 1 debut “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.”
Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry
Country Music Hall Of Fame To Offer Free Admission On 10th Ford Community Day
/by LB CantrellThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will offer free museum admission this Sunday (Dec. 16) in partnership with Ford Motor Company for the museum’s 10th Ford Community Day, headlined by Runaway June. The day will also feature Songwriter Sessions with Pat Alger and Jamie Floyd and a Musician Spotlight with Dom Flemons.
In an effort to thank the middle Tennessee community and country music fans for their support, the Museum will offer free admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday as well as free tours of Hatch Show Print and Historic RCA Studio B, special discounts on merchandise and memberships, and a variety of programs and events for all ages.
“As a non-profit organization and one of the leading arts institutions in the United States, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum makes it a priority to give back to the local community,” said Steve Turner, chairman of the museum’s board of officers and trustees. “Each year, the Ford Motor Company Fund generously allows the museum to open its doors for free to the public. We are grateful for their support and excited to make the museum available to our community for what is sure to be a memorable day.”
“The Middle Tennessee Ford Dealers along with Ford Motor Company Fund look forward to again offering the opportunity to enjoy the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s premier educational experiences at no cost,” said John Barker, Owner, Two Rivers Ford. “Ford’s ties to country music run deep. Henry Ford launched many of his early models at fiddling competitions across the U.S., knowing that country music and the stories behind it were strongly connected to the everyday American. As a long-time partner of the Hall, the Ford Motor Company Fund is proud to support Ford Community Day as it allows us to honor our traditions of supporting music and giving back to our community.”
BMG Appoints Eric Scott As Sr. VP, Rights Administration And Royalty Services
/by Jessica NicholsonEric Scott
BMG has named Eric Scott as Sr. VP, Rights Administration and Royalty Services. Scott, based in Nashville, will be responsible for overseeing publishing royalties, master royalties, mechanical licensing, and copyright administration for BMG US. He will continue to report to Ben Katovsky, BMG COO, and Joe Gillen, EVP & CFO, North America.
Previously, Scott served as Vice President of Publishing Royalties & Client Services, BMG US, leading the US Publishing Royalty department located in Nashville, as well as its continued operations in both New York and Los Angeles. With more than a decade of diverse experience in the music industry with a background in both client services and systems technology, his prior roles envelope all aspects of publishing royalties and client relations.
Scott joined BMG in 2011 when he served as Sr. Director, Royalty Services based in New York, until 2014. Following, he served as VP, Publishing Operations & Royalties at Immortal Music Publishing/Downtown Records and more recently at SoundCloud, where he split his time between New York and Berlin working both in a product management and development role, as well as managing the company’s reporting relationship with labels, publishers, and societies.
Scott began his career as Publisher Services Manager at The Harry Fox Agency before serving as Director of Royalties at Spirit Music Group.
Industry Ink: Round Hill Music, Jerry Duncan Promotions, Radio Disney, SOLID
/by Jessica NicholsonRound Hill Music and Arthouse Entertainment Host Writer Retreat
Pictured (L-R): Morgan Taylor Reid, Ben Johnson, Ashley Leone, Jeff Sojka, Penny Gattis, Steven McMorran, Taylor Gayle, Cameron Bedell, Feli Ferraro, Eric Arjes, Lauren LaRue, Josh Saxe, Kiersten Kelly, Jimmy Robbins, Rabitt, Danny Myrick, Kara DioGuardi. Photo: Annie Lukach
Round Hill Music and Arthouse Entertainment recently led The Good Write songwriter retreat at Trimble House in Nashville on Dec. 4-5. The two-day event brought together songwriters for writing collaborations, as well as an unsigned writer mentorship session, in partnership with NSAI.
Jerry Duncan Promotions Adds Laura Prestage
Laura Prestage
Record promotion company Jerry Duncan Promotions has named Laura Prestage as Promotions Coordinator. Prestage will oversee responsibilities previously held by Lisa Smoot, who was recently promoted from Director, Promotions to Vice President. Prestage will oversee office day-to-day operations and radio promotion with Music Row stations.
Prestage, an MTSU graduate and the daughter of Lisa Smoot (and granddaughter of Jerry Duncan) can be reached at laura@duncanpromo.com and 615-329-1032.
Kalie Shorr, Savannah Keyes To Host Radio Disney Country Feature
Savannah Keyes, Kalie Shorr
Artists Kalie Shorr and Savannah Keyes are set to host a new Radio Disney Country daily feature, “Let The Girls Play,” aimed at highlighting music from female country artists, both superstars and rising artists. The feature launched Dec. 5.
Radio Disney Country can be heard on the Radio Disney App, iHeartRadio App, KRDC FM/AM – Los Angeles, TuneIn, the Radio Disney Country ‘Spotlight’ on Radio Disney and SiriusXM, Apple Music and Spotify playlists.
SOLID RAISES NEARLY $5K FROM ANNUAL TURKEY BOWL
Pictured (L-R): Casey Elliott (CMS), Erin Mercer (CMT), Deanna Wantz (The Onsite Foundation) and Bailey Lathem (City National Bank). Photo: Sunshine McFarland
Music industry organization SOLID raised nearly $5,000 at their 33rd annual Turkey Bowl Flag Football Tournament for Middle Tennessee-based The Onsite Foundation. The organization also donated more than 29,000 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank.
This year’s Turkey Bowl, held at Vanderbilt University, included participation from eight industry teams: APA, CAA, CMT, FBMM, SMACK Songs, Triple8 Management, Universal and WME.
Big Loud Secures Three Promotions In Creative Department
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Tori Johnson, Morgan Sweat, Nick Swift. Photos: Nick Swift
Big Loud has immediately expanded the role of three creative team members, signing multiple-year agreements with Tori Johnson, Morgan Sweat and Nick Swift.
Johnson will become Director of Creative and Digital, Sweat will step up as the Sr. Manager of Creative Media, and Swift becomes Big Loud’s new Creative Media Producer.
“Tori, Morgan, and Nick have been integral parts of our Creative and Digital team at Big Loud for several years,” says Big Loud VP of Creative and Digital Lloyd Norman. “Tori’s leadership, design, and social media work has continually raised the bar of our content quality, while Morgan’s video and motion graphic skills have made our artists’ videos second to none, and Nick has elevated to become one of the most talented young photographers in the music industry. Their ability to bring our artists’ visions to life is unmatched. These much deserved promotions ensure we will be able to do great work for years to come and we can’t wait to keep progressing.”
After helping Florida Georgia Line achieve superstardom, Big Loud has gone on to introduce Chris Lane, Morgan Wallen, Mason Ramsey, Jillian Jacqueline, and HARDY in addition to signing country superstar Jake Owen.
Big Loud was founded as a partnership between Craig Wiseman, Seth England, Chief Zaruk, and Joey Moi, four industry veterans with a vision to bring song publishing, artist development, management, production, and promotion under one roof. In 2015, the partners expanded their firm with the creation of Big Loud Records, led by Clay Hunnicutt.
Reid Isbell Inks Joint Deal With Big Machine Music And 50 Egg Music
/by LB CantrellPictured, back row (L-R): Big Machine Music’s Alex Heddle, 50 Egg Music’s Jonathan Singleton, Big Machine Music’s Michelle Attardi, Beckett Law’s Matthew Beckett, Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar. Front row: Reid Isbell
Big Machine Music has signed Reid Isbell to an exclusive songwriting deal, via a joint venture with 50 Egg Music, owned by fellow Big Machine Music songwriter Jonathan Singleton. Isbell joins Luke Combs and Kenton Bryant as the latest addition to the joint venture.
“Jonathan and the Big Machine Music crew have felt like family for a while now and I couldn’t be more excited to officially join their all-star team,” Isbell said.
Singleton said, “I’ve known Reid since he was a kid. It’s hard to miss on a guy like him who works hard, sings well, writes even better and is an all-around great guy.”
“I’m always grateful to Jonathan for introducing us to uniquely talented songwriters and Reid is no exception,” said Big Machine Music’s General Manager Mike Molinar. “We are honored to welcome him to the family!”
CRS To Host Panel Exploring Relationships Between Parents, Teens And Country Music
/by Lorie HollabaughThe “Parents, Teens, and Country Music” panel, presented by Edison Research, will combine a survey of country listeners who have teenagers at home, a survey of teens, and footage from the in-person interviews that have become a highlight of Edison’s CRS presentations. Both groups will be asked about their musical tastes, media usage, and how that usage takes hold with an eye on how parents and teens influence each other.
“This presentation will allow CRS attendees to understand better the lives of people currently in their demographic target while allowing a peek into those of the crucial next generation of country fans,” says Edison Research president Larry Rosin. “There will be practical advice both for connecting with the parents, and cultivating the younger group for the future.”
Kevin Welch At Top Spot Followed By Gorley, McAnally And Osborne On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellKevin Welch has been No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for an impressive 6 weeks. Even more impressive, he sits at the top from the leverage of only one 16-year-old song. His independently-written “Millionaire,” which earned its performer Chris Stapleton a Grammy nomination last week, has kept Welch on top, personifying the value of a solo write.
“Co-writing is a time honored tradition in Nashville,” Welch said. “A lot of my best songs are co-writes, and usually my co-writer wrote the best parts. But I’ve always believed that it’s not healthy to only co-write. Sometimes its a good idea to just sit there by yourself and dig, because a lot of the good stuff is buried deep. ”
Kevin Welch
Ashley Gorley moves in No. 2 this week, Shane McAnally into No. 3 and Josh Osborne to No. 4. On a bleaker note, there is not a female songwriter until No. 38 this week with Jessi Alexander.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive recent addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Newsboys United And Michael W. Smith Team For Spring Tour
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Surrounded & United: The Tour” kicks off April 12 in Baton Rouge, LA, and will make stops in Chicago, West Palm Beach, and several other cities before wrapping May 11 in Bismarck, North Dakota.
“We’re so excited to join our friend Michael W. Smith on the road next spring,” said Newsboys’ Michael Tait. “Over the years worship has become central to both our identities as artists, so having the chance to worship together will be such a special experience.”
“I’ve been friends with the guys in Newsboys for years, but for whatever reason, we’ve never had the opportunity to tour together,” Smith says. “The time finally seems right, and I’m really looking forward to this—great guys, great music, great worship. This is going to be fun!”
Frank Foster Signs With APA Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughFrank Foster has signed with APA Nashville for booking representation.
Foster released his seventh studio album this year, ‘Til I’m Gone, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Album Sales chart, and No. 4 on Billboard’s Independent Album chart. He began his musical journey in 2011 with the release of his first album, Rowdy Reputation, and has sold over 125,000 albums and 325,000 singles over the course of his career.
Foster has toured with artists including Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jake Owen, Justin Moore, Randy Houser, Lee Brice and Gary Allan, and sold nearly 94,000 tickets over 46 shows during his 2017 tour. Foster’s music has garnered over 66.8 million streams on Pandora, 20 million spins on Spotify, and his videos have earned over 12 million views on YouTube.
“Frank Foster is true country original and he’s got the numbers to prove it,” said APA’s Matt McGuire. “He’s as authentic as it gets and we’re really excited to join him on the next phase of his amazing journey.”