Many of the top performers in country music’s touring industry were honored during the CMA Touring Awards, held Monday (Jan. 28) at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works. The longstanding awards show, which launched in 1990 and were formerly known as the SRO Awards, honors the best in country music touring and business. This year’s ceremony celebrated professionals in 15 categories. Partners for the evening included Delta Airlines, while guests sipped on libations from Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay Rum line.
Members of Kenny Chesney’s touring and business team dominated the award wins for the evening, taking home awards in five categories.
Philip Ealy was honored as Lighting Director of the Year, while Jay Cooper was named Tour Video Director of the Year. Coach/Truck Driver of the Year went to John Stalder.
Ebie McFarland, founder/owner of EB Media PR and publicist for artists including Chesney, George Strait, and more, was named Publicist of the Year. Client Michael Ray made a special appearance to honor McFarland. McFarland was named a MusicRow Rising Women on the Row in 2014.
David Farmer, Chesney’s tour manager, was named Tour Manager of the Year.
“This is an award you don’t win by yourself,” he said, dedicating the honor to Chesney’s late Lighting Crew Chief Allen Gibson, who died in October 2018.
Evening host Jerrod Niemann, and Joe Denim introduced categories with video voice overs. The intros, dubbed “Real Crews Of Genius,” parodied the classic Bud Light “Real Men of Genius” radio spots popular in the 1990s.
“There is a vast spectrum of greatness here,” Niemann said in starting off the evening. “I want to give you an example of who is sitting at these tables. If you go to one really far spectrum there is a group that wakes up every morning, shower, put on their best dress, get in their Mercedes Benz convertible, go to their office in the sky, look out the corner window, have that earpiece in and make the stadium tours roar. On the other spectrum, still greatness, but the other end in this room there’s a group of you that wake up in the morning too, don’t shower, but do slip on your cleanest dirty black tee shirt, cargo pants, cleanest black tennis shoes and radio and you know you have a duty. You know that it’s your job to be the first to find the cleanest sh*ter and the best weed,” he joked. “For that, I commend you.”
The late Mike Kennedy won Touring Musician of the Year at the 7th Annual CMA Touring Awards on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN. He is celebrated here by his friends including Terry Hale (Ace in the Hole Band), wife Margaret Kennedy and friends.
Two members of Keith Urban’s touring entourage were honored, including Kirk Kelsey (Front of House Engineer of the Year) and Randy “Baha” Fletcher (Production Manager of the Year). Kelsey and Fletcher are currently working on Keith Urban’s Graffiti U tour in Australia. Footage was shown of Urban surprising both men with their CMA Touring Award honors. In 2017, Fletcher was honored with the CMA Touring Awards’ Lifetime Achievement honor.
Several more former MusicRow Rising Women on the Row honorees were feted during the event.
WME’s Becky Gardenhire, who was named one of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row in 2018, was honored as Talent Agent of the Year.
KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, artist manager for Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell among others, was named Manager of the Year. She was named one of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row in 2017.
Julie Boos, who was named a MusicRow Rising Women On The Row in 2014, was honored as Business Manager of the Year. Blake Shelton thanked Boos for her work via a video statement.
The Touring Musician of the Year category proved a bittersweet moment, as the late Mike Kennedy was honored. Kennedy, who died in August 2018 at age 59, had been a member of Strait’s Ace In The Hole band for nearly 30 years. Fellow band members Terry Hale, Mike Anderson and Marty Slayton, as well as Kennedy’s wife Margaret, were on hand to accept the honor on Kennedy’s behalf.
“I want to say how much this means to all of us and to Mike’s family. We miss Mike a lot,” Strait said via video. “We are having to learn to play without him now but thank you, I know how much it would mean to him and how much it means to his family.”
Hale, who has been a bass player as part of the Ace in the Hole band for 45 years, said, “I had the great privilege and immeasurable pleasure of standing next to Mike Kennedy for 30 years,” Hale said. “I would like to thank his wife Margaret for sharing him with us…it is a privilege to do this for a living.”
Brian O’Connell (Live Nation) wins Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year at the 7th Annual CMA Touring Awards on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN.
DEGA Catering was named Tour Caterer of the Year, and Little Big Town offered video congratulations. Monitor Engineer of the Year went to Cam Beachley, who works on Miranda Lambert’s tours.
Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell was named Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year. Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston offered a few congratulatory (and sarcastic) lines via video. “It’s awesome what you are doing for us, especially not having a slot on Tortuga Festival, or Seven Peaks this year, or Watershed. We probably won’t be on the one in Chicago, either, but great job buddy.”
O’Connell used his acceptance time to honor others who have worked with him, including fellow CMA Touring Award nominee Ali Harnell, AEG Presents, and Patrick McDill (Live Nation Nashville) plus Mike Dugan (Messina Touring Group) and David Kells (Bridgestone Arena).
Opry Entertainment Sr. VP, Programming and Artist Relations/Opry General Manager Sally Williams accepted the Ryman Auditorium’s accolade as Venue of the Year. Ronnie Milsap offered a tribute via video.
The evening’s Lifetime Achievement award honored Messina Touring Group CEO Louis Messina. The Messina Touring Group oversaw three of 2018’s largest stadium tours, as Chesney, Swift and Ed Sheeran brought in more than 80 stadium shows in North America. Messina Touring Group promoted tours that grossed nearly $600 million in North America last year.
Video congratulations poured in from several of the artists Messina helped to launch massive touring careers, including Shelton, Eric Church, Chesney, Strait and Taylor Swift. Church’s manager John Peets of Q Prime South was on hand to honor Messina.
Messina recalled receiving the news via surprise phone call from Strait in November.
“This is quite an honor. I’ve been so blessed throughout my whole career,” said Messina. “I’m going to steal an Eric Church line because last year when everything came through, we did over 100 stadium shows. I had a record year. I’ve been doing this for 46 years, but last year was crazy. I’ve always been a dreamer. The first time I saw Elvis I knew this was what I wanted to do. I saw him when I was seven-years-old. My big reward is not only seeing my dreams come true, but the artists I work for, seeing their dreams come true. We help create magic night after night. It’s all about the artists, but it’s all about everybody in this room too because when you put us all together, that’s what magic is. When the artist and the audience connect and we’re just that part of it, that’s magical. I salute everybody in this room for being a part of what you all do. This is a night I’m never going to forget.”
Perhaps it was Coach/Truck Driver of the Year winner John Stalder who summed the evening best.
“Keep on rollin’!”
Michael Ray surprises Ebie McFarland as she wins the Publicist of the Year at the 7th Annual CMA Touring Awards on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN.
2019 CMA Touring Awards Winners:
CATEGORY 1 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Julie Boos (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.)
CATEGORY 2 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
John Stalder (Kenny Chesney)
CATEGORY 3 – FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Kirk Kelsey (Keith Urban)
CATEGORY 4 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Philip Ealy (Kenny Chesney)
CATEGORY 5 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Kerri Edwards (KP Entertainment)
CATEGORY 6 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
David Farmer (Kenny Chesney)
CATEGORY 7 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Cam Beachley (Miranda Lambert)
CATEGORY 8 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Randy “Baja” Fletcher (Keith Urban)
CATEGORY 9 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Ebie McFarland (Essential Broadcast Media)
CATEGORY 10 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Becky Gardenhire (WME)
CATEGORY 11 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Brian O’Connell (Live Nation Nashville)
CATEGORY 12 – TOUR CATERER OF THE YEAR
Dega Catering
CATEGORY 13 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Mike Kennedy (George Strait)
CATEGORY 14 – VENUE OF THE YEAR
Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN)
CATEGORY 15 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Jay Cooper (Kenny Chesney)
Kenny Chesney’s Team Tops CMA Touring Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonMany of the top performers in country music’s touring industry were honored during the CMA Touring Awards, held Monday (Jan. 28) at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works. The longstanding awards show, which launched in 1990 and were formerly known as the SRO Awards, honors the best in country music touring and business. This year’s ceremony celebrated professionals in 15 categories. Partners for the evening included Delta Airlines, while guests sipped on libations from Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay Rum line.
Members of Kenny Chesney’s touring and business team dominated the award wins for the evening, taking home awards in five categories.
Philip Ealy was honored as Lighting Director of the Year, while Jay Cooper was named Tour Video Director of the Year. Coach/Truck Driver of the Year went to John Stalder.
Ebie McFarland, founder/owner of EB Media PR and publicist for artists including Chesney, George Strait, and more, was named Publicist of the Year. Client Michael Ray made a special appearance to honor McFarland. McFarland was named a MusicRow Rising Women on the Row in 2014.
David Farmer, Chesney’s tour manager, was named Tour Manager of the Year.
“This is an award you don’t win by yourself,” he said, dedicating the honor to Chesney’s late Lighting Crew Chief Allen Gibson, who died in October 2018.
Evening host Jerrod Niemann, and Joe Denim introduced categories with video voice overs. The intros, dubbed “Real Crews Of Genius,” parodied the classic Bud Light “Real Men of Genius” radio spots popular in the 1990s.
“There is a vast spectrum of greatness here,” Niemann said in starting off the evening. “I want to give you an example of who is sitting at these tables. If you go to one really far spectrum there is a group that wakes up every morning, shower, put on their best dress, get in their Mercedes Benz convertible, go to their office in the sky, look out the corner window, have that earpiece in and make the stadium tours roar. On the other spectrum, still greatness, but the other end in this room there’s a group of you that wake up in the morning too, don’t shower, but do slip on your cleanest dirty black tee shirt, cargo pants, cleanest black tennis shoes and radio and you know you have a duty. You know that it’s your job to be the first to find the cleanest sh*ter and the best weed,” he joked. “For that, I commend you.”
The late Mike Kennedy won Touring Musician of the Year at the 7th Annual CMA Touring Awards on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN. He is celebrated here by his friends including Terry Hale (Ace in the Hole Band), wife Margaret Kennedy and friends.
Two members of Keith Urban’s touring entourage were honored, including Kirk Kelsey (Front of House Engineer of the Year) and Randy “Baha” Fletcher (Production Manager of the Year). Kelsey and Fletcher are currently working on Keith Urban’s Graffiti U tour in Australia. Footage was shown of Urban surprising both men with their CMA Touring Award honors. In 2017, Fletcher was honored with the CMA Touring Awards’ Lifetime Achievement honor.
Several more former MusicRow Rising Women on the Row honorees were feted during the event.
WME’s Becky Gardenhire, who was named one of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row in 2018, was honored as Talent Agent of the Year.
KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, artist manager for Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell among others, was named Manager of the Year. She was named one of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row in 2017.
Julie Boos, who was named a MusicRow Rising Women On The Row in 2014, was honored as Business Manager of the Year. Blake Shelton thanked Boos for her work via a video statement.
The Touring Musician of the Year category proved a bittersweet moment, as the late Mike Kennedy was honored. Kennedy, who died in August 2018 at age 59, had been a member of Strait’s Ace In The Hole band for nearly 30 years. Fellow band members Terry Hale, Mike Anderson and Marty Slayton, as well as Kennedy’s wife Margaret, were on hand to accept the honor on Kennedy’s behalf.
“I want to say how much this means to all of us and to Mike’s family. We miss Mike a lot,” Strait said via video. “We are having to learn to play without him now but thank you, I know how much it would mean to him and how much it means to his family.”
Hale, who has been a bass player as part of the Ace in the Hole band for 45 years, said, “I had the great privilege and immeasurable pleasure of standing next to Mike Kennedy for 30 years,” Hale said. “I would like to thank his wife Margaret for sharing him with us…it is a privilege to do this for a living.”
Brian O’Connell (Live Nation) wins Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year at the 7th Annual CMA Touring Awards on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN.
DEGA Catering was named Tour Caterer of the Year, and Little Big Town offered video congratulations. Monitor Engineer of the Year went to Cam Beachley, who works on Miranda Lambert’s tours.
Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell was named Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year. Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston offered a few congratulatory (and sarcastic) lines via video. “It’s awesome what you are doing for us, especially not having a slot on Tortuga Festival, or Seven Peaks this year, or Watershed. We probably won’t be on the one in Chicago, either, but great job buddy.”
O’Connell used his acceptance time to honor others who have worked with him, including fellow CMA Touring Award nominee Ali Harnell, AEG Presents, and Patrick McDill (Live Nation Nashville) plus Mike Dugan (Messina Touring Group) and David Kells (Bridgestone Arena).
Opry Entertainment Sr. VP, Programming and Artist Relations/Opry General Manager Sally Williams accepted the Ryman Auditorium’s accolade as Venue of the Year. Ronnie Milsap offered a tribute via video.
The evening’s Lifetime Achievement award honored Messina Touring Group CEO Louis Messina. The Messina Touring Group oversaw three of 2018’s largest stadium tours, as Chesney, Swift and Ed Sheeran brought in more than 80 stadium shows in North America. Messina Touring Group promoted tours that grossed nearly $600 million in North America last year.
Video congratulations poured in from several of the artists Messina helped to launch massive touring careers, including Shelton, Eric Church, Chesney, Strait and Taylor Swift. Church’s manager John Peets of Q Prime South was on hand to honor Messina.
Messina recalled receiving the news via surprise phone call from Strait in November.
“This is quite an honor. I’ve been so blessed throughout my whole career,” said Messina. “I’m going to steal an Eric Church line because last year when everything came through, we did over 100 stadium shows. I had a record year. I’ve been doing this for 46 years, but last year was crazy. I’ve always been a dreamer. The first time I saw Elvis I knew this was what I wanted to do. I saw him when I was seven-years-old. My big reward is not only seeing my dreams come true, but the artists I work for, seeing their dreams come true. We help create magic night after night. It’s all about the artists, but it’s all about everybody in this room too because when you put us all together, that’s what magic is. When the artist and the audience connect and we’re just that part of it, that’s magical. I salute everybody in this room for being a part of what you all do. This is a night I’m never going to forget.”
Perhaps it was Coach/Truck Driver of the Year winner John Stalder who summed the evening best.
“Keep on rollin’!”
Michael Ray surprises Ebie McFarland as she wins the Publicist of the Year at the 7th Annual CMA Touring Awards on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN.
2019 CMA Touring Awards Winners:
CATEGORY 1 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Julie Boos (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.)
CATEGORY 2 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
John Stalder (Kenny Chesney)
CATEGORY 3 – FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Kirk Kelsey (Keith Urban)
CATEGORY 4 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Philip Ealy (Kenny Chesney)
CATEGORY 5 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Kerri Edwards (KP Entertainment)
CATEGORY 6 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
David Farmer (Kenny Chesney)
CATEGORY 7 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Cam Beachley (Miranda Lambert)
CATEGORY 8 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Randy “Baja” Fletcher (Keith Urban)
CATEGORY 9 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Ebie McFarland (Essential Broadcast Media)
CATEGORY 10 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Becky Gardenhire (WME)
CATEGORY 11 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Brian O’Connell (Live Nation Nashville)
CATEGORY 12 – TOUR CATERER OF THE YEAR
Dega Catering
CATEGORY 13 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Mike Kennedy (George Strait)
CATEGORY 14 – VENUE OF THE YEAR
Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN)
CATEGORY 15 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Jay Cooper (Kenny Chesney)
John Zarling Exits Sony Music Nashville
/by Sherod RobertsonSony Music Nashville’s Executive Vice President John Zarling is exiting his post with the label to pursue new career opportunities, MusicRow has confirmed.
Serving as Sony Music Nashville’s Executive Vice President, Marketing & New Business since January 2017, Zarling has overseen the label’s marketing efforts as well as brand partnerships, digital marketing, international marketing, media and creative services.
Prior to his position at Sony Music, Zarling served as Senior Vice President, Partnership Marketing & Promotion Strategy, for Big Machine Label Group. A Big Machine Label Group executive since its launch in 2005, he played a pivotal role in the careers of Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire, The Band Perry, Zac Brown Band, Martina McBride and Brantley Gilbert, among many others.
While at Big Machine, Zarling created partnerships with Comcast, Disney, Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Institute at HCA, Allstate Insurance and American Express; additionally, he initiated promotion campaigns for successful TV and film endeavors including ABC’s Nashville, FOX’s American Idol, NBC’s The Voice, Warner Bros. Films’ Valentine’s Day and the Oscar-nominated Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.
California native Zarling joined Mercury Records’ promotion department in 2001, upon graduation from Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.
Zarling can be reached at john@johnzarling.com.
SOLID Names New Board Of Directors For 2019
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) has revealed their board election results for the organization’s 22nd year. The Executive Board includes the following: President Johnny Cloherty (Cloherty Endeavors Inc.), Vice President Nathan Pyle (Recording Academy), Treasurer Erin Pettit (FBMM Entertainment Business Management), and Secretary Collin Trudan (TKO Artist Management).
Committee Chairs for 2019 are as follows:
Communications Chair: Avery King (Nashville Music Media)
Communications Co-Chair: Emily Grabowski (Vector Management)
Communications Co-Chair: Jordan Lipsey (Quinton Digital)
Education Chair: Luke Pierce (WORKS Entertainment)
Education Co-Chair: Kristin Grapentin (Neste Event Marketing)
Social Chair: Ashley Villone (BMG Rights Management)
Social Co-Chair: Brittany Uhniat (Resin8 Music)
Community Outreach Chair: Victoria Chaitoff (Warner Music Nashville)
Community Outreach Co-Chair: Ashley White (Streaming Promotions)
University Outreach Chair: Ammie Sortor (APA)
University Outreach Co-Chair: Zachary Opheim (Central Real Estate Partners)
Music Market Chair: Ellen Larson (APA)
Music Market Co-Chair: Amy Kadish (ClearBox Rights, LLC)
“After a record breaking year, I’m so excited about how this board is already planning the upcoming events for our 22nd year,” said Cloherty, who’s serving his second term as president this year. “This will be my fourth year on the board and I’ve seen the energy from the board continue to grow each year. The 2019 board has big shoes to fill after such an incredible 21st year and I truly believe they are up for the challenge.”
The SOLID Alumni Board also announced its new president and board members. The board will be led by President Amanda Quinton (Quinton Digital), and includes the following board members: Brian O’Neil (Constellation Management), Eric Griffin (Music City Counsel), Rachel Glidden (Fame House), and Liz Rogers (Anacrusis).
CRS Team UMG At The Ryman Luncheon Lineup Announced
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Jordan Davis, Travis Denning, Vince Gill, Adam Hambrick, Caylee Hammack, Brandon Lay, Little Big Town, Maddie & Tae, and Darius Rucker will all perform at this year’s upcoming Universal Music Group Nashville 10th Annual “Team UMG at the Ryman” luncheon at CRS 2019.
The star-studded event will be held Feb. 14 at the Ryman Auditorium. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and the show will begin at Noon. As in previous years, seminar registrants will receive a boxed lunch prior to the event and will have the option to either walk or use shuttles provided by UMG Nashville going from the Omni Hotel to the Ryman Auditorium between 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
“Ten years of this can’t-miss tradition. I hope to see you there!,” said Universal Music Group Nashville’s Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan about the annual event.
The $699 final registration rate for Country Radio Seminar’s 50th Anniversary Event is available at CountryRadioSeminar.com. Single-day passes are also being made available for $200 per pass and are limited to two-day passes per person. Day passes will only be available for purchase on-site.
Music Financing Company Sound Royalties Expands To Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic finance firm Sound Royalties, with offices in Los Angeles and South Florida, has expanded operations to include a new Nashville location. Sound Royalties CEO/founder Alex Heiche, who launched the company in 2014, is now operating out of Nashville full time.
Sound Royalties offers non-credit based financing and cash advancing for musicians and other creatives, including their signature “Sound Check” program, which offers anywhere from $5,000 to $10 million in financing, with a one percent per quarter rate (four percent annually). The non-credit based program costs a one-time flat fee of $695. Sound Royalties’ financing allows musicians to retain the rights to their music.
“Nashville isn’t just the country music capital, it is the music capital of the world. Beyond those who already live here, creatives from all genres of music travel here to play shows, record music, and collaborate with other artists,” said Heiche. “It’s important to us that we establish a dedicated space in Nashville, to enhance our commitment to the community and its music professionals.”
The company also aims to use its Nashville office space, located in the Gulch area, to host events and gatherings, both independently and with other music organizations.
Steve Bogard, Board President of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), spoke about the importance of the company’s services: “Sound Royalties is a safe and sensible option to support the growth of creatives’ careers. The company’s flexible model works for songwriters in a variety of situations – an up-and-coming young writer, an established artist who wants to fund a new project, or an experienced songwriter managing multiple revenue streams.”
Meetings at Sound Royalties’ new Nashville office are by appointment only; those interested in learning more should reach out to 1-888-987-3224 or info@soundroyalties.com.
Alana Springsteen Inks With Warehouse West For Publishing, Artist Development
/by Lorie HollabaughAlana Springsteen has signed an artist development and publishing deal with Warehouse West Entertainment.
The Virginia Beach native first began playing guitar at age 7, and by 9 was performing the National Anthem for the Chicago Cubs at historic Wrigley Field. Soon after she was writing songs in Nashville with Kristian Bush of Sugarland. In 2018, her talent caught the attention of Nashville producer Luke Wooten, who signed her to his artist development/publishing company, Warehouse West Entertainment.
“Alana has a voice that instantly draws you in, a captivating beautiful instrument. Combined with her relatable and modern take on country, hers is a voice that will draw a new generation of listeners,” says Wooten.
Wooten and Springsteen are currently in the studio recording her debut project, set for release later this Spring.
“I am so excited about signing with Warehouse West and working in the studio with Luke! I’m finally releasing my first EP this spring and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to do it with,” said Springsteen.
Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Dan and Shay, Little Big Town Among iHeart Country Festival Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughTim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Dan and Shay, Luke Combs, Little Big Town, Lauren Alaina, Old Dominion, Chris Janson, Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots and Tenille Townes are all set to perform at this year’s 2019 iHeartCountry Festival on May 4 at Frank Erwin Center in Austin.
The festival will also feature a special collaboration featuring today’s emerging Women of iHeartCountry, and iHeart personality Bobby Bones will return as the official host of the iHeartCountry Festival main stage.
“I look forward to the iHeartCountry Festival every year,” said Bones, Vice President, Creative Director of iHeartCountry and Executive Producer and Host of iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show. “It’s always special to have so much of the Country music community together in one place, including some really talented new artists we have been supporting on Women of iHeartCountry.”
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 8 at 12:00pm CT via TexasBoxOffice.com. iHeartMedia’s country stations will broadcast the event live in their local markets and at iHeartRadio.com.
iHeartCountry has more than 150 country stations across the U.S. reaching more than 110 million country listeners per month on broadcast alone, making it the largest country broadcast radio group in America.
Industry Ink: ASCAP, Robert Earl Keen, Clio Music Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonASCAP’s I Create Music EXPO In The Round Coming To Bluebird Cafe
ASCAP’s I Create Music EXPO In The Round will be held at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe on Feb. 13. The songwriters round will include top ASCAP writers playing hit songs and sharing stories from their experiences at the annual ASCAP I Create Music Expo in Los Angeles. The Bluebird round will include Ashley Gorley, Cassadee Pope, Matt Jenkins, and Jon Nite.
Ticket sales begin Feb. 6 at 8 a.m. CT. For more, visit bluebirdcafe.com.
This year’s ASCAP I Create Music EXPO will be held in Hollywood, from May 2-4.
Robert Earl Keen Inducted Into Texas Cowboy Hall Of Fame
Robert Earl Keen was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, on Jan. 17, 2019, during a festive ceremony which included dinner and drinks at the World’s Largest Honky-Tonk, Billy Bob’s Texas.
The Hall of Fame honored Keen at the sold-out event for his prolific music career and charitable acts, presenting him with the Rick Smith “Spirit of Texas Award.” Celebrating the achievements and uniqueness of Texans, the award is dedicated to the memory of Rick Smith, a Texas visionary that left an unforgettable legacy through his concerts, music and the “Live at Billy Bob’s” recordings. Fellow Hall of Fame members include Willie Nelson, George Strait, Lyle Lovett, Tommy Lee Jones, and Red Steagall.
Submissions Now Open For 2019 Clio Music Awards
The awards highlight the top creative work globally in Branded Entertainment & Content, Design, Digital/Mobile, Experiential/Events, Film/Video, Innovation, Integrated Campaigns, Partnerships & Collaborations, Social Good, Social Media, and the Use of Music (Licensed, Original, Adapted). This year marks the addition of a Film and Video Technique medium as well as an option to submit physical entries within the Design medium (Event, Packaging, Printed Materials).
The early deadline for entries is April 19, 2019. For the entry kit, additional key dates, fees, and the full outline of mediums and categories, visit clios.com/music.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Reception, Tour Experience Returns for CRS
/by Alex ParryThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will welcome Country Radio Seminar attendees to Valentine’s Day ‘90s Country Style, a private cocktail reception with complimentary access to the museum on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.
The night will feature performances by Monument Records’ Walker Hayes and the label’s newcomer Brandon Ratcliff. The reception will be held in the museum’s Event Hall, where museum representatives will welcome radio and industry attendees and share information about the museum’s current exhibits including Outlaws and Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ‘70s, The Judds: Dream Chasers, Emmylou Harris: Songbird’s Flight, Little Big Town: The Power of Four, and Ralph Stanley: Voices From On High which will be open for viewing.
Credentialed CRS registrants also receive complimentary admission to tour the museum Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT.
“Throughout its history, country radio has played a vital role in the history and ever-evolving story of country music,” said Sharon Brawner, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the museum. “We are happy to welcome Country Radio Seminar attendees to the home of country music history for the fourth consecutive year.”
The $699 final registration rate for Country Radio Seminar’s 50th Anniversary Event is available at CountryRadioSeminar.com. Single-day passes are also being made available for $200 per pass and are limited to two day passes per person. Day passes will only be available for purchase on-site.
Carole-Ann Mobley Celebrates Independent Approach To A&R Services
/by Jessica NicholsonAs musicians have steadily embraced a do-it-yourself approach to varying degrees as part of their overall career strategy, made feasible by the growth of streaming and an ever-blossoming number of social media platforms, music industry professionals increasingly offer independent services to fill any number of artists’ needs, including publicity, marketing, and radio and/or playlist promotion.
Carole-Ann Mobley, of CAM Creative, aims to fill a niche in the market, offering independent A&R services to help artists find and create their best songs. She is known for her work with publishers such as Reviver Publishing and artists including eclectic singer-songwriter Drew Baldridge and country-rock duo LOCASH.
Before launching CAM Creative Services in 2015, Mobley served as VP, A&R for Warner Music Group, where she signed artists including Brett Eldredge and Frankie Ballard. Her career also includes time as Sr. Director, A&R for Sony Music, and Director of A&R for Starstruck Entertainment, as well as work for Beckett Productions and Austin City Limits.
Mobley spoke with MusicRow to discuss the current state of A&R, and the benefits and challenges of working as an independent A&R executive.
MusicRow: What is the biggest difference in working A&R independently, versus working for a label?
Mobley: I have to be a little more aggressive in doing this independently. The level of artists I work with now, I have to be savvier in getting songs, meetings and getting people excited. I don’t have the luxury of saying, “Oh, it’s going to be a Blake Shelton single.”
The most fulfilling thing for me is when they come to me they might be spending a lot of money on things that don’t matter and need help figuring out what to do. I can help get the ball rolling in a really productive way and they are so thankful, or when I bring them songs and they say, ‘These songs are so me,’ or they get the right producer, that’s really fulfilling.
Talk about the process you go through when working with a new client.
Some are more advanced, like a LOCASH or a Drew Baldridge. We have to establish trust and I have to understand where they want to go career-wise. What artists do they love, who would they tour with? So I can get a sense of who they are and reach out to the appropriate catalogs and start sending them songs.
When working with new artists, how do you manage the artist’s ambition and expectations?
I like to keep people in a positive state of mind but I’m a believer in realistic expectations. Not everyone you work with is going to be huge and famous. I think part of my job in A&R is having realistic expectations. I think that can be dangerous and I think A&R people need to be careful with their goals for their artists, because not everyone is cut out to be the next Luke Bryan. There are so many different ways for artists to have a successful career.
Perhaps the majority of country artists today also have a hand in crafting their own songs. How do you approach A&R when an artist also pens their own material?
A lot of my clients aren’t songwriters so I can kind of tell if I feel like they might have the potential, and I’ll lightly help them set up co-writes. I’ll still give them the best outside songs I can find. Sometimes they are super open to [outside songs] and then other times they are like, ‘I’m cutting songs I wrote.’ At the end of the day, I’m not their label and I’m not paying for the album, so they cut what they want. I have to sort of walk a fine line with that.
When they write more of their own songs, I take on more of a publisher role and I try to set them up on great co-writes. I also set about helping to edit their songs. They send me work tapes, and I’ll rip it apart and say, ‘Think about this hook,’ and other ways to help them with their music. If they are dead set on writing all of their own material, it’s my job to help them make their songs the best they can be.
Drew Baldridge is one of those artists who writes a lot of his own material. How did that working relationship come about?
Drew is with Rusty Gaston, a good friend of mine. Greg Hill brought me on to that project. Drew had never had an A&R person. He came out and did meetings and we found some amazing songs he was super excited to cut. While we were listening to songs, his writing level just rose tremendously because he was hearing the level of songs out there. Naturally, I think the bar was raised. That’s been exciting to watch.
Let’s say you are working with a client who already has a publishing deal. How does that relationship work, since publishers so often play a similar A&R role?
In the cases where they do have publishers, I’m usually friends with that publisher. They usually let me do my thing because they know there is a value in that, and we keep an open communication.
How has the state of A&R changed since your days working for a major label?
For years, it was so song-driven. In A&R we were all just fighting over every single writer’s demo sessions. People were putting demo sessions on hold—their whole session on hold—before anyone could hear them. We would send artists 50 songs a week. Also, we would sign artists based on pure talent; there was no social media. That’s changed now, obviously. Outside songs and writers have taken a huge hit because artists now have to write.
Who has been one of your biggest mentors in A&R?
[Former Sony Music Nashville chairman] Joe Galante. For 10 years I was his student and it was like going to Harvard. He gave us homework, he taught us the business. He taught me how to A&R a record. When we were making the second Chris Young record after he came off of Nashville Star, it was like, ‘this has to be the right thing.’ I remember Joe just talking about how to think about Chris as an artist. We had five No. 1 singles and it was a great success. Joe just had a handle on it. And it was hard, not all fun and games.