Florida Georgia Line Announce Limited Las Vegas Residency

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Florida Georgia Line are the latest act to set up shop in Sin City for a limited residency on the Las Vegas Strip. The duo will perform LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS inside Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino beginning Dec. 1, with shows on Dec. 5, 7, 8, and 11 to round out the run.

Big Loud Records and Atlantic Records artist Mason Ramsey will open the string of dates, and tickets will go on sale to the public Saturday, June 9, with many shows coinciding with the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. General ticket prices begin at $49, plus applicable tax and fees, and may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or in person at the Planet Hollywood box office.

The duo is gearing up for a performance on this week’s CMT Music Awards, where they are nominated for Video of the Year (“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line); Duo Video of the Year (“Smooth”); Collaborative Video of the Year (“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line) and CMT Performance of the Year (Backstreet Boys and Florida Georgia Line, “Everybody” from CMT Crossroads).

Exclusive: Aaron Watson’s BIG Label Records Partners With ADA Worldwide

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Pictured (L-R): Brandon Squar (ADA EVP, Global Digital Sales & Strategy), Dave Pak (ADA Director, Sales & Marketing), Scott Bergman (ADA VP, National Sales & Marketing), Robert Turner (ADA Sr. Director Label Management & Sales), Gino Genaro (BIG Label Records/CDA Entertainment), Kenny Weagly (ADA President, A&R and Label Services), Tony Morreale (BIG Label Records), Tina Warwick (ADA VP, Global Digital Sales & Strategy), Greg McCarn (BIG Label Records), David Orleans (ADA President, Sales & Label Management), Dan Anderson (BIG Label Records), Matt Slifkin (ADA VP, Label Management).

ADA Worldwide has entered an exclusive partnership BIG Label Records, home to independent artist Aaron Watson. ADA Worldwide will support the  label across sales, distribution, promotion, and retail marketing, and will position BIG Label Records as a full service independent record label.

BIG Label Records, established in 2006 by Watson and longtime manager Gino Genaro, is led by Tony Morreale.

“We are very proud to partner with Aaron [Watson], who is such an extraordinary artist, and the brilliant team that he and Gino [Genaro] have assembled,” says ADA Worldwide President Eliah Seton. “We share their ambitious vision for Aaron’s future and all that BIG Label Records can achieve.”

“Today is a milestone day and giant step towards the future of this business,” says Genaro, co-founder of BIG Label Records. “ADA Worldwide is the perfect partner for what we are wanting to accomplish. It has been so rewarding to see these teams now come together with the same passion, excitement, and optimism and already get to work! The sky is the limit!”

“We are thrilled to work with Aaron [Watson], Gino [Genaro], Tony [Morreale], and the BIG Label team to amplify efforts across marketing, promotion, digital, sales and distribution,” adds ADA President of A&R/Label Services, Kenny Weagly. “ADA is an ideal home for Aaron and we look forward to helping establish BIG Label Records as a leading label destination for other future independent country artists.”

Watson wrapped 2017 with a Top 10 on the national radio charts with his self-penned “Outta Style.” His latest album, Vaquero, debuted in the Top 20 on Billboard‘s country albums chart, following his No. 1 Billboard debut of The Underdog.

 

 

Industry Ink: Maverick, Sony Music Nashville, Banner Music

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Maverick Managers Meet In Nashville

Pictured: Cortez Bryant, Mike Weiss, Chief Zaruk, Sara Zambreno, Scott Rodger, Jess Keeley, Meredith Gardner, Guy Oseary, Alisann Blood, Greg Thompson, Lee Anne Callahan-Longo, Molly DeWolf Swenson, Adriana Arce, Clarence Spalding, Dan Dymtrow, Shawn Gee, Seth England and Brian Wolf.

Maverick Managers from across the country gathered in Nashville last week for team meetings with some of Nashville’s leading industry members.

 

Sony Music Nashville Appoints Regional Promotion Roles

Sony Music Nashville has appointed Mallory Opheim and David “Bubba” Berry to regional posts for two of Sony Music Nashville’s label promotion teams. Opheim becomes Southwest Regional for RCA Nashville. Concurrently, David “Bubba” Berry takes on the new role of Northeast Regional for Arista Nashville, leaving his previous position at RCA Nashville which is filled now by Opheim. Both begin their new jobs effective today.

A 2010 Belmont University graduate, Opheim’s first radio promotion position was with Red Bow from 2012 to 2014. Most recently, she was with Warner Bros. promotion for the past four years. Opheim will be based at Sony Music Nashville’s headquarters in Nashville, and can be reached at mallory.opheim@sonymusic.com.

A twenty-six-year promotion veteran, David “Bubba” Berry began his career at Giant Records in 1992 as Promotion Manager of the Gavin Chart. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Berry later worked as Manager of Regional Promotion for BNA Records from 2006 to early 2012. In his new job, he will continue to live in the Dallas area for the short-term, eventually relocating to the Baltimore area. Berry’s contact info is david.berry@sonymusic.com.

 

Banner Music Promotes One

Victoria Powell

Banner Music has promoted Victoria Powell to Creative Services Manager. Powell graduated summa cum laude from Belmont University in May, with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Music Business. She can be reached at victoria@bannermusic.com.

“We’re so excited that Victoria will be furthering her career within our company,” says Banner Music President/CEO Camilla Kleindienst. “Having her with us the past two years has been incredible, and we’re looking forward to seeing where she can take our company, and her career, in her new full time position.”

Music Writers Honored During Belmont’s International Country Music Conference

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Pictured (L-R): Dr. James Akenson, Marissa Moss, Holly Gleason, Dr. Don Cusic.

The 34th Annual International Country Music Conference was held May 30-June 1 at Belmont University in Nashville. The academic conference featured top scholars of country music who presented papers on a variety of topics. Countries represented included Australia, Japan, Austria, Canada and England.

Leading off the conference was a talk by Sarah Trahern, Executive Director of the Country Music Association on “The State of Country Music.” She was joined by Karen Stump, head of research at the CMA and Milly Olyksan, head of the International department at the CMA.

During the Conference, the Belmont Book Award for the “best book on country music” was awarded to Holly Gleason for her book, Woman Walk the Line: How the Women in Country Music Changed Our Lives, published by the University of Texas Press.

The Chet Flippo Award for Journalism was awarded to Marissa Moss for her article on Eric Church’s career and development.

Special features of the Conference included panels on “Aussie Country: The Big Picture, History and Today,” “The Vietnam War, Nashville and Country Music” and “The Voice With a Heart: Mac Wiseman in Conversation.”

The International Country Music Conference began in 1984 in Meridian, Mississippi; since 1998 it has been held at Belmont University, hosted by Dr. Don Cusic and Dr. James Akenson. The International Country Music Journal is published in conjunction with the Conference.

The dates for the 2019 conference are May 30-June 1.

Cole Swindell’s Third Studio Album Coming In August

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Cole Swindell will release his third album, titled All Of It, on Aug. 17. That same morning, Swindell will step onto the Plaza at Rockefeller Center in New York City to officially launch the album with a performance as part of NBC’s Citi Concert Series on TODAY.

“I have seen so many of my all-time favorite artists and bands perform on the TODAY Summer Concert series. It fires me up to see my name in that lineup,” said Swindell. “To get to release my new album and perform in the Plaza on TODAY is pretty amazing. To literally perform outside in the Plaza right in the heart of New York City will be an unbelievable feeling. I cannot wait.”

In celebration of his album announcement, Swindell launched three exclusive pre-order bundles, one for each of his newly-released tracks; Break Up In The End Bundle, Somebody’s Been Drinkin’ Bundle and The Ones Who Got Me Here Bundle. Each package includes digital and CD versions of All of It to be released in August as well as limited edition merchandise. The Ones Who Got Me Here Bundle includes access to his annual Fan Club Party that takes places during CMA Fest in Nashville on Friday, June 8. The party includes an acoustic performance by Cole as well as meet & greet, photo opportunity and exclusive merchandise. All bundles can be purchased in his official store.

“I have been so excited about releasing the music for my third album and my fans have been so patient with me while I took the time needed to make it right that I had to give them something,” laughs Cole Swindell. “They are the ones who got me here to this important third album, and I felt they deserve to be the first ones to get a taste of the new music so we have been quietly releasing a few of the songs every few weeks for them. It has been great to hear what they think of the songs because they are the reason I am still here getting to do this.”

The Georgia native’s ninth career single “Break Up In The End,” was written by Jon Nite, Chase McGill and Jessie Jo Dillon, and is the debut single from the upcoming album.

K-LOVE, Air1 Radio Networks Leader Mike Novak To Retire

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Mike Novak

Mike Novak, the chief executive of the largest non-commercial contemporary Christian radio organization in the U.S., announced today he will retire as CEO of the organization that operates the popular K-LOVE and Air1 radio networks.

Novak and Educational Media Foundation’s (EMF’s) Board of Directors have been working closely the past couple of years on the timing of his retirement. Novak will continue to serve as CEO, while working with the Board of Directors in their search for his successor.

Mr. Novak, 68, joined EMF in 1998 and became CEO in 2007. He led growth of the networks, now heard on more than 800 stations in all 50 states and streamed around the world online. When he began as CEO, K-LOVE and Air1 were heard on more than 600 stations in 45 states.

“Mike Novak has provided outstanding leadership to our organization for these last 11 years as CEO,” said Dan Antonelli, Chairman of the Board of EMF. “Mike has used his deep knowledge of the broadcasting industry and his passion and commitment to our ministry to create an organization that today reaches more than 20 million people each week.”

Novak’s involvement with K-LOVE goes back to 1982 when he served as the voice of the station and then joined EMF full time in 1998 as an air talent and later program director, network program director, vice president of programming, and senior vice president, before being tapped to be President/CEO in 2007. Prior to joining EMF, he held a number of positions at for-profit radio stations in major markets in California for many years.

Novak, who grew up in the Central Valley of California, has not only been President and CEO but also a familiar voice to K-LOVE and Air1 listeners for years. He has overseen a staff of more than 400 team members, including everyone from on-air staff to an extensive pastoral team for listeners.

 

Warner Music Nashville Adds Troy Cartwright To Roster

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Pictured (L-R): Chip Petree (Ritholz Levy Fields), Megan Joyce (SVP Business and Legal Affairs, WMN); Stephanie Davenport (Director A&R, WMN); John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN); Troy Cartwright; Jenni Tackett (Red Light Management); Shawn McSpadden (Red Light Management); Shane Tarleton (SVP Artist Development, WMN); Mary Lu Noah; Matt Signore (COO, WMN)

Leading into CMA Music Fest week, Warner Music Nashville announces a new signing to their roster. Singer-songwriter Troy Cartwright, a Texas native, has joined the WMN family. Cartwright graduated from Berklee College of Music, before moving to Nashville. His independently released music has earned nearly two million streams on Spotify alone.

Cartwright is signed with Red Light Management, Warner/Chappell Music for publishing, and William Morris Endeavor for booking.

YouTube video

13 Million Views And Counting: Radio Promoter Lisa Smoot’s Dance Moves Go Viral

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Traffic woes have nothing on Jerry Duncan Promotions Vice President, Lisa Smoot.

She may be known in the Nashville music industry for her highly respected work in radio promotions, but now the world knows her for some very contagious dance moves recently displayed in the middle of highway I-65.

While stuck in a standstill traffic jam recently, Lisa made the best of the situation by breaking out some impressive dance moves to Meghan Trainor’s “Me Too.”

Her husband, Lee Smoot, shared the video on Facebook on May 19 and social media has fallen in love with Lisa’s positive approach to being stuck in traffic, something most people find intolerable.

Well played, Lisa. Well played.

 

Lucie Silvas Sets New Album Release For August

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Photo Credit: Sonya Jasinski

Lucie Silvas will release her anticipated new album, E.G.O., on Aug. 24. The instant-grat track, “Kite”  is available for purchase, along with the album’s pre-order, today.

The project was created with longtime friend and producer Jon Green (James Bay, Striking Matches, Linkin Park), and writers and collaborators on the album include Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, Natalie Hemby, Ruston Kelly, Gabe Simon, JD McPherson and Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne.

A Platinum-selling artist in the U.K, Silvas is a pianist, songwriter, and vocalist whose genre-defying music has led to performances with a diverse range of artists to date including Elton John, James Bay and Skrillex and touring slots with Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town and Miranda Lambert.

E.G.O. Track list:
1. Kite​
2. Girls From California
3. Smoking Your Weed​
4. I Want You All to Myself​
5. Black Jeans​
6. First Rate Heartbreak​
7. Everything Looks Beautiful​
8. People Can Change​
9. My Old Habits​
10. Just For The Record​
11. E.G.O.​
12. Change My Mind​

Greg Marchant Named Chief Operating Officer Of Madison Entertainment

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Madison Entertainment has hired Pacific Northwest-based executive Greg Marchant as Chief Operating Officer for the company. Marchant joins Madison Entertainment after serving as COO for Knitting Factory Entertainment during that company’s greatest growth period.

Marchant began his career as a working musician and is a graduate of the Oglebay School of Public Facilities Management.  A 30-year industry veteran, he has overseen build outs, openings, and flips of venues from arenas to small clubs.  In addition, he has directed large teams and served in the roles of Business Development, Venue Manager, Talent Buyer, and Production Manager.

“Greg is a successful and accomplished industry veteran and we’re looking forward to having his expertise on board as Madison Entertainment takes our business to the next level,” said Madison Entertainment’s leader Roger LeBlanc.

“I am thrilled to be joining Madison Entertainment and to be part of a team with such an outstanding reputation,” said Marchant. “Roger is known in this business as being a fair, reasonable, and decent person.  He has put together a great team of talented people upon which to grow and I look forward to contributing to their continued success.”

Madison Entertainment provides talent buying services and consulting in all aspects of the live entertainment business and operates offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Boise. Madison Entertainment’s clients include KAABOO Del Mar, KAABOO Cayman, KAABOO Texas, Mempho Music Fest, the Gasparilla Music Festival, as well as many other festivals and venues spanning coast to coast. Founded in 1999 by veteran talent buyer Roger LeBlanc, the company is headquartered in Nashville, and oversees a group of buyers from Florida to Los Angeles.