Pictured (L-R): Songwriters Chris DeStefano, Paul DiGiovanni, Kevin Bard, Adam Hambrick and Dan + Shay
On Tuesday (Jan. 30), Dan + Shay celebrated their two singles, “From The Ground Up” and “How Not To” that went to No. 1 on the country radio charts. “From The Ground Up” was written by Shay Mooney, Dan Smyers, and Chris DeStefano, and is DeStefano’s 14th No. 1. “How Not To” was written by Kevin Bard, Paul DiGiovanni, and Adam Hambrick and marks their No. 1 debut. Both singles were produced by Scott Hendricks.
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker gave the opening remarks to a crowded lobby of friends and family. “We are celebrating today two amazing songs, songwriters, and an amazing duo that continues to know how to write and cut songs that keeps them on the top of the charts,” said Brinker. “Since ‘From The Ground Up’ was written and hit No. 1, these guys have gone on to really build it from the ground up. They have went on to get married and have babies. This is a lot more special now then it would have been when it first hit the top of the charts.”
“’From The Ground Up’ is a special song,” said Smyers. “I was on my way home from my grandfather’s funeral and we went to cut a vocal on another song. We got to talking about our grandparents who were married for 65 years. Thank you [DeStefano] for helping bring that one out of us. It takes on a whole new meaning now with my wife and being married.”
DeStefano remarked, “Thank you Dan + Shay for letting me be in the room with you that day and taking this journey together. It was a special day of writing. We were digging deep right from the get-go. The song wrote itself, but it was from a real genuine and personal place.”
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Bradley Collins, Chris DeStefano and Dan + Shay, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito and Warner/Chappell’s BJ Hill
Brinker honored Bard, DiGiovanni and Hambrick on their first No. 1, gifting them with an ASCAP Yeti cooler. BMI’s Bradley Collins gave a nod to Hendricks for his 68th and 69th No. 1 songs, and Mooney’s third No. 1. BJ Hill and Warner Chappell made a donation to Pencils of Promise.
“From The Ground Up” hit No. 1 in August 2016 and “How Not To” in June 2017. Both songs have a combined 215 million streams and 2.8 billion radio impressions.
“We almost didn’t write ‘How Not To,'” DiGiovanni said. “It was the last write of the year, but we did. We wrote the song in about 2 hours and it was the best feeling ever. These are some of my best friends right here.”
Bard, a Los Angeles-based writer added, “It is surreal to be up here. Every call I got I was, ‘Are you sure you have the right number?’”
Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson honored the songwriters with plaques. Jeremy Stover from Red Creative congratulated Hambrick and Dan + Shay, while John Ozier from ole awarded them iPads. Kent Earls of UMPG also offered trophies while Brandi Simms of the Country Music Association, offered No. 1 medallions for the country radio success.
“I got to go on the bus and watch [Dan + Shay] do what they do for a day,” Hambrick said. “It blew me away. You were ones that set a trajectory in our careers and were the first to believe in something we did. I write songs because my mom has written songs for as long as I can remember. I thought when you sing, that’s what you do, write songs. This is the only job I think I can do in the world worthwhile.”
Pictured (L-R): Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran, Red Creative Group’s Jeremy Stover, Adam Hambrick, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, Kevin Bard, Dan + Shay, Paul DiGiovanni, Universal’s Kent Earls and Ole’s John Ozier
Smyers commented “Rohan [Kohli] was not quite working at Warner Brothers Nashville yet, but I send him an email saying, ‘We need something to beat that last song.’ He sends us ‘How Not To,’ formerly ‘Not To.’ I had no clue who wrote it, but I sent it to Shay and Scott. After one verse and one chorus Scott said it was a smash and we need to cut that song.”
In addition to honoring their No. 1s, John Esposito of Warner Music Nashville surprised Dan + Shay with a RIAA Gold record for their album, Where It All Began.
Esposito recalled having the duo, formerly named Ragtop Red, in to his office, where locked the door and said, “You are not leaving until you are Warner Brothers artists.” What was scheduled to be a one-hour meeting turned to three and a half hours. “Nobody was getting Dan + Shay,” said Esposito. “You guys make me so proud and this ride has just started.”
“We came to this town and have been to a lot of No. 1 parties,” said Mooney. “We have had a couple ourselves, but I am still blown away every time we get to stand on this stage. I want to thank God for country music. I can’t believe we get to do this for a living. This community is a family and country music is a family.”
Brinker closed the event with thanks to the teams, songwriters, friends and family, and First Tennessee Bank for their support.
Sam Hunt To Curate, Headline Two-Day Nashville Music Festival The Nashional
/by Jessica NicholsonSam Hunt
Sam Hunt will curate his first-ever music festival The Nashional this spring at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21. Hunt will be headlining the musically diverse line-up that includes Nashville genre-bending band Judah & The Lion, R&B rapper Fetty Wap, American country music duo Brothers Osborne, west coast rapper Kyle, indie-pop artist Quinn XCII, LA’s indie-rock band LANY, American country music band LANCO, electronica singer/songwriter/producer Chelsea Cutler, Nashville-based rapper Ernest K. and contemporary country duo Muscadine Bloodline, making it one of the most eclectic music events this spring. Tickets go on sale on Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 AM CT at ticketmaster.com.
The Nashional is a unique two-day event that highlights the inclusive, diverse, and genre-blurring landscape of music today. Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park will be home to this inaugural event and will feature an experiential environment for fans to enjoy. Hunt was inspired to create this festival while out on his “15 In a 30” national tour this past summer.
“The sense of community in Nashville helps give it the character and personality that makes me proud to be a part of it,” says Hunt. “I wanted to create an experience at The Nashional that celebrates music, community, and everything they mean to each other and this city.”
Bud Light is the official beer sponsor of The Nashional.
Patrick Thomas Named President, Silverfish Media
/by Lorie HollabaughPatrick Thomas
Silverfish Media has promoted two leaders within the organization. Director of Programming Patrick Thomas has been elevated to President, and Jessica Humphreville (“Carsen”) has been upped to Director of Programming. Both Thomas and Humphreville will continue in their current on-air roles with “Big D & Bubba” and “Country With Carsen,” respectively in addition to these new responsibilities.
CMA and ACM award winner Thomas has been with Silverfish Media since its inception in 2014, and has worked with Big D and Bubba since 1999. Silverfish Media is home to nationally syndicated radio programs Big D & Bubba, Country With Carsen, and Honky Tonkin’ With Tracy Lawrence.
“Patrick is a rare combination of creativity, intelligence, and business sense,” said Big D. “He is in rare air and we couldn’t be happier to promote him to President.”
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to run this great company and to continue making entertaining radio with my friends!” said Thomas.
Humphreville joined the Silverfish Media team in 2015 and recently extended her contract with the company.
“Before Carsen joined us, we hadn’t added a full-time cast member to the show in more than 15 years,” said Thomas. “We were holding out for the right person! We couldn’t be happier to have her on our team.”
“I’m honored to be a part of this team, and this company, and humbled to be given this new role,” said Humphreville. “These guys are literally the best in the business.”
Leadership Music Accepting Class Of 2019 Applications
/by Lorie HollabaughThe eight-month, Nashville-based program begins in October and is designed to expose participants to every phase of the music industry and build channels of communication between established leaders, while exploring the challenges facing the industry. Participants first attend an orientation and alumni welcome reception in September, then Opening Retreat in October, followed by six all-day sessions once a month, ending in May with graduation at Closing Retreat. Three program days will be held on Tuesday and three on Friday. One-time tuition for the program is $1,000.
“In 1989, there were a handful of music industry executives who had participated in Leadership Nashville and were so empowered by that experience that when Jim Ed Norman, then president of Warner/Reprise Records, proposed attempting to create the same type of organization concentrating on just one industry—the music industry—we immediately saw the potential,” Joe Galante, former chairman of RCA Records and one of the 12 Founding Council for Leadership Music said. “Around the table at lunch were the heads of Warner/Reprise, RCA, Atlantic, and MCA record labels as well as executives from other segments of the industry. We quickly realized that our collaboration was unique to Nashville. Not only was it one of the tentpoles, but so was exposure to other areas within the music industry, giving participants an opportunity to learn and network. The program offers someone in radio promotion an opportunity to know someone in publishing, a songwriter someone in live music. These are just two of the many examples. That is how and why Leadership Music was conceived. I’m not sure any of us could have foreseen how much the organization has kept pace with the width and breadth of Nashville’s music industry to become an impactful national organization, including all genres of music.”
DISClaimer: Smithfield, Brett Young Offer Soulful, Emotional New Tracks
/by Robert K OermannPerhaps it is the upcoming CRS convention.
This week, a bevy of country stars-in-the-making are issuing new sounds, hoping to catch radio’s ears. They include Devin Dawson, Luke Combs, Lance Carpenter & Krystal Keith, Brett Young and Walker McGuire, with a dandy little bonus track from Ryan Kinder thrown into the mix.
Brett Young emerges from the pack with the Disc of the Day.
The new duo Smithfield wins our DisCovery Award today in DisClaimer.
SMITHFIELD/Hey Whiskey
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; In2une (ERG)
– She can’t hold her lover while he’s in the clutches of alcohol. The lyric is dynamite. The delivery is piercing and emotional. The production is solid. Play it.
WALKER MCGUIRE/Lost
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Wheelhouse (ERG)
– I like his innocent-sounding Southern accent, and it suits this story of a country boy who gets lost in love. Swirling and endearing.
BRETT YOUNG/Mercy
Writers: Brett Young/Sean McConnell; Producers: Dann Huff; Publishers: Super Big/Caliville/Big Machine/Warner-Tamerlane/Little Beluga, ASCAP/BMI; BMLG (TRACK)
– A stately slab of heartache. The ballad is soulfully sung, and the piano-dominated arrangement punctuates every emotional wound. Highly recommended.
JASON ALDEAN/You Make It Easy
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BBR
– It’s a power ballad with fairly generic romantic cliches and the obligatory rock guitar solo.
DEVIN DAWSON/All On Me
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic (download)
– A pop-flavored come-on with a percolating track and jaunty vocal delivery. Easy on the ears.
KRYSTAL KEITH & LANCE CARPENTER
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Show Dog
– Very exciting. An “escape” road song with perfect harmonies and lotsa rhythmic drive. Newcomer Carpenter delivers the goods, vocally, while Krystal solidifies her promise.
RYAN KINDER/Fortunate Son
Writer: John Fogerty; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– It’s such a great song. Kinder slows it and strips down the instrumentation to throw the spotlight on its extraordinary lyric. Bluesy, groovy, stark, soulful and meaningful.
HUNTER HAYES/This Girl
Writers: Jordan Schmidt/Andy Albert/Jessie Jo Dillon; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic (download)
– The rapid-fire lyric is quite well written. Hayes, as usual, gives it plenty of oomph in his vocal-and-guitar delivery. Radio ready, for sure.
SARA EVANS/All The Love You Left Me
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Gordon Sampson/Ben West; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Born To Fly
– Somebody pushed down too hard on the “echo chamber” button.
LOCASH Receives BMI Million-Air Award
/by Lorie HollabaughBMI’s David Preston poses with LOCASH and their Million-Air awards. Photo: Steve Lowry
LOCASH‘s Chris Lucas and Preston Brust were recently presented Million-Air certificates for accumulating over two million broadcast performances of their hit song “I Love This Life” by BMI’s Jody Williams and David Preston.
The BMI Million-Air Award is given to songwriters, composers, and publishers whose songs accumulate more than one million U.S. broadcast performances.
IBMA Awards Over $11,000 In Grants For 2018
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“We’re proud to announce the largest amount of annual grants in the history of the Foundation, to the highest number of annual recipients,” said IBMA Foundation board chair, Peter D’Addario. “Our recent merger with the International Bluegrass Music Association has been very positive, and we’re very grateful for the support from our donors this year.”
Foundation Grant Recipients for 2018:
MusicRow’s 7th Annual Rising Women On The Row
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 2018 honorees have been announced as Faithe Dillman (Founder/CEO, Marbaloo); Leslie DiPiero (General Manager, Tree Vibez Music); Becky Gardenhire (Partner, WME); Lynn Oliver-Cline (President/Founder, River House Artists); Annie Ortmeier (VP, Marketing-Digital Accounts, Universal Music Group Nashville); Janet Weir (President/42 Entertainment; Manager, Red Light Management). Nominations are closed.
A four-speaker panel will include Tracy Gershon(Co-founder of Change The Conversation, Manager, Consultant), Mary Hilliard Harrington (Manager, Red Light Management), Rose Palermo (Attorney), and Ann Powers (NPR Music Critic and Correspondent).Special performer Abby Anderson will deliver a two-song performance.
Tickets Are Sold Out For The 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Event
Although tickets will not be sold at the door, to get on a wait list for individual tickets or supporting sponsorship tables, email eparker@musicrow.com.
For ticket holders, final arrival details will be emailed to the ticket purchaser the week of March 19.
– – –
Supporting Sponsorship Table Includes:
Previous Rising Women On The Row honorees include:
2017: Tatum Allsep, Kerri Edwards, Virginia Davis, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, Juli Newton-Griffith
2016: Abbey Adams, Amanda Cates, Cris Lacy, Leslie Roberts, Risha Rodgers
2015: Kele Currier, Tiffany Dunn, Dawn Gates, Jensen Sussman, Lou Taylor
2014: Julie Boos, Caryl Healey, Ebie McFarland, Alicia Pruitt, Kelly Rich
2013: Cyndi Forman, Cindy Hunt, Beth Laird, Cindy Mabe, Brandi Simms
2012: Shannan Hatch, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens, Carla Wallace
Nashville Bids Tuneful Adieu To Mel Tillis
/by Robert K OermannSteve Gatlin, Pam Tillis and Rudy Gatlin perform at the Mel Tillis Memorial at Ryman Auditorium on January 31, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by R. Diamond/Getty Images
The life of singer, songwriter, humorist, actor, author, bandleader and business mogul Mel Tillis was celebrated in a music-filled show on Wednesday morning, Jan 31.
The Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member died last Nov. 19 at age 85. His memorial celebration included film clips and several people who spoke in tribute to the country-music great.
“His creations resonate with all of us,” said Country Music Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young. “Mel Tillis showed us how to connect who we are with who we ought to be. He died an accomplished man. He lives as an example of what we might be.”
“He changed the course of my life,” said songwriter, producer and former Tillis band member Buddy Cannon. “Anything I have in my career, I can trace to that.”
Opry CEO Steve Buchanan said that Tillis was, “a one-of-a-kind great guy, a true character.”
Street Corner Symphony (L-R: Kaleb Jones, Jeremy Lister, Kurt Zimmerman, Armand Hutton and Jonathan Lister) join Alison Krauss. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Country Music Hall of Fame member Ralph Emery related the superstar’s accomplishments and recalled humorous incidents.
But it was the music of Mel Tillis that remained the celebration’s focus. Backed by the legendary Statesiders band, a bevy of talents took the stage to sing songs that Tillis either wrote or popularized.
Tillis’s outstanding band kicked things off with “I Ain’t Never.” Ira Dean did “I’m Tired.” Branson entertainer Splinter Middleton performed a rhythmic “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town.”
Host Emery interspersed his introductions with anecdotes. Pastor Kevin Shorey led the audience in prayer.
Steve & Rudy Gatlin offered “Come On and Sing” with Pam Tillis standing in for an ailing Larry Gatlin. Carrie April Tillis drew the day’s first standing ovation for her lovely rendition of “The Violet and the Rose,” featuring harmonies by The Stutterettes, Tammy Carter and Tonya Wainscott. American Idol alumnus Kree Harrison belted the ballad “Emotions,” penned by Tillis for Brenda Lee.
Ray Stevens performs at the Mel Tillis Memorial at Ryman Auditorium on January 31, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
“My daddy was a blessed man,” said Sonny Tillis (Mel Tillis Jr.). “How many people their whole lives get to do what they love to do?” He sang the shuffles “Heart Over Mind and “Burning Memories,” drawing a second standing ovation.
Collin Raye phrased excellently on “Send Me Down to Tucson.” Daryle Singletary gave a hard-country spin to “New Patches.” Lorrie Morgan offered the Tillis pop cha-cha “Strange,” originally recorded by Patsy Cline. Ray Stevens delivered a swinging “Coca-Cola Cowboy.” Ricky Skaggs had the audience wailing with him on the rollicking “Honey (Open That Door).”
Jamey Johnson delivered a bluesy, languid version of “I Believe in You,” and drew a standing ovation. So did Alison Krauss when she teamed up with the five-man a cappella group Street Corner Symphony on “Stick With Me Baby.”
“It’s been a long morning, but I have loved every second of this,” said Pam Tillis. She singled out The Statesiders for their superb musicianship throughout. The group is perhaps the last of country’s big bands. Mel Tillis always carried triple fiddles, two pianos, triple guitars and a full compliment of accompanying instruments and singers.
Jamey Johnson performs during the Mel Tillis Memorial at Ryman Auditorium on January 31, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
“It’s revered as the Standard,” remarked Jimmy Garstrung, who has played piano with the group for 35 years. “I don’t know that you’ll ever see the likes of it again. But what a band. What a band. Many of us were here for decades, and you won’t see that again either.”
“Daddy always closed every show with this,” Pam commented before beginning “Detroit City.” Brother Sonny did the recitation, and Tanya Tucker joined the day’s other performers, as well as a singing, standing audience for the song’s finale.
The two-hour show was staged at the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville’s traditional venue for farewells to its kings and queens. It was aired live on WSM radio.
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry Admits Extramarital Affair
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville Mayor Megan Barry
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry has released the following statement, confirming an extramarital affair with Sergeant Rob Forrest, head of Barry’s security detail. It was confirmed earlier today that Forrest has abruptly retired as of today (Jan. 31). Forrest was a 31-year veteran of the Nashville Metro Police Department.
A press conference is scheduled for tonight (Jan. 31) at 7 p.m.
Barry’s statement reads:
Dan + Shay Celebrate Chart Successes With Double No. 1 Party
/by Alex ParryPictured (L-R): Songwriters Chris DeStefano, Paul DiGiovanni, Kevin Bard, Adam Hambrick and Dan + Shay
On Tuesday (Jan. 30), Dan + Shay celebrated their two singles, “From The Ground Up” and “How Not To” that went to No. 1 on the country radio charts. “From The Ground Up” was written by Shay Mooney, Dan Smyers, and Chris DeStefano, and is DeStefano’s 14th No. 1. “How Not To” was written by Kevin Bard, Paul DiGiovanni, and Adam Hambrick and marks their No. 1 debut. Both singles were produced by Scott Hendricks.
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker gave the opening remarks to a crowded lobby of friends and family. “We are celebrating today two amazing songs, songwriters, and an amazing duo that continues to know how to write and cut songs that keeps them on the top of the charts,” said Brinker. “Since ‘From The Ground Up’ was written and hit No. 1, these guys have gone on to really build it from the ground up. They have went on to get married and have babies. This is a lot more special now then it would have been when it first hit the top of the charts.”
“’From The Ground Up’ is a special song,” said Smyers. “I was on my way home from my grandfather’s funeral and we went to cut a vocal on another song. We got to talking about our grandparents who were married for 65 years. Thank you [DeStefano] for helping bring that one out of us. It takes on a whole new meaning now with my wife and being married.”
DeStefano remarked, “Thank you Dan + Shay for letting me be in the room with you that day and taking this journey together. It was a special day of writing. We were digging deep right from the get-go. The song wrote itself, but it was from a real genuine and personal place.”
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Bradley Collins, Chris DeStefano and Dan + Shay, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito and Warner/Chappell’s BJ Hill
Brinker honored Bard, DiGiovanni and Hambrick on their first No. 1, gifting them with an ASCAP Yeti cooler. BMI’s Bradley Collins gave a nod to Hendricks for his 68th and 69th No. 1 songs, and Mooney’s third No. 1. BJ Hill and Warner Chappell made a donation to Pencils of Promise.
“From The Ground Up” hit No. 1 in August 2016 and “How Not To” in June 2017. Both songs have a combined 215 million streams and 2.8 billion radio impressions.
“We almost didn’t write ‘How Not To,'” DiGiovanni said. “It was the last write of the year, but we did. We wrote the song in about 2 hours and it was the best feeling ever. These are some of my best friends right here.”
Bard, a Los Angeles-based writer added, “It is surreal to be up here. Every call I got I was, ‘Are you sure you have the right number?’”
Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson honored the songwriters with plaques. Jeremy Stover from Red Creative congratulated Hambrick and Dan + Shay, while John Ozier from ole awarded them iPads. Kent Earls of UMPG also offered trophies while Brandi Simms of the Country Music Association, offered No. 1 medallions for the country radio success.
“I got to go on the bus and watch [Dan + Shay] do what they do for a day,” Hambrick said. “It blew me away. You were ones that set a trajectory in our careers and were the first to believe in something we did. I write songs because my mom has written songs for as long as I can remember. I thought when you sing, that’s what you do, write songs. This is the only job I think I can do in the world worthwhile.”
Pictured (L-R): Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran, Red Creative Group’s Jeremy Stover, Adam Hambrick, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, Kevin Bard, Dan + Shay, Paul DiGiovanni, Universal’s Kent Earls and Ole’s John Ozier
Smyers commented “Rohan [Kohli] was not quite working at Warner Brothers Nashville yet, but I send him an email saying, ‘We need something to beat that last song.’ He sends us ‘How Not To,’ formerly ‘Not To.’ I had no clue who wrote it, but I sent it to Shay and Scott. After one verse and one chorus Scott said it was a smash and we need to cut that song.”
In addition to honoring their No. 1s, John Esposito of Warner Music Nashville surprised Dan + Shay with a RIAA Gold record for their album, Where It All Began.
Esposito recalled having the duo, formerly named Ragtop Red, in to his office, where locked the door and said, “You are not leaving until you are Warner Brothers artists.” What was scheduled to be a one-hour meeting turned to three and a half hours. “Nobody was getting Dan + Shay,” said Esposito. “You guys make me so proud and this ride has just started.”
“We came to this town and have been to a lot of No. 1 parties,” said Mooney. “We have had a couple ourselves, but I am still blown away every time we get to stand on this stage. I want to thank God for country music. I can’t believe we get to do this for a living. This community is a family and country music is a family.”
Brinker closed the event with thanks to the teams, songwriters, friends and family, and First Tennessee Bank for their support.