Shore Fire Media Opens Los Angeles Office
Ally Norton
Shore Fire Media has announced the opening of a Los Angeles office this week on the ninth floor of The Desmond Building in the city’s Miracle Mile District. The new location will be helmed by Ally Norton, a graduate of Boston College who has worked with Shore Fire since 2015, handling campaigns for Melissa Etheridge, Margaret Glaspy, Grizzly Bear, Tash Sultana, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Lee Ann Womack, Pussy Riot’s Nadya and others. The Los Angeles outpost joins Shore Fire’s New York headquarters and Nashville outpost, which opened in 2013 and expanded into a new Music Row location last year.
“Los Angeles has been a second home to many of our staff of late as our West Coast work and roster have grown,” says president Marilyn Laverty. “We’re thrilled that our outstanding publicist and executive Ally Norton will be in charge of our new LA operation.”
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to represent Shore Fire Media on the West Coast,” Norton says. “I’m so excited to be here, and I look forward to expanding Shore Fire’s presence in LA’s amazing music community.”
Los Angeles Lawyer Michael Rexford Elevated To Partner at Manatt Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Michael Rexford
Music lawyer Michael Rexford has been promoted to partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, in the firm’s Los Angeles entertainment and media practice. Rexford had previously held the position of counsel since he joined the firm in 2012 from Universal Music Publishing Group, where he had served as vice president of business affairs. In December, Rexford’s representation of Kobalt Music Group—alongside Jeff Biederman, co-chair of Manatt’s music practice—made headlines when Kobalt finalized a $150 million acquisition of Songs Music Publishing.
Warner Bros. Records Names Laura Swanson To Senior Management Team
Laura Swanson
Veteran music executive Laura Swanson will join Warner Bros. Records (WBR) as Executive Vice President, Media & Strategic Development, effective Jan. 22. This marks the first major appointment by WBR Co-Chairman & COO Tom Corson, who started at the label Jan. 2. Swanson will report to Corson and will oversee media strategy for Warner Bros.’ genre-spanning roster of artists.
Swanson was most recently EVP, Media & Strategic Development at Epic Records, working with artists such as Meghan Trainor. Her previous stops include Island Def Jam, Interscope/Geffen/A&M and Arista Records.
“I am thrilled to join Tom Corson and the amazing Warner Bros. Records’ team in this new adventure,” said Swanson. “With Tom’s leadership, expertise, creative genius and proven track record combined with the label’s new artistic vision and all the amazing artists who call Warner Bros. home, I predict magic is on the horizon. I truly appreciate Tom for bringing me on board and look forward to next week’s electrifying Grammy celebration and many successful years at Warner Bros. Records.”
“Laura is one of the most admired and experienced communications execs in our business, with outstanding relationships throughout the artistic and media communities,” said Corson. “As our industry continues its rapid evolution, the media landscape is constantly shifting, and Laura has always taken the lead in placing her artists and her labels at the forefront of the most innovative avenues of exposure and development. Our working paths have crossed twice during our careers, at A&M and later at Arista, so I am especially happy to welcome her to the Warner Bros. team at this exciting time in the label’s history.”
Richie McDonald, Larry Stewart, Tim Rushlow Form New Group The Frontmen
/by Lorie HollabaughLarry Stewart of Restless Heart, Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas and Richie McDonald of Lonestar have formed a new group, The Frontmen, and are releasing a new single “If It Wasn’t For The Radio” to radio independently. The new tune was penned by Kellys Collins, Austin Cunningham and David Fenley and is a tip of the hat to radio opening the doors to The Frontmen’s own successful careers as hit makers with a collective 30 million records sold and over 50 top 40 hits between them.
“To find a song like this that speaks to who we are, why we do what we do and why we’re here, with honesty and a huge dose of real life, is incredibly humbling and moving!” states Stewart. “At this moment in time, we couldn’t have found a more perfect song for Richie, Tim and myself to sink our hearts into. Because I do not believe we would be where we are today, if it wasn’t for the radio. Truly a gift!”
“The Frontmen are definitely special. There is a common thread that runs through us and our catalog of songs and I am honored to share the stage with these two amazing singers,” says Rushlow. “From multiple global tours performing for our military to shows across America for our fans it is always humbling when the people sing our songs back to us, never missing a lyric. That is simply because radio has embraced us and the music we have all made over the years. Radio is why we’ve had these amazing careers. So, it is entirely fitting that we finally get to record a great song from the heart and give a nod of thanks in their direction.”
The three will launch an accompanying tour beginning Feb. 3, which will kick off in Mississippi and continue on to Oklahoma, Arizona, Minnesota and Nevada with more stops added through the Spring.
The Frontmen Tour Dates:
Feb. 3, 2018 – Gulfport, Miss. – Island View Casino Resort
Feb. 23, 2018 – Shawnee, Okla. – Firelake Arena
Feb. 27, 2018 – Surprise, Ariz. – Happy Trails RV and Golf Resort
Mar. 2, 2018 – Jackpot, Nev. – Cactus Pete’s Resort Casino
Mar. 3, 2018 – Jackpot, Nev. – Cactus Pete’s Resort Casino
Mar 15, 2018 – Tower, Minn. – Fortune Bay Resort Casino
Mar. 16, 2018 – Tower, Minn. – Fortune Bay Resort Casino
Mar. 17, 2018 – Morton, Minn. – Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel
More dates announced soon.
Industry Ink: Blue Sky Group, Buddy Lee Attractions, PLA Media
/by Jessica NicholsonBlue Sky Group Adds Director Of Royalties
Steven McMillan
Entertainment business and financial management firm Blue Sky Group (BSG) has added Steven McMillan as Director of Royalties. He joins the BSG team from Round Hill Music where he served as the Director of Tracking.
Steven began his career at Big Loud Bucks Administration and Information before joining Round Hill Music and is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. In addition to his work with Blue Sky Group, he is also a member of AIMP, CMA, Copyright Society of the South, and is an alumnus of SOLID Nashville.
Blue Sky Group is located at 54 Music Sq. E. in Nashville.
Buddy Lee Attractions Signs Michelle Wright
Pictured (Back row, L-R): Jon Sayles (BLA), Tayler Bock (BLA), Chuck Thompson (Thompson Entertainment Group President), Jimmy Dasher (BLA), Steve Peck (BLA), Aura Guadagno (BLA), Amy Aylward (BLA). Pictured (Front row, L-R): Donna Lee (BLA CEO), Mike Meade (BLA President) Not pictured: David Kiswiney (BLA Sr. VP), Anthony Wozniak (BLA)
Canadian-born artist Michelle Wright, known for hits such as “Take It Like A Man” and “Guitar Talk,” has signed with Buddy Lee Attractions for live concert bookings. Wright, who was signed to Arista Nashville, earned the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Female Artist honor in 1993. She earned 25 Top Ten radio hits and in 2011, was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
PLA Media Signs The Young Fables
PLA Media has signed on to represent Americana/country duo The Young Fables for publicity representation. The duo, managed by Hope Tree Entertainment, will release their sophomore project Old Songs this spring. The album is produced by Mitch Dane, known for work with Jars of Clay, Brandon Heath and Caedmon’s Call.
Dierks Bentley To Launch 40-City Mountain High Tour This Summer
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I needed the time off to devote all my attention to the new music and making The Mountain album…but now I can’t wait to fire up the buses and get back out there,” said Bentley. “I’ve been friends with TJ and John for a long time and I have loved watching their career explode. I’m just getting to know the boys in LANCO, but I love their music and the energy they bring to the stage. And after seeing them and the Bros party down at the grand opening of my new bar on Lower Broadway last week, I can tell you it’s gonna be game on this summer!”
Bentley, Brothers Osborne and LANCO started prepping for the road with a wild trip up “The Mountain,” and shared the video exclusively with Entertainment Weekly.
On Friday (Jan. 26), the first tickets to select cities will be available as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at Megaticket.com. Citi is the official credit card of the 2018 Mountain High Tour, and card members will have access to presale tickets through Citi Private Pass, Citi’s Entertainment Access Program.
Eric Church’s ‘Mr. Misunderstood’ Reaches Million-Plus Mark
/by Lorie HollabaughEric Church’s Mr. Misunderstood album.
Eric Church‘s fifth album, Mr. Misunderstood, has reached the Platinum mark, selling over one million units since its release. Church sent copies of the album to members of his devoted fan club, the Church Choir, before surprise announcing it at the 2015 CMA Awards and putting it on sale to the public.
The project has already produced the Grammy-nominated No. 1 single “Record Year,” “Kill A Word,” and the current single “Round Here Buzz,” which has become the fourth No. 1 from the album. The distinct story line of the album started with the lead single/title-track, “Mr. Misunderstood” which included a video featuring a real teenager, Mickey Smay, a musically inclined 14-year-old from Rochester, NY, who carried the album’s theme through the subsequent singles.
Church is gearing up for a performance on the upcoming Grammys with Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne to pay tribute to victims of violence in 2017.
Restless Heart Announces Initial Dates On 35th Anniversary Tour
/by Eric T. ParkerRestless Heart. Photo: Adrian David Payne
Country music group Restless Heart has announced the first round of live concert dates for its year-long 35th Anniversary Tour. Over a dozen of performances have been announced in this initial run with stops in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky.
“35 years… far more than we could have ever imagined or hoped for, and still an absolute privilege to share the stage with all of our original members,” says Restless Heart’s Dave Innis. “That is something to be grateful for and it’s in thanks to all our amazing fans, old and new, who have become friends and family to us throughout the years.”
Larry Stewart, the band’s lead singer, adds, “I’m so honored to hit the stage with my original bandmates every night, and I believe we’re as good as we’ve ever been. To see our fans continue to support us and to see so many new fans attend our shows, it’s humbling. Thank you to our RH family for remaining loyal fans!”
John Dittrich, Greg Jennings, Paul Gregg, Stewart, and Innis—the five original men who make up Restless Heart—have enjoyed one of the most successful group careers in country music history, placing six consecutive No. 1 hits and four Gold-certified albums.
Additional dates will be announced via restlessheartband.com in the coming weeks.
Restless Heart 35th Anniversary Tour First-Round Schedule
Jan 27 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
Feb 10 – Waco, TX – Karem Shriner Hall
Feb 17 – Punta Gorda, FL – Downtown Hoedown
Feb 24 – Bowie, TX – Bowie Community Center
March 24 – Manistee, MI – Little River Casino Resort
April 12 – Pigeon Forge, TN – Dollywood Showstreet Palace Theater
April 13 – Hopewell, VA – The Beacon Theatre
May 5 – San Angelo, TX – House of FiFi DuBois
June 16 – Bremen, GA – Mill Town Music Hall
July 3 – Campbellsville, KY – Campbellsville Fourth of July
July 7 – Norman, OK – Riverwind Casino
July 28 – Rural Retreat, VA – Rural Retreat
Sept 8 – Arenzville, IL – Burgoo Festival
Oct 19 – Pigeon Forge, TN – Country Tonite Theatre
Los Angeles Ink: Shore Fire Media, Manatt Phelps & Phillips, Warner Bros. Records
/by Eric T. ParkerShore Fire Media Opens Los Angeles Office
Ally Norton
Shore Fire Media has announced the opening of a Los Angeles office this week on the ninth floor of The Desmond Building in the city’s Miracle Mile District. The new location will be helmed by Ally Norton, a graduate of Boston College who has worked with Shore Fire since 2015, handling campaigns for Melissa Etheridge, Margaret Glaspy, Grizzly Bear, Tash Sultana, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Lee Ann Womack, Pussy Riot’s Nadya and others. The Los Angeles outpost joins Shore Fire’s New York headquarters and Nashville outpost, which opened in 2013 and expanded into a new Music Row location last year.
“Los Angeles has been a second home to many of our staff of late as our West Coast work and roster have grown,” says president Marilyn Laverty. “We’re thrilled that our outstanding publicist and executive Ally Norton will be in charge of our new LA operation.”
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to represent Shore Fire Media on the West Coast,” Norton says. “I’m so excited to be here, and I look forward to expanding Shore Fire’s presence in LA’s amazing music community.”
Los Angeles Lawyer Michael Rexford Elevated To Partner at Manatt Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Michael Rexford
Music lawyer Michael Rexford has been promoted to partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, in the firm’s Los Angeles entertainment and media practice. Rexford had previously held the position of counsel since he joined the firm in 2012 from Universal Music Publishing Group, where he had served as vice president of business affairs. In December, Rexford’s representation of Kobalt Music Group—alongside Jeff Biederman, co-chair of Manatt’s music practice—made headlines when Kobalt finalized a $150 million acquisition of Songs Music Publishing.
Warner Bros. Records Names Laura Swanson To Senior Management Team
Laura Swanson
Veteran music executive Laura Swanson will join Warner Bros. Records (WBR) as Executive Vice President, Media & Strategic Development, effective Jan. 22. This marks the first major appointment by WBR Co-Chairman & COO Tom Corson, who started at the label Jan. 2. Swanson will report to Corson and will oversee media strategy for Warner Bros.’ genre-spanning roster of artists.
Swanson was most recently EVP, Media & Strategic Development at Epic Records, working with artists such as Meghan Trainor. Her previous stops include Island Def Jam, Interscope/Geffen/A&M and Arista Records.
“I am thrilled to join Tom Corson and the amazing Warner Bros. Records’ team in this new adventure,” said Swanson. “With Tom’s leadership, expertise, creative genius and proven track record combined with the label’s new artistic vision and all the amazing artists who call Warner Bros. home, I predict magic is on the horizon. I truly appreciate Tom for bringing me on board and look forward to next week’s electrifying Grammy celebration and many successful years at Warner Bros. Records.”
“Laura is one of the most admired and experienced communications execs in our business, with outstanding relationships throughout the artistic and media communities,” said Corson. “As our industry continues its rapid evolution, the media landscape is constantly shifting, and Laura has always taken the lead in placing her artists and her labels at the forefront of the most innovative avenues of exposure and development. Our working paths have crossed twice during our careers, at A&M and later at Arista, so I am especially happy to welcome her to the Warner Bros. team at this exciting time in the label’s history.”
UMG Nashville Releases ‘Forever My Girl’ Soundtrack, Featuring 14 Original Songs
/by Eric T. ParkerAssembled by executive music producer Brett Boyett, the soundtrack also includes previously released material from Miranda Lambert and four tracks of Little Big Town.
Forever My Girl releases to theaters today, Jan. 19—from writer/director Bethany Ashton Wolf—based on the novel by Heidi McLaughlin. The film stars Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe, Abby Ryder Fortson, Travis Tritt and John Benjamin Hickey, telling the story of country music super-star Liam Page (Roe) who left his bride, Josie (Rothe) at the altar, choosing fame and fortune. Page never forgot his true love or Southern roots when he unexpectedly faced the consequences of all that he left behind when he returned to his hometown.
Track Listing For Forever My Girl Soundtrack
1. Little White Church – Little Big Town
2. Don’t Water Down My Whiskey – Alex Roe – Original Song
3. Enough – Alex Roe – Original Song
4. Can’t Tame A Fire – Dan Tyminski – Original Song
5. Can’t Go Back – Little Big Town
6. Back From Gone – Josh Turner – Original Song
7. Who Needs Mexico – Canaan Smith – Original Song
8. Silver and Gold – Little Big Town
9. Wings Of An Angel – Lauren Alaina – Original Song
10. Live Forever – Little Big Town
11. Little Red Wagon – Miranda Lambert
12. Caught Up In Your Storm – Mickey Guyton – Original Song
13. Slowing Down – Travis Tritt – Original Song
14. Wild And Free – Destin Bennett – Original Song
15. Solid Ground – Brett Boyett – Original Song
16. Smokin’ and Cryin’ – Alex Roe – Original Song
17. Finally Home – Alex Roe and Abby Ryder Fortson – Original Song
18. Always and Forever – Canaan Smith – Original Song
19. Enough (reprise) – Lauren Alaina and Phillip Sweet – Original Song
Tyler Johnson Preps First Single From Solo Project
/by Eric T. ParkerMost notably, Johnson teamed with Grammy-winning Producer of the Year Jeff Bhasker to produce the debut album for country music artist Cam. In addition to co-writing Cam’s smash single “Burning House” Johnson co-wrote and produced her current single “Diane.”
Johnson’s work also extends to Keith Urban, Miley Cyrus, John Legend, OneRepublic, Ed Sheeran and producing Harry Styles‘ self-titled 2017 debut album–which he penned nine of the 10 tracks—as well as writing and producing “One Last Song” and “Palace” from Sam Smith’s album, The Thrill Of It All.
Song Suffragettes Add Voices To Time’s Up Movement With New Song
/by Lorie HollabaughThe The 23 voices featured in “Time’s Up” come from all over the U.S. and Canada and all have unique stories and musical directions. Shorr, Tasji Bachman, Chloe Gilligan, Savannah Keyes, Mignon, Gracie Schram, Tiera, Jenna Paulette, Emma White, Jordyn Mallory, Emma Lynn White, Regan Stewart, Kim Paige, Jenna McDaniel, Madison Kozak, Jenny Ray, Tenille Arts, Tristan McIntosh, Tia Scola, Alexis Gomez, Candi Carpenter, Trannie Stevens and Lena Stone all appear on the track.
The track premiered with a video, directed by Todd Cassetty, which have both already been embraced by iTunes and Apple Music, who added it into their top playlist, A-List Country. Radio Disney Country will premiere the song today and feature it on the Radio Disney Country Spotlight show airing on Radio Disney.
“Me and the girls were watching the Golden Globes, drinking wine and wearing all black. During one of the many inspiring speeches that night, I just felt the weight of what was happening — how I was going to tell my daughters and granddaughters about this one day,” said Shorr. “It came together so easily and flawlessly because the amazing girls of Song Suffragettes were so passionate about the cause and willing to move around their schedules to make it happen. The team behind Song Suffragettes hustled so hard to make this project come to life making our idea a reality. I have been so inspired by this whole reckoning that’s been happening and it just felt so obvious to connect that to what we do at Song Suffragettes.”
Proceeds from the sale of the song will benefit Time’s Up, the organization that created a unified call from women in entertainment to end discrimination, harassment and abuse of women everywhere.
Oak Ridge Boys’ New Album ’17th Avenue Revival’ Due Out In March
/by Lorie HollabaughThis is the group’s second project with Cobb, who produced the Oaks’ The Boys Are Back album in 2009. Vince Gill, Ashley Monroe, Jamey Johnson, and Brandy Clark all penned tracks on the new album, recorded at Studio A on 17th Avenue in Nashville. Cobb’s vision included no vocal stacking and very few overdubs during production. For two of the songs, the Boys gathered around one microphone and let the harmonies shine on the new collection.
“Dave brought music with spirit and a magical feel to the studio. It became a mental, emotional, physical and spiritual revival for The Oak Ridge Boys,” says the group’s William Lee Golden.
“Having been in The Oak Ridge Boys for almost 52 years,” says Duane Allen, “it can be difficult for me to imagine a place where we have not been. However, Dave Cobb had that vision, and the result is 17th Avenue Revival.”
“Legendary Studio A on 17th Avenue South became a special, almost spiritual place, and for a few weeks it served as a beacon of creativity,” says Allen.
The group will tour in support of the new album this year on their Shine the Light Tour.
17th Avenue Revival Track Listing
1. Brand New Star (Aaron Raitiere & Mando Saenz)
2. There Will Be Light (Jamey Johnson, Larry Shell & Buddy Cannon)
3. God’s Got It (Charlie Jackson)
4. I’d Rather Have Jesus (Rhea Miller & George Beverly Shea)
5. Walk In Jerusalem (Traditional /Public Domain)
6. Where He Leads Me I Will Follow (Ernest W. Blandy / Public Domain)
7. Pray To Jesus (Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally)
8. If I Die (Ashley Monroe & Vince Gill)
9. Let It Shine On Me (Vince Gill & Ashley Monroe)