Pictured: (L-R): BMI songwriter Thomas Rhett, BMI artist Michael Ray, ASCAP writer Jimmy Robbins, BMI writer Barry Dean. (Not pictured: ASCAP writer Jon Nite.) Photo: Steve Lowry
“A man is only as good as the team he creates and he surrounds himself with and looking around this stage and around this room, I’m one hell of a lucky man,” said Warner Music Nashville artist Michael Ray, celebrating his second No. 1 single, “Think A Little Less.” The track follows Michael Ray’s first No. 1 hit, 2015’s “Kiss You In The Morning.”
Songwriters and friends Thomas Rhett, Jimmy Robbins, Barry Dean and Jon Nite penned the song almost exactly four years ago to the week that the song topped the country charts.
“I know how hard you fight and how hard it is going to these program directors day after day and fighting and fighting so thank you from the songwriters,” Thomas Rhett said, thanking WEA’s promotions team.
Industry members gathered at Nashville venue The Sutler, trading the sweltering Music City heat for a cool afternoon inside for music and celebration. As is becoming more of the norm at these No. 1 gatherings, Michael Ray joined the song’s writers, including Thomas Rhett, Barry Dean and Jimmy Robbins to perform an acoustic rendition of the track.
“There is no other genre that makes a night strictly for the songwriters,” Michael Ray said. “For me I got fortunate enough to sing this song. These men are the genius behind this and their publishers were the genius behind putting these guys together. I get to see what this song does nightly and it’s changed my life and my band’s life.”
Michael Ray recalled that when the time came for he and his label to decide what song would be his next radio single, they noticed that fans were gravitating toward a song that Michael Ray had never even played live in concerts.
“We called this song ‘The Sleeper,’ and I thank Jordan Pettit, Rebekah Gordon, Cris Lacy and Travis Gordon for believing in this song.”
“You can tell these guys really had fun writing this song,” said Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, in celebrating Creative Nation/Pulse writer Barry Dean. “There is something about having the right combo of people in the room and hearing that come through on a song.”
The song marks Dean’s third No. 1 song. He earned his first pop award earlier this year, for penning Ingrid Michaelson’s “Girls Chase Boys.” In keeping with the Creative Nation tradition of having perhaps the coolest gifts at these No. 1 parties, they offered each songwriter and the artist personalized bar signs.
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker honored Jimmy Robbins and fellow “Think A Little Less” creator Jon Nite, who celebrated with the crowd via FaceTime, as he was on the road celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary. Brinker also thanked First Tennessee Bank for taking part in the event.
BMI’s David Preston presented silver No. 1 cups, honoring writers Thomas Rhett and Barry Dean and BMI artist Michael Ray. This marks Jimmy Robbins’ 7th No. 1 song, in addition to his production work for several artists, including recent work for RaeLynn and Trent Harmon.
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg honored Thomas Rhett for his part in co-writing the track. “This guy is a songwriter at heart. With everything else he’s got going on, he’s still writing hits for other artists.”
Pictured (L-R): Back row: Creative Pulse Music’s Scott Cutler, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s David Preston, Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Round Hill’s Josh Saxe, producer Scott Hendricks. Front row: BMI songwriter Thomas Rhett, BMI artist Michael Ray, ASCAP writer Jimmy Robbins, BMI writer Barry Dean and Creative Nation’s Beth Laird. (Not pictured: ASCAP writer Jon Nite.) Photo: Steve Lowry
Round Hill Music offered donations in the name of the artist and writers to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Pinnacle Bank made donations in the name of the artist and writers to 147 Million Orphans, a charity Thomas Rhett started with his wife Lauren.
Also among those feting the writers and artist were “Think A Little Less” producer Scott Hendricks, Country Radio Broadcasters’ Ashley Silver and the Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms.
“Jon Nite changed my life,” Robbins said. “He’s one of the first people to write with me. I checked today, and we’ve written 180 songs, which is like all the songs. Barry Dean, I started writing with Barry early when I got to Nashville. I’ve never met a more talented guy and a more special guy. Thomas, you were one of the first people to hear what I was doing and actually think it was any good.”
“I’m not good at this,” Dean said humbly. “I’m better in little rooms with a rhyming dictionary. I’m grateful to everyone at Warner and the promo side and to Michael. Scott, this record really sounds incredible.”
“Michael, thank you for just opening up to the song,” Thomas Rhett said. “I sing it in my shows every night and it sounds miserable next to yours. I also play it a bunch of keys lower than you do,” he quipped. “Jimmy, you’ve been part of my career since the first song and I appreciate how hard you work and how sweet of a guy you are. Barry, you really are a genius. When I’m in the room with you, the rhymes you come up with…we will go take lunch and we will come back and Barry has written the most beautiful poem you’ve ever heard. Then somehow turns it into a song.”
For his part, Michael Ray noted he was grateful to Thomas Rhett, who sang the song’s demo, for not including the song on his own album.
“Thank you Thomas Rhett for finishing your record before Travis Gordon played this song for me,” said Michael Ray. “I was sitting in Cris Lacy’s office and we were listening to songs and ‘Think A Little Less’ popped up and TR has the most incredible unique voice in the business so I said, ‘Well, this is a hit. Thomas is singing it so it’s out for me. Travis said, ‘No Thomas’ album is done,’ so I said, ‘Well, I want it.’ We got into the studio as fast as we could.”
Preshias Harris Releases Songwriter Handbook
/by Jessica NicholsonThe book, aimed at aspiring singer-songwriters, outlines areas of interest to songwriters, including performing rights organizations, song publishing, recording demos, licensing, and more. The book also includes ‘workbook’ segments to allow readers to make notes of their accomplishments and to apply their personal songwriter business plan.
“My mission in life is to help aspiring singers and songwriters to be the best that they can be. The College of Songology 101 covers ‘the basics’ to enable the inspiring songwriter to launch his or her career successfully,” said Harris. “My experience and tenure in the music business has enabled me the knowledge to protect songwriter hopefuls from making financial mistakes and to help them earn money from their craft as they follow their dream to become an independent songwriter. The handbook outlines necessary tools to enable the music writer to elevate his or her dream from a hobby to a successful career.”
Harris has spent nearly 30 years in the music industry, and currently works as a music career development consultant for rising singer-songwriters.
Harris is the author of Inside Track On Music Row, which appears in Nashville Music Guide and on various websites. She is also the author of I Know Country!, a collection of over 350 Q&As with country artists. She has handled promotion and media relations for the New York Times best-seller Chicken Soup For The Country Soul, and served as song plugger and A&R assistant to a local songwriter, in addition to her role as Promotions Coordinator for George Jones University. Harris serves as Artist Relations/Nashville Division for Boulder Creek Guitars and for Country Rewind Records. She is a member of ASCAP (as a publisher), BMI, CMA, The Recording Academy, NATD and NSAI.
The College of Songology 101 is available now in print and via Kindle. Both versions can be ordered direct from the author at collegeofsongology.com. For a limited time, purchasers of the print version can download the e-book for free.
2017 Country Radio Hall Of Fame Induction Dinner And Awards Ceremony Sold Out
/by Jessica NicholsonThis year’s event will honor the Country Radio Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017, including off-air broadcasters Tim Closson, Charlie Ochs, Mel Owens, and radio personalities – Joe Wade Formicola, Linda Lee, Jim Mantel, and The Good Morning Guys (KUAD/Ft. Collins, CO).
Martina McBride will accept the 2017 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award, alongside Mike Dungan who is being honored as the recipient of the 2017 President’s Award.
The event will take place Wednesday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt.
The Country Radio Hall of Fame was founded in 1974 and is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the Country format.
Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer Team Up For New Album, Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughMaking it a family affair this time around, sisters Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer are hitting the road together on select dates in support of their upcoming release Not Dark Yet. The new album, due out Aug. 18 (Silver Cross/Thirty Tigers), was produced by Teddy Thompson and marks the first time the siblings have recorded an album together.
The shows will kick off in New York City with two nights at City Winery, followed by stops in Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Nashville, and a few other cities. This marks the first time the sisters have toured together since 2010.
NPR has unveiled an exclusive preview of the album’s title track/Bob Dylan cover, “Not Dark Yet” today here. The collection, which was recorded in Los Angeles last summer, also includes an array of songs by writers ranging from the Louvin Brothers and Nick Cave, to Kurt Cobain and Jessie Colter.
Signings & Hirings: Fiona Culley, Lord & Thorn Music Publishing, So Much Moore Media
/by Jessica NicholsonFiona Culley Inks Deals With WME, in2une, C2 Media Relations
Pictured from (L-R): Carly Caramanna (C2 Media), Jamice Jennings (in2une), Fiona Culley, Brian Jones (WME), Chelsea Dartez (C2 Media)
Marro Records’ British country artist Fiona Culley has signed with William Morris Endeavor exclusively for worldwide representation. The vocal powerhouse has also partnered with in2une Music for radio promotion and C2 Media Relations for PR representation.
Culley is traveling the country visiting stations in advance of the release of her debut radio single “Act Like A Lady” due out in late July. Culley recently recorded a duet with Darius Rucker, “Life On The Line.” Co-written by Culley, Rucker, Tyler Cain and Meghan Linsey, “Life On The Line” is the theme song of a Lionsgate film of the same name starring John Travolta, Kate Bosworth and Sharon Stone.
Lord & Thorn Music Publishing Signs Bobby McLamb
Back Row (standing): Preshias Harris/Lord & Thorn Songwriter Services & Coordinator; Daryl Price/President & CEO Lord & Thorn Music Publishing.
Front Row (seated): Larry Alderman, Bobby McLamb
The Beaufort, South Carolina native has written alongside Brent Stenzel, Bernie Nelson, Frank Myers, and Ray Fulcher. McLamb has enjoyed collaborative endeavors with recording/touring artists including Chris Bandi, Grassroots Revival, Garret Speer, Nick Alligood, Sugar & Steel and many more.
Mountain Home Music Company Hires So Much Moore Media
Martha Moore
Mountain Home Music Company has hired Martha Moore of So Much Moore Media to handle publicity for the upcoming Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Life Is A Story CD. Moore has handled previous label artist projects for Darin & Brooke Aldridge and NewTown.
Sony ATV CEO Martin Bandier Makes Plea To Streaming Services For Equal Treatment Of Writers
/by Lorie HollabaughPortraits of Martin Bandier, CEO of Sony/ATV
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier took a moment while receiving a Lifetime Service Award from Smokey Robinson at the National Music Publishers’ Association’s (NMPA) Centennial Annual Meeting on Wednesday to call streaming services to task about recognizing the contributions of songwriters. During his speech Bandier called upon Spotify, Apple Music, and others to fully and clearly credit songwriters like they do with recording artists.
During his speech at the industry trade association event in New York, Bandier lamented that writers were still not receiving an equitable share of the enormous amount of money being generated by the streaming services.
“The fruits of our labor are not being equitably rewarded and we are not benefitting from the streaming revolution as meaningfully as we should,” he said. “I’ve always believed that songwriters are not getting proper recognition. This is even more prevalent today on the leading music streaming services. Far too often the songwriter’s contribution is overlooked or even forgotten. I have no doubt that this lack of public recognition has played a major part in why songwriters are not treated on an equal basis as the recording artist. When I look today at the likes of Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, I ask: where are the names of the songwriters? They are either not there or so hidden that you would have to be a special prosecutor, or perhaps The Washington Post – to find them. It is as if the songwriters do not exist and the only people who matter are the recording artists. However, without the songwriters coming up with the words and music in the first place, there would be nothing for the artist to record and no music to stream.”
Bandier went on to urge the streaming services to prominently show the songwriters names just as they credit the artists names as a small step and show of solidarity to the writers who create the music.
DisClaimer: Dan Auerbach, Paramore, Angel Snow Shine In Rock Crop This Week
/by Robert K OermannAfter last week’s CMA fest, I needed a break from country music. Right on schedule, some of the biggest names in Nashville’s pop/rock community have new albums to enjoy.
Our Male Vocalist winner is Dan Auerbach. Equally clear cut is our Group winner, Paramore. Deciding on the Female Disc of the Day is a lot tougher. Angel Snow, Greta Gaines and Sheryl Crow all have marvelous qualities to recommend them. In a neck-and-neck finish, I’m going with Angel Snow.
DADDY ISSUES/In Your Head
Writers: Daddy Issues; Producers: Jake Orrall; Publishers: none listed, SESAC
– This female trio cranks up a fuzz-tone, lo-fi, punk-rock slab of sound on this track from its current Deep Dream CD. The next time somebody questions Nashville’s rock bona fides to ya, put this on and turn up the volume to “10.”
DAN AUERBACH/Waiting On A Song
Writers: Dan Auerbach/John Prine/Pat McLaughlin/Richard Swift; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Publisher: Hour Box/Wixen/Tommy Jack/Corn Country\/Clearbox/Dance Contest Winner, BMI/ASCAP
– The Black Keys frontman has issued a marvelously diverse solo album. This title tune has a bopping, jaunty, Americana vibe. But other tracks rock with layers of sound, get trippy with audio effects, thump with r&b grooves and/or reach into retro pop styles. The collection finds him surrounded by a wide variety of Nashville pickers, including Duane Eddy, Jerry Douglas, Kenny Vaughan, John Prine and Pat McLaughlin. The diversity of styles here is highly admirable. Fabulous listening.
ALL THEM WITCHES/Bruce Lee
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: None listed
– His Nashville four-piece rock combo cooks up a steaming blues-rock pot of psychedelia on its CD Sleeping Through the War. Very mind expanding.
PARAMORE/Hard Times
Writers: Hayley Williams/Taylor York; Producer: Justin Meldal-Johnsen & Taylor York; Publisher: WB, ASCAP
– One of Middle Tennessee’s best known bands is back with a CD titled After Laughter. The collection’s lift-off single and opening track is a catchy, dance-pop outing with burbling beats and inescapable attitude. A very refreshing change of pace for a group that has sometimes specialized in volume at the expense of melodies.
COIN/Feeling
Writers: Ryan Winnen/Chase Lawrence/Zachary Dyke/Joseph Memmel/Tim Pagnotta; Producer: Andrew Maury; Publisher: Spirit One/Songs of Global Entertainment/This Is COIN/These Are Songs of Pulse/Sony-ATV Ballad/Burrito Bandito, BMI/ASCAP
– How Will You Know If You Never Try is the sophomore album by Nashville’s COIN. This emphasis track has an ‘80s, new-wave vibe. Highly stylish. The band has been named Amazon’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year and one of Time magazine’s 21 Musicians We Want to Hear From.
SHERYL CROW/Halfway There
Writers: Sheryl Crow/Jeff Trott; Producer: Jeff Trott & Sheryl Crow; Publisher: Old Green Barn/Mortal and Pestle/Ole, BMI/ASCAP
– On her new Be Myself CD, Sheryl Crow returns to the pop/rock idiom that made her famous. The forward momentum of its steadily rhythmic lead single will have your heart beating in time. The track’s deep-bottom groove contrasts nicely with her silvery soprano delivery. She remains an audio treasure.
GRETA GAINES/Begin Again
Writers: Greta Gaines; Producer: Eric Fritsch & Greta Gaines; Publisher: Oh Happy, BMI
– The new Tumbleweed EP by Greta Gaines drops tomorrow. The download sales of its bonus track, “Light It Up,” will go toward NORML’s efforts to legalize weed. This track finds her musing over guitars that alternately slither, grumble, moan and shriek. In contrast to some of her earlier rock efforts, this disc leans in an Americana-soul direction. In addition to being a singer-songwriter, this Nashvillian is also a champion snowboarder, an ace fly-fisherman and talented ESPN host.
TIM RUSHLOW & HIS BIG BAND/Plenty Of Money And You
Writers: Harry Warren/Al Dubin; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: Warner, ASCAP
– Rushlow is a Music City troubadour who has reinvented himself as the leader of a horn-honking swing band. Its debut CD/DVD was recorded live, and the excitement comes across beautifully. The repertoire ranges from “Beyond the Sea,” “Luck Be a Lady,” “Mack the Knife,” “That’s Life” and “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart” to less familiar tunes from the Great American Songbook like this one. The group will take up residency at The Nashville Palace beginning Nov. 10. Be there or be square.
ANGEL SNOW/Photographs
Writers: Angel Snow/Jonathan Trebing; Producer: Lee Groves; Publisher: none listed
– The atmospheric textures of Angel Snow’s current album Magnetic are entrancing. The swirling pop confection is the album this Nashville singer-songwriter was always meant to make. Its track “Secret” has had over one million streams on Spotify. This follow-up is even more dreamy, layered and lovely. I remain a huge fan.
DAVE POMEROY/Angel in the Ashes
Writers: Ben Cyllus/Dave Pomeroy; Producer: Dave Pomeroy; Publishers: Groove Room/Calhoun/Kung Fu Unicorn, BMI
– This longtime instrumental great has been working on his new CD for 10 years. The wait has been worth it, because the collection is wildly inventive. This pop-folk title track has a warm vocal as well as his customary virtuoso bass playing. In addition to a heaping helping of originals, he covers tunes by Guy Clark, Jesse Winchester and Buddy Mondlock, not to mention jazzbos like Charles Mingus (”Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”). Don’t miss the album’s centerpiece, his eight-minute funk medley of “Ball of Confusion,” “For the Love of Money” and “Cloud Nine” (50 audio tracks deep). Now, here’s the really mind-blowing thing: All of the instrumental sounds on the album are made by various basses, acoustic and electric, 41 of them! No drums. No guitars. Just basses. This is a fantastic listening experience.
Shania Twain To Release New Album Sept. 29
/by Jessica NicholsonHer last album, 2002’s Up!, was certified 11x Platinum by the RIAA, becoming her third Diamond-selling album.
Twain spent much of 2016 on the road for her Rock This Country Tour, which she stated would be her farewell tour.
Kimpton Aertson Hotel Opens, Partners With NSAI To Offer Corporate Rounds Experience
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Kimpton Aertson Hotel has officially opened today (June 14) at the corner of 21st Avenue and Broadway in Nashville’s Midtown neighborhood. The property marks the boutique hotel company’s first venture in Music City and the expansion of its footprint in the Southeast, and its first official guests, songwriter Marcus Hummon and his wife Becca Stevens of Thistle Farms, were welcomed to celebrate the opening.
The Kimpton will be well-anchored within the creative community of Nashville being so close to Music Row, and is partnering with the Nashville Songwriters Association International to offer NSAI’s Corporate Rounds Experience as part of an exclusive event package available for hotel guests and meeting planners. The experience will provide unique break outs or evening activities for the Aertson’s meetings and events guests.
On its 8th floor, the new hotel boasts more than 6,500-square-feet of flexible meeting and event spaces to accommodate groups and parties of all sizes and occasions. And a stunning 3,630-square-foot Patterson Ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and a large wrap-around private outdoor terrace, provides unobstructed views of Music City. For those looking to take their meetings and events to even greater heights, the Aertson’s 17th floor indoor event space and private outdoor terrace treats up to 150 guests to 270-degree panoramic views of downtown Nashville.
All of the events at Aertson Hotel enjoy chef-driven catering menus from Henley’s Executive Chef RJ Cooper, and adjacent to the hotel, and accessible through Aertson’s living room, is Henley, a modern American brasserie featuring Cooper’s culinary menu highlighting regional flavors.
The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool and cabanas on the 8th floor, and the adjacent Woodhouse Spa is available to guests for a bevy of pampering services from massages to manicures.
Michael Ray, Songwriters Celebrate Power of Friendship, Resilience With No. 1 “Think A Little Less”
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: (L-R): BMI songwriter Thomas Rhett, BMI artist Michael Ray, ASCAP writer Jimmy Robbins, BMI writer Barry Dean. (Not pictured: ASCAP writer Jon Nite.) Photo: Steve Lowry
“A man is only as good as the team he creates and he surrounds himself with and looking around this stage and around this room, I’m one hell of a lucky man,” said Warner Music Nashville artist Michael Ray, celebrating his second No. 1 single, “Think A Little Less.” The track follows Michael Ray’s first No. 1 hit, 2015’s “Kiss You In The Morning.”
Songwriters and friends Thomas Rhett, Jimmy Robbins, Barry Dean and Jon Nite penned the song almost exactly four years ago to the week that the song topped the country charts.
“I know how hard you fight and how hard it is going to these program directors day after day and fighting and fighting so thank you from the songwriters,” Thomas Rhett said, thanking WEA’s promotions team.
Industry members gathered at Nashville venue The Sutler, trading the sweltering Music City heat for a cool afternoon inside for music and celebration. As is becoming more of the norm at these No. 1 gatherings, Michael Ray joined the song’s writers, including Thomas Rhett, Barry Dean and Jimmy Robbins to perform an acoustic rendition of the track.
“There is no other genre that makes a night strictly for the songwriters,” Michael Ray said. “For me I got fortunate enough to sing this song. These men are the genius behind this and their publishers were the genius behind putting these guys together. I get to see what this song does nightly and it’s changed my life and my band’s life.”
Michael Ray recalled that when the time came for he and his label to decide what song would be his next radio single, they noticed that fans were gravitating toward a song that Michael Ray had never even played live in concerts.
“We called this song ‘The Sleeper,’ and I thank Jordan Pettit, Rebekah Gordon, Cris Lacy and Travis Gordon for believing in this song.”
“You can tell these guys really had fun writing this song,” said Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, in celebrating Creative Nation/Pulse writer Barry Dean. “There is something about having the right combo of people in the room and hearing that come through on a song.”
The song marks Dean’s third No. 1 song. He earned his first pop award earlier this year, for penning Ingrid Michaelson’s “Girls Chase Boys.” In keeping with the Creative Nation tradition of having perhaps the coolest gifts at these No. 1 parties, they offered each songwriter and the artist personalized bar signs.
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker honored Jimmy Robbins and fellow “Think A Little Less” creator Jon Nite, who celebrated with the crowd via FaceTime, as he was on the road celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary. Brinker also thanked First Tennessee Bank for taking part in the event.
BMI’s David Preston presented silver No. 1 cups, honoring writers Thomas Rhett and Barry Dean and BMI artist Michael Ray. This marks Jimmy Robbins’ 7th No. 1 song, in addition to his production work for several artists, including recent work for RaeLynn and Trent Harmon.
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg honored Thomas Rhett for his part in co-writing the track. “This guy is a songwriter at heart. With everything else he’s got going on, he’s still writing hits for other artists.”
Pictured (L-R): Back row: Creative Pulse Music’s Scott Cutler, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s David Preston, Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Round Hill’s Josh Saxe, producer Scott Hendricks. Front row: BMI songwriter Thomas Rhett, BMI artist Michael Ray, ASCAP writer Jimmy Robbins, BMI writer Barry Dean and Creative Nation’s Beth Laird. (Not pictured: ASCAP writer Jon Nite.) Photo: Steve Lowry
Round Hill Music offered donations in the name of the artist and writers to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Pinnacle Bank made donations in the name of the artist and writers to 147 Million Orphans, a charity Thomas Rhett started with his wife Lauren.
Also among those feting the writers and artist were “Think A Little Less” producer Scott Hendricks, Country Radio Broadcasters’ Ashley Silver and the Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms.
“Jon Nite changed my life,” Robbins said. “He’s one of the first people to write with me. I checked today, and we’ve written 180 songs, which is like all the songs. Barry Dean, I started writing with Barry early when I got to Nashville. I’ve never met a more talented guy and a more special guy. Thomas, you were one of the first people to hear what I was doing and actually think it was any good.”
“I’m not good at this,” Dean said humbly. “I’m better in little rooms with a rhyming dictionary. I’m grateful to everyone at Warner and the promo side and to Michael. Scott, this record really sounds incredible.”
“Michael, thank you for just opening up to the song,” Thomas Rhett said. “I sing it in my shows every night and it sounds miserable next to yours. I also play it a bunch of keys lower than you do,” he quipped. “Jimmy, you’ve been part of my career since the first song and I appreciate how hard you work and how sweet of a guy you are. Barry, you really are a genius. When I’m in the room with you, the rhymes you come up with…we will go take lunch and we will come back and Barry has written the most beautiful poem you’ve ever heard. Then somehow turns it into a song.”
For his part, Michael Ray noted he was grateful to Thomas Rhett, who sang the song’s demo, for not including the song on his own album.
“Thank you Thomas Rhett for finishing your record before Travis Gordon played this song for me,” said Michael Ray. “I was sitting in Cris Lacy’s office and we were listening to songs and ‘Think A Little Less’ popped up and TR has the most incredible unique voice in the business so I said, ‘Well, this is a hit. Thomas is singing it so it’s out for me. Travis said, ‘No Thomas’ album is done,’ so I said, ‘Well, I want it.’ We got into the studio as fast as we could.”
Industry Ink: BMI Foundation Songwriting Scholarship, MTSU Wall Of Fame, BMLG’s Allison Jones
/by Lorie HollabaughBMI Foundation Celebrates Scholarship Winner
BMI’s Jody Williams and Nina Carter, the BMI Foundation’s Clay Bradley, Nashville Songwriting Scholarship winner Angelica Rose Toumbas and BMI’s Leslie Roberts and MaryAnn Keen pose before Toumbas’ performance
BMI hosted a reception Monday (June 12) for the BMI Foundation’s Second Annual Nashville Songwriting Scholarship winner Angelica Rose Toumbas. During the event Toumbas treated the crowd to two of her original songs, including her award-winning “The Feeling of Almost.”
Middle Tennessee State University Adds Three To Media Wall Of Fame
Christin Baker, F. Reid Shippen, Traci Thomas
Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment has added a trio of alumni to its Wall of Fame, including entertainment manager/publicist Traci Thomas, music producer-engineer F. Reid Shippen, and filmmaker Christin Baker.
These three join 82 media leaders already included on the list, which is featured in MTSU’s Bragg Media and Entertainment Building. The MTSU College of Media and Entertainment Wall began in 2000 to honor successful mass communications graduates.
Baker, a 1997 MTSU graduate, founded and is CEO of LA-based digital distribution company tellofilms.com, a multi-platform subscription service for web series focusing on lesbian issues. Baker earned the Best Director prize at the 2016 Raindance Film Festival’s Web Fest Awards for the series Maybelle.
Shippen, a 1994 MTSU graduate, is a mixer, producer, engineer and entrepreneur, with credits including artists Ingrid Michaelson, India.Arie, Sam Hunt, Cage The Elephant, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Kelsea Ballerini, One Republic, MercyMe and more. Shippen owns and mixes projects at Robot Lemon, a private Nashville studio.
Thomas, a 1994 MTSU graduate, began her career in public relations, spending 20+ years working with artists including Kris Kristofferson, Drive-By Truckers, Old Crow Medicine Show and more. She psent the last 10+ years working with Nashville’s Thirty Tigers. As a co-founder of the Americana Music Association, Thomas was recently honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at its 10th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum.
BMLG’s Allison Jones “Makes The Wall” At The Palm