For being one of Nashville’s hottest new chart–toppers, Columbia Nashville artist Luke Combs signed his major label deal in September 2016 in a decidedly old-school way—via fax machine while on the road in Montana.
Still, for Combs it was another milestone in a career that has taken him from playing in bars and clubs around North Carolina to opening arena shows for Brantley Gilbert.
“We weren’t even going to try to go to radio with the album, originally,” Combs tells MusicRow. “We were just going to put it out and try to sell 5,000 copies. So during that time I was on the road doing shows and the song was selling. Next thing I know, I have five major label deals on the table.”
Since signing with Columbia Nashville, the buzz surrounding Combs and his debut single “Hurricane” has become gale force. “Hurricane” spent two weeks atop the country radio chart, and has crossed the platinum sales mark.
Luke Combs. Photo: Matthew Berinato
The track anchors his debut album This One’s For You, which releases today (June 2). The North Carolina native takes pride in co-writing all 12 tracks on his debut album.
“It’s a huge point of pride for me. I love that I write my own stuff,” Combs says, with a nod to one of his influences. “That’s the kind of thing I’ve always liked about Eric Church. Outside of ‘Like Jesus Does,’ that’s about the only tune that he hasn’t written that he put out. I’m not opposed to cutting a great song. I write so much—and I’m so in love with some of the stuff that I write—that I would rather put it out, so people know I’m saying it to them directly.”
“Hurricane” may have blown onto the country charts like a Category 5, but the song had a long road from creation to radio hit. Combs penned “Hurricane” in November 2014, with Thomas Archer and Taylor Phillips.
“I had the idea ‘Hurricane’ and had no idea what it meant, and even to this day I have no idea why it was in there. I think at the time, Dustin Lynch had a song on his album called ‘Hurricane,’ so I thought at the time, ‘I don’t know if I want to write this.’ But we got to talking about how a buddy of Taylor’s who had broken up with somebody and didn’t want to run into her at the bars. We tried to tie that idea to the title ‘Hurricane.’ I don’t think we knew we had written a hit that day, but we know it now.”
Before Lynn Oliver-Cline signed Combs to a deal with her newly-established River House Artists last year, she noticed this DIY artist with a passionate delivery and songwriting chops was gaining steam with fans.
“The first time I looked him up on the Buzz Angle Music chart, he was a few thousand streams in on ‘Hurricane’ and it was 100 percent on demand. It wasn’t on a single playlist, there was nothing. I may have even called their office to say, ‘Are you sure?’ Because it was 100 percent people looking for him directly, which is not the norm. The numbers were there so it made it an even easier decision for me.”
Pictured (L -R): John Zarling – EVP Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville; Chris Kappy – Make Wake Management; Luke Combs; Randy Goodman – Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Ken Robold – EVP & COO, Sony Music Nashville; Lynn Oliver-Cline – Founder & CEO, River House Artists
Oliver-Cline established a solid history of working with self-made artists, beginning in 2007 when she began working with Zac Brown Band’s management company ROAR, serving as day-to-day manager for the group. She was later named VP of Publishing and A&R for Southern Ground Artists, before joining Thirty Tigers to spearhead marketing efforts for artists including Lucinda Williams and Jason Isbell.
She was first introduced to Combs through her longtime friend, Chris Kappy, who worked for Sixthman Cruises for more than a decade before moving to Nashville to manage Combs. Combs and Oliver-Cline met approximately 18 months ago in what he thought would be a brief meeting to gain industry advice and let her hear his music. Shortly after, she offered him a label deal with River House Artists.
The six songs Combs played for Oliver-Cline essentially became the first half of This One’s For You.
“He had this raw vocal and passionate delivery. I thought, ‘He really has something there,’” Oliver-Cline recalls of first hearing Combs. “With River House, I was able to offer him creative freedom and a partnership, which I think is appealing when you have an artist that is very DIY.”
This One’s For You also highlights the fruits of Combs’ longtime collaboration with songwriter Ray Fulcher. Combs estimates he and Fulcher have penned 50 songs together, eight of which made it onto his new album.
“He knows where I’m going and I know where he’s going, so we can both kind of anticipate what we are trying to say. A lot of songs are similarly themed, but when we wrote ‘When It Rains It Pours,’ it was trying to find these little relatable things that nobody has said before and we are both pretty good at that.”
Lynn Oliver-Cline
Oliver-Cline also signed Fulcher to River House’s publishing arm. “Starting a publishing company has been my dream since 2004,” she says. “Here we are 13 years later. I think because of the time I spent with Zac Brown and Wyatt Durrette, who had a great writing relationship during the first ZBB records, I saw that bond and I saw the same thing with Ray and Luke.”
With a No. 1 single under his belt, an album topping the iTunes Country chart, and a new single to be released soon, Combs is focused on a string of upcoming performances. He will make appearances at the CMT Music Awards, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, and the CMA Music Festival, and will be on the road with Brantley Gilbert through September.
Along the way, Combs has gleaned advice and wisdom from his fellow artists, such as tourmate Gilbert.
“He told me to care about the music and the fans above everything else. They are the ones that got me here,” Combs says.
Combs has done that, in a very public way—by dedicating the title track of his debut album to those who have championed him, from the writing rooms and tiny bars, to arenas and the top of the charts.
This One’s For You Track Listing
1. Out There
Luke Combs, James McNair, Ray Fulcher, Jacob Bryant
2. Memories Are Made Of
Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Cody Webb
3. Lonely One
Luke Combs, Drew Parker, Erin Ashley O’Keefe
4. Beer Can
Luke Combs, James McNair, Ray Fulcher
5. Hurricane
Luke Combs, Thomas Archer, Taylor Phillips
6. One Number Away
Luke Combs, Robert Williford, Sammy Mitchell, Steven Andre Battey
7. Don’t Tempt Me
Luke Combs, Robert Williford, Joseph Michael Costa
8. When It Rains It Pours
Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Jordan Walker
9. This One’s For You
Luke Comb, Ray Fulcher, Pat Cooper
10. Be Careful What You Wish For
Luke Combs, Rob Crosby, Ray Fulcher
11. I Got Away With You
Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Tyler Reeve
12. Honky Tonk Highway
Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Rob Crosby
Steelism Sets Sophomore Release For June 23
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I’ve been doing live shows with Steelism for a couple of years now,” explains Amanfu. “We always find a bit of magic when we play together so being invited into the workshop with them to collaborate for their new album seemed like a natural step.”
The band describes one of the new songs on the album, “Re-Member,” as “an instrumental reflection on nostalgia and the first piece we recorded for the album. Elements of AIR, David Axelrod’s Songs of Innocence, and Pink Floyd’s Obscured by Clouds were noted in the production to set the sonically rich tone of ism. However, we wanted the story of the album to begin with just the entrance of pedal steel and guitar, which is how Steelism began.”
ism is now available for pre-order and includes instant downloads of “Eno Nothing,” “Shake Your Heel,” “Roulette” and “Re-Member.” Physical pre-orders are now available via the band’s web store and digital pre-orders are available via Amazon and iTunes.
Tracklist:
Luke Combs Makes Waves With “Hurricane”-Strength Debut Album ‘This One’s For You’
/by Jessica NicholsonFor being one of Nashville’s hottest new chart–toppers, Columbia Nashville artist Luke Combs signed his major label deal in September 2016 in a decidedly old-school way—via fax machine while on the road in Montana.
Still, for Combs it was another milestone in a career that has taken him from playing in bars and clubs around North Carolina to opening arena shows for Brantley Gilbert.
“We weren’t even going to try to go to radio with the album, originally,” Combs tells MusicRow. “We were just going to put it out and try to sell 5,000 copies. So during that time I was on the road doing shows and the song was selling. Next thing I know, I have five major label deals on the table.”
Since signing with Columbia Nashville, the buzz surrounding Combs and his debut single “Hurricane” has become gale force. “Hurricane” spent two weeks atop the country radio chart, and has crossed the platinum sales mark.
Luke Combs. Photo: Matthew Berinato
The track anchors his debut album This One’s For You, which releases today (June 2). The North Carolina native takes pride in co-writing all 12 tracks on his debut album.
“It’s a huge point of pride for me. I love that I write my own stuff,” Combs says, with a nod to one of his influences. “That’s the kind of thing I’ve always liked about Eric Church. Outside of ‘Like Jesus Does,’ that’s about the only tune that he hasn’t written that he put out. I’m not opposed to cutting a great song. I write so much—and I’m so in love with some of the stuff that I write—that I would rather put it out, so people know I’m saying it to them directly.”
“Hurricane” may have blown onto the country charts like a Category 5, but the song had a long road from creation to radio hit. Combs penned “Hurricane” in November 2014, with Thomas Archer and Taylor Phillips.
“I had the idea ‘Hurricane’ and had no idea what it meant, and even to this day I have no idea why it was in there. I think at the time, Dustin Lynch had a song on his album called ‘Hurricane,’ so I thought at the time, ‘I don’t know if I want to write this.’ But we got to talking about how a buddy of Taylor’s who had broken up with somebody and didn’t want to run into her at the bars. We tried to tie that idea to the title ‘Hurricane.’ I don’t think we knew we had written a hit that day, but we know it now.”
Before Lynn Oliver-Cline signed Combs to a deal with her newly-established River House Artists last year, she noticed this DIY artist with a passionate delivery and songwriting chops was gaining steam with fans.
“The first time I looked him up on the Buzz Angle Music chart, he was a few thousand streams in on ‘Hurricane’ and it was 100 percent on demand. It wasn’t on a single playlist, there was nothing. I may have even called their office to say, ‘Are you sure?’ Because it was 100 percent people looking for him directly, which is not the norm. The numbers were there so it made it an even easier decision for me.”
Pictured (L -R): John Zarling – EVP Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville; Chris Kappy – Make Wake Management; Luke Combs; Randy Goodman – Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Ken Robold – EVP & COO, Sony Music Nashville; Lynn Oliver-Cline – Founder & CEO, River House Artists
Oliver-Cline established a solid history of working with self-made artists, beginning in 2007 when she began working with Zac Brown Band’s management company ROAR, serving as day-to-day manager for the group. She was later named VP of Publishing and A&R for Southern Ground Artists, before joining Thirty Tigers to spearhead marketing efforts for artists including Lucinda Williams and Jason Isbell.
She was first introduced to Combs through her longtime friend, Chris Kappy, who worked for Sixthman Cruises for more than a decade before moving to Nashville to manage Combs. Combs and Oliver-Cline met approximately 18 months ago in what he thought would be a brief meeting to gain industry advice and let her hear his music. Shortly after, she offered him a label deal with River House Artists.
The six songs Combs played for Oliver-Cline essentially became the first half of This One’s For You.
“He had this raw vocal and passionate delivery. I thought, ‘He really has something there,’” Oliver-Cline recalls of first hearing Combs. “With River House, I was able to offer him creative freedom and a partnership, which I think is appealing when you have an artist that is very DIY.”
This One’s For You also highlights the fruits of Combs’ longtime collaboration with songwriter Ray Fulcher. Combs estimates he and Fulcher have penned 50 songs together, eight of which made it onto his new album.
“He knows where I’m going and I know where he’s going, so we can both kind of anticipate what we are trying to say. A lot of songs are similarly themed, but when we wrote ‘When It Rains It Pours,’ it was trying to find these little relatable things that nobody has said before and we are both pretty good at that.”
Lynn Oliver-Cline
Oliver-Cline also signed Fulcher to River House’s publishing arm. “Starting a publishing company has been my dream since 2004,” she says. “Here we are 13 years later. I think because of the time I spent with Zac Brown and Wyatt Durrette, who had a great writing relationship during the first ZBB records, I saw that bond and I saw the same thing with Ray and Luke.”
With a No. 1 single under his belt, an album topping the iTunes Country chart, and a new single to be released soon, Combs is focused on a string of upcoming performances. He will make appearances at the CMT Music Awards, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, and the CMA Music Festival, and will be on the road with Brantley Gilbert through September.
Along the way, Combs has gleaned advice and wisdom from his fellow artists, such as tourmate Gilbert.
“He told me to care about the music and the fans above everything else. They are the ones that got me here,” Combs says.
Combs has done that, in a very public way—by dedicating the title track of his debut album to those who have championed him, from the writing rooms and tiny bars, to arenas and the top of the charts.
This One’s For You Track Listing
1. Out There
Luke Combs, James McNair, Ray Fulcher, Jacob Bryant
2. Memories Are Made Of
Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Cody Webb
3. Lonely One
Luke Combs, Drew Parker, Erin Ashley O’Keefe
4. Beer Can
Luke Combs, James McNair, Ray Fulcher
5. Hurricane
Luke Combs, Thomas Archer, Taylor Phillips
6. One Number Away
Luke Combs, Robert Williford, Sammy Mitchell, Steven Andre Battey
7. Don’t Tempt Me
Luke Combs, Robert Williford, Joseph Michael Costa
8. When It Rains It Pours
Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Jordan Walker
9. This One’s For You
Luke Comb, Ray Fulcher, Pat Cooper
10. Be Careful What You Wish For
Luke Combs, Rob Crosby, Ray Fulcher
11. I Got Away With You
Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Tyler Reeve
12. Honky Tonk Highway
Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Rob Crosby
Leadership Music Announces 2018 Class
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“The Leadership Music Class of 2018 is an impressive group of industry professionals with a wealth of experience and expertise from a diverse field of those that work within the music business,” said Mike Craft, Senior Vice President, Finance, Big Machine Label Group, who, as immediate past president of the board of directors, co-chaired the selection committee with Jeff Gregg, President of Leadership Music and an agent with CAA. “We had a record number of applications, up 22% from last year, and choosing 49 applicants from among those who applied is one of the most challenging tasks for the selection committee. The selection committee, composed of 33 alumni from every facet of the industry, deliberates over a four-week period, and makes every effort to choose the most balanced and diverse class possible. We all consider it a privilege to serve on this committee.”
Members of the Class of 2018:
Al Andrews, Founder/Executive Director, Porter’s Call
David Angell, Violinist, Nashville Recording Orchestra
Dave Barnes, Artist
Amelia Wang Binder, Vice President, NMPA, (Washington, DC)
Legina Chaudoin, Principal, O’Neil Hagaman,
Kelly Clague, Senior Vice President, EM.Co
Monica Coates, Vice President, A&R, Motown Gospel
Chris Cobb, Co-Owner/Co-Founder, JR Facility Management
Tim Dadson, Deputy General Counsel, SoundExchange (Washington, DC)
Kat Davis, CEO/President, The Brown Book Agency
Chris DeStefano, Songwriter/Record Producer
Nic Dugger, Owner, TNDV: Television LLC
Darren Elrod, Senior Vice President, Finance & Operations, Provident Music Group
Mike Fernandez, Dean, College of Entertainment and the Arts, Lipscomb University
Jason Fridenstine, Business Manager, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Rick Froio, Executive Vice President, Black River Records
Phil Guerini, Vice President, Music Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide/GM, Radio Disney Network (Burbank, CA)
Michael Guth, Chief Operating Officer, Opry Entertainment Group
Wayne Haun, President, Stowtown Records
Tera Healy, East Regional Director, The Recording Academy (Chicago, IL)
Carletta Higginson, Corporate Counsel, Global Music, Google, Inc. (New York, NY)
Mallory Hines, Managing Director, Entertainment & Exhibits, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo (San Antonio, TX)
Mason Hunter, Executive Director, Events & Strategic Partnerships, BMI
Kurt Johnson, Senior Vice President, Townsquare Media (Dallas, TX)
Claude Kelly, Songwriter/Owner, Wierdo Workshop
Brad Kennard, Vice President, Creative, Razor & Tie Music Publishing
Kris Lamb, Vice President, Promotion, Big Machine Label Group
Fletcher Lee, CEO, TourGigs, LLC (Knoxville, TN)
Curtis LeGeyt, Executive Vice President, Government Relations, National Association of Broadcasters (Washington, DC)
Jesse Mann, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Operations, AC Entertainment
Chris Mara, Owner, Welcome to 1979
Michael McDonald, Founder, Mick Management (Brooklyn, NY)
Kevin Meads, Agent, WME
Lee Thomas Miller, Songwriter
Paul Oakley, Vice President, Communications, Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
Thom Oliphant, Vice President, Development, Taillight TV/Co-Founder, My Country Nation
Annie Ortmeier, Senior Director, Streaming & Digital Marketing, Universal Music Group
Tom Osborn, Vice President, Marketing, New West Records
Buster Phillips, Agent, CAA
Paul Schiminger, Executive Director, International Bluegrass Music Association
Cass B. Scripps, Vice President, APA
Matt Signore, COO, Warner Music Nashville
Trina Smith, Owner, Me Gusta Music
Elise Stawarz, Vice President, Marketing, Crowd Surf
Shanna Strassberg, TV and Live Event Talent Booker/Producer/Media Coach
Jensen Sussman, President/Owner, Sweet Talk Publicity
Stephanie Taylor, Attorney, Stites & Harbison
Lauren Tingle, Writer, CMT.com
Kevin Wilson, Senior Vice President, Business Affairs, CMA
Grammys To Honor Special Merit Award Recipients With Television Special
/by Lorie HollabaughThe tribute concert will feature rare performances by honorees and never-seen renditions by artists they’ve inspired. Currently scheduled to perform are Andra Day, who will be honoring Simone, Kirk Franklin, who will pay tribute to Caesar, Randy Newman, who will honor Ostin, and Dwight Yoakam, who will salute Rodgers. Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the event will be on sale via Ticketmaster beginning Monday, June 5.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with THIRTEEN Productions and PBS to bring our ‘Grammy Salute To Music Legends’ event to life in an extraordinary fashion,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “We look forward to celebrating the exceptional contributions and accomplishments of our honorees at New York City’s famed Beacon Theatre, and the event serves as the perfect kickoff to the exciting lead up to the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, which will also take place in The Big Apple for the first time in 15 years.”
Now in its second year, the “Grammy Salute to Music Legends” event will be produced as part of the “Great Performances” series on PBS, and will air later this year. Previously held during Grammy Week, this is the second year the Recording Academy has celebrated the Special Merit Awards with a stand-alone event and musical tribute. In addition to the tribute concert, special celebrity guests will present recipients their award statues and guests will enjoy never-before-seen video packages celebrating each of the honorees’ contributions to the industry and our cultural heritage.
Dan Auerbach Releases Second Solo Album, ‘Waiting On A Song,’ Launches Nashville Label
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Black Keys producer, guitarist and vocalist Dan Auerbach has released his second solo album, Waiting On A Song, today (June 2). The album follows his 2009 solo effort, Keep It Hid.
The album, which Auerbach calls a love letter to Nashville, releases on his new Nashville label, Easy Eye Sound, which shares a name with his Nashville studio, where his band The Black Keys recorded their last two albums. The new label will be distributed by Auerbach’s longtime label Nonesuch Records.
For Waiting On A Song, Auerbach recruited some of Nashville’s top players for the project, including John Prine, Duane Eddy, Jerry Douglas, Pat McLaughlin, Bobby Wood and the Memphis Boys’ Gene Chrisman.
Auerbach moved from his native Akron, Ohio to Nashville in 2010. In 2016, he took time off from touring with The Black Keys and The Arcs, to soak in the sights and sounds of his longtime home in Music City, collaborating with many of Nashville’s top musicians.
“They’d come over, and we’d be in a little room in my house with the door closed, and we’d just write,” said Auerbach. “Monday through Wednesday we’d write, and then Thursday through Sunday we’d record, every week.”
Auerbach wrote seven songs with Prine, including the title track of the album. Mark Knopfler‘s signature guitar sounds are heard on “Shine on Me,” while Eddy is featured on “Livin’ in Sin” and the cinematic “King of a One Horse Town.”
“Living in Nashville has definitely changed the way I think about music and the way that I record it,” continued Auerbach. “I didn’t have all of these resources before. I am working with some of the greatest musicians that ever lived.
“Sometimes I feel I created my own Field of Dreams. I built the studio because I knew something was going to happen. I built it to accommodate live musicians playing, and then all of a sudden the best musicians in Nashville show up, and it’s happening.”
To celebrate, Auerbach performed a secret show at Nashville’s Station Inn on May 31.
Big Machine Music Celebrates Fifth Birthday At The Top Of The Chart
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R): BMM’s Jillian Whitefield (Assistant, Publishing), Alex Heddle (Senior Director, Publishing), Mike Molinar (General Manager) and Michelle Attardi (Manager, Publishing) Photo Courtesy of Big Machine Music
Big Machine Music is celebrating its five-year anniversary with some pretty big numbers. Since launching in 2012, the indie publisher has racked up nine No. 1 hits and 16 Top 10 singles at country radio, and the company is currently celebrating three weeks on top of the charts with back-to-back No. 1’s with Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know” and Luke Combs’ “Hurricane,” which held the position for two weeks.
The company is poised to add to its hit total as well, with the Jonathan Singleton-penned “Yours If You Want It” (recorded by Rascal Flatts,) and Laura Veltz’s “I Could Use A Love Song” (performed by Maren Morris) currently climbing the charts.
“These first five years have been fun, fulfilling and everything that someone who loves songs and songwriters could hope for,” said BMM General Manager Mike Molinar. “I’m proud of what our incredibly talented songwriters and team continue to accomplish and the musical legacy we are creating. Thanks to Scott Borchetta, Andrew Kautz, our colleagues, partners and friends for their support!”
The BMM roster also includes Justin Moore, Joe Don Rooney (of Rascal Flatts), Maddie & Tae, Josh Thompson, Nathan Barlowe, Jessie Joe Dillon, Tara Thompson, Tucker Beathard, Trent Harmon, Lauren Jenkins, Johan Lindbrandt and Emily Landis. The company has also topped the charts with “Any Ol’Barstool,” “Girl In A Country Song,” “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” “Sleep Without You,” “Drunk Last Night,” “Til My Last Day” and “Lettin’ The Night Roll.”
(L-R): BMM writers Jessie Jo Dillon and Laura Veltz with Maren Morris at the 2nd Annual AIMP Nashville Awards who were honored with the Publisher’s Pick Award for co-penning “Rich.” Photo credit- Rick Diamond – Getty Images
Industry Ink: Shoebox Music Publishing Opens In Berry Hill, 117 Entertainment Signings, Demolition Music Publishing
/by Jessica NicholsonShoebox Music Publishing Opens Berry Hill Complex, Signs Eric Varnell
Pictured (L to R): Liz Morin (Showbiz-Ro Music), Ira Dewitt (Owner, Shoebox Publishing), Eric Varnell, Billy Decker, Ronna Reeves (Showbiz-Ro Music)
Shoebox Music Publishing has opened a new entertainment complex in Nashville’s Berry Hill area, and will also be involved in artist development, showcasing and recording. As well as housing its publishing division, Shoebox also has a full-fledged recording studio, featuring one of Nashville’s only Neve VR consoles, and a live outdoor performance venue for events and showcases. Day to day operations will be handled by joint creative directors Ronna Reeves and Liz Morin.
Shoebox Music Publishing, founded by Nashville mixing engineer Billy Decker and Notifi Records founder Ira Dewitt, has also signed Eric Varnell to its publishing roster.
“Varnell is the perfect fit for a company steeped as heavily into pop music as it is in country,” Dewitt said.
117 Entertainment Signs Bobby Bare
Country Music Hall of Fame Member Bobby Bare, as well as the Hypermedia Nashville label, have joined the 117 Entertainment roster for exclusive publicity representation. Former Webster PR Manager Zach Farnum launched the public relations company, which also represents former Three Dog Night member Chuck Negron, earlier this year.
Bare released his newest studio album Things Change last week. The album’s 10 tracks includes songs penned by Bare, with Mary Gauthier, Guy Clark and Max T. Barnes, who also produced the album. Chris Stapleton appears for a collaboration on Bare’s signature hit “Detroit City,” which earned a Grammy in 1964.
Demolition Music Publishing Signs John Milstead
Pictured (L-R): Demolition President, Jon D’Agostino, Consultant & plugger, Steve Bloch, John Milstead, Michael August, Demolition Creative Manager, Shane Barrett, Song plugger.
Demolition Music Publishing has signed its newest songwriter, John Milstead, to an exclusive publishing deal.
“John is an amazingly multi-talented writer who gives our team a flavor we don’t have. We are all very excited to get into our writing rooms with him,” according to Demolition president, Jon D’Agostino.
When asked about the new partnership with Dewitt, Decker said, “Hey, if the shoe fits.”
Chris Stapleton On Road To Recovery Following Finger Injury
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton posted a message to fans updating them on his condition and thanking them for their support and understanding following the postponement of three weeks worth of dates on his All-American Road Show Tour. The singer explains he is recovering from a broken bone and detached tendon in his right index finger, which will require physical therapy.
On his Facebook page, Stapleton writes: “I want to thank you for all of the positive thoughts and kind words you have shared over the last few days. The doctor is hopeful that with some physical therapy I will be playing guitar again soon. Right now, I can’t possibly give you guys the show you deserve. I always want to give you my very best. There is little in this world that I enjoy more than getting to make music with all of you night after night. Thank you for the privilege. Your support and understanding through all of this lets me know now, more than ever, I have the best fans in the world.”
Following the injury Stapleton was forced to postpone a string of shows from June 1-June 17, and cancel a CMA Music Fest appearance on June 11.
Weekly Chart Report 6/2/17
/by Alex ParryRazor & Tie Music Publishing Celebrates Six New Writer Signings
/by Jessica NicholsonThe music publishing company will celebrate its new signings with the “Razor & Tie Family Jam,” a live show featuring new artists and backed by a band nearly exclusively made of Razor & Tie writers and musicians. The show will take place June 6 beginning at 6 p.m. at Nashville venue The Back Corner (located on 5th Avenue North).
Razor & Tie Music Publishing VP Creative, Brad Kennard, says of the signings, “Nashville has become a convergence point for musical talent – it is where genres can collide with positive results, great songs get written and exciting tracks gets produced. The Razor & Tie Publishing team is thrilled to be working with this diverse group of newly signed writers – and we are already off to the races.”
Since opening in 2007, Razor & Tie Music Publishing has been fiercely devoted to representing multiple genres of music, and the relocation of the company’s Nashville office to its current SoBro residence.
More about Razor & Tie’s newest writers:
Ian Fitchuk
Fitchuk moved to Nashville in 2000 to study jazz piano at Belmont University, when he was recruited by a local jam band to go on the road. He later began working with Griffin House. Fitchuk has written and produced with Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Andrew Combs, Lucie Silvas, Mindy Smith, and more. He has also collaborated with Kesha, Cam, Brothers Osborne, Amy Grant, Buddy Miller and more. He has had a track featured in an advertisement for Google and has had several songs placed on the television show Nashville.
Peter Groenwald
Groenwald moved to Nashville after graduating high school and soon joined with MCA group Llama, playing keyboards and offering background vocals for John Mayer and O.A.R. During his 10 years on the road, he made appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brian and performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Ryman Auditorium. In 2011, he self-produced and released the EP Sweet Science. He has produced songs and records for Liz Longley, Holley Maher, Adam Agin, Jill Andrews and Zoe Sky Jordan. His writing credits include songs by Mindy Smith, Sarah Siskind, Amy Stroup, K.S. Rhoads, Wayne Kirkpatrick, and Matthew Perryman Jones.
Jill Andrews
Andrews offers a mix of pop, indie rock, and Appalachian sounds on her newest solo record, The War Inside. She has toured with The Avett Brothers, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors and Mandolin Orange, as well as headlined her own shows. Andrews also recently released singles such as “The End of Everything” and “Lost It All” which have received numerous placements in popular television shows including Nashville, Teen Wolf and Finding Carter. Additionally, she wrote and performed the theme song to the hit TV series Wynonna Earp.
Jeremy Lutito
Colorado native and emerging producer/writer, Lutito got his start as an in-demand session drummer working with a wide range of artists such as Jack White, Michael Kiwanuka, Ingrid Michaelson, Mat Kearney and Marc Broussard.
In 2012 he jumped into the producer chair and within 4 years wrote and produced 2 albums with his own band, Leagues. Since 2016, Jeremy has produced tracks for the band Colony House, as well as The New Respects and Joseph Lemay. He also produced and mixed the first recordings in 38 years for the late Chuck Berry, which will be released this summer. Lutito is currently collaborating with artists such as The Lone Bellow, Sam Tinnesz, Who is Fancy, Erin McCarley and Nawas, among others.
Danny Orton
Orton is a country songwriter and producer; active since the late ’90s, as a songwriter, he has had his songs recorded by Dan+Shay, Michael Ray, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Pat Green, Love and Theft, and more.
His credits include the No. 1 single “Stand” by Rascal Flatts as well as others by the hit group, including “Too Good Is True” and “Like I Am.” His work includes the No. 2 single “Fall Into Me” by Emerson Drive; and the No. 12 single “Let Me” by Pat Green.
He has also written for Tim McGraw, Billy Ray Cyrus, Reba McEntire, and Chicago, among others. Orton co-wrote and co-produced “19 You and Me” (RIAA Platinum) and “Show You Off,” the first two singles for Dan + Shay, along with co-producing 10 out of the 12 songs on their debut record.
Andy Skib
Tulsa, Oklahoma native Skib grew up fronting his regional rock band Midwest Kings, where he later went on to join American Idol winner, David Cook’s band on guitar/piano/background vocals from 2008-2014. Shortly after moving to Nashville from Los Angeles in January of 2013, Andy joined Dan + Shay’s touring band playing guitar/piano/bgvs.
Eventually, he left the touring life and went on to focus on producing and writing in Nashville, earning production credit on Brett Eldredge’s 2017 single “Something I’m Good At” from his self titled album, as well as, “No Stopping You” from the same album.