Industry Ink: Jon Pardi, HoriPro, Patsy Cline Museum, David Nathan

Jon Pardi Celebrates RIAA Gold Certification

Capitol Records Nashville’s Jon Pardi celebrates “Dirt On My Boots” earning RIAA Gold certification, recognizing its sales and streaming topping 500,000.

Pardi was surprised with a plaque commemorating the success while visiting ABC’s Good Morning America last week with Ginger Zee for National Puppy Day.

“Dirt On My Boots,” written by Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley, follows Pardi’s No. 1 Platinum-selling smash, “Head Over Boots.” Both tunes are featured on his No. 1-debuting album, California Sunrise.

 

HoriPro Entertainment Group To Honor Dave Hall, Jody Williams 

HoriPro Entertainment Group will host the 2017 HoriPro Honors Golf Tournament at Henry Horton State Park on April 28. The daylong event will include dinner and drinks, live music, awards, and a bonfire. All proceeds will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation.

Dave Hall and Jody Williams will be the honorees for the 2017 tournament. Hall started in the industry by performing worldwide with some of country music’s biggest acts and now offers his decades of experience to HoriPro as Executive Advisor of the royalty department and creative team. Williams now directs all writer/publisher relations activities in BMI’s Nashville office after a successful career working in creative positions for many major publishers.

Contact Courtney Crist at 615-255-9837 or courtney@horipro.com for more information on how to sign up or sponsor the event.

 

Patsy Cline Museum Opening To Feature Patsy Cline Wax Figure

Madame Tussauds Nashville, which opens in Opry Mills April 14, is teaming up with the Patsy Cline Museum to celebrate the museum’s opening on April 7 in downtown Nashville. The wax attraction’s Patsy Cline figure will be featured at Cline’s museum through April 9 before finding its permanent home at the wax hall.

“This will be the first time in more than 50 years that fans will get to grab a photo with Patsy,” says Patsy Cline Museum Founder, Bill Miller. “What is absolutely incredible about Madame Tussauds’ figure is that our patrons will be able to touch, snap photos and experience an exact likeness of the icon. We are honored to work with their team to create this unique offering.”

The Patsy Cline Museum is located at 119 Third Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37202, and will be open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily after April 7.

 

David Nathan Joins Management Team For New Artist Jessie Chris

David Nathan

Music exec David Nathan has joined the management team for artist Jessie Chris, joining with artist manager Jeff Gulko. Nathan previously served as Sr. VP, Promotion and Artist Development for Republic Records, before joining Big Machine Label Group in 2014.

Jessie Chris released her single “Burn” to radio. She is one of the faces for Disney’s #choosekindness anti-bullying campaign.

Kate Bowen Inks With Neon Cross, Warner/Chappell

Photography credit: Sebastian Smith

Kate Bowen has signed a publishing deal with Neon Cross Music and Warner Chappell. Neon Cross, the publishing and production company owned by producer Jay Joyce, is also home to Jeremy Spillman, Devin Dawson, Andrea Davidson, and Brandon Lancaster with LANco.

“Kate’s genuine and uncompromising approach to songwriting and artistry is a perfect fit for the vision Jay and I have for all the creators at Neon Cross,” said Neon Cross’ Melissa Spillman. “She has an extraordinary talent we can’t wait to share with Nashville and beyond.”

 

Bobby Karl Works The 25th Anniversary Tin Pan South Kickoff Party

Tin Pan South Kick Off Party 3.27.17 © Moments By Moser Photography

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 557

This is a year of significant anniversaries for a number of Nashville’s musical institutions, and a party marking one of them on Monday, March 27, was a doozy.

The day before, the Ryman Auditorium had staged “community day” in honor of its 125th birthday, and on April 1, the Country Music Hall of Fame plans to celebrate its 50th with a day full of events. But on Monday, Tin Pan South was in the spotlight. The Music Row branch of Regions Bank threw open its doors to host the kick-off party for the songwriter festival’s 25th anniversary.

Region’s Lisa Harless proudly showed off a baby grand piano in the bank’s vestibule. It was being played – beautifully — by Rob Arthur. He’s Peter Frampton’s keyboardist who has moved here along with the rock superstar.

Meanwhile, out in the lobby, songwriters were cheek-by-jowl packed in – Rory Bourke, Dennis Morgan, Steve Bogard, Steve O’Brien, Roger Murrah, Jimbeau Hinson, Wood Newton, Jeff Silbar, James Dean Hicks, Lee Thomas Miller, Scott Reeves and more.

Attendee Billy Burnette says he’s set to release an autobiography and accompanying CD this spring. That should be lively reading, since he’s been on the scene since the birth of rock ‘n’ roll, thanks to his pioneering dad and uncle.

Tin Pan South Kick Off Party 3.27.17 © Moments By Moser Photography

Writer-artists working the room included Jim Lauderdale, Rick Monroe, Marc-Alan Barnette, Jeremiah Richey and the like. Monroe posed for a photo with Mayor Megan Barry, whom everyone wanted to meet and greet. She worked the attending media like a pro, as did Erika Wollam Nichols. Erika’s Bluebird Café, by the way, is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

The catering at the Regions Bank bash was by Maggiano’s Little Italy. And, brother, was it deluxe – spicy meatballs, cucumber slices with herb cheese, BBQ pork sliders, tomato caprese skewers and Italian cheeses covered one grazing station. Those with sweeter palates hovered near the table offering mini crème brulee cups, lemon cookies, mini New York cheesecake morsels and assorted baked delights.

A who’s-who of Music Row fabulons worked the room. Sherrill Blackmon, Barry Coburn, Christy Walker-Watkns, Preshus Tomes Harris, Tracy Gershon, David Preston, Chris Keaton, Randy Perkins, Bob Doyle, Cary Owen, Bev Moser, Jessi Maness, Becky Harris, Nathan Pyle, Andrew Kintz, Craig Shelburne, Craig Campbell, Martha Moore and Butch Baker all schmoozed mightily.

“Is it time for Tin Pan South again, already?” asked John Ozier, marveling that a year had flown by since the last gathering that has become America’s largest songwriter fest.

Yes, and now it’s a grown-up 25 years old.

Tin Pan South Kick Off Party 3.27.17 © Moments By Moser Photography

This year’s Tin Pan South round of showcases will take place Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, March 29-April 1. The venues are The Blue Bar, The Commodore Grille, Douglas Corner Café, The Country, The Station Inn, The Bluebird Café, Whiskey Rhythm Saloon, The Listening Room, The Hard Rock Café, and 3rd & Lindsley. Arrive early. The shows are often sold out.

The bookings are awesome. Among the 400+ tunesmiths slated to appear are Buddy Cannon, Sonny Curtis, Randy Montana, Billy Montana, Billy Falcon, Mac Davis, Lari White, Lori McKenna, Rhett Akins, Dickey Lee, Pat Alger, Leslie Satcher, Shane McAnally, Brothers Osborne, Natalie Hemby, Brent Cobb, Lance Miller, Kellie Pickler & Kyle Jacobs, Beth Nielsen-Chapman, Keb Mo, Desmond Child, Gary Burr, Paul Overstreet, Kim Richey, Angaleena Presley, Matraca Berg, Gretchen Peters, Larry Gatlin, Allen Shamblin, Al Anderson, Rivers Rutherford, Bobby Braddock and Bekka Bramlett.

The presenter of Tin Pan South is the Nashville Songwriters Association International, which is yet another anniversary celebrant in 2017. This is the NSAI’s 50th birthday. In case you’re keeping score, this year is also the Nashville Symphony’s 70th season, the 10th anniversary of the Music City Walk of Fame, the 60th birthday of RCA Studio B and the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Tin Pan South Kick Off Party 3.27.17 © Moments By Moser Photography

Tin Pan South Kick Off Party 3.27.17 © Moments By Moser Photography

Tin Pan South Kick Off Party 3.27.17 © Moments By Moser Photography

Carrie Underwood Signs With Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group (UMG) has inked a new worldwide recording agreement with seven-time GRAMMY® Award winner and two-time ACM Entertainer of the Year, Carrie Underwood. Underwood’s label home will be Capitol Records Nashville, one of four labels that form Universal Music Group Nashville. Underwood was previously signed with Sony Music Nashville’s Arista Nashville imprint.

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group said, “I’m so thrilled that Carrie has decided to make Capitol Records Nashville and UMG her home globally. As a talented writer, recording artist, performer and actor, Carrie is that exceptionally rare artist who can do it all. I know I speak on behalf of our teams around the world when I say that we look forward to executing her creative vision and bringing her musical career to the next level.”

Mike Dungan, Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman and CEO shares, “Already a top tier force in country music, Carrie’s vast talents and creative bravery show that she is an artist who is prepared to take on a wide range of artistic challenges. We are excited for the future, and honored by her decision to make Universal Music Group her label partner in representing this worldwide superstar in the next phase of her career.”

UMG Nashville President, Cindy Mabe was part of the team who launched Carrie’s first album, the eight times platinum, Some Hearts. “When I decided to take my position with Capitol Records in 2007, personally one of the hardest people for me to leave behind was Carrie Underwood,” explains Mabe. “We were a team and I had the opportunity to watch her leave American Idol as a kid and mature into one of the most important artists with the most powerful voice in music. It was amazing to be a small part of that ride. I am so proud and humbled that she has chosen to sign with Universal Music Group Nashville and that we will once again join forces as she writes the next chapter of her soaring career as a global superstar of enormous integrity and talent.”

Underwood states, “It’s so inspiring to me as an artist to feel this excited about the future. The incredible team at UMG shares the heart and passion I have for music as well as the drive, and their innovative spirit has shown that together the possibilities are endless.”

“I also want to be sure to thank every single person who has played a part in my recording career so far. I will be forever grateful to them for all we achieved together,” adds Underwood.

Universal Music Group Nashville consists of Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville. Reading like a “who’s who” of Music Row, the combined rosters include Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brandon Lay, Brothers Osborne, Canaan Smith, Chris Stapleton, Clare Dunn, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Eric Paslay, Gary Allan, George Strait, Haley Georgia, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Lady Antebellum, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Shania Twain, Sugarland, The Band Perry and Vince Gill.

 

Braden Carney Named Head of Digital At UpgradeMedia

Former Big Machine Label Group Director of Marketing and Social Media Braden Carney is exiting the label to head the digital department at UpgradeMedia.

Carney has been with BMLG for six years and worked on 20 chart-topping albums during his time with the label.

“While at Big Machine, Braden’s work assisted 20 No. 1 albums! I wanted the best to run Social at UpgradeMedia. Braden, who managed over 223 million followers on Facebook and Twitter alone, brings platinum social performance to our clients.” said Jason Nunnelley, CEO of UpgradeMedia.

“Big Machine has been my home for the past six years and I couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible ride. It has been an honor to work with Scott Borchetta, Kelly Rich and the rest of the BMLG team – their guidance and friendship mean the world to me,” Carney said. “The music and magic that has come out of that building is unlike any other and I look forward to witnessing their continued success.”

Carney can now be reached at braden@upgrademedia.com.

 

Chicago’s Lakeshake Festival Announces Next From Nashville Stage Lineup

The Country LakeShake Festival in Chicago has revealed the lineup for its “Next From Nashville” stage. Performing at the three-day festival’s second stage will be Bailey Bryan, Drew Baldridge, Adam Craig, Seth Ennis, Ryan Kinder, Ashley McBryde, Dylan Scott, Lucie Silvas, Caitlyn Smith, Smithfield, Natalie Stovall and Drake White and The Big Fire, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

The lineup for the star-stacked festival, set for June 23-25 at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, will also feature superstars Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Little Big Town, and more.

Fans can partake in the multiple activities onsite at the festival, including the highly popular Blackhawks Bar, Silent Disco Line Dancing, Wine Lounge, Food Trucks, Kids Zone and additional games and activities. Passes for Country Lakeshake are available here.

Weekly Register: Alison Krauss Tops Country Album Chart, Tim and Faith Offer Top Debut Single

Alison Krauss

Alison KraussWindy City sits atop the country albums chart this week, with 7.4K sold. She rises to the top from last week’s rank at No. 4.

Little Big Town‘s The Breaker remains at No. 2 this week with 7.3K units sold, followed by Reba‘s Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, which remains at No. 3 this week, with 6.9K. Keith Urban‘s Ripcord jumps from No. 6 to No. 4, with 6.7K sold. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller rounds out the Top 5 again this week, with 6K.

The top debut on the country album chart is Jessie James Decker’s EP Gold, selling 1.6K and coming in at No. 25.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill‘s new single, “Speak To A Girl,” is this week’s top debut on the country digital tracks chart, at No. 29, with 5.4K sold. The track released mid-day on Thursday, the last day of the sales week to count for Soundscan rankings.

Country group Midland‘s “Drinkin’ Problem,” moves from No. 50 to No. 14 on the country tracks chart, selling 8.7K this week.

Sam Hunt also continues to dominate with “Body Like A Back Road” at No. 3 overall and No. 1 country, selling 61K (487K RTD). Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood‘s “The Fighter” is at No. 2, with 25K. Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know” follows at No. 3, with 24K, while Jon Pardi‘s “Dirt On My Boots” ranks at No. 4 with 22K. Little Big Town‘s “Better Man” rounds out the Top 5 this week, with 19K.

Overall digital track sales are down 23.1 percent YTD, while country digital track sales are down 21.3 percent YTD.

Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

Industry Ink: Borman Entertainment, Lady Antebellum, Leadership Bluegrass

Borman Ups Bethany Seifert

Bethany Seifert

Bethany Seifert has been named Director, Radio and Tour Marketing for Borman Entertainment. Seifert has been with the company for 18 months and worked at positions at the company from receptionist, office manager and assisted the management team while actively working in the touring department before earning this promotion. She will report to VP of Touring and Radio Promotion, DJ Kisshauer.

Borman Entertainment Nashville’s roster includes Keith Urban, Alison Krauss, Mickey Guyton and Clayton Anderson.

 

Lady Antebellum Seeking Horn Players For Nashville Show

Lady Antebellum will amplify the horn section found on the lead single “You Look Good” off their upcoming sixth studio album Heart Break (Capitol Nashville), when they bring their headlining You Look Good World Tour back to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 9.

Through an innovative social media campaign, horn players can submit a video with their rendition of Lady A’s Top 20 hit by using the hashtag #YOULOOKGOODonstage. The band will hand-select winners to join them in Music City.

Watch the announcement below:

YouTube video

 
 

Leadership Bluegrass 2017 Graduates

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2017. Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive, three-day program focused on interactive learning and networking experiences that invite participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the bluegrass music industry, and pursue leadership development.

This was the 18th year of Leadership Bluegrass, which now boasts over 400 alumni. Leadership Bluegrass 2017 was hosted at BMI in Nashville, Tennessee March 20-22.

The 2017 Leadership Bluegrass graduates are:
Erik Alvar, Jim Hurst Trio, Gainesville, TN
Lee Bidgood, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Jeff Burke, Wernick Method/Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, TN
Adam Engelhardt, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Nashville, TN
Anna Frick, Airshow Mastering, Boulder, CO
Barb Heller, North Country Public Radio, Canton, NY
Justin Hiltner, Artist, Nashville, TN
Kathryn Jenkins, Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, Sevierville, TN
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Mile Twelve, Jamaica Plain, MA
Irene Kelley, Artist/Songwriter, Nashville, TN
uri kohen, Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival, County Mayo, Ireland
Brennen Leigh, High Plains Jamboree, Austin, TX
CJ Lewandowski, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys/Bluegrass Today/Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association, Sevierville, TN
Corrina Rose Logston, Independent Artist/High Fidelity, Whites Creek, TN
Laura Mainer, Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers, Johnson City. TN
John Meyer, Museum of Appalachia/Tennessee Fall Homecoming, Clinton, TN
Ashley Moyer, Rounder Label Group, Nashville, TN
Joe Newberry, Artist, Raleigh, NC
Akira Otsuka, Bluegrass 45, Gaithersburg, MD
Ricky Gene Powell, Wintergrass/Artist-Teacher-Event Producer, Burien, WA
Craig Reed, Downtown Raleigh Alliance/Younger Brother Productions, Raleigh, NC
Bobby Rymer, Writers Den Music Group, Nashville, TN
John Smith, Free Dirt Records & Service Co, Washington DC
Bill Thibodeau, Rick’s Musical Instruments/Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance, Cumberland, RI
Kris Truelsen, Radio Bristol, Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol, VA
Rachel Whitney, Pandora Media, Nashville, TN

Luke Combs’ Debut Album To Release June 2

Luke Combs will release his debut album This One’s For You on June 2 on River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. The project includes his debut single “Hurricane,” which boasts 59 million streams.

The 27-year-old Asheville, North Carolina native co-wrote all 12 tracks on the project which includes the hallmark fan favorite “One Number Away,” the silver-lining song “When It Rains It Pours,” and the part-love letter, part-apology title track dedicated to those who’ve supported Combs on his road to stardom.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this album. These songs mean so much to me and all my friends who I wrote them with,” said Combs. “From North Carolina to Nashville, this project has been such a long time in the making and I can’t wait for the fans to hear it. I sincerely hope they enjoy the album because they are the reason I do what I do.”

This One’s For You will be available for pre-order at digital retailers and lukecombs.com starting April 28. Combs joins Brantley Gilbert on his eight-month Devil Don’t Sleep Tour through September 2017.

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

Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum To Celebrate 50th Anniversary with $1.50 Admission Price April 1

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 1, and is inviting everyone to the party with a special one-day ticket price of $1.50 for all guests — the same price as a ticket on the museum’s opening day back in 1967. 

Guests will enjoy musical performances and activities throughout the building, as well as refreshments prepared by museum executive chef Bobby Hammock and witness the reveal of a special 50th anniversary cake created by Dulce Desserts. In addition, the first 5,000 guests through the doors on April 1 will receive a complimentary Hatch Show Print commemorative poster of the occasion.

Among the planned activities for the day include a Songwriter Session featuring Sonny Curtis, a Poets and Prophets In-the-Round with Buzz Cason, Dallas Frazier, Dickey Lee, and Dan Penn, a film loop of highlights from the first 50 years of the County Music Hall of Fame and Museum (1967 – 2017), guitar and songwriting workshops in the Taylor Swift Education Center, and shows by Rory Hoffman in the Curb Conservatory.