Pictured: (L-R): back row: Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren. Front row: Producer Michael Carter, ASCAP songwriter Ashley Gorley, BMI songwriter/artist Cole Swindell, ASCAP songwriter Zach Crowell, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen.
Warner Music Nashville hosted a celebration at their office for Cole Swindell’s “Middle Of Memory” on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
BMI’s MaryAnn Keen welcomed the crowd on behalf of their partner,Pinnacle Bank, while ASCAP’s Beth Brinker recognized First Tennessee Bank.
Keen boasted about Swindell achieving his sixth consecutive No. 1 song as an artist for the Gold-certified, “Middle Of A Memory.”
As she welcomed Swindell (BMI) and writers Zach Crowell (ASCAP), Ashley Gorley (ASCAP), along with producer Michael Carter to the stage, Keen mentioned that Swindell is also a NSAI Songwriter/Artist of the Year and received a Triple Play award as a songwriter in 2016.
Brinker took to the stage to congratulate Crowell on his sixth No. 1 song and Gorley on his 30th.
Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson also spoke about Swindell and his accomplishments and added that Cole “doesn’t talk about what he’s going to do, he just gets it done.”
Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito reminded everyone that Swindell’s first single “Chillin’ It” went to No. 1 almost three years ago to the day.
Gorley mentioned that, even though he has been to a lot of these parties, it never gets old. “It always pushes us, as writers, to raise the bar.”
Swindell concluded the party by thanking his team and saying he “moved to town to write songs that make people feel the way I felt when I first started loving country music.”
Also taking the stage during the party were the CMA’s Brandi Simms, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, and Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel.
Guests mingled before the party and took photos in front of a Cole Swindell-inspired backdrop that included memory photos of him on the road.
Opry Country Classics Series Returns March 9
/by Lorie HollabaughThe March 9 kickoff show is set to feature some songs from the catalog of late Opry great Dottie West. Among those set to honor West are three artists she shepherded through their early years in Nashville: Jeannie Seely, show host Gatlin, and the evening’s Spotlight Artist Steve Wariner.
Additional spotlight artists already scheduled for the spring lineup include Pam Tillis (March 16), Lorrie Morgan (March 23), Crystal Gayle (April 13), Tanya Tucker (April 20), Oak Ridge Boys (April 27), Charlie Daniels Band (May 4), Brenda Lee (May 11), and Dailey & Vincent (May 25.)
A special Saturday afternoon edition of Opry Country Classics is scheduled for CMA Music Fest Week on June 10. Opry Country Classics tickets as well as money-saving ticket combos including admission to both Thursday night Opry Country Classics shows and Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday shows are available by visiting opry.com or by calling 615-871-OPRY.
In Pictures: ‘The Shack’ Premiere, Last Bandoleros, Jim Horn, Marty Roe
/by Lorie HollabaughSoundtrack Artists, Writers Attend ‘The Shack’ Premiere
Pictured (L-R): Lori McKenna, Shane McAnally, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney Photo: Marion Curtis
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Dan + Shay, Lori McKenna, and Shane McAnally attended The Shack film premiere at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City Tuesday night. McAnally teamed with McKenna to write the album’s second track “Keep Your Eyes on Me,” recorded by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.
Last Bandoleros Join Sting For Music City Stop
Pictured (L-R): Emilio Navaira, Scott Hendricks (WMN), Diego Navaira, John Esposito (WMN), Jerry Fuentes, Derek James
Warner Music Nashville’s The Last Bandoleros hit the stage at the Municipal Auditorium Wednesday night (March 1) for Sting’s 57th & 9th Tour’s Nashville stop.
Jim Horn Latest ‘Nashville Cat’ Honored By Hall Of Fame
Pictured, Back Row (L-R): Former Music Masters honoree Garth Fundis, former Nashville Cats honorees David Briggs and James Burton; Jim Horn; and Dave Pomeroy; Front row (L-R): former Nashville Cats honoree Reggie Young, Nashville Cats host Bill Lloyd, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia Photo by Carissa Riccardi
Jim Horn was honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Saturday (Feb. 25) during its Nashville Cats series. Horn, who can be heard on the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night” the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” and many more classic recordings, discussed his extensive career and performed for the audience.
Marty Roe Tapes ‘Jesus Calling’ Podcast
Marty Roe (lead singer of Diamond Rio) and JT Olson (Founder of Both Hands) recently taped an episode for the new Jesus Calling (HarperCollins Publishers) podcast at API Studio in Nashville.
The Nashville House To Showcase Top Nashville Alternative Artists At SXSW
/by Jessica Nicholson2017 marks the first year of official South by Southwest showcase “The Nashville House” – an all day, all night event featuring 25 of Nashville’s top emerging artists in pop, alternative, rock and electronic genres, curated by Nashville tastemakers.
The Nashville House will host its showcase on Tuesday, March 14 at Tellers Austin, located at 607 Trinity St. The showcase is open to the public from noon to 8 p.m. Performances from 8 p.m. to midnight require a SXSW credential or wristband.
The lineup includes Nashville favorites Ron Gallo, CAPPA, R.LUM.R, ELEL, The New Respects, Future Thieves and more. Also performing are newcomers Cardboard Kids’ Jake Germany as Phangs and Farewell Flight’s Luke Foley as LUKR.
The event has been curated by Lightning 100, Nashville’s independent radio station, as well as local publishing company Anacrusis, record label Curb Records, music sync company Sorted Noise, the collective POPOFF, and music community PØPSQUAD, among others.
Support comes from Nashville venues Mercy Lounge and The High Watt, distribution company ONErpm, marketing and publicity firm ECHO AVE, recording studio Laughing Heart, and business management firm Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman. The Nashville House will serve Barista Parlor coffee during the day and Blue Chair Bay rum at night to complete the Nashville experience.
The High Watt will host The Nashville House: SXSW Send Off Show on March 9, featuring My Red + Blue, Masha, LUKR, Koyoke, EZA, and Phangs. All of the show proceeds go directly to the bands. Doors are at 7pm, the show starts at 8pm, and tickets are $5. Full show details here.
Greg Janese Joins UTA As Head Of Corporate And Special Events
/by Jessica NicholsonGreg Janese
Greg Janese has joined UTA as Head of Corporate and Special Events. Janese will be based in Nashville and will be responsible for booking the agency’s roster in those categories and will also work closely with other departments throughout the agency.
Janese joins UTA from Paradigm, where he was employed for 12 years and headed the corporate and special event division. Prior to joining Paradigm, Janese was president of TBA Entertainment Corporation, a corporate event production company. While at TBA, Janese led the company’s expansion into the corporate communications business through strategic acquisitions and internal growth. He joined TBA after selling Avalon Entertainment Group, a company he co-founded, to the entertainment concern. Avalon Entertainment Group was a concert promotion and production company that specialized in producing entertainment marketing events and headline entertainment for the corporate market.
Jeremy Zimmer, chief executive officer, co-founder of UTA said, “Greg is a key executive who will help us continue to strengthen the bridge between our artists and corporate America. UTA is committed to fulfilling the promise of full service representation and Greg will be a tremendous asset in that regard.”
Janese said, “I’m honored to take this role at UTA, and to have the opportunity to work alongside Jeremy Zimmer and so many other talented executives at a company that is truly raising the bar within the creative community. Artists today are looking to their representatives for visionary, forward-thinking and specialized services across many areas of their work. UTA is leading the way, and that’s why I’m so excited to join this team and focus on the corporate event market.”
Former Word Entertainment VP Launches Artist Development Company
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Andrea Kleid, Lisa Johnson.
Andrea Kleid, former VP of Promotion at Word Entertainment, has launched artist development company Boxer Poet, alongside Lisa Johnson, the creator of Story U’s workshops and a suite of story-building tools.
Kleid will work alongside artists, labels and management companies to help increase an artist’s emotional connection with fans through the power of identity and storytelling.
Kleid and Johnson have partnered to teach artists how to excavate their true identity and be more influential through an experience including a half-day workshop called Artist Identity.
“An artist’s career is fueled by a very specific fuel—emotional connection,” explains Kleid. “Nothing happens until people feel something. No songs get played on the radio, no videos are streamed and no concert tickets are purchased. Everything we do at Boxer Poet is to create authentic emotional connection between an artist and their fans.”
Blake Shelton Celebrates Chart-Topper “A Guy With A Girl” In Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: (L-R): back row: Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Sea Gayle’s Marc Driskill, Combustion’s Chris Farren, producer Scott Hendricks, Warner Bros. Nashville’s John Esposito, BMI’s Bradley Collins, Spirit’s Daniel Hill. Seated: Songwriter BMI songwriter Bryan Simpson, BMI artist Blake Shelton, ASCAP songwriter Ashley Gorley.
The Sutler Saloon in Nashville was packed with an industry-only crowd on Tuesday, Feb. 28, in celebration of Blake Shelton‘s 23rd No. 1 single, “A Guy with a Girl.”
The chart-topping song was written by BMI songwriter Bryan Simpson and ASCAP songwriter Ashley Gorley and is the fourth single off Shelton’s 10th studio album If I’m Honest.
“Thank you guys for a great song,” Shelton told the songwriters. “And go write me another one, for God’s sake. Quit sitting around.”
The No. 1 party was the second of the day for Warner Music Nashville, which hosted a No. 1 celebration earlier in the day for Cole Swindell.
ASCAP’s Mike Sistad and BMI’s Bradley Collins led the celebration, which also included presentations from Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, Sea Gayle’s Marc Driskill, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, and Spirit Music’s Daniel Hill.
Shelton also commented on how the song has inspired some unique merchandise that takes its cue from both “A Guy With A Girl” and Gwen Stefani’s early career days with No Doubt, when they hit big with a song called “Just A Girl.”
“Gwen [Stefani] actually came out onstage and performed with me last weekend,” Shelton said. “And somebody threw . . . there’s a picture of this somewhere . . . somebody threw a t-shirt up on the stage that said, ‘She’s just a girl with a guy’ and it had a picture of me on it! So you know that a song is getting big whenever they start making their own merch up.”
Sea Gayle Music Extends Deal With Brent Anderson
/by Jessica NicholsonBrent Anderson
Sea Gayle Music has re-signed songwriter Brent Anderson. The Pascagoula, Mississippi native has been a part of Sea Gayle since 2009.
“Sea Gayle is my home. There is no where else I’d rather write. The past seven years have been amazing, and I’m excited for what’s next,” says Anderson.
Anderson’s success can be found in his 18 cuts in 18 months with songs recorded by artists like Brad Paisley, Dustin Lynch and Cadillac Three. His credits also include the No. 1 hit “Lonely Tonight” by Blake Shelton featuring Ashley Monroe and other singles, “Cold Beer With Your Name On It” (Josh Thompson) and “Callin’ Me When I’m Lonely” (Sheryl Crow). He has the current Jackie Lee single, “Gettin’ Over You.” Anderson is also known for producing records including Chris Janson’s #1 hit “Buy Me A Boat” for Warner Brothers, CJ Solar’s debut EP on Sea Gayle Records, as well as fellow Sea Gayle artist Mike Ryan’s album Bad Reputation.
“Brent is overall one of most talented creators I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. We’re thrilled to be extending our partnership with Brent and can’t wait for the years come,” says Executive Vice President/General Manager, Marc Driskill.
Sea Gayle Music, established in 1999 and co-owned by Chris DuBois and Brad Paisley, is an independent music publisher and artist development company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Sea Gayle has 44 No. 1 songs in its catalog and has earned ASCAP Country Publisher of the Year twice out of the past six years. Sea Gayle Music is also the parent company to Sea Gayle Records.
Pandora Announces Sixth Annual Lineup At SXSW 2017
/by Haley CrowPandora is returning to South by Southwest for the sixth consecutive year and will feature performances by rising artists from across the globe spanning many genres such as hip hop, dance, Latin, rock, country, and Americana.
“South by Southwest is the premier destination for fans to discover new music,” said Nick Bartle, Chief Marketing Officer of Pandora. “We are so excited to welcome this year’s diverse lineup of talent to the Pandora at SXSW stage, and continue helping emerging artists find their fans and grow their careers.”
Top acts performing on the Pandora stage from Mar. 13-16 include:
● Zipper Club
RSVP now for Pandora at SXSW Music: https://pandorasxsw2017.
Cole Swindell’s “Middle Of A Memory” Celebrated In Nashville
/by Troy_StephensonPictured: (L-R): back row: Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren. Front row: Producer Michael Carter, ASCAP songwriter Ashley Gorley, BMI songwriter/artist Cole Swindell, ASCAP songwriter Zach Crowell, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen.
Warner Music Nashville hosted a celebration at their office for Cole Swindell’s “Middle Of Memory” on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
BMI’s MaryAnn Keen welcomed the crowd on behalf of their partner,Pinnacle Bank, while ASCAP’s Beth Brinker recognized First Tennessee Bank.
Keen boasted about Swindell achieving his sixth consecutive No. 1 song as an artist for the Gold-certified, “Middle Of A Memory.”
As she welcomed Swindell (BMI) and writers Zach Crowell (ASCAP), Ashley Gorley (ASCAP), along with producer Michael Carter to the stage, Keen mentioned that Swindell is also a NSAI Songwriter/Artist of the Year and received a Triple Play award as a songwriter in 2016.
Brinker took to the stage to congratulate Crowell on his sixth No. 1 song and Gorley on his 30th.
Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson also spoke about Swindell and his accomplishments and added that Cole “doesn’t talk about what he’s going to do, he just gets it done.”
Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito reminded everyone that Swindell’s first single “Chillin’ It” went to No. 1 almost three years ago to the day.
Gorley mentioned that, even though he has been to a lot of these parties, it never gets old. “It always pushes us, as writers, to raise the bar.”
Swindell concluded the party by thanking his team and saying he “moved to town to write songs that make people feel the way I felt when I first started loving country music.”
Also taking the stage during the party were the CMA’s Brandi Simms, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, and Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel.
Guests mingled before the party and took photos in front of a Cole Swindell-inspired backdrop that included memory photos of him on the road.
Artist Updates: Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, Kelsea Ballerini, Colton Swon, Rory Feek
/by Lorie HollabaughThomas Rhett Named Outnumber Hunger Spokesman for 2017
Big Machine Label Group, General Mills and Feeding America have again joined together for the Outnumber Hunger Campaign aimed at fighting hunger in local communities across America.
This year’s campaign spokesperson is Thomas Rhett. Rhett has participated in the Outnumber Hunger campaign every year since its inception, and has held numerous fan events, including his official Fan Club parties, to benefit Feeding America. Since its 2011, Outnumber Hunger has helped secure more than 45 million meals for families.
This year, Rhett will be featured on the front of specially-marked packages of nearly 60 General Mills brands, including Cheerios™, Lucky Charms™, Nature Valley™ and Totino’s™.
Beginning March 1, individuals can purchase specially-marked products, enter the code found on the packaging at Outnumberhunger.com and help Feeding America secure five meals on behalf of their local member food bank.
Brantley Gilbert Adds Summer Leg To Devil Tour
Photo: The Valory Music Co.
Brantley Gilbert’s The Devil Don’t Sleep Tour is gearing up for some summer dates after wrapping the first leg of the tour April 29. The 26-date summer leg of the tour is a mixture of festivals, fairs and amphitheaters, and will kick off June 2 at Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater and run through September 23 in Raleigh.
Kelsea Ballerini To Co-Host ‘The Talk’
Kelsea Ballerini is set to co-host on daytime TV’s “The Talk” on March 6 on CBS, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Ballerini will swap stories with hosts Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Aisha Tyler and Sheryl Underwood.
Colton Swon Finds Love With Fellow ‘Voice’ Contestant
Congratulations to Colton Swon of the Swon Brothers and indie rock singer/songwriter, Caroline Glaser who are engaged. The happy couple met when they both appeared on Season 4 of NBC’s The Voice and have been dating ever since.
Because their favorite hobby is seeing movies, Colton put on a production of his own, working out an elaborate plan and pretending to take Caroline to see a movie Feb. 25. Once in the theater he aired a self-edited movie trailer of highlights of the two of them at a Nashville-area Regal Cinema and popped the question to a surprised Glaser.
Rory Feek To Discuss New Book At Hall of Fame
Rory Feek will appear at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater on March 11 at 2 p.m. to discuss his New York Times best-seller, This Life I Live: One Man’s Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who Changed It Forever.
Feek and his wife Joey captured widespread attention with his blog, This Life I Live, as he told stories of his family’s life and faith and his wife Joey’s fight against cancer. Led by Museum Editor Michael McCall, the program will be illustrated with photos, film footage, and recordings of the Feeks.
Feek and his late wife won a Best Roots Gospel Album Grammy Award for Hymns That Are Important to Us. The interview is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited, and passes are required for admittance.