Nathan Chapman
Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with songwriter and producer Nathan Chapman.
Chapman has composed more than 30 songs for major label releases, including for Phillip Phillips, Lady Antebellum, Michael Ray, Dan + Shay, Jake Owen, Eric Paslay, Martina McBride, Colbie Caillat, Lauren Alaina, Sara Evans, Rascal Flatts, O.A.R., Mickey Guyton, Thompson Square, and Darius Rucker, whose song “Homegrown Honey” was Chapman’s first No. 1 hit.
Chapman has released his own project, Revival, featuring songs penned with Lori McKenna, Ashley Monroe, Leslie Satcher, Stephanie Chapman, Hillary Lindsey, Andrew Dorff, and Mary Steeburgen. Chapman also penned the end title for the film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.
“Warner/Chappell has impressed me for a long time, as their crew have this whole publishing thang dialed in,” said Chapman. “From the writers to the creative staff to the admin peeps, it’s a culture of excellence and positivity. If my career journey led me here, I must be doing something right.”
“We’ve had the pleasure of knowing Nathan for a number of years and have always been impressed with his passion for songwriting and songs,” said Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President of Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. “The depth & diversity of his songwriting voice shines so brightly on his project Revival, and everyone at Warner/Chappell is proud to have Nathan in our family.”
As a producer, Chapman has worked on all five of Taylor Swift’s albums, earning a Grammy award for Album of the Year as a producer on 1989. Chapman has had 16 No. 1 hits as a producer, and has worked with artists such as Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Lionel Richie, Sara Evans, Shania Twain, Colbie Caillat, Cassadee Pope, Lady Antebellum, Jewel, and most recently, on Keith Urban’s No. 1 hit “Break on Me.”
Music City Hit-Makers Sell Out Two Shows At Cheekwood
/by Troy_StephensonPictured L-R: Brett James, Rivers Rutherford, Chris DeStefano. Photo: Kim Hooker
Music City Hit-Makers returned to Cheekwood in Nashville over the weekend (Aug. 26-27) for two sold-out shows. Three of Nashville’s most successful songwriters — Brett James, Rivers Rutherford and Chris DeStefano — performed as part of Cheekwood’s Songwriters Under The Stars annual series.
The show also featured Emily West debuting her symphony set American One Night Standards set to tour in 2017.
Emily West. Photo: Kim Hooker
Sirius XM The Highway’s Storme Warren and The Big 98’s Amy Paige emceed.
For more information and to view upcoming tour dates, visit musiccityhitmakers.com.
Photo: Caitlin Harris Photography
Sam Hunt Sets Record With Fourth No. 1 Single From ‘Montevallo’
/by Craig_ShelburneSam Hunt
With “Make You Miss Me,” Sam Hunt has become the first solo male artist to achieve four No. 1 country singles from a debut album since Billboard launched its Country Airplay Chart in 1990.
The single follows “Leave the Night On,” “House Party” and “Take Your Time” at the top of the chart. “Break Up in a Small Town” reached the Top 5. All the singles come from Hunt’s MCA Nashville debut, Montevallo.
Since the 2014 release of that album, Hunt has accrued 2.53 billion streams and has earned an additional 10.5 million units in RIAA single certifications. Recent certifications include “Take Your Time” going triple platinum; “Leave the Night On,” “Break Up in a Small Town” and “House Party” each earning double platinum;” “Make You Miss Me” reaching platinum; and album track “Ex to See” hitting gold.
Hunt is currently working on new music.
Warner/Chappell Music Signs Nathan Chapman
/by Jessica NicholsonNathan Chapman
Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with songwriter and producer Nathan Chapman.
Chapman has composed more than 30 songs for major label releases, including for Phillip Phillips, Lady Antebellum, Michael Ray, Dan + Shay, Jake Owen, Eric Paslay, Martina McBride, Colbie Caillat, Lauren Alaina, Sara Evans, Rascal Flatts, O.A.R., Mickey Guyton, Thompson Square, and Darius Rucker, whose song “Homegrown Honey” was Chapman’s first No. 1 hit.
Chapman has released his own project, Revival, featuring songs penned with Lori McKenna, Ashley Monroe, Leslie Satcher, Stephanie Chapman, Hillary Lindsey, Andrew Dorff, and Mary Steeburgen. Chapman also penned the end title for the film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.
“Warner/Chappell has impressed me for a long time, as their crew have this whole publishing thang dialed in,” said Chapman. “From the writers to the creative staff to the admin peeps, it’s a culture of excellence and positivity. If my career journey led me here, I must be doing something right.”
“We’ve had the pleasure of knowing Nathan for a number of years and have always been impressed with his passion for songwriting and songs,” said Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President of Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. “The depth & diversity of his songwriting voice shines so brightly on his project Revival, and everyone at Warner/Chappell is proud to have Nathan in our family.”
As a producer, Chapman has worked on all five of Taylor Swift’s albums, earning a Grammy award for Album of the Year as a producer on 1989. Chapman has had 16 No. 1 hits as a producer, and has worked with artists such as Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Lionel Richie, Sara Evans, Shania Twain, Colbie Caillat, Cassadee Pope, Lady Antebellum, Jewel, and most recently, on Keith Urban’s No. 1 hit “Break on Me.”
Martina McBride, Kris Kristofferson Set For ‘Grammy Salute To Music Legends’ On PBS
/by Jessica NicholsonThis year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Ruth Brown, Celia Cruz, Earth, Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, Jefferson Airplane, Linda Ronstadt and Run DMC. John Cage, Fred Foster and Chris Strachwitz are Trustees Award honorees; and EMT and Dr. Harvey Fletcher are Technical Grammy Award recipients. Also being honored is Phillip Riggs, this year’s recipient of the Music Educator Award.
McBride and Souther will honor Ronstadt with a collaboration of “Blue Bayou,” while Souther also offers a rendition of “Faithless Love.”
Kristofferson and Lynne pay tribute to Foster with a turn at “Me and Bobby McGee,” with Lynne continuing for a take on “Oh Pretty Woman.”
Previously held during Grammy Week in February, this is the first time The Recording Academy has celebrated the Special Merit Awards with a stand-alone event and musical tribute. The celebration was recorded at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Josh Kear Collects Four MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Sherod Robertson, Owner/Publisher, MusicRow; Josh Kear. Photo: Molly Hannula
Josh Kear picked up four MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins during a visit to the MusicRow office on Thursday (Aug. 25).
Since 2014, every artist and songwriter who achieves a No. 1 single on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart receives a coin.
Coins were presented for writing credits on Dierks Bentley’s “Drunk on a Plane,” Blake Shelton’s “Neon Light,” Lee Brice’s “Drinking Class,” and Lady Antebellum’s “Long Stretch of Love.”
Signed to Big Yellow Dog Music, Kear has achieved numerous hit singles over the years, including Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” and Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” as well as Tim McGraw’s “Highway Don’t Care,” Luke Bryan’s “Drunk on You” and Frankie Ballard’s “Helluva Life.”
Josh Kear with MusicRow staff. Pictured (L-R): Craig Shelburne, Sherod Robertson, Josh Kear, Troy Stephenson, Eric T. Parker, Jessica Nicholson. Photo: Molly Hannula
Luke Bryan, Rare Country Join Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam
/by Craig_ShelburneLuke Bryan
Luke Bryan will be joining Chris Stapleton, Kid Rock, Larry The Cable Guy, and Travis Tritt to celebrate with Charlie Daniels at his 80th Birthday Volunteer Jam on November 30 at Bridgestone Arena. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
Joining Volunteer Jam for the first time is Cox Media Group’s Rare Country who has signed on as an official media sponsor. RareCountry.com will provide in-depth coverage of the event, including backstage artist interviews, performance footage, and more.
“Rare Country is proud to stand alongside Charlie as he celebrates his 80th Birthday Volunteer Jam,” said Laurissa Phillips, GM, Rare Country. “This year’s incredible performance lineup is a testament to Charlie’s legendary status both on and off the stage. We look forward to providing Rare Country fans with unparalleled access to this epic event.”
A portion of the proceeds from the night will go to the The Journey Home Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit co-founded by Daniels and manager, David Corlew, to help Veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
CMA Awards Nominations Will Be Announced Wednesday Morning
/by Craig_ShelburneDierks Bentley, Cam and Keith Urban will help announce CMA Awards nominations on Wednesday (Aug. 31) on ABC’s Good Morning America.
The three artists will appear live from the Grand Ole Opry House during the half-hour segment that begins at 8:30 a.m. ET.
The Opry House served as the home to the CMA Awards from 1974 to 2004.
Select announcements will air in the 8:30 AM/ET half-hour segment of the top-rated morning news program on Wednesday. The remaining categories will be revealed live on GoodMorningAmerica.com on Yahoo as well as via Good Morning America’s Facebook page through Facebook Live. CMA will then release the full slate of nominees.
Cam will be notifying the finalists for CMA’s Broadcast Station and Personality of the Year with personalized video messages.
“Having these three artists participate together in our 50th Anniversary celebration on Good Morning America makes this kick off to an especially historic Awards season a true celebration of our genre,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “To have Dierks, Cam, and Keith standing on the Opry stage, where so much of the history of the Awards took place, just adds to the excitement of this year’s announcements.”
Artist Updates: Gary Allan, Tucker Beathard, Tegan Marie
/by Jessica NicholsonGary Allan Surprises Super Fan At Her 300th Show
Gary Allan & Renee Wray. Photo: Eric Adkins
On Friday night (Aug. 26) Gary Allan honored a longtime fan for her loyalty. When the singer heard that one of his biggest fans, Renee Wray, was planning to attend the show at The Cotillion in Witchita, Kansas, and that it would be her 300th show, he made the show special for her. When Wray arrived at the venue, Allan and his band were waiting backstage and surprised her with a private gathering, a custom-designed cake, on-stage seats and a specially-designed and handcrafted ring from Allan’s jewelry collection.
Tucker Beathard Welcomes Brother C.J. Beathard During Iowa Show
Pictured (L-R): Dallas Clark (Former Hawkeye), C.J. Beathard (Hawkeye Quarterback),
Ashton Kutcher (actor) and Tucker Beathard. Photo Courtesy of Dot Records
Rising singer-songwriter Tucker Beathard took the stage at the first-ever concert at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium on Saturday (Aug. 27). Beathard’s performance was part of a lineup that featured Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett and Big & Rich. It was also a full-circle moment as the venue also hosts games for the Iowa Hawkeyes; Beathard’s brother, C.J. Beathard plays starting quarterback for the team. Their father is songwriter Casey Beathard.
Tegan Marie Sings On Good Morning America
Pictured (L-R): Joey Gandolfo – guitar, GMA Host Ginger Zee, GMA Host George Stephanopoulos, Mike Naran- bass, Tegan Marie, Jack Mudd- drums, GMA Host Amy Robach, GMA Host Paula Faris, Ryan Phillips- mandolin and GMA Host Jesse Palmer. Photo: Tony Morrison/ABC News
Tegan Marie made her first major television debut on ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday (Aug. 29), performing her current single “Lucky Me.” The 12-year-old Flint, Michigan, native is continuing to donate 100 percent of the proceeds from “Lucky Me” to the children in her hometown directly affected by the devastating water crisis. Marie became a viral sensation after her rendition of Florida Georgia Line’s hit “H.O.L.Y.” garnered more than 15 million views in just three weeks.
Marcus Hummon, Paul Overstreet Join SoundExchange Series
/by Jessica Nicholson(Clockwise from upper left): Paul Overstreet, Summer Overstreet, Levi Hummon and Marcus Hummon. Photo: Kayla Schoen/ SoundExchange.
Two generations of talented families will be showcased on Wednesday (Aug. 31) at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe, as part of The SoundExchange Influencers Series.
The fifth installment will include Marcus Hummon and his son Levi Hummon, with Paul Overstreet and his daughter, Summer Overstreet. The event will begin at 9 p.m. CT. All proceeds benefit Thistle Farms.
Marcus Hummon’s credits include writing Rascal Flatts’ “Bless the Broken Road,” The Dixie Chicks’ “Cowboy Take Me Away” and Tim McGraw’s “One of Those Days.” Levi Hummon is a rising country singer who released his first EP in April.
Paul Overstreet has had over 30 top 10 hit singles on the Billboard country charts, including several No. 1 hits, as both a writer and artist. He has also been inducted into the NSAI Songwriters Hall Of Fame. Summer Overstreet, his eldest daughter, is a rising singer-songwriter who performed at the Bluebird Café on May, and has had songs on MTV and on ABC’s Nashville.
“It’s important that we have this dialogue and delve into the issues musicians face,” Marcus Hummon said. “It is incumbent upon the older generation to share our knowledge and experiences with younger artists.”
“I know how hard my generation worked to write songs that we wanted to get on the radio and touch the hearts of people all over the world, and it is a full time job,” Paul Overstreet said. “And now I see how hard this generation’s writers work for their songs that they hope will touch the hearts of the world. Our industry has changed so much with streaming and downloads and it’s affecting everyone in our business, especially the generation of writers like my daughter, Summer. And I’m grateful for the work SoundExchange is doing to protect our rights as creatives, and I look forward to participating in The SoundExchange Influencers Series.”
Michael Huppe
“We’re excited to return to the legendary Bluebird Café in Nashville for our fifth installment of The SoundExchange Influencers Series,” SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe said. “The event always generates both a unique discussion and an incredible original musical experience. I think that bringing together families of influential recording artists to discuss issues facing the music community will lead to our most interesting forum yet.”
The SoundExchange Influencers Series brings together music legends and rising stars to address issues currently facing recording artists, including fair pay and recognition for all sound recordings across all platforms.
Industry Ink: Belmont University, Wordcountry, Louisiana Revival
/by Craig_ShelburneDr. Cheryl Carr Named Associate Dean At Belmont University
Cheryl Carr
Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business has named Dr. Cheryl Carr as Associate Dean. In this position, Carr will oversee all undergraduate operations of the College including accreditation assessment, student advising, academic affairs and faculty development.
A frequent presenter, writer and researcher, Carr is co-author of Music Copyright Law which provides in-depth coverage of copyright fundamentals within the music industry, contributing author of Trademark Infringement Remedies which focuses on the fundamentals of trademark law, and author of numerous articles ranging from strategies for success in the industry to funding film projects.
As a Curb College professor, Carr has taught courses on many topics including copyright and contract law, intellectual property and diversity, among others. She is an alumna of Leadership Music.
Wordcountry Publishing Turns Three
The songwriting roster includes Brice Long, Justin Ebach, Steven Dale Jones, Jason Blaine and Hannah Ellis.
Current cuts include Brett Young’s single “Sleep Without You” (written by Justin Ebach) and Craig Morgan’s “When I’m Gone” and “I’ll Be Home Soon” (written by Ebach and Steven Dale Jones). Canadian singles include Aaron Goodvin’s “Woman in Love” (written by Brice Long) and Jason Blaine “Back to You” (written by Blaine).
Songwriters Gather For Flood Relief Concert
A songwriter event called Louisiana Revival will take place Tuesday (Aug. 30) from 7-10 p.m. at Tin Roof on Demonbreun. The suggested donation is $10 and all proceeds will benefit Louisiana Flood Victims.
Confirmed songwriters include: Randy Montana, Tyler Reeve, Trent Willmon, David Borné, Bobby Pinson, Brian Carper, Kevin Gordon, Kalsey Kulyk, Jason Martin, Benjy Davis, Rob Snyder, Lainey Wilson, Hannah Harber, Samantha Leigh, Ross Lipsey, Monty Russell, Chris Canterbury, and Thomas Wynn.