Runaway June performs at the MusicRow office. Photo: Molly Hannula
Wheelhouse Records trio Runaway June aims to bring female harmonies and astute, heartfelt lyrics back to the airwaves, with their debut single, “Lipstick.”
Comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist Naomi Cooke, with Hannah Mullholland on mandolin and vocals and Jennifer Wayne on guitar and vocals, Runaway June was born in the writing rooms of Nashville, where the trio began writing together less than two years ago.
“Hannah and I have known each other for about six years, and Naomi and I have known each other about two years,” said Wayne. “Naomi and I started writing and thought we should bring Hannah in. When the three of us got together, it was magical.”
“It’s like all three of us make up one person,” said Mullholland.
“One twisted soul,” quipped Cooke.
Runaway June with MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula
California native Wayne previously found success in Nashville, co-writing Eric Paslay’s hit “She Don’t Love You,” and as a former member of trio Stealing Angels. A native of Malibu, California, Mullholland began writing music at age 6, inspired by the work of Sheryl Crow. Meanwhile, Florida native Cooke performed at Nashville’s Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and spent time honing her writing talent before she teamed with Wayne and Mullholland.
“Lipstick” is close to breaking the Top 40 at country radio, and serves as the lead single from their upcoming Wheelhouse Records debut, produced by Mickey Jack Cones. “Lipstick” was penned by Cooke, Mullholland, Wayne, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Wayne’s Stealing Angels cohort Caroline Hobby.
Runaway June with MusicRow staffers.
During a visit to MusicRow, the trio gave off a young Dixie Chicks vibe as they previewed tracks from their upcoming project, with their harmonies blending effortlessly over the strums of acoustic guitars and mandolin. Runaway June offered acoustic renditions of “Blue Roses,” “Forget Her,” and “Wild West.”
“That one is special to me because my grandpa is John Wayne,” said Jennifer Wayne, “and so I’ve always wanted to put him in a song, but I didn’t want to do it in a cheesy way.”
The trio calls “Blue Roses,” which they co-wrote with Marcus Hummon, one their personal favorites. “Sometimes you get writers who are so focused on writing a radio song and they want things to go that way, and then you have other writers like Marcus who want radio songs, but he just allows us to be writers and artists in that room and to be creative,” said Cooke.
They ended with an acoustic rendition of “Lipstick.” “We’ve been playing it on the road and people have been singing it back. It’s been a wild ride,” said Mullholland.
Cam Set For First Headlining Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonDubbed The Burning House Tour, in reference to the singer-songwriter’s Grammy-nominated single “Burning House,” the 13-date tour will make stops in 12 cities across the United States.
Opening acts have not yet been revealed.
“I’m so over the moon about The Burning House Tour!” Cam says. “I’m creating a world for our fans to come escape to every night—a magical setting with an incredibly dynamic live band. You’re in for a ride, that’s for sure. There’ll be sharing stories behind fans’ favorite songs and dancing and singing together like the crazy family we are. It’s going to be an unforgettable adventure.”
Cam’s The Burning House Tour Dates:
Oct. 27: Chicago; Joe’s Bar On Weed Street
Oct. 28; Medina, Ohio; The Thirsty Cowboy
Oct. 29: Philadelphia; The Trocadero Theatre
Nov. 10: New York; Highline Ballrom
Nov. 12: Boston; Paradise Rock Club
Nov. 17: Tulsa, Okla.; Cain’s Ballroom
Nov. 18: Des Moines, Iowa; Wooly’s
Nov. 19: Bloomington, Ind.; The Bluebird
Dec. 1: Columbus, Ohio; The Bluestone
Dec. 2: Shelby Township, Mich.; Coyote Joe’s
Dec. 3: Springfield, Ill.; Boondocks
Dec. 9 & 10: Las Vegas; Orleans Showroom
Trent Harmon Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Trent Harmon, Grand Ole Opry Vice President/GM Pete Fisher, Big Machine Records SVP Promotion Jack Purcell and 19 Entertainment EVP/Worldwide Head of Music Jason Morey. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Big Machine Records artist Trent Harmon made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday (Aug. 27). Harmon was named the winner of American Idol in April, marking the series finale.
During his Opry set, Harmon performed “What Are You Listening To” (originally recorded by Chris Stapleton) and his debut country single, “There’s a Girl.” He is currently preparing his debut album for Big Machine Records, expected in 2017.
“It’s an honor to be here tonight. I feel so blessed to be able to share this incredible moment with you and all of my fans,” he said.
He celebrated with family and friends, including one of his “There’s A Girl” co-writers, Laura Veltz. Big Machine Records surprised him with a congratulatory cake, commemorating the performance.
Trent Harmon. Photo: Chris Holly/Grand Ole Opry
Jason Morris Joins Kalatech In VP Role
/by Jessica NicholsonJason Morris
Publishing veteran Jason Morris, co-founder of Eleven Eleven Music Group, has joined music business software company Kalatech as VP, Music Business Affairs.
In his new role, Morris will oversee the expansion of Kalatech’s client base for its three main software systems, including Publishing Pro, Booking Agency Pro, and Tour Pro. Morris will simultaneously continue his work with Eleven Eleven Music Group.
Morris has nearly three decades of music industry experience, including song cuts by Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, George Strait and Rascal Flatts.
Nashville-based Kalatech launched in 2014, and currently has more than 100 clients.
He joins Kalatech’s team which includes CEO Brittany Wegusen, Product Specialist Max Black, Client Relations/Social Media Specialist Gwen Gude, who all work with developers in the company’s international branch, located in Baroda, Gujarat, India.
Morris can be reached at jason@kalatech.com.
Miranda Lambert Will Receive ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award
/by Jessica NicholsonMiranda Lambert. Photo: Becky Fluke
Miranda Lambert will be honored by the Academy of Country Music with its inaugural ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award during the ACM Honors event, a two-hour taping that will be held Tuesday (Aug. 30) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The 10th annual ACM Honors will make its television debut on Friday, Sept. 9 on CBS Television Network.
“Merle was an integral part of the Academy’s history, and it was important to us that we honor his legacy. We couldn’t imagine anyone better suited to receive the first ever ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award than Miranda,” said ACM EVP/Managing Director Tiffany Moon.
The award honors uncompromising artists in the spirit of Merle Haggard. The award was approved by the ACM Special Awards panel and voted on by the ACM Board.
The 10th Annual ACM Honors will tribute special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards and will feature performances by Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Cam, Dan + Shay, Toby Keith, Alicia Keys, Lambert, Maren Morris, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, The Band Perry, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and hosts Lady Antebellum.
Deric Ruttan, Ben Hayslip Receive MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Deric Ruttan, Ben Hayslip
Hit songwriters Deric Ruttan and Ben Hayslip visited the MusicRow office on Tuesday, Aug. 23, when they were honored with their latest MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins.
Ruttan picked up his first MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin for co-writing Blake Shelton’s “Came Here To Forget.”
Hayslip was celebrated for co-writing Dustin Lynch’s “Mind Reader” and Luke Bryan’s “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day.” Hayslip’s previous No. 1 hits on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart include Brantley Gilbert’s “Small Town Throwdown” and Jason Aldean’s “When She Says Baby.”
Pictured (L-R): THiS Music GM/Partner Rusty Gaston, Deric Ruttan, Ben Hayslip, Warner/Chappell Executive VP Ben Vaughn, and MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson
Weekly Register: Dolly Parton Tops Country Album Chart
/by Jessica NicholsonThe indefatigable Dolly Parton has been hard at work promoting her Pure & Simple album, both on tour and in the press. The effort has paid off, with Pure & Simple taking the pinnacle of the country albums chart this week (and No. 11 overall), selling 20K.
Other Top 5 country debuts this week include Texas-based artist Casey Donahew, whose All Night Party lands at No. 3 on the country albums rankings (and No. 40 overall), selling 11.5K. BMLG artist Drake White‘s Spark debuts at No. 4 this week (and No. 34 overall), with 10.6K sold.
Closing out the top 5 are Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller at No. 2 with 12K sold, and Justin Moore‘s Kinda Don’t Care, which drops from topping last week’s album chart to No. 5 this week, selling 10.4K.
Actor/singer Kiefer Sutherland‘s Down In A Hole project comes in at No. 35 on the country charts this week, with 1.3K.
Overall album sales are down 14.9 percent YTD, while overall digital album sales are down 19.6 percent. Country album sales have declined 9.7 percent, while country digital sales have shrunk 15.6 percent YTD.
Florida Georgia Line with Backstreet Boys’ member Nick Carter (center). Photo: Nick Carter/Instagram
Florida Georgia Line continues to dominate the country tracks rankings, with “H.O.L.Y.” taking the top spot this week with 34K sold. Meanwhile, the duo’s collaboration with The Backstreet Boys, “God, Your Mama, and Me,” debuts at No. 5 this week (No. 28 overall), with 25K. The debut is the top debut, both on the country and overall charts.
Rounding out the country Top 5 digital tracks are Kenny Chesney‘s collaboration with Pink, “Setting The World On Fire,” at No. 2, with 32K. Miranda Lambert‘s “Vice” lands at No. 3, with 25K.
Meanwhile, Dan + Shay‘s “From The Ground Up” is at No. 4, with 25K. That sales number pushes the track to 504K sold to date.
On the overall chart, The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey remain on top, with “Closer” selling 143K, for 1.132 million RTD.
Information courtesy Nielsen Soundscan.
Kenny Chesney Entertains 121,399 At Gillette Stadium Shows
/by Craig_ShelburneKenny Chesney’s Spread the Love Tour 2016 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo: Jill Trunnell
Kenny Chesney performed for a combined 121,399 people during sold-out shows on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 26-27) at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, near Boston.
The concerts concluded his 2016 Spread the Love Tour. Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt and Old Dominion shared the bill.
The weekend’s set lists spanned his career, ranging from early singles such as “How Forever Feels,” “Don’t Happen Twice” and “Young,” as well as newer hits like “American Kids,” “Somewhere With You” and “Til It’s Gone.”
Surprises included a rare performance of “Guitars and Tiki Bars,” as well as a mash-up of Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker” and Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” and renditions of The Eagles’ “Take It Easy” and George Strait’s “The Fireman.”
“This is why we do this,” Chesney said, “this right here. To play for people who love music so much, who commit so completely to what’s in these songs, who scream and shout and cheer like these fans! When you can find fans like that, you wanna do even better than you think possible… and with the No Shoes Nation, who we named right here, it really does inspire us to reach for new heights, possibilities…”
Gillette Stadium hosts Kenny Chesney’s 2016 Spread the Love Tour. Photo: Shaun Silva
Runaway June Brings Harmony, Heartfelt Lyrics To Country Radio
/by Jessica NicholsonRunaway June performs at the MusicRow office. Photo: Molly Hannula
Wheelhouse Records trio Runaway June aims to bring female harmonies and astute, heartfelt lyrics back to the airwaves, with their debut single, “Lipstick.”
Comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist Naomi Cooke, with Hannah Mullholland on mandolin and vocals and Jennifer Wayne on guitar and vocals, Runaway June was born in the writing rooms of Nashville, where the trio began writing together less than two years ago.
“Hannah and I have known each other for about six years, and Naomi and I have known each other about two years,” said Wayne. “Naomi and I started writing and thought we should bring Hannah in. When the three of us got together, it was magical.”
“It’s like all three of us make up one person,” said Mullholland.
“One twisted soul,” quipped Cooke.
Runaway June with MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula
California native Wayne previously found success in Nashville, co-writing Eric Paslay’s hit “She Don’t Love You,” and as a former member of trio Stealing Angels. A native of Malibu, California, Mullholland began writing music at age 6, inspired by the work of Sheryl Crow. Meanwhile, Florida native Cooke performed at Nashville’s Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and spent time honing her writing talent before she teamed with Wayne and Mullholland.
“Lipstick” is close to breaking the Top 40 at country radio, and serves as the lead single from their upcoming Wheelhouse Records debut, produced by Mickey Jack Cones. “Lipstick” was penned by Cooke, Mullholland, Wayne, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Wayne’s Stealing Angels cohort Caroline Hobby.
Runaway June with MusicRow staffers.
During a visit to MusicRow, the trio gave off a young Dixie Chicks vibe as they previewed tracks from their upcoming project, with their harmonies blending effortlessly over the strums of acoustic guitars and mandolin. Runaway June offered acoustic renditions of “Blue Roses,” “Forget Her,” and “Wild West.”
“That one is special to me because my grandpa is John Wayne,” said Jennifer Wayne, “and so I’ve always wanted to put him in a song, but I didn’t want to do it in a cheesy way.”
The trio calls “Blue Roses,” which they co-wrote with Marcus Hummon, one their personal favorites. “Sometimes you get writers who are so focused on writing a radio song and they want things to go that way, and then you have other writers like Marcus who want radio songs, but he just allows us to be writers and artists in that room and to be creative,” said Cooke.
They ended with an acoustic rendition of “Lipstick.” “We’ve been playing it on the road and people have been singing it back. It’s been a wild ride,” said Mullholland.
Florida Georgia Line Celebrates ‘Dig Your Roots’ In New York City
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): BMLG’s John Zarling, BMLG’s David Nathan, Big Loud Mountain’s Craig Wiseman, BMLG’s Jimmy Harnen, Big Loud Mountain’s Seth England, FGL’s Tyler Hubbard, FGL’s Brian Kelley, Big Loud Mountain’s Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, Producer Joey Moi, BMLG’s Allison Jones and BMLG’s Matthew Hargis.
Kicking off album release week for their third BMLG album Dig Your Roots, Florida Georgia Line held the concert event Budweiser One Night Only with Florida Georgia Line live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Florida Georgia Line were joined by label and management execs at the event, held Thursday (Aug. 25).
This week, the duo appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America 2016 Summer Concert Series as well as NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and TODAY.
Dig Your Roots features 15 tracks, with roughly half of the songs penned by FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard. The project, helmed by FGL’s longtime producer Joey Moi, features a string of all-star collaborations. Tim McGraw appears on “May We All,” while pop group The Backstreet Boys collaborate on “God, Your Mama, and Me.” Ziggy Marley appears on “Life Is A Honeymoon.”
Dig Your Roots is the follow up to the duo’s double platinum debut album Here’s To The Good Times, and platinum sophomore project Anything Goes.
Pictured (L-R, front row): BMLG’s Molly Fisher; BMLG’s Katherine Susemichel; BMLG’s David Nathan; BMLG’s Allison Jones; BMLG’s John Zarling; BMLG’s Jackie Campbell; (L-R, back row): MSG’s Ron Skotarczak, MSG’s Matt Goldstein; FGL’s Tyler Hubbard; MSG’s David Rothstein; MSG’s Nicole Marinake; MSG’s Dylan Kramer; FGL’s Brian Kelley; MSG’s Andrew Karson; MSG’s Randy Fibiger.
In Pictures: NMAAM Celebrates Black Music Honors In Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonDionne Warwick is honored at the NMAAM 2016 Black Music Honors. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for National Museum of African American Music
Six individuals and an esteemed record label were celebrated during the inaugural Celebrate the Soul: Black Music Honors, which feted Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Big Daddy Kane, Dionne Warwick, Clarence Avant, and Stax Records.
Held on Aug. 18 at TPAC’s Jackson hall, the evening was filled musical tributes from Eddie Levert, Tina Campbell, Ann Nesby, Deborah Cox, Andra Day, Chubb Rock, Cherelle, Gerald Alston, Stokley Williams, and more. Presenters included Kirk Franklin, “Big Jim” Wright, Monie Love, Kathy Sledge, Ethiopia Habtemariam and H. Beecher Hicks III (president and CEO of NMAAM), along with several others.
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis are honored at the NMAAM 2016 Black Music Honors. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for National Museum of African American Music
The television taping was co-hosted by Malcom-Jamal Warner and R&B singer Ledisi. Black Music Honors will air in Nashville on WTVF-NewsChannel 5 on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. CT. The show will premiere nationally on the Bounce TV Network on Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. ET and will re-air on Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. ET. The show will run in syndication on Bounce and Aspire between Sept. 23–Oct. 9.
The National Museum of African American Music is slated to open in Nashville in 2018.
Lori Stewart, daughter of Jim Stewart, co-founder of Stax Records, and Al Bell, co-owner of Stax Records are honored during the NMAAM 2016 Black Music Honors. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for National Museum of African American Music
Andra Day performs during the NMAAM 2016 Black Music Honors. Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for National Museum of African American Music
Pastor Shirley Caesar is honored during the NMAAM 2016 Black Music Honors. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for National Museum of African American Music
Tina Campbell performs during the NMAAM 2016 Black Music Honors. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for National Museum of African American Music
Deborah Cox performs during the NMAAM 2016 Black Music Honors. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for National Museum of African American Music