Gina Miller
The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features notable members of the Nashville music industry selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These individuals serve in key roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.
Gina Miller has been passionate about music for as long as she can remember. A musician, educator, entrepreneur and executive, her love for music and the arts has forged the way and proven to be a significant part of her life’s purpose and work. Having spent nearly two decades with MNRK Music Group (formerly Entertainment One), Miller’s current role as the label’s Sr. VP and General Manager for Nashville has her overseeing day-to-day operations and creative output for Nashville, including MNRK subsidiaries Light Records and IndieBlu Music.
Throughout her career, she has used her platform and voice to both improve the ways the music business operates and create opportunities for those who are marginalized in our industry. An advocate for equality and equity, she is a sought-after speaker, clinician and consultant. The music industry veteran is an active champion, serving on several advisory councils, including Music Makes Us, The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), St. Jude Urban Cares and the Country Music Association D&I Task Force.
Miller also serves on The Americana Music Association Board, Secretary of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter, Vice President of Nashville Music Equality, as well as The Music Business Association (Music Biz, Board Chair) and The National Association of Black Female Executives in Media & Entertainment (NABFEME). Named to Leadership Music’s Class of 2022, Billboard’s Women in Music executive class in 2018 and 2020 and the Nashville Business Journal’s Women Of Influence 2021 Class, Miller continues to use her influence to inspire and drive change, not only in the organizations she faithfully serves, but in this community and world in which she lives.
Earlier this year, Miller was honored with the Music Biz Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement in recognition of her leadership and commitment to bolstering diversity and inclusion across the music industry.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in south Memphis, Tennessee, which I am incredibly proud of. Quite frankly, I think it set the tone for everything that’s shaped me to be the person, the leader and the musician that I am with the music background that I have. All of that was developed not only in Memphis, but specifically in south Memphis.
Gina Miller
Tell me about growing up there.
My community played a large part of exposing me to the music that I’m aware of. My mom was our church musician and the church was in our neighborhood. The first records I remember buying were from a mom and pop record store on the same street as Stax Records. That community shaped a lot of my musical upbringing.
How did you start playing music?
I started playing in church. Our neighborhood piano teacher sought my mom out and asked my mother to bring me to her when I was about five or six. I took piano all the way through college at Belmont.
By the time I got to seventh grade, I was playing the flute in the band. I wanted to be a clarinetist, but we had a flute because my older sister played the flute, so my mom was like, “This is what you’re going to play.” [Laughs]
The flute got me a scholarship to UT Knoxville [before I went to Belmont]. I marched in the band at UT for a while. I played piccolo and the flute between football and basketball season. I have been eaten up in music my entire life. It’s pretty clear now that I was going to be a part of it.
When you were playing flute in the band at UT Knoxville or studying at Belmont, what was your dream?
That was my dream: music. While I was growing up, I listened to R&B, pop music, country music and more. I was classicially trained—that’s where I got my start with my piano teacher. My father had a huge LP collection and we listened to Johnny Cash, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Mahalia Jackson and all kinds of music. I had a big appreciation for all genres of music. That is absolutely why I fight so hard to make sure that we’re inclusive of so many different formats, genres and art styles, because there’s so much to appreciate.
Gina Miller and team
What happened after college that put you on your path to MNRK Music Group?
You probably hear a lot about people who got their start from making a connection with somebody—that’s exactly what happened to me. First and foremost, I think it’s important to point out that when I went back to Belmont, I was married with two sons.
[After I went to Belmont], my oldest son was playing pee wee football in Brentwood. The families [that were driving their kids to games] were driving very modest cars. There was one guy that was getting out of a Porsche every Saturday morning with his kid. I thought, “Who is that? I need to know who that is because he’s doing something different.” [Laughs]
Eventually I introduced myself. The next week, we were making small talk and he said, “So what kind of music are you into?” I knew what was coming then. When I asked him, he named all this music that I grew up listening to. I asked him, “What is your relationship to this music and to these artists?” He said, “I’ve got a little label in Nashville [called Light Records] and we are the main distributor and label for these artists.” I told him, “I need to be a part of that.”
What happened next?
He told me that he didn’t do the hiring, but that he would introduce me to the president of the label. Long story short, I met with him and he told me they didn’t have any jobs. I said, “Okay, can I just come hang out? Can I come in every day and just see what’s going on, learn and be of service in any way?” He agreed to that and I did that for a year. That absolutely changed the trajectory of my life. That was almost 20 years ago now and I’ve never walked out.
Gina Miller and sons
Wow! That is some dedication. How did you transition that into a job?
Once that year passed, he created a job for me, which was basically a part-time coordinator position. The fast version of my story is that from there to now, I just moved around and worked in every division, which I feel was very worthwhile in being able to actually lead the label group now. I’ve always lived with this belief that nothing is wasted and everything is purposeful. I knew that it was all going to make sense at some point.
The CEO of the label [who I met at the football park], Michael Olsen, was super encouraging. I will never forget this, but one day we were talking to each other and he said, “You’re going to have my job one day.” We laugh about it, but I literally went home and ordered a book called Next Stop, Corner Office on Amazon. It took a minute to get there—there were a lot of turns and a lot of other people that were put in a position to lead before me. From that day at the football park to now, he’s still my mentor and he’s still my friend. He’s been instrumental in this path I’ve been on and in my life.
Because you were able to experience a lot of different roles at a record label, what have been some of your favorite things you’ve gotten to do?
Artists at every level have a goal. Emerging talent, established artists and legendary acts all have goals. For us to try to step in and make something on those wish lists possible for artists, there’s no greater joy than that. We still have a handful of artists that get to terrestrial radio, so for those artists who’ve never heard their song on the radio, to be able to be part of those stories and be responsible for them having radio hits, that’s still very special to me. I worked radio promotions for a long time, so I’m beholden to radio in a way. I also love having events where we can touch our audience, invite them, thank them and love on them for being supporters.
What have been some more difficult challenges in those roles?
Every job has different variations of challenges. The most challenging thing for me has been something I couldn’t change. I think about this a lot now, especially with all the diversity work I do. People are always asking me about being Black in the city. I think being a female leader has been hard. It’s not necessarily that one is more or less significant, but I’ve probably felt that more as a woman here. I feel like I’m consistently thanking my team for rocking with me and respecting me. I still see that being a space that we have got to do a lot more work in: respecting women’s voices.
I’ve been really fortunate in the sense that I’ve had people in leadership around me who were very blatant about saying, “I don’t really care if you’re Black or a woman. I just care about being successful.” I’ve lived in this body a long time and while there are a lot of things that I’m able to do for this community and in this city, the only form of training I had was life experience.
Gina Miller
You’ve been one of the leading voices for diversity and inclusion on Music Row. Do you feel like we are making any progress towards becoming a more diverse genre and industry?
First, I’m extremely excited to be able to do the things that I get to do and be a part of this community. I don’t have a reason to not be truthful, honest and sincere about how we can make what’s already such an incredible place better. That’s really my main goal right now, to be one of the louder voices in the room so we can listen and pay attention to the things that will just make us better.
I will say there is progress being made. I think that’s the right answer. What a lot of people probably measure it by is: is it big progress? Could there be more? Yes, but progress is not defined by how much more it could be. It’s just that it is better than what it has been.
If we look around Music Row and consider that most of the major labels and independent labels have been run historically by white men; and that a lot of those labels are now being led by white women as of this year—that’s progress. To go a step further, do we see people that look like me leading labels? No. That’s across this whole entire city. That’s not just the music business. We still have a lot to do.
Tell me about becoming the Sr. VP/GM of MNRK.
The man who was leading us at the time left to go to a major label, which left us needing somebody to lead the label group. I ended up talking to Mike about it and we had a lot of conversations during that time about his philosophy on what that would look like.
Before I was given the job, I worked under three other men. They were all given opportunity to lead before me. But I will say, I needed to experience that. It just makes my point all the more valid. Now I’m able to have these conversations internally when I see things happening where you’ve got qualified women working in divisions who get skipped over for unqualified white men. Thankfully, women are having a moment right now. Most companies who are tuned in are giving opportunities to women who are deserving, who are qualified and who’ve put in the work.
What is your favorite part about your job?
One of the favorite things about my job is watching my team grow and develop. I have an incredible team. I’m so proud of them.
My dream has always been to know artists and to have solid relationships with people who are making a difference. I had set out a goal years ago that I would not be limited to one kind of music and that I wanted to know music people. I feel really good that when I look through the people who are in my circle, that they’re doing all kinds of amazing things from producers, engineers and studio owners, all the way into film and television. If it all ends tomorrow, it’s been great.
What is exciting you right now?
Like I said, I have two sons. My 23-year-old son works down on fourth at Rocketown. My 28-year-old son has s worked in corporate America for the last eight years while living in Richmond. He moved to Nashville about a year ago and has been playing up and down Broadway. Not long ago, he told me he was going to apply for some jobs here and try something different. Now my oldest son works at SESAC. That makes me so proud. I had nothing to do with it—I didn’t call anybody. We’re so excited about that. We are working together to extend our legacy and make change on Music Row.
2023 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Male Songwriter Of The Year
/by LB CantrellFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 35th annual MusicRow Awards, we take a closer look at the Male Songwriter of the Year category.
Male Songwriter of the Year nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active during the eligibility period of June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Presenting Sponsor of the 2023 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 18 at 5:00 p.m.
To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
Below are songs that entered the MusicRow Songwriter Chart for the Male Songwriter of the Year nominees:
Ross Copperman
“Pick Me Up” recorded by Gabby Barrett
“Everyone She Knows” recorded by Kenny Chesney
“Worth A Shot” recorded by Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley
“Note To Self” recorded by Randy Houser
“Gold” recorded by Dierks Bentley
“Dancin’ In The Country” recorded by Tyler Hubbard
Ashley Gorley
“What He Didn’t Do” recorded by Carly Pearce
“Take My Name” recorded by Parmalee
“New Truck” recorded by Dylan Scott
“Slow Down Summer” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“You Didn’t” recorded by Brett Young
“She Had Me At Heads Carolina” recorded by Cole Swindell
“You Proof” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Gold” recorded by Dierks Bentley
“Girl In Mine” recorded by Parmalee
“One Thing At A Time” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Tennessee Fan” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Truck Bed” recorded by Hardy
“Last Night” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Everything I Love” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“God Gave Me A Girl” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“All I Need Is You” recorded by Chris Janson
“Thinkin’ Bout Me” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Whiskey Friends” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Cowgirls” recorded by Morgan Wallen feat. Ernest
“Me + All Your Reasons” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“180 (Lifestyle)” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Good Girl Gone Missin’” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Me To Me” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Chase McGill
“With A Woman You Love” recorded by Justin Moore
“Never Say Never” recorded by Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson
“Small Town Small” recorded by Jason Aldean
“Don’t Think Jesus” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“5 Foot 9” recorded by Tyler Hubbard
“Next Thing You Know” recorded by Jordan Davis
“God Gave Me A Girl” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“Ain’t That Some” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“5 Leaf Clover” recorded by Luke Combs
“Creek Will Rise” recorded by Conner Smith
Jon Nite
“Pick Me Up” recorded by Gabby Barrett
“You Didn’t” recorded by Brett Young
“Dancin’ In The Country” recorded by Tyler Hubbard
Josh Thompson
“Half Of Me” recorded by Thomas Rhett feat. Riley Green
“Brown Eyes Baby” recorded by Keith Urban
“Angels Don’t Always Have Wings” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Stars Like Confetti” recorded by Dustin Lynch
“Whiskey Friends” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Dying Man” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Neon Star (Country Boy Lullaby)” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Ryan Vojtesak
“You Proof” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“One Thing At A Time” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Last Night” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Everything I Love” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Thinkin’ Bout Me” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Whiskey Friends” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Cowgirls” recorded by Morgan Wallen feat. Ernest
“Hope That’s True” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Neon Star (Country Boy Lullaby)” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Me + All Your Reasons” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Single Than She Was” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“180 (Lifestyle)” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Good Girl Gone Missin’” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Me To Me” recorded by Morgan Wallen
2023 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Breakthrough Artist-Writer Of The Year
/by LB CantrellFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 35th annual MusicRow Awards, we take a closer look at the Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year category.
The Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year is voted by MusicRow’s subscribers to honor a Nashville songwriter and recording artist who, for the first time, wrote or co-wrote a Top 10 song during the eligibility period of June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023. Outside nominations from Nashville’s publishing community are considered for this award.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Presenting Sponsor of the 2023 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 18 at 5:00 p.m.
To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
Zach Bryan made an indelible impact this year with the release of multiple projects. His 34-song American Heartbreak debuted at No. 5 on the US Billboard 200. The album was preceded by six singles, including Bryan’s most successful single to date, the solely-written “Something in the Orange.” The tune became the longest charting country single for a male artist on Billboard’s Hot 100 at an astounding 65 consecutive weeks. The evergreen track surpassed Carrie Underwood’s “Before he Cheats” to become the second longest-charting country song of all time. American Heartbreak has remained in the top 10 in the US for more than a year after its initial release. To date, Bryan has accrued in excess of 6.3 billion global streams and 11 total RIAA track and album certifications. He is currently on the road on his completely sold-out “Burn Burn Burn North American Tour.”
Jackson Dean broke ground this past year with his old school, gritty, lyric-driven, outlaw style of country. His co-written single “Don’t Come Lookin’” was the fastest debut to reach No. 1 in 2022 and cemented Jackson as the youngest solo male country artist to reach the top of the charts with a debut. The song landed spots on the Billboard Hot 100, the soundtrack for Netflix’s The Ice Road and a John Dutton scene in Yellowstone. The rugged music video for the track also earned a nomination at the 2023 CMT Music Awards for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year. His sophomore single, “Fearless (The Echo)” is currently climbing the country radio charts after being most added upon impact. Dean’s breakout landed him on a slew of artist to watch lists. Jackson has joined bills with superstar acts like Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brantley Gilbert, Carly Pearce, Parker McCollum, Kane Brown, Jake Owen, Brooks & Dunn, Lee Brice, Hardy and Brothers Osborne.
Megan Moroney is a country newcomer with massive staying power. She broke onto the scene with her breakout, cowritten single “Tennessee Orange,” an immediate smash that soon led to her signing with Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records, in addition to notching her first No. 1 at country radio and earning an RIAA Platinum certification. Named a 2023 Artist to Watch by the likes of Amazon Music, Pandora, and Spotify, as well as an iHeart On The Verge Artist and one of CMT’s Next Women of Country for 2023, Moroney released her debut album Lucky in May. Her accolades also include winning Breakthrough Female Video of the Year at the CMT Music Awards. She kicked off her first headline run with the sold-out “Pistol Made Of Roses Tour” and will embark on her sold-out “The Lucky Tour” this fall, bringing her magnetic live show to iconic venues across the U.S. — all while continuing a meteoric rise that now includes over 426 million total global streams to date.
Genre-bending singer-songwriter Jelly Roll has quietly been building a remarkable career, under the radar and on his own terms. Since his days selling his mix tapes out of his car, he has constantly been releasing new music, touring relentlessly, engaging a rabid fanbase and creating videos that have amassed more than 4 billion views on YouTube. His 2020 single “Save Me” set the stage for his new season of life and took him to new heights, with more than 160 million views on YouTube and a Platinum certification from the RIAA. His 2021 album Ballads of the Broken featured a multi-week No. 1 rock hit “Dead Man Walking” and his No. 1 country debut single “Son of a Sinner,” both of which he co-wrote. His newest album, Whitsitt Chapel, was released earlier this year earned the biggest opening week for a first entry on the Top Country Albums charts since the list adopted a consumption-based methodology in 2017. The three-time CMT Award winner is currently on the road on his 44-city “Backroad Baptism Tour.”
Since Nate Smith made his way to Nashville, he has made a huge splash with songs such as his Platinum-certified multiweek No. 1 hit “Whiskey On You,” which he co-wrote. The tune amassed over 7.5 million total global on-demand streams in its first week, reaching No. 10 on the Country On-Demand Streaming Chart and has racked up over 320 million total global on-demand streams to date. Smith released his debut, self-titled album along with the deluxe version earlier this year. The hefty 26-song project hit No. 6 on Billboard’s Country album charts and No. 30 on the Billboard Top 200. His latest single off the album, “World On Fire,” is impacting country radio now. The CMT Awards and ACM Awards nominee is currently on tour with Thomas Rhett and will hit the road with Cole Swindell this fall.
At light speed, Bailey Zimmerman has already surpassed 2 billion global streams to date and recently celebrated a six-week No. 1 single with his multi-Platinum smash “Rock And A Hard Place.” His record-shattering 2022 debut EP, Leave The Light On, propelled the breakout superstar to close out 2022 as Billboard’s No. 2 Top New Country Artist. In addition, he received two Platinum certifications from the RIAA, beginning with his co-written No. 1 debut single “Fall In Love,” the fastest debut single to reach No. 1 at country radio since 2015 and the first debut hit to make it all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2022. His recently released debut, Religiously. The Album., marked not only the biggest streaming debut album of the year across all genres, but also the biggest streaming country debut of all time. Zimmerman is currently out on the road on the Morgan Wallen’s “One Night At A Time World Tour.”
Kelsea Ballerini Receives Plaque Before Second ‘Under The Welcome Mat’ Fan Event
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L-R): Kelsea Ballerini, Black River’s Dawn Delvo, Gordon Kerr, Rick Froio, Doug Johnson and Tanya Schrage. Photo: Catherine Powell
Kelsea Ballerini held the second of her three “Under The Welcome Mat” fan events on Tuesday evening (Aug. 8). Before the intimate gathering, Ballerini’s label, Black River Entertainment, presented her with a special plaque celebrating her accomplishments from the beginning of her career to now, including her seven No. 1s, 31 RIAA certifications and over six billion all-time streams, outside of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ford Theater. After the surprise presentation, she offered a heartfelt thank you, surrounded by family, friends and some of Nashville’s top industry professionals.
Ballerini announced the expanded Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good) at the first fan event in Los Angeles. The project, out tomorrow (Aug. 11), includes “Penthouse (Healed Version),” “Interlude (Full Version),” “Blindsided (Yeah, Sure, Okay)” and the brand-new “How Do I Do This.”
“The best part of Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good) is knowing I don’t need to talk about this stuff anymore,” said Ballerini. “My whole life is ahead of me, so this expanded version is to let people know there’s real freedom in breaking down, in facing the emotions because it gets you to where your life can really shine.”
“Recording Rolling Up The Welcome Mat the way we did, was, in a lot of ways, catharsis,” she continued. “But with the updated version, I am asking from my fans that they help this be ours and simply let the music be the music. I don’t want to dig back into experiences that it was written about nearly a year ago. As a songwriter, producer and artist, I am very proud and protective of this record. And as a woman and human, I am also proud and protective of the new, happy season of life I’m in. I’m happier than I’ve ever been[,] and anyone listening can be too.”
During the second exclusive event, fans and industry members were treated to behind-the-scenes insights into the project following a screening of Ballerini’s short film Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, which marked her first time in the Director’s chair and earned two Gold Telly Awards as well as a Silver Award.
Fans were also able to give “Interlude (Full Version)” an early listen before Ballerini performed “Leave Me Again.”
The final fan event will take place tonight (Aug. 10) at New York City’s Whitby Theater. To encapsulate the energy from the three events, Ballerini has created exclusive, limited-edition T-shirts specific to each market that reveals a new lyric from “Interlude.”
Additionally, she plans launch the new record on NBC’s Today with a live Citi Concert Series performance tomorrow.
Industry Ink: AIMP, Annie Bosko, Brooke Lee, Suzanne Alexander
/by Caela GriffinAIMP Nashville Hosts Songwriter Series At The Listening Room Café
Pictured (L-R, back row): Peermusic’s Kendall Lettow, Concord Music’s Duff Berschback, Reservoir Media’s John Ozier, Riser House’s Dallas Wilson, Michael Whitworth, Plaid Flag Music’s Mae Estes and (Me Gusta Music’s Trina Smith-Dort; (L-R, front row): Combustion Music’s Chris McKenna, Concord Music Publishing’s Lauren Hungate, Big Yellow Dog Music’s Zarni deVette, Anthem Entertainment’s Luke Preston and River House Artists’ Emily Boardman.
AIMP Nashville hosted their Songwriter Series yesterday (Aug. 9) at The Listening Room Café. This event honored and featured live performances from the Songwriter Series Class of 2023: Blake Pendergrass, Terri Jo Box, Mae Estes, Chris McKenna, Luke Preston, Zarni deVette and Lauren Hungate.
Each year, the Songwriter Series showcases a new class of promising writers who have not yet had a song charting higher than top 20 on the Billboard or Mediabase charts. They are selected by a special committee made up of music industry professionals, based on submissions from current AIMP Nashville Chapter members.
Annie Bosko Assembles An A-List Team
Pictured (L-R, front row): Benny Brown, Annie Bosko and Randy Bernard; (L-R , back row): Brown Sellers Brown’s April Rider, Angela Wheeler and Jason Sellers. Photo: Courtesy of Brown Sellers Brown Management
Annie Bosko has assembled a new team including manager Randy Bernard and CAA’s Rod Essig and Ethan Goldish. Bernard has joined forces with Brown Sellers Brown (BSB) Management in a joint venture representing Bosko for artist management alongside BSB’s Benny Brown, Jason Sellers and Angela Wheeler. Bosko has also inked a recording contract with Brown’s Stone Country Records.
“We are very excited to be working with Annie,” shares Brown. “Her incredible talent as a vocalist and entertainer along with her work ethic make her the perfect addition to the Stone Country family.”
“The first time I heard Annie, I was very impressed. The first time I watched Annie perform live, I was blown away,” reflects Bernard. “I am very excited to work with Annie, Benny and his entire team.”
“I met Annie 10 years ago and I could tell then how great of a singer she was. Since then, I’ve come to find she’s equally as talented as a songwriter and entertainer,” shares Sellers. “Really excited to be a part of these next steps in her journey.”
Essig states, “Annie is an incredible singer, great performer and very insightful. We are proud to represent her.”
Bosko has written songs for Willie Nelson, recorded duets with music legends Vince Gill and Dwight Yoakam and performed alongside music giants Adele and Darius Rucker. She also already slotted gigs as direct support for Tim McGraw.
Brooke Lee Signs With CAA
Pictured (L-R): Chris Burrus, Katie Germano, Brooke Lee, Kara Jackson, Meredith Jones and Julie Sturdivant. Photo: Andy Hodges
Spirit Music’s rising songstress Brooke Lee has signed with CAA for global representation, effective immediately.
This announcement bolsters the team that already includes Kara Jackson at KJAX Entertainment for management, Spirit Music for publishing and label services and CmdShft for distribution.
Lee’s debut EP, I’ve Been Thinking, arrives on Nov. 17. The six-track collection includes “Head In The Clouds” and “Match Made In Hell,” which are set for release on Sept. 8. With award-winning producer Derek Wells at the helm, Lee served a co-writer throughout the EP and showcases her authentic storytelling and unique rock edge in every track.
“My passion is being on stage and one of my biggest goals this year was to get out on the road more,” shares Lee. “CAA has championed me since the first day we met, and I couldn’t be more excited to grow my team and get to work with them.”
Lee kicked off her run on the road by opening for Priscilla Block on Aug. 3, in Hays, Kansas. Fans can also find her supporting Niko Moon and Willie Nelson into the fall.
Suzanne Alexander’s ‘On The Record’ Launches With Successful First Season
Suzanne Alexander with Pam Tillis.
RFD-TV’s Market Day Report host Suzanne Alexander launched On The Record, the network’s newest original series, earlier this summer. The broadcaster serves as the host and writer behind the new series, and has been interviewing the biggest names in country music and beyond for over 30 years.
The series gives insight into unheard stories straight from the artists themselves, and takes viewers on a journey through the heart of country music. The show features long-form interviews with today’s biggest artists and the industry veterans who inspired them. Each show features live performances or music videos as they discuss their latest music projects.
On The Record airs in primetime on Friday nights at 7:30 CT and can also be viewed on RFD-TV’s YouTube channel. The first season has featured Tenille Arts, Terri Clark, Tyler Farr, David Nail, Joe Nichols, Thompson Square, Pam Tillis, Tenille Townes, Zach Top and Chancey Williams.
“It’s been a blast to sit down with artists I’ve known from the start of their careers,” shares Alexander. “I thought I knew all there was to know about them but having the time to dig deep and do a long form interview, I’ve learned so much more. Each show has been such a great journey into their careers that I’ve personally enjoyed and so has the viewer.”
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Jordan Davis Sells His ‘Busted-Heart Song Like Gangbusters’
/by Robert K OermannThe dudes are dueling on the country music scene today.
Cody Johnson, Dalton Dover, Alex Miller, Vince Gill and Darius Rocker all vied for the Disc of the Day award. Taking the subtle, sad, emotionally shaded route, Jordan Davis wins it.
The ladies were not without firepower. Ashley McBryde and Priscilla Block, in particular, are essential. Colorado native Sophia Scott wins the DISCovery Award.
DALTON DOVER / “Night to Go”
Writers: Cole Taylor/Trea Landon/Shane Minor/Michael Carter; Producer: none listed; Label: Mercury Nashville
– This youngster has already proved himself to be a masterful country balladeer, a story-song teller, a heartache prince and a heart-tugging sentimentalist. Well, whaddya know? He can also spit out a country rocker with the best of ‘em: this kicks hillbilly butt. More proof that stardom should knock on his door.
CODY JOHNSON / “The Painter”
Writers: Benjy Davis/Kat Higgins/Ryan Larkins; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: Warner Music Nashville/COJO Music
– Beautifully country. Kinda poetic, kinda romantic, kinda stirring, kinda cool. He remains a supreme vocal stylist, and the gently thumping bass undertow gives this all the juice it needs. An instant favorite.
ALEX MILLER / “Girl, I Know a Guy”
Writers: Walt Aldridge/Tim Rushlow/Danny Orton; Producer: Jerry Salley; Label: Billy Jam Records
– This perfectly marries bluegrassy instrumental touches with baritone honky-tonk vocal phrasing. All the pieces fit—top-notch production, stellar songwriting, heartfelt hillbilly vibe. Sweet yet twanging. Alex strikes again.
PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Fake Names”
Writers: Priscilla Block/Alysa Vanderheym/Summer Overstreet/Audra Mae; Producers: Robbie Artress/Justin Johnson/Jake Curry; Label: UMG/InDent
– The weekend pseudonyms allow her to go “bat-shit crazy.” Meanwhile, the track rocks with gusto behind her. This party princess always delivers the goods. If you haven’t done so, also check out her cheeky “Thick Thighs.”
SOPHIA SCOTT / “Lipstick On You”
Writers: Sophia Scott/Adam Yaron/Blake Hubbard/Zack Dryer/Jarrod Ingram/Malia Civetz; Producer: Adam Yaron; Label: Empire
– Sultry and soul-tinged, she sings with a husky, throaty and totally ear-catching manner. Add some blues to your playlist with this dandy, stately lament.
JORDAN DAVIS / “Tuscon Too Late”
Writers: Jordan Davis/Jacob Davis/Josh Jenkins/Matt Jenkins; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA Nashville
– Quite well written. The gently rolling tempo and his expressively resigned delivery sell this busted-heart song like gangbusters. I love a good, sad, country tune, and this one’s a pip. Classic, classy stuff.
DENNIS QUAID / “Fallen”
Writer: Dennis Quaid; Producers: David Ferguson/Ben Isaacs/Chris Lindsey; Label: Gaither Music Group
– He’s famous for being an actor, but Quaid remains a Texan through and through. The title tune of his new gospel album has a dusty, earthy, bluesy quality. The minor key melody allows him to express its “riding with the Devil” vibe dramatically. A gripping and compelling prodigal-son’s journey through substance abuse and redemption.
NATALIE GRANT & DOLLY PARTON / “Step By Step”
Writers: Annie Lennox; Producers: Bernie Herms; Label: Curb Records
– Gospel queen Grant and country goddess Parton try on some soul-sister clothes for this pop outing. It’s a Whitney Houston oldie. They both sound like they are trying a bit too hard to measure up.
VINCE GILL & PAUL FRANKLIN / “Sweet Memories”
Writers: Mickey Newbury; Producers: Vince Gill/Paul Franklin; Label: MCA Nashville
– This is the title tune of this team’s tribute album to Ray Price. Franklin’s steel is poetry on the ballad, and Gill’s vocal is, as usual, awesome. The gorgeous weeper became a country classic thanks to a 1969 Dottie West/Don Gibson duet and a 1979 top-10 hit for Willie. Now is its time to shine for a new generation of listeners.
DARIUS RUCKER / “Have a Good Time”
Writers: Bobby Hamrick/Darius Rucker/Derek George/Monty Criswell; Producer: Frank Rogers; Label: Capitol Nashville
– Built-in smiles are on the menu of this jaunty ditty. The message is to enjoy today, because we’re not guaranteed tomorrow—sunsets, brewski’s, lovin,’ relaxin,’ back-porch chillin’ and taking life as it comes in the here-and-now.
DAVID J / “Traffic on a Backroad”
Writers: David J/Beau Bailey/Lukas Klingensmith; Producer: Danny Majik; Label: Grey Area Entertainment/Sony Music Nashville
– He wants to steam up the windows with the car in Park and the seats tilted back. It has an electronic pop track and hip-hop beats. Fine. Now can someone tell me what is “country” about this?
ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Cool Little Bars”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Trick Savage/Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This woman is driving me crazy with anticipation of her The Devil I Know collection. It isn’t due until next month, and she keeps teasing it with dynamite advances. In addition to the brilliant “Light on in the Kitchen,” they include this wonderful ode to the dirty little dives we love. These “holes in the wall for lost souls” with their jukeboxes, shuffleboards, cigarettes, carved-up tabletops, tip jars and two-for-one drink specials need to be cherished. As if her singing and the songwriting weren’t brilliant enough, this has the most marvelous, crunchy, rocking-acoustic track on God’s green earth.
RESTLESS ROAD / “Roll Tide Roll”
Writers: Zach Beeken/Garrett Nichols/Kyle Sturrock; Producer: none listed; Label: RCA Nashville/1021 Entertainment
– Football season can’t come soon enough for this trio on its harmony-soaked ballad. They need “Roll Tide Roll” to wash away the heartache. The debut Restless Road album, Last Rodeo, is coming on October 20. Judging by what I’ve heard from these guys so far, it’s bound to be a grand listening experience.
Chris Janson, Lady A, Keith Urban, More To Perform At ACM Honors
/by Lorie HollabaughThe upcoming 16th Annual ACM Honors on Aug. 23 at the Ryman in Nashville is set to air on the FOX network for a second year on Sept. 18.
The all-star event will recognize several special honorees, including ACM Triple Crown Award recipient Chris Stapleton, ACM Poet’s Award recipients Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter and K.T. Oslin, ACM international Award recipient Kane Brown, and ACM Icon Award recipient Tim McGraw.
Carly Pearce will return for a third year to host the ceremony and perform during the star-studded evening of live music and tributes, which will also feature performances from Breland, Chris Janson, Lady A, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Brandy Clark, Jordan Davis, The War And Treaty, Bailey Zimmerman, Emily Shackelton, Anne Wilson and more. The full line-up of artists included in the FOX primetime special will be released in the coming weeks.
“We are thrilled to be working with FOX for a second year to bring one of our industry’s favorite nights, filled with emotional tributes and unforgettable performances, to primetime television,” says Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside. “The exceptional honorees and performers at the Academy of Country Music Honors show will provide an extraordinary night of non-stop entertainment for music fans all across the country and an undeniable highlight for our country music community this fall.”
“Bringing back this annual celebration of country music icons and all-stars promises to once again captivate FOX audiences with its exceptional performances and moving tributes,” says Allison Wallach, FOX Entertainment’s President of Unscripted Programming. “The Academy of Country Music’s talented team has outdone themselves in assembling an incredible line-up of artists to entertain and inspire country fans during what is sure to be an incredible, memorable night.”
The full list of recipients of the Special Awards the 16th Academy of Country Music Honors includes Black, Breland, Brown, Carpenter, Charlie Cook, Charlie Daniels, Mike Dungan, Ashley Gorley, Hardy, Bill Mayne, McGraw, Oslin, Stapleton and Troy Vollhoffer.
Musicians On Call Announces Staff Promotions & Additions
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, top): Kat Weeks, Sasha Arnkoff and Caroline Love; (L-R, bottom) PJ Cowan, Orenda Senior and Torianne Valdez
Musicians On Call (MOC) has promoted Kat Weeks to Vice President of Marketing, Caroline Love to Senior Program Manager, Torianne Valdez to Senior Talent Manager and PJ Cowan to Senior Program Manager. The company has also welcomed Orenda Senior as Program Coordinator and Sasha Arnkoff as Executive Assistant.
Weeks joined the nonprofit in 2011 to lead and grow the organization’s marketing department. She oversees a team that manages all digital, communications, promotions, press and fundraising events for the organization. In her role as VP she will continue to guide the strategy for promoting MOC as the nation’s leading provider of live music in the hospital.
Love came to MOC from TriStar Centennial Medical Center in 2019 and has overseen program management and implementation in markets across the country. As Senior Program Manager she will continue to grow MOC Bedside and Virtual programs in these markets, recruiting and managing volunteers and working with hospital partners to implement programs.
Valdez has been a part of the team since 2017, managing programs and volunteers for the Nashville, Memphis and Atlanta markets. In her new role as Senior Talent Manager, she will be responsible for managing MOC’s national talent strategy, including cultivating relationships with celebrity talent and industry teams, recruiting and executing celebrity visits and partnership opportunities as well as managing talent requests for programs, events, fundraisers and auctions.
Cowan joined the organization in 2015 and most recently served as Senior Manager of Grants & Research, where he managed all grant applications and funding in addition to spearheaded research initiatives surrounding the impact of MOC’s programs. As Senior Program Manager, Cowan will manage hospital relationships and program execution in markets including Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Jose and Houston.
As Program Coordinator, Senior joins MOC’s Program Team to manage volunteer and hospital relationships and program execution in Nashville and Murfreesboro. Prior to joining MOC, Senior attended Sacred Heart University, where she studied public health with an emphasis on health equity, and completed internships working on community health initiatives for Hartford Healthcare.
In her new role, Arnkoff will be responsible for all areas of administrative support for the organization. She earned a degree in communications from the University of Central Florida and has previously worked in administrative roles within the entertainment industry. Arnkoff joined the MOC community in 2014 as a Volunteer Musician and has performed for nearly 1,000 patients, families and caregivers locally through MOC’s bedside program.
“Our exceptional team not only works tirelessly to deliver the healing power of music where it’s needed most, but they are the backbone of why Musicians On Call is named a best nonprofit to work for year after year. I am very proud of all of the team members whose promotions we are celebrating, and can’t thank them enough for their roles in furthering our mission,” says Pete Griffin, Musicians On Call President & CEO. “With the additions of Orenda and Sasha we are well equipped to continue impacting thousands of patients, families and caregivers nationwide.”
For more than 20 years, the nonprofit has used music to promote the healing process through bedside, virtual and digital streaming programs that are available across all 50 states. As the nation’s leading provider of live music in hospitals, MOC volunteers have performed for more than one million individuals in healthcare facilities nationwide. The organization has also appeared on The NonProfit Times‘ Best Nonprofits To Work For list, which recognizes 50 organizations as the best employers in the industry, for five consecutive years.
AmericanaFest Announces Keynote Speaker Details
/by Lorie HollabaughAmericanaFest has announced the keynote speakers for the upcoming conference at The Westin Nashville Sept. 20-22.
Panelists including Rosanne Cash & John Leventhal, Bettye LaVette & Steve Jordan, Lyle Lovett, Marty Stuart, Rufus Wainwright & Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams.
Rosanne Cash & John Leventhal: The Wheel 30-Year Anniversary
Tuesday — 3 p.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ford Theater
On the heels of launching their co-founded new record label, RumbleStrip Records, Cash and Leventhal will discuss their extensive history together as artist and producer. The duo will highlight the 30th anniversary reissue of Cash’s 1993 album, The Wheel (the couple’s first collaborative effort), as well as Leventhal’s upcoming solo debut. Cash is a recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award and has won the organization’s Song of the Year and Album of the Year honors. Leventhal was also named the Americana Music Association’s Instrumentalist of the Year in 2015.
The World of Marty Stuart
Wednesday — 12 p.m.
Following the release of his new album, Altitude, Stuart explores a cosmic country landscape of dreamers and drifters, misfits and angels, honky-tonk heroes and lonesome lovers. The Country Music Hall of Famer, five-time Grammy winner and Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement honoree will sit with music journalist and broadcaster David Fricke to discuss his fifty-year career spanning music, photography, history, artifact collection and his latest museum project to revitalize his hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi.
Becoming Lyle Lovett: A Keynote Conversation
Thursday — 10 a.m.
With a career spanning nearly four decades, Lovett will provide a reflection on his songs, recordings and international tours. He will offer insight into moments throughout his career when he had to dig deep to find the next version of himself. The careful balance of continuity and change is at the heart of any long career, and Lovett stands as a master of taking it forward without losing sight of home.
Reunited in Music: Bettye LaVette & Steve Jordan
Thursday — 1 p.m.
LaVette and Jordan will come together again to discuss their latest collaboration for her album LaVette! The two will discuss their accomplished careers and creative processes as well as what led to recording an album of songs by Randall Bramblett. LaVette! arrived in June on Jay-Vee Records, the label co-founded by Jordan and Meegan Voss.
Telling Secrets: A Conversation with Lucinda Williams
Thursday — 3 p.m.
Grammy-winning artist Williams will sit down with music journalist and author Holly George-Warren to participate in an engaging discussion about her illustrious life and career. After several years of playing hardscrabble clubs, Williams gained solid footing to record a self-titled album that would become a touchstone for the embryonic Americana movement – helping launch a thousand musical ships.
Friends of Folk: A Conversation with Rufus Wainwright & Emmylou Harris
Friday — 2 p.m.
Wainwright’s new album, Folkocracy, pays tribute to his Canadian and American folk roots through an array of cover songs. Harris will join him to discuss their approach to music and storytelling, drawing from their decades of experience in the industry. Together, they will talk candidly about their musical heritage, personal growth and lessons learned.
My Music Row Story: MNRK Music Group’s Gina Miller
/by LB CantrellGina Miller
Gina Miller has been passionate about music for as long as she can remember. A musician, educator, entrepreneur and executive, her love for music and the arts has forged the way and proven to be a significant part of her life’s purpose and work. Having spent nearly two decades with MNRK Music Group (formerly Entertainment One), Miller’s current role as the label’s Sr. VP and General Manager for Nashville has her overseeing day-to-day operations and creative output for Nashville, including MNRK subsidiaries Light Records and IndieBlu Music.
Throughout her career, she has used her platform and voice to both improve the ways the music business operates and create opportunities for those who are marginalized in our industry. An advocate for equality and equity, she is a sought-after speaker, clinician and consultant. The music industry veteran is an active champion, serving on several advisory councils, including Music Makes Us, The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), St. Jude Urban Cares and the Country Music Association D&I Task Force.
Miller also serves on The Americana Music Association Board, Secretary of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter, Vice President of Nashville Music Equality, as well as The Music Business Association (Music Biz, Board Chair) and The National Association of Black Female Executives in Media & Entertainment (NABFEME). Named to Leadership Music’s Class of 2022, Billboard’s Women in Music executive class in 2018 and 2020 and the Nashville Business Journal’s Women Of Influence 2021 Class, Miller continues to use her influence to inspire and drive change, not only in the organizations she faithfully serves, but in this community and world in which she lives.
Earlier this year, Miller was honored with the Music Biz Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement in recognition of her leadership and commitment to bolstering diversity and inclusion across the music industry.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in south Memphis, Tennessee, which I am incredibly proud of. Quite frankly, I think it set the tone for everything that’s shaped me to be the person, the leader and the musician that I am with the music background that I have. All of that was developed not only in Memphis, but specifically in south Memphis.
Gina Miller
Tell me about growing up there.
My community played a large part of exposing me to the music that I’m aware of. My mom was our church musician and the church was in our neighborhood. The first records I remember buying were from a mom and pop record store on the same street as Stax Records. That community shaped a lot of my musical upbringing.
How did you start playing music?
I started playing in church. Our neighborhood piano teacher sought my mom out and asked my mother to bring me to her when I was about five or six. I took piano all the way through college at Belmont.
By the time I got to seventh grade, I was playing the flute in the band. I wanted to be a clarinetist, but we had a flute because my older sister played the flute, so my mom was like, “This is what you’re going to play.” [Laughs]
The flute got me a scholarship to UT Knoxville [before I went to Belmont]. I marched in the band at UT for a while. I played piccolo and the flute between football and basketball season. I have been eaten up in music my entire life. It’s pretty clear now that I was going to be a part of it.
When you were playing flute in the band at UT Knoxville or studying at Belmont, what was your dream?
That was my dream: music. While I was growing up, I listened to R&B, pop music, country music and more. I was classicially trained—that’s where I got my start with my piano teacher. My father had a huge LP collection and we listened to Johnny Cash, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Mahalia Jackson and all kinds of music. I had a big appreciation for all genres of music. That is absolutely why I fight so hard to make sure that we’re inclusive of so many different formats, genres and art styles, because there’s so much to appreciate.
Gina Miller and team
What happened after college that put you on your path to MNRK Music Group?
You probably hear a lot about people who got their start from making a connection with somebody—that’s exactly what happened to me. First and foremost, I think it’s important to point out that when I went back to Belmont, I was married with two sons.
[After I went to Belmont], my oldest son was playing pee wee football in Brentwood. The families [that were driving their kids to games] were driving very modest cars. There was one guy that was getting out of a Porsche every Saturday morning with his kid. I thought, “Who is that? I need to know who that is because he’s doing something different.” [Laughs]
Eventually I introduced myself. The next week, we were making small talk and he said, “So what kind of music are you into?” I knew what was coming then. When I asked him, he named all this music that I grew up listening to. I asked him, “What is your relationship to this music and to these artists?” He said, “I’ve got a little label in Nashville [called Light Records] and we are the main distributor and label for these artists.” I told him, “I need to be a part of that.”
What happened next?
He told me that he didn’t do the hiring, but that he would introduce me to the president of the label. Long story short, I met with him and he told me they didn’t have any jobs. I said, “Okay, can I just come hang out? Can I come in every day and just see what’s going on, learn and be of service in any way?” He agreed to that and I did that for a year. That absolutely changed the trajectory of my life. That was almost 20 years ago now and I’ve never walked out.
Gina Miller and sons
Wow! That is some dedication. How did you transition that into a job?
Once that year passed, he created a job for me, which was basically a part-time coordinator position. The fast version of my story is that from there to now, I just moved around and worked in every division, which I feel was very worthwhile in being able to actually lead the label group now. I’ve always lived with this belief that nothing is wasted and everything is purposeful. I knew that it was all going to make sense at some point.
The CEO of the label [who I met at the football park], Michael Olsen, was super encouraging. I will never forget this, but one day we were talking to each other and he said, “You’re going to have my job one day.” We laugh about it, but I literally went home and ordered a book called Next Stop, Corner Office on Amazon. It took a minute to get there—there were a lot of turns and a lot of other people that were put in a position to lead before me. From that day at the football park to now, he’s still my mentor and he’s still my friend. He’s been instrumental in this path I’ve been on and in my life.
Because you were able to experience a lot of different roles at a record label, what have been some of your favorite things you’ve gotten to do?
Artists at every level have a goal. Emerging talent, established artists and legendary acts all have goals. For us to try to step in and make something on those wish lists possible for artists, there’s no greater joy than that. We still have a handful of artists that get to terrestrial radio, so for those artists who’ve never heard their song on the radio, to be able to be part of those stories and be responsible for them having radio hits, that’s still very special to me. I worked radio promotions for a long time, so I’m beholden to radio in a way. I also love having events where we can touch our audience, invite them, thank them and love on them for being supporters.
What have been some more difficult challenges in those roles?
Every job has different variations of challenges. The most challenging thing for me has been something I couldn’t change. I think about this a lot now, especially with all the diversity work I do. People are always asking me about being Black in the city. I think being a female leader has been hard. It’s not necessarily that one is more or less significant, but I’ve probably felt that more as a woman here. I feel like I’m consistently thanking my team for rocking with me and respecting me. I still see that being a space that we have got to do a lot more work in: respecting women’s voices.
I’ve been really fortunate in the sense that I’ve had people in leadership around me who were very blatant about saying, “I don’t really care if you’re Black or a woman. I just care about being successful.” I’ve lived in this body a long time and while there are a lot of things that I’m able to do for this community and in this city, the only form of training I had was life experience.
Gina Miller
You’ve been one of the leading voices for diversity and inclusion on Music Row. Do you feel like we are making any progress towards becoming a more diverse genre and industry?
First, I’m extremely excited to be able to do the things that I get to do and be a part of this community. I don’t have a reason to not be truthful, honest and sincere about how we can make what’s already such an incredible place better. That’s really my main goal right now, to be one of the louder voices in the room so we can listen and pay attention to the things that will just make us better.
I will say there is progress being made. I think that’s the right answer. What a lot of people probably measure it by is: is it big progress? Could there be more? Yes, but progress is not defined by how much more it could be. It’s just that it is better than what it has been.
If we look around Music Row and consider that most of the major labels and independent labels have been run historically by white men; and that a lot of those labels are now being led by white women as of this year—that’s progress. To go a step further, do we see people that look like me leading labels? No. That’s across this whole entire city. That’s not just the music business. We still have a lot to do.
Tell me about becoming the Sr. VP/GM of MNRK.
The man who was leading us at the time left to go to a major label, which left us needing somebody to lead the label group. I ended up talking to Mike about it and we had a lot of conversations during that time about his philosophy on what that would look like.
Before I was given the job, I worked under three other men. They were all given opportunity to lead before me. But I will say, I needed to experience that. It just makes my point all the more valid. Now I’m able to have these conversations internally when I see things happening where you’ve got qualified women working in divisions who get skipped over for unqualified white men. Thankfully, women are having a moment right now. Most companies who are tuned in are giving opportunities to women who are deserving, who are qualified and who’ve put in the work.
What is your favorite part about your job?
One of the favorite things about my job is watching my team grow and develop. I have an incredible team. I’m so proud of them.
My dream has always been to know artists and to have solid relationships with people who are making a difference. I had set out a goal years ago that I would not be limited to one kind of music and that I wanted to know music people. I feel really good that when I look through the people who are in my circle, that they’re doing all kinds of amazing things from producers, engineers and studio owners, all the way into film and television. If it all ends tomorrow, it’s been great.
What is exciting you right now?
Like I said, I have two sons. My 23-year-old son works down on fourth at Rocketown. My 28-year-old son has s worked in corporate America for the last eight years while living in Richmond. He moved to Nashville about a year ago and has been playing up and down Broadway. Not long ago, he told me he was going to apply for some jobs here and try something different. Now my oldest son works at SESAC. That makes me so proud. I had nothing to do with it—I didn’t call anybody. We’re so excited about that. We are working together to extend our legacy and make change on Music Row.
Restless Road To Release ‘Last Rodeo’ In October
/by Lorie HollabaughRestless Road (Zach Beeken, Garrett Nichols and Colton Pack) is gearing up for the release of their debut album Last Rodeo, due out Oct. 20, and will unveil new track “Roll Tide Roll” this Friday (Aug. 11).
The 18-track collection features brand new songs as well as previously-released songs “Last Rodeo,” “I Don’t Wanna Be That Guy,” “Sundown Somewhere,” “On My Way,” their breakout single “Growing Old With You” and fan favorite “Bar Friends.” Songwriters contributing to the project include Ben Hayslip, Brice Long, Charles Kelley, Devin Dawson and more.
“If you would have told us a few years ago that we would be where we are today we wouldn’t have believed you,” says Restless Road. “We’ve been through so many ups and downs as a band, and that’s what this is about. Never giving up and always keeping your eyes on the road. It’s about believing in yourself even when people tell you no, and persevering until your dreams become a reality. And that’s why the three of us are so excited for the biggest thing we’ve done yet.”
2023 started with a bang for the trio, as they were named one of Spotify’s Hot Country Artists To Watch and released a number of songs including “On My Way,” “I Don’t Wanna Be That Guy” and “Last Rodeo.”
Last Rodeo Album Track Listing:
1. “Last Rodeo” (Trannie Anderson/Lindsay Rimes/Garrett Nichols/Zach Beeken/Colton Pack)
2. “Head Over Heels” (Zach Beeken/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Jacob Rice/Kyle Sturrock)
3. “Growing Old With You” (Charles Kelley/Jordan Minton/Jordan Reynolds)
4. “Could’ve Been a Love Song” (Zach Crowell/Ben Hayslip/Hunter Phelps)
5. “Roll Tide Roll” (Zach Beeken/Garrett Nichols/Kyle Sturrock)
6. “Bar Friends” (Geoff Warburton/Jordan Schmidt/Kyle Clark/Tyler Filmore)
7. “Tell Me Not To” (Zach Beeken/Emma-Lee/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack)
8. “Go Get Her” (Josh Jenkins/Brice Long/Mark Nesler)
9. “I Don’t Wanna Be That Guy” (Colton Pack/Garrett Nichols/Zach Beeken/Jared Keim/Travis Wood)
10. “10 Things” (Zach Beeken/Devin Dawson/Jared Keim/Garrett Nichols)
11. “Leave Them Boots On” (Zach Beeken/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Jonathan Smith)
12. “Easy for You to Say” (Zach Beeken/Josh Kear/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Lindsay Rimes)
13. “You Don’t Have to Love Me” (Austin Shawn/Zach Beeken/Nate Kenyon/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack)
14. “No Can Do” (Jessi Alexander/Zach Beeken/Matt Jenkins/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Jacob Rice)
15. “That Town and You” (Ben Burgess/Devin Dawson/Joshua Kerr/Jordan Reynolds)
16. “Most Nights” (feat. Erin Kinsey) (Zach Beeken/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/John Pierce/Lindsay Rimes)
17. “Sundown Somewhere” (Ben Hayslip/Jacob Rice/Cole Swindell/Cole Taylor)
18. “On My Way” (Zach Beeken/Kyle Clark/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Lindsay Rimes)