Kevin Griffin. Photo: Robby Klein
Award-winning songwriter, producer and performer Kevin Griffin has lived a myriad of lives in the music business.
He’s best known as the singer and founding member of the Platinum-selling rock band, Better Than Ezra, whose hits include “Good,” “Desperately Wanting,” “Extra Ordinary” and “A Lifetime.” Griffin is also a hit songwriter with No. 1s such as Howie Day’s “Collide” and Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue.” His songs have been recorded and performed by artists such as Taylor Swift, Train, Dierks Bentley, Christina Perri, Hunter Hayes, James Blunt, and many more.
Additionally, Griffin is a co-founder and partner in Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival located in Franklin, Tennessee, and has served as a writer-in-residence at NYU’s Clive Davis School of Music. Griffin lectures internationally on creativity to groups and companies ranging from Live Nation, Google, Spotify and Disney to Nike, YPO/WPO and Salesforce. So, he knows a thing or two about how to make a career in the entertainment industry.
Griffin culminated his experiences in a business parable called The Greatest Song: Spark Creativity, Ignite Your Career, and Transform Your Life, out today (April 25). Though the book is not a memoir and is based on a fictional character, singer-songwriter Jake Stark, The Greatest Song is inspired by Griffin’s life and career.
The book begins as Stark is dropped by his publishing company, MegaMusic Publishing, beginning an epic journey to the pinnacle of creative expression and commercial success. Crushed by being dropped, Stark thinks his career is over until he meets the eccentric young billionaire Sir Daniel Smith-Daniels, who swoops in and offers Stark an opportunity at his avant-garde publishing house, The Row.
In order to secure a contract with this publisher, Stark must complete the five music-writing trials of “The Method,” each demonstrating a key component in both getting and keeping success. What Stark realizes after completing “The Method” is that he has the tools to make the metaphorical song of, not just his career, but also his life, which is the “Greatest Song.”
Griffin was inspired to form the tale of Jake Stark after a friend asked him to speak about his life and career at a corporate meeting.
“They say that nothing good happens in a bar after 2:00 a.m., but I ran into an old friend in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Over some late night jambalaya, he asked me if I wanted to speak to a group of his YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) members,” Griffin tells MusicRow. “I had done some public speaking back in college, but not in the past 20 years. I said ‘yes’ without hesitation and then I realized I needed to speak about something.
“At the same time, I had been mentoring younger writers, going onto podcasts and stuff like that. People were asking me ,’How have you stayed successful in this super fickle business?’ I realized that there were things I could speak about—things that I had to do after getting dropped, going from having hits to having no hits to having hits again.”
The speech was a hit, leading Griffin to deliver it to corporate groups at Live Nation, Google, Nike, Disney and more. The universal message of going after a dream resonated with a lot of folks, no matter what industry they were in. After such a positive reception, Griffin knew that he wanted to write a book.
Inspired by books such as Who Moved My Cheese? and Tuesdays with Morrie, Griffin felt that he could give readers real advice without writing a memoir. His inclination for creativity led him to crafting the story of Jake Stark.
“As a songwriter, I write narratives. I write stories,” Griffin says. “The character Jake Stark is a little bit of me—you write what you know—but it’s fiction. Woven into these different chapters are five different practices that I do that the enigmatic Sir Daniel Smith-Daniels calls ‘The Method.’
“The same week that Jake Stark has been let go of his longtime music publisher, MegaMusic, he is asked to write with these five different writers at The Row [Smith-Daniels’ publishing company], who have become the talk of Nashville. These writers are crushing it in pop and in country. In those five crazy writes with these characters, he turns his career around, but he also turns his life around with his family.”
So, who are these Music City hit-makers and what do they teach Stark? Without giving much away, Griffin breaks it down as creative collaboration, filling the well (or continuing your education/inspiration as a songwriter), changing your attitude, leaving your comfort zone and dare be stupid.
Drawing off of his experiences writing on Music Row, some of Griffin’s characters are loosely based on hitmakers such as J.T. Harding and Brad and Brett Warren.
The songs written by Stark in The Greatest Song have also come to life via real recordings. In addition to housing them on Spotify, the songs can be heard in the audio book.
“In the audio book that Audible is putting out, you hear those songs in the chapters where I talk about them being written. You hear a guitar, a beat and someone humming a melody. The full song is at the end of the chapter.”
Griffin’s hopes for the book is that it resonates with creatives, and helps guide them to success.
“That life-changing song is floating in the room somewhere. You just have to have the tools to allow yourself to capture it. That’s what I wanted to share in the book: how do you stay nimble and open to those crazy ideas? It’s about staying optimistic, listening and daring to be stupid,” Griffin says. “What I really wanted to do in this story was [provide] a real snapshot of what our life is like as songwriters. Where we eat lunch, how it all happens. The sincerity, the insincerity, and the grind of being a songwriter and how awesome it is.”
Griffin’s The Greatest Song: Spark Creativity, Ignite Your Career, and Transform Your Life is available for purchase now.
George Birge Slates Debut Album For May 12
/by Lorie HollabaughGeorge Birge. Photo: Courtesy of Rich Management
George Birge is prepping for the release of his debut album, George Birge: Mind On You, on May 12.
The upcoming 10-song collection is packed with tales of young love, broken hearts and weathered wisdom, most co-penned by Birge himself. Tracks like the heart-pounding romance of “Forever And A Day,” the slow-burner “Chasin’ A Feeling” and the reflective “You Were Mine” all find a home on the new album, along with his viral smash “Beer Beer, Truck Truck,” the feel-good country anthem that goes far beyond the clichés.
It also includes the title track as well as a fresh, stripped-down remix of the tune. Co-written with Colt Ford, Jaron Boyer and Michael Tyler, “Mind On You” creates the soundtrack of a night spent under the influence of love.
“This album has been a lifetime in the making. From the experiences and people that have influenced me, to finding my voice and knowing who I am, I couldn’t be prouder of this collection of songs,” shares Birge. “I can’t wait to share them with everyone that has helped me get here.”
Additionally, Birge will take the new songs on the road this summer, with dates throughout the summer and festival appearances coming up including Tailgate N’ Tallboys, Beach It! Country Music Festival, Faster Horses Festival and more.
George Birge: Mind On You Track Listing:
* Produced by Ash Bowers
+ Produced by Lalo Guzman
1. Forever And A Day (George Birge, Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn)+
2. Mind On You (George Birge, Colt Ford, Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler)*
3. Whiskey Side (George Birge, Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler, Matt Stell)*
4. Chasin’ A Feeling (George Birge, Michael Tyler, Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn)+
5. Cowboys Talkin’ (George Birge, Josh Mirenda, Gary Garris)*
6. Didn’t Think I’d Miss (George Birge, Michael Tyler, Ben Stennis)*
7. You Were Mine (George Birge, Chris Bandi, Jaron Boyer)*
8. Reason To Go (Thomas Archer, Michael Tyler, Lalo Guzman)*
9. “Beer Beer, Truck Truck” (George Birge, Erynn Chambers)*
10. Mind On You (Stripped) (George Birge, Colt Ford, Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler)*
Tanya Tucker Plots ‘Sweet Western Sound Tour’ With ‘Texas Takeover’ Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughTanya Tucker. Photo: Derrek Kupish
Tanya Tucker will kick off her “Sweet Western Sound Tour” this summer with shows in New York, Atlanta, Knoxville, Fayetteville, Vancouver and more to be announced.
The trek will also include a special “Texas Takeover” run with performances at Lubbock’s Buddy Holly Hall, Helotes’ John T. Floore’s Country Store, Houston’s Heights Theater and Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth.
Tickets for the tour will be available for presale starting tomorrow (April 26) with general sales starting this Friday, April 28. For more information, click here.
The shows are in celebration of Tucker’s upcoming album, Sweet Western Sound, which will be released June 2 via Fantasy Records. Produced once again by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, Sweet Western Sound reunites the award-winning trio following the release of Tucker’s landmark 2019 album, While I’m Livin’.
Chapel Hart, Sam Williams To Play Ty Herndon’s ‘Concert For Love & Acceptance’
/by Caela GriffinGLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, and groundbreaking country artist Ty Herndon have added new names to the performance lineup for the “Concert For Love & Acceptance.” Chapel Hart, Sam Williams, Jamie Floyd, Brandon Stansell and Bryan Ruby join the lineup for Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville on the eve of CMA Fest.
Previously announced, Maddie & Tae, Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, Desmond Child, Wendy Moten, Billy Gilman, Shelly Fairchild, and Justin Fabus will be performing with additional artist announcements forthcoming.
“At a time when there are so many folks trying to divide us, I’m so proud to see the Nashville music community coming together to support love and acceptance for all people,” says Herndon. “This is going to be a great night of music and positivity that celebrates LGBTQ artists, allies and fans—and we’ve still got more exciting announcements ahead.”
Herndon and GLAAD joined together for the first time in 2015 to create the “Concert For Love & Acceptance” to promote LGBTQ visibility and acceptance among the country music community and artists, industry leaders and fans. Held as an annual live event until 2019, the concert was staged as a virtual event in response to the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
The event has featured performances and appearances by LGBTQ artists and allies, including Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Brothers Osborne, Jake Owen, Kristin Chenoweth, Chely Wright, Tanya Tucker, Brett Young, Michael Ray, Mickey Guyton, Chris Daughtry, Lily Rose and many more.
“Although it is currently an extremely turbulent time for LGBTQ people as we are forced to navigate many barriers being brought forth by a wave of anti-LGBTQ bills popping up all over the country, there is still a palpable momentum happening in Nashville and within country music to make it a more welcoming place for queer people,” says Anthony Allen Ramos, GLAAD Vice President of Communications and Talent.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the “Concert For Love & Acceptance,” visit F4LA.org.
Kevin Griffin Paints An Inspiring Picture Of Music Row In New Business Parable [Interview]
/by LB CantrellKevin Griffin. Photo: Robby Klein
Award-winning songwriter, producer and performer Kevin Griffin has lived a myriad of lives in the music business.
He’s best known as the singer and founding member of the Platinum-selling rock band, Better Than Ezra, whose hits include “Good,” “Desperately Wanting,” “Extra Ordinary” and “A Lifetime.” Griffin is also a hit songwriter with No. 1s such as Howie Day’s “Collide” and Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue.” His songs have been recorded and performed by artists such as Taylor Swift, Train, Dierks Bentley, Christina Perri, Hunter Hayes, James Blunt, and many more.
Additionally, Griffin is a co-founder and partner in Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival located in Franklin, Tennessee, and has served as a writer-in-residence at NYU’s Clive Davis School of Music. Griffin lectures internationally on creativity to groups and companies ranging from Live Nation, Google, Spotify and Disney to Nike, YPO/WPO and Salesforce. So, he knows a thing or two about how to make a career in the entertainment industry.
Griffin culminated his experiences in a business parable called The Greatest Song: Spark Creativity, Ignite Your Career, and Transform Your Life, out today (April 25). Though the book is not a memoir and is based on a fictional character, singer-songwriter Jake Stark, The Greatest Song is inspired by Griffin’s life and career.
The book begins as Stark is dropped by his publishing company, MegaMusic Publishing, beginning an epic journey to the pinnacle of creative expression and commercial success. Crushed by being dropped, Stark thinks his career is over until he meets the eccentric young billionaire Sir Daniel Smith-Daniels, who swoops in and offers Stark an opportunity at his avant-garde publishing house, The Row.
In order to secure a contract with this publisher, Stark must complete the five music-writing trials of “The Method,” each demonstrating a key component in both getting and keeping success. What Stark realizes after completing “The Method” is that he has the tools to make the metaphorical song of, not just his career, but also his life, which is the “Greatest Song.”
Griffin was inspired to form the tale of Jake Stark after a friend asked him to speak about his life and career at a corporate meeting.
“They say that nothing good happens in a bar after 2:00 a.m., but I ran into an old friend in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Over some late night jambalaya, he asked me if I wanted to speak to a group of his YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) members,” Griffin tells MusicRow. “I had done some public speaking back in college, but not in the past 20 years. I said ‘yes’ without hesitation and then I realized I needed to speak about something.
“At the same time, I had been mentoring younger writers, going onto podcasts and stuff like that. People were asking me ,’How have you stayed successful in this super fickle business?’ I realized that there were things I could speak about—things that I had to do after getting dropped, going from having hits to having no hits to having hits again.”
The speech was a hit, leading Griffin to deliver it to corporate groups at Live Nation, Google, Nike, Disney and more. The universal message of going after a dream resonated with a lot of folks, no matter what industry they were in. After such a positive reception, Griffin knew that he wanted to write a book.
Inspired by books such as Who Moved My Cheese? and Tuesdays with Morrie, Griffin felt that he could give readers real advice without writing a memoir. His inclination for creativity led him to crafting the story of Jake Stark.
“As a songwriter, I write narratives. I write stories,” Griffin says. “The character Jake Stark is a little bit of me—you write what you know—but it’s fiction. Woven into these different chapters are five different practices that I do that the enigmatic Sir Daniel Smith-Daniels calls ‘The Method.’
“The same week that Jake Stark has been let go of his longtime music publisher, MegaMusic, he is asked to write with these five different writers at The Row [Smith-Daniels’ publishing company], who have become the talk of Nashville. These writers are crushing it in pop and in country. In those five crazy writes with these characters, he turns his career around, but he also turns his life around with his family.”
So, who are these Music City hit-makers and what do they teach Stark? Without giving much away, Griffin breaks it down as creative collaboration, filling the well (or continuing your education/inspiration as a songwriter), changing your attitude, leaving your comfort zone and dare be stupid.
Drawing off of his experiences writing on Music Row, some of Griffin’s characters are loosely based on hitmakers such as J.T. Harding and Brad and Brett Warren.
The songs written by Stark in The Greatest Song have also come to life via real recordings. In addition to housing them on Spotify, the songs can be heard in the audio book.
“In the audio book that Audible is putting out, you hear those songs in the chapters where I talk about them being written. You hear a guitar, a beat and someone humming a melody. The full song is at the end of the chapter.”
Griffin’s hopes for the book is that it resonates with creatives, and helps guide them to success.
“That life-changing song is floating in the room somewhere. You just have to have the tools to allow yourself to capture it. That’s what I wanted to share in the book: how do you stay nimble and open to those crazy ideas? It’s about staying optimistic, listening and daring to be stupid,” Griffin says. “What I really wanted to do in this story was [provide] a real snapshot of what our life is like as songwriters. Where we eat lunch, how it all happens. The sincerity, the insincerity, and the grind of being a songwriter and how awesome it is.”
Griffin’s The Greatest Song: Spark Creativity, Ignite Your Career, and Transform Your Life is available for purchase now.
Kylie Dembek Joins ONErpm As Country Music Project Manager
/by Lorie HollabaughKylie Dembek. Photo: Courtesy of ONErpm
Kylie Dembek has joined ONErpm as Country Music Project Manager.
In her new position, Dembek will focus on creating and executing release and marketing strategy for artists by designing marketing plans, setting timelines, managing budgets and focusing on music streaming growth.
She began her career at a country radio station in Boston during college, realizing early on that the music industry was where she wanted to focus her efforts professionally. After securing a summer internship at the Grand Ole Opry, Dembek moved to Nashville. Following a few positions in the industry, she eventually landed at Big Machine Label Group, where she worked as a strategic planning manager helping artists such as Florida Georgia Line, Lady A, Brett Young and Shane Profitt develop radio and marketing strategies.
“Kylie is a driven, bright, knowledgeable and outgoing person who will fit in with the personality of our office perfectly,” says Tim Wipperman, ONErpm Nashville Managing Director. “The artists will love working with her.”
“I’ve always loved working directly with artists, particularly new artists,” says Dembek. “So, I’m very excited to dive in with so many emerging country artists at ONErpm.”
Music Biz 2023 Announces TikTok Keynote, Bizzy Awards Finalists, More
/by LB CantrellThe Music Business Association (Music Biz) has unveiled more details regarding its upcoming Music Biz 2023 conference, set to take place May 15-18, 2023 at the JW Marriott Nashville. The organization has announced the second of its three keynotes, the finalists for this year’s Bizzy Awards, and the presentation of the first-ever Impact Award to SoundExchange, along with over 150 new speakers to bring the total to over 300 participating industry experts.
All three keynote interviews at Music Biz 2023 will be led by Association President Portia Sabin and held under the Music Biz LIVE banner. Indie artist LU KALA; Jillian Rutstein, Director, Digital & Creative Synch for Prescription Songs and Amigo Records; and Tracy Gardner, Head of Label Licensing & Partnerships for TikTok, will participate in the final keynote interview on the morning of Thursday, May 18.
Additionally, Kobalt Founder & Chairman Willard Ahdritz has been confirmed for a keynote conversation on Tuesday, May 16, introduced by a special presentation from Luminate CEO Rob Jonas. Details for the Music Biz LIVE keynote taking place Monday, May 15 will be unveiled in the coming days.
Music Biz will also award industry executives at its second annual Bizzy Awards dinner on the evening of Wednesday, May 17. The evening’s festivities will be hosted by Noelle Scaggs, co-lead vocalist for Fitz and the Tantrums, an Elektra solo recording artist, and founder of Diversify the Stage. Nominees are below.
Additional honors to be given during the 2023 Bizzys include the Impact Award for Technological Excellence, which honors a company or individual that is at the forefront of innovation in the music business, by providing solutions to meet the needs of the modern industry or pioneering the ways it will operate in the future. SoundExchange will receive the first-ever Impact Award, in recognition of their two decades of leadership and technological innovation ensuring that artists receive the royalties they are owed accurately and on time.
MNRK Music Group’s SVP and General Manager, Nashville’s Gina Miller will receive the Association’s Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement, which is one of the Association’s highest and longest-standing honors.
An up-to-date interactive schedule for Music Biz 2023, including speakers and panel descriptions, can be found here.
2023 Bizzy Awards Nominees:
Leading Light Award (For a company or executive that has supported their staff via internal initiatives aimed at improving mental health & wellbeing and work/life balance.)
– Mike Heyliger, The Orchard
– Sarah Robertson, A to Z Media
– TuneCore
– Warner Music Group
Agent of Change Award (For a company that exemplifies a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring practices, executive development, and promotion structure.)
– mtheory Equal Access Development Program
– Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD)
– Sony Music Publishing
– Warner Music Group
#NEXTGEN_NOW One To Watch Award (For an executive under 40 whose work (professional and/or volunteer) has been exceptional, innovative, and stands out as a contribution to the industry.)
– Chris Dampier, TuneCore
– Jenna Gaudio, Vydia
– Sarah Janiszewski, TIDAL
– Lindsey Major, The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)
– Emilio Morales, Rimas Publishing
Master of Metadata Award (For a company or executive who has made a significant impact in the area of data processing, credit clarification, streamlining or otherwise promoting clean data and best practices.)
– Kim Beauchamp, Universal Music Group
– Scott Farrant, Kobalt Music
– BMAT Music Innovators
– Jaxsta
Frontline Innovator (For a retail store who showed exceptional inventiveness and ingenuity in their practices during the past year in their interactions with consumers.)
– D. Tobago Benito, DBS Sounds/ F.A.M.S. Coalition
– Harry Crumpler, T-Bones Records & Cafe
– Gallery of Sound
– Park Ave CDs
Marketing Superstar (For a marketing campaign that was innovative and thought provoking. Candidates can be from any sector of the industry, and campaigns can be physical or virtual.)
– “Drink to This” presented by Macklemore | FlyteVu
– Encanto IRL Meta Reels Activation | Disney Music Group and Meta
– Jack White — Fear of the Dawn / Entering Heaven Alive | Third Man Records, The Orchard, Monotone
– Scene Queen | Hopeless Records
Music Business Educator of the Year (Celebrates a music business educator who inspires students to enter the music business.)
– Kevin Block-Shwenk, Berklee College of Music
– Serona Elton, Frost School of Music – University of Miami
– Shea Fowler, Belmont University; University of New Haven
– Clyde Rolston, Belmont University
Industry Ink: Cody Jinks, FlyteVu, Dave Alvin, Big Timber Entertainment
/by Caela GriffinCody Jinks Earns New RIAA Certifications
Cody Jinks with RIAA Certifications. Photo: Tyler Stubblefield
Cody Jinks has earned new RIAA certifications for his songs “Loud and Heavy” (double Platinum), “Hippies & Cowboys” (Platinum), “Must Be The Whiskey” (Platinum), “Mamma Song” (Gold), “I’m Not The Devil” (Gold) and “Cast No Stones” (Gold) as well as for his album, Adobe Sessions (Gold).
Jinks was named MusicRow‘s 2023 CountryBreakout Awards Independent Artist of the Year. For a second time, he received the most radio spins for an independent artist in a year on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio chart. Jinks is scheduled to continue his headlining tour through the summer and join Eric Church as support for select dates in August.
He also launched his label, Late August Records, in a deal with The Orchard at the end of 2022. The label is helmed by Jinks and his longtime manager, Arthur Penhallow, Jr., with Stephanie Hudacek leading the label’s new Nashville office.
FlyteVu Welcomes Beth Gebhard As Account Director
Beth Gebhard
Beth Gebhard joins FlyteVu this week as Account Director, bringing with her over two decades of communications and marketing experience. Her previous career stops include Random House Inc., The Walt Disney Company, ABC-TV, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network and Marriott Int.
Gebhard’s specific expertise is in developing multi-platform marketing, branding, media and communication strategies as well as working with thought leaders and personalities including Caroline Kennedy, Steve Martin, George Carlin, Julie Andrews, Candace Bushnell, Stephen Colbert, Lisa Ling and the late Pulitzer Prize-winner David Halberstam.
CMHOF Hosts Dave Alvin Performance & Interview
Pictured (L-R): Michael McCall, Dave Alvin and Michael Gray. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted an interview and performance with Grammy-winning artist, songwriter and producer Dave Alvin, in support of the exhibition “Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock,” presented by City National Bank.
Alvin, who is featured in the exhibit and contributed an essay to the exhibit’s companion book, performed several songs and shared stories from his career during the nearly two-hour long program, which was led by museum writer-editor Michael McCall. Alvin also signed copies of his book, New Highway, a collection of poems, essays and lyrics, published in 2022.
He was a founding member and lead guitarist of L.A. roots-rock bands The Blasters and The Knitters. His songs have been recorded by the Blasters, Los Lobos, Little Milton, Kelly Willis, X, Dwight Yoakam and more. Alvin has also produced music for Sonny Burgess, The Derailers, Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys, Chris Gaffney and Tom Russell.
Big Timber Entertainment Launches Full-Service Entertainment Group
Troy Brown & Mark Oliverius. Photo: Vitalii Garbulinskii
Troy Brown and Mark Oliverius have announced the grand opening of their new entertainment group,Big Timber Entertainment (BTE). BTE is a full-service, multi-genre entertainment company encompassing a record label, artist management, radio promotion, record distribution and publishing company, along with live show production all under one roof.
Big Timber Entertainment came to life when music business veteran and executive Brown joined forces with music producer, director, and hit songwriter Oliverius as they realized their extraordinary working synergy and their shared vision to develop and nurture emerging young artists to succeed.
Brown has a background in accounting and quality management. He is the head of a prominent global hardwood lumber company in Wisconsin and it was his passion for the timber industry and love of music that sparked the name Big Timber Entertainment.
Oliverius has had over 40 songs recorded by major label artists including Joe Diffie’s hit “Whole Lotta Gone.” His production company OMGNashville is currently producing recording projects, music videos, social media content and commercials for his extensive roster of clients.
Brown and Oliverius also have to their credit the live production. That’s 70s Music!, under the BTE roof, where spectators can relive the best of times with multi-genre vocalist Mia Brown and The Nashville Hitmen. Under the musical direction of Oliverius, the cast performs some of the most iconic songs of the 60s and 70s from Linda Ronstadt, ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, The Doobie Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Dionne Warwick, to B.W. Stevenson, Jackie DeShannon, Journey, Hall & Oates, Paul Simon, The Spinners and Jackson Browne.
The MLC Seeking Board Of Directors, Advisory Committee Candidates
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) is accepting nominees for Publisher candidates for its Board of Directors and Unclaimed Royalties Oversight, Dispute Resolution and Operations Advisory committees.
Under the Music Modernization Act of 2018 (MMA), certain governance positions at The MLC are reserved for representatives of Publishers. The terms of several Publisher seats on the Board and the organization’s advisory committees are slated to end later this year.
The MLC will submit all recommendations it receives to the Board’s Publisher Nominating Committee for consideration. Elections for the open Board seats will be held this summer. Board and committee members sit for three-year terms and may be re-elected. Seats are filled pursuant to The MLC’s Bylaws.
There is an opening on the Board of Directors for one (1) Publisher representative.
The openings on The MLC’s advisory committees include:
– One (1) Publisher seat on the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee, which recommends policies and procedures to The MLC’s Board related to the distribution of unclaimed accrued royalties
– Two (2) Publisher seats on the Dispute Resolution Committee, which recommends policies and procedures to the Board for the processing of royalties related to works that are subject to disputes over ownership
– Two (2) Publisher seats on the Operations Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the Board concerning the operations of The MLC, including the efficient investment in and deployment of information technology and data resources
The MLC’s Board of Directors and committees meet regularly, and all meetings allow for virtual participation such that travel is not generally required. Members are expected to devote sufficient time to prepare for and participate fully in all meetings. More information on The MLC’s Board of Directors and advisory committees can be found here.
Suggestions should be made by May 24. To suggest a candidate for a Publisher representative seat to The MLC’s Board or committees, complete the suggestion form available here.
ACM Radio Award Winners Announced
/by Lorie HollabaughWinners announced include two first-time On-Air Personality honorees, Elaina Smith of With Elaina for National Weekly On-Air Personality of the Year, and Julie and DJ of Julie and DJ in the Morning for Medium Market On-Air Personality of the Year.
WIVK-FM in Knoxville, Tennessee and WYCT-FM in Pensacola, Florida both take home their fifth total ACM Awards for Medium Market Radio Station of the Year and Small Market Radio Station of the Year, respectively. Steve Waters and Tiffany Kay of WFLS won the Small Market On-Air Personality of the Year title, making this Kay’s first ACM Award win and Waters’ second.
Additional winners include George, Mo and Erik of The Morning Bullpen with George, Mo, and Erik on KILT-FM in Houston, TX and Big Dave, Stattman and Ashley of The Big Dave Show on WUBE-FM in Cincinnati, Ohio for Major Market and Large Market On-Air Personality of the Year, respectively.
KKBQ-FM in Houston, Texas received an award for Major Market Radio Station of the Year, and WSIX-FM in Nashville received an award for Large Market Radio Station of the Year. This is the third overall win for The Big D and Bubba Show for National Daily On-Air Personality of the Year.
“The Academy congratulates all of our ACM Awards radio winners for championing the artists that make up the soundtrack of country fans’ lives,” says ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. “Country radio has always been and continues to be one of the most important ways for today’s favorite artists to connect with fans, and for fans to find up-and-coming acts to fall in love with. We can’t wait to celebrate these stellar country radio personalities and stations in Frisco leading up to the ACM Awards on Prime Video on May 11.”
The two-hour show will stream live May 11 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas without commercial interruption exclusively on Prime Video for the second year in a row. Last year, the ACM Awards made history as the first major awards show to livestream exclusively.
On-Air Personality of the Year Winners:
National Daily – Big D, Bubba, Patrick Thomas, Carsen | The Big D and Bubba Show
National Weekly – Elaina Smith | With Elaina
Major Market – George, Mo and Erik | the Morning Bullpen with George, Mo, and Erik – KILT – Houston, Texas
Large Market – Big Dave, Stattman & Ashley | The Big Dave Show – WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market – Julie Kansy and Dale Sellers | Julie and DJ in the Morning – WPCV – Lakeland, Florida
Small Market – Steve Waters and Tiffany Kay | Steve & Tiffany in the Morning – WFLS – Fredericksburg, Virginia
Radio Station of the Year Winners:
Major Market – KKBQ – Houston, Texas
Large Market – WSIX – Nashville, Tennessee
Medium Market – WIVK – Knoxville, Tennessee
Small Market – WYCT – Pensacola, Florida
‘Country Music For Covenant’ Benefit Set For April 27
/by Lorie HollabaughMusic Row and the Kiwanis Foundation of Nashville are joining forces for “Country Music for Covenant,” a fundraiser in support of the students of The Covenant School, on April 27 at the Local in Nashville.
Rodney Clawson, Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Chris Tompkins, and many more will be on hand to perform in the round during the benefit, and the event will also include a silent auction.
Tickets for the show are available for a minimum donation of $25, with all proceeds going directly to The Covenant School. Tickets and more information can be found at country4covenant.eventbrite.com. Those unable to attend can also make a one-time donation here.