Liz Thiels. Photo: Donn Jones for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Liz Thiels, one of the founders of Nashville music publicity, died yesterday (March 19) at age 78.
Thiels ended her distinguished career with a vice presidency at the Country Music Hall of Fame. She joined the museum in 2002 as Vice President for Public Relations, and retired as a key member of its executive team in 2015.
During her tenure, she helped raise the institution’s profile and deepen the public’s understanding of its educational mission. She also served as a guiding vision for dozens of key museum events, including its annual Medallion Ceremony, which formally inducts new members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Louisiana native rose to prominence in Music City as a co-founder of the historic Exit/In nightclub in 1971. This legendary nightspot hosted a who’s-who of national recording artists — Jimmy Buffett, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Martin, George Jones, Etta James, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters, R.E.M., The B-52s, Willie Nelson, Billy Joel, Bily Crystal, John Hiatt, Buddy Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. The club was featured in the 1975 Robert Altman film Nashville.
Beginning in 1974, she was a key member of the Sound Seventy management and concert-promotion team. The company staged the massively successful, annual, all-star Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam shows in Nashville.
In 1979, Liz Thiels launched Network Ink. This was the first publicity company in Nashville to focus solely on music. Clients included Ricky Skaggs, Wynonna, Kathy Mattea, Reba McEntire, Steve Wariner, Dolly Parton, Lyle Lovett, Brooks & Dunn, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Clint Black, Nanci Griffith, WSM radio, Universal Music Group, Clay Walker and Guy Clark, among many others. During this time, she also served as a council member of the W.O. Smith Community Music School.
Thiels was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, in 1944. She attended the University of Southwest Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, majoring in advertising design.
She began her career as a newspaper reporter in Louisiana. Thiels went to Washington, D.C. as the press secretary for U.S. Congressman Speedy O. Long. After moving to Nashville in the late 1960s, she worked at Holder, Kennedy Public Relations.
Following her Exit/In and Sound Seventy stints, she helmed Network Ink for more than 20 years. Her P.R. firm trained a generation of Nashville music publicists, including Lance Cowan, Kim Fowler, Mike Hyland, Dixie Owen, Jennifer Bohler, Ellen Pryor and Kevin Lane. Liz Thiels became sole owner of Network Ink in 1985.
One of her clients there was the Country Music Hall of Fame. She was instrumental in the capital campaign that raised $18 million to build its new downtown home. She also oversaw the publicity surrounding its move from Music Row.
The Hall of Fame hired her as a full-time executive in December 2001. She closed Network Ink and assumed her new duties in January 2002.
“Liz Thiels elevated and enhanced the profile of country music in countless ways,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “She was the consummate music business publicist — heading her own firm…and also expertly guiding public relations for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, first as a PR consultant and then as a staff member, for a total of more than three decades.
“A vital figure in the museum’s successful move in 2001 to downtown Nashville, she was instrumental in strategizing for our growth and crucial in positioning the museum as both a key fixture in Nashville’s music community and an institution of national stature. I can’t imagine where the museum would be without her many years of wise counsel.”
In November 2008, Thiels was recognized at the museum’s annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum, which honors music industry leaders who represent the legacy of music business manager Louise Scruggs.
In honor of her love of gardening, the museum now includes a fresh herb garden onsite, the Liz Thiels Hillbilly Garden, which provides ingredients for the museum’s restaurant.
Her death came following a long illness. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Good Company Entertainment Adds Four New Team Members
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Parker Fowler, Amy Jackson, Jake Owen, Anna Schaeffer and Keith Gale.
Good Company Entertainment has added four new staffers to the team: Anna Schaeffer, Amy Jackson, Parker Fowler and Liz Sledge.
Schaeffer, who has worked previously as a Creative Director, Photographer, Videographer and Social Media Marketing Specialist, joins as Manager, Art Direction and Social Media Strategies. She will lead the creative imaging for artists as well as run point on all social media efforts.
Jackson joins the company as Manager, Marketing & Consumer Strategies with over 20 years in the music industry, most recently serving as Digital Marketing Director at UMG. In her new role, she will lead marketing efforts for all artists, in addition to being the point person in innovating new ways to reach and activate the consumer.
Fowler, who was most recently Southeast regional radio rep at Triple Tigers, joins as Associate Manager, where he will assist the management division with all functions in serving clients. He will also be very involved in the team leading the Jake Owen Foundation to maximize fundraising efforts.
Liz Sledge
Sledge joins as Executive Director of the Jake Owen Foundation, reporting directly to Owen and leading all foundation efforts. Founded in 2010, the Jake Owen Foundation has raised over eight million dollars since its inception for charities such as The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the City of Kingston Springs, and numerous beneficiaries in his home state of Florida.
“Jake Owen and I are tremendously humbled, flattered and honored that this group of successful people would join us,” says Managing Partner Keith Gale. “We truly are in Good Company.”
Good Company manages Jake Owen and emerging family band/vocal group Daves Highway and releases music on their independent imprint, GCE Records.
Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Tops Both Country & All-Genre Albums Chart
/by Liza AndersonMorgan Wallen. Photo: Ryan Smith
Morgan Wallen‘s One Thing At A Time has landed at No. 1 on both the country albums chart and all-genre albums chart with 258K in total consumption this week (21K album only/296 million song streams) according to Luminate data.
Elsewhere on the country albums chart, Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album stays at No. 2 with 42K (1K album only/52 million song streams). Zach Bryan‘s American Heartbreak remains at No. 3 with 25K (1K album only/30 million song streams) and Bailey Zimmerman‘s Leave The Light On stays at No. 4 with 17K (548 album only/21 million song streams). Luke Combs‘ Growin’ Up moves back to No. 5 with 16K (1K album only/18 million song streams).
Once again, Wallen claims the top 5 spots on the country streaming songs chart.
“Last Night” continues its reign at No. 1—and moves to No. 3 overall—with 33 million new streams adding to 184 million rotations to date. “Thinkin Bout Me” stays at No. 2 with 15 million streams adding to 35 million rotations to date. “You Proof” jumps to No. 3 with 14 million streams adding to 478 million rotations to date. “One Thing At A Time” moves to No. 4 with 13 million streams adding to 120 million rotations to date and “Thought you Should Know” jumps to No. 5 with 13 million streams adding to 285 million rotations to date.
Drew Parker’s EP ‘At The End Of The Dirt Road’ Out In June
/by Lorie HollabaughWarner Music Nashville artist Drew Parker will release his major-label debut EP At The End Of The Dirt Road on June 2. In celebration of the announcement, Parker is unveiling a track from the new project, “Middle Of Nowhere Class,” this Friday, March 24.
“I’m so excited for everyone to hear these new songs!” says Parker. “I hope everyone falls in love with this project as much as I have. It’s got some things on it that are so special to me, and I can’t wait to share them with you. Until then, let’s make a stop in the middle of nowhere.”
Produced by Phil O’Donnell and Scott Hendricks, At The End Of The Dirt Road features six songs, including the title track which was released in January. The new EP consists of tunes penned by Ben Hayslip, Driver Williams, Jameson Rodgers and more, and follows standalone releases “Raised Up Right” and “Little Miss Saturday Night” and Parker’s EP While You’re Gone.
Parker entered 2023 receiving his first-ever Grammy nomination for Best Country Song for co-writing Luke Combs’ No.1 single “Doin’ This.” The Georgia native had previously won Song of the Year at the 2022 BMI Country Awards for Combs’ multi-week No.1 “Forever After All.” He recently wrapped his headlining “At The End Of The Dirt Road Tour” and will perform at the Grand Ole Opry tomorrow, March 22.
At The End Of The Dirt Road Track Listing:
1. “At The End Of The Dirt Road” (Ben Hayslip, Brock Berryhill, Jameson Rodgers)
2. “Middle Of Nowhere Class” (Drew Parker, Driver Williams, Erik Dylan)
3. “She’s On A Roll” (Drew Parker, Smith Ahnquist, Jacob Rice, Jordan Walker)
4. “I’ll Love You Longer” (Ben Hayslip, Justin Wilson, Mark Holman)
5. “My Baby Does” (Drew Parker, Jacob Rice, Michael Tyler, Thomas Archer)
6. “King Of Country Music” (with special guest) (Allen Shamblin, Marc Beeson)
Date, Lineup Set For Music Health Alliance’s ‘Coulda Shoulda Woulda’ Benefit
/by Steven BoeroThe Love Junkies: Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey
Music Health Alliance (MHA) has announced the lineup for its annual “Coulda Shoulda Woulda” event, presented by Amazon, to benefit the Nashville-based non-profit as it continues its life-saving advocacy and assistance for our nationwide music community. Iconic artists and songwriters The Love Junkies— made up of Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose—are set to join forces in an impressive evening of stories and songs at 6:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 25 at Nashville’s City Winery.
Rose, a Grammy-winning songwriter, Music Health Alliance board member and a founding member of The Love Junkies, created “Coulda Shoulda Woulda” as a compelling spin on the traditional writers round with the concept that guests will get to experience never-heard-before songs and ones that got away—the “coulda, shoulda, woulda” songs from some of today’s biggest hitmakers.
“Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda not only celebrates a decade of serving the healthcare needs of music, it also enables us to continue to provide critical healthcare programs and services to Heal The Music,” shares Music Health Alliance Founder and CEO, Tatum Allsep. “We’re honored to have the inspiring, boundary-pushing talents of Liz, Lori and Hillary, the brilliant trio that make up The Love Junkies, as well as Amazon as our title sponsor plus the support of our table sponsors. Together, we are committed to ensuring that no one in the music industry ever has to face the heartbreaking choice between buying food or medicine again.”
As Music Health Alliance enters its tenth year, providing free advocacy and support to over 20,000 members of our nationwide music community and saving the industry over $100 million in healthcare costs, events like “Coulda Shoulda Woulda,” grants and individual and corporate donations are critical to continue Music Health Alliance’s advocacy and free services. 86% of all dollars donated go directly to MHA’s programs and services. For every $1 donation, MHA is able to provide $30 in life-saving healthcare resources to Heal The Music.
“Amazon values opportunities to support programs that have a lasting, positive impact in our community,” says Courtney Ross, Senior Manager, Community Engagement for Amazon. “We’re proud to sponsor this event that provides much needed assistance for our music community.”
Contact carla@musichealthalliance.com for event sponsorship opportunities. Advance table sales are open now by contacting events@musichealthalliance.com
Jon Andolina Forms Management Company The Francis June Group
/by Lorie HollabaughJon “Ando” Andolina has launched a new management company, The Francis June Group, bringing along flagship client Larry Fleet.
Andolina was previously a Co-Founder/Partner at Good Company Entertainment along with Jake Owen and Keith Gale. He also formerly worked as Director/Tour Marketing & Sponsorships for Owen.
“I’m unbelievably grateful for the opportunities, knowledge and memories that have been made with Keith, Jake and the entire company team over the past seven years and I’m looking forward to all Larry has coming up in 2023 and beyond,” shares Andolina.
Big Loud Records artist Fleet’s Gold-certified hit “Where I Find God” has earned over 29 million views. The track is from Fleet’s latest album, Stack of Records, which is the follow up to his debut project, Workin’ Hard. Fleet is currently on the road headlining his 11-date spring tour, before opening later this year for Parker McCollum and Jon Pardi.
Reach Andolina at ando@thefrancisjunegroup.com.
Morgan Wallen & Co-Writers Swarm MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Ryan Vojtesak, Morgan Wallen and Ashley Gorley.
As his new album, One Thing At A Time, impacts the country charts, Morgan Wallen and his co-writers swarm the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Wallen remains at No. 1 this week as a co-writer on 16 currently charting songs. In addition to 14 from his new album, he is also a co-writer on Keith Urban‘s “Brown Eyes Baby” and Corey Kent‘s “Wild As Her.”
Ashley Gorley, who has credit on 12 of Wallen’s charting songs, remains at No. 2. Ryan Vojtesak moves to No. 3 with 15 Wallen songs, John Byron leaps to No. 4 with 9 and Ernest rounds out the top five with 11.
Other One Thing At A Time contributors on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart include Blake Pendergrass (No. 6), Hardy (No. 7), Jared Mullins (No. 9), Josh Thompson (No. 10), Miranda Lambert (No. 11), Nicolle Galyon (No. 12), Brett Tyler (No. 16), Travis Wood (No. 20), Josh Miller (No. 22), Ben Johnson (No. 26), Rodney Clawson (No. 27), Rocky Block (No. 31), Ben Stennis (No. 33), Jacob Kasher (No. 38), Chase McGill (No. 41), John Pierce (No. 49), Cameron Montgomery (No. 50), Hillary Lindsey (No. 52), Taylor Phillips (No. 54), Travis Denning (No. 55) and Zach Abend (No. 59).
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Human Artistry Campaign Formed To Encourage AI Principles
/by Lorie HollabaughWith more than 40 members including major unions, trade associations, and policy experts representing individual creators and rightsholders from across the entire tapestry of creative endeavor, the Human Artistry Campaign is positioned to be a leading voice in the rapidly unfolding debate over the costs and benefits of different forms of AI.
“Incredible music originates from individuals,” says NMPA President & CEO David Israelite. “As we face growing AI capabilities, we as an industry are united around the fact that human artistry must be protected by strong copyright law and policy and that AI tools are developed in ways that do not undermine the value of songwriters’ work.”
The group outlined principles that can be found here advocating AI best practices, emphasizing respect for artists, their work, and their personas; transparency; and adherence to existing law including copyright and intellectual property. The campaign urges supporters to sign a petition to advance these fundamental principles.
The launch was announced at SXSW in Austin last week at an event featuring voice actor and songwriter Dan Navarro, singer-songwriter Jessy Wilson and UT Austin professor and immersive technology expert Erin Reilly. It was moderated by Rob Levine, Billboard’s Deputy Editorial Director.
“There is so much potential with AI. But it also presents risks to our creative community. It’s crucial that we get this right early on so we don’t risk losing the artistic magic that only humans can create,” says Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr.
“Human artistry is irreplicable. Recent developments in AI are remarkable, but we have seen the costs before of rushing heedlessly forward without real thought or respect for law and rights. Our principles are designed to chart a healthy path for AI innovation that enhances and rewards human artistry, creativity, and performance,” shares RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier.
Veteran Nashville Publicist Liz Thiels Passes
/by Robert K OermannLiz Thiels. Photo: Donn Jones for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Liz Thiels, one of the founders of Nashville music publicity, died yesterday (March 19) at age 78.
Thiels ended her distinguished career with a vice presidency at the Country Music Hall of Fame. She joined the museum in 2002 as Vice President for Public Relations, and retired as a key member of its executive team in 2015.
During her tenure, she helped raise the institution’s profile and deepen the public’s understanding of its educational mission. She also served as a guiding vision for dozens of key museum events, including its annual Medallion Ceremony, which formally inducts new members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Louisiana native rose to prominence in Music City as a co-founder of the historic Exit/In nightclub in 1971. This legendary nightspot hosted a who’s-who of national recording artists — Jimmy Buffett, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Martin, George Jones, Etta James, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters, R.E.M., The B-52s, Willie Nelson, Billy Joel, Bily Crystal, John Hiatt, Buddy Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. The club was featured in the 1975 Robert Altman film Nashville.
Beginning in 1974, she was a key member of the Sound Seventy management and concert-promotion team. The company staged the massively successful, annual, all-star Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam shows in Nashville.
In 1979, Liz Thiels launched Network Ink. This was the first publicity company in Nashville to focus solely on music. Clients included Ricky Skaggs, Wynonna, Kathy Mattea, Reba McEntire, Steve Wariner, Dolly Parton, Lyle Lovett, Brooks & Dunn, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Clint Black, Nanci Griffith, WSM radio, Universal Music Group, Clay Walker and Guy Clark, among many others. During this time, she also served as a council member of the W.O. Smith Community Music School.
Thiels was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, in 1944. She attended the University of Southwest Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, majoring in advertising design.
She began her career as a newspaper reporter in Louisiana. Thiels went to Washington, D.C. as the press secretary for U.S. Congressman Speedy O. Long. After moving to Nashville in the late 1960s, she worked at Holder, Kennedy Public Relations.
Following her Exit/In and Sound Seventy stints, she helmed Network Ink for more than 20 years. Her P.R. firm trained a generation of Nashville music publicists, including Lance Cowan, Kim Fowler, Mike Hyland, Dixie Owen, Jennifer Bohler, Ellen Pryor and Kevin Lane. Liz Thiels became sole owner of Network Ink in 1985.
One of her clients there was the Country Music Hall of Fame. She was instrumental in the capital campaign that raised $18 million to build its new downtown home. She also oversaw the publicity surrounding its move from Music Row.
The Hall of Fame hired her as a full-time executive in December 2001. She closed Network Ink and assumed her new duties in January 2002.
“Liz Thiels elevated and enhanced the profile of country music in countless ways,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “She was the consummate music business publicist — heading her own firm…and also expertly guiding public relations for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, first as a PR consultant and then as a staff member, for a total of more than three decades.
“A vital figure in the museum’s successful move in 2001 to downtown Nashville, she was instrumental in strategizing for our growth and crucial in positioning the museum as both a key fixture in Nashville’s music community and an institution of national stature. I can’t imagine where the museum would be without her many years of wise counsel.”
In November 2008, Thiels was recognized at the museum’s annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum, which honors music industry leaders who represent the legacy of music business manager Louise Scruggs.
In honor of her love of gardening, the museum now includes a fresh herb garden onsite, the Liz Thiels Hillbilly Garden, which provides ingredients for the museum’s restaurant.
Her death came following a long illness. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Sinatra Bar & Lounge Grand Opening In Nashville Set For April 14
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Courtesy of Frank Sinatra Enterprises
The Sinatra Bar & Lounge in Nashville will celebrate its grand opening on April 14.
Opening in partnership with Frank Sinatra Enterprises and Icon Entertainment Group, the new venue brings a Manhattan-meets-Palm Springs ambiance to downtown Nashville’s historic Printers Alley.
Located in the Southern Turf building, Sinatra Bar & Lounge celebrates Frank Sinatra’s enduring cultural legacy. The establishment offers a dining menu featuring many of the “Chairman of the Board’s” favorites including traditional Italian dishes and steaks.
On the occasion of Sinatra’s 100th birthday, Jack Daniel’s produced a limited 100-proof 100 barrels of Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Century. A highly sought-after collector’s choice, Icon searched the country for a supply and Sinatra Bar & Lounge will serve Sinatra Century by the drink (while it lasts) – along with Sinatra Select and an array of classic cocktails.
As part of the private, invite-only grand opening, SiriusXM’s Siriusly Sinatra channel will present a live special featuring Trisha Yearwood. “Let’s Be Frank with Trisha Yearwood Live from Sinatra Bar & Lounge in Nashville, Tennessee” will air from 6-8 p.m. CT, and will include interviews and performances, along with several selections from Yearwood’s 2019 tribute album Let’s Be Frank and other Sinatra tracks.
“We couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming opening of Sinatra Bar & Lounge,” says Icon Entertainment Group CEO Bill Miller. “In my 10 years of living in Nashville, this is undoubtedly the most anticipated opening of any venue I’ve seen here, and it speaks to Frank Sinatra’s ongoing appeal to multiple generations. We look forward to providing our guests with a dining and entertainment experience second to none.”
“We are thrilled that our Dad, who loved good songs, good food and good spirits, will now be part of Music City’s creative and vibrant landscape,” says Nancy and Tina Sinatra. Tina adds, “the stately Southern Turf landmark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and once housed a speakeasy and saloon; how cool is that?”
For more information, click here.
Megan Moroney To Launch ‘The Lucky Tour’ This Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughMegan Moroney. Photo: David McClister
Megan Moroney will head out on “The Lucky Tour” this fall.
Launching with her New York City debut at The Bowery Ballroom on Sept. 20, the tour will feature coast-to-coast dates including first-time stops as a headliner in Chicago, Los Angeles, New Braunfels and more, before topping it off in Atlanta at Buckhead Theatre on Nov. 10.
Tickets and VIP packages will go on sale this Friday, March 24 at meganmoroney.com. In select cities, Moroney’s fan club has access to an exclusive presale on Wednesday, March 22 at 10 a.m. local time with code “Jackpot.”
Prior to “The Lucky Tour,” Moroney will launch her first headline run with the sold out “Pistol Made Of Roses Tour” next month. She catapulted onto the country scene with “Tennessee Orange,” and the viral breakout hit is verging on top 15 at country radio, and has earned CMT Music Award nominations for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year and CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year for her CMT Viral To Verified performance.