Cindy Mabe. Photo: Kevin Wimpy
Cindy Mabe has been appointed Chair and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, effective April 1, 2023. She will succeed Mike Dungan, who will retire from his position at UMG Nashville after more than a decade there and a total of four decades in the music industry.
During her tenure at UMG, Mabe has helped guide and grow the careers of some of country music’s biggest stars, including Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Alan Jackson, Parker McCollum, Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Brothers Osborne and Little Big Town, among countless others. She has earned multiple honors, including the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum Award and the SOURCE Hall of Fame Award.
Of the announcement, Mabe shares, “For the past 15 years, Mike Dungan has been my mentor and partner. He has built one of the most enduring and impactful legacies in country music history. He’s also been my friend. I’m grateful for the chance he took on me and so very proud of what we have built together over those 15 years with our staff and the most enviable roster in music.
“To now be in a position, as Mike’s successor, to advance the musical and cultural impact of Universal Music Group Nashville into the future is truly a humbling honor. Country music has been my life’s passion. It’s my childhood and my future. It’s the heartbeat that speaks truth to all walks of life in the best and worst of times. It’s truly a gift to get to honor, protect and build the next era of country music history with UMGN,” she continues. “I want to thank Sir Lucian Grainge for his belief in me, his brilliant leadership and for building this incredible culture that puts artists and music first.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, UMG’s Chairman and CEO adds, “We’re thrilled to have Cindy step into this role. She is a transformational executive, who has a distinguished track record of designing and implementing innovative strategies to help build artists’ careers and bring their music to fans around the world. Cindy’s credibility in the artist community and her deep experience will help us deliver countless additional artists’ successes going forward.”
A North Carolina native, Mabe attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated from Belmont University in Nashville with a B.S. in Business Administration. She bagan her career as promotions coordinator at RCA Nashville, before shifting to sales and then artist marketing and development. She later served as Senior Director of Marketing and Artist Development at Arista Records Nashville from 1999-2007 before joining Capitol Records.
Mabe spent five years at Capitol Records Nashville, where she held the position of SVP of Marketing and played an integral role in the long-term creative and commercial success of the label. She joined UMG Nashville in 2012 as Senior Vice President of Marketing, where she was responsible for leading marketing across UMG’s expanded suite of country labels following its acquisition of EMI.
Mabe is one of Music Row’s most esteemed executives. She became Nashville’s highest-ranking woman label executive in 2014 when she was appointed as UMG Nashville President, and she makes history again by becoming the first woman to serve as Chair and CEO of a Nashville-based major label group. 2022 also saw the appointment of another female label-head on Music Row when Cris Lacy became Co-President of Warner Music Nashville.
Leslie Jordan Tribute Featuring Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne, More Slated For February
/by Lorie HollabaughEddie Vedder, Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, and more are on tap to honor the late Leslie Jordan on Feb. 19 at the Grand Ole Opry during “Reportin’ For Duty: A Tribute To Leslie Jordan.”
The evening will feature intimate performances and stories with insights into some of Jordan’s lasting life lessons. The joyful evening will celebrate Jordan’s life, with some of his talented friends set to honor his legacy, including Brittney Spencer, Billy Strings, Lukas Nelson, Jake Wesley Rogers, Ashley McBryde, Fancy Hagood, Jelly Roll, Danny Myrick and Travis Howard.
Other friends making special appearances during the evening will include Jim Parsons, Anthony Mason, Mayim Bialik, Cheyenne Jackson, Max Greenfield, Margaret Cho, Robyn Schall, Leanne Morgan and more. The evening’s house band will feature the players who performed on Jordan’s 2021 debut album Company’s Comin’, including three ACM Instrumentalist of the Year winners.
Tickets go on sale Jan. 13, with pre-sale beginning Jan. 12. All proceeds from the event will benefit the EB Research Partnership, the largest global organization dedicated to funding research to treat and cure Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) and a cause close to Jordan’s heart.
An actor, comedian, writer and singer who passed in 2022, Jordan’s notable TV roles included his Emmy Award-winning portrayal of Beverley Leslie on Will & Grace, as well as several characters in the American Horror Story franchise, and most recently in Fox’s Call Me Kat. In 2021, he also published his memoir How Y’all Doing? Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived.
Hank Williams Jr. Announces 2023 National Tour
/by Liza AndersonHank Williams Jr. Photo: Courtesy of Live Nation
Hank Williams Jr. will embark on his 2023 tour featuring Old Crow Medicine Show, starting Friday, May 12 at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Produced by Live Nation, the journey will also include stops in Tampa, Cincinnati, Irvine and more before wrapping up in Gilford at the Bank Of New Hampshire Pavilion on Saturday, Aug. 26.
As a touring artist, Williams Jr. has been a pioneer in bringing arena rock production values to country music. This past year, he continued to fuse country and rock with his most recent record Rich White Honky Blues, collaborating with Grammy-winning producer Dan Auerbach.
Tickets for the trek will go on sale Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com.
Cindy Mabe Appointed Chair & CEO Of UMG Nashville
/by LB CantrellCindy Mabe. Photo: Kevin Wimpy
Cindy Mabe has been appointed Chair and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, effective April 1, 2023. She will succeed Mike Dungan, who will retire from his position at UMG Nashville after more than a decade there and a total of four decades in the music industry.
During her tenure at UMG, Mabe has helped guide and grow the careers of some of country music’s biggest stars, including Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Alan Jackson, Parker McCollum, Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Brothers Osborne and Little Big Town, among countless others. She has earned multiple honors, including the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum Award and the SOURCE Hall of Fame Award.
Of the announcement, Mabe shares, “For the past 15 years, Mike Dungan has been my mentor and partner. He has built one of the most enduring and impactful legacies in country music history. He’s also been my friend. I’m grateful for the chance he took on me and so very proud of what we have built together over those 15 years with our staff and the most enviable roster in music.
“To now be in a position, as Mike’s successor, to advance the musical and cultural impact of Universal Music Group Nashville into the future is truly a humbling honor. Country music has been my life’s passion. It’s my childhood and my future. It’s the heartbeat that speaks truth to all walks of life in the best and worst of times. It’s truly a gift to get to honor, protect and build the next era of country music history with UMGN,” she continues. “I want to thank Sir Lucian Grainge for his belief in me, his brilliant leadership and for building this incredible culture that puts artists and music first.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, UMG’s Chairman and CEO adds, “We’re thrilled to have Cindy step into this role. She is a transformational executive, who has a distinguished track record of designing and implementing innovative strategies to help build artists’ careers and bring their music to fans around the world. Cindy’s credibility in the artist community and her deep experience will help us deliver countless additional artists’ successes going forward.”
A North Carolina native, Mabe attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated from Belmont University in Nashville with a B.S. in Business Administration. She bagan her career as promotions coordinator at RCA Nashville, before shifting to sales and then artist marketing and development. She later served as Senior Director of Marketing and Artist Development at Arista Records Nashville from 1999-2007 before joining Capitol Records.
Mabe spent five years at Capitol Records Nashville, where she held the position of SVP of Marketing and played an integral role in the long-term creative and commercial success of the label. She joined UMG Nashville in 2012 as Senior Vice President of Marketing, where she was responsible for leading marketing across UMG’s expanded suite of country labels following its acquisition of EMI.
Mabe is one of Music Row’s most esteemed executives. She became Nashville’s highest-ranking woman label executive in 2014 when she was appointed as UMG Nashville President, and she makes history again by becoming the first woman to serve as Chair and CEO of a Nashville-based major label group. 2022 also saw the appointment of another female label-head on Music Row when Cris Lacy became Co-President of Warner Music Nashville.
Sheryl Crow, Tyler Childers, Morgan Wade, More Among Bonnaroo 2023 Lineup
/by Lydia FarthingBonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has unveiled its 2023 lineup, taking place June 15-18 on the Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, Tennessee.
The 2023 edition will once again feature a wide array of genres and top-tier talent performing across over 10 unique stages, with live music and more taking place through the night and into the early morning with special sunrise sets.
Nashville artists on the bill include Sheryl Crow, Kip Moore, Tyler Childers, Morgan Wade, Paramore, The Band Camino, Colony House, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and more.
Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Odesza, Lil Nas X, Baby Keem, Vulfpeck, Marcus Mumford, My Morning Jacket, GRiZ, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Portugal. The Man, Korn, Louis the Child, Zeds Dead, Alesso, Subtronics, Three 6 Mafia, J.I.D., The Revivalists, Pixies, Girl In Red, Fleet Foxes and more are also slated to perform.
Bonnaroo Superjam will also take place on Saturday (June 17) with further details to come.
Early Access on-sale will begin Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. CT with sign-ups available now. Public on-sale will follow if tickets remain with options, including four-day general admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum, along with one-day tickets and more. For more information, click here.
Hulu will also return as the Official Streaming Destination of Bonnaroo for 2023. Select performances will be exclusive to Hulu subscribers at no additional cost. Additional special footage and behind-the-scenes looks will also be available with more details expected in the coming weeks.
Brett Kissel To Release Four-Part ‘The Compass Project’
/by Lorie HollabaughBrett Kissel is releasing a four-part album series, The Compass Project, beginning with the South Album, on Jan. 27.
Featuring 11 songs, the South Album includes Kissel’s new single, “Never Have I Ever,” along with fan-favorite track “Ain’t The Same,” featuring pop group 98°, and other recent releases such as “Watch It” and “Our Home.”
“The Compass Project is without question the most ambitious project I’ve ever undertaken,” Kissel explains. “It’s also the one I’m most excited about, being that the complete project includes four full-length albums. At this point in my life and career, I want to tap into all of the different quadrants that represent and guide me as a person, husband, father, artist, and entertainer. Those themes resonate in the distinct direction I take on each album!”
Each album part describes a different part of Kissel’s personality and sound. Before each album is released, feature tracks will drop to give listeners a taste of what to expect from each one.
East Album will offer a spotlight on Kissel’s acoustic, laidback side and is set to release in the early spring. The West Album, which brings in southern twang and classic country, will be released in mid-summer. Rounding out the project in a fall release will be the North Album, containing many of Kissel’s hits performed live.
“Never Have I Ever” – Brett Kissel, Thomas “Tawgs” Salter, Elizabeth Lowell-Boland, and Ron Lopata
“Watch It” – Matt Rogers and Blake Bollinger
“Ain’t The Same” (featuring 98°) – Brett Kissel, Karen Kosowski, and Tim Nichols
“Our Home” – Brett Kissel
“Starts And Ends With You” – Brett Kissel, Emma-Lee, and Karen Kosowski
“All I Ever Wanted” – Jacob Durrett, Justin Wilson, and Weston Davis
“First Place” – Brett Kissel, Jason Nix, and Jason Gantt
“That’s Just You” – Brett Kissel and Dave Thomson
“Standing In The Dark” – Steve Fox, Mark Smith, and Sean Smith
“Line In The Sand” – Brett Kissel
“Cadillac Ranch” – Bruce Springsteen
Easton Corbin Readies First Full-Length Project Since 2015 For Release On Jan. 20
/by Lydia FarthingStone Country Records singer-songwriter Easton Corbin will release his full length album, Let’s Do Country Right, on Jan. 20. This marks Corbin’s first full-length record since 2015.
The 14-track compilation features Corbin’s old school sound set to down home lyrics. From bearing his red dirt soul in “Somebody’s Gotta Be Country,” to paying homage to one of his musical heroes with “Hey Merle,” Corbin also serenades listeners and injects a heavy helping of tempo throughout the project. The Platinum-selling entertainer teamed up with an array of esteemed songwriters, including Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson, Adam Craig, Rodney Clawson, Shane Minor and more.
In 2022, the country chart-topper signed with Stone Country Records, a label venture led by industry veterans Benny Brown, Paul Brown and Jason Sellers.
“I’m so excited to have a full-length studio album coming out with Stone Country Records. After I signed with them last year, we immediately got to work on this project,” shares Corbin. “What I love most about this record is that I had a chance to get back to my roots and make the true traditional country music that made me want to do this for a living.”
Let’s Do Country Right Track List:
1. Hey Merle (Easton Corbin, Rodney Clawson, Wade Kirby)
2. I Can’t Decide (Easton Corbin, Ashley Gorley, Wade Kirby, Rhett Akins)
3. Marry That Girl (Easton Corbin, Adam Craig, Shane Minor, Wade Kirby)
4. Somebody’s Gotta Be Country (Ashley Gorley, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson)
5. Let’s Do Country Right (Easton Corbin, Carson Chamberlain, Wade Kirby, Wyatt McCubbin)
6. Between You and Me (Easton Corbin, Brad Clawson, Wade Kirby, Jim Beavers)
7. Where Do You Go (Easton Corbin, Josh Jenkins, Wade Kirby)
8. Lonesome Drinkers (Easton Corbin, Shane Minor, Wade Kirby, Brice Long)
9. Over A Girl (Easton Corbin, Ben Hayslip, Wade Kirby)
10. Real Good Country Song (Easton Corbin, Ashley Gorley, Wade Kirby, Rodney Clawson)
11. Whiskey Don’t Take Me Back (Easton Corbin, Brad Clawson, Wade Kirby, Shane Minor)
12. Honky Tonk Land (Easton Corbin, David Lee Murphy, Wade Kirby)
13. Wind You Up (Easton Corbin, Wade Kirby, Kelly Archer)
14. In It (Jimmy Robbins, Josh Thompson, Laura Veltz)
Kate Hudson Signs With Jason Owen’s Sandbox Entertainment
/by LB CantrellKate Hudson. Photo: Gregory Russell
Golden Globe Award winner and Academy Award-nominated actress Kate Hudson has signed with Jason Owen and Sandbox Entertainment Group for exclusive music management.
Hudson, who has been singing all her life and writing songs since she was a tween, started acting as a child. She demonstrated her vocal ability in the films Nine and Music, the latter of which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She also had a multiple-episode arc on the TV show Glee in 2012.
During the pandemic, Hudson recorded an album of original, newly produced music, which she has been writing and recording for the past year and a half.
“Music has always been my touchstone,” says Hudson. “To finally feel ready to share mine is deeply personal to me, almost like a musical memoir. Writing this album over the past year and a half has been the most gratifying and immersive experience and I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Jason to bring it into the world. I can’t wait to hit the ground running with him on this and other creative ventures.”
Owen, a leading force in the Nashville music business, has been instrumental in launching and transforming the careers of international artists whose music transcends genres, such as Shania Twain and Kacey Musgraves. At Sandbox, Hudson joins the company’s superstar roster of talent that includes Musgraves, Faith Hill, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Little Big Town and the Johnny Cash Estate.
“Kate Hudson is a superstar of our generation,” says Owen. “Much like other icons in film and stage—from Judy Garland to Lady Gaga—Kate is a multifaceted entertainer who clearly has a deep connection to music. I could not be more honored and excited to help bring her brilliant music to the world and to work with such an incredible talent but mostly a such wonderful person. Big things are coming.”
Old Dominion Takes A Trip Down ‘Memory Lane’ On New Sampler
/by Lorie HollabaughOld Dominion
Old Dominion have dropped a surprise, four-song collection, Memory Lane (Sampler), on Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville.
Shane McAnally and Old Dominion produced the new mini-project, which includes lead track “Memory Lane.” The tune was the most added song at country radio this week. Co-writers contributing to the new collection include Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Osborne, Jordan Davis and Chase McGill.
The band shared the surprise release on Jan. 8 through their socials, where they’ve been previewing new tracks over the past few months. The new music comes just in time for the group’s upcoming 31-stop “No Bad Vibes Tour,” which kicks off later this month in Evansville, Indiana.
“We’ve been working on so much new music, and the response to ‘Memory Lane’ has been so energizing that we decided we’re tired of sitting on it all!” notes Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey. “We’re so excited to share three more songs heading into the ‘No Bad Vibes Tour’ and the next chapter in our musical journey.”
1. “Memory Lane” | Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Jessie Jo Dillon
2. “Ain’t Got A Worry” | Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborn
3. “Freedom Like You” | Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Jordan Davis
4. “Easier Said With Rum” | Matthew Ramsey, Brad Tursi, Matt Jenkins, Chase McGill
Jelly Roll Scores First Country No. 1 With Debut Single, ‘Son Of A Sinner’
/by Lorie HollabaughJelly Roll has achieved his first No. 1 on country radio with his debut single “Son Of A Sinner,” which reached the top of the Billboard and Country Aircheck/MediaBase charts this week.
Amassing more than four billion career streams, “Son Of A Sinner” has continued to dominate Billboard’s Emerging Artist chart for a staggering 20 consecutive weeks, marking the second-longest reign ever on the chart. The track was penned by Jelly Roll with fellow Nashville native Ernest and David Ray Stevens.
Jelly Roll has had a history-making year that included selling out Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, making his Grand Ole Opry debut, and releasing his debut album Ballads Of The Broken on BMG/Stoney Creek Records.
With his two-week rock No. 1 “Dead Man Walking,” which was also his first No. 1 as an artist or songwriter, Jelly Roll became the first act this decade to top the rock charts while simultaneously having a top 30 song on country radio (“Son Of A Sinner”). He is also the first artist in Billboard history to do so with debut singles.
His next release from his forthcoming album, “Need A Favor,” goes to radio Feb. 13.
The Chicks Announce Six-Night Vegas Run In May
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Chicks, composed of Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines and Emily Strayer, will play their first-ever Las Vegas engagement at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino throughout the month of May.
The full dates for The Chicks engagement are May 3, 5, 6, 10, 12 and 13. Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Friday, Jan. 13, with pre-sale beginning tomorrow (Jan. 10). Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets from Jan. 10-12 through the Citi Entertainment program.
“Finally getting to play live in 2022 left us hungry to continue our tour,” The Chicks share. “After so many years without new music, last year felt like a long time coming. We hope our fans are ready for more in 2023 because we are not done! There is a lot more to come this year and we are excited to get it all started in Las Vegas at the Zappos Theater this Spring.”
In 2019, The Chicks returned to the airwaves on Taylor Swift’s “Soon You’ll Get Better,” one of the leading tracks from Swift’s seventh studio album, Lover. After 14 nearly years, The Chicks released their fifth studio album Gaslighter, in July 2020.