Photo: Courtesy of SOLID
In 1997, a small group of rising music industry professionals in Nashville started the Society of Leaders In Development, or SOLID.
The goal of SOLID was to develop a community for its membership that combined social networking with community service and educational opportunities. The ideal membership for such an organization was to be entry to mid-level industry professionals who may not have the resources or opportunities to belong to other organizations in the music industry, such as Leadership Music or the CMA Board.
25 years later, SOLID has become a vibrant organization for future leaders of the music industry. Through its community-building events, educational opportunities and philanthropic efforts, SOLID has continued its mission to improve the future of Music Row.
In addition to general organization and committee meetings, SOLID brings industry members together for events such as happy hours, the annual crawfish boil, writer’s rounds, and other networking opportunities.
To honor its tenant of education, SOLID holds Q&A sessions with industry leaders and panels focused on issues facing the community. It also facilitates mentorship opportunities for members to mentor students, as well as opportunities to be mentored by other industry professionals.
Photo: Courtesy of SOLID
With community service as another key point of its mission, SOLID creates a multitude of ways for members to serve the community. Whether it be by its Music Row Madness fundraiser or by smaller initiatives, it’s clear that the organization sees investing in the community as paramount. In the last 25 years, SOLID has raised over $1,000,000 for other industry non-profits.
Members of SOLID come from all areas of the music business community, therefore contributing to the diversity, productivity and integrity of the group. The organization’s board of directors is continually adapting to meet the changing needs of their membership, working tirelessly to fulfill SOLID’s mission of helping, teaching and leading others.
To celebrate SOLID’s 25th anniversary, the organization will hold a gala on Thursday (Sept. 22). Ahead of the gala, SOLID President and Director of Publicity at Elicity Public Relations, Avery King, spoke to MusicRow about her experience with the organization.
Photo: Courtesy of SOLID
“When I first got started in the music industry, I was trying to network with as many people as I possibly could, and after taking countless meetings—I discovered that the common denominator between so many of the professionals I was meeting with was SOLID,” shares King.
After being encouraged by Elicity’s Elise Anderson to join the organization, King applied and was accepted in 2016. She spent two years leading SOLID’s communications committee before becoming Vice President in 2020 and President the following year.
“I would contribute the majority of my professional growth to SOLID because of the amount of people I have been able to connect and build relationships with,” King explains. “Most of these relationships have developed to be very meaningful friendships and are not just relationships that check a box of ‘networking.’ I’ve gotten the chance to meet hundreds of people that are all spending their free time wanting to grow within their careers—through our membership and also through our board.
“SOLID stands for the Society of Leaders in Development, and that couldn’t be a more accurate representation of what happens when you get involved with such a powerful group,” she adds.
Photo: Courtesy of SOLID
When looking back on the growth and achievements SOLID has seen over the last 25 years, King says that honoring the legacy of the organization is of the utmost importance.
“I believe that the legacy of SOLID is what it stands for: Society of Leaders in Development. Everyone is involved in SOLID for similar reasons—to expand their knowledge within the industry with people from all sides and to develop their own skills and leadership styles. We are all the leaders in development and our founders really thought through the name when they created the organization in 1997.
“In fact, we kicked off this year by hearing from our founding members during our new member retreat,” King adds. “They spoke to the fact that they couldn’t have ever imagined SOLID accomplishing all that we’ve been able to achieve. What started as a handful of people getting together to talk about what they wanted to accomplish within the music industry has now turned into over a thousand current members and alumni. That network has helped us grow year after year in our programming.
“To be in the 25th year and be able to say SOLID has raised over a million dollars for other nonprofits is something that they couldn’t have ever imagined.”
CMT To Honor Luke Combs, Carly Pearce, More At 2022 Artists Of The Year Celebration
/by Lydia FarthingCMT has revealed the country stars slated to be honored at its 2022 CMT Artists of the Year celebration held at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center and premiering Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. CT on CMT.
Among them are Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes, who collectively dominated the last 12 months in country music by notching chart-topping albums and singles, and giving performances that entertain and inspire their millions of fans. Pearce, Johnson and Hayes will celebrate their first time as honorees for their outstanding achievements, while Brown and Combs will each nab their third evening of honors (2019, 2021 & 2022).
Margaret Comeaux, CMT’s Senior Vice President of Production, Music & Events notes, “We are honored to recognize the astounding achievements of this illustrious group of artists over the past year. Carly, Cody, Kane, Luke and Walker all represent the vibrant future of the country music format, as they defy convention and blaze new trails, breaking industry records and genre barriers. We can’t wait to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments alongside their fellow artists and friends.
The 90-minute special will feature some of music’s biggest stars celebrating the group of honorees with performances, collaborations and congratulatory moments.
Musical pairings, special guests, additional honorees, performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
SOLID Celebrates Its 25-Year Legacy Of Community-Building & Giving Back On Music Row [Interview]
/by LB CantrellPhoto: Courtesy of SOLID
In 1997, a small group of rising music industry professionals in Nashville started the Society of Leaders In Development, or SOLID.
The goal of SOLID was to develop a community for its membership that combined social networking with community service and educational opportunities. The ideal membership for such an organization was to be entry to mid-level industry professionals who may not have the resources or opportunities to belong to other organizations in the music industry, such as Leadership Music or the CMA Board.
25 years later, SOLID has become a vibrant organization for future leaders of the music industry. Through its community-building events, educational opportunities and philanthropic efforts, SOLID has continued its mission to improve the future of Music Row.
In addition to general organization and committee meetings, SOLID brings industry members together for events such as happy hours, the annual crawfish boil, writer’s rounds, and other networking opportunities.
To honor its tenant of education, SOLID holds Q&A sessions with industry leaders and panels focused on issues facing the community. It also facilitates mentorship opportunities for members to mentor students, as well as opportunities to be mentored by other industry professionals.
Photo: Courtesy of SOLID
With community service as another key point of its mission, SOLID creates a multitude of ways for members to serve the community. Whether it be by its Music Row Madness fundraiser or by smaller initiatives, it’s clear that the organization sees investing in the community as paramount. In the last 25 years, SOLID has raised over $1,000,000 for other industry non-profits.
Members of SOLID come from all areas of the music business community, therefore contributing to the diversity, productivity and integrity of the group. The organization’s board of directors is continually adapting to meet the changing needs of their membership, working tirelessly to fulfill SOLID’s mission of helping, teaching and leading others.
To celebrate SOLID’s 25th anniversary, the organization will hold a gala on Thursday (Sept. 22). Ahead of the gala, SOLID President and Director of Publicity at Elicity Public Relations, Avery King, spoke to MusicRow about her experience with the organization.
Photo: Courtesy of SOLID
“When I first got started in the music industry, I was trying to network with as many people as I possibly could, and after taking countless meetings—I discovered that the common denominator between so many of the professionals I was meeting with was SOLID,” shares King.
After being encouraged by Elicity’s Elise Anderson to join the organization, King applied and was accepted in 2016. She spent two years leading SOLID’s communications committee before becoming Vice President in 2020 and President the following year.
“I would contribute the majority of my professional growth to SOLID because of the amount of people I have been able to connect and build relationships with,” King explains. “Most of these relationships have developed to be very meaningful friendships and are not just relationships that check a box of ‘networking.’ I’ve gotten the chance to meet hundreds of people that are all spending their free time wanting to grow within their careers—through our membership and also through our board.
“SOLID stands for the Society of Leaders in Development, and that couldn’t be a more accurate representation of what happens when you get involved with such a powerful group,” she adds.
Photo: Courtesy of SOLID
When looking back on the growth and achievements SOLID has seen over the last 25 years, King says that honoring the legacy of the organization is of the utmost importance.
“I believe that the legacy of SOLID is what it stands for: Society of Leaders in Development. Everyone is involved in SOLID for similar reasons—to expand their knowledge within the industry with people from all sides and to develop their own skills and leadership styles. We are all the leaders in development and our founders really thought through the name when they created the organization in 1997.
“In fact, we kicked off this year by hearing from our founding members during our new member retreat,” King adds. “They spoke to the fact that they couldn’t have ever imagined SOLID accomplishing all that we’ve been able to achieve. What started as a handful of people getting together to talk about what they wanted to accomplish within the music industry has now turned into over a thousand current members and alumni. That network has helped us grow year after year in our programming.
“To be in the 25th year and be able to say SOLID has raised over a million dollars for other nonprofits is something that they couldn’t have ever imagined.”
Reba Gears Up For ‘Big Sky’ Debut With TV Appearances
/by Lorie HollabaughReba McEntire is gearing up for her debut on ABC’s drama Big Sky: Deadly Trails this week with multiple national TV appearances.
Big Sky: Deadly Trails airs tomorrow (Sept. 21) at 9 p.m. CT, but McEntire kicked things off today with an appearance on Good Morning America to chat about the new show. Fans can also catch the country starlet on Late Night with Seth Meyers tonight (11:35 p.m. CT) and on LIVE with Kelly and Ryan Thursday, Sept. 22 (9 a.m. local time).
No stranger to the stage and screen, the Oklahoma native and Golden Globe-nominated actress has 11 movie credits to her name, a lead role on Broadway in Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun, and six-seasons in the TV sitcom Reba.
McEntire was named the first female and musician to portray KFC’s iconic founder Colonel Harland Sanders in their celebrity colonel campaign, and recently announced The Hammer, a Lifetime movie starring and executive produced by the superstar, set to release in 2023.
In addition to her role on Big Sky this fall, McEntire is kicking off her “Reba Live In Concert” trek on Oct. 13 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Breland Will Head Cross Country On His ‘Here For It Tour’ This Fall
/by Liza AndersonBreland. Photo: Jimmy Fontaine.
Platinum-selling artist Breland has announced his fall headline “Here For It Tour,” which will start in Oxford, Ohio on Nov. 16, and continue throughout December with more dates to come.
This announcement follows the CMA Award nominee’s release of his debut album, Cross Country, via Bad Realm Records, Atlantic Records and Warner Music Nashville.
Breland fans can get their tickets early starting tomorrow (Sept. 21) at 10 a.m. CT through Thursday, Sept. 22. Tickets will open to the public on Friday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. CT on brelandmusic.com.
Breland’s debut single, “For What It’s Worth,” written by Breland, Rocky Block, Jacob Durrett and Greylan James, will hit country radio on Oct. 17. This release follows his feature on Dierks Bentley’s No. 1, Gold-certified collaboration “Beers On Me” with Hardy.
Adam Chaffins Signs With Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music Revolution
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Megan Lenzini, Administration Assistant/Office Manager, Spirit Music Nashville; David Crow of Milom, Horsnell, Crow, Kelley, Beckett, Shehan; Michelle Davey, Director of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville; Mike Fiorentino, Director of A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville; Matthew Beckett of Milom, Horsnell, Crow, Kelley, Beckett, Shehan; Adam Chaffins; Brit Taylor; Brian Bradford, GM/VP of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville; Frank Rogers, CCO, Spirit Music Group/CEO, Spirit Music Nashville; Rachel Guttmann of Taylor Guttmann; AJ Burton, VP, Fluid Music Revolution.
Adam Chaffins has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music Revolution.
Chaffins grew up along Kentucky’s Country Music Highway U.S. 23, which spans seven counties and claims to have produced more hit country artists per capita than any other region, including Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, The Judds, Chris Stapleton, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam and Patty Loveless.
After moving to Tennessee, Chaffins found his traction as a songwriter and in-demand session musician, while also playing on the road as a member of various bands, including bluegrass band Town Mountain and Rounder Records’ The Deadly Gentlemen. He released his debut album, Some Things Won’t Last in 2020 followed by singles “Further Away” and “Now I Don’t Know.”
“Adam is already a well-respected musician and singer in the Americana community, and we believe he’s truly untapped in the mainstream country genre,” notes Mike Fiorentino, Director of A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville. “Adam brings a true uniqueness in his musicality to the Spirit/Fluid team. Raised in Eastern Kentucky on Appalachian music and classically trained in jazz, his style of country is smart, honest, and truly authentic.”
“Adam is a special talent. Not only does he play multiple instruments, but his creative lyrics are a breath of fresh air,” adds AJ Burton, Vice President, Fluid Music Revolution. “We are thrilled to be in the Adam Chaffins business and can’t wait for the world to hear Adam’s artistry and his songwriting abilities.”
“My passion has always been to create,” Chaffins shares. “I came to Nashville for the chance to work with the best of the best, so signing with Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music is truly a dream come true. I’m so excited for this next chapter of my career and for the opportunity to work with one of the most talented and experienced music publishing companies in the business.”
Industry Ink: Vince Gill, Triple Tigers, BMI, Charly Reynolds
/by Lydia FarthingVince Gill & Friends Celebrate CMT Giants Special
Pictured (L-R): Tom Forrest, EP, Taillight; Leslie Fram, Exec in Charge of Talent, CMT; Margaret Comeaux, EP, CMT; Vince Gill; Shanna Strassberg, Talent Producer, CMT; Lauren Quinn, Director. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for CMT
Country icon Vince Gill was recently celebrated by his superstar friends and some of the biggest names in music at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. The evening honored his storied music and career.
Triple Tigers Ups Hope Garrison To Marketing Manager
Hope Garrison
Triple Tigers Records’ Manager of Promotion and Marketing, Hope Garrison, has been promoted to Marketing Manager. She started at the label in 2018 as a Promotion Coordinator, rising to her most recent post in 2021.
“Hope has been a creative force since she started on the marketing team last year, I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes as she segues full time into the marketing department,” says VP Marketing Laura Hostelley.
“I am so thankful to take on this new role with Triple Tigers,” Garrison adds. “We are ready to take it to the next level in the marketing department and I am excited to jump in and get to work.”
BMI Presents AmericanaFest Showcase At The Bluebird Cafe
Pictured (L-R): Lauren Housley, BMI’s Nina Carter, Tristan Bushman, Gabe Lee, and BMI’s Mason Hunter. Photo: Steve Lowry
BMI returned to the Bluebird Cafe for an AmericanaFest showcase on Sept. 15. The evening featured up-and-coming BMI songwriters Tristan Bushman, Gabe Lee, and Lauren Housley.
Lee, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, uses circumstances from his everyday life to create lyrics that audiences at all stages of life can relate to. UK-based songwriter Housley brings her personal experiences into the writing room, providing a place of solace and peace to her audiences. Finally, Bushman, a native from Illinois, uses his personal stories to shape his music.
Charly Reynolds Signs With Wasserman Music
Pictured (L-R): Ryan Hofstetter, Highpoint Entertainment, Keith Levy, Wasserman Music, Charly Reynolds, Matt Runner, Wasserman Music, Tiffany Bearden, Evolution PR
Rising artist Charly Reynolds has signed with Wasserman Music for exclusive worldwide booking representation.
Reynolds burst onto the scene with her single, “Rodeo,” in June, and her version of “Neon Moon” was featured on the Season five finale of The Resident in the summer. She will be performing alongside such artists as Lainey Wilson, Brett Eldredge and Elle King at Elevation Beaver Creek in October.
“We couldn’t be more honored to welcome Charly to the Wasserman Music family. It was clear from the first time we saw Charly live that she has something special,” notes agent Matt Runner, Wasserman Music. “We can’t wait to bring her artistic vision to life.”
Warner Chappell Hosts Music City Songwriting Camp
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Tim “One Love” Sommers, Jeremy “Kinetics” Dussolliet, Sam DeRosa, KK Johnson. Photo: Courtesy of Warner Chappell
Last week, Warner Chappell Music Nashville hosted creators of all genres during their Music City Songwriter Camp.
Songwriters such as Mickey Guyton, Tay Keith, Nova Wav, Jenna Andrews and Jesse Frasure, as well as writers from the K-Pop scene in Korea and Latin artists and songwriters, participated in the camp from Sept. 12 to 16.
In addition to daily songwriting sessions, the songwriters participated in a mixer and writers round to commemorate their stay in Nashville. The Music City Songwriting Camp is part of a greater effort by Warner Chappell to help solidify Nashville as a major pop music contributor.
Pictured (L-R): Bradley Simpson, Mark Holman, Asia Whiteacre, Sean Douglas. Photo: Courtesy of Warner Chappell
Pictured (L-R): Sophia Scott, Brandon Paddock, Fraser Churchill, Jon Leone. Photo: Courtesy of Warner Chappell
Pictured (L-R): Maye, Young Chance, Eye Fung. Photo: Courtesy of Warner Chappell
Margo Price Celebrates The Freedom Of Letting Go On New Collection, ‘Strays’
/by Lorie HollabaughMargo Price. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
Margo Price searches for what her soul needs and celebrates it on her upcoming Strays album, due out on Jan. 13. A new single from the project, “Change of Heart,” is available now.
The new collection of ten original songs serves as a celebration of freedom in its many raw forms. Price tackles demons of self-image, self-worth and more that came in the wake of her recent decision to quit drinking on the project, which she produced with Jonathan Wilson. The album’s tracks span rock, psychedelic country, R&B and iridescent pop, and feature vocals from Sharon Van Etten and Lucius, plus guitar from Mike Campbell.
“I feel this urgency to keep moving, keep creating,” says Price. “You get stuck in the same patterns of thinking, the same loops of addiction. But there comes a point where you just have to say, ‘I’m going to be here, I’m going to enjoy it, and I’m not going to put so much stock into checking the boxes for everyone else.'” She adds, “I feel more mature in the way that I write now, I’m on more than just a search for large crowds and accolades. I’m trying to find what my soul needs.”
In conjunction with the new project, Price has also announced 30 new headlining shows across North America from late November through early March, including a return to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on March 9. The newly added tour dates go on sale this Friday (Sept. 23).
Before hitting the road, though, Price will also publish her debut memoir, Maybe We’ll Make It. Out Oct. 4 on University of Texas Press, it tells her story of moving to Nashville with $57, facing rejection by almost every record label in town, fighting for the opportunity to be herself in the music business, and more.
Been To The Mountain
Light Me Up (ft. Mike Campbell)
Radio (ft. Sharon Van Etten)
Change of Heart
County Road
Time Machine
Hell In The Heartland
Anytime You Call (ft. Lucius)
Lydia
Landfill
Matt Roy Joins Big Machine Music’s Writer Roster
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): BMM’s General Manager Mike Molinar, Matt Roy, BMM’s Director, Publishing Michelle Attardi. Photo: Noah Needleman
Big Machine Music (BMM), a subsidiary of HYBE America, has added singer-songwriter Matt Roy to its writer roster with an exclusive co-publishing agreement.
The New Jersey native began playing music at the age of 12. Drawn to the storytelling in country music, Roy landed his first publishing deal prior to graduating from Belmont University in 2018. Since then, he has landed cuts from Kane Brown and Chris Young, as well as newcomers Ashley Cooke and Adam Doleac. In 2020, Roy notched his first chart-topper with the multi-week No. 1, Gold-certified hit “Done,” which was co-written and recorded by Chris Janson.
Earlier this year, Roy released his debut EP, Wildflower, which features five self-penned songs. He has recently been on the road opening for Morgan Wade and others.
“Matt has a natural instinct of both craft and commerciality beyond what can be taught or learned. I believe he will be one of the great songwriters of his generation,” notes Big Machine Music’s General Manager Mike Molinar. “We are incredibly honored that he has chosen Big Machine Music as his publishing partner.”
“I could not be more excited to be a part of the Big Machine Music family,” Roy adds. “Their commitment to song craftsmanship and work ethic is something that inspires me greatly as a songwriter and artist. I really do feel at home and I’m excited to get to work together.”
Roy joins BMM’s writer roster which includes Brett Young, Ryan Hurd, Laura Veltz, Matt Dragstrem, Jessie Jo Dillon and Eric Paslay, among others.
Willie Nelson’s 1984 Budokan Show To Be Released As Live Album
/by Lorie HollabaughWillie Nelson. Photo: Pamela Springsteenlsom
A new album capturing Willie Nelson‘s epic 1984 performance at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Willie Nelson Live At Budokan, will be available from Legacy Recordings on Nov. 18.
Produced by Nelson’s longtime harmonica player Mickey Raphael, the album has been sonically upgraded to showcase Nelson and his ensemble in Tokyo for the first time. His ensemble that night (Feb. 23, 1984) featured his sister Bobbie Nelson on piano, Paul English on drums, Grady Martin on guitar, Jody Payne on vocals and guitar, Bee Spears on bass, and Raphael on harmonica.
“I believe that music, not only country music, but I believe that music is a great communicator,” Nelson states in his notes for the release. “I think that it crosses all boundaries and I think that the people, regardless of whether they understand what I’m saying or not, they would feel what I’m saying and they will hear it in whatever language they are listening. I think that is the great thing about music.”
Live At Budokan will be available in digital, CD and DVD configurations, as well as a 2LP 12″ vinyl that will be available exclusively at independent record stores as part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday event on Nov. 25. A broadcast edition of Willie Nelson Live At Budokan is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning Nov. 26.
Willie Nelson and Family are currently on tour with upcoming shows scheduled for New York SummerStage in Central Park, Outlaw Fest concerts, FarmAid and more. For a full list of dates, click here.
1. Whiskey River (J. B. Shinn III)
2. Mona Lisa (Jay Livingston/Raymond Evans)
3. Good Hearted Woman (Waylon Jennings/Willie Nelson)
4. Down Yonder (L. Wolfe Gilbert)
5. If You’ve Got The Money I’ve Got The Time (Lefty Frizzell/Jim Beck)
6. Workin’ Man Blues (Merle Haggard)
7. Help Me Make It Through The Night (Kris Kristofferson)
8. Me and Bobby McGee (Kris Kristofferson/Fred Foster)
9. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (Fred Rose)
10. Under The Double Eagle (Traditional arranged by Willie Nelson)
11. Blue Skies (Irving Berlin)
12. Georgia On My Mind (Hoagy Carmichael/Stuart Gorell)
13. All Of Me (Seymour Simons/Gerald Marks)
14. Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael/Mitchell Parish
15. My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (Sharon Vaughan)
16. Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys (Ed Bruce/Patsy Bruce)
17. Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground (Willie Nelson)
18. On The Road Again (Willie Nelson)
19. Always On My Mind (John Christopher/Wayne Thompson/Mark James)
20. Will The Circle Be Unbroken (A.P. Carter)
21. Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line (Jimmy Bryant)
22. Who’ll Buy My Memories (Willie Nelson)
23. Till I Gain Control Again (Rodney Crowell)
24. Without A Song (Vincent Youmans/Billy Rose/Edward Eliscu)
25. Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) (Bobby Emmons/Chips Moman)
26. Whiskey River (J. B. Shinn III)
27. Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line (Jimmy Bryant)