Jackie Patillo
The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features notable members of the Nashville music industry selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These individuals serve in key roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.
Industry veteran Jackie Patillo has spent decades of her life working in the music business launching and advancing the careers of various Christian and gospel artists. In 2010, she became President and Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association, merging her gifts to serve and be an advocate for all gospel music makers.
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association (GMA) serves as the face and voice for the gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting, and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles. In addition to ongoing education, advocacy and networking efforts, the GMA also produces a variety of programs designed to expose music to new audiences through TV and online broadcast specials like the annual GMA Dove Awards and Because He Lives: An Easter Celebration.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Mill Valley, California. It’s a little town right outside of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate bridge.
Were you musical at all growing up?
No. I mean, I took piano lessons. My parents, God bless them, spent a lot of money and effort sending me to piano lessons. But all that classical training that teachers started us off with was not really interesting to me. And there’s something about having natural talent with an instrument that is really important. (Laughs) So as much as I love music and always have, I don’t play an instrument.
Pictured (L-R): Jeff Moseley; Jackie Patillo; Dan Dean, Randy Phillips and Shawn Craig of the group Phillips Craig and Dean in 1995.
How did you get into the music industry?
I married an artist. I married an artist who was evolving from his rock career into his Christian music career. It was our family business. We traveled the world and spent 180 dates a year doing concerts. I did everything from production, to merch, to whatever was necessary. I learned that if I could pack up our stuff at the end of the night, I could get home quicker. (Laughs) It started really small and then it just grew into a large music ministry.
How did you get to Nashville?
When I was faced with divorce. I had two young children and was asking God what was I going to do to feed them, since they still wanted to eat three times a day. (Laughs) They had every expectation that that wasn’t going to change. I really heard that still small voice that people talk about saying, “Go to Nashville. I’m going to continue to use you in Christian and gospel music.” I put out a couple of fleeces to make sure it wasn’t just the pizza I’d eaten the night before and really felt a strong conviction that that was the direction that I should move in. So in ’89, I came to Nashville.
I was knocking on doors. I was looking for work. I was trying to figure out who I was as this newly single woman in the south—in a town that was foreign to me. It just so happened that a man named Stan Moser, who had been the head of Word Records for many, many years, had moved to Nashville from Texas to help develop a little label called Star Song. I called Stan—he was familiar with my story and he knew what I was capable of because my ex-husband had been signed to the Word label. He saw me looking for work and he just told me, “Jackie, you’re an A&R person. We don’t have that job for you yet, but if you’ll come here and just do anything, I’ll get you there.” And sure enough, he did. I started as the receptionist at Star Song and eight years later when they sold the label, I was Vice President of A&R. I had quite a journey there.
What were some of your biggest victories at Star Song?
One of the thrills there at Star Song was when we signed a group called Phillips, Craig and Dean. They were the most unlikely threesome in that they each lived in a different state, but they were great songwriters and had wonderful harmonies. We signed Phillips, Craig and Dean and they turned out to be the fastest selling debut artist in the history of the label.
I was able to explore all kinds of music there because the leadership at Star Song was very innovative. I A&R-ed rap records, comedy records, and Christian pop records. We branched out into distributing gospel music. That was the birthing in me of, “I want to also do gospel.”
Pictured (L-R): Danny Gokey, Natalie Grant, Jackie Patillo
What was next for you?
I went from Star Song to the Benson Label. Jeff Moseley, who had been a VP at Star Song, moved to the Benson Label and brought me over there as part of his A&R team. There, we got to sign Natalie Grant. I signed her and did her first record. I’m very proud of Natalie and her successes. I also worked with Russ Taff there, who is a real icon within our industry.
I went from the Benson Label to Integrity, which was in Mobile, Alabama. It was the largest praise and worship label in the world. I was the general manager of what we called Integrity Gospel. It was there that I really got to fulfill some of my desires to work hands on with gospel artists. I worked with Israel Houghton, Joe Pace and Lisa McClendon. We also marketed and distributed the Sony gospel artists to the CCM stores, so I got to market Mary Mary and several of their gospel artists. It was quite an adventure, but I wasn’t really loving living in Mobile, Alabama. Because God is so creative, he moved me to New York where I became Vice President of A&R and Artist Development at Verity Records, which is the largest gospel label. I had the honor of working with artists like Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin.
[Verity] asked if I wanted to go back to Nashville and work out of the Provident office, which was music to my years because my sons were here in Nashville. It was really a great homecoming for me. I was “right-sized,” as they say, from that label and a year later took the job as the Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association.
Pictured: Jackie Patillo on stage at the Dove Awards
When you got to GMA, what were your goals for the organization?
In 2011, when I came to GMA, it was a very challenging time in the music industry because of the expansion of the internet and the change of how music was being sold. They say when the mainstream gets a cold, us niches, we get pneumonia. So it was a very, very low time at GMA. We also had some internal, infrastructure issues, so the task at hand was to really discover what the underlining problems were and to restructure the organization. I discovered that, as a trade organization, it was essential for us to relay the foundation of the GMA as a service organization. We needed to make some new friends, and find people and organizations that were like-minded and had an affinity for the effectiveness of gospel music. It was Lipscomb University that was one of those first new friends that we made, as well as Lifeway. To this day, we’re still doing the Dove Awards 10 years later at the Allen Arena at Lipscomb.
I think what was required and what was really essential was for us to unify our industry. Gospel music is not a genre like others. We are known for our message and we serve all styles of music. We’re not known by our style, we’re known by our message. So to be the hub and the center of the wheel here at the Gospel Music Association, we have to represent multi-cultural and multi-generational artists who are all serving and offering their talents for kingdom purposes.
I love that you made that distinction: gospel music is about a message, not a genre. That is really evident at the Dove Awards, which showcases everything from traditional Southern gospel to pop and hip-hop.
The GMA represents a multi-cultural and multi-generation community which is reflected in the diversity of our programs and events. It is beautiful to experience amazing performances at the Dove Awards as artists from all genres of music come together on one stage! It is truly the biggest night in Gospel Music.
The GMA is also going to be moving to Music Row soon, correct?
Yes! The Gospel Music Association is putting our stake in the ground on Music Row, working alongside the Curb Foundation for this location. We’re excited about having a home for not only our Hall of Fame and Museum, but a tourist destination that will celebrate the history and the future of gospel music.
Pictured: Jackie Patillo with TobyMac
What is something people might not know about you?
I’m very proud that I have two sons. One of my sons, Gabriel Patillo, is in the TobyMac band and they just celebrated 20 years together. My youngest son, Marcel, is a videographer. He’s working right now with Church in The City. They’re creative guys, so it’s fun to see them walking in their calling.
What has been one of your proudest moments?
When I was inducted into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame. That was pretty cool.
Last year was my 10th year at the GMA. At the Dove Awards, the board gave me the Dove Awards Leadership Award… And they named it after me. So now, the Dove Leadership Award will be given, from here on out, in my name. I was stunned. The first thing I could think of when it was happening was, where are my sons? Knowing all the hard work and knowing the challenges of being a single mom… It was really a very amazing moment.
I am also so proud of the Gospel Music Association team. We are a small team, but we are a team that is passionate and dedicated to the mission, so we have seen lots and lots of great things unfold before us as a result.
If you could change anything about your path to where you are now, would you change anything?
I wouldn’t change anything about the path. I wish that maybe I would have enjoyed more of it rather than always felt like I was on a hot tin roof. (Laughs) When I look back, I’m grateful for the path. The path has been very fulfilling and it’s been full of great moments, but when you’re always looking to the next mountain, sometimes you miss out on the victories that you’re conquering at that moment.
David Morris Signs With Sony Music Publishing Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, front row): Sean Pace, David Morris, Kenley Flynn, Rusty Gaston; (L-R, back row): Dane Schmidt, Dale Bobo, Mya Hansen, Tom Luteran, Joe Putnam, Anna Weisband, Josh Van Valkenburg
Singer, songwriter, artist and rapper David Morris has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.
A West Virginia native, Morris captured the attention of audiences following the release of his 2020 debut album Red, White, & American Blues, which featured standout singles such as the feel-good anthem “Smalltown Queen,” “Does He Know About Us” and “Who Hurt You,” which garnered success on TikTok.
Since then, he has racked up roughly 25 million streams and 550,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone, with continued growth across all platforms.
“I’ve known David for a very long time, and it has been so inspiring to watch him evolve into the artist he is today,” says Kenley Flynn, Senior Director, Creative, Sony Music Publishing. “I deeply respect his talent, creativity and work ethic. His music is entirely from the heart and is uniquely, authentically David Morris. I’m so excited for what is to come.”
“I’ve always said, an artist needs two things to succeed. The freedom to create and be themselves—and a team to support them in those endeavors,” adds Morris. “So, it’s an amazing feeling having both of those things here at Sony Music Publishing. I want to thank Kenley, Rusty [Gaston] and the rest of the team for believing in me not only as a songwriter but as an artist as well.”
Last week he released his new EP Hometown Heartbreak featuring “Country Boy In Your Life” and “Mine,” among others. Morris is currently preparing a nationwide tour and is set to release a full-length project later this year.
The MLC & Nashville Music Equality Host Summit For Black Music Month
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Shannon Sanders (Executive Director of Creative, BMI), Kayla Ott (Director of Outreach and Engagement, The MLC), Tekitha and Prana Supreme Diggs (O.N.E. The Duo), Gina Miller (Senior Vice President and General Manager, MNRK Music) and Helena Cook (Outreach Specialist, The MLC)
The Mechanical Licensing Collective and Nashville Music Equality presented “For The Culture: Empowering Black Music Creators to Achieve Beyond Reach” to commemorate Black Music Month last Tuesday (June 21) at The MLC’s offices in Nashville.
More than 60 individuals attended the event in-person or watched it online, which featured insightful panel presentations from some of the leading African American voices in the music industry, networking opportunities and several musical performances.
Developed by Dae Bogan, the MLC’s Head of Third-Party Partnerships, in collaboration with NME’s Gina Miller, Kortney Toney and Shannon Sanders, the summit was the latest in a series of cultural partnership programs that highlight The MLC’s commitment to diversity.
‘AIMP Nashville Pubcast’ Announces Fifth Season With David Garcia, Nate Lowery, More
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has launched the fifth season of its podcast series, the AIMP Nashville Pubcast.
The new 20-episode season, sponsored by Sound Royalties, will feature David Garcia and Nate Lowery on July 11 and Al Porter on July 25. The podcast can be found on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, or Soundcloud.
Hosted by AIMP Nashville Board Member Tim Hunze, Senior Director, Creative at Anthem Entertainment, the bi-weekly series features interviews with prominent songwriters and publishing executives in Nashville. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast strives to offer insight to songwriters, inform listeners on issues facing the music industry, and share lessons learned from its guests’ own experiences.
Seven episodes of season 5 have already been released, featuring Dennis and Jesse Matkoksy of Relative Music Group, Olly Sheppard of APG, Marc Rucker of SoundExchange, Randall Foster of Symphonic Distribution, music industry advocate Alex Heiche, Shelby Yoder of Milk & Honey, and Mike Molinar and Alex Heddle of Big Machine Music.
“Season 5 has had an amazing lineup of guests so far and some of our best interviews yet,” says Hunze. “It has been such a fun opportunity for me to be a part of this podcast the past few years. I am fortunate to witness how it has evolved and the impact it has had on people within our industry.”
“This AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a great opportunity for people who are actively involved and interested in independent music publishing to find inspiration and knowledge,” adds John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and President of the Nashville Chapter. “It is important to our organization that we provide a platform for independent publishers and songwriters in the Nashville area to share their stories, advice, and expertise on the music industry. Season 5 is our best yet.”
My Music Row Story: The Gospel Music Association’s Jackie Patillo
/by LB CantrellJackie Patillo
Industry veteran Jackie Patillo has spent decades of her life working in the music business launching and advancing the careers of various Christian and gospel artists. In 2010, she became President and Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association, merging her gifts to serve and be an advocate for all gospel music makers.
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association (GMA) serves as the face and voice for the gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting, and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles. In addition to ongoing education, advocacy and networking efforts, the GMA also produces a variety of programs designed to expose music to new audiences through TV and online broadcast specials like the annual GMA Dove Awards and Because He Lives: An Easter Celebration.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Mill Valley, California. It’s a little town right outside of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate bridge.
Were you musical at all growing up?
No. I mean, I took piano lessons. My parents, God bless them, spent a lot of money and effort sending me to piano lessons. But all that classical training that teachers started us off with was not really interesting to me. And there’s something about having natural talent with an instrument that is really important. (Laughs) So as much as I love music and always have, I don’t play an instrument.
Pictured (L-R): Jeff Moseley; Jackie Patillo; Dan Dean, Randy Phillips and Shawn Craig of the group Phillips Craig and Dean in 1995.
How did you get into the music industry?
I married an artist. I married an artist who was evolving from his rock career into his Christian music career. It was our family business. We traveled the world and spent 180 dates a year doing concerts. I did everything from production, to merch, to whatever was necessary. I learned that if I could pack up our stuff at the end of the night, I could get home quicker. (Laughs) It started really small and then it just grew into a large music ministry.
How did you get to Nashville?
When I was faced with divorce. I had two young children and was asking God what was I going to do to feed them, since they still wanted to eat three times a day. (Laughs) They had every expectation that that wasn’t going to change. I really heard that still small voice that people talk about saying, “Go to Nashville. I’m going to continue to use you in Christian and gospel music.” I put out a couple of fleeces to make sure it wasn’t just the pizza I’d eaten the night before and really felt a strong conviction that that was the direction that I should move in. So in ’89, I came to Nashville.
I was knocking on doors. I was looking for work. I was trying to figure out who I was as this newly single woman in the south—in a town that was foreign to me. It just so happened that a man named Stan Moser, who had been the head of Word Records for many, many years, had moved to Nashville from Texas to help develop a little label called Star Song. I called Stan—he was familiar with my story and he knew what I was capable of because my ex-husband had been signed to the Word label. He saw me looking for work and he just told me, “Jackie, you’re an A&R person. We don’t have that job for you yet, but if you’ll come here and just do anything, I’ll get you there.” And sure enough, he did. I started as the receptionist at Star Song and eight years later when they sold the label, I was Vice President of A&R. I had quite a journey there.
What were some of your biggest victories at Star Song?
One of the thrills there at Star Song was when we signed a group called Phillips, Craig and Dean. They were the most unlikely threesome in that they each lived in a different state, but they were great songwriters and had wonderful harmonies. We signed Phillips, Craig and Dean and they turned out to be the fastest selling debut artist in the history of the label.
I was able to explore all kinds of music there because the leadership at Star Song was very innovative. I A&R-ed rap records, comedy records, and Christian pop records. We branched out into distributing gospel music. That was the birthing in me of, “I want to also do gospel.”
Pictured (L-R): Danny Gokey, Natalie Grant, Jackie Patillo
What was next for you?
I went from Star Song to the Benson Label. Jeff Moseley, who had been a VP at Star Song, moved to the Benson Label and brought me over there as part of his A&R team. There, we got to sign Natalie Grant. I signed her and did her first record. I’m very proud of Natalie and her successes. I also worked with Russ Taff there, who is a real icon within our industry.
I went from the Benson Label to Integrity, which was in Mobile, Alabama. It was the largest praise and worship label in the world. I was the general manager of what we called Integrity Gospel. It was there that I really got to fulfill some of my desires to work hands on with gospel artists. I worked with Israel Houghton, Joe Pace and Lisa McClendon. We also marketed and distributed the Sony gospel artists to the CCM stores, so I got to market Mary Mary and several of their gospel artists. It was quite an adventure, but I wasn’t really loving living in Mobile, Alabama. Because God is so creative, he moved me to New York where I became Vice President of A&R and Artist Development at Verity Records, which is the largest gospel label. I had the honor of working with artists like Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin.
[Verity] asked if I wanted to go back to Nashville and work out of the Provident office, which was music to my years because my sons were here in Nashville. It was really a great homecoming for me. I was “right-sized,” as they say, from that label and a year later took the job as the Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association.
Pictured: Jackie Patillo on stage at the Dove Awards
When you got to GMA, what were your goals for the organization?
In 2011, when I came to GMA, it was a very challenging time in the music industry because of the expansion of the internet and the change of how music was being sold. They say when the mainstream gets a cold, us niches, we get pneumonia. So it was a very, very low time at GMA. We also had some internal, infrastructure issues, so the task at hand was to really discover what the underlining problems were and to restructure the organization. I discovered that, as a trade organization, it was essential for us to relay the foundation of the GMA as a service organization. We needed to make some new friends, and find people and organizations that were like-minded and had an affinity for the effectiveness of gospel music. It was Lipscomb University that was one of those first new friends that we made, as well as Lifeway. To this day, we’re still doing the Dove Awards 10 years later at the Allen Arena at Lipscomb.
I think what was required and what was really essential was for us to unify our industry. Gospel music is not a genre like others. We are known for our message and we serve all styles of music. We’re not known by our style, we’re known by our message. So to be the hub and the center of the wheel here at the Gospel Music Association, we have to represent multi-cultural and multi-generational artists who are all serving and offering their talents for kingdom purposes.
I love that you made that distinction: gospel music is about a message, not a genre. That is really evident at the Dove Awards, which showcases everything from traditional Southern gospel to pop and hip-hop.
The GMA represents a multi-cultural and multi-generation community which is reflected in the diversity of our programs and events. It is beautiful to experience amazing performances at the Dove Awards as artists from all genres of music come together on one stage! It is truly the biggest night in Gospel Music.
The GMA is also going to be moving to Music Row soon, correct?
Yes! The Gospel Music Association is putting our stake in the ground on Music Row, working alongside the Curb Foundation for this location. We’re excited about having a home for not only our Hall of Fame and Museum, but a tourist destination that will celebrate the history and the future of gospel music.
Pictured: Jackie Patillo with TobyMac
What is something people might not know about you?
I’m very proud that I have two sons. One of my sons, Gabriel Patillo, is in the TobyMac band and they just celebrated 20 years together. My youngest son, Marcel, is a videographer. He’s working right now with Church in The City. They’re creative guys, so it’s fun to see them walking in their calling.
What has been one of your proudest moments?
When I was inducted into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame. That was pretty cool.
Last year was my 10th year at the GMA. At the Dove Awards, the board gave me the Dove Awards Leadership Award… And they named it after me. So now, the Dove Leadership Award will be given, from here on out, in my name. I was stunned. The first thing I could think of when it was happening was, where are my sons? Knowing all the hard work and knowing the challenges of being a single mom… It was really a very amazing moment.
I am also so proud of the Gospel Music Association team. We are a small team, but we are a team that is passionate and dedicated to the mission, so we have seen lots and lots of great things unfold before us as a result.
If you could change anything about your path to where you are now, would you change anything?
I wouldn’t change anything about the path. I wish that maybe I would have enjoyed more of it rather than always felt like I was on a hot tin roof. (Laughs) When I look back, I’m grateful for the path. The path has been very fulfilling and it’s been full of great moments, but when you’re always looking to the next mountain, sometimes you miss out on the victories that you’re conquering at that moment.
Matt Koziol Signs With CAA
/by Lorie HollabaughMatt Koziol. Photo: Kevin Fagan
Matt Koziol has signed with CAA for booking representation.
Koziol, a New Jersey native, counts Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell among his influences. He signed a publishing deal with Prescription Songs in 2019, and has collaborated with artists including John Paul White, Joy Oladokun, Jimmie Allen, Charlie Worsham, Steve Moakler and more.
In 2021, he signed an exclusive label and artist development deal with RED Creative Group, and recently released his debut album Wildhorse on May 20. He’ll play a show at the 5 Spot in Nashville tonight (June 29), and will perform across the midwest throughout July.
“I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside the folks at CAA,” Koziol shares. “They get the vision and have a passion for the songs. This album is truly meant to be played live—it’s the best part. I’m ready to get to work on the road and for these songs to come alive on stage every week.”
Ben Rector Brings ‘The Joy Of Music’ Home To Nashville
/by Lydia FarthingBen Rector at Ascend Aphitheater on June 25, 2022. Photo: KT Sura
Indie singer-songwriter Ben Rector brought his headlining “The Joy of Music Tour” to Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Saturday (June 25). Closing out the 21-stop trek with a hometown show for a sold-out crowd, Rector was preceded by JP Saxe and an interesting set of technical difficulties.
Taking the stage a little later than anticipated, the 15-song set kicked off in an usual fashion as Joy, the namesake and main character of Rector’s most recent record, came out solo and took their place at the piano. Beginning with the inspiring, fantasy-filled ballad “Dream On,” Rector walked onto the stage, taking a seat on the piano to serenade the audience and set the mood for the evening.
“Nashville, let’s have a wonderful night,” Rector said simply before exploding into a medley of “Old Friends”—arguably one of his biggest fan-favorites—and a chorus cover of “Forever Young” by Alphaville.
After addressing the issues with lighting and giving a shoutout to his adaptable production team, Rector quickly got the audience into the fun as he split the sea of spectators in half, giving each a special part to sing during a standout performance of “Living My Best Life,” which combined to form a chilling, harmonious moment.
Ben Rector at Ascend Aphitheater on June 25, 2022. Photo: KT Sura
Ripping off into his hits such as “30,000 Feet,” which the audience eagerly screamed back, and new tunes like “Heroes” and “Daughter,” Rector had his ever-loyal legion of fans bobbing and swaying along to every song. Throughout the night, he also often shared the spotlight with his 8-piece band, making sure to give each of them their own moments to shine as well as trading off singing the lead with his deeply talented background vocalists Jordy Searcy and Stephen Day.
“This is a new record and a new touring cycle, but I wanted to make sure that I played some old songs too,” Rector explained. “The deal with old songs is you want to do them the way that the audience wants to hear them but also make it a little different than the last time you saw me. I decided that I would do something that I have never done before which is play [“Forever Like That”] exactly how I wrote it. I’m going to take you back to me writing it.”
Painting a picturesque scene reminiscent of Yellowstone, Rector delivered a western-infused version of the tune, complete with delectable three-part harmonies and cowboy hats all around.
The beloved singer-songwriter also shared lighter moments throughout the night, busting out into something reminiscent of a barbershop trio, fit with matching hats and light choreo for a rendition of his playful “Range Rover.” He also had the crowd drowning in his charisma as he sang his thoughtful “The Men That Drive Me Places” from his 2015 Brand New album, with Joy joining to tickle the ivories once again.
For the last section of the set, Rector laid on the tempo, spurring the entire crowd to dance along to songs like the groovy, saxophone-heavy “Supernatural,” pitch perfect “Steady Love,” and the rocking fan-favorite “White Dress” off 2010’s Into the Morning, which earned a roaring round of applause.
“Nashville, thank you so much for coming. I remember playing at 12th & Porter and 3rd & Lindsley and never thought that there would be 6,500 to 7,000 of you here tonight. It is insane,” Rector recalled before teasing the well-known concert encore etiquette. “Thanks so much for coming. Thanks for baring through some interesting technical difficulties, and it pains me to say that these are our last two songs,” he said with a wink.
Joy made their way back onto the stage for their namesake track, showing off an impressive collection of dance moves that the audience happily joined them in as the feel-good tune took over the amphitheater. Rector wrapped up the final song of the normal set as he took to the audience for the buzzy “Sunday,” running from the front row all the way to the back lawn two times over.
Though the lights went dark for only a moment, Rector re-emerged as promised.
“What a surprise,” he said cheekily. “Thanks so much for coming. You’ve been wonderful. I love this city and I’m so happy to be from here… This is our last song… Let’s do this.”
Rector ended the night with his Gold-certified hit single “Brand New,” every word of which the crowd happily roared back.
Shawn Austin Releases Local Hay / Big Loud Records Debut EP
/by Lydia FarthingShawn Austin. Photo: Chris Hornbuckle
Rising Canadian country singer-songwriter Shawn Austin has released his Local Hay/Big Loud Records debut EP, Planes Don’t Wait.
Produced by Scott Cooke, the 7-track collection includes fan-favorites “Get You,” the Chris Lane collaboration “Tailgate To Heaven” and the title track “Planes Don’t Wait,” in addition to four new tracks. Composed of entirely outside cuts, the EP features songs penned by some of Music City’s most in-demand writers, including Craig Wiseman, Kelly Archer, Hillary Lindsey, Jordan Schmidt, Mark Holman, Brian Kelley, Ernest Keith Smith, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jon Nite, Cary Barlowe, and more.
With more than 27 million global career streams, the 2021 CCMA Award Rising Star nominee has spent the first half of 2022 on Dallas Smith‘s Canadian “Some Things Never Change Tour,” which wraps this Thursday (June 30) in Toronto.
A Vancouver native, Austin was recently a season two finalist on NBC’s Songland, pitching Florida Georgia Line as a songwriting contestant. This year, he launched a new chapter of his career as he signed with Local Hay/ Big Loud Records, and hit the top 5 at Canadian country radio with “Tailgate To Heaven.”
1. “Somewhere In Austin” – Written by Jordan Dozzi, Jacob Durrett, Craig Wiseman
2. “Tailgate To Heaven” (feat. Chris Lane) – Written by Kelly Archer, Will Bundy, Rodney Clawson*
3. “Over Here” – Written by Hillary Lindsey, Josh Miller, Jordan Schmidt
4. “Planes Don’t Wait” – Written by Mark Holman, Brian Kelley, Jared Mullins, Ernest Keith Smith
5. “Get You” – Written by Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson, Laura Veltz
6. “Slip” – Written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Zach Kale, Jon Nite
7. “Talk of the Town” – Written by Cary Barlowe, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson
All songs produced by Scott Cooke
*Additional production by Will Bundy
Tigirlily Signs With Roundhouse Entertainment
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Greg McCarn, Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Slaubaugh, Darcie Van Etten, and Dan Anderson
Monument Records artist Tigirlily has signed with Roundhouse Entertainment for management.
Composed of Krista and Kendra Slaubaugh, the sister duo officially formed during high school. Growing up, they performed across the midwest, opening for acts such as LeAnn Rimes and Big & Rich. They quickly developed a fan base of their own, selling out amphitheaters across North Dakota.
After their song “Somebody Does” topped the iTunes chart, they signed to Monument Records, were included in a Keds shoes global campaign, and guest-starred on The Young & The Restless. Tigirlily released their self-titled debut EP in July 2021, working with Shane McAnally. They will be on the road throughout summer and fall, including select dates opening for Walker Hayes and Ashley McBryde.
“As soon as we met Krista and Kendra and saw them perform live, it became apparent that they not only had incredible talent, but also an incredible work ethic,” says Greg McCarn, co-founder of Roundhouse Entertainment. “Discovering that they moved to Nashville and paid their dues, their rent, and their way through college by performing on lower Broadway knocking out 4 hour sets, 3-4 nights per week, for 3 years–and continued that even when they got a record deal–was impressive to us and spoke to who they are as people and the way they treat others. We are so excited to be working with them to help build their future.”
Michael Knox Celebrates Four Years Of Knox Country 360
/by Lydia FarthingShalacy Griffin & Michael Knox
Award-winning country music producer Michael Knox is celebrating the fourth anniversary of his nationally syndicated radio show Knox Country 360. To commemorate the milestone, Knox and co-host Shalacy Griffin will host a special July 4th show featuring their favorite moments from the past four years.
The show offers listeners closer access to Nashville’s hitmakers and songwriters, including Ashley Gorley, David Lee Murphy, Luke Laird, Rhett Atkins, Nicolle Galyon, Rodney Clawson, Liz Rose, Jessi Alexander, Josh Thompson, Dallas Davidson, Jennifer Hanson and more. The show also features Nashville industry insiders such as Ben Vaughn and Rusty Gaston, amongst others.
Based in Nashville, the show is produced by Knox and Donny Walker (former executive at Westwood One, Cumulus Media, BDS, Billboard Magazine). Hosted by Knox and Griffin, currently the Senior Vice President of Operations for Music Knox, LLC, Bill Bruce is also a key behind-the-scenes member known as “The Voice.”
This year, Knox Country 360 was selected by the ACM as a first-time nominee for National Weekly On-Air Personality of the Year with Knox and Griffin.
“I’m very proud of the four-year journey we have had together so far. From the excitement of our very first show back in 2018, to walking the red carpet at the 2022 ACM awards with my co-host Shalacy for our nomination for National Weekly On Air Personality, this has been such an incredible ride,” Knox shares. “Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying, because I know we’re famous because of me.”
“I have been a fan of radio my entire life so to be able to contribute to this industry has been a blessing,” adds Griffin. “I also agree with my co-host that he may be the ‘famous’ one, but everyone knows that we got our ACM nomination because of me. I think we would also agree that the show would not be possible without Donny Walker and Bill Bruce—those guys are rockstars!”
Knox is well established as one of Nashville’s in-demand music producers, playing a role in 28 No. 1 singles, including the recent Jason Aldean No. 1 “Trouble with a Heartbreak.” He has celebrated over 50 million singles and 25 million albums sold during his career.
In addition to his long-running role as Aldean’s primary producer, Knox’s production credits include Thomas Rhett, Kelly Clarkson, Ludacris, Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Laine Hardy and Michael Tyler, amongst others. His record label, Music Knox Records/BBR Music Group, is working on material with Tim Montana, and he serves as a music publisher and Senior Vice President for peermusic Nashville.
Music City Grand Prix Announces Brantley Gilbert & Carly Pearce As Grand Ole Prix Headliners
/by Steven BoeroPictured (L-R, top row): Brantley Gilbert & Carly Pearce; (L-R, bottom row): Midland & Callista Clark
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix has announced country music artists Brantley Gilbert, Carly Pearce, Midland and Callista Clark as the headliners for the Grand Ole Prix concert, set for Aug, 7.
The artists, who are all signed with Big Machine Label Group, will perform as part of a live, 90-minute show that will begin at 5:45 p.m. CT on the ZYN Main Stage. The Grand Ole Prix will follow the conclusion of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix NTT IndyCar Series race and culminates the Aug. 5-7 festivities in the heart of Music City.
Gilbert, who was named ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year in 2012 and Top New Male Artist in 2013, is a multi-Platinum Georgia native. Seven No. 1 hits punctuate his career: “Country Must be Country Wide,” “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,” CMA Song of the Year nominee “Dirt Road Anthem,” “My Kinda Party,” RIAA 5x Platinum-certified “Bottoms Up,” and “One Hell of an Amen.”
The reigning ACM/CMA Female Artist/Vocalist of the Year, Pearce has enjoyed a recent wave of significant accolades as her “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” duet with Ashley McBryde became her second consecutive ACM Awards Music Event of the Year win. The song also marked Pearce’s third No. 1 hit and they became only the third duet between two solo women to top Country Airplay since the Billboard chart’s 1990 inception. The Grand Ole Opry member will headline her first shows at the Ryman Auditorium on Oct. 26-27 after a summer touring with Kenny Chesney.
Midland has grown from a bar band to an in-demand headliner, selling out tours from coast to coast as well as supporting some of country music’s biggest stars, such as George Strait, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and Little Big Town. Lead vocalist Mark Wystrach fronts their rich sound rounded out with lead guitarist/vocalist Jess Carson and bass player/vocalist Cameron Duddy. Following their Gold-certified debut album On the Rocks, Midland’s follow-up record Let it Roll reached the top of the charts.
Clark’s debut Real To Me EP produced the top 20 hit “It’s ‘Cause I Am,” and became country radio’s most successful new artist debut of 2021. Her latest single, “Gave It Back Broken,” is featured on her forthcoming debut album Real To Me: The Way I Feel, arriving Oct. 14.