Allen Brown. Photo: Alan Poizner
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.
With 43 years in the music industry, Allen Brown has worked with a multitude of country stars, including 18 Country Music Hall of Famers. At the end of June, Brown will retire from his position as Senior Vice President, Media and Corporate Communications at Sony Music Nashville, where he oversees the media department and handles PR for the the label group, which includes RCA Nashville, Columbia Nashville and Arista Nashville.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I’m from Emmett, Idaho, which is about 25 miles from Boise. My mom and dad were both born in Idaho, so I’m a second generation Idahoan. My grandfather, who I’m named after, had a fruit ranch that was on the hillside around the valley. My home town is a valley, which is very picturesque.
Pictured: An outtake for Brown’s 1987 CBS Records headshot.
How did you get interested in music?
My two sisters and I took piano lessons [when we were kids]. I started out in second grade and took lessons until my freshman year of high school. In junior high, I was in orchestra. I played violin and my orchestra teacher was my piano teacher, too. So I had an appreciation for musical instruments that I played, and I enjoyed dabbling in songwriting.
My dad—Floyd Brown, who passed away in 2015—had the lifelong dream of having a radio station. Early in life, he started a repair and retail store called Brown’s Radio Shack, believe it or not. It became Brown’s Radio and TV Shack. While he still had that little mom and pop business, he started a radio station when I was a freshman in high school. My mom and dad worked there, I worked there, my cousin and also my brother-in-law. I was an on-air announcer, though not a very good one. (Laughs) I worked at the station through all of my high school years. There was a point where I actually would wake up very early in the morning, go and sign on the station at 6:00 a.m., and then go back home, take a shower, eat breakfast, and go to high school.
Did you know that you wanted to work in the music business then?
I had decided to go to Boise State for college. When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to major in, that was a bit of a challenge. I ended up declaring political science for some reason, but after my first poli-sci class, I figured out that’s not what I wanted to do. (Laughs) I changed my major to marketing.
Pictured: Brown escorting then Arista Nashville superstar Carrie Underwood on the evening she was honored with the Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award
At the beginning of my sophomore year, I was trying to figure out ultimately what I would like to be when I grow up. [Like I said], I had dabbled with songwriting and really enjoyed it. I had stopped taking piano lessons back in high school, but I would still play around with it. I would write songs just for myself. While at Boise State, I had entered an American Songwriter competition. I didn’t win, but I received a booklet that listed a lot of reputable music publishers. As I was figuring out my next steps in college, I looked through that booklet and highlighted 100 key publishers, or the ones I was familiar with. I sent a form letter to them saying, “I’m majoring in marketing, but I’m thinking about transferring and would be interested in getting feedback from you on what type of courses to take that would prepare me for a music publishing profession.” I ended up getting 10 letters back, which wasn’t bad. In two of those, the first thing they mentioned was, “You need to look into Belmont.” I never knew there was a program that existed for music business.
You ended up transferring to Belmont. How did you start your career from there?
While I was at Belmont, I worked part-time as a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Kathy Mattea was also a tour guide at the time, before she had her label deal. My second day at Belmont, I met who would become the chairman and CEO of the company I’m leaving, Randy Goodman. I also met Doug Howard, now Belmont’s Dean of the Curb College of Entertainment and Music. All three of us had a class together and we would hang out sometimes afterwards. My senior year at Belmont, I was working part-time at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and interning for CBS Records (which eventually became Sony Music Nashville).
Pictured: Brown’s cousin John Blosser, Brad Paisley, and Brown backstage at a Paisley concert in Phoenix in July 2008
Take me through your career path from your internship at CBS Records.
After I graduated from Belmont in May of 1980, I took a part-time mailroom position at CBS Records Nashville, and a few months later was promoted to Publicity Coordinator. I ended up transferring to another division of CBS called Priority Records, followed by a few years at The Benson Company. I returned to CBS Records from 1987 through 1990, then started a management company; I managed The Tractors and Stacy Dean Campbell. I came back to the label publicity world when I came to Arista Nashville. Arista merged with RCA Label Group, which later became Sony BMG, which became Sony Music Nashville. (Laughs)
So I made it through several mergers. The last part of my tenure with Sony Music Nashville, which started with Arista, totals 23 years officially. But I also consulted with Arista for two years prior to becoming an employee, so that’s almost 25 years.
Who all have you worked with throughout your career?
When I first interned, I worked such as artists as George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Lynn Anderson, Lacy J. Dalton, Johnny Rodriguez, Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers Band, and Crystal Gayle.
Later, when I came back to CBS Records, we launched Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ricky Van Shelton, Shenandoah, Joe Diffie and Doug Stone. During the most recent part of my Sony Music Nashville tenure—the last 23 years—I’ve worked with Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Diamond Rio, Brad Paisley, Alabama, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Kane Brown, Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Old Dominion, Miranda Lambert, Mitchell Tenpenny and many more.
Pictured: Brown with Liz Cost, Fount Lynch and Jennifer Way in August 2017 during the Solar Eclipse
You recently announced that you will be retiring at the end of June. When you look back on your career, what are some moments that you’re most proud of?
What comes to mind immediately is how proud I am of the relationships that I’ve had—not just with artists—but with the people I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with along the way–ones who have mentored and challenged me, the people I have mentored, and the people who have supported me. Hopefully I’ve been a positive influence on them as they obviously have been on me. This is such a great business!
There have been some exciting times for Sony Music Nashville. It’s always great when you get to be a Label Of The Year, and we are so honored to have the reigning ACM and CMA Entertainers Of The Year this last year with Miranda and Luke. Those moments are very special, but also some of the most special times have been knowing you’re at the beginning of something. When things start happening for artists… it’s just such a wonderful feeling when an artist has their “first”—whether it’s their first No. 1, Gold or Platinum certification, award nomination or trophy, cover feature or national TV appearance.
Pictured: Emmie Reitzug (Manager, Media, SMN), Arista Nashville artist Nate Smith and Brown in mid-May celebrating Nate’s “Whiskey On You” debut of over 7.5 million streams globally
How do you want to be remembered as you leave us?
Obviously during COVID, I’ve had a lot of time to think. I spent some time thinking about when the right time to do this would be. Over the years, I hope that most people would think that I was helpful, supportive, that I was a good listener, that I treated them honestly, and that I gave them the attention that was needed. That I responded appropriately and that I didn’t drag my feet. I also hope that there are people out there that would still like to go have lunch or grab a coffee in the future.
When I decided to retire and Randy Goodman asked when I would like to tell the team here, I had the opportunity to do it in the rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame [during a company-wide] dinner. For me, after being a tour guide my senior year of Belmont, that seemed very appropriate. I was able to look around the room and see [some artists that I’ve worked with] who have become Hall of Fame members. That was very special. But the team members in that room were the ones I was most proud of. There were a lot of people in the rotunda who I’ve worked with for years—some over 20 years. It’s such a wonderful feeling–that I honestly do feel like these are friends. Friendships mean so much to me. That’s what I’ll think about the rest of my life.
Opry to Host Six-Show Residency Of Tom Douglas’ ‘Love, Tom’
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Grand Ole Opry is hosting Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter Tom Douglas for a six-show residency of his one-man show Love, Tom, which inspired the acclaimed motion picture streaming on Paramount+, throughout July and August.
Douglas will share stories of some of his famed songs in Love, Tom, which will mark the first ticketed show/residency in the 80-seat Circle Room at the Grand Ole Opry House.
Among Douglas’ hits are Lady A’s “I Run to You,” Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” and Tim McGraw’s “My Little Girl.” He has also had songs recorded by Opry members Garth Brooks, Chris Janson, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban, among others.
Love, Tom kicks off July 14 at 7 p.m. and runs on July 21, 25, 28, Aug. 3, and Aug. 10. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Friday, June 24 at 10 a.m at opry.com.
The show is being presented as part of the Opry’s “Opry Loves the 90s” celebration, as Douglas’ hit-making career began with his 1994’s Collin Raye hit “Little Rock,” a 1994 CMA Song of the Year nominee.
Jake Owen Signs With CAA
/by Lorie HollabaughJake Owen. Photo: Matt Paskert
Jake Owen has signed with CAA for representation.
Throughout his career, Owen has racked up nine No. 1 singles, six top-charting albums, and numerous multi-Platinum hits, including the smash “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.”
His latest album Greetings From…Jake on Big Loud Records has yielded three No. 1s: “Made For You,” “Homemade,” and “I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” and also included the top-five smash “Down to the Honkytonk.”
The project followed his popular album American Love, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Owen’s current single, “Best Thing Since Backroads,” is in the Top 15 on the charts and climbing now.
Owen is managed by Jon Andolina and Keith Gale at Good Company Entertainment, his attorney is Jess Rosen from Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and his business manager is Jackie Warrick from Platinum Business Management.
CMHOF Spotlights LA Country-Rock Movement In New Exhibit
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has announced its next major exhibit, “Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock,” with two separate events at the Troubadour in Los Angeles and the museum’s Ford Theater in Nashville.
Artifacts seen from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s announcement of the major new exhibition “Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock” at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on June 22, 2022. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Housed in the museum’s newly transformed 5,000-square-foot gallery, the exhibit will open Sept. 30 for a nearly three-year run. “Western Edge” will examine the close-knit communities of Los Angeles-based singers, songwriters and musicians who, from the 1960s-1980s, embraced country music and created and shaped the musical fusion known as “country-rock.”
Also highlighted in the exhibit is the historical significance of the Troubadour in West Hollywood, which provided a space for creators to collaborate with a healthy dose of competition.
The exhibit will survey the rise of the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, Eagles, Emmylou Harris, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Linda Ronstadt and many others who found commercial success by merging rock & roll rhythms with country and bluegrass instrumentation and harmonies.
Pictured (L-R): Matraca Berg, Jeff Hanna and Emmylou Harris. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The new exhibit announcement was accompanied by special performances from several artists central to the exhibit’s narrative, including Dwight Yoakam and country-rock luminary Chris Hillman performing “Sin City” and “Time Between” together at the Troubadour in Los Angeles; and Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris singing “The Road,” in tribute to fellow country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons at the museum’s Ford Theater in Nashville. Harris also joined Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) and songwriter Matraca Berg for a performance of “Mr. Bojangles” in the museum’s theater.
“A new hybrid sound grew from humble beginnings in a few small LA nightclubs and quickly emerged as one of the most popular musical styles across the world,” explains Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Inspired by the likes of Bob Dylan and the Beatles, these artists and musicians also found community in their appreciation of traditional country, folk and bluegrass music. They built on this foundation, crafting songs of uncommon lyrical depth and layered musical richness –adding new textures to rock sounds that resulted in a completely original form of American music.”
The exhibit’s opening weekend will include a pair of one-of-a-kind concerts in the museum’s CMA Theater, made possible in part by exhibit travel partner American Airlines:
Memorial Set For Flora-Bama Legend Joe Gilchrist
/by Robert K OermannJoe Gilchrist
The iconic Flora-Bama nightclub on the Gulf Coast will host a Celebration of Life on Sunday (June 26) to honor the legacy of its longtime owner, Joe Gilchrist.
The venue’s godfather passed away on May 25 at age 80. The Flora-Bama has long been a mecca for the Nashville songwriting community. Gilchrist founded the annual Frank Brown International Songwriting Festival at the venue, and it has endured for nearly 40 years.
Gilchrist and the Flora-Bama were the subjects of the documentary film Stories in Rhyme: The Songwriters of the Flora-Bama Lounge. The movie had its premiere at BMI on Music Row in 2019.
“There didn’t seem to be any separation between how Joe ran his business and how he lived his life,” says Mullet Wrapper newspaper editor Fran Thompson. “He was always about community service and being fair to everybody….What made Joe different from the beginning was not his willingness to lose money by paying musicians on slow nights. He was different because he encouraged them to play their own songs.”
Adds Stories in Rhyme director Lynn Raybren, “Joe built a legacy and culture around treating others with kindness and respect….His love of songwriters and music would earn him the title ‘Patron Saint of Songwriters.’”
Regulars at the Flora-Bama have included Jimmy Buffett, John Prine, Dean Dillon, Jimmy Hall, Gove, Larry Jon Wilson, Alan Rhody, Red Lane, Hank Cochran, Gatemouth Brown, Wet Willie and Billy Joe Shaver. Gilchrist often ended the evening by buying a last-call round of drinks for the house.
Kenny Chesney staged his Flora-Bama Jama national TV special there in 2014. It attracted more than 40,000 fans to the venue’s beach.
Joe Gilchrist bought the Flora-Bama from his childhood friends Bubba and Connie Tampary in 1978. Officially named The Flora-Bama Lounge & Package, it is located on the stretch of beach on the Gulf border between Alabama and Florida.
In the early days, he borrowed money to get his employees through the winter. The club’s Friday-afternoon Happy Hour crowd grew when Gilchrist made it a popular place for construction crews to cash payroll checks. He also ran shuttles for sailors to and from the area’s nearby Naval stations.
Ken Lambert became the Flora-Bama’s first musician. Darrell Roberts, Jimmy Lewis, Rock Killough and others soon followed. Killough invited his Music Row songwriting buddies to the club.
This led to the founding of the Frank Brown International Songwriting Festival in 1984. Gilchrist named it after his club’s doorman. A who’s-who of Nashville songwriting has performed there. Tanya Tucker, Jim McBride, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band members, John Rich, Midland and other contemporary figures have appeared in recent years.
Gilchrist and the Flora-Bama have long been noted for community involvement, hosting everything from weekly religious services to military-appreciation galas. Proceeds from the festival go to local music education.
Today, the Flora-Bama is surrounded by high-rise condominiums, but much like The Station Inn in Nashville, it continues to be an island of rootsy authenticity. The club is still noted for hundreds of bras hanging from the ceiling of one room, its tent for Sunday-morning services and its annual “Mullet Toss” on its beach. Gilchrist served on the board of the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce for more than a decade.
The Joe Gilchrist Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday at the Flora-Bama tent stage from 2-6 p.m. The event will continue with music in the main room from 6-10 p.m. and with a full day of music in the main room on Monday, 2-10 p.m. As always at the legendary, laid-back Flora-Bama, the vibe will be informal.
Andy Haynes, the director of the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, reports that he is pursuing some kind of recognition in Nashville for the widely loved entrepreneur.
Randy Houser Announces Sixth Studio Album ‘Note To Self’ For November
/by Lorie HollabaughRandy Houser. Photo: Rachel Deeb
Randy Houser has announced his sixth studio album, Note To Self, will be released Nov. 11 via Magnolia Music Group. A new track from the project, “Workin Man,” is set for release this Friday (June 24).
Produced by Houser with Blake Chancey and featuring 10 tracks all co-written by Houser, the project includes album opener and recently released “Still That Cowboy,” written with Matt Rogers and Josh Hoge as an ode to Houser’s wife Tatiana as the couple prepares for their second child together.
The collection also contains current lead single “Note To Self,”and new track “Workin’ Man,” written by Houser with Randy Montana, which shines a light on America’s blue-collar workers and the struggles they face day-to-day to support themselves and their families.
“Blake and I worked on this record a long time, and I’m really looking forward to sharing the rest of it with the folks who’ve already shown how excited they are for new music,” shares Houser. “This album came together at a time when I was reflecting on who I am and what’s important to me, envisioning the kind of future I’d like to see for myself and my family.”
Houser heads back out on the road this summer for a slew of headlining shows, festival dates and performances with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cody Johnson and Travis Tritt.
Along with preparing new music and touring, he also recently landed on-screen roles in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and more; as well as The Hill starring Dennis Quaid.
1. Still That Cowboy (Randy Houser, Matt Rogers, Josh Hoge)
2. Workin’ Man (Randy Houser, Randy Montana)
3. Note To Self (Randy Houser, Casey Beathard, Ross Copperman, Bobby Pinson)
4. Country ‘Round Here Tonight (Randy Houser, Brice Long, Jeff Hyde)
5. Take It To The Bank (Randy Houser, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tindell)
6. Call Me (Randy Houser, Paul Overstreet, Andrew Albert)
7. Out And Down (Randy Houser, Matt Rogers, Chris DeStefano)
8. Rub A Little Dirt On It (Randy Houser, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)
9. American Dreamer (Randy Houser, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
10. Remember How To Pray (Randy Houser, Kendell Marvel)
JR Schumann To Exit SiriusXM
/by LB CantrellJR Schumann
JR Schumann will exit his role as Sr. Dir./Music Programming at SiriusXM on July 15, MusicRow has confirmed.
“After almost 7 years, I’ve decided to leave SiriusXM and pursue other opportunities and adventures,” Schumann says in a statement. “I’m beyond proud of everything my team and I have accomplished and wish everyone at SiriusXM nothing but continued success.”
Schumann joined the satellite radio company in 2015 and led programming for all country music stations, including The Highway, as well as channels in the Christian category and SiriusXM’s Elvis Radio. Prior to his time at SiriusXM, he served as Operations Manager for Cumulus Media in Dallas/Ft. Worth.
In the interim, VP/Programming Darrin Smith will oversee the SiriusXM country channels.
Details regarding Schumann’s next move have not yet been announced.
My Music Row Story: Sony Music Nashville’s Allen Brown
/by LB CantrellAllen Brown. Photo: Alan Poizner
With 43 years in the music industry, Allen Brown has worked with a multitude of country stars, including 18 Country Music Hall of Famers. At the end of June, Brown will retire from his position as Senior Vice President, Media and Corporate Communications at Sony Music Nashville, where he oversees the media department and handles PR for the the label group, which includes RCA Nashville, Columbia Nashville and Arista Nashville.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I’m from Emmett, Idaho, which is about 25 miles from Boise. My mom and dad were both born in Idaho, so I’m a second generation Idahoan. My grandfather, who I’m named after, had a fruit ranch that was on the hillside around the valley. My home town is a valley, which is very picturesque.
Pictured: An outtake for Brown’s 1987 CBS Records headshot.
How did you get interested in music?
My two sisters and I took piano lessons [when we were kids]. I started out in second grade and took lessons until my freshman year of high school. In junior high, I was in orchestra. I played violin and my orchestra teacher was my piano teacher, too. So I had an appreciation for musical instruments that I played, and I enjoyed dabbling in songwriting.
My dad—Floyd Brown, who passed away in 2015—had the lifelong dream of having a radio station. Early in life, he started a repair and retail store called Brown’s Radio Shack, believe it or not. It became Brown’s Radio and TV Shack. While he still had that little mom and pop business, he started a radio station when I was a freshman in high school. My mom and dad worked there, I worked there, my cousin and also my brother-in-law. I was an on-air announcer, though not a very good one. (Laughs) I worked at the station through all of my high school years. There was a point where I actually would wake up very early in the morning, go and sign on the station at 6:00 a.m., and then go back home, take a shower, eat breakfast, and go to high school.
Did you know that you wanted to work in the music business then?
I had decided to go to Boise State for college. When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to major in, that was a bit of a challenge. I ended up declaring political science for some reason, but after my first poli-sci class, I figured out that’s not what I wanted to do. (Laughs) I changed my major to marketing.
Pictured: Brown escorting then Arista Nashville superstar Carrie Underwood on the evening she was honored with the Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award
At the beginning of my sophomore year, I was trying to figure out ultimately what I would like to be when I grow up. [Like I said], I had dabbled with songwriting and really enjoyed it. I had stopped taking piano lessons back in high school, but I would still play around with it. I would write songs just for myself. While at Boise State, I had entered an American Songwriter competition. I didn’t win, but I received a booklet that listed a lot of reputable music publishers. As I was figuring out my next steps in college, I looked through that booklet and highlighted 100 key publishers, or the ones I was familiar with. I sent a form letter to them saying, “I’m majoring in marketing, but I’m thinking about transferring and would be interested in getting feedback from you on what type of courses to take that would prepare me for a music publishing profession.” I ended up getting 10 letters back, which wasn’t bad. In two of those, the first thing they mentioned was, “You need to look into Belmont.” I never knew there was a program that existed for music business.
You ended up transferring to Belmont. How did you start your career from there?
While I was at Belmont, I worked part-time as a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Kathy Mattea was also a tour guide at the time, before she had her label deal. My second day at Belmont, I met who would become the chairman and CEO of the company I’m leaving, Randy Goodman. I also met Doug Howard, now Belmont’s Dean of the Curb College of Entertainment and Music. All three of us had a class together and we would hang out sometimes afterwards. My senior year at Belmont, I was working part-time at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and interning for CBS Records (which eventually became Sony Music Nashville).
Pictured: Brown’s cousin John Blosser, Brad Paisley, and Brown backstage at a Paisley concert in Phoenix in July 2008
Take me through your career path from your internship at CBS Records.
After I graduated from Belmont in May of 1980, I took a part-time mailroom position at CBS Records Nashville, and a few months later was promoted to Publicity Coordinator. I ended up transferring to another division of CBS called Priority Records, followed by a few years at The Benson Company. I returned to CBS Records from 1987 through 1990, then started a management company; I managed The Tractors and Stacy Dean Campbell. I came back to the label publicity world when I came to Arista Nashville. Arista merged with RCA Label Group, which later became Sony BMG, which became Sony Music Nashville. (Laughs)
So I made it through several mergers. The last part of my tenure with Sony Music Nashville, which started with Arista, totals 23 years officially. But I also consulted with Arista for two years prior to becoming an employee, so that’s almost 25 years.
Who all have you worked with throughout your career?
When I first interned, I worked such as artists as George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Lynn Anderson, Lacy J. Dalton, Johnny Rodriguez, Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers Band, and Crystal Gayle.
Later, when I came back to CBS Records, we launched Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ricky Van Shelton, Shenandoah, Joe Diffie and Doug Stone. During the most recent part of my Sony Music Nashville tenure—the last 23 years—I’ve worked with Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Diamond Rio, Brad Paisley, Alabama, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Kane Brown, Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Old Dominion, Miranda Lambert, Mitchell Tenpenny and many more.
Pictured: Brown with Liz Cost, Fount Lynch and Jennifer Way in August 2017 during the Solar Eclipse
You recently announced that you will be retiring at the end of June. When you look back on your career, what are some moments that you’re most proud of?
What comes to mind immediately is how proud I am of the relationships that I’ve had—not just with artists—but with the people I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with along the way–ones who have mentored and challenged me, the people I have mentored, and the people who have supported me. Hopefully I’ve been a positive influence on them as they obviously have been on me. This is such a great business!
There have been some exciting times for Sony Music Nashville. It’s always great when you get to be a Label Of The Year, and we are so honored to have the reigning ACM and CMA Entertainers Of The Year this last year with Miranda and Luke. Those moments are very special, but also some of the most special times have been knowing you’re at the beginning of something. When things start happening for artists… it’s just such a wonderful feeling when an artist has their “first”—whether it’s their first No. 1, Gold or Platinum certification, award nomination or trophy, cover feature or national TV appearance.
Pictured: Emmie Reitzug (Manager, Media, SMN), Arista Nashville artist Nate Smith and Brown in mid-May celebrating Nate’s “Whiskey On You” debut of over 7.5 million streams globally
How do you want to be remembered as you leave us?
Obviously during COVID, I’ve had a lot of time to think. I spent some time thinking about when the right time to do this would be. Over the years, I hope that most people would think that I was helpful, supportive, that I was a good listener, that I treated them honestly, and that I gave them the attention that was needed. That I responded appropriately and that I didn’t drag my feet. I also hope that there are people out there that would still like to go have lunch or grab a coffee in the future.
When I decided to retire and Randy Goodman asked when I would like to tell the team here, I had the opportunity to do it in the rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame [during a company-wide] dinner. For me, after being a tour guide my senior year of Belmont, that seemed very appropriate. I was able to look around the room and see [some artists that I’ve worked with] who have become Hall of Fame members. That was very special. But the team members in that room were the ones I was most proud of. There were a lot of people in the rotunda who I’ve worked with for years—some over 20 years. It’s such a wonderful feeling–that I honestly do feel like these are friends. Friendships mean so much to me. That’s what I’ll think about the rest of my life.
Alan Jackson Introduces New Silverbelly Whiskey
/by Lorie HollabaughAlan Jackson. Photo: David McClister
Alan Jackson is the latest artist to roll out his own line of spirits with the introduction of his new Silverbelly Whiskey, distilled exclusively for and hand-selected by the country superstar.
Silverbelly takes its name from the color of Jackson’s signature cowboy hat. Silverbelly Whiskey is created in partnership with Silver Screen Bottling Co. & DSP-KY-10, and is described as having an aroma of brown sugar, sweet apple, cherry, honey, and a sweet smooth, and spicy taste.
Available now in stores across Tennessee, with other states soon to follow, it is also available for purchase online at silverbellywhiskey.com.
To celebrate Jackson’s iconic career, Silverbelly Whiskey’s batch numbers will reflect each of Jackson’s No. 1 hit songs, making each bottle an instant collector’s item. The first batch of Silverbelly Whiskey is named after Jackson’s first hit song, 1990’s “Here In The Real World.”
Jackson will embark on his “Last Call: One More for the Road Tour” this weekend with stops on Friday in Biloxi, Mississippi and Saturday in Knoxville, Tennessee. Silverbelly Whiskey is the presenting sponsor of the tour.
Weekly Register: Bailey Zimmerman Earns Top Country Streaming Song
/by Lydia FarthingBailey Zimmerman
Warner Music Nashville and Elektra Music Group’s Bailey Zimmerman takes two of the top five spots on the country streaming songs chart this week, as well as the top country debut. His newest single, “Rock and a Hard Place,” takes the No. 1 position and earns 11 million first-week streams. His previously released “Fall In Love” follows at No. 5, nabbing 9.4 million streams, according to Luminate data.
Following closely at No. 2 is Zach Bryan‘s “Something in the Orange,” which boasts 11 million streams this week. Morgan Wallen takes up the remaining two spots: “You Proof” falls one spot to No. 3 with 11 million streams and “Wasted On You” falls to No. 4 with 9.7 million streams.
Wallen continues his reign at the top of the top country albums chart as Dangerous: The Double Album racks up 52K in total consumption (1.4K album only/64 million song streams). He also takes the No. 4 spot as If I Know Me adds 18K. Carrie Underwood‘s Denim & Rhinestones debuts at No. 2 this week, earning 31K. Bryan falls one spot to No. 3 with his American Heartbreak record gaining 30K. Luke Combs seals the top five as What You See Is What You Get sees 18K in total consumption this week.
Carly Pearce Returns To Host 15th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors
/by Lorie HollabaughCarly Pearce is returning for a second year to host the 15th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors on Aug. 24 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Tickets will be available to A-List subscribers and Academy members through an exclusive pre-sale beginning Thursday, June 23, with general on-sale beginning June 24. A full lineup of tribute performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
“ACM Honors is one of my most favorite events of the year,” Pearce shares. “It is a privilege to once again host this special night and celebrate those who are making a profound impact on country music.”
“ACM Honors is shaping up to be an unforgettable night, honoring some of the biggest names and achievements in country music, all while also shining a spotlight on the studio recording musicians and industry professionals that make the music scene in Nashville and around the world possible,” adds Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside. “We’re so excited to have Carly back to host ACM Honors for her second year in a row, making the 15th anniversary of this event even more special with our reigning ACM Female Artist of the Year steering the show.”
Honorees to be celebrated on the show include ACM Triple Crown Award recipient Miranda Lambert, ACM Icon Award recipient Connie Bradley, ACM Lifting Lives Award recipients Paul Barnabee and Dwight Wiles, ACM Milestone Award recipient Morgan Wallen, ACM Service Award recipient Duane Clark, ACM Spirit Award recipient Chris Stapleton, ACM Poet’s Award recipients Sonny Throckmorton and Shania Twain, ACM Film Award recipient Yellowstone, and ACM Songwriter of the Year Hardy.
Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners will also be honored.