Lanco To Launch Headlining ‘Low Class Lovers Tour’ This Month

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Lanco is set to kick off their headlining “Low Class Lovers Tour” on June 16 in Ohio. The 20-date run, named after their new single, has the group crisscrossing the country throughout the fall with stops in Kansas City, Norfolk, Denver, Sacramento, and more through October.

“The Low Class Lovers Tour” announcement comes on the heels of Lanco’s radio success as they were recently named iHeart Radio’s Bobby Bones Show National Spotlight Artist of the Week.

Solely written by lead vocalist Brandon Lancaster and produced by Jay Joyce, their single “Low Class Lovers” tells the story of finding happiness through experiences and is the follow-up chapter to their double Platinum, multi-week No. 1, “Greatest Love Story.”

Lanco performing acoustically in Hopewell, VA following a venue’s power outage

This past weekend the band showcased their dedication and adaptability when the power at The Beacon Theatre in Hopewell, Virginia went out and prevented them from playing. Lanco quickly pivoted and set up a stripped-down stage in the park across the street from the venue where they performed an acoustic set and met with fans.

Lanco will make multiple appearances at this week’s CMA Fest prior to kicking off their tour. Fans can catch their two CMA Fest performances at the Ascend Amphitheater (June 10) and the Chevy Riverfront Stage (June 12).

Warner Music Nashville Adds Fount Lynch As Sr. VP, Publicity; Wes Vause To Exit

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Fount Lynch

Warner Music Nashville has tapped Fount Lynch as Senior Vice President of its publicity department. The company also announced that Wes Vause will exit after eight years with WMN.

“We are thrilled to welcome Fount to Warner Music Nashville,” says WMN Co-President Ben Kline. “He has the experience and enthusiasm to help develop new strategies that will serve the changing media landscape. Fount, along with the three dedicated and forward-thinking members of his team, will take our publicity department into the future.”

“All of us at WMN thank our friend Wes Vause for his many contributions to the company, its people and our artists over the past eight years,” adds Kline. “We wish him the best of luck on his new venture.”

Lynch joins WMN from Red Light Management, where he served as both an artist manager and a member of the marketing team for the Nashville office. He also helmed his own public relations company, LYNCH PR. Previous stops include publicity roles at Sony Music Nashville, Universal Music Group Nashville and MCA / Lost Highway Records.

Lynch will start on June 13 and will report to Kline.

“Music has always been my passion. Seeing that same passion from the team at Warner Music Nashville has been both exciting and humbling,” Lynch says. “I am grateful to have this opportunity and thrilled to be part of the WMN team. I will miss my Red Light Management family, but I look forward to continued collaboration in my new role!”

Jokes Vause, “Fount came in when I left Sony, and now he’s coming in when I’m leaving Warner Music Nashville… I’m grateful that he’s always there to clean up my messes!”

The news follows Kline and Cris Lacy‘s appointment to Co-Presidents at the label.

Jake Rose Inks Exclusive Publishing Deal With Endurance Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): EMG’s Courtney Kruckeberg and Mark Ahlberg, Rose, Martin, and EMG’s Lauren Funk. Photo: Ed Rode

Jake Rose has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Endurance Music Group.

Rose is the frontman of the alt-rock band New Medicine, as well as a rising solo country artist. His first country single, “Sleeves,” has had more than four million streams to date and his current single, “WD-40 & Beer,” is featured in a national advertising campaign for Keystone Light.

As a songwriter, he’s penned recent singles and cuts for Jimmie Allen, Florida Georgia Line, Brian Kelley, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and more.

“Jake’s originality and creativity as a songwriter set him apart in this business,” says EMG President Michael Martin. “As a writer, producer, musician, and artist, he effortlessly blends his country and rock influences in a way that speaks to the heart of both genres. Jake’s energy and passion shine through in all his creative endeavors and are infectious to those around him. The EMG team is thrilled to continue our partnership with Jake, and we look forward to his continued impact in country music and beyond.”

The Hamel, Minnesota native is currently working on a new EP slated to release this summer, in addition to a New Medicine EP expected in the fall. He’s also busy writing and producing for other artists, including Brian Kelley, Redferrin, and Las Vegas rock band Adelitas Way. Rose has played over 500 shows on tour and opened for a wide range of headliners, from Tim McGraw and Maren Morris to Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, and Shinedown.

“I’m so excited to begin my next chapter as a songwriter, artist, and producer with Endurance,” adds Rose. “They have championed every aspect of my career, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to work with a team that truly believes in me and what I do. I know together we are going to accomplish great things, starting with great songs.”

Johnny McGuire Signs Publishing Deal With MV2 Entertainment

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Pictured (L-R): Nicole Sherrill, MV2 Creative Director; Ben Strain, MV2 Sr. Creative Director; Johnny McGuire; Leslie Robers, BMI Assistant Vice President, Creative; Tony Harrell, MV2 General Manager.

MV2 Entertainment has signed songwriter Johnny McGuire to an exclusive publishing deal.

McGuire, a Kansas native, has spent the better part of a decade in Nashville learning the craft of songwriting. Best known for his time as half of the duo Walker McGuire, who landed a Top 40 with the tune “Til Tomorrow,” he is currently writing with some of Nashville’s premiere songwriters to gear up for his career as a solo artist.

“I’m so excited and grateful to be joining the MV2 family,” McGuire shares. “I look forward to being a part of their momentum as they continue to grow and have success.”

“Johnny is an awesome talent as a songwriter and is a great addition to our roster at MV2,” adds Tony Harrell, MV2’s General Manager. “His depth as a lyricist and approach to writing is both fresh and commercial, and our team is excited to have him at MV2.”

MV2’s roster currently boasts hit writer Josh Thompson (“One Margarita” for Luke Bryan; “Wasted on You” for Morgan Wallen); singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Forrest Finn; and artist-writer up-and-comers Blake Henderson, Joe Whelan, and Andrew Stone.

Wade Bowen Slates New Album ‘Somewhere Between The Secret And The Truth’ For August

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Wade Bowen. Photo: David McClister

Wade Bowen turned the lemons from the pandemic into some musical lemonade on his upcoming full-length album, Somewhere Between The Secret And The Truth, set for Aug. 12 via Thirty Tigers. The lead single from the project, “Everything Has Your Memory,” is out now.

The new album follows his recent six-song EP Where Phones Don’t Work, and features tracks penned by Eric Paslay, Randy Montana, Lori McKenna, and more.

“I went through a big writer’s drought; kind of just being shell shocked from everything, not knowing how to handle it, and then finally came out of that and just had this flood of just wanting to write,” reflects Bowen, who cowrote all 12 songs and serves as the sole producer for the first time in his career.

“This reset button really rejuvenated my passion for my entire career, all the way across the board. I was trying to find where I fit musically again. I’ve been doing this so long that I feel like I got off track from where I felt I fit–I was all over the place with my songwriting and my career,” he continues. “Ironically enough, COVID really gave me a chance to just turn my brain off a little bit and stop thinking. When I came out on the other side, I really found not only a renewed sense of my music and wanting to get out and play again, but I found a renewed sense of self. I found who I wanted to be as a writer, as a singer, as an artist.”

Somewhere Between The Secret And The Truth Track List:
Everything Has Your Memory (Wade Bowen, Eric Paslay, Heather Morgan)
Burnin’ Both Ends of the Bar (Wade Bowen, Randy Montana)
Honky Tonk Roll (Wade Bowen, Randy Montana)
The Secret To This Town (Wade Bowen, Heather Morgan)
If You Don’t Miss Me (Wade Bowen, Ray Fulcher)
A Beautiful World featuring Lori McKenna (Wade Bowen, Lori McKenna)
She’s Driving Me Crazy (Wade Bowen, Eric Paslay, Heather Morgan)
Knowing Me Like I Do (Wade Bowen, Clint Ingersoll)
It’s Gonna Hurt (Wade Bowen, Drew Kennedy)
Say Goodbye (Wade Bowen, Eric Paslay, Heather Morgan)
A Guitar, A Singer and A Song featuring Vince Gill (Wade Bowen, Lori McKenna)
Somewhere Between The Secret and The Truth (Wade Bowen, Lori McKenna)

Alexa Morris Upped To VP, Legal & Business Affairs At Warner Chappell

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Alexa Morris

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has promoted Alexa Morris to Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs. She joined WCM in 2018 as an Associate Director, Legal & Business Affairs in the Los Angeles office before being promoted to Director, Legal & Business Affairs and relocating to the Nashville office in 2019.

In her new role, she will continue to negotiate and draft publishing and administration agreements, joint ventures, and catalog acquisitions for both the Nashville and Los Angeles offices.

Morris notes, “I’m thrilled to continue working with Steve Butler and the rest of the Legal & Business Affairs team here at Warner Chappell. We truly put our songwriters first, and I look forward to signing the next wave of talent.”

“Alexa has incredible instincts and brings wide-ranging expertise across a variety of areas in the entertainment industry,” adds Butler, SVP, Legal & Business Affairs, WCM. “She has been instrumental in managing a number of high-profile deals across our Los Angeles and Nashville offices (including deals for Belly, Jesse Frasure, and Nicolle Galyon). She’s a true expert at her craft, and we’re very grateful to have her on our team.”

Morris previously served as an Associate Attorney at Rosen Law Group in Venice, California where she represented clients on transactional matters in the music, film, and television industries. She received a JD from UCLA School of Law, where she held internships at Rosen Law Group, CBS Television Studios, WCM, and Escape Artists, and a BS in Business Administration, Marketing from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

The War And Treaty’s Story Comes To Life In Upcoming Feature Film

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The War And Treaty. Photo: Kit Wood

The War And Treaty and their real-life love story will be the subject of a new feature film, The War And Treaty, directed by Numa Perrier (Jezebel, The Perfect Find).

Produced by Gary Gilbert (La La Land), John Legend, Mike Jackson (Jingle Jangle), Harvey Mason Jr. (Respect), Peter Morgan (American Sniper), and Perrier, the film revolves around the true story of Michael Trotter Jr., a soldier who has just returned from a tour in Iraq who falls in love with Tanya Trotter, a singer with a deferred dream.

“When I sat down with Michael and Tanya and heard their incredible story, I was blown away and immediately knew I had to bring it to the big screen. Numa is the perfect director to make that happen,” says Gilbert of Gilbert Films.

With a script written by Academy award-winner Will McCormack (Celeste and Jesse Forever, If Anything Happens I Love You) and Academy award-nominee Craig Borten (Dallas Buyers Club), The War and Treaty was developed by and financed at Gilbert Films.

“We are thrilled that Numa will direct The War And Treaty,” adds Jackson, Legend, and Ty Stiklorius of Get Lifted Film Co. “Will McCormack and Craig Borten’s script is incredibly vibrant and powerful, and we are excited to see Numa’s vision brought to the big screen.”

“Our hearts are overwhelmed at the chance to get to share our love story with the world,” Michael and Tanya of The War And Treaty share. “It’s filled with highs and lows, heartbreaks and heartstrings and it is threaded by the fabric of love and resilience that fuels our world. We are ecstatic to have Numa onboard, she is the perfect director to tell our story. To have this phenomenal producer team, along with our story scripted by the incredibly talented Craig Borten and Will McCormack exceeds our wildest dreams.”

“The rawness and tenderness of Michael and Tanya’s relationship, the themes of survival and redemption, and the power and passion of the music they create together is the Great American love story I’ve been seeking to tell as a filmmaker,” Perrier notes.

Michael and Tanya Trotter along with McCormack, Borten, Andrew Gould and Stiklorius will serve as Executive Producers. Zach Levine and MacKenzie Marlowe will co-produce. Casting for the new film is currently underway.

Carly Pearce Gives Fans A Peek Inside Her Closet With Special Pop-Up Shop

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Carly Pearce. Photo: Allister Ann

Carly Pearce will add an extra boost to this year’s CMA Fest schedule as she gives fans ultimate access to shop her closet. Carly’s Closet: A Pop-Up Shop Supporting Healthcare for the Music Industry will open at Noelle (200 Fourth Avenue North) in downtown Nashville on Friday, June 10 from 4-6:00 p.m. CT.

Pearce, who will open the doors for the unique experience, has hand-selected over 100 items of clothing, shoes, and accessories from her personal collection. Wardrobe pieces up available for purchase will include outfits from the “Next Girl” music video, the 2021 ACM Awards, and several media and concert appearances. The event will be entirely cashless so all purchases must be made with credit and debit cards.

All proceeds from the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year’s haul will aid the Music Health Alliance’s mission to provide free healthcare advocacy and support to more than 18,000 music industry members across 49 states.

“I recently did some spring cleaning and found that I had so many clothes that need new owners. Who better to pass them along to than my fans!?” Pearce says. “With so many people coming to Nashville this week, it felt like the perfect time to host a pop-up shop and raise some money for a great cause.” She continues, “Access to healthcare is something we all need and deserve, and the Music Health Alliance has been providing resources to artists, songwriters and musicians for over 15 years. When you make a purchase at this event, you can know your money is going directly to them to support the people who bring the music to life.”

“Carly Pearce has won over so many people with her words and her voice,” adds Music Health Alliance’s Tatum Allsep. “Now she has shown us her kindness and heart with her idea to sell her own clothes and donate the profits to Heal The Music!”

Fans across the country will also be able to participate in Carly’s Closet online as a few items become available for sale exclusively on TalkShopLive.

Later on Friday night (June 10), Pearce will head to Nissan Stadium for her first solo appearance at CMA Fest. She will continue as support on Kenny Chesney’s “Here & Now Tour” throughout the rest of the summer.

Industry Ink: Eli Young Band, ICMC, Maggie Baugh, Adam Warner

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Eli Young Band Earns 4x Platinum Certification On The Heels Of Album Release

Pictured (L-R): BMLG Records President/CEO Jimmy Harnen, RIAA SVP of Communications and Gold & Platinum Awards Liz Kennedy, EYB’s Jon Jones, Mike Eli, Chris Thompson, James Young. Photo: Corey Ray

Eli Young Band celebrated the release of their new album, Love Talking, with a sold-out weekend on their “Love Talking Tour.”

RIAA’s Liz Kennedy and Big Machine Label Group’s Jimmy Harnen, who led “Crazy Girl” to the No. 1 spot at country radio in 2011, surprised the band with a 4x Platinum certification during their show in Washington, DC on Friday night (June 3). As their highest award yet, “Crazy Girl” has surpassed more than four million sales and streaming units in the US, was previously named Billboard‘s No. 1 Country Song of the Year, and won the ACM Award for Song of the Year.

“’Crazy Girl’ has been a defining song for us, and it’s really special to see how much fans love it too,” says Mike Eli. “We’re grateful for those singing along from the crowd and those who play our music on repeat because you make moments like these possible! And thanks to the RIAA for celebrating this certification with us.”

 

International Country Music Conference Honors Stacy Chandler & Tony Russell

Pictured (L-R): James Akenson, co-host for the conference; Stacy Chandler; and Don Cusic, co-host for the conference.

The International Country Music Conference (ICMC) was held this past weekend at Belmont University.

Stacy Chandler received the Rolling Stone Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism, while Tony Russell received the Belmont Book Award for the Best Book on Country Music for Rural Rhythm: The Story of Old Timem Country Music in 78 Records.

CMT Takes Over Maggie Baugh & Friends Showcase

Pictured (L-R): Tenille Arts, Maggie Baugh, Sacha, Abbey Cone, and Harper Grae

CMT recently took over the Maggie Baugh & Friends show at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley for their Night Out Nashville Series. The set featured performances from Baugh, Tenille Arts, Sacha, Abbey Cone, and Harper Grae.

Leslie Fram, Sr. Vice President of Music Strategy for CMT, notes: “I’ve been to several of Maggie’s shows and she is doing an amazing job introducing Nashville to the next wave of amazing talent, including herself!”

 

Adam Warner Signs With Sunday Supper Records, Announces New Record For Winter

Pictured (L-R): Trey Allen, SSR President; Adam Warner; Bill Vandiver, AWBV Entertainment. Photo: Jason W. Ashcraft

Country singer-songwriter and U.S. Marine veteran Adam Warner has signed a record deal with Nashville-based Sunday Supper Records, a division of Sunday Supper Group, founded by veteran tour manager and music business executive Trey Allen. Warner’s forthcoming full length project, What We’re Known For, is due out this winter through the label with distribution through The Orchard.

Warner co-wrote most of the new songs during the height of the pandemic with Mark Addison Chandler, Lewis Brice, Davis Corley, Taylor Goyette, and Josh Gallagher on a retreat to his family’s farm outside of Lawrenceville, Illinois. The new record finds Warner transitioning from his traditional country sound by integrating elements of rock n’ roll.

“I’ve never been more excited to release new music before in my career,” shares Warner. “I spent all of the pandemic writing songs and developing my sound with my team, and absolutely love the direction the music is headed. Buckle up y’all!”

What We’re Known For is the follow-up album to 2021’s Big Storm, which contained fan favorites “4 Square Miles,” “That’s How You Know You’re Livin’” and “SemperFi” featuring Trace Adkins.

Zach Bryan Shoots To The Top Of MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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With the success of his debut album American Heartbreak, Zach Bryan finds himself at the top of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week.

Bryan is the sole writer on all eight of his currently charting songs, including “Something In The Orange,” “Heavy Eyes,” “From Austin,” “Mine Again,” “Late July,” “Happy Instead,” “Highway Boys,” and “Open The Gate.”

Ashley Gorley falls one slot to No. 2 this week. He receives credit from seven currently charting songs, such as “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” (Cole Swindell), “You Proof” (Morgan Wallen), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Didn’t” (Brett Young), and “Holy Water” (Michael Ray).

Ernest Keith Smith (No. 3), Jesse Frasure (No. 4) and Morgan Wallen (No. 5) complete the top five this week.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.