Warner Chappell Music Nashville Ups Christina Wiltshire To Sr. Director, A&R

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Christina Wiltshire

Warner Chappell Music Nashville (WCM) has promoted Christina Wiltshire to Sr. Director, A&R. In her new role, she will continue to seek new and established songwriters to add to WCM’s roster of artists.

Wiltshire joined WCM in 2019 as a Director, A&R, having previously served as Creative Director at Sea Gayle Music. Prior to that, she served as Creative Coordinator at Patrick Joseph Music’s Nashville office. She received a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of South Carolina, where she held internships at both Cornman Music and Warner Music Nashville.

Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville notes: “Christina has an infectious spirit that has led to great success in her career so far. Her passion and enthusiasm for serving songwriters has brought her deep connections with our writers, and the whole team, truly showcasing what the Warner Chappell family is all about.”

“WCM and Ben Vaughn have set the standard for prioritizing songwriters and developing a cohesive company culture,” Wiltshire adds. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ben for his continued belief in me. I am deeply passionate about songs and songwriters and am inspired daily by the talent I have the pleasure of representing.”

Nashville Music Industry Execs Spend ‘An Evening With Nate Smith’

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Nate Smith. Photo: Tara

Soulful singer-songwriter Nate Smith took over Nashville’s Electric Jane on Tuesday night (April 19) for a special evening of songs and stories.

Decked out with a photo booth, props, and specialty cocktails named after some of Smith’s tunes, the Sony Music Nashville recording artist hosted a packed room of music industry executives to unveil some of his upcoming music.

Nate Smith. Photo: Chris Ashlee

Welcoming the crowd, Smith’s managers—The Core Entertainment’s Simon Tikhman and Kevin “Chief” Zaruk—took a moment to brag on their artist. “When Chief and I started our company about three years ago, we had a vision of the type of people we wanted to work with—good, hard working people. Nate Smith exemplifies all of that,” Tikhman gushed.

“He works harder than everyone else and he wants it. He is the definition of what everyone in Nashville calls a 10-year town. He came here, he tried, and it didn’t work. He had to go back to California and he thought music wasn’t in the cards for him. He found a way after the terrible, devastating fires in his home town of Paradise, California. He got in his car and he headed over to Nashville for a second chance. Lucky for all of us, especially Chief and I, someone introduced Nate to us,” Tikhman continued. “I remember it like it was yesterday. We were having breakfast with Nate and this guy was not the stud, star-looking guy you’re going to see tonight. He was wearing his cargo shorts and pretty much living in his car, and he said ‘I want this so bad.’ We looked at him and heard a couple of demos, and we knew this guy was destined for greatness. We saw the vision.”

They recounted Smith’s story of signing with Sony Music Publishing, allowing him to hone in on his writing and performing skills, before eventually joining the Sony Music Nashville recording artist family.

Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville, Randy Goodman, also took the stage to introduce the rising star. With his signature brand of honest humor, Goodman quickly got to the point saying, “You know what occurred to me? None of you are going to remember what I say after you hear this guy. That’s the truth of the matter. So without further ado, Sony Music Nashville recording artist and publishing artist: Nate Smith.”

Nate Smith. Photo: Chris Ashlee

The California native opened up the nearly two-dozen song set with a burst of energy, delivering unreleased track after unreleased track including the rocking “Wind Up,” the breezy “Sundays Off,” and the slow burning “Alright, Alright, Alright.”

“It means the world that you guys are here,” Smith shared with the lively crowd. “I just want to say thank you to all of you who have supported me, believed in me, become my friend, and really gotten behind me. I never thought in a million years that at 36 years old I’d be here doing this with y’all. It means the absolute world to me and I love you guys so much.”

Keeping the energy up, Smith shared more new songs such as “Bad Memory,” which he playfully dedicated to Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO, Rusty Gaston, who took his spot in the front row. He also played his upcoming breakup anthem “Whiskey On You,” which will serve as his next single.

“I can only think of a couple of writes where I had to leave the room crying like a baby… multiple times. This is one of those songs,” Smith shared with full transparency as he introduced “Raised Up,” which pays homage to his upbringing. “I miss growing up a little bit. I miss seeing my mom and dad all the time. I miss going to church with my mom all the time and even getting in trouble. This song really impacted my life in a special way and it was the first song I got to put out with Sony so it’s extra special to me.”

Nate Smith. Photo: Tara

The gifted vocalist, who recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut on April 9, also dove into his fair share of love songs, including the strong “You Shouldn’t Have To,” the redemptive “I Found You,” and his current single “I Don’t Wanna Go To Heaven,” which has spawned a choir version and a brand new duet featuring label-mate Tenille Townes. The latter earned a special performance for the Nashville crowd as it was backed by a 6-piece choir, sending chills down everyone’s spines.

Smith wrapped up the packed set with two familiar fan-favorites, “Sleeve” and “Under My Skin,” which also featured guitar solos and high-reaching vocal runs.

Later this year, Smith will hit the road with Larry Fleet on his upcoming “One For The Road Tour,” with stops in Birmingham, Alabama; Athens, Georgia; Alexandria, Virginia; and New York, New York this October.

AIMP Celebrates Independent Publishing Community At Seventh Annual Awards

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Lee Brice (winner of Artist-Writer of the Year, Double Down Music), Alex Heddle (Big Machine Music), Ree Guyer (Wrensong/Reynsong Entertainment), Courtney Crist (Anthem Entertainment), Hannah Ellis (nominee, Rising Artist-Writer of the Year, Curb | Word Music Publishing), Jake Gear (nominee, Song Champion of the Year, Hang Your Hat Music) and Sophie Moll (Jimmy Robbins Music); (L-R, front row): Abbe Nameche (Wrensong/Reynsong Entertainment), Courtney Allen (Concord Music Publishing), Aubrey Rupe (Young Guns Publishing); (floor): Ruston Kelly (presenter, Concord Music Publishing). Photo: Katie Kauss

The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) celebrated the seventh annual AIMP Awards Tuesday night (April 19) at The Listening Room Cafe. Co-hosted by AIMP member Jackie Lee and comedian John Crist, the evening honored the accomplishments of Nashville’s independent publishers and writers over the last year.

AIMP nominees teamed up for unique performances throughout the night. Matt Stell performed Gayle’s “abcdefu,” Lee Brice took on Jordan Davis’ “Buy Dirt,” Callista Clark and Jimmie Allen performed Kelsea Ballerini’s “Half of My Hometown,” and Kylie Morgan and Dylan Marlowe did a rendition of Brothers Osborne’s “Younger Me.” Additionally, Davis took on Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris’ “Chasing After You,” Hardy and Morgan Wallen performed Wallen’s “Sand In My Boots,” and CJ Solar and Hannah Ellis played Cody Johnson’s “’Til You Can’t.”

Relative Music Group’s Hardy was the night’s most decorated winner. He won Songwriter of the Year, as well as Song of the Year with “Sand In My Boots,” co-written with Josh Osborne and Ashley Gorley and recorded by Wallen. Publisher of the Year went to Kobalt Music. MeGusta Music’s Trina Smith-Dort was recognized as Song Champion of the Year.

The full list of nominees and winners for each category is listed below:

AIMP Rising Songwriter Of The Year
Brinley Addington (Spirit Music)
Sara Davis (Big Machine Music)
Josh Jenkins (SMACKSongs) – WINNER
John Morgan (Triple Play/Double Down Music)
Brett Tyler (Combustion Music)
Dallas Wilson (Riser House Entertainment)

AIMP Rising Artist-Writer Of The Year
Tenille Arts (Noble Vision Music) – WINNER
Callista Clark (Big Machine Music)
Hannah Ellis (Curb | Word Music Publishing)
Dylan Marlowe (Play It Again Music Group)
Kylie Morgan (SMACKSongs)
CJ Solar (Edgehill Music)

AIMP Artist-Writer Of The Year
Jimmie Allen (Endurance Music)
Lee Brice (Double Down Music) – WINNER
HARDY (Relative Music Group)
Walker Hayes (SMACKSongs/Rare Spark Media Group)
Ryan Hurd (Big Machine Music)
Morgan Wallen (Big Loud)

Song Champion Of The Year
Jake Gear (Hang Your Hat Music)
Lee Krabel (SMACKSongs)
Cris Lacy (Warner Music)
Colt Murski (Curb | Word Music Publishing)
Ciara Shortridge (Curb | Word Music Publishing)
Trina Smith-Dort (MeGusta Music) – WINNER

AIMP Songwriter Of The Year
Corey Crowder
Jesse Frasure
Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy – WINNER
Hunter Phelps
Jonathan Singleton

AIMP Publisher Of The Year
Big Loud Publishing
Big Machine Music
Kobalt Music – WINNER
Round Hill Music
SMACKSongs
Spirit Music

AIMP Publisher’s Pick Of The Year
“Bigger Man” written by Joy Oladokun, Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz – Prescription Songs/Heroes and Halos Music/JRM Publishing/Round Hill Music/Big Machine Music – recorded by Joy Oladokun and Maren Morris

“Briefcase” written by Walker Hayes, Lori McKenna – SMACKSongs/Rare Spark Media Group/Concord Music Publishing/Creative Nation – recorded by Walker Hayes

“Miles” written by Luke Preston, Elvie Shane, John Sherwood – Anthem Entertainment/Little Louder Publishing /Rome Phrey Publishing – recorded by Elvie Shane

“Over You is You” written by Tenille Arts, Matt Stell, Ben Stennis, Alex Kline – Young Guns Publishing/Kobalt Music/Noble Vision Music/Endurance Music/Sheltered Music Publishing – recorded by Matt Stell and Tenille Arts

“Truth About You” written by Matt Alderman, Mitchell Tenpenny, Thomas Archer – Curb | Word Music Publishing/MV2 Entertainment/Riser House Entertainment – recorded by Mitchell Tenpenny

“Younger Me” written by TJ Osborne, John Osborne, Kendell Marvel – King Pen Music/Concord Music Publishing – recorded by Brothers Osborne – WINNER

AIMP Song Of The Year
“abcdefu” written by GAYLE, Dave Pittenger, Sara Davis – Big Yellow Dog/Art House Entertainment/Big Machine Music – recorded by GAYLE

“Buy Dirt” written by Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins, Jacob Davis – Anthem Entertainment/SMACKSongs/Combustion Music – recorded by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan

“Chasing After You” written by Brinley Addington and Jerry Flowers – Mojo Music/Anthem Entertainment – recorded by Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd

“Half of My Hometown” written by Kelsea Ballerini, Shane McAnally, Jimmy Robbins, Nicolle Galyon, Ross Copperman – SMACKSongs/Tempo Investments/JRM Publishing/Round Hill Music

“Sand In My Boots” written by Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley – Relative Music Group/SMACKSongs/Round Hill Music – recorded by Morgan Wallen – WINNER

“’Til You Can’t” written by Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers – Young Guns Publishing/Anthem Entertainment – recorded by Cody Johnson

Industry Ink: Jamie O’Neal, Sneaky Animals Music, Adam Sanders

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Jamie O’Neal Signs With Kinkead Agency

Jamie O’ Neal has signed with the Kinkead Agency for representation. Her new album, Now And Then, is set for release this fall.

O’Neal scored back-to-back No. 1 singles in 2001 with “There Is No Arizona” and “When I Think About Angels.” She followed that up with multiple hits including “Shiver,” “Trying To Find Atlantis,” and “Somebody’s Hero.”

She has earned Grammy nominations, won ACM and Billboard Awards, and penned most of her own songs, as well as hits for Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Leann Rimes, Cece Winans, Idina Menzel and others.

Steve Cropper, Eddie Gore, Justyna Kelley Launch Sneaky Animals Music

Writer/producer team Eddie Gore and Justyna Kelley have joined forces with legendary guitarist Steve Cropper to launch a new label and production company, Sneaky Animals Music.

The company’s first signing is Emily McGill, daughter of the late Chuck McGill, a local hero in the West Tennessee music scene. McGill grew up singing and playing in her family band and working in her father’s music store, The Bandstand.

She signed a publishing deal with Eddie and Justy Productions in 2020, and has worked and written with Bud Lee, Irene Kelley, Steve Mandile, Jonathan Singleton, Aaron Raitiere, Ronnie Bowman, Troy Tomlinson, and more.

McGill and Cropper will also be playing at Nashville’s City Winery on April 26 7 p.m. CT. For ticket information, click here.

Adam Sanders’ Whiskey Jam Takeover Helps S.O.N.G.S. Foundation

Pictured (L-R): Anna Bea Major from Gator Michaels Consulting, Kelly Ford from PickleJar, Gator Michaels from GMC, Erik Lokkesmoe from Outback Presents, and Adam Sanders

Last month, Adam Sanders held his Whiskey Jam Takeover benefiting the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation.

The music-filled event raised $6,236 for the charity.

Hardy, Jameson Rodgers, Randy Montana, Hunter Phelps Headline Inaugural ‘Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda’ Benefit

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Pictured (L-R): Hunter Phelps, Hardy, Tatum Allsep (Founder/CEO, Music Health Alliance), Jameson Rodgers, Randy Montana. Photo: Hunter Berry

Music Health Alliance’s inaugural “Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda” event took place last night headlined by four of Music City’s hottest writers: Hardy, Randy Montana, Hunter Phelps and Jameson Rodgers.

Pictured (L-R): Randy Montana, Hunter Phelps, Jameson Rodgers, and Hardy. Photo: Hunter Berry

The four performed songs in the round that “coulda, shoulda, woulda” been a smash along with their biggest hits during the evening of stories and songs. Hosted by Country Countdown USA’s Lon Helton at City Winery, the event raised $125,000 to support the Nashville-based non-profit’s free healthcare programs and life-saving advocacy services.

Based in Nashville, Music Health Alliance has provided free healthcare advocacy and support to more than 18,000 music industry members across 49 states in the non-profit’s first nine years by providing access to medicine, mental health resources, COVID-19 relief, diagnostic tests, lifesaving transplants, end of life care and many other necessary services.

On The Cover: Jason Aldean Graces Cover Of MusicRow Magazine’s 2022 InCharge Issue

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MusicRow, Nashville’s leading music industry trade publication, is proud to announce the 2022 release of its flagship print directory, InCharge. Multi-Platinum entertainer and country mainstay, Jason Aldean, graces its cover.

Over the past 16 years, Aldean has released nine studio albums and bolstered 26 No. 1s, 15 billion streams, and over 20 million albums sold. With his tenth studio project—a double-album titled Macon, Georgia—releasing on April 22, Aldean is gearing up to take the road this summer on his “Rock N’ Roll Cowboy Tour.” The trek will launch on July 15 in Scranton, Pennsylvania and will span 34 cities.

MusicRow‘s InCharge issue highlights some of the most influential music industry executives in the Nashville entertainment community. This year’s edition includes 381 profiles which are accompanied by contact information, career biographies, and detailed board and organizational membership affiliations.

This annual guide also includes a company appendix, record label staff appendix, and a professional categories appendix, which lists executives by their areas of expertise, including label, talent agency, management, music publishing, legal, finance, performing rights organizations and more.

“Our industry is filled with both opportunities and challenges. The leaders featured in this publication are able to identify and navigate both successfully while guiding the industry forward. From the restructuring of distribution channels due to changing technology, to unexpected hardships created by a pandemic, these executives champion and lead our industry through triumph and evolution,” says MusicRow Owner/Publisher, Sherod Robertson.

In this issue of InCharge, MusicRow also takes a deep dive into the world of the metaverse as it becomes more and more buzzworthy in our culture. Tracing the journey that its cutting-edge technology has taken so far, this article also looks ahead to potential uses pertaining specifically to the music industry and opportunities that the metaverse may offer in the years to come.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2022 InCharge issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $110, and are included with yearly MusicRow memberships.

Date Announced For 15th Annual ACM Honors

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The 15th Annual ACM Honors will take place at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

The evening will celebrate the recipients of the ACM’s Special Awards, including the Songwriter of the Year Award, Studio Recording Awards and Industry Awards from the 57th ACM Awards cycle, which are voted on by the Academy’s Board of Directors.

This year’s ACM Honors will acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of this year’s Songwriter of the Year, Hardy. This award is presented to an individual who stood out as the top wordsmith of the past year, helping to create the stories that artists share with their fans through song. Notable winners from the past 15 years include Rhett Akins, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally, and Lori McKenna.

Other Special Awards categories include the Cliffie Stone Icon Award, the Gene Weed Milestone Award, the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award, the Jim Reeves International Award, the Mae Boren Axton Service Award, the Merle Haggard Spirit Award, the Poet’s Award, and the Tex Ritter Film Award.

The Academy’s Studio Recording Awards recognize the creators behind the music, with categories including Bass Player of the Year, Drummer of the Year, Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year, Piano/Keys Player of the Year, Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year, Electric Guitar Player of the Year, Audio Engineer of the Year, and Producer of the Year. Notable winners in the Studio Recording Awards categories in the past 15 years include Busbee, Dann Huff, Jay Joyce, Jimmie Lee Sloas, and Ilya Toshinskiy, among others.

Finally, ACM Industry Awards recognize venues and talent buyers/promoters who have bought or promoted a set number of country concerts, is in good standing with all agents/vendors, and helps promote country music ticket sales. The various categories honored include Casino of the Year – Theater, Casino of the Year – Arena, Fair/Rodeo of the Year, Festival of the Year, Club of the Year, Theater of the Year, Outdoor Venue of the Year, Arena of the Year, Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year, and Promoter of the Year.

Additional details including this year’s winners, host, performers, and general event information will be announced in the coming weeks.

Janie Fricke Announces Tour Dates In Support Of 40th Anniversary As A Hitmaker

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Janie Fricke

Janie Fricke has announced some tour dates beginning this summer that will run throughout the end of the year.

The decades-long hitmaker will launch her summer run on May 5 at the Leo J Welder Center for the Performing Arts in Victoria, Texas, and visit Dallas, Lubbock, Kerrville and other Lone Star State cities, along with stops in Illinois, Montana, Indiana, and more through the end of 2022 into the New Year.

Fricke has released 25 albums and 36 hit singles, and in recent years, Sony Music Entertainment made four of Fricke’s classic albums available to fans on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other digital platforms via the Legacy Digital Vault campaign, including The First Word In Memory, The Very Best of Janie Fricke, Black & White and Saddle in the Wind.

The collection of albums features the 18-time chart-topper’s biggest hits, including “It Ain’t Easy Being Easy,” “Tell Me a Lie,” “She’s Single Again” and more. Legacy Recordings also released The Essential Janie Fricke to all digital service providers.

Janie Fricke Tour Dates:
5/5/22 – Leo J Welder Center for the Performing Arts – Victoria, TX
5/6/22 – Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre – New Braunfels, TX
6/4/22 – The Big Dance – Dallas, TX
6/16/22 – Sesser City Park – Sesser, IL
7/8/22 – Cactus Theater – Lubbock, TX
7/10/22 – Cailloux Theater – Kerrville, TX
7/16/22 – Tri-Lakes Center for Arts – Palmer Lake, CO
7/22/22 – Sisseton Performing Arts Center – Sisseton, SD
7/30/22 – Blue Gate Performing Arts Center – Shipshewana, IN
8/6/22 – Old Town Theatre – Huntsville, TX
8/26/22 – Music Ranch Montana – Livingston, MT
9/23/22 – Arlington Music Hall – Arlington, TX
12/2/22 – Janie Fricke’s A Country Cowgirl’s Christmas – Granbury, TX
12/11/22 – Janie Frickie’s A Country Cowgirl’s Christmas – Hopewell, VA
1/7/23 – Rosemary Clausen Performing Arts Center – Holstein, IA

Dustin Lynch’s ‘Thinking ‘Bout You’ Breaks Record As Longest-Running Top 10

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Dustin Lynch. Photo: The Dwyers

At 27 weeks, Dustin Lynch‘s Platinum, six-week No. 1 collaboration “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter)” has made history as the longest-running Top 10 single since the Billboard Country Airplay chart launched in January 1990.

Surpassing his four-week No. 1 mark set by 2017’s “Small Town Boy,” the Lynch, Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps and Will Weatherly co-write is Lynch’s eighth U.S. and second Canadian No. 1 at country radio, as well as his third career chart-topper as a songwriter. The song also gives Porter her first U.S. and fourth Canadian No. 1, and has racked up over 300 million global on-demand streams to date.

“Wow! Adding this stat to ‘Thinking ‘Bout You’ is so huge. It further validates what we all felt with this song, and it’s so rewarding to see it continue to connect with listeners,” shares Lynch.

Lynch is once again climbing the charts with his current single “Party Mode,” which scored his biggest add week and highest career debut. He returns to the road this week for back-to-back shows at Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville, Kentucky on Thursday (April 21), and The Anthem in Washington, DC, on Friday (April 22).

Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, More To Headline 2022 Pilgrimage Festival

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The lineup for this year’s Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival has been unveiled with Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Jon Batiste and The Avett Brothers at the top of the bill.

In the event’s eighth year, artists such as Lake Street Dive, Elle King, Lennon Stella, Trampled by Turtles, Dawes, Better Than Ezra, Marty Stuart, Celisse, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Butch Walker, Black Joe Lewis, Adia Victoria, Bones Owens, Brittney Spencer, Jensen McRae and more are scheduled to perform across five stages.

The annual festival will return on Sept. 24 & 25 at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee. Two-day GA and VIP passes go on sale tomorrow (April 21) at 10 a.m. CT.

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival aims to boost tourism in Williamson County while also supporting the local community. Last year, a portion of every ticket sold was donated to members of the music industry in need through the Recording Academy’s nonprofit MusiCares, in addition to Friends of Franklin Parks for capital projects at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm.